II. That no one of the aforesaid dissolvents is prepared without

the Spirit of Philosophical Wine.

There are indeed dissolvents, in the receipts of which, we
meet not with the name of this spirit, yet there it is lurking
under the name of this or that dissolvent. Other receipts of
dissolvents there are, which do not take the spirit of philoso-
phical wine free, but cs it were fettered, that is, any common
oil ; but when in the making of these dissolvents the spirit is
unfettered, as also acuated, such dissolvents cannot in the least
be said to be made without it. There are lastly also dissolvents,
in the receipts of which, neither the spirit of philosophical wine,
nor any oily matter is expressly mentioned, (but these arc more
lore, on purpose alleged to shew us cither the envy or morosity
of the adepts) whereas notwithstanding it is by the use of the
dissolvent manifest, that this spirit is added through ne-
cessity ;— for that which is promised, could not otherwise be
effected.

Finally, there are some, which you will affirm may be made with
common spirit, common vinegar, and aqua fortis, or common
sal armoniac without the spirit of philosophical wine. Sup-
pose it so ; but when you proceed to practice, and try an expe-
riment with such a dissolvent, you will soon find it not only too
weak, but also altogether ineffectual, in the more secret chemy.
For it is impossible to do that with a common dissolvent, which

Raymond Lully. 27T

the adepts have prescribed by a philosophical dissolvent. The
secrets of the more secret chemy Lave this privilege, that they
cannot be made by any man but him that, is possessed oi' philoso-
phical wine.