and in such a Water is inlivened inspired increased and multiplied in his specie as other things Therefore our Water is a Fountain fair pleasant and clear prepared onely for the King and Queen whom it very well knows and they it for it attracts them to it self and they remain two or three days to wash themselves in that Fountain viz. some moneths and these it makes to grow young and renders them very beautifull These three things mutually follow viz. Humidity Putridity and Blacknesse from whence the glassie house may be posited and subtilly sited untill the moist Matter included by little and little became putrid and black for the putrefaction begins together with the solution but the putrefaction is not yet compleat untill the whole Matter be dissolved into water Artephus pag. 9. One of the contraries exceeding Dastin destroies the rest whence the Earth is made Water when the watry qualities overcome it and on the contrary this Water must draw forth three things viz. a Spirit a Body and a Soule whence this Water is threefold in Nature which hath in it self Water Fire and Earth We divide the dissolved Stone in the Elements and wash it particularly that it it might be more subtilized and the better purified and that at pleasure the Complexion might be more firmly composed but we distill it very often as the Water and Air are clean without dregs and light without filth pure without contraries for then they wash more easily touch more plentifully and work more nobly For Art as Aristotle saith in like manner throws off all superfluities from its work as Nature doth For Fire extracts that which exists in the interiours of things and feeds on the sulphurity of them subtilizing and rarifying at pleasure And therefore we distill them that we might sweetly draw out their filth But we doe it sweetly and with inhumation lest the excessive Fire consume the sought for subtilties Whence in every distillation observe this sign that universally there be candour and purity in it and whatsoever drops forth unmixt put apart because the work is corrupt if thou doe otherwise Therefore we so much distill it untill it send forth no dregges unlesse happily white ones and this we iterate seven times that in their simple purity they might transcend the orders of the seven Planets For it is meet they be most pure and clean which by their purity should cleanse and perfect other things And according to the quantity of distillation they will be clear and according to the plurality of clearness they will cleanse and touch other things Whence it ought to be distilled seven times what is more is evil because as diminution hinders so augmentation corrupts In the fourth distillation follows the Lavement that its every Element might be rectified severally whence we distill the Water and Aire seven times by themselves But thou shalt distill all things with moisture because drinesse corrupts the work with combustion And the Philosophers advise that every distillation be always made seven days with inhumation meaning that inhumation be made seven days between every distillation Dastini spec pag. 96. It behoveth thee to exercise the Rosar Arnold separation of the Elements as much as thou art able to wash off the Water and Air by distillations and to burn up the Earth by Calcination untill there remain not any thing of the Soul in the Body unlesse what may not be perceived in the operation the sign of which will be when nothing shall be evaporated from the Body if a little of it be put upon a heated plate Rosar Arnold pag. 423. As an Infant exhausts all airy Massa Solis Lunae vapours in nine moneths and the menstruum turned into a milky form so in nine moneths the first work is performed viz. the second whitenesse because the whole is coagulated Neverthelesse the work is finished about six moneths according to the Experience of the Author but according to Balgus * Pag. 1â—9 in Turba in an hundred and ninety days Massa Solis Lunae pag. 275. Let not the water be suffered to stand when it is fit for operation because it receives its Curd into the bottome crudled or coagulated by the cold of the Aire and congealing drieth which hapned to one of my Companions who for the space of a year found it so but it was not distilled Massa Solis Lunae pag. 274. No solution ought to be made Rosar Philosoph without Blood proper or appropriate viz. the Water of Mercury which is called the Water of the Dragon and that Water ought to be made by an Alembick without the addition of any other thing Rosar Philos p. 223. The whole course of the work Roymundus Lullius endures for the space of two years whence the Stone is of one year and the Elixir of another to every new Artist who never made it but to every good and expert Artist who is subtile one year and three moneths are accounted sufficient For by what it is corrupted in like manner it is generated Lul Theo. p. 76. Accommodate well the Fire in Ventura the furnace and see that the whole Matter be dissolved into Water then rule it with a gentle Fire untill the greater part be turned into black dust Because when our Stone is in our vessell and our Matter feels our Sun it will presently be resolved into Water Ventura p. 129. Putrefaction is made with a Rosarius Philos most gentle Fire so that nothing may ascend because if any thing should ascend there would be made a separation of parts which ought not to be untill the Masculine and Feminine are perfectly joyned Rosar Philos pag. 261. The encompassing frigidity of Dastin the Aire the binding solidity of the Earth the dissolving heat of the Fire the impetuosity and restlesse motion of the Water and exceeding quantity of Multitude doe hinder Putrefaction as Aristotle saith But the calidity of the Air the subtility of Matter the gentlenesse of the Fire the stability of Rest the equality of Compounds the gravity of Patience the maturity of Time do necessarily induce and hasten Putrefaction yet so that the Air be tempered what is thick subtilized the Fire moderated Rest preserved Proportion adequated Patience strengthened and the time expected until Nature proceeding naturally shall have compleated her owne worke Dastin spec pag. 184. Our Water must be divided into Scala two parts whereof in one part the Body is congealed viz. with seven Imbibitions and Congelations but in the other part it putrefies and melts that the fiery Water abovesaid might be cast forth Scala Philos pa. 151. If the work in its managing be deduced to the finall red state by corruption before the due term of whitenesse which it may not be thou hast erred then for a remedy take away the rednesse with fresh white Water by imbibition and inhumation Idem There are three Humidities the Lullius first is
Water the second is Aire the mean between Water and Oil the third is Oil it self The Water is distilled to the likenesse or sign of perfect whitenesse which is transparent splendour and the shining clearnesse of crystall and he that attains to this Token hath the Philosophers Mercury dissolving all Bodies chiefly of the Sun and Moon because of the vicinity or nearnesse of Nature Lul Codic p. 119. In our whole Magisteriall there Lullius are three principall Spirits necessary which without the consummation of their resolution cannot be manifested and they are otherwise called three Argent vives and for Argent vive understand the Water in which the Tincture is carried Raymund Theor. p. 122. 24. If you will hear me I will truly Ripleus shew what is that Mercury chiefly profitable know therefore that there are three Mercuries which are the Keys of Science whom Raymund cals his Menstrua without which nothing is done rightly but two of those Mercuries are superficiall the third Essentiall of the Sun and Moon perfect Bodies when we first Calcine them naturally but no unclean Body is ingredienced except one which is commonly called of the Philosophers The green Lion which is the mean of joyning Tinctures With the second Mercury which is vegetable Humidity both the Principall Materiall and Formall bodies ought to be resolved otherwise they are of little moment And with the third which is Humidity very permanent and incombustible the unctuous Tree of Hermes is burnt into Ashes Ripley pa. 25. Sons of Wisdome there are Incertus three solutions the first is of a crude Body the second is of a Philosophicall Earth the third we put in Augmentation The Virgin is Mercury because it never propagated a body in the Womb of the Earth and yet it generates the Stone for us by resolving the Heaven that is it opens the Gold and bringeth forth a Soul Incertus de Chemia pa. 6. Metals are reduced to the first Ventura Matter when they are driven back to that first simplicity which their Elements had in their first Composition in which there were Spirits and Vapours by nature perfectible to the form of the Compound Vent pa. 12. By Argent vive is understood Ludus Puerorum the humidity of that unction which is the radicall humidity of our Stone Ludus Puerorum pag. 174. The Preparation of this Spirit is its subtilation which is performed Vogel by many distillations untill it hath gotten crystalline splendour and clearnesse Vogel p. 148. Keep the rectified Water apart Aristotle because that is the Mercury of the Philosophers the water of Life washing the Leton Aristotle pag. 366. The whole labour and tediousnesse Lull compendium is in this viz. the separation of the Elements and Sulphur Air cannot be divided from Metals unlesse by the twentieth twenty second or thirtieth distillation And the Fire may be divided from the Earth at the eleventh distillation and as many distillations as there are so many putrefactions and reiterations of Water and Air together to wit of our Menstruall water and every putrefaction requireth eight days or six continued so that the division of the Elements dures the space of an year but we have compleated it in seven moneths Lull compend pa. 281. The Alchymists have said that the Stone is compounded of two Waters viz. of one which makes the volatile Stone and the other which fixes and hardens it Idem Between every Calcination of Avicenna the Earth pour on water moderately to wit not much nor little because if much there 's made a sea of perturbation if little it will be burnt up into ashes But sweetly not hastily from eight days to eight days by watering decocting and calcining the Earth till it hath imbibed its Water therefore when the Earth shall not be white bray it together with its Water iterate and calcine it because Aroc and Fire doe wash the Earth and take away its obscurity from it for its preparation is always with Water and as the fitnesse of the Water shall be so also shall be the clearnesse of the Earth and by how much the more the Earth shall be white c. Avicenna pag. 420 421. He which knows not to extract Scala more things out of one is ignorant also to compound one thing of more Our separation is a separation of a watry or moist vapour or phlegme in Balneis a levigation of rarity a production of principles Scala p. 134. Imbibe Calx or Body oftentimes Geber that thence it may be sublimed and yet more purified then before because the Calx ascends upwards very difficultly or not at all unlesse holpen by the Spirit Geber lib. summae perfectionis pag. 573. The Vessell being fitly placed in Ventura the Furnace the Fire underneath must be continued then the Vapour of the Matter will ascend upwards into the Alembick most subtilly and the same will be turned into serene bright and cleare Water having the form of a water drop and the Nature of all the species of which it is generated and it descends again by the Crows beak that is the Neck of the vessell of the Alembick and this Water because it is subtile doth enter the Body and extract first the Soule afterwards it dissolves all that is left and turns it into Water Moreover know that all things which are sublimed are sublimed two ways some by themselves and some with others but our Mercury since it is a Spirit is sublimed by it self but our Earth since it is the Calx of the Body is not sublimed unlesse very well incorporated with Mercury Therefore beat or pound them together and imbibe till they become one Body because the Body ascends not unlesse incorporated with Mercury Ventura p. 141. Dissolve the Gold and Silver in Vogel Water of their kinde if thou know it Vogelius p 78. And this is the last Preparation Massa Solis Lunae viz. of Spirits often reiterated by Contrition and Assation with their Body untill thou see these things which thou desirest in it Massa Solis Lunae pag. 240. Sons of Learning know ye that Afflictes the whole Work and the Government thereof is not done but by Water with which mingle ye the body of the Magnesia and put it in its Vessel and close the mouth carefully and boil it with a gentle fire till it be made liquid for by the heat of the Water the whole will easily be made Water Afflictes in Turba p. 32. THE COROLLARY From a certain Minerall Masse coagulated lucid red ponderous being perfect Metall in the nearest power containing in it selfe vive spermatick Sulphur and vive immature Mercury multiplicable in it self with the most gentle fire of a Balneum or Bath is drawn forth a certain insipid phlegmatick Water which if it be again repoured on with its due proportion of Earth and in due season digested and abstracted by dissolving daily by little and little
but yet more and more the Body it dissolves likewise the other Elements and by including Aire in it self carries it up by distilling through an Alembick the Water and Aire ought again to be so often poured on digested and abstracted till the Body be altogether resolved by repeated distillations and inhumations Then after the fourth distillation the Aire is to be separated from the Water and to be rectified by it self seven times with which afterwards abstract the Fire from the black Earth Lastly separate the Fire from the Aire And at length impregnate the dry Earth deprived of its humidity by imbibing so often with Aire untill light arise from darknesse and our Infant appear before our eies expected by more then many lucubrations which at length is crowned with a Diadem King of Kings whose rise the Philosophers adore under the Aenigma of the rising Sun in the encreasing Moon But in the very point of Coagulation which is performed by Infrigidation all Philosophers with one consent affirm that the work of the Winter and of hidden Preparation is finisht then begins the second work truly Philosophicall as in these words our Countreyman Norton the excellent Philosopher hath exprest Our Philosophicall work saith he takes not its beginning before all be clean within and without And according to Attaman The second work is not made but from a clean and purified body And this Preparation or first work he calleth a Sordid labour and adjudges it not worthy a learned man therefore not unfitly said to be the work of Women But he deserves not Sweets that will not tast of Bitters And they who either know not or neglect this hidden laborious Preparation will neither attain the benefit nor desired end of this Art But he that doth not clearly understand from these the manner of Practise let him seek further assistance from Raymund Lullie Ripley Rosary whence it plentifully may be fetched especially whilst out of their Writings in this little Chapter where here and there they have obscurely delivered themselves the Path it self is evidently cleared CHAP. III. The Weight in Preparation IF thou knowest not the quantity Dastin of the very Weight thou wilt altogether want the doctrine of this Science Forget not therefore that whatsoever ought to dissolve ought to exceed in the quantity the thing to be dissolved But the first part of the Water according to Philosophers ought to dissolve the Earth and turn it to its self Whence they say the Water is to be divided that with the first part in forty days it ought to be dissolved putrefied and coagulated till it be turned into a Stone therefore it is meet that Water should exceed the Earth Dast spec p. 208. When thou dissolvest it shall be fit the Spirit exceed the Body and when thou fixest the Body ought to exceed the Spirit for therefore is the Spirit that it might dissolve the Body and therefore is the Body that it might fix the Spirit Therefore thou must impose three thirds of Moist and one of Dry for in the beginning of thy operation help the work in Dissolution by the Moon and in Coagulation by the Sun Idem pag. 96 98. There is another Weight singular Massa Sol. Lunae or plurall and it is twofold the first is of the first operation and that is in the Composition of the Air and it is divers according to divers men Now there is anothe Weight Spirituall of the second work and that is also divers according to divers men Massa Solis Lunae p. 177. I say that the first Water is to be Dastin divided into three thirds whereof the first is to impregnate terminate and whiten the Earth but the two other thirds are reserved to rubifie the white Earth that is to be incerated and lastly to be whitened But yet no third as Democritus upon the Magnesia saith is ingredienced all at once but every of the thirds is divided into another third that so the Nine thirds returning to one Earth might compleat a perfect Decinary But the three first thirds are the three first Salsatures to perform the first Dealbation but the six other remaining thirds are six parts of Divine Water to consume the second Dealbation But none of those thirds doth altogether ingredience the whole and at once but every part of them one after another is severally imposed in their own season work and order Dastin spec pa. 177. A small Error in the principles doth cause great Error in things principiated therefore that thou maist not erre in the first and second work we have taught always to impose Equals for so equality shall flourish in both that the Earth might cease as the Water moistens as the Earth ceases Idem p. 222. It is fit to attend what belongs Ripley to Proportion for in this many are deceived therefore that thou maist not spoil the work let thy Bodies be both subtilly limated with Mercury and subtilized with equall proportion one of the Sun another of the Moon till all these things be reduced into Dust then make thy Mercury of which join four parts to the Sun two to the Moon as it is meet and in this manner it behoveth thee thou begin thy work in the figure of the Trinity Three parts of the Body and as many of the Spirit and for the Unity of the Spirit one part more of Spirit then of corporeall Substance According to Raymunds Repertory this is the true proportion This very thing my Doctor shewed me but R. Bachon took three parts of the Spirit for one of the Body for which I have watcht many nights before I perceived it both is the right take which thou wilt If also thy Water be equall in proportion with the Earth and measured Heat there will at once come forth a new Budde both White and Red. Ripley pa. 30. Take of the whitest Gumme Mundus one part and of the Urine of a white Calf another part and part of a Fishes Gall and of the Body of Gumme one part without which it cannot be corrected and decoct it forty days afterwards dry it in the warm Sun till it be congealed Mundus pa. 88. Take thy dearest Son and joyn Aristotle him equally to his white Sister drink to them a Love-cup because the consent of good will joins one thing to another Pour on them sweet Wine till they be inebriated and divided into smallest parts But remember that all clean things agree most aptly with clean things otherwise they will generate Sons unlike themselves Arist in Tractatulo pag. 362. Observe the first preparation Massa Solis Lunae and cogitate this which is the extraction of all Spirits from the Body and the cleansing of them into their Water Massa Solis Lunae pa. 240. Thou must impose three thirds Dastin of moisture and one of dry for in the beginning of thy operation help the work in the Solution by the Moon and the Congelation by
the Sun Dastin spec pa. 98. THE COROLLARY Count Bernard Trevisane vowed to God that he would never in naked words or vulgar speech disclose the Weight Matter or Fires but onely in true Parables without either diminution or superfluity in imitation of the Wise men as in this Chapter Amongst others our English Ripley hath delivered things sufficiently obscured But the youngling Artist ought to ruminate and consider that what ever are nominated in the composition of the Weight must always be understood of two things only viz. of Water and Earth which are sometimes under Spirit and Body sometime under Mercury the Sun and Moon sometimes under Air and Poison nay under as many infinite other names concealed as the very first Matter But that those that seek might be directed into the right Path and Ripleys cloud disperst with the beams of the Sun let us attend the proportions which he hath disposed in these his own words Let the Bodies saith he be corrected or limated with an equall proportion of Mercury whence understand that the proportion of Earth and Water must be equall then he proceeds further and teaches that one Body of the Sun be joyned with two of the Moon in which words are understood two parts of Water to one of Earth He proceeds also farther and joyns four parts of Mercury to the Sun and two to the Moon whence observe that four and two make six parts of Mercury Water or Fire which parts are to be mixt with one part of the Sun and another of the Moon which since they constitute two parts of Earth there shall be a like proportion to the aforesaid six parts viz. of Water as one part of Earth to three parts of Water As appears from his following words viz. after this manner begin thy worke in figure of a Trinity and with this Key his other Aenigmaes of the weight in this chapter are unlockt Whence also the Parables of other Philosophers are disclosed while Book opens Book and the truth is from them scarce disciphered without a Vail For they always deliver things that be like and conceal the truth that they might deserve both to be said and be Philosophers But since in Number Weight and Measure all elementated Bodies of Animals Vegetables and Minerals are naturally united bound concatenated and compounded and by the Harmony of these all principiated Principles attain the perfection ordained by God and compleated by his handmaid Nature Not unfitly may this Trinity viz. of Number Weight and Measure be called the Golden chain by which as in all Animals to every Member is granted their speciall Form so by this Chain every Member is joined united and performs his Office Likewise also in Vegetables since Nature operates after one and the same manner we may presume in every Vegetable it s own proper weight may be particularly observed also the prefixt number of Flowers Leaves and also a due measure of Longitude Latitude and Profunditude Even as Minerals and Metals are also perfected in a fit proportion of the Weight of Elements pure or impure in a due measure of Time and certain Numbers By which bounds rightly disposed all things flourish but being inordinate and confused there is made a Chaos Imperfection and a Dissolution of the Compound For in their Concatenation and Connexion is rebuilt an admirable power of Art and Nature neither can Nature her self consist without these nor Art perform any thing Not enviously therefore did the Philosophers wonderfully conceale the Proportion of the Elements and the mixture of them in their operation as if this being known they had unvailed all things But as much as belongs to our purpose viz. the weight of the Philosophick Work these things onely are principally observed to wit Equals two to one three to one nine to one which when and how they are to be distinguisht our Dastin a famous Philosopher hath in these words clearly opened When thou dissolvest the Spirit ought to exceed the Body and when thou dost fix the Body to exceed the Spirit Who therefore knows the due time of Putrefaction to solution the time of Imbibition Desiccation Fermentation and Inceration shall with easie pains and small endevour from the forenumbred Proportions make choice of what is convenient for every time or season of the Work And he that hath known the Weight as Petrus Bonus saith hath known the whole Mystery and he that is ignorant of it let him leave digging in our Books CHAP. IV. The Philosophers Fire what TAke Water Proportionated Lullius in quality according to the Body which thou wouldst dissolve in such a manner as the unnaturall may not exceed the naturall heat for every complexionated thing is destroyed unlesse the Fire of Nature govern it There are three Humidities the first is Water the chief of resolvable things the second is Air and it is the mean between Water and Oil the third is Oil it self the cerative of all Elements and our finall Secret Lull practica fol. 175. Our Fire is Minerall and vapours Ponâ—anus not unlesse it be too much stirred up whose proportion must be known that-it may only stir up the Matter and in a short time that Fire without the Imposition of hands will compleat the whole work Ponta pa. 40. The Fire which we shew thee is Senior Water and our Fire is Fire and not Fire Senior pag. 29. Argent vive is a Fire burning Dardarius mortifying and breaking Bodies more then Fire Dardarius in Turba 113. I say with Lullius that this Water Vogel or Vive Argent is called Fire of the Philosophers not because inwardly it is of its own Nature hotter then Oil or the forementioned radicall moisture but because in its actions it is more powerfull then Elementary Fire dissolving Gold without violence which Fire cannot doe Vogel pa. 145. Let the Artist well consider what Lullius are the powers of Fire naturall unnaturall and against nature and what may be the friend or enemy of each Lull Codic p. 37. It is fit the heat be so much as Ventura that thou maist by sweating send forth the Water and let it be no way hardened or congealed because Gumme contrary to the Nature of other things sweats and is coagulated with gentle decoction Ventura pa. 113. Philosophers have four different Ripley Fires viz. Naturall Unnaturall against Nature and Artificiall whose divers operations the Artists ought to consider Ripleus pa. 38. The Fires meeting themselves Rosin devour one another Rosin pa. 265. The Spirit is a second Water of Scala which all the things forementioned are nourished every plant refresht and quickned every light kindled and it makes and causes all Fruit. The first Water being the Sun is Philosophically calcined that the Body might be opened and made spongious that the second Water might the better enter to operate its work which second Water is the fire against Nature by whose power the complement of this
Magistery is performed Scala pa. 125. We calcine perfect Bodies with Ripleus the first Fire naturally but no unclean Body doth ingredience our work except one which of the Philosophers is called the Green Lion which is the medium of uniting and joining Tinctures Ripl pa. 26. There is a certain Soul existing between Heaven and Earth arising from the Earth as Aire with pure Water the cause of the life of all living things continually running down upon our fourfold Nature producing her with all its power to a better condition which airy Soul is the secret Fire of our Philosophy otherwise called our Oil and mystically our Water Idem pa. eadem Our Mercury is made of perfect Albert. Bodies not imperfect that is with the second Water after the Bodies have been duly Calcined by the first Albert. pa. 19. This Fire is called Humour because Vogel in it as hath been said heat or the fire of Nature is hidden even as the heat of Animals in the Primogenian moisture Water since it is Heterogeneall to its Earth if sensible of the least heat will evaporate it being left and forsaken The Soul is no other then Oil Oil then Water Vogel p. 134. If any know to make choice of Flamelius such Matter as Nature delights and to inclose it rightly prepared in his Vessel and Furnace He and I saith Nature will forthwith doe the Work so he provide the requisite Fire Naturall against Nature not Naturall and without ardour Flamel pa. 123. We therefore call it Innaturall Lullius or not Naturall because it is not naturated of it self nor takes away any thing from naturated Nature nay it rather helps her by the Mediation of a moderate Exercise according to what Nature requires in her Reformations Lullius Codic pa. 24. Our Fire is Minerall is equall is Artepheus continuall it vapours not unlesse it be too much stirred up it participates of Sulphur it is taken elsewhere then of Matter it destroys dissolves congeals and calcines all things and it is Artificiall to finde out a compendium and without cost or at least very little it is also moist vaporous digesting altering penetrating subtill airy not violent not fuming encompassing containing onely one and it is the fountain of Life or which incircles the Water of Life and it contains the King and Queens bathing place in the whole Work that humid Fire shall suffice thee both in the beginning middle and end because in it the whole Art consists and it is a Fire Naturall against Nature and Unnaturall and without Adustion And to conclude it is a Fire hot dry moist cold think on these things and doe rightly without any thing of a strange nature The third is that Naturall Fire of our Water which is also called against Nature because it is Water and neverthelesse of Gold it makes meer Spirit which thing common Fire cannot doe this is Minerall Equall participates of Sulphur it destroys congeals dissolves and calcines all things this is penetrating subtile not burning and it is the fountain of living Water in which the King and Queen wash themselves which we stand in need of in the whole Work in the beginning middle and end but not of the other two except sometimes onely Join therefore in reading the Philosophers Books these three Fires and without doubt thou wilt not be ignorant of their sense and meaning concerning Fires Artephius pa. 31. Weigh the Fire measure the Dastin Air mortifie the Water raise up the heavy Earth Dastin spec pa. 202. By earnest consideration of Lullius things Naturall Innaturall and against Nature it behoveth thee to attain the Materiall and Essentiall knowledge of the temper through all his parts Essentiall and also Accidentall that thou maist know how to behave thy self in our said Magistery having so comprehended the said principles Lull Theor. fo 16. There are four principall Fires to be observed in respect of the Substance and Propriety of the four Elements Idem pa. 174. Although in our Books we have Lullius handled a threefold Fire Naturall Innaturall and against Nature and other different Manners of our Fire neverthelesse we would signifie one Fire from more compound things and it is the greatest secret to come to the knowledge of this Since it is no Humane but Angelick and heavenly gift to reveal Lull Testament pa. 78. Son our Argent vive or part of Lullius it is Water distilled from its Earth and the Earth in like manner is our Argent vive animated and the Soul is Naturall heat which stands bound together in the first Essence of the Elements of Argent vive Idem In the Structure of the Fire Trevisane some differd from others although they all aimed at the same scope namely that it should be made after this manner lest the fugient should first fly away before the Fire could any way bring forth the persequent thing Bernard Comes pa. 40. The Fire which we shew to thee is Scala Water and our Fire is Fire and not Fire Scala pa. 148. Raimond speaking of Fires in his Scala Compendium of the Soul saith It is to be noted that here lie contrary operations because as contranaturall Fire dissolves the Spirit of a fixt Body into the Water of a Cloud and constringeth the Body of a volatile Spirit into congealed Earth So contrariwise the Fire of Nature congeals the dissolved Spirit of a fixt Body into glorious Earth and resolves the Body of a Volatile Spirit fixt by Fire against Nature not into the Water of a Cloud but the Water of the Philosophers Scala pa. 126. The Water of which the Bath Basil Valent. of the Bridegroom ought to be made is of two Champions that is to be understood confected of two contrary Matters wisely and with great care lest that one adversary may vanquish the other Basil Valent. pa. 32. What ever actions they nominate Rosin know that these things are always done by the action of the heat of certain Fire which causes not Sublimation because it is so gentle nor may it elevate any smoke naturally by reason of its debility whence if it be such as may in a manner elevate and not elevate it is good Rosin ad Sarratant pa. 286. THE COROLLARY If any would rightly weigh the ayings of Philosophers in this Chapter the manner of their Equivocations would appear clearer then the Sun for as they have deciphered the second Work somewhere in the name of the first Work so in this Chapter they nominate the second Water the first Water and the third Water the second as it appears in Scala pa. 123. where it is said that the first Water the Sun calcines that the second might the better enter And again the second Water is Fire against Nature And Ripley utters like things also in his Preface But let every Artist know that the first Water is Phlegm only or unnaturall Fire because it
Argent vive in a Crucible which Argent vive indeed is turned into red Dust by admixtion of the Stone and again that of that Argent vive which should be cast upon other Argent vive is again also turned into Dust and so thou shalt make reiterations of the Dust of Argent vive upon other Argent vive untill the Argent vive cannot be turned into Dust but remain turned into a perfect Metall Clangor Buccinae pa. 533. If thou wouldst multiply it it Artepheus is fit thou dissolve the red again in a new dissolutive Water and in an iterated decoction to whiten and redden it by the degrees of Fire by reiterating the first Regiment or Work Dissolve Congeale Reiterate by Closing Opening and Multiplying in Quantity and Quality as thou pleasest Because by a new Corruption and Generation is again introduced a new Motion and so we cannot obtain an end if we would always operate by Reiteration Dissolution and Coagulation by the mediation of our Dissolutive Water that is by dissolving and coagulating through the first Regiment or Work as hath been said And so the vertue of it is augmented and multiplied in quantity so that if thou hast an hundred in the first Work in the second thou shalt have a thousand in the third ten thousand and so by prosecuting thy Projection will become infinite in truly perfectly and fixedly tincting or giving Tincture to every Quantity how great soever and so by a thing of no value is added Colour Weight and Vertue Arteph fo 37. THE COROLLARY I knew said Count Bernard of Trevisane a certain man of the County of Anchona who had very well known the Stone but was ignorant of the Multiplication He saith he did solicitously follow me sixteen intire years that he might learn but from me he never knew it for he hath the same Books as I. But I cannot think any man so dull and stupid but that he may from this Chapter easily understand the Multiplication of the Stone Such things by how much the oftner they are dissolved filtrated and coagulated become by so much the more subtile pure penetrating and much more transparent It is likewise so with that Physicall Stone which although it be brought to perfection yet by how much the oftner it is dissolved and coagulated by so much the more the strength thereof is multiplied in Projection even untill it attain an infinite number To the practice whereof in this our last Chapter it will not be requisite that I adde a further Paraphrase since this our dissolving Philosophick Mercury is to every one clearly evident from what hath been said in these our Collections That that is Fire which they call Naturall by whose help the Solution and Resolution of the Elixir is performed and the Proportion thereof and manner operating they have truly and elegantly explicated in this Chapter without Tropes or Figures For before this time was enough and too much obscured and over shadowed by their parabolicall Mists that true Path-way by which every lover of the Art is brought through difficulties Woods and Mountains to that most famous Tower of Philosophy consecrate to Art and Nature in which the Fire of Nature is imprisoned and locked up The Tri-une God Father Word and Holy Spirit Incomprehensible height Impartible Trinity Immutable Essence which rules all things but not inclusively beyond all things but not exclusively Immense Incircumscript Ineffable from his infinite and unspeakable Mercy vouchsafe to open detect and unlock it to all that worthily importune and implore his Aid to his eternall praise and honour Amen Things to be observed 1. THE Materiall Part being known and had it ought not to be kept in a Hot and Moist but in a Cold or Dry place nor be kept long but thou beginnest to Work with it whilst it is fresh and but newly Extracted from its Mine 2. Begin not to Work unlesse thou hast so much of the Proper Materiall weighed out as will serve for two years that in case thou failest the first time thou maist correct it the second Because thou canst not examine Truth without Falshood nor that which is Streight without consideration had of that which is Crooked So that if thou shouldst want Matter to work upon thou leavest the Work unfinished and gettest nothing but thy Labour for thy Pains 3. The Elements are to be separated in a soft Bath that the Alembick be not perceived to be hot but that the vapour being Elevated and Congealed in the Colder Aire may be turned into Water having the form of all the Species's whereof it is Generated 4. After the Water shall be Distilled let it not stand long when it is fit for Operation Because the Coagulum thereof falleth into the bottome congealing the Coagulated Body by the Coldnesse and Drinesse of the Aire which saith Senior happened to one of my Associates who found it so for a whole year but not Distilled 5. It is necessary the Artist have a great Quantity of Water because that in the Beginning Middle and End there will always be a necessity thereof as well in Putrefying Washing Calcining Subliming Imbibing as that the Elixir may be often Resolved Wherefore Avicen in his Epistle to his Son My Son it behoveth thee to have a great Quantity of our Sun and Moon that thou maist extract their Moistures sixty Pounds at the least 6. Thou maist with on Pound weight of Water resolve the Matter into Water even to an Infinite Quantity But he that desires to gather this first Pound let him be Patient and proceed softly and sweetly not hastily For that Work is termed of Philosophers An Extraction of his own Sweat 7. But above all thou must beware that at no time thou puttest a cold Glasse into the hot Water lest it should be broke and thou losest thy Labour 8. It is to be noted When thou takest up a Vessel thou sufferest it to coole with Water for the space of three hours at the least 9. Take heed in Distillation that the Water bubble not at the same time 10. In every Digestion the Glasse must be Sealed with the Seal of Hermes 11. To Fix Inceration a Necessity is observed amongst Quacks that a Fire be made thereon whereby the Matter may the better be Fixed which notwithstanding is not to be sleighted 12. He that understands what is meant by the Philosophers Magnesia understands the Preparation and Perfection of the first Work and what is meant by Sal naturae Sal Armoniacus Mercurius Exuberatus and Sulphur naturae which being understood Dimidium facti qui benè coepit habet 13. Shortly after the second Work or the Philosophick Work is begun forget not even at the same houre to begin the Preparation of thy Ferments because they require a long time of Preparation Let the Sun make his own Ferment the Moon hers 14. To the Building of a Kings Palace these following Artificers are necessarily required A Mason a Smith a Glasier
of Terra Adamica wherein all the virtues and qualities of the Elements are placed At length the heavenly Soule is infused thereinto by the Spirit of the quintesse and Solar influx and by the Benediction and Dew of Heaven the virtue of multiplying in infinitum by the intervening copulation of both sexes is given it 75. The chief secret of this worke consisteth in the manner of working which is wholly imployed about the Elements for the matter of the Stone passeth from one Nature into another the Elements are successively extracted and by turnes obtaine dominion every thing is agitated by the circles of humidum and siccum untill all things be turned downwards and there rest 76. In the work of the Stone the other Elements are circulated in the figure of Water for the Earth is resolved into Water wherein are the rest of the Elements the Water is Sublimated into Vapour Vapour retreats into Water and so by an unwearied circle is the Water moved untill it abide fixed downwards now that being fixed all the Elements are fixed Thus into it they are resolved by it they are extracted with it they live and dye the Earth is the Tombe and last end of them all 77. The order of Nature requireth that every generation begin from humidum and in humidum In the Philosophers work Nature is to be reduced into order that so the matter of the Stone which is terrestriall compact and dry in the first place may be dissolved and flow into the Element of Water next unto it and then Saturne will be generated of Sol. 78. The Aire succeeds the Water drawne about by seven circles or revolutions which is wheel'd about with so many circles and reductions untill it be fixed downwards and Saturne being expell'd Jupiter may receive the Scepter and Government of the Kingdome by whose coming the Philosophers Infant is formed nourished in the wombe and at length is borne resembling the splendor of Luna in its beautifull serene countenance 79. The Fire executing the courses of the Nature of the Elements extream Fire promoving it of hidden is made manifest the Saffron dyeth the Lilly rednesse possesseth the cheeks of the whitening Child now made stronger A Crowne is prepared for him against the time of his Reigne This is the consummation of the first work and the perfect rotation of the Elements the signe whereof is when they are all terminated in Siccum and the body void of Spirit lyeth downe wanting pulse and motion And thus all the Elements do finally acquiesce in Terra 80. Fire placed in the Stone is Natures Prince Sol's Son and Vicar moving and digesting matter and perfecting all things therein if it shall attain its liberty for it lieth weak under an hard bark procure therefore its freedome that it may secure thee freely but beware that thou urge it not above measure for it being impatient of Tyranny it becomes a fugitive no hope of returne being left unto thee call it back therefore by courteous flattery and keep it prudently 81. The first mover of Nature is Externall Fire the Moderator of Internall Fire and of the whole work Let the Philosopher therefore very well understand the government thereof and observe its degrees and points for from thence the welfare or ruine of the worke dependeth Thus Art helpeth Nature and the Philosopher is the Minister of both 82. By these two Instruments of Art and Nature the Stone lifteth it selfe up from Earth to Heaven with great ingenuity and slideth from Heaven to Earth because the Earth is its Nurse and being carried in the wombe of the wind it receiveth the force of the Superiours and Inferiours 83. The Circulation of the Elements is exercised with a double The twofold Wheel the great and the less Wheel by the greater or extended and the lesse or contracted The Wheel extended fixeth all the Elements of the Earth and its circle is not finished unlesse the work of Sulphur be perfected The revolution of the minor Wheel is terminated by the extraction and preparation of every Element Now in this Wheel there are three 3 Circles Circles placed which alwayes and variously move the Matter by an Erratick and Intricate Motion and do often seven times at least drive about every Element in order succeeding one another and so agreeable that if one shall be wanting the labour of the rest is made void These are Natures Instruments wherby the Elements are prepared Let the Philosopher therfore consider the progresse of Nature in the Physicall Tract more fully described for this very end 84. Every Circle hath its proper Motion for all the motions of the Circles are conversant about the Subject of Humidum and Siccum and are so concatenated that they produce the onely operation and one only concent of Nature two of them are opposite both in respect of the causes the effects for one moveth upwards drying by heat another downwards moistning by cold a third carrying the form of rest and sleep by digesting induceth the cessation of both in greatest moderation 85. Of the three Circles the First Circle First is Evacuation the labour of which is in substracting the superfluous Humidum and also in separating the pure cleane and subtile from the grosse and terrestriall dreggs Now the greatest danger is found in the motion of this Circle because it hath to doe with things Spirituall and makes Nature plentifull 86. Two things are chiefly to be taken heed of in moving this Circle First that it be not moved too intensly the other that it be not moved longer then is meet Motion accelerated raiseth confusion in the matter so that the grosse impure and indigested part may fly out together with the pure and subtile and the Body undissolved mixed with the Spirit together with that which is dissolved with this precipitated motion the Heavenly and Terrestriall Nature are confounded and the Spirit of the Quintessence corrupted by the admixtion of the Earth is made dull and invalid By too long a motion the Earth is too much evacuated of its Spirit is made so languishing dry and destitute of Spirit that it cannot easily be restored and recalled to its Temperament Either errour burneth up the Tinctures or turns it into flight 87. The Second Circle is Restauration Second Circle whose office is to restore strength to the gasping and debilitated body by Potion The former Circle was the Organ of Sweat and labour but this of Refreshment and Consolation The action of this is imployed in the grinding mollifying the Earth Potter like that it may be the better mixed 88. The motion of this Circle must be lighter then that of the former especially in the beginning of its Revolution lest the Crow's young ones be drowned in their nest by a large floud and the growing world be overflowne by a deluge This is the Weigher and Assayer of Measures for it distributeth Water by Geometricall Precepts There is usually no greater Secret
no dregs but ascend most purely like Snow the which is our pure Quintessence And then thou shalt have the Soul Tincting Coagulating and Cleansing both the Sulphur and the not burning Arsnick which the Alchimists may use that with it they might make Silver Clangor Bucc pa. 519. When the Water shall necessarily Petrâ—â— Bonus be generated clean and white it is meet we join the Earth to it even in the same hour and those being joined in their season all four will be joined and then the Work is perfect and if they are not joined then the Water is resolved into Smoke with the Earth and by consequence the other Elements by the force and perseverance of the Fire and so the Work is annihilated wherefore it is fit an Artist know the simple Elements throughly before he begin their Composition that he may know rightly how to compound them to the constitution of the Compound Pet. Bonus pa. 221. If any of the purer parts remain Vogel in the Earth which thou maist observe from a certain whitenesse promiscuously shining think not much to mingle it again with the same Mercury then Decoct and at length as hath been said Sublime till nothing of the purer essence be left in it Vogelius p. 209. In the last day the World shall Basil Valent. be judged by Fire that what before was by its Master made of nothing might again by Fire be reduced into Ashes from which Ashes the Phoenix might at length produce her young ones for in such Ashes lies hid the true and genuine Tartar which ought to be dissolved and after his dissolution the strongest Lock of the Kings Closet may be opened Basil Valent. pa. 23. We have shewn thee our Water Lullius after its congelation with its Ferment which is then indeed called our Magnesia and if thou understand our Waters thou wilt also understand Argent vive Lull Test fo 108. THE COROLLARY In this Chapter is openly explained the Fable of Phaeton in Ovids Metamorphosis As also of Dedalus with his Son Icarus who when they had made themselves wings of Feathers and had fastned them with Wax and when with these they had flown through the Aire beyond the Labyrinth it is reported Icarus flying too high fell into the Sea in which he was drowned because the Sun melted the Wax By his Father Dedalus is understood the Sulphur of Nature sublimated and Philosophically coagulated By Icarus the same Sulphur sublimated but with undue governance of the Artist and continued violence of the Fire melted into Water and buried in the dead Sea In these also is explained the Fable of our English Roger Bacon the Monk of whom it is related That he composed a Brazen Head whose custody after many lucubrations he committed to his servant that while he refresht his tired spirit with sleep he would carefully observe the time that as soon as ever it spake in the very moment he should wake him but the servant being asleep the Brazen Head uttered these words Time is and again an hour after Time is past when by their negligence the Work was deprived of life and annihilated which also appears in the assertion of that excellent Philosopher Petrus Bonus in these words If in the time of Generation the Soul shall stand in the Fire and her strength prevail by the force of Spirit then she flies away and draws with her the Body to flight and the Workman remains frustrate of his purpose and expects that which hath been already come and gone and shall never come again hereafter because it is mingled with that condemned Earth whence it is impossible it should again be separated But as the Condemned or rejected Earth is not found out unlesse the pure be separated from the impure nor is that said to be pure which in it self contains feculency of consequence it must be prepared with the greatest Industry nor with lesse vigilancy is our Physicall subject compounded first by Nature for us and formed into a Metallick Form so that it may be reduced into the first Matter and by our skill viz. by the Separation Putrefaction Imbibition Sublimation Conjunction of the Elements there might arise at length a new Form which is the Basis of the Philosophick Work as is manifest in the Chapter Whence the saying of Artepheus is apparent viz. That the first part remains not except it be bound to the second even in the same Hour But that Allegation is done by Coagulation the Coagulation by Infrigidation even in that Hour in which the Artist shall see and in his Judgement perceive the whole most pure substance sublimated from its rejected Earth Which secret of secrets obscured of all Philosophers in their sundry Aenigmaes concealed and diversly disperst in their Books I have in brief so clearly opened as of none the like hitherto And this is the Preparation in which as Senior saith men are blinded since they know not that the Stone is prepared with this Preparation CHAP. VI. The Weights of the second Work IN the operation of our Magistery Rosar we shall need one onely Vessell or Furnace one Disposition which is meant after the Preparation of the Stone Rosar Philosoph pa. 240. The second Work is to turn Dastin Water and Fire into Earth and Aire into one simple Substance compounded of Simples Dastin specul pa. 106. If thou impose the Medicines Dastin equally thou wilt perceive no Error but if thou adde or diminish make haste to correct it whence if a Deluge proceed it drowns the Region but if too much Siccity should be it burns up the Roots of Hearbs Who therefore putrifies the Body in the equall part till it be exsiccated makes the whole one white Body for they are at once Inspissated Incinerated and Exsiccated and this is the Head of the World Of the Work therefore as Democritus saith let part answer part equally Idem pag. 122. In the beginning take our Stones Ripleus and bury them every one in the Sepulchre of another and join them together in equall Mariage that they may lie together then let them cherish their seed sixe weeks nourish their naturall Conception and preserve it not arising all the while from the bottome of their Sepulchre Which secret deceives many Rip pa. 44. Also thus understand that in Ripleus our Conjunction the Male our Sun ought to have three parts of his Water and his Wife nine which ought to be three to him Rip pa. 39. We cannot with our own proper Massa Solis Lunae hands work on Mercury but with ten species which we call our hands in this Work that is nine parts of Water and the tenth of Earth Massa Solis Lunae pag. 257. But since there are three parts Rosar Arnold of his red Water with him let it be sublimed on this manner time after time till it be fixt downward Rosar Arnold pa. 449. Put clean Bodies in this clean Mercury
wherefore it is called a Father and Masculine seed 123. That we may leave nothing untouched let the Students in Philosophy know that from that first Sulphur a second is generated which may be multiplyed in infinitum let the wise man after he hath got the everlasting minerall of that Heavenly Fire keep it diligently Now of what matter Sulphur is generated of the same it is multiplyed a small portion of the first being added yet as in the Ballance The rest may a freshman see in Lullius this may suffice onely to point at it 124. The Elixir is compounded of a threefold matter namely of Metallick Water or Mercury sublimated as before of Leaven White or Red according to the intention of the Operator and of the Second Sulphur all in Weight 125. There are Five proper Composition of the Elixir and necessary qualities in the perfect Elixir that it be fusile permanent penetrating colouring and multiplying it borroweth its tincture and fixation from the Leaven its penetration from the Sulphur its fusion from Argent vive which is the medium of conjoyning Tinctures to wit of the Ferment and Sulphur and its multiplicative virtue from the Spirit infused into the Quintessence 126. Two perfect Metalls give a perfect Tincture because they are dyed with the pure Sulphur of Nature and therefore no Ferment of Metals may be sought besides these two bodies dye thy Elixir White and Red with Sol and Luna Mercury first of all receives their Tincture and having received it doth communicate it to others 127. In compounding the Elixir take heed you change not or mixe any thing with the Ferments for either Elixir must have its proper Ferment and desireth its proper Elements for it is provided by Nature that the two Luminaries have their different Sulphur and distinct tinctures 128. The Second work is concocted as the First in the same or like Vessell the same Furnace and by the same degrees of fire but is perfected in a shorter time 129. There are three humours Three humours in the Stone in the Stone which are to be extracted successively namely Watery Airy and Radicall and therfore all the labour and care of the Workman is employed about the humour neither is any other Element in the Worke of the Stone circulated besides the humid one For it is necessary in the first place that the Earth be resolved and melted into humour Now the Radicall humour of all things accounted Fire is most tenacious because it is tyed to the Centre of Nature from which it is not easily separated extract therefore those three humours slowly successively dissolving and congealing them by their Wheels for by the multiplyed alterne reiteration of Solution and congelation the Wheel is extended and the whole work finished 130. The Elixir's perfection consisteth in the strict Union and indissoluble Matrimony of Siccum and Humidum so that they may not be separated but the Siccum may flow with moderate heat into the Humidum abiding every pressure of Fire The signe of perfection is if a very little of it cast in above the Iron or Brazen Plate being very hot it flow forthwith without smoake 131. â„ž Let three weights of Red Earth or Red Earth or Red Ferment and a double weight of Water and Aire well beaten be mixt together let an Amalgama be made like Butter or Metalline Paste so as the Earth being mollifyed may be insensible to the touch Add one weight and an halfe of Fire Let these be ordered in their Vessell the Fire of the first degree being most closely sealed afterwards let the Elements be extracted out of their degrees of Fire in their order which being turned downwards with a gentle motion they may be fixed in their Earth so as nothing volatile may be raised up from thence the matter at length shall be terminated in a Rock Illuminated Red and Diaphanous a part whereof take at pleasure and having cast it into a Crucible with a little Fire by drops give it to drink with its Red Oyle and incere it untill it be quite poured out and goe away without smoake Nor mayst thou feare its flight for the Earth being mollifyed with the sweetnesse of the Potion will stay it having received it within its bowels then take the Elixir thus perfected into thine owne power and keep it carefully In God rejoyce and be silent 132. The order and method of composing perfecting the white Elixir is the same so that thou usest the white Elements onely in the composition thereof but the body of it brought to the terme of decoction will end in the plate white splendid and crystall-like which incerated with its White Oyle will obtaine the help of Fusion Cast one weight of either Elixir upon ten weights of Argent vive well washed and thou wilt admire its effect with astonishment 133. Because in the Elixir the Multiplication of the Elixir strength of Naturall Fire is most aboundantly multiplyed by the Spirit infused into the Quintessence and the naughty accidents of bodies which beset their purity and the true light of Nature with darknesse are taken away by long and manifold sublimations and digestions therefore Fiery Nature freed from its Fetters and fortifyed with the aid of Heavenly strength workes most powerfully being included in this our fift Element Let it not therefore be a wonder if it obtaine strength not onely to perfect imperfect things but also to multiply its force and power Now the Fountaine of Multiplication is in the Prince of the Luminaries who by the infinite multiplication of his beams begetteth all things in this our Orbe and multiplyeth things generated by infusing a multiplicative virtue into the seeds of things 134. The way of multiplying the Elixir is threefold By the first â„ž Mingle one weight of Red Elixir with nine weights of its Red Water and dissolve it into Water in a solutory Vessell curdle the matter well dissolved and unite by decocting it with a gentle Fire untill it be made strong into a Rubie or Red Lamell which afterwards incere with its Red Oyle after the manner prescribed untill it flow so shalt thou have a medicine ten times more powerfull then the first The businesse is easily finished in a short time 135. By the Second manner The Practice of Multiplication â„ž what Potion thou pleasest of thy Elixlr mixed with its Water the weights being observed seale it very well in the Vessell of Reduction dissolve it in a Bath by inhumation being dissolved distill it Separating the Elements by their proper fires and fixing them downwards as was done in the first and second work untill it be a Stone lastly incere it and project it This is the longer but yet the richer way for the virtue of the Elixir is increased unto an hundred fold for by how much the more subtile it is made by reiterated operations by so much more both of superiour and inferiour strength it retaineth more powerfully operates 136. Lastly
are the Arnold Sun and Moon in virtue and neer power because if they were not in the Compound neither the Sun nor Moon could thence be made Arnold Epist pag. 491. Mercury is in all Elemented Lullius Substances one and the same which Mercury is indeed the naturall heat which produces as well Minerals as Vegetables although diversly according to the precept of Nature and so our Mercury is not visible but intelligible and it is manifest that it is in every thing and place and common to all Lullii Codic fol. 134. Repelat 6. THE COROLLARY Vogelius Trevesanus with divers other Philosophers advise first seriously to consider in what point Authors most agree for in it they affirm the onely and single truth is involved To me therefore meditating this from the most select Authors recited with their Harmony both in the Substance Form and Colour and in all necessary Circumstances and Accidents was discovered by Divine assistance the Subject of all wonder as Cornelius Agrippa rightly cals it in open and naked words It is therefore generally agreed and of all confessed That there is one vive or volatile Argent retaining a certain Vegetability while it is yet in motion not brought to maturity or the determinate term of naturall digestion in the Mines And the same is immaturate Argent vive not that Mature of the vulgar which is next to Metall in possibility and therefore of some is called Immature Metall According to Arnold Riplie Dunstan Morien and Clangor Buccinae it is cloathed with a Red colour offered or brought to us by Nature but if it be not by the Artist taken from its Radix in a due time viz. before it come to such maturity as to contain one grain of Malleable Metall it will be unfit for our purpose Seek therefore the Philosophick Embryon in its due place and mature immaturity and you shall know as Rosarius saith our Stone is found created of Nature which truly is to be understood of the matter of the Stone compounded by Nature and formed into a Metallick form but given to Art imperfect that by degrees it might be brought beyond the degree of perfection CHAP. II. The Preparation or the first work or work of the Winter THis is the Preparation because Senior there are blinde men and they have erred a long time while they were ignorant that this Stone was prepared with this preparation Senior p. 31. If the first work proceed not Dastin how is the second attained to Because if no division be made there is no conjunction Dastini Speculum pag. 56. We must begin with the separation Arnold of the Elements from the Red earth as of the pure from the impure Arnoldus in Hortulanum pag. 9. Thou must diligently consider Pandolph how this dissolution may be made and certainly know that it is not done but by the water of Mercury and know that every body is dissolved with the spirit with which it is mixt and without doubt is made spirituall Pandolphus in Turba pag. 16. Son of Truth understand that Lullius we in the first operation of our work doe purge and prepare matter for the creation of its Sulphur which being prepared by and by in the second preparation wee compound and create medicine which how great virtue it hath will be manifest Therefore first thou must create its Sulphur because without that thou canst not make the compleat Elixir And when thou hast created Sulphur then begin the Philosophick work but ever consider that the nature and propriety which is in the very spirit may not be combust in its preparation by the power of the fire Because then the spirit cannot whiten nor joyn it self with the Earth Therefore it often happens that they who think to make water of life make water of death by reason of combustion Lullii Apertorium p. 2. The Vessels so disposed a most Aâ—noldus subtill smoke will arise in the Alembick and the same will be turned into a clear water having the nature of these species whereof the Stone is generated which Water descends by the Nose of the Alembick Arnoldus in Comment Hortulani p. 16. The Phlegm wherein our Sulphur Lullius which is called Gold is decocted is that in which Air is included for our Phlegm is a middle substance and the first water of Mercury wherein the principle of the Stone is viz. its dissolution nor doth it enter with it but as it were wetting the parts of things not generating or increasing Lullii Testam pag. 1. It is meet thou prepare the Matter Lullius till it be fit to receive our Mercury which we call glorious Mercury and the manner is That thou take a proportion of the said Earth and put upon it the fourth part of the said imperfect Menstruum wherein is such a Mercury and set it in a Balneo for the space of six days and distill it and so continue untill the Earth be disposed to imbrace a Soul which will not be done at the first or second time therefore put it again and again in the Balneo for the space of six days in a Glasse very well sealed after that open the vessell and setting the Alembick on again with a most gentle fire distill the humidity and again pour on more of its Menstruum which hath its seed in it and digest it as aforesaid and so continue untill the Earth be disposed to entertain its soul Son it is to be observed when it shall drink up and retain four parts more of its weight that if thou put a little upon a heated plate of Gold or Silver it will all flie up into smoke then is the Earth pregnant and prepared which ought to be sublimed Lul Test pag. 15. First all the superfluous and corrupt humidity in the essence of Rosar Philosoph those things and also the subtill and burning superfluity must be elevated with a proportionable Fire and that by Calcining Then the totall substance remaining corrupt in the Calx of these Bodies of the burning superfluous humidity and blacknesse is to be corroded with the aforesaid Corrosives acute or acerb untill the Calx bee made white or red Rosar Philos pag. 345. Our Mercury is made of perfect Scala bodies and not imperfect that is with the second Water after they have been duly calcin'd by the first Scala pag. 128. It behoveth thee to extract one Artepheus living or vive incombustible Water and then congeal it with the perfect body of the Sun which even there is dissolved into nature and a white congealed substance as if it were Cream and would come all white Neverthelesse first this Sun in his putrefaction and resolution in this Water in the beginning loses his light is obscured and waxeth black at length he will elevate himself above the Water by little and little a white colour will swim above him and so the perfect body of the Sun receives life
is not natured of it self nor takes any thing from natured Nature and that it is unfit to calcine or prepare any perfect Body but this Work belongs to Naturall Fire to wit that the perfect Body be calcined and prepared in that second Water or Naturall Fire that after it might be dissolved in the third Water or Fire against Nature But as they call their second Work the first because nothing enters into that Work which hath not been purified cleansed and purged in the first Work So also they will not here recite the first Water for their Water since it is onely Phlegme not entring the Philosophick Work But call the second the first and the third the second which industriously they doe that they might deceive and seduce the Ignorant Of the same sort was Artepheus also while he endevoured promiscuously to confound the name of Naturall Fire with the name of Fire against Nature in these words The third saith he is that Naturall Fire of our Water which is also called against Nature because it is Water neverthelesse of Gold it makes meer Spirit which common Fire cannot doe But with these Equivocations whoso is unexpert is easily induced into the greater Error But as the whole Theorick of Physick is comprehended in the Explanation of three things viz. Naturall Non-naturall and Contranaturall So that whole Hermetick and Divine Work is performed with Fire Natural not Natural and against Nature which Fires are of the Philosophers vailed in the name of Fire although to us they appear in form of Water clear pure crystalline which tortures calcines exanimates and inanimates the Physicall Body and at length renders it more then perfect which neither by the violence of common Fire nor virulence of corrosive Waters nor by the Spirits of any Animall Vegetable or Minerall can perform And he that knows not from our onely Subject to draw out separate rectifie and compound these menstruous Matters these Fires these Waters these Mercuries is ignorant of the Key of the whole Work Therefore in these must be the toil CHAP. V. The Rise or Birth of the Stone THE birth of the Earth is made Lullius by the way of invented Sublimation That the Earth hath conceived and drunk of the Water of Mercury as much as suffices you may discern and know it by its volatility privation of feces and dregges from the most pure Substance while it ascends after the manner of most pure and most white dust or of the leaves of the Moon or of splendid Talk But when thou seest the Nature of the most pure Earth elevated upwards and as a dead thing even adhere to the sides of the subliming Vessell then reiterate the sublimation upon her without the dregs remaining below because that part fixt with the dregs adheres and then no man by any mean or industry can separate it from them Lull Codic pa. 193. Son you may know that this Lullius is the generall head to all Sublimation of Mercuries Then take the pregnant Earth and put it into a Sublimatory vessell luted and well shut up place it in Fire of the third degree for the space of twenty four hours and sublime the pure from the impure and so shalt thou have the Vegetable Mercury sublimated clear resplendent in admirable Salt which we properly call Vegetable Sulphur Sal almoniack our Sulphur the Sulphur of Nature and many other names we impose on it Lull Test p. 4. The Water approaching that Semita Semitae is Argent vive in the Earth encreaseth and is augmented because the Earth is whitened and then it is called impregnation then the Ferment is coagulated viz. is joined with the imperfect Body Prepare it as hath been said till it become one in colour and aspect and then it is called the Birth because then is born our Stone which of the Philosophers is called a King Semita Semitae p. 441. Son it is a sign when it hath imbibed Lullius and retained four parts more of its Weight that if thou put a little on a heated plate of Gold or Silver it will all as it were fly away into smoke which if it doe not so reiterate it untill such a Sign appear Lull Test pa. 16. But to know this day of the Petrus Bonus Crisis and the Birth or Rise of the Stone which is the term of the whole consummation of the Work it is meet to foreknow the Indicating day since it is the very sign it self and things indicated are as it were things signified for there is the perfection or annihilation of the Work because in that very day nay hour the simple Elements arise purified from all filths which presently stand in need of Composition before they fly from the Fire and are turned into Earth that is in their fixation and not sooner nor later Petrus Bonus pa. 127. And when thou shalt see that Geber thing excelling in its whitenesse the whitest snow and as it were dead adhere to the sides of the subliming vessell then reiterate its Sublimation without dregs Geb in lib. Summae perfectionis pa. 169. When this Mercury arises the Ventura Sun and Moon ariseth together with it in its Belly Vent pa. 170. The Heaven is to be reiterated Scala so often upon the Earth till the Earth become Heavenly and Spirituall and the Heaven be made earthly and be joined with the Earth Scala pa. 121. Restore the vive Argent to the Vogel Earth and decoct it and as before sublime and that reiterate nine or twelve times always augmenting the Fire in the end untill the Earth with often sublimation and force of the Calcining Fire become White and more Spirituall part of it being made more subtill begin something to ascend from the bottome of the Vessell and to adhere to its sides But this purging of the Earth which is performed by Sublimation is altogether necessary before the Physicall Work begin Vogel pa. 228. The Argent vive exuberated Clangor Bucc that is the Body of the Earth passing together with the menstruous Matter through the Alembick and the Sulphur of Nature is the Spirit of Metals sublimated and turned into foliated Earth which is the first and neerest matter of Metals Clang Bucc p. 480. Therefore burn it with dry Fire Aristotle that it may bring forth a Son and keep him warily lest he fly away into smoke and this is that which the Philosopher saith in his Turba Whiten the Earth and Sublime it quickly with Fire untill the Spirit which thou shalt finde in it goe forth of it and it is called Hermes Bird for that which ascends higher is efficacious purity but that which fals to the bottome is drosse and corruption This therefore is Dust drawn from Dust and the begotten of the Philosophers the white foliated Earth in which Gold is to be sown Arist pa. 371. Gather carefully what thou findest Lullius in the middle sublimated lest
poised in an equal ballance Idem pa. 447. Boil him at the warm Sun untill Dastin he hath dried his Water which being exsiccated pound him again with water to his Weight and boil him at the Sun till he be dried into a Stone doe this oftentimes till he hath drunk of his Water ten times his own quantity and become dry hard and red Dastin spec pa. 191. 134. Son it behoveth thee to mingle Lullius the Earths of the foresaid Sulphurs that is of Gold and Silver together and prepare them by giving them the fourth part of their Weight of the said menstrous Matter by digesting and drying as it is done in the Creation of Sulphur untill it hath drunk four parts of the said menstruous Matter and be disposed to Sublimation which thou shalt sublime in Fire of the fourth degree Lull Test p. 24. Take of the sincere Body one Dastin part and of the other Copper three and mingle them together with Vinegar Senior in Turba It is meet the Water exceed the Earth nine times that so in a Decinary number which is a perfect number the whole Work may be consummate But as Diostenes saith if too much of the Water be at once imposed it is not contained in the Earth but if too much be substracted it is not joined to the Earth Whence all the Water is not to be at once imposed on the Earth Therefore divide it into three parts and every of them into another third because so one may better fight against one then against a number of more Mingle the Hot with the Cold the Humid with the Dry and the mixt shall be temperate neither Hot nor Cold nor Moist nor Dry for one tempers another making the mixt adequate Dast spec pa. 177. 134. A man may be easily stifled in Basilius Valentinus great Waters and little Waters are easily exsiccated with the heat of the Sun so that they may be as nothing Therefore that the desired Work might be obtained a certain measure in the commixtion of the Philosophick liquorous Substance must be observed lest the greater overcome and oppresse the lesser Proportion by which Generation might be hindred and lest the lesser in respect of the greater should be too weak to exercise equall Dominion for great showers of rain hurt the Fruit and too much drought produces no true Perfection Therefore if Neptune have fitly prepared his Bath weigh well the permanent Water and consider with diligent care that thou doe not any thing too much or too little to him Basil Valent. pa. 42. Take of the red Water and Arnold White as much of the one as of the other according to weight and put them together in a Cucurbite made of Glasse strong and thick having a Mouth like an Urinall afterward the whole Water will be Citrine even soon enough and so will the true Elixer be perfected in respect of both viz. perfect Impregnation and true Coition Arnold in Comment Hortulani p. 34. Let the Queen born by nine Dastin Virgins decently attend the Bed-chamber of so great a King and so in progresse of time thou shalt determine unity from the denary number Dastini Epist fo 2. In this Magistery the Government Basil Valent. of the Fire ought to be observed lest the humid Liquor be too soon exsiccated and the Wisemens Earth too quickly liquified and dissolved Otherwise of wholsome Fishes thou wilt generate Scorpions in thy Waters Basilius Valentin pa. 10. What ever actions they nominate Rosin understand always that these things are done by the action of the heat of certain Fire which makes not Sublimation because it is so gentle nor ought it naturally to elevate any Smoke Ros p. 287. THE COROLLARY Lest perhaps Ripley and Dastin our Countrimen and most excellent Philosophers should in this Chapter seem to some to differ among themselves since Ripley takes equall parts and joins them in equall Wedlock but Dastin affirms the Water ought nine times to exceed the Earth that so in a Decinary which is a perfect Number the whole Work might be consummate I thought it worth my labour to reconcile this appearing contradiction As therefore he that well distinguishes teaches well so he that knows this distinction of time shall forthwith have the Solution of this doubt For Ripley first speaks of the first Composition in the second or Philosophick Work where the Earth and pure Water prepared exactly before must be equally joined in equall Proportion But Dastin utters that his Opinion of Imbibitions after the perfection of the second Work and so while they are distinguisht they are understood and that easily But what means Ripley in these words viz. That they should lie together six Weeks not rising all the while from the bottome of their Sepulchre this must be enquired and searched into since he affirms it a secret which hath deceived many That Conjunction is done that even as a Chicken is made of an Egge after Putrefaction so after this Conjunction and due Putrefaction we may attain the Complement of the Work Therefore we must know if any thing may be born by Putrefaction it is necessary it happen after this manner The Earth by a certain hidden and included humidity is reduced into a certain corruption or destruction which is the beginning of Putrefaction which ought to be nourisht with such a tempered heat as that nothing exhale from the Compound or be sublimed to the top of the Vessel but that the Masculine and Feminine the Matter and the Form Agent and Patient remain together The Water in the Earth and the Earth unseparated from the Water are contained together as the yolk of an Egge included in the inner thin skin till the time of Putrefaction loose the reins which will not be done sooner then in the space of forty days for as Nature hates sudden mutations or alterations so no Putrefaction is made but in a long time and appointed as Dastin elegantly said viz. The calidity of the Aire subtility of the Matter gentlenesse of the Fire stability of Rest equality of Compounds gravity of Patience and the maturity of Time doe promote and induce Putrefaction and therefore then also the Air is to be tempered the Thick subtilized the Fire restrained Rest preserved Proportion adequated Patience strengthened and the Time expected till Nature proceeding naturally shal compleat her own Work But that I may return to the purpose and adde Corollary to Corollary we must observe that in Preparation three parts of the Spirit are assumed to one part of the imperfect Body and at last about the time of the Birth three parts of imperfect Body are assumed to one of Spirit and this not once but often But in the second Work which of Philosophers is called the first first part is joined with part afterward three parts of Body to one of Spirit and that the oftner for Imbibitions and at length three of Spirit to one part of perfect Body
must be putrefied till the desired thing be obtained Afflictes in Turba But ye shall moisten this redness Nicares seaven times in the remaining Water or till it can drink all its Water then boil it till it be desiccated and turned to dry Earth then let it be put in a kindled Fire forty days untill it putrefie and the Colours thereof appear with the Ashes Nicares in Tarba 102. As the same thing is both an Dastin Embryo Infant Boy and Man passing from an incompleat Essence to a perfect Complement So also our Compound by increasing passes from one thing to another better thing and from incompleat Essence with its own Milk is carried forth to his complement of the Elixir And therefore all its Compound is of the form of the Elements Wherefore Morienus saith the disposition of that work is like the creation of a Man when as he is nourished of himself by increasing from day to day and from moneth to moneth till he hath attained his Youthfull age and in a certain time be compleated Dast spec pa. 150. The near cause of this fixation Lullius is a very little mixtion of both by their least parts so that the height of the Volatile may not excell the height of the fixt Body but let the vertue of the fixt Spirit excell the height of the unfixt according to the intent of fixation Son if thou understand this thou maist have the Treasure of Heaven and Earth It is required when the Body is so naturally augmented and nourisht by convenient moisture that then near the measure thou imbibe it with the more Water of its nutrition or augmentation according to the Weights revealed by Art to the conformity of principles and the quality of the Body given to be augmented and let it be decocted with a gentle Fire exsiccating the naturall heat and not exceeding untill it attain its perfect whitenesse Lullii Codic pa. 157. And note that after Imbibition Lullius they ought to be buried seaven days Therefore iterate the Work many times though it be tedious and the Weight in this must be every way observed lest the too much siccity or superfluous Humour spoile it in the operation as namely decoct so much by Assation as the Dissolution hath added and by Imbibition dissolve as much as hath been wasted by Assation wherefore thou shall sweetly and not hastily irrigate the Earth from eight days to eight days Idem If one Imbibition one Decoction Dastin one Contrition doth suffice they would not so much have iterated their sayings but therefore they did this that alwaies they might insist on the Work without divorce and tediousnesse Wherefore also they say Hope and so shalt thou obtain But when it is exsiccated then by another Course let it be delivered to insatiable Comestion that being by degrees between every Inceration burnt into Ashes it might try the power thereof Dastin Epist fo 4. THE COROLLARY Aristotle affirms in the first of his Physicks that the whole is not known without the parts in which it consists But the whole as it resents the nature of all its parts so the whole and the perfect are altogether the same Whence it follows that it is not sufficient for a Man to know the Subject of some Edifice that thence a House might be built unlesse he knew the particular parts and their Construction and Composition So likewise it would little conduce to the perfection of the Stone to have known onely the Subject and its Preparation unlesse after it bee prepared the Artist know how to bring it to Maturity then to nourish it and lastly to feed it even untill it attain a Degree above perfection Then the parts testifie of the whole and the whole of the parts the beginning of the end and the end of the beginning for what pity were it an Heire from the Kingly Stock should be born and none found that knew how to nourish it Therefore to nourish this our Infant we advise with Physicians that since he is of the Royall Stock and the most pure constitution he might not be delivered to any strange Nurse but might suck the Brests of his Mother who as she had before nourisht him in the Womb with her own Blood so being now come to Maturity he is to be nourisht and in a due proportion fed with the exuberated Blood circulated and rectified through the Mamillary veins And the medicinall measure of that Milk let it be weekly the fourth part of the weight of the Infant But let him keep this Diet for seaven Weeks till he be so Medicinally fed that while in a glassen Lodge ordained and firmly obserated by Physicians and Philosophers he be placed and reposed in a Bath and being lulled asleep his limbs dissolve and melt with sweat which by the help of Art and Nature and due governance shall resume their former shape renued and their strength so multiplied that now he desires Kingly food with which nourishment in a short space he will become a King stronger then a King and so stout in Battell that he alone being a most powerfull Conqueror will obtain the Victory against ten thousand Enemies Therefore seek this King whom who so hath for his Defence shall command all Sublunary things CHAP. VIII Of Fermentation BY the Testimony of all Philosophers Tauladanus there are three parts of the Elixir viz. Soul Body and Spirit The Soul is onely the Ferment or Form of the Elixir the Body is the Paste or Matter which two parts are to be drawn from Metals only to wit the Form from the Sun and Moon the Matter from Jupiter Saturn Venus and Mars as also Lullius affirms But the third part of the Stone is Spirit which since it is the Seat and Chariot of the Soul it doth pour the Soul into the Body and compounds and joins these two extremes with an indissoluble bond of agreement which Mediator being removed the Soul can never enter league with the Body For two extremes agree not well nor tarry in one place unlesse they are reconciled and confederated by the help of a mean This Spirit it nothing else then that liquor attenuating the Form and Matter of the Stone and reducing it to a spirituall Nature which Spirit is sometimes called of the Philosophers Heaven sometimes solutive Mercury sometimes menstruous Matter sometimes Quintessence and infinite other names Tauladan pa. 338. Unto thy Compound adde the Ripley fourth part the Ferment which Ferment is onely of the Sun and Moon And know that there are three Ferments two of Bodies in pure Nature which ought to be altered as we have told thee the third most secret which we now meditate is that first Earth with its proper green Water wherefore while the Lion thirsts make him drink untill his body be broken Ripley pa. 56. Take the fourth part of the Semita Semitae Ferment and let that Ferment be dissolved and made Earth like an imperfect
Body and prepared after the same manner and order moreover joine and imbibe it with the aforesaid blessed Water for Ferment prepares the imperfect Body and converts it to its own Nature and it is not Ferment unlesse Sun and Moon Semita Semitae pa. 444. Give it fermented Ferment equally Rachaidibus elementated with every Element which is Gold give it the fourth part but which is first calcined and dissolved into Water Ferment is twofold white and red of which the Ferment of the Sun is the Sun and of the Moon the Moon But let the Ferment be the fourth part of our Copper Rachaidibus pa. 393. Thou wilt have no perfect Ferment Dunstan till it be altered with our Mercury from its first qualities into a new whitenesse between Putrefaction and Alteration Dunstan pa. 7. They who knew not Natures Lullius indigency thought this Ferment ought to be prepared with new menstrous Matter in which is Fire against Nature not perceiving the perdition of the Temperature from which the Body departs by reason of the burning Fire viz. against Nature Ferment to wit a Body as much as it is understood for Ferment is not prepared but with naturall Fire and Water of Mercury Lull Codic pa. 211. Take one part of Ferment and Rosar three of imperfect Body dissolve the Ferment in Water of Mercury equall to it boil it together with a most gentle Fire and coagulate that Ferment that it may be as an imperfect Body Rosar Philosoph p. 317. Take red Earth and form it Arnold into thin Plates or shaved Dust and put it in Water as hath been taught and it shall not be dissolved in it but onely calcined into red Dust which done remove the Water warily and put it into another Vessell like that in which it is so that the calcined Dust of red Earth may remain in its Vessell without Water and in the removed Water put white Earth and that shall be dissolved and so Water shall profit thee and shall not be spoiled Arnold in Cament Hortulani pa. 31. In the preparation of the Ferment Lullius before its last Fermentation we use vulgar Mercury not onely solemnly prepared viz. into Virgins Milk but as it exists in its Nature by the alone Sublimation to this that it might reduce the Body of Ferment to its simplicity and it may be the mean of conjoining Tinctures Lull Codic pa. 215. Let it be given to an insatiable Dastin Devourer afterwards it must be nourisht with grosser meat that compleat Digestion being received it may passe from the Mothers into the Fathers Kingdome Dast Epist pa. 6. As the Ferment of Gold is Tauladanus Gold of Silver is Silver so the Ferment of Iron is Iron of Copper is Copper and of Lead is Lead Therefore every Agent acts according to its form To some what we have spoken may seem new as if the Elixir could be made of all ignoble things which shall turn all other things as well noble as ignoble either into Mars or Jupiter or Saturn or Venus Which although it now seem new and incredible to many learned men and chiefly to Petrus Bonus a man of singular learning yet there is no necessary reason which forbids it may be done Nay if it were not done Alchymy had been lost and the Art of Chymistry might have been worthily called a Figment and a Fable For Nature hath established this Law viz. That as often as Actives are rigbtly joined with Passives Action and Passion doe immediately follow and the alteration doth always resent and savour of the nature of the Agent And as often as that which before had the strength and qualities of the Patient be so disposed that it can stoutly act it is necessary that the alteration be answerable and conformable to the Nature of the Agent from which it suffered Wherefore if ignoble Metals disposed to suffer or change by the action of Gold or Silver rightly disposed to Action it is necessary that noble Metals disposed to suffer should be changed by ignoble Metals skilfully disposed to Act. Tauladanus pa. 297. Let the Ferment be prepared Clangor Bucc that the powder may be white and subtill if thy intention proceed to white but if to red then let thy powder be of Gold prepared most Citrine and there shall not be other Ferment the reason is because those two Bodies are shining in which are tingent splendid Raies excelling other Bodies naturally in whitenesse and rednesse And if thou wouldst ferment white Earth divide that Earth into two parts one part thou shalt augment to a white Elixir with it s conserved Water and so it never ceases to be of it and the other part put into its Glasse that is the Furnace of its Digestion and increase the Fire to it untill by the force of the Fire it be turned into most red Dust even as dry combust Saffron And if thou wouldst that the most white Elixir have the Tincture of Rednesse transforming and tincting Mercury the Moon and every Body into the most true Sun or Solificous Body then ferment it s three parts with another part and a half of most pure prepared Gold and let the powder be most subtile with two parts of Solificous Water artificially reducing by Union by the least parts into one Chaos even unto the inmost part of the Body and place it in its Glasse in his Fire and decoct it that the most true bloody red Stone might shine forth Clang Bucc p. 529. There is no other Ferment but Lullius of the Sun or Moon And it is not Ferment untill the said Bodies be turned into their first Matter because it is expedient that Ferment be compounded of the Sun and the most subtile Earth Wherefore if thou knowest not how to reduce two perfect Bodies into their first Matter thou canst have no Ferment Lull Theor. p. 92. For this is Minerall that when Massa Solis Lunae thou putst Water on the Earth the White overcomes the Citrine and Red and whitens them into whitenesse of Silver Then the Citrine overcomes the White and Red so that it makes them Citrine above the Citrinity of Gold and then the Red overcomes the Citrine and White and reddens them into a Tyrian rednesse and when thou seest these rejoice Massa Solis Lunae pa. 212. THE COROLLARY As in this Chapter is clearly and plainly taught the excellent manner of Fermentation so to the unexperienced Reader this contradiction may appear between Raimund and Ripley in these words viz. whilst Raimund affirms two Ferments onely one of the Sun another of the Moon but Ripley addes a third which is called the Green Lion and the unclean Body which is also called Laton which Laton since indeed is no other thing then an imperfect compound Body of Gold and Silver according to Morienus that third of Ripley is clearly demonstrated to be no other thing then immature Gold and Silver and so they doe
a Potter or maker of Earthen Images a Carpenter without which neither the Palace can rightly be built nor the King therein preserved from Cold and the Injuries of Winds 15. Many men through Ignorance have destroied their Work when at the first they made Projection of the Medicine upon Imperfect Metals For on whatsoever Body thou first of all Projectest the Medicine that same is converted into a Frangible Masse and shall be an Elixir according to the nature of the Body upon which it is so Projected So as that if the Projection be made upon Jupiter or Venus it shall be a Medicine which not onely converteth other Imperfect Bodies into Jupiter or Venus but also reduceth Perfect Bodies to wit the Sun and Moon into Imperfect Bodies according to the nature of the Body upon which the Medicine shall first be Projected Which caused the most Learned Raimund struck with Admiration to cry out in these words What! is Nature Retrograde 16. He that would understand the sayings of Philosophers must not give credit so much to their Words as to the things they Treat of For the knowledge of Words is not to be taken from the manner of speaking because that the Matter is not subject to the Speech but the Speech to the Matter 17. Note that a short and broad vessell is requisite for distilling a Heavy Body or at least Water with its Saltnesse Because that by how much the Water is more Ponderous then the Body by so much ought the Vessell to be the broader and deeper through which the heat passeth more temperate and profitable to the Work 18. Great care is always to be had lest at any time from the first Conjunction to the Whitenesse the Matter should wax cold or be at any time moved by reason of imminent Danger 19. Let not a greater Quantity of the Matter be put into the Philosophers Egge then may fill two Thirds thereof at the utmost 20. It is to be noted that in Ablution or Calcination of the Earth although the Waters Imbibition or Exsiccation be made in Preparation by the temperate heat of the Bath yet its Sublimation or Rising is perfected by a swift fire of Ashes 21. The Philosophicall Work may be begun with an equall Proportion of Earth prepared and pure Water seven times rectified which are joined and put up in an Ovall Glasse Hermetically Sealed Afterwards let them be placed in the Philosophicall Furnace or Athanore and cherished with a most soft Fire whilst the Earth drinks up her Water and according to Ripley the Streams are dried up Then lastly let the dry Matter be comforted with seven Imbibitions and every Imbibition keep the following Proportion that so the Water may be a just Measure exceed the Earth nine times according to the Doctrine of Philosophers which cannot otherwise be done then by observing these Numbers But this secret was never as yet Revealed by any Body For Example If in the first Conjunction the Earth weigh 480 Grains then let so many be added to it of its Water which together make up 960 Grains and for the time appointed to the first Imbibition 240 Grains of new Water are required 300 to the second 375 to the third 468 to the fourth 585 to the fifth 732 to the sixth 940 to the seventh whereby the Imbibition is perfected and then proceed to Fermentation THE END Nil adeò parvum est tibi quin solatia praestet Saepéque Punctum unum grande Levamen habet ARCANVM OR The grand Secret OF HERMETICK PHILOSOPHY WHEREIN The Secrets of NATURE and ART concerning the Matter and Manner of making the Philosophers Composition are orderly and methodically manifested The Work of a concealed Author Penes nos unda Tagi The third Edition amended and enlarged To the Students in and well affected unto HERMETICK Philosophy health and prosperity AMongst the heights of hidden Philosophy the production of the Hermetick Stone hath of a long time been strongly believed to be the chiefest and nearest a Miracle both for the Labyrinths and multitudes of operations out of which the minde of man unlesse it be illuminated by a beam of Divine light is not able to unwinde her self as also because of its most noble end which promiseth a constant plenty of health and fortunes the two main pillars of an happie life Besides the chief Promoters of this Science have made it most remote from the knowledge of the vulgar sort by their Tropes and dark expressions and have placed it on high as a Tower impregnable for Rocks and Situation whereunto there can be no accesse unlesse God direct the way The study of hiding this Art hath drawn a reproach upon the Art it self and its Professors for when those unfortunate Plunderers of the Golden Fleece by reason of their unskilfulnesse felt themselves beat down from their vain attempt and far unequall unto such eminent persons they in a furious rapture of desperation like mad-men waxed hot against their fame and the renown of the Science utterly denying any thing to be above their cognizance and the spheare of their wit but what was foolish and frothy And because they set upon a businesse of damage to themselves they have not ceased to accuse the chief Masters of hidden Philosophy of falshood Nature of impotency and Art of cheats not for any other reason then that they rashly condemne what they know not nor is this condemnation a sufficient revenge without the addition of madness to snarl and bite the innocent with infamous slaunders I grieve in truth for their hard fortune who whilest they reprove others give occasion of their own conviction although they justly suffer an hellish fury within them They moil and sweat to batter the obscure principles of the most hidden Philosophy with troops of arguments and to pull up the secret foundations thereof with their devised engines which yet are onely manifest to the skilfull and those that are much versed in so sublime Philosophy but hid from strangers Nor doe these quick-sighted Censors observe that whilst they malign anothers credit they willingly betray their own Let them consider with themselves whether they understand those things which they carp at What Author of eminency hath divulged the secret elements of this Science the Labyrinths and windings of operations and lastly the whole proceedings therein What Oedipus hath sincerely and truly explained unto him the figures and intangled dark speeches of Authors With what Oracle what Sibyll have they been led into the Sanctuary of this holy Science In fine how were all things in it made so manifest that no part remains yet unveiled I suppose they will no otherwise answer my question then thus that they have pierced all things by the subtilty of their wits or confesse that they were taught or rather seduced by some wandring Quack or Mountebank who hath crept into a good esteem with them by his feigned countenance of a Philosopher O wickednesse who can silently suffer these Palmer-worms to
The white colour succeedeth the black wherein is given the perfection of the first degree and of white Sulphur This is called the blessed stone this Earth is white and foliated whererein Philosophers doe sow their gold The third is Orange colour which is produced in the passage of the white to the red as the middle and mixt of both and is as the morning with her safron-haire a fore-runner of the Sun The fourth colour is ruddy and sanguine which is extracted from the white fire onely Now because whitenesse is easily altered by any other colour before day it quickly faileth of its candor But the dark rednesse of the Sun perfecteth the worke of Sulphur which is called the Sperme of the male the fire of the Stone the Kings Crown and the son of Sol wherein the first labour of the workman resteth 65. Besides these decretory signes which firmely inhere in the matter and shew its essentiall mutations almost infinite colours appear and shew themselves in vapours as the Rain-bow in the clouds which quickly passe away and are expelled by those that succeed more affecting the aire then the earth the operatour must have a gentle care of them because they are not permanent and proceed not from the intrinsecall disposition of the matter but from the fire painting and fashioning every thing after its pleasure or casually by heat in small moisture 66. Of the strange colours some called out of time give an ill omen to the work as the Blacknesse renewed for the Crowes young ones having once left their nest are never to be suffered to returne Too hasty Rednesse for this once and in the end onely gives a certaine hope of the harvest if before it make the matter red it is an argument of the greatest aridity not without great danger which can onely be averted by Heaven alone forthwith bestowing a shower upon it 67. The Stone is exalted by Foure Digestions of the Stone successive digestions as by degrees and at length attaineth to perfection Now foure Digestions agreeable to the foure abovesaid Operations or Governments do compleat the whole worke the author whereof is the fire which makes their difference 68. The first digestion operateth First the solution of the Body whereby comes the first conjunction of male and female the commixtion of both seeds putrefaction the resolution of the elements into homogeneall water the eclipse of the Sun and Moon in the head of the Dragon and lastly it bringeth back the whole World into its ancient Chaos and dark abysse This first digestion is made as in the stomack of a melon colour and weak more fit for corruption then generation 69. In the second digestion the Second spirit of the Lord walketh upon the waters the light begins to appear and a separation of waters from the waters the Sun and Moon are renewed the elements are extracted out of the chaos that being perfectly mixt in Spirit they may constitute a new world a new Heaven and new Earth are made and lastly all bodies are become spirituall The Crowes young ones changing their fethers begin to passe into Doves the Eagle and Lion embrace one another with an eternall League And this generation of the World is made by the fiery Spirit descending in the forme of Water and wiping away Originall sin for the Philosophers Water is Fire which is moved by the exciting heat of a Bath But see that the separation of Waters be done in Weight and Measure lest those things that remaine under Heaven be drowned under the Earth or those things that are snatched up above Heaven be too much destitute of aridity Hic sterilem exiguus ne deserat humor Georg. 1. arenam Here lest small moisture leave a barren Soyle 70. The third digestion of the Third newly generated Earth drinketh up the dewy Milk and all the spirituall virtues of the quintessence and fasteneth the quickning Soul to the Body by the Spirits mediation Then the Earth layeth up a great Treasure in it selfe and is made like the coruscant Moon afterwards to ruddy Sun the former is called the Earth of the Moon the latter the Earth of the Sun for both of them is begot of the copulation of them both neither of them any longer feareth the pains of the Fire because both want all spots for they have been often clensed from sin by fire and have suffered great Martyrdome untill all the Elements are turned downwards 71. The Fourth digestion consummateth Fourth all the Mysteries of the World and the Earth being turned into most excellent leaven it leaveneth all imperfect bodies because it hath before passed into the heavenly nature of quintessence The vertue thereof flowing from the Spirit of the Universe is a present Panacea and universall medicine for all the diseases of all creatures the digestions of the first worke being repeated will open to thee the Philosophers secret Furnace Be right in thy works that thou mayest finde God fovourable otherwise the plowing of the Earth will be in vaine Nor Illa seges demum votis respondet avari Georg. a-vari Agricolae Will the expected Harvest e're requite The greedy High-shoot 72. The whole Progresse of the Philosophers work is nothing but Solution and Congelation the Solution of the body and Congelation of the Spirit neverthelesse there is but one operation of both the fixed and volatile are perfectly mixed and united in the Spirit which cannot be done unlesse the fixed body be first made soluble and volatile By reduction is the volatile body fixed into a permanent body and volatile nature doth at last change into a fixed one as the fixed Nature had before passed into volatile Now so long as the Natures were confused in the Spirit that mixed Spirit keeps a middle Nature between Body and Spirit Fixed and Volatile 73. The generation of the Stone is made after the patterne of the Creation of the World for it is necessary that it have its Chaos and First matter wherein the confused Elements do fluctuate untill they be separated by the fiery Spirit they being separated the light Elements are carried upwards and the heavie ones downwards the light arising darknesse retraits the waters are gathered into one and the dry land appeares At length the two great Luminaries arise and minerall virtues vegetable and animal are produced in the Philosophers Earth 74. God created Adam of the mud of the Earth wherein were inherent the virtues of all the Elements of the Earth Water especially which doe more constitute the sensible and corporeall heap Into this Masse God inspired the breath of Life and enlivened it with the Sunne of the Holy Spirit He gave Eve for a Wife to Adam and blessing them he gave unto them a Precept and Faculty of multiplying The Generation of the Philosophers Stone is not unlike the Creation of Adam for the Mud was made of a terrestriall and ponderous Body dissolved by Water which deserved the excellent name
of Naturall Fire which of it selfe is not able to Work above its proper strength nor communicate a perfect Tincture to imperfect Bodies for it is sufficient to it selfe nor hath it any further power but being multiplyed by the unnaturall which most aboundeth with the virtue of multiplying doth act far more powerfully and reacheth it selfe beyond the bounds of Nature colouring strange and imperfect bodies and perfecting them because of its plentifull Tincture and the abstruse Treasure of multiplyed Fire 97. Philosophers call their The Water of the Stone is Fire Water Fire because it is most hot and indued with a Fiery Spirit againe Water is called Fire by them because it burneth the bodies of perfect Metals more than common fire doth for it perfectly dissolveth them whereas they resist our Fire and will not suffer themselves to be dissolved by it for this cause it is also called Burning Water Now that Fire of Tincture is hid in the belly of the Water and manifests it selfe by a double effect viz. of the bodies Solution and Multiplication 98. Nature useth a double Fire in Fire is twofold intrinsicall and extrinsicall the Work of generation Intrinsecall extrinsecall the former being placed in the seeds mixtures of things is hid in their Centre as a principle of Motion and Life doth move and quicken the body But the latter Extrinsecall whether it be poured down from Heaven or Earth raiseth the former as drowned with sleep and compels it to action for the vitall sparks implanted in the seeds stand in need of an externall mover that they may be moved and actuate 99. It is even so in the Philosophers worke for the matter of the Stone possesseth his Interiour Fire which partly Innate partly also is added by the Philosophers Art for those two are united and come inward together because they are homogeneous the internall standeth in need of the externall which the Philosopher administreth according to the Precepts of Art and Nature this compelleth the former to move These Fires are as two Wheels whereof the hidden one being smitten of the sensible one it is moved sooner or later And thus Art helpeth Nature 100. The Internall Fire is the middle between the mover and the matter whence it is that as it is moved by that it moveth thus if so be it shall be driven intensly or remisly it will work after the same manner in the matter The Information of the whole worke dependeth of the measure of externall Fire 101. He that is ignorant of the degrees and points of externall Fire let him not set upon the Philosophicall Worke for he will never pull light out of darknesse unlesse the heats passe through their mediums like the Elements whose extreams are not converted but onely by mediums 102. Because the whole work Foure degrees of Fire consisteth in Separation and perfect Preparation of the foure Elements therefore so many degrees of Fire are necessary thereunto for every Element is extracted by the degree of Fire proper to it 103. The foure degrees of Fire are called the Fire of the Bath of Ashes of Coales and of Flame which is also called Optetick every degree hath its points two at least sometimes three for the Fire is to be moved slowly and by points whether it be increased or decreased that Matter after Natures example may goe on by degrees and willingly unto Information and completion for nothing is so strange to Nature as that which is violent Let the Philosopher propound to his consideration the gentle accesse recesse of the Sun whose Light Lamp indulgeth its heat to the things of the world according to the times and Lawes of the Universe and so bestoweth a temperament upon them 104. The first point of the The point of Fire Bath of heat is called the heat of a Feaver or of Dung the second of both simply The first point of the second degree is the simple heat of Ashes the second is the heat of Sand Now the points of Fire of Coales and Flame want a proper Name but they are distinguished by the operation of the Intellect according to intention and remission 105. Three degrees onely of Fire are sometimes found amongst Philosophers viz. of the Bath of Ashes and the hot Bath which comprehendeth the Fire of Coals and Flame the Fire of Dung is sometimes distinguished from the Fire of the Bath in degree Thus for the most part Authors doe involve the light in darknesse by the various expressions of the Philosophers Fire for the knowledge therof is accounted amongst their chief secrets 106. In the White Work because Four Elements of the Stone three Elements onely are extracted three degrees of Fire also do suffice the last to wit the Optetick is reserved for the fourth Element which finisheth the Red Work By the first degree the eclipse of Sol and Luna is made by the second the light of Luna begins to be restored by the third Luna attaineth unto the fulnesse of her splendour and by the fourth Sol is exalted into the highest apex of his glory Now in every part the Fire is administred acccording to the rules of Geometry so as the Agent may answer to the disposition of the Patient and their strength be equally poised betwixt themselves 107. Philosophers have very much set upon their Fire with a desire of Secrecy so as they scarce have been bold to touch it but shew it rather by a description of its qualities and proprieties then by its name as that it is airie Fire vaporous humid and dry clear star-like because it may easily by degrees be intended or remitted as the Artificer pleaseth Hee that desireth more of the knowledge of Fire may be satisfied by the Works of Lullius who hath opened the Secrets of Practice to candid minds candidly 108. Of the conflict of the Eagle Proportion and the Lion they write diversly because the Lion is the strongest animall of all others and therefore it is necessary that more Eagles concur three at least or else more even to ten to conquer him the fewer they are the greater the contention and the slower the Victory but the more Eagles the shorter the Battaile and the direption of the Lyon will more readily follow The happyer number of seven Eagles may be taken out of Lullius or of nine out of Senior 109. The Vessell wherein Philosophers The Vessels of Nature and Art decoct their worke is twofold the one of Nature the other of Art the Vessell of Nature which is also called the Vessel of Philosophy is the Earth of the Stone or the Femella or Matrix whereinto the Seed of the Male is received it putrefies and is prepared for generation the Vessell of Nature is of three sorts for the secret is decocted in a threefold Vessell 110. The First Vessell is made of a transparent Stone or of stony Glasse the forme thereof some Philosophers have hid by a certain Enigmaticall