than a meer Vapour which is extracted from the Elementary â—arth by the Superior Stars as by a Sydereal Distillation of the Macrocosm which Sydereal hot Infusion with an Airy-Sulphureous Property descending upon inferiors so acts and operates as in those Metals and Minerals is implanted spiritually and invisibly a certain Power and Virtue which Fume afterward resolves it self in the Earth into a certain Water from which Mineral Water all Metals are thenceforth generated and ripened to their Perfection and thence proceeds this or that Metal or Mineral according as one of the three Principles aâ—quires Dominion and they have much or little of Sulphur and Salt or an unequal Mixture of the weight of them whence some Metals are fixed that is some constant and stable some volatile and easily mutable as is seen in Gold Silver Copper 〈◊〉 Tin and Lead Besides these Metals other Minerals also are generated of the three Principles according to the Communication and Participation of the unequal weight of them as are Vitriol Antimony and many other Marchasites or other Electrums and Minerals which for brevity sake we here omit But Gold in its Astrum and Beginning was imbibed with a much more perfect Sulphur and 〈◊〉 much more perfect Mercury than all other Metaâ—â— and Minerals and therefore its operative Virtue is much more potent and more efficacious than the Astrums of other Metals Yea all Virtues whatsoever are dispersed in other Metals and many more than them are found in the Astrum of Gold only Moreover I say when that one thing is brought to further Maturity by Fire it contains more Perfection than all Metals and Minerals together There is one only Mineral of which I have often made mention already in which is found a Sulphur of Sol equally as strong and powerful yea more potent and more strong than in Gold it self so also there are two kinds of Metals found in which this Predominancy powerfully Triumphs of which at this time I have neither will nor disposition to write but I am willing to keep within the Bounds I have set my self in treating of the Essence of Antimony touching which I purpose now to speak Therefore Antimony is a Mineral made of the Vapour of the Earth changed into Water which Spiritual Syderal Transmutation is the true Astrum of Antimony which Water by the Stars first afterward by the Element of Fire which resides in the Element of Air is extracted from the Elementary Earth and by Coagulation formally changed into a tangible Essence in which tangible Essence viz. whence Antimony is formally made is found very much of Sulphur predominant of Mercury not so much and of Salt the least of all three yet it assumes so much Salt as it thence acquires an hard and immalleable Mass The principal Quality of it is dry and hot or rather burning of Cold and Humidity it hath very little in it as there is in Common Mercury in Corporal Gold also is more Heat than Cold. These may suffice to be spoken of the Matter and three Fundamental Principles of Antimony how by the Archeus in the Element of Earth it is brought to perfection Yet the Lovers of Chymistry should not think this Philosophick Reason by me alleadged of absolute necessity to them nor need they be solicitous to know in what Center the Astrum of Antimony rests or from what Root it slows but should rather desire to learn the Utility and use thereof viz. which way it ought to be prepared and reduced to its State that they may know its Virtue Power and Operation touching which in times past so many Things have been written and to this Day are mentioned and spoken of by all men of all States and Conditions For the Learned as well as the Unlearned hope to have their ardent and insatiable Desire satisfied by This therefore I will not detain the Reader with ambiguous Discourses or tedious Delays but simply teach every Thing which I by great Study and Diligence which I have often imployed about Antimony could find out touching the Essence of Antimony For no man by reason of the shortness of Life can know or search out all its Arcanum's because in Preparation of Antimony one new Wonder follows another perpetually one Degree succeeds a former Degree Colour follows Colour and one Virtue Power or Operation always manifests it self greater than another And to begin here I say Antimony is meer Venom not of the kind of the least Venoms but such as by which you may destroy Men and Beasts so venomous a power is diffused through the whole Substance of this Mineral Hence ariseth the common Exclamation of all men For the People unskilful Doctors and all Those to whom the ground of true Medicine is unknown do with one mouth proclaim it Venom Venom Poyson say they as I my self above confessed lies in Antimony For this Cause let us disswade all men from its use for it endangers the Health and Life Therefore Doctors resident in Princes Courts admonish Monarchs Princes and other Potentates not to use Antimony Other Scholasticks cry out Beware you in no wise admit Antimony into Medicinal Use for it 's meer Poyson these the Inhabitants of Cities and Villages follow And this far spread Clamour so moves the greatest part of Mortals as Antimory in these our Days is very ill spoken of and no man dares put confidence in the Medicine thereof which in it is found so various and unexpressible For truly and holily I affirm as truly as GOD is the Creator of all things visible which are contained in Heaven or Earth which either have come or in time to come shall come unto our knowledge that under Heaven or by the Rays of the Sun with the Guidance of Experience can be found or demonstrated no greater Medicine than is in this Mineral yea there is no Subject in which so fluently and abundantly can be found such most certain Remedies for Health as shall be declared by sure and undeniable Experiments to be in Antimony Son attend to this my Discourse and do thou Reader give heed to my Writings and do you wise men of the World diligently observe my Declaration of Antimony founded on Experience For my Theory ariseth from Nature and my Practice proceeds from certain Experience which shews its manifold Utility and infinite Ways produceth the same not without the incredible Admiration of all men But I assent to you and confess as I have before acknowledged in my Writings that Antimony at first is meer Venom and before Preparation hath nothing in or with it self but Poyson and that I affirm to be true But you whosoever you are insignized or not insignized with the Degree of Doctor Master or Batcheler whether skilful in Art or by some other Priviledge promoted you I say who so inconsiderately and so arrogantly without Truth exclaim and prate against me pause a while and forget not your own Argument hear what I have here to say Antimony is Venom therefore
Leave is to be given to all who treat of Sacred Things Viz. to declare those Things which they are willing to discover not to the unlearned ignorant Deriders but only to Men worthy and to such as sincerely desire and aspire to the knowledge of the same in a certain singular and Parabolical kind of Writing In which our Author is the more to be excused because when he comes to the greatest of Mysteries which he intended to explain in this Book he betakes himself to certain hiding Places of Parables and with the Heaven of Piety which is wont to cover all things yea even the most wicked he so veils his Secrets as None but Pious and sincere Disciples of Art can with the acuteness of their sight penetrate these Clouds do thou therefore Dum sugit ad Salices se cupit ante videri with a certain intellectual Luxury sport with him he will not delude Thee themselves as Icarus and his Father Daedalus in times past did if credit may be given to the Ancient Writings of Poets But when I soared too near the Sun my Feathers with it's vehement heat were consumed and burnt I fell headlong into the depth of the Sea yet to me in this my extream Necessity invoking GOD help was sent from Heaven which freed me from all peril and the present Destruction For an Angel hastned to my assistance who commanded the Waters they should be still and instantly in that deep Abyss appeared a most high Mountain upon which at length I ascended that I might thereon examine whether as Men had affirmed there was any Friendship There hath been no Man who had darted his sight but as it were through a Lattice into the Penetrals of Chymistry who did ever deny this Influence of Superiors upon Inseriors Therefore let Basilius so holily affirming and so often openly declaring it to Men be credited by those who the true Light being not yet risen upon them do by feeling without sight practice Chymistry and Familiarity between Superiors and Inferiors and whether the Superior Stars have acquired power from GOD their Creator to produce any one Thing like themselves in the Earth And having searched into Things I found that whatsoever the Ancient Masters had so many Ages since committed to Writing and delivered to their Disciples who earnestly desired to be the true Imitators of them was as I may say more true than Truth it self Wherefore as is fit I give prayse and thanks to my Lord and Heavenly Father for his incomprehensible Works In very deed that I may expound the matter in few Words I found all Things which are generated in the Bowels of Mountains to be infused from the Superior Stars and take their beginning from them in the form of an aqueous Cloud Fume or Vapour which for a very long time fed and nourished by the Stars is at length educted to a tangible form by the Elements Moreover this Vapor is dryed that the Watriness may lose its Dominion and the Fire next by help of the Air retain the Ruling Power Of Water Fire and of Fire and Air Earth is produced which notwithstanding are found in all things consisting of body before the Separation of them Therefore this viz. Water is the first Matter This is an old Song this is the Sum of Art from this Imitation of Nature is found the lesser Stone of Fire from this it is made Whensoever it is prepared from the Same also the great Philosophick Stone derives its Original This is the Water of Anaxagoras the Fire of Empedocles and Aristotle's first Matter of which all things have been and to this Day are made Which is clearly evident in the Nutrition of Man the Growth of a Tree and in the Generation of Metalls For that which constitutes Flesh Woods and Metalls is not taken from Food Rain or Earth but is infused into them from elswhere That very Thing is the Aliment which nourisheth all things but that it may be so variously specificate it must be separated from that Body in which it dwells and be joyned to another which by the Chymical Art is performed of all things which by the Dryness of Fire and Air is formed into Earth But now since my Intention is to describe the Stone of Fire how it is made of Antimony together with the Process of its Preparation which not only heals Men but Metalls also particularly it will be necessary before all Things to speak somewhat of these following Heads What properly the Stone of Fire is what is its Minera whether a Stone can be made without Matter or no what is the extreme difference of Stones and how many Species of them are found and lastly of their use In this my purpose I pray O Spirit of Heaven illuminate me that I may give a true and syncere Instruction viz. according as is fit for me and the matter it self permits Indeed I have hopes of Eternal Absolution from this my Supream confessor who from Eternity possesseth the Throne of Mercy and will give Testimony of all Things when the Decretory Sentence shall be pronounced upon all Men in the last Judgement without any appeal Therefore first know and consider that the True Tincture of Antimony which is the Medicine of Men and Metalls is not made of crude and melted Antimony as it is sold by Merchants and Apothecaries but extracted from the Minera as it is taken out of the Mountains and before it is formed into Glass But how that Extraction should be made is the principal Work in which the whole Art consists Health and Riches attend him who rightly attains to that But my Reader you must diligently mind this viz. that the Tincture of Antimony prepared fixed and solid or the Stone of Fire as I name it is a certain pure penetrative spiritual and fiery Essence which is reduced into a coagulated Matter like the Salamander which in Fire is not consumed but purified and conserved Yet the Stone of Fire tingeth not universally as the Stone As much as Heaven is elevated above the Earth so much doth the true Stone of Philosophers differ from this Stone of Fire I my self do candidly confess that although I have found this yet I am very far distant from the other And this whatsoever it is I own to be received from the Wisdome of Basilius Do you take â—eed you be not deluded by your own phantasie and that others deceive you not of Philosophers which is made of the Essence of Gold it self To this no such power is given as that it should perform such things but it tingeth particularly viz Silver into Gold Tin also and Lead but Mars and Venus it toucheth not nor do they yield more then from them by Separation may be effected Moreover one part of it can tinge no more then five parts of Metall so as to persist in the Tryal of Saturn and Antimony whereas on the contrary the Great Stone of Philosophers can transmute to infinity Also in
which Children learning their A. B. C. are wont to set in the Frontispiece of their Primer Therefore I perswade all Men of what state or condition soever who are desirous of Learning from your Masters to search out the true Doctrine which consists in Preparation and afterward in the Vse so they or you shall possess the Title assumed with honour and Men will undoubtedly have confidence in you and you will in very deed do them good then will you to the Eternal Creator give thanks cordially without feigning But let every Man seriously think with himself what it is he ought to do and what he is to omit and whether he doth justly or unjustly use the Title assumed For he who assumes any Title ought especially to understand the condition of that Title and why he assumed it or what the true foundation is It is not sufficient if any one with the vulgar say saving your reverence let the more delicate Men pardon us if we intending to speak to the purpose make mention of putrefaction this is egregious dung it hath a strong and grievous ill savour and know not how it comes to pass that a Man who perhaps eats food of a most grateful taste and odour and well accommodated to his natural Appetite thence makes excrement endued with qualities so contrary and yielding an odour so very ungrateful and repugnant to Nature of which there is no other reason then natural putrefaction and corruption The same happens in all Aromatical well smelling things It is the Philosophers part to enquire what odour is and whence it receives its vertues and in what the virtue of it may be made manifest to true profit For the Earth is nourished and fatned by stinking dung and noble Fruit is produced of it Of this matter there is not one cause only but our Book would swell to an huge Volume if we should but briefly hint at all natural Generations and mutations yet Digestion and Putrefaction are the principal keys of them For the Fire and Air make a certain Maturation by which a Transmutation of the Earth and Water may follow and this is also a certain mutation by which of evil smelling Dung a most fragrant Balsam may be produced and on the contrary of most grateful Balsam ill savoured Dung But perhaps you will say why do I produce examples so very rude and absurd I do confess the example is taken from a Cottage rather then a Royal Court yet a prudent considerer of things more accurately diving into the matter will easily understand what such examples intimate to him viz. that of the highest things the lowest are made and of the lowest the highest so that of a Medicament is produced Venome and of Venome Medicine of the sweet bitter acid and corrosive and on the contrary of the corrosive another thing more profitable O good GOD how much is Nature absconded from Men so that she seems to disdain to be wholly seen by us But since thou hast ordained so very short a time of our Life and thou the Judge of all reservest many things to thy self in the Creatures which thou hast left to be admired not known by us and of which thou alone wilt be the beholder and Judge grant unto me that unto my Life's end I may keep thee and my Saviour in my Heart that besides health and necessaries of the Body which thou hast liberally bestowed I may also acquire the health of my Soul and Spiritual Riches of which inestimable good I am freed from all doubt by that thy mercy in which for me a miserable sinner thou didst on the Tree of the Cross shed the Sulphur and Balsom of my Soul which is indeed a mortiferous Venome to the Devil but to us Sinners a most present remedy I do certainly heal my Brethren as far as concerns the Soul by Prayer and in relation to the body with apt Remedies therefore I hope they will on their parts use their endeavour that they with me and I with them may at length inhabit the Tabernacle of the Most High and in him our GOD enjoy Eternity But to return to my Philosophy of Antimony I would have the Reader before all other things to understand that all things contain in themselves operative and vivificative Spirits which inhabiting in the Body feed and nourish themselves and are sustained by the Body Elements themselves want not these Spirits which the living GOD permitting that whether they be good or evil have their Habitation in them Men and Animals have in them a living operating Spirit which receding from them nothing but a Carkass remains In Herbs and all things bearing Fruit a Spirit of Sanity exists otherwise they could not by any Preparation be reduced to Medicinal use Metals and all Minerals are endued and possessed with their own incomprehensible Spirit in which the power and virtue of all their possible effects consists For whatsoever is without Spirit wants Life and contains in it self no vivifying Virtue Therefore you are to know that in Antimony also there is a Spirit which effects whatsoever is in it or can proceed from it in an invisible way and manner no otherwise than as in the Magnet is absconded a certain invisible power as we shall more largely treat in its own place where we speak of the Magnet But there are various kinds of Spirits * What follow seem somewhat confused according to the Sentiments of certain Theologicians who have held various opinions of Spirits residing in the Fire Air and other Elements adjudging them to the Eternal Fire of Hell c. All which with Basilius we leave as unknown to the Judgement of the Divine Knowledge But what he himself subjoyns touching the wonderful virtue and power of Antimonial and all other Chymical Spirits which we our selves with so great admiration have often seen we understand only of material Spirits which certainly are endued with as great virtues and effect things no less wonderful then those Spirits which phantastick persons oppressed with Melancholy affirm they see and talk with yea I cannot remember that I ever found written or declared by such as taking a liberty of lying endeavour to please or terrifiâ— others any greater or more wonderful virtues then these Spirits have visible to the Intellect and endued with Spiritual knowledge which notwithstanding cannot when they will be touched or apprehended as Natural Men are touched especially they who have their fixed Residence in Elements as are the Spirits of Fire Lights and other Objects formally darting out Light from themselves such are Airy Spirits who inhabit the Air Aqueous Spirits living in Waters and Terrene Spirits living in the Earth which we Men call Earthly Men which are chiefly found in wealthy Mines of the Earth where they shew and discover themselves to us These Spirits are endued with Senses and Understanding know Arts and can change themselves into divers Forms until the time of their Judgement but whether a definitory sentence
Vitriol and thrice so much Spirit of Wine Circulate until Separation be made and at length the Mercury resolve it self into Oyl and float about like Oyl Olive When you see this separate this Oyl from the other Liquor and put it into a Circulatory and there pour on strong distilled Vinegar and permit it so to rest for about twenty Days Then this Oyl again acquires its own Gravity and settles to the Bottom and whatsoever Venenosity was in it remains in the Vinegar which will be tenebrous and altogether confused * There is no need of Torches at Noon Day nor of Commentaries in so perspicuous a Description by which Basilius teacheth to make the Mercury of Antimony Begin leisurely give heed to all particulars and your Work shall never deceive you Lest I should darken the Author I desist from Commenting but add that I doubt not but that this Mercury will manifest wonderful Effects in the Humane Body Yet I have not experienced its Virtues for the health of Animals therefore my Commentaries must not exceed my Experience But in the Emendation of Metals it shews it self to be endued with singâ—â—â—â— Virtues For I say and clearly affirm he that can bring this Oyl here deâ—â—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 Basilius to the state of a fixed Stone may glory that be hath a fixed 〈…〉 inferior to the one only King of Kings the Great stone of Phiâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 when thou hast proceeded thus far O Lover of Chymistry go not 〈…〉 take off thy band from the Plough but go on chearfully perhaps in so 〈◊〉 Grove The Golden Branch with Leaves and Twigs of Gold Will shew it self to Thee This is a great Arcanum and seems repugnant to Nature that this Oyl should first swim and afterward being rendred more ponderous settle to the Bottom But consider the Oyl of Vitriol is also heavy yet when the Mercury in its Separation is not altogether pure it stands above it but when the impure Lightness is taken from it by Vinegar because the Vinegar assumes that then the Oyl receives its just weight becomes compact and settles to the Bottom This is the Oyl of the Mercury of Antimony which is the fourth Column of Medicine Now come hither you Lepers where be you I will supply you with Means for Health This Oyl is prositable against the Apoplexy comforts the Brain makes a man industrious and cherisheth the vital Spirits of the Head If any one hath laboured long with grievous Diseases and will for some time dayly use this Oyl his Hairs and Nayls will fall off and he will be renovated as a man new-born All the Blood in the Humane Body is by it so purified as every Evil is taken off from it and expelled This heals the French Disease which we have lately inherited for by this Medicine it is radically extirpated And to comprehend much in few words the praise of this Oyl is greater in Medicine than can be expressed by Speech or Writing Why do we miserable Mortals taken from the Earth and ready to return into Earth stick here Why do we not hasten to give Thanks to GOD our Creator for this Medicine so mercifully granted to Us You Doctors if it please the Gods of either Medicine come to me a religious man and Servant of GOD I will manifest to you what your Eyes never saw and will shew you the way of Health and Sanity which before you never knew Yet if any one be found among you who understands my Processes and the way of Preparation better than I let him I pray not be silent or set a Seal to his Lips for here I stand ready to learn nor am I ashamed further to inquire and desire that Light which before I knew not For I have often said that this our Life is circumscribed with more strait Limits then that one man should be able to search out all Things which Nature bears absconded in her Bosom But on the contrary I being the Author let them be silent who have experienced less than I and if they have not attained to a solid Understanding of my Writings let them not attempt to amend them or like Brawlers with inconsiderate Words reprehend what they never learned in the Schools and the Processes of which they never received from men skilled in the Law For my Terms otherwise sound and signifie other than theirs who oppose themselves against me and who are ashamed of the Labour of Planting Trees and of Grafting fruitful Sprouts thereon therefore they always abide among dry and withered Wild Trees and can never attain to any Branch of green sappy and well manured Fruit Trees Hasten not I say O man experienced in our Art to pass your Sentence of Judging and be not willing to condemn what you have not yet your self acquired by Thoughts or gained by Discipline Many imprudent men frequently say Fishes are frozen in Waters but these discover their own imprudence and want of Knowledge For it will never be proved that a Fish even in the bitterest Winter will ever be frozen in Waters as long as the Ice of those Waters is dayly broken by the diligence of Mortals But the reason why Fishes dye is because when the Ice is not opened their respiration is hindred and they thence are are suffocated For it may easily be proved that no Animal can live when to it the use of Air is denied Whence it may well be concluded that those Fishes which are found dead under the Water in an extream Cold Season die not of Cold as men of little understanding think but because they are deprived of Air. By like Reason that we may apply this Example I say since Antimony is to produce such admirable Fruits it is to be taken out of the Mountains but first by the Care of the Miners spiracles or breathing places are to be made for it and afterward it must be prepared with Water Air and Fire as with auxiliary Mediums lest its fruitfulness be suffocated in the Earth But with many and laborious Preparations of Artifice it must be manifested and brought to Light for the expected Sanation of Diseases by reason of which it hath been so long sought into Where now O Wretch who contemnest Antimony and among all men accusest it as mere Venom where is thy Rhetorick or Dialect wherewith to defend thy self But since thou understandest neither White nor Black nor Green nor Red nor Yellow nor knowest which way to go about to justifie Antimony its Virtue Power and Utility being unknown to thee thou doest well if thou keepest Silence and permittest this Reprehension of thy Ignorance as a Wave driven with vehement wind to fly over thy Head fearing that if those Winds and Waves should be predominant thy own weak and frail Bark would be sunk and submerged To avoid this peril seasonably call upon thy Sleeping Master as the Disciples of our Saviour Jesus Christ did when they feared they should perish Yet this must not be done with a dissembled and
made Pag. 124 Chymical Medicines sold in Shops Pag. 90 D DEspisers of Antimony compared to an Asse Pag. 55 Doctors reprehended Pag. 10. 11. 12. 17. 29. 31. 33. 44. 45. 53. 54. 55. 65. 117. 121. 122. 125. No Man made Doctor without Labour Pag. 106 True Doctrine wherein it consists Pag. 12 Dose observable Pag. 22 E EArth of Antimony Pag. 147 Elixir of Antimony Pag. 84 Its Virtues Pag. 85 Example of Beer c. Pag. 24 Such why produced Pag. 27 Example of a Blacksmith Pag. 16 Of Bees Pag. 42 Of an Egg. Pag. 38 Of Frogspawn Pag. 39 Of a member Inflamed ibid. Of a member Benummed ibid. Of Oyl of Tartar and Vinegar Pag. 45 Of Soap Pag. 38 Of Spirit of Wine and Aquafortis Pag. 45 Of Steel and a Flint Pag. 41 Of a Toad Pag. 39 Of Man and Woman Pag. 150 Of Corn. Pag. 154 Extract of Antimony Pag. 95 Its Virtues and Vse Pag. 96 Of Antimony by a Caustick Water Pag. 100 Its Virtues and Vse Pag. 102 F FErmentation necessary why Pag. 149 Fishes dye not of Cold Pag. 118 Why they dy in frozen Waters ibid. Fixation whence Pag. 148 Fire makes Separation Pag. 16 The Separator of Venoms Pag. 58 Divers Fires Pag. 153 Flowers of Antimony Pag. 89 Their Virtue Pag. 92 G GLass of Antimony simple Pag. 63 With Borax Pag. 66. 67 Goods of GOD lent only for time of Life Pag. 125 GOD to be First invoked Pag. 2 His End in proposing Venoms Pag. 55 Golden Colour from Antimony Pag. 110 H HIstory of the Virtues of Balsom of Antemony Pag. 72 Of a Dropsy cured Pag. 75 Of George Castriot Pag. 77 Of 3 of the Authors Brethren cured of the Plague Pag. 127 Honey how prepared Pag. 43 A Corrosive Venom of it Pag. 42 Hops the Vegetable Salt of Beer Pag. 25 I IDleness condemned Pag. 118 Influence of Superiors on inferiors Pag. 144 K KIngs and Princes misinformed by Doctors Pag. 32. 52. L LAbour necessarily required Pag. 81 Such as shun it do not what they ought Pag. 125 Liver of Antimony Pag. 97 Its virtues Pag. 100 Lead of Philosophers Pag. 138 Why the Regulus is called Lead Pag. 139 Love a Disease c. Pag. 150 151 Its sad Effect Pag. 152 M MArs transmuted into Venus Pag. 101 Matrix peculiar to every element Pag. 92 Matter of all Metalls and Mineralls one Pag. 49 Medicine ineffectual if not separated from its Impurity Pag. 42 Medicine none greater than in Antimony Pag. 53 not prepared without Vulcan Pag. 54 Mercury not fixed by Animals and Vegetables Pag. 48 Within and without mere Fire Pag. 49 Vnvariable after Fixation Ibid. Made of Antimony Pag. 60 Mercury Sulphur and Salt in Antimony Pag. 59 Mercury living extracted from Antimony Pag. 114 It s medicinal Preparation and Vse Pag. 116 Minerals how made Pag. 145 N NAture to be followed Pag. 43 Absconded from Men. Pag. 13 O OPerations and Vtility give Experience Pag. 12 Oyl of Antimony from its Glass Pag. 71 By Distillation Pag. 71 Its Preparation Enigmatically described ibid. Made another way Pag. 78 Oyl of Antimony per se Pag. 109 Another Pag. 223 Another Pag. 127 Another Pag. 128 Another Pag. 129 Another Pag. 129 Another made of Regulus Pag. 136 Its Effects Pag. 137 Oyl of the Mercury of Antimony Pag. 116 Oyl of Sulphur per Campan how made Pag. 128 P Pouder of Antimony fixed Pag. 88 89 White and fixed Pag. 103 Its Virtues Pag. 105 Of Ruland Pag. 04 Pouders fixed why called Stones Pag. 147 Purging by the Inferior parts not the way to expel fixed Diseases Pag. 58 Q QVintessence of Antimony what Pag. 43 74 Its wonderful Virtues Pag. 76 Quarian Quotidian and Tertian Fevers cured Pag. 127 R REmedies fixed purge not Pag. 58 Riches required by all Pag. 21 Root of Diseases how expelled Pag. 57 Minded by few Pag. 125 Rubies of Antimony Pag. 124 S SAlts endued with no Tinging Virtue Pag. 148 Are Keyes ibid Salt of Antimony and its use when reduced to Oylor Spirit Pag. 113 Signate Star of Philosophers Pag. 135 Solution when necessary Pag. 22 Spirits of various Kinds Pag. 13 Vivificative and Operative Pag. 14 Of the Elements Pag. 15 Wanting Speech Pag. 16 Of Wine volatilize Pag. 23 Of Vinegar fix Pag. 23 True Sulphur of Antimony Pag. 109 Otherwise prepared Pag. 131 Stone of Fire Pag. 145 The difference between it and the Stone of Philosophers Pag. 147 Its Preparation Pag. 154 Its Vse Dose c. Pag. 157 A Stone whether made without Matter Pag. 149 T TIncture of Antimony from its Glass Pag. 70 Another Pag. 107 True not made of crude and melted Antimony Pag. 146 Named the Stone of Fire ibid. Tinctures their difference Pag. 147 ought to have love to Metalls Pag. 152 U VInegar of Antimony Pag. 132 Its property Pag. 134 Vinegar not transmutable into Wine Pag. 23 Venome whence it ariseth Pag. 56 Prepared resists Poyson Pag. 30 Taken away two wayes Pag. 37 Virtue of Vnicorns-horn proved Pag. 37 Vulcan the Key Pag. 16 A Master in his own Element Pag. 41 Master and Revealer of all Secrets Pag. 54 Contemned by whom ibid. W WAter of Mercury how made Pag. 102 Water of Anaxagoras what Pag. 145 Wine Transmutable to Vinegar how Pag. 23 Heats Vinegar cools Pag. 87 Words of the Author all of use Pag. 121 ERRATA PAge 4. line 32. read Graces p. 21. l. 11. r. Midas p. 33. l. 12. r. him p. 37. l. 14. r. into it p. 68. l. last r. force p. 77. l. 8. r. will not p. 90. l. 16. r. commodiously p. 94. l. 3. add not p. 107. l. 36. r. on it p. 109. l. 35. add in p. ibid. l. 22. dele again p. 124. l. 25. dele of Wine p. 126. l. 20. r. Prayse p. 127. l. 15. r. Extraction p. 129. l. 5. add you 134. l. 4. r. his p. 156. l. 7. r. Precipitate BASIL VALENTINE HIS Triumphant Chariot OF ANTIMONY SInce I Basil Valentine by Religious Vows am bound to live according to the Order of St. Benedict and that requires another manner of Spirit of Holiness then the common State of Mortals exercised in the prophane business of this World I thought it my duty before all things in the beginning of this little Book to declare what is necessary to be known by the pious Spagyrist inflamed with an ardent desire of this Art as what he ought to do and whereuto to direct his aim that he may lay such Foundations of the whole matter as may be stable lest his Building shaken with Winds happen to fail and the whole Edifice to be involved in shameful Ruine which otherwise being founded on more firm and solid Principles might have continued for a long series of time Which Admonition I judged was is and always will be a necessary part of my Religious Office especially since we must all die and no one of us which now are whether high or low shall long be seen among the number of Men. For it concerns me
Poyson casts it out and restores the man to his pristine Purity and Health Now since our Discourse hath led us so far and we have begun to open Nature so much that the truly Studious of Medicine though hitherto ignorant of this may clearly know what Good or Evil is latent in Nature what is Venom and what is harmless which is a thing hath not as yet been found out by Doctors by reason of their own supine negligence and that the Truth thereof may be demonstrated and also confirmed it will not be amiss to produce certain Experimental Examples which may discover the Truth and refute the false Opinions of others Put an Egg which in the Winter is congealed with Cold into very cold Water there let it lie for a due space of time and the Ice will externally adhere to the Egg-shell but the Cold be extracted from the Egg it self and restored to its pristine vigour and intireness Again if any Member be benummed with Cold let not the Patient neglect himself but apply cold snow-Snow-water round about so one Cold attracts the other and the Member is restored On the contrary if any One have a Member inflamed let him apply to that Inflammation an hot Matter as for Example Spirit of Wine which is mere Fire or the Quintessence of Sulphur and he will in very deed find that Heat is attracted by Heat in a certain Magnetick manner and like to rejoyce in like and not only to asswage the pain and heat of the inflamed Member but absolutely to restore the same to its pristine strength Yet lest this our purpose should not be fully enough confirmed by Examples I will also add another by way of Supplement Take Frog-Spawn in the Moneth of March and laying it on a Board dry it in the Sun when dry reduce it to Powder and strew of this Powder upon Wounds made by Venomous Vipers or Serpents by this means such Wounds will be so prepared as they may be perfectly healed by other Medicaments applied thereunto Or otherwise if Linen cloaths be often moistned in Frog-Spawn and as often dried and that Linen cut into small pieces and applied to Wounds they effect the same as the aforesaid Powder would have done But that the very foundation of this Truth may more clearly be declared take a venomous Toad dry him in the Sun shut him up in an Earthen closed Pot and by burning reduce him to Ashes then having taken out the Ashes and reduced the same to Powder apply of that Powder to a Wound made by Venom and this Poyson attracts the other Poyson and joyns it with it self Why so I pray Because by this Burning which is the Calcination of the Toad its interior Virtue is made manifest and efficacious for operating so that Like can attract like and especially Venom Venom to it self Therefore firmly perswade your self that this Truth is infallible and immutable which I have here proposed to you and others by Example If any One afflicted with the Pest do diligently observe this he will find the Truth of those Things I have here above mentioned the Astrum of Sol and the Spirit of Mercury ministred in a Pestilential Season preserve many For the Spirit of Mercury doth also draw to it self its own like and hath in it self the Medicament and attractive power of all venomous Diseases Yet since the Astrum of Sol from which as from an operative and all vivifying Sun all things in their kinds universally arise therefore I determine that in the potency of Gold more than in all other Things is an Operating Nature that is in its own Astrum whence both it self and all Metals and Minerals in the Beginning received their first Nativity and Propagation of Generation Touching which more may be said when I shall manifest to you the Astrum of Sol and commend the same most religiously to your Conscience After the same manner process is to be made with Antimony which hath the same Operations with corporal Gold yet of the Astrum thereof I now speak not For I know saith Antimony it behoves me before that to fear and tremble although in many principal Arcanums of Medicine I far excel it yet universally I am able to effect none of those Things which the Astrum of Sol confirmed by the Testimony of Celestial Verity is able to produce The Astrum of Mercury I omit because I my self have my descent from the same Original with it but as to a Celestial penetrating power of Operating I give the first place of Dominion to the Astrum of Sol. My Writings and Books composed by Experience properly follow and answer each to other â—s one Metal as to its virtue is observed and esteemed by another and must by Fire be proved of what value it is So these my Sayings or Writings or Medicaments ought to be brought into the Schools as tending to one Scope and End Into the Schools I say where Riches obtain to themselves as it were an Hereditary place and instead of that take away all the Honour which is due to â—ulcan only who can boast himself to be a Master in his own Element of Fire Which may be shewed by Example and a true and manifest Proof When most hard Steel is struck with an hard and solid Flint Fire excites Fire by vehement Commotion and accension drawing forth the occult Sulphur or the occult Fire is manifested by that vehement Commotion and enkindled by the Air so as it truly and efficaciously burns but the Salt remains in the Ashes and the Mercury thence takes its flight together with the burning Sulphur * You who read this most simple Comparison of Steel and a Flint slack the Reins of your Admiration and seriously ask your self whether there can be found out any way or Method by which from this Stone and Cold Iron may be extracted a Substance of which one only Grain but why do I speak of a Grain of which the hundred part of a Grain can in a very short time Convert a great Mass of some rude Matter into the most splendid and most pretious of all Things yea into Fire most profitable for Mankind This is possible and is dayly done when the fixed is made Volatile and the Volatile again fixed He that hath understanding let him understand and cease to defame the admirable virtues of Chymical Works So here also understand that Antimony ought in a certain Method so to be handled as its Mercury may be separated from the Sulphur thereof in a Natural Manner Now as Fire which lies absconded in Matter unless it be made manifest and can be demonstrated is profitable for nothing is not as I may say tangible by the Hands nor can it effect any thing to purpose so Medicine can effect nothing that is excellent unless it be first separated from its Grossness rectified and so discharged of Impurities clarified and brought to Light by due Preparation as is manifest in all Things for when Separation of
same as with a great Sound through all Parts of this Inferiour Orb which will be a necessary Consequence of the Gratitude of my Disciples when they shall see with their Eyes touch with their Hands and with their Understanding comprehend that I to their great profit have declared to them the very Truth withour Deceit and made them the Heirs of a memorable Testament Therefore the first Separation of the Sulphure from its Body and the Extraction of the Tincture from its Salt is performed in this manner Take pure Glass of Antimony as I taught you to make it without the adjunction of any other Thing Grind it to subtle Powder * What I here shall advise is short but very profitable without whâ—â— what the Author appoints cannot be done nor by beating or grinding in a Motar can you ever bring the Body to a requisite fineness much less upon a Porphy Stone can you grind the same Therefore first beat it in a Mortar afterward mix it with distilled Vinegar that it may have the Consistency of a soft Pâ—like matter and so grind it upon a Porphyry Stone as Painters grind their Colours and undoubtedly you will obtain your desire impalpable as Flower Which Powder put into a Glass with a Plain 〈◊〉 bottom called a Cucurbit and there pour upon 〈◊〉 strong Vinegar well rectified then set the Vessel in a Digestive Fire or if it be Summer expose it to the Sun stirring it twice or thrice * Thou art happy if thou canst be wise my Dammage O Lover of Anâ—â—â— I exactly followed this short Adâ—â—â—ition stirring the Cucurbit twice or 〈◊〉 a Day but the Matter was always coagulated like a Stone and stuck so 〈◊〉 to the bottom â—as it could by way ree be râ—nâ—eâ—id there but afterward 〈◊〉 â—ore wary from the very first I begun to stir the Matter with a Wooden Spatula five or six times a Day or oftner you may imitate the same if you be wise not only here but also in the Superior Preparation of Antimony and in every Extraction of Tincture from Antimony a Day and so long digest it in that temperate heat as until the Vinegar contract a Yellow Colour inclining to Redness like the Colour of most clean and well purified Gold Then pour off this clear and pure Extraction and pour on fresh Vinegar and repeat the Operation as long as the Vinegar is tinged and until no more Tincture can be extracted Filter all these Extractions mix'd together and put them into a Glass Body with its Head annexed and by B. M. distil off the Vinegar until in the Bottom remain a Yellow Powder inclining to Redness Upon this Powder pour distilled Rain-water often times and as often distil it off again still pouring on fresh distilled Rain-water Repeat this labour so long as until the Powder remain Sweet and * Our most sincere Author here deceives you not but conceals a certain manual Operation which if you attend to me clearly discovering the same the Work it self will never fail to Answer your desire If you have much Tincture you must have a great Cucurbit if Little a less will serve For if you take a greater Vessel than your Tincture requires the Vinegar must necessarily have a greater Fire to cause it to ascend by reason of the height it must unavoidably rise or it cannot be distilled and in sustaining so forcible a Fire there is great danger of Corrupting the Tincture it self Here also is required another Caution viz. this after two thirds are distilled off you must change your Vessel and put the remaining Matter into a less Glass Body and thence distill off the Vinegar until the Remanency acquire the just thickness of a Poultis Also take heed as Basilius seems to intimate that you distil not off the Vinegar unto dryness lest the Tincture by Adustion be wholly corrupted Notwithstanding all This my own Precaution now given I could not choose but labour a whole year to little purpose often repeating this Tincture with a vâ—in endeavour whence I was almost as often weary of Chymistry through desperation for my Tincture was of no essicacy in Medicine because a meer Caput-mortuum only unsavoury and of no value Hence consider how little any Process profits whether set down in Writing or received from a Friend by ward of mouth unlâ—â—s you set to your hand and practically learn every partiâ—â—lar of the Work sit to be observed in operaâ—ing Also see how liberally I deal with you in revealing that the ignorance of which hath put me to great trouble and chaâ—ge The manual Operation which is vequisite for edulcorating this Pap-like Matter remaining in the bottom is this Upon this Matter pour distilled Water and gently abstract the same by Balneo When you have repeated this a third time you will find the Water to come off sweet which time must be observed with very great diligence For if you be deceived in that your Work is at an end all your labour lost and you shall get nothing but a Caput Mortuum For as soon as twenty or at most thirty drops of sweet water come forth an Acidity appears again and distils forth which the unwary judging to be an Acidity of the Vinegar formerly added proceed in distilling expecting the Water to come forth sweet but this being the Acidity of Antimony which the Vinegar being extracted immediatly follows the Sweet Water that persisting to distil destroys the whole Virtue of the Antimony and leaves nothing remaining but an unsavoury Caput-mortuum Therefore be thou more wary and as soon as this Sweet Water comes forth cease to distil and take out the Pap-like Matter residing in the Bottom and putting that into another Glass permit it to dry at the Solar-Heat or else evaporate all its moysture with most gentle Fire that it may remain a dry Powder and when you have avoyded this danger then go on grateful This Powder grind upon a Marble or Glass first made hot then put it in a Glass Body and pour upon it of the best rectified Spirit of Wine so much as will stand above it three Fingers thickness then set it in a Digestive heat as above for extracting the Tincture of Antimony which will be high coloured and pleasantly red to amazement and it will deposit a certain Earth or feculency in the bottom This Extraction is sweet grateful and so very efficacious in Medicine as no man that hath not experienced the same will give credit thereunto The Feces in the bottom retain the Venenosity but the Extraction Medicine only which Experience hath taught to be a profitable Remedy for men and Beasts For if three or four Granes of this Medicine be taken it expels the Leprosie and Gallick Lues purifies the Blood drives away Melancholy and resists all Venom and whosoever labours with Shortness of Breath Difficulty of Breathing or Prickings of the Sides he may be cured by the Use of this Medicine * These Medicaments which
may understand you have not in vain spent your Money in buying or time in reading these Commentaries I will clearly and nakedly discover to you how I my self have oftentimes performed this very Work do you give good heed to all Things that you may not at all be deficient for the Operations are so concatinated or co-linked together as one being omitted or negligently performed all the other are spoyled and your labour cannot answer your Desires Take of the best Minera of Antimony which is friable for if you take crude Antimony as Basilius seems to indicate you can effect nothing because it hath already lost its most subtle Sulphur in the first Distillation grind it to so subtle a Powder as it may pass through a Tiffany Seive put it into a Cucurbit and pour upon it Vinegar which according to Art is distilled from its proper Minera Set it in Digestion for forty Days and if you have exactly observed all things which are hereunto required your Vinegar will be tinged with a Colour red as Blood This red Tincture poured off by Inclination put into a Retort and gently abstract the Vinegar The Powder remaining extract with spirit of Wine that it also may contract a blood-like Colour Put this Extraction into a Circulatory Vessel like to this the Figure of which I here expose because I never found any more apt to render the Spirits volatile Then place this double Vessel in B. M. to be digested so long as until you see the Tincture raise it self upwards and passover volatile by Alembeck seeing this cool your Vessel and put all the Matter into a Cucurbit and distil the Spirit according to Art which will passover the Helm as red as Blood Then again abstract the Spirit and you will have a most ponderous thick Oyl How this Oyl should after this be joyned with its own Salt and united we elsewhere speak the use of which in amending Metals is very great Here we have described it and brought it so far as it becomes a most excellent Medicine in grievous Diseases which are in all places accounted uncurable It performs its whole Operation by Sweats And since there is no Disease which it helps not what need is there to name any It is better to be altogether Silent then to detract from its praises by reciting a few There is no man who hath made any Progress in Chymistry that knows not what the Quintessence of Antimony is at length becomes Red as Blood and leaves many Feces and prevails against many Infirmities for its singular Virtue and Use is commanded in the Leprosie the New Disease lately risen amongst the Souldiers is by it consumed and dried up and indeed it effects Wonders Here place the Figure in the 96 Page The Physician before all Things should diligently contemplate its use according to his own Experience and Knowledge but especially compleating its Preparation in a due manner without being weary of his labour or forgetting any of those Things which are prescribed to be performed Again another Extraction of Antimony is thus instituted Take in the Name of the Lord of Antimony and crude Tartar of each equal parts put these well mixed together in Powders into a strong Crucible which will not suffer the Spirits to penetrate it and burn this Matter in the Fire until the Tartar be wholy combust this work must be done in a Wind-Fornace Grind this burnt Matter to a subtle Powder and pour on that Common Water first made hot and so edulcorate the Matter by Lixiviating And so it becomes a Liver * The Liver is a Cause of much Discourse in Banquets and the Liver of Anttimony will be to us no small Occasion of the like in Chymical Operations But in the first place consider than instead of Crude Tartar it is better to take Salt of Tartar not only for decelerating the Operation for otherwise it must be melted so long as until the Tartar be changed into Salt but chiefly that you may have Glass of a far better Colour Also Basilius forgot or for some Reasons did omit to appoint the Glass first to be poured into a Platter made hot and then beaten to powder in an hot Mortar otherwise the Glass by reason of the Salt of Tartar as soon as it takes the cold Air is changed into a certain Pulse or Pap. Besides he omitted to determine the Quanticy of Water in which this Powder should be dissolved that we may have a more fair and deep Colour in which Exaltation of Colour very much is sited Also the Precipitation of the Liver from the Water which must be made with Vinegar he involved in Silence although this and the above mentioned are necessary in this Operation Here I am unwilling to forbear to admonish that not only in this but in every Melting of Antimony the Artist ought to observe the Face of Heaven and begin his Work when the same is clear and serene If you do otherwise you will in vain deplore the Obscurity of the Colour in your Liver of Antimony For if you laugh at me attributing much Virtue to the Influences of the Stars I shall deride you deploring the unluckie Success of many Processes But I would not digress so far as to take on me to prove the Virtues of Celestial Influences against men either knowing so little as they canot understand or having experienced somewhat do not discern but in the mean while are so obstinate as they will not believe those things which they see have tried and in very deed found to be so I would no more urge Reasons against these men then against these who deny even the Mutation of Metals by the Stone of Philosophers We judge such men more worthy of Contempt than Refutation who say that is not possible which they have beheld with their Eyes and done with their hands for it is very rude to say I deny I deny who proves These perverse men by their thus acting do sometimes-provoke the patience of good ingenious Artists judging that they with a certain Zeal of confirming what they assert will proceed so far as to discover to them their Experiment of so excellent an Art But I do not think that any of them who have obtained the Mystery will be so imprudent as unadvisedly to cast Pearls before Swine and to discover to the unworthy what GOD hath revealed to him or give them of the Bread he Eats which is not to be cast to Dogs Therefore returning to the Matter from whence I digressed I affirm that there are some times of the year in which if Liver if Antimony be made and precipitated with a due Menstruum it will be imbibed with altogether another Colour and be endued with other Virtues than that which is made at another time and that both for Metals and for healing the Infirmities of men as I my self have experienced in many grievous Diseases and Symptoms of Diseases I will also add this from the Liver of
Antimony may be extracted a Redness with Spirit of Wine which Redness is made volatile and passeth over the Helm which also may be exhibited to all without danger Nor is there any great need of that Caution of Basilius even before the Redness is volatilized that it must be given in a small Quantity For being given from thirty to forty or fifty Drops it sweats very moderately and doth not Purge or Vomit but it effects wonders in purging the Blood extirpating the Roots of a Disease and rendring the Patient vigorous by insensible Expiration and its occult Virtues This Vendible Wine needs not the Bush of Eloquence to commend it to the Sick who once having experienced its Virtues know what it can do and that it as much answers their Desires as they esteem their Money so called by many of our Ancestors who lived long before us Put this Liver dried into a Cucurbit pour thereon most pure Spirit of Wine abstract the Spirit by distilling in B. M. so that a third part only may remain But before Distillation the Spirit of Wine together with the Extraction must be filtred through Paper This Extraction may indeed be profitably used but in a small Dose and with great Caution What happens in this Operation is very admirable For the Spirit of Wine abstracted can no more be united with the red Extraction whence it was distilled but one sloats above the other as Water and Oyl which cannot be mixed But if the abstracted Spirit of Wine be poured upon other Liver of Antimony it again attracts the Colour to it self yet this although poured upon the former Extraction cannot be mixed therewith Which is a Thing so strange as it may be numbred among Wonders But who can declare all the Wonders of GOD or who will worthily esteem the Gifts of the Creator which he hath implanted in his Creatures by us scarcely perscrutable with deep Meditation I before made mention of the Extraction of Antimony from its Glass * Here our Author acts as a Teacher careful and full of Affection who not satisfied once to mention doth often inculcate the principal Precepts of his Doctrine But what it is that spâ—â—ially moves him to repeat the Virtues of the Sulphur of Antimony I see not he saith he repeats nothing in vain therefore do thou Reader if thou judgest it of Concern more attently consider whether you may not here find somewhat that is not mentioned or the Reason why it is again spoken of I who prosâ—ss my self to write to the Intelligent reiterate nothing here He that comprehends let him comprehend he that hath not there understood I fear will not here understand by Vinegar and also by Spirit of Wine but now I say when such an Extraction is made by Vinegar and the Vinegar is again abstracted by B. M. and the Powder which remains is resolved in a moist place into Oyl or Liquor of a Yellow Colour it effects such Wonders in Wounds new and old as I neither can nor dare to commit them all to writing For it represseth all Symptoms of what kind so ever suffereth none to take Root and admits no Putrefaction in fresh Wounds Also the Extraction of this Powder before Solution is made by Spirit of Wine effects the same and yields not us inferiour to other Medicaments which are administred against internal Affects I have often made mention of this Preparation in other of my Writings also in this Treatise of Antimony very largely because I know how great Benefits and how great Secrets are latent in it Therefore I hope no Disciple will be affected with tediousness by Reason of Repetitions in my Writings which I faithfully open and bring to Light For whatsoever I write is not without Reason and my words are Short but require much Consideration although often repeated To the Ignorant my Discourses contribute little understanding to Children and the unexperieneed little Profit but to my Disciples and Apostles much health and prosperity There remains another Extraction by a Caustick Water which Experience hath taught me in this manner Take of Vitriol and Common Salt equal parts from these by Retort distil a Water * Here I will teach you the Manual Operation O Lover of Chymistry which undoubtedly you will greatly esteem of when you shall find the great commodity thereof in operating Lest as it often bappens when you distil the Spirits of Metals your Vessels should be broken which being forced out by vehement fire comes forth a matter like thin Butter or the Sediment of Oyl Olive which keep apart for use Here place the Figure in the 101 Page Of your Earthen Retort A. open the upper hole B. into which put your Maâ—â—â—â— by Parts lest all together senting the heat should act too forcibly and presently Close the Hole with its proper Cover To the Spirits received in the Vessâ—l C. exit is given by the hole D. into the other opposit Receiver E. to which again is applied the other Receiver F. So the more subtle Spirits ascending through the Hole D settle in the Recipient F. But the more gross remain in the bottom G. of the Receiver C. This Instrument will be most apt for your use here not only as I said lest a most strong Spirit passing out break the Glasses but also for other Works as by an easie speculation you will hence gather Subtly grind the Caput-mortuum and in a Cellar permit it to resolve into Water this Water keep and filter it through Paper Afterward take Hungarian Antimony grind it to a sine Powder and having put it in a Cucurbit with a slat bottom pour this Water thereon and set the Vessel in Heat When it hath stood there for a due time the Matter will be like an Amethyst with a blackish Violet-Colour Then augment the Fire much and you will have a transparent Colour like unto a blew Saphyr From this Colour precipitate a white Powder by pouring on Common Water This Powder taken hath the same Operation as the Red Extraction of Glass of Antimony by Seidge and it also excites Vomiting In that Solution made from the Caput-mortuum and kept in a Cellar if thin Plates of Iron be digested Mars will be truly transmuted into Venus as Experience will teach Now further consider Take that distilled Oyl or Water as is spoken of above in this process and pour it upon Crocus Martis with Sulphur reverberated to a Redness set the Mixture in Heat and you will have an extracted Tincture of Mars red as blood Take of this Extraction one part of the Red Extraction of Antimony which is prepared with fixed Salt Nitre and Spirit of Wine three Parts of the Water of Mercury * Chymists that they may whet the Ingenuities of their Readers and more left any but the true Students of Art should penetrate into their Secrets deliver not all Things in one place but scatter their Dâ—â—ments that by the Diligent Collection of them they may judge
of their Aptness as the Eagle proves her Young erposing them to the Solar Rays so you see Basilius here proposeth the use of the Water of Mercury which he taught to be made in his Treatise which is Called a Supplement or rather gave a rude Draught of thâ—t Proâ—ess For neither there nor here dath he make mention of an hole that must be open in the superior part of the Retort and thereinto a long Pipe sitted through which the Mercury may be put in in very small Parcels For if you include a very small part of Mercury in a Retort first made very hot with a vehement Fire as this must be if you would excract the Spirit that Mercury with its own vehement and untamable violence would not only burst the Retort but overthrow the Fornace also unless you give it a larger space and greater liberty of Flying so that after it hath visited many Retorts it may rest and being as it were tired settle But since it is well known to all true Chymists of how great Virtue this Mercury is in the Resolution of Metals I will here make no further mention thereof leisurely injected through a long Pipe one Part and of the Calx of Gold dissolved in this Caustick Water half a part Mix all these together and after they are canted off clear distil the Mixture with a Moderate Fire in Sand. All will not pass over by Distillation but a sair clear Solution remains sixed * This Solution is not yet fixed but if you be not already wearied with labour by a further Operation you may fix it The principal use of this is in the Emendation of Metals which Basilius doth doth not so much as mention Now the Genius of all Chymists will understand me here candidly discovering this Secret to all Do thou Lover of Chimistry in mind and thought swiftly follow me expounding the Oracle but the Operation cannot be so swiftly performed This Powder must first be Extracted wiâ—h strong Vinegar which afterward abstract and what remains in the bottom edulcorate with distilled water again Extract it with Spirit of Wine and abstract the Spirit and in the bottom will remain a Red Powder Joyn this with the fixed Salt which is made of the Feces which remained after the Vinegar was used for Extraction And deliver it to Vulcan for three Months space that it way no more flie from the Fire but most pleasingly sport with and in the same If you perform this you have Two conjoyned in an inseparable Matrimony and you have separated the pure from the impure have rendred the Volatile fixed and fixed the Volatile and are not far from that Felâ—â—â—â—â— which will answer all your Desires in the Bottom which we may use in old open Wounds wherein it laies a Foundation for Healing to Amazement The Caput mortuum wâ—â—ch is left being resolved in an Humid place yields a Liquor so sharp as no Aqua fortis may be compared with it in Sharpness But of these enough at this time For I must now speak of a White Powder which may also be prepared of Antimony in this manner Take pure Antimony which is brought from Hungaria or found in like Mountainous Places grind it to a subtle Powder take also the same measure of pure Salâ—itre which hath been the third time diligently cleansed This Composition burn in a new glazed Pot which was never infected with any Fatness in a Circulatory Fire not all together but by parts and at divers times This way of Operating Ancient Spagyrists called Detonation a Term of Art to be learned by the Disciple of Art as being not Common to every Rustick in his Artifice and Experience This Operation being performed grind the hard Matter which remained in the Pot to a sine Powder and upon it in another Glazed Pot pour common Water warm which when the Matter is setled again repeat the pouring on of Water several times until all the Salnitre be extracted Lastly dry the remaining Matter and with fresh Salnitre * Basilius doth not misguide or delude you O Lover of Chymistry whilst he so candidly discovers most Secret Mysteries and so sincerely and faithfully presents their wonderful Effects As by this very Operation you have an Example For after the first Detonation with Nitre and so soon as you shall have separated the Salnitre from the Powder with pure Water you have the Powder of Ruland with which that man effected so many Medicinal Wonders whereby he got to himself so great a Name and so much Wealth Which if you prepare under a certain Constitution of Heaven as I advised in preparing the Liver of Antimony you will have so much the better by how much the more Red for the Colour is the Soul thereof the Effect of which in Medicine Ruland proved and commended but he neither exhausted its prayses nor did he perswade the Unexperienced that so great Virtues were latent in this Medicament This Crocus of Metals for so it is called is not that which is publickly sold in Shops upon eight Grains of which they pour Zij of Wine and although the Sick only drink that wine without any other Powder it oftentimes works so forcibly upwards and downwards as either way sometimes both wayes the life it self issues out But the use of this is thus Take eight nine ten or eleven Granes of this our Author 's preparing the first Time according to the strength of the Sick and all other Things co-indicating pour on them three or four ounces of Wine for it matters not much whether you take more or lese of the Wine Set the Mixture in B. M. for the space of four or five hours and so extract a most Red Tincture from this Crocus of Metals which in an Infusion of the Crocus of the Sâ—â—s cannot be extracted this Wine now impregnated with the Sulphur of the Crocus togethor with the more subtle part of the Powder which iâ— cauting off comes out I give to the Sick and it purgeth kindly upwards and downwards without molestation Nor doth this Medicament only expel Humours but as is proper to Antimonials rightly prepared it strikes at the very Root of the Disâ—ase and whatsoever in the Body is corrupted and declined from its due state that it amends and restores What wonderful Effects this only Tincture hath discoverad to me I forhear to mention lest I should be compelled to bring their Credit in Question who have experienced them In this only believe me whosoever thou art that wouldest use Chymical Medicaments alwayes be sure to take the true Tinctures of Things in which their volatile Sulphur is absconded if you neglect this you neglect your own Fame and Gain and the Health of the Sick as much as its own weight is burn it again and repeat the same Operation the third time What remains after this third Operation grind to a subtle Powder and on that pour the best Spirit of Wine circulate the Mixture for one Month in
according to the Diversity of its Preparation Of which I now give you this Similitude There are many kinds of Animals which live only in the Earth as are many Creeping Things Worms and Serpents also others some of which are new kinds which before were not and these also proceed from Putrefaction of the Earth Some inhabit the Waters as all kinds of Fishes others slie through the Air as every kind of Flying Things and Birds some also are nourished in the Fire as the Salamander And besides these in the more hot Regions and Islands are found many other Animals which to these Nations are unknown which prolong their Life by the Solar Heat and which die so soon as brought into another Air. So Antimony when prepared by the Addition of Water assumes another Nature and Complexion for operating then when prepared by Fire only And although every Preparation of it ought to be made by Fire without which the Virtue of it cannot not be manifested yet consider that the Addition of Earth gives it wholly another Nature than the Addition of Water So also when Antimony is sublimed in Fire through the Air and further prepared another Virtue other Powers and another Operation follow than in the Preparations already described Therefore the Oyl of Antimony per se without addition and the true Sulphur thereof are prepared after this Method Take crude Hungarian Antimony put that ground to a subtle Powder into a Glass Cucurbit with a flat bottom and pour thereon the true Vinegar of Philosophers rendred more acid with its own Salt Then set the Cucurbit firmly closed in Horse-dung or B. M. to putrefie the matter for forty Days in which time the Body resolves it self and the Vinegar contracts a Colour red as Blood Pour off the Vinegar and pour on fresh and do this so often as until the Vinegar can no more be tinged This being done filtre all the Vinegar through Paper and again set it put into a clean Glass firmly closed again in Horse-dung or B. M. as before that it may putrefie for forty Days in which time the Body again resolves it self and the Matter in the Glass becomes as black as Calcanthum or Shoomakers Ink. When you have this Sign then true Solution is made by which the further Separation of Elements is procured Put this black matter into another Cucurbit to which apply an Alembick and distil off the Vinegar with moderate Fire then the Vinegar passeth out clear and in the bottom a sordid matter remains grind that to a subtle Powder and edulcorate it with distilled Rain Water then dry it with gentle heat and put it a Circulatory with a long Neck the Circulatory must have three Cavities or Bellies as if three Globes were set one above another yet distinct or apart each from other as Sublimatories with their Aludel or Head are wont to be made and it must have a long Neck like a Phial or Bolthead and pour on it Spirit of Wine highly rectified till it riseth three Fingers above the Matter and having well closed the Vessel set it in a moderate heat for two Months Then follows another new Extraction and the Spirit of Wine becomes transparently red as a Ruby or as was the first Extraction of the Vinegar yea more fair Pour off the Spirit of Wine thus tinged filtre it through Paper and put it into a Cucurbit the black Matter which remains set aside and separate from this Work for it is not profitable therein to which apply an Head and Receiver and having firmly closed all Junctures begin to distil in Ashes with moderate Fire then the Spirit of wine carries over the Tincture of Antimony with it self the Elements separate themselves each from other and the Alembeck and Recipient seem to resemble the form of pure Gold transparent in Aspect In the end some few Feces remain and the Golden Colour in the Glass altogether fayls The red Matter which in distilling passed over into the Receiver put into a Circulatory for ten Days and as many Nights By that Circulation Separation is made for the Oyl thereby acquires Gravity and separates it self to the bottom from the Spirit of Wine and the Spirit of Wine is again Clear as it was at first and swims upon the Oyl Which admirable Separation is like a Miracle in Nature Separate this Oyl * Here you have not only whatsoever can be made of Antimony but also almost all that can be promised by a Chymist This is that with which all the Books of all Chymists are filled which is involved in so many Fables complicated in so many Riddles and explicated with so many obscure Commentaries that is which in all the World is desired by Fools sought by the Sons of Art and sound by the Wise This Basilius reveals this he repeats this he inculcates this is his Triumphant Chariot which he as it were carries about and often shews in the various Parts of his Writings Before in this Treatise he presents it under the Name of an Extraction of Crude Antimony here it is Oyl of Antimony soon after it is converted into a Stone which is called the Stone of Fire Thus this Proteus often offers it self always various yet always the same in Substance Compare all these Processes which are so often diversly propounded with these my Commentaries made upon the Extraction of Crude Antimony and you will have the Work compleat in all its Numbers you will have a Treasure in which if you know not what you have I remit you to Aesop's Dunghil-Cock who found a Gem in the Dunghil but knew not what he had Consider diligently O Lover of Chymistry and you will find that no man hath dealt more clearly and sincerely with Thee than Basilius and me after him who shew thee where the Hareâ—lies which so many Others have hunted in vain If now you be not here wise you will not be healed with three Anticyra's Therefore I will add nothing lest I make Fools maâ— who now indeed are wise from the Spirit of Wine by a Separatory This Oyl is of a singular and incredible Sweetness with which no other thing may be compared it is grateful in the Use and all Corrosiveness is separated from it No man can by Cogitation judge by Understanding comprehend what incredible Effects potent Powers and profitable Virtues are in this Royal Oyl Therefore to this Sulphur of Antimony I have given no other Name than my Balsom of Life because it effects very much by the Grace of GOD in those in whom was no help to be hoped for but by the Mercy of GOD and nothing remained but a most certain expectation of changing Life with Death as my Brethren can witness hath been often done It refresheth a man so as if he were new born it purifies the Blood mixt and exhibited with the Tincture of Corals it cleanseth the Leprosie and expels every Scab which through impurity of the Blood takes Root in man It drives away
multiplicity of Words or alien thoughts by an impertinent Tantolooy In the mean while the Liquor which as I above said was resolved in an Humid Place is an external Medicine and very profitable for it cleanseth the Impurities of the Skin and if a little Oyl of Tartar be mixed therewith it heals the Phagedena of the Fingers and if often anointed therewith it purisyes the Skin and cures Scrophulaes Also Sulphur of Antimony is prepared in another Manner Grind Antimony to a fine Pouder which boyl for two hours or a little longer in a sharp Lixivium made of the Ashes of Beech-wood When boyled filter the Antimony clear and poor Vinegar upon the filtred Liquor and then the Sulphur will settle to the bottom wholly red Pour off the Phlegm and gently dry the Pouder Distil this Pouder with the Vinegar of Wine extract the Tincture and do as you did with the former Sulphur To reduce the same into an Oyl by Distilling is worth your while Although the Oyl above mentioned hath greater Virtues because its Body by the Sal Armoniack in the beginning of the Sublimation was better dissolved and opened There yet remain many things to be written of Antimony and especially Three necessary to be known by the Spagyrick Physitian and Philosopher viz. the Preparation of Vinegar which is made of its Minera and then the Philosophick Signate Star which is not to be omitted and lastly the Lead of Philosophers of which we shall speak somewhat touching which Many have imagined Great Things and thought in their way of Reasoning and Speculation to prepare the true and syncere Mercury of Philosophers of it which indeed cannot be done since so great Efficacy is not from above insited in Antimony as that in it can exist that Mercury or of it be prepared That Mercury is the first Ens or first Water of Metalls which is perfect otherwise the Great Stone of the ancient Wise Men could not be made of it That first Ens I say and the Seeds thereof are found in another Mineral in which the Operation according to the Genius of Metalls is greater then in Antimony Yet this supplyes us with a certain Particular and most profitable Operation and besides in it you may find whatsoever appertains to internal and external Medicine For it is the Column of ever Shop of Apothecaries if duely prepared as I often admonish nor is any thing wanting in it provided the Artist hath learned well to distinguish the Disposition of Metalls and Mineralls and diligently observes both the Preparation and Use of Antimony because then and not before follows a perfect Judgement of it Therefore I will stand to my Promise and comfort my Disciples according to their Wish by satisfying and instructing them which way the Separation of Good from Evil may be known to them and giving Information touching the Vinegar of Philosophers which is made of Antimony Mâ—lt the Minera of Antimony and purify it grind it to a Subtile Pouder this Matter put into a Round Glass which is called a Phiall having a long Neâ—k pour upon it distilled Water that the Vessel may be half full Then having well closed the Vessel set it to putrefy in Horsedung until the Minera begin to wax hot and cast out a Froath to the Superficies then 't is time to take it out for that is a Sign the Body is opened This digested Matter put into a Cucurbit which well close and extract the Water which will have an acid Taste When all the Water is come off intend the Fire and a Sublimate will ascend this again grinde with the Feces and again pour on the same Water and a second time abstract it then it will be more Sharp This Operation must be repeated until the Water be made as Acid as any other Sharp distilled Vinegar of Wine But the Sublimate the oftner the Operation is repeated the more it is diminished When you have obtained this Acid Vinegar take fresh Minera as before and pour this Vinegar on it so as it may stand above it three Fingers put it into a Pelican and digest it two dayes in Heat then the Vinegar becomes red and much more sharp then before Cant this clean off and distil it without Addition in B. M. The Vinegar comes off white and the Redness remains in the Bottom which extracted with Spirit of Wine is an excellent Medicine Again rectify the Vinegar in B. M. that it may be freed from its Phlegm lastly dissolve in it its proper Salt viz in â„¥ iiij of it â„¥ j. of the Salt and force it strongly by Ashes then the * This Vinegar also is numbred among the chief of those things which are prepared of Antimony therefore I thought it worth while to illustrate this with some Commentaries For although it may be made in the way Basilius prescribes yet there are still some things wanting to render the Work both more easy and more perfect which I here subjoyn For six pounds of Antimony are required sixteen pounds of Distilled Water and when after Digestion we would distil it a certain manual Operation must be observed on which depends the Success of the whole Work almost For the Alembeck must be so placed as his Pipe or Beak may be covered with Water which either must be put into the Recipient or pass out by distilling into the same otherwise the Spirit 's of the Antimony will be lost and more then half part of the same perish or the Work require much more time for its perfection I have expressed this by a Figure here placed that if any by hearing do not sufficiently perceive this they may by seeing understand When the whole Water hath passed over by Alembeck the Fire as the Author admonisheth is to be incresed and three Dayes and as many Nights continued without intermission Then let all cool and the Sublimate as he teaches must again be mixed with the Antimony this Labour for three Dayes and Nights must be re-assumed and afterward repeated to the third time Then your Water will be acid as common Vinggar If you tinge this Vinegar with now Minera of Antimony you will have a Tincture which Basilius names this Balsome of Life so often described but never sufficiently commended O did Mortals know what Mysteries lye absconded in this Tincture I question whether they would be desirous to set about any other Preparation of Antimony All things are in this One I have spoken O Lover of Chymistry do thou act Vinegar becomes more sharp and acquires greater Strength and virtue Here place the Figure in the 133. Page This Vinegar Cools vehemently not as common Vinegar but with great Admiration and certain Experience especially for asswaging the Gangraene produced from Gunpouder also it heals other enraged Wounds and Members when joyned with the Soul of Saturn wrought up into an Unguent and applyed outwardly And mixt with Water of Endive to which Salt prunella is added it consumes the Squinancy and extinguiseth its great Heat