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Title: A New Light of Alchymie

Author: Michal Sedziwój
Paracelsus

Translator: John French

Release date: January 6, 2020 [eBook #61112]
Most recently updated: October 17, 2024

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A NEW LIGHT
OF ALCHYMIE ***

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Please be aware that in the centuries since this book was written, medical science has
progressed. The medical treatments and medicines recommended in this book should
only be used under guidance of a trained medical professional. Many of the medicines
suggested are now known to be deleterious to your health or poisonous.
Archaic, obsolete and inconsistent spellings have been included as in the original book.
Obvious typos have been fixed. Details of these changes are at the end of the book.

A NEW LIGHT
OF
ALCHYMIE:
Taken out of the fountaine of
NATURE, and Manuall
Experience.
To which is added a TREATISE of
SVLPHVR:
Written by Micheel Sandivogius:
i.e. Anagrammatically,
DIVI LESCHI GENUS AMO.

Also Nine Books Of the Nature of Things,
Written by PARACELSUS, viz.
{ Generations }{ Renewing }
{ Growthes }{ Transmutation }
Of the of Naturall things.
{ Conservations }{ Separation }
{ Life : Death }{ Signatures }

Also a Chymicall Dictionary explaining hard places
and words met withall in the writings of Paracelsus,

and other obscure Authors.

All which are faithfully translated out of the Latin
into the English tongue,

By J. F. M.D.

London, Printed by Richard Cotes, for Thomas Williams, at
the Bible in Little-Britain, 1650.

A TABLE
OF THE
CONTENTS
OF THIS BOOK.

The Epistle to the Reader.
The Preface.

A New Light of Alchymie. Page 1.
The First Treatise: Of Nature, what she is, and what her
1.
Searchers ought to be.
The Second Treatise: Of the operation of Nature
5.
according to our intention in Sperm.
The Third Treatise: Of the true first matter of Metalls. 9.
The Fourth Treatise: How Metalls are generated in the
11.
bowells of the Earth.
The Fifth Treatise: Of the generation of all kinds of
14.
Stones.
The Sixth Treatise: Of the second Matter, and putrefaction
17.
of things.
The Seventh Treatise: Of the vertue of the second Matter. 22.
The Eighth Treatise: How by Art Nature works in Seed. 24.
The Ninth Treatise: Of the commixtion of Metalls, or the
26.
drawing forth their Seed.
The Tenth Treatise: Of the supernaturall generation of the
28.
Son of the Sun.

The Eleventh Treatise: Of the Praxis, and making of the
30.
Stone, or Tincture by Art.
The Twelfth Treatise: Of the Stone, and its vertue. 36.
The Epilogue, or Conclusion of these Twelve Treatises. 39.
A Preface to the Philosophicall Ænigma, or Ridle. 47.
The Parable, or Philosophicall Ridle, added by way of
51.
conclusion, and superaddition.
A Dialogue between Mercury, the Alchymist, and Nature. 59.
A Treatise of Sulphur. 75.
The Preface. 75.
Of Sulphur, the Second Principle. 81.
Of the Element of Earth. 83.
Of the Element of Water. 85.
Of the Element of Aire. 95.
Of the Element of Fire. 99.
Of the three Principles of all things. 111.
Of Sulphur. 126.
The Conclusion. 143.

Of the Nature of Things. 1.
The First Book: Of the generations of Naturall things. 1.
The Second Book: Of the growth, and increase of
14.
Naturall things.
The Third Book: Of the preservations of Naturall things. 19.
The Fourth Book: Of the life of Naturall things. 29.
The Fifth Book: Of the Death, or ruine of all things. 35.
The Sixth Book: Of the Resurrection of Naturall things. 51.
The Seventh Book: Of the Transmutation of Naturall
61.
things.
The Eighth Book: Of the Separation of Naturall things. 79.
Of the Separation of Metalls from their Mines. 85.
Of the Separation of Mineralls. 90.

Of the Separation of Vegetables. 92.
Of the Separation of Animalls. 95.
The Ninth Book: Of the Signature of Naturall things. 100.
Of the Monstrous Signes of Men. 104.
Of the Astrall Signes of Physiognomy in Man. 106.
Of the Astrall Signes of Chiromancy. 118.
Of Minerall Signes. 123.
Of some peculiar Signes of Naturall and
135.
Supernaturall things.

A Chymicall Dictionary: Explaining Hard Places and Words met withall
in the Writings of Paracelsus, and Other Obscure Authours.
A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L.
M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V. W. X.
Y. Z.
Transcriber’s Note.

To the Reader.

Judicious Reader,
here is abundance of knowledge, yet but little truth known.
The generality of our knowledg is but as Castles in the aire, or
groundlesse fancies. I know but two ways that are ordained
for the getting of wisdome, viz. the book of God, and of
Nature; and these also, but as they are read with reason. Many
look upon the former as a thing below them, upon the latter as a ground of
Atheisme, and therefore neglect both. It is my judgement, that as to search
the Scriptures is most necessary, so without reason it is impossible. Faith
without reason is but implicite. If I cannot understand by reason how every
thing is, yet I wil see some reason that a thing is so, before I beleeve it to be
so. I will ground my beleeving of the Scripture upon reason, I will improve
my reason by Philosophy. How shall we convince gain-sayers of the truth of
the Scriptures, but by principles of Reason? When God made Man after his
own image, How was that? But by making him a rational creature? Men
therfore that lay aside Reason in the reading of sacred mysteries, do but un-
man themselves, and become further involved in a Labyrinth of errors.
Hence it is that their Religion is degenerated into irrationall notions. Now to
say, that pure Philosophy is true Divinity, will haply bee a paradox, yet if
any one should affirm it, he would not be heterodox. When Job had been a
long time justifying himselfe against God, which I conceive was by reason
of his ignorance of God, and himselfe; God undertakes to convince him of
his errour by the principles of Nature, and to bring him to the knowledge of
both: as you may see at large, Job 38. Can any deny that Hermes, Plato,
Aristotle (though pure Naturalists) were not most deep Divines? Doe not all
grant that the two first cha. of Gen. are true Divinity? I dare also affirm that
they are the most deep and the truest Philosophy. Yea, they are the ground,
and sum of all Divinity, and Philosophy: and if rightly understood, will

teach thee more knowledge of God, and thy selfe, then all the books in the
world besides. Now for the better understanding of them, make use of most
profound Sandivogius the author of the first of the ensuing Treatises, as the
best Expositor of them: in that treatise of his thou shalt see the mystery of
the Deity, & Nature unfolded, even to admiration: as to see what that light,
and fire is which is the throne of Gods Majesty. How he is in the heaven
most gloriously, & in the creatures providentially. How he is the life of that
universall Spirit which is diffused through the whole world. What that Spirit
of his is that moved upon the Waters. What those Waters are which are
above the Firmament, and which are under the Firmament. What that Sperm
and Seed was which God put into all creatures by which they should be
multiplyed. The true manner of Mans Creation, and his degenerating into
Mortality. The true nature of the Garden of Eden, or Paradise. Also the
reason why Gold, which had a Seed put into it, as well as other creatures,
whereby it should be multiplyed, doth not multiply. What the obstruction is,
and how it may bee removed, that so it may be digested into the highest
purity, and become the true Elixir, or Philosophers stone; the possibility
whereof is so plainly illustrated in this book of Sandivogius, that let any
judicious man read it over without all partiality and prejudice, but three or
four times, and he shall nolens volens be convinced of the truth of it, and
not only of this, but of many other mysteries as incredible as this. So that if
any one should ask me, What one book did most conduce to the knowledge
of God and the Creature, and the mysteries thereof; I should speake
contrary to my judgment, if I should not, next to the sacred Writ, say
Sandivogius. All this I speak for thy encouragement, that thou shouldst lay
aside other frivolous bookes, and buy this, and read it over, & thou wilt (I
question not) thank mee for my advice.
And as this booke doth in generall, so the second of these Treatises doth in
particular illustrate the possibility of Nature, and the mysteries thereof, as
also the nature and manner of the Generation, Growth, Conservation, Life,
Death, Renewing, Transmutations, Separations, and Signatures of all
naturall things, in the explication of which many rare experiments and
excellent mysteries are discovered and found out.
To these is added a Chymical Dictionary, explaining hard places, and words
met withall in obscure Authors. But this, and the other I speak more
sparingly in the commendations of, because if read they will speak more for

them selves then I can speak for them: only I was willing for the English
nations sake, whose spirits are much drawn forth after knowledge, to
translate them into the English tongue. I did not doe it to multiply books,
(for there are too many books already; and the multitude of them is the
greatest cause of our ignorance, and in them is a great vanity) but to let thee
see the light of Nature, by which thou maist judg of truths, and the better
conceive of the God of Nature, of whom all naturall things are full, and
whose goings forth in the way of Nature are most wonderfull, even to the
conviction of the greatest Atheists.
Courteous Reader, thou must excuse me for not affecting elegancies in
these Translations, for if I were skilled in them, yet the matter of the books
would not bear them. If I have sometimes used uncouth words, it was
because the sense, to which I kept me close, would not properly bear any
other, or at least better came not at the present into my mind. If any Errata’s
have passed through the slips of my pen, or the Printers mistake, be thou
candid, and mend them. If thou shalt not approve of what I have done,
convince mee of my errour by doing better; for thereby thou shalt oblige the
lovers of truth, and amongst the rest, thy friend
J. F.

The Preface.

The Author wisheth all health to, and prays to God for a blessing upon all
the Searchers of Alchymie, namely the true Sons of Hermes.
Courteous Reader,
hen I considered with my self, that many adulterated books,
and false Receipts (as they call them) of Alchymists,
composed through the fraud, and covetousnesse of Impostors,
in which not so much as one spark of truth appears, were in
request with the Searchers of Naturall, and mysterious Arts,
by which even very many have been, and still are deceived: I thought I
could do no better service, then to communicate that talent, committed to
my trust by the Father of Lights, to the Sons and Heirs of Wisdome. And to
this end, that future ages may take notice, that this singular Philosophicall
blessing of God hath not been denyed to some men, not only in former
ages, but also in this. It seemed good to me for some Reasons to conceal my
name, whilst I doe not seek praise to my selfe, but endeavour to be assisting
to the lovers of Wisdome. Therefore I leave that vain desire of honour to
those that had rather seem to bee, then to bee indeed. What here I write by
way of testimony to that undoubted Philosophicall truth, comprehended in
few lines, have been taken out of that Manuall experience, which the most
High hath vouchsafed to mee, that they which have laid the principall, and
reall foundations in this commendable Art, may by this encouragement not
forsake the practise of the best things, and so bee secured from that wicked
swarm of smoke-sellers, whose delight is to cheat. They are not dreams, as
the ignorant vulgar call them; neither are they foolish inventions of idle
men, as fools, and men void of understanding (who deride the Art) conceive
them to be. It is the Philosophicall truth it selfe, which as I am a lover of the
truth, I ought not, nay I could not for supporting and confirming the truth of
Alchymie, undeservedly cryed out against, keep close, or bury in silence.
Although it may bee much afraid in these times (when vertue and vice are
esteemed alike) by reason of the unworthinesse of this age, and ingratitude,
and treachery of men (to say nothing of the curses of Philosophers) to come

forth upon the publick stage of the world. I could produce witnesses of this
Chymicall truth, viz. sage Authors, according to the unanimous consent of
divers honorable Ancients in so many severall nations: but those things
which are manifest by ocular experiment, need no further proof. Many men
both of high, and low condition in these last years past, have to my
knowledge seen Diana unvailed. And although there may be found some
idle, and ill-employed fellowes, who either out of envy, or malice, or fear of
having their own frauds discovered, cry out that the soule may bee extracted
out of Gold, and with the specious, and deceitfull delusion of ostentation,
say it may be put to another body; not without losse and detriment of time,
pains, and costs: yet let the sonnes of Hermes know for certaine, that such a
kind of extraction of souls (as they call them) whether out of Gold, or out of
Silver (by what vulgar way of Alchymie soever) is but a meer fancy: which
thing indeed is not beleeved by many, but at length by experience, the
onely, and true Mistris of truth is verified, and that with losse. On the
contrary, hee which (in a Philosophicall way) can without any fraud and
colourable deceit make it, that it shall really tinge the basest metall, whether
with gain, or without gain, with the colour of Gold, or Silver (abiding all
requisite tryalls whatsoever) I can justly averre hath the gates of Nature
opened to him, for the enquiring into further, and higher secrets, and with
the blessing of God to obtain them. Moreover, I present these present
Treatises, composed out of mine own experience, to the Sonnes of Art, that
whilst they are busied with all their thoughts and intentivenesse of mind in
searching into the secret operations of Nature, they may thence know, and
cleerly understand the truth of all things, and Nature it selfe: in which thing
alone the perfection of the whole sacred Philosophicall Art consists, so that
they go on in the common high-way of Nature, which shee prescribes in all
her operations. Therefore I would have the Courteous Reader be here
admonished, that he understand my Writings not so much from the outside
of my words, as from the possibility of Nature; lest afterward he bewaile his
time, pains, and costs, all spent in vain. Let him consider that this Art is for
the wise, not for the ignorant; and that the sense, or meaning of
Philosophers is of another nature then to bee understood by vapouring
Thrasoes or Letter-learned scoffers, or vicious against their owne
consciences, (who whilst they cannot rise by their vertues, attempt it by
their villanies, and malicious detractings from honest men) or ignorant
Mountebanks, who most unworthily defaming the most commendable Art

of Alchymie, have with their Whites, and Reds deceived almost the whole
world. For it is the gift of God, and truly it is not to be attained to, but by
the alone favor of God, enlightning the understanding together wth a patient
and devout humility (or by an ocular demonstration from some experienced
Master:) wherefore God justly thrusts them far from his secrets that are
strangers to him. Finally, My only request to the Sonnes of Art is this, that
they would take in good part my endeavouring to deserve well of them, and
when they shall have made that which is occult manifest, and through the
good pleasure of God in a constant way of diligence shall arrive to the
longed for haven of the Philosophers, that they would, according to the
custome of Philosophers, debarre all unworthy men from this Art; and not
forgetting to love their poor neighbor in the feare of God (setting aside all
vain ostentation) let them sing everlasting praises of thankfulnesse unto the
great and good God, for so speciall a gift, and use it wel with a silent and
religious joy——
Simplicity or plainnesse is the seal of truth.

A
NEW LIGHT
OF
ALCHYMIE.

THE FIRST TREATISE.

Of Nature, what she is, and what her searchers ought to be.
any wise, and very learned men many ages since, yea
(Hermes testifying the same) before the floud wrote many
things concerning the making the Philosophers stone; and
have bequeathed so many writings unto us, that unlesse
Nature should daily worke things credible to us, scarce any
one would beleeve it as a truth that there were any nature at all: because in
former ages there were not so many devisers of things, neither did our
Ancestors regard any thing besides nature it selfe, and the possibility of
nature. And although they were contented with the plaine way alone of
nature, yet they found out those things, which we now imployed about
divers things could not with all our wits conceive. This is because nature,
and the generation of things in the world is esteemed of us meane, and
plaine. And therefore we bend our wits not to things knowne, and familiar,
but to such things, which not at all, or very hardly can be done. Wherefore it
happens that we are more dexterous in devising curious subtilties, and such
which the Philosophers themselves did never thinke of, then to attain to the
true processe of nature, & the right meaning of Philosophers. And such is

the disposition of mens natures, as to neglect those things they know, and to
be alwaies seeking after other things; such also and much more is that of
mens wits, and fancies, to which their nature is subjected. As for example;
You see any Artificer, when he hath attained to the highest perfection of his
Art, either searcheth into other Arts, or abuseth the same, which he already
hath, or else leaves it off quite. So also is generous nature alwaies active
and doing to its very Iliad (i) utmost period, and afterward ceaseth. For
there is given to nature from the beginning a certaine kinde of grant, or
permission still to attaine to things better, and better through her whole
progresse, and to come to her full rest, towards which she tends with all her
might, and rejoyceth in her end, as a Pismire doth in her old age, at which
time nature makes her wings. Even so our wits have proceeded so farre,
especially in the Phylosophicall Art, or praxis of the stone, that now we are
almost come to the Iliad it selfe. For the Art of Chymistry hath now found
out such subtilties, that scarce greater can be invented, and differ as much
from the Art of the Ancient Philosophers as a Clock-smith doth from a
plaine Black-smith: And although both worke upon Iron, yet neither
understands the others labours, although both are masters of their Art. If
Hermes himselfe, the father of Philosophers, should now be alive, and
subtil-witted Geber, together with most profound Raimundus Lullius, they
would not be accounted by our Chymists for Philosophers, but rather for
Scholars: They would be ignorant of those so many distillations, so many
circulations, so many calcinations, and so many other innumerable
operations of Artists now adayes used, which men of this age devised, and
found out of their writings. There is one only thing wanting to us, that is, to
know that which they effected, viz. the Philosophers stone, or Physicall
Tincture, we, whilest we seeke that, finde out other things: and unlesse the
procreation of man were so usuall as it is, and nature did in that thing still
observe her owne law, and rules, we should scarce not but erre. But to
returne to what I intended; I promised in this first treatise to explaine
Nature, lest every idle fancy should turne us aside from the true and plaine
way. Therefore I say Nature is but one, true, plaine, perfect, and entire in its
owne being, which God made from the beginning, placing his spirit in it:
but know that the bounds of nature is God himselfe, who also is the
originall of nature. For it is certaine, that every thing that is begun, ends no
where but in that, in which it begins. I say it is that only alone, by which
God workes all things: not that God cannot worke without it (for truly he

himselfe made nature, and is omnipotent) but so it pleaseth him to doe. All
thing proceed from this very nature alone; neither is there any thing in the
world without nature. And although it happens sometimes that there be
abortives; this is not natures fault, but of the Artist, or place. This nature is
divided into foure places, in which she works all these things, which
appeare to us under shadowes; for truely things may be said rather to be
shadowed out to us, then really to appeare. She is changed in male, and
female, and is likened to Mercury, because she joynes her selfe to various
places; and according to the goodnesse, or the badnesse of the place she
brings forth things; although to us there seeme no bad places at all in the
earth. Now for qualities there be only foure, and these are in all things, but
agree not, for one alwaies exceeds another. Moreover, nature is not visible,
although she acts visibly; for it is a volatile spirit, which executes its office
in bodies, and is placed, and seated in the will, and minde of God. Nature in
this place serves us for no other purpose, but to understand her places,
which are more sutable, and of nearer affinity to her; that is, to understand
how to joyne one thing to another, according to nature, that we mixe not
wood and man together, or an oxe or any other living creature, and metals
together: but let every thing act upon its owne like: and then for certaine
nature shall performe her office. The place of nature is no other then, as I
said before, what is in the will of God.
The searchers of nature ought to be such as nature her selfe is, true, plaine,
patient, constant, &c. and that which is chiefest of all, religious, fearing
God, not injurious to their neighbour. Then let them diligently consider,
whether their purpose be agreeable to nature; whether it be possible, let
them learne by cleare examples, viz. Out of what things any thing may be
made, how, and in what vessell nature workes. For if thou wilt doe any
thing plainly, as nature her selfe doth doe it, follow nature; but if thou wilt
attempt to doe a thing better then nature hath done it, consider well in what,
and by what it is bettered, and let it alwaies be done in its owne like. As for
example, if thou desirest to exalt a metall in vertue (which is our intention)
further then nature hath done; thou must take a metalline nature both in
male and female, or else thou shalt effect nothing. For if thou dost purpose
to make a metall out of hearbs, thou shalt labour in paine, as also thou shalt
not bring forth wood out of a dog, or any other beast.

THE SECOND TREATISE.

Of the operation of Nature in our intention, and in Sperme.
said even now that nature was true, but one, every where seene,
constant, and is knowne by the things which are brought forth, as
woods, hearbs, and the like. I said also that the searcher of nature
must be true, simple hearted, patient, constant, giving his minde but to one
thing alone, &c. Now we must begin to treat of the acting of Nature. As
nature is in the will of God, and God created her, or put her upon every
imagination; so nature made her selfe a seed, (i) her will, and pleasure in
the Elements. She indeed is but one, and yet brings forth divers things; but
workes nothing without a sperme: Nature workes whatsoever the sperme
pleaseth, for it is as it were an instrument of some Artificer. The sperme
therefore of every thing is better, and more advantagious to the Artificer,
then nature her selfe. For by nature without seed, you shall doe as much as a
Goldsmith shall without fire, gold, or silver, or a husbandman without
corne, or seed. If thou hast the sperme, nature is presently at hand, whether
it be to bad, or good. She workes in sperme, as God doth in the free will of
man: and that is a great mysterie, because nature obeyes the sperme, not by
compulsion, but voluntarily; even as God suffers all things, which man
wills, not by constraint, but out of his owne free pleasure: Therefore he
gave man free will whether to bad, or to good. The sperme therefore is the
Elixir of every thing, or Quintessence, or the most perfect decoction, or
digestion of a thing, or the Balsome of Sulphur, which is the same as the
Radicall moisture in metalls. There might truely be made a large discourse
of this sperme; but we shall onely keep to that which makes for our purpose
in the Chymicall Art. Foure Elements beget a sperme through the will, and
pleasure of God, and imagination of nature: for as the sperme of man hath
its center, or vessell of its seede in the kidnies; so the foure Elements by
their never ceasing motion (every one according to its quality) cast forth a
sperme into the Center of the earth, where it is digested, and by motion sent
abroad. Now the Center of the earth is a certaine empty place, where
nothing can rest. The foure Elements send forth their qualities into
excentrall parts of the earth, or into the circumference of the Center. As a

man sends forth his seed into the entrance of the wombe of the woman; in
which place nothing of the seed remaines, but after the wombe hath
received a due proportion, casts out the rest: so also it comes to passe in the
Center of the earth, that the magnetick vertue of the part of any place
drawes to it selfe any thing that is convenient for its selfe, for the bringing
forth of any thing; the residue is cast forth into stones, and other
excrements. For all things have their originall from this fountaine, neither
hath any thing in the world any beginning but by this fountaine. As for
example; let there be set a vessell of water upon a smooth even table, and
be placed in the middle thereof, and round about let there be laid divers
things, and divers colours, also salt, and every one apart: then let the water
be powred forth into the middle; and you shall see that water to runne
abroad here and there, and when one streame is come to the red colour, it is
made red by it, if to the salt, it takes from it the taste of the salt, and so of
the rest. For the water doth not change the place, but the diversity of the
place changeth the water. In like manner the seed, or sperme being by the
foure Elements cast forth from the center into the circumference, passeth
through divers places; and according to the nature of the place, it makes
things: If it comes to a pure place of earth, and water, a pure thing is made.
The seed, and sperme of all things is but one, and yet it produceth divers
things, as is evident by the following example. The seed of a man is a noble
seed, and was created, and ordained for the generation of man onely; yet
nevertheless if a man doe abuse it, as is in his free will to doe, there is borne
an abortive. For if a man contrary to Gods most expresse command should
couple with a cow, or any other beast, the beast would presently conceive
the seed of the man, because nature is but one; and then there would not be
borne a man, but a beast, and an Abortive; because the seed did not find a
place sutable to it self. By such an inhumane, & detestable copulation of
men with beasts there would be brought forth divers beasts, like unto men.
For so it is, if the sperme goes into the center, there is made that which
should be made there; but when it is come into any other place, and hath
conceived, it changeth its forme no more. Now whilest the sperme is yet in
the center, there may as easily be brought forth a tree, as a metall from the
sperme, and as soone an hearbe, as a stone, and one more pretious then
another, according to the purity of the place: But how the Elements beget a
sperme is in the next place to be treated of, and it is done thus: The
Elements are foure: two are heavy and two are light, two dry, and two

moist, but one which is most dry, and another which is most moist, are
males, and females &c. Every one of these of it selfe is most apt to produce
things like unto it selfe in its owne sphere, and so it pleased God it should
be: These foure never are at rest, but are alwaies acting one upon another;
and every one by it selfe sendeth forth his owns thinness, and subtlety, and
they all meet in the center: now in the center is the Archeus, the servant of
nature, which mixeth those spermes, and sends them forth. And how that is
done is to be seene more fully in the Epilogue of the 12 treatises.

THE THIRD TREATISE.

Of the true first matter of Metalls.
he first matter of Metalls is twofold, but the one cannot make a
metall without the other. The first and principall is the humidity of
the aire mixed with heat; and this the Philosophers called Mercury,
which is governed by the beams of the Sunne, and Moon in the
Philosophicall sea: the second is the dry heat of the earth, which they called
Sulphur. But because all true Philosophers chiefly concealed this, wee will a
little more cleerly explain it; especially the weight or poise, which being
unknown, all things are spoiled. Thence it is, that many bring forth an
abortive out of that which is good; for there bee some that take the whole
body for the matter, or seed, or sperme; and some that take a piece, and all
these go beside the right way. As for example, if any one should take the
foot of a man, and the hand of a woman, and would by mixing these two
together make a man, it were not possible to be done. For there is in every
body a Center, and a place or the point of the seed or sperme, and is alwaies
the 8200th. part, yea even in every wheat corne; and this cannot bee
otherwise. For not the whole corne, or body is turned into seed, but only a
spark, or some certain small necessary part in the body, which is preserved
by its body from all excessive heat and cold. If thou hast eares, or any
sense, mark well what is here said, and thou shalt be safe, and out of the
number not only of those who are ignorant of the place of the sperm, and
endeavour to convert the whole corn into seed; but also of them all, who are
employed in the fruitlesse dissolution of metalls, and are desirous to
dissolve the whole of metalls, that afterwards by their mutuall commixtion
they may make a new metall. But these men, if they considered the processe
of Nature, should see that the case is far otherwise; for there is no metall so
pure, which hath not its impurities, yet one more, or fewer then another. But
thou, friendly Reader, shalt observe the first point of nature, as is abovesaid,
and thou hast enough: but take this caution along with thee; that thou dost
not seek for this point in the metalls of the vulgar, in which it is not. For
these metalls, especially the gold of the vulgar, are dead, but ours are living,
full of spirit, and these wholly must be taken: for know, that the life of

metalls is fire whilst they are yet in their mines; and their death is the fire,
viz. of melting. Now the first matter of metals is a certaine humidity mixed
with warm aire, and it resembles fat water, sticking to every thing pure, or
impure, but in one place more abundantly then in another, by reason the
earth is more open, and porous in one place then in another, having also an
attractive power. It comes forth into the light somtimes by it self, with some
kind of covering, especially in such places where there was nothing that it
could well stick to; it is known thus, because every thing is compounded of
3 principles: but in reference to the matter of metalls is but one, without any
conjunction to any thing, excepting to its covering or shadow, viz. sulphur,
&c.

THE FOURTH TREATISE.

How Metals are generated in the bowells of the earth.
etalls are brought forth in this manner. After the foure Elements
have sent forth their vertues into the center of the earth, the
Archeus by way of distillation sends them up unto the superficies
of the earth, by vertue of the heat of its perpetuall motion: for the earth is
porous, and this wind by distilling through the pores of the earth, is resolved
into water, out of which all things are made. Therefore let the sons of
wisdome know, that the sperm of metalls doth not differ from the sperm of
all things, viz. the moist vapour: therefore in vain do Artists look after the
reducing of metalls into their first matter, which is only a vapour. The
Philosophers meant not such a first matter, but only the second matter, as
Bernardus Trevisanus learnedly discusseth it, though not so cleerly, because
hee speaks of the foure Elements, but yet hee did say as much, but he spake
only to the sons of Art. But I, that I might the more cleerly open the
Theorie, would have all be admonished here to take heed how they give
way to so many solutions, so many circulations, so many calcinations, and
reiterations of the same; for in vain is that sought for in a hard thing, when
as the thing is soft of it self, and every where to be had. Let not the first, but
the second matter only be sought after, viz. that, which as soon as it is
conceived, cannot be changed into another form. But if thou inquirest how a
metall may bee reduced into such a matter, in that I keep close to the
intention of the Philosophers: This thing only above all the rest I desire, that
the sons of Art would understand the sense, and not the letter of writings,
and where nature doth end, viz. in metallick bodies, which in our eyes seem
to be perfect, there must Art begin. But to return to my purpose, (for my
intention is not here to speak of the stone only) let us now treate of the
matter of metalls. A little before I said, that all things were made of the
liquid aire, or the vapour, which the Elements by a perpetuall motion distill
into the bowells of the earth; and then the Archeus of Nature takes and
sublimes it through the pores, and according to its discretion distributes it to
every place (as we have declared in the foregoing treatises) so from the
variety of places proceeds the variety of things. There be some that suppose

Saturne to have one kind of seed, and Gold another, and so all the rest of the
metalls. But these are foolish fancies; there is but one only seed, the same is
found in Saturne which is in Gold, the same in Silver which is in Iron; but
the place of the earth is divers, if thou understandest me aright, although in
Silver nature sooner hath done its work, then in Gold, and so of the rest. For
when that vapour is sublimed from the center of the earth, it passeth
through places either cold, or hot: If therefore it passeth through places that
are hot, and pure, where the fatnesse of Sulphur sticks to the walls; I say
that vapour which the Philosophers have called the Mercury of
Philosophers applyes it self to, and is joined to that fatnesse, which then it
sublimes with it self; and then becomes an unctuosity, and leaving the name
of a Vapour, is called by the name of Fatnesse; which afterward coming by
sublimation unto other places, which the foregoing vapour hath cleansed,
where the earth is subtill, pure, and moist, fills the pores thereof, and is
joined to it, and so it is made Gold; but if that fatnesse come to impure, and
cold places, it is made Lead; but if the earth bee cold and pure, and mixed
with sulphur, it is made Copper, &c. For by how much more a place is
depurated, or clensed, by so much the more excellent it makes the metalls:
for wee must know, that that vapour goes out continually from the center to
the superficies, and cleanseth those places through which it passeth. Thence
it comes to passe, that now there may bee found Mines in those places
where a thousand yeers agoe were none; for in its passage it alwaies
subtilizeth that which is crude and impure, carrying it by degrees with it:
And this is the reiteration, and circution of nature; it is so long sublimed in
producing new things, untill the place be very well purified; and by how
much the more it is purified, by so much the nobler things it brings forth.
Now in the winter when the air is cold, binding fast the earth, that unctuous
vapour is congealed, which afterward when the spring returns, is mixed
together with earth, and water, and so becomes a Magnesia, drawing to it
self the Mercury of air, like unto it selfe, and gives life to all things through
the concurrence of the beams of the Sun, Moon and Stars, and so it brings
forth grass, flowers, and such like things. For Nature is not one moment of
time idle. Now Metalls are thus made, the earth by long distillation is
purified, then they are generated by the accesse, or coming thither of the
fatnesse: they are brought forth no other way, as is the foolish opinion of
some that mis-interpret the writings of Philosophers.

THE FIFTH TREATISE.

Of the generation of all kinds of Stones.
he matter of Stones is the same as of other things; and according to
the purity of places they are made in this manner. When the four
Elements distill their vapour into the center of the earth; and the
Archeus of nature sends forth the same, and sublimes it; this whilst it
passeth through places, and the pores of the earth, takes along with it self all
the impurity of the earth unto the very superficies, which afterward the air
congeals (for what the pure air makes, the crude aire congeals, because aire
hath ingresse into aire, and they join themselves together, for nature is
delighted in nature:) and so are made rocks, and stony mountains, according
to great and little pores. And by how much the greater are the pores of the
earth, by so much the better is the place purified. Since therefore by such a
breathing place or vent, a greater heat, and a greater quantity of water
passeth, therefore the sooner is the earth depurated: and so afterward in
those places metalls are more easily brought forth. Even so very experience
testifies, that gold cannot be got, or found any where but in mountains, and
seldome or never in plain, and levell ground: for most commonly such
places are moist, not with the vapour, but with Elementary water, which
drawes to it self that vapour, and so they embrace one another, as that they
can hardly be separated; afterwards the sun of the heavens digesting them,
makes that fat clay which the Potters use. But in places where there is
grosse sand, and whither the vapour doth not bring with it that fatnesse, or
sulphur, it brings forth herbs and grasse in Meadows. There be other kind of
stones, which are called precious stones, as the Diamond, Rubies, Emerald,
and such like gems as these, all which are generated after this manner.
When the vapour of Nature is sublimed by it selfe, without being joined to
the fatnesse of sulphur, and comes to a place of pure salt water, there are
made Diamonds; and this is in cold places, whither that fatnesse cannot
come, because that fatness would hinder the making of these stones. For
wee must know, that the spirit of water is sublimed easily, and that with a
small heat; but oil, and fatnesse cannot be carryed up but with a great heat,
and that also into hot places; for when it is come from the center, if it meet

with any little cold, it is congealed, and is at a stand, but the vapour ascends
to its due places, and in pure water is congealed into stones by grains. But
how colours are made in gems; wee must know that they are made by
reason of the sulphur in this manner: if the fatnesse of the sulphur be
congealed, then by that perpetuall motion, the spirit of the water passing
through, it digests and purifies it by virtue of the salt, untill it bee coloured
with a digested heate, red or white, which colour tending toward a further
perfection, is carryed up by that spirit, because it is subtilized and made thin
by so many reiterated distillations; the spirit afterward hath a power to enter
into imperfect things, and so brings in a colour to them, which afterward is
joined to that water, being then in part congealed, and so fills up the pores
thereof, and is fixed with it, with an inseparable fixation. For all water is
congealed with heat, if it be without spirit, & congeled with cold, if it hath a
spirit; but he that knows how to congeal water with heat, & to join a spirit
with it, shall certainly find out a thing more pretious then gold, and every
thing else. Let him therefore cause that the spirit be separated from the
water, that it may putrifie, and bee like a graine. Afterwards the feces being
cast away, let him reduce and bring back the spirit again from the deep into
water, and make them be joined together again: for that conjunction will
generate a branch of an unlike shape to its parents.

THE SIXTH TREATISE.

Of the second matter, and putrefaction of things.
ee have spoken of the first matter of things, and how things are
produced by Nature without seed, that is, how Nature receives
matter from the Elements, out of which she makes seed: But now
we intend to treat of the seed it selfe, and things generated of seed. For
every thing that hath seed is multiplyed in it, but without the help of Nature
it is not done: for the seed is nothing else but the air congealed in some
body: or it is a moist vapour; and unlesse this be resolved by a warm
vapour, it is of no use. Let therefore the searchers of the Art understand
what Seed is, lest they seek after a thing that is not: and let them know that
that is threefold, which is brought forth by the foure Elements. The first is
Minerall, and is that which we now speak of; the second is Vegetable; the
third Animall. The Minerall seed is known by Philosophers alone: the
Vegetable is common, and vulgar, as we may see in fruits: the Animall is
known by imagination. The Vegetable doth shew to us, how Nature made it
of the four Elements. For wee must know that the winter is the cause of
putrefaction, seeing it congeals the Vitall spirits in trees; and when those by
the heat of the Sun (in which there is a magnetick vertue, attractive of al
manner of moisture) are resolved; then the heat of nature, stirred up by
motion drives, or forceth the subtill Vapour of the water to the
circumference, and this vapour openeth the pores of the tree, and makes
drops distill, alwaies separating the pure from the impure. Yet the pure
sometimes goeth before the impure; the pure stayes, and is congealed into
flowers, the impure goes into leaves, the grosse, and thick into the bark: the
bark of the tree remains fast, and firm, the leaves fall with cold, or heat,
when the pores thereof are stopt: the flowers in congealing receive their
colour according to the heat whereby the colour is made, and bring with
them fruit, and seed (as an Apple, in which there is sperm out of which a
tree is not brought forth; but in the inside of that sperme is a seed or kernell,
out of which even without the sperm is brought forth a tree, for
multiplication is not in the sperm, but in the seed.) So wee see with our
eyes, that Nature creates a seed out of the four Elements, lest wee should

labour in vain about it; for what is created already need not a Creator. Let
this by way of example bee sufficient for the advertisement of the Reader;
but now I return to my purpose concerning the Mineralls. Nature creates the
Mineral seed, or the seed of Metalls in the bowels of the earth: wherefore it
is not beleeved that there is any such seed in rerum naturâ, because it is
invisible. But it is no wonder if ignorant men doubt of it, seeing they cannot
perceive that which is before their eys, much less that which is hid from
their eyes: but it is most true that that which is superiour, is but as that
which is inferior, and so on the contrary. Also that which is brought forth
above is brought forth of the same fountaine, as that beneath in the bowells
of the earth. And what prerogative should Vegetables have before Metalls,
that God should put a seed into them, and without cause withhold it from
these? Are not Metalls of as much esteem with God as Trees? Let this be
granted for a truth, that nothing grows without seed: for where there is no
seed, the thing is dead. It is necessary therefore that four Elements should
make the seed of Metalls, or bring them forth without a seed: if they are
produced without seed, then they cannot be perfect; seeing every thing
without seed is imperfect, by the rule of composition: hee which gives no
credit to this undoubted truth, is not worthy to search into the secrets of
nature; for there is nothing made in the world, that is destitute of seed. The
seed of Metalls is truely, and really put into them: and the generation of it is
thus. The foure Elements in the first operation of Nature doe by the help of
the Archeus of Nature distill into the center of the earth a ponderous, or
heavy Vapour of water, which is the seed of Metalls, and is called Mercury
by reason of its fluxibility, and its conjunction with every thing, not for its
essence; and for its internall heat it is likened to Sulphur, and after
congealation becomes to be the radicall moisture. And although the body of
Metalls be procreated of Mercury (which is to bee understood of the
Mercury of Philosophers) yet they are not bee hearkned to, that think the
vulgar Mercury is the seed of Metalls, and so take the body in stead of the
seed, not considering that the vulgar Mercury spoken of hath its own seed
in it self. The errors, and mistakes of all these men will be made apparent
by the following example. It is manifest that men have seed, in which they
are multiplyed: the body of man is Mercury; but the seed is hid in the body,
and in comparison to the body is but little, and light: he therefore that will
beget a man, let him not take Mercury, which is the body, but the seed,
which is the congealed Vapour of water. So in the regeneration of Metalls,

the vulgar Chymists goe preposterously to work: They dissolve Metallick
bodies, whether it be Mercury, or Gold, or Lead, or Silver, and corrode
them with sharp waters, and other Heterogeneous things not requisite to the
true Art, and afterward joine them together again, not knowing that a man is
not generated of a mans body cut to pieces, because by this means the body
is marred, and the seed before-hand is destroyed. Every thing is multiplyed
in Male and Female, as I have already mentioned in the Treatise of the
twofold Matter: The division of the sexes causeth, or produceth nothing, but
a due joining of them together, brings forth a new forme: the seeds
therefore, or spermes, not bodies are to bee taken. Take therefore a living
Male, and a living Female; joine these together, that betwixt them there may
be conceived a sperm for the bringing forth of fruit after its kind: There is
no man living can beleeve that he can make the first matter: The first matter
of Man is earth, and no man can of that make a man; only God knows how
to doe this; but of the second matter, which is already made, if it be put into
its due place, may easily by the operation of Nature be generated a thing of
that species, or kind, which the seed was of. The Artist here need doe
nothing, onely to separate the thin from the thick, and to put it into its due
vessell. For this is to be considered, that as a thing is begun, so it ends: Of
one are made two, of two one, and then you have done. There is one God;
of this one God the Son is begotten: One produceth two, two have produced
one holy Spirit proceeding from both: so the world is made, and so shall be
the end thereof. Consider the four former points most exactly: thou hast in
them the Father, the Father and the Son, and lastly the holy Spirit: thou hast
the four Elements: thou hast four great Lights, two Celestiall, and two
Centrall: This is all that is, hath been, or shall be, that is made plain by this
forenamed similitude. If I might lay down all the mysteries that might be
raised from hence, they would amount to a great volume. I return to my
purpose, and I tell thee true, my son! one is not made of one naturally, for
thus to doe is proper to God alone: let it suffice thee that thou art able out of
two to make one, which wil be profitable to thee. Know therefore that the
sperm doth multiply the second matter, and not the first: for the first matter
of all things is not seen, but is hid either in nature, or in the Elements; but
the second matter sometimes appeares to the sons of wisdome.

THE SEVENTH TREATISE.

Of the vertue of the second matter.
ut that thou maist the more easily conceive what this second matter
is, I will describe the vertues of it, by which thou maist know it.
And first of all know, that Nature is divided into three Kingdoms;
two of them are such that either of them can subsist of it self, if the other
two were not; there is the Minerall, Vegetable, and Animall Kingdom. The
Minerall can subsist of it self, although there were no man in the world, nor
tree, or herb. The Vegetable likewise, although there were no Metall, nor
Animall, can stand by it self: these two are of one made by one: But the
third hath life from the other two which wee have mentioned, without
which it could not subsist, and is more noble and excellent then those two,
as also it is the last of the three, and rules over the other: because alwaies
vertue, or excellency ends in a third thing, and is multiplyed in the second.
Dost thou see in the Vegetable Kingdom? The first matter is an herb, or a
tree, which thou knowest not how to make, Nature alone makes it: In this
Kingdom the second matter is Seed, which thou seest, in this the hearb, or
the tree is multiplyed. In the Animall Kingdome the first matter is a beast,
or a man, which thou knowest not how to make; but the second matter or
the sperm, in which they are multiplyed, thou knowest. In the Minerall thou
knowest not how to make a Metall, and if thou braggest that thou canst,
thou art a foole, and a lyar, Nature makes that, and although thou shouldst
have the first matter, according to the Philosophers, yet it would bee
impossible for thee to multiply that Centrall salt without Gold: Now the
seed of Metalls is known only to the sons of Art. In Vegetables the seed
appears outwardly; the reins of its digestion is warm aire. In Animalls the
seed appears inwardly, and outwardly; the reins of its digestion are the reins
of a Male. Water in Mineralls is the seed in the Center of their heart, and is
their life: the reins of its digestion is fire. The receptacle of the Vegetable
seed is the earth: the receptacle of the seed Animal is the womb of the
female: the receptacle of water, which is the Minerall seed, is aire. And
those are the receptacles of seeds, which are the congealations of their
bodies: that is their digestion, which is their solution: that is their

putrefaction which is their destruction. The vertue of every seed is to join it
self to every thing in its own Kingdome, because it is subtill, and is nothing
else but aire, which by fatnesse is congealed in water: It is known thus,
because it doth not mixe it self naturally to any thing out of its own
Kingdome: it is not dissolved, but congealed, because it doth not need
dissolution, but congealation. It is necessary therefore that the pores of the
body be opened, that the sperme may be sent forth, in whose Center the
seed lyes, which is aire: that when it comes into its due matrix, is
congealed, and congeals what it finds pure, or impure mixed with what is
pure. As long as the seed is in the body, the body lives, when it is all
consumed the body dies; also all bodies after the emission of seed are
weakned: experience likewise testifies that men which give themselves over
too much to venery become feeble, as trees, that bear too much fruit,
become afterwards barren. The seed therefore, as oftentimes hath been
repeated, is a thing invisible; but the sperme is visible, and is almost a
living soule; it is not found in things that are dead: It is drawn forth two
wayes, pleasantly, and by force: But because wee are in this place to treat of
the vertue of it onely, I say that nothing is made without seed: all things are
made by vertue of seed: and let the sons of Art know, that seed is in vain
sought for in trees that are cut off, or cut down, because it is found in them
only that are green.

THE EIGHTH TREATISE.

How by Art Nature works in Seed.
ll seed is nothing worth of it self, if it be not either by Art, or
Nature put into its proper matrix. And although seed be of it self
more noble then every creature, yet the matrix is the life of it, &
makes the sperm, or corn to putrefie, and causeth a congealation of the pure
point, and also by the heat of its body nourisheth it, and makes it grow: and
this is done in all the foresaid Kingdomes of Nature; and is done naturally
by months, years, and ages. But that is a witty Art, that can shorten any
thing in the Minerall, and Vegetable Kingdome, but not in the Animall: in
the Minerall Kingdome it perfects that, which Nature could not, by reason
of the crude air, which with its vehemency filled the pores of every body;
not onely in the bowells, but also in the superficies of the earth. As I have
already said in the foregoing Chapters. But that this may bee the more
easily understood, I will adde hereunto, that the Elements striving amongst
themselves send forth their seed into the Center of the earth, as into their
reins; but the Center by help of motion sends it into its Matrix. Now the
Matrixes are innumerable, as many Matrixes, as places, one purer then
other, and so almost in infinitum. Know therefore, that a pure Matrix will
afford a pure conception in its own likenesse: As for example, in Animalls
there are Matrixes of Women, Cowes, Mares, Bitches, and the like. So in
the Minerall, and Vegetable Kingdomes, there are Metalls, Stones, Salts; for
the Salts in these two Kingdomes are to bee considered of, as also their
places, according to more or lesse.

THE NINTH TREATISE.

Of the Commixtion of Metalls, or the drawing forth their seed.
e have spoken of Nature, of Art, of the Body, of Sperm, and of
Seed, now let us descend to Praxis, viz. how Metalls ought to be
mixed together, and what their correspondency, or agreement is
one with another. Know therefore that a Woman doth not vary from a Man;
both are bred of the same Seed, and in one Matrix, there was nothing
besides digestion, and that the Matrix had in it purer bloud, and salt: so
Silver is made of the same Seed as Gold is, and in the same Matrix; but the
Matrix had more water in it then digested blood, according to the season of
the Moon in the heavens. But that thou maist the more easily imagine with
thy self how Metalls couple together, that their Seed may be sent forth, and
received; behold and see the heavens, and the spheres of the Planets: thou
seest that Saturne is placed the uppermost, or highest, next to that Iupiter,
then Mars, then Sol, or the Sun, then Venus, then Mercury, and last of all
Luna, or the Moon. Consider also that the vertues of the Planets doe not
ascend, but descend: Experience teacheth as much, viz. that of Venus, or
Copper is not made Mars, or Iron, but of Mars is made Venus, as being an
inferiour sphere: So also Iupiter, or Tin is easily changed into Mercury or
Quicksilver, because Iupiter is the second from the firmament, and Mercury
the second from the earth: Saturne is the first from the heavens, and Luna
the first from the earth: Sol mixeth it self with all, but is never bettered by
its inferiors. Now know that there is a great agreement betwixt Saturne, or
Lead, and Luna, or Silver, in midst of which the Sun is placed: as also
betwixt Iupiter and Mercury, in midst of which Sol is also placed: and in the
same manner betwixt Mars and Venus, which also have Sol placed in the
midst of them. Chymists know how to change Iron into Copper without
Gold: they know also to make Quicksilver out of Tin: and there are some
that make Silver out of Lead: But if they knew by these mutations to give or
minister to them the nature of Gold, they would certainly find out a thing
more pretious then any treasure. Wherefore I say we must not bee ignorant
what Metalls are to be joined to each other, whose nature is agreable one to
the others. Moreover there is granted to us one Metall, which hath a power

to consume the rest, for it is almost as their water, & mother: yet there is
one thing, and that alone, the radicall moisture, viz. of the Sunne, and Moon
that withstands it, and is bettered by it; but that I may disclose it to you, it is
called Chalybs, or Steel. If Gold couples eleven times with it, it sends forth
its seed, and is debilitated almost unto death; the Chalybs conceives, and
bears a son, more excellent then his father: then when the Seed of that
which is now brought forth is put into its own Matrix, it purifies it, and
makes it a thousand times more fit, and apt to bring forth the best, and most
excellent fruits. There is another Chalybs, which is like to this, created by it
selfe of Nature, which knows how to draw forth by vertue of the sun beams
(through a wonderfull power, and vertue) that which so many men have
sought after, and is the beginning of our work.

THE TENTH TREATISE.

Of the Supernaturall Generation of the Son of the Sun.
ee have treated of things, which Nature makes, and which God
hath made; that the Searchers of Art might the more easily
understand the possibility of Nature. But to delay no longer, I will
now enter upon the Manner, and Art how to make the Philosophers stone.
The Philosophers stone, or tincture is nothing else, but Gold digested to the
highest degree: For vulgar Gold is like an herb without seed, when it is ripe
it brings forth seed; so Gold when it is ripe yeelds seed, or tincture. But,
will some ask, Why doth not Gold, or any other Metall bring forth seed? the
reason given is this, because it cannot bee ripe, by reason of the crudity of
the air, it hath not sufficient heat, and it happens, that in some places there
is found pure Gold, which nature would have perfected, but was hindred by
the crude aire. As for example, wee see that Orenge trees in Polonia doe
indeed flourish as other trees; in Italie, and elsewhere, where their naturall
soil is, they yeeld, and bring forth fruit, because they have sufficient heat;
but in these cold places they doe otherwise, for when they begin to ripen,
they are at a stand, because they are oppressed with cold; and so in these
places we never have their fruit naturally: but if at any time Nature be
sweetly, and wittily helped, then Art may perfect that, which Nature could
not. The same happens in Metalls: Gold may yeeld fruit, and seed, in which
it multiplyes it self by the industry of the skilfull Artificer, who knows how
to exalt Nature, but if he will attempt to do it without Nature, he will be
mistaken. For not only in this art, but also in every thing else, we can doe
nothing but help Nature; and this by no other medium then fire, or heat. But
seeing this cannot be done, since in a congealed Metallick body there
appear no spirits; it is necessary that the body be loosed, or dissolved, and
the pores thereof opened, whereby Nature may work. But what that
dissolution ought to be, here I would have the Reader take notice, that there
is a twofold dissolution, although there be many other dissolutions, but to
little purpose; there is onely one that is truely naturall, the other is violent,
under which all the rest are comprehended. The naturall is this, that the
pores of the body bee opened in our water, whereby the seed, that is

digested, may bee sent forth, and put into its proper Matrix: Now our water
is heavenly, not wetting the hands, not vulgar, but almost rain water: The
body is gold, which yeelds seed; our Lune or Silver, (not common Silver) is
that which receives the seed of the gold: afterwards it is governed by our
continual fire, for seven months, and sometimes ten, untill our water
consume three, and leave one; and that in duplo, or a double. Then it is
nourished with the milk of the earth, or the fatnesse thereof, which is bred
in the bowells of the earth, and is governed, or preserved from putrefaction
by the salt of Nature. And thus the infant of the second generation is
generated. Now let us passe from the Theorie to the Praxis.

THE ELEVENTH TREATISE.

Of the Praxis, and making of the Stone, or Tincture by Art.
hrough all these foregoing Chapters, our discourse of things hath
been scattered by way of examples, that the Praxis might be the
more easily understood, which must be done by imitating Nature
after this manner——
Take of our earth, through eleven degrees, eleven graines, of our Gold, and
not of the vulgar one grain, of our Lune, not the vulgar, two grains: but be
thou well advised, that thou takest not common Gold, and Silver, for these
are dead, take ours which are living: then put them into our fire, and let
there be made of them a dry liquor; first of all the earth wil be resolved into
water, which is called the Mercury of Philosophers; and that water shall
resolve those bodies of Gold, and Silver, and shal consume them so, that
there shall remain but the tenth part with one part; and this shall be the
radicall moisture of Metalls. Then take water of salt-nitre, which comes
from our earth, in which there is a river of living water, if thou diggest the
pit knee deep, therefore take water out of that, but take that, which is cleer;
upon this, put that radicall moisture; and set it over the fire of putrefaction,
and generation, not on such a one as thou didst in the first operation: govern
all things with a great deale of discretion, untill colours appear like a
Peacocks tail; govern it by digesting it, and be not weary, untill these
colours be ended, and there appear throughout the whole one green colour,
and so of the rest; and when thou shalt see in the bottome ashes of a fiery
colour, and the water almost red, open the vessel, dip in a pen, and smeare
some Iron with it, if it tinge, have in readinesse that water, which afterwards
I shall speak of, and put in so much of that water as the cold aire was, which
went in, boil it again with the former fire, untill it tinge again. So far
reached my experience, I can doe no more, I found out no more. Now that
water must be the menstruum of the world, out of the sphere of the Moon,
so often rectified, untill it can calcine Gold: I have been willing here to
discover to thee all things; and if thou shalt understand my meaning
sometimes, and not the letter, I have revealed all things; especially in the
first, and second work. Now it remains that we speak next of the fire. The

first fire, or of the first operation is a fire of one degree, continuall, which
goes round the matter; the second is a naturall fire, which digests, and fixeth
the matter: I tell thee truely that I have opened to thee the governance, or
rules of the fire, if thou understandest Nature: The vessell remains yet to be
spoken of. It must be the vessel of Nature, and two are sufficient; the vessell
of the first work must be round; but in the second a glasse, a little lesse like
unto a viall, or an egge. But in all these know, that the fire of Nature is but
one, and if it works variously, it is by reason of the difference of places. The
vessell therefore of Nature is but one; but wee for brevities sake use a
couple: the matter is one, but out of two substances. If therefore thou wilt
give thy mind to make things, consider first things that are already made; if
thou canst not reach, or understand things presented to thy eyes, much lesse
things that are to be made, and which thou desirest to make. For know that
thou canst create nothing, for that is proper to God alone, but to make
things, that are not perceived, but lye hid in the shadow, to appear, and to
take from them their vaile, is granted to an intelligent Philosopher by God
through Nature. Consider, I beseech thee, the simple water of a cloud: who
would ever beleeve that that contains in it selfe all things in the world, hard
Stones, Salts, Aire, Earth, Fire, when as yet of it selfe it seems to be simple?
What shall I say of the Earth, which contains in it Water, Fire, Salts, Aire,
and of it self seems to be but meer earth? O wonderfull Nature, which
knows how to produce wonderfull fruits out of Water in the earth, and from
the Aire to give them life. All these are done, and the eyes of the vulgar doe
not see them; but the eyes of the understanding, and imagination perceive
them, and that with a true sight. The eyes of the wise look upon Nature
otherwise, then the eyes of common men. As for example, the eyes of the
vulgar see that the sun is hot; but the eyes of Philosophers on the contrary
see it rather to bee cold, but its motion to be hot. The acts and effects of it
are understood through the distance of places. The fire of Nature is one and
the same with it: for as, the Sun is the Center amongst the spheres of the
Planets; and out of this Center of the heaven it scatters its heat downward
by its motion; so in the Center of the earth is the sun of the earth, which by
its perpetuall motion sends its heat, or beams upward to the superficies of
the earth. That intrinsecall heat is far more efficacious then this Elementary
fire; but it is allayed with an Earthy water, which from day to day doth
penetrate the pores of the earth, and cooles it: So the Aire doth temper, and
mitigate the heavenly Sun, and its heat, for this aire doth day after day fly

round the world: and unlesse this were so, all things would be consumed by
so great a heat, neither would any thing be brought forth. For as that
invisible fire, or Centrall heat would consume all things, if the water
coming betwixt did not prevent it; so the heat of the Sun would destroy all
things; if the Aire did not come betwixt. But how these Elements work one
with another, I will briefly declare. In the Center of the earth is the Centrall
Sun, which by its own motion, or of its firmament doth give a great heat,
which extends it self even to the superficies of the earth. That heate causeth
aire after this manner. The Matrix of aire is water, which bringeth forth sons
of its own nature, but unlike, and far more subtill then it selfe; for where the
water is denyed entrance, the aire enters: when therefore that Centrall heat,
which is perpetuall, doth act, it makes water distill, and be heated, and so
that water by reason of the heat is turned into aire, upon this account it
breaks forth to the superficies of the earth, because it will not suffer it self
to be shut in: then when it is cold, it is resolved into water. In the mean time
it happens also that in opposite places not only air but water goes out; so
you see it is, when black clouds are by violence carried up into the aire: for
which thing take this as a familiar example. Make water hot in a pot, and
thou shalt see that a soft fire causeth gentle vapours, and winds; but a strong
fire maketh thick clouds appear. Just in the same manner doth the Centrall
heat worke; it lifts up the subtill water into aire, that which is thick by
reason of its salt or fatnesse, it distributes to the earth, by meanes of which
divers things are generated, that which remaines becomes stones, and rocks.
But some may object, if it were so, it would be done constantly, but
oftentimes there is no wind at all perceived. I answer, if water be not poured
violently into a distillatory vessell, there is made no wind, for little water
stirs up but little wind: you see that thunders are not alwaies made, although
there be rain, and wind; but only when by force of the aire the swelling
water is carried to the sphere of the fire; for fire will not indure water. Thou
hast before thine eyes an example, when thou pourest cold water into a hot
furnace, from whence a thundering noise is raised. But why the water doth
not enter uniformly into those places, and cavities, the reason is, because
these sorts of vessells, and places are many; and sometimes one cavity by
blasts, or winds drives away from it self water for some dayes, and months,
untill there be a repercussion of the water again: As wee see in the sea,
whose waves are moved and carryed a thousand miles, before they find, or
meet with a repercussion to make them return back; but to return to our

purpose. I say that Fire, or Heat is the cause of the motion of the Aire, and
the life of all things; and the Earth is the Nurse of all these things, or their
receptacle. But if there were not Water to coole our Earth, and Aire, then the
Earth would be dryed, for these two reasons, viz. by reason of the Motion of
the Centrall Sun, and heat of the Celestiall: Neverthelesse it happens
sometimes in some places, when the pores of the earth are obstructed, that
the humidity, or water cannot penetrate, that then by reason of the
correspondency of the Celestiall, and Centrall Sun (for they have a
magnetick vertue betwixt themselves) the earth is inflamed by the Sun: so
that even sometimes there are made great chops, or furrows in the earth.
Cause therefore that there be such an operation in our earth, that the
Centrall heat may change the Water into Aire, that it may goe forth into the
plaines of the world, and scatter the residue, as I said, through the pores of
the earth; and then contrariwise the Aire will be turned into Water, far more
subtill then the first Water was: and this is done thus, if thou givest our old
man Gold, or Silver to swallow, that he may consume them, and then hee
also dying may be burnt, and his ashes scattered into water, and thou boil
that water untill it be enough, and thou shalt have a medicine to cure the
leprosie. Mark, and be sure that thou takest not cold for hot, or hot for cold,
but mixe natures with natures, and if there be any thing that is contrary to
nature (for Nature alone is necessary for thee) separate it, that Nature may
be like Nature. Doe this by fire, and not with thy hand: and know that if
thou dost not follow Nature, all is in vain: and here I have spoken to thee
through the help of God, what a father should speak to his son; Hee which
hath ears let him heare, and he which hath his senses, let him set his mind
upon what I say.

THE TWELFTH TREATISE.

Of the Stone, and its vertue.
n the foregoing Treatises it hath been sufficiently spoken
concerning the production of Naturall things, concerning the
Elements, the First matter, and Second matter, Bodies, Seeds, and
concerning the Use and Vertue of them: I wrote also the Praxis of making
the Philosophers Stone. Now I will discover so much of the vertue of it, as
Nature hath granted to me, and experience taught me. But to comprehend
the argument of all these Treatises briefly, and in few words, that the Reader
which fears God may understand my mind and meaning, the thing is this. If
any man doubt of the truth of the Art, let him read the voluminous writings
of ancient Philosophers, verified by reason, and experience; whom wee may
deservedly give credit to in their own Art: but if any will not give credit to
them, then we know not how to dispute with them, as denying principles:
for deaf, and dumbe men cannot speak. What prerogative should all things
in this world have before Metalls? Why should these alone by having seed
without cause denyed to them, be excluded from Gods universall blessing
of multiplication, which holy writ affirms was put in, and bestowed on all
created things presently after the world was made? Now if they have Seed,
who is so sottish to think that they cannot bee multiplyed in their Seed? The
Art of Alchymie in its kind is true, Nature also is true, but the Artificer is
seldome true: there is one Nature, one Art, but many Artificers. Now what
things Nature makes out of the Elements, she generates them by the will of
God out of the first matter, which God onely knowes: Nature makes and
multiplies those things of the second matter, which the Philosophers know.
Nothing is done in the world without the pleasure of God, and Nature.
Every Element is in its own sphere; but one cannot be without the other;
one lives by vertue of the other, and yet being joined together they doe not
agree; but Water is of more worth then all the Elements, because it is the
mother of all things: upon this swims the spirit of Fire. By reason of Fire
Water is the first matter, viz. by the striving together of Fire, and Water, and
so are generated Winds, and Vapours apt, and easy to bee congealed with
the earth, by the help of the crude aire, which from the beginning was

separated from it. And this is done without cessation, by a perpetuall
motion; because fire, or heat is stirred up no otherwise then by motion,
which thing you may easily conceive by a Smith filing Iron, which through
vehement motion waxeth hot in that manner, as if it were heated in the Fire.
Motion therefore causeth heat, heat moves the water, the motion of the
water causeth aire, the life of all living things. Things therefore grow after
this manner (as I said before) viz. out of water; for out of the subtill Vapour
of it, subtil and light things proceed; out of the oylinesse of it, things that
are heavy, and of greater price; but of the salt things far more excellent then
the former. Now because Nature is sometimes hindred, that it cannot
produce pure things; seeing the Vapour, Fatnesse, and Salt are fouled or
stained, and mixe themselves with the places of the earth: Moreover,
experience teacheth us to separate the pure from the impure. Therefore if
thou wilt have Nature be bettered, or mended in her actings, dissolve what
body you please, and that which was added or joined to Nature, as
heterogeneous, separate, cleanse, joine pure things with pure, ripe to ripe,
crude to crude, according to the poise of Nature, and not of Matter. And
know that the Centrall salt Nitre doth not receive more of the Earth then it
hath need of, whether it be pure or impure: but the fatnesse of the water is
otherwise, for it is never to be had pure; art purifies it by a twofold heat,
and then conjoins it.

THE
EPILOGUE, or CONCLUSION
OF THESE
TWELVE TREATISES.

Friendly Reader,
wrote the Twelve foregoing Treatises in love to the sonnes of Art,
that before they set their hand to the worke they may know the
operation of Nature, viz. how she produceth things by her working;
lest they should attempt to enter in at the gate without keyes, or to draw
water in a sieve: for he laboureth in vain, that putteth forth his hands to
labour without the knowledge of Nature, in this sacred and most true Art, he
lies in nocturnal darknesse to whom the sun doth not shine, and he is in
thick darknesse, to whom after it is night the Moon doth not appeare.
Nature hath her proper light, which is not obvious to our eyes; the shadow
of Nature is a body before our eyes: but if the light of Nature doth enlighten
any one, presently the cloud is taken away from before his eyes, and
without any let he can behold the point of our loadstone, answering to each
Center of the beams, viz. of the Sun and Earth: for so farre doth the light of
Nature penetrate, and discovers inward things; of which thing take this for
an example. Let a boy that is twelve yeares old, and a girle of the same age,
be cloathed with garments of the same fashion, and be set one by the other,
no body can know which is the male, or which is the female; our eyes
cannot penetrate so far, therefore our sight deceiveth us, and takes false
things for true: But when their garments are taken off, and they are naked,
that so it may appear what Nature made them, they are easily distinguished
by their sexes. Just after the same manner doth our intellect make a shadow
of the shadow of Nature; for the naked body of Man is the shadow of the
seed of Nature: As therefore mans body is covered with a garment, so also
mans nature is covered with the body, which God reserves to himself to
cover, or uncover. I could here discourse largely, and Philosophically of the
dignity of Man, his Creation and Generation: but seeing they are
impertinent to this place, I will passe them over in silence; only I will treat a

little concerning the Life of Man. Man was created of the Earth, and lives
by vertue of the Aire; for there is in the Aire a secret food of life, which in
the night wee call dew; and in the day rarified water, whose invisible,
congealed spirit is better then the whole Earth. O holy, and wonderfull
Nature, who dost not suffer the sons of Wisdome to erre, as thou dost
manifest in the life of man daily! Moreover in these twelve Treatises I have
produced so many naturall reasons, that he which is desirous of the art, and
feares God, may the more easily understand all things, which through Gods
blessing, with my eyes I have seen, with mine own hands have made
without any deceit of sophistication: for without the light, and knowledge of
Nature, it is impossible to attain to this Art, unlesse it come to any by Gods
speciall revelation, or some speciall friend doth privately shew it. It is a
thing of little account, yet most pretious, which being divers times
described, I doe now again repeat. Take 10 parts of aire, 1 part of living
gold, or living silver; put all these into thy vessel; boyle this aire first untill
it be water, and then no water. If thou art ignorant of this, and knowst not
how to boyl aire, without all doubt thou shalt erre; seeing this is the matter
of the ancient Philosophers. For thou must take that, which is, and is not
seen, untill it be the Artificers pleasure; it is the water of our dew, out of
which is extracted the Salt Petre of Philosophers, by which all things grow,
and are nourished: the matrix of it is the Center of the Sun, and Moon, both
celestiall, and terrestiall: and to speak more plainly, it is our Loadstone,
which in the foregoing Treatises I called Chalybs, or Steel: The Aire
generates this Loadstone, and the Loadstone generates, or makes our Air to
appear, and come forth. I have here entirely shewed thee the truth; Begge of
God that hee would prosper thine undertakings: And so in this place thou
shalt have the true, and right explication of Hermes, when he saith, that the
father of it is the Sun, and its mother the Moon, and that which the wind
carryed in its belly, viz. Sal Alkali, which the Philosophers have called Sal
Armoniacum, and vegetable, hid in the belly of the Magnesia. The operation
of it is this, to dissolve the congealed aire, in which thou shall dissolve the
tenth part of Gold; seale this up, and work with our fire, untill the air be
turned into powders; and there appear (the salt of the world being first had)
divers colours. I would have set down the whole processe in these Treatises;
but because that, together with the multiplication, is sufficiently set down in
the books of Lullius, and other old Philosophers; it therefore sufficed me to
treat only of the first, and second matter; which is done faithfully, neither do

thou ever think that any man living hath done it more cleerly, then I have
done it; since I have done it not out of many books but by the labour of my
hands, and mine own experience. If therefore thou dost not understand, or
beleeve the truth, doe not blame me, but thy self; and perswade thy selfe
that God was unwilling to reveal this secret to thee: Be therefore earnest
with him by prayer, and with serious meditation read over this book
oftentimes, especially the Epilogue of these twelve Treatises: alwaies
considering the possibility of Nature, and the actions of the Elements, and
which of them is the chiefest in those actions, and especially in the
rarefaction of water, or aire, for so the heavens are created, as also the
whole world. This I was willing to signifie to thee, as a father to his son.
Doe not wonder that I have wrote so many Treatises, for I did not make
them for my own sake, seeing I lack not books, but that I might advertise
many, that work in fruitlesse things, that they should not spend their costs in
vain. All things indeed might have been comprehended in few lines, yea in
few words: but I was willing to guide thee to the knowledge of Nature by
Reasons, and Examples; that thou mightest in the first place know, what the
thing is thou seekest after, whether the first, or second matter, also that thou
mightest have Nature, her light, & shadow discovered to thee. Be not
displeased if thou meetest sometimes with contradictions in my Treatises, it
being the custome of Philosophers to use them; thou hast need of them, if
thou understandest them, thou shall not find a rose without prickles. Weigh
diligently what I have said before, viz. how four Elements distill into the
Center of the earth a radicall moisture, and how the Centrall Sun of the
earth, by its motion bringeth it forth, and sublimeth it to the superficies of
the earth. I have said also that the Celestiall Sun hath a correspondency with
the Centrall Sun: for the Celestiall Sun, and the Moon have a peculiar
power, and vertue of distilling into the earth by vertue of their beams: for
heat is easily joined to heat, and salt to salt. And as the Centrall Sun hath its
sea, and crude water, that is perceptible; so the Celestiall Sun hath its sea,
and subtill water that is not perceptible. In the superficies the beams of the
one, are joined to the beams of the other, and produce flowers, and all
things. Therefore when there is raine made, it receives from the aire that
power of life, and joins it with the salt-nitre of the earth (because the salt-
nitre of the earth is like calcined Tartar, drawing to it self by reason of its
drynesse the aire, which in it is resolved into water: such attractive power
hath the salt-nitre of the earth, which also was aire, and is joined to the

fatnesse of the earth) and by how much the more abundantly the beams of
the Sun beat upon it, the greater quantity of salt-nitre is made, and by
consequence the greater plenty of Corn grows, and is increased, and this is
done daily. Thus much I thought good to signifie to the ignorant of the
correspondency, or agreement of things amongst themselves, and the
efficacy of the Sun, and Moon, and Stars; for the wise need not this
instruction. Our subject is presented to the eyes of the whole world, and it is
not known. O our Heaven! O our Water! O our Mercury! O our Salt-nitre
abiding in the sea of the world! O our Vegetable! O our Sulphur fixed, and
volatill! O our Caput Mortuum, or dead head, or feces of our Sea! Our
Water that wets not our hands, without which no mortall can live, and
without which nothing grows, or is generated in the whole world! And these
are the Epithites of Hermes his bird, which never is at rest. It is of very
small account, yet no body can bee without it: and so thou hast a thing
discovered to thee more pretious then the whole world, which I plainly tell
thee is nothing else but our Sea water, which is congealed in Silver, and
Gold, and extracted out of Gold, and Silver by the help of our Chalybs, by
the Art of Philosophers in a wonderfull manner, by a prudent son of Art. It
was not my purpose for some reasons before mentioned in the Preface, to
publish this book, but a desire to deserve well of those that are studiously
given to liberall, and Philosophical Arts, prevailed with me, that I might
hold forth to them, that I bear an honest mind; also that I might declare my
self to them, that understand the Art, to be their equal and fellow, and to
have attained their knowledge. I doubt not but many men of good
consciences, and affections do enjoy this gift of God secretly; these being
warned by my example, and dangers are made more cautious, and wise,
having that commendable silence of Harpocrates. For as often as I would
discover my selfe to great men, it alwaies turned to my losse and danger. By
this my writing I make my self known to the adopted sons of Hermes, I
instruct the ignorant, and them that are misled, and bring them back into the
right way. And let the heirs of wisdome know, that they shall never have a
better way, then that, which is here demonstrated to them; for I have spoken
all things cleerly: Only I have not so cleerly shewed the extraction of our
Salt Armoniacke, or the Mercury of Philosophers, out of our Sea water, and
the use thereof, because I had from the Master of Nature no leave to speake
any further, and this only God must reveale, who knows the hearts, and
minds of men. He will haply upon thy constant, and earnest prayers, and the

frequent reading over of this booke, open the eyes of thy understanding.
The vessell, as I said before, is but one from the beginning to the end, or at
most two are sufficient: the fire is continuall in both operations; for the sake
of which let the ignorant read the tenth, and eleventh Treatise. If thou shalt
operate in a third matter, thou shalt effect nothing: they medle with this,
whoever work not in our Salt, which is Mercury, but in Herbs, Animals,
Stones, and all Minerals, excepting our Gold, and Silver covered over with
the sphere of Saturne. And whosoever desires to attaine to his desired end,
let him understand the conversion of the Elements to make light things
heavy, and to make spirits no spirits; then hee shall not worke in a strange
thing. The Fire is the Rule, whatsoever is done, is done by Fire; as
sufficiently before, so here we have spoken enough by way of Conclusion.
Farewell friendly Reader! and long maist thou enjoy these labours of mine,
(made good, or verified by mine owne experience,) to the glory of God, the
welfare of thine owne soule, and good of thy neighbour.

TO THE
SONS of TRVTH:

A Preface
To the Philosophicall ÆNIGMA,
Or RIDLE.

Sons of Wisdome,
have now opened to you all things from the very first rising of the
universall fountaine, that there is no more left to be discovered. For
in the foregoing Treatises I have sufficiently explained Nature by
way of example: I have shewed the Theorie and Praxis, as plainely as it was
lawfull. But lest any should complain of my briefnesse, that by reason of it I
have omitted something, I will yet further describe to thee the whole Art by
way of Ridle, or Ænigmaticall speech; that thou maist see how farre
through Gods guidance I am come. The bookes that treat of this Art are
infinite; yet thou shalt not find in any of them the truth so much, as it is in
this of mine, made known, or discovered unto thee. The reason that
encouraged mee to make it so plain, was this, viz. Because, when I had
discoursed with many men, that thought they understood the writings of
Philosophers very well; I perceived that they did explaine those writings far
more subtilly then Nature, which is simple and plain, did require: yea all my
true sayings did seem to them being profoundly wise, or savouring of high
things, to bee of no value and incredible. It hapned sometimes that I would
intimate the Art to some from word to word, but they could by no meanes
understand mee, not beleeving there was any water in our Sea, and yet they
would be accounted Philosophers. Since therefore they could not
understand my words, which I delivered by word of mouth, I doe not fear
(as other Philosophers were afraid) that any one can so easily understand
what I have wrote; It is the gift, I say, of God. It is true indeed, if in the
study of Alchymie there were required subtilnesse, and quicknesse of wit,
and things were of that Nature as to be perceived by the eyes of the vulgar, I
saw that their fancies, or wits were apt enough to find out such things: but I

say to you, bee simple, or plaine, and not too wise untill you have found out
the secret, which when you have, it will of necessity require wisdome
enough to use, and keep it; then it will be easy for you to write many books;
because it is easier for him, that is in the Center, and sees the thing, then for
him that walks in the Circumference, and only heares of it. You have the
second matter of all things most cleerly described unto you: but let mee
give you this Caution, that if you would attaine to this secret, know that first
of all God is to bee prayed to, then your neighbour is to bee loved: and
lastly, doe not fancy to your selves things that are subtill, which Nature
knew nothing of; but abide, I say, abide in the plain way of Nature; because
you may sooner feel the thing in plainnesse, or simplicity, then see it in
subtilty. In reading therefore my writings doe not stick in the letter of them,
but in reading of them consider Nature, and the possibility thereof. Now
before you set your selves to work, consider diligently what it is you seek,
and what the scope, and end of your intention is: for it is much better to
learn by the brain, and imagination, then with labour, and charges. And this
I say to you, that you must seek for some hidden thing, out of which is
made (after a wonderfull manner) such a moisture, or humidity, which doth
dissolve Gold without violence, or noise, yea so sweetly, and naturally, as
ice doth melt in warme water: if you find out this, you have that thing, out
of which Gold is produced by Nature: and although all Metalls, and all
things have their originall from hence, yet nothing is so friendly to it as
Gold; for to other things there sticks fast some impurity, but to Gold none,
besides it is like a Mother unto it. And so finally I conclude; if you will not
be wise, and wary by these my writings, and admonitions, yet excuse mee
who desire to deserve well of you: I have dealt as faithfully as it was lawfull
for mee, and as becomes a man of a good conscience to doe. If you ask who
I am, I am one that can live any where: if you know mee, and desire to shew
your selves good and honest men, you shall hold your tongue: if you know
mee not, doe not enquire after mee, for I will reveale to no mortall man,
whilest I live, more then I have done in this publick writing. Beleeve mee, if
I were not a man of that ranke and condition as I am, nothing would be
more pleasant to mee then a solitary life, or with Diogenes to lie hid under a
tub: for I see all things that are to be but vanity, and that deceit, and
covetousnesse are altogether in use, where all things are to be sold, and that
vice doth excell vertue. I see the better things of the life to come before
mine eys. I rejoice in these. Now I doe not wonder, as before I did, why

Philosophers, when they have attained to this Medicine, have not cared to
have their dayes shortned; because every Philosopher hath the life to come
set so cleerly before his eyes, as thy face is seen in a glasse. And if God
shall graunt thee thy desired end, then thou shalt beleeve mee, and not
reveal thy self to the world.

THE
PARABLE,
OR
PHILOSOPHICALL RIDLE.

Added by way of Conclusion, and Superaddition.
t fell out upon a time, when I had sailed almost all my life from the
Artick pole, to the Antarticke, that by the singular providence of
God I was cast upon the shore of a certain great sea, and although I
well knew and understood the passages, and properties of the sea of that
Coast, yet I knew not whether in those Coasts was bred that little fish,
which was called Remora, which so many men of great and small fortunes
have hitherto so studiously sought after. But whilst I was beholding the
sweet singing Mermaides swimming up and down with the Nymphs, and
being weary with my foregoing labors, and oppressed with divers thoughts,
I was with the noise of waters overtaken with sleep; and whilest I was in a
sweet sleep, there appear’d to me in my sleep a wonderfull vision, which is
this. I saw Neptune a man of an honorable old age, going forth out of our
sea with his three toothed instrument, called Tridens, who after a friendly
salute led mee into a most pleasant Iland. This goodly Iland was situated
towards the South, being replenished with all things respecting the
necessity, and delight of man: Virgils Elisian field might scarce compare
with it. All the banks were round about beset with green Mirtles, Cypresse
trees, and Rosemary. The green meadowes were covered all over with
flowers of all sorts, both fair, and sweet. The hills were set forth with Vines,
Olive trees, and Cedar-trees in a most wonderfull manner. The woods were
filled with Orenge, and Lemon-trees. The high wayes were planted on both
sides with Bay-trees, and Pomegranate-trees, woven most artificially one
within the other, and affording a most pleasant shadow to Travellers. And to
bee short, whatsoever is in the whole world was seen there. As I was
walking, there was shewed to me by the foresaid Neptune two Mines of that
Iland lying under a certain rock, the one was of Gold, the other of Chalybs,
or Steel. Not far from thence I was brought to a Meadow in which was a
peculiar Orchard with divers sorts of trees most goodly to behold, and

amongst the rest, being very many hee shewed to mee seven Trees marked
out by speciall names; and amongst these I observed two as chiefest, more
eminent then the rest, one of which did beare fruit like the Sun most bright,
and shining, and the leaves thereof were like Gold. The other brought forth
fruit that was most white, yea, whiter then the Lillies, and the leaves therof
were as fine Silver: Now these trees were called by Neptune, the one the
tree of the Sun, the other the tree of the Moon. And although in this Iland all
things were at ones pleasure, and command, yet there was one thing, and
but one wanting: there was no water to be had, but with great difficulty.
There were indeed many that partly endeavoured to bring it thither by pipes,
and partly drew it out of divers things: but their endeavours were in vain,
because in those places it could not bee had by any means or medium; and
if it were at any time had, yet it was unprofitable, and poisonous, unlesse
they fetched it (as few could doe) from the beams of the Sun, and Moone;
and he which was fortunate in so doing could never get above ten parts; and
that water was most wonderfull: and beleeve mee, for I saw it with mine
eyes, and felt it, that that water was as white as the snow; and whilest I was
contemplating upon the water, I was in a great wonder. Wherefore Neptune
being in the mean while wearied vanished away from before mine eyes, and
there appeared to me a great man, upon whose forehead was written the
name of Saturne. This man taking the vessell drew ten parts of water; and
tooke presently of the tree of the Sun, and put it in; and I saw the fruit of the
tree consumed, and resolved like ice in warm water. I demanded of him; Sir,
I see a wonderfull thing, water to bee as it were of nothing; I see the fruit of
the tree consumed in it with a most sweet, and kindly heat, and wherefore is
all this? But he answered mee most lovingly. My Son, it is true this is a
thing to be wondered at; but doe not thou wonder at it, for so it must be. For
this water is the Water of life, having power to better the fruit of this tree so,
that afterward neither by planting, or graffing, but only by its own odour it
may convert the other six trees into its own likenesse. Moreover this water
is to this fruit as it were a woman, the fruit of this tree can be putrefied in
nothing but in this water, and although the fruit of it be of it self most
wonderful, & a thing of great price; yet if it be putrefied in this water, it
begets by this putrefaction a Salamander, abiding in the fire, whose blood is
more pretious then any kind of treasure or riches in the world, being able to
make those six trees, which here thou seest, fruitfull, and to bring forth their
fruit sweeter then the honey. But I asked, Sir, How is that done? I told thee

(saith hee) that the fruit of that tree is living, and sweet; but whereas one is
now sufficed with it, when it is boyled in this water, a thousand may then
bee satisfied with it. I demanded moreover, Sir, is it boiled with a strong
fire, and how long is it in boyling? But said he, that water hath an
intrinsecall fire, and if it be helped with a continuall heat, it burns three
parts of its body with this body of the fruit, and there wil remain but a very
smal part, which is scarce imaginable, but of wonderful vertue; it is boiled
by the skilfull wit of the Artificer, first 7 months, then 10, but in the mean
time there appeared divers things, and alwaies in the fiftieth day, or
thereabouts. I demanded again, Sir, cannot this fruit be boiled in other
waters, or something be put to it? Hee answered, there is but this one water
that is usefull in this Country, or Island; and there is no other water can
penetrate the pores of this apple, but this: and know also that the Tree of the
Sun hath its originall from this water, which is extracted out of the beams of
the Sun, and Moone by a magnetick vertue: Besides they have a great
correspondency betwixt themselves, but if any strange thing be added to it,
it cannot performe that which it can do of it self. It must therefore be left by
it self, and nothing added to it but this apple: This fruit after boiling
becomes to bee immortall, having life, and blood, which blood makes all
the trees bring forth fruit of the same nature with the Apple. I asked him
further, Sir, is this Water drawn any other way, or to be had every where?
And he said, it is in every place, and no man can live without it; it is drawn
divers ways, but that is the best, which is extracted by vertue of our
Chalybs, which is found in the belly of Aries. I said, to what use is it? He
answered, before its due boiling it is the greatest poison, but after a
convenient boiling it is the greatest medicine, and yeelds nine and twenty
graines of blood; and every grain will yeeld to thee the fruit of the Tree of
the Sun in 864 fold. I asked, Can it not be made yet better? The
Philosophicall Scripture being witnesse (saith hee) it may bee exalted first
to ten, then to a hundred, then to a thousand, and ten thousand. I required
again of him, Sir, Doe many know that Water, and hath it any proper name?
He cryed out saying, Few know it, but all have seen it, and doe see it, and
love it: it hath many and various names, but its proper name is the Water of
our Sea, the Water of life not wetting the hands. I asked yet further, Doe any
use it to any other things? Every creature (saith he) doth use it, but
invisibly. Then I asked, Doth any thing grow in it? but he said, Of it are
made all things in the world, and in it they live: but in it nothing properly is,

but it is that thing which mixeth it self to every thing. I asked againe, Is it
usefull for any thing without the fruit of this tree? To this he said, Not in
this work; because it is not bettered, but in the fruit of the Tree of the Sun
alone. I began to intreat him, Sir I pray, name it to mee by such a manifest
name, that I may have no further doubt about it. But he cryed with a loud
voice, so as that he awakened me from sleep; Therefore I could ask him no
further, neither would hee tell mee any more, neither can I tell any more. Be
satisfied with these, and beleeve mee, that it is not possible to speak more
cleerly. For if thou dost not understand these things, thou wilt never be able
to comprehend the books of other Philosophers. After Saturn’s unexpected
and sudden departure a new sleep came upon mee, and then appeared to
mee Neptune in a visible shape: He congratulated my present happinesse in
the gardens of the Hesperides, shewing to me a Looking-glasse, in which I
saw all Nature discovered. After the changing of divers words betwixt us, I
gave him thanks for his courtesies shewed to me; because I not only entred
into this garden, but also came into Saturn’s most desired discourse. But
because by reason of Saturn’s unexpected departure some difficulties did
yet remain to be inquired after, and searched into, I earnestly besought him,
that by means of this happy opportunity hee would resolve mee my doubts.
Now I importuned him with these words, Sir I have read the books of
Philosophers, and they say, that all generation is done by Male, and Female,
yet I saw in my dream Saturne put the fruit alone of the Tree of the Sun into
our Mercury; I beleeve also thee as the Master of this Sea, that thou
knowest these things; answer my Question I pray thee. But he said, It is
true, my son, all generation is done in Male, and Female, but by reason of
the distinguishing of the three Kingdomes of Nature, a foure footed Animall
is brought forth one way, and a worme another: Although wormes have
eyes, sight, hearing, and other senses, yet they are brought forth by
putrefaction, and their place, or earth, in which they are putrefied, is the
Female. So in this Philosophicall work the mother of this thing is that Water
of thine so often repeated, & whatsoever is produced of that, is produced as
worms by putrefaction. Therfore the Philosophers have created a Phenix, &
Salamander. For if it were done by the conception of two bodies, it would
be a thing subject to death; but because it revives it self alone, the former
body being destroyed, it riseth up another body incorruptible. Seeing the
death of things is nothing else but the separation of the one from the other.
And so it is in this Phenix, because the life separates it self by its self from a

corruptible body. Moreover, I asked him, Sir, are there divers things, or is
there a composition of things in this work? But he said, there is only one
thing, with which there is mixed nothing else but the Philosophicall Water
shewed to thee oftentimes in thy sleep, of which there must be ten parts to
one of the body. And strongly, and undoubtedly beleeve, My son, that those
things which are by me and Saturn shewed thee by way of dreams,
according to the custom, in this Iland, are not dreams, but the very truth,
which Experience the only Mistris of things will by the assistance of God
discover to thee. I yet further demanded some things of him, but hee
without any answer, after he had took his leave of mee, departing set me,
being raised from sleep, into my desired region of Europe. And so friendly
Reader, let this suffice thee, which hath by mee thus farre been fully
declared.
To God alone be praise and glory.

A DIALOGVE
BETWEEN
MERCURY, the ALCHYMIST
and NATURE.

pon a time there were assembled divers Alchymists together, and
held a counsel how they should make, & prepare the Philosophers
stone, and they concluded that every one should declare his
opinion with a vow. And that meeting was in the open aire, in a certaine
meadow, on a faire cleer day. And many agreed that Mercury was the first
matter thereof, others that Sulphur was, and others other things. But the
chiefest opinion was of Mercury, and that especially because of the sayings
of Philosophers, because they hold, that Mercury is the first true matter of
the Stone, also of Metalls: For Philosophers cry out, and say, OUR
MERCURY, &c. And so whilest they did contend amongst themselves for
divers operations (every one gladly expecting a conclusion) there arose in
the mean time a very great tempest, with stormes, showers of rain, and an
unheard of wind, which dispersed that assembly into divers Provinces,
every one apart without a conclusion. Yet every one of them fancied to
himselfe what the conclusion of that dispute should have been. Every one
therefore set upon his work as before, one in this thing, another in that thing
seeking the Philosophers Stone, and this is done till this day without any
giving over. Now one of them remembring the disputation, that the
Philosophers Stone is necessarily to be sought after in Mercury, said to
himself: Although there was no conclusion made, yet I wil work in
Mercury, and will make a conclusion my self in making the blessed Stone;
for he was a man that was alwaies wont to talk to himselfe, as indeed all
Alchymists usually doe. Hee therefore began to read the books of
Philosophers, and fell upon a booke of Alanus, which treats of Mercury;
and so that Alchymist is made a Philosopher, but without any conclusion:

And taking Mercury he began to work; hee put it into a glass, and put fire to
it, the Mercury as it is wont to do, vapoured away, the poor silly Alchymist
not knowing the nature of it, beat his wife, saying: No body could come
hither besides thee, thou tookest the Mercury out of the glass. His wife
crying excuseth her self, and speaks softly to her husband: Thou wilt make
a sir-reverence of these. The Alchymist tooke Mercury again, and put it
again into his vessell, and lest his wife should take it away, watched it. But
the Mercury, as its manner is, vapoured away again. The Alchymist
remembring that the first matter of the Philosophers Stone must be volatile,
rejoiced exceedingly, altogether perswading himselfe that he could not now
be deceived, having the first matter: Hee began now to work upon Mercury
boldly, he learned afterwards to sublime it, and to calcine it divers ways, as
with Salt, Sulphur, and Metalls, Mineralls, Bloud, Haire, Corrosive waters,
Herbs, Urine, Vineger, but could find nothing for his purpose; hee left
nothing unassayed in the whole world, with which hee did not work upon
good Mercury withall. But when he could doe no good at all with this, hee
fell upon this saying——that it is found in the dung-hill. He began to worke
upon Mercury with divers sorts of dung, together, and asunder: And when
hee was weary, and full of thoughts he fell into a sleep. And in his sleep
there appeared to him a vision: there came to him an old man, who saluted
him, and said; Friend, Why art thou sad? Hee answered, I would willingly
make the Philosophers Stone. Then said he, Friend, Of what wilt thou make
the Philosophers Stone? Alchymista. Of Mercury, Sir. Senex. Of what
Mercury? Alch. There is but one Mercury. Sen. It is true, there is but one
Mercury, but altered variously, according to the variety of places; one is
purer then another. Alch. O Sir, I know how to purifie it very well with
vineger and salt, with nitre and vitriall. Sen. I tell thee this is not the true
purifying of it, neither is this, thus purifyed, the true Mercury: Wise men
have another Mercury, and another manner of purifying of it, and so he
vanished away. The Alchymist being raised from sleep thought with
himselfe what vision this should be, as also what this Mercury of
Philosophers should be: hee could bethinke himselfe of no other but the
vulgar Mercury. But yet hee desired much that hee might have had a longer
discourse with the old man: but yet hee worked continually, sometimes in
the dung of living creatures, as boyes dung, and sometimes in his own. And
every day hee went to the place, where hee saw the vision, that he might
speak with the old man again: sometimes hee counterfeited a sleep, and lay

with his eyes shut expecting the old man. But when he would not come he
thought he was afraid of him, and would not beleeve that he was asleep, he
swore therefore saying, My good old Master be not afraid, for truly I am
asleep; look upon my eyes, see if I be not: And the poor Alchymist after so
many labours, and the spending of all his goods, now at last fel mad, by
alwaies thinking of the old man. And when hee was in that strong
imagination, there appeared to him in his sleep a false vision, in the
likenesse of the old man, and said to him, Doe not despaire, my friend, thy
Mercury is good, and thy matter, but if it will not obey thee, conjure it, that
it bee not volatile; Serpents are used to be conjured, and then why not
Mercury? and so the old man would leave him. But the Alchymist asked of
him, saying, Sir, expect, &c. And by reason of a noise this poore Alchymist
was raised from sleep, yet not without great comfort. He took then a vessell
full of Mercury, and began to conjure it divers wayes, as his dream taught
him. And hee remembred the words of the old man, in that hee said,
Serpents are conjured, and Mercury is painted with Serpents, hee thought,
so it must bee conjured as the Serpents. And taking a vessell with Mercury
hee began to say, Ux, Vx, Ostas, &c. And where the name of the Serpent
should be put, he put the name of Mercury, saying: And thou wicked beast
Mercury, &c. At which words Mercury began to laugh, and to speak unto
him saying, What wilt thou have, that thou thus troublest mee my Master
Alchymist? Alch. O ho, now thou callest me Master, when I touch thee to
the quick, now I have found where thy bridle is, wait a little, and by and by
thou shalt sing my song, and he began to speak to him, as it were angerly,
Art thou that Mercury of Philosophers? Merc. (as if he were afraid
answered) I am Mercury, my Master. Alch. Why therefore wilt not thou
obey mee? and why could not I fix thee? Merc. O my noble Master, I
beseech thee pardon mee, wretch that I am, I did not know that thou wast so
great a Philosopher. Alch. Didst not thou perceive this by my operations,
seeing I proceeded so Philosophically with thee? Merc. So it is, my noble
Master, although I would hide my selfe, yet I see I cannot from so
honourable a Master as thou art. Alch. Now therefore dost thou know a
Philosopher? Merc. Yea, my Master, I see that your worship is a most
excellent Philosopher. Alch. (being glad at his heart saith) truly now I have
found what I sought for. (Again he spake to Mercury with a most terrible
voice:) Now go to, be now therefore obedient, or else it shall be the worse
for thee. Merc. Willingly, my Master, if I am able, for now I am very weake.

Alch. Why dost thou now excuse thy selfe? Merc. I doe not, my Master, but
I am faint and feeble. Alch. What hurts thee? Merc. The Alchymist hurts
mee. Alch. What, dost thou still deride mee? Merc. O Master, no, I speak of
the Alchymist, but thou art a Philosopher. Alch. O wel, well, that is true, but
what hath the Alchymist done? Merc. O my Master, hee hath done many
evill things to mee, for hee hath mixed mee, poor wretch as I am, with
things contrary to mee: from whence I shall never bee able to recover my
strength, and I am almost dead, for I am tormented almost unto death. Alch.
O thou deservest those things, for thou art disobedient. Merc. I was never
disobedient to any Philosopher, but it is naturall to mee to deride fools.
Alch. And what dost thou think of mee? Merc. O Sir, you are a great man, a
very great Philosopher, yea greater then Hermes himselfe. Alch. Truly so it
is, I am a learned man, but I will not commend my selfe, but my Wife also
said to mee, that I am a very learned Philosopher, she knew so much by me.
Merc. I am apt to beleeve thee, for Philosophers must be so, who by reason
of too much wisdome, and pains fall mad. Alch. Goe to then, tell me
therefore what I shall doe with thee; how I shall make the Philosophers
Stone of thee. Merc. O my Master Philosopher, I know not, Thou art a
Philosopher, I am a servant of the Philosophers, they make of me what they
please, I obey them as much as I am able. Alch. Thou must tell mee how I
must proceed with thee, and how I may make of thee the Philosophers
Stone. Merc. If thou knowest, thou shall make it, but if thou knowest not,
thou shalt doe nothing, thou shalt know nothing by mee, if thou knowest not
already my Master Philosopher. Alch. Thou speakest to mee as to some
simple man, perhaps thou dost not know that I have worked with Princes,
and was accounted a Philosopher with them. Merc. I am apt to beleeve thee
my Master, for I know all this very wel, I am yet foul, and unclean by
reason of those mixtures that thou hast used. Alch. Therefore tell mee, art
thou the Mercury of Philosophers? Merc. I am Mercury, but whether or no
the Philosophers, that belongs to thee to know. Alch. Do but tell me if thou
art the true Mercury, or if there be another. Merc. I am Mercury, but there is
another, and so he vanished away. The Alchymist cries out and speaks, but
no body answers him. And bethinking himselfe saith: Surely I am an
excellent man, Mercury hath been pleased to talke with mee, surely hee
loves mee: and then he began to sublime Mercury, distil, calcine, make
Turbith of him, precipitate, and dissolve him divers wayes, and with divers
waters, but as hee laboured in vain before, so now also he hath spent his

time, and costs to no purpose. Wherefore at last hee begins to curse
Mercury, and revile Nature because shee made him. Now Nature when she
heard these things called Mercury to her, and said to him: What hast thou
done to this man? Why doth he curse and revile me for thy sake? Why dost
not thou doe what thou oughtest to doe? But Mercury modestly excuseth
himself. Yet Nature commands him to be obedient to the sons of Wisdome,
that seek after him. Mercury promiseth that he will, and saith: Mother
Nature, but who can satisfie fools? Nature went away smiling: but Mercury
being angry with the Alchymist goes also unto his own place. After a few
days it came into the Alchymists mind, that he omitted something in his
operations, and again hee hath recourse to Mercury, and now resolves to
mix him with hogs dung; but Mercury being angry that he had falsly
accused him before his mother Nature, saith to the Alchymist, What wilt
thou have of me thou foole? Why hast thou thus accused mee? Alch. Art
thou he that I have longed to see? Merc. I am, but no man that is blind can
see mee. Alch. I am not blind. Merc. Thou art very blind, for thou canst not
see thy selfe, how then canst thou see mee? Alch. O now thou art proud, I
speak civilly to thee, and thou contemnest mee: thou dost not know perhaps
that I have worked with many Princes, and was esteemed as a Philosopher
amongst them. Merc. Fools flock to Princes Courts, for there they are
honoured, and fare better then others. Wast thou also at the Court? Alch. O
thou art a devill, and not a good Mercury, if thou wilt speak thus to
Philosophers: for before thou didst also seduce me thus. Mer. Dost thou
know Philosophers? Alch. I my self am a Philosopher. Merc. Behold our
Philosopher (smiling said: and began to talke further with him saying) My
Philosopher, tell mee therefore what thou seekest after, and what thou wilt
have, what dost thou desire to make? Alch. The Philosophers stone. Merc.
Out of what matter therefore wilt thou make it? Alch. Of our Mercury.
Merc. O my Philosopher, now I wil leave you, for I am not yours. Alch. O
thou art but a devill, and wilt seduce mee. Merc. Truly my Philosopher thou
art a devill to mee, not I to thee: for thou dost deale most sordidly with mee,
after a devillish manner. Alch. O what doe I hear? this certainly is a devill
indeed, for I do all things according to the writings of Philosophers, and
know very well how to work. Merc. Thou knowest very well, for thou dost
more then thou knowest, or readst of: for the Philosophers said, that Nature
is to be mixed with Natures; and they command nothing to bee done
without Nature; but thou dost mix mee with almost all the sordidst things

that bee, as dung. Alch. I doe nothing besides Nature; but I sow seed into its
own earth, as the Philosophers have said. Merc. Thou sowest mee in dung,
and in time of harvest I do vanish away, and thou art wont to reap dung.
Alc. Yet so the Philosophers have wrote, that in the dunghill their matter is
to be sought for. Merc. It is true what they have written; but thou
understandest their letter, and not their sense, and meaning. Alch. Now
happily I see that thou art Mercury; but thou wilt not obey mee. And he
began to conjure him again, saying, Vx Vx. But Mercury laughing answered,
Thou shalt doe no good, my friend. Alch. They do not speak without
ground, when they say thou art of a strange nature, inconstant, and volatile.
Merc. Dost thou say, that I am inconstant, I resolve thee thus, I am constant
unto a constant Artificer; fixed to him, that is of a fixed mind, but thou, and
such as thou art, are inconstant, running from one thing unto another, from
one matter unto another. Alch. Tell me therefore if thou art that Mercury,
which the Philosophers wrote of, which they said was, together with
sulphur, and salt the principall of all things, or must I seek after another?
Mer. Truly the fruit doth not fal far from the tree, but I seek not mine own
praise, I am the same as I was, but my years are differing. From the
beginning I was young, so long as I was alone, but now I am older, yet the
same as I was before. Alch. Now thou pleasest me, because now thou art
older: for I alwaies sought after such a one, that was more ripe, and fixed,
that I might so much the more easily accord with him. Merc. Thou dost in
vain look after mee in my old age, who didst not know mee in my youth.
Alch. Did not I know thee, who have worked with thee divers wayes, as
thou thy selfe hast said? and yet I will not leave off till I have made the
Philosophers Stone. Merc. O what a miserable case am I in? What shall I
do? I must now be mixed again with dung, and be tormented. O wretch that
I am! I beseech thee good Master Philosopher, doe not mix me so much
with hogs dung; for otherwise I shall be undone, for by reason of this stink I
am constrained to change my shape. And what wilt thou have mee doe
more? Am not I tormented sufficiently by thee? Doe not I obey thee? Doe
not I mixe my self with those things thou wilt have me? Am I not sublimed?
Am I not precipitated? Am I not made turbith? An Amalgama? A Past? Now
what canst thou desire more of me? My body is so scourged, so spit upon,
that the very stone would pity me: By vertue of me thou hast milk, flesh,
bloud, butter, oyl, water, and which of all the metalls, or mineral can do that
which I do alone? and is there no mercy to be had towards me? O what a

wretch am I! Alc. O ho, it doth not hurt thee, thou art wicked, although thou
turnest thy self inside out, yet thou dost not change thy selfe, thou dost but
frame to thy selfe a new shape, thou dost alwaies return into thy first forme
again. Merc. I doe as thou wilt have me, if thou wilt have me be a body, I
am a body: if thou will have me be dust, I am dust, I know not how I should
abase my self more, then when I am dust, and a shadow. Alch. Tell mee
therefore what thou art in thy Center, and I will torment thee no more.
Merc. Now I am constrained to tell from the very foundation. If thou wilt
thou maist understand mee: thou seest my shape, and of this thou needest
not know further. But because thou askest mee of the Center, my Center is
the most fixed heart of all things, immortall, and penetrating: in that my
Master rests, but I my selfe am the way, and the passenger, I am a stranger,
and yet live at home, I am most faithfull to all my companions, I leave not
those that doe accompany mee; I abide with them, I perish with them. I am
an immortall body: I die indeed when I am slaine, but I rise againe to
judgement before a wise Judge. Alch. Art thou therefore the Philosophers
Stone? Merc. My mother is such a one, of her is born artificially one certain
thing, but my brother who dwells in the fort, hath in his will what the
Philosophers desire. Alch. Art thou old? Merc. My mother begat mee, but I
am older then my mother. Alch. What devill can understand thee, when thou
dost not answer to the purpose? thou alwaies speakest Riddles. Tell mee if
thou art that fountain of which Bernard Lord Trevisan writ? Merc. I am not
the fountaine, but I am the water, the fountaine compasseth mee about.
Alch. Is gold dissolved in thee, when thou art water? Merc. Whatsoever is
with mee I love as a friend; and whatsoever is brought forth with mee, to
that I give nourishment, and whatsoever is naked, I cover with my wings.
Alch. I see it is to no purpose to speak to thee, I ask one thing, and thou
answerest another thing: if thou wilt not answer to my question, truly I will
goe to work with thee again. Merc. O master, I beseech thee be good to me,
now I will willingly doe what I know. Alch. Tell mee therefore if thou art
afraid of the fire. Merc. I am fire my selfe. Alch. And why then dost thou fly
from the fire? Merc. My spirit, and the spirit of the fire love one another,
and whither one goes, the other goes if it can. Alch. And whither dost thou
goe, when thou ascendest with the fire? Merc. Know that every stranger
bends towards his own countrey, and when he is returned from whence he
came, hee is at rest, and alwaies returnes wiser, then he was when he came
forth. Alch. Dost thou come back again sometimes? Merc. I doe, but in

another forme. Alch. I do not understand what this is, nor any thing of the
fire. Merc. If any one knew the fire of my heart, hee hath seen that fire (a
due heat) is my meat: and by how much the longer the spirit of my heart
feeds upon fire, it will be so much the fatter, whose death is afterward the
life of all things, whatsoever they bee in this Kingdome where I am. Alch.
Art thou great? Merc. I am thus for example, of a thousand drops I shall be
one, out of one I give many thousand drops: and as my body is in thy sight,
if thou knowest how to sport with mee, thou maist divide me into as much
as thou wilt, and I shall be one again: What then is my spirit (my heart)
intrinsecally, which alwaies can bring forth many thousands out of the least
part? Alch. And how therefore must one deale with thee that thou maist be
so? Merc. I am fire within, fire is my meat, but the life of the fire is aire,
without aire the fire is extinguished; the fire prevails over the aire,
wherefore I am not at rest, neither can the crude aire constringe, or bind
mee: adde aire to aire, that both may be one, and hold weight, join it to
warme fire, and give it time. Alch. What shall bee after that? Merc. The
superfluous shall be taken away, the residue thou shalt burn with fire, put it
into water, boyl it, after it is boyled thou shalt give it to the sick by way of
physick. Alch. Thou saist nothing to my questions. I see that thou wilt only
delude mee with Riddles. Wife, bring hither the hogs dung, I will handle
that Mercury some new wayes, untill hee tell mee how the Philosophers
Stone is to bee made of him. Mercury hearing this begins to lament over the
Alchymist, and goes unto his mother Nature: accuseth the ungratefull
operator. Nature beleeves her son Mercury, who tells true, and being moved
with anger comes to the Alchymist, and calls him; Ho thou, Where art thou?
Alchym. Who is that, thus calls mee? Natura. What dost thou with my son,
thou fool thou? Why dost thou thus injure him? Why dost thou torment
him? who is willing to doe thee any good, if thou couldst understand so
much. Alch. What devill reprehends me, so great a man, and Philosopher?
Nat. O fool ful of pride, the dung of Philosophers, I know all Philosophers,
and wise men, and I love them, for they love me, and doe all things for me
at my pleasure, and whither I cannot goe they help me. But you Alchymists,
of whose order thou also art one, without my knowledg, and consent, doe
all things contrary unto me; wherefore it falls out contrary to your
expectation. You think that you deal with my sons rationally, but you
perfect nothing; and if you will consider rightly, you do not handle them,
but they handle you: for you can make nothing of them, neither know you

how to do it, but they of you when they please, make fooles. Alch. It is not
true: I also am a Philosopher, and know well how to worke, I have been
with more then one Prince, and was esteemed a Philosopher amongst them,
my wife also knows the same, and now also I have a manuscript, which was
hid some hundreds of years in an old wall, now I certainly know I shall
make the Philosophers Stone, as also within these few dayes it was revealed
to mee in a dreame. O I am wont to have true dreams; Wife thou knowest it!
Natur. Thou shalt doe as the rest of thy fellowes have done, who in the
beginning know all things, and thinke they are very knowing, but in
conclusion know nothing. Alch. Yet others have made it of thee (if thou art
the true Nature.) Nat. It is true, but only they that knew me, and they are
very few. But hee which knowes mee doth not torment my Sons; nor
disturbe mee, but doth to mee what hee pleaseth, and increaseth my goods,
and heals the bodies of my sons. Alch. Even so do I. Natur. Thou dost all
things contrary to mee, and dost proceed with my Sonnes contrary to my
will: when thou shouldst revive, thou killest; when fix, thou sublimest;
when calcine, thou distillest; especially my most observant Sonne Mercury,
whom thou tormentest with so many corrosive waters, and so many
poisonous things. Alch. Then I will proceed with him sweetly by digestion
only. Natur. It is well if thou knowest how to doe it, but if not, thou shalt not
hurt him, but thy selfe, and expose thy selfe to charges, for it is all one with
him, as with a gem, which is mixed with dung, that is alwaies good, and the
dung doth not diminish it, although it be cast upon it, for when it is washed,
it is the same gemme as it was before. Alch. But I would willingly know
how to make the Philosophers Stone. Natur. Therefore doe not handle my
Son in that fashion: for know, that I have many Sonnes, and many
Daughters, and I am ready at hand to them that seek mee, if they bee worthy
of mee. Alch. Tell me therefore who that Mercury is? Nat. Know that I have
but one such Sonne, and hee is one of seven, and hee is the first; and hee is
all things, who was but one; hee is nothing, and his number is entire; in him
are the foure Elements, and yet himselfe is no Element; he is a spirit, and
yet hath a body; he is a man, and yet acts the part of a woman; hee is a
child, and yet bears the armes of a man; hee is a beast, and yet hath the
wings of a bird; hee is poison, yet cureth the leprosie; he is life, yet kills all
things; hee is a King, yet another possesseth his Kingdome; hee flyeth from
the fire, yet fire is made of him; hee is water, yet wets not; hee is earth, yet
hee is sowed; hee is aire, yet lives in water. Alch. Now I see that I know

nothing, but I dare not say so, for then I should lose my reputation, and my
neighbors will lay out no more money upon mee, if they should know that I
know nothing: yet I will say that I doe certainly know, or else no body will
give mee so much as bread: for many of them hope for much good from
mee. Natur. Although thou shouldst put them off a great while, yet what will
become of thee at last? and especially if thy neighbours should demand
their charges of thee again? Alch. I will feed all of them with hope, as much
as possibly I can. Natur. And then what wilt thou doe at last? Alch. I will try
many ways privately: if either of them succeed, I will pay them; if not, I
will goe into some other far Country, and doe the like there. Natur. And
what will become of thee afterward? Alch. Ha, ha, ha, there bee many
countryes, also many covetous men, to whom I will promise great store of
Gold, and that in a short time, and so the time shall passe away, till at last
either I, or they must die Kings, or Asses. Natur. Such Philosophers deserve
the halter: fie upon thee, make hast and be hanged, and put an end to thy
self, and thy Philosophy; for by this meanes thou shalt neither deceive mee,
thy neighbour, or thy self.

A TREATISE
OF

SVLPHVR:
The Preface.

Courteous Reader,
eeing I might not write more cleerly, then other ancient
Philosophers have wrote; haply thou mayst not bee satisfied with
my writings: especially since thou hast so many other bookes of
Philosophers already in thy hands: but beleeve me, neither have I any need
to write books, because I seek neither profit, nor vain glory by them;
therefore I doe not publish who I am. Those things which I have now
publisht for thy profit, and advantage, seem to mee to be more then enough;
I purpose that other things, which remain, shall bee referred to the book of
Harmony, where I have largely treated of naturall things: yet by the
perswasion of some friends I must needs also write this Treatise of Sulphur;
in which whether it be needfull to adde any thing to what is written before, I
know not. Yea, neither shall this satisfie thee, if the writings of so many
Philosophers cannot satisfie thee: And especially, if the daily operation of
Nature bee not a sufficient example, no other examples shall doe thee good.
For if thou wouldst consider with a mature judgement, how Nature works,
thou wouldst not have need of so many volumes of Philosophers: because
in my judgement it is better to learn of Nature the Mistris, then of her
scholars. Thou hast enough in the Preface of the book of the Twelve
Treatises, as also in the First Treatise it self, because in this Art there be so
many, and so great books to bee found, that they rather hinder, then help
those that are studious of this Art: and so indeed it seems to be, because the
Writings of Philosophers are out of that little Schedule of Hermes grown up
unto so great, and erroneous a Labyrinth, and daily doe decline into

obscurity: And this I beleeve is done only by envious Philosophers, when as
the ignorant doe not well know what ought to be added, or left out, if haply
the Authours hand cannot well be read. If in any Science, or Art it doth
much help, or hurt to have one word lacking, or added, then much more in
this: As for example: It is written in one place: Then mix these waters
together, another addes Not, hee indeed added but a little, and yet by this he
turned the whole Chapter quite contrary: yet let the diligent Student know,
that a Bee doth gather honey out of poisonous hearbs. But if he judgeth
what hee reads, according to the possibility of Nature, hee will easily get
beyond all the Sophistry of Philosophers: yet let him not give over reading,
because one booke explaines another. And by this meanes I understood that
the bookes of Geber the Philosopher (and who could know it, but they that
read other Authours?) are so wonderfully enchanted, that they cannot
possibly be understood, unlesse they be read over a thousand times, and this
also by a witty Reader; fooles must bee utterly excluded from reading of
them. There bee indeed many that undertake to interpret him as they doe
other Authors; but I see their explication is more difficult then the text: My
advice is, that thou dost persist in the text, and whatsoever thou readest
apply to the possibility of Nature; and in the first place enquire diligently
what Nature is. All indeed write, that shee is a thing of small account, easy,
common; and indeed it is true, but it should have been added, that shee is so
unto wise men. The wise man knows her to be amongst dung, and the
ignorant man doth not beleeve her to bee in gold. And all these men, which
have made such hard bookes, if they were now ignorant of the Art, but must
find it out of such bookes (which books indeed are very true) would with
more difficulty find it out, then men, that in these days search into the art,
doe. I will not commend mine owne Writings, hee shall judge of them that
shall apply them to the possibility, and course of Nature; and if by my
Writings, Counsell, Examples, hee shall not know the operation of Nature,
and her ministring vitall spirits constringing the aire, as also the subject of
the first matter, hee will scarce understand them by Raimundus Lullius. It is
a hard thing to beleeve that spirits have such a power and force in the belly
of the wind. This Wood I also am constrained to goe through, and also I
have helped to multiply it, yet in such a manner as my plants shall be
signes, a light, and guides to the true Sons of Art, and Students in this
sacred Science, that are willing to goe through this Wood; for my plants are
as it were corporeall. Those times are now past, when fidelity amongst

friends flourished, and this Art was communicated by word of mouth; but
now it is not obtained but by the inspiration of the most high God alone.
Therefore let not him that searcheth diligently, and fears God despaire. If he
seeks after it, hee shall find it. Because it is more easily obtained from God,
then from man: for hee is a God of infinite compassion, and knowes not
how to forsake him that puts his trust in him; with him there is no respect of
persons; the contrite and humble heart hee will not despise, and hee hath
taken compassion upon mee, the most unworthy of his creatures; whose
power, goodness, unspeakable compassion which he hath vouchsafed to
shew to mee, I am not able to expresse: but if I am able to give no better
thankes, yet I shall not cease with my pen to set forth his praise for ever.
Bee of good courage therefore, Courteous Reader, and hee will also not
deny this favour to thee, if thou puttest thy whole trust in him, worship him,
and call upon him, hee will open to thee the gate of Nature; then thou shalt
see how most plainly Nature works. Know for certain that Nature is most
plain, and simple, and delights in nothing so much as in plainnesse; and
beleeve mee, whatsoever in Nature is more noble, by so much also the more
easy, and plain it is, because all truth is plain, and simple: God the most
High Creator of all things put nothing that is hard, or difficult in Nature. If
thou wilt therefore imitate Nature, let mee perswade thee to abide in the
simple way of Nature; and thou shalt find all good things. But if neither my
writings, nor advise pleaseth thee, then go to other authors. Wherefore I
write not great Volumes that thou maist not lay out too much money, or time
upon them, but maist read them over quickly, and bee at the more leisure to
have recourse to other authors: and cease not to seek, for to him that
knocks, it shall bee opened. Now those times are coming, in which many
secrets of Nature shall bee revealed. Now that fourth Monarchy of the
North is about to begin: Now the times are at hand; the Mother of Sciences
will come: greater things shall bee discovered then hath been done in these
three last past Monarchies. Because this Monarchy (as the Ancients have
foretold) God will plant by one of his Princes, being enriched with all
manner of vertues, whom haply times have already brought forth. For wee
have in this Northerne part a most wise Prince, and most warlike, whom
none of the Monarchs doth goe beyond in victories, or excell in humanity,
and piety. In this Northerne Monarchy God the maker of all things, will
without doubt bring to light greater secrets in Nature, then in those times,
when Pagan, and Tyrant Princes reigned. But the Philosophers reckon these

Monarchies, not according to the powerfulnesse of them, but according to
the corners of the world: the first was Easterne, the next Southerne; this
which they now possesse is Westerne: the last which they expect in this
Northerne part is Northerne: but of these further in my booke of Harmony.
In this Northern Monarchy, where the attractive pole is (as the Psalmist
speaks) Mercy and Truth are met together; Peace, and Justice shall kisse
each other; Truth shall rise out of the earth, and Justice shall looke from
heaven. One sheepfold, and one Shepheard. Many Arts without envy: All
which I doe earnestly expect. Doe thou also, Courteous Reader, call upon,
love, feare God, read over my Writings diligently, and then thou maist
foretell to thy selfe good things. And if thou shalt, through the favour of
God, and the help of Nature (whom thou must imitate) arrive to the desired
haven of this Monarchie; then thou shalt see, and say that all things that I
have said to thee, are good, and true.
Farewell.

OF
SVLPHVR:
The second Principle.

ulphur is not the last amongst the Principles, because it is a part
of the Metall; yea and the principall part of the Philosophers
Stone: and many wise men have left in writing divers, and very
true things of Sulphur. Yea Geber himself in his first book of the
highest perfection, cha. 28. saith: Through the most High God it illuminates
every body: because it is light from light, and Tincture. But before wee
treate of it, it seems good to us to first describe the originall of the
Principles; especially since of old, Sulphur hath been accounted the chiefest
of the Principles. Now very few have hitherto shewed whence the
Principles arise, and it is a hard thing to judge of any of the Principles, or
anything else, whose originall, and generation is unknowne: what can a
blind man judg of a colour? What our predecessors have omitted, that have
wee purposed in this Treatise to supply.
Now the Principles of things, especially of Metalls, according to the ancient
Philosophers are two, Sulphur; and Mercury: but according to the latter
Philosophers, three, Sal, Sulphur, and Mercury. Now the originall of these
Principles are the foure Elements; with the originall of which also wee will
first begin. Therefore let them that are Students in this sacred science know,
that there are four Elements, and that every one of these foure hath in its
Center another Element, by which it is elementated: and these are the four
statues of the world, separated from the Chaos in the creation of the world
by divine wisdome; and these uphold the fabrick of the world by their
contrary acting, in equality, and proportion, and also by the inclination of
celestiall vertues, bring forth all things, that are within, and upon the earth:
but of these in their places: here we will returne to our purpose; and first of
the Element that is neerest, viz. the Earth.

OF
The ELEMENT of the
EARTH.

he Earth is of great worth in its quality, and dignity: in this
Element, the other three, especially the fire, rest. It is the most
excellent Element to conceale, and discover those things which are
intrusted to it: it is grosse, and porous, heavy in respect of its smallnesse,
but light in respect of its Nature; it is also the Center of the world, as also of
the other Elements; through its Center passeth the axell tree of the world,
and of both poles. It is porous, as wee said, as a spunge, and brings forth
nothing of it selfe, but all things whatsoever the other three distil, and
project into it, it receives, keeps all things that are to be kept, brings to light
all things that are to be brought to light. It brings forth (as wee said before)
nothing of it selfe, but it is the receptacle of other things, and it is that, in
which every thing that is brought forth, doth abide, and by heat of motion is
putrefied in it, and is multiplied by the same, the pure being separated from
the impure: That which is heavy in it is hid, and the heat drives that which
is light unto its superficies. It is the nurse, and matrix of all seed, and
commixtion. It can indeed doe nothing else, then preserve the seed, and
what is made of it, till it be ripe. It is cold, dry, tempered with water; visible
without, and fixed; but within invisible, and volatile. It is a virgin, and the
Caput Mortuum left after the creation of the world, which shall hereafter at
divine pleasure bee calcined, after extraction of its moisture, that of it a new
Crystalline Earth may be created. Also this Element is divided into a pure
part, and an impure. The water makes use of the pure to bring forth things,
but the impure remains in its globe. This Element is the hiding place, and
mansion of all treasure. In its Center is the fire of hell, preserving this
fabrick of the world in its being; and this by the expression of water into the
aire. That fire is caused, and kindled by the primum Mobile, and the
influences of the Stars: the heat of the Sunne tempered with the aire meets
with this heat for the ripening, and drawing up of those things, which are
already conceived in its Center. Moreover the Earth partakes of fire, which
is the intrinsecall part of it, neither is it purified but in the fire: and so every

Element is purified with its intrinsecall part. Now the Intrinsecall part, or
inside of the Earth, or its Center is the highest purity mixed with fire, where
nothing can rest: It is as it were an empty place, into which all the other
Elements doe project their vertues, as hath been spoken in the book of the
Twelve Treatises. And thus much of the Element of Earth, which wee have
called a Spunge, and the receptacle of other things, which serveth for our
purpose.

OF
The ELEMENT of
WATER.

ater is the heaviest Element, full of unctuous flegme, and it is an
Element more worthy in its quality then the Earth, without,
volatile, but within fixed, it is cold, and moist, and tempered with
the aire: it is the sperm of the world, in which the seed of all things is kept:
it is the keeper of the seed of every thing. Yet wee must know, that the Seed
is one thing, and the Sperme another: the Earth is the receptacle of the
Sperme, but Water is the receptacle of the Seed. Whatsoever the Aire doth
distill into the Water, by means of the fire, the same doth the water convey
to the Earth. Sometimes the sperme lackes sufficiency of seed, for want of
heat which should digest it; for there is alwayes plenty of Sperm, expecting
Seed, which by the imagination of fire through the motion of the Aire it
carryes into its matrix: and sometimes there being lack of Seed, the Sperme
enters, but it goeth forth againe without fruit: but of this more at large
hereafter in the third Treatise of Principles, viz. in that of Salt. It happens
sometimes in Nature, that the Sperme enters into the matrix with a
sufficiency of Seed; but the matrix being indisposed, by reason of being
filled with offensive, sulphureous, & flegmatick vapors, doth not conceive,
neither doth that come to passe that should. Also nothing is properly in this
Element, but only as it is wont to bee in the Sperm. It is delighted chiefly in
its own motion, which is made by the Aire, and it is apt to mixe with things
by reason of its superficiall, volatile body. It is, as wee said before, the
receptacle of all manner of Seed: in it the Earth is easily purified, and
resolved; and the Aire is congealed in it, and is joined with it radically. It is
the menstruum of the world, which penetrating the Aire, by means of heat,
drawes along with it selfe a warm vapour, which causeth a naturall
generation of those things, which the Earth, as a matrix is impregnated

withall, and when the matrix receives a due proportion of Seed, of what
kind soever, it proceeds, and Nature workes without intermission to the end;
but the remaining moisture, or Sperme falls to the side, and by vertue of the
heat in the Earth is putrefied (that which is cast to the side) and of that
afterwards are generated other things, as small vermine, and wormes. The
Artificer of a quicke wit may indeed see in this Element, as it were out of
Sperme, divers wonders of Nature; but it will be needfull to take that
Sperm, in which the Astrall Seed in a certaine proportion is already
imagined, or conceived; because Nature makes, and produceth pure things
by the first putrefaction, but by the second farre more pure, worthy, and
noble; as thou hast an example in wood, which is vegetable, where in the
first composition Nature maketh wood, but when that is after maturity
corrupted, it is putrefied, and of it worms are bred, and such kind of
vermine as they are, which have both life, and sight: for it is manifest, that a
sensible thing is alwaies more worthy then a vegetable: for to the organs of
sensible things much more subtile, and purer matter is required: But to
return to our purpose.
This Element is the Menstruum of the world, and is divided into three sorts,
viz. pure, purer, and most pure. Of the most pure substance of it the
Heavens are created, the purer is resolved into Aire, but the pure, plaine,
and grosse remains in its sphere, and by divine appointment, and operation
of Nature doth preserve and keep every thing that is subtile. It makes one
globe together with the Earth: it hath also its Center in the heart of the Sea:
it hath one axell tree and pole with the earth, by which all courses, and
fountaines of water issue forth, which afterward increase, and grow up into
great rivers. By these issuing forth of waters the Earth is preserved from
burnings, and with this moistning the universall Seed is carryed forth
through the pores of the whole Earth, which thing is caused through heat,
and motion. Now it is manifest that all courses of Waters return into the
heart of the Sea; but whither afterward they run is not known to every body.
There be some that think that all rivers, water, and springs which have their
course into the sea, do proceed from the stars, who, when they know no
other reason why the sea should not increase, and bee fuller, by reason of
them, say that these Waters are consumed in the heart of the sea. But this
Nature will not admit of, as wee have shewed when we spake of the Rain.
The stars indeed cause, but doe not generate Water; seeing nothing is
generated but in its owne like of the same species: Now the Stars consist of

Fire, and Aire; how then should they generate Waters? And if it were so,
that some Starre should generate Waters, then necessarily also must others
generate Earth, and also others other Elements: because this fabrick of the
world is so upheld by the four Elements, that one may not exceed another in
the least particle, but they strive one with the other in an equall ballance; for
otherwise if one should exceed the other, destruction would ensue. Yet let
every one persevere in what opinion hee please, it is thus shewed to us by
the light of Nature, that this fabrick of the world is preserved by these four
Elements, their equality being proportioned by the great God, and one doth
not exceed the other in its operation. But the Waters upon the basis of the
Earth are contained as it were in some vessell from the motion of the Aire,
and towards the Articke pole are by it constringed, because there is no
vacuum, or vacuity in the world: for this cause is there in the Center of the
Earth the fire of hell, which the Archeus of Nature doth govern.
For in the beginning of the Creation of the world, the great and good God
out of the confused Chaos, in the first place exalted the quintessence of the
Elements, & that is made the utmost bound of all things: then he lifted up
the most pure substance of fire above all things, to place his most Sacred
Majesty in, and set and established it in its bound. In the Center of the chaos
(by the good pleasure of Gods infinite wisdom) that Fire was kindled,
which afterward did distil those most pure waters. But because now that
most pure fire hath obtained the place of the Firmament, together with the
throne of the most high God, the waters are condensed under that Fire: and
that they might be the more strongly fortified, & setled, the fire that is
grosser then the former, was then raised (this by means of the Centrall Fire)
and remained in the sphere of Fire under the Waters: and so the Waters are
congealed, and shut up betwixt two Fires in the heavens. But that Centrall
Fire never ceaseth, but distilling more Waters, and those lesse pure, did
resolve them into Aire, which also abides under the sphere of Fire in its
proper sphere, and is enclosed by the Element of Fire, as with a sure, and
strong foundation; and as the Waters of the Heavens, cannot goe beyond
that supercelestiall Fire, so the Element of Fire cannot go beyond the Waters
of the Heavens, neither can the Aire go beyond, or be exalted above the
Element of Fire. As for the Water, and the Earth, they remained in one
globe, because they have no place in the Aire, except that part of the Water,
which the Fire doth resolve into Aire, for the daily fortifying of this fabricke
of the world. For if there had been a vacuity in the Aire, then all the Waters

had distilled, and been resolved into Aire: but now the sphere of the Aire is
full, and is alwaies filled through the distilling Waters, by the continuall
Centrall heat, so that the rest of the Waters are by the compression of the
Aire rolled round the Earth, and with the Earth make up the Center of the
world; and this operation is performed dayly, and so also this world is
fortified daily, and shall for ever bee naturally preserved from corruption,
unlesse it bee the good pleasure of the most High Creator (whose will is
absolute) that it shall be otherwise. Because that Centrall Fire never ceaseth
to bee kindled by the universall motion, and influence of the heavenly
vertues, and so to warm the Waters; neither shall the Waters cease to bee
resolved into Aire; neither shall the Aire cease to compresse, and keep down
the residue of the Waters with the Earth, and so to contain them in the
Center, that they may not bee moved out of their Center: thus even in a
naturall manner this world is made, and continued through the mighty
wisdome of God; and so according to the example of this it is necessary that
all things in the world bee naturally made. We are willing to discover to
thee further this creation of this fabricke of the world, that thou maist know
that the foure Elements have a naturall sympathy with the superior, because
they were made out of one and the same Chaos: but they are governed by
the superior, as the more worthy; and from thence came this obedience into
this sublunary place. But know that all those things were naturally found
out by the Philosopher, as shal be shewed in its own place. Now to our
purpose concerning the Courses of Waters, and the ebbing & flowing of the
Sea, how by the polarie Axell tree they are carryed from one pole to
another. There are two Poles, the one is Artick, and in that part that is
superior, and Northerne, but the other Antarticke under the Earth, and in the
Southerne part. The Articke pole hath a magneticke vertue of attracting, but
the Antarticke pole hath a magneticke vertue of expelling, or driving from:
and this Nature holds forth to us in the example of the Loadstone. The
Articke pole therefore drawes Waters by the Axell-tree, which after they are
entred in, break forth again by the Axell tree of the Antarticke pole: and
because the Aire doth not suffer an inequality, they are constrained to return
to the Articke pole, their Center, and so continually to observe this Course.
In which Course from the Articke pole, to the Antarticke pole by the midle,
or Axell-tree of the world, they are dispersed through the pores of the Earth,
and so according to more or lesse do springs arise, and afterward meeting
together increase, and become to be rivers, and are again returned thither,

from whence they came out; and this is uncessantly done through the
universall motion. Some (as I said before) being ignorant of the universall
motion, and the operations of the poles say that these Waters are consumed
in the heart of the sea, and generated by the stars, which produce, and
generate no materiall thing, impressing only vertues, and spirituall
influences, which cannot give any weight to things. Waters therefore are not
generated; but know that they come forth from the Center of the Sea,
through the pores of the Earth into the whole world. From these naturall
Conclusions, or Principles Philosophers have found out divers instruments,
and conveyances of Waters, as also fountaines, since it is known, that
Waters cannot naturally ascend higher then that place is, from whence they
come; and unlesse it were so in Nature, Art could never doe it, because Art
imitates Nature; and that which is not in Nature cannot succeed by Art; for
Water, as I said before, doth not ascend higher then the place from whence
it was taken: thou hast for an example that instrument, with which Wine is
drained out of a barrell.
To conclude therefore, know that Springs, or breakings forth of Water are
not generated of Stars, but that they come from the Center of the Sea,
whither they return, and that thus they observe a continuall motion. For if
this were not so, nothing at all either in the earth, or upon the earth could be
generated, yea the ruine of the world would of necessity follow. But lest it
may bee objected, that in the Sea all Waters are salt, and that the Waters of
Springs are sweet: Know, that this is the reason, because that Water distills
through the pores of the Earth, and passing many miles through narrow
places, and through sands, the saltnesse being lost, is made sweet: After the
example of which Cisterns are found out. There are also in some places
greater and larger pores, and passages, through which salt Water breaks
through, where afterwards are made salt pits, and fountains, as at Halla in
Germany. Also in some places the Waters are constringed with heat, and the
salt is left in the sands, but the Water sweats through other pores, as in
Polonia, at Wielicia, and Bochia: So also when Waters passe through
places, that are hot, sulphureous, and continually burning, they are made
hot, from whence Bathes arise: for there are in the bowells of the Earth
places, in which Nature distills, and separates a sulphureous Mine, where,
by the Centrall Fire it is kindled. The Water running through these burning
places, according to the neernesse or remotenesse are more or lesse hot, and
so breaks forth into the superficies of the Earth, and retains the tast of

Sulphur, as all broth doth of the flesh, that is boiled in it. After the same
manner it is, when Water passing through places where are Mineralls, as
Copper, Allum, doth acquire the savour of them. Such therefore is the
Distiller, the Maker of all things, in whose hands is this Distillatory,
according to the example of which all distillations have been invented by
Philosophers; which thing the most High God himself out of pity, without
doubt, hath inspired into the sons of men: and he can, when it is his holy
will, either extinguish the Centrall Fire, or break the vessell, and then there
will be an end of all. But since his goodnesse doth intend the bettering of all
things, hee will at length exalt his most sacred Majesty, and raise up higher
the purest Fire of all, which is higher then the Waters of the Heavens which
are above the Firmament, and will give it a stronger degree of heat then the
Centrall Fire, that all the Waters may bee exhaled up into the Aire, and the
Earth be calcined, and so the Fire, all the impurity being consumed, will
make the Waters of the purified Earth, being circulated in the Aire, to be
more subtile, and will (if wee may thus speak in a way of Philosophy) make
a world much more excellent.
Therefore let all the Searchers of this Art know, that the Earth, and Water
make one globe, and being together make all things, because they are
tangible Elements, in which the other two being hid doe work. The Fire
preserves the Earth, that it bee not drowned, or dissolved: the Aire preserves
the Fire that it bee not extinguished: the Water preserves the Earth that it
bee not burnt. It seemed good to us to describe these things, as conducing to
our purpose, that the studious may know, in what things the foundations of
the Elements consist, and how Philosophers have observed their contrary
actings; joining Fire with Earth, and Aire with Water: although when they
would doe any excellent thing, they have boiled Fire in Water, considering
that one blood is purer then another, as a tear is purer then urine. Let that
therefore suffice which we have spoken, viz. that the Element of Water is
the Sperm, and Menstruum of the world, as also the receptacle of the Seed.

OF
The ELEMENT of
AIRE.

he Aire is an entire Element, most worthy of the three in its quality,
without, light, and invisible, but within, heavy, visible, and fixed, it
is hot, and moist, and tempered with Fire, and more worthy then
Earth, & Water. It is volatil, but may be fixed; and when it is fixed, it makes
every body penetrable. Of its most pure substance the vitall spirits of living
Creatures are made; that which is lesse pure is taken up into its proper
sphere of the Aire; but the residue, viz. the grosser part abides in the Water,
and is circulated with the Water, as Fire with Earth, because they are
friendly the one to the other. It is most worthy, as wee have said; and it is
the true place of the Seed of all things: in it Seed is imagined, as in man,
which afterward by the circulating motion is cast into its own Sperm. This
Element hath the form of entirenesse to distribute the Seed into Matrixes by
the Sperm, and Menstruum of the world. In it also is the vitall spirit of
every Creature, living in all things, penetrating, and constringing the seed in
other Elements, as Males doe in Females. It nourisheth them, makes them
conceive, and preserveth them; and this daily experience teacheth, that in
this Element not only Mineralls, Animalls, or Vegetables live but also other
Elements. For wee see that all Waters become putrefied, and filthy if they
have not fresh Aire: The Fire also is extinguished, if the Aire be taken from
it: (Thence Chymists come to know how to dispose of their Fire into
severall degrees by means of the Aire, and to order their registers according
to the measure of the Air:) The pores also of the Earth are preserved by
Aire: In briefe, the whole structure of the world is preserved by Aire. Also
in Animalls, Man dies if you take Aire from him, &c. Nothing would grow
in the world, if there were not a power of the Aire, penetrating, and altering,
bringing with it selfe nutriment that multiplies. In this Element by vertue of
the Fire is that imagined Seed, which constringeth the Menstruum of the
world by its occult power, as in trees, and herbs, when through the pores of

the Earth, by the acting of the spirituall heat, there goeth forth a Sperm with
the Seed, and the vertue of the Aire in a proportion constringeth, and
congeals it by drops; and so trees by growing day after day, drop after drop,
are at length raised to be great trees; as wee have treated in the book of the
Twelve Treatises. In this Element are all things entire through the
imagination of Fire; and it is full of divine vertue: for in it is included the
Spirit of the most High, which before the Creation was carryed upon the
Waters, as saith the Scripture, And did fly upon the wings of the Wind. If
therefore it bee so, as indeed it is, that the Spirit of the Lord is carryed in it,
why needs thou question but that he hath left his divine vertue in it? For this
Monarch is wont to adorn his dwelling places; hee hath adorned this
Element with the vitall spirit of every Creature: for in it is the seed of all
things, dispersed, in which presently after the Creation was (as wee said
before) by the great Maker of all things included that magneticke vertue
which if it had not, it could not attract any nourishment, but so the Seed
must be left in a small quantity, neither would increase, or bee multiplyed;
but as the Loadstone drawes to it self hard Iron (after the manner of the
Articke pole, drawing waters to it selfe, as we have shewed in the Element
of Water) so the Aire by a Vegetable magnetick power, which is in the Seed,
draws to it selfe the nourishment of the Menstruum of the world, i.e. Water.
All these things are made by Aire, for that is the leader of the Waters, and
the occult vertue thereof is included in all Seed for the attracting of radicall
moisture, and this vertue is, as wee said before, alwaies the 280th. part in all
Seed, as wee have shewed thee in the third of the Twelve Treatises. If
therefore any one would successefully plant trees, let him bee carefull that
hee turne the attractive point towards the Northern part; so hee shall never
lose his labour: for as the Articke pole drawes to it selfe the Waters, so the
verticle point draws to it self Seed; and every attractive point doth answer to
them. Thou hast an example in all manner of Wood, whose attractive point
doth naturally tend to the verticle point, and is drawne by it. For let a bowle
of Wood, if thou wilt know which is the superior point, be put into water,
and let it sink (so that the water exceed the length of the Wood) thou shalt
alwaies see that point rise up before the opposite part; for Nature knows not
how to erre in her office: but of these we shall treat further in our book
called Harmonia, where wee shall speak more of the magneticke vertue
(although he shall bee easily able to understand the Loadstone, to whom the
nature of Metalls is knowne). Let this suffice that wee have said, that this

Element is the most worthy of the three in which is Seed, and vitall spirit, or
dwelling place of the soule of every Creature.

OF
The ELEMENT of
FIRE.

ire is the purest, and most worthy Element of all, full of unctuous
corrosivenesse adhering to it, penetrating, digesting, corroding, and
wonderfully adhering, without, visible, but within invisible, and
most fixed; it is hot, dry, and tempered with Aire. Its substance is the purest
of all, and its essence was first of all elevated in the Creation with the
throne of divine Majesty, when the Waters of the Heavens were established,
as we have said in the Element of Water: out of the lesse pure part of its
substance the Angells were created; out of that which was lesse pure then
that, being mixed with the purest Aire, were the Sun, Moon and Stars
created. That which is lesse pure then that is raised up to terminate, and
hold up the Heavens: but the impure, and unctuous part of it is left, and
included in the Center of the Earth by the wise, and great Creator, for to
continue the operation of motion, and this wee call Hell. All these Fires are
indeed divided, but they have a Naturall sympathy one towards another.
This Element is of all the most quiet, and like unto a charriot, when it is
drawed, it runs, when it is not drawed, it stands still. It is also in all things
undiscernibly. In it are the reasons of life, and understanding, which are
distributed in the first infusion of Mans life, and these are called the rational
soule, by which alone Man differs from other Creatures, and is like to God.
This soule is of that most pure Elementary Fire, infused by God into the
vitall spirit, by reason of which Man after the Creation of all things was
created into a particular World, or Microcosme. In this subject God the
Creator of all things put his seal, and Majesty, as in the purest, and quietest
subject, which is governed by the will, and infinite wisdome of God alone.
Wherefore God abhors all impurity, nothing that is filthy compounded, or

blemished may come neer him, therefore no mortall man can see God, nor
come to him naturally: for that Fire which is in the circumference of the
Divinity, in which is carryed the Seale and Majesty of the Most High, is so
intense, that no eye can penetrate it: for Fire will not suffer any thing that is
compounded to come neer to it: for Fire is the death, and separation of any
thing that is compounded. Wee have said that it is the most quiet subject
(for so it is) or else it would follow (which so much as to thinke were
absurd) that God could not rest; for it is of most quiet silence, more then
any mans mind can imagine. Thou hast an example of this in the Flint, in
which there is Fire, and yet is not perceived, neither doth appear, untill it be
stirred up by motion, and kindled in it that it may appear: so the Fire in
which is placed the sacred Majesty of our Creator, is not moved, unlesse it
be stirred up by the proper will of the most High, and so is carryed where
his holy Will is. There is made by the Will of the supream Maker of all
things a most vehement, and terrible motion. Thou hast an Example of this,
when any Monarch of this world sits in his pompe, What a quietnesse there
is about him? What silence? and although some one of his Court doth more,
the motion is only of some one, or other particular man, which is not
regarded. But when the Lord himself moves, there is an universall stirre,
and motion, then all that attend on him, move with him. What then? when
that supream Monarch, the King of Kings, and Maker of all things (after
whose example the Princes of the world are established in the earth) doth
move in his own person of Majesty? What a stirre? What trembling, when
the whole guard of his heavenly Army move about him? But some one may
ask, How doe wee know these things, since heavenly things are hid from
Mans understanding? To whom wee answer, that they are manifest to all
Philosophers; yea the incomprehensible wisdome of God hath inspired into
them, that all things are created after the example of Nature, and that Nature
hath its bounds from those secret things, and accordingly works; and that
nothing is done on the earth, but according to the example of the heavenly
Monarchy, which is managed by the divers offices of Angells. So also there
is nothing brought forth, or generated, but what is done naturally. All
humane inventions, yea and Arts, which either are, or shall bee, proceed not
otherwise then from Naturall principles. The most High Creator was willing
to manifest all Naturall things unto man, wherefore hee shewed to us that
Celestiall things themselves were naturally made, by which his absolute,
and incomprehensible power, and wisdome might be so much the better

known; all which things the Philosophers in the light of Nature, as in a
Looking-glasse, have the cleer sight of. For which cause they esteemed
highly of this Art, viz. not so much out of covetousnesse for Gold, or Silver,
but for knowledge sake, not only of all Naturall things, but also of the
power of the Creator, and they were willing to speak of these things
sparingly, and only figuratively, lest divine mysteries by which Nature is
illustrated, should be discovered to the unworthy, which thou, if thou
knowest how to know thy selfe, and art not of a stiffe neck, maist easily
comprehend; who art created after the likenesse of the great world, yea after
the image of God. Thou hast in thy body the Anatomy of the whole world,
thou hast in stead of the Firmament the quintessence of the foure Elements,
extracted out of the Chaos of Sperms, into a matrix, and into a skin, which
doth compasse it round, thou hast most pure blood in stead of Fire, in the
vitall spirit whereof is placed the seat of the soule (which is in stead of the
King;) thou hast a heart in stead of the earth; where the Centrall Fire
continually works; and preserves the fabrick of this Microcosm in its being;
thou hast thy mouth in stead of the Articke pole; and thy belly in stead of
the Antarticke, and all thy members answer to some Celestialls: of which in
our booke of Harmony wee shall treat more fully, viz. in the Chapter of
Astronomy, where we have wrote how that Astronomy is easy, naturall, how
the aspects of Planets, and Stars are efficacious, and why Prognostication is
given of Raine, and other events, which would bee too tedious to reckon up
here, and all these are linked together, and performed in a naturall manner,
onely God doth some things extraordinary. Because the Ancients omitted it,
we are willing to shew it to him that is diligently studious of this secret, that
the incomprehensible power of the most High God, may so much the more
cleerly come home to his heart, and that hee may love, and adore him the
more zealously. Let therefore the Searcher of this sacred science know, that
the soule in a man the lesser world, or Microcosme substituting the place of
its Center, is the King, and is placed in the vitall spirit, in the purest bloud.
That governes the mind, and the mind the body: when the soule conceives
any thing, the mind knows all things, and all the members understand the
mind, and obey the mind, and are desirous to fulfill the will thereof. For the
body knows nothing, whatsoever strength, or motion is in the body, is
caused by the mind; the body is to the mind, as instruments are to the
Artificer; Now the soule, by which man differs from other Animalls,
operates in the body, but it hath a greater operation out of the body, because

out of the body it absolutely reigns, and by these things it differs from other
Animalls, who have only the mind, not the soule of the Deity. So also God,
the Maker of all things, our Lord, and our God, works in this world those
things, which are necessary for the world; and in these hee is included in the
world; whence wee beleeve that God is every where. But hee is excluded
the body of the world by his infinite wisdome, by which hee workes out of
the world, and imagines much higher things, then the body of the world is
able to conceive, and those things are beyond Nature, being the secrets of
God alone. You have the soul for an example, which out of the body
imagines many most profound things, and in this it is like unto God, who
out of the world works beyond Nature; although the soule to God bee as it
were a candle lighted to the light at Noonday: for the soul imagines, but
executes not but in the mind; but God doth effect all things the same
moment when hee imagines them; as the soul imagines any thing to be done
at Rome, or elsewhere in the twinckling of an eye, but only in the mind; but
God doth all such things essentially, who is omnipotent. God therefore is
not included in the world, but as the soul in the body; he hath his absolute
power separated from the world, so also the soul of any body hath its
absolute power separated from the body, to doe other things then the body
can conceive; it hath a very great power therefore upon the body, if it
pleaseth, or otherwise our Philosophy were in vain. By these therefore learn
to know God, and thou shalt know in which the Creator differs from the
Creature. Thou thy selfe shalt be able to conceive greater things, when as
now thou hast the gate opened by us. But lest this Treatise should grow too
big, let us returne to our purpose.
Wee said before that the Element of Fire is the most quiet of all, and that it
is stirred up by motion, which stirring up wise men knew. It is necessary
that a Philosopher know the generation, and corruption of all things, to
whom not only the Creation of the Heavens is manifest, but also the
composition, and mixture of all things: but although they know all things,
yet they cannot doe all things. We know indeed the composition of Man in
all respects, yet wee cannot infuse the soule; because this mystery belongs
only unto God: & he exceeds all things by these kind of infinite mysteries.
Seeing these are out of the corse of Nature, they are not as yet in the
disposition of Nature: Nature doth not work before there be matter given
unto her to work upon. The first matter is given to her by God, the second
by the Philosopher. Now in the operation of the Philosophers Nature hath a

power to stir up the fire, which by the Creator is secretly included in the
Center of every thing: This stirring up of the fire is done by the will of
Nature, sometimes by the will of the skilfull Artificer disposing of Nature.
For naturally all impurities, and pollutions of things are purged by Fire: All
things that are compounded, are dissolved by Fire: as water washeth, and
purgeth all things imperfect, which are not fixed; so the Fire purgeth all
things that are fixed, and by Fire they are perfected: As Water doth conjoine
all things that are dissolved; so fire separates all things that are conjoined;
and what is naturall, and of affinity with it, it doth very wel purge, and
augment it, not in quantity but in vertue. This element doth severall ways
secretly work upon other Elements, and all things else: For as the Animall
soul is of the purest of this Element, so the Vegetable is of the Elementary
part of it, which is governed by Nature. This Element doth act upon the
Center of every thing in this manner: Nature causeth Motion, Motion stirs
up Aire, the Aire the Fire; Now Fire separates, cleanseth, digesteth,
coloureth, and maketh all seed to ripen, and being ripe expells it by the
sperm into places, and matrixes, into places pure or impure, more or lesse
hot, dry or moist; and according to the disposition of the matrix, or places,
divers things are brought forth in the earth, as in the booke of the Twelve
Treatises concerning Matrixes mention hath been made, that there are as
many Matrixes, as places. So the Builder of all things, the most High God
hath determined, and ordained all things, that one shall be contrary unto the
other, yet so that the death of the one be the life of the other: that which
produceth one, consumeth another, and another thing from this is naturally
produced, and such a thing which is more noble then the former: and by this
means there is preserved an equality of the Elements, and so also of the
compositum. Separation is of all things, especially of living things the
naturall death: Wherefore man must naturally die because hee is
compounded of four Elements, hee is subject to separation, seing every
thing that is compounded is separated naturally. But this separation of Mans
composition must needs have been done in the day of judgement, i.e. the
first judgement, when the sentence of a naturall death was passed upon him:
for in Paradise Man was immortall. Which all Divines, as also Sacred Writ
doth testifie; but a sufficient reason of this immortality no Philosopher
hitherto hath shewed; which it is convenient for the Searcher of this sacred
Science to know, that he may see how all these things are done naturally,
and bee most easily understood. But it is most true, that every compound

thing in this world is subject to corruption, and separation; which separation
in the Animall Kingdome is called death: And man seeing hee is created and
compounded of foure Elements, how can hee bee immortall? It is hard to
beleeve that this is done naturally; but that there is something above Nature
in it. Yet God hath inspired it into Philosophers that were good men many
ages since, that this is so naturally. Which take to be thus. Paradise was, and
is such a place, which was created by the great Maker of all things, of true
Elements, not elementated, but most pure, temperate, equally proportioned
in the highest perfection; and all things that were in Paradise were created
of the same Elements, and incorrupt; there also was Man created and
framed of the same incorrupted Elements, proportioned in equality, that he
could in no wise be corrupted, therefore he was consecrated to immortality:
for without all doubt God created this Paradise for men only, of which and
where it is wee have largely treated in our book of Harmony. But when
afterwards Man by his sinne of disobedience had transgressed the
comandement of the most High God, hee was driven forth to beasts into the
corruptible world elementated, which God created only for beasts: who of
necessity, seeing he cannot live without nutriment, must from corrupt
elementated Elements receive nutriment. By which nutriment those pure
Elements of which he was created, were infected; and so by little and little
declined into corruption, untill one quality exceeded another, and
destruction, infirmity, and last of all separation, and death of the whole
compound followed. So that now they are neer unto corruption and death,
who are procreated in corrupt Elements, of corrupt Seed, and not in
Paradise; for Seed produced out of corrupt nutriments cannot be durable;
and by how much the longer it is since the driving forth of man out of
Paradise, so much the neerer men are to corruption; and by consequence
their lives are so much shorter, and it will come to this passe, that even
generation it selfe by reason of the shortnesse of life shall cease. Yet there
are some places, where the Aire is more favourable, and the Starres more
propitious, and there their Natures are not so soon corrupted, because also
they live more temperately: Our Countrey-men by reason of gluttony, and
inordinate living make quick hast to corruption. This experience teacheth,
that they that are born of the seed of infirme Parents doe not live long. But
if man had continued in Paradise, a place sutable to his Nature, where all
the Elements were as incorrupt, and pure as a virgin, hee had been
immortall for ever. For it is certain that when pure Elements are joined

together equally in their vertues, such a subject must be incorrupted, and
such must the Philosophers Stone bee: To this Creation of Man the ancient
Philosophers have likened this Stone, but Modern Philosophers
understanding all things according to the letter doe apply it to the corrupt
generation of this age.
This Immortality was the chief cause that Philosophers exercised their wits
to find out this Stone, for they knew that man was created of such Elements
which were sound and pure. They therefore meditated upon that Creation,
which, when they knew to bee naturall, began to search further into it,
whether such uncorrupted Elements could bee had, or if they could be
joined together, and infused into any subject. Now to these the most High
God, and Maker of all things revealed, that a composition of such Elements
was in Gold: For in Animalls it could not be had, seing they must preserve
their lives by corrupt Elements; in Vegetables also it is not, because in them
is found an inequality of the Elements. And seeing all created things are
inclined to multiplication, the Philosophers propounded to themselves that
they would make tryall of the possibility of Nature in this Minerall
Kingdome; which being discovered, they saw that there were innumerable
other secrets in Nature, of which, as of Divine secrets, they have wrote
sparingly. So now thou seest how corrupt Elements come to bee in a
subject, and how they are separated; when one exceeds the other, and
because then putrefaction is made by the first separation, and by
putrefaction is made a separation of the pure from the impure, if then there
be a new conjunction of them by vertue of Fire, it doth acquire a form much
more noble then the first was. For in its first state, corruption was by reason
of grosse matter mixed with it, which is not purged away but by
putrefaction, the subject thereby being bettered; and this could not be but by
the vertues of the foure Elements, which are in every compound thing,
being joined together: for when a Compositum must perish, it perisheth by
the Element of Water; and whilest they lie thus confusedly, the Fire together
with the Earth, and Aire which it is in potentially, agree together, and by
their united forces do afterward overcome the Water, which they digest,
boile, and lastly congeal; and after this manner Nature helps Nature. For if
the hidden Central Fire, which is the life of all things overcomes, and works
upon that which is neerer to it, and purer, as it selfe is most pure, and is
joined with it: so it overcomes its contrary, and separates the pure from the
impure, and there is a new form generated, and if it bee yet a little helped,

much more excellent then the former. Sometimes by the wit of a skilfull
Artificer there are made things immortall, especially in the Minerall
Kingdome. So all things are done by Fire alone, and the government of
Fire, and are brought forth into a being, if thou hast understood mee.
Here now thou hast the originall of the Elements, their Natures, and
operations described unto thee very briefly, which is sufficient for our
purpose in this place. For otherwise if every Element were described as it is,
it would require a great volume not necessary for our purpose. All those
things, as wee said before, wee refer to our book of Harmony, where God
willing, if wee live so long, wee shall write more largely of Naturall things.

OF THE
THREE PRINCIPLES
Of all things.

hese four Elements being described, we will now descend unto the
Principles of things. But how they are produced of the foure
Elements, take it thus. After Nature had received from the most
high Creator of all things the priviledge of being Princesse over this
Monarchy of the world, shee began to distribute places, and Provinces to
every thing, according to its dignity; and in the first place shee made the
Elements the Princes of the world; and that the will of the most High (in
whose will Nature was placed) might be fulfilled, she ordained that one
should continually act upon the other. The Fire therefore began to act upon
the Aire, and produced Sulphur, the Air also began to act upon the Water, &
brought forth Mercury, the Water also began to act upon the Earth, and
brought forth Salt. But the Earth, since it had nothing to work upon, brought
forth nothing, but that which was brought forth continued, and abided in it:
Wherefore there became only three Principles, and the Earth was made the
Nurse, and Mother of the rest. There were, as wee said, three Principles
brought forth; which the ancient Philosophers did not so strictly consider,
but described only two actings of the Elements (or if they were willingly
silent in it, who shall censure them, seeing they dedicated their writing only
to the Sons of Art?) and named them Sulphur, and Mercury, which also may
suffice us, to be the matter of Metals, as also of the Philosophers Stone.
Whosoever therefore will bee a true Searcher of this sacred Science must of
necessity know the Accidents, and an Accident it self, that hee may learn to
what subject, or Element hee purposeth to come to, that through mediums
hee may apply himselfe to that, if otherwise hee desire to fill up the number
of four. For as these three Principles were produced of four, so also by
diminution must these three produce two, Male, and Female; and two
produce one incorruptible thing, in which those foure shall being equally

perfect, be purified, and digested to the utmost; and so a quadrangle shall
answer a quadrangle. And this is that quintessence, which is very necessary
for every Artificer, being separated from many contraries. And so thou hast
in these three Principles, in what naturall composition soever, a body, a
spirit, and an occult soule; which three, if thou shalt joine them together
being separated, and well purified, as wee said before, without doubt will
by imitating Nature yeeld most pure fruit. For although the soule be taken
from a most noble place, yet it cannot come whither it tends but by a spirit,
which is the place, and mansion of the soule; which if thou wilt reduce to its
due place, it is necessary that it be washed from all its faults; and that the
place be purified, that the soule may be glorified in it, and never more be
separated from it. Now therefore thou hast the originall of the three
Principles, out of which it is thy part, by imitating Nature, to produce the
Mercury of Philosophers, and their first matter, and to bring those
Principles of things, especially of Metalls to thy purpose: seeing without
those Principles it is impossible for thee to perfect any thing by Art, since
also Nature her selfe can doe nor produce nothing without them. These
three are in all things, and without them there is nothing in the world, or
ever shall bee naturally. But because wee said before, that the ancient
Philosophers named only two Principles, lest the Searcher of the Art should
erre, hee must know, that although they did not describe any other but
Sulphur, and Mercury, yet without salt they could never have attained to
this work, since that is the key, and beginning of this sacred Science: it is
that, which openeth the gates of Justice; it is that which hath the keyes to
the infernall prisons, where Sulphur lies bound, as hereafter shal be more
fully shewed in the third Treatise of the Principles, of Salt.
Now to our purpose, which is that these 3 principles are altogether
necessary, because they are the neer matter. For the matter of Metalls is
twofold. Neer, and remote. The neer is Sulphur, and Mercury. The remote
are the four Elements: out of which God alone is able to create things.
Leave therefore the Elements, because of them thou shalt doe nothing;
neither canst thou out of them produce any thing but these three Principles,
seeing Nature her selfe can produce nothing else out of them. If therefore
thou canst out of the Elements produce nothing but these three Principles,
wherefore then is that vaine labour of thine to seeke after, or to endeavour
to make that which Nature hath already made to thy hands? Is it not better
to goe three mile then four? Let it suffice thee then to have three Principles,

out of which Nature doth produce all things in the earth, and upon the earth;
which three we find to be entirely in every thing. By the due separation, and
conjunction of these, Nature produceth as well Metalls, as Stones, in the
Minerall Kingdome; but in the Vegetable Kingdome Trees, Herbs, and all
such things; also in the Animall Kingdome the Body, Spirit, and Soule,
which especially doth resemble the work of the Philosophers. The Body is
Earth, the Spirit is Water, the Soule is Fire, or the Sulphur of Gold: The
Spirit augmenteth the quantity of the Body, but the Fire augmenteth the
vertue thereof. But because there is more of the Spirit in weight, then is of
the Fire; the Spirit is raised, and oppresseth the Fire, and drawes it to it
selfe: and so every one of them, encreaseth in vertue, and the Earth, which
is the midle betwixt them encreaseth in weight. Let therefore every searcher
of this Art conclude in his mind what he seeks for out of these three, and let
him assist it in the overcomeing of its contrary; and then let him adde to the
weight of Nature his weight, that the defect of Nature may be made up by
Art, that shee may overcome what is contrary to her. We said in the Element
of Earth, that the Earth was nothing else but the receptacle of other
Elements, i.e. the subject in which those two, Fire and Water, do strive, the
Aire mediating; if the Water be predominant, it brings forth things that are
corruptible, and continue but for a time; but if the Fire overcome, it
produceth things that are lasting, & incorruptible. Consider therefore what
is necessary for thee. Moreover know, that Fire, and Water are in every
thing, but neither Fire, nor Water makes any thing, because they only strive
together, and contend concerning swiftnesse, and vertue, and this not of
themselves, but by the excitation of the intrinsecall heat, which by the
motion of the heavenly vertues is kindled in the Center of the Earth; without
which those two could never doe any thing, but would both stand still in
their own bound, and weight: but Nature afterward joined them two
together proportionably, and then stirres them up by an intrinsecall heat, and
so they begin to contend one with the other, and each of them will call to its
help its like, and so they ascend and encrease, untill the Earth can ascend no
higher with them; in the mean time those two by this retaining of the Earth
are subtilized; (for in that subject of the Earth the Fire, and Water ascend
incessantly, and act through the pores which are reserved, and which the
Aire prepares) and out of their subtiliation proceed flowers, and fruit, in
which they become friends, as you may see in Trees; for by how much the
better they are subtilized, and purified by ascending, so much the better

fruit doe they bring forth, especially if they end with their vertues equally
joined together.
Now then the things being purged, and cleansed, cause that the Fire, and
Water bee made friends, which will easily bee done in their own earth,
which did ascend with them; and then thou shalt in a shorter time perfect it,
then Nature could, if thou shalt joine them well together, according to the
weight of Nature, not as it was before, but as Nature requires, and as is
needfull: Because Nature in all compositions puts more of the other
Elements then of Fire: alwaies the least part is Fire, but Nature according as
shee pleaseth, addes an extrinsecall Fire to stir up that intrinsecall according
to more, or lesse, in much, or little time; and according to this if the Fire
exceed, or be exceeded, things perfect, or imperfect are made, as well in
Mineralls, as in Vegetables. The extrinsecall Fire indeed doth not enter into
the depth of the composition essentially, but only in vertue; for the
intrinsecall materiall Fire is sufficient for it selfe, if only it hath
nourishment, and the extrinsecall Fire is nourishment to it, and as it were
Wood in respect of Elementary Fire, and according to such a nourishment it
increaseth, and is multiplyed. Yet wee must take heed that there bee not too
much extrinsecall Fire, for if any one eats more then hee is able, hee is
choaked: a great flame devours a little Fire: the extrinsecall Fire must be
multiplicative, nourishing, not devouring, so things are perfected.
Decoction therefore in every thing is the perfection: so Nature addes vertue,
and weight, and makes perfect. But because it is hard to adde to a
compound, since it requires a long labour, wee advise that thou take away
so much of that which is superfluous, as is needfull, and as Nature requires:
The superfluities being removed mix them, then Nature will shew thee,
what thou hast sought after. Thou also shalt know, if Nature hath joined the
Elements well, or ill together, seeing all Elements consist in conjunction.
But many practitioners sow Straw, for Wheat; and some both: and many
cast away that, which the Philosophers love: some begin, and end, because
of their inconstancy; they seek for a difficult Art, and an easy labour; they
cast away the best things, & sow the worst; but as this Art is concealed in
the Preface, so also is the matter cast away in the beginning. Now wee say,
that this Art is nothing else, but the vertues of the Elements equally mixed:
it is a naturall equality of hot, dry, cold, moist; A joining together of Male,
and Female, which the same Female begot, i.e. a conjunction of Fire, and
the radicall moisture of Metalls. By considering that the Mercury of

Philosophers hath in it selfe its owne good Sulphur, more or lesse,
depurated, and decocted by Nature, thou maist perfect all things out of
Mercury: but if thou shalt know to adde thy weights to the weights of
Nature, to double Mercury, and triple Sulphur, it will quickly be terminated
in good, then in better, untill into best of all: although there be but one
appearing Sulphur, and two Mercuries, but of one root; not crude, nor too
much boiled, yet purged, and dissolved, if thou hast understood mee.
It is not needfull to describe the matter of the Mercury of Philosophers, and
the matter of their Sulphur: no mortall man ever could, or ever hereafter
shall bee able to describe it more openly, and cleerly then it hath already
been described, and named by the Ancient Philosophers, unlesse he will bee
an Anathema of the Art. For is so commonly named, that truly it is not
esteemed of, therefore doe Students of this Art bend their minds rather to
other subtilties, then abide in the simplicity of Nature. We doe not yet say,
that Mercury of Philosophers is a common thing, and openly named, but the
matter of which Philosophers doe make their Sulphur, and Mercury: for the
Mercury of Philosophers is not to be had of it selfe upon the Earth, but it is
brought forth by Art out of Sulphur, and Mercury joined together; it doth
not come forth into light, for it is naked, but yet is covered by Nature in a
wonderful manner. To conclude, we say with repeating Sulphur, and
Mercury to be the Mine of our Quicksilver (but being joined together) that
Quicksilver can dissolve Metalls, kill them, and make them alive, which
power it receiveth from that sharp Sulphur, which is of its own nature. But
that thou maist yet better conceive it, hearken to me whilst I tell thee the
difference which is betwixt our Quicksilver, and common Quicksilver, or
Mercury. Common Mercury doth not dissolve Gold, and Silver so, that it
cannot be separated from them; but our Argent vive doth dissolve Gold, and
Silver, and is never separated from them, but is as Water mixed with Water.
Common Mercury hath combustible evill Sulphur, with which it is made
black: but our Argent vive hath in it incombustible Sulphur, fixed, good,
white, and red. Common Mercury is cold, and moist, our Mercury is hot,
and moist. Common Mercury makes bodies black, and stains them: our
Argent vive makes bodies as white as Crystall. Common Mercury is turned
by precipitation into a Citrine powder, and an evill Sulphur: our argent vive
by vertue of heat, into most white Sulphur, good, fixed, and fluxible.
Common Mercury by how much the more it is decocted, the more fluxible
it is: our Argent vive, by how much the more it is decocted, the more it is

thickned. By these circumstances therefore thou maist consider how the
Common Mercury differs from the Mercury of Philosophers. If thou dost
not yet understand, do not expect it, for no mortall man will ever speake
more plainly, and cleerly, then wee have done: but now of the vertues of it.
Our Argent vive is of such vertue, that it is of it self sufficient for thee, and
for it self without any addition of any extraneous thing, it is dissolved, and
congealed by a naturall decoction only: but Philosophers for brevities sake
adde to it its own Sulphur well digested, and ripened, and so they work.
Wee could cite the Writings of Philosophers to confirm what we have said;
but because we have wrote clearer things then are in their Writings, they
need not any confirmation, he shall understand who looks into other mens
writings. If therefore thou wilt follow our advice, Wee advise thee, that
before thou settest thy self to this Art, in the first place thou learn to hold
thy tongue, and that thou inquire into the Nature of Mines, and Metalls, as
also of Vegetables, for thou shalt find our Mercury in every subject, and
from all things the Mercury of Philosophers may bee extracted, although it
be neerer in one subject, then in another. Know also for certain, that this Art
is not placed in fortune, or casuall invention, but in a reall Science, and that
there is but this one matter in the world, by which, and of which the
Philosophers Stone is made. It is indeed in all things, but in extracting of it
a mans life would fail, and not be sufficient. Yet without the knowledge of
naturall things, especially in the Minerall Kingdome, thou shalt be like a
blind man that walketh by use. Truly such a one seeks after the Art but
casually; and although, as it oftentimes falls out, that a man may by chance
fall upon the matter of our Argent vive, yet then he ends the worke when
hee should begin; and so as hee found it out casually, hee loseth it casually,
because hee knows not upon what hee should ground his intention.
Therefore this Art is the gift of the most high God: and unlesse God
reveales it by means of a good wit, or friend, it is hardly known: for wee
cannot bee all as Geber, nor as Lullius: And although Lullius was a man of
a subtill wit, yet if hee had not received the Art from Arnoldus, certainly
hee had been like unto those which find the Art with difficulty: So also
Arnoldus confesseth that hee received it of a friend. For it is easy to write
what Nature dictates: It is a Proverb, It is easy to adde to things already
found out. Every Art, and Science is easy to the Master, but to a young
Scholar not so: and to find out this Art there is a long time required, many
vessells, great expence, and continuall labour, with much meditation,

although to him that knows it already all things are easy, and light. To
conclude therefore wee say, that this Art is the gift of God alone, which
being known, he must also bee prayed to that he would give his blessing to
the Art; for without this divine blessing it would be of no use, and
unprofitable, which wee our selves have had experience of, seeing wee have
by reason of this Art undergone great dangers, yea wee have had more
mischief, and misfortune by it, then advantage: but there is a time when
men are wise too late.
The judgements of the Lord are a great depth. Yet I admired at divine
providence in these my misfortunes: for I alwaies had the protection of our
great Creator alwaies at hand, that no enemie could bee too hard for me, or
represse mee. The Angell of the Lord of this Treasury hath alwaies been my
Keeper, into which Treasury the most High Creator hath shut close this
treasure only, which hee will alwaies defend, and secure. For I have heard
that my Enemies have fell into that snare which they laid for mee. They
which would have taken away my life have lost their own; and some of
them which would have taken away my goods have lost Kingdomes:
Moreover, I know many that would have detracted from my good name,
have perished with disgrace. So great preservation have I alwaies had from
the great Creator of all things, who presently took mee from my Mothers
wombe, put mee under the shadow of his wings, and infused the Spirit of
understanding all naturall things, to whom be praise, and glory, for ever,
and ever. So great blessings have I received from the most High God our
Creator, that it is impossible not only for my pen, but my mind to
comprehend. God scarce ever conferred upon any mortall man greater
things, yea scarce so great. I wish I had so much affections, so much spirit,
eloquence, and wisdome, that I might render meet thankes to him; for I
know wee have not deserved so great things, only this I beleeve my selfe to
bee, that in him alone I have alwaies trusted, doe trust, and shall trust. For I
know that there is no mortall man is able to help mee, only this God, and
our Creator; for it is a vain thing to trust in Princes, because they are men
(as saith the Psalmist) and that all these have their breath of life from God,
and this being taken away they are dust; but it is a safe, and secure thing to
trust in the Lord God, from whom as from the fountain of goodnesse all
good things doe most abundantly flow. Thou therefore that desirest to
attaine to this Art, in the first place put thy whole trust in God thy Creator,
and urge him by thy prayers, and then assuredly beleeve that hee will not

forsake thee: for if God shall know that thy heart is sincere, and thy whole
trust is put in him, hee will by one means or another shew thee a way, and
assist thee in it, that thou shalt obtain thy desire. The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdome. Pray, but yet worke: God indeed gives
understanding, but thou must know how, and when to use it: for as a good
understanding, and a good opportunity are the gifts of God, so also is the
punishment of sinne, when a good opportunity is omitted. But to return to
our purpose; wee say, that Argent vive is the first matter of that work, and
truly nothing else; whatsoever is added to it, ariseth from it. Wee have said
oftentimes that all things in the world are made, and generated of the three
Principles; but wee purge some things from their accidents, and being
purged, joine them together againe; and by adding what is to be added, wee
supply what is defective, and by imitating Nature, wee boile them to the
highest degree of perfection, which Nature could by reason of Accidents
never doe, and so ended where Art must begin. Moreover, if thou desirest to
imitate Nature, imitate her in those things, in which shee workes. And let it
not trouble thee that our Writings seem to contradict one another in some
places; for so it must bee, lest the Art be too plainly disclosed: But do thou
make choice of those things which agree with Nature, take the roses, and
leave the prickles. If thou dost intend to make a Metall, let a Metall be thy
ground work, because of a Dog is generated nothing but a Dog, and of
Metall, nothing but a Metall: for know for certain, if thou shalt not take out
of Metall the radicall moisture, well separated, thou shalt never doe any
thing; without grains of Wheat thou shalt till thy ground in vain: there is but
one thing, but one Art, but one operation. If therefore thou wilt produce a
Metall, thou shalt ferment with a Metall; and if thou wilt produce a Tree, let
the seed of the Tree be thy ferment. There is as we said, but one operation,
and beside it there is none other that is true. All they therefore are mistaken
that say, that any particular thing, besides this one way, and naturall matter
is true; for a bough is not to bee had, but from the trunk of a Tree: It is an
impossible, and senselesse thing to go about to produce a bough; it is easier
to make the Elixir it selfe, then any particular thing, although most simple,
that will bee advantageous, and abide a naturall examination, and tryall. Yet
there bee many that boast they can fix Silver, but it were better for them if
they could fix Lead, or Tinne, seeing in my judgement it is all one labour,
because they doe not resist the tryall of the fire, whilest they abide in their
own nature; but Silver is in its nature fixed enough, and needs not any

Sophisticall fixation. But seeing there are as many opinions, as men, wee
will leave every one to his own opinion: Let him that will not follow our
counsell, and imitate Nature, continue in his errour. Indeed particulars may
easily bee made, if you have a Tree, whose young twigs may bee graffed
into divers trees; as if you have one water, divers kinds of flesh may be
boiled in it, and according to the diversity of the flesh the broth hath its tast,
and this from the same foundation. Wee conclude therefore that there is but
one Nature, as well in Metalls as in other things, but her operation is
various; also there is one universall matter according to Hermes. So from
this one thing all things proceed. Yet there bee many Artificers, who follow
every one his own fancy. They seek a new Nature, and new matter; and in
conclusion they find a new nothing, because they interpret the Writings of
Philosophers not according to the possibility of Nature, but the letter. But
all these are of that Assembly, of which mention hath been made in the
Dialogue of Mercury with the Alchymist, who return home without any
Conclusion; they looke after the end, without any medium, or indeed
beginning; and the reason of this is, because they endeavour not to attain to
the Art out of the Principles, and grounds of Philosophers, and reading of
the books of Philosophers, but from reports, and receipts of Mountebankes:
(although now indeed the books of Philosophers are perhaps destroyed by
the envious, by adding in some places, and detracting in others) afterwards
when things doe not succeed, they betake themselves to Sophistications,
and assay divers vaine operations, by making whites, by making reds, by
fixing Silver, and extracting out the soul of Gold; which in the Preface of
the booke of the Twelve Treatises hath been sufficiently denyed. We doe not
deny, yea, we doe say that it is altogether necessary, that the Metallick soule
bee extracted, but not for any Sophisticall operation, but for the
Philosophicall work, which being extracted, and purged, must againe bee
restored to its owne body, that there may bee a true resurrection of a
glorified body. This was never our purpose, to be able to multiply Wheat
without the seed of Wheate, but that that extracted soul bee able in a
Sophisticall way to tinge another Metall, know that it is a thing most false,
and that all those that boast of doing of it, are Cheaters: but of that more
fully in the third Principle of Salt, since here is not place for any further
Discourse.

OF
SVLPHVR:

he Philosophers have not undeservedly placed Sulphur in the first
place amongst the three Principles, as being the most worthy
Principle, in the knowledge of which the whole Art consists. Now
there is a threefold Sulphur, and that is to be chosen above the rest: a
Sulphur tinging, or colouring: a Sulphur congealing Mercury: the third is
essentiall, and ripening. Of which we ought to treat seriously, but because
we have set forth one of the Principles by way of Dialogue, so also wee
shall conclude the rest, lest we should seem to be partiall, and detract from
either of them. Sulphur is more mature then any of the other Principles, and
Mercury is not coagulated but by Sulphur: therefore our whole operation in
this Art is nothing else but to know how to draw forth that Sulphur out of
Metalls, by which our Argent vive in the bowels of the Earth is congealed
into Gold, and Silver: which Sulphur indeed is in this work in stead of the
Male, but the Mercury in stead of the Female. Of the composition, and
acting of these two are generated the Mercuries of Philosophers.
Wee told you in the Dialogue of Mercury with the Alchymist, of an
Assembly of Alchymists that were met together to consult out of what
matter, and how the Philosophers Stone is to be made, and how that by the
misfortune of a tempest they were without any conclusion dispersed almost
through the whole world. For there arose a strong tempest, and very great
wind, which dispersed them all abroad, and so blowed through some of
their heads, that till this time they cannot yet recover themselves, by meanes
of which divers sort of worms are bred in their brains. Now there were
amongst them men of divers opinions, and conditions, and among the rest
there was this Alchymist, which in this Treatise I shall discourse of: hee was
otherwise a good man, but without a Conclusion, or unresolved, also of the
number of those, who propound to themselves to find out the Philosophers

Stone casually, and he was companion to that Philosopher, who disputed
with Mercury. Now this man said, if it had been my fortune to have spoke
with Mercury, I should have fished him dry in few words; that other, saith
hee, was a foole, hee knew not how to proceed with him. Mercury indeed
never pleased mee, neither indeed do I think there is any good in it; but I
approve of Sulphur, because at that meeting wee discoursed most
excellently of it: if that tempest had not disturbed us, wee had concluded
that that had been the first matter, for I am not wont to trouble my selfe with
light, and triviall matters, my head is full of profound imaginations. And so
being full of confidence hee resolves to work in Sulphur, hee began
therefore to distill it, to sublime, calcine, to fix it, to make oyle per
Campanam of it, sometimes by itselfe, and sometimes with Crystals, and
Egge-shels, and hee tryed divers other operations about it: and when hee
had spent much time and costs, and could find nothing to his purpose, he
was sad, and being in a miserable perplexity passed over many nights
without sleep; also oftentimes hee went forth out of the City, to behold
things, that hee might the more conveniently devise something that was
certain in his operation: Now it fell out upon a time, as he was walking up
and down, hee fell into an extasy with beholding of things, and came unto a
certain green Wood, very full of all manner of things; in which were Mines
of all Mineralls, and Metalls, and all kinds of beasts, and birds, and
abundance of Trees, Herbs, and fruit: there also were divers conduits of
water, for in those places there was no water to be had, but what was
brought thither by divers instruments, and pipes, and this by divers
Artificers from divers places: that was the chiefest, and clearer then the rest,
which was drawne by the beams of the Moon; and this was procured only
for the Nymph of the Wood. There also did feed Bulls, and Rams, and the
Shepheards were two young men, whom the Alchymist asking, said, Whose
Wood is this? whom they answered saying, This is the Wood, and Garden of
our Nymph Venus. The Alchymist walks up, and down in it: and the place
pleased him well, but yet hee did still think of his Sulphur; and so being
weary of walking, and in a sad condition sate by the side of the channel,
under a certain tree; and began to lament most miserably, bewailing his
time, and charges, which he spent in vain with operating (he could not els
have deceived others, but have damnified himself only) and said, What is
this, all men say it is a thing common, of small esteem, easy, and I am a
learned man, & I cannot find out this wretched Stone. And so in his

lamentation he began to curse Sulphur, because he had spent so much cost,
and labour in vain upon him: and Sulphur also was in that Wood, but this
was unknown to the Alchymist. Whilst he was thus lamenting, he heard this
voice as it were of some old man: Friend, Why dost thou curse Sulphur?
The Alchymist looked every way round about him, and seeing no body, was
afraid. But that voice said to him again, Friend why art thou so sad? The
Alchymist taking courage, said, Sir, The hungry man is alwaies thinking
upon bread, so doe I alwaies upon the Philosophers Stone. Vox, And why
dost thou curse Sulphur? Alch. Sir, I beleeved that that was the first matter
of the Philosophers Stone, and therefore in working upon it many years, I
spent much, and could not find that Stone. Vox. Friend, truly I know that
Sulphur is the true, and principall subject of the Philosophers Stone, but I
know not thee, nor any thing of thy labour, and intention: thou dost without
cause curse Sulphur; because he is in cruell prisons, and cannot be at hand
to every body; seeing hee is put bound in a most dark dungeon, and goes
not forth, but whither his Keepers carry him. Alch. And why is he
imprisoned? Vox. Because hee would bee obedient to every Alchymist, and
doe what they would have him, contrary to his Mothers will, who forbad
him to obey any, but such as knew her, wherefore shee put him into prison,
and commanded that his feet should be bound, and set Keepers over him,
that without their knowledg, and pleasure hee should goe no whither. Alch.
O wretch! for this reason hee could not come to mee: truly his Mother doth
him great wrong: and when shall hee bee let out of those prisons? Vox, O
friend! The Sulphur of Philosophers cannot goe forth hence but in a long
time, and with a great deale of labour. Alch. Sir! And who be his Keepers
that keep him? Vox, Friend! His Keepers are of the same stocke, but
Tyrants. Alch. And who art thou, and how art thou called? Vox, I am Judge,
and Governour of the prisons, and my name is Saturne. Alch. Then Sulphur
is kept in thy prisons. Vox, Sulphur indeed is kept in my prisons, but hee
hath other Keepers. Alch. And what doth hee doe in the prisons? Vox, He
doth whatsoever his Keepers will have him. Alch. And what can hee doe?
Vox, Hee is the maker of a thousand things, and is the heart of all things;
hee knows how to make Metalls better, and corrects Mineralls, teacheth
Animalls understanding, knowes how to make all kind of Flowers in
Hearbs, and Trees, and is chief over them, corrupts the Aire, which hee
amends again: hee is the Maker of all Odours, and Painter of all Colours.
Alch. Out of what matter doth hee make Flowers? Vox, His Keepers afford

matter, and vessells, but Sulphur digests the matter, and according to the
variety of his digestion, and weight, various Flowers, and Odours are
produced. Alch. Is hee old? Vox, Friend, Know that Sulphur is the vertue of
all things, and is the second by birth, but yet older then all things, stronger,
and more worthy, yet an obedient child. Alch. Sir, How is hee known? Vox,
Divers wayes, but best by the State of the Vitalls in Animalls, by the colour
in Metalls, by the odour in Vegetables: without him his Mother works
nothing. Alch. Is hee the sole heir, or hath hee brethren? Vox, His Mother
hath but only one son like him, his other brethren are associated with evil
things, hee hath a sister which he loves, and is againe beloved by her, for
shee is as it were a Mother to him. Alch. Sir, is hee every where uniform?
Vox, According to his Nature, but hee is changed in the prisons; yet his heart
is alwaies pure, but his garments are stained. Alch. Sir, Was hee ever at
liberty? Vox, Yea, especially in those times when there were such wise men,
betwixt whom, and his Mother there was great familiarity, and friendship.
Alch. And who were they? Vox, There were very many: There was Hermes,
who was as it were one with his Mother: After him were many Kings, and
Princes, as also many other wise men, in ages since, as Aristotle, Avicen,
&c. who set him at liberty: These knew how to unloose his bonds. Alch. Sir,
What did hee give them for setting of him at liberty? Vox, Hee gave them
three Kingdomes: for when any doth unbind him, and releaseth him, then he
overcomes his Keepers, which before did govern in his Kingdome, and
delivers them being bound to him that released him, for to bee his subjects,
and gives him their Kingdomes to possesse: but that, which is more; in his
Kingdome is a Looking-glasse, in which is seen the whole world.
Whosoever lookes in this Glasse may see, and learn in it three parts of the
wisdome of the whole world, and so shall become very wise in these three
Kingdomes, such were Aristotle, Avicen, and many others, who as well as
they before them, saw in this glasse how the world was made: By this they
learned what were the influences of the Celestiall vertues upon inferiour
bodies, and how Nature by the weight of Fire compounds things; as also the
motion of the Sun, and Moon: especially that universall motion, by which
his Mother is governed: by this they knew the degrees of heat, cold,
moisture, drynesse, and the vertues of hearbs, and indeed of all things,
whence they became most excellent Physitians. And truly, unlesse a
Physitian be such a one as knows, why this hearb, or that, is hot, dry, or
moist in this degree, not out of the books of Galen, or Avicen, but out of the

originall of Nature, from whence they also understood these things, hee
cannot bee a well grounded Physitian. All these things they diligently
considered, and bequeathed their Writings to their successors, that men
might bee stirred up to studies of a higher Nature, and learn how to set
Sulphur at liberty, and unloose his bonds: but men of this age take their
Writings for a sufficient ground, and authority, and seek no further; and it
sufficeth them if they know how to say, So saith Aristotle, or; Thus saith
Galen. Alch. And what say you, Sir, Can an herb bee known without an
Herball? Vox, Those ancient Philosophers wrote their Receipts out of the
very Fountain of Nature. Alch. How Sir? Vox, Know that all things in the
earth, and upon the earth, are generated, and produced of three Principles;
sometimes of two, to which the third is joined: he therefore that knows
these three Principles; and the weight of them, how Nature joins them
together, may be easily able by decoction to understand the degree of Fire
in the subject, whether well, or ill, or indifferently decocted, and that
according to more or lesse: For all Vegetable things are known by those,
who know the three Principles. Alch. And how is this done? Vox, By sight,
tast, and smell; in, and from these three senses are gathered the three
Principles of things, and the degrees of their digestions. Alch. Sir, They say
that Sulphur is a Medicine. Vox, Yea, and the Physitian himselfe, and to
them that set him free from prison, by way of thankfulnesse hee gives his
blood for a Medicine. Alch. Sir, the universall Medicine being had, how
long may a man preserve himselfe from death? Vox, Even to the term of
death: but this Medicine must bee taken cautiously, for many wise men
have been destroyed by it before their time. Alch. And what say you Sir, Is
it poison? Vox, Hast not thou heard that a great flame of fire destroyes a
little one? There were many Philosophers, which received the Art from
other mens experience, which did not so throughly search into the vertue of
the Medicine; yea, by how much the more powerfull, subtiler the Medicine
was, it seemed to them to bee the more wholsome; and if one grain of it can
passe through many thousands of Metalls, much more Mans body. Alch. Sir,
How then must it be used? Vox, It must bee so used, that it may strengthen
the Naturall heat, but not overcome it. Alch. Sir, I know how to make such a
Medicine. Vox, Thou art happy if thou dost know. For the blood of that
Sulphur is that intrinsecall vertue, and siccity that turnes, and congeals
Quicksilver, and all Metalls into Gold, and Mens bodies into health. Alch.
Sir, I know how to make oyle of Sulphur, which is prepared with calcined

Crystalls; I know also another, which is done by a Bell. Vox, Certainly then
thou art a Philosopher of that Assembly; for thou dost understand, and
expound my words aright, as also, unlesse I am deceived, of all the
Philosophers. Alch. Sir, Is not this oyle the blood of Sulphur? Vox, O
Friend! the blood of Sulphur is not given to any but to those, who know
how to set him free from prison. Alch. Sir, doth Sulphur know any thing in
the Metalls? Vox, I told thee, that hee knows all things, and especially in
Metalls, but his Keepers know that there he could bee easily set at liberty,
wherefore they keep him there bound fast in most strong prisons, so that
hee cannot breath, and they are afraid lest hee should come into the Kings
palace. Alch. Is hee imprisoned so in all Metalls? Vox, In all; but not alike,
in some not so strictly. Alch. Sir, And why in Metalls in such a tyrannicall
manner? Vox, Because hee would stand in awe of them no longer, when hee
shall once come to his Kingly palaces, for then hee can be seen, and looke
freely out of the windows; because there he is in his proper Kingdome,
although not yet as hee desires. Alch. Sir, and what doth hee eat? Vox, His
meat is wind, when hee is at liberty, it is decocted; but in prison hee is
constrained to eat it raw. Alch. Sir, Can those enmities betwixt him and his
Keepers bee reconciled? Vox, Yes, if any one were so wise. Alch. Why doth
not he treat with them concerning a pacification? Vox, That hee cannot doe
by himselfe, because presently hee waxeth hot with anger, and rage. Alch.
Let him doe it by a Commissioner. Vox, Certainly hee would bee the most
happy man in the world, and worthy of eternall memory, who could tell
how to make peace betwixt them; but this no man can doe but hee that is
very wise, and can agree with his Mother, and have co-intelligence with
her: for if they were friends, one would not hinder the other, but joining
their forces together would make things immortall. Truely hee that would
reconcile them together would bee a man worthy to be consecrated to
eternity. Alch. Sir, I will compose those differences betwixt them, and free
him, I am in other matters a man very learned, and wise: Besides, I am very
good at operations. Vox, Friend, I see truly that thou art big enough, and
thou hast a great head, but I know not whether thou canst doe those things
or no. Alch. Sir, Perhaps thou art ignorant of what the Alchymists know, in
matter of treaty they have alwaies the better of it, and truly I am not the last,
so that his enemies will but treat with mee, if they will treat, assure your
selfe that they will have the worst. Sir, beleeve mee, the Alchymists know
how to treat, if they only will but treat with mee, Sulphur shall presently be

at liberty. Vox, I like your judgement well, I hear that you are approved of.
Alch. Sir, Tell mee if this bee the true Sulphur of the Philosophers? Vox,
This truely is Sulphur, but whether it be the Philosopher, that belongs to
thee to know. I have said enough to thee concerning Sulphur. Alch. Sir, If I
can find his prisons, shall I bee able to set him at liberty? Vox, If thou
knowest well, thou shalt; for it is easier to free him then find them. Alch.
Sir, I beseech thee tell mee but this, if I find him, shal I make the
Philosophers stone of him? Vox, O Friend! It is not for mee to judge, doe
thou look to that, yet if thou knowest his Mother, and followest her, Sulphur
being at liberty, the Stone is at hand. Alch. Sir, in what subject is this
Sulphur? Vo. Know for certain that this Sulphur is of great vertue, his Mine
are all things in the world, for hee is in Metalls, Hearbs, Trees, Animalls,
Stones, and Mineralls. Alch. And what Devill is able to find him out lying
hid amongst so many things, and subjects? Tell mee the matter out of which
the Philosophers take him. Vo. Friend, thou comest too neer, yet that I may
satisfie thee, know that Sulphur is every where, but shee hath some certaine
palaces, where shee is wont to give audience to the Philosophers; but the
Philosophers adore him swimming in his owne sea, and playing with
Vulcan; when the Philosophers goe to him unknown in his vile garments.
Alch. Sir, in the sea, why then is hee not mine, since hee is hid here so neer?
Vo. I told thee that his Keepers put him into most dark prisons, lest thou
shouldst see him, for hee is in one subject alone, but if thou hast not found
him at home, thou wilt scarce find him in the Woods. But doe not thou
despaire in finding of him out: I tell thee of a truth, that hee is in Gold, and
Silver most perfect, but in Argent vive most easy. Alch. Sir, I would very
willingly make the Philosophers Stone. Vo. Thou desirest a good thing,
Sulphur also would willingly bee out of bonds. And so Saturn departed.
Now a deep sleep seased upon the Alchymist, being weary, and there
appeared to him this Vision, Hee saw in that Wood a fountain full of water,
about which walked Sal, and Sulphur, contending one with the other, untill
at last they began to fight; and Sal gave Sulphur an incurable wound, out of
which wound, in stead of blood, there came out water, as it were most white
milk, and it became to be a great river. Then out of that Wood came forth
Diana a most beautifull Virgin, who began to wash her self in that river:
whom a certain Prince, a most stout man (and greater then his servants)
passing by, and seeing, began to admire at her beauty; and because shee was
of a like nature with him, hee became enamoured with her, which when she

perceived, shee was inflamed with love towards him. Wherefore as it were
falling into a swoun she began to be drowned: which that Prince seeing,
commanded his servants to help her; but they were all afraid to goe to the
river; to whom the Prince said, Why doe you not help Diana that Virgin? To
whom they replyed, Sir, this river is indeed little, and as it were dryed up,
but most dangerous: Once upon a time wee were willing to go into it
without thy knowledge, and wee hardly escaped the danger of eternall
death; Wee know also that others that were our predecessors perished in it.
Then the Prince himselfe laying aside his thick mantle, even as hee was
armed, leaped into the river, and to help faire Diana hee stretched forth his
hand to her; who being willing to save her selfe, drew also the Prince
himselfe to her, and so were both drowned. A little after their souls came
out of the river, flying above the river, and said, It was well done of us, for
else wee could not have been freed from those bodies which are polluted,
and stained. Alch. But doe you ever return into those bodies againe? Anime,
Not into such filthy bodies, but when they be purged, and this river shall
bee throughly dryed up by the heat of the sunne, and this Province shall bee
often tryed by the Aire. Alch. What shall you doe in the mean time. Anim.
Here wee shall fly upon the river till those clouds, and tempests shall cease.
In the mean time the Alchymist fell into a more desired dream of his
Sulphur; and behold there appeared to him many Alchymists coming to that
place to seek after Sulphur, and when they found the carkasse of that
Sulphur that was slain by Sal by the fountain, they divided it amongst
themselves: which when the Alchymist saw hee also took a part with them;
and so every one of them returned home, and began to work in that Sulphur,
and till this day they doe not give over. But Saturne meets this Alchymist,
and saith to him, Friend, how is it with thee? Alch. O Sir, I have seen many
wonderfull things, my wife would scarce beleeve them; now also I have
found Sulphur, I beseech you Sir help, let us make the Philosophers Stone.
Saturnus. With all my heart, my friend, make ready then Argent-vive, and
Sulphur, and give hither a glasse. Alch. Sir, have nothing to doe with
Mercury, for he is naught, he hath deluded my companion, and many
others. Sat. Without Argent-vive, in whose Kingdome Sulphur is the King,
the Philosophers have done nothing, neither doe I know what to doe without
it. Alch. Sir, Let us make it of Sulphur alone. Sat. Well then, my friend, but
it will succeed accordingly. Then they took that Sulphur, which the
Alchymist found, and they did what the Alchymist would have done, they

began to work divers ways, and to make experiments of Sulphur in divers
strange kind of furnaces, which the Alchymist had: but in the conclusion of
every operation there was brought forth nothing but Matches, such as old
women usually sell to light candles withall. Then they began a new work,
and sublimed, and calcined Sulphur according to the Alchymists pleasure;
but in what way soever they worked it, it succeeded as before, for still they
made nothing but Matches; then said the Alchymist to Saturn, Truly Sir, I
see it will not succeed according to my fancy, I beseech thee doe thou work
alone, what thou knowest. Then Saturn said, See then, and learn. Hee then
took two Mercuries of a differing substance, but of one originall, which
Saturn washed in his owne urine, and called them Sulphurs of Sulphurs, and
mixed the fixed with the volatile, and the composition being made, hee put
it into its proper vessell, and lest the Sulphur should fly away, hee set a
keeper over him, and then put him into a bath of a most gentle heat,
according as the matter required, and hee made all things very well. Then
they made the Philosophers Stone, because of the true matter a true thing
must needs bee made. The Alchymist being very glad took the Stone with
the glasse, and beholding the colour thereof, which was like burnt blood,
hee was amazed, and by reason of too much joy hee began to leap, in which
leaping the glasse fell out of his hands upon the ground, and was broken.
And so Saturn vanished away. The Alchymist also being awaked out of his
dream, found nothing in his hands but Matches which hee made of
brimstone: but the Stone flew away, and doth still fly; whence it is called
Volatile: and so that miserable Alchymist learned nothing else by that
Vision but how to make Matches: who afterwards laying aside the Stone,
became to be a Physitian; by searching after the stone of the Philosophers
hee got the stone of the Kidneys. Last of all hee led such a life, as such kind
of Alchymists are wont to doe, who for the most part become Physitians, or
Quacksalvers, which thing will happen to all, who betake themselves to the
Art casually without any foundation, but only by hearesay, or by meanes of
Receipts.
Some of them, when things succeed not, say: We are wise men, wee hear
that the grasse grows, if the Art were true wee should have had it before
other men: And so having brazen faces, lest wee should bee accounted
undeserving men (as indeed they are, and also perverse) contemne, and
undervalue the Art. This Science hates such men, and alwaies shews them
the beginning in the end. Now we grant unto the unworthy, that this Art is

nothing, but to the Lovers of vertue, and the true Searchers, and Sons of
Wisdome, wee doe most highly commend it, and doe affirme it not only to
be true, but altogether the truest: which, sometimes wee have really made
good before men worthy of such a fight, I say before men of high, and low
condition: (yet this Medicine was not made by us, but received from a
friend, and yet most true) for the searching out of which wee have
sufficiently instructed the Searchers thereof; whom if our Writings doe not
please, let them read those of other Authors, which are easier, but with this
Caution, That whatsoever they shall read, they shall alwaies compare it with
the possibility of Nature, lest they assay any thing contrary to Nature.
Neither let them beleeve, although it were written in the bookes of
Philosophers, that Fire burns not, because this is contrary to Nature: but if it
bee writ, that Fire hath a drying, and heating faculty, this is to bee beleeved,
because it is according to Nature: For Nature doth alwaies agree with a
sound judgment, and in Nature there is nothing difficult, all truth is plain.
Then also let them learne, what things in Nature are of affinity with each
other, which wee conceive may be easier done by our Writings, then any
other, seeing wee think wee have wrote sufficiently, untill some other shall
come, who shall set downe the whole Receipt so plaine, as to make cheese
of Milke, which is not lawfull for us to doe.
But that I may not direct all things I say to the new beginner only, wee shall
say something to you also who now have passed over these painfull labours.
Have you seen that Countrey, where a man marryed a wife, whose nuptialls
were celebrated in the house of Nature? Have you understood how the
vulgar with you have seen this Sulphur? If therefore you will that old
women should practise your Philosophy, shew the dealbation of your
Sulphurs; say unto the vulgar, Come and see, for now the water is divided,
and Sulphur is come out; hee will return white, and congeale the Waters.
Burn therefore Sulphur from incombustible Sulphur, then wash it, make it
white, and red, untill Sulphur become Mercury, and Mercury bee made
Sulphur, which afterwards you shall beautifie with the soule of Gold: For if
you doe not sublime Sulphur, from Sulphur, and Mercury from Mercury,
you have not yet found out the Water, which out of Sulphur, and Mercury is
created by way of distillation; hee doth not ascend, that doth not descend.
Whatsoever in this Art is remarkable, by many is lost in the preparation, for
our Mercury is quickened with Sulphur, else it would bee of no use. A

Prince without a people is unhappy; so is an Alchymist without Sulphur,
and Mercury. If thou hast understood mee, I have said enough.

THE
CONCLVSION.

very searcher of this Art must in the first place with a mature
judgement examine the creation, operation, and vertues of the
four Elements together with their actings: for if hee be ignorant
of the originall, and Nature of these, hee shall not come to the
knowledge of the Principles, neither shall hee know the true matter of the
Stone, much lesse attain to any good conclusion; because every end is
terminated upon its beginning. Hee that well knowes what hee begins, shall
well know what shall bee the end. For the originall of the Elements is the
Chaos, out of which God the Maker of all things created, and separated the
Elements, which belongs to God alone: but out of the Elements Nature
produceth the Principles of things, and this is Natures worke, through the
will of God alone: Out of the Principles Nature afterwards produceth
Mineralls, and all things: out of which the Artist also by imitating Nature
can doe many wonderfull things. Because Nature out of these Principles,
which are Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, doth produce Mineralls, and Metalls,
and all kinds of things; and it doth not simply produce Metalls out of the
Elements, but by Principles, which are the medium betwixt the Elements,
and Metalls: Therefore if Nature doth not make those things, much lesse
shall Art. And not only in this example, but also in every naturall processe a
middle disposition is to bee observed. Wherefore here in this Treatise wee
have sufficiently described the Elements, their actings, and operations, as
also the originall of the Principles (because hitherto no Philosopher hath
discovered things more cleerly) that the well minded searcher might the
more easily consider in what degree the Stone differs from Metalls, and
Metalls from Elements. For there is a difference betwixt Gold, and Water,
but lesse betwixt Water, and Mercury; and least of all betwixt Mercury, and
Gold. For the house of Gold is Mercury, and the house of Mercury is Water:

but Sulphur is that which coagulates Mercury; which Sulphur indeed is
most difficultly prepared, but more difficultly found out. For in the Sulphur
of Philosophers this secret consists, which also is contained in the inward
rooms of Mercury, of whose preparation, without which it is unprofitable,
wee shall discourse hereafter in the third Principle of Salt, seeing here wee
treat of the vertue, and originall, not Praxis, of Sulphur.

Wherefore now wee have not writ this Treatise that wee would disprove any
of the ancient Philosophers, but rather confirm their Writings, and supply
those things, which they have omitted: seeing that Philosophers themselves
were but men, they could not be accurate in all things, neither is one man
sufficient for all things. Miracles also have seduced some men from the
right way of Nature, as wee read happened in Albertus Magnus a most witty
Philosopher; who writ, that in his times there were grains of Gold found
betwixt the teeth of a dead man in his grave. Hee could not find out this
Miracle, but judged it to be by reason of the Minerall vertue in man being
confirmed in his opinion by that saying of Morien: And this Matter, O King,
is extracted from thee: but this is erroneous, for Morien was pleased to
understand those things Philosophically. For the Minerall vertue is placed in
its own Kingdome, as the Animall is in its Kingdome, as in the book of the
Twelve Treatises wee have distinguished those Kingdomes, and divided
them into three Kingdomes; because every one of these without the ingresse
of any other thing stands in it self, and is multiplyed. It is true indeed that in
the Animall Kingdome, Mercury is as the matter, and Sulphur as the vertue,
but the Animall is not Minerall. The vertue of the Animall Sulphur if it were
not in Man, it could not congeal the bloud Mercury into flesh, and bones: so
also if there were not a vertue of the Vegetable Sulphur in the Vegetable
Kingdome, it could not coagulate Water, or the Vegetable Mercury into
Herbs, and Trees. So also it is to bee understood in the Minerall Kingdome.
These three Mercuries doe not indeed differ in vertue, nor the three
Sulphurs, because every Sulphur hath a power to coagulate its own
Mercury; and every Mercury hath a power to bee coagulated by its owne
proper Sulphur; and by no other that is a stranger to it. Now the reason why
Gold was found, and generated betwixt the teeth of the dead man is this,

because in his life time Mercury was by some Physitian conveyed into his
infirme body, either by unction, or by Turbith, or some other way, as the
custome, and manner was, and it was the nature of Mercury to goe up to the
mouth, and through the sores thereof to be evacuated with the flegme. If
therefore in time of such a cure the sick man dyed, that Mercury not finding
any egresse, remained in his mouth betwixt his teeth, and that carkasse
became the naturall vessell of Mercury, so being shut up fast for a long time
was congealed into Gold by its own proper Sulphur, being purified by the
naturall heat of putrefaction, caused by the corrosive phlegme of the Mans
body. But if Minerall Mercury had not been brought in thither, there could
Gold never have been produced. And this is a most true example, that
Nature in the bowells of the earth, doth of Mercury alone produce Gold, and
Silver, and other Metalls, according to the disposition of the place, or
matrix; for Mercury hath in its self its own proper Sulphur, with which it is
coagulated into Gold, unlesse it bee hindred by some accident, or hath not a
requisite heat, or a close place. The vertue therefore of Animall Sulphur
doth not congeal Mercury into Gold, but into Flesh: for if there were such a
vertue in Man, it would happen to be so in all bodies; which it doth not.
Many such miracles, and accidents fall out, which being not well
considered by the Writers, occasion the Readers to fall into errors: yet the
honest searcher must apply all things to the possibility of Nature; if they
doe not agree with Nature, they must be let alone, and waved.
It sufficeth the diligent Student, that he hath here heard what is the Originall
of the Principles (since the beginning being unknown, the end is alwaies
doubtfull) of which wee have in this Treatise not Ænigmatically, but as
cleerly as we could, and as it was lawfull for us, spoken unto the searcher
thereof: by means of which, if God shall enlighten any ones mind, hee shall
know what a successor owes to his predecessors, seeing this Art is alwaies
acquired by the same kind of wits, and dispositions. Which Art wee after
this kind of clear manifestation of it, lay up into the bosome of God the
most high Creator, and our Lord, and commend our selvs together with all
honest hearted Readers to his grace, and infinite mercy. To whom be praise,
and glory, for ever, and ever.

FINIS.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE FIRST BOOKE.

Of the generations of Naturall things.
he generation of all natural things is
twofold: Naturall, and without Art; and The generation of
naturall things is
Artificiall, viz. by Alchymie. Although in twofold.
generall it may bee said that all things are
naturally generated of the Earth by means of putrefaction. For
Putrefaction is the chiefe degree, and first step to
Generation. Now Putrefaction is occasioned by a moist All things proceed
from putrefaction.
heat. For a continuall moist heat causeth putrefaction,
and changeth all naturall things from their first form, and
essence, as also their vertues, and efficacy, into another The cause of
putrefaction is a
thing. For as putrefaction in the stomach changeth, and moist heat.
reduceth all meats into dung; so also putrefaction out of
the stomach in a glasse, changeth all things from one The power and
form into another, from one essence into another, from nature of
one colour into another, from one smell into another, putrefaction.
from one vertue into another, from one power into
another, from one property into another, and generally from one quality into
another. For it is evident, and proved by daily experience, that many good
things, which are wholsome, and medicinable, become after putrefaction
naught, unwholsome, and meer poison. So on the contrary, there are many
bad, unwholsome, poisonous, and hurtfull things, which after their

putrefaction become good, lose all their unwholsomnesse, and become
wonderfull medicinable: because putrefaction produceth great matters, as of
this wee have a most famous example in the holy Gospel, where Christ
saith: Unlesse a grain of Wheat bee cast into the Earth, and be putrefied, it
cannot bring forth fruit in a hundred fold. Hence also we must know, that
many things are multiplyed in putrefaction so as to bring forth excellent
fruit. For putrefaction is the change, and death of all
things, and destruction of the first essence of all Naturall What putrefaction
things; whence there ariseth a regeneration, and new is.
generation a thousand times better, &c.
Seeing therefore putrefaction is the first degree, and step
to generation; it is very necessary that wee know Putrefaction is the
first degree to
putrefaction well. Now there are many kinds of generation.
putrefactions, and one produceth its generation in
another manner, then doth another. One also sooner then another. Wee said
also that moisture, and heat were the first degree, and
step to putrefaction, which produceth all things, as a Hen Putrefaction is
manifold.
doth her egs. Wherefore through, and in putrefaction, all
mucilaginous flegme, and matter is made living, whatsoever it prove to be
at last.
An example of this you have in egs, in which there is a
mucilaginous humour, which by any kind of moderate An artificiall
hatching of
continuall heat is putrefied, and turned into a living Chickens.
Chicke, not only by the heat of the Hen, but any such
kind of heat. For in such a degree of Fire egs may be brought to maturity in
a glasse, and ashes, and become living birds: yea any man may ripen an
egge in his arm-hole, and hatch a Chicke, as well as the Hen.
And here wee must take notice of something that is
greater, and more then this: viz. if that living Chicke be The raising of a
dead bird to life.
in a vessell of glasse like a gourd, and sealed up, burnt to
powder, or ashes in the third degree of Fire, and afterward so closed in, be
putrefied with the exactest putrefaction of Horse-dung, into a mucilaginous
flegm, then that flegm may be brought to maturity, and become a renewed,
and new made Chicke: to wit, if that flegm bee againe inclosed in its former
shell, or receptacle. This is to revive the dead by regeneration, and
clarification, which indeed is a great, and profound miracle of Nature.

According to this processe may all Birds bee killed, and made alive againe,
and made new: and this is the highest, and greatest miracle, and mystery of
God, which hee ever discovered to mortall man.
Wee must also know that after this manner men may bee
generated without naturall Father, or Mother, i.e. not of a The Artificiall
generation of Man.
Woman in a naturall way: but by the Art, and industry of
a skilfull Alchymist may a Man bee borne, and grow, as afterwards shall
bee shewed.
It is possible also that men may be born of beasts,
according to naturall causes, but yet this cannot bee done The generation of
men by brutes.
without much impiety, and heresie; to wit, if a man
should couple with a beast, and that beast should, as a woman doth, receive
the Sperm of the man, with desire and lust into her matrix, and conceive:
then the sperm doth of necessity putrefie, and by the continual heat of the
body, a man, and not a beast is thence produced. For
alwaies as the seed is that is sown, so also is the fruit As the seed is, so is
that is brought forth; and unlesse it should be so, it the fruit.
would be contrary to the light of Nature, and to Philosophy. Wherefore as is
the seed, such is the hearb that springs from thence. So of the Seed of an
Onyon is brought forth an Onyon, not a Rose, nor a Nut, not a Lettuce. So
of Corne, Corn is brought forth, of Barley, Barley; of Oats, Oats: and so it is
with all other fruits, which have seed, and are sown, &c.
In like manner also it is possible, and not contrary to
Nature, that an irrationall bruit should bee produced by a The force of
womens
woman, and a man. Neither are wee to judge of, or imagination.
censure the woman, as the man, (as in the former case)
shee therefore is not to bee accounted impious, or hereticall, as if shee acted
contrary to Nature, but it is to be imputed to her imagination. For her
imagination is alwaies the cause of it. And the imagination of a breeding
woman is so powerful, that in conceiving the seed into her body, shee may
change her infant divers wayes: because her inward starres are so strongly
bent upon the infant, that they beget an impression, and influence upon it.
Wherefore the infant in the Mothers wombe in its forming is put into the
hand, and will of its Mother, as clay in the hand of the Potter, who thence
frames, and makes what his will, and pleasure is: so the Woman that is
breeding, forms the fruit in her body, according to her imagination, and her

starres. Therefore it often falls out, that of the seed of a man, Cattle, and
other horrid Monsters are begot, according as the imagination of the Mother
is strongly directed upon the Embryo, &c.
Now as you have heard, that by putrefaction many, and various things are
generated, and made alive, so also you must know, that of many hearbs, by
putrefaction divers living creatures are bred, which they that are skilled in
these things know.
Here also wee must know, that all such Animalls, which
are bred, and made of putrefaction, containe some All animals that are
bred meerly of
poison, and are poisonous, yet one far more strong then putrefaction are
another, and one after another manner then another: as poisonous.
you see in Serpents, Vipers, Toads, Frogs, Scorpions,
Basiliskes, Spiders, Wood-bees, Pismires, and many sorts of Wormes, as
Cankers, Maggots, Locusts, &c. All which are bred in, and through
putrefaction. Also amongst Animalls there are bred divers Monsters; And
there are Monsters also which are not bred of putrefaction of themselves,
but are made by Art in a glasse, as hath been said; because they oftentimes
appear in a very wonderfull shape, and form, fearful to behold, as
oftentimes with many feet, many tailes, many colours, oftentimes many
heads, worms with the tailes of Fishes, or feathers, and other unusuall
forms, that the like have not been seen.
Wherefore not only all Animalls, which have not proper
Parents, and are not borne of things like to themselves What Monsters are.
are Monsters, but also those which are bred of other
things.
So you see it is concerning a Basiliske, which also is a
Monster, and indeed a Monster above all Monsters, and The secret poison of
the Basilisk.
then which none is to bee more dreaded, because hee
can kill any man with his meer looks, and sight: and because his poison is
above all poisons, to which nothing in the world is to bee compared. Hee
carries his poison in a most secret manner in his eyes, and it is a conceived
poison, not much unlike a menstruous woman, who also carrieth a secret
poison in her eyes, so that only by her looks a Looking-glasse is fouled, and
tainted. So also if shee looke upon a wound, or an ulcer, shee infects that in
the like manner, and hinders the cure thereof: so also with her breath, as

well as sight, shee infects divers things, corrupts, and weakens them; and so
also with her touch. For you see if shee medle with wine in time of her
menstrues, that it is suddainly changed and made thick; The Vineger also
that she medles withall, becomes dead, and uselesse: so also Hot-waters
lose their strength: In like manner Civet, Amber Gryse, Musk, and such like
perfumes, lose their odour by such a womans carrying, or handling of them.
So also Gold, and Coralls lose their colour, also many Gemmes, and
Looking-glasses are soiled therewith, &c. But to return to what I proposed
concerning the Basiliske, by what reason, and in what manner hee carries
poison in his looks, and eyes; you must know that hee hath that property,
and poison from menstruous women, as is aforesaid. For the Basiliske is
bred of, and proceeds from the greatest impurity of a Woman, viz. her
Menstrues, and from the blood of the Sperm, if it bee put into a gourd
glasse, and putrefied in Horse-dung, in which putrefaction a Basiliske is
brought forth. But who is so couragious, and bold to make, take him out,
and kill him again, unlesse hee cover, and fortifie himselfe well first with
glasses: I should perswade none to doe it, nay, I would advise them to take
heed of it.
But that I may proceed in treating of Monsters, Know
that Monsters amongst brutes, which are brought forth Monsters doe not
live long.
of other things, and not of their like, seldome live long,
especially if they shall live neer, or amongst other brutes, because of an
imbred disposition, and Gods disposing, all Monsters are odious unto brutes
that are genuinely brought forth, and so also Monsters of men, which are
generated by man, seldome live long. And by how much the more
wonderfull, and remarkable they are, so much the sooner they dye, so that
none exceed the third day amongst men, unlesse they bee presently carryed
into some secret place, and kept apart from all men. Moreover you must
know that God abhors these kind of Monsters, and that they are displeasing
to him, and that none of them can be saved, seeing they bear not the image
of God:whence wee can conjecture nothing else, but that
they are so formed by the Devil, and are made for the Monsters come
Devills service, rather then Gods, because no good work from the Devill.
was ever done by any Monster, but rather all manner of evill, wickednesse,
and devillish deceits. For as an Executioner marketh his sons in cutting off
their ears, putting out their eyes, burning their cheeks, fingers, hands, and
cutting off their heads: so doth the Devil mark his sons through the

imagination of their Mothers, which in their conceiving they drew from
evill desires, lusts, and cogitations.
Also all men are to be shunned, which abound with, or
want any member, or have a double member. For that is Monsters are to be
shunned.
a presage of the Devills, and a most certaine signe of
some occult wickednesse, and deceit, which follows upon it. Wherefore
they seldome dye without the Executioner, or at least from some marke
made by him.
But wee must by no means forget the generation of
Artificiall men. For there is some truth in this thing, The artificiall
generation of Men.
although it hath been a long time concealed, and there
have been no small Doubts, and Questions, raised by some of the ancient
Philosophers, Whether it were possible for Nature, or Art to beget a Man
out of the body of a Woman, and naturall matrix? To this I answer, that it is
no way repugnant to the Art of Alchymie, and Nature; yea it is very
possible: But to effect it, we must proceed thus.
Let the Sperm of a man by it selfe be putrefied in a gourd glasse, sealed up,
with the highest degree of putrefaction in Horse dung, for the space of forty
days, or so long untill it begin to bee alive, move, and stir, which may easily
be seen. After this time it will bee something like a Man, yet transparent,
and without a body. Now after this, if it bee every day warily, and prudently
nourished and fed with the Arcanum of Mans blood, and bee for the space
of forty weeks kept in a constant, equall heat of Horse-dung, it will become
a true, and living infant, having all the members of an infant, which is born
of a woman, but it will bee far lesse. This wee call Homunculus, or
Artificiall. And this is afterwards to be brought up with as great care, and
diligence as any other infant, untill it come to riper years of understanding.
Now this is one of the greatest secrets, that God ever made known to
mortall, sinfull man. For this is a miracle, and one of the great wonders of
God, and secret above all secrets, and deservedly it ought to bee kept
amongst the secrets until the last times, when nothing shall be hid, but all
things be made manifest.
And although hitherto it hath not been known to men,
yet it hath been known to Fairies of the Woods, Nymphs, Fairies, Nymphs,
Gyants, &c. are
and Gyants many ages since, because they come from

them. For of such Artificiall men, when they come to made of artificiall
men.
Mans age, are made Pygmies, Gyants, and other great
and monstrous men, who are instruments of great matters, who obtaine
great victories against their Enemies, and know all secrets, and mysteries:
because by Art they receive their lives, by Art they receive their bodies,
flesh, bones, and blood: by Art they are borne; wherefore Art is now
incorporated with, and imbred in them, and they need not learn of any, but
others are constrained to learn of them, for by Art they have their originall
and present existency, as a rose, or flower in a garden, and they are called
the children of Fairies, and Nymphs, by reason that in power, and vertue
they are like not to Men, but Spirits, &c.
Here it is necessary that wee speak something of the
generation of Metalls; but because we have wrote Of 3 principles
Mercury the Spirit,
sufficiently of that in our book of the generation of sulphur is the soul,
Metals, wee shall very briefly treat of it here, only Salt the body.
briefly adding what was omitted in that book. Know that
all the seven Metalls are brought forth after this manner, out of a threefold
matter, viz. Mercury, Sulphur, & Salt, yet in distinct, and peculiar colours.
For this reason Hermes did not speak amisse, when he said, that of three
substances are all the seven Metalls produced, and compounded, as also the
Tinctures, and Philosophers Stone. Those 3 substances he calls the Spirit,
Soul, and Body: but hee did not shew how this is to bee understood, or what
hee did mean by this, although haply hee might know the three Principles,
but did not make mention of them. Wherefore we do not say, that he was
here in an error, but only was silent now, that those 3 distinct substances
may be rightly understood, viz. Spirit, Soul, and Body, we must know, that
they signifie nothing else but the three Principles, i.e. Mercury, Sulphur,
Salt, of which all the seven Metalls are generated. For Mercury is the Spirit,
Sulphur the Soule, and Salt the Body, but a Metall is the Soul betwixt the
Spirit, and the Body (as Hermes saith) which Soule indeed is Sulphur; and
unites these two contraries, the Body, and Spirit, and changeth them into
one essence, &c.
Now this is not to bee understood so as that of every
Mercury, every Sulphur, or of every Salt, the seven Whether metalls
can be made
Metalls may be generated, or the Tincture, or the artificially by fire.
Philosophers Stone by the Art of Alchymie, or industry,

with the help of Fire; but all the seven Metalls must be generated in the
mountains by the Archeius of the Earth. For the Alchymist shall sooner
transmute Metalls, then generate, or make them.
Yet neverthelesse living Mercury is the Mother of all the
seven Metalls, and deservedly it may be called the Living ☿ is the
Mother of the Metalls. For it is an open Metall, and as it mother of metalls.
contains all colours, which it manifests in the Fire, so also occultly it
contains all Metalls in it selfe, but without Fire it cannot shew them, &c.
But generation, and renovation of Metalls is made thus:
As a man may return into the womb of his Mother, i.e. The regeneration of
metalls into
into the Earth, out of which hee was first made a man, tinctures.
and shall again bee raised at the last day: so also all
Metalls may returne into living ☿ againe, and become ☿, and by Fire bee
regenerated, and purified, if for the space of forty weeks, they bee kept in a
continuall heat, as an infant is in his Mothers wombe. So that now there are
brought forth not common Metalls, but Tinging Metalls. For if Silver bee
regenerated (after the manner as wee have spoken) it will afterward tinge all
other Metalls into Silver, so will Gold into Gold, and the like is to bee
understood of all the other Metalls.
Now forasmuch as Hermes said, that the soule alone is
that medium which joines the spirit to the body, it was The Soul is that
medium wherewith
not without cause hee said so. For seeing Sulphur is that the soule is united
soule, and doth like Fire ripen, and digest all things; it to the body.
can also bind the soule with the body, incorporating, and
uniting them together, so that from thence may bee produced a most
excellent body. Now the common combustible Sulphur is not to bee taken
for the soule of metalls, for the soule is another manner of thing then a
combustible, and corruptible body.
Wherefore it can bee destroyed by no Fire, seeing indeed
it is all Fire it selfe: and indeed it is nothing else but the What the soule of
metalls is.
quintessence of Sulphur, which is extracted out of
reverberated Sulphur by the spirit of wine, being of a red colour, and as
transparent as a Rubie: and which indeed is a great, and excellent Arcanum,
for the transmuting of white metalls, and to coagulate living ☿ into fixt, and

true Gold. Esteeme this as an enriching treasure, and thou maist bee well
contented with this, onely secret in the Transmutation of Metalls.
Concerning the generation of mineralls, and halfe
metalls nothing else need bee known then what was at Where is the
generation of
first said concerning metalls, viz. that they are in like metalls and
manner produced of the three Principles, viz. Mercury, mineralls.
Sulphur, and Salt, although not as metalls of perfect, but
of the more imperfect, and baser Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, and yet with
their distinct colours.
The generation of Gemmes is from the subtilty of the
Earth, of transparent and crystalline Mercury, Sulphur, Whence the
generation of
and Salt, even according to their distinct colours. Gemmes.
But the generation of common Stones is of the subtilty
of Water, of mucilaginous Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt. Also of Common
Stones.
For of the mucilaginousnesse of Water are produced all
stones, as also sand, and gravell are thence coagulated
into Stones, as wee often see.
For any stone put in the Water, doth suddenly contract a
mucilaginousnesse to itself. Now if that mucilaginous An artificiall
generation of
matter bee taken from this Stone, and coagulated in a Stones.
glasse, it becomes such a Stone, as was in that Water, but
it would require a long time before it would be coagulated of it selfe.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE SECOND BOOK.

Of the growth, and increase of Naturall things.
t is sufficiently manifest, and knowne to every
one, that all naturall things grow, and are Heat and Moisture
the cause of the
ripened through heat, and moisture, which is growth of things.
sufficiently demonstrated by rain, and the heat of the
sun. For no man can deny that rain doth make the Earth fruitfull, and it is
granted by all, that all fruits are ripened by the sun.
Seeing therefore this is by divine ordination naturally
possible, who can gain-say, or not beleeve that a man is An artificiall
ripening of things.
able, through the wise, and skilfull Art of Alchymie, to
make that which is barren, fruitfull, and that which is crude, to ripen, and all
things to grow, and to be increased. For the Scripture
saith, that God subjected all creatures to man, and put God hath subjected
all things to man.
them into his hands as being his own, that hee might use
them for his necessity, and rule over the fish of the sea, fowles of the aire,
and all things upon the Earth, nothing excepted. Wherefore man might well
rejoice that God should so endow him with the excellency of Nature, that
all the creatures of God should be forced to obey, and be subject to him,
especially the whole Earth, and all things which are bred, live, and move in,
and upon it. Since therefore wee see with our eyes, and are taught by daily
experience, that by how much the oftner, & more abundantly the rain doth
moisten the earth, and the sun doth again with its heat and warmth dry it, so

much the sooner doe the fruits of the Earth come forth and are ripened, yea
all fruits doe cleerly grow, and increase, what time of the yeer soever it be;
Let no man henceforth wonder, that the Alchymist also
by a manifold imbibition, and distillation should not doe The artificiall
the same. For what else is rain but the imbibition of the generation of fruit.
Earth? and the heat of the Sun, but the distillation of the Sun, which drawes
up those humidities again? Wherefore I say it is possible by such a kind of
Art, even in the midle of Winter to bring forth green Herbs, Flowers, and
other fruit, through Earth, and Water, out of the seed, and root: If then this
can bee done in all Herbs, and flowers, it may also bee done in many other
like things, as in all mineralls, whose imperfect metalls by vertue of a
minerall water may bee brought to maturity through the industry, and Art of
a skilfull Alchymist.
In like manner may all Marcasites, Granati, Zineta,
Arsenica, Talka, Cachymie, Bisemuta, Antimonies, &c. The ripening of
mineralls.
(all which carry with them crude Gold, and Silver,) bee
so ripened, that they may bee equalized to the most rich veins of Gold, and
Silver, only by this Art. So also the Elixir, and tinctures of metals are
brought to maturity, and perfected.
Seeing therefore, as it hath been said, moisture, and heat
doe ripen all things, and make them grow, Let none What the growing
of the beard of a
wonder, that the beard, haire, or nailes of a malefactor dead man signifies.
hanging on a Gibbet, or Wheel do for a long time grow,
neither let it be accounted for a sign of his innocency, as the ignorant
beleeve, for this is naturall, and from naturall causes. For whilest that any
moisture remains in him, his beard, haire, and nailes grow, even till the
second year, or till hee bee wholly putrefied, &c.
Wee must also know, that there are many things that
grow for ever, and are increased in bignesse, weight, and The augmentation
of ☉.
vertue, in the Water, and Earth, in which they continue
good, and efficacious, as are Metalls, Marcasites, Cachymie, Talka,
Granuty, Antimony, Bisemuta, Gemmes, Pearles, Corals, all Stones, and
Clay. So also it may be ordered, that Gold may grow, and bee increased in
weight, and body, if only it bee buryed in the Earth looking towards the
East, and bee alwaies soiled with the fresh urine of a man, and pigeons
dung.

It is possible also that Gold, through industry, and skill
of an expert Alchymist may bee so far exalted, that it How Gold may be
generated in a
may grow in a glasse like a tree, with many wonderfull glasse.
boughs, and leaves, which indeed is pleasant to behold,
and most wonderful.
The processe is this. Let Gold bee calcined with Aqua
Regis, till it becomes a kind of chalke, which put into a How the
Philosophicall Tree
gourd glasse, and poure upon it good new Aqua Regis, is made.
so that it may cover it foure fingers breadth, then again
draw it off, with the third degree of fire, untill no more ascend. The water
that is distilled off, poure on againe, then distill it off againe. This doe so
long untill thou seest the Gold to rise in the glasse, and grow after the
manner of a tree, having many boughes, and leaves: and so there is made of
Gold a wonderful, and pleasant shrub, which the Alchymists call their
Golden hearb, and the Philosophers Tree. In like manner you may proceed
with Silver, and other Metalls, yet so that their calcination bee made after
another manner, by another Aqua fortis, which I leave to thine experience.
If thou art skilled in Alchymie, thou shalt not erre in these things.
Know also that any flint taken out of River water, (and
put into a gourd glasse, having River water poured upon To make an
artificiall stone of
it, that the glasse may bee filled, which Water is againe any forme.
to bee distilled off as long as a drop will arise, and the
Stone dryed, and the Glasse againe filled with this Water, and againe
distilled off, and this done so long till the Glasse bee filled with this Stone)
may in a few dayes by the Art of Alchymie bee made very great, which the
Archeius of the Waters could scarce doe in many yeers.
If then thou breake the Glasse, thou shalt have a Flint in the forme of the
Glasse, as if it had been put into the Glasse, and although this bee not for
profit, yet it is a thing that is strange, and wonderfull.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE THIRD BOOK.

Of the preservations of Naturall things.
hat things may bee preserved, and kept from
harm, it is necessary in the first place to know The enemies of
things are to be
what is an enemie to them, that so they may be knowne.
preserved from that, & not be hurt, or corrupted by it
either in substance, vertue, power, or any way whatsoever. Much therefore
in this case depends upon the knowing of the Enemie of all Naturall things.
For who can take heed of danger when hee doth not know what can hurt
him? Truly no body; Wherefore it is necessary to know ones Enemie, For
there are many sorts of Enemies. Wherefore it is as necessary to know evill
things, as good things: for who can know what is good, without the
knowing of what is evill? Truly no body. So no man can know what a
blessing health is, that was never sick. Who knows what joy is, that was
never heavy, or sad? And who can rightly understand what God is, who
knew nothing of the Devil? Wherefore when God made
known to us the Enemie of our Soul, viz. the Devill, he Death is the enemie
also signified to us the Enemie of our life, viz. Death, of things.
which is the Enemie of our body, of our health, and the Enemie of
Medicinall, and all naturall things: also he made known to us how, and by
which means it may be shunned. For as there is no
disease against which there is not created, and found There is a
some remedy, which should cure, and expell it: so also Contrariety
found
in all things.
there is alwaies one thing ordained against another, one
Water against another, one Stone against another, one Minerall against

another, one Poison against another, one Metall against another: and so in
many more things, all which it is not requisite here to recite.
Now how, and by what means every thing is to bee preserved, and kept
from hurt, wee must know, that many things are to bee preserved in the
Earth, and especially all rootes doe for a long time remaine in the Earth
without losing their vertue, or being corrupted: in like manner herbs,
flowers, and all fruites continue in the water incorrupted, and green: there
are also many fruits, and apples that may be preserved in water from all
manner of putrefaction, untill new fruit come againe.
So also flesh, and blood, which indeed are putrefied, and
grow unsavoury quickly, are preserved in cold fountain- How to preserve
water, and not only so, but by the addition of new and flesh and blood.
fresh fountaine-water, may be turned into a quintessence, and bee forever
preserved from putrefaction, and an ill savour, without any balsome. And
this doth not only preserve the flesh, and blood of dead things, but also of
the living, wherefore Mans body may bee preserved from all manner of
putrefaction, and divers diseases that proceed from putrefaction, better then
common Mummie. Now that blood may be preserved of it self from
putrefaction, and stinking, and not as a quintessence, & so as it may
preserve the blood of the living (as we now said) thou must follow this
processe.
Let the blood bee separated from its flegm, which is
separated of its selfe, and is driven to the upper part. How the Arcanum
of mans blood is to
This water poure gently out of the vessell, and in stead be prepared.
of it put as much of the water of the salt of blood, which
water wee teach to make in our Chirurgerie: That water doth presently mixe
with the blood, and preserves it so, that it will never bee putrefied, or grow
unsavory, but continue many years as fresh, and very red as it was the first
day: and this indeed is a great wonder. But if thou dost not know how to
make this water, or hast it not in readiness, then poure upon it so much of
the best, and most excellent balsome, and this will doe the same. Now, this
blood is the balsome of balsomes, and is called the Arcanum of blood, and it
is so wonderful, and of such great vertue, that it is incredible to be spoken;
wherefore thou shalt conceale it as a great secret in Physick.

In preserving of Metalls, their Enemies are first to bee
known, that so much the better they may bee preserved How metalls may
be preserved.
from harme. The chiefest Enemies of Metalls are all
sharp corroding Waters, all Corrosive things, all Salts,
crude Sulphur, Antimony, and Mercury. But that you What are the
may know particularly how they show their enmity, it is enemies of metalls.
thus. Sharp Waters, and such things as are Corrosive, and Salts shew their
enmity, in that they mortifie, dissolve, calcine, corrupt Metalls, and reduce
them to nothing.
Crude Sulphur shews its enmity in the fume thereof: for
by its fume it takes away from Copper its colour, and How the fume of
Sulphur doth
rednesse, and makes it white. From white Metalls, as discolour metalls.
Silver, Tinne, Lead, and Iron it takes away the
whitenesse, and makes them red, and yellowish. From Gold it takes away
that faire amiable yellownesse, and golden colour, and makes it black, and
so foule, that nothing can bee more foule.
Antimony shews its enmity in this, in that all Metalls
with which it is melted, or mixed, it spoiles, carryeth How Antimony
spoiles and
away, and preys upon, and also not unlike to Sulphur, by discolours metalls.
its fume it takes away from Metalls their true, and
naturall colour, and brings in another.
Quicksilver doth destroy Metalls upon this accompt, in
that it enters into Metalls, with which it is joined, and Quicksilver
distroyes metalls,
dissolves them, so that it makes an Amalgama of them: and how.
Wherefore the fume thereof, which wee call common
Mercury, makes all Metalls brittle, that they cannot bee malleated, and
calcines them, also it makes all red Metalls of a golden colour, to bee white:
but it is the greatest enemie of all to Iron, and Steel; for if common Mercury
doe but touch a barre of Iron, or Steel, or that be but smeared over with
Mercuriall oile, that bar will afterward be broken like glasse, and be bowed;
which indeed is a great secret, and deserves to be kept exceeding close. In
like manner must the Loadstone be kept from Mercury, for the like enmity
it shews to that as to Iron. For any Loadstone that
Mercury hath but touched, or which hath been smeered How the loadstone
may be spoyled.
with Mercuriall oyle, or only put into Mercury, will
never draw Iron more. Let no man wonder at this, for there is a naturall

cause for it, and it is this, viz. because Mercury extracts the spirit of Iron,
which was hid in the Loadstone, which spirit draws the spirit of Iron to it:
and this is not only in the Loadstone, but in all naturall things else, so that
alwaies a strange spirit in a body which is not of the same Nature with it
selfe, drawes to it self a body which is of the same Nature: and this wee
must know to bee so, not only in the Loadstone, but also in all other naturall
things, as Mineralls, Stones, Hearbs, Roots, Men, and Brutes.
That Metalls have an enmity, and hate one the other
naturally, as you see in Lead, which is naturally a very What antipathy
there is betwixt
great enemy to Gold. For it breaks asunder all parts of metalls themselves.
Gold, it makes it foule, weak, spoiles, and destroyes it
even to death, more then any other Metall.
Tin also hates, and is an enemy to all Metalls: for it makes them base,
immalleable, hard, unprofitable, if it bee mixed with them in the fire, or in
melting.
Since therefore you have now heard of the Enemies of Metalls, you must
next know their preservatives, which keep them from all manner of hurt, or
corruption, also strengthen them in their Nature, and vertue, and exalt their
colour.
First therefore concerning Gold, you must know, that it
cannot bee preserved better, and fairer then in boyes Gold is preserved in
boyes urine.
urine, in which Salt Armoniack is dissolved, or in water
alone of Salt Armoniack. In them in time the colour is so highly exalted that
it can bee exalted no higher.
Silver cannot be better preserved then if it be boiled in
common Water, or Vineger, in which Tartar or Salt have How silver is
preserved.
been dissolved. So any old Silver, that is made black,
and fouled, is renewed by being boiled in these waters.
The best preservative for Iron and Steel is the lard of a How Iron and Steel
may be preserved.
Barrow-hog not salted, which indeed preserves Iron, and
Steel from rust, if once every moneth they be smeered over with it. Also if
Iron bee melted with fixt Arsenicke, it will be so renewed and fixt, that it
will like Silver never contract rust. Copper may be
preserved, if it bee only mixed with sublimed Mercury, How Copper is
preserved.

or bee smeered over with the oyle of Salt; and so it will never any more be
grown over with verdegrease.
Lead can no wayes bee better preserved then in cold
Earth, and in a moist place, according to the Nature How Lead is
preserved.
thereof. The Loadstone is preserved best of all with the
filings of Iron, and Steel, for by this meanes it is never
weakened, but daily strengthened. How the Loadstone
is preserved.
Now concerning the preservation of Salts, and all things,
that are of a saltish Nature, and may be comprehended The preservation of
under the name of Salt (of which there are more then an Salts.
hundred sorts) you must know that they are to bee
preserved in a hot dry place, and in woodden vessells, not in Glasse, Stone,
or Metalls: for in those they are dissolved and become a Water, and an
Amalgama which cannot be in Wood.
Moreover you must know how some kind of Waters, and
Liquors pressed out of hearbs, roots, and all other fruits, The preservation of
liquors with oils.
and Vegetables, which doe easily contract filth, and
slime as if a skin were spread over them, may be preserved. These Waters
therefore, and Liquors must bee put up into glasses that are narrow towards
the top, and wide below, and the glasses be filled to the top, then adde a few
drops of oyl Olive, that all the Water, or Liquor may bee covered: so the
Oyl will swim on the top, and preserve the Liquor, or Water a long time
from filth or slime. For there is no Water, or liquor if it bee covered with
oyl, that will bee musty, or of an ill savour.
By this means also may two sorts of Water, of Liquors of Wine bee kept
apart in one vessell, that they may not bee mixed: and not only two sorts,
but three, four, five, and more, if only the oyle bee put betwixt: For they are
severed by the Oyle, as by a wall, which wil not suffer them to be joined
together, and united, for oyle and water are two contraries, and neither can
be mixed with the other: For as the Oyle will not suffer the Waters to be
united, so on the contrary, the Water will not suffer the Oyls to be mixed.
Now to preserve Cloath, and Garments from moths,
there is no better way then with Mastick, Camphire, How clothes are
preserved.
Amber Gryse, and Muske, and Civet, which indeed is

the best of all, which doth not only preserve them from moths, but also,
drives away moths, and all other vermine, as Fleas, Lice, &c.
Also all manner of Woods, as in Houses, Bridges, Ships,
or wheresoever they be, may bee preserved so that they How all sorts of
Wood may be
will never bee putrefied, either in waters, or under preserved.
waters, or out of water in the earth, under the earth or
above the earth, whether they be set in the rain, or wind, aire, snow, or ice,
in winter, or summer; also that they be not worm-eaten, nor that any worms
may breed in them whensoever they bee cut. Now this preservative is a
great Arcanum against all kinds of putrefactions, yea so excellent a secret
that none may bee compared to it. And it is nothing else
but Oyle of Sulphur, the processe whereof is this. Let Fixed oyle of
sulphur.
common yellow Sulphur bee powdered, and put into a
Gourd glasse, upon which let there be poured so much of the strongest
Aqua fortis, that may cover it three fingers breadth: then draw it oft by
distillation, three, or four times; and last of all, till it be dry. Let the Sulphur
that remaines in the bottome being of a black, sad red colour, be put upon
marble, or in a glasse, and it will easily bee dissolved into Oyle, which is a
great secret in preserving of Wood from putrefaction, and wormes. For this
Oyle doth so tinge the wood that is nointed with it, that it can never bee
washed out of it againe. Many more things may bee preserved with this Oil
of Sulphur; from putrefaction, as ropes, cords in ships, and masts of ships,
in carts, fishing-nets, and gins which Fowlers, and Hunters use, and such
like, which are oftentimes used in waters, or raine, and are otherwise easily
rotted, and broken, so also linnen clothes, and many other such like things.
Also you must know how potable things are to be
preserved, by which wee understand Wine, Beer, Meade, Which are potable
Vineger, and Milke. Now if we would preserve these things, and how
they are preserved.
from harm, and in their full vertue, it is very necessary
that you know well what is an Enemie to them, and that Which is an enemie
is menstruous women: for if they doe handle the foresaid to them.
things, or have any thing to doe about them, or looke, or
breath upon them, they corrupt them. For Wine is thereby changed, and
become thick, Beer, and Mead grow sowre, Vineger grows dead, and loseth
its sharpnesse; and Milke grows sowre, and curded.

This therefore you must well know, before you come to preserve each of
these in particular.
Wine is preserved chiefly by Sulphur, and the Oyle of
Sulphur, by which all Wine may bee preserved a long How Wine is
preserved by
time, so that it be neither thick, nor any other way Sulphur.
changed.
Beere is preserved with Oyle of Cloves, if some drops
thereof bee put into it, to every Gallon two or three Beere is preserved
with oyle of Cloves.
drops, or, which is better, with the Oyl of the root of
Avens, which doth preserve Beer from sowring.
Meade is preserved with Oyl of Sugar, which must bee
used as the Oyle of Cloves abovesaid. Mead is preserved
with oyle of Sugar.
Vineger is preserved with Oyle of Ginger, which must
be used as the Oyle of Cloves abovesaid. How Vineger is
preserved.
Milke is preserved with Oyle of Almonds made by
expression, which must bee used as the Oyle of Cloves
How Milke is
abovesaid. preserved.
Cheese is preserved with St. Iohns wort from worms, for
if it doth but touch it, no worme will breed in it: and if Cheese is preserved
there bee any in before, it will kill them, and make them with St. Johns wort.
fall out of the Cheese.
Honey hath no peculiar preservative, onely that it may
bee kept from its Enemie. Now its chief Enemie is How Honey is to be
preserved.
bread: for if a little bread made of Corne bee but put, or
faln into it, all the Honey is turned into Emmots, and
What its chief
spoiled. enemie is.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE FOURTH BOOK.

Of the life of Naturall things.
o man can deny that Aire gives life to all things,
bodies, and substances, that are produced, and What use the Aire is
for as to the life of
generated of the Earth. Now you must know things.
what, and what manner of thing the life of every thing in
particular is; and it is nothing else then a spirituall
essence, a thing that is invisible, impalpable, a spirit, and What the life of
spirituall. Wherefore there is no corporeall thing, which things is.
hath not a spirit lying hid in it, as also a life, which, as I
said before, is nothing but a spirituall thing. For not only What things have
that hath life which moves, and stirres, as Men, life.
Animalls, Vermine of the earth, Birds in the Aire, Fish in the sea, but also
all corporeall, and substantiall things. For here wee must know that God in
the beginning of the Creation of all things, created no body at all without its
spirit, which it secretly contains in it.
For what is the body without a spirit? Nothing at all.
Wherefore the spirit contains in it secretly the vertue, What is the
difference betwixt
and power of the thing, and not the body. For in the body the Spirit and the
there is death, and the body is the subject of death, Body.
neither is any else to be sought for in the body, but
death.
For that may severall wayes bee destroyed, and
corrupted, but the spirit cannot. For the living spirit The Spirit never

remains for ever, and also is the subject of life: and dyes.
preserves the body alive; but in the ruine of the body it is
separated from it, and leaves behind it a dead body, and returnes to its place,
from whence it came, viz. into the Chaos, and the Aire of the upper and
lower Firmament. Hence it appears that there are divers spirits, as well as
divers bodies.
For there are spirits Celestiall, Infernall, Humane,
Metalline, Minerall, of Salts, of Gemmes, of Marcasites, The division of the
Spirit according to
of Arsenicks, of Potable things, of Rootes, of Juices, of the variety of
Flesh, of Blood, of Bones, &c. Wherefore also know bodies.
that the spirit is most truly the life, and balsome of all
Corporeall things. But now wee will proceed to the The Spirit is the life
species, and briefly describe to you in this place the life of all Corporeall
things.
of every naturall thing in particular.
The life therefore of all men is nothing else but an
Astrall balsome, a Balsamick impression, and a celestiall What the life of
invisible Fire, an included Aire, and a tinging spirit of man is.
Salt. I cannot name it more plainly, although it bee set out by many names.
And seeing wee have declared the best, and chiefest, wee shall bee silent in
these which are lesse materiall.
The life of Metalls is a secret fatnesse, which they have
received from Sulphur, which is manifest by their What the life of
Metalls is.
flowing, for every thing that flowes in the fire, flowes by
reason of that secret fatnesse that is in it: unlesse that were in it, no Metall
could flow, as wee see in Iron, and Steel, which have lesse Sulphur, and
fatnesse then all the other Metalls, wherefore they are of a dryer Nature
then all the rest.
The life of Mercury is nothing else but the internall heat,
and externall coldnesse, i.e. it makes the internall part of What the life of
Mercury is.
its body hot, and the outward part cold, and therefore Mercury is like to a
might well bee compared to a garment made of skins, garment of skins.
which doth even as Mercury make hot, and cold. For if a
man wears such a garment it makes him warme, and keeps him from the
cold: but if the smooth part of those skins bee put upon his naked body, it
makes him cold, and is good against too much heat; wherefore it was a

custome in ancient time, and still is in some places, to weare skins as well
in Summer, as in Winter, as against cold in the one, so against heat in the
other: in Summer they turn the smooth side inward, and the hairy side
outward; and in Winter the hairy side inward, and the smooth side outward.
As therefore you have heard of the garment of skins, so also it may bee said
of Mercury.
The life of Sulphur is a combustible, stinking fatnesse,
for whilst it burns, and stinks, it may be said to be alive. What the life of
Sulphur is.
Now the life of all Salts is nothing else but the spirit of
Aquæ fortis: for that water being drawne from them, that What the life of
which remains in the bottome, is called Dead earth. Salts is.

The life of Gemmes, and Coralls is only their colour,
which with spirit of Wine may be taken from them. What the life of
Gemmes and
The life of Pearls is nothing else but their splendor, Coralls is.
which they lose in calcination.
What the life of
The life of the Loadstone is the spirit of Iron, which may Pearls is.
bee extracted, and taken away with spirit of Wine.
The life of Flintes is a mucilaginous matter. What the life of the
Loadstone is.
The life of Marcasites, Cachymia, Talcum, Cobaltum,
Zimri, Granata, Wismat, and of Antimony is a tinging The life of Flints
Metalline spirit. what.

life of Arsenickes, Auripigment, Operment, Realgar, and
such like matters, is a Minerall, and coagulated poison. The life of
Marcasites what.
The life of Excrements, i.e. of mans dung, or beast dung
is their stinking smell, for this being lost they are dead. The life of
Arsenicks.
The life of Aromaticall things, viz. of Muske, Amber
Gryse, Civet, and whatsoever yeelds a strong, good, and
The life of
sweet smell is nothing else but that gratefull odour: for if Excrements
they lose this they are dead and of no use.
The life of sweet things, as of Sugar, Honey, Manna, The life of
Cassia, and such like is in their tinging, and subtile aromaticall things.

sweetnesse, for if that sweetnesse bee taken from them
by distilling, or subliming they are dead, unprofitable, The life of sweet
things.
and nothing worth.
The life of all Rozzens, as Amber, Turpentine, Gumme,
is the muciliginous shining fatnesse, which gives that The life of Rozzens.
excellent vernish to them all: for when they will yeeld
no more vernish, and lose their shining, they are dead.
The life of Hearbs, Roots, Apples, and other such like
fruit, is nothing else but the liquor of the Earth, which The life of Plants.
they lose of their own accord, if they do but want water,
and Earth.
The life of Wood is a certaine Rozzen, for any wood if it
want Rozzen can live no longer. The life of Wood.

The life of Bones is the liquor of Mummie.
The life of Bones.
The life of flesh, and blood is nothing else but the spirit
of Salt, which preserves them from stinking, and
The life of flesh.
putrefaction, and is of it selfe as water separated from
them.
Now concerning the life of Elements, you must know
that the life of Water is its running. For when by the The life of every
Element.
coldnesse of the Firmament it is congealed into ice, it is
dead, and its mischievousnesse is taken from it, that nobody can bee
drowned in it.
The life of Fire is Aire, for Aire makes fire burne with
greater vehemency, and heate: Also there cometh forth What the life of
Fire is.
from all Fire a kind of Aire, which will blow out a
candle, and drives up a feather, as you may dayly see before your eyes.
Wherefore the flame of Fire is choaked if it bee so stopt up, that it can
neither receive in Aire, and let out its own Aire.
The Aire lives by, and of it selfe, and gives life to all
other things. What the life of
Aire is.
The earth of it selfe is dead, but the Element of it is an
invisible, and secret life.

What the life of
Earth is.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE FIFTH BOOK.

Of the Death, or ruine of all things.
he death of all naturall things is nothing else but
an alteration and destruction of their powers, What Death is.
and vertues, a predominancy of that which is
evill, and an overcoming of what is good, an abolishing of the former
nature, and generation of a new, and another nature. For you must know
that there are many things that, whilst they are alive, have in them severall
vertues, but when they are dead retaine little or nothing of their vertue, but
become unsavory, and unprofitable. So on the contrary many things, whilest
they live, are bad, but after they are dead, and corrupted, manifest a
manifold power, and vertue, and are very usefull. Wee could bring many
examples to confirme this, but that doth not belong to our purpose. But that
I may not seem to write according to mine own opinion only, but out of my
experience, it will bee necessary that I produce one example, with which I
shall silence those Sophisters, who say, that wee can receive nothing from
dead things, neither must we seek, or expect to find any thing in them. The
reason is, because they do esteem nothing of the preparations of
Alchymists, by which many such like great secrets are found out. For looke
upon Mercury, crude Sulphur, and crude Antimony, as they are taken out of
their Mines, i.e. whilest they are living, and see what little vertue there is in
them, how slowly they put forth their vertues, yea they do more hurt, then
good, and are rather poison, then a Medicine. But if through the industry of

a skilfull Alchymist, they bee corrupted in their first
substance, and wisely prepared (viz. if Mercury be The preparation of
coagulated, precipitated, sublimed, dissolved, and turned Mercury
Sulphur
and Antimony.
into an oyle, if Sulphur bee sublimed, calcined,
reverberated, and turned into an oyle; also if Antimony bee sublimed,
calcined, and reverberated and turned into oyle) you shall see how usefull
they are, how much strength, and vertue they have, and how quickly they
put forth, and shew their efficacy, which no man is able to speak enough in
the commendation of, or to describe. For many are their vertues, yea more
then will ever bee found out by any man. Wherefore let every faithfull
Alchymist, and Physitian spend their whole lives in searching into these
three: For they will abundantly recompense him for all his labour, study,
and costs.
But to come to particulars, and to write particularly of
the death, and destruction of every naturall thing, and What the Death of
man is.
what the death of every thing is, and after what manner
every thing is destroyed; you must know therefore in the first place, that the
death of man is without doubt nothing else, but an end of his daily work, the
taking away of the Aire, the decaying of the Naturall balsome, the
extinguishing of the naturall light, and the great separation of the three
substances, viz. the body, soule, and spirit, and their return from whence
they came. For because a naturall man is of the earth, the Earth also is his
Mother, into which hee must return, and there must lose his natural earthly
flesh, and so be regenerated at the last day in a new celestiall, and purified
flesh, as Christ said to Nicodemus when hee came to him by night. For thus
must these words bee understood of regeneration.
The death, and destruction of Metalls is the disjoining of
their bodies, and sulphureous fatnesse, which may bee What the
destruction of
done severall ways, as by calcination, reverberation, Metalls is.
dissolution, cementation, and sublimation.
But the calcination of Metalls is not of one sort: for one
is made with Salt, another with Sulphur, another with Calcination of
Metalls is manifold.
Aqua fortis, and another with common Sublimate, and
another with Quicksilver.

Calcination with Salt is that the Metall be made into
very thin plates, and strowed with Salt, and cemented. What Calcination
with Salt is.
Calcination with Sulphur is, that the Metall bee made
into thin plates, and strowed with Sulphur, and Calcination with
reverberated. Sulphur.

Calcination with Aqua fortis, is that the Metall bee made
very small, and dissolved in Aqua fortis, and Calcination with
Aqua fortis.
precipitated in it.
Calcination with sublimed Mercury is this, that the
Metall bee made into thin plates, and that the Mercury Calcination with
Sublimate.
bee put into an earthen vessell narrow towards the top,
and wide at the bottome; and then let it be set into a gentle fire made with
coales, which must bee blowed a little untill the Mercury begin to fume, and
a white cloud goe forth of the mouth of the vessel, then let the Plate of the
Metall bee put into the top of the vessel, and so the sublimed Mercury wil
penetrate the Metall, and make it as brittle as a stone of coal.
Calcination with Quicksilver, is that the Metall bee made
very small, and thin, and be amalgamated with Calcination with
Quicksilver.
Quicksilver, and afterward the Quicksilver bee strained
through Leather, and the Metall remain in the Leather like chalke, or sand.
Now besides these mortifications of Metalls, and
destructions of their lives, know also that there are yet Divers other sorts
of mortification of
more. For rust is the death of all Iron, and Steel, and all metalls.
vitriall, burnt brasse is mortified Copper: all
precipitated, sublimated, calcined Cinnabar is mortified Mercury, all
Ceruse, and Minium of Lead is mortified Lead; all Lazure is mortified
Silver: also all Gold from which its tincture, Quintessence, Rozzen, Crocus,
Vitriall, or Sulphur is extracted, is dead, because it hath no more the form of
Gold, but is a white Metall like fixed Silver.
But let us proceed to shew how Metalls may bee yet
further mortified. First therefore of Iron, know that that A two fold
preparation of
is mortified, and reduced into Crocus this way. Make Crocus Martis.
Steel into very thin plates: Make these plates red hot,
and quench them in the best Wine-Vineger, doe this so often til the Vineger

hath contracted a considerable rednesse, then distil of the Vineger, til there
bee nothing but a dry powder remaining. This is a most excellent Crocus
Martis.
There is also another way of making Crocus Martis, which doth partly
exceed the former, and is made with farre lesse costs, and pains, and it is
this.
Strow upon the plates of Steel, Sulphur, and Tartar, being both in a like
quantity; then reverberate them, and this wil produce a most excellent
Crocus, which must bee taken off from the plates.
Also you must know, that every plate of Iron, or Steel, if it bee melted with
Aqua fortis; will also make a very fair Crocus; so also it is made with oyle
of Vitriall, spirit of Salt, Allum water, the water of Salt Armoniacke, and of
Salt Nitre; as also with sublimated Mercury, all which mortifie Iron, and
bring it into a Crocus; but none of these latter wayes is to bee compared to
the two former, for they are only used in Alchymie, and not at all in
Physicke; wherefore in this, use only the two former, and let alone the rest.
The mortification of Copper, viz. that it may be reduced
into Vitriall, Verdegrease, may bee done many wayes, The mortification of
Copper.
and there are more processes in it, yet one far better then
another, and one more profitable then another.
The Vitriall of
Wherefore it is most convenient here to set down the Copper is made two
best, and most profitable, and to bee silent in the rest. wayes.
The best therefore, the most easy, and exactest way of
reducing Copper into Vitriall is this.
Let plates of Copper bee dipt in spirit of Salt, or Salt-Petre, and let them bee
hanged in the Aire until they begin to be green, which indeed wil quickly
be, wash off this greennesse with cleer fountaine-water, dry the plates with
some cloath, and wet them again with the spirit of Salt, and Salt Nitre, and
do again as before, so long until the water bee apparently green, or much
Vitriall swim on the top: then poure away the water, or evaporate it, and
thou hast a most excellent Vitriall for medicine. In Alchymie there is not a
fairer, more excellent, and better Vitriall then what is made by Aqua fortis,
or Aqua regis, or spirit of Salt Armoniacke. And the processe is this.

Let plates of Copper be melted with one of the aforesaid waters, & as soon
as the greeness is extracted, and the plates dryed, let the greeness be taken
off with the foot of a Hare, or some other way as you please, as Ceruse is
taken off from the plates of Lead: let them bee again wetted as before, until
the plates bee wholly consumed, thereby is made a most glorious Vitriall,
that thou canst not choose but wonder at it.
The water of Salt Petre is made thus. Purifie, and
powder it; afterwards dissolve it of it selfe in a bladder, How water of Salt-
petre and Salt-
put in boyling water. So thou shalt have the water of Salt armoniack is made.
Petre.
The water of Salt Armoniacke is made thus: Calcine Salt Armoniack, and
dissolve it in a Cellar upon a Marble, and this is water of Salt Armoniack.
But to make Verdegrease out of Copper, there are divers
wayes which it is not needful here to recite. Wee shall Verdegrease may be
made two wayes.
describe only two, but with a double preparation, viz.
The one for Physicke, the other for Alchymie. The processe therefore of
Verdegrease to be used in Physick is this.
Take plates of Copper, which wet over with the
following matter. Take Honey, and Vineger, of each a How verdegrease to
be used in physick
like quantity, of Salt as much as wil serve to make them is to be prepared.
up into a thick past. Mixe them well together, then put
them into a reverberatory, or Potters furnace so long as the Potter is burning
his pots, and thou shalt see the matter that stickes to the plates to bee very
black, but let not that trouble thee. For if thou settest those plates in the
Aire, all the black matter wil in a few days become green, and become a
most excellent Verdegrease, which may bee called the
Balsome of Copper, and is commended by all The Balsom of
Copper.
Physitians. But neverthelesse do not thou wonder that
this Verdegrease becomes green in the Aire, and that the Aire can change
the black colour into so fair a green.
For here thou must know that daily experience in
Alchymie doth shew, that any dead earth, or Caput Aire changeth the
Colours of things
Mortuum, as soon as it comes out of the Fire into the burnt.
Aire, doth quickly get another colour, and leaves its own
colour which it got in the fire. For the changes of those colours are various.

For as the matter is, so are the colours that are made, although for the most
part they flow from the blacknesse of the dead earth. For you that are skilful
in Alchymie see that the dead earth of Aqua fortis comes black from the
Fire, and by how many more ingredients there bee in it, by so much the
more variously doe the colours shew themselves in the Aire: sometimes
they seem red, as Vitriall makes them: sometimes yellow, white, green,
blew: sometimes mixt, as in the Rainbow, or Peacocks taile. All those
colours shew themselves after the death, and by the death of the matter. For
in the death of all naturall things here are seen other colours, which are
changed from the first colour into other colours, every one according to its
nature, and property.
Now we wil speak of that Verdegrease which is to bee
used in Alchymie. The preparation, and processe of that The preparation of
Verdegrease to be
is this. used in Alchymie.
Make very thin plates of Copper, strow upon them Salt,
Sulphur, and Tartar ground, and mixed together, of each a like quantity in a
great calcining pot. Then reverberate them twenty foure houres with a
strong Fire, but so that the plates of Copper do not melt, then take them out,
and break the pot, and set the plates with the matter that sticks to them into
the Aire for a few dayes, and the matter upon the plates wil bee turned into
a faire Verdegrease, which in all sharp Corroding waters, waters of
Exaltation, and in Cements, and in colouring of Gold, doth tinge Gold, and
Silver with a most deep colour.
Now to turne Copper into Æs ustum, which is called the
Crocus of Copper, the processe is this: How Æs vstum, or
Crocus of Copper is
Let Copper be made into thin plates, and be smeered to be made.
over with Salt made into a past with the best Vineger,
then let it be put into a great Crucible, and set in a wind furnace, and be
burnt in a strong Fire for a quarter of an houre, but so that the plates melt
not: let these plates being red hot bee quenched in Vineger, in which Salt
Armoniack is dissolved, alwaies half an ounce in a pint of Vineger; let the
plates bee made red hot again, and quenched in Vineger as before, alwaies
scraping, or knocking off the scales which stick to the plates after
quenching, into the Vineger. Do this so long, until the plates of Copper bee
in good part consumed by this means: then distil off the Vineger, or let it

vapour away in an open vessel, and bee coagulated into a most hard stone.
So thou hast the best Crocus of Copper, the use whereof is in Alchymie.
Many make Crocus of Copper by extracting of it with the spirit of Wine, or
Vineger, as they do Crocus Martis: But I commend this way far above it.
Now the mortification of Quicksilver that it may bee
sublimed, is made with Vitriall, and Salt, with which it is The sublimation of
Quicksilver.
mixed, and then sublimed, so it becomes as hard as
Crystall, and as white as snow: but to bring it to a Precipitate, the processe
is this:
Let it first be calcined with the best Aqua fortis, then
distil off the Aqua fortis, and do this about five times, How to make a fixt
Precipitat
until the Precipitate become to bee of a faire red colour: Diaphoreticall.
Dulcifie this precipitate as much as thou canst: And
lastly poure upon it the best rectified spirit of Wine you can get, distil it off
from it eight, or nine times, or so often until it be red hot in the fire, and doe
not fly: then thou hast a Diaphoretical precipitated Mercury.
Moreover, you must take notice of a great secret
concerning precipitated Mercury, viz. if after it is How to make a
sweet Precipitate.
coloured, it bee dulcified with water of salt of Tartar,
pouring it upon it, and distilling of it off so often, until the water riseth no
more sharp from the Precipitate, but bee manifestly sweet; then thou hast a
precipitate as sweet as sugar, or honey, which in all
wounds, Ulcers, and Venereal Disease is so excellent a And the use of it.
secret, that no Physitian need desire a better.
Besides it is a great comfort to despairing Alchymists. For it doth augment
Gold, and hath ingresse into Gold, and with it Gold remaines stable, and
good. Although there is much pains, and sweat required to this Precipitate,
yet it wil sufficiently recompense thee for thy pains, and costs; and wil
yeeld thee more gain, then can bee got by any Art or Trade whatsoever:
Thou maist wel therefore rejoice in this, and give God, and mee thanks for
it.
Now that Quicksilver may bee coagulated, I said that
that must bee done in sharp Aqua fortis, which must bee How Quicksilver
may be Coagulated.
drawn off by Distillation, and then the Precipitate is
made. But that Quicksilver may bee brought into a Cinnabar; you must first

mortifie, and melt it with Salt, and yellow Sulphur, and
bring it into a white powder, then put it in a gourd, and How Quicksilver
put upon it Aludel, or head, and sublime it in the greatest may be turned to
Cinnabar.
flux you can, as the manner is, so the Cinnabar will
ascend into the Aludel, and stick as hard as the stone Hæmatites.
The mortification of Lead to bring it to a Ceruse, is
twofold; the one for Medicine, the other for Alchymie. There are two kinds
of Ceruse.
The preparation of Ceruse for Medicine is this:
Hang plates of Lead in a glazed pot over strong Wine- The preparation of
vinegar, the pot being well stopt that the spirits doe not them.
exhale: put this pot into warm ashes, or in the Winter
into a furnace, then alwaies after ten or fourteen dayes, thou shalt find very
good Ceruse sticking to the plates, which strike off with the foot of a Hare:
then put the plates over the Vineger again, untill thou hast enough Ceruse.
Now the other preparation of Ceruse for Alchymie is like the former, only
that in the Vineger must bee dissolved a good quantity of the best, and
fairest Salt Armoniack, for by this means thou shalt purchase a most faire,
and beautifull Ceruse, for the purging of Tinne, and Lead, and the whitening
of Copper.
But if wee would make Minium of Lead, we must first
calcine it with Salt into Calx, and then burn it in a glazed The preparation of
Minium out of
vessel, alwaies stirring it with an Iron rod, till it be red. Lead.
This is the best, and chiefest Minium, and it is to be used
as wel in Physick as Alchymie: but the other which Mercers sell in their
shops is nothing worth. It is made only of the ashes, which remaine of the
Lead in the melting of it, which also Potters use to glaze their vessels, and
such Minium is used for Painting, but not for Physicke, or Alchymie.
Now that Lead may bee brought into yellownesse, the
preparation of it is not unlike to the preparation of The Crocus of
Lead.
Minium. For Lead must here be calcined with Salt, and
brought to a Calx, and afterwards be stirred with an Iron rod in a Broad
bason, such as tryers of Mineralls use, in a gentle Fire of Coales, diligently
taking heed, that there be not too much heat, nor a neglect in stirring, for
else it will flow, and become a yellow glasse. And so thou hast a fair,
yellow Crocus of Lead.

The mortification of Silver, that of it may be made the
Azure colour, or something like to it, is thus: How the Azure
Colour is made of
Take plates of Silver, and mix them with Quicksilver, silver.
and hang them in a glazed pot over the best Vineger, in
which Gilt-heads have been first boiled, and afterward Salt Armoniack, and
calcined Tartar have been dissolved; in all the rest doe as hath been said of
Ceruse, then alwaies after fourteen days thou shalt have a most excellent,
and faire Azure colour sticking to the plates of Silver, which must be wiped
off with a Hares foot.
The Mortification of Gold that it may be brought into its
Arcana, as into a Tincture, Quintessence, Resine, The Mortification
of Gold.
Crocus, Vitriall, and Sulphur, and many other excellent
Arcana, which preparations indeed are many. But because for the most part
wee have sufficiently treated of such Arcana in other bookes, as the
extraction of the Tincture of Gold, the Quintessence of Gold, the Mercury
of Gold, the Oile of Gold, Potable Gold, the Resine of Gold, the Crocus of
Gold, and in the Archidoxis, and elsewhere, wee conceive it needlesse here
to repeat them. But what Arcana were there omitted, wee shall here set
down, As the Vitriall of Gold, Sulphur of Gold, which indeed are not the
least, and ought very much to cheer up every Physitian.
But to extract Vitriall out of Gold, the processe is this:
How the sulphur,
Take of pure Gold two, or three pound, which beat into and the Vitriall of
thin plates, and hanging them over Boyes urine, mixt Gold are made.
with the stones of grapes, in a large gourd glasse, well
closed, which bury in a hot heap of stones of Grapes, as they come from the
presse; when it hath stood fourteen dayes, or three weeks, then open it, and
thou shalt find a most subtil colour, which is the Vitriall of Gold sticking to
the plates of Gold, which take off with the foot of a Hare, as thou hast heard
concerning other Metalls; as of the plates of Iron, Crocus Martis, of the
plates of Copper, the Vitriall of Copper and Verdegrease, of the plates of
Lead, Ceruse, of the plates of Silver the Azure colour, &c. comprehended
under one processe, but not with one manner of preparation. When thou
hast enough of the Vitriall of Gold; boyle it well in Rain-water distilled,
alwaies stirring it with a spatle, then the sulphur of the gold is driven up to
the superficies of the water, as fat, which take off with a spoon: Thus also

doe with more Vitriall. Now after all the Sulphur is taken off, evaporate that
raine water til it bee all dry, and there will remain the Vitriall of Gold in the
bottome, which thou maist easily dissolve of it selfe upon a marble in a
moist place. In these two Arcana’s, viz. the Vitriall of Gold, and the Sulphur
of Gold lies the Diaphoreticall vertue. I shal not here set down their vertues;
for in the book of Metallick Diseases, and also in other bookes wee have set
them down at large.
The mortification of Sulphur, that the combustible and stinking fatnesse
may bee taken away, and it brought into a fixed substance, is thus:
Take common yellow Sulphur finely powdered, and
draw from it by distillation Aqua fortis, that is very The mortification
sharp, and this doe three times, then the Sulphur which and fixation of
Sulphur.
is in the bottome of a black colour dulcifie with distilled
water, until the water come from it sweet, and it retains no more the stink of
Sulphur. Then reverberate this Sulphur in a close reverberatory as you doe
Antimony, then it will first be white, then yellow, and lastly as red as
Cinnabar. And when it is so, then thou maist rejoice: For it is the beginning
of thy riches: This reverberated Sulphur tingeth Silver most deeply into
most excellent Gold, and the body of Man into most perfect health. This
reverberated, and fixed Sulphur is of more vertue then it is lawfull to speak.
The mortification of all Salts, and whatsoever is saltish,
is the taking away, and distilling off the aquosity, and The Mortification
of Salts.
oylinesse, and of the spirit of them. For if these be taken
away, they are afterwards called the dead Earth, or Caput Mortuum.
The mortification of Gemmes, and Coralls, is to calcine,
sublime, and dissolve them into a liquor, as Crystall. The The Mortification
of Gemmes.
mortification of Pearls is to calcine them, and dissolve
them in sharp Vineger into the form of Milke.
The mortification of the Loadstone, is to anoint it with
the oyle of Mercury, or to put it into Quicksilver, for The Mortification
of the Loadstone.
afterward it will not draw Iron at all to it.
The mortification of Flints, and Stones, is to calcine
them. The Mortification
of flints and stones.

The mortification of Marcasites, Cachyma’s, Talke,
Cobaltus, Zinri, Granuti, Zunitter, Unismut, and of The Mortification
of Marcasites.
Antimony is their Sublimation, i.e. that they bee
sublimed with Salt, and Vitriall, then their life which is a Metallick spirit,
together with the spirit of Salt, ascends. And let whatsoever remains in the
bottome of the Sublimatory, bee washed, that the Salt may bee dissolved
from it, and then thou hast a dead Earth, in which there is no vertue.
The mortification of Arsenickes, Auripigment,
Operment, Realgar, &c. is, that they flow with Salt The Mortification
of Realgar.
Nitre, and bee turned into an Oyl, or Liquor upon a
Marble, and be fixed.
The mortification of Excrements, is the coagulation of
Aire. The Mortification
of excrements.
The mortification of Aromaticall things is the taking
away of their good smell. The Mortification
of Aromatical
The mortification of sweet things, is to sublime and things.
distill them with corrosive things.
The mortification of Ambers, Resines, Turpentine, Of Sweet things.
Gumme, and such like, is to turn them into Oyle, and
Vernish. Of Resines.

The mortification of Hearbs, Roots, and such like, is to
distil off from them their oyle, and water, and presse out Of Hearbs and
Roots.
their liquor with a presse, and also to make their Alcali.
The mortification of Wood, is to turne it into Coales, and
Ashes. Of Wood.

The mortification of Bones, is their Calcination.
Of Bones.
The mortification of Flesh, and Blood, is the taking
away of the spirit of Salt.
Of Flesh.
The mortification of Water is by Fire, for all heat dries
up, and consumes water. Of Water.
The mortification of Fire is by Water, for all Water,
quencheth Fire, and takes from it its power, and force. Of Fire.

So now you are sufficiently instructed in few words how death lyes hid in
all naturall things, and how they may be mortified, and bee brought into
another form, and nature, and what vertues flow from them. Whatsoever
should have been said further, we put in the following book, of the
Resurrection of Naturall things.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE SIXTH BOOK.

Of the Resurrection of Naturall things.
he Resurrection, and renewing of Naturall
things, is not the least, but a profound, and great The raising again of
Naturall things.
secret in the Nature of things, and rather Divine,
and Angelicall, then Humane, and Naturall.
I desire to bee here understood with great distinction, and no otherwise then
my opinion is, and Nature doth daily, and manifestly shew, and experience
make good, lest I should bee exposed to the lies, and slanders of
Mountebankes, my enemies (which doe construe all that I doe in the worst
sense) as if I would usurp the Divine power, and attribute this to Nature,
which shee was never able to performe: Wherefore wee must cautiously
consider that there is a twofold Death, viz. violent, and voluntary. The one
can raise a thing again, the other not. Wherefore, doe not
beleeve those Sophisters that say, that a thing that is Death is twofold.
once dead, or mortified, can never bee raised again, and
that make no account of resuscitation, and restauration of things, which
error indeed of theirs is not the least. And indeed it is true, that whatsoever
dyeth, or perisheth with a naturall death, and what Nature mortifies by
reason of her predestination, God alone can raise again, or must of necessity
bee done by his command: so whatsoever Nature destroyes, Man cannot
restore again. But whatsoever Man destroyes hee can
restore again, and being restored spoil again, and Man What things may be
hath no further power of himselfe, and if hee should raised againe.
attempt to doe any thing more, hee would arrogate the power of God to

himselfe, and yet hee would labour in vain, and be confounded, unlesse
God did assist him, or hee had so much faith as to remove mountains: Even
to such a man, this is possible, and greater things then this. Because the
Scripture saith, and Christ himselfe spake it. If thou hast faith as a grain of
Mustard-seed, and saist unto this Mountaine, Goe and bee removed thither,
and it shall bee removed, and all things bee possible to thee, and nothing
impossible.
But to return to our purpose, what difference then there is betwixt dying,
and being mortified, and which of these may be raised again, so these are to
bee understood. Whatsoever naturally dies hath its end by predestination,
and so the will and ordination of God permits. Yet it
happens that this is also done by divers diseases, and What things can not
various casualties, and this can never be raised again, be raised againe.
neither is there any preservative to bee used against predestination, and the
naturall term of life. But that which is mortified, may bee both raised again,
and revived, which may bee proved by divers arguments, which wee shall
set down in the end of this book.
Wherefore there is a great difference betwixt dying, and
being mortified, neither must they bee taken for one, and It is one thing to
Dye, and other
the same things, under the same name. For in the very thing to be
example they are far different. For look upon a man that Mortified.
dies a naturall, and predestinated death, what further
good, or profit is there in him? Nothing, hee is only cast into the earth to
worms. For hee is a stinking carkasse, and due to the earth.
But the same is not to be understood of a man that is slain with a sword, or
dies by some such like violent death. For his whole body is profitable, and
good, and may bee prepared into a most pretious Mummie. For although the
spirit of life went out of such a body, yet the balsome in which lies the life
remains, which indeed doth as balsome preserve other mens bodies.
So you may see in Metalls, when a Metall is about to die, it begins to bee
overcome with rust, and as much as is thus overcome, is dead: and when all
the Metall is devoured with rust, it is all dead, and such a rust can never bee
reduced into true Metall againe, but it becomes only drosse, and not a
Metall. For it is dead, and death is in it, neither hath it any more balsome of
life, but is quite destroyed in it selfe.

Now the Calx of Metalls, and their ashes are two things:
And there is a great difference betwixt these two, for one The difference
betwixt the Calx of
may be revived, and brought back again into a Metall, Metalls, and their
but the other not: the one is volatile, the other fixed, the ashes.
one died, the other mortified.
The Ashes is volatile, and cannot be brought back into a
Metall, only into glasse, and drosse: but the Calx of What the Ashes of
Metalls is.
Metals is fixed, and maybe be brought back into its own
Metall.
But to understand the difference, and the cause, know,
that in the Ashes there is lesse fatnesse, and more What the Calx of
Metalls is.
drynesse then in the Calx, which indeed makes it fluxil:
but the Calx is fatter, and moister, then the Ashes, and doth still retain its
refine, and fluxibleness, and especially the Salt, which naturally is fluxil,
and makes Metalls flow, and reduceth them. Hence now it follows, that the
Salt must bee extracted out of the Ashes of Metals, that they may not be
brought back into a Metal, then they are perfectly volatile; and this
difference, and this clause is chiefly to bee taken notice of, for much
depends upon it.
For amongst Mountebankes this is no small error, who
in stead of Potable Gold, the Quintessence of Gold, The errours of
Mountebankes
Tincture of Gold, &c. have given to men an impure Calx concerning Gold.
of Gold, not considering the difference, and evill that
follows upon it. For there are two remarkable, and necessary things to be
taken notice of here, viz.
First, that Gold calcined, or powdered, if it be given to Men, is gathered
into one heap in the stomach, or goeth forth again with the dung, and so it is
taken in vain, without doing any good: or that which is reduced by the great
inward heat in mans body, it gilds over, and makes hard in a crust, both the
bowells, and stomach, by reason of which the concoction of the stomach is
hindred, whence many, and various sicknesses follow, and at length death it
selfe.
As you have heard of Gold, so also must it bee
understood of all the other Metalls, viz. that you take not When Metallike
Arcana are to be
any Metallick Arcanum, or Medicine into your body,

unlesse it bee first made volatile, and it be reduced into taken inwardly.
no Metall.
Wherefore the first degree, and beginning to prepare
Potable Gold is this: so may such a Volatile bee How to make
Metalls Potable and
afterwards dissolved in spirit of Wine, that both may Irreducible.
ascend together, bee made volatil, inseparable. And as
you prepare Gold, so may you also prepare potable ☽ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄ and ☿.
But to return to our purpose, let us prove by examples,
and sufficient reasons, that things mortified are not dead, The raising againe
of things is proved
and forced to abide in death, but may bee reduced, raised by the Whelpes of a
again, and revived, and this truly by man, and according Lyon.
to the course of Nature. You see Lions how all of them
are brought forth dead, and first of all are made alive by the horrible roaring
of their Parents, as one that is asleep is raised with a noise, so also are Lions
raised, not that they are thus asleep. (For they which
sleep a naturall sleep must of necessity rise again, which How Lyons are
made alive againe.
the Lions of themselves doe not.) For if they were not
raised by this roaring, they would remain dead, and life would never bee
perceived in them. Wherefore it is apparent, that by this roaring they receive
their life.
So also you see in all Animalls which are not
ingendered, but proceed from putrefaction, as Flies, The reviving of
dead Flies.
which if they bee drowned in water, that no life at all is
perceived in them, and if they were so left, they would continue dead, and
never return to life of themselves any more. But if you cast salt upon them,
and put them in the warme Sunne, or behind a warme furnace, they will
recover their former life, and this truly is a raising of them up againe. For if
this were not done, they would continue dead for ever.
So also you see in a Serpent, if hee be cut into pieces,
and these pieces put into a gourd glasse, and bee The generation of
many Serpents of
putrefied in Horse-dung, the whole Serpent will become one.
living againe in the glasse, in the form either of Worms,
or spawn of Fishes. And if those Wormes bee in a fitting manner brought
out of putrefaction, and nourished, many hundred Serpents will be bred out
of one Serpent, whereof every one will be as big as the first, which is done

only by putrefaction. And as it is said of the Serpent, so also many other
Animalls may be raised, and restored again.
According to this processe Hermes, and Virgil have
attempted (by the assistance of Negromancy) to renew, Hermes, and Virgils
endeavour to raise
and raise themselves after death, and to bee born again themselves after
as infants, but it succeeded not according to their Death.
purpose.
But to omit examples, and fall upon the Praxis of
Resurrection, and Restauration, it is necessary, and most The Resuscitation
of Metalls is
convenient to begin with Metalls, forasmuch as twofold.
Metalline bodies do oftentimes resemble Mens bodies.
Wee must know therefore, that the Resurrection, and
Restauration of Metalls is twofold. The one which doth The reducing of
Metalls into
reduce calcined Metalls into their first Metallick body: Quickesilver.
the other which doth reduce Metalls into their first
matter, i.e. into Quicksilver.
The processe of the latter is this: Calcine a Metall with common
Quicksilver, put this Calx, and as much Quicksilver into a Sublimatory, and
let them stand so long till both be coagulated into an Amalgama; then
sublime the Mercury from the Calx, then grind it again with the Metallick
Calx, and sublime it as before, this do so often, till the Metallick Calx shal
over a candle melt like wax, or ice, and then it is well done. Put this Metall
in digestion for a time, and it wil all be turned into Quicksilver, i.e. into its
first matter, which Mercury of Metalls is indeed called the Mercury of
Philosophers, which many Alchymists have sought after, but few have
found. Now after this manner may Quicksilver bee prepared out of all
Metalls, viz. ☿ auri, ☽ ♀ ♂ ♃ ♄.
Now the raising again, or restoring of coagulated
Mercury is done by distillation in a retort: for The reduction of
Sublimate, and the
Quicksilver alone ascends into cold water, the Ashes of highest purging of
♄ ♀ or Sulphur being left behind. it.

Now the raising again, or restauration of Mercury sublimed is done in
seething hot water: but it must first be ground very small, so the hot water
wil seperates it from it the spirit of Salt, and Vitriall, which it carries up

with it, the quicksilver running in the bottome of the water. Now if this
Quicksilver shall be again sublimed with Salt, and Vitriall, and revived
againe in Hot water, and this done seven, or eight times, it can never bee
better purged, and renewed.
And this may bee kept for a great secret in Alchymie, and Physick, and be
much rejoiced in. For by this means all the impurity, blacknesse, and
poisonousnesse is taken away.
Mercury calcined can never bee restored againe without
sublimation; for unlesse it be sublimed after calcination, The reduction of
calcined and
it will never bee revived, wherefore thou shalt first Precipitated
sublime it, and then reduce it as other Sublimate. Mercury.

The resuscitation of Azure Cinnabar, Aurum vitæ, also of Precipitate, that
they may bee reduced into Quicksilver is thus:
Take either of these, grind it small upon a marble, make it up into a past
with the white of an egge, and sope, then make pills of the bigness of
Filbeards, which put into a strong earthen gourd, upon the mouth of it put a
plate of Iron, with many little holes in it, and lute it on, and distill it per
descensum with a strong fire, so that it may fall into cold water, and thou
shalt have the Quicksilver again.
Now the resuscitation, and restoring of Wood is hard,
and difficult, yet possible to Nature, but without much The renewing of
Wood that is burnt.
skilfulness, and industry it can never bee done: But to
revive it, the processe is this:
Take Wood which must first bee a Coale, then Ashes, which put into a
gourd together with the Resine, Liquor, and Oyle of that tree, of each a like
weight, mingle them, and melt them with a soft heat, and there will bee a
mucilaginous matter, and so thou hast the three Principles, of which all
things are produced, and generated, viz. flegm, fatnesse, and Ashes.
The Flegm is Mercury, the Fat is Sulphur, the Ashes is
Salt. For whatsoever fumes, and evaporates in the Fire is The flegme of
Wood is its
Mercury: whatsoever flames, and is burnt is Sulphur, Mercury, the fat its
and all Ashes is Salt. sulphur, the ashes
its salt.
Now seeing thou hast these three Principles together, put
them in Horse-dung, and putrefie them for a time. If afterward that matter

bee put in, and buried in fat ground, thou shalt see it live again, and a little
tree spring from thence, which truly in vertue is farre more excellent then
the former. This Tree or Wood is, and is called Regenerated Wood, renewed,
and restored, which from the beginning was Wood, but mortified,
destroyed, and brought into coales, ashes, and almost to nothing, and yet
out of that nothing is made, and renewed. This truly in the light of Nature is
a great mystery, viz. that a thing, which had utterly lost its form, and was
reduced to nothing, should recover its form, and of nothing bee made
something, which afterward becomes much more excellent in vertue, and
efficacy then it was at first.
But to speake generally of the Resurrection, and
Restauration of Naturall things, you must know, that the A generall rule for
raising of things
chiefest foundation here, is, that that bee restored to againe.
every thing, and made to agree with it, which was taken
from it in mortification, and separated from it, which is hard to bee here
specifically explained. Wherefore wee shall conclude this book, and shall
speak of these things more at large in the next book, Concerning the
transmutations of naturall things.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE SEVENTH BOOK.

Of the Transmutation of Naturall things.
f wee write of the Transmutation of all Naturall things, it is fit, and
necessary that in the first place wee shew what Transmutation is.
Secondly, what bee the degrees to it. Thirdly, by what Medium’s,
and how it is done.
Transmutation therefore is, when a thing loseth its form,
and is so altered, that it is altogether unlike to its former What
Transmutation is.
substance, and form, but assumes another form, another
essence, another colour, another vertue, another nature, or property, as if a
Metall bee made glasse, or stone: if a stone bee made a coale: if wood be
made a coal: clay be made a stone, or a brick: a skin bee made glew: cloth
bee made paper, and many such like things. All these are Transmutations of
Naturall things.
After this, it is very necessary also to know the degrees
to Transmutation, and how many they be. And they are There are seven
principal degrees of
no more then seven. For although many doe reckon transmutation.
more, yet there are no more but seven, which are
principall, and the rest may bee reckoned betwixt the degrees, being
comprehended under those seven: And they are these,
Calcination, Sublimation, Solution, Putrefaction, Distillation,
Coagulation, Tincture.

If any one will climbe that Ladder, he shall come into a most wonderfull
place, that hee shall see, and have experience of many secrets in the
Transmutation of Naturall things.
The first degree therefore is Calcination, under which
also are comprehended Reverberation, and Cementation. What Calcination
is, and its kinds are.
For betwixt these there is but little difference as for
matter of Calcination: Wherefore it is here the chiefest degree. For by
Reverberation, and Cementation, many corporeall things are calcined, and
brought into Ashes, and especially Metalls. Now what is calcined is not any
further reverberated, or cemented.
By Calcination therefore all Metalls, Mineralls, Stones, Glasse, &c. and all
corporeall things are made a Coal, and Ashes, and this is done by a naked
strong Fire with blowing, by which all tenacious, soft, and fat earth is
hardened into a stone, Also all stones are brought into a Calx, as wee see in
a Potters furnace of lime, and brickes.
Sublimation is the second degree, and one of the most
principall for the Transmutation of many Naturall things: What Sublimation
is, and its kinds.
under which is contained Exaltation, Elevation, and
Fixation; and it is not much unlike Distillation. For as in Distillation the
water ascends from all flegmatick, and watery things, and is separated from
its body; so in Sublimation, that which is spirituall is raised from what is
corporeall, and is subtilized, volatile from fixed, and that in dry things, as
are all Mineralls, and the pure is separated from the impure.
Besides Sublimation, many good vertues, and wonderfull things are found
out in Mineralls, and many things are made fixed, and become constant, so
as to abide in the Fire, and that in this manner.
Let that which is sublimed be ground, and mixed with its feces, and bee
againe sublimed as before, which must bee done so long, till it will no
longer sublime, but all will remaine together in the bottom, and bee fixed.
So there will bee afterward a stone, and oyle when and
as oft as thou pleasest, viz. if thou puttest it into a cold The fixation of
Mineralls into a
place, or in the aire in a Glass. For there it will presently stone.
bee dissolved into an Oyle. And if thou puttest it againe
into the fire, it will againe bee coagulated into a Stone of wonderfull, and

great vertue. Keep this as a great secret, and mystery of Nature, neither
discover it to Sophisters. Moreover, as in Sublimation many Corrosive
things are made sweet in the conjunction of two matters, so on the contrary,
many sweet things are made Corrosive: many sweet things are made sowre,
harsh, or bitter; and on the contrary, many bitter things as sweet as Sugar.
Here also wee must take notice, that every Metal which
is brought into Sublimation by Salt Armoniack, may Rules concerning
Salt Armoniack.
afterward in the cold, or in the aire bee brought into an
oyle, and againe bee coagulated into a stone in the Fire, which indeed is one
of the chiefest, and greatest Transmutations in all naturall things, viz. to
transmute Metall into a Stone.
The third degree is Solution, under which are to bee
understood Dissolution, and Resolution, and this degree What Solution is,
and its kinds.
doth most commonly follow Sublimation, and
Distillation, viz. that the matter be resolved which remaines in the bottome.
Now Solution is twofold: the one of Cold, the other of Heat; the one
without Fire, the other in Fire.
A cold dissolution dissolves all Salts, all Corrosive things, & all calcined
things. Whatsoever is of a Salt, and Corrosive quality, is by it dissolved into
Oyle, Liquor, or Water. And this is in a moist, cold cellar, or else in the Aire
on a marble, or in a glasse. For whatsoever is dissolved in the cold, contains
an Airy spirit of Salt, which oftentimes it gets, and assumes in Sublimation,
or Distillation. And whatsoever is dissolved in the cold, or in the Aire, may
again by the heat of the Fire bee coagulated into powder, or a stone.
But a hot Solution dissolves all fat, and sulphureous
things. And whatsoever the heat of the Fire dissolves, What things a hot
Solution dissolves.
the same doth coldnesse congeal into a Masse.
And whatsoever heat coagulates, is again dissolved by
cold, or in the Aire. Here also we must know that A double Solution
viz. of Heat and
whatsoever Aire, or the Cellar doth resolve, is of a very Cold.
great drynesse, and hath a secret corrosive Fire hid in it:
so whatsoever is dissolved in Fire, or in the heat thereof, hath a sweetish
frigidity out of the Fire. Thus, and no otherwise is Solution to be
understood.

Putrefaction is the fourth degree, under which is
comprehended Digestion, and Circulation. Putrefaction what it
is, and its kind.
Now then Putrefaction is one of the principall degrees,
which indeed might deservedly have been the first of all, but that it would
be against the true order, and mystery, which is here hid, and known to few:
For those degrees must, as hath been already said, so follow one the other,
as links in a chain, or steps in a ladder.
For if one of the linkes should bee taken away, the chain
is discontinued, and broken, and the prisoners would bee The aforesaid order
of Degrees is to be
at liberty, and runne away. So in a ladder, if one step bee observed in making
taken away in the middle, and bee put in the upper, or tinctures.
lower part, the ladder would be broken, and many would
fall down headlong by it with the hazard of their bodies, and lives.
So you must understand the matter here, that those degrees follow one the
other in a just order, or else the whole work of our mystery would be mar’d,
and our labour, and pains would bee in vain, and fruitlesse.
Now putrefaction is of such efficacy, that it abolisheth
the old Nature, and brings in a new one. All living things The force of
putrefaction.
are killed in it, all dead things putrefied in it, and all
dead things recover life in it.
Putrefaction takes from all Corrosive spirits, the sharpnesse of the Salt, and
makes them mild, and sweet, changeth the colours, and separates the pure
from the impure, it places the pure above, and the impure beneath.
Distillation is the first degree to the Transmutation of all
naturall things. Under it are understood Ascension, What Distillation is,
and its kinds are.
Lavation, and Fixation.
By Distillation all Waters, Liquors, and Oyles are subtilized out of all fat
things. Oyle is extracted, out of all Liquors, Water, and out of all
Flegmaticke things Water, and Oyle are separated.
Besides there are many things in Distillation fixed by
Cohobation, and especially if the things to bee fixed Cohobation.
containe in them Water, as Vitriall doth, which if it bee
fixed is called Colcothar. Fixation by
Destillation.

Allum, if it bee fixed with its proper Water, is called the Sugar of Allum,
which also is resolved into a Liquor, which Liquor if it bee putrefied a
moneth, produceth a Water of the sweetnesse of Sugar, which is of great
vertue, and an excellent secret in Physicke, to extinguish any Metalline
heate in Man, as wee have wrote more at large in our Booke of Metalline
Diseases.
And as you have heard of Vitriall, and Allum, so also Salt nitre, and other
Watery Mineralls may bee fixed by Cohobation.
Now Cohobation is, that the dead head be oftentimes
imbibed with its own water, and that again bee drawn off What Cohobation
is.
by Distillation.
Moreover, in Distillation many bitter, harsh, and sharp
things become as sweet as Honey, Sugar, or Manna; and The force of
Distillation in
on the contrary, many sweet things, as Sugar, Honey, or things to be
Manna, may bee made as harsh as Oyle of Vitriall, or Transmuted.
Vineger, or as bitter as Gall, or Gentian, as Eager, as a
Corrosive.
Many Excrementitious things lose their great stink in Distillation, which
indeed goeth forth in the water.
Many Aromaticall things lose their good savour.
And as Sublimation alters things in their Quality, and Nature, so also doth
Distillation.
Coagulation is the sixt degree: Now there is a twofold
Coagulation, the one by Cold, the other by Heat, i.e. one What Coagulation
is, and its kinds.
of the Aire, the other of the Fire: and each of these again
is twofold, so that there are foure sorts of Coagulations, two of Cold, and
two of Fire.
The Coagulations of Fire are fixed, the other of Cold are not.
The one is done only by common Aire, or without Fire. The other by the
superiour Firmament of Winter starres, all which coagulate Waters into
snow, and ice.
But the Coagulation of Fire, which alone is here to bee taken notice of, is
made by an Artificiall, and Graduall Fire of the Alchymists, and it is fixed,

and permanent. For whatsoever such a Fire doth coagulate, the same abides
so.
The other Coagulation is done by the Ætnean, and Minerall Fire in
Mountains, which indeed the Archeius of the Earth governs, and graduates
not unlike to the Alchymists, and whatsoever is coagulated by such a Fire,
is also fixed, and constant; as you see in Mineralls, and Metalls, which
indeed at the beginning are a mucilaginous matter, and are coagulated into
Metalls, Stones, Flints, Salts, and other bodies, by the Ætnean fire in
Mountaines, through the Archeius of Earth, and operator of Nature.
Also wee must know that Fire can coagulate no water, or
moisture, but only the Liquors and Juices of all Naturall What things cannot
be Coagulated.
things.
Besides also there can no flegm bee coagulated, unlesse in the beginning it
was a corporeall matter, into which by the industry of a skilfull Alchymist it
may return.
So also any mucilaginous, matter, or spermaticke slimynesse may by the
heat of Fire be coagulated into a body and corporeall matter, but never bee
resolved into water again.
And as you have heard of Coagulation, so also know concerning Solution,
viz. that no corporeall matter can bee dissolved into Water, unlesse at the
beginning it was water: and so it is in all Mineralls.
Tincture is the seventh, and last degree, which concludes
the whole worke of our mystery for Transmutation, What Tincture is,
and its kinds.
making all imperfect things perfect, and transmuting
them into a most excellent essence, and into a most perfect soundnesse, and
alters them into another colour.
Tincture therefore is a most excellent matter, wherewith all Minerall, and
Humane bodies are tinged, and are changed into a better, and more noble
essence, and into the highest perfection, and purity.
For Tincture colours all things according to its own nature, and colour.
Now there are many Tinctures, and not only for
Metalline, but Humane bodies, because every thing All things that are
to be tinged must be
which penetrates another matter, or tingeth it with

another colour, or essence, so that it bee no more like the fluid.
former, may bee called a Tincture.
Wherefore there are many, and various sorts of Tinctures, viz. of Metalls,
Mineralls, Mens bodies, Waters, Liquors, Oyls, Salts, all fat things, and
indeed of all things which may bee brought to flux, out of the Fire, or in the
Fire.
For if a Tincture must tinge, it is necessary that the body, or matter which is
to bee tinged, bee opened, and continue in flux, and unless this should bee
so, the Tincture could not operate. But it would bee, as if any one should
cast saffron, or any colour upon coagulated Water, or Ice: for so it would
not so suddenly tinge the Ice with its colour, as if it were cast into other
water. And although it should tinge, yet it would at the same time resolve
the Ice into Water. Wherefore those Metalls that wee would tinge, must first
bee melted in the Fire, and bee freed from Coagulation.
And here wee must know, that by how much the stronger fire is requisite for
their melting, so much the sooner the Tincture runs through them, as
Leaven penetrates, and infects the whole masse with sowreness; and by
how much better the masse is covered, and kept warm, so much the better is
it fermented, and makes the better bread: for ferment is the Tincture of
Dowe, and Bread.
Wee must also note, that all feces are of a more fixed
substance then the liquor of it is, also of a sharper, and Feces are of a more
fixt nature then
more penetrating nature: as you see in the spirit of Wine their Flegme.
which is made of the feces of Wine, and of Aqua vitæ,
which is distilled out of the grounds of Beer, and burns like spirit of Wine,
and is inflamed as Sulphur.
Also if of the feces of Vineger another Vineger bee
distilled, as commonly spirit of Wine is distilled, there The preparation,
and Nature of
will bee thereby made a Vineger of so fiery, and sharp a distilled Vineger.
nature, that it consumes all Metalls, Stones, and other
things, as Aqua fortis.
Moreover, it is necessary, that Tinctures be of a fixt,
fluxil, and incombustible nature, so that if a little of a How the Tinctures
of Metalls must be
plate of any Metall red hot bee cast into them, they will made.

presently flow like wax, without any manner of fume at all, and they
penetrate the Metalls, as oyle doth paper, or water a sponge, and tinge all
Metalls into white, and red, that is, into Silver or Gold.
Now these are the Tinctures of Metalls, which it is necessary must bee
turned into an Alcool, by the first degree of Calcination, then by the second
degree of Sublimation, must get an easy, and light flux. And lastly, by the
degree of Putrefaction, and Distillation are made a fixt, and incombustible
Tincture, and of an unchangeable colour.
Now the Tinctures of Mens bodies are, that they bee
tinged into the highest perfection of health, and all The Tinctures of
Men.
Diseases bee expelled from them, that their lost strength,
and colour bee restored, and renewed, and they are these, viz. Gold, Pearles,
Antimony, Sulphur, Vitriall, and such like, whose preparation wee have
diversly taught in other books; wherefore it doth not seem to us necessary
here to repeat them.
Wee shall write no more of Tinctures, seeing every
extracted colour may bee called a Tincture, which doth Of Dying and
Painting.
indeed tinge things with a permanent colour, which doe
not go into the Fire, or preserve colours fixed in the Fire.
All these are in the hand, and power of the Dyer, and Painter, who prepares
them according to his pleasure.
It is very necessary in this book to know the degrees of
Fire, which many wayes may bee graduated, and How many degrees
of the Alchymists
intended, and every degree hath a peculiar operation, fire there be.
and one produceth the same effect, as another, as every
expert Alchymist, by the daily experience, and exercise of the Art knows.
For one is as living, and flaming Fire, which reverberates, and Calcines all
bodies: Another is the Fire of a Candle, or Lamp, which fixeth all volatile
bodies: Another is a Fire of coals, which cements, colours, and purgeth
Metalls from their dross, exalts Gold and Silver to a higher purity, whitens
Copper, and in brief renews all Metalls.
Another Fire is of an Iron plate made red hot, in which the Tinctures of
Metalls are proved, which also is profitable for other things.

The Filings of Iron heat after one fashion, Sand after another, Ashes after
another, a Balneum Mariæ after another, in which manifold Distillations,
Sublimations, and Coagulations are done.
Balneum roris after another, in which there are made many Solutions of
corporeall things.
Horse-dung after another, in which the chiefest putrefactions, and digestions
are made.
And after another fashion works the invisible Fire, by
which wee understand the rayes of the Sun, and that The Celestiall fire.
which is manifested by a glasse, or Crystall, and shews
its operations and effects, of which Fire the Ancients wrote nothing at all;
and by this fire the three Principles of every corporeall thing may bee
separated.
This Fire is of such wonderfull force, that by it Metalls may bee melted, and
all fat, and fluxible things, may upon the table without any Fire bee together
with all combustible things, reduced into coales, and ashes.
Therefore after I have proposed, and opened to you the degrees of the Art of
Alchymie, and the degrees of the Alchymists Fire: I will yet further shew,
and declare to you in generall, various Transmutations of naturall things: of
Metalls first, secondly of Stones, and thirdly of divers things in generall.
The transmutation of Metalls therefore is a great secret in Nature, and it can
hardly bee done by reason of many impediments, and repugnancies. Yet it is
not against Nature, nor Gods ordination, as many falsly affirm.
But that the five lesser, and impurer Metalls, viz. ♀ ♃ ♄
♂ and ☿ may be transmuted into the greater, purest, and The Transmutation
of Metalls into
most perfect Metalls, viz. into ☉ and ☽, it cannot be Silver and Gold.
done without the Tincture, or Philosophers stone.
Now seeing we have before sufficiently opened the secrets of Tinctures in
the seven degrees, and described them there, it is not necessary that wee
spend any further labour in this, but rather bee satisfied with those things,
which we have wrote in other books concerning the Transmutations of
Metalls.

Now there are other Transmutations of imperfect, and
impure Metals, as the transmutation of ♂ into ♀, which The Transmutation
of Iron into Copper.
may bee done divers wayes.
If plates of Iron bee boiled in water of Vitriall, or bee cemented with
calcined Vitriall, or being red hot be quenched in oyl of Vitriall.
These three ways Iron may be transmuted into very good, and ponderous
Copper, which indeed flows well, and hath its weight as well as any naturall
Copper.
Plates of Iron may bee as it were reduced, and
transmuted into Lead, so that it bee as soft as naturall The Transmutation
of Iron into Lead.
Lead, but doth not flow so easily: and the processe is
this:
Take Filings of ♂, and so much of the powder of Borax, mingle them well
together, put them in a crucible, and into a wind furnace, let there bee made
a strong Fire, but so that the ♂ doe not flow, but stand as it were in a
Cement for a whole houre, then encrease the Fire, that it may bee red hot,
and flow: then let the crucible cool of it selfe, and thou shalt find the
regulus of Lead in the bottome of the crucible, soft, and malleable, as
naturall Lead can be.
But to transmute ♀ into ♄ the processe is this:
The Transmutation
First of all bring Copper with ☿ sublimate, and fixt of Copper into
Arsenick to bee white, yea as white as ☽, then beat it Lead.
small. Take this, and the powder of Borax, of each a like
quantity, and first cement it, then let it bee melted into a regulus, and thou
hast a true regulus of Lead.
Now on the contrary, it is easy to transmute Lead into
Copper, neither doth it require much pains, and it is done The Transmutation
of Lead into
thus: Copper.
Take plates of Lead, strow them over with calcined
Vitriall, or Crocus of Venus, cement them, and then melt them, and thou
shalt see naturall Lead, transmuted into good, ponderous, and malleable
Copper.

Now if this Copper, or any other Copper be beaten into
plates, and strowed over with Tutia, or Capri A Metalline mixture
like Gold.
Celaminaris, and be cemented, and lastly melted, it will
bee transmuted into an excellent reddish Electrum like to Gold.
If thou wilt turne ♄ into ♃ make plates of ♄, strow
them with Salt Armoniack, cement, and melt them, as To make English
Tin out of Lead.
abovesaid, so will all the blacknesse, and darknesse bee
taken away from the Lead, and it will be in whitenesse like fair English Tin.
Now as you have in briefe heard of some Mutations of Metalls, so also
know, that there are Transmutations of Gemmes, which indeed are various,
and in no wise like.
For you see how great Transmutations of Gemmes there
lies in oyle of Sulphur. For any Crystall may bee tinged, Oyl of Sulphur
transmutes
and Transmuted in it, and in time bee exalted with divers Gemmes.
colours, as to bee made like to the Hyacinth, Granat, or
Rubie.
Know also that the Loadstone may be transmuted into a
tenfold greater power, and vertue, and it is done thus: To Transmute the
Loadstone into
Take the Loadstone, and heat it very hot in coales, but so great strength.
that it bee not fired, which presently quench in the Oyle
of Crocus Martis, made of the best Carinthian Steel, that it may imbibe as
much as it can.
Thou shalt by this meanes make the Loadstone so powerfull, that thou maist
pull out Nailes out of a wall with it, and doe such like wonderfull things
with it, that the common Loadstone can never doe.
Moreover, in Transmutation of Gemmes you must know that the world is
placed in two degrees of Tincture, and Coagulation.
For as the white of an Egge may bee tinged with
Saffron, and then bee coagulated into a faire yellow To transmute the
white of an Egge
Amber: with the smoke of a Pine-tree into blacke into Amber of any
Amber: with Verdegrease into green, like Lapis Colour.
Armenius: with green juice into Amber, like the
Emerald: and with the Azure stone, into blew Amber, like a Saphir: with the

Wood called red Wood, into red, like a Granat, or Rubie: with a purple
colour, like to an Amethyst: with Ceruse, like to Alabaster.
So all Liquors, especially Metalls, and Mineralls, may bee tinged with fixed
colours, and afterwards bee coagulated, and transmuted into Gemmes.
So also may Pearles be made like true Pearles in form,
so that for splendor, and beauty they can hardly bee How counterfeit
Pearls are made.
discerned from the true: And they are made thus:
Cleanse the white of Egges through a spunge, as purely as may bee, then
mingle with it the fairest white Talke, or Mother of Pearle, or Mercury
coagulated with Tinne, and brought into an Alcool, then grinde them all
together on a Marble, so that they become a thick Amalgama, which must
bee dryed in the Sunne, or behind a furnace so long, untill it bee like
Cheese, or a Liver.
Then of this masse make Pearles as big as thou wilt, which hang upon the
bristles of a Hog, and being thus boared through, dry them as Amber, and
then thou hast finished them.
If they are not beautifull enough, anoint them over with the white of an
Egge, and dry them again, and they will bee most goodly pearls, in form
like the naturall, but not in vertue.
In the like manner are Coralls made, with which men endeavour to deceive
one the other as with Pearle. The processe is this:
Take Cinnabar, grinde it on a Marble, with the white of
an Egge, for the space of an houre, then dry it, as Potters How counterfeit
doe their Earth, then make it into what forme thou Coralls made.
may be

pleasest: Afterwards dry them as much as may bee, and
noint them over with the white of an Egge, as thou didst Pearle, and dry
them by themselves again.
So thou shalt have Corall like to the naturall in form, but not in vertue.
Thou must also know, That the white of an Egge may
bee of it selfe coagulated into most cleer Vernish, in the A Golden or Silver
varnish.
coagulation of which Silver, or Gold may bee strewed.
There are also many other, and various Transmutations of Naturall things:
Whereof those which I know, and have had experience of, I will by the way

set down, and briefly declare to you.
And first of all know, That any Wood, if it bee put for a
certaine time into the water of Salt Gemme, is turned How wood is made
a stone.
with much admiration into a Stone.
Also Stones in the Ætnean fire are transmuted into
Coales, which are called stony Coals. Coales of stones.

Also Glew is boiled out of Skinnes.
Glew of skins.
Of Linnen cloth is made Paper.
Of Flax boiled in sharp Lie made of the Ashes of Wood Paper of Linnen-
is Silke made. cloath.

Also the feathery parts pulled off from quills, and boiled
Silke of Flax.
in that Lie, may bee spun, and weaved like Cotton.
Any Oyle or Spermatick mucilage may bee coagulated Feathers may bee
into Vernish. Spun.

Any Liquor into Gumme, &c.
All these are Transmutations of Naturall things, of which Science wee have
spoken enough, and there wee shall here make an end.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE EIGHTH BOOK.

Of the Separation of Naturall things.
n the Creation of the world, the first separation
began from the foure Elements, seeing the first The Chaos the
Matter of the
matter of the world was one Chaos. World.
Of this Chaos God made the greater world, being
divided into four distinct Elements, viz. Fire, Aire, Water, and Earth. Fire is
the hot part, Aire the moist, Water the cold, and Earth the dry part of the
greater world.
But that you may in brief understand the reason of our
purpose in this 8th. book, you must know, that we doe What separation
shall be here spoken
not purpose to treat here of the Elements of all Naturall of.
things, seeing wee have sufficiently discoursed of those
Arcana in the Archidoxis of the separation of Naturall things: whereby
every one of them is apart, and distinctly separated, and divided materially,
and substantially, viz. seeing that two, three, or foure, or more things are
mixed into one body, and yet there is seen but one matter. Where it often
falls out, that the corporeall matter of that thing cannot bee known by any,
or signified by any expresse name, untill there bee a separation made. Then
sometimes two, three, four, five or more things come forth out of one
matter: as is manifest by daily experience, in the Art of Alchymie.

As for example, you have an Electrum, which of it selfe
is no Metall, but yet it hides all Metalls in one Metall. What Electrum is.
That if it be anatomized by the industry of Alchymie,
and separated: all the seven Metalls, viz. Gold, Silver, Copper, Tinne, Lead,
Iron, and Quicksilver come out of it, and that pure, and perfect.
But that you may understand what Separation is, note,
that it is nothing else then the severing of one thing from What Separation is.
another, whether of two, three, four, or more things
mixed together: I say a separation of the three Principles, as of Mercury,
Sulphur, and Salt, and the extraction of pure out of the impure, or the pure,
excellent spirit, and quintessence, from a grosse, and elementary body; and
the preparation of two, three, four, or more out of one: or the dissolution,
and setting at liberty things that are bound, and compact, which are of a
contrary nature, acting one against the other, untill they destroy one the
other.
Now there are many kinds of separation, many of which
are unknown to us; those, which wee have experienced How many kinds of
Separation.
out of elementary, dissoluble naturall things, shall in this
place, according to their kinds, be described.
The first separation of which wee speake, must begin
from man, because hee is the Microcosme, or little The separation of
the Microcosme.
world, for whose sake the Macrocosme or greater world
was made, viz. that hee might be the separator of it.
Now the separation of the Microcosme begins at his
death. For in death the two bodies of Man are separated The body of man
after death is
the one from the other, viz. his Celestial and Terrestial twofold.
body; i.e. Sacramental, and Elementary: one of which
ascends on high like an Eagle; the other falls downward to the earth like
lead.
The Elementary is putrefied, consumed, and becomes a
putrid stinking carkase, which being buryed in the earth, What the
Elementary Body
never comes forth, or appeares more. is.
But the Sacramentall, i.e. Syderiall, or Celestiall, is
never putrefied, or buried, neither doth it possesse any What a
Sacramentall Body

place. This body appears to Men, and also after death is is.
seen.
Hence Ghosts, Visions, and Supernaturall Apparitions.
Hence by the ancient Magicians, the Cabalisticall Art
took its beginning, of which we shall treat more at large Whence the
Cabalisticall art.
in the books of Cabalie.
After this separation is made, then after the death of the Man three
substances, viz. Body, Soule, and Spirit are divided the one from the other,
every one going to its own place, viz. its own fountaine, from whence it had
its originall, viz. the body to the Earth, to the first matter of the Elements:
the soul into the first matter of Sacraments, and lastly, the spirit into the first
matter of the Airy Chaos.
What now hath been spoken of the separation of the
Macrocosme, the same also may bee understood in the The separation of
the Macrocosme.
greater world which the great Ocean hath divided into
three parts, so that the universall world is severed into
three parts, viz. Europe, Asia, and Africa, which Three parts of the
World.
separation is a certain representation of three Principles,
which can be separated from any Terrene, or Elementary thing. These three
Principles are Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, of which three the world was
made, and composed.
The next thing to bee known is the separation of Metalls
from their Mountains, i.e. the separation of Metalls, and The separation of
Metalls.
Mineralls.
By vertue of this separation many things come forth out of one matter, as
you see out of Mineralls come forth, The drosse of Metalls, Glasse, Sand,
Piipitis, Marcasite, Granatus, Cobaltum, Talke, Cachinna, Zinetum,
Bisemutum, Antimony, Litharge, Sulphur, Vitriall, Verdegrease,
Chrysocolla, the Azure Stone, Auripigmentum, Arsenicke, Realgar,
Cinnabar, Clay of Iron, Spathus, Gyphus, Ocree, and many more like to
these, as also the Waters, Oyles, Resines, Calxes, Mercury, Sulphur, and
Salt, &c.
Vegetables in their separation yeeld, Waters, Oyles,
Iuices, Resines, Gums, Electuaries, Powders, Ashes, Of Vegetables.

Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt.
Animalls in their separation yeeld, Water, Bloud, Flesh,
Fat, Bones, Skin, Body, Hairs, Mercury, Sulphur, and Of Animalls.
Salt.
Hee therefore that boasts himselfe to bee able to separate
all naturall things after this manner, must of necessity What a good
separator ought to
have long experience, and perfect knowledge of all be.
naturall things.
Moreover, hee must bee a skilfull, and well practised Alchymist, that hee
may know what is combustible, and what not; what is fixt, and what not;
what wil flow, and what not; and what things are more ponderous one then
another: also he must be experienced in the naturall colour, smell, acidity,
harshnesse, sowrenesse, bitternesse, sweetnesse, the degree, complexion,
and quality of every thing.
Also hee must know the degrees of Separation, as of
Distillation, Resolution, Putrefaction, Extraction, The degrees of
Separation. What
Calcination, Reverberation, Sublimation, Reduction, and how many there
Coagulation, Powdering, and Washing. be.

By Distillation is separated Water, Oyle from all
corporeall things. What distillation
separates.
By Resolution are separated Metals from Minerals, and
one Metall from another, and Salt from the other What resolution.
Principles, and fat, and that which is light, from that
which is heavy.
By Putrefaction is separated fat from lean, pure from
impure, putrid from not putrid. Putrefaction.

By Extraction is separated pure from impure, and spirit,
and quintessence from body, and thinne from thick. Extraction.

By Calcination is separated watery moisture, fat, naturall
heat, odour, and whatsoever else is combustible. Calcination.

By Reverberation is separated colour, odour, what is
combustible, all humidity, aquosity, fat, and whatsoever Reverberation.
is inconstant, or fluxil, in any thing, &c.

By Sublimation is separated the fixed from the volatile,
spirituall from the corporeall, pure from impure, Sulphur Sublimation.
from Salt, Mercury from Salt, &c.
By Reduction is separated what is fluxil, from what is
solid, a Metall from its Minerall, and one Metall from Reduction.
another, a Metall from its drosse, fat from what is not
fat.
By Coagulation is separated waterishnes from humidity,
water from Earth. Coagulation.

By Powdering are separated powder, and sand, ashes,
and Calx, Minerall, Vegetable, and Animall one from the Powdering.
other, and all powders, which are of an unequall weight
are separated, and by winnowing, as chaffe from corne.
By washing are separated ashes, and sand, a Minerall
from its Metall, that which is heavy from what is light, a Washing.
Vegetable, and Animall from what is Minerall, Sulphur
from Mercury, and Salt, Salt from Mercury.
But passing by the Theorie, we will now fall upon the
practise, and come to particulars. The Preparation of
Metall is manifold.
You must therefore note, that the Separation of Metalls
is the first by right, and wee shall therefore treat of it after this method, and
manner.

Of the Separation of Metalls from their Mines.

The separation of Metalls from their Mines is done
divers ways, viz. by boiling, and melting with fluxing By fluxing
powders, such as are salt Alcali, Litharge, salt fluxile, powders.
the drosse of Glasse, Salt Gemme, Salt Petre, &c. Let them bee put in a
Crucible, and melted in a furnace; so will the Metall, or regulus fall to the
bottome of the Crucible; but the other matter will swim above, and become
drosse. Thou shall boil this Metalline regulus in a reverberating furnace so
long, till all the Metall become pure, and freed from all its drosse; by this
means the metall is well digested, and as I may say refined from all its
drosse.
Many times one mine contains more then one Metall, as Copper and Silver,
Copper and Gold, Lead and Silver, Tinne and Silver, you shall know it by
this, if the Metalline Regulus after Reverberation in a melting pot bee
sufficiently after the true manner dissolved. For in it are all imperfect
Metalls separated, as are Iron, Copper, Tin, and Lead, and so with a double
quantity of Lead to the Regulus being put to it, they all goe into a fume, and
only fine Silver, or Gold are left behind in the pot.
Also two or three Metalls mixed together may bee
separated in Aqua fortis, and extracted the one from the By Aqua fortis.
other. If two Metalls or one bee resolved, the other will
fall to the bottome like sand, and be precipitated: and be after this manner
separated. Also Metalls may be separated by flowing after this process:
Make metals flow, and when they are in flux, cast into
them the best flower of Sulphur as you can get, viz. an By Sulphur.
ounce to every pound of the metall, and let it burn, and
by that means it wil draw up the lightest metall to the top, the heavy falling
to the bottome. Then let them stand together till they be cold. And so in one
Regulus two metalls are found, not as before mutually
mixed, but one separated from the other by the Sulphur, A wonderfull power
of Sulphur in
as by a partition, as Oyle divides two Waters, that they separation.
cannot bee joined together or mixed: Sulphur therefore
is a singular Arcanum worthy of great commendations.

Fixt metalls, as Gold and Silver, because they cannot
wel bee extracted with Fire or Aqua fortis, must bee By Quicksilver.
amalgamated with Quicksilver, and so separated and
extracted, the Quicksilver being afterwards extracted and separated by a
certaine degree of Distillation from the Calx of the metals, viz. Gold, &
Silver.
After this manner also may other metalls, not only Gold, and Silver, but
Copper, Iron, Tin, Lead, &c. as also whatsoever are prepared out of them, as
red Electrum, the white Magnesia, Aurichalcum, calcined Lead, Laton,
Brasse of Cauldrons, and whatsoever metalls of this kind are transmuted,
bee with Quicksilver, but first being powdered, abstracted, and separated
from what is heterogeneous. For the nature, and condition of Quicksilver is
this, that it wil bee united, and amalgamed with metalls, but yet with one
sooner then with another, according as the metall is of greater or lesse
affinity to it.
In this consideration fine Gold is the chiefest, then fine Silver, then Lead,
then Tinne, then Copper, and lastly Iron.
So amongst transmuted metalls, the first is part with part, then Ash coloured
Lead, then Laton, then Brasse of Caldrons, then red, and the newest white.
Although for the first course Mercury may take no more then one metall,
with which it is amalgamated: yet that Amalgama is to be strained hard
through Leather, or Cotton cloath. For by this means nothing but the
Quicksilver will passe through the Leather, or Cloath: and that metall which
it did attract remains in the leather, or cloth like Calx, which afterwards
thou maist with salt Alcali, or some other salt reduce into a metalline body
by melting.
Now by this Art Quicksilver is much sooner separated from all manner of
metalls, then by Distillation, &c.
By this processe with Mercury all metalls may after calcination, and
powdering be by a skilfull, and industrious Alchymist extracted, and
separated one from the other.
In the same manner, and that easily, may Tinne, and Lead bee separated
from Copper, or Copper vessels, from Iron, and Steel overlaid with Tin
without any fire, or water, by the Amalgama of Quicksilver alone.

Also Beaten Gold, or Leafe Gold, or Silver, as also any other metall beaten,
or ground, being written, or laid over with a pencill, or quill upon cloth,
parchment, paper, leather, wood, stones, or any thing else, may bee resolved
by Quicksilver, and so, that the Quicksilver may bee afterward separated
again from those metalls.
Now the separation of metalls in Aqua fortis, Aqua
Regis, and like corrosive waters, is after this manner. By Corrosive
waters.
Let a metall that is mixed, and joined with another, be
taken, and beaten into thin plates, or brought into powder. Put it into a
separating vessel, and poure upon it common Aqua fortis as much as is
sufficient, let them stand and bee macerated, until all the metall bee
resolved into a clear water. If it be Silver, and contain any Gold in it, all the
Silver wil bee resolved into water, and the Gold wil also bee calcined, and
settle in the bottome like black sand. And after this manner Gold, and Silver
are separated. If now thou wilt separate the Silver from the Aqua fortis
without Distillation, put a plate of Copper into the water, and the Silver will
presently settle in the bottome of the water like snow, and the Copper plate
will begin to be consumed by little, and little.
The seperation of Silver, and Copper by common Aqua fortis is done after
this manner. Let the Copper which contains Silver, or the Silver which
contains Copper be brought to thin plates or powder, and put into a glass
vessel, upon which poure as much common Aqua fortis as is sufficient: and
by this means the silver will bee calcined, and settle to the bottome like
white chalk: but the copper wil be dissolved, and turned into a clear water.
If this water, together with the dissolved copper, be by a Glasse funnel
separated from the silver calx into another Glasse: then the Copper that is
dissolved in the water, may bee so precipitated with common water, or rain
water, or any other water, that it wil settle to the bottom of the Glass like
sand.
Now the separation of hid Gold, from any metall, is by the degree of
Extraction in Aqua Regis. For this kind of water will attempt to dissolve no
metall, but only pure, fine Gold, &c.
The same Aqua Regis doth separate also fine gold from gilded plate. For if
that be washed over with it, the Gold will be separated from it, &c.

Moreover also with cement by the degree of
Reverberation two Metalls mixed together may be By the degree of
Reverberation.
separated the one from the other, but especially if they
are not in the like degree of Fixation, as Iron and Copper. For that Metall,
which is but little fixed, as Tin, and Lead, is all of it consumed by the
degree of Reverberation in cement. For by how much the more a Metall is
fixed, so much the lesse is it consumed by cement.
You must know therefore that fine Gold is the most fixt, and perfect Metall,
which can bee destroyed, or consumed by no cement. Next to this is fine
Silver. If then Gold, and Silver be mixed together in one body, which is
wont to bee called part with part, or if Silver contain Gold, or Gold Silver: I
say these being thus mixt if they bee reverberated into cement, then the
Gold remains entire, and not at all injured, but the Silver is consumed by
the cement, and so is extracted from fine Gold: so also is Copper from
Silver, and Iron, and Tinne from Copper, and Iron, or Lead from Tinne, and
so forth.

Of the Separation of Mineralls.

After that wee have explained (as hitherto wee have done) the separation of
Metalls from their Earth, and matter, as also of one Metall from another,
and how it is done having passed through it with as much brevity as might
be: it will in the next place bee necessary that wee treat also of those things
out of which Metalls grow, and are generated, as are the three Principles.
Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, as also all Mineralls, in which the first being of
Metalls, i.e. the spirit of Metalls is found, as is manifest in Marcasites,
Granats, Cachymies, red Talke, the Azure stone, and the like, in which the
first being of Gold is found by the degree of Sublimation. So in white
Marcasite, white Talke, Auripigmentum, Arsenick, Litharge, &c. the first
being of Silver is found: In Cobaltus, Zinetus, &c. the first being of Iron: In
Zinetus, Vitriall, Verdegrease, &c. the first being of Copper: In Zinetus,
Bisemutus, &c. the first being of Tin: In Antimony, Minium, &c. the first
being of Lead: In Cinnabar, the first being of Quicksilver is found.
Concerning this first beginning you must know, that it is a volatile spirit, as
yet consisting in volatility, as an infant lies in the wombe of its Mother,
which sometimes is made like to Liquor, sometimes to Alcool.
Whosoever therefore desires to busie himselfe about the getting of the first
being of any such body, or to separate it, must of necessity have much
experience, and knowledge in the Art of Alchymie.
For if hee shall not diligently and skilfully work in Alchymie, hee shal
attempt many things in vain, and accomplish nothing.
But after what manner the first being is to be separated out of any Minerall,
is sufficiently explained in the booke called Archidoxis, and need not here
tediously bee repeated.
But as concerning the separation of Mineralls, you must note, that many of
them are to bee separated by the degree of Sublimation as fixed from those
which are not fixed, spirituall and volatile bodies from fixt bodies, and so
accordingly of all the members, as is declared concerning Metalls. For of all
Mineralls there is one, and the like processe through all degrees, as the Art
of Alchymie teacheth, &c.

Of the Separation of Vegetables.

The separation of those things, which grow out of the
Earth, and are combustible, as fruits, hearbs, flowers, How Vegetables are
separated.
leaves, grasse, roots, woods, &c. is made many wayes.
For first by Distillation the Flegm is separated from them, then the Mercury,
then the Oyle, then the Refine, then the Sulphur, and lastly the Salt.
All these Separations being made according to the Spagiricall Art many
notable, and excellent medicines come from thence, which are to be used as
well within, as without the body.
But now seeing idlenesse is so much in request amongst Physitians, and all
labour and study is turned only to insolency; truly I do not wonder, that all
such preparations are every where neglected, and coales sold at so low a
price, that if Smiths could be so easily without coales in forging, and
working their Metalls, as Physitians are in preparing their Medicines,
certainly Colliers would long since have been brought to extream want.
In the mean time I will give to Spagiricall Physitians
their due praise. For they are not given to idlenesse, and A reprehension of
Physitians.
sloth, nor goe in a proud habit, or plush and velvet
garments, often shewing their rings upon their fingers, or wearing swords
with silver hilts by their sides, or fine and gay gloves upon their hands, but
diligently follow their labours, sweating whole nights, and dayes by their
furnaces.
These doe not spend their time abroad for recreation, but
take delight in their laboratory. They wear Leather The commendation
garments with a pouch, and Apron wherewith they wipe of
Chymists, and
how they differ
their hands. They put their fingers amongst coales, into from other
clay, and dung, not into gold rings. They are sooty, and Physitians.
black, like Smithes, or Colliers, and doe not pride
themselves with cleane, and beautifull faces. They are not talkative when
they come to the sick, neither doe they extoll their Medicines: seeing they
well know that the Artificer must not commend his work, but the work the
Artificer, and that the sick cannot be cured with fine words.

Therefore laying aside all these kinds of vanities, they
delight to bee busied about the fire, and to learn the How many degrees
degrees of the science of Alchymie: Of this order are of
Alchymie there
be.
Distillation, Resolution, Putrefaction, Extraction,
Calcination, Reverberation, Sublimation, Fixation, Separation, Reduction,
Coagulation, Tincture, &c.
But how these separations may bee done by the help of distinct degrees
according to the Art of Alchymie, hath been in generall spoken of already.
Wherefore it is needlesse here to make repetition.
But to proceed to particulars, and briefly to explaine the practise, you must
know that Water, Spirit, Liquor, Oyle, &c. cannot bee separated after one
and the same processe, out of Flowers, Hearbes, Seeds, Leaves, Roots,
Trees, Fruits, Woods, by the degree of Distillation.
For Hearbs require one processe, Flowers another, Seeds another, Leaves
another, Roots another, Trees another, the Stalkes another, the Fruite
another, Woods another.
And in this degree of Distillation, there are also foure
distinct degrees of Fire to bee considered. The degrees of fire
in Distillation.
The first degree of Fire in Distillation is Balneum
Mariæ, this Distillation is made in Water.
Another degree of Fire is Distillation made in Ashes.
The third in Sand.
The fourth in a naked Fire: as also Distillation may bee made by Aqua
fortis, and other sharp Waters.
To the first degree of Fire belong, Hearbs, Flowers,
Seeds, and such like. With what degrees
of fire every
To the second, Leaves, Fruits, &c. Vegetable is to be
Distilled.
To the third, Roots, and Boughes of trees, &c.
To the fourth, Wood, and such like.
Note, that every one of these must bee beaten small, and bruised before they
bee put into the Still.

And thus much bee spoken concerning the Distillation of Waters out of the
Vegetable substances.
As concerning the Seperation and Distillation of Oyls, the processe is the
same as that of Water, only some of them are to bee distilled per descensum,
and cannot ascend as Waters, the processe of these in this case is to bee
changed.
But Liquors are not separated in Distillation as Waters, or Oyles, but are
expressed from their corporeall substances with a presse.
And here wee must know, that there are some Oyles that are pressed out,
and separated after the same manner, by a Presse as liquors are, and that for
this reason, because they should not contract an ill odour from the Fire, as
otherwise they would doe.
Of this Order is the Oyle of Almonds, Nuts, hard egges, and the like.
Also wee must note, that all Oyles, if they be prepared, and coagulated
according to the Spagiricall Art, yeeld a kind of Vernish, Gumme, Amber,
or Resine, which may bee also called Sulphur, and that which remaines in
the bottome of the Still may bee calcined, and brought to ashes, and from it
may bee with warme water alone, the Alcali extracted, and separated from
it.
The Ashes which is left behind is called the Dead Earth, out of which never
any else can bee extracted.

Of the Separation of Animalls.

It is necessary, that Anatomie goe before the separation of Animalls, that the
bloud may bee apart, the flesh apart, the bones apart, the skinne apart, the
bowels apart, the tendons apart, &c. and after this must every one of these
bee separated by it selfe by the help of the Spagiricall Art.
Therefore the separations in this place are chiefly 4.
The first draws forth a waterie, and flegmatick humidity
from the bloud. For from the bloud being after this Foure degrees of
the separation of
manner, according to the processe shewed in the book of Animalls.
Conservations, prepared, there comes forth a most
excellent Mummie, and so excellent a Specificum, that
any fresh wound may bee cured, and consolidated in the Mummie, &c.
space of twenty four hours, only with one binding up.
The second is the separation of fat from flesh; for that
being separated from Mans flesh is a most excellent Balsome, &c.
balsome allaying the pains of the Gout, and Cramp, and
such like pains, if any part affected bee anointed with it warm. It helps also
the tendons of the hands, or feet, being drawn together, if they bee daily
anointed with it. It cures also the scab, and all kinds of Leprosy.
Therefore it is the chiefest Chirurgical specificum, and in all cases, as in
wounds and the like most profitable, &c.
The third is the separation of waterie, and flegmatick moisture, together
with the fat extracted out of bones. For if these two bee carefully by the Art
of Alchymie separated from Mens bones by the degree of Distillation, and
the bones bee reduced, or burnt into most white ashes by the degree of
Calcination; and then these three bee again after a right manner joined
together, so that they resemble butter, they become a most wonderfull
specificall Arcanum, with which thou maist soundly cure any fracture of
bones without any pain at three bindings up, so that thou dost handle, and
set the fracture according to the rules of Chirurgery, and then apply that
specificum by way of plaister, &c.

This also doth most speedily cure the wounds of the skull, and any other
contusion of bones whatsoever.
The fourth, and the last is the separation of Resines, and Gummes from the
Skin, Bowels, and tendons. For this Resine being extracted, and separated
out of them by the degree of Extraction, according to the Spagiricall Art,
and coagulated by the beams of the Sun, become a cleer transparent Glew.
Out of this glew being prepared, extracted and separated out of Mans body,
as is prescribed, a most excellent Arcanum, and specificall stiptick comes
forth, wherewith Wounds, and Ulcers may speedily bee consolidated, and
their lips bee brought together: (even as two boards are glewed together
with glew put betwixt them) so that you put two or three drops of it being
resolved into the wound. This also is a singular Arcanum for Burns, Falling
of the nails, Scabs, &c. if the place affected bee nointed with it. For the skin
will presently bee brought over the raw flesh.
There might many other separations of these and other things bee reckoned
up. But seeing wee have mentioned them in other places, it would bee but
lost labour here to repeat them. It wil bee necessary that wee speak of those
things here, of which wee have made no mention elsewhere.
And lastly in the end of all things shall bee the last
separation, in the third generation, the great day when The last Separation
is the last Iudgment.
the Son of God shall come in majesty, and glory, before
whom shall be carried not swords, garlands, diadems,
scepters, &c. and Kingly jewels, with which Princes, The Manner of the
last Iudgement.
Kings, Cesars, &c. doe pompously set forth themselves,
but his Crosse, his crown of thorns, and nails thrust through his hands, and
feet, and spear with which his side was pierced, and the reed, and spunge in
which they gave him vineger to drinke, and the whips wherewith hee was
scourged, and beaten. He comes not accompanyed with troopes of Horse,
and beating of Drums, but foure Trumpets shall bee sounded by the Angells
towards the foure parts of the world, killing all that are then alive with their
horrible noise, in one moment, and then presently raising these again,
together with them that are dead, and buryed.
For the voice shall bee heard: Arise yee dead, and come
to judgment. Then shal the twelve Apostles sit down, Matth. 25.
their seats being prepared in the clouds, and shal judge

the twelve Tribes of Israel. In that place the holy Angels shall separate the
bad from the good, the cursed from the blessed, the goats from the sheep.
Then the cursed shall like stones, and lead be thrown downward: but the
blessed shall like eagles fly on high. Then from the tribunall of God shal go
forth this voice to them that stand on his left hand: Goe yee Cursed into
everlasting fire prepared for the Devill, and his Angells from all eternity:
For I was an hungry, and yee fed me not; thirsty, and you gave no drink;
sick, in prison, and naked, and you visited me not, freed mee not, cloathed
me not, and you shewed no pity towards me, therefore shalt you expect no
pity from me. On the contrary, hee shal speak to them on his right hand:
Come yee blessed; and chosen into my Fathers Kingdome, which hath been
prepared for you, and his Angells from the foundation of the world. For I
was hungry, and you gave me meat; thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a
stranger, and you took me in; naked and you covered me; sick, and you
visited me; in prison, and you came unto me. Therefore I will receive you
into my Fathers Kingdom, where are provided many mansions for the
Saints. You took pity on me, therefore will I take pity on you.
All these being finished, and dispatched, all Elementary things wil returne
to the first matter of the Elements, and bee tormented to eternity, and never
bee consumed, &c. and on the contrary, all holy things shall return to the
first matter of Sacraments: i.e. shall be purified, and in eternall joy glorifie
God their Creator, and worship him from age to age, from eternity, to
eternity, Amen.

OF THE

NATVRE
Of Things.

THE NINTH BOOK.

Of the Signature of Naturall things.
n this Booke it is convenient for us speaking of the Signature of
things in the first place, to declare by whom things are signed, and
who the Signator is, and how many things there be that are signed.
You must therefore know, that things that are signed are of 3 sorts. The first
sort of them Man signs: the second, the Archeius: the third, the stars of
supernaturall things. Therefore upon this account there are three Signators:
Man, the Archeius, and Stars.
Moreover, you must note, that impressions signed by men do bring with
them a perfect knowledge, and judgement of hid things, and impart the
knowledg of their hid vertues, and faculties.
The markes of the Stars cause Prophecies, and Presages, and declare the
supernaturall vertues of things, and take out the true judgements, and
signes, in Geomancy, Chiromancy, Physiognomy, Hydromancy, Pyromancy,
Necromancy, Astronomy, the Berillisticall art, and other Astrall sciences.
But that wee may explain briefly, and truly all the signes, or markes, it wil
be necessary in the first place, that wee speak of those signes of which Man
is the Signer. Those being understood; you may the more rightly understand
the rest, whether naturall, or supernaturall. It is therefore known, that the
Iews carry about them, upon their cloak, or coat a yellow sign. And this is
nothing else but that mark, by which they would have you, when you meet

them, to know that they are Iews. So a Serjeant is known by his divers
coloured coat, or sleeve. So every Magistrate apparells his servants with his
own colours, and liveries.
Every Mechanick marks his work with a certaine signe, that every one may
know whose work it is.
For which end Carriers wear the liverie of their master, or city, that it may
be known whom they serve and from whence they travell, that thereby they
may goe the safer.
So every Souldier wears a marke, or badge, as colours, black, white, yellow,
green, blew, or red, &c. that he may be distinguished from the enemie.
Hence it may bee known that this is Cesars souldier, that the Kings, this an
Italian, this a French souldier, &c.
These are signes which belong to order, or office, of which many more may
bee reckoned up. But yet because wee have intended to describe the signes
of naturall, and supernaturall things, wee shal not fill up this booke with
other signes.
As concerning those signes, which Man makes, which doe not only respect
order, office, or name, but conduce to the knowing of his knowledge, age,
dignity, degree, &c. You must know concerning Money, that every kind
thereof hath its peculiar triall, and marke, by which it is known, how much
it is valued at, who is the Master of it, and in what place it is usually
currant. Hence is that German Proverb, Money is no where more in request
then where it was coined.
The same also is to bee understood of things that are looked upon and
examined by men sworn and appointed for that purpose, before they bee
signed: as Cloth which is marked with peculiar marks, by which it may be
known, that in examining they were found good, and proved. Why is a seal
put upon Letters, but that there is a certain bond, which it is lawfull for no
man to violate? For a seal is a confirmation of Letters, whence they are of
all men accounted ratified. Without a seale an Acquitance is void, and of no
force.
After the same manner many things are marked with few letters, names, or
words, as books, which being writ upon the outside but with one word, doe
presently shew what is contained within.

The same rule also there is for glasses and boxes in Apothecaries shops, all
which are discerned by peculiar names, or papers put upon them. Unlesse
that were done, who could discern so many Waters, Liquors, Syrups, Oyles,
Powders, Seeds, Unguents, &c. and all simples? After the same manner
doth the Alchymist in his Elabatorie mark with names, and papers all
Waters, Liquors, Spirits, Oyles, Flegms, Crocus, Alcali, and all species, that
thereby hee may when there is occasion make use of any of them, and know
them: without the help of which his memory could never bear them.
So also may all houses and buildings bee marked with numbers or figures,
that the age of every one of them by the first sight of the number may
presently be known.
These and other things that are marked I was willing to shew to you, that
these being comprehended, I might bee the better understood by you in the
rest, and so the signification of every thing might bee the more plain, and
clear.

Of the Monstrous Signes of Men.

Many men are brought forth deformed with monstrous
marks, or signes: so one abounds with one finger, or Divers monstrous
Toe, another wants one. The fingers of some grow all signes or Markes.
together in the mothers womb. Another hath a wry foot, arm, or neck, &c.
and brings it with him out of the womb. Another hath a bunch in his back:
so also, are Hermaphrodites born, i.e. they which are both Male, and
Female, and have the members both of Man, and Woman, or else want both.
I have observed many of these monstrous signs, as well in Males, as in
Females, all which are to bee accounted for monstrous signes of secret evil
ascendents. Whence that proverb is made good; The
more crooked, the more wicked: Lame members, lame What monstrous
deeds. For they are signes of vices, seldome signifying signes shew.
any good.
As the Executioner marks his sons with infamous markes: so the evil
Ascendents impresse upon their yong, supernatural mischievous marks, that
they may bee the better taken heed of, which shew some marks in their
forehead, cheeks, ears, fingers, hands, eyes, tongues, &c. being short, or
cutted. Every one of these infamous signes denotes a peculiar vice. So a
mark burnt upon the face of a Woman, or the cutting off her ears, for the
most part signifies theft: the cutting off the fingers, cheating Dicers: the
cutting off the hand, breakers of the peace: the cutting off two of the fingers
perjured: the pulling out of the eye, cunning, and subtile villains: the cutting
out of the tongue, blasphemers, slanderers, &c. So also you may know them
that deny the Christian Religion by a crosse burnt in the soles of their feet,
because viz. they have denyed their Redeemer.
But that passing by these we may proceed to the monstrous signs of
Malignants ascending, you must know, that all monstrous signes do not
arise from an Ascendent only, but oftentimes also from the stars of Mens
minds, which continually and every moment ascend, and descend with the
fancy, estimation, or imagination, no otherwise then in the superiour
firmament. Hence either from fear, or terrour of breeding; Women, many
monsters, or children marked with monstrous signes in the womb, are

borne. The primary cause of these is fear, terror, appetite from which is
raised the imagination. If a woman with child begin to imagine, then her
heaven by its motion is carryed round, no otherwise then the superiour
firmament every moment, with Ascendents, or risings, or Settings. For
according to the example of the greater firmament, the stars of the
Microcosme also are moved by Imagination, untill there be an assault,
whereby the stars of the Imagination convey an influence, and impression
upon the Woman that is breeding, just as if anyone should impresse a seale,
or stamp money. Whence these signes, and geniall marks are called
Impressions of inferiour stars, of which many Philosophers have wrote
many things, and men have endeavoured much to give a full, and rationall
account of, which could never yet bee done. Yet they doe adhere, and are
impressed on the infants, as the stars of the Mother, whether frequent or
violent, doe rest upon the Infants, or the Mothers longing is not satisfied:
For if the Mother long for this, or that meat, and cannot have it, the starres
are suffocated as it were in themselves, and dye: And that longing doth
follow the infant all its life time, that it can never bee well satisfied. The
like reason is there of other things, of which we shall not hear Discourse
any further.

Of the Astrall Signes of Physiognomy in Man.

The signes of Physiognomy receive their original from
the superior stars; this art of Physiognomy was greatly The Originall of
esteemed of by our Ancestors, and especially by Physiognomie.
Heathens, Tartars, and Turks, &c. and other people, amongst whom it was
the custome to sel men for slaves, and it is not yet altogether laid aside
amongst Christians. Yet together with it many errors crept in, not yet taken
notice of by any, whilest every blockish ignorant fellow would take upon
him without any manner of judgement to judge of any one. Where it is
worthy of admiration that those erours should never bee taken notice of
from the workes, deeds, and abilities of the men.
Now if any one shall in this place argue against us, saying, that the signes of
Physiognomy are from the stars, and that the stars have no power to
compell any one or stir him up; he indeed doth not speak amisse: but yet
there is some difference in it which must be taken notice of, because the
stars compell some, and others they doe not compell.
For here we must know, who can rule or constrain the
stars, and who can be governed by them. Therefore for Man is the Lord of
all other Creatures.
this you must note, that a wise man can rule the stars,
and not be subject to them. The stars are subject to a wise man, and are
forced to obey him, and not he the stars. But the stars compell an Animall
man, that whither they lead him hee must follow, just as a thief doth the
gallows, and a high-way robber the wheel, the fisher the fishes, the fowler
the birds, the hunter the wild beasts. And what here is the cause of this, but
that such a kind of man doth neither know himself, nor his own strength,
never considers, or thinks that he is the lesser world, and that he hath the
universall Firmament with the powers thereof hid in him? Wherefore he is
called an Animall, an ignorant man, and a slave to any base service, and all
earthly matters; yet whereas he received that priviledge from God in
Paradise, that hee should rule, and reign over all other creatures of the
Universe, and should not bee obedient to them; therefore God created him
last of all, all the rest being made before him. This priviledg man afterwards
lost by his fall: but yet the wisdome of man was not made servile, nor did

hee let that liberty goe out of his hands. Whence it is requisite that the
starres should follow him, and obey him, and not he the stars. And although
hee indeed be the son of Saturne, and Saturn his Ascendent; yet hee can
remove himselfe from him, and so overcome him, that he can be the off-
spring of the Sun;and bring himselfe under any other
planet, and make himselfe its Son. And it is the same How a man may
case here as with a Digger, who for a time hath spent his withdrawe
him
selfe from one star,
pains with the Master of the Mines, and with the hazard and bring him selfe
of his life hath performed his service faithfully, at length under another.
reasons, and discourseth with himselfe thus.
What will become of thee at last, if thou spendest all thy life under the
earth, and by thy continuall labours dost also bring thy body, and life into
danger? I will get a release from my Master, and I will serve another
Master, where my life may be made sweeter, where I may have plenty of
meat, and drink, where I may wear better clothes, have little work and much
wages, where there shall bee no danger of the mountain hanging over mee,
and ready to fall upon me, &c. After this manner hee would bee at liberty,
when as otherwise hee must remaine a Mercenary servant, and slave, pining
away with much labour, and low feeding, &c.
Now you see how a wise man commands the stars, and can remove
himselfe from any malignant planet, and bring himselfe under another
better, how he can bring himselfe out of slavery into liberty, and can free
himselfe out of the prison of an ill planet.
So also an Animall man, who is the son of the Sun, of Iupiter, Venus, and
Mercury, may remove himself from a benigne planet, and subject himself to
Saturne, or Mars: such a man is like to a man, who runs from a religious
Colledge, and being impatient of an easy life becomes a Souldier, or else a
man of no repute, who afterwards spends all his life in sorrow, and misery.
Such an one also is a rich man, who being given to levity, spends, and wasts
all his goods, in Dicing, Feasting, Whoring, &c. which hee gives himselfe
to so long untill all bee spent, then hee comes to want, and being miserably
afflicted with infamous want, becomes deservedly a laughter and scorn to
all men, yea even to the very boyes in the streets, whom you may hear
saying: Behold a beggerly man worth nothing, who when hee was a Master

disdained his Mastership, and had rather be a slave, a begger, a slave to
servants; seeing he can never come to his priviledg again.
And hither doth a Malignant star, or Ascendent drive him. Unlesse he had
been a foole, and dishonest, he had not left so certain a Dominion, which
hee had over the stars, but had strove against it: And although of himselfe
hee knew not how to resist the stars; yet hee might have bent his mind to
the examples of others; thinking thus with himselfe: See how rich that man
was, but foolishly, and shamefully hath brought himself to poverty. Also he
lived gallantly, without much labour, had so much meat, such wages, that he
could not live better. Now he lives sparingly, and sordidly, and in stead of
Wine hee must drinke Water, his labours daily increase, his wages decrease.
Now how often doth such a kind of Man talke after this manner with
himselfe. What have I done? Whither am I running headlong, so basely
spending my goods that I got, who will repaire my estate? If ever I shall
receive what hath been thus spent, I will take a far other course of life, and
will by my harms learne to bee wise, and will make amends for my evill
deeds.
But it is convenient to know, that no man can bee wise
by his owne harme. For it is a foolish, and senselesse No man is wise by
his own harmes, but
thing to bee wise by ones owne harme. Let him that will by anothers.
be wise, be wise by another mans example, not by his
owne. For hee that hath once spent his estate, would spend it againe if hee
should have it, and he that once perisheth, perisheth for ever. Hee which
once hath cast a Dice, casts it again. Hee which once stole, and escaped the
gallowes, will endeavour to steal the second time also. For hee thinkes thus
with himselfe. My enterprizes have succeeded once, and again, and why not
the third, or fourth time? If God should once restore what I have lost, hee
would restore it the second, and third time, &c. If hee did not forsake mee
in my first misery, hee will not in the second, or third, &c.
All these doth an Animall man doe, the servant, and slave of the stars, who
is turned every where, and moved by the stars, as a Reed in water.
And this is the reason why his life is spent in misery, and he dies in infamy.
Who therefore will sustain such servitude, and not deliver himselfe from
such a nasty prison? For any one may by his owne wisdome, together with

the help of his star, deliver, and free himselfe from thence. Consider the
matter thus:
A Fowler by his prudence, and help of his star, overcoming another starre,
needs not goe after birds, for they will come after him flying to unusuall
places, contrary to their nature.
So a Fisherman can by making use of the wisdome which God hath given
him make fishes swim to him of their own accord, so that he may take them
up with his hands.
A Hunter improving his wisdome, doth by his star so compell the wild
beasts, that hee need not follow them, but they will follow him without any
impulse of nature. So also of the rest of living creatures.
Now for the better understanding of these things, you
must know, that Stars are twofold; terrestriall, and Stars are twofold.
celestiall, these of wisdome, the other of folly.
And as there are two worlds, the greater, and the lesser, and the greater
governs the lesser: so also the starres of the Microcosme doe rule, and
overcome the celestiall.
Neither did God create the planets, and other stars of the
heaven, that they should rule over man, but that they, as The end of the
Starrs is to serve,
all other creatures, should obey, and serve him. And not command man.
although the superiour stars doe incline men, and signe
them as also all other terrestiall bodies, with naturall signes, according to
the manner of their generation; yet that is no power, or soveraignty, but only
a predestinated command, and office, whereby nothing may remaine hid, or
concealed, but the inward force, and power may bee brought forth by
exteriour signes.
But to return to our purpose of the Physiognomicall
signes of Men, you must know, that they are twofold, in Signes are twofold.
externall shape indeed alike, but in power, and effect
unlike.
Some are from supernaturall stars of the heaven, the other, from the
inferiour starres, viz. of the Microcosme.

Whatsoever the superiour star signes according to
generation, even to the midle age, that thing signed is What are
predestinated, not wanting peculiar powers. For it doth Physiognomicall
signes.
testifie of the nature, and condition of Man. Whatsoever
therefore the inferiour star of the Microcosme doth sign in generation, hath
its originall from the Father, and Mother, viz. as oft as the Mother by her
imagination, or appetite, feare, or terror hath by contact affected her infant
in her womb with supernaturall signes, which are called the Mothers marks,
or the Womb marks, of which since wee have spoke already, wee shall now
save the labour of iteration; seeing our purpose is only to treat of
Physiognomicall signes, where wee shall speak only of the predestinated
signes of the stars, under which wee understand those signes of Men, which
neither their Father, or Mother had any likenesse of in their body.
Of this sort are black, gray, little, or great eyes, long, crooked, sharp, nose,
pits in their cheeks, the cheek-bone being raised up, a flat, or broad nose,
small, or great ears, long neck, long face, wide, or little mouth, thick or
small, many or few, black, yellow, and red haires, &c.
If one, or more of these signes appear in Man, you must know, that they doe
not want their signification.
But it is necessary that you consider them according to the Physiognomicall
art, and that you have certain knowledge of the Art of Signatures, whereby
you may know through the externall signes the internall man.
But to proceed to the practise of what we intended, and
to reckon up some of the signes of Men, and their What Black Eyes
signifie.
signification in part.
You must know, that black eyes besides a healthful constitution, also many
times signifie a constant mind, not wavering, or fearfull, but lusty, hearty,
true and loving vertue.
Gray eyes are a signe of a deceitfull, and changeable
man. What Gray.

Weak eyes signifie good judgement, witty, and profound
deliberation. Weake Eyes.

Purblind eyes, and such as turne upward, and downward, and to both sides,
signifie a false man, and crafty, that cannot easily be deceived, treacherous,

hating labour, slothfull, getting his living slothfully, by
Dice, Usury, Whoring, Robbery, &c. Purblind.

Small and deep eyes doe for the most part signifie weak,
and feeble eyes, and blindnesse ensuing in old age, as Small and deep.
also strong men, warlike, bold, deceitfull, nimble,
factious, patiently undergoing their condition, yet the end of whose life is
for the most part tragicall, &c.
Great eyes, a covetous, ravenous man, especially if they
hang out of the head. Great.

Eyes that are alwaies winking, declare a weak sight, and
a man to be fearefull, and solicitous. Alwayes Winking.

Rolling Eyes shew an amorous affection, and a prudent
man, and a man of quicke intention. Rolling.

Eyes continually dejected shew a bashfull, modest man,
&c. Continually
dejected.
Eyes that are red, signifie a bold, and strong man, &c.
Clear eyes, and not easily moveable, shew an heroick, Red.
magnanimous, strong, chearfull, and a man formidable
to his enemies, &c. Cleare.

Great eares shew a good hearing, a good memory,
attention, diligence, a sound brain, and head, &c. Eares great.

Low eares are an ill omen. For, for the most part they signifie a man to be
malitious, fraudulent, unjust, and a bad hearing, a bad memory, a bold man,
and easily exposing himselfe to dangers.
A long nose, and crooked downwards is a good sign, it
signifies a man to bee valiant, prudent, close, rigorous, A long Nose.
and yet just, &c.
A flat nose signifies a man to be malicious, lustfull,
given to lying, inconstant, &c. A flat Nose.

A sharp nose, a man to bee a turne-coate, a mocker, &c.
Sharp.

A long nose, a man to be slow in all his actions, and to
be of a very quick smell. Long.

The cheekes with pits in them signifie a man to bee
talkative, a Scorner, contentious, &c. Hollow cheeks.

A long chin, with a long face, signifie a man to be given
to anger, and slow to labour, &c. A long Chin.

A divided chin signifies a man to bee faithfull, officious,
subtile, and various in his words, speaking one thing, A divided Chin.
and meaning another, angry, yet sorry for his anger,
ingenious, and given to inventions.
A great and large mouth signifies a man to bee a great
devourer, silly, foolish, imprudent, dareing, &c. A little A great Mouth.
mouth signifies the contrary.
Lips drawne to, where the upper is greater then the
lower, signifie a man to bee angry, warlike, couragious, Lips drawn to.
yet for the most part of rude, and uncivil behaviour, and
manners like to a swine.
Lips great beneath, signifie a man to be dull, foolish, and
blockish, &c. Lips great beneath.

Judgement by the haires either of the head, or beard, is
not very certain, because use teacheth that they can be Haire signifies
nothing by Art.
divers wayes varyed, as to bee made black, or yellow, or
red, or white, and hoary, or curled, soft, or hard, as any one desires to have
them.
Hence it will come to passe, that many who are otherwise skilfull enough in
the Art of Physiognomy would be most shamefully deceived, whilst they
should rashly judge by the hairs, imputing that to the stars, which should
rather be ascribed to men themselves.
Yet it cannot bee denyed, but that haires firmly fastened on the head, doe
signifie a good health of the head, as also of the whole body.
And this is the reason, why they that buy Horses pull their tails, that by this
means they may judge of their soundnesse.

So Hogges are tryed by their bristles, Fish by their shells, and scales, a Bird
by his feathers, &c.
The necke, if it be too long, signifies a man to bee
sollicitous, prudent, and attent, &c. Long Necks.

Broad shoulders, and backe, signifie a man to bee
strong, and able for carrying or removing, &c. Broad Shoulders
and backs.
Armes that are musculous, signifie a man to be strong
and able for any exercise, as beating, pounding, Musculous Armes.
shooting, &c.
Hands that bee hard signifie a man to bee laborious, and
a hireling, &c. Soft hands, the contrary. Hard hands.

A short body, and long legs signifie a man to be a good
runner, to bee easily satisfied with meat, and drinke, and A short Body.
for the most part to bee of a short life.
Great and clear veines under the middle age of man signifie a man to be full
of bloud and juice, but above the midle of his age to be commonly sick, yet
long lived.
As much as concerns the manners, gestures of men,
nothing can be so easily known, and judged by them. Nothing can be
judged by the
For experience teacheth that these can every moment manners, and
behaviour of Men.
bee changed, as to deceive the Signator, and make him
erroneous in his judgement: And because it hath not been observed hitherto
so accurately by all Astronomers; It is therefore the Signators part not
alwayes to look to the manners and actions of men, but rather to other signs
of the body, which are fixed, and can by no Art be counterfeited or changed.
For if red hairs, moving the forehead, and eyelids, a cheerfull, raised, and
unmoveable countenance, a frequent agitation of the mouth, a stout mused
walking, and a light mind, should necessarily declare a man to be a gallant
souldier and stout, every one could by his industry and art make himselfe
seem to be such an one; that hee might by his lookes bee the better
approved of, and obtaine greater pay.
The like also may be judged of other kinds of behaviour, which pretend to
wisdom, folly, truth, lying, fortune, victory, &c.

Of the Astrall Signes of Chiromancy.

Concerning the Signes of Chiromancy, we must hold that they doe arise
from the superiour stars of the seven planets; and that wee must know and
judge of them by the seven planets.
Now Chiromancy is an Art, which doth not only look
into the hands of men, and make judgement by their What Chiromancy
is.
lines and wrinkles, but also considers all hearbs, woods,
hard stones, earthes, and rivers, and whatsoever hath lines, veins, or
wrinkles.
Neither doth this Art want its errours, which those Astronomers were guilty
of.
For they assigned the fingers of both hands to the planets, and chiefest stars,
whereas there are but five fingers in one hand, and in both ten, yet the
planets are reckoned but seven.
How then can these things agree amongst themselves?
Now if there were seven fingers on each hand, it then might bee granted,
that every finger might bee ascribed to severall planets.
But yet it falls out many times, that some men may have
but seven fingers on both hands, the rest being casually Whether the fingers
be assigned to the
cut off: but seing that they were cut off, and just seven Planets.
were not at their birth, this matter cannot be related
hither.
And if it should be so, that a man should bee borne with seven fingers,
whether on one hand, or on both: yet that were monstrous, and beside the
usuall order of Nature, and not subject to the stars. Therefore this also
cannot belong to this place.
But if there must be but five fingers on each hand, and seven planets, and
these mutually bee compared amongst themselves, it would then be
convenient that the lots of the planets should be put into a box, to know
which two planets must give place, and bee left out.

Yet because this cannot bee, and the planets have neither dice, nor lots in
the Firmament; It would be worth wondering at, if any one should usurp
this power to himself, as to allot by the name of the planet, and signe, the
thumb to Venus, the fore-finger to Iupiter, the midle-finger to Saturne, the
ring-finger to the Sun, and the little-finger to Mercury, in the meane time
casting out Mars, and the Moon, as it were out of their tribe and liberty.
Which things being so; who can wonder that Mars doth stir up his sons with
just indignation to kill that caster of lots, or to beare a perpetuall hatred
against him? Who can wonder why the Moon should enfeeble the brain of
that player, or take away his reason?
And this is their first errour, which, as wee have said, they have committed
in Chiromancy.
The second errour in it is this:
It oftentimes happens that the originall, and naturall lines of the hands are
changed by hurts, and casualties, or are made greater, or lesser, or doe
appear in other places.
For as if there be a high-way obstructed by any thing or be stopt up by the
fall of a mountain, or be spoiled by the overflowing of waters, men go
about in another way neer to it: so it happens in the old lines of the hands,
that sometimes after the curing of wounds, or ulcers, together with new
flesh, also new lines doe grow out, and the old are quite abolished.
In the same manner also by reason of hard labours the lines are defaced, or
they which were originall grow great; as it is in trees: For if a young tree
send forth many branches on all sides, these being cut off, the tree it selfe
becomes bigger.
But that wee may at length proceed to the practise of the Art of
Chiromancy, and briefly declare our opinion; I would have you know, that I
will indeed change nothing of what concerns the hands, but acquiesce, and
be satisfied with the observations, and descriptions of the Ancients. Yet I
purpose in this practise of Chiromancy to write of those things, of which the
Ancients have made no mention of, as of the Chiromancy of Hearbs,
Woods, Stones, and the like.
And it must first be noted, that all Hearbs, which are of one kind must be of
one, and the same Chiromancy.

But if their lines bee unlike, and appeare greater, or
lesser in some of them: that is, by reason of their age. The Chiromancy of
Hearbs and Woods.
Wee doe therefore clearly professe, that the Chiromancy
of Hearbs, conduceth to nothing else but to know, and
understand the age of any Hearb, or Root. What use is of
them.
But by way of arguing any may here object, that there is
no hearb as long as it growes is older then another, four or five monthes at
the most, if the supputation begins from May till Autumne, at which time
hearbs die, and fall from their root.
To this I answer, that from God there is but one vertue in
a root, which is the first being and spirit of the hearb, by The condition of the
spirit of the Hearb.
reason of which the hearb grows, and is supported untill
the predestinated time, and untill it bee exalted to the production of seed.
And this is a sign, and a mark, that the vertue returns back to the root, and
so the hearb is dryed. As long as that spirit which is the chiefest vertue of
the hearb remaines in the root, the hearb every yeer is renewed: unlesse it
be, that that spirit together with the hearb be taken way, and decayes. Then
the hearb is not renewed. For the root is dead, and hath no more life
remaining in it.
But after what manner that spirit together with the hearb is taken from the
root, or with the root from the earth, that the vertue thereof cannot goe
backe into the root, or from the root into the earth, is not to be considered in
this place. For that is a sublime mystery of Nature, and not to be openly
discovered by reason of ignorant Physitians, who doe not only scoffe at but
contemne such secrets. Therefore what here wee have omitted, wee shall set
downe in our Herball.
Moreover, by how much the younger hearbs are, so much the more doe they
excell in power and vertue.
As by age a man is weakned, and fails in strength, so also doe hearbs.
But to know what the Chiromancy, and age of hearbs, and such like things,
is, daily experience is required, seeing the number of their years is not
written upon them, but it must be divined, as I have said, by Chiromancy
only.

Now Chiromancy doth not consider numbers, letters, or characters, but
lines, veins, and wrinkles only, &c. according to the age of any thing. For
by how much the older a thing is, so much the greater, and easier to be seen
are the lines, and the vertue, and operation of the thing so much the duller.
For as a disease of one moneth or yeare, is more easily
cured then that which is of two, three, four, or five Young hearbs must
be applyed to old
moneths, and years: So an hearb doth sooner cure a diseases, and so on
disease of one moneth, or year, then that which is of the contrary.
two, three, or four moneths, or years. And for this cause
young hearbs must bee applyed to old griefs; and old hearbs or medicines to
young or new diseases. For if an old hearb should be applyed to an old
disease, the blind would lead the blind, and both would fall into the ditch.
This is the reason why many medicines doe not work, but are taken into the
body, and possesse the members, as dirt sticks to the shooes, whence
diseases are afterward doubled, &c.
Now ignorant Physitians never considered this, but by their ignorance have
destroyed more then ever they cured.
In the first place therefore, you that are Physitians must know, that the
medicine must be younger then the disease, that it may bee stronger to
expelle it. For if the medicine be more powerfull then the disease, the
disease will be overcome as fire is quenched with water. But if the disease
bee stronger then the medicine, it turnes the medicine into poison, whence
diseases are afterward doubled, and increased.
So if a disease bee like Iron, it must be cured with a Chalybeat medicine.
For Steel cannot be overcome by Iron. The more powerful doth alwaies
overcome, and the weaker is overcome.
Although therefore it was not our purpose in the beginning to write in this
place of Physick, yet for the sake of true, and genuine Physitians, I could
not pass over these things in silence.

Of Minerall Signes.

Mineralls also, and Metalls before they come to the fire
have their true signes, and significations, which they How Mineralls
have received from the Archeius, and the superiour stars, differ.
every one of them resembling some kind of them by distinct colours, and
differences of the earth. For the Minerall of Gold, is distinct from the
Minerall of Silver: so also is the Minerall of Silver from that of Copper: and
the Minerall of Copper from that of Iron: so the Minerall of Iron from that
of Tinne, and Lead, and so of the rest.
No man can deny, but that the Minerall, and all Metallick bodies of Mines,
which lie hid in the earth, may be known by art of Chiromancy by their
exteriour signes. That is, the Chiromancy of Mines, Veines, and Conduits,
&c. by which not only those things, which being hid within them, are
brought forth, but also a certaine depth, and richnesse of the Mine, and
plenty of Metall is manifested. And in this Chiromancy three things are
necessary to be known, viz. the age, depth, and breadth of the veins, as hath
been said a little before of hearbs. For by how much the older the veins are,
by so much the richer, and more augmented are the Mines.
Concerning this we must know thus much, that all Metalls, which as yet lie
hid in their matrix doe constantly grow.
Whence also it is manifest, that every thing that growes,
although it be placed out of its matrix cannot be made There are Three
chiefe heads of all
lesse, but forthwith grows, (i.e.) is multiplyed, and things.
according to its substance, measure, and weight, grows
untill the predestinated time. Now this predestinated time is the third part,
of the appointed age of all Mineralls, Vegetables, and Animalls, which are
the three chief heads of all earthly things.
Now whatsoever doth yet remaine in its matrix, doth grow so long untill the
matrix dies. For the matrix hath its appointed time to live, and die,
especially if it be subject to externall Elements.
That which is not subject to them, hath no other time, or term then the
Elements themselves have, with which it also shall die and perish in the day

of Renovation (which is their term.)
What is the tearme
Hence it follows, that all things which are within the of Elements.
earth are not subjected to the externall Elements, neither
are they sensible of cold, or moisture, or drynesse, or wind, or aire, by
which they may bee destroyed. Such kind of bodies therefore cannot bee
putrefied, or contract any filthinesse, or stink, or die, as long as they
continue within the earth, in their Chaos.
So much be spoken of Metalls, and as of them, so also it may bee said of
many men, who in the caves of mountaines live some hundreds of years, as
if they were gyants, or pygmies, of which we have wrote a particular book.
But to descend to the practise of the Chiromancy of Mines, which wee shall
give you to understand in few words; you must know that the veines by
how much the deeper, and broader they are, so much the older. For where
the course of the veins is a great way extended, and at length decay, and are
not hidden, it is a bad signe. For as the courses of the veins doe decay, so
also doe the Mines themselves decay, which they signifie by their depth.
Although sometimes there are good Mines found, yet by how much the
deeper they goe, they doe more, and more decay, so that it is not worth
while to worke in them. But when the veins are enlarged with other
additions, or oftentimes cut off, it is a good signe, shewing that the Mines
are good not only in the top, but that the same also are increased, and
multiplyed in depth, and length for the most part, the Mines being made
more rich, afford pure gold, and so a most large treasure.
It is without ground, that many Miners commend those veins only which go
directly downward, and incline from the East to the West. For the nature of
the Mines and experience teacheth, that veins oftentimes which bend from
the West to the East, or from the South to the North, and so contrarily from
the North to the South, are not lesse rich then others are. Therefore there is
no vein to be esteemed before another. But we think it convenient to
discourse of this no longer.
Now concerning the other signes of the internall earth,
as also the colours of Mineralls, we shall briefly By what signes
Mines are
discourse of them thus. discovered.

As oft as Miners fall upon a fat earth, which doth signifie a vein of a pure,
and new metall, that is a very good signe assuring that, that Metall, of
which it is a vein, is not far off.
So also if the earth that is digged have no Metall in it, but be fat, of a white
colour, or black, or like clay or green, or blue, &c. then that also is a good
signe of some good Metall that is hid under it. Therefore you must continue
digging, and not give over.
Miners in the first place have respect to the excellent, beautiful, and chiefest
colours, as are green earth, or Chrysocoll, Verdegrease, Azure, Cinnabar,
Sandaracha, Auripigmentum, Litharge of Gold, and Silver, &c. every one of
these almost doe for the most part signifie a peculiar Metall, or Minerall.
So Verdegrease, Chrysocolla, green earth, for most part signifie Copper.
So Azure, or white Arsenick, or Litharge of Silver signifie the Metall of
Copper.
So Cinnabar, and Sandaracha do sometimes signifie Gold, sometimes
Silver, and sometimes a mixture of both.
So Auripigmentum, red Sulphur, and Litharge of Gold, for the most part
signifie Gold.
So when Chrysocoll is found mixt with the Azure, or the Azure with
Chrysocoll, and Auripigment, for the most part they signifie an excellent
and rich Minerall.
Where stones, or earth are found of an Iron colour, they doe certainly
betoken an Iron Mine.
You must note, that sometimes it comes to passe, that the Archeius of the
earth doth by some secret passage cast up some Metall from the more
inward part of the earth. And that is a good signe.
Miners therefore must not bee discouraged when they see such certaine
signes, and hope of some excellent Mine lying under. And if thin leaves of
Metalls, like Talke, do adhere to rocks, or stones, that is a most sure sign.
Now concerning Coruscations they must bee diligently,
and studiously observed, for, they are most certain What Coruscations
signifie in Mines.
signes of Metalls lying hid under them, as also of the

same extent, and same kind. Where yet wee must note, that those Metalls
are not yet come to perfection, but are as yet in their first being. And
whither soever the Coruscation reacheth, so far also reacheth the course of
Metalls, &c.
Moreover you must know, that Coruscation is of a
threefold colour, as White, Yellow, and Red, whereby all Coruscations are of
three colours.
Metalls are discovered to us. For a white Coruscation
signifies white Metalls, as Tinne, Lead, Silver, &c. a red Coruscation
signifies red Metalls, as Copper, and Iron, &c. a yellow Coruscation
signifies golden Metalls.
Add moreover, that a thin, and subtil Coruscation is the best signe.
For as you see it is in trees, that by how much the fewer flowers there are,
so much the better, greater, and more savory are the fruit: so also small and
subtile Coruscations signifie subtile and excellent Metalls, as the contrary
doe the contrary.
Moreover you must know, that as long as those Coruscations appear,
whether they be great, or small, or of this or that colour, the Metalls in those
Mines have not yet attained to perfection, but are yet in their first being as
the sperm of a man in the matrix of a woman.
But now what Coruscation is, wee must consider in this
place: and we must know that it appears in the Mines by What Coruscation
is.
night like a sparkling fire, no otherwise then gunpowder
that is laid in a long train, and being kindled at one end makes a long
flashing.
After the same manner is Coruscation carried along, from the East to the
West, or from the West to the East, from the South to the North, or
contrarily.
All these Coruscations, how ever they appear, are a certain signe of Courses
of Metalls, that by them they may be known, and Metalls as certain gifts of
God may be brought forth out of the earth. For what God created for mans
use, hee put that nature into it that it should not be hid: and although it were
hid, yet he made peculiar externall signes which conduce to the finding of it
out, by which the wonderful predestination of it may be known.

In the same manner if men hide treasures they marke the place with some
certain marks, and bury them by some bound, statue, or fountaine, or any
other thing, that when there is occasion they may find, and dig them up
again.
The ancient Chaldeans and Grecians, if in times of war
fearing to be driven away, or banished, they would hide How Chaldeans and
Grecians hide their
their treasure, would marke the place no otherwise, then treasure.
propose to themselves a certain day, hour, and minute of
the year, and did observe in what place the Sun, or Moon should cast their
shadow, and there did bury, and hide their treasure.
This Art they call Sciomancy, i.e. the Art of Shadowing.
By these shadowings many Arts have had their ground, What Sciomancy is.
and many hid things have been revealed, and all Spirits,
and Astrall bodies are known.
These are Cabalisticall signes, that cannot deceive, and therefore diligently
to bee taken notice of.
You must therefore take heed, that you suffer not your
selves to be seduced by the divinations of uncertain Arts; Divining Rods
uncertaine.
for they are vain, and fruitlesse, especially Divining
rods, which have deceived many Miners. For if they shew a thing truly
once, they faile ten times.
Also wee must not trust other fraudulent signes of the devill, which are
made, and appeare in the night, and at some inconvenient times
preternaturally, such as are ghosts, & visions. For I would have you know,
that the devill can shew, and cause signes, but out of meer fraud, and deceit.
So there is no Church built, but the devill hath his Chappell there. There is
no Chappell built, but hee sets up his Altar. There is no good seed, but hee
sows amongst it his tares. The same is the nature of Visions, and
supernaturall Apparitions, in Crystalls, Berills, Looking-glasses, and
Waters, as they are by Ceremoniall Negromancers contrary to Gods
command, and the power of the light of Nature basely abused.
Visions indeed are not absolutely to be rejected; for they have their place,
but then they must bee done after another processe. For now wee are not
any longer in the first generation, but the second. Ceremonies therefore, and

Conjurations are not any longer to be used by us Christians in the
regeneration, as the Ancients in the old Testament, who lived in the first
generation used them. For those prefigurations were for us who were to live
in the New Testament.
Whatsoever things therefore the Ancients that were under the Old
Testament, and in the first Generation did doe by Ceremonies, Conjurations,
&c. wee Christians of the second Generation, and in the New Testament
must doe by prayer, knocking, and seeking, and procure by faith.
In these 3 chief points consists all the foundation of the
Magicall, and Cabalisticall Art, by which wee may In what chiefe
points the
obtain whatsoever we desire, so that to us Christians foundations of
nothing is impossible. Magick and Cabalie
consists.
But wee shall desist to treat here of more things
concerning these and other monuments of Cabalie, spoken of sufficiently in
the book of Visions. I refer you thither, that you may see how wonderfully
Christ the Son of God works by his Angells in us Christians, and the
faithfull, and how brotherly he is conversant with us. Whence we are the
true Angels, and members of Christ, as hee is our head, as hee is in us, so
we live in him, as is taught in the booke of the Lords Supper.
But to returne to our purpose concerning Minerall
signes, and especially concerning the Coruscation of What is the vertue
of the Tincture of
Metalline veins, we must know, that as Metalls, which Philosophers.
are yet in their first being, send forth their Coruscation,
i.e. Signes, so also the Tincture of Philosophers, which changeth all
imperfect Metalls into Silver, and Gold (or White Metalls into Silver, and
Red into Gold) puts forth its proper signs like unto Coruscation, if it be
Astrally perfected, and prepared. For as soon as a small quantity of it is cast
upon a fluxil metall, so that they mixe together in the fire; there ariseth a
naturall Coruscation, and brigthnesse, like to that of fine Gold, or Silver in a
test, which then is a signe that that Gold, or Silver, is freed and purged
without all manner of addition of other Metalls.
But how the Tincture of Philosophers is made Astrall,
you must conceive it after this manner: How the Tincture of
Philosophers is
made astrall.

First of all you must know, that every Metall, as long as it lies hid in its first
being, hath its certaine peculiar stars.
So Gold hath the stars of the Sun, Silver the stars of the Moon, Copper the
stars of Venus, Iron the stars of Mars, Tinne the stars of Jupiter, Lead the
stars of Saturne, Quicksilver the starres of Mercury.
But as soon as they come to their perfection, and are coagulated into a fixt
Metalline body, their stars fall off from them, and leave them, as a dead
body.
Hence it follows, that all such bodies are afterwards dead, and inefficacious,
and that the unconquered star of Metalls doth overcome them all, and
converts them into its nature, and makes them all Astrall.
For which cause also our Gold, and Silver, which is
tinged, and prepared with our tincture, is much more Gold that is made
by the Tincture is
excellent, and better for the preparation of Medicinall better then naturall.
secrets, then that which is naturall, which Nature
generates in the Mines, and afterwards is separated from other Metalls.
So also the Mercury of a body, is made Astrally of another body, and is
much more noble, and fixt then common Mercury. And so of the other
Metalls.
I say therefore, that every Alchymist, which hath that star of Gold, can turne
all Red Metalls into Gold by tinging of them.
So by the star of Silver all White Metalls are changed into Silver: by the
star of Copper into Copper: by the star of Quicksilver into Mercury of the
body; and so of the rest.
But now how all these stars are prepared according to the Spagiricall Art, it
is not our purpose at this time to declare: but the explication of them
belongs to our bookes of the Transmutation of Metalls.
But as for that which concerns their signes, I would have
you know, that our Red tincture, which contains the stars The nature of the
red Tincture.
of Gold to bee of a most fixt substance, of most quick
penetration, and of a most intense redness, in powder resembling the colour
of Saffron, but in its whole body the colour of a Rubie; I say it is a Tincture

as fluxil as Wax, as transparent as Crystall, as brittle as Glasse, and for
weight most heavy.
The white tincture, which containes the star of the Moon
is after the same manner of a fixt substance, of an The nature of the
white.
unchangeable quantity, of wonderfull whitenesse, as
fluid as Resine, as transparent as Crystall, as brittle as Glasse, and for
weight like to a Diamond.
The star of Copper is of a wonderfull citrine colour, like
to an Emrald, as fluxill as Resine, much heavier then its The star of Copper.
Metall.
The starre of white Tinne is as fluid as Resine, of a darke
colour with some mixture of yellow. The star of white
Tin.
The star of Iron is very red, as transparent as a Granate,
as fluxil as Resine, as brittle as Glasse, of a fixt The star of Iron.
substance, much heavier then its Metall.
The star of Lead is like Cobaltum, black, yet transparent,
as fluxile as Resine, as brittle as Glasse, equall to Gold The star of Lead.
for weight, heavier then other Lead.
The star of Quicksilver is of a wonderfull white,
sparkling colour, like to snow, in the extreamest cold The star of
Quicksilver.
weather, very subtile, of a penetrating, corrosive
acrimony, as transparent as Crystall, flowing as easily as Resine, very cold
to the tast, but very hot within, as if it were fire, but of a very volatil
substance in the fire.
By this description the stars of the Metalls are to be known, and understood.
Also you must understand, that for the preparation of both tinctures, viz. of
the Red and White, you must not in the beginning take of your work the
body of Gold, or Silver, but the first being of Gold, and Silver. For if in the
beginning there be an errour committed all your pains, and labour will be in
vain.
So also you must understand of Metalls, that every one of them receives a
peculiar signe in the fire, by which it is known.

Of this kind are sparks, flames, glisterings, the colour, smell, taste of fire,
&c.
So the true signe of Gold, or Silver in the test is glistering.
That appearing, it is certain that Lead, and other Metalls that were mixed
are fumed away, and that the Gold, and Silver is fully purged.
The signes of Iron being red hot in the furnace, are cleer transparent sparks
flying upward. Those appearing, the Iron unlesse it be taken from the fire is
burnt like straw, &c.
After the same manner any earthly body shews its
peculiar, and distinct signes in the fire, whether it have To know how
Metalls have more
more of Mercury, Sulphur, or Salt, and which of the or less of the three
three principles it hath most of. For if it fume before it principles.
flame, it is a signe that it containes more Mercury then
Sulphur.
But if it presently burn with a flame, and without any fume, it is a signe that
it contains much Sulphur, and little or no Mercury.
This you see in fat substances, as Tallow, Oyle, Resine, and the like: but if
without any flame it goes all into fume, it is a signe that there is in it much
Mercury, and little or no Sulphur.
This you see happens in hearbs, and flowers, &c. and other Vegetable
substances, and volatile bodies, as are Mineralls, and Metalls, remaining yet
in their first being, and are not mixed with any sulphureous body, which
send forth a fume, and no flame.
Mineralls, and Metalls, which send forth neither fume nor flame, doe shew
an equall mixtion of Mercury, and Sulphur, and a perfect fixation.

Of some peculiar Signes of Naturall and Supernaturall things.

Wee must yet further speak of some peculiar signes, of which hitherto we
have said nothing.
In which Treatise it will be very necessary for you, that boast your selves to
have skill in the Art of Signatures, and desire to be called Signators, that
you rightly understand mee. For wee shall not in this place write
theoretically, but practically, and shall declare our opinion in few words.
And first know, that the Art of signing doth teach how
true, and sutable names are to bee put upon all things, all What the art of
signing is.
which Adam truly knew. For presently after the Creation
hee gave to every thing its proper name, as to Animalls, so to Trees, Hearbs,
Rootes, Stones, Mineralls, Metalls, Waters, &c. And to all the fruits of the
earth, Water, Air, Fire, &c. And what names he put upon them all, were
ratified, and approved of by God. For from the true, and intrinsecall
foundation he tooke them all; not from opinion, or from a predestinated
science, viz. the Art of Signing.
Adam therefore was the first Signator. And it cannot be
denyed, that also from the Hebrew tongue true and Adam the first
signator.
proper names doe flow, and are put upon every thing
according to its nature, and condition.
For what names are put upon them from the Hebrew
tongue, doe with the same labour signifie their vertue, The nature of the
Hebrew tongue.
power, and property.
So when wee say, this is a Hog, a Horse, a Cow, a Beare, a Dog, a Fox, a
Sheep.
The name of a Hog signifies together with it a filthy and
unclean Animall: so a Horse signifies a strong and The signification of
a Hog, Horse, Cow,
patient Animall: a Cow, a devouring, and insatiable Beare, Fox, Dog,
beast: a Bear, a strong, victorious, and an untamed brute: sheep, in the
a Fox, a shifting, and crafty beast: a Dog, an animall Hebrew tongue.

false to those of his own kind: a Sheep, a mild and profitable beast, and
hurtful to none.
Hence it is that a man is called a Hog, for his sordid and swinish life.
And a Horse for his bearing, for which hee is eminent.
And a Cow, because shee is unsatiable with meat, and drink, and knows no
measure of her belly.
And a Bear, because he is mishapen, and stronger then other men.
A Fox, because he is a turn-coat, and deceitfull, accommodating himselfe to
all, and offending none.
A Dog, because he is faithfull to none, but his own mouth, is false, and
inofficious to all.
And a Sheep, because hee hurts no body but himselfe, and is usefull to all,
rather then to himself, &c.
After this manner also many Hearbs, and Rootes have
got their name. In what hearbs there
is a signature.
So Eye-bright is so called, because it cures weak, and
sore eyes.
So the Root Bloudwort is so called, because it stops bloud better then any
other.
So the Hearb Pile-wort is so called, because it cures the piles better then
other hearbs.
The same also may be said of divers other hearbs, of which sort I could
reckon a great number, all which were so called from their vertue, and
faculty, as shall more largely be declared in our Herball.
Moreover, there bee many Hearbs, and Rootes, which are denominated not
only from their imbred vertue, and faculty, but also from their figure, forme,
and representation: As, Devills-bit, Five-leaved grasse, or Cinquefoile,
Hounds-tongue, Adders-tongue, Horse-taile, Liver-wort, Ox-tongue,
Lungwort, the hearb Chameleon, St. Johns-wort, or the hearb boared
through, the hearb Dog-stone, Tongue-laurell, Thorow-leafe, Turne-sole,

and many others which shall not here, but in the Herball bee severally
considered.
The same also holds concerning the signes of Animalls;
for by the bloud, and its circle, and by the urine and its What signature
there is in Animalls.
circle all diseases that lie hid in Man may be known.
By the liver of a slain beast the flesh is known whether it be wholsome to
be eaten or no. For unlesse the liver be clear, and of a red colour, but blew,
or yellow, or rough, or full of holes, the beast is diseased, and therefore his
flesh unwholsome.
And it is no wonder that the liver can shew that by
naturall signes. For the originall of the bloud is in the The Liver the
originall of Bloud.
liver, and hence through the veins it is diffused into the
whole body, and is coagulated into flesh.
Therefore from a diseased, and ill affected liver, no sound or fresh bloud
can be produced, as of bad bloud no wholsome flesh can be coagulated.
Also without inspection into the liver, flesh and bloud may be known. For if
both be sound, they have their true, and naturall colour, which is red, and
clear, mixed with no other strange colour, as yellow, or blew. For those
strange colours do signifie diseases, and sicknesses.
Also there are other signes worthy of admiration, viz.
when the Archeius is the Signator, and signes the navell What the knots in
the Navell of the
in the infant with little knots, by which it may bee Infant signifie.
conjectured, what the Mother of the infant did bring
forth, or shall bring forth.
The same Signator signs the horns of a Hart with
branches, by which his age is known. For as many The branches of a
Harts horn signifie
branches as the horn hath, so many years old is the Hart. his age.
And seeing he hath every year a new horn, the age of the
Hart may be known to twenty, or thirty years.
So the Signator of a Cow markes her hornes with circles,
by which it may be known how many Calves shee hath The circles of the
hornes of a Cow
brought forth. For every Circle signifies a Calfe. what.

The same Signator puts forth the first teeth of a Horse,
that the first seven yeers his age may be known by his The teeth of a
Horse.
teeth. For at first a Horse is brought forth, with fourteen
teeth, of which every yeer hee loseth two, and so in the space of seven
yeares hee loseth all. So that after seven yeares his age can hardly be
known, unlesse by one that is very skilful.
The same Signator doth signe the bills and claws of
Birds with peculiar signes, that the skilfull Fowler may The bills and claws
of Birds.
know their age by them.
The same Signator doth marke the tongues of diseased
Hogs with little pushes, by which their impurity is The tongues of
Hogs.
known, and as their tongue is impure, so is their whole
body.
The same Signator doth signe clouds with divers
colours, by which the seasons of the heaven may bee Colours of Clouds.
foreknown.
So also he signs the circle of the moon with distinct
colours, of which every one is of peculiar interpretation. Colours of the
circle of the Moon.
So redness signifies that there wil be wind; greennesse,
and blacknesse, raine, these two mixed together wind and rain, the same in
the sea is a signe of great storms, and tempests; clearnesse, and a bright
whitenesse is a good sign, especially in the ocean. For, for the most part it
signifies a quiet, faire season.
Whatsoever the Moon portends by her signs, shall come to passe the next
day.
And so much for Naturall signes. Now for Supernaturall signes, they are
things of a particular science, as of Magical Astronomy, &c. and the like. It
is therefore necessary that you be skilled in them.
Hence also many other Arts proceed, as Geomancy,
Pyromancy, Hydromancy, Chaomancy, and The kinds of
Magicall
Necromancy, whereof every one hath its peculiar stars, Astronomie.
which stars doe so signe them after a supernaturall
manner. And you must know, that the starres of Geomancy impresse their
signs upon the earthy bodies of the whole Universe, and that divers wayes.

For they change the earth, and cause earthquakes, and gapings, they
produce hills, and valleys, and bring many new Vegetables, they produce
also Gamaheaus with naked figures, and images, having wonderfull vertues,
and powers, which indeed they receive from the seven planets, as the But or
mark receives the arrow from the Archer.
But how those signs, and images of Gamaheaus may be known apart, and
what they signifie magically; there is required a great experience, and
knowledg of the nature of things, which can by no meanes bee here
perfectly taught.
Here you must well note, that the stone, or every Gamaheaus, cannot excell
in the property, and vertue but of one star, and so be qualified but by one
planet.
And although there bee two or more planets in earthly bodies, as they are
joined together in the superiour firmament: yet one is repressed by the
other. For as one house cannot bear two Masters, but the one thrusts out the
other: so also it is here; the one rules, the other serves: Or as one that
overcomes him that keeps any house, casts him out by force; and sets
himself, as master of the house, disposing of all things according to his
pleasure, and making the other his servant.
So also one starre expells another, one planet another, one Ascendant
another, one influence another, one impression another, one Element
another; For as water quencheth the fire; so one planet destroyes the
property of another, and brings in its owne.
The same is after the same manner to be understood of their signes, which
are manifold, and not only characters, as many conceive, but all those,
which are found in the whole map of the planets, i.e. whatsoever are of
affinity with, or subject to the planets.
But that you may the better understand mee by adding
an example: I would have you know, that unto the planet What things are
subject to the Sun.
of the Sun are subjected a crowne, a scepter, a throne,
and all kingly power, majesty, and rule, and all riches, treasures, ornaments,
and furniture of this world.
Unto the planet of the Moon are subjected all husbandry,
navigation, travelling, and travellers, and such things as What to the Moone.

belong to these.
Unto the planet of Mars are subjected all fortifications,
armour, coats for defence, Ordnance of War, spears, and What to Mars.
all weapons, and whatsoever belongs to war.
Unto the planet of Mercury are subjected all Artists, all
Mechanick instruments, and whatsoever is required to What to Mercury.
Arts.
Unto the planet of Jupiter are subjected all judgments,
and rights, the whole Leviticall order, all Ministers of What to Iupiter.
Churches, ornaments of Temples, all jewells, and such
like.
Unto the planet of Venus are subjected whatsoever
things belong to Musick, as Musicall instruments, What to Venus.
venereall exercises, loves, whorings, &c.
Unto Saturne are subjected whosoever work in and
beneath the earth, as Miners, Pioners, Bearers of the What to Saturn.
dead, Diggers of Wells, as also all instruments serving to
either of these, &c.
Pyromancy draws forth its signes by the stars of the fire,
in common fire by particular sparkes, flames, or noise, What be the signes
of Pyromancy.
&c. in the mines by Coruscations: in the Firmament by
stars, comets, flashing, and lightning, and Nostock, and the like: in Visions
by Salamandrine, and fiery spirits.
Hydromancy gives its signes by the stars of the Water,
by their overflowings, their scarcity, discolourings, What the signes of
Hydromancy are.
commotions, new streames, the washings away of earthy
things: in Magick, and Necromancy by Nymphs, visions and supernaturall
Monsters in the waters, and sea.
Chaomancy shews its signes by the stars of the Aire, and
Wind, by the discolouring, destroying of all tender, and What are the signes
of Chaomancy.
subtill things, to which the Wind is an enemie, by
beating off the flowers, leaves, boughes, and branches. If the stars of
Chaomancy are moved, spirits fall from the superiour Aire, and voices, and
answers are often heard: Also Trees are pulled up by the rootes, and Houses

are thrown down. There are seen Hobgoblins, Houshold Gods, airy spirits,
and Woodmen, &c. also a heavenly dew, and manna falls upon Trees, and
Hearbs.
Necromancy draws forth its signs by the stars of Death,
which we call Evestra, which are prophetical spirits, The signes of
Necromancy.
signing the body of the sick, and dying man with red,
blue, and purple spots, which are certaine signs of death, in the third day of
their rising. They sign also the hands, and fingers of men with a clay colour,
which are certain signs of change, either good or bad. When therfore the
stars of Necromancy are moved, then the dead shew some wonderful sign,
as Bleeding, and voices are heard out of the graves: tumults, & tremblings
arise in the places where bones are laid, and dead men appear in the form,
and habit of living men, and are seen in Visions, in Looking-glasses, in
Berills, in Stones, and Waters, and divers shapes. Evestra, i.e. spirits give
their signs by beating, striking, knocking, falling, casting, &c. where there
is a great hurly burly and noise only heard, but nothing seen, all which are
certain signes of death, presaging it to him, in whose habit they appear, or to
some in what place they are heard.
Besides, these signatures many more may be reckoned up. But seeing they
bring with them, evill, hurtfull and dangerous fancies, and imaginations,
and superstitions, which may be an occasion not onely of some misfortune,
but also death, I shall passe them over in silence. They are prohibited from
being revealed to us, seeing they belong to the schoole of secrets, and
divine power. Therefore now I shall put an end to this book.

FINIS.

A CHYMICALL
DICTIONARY:
EXPLAINING Hard Places and Words met withall in the
Writings of Paracelsus, and other obscure AUTHOURS.

London, Printed by Richard Cotes, for Thomas Williams at
the Bible in Little-Britain, 1650.

A.

cetum Philosophorum is a Mercuriall water, or otherwise is
called Virgins milke, wherein they say Metalls are dissolved.
Acetum radicale is Vineger distilled out of its owne roote, and
matrix, and is called the Dissolving Water.
Adamita is a certain kind of Tartar.
Adech is our interiour, and invisible man, which represents the formes of all
things in our mind, which afterward our outward man doth frame, and
imitate with its own hands; both of them work according to their nature.
Aerdadi are corporeall spirits living in the air.
Æs doth not alwaies signifie Copper, but sometimes Gold, or Silver, or any
other Metall that is pure, and generated by it self, without the mixtion of
any other Metall, or Stone; out of some such kind of Metall, they formerly
made and coined money.
Æstphara is the burning of flesh, or the substance of the body into ashes.
Æthna is called Subterranean fire, invisible, and sulphureous, which burnes
stones into coales, like Jeat in the mountains, which are full of Resine, and
Bitumen.
Æthnici are called fiery spirits, or spirituall men burning in the fire, which
appear in divers forms, and shapes, as fiery flames, firebrands, round balls
of coals, and that especially in Sulphur mountains.
Alandahal, or Alhandal is Coloquintida.
Alcaest, or Altaest, is said to be prepared Mercury, some will have it to bee
Tartar, but the mind of the Authour is more easily understood by the
description of the preparation of it.
Alcali is called all manner of Salt, which is extracted out of ashes, or calx of
any matter by boiling in lie.
Alchymia is the separation of that which is impure from a purer substance.
Alcofol, or (as some will have it Alcosol) is stibium, or Antimony.

Alcol, Alcool, or Alcohol is a most subtil powder of any thing.
Alcool vini is the spirit of Wine rectified.
Alcubrith, or Alcur, or Alazar is the same that Sulphur is.
Alembrot purified is salt of Tartar, and the Magistery of it.
Alembroth is salt of Mercury, or salt of Philosophers.
Almizadir is Verdegrease.
Altey plumbi is the sweet matter of Lead.
Alusar is Manna.
Amalgama is the making of Gold, Silver, or any other Metall into a past
with Quicksilver.
Amianthus is a stone like to Alumen plumosum in nature, and condition; it is
not burnt in the fire, wherefore it is also called the Salamander.
Amidum, or Amilum is the whitest flowre made into bread in the Sun.
Amnis alcalisatus is water passing through the chalk of the earth, out of
which Alcali is taken.
Amygdale, with Chirurgions is called the superfluous flesh which growes at
the roote of the tongue.
Anachmus is an incorporeall spirit.
Anathron, or Anachthron is a kind of Salt growing upon rocks like white,
and stony mosse, some call it salt nitre. The ancients falsly thought it to bee
the gall of glasse, seeing it is rather the gall of stones.
Anatomia Essata is the mother of diseases.
Anatrum is glasse melted into divers colours, which they call smaltum, or
terra Sarasenica.
Andena is Steel brought from the orientall countries, which melts in the fire
like other Metall, and is cast into severall forms.
Anthos in Vegetables signifies Rosemary flowers, and in Metalls it signifies
the Elixir or quintessence of Gold.
Anticar is Borax.

Anatris, or Antaris is Mercury.
Aniada are the fruits, and vertues of paradise, and heaven, also the
sacraments of Christians, in naturall Philosophy it signifies the Astrall
vertues, and celestiall, as they conduce by their influence unto long life.
Aniaday signifies an eternall spring, a new world to come, or paradise.
Aniadum is a celestiall body planted in us Christians by the Holy-ghost, by
the holy sacraments, or it is the spirituall man regenerated in us.
Aniadus is the efficacy of things.
Anima is our Mercury.
Anima Saturni is the sweetnesse of Lead.
Annora is the ashes of Egs, or Quick-lime.
Annus Aniadin is a long life.
Annus Platonicus is a common moneth, or an age.
Anodus is that which is separated from the nutriment by the kidnies.
Anodyna are Medicines procuring sleep.
Anontagius is the Philosophers stone.
Anotasier, Aliocab or Alemzadar is Salt Armoniack.
Antera is a Medicine extracted out of hyacinths, also that yellow which
growes in the middle of Lillies, and the like.
Anterit is Mercury.
Anthonor, or Athonar is a furnace.
Aphorismus is a generall rule in Physick, taken for granted.
Aqua celestina is Mercuriall water.
Aqua Celestis is rectified Wine, being in some sort made like to the heaven
for subtilty, and purenesse.
Aqua corrodens is Vineger, and all Corrosive Liquor.
Aqua fecum vini, is that which is made of the ashes of the lees of Wine,
dissolved upon a marble like oyle of Tartar.

Aqua lubricata is made of mucilaginous things, as Sugar, Juleps, and the
like.
Aqua permanens is that which is made of two most perfect Metalline bodies
by a Philosophicall solution.
Aqua Saturnia is that which retains in it selfe the nature of the three
Principles, as are Bath-waters, which are naturally medicinable.
Aqua solvens is distilled Vineger.
Aquaster is a vision representing something to our eyes, sometimes which
truly is not, but only in appearance.
Aquila is the Queen of birds, and it is used for salt Armoniack by reason of
its lightnesse in sublimation. But Paracelsus will have it in many places to
be taken for Mercury precipitated with gold.
Aquila Philosophorum is the Mercury of Metalls i.e. Metall reduced into its
first matter.
Arbor Maris is Corall, which grows like a shrub in the sea.
Arcanum in generall as it signifies any thing that is hid, so in Paracelsus it
signifies any secret incorporeall vertue in naturall things, partaking of a
perpetuall, and immortal life, derived upon it from heaven, which also may
bee multiplyed by the Spagiricall art above its former condition.
Archaltes, is in Paracelsus the foundation of the earth, or a pillar, which
seems not to be upheld by its fellows, but as it were by a wonderfull
providence of God.
Archeius is the highest, exalted, and invisible spirit, which is separated from
bodies, is exalted, and ascends, the universall occult nature, operator, and
Physitian in all things. So Archiatrus is the supream Physitian of Nature,
which distributes to every thing and every member their peculiar Archeius
occultly by Ares. Also Archeius is the first in Nature, the most secret vertue,
producing all things out of Iliaste, being supported by a divine power. Ares
is the dispenser of Nature hid in all the three principles, whence every thing
hath its being, and which disposeth to all things in a particular form, shape,
and substance, that it may put on its own proper specifical nature, & not
anothers. But you must note, the difference betwixt these 3 in nature, to
speak after the manner of schools. Iliastes is the substance of the highest

genus, or kind consisting in the first universall matter of all things, which it
doth first dispose into three kinds, viz. into Sulphur, Mercury, and salt. The
Archeius is the first dispenser of Nature, and then it produceth all things
into its next genera or kinds. Then comes Ares another dispenser of Nature,
which produceth from kinds, or genera, forms, and species into individualls.
Ardentia are such things which having received no food, are by their owne
nature subject to burnings, as Amber, Turpentine, Jeat, and such like.
Aridura is the totall consumption of the body, and parts thereof.
Arles crudum is drops falling in the moneth of Iune, like May dew.
Aromata, are all such things, which yeeld a sweet, and gratefull smell.
Aroph is Mandrake.
Arsaneck is sublimed Arsenick.
Arsenicum is the flashing of Metalls, or the salt of them, or of Saturne,
which in some places is called Artanek, or Artanech.
Artetiscus is he that wants any member.
Arthoicum is red oyle, artificially extracted out of the rootes of Hearbs
digested with bread in dung.
Asaphatum is an itch bred betwixt the skin, and the flesh, like worms: and if
the skinne bee crushed, long threds with black heads come forth.
Ascendentia signa are called either the stars of the Firmament of heaven, or
the sydereall spirits.
Asphaltum is a Bitumen extracted from the mudde of the earth, and water,
and is like pitch.
Assala is called a Nutmeg.
Assaliæ vermes are those wormes which breed in wood, or betwixt two
boards, and they are called Teredones.
Asthma is a disease of the lungs causing difficulty of breathing.
Astrum is in this place called the vertue and power got by the preparations
of things as the star of Sulphur is its inflaming which is turned into most
excellent oyle: so the star of salt is its resolution into water, or oyle, which

thereby receives more vertues then it had before. The star of Mercury is its
sublimation, by which it acquires a wonderfull power, and vertue, greater,
and more subtile then its naturall.
Astrum ex igne, is a burning Fire of great impression.
Athanor, or Athanar is a furnace in the spagirical Art, but especially a
reverberatory, sometimes of other use as the artificer pleaseth.
Attractiva are called magnetick medicaments, which have a power to draw
to them such things as are compounded of the like attractives.
Attramentum signifies divers things according to the adjective that is put to
it: as that which Shoomakers use, is Copperis, such as is red within: that
which Writers use, is called inke, sooty, and it is called blacking, also all
kinds of Copperis.
Augurista is called a superstitious Artist who practiseth his Art in Looking-
glasses, Chrystalls, and in Waters, especially in the singing, and flying of
birds, that he may presage by them; he also observes other rites for the same
cause.
Aurum planatum is that which they call Leafe Gold, or malleated Gold.
Aurum potabile is liquor of Gold, without any Corrosive, which very few
know, yea of those who daily prepare it rather to the destruction, then health
of men.
Aurum vitæ is precipitated Gold, and reverberated into the highest degree of
rednesse, like ground Cinnabar. That is the best which is made, and
precipitated with its proper Mercury.
Aurum vivum is sometimes taken for Quicksilver.
Austromantia is a certain kind of superstition invented, concerning the
observation of Winds, as when the stars of the Winds break forth into great
vehemency, contrary to their custome, whence men that are more idle then
rationall, pronounce a presage of something to come.
Avis Hermetis is the Mercury of Philosophers, which ascends, and then
descends for nourishment.
Axungia de Mumia, or Mumia de Medullis is the marrow of Bones.

Azemasor is Minnium, or Cinnabar.
Azoth is Quicksilver extracted out of any body, and it is properly called the
Mercury of the body, but in Paracelsus it is the universall medicine of
things.

B.

alneum Mariæ, or Maris, as many call it, is a furnace for
distillation containing water, in which being warm Chymicall
vessells are put for the putrefaction of the matter which they
contain, as also for their separation, and for the performing the operations
of that kind of moist ascensions.
Balneum roris is a furnace, in which the vessells of Distillation are put over
the vapour of the water only, that the vapour doe not touch the body: also it
is called a vaporous furnace.
Balsamum is a substance of bodies preserving things from putrefaction. It is
internall, and externall. Internall in man is a certain temperate substance,
not bitter, nor sweet, nor soure, not Minerall salt, but the salt of liquor,
which preserves the body strongly from putrefaction. Externall is
Turpentine, which hath never come to the fire, but is digested.
Balsamum de Mumiis is that which is extracted from flesh.
Balsamum Elementorum externum is a liquor of externall Mercury, i.e. the
Mummie of externall elements, one of the three principles, the firmamentall
essence of things.
Baul is urine.
Baurac is any kind of brine.
Berillistica is an art of observing visions in those kinds of glasses.
Berillus is a Crystalline Looking-glasse superstitiously consecrated by the
Augurs.
Bismutum is the lightest, whitest, and basest kind of Lead.
Bitumen is a certaine kind of slimie mud extracted out of water, and is like
to pitch, and is as it were the pitch of the earth.

Bothor are wheales, or pustles.
Botin is Turpentine.
Brassadella, or Brassatella is Adders-tongue.
Brunus is St. Anthony’s fire.
Bruta is an influence of a Celestiall vertue, which by Brutes is manifested
to men, as in the Sallendine by the Swallow, in Salt the use of a Glyster by
the Storke, and many more of that kind.
Butyrum Saturni is that which above is called Altey, and it is the sweetnesse
of Lead.

C.

abela, or Cabalia is a most secret science, which is said to be
delivered by divine inspiration, together with the law of Moses, the
Hebrew Rabbies asserting the same. The Persians were most
diligent seekers of this Art, being also professors of the same, as appears by
their calling of their wise men. They call their Priests wise men, and most
skilfull of all secrets, such as were those three that came to Christ out of the
East to worship him, and not Kings, as the ignorant vulgar think them to be.
It was not set down in writing, but delivered by word of mouth. Now after a
while superstitious men, a kind of apes, began to spatter it with their pen, so
that at last it is degenerated into monstrous superstition; by which means
also Magick, which is the true wisdome that is received by divine
inspiration, is accounted in these times Necromancy, and Nigromancy, so
that it is an offence to be a wise man, and hee that professeth it openly shall
cast himselfe into danger. But to teach the foolishnesse of Infidels publickly
is commendable, and a gift of singular wisdome, and no man is judged
wise, but hee that is the greatest foole.
Caballi, or Cabales are ghosts, and Astrall stars of men that dyed before
their time.
Calcedonium tartarum is an offensive matter in mans body, which comes
by reason of the defect of the expulsive faculty in not expelling what is
separated.

Cafa is Champhir.
Calcanthum is Vitriall.
Calcinatum majus is called all that which is made sweet by the Spagiricall
art, which of its own nature was not so, as the sweetnesse of Mercury, of
Lead, of Salt or the like, which also is called their soul, and doth quickly
consolidate any wound.
Calcinatum minus is all that which is natural sweet, and is very healing, as
Sugar, Manna, Honey of the Wood, Nostock and the like.
Calcitis is a stone out of which brasse is boiled.
Caleruth is a signe of a desire to the first perpetuum, as when any thing
desires to return into its first matter from whence it had its originall.
Callena is a kind of Saltpetre.
Calliette are yellow mushromes upon Juniper trees.
Calx Iovis is spirit of Tin.
Calx lignorum is the ashes of Wood.
Calx Luna is the Azure flower of Silver.
Calx Martis is Crocus of Steel or Iron.
Calx Mercurii is precipitated Mercury.
Calx Solis is calcined Gold.
Calx peregrinorum is Tartar.
Calx permanens or fixa, is an incombustible matter.
Calx Saturni is Minium.
Calx Veneris is Verdegrease.
Cambuca is an aposteme, or ulcer in the groin.
Caput corvi is Antimony.
Caput mortuum is the feces remaining after distillation, and sublimation.
Carbones cœli are the stars.

Carbunculus is an aposteme, or pestilent ulcer.
Cardonium is a medicinable Wine made of Hearbs.
Carena is the twentyeth part of a drop.
Caseus præparatus is the viscous residency remaining in the bottome of the
milke that runnes out of the cheese.
Cassatum is weak, and dead bloud in the veins obstructing the motion of
the good blood.
Cathimia is the spume of Silver.
Cauda vulpis rubicundi is Minium of Lead.
Cautela in Spagiricall art is a certaine kind of industry gotten by a habit,
whereby the professors of the art doe more easily undergoe their labors, and
perfect their operations.
Cauterium is a chirurgicall instrument, which opens the skin with burning;
also it is a medicine that effects the same, but without pain.
Cedurini are dull wits.
Cementum is a dry Corrosion, when any Metalline body is calcined with
salts, or such like drying things.
Cenigdam, or Ceningotam is a Chirurgicall instrument wherewith the
Cranium is opened in fits of the Epilepsie.
Ceniotemium is Mercury prepared for the Venereal disease.
Cerviculæ is the spirit made out of the bone which is in the heart of a Hart.
Chaomancy is an art of presaging by the aire.
Chaos, besides the confused, and unshaped matter of all things, is in
Paracelsus taken for the Aire; it is also taken for Illiaste, or Illiastro.
Character veneris is love, which is in stead of a shield in keeping off
danger.
Cheiri in Paracelsus if it be put absolutely without any adjection, and if it
be spoken of Mineralls, it signifies Quicksilver, if of Vegetables, Vegetable
flowers. But when it is found with an adjection after this manner, flos

Cheiri, it signifies the white Elixir made of silver, as Flos Anthos signifies
the red Elixir.
Cherio is the occult accidentall vertue of the externall Elements, and not the
qualities of heat, and cold, and the like.
Cherionium is that in which Nature cannot be altered, as Crystal, which is
so hardened by nature, that it cannot bee melted as that which is made by
Art.
Cherubin is a celestiall vertue, and influence, domination, and power above
all dominations, and powers, proceeding from God, and descending upon
the earth, and upon all men. Of this divine glory Paracelsus speaks largely
in the expositions of the Psalms of David.
Cherva is Cataputia, i.e. the Hearb Spurge.
Chifir Minerale is of some interpreted Gold, but I judg it by what goes
before to bee the Sulphur of any Metall.
Chiromancy according to Paracelsus doth not treat of the lineaments of the
hands only, but also of the whole body, and not only of men, but all naturall
things besides.
Chybur, or Cibur is Sulphur.
Chymia is the art of Separating pure from impure, and of making essences.
Chrysocolla is a kind of green earth like Verdegrease.
Chrysos is Gold.
Chymus is Feces.
Cineritium is Ciment of Gold, or Silver, which some call Regale.
Cinificatum is the same as Calcinatum, i.e. burnt to ashes.
Cist, or Kist, is the quantity of two Gallons of Wine.
Citrinula is a blistering Hearb called Crow-foot.
Citrinulum is a transparent salt, made out of calcined vitriall.
Citrinulus is pale Crystall.
Claretta is the white of Egs.

Clissus is the occult vertue of things returning from whence they came, as
the vertue of an hearb into the root in Autumne.
Coagulatio is the making of a thin thing thick.
Cœli planetarum are the proper orbs, and their spheres.
Cœlum Philosophorum is any quintessence, or universall medicine,
especially the Philosophers stone.
Cœlum Spagiricum is the upper part of a Philosophicall vessell.
Cohobatio is the often drawing off a liquor from its body, being oft put
upon it.
Cohopb, or Cohop is the same as Cohobation.
Cohos is whatsoever the skin contains in the whole body.
Colcothar is calcined Vitriall, or the caput Mortuum of oyle of vitriall.
Coleritium is a Liquor compounded of the corrosive materialls of Metalls.
Colica is Tartar resolved in the bowells, or a fixt disease in the Colon gut.
Collatenna is an hearb called Lyons-foot, or a certain stiptick medicine.
Colliquation is melting, as Metalls are melted.
Cometz is half a drop.
Complexio is the nature of any part, or the quality of heat, and cold, and the
like.
Compositum put absolutely is a body not separated.
Confirmamentum is the body of a star in man, or an Astrall body.
Confortativa, or Confortantia are medicines which comfort the heart, and
strengthen Nature.
Congelativa are medicines which stop any flux.
Congluten is that, which by putrefaction is turned into a viscous matter.
Conservativa are medicaments which preserve Nature from putrefaction,
being such things as are full of Astrall vertue.

Consolidativa are externall medicines which Chirurgions use in healing,
and drying wounds, and ulcers.
Constellatio is the impression of superiour stars, or their vertues upon
inferiour bodies.
Constrictiva are stiptick medicaments which Chirurgions use.
Contorsio is a torment of the bowells.
Contractio is a weaknesse of the members, and drawing of them together.
Coostrum is the middle part of the Diaphragma.
Cor amongst Metalls is called Gold.
Corbatum is Copper.
Cornu cervi is amongst the Chymists the nose of a still, amongst Paracelsus
a vulnerary hearb.
Corpora cœlestia Spagyrorum are Astrall vertues in their matter.
Corpora supercœlestia are such bodies that are not known by sense, but by
reason.
Corpus is the subject in which the vertues of things lie hid.
Corpus invisibile is the soul, which is corporeall in respect of its
sustentation, and invisible by reason of its spirituality.
Corrosiva are medicines that Chirurgions use to eat off superfluous flesh.
Cortex Maris is the Vineger of Philosophers.
Coruscus is mouse-eare.
Cotoronium is a Liquor.
Cruor salis is salt separated from the first salt by fault of the second
digestion.
Cucurbita is a vessell like a gourd.
Cycima is Litharge.
Cydar is Iupiter.

Cyphantum is a distillatory vessell, or the Art it selfe.

D.

ardo is a successive generation by propagation.
Daura is Hellebor.
Deliquium is a cold descension, when coagulated bodies are dissolved into
a liquor in any cold place.
Demotinus lapsus is suddain death.
Derses is an occult vapour of the earth, by reason of which all kind of Wood
grows, and increaseth.
Descensorium is a Chymicall furnace in which the liquor falls downward
from the grosse matter.
Diaceltatesson is a speciall remedy against feavers.
Diameter Spagiricus is a temperament.
Diapensia is Alchamilla, i.e. Ladies mantle.
Diaphanum is that which is transparent.
Diaphoreticum is a sweating medicine.
Diasatyrion is a confection provoking lust.
Diatessadelton is precipitated Mercury.
Dienez are spirits that dwell amongst hard stones.
Digestio is a Chymicall operation, alluding to the digestion of a Mans
stomach, in which, and by which the matter is decocted into a separation of
pure from impure.
Diota is a circulating vessell.
Discus solis is Quicksilver made out of Gold.
Divertalium, or Divertellum is a generation made by Elements.
Divinatio is prophecying, or foretelling.
Dracunculus is Brassatella, i.e. Adders tongue.

Dubelech is the cavity of an imposteme.
Duelech is a kind of Tartar in Mans body, or the stone in the bladder, or any
other part which is spongious, and dangerous.
Duenech is Antimony.
Dulcedo Saturni, is Altey, or Ceruse.
Durdales are corporeall spirits inhabiting trees.

E.

delphus is any one that prognosticates by the Nature of the
Elements.
Edir is steel or Iron.
Electrum is sometimes taken for Amber, but in Paracelsus it is a mixture of
a compound metall made by melting all the seven planets into one body.
Elementum in Paracelsus is the corruptible, and transient essence of the
world, and of all things, which are subject to change.
Elephas is Aqua fortis.
Elevation is making a thing subtile.
Elixir is properly a ferment, the least part of which turnes the whole masse
of any thing into its owne kind: also it is the essence of any thing.
Emunctorium is the place of expulsion of any excrement.
Enochdianum is that which hath long life.
Entali is flaked Allum, and sometimes it is made spagirically of salt
gemme.
Enur is an occult vapour of the water, by which stones are bred.
Erodinium is the sign of any thing to come.
Escara, or Estphara is black and dead flesh caused by a caustick, and is
commonly called the Escar.
Essaræ are Wheales.

Essatum essentiale, is the essentiall, and power that is in Vegetables, and
Mineralls.
Essatum vinum is rectified spirit of Wine.
Essentia quinta according to Paracelsus his definition, is a certain matter
extracted from things purified from all manner of impurity, and corruption,
whereby it is made incorruptible.
Essila is a tincture made by the heat of the sun in the face, or any other part
of the body.
Essodinum is a certain presage of things to come by their marks.
Esthionemus is a most corrupt imposteme feeding upon the whole member,
as a Wolfe.
Evestrum is a propheticall spirit, which presageth by signs, or something
going before.
Exaltatio is the subtilizing of any thing.
Excrementa are all superfluous things ejected by Nature.
Exitura is any aposteme which casts out matter.
Exorcista is a superstitious artist which calls up spirits.
Extractum is that which is extracted out of corporeall concretion, the
grossenesse being left behind.
Ezezich is Salt.

F.

aba is the third part of a scruple.
Fabiola is the flower of Beans.
Fædula is a kind of mushrome.
Fel Draconis is Quicksilver out of Tin.
Fel vitri is the spume of glasse.

Fermentum is a fixt matter, which reduceth a matter to its own nature, and
fixednesse.
Ficus cutis is a wart growing to the skinne upon Horses legs, and it is a
medicine to help diseases of the matrix.
Fida is Silver, and sometimes Gold.
Fido is called Quicksilver, and sometimes Gold.
Filius unius Diei is the Philosophers stone.
Filtratio is straining a thing through a woollen cloth, or paper, &c.
Filum arsenicale is the Philosophers stone.
Fimus equinus is a digestion made any way, either by Horse-dung, or warm
ashes, or water.
Fixatio is making that which flies in the fire to endure the fire.
Flagæ are spirits which know the occult secrets of men.
Flos cheiri is the essence of Gold.
Flos sectarum Croe is the flower of Nutmeg, or as some will, of Saffron.
Folia daure are leaves of Gold.
Fons philosophorum is Balneum Maris.
Formæ rerum are called the influences of celestiall bodies, which inferiour
bodies receive from them, or they are the vertues of any thing.
Formicæ are little impostemes like warts.
Fugile is an aposteme in the eares.
Fuligo Metallorum is sometimes called Arsenicke, and sometimes it is
taken for Mercury.
Fulmen is purified Silver.
Fumigatio is calcining any thing with a sharp corroding fume.
Fusio is melting, or making any thing flow in the fire.

G.

amahei are images impressed by a supercelestiall influence.
Gamathei are stones in which celestiall vertues, and supernaturall
constellations are impressed, being marked with wonderfull
characters, and images.
Gamonynum is that one only Anatomie of all things.
Glacies dura is Crystall.
Gladialis is an Art whereby according to the course of the firmament of the
stars swords are so forged, that anvills cannot resist them, whence it
otherwise called incusma.
Gelion is a Leafe.
Geluta is the hearb called Chameleon.
Gemma tartarea is called the stone that is generated of diaphanous, and
perspicuous tartar.
Genula is a plant degenerating by transplanting of a parsnip.
Geomancy is the most known Art of the earth, but in this place it is taken
for the stars of the earth, manifesting themselves to men, so that thereby
they may take some ground for presaging.
Gibar is a Metallick medicine.
Gigantes are men exceeding the bounds of Nature.
Gluta is the efficacy of tenacious pitch.
Gluten is any viscous matter in the body, from whence proceed many
obstinate diseases.
Glutinis tenacitas is the Minerall Resine.
Gnomi are called homunciones, or rather corporeall spirits, living under the
earth, or else Pygmies of a cubit long.
Græca Magia is a superstitious Art invented by the Grecians, by which they
made things appear, which really were not.
Gravus is the stone Porphyrites, the use of which is as of a marble to
dissolve things in the cold.

Grilla, or Grillus, is vitriall dissolved of its owne accord into water.
Guarini are men living by the influence of the heaven.
Guma is Quicksilver.
Gumicula is Valerian.
Gutta rosacea is a rednesse especially in the face like that tincture which is
in the beginning of a Leprosie.

H.

adid is Iron.
Hal is Salt.
Harmel is the seed of wild rue.
Haro is a kind of Ferne.
Hel is Honey.
Hellebria is a kind of black Hellebore bearing red flowers.
Heliotropium is Paracelsus his balme.
Helismidan is a balsamicall Mummie.
Henricus rubeus is the Colcathar of Vitriall.
Hinicula, genicula, or gumicula is Valerian.
Homunculus in Paracelsus is a man made artificially, the processe whereof
you may see at large in the foregoing treatise the eight page, and sometimes
they are taken for superstitious images.
Horion is the Mercury of Gold.
Humor vitæ is the radicall moisture.
Hydri are juices or fruits.
Hydromancy is an Art taken from the stars of the water, when they manifest
themselves to men, as from unusuall inundations, and the like.