III. Of what kind this matter is, which is endowed with such

virtue, and out of which is plentifully drawn the famous philo-
sophical mercury, I have sufficiently demonstrated in the pre-
ceding chapter, and herein will farther demonstrate ; which is
not properly mineral nor vegetable or animal ; yet a metalline
sulphur, salt and mercury, are together purely and plentifully in
it, which is obvious to every one, andlieth hidden in every thing,
but especially in the earth, the receptacle of all the influences,
in which also the virtues of the sun, moon, and stars are found
corporally. This the artist ought to take where it is most near
and most pure, in form of a trine-salt, which elsewhere I called
the salt of saturn. Out of this salt groweth gold, and all other
things in the whole mineral kingdom ; and into it they may be
resolved again. And as in gold lieth hidden a bright and dia-
phanous sulphur ; so also in our saturnine minera, there is a
coelestial solar fiery, diaphanous red and sweet sulphur. For
where there is glittering brightness, there is light; where is
light, there is heat; where is heat there is life and very powerful
action ; and which is a great matter, in it reign the elements
animated with a living fire, which is a ccelestial vivifying, fertile
and greening spirit; the light, force and life of all things. —
And although the ccelestial sun doth much help the production
of sublunary creatures, yet without this internal sun nothing can
be generated : which also the philosophers knew. Therefore
all other concretes are rejected, as also salts, except one which
is the salt of wisdom, power and strength, and the mother of the
other salts, namely our central saturnine sait, a sulphurous and

Sanguis Aaturtf. 287

mercurial salt : whose heart and blood doth easily dissolve every
metal, and coagulate mercury.

The lire as sol and luna, though they appear not to fight, yet
they arc powerfully in the inward parts of our matter, and it
posscsseth the seminal virtue of all things; so also that unless
what is hidden in it be made manifest, they will not appear;
which is done only by reduction and purification of the matter,
that the feces which be clouded over sol and luna may be
throughly purged away, and the matter may first grow white as
a diamond, and be as fulgent as a ruby, then they appear to
sight. Which reduction must be made with a certain contrary
liquor; for sol and luna, which are secretly in our matter, and
rule powerfully in it, are not reduced so as to appear to sight,
unless this reduction is made by a contrary, which is a menstrum
or most subtile vapour, penetrating and resolving, containing
in it air, fire, and water, and separating the pure from the im-
pure, and yet first extracted out of our miners ; which liquor
possesr.eth only power of reducing, manifesting, and multiply-
ing tinctures; and therefore it is called the secret fire of nature,
which alone exciteth and perfectcth tinctures. But yet we must
not therefore suppose that the subject is red or any other colour,
but it is white and red only in potentia ; because this nature of
redness lieth secretly hidden in the belly of the air of our matter,
not shewing its tinctire visibly, because if it be put into the fire,
it cannot manifest a fixed tincture, unless it be first reduced by
an ingenious artist, so that the watery and earthy heterogeneous
substances may be separated ; then appeareth a tincture resisting
the fire, and shewing itself in white and red.

The certainty of this solar subject may be evidently known,
if out of it the three principles of nature can be separated.
What they are I will explain. .Sulphur residing in our matter,
is its fiery, most subtile, and most thin part, partaking of a
subtile earth, which indeed is the perfect and absolute tincture,
having power of rubifying and illuminating every body, by
reason of its innate oily, very fat, unctuous and viscous, fiery
and ethereal quality ; upon which account it is able by its subtile
and internal action to produce all natural things. Which sul-
phur is called the philosophers secret fire, the living fire, and
the luminous part, &c. Therefore if any one in the anatomy
of our matter see a certain shining, subfile clear substance, full
of a fiery shining redness like a ruby, and full of active virtue,
he may be certain that he hath seen our sulphur, and the secret
fire of the philosophers. Mercury is the aereal and unctuous
humidity of our matter, and the inseparable companion of sul-
phur, and is as a menstrum to it, cherishing and nourishing it,
and a medium of conjoining the sulphur with the salt : but the
reason why it is viscous as 6iilphur, is, because it hath subtile
earthy parts resolved in it, which it took with it in the anatomy

288 ^Alchemical Treatises.

made by external fire. The salt is the principle of coagulation;
and coagulateth the mercury and sulphur, and in which a new
form is introduced by the action of the sulphur which operateth
in it; which sulphur is very bitter and acid, in which bitterness
there is a certain fiery substance corrupting the inward parts of
the salt, and which being corrupted, immediately it receiveth a
new form, and that a living one, which is a great secret.

These principles are also very much defiled with heterogeneous
feces; which an artist ought to know. Sulphur in the first
place, aboundeth with destructive and consuming feces: but the
mercury with watery and cold substances, contrary to life ; and
in salt there are caustic, viscous and bitter salts; all w.hicji must
be separated, and if not, they occasion damage and unlucky
success to the work.

This one minera is of easy fusion, so as it can catch mercury
upon the fire before his flight; which if it be circulated by the
philosophers wheel, so that those parts which hinder speedy
fusion be separated, and the elements firmly coagulated, it be-
comes of more easy fusion than it was before ; which fusion de-
pendeth upon the saline and sulphurous spirituality, which is a
perfect and concentrated light, penetrating every body and on
all sides illuminating it with the tinging rays with which it
abounds.

The spagyrical art by distillation and separation, affords us
two sulphurs out of one minera of a saturnine nature ; one is
votatile and green, the other fixed and fiery ; which two by cir-
culating their elements were made one, which sulphurs are of the
nature of salt produced by nature out of the most pure soul of
the elements. Because by the mixture of the living fire and this
soul, these sulphurs as produced in the greater world, out of
which by the chemical art, the two sulphurs of the philosophers
are extracted, which consist of the most subtile and pure part of
the sulphurs produced by nature. Out of this pure substance
metals are also generated, which differ only according to the
purity of the place, and the more or less fit disposition. Out
of these two minerals is plentifully extracted the mercury of the
philosophers, which is their radical humidity mixed with a sub-
tile earth. For as by this earthy sulphur is meant the heat and
fire of nature, as also the form of the matter, which we also
call sulphur : so also the humidity of this substance is our sul-
phur, in which, (if they be joined by art in a certain propor-
tion, and are decocted in a glass vessel, circulating their elements;
first water, air, fire, and earth, and then they are purified by
reduction into a certain chaotic, thick and viscous mass ; then by
distillation into liquor, one white, another red and shining as
fire ; lastly they are fixed into a glorious and permanent earth)
consisteth all our art. Sulphur is the principal part of our
tincture, and that which plentifully beareth rule in our matter,

Sanguis Natura. 289

is two fold, as we have declared, white and red, fixed and volatil.
The fixed is the green lion; which lieth hid in the center of our
concrete, abounding with fixed and tinging tinctures ; but the
volatil is the fire of nature and our sulphur, full of power and
efficacy of tinging and illuminating, as his vestment doth mani-
festly declare. For it is the blood of our green dragon, distilled
from the verv bowels of it, abounding with redness ; therefore
it is, not without cause, called the blood of nature, which stirreth
up his own sulphur, lying hid in an earthy substance, and brings
it from power into act ; and then out of it do arise our two
glorious mercuries, our two perfect sulphurs, one red, the hus-
band : the other white, the wife; springing out of one minera.
And that sulphur which we call the green lion, is the fire of
nature, which lieth hid in the centre of our subject, understand
salt, and there is detained shut up in a strong earthy prison,
disabled to exert its force, unless by its associate it be set at li-
berty from its fetters, so that it may come out together with his
companion. This deliverance consisteth in solution, which is
very difficult; for this sulphur which we also call the stone, is
both most hard and most soft in its nature, and therefore it is
not easily dissolved, except in its own liquor, that is his compa-
nion, in which it is most soft; so that it can be set at liberty only
by this airy companion, which otherwise could not be delivered,
neither by fire nor water; which is a secret known to few, of
which I will speak more particularly hereafter. This fixed sul-
phur is very powerful, and sustaineth every thing that opcrateth
in nature, but as soon as it is set free, it ceaseth from its labour,
if together with its companion it be carried aloft, and in the top
of the vessel, where if they are detained, they constitute a cer-
tain substance bright as luna, called Diana; at this time I say,
it receiveth the power of transmuting.

Since the stone is of the substance of salt, it resolveth itself in
any liquor ; but the salt, out of which it is prepared, is of most
profound research, and differeth much from other salts ; for it
is fluid in the fire, and values not its martyrdom at all ; and loseth
nothing of its virtue therein, though it be kept in it divers years,
which other salts, as vitriol, salgemme, and other the like salts,
cannot do ; for by often repeating ignitions, they all turn to an
unprofitable and unfluxiblc calx, which is not resolvable in any
liquor, being of the nature of damned earth.

Though the matter to sight is most vile and most cold, yet its
more inward parts are mere fire, and abound with the living
fire, and the virtues both of the superiors and inferiors; and
therefore its soul flyeth in all places to bring down the living
fire. For the father of it is the sun, and the mother the moon,
from which it secretly deriveth the virtues of all things. This
living fire ruleth powerfully in our two radical sulphurs, fixed
and volatile ; which two being firmly united, do constitute our

>' n

290 *4Tehepucal Treatises.

universal mercury, which cqntaineth in itself the two . cenfrru
fires of the macrocosm, the cdfelestiaf aiid terrestrial; ant! tliesg
two, by the help of external fire, arc reduced into one substance,
in Wmteh the ccclcstial and terrestrial virtues lie concentrated,
which heat is the innate heat of every tiling, wroefi often shewcthf
its splendor in the eyes of fishes, hairs or 8-fiites and- men, in?
insects generated out of dew, as also in rotten wood ; but I
think it is sufficient, that every one daily seet'h the tester of
gold and silver, pearls and precious stones, and also behokltth
the sun and moon.

Lastly, it is1 to be considered, that the tincture of tfifephfl&so-
phers is' a substance tinging imperfect metals in a very string
lire, into perfect gold and silver, from whence it liecessarBy
followeth, that its subject' ought also constantly to resist the
flames, and to rejoice in tlrem. But it is not the whole substance
of the first matter which endures the fire; because it aboundeth
with nvairy elementary fteces, which are combustible in the fire ;
but only its pure parts, which are also called incombustible oils,
rejoice in the fire, and are permanent in it; because they are
Of a pure nature, and not defiled with any feces, therefore the
fire cannot touch them*. Wherefore it is necessary in the first
place, to purify tire matter, and take away the sphere of saturn,
which becloudeth the sun and moon, before they can despise the
irre;' and then decoct these parts till ihey be reduced into one
thing, whose virtues neither fire, nor water, nor iron, nor air,
can diminish, but they, mifanqnished, resist all their force.
Consider therefore, O man, the wisdom and power, which the'
most wise, eternal, and omnipotent God, Jchova, hath granted
thee. Consider these things in humility of heart, and sing
Hallelujahs to him without ceasing, for holy, holy, holy, is the
the Lord Zeboatli; the heavens and the earth are full of the
majesty of his glory, Amen.

It. Among the secrets of alchemy, the greatest i*3 to draw
water out of a rock ; verily a hard and very difficult work, unless
chemistry alone had shewed us the possibility of this thing;
Which the artist ought to endeavour to do by fire, which in the
beginning must be gentle, in the middle strong, and in the end
most vehement ; so that all the aercal and ethereal spirits of this
rocky miners, may issue forth into a fit philosophical vessel, and
there resolve themselves1 into water ; which water with wonderful
sympathy loveth the rock, from whence it issued ; which water
is called by various names, as rock-water, argent vive, a fume,
the tinging ccclcstial spirit, incombustible sulphur, wine vinegar,
succus acacia?, spirit of wine, temperate water, the luciferous
virgin; all which names signify this water; which if it be again
conjoined with it, remameth stone,* and often operateth resting
upon it, it acquireth a wonderful active power, as all know who
are acquainted with this water, This operation is also called by

Sanguis Naturae. 291

'tip philosophers, a clcstt ncti*>fl of the compound; which de-
struction is not to de->tioy sj€ the vulgar chemists think, v. ho
destroy mixts by corn.):. is. es, but the unlocking the bonds of our
compound, by which it is bound, which it they be unlock.'',
it is divided into oar ts with conservation .of tb •).-:■: parts which
cons this .elementary mixture; which parts so divided,

are purified ..md delivered from excrements and impurities, with
which they abound in their composition.. But that .this might
be more easily done, the ancient philosophers di vised this distil-
lation and destruction, by lifclp of which, tiie parts might Up-
most highly purified, and exalted to such a degree of purity,
that thereupon a new compound might be made, of greater
efHeacy. But to bring thjs to pass, the artist ought to follov/
nature, as all philosophers, both ancient and modern .teach, and
to extract our mineral, out of the bosom of nature, where she
hath hidden it, and purity it most subtlely, by very frequent co-
hobations and reductions. For so it .thoroughly sheds all its cx-
crements, and whatsoever eke lundereth it from its perfect power
of transmutation, y/hich is wonderful, and yet it is more wonder-
ful, that in this vile.and abject miuera, lieth hidden the celebrated
stone of the philosophers, whose essence also by reason of its
obscurit\' no body can see, unless it be delivered therefrom, and
brought to light; for before it is set at liberty by the chemic
art, it is a rude, vile, abject, and undigested mass, which is
found scattered in the earth.

The second and hist operation, is that of the fixation of the
permanent water and the glorious earth, of which the philoso-
phers say, that it is a eommixtion of qualities, a copulation of
vomplcxions, a reconduction of things separated, a coequatiou
of principles, a disposition of what is repugnant ; which must
be done by a gentle lire, cherishing the parts mixed together,
and put into a glass vessel, being iirst made very pure. And
the internal fire of these parts being excited by a gentle external
fire, doth dissolve and decoct them5 and by decoction they are
again by little and little inspissated and made thicker, until at
length they are wholly fixed, and remain fixed in the bottom of
the circulatory. For the earth contained! in itself a fiery most
thin, dry anil insensible fume, which coagulatctli the volatile
part, being of its own nature and substance. This fume lying
Lid in the center of the earth, by its action converteth the other
volatile elements into its own (namely a fixed) nature; and then
the motion of these elements ceaseth, because they have attained
their desired end; which if they be again dissolved by the vola-
tiles, their motion begiuneth again, till the fixed have overcome
the volatile. Then again motion ceaseth, which if they are dis-
solved again, they work afresh, &c.

Flere all operators must observe, that in this operation a two-
fold fire must be Used, the one internal, the other external; which

£92 Alchemical Treatises.

external must not over power the internal ; the internal is a dry
mercurial etherial nectar, and our glorious mercury, which vivi-
fieth, conserveth and nourisheth the matter, and bringeth it to
perfection ; this fire is not moved but by an external agent, which
if it be slow in operation, the internal fire lieth still, and produceth
nothino-; but if the external be too strong, either the vessels
break, or the matter burneth ; therefore the fire must be warily
applied, so that the fumes, which lie hid in the center of our
earth, may be moved, and then the spiritual humidity will re-
solve the earthly siccity, and the earth will be impregnated by
the volatile, and will grow thick ; the sign whereof is blackness.
And if the spirits of this compound be more inspissated, various
colours will appear, and by a farther operation, there will ap-
pear a white colour, afterwards a citrine, and lastly, a red dia-
phanous colour ; and after reiterate operation, the matter will
be of easy fusion, fixed, and tinging all imperfect metals into
pure gold. The multiplication whereof an ingenious operator
can easily effect. Namely, if he dissolve the stone of the first
order, compleatly finished, in our glorious mercury and decocteth,
fixeth and incereth it ; and so he may multiply it, and very hiwhly
exalt it ; which that they may accomplish, I wish to all, by our
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

FIRST PRINCIPLES,
According to the Writings of Jacob Behmen.

Attraction is the first principle of motion in nature ; the
origin of attraction is beyond nature, and is therefore incom-
pi

ehensible to the human understanding. Repulsion is the

r>

second principle ; it is a necessary consequence of the first by
re-action. Circulation is the third principle; it proceeds
from tue conflict of the attraction and repulsion.

All motion in nature is derived from this threefold principle,
and is diversified according to its various qualifications with
matter. The attraction, repulsion, and circulation in the sun
and stars, move the planets in their orbits, the same prin-
ciple in each globe performs the rotation on the axis, and the
satellites of planets have the same law to their primary. Every
quantity of matter solid, fluid, or gaseous, when separated from
the rest by its quality or discontinuity, is possessed individually
by the same principles, however infinite the variety of substances,
natural or factitious, great or small ; vegetable, and animal
forms, and motions, are no less evidences of these principles
than the heavenly and earthly bodies. Hence chemical
affinity, called elective attraction, is ruled by the same laws,
and it is found, that when two matters unite, one is attractive,
and the other repulsive. When they will not unite, both
are attractive, or both repulsive. To illustrate this by a figure,
draw two lines opposite, place arrows beside them to shew their
course — if one is attractive, and the other repulsive, the arrows
are going the same way, and therefore unite; but if both are
attractive, or both repulsive, the arrows are going in different
ways, and therefore disunite. When attraction or repulsion
predominates in a matter, the circulation is in el ipse or pa-
rabola ; but when they are in equilibrium the circle is produced :
draw two circles, and place arrows round them to shew which
way they are turning — if they turn the same way, the circu-
lation on contact is adverse — if they turn different ways, the
circulation on contact agrees. Matter of one species disjoined,
unites chemically, by changing its polarity ; this is proved by
the changes of polarity in magnets, the poles of the electric
conductors, and the chemical affinities changed by the volta pile.
There are degrees, in which either of the three principles predo-
minate in the exterior activity of matter more or less — and hence

294 Alchemical Trcatists.

the degrees of affinity for union. There are also degrees of
strength from harshness to mildness in the three principles,

from the compaction of a rock to the adherence of a globule of
mercury, or a tfrop of dew ; from explosion to expansion ;
and from violent whirling to gentle evolution.

The repulsion being produced by the attraction, must equal
it as re-action equals action ; bui in matter <ue principle may
be more latent and inert in the exterior than the other. —
Circulation produced from the action of both, is the medium
between the centripetal and centrifugal force; the excess of
repulsion inclines to a tangent, and forms parabolas proportioned
to Its strength ; the equality of repulsion with its origin, at-
traction, tonus a circle, which labours to harmonize the con-
flict of the other two properties, and will succeed if the matter
is qualified for it.

There is nothing in nature capable of qualifying matter to
be harmonized, but one mineral spirit, the ore of which is in
bright lines of equal attraction and repulsion, and the pure
metal in £ star-like circle of irradiated circulation. Antimony
purified by iron, and pounded fine, might be circulated, that is
digested in a inairas, to a perfect harmony of the principles.
j '..'. in the fusions of its purification, it has lott the original pro-
portion of its subtle spirit. In order to restore it, place some
of the powder in a receiver, and some more in a retort, lute
them strongly, and in sand of blood-heat, a gas passes from
the powder in the retort, and impregnates the powder in the
receiver, until it is thoroughly moistened by the distillation
night and day without a moment's interval. If in the first
distillation, it is not quite moistened, it may be distilled on
fresh powder, and this repeatedly ; — s^al the last wet powder
immediately in a long-necked round bottle, of great and equal
thickness, without flaw, and digest it without intermission in
sand three months at blood-heat, three months at fever-heat,
and three months at water-boiling heat by a thermometer ; —
and if the moisture was seamy, of evaporates in the heat of
sealing, the process will fail as a plant without rain : if the
powder is wet too much, it will be a long time in drying op, and
jhe vessel may burst by the heat rari tying the moisture.

The matter which fills one-fourth of the glass, is the earth —
the empty part is the heaven, in which the circulation is per-
formed, harmonizing the dense attraction of the fixed with the
subtle repulsion of the volatile parts, and in consequence of its
original irradiation in its crude state, it is now capable of a su-
>r irradiation - from the same cause, which is the ethereal
ijre of the spiritual gas or vapour of antimony ascending and
descending, going round inside the glass, piereing the fixity of
the earth, and obtaining fixation for itself.

suction, in the retort imitates nature, which distils th$

First Principles. . 99-1

mineral spirit in the chasms of the -globe, by a moderate heat.
Fhe invisible universal mercury passes into suitable earth, ami
tonus metallic ores : — the action iir the scaled niatras is like
nature under the rocky root' of the mine, which retains the
the subKbiatioiij a#d reverberates it until it coagulates into
mefal.

Tf befween the distillation of the gas from the retort, and
the scaling of the niatras, or long-necked receiver, there was
any loss of time, or cause from over-heat or cold, for the spi-
ritual fire of the gas or water to retire — or if there is an in-
terval of cold, or scorching heat, in distilling or digesting for
»ine months, the work is so far spoiled.

The agent of the work is the invisible mercury, which is the
gas, spirit, or air of antimony, excited in a steady sand heat
oca warm as blood. Various methods will arrive at the same
*nd, if this agent is not omitted: — some of these methods, in
the hands of an experienced adept, are less liable to accidental
mischances than the former: for instance, an unintermitting
distillation of the gas, will impregnate and open the powder to
solution in the form of water, which will partly or wholly dis-
solve fresh powder, according to the proportion. By cohobated
distillation from the residuum, it acquires permanency, and
when a bright clear water is separated, the residuum yields a
red oil in a stronger fire, and leaves a black residuum, which
may be calcined to a white fixed earth. Fresh antimony in
powder will unite easier and safer with these together, than
with the first gas or water, and the time lost in clistii'ing is saved
in digesting. The white water easily absorbs the white fixed
earth, and then unites sooner with the red oil by di-
gestion.

The powder of antimony fixes in digestion sooner with the
thick permanent white water of antimony, than it could with
the volatile clear bright water. It digests rapidly with the red
oil, which contains a large portion of the invisible mercury
in a permanent and nearly fixed state of action. The calcined
white fixed earth, made of the residuum of these white and
red mercuries, contains no mercury, and is therefore only fit
for union with the said mercuries in some of their various de»
grecs of volatility, and it is the best magnet for condensing the
first gas. The simple work first described performs all these
separations virtually in the sealed glass ; the other varieties of
separation afford permanency to the dissolvent, or vehicle which
contains the prime agent, so as to allow intervals for its ap-
plication to various purposes. No process can finally fail*
where the invisible universal mercury, or spiritual air of an-
timony, is present, condensed, in its proper vehicle in any of the.
degrees of its permanency.

The principle of the work is the power of harmonising the

29(5 Alchemical Treatises.

threefold discordant principles of attraction, repulsion, and
circulation. In three months circulation by digestion, the pow-
der is completely black; the opposition of attraction and re-
pulsion ceases ; the attraction1 of the fixed, which produced the
repulsion of the volatile, is slain by the circulation, which also
dies itself, and all three enter into rest. There is no more
compression or expansion, ascent or descent; the action and
re-action have by the irradiated equilibrium of their power,
and the subtlety of the spirit, formed a circulation which has
consumed all discordant opposition and sunk down, black and
motionless. The same three principles gradually assume a new
life, infinitely more powerful in virtue, but without any violent
contest, and in three months further, the mild action of the
principles in harmony, have produced a brilliant whiteness in.
the matter, which in three months more, becomes a Lrilliant
yellow, red or purple.

Every other matter labours after this perfection in vain ; —
it can only attain to combustion, heat, and temporary light ;
its consumption is a separation into gas and ashes, not an union
such as the fiery spirit of antimony forms between the extremes.
This spirit of antimony is so full of life, either in its oil or wa-
tery form, that if the process foils in any stage, an addition of
the spirit will renew it. The white or red powder is encreased
tenfold in strength and quantity, by each digestion of it with
fresh antimony in powder wet with gas, water or oil of antimony
as at first; each digestion is made in tenfold si ortcr time than
the former, from a few weeks to a few hours.

The plate annexed shews the theory of nature in the relation
of its spirit or alkahest to matter of every sort. The prime
matter is antimony purified by iron, and finely pounded ; —
the invisible mercuiy is the spiritual air of antimony, which
combines with the vegetable or animal fluids, and then solids, in
its spiritual or watery form— and from thence combines with me-
tals and stones. From this theory, the affinities may be learned
for practice — the gas will not unite easily with metals or mi-
nerals, until it is embodied for that purpose. This may be done
either by the thick red and white mercuries, which arc the oil
and water of antimony as described — or by condensing the gas
in distillation on vegetable or animal liquids — or in the acids of
mineral salts, sulphurs, or vitriols. By circulating, that is di-
gesting, the impregnated liquid two months, the gas floats as an
oil on weak liquids, or is united with the strong, subduing their
corrosion. In these states, it is able to make extracts from or
unite with the solids in the three kingdoms, according to the
quality to which it was united. These solutions arc more pow-
erful and rapid, than those with the unctuous water or oil of
antimony, but require great skill and experience of the so-
phic fire.

2t*&*z$6

*^%

6 6 6 0

*
U

O 0 <-

„

0

White

Red

.

First Prim'plei. 297

If instead of condensing the gis, the water or oil of antimony
was united with vegetable, animal, or mineral liquids, the time
is gained in digestion which was employed in distilling the water
or oil, and the work is safer to one who knows how to preserve
the presence of the prime agent. By distilling the volatile part
of the water, leaving- the phlegm, a spiritual water is obtained,
easily commixabie for vegetable medicines, and without the me-
tallic strength that may be unsuitable to some animal diseases. —
All natural or artificial productions may be added to those in the
plate, and new combinations, either simple or compound, will
attain perfection, provided the prime agent spirit, in some of its
forms, is not omitted. The materia medica may be treated in
the same manner, and compounded by elective affinities : —
there can be no possibility -of mistaking a poison for a medicine,
if the circulation is continued till the discordant principles are
harmonized. An infinite variety of processes, simple or com-
pound, may be devised from the plate thus enlarge*} — .all setting
out from one point, guided by one power, and all of them may
attain the same end ; the iimc lost in the coin men cement of
come, may Ixs gained in their termination. When the prime
agent has attained its most perfect vehicle h; the white and red
powders, the plate may be turned upside down, and the uni-
versal relation of the perfect white ajui red, may be traced
through all nature with much more rapidity in practice, and more
powerful in effect, than the relation of the prime agent, when
naked as the invisible mercury, or slightly covered by its volatile
forms of water and oil.

When the mechanical part of these principles passes into the
hands of its proper manufacturers, equally and generally in all
■countries, and that all Governments provide for the alteration,
*he school of the adepts will then come out of its captivity iqi
Babylon, and they will find their proper level as true physicians
tor the soul and body, dispensing the leaves of the tree of life fb#
the healing of the nations.

o o

PEARCE, THE BLACK MONK.

A. D. 1400.

God made man and woman, who multiplied exceedingly ;
and yet they were made of but one thing. This was the slime
of the earth, not pure clay or sand, but grey fceces, called dust.
The water turned to blood to make Adam, which signifies red
earth ; air and fire were contained in this blood. The bright-
ness of the Holy Ghost was the air, and the lightness that gave
life was the fire: this is not to be done'in the stone by many spir
rits, but by one spirit ; it is to be made by kind, naturally with a
spirit that abides in the body kindly — this spirit is disregarded by
men ; and yet is the best spirit in the world : it is of small cost,
and sure in its operations. It is so rich and powerful, that if all
the world was turned into nothing, it could restore all as good
as it was before.

Take earth of earth, earth's mother and water, and fire of
earth, pure and subtile., with clear water shining bright ; after
three days union separate the water, which has now obtained a
soul ; there remains a heavy earth — distil it three days with a
stronger fire, and you shall see the red blood — the earth re-
maining must be purged by fire for three hours. Place the
purged earth in a glass, with some of the water which was its
own, and place it in the heat till it absorbs the water ; when
it is united to the water, add the blood which was its own, and
when it has absorbed the blood : then feed it with milk and
meat till it becomes our stone, turning all suitable bodies into its
Own dignity.

There is no way but one; as the human species can only
be produced in one way, so the sun and moon, earth and water
are of one sperm, taken out of one body. Mercury says,
I am the source of gold, silver, and iron, the generator of Jove,
the settler of Saturn, and source of Venus. I am both' suit
and moon; I do all things; my daughter Saturna is the mother
of all works, and incloses a gold and silver seed ; a rich sperm
full of bright seed of Mercury and true sulphur. Of this my
daughter are made the two elixirs,' : white and red; therefore
if you seek to learn this science, you must draw a clear water
from her; this water reduces every thing to tenderness and
fixation. The red oil is extracted in three hours, and digests
with red earth in seven weeks to a tincture of one upon two hun-
dred of mercury.

Kdhj. 299

S\;w understand that the fine earth hid within the body's
centre, is by the water of wood or essel of wine united to the
Moisture DI the grape. This and sericon makes the magistery;
for it first becomes a mercury, and then an essence. When
you have drawn out all that can be distilled from the gum, un-
derstand that this contains three qualities ; first, ardent water of
life, which is separated in a slow heat, and burns like spirit of
wine. It is called our attractive mercury, wherewith is prepared
a chrystalline earth out of all metalline colours ; this does not
concern our work Then runneth a small quantit}r of white
water like milk; this is the sperm of the stone — it is animal,
vegetable, and mineral ; our quicksilver and virgin's milk,
with the permanent mercurial water, washes the earth till it
flows like gum, and then the red gum rises in a dry fire, which
is the soul of s ttura our gold ; this oil makes the stone red.
Thus we have two gums as well as two elixirs.

THE WORK OP
SIR EDAVARD KELLY,

From the Book of St. Dunstan.

It is no Costly thing that produces magnesia in its kind :
made pure from its leprosy, as he can tell that unbinds the
fastness of the earth. Eve, the wife of Adam, was taken from
his side while he slept ; it is in the same manner with our stone,
and when the man and wife are joined, they produce their kind :
thus the stone produces its own wife, who multiplies to it in-
finitely. These are sulphur and mercury ; mercury is the
wife and essence of the sulphur, and as meal and water mixed
together is neither meal or water, but dough, and being baked,
is neither dough, water, or meal, but bread ; so it is in our
secret — the mercury is water, and the sulphur is meal; they
combine in one paste, which is digested into a new nature. —
The child of this marriage is born in the air, saith Ripley, and
is there baptized with a heavenly unction, which is able to revive
the child, the father, and the mother after their death. Take
this stone, in which is all things; it will be gummous, crumbling,
silken and soft; beat it into fine powder, and grind it with the

oCO Alchemical Treatises.

mercurial moisture, but not so ninth as to overflow it. All the
work alter this, though called by a hundred names, is only cir-
culation, by which the blackness of darkness, whiteness of light,
and redness of fire are manifested. This is not done by ths
hands, but is the true secret work of nature, by heat acting on
the matter. When this wheel of the three colours is turned
three times about, you have the medicine flowing like wax,
which project upon ten parts of gold, and this will transmute
ten thousand of tin.

RICIlARD CARPENTER,

OP WORCESTER— U77.

Take the clear light of Titan magnesia, and the bright red
gum, which is the sulphur vive, or philosophers gold ; join them
with the water of light, let no vapour escape, and keep the fire
like the sun beams in summer. In three hours you will see
marvellous colours, black, white, red, and citron ; let not
your vessel be open until you have engendered the blessed
stone.

ABRAHAM ANDREWS

Of the Green Lion.

U\ the green lions' bed, the sun and moon are born; they are
married, and beget a king. The king feeds on the lions' blood,
which is the king's father and mother, who are at the same time
his brother and sister. I fear I betray the secret, which I pro-
mised my master to conceal in dark speech, from every one that
does not know how to rule the philosophers fire.

When you have led your lion with sol and luna/lay them in
an easy heat, enclose them like an eg;g ; a long time will elapse
before the king dies, after having eaten all the lion's blood ; and
at length he grows dark and dry like lamp-black ; then the fire
may be encreased one degree ; for the sweat of the lion, which
wjis given to him to eat before the glass was shut, has now united

Robinson, 301

with him, and is imbibed, or soaked up, if it was rightly pro-
portioned ; but it' there was too much moisture, it v. il. be ths
longer-in drying, and it' it was not sufficiently wet, thv_ child will
die of thirst.

Imbibe six times with eight days between each, and then in
six weeks in the sealed ghss, blackness will appear, and pass
away till all is white: this may be fermented for the white stone,
or otherwise proceed to the red by continuation of the fire; — -
then ferment the red powder witli pure gold, but the secret is ia
take the thing that began the work ; join iuna and the blood of
the green lion as at first, and with it ferment the white or red, one
to four, without cooling the matters, and seal the glass again till
Vou see the black, white, and red. There is no better multi-
plication than to repeat the work of the ferment.

BLOOMFIELD'S PRACTICE of the CHAOS.

The chaos, as Ovid writes, is an undigested mass, contain-
ing divers natures; it is the vine tree, white and red : join
three of the white female, to one of the red male, in perfect
unity bv liquefaction ; bring it into dust by three pails of the
fiery dragon, and temper them together ; close the glass well,
and keep moderate fire night and day, as a hen on her eggs.
After forty days, it becomes black ; after, forty more, it will
grow wfiite, and afterwards all the colours of the rain-bow or
peacock's tail will appear ; the fire may be gradually encre-sed,
till the yellow appears,' and then the red, which ukes in fortr
«lavs in a tincture of one upon a hundred.

THOMAS ROBINSON.

■

Of the Tincture.

In six days all the variety of the universe was created from
one abyss. From one stone there proceeds tour elements, and
from these our the stone is made ; the first was :. >;<jtt, the last
is a corner stone ; without the first, the Inst could not be made^

303 Alchemical Treatises.

though it seems too bad for that purpose. When the heavens
were separated from the earth, the earth was cohobated with the
heavens. In the beginning there was heaven and earth, not
heaven alolie ; the earth is the mother of all, the heavens arc but
essential earths. If there was no earth, whence could the water,
air, or fire proceed; and if there were no heavens, nothing could
be produced on the earth. The heavens shall purify the earth
in six thousand years through life and death ; then all shall rest
eternally divine, shining by the beauty of the God-head : this \k
the much desired stone.

THOMAS NORTON,

Of the Matter of the Stone.

Our stone is one; many things help it, but two are material,
which only differ so far as mother and child, or male and female.
It is a stone, and stands the fire, but in touch or sight it is a
subtile earth, brown, ruddy, and not clear; when it is separated
we name it litharge from its appearance; and when it is whitened,
we call it our chosen marcasite. This is to be made by the ar-
tist, as it cannot be purchased ; it is esteemed as of no value,
though it is better than gold. The other stone is glorious,
fair, and glittering with brightness, called magnesia. You shall
take no other materials than these two to make our storic, except
sal armbniac and sulphur of kind, such as you may find out of
tnetals : these two will fulfil your desire ; you must not begin
with metals or quicksilver; but if you destroy their composition,
some of their compounds will help in the conclusion, which is
still to the same purpose as the magnesia and litharge its
brother.

Of the Gross )Vorl\

Arnold says, our secret is to know the thing on which our
Work taketh ground, and how to find pure and simple natures.
Avicen saith, that it is to eat as it drinks, and drink as it eats :
and it will sweat temperately. Rhasis set the dietary, not to eat
quick, and to leave time lor digestion — tins vcqu ires watching

Subtle Work. 303

night and day, and great pains to feed it aright j therefore the
work belongs to those who have leisure and patience, with regu-
larity and steadiness. The foulest part of the work is to clarify
our mineral means. Albert writes openly of it; it is a mechanical
art, but full of peril and mischances: be uniform, beware of the
commixion of strange matter, and let nothing escape.

Of the Subtle Work.

Three adepts met together at Leaden-hall, London, in 1465;
one was of Lorrain, the other two of England ; the eldest
chanted a prophecy, that when the Cross is honoured in the
land of God, this nation shall be blessed by science above all die
nations Hortulan describes the subtle work under the doctrine
of the vine, grapes, wine, tartar, and alcohol ; for the exhibition,
of the air, water, fire, and earth of the stone. It is shewn also by
baking and brewing ; moisture is operative by heat ; this is easier
understood by sight than speech. Heat and moisture makes
black, dryness makes white, and in the white is hidden the
red.

JOHN DESPAGNEI\

1. In the philosophers work, more toil and time, than cost is
expended ; for he that hath convenient matter, need be at little
expenee; besides, those that hunt after great store of money, and
place their chief end in wealth, they trust more to their riches,
than their own art. Let therefore the too credulous fresh-man
beware of these pilfering piek-pockt Is, for whilst they promise
golden mountains, they lay in wait for gold; they demand bright
us'i'-ring Sol, viz. money before hand, because they walk in
darkness.

'2. As those that sail between Scilla and Ch.a.rybclis are in
dnrtg< r on b©th sides; unto no less hazard are they subject who
pursuing the prey oF the golden fleece, are carried between the un-
certain rocks of the philosophers sulphur and mercury. The
more acute by their constant reading of grave and credible au-
thor*, and by the irracikait sun have attained unto the knowledge
of sulphur, but are at a stand in the entrance of the philosophers
mercury ; for writers have twisted it with so mam' windings and
meanders, involved it with so many equivocal names, that
it may be sooner met with by the force of the seekers intellect,
than be found by reason or toil.

S. Thai philosophers might the deeper drown their mercury m
darkness, they have made it manifold, and placed their mercury,
yet diversely, in every part and forefront of their work, nor
will he attain unto a perfect knowledge thereof, who shall be ig-
1101 ant of any part of the work.

4. Philosophers have acknowledged a threefold mercury espe-
cially, to wit, after absolute preparation of the first degree, and
philosophical sublimation ; for then they call it their mercury,
and mercury sublimated-

5. Lastly the philosophers do sometimes call perfect elixir
and colouring medicine, their mercury, though improperly: for
the name of mercury doth only properly agree with that which is
volatile; besides that which is sublimated in every region of the
work, they call mercury: but elixir because it is most fixed, can-
not have the simple name of mercury, and therefore they have
stiied jt their own mercury, to distinguish it from the vo-
latile- A straightway is only laid down for them to find out and
discern so many mercuries of the philosophers.

Quos eequus amavit

Jupiter, aut ardens evexit ad aethera virtus.

D'Espagnet. 303

6- In tlie philosophical sublimation or first preparation of
mercury, Herculean labour must be undergone by the workman ;
for Jason I tad in vain attempted his expedition to Colchos with-

out Alcidcs.
7. The p
thereof) seems to be touched by the \

The natural quality of philosophical earth and the tillage
>e touched bv the poet in this verse —

Pingue solum prim is extemplo a mensibus anni

Fortes invertaut Tauri

Tunc Zepliyro putris se gleba resolvit.

8. He that callcth the philosophers lima or their mercury, the
common mercury, doth wittingly deceive, or is deceived ; so the
writings of Geber teach us (cap. 1. 4.) that the philosophers
mercury is argent vive, yet not of the common sort, but may be
extracted out of! it by the philosophers skill.

9. The philosophers mercury hath divers names ; sometimes
it is called earth, sometimes water in a divers respect, because it
naturally ariseth from them both. The earth is subtle, white,
sulphurous, in which the elements are fixed, and the philoso-
phical gold is sown .- the water is water of life, burning, per-
manent, most clear, called the water of gold and silver ; but this
mercury, because it hath in it sulphur of its own, which is multi-
plied by art, it deserves to be called the sulphur of argent vive.—
Last of all the must precious substance is Venus, the ancients
hermaphrodite, glorious in each sex.

10. That dryland most precious liquor doth constitute the ra-
dical moisture of metals, wherefore of some of the ancients it is
called glass ; for glass is extracted out of the radical moisture,
closely lurking in ashes which will not give place, unless it be to
the hottest flame ; notwithstanding our inmost or central mercury
discovers itself by the most gentle and kindly (though a little
more tedious) fire of nature.

11. The stone is exalted by successive digestions, as by de-
grees, and at length attaineth to perfection. Now four digestions
agreeable to the four chief operations or governments do
complete the whole work, the author whereof is the fire, which
makes their difference.

12. The first digestion operateth the solution of the body,
whereby comes the first conjunction of male and female, the
commixtion of both seeds, putrefaction, the resolution of the ele-
ments into homogeneal 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 abyss. This first digestion
is made as in the stomach, of a melon colour and weak, more fit
lor corruption than generation.

13. In the second digestion the spirit of the Lord walketh upon
the waters; the light begins to appear, and a separation of water;

pp

306 Alchemical Treatises,

from the waters; tlic sun and moon are renewed ; the elements
»re extracted nut of the chaos, that being perfectly mrxt in spirit
they ma}- constitute a new world ; a new heaven and new earth are
made; and lastly, all bodies are become spiritual. Hie crows
vtmng ones changing their feathers oegin to pass into doves, the
eagle and Hon embrace one another with an eternal league. Anti
this generation of the world is made by the fiery spirit descend-
ing in the form of water, and wiping away original- -in : for the
philosophers water is n re, which ;s moved by the exerting heat of
a bath. Eut sec that the separation of wafers be done hi weight
and measure, lest those things that remain under heaven be drown-
ed under the earth, or those things that site snatched up above
heaven be too much ck'strt ate of aridity.

14. The third digestion- of the newly generated earth drinketh
tip the dewy mirk, and all the spiritual virtues of tfee' quintessence,
and fasteneth the quickening soul to tire body by the spirits medi-
ation. Then the earth laycth up a gfeat treasure in- itself, and is
made, like thecoruscantii'xxMi, afterwards t»» rueldy sun : the for-
mer is called the carrh of the moon, the latter the earth of the
sun ; for both of them is begot, of the copulation of them both r
neither of them any longer fearcth the pains of the fire, because
both want all spots ; for they have been often cleansed from sin
hy fire, mk] have suffered great martyrdom, until all the elements
are turned down wards-. •

15. The fourth digestion consummateth all the mysteries of
the world, and the earth being turned irc-to most excellent leaven,
it Ieaveneth all imperfect bodies, because it hath before passed
into the heavenly nature of quintessence. The virtue thereof
flowing from the spirit of the universe i* a present panacea and
universal medicine for all the diseases of all creatures, the diges-
tions of the first work being repeated will open to thee the philo-
sophers secret, furnace. Be right in thy works, that thou inavest
find God favourable, otherwise the ploughing of the earth will be
in vain.

26. The whole progress of the philosophers work is nothing
but solution and congelation ; the solution of the body, and eon-
gelation of the spirit; nevertheless, there is but one operation
♦>f both : the fixed and ve>latile are perfectly mixed and united in
the spirit, which cannot be done, unless 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^ tin the fixed nature had beibre passed into vola-
tile. Now so long as tlve natures were confused in the spirit, that
mixed spirit keeps a middle nature between body and spirit, fixed
and volatile.

17. The first mover of nature is external fire, the moderate
of internal fire1, and of the whole work; let the philosopher there-
fore very well understand the government thereof, and observe k*

D'Espagnct. 307

degrees Mid points: for from thence the . welfare or ruin of the
work dejicndeth. Tims art helpeth nature, and the philosopher
is the .minister of both.

Mi. Hy these two instrument s of art .a-nd nature, the stone l.ift-
qth itself up from earth to heaven with great ingenuity, and
-vKK-ih from heaven to ear.th, Jxeaiue the earth is its nurse, and
being carried in the womb of tUe wind, it receiveth the /orce of
the superiors and inferiors.

19. Philosophers Jiavc ob6Qired a ihree-fold fire in tlie mat-
tor of their work, natural, not natural, against nature. The
natural they call the fiery celestial spirit innate, kept in the
profundity of matter, aiy.1 most strictly bound un.to.it, which by
the sluffijiifc strength of metal grows dull, until being stirred
up and freed by the philosophers discretion and external heat, it
.shall have obtained a faculty of moving its "body dissolved, and so
it informeth its humid matter, by explication, penetration, dilata-
tion and congelation,. Iu every mixed body natural fire is the
principle of heat and motion. Unnatural fire they name thai
which being called .and coining extrinsically, is introduced htfo
f\ie matter wondcrhd artificially, that it may encreasc and multiply
the strength of natural heat. The fire contrary to nature they call
that which putrifies the compositura, and corrupteth the tempera-
ment of nature; it is imperfect, because being too weak for gene-
ration, it is not carried beyond the bounds of corruption : such is
the fire or heat c-fthe menstruum.; yet it hath the name improperly
of fire against nature, because in u. manner it is according to na-
ture, for salving the speciiical form, it so corrupteth the matter,
that it disposcth it for generation.

20. That we may leave nothing untouched, let the students in
philosophy know that from that first sulphur, a second is generat-
ed which may be multiplied in infinitum : let the wise man, after
lie hath got the everlasting mineral of that heavenly fire, keep it
diligently. Now of what matter sulphur is generated, of the same
it is multiplied, a small portion of tlie first being added, yet as in
the balance. The rcjSt may a fresh-man sec in Lullius, this may
suffice only to point at it.

21. The elixir is compounded of a threefold matter, namely
of metallic 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.

22. The way of multiplying the elixir is threefold. By the
first, mingle one weight of red elixir, with nine weights of its
red water, and dissolve it into water in a solutory vessel,
curdle the matter well dissolved, and unite by decocting it with a
gentle fire, until it be made strong into a ruby or red lamel,
-which afterwards inccre with its red oil, after tlie manner pre-
scribed until it flow : so shalt thou have a medicine ten times
more powerful than the first. The business is easily finished in a

. short time.

SOS Alchemical 'Treatises.

23. By the second manner, what potion thou pleasest of thy
elixir mixed with its water, the weights being observed ; — seal
it very well in the vessel of reduction, dissolve it in a bath, by
inhumation, being dissolved, distil it, separating the elements
by their proper fires, and fixing them downwards, as was done in
the first and second work, until it be a stone; lastly, incere it and
project it. This is the longer, but yet the richer way, for the vir-
tue of the elixir is increased unto an hundred fold, lor by how
much the more subtile it is made by reiterated operations, by so
much more both of superior and inferior strength jt retaineth,
and more powerfully operates.

24?. Lastly, take one ounce of the said elixir multiplied in
virtue, and project it upon an hundred of purified mft-cury, and
in a little time mercury made hot amongst burning coals, will be
converted into pure elixir, whereof if thou castest every ounce
upon an other hundred of the li e mercury, sol will shine most
purely to thine eyes. The multiplication of white elixir may bo
made the same way. Take the virtues of this medicine to cure all
kinds of diseases, and to preserve good health, as also the use
thereof, out of the writings of Arnoldusdc villa nova, Lullius, and
other philosophers.

BERNARD PEXOTUS,

OF AQUITAIX.

Now I (pietate motus) being moved by brotherly affection;
will disclose the proper name of this matter, aiul declare it with
Arnold of retarding old age. For he calls it chiffir minerale,
that is, the animal stone, the preparation of which the ancients
have concealed. There is also another name for it, especially
for the mineral stone, the preparation of which they have also
kept secret ; some calling it abissini bistumi, others the mineral
chaos, in which is contained a very great mineral power. In
which all metals lie glistering in obscurity. Some affirm, that
the matter of this stone is nothing else than a corporeal spirit of
the world, formed in the matrix of the earth, from which it re-
ceives all its animal, vegetable and mineral faculties, as was
aforesaid. As wax receives the impression of any shape and
form, so does argent vive, lurking in the matter of the stone,
receive the properties or proprieties of all things. The stone
(says a learned man) of the wise men, is perfected in itself, and
by itself. The roots, branches, leaves, flowers and fruit, are
then like a tree; now what numerous boughs there are belonging
to one tree ? And then, what a multitude of seeds ? In like man-
ner is this our philosophic fruitful tree, containing in itself the
seed of gold and silver; which seed, if sown in its proper earth,
brings forth sols and lands' ad infinilum, as other seeds sown in
the ground. For nature naturally acts and operates perpetually
on things of its own nature, and not of a diverse species, much
less then in a diverse kind. For by how much the greater the
diversity of things is, by so much the greater als is the unity
of things? For nature disposes all things in potentia, for as
much as that art should and does perfect actu. For example,
nature has and does produce matter whereof glass is made; but
in no place glass itself. In like manner it has also created iron
lying in a rude matter, committing it to us in a rough, un-
fashioned and confused form, that therewith we make horse-shoes,
sickles, launces, or whatsoever we please. Thus nature has also
created herbs, trees, gems, corals, gold, and every thing the
eye can see; yet as they arc, they cannot be called medicines,
but rude and unrefined substances, which by chemistry arc so
ordered into medicines, as to purge, dissolve and separate the
heterogene from the homogene qualities ; otherwise the putrid
would commix with the putrid, and the corrupt with the cor-
ruptible. Thus God the author of nature has created an only

310 Alchemical Treatises.

certain simple matter, by which the stone may be made, which
wise men have called the root of metals. Which matter, if not
disponed by chemical philosophy a poientia ad actum, from its

power of per. brining, to performance itself, it will always re-
main in the same state, of which the matter whereof glass is
formed is in, which is not glass itself, till means be used by an
artist to make it so. The matter of this stone is one only thing,
as I have often said before, which, as being but one thing, is
not numbered or divided. \yhLch, if numbered, it is no more
one thing; and jf divided, it then begins to be composed. If
therefore you would profit by philosophy, remember to take one
only thing, (simple) whosoever does otherwise, will never find
io\ end or perfection. Whereas nature from one thing produces
all, and thus in one both agree together; for nature is the mother,
and art her daughter. Now where nature ceases, art begins;
and this and no other ways is the order and rule of truth ? When
therefore you have found that one matter which contains all things
in itself, exhibit not other extraneous matters to this, with an in-
tention to bring it to perfection ; they will not bring it to per-?
Jeetion, but corruption ; and you wiU grievously deceive your-
self; for the matter of our s!one is one only thing; yet not so,
very simple, but it contains the four elements, as other ele-
mentary bodies do. l?or as a tree planted in the ground brings
forth fruit in its proper season, in, through, and by itself: thus
our i.oatter, if transplanted, and bedewed with its own matter,
will bring forth (as the tree) its fruit, which, if sown upon impure
metals, will undoubtedly transmute them into pure gold. For
this philosophic tree contains in itself whatsoever is neccssaiy
for itself, without any mans' assistance.

The work is light, and requires not much cxpencc, only much
patience and waiting for. If you but once untie the knot on it,
the work may then be well styled womens work, and children?
play. Now in the name of God will J declare the practic and
method of philosophical working, how the great elixir is brought
to perfection, or the white and red tincture, composed only of
the mercury of the philosopher.?. Bringing crude mercury and
antimony to perfect perfection, converting all imperfect bodies
into pure sol and lune, far excelling that produced by nature.
From therefore the mercury of the philosophers, which they call
"their prima materia, or first matter: their aqueous, frigid and
humid element : their aqua permanens, their spiritns corporis^
vapor unctuosus, aquabenedicta, their.aqua venosa, aqua sapicn-
tum, their ros coclestis, gratia1, their lac virginis, their mticurius
corporis magnesia, radix philosophica, u\\d by infinite mole
names, which yon may find in philosophic books. Whichmatter,
chough going by divers names, yet always signify one and the
same tiling, as being mercury of the wise men, from which only
:u\d alone is made the red and white tincture. Therefore, says
Geb.r, that prince of philosophers, our art is not perfected in a

Peiiofux. 311

multitude of things; hut it is one thing alone, it is one stone,
one medicine, in which consists the magistery. To which we do
not add uny foreign. thing, unless in its preparation, by removing
superfluities : for in and by it arc all tilings necessary for the

Work, to which we add not (I say) any extraneous tbiftgs, be-
cause of gold and silver : for they are not extraneous to the stoAe

itself, if fermented therewith^ they then being both coadjutors
to the same, by which the physical work is finished. Another
philosopher says we make use of venerable nature for na-
ture cannot be mended or made better but by things of its own
nature. Therefore we must not introduce any thing of an alien
nature as a helper to this work; nor powder, nor water, nor any
thine of an extraneous nature. For divers things do not better
our physical stone; therefore 'tis only perfected by the mercury
of the philosophers. Therefore the aforementioned mercury is;
the only radix physica, the arbor aha from which iniinite boughs
are multiplied : and this is called that stone which is mentioned
so often in the books of philosophers, and which they had. But
the first operation of the stone is called sublimation. Now how
this mercury of the philosophers ought to be sublimed and
brought to perfection, shall be plainly laid open in the following
lines, without any dissimulation or obscurity. Observe then
that this sublimation is not vulgar, but physical. Our sublima-
tion being nothing else but a subtiliation of a tiling. So that
"... ... ^

phvsical sublimation is an elevation ot the non-fixed parts from

the fixed. For the subtile non-fixed parts are elevated by fumes
from the fixed parts I would that they be not separated one
one from another, but remain together in mutual conjunction.
And now know that he which conjoins our physical mercury,
rightly, sublimes it, (i. e. subtiliates it) in which depends the
virtue of our stone, that makes and finishes our whole elixir.
Fpr as Geber says the whole perfection of the art consists only
in the right sublimation, right manner of vessel, and regimen
df fire. Because in this sublimation, every thing of this are made
and do consist, viz. sublimation, distillation, ascension, descen-
sion, coagulation, putrefaction, calcination, fixation, &c.

Take, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the: vendible
prepared mercury, the water of philosophers, the primum hyle
of the wise men, put it into its clean, bright, lucid and round
vessel. Close its mouth very well with Hermes's seal, and let
it suffocate in its temperate and warm little bed for a philoso-
phers month. Never in that months time permitting it to cool,
for then alls undone ; till you have sublimed so long, that it
will sweat no longer, i. e. till there is nothing remaining either
to ascend or descend ; and till that matter within begins to
putrify, be choaked, coagulated and fixed by virtue of the con-
tinual maintenance of its due heat, that nothing will ascend
any longer, in any airy famous substance, bit r.-main fixed on
the bottom. Its caoistness being all drawn up, putrified una

312 Alchemical Treatises.

coagulated, and turned into a black earth, which is railed the
crows head, the black and dry element, &c. Then is the true
sublimation of the philosophers expedited. In which sublima-
tion all the fore-mentioned manners of doings exist, viz. solu-
tion, distillation, coagulation, putrefaction, calcination, and
fixation in one only vessel, and on one only furnace, as was
spoke of before. For when our stone is in its vessel, and when
it shall ascend by fumes to the top of the same, it is then called
sublimation and ascension. But when it precipitates from the
Cop of the vessel to the bottom and its nether ends, then it is
called distillation and descension. And when by its very much
ascension it begins to putrify, then it begins to be coagulated
also, and is called putrefaction and coagulation. But when at
length (the humidity of its radical moisture being exhausted) it
begins to be calcined and fixed ; it is called calcination and fix-
ation. And all this uno actu, by decocting them at one time
altogether in one vessel, and on one furnace, (as has been often
said before.) From which may be observed that the separation
of the four elements irt the stone, is not vulgar but physical.
Because our sublimation being finished, the elements (as was
told you before) are perfectly separated. Yet in our stone there
are only two formal elements, viz. earth and water. Earth,
which virtually contains fire in itself by reason of its dryness,
as water contains in like manner air in itself, by reason of its
humidity or moistness. It may- further be observed then, that
in our stone there are but two formal elements, though there be
four virtually. Therefore there is not a separation of four ele-
ments, as fools and ideots conceive. There is a certain hidden
secret in our matter, whose work and virtue is perceived, viz.
earth and water. But the other two, viz. air and fire, are not
perceived ; (nee quicquam largiuntur) nor can their residing
place be seen no more than their virtue, as in the other two
elements of earth and water. By such a privation therefore of
humidity, which is caused by sublimation, the volatile is made-
fixed, the soft hard, and the water earth. And as Geber says,
the mutation of nature into nature, also a change of complexion-;
is made ; for the cold and moist complexion is converted into
choleric and dry, becoming also spiritual, corporeal, and liquid,
thick, and so on the contrary. Therefore the philosophers say
wisely, when they say, the operation of our stone is nothing else
but the permutation of nature and revolution of elements. For
by such an incorporation we change the moist and volatile into
fixed, the spiritual into corporeal, and the liquid into thick, the
watry into fiery, and the airy into earthly.

Arosthe philosopher says, that the water or spirit of the stone
is all in all, and is the only thing sought after, and requisite for
this work; for in it is the flying and fixed, the tinging and
tinged, the white and red masculine and feminine composed to-
gether by an inseparable composition. Lully says, the spirit is

Ripley. 313

the first principal secret, the water the next, -from which two
things every thin.'' receives its nutriment, and every tree, sprout
and herb its vegetation, and every light its illumination. This
water carries life, light and spirit with it ; but why docs Lully
call the water the second principal secret, &c. which the other
philosophers call the oil ? The reason is, because it is drawn in
the second place alter the spirit; the oil is nothing else than the
radical, pure and incombustible humidity of metals, in which
does most especially consist the metallic essence and form (and
nisi to turn compositum aqua fiat, pulvis non erit fusibilis, nee
ingressuih habebit,) to which water the whole is reduced, by a
moderate and continual humid heat.

FIVE PREPARATIONS

OF THE

PHILOSOPHERS MERCURY;
BY SIR GEORGE RIPLEY.