Cheiragogia heliana.: A manuduction to the philosopher's magical gold: out of which profound, and subtile discourse; two of the particullar tinctures, that of Saturn and Jupiter conflate; and of Jupiter single, are recommended as short and profitable works, by the restorer of it to the light. To which is added; Antron Mitras; Zoroaster's cave: or, An intellectuall echo, &c. Together with the famous Catholic epistle of John Pontanus upon the minerall fire. / By Geo. Thor. Astromagus.

ΑΝΤΡΟΝ ΜΙΤΡΑΣ. ZOROASTER'S CAVE. OR, The Philosopher's Intellectuall Echo to One another from their CELLS.

Of Mercurie and Sulphur.

ECHO Prima.

DRy water from the Philosophers Clouds! Look for it, and be sure to have it, for it is the key to inaccessibles, and those locks that otherwise would keep thee out. Chorus omnium.

It is a middle nature between fixt, and not fixt, and partakes of a Sulphur Azurine. Isaacus Flander, & Gymnosophistae apud Phi∣lostratum.

It is a Raw, Cooling, Feminine fire, and expects its Impregnation from a Masculine, Solar Sulphur. Aristot. Arabs. It is the only compleat Angell to the Infern, or Bottom

of the earth, where all the Treasures are hid. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Apollo apud Homerum in Hymno ad Mercurium.

All that are conversant in this Art, learn from Experience, and all good Authors, That the true matter and subject of this stone, has Gold and Silver in potentiality, and Argent vive naturally, or actually: Which Gold and Silver are much better than those men com∣monly see and handle, because these are alive and can increase; the other dead: And if this could not be effected, the matter would never be brought to its perfection, which this art promises; which is indeed so efficacious as to perfect Imperfect metalls. But this same invisible Gold or Silver, which by this Ma∣gistery is exalted to so sublime a degree, cannot communicate its perfection to imper∣fect metalls, without the help and service of vulgar Gold and Silver. Adeptus Anony∣mus apnd Combachium.

The Sun and the Moon must be in Con∣junction that they may absolve perfect gene∣ration. Arnoldus Villanovan in flore florum. No corruption, that is, no mutation or pas∣sage of one form into another can be made, without the mediation of Putrefaction, (which is the sole mean and way to Gene∣ration) nor any putrefaction be had, without some Mercury, or Argent vive, which is the

special delator, or conductor of the vegetant faculty, called by Philosophers, The viridity of Nature.

Anonymi Adepti-Sal, Lunien, et Spiritus Uni¦versi. Minerals have their Roots in the Ayre, their Heads & Tops in the earth. Our Mercury is Aereal; look for it therefore in the Ayre, and in the Earth. Calid Aegyptius. It is the potentiall vapor of metals. Aegidius de Vadis.

Our Stone is the conjunction of Sol and Luna, till Sol has drawne the substance of Luna to his Nature and colour. Lullii Co∣dicillus. And this is done by the inward fire, or sulphur of the stone Idem ibidem.

Minerals made of living Mercury, and li∣ving Sulphur, are to be chosen: worke with them sweerly, not swiftly with precipitance. Dastinus-pag 55.

The thing that works perfection in metalls is the substance of Argent vive and Sulphur proportionally mixt, by long and temperate Decoction inspissate and fixt in a Wombe of clean earth; with conservation of his radi∣call not corrumpent humidity, wrought up to a solid substance, with due ignition fusible, and under the hammer Extensible. Geber, de Investig: cap. 2. Those that know the Mercury and Sulphur of the Philoso∣phers: know that they are made of pure Gold and the finest Luna, and Argent vive, which are dayly seen, and lookt upon, from which

our Argent vive is elicited. Bernardus de Gran∣pag. 1. Manuser. vetustiss:

Our Stone is the potentiall vapor of Metal; and how to get this, thou must be very care∣full and wary.

Aegidius de Vadis

Our Water is a lustral, or expiaring essence, and the cause efficient of the clarity of the whole body, and med cine. Two things it works in the earth: It washes it, It tinges it: As it washes, it is Water; as it tinges, it is Ayre Ludus puerorum. The ancients call'd our Ar∣gentvive Aqua Sicca, Dry water,

Tauladan.

It is apparent, what that Argent vive is that Geber points at, in his Summa to be taken, namely, the Cleane substance of fixt Mercury, shut up in Sol and Luna.

Idem, pag, 193.

Argent vive in its first root is compoun∣ded of white earth, subtile, and sulphureous strongly mingled with a bright and clear water, united with such an union, per mini∣ma, till the moyst be tempered with the drie, and the drie with the moyst equally into one Intimate substance, that will not rest on a plain Surface, nor adhere to the Tangent because of its Siccity, which has altered and cohibited the Aqueity in it. But it is homo∣geneous

in its nature: for it either remains all in the fire, and fixt; or else, all flyes a∣way in fume; because it is Incombustible, and Aereal. And this is a signe of perfection. Richardus Anglicus Philosoph.

Vetustus.

Mercurius crudus, Mercury crude, dis∣solves bodyes, and reduces them to their Materia prima: but the Mercurius corporum the Mercurie of Bodyes cannot do it. Holcot Anglus. The Mercury of the Philosophers is compounded of Mercury Crude and the Mercury of Bodyes, by an Union Intimate and Inseperable, as there is in Simple water mixt with Simple water. Libanius Gallus, apud Trithemium

By a Lucid Key he opened secret places, otherwise inaccessible, and within was great store of Siver and Gold.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mercurius Antiquoruum apud Homerum.

The Names of the Materia to the Magical practice. Echo II.

WHen our materialls are Amalgamated, that Amalgam, to conceale it from the unworthy, is call'd by Philosophers our Venus, our Gold, The earth of Magnesia, the whole Compound. Jodocus Greverius pag. 21. I tell thee that our Semen is the true Salamander, conceived by fire, nursed by fire, and perfected by fire.

Idem pag. 36.

The matter which we need to our worke, is not the Hyle, or the Chaos, but the Materia prima propinqua, The first matter in a propin∣quity, that is, the second; which in Ani∣mals is Sperm, in vegetals Seed, in minerals Sulphur, and Argent vive. Ripleus Anglus. Sendivogius Polonus.

Sulphur perfectly clarified and dealbate, Philosophers call Their foliated Earth. Vo∣gelius manuscriptus. The work yet Crude is call'd our Argent vive, water permanent, Our Lead, Our Saturn, the spittle of Luna, our Ju∣piter. When better decocted, then it is Argent, then Magnesia, and white Sulphur. When it is Red, it's call'd Auripigment, Corall, Gold,

Ferment, a Stone, a Lucid Water of celestiall colour. Adeptus Anonymus, Desiderabile &c.

Magnesia is That whole mixture from whence is drawn our humidity call'd Argent vive. Ludus puerorum. p: 136. The Dragon is the Sulphur that is Extracted from the Bodyes by the Magistery, Nich: Flamellus Annot. in Democritum.

The liquor of Lunary, the vegetable Mer∣cury, the quintessence, and water Ardent, are all one thing. With our liquor of Lunary, known but to few, is our Solution made, and our potable Gold; but without it, not at all. Rosarium Philosoph: p: 173.

Trouble not yourselves about the diversity of names, and the regiment of the work; for if we would make Sol, we must take Sol, if Luna, Luna for our Ferment.

Dastinus pag: 30.

Our Black Materia dealbated is called the Terra Foliata, Ashes of Ashes, ferment of ferment, and white Sulphur enduring the fire: and yet without Ferment neither Sol nor Luna will come forth, but somwhat that's as good as nothing.

Lib: duorum verborum: p. 47.

Our Stone in the beginning is called water; when the body is dissolved, Ayre, or Wind; when it tends to consolidation, then it is

named Earth, and when it is perfect and fixt, it is called Fire. Dominus Vobiscum. p. 54.

Argent Vive is called Wind, that is, Aereal Argent Vive, the strongest vinegar, poyson Tingent, Virgins Milk, Burning fire, burning worse than the fire of Hell.

Incertus Author.

The Sone is called Adrop, that is Saturnus; because, as Saturn is the chiefest of the Pla∣nets; So our mercuriall Saturnine Stone, is the highest and most pretious of Stones.

Saturninus.

Our compound is called by Philosophers White Earth when it is white; and Red when it is Red. Scotus de Bufone:

When our limous earth is whitened, we call it yharit, that is, Silver; and when it is made red we call it Temeinchum, that is, Gold: And it is whitenesse that tinges Ve∣nus and makes it Yharit, and that rednesse that tinges Yharit, and makes it Temein∣chum, that is, Gold.

Calid Egyptius, Philosophus nobilis

Our matter is call'd the elementall Stone, because the four elements are extracted from it: The mineral Stone, because it is made only of mineralls: The vegetable Stone, be∣cause it is nourisht and augmented, which are the properties of the vegetative Soul: The Animal Stone, because it is refresht with

sweet odors, and corrupted with stinking.

Scotus de Bufone.

Our Stone is called Adrop, that is, Saturn.

Speculum Arnaldi.

Our Stone after its putrefaction is called Magnesia, and in the putrefaction it is called Saturnus, Idem ibidem. All the metalls when they are prepared by Art, then they are call'd Sol, Luna, Mercurius &c. For before they were onely Gold, Silver, and Quicksilver. Marcilius Ficinus. The Incombustible Grain of metalls, is their radicall humidity; and is as a certain Seed of Sol, and Luna, which nature has inserted to them, that upon op∣portunity they may be Excocted to Sol and Luna by Nature in a long, by Art in a very short, Time. Vogelius.

Azot is a fift Essence, a body of itself Subsistent, differing from all the Elements, and all the Elementals both in Matter and Form, Nature and Virtue, having nothing of the Corruptible: and it is cal∣led a fift Essence because it is Extracted from four, and has in it no Elemental motion, as other Elemental bodyes, Tinging and puri∣sying metallic bodyes by its Colour, and Keeping from Corruption all other Bodyes that are joyn'd with it.

Incertus Author.

Terra Alba, White Earth, White Sulphur,

White Fume, Auripigment, Magnesia, and Ethel, signifie the same, in this Art. Tertia Synodus Pythagorica Manuscripta.

No way but one to the Sulphur of Nature. Echo III.

NEmo habet in Sulphure nisi Unum Iter. No road but one to find the quick Sul∣phur. David Arabs.

Thou needest but one thing, namely Water, and one operation, to wit Decoction, to White and Red, in one vessell, under∣stand of one kind.

Alphid Arabs.

Although the wise men have varied names, and perplext their sayings, yet they allwayes would have us think but of One Thing, one Disposition, one Way. The wisemen know this one thing; and, that it is one, they have often proved,

Morienus Eremita Hrerosolymitanus.

In a multiplicity of things our art is not perfected. For it is one stone, one med'cin, in which consists the whole magistery: to which we add nothing extraneous, nor take away any thing, but only, in our preparation, that that is superfluous

Idem Eremita.

White and Red proceed from The same

Root without any other Kind intervenient. For it dissolves, and conjoyns It selfe, makes it selfe Black and Citrine, white and red, espouses Itselfe, conceives, brings forth, and does all to the perfect end▪

Rhasis Arabs. Et Idem Haly.

If you Govern Our Brasse, Our Venus, with Our Water, then you shall find all that is said; otherwise, you doe nothing,

Turba Philosoph.

There is noway for the Rectifying of Bodies intirely and compleately without our Tincture, which is a Clean Seed, and has upon it the blessing of multiplication from Heaven,

Aurora.

Our water Gilded with Solar Sulphur is the Secret of the Aegyptians, Chaldeans, Arabians, Persians, and Greeks, Hallelujah per Anonymum.

The Number of the Components of the Magical Stone. ECHO. IV.

OF Sol and Luna thou mayst make the perfect med'cin without Separation of the Elements, without labour, without fear without danger; they need a long

time, but they are safe. Isaacus Flander. lib. 2. mineral.

The Ancients labour'd in the Almagama∣tion of Sol & Luna, which is indeed the most perfect worke, and the Care little. Idem ibidem.

Mercury alone perfects the works, in it we find all that we need, to it we adde no∣thing extraneous. Sol and Luna are not Ex∣traneous to one another, because they in the beginning of the work are reduced into their first Nature (that is, Mercury), therefore from It they took their beginning.

Divus Thom: Aquinas cap 3.

Wherefore I counsell you my friends, that you work not on any thing but Sol and Luna, reducing them into their first matter, that is, Our Sulphur and Argent vive. Lullii Codicillus.

Of Sol vulgar, & Luna vulgar, both Solute there is a preparation of Mercury vulgar. Of those Three without any other Species, the Physic-Stone is generated, and of no o∣ther can it be made by the Wit of Nature. Incertus. Incipiens. Desidrrabile.

The difference betwixt the Solar and the Lunar Tincture is This: The Solar contains Solar Sulphur; The Lunar, Lunar Sulph∣ur, Albertus Magnus.

The Stone is one: Yet This one, is not one in Number, but in kind.

Scala Philosoph.

Rebis is the first part of the work; Elixir the Second; Tincture the Third; and Medi∣cin the fourth. Therefore it appears, That to Azoth Elixir is required, because Elixir in this work precedes Azoth; For from Elixir, Azoth is extracted. But Azoth is that which is extracted by our Mercury from the bodyes dissolved; and That is counted the Maturer, Desiderabile. 169.

Elixir is no other then the body resolved into Mercurial Water, after which resolu∣tion Azoth is extracted out of it, that is, a Spirituous Animated Essence. Idem.

In one Thing for speices, and Two Indivi∣duals It consists and is perfected, first to White, then to Red, finally by increasing the the fire.

Petrus Valentiae.

In the first Regimen, set the Crude and pure Elements upon an Easie fire, that they may be mingled and joyn'd together; govern them so that they may be desiccate, or dried, and all be black; from which blacknesse an Occult Whitnesse is drawn, & afterwards a Redness by decoction. And when it is in the perfect White, it is in Dust Impalpable.

Zininus. p. 68.

The Generation of Metalls and the Phi∣losophers stone is to conjoyn proper prin∣ciples: videlicet, Man with Woman, Active

with a Pssive, Sulphur with Mercury, that so Generation may ensue Corruption. Ar∣gent Vive is the Recipient of the Form, and Gold the very Philosophers Stone,

Saturninus. pag 71.

The whole work consists in Sol, Luna, and Mercury. Tersim. pagin: 103. Gold and Sil∣ver are Metalls, out of which the Golden and Silver Elixirs are made.

Tauladan Pag. 184.

Tinge with Gold, and Silver: because Gold gives the Golden; and Silver, the Silver Na∣ture and Colour.

Richardus Anglicus.

It is necessary that the Stone before it be made Elixir, be extracted from the Nature of Two bodyes. Monachus. The fire ought to be very soft, till the Spirit be separated from the Body, ascending into black clouds above the body: By a Spirit Crude, a spirit Digested is Extracted from the body dissol∣ved.

Idem pag. 167.

Take the Stone Suspended upon the Sea, his name is Victor; with him slay the living, and enliven the slain; for in his power are Death, and Life.

Incognitus qui incipit Exemplum Scientiae.

Our Mercury is drawn from the Calx of Metalls by putrefaction, till the Compound

put off one nature, and put on another. And so by such Operations, is made the Mercury of the Philosophers.

Jacobus de Sancto Saturnino.

The Operations of Art in her Ministery and Attendance to Nature. ECHO. V.

NAture begins all her Actions from Seperation. Mortification is the first step to Separation, and the only way to that End: for, as long as Bodies remain in their old Origin, Separation without putrefaction, or mortification, cannot reach them, Anonymus Adeptus.

Amalgama, which is the first Work, is made with one of Sol, and four of Mercury. And this beginning of the Work the Philosophers have called by many names, Our Venus, Our Gold, The Earth of Magnesia, The whole Compound. Jodocus Greverius.

In the first Decoction, when thou art blacking, there will rise from the Earth a certain humidity of Argent vive like a Cloud, and will stick to the upper part of thy vacant Oval by its sides, which thou must let alone untoucht. Idem.

Blacknesse like that of the blackest Coal, is the Secret of True Dissolution, Raym. Lul∣lius in Claviculâ.

Turne thy clouds into raine to water thy Earth, and make it fruitful. This Reduction of clouds into raine, is called by some Cauda Draconis, The Dragons Taile: and others say, that new Mercury is to be added. Idem Greverius. pag. 22.

The bodyes are first to be Subtiliated by Dissolution, which is the first Degree of the Work. And this Dissolution is nothing else, but that bodyes be return'd into Mercury and Sulphur from whence they took their Original. But no other body can be resolved into Mercury, but a Metallic, consisting of Mercury and Sulphur.

The Spirit of Metalls is part of Our Stone; and That we must evacuate from the bodys of metalls: namely from the two perfect by putrefaction, division of Elements, and their fixation, Raym. Lullius.

When the matter Ascends by Wind, that is, by fume, the Philosophers call it Subli∣mation: when it is cast into the bottom of the vessel, and Converted into Water, they call it Solution, or Distillation: When the Earth is Inspissate, they say it is Corruption: and when it begins to change from black, they call it Ablution. Extraction of Water from the Earth, and turning it on the Earth again, till the Earth putrefie, and be cleare again, is the Summe of our magistery. And

when the Philosophers saw their Water di∣minished, and their Earth increased, they called it Ceration; Then, when all became Earth, they called their Work Congelation; and when White, Calcination. Monachus. ex manuscripto vetustiss. Dissolution begets blacknesse, Reduction Whitenesse, Fixion Citrinity, Inceration Rednesse. Blacknesse is the Earth, Whitenesse the Water, Citri∣nity the Ayre, Rednesse the fire, Anonymus.

Solution turnes the Stone into its Materia prima, that is, into Water: Ablution into Ayre: Conjunction into fire: Fixion into Earth Spiritual and Tingent. Scala Philosoph.

Putrefaction is made by a most Gentle fire hot and moyst, and no other, so that no∣thing Ascend. Desponsation and Concepti∣on is made by a kind putridnesse in the Bot∣tom of the vessell. Rosarium pag. 198. Burn with Water, wash with Fire,

Idem ibidem.

Labour not to make thy Mercury Diaphan that is, into a cleare, Transparent Water; for so it is too highly Inflamed, and Irre∣strinctible, and will never be fixt, never con∣gealed. Aureola.

When we Dissolve, without any Intervall, we Calcine, Sublime, Seperate, & Compound and between Solution, and Composition

of the body and Spirit, there intervenes no space of Time.

Alphid Arabs.

The Watering of Pegasus at his own Fountain; and of his Other food out of the Ayre and Earth. ECHO. VI.

WIth the Water of Paradise bedew the Earth now clarified, and that Water will again Ascend to heaven, and Descend a∣gaine to the Earth to make it fertil, and bring forth White, Citrine, and Flamye Red flow∣ers. Isaac Flander.

Cibation is the Nutrition of our Materia Sicca with milk and meate, both moderately given, till it be brought to the third order. Ripleus Aglus.

Our Great businesse is to make the Body a spirit, and the Spirit a body. But it is True, That if the Summe of the volatil exceed and Subdue the Summe of the fixt, it will finally be turned into a Spiritual body White or Red,

Rosarius Minor.

The Earth does not Germinate without frequent Irrigation, nor receive Irrigation without Desiccation. Therefore at every

Turn after desiccation powre Water on it temperatly, neither too much, nor too litle. If too much, it will be a Sea of Conturbation. If too little, all is burnt to a light Cindar. Daustricus, pag. 25.

Our divine Water, the Spume of Silver mingled with Magnesia, rids away the Darke Umbra of the body. Democritus Apud Flamel∣lum. The Dragon born in Darknesse, is fed with his owne Mercury, submerged in it, and then a little dealbated by it.

Keep a soft fire, till there be patience be∣twen Water and Fire, and till the Spirit and Body become one.

Monachus, pag. 14.

See that thou water it temperatly: for if it abound, it will be a Sea; and if there want, a Combustion will be made.

Desiderabile.

As in this work in its first Composition, nothing that is extraneous to its Nature en∣ters: So neither does any thing Multiply it, that is not of its first Disposition.

Trevisanus.

The Magistery of the Philosophers does not need a Commistion of any extraneous thing; but out of the proper seed metallic cast into Philosophicall earth prepared, it produces a Stone infinitely multiplicable, if it be nourisht with its owne menstrnum, or

humor Connatural, and be excited by the heat of the Philosophers Sun from its Po∣tentia into Act.

Theobaldus Hoghelandus.

Take the quantity, know the weight of it, and add to it as much of the humidity as it can drink; of which humidity, we have not the pondus determinate. Calrd Aegyptius. The Time of every Imbibition to its Exsicca∣tion is Twenty or Thirty Natural dayes.

Clangor Buccinae.

IGNIS MAGORƲM. The Philosophers Fire. ECHO VII.

OUr fire is Mineral, Equall, Continuall▪ it vapors not unlesse excited too much, it partakes of Sulphur, it is taken from some other Thing than the Materia, it breaks down all before it, Dissolves, Congeales, and Calcines: That Fire, with a Fire Remisse, perfects the whole work, and makes all the right Sublimations.

Pontanus pag. 75. uti et in Epistola.

The Fire against Nature must torment the bodyes, That is the Dragon burning violent∣ly, like fire of hell, Ripleus. All along, the fire must be gentle till the Water be congealed in Whitenesse. A stronger heat given, the

Mercury flyes the fire by reason of its Frigi∣ditie. Therefore keep thy fire soft, till thou hast a white Congelation. Benedictus.

By a Temperate fire a little quantity of the Drie Desiccates ethe moyst, and this by little and little, and not suddainly. And by how much the Stone has more of the Ablu∣tion, so much the more Intense is the white∣nesse.

Scotus de Bufone.

The fire of the first Degree, that is of So∣lution, and Putrefaction, ought to be so weak, that Nothing Ascend of the Nature to be Sublimed, and so a gentle fire gives Mercury Ingresse into the body, when with a strong one all is destroyed.

Saturninus pag. 71.

The heat Dealbant must not be too much, else all is gone. But understand this of the first White after Nutrition, Anonym. Make thy Contritions with fire, not with thy hands. Argent vive is fierie, and burns the bodyes more then fire; whatever Metallic body is joyned to it, it slayes it and brings it down to dust.

Synodus Pythagorica.

Although we alwayes speak of Slow-fire, yet in earnest we think, that in the Go∣vernment of the work, by little and little, and at Turnes, the fire to the End, is to be

Augmented. Bacho. Spec. Alchym. cap. 4.

There are onely Two fires found in the books of the Philosophers: The one dry, the other moyst: The Dry is the Elemental, The moyst is Mercury. Alanus Niger.

As oft as occasion shall require, heat and cool, moysten and desiccate thy Earth, and there is no Error. So oft as thy vessels are broke, thy matter must cool, to be re∣posed in a like vessell, and put again to the fire. Greverius Sacerdos.

The Philosophers vessel; The Cone, or Oval; The Colours of the Chao's; Transienr, and Critical. ECHO. VIII.

THE vessel must be Glasse, and Round, with a long Neck, firmly Sealed on the Top, and is to be Enclosed with another Vessel, that the heat enter not the matter im∣mediately, and so the Digestion is in a Triple vessel. Liber Trium Verborum, pag. 49.

Put thy Amalgam carefully into a Glasse-vessel of such a capacity, that thy Earth that is sown and harrowed, may take up on∣ly the Third part of it, the other two left vacant. Close up the orifice with the wisest Lute. Jodoc. Grever.

Set one halfe of the round of the Vessel into Ashes, the other beare above, that thou mayst look at pleasure upon the work.

Alanus.

The vessels are Glasse, wide below, termi∣nating in an Acute, like the figure called a Cone. Vogelius.

Think not That the Philosophers lye when they say, The whole Magistery is per∣fected, in one only vessel: when thou hearest them say so, think presently of the Species of the vessel, not of the Individual, and thou hast found the Truth. Greverius.

We need but one Vessel, one Furnace, one Disposition; which is to be understood, After the preparation of the first Stone.

Flamellus in Democritum.

Our vessel is a Glasse, firmely shut, round bellied, of a neck strict and long, halfe a foot, or thereabout. This vessel is called an Egge, a Sublimatory, a Sphear, a Sepulcher, a Cucurbit, &c.

Laurentius ventura Italus.

Put thy matter into a Glasse-vessel Round and strong, the Orifice strait, and sealed that it cannot expire the least fume.

Scotus de Bufone.

The Colours.

When the matter has stood for the space of forty dayes in a moderate heat, there will begin to appear above, a blacknesse like to pitch, which is the Caput Corvi of the Philo∣sophers, and the wise men's Mercury.

Alanus.

Blacknesse once seen, thou mayst be sure a True Conjunction of the principles is made.

Before the clear Splendent colour comes, all the Colours in the world will appear and disappear: then thou shalt see an admi∣rable whitenesse, that it will seem to thee the True whitenesse, and yet it is not so. Before the True whitenesse comes, thou shalt see all about in the margin of the Glass as it were Oriental pearls, in the matter of the Stone, glittering like the Eyes of fishes, and when thou seest the Matter white as Snow, and shining like orientall gemms, The white stone is then perfect. Let it cool of Itself. Isaacus Flander.

The Colours are only Three, the others that come are called the middle Colours, that vanish away: But the Black, White, and Red, are Eminent and lasting Scenes.

Trithemius.

When in the work blacknesse appears,

know that thou hast found the right way of working. Then rejoyce, for God has given thee a very Great and pretious Gift.

Phoenix. pag. 71.

In horâ Conjunctionis mirabilia maxima ap∣parent. Nam omnes Colores quotquot Excogrtari possunt, &c. In the hour of Conjunction wonderfull things present themselves appa∣rent to us. For all the Colours that can be Imagined, appear in the work; and the Im∣perfect body is colour'd with a firm Colo∣ration, by mediation of the Ferment.

Arnaldus in Flore Florum.

The Time to perfect the physick-work. ECHO. IX.

This work cannot be perfected in a little space of Time; therefore the Artist must be patient. Greverius.

The shortest Time of the preparation is the Circuit and Revolution of the Greater luminary. For the Stone must be kept in the fire, till it cannot any more be changed from one nature to another, from one Colour to another, but become like the Reddest blood running like wax in the fire, and yet dimini∣shing nothing at all. Laurentius Ventura, Italus.

We take a year for our Expectation; for our Calx, in lesse Time, cannot be made. Ri∣pleus.

The Philosophers seeing a sort of white∣nesse come, after a long Time, of the Colour of Ashes, called it Incineration, or Dealba∣tion.

Idem cap 112.

In purification there cannot be a deter∣minated Time, but in ninety dayes the Red work is completed.

Variation of Times happens from the quantity of the med'cin, and according to the Industry of the Artist.

Monach. pag. 17.

After the first fifty dayes, the Caput Corvi shows it self; from thence in an hundred and fifty the Dove is made; and in another hun∣dred and fifty, the Red is wrought. Till you come up to whitenesse, use a Gentle fire.

Saturninus.

When it has stood under an Eclipse for five months, and the Darknesse recedes, the light supervening, Encrease your fire.

Scala philos. Ripleus etiam.

The Time for perfection of Elixir is at least one year.

Rosarius. pag. 179.

Be patient in extracting thy Tincture; for haste is the first Error of Art, and burns all.

Anonymus.

In forty dayes and nights, after the True purification of the Stone, the work to White is compleat: because in the purification

there cannot be a Set time; but in ninety dayes and nights, the work to the Red is per∣fected.

Rosarium Vetustum.

The first Decoction has no certain Time and indeed is somewhat Taedious: yet waite upon it, and Expect it with joy. Many have perisht with haste and affected with Tedious∣nes given over all. Phoenix. Liber pretiosissimus.

The Fermentation of The Stone. ECHO. X.

FErment is made after the Ortus, or Birth of the Infant. And Ferment is nothing but meat Disposed to a Convertibility into the Essence of the Infant, that all may be made of one nature. This fermentation Ci∣bal, ought to be de suâ propriâ naturâ of the Infant's own nature, and assimilated to it; else there will be no Incorporation, no conver∣sion into Sulphur.

Lullius in Codrcrl.

Ferment must not be of this or that, but of Sol or Luna only: For we look for nothing but that the Stone be turned into his like and from them is the whole Temperament: nor is it Ferment before the Bodyes be tur∣ned into their first matter.

Vogelius pag. 10.

Infermentation see that the Summe of the

volatil do not exceed the Summe of the fixt: otherwise the Sponsal Ligament of the body would be put to flight. But if a little of the Sulphur be cast upon much of the body, so that it has the dominion over it, it soon con∣verts it into Dust; the Colour whereof is as the Colour of the body, one ounce of the Dust four of the Body.

Anonymus Incipiens Desiderabile.

Know that there is no Ferment, but Sol & Luna.

Arnaldus in Flore Florum.

Fermentation is the Animation of the Stone.

Clauger. pag. 46.

Of the nature of both, and the mutation of their substance.

He that is able to turne the Soul to a Body, and the Body to a Soul, and mingle with it Subtile Spirits, is able to Tinge every Body.

Calid Egyptius.

The Multiplication, and Projection of the Tincture. ECHO. XI.

IT is impossible to multiply the central salt without Gold, But the Sons of Art only know the True seed of Metalls.

Novum lumen Chymicum.

Multiplication is either Virtual; Such as is

made by Alteration, by Dissolving and Con∣gealing; or Quantitative, by Apposition of new Matter.

Scotus de Bufone.

The Quantitative is Nothing else but the Augmentation of the Tincture from one pondus ad infinitum: So that the Worke is never again to be begunne, and this Without the Diminution of its force. Incertus.

Projection upon Metalls,

No Projection of the Red stone but upon Luna,

Isaac Flander.

If thou would'st make Projection upon Jupiter, melt it in a Crucibrrr rrd put to one pound of Jupiter one orrce of pure Luna, and melt them together; then cast on it thy White Tincture, and the Jupiter ani∣mation of the Stone. Clang:

If Thou put to It but Little of Ferment thou shalt have but little Tincture. Dastinus pag. 30.

When the stone is liquefied by Decoction, it must then be Coagulated, But this Coagu∣lation is made with Ferment, or with its owne body, which is the same thing.

When the Anima Candida is perfectly ri∣sen, the Artist must joyn it, the same moment, with its body: For the Anima without its body cannot be held. But such an Union must be made by mediation of the Spirit:

because the Anima cannot have life in the body nor perseverance in it, but by the Spirit: And such an Union and Conjunction is the end of the Work. The Soul must be joyned with the First body whence it was, and with no other; which if thou dost not, thou shalt faile of thy purpose, as many Ig∣norants have done who knew not this Secret

Margarita Novella.

Spirits are fugitive, untill such Time as bodyes are joyned with them, and help them to fight against the fire: and yet those parts agree but little, unless with good Operation, and Continued labour: because the nature of the rwordr Tendent Upwards, where the Centre rr the Anima is. And who is he of those that have tryed, that was able to Conjoyne Two Things that are Diverse, whose Centers too are Divers? unless after the Conversion shall be transmuted into True Luna, less or more, according to the Spirituality of the stone? And if thou woul∣d'st Work with thy Red Stone, project it upon Luna Molten, and thou shalt finde the purest Sol.

Cast thy medicin upon thy Ferment, then it is frangible as Glasle. Take that frangible masse, and cast it upon metals first clear'd, and thou shalt have metal of proofe.

Ripleus Anglus,

This Secret thou must not be Ignorant of,

That our Red man, and his wife do not Tinge till they are Tinged.

Evoaldus.

Would any man by the Physic Stone turn lead into Gold or Silver? Then he must first mingle with it the Substance of Lead, that both may become one Thing; In the same way he must proceed with Tin, and Copper.

Idem. pagin. 123.

The Virtues of the Great Elixir, or Astral medicin. ECHO XII.

THIS Chymic-powder, whether you call it the Philosophers stone or fulsile Salt; Sulphur, Elixit, or potable Gold, has in it a wonderfull power over the Three Di∣visions of nature, the Animal, Vegetal, and Mineral Kinds. Thus first on the Animal: E∣very Animal, brute, or man, it brings to Sani∣ty from every disease within, or without. All defections from natural Symmetry are reduced by it to Temperament, because there is in it a perfect Aequation of Elements separate from their dreggs, and all Sulphure∣ous Adustions. On the Vegetal; It acts won∣derfully by Exciting their Genital power in their seasons, or out of them, to a most flo∣rid vegetation. In the mineral; Every Imper∣fect metallic body, Lead, Tin, Copper, com∣mon Argent vive, it transformes to Silver, or

Gold better then the natural in every pro∣bat. Pretious Stones too.; the Emerald, the Carbuncle, the Anthrax, or Rubie, Chryso∣prase, Adamant, Chrysolite, and many others, are made by it, Rob. Vallensis.

By long Inquisition, Labour, and certain Experience, we have found one medicin; by which, that which is hard may be made soft, and that which is soft may be made hard, that which is fugitive be fixt, that which is foul and dark, be Illustrated with a wonderfull splendor. Geber Arabs.

Wrincles of the face, every litura or spot, gray haires, it takes away, and keeps us in perpetual youth, and cheerfulnesse. Clangor.

The Crystallin Lamen cures the most Diseases; the Red Elixir all; makes a man grow young like the Eagle, and has produced the lives of some to above five hundred years.

Geber.

Arteph the Jew when he wrote his book, affirmes he had lived a thousand and five and twenty years.

Rogerius Bacho, de Artis mirabili potestate.

By its Ethereal, humid, oleous fire, it gives us youth; by its Tincture, it transforms the Imperfect, to the perfect Mines; makes vari∣ous sorts of pretious stones, with the most pretious malleable Glasse.

Charta Sacer dorum. Et Chorus Omnium.

The way to attain to this Sacred Science. ECHO. XIII.

FEar God, you that look after this Sacred Skill: For that which you seek is not a small Thing, but the Treasure of Treasures, the Gift of God, most Excellent, and Admi∣rable. Bacaser in Synod. Pythag.

He that is Idle and Negligent in the Rea∣ding of books, shall never be prompt in the preparation of Things: for one book opens another, one speech explicates another; and that which in one is Incompleat, in another is compleated. And how can he that refuses the Theorie, apply himselfe to the regular practice? Arnaldus in Rosario.

Follow it with the Instance of labour, but first exercise thyself in a diuturnity of Intense Imagination: for so thou mayst find the com∣pleat Elixit; but without that, never at all.

Idem lib. 2 Rosar.

Serious Study (our Doctors say) removes Ignorance, and brings the human Intellect up to the knowledge of Every Thing.

Richardus Anglicus.

Think not to find out our profound sense by the sound of the letter: for he that takes the sound of the words, and has not the hid∣den sense too, shall lose his Labour, and his Cost. Aurora.

If thou canst Resolve even the least of our

Sayings, the Greatest cannot be hid from thee. Aurora Consurgens prolog.

All wisdome is from God, and was always with him from eternity. Whosoever therfore loves wisdome, let him seek it, and begge it from him: for he is the Altitude and profun∣dity of all Science, the Treasure of all wise∣dome; because from him, in him, and by him all things are, and without his will nothing can be: To whom be glory for evermore.

Albertus magnus de Alchymia.

It is impossible that This should beknown unless it be known from God, or from a master. Rosarium Philosoph: pag: 230

The Artist must be prudent, and of a witt naturally subtile, & profound, and excellent in the Ability to Judge. He must be learned likwise; that what his wit reaches not to, that may be supplied by his learning: For whoso∣ever aspires to this Science, and is not a phi∣losopher, is a fool. He must be Industrious, Laborious, and of a Constant mind; not preci∣pitant; but very patient: For all hastiness (saies our Geber) is from the Devill. He must be at his owne election, and free; not held by other businesses and cares.

He must have money enough for his prac∣tice, and books enough for his study. Theobald Hogheland.

And above all he must be jealous over the Secret, and keep it severely to himselfe. Idem Hogheland,

I adjure thee by the living God, whosoever thou art that hast this book in thy hands, that thou offer it not to any of the Un∣worthy; such as are Fools, Tyrants, Opres∣sors, Covetous, Proud persons, Adulterers, soft Amorato's, or such whose belly is their God. Place thy hope in the Lord God, work in his feare to the good of man, expecting the blessing from above. Jodoc: Grever. initio Lib.

Thou who hast this book, hide it in thy bo∣some, discover it to none, offer it not to Impious hands: for it fully containes in it, the very Secretum Secretorum of the Philoso∣phers. Such a pretious Jewel as This, is not to be cast before Swine. Therefore thou that hast the book, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, that deservedly thou mayst be said to be, and be, of the Number of the Ancient Magi.

Arnaldus in Rosario. lib 2. cap. 32.

FINIS Antri.