and distil them vpon ashes to drinesse and thereof a treacle-Treacle-water will bée made A very smal spoonefull of this is sufficient to be giuen at once against the diseases before expressed Another Treacle-water cordiall and comfortable for the heart very good against al pestiferous effects therof vsed with great profite TAke of the rootes of Angelica of Cloues of Goates beard of Tormentil or Set-foyle of Bifolium or two-blades of Enula campans of each two ounces Of yealow Sanders and of the barke of the same of each one ounce and a halfe Of white Diptani of Scabiose of Rus of Goates beard otherwise called Méedwoort of each one handfull Of the Flowers of the lesse Centaure of S. Iohns-woort of Broome of Violets of Borage of Buglosse of Water-Lyllie of Red Roses of each a thrée finger gripe Put these into 3. pound of Malmesie infused by the space of 4. dayes set vpon the fire of Baln M. and the Iuice of Lemons the water Melissa Aeetouse and of Roses mingled with the sayd Wine of each one pound Then strayne them In the liqnor distrained put of Treacle ounces thrée of the confection of Hiacinth one ounce Of the confection Alchermes 6. drachmes Of Diamargarit friged Diatria Santali of each 3. drachmes of Diambre and Diacoral of each two drachmes of Saffron and Myrrhe of each halfe a drachme Infuse them againe by the space of two or thrée dayes at the same fire of Baln M. Then distil them to drinesse by fire of ashes and it will be a Treacle water But to make it the more effectuall the Salt must be extracted out of the feces which remaine according to arte and then mingeled with the foresaid water A water against Poysons and against all pestilentiall effects TAke of the Rootes of Angelica of the Carline-thistle of Set-foyle of the Barke of the Olibian Trée of each two ounces of Cardus Benedictus of Méede-woort called Goates beard of all the Sanders of each halfe an ounce the Treacles of Mythridate and the confection of Hiacinth of each 2 ounces the speces of Diamarg Frigid Camphor of each 2. Drachmes Let these be grossely beaten or brused put into a glasse Allembic powring thereon 3. pound of rectified Aqua vitae Then let them be digested in a vessel wel closed so distilled by ashes or a vaporous Baln This water is wonderfull effectuall against poysonful and pestilential effects The quantitie which must be giuen is halfe a spoonfull An excellent water to be giuen against Feuers burning and pestilentiall TAke of the rootes of Angelica Buglosse of Scorzonerae Acâ—â—y one ounce of the Treacle Alexandrine 2 ounces of the Iuice of Lemons clensed of the waters Fumetarie Gotes beard and Cardui Benedictus and of the lesser centaure of each ounces 4. Diamarâ—â— Frigid halfe an ounce Let these lye infused by the space of thrée or 4. dayes then let them be distrained and distilled Of the which let the sicke drinke 4. ounces and then being well couered in his bed he shal sweate more than ordinary Principall Remedies to ease the torments and extreame paines of the Goute TAke of the leaues of Missel which groweth on the Apple-trée cut or shred very smal halfe a pound the flowers of white Mulline of Chamomil of Lyllies of Wallwoort or Danewoort all the kindes of Poppey with their cases which containe the séed new gathered and before they be full ripe of each one gripe of the 2. fingers and the thumbe of gréene Frogs or in stéed of them the Ielly or sperme of Frogges which is to be found in standing waters in the Moneth of March one pound the séed of white Poppey brused 4. ounces of Crabbes of Crafishes shelles and all beaten or crushed together 20. in number of red Snailes and Earth-wormes both wel washed in good white wine of each 4. ounces of Badgers grease â—xe ounces of Sperma Ceti 4. ounces of the oyle of violets or water Lilly newly made 6 pound or if you wil in steede of these oyles take so much of oyle Oliue Put these into a glasse vessel for that purpose conuenient and close stopt set it in horse dung by the space of 7. or 8. dayes But if néed require more haste let them boyle in a Copper vessel ouer the fire by the space of two houres and then straine them strongly The which also you shalt doe if they stand in Horse dung to be digested Thou then shalt seperate the oyle from the watery part thereof according to arte to the which oyle thou shalt adde of Saffron 2. ounces of Camphyre hale an ounce Put all these into a glasse vessel and set them againe in Horse dung or in Balneo or in the Sunne by the space of 5. dayes and thou shalt haue a most excellent Balsam to asswage and qualifie all paines of the Goute and in the ioynts I wish that all Apothecaries would prepare this to be reary at al times for present vse for that they cannot appoint themselues of any thing better than this which my selfe haue found true by experience A plaister to helpe and easie all paines of the Goute TAke the marrow or pulpe of Cassia foure ounces of new Treacle the newer the better halfe an ounce The meale of Barley and Oates of each three ounces The crumbes of white breadâ— foure ounces of Cowe-milke two or thrée pound Let al these be sodden in the forme of a Cataplasme which thou shalt apply warme to the grieued parts It thou shalt adde one ounce of vitriol calcined and beaten into the pouder thou shalâ— make it much better Another Cataplasme TAke the distilled water of whyte Mulleyn and of Ferne of each halfe a pound of calcined vitriol as before one ounce and a halfe of Oate meale 4. ounces Of Saffron two 〈◊〉 make a Cataplasme A water against the paine of the Coute THis water following prepared in due time wil much auaile against the greatest paines of the Gout where there appeareth rednesse and much heatâ— Take of the distilled water of the sperme of Frogges of Hightaper of Ferne of each one pound and a halfe In these infuse Tuttie and Lytharge of each two ounces Vitriol calcined and Allum of each one ounce Let the grieued parts be moystened with linnen cloâ—â—es wet in the same applyed warme renuing the same diuers times Another excellent water against the Goute TAke of the Sope of Genua that which is white and good one ounce Of liquid Salt made to runne at a strong fire one ounce and a halfe of Vitriol one ounce of Acatia halfe an ounce Let them all boyle together in a pinte of Rose vinegar or of common vinegar With this liquor wash both the greiued partes An excellent playster which being layed vpon the knots and puffes of the Gout dissolueth them TAke of the oyle of Apple Missel of our description one or two pound warme it in a vessel at the fire béeing made warme put into it of shaued or scrapings of Sope 4.
ounces let them be well stirred together with a spattle vntil the oyle and Sope bée wel incorporated together After this put thereto Venis Ceruse and Lytharge of each 2. ounces euer mingling and stirring them with a spattell of Vitriol calcined til it be red and pouldred one ounce Of 〈◊〉 halfe an ounce When any of the aforesaid things are put in stirre it wel til it come to a conuenient thicknesse for a playster which thou shalt apply to the knots it helpeth not onely these but also of callous and hollow vlcers and pockes An excellent water to the same effect TAke Vnsâ—ickt-Lime let it lye in Spring water fiue 〈◊〉 sixe dayes that thou mayest draw out the Salt Let the water be foure or fiue fingers aboue the Lyme Of this water take 3. pound in the which thou shalt quench a red hote plate of Stéele twelue times and oftener After this thou shalt put therein of burnt copper brought into pouder 3. ounces of Cinabar halfe and ounce Let them stand by the space of foure or fiue dayes in which time the water will be of a gréene colour by meanes of the inward vitriol of the burnt copper This water is an excellent remedy to qualifie and alay suddenly all manner aches and paines A remedy to dissolue the Stone AFter some conuenient gentle purgation let the patient grieued with the Stone take one little spoonefull of this poulder following which not onely openeth the conduits prouoking vrine but also diminisheth and hindereth the growing of the Stone Take of the kernels which are in Medlars Gromel called Milium Solis the séedes of the great Burre Saxifrage Hollyhock Auis séedes Fennel-séedes of each thrée drammes of Christall stones and of Tartar fix drammes of the stones which are called commonly Crabbes eyes halfe an Ounce of the Salt of ground Furze one drachme of Cinamon one Ounce and a halfe of Violated Suger two Ounces and a halfe mingle these and make a poulder This poulder being taken let the partie drinke vpon it a little wine Iuniperated or of this water following Take of the rootes of Eryngium of ground Furze and of the fiue rootes apertiue of each one Ounce of the barke of Lemons one Ounce and a halfe of the foure greater cold séedes of the séedes of Mallowes and Hollihock of each thrée Ounces of the séedes of Saxifrage of Gromel of the greater Radish of the Burdock and of ripe Iunipar Berries of each Drachmes six of Askakeng Berries twenty in number of Iuiâ—bes six couple of Dictam of the flowers of Broome of Saint Iohns woort of Betonie of the greatest Mallow of each two gripes with the thomb and two fingers of liquirice two ounces and a halfe of the wood of Caffia one Ounce beate and poulder that which is to be pouldered and let them be stéeped or infused in water of siluer wéed called wilde Tansey and of Parietory of the wall of each one pound and a halfe of the best white wine two pound and that by the space of foure daies in Bal. M. hote and then let it be strongly strained Into the liquor put of the Species of Diatragaganthum Frigidum and of the Trochiscks of Alkakenge without Opium of each one Ounce Let them be digested againe at the fire of Baln Mar by the space of one or two dayes and let them be distilled by a glasse Allembic according to Art This water also taken by it selfe alone câ—â—teth and thinneth grosse matters and clenseth the raynes and sucking-vaines and the bladder from the stopping of sand and grauel and frâ—eth them from grosse humours Of this water by it selfe alone the dose to be giuen at one time is two Ounces with some conuenient syrrup An other excellent water against the Stone TAke the Iuice of Radish of Lâ—â—tâ—ns of each one pound and a halfe of the waters of Betonie of wild Tansey of Saxifrage of Veruaine of each one pound of Hydromel and of Malmesey two pound In these liquors mixed together infuse by the space of foure or fiue dayes at a gentle fire of Baln Mar Iunipar Berries ripe and newe gathered being bruised thrée Ounces of Gromel of the séede of the Burdock of the greater Radish of Saxifrage of Nettels of Onions of Anis of Fenel of each one Ounce and a halfe the foure cold séedes the séedes of great mallowes of each six drachâ—â—es the species of Lithontri the Electuarie Duis Iustini Nicolai of each halfe one Ounce the Calxe of Egge-shels Cinamon of each thrée Drachmes of Camphore two Drachmes Let all againe be well distrained and then distilled by ashes Two ounces of this water taken doth wonderfully clense the Counduits prouoke vrine and wil breake and expell the Stone To this if you adde his proper Salt or one scruple of the extract of Betonie it will be a more effectual remedy The conclusion of this Treatise ALchymie or Spagyrick which some account among the foure pillers of medicine and which openeth and demonstrateth the compositions and dissolutions of all bodies together with their preparations alterations and exaltations the same I say is she which is the inuenter and Schoole-mistresse of distillation For Alchymie vseth seuen workes which are as it were certaine degrées by which as it were by certaine necessary instruments she ordereth and finisheth the transmutations of things By transmutation I meane when any thing so forgoeth his outward forme and is so changed that it is vtterly vnlike to his former substance and woonted forme but hath put on another forme and hath assumed an other essence another colour another vertue and another nature and properly As for example when linnen rags are turned into paper metall into glasse skins or leather into glue an hearbe into ashes ashes into Salt Salt into water and Mercury so moueable into a fixed body as into Sinabar and poulder The seauen degrees of working are these mentioned before in the Practise 1 Calcination Which is the bringing of any thing to ashes 2 Digestion Is a dissoluing of that which is thick into thinne to be purified 3 Fermentation Is a mixing of kindly matter for multiplication or the kindly seasoning or leauining of a thing 4 Distiliation Is an extraction of a liquor from a body by heate 5 Circulation Is to rectifie any thing to a higher perfection 6 Sublimation Is the lifting vp of moyst matter to make it more pure and dry 7 Fixation Is to make that which is flying to abide with his body Beside these there are diuers other workings as DissolutioÌ„ is to dissolue yâ— which is grosse Putrifaction is the meane to generation Exaltation is euaporation of the impure humour Rectification is a reiterated Distillation to perfection CoagulatioÌ„ is the congealing of moisture CohobatioÌ„ is a repetition of Distillation by which the liquor distilled is powred vpon the feces and distilled againe Distillations are diuers according to the diuersities of reasons maners and of subiects whereupon arise sundry differences of distillation The first difference is taken
colde which do procéede from the spirits only or else from the most thinne and aiery vapours which lye hid in the Salt especially in that Salt which by nature is sulphurus such as is Niter or Salt-Peter as men call it Niter throughly depured and clensed will be as white as snow from which whitenesse may be drawen infinite sorts of colours most excellent to beholde Which colours come from the onely spirits of Salt-peter which are able to pearce the most hard kind of glasse by the force of fire thrust forth in the likenesse of volatile meale and cleaning in the ouerture of the glasse Alembic By which colours a maÌ„ may behold the body of the Alembic to be tained dyed as well within as without in the superficial part Which colours are of no lesse varietie then are the flowers of the earth in the time of the Spring Hereby it appeareth plainely that this diuersitie of all colours is to be taken from the spirits no lesse nor otherwise then are all other properties and vertues of all other things to be referred vnto them If therefore the foundation of these thrée things be laid vpon thrée beginnings vpon their spirits it will be very firme and stable in such wise that in the ignorance of any cause it shal not be néedful to fly to hidden properties If this doctrine according to the truth thereof be receiued learned and studied being vpholden also with the authorities of that great Hypocrates it shal easily driue from vs the darkenesse of ignorance and shal bring with it the light of knowledge which will remoue all difficulties For out of this schoole are learned most certain and infallible Thearemes and Axiomes against which as against most assured grounds there can be no opposition or resistance but wil be allowed by the general consent of indifferent Iudges Let vs take an example from Vineger whereof many famous Physitians cannot tell what certainely to affirme For because it is sharpe and therefore cooleth they wil haue it to be colde But contrariwise when they behold the facultie thereof to be attenuating cutting and dissoluing also their â—ernor and boyling thereof when it is put vpon earth or claie they are constrained to forsake their opinion vncertaine what to iudge thereof Who if they had bene acquainted with the Hermeticall doctrine they should haue knowne that the cause of such tartnesse or sowernesse in vineger commeth by the seperation of the spirit from the wine as is plainly séene by experience For the longer that wine standeth in the Sun or in a hotte place the more by little and little it waxeth sharpe and whatsoeuer is aiery therein and of the quintessence of the wine by the force of the heat vaporeth away This eternal and celestial essence being gone which was the cause of the wines swéetnes which swéetnes hath alwaies ioyned with it neuerthelesse a certaine pricking very acceptable to the pallate by reason of a singular temper of sharpnesse Vitriolated by swéete and Sulphurus spirits put by the instinct of nature into wine at the length it waxeth sower the cause of whose sharpnesse is not to be referred to the colde qualities but to those hidden and sower spirits of Salt which by the bonde of the sulphurus substance were contained and kept in their office and working in the wine the which bond being dissolued the spirits range at will and doe make manifest their nature which was afore hidden Hereupon it commeth that vnegers are sharper in one sort then in another according as they haue in them more or lesse of the nature of Salt Armoniac and â—o whit of the sulphurus substance For simple water deuoide of all Salt can neuer by reason of the coldnesse therein waxe sower But as from wine so from meat and from ale or béere and from boyling new wine may be separated the proper water of life and ethereal substance the which being so separated they become eager because they containe in themselues a sharpe salt of nature Such is that sharpe salt which Phylosophers call their Mercury or Salt Armoniac Volatile and spiritual because of al metalline salts the common Armoniac is most Volatile such as in the forme of most white and salt meale may be carried vp vnto the cloudes by sublimation and yet hath a dry and spiritual nature which the Phylosophers call their dry water because this Salt is so farre forth Volatile and flying that it is lifted vp together with the aiery or watery vapour of the which is made the mixture of the compound and so great is the sharpnesse of this salt that one scruple or eightéene or twenty graines of this salt perfitly refined and made most simple dissolued in a pot of commom water doth make all the same wonderfully sower And this is the Salt the sulphurus essence taken away which sheweth it selfe euidently to be séene by his sharpnesse in vineger with watery substance But the more strong the wine shal be the more sharpe the ferment of the vineger and the more vehement the tartnesse thereof will shewe it selfe out of the which the pearcing attenuating dissoluing spirits are extracted by a skilful workmaÌ„ the which forces faculties cannot procéed from any other thing then from that spiritual and Volatile salt Armoniac mixed with a watery humour And to make this more plaine and to proue it by effect take the most strong Vinegar white or red distil the same in Balneo Mariae till it be drie with a gentle fire out of a pinte and a halfe you shall extract thrée partes or more like most cleare water but most sharpe and sower the bottome of the matter as the léese and pheses remaining in the bottome of the glasse with the most sharpe and byting Salt the which because it is fixed and cleauing to the terrestrial part of the Vinegar cannot be extracted but by the great violence of the fire By which meane a most sharpe oyle like in nature to Aqua Regia most corroding and fretting is extracted not by reason of the heate of fire but by the force and power of a brinish substance which is expelled in forme of an oyle with the Salt from the rest of the â—eces by fire But leauing that sharpe fire of the Léese let vs take in hand to explicate the sowernes of the Vineagar distilled By a soft and gentle distillation is first of all extracted a certaine watry elementary phleme which is drawne out of the whole body almost without taste leauing in the bottome of the glasse another liquour farre more sower and sharpe and therefore more strong to dissolue which otherwise before was nothing so sharp because the Salt Armoniac was tempered and mixed with a watery Phleame Whereof if thou desire to know the quantitie take so much of the best Salt Tartar which is of the same nature but fixed by which if thou drawe by little and little thrée pintes of this Vinegar distilled and disphâ—eamed to the waight of
But as touching a Chymical Philosopher let him know that hée ought to bestowe his labour most chiefely in fusil Salts and to remember that Philosophers haue not without good cause euer and anon cryed Bake it Bake it and bake it againe which is al one as if they had sayd Calcine calcine or bring it to ashes And in very déede if wée wil confesse the trueth of the matter al Chymical workings as Distillations Calcinations Reuerberations Dissolutions Filtrations Coagulations Decoctions Fixations and such other appertaining to this Science tend to no other ende then so to bring their bodies into dust or ashes that they may communicate the spirits of Saltes and sulphur which haue made them placed neuerthelesse vnder one and the same essence after a certaine imperceptible manner with their metallick water and true Mercurie and that to this ende that by the infernal vertue and force of Salt the Mercurie may bée consumed boyled and altered from his vile nature into a more noble when as of common Mercurie it is made by the benefite of the spirit of Salt the Mercurie of the Phylosophers which Salt it hath attracted out of the ashes or calx vine Metallick Euen like as it commeth to passe in the lye-wash which is made of ashes and water the which béeing oftentimes messhed and drawen away the ashes leaue al their life and strength communicating all their Salt to the foresayd water the which water albeit it alwayes remaineth fluxile and liquid yet it abydeth not simple and pure water colde or of smal vertue but béeing now made lye it is become hote and of a drying qualitie clensing and of qualitie wholely actiue which is altogether the vertue and facultie of an altering medicine But it is to bée considered of what matter this quicke and metallick ashes are to bée made Also of what manner of water the lye is to bée prepared that thou mayest exalt the Salt or Sulphur of the Phylosophers that is to say the Balsamick medicine which is ful of actiue qualities like vnto thunder béeing reduced into a true liuing calx And whereas at the first it was a certaine dead body voyde of life it shal then be made a liuing body indued with spirit and medicinal vertue CHAP. IIII. Gold animated is the chiefe subiect of the metallic Medicine of the Philosophers OF so great power and force is the Phylosophical Sulphur of Nature that it multiplyeth and increaseth gold in strength and vertue béeing already indued with great perfection not so much for the equal concurrencie of Sulphur and Quick-siluer as in regard of the perfect combination adequation equabilitie of Elements and of the principles which make gold And the sayd principles or beginnings to wit Salt Sulphur and Mercurie doe so order themselues that the one doth not excéed the other but being as it were equally ballanced and proportionated they make gold to bée incorruptible in such wise that neither the earth béeing buried therein can canker fret and corrupt it nor the Ayre alter it nor yet the fire maister it nor diminish the least part of it And the reason hereof is for that as the Phylosopher saith No equal hath any commaund or maisterie ouer his equal For because also in euery body equalled and duly preportioned no action or passion can be found Also this is onely that equalitie which Pithagoras called the Mother the Nurce and the defender of the concord of al things This is the cause that in gold and in euery perfect body wherein this equalitie is there is a certaine incontrollable and incorruptible composition The which when the ancient Phylosophers obserued they sought for that great and incomparable Medicine in gold And because they vnderstood that gold was of so smal compacted and firme composition that it could not worke and send his effects into our body so long as it remained in that solidity they sought indeuored to dissolue and breake his hard bonds and by the benefit of vegetable Sulphur and by the artificious working of the Balsam of life to bring it to a perfect adequation that the vegetable spirits of gold which now lay hidden as it were idle might make it of common gold which before it was gold phylosophical and medicinable which hauing gotten a more perfect vegetation and seminal vertue may be dissolued into any liquor and may communicate vnto the same that flowing and balsamic perfection or the Balsam of life and of our nature And because we are now speaking of the animation of gold be it known for a surety that the auncient Fathers and Phylosophers sweat and laboured much to find out the mistery hereof that they might compound a certaine Balsamic Medicine to vegetate and corroborate and by the noble adequation and she integritie of nature thereof to conserue the radical Balsam and that Nectar of our life in good and laudable temperament But indéed it is not to be wondered at that gold being deliuered from his mannacles and fetters and being made so spiritual and animate and increased in vertue and strength doth corroborate nature and renue the Balsam of our nature and doth conserue vnto the last period of life being taken in a very smal dose as in the quantity of one or two graines And so much lesse it is to be maruailed at that forsomuch as by that great adequation of temperature it doth conueniently agrée and communicate with our radical Balsam it doth checke the rule of phleame the burning of choller and the adustion of melancholy and by his incorruptible vertue doth preserue our nature but also to ouercome all the diseases which belong to our body And so much the rather in regard that the same Balsam of nature that natural spirit is the principal cause in vs of all actions operations and of motions not depending vpon temperature or mixture but concerning the same as Galen himselfe is compelled to confesse speaking of that our natural heat Ye must vnderstand saith he that Hypocrates calleth that inset heate which we call the natiue spirit in euery liuing thing Neither hath any other thing formed any liuing creature from the beginning or increased it or nourished it vnto the appointed time of death but onely this inset or natural heate which is the cause of all natural workes Therefore they can be excused by no maner of meanes which contumeliously without any reason doe dispise discōmend and caluminat these kind of remedies which doe principally tend to the restoring corroborating of our radical Balsam which alone holpen with the said medicine is able to seperate those things which are vnkindly grieuous to nature méerely heterogenial by expulsions conuenient ordinary euacuations to retaine the homogenial kindly parts with the which it doth most especially agrée to their further conseruation Whereas if for the corroborating of mans strength there could bee any vse made of leafe gold the which is nothing else but a certaine dead matter in no sort
remedy is made to stop the fluxes hepatic Lienterie and Dyssenterie where the liuer hath néed of spéedy corroboration But they must necessarily be prepared according to Art But now time and reason perswadeth vs that we say somewhat concerning the contrarie faculty of this sharpnesse which is contrary to the other coagulating effect To doe this little wit and lesse labour wil serue For they which are but meanely séene in the Spargerick Art and haue bene Chymists a very short time or if they be but common Apothecaries they know this and haue séene it in the preparation of quicksiluer whose liquor and running nature no exterior coldnesse no Elementall frost how great soeuer the same be congeale or fixe But if it be sublimed with Vitriol onely meanely calcined it will come to passe that Mercury or quick-siluer which desireth his coagulation as his perfection by a certaine magnetical vertue draweth into it selfe that Sulphur or that Salt Armoniac sharpe of nature by the benefit whereof of running it is made solid and firme so as thou maiest easily handle it Being brought into this forme it is commonly called Sublimate But to make it yet more perfect those which are careful and skilfull workmen reiterate their sublimations adding to this new Vitriol that by his Salt Armoniac of nature it may be impregnated And thus at the last it becommeth solid and cleare as any Christal Venis-glasse Spargeric Phylosophers can so dispoyle againe this Mercurie so prepared of his coagulation or of his sharpe Salt Armoniac of nature that he shal returne to his former state and of fixed shal become moueable and running But he is now perfectly clenâ—ed and is now no more commoÌ„ Mercury or Hydrargyre but the Phylosophers Mercury And now if the foresaid water be exhaled or vapored that there may remaine nothing but a sharpe liquor like vnto the spirit of Vitriol thou shalt haue a liquor more excellent then any Vitriolated spirit and truly spiritual And so in stéede of a great poyson which was mixed with Mercurie which was then nothing but a certaine terrestrial corrosiue fire thou shalt now haue the true spirit of Vitriol whose greater and better part vaporeth away is consumed and lost if it bee extracted according to the common manner with that great and violent fire by Retort This spirit prepared after the saide manner excéeding good and a special commaunder of the Epilepste if it be administred by a skilful Physitian not by an Emperick with proper and conuenient liquor And this is one tryal of the vertue of coagulating Mercury The same coagulating force of his doth manifestly appeare in those preparations which are called precipitations which are made with the sharpe spirits of Vitriol and of Sulphur by the meanes whereof it may be brought into a poulder which cannot be easily done by fire But that it may appeare that this coagulating power of Armoniac of nature is not oâ—ely vppon Mercurie ouer whome it can exercise this power but nothing at all vpon the spirits Niter Sulphurus of our bodies with the which quick-siluer hath no simpathy or conuenience we wil shew it by a certaine other manifest demonstration and the same most true as shall appeare to them which will try it And in the same experiment I wil also teach a very excellent remedy against Gangrena and all sorts of cankerous Vlcers if any bee loth to take it inwardly into the body because of the vrine ingredient Take the vrine of a boy betwéene the age of ten and sixtéene which drinketh wine in good quantity let it be depured according to Art Adde hereunto of Romane or Hungarian Vitriol for by these the operation wil be the better I say of the Vitriol twise so much Put it to digestion in Balneo Mar which is moyst by the space of fixe or eight dayes in one or in seueral glasse Allembicks For there is required much matter This digestion being ended thou shalt increase the fire of Balne til the water 〈◊〉 Presently set on a head with a receiuer and distill the water And the same which first commeth forth is an excellent Ophthalmick water for the eyes The second something more sharp then the former is excellent good to asswage the paines of the Gout Thus goe forward brging the heate of the Balne or else by hote ashes vntill the matter in the bottom of the Alembic remaine like vnto hony The which afterward thou shalt put into an yron vessel and putting fire vnder it stirre it continually with an yron spattle that it cleane not too this thou shalt continue so long vntil all the liquor is vapored away and that there remaineth onely the Salt of Vitriol and of the vrine dry in the bottome and in a certaine masse This being pouldred put it into a cornute wel luted hauing a wide receiuer wel closed that the spirits issue not forth Then put to a vehement fire such as is néedful for the making of strong water or the spirit of Vitrioll But the fire must bee moderated by degrées vntill it come to the highest degrée as Art requireth And then at the last you shall sée the receiuer filled euery where with white spirits which in that great heate will be congealed as it were into Isâ—-â—ickels hauing all bout the body of the receiuer much like vnto the hayse or white thréedes which in time of frost are congealed out of foggy mistes and doe hang vpon the trées These are the spirits of the Salt which through the vehement heate of the fire are thus formed This Ise may be kept after the maner of Salt Niter Wherof if thou giue one scruple or halfe a scruple in broath wine or other conuenient liquor it will shewe it selfe an excellent remedy against all obstructions of the Liuer and of the spleene it prouoketh vrines and is also a special remedy against the Stone The same Ise being brought into water for it will easily be dissolued is a principal remedy for Inflamations and Gangrenas which very sodainly it extinguisheth Out of this so faire and noble experient euery true Phylosopher and Physitian will take occasion of séeking and searching further then the common sort are woont and so he may more certainly finde out the causes of stones congealed which are ingendred of the same salts or tartarous matter in diuers parts of our body He will also haue more quick insight into many other diseases which come by the coagulation of the foresaid sharp and Vitciolated spirits or else of the euaporations of other most sharpe spirits from whence Inflamations and gouty paines with swellings doe spring by the inward vertue of the thickened spirits aforesaid These things being thus knowne a remedy wil easily be found to mittigate and to dissolue such calculous and stony matter if we marke and consider diligently where that sharpe vertue lyeth hidden and wherein also the coagulatiue propertie of the said spirits are Also
conserue health Then againe put to thy Receyuer and increase thy fire by degrées as thou didst before so long vntil at the first there distill foorth a yealow oyle after that a red oyle the matters in the Matrat remaining drie and yet not throughly drie least the liquor which shall distil foorth doe smel of burning These things done take that most cléere water which came forth first of all in good plentie powre it vpon the feces remayning and make them to digest together by the space of 6. or 7. dayes at the heate of Baln-marie vntil the water be coloured and waxe yellow that is to say vntill it hath attracted the more fierie and oylie portion of the matter and the feces which shall remaine when they haue yéelded their whole tincture to the foresaid water reserue and kéepe apart to such vse as herafter shal be declared But if you think good you may reserue a portion of euery of the said liquors to such medicinable vses as is before shewed and vse the rest in the progresse of the foresaid worke and in the subsequent After you haue drawne the foresaid liquors that also which tooke last tincture from the feces thou shalt mixe them together that from thence thou mayest extract a farre more Elixir of life than the former and most precious procéeding in manner following When thou haste mixed the foresaid thrée liquors together thou shalt distil them by a Corrnute or by a glasse Allembic pretermitting al digestion vsing in other than the sayd mixture vse and follow the same way order which thou diddest before seperating the Elements and beginnings of liquors For thou shalt draw out of the first most cleare water which thou shalt reserue by it selfe namely at such time as thou shalt perceiue the receiuer to be darkened with a cloudie fume then chaunging the Receiuer and putting too fire as thou didst before thou shalt continue it so long vntil thou sée the liquor to issue foorth of yealow colour the which also thou shalt kéepe apart as thou diddest the former In the meane time while the foresaide distillations or seperations of Elements that is to say of the two beginnings Mercurie and Sulphur are in hand thou shalt calcine at a Reuerberatorie fire the Feces which thou reseruedst before out of the which being brought to ashes thou shalt extract salt according to Arte with thy first most cleare water the water seasoned with his Salt shal be mingled with the other two liquors which were reserued that so at the least out of a Tryangle thou mayest make a Circle O as Philosophers speake that is to say that out of those thrée seueral waters by circulation in a Pellican made according to Arte there may come foorth one essence and so by that meanes that great Elixir of life and admirable secret shal be made And not onely made but also by so short a way so easie and so well knowen to true Philosophers that they know thereby how and in what order to make Elixirs out of all things The vertues of this Elixir are vnspeakable both to the curing also to the preuenting of giddinesses in the head the Falling sickenesse Apoplexies Palsies madnes Melancholy the Asthma and diseases of the Lungs faintings and soundings traunces weakenesse of the stomach and of other parts consumptions procéeding of an euil disposition of the bodies passions procéeding from the gaule and such like heauie and lamentable griefes Certaine droppes onely of this being giuen in some conuenient breath and fitting for the sicknesse As for example against the Epilepsie with water of Peonie of Lillyes Connally or of flowers of the Linden trée Against the palsie with the water Mary goldes against the pestilence with the water of Goates beard or of water of Cardus Benedictus against the Asthma or Tissick with the water of Scabiose or of Fole-foote or such like Moreouer this Elixir is of force to restore and conserue our radial Balsam if fower or fiue droppes thereof be giuen in broath wine or other conuenient liquor But peraduenture thou wilt say that the preparation of this Elixir requireth too much labour is too tedious But it is much better and more necessarie to spend the time in things so admirable and of so great importance than about Medicines that are altogether vnprofitable And yet to serue euery mans turne I wil set downe the preparation of an other Eilxir more easie and peraduenture more pleasing to conserue health and to prolong life Another Elixir of life most easie to be made TAke the Rootes of Gentian slit in pieces and dryed with a gentle heate also the roote of the lesser Centaurie of each thrée ounces Galanga Cinimon Mace Cloues of each one ounce Flowers of Sage of S. Iohns woort of each two grypes with two fingers and a thumbe Of the best white wine 6. pound Infuse these in a glasse Matrate wel stopped by the space of eight dayes at a gentle fire of Balne-Marie Then let them be wel streined so distilled by a glasse Allembic in ashes til nothing remaine but drynesse Then powre the water distilled vppon the feces that from them thou mayest drawe away the whole tincture in a milke warme Balne-Mary Bring the Feces after the drawing away of the tincture into ashes which thou shalt put into Hyppocrates bag powring the said coloured water oftentimes vpon the ashes that it may draw vnto it the proper salt Giue of this Elixir the fourth part of a spoonefull in some conuenient liquor Vse it a long time It is a special remedie for all consumptions for the weaknesse of the stomache which it purgeth from tough and slimy humours which cleane to the same It stayeth the breeding of wormes and kéepeth the body in health Take of this twise in one wéeke and continue with it A Treacle-water for the head helping all paines of the same proper for the Apoplexie Epilepsie Palseyâ— and such like TAke of the rootes of Peony of Misselto of common Acorns or Cane of each thrée ounces Of ripe Iuniparberryes and of the séeds of Peony of each one ounce Of Cloues and Maces of each 6. drachmes Of Castoreum halfe an ounce Of the flowers of Stechados Mary-gold Rosemary Sage Lillyes coâ—â—ally of the Linden trée of each two grypes with two fingers and the thumbe Cut that which is to bee cut and beate that which is to bée beaten and infuse them by the space of 3. dayes by the heat of a hote Balne in white wine of the best 2. pound and with the waters of Peony Sage and of Mary-goldes of each one pound Then straning them hard To this liquor adde of Treacle of Alexandria ounces 4. of Anacardine confectionem Meâ—u one ounce and a halfe of Diamosch and Aromatici Gabriel of each halfe an ounce Stéepe or infuse these againe by the space of two or thrée dayes at the fire gentle of Blan M. Then straine them againe