THE Fiery Stone of Antimony, its fixt tincture, and most red Oyl, shall in this work be briefly, but throughly taught, after an easy way and Method without a­ny ridles or doubtfull shadowes. I there­fore Basil Ʋalentine, a professed Monk, and Brother of the order of St. Benedict, will fundamentally propound to the friendly Reader, a brief admonition concerning some Praecognita, which a Spagirist (care­fully inquiring into the verity of Art) ought to be acquainted with: Very profoundly therefore, and heartily, let these directions be ruminated on, by him who hath a desire after a certain enjoy­ment [Page 2] of this Hermetical Science: For if any slightly value these my Proposals, doubtless his labor shall be in vain, for these things following are very worthy of due consideration. Now before I attempt the main work of this little Tract, I con­ceive it requisite to admonish the Spagi­rist, of those things which are worth his knowledge; on what Basis he ought to e­rect his Structure, and what Foundation trusting too, his Fabrick may resist impe­tuous storms, without declining: There­fore, as a Monk, I hold it fitting, and as a thing expedient, that when my self and thy self, Titius and Sejus, Sempronius and Cajus, shall be tributaries to death, we may leave behinde us in the World, an honorable memory to the praise of God, that his Divine Majesty may be a­dored: By a due preparation we address our selves unto the Journey: My stare and calling, forsooth, requires a different spirit from the vulgar.

In this my consideration, I have no­ted five Observations for the diligent searcher.

1. An Invocation on the name of God, 2. A Contemplation on the Essentiality of things. 3. Their true and incorrupt [Page 3] preparation. 4. Their use. 5. Their be­nefit or proficuousness. All which, a true Chymist must remember, and without which he cannot be, nor be called a true Chymist: Briefly therefore and several­ly these Heads shall be treated of, that a particular and the universal entire Work may thereby be brought to light, and ap­pear perfect.

1. First therefore, The Name of God ought to be called on religiously, with a pure heart, a sound conscience, without ambition, hypocrisie, and other abuses, such as are Disdain, Pride, Arrogance, worldly Boasting, oppression of our Neighbors, and other Tyrannies and En­ormities of that kinde; all which, ought to be totally eradicated out of the heart, that, when it would prevail at the Throne of Mercy for the health of its Body, it may be found a pure and well prepared Temple (the Chaff being separated from the uncommix'd and undefiled Corn) For verily, verily, verily, God will not be mocked, as Sophisters, and the Wiselings of this Age imagine; nor will he be su­ed unto as a Creator, without a true fear, a due obedience, and most humble suppli­cation: For seeing man hath nothing, [Page 4] but what his most bounteous Creator be­stows upon him, he having given him a Body, Life, an operating Spirit, and a most noble Soul, and freely vouchsafed his own holy Word for the support and nourish­ment of the Soul to eternal Life; and having for Bodily necessaries provided him Food and Raiment, and such other things as none can possibly want. It is just, that above all other things, his first Father (who hath created the Heaven and the Earth, things visible and invisible, the Firmament, the Elements, Vegeta­ble things, and all Creatures) be with most inward humble Prayers sought un­to for the obtaining of them. Most certaine it is, that a wicked man shall never be acquainted with true medicine, and much lesse taste the truly immuta­ble, and true celestiall bread of Eterni­ty. Primarily, and cheifly therefore, follow this Doctrine, placing all thy hope and confidence in God, humbly im­plore his blessing, that thy search may begin in the fear of the Lord, and so shalt thou obtain desired Wisdom; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom: Whosoever then hath resolved in himself to seek the top of Terrestrials (that is, [Page 5] the knowleege of the Good, lodging in all Creatures, (which the most high hath bestowed upon man) lying dormant or covered in Stones, Herbs, Roots, Seeds, living Creatures, Plants, Minerals, Me­tals, and the like) let him cast behinde him all worldly cares, and their appurte­nances, and expect release with his whole heart, by humble Prayers, and his hope shall not fail, but he shall become worthy of the last Redemption: Of this let none doubt or despair, for he alone re­deemeth Israel from all their enemies, and will truly and faithfully perform the same to such as truly and humbly call up­on his name: So that the first Admoniti­on cannot be more rightly and better pra­cticed, then by Prayers, seeing it is an invoking of God; but beware you do it not from an Hypocritical and Deceitful heart, but cordially, after the rule of the Capernaites; with firmness of Faith and Hope, as the Woman of Canaan, thereby procuring her Daughters health; and with a Christian Charity, as the Sa­maritan poured in Wine and Oyl into the wounds of the poor man near Jericho, and, on his own cost, took the care of him: Whosoever useth this invocation, and in­tends [Page 6] with a Christian charity the benefit of his Neighbor thereby, without doubt, shal obtain what he so earnestly seeks for, viz. His wish'd for end, and proposed hope of health and richness.

2. Next to Prayer, follows a Contem­plation of all things (that is) before all other things, chiefly consider their Cir­cumstances, Matter, Form, Original Virtues, Influence, Conjunction, the se­cret force of the Stars, the Elementary composure, the Generation and Forming (out of the three Principles) the things that are; Then also that every thing is reducible, and may be brought back into its first Matter and first Essentiality, which, mention is made of in my wri­ting; that of the first Matter, the last; and out of the last, the first may be made. This consideration (next to seeking of God) is chief, Celestial, and Spiritually to be understood. The understanding of the Condition and Quality of every thing, is found out by the spiritual thoughts of man, from an out-flowing speculation; and this speculating is two­fold, Possible, and Impossible.

1. The Impossible consists in superflu­ous Cogitations of things without or [Page 7] beyond Natures limits, wherein no form of Essentiality is manifest; as if a man attempted to search out the Eternity of God, which cannot be done: But it is an absolute, crazy, wicked sin against the Holy Spirit, to set upon the inquiry of his immeasureable, infinite, and eternal Deity, and to examine the unfathomable Mysteries of his Counsel and Wis­dome.

2. Now the Possible Consideration ad­mits the Theory of examining the nature of things visibLe, manifest, and having a created Form or Essence, how by help of separation each Body may be understood, that they may become profitable, the good may be segregated from the bad, and the Medicine from the lurking Poy­son, in an Anatomical manner, by sepa­ration and rectification, that the pure may be divided from the impure, without deceit; which separation may be accom­plished sundry ways, (some whereof are known to the vulgar, others not so com­mon) as are Calcination, Sublimation, Re­verberation, Circulation, Putrefaction, Digestion, Cohobation, Destillation, Fixa­tion, and other ways; all which degrees are in their order found out, learned, pra­cticed, [Page 8] and manifested by labor; and by which appears what is fix, what volatile, white, black, or red, and the like, help­ing the Artificer to discern and walk rightly in his Art with mature considera­tion; for consideration may trust too, or lean on a false foundation, and erre, if the Kingly path be not attained too: But con­trarily, Nature knows not how to erre, if rightly governed by a faithful steward, to whose care she is committed: If thou (therefore) erre, because thou hast not loosned Nature, and freed her from the Body whereto she's Captive; learn the Theory better, & more accurately attend thy work, that thou may'st be acquainted with the true fundamental knowledge of separating all things; and this is a chief, and the most principal thing. So then, the second Basis of Phylosophy is the specula­ting of all things and Essences, and is called the consideration of nature, for its written First seek the kingdome of God and his righteousnes &c. viz, by calling on his name, and the other things shall be added thereunto, viz. the understanding of things temporall, and enjoyment of necessaries for food and health.

[Page 9]Having circumspectly accomplished the consideration of all things. (which in the precedent we called the Theory) followes in order a due preparation, which is compleated by manuall Opera­tion, that some thing both profitable and active may be obtained, by meanes of which preparation is purchased the Knowledge of medicinall virtues: Now manuall operations must with diligence and paines be carefully prosecuted; ex­perienced Knowledge is praise worthy. But Anatomy doth judge and demon­strate the difference both of the good and the bad and their virtues. Handy Labour gives evidence that all things may be brought to the light, and bee made visible: The theorical knowledge of the virtues of any subject is a good fore-runner of practise, and proves a truly solid foundation, whereby one may become a tru practioner, & is nothing else than a confirmation of the good that is discovered by manual labour, whereby the secrets of Nature may be educed for profitable ends. For as in the reasonable soul the way is to bee prepared by the Lord, so here an harmonious and legiti­mate path is to be cut out, that a progress [Page 10] may be made for bodily health without doubtfulness and errour.

And this is Preparation.

4. The Preparation or Separation of the hurtful & profitable, being (by Resolution) accomplished, We come to the Use or Ad­ministration thereof: and here beware lest thou either encrease or diminish the true Weight, which in the operation thou must observe [ viz.] Whether or no thy reme­dy bee weak or strong, which a Physitian ought afore hand to know, as whether it bee injurious and hurtful, or beneficial, lest by the detriment and death of his neighbour, he exposeth his own soul to hazard.

5. After that the Operation beginnes to bee dilated and diffused through the parts of the body, searching for the disease for which it was administred, The Profitablenesse or Benefit comes un­der consideration, by which, as the main End, is discernable, what Good the o­peration hath induced; for it may hap­pen that a Medicine may hurt, and not help the diseased, which may be contrary to, or improper for the disea­sed; and so is rather a Poyson, than a Medicine for restoring health. Let every [Page 11] one on this accompt warily heed and aim at the publique good, that he may observe, and them so observed commit to writing; let them not perish by oblivion, but be manifested for the use of others.

Moreover in the Ʋse, as also in the Benefit of Medicine, it is observable, whe­ther or no a disease be a solution of conti­nuity, or hath onely an internal seat; for the Exteriour differ from the Interiour, and so are their Remedies various. Dis­eases therefore are to be distinguished, whether or no they are curable by onely outward Remedies, or to be expelled by inward Medicines: On which account when the centre of a disease lodgeth in­wardly, and is to be throughly found out, there ought to be admitted such conve­nient remedies as may search unto, sud­denly set upon, and divide it with the restauration of strength: otherwise the Physitian labours in vain, if the centre be not reached unto.

Every Physitian ought to know, that no Externall disease, having his originall and residence within, can be destroyed by outward medicines; but death and de­struction would ensue thereupon. For ex­ample, if a man should endeavour to re­pell [Page 12] the out-breaking flowers of a tree, back into their centre, he would not on­ly thereby destroy the fruit of the flower, but the juice being forced back to the centre (against the Law of Nature) from whence it had its afflux to the tree, would not onely be unprofitable by this violent Reunition, but also totally suffocate it; because the moist nutriment of the earth which it desires, could not have admit­tance. Great therfore is the difference be­tween new wounds made with Iron, & old Ulcers begotten from an inward distem­per. New Wounds are curable by out­ward remedies, old Ulcers are not so: But besides the Application of Oint­ments, Oyls, Balsoms, & Cataplasms, they require an inward cure, that the Fountain may be destroyed, and the thence-flow­ing River may be dryed up, by which (observing a right diet) the disease shall be easily helped. 'Tis no Art or Skill to cure a green wound, which even the Countryman with a peece of salted Hogs fat easily doth: 'Tis a peece of Art to remove the symptomes that happen to wounds, and to dry up the original of dis­eases.

All ye Physitians throughout the uni­verse, [Page 13] all ye Doctors who practise Phy­sick, ye Masters, and learned in Medicine of both sorts, External and Internal, come hither, and examine your honourable Ti­tle, and consider in your consciences, whether you received it from God or not, or proudly usurp it in formality or not: Verily there is as vast a difference between an outward, and inward curing, as is betwixt the Heaven and the Earth.

If you have received your Title from God, he will help, blesse, and prosper you. But if you faign it, or assume it to your self, without such a Call, ye, though Great, shall greatly fall; by which you prepare for your selves the unquenchable fire of hell. Truly our Saviour said to his Disciples, Ye call me Lord and Master, and ye doe well; so let every one that will take to himself this honourable Title, consider that he doth what is right; that is, that he abuseth not his Title, and boast not of more than he hath learned. He that will be a Doctor of both Medicines, ought wel to understand both Medicines, that he may discover inwardly the dispo­sition of the body by Anatomy, and in what member the disease hath his origi­nall, [Page 14] and by what means he may succour it; he also ought to understand outward­ly the circumstances of Wounds and Ul­cers.

Good God! what would become of the Master of both Medicines, and his Ti­tle, where will it be found, if many of such as use it were exposed to an exact tryall. Heretofore the Physitians them­selves wrought with their own hands, e­specially in outward diseases, this be­longing to the Physitians office; But now in our Age, they have brought up their Servants to exercise Chirurgery, and thus is this most noble Art become a base Trade, which even the most illiterate blush not to practise: Yea even such also as know not how to drive an Asse out of the Corn, are Doctors of Chirurgery (yet even the Physical Doctors are their Disciples) and frequently exercise it with more successe, and a better conscience (that I may speak the truth) than thou, O Ambitious, titled onely, unlearned Physicall-Chyrurgeon, that boastest of both names or titles, doest.

But pray Master Doctor, and Master Physitian be not angry, I beseech you, with my speech and opinion; for thou [Page 15] wouldst be forced to acknowledge, should I examine thee of Cuts and Stabs, &c. that thy judgement concerning such things is as large, and as much knowledge lyes in thy pate, as in the head of a Hen painted on a Table. 'Tis my faithfull advice to all such as are Learned (both of high and low estate) to consider judici­ously and conscientiously those things that are required in Doctors and Masters, viz. the true manner of the Preparation, and the use of Medicine; then may you justly assume to your selves this honou­rable Title, and you'l be able to succour the distressed, and with a pure heart praise your Creatour.

By what hath been spoken, let every one examine himself, and see whether (with right) he may assume this Title; for whoever will lay claim to any Title, 'tis behoovefull that he exactly under­stand it, and be able perfectly to give an accompt why he assumed it: For it is not sufficient to say with the vulgar, Behold! a great deal of stinking ordure (with ho­nour to your eares) and to be ignorant of the cause of the stinch. Although a man often feeds on the most sweet smelling food, yet presently he casts out most fetid [Page 16] dung; But you are to know the cause why fragrant fruit transmutes into stinch, the ground of which is naturall Putrefa­ction. And on the other hand (in Spices) the Odour is not solely to be respected, but a Genuine Philosopher must search into the Essence and Originall of that smell, and what good virtues lye therein. From stincking dung (with which the Earth is dung'd and nourished, grows sweet smelling fruit; for which are ma­ny reasons, and a large Book might bee written of the various Transmutations of Nature; but the chiefe cause of this change is Putrefaction and Digestion, and they are its chief Keyes; because the Fire and the Air bring or cause Maturity, so that the Earth and Water are transmu­ted into each other; for 'tis a certain al­teration, that, of Dung, a Balsome bee made, and contrariwise, of Balsome, Dung. But you will object and say, that I bring very Rurall and plain examples; I confesse they are homely, but the Wise man will by his own industry consider my intention herein, how from the most low, the most high may be made, and from the high the most humble or low; how out of a Remedy a Poyson, and out of a Poyson [Page 17] a Remedy; out of a Sweet thing a Corrosive, and from thence a thing profitable may be produced. Good God! Nature will not be throughly searched by us all; for our Life is short, and thou most just Judge hast kept to thy self many things, that Man may admire thy Crea­tures, of which thy self wilt be the Judge; Give me grace, that I may firmly retain my Saviour in my heart, even to my ul­timate end, that besides my bodily health and food which in abundance thou hast bestowed upon me, I may also obtain the riches and health of my soul, of which I make no scruple, since thou hast shed on the wooden Crosse, out of thy ardent Love and Mercy, the true Sulphur of the soul for me; which heavenly Sulphur of the soul proves a poyson to the Devill; but to us, the greatest Medicine. I cure my Brethren by Prayers, spiritually; by Appropriate remedies, bodily; and hope that they'l watch spiritually for me, that we may all become co-inhabitants in the Tabernacles of the most high God.

But, to return to my Antimonial Phi­losophy.

Be it therefore known unto the Rea­der, [Page 18] that every thing hath in it selfe a quickning and operating Spirit which dwels in bodies, nourisheth and preserves them: In the Elements also are living Spirits, by Gods permission be they good or evill. Men and other living creatures have a living operating spirit in them­selves, the which departing, a carkass only remains.

Hearbs and Plants contain in them a healthy spirit, otherwise they would be unfit for medicinal preparation and use. So both Metals & Minerals have in them their Impalpable spirit, wherein lyes con­tained all their force and efficacy; with­out a spirit the body is dead, nor can it discover any lively operation: Know then rhat in Antimony lyes a spirit, which effects all such things as lye hid therein, and are▪ thence educible, but invi­sibly, not unlike the invisible virtue that lyes hid in the Loadstone, whereof in my [...]ract of the Magnet I shall speake more largely. Now there is a twofold spirit; Intelligent, and not Intelligent. The Intelligent spirits are endowed with Reason (and can become when they list, impalpable, and without bodies) like us naturall men; of which kinde are the Ele­mentary [Page 19] inhabitants, viz. fiery, as wal­king and wandring lights, and other bright phantasines: also inhabitants in the Ayre, and dwellers in, and governours over the Waters, & lastly, the Earthy inhabitants, of which Ranck are those that frequently ap­pear in Metallick Mines, and are thence denominated Mine-Pit men: Now these are understanding Spirits, & skill'd in Art, and are able to alter their shape, of whom I dare not determine any thing, but leave it to the all knowing God, whether it be expedient to deliver my judgment concerning them or not. The other spi­rits of the universe, and which doe not operate after the afore said manner by their own innate power, are such as ly hid in man, Animals, Brutes, Plants, & Mine­rals, which notwithstanding have in them an operative life, which they by their works discover, evidencing that there lyes an healing power in them, when they are separated from their bodies by the benefit of Art. Thus also the Spirit of Antimony manifests its vertue, and communicates it to mankind, when by a freedom from the chains and bonds of its body (that its penetrative and opera­ting force may be awakened) it be used [Page 20] to that intent for which by the Artist it is ordained. Truely tis expedient that the master or artist & Vulcan entertaine fami­liarity, for the fire separates the opera­tive force and virtue; But the artificer forms and fashioneth the matter, as a black-smith by the help of one and the same fire, and of one and the same metal viz. Iron, forms (out of that one matter) sundry and several utensils, as spits, Iron shooes, forkes, plowshares &c. So also out of Antimony, many artificial things, and of diverse uses may be made: The artificer is the black-smith forming the matter, the fire is the unlocking key, the operation and utility confirms the prepa­ration and brings experience. O good God! Would but the foolish and unwise world see and hear rightly and discreetly, and truely understand, that a sight and hearing onely of what I write, may not satisfy them, without the obtaining of a truly inward useful knowledge, It would not lick up the purulent dregs, but go un­to those living fountains where it may drink of the water of life. And let all know that I shall indeed make fools of many learned Masters; and on the contrary Doctors of many poor, despised, searching [Page 21] and inquiring schollars; all such brea­thing and longing spirits I invite to fol­low my doctrine, to observe my writings and admonitions with a chearful heart, a faithful companion and good conscience (to whom thus enjoying I promise ma­ny things) and so shall they be effectors of their desire, and speak honourably of me, when I shall ly in my sepulcher, pro­longing my fame with a lasting memorial even to the worlds end.

Now if any surviving me shall di­spute in my School against me, when dead, my writings will answer abundantly for me, and I certainly know that my disci­ples will not be unmindfull of the benefit they have reaped, but preserve the ma­jesty of truth, which hitherto we have alwayes obtained, to the confusion of fal­sity and lying, and alwayes shall obtaine it to the worlds end.

Note: The sorts of Antimony.Moreover the courteous & favourable student of Art, ought to know the several sorts and kinds of Antimony.

One sort is pure, faire, of a golden na­ture, and abounds with Mercury. Ano­ther abounds with Sulphur, and largely differs from that of the golden property, [Page 22] and temperature: For in the former sort are faire, long, shining Radii, or Lines, whereby 'tis distinguishable from the latter; For the difference of the good­nesse of the sorts of Antimony is as much as is betwixt the flesh of four footed beasts, & of fishes, which have some agree­ment and affinity, as to the name, and (if you will) essence, but in goodnes are dif­ferent. The ingenuous student must also know that a great many men have written of the inward virtues of Antimony, but most few are they, who have learned the basis of its vertue, or found how they might possesse it, and since they onely talke and speak groundlesly, they loose their honour in that, for which intent (of honour) they betook themselves to wri­ting.

He that will write of Antimony, needs a great consideration and most ample minde, and various rules of its prepara­tion and assured end; wherein it may with profit be used, that so he may give a cer­tain undoubtful testimony of what is good or what is evil, what helpful and what poysonous.

Tis no small thing truely to search out Antimony, thereby to know its essence [Page 23] and at length by diligence and experi­ence, to obtaine the knowledge of it, to take away its poison, (so much cryed out against by the clamours of the vulgar) and by a better omen to transmute it into wholsome medicine. Many inquirers or Anatomists have hunted some here, some there, and miserably handled, tormen­ted, and crucified Antimony, in so much that 'tis both unexpressible and incredi­ble. But (really) they have not found out, or accomplished any profitable operation, wandring from the true end, propoun­ding to themselves things that are false, and thereby shadowing their sight, from beeing able to discerne the mark.

Antimony may deservedly be compared (& so also Mercury) to an infinite Circle, and painted with all sorts of colours, and by how much the more it is sought into, so much the more is found out and learn­ed, (so that your progresse therein be right and true;) In a word, one mans life is too too short, perfectly to be ac­quainted with all its mysteries.

It is the worst of poysons, the which being separated therefrom, it becomes the supremest medicine, and is to be ad­ministred for inward and outward dis­eases. [Page 24] Which to many moles will seem incredible, and will be adjudged vanity and folly, but yet may be pardonable in them, because of their ignorance and want of judgment: but verily they are exceedingly to be blamed, who not know­ing, have no desire after knowledge nor any will to learn.

Antimony hath four qualities, it is hot and cold, moist and dry, and imitates the four seasons of the year: it is also fixt and volatile: the volatile part is not void of poyson, but the fix'd part is alto­gether free there from.

Hence comes it to passe, that many un­skilful men write what they neither know, nor understand, which may (for that reason) be adjudged monstrous, & one of the seven wonders of the world: there being none that either hitherto hath bin found or is at present to be found, who hath fundamentally learned all its facul­ties, virtues, and powerful operations, or hath so far tryed its force & efficacy, that nothing more may be therein seen, then he by his own experience knows. If any such can be met withall, he is well worthy to be drawn in the Triumphant Glorious Chariot of the ancient Empe­rours, [Page 25] when they had gotten some notable victories: But in my opinion the chariot Smiths are likely of but light imploy­ment about chariots of this kind: many artificers in this age being overwhelmed with their thoughts, have sought after Riches only in Antimony, and have neglected the benefit that its wont to bring to such as are diseased, the which utility ought notwithstanding first of all to be sought after, that the wonders of the Lord may be manifested, and due thanks given to him. It cannot indeed be denyed, but that in Antimony Ri­ches may be found, although neither thou nor I may beleeve it, since both of us are but Scholars and Disciples in its search; although haply I have seene more therein, and experimented more, then either thou or such as thou art (that boast exceedingly much, and arrogate a large portion of Learning to themselves) are able to learn to morrow or next day; yet let none greive at his fortune, nor despaire, for God doth wonderfully di­stribute his mercifull rewards; but yet the World abounds with such as are un­gratefull, who contemn the blessings of God, esteeming Wealth better then [Page 26] true riches, and therefore God hath set a Cloud before their eyes, that such be­ing blinded, may not know those secrets that lie hid under a Metallick Form. All people, even in these days, cry out, Riches, riches, and imitate the saying of the Epicurean, If our Bodies would enjoy anything, our Souls must willingly search after it; frequently repeating the foolish wish of Midas, so often spoken of by the Poets: Many therefore do here con­sult with themselves, how from Anti­mony they may obtain their hoped for riches: But because in their Commenta­ries and devices they minde not their Creator, nor render a sacrifice of praise, and neglect that charity due to their Neighbor, they in vain feel in the horses mouth, whose age, force and strength, they remain ignorant of: So in the Wed­ding at Cana of Galilee, they indeed ta­sted and drank of the Wine, and knew it to be made of Water; but the man­ner of its Transmutation they were not acquainted with, for our Saviour kept that Miracle to himself alone, for the confirmation of his Omnipotency. I do therefore affirm, that the Mysteries of all things, and those secrecies that are im­planted [Page 27] in the Creatures by the Creator, ought to be inquired into, and sought af­ter from him: Although 'tis incredible and unlikely, that a man should attain to a perfect knowledge, any more then they aforementioned could understand our Sa­viours Miracles; yet 'tis not forbidden us to seek, because by study and dili­gence we may come to learn, so much as to prevent the causes of complaining of the loss of our health and riches; and al­so may finde cause enough to rejoyce in such things, as by search we finde out, for which, let God, who is well worthy, be for ever praised.

Whosoever therefore will be a true Antimonial Anatomist, let him first con­sider the division or opening of its body, that after a due manner, and in due sea­son, and in its own seat, he make his at­tempts, without erroneous deviations.

Secondly, Let the Regiment or Go­vernance of the Fire be observed, that it be not too great nor too little, that it grows not too cold nor too hot (for in the fire lies the very Art) that its living Spi­rits may be forced out, released, and set at liberty, to perform their operating virtues.

[Page 28]Thirdly, let the use be observed, toge­ther with the certain measure and quan­tity, as before in my five necessary Chy­mical Heads or Observations I have de­noted, yet Ile repeat them paraboli­cally.

By the Division or Anatomical part, the chief thing receives its preparation; but in & by the fire is it adduced to pro­fit and use: Even as a Butcher cuts an Ox, (which he hath killed) into several pie­ces; but yet 'tis not fit for use being crude; but must be concocted by the fires heat, which takes away the rawness of the flesh, and prepares it for useful nu­triment, (for if an housholder should eat crude flesh, it would be rather a Poyson then Food; because the heat of mans stomack is too weak for concocting such a crude gross body.) Even so also, (my friend) maist thou conclude concern­ing Antimony, which seeing 'tis a crude gross Poyson, and being Mineral, hath a more hard indigestible Body, then li­ving Creatures have; it cannot be dige­sted in the stomack, without a precedent preparation and concoction, but death would soon follow so strong a Medicine. Above all things (as to Antimony) let [Page 29] its poison be taken away, and let it be so handled and ordered that it may never be reducible into poison any more, even to eternity: even as Vinegar can never more be reduced into wine, out of which it was made by Putrefaction, not frō thence ( viz. Vinegar) can a Spirit of Wine be extract­ed, but it is Vinegar, and so it will re­main.

But contrarily if by distillation the spirit of Wine be separated from its aquo­sity, and be elevated into its own exalta­tion, twill never be changed into vine­gar in a whole age, but will alwaies re­maine spirit of Wine, as Spirit of Vine­gar will still continue to be Spirit of Vinegar: But the manner of the generati­on of this Wine-Vinegar is wonderfull; for of it, is made a thing different from what it was before in its vegetative Es­sence; for in the destillation of Wine, the spirit of the Wine comes first, the watry part residing in the bottom; but in the distillation of Vinegar, the spi­rit riseth last, as elsewhere hath been treated of. The Spirit of Wine there­fore makes things votatile, because it selfe is volatile; but the fix'd Spirit of Vinegar fixeth them, viz. The Minerall [Page 30] and vegetable Medicines that they are enabled to operate upon fix't things, and heal fixed diseases, which things ob­serve very diligently, for therein lies an an entrance of great concernment.

Antimony ought therefore so to be pre­pared (which its owne proper Vinegar is able to do) that its poison may be taken away, and transmuted into Medicine, which never more for the future retaines any poison, but rather is sufficient to ex­pell all sorts of poisons. The preparati­on of Antimony consists in the Keyes of Alchymy only, by which it is opened, divided and separated; such are Calci­nation, Reverberation, & Sublimation: Also in the Extraction of its Essence, which is vivified into Mercury, which Mercury is to be precipitated into a fix'd Powder: moreover by art may an Oile be thence made, which is most exceeding­ly profitable for the healing of the French disease: and so other preparati­ons are found out by the benefit of Chy­mistry.

For Example, A workman intending to make Ale out of Barly, Wheat, or other Fruits, tis needfull that he passeth through all these degrees before he ex­tracts [Page 31] its Essence, and convert it into a noble drink. First of all, he must mace­rate it in water, untill the fruit be bro­ken, (as I exactly observed, when being a young man I was in Holland and England) and this is nothing else but putrefaction; This being done let the water run there­from; and the corne thus macerated, ga­ther up into an heap, and leave it so for some season, that (of its own accord) it may grow warme, and this is called digestion, which being finished, dry the corne thus prepared in the Aire, or at the heat of a fire, which is Reverbera­tion or coagulation; being dryed, let it be ground in a Mill like Meale, and this is its Vegetable calcination; all these things being performed, it is to be boy­led with water, that so the most noble spirit of the graine may be extracted by, and joyned unto the Water, which be­fore its preparation could not have beene done: Thus then is the crude water changed into Ale, and this is distillation after a grosse manner: The little leaves of the Hops that are at last mingled with it, are the Vegetable and preservative salt, keeping the Ale from perishing by a new putrefaction: The Italians and Spaniards [Page 30] [...] [Page 31] [...] [Page 32] have but a small Knowledge of this pro­cesse: in the upper Germany, also in the country of Rhine (being my country) few there are that are herewith acquain­ted: All the aforesaid degrees being compleated, then by clarification is a new separation made, and a little fer­ment or Yest added to the boyled Ale, which stirs it up to motion, that it lifts up it self of its own accord, and by that Ebullition is the troubled separated from the cleer, the impure from the pure, by convenient standing and time, from whence the Ale attaines its due perfecti­on, and can operatively penetrate and ac­complish that for which intent tis given. As long as the operative spirit is hindred by impurity, it cannot performe its Of­fice and Worke, which is apparent in Wine, which before its setling and stan­ding, it cannot performe its operation; but only after the separation of the pure from the impure; which is hereby dis­cernable, because that neither wine nor ale will inebriate, as long as they are new and unpurified, and are not capable of then emitting their operating spirits, but of this enough.

Now after all this, a new separation [Page 33] may be instituted by a vegetable sublima­tion, whereby the spirits of Wine or Ale may be reduced to another Drink, viz. ( Aquavitae) which also is extra­ctable out of either of their feces, which being done, and the operating spirituall virtue separated from its body, and ab­stracted by fire, there remaines nothing behind but only a warrish and dead Sedi­ment, and by rectification, this Aquavi­tae may be so exalted, that by a frequent and artificiall abstraction it may become most pure, without any phlegme or water accompanying it, and then one pound is more efficacious then twenty pounds or more were before, for it speedily peni­trates and inebriates, being reduced to this high Degree of Volatile vir­tue.

Thou therefore that art desirous of art, if thou wouldst obtaine Knowledge from my Writings, and Wealth, Riches, and true Medicine from Antimony, con­sider well what I have afore sayd, for therein the least Letter hath its significa­tion, and theres not a word writ in vain, verily in my writings all about, are ma­ny words variously placed, which if the artificer did consider and understand what [Page 34] the true intent is, and in what the Mark lyes, it would not greive him to read o­ver every Leafe severall times, and to engrave every word in a Table of Gold, and take notice, that although I have made use of Rusticall and Grosse Exam­ples, yet are they of great concern­ment; I will not praise my own Bookes, it being too unbe-seeming; but let tryal be made, and they shall be found truly praise-worthy: I have the rather used such grosse examples, that (because the virtue of Antimony lies most profoundly hid, and is to be drawn out of most secret places) by such Examples, a way may be opened for thee, that thou mayst soo­ner obtaine thy end, and begin in a con­venient manner, and bring thy diligent search to an happy issue. Antimony may be compared to a Bird flying in the ayre, which turnes herselfe sometime here, sometimes there, even as the aire drives her: so here a man or artist is the Wind, who drives Antimony where it pleaseth him, and brings it under a con­stellation in that place which he hath as­signed it, for he can make it red, yel­low, white or black, even as it seemes him best, (having good respect to the [Page 35] governance of his Fire) wherein he shall assuredly discerne that Antimony passeth all the colours which are wont to be found in Mercury, at which do not make such great admiration, for Nature permits many things which neither I nor thou shall be able totally▪ and throughly to learne to day, to morrow, or next day: When an illiterate man takes up any book he knowes not what the writing thereof containes, and is totally ignorant of the signification of the Letters therein, which he gazeth on as a Heifer on a new dore; but when that unskilfull man shall be in­formed as to the signification and use of those Letters, he then ceaseth to esteem it any science more, but counts it a thing common and very facile, the use and in­tent whereof he perfectly understands, so that nothing seemes to him secret or obscure in that book, when both the rea­ding and true apprehension of its Con­tents are discovered and well conceived by him.

In like manner Antimony is as it were a booke for unexperienced men to read, whom I faithfully admonish with all my heart, (if they would participate of the benefit of that booke) that they first con­sider [Page 36] its Letters, know and pronounce them, that to read, may be familiar unto them, (the which by practising) they may deservedly be advanced unto a high­er Forme or Classis in the Schoole, in which Schoole, truly experience is the master, which by the Tryall discovers who shall obtaine the Garland, and be worthy its Enjoyment before ano­ther.

Moreover, I will not that thou be ig­norant, how many men daily, but foo­lishly, and very inconsiderately, cry out Crucifie, Crucifie, against all that administer poysons unto men, and prepare their accustomed Medicine thereof, whereby so many men are miserably destroyed, of which Nature, are Mercury, Arsenick, and Antimony, and with these unseaso­ned clamours do the unlearned Physi­tians most of all cry out, themselves being absolutely ignorant what reall poi­son, and what a true remedy is, how a separation is to be begun and perfected, that so out of Poison the evill of its Na­ture may be removed, and a better sub­stituted: I do therefore my self also speak & cry out against all such as dange­rously administer to man such poisonous [Page 37] things, not versed in their due prepara­tions, for Mercury, Arsenick, Antimo­ny and the like, (in their substance with­out preparation) are plainly venemous and so remaine; But yet after a necessa­ry Preparation, Extraction, Mortifi­cation, and Victory over their poyson, they verily become a Medicine sufficient to resist all other internall poisons, and fundamentally to Eradicate them. And certainly when that which is poisonous shall by due preparation be so ordered, that it is no more noxious for the time to come, it then resists all such poisons as it finds unprepared, and prepares them in such manner, that they also lay aside their venenosity, and become conforma­ble unto it, although both were hurtfull and poisonous at first.

Here I shal stir up amongst the learned a great contention, as to the true meaning of this my writing, whether or no what I now mention be possible or not con­cerning which many a censure wil be past: Some suppose that from the aforesayd things, their venemous qualities can not be altogether removed by any meanes, [Page 38] no wonder indeed, that the knowledge of this thing is hid from their eyes, and that they do not at all think of Learning the wonders of this Universe. Other­some, but a very few will readily con­firm my Doctrine of the Transmutation of evill into what is better. Consider, that even Physitians will confesse, that the evill wherein a Disease doth lodge, may be converted into good, and if they allow so far, it may not be unlawful for me also to affirm, that the evill which lies hid in a physical or Medicinal subject, may be transmuted into better, that it may be administred with safety, rightly and wholsomely. But whereas Experience, and the manner of proceeding is knowne to, but a very few, there will be but a very small number that will with con­stancy, adhere to the defence of my pro­posed opinion, without yeilding up to the clamours of the Multitude, whose cryes are Poison, Poison, Poison, as those impious Jewes throated it out a­gainst our ever blessed Saviour, Cru­cifie him, and avowing him the rea­diest and worst of poisons, when as he was, and is indeed the Panacea of our Soules, redeeming of us from sin, death, [Page 39] the Devill and Hell, although the proud insulting Scribes and Pharisees denyed him, yet assuredly it both was and will remain a certain truth (let the Enemies of truth be broken to pieces) even to E­ternity; nor shall be ever convicted of falsity, by either Death, Devils, or the Gates of Hell.

So I know that many trifling wander­ers, lazy Doctors, Empericks, and ma­ny other Intruders into Physick, will cla­mor out against Antimony, crying, A Crucifige; but yet it will endure, when those ignorant Medicasters shall be bro­ken to pieces (I speak not here of those honest Physitians, who adjudge it no shame to receive instruction) it will, I say, remain, and by the vertue of it's due preparation, potently subdue and conquer its enemies, when as the wick­ed haters and deriders of Antimony shal perish, together with the blood-thirsty enemies of Christ.

I tend my speech to you skilfull Do­ctors, who perswade Kings and Princes, &c. yea, and warn them to beware of this or that Medicine, as being hurtfull, poysonous, and dangerous; how redi­culous you appear in my eye, I forbear [Page 40] to mention, for I well perceive and finde, that though in their own esteem they are most learned men, yet they speak onely according to opinion, ignorantly, and without any true observation, on which account they cannot either judge or speak otherwise; and if it should happen that a man should have drunk such a Poyson, and be even burst assunder, even there, by the help of God, would I administer such an Antidote of my own preparation (which, out of meer charity, I always am careful of having ready by me) which should timely expel all the Poyson, and cast it out: Although thou, Mr. Doctor, who neither observest or understandest, wilt say 'tis false and a lie; it matters not, I know how to defend my own, and by approved experience to confirm it; I have tryed it, prepared it, and (if so liked me) could produce testimony of its operation from the hands of many. And if I were to dispute in a methodical le­gitimate order with that Doctor, as pre­pares not any of his Medicines, nor knows how to do it, but commits the charge and care thereof to another: I am confident that I should outstrip him in his function of administring suitable remedies, & tum­ble [Page 41] him down to a place more low, with shame enough, he being ignorant of what he administers to his Patients, and unac­quainted with the Qualities of his Me­dicines, whether white, black, red, caeru­leous, yellow, hot, cold, moist, or dry, or what they be: He reads of them one­ly in Books, and by length of time ob­tains a possession of them, (or, as it were, a possession) nor endeavors he after any more acquaintance with them: Most righteous God! what will these do? what care do these men take of their consci­ences? how will they succor the sick? Woe, woe, In the last day they'l finde the end thereof, and deservedly finde whom it is that they have pierced. Their thoughts are altogether after money, when as if they rightly minded their Vo­cation, they would night and day think how to obtain farther for the augmenta­tion of their renown: But labour being burdensome unto them, they let that pass, and run on, and defend their Cure with prating, but yet with a checking Conscience, and without any foundati­on: And let thus much suffice them.

Coles, to such men, are out of use, nor do they want them, but keep their [Page 42] money to bestow it on better uses: Vulcan has but small familiarity with them, their Furnaces for destillation are onely in the Apothecaries Shop, and thither also they rarely come: A little peice of Paper, stufft with a Recipe, compleats all things; the which, a servant with his Pestle and Mortar, composeth: Most bounteous God! change the time, put a period to their pride, lop off the Trees least they grow up to Heaven; crush the Gyants, least they heap up mountain upon moun­tain, and be assistant to those that trust upon thee, that they may stand before their hateful enemies.

I do therefore admonish all my Bre­thren, who live with me in this Cloyster, that they constantly help me in their Prayers for more plenty of true Medi­cine, and that God would enlighten its hateful deriders, and reclaim them from their errors, whereby they may come to acknowledge the power of the Creator placed in his Creatures, and may hear it apparently and perspicuously, and may understand the very inward secrets (by their endeavors and Anatomy) which lie most deeply hid under the outward form; & I hope that the Almighty Creator wil [Page 43] hear our Prayers, which if he please not, during mine and my Brethrens lives, yet haply after our decease some may repent them, to whom so much Grace may be given, that their darksome, blinde, and dimmed eyes, may receive sight, and by a true enlightning, finde the lost Groat, the which God grant. Amen.

Now therefore, having decreed to de­liver a perfect, and my absolute opinion of Antimony, I think convenient to speak a few words touching its name: Observe therefore, It was formerly called by the Arabians, Asinat; by the Chaldeans, Sti­bium; by the Latines 'tis to this day cal­led Antimonium; but the Germans, (stu­dious in their own proper Language) call it Spisglâsse, i. e. speared or radiated Glass, because its substance is in such a form, and out of it may be made Glass (either apart, or by addition) of divers colours, lying hid therein, and educible therefrom. Let every one on that ac­count consider, that the Observations of the Chaldeans, Arabians, Latines, Ger­mans, and other People, about Antimony, were not in vain, but that both its vertue and use might equally and deservedly be taken notice of, and 'tis very likely and [Page 44] credible, that by succeeding Heresie its praise and virtue died, for truth may be opprest by the enemies violence, the De­vil being by God permitted to act many things, because of our Transgressions and blindness.

Satan, you know, is mans enemy, and now that the verity of sincere Medicine may be impeded and totally drowned, he makes use of all his Art and endeavors, that the power of God may be eclipsed, and no thanks ascribed to him for his im­planted Blessings, and that natural reme­dies and redresses may be removed from man.

But seeing 'tis not so much requisite to dispute and discourse much of the name of Antimony, because its Title neither helps nor hinders, and because all the praise consists in its preparation, and in that power which by nature is given to it, and by the Creator bestowed on it: I shall omit to mention more of its name, and come to describe its efficacy and ope­ration, by which its vertues may be laid open, and immortal praise may be obtain­ed. Yet before I come to rehearse the virtues of Antimony, seeing (by my own acknowledgement) that it is a meer Poy­son: [Page 45] I will propound an Example, how one Poyson attracts another like to it self, more effectually then any other thing whatsoever. For (friendly Read­er) observe that the true and inadulterate Unicorns horn, casts from it self all sorts of Poyson, which is thus evidenced: Draw a circle with the said Horn about a Spider, and he will never get out, because he flies from what is contrary to him; but if another Poyson be put thereto, he would not fly or run from it, but passing through it, would go out of the Circle.

Moreover, if a little piece of Silver, hollowed, be made swim in a vessel full of water ( wherein put some poyson) place the said Horn thereunto, and let there not be any bodily or corporal touch, and yet you shal see it to repel the said peice far from it, which will fly upon the Water, even as a Duck foreseeing the Fowler: But if it be placed, viz. the Horn nigh to a piece of pure unadulterated Bread, swimming upon the Water, it will pre­sently attract the Bread unto it self, with­out any corporeal touch, and the Bread will follow the Horn round about, ac­cording as you move it, which is most mi­raculously [Page 46] wonderful in nature, that each thing should attract its like, and contra­rily hate and abandon what is opposite unto it: From whence, the Physitians have taken occasion to consider how to attract Poyson by Poyson, and things not Venomous, by things void of Poyson, af­ter a Magnetical manner. And thus Poy­sons is expelled two severall wayes.

First, By its contrary, which opposeth and resists the Venome, as I have spoken of the Unicorns [...]orns.

Secondly, By its like, that one Poyson may extract the other Magnetically; yet so, that the attractive Poyson be first pre­pared, that its venenosity may be trans­muted into Medicine, sufficiently able to destroy the Poyson by its attractive power: So Soap washeth Grease out of cloath, though it selfe was at first a fat­ness; but when it is prepared of Lime, Oyl, and other things, by boyling and separation (chiefly by the help of salt) it ceaseth to defile of to spot, but rather takes them away; so (by the help of God) in like manner Poyson by precedent pre­paration, may cease to be poysonous, ex­tracting it, dissipating it, and restore to former health: But that I may give [Page 47] thee, and the Students of Art, oppor­tunity of being acquainted with the gifts of Nature, and what Poyson is, or how to be adjudged, whether good or bad, or what it is, I shall make use of some Ex­amples for confirmation of the truth, and the discovery of falsity and error; which proudly arrogant Medicasters or Physiti­ans, by reason of their sluggish and droan­ish lazinesse are unacquainted with.

Take an Egge frozen with cold in the Winter season, put it into exceeding cold Water for a little while, and then the frigidity of the Water will extract the coldness of the Egge, and reduce it to its pristine estate; So, whosoever shall have any member benummed with cold, let him speedily apply cold Snow water thereunto, and so one cold will extract another, and the Member shall be heat­ed: So to any member possessed with a fervent burning heat, let be applyed some warm, hot matter (to wit, Spirit of Wine rectified, or the Quintessence of Sulphur, both which are fiery in the supreamest de­gree) and you shall see that the one heat attracts the other, by the force of mag­netism from the member whereto it is ap­plyed, and administers not onely rest, but [Page 48] perfect health. I could confirm my say­ings with many undenyable Examples; Take the Sperm of Frogs, appearing in the Spring, put them upon a Tile, dry them at the Sun and powder them; in­sperge of this Powder on the venomous bitings of Snakes and water-Serpents, and 'twill induce a good basis for their healing, insomuch that other Medicines will compleat the cure [...] a linnen cloath oftentimes moistned with the said Frog­spawn, dryed, cut in p [...]ces, and applyed, will perform the same.

I [...]ill also lead thee to the fundamen­tals of truth, by another ensample▪ viz. Take a living Toad, dry him first at the Sun, then in a covered Pot well luted, bring him to ashes, pound him, and lay the powder on venomous bitings, or such accidents, and you shall see one Venome attracting the other; and the reason is, because by burning or calcination, the vertue of the Toad is opened, and ren­dred effectually powerful to attract its like Poyson.

Let this certain, indubious, and dire­ctory example, of Poyson attracting its like, serve thee instead of the rest: If therefore any one be infected with the [Page 49] Plague, and shall cautiously and diligent­ly observe this thing, he shall finde that I have written most true; now the best preservatives in the Plague are, the Star of the Sun, and the Spirit of Mercury ad­ministred together, now the Spirit of Mer­cury operates, by attracting to it self Poysons of a like nature, as a true cure of all venomous accidents: But because the Star of the Sun (by whom (as an ope­rating vivifying Sun) all things are gene­rated) doth after a manner conquer uni­versally every thing, I have placed the supreamest active power in the vertue of the Sun; that is, in its Star, from whence all Metals and Minerals do principally obtain the original of their Generation and Increase, of which I shall treat more at large, when I shall come to make ma­nifest the Star of the Sun unto thee, thine own conscience bearing me witness.

Under the which Solar nature, Anti­mony is contained, and deserves observa­tion, for it produceth the self same ef­fects as Gold doth, and acts as much as corporeal Gold can do; but it hath not attained the vertue of the Star of the Sun, but fears and trembles be­fore him; and although Antimony may [Page 50] well boast of his vast surpassing of the most fundamental medicines, yet falls he short of universally accomplishing that, which the Star of the [...]un hath (by testi­mony of a Celestial virtue) in it self, and is able to perform.

I omit to speak of the Star of Mercu­ry, although it springs from the same matter as the aforementioned do, yet be­cause of the penetrative force of the Star of the Sun, it yeilds to it as its superi­our.

All my Books do harmoniously follow experience, even as links in a chain, or as Brass stamps Brass: Let the virtues of what is therein mentioned, be exactly considered, and judiciously experiment­ed by the Fire; for thus these writings of mine, my business, my proposals and medicines are to be brought to a certain end and conclusion, and ought (if onely a right Judge be present) to obtain the true Hereditary seat, and by means of that attempted way, bear away the Ho­nor and Renown: Now Vulcan, a glori­ous Artificer, as to the Fire (his own E­lement) is the onely Judge; concerning which, hear an Example of a certain and indubitable Experiment: When a Flint­stone [Page 51] is smitten against a Steel, a Fire is stirr'd up by their mutual collision and violent motion; the hidden Sulphur or occult Fire is discovered by that striking, and is by the Air enkindled, so that it burns actually and sensibly; the Salt re­mains in the Ashes, and the Mercury flies away like combustible Sulphur. From hence you may understand a certain man­ner how to proceed with Antimony, viz. That his Mercury be separated from his Sulphur and Salt, by Medium's, granted us by nature. As the Fire (whil'st lying in its matter) operates nothing, either pro­fitable or permanent, unless it be made manifest; so all remedies, except they are separated from their more gross parts, and are rectified, loosned, clarified, and artificially prepared (by which all men may acknowledge that there's a separati­on made of the pure from the impure) and except the Metallick: arth be remo­ved from the rich, pure Metal, there's no ground of any certain and infallible hope; all which transites cannot be done without the true manner of opening and loosening the Body by the Regiment of Fire.

In a word, I thus unfold the Nature of Antimony.

[Page 52]All secret things (whilst hidden) are esteemed arts, the secret being revealed ceaseth to be an art, and becoms a Trade, as I have elsewhere taught.

The Bee sucks Honey from the Flow­ers by an art which God hath given him, wherein the Virtue, Juice, and com­forting faculty of Medicines is contain­ed, and out of which is openly or every where a Medicine made; and contrarily, from the sweetest Honey may a Corrosive be made, and the worst of poison, which experienced men only know, and (after Observation) beleive: Yet Hony is not to be rejected or despised, which, (notwithstanding its most ex­cellent sweetnesse) becomes destructive to its own medicinall faculties, if a cor­risive be prepared therefrom, but, that the unvers'd and unexperienced Physitian knowes not its preparation: here there­fore will I fix a Crosse even to the judg­ment day, for ignorant and unlearned Physitians.

Now Hony is thus prepared, Out of the Excrements of bruit beasts, the Meadowes and dunged fields produce se­verall Flowers, Herbs, and Plants, (the Earths young ones) from these Plants, [Page 53] Herbs, and Flowers, the Bees extract a Juice or Quintessence, of which an Al­teration is made, or a Generation of one thing from another, viz. a meat or Ho­ney differing from the first savour and form; out of honey is prepared for man a most commodious, sweet, and most profitable food for many things: Out of the same Honey may be prepared an intoxicating Essence, most destructive to man and beast.

Consider therefore O Physitian, whatso­ever thou art, young or old, learned or unlearned, rich or poor, a Workman or Artificer, or whatever thou art, follow me and Nature, I will fundamentally teach thee the truth without any lye; In what thing profit, and that which is good and right is, and in what injury is, and how thou shalt be able to separate the good from the evill, the lowest from the highest. Verily out of Antimony may be prepared a Medicine, (but all its ve­nenosity must be first changed into Me­dicine) which may be able to blot out and consume all Diseases, and to pene­trate, in the manner of fire. Know therefore that Antimony ought to be prepared into a true Stone like to fire, as [Page 54] to its virtue, as I have said; on which account the Quintessence of Antimony is by me called the Stone of Fire; for if it shall have been first brought to its own coagulation; and if our stone of fire shal be truly prepared (of which, at the end of this Tract I shall write more largely) its Operation is not unlike those things, which consume maligne Humours, and purifie the bloud even to the utmost de­gree, performing all such things as are found in potable gold. Be therefore in­treated my Doctor, (and yet no Do­ctor, when as to this day thou hast learn­ed no due preparation, and much lesse, Cognizance of the use of my Medi­cines) that thou judge me not by thy opinion only, having no other Witnes­ses then the unexperienced imaginati­ons of thine own braines. But rather ad­dresse thy self to labour, learn the way of preparing Antimony, how it is to be pro­ceeded withall, how its poison is to be rejected and separated, and a salubrious wholsome Remedy introduced in its roome; which if thou hast done, thou mayst truly judge of those things which formerly were, and at present are to thee unknown.

[Page 55]O miserable worldly Sophisters, who are loaden, and with child as it were, of false Wisdome, ye lean on a deceitfull Foundation, ye fly in the ayry imagina­tions of your owne fancies, and are alto­gether ignorant of the place of your rest: I do therfore admonish you, as you will give an account at the dreadfull day of Judge­ment to the Son of God, that you seek and learn what things you must use, that you may perform your duty, leaving the remainder unto God, who will blesse you, and afford his help unto you.

O slow asses and drones, who care not to make any progresse in Learning, and fear to black your hands with coales, be not hasty to judge, neither give any far­ther occasion of pulling that Sentence upon your selves, which your childrens children may write against you in a booke incorruptible,

Above all things let every Physitian be cautious, that he prescribe nothing a­verse to Nature or to his cure, least his hope of restoring Health deceive him. As if spirit of Wine should be poured in­to the water of separation, a great con­flict and burning would suddenly follow, because one nature cannot brook the o­ther: [Page 56] But he that knowes how to unite and conjoyne them Philosophically in di­stillation, will be able by the help there­of to make things momentary. So the Oyle or Liquor of Tartar, and Vinegar cannot be united by reason of their mu­tuall hatred (although they both sprang from the same Fountaine) differing from each other, as much as fire and wa­ter; so then the Physitian in his under­taking a cure, ought heedfully to inquire into all circumstances that respect his patient, and having so examined, let him consider and use such right Medi­ums as may remove the evill, lest de­struction ariseth from that which should have remedied the Disease.

As when a red hot iron is quenched in A­quafortis, & oyl of Tartar forthwith pou­red thereunto, thou shalt scarce preserve thy glasse from breaking, but those con­trary Natures, will cast out fire from themselves in the manner of Gunpowder, concerning which, our Doctor with his Gowne being ignorant, is forc'd to hold his peace.

Ah wretched men, unlearned Do­ctors, unexperienced Physitians, who write tedious Receipts in a long paper: [Page 57] O ye Apothecaries that set over the fire great cauldrons sufficient to boil the meat of noble mens houses, and to hold enough for an hundred persons, how long will ye be blind, anoint your eyes with a Collyrium and Balsom, that the scales may be taken off, and your Eyes may ob­tain a true sight, which the Lord vouch­safe unto you, that you may acknowledge his wonders, and consider his works, let Love and Charity to your Neighbour take root within you, that you may be search­ers after true Medicine, which the King and Heavenly Prince of all, hath formed by his own omnipotent arme, and eter­nall Wisdome, and freely given for the benefit of the most noble creature, Man, viz. For his help and health in the grea­test necessity.

O deplorable, putrid, and stinking bag of Wormes,, ah poor little Worm and vilest of creatures, what thinkest thou that thus feelest after the Husks, and lea­vest the kernells, nor ever thankest thy Creatour for them, after whose image thou wert created, nor ever givest praise unto him for all his wondrous works?

Return, Return unto thy self delineate or paint thy self out, and make a Resem­blance [Page 58] of thy Effigies, that it may shame thee of all thy ingratitude, because tho [...] hast not hitherto sought that which Go [...] hath hidden in those good things he hat [...] granted unto us, and infused into hi [...] creatures, that a Sacrifice of Praise ma [...] be returned unto him. But I shall hold my peace, and from bewailing this mise­ry, blindnesse, and errour, (wherein the world is drowned) I shall restain [...] my self, left by the trickling down of tears my writings should receive defilement, from which I can hardly abstaine. I am an Ecclesiasticall man, implanted into: Church-order, whereto I shall subject my self with my heart and mouth as long as my Soule lives in this miserable body: I am on that account compelled to refrain, nor dare I write any thing of my selfe▪ unlesse it be suitable to my Order, else I would lift up my voice like a Trumpet, and were I but a Temporall Judge, I would have audience at the hands of those contumacious men, who as yet not knowing the truth (but are ignorant) do slanderously persecute it, calumniate, reproach, and oppresse it with all their strength. Most good God, most high Lord of hosts, that sittest in thy Glorious [Page 59] Throne, governest the Heavens and the earth which thou hast created, conservest the stars, disposest the elements, & the fir­mament, that they may run their course, before whom all the World trembles, the internall Spirits fear; Look down for once upon the vanity of this unthankfull World: Teach the Sons of men in­wardly to acknowledge what thou hast outwardly set before their Eyes, that thou maist be glorified in thy Throne, truly known in thy power, and worthily praised in thy infinite government & rule.

Truly I (wretched and worthlesse man do give all thanks to thy most glorious mjesty for those great miracles and bles­sings, of health and riches which thou hast vouchsafed me, I cannot give thee any more in this World, which is but tempo­rary and corruptible.

But now in my writing of Antimony, I shall discover its beginning truly, of what originall, and how it obtaines su­periority and government; how it may be elevated into its perfect operation: I will propound its root and its generation in the bowels of the Earth, to what pre­dominating star it is subject, what Ele­ments they are which have concocted it. [Page 60] Let therefore the studious artist know that Antimony is nothing else but a fum [...] or minerall vapour, produced above by the stars, and then digested by the Ele­ments into a coagulated forme. Let all know, that Antimony receives its Es­sence, Virtue, Faculty, Operation, and all qualities, as to its initium, o [...] birth, and root, as the Mercury of the Vulgar doth; but with an harder coagu­lation. Seeing that it is reduced to a more hard confirmation or coagulum, then common running mercury, which wants this induration, and the reason is, be­cause it participates of a more thick salt, (out of the three principles) although with respect to its three principies, the salt obtains in it the smallest roome, yet it hath more thereof then common mer­cury hath; from which meanes it ob­tains its coagulation; because tis salt that gives hardnesse in all things, which hard­nesse common Mercury wants, because of its small portion of salt: In which mer­cury, a combustible sulphur is invisibly implanted, alwaies keeping it in flux, prohibiting its coagulation, nor can it be coagulated without the addition of other metallick Spirits, which in the matrix of [Page 61] Saturne are most potently effused, and to be there had beyond all the other metals, and otherwise it cannot be accomplished without the stone of the Wise men, by which its three principles are made har­monious, and threby it obtaines a fusil malleable, soluble, and conjugable bo­dy like to the other metalls, otherwise mercury is running mercury still, and so remains untill this quality be taken from it. And on that account all animall and vegetable things are too too weake to bring mercury unto a fix, permanent and malleable hardnesse (though some imagine the contrary) because they are not of a metallick kind: for mercury is a meere fire, whence tis, that he can not be burnt by any fire, theres no fire touches him, at least so, as totally to destroy, for he either suddenly flies a­way, and is spiritually resolved into an Oyle incombustible, or else after fixation he abides constant that none can abstract from him any thing more; and by this it appears also, because of him may be made whatsoever can by art be made of gold, for after a due coagulation hee is in all things like to gold, because he enjoyes the same root, stock, and originall, as gold [Page 62] doth: But seeing it is not my purposed aime to speake more prolixly of mercury here, and by speaking to introduce dis­putations, but simply and candidly to de­scribe the true fundamentall Originall of Antimony, farewell mercury, that the discourse of Antimony may be continu­ed, but yet that which I have spoken of mercury; parabollically, for your farther meditation, is not mentioned in vaine, but that Antimony may thereby be the more rightly understood, it also being endowed with a Mercuriall Orig­nall.

Observe, mark and understand this, commit it to thy memory, viz. That all mineralls, as also all metalls are born of one Principium or beginning, to wit, of a vapour, which the superiour stars do as it were extract from the Element of the Earth, by a certain distillation of the Macrocosme or greater world, the influx of which upper astrall heat, operates upon things below, by an aereall fiery p [...]o­perty, infu [...]ing it in, spiritually and in­visibly. Which vapour is resolved in the Earth, and flowes, as it were, into water; from which minerall water, all mettalls are seasonably brought to [Page 63] their maturity and perfection, and of it is made this or that metall or minerall, ac­cording to the predominating power of one of the three principles, or that which it abounds withall, be it one, or two, or all, equally tempered together, from whence tis that some metalls are fixt, o­thersome not fixt, as are Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, and Lead; more­over besides those known metalls, out of the same three principles (according to the various commixion of them) are sundry and divers mineralls generated and produced, such are Vitrioll, Anti­mony, Marcasits, and other like Fle­ctrams, and Mineralls, all which to rec­kon up, would be superfluous; Now whe [...]e [...]s Gold in its own Asterisme and Generation becomes suddenly impreg­nated with, and receives a portion of a more pure and perfect Sulphur and mer­cury then the other mineralls and me­talls have, therefore its operative pow­er and virtue is more large and effectuall in acting then the [...]tars of the other me­talls, and mineralls are, and on that ac­count, in the star of the Sun all things ap­pear more perfectly (if at least it shall be, by the benefit of the fire, reduced to [Page 64] its maturity) then are to be found in the rest of the metalls and mineralls. And yet notwithstanding is there one on­ly minerall, (frequently mentioned by me) wherein the Sulphur of the Sun is found to be as strong (yea and stronger) then in the Sun it self, even as also there are two sorts of metalls found, wherein those dominations do abundantly triumph of which this is no place to treate: but I shall go on to finish the description of the Nature of Antimony. Antimony therefore is a minerall having its minerall vapour turned into water, which spiritu­all Emanation of the stars, is the true star of Antimony; which water in the E­lement of the Earth, by the strength of the stars, and also of the Fire dwelling in the aire, being dryed, became by coagu­lation a palpable thing; out of which, Antimony is generated and brought forth in a forme, wherein sulphur beares the sway. Mercury hath the next portion, and salt the least; although it hath received salt enough to become an hard unmalle­able forme. As to its quality it is dry and cold, its cold and moisture are not much, even as common Mercury and corporeal gold it self, hath more of heat then cold: [Page 65] Let these things suffice concerning the matter and the 3 Principles of Antimony, and how by the Archeus in the Element of the Earth, It became perfect. But be­cause such a narrow, Philosophical search is not of so much concernment to the Stu­dents of Art, and most men value not in what centre the star of Antimony Resides, and from whence tis sprung, but would rather learne what good lyes in it, and would understand its preparation and re­duction to a due state, that the virtues and operations thereof; so much every where, by all, spoken of, may not be to them unknown: I shall therefore omit to delay them with long doubtings, but will briefly and sincerely write those things which in my private labour I have obser­ved to be in Antimony: Although, for the shortnesse of life none can perfectly learn all, because in its preparations, miracu­lous accidents doe follow each other, de­gree following degree, colour following colour. One virtue, faculty, and operation succeds another.

Antimony therefore is no light or trivial poyson, but a chief one, and most high, being deadly both to man and beast; from whence the common Physi­tians, [Page 66] and ignorant plebeians (having no true knowledge of Medicine) reject the use of Antimony as Poisonous; & Physitians forbid it to noble men, as dangerous; and the Academical Professours doe barke out and howle (even to madnesse) to their disciples, a Caveto: O beware of Anti­mony for its a merely absolute poyson: Now the inhabitants of Towns, or Cities on these clamours forbid the use of Anti­mony, and with those out cryes have most men bin stird up, that even to my Age or time, they'l not hear of Antimony, nor give any trust unto his medicines, al­though immense and unspeakable things are found therein: Well, bee it so, ve­rily I speak the truth and my writings are void of falsity: I call God my Creatour to witnesse, that there is not a more no­ble medicine under the heavens, where­in a capital rich-pillar may be placed, then is in Antimony, and deservedly on that accompt ought there to be fixed and erected.

My Son; mark my sayings; Reader, ob­serve my writings, wise men, Consider the Antimonial experiments which I doe mention; My theory is founded upon na­ture, and my practick on experience, [Page 67] most frequently demonstrated & produ­cing its effect to the admiration of many incredulous people; I doe confesse as formorly I have done, that Antimony at first before its preparation is a meere poyson. But good M. Doctour, or Batche­lour, or Physitian, (but yet without any true degree,) since thou art buried as to Art, and Onely beatest the bush, what dost thou talke for, let me also speak too, remember what thou sayest and consider that doctrine which I propound unto thee; Antimony (say'st thou) is poyson. Ergo, none ought to use it; a miserable conclusion good M. Doctour and Ba­chelour or M. Physitian with your red cap: The best Triacle is made of poyson or of [...], from whence it hath its denomination. And therefore none may take it into their bodies, because a poyson is therein: what? doth this do­ctrine please you? is this voice acceptable to your ears? Antimony after preparation ceaseth to be a poyson, and the whole of it being by Spagyrick Art transmuted, be­comes medicinal, even as Triacle is made of the venemous viper; But before its preparation thou shalt not receive any profit or benefit from Antimony, but ra­ther [Page 68] discommodity and danger.

Now if thou intendest to become an Antimonial disciple (having first pray­ed) frequent the School of Vulcan beyond all other things, who is the master and teacher of all secrets, (which the meanly learned men doe deride, and by their sloathful lazinesse never come to be ac­quainted with any secret from him, put­ting off the manifestation of any Arcanum by their own sluggishnesse,) nor is there any remedy in the world to be prepared without fire, let them cry out as they list, though never so madly.

But what shall we speak of these haters of Antimony, let us not value them, un­lesse they can bring to the light some­thing better and more excellent then An­timony is; seeing that especially out of Antimony, may like remedies be had as ly hid in Gold and the Mercury of the vulgar, (the star of the sun onely excep­ted) from both which may an Aurum Po­tabile bee made to heal the Leprosie, and the spirit of Mercury is the chief Top remedy of the french disease and many others. Although those contemning fel­lows neither know nor are able to search it out. An ignorant man can no more [Page 69] judge, then the Asse (being ignorant of symphony) can instruct the shepherd how to handle his pipe. He therefore that would truely judge, ought afore to learn all such things as he intends to deliver his judgement about, and to know as well from experience as from books that which is true and that which is false, that so he may judge aright.

But before I addresse my self to the manner of proceding, I may perchance meet with some who will inquire whence minerals and other venemous subjects at­tract their poyson, what the essentiality of poyson is, & from whence generated in all things; how (the poyson being removed) that thing may be converted unto medi­cine & safely administred without danger. I shall therefore informe you, concerning the influence of poyson, the which may be considered, naturally & supernaturally.

Therefore the first reason why God (the supream guide, and governour of the stars, the Creatour of Heaven and Earth,) hath thought good to set before us sensible poysons, especially in mine­rals, is that by their first constitution, mira­culous and powerful operation there plan­ted by God, a man might see that his in­tent [Page 70] of thus exposing them to view, was, that there might be a distinction between good and evil, even as in his law, he hath prescribed us the knowledge of things to be done and to be left undone, viz. of good to be embraced and of evil to be avoided; After the same manner as the tree in Paradise was placed before our first parents, the use whereof tended to good, but the abuse to evil, which com­mand of God being violated misery and destruction step't in.

2. Another cause is that the good and the evil being known, the evil might be avoided and reduced unto a better state; for its not the will & pleasure of God that men drowned in destruction should total­ly perish, but that returning from evil, they proceed to what is better, and avoid the losse of their souls; On that account hath he by similitudes placed before us good and evil, which in like manner is to be found in the command of his mouth verbally, and in the work of creation, that we may choose things tending to health, and avoid things tending to destruction.

3. Thirdly, poyson is also produced by the stars, wherein are malevolent and con­ [...]rary conjunctions and oppositions of the [Page 71] Planets, whence it falls out that the pla­nets become infected and then cause in this inferiour world and microcosme pla­gues and other venemous diseases; The like may you conceive of the comets.

4. Fourthly, Poyson is also Produced by the fighting of two contraries, as for example, if a man exceedingly angry, or sad, or boyling with rage should drink, a deadly poyson would thereby be en­kindled.

5. Fifthly; For illustrations sake, wea­pons may be ranked under the forme of poysons, if by them, any one receive a mortal wound, (in which the abuse of weapons consists;) But if they be em­ployed for defence and preservation of life, therein, their use is lawful and con­verted unto medicine.

6. Sixtly and lastly, The cause of poy­son becomes apparent from considering nature. Whatsoever fights against her is a poyson to her, as in some men, they beeing not able to bear some meats, those meats being contrary to nature, become a poyson, but to such as love them, a me­dicine; But principally, venenosity is ex­tracted from an earth of a Mercurial sub­stance (I speak of mineral poysons) which [Page 72] being immature, indigested, of a form contrary to nature, and of hard concoction (which hinders maturity and perfection,) the whole body becomes thereby as it were a Crude mineral; As if a man should devour crude or raw wheat, his stomack would hardly concoct it, but weaknesse and inconveniences would seize upon the whole body, because of the deficiency and weaknesse of natural heat to digest it.

But the wheat beeing maturated by the fire of the Macrocosme, ought to be againe boyled or concocted by a lesser fire that it may be digested by the Micro­cosme, as I have aforesaid concerning the eating of flesh; hence tis evident that seeing Antimony is crude, volatile and not maturated in the Earth, or enough decocted, it cannot be born by the sto­mach without terrible torment of the body, and destruction, because of the de­bility of natural heat, too insufficient throughly to digest it; experience tea­cheth thus much, that all purging me­dicines (be they mineral, animal, or vegetable) are of a poysonous substance, because of the predominating, Mercurial, volatile essence that is in them, which volatile spirit is the cause of casting out [Page 73] those things that are found in mā, yet they do not set upon the root of that disease which is fixt, because fix't remedies onely doe throughly search out and radically expel fix't diseases, which to unfixt purga­tions is not granted, they, beeing like a violent torrent, sweep away what lyes in their compasse, but doe not work upon the fixed earth. Now fixed and prepared Purgatives doe not operate by stoole, but show themselves onely by sweat and and other means, and hunt out the very kernel and not the huske or shell and chaffe of the disease, as volatile, unfixt and unprepared purges doe, they onely expel the crust as it were, and cover of what is excrementitious, but as to the centre of the disease, that they reach not unto.

Be it on that account known to every one, of what state, age, or title soever, that the venomous Essence must be total­ly removed out of Antimony, before it can be transmitted into Medicine, and be in­tituled with the name of a Remedy. Hear­ken therefore to the separation of Anti­mony, of the good from the bad, of the fix'd from the volatile, of distinguishing what is helpful from what is poysonous, if at least we would obtain profit with [Page 74] honour, and verity, which cannot be ac­complished without the separation of Vulcan or fire, who is the artificer, as to all such things. For whatsoever Vulcan leaves imperfect in the Macrocosme, that the Microcosme repairs and amends by a new Vulcan, which maturates what is crude, and perfectly concocts it, ma­king separation of the pure from the im­pure; And let it not seem strange that the pure and the wholsome can be segre­gated from the impure and unwholsome, and that a remedy can (by the benefit of fire) be made out of that which is hurt­ful; Because tis evidenced by daily expe­rience in the probation and inspection of colours discovered by the fire: for separa­tion, and fire makeing a fixation, take away the venome and in its roome sub­stitute a Salubrious remedy. Tis the fire then, that separates the poison from the medicine, the good from the evil, which thing none of the Physitians either can or dare set their seales unto, unlesse they have contracted a most intimate familia­rity with Vulcan, and obtained that infer­nal Bath of Amity, wherein the bride being washed from all her uncleanesse may enter with her bridegrome into a legitimate [Page 75] bed; O worldly subtilty that despisest or dost not understand my writings, did'st thou but know what I have now said unto thee, what may be called fixt, and what volatile, what the separation of the Pure from the impure meanes, thou wouldst turn off many things to Lethes Lake, and contemne those trifles wherein thou tru­stest and follow me. For in me (these are the words of Antimony) shalt thou find a Mercury, Sulphur, and salt, most useful re­medies for the health of man; the Mercu­rial part lyes hid in the Regulus, the Sul­phur in the rednesse, and the Salt in the Black Earth which remains in the bot­tome. These three rightly separated and againe co-united by a due artificial man­ner, that a fixation without any poyson may be accomplished, give just cause of bo [...]sting to the Artist, that he hath ob­tained the stone of fire, which may be made of Antimony both for mans health, his food and rayment. For in Antimony maist thou find all the colours of the uni­verse, as white, black, red, green, blew, ashcolour, yellow, and colours innume­rable, diversly preparable by incredible mixtures, diversly to be known and seve­ral wayes to be administred in sundry [Page 76] cases, every sort to be orderly disposed according to an appointed method; I will therefore in several particles make mani­fest how medicine is to be prepared, how poyson is to be ejected, fixation to be instituted, things that are to be separa­ted how to be begun withal, that the evil may be conquered and the good may overcome. Tis well known to studious Artists, that Antimony doth not con­taine the virtue of one onely Gemme in it selfe, as the other metals which (in their kind) are attributed but to one; But universally containes the virtues of all stones, which appears by the various co­lours, which by the regiment of fire it doth yeeld forth; of this colour some, othersome of another sort &c.

Its pellucid shining rednesse is attri­buted to a Carbuncle, Rubine, and Co­rals; Its whitenesse to the Diamond and Chrystal: Its blew and sky colour to the Saphyr; Its green to a Smaragdine; Its yellow to a Hyacinth; Its black to a Gra­nate, which naturally carryes in it an Oc­cult hidden blacknesse; But in relation to metals; Its black is ascribed to Saturn, Its rednesse to Mars, yellow to the Sun, Green to Venus, sky colour to the Moon, [Page 77] white to Mercury, its various mixt co­lour to Jupiter; But as all the colours expressed in stones and metals are found in Antimony, so therein also all the vir­tues and faculties of remedies are to be found according to the Reason of the co­lours, which though they are all found in Antimony, tis notwithstanding impos­sible that one man alone should be throughly acquainted with them all, for the shortnesse of life prohibits one man alone to learn all those Arcanums which nature Carryes with it; Some-times in its preparation, a most acid vinegar is extra­cted by destillation; After another way and manner is prepared from it a perfect and transparent Rednesse, sweet and pleasant as Hony or the purest Sugar; Then again of a sudded tis prepared into the bitternesse of Wormewood; Another while it imitates the Acrimony of the Oile of salt, and so one nature succeeds another: Some-times again tis elevated by sublimation into the Olympian Mountains in the manner of a flying Eagle, red, yellow and white, being forced down per descensum it yeelds va­rious particular colours and preparations, as also by reverberation, Tis also conver­ted [Page 78] into a metal like to lead and into pellucid glasse, white, red, yellow, or black or of any other colour, but all the sorts of this glasse are not with safety to be used in medicine, unlesse tryed by a previous examen.

Antimony may also be resolved into various and several wonderful oiles, either alone by it self, or else with the addition and commixtion of other things, of which oiles some are onely to be outwardly used, and anointed on wounds or ulcers, othersome may be taken inwardly and drunken; It yeelds also marvelous ex­tractions which discover themselves so various in colour, that the oracle of A­pollo can hardly divine and reckon up the wonderous mutations of its nature manifested and opened by the help of fire; There's also made thereof Quick­silver, and Sulphur Combustible, like to the common Sulphur, whereof Gunpow­der may be made; as also a true and na­tural Salt and many other things. I'le therefore now begin to treat of the pre­paration of Antimony, to wit of Its es­sence, magistery, Arcanum and Elixir, and its particular Tincture, which studiously observe: where (towards the latter end) [Page 79] I shall rehearse somewhat of the prepara­tion of the stone of fire, I'le also recite many other secrets, but litle known, or else neglected in the world, because the Egyptians, Arabians and Chaldeans are long since dead, who exercised this Art, which may abundantly serve as the head and fountain of true and inadulterate me­dicine.

Observe therefore diligently and or­derly all my preparations, as I shall lay them open unto thee, of which not one is without fruit and profit, Its due state beeing observed; for the fixd medicines of Antimony heal fixt diseases, and un­fixd, heal diseases not fixed: so crude An­timony (not its prepared glasse) doth un­load and purge the ventricle onely, but suffers the cause of the disease to remaine. I now therefore begin at the several sorts of the ordering of Antimony and make evidence of all the keyes of its pre­paration, which by fire onely is manife­sted, as a new birth, in that vocation or calling prescribed by God: The solution or preparation of the mineral of Anti­mony is done by sundry sorts of fire and regiments of Art, by which its medicinal force and operation is extracted by heat, [Page 80] and seeing that Antimony is of a mixt colour, of a dull reddish black with a litle shining whitenesse. I'll first describe its first destruction, or calcination, which is thus brought to passe.

Take Hungarian Antimony, or any o­ther, (the best) grind it upon a marble into most subtile powder, lay this powder thin and sparingly in a plain Earthen ves­sel, round or square, which let be made with rims about the heigth of two fingers breadth; Place this vessel on a calcining furnace, administer at first a Gentle fire of coals, and when the stibium begins to fume, stir it with a litle iron rod to and againe, without ceasing, until it ceaseth to emit any Vapour; but if in the calcina­tion the Antimony chanceth to melt and run into balls, Take off the vessel from the fire and let the stibium cool, and grind it again, and doe as afore, which must be so often don, until it neither fumes nor runs together any more, but remains in the form of white Ashes, for then is your Calcination perfect.

Take now this stibium thus calcined put it into a goldsmiths Crucible, Place it at a violent fire, that the Antimony may flow like pure clear Water, and that you [Page 81] may know when the glasse of stibium hath attained a perfect and pellucid colour, put into the crucible a long cold iron, and the glasse will stick thereunto, which strike of with an hammer, and so separate it, and hold it up against the light, which if it be transparent tis good and perfect glasse.

But the Reader and Tyro in this Art, (for I write not to experienced Artists, who have a long time endured the heat of the fire, and so its a slight and easy thing to them to make Glasse of Anti­mony, but to young followers of Pyro­techny) ought to know that all glasse be it made of what it will, either of a mineral, or a metal, or other things, ought to have its due perfection, that it may shine througly, may operate and be moreover further prepared for medicine.

The Antimony thus melted in the Crucible, Take a plain and broad dish or platter of Laton, which (first) well warm, lest it break; poure in the stibium by litle and litle, and very thinly, and thou shalt have a yellow transparent fayr glasse. And this way of preparing the glasse of Antimony without any adition is the best, which in its operation dis­covers [Page 82] a greater virtue, and this is that which I call pure Glasse, the other sorts being made by the addition of Borax, and other such things, for example.

Take Antimony one part, Venice Bo­rax two parts, grind them together, put them in a crucible, and place them at a most violent fire, untill they melt to­gether, poure them out into a Dish of Latton warmed, by little and little, and let it run thin, and thou shalt have (if thou hast rightly proceeded) a red transparent Glasse like to a Rubine, the rednesse or which glasse may be extracted with spirit of Wine by a long circulation in the fire, and administred with very great successe, for a most noble Medi­cine.

There may be also made of Antimony a white Glasse after this manner, Take Antimony one part, Venice Borax four parts, grind them together, and flux or melt them in a crucible as aforesaid, first twill become yellow, but by a longer continuance in the fire, it wil become most white, which you may try by put­ting thereinto a cold Iron, and examine if the colour be perfect or not, and pro­ceed as above.

[Page 83]There may be prepared also out of An­timony, glasse of severall other colours, but I have only set before you such as I have learned by experience, & know their Tendency to health, nor do I judge it necessary to fill up paper with too much talking, and by unprofitable verball cir­cuits to prove irksome to the Reader, and the rather, for that there hath been de­clared unto thee (as to the glasse made of Antimony) the cheifest colour, viz. A transparant Redness: The blacknesse which at first was its associate fled away with the fume after a spirituall manner, because according to that spirituall kinde, by the violence of fire the poison is blot­ted out, and taken away by calcination, although the Glasse be not absolutely destitute of poyson, but holds (as yel) a great portion thereof in it selfe.

I will go on therefore to acquaint thee, how the poyson may be altogether taken away from the glasse, the pure from the impure, and a new separation of that which is hurfull, from what is helpfull may be instituted; that the Tongue of the Eloquent may be loosned, and cause given him of propagating my praise to the Worlds end, which without all que­stion [Page 84] my Disciples wil cheerefully per­forme, when they come to see and per­ceive with their eyes, and feel with their hands, that I have written the naked truth for their profit and renoun, and have left behind me as it were a memorable Testament.

Now the first separation of the Sulphur from its own body and extraction of the Tincture from the Salt is thus brought to passe.

Take pure glasse of Antimony made without any addition, as I have taught thee, grind it to the consistency of meal or slower, put it into a glasse bolt head having a broad bottom, whereto poure strong, rectified, distilled Vinegar, set it at a gentle heat, or in the summer time in the Sun, stirring or shaking it twcie every day; until the Vinegar re­semble the colour of molten gold, which separate from the Glasse, and reaffuse new distilled Vinegar, do as afore, and as soon as that is coloured, take it out, viz. the tinged Liquor, which change so often and extract untill the Vinegar will not be coloured any more; conjoyne all these extractions, filtre them, and ab­stract the Vinegar by an Alembeck in B. [Page 85] M. and a dark-red or yellowish powder will remain at the bottome; to which powder, poure pure distilled Rain Wa­ter, and take it again off, pouring more new thereupon, and do so severall times; by which meanes the sharpnesse will be taken away, and the powder will remain sweet and pleasant. Grind this powder upon a Marble or Glasse first heated, and place it in a new Alimbeck, whereon poure Spirit of Wine rectified to the ve­ry supreamest perfection, three fingers high, and so a Tincture of Antimony most pleasantly red, is extracted, some feces residing at the bottome; This extraction is sweet▪ and profitable, and such a re­medy as (without experience) is scarcely to be beleeved.

The Feces left behind hold the poy­son, and the Extraction receives the Me­dicine only, which Medicine may suc­cessefully be administred to men and beasts, both inwardly and outwardly.

For if four grains of this extraction be administred, and severall times repeated, it expels the Leprosie & the Lues Ʋene­rea, purifies the corrupt bloud, resists melancholly: opposeth poysons, heales the Asthmatick, and most other diseases, [Page 86] if it be rightly and orderly used.

But if the afore mentioned yellow powder, before its Extraction with the Spirit of Wine, be ground on a warmed stone, and if Eggs be boyled to an hard­nesse and divided long wayes, and the Yelke taken out, and the Cavity filled with this yellowish powder, and placed in a cold moist place or Wine cellar for some dayes, it will be resolved into a yellow Liquor, which Liquor heales all new wounds and solutions of continuity, if presently at the beginning it be admi­nistred and anointed upon the Wounds, with a fine feather, strengthning and de­fending the Wound by superposition of a Wound plaister, it hinders corruption and Putrefaction, heales new Wounds with suppuration and tumour, so that Praise and Thanks ought deservedly to be ascribed to the only Creatour, for these mercifull Gifts, In old Ulcers and Gangrenes, use this Extraction or Balsom of Antimony, it will not leave thee or forsake thee in thy necessity, but thou wilt sing of its Praise, and the Virtues which its endowed with, as I have done, and of its successefull use in Exter­nall Greifs: The Gangrene, Cancer, [Page 87] Polypus, Woolfe, Ulcers of the Legs, and all such like eating and creeping dis­eases, fly before this remedy, and leave the house at Liberty for former health to re-enter. if well fixt Medicines be dis­creetly taken inwardly, and other conve­nient Remedies applyed outwardly. I am wont to reduce the Glasse of Anti­mony into at Oyle by an Alembick two wayes, thus. Take the Glasse made out of the Mineral of Antimony, grind it most exceeding small, extract it with distilled Vinegar, which Extraction be­ing made, abstract the Vinegar by B.M. and to the remaining matter, pour on spi­rit of Wine, and again extract it, put this Extraction, thus, twice dulcorated by the Spirit of VVine into a vessell Lu­ted, and exceedingly wel shut, circu­late or pelicane it for a whole Moneth, then by a singular artifice let it be distil­led by it selfe without any addition, and so shalt thou have a sweet, pleasant, and wonderfull Medicine in the forme of a clear red Oyle, out of which is the stone of fire made. This Oyle is the supream Quintessence which can possibly be writ­ten of Antimony, as may be seen in my admonition, where I have breifly spoken [Page 88] thereof, where I said that four instru­ments were requisite as to its preparati­on, and a fifth which Vulcan dwels in, that is, four preparations are to precede its perfection, and the fifth is the benefit, and right application of the work in mans body. For example,

The first Labour is calcination or mel­ting into Glasse.

The second is digestion, by which the Extraction attaines perfection.

The third is coagulation.

The fourth is distillation into an Oyl, by which distillation the thin is separa­ted from the thick, after which separa­tion succeeds fixation, by the ultimate and last coagulation by which the matter is reduced into a transparent stone of fire, which after all these Operations, may be fermented in Metalls, because it hath a very penetrative faculty, but much in­feriour to the virtues of the ancient and true stone of the Philosophers, because it tingeth not universally but only parti­cularly as I shall in the end demonstrate, when I come to treat particularly of the stone of fire.

The afore described Oyl doth (before its coagulation) operate whatsoever [Page 89] is beneficially usefull for a Physitian to know, in curing distempers, eight grains (before coagulation) being taken in pure Wine, makes a man young, frees him from the Asthma, and causeth that whatsoever Excrescenscies grow on man, as Nailes hair, &c. fall away, and new to be gene­rated in their room; so renovating as if a m [...]n were but newly born, as the Phenix (which fabulous story I mention for Ex­amples sake) is renewed by the fire, and this Medicine is much lesse combu­stible then the wings of the unknown Sa­lamander.

Moreover it consumes all the Symp­tomes of mans body in the manner of a consuming fire, whereunto it may be compared; it expels and casts out all that evil which Aurum Potabile is able to do; but the star of the Sun only, overcomes all the medicines in the World, if being rightly prepared, it be brought to a due fixation; for the Star of the Sun, and the star of Mercury (which even of it self is very potent) are generated and spring from the bloud of their own mo­ther, and from the living overflowing channell of health.

[Page 90]Nor let it trouble thee that this extra­ction with distilled Vinegar, and Spirit of wine hath thus been reduced to a most subtil purity, and exalted to the very height by Vulcan, for it neither purges by stool, nor yet by vomit; but by Sweate, Urine, and spittle. it casts out the cause of every Disease, and restores whatsoever became co [...]rupted, by meanes of acciden­tall Symptomes.

The common glasse of Antimony most smally ground or beaten, and six grains or thereabouts, (according to the strength of the sick) being administsed, having beene first infused in a little VVine in a warm place over night, and purely strei­ned in the morning, and the infusion drunk provokes to stool, and oftentimes stirs up Vomit, because of the crude mercuriall quality which remaines in the Glasse, on which account let every wise and prudent Physitian, consider with him­self, and look well how he useth the glass as to Purgations, and let him rightly ex­amine, and in due manner administer it, Now I, being hindred by the shortnesse of time, it cannot be expected that I should throughly search every thing, and the rather, for that many more men there [Page 91] are in the VVorld, who have abilities to search, which if rhou wilt do, thou shalt receive the largest portion of praise next my selfe, and I will also in these Writings of mine, commend thee even when I am buried in my assigned Sepul­chre, for thy diligence in finding more Experiments. Although I never saw thy face, and should have haply a little controverted with thee, wert thou at present borne or brought forth into the world.

The common glasse of Antimony may be also converted into an Oyle, praise worthy, by the addition of something, which may without danger be given to the Epileptick, and is thus prepared.

Take the glasse of Antimony, grind or beat it exceeding well, pour upon it the juice of unripe Grapes. Digest them in a Glasse bolt head with a plain bottome, excellently well Luted, then abstract the juyce, and dry the powder, and grind it with twice its weight of clarified Su­gar, moisten it with distilled Vinegar, distill it in the name of God through a Retort, and at the end augment the fire, and so thou shalt extract a Red Oyle, which clarifie with the Spirit of Wine evē [Page 92] to transparency; a Dose of which admi­nistred in a little Quantity, is found to be very profitable. To this Oyl may be added some Spirit of Salt, and both pro­jected on the Subtil Calx of Gold prepa­red by its own water, extracted by an Alembeck, which I have else where taught in my Writings, and 'twil extract the Tincture of Gold only, without sei­zing upon its body, this Fermentation being made, enough paper would not be procured to describe all the misteries which appear therein, far beyond the thoughts of man: But I advise the Phy­sitian that he listen unto, and mark my philosophicall proposals, that he labour and bring the preparation unto use, so shal he daily obtain honour, and be throughly acqu [...]inted with more Operations then any Physitian is able to prescribe unto him.

When thou hast proceeded with An­timony thus far, and rightly obtained this processe (wherein 'twil be expedi­ent, that thou behave thy self very discreetly, and learn the things with dili­gent cogitations, and try it by Labour and working) thou maist boast of that magistery thus by thee obtained, and dis­cerne [Page 93] the vast ignorance wherein most men lye enthralled.

This Magistry mixt with a solution or Tincture of corals, and given in drink with some comforting water, operates e­ven to admiration in dysenterian diseases and stops all infirmities proceeding of impure bloud, makes glad the heart, ex­cites chastity and honesty, and in a word makes a man quick and ready in all his undertakings. For all which benefits let us ascribe most humble thanks to the cre­ator and conservator of all things, who hath bounteously vouchsafed unto us mi­serable in body, and sick in Soul, reme­dies for both diseases; supplying us with refreshment and help or succour, in all our necessities, I wil also in few words de­liver an arcanum of Antimony.

Take Antimony and salt Armoniack subtilly ground or beaten, of each equal parts, mingle them and distil them by a Retort, dulcorate that which comes o­ver with distilled Raine Water heated, and put upon it, which being abstracted, and together with it, viz. [...]he Water, all the acrimony and tast of the Salt, the Glasse of Antimony will remaine in the bottome like white shining small, [Page 94] feathers, which subtilly dry in a very gentle heat; this done, put them into a Pelican, or circulatory glasse, where­to pour the best rectified Spirit of white Vitriol, both which let be circulated untill they shall be well united, distill them, and being distilled, poure Spi­rit of Wine upon them, which circu­late as before, and so will there be a separation, and some Feces will stay in the bottome, but the Arcanum re­maines united to the Spirits of Wine, and Vitriol. Which Arcanum if it be yet once more rectified, one drop thereof drunk with a ltitle Rose-water, operates more potently then a whole kettlefull of their boyled pottage; It quickens the Appetite, corrects the Stomack, drives out Melancholly, generates good Moud, helps Concoction, and is the best Treasure for allaying the Risings of the Matrix, and for the Collick that can be. Which most Laudable Arcanum can­not be bought for, and valued by any sil­ver.

Having spoken of the Arcanum of An­timony, I shall now speak of its Elixir which is thus made.

[Page 95]Take (with the Help of God) of Antimony ground, or beaten, two parts, of Salt Armoniack one part, sub­lime them, that which it sublimed drive over by a Retort into a Recipient three times, every time separating the Faeces, then by dulcoration evaporate the Sal Armoniack, which matter of Antimony being well shut in a vessell, reverberate at a gentle Fire, by little and little, untill it becomes like to the Minerall of Cinaber, then poure upon it distilled Vinegar, and extract its rednesse, se­parate the Vinegar, and poure upon the powder, the Spirit of Wine, which extract in B. M. and this Extraction will be most pure, some Feces being left in the bottome; put now this Spi­rit of Wine, or this Extraction into a bolt head, poure thereon a little Quintes­sence of Rhubarb and Coralls, three or foure drops, whereof being given to a man, do gently provoke to Stoole, and purgeth without any Gripings, if thou hast rightly prepared it, it lightens the Bloud, and is a most profitable and plea­sant Remedy for those who desire gentle purges; But perhaps some Physitian or other will wonder how tis possible that [Page 96] this Medicine can purge so mildly, see­ing that Antimony is of it selfe, most exceedingly penetrative, and is here commixt with Rhubarb, which of it self is likewise a purgative Medicine; But desist from wondring, for Antimo­ny is by this meanes destroyed, that his poisonous and purging Quality, can­not operate upon any thing, as long as tis mixt with another simple, purging Medicine; for this simple hath only a Naturall opening power. But prepa­red Antimony by this meanes, fleed from it's Labour of the Expulsion of any thing from the Vent [...]i [...]le, can leasure­ly finde out some other way, whereby to operate and performe that Office for which it was appointed.

Beleeve me (for I have no Reason to falsifie or to lye) this Elixir thus pre­pared, can in the same manner-purge and penetrate the body, as Antimony purgeth Gold, and if I were to ac­count, and number up all its Vir­tues, I suppose it necessary to entreat at the hands of God, a longer life, that so I might more plentifully under­stand and try the wonders of his divine Majesty, and having experienced them [Page 97] communicate them to others that they, together with me, acknowledging and ob­serving those wondrous things may give all prayse and thanks to God their Crea­tour.

But that I may goe through with my purposed intention, which is so far to describe the virtues of Antimony, as I have experimentally Learned, I shall be silent as to things hidden from and not composed by me; nor would it be hand­some for me, to judge of other mens actions and things unknown unto my ex­perience, but leave them to another judge, who hath by his own industry made tryal: it being impossible for one man fundamentally to learn all, because of the shortnesse of life, and the new ac­cidents that daily happen in operations about the said Antimony.

Moreover be it known to all, that An­timony doth not onely purge Gold and separate all extraneous additions there­from, but performs the same operation in the bodyes of men, and other living creatures, which I shall prove by an ho­mely example. If a householder intends to fatten a beast, but especially an hog, let him give him in his meat (three dayes [Page 98] before he shuts him up) halfe a dragme of crude Antimony, by which means his appetite to his meat will be, whetted, and stird up within him, and heel soone grow fat; and if he hath any hurtful quality or disease in his liver, or be leaprous, he shall be healed: This example will seem somewhat grosse to the ears of delicate men; but I intended it for illiterate men, or country people, in whose brains the more subtile Philosophy is a meer stran­ger, that they may discerne that experi­mentally, which for examples sake I have made use of, that so they may the sooner credit my other writings, wherein I speak more abstrusely: But because theres a great difference between the bodies of men and beasts, I have no intent (by this example here induced) that crude Anti­mony should be given to men also; be­cause that the beasts are able to bear and concoct much crude meats; which is not permitted to the tender nature and com­plexion of man to doe.

He therefore that will succesfully and with profit make use of Antimony ought above all things to be experienc'd, and exactly to know the preparation thereof, and furthermore to consider the nature [Page 99] of his patient, whether he be old or yong, strong or weak, lest through the Physi­tians errour, the patient be destroyed in steed of being cured: I now speak as to the weight of the dose wherein the su­preame magistry is contained; But if I should make use of circumstances and tedious ensamples for the further illustra­tion of every thing, I should be to long: I will therefore omit to speak any more thereto, and addresse my self to another preparation or fixation of Antimony: for as the spirit of wine separated from its body heats and warms a man, if it be drunk; but if outwardly applyed, it ex­tracts all the causes of inflamed members: on the contrary vineger, cooles and refri­gerates both inwardly and outwardly, al­though it be of the same original and kind, and meerly for this reason, because vineger is made by digestion alone, whence followes the putrefaction of the wine with a vegetable fixation; But the spirit of wine is made by the separation of destillation, or by a vegetable sublima­tion, by which the spirit of wine is made volatile. Even so Antimony (according to this or that manner of preparation) doth wonderfully display his gifts, and [Page 100] that, even beyond mans apprehension.

It is thus fixt.

Take of Antimony most subtily pow­dred, as much as you please, put it into a bolt head, poure upon it as much Aqua­fortis as will cover it 6 inches, or halfe a foot high, place it at a most gentle fire to extract for ten days, filtre the extraction that it may be free from the feces; Then draw off the Aquafortis by ashes or sand, even to a drynesse, & there will remaine a yellow powder at the botrome, whereto pour destilled raine water, place it at a continual heat, and you shall have a red extraction, filtre it, abstract the water per B. Even to a drynesse, and a red powder will reside behind: Hereto poure destil­led vineger, which, in the heat, will by litle and litle grow red, and leave some whitish feces, destil this vineger by ashes, and reverberate that red powder which stayes behind three dayes in a constant open fire, & then extract its tincture with spirit of wine, & separat the remaining feces. All which things being accompli­shed abstract the spirit of wine per B. and there will remain a red powder, fix'd, and constant, which doth wonderfully perform its office: for if halfe a dragme be taken [Page 101] three times in a day (morning, noon and evening) or oftner (which you may doe without any injury) it drives forth coa­gulated bloud out of the body, and in time opens dangerous apostems, radically cures the Lues venerea, produceth new hayr, and notably renews a man.

Now having sufficiently spoken of the fixt powder and extraction of Antimony, I shall forbear to speak more about it, and come now to treat of its flores, which may be made sundry wayes: And here most men can neither tell what to speak, or what to answer, as being altogether ig­norant of this artifice and such like, there will be some (but an exceeding small number) of my disciples, who are earnest­ly desirous of the Spagyrick Art, that will give heed unto my sayings, and will censure otherwise then the most will doe; To you therefore (my disciples) I have to say, if ye will follow me take up my crosse; suffer even as I have suffered, learn to undergo persecutions as I have done, wa­ver not as to your intended labour, pray uncessantly, work without Jrksomenesse; and thus doing, God who heard my pray­ers, will not forsake you in yours, whose goodnesse I thankfully acknowledge with [Page 102] hearty sighes, and ocular tears. Now as to my admonition touching the flores of Antimony. I doe declare that they admit of sundry and various preparations, as is known to all Spagyrists; Some by the ad­mixtion of salt Armoniack drive them downward per descensum, out of a retort, and dulcorate them by extracting the salt Armoniack, and these flores being of a most white colour, doe much: Others make use of some particular appropriated instruments, having litle pipes or necks, that the Antimony enjoying the liberty of the ayre may ascend.

Others performe their sublimation in a strong fire, over which they place three convenient pots, and extract white, yel­low and red flores together, which I have also attempted without any errour; But when I would rightly use the flores in medicine, I am wont to mingle Colco­tha of Vitriol with the red flores, and to sublime them together three several times, for thereby the essence of the vi­triol Co-ascends, and the flores become the stronger; which having done, I ex­tract the flores with spirit of wine, and separate the remaining feces and destil off the spirit of wine per B. M. Until a dry powder is left.

[Page 103]And these are my prepared flores, which I administer to my brethren, and other sick persons addressing themselves unto mee, whose souls I administer spi­ritual comfort unto by virtue of my office; and whose bodyes I succour by virtue of faith and confidence. These flores purge gently, without excesse of stooles, and have taken away many Tertians and Quar­tanes, and consumed other diseases; But I have decreed by the help of God and the blessed Virgin Mary, to compose a me­morable Testament and leave behind me, in my old age, a catalogue of all such cures as I have happily perfected, that I may openly ascribe thanks due to God; and my successours may know my hearty good will, and together with me, admire and acknowledge those wonders of God, which he hath hid in nature, and which by my labour I have extracted: Tis worth the readers knowledge, to understand, concerning the sublimation of Antimony and its flores, that as to its condition, it is not unlike to that water which flowes down from the most high Towring Moun­tains; Thus therefore may a man judge of the difference of water; some break forth even in the loftiest mountains, and [Page 104] were there far higher mountains, yet would the water climb up thither, (for in truth there are plentiful fountaines in the tops of the stateliest hils) othersome ly hidden in the bowels of the earth, and by tedious and hard digging are found out. Now as to their difference I say, that the Matrix of the terrestrial water is, in many places, more potently furnished with the rich treasures of water, then in others, be­cause all the Elements have a proper and own Matrix of begetting easily, or more difficultly, by the force and virtue of the stars, from which the elements them­selves are generated and procreated. Now if that Matrix be strong in the Earth, it potently casts forth its seed by a strong expulsion, even unto the highest of the Eu­ropean Alpes, or the top of the Babilo­nian Tower: They that are not very wise, hearing me so to speak will lay madnesse to my charge, or cry out that I am drun­ken with new wine, even as the Jewes dealt with the Apostles in the feast of Pentecost. As is the elevation of the wa­ters, so is the sublimation of flores, where­of ( viz. of the waters,) those that appear in the highest mountains are more whol­some and cool then the well waters and [Page 105] such as are obtained by digging; so, if the matter be lifted up, by the force and vio­lence of fire, into the mountain of the ancient wise men, long since deceased, the earth will stay behind in the bottome, out of which a salt may be extracted for its proper use. And by sublimation is made a separation of the good from the bad, of the pure from the impure, of the thin from the thick, and medicine becomes thereby distinguishable from poyson.

Wee poor, wretched, miserable men, being after death (which for our iniqui­ties we have deserved) buried in the earth, are seasoned with salt until we pu­trify, and at length are raised up by the heavenly fires heat, are clarified and lis­ted up to a celestial sublimation and exal­tation, where being purged from all the impure dregs, and feces of sin, we become the sons of God and heyres of eternal life, which our merciful God grant unto us. But I hope that none will reprove me, because of my comparing things corpo­real, with things spiritual, and heaven­ly sublimation with the earthly in this my example. For I have not done it (causelesly, understanding by mine own experience what is white, or what is black, [Page 106] whether it be a cloudy or clear heaven; Ile therefore passe to another preparation of Antimony.

Tis expedient that my Art-desiring disciple doe understand, and remember by my Philosophicall teaching, that the extractions of Antimony and of all other things doe differ exceedingly among themselves in their operations, which dif­ference is not either in the matter, nor known from the matter, out of which it is extracted, but depends upon the pre­paration, and addition, whereby the whole virtue is extracted, experience being witnesse. And this I shall illustrate and confirme by an example, thus; what­soever is extracted either from Antimony or from other things by the spirit of wine, obtains an operation far different from that which is extracted with strong vine­ger. The chief cause whereof I have al­ready mentioned, for all extractions with spirit of wine doe provoke to stoole most powerfully, whether they be made of An­timony or other purging things, as hearbs, roots, seeds, and the like. (I speak as to the first extraction) Contrarywise what­soever is extracted with vineger doth not provoke to siege, as doth the other, but [Page 107] rather constipates and binds by a singular medium. Whereby the volatile is made fixed.

This secret or Arcanum ought very care­fully to be lookt unto, but a very few doe consider it; for many things ly hid and profoundly shut up in this mystery, which many masters, and servants, yea and many knowledge-pretending Sophisters have not seen unto this day:

The extraction of Antimony is per­formed two several wayes, to wit, with vineger and spirit of wine, the vineger doth condense, but the spirit of wine doth of it self provoke urine and siege, as I have frequently mentioned, and especially in my twelve keyes, that the extraction of the glasse of Antimony is a gentle Purge, but the extraction of Antimony with vineger, doth not purge at all, which is most certainely true, which experiment is a cause of more mature consideration and further-reaching thoughts, by which considerations nature gives & produceth a true Philosopher. And it is altogether miraculous, that those things which at first have bin extracted with spirit of wine should retain a purging quality, when as, on the contrary, if the glasse of Anti­mony [Page 108] be at first extracted with vineger, and the vineger beeing separated it be againe extracted with spirit of wine, there's no such poysonous and purging faculty then left, but tis totally taken away, and not a footstep thereof, re­maining, so as to cause siege, yet it can operate by sweat, and other wayes; espe­cially by spitle and vomit, it can performe its office, and seeks about, if it can find out any thing unfitting, It purgeth the bloud, heales the Peripneumonia, is profi­table for the Asthmatick, and conduceth to other diseases; It allayes any violent cough of what sort soever, and it is a di­vine remedy:

And this extraction is perfected by common vineger. There is also another extraction viz.

Take powdered Antimony: Poure thereupon destil'd vineger, not common vineger, but that which is extracted from its own mineral, close it up well, and place it at the heat of the Sun, and so in time the vineger will become as red as blood, separate this extraction, and filtre it, destil it in sand by an Alembick, and in its drawing over it will represent wonderful colours most delectable to the [Page 109] fight, This oyle at length comes to be bloud-like, and leaves many Feces, and may be profitably used in most Disea­ses.

For in the Leprosie its Glory appeares, and its, virtue becomes manifest, the French Pox lately brought into our coun­trey is consumed and dryed up thereby, and it operates severall other miraculous things, if that the Physitian hath regard to its right use, and observes a true Pre­paration; let him diligently consult with Experience, and remember without forgetfulnesse.

Antimony is also prepared after this ensuing manner.

Take of Antimony and red Tartar of each equall parts, grind them exceeding well together, and burn them in a pot well luted, (least the Spirits exhale) untill the Tartar be burnt, which you must do in a wind Furnace, beat or grind the matter thus combust very small, whereto poure common warme water, straine it as you would a Lixivium; by which meanes a Liver will be made, (for that Title our ancient predecessors put upon it) dry this Liver, put it into a Cucurbit, and pour Spirit of Wine there­on, [Page 110] filter it through a thick paper, and abstract it in B.M. to a third part; this extraction may be used, but very sparing­ly, and with very great discretion, wherein is to be observed a notable mi­racle, viz. That the Spirit of Wine once abstracted will not be united to the Red extraction any more from whence it was separated, but swims on the top there­of▪ as Oyle swims on the surface of wa­ter. But if this Spirit of VVine be again poured upon new Liver, it extracts as a­fore; but this second Extraction poured on the former, will not at any rate com­mix, which really is greatly to be admi­red at, but who can declare all the great wonders of God, or observe those gifts which the Creatour hath implanted in his Creatures, most profoundly to be consi­dered.

I have a little before mentioned an Extraction of Antimony with Vinegar and Spirit of VVine; now if the Vine­gar be separated from that Extraction by B.M. and the powder remaining be put in a moist place, it will resolve into a wound-Liquor or yellow Oyle, which in new wounds acts wonders ineffable, and in like manner in old, it hinders, [Page 111] and absolutely prevents any Symptomes from taking root, and resists putrefaction.

The other or second extraction out of this powder before its solution with Spi­rit of Wine, doth also shew its effect, and in inward diseases gives place to no other remedy.

I have in my precedent writings most frequently propounded the way of its preparation, and in this Antimoniall ad­monition, abundantly repeated it, be­cause I know how much utility and how great secrets ly hid therein, and there­fore hope that those Repetitions in my Writings will not be tedious or trouble­some to the Learner; for what I write, is not causelesly written; But my spea­kings are short, and containe a large ex­tent within them; and albeit they are manifold and frequently rementioned, yet are they most obscure to such as are un­experienced and unprofitable to children and Infants, and most beneficiall to the Disciple of Art only.

There's also gotten another Extracti­on by a Caustick water, and tis thus: Grind equall parts of Vitrioll and com­mon Salt together, and distill from them a water Per Latus, or retortwise: Increase [Page 112] and urge the fire, and so shall you ex­tract a Liquor like unto melted Butter or Oyle, which keep for its proper use.

Powder the Caput mortuum, and dis­solve it in a Cellar into water which ga­ther apatt, and filter through Paper: Then take Hungarian Antimony most finely ground or powdered, put it into a broad bottomed Glasse, and pour upon it that water, set it at a gentle warmth, where if you let it abide its season, it will at the beginning resemble the vi­olet colour of the [...]methyst; which when tis brought to this Passe, aug­ment the fire, and thou shalt have the colour of a Transparent Saphyr, and from this Saphyrick colour will precipitate a white powder by the help of common water poured thereon, which inwardly taken, operates by stoole and Vomit like as the Extraction of Crude Vitrioll doth.

The solution in the Cellar which was extracted from the Caput mortuum, doth truly transmute the thin leaves of Mars, if boyled therein, into Copper, Experi­ence being witnesse: now hearken to me, and consider somewhat further.

[Page 113]Pour the Oyle, or the aforesaid water spoken of in the processe, upon Crocus Martis, being first reverberated with Sulphur to a Rednesse, place it in some heat, and extract the bloud red Tincture of Mars, then take of this Extraction one part, of the red Extraction of Antimony burnt with Salt Petre, and prepared with spirit of wine three parts, of the water of Mercury made apart by injection into an hollow pipe, one part; of the Calx of the Sun dissolved in this Caustick water, halfe a part, mix them, and by effusion, out of one Vessel into another, purge them, then forthwith abstract them by ashes in a fire meanly strong, but the whole will not come over, for there will reside in the bottom a fair, red, fixt soluti­on very profitable for old Ulcers. The remaining Caput Mortuum begets by re­solution in a dark place so sharp a Liquor that scarce any Aqua fortis can com­pare with it in acrimony or sharpness, but of this enough.

Out of Antimony may also be prepa­red a white powder thus.

Take of Hungarian Antimony and Salt Petre thrice depurated and ground to­gether, equall parts, burn them in a new [Page 114] pot wherein hath been no grease, in a fire of circulation, you must not cast in all at once, but by little and little, and apart, which the ancient Spagyrists call by the name of puffing (for tis necessary that the Students in Art be acquainted with their strange Termes, which as to coun­try Language is unknown) that puffa­tion or injection being accomplished, powder that hard remaining matter in the pot, put it into a vessell of Glasse, and pour thereunto common water war­med, and when the matter shall have setled, separate it, and pour on more, which do sometimes, that the Salt Petre may be extracted; dry and powder the matter, and mix it again with an equall part of Salt petre, proceed as before, and do thus three times, then grind the matter which remaines, and pour there­unto the best spirit of Wine, and circu­late it for a month in Cucurbit or Circu­latory well shut, then burn on it new spirit of Wine, nine or ten times, which labour being done; dry the powder lei­surely, and in a melting Crucible, let it be well heated red hot, for an whole day at the fire.

Out of this powder, being resolved in [Page 115] a moist place, either upon a Table of Glass, or Stone, or in the Whites of Eggs, is made a Liquor, which by the heat may be again dryed into a powder; Verily this powder operates many very gallant things, scarce credible without Experience. It workes not of a sudden, but by little and little, and time must be granted for the production and discovery of its force and virtue.

Let any one who is afflicted with an inward Aposteme, take constantly of this powder, five or six times every day, in spirit of Wine, or meere Wine, fif­teen graines at a time, and he shall be healed, and the bloud shall by little and little be ejected, and the Patient be come perfectly well.

He that is afflicted with the French Disease within his body, let him use this powder, and he shall be radically cured. It produceth new Haire, purgeth the bloud, and doth many other good things which we omit for brevities sake. For I cannot expound every thing with that plainnesse, and so perspicuously, as that every one should become a great Physi­tian, by the bare reading of my Writings, without any paines or labour, no, let [Page 116] them endure the burden, (as is reasona­ble) and let him know that the country man that thresheth and worketh on the Corne will eat the best bread.

But now I proceed too much into the open Field, in which the ancient Fow­lers catch their Larks, whom the youn­ger will speedily follow with their Nets, for my stile (as all my Writings wit­ness) hath a peculiar method, even as other Philosophers have likewise done before me; But now that my Philoso­phy is changed by the processe therein immixed, let not any Reader wonder at it; for my Philosophical speech having description of the processes therein, is different from another bare speech that hath no manifestation; Mark this dif­ference, neither accuse me of being changeable in my intention, in my philo­sophical stile, preparation and process: for in my philosophical speech, thou shalt learn & observe the Theory, but the pro­cess together with admonition sufficient, doth teach the practise, and on that ac­count, are perspicuous and sufficient words to be made use of thereabouts.

A Balsom may also be prepared out of Antimony (not crude, but out of its Re­gulus) profitable for very many diseases, [Page 117] from which the Mercury of Antimony may be vivified, viz.

Take of Hungarian Antimony, and crude Tartar, of each equall parts, Salt Petre halfe a part; grinde them and flux them in a wind Furnace, poure them forth into a Cone, and let them coole; Let the Regulus thus made be in like sort purified in the fire by Tartar, and Salt Petre, three or four times, and so it will become white like to silver (that hath passed the fulmination) and the Ex­amen of Lead. Grind this Regulus, pour unto it (in a Glasse) the Oyl of Ju­niper or Spirit of Turpentine, (which ascends first in distillation, and is clear like to Water) shut your Glasse well, place it in B.M. at a moderate heat, and that Spirit or Oyl will grow red in the manner of Bloud, pour it off, and recti­fie it with Spirit of Wine. It hath the same Virtues as the Balsom of Sulphur hath, as I shall advise thee when I come to speak of Sulphur; for the preparation of both is in a manner alike: Three drops of this Balsome taken in warme Wine only thrice in a week, heales the Diseases of the Lungs, the Astmah, Ptysick, Pleuritick, and such as are af­flicted with an old Cough.

[Page 118]There are also made of Antimony severall Oyles, some by themselves, o­thers by addition, and have not the same Virtues, but diverse from each other, ac­cording to the manner of the preparation; I wil speak a parable unto thee, many li­ving Creatures live only in the Earth, as Wormes, Serpents, and other kinds, and sometimes new sorts are generated by corruption, formerly unknown. O­thers live in the water, as Fishes; O­thers in the Ayre, as Birds; others in the fire, as the Salamander, and there are found in the hot Islands and burning Countryes, other wonderfull Creatures, of which we are ignorant, who conserve their Life by the solary heat, and pre­sently dye at being brought into ano­ther ayre.

So Antimony prepared with a watry addition, operates otherwise then if pre­pared with a fiery one; and although e­very preparation thereof be done with fire, without which its virtue is not detected, or opened; yet note and consider that an Earthy addition workes divers from a watry one; and so suitably, if Antimony be by the fire elevated Per se into the aire, and further prepared, it [Page 119] obtains a severall virtue, according to its severall preparations.

The cheifest Oyl and Sulphur of An­timony is thus made, without any additi­on of ought else.

Take Ungarian Antimony, beate it grosly, put it into a glasse cucurbit, with a plain bottome, pour thereto the true Vinegar of the Philosophers, viz. The Vinegar with its own Salt, Lute up the Glasse, Putrefie it in Horse Dung, or in B. M. for forty dayes, and the body be­comes again opened, and is made more black then Ink, which is a signe of a per­fect solution.

Put this black matter into an Alem­beck, and abstract the vinegar with a gen­tle Fire, and an unshapen matter will re­main in the bottome, which grind, and wash with distilled Raine water, even to a sweetnesse, dry it, place it in a cir­culatory

with a long neck, (which must have three bellies, as if three Spheres were distinctly counited, after that manner as sublimatories are with their Alludels or heads, and having along neck like a Violl or bolt head) leave it in a moderate Heate for two months, with Spirit of Wine, rectified to the [Page 120] highest degree so that it may swim o­over it three fingers breadth; and let it be well luted; The Spirit will be tinged with a pellucid rednesse in the manner of a Rubie, pour it off, filtre it, and se­parate the black earth, as unprofitable for this thing, distill the Spirit of Wine in a Glasse Alembick well luted by sand, with a gentle fire, and twill bring over with it the Tincture of Antimony, the Ele­ments will separate themselves, and thou shalt see thy Alembick to be so won­derfull, as if it were made of the pu­rest Gold, and at the bottome a very few Feces will reside, and the golden colour of the Glasse will vanish. Pour the distilled matter into a circulatory, and leave it so for ten dayes, and the Oyl of Antimony wil grow weighty, and seperate from the Spirit of VVine, and descend unto the bottome, and the Spi­rit of Wine will return to its first clarity and brightnesse, and swim on the top of the Oyle: separate it with a separating Glasse. This is a most sweet Oyle, with­out any corrosivenesse, whose virtues cannot be credited by any one, and therefore I call the Sulphur of Antimo­ny, the Balsome of life; for it hath much [Page 121] profited by the help of God, even there where all hope hath failed, and certain Death supposed to be at hand, as my Brethren can sufficiently testifie. It re­novates a man, purgeth the Bloud, mixt with the Tincture of Corals, cures the Leprosie, heales scabs proceeding from impure bloud, expels Melanchol­ly and sadnesse, Corroborates the hea [...]t and members, especially if it be taken with Magistry of Margarits; In the Lipothymia it is the top-Remedy, for being mixt with the Oyle of Cinamome, each equall weight, and six drops thereof put upon the Tongue (the Nostrills and Arteries, being anointed with the Es­sence of Saffron) presently brings a man to himself.

But good God, why do I speake or write, I suppose that I shall meet with most few that will credit this Testament which I leave unto my disciples: yet some few will be found, who acknowledging these wonders, and acquainted by Experi­ence with them, will more circumspect­ly consider them, and give me honou­rable thanks when I lye rotting in my Tomb, because I have by the gift of God, set free from prison that Virtue which is [Page 122] united to the Creature, and made it o­perative.

Another way of bringing Antimony o­ver the Helme, without any addition, is this: Make Regulus of Antimony, Tar­tar, and Salt nitre, as I have afore spoken, powder that Regulus, put it into a great round glasse, in a gentle fire in Sand, and the Antimony will sublime; but every day brush down with a feather, whatsoe­ver is sublimed, into the bottome of the glasse, and thus do until it will sub­lime no more, but a fixt precipitate Re­gulus remaines in the bottome: but know that this work will require time ere the work appear; grind this precipitate, and leave it in a Cellar upon a polisht stone, for halfe a yeare, and then twill be resol­ved into a red Liquor, and some Feces will remain, for the Salt of Antimony will only melt, filtre this Liquor, and abstract the Phlegme in an Alembeck, till a thick Liquor be left, which lay aside in the Cellar, and twill be congealed into Chrystalls of a reddish white, and if they be again purged, they will be alto­gether white: this is the true Salt of Antimony, which I have frequently made; dry it: mix one part of this Salt, [Page 123] with three parts of Venetian Earth, de­still it with a strong fire, and there will come, first white Spirits, then red, the which do also resolve into white, recti­fie this spirit Gently in a dry Bath, and thou shalt have another Oyle of Antimo­ny, but much inferiour to the former, and tis rather a Spirit then an Oyle, because this Salt is spiritually forced out. It hath frequently deserved praise in quartane Feavers and others; it breakes the Stone of the Bladder, provokes U­rine, cleanseth filthy Serpentine or cree­ping Ulcers, (which have their Opera­tion from Mars) being outwardly ap­plyed. It purgeth the bloud like to the Salt of Gold, and may be used in many other Diseases, but it is not so perfect as the red Oyl of Antimony is, whose Sul­phur hath been separated, purged, and brought to the highest degree.

The Sulphur and the Salt of Antimony having beene described, together with their preparation and medicinall use, I will passe to the description of its Mer­cury, and its medicinall virtue.

Take therefore the Regulus of Anti­mony eight parts, the Salt of mans urin, clarified, and sublimed; salt armoniack, [Page 124] and salt of Tartar, of each one part, mix the Salts, and thereto poure strong vinegar, Lute it with the Lute of Wis­dome, and digest the salts for a month in a continuall heat, then distill off the Vi­negar by Ashes untill the Salts remaine dry, which being done, mix with them three parts of Venetian Earth, urge them by a Retort with a strong fire, and thou shalt have a wonderfull spirit, poure this Spirit upon the powdred Regulus, and putrifie them together two moneths, then abstract the Vinegar, and to the Remainder add four times as much file­ings of Mars, and distill it by the force of fire in a Retort, the spirits of the Salts will bring the Mercury over with them in the manner of a fume, but thou must place instead of the Recipient, a large glasse full of Water, thar the spirits of the salt may mix therewith; but the Mercury will come together, and be converted into true quick Mercury in the bottome of the vessell. Thus may the Artificer extract living and running Mercury out of Antimony, which hath beene by many a one every where studi­ously sought after, now therefore will I come to make known its use in medi­cine.

[Page 125]Take (with the help of God) one part of this Mercury, presse it through a skin of Leather, poure thereunto four parts of the red Oyle of Vitriol, rectifi­ed to the supreamest height, abstract the Oyle, and the spirits of the Oyle will re­main with the Mercury, urge the fire, and somewhat will sublime, throw back the sublimate upon the Earth remaining in the bottome, and pour again thereup­on as much new Oyle, sublime it as for­merly, and iterate it three times: The fourth time cast back your sublimate a­gain upon its own Earth, grind it toge­ther, and it will be pure like Chrystall, put it in a Circulatory, and pour there­on as much Oyle of Vitriol, and thrice the quantity of the spirit of Wine, circu­late it even to separation, and so the Mercury resolved into Oyle will swim at the top in the manner of Oyle Olive; separate this Oyle, and put it into ano­ther Circulatory Glasse, and pour there­unto sharp distilled Vinegar, and by this meanes the Oyle will recover its weight within twenty dayes, or there­abouts, and will settle to the bottome, and whatsoever is poysonous remaines in the vinegar, the which will be cloudy [Page 126] and blackish, and this is a miracle con­trary to Nature, that an Oyle at first swimming, should in the end settle to the bottome: But note, that even the Oyl of Vitriol is heavy, and therefore beares up the Mercury, which in its separa­tion is not as yet altogether pure; but when that light impurity is received by the Vinegar, then doth the Oyle recover its own weight, and being made compact goes to the bottome, and this is the oyle of the Mercury of Antimony, And is the fourth Pillar of all Remedies. Now where ever thou art who beest Leprous, I will procure for thee a meanes of health; This Oyle heales the Apoplexy, com­forts the Brain and Reason, excites the vitall spirits of the Braine; and whosoe­ver shall use this oyle daily, for some time, and is afflicted with any Distem­per, he shall loose both his Nailes and Haire, and become young again: the Bloud is thereby purged, and every E­vill expelled: the French Disease is but a spot to this Medicine, which in a very little white radically ejects it; the praise of this Remedy cannot be descri­bed with either Tongue or Pen: Ah miserable clod of earth, and bag of worms [Page 127] why dost thou delay to offer a sacrifice of Praise to thy Creator, for those Reme­dies which he hath granted unto thee? O ye bragging boasters of both medicines! come unto me, a Monk, and servant of God, I will lay open to your Eyes, what you never saw before, and will shew you the way of health, which as yet you have not observed; Now if any one knowes better preparations, let him not be silent, but speak: I am desirous to learn, nor is it a shame unto me to make further en­quiry, and to search out that light which as yet I have not seen; for I have oft said, no one is able because of the brevity of Life, to perceive all the secrecies of na­ture.

But whatsoever Artificer hath lesse ex­perience then I have, and doth not throughly understand my Writings, I shal advise him to be silent, and nor pre­sume to correct or disgrace them with un­seemly prating, and many unprofitable words; because he hath not heard them in the Schoole, nor rightly understands the processes; my Termes are different from those which are in use with my ad­versaries, who are ashamed of Labour, [Page 128] the which is necessary as to the planting of good Trees, and ingraffing of whol­some fruits; whence it happens that re­lying on a wild Tree they never come to any sweet bough of a gentle Garden Tree Unskilfull man! do not at the very first word judge the things thou dost not know, nor condemn that which neither by know­ledge or study, thou hast attained un­to.

Many Country people indeed, say that the Fishes dy in the water by reason of cold, but whoever affirm it, speak igno­rantly and indiscreetly, and what cannot be proved, for if in the Winter Season, when the Superficies of the Water is mightily congealed and frozen, there be little holes made by breaking the Ice, not a Fish will perish by reason of the cold, but if the Ice of Ponds or other waters be not broken, the Fish will cer­tainly dye, not because of the Frigidity, but the want of the aire which cannot pe­netrate through all the Ice; For tis clearly evident, that no living Creature can live without the use of Ayre; whence tis, that the Fishes are choaked under the Ice, and are not kill'd with cold; I ap­ply this Example thus.

[Page 129]It is necessary in Antimony, that (because of its manifold use) holes be made by the miner in the mountain, that it may enjoy the Ayre, and then tis be­hovefull that it be prepared with Wa­ter, Ayre, and Fire, least its fruit­fullnesse be choaked in the Earth, in­stead of its being manifested by the vari­ous preparation of the Physitian, for the hoped-for correcting and qualifying of distempers, which was the ground of its searching after.

Most miserable man that art an hater, and despiser of Antimony, and cryest out that tis a meere poison, where is thy E­loquence and Rhetorick to defend thy self withall?

And seeing thou dost not understand, neither white, black, nor any other Colour in this businesse, as to the prepa­ration of Antimony, and art a stranger to its virtue and benefits, thou mayest justly hold thy peace, and suffer these spee­ches and writings to passe by thy Eares, (because of thy unskilfullnesse) like an impetuous Torrent, agitated by the wind; But beware lest the wind & the waves in­creasing, thy broken little Ship be total­ly drowned. Now to avoid this danger, [Page 130] do as the Apostles did; seasonably im­ploring help by thy prayers unto thy sleeping master, not hypocritically, but with a pure and sincere heart, and so thou shalt be saved, and really find, that the sea and the winds wil be tractable un­to thee, and thou shalt bring all things to the desired end.

Good God! were but this the mind of man, in following after somewhat with study and labour, without doubt the Muses and Fortune would be propitious unto him; and that Disciple of Art would find, that health and prosperity would at­tend him in his Closet of Art, and habi­tation of Grace, so as that he should per­ceive a sure Foundation, a full unspotted and constant Corner stone, whereon he may with safety rest, and found his owne Conscience, and so the unprofitable tat­ling of Disputers, with the sick would be omitted, and cast out of the Schooles, and the silent man would take his Turne also, and publickly assert and prove that a Ca­stle built of stone is not so easily combu­stible as a pigeon-house, or a thatch't roof, or an old wooden neast of a stork, that is dryed every year in the sun.

[Page 131]My Disciples attend rightly with the utmost of your understanding to my sim­ple plain admonition, studiously and dili­gently seek the Centre which is scarce or never known by the outward face; search throughly its virtue with a carefull ex­pectation, even as an Hunter doth after a wild Beast, Mark the print of the footsteps in the snow, that you take not a Stag înstead of a Doe, or an Hare for a Fox, through their footsteps ill-understood, and worse judged of: cast forth your Net, but right­ly, and then you shall have it well stored with the best Fishes, spread open your Nets discreetly & carefully, bind on your snares and intrapments, and so shall the Fowler effectually and succesfully satis­fie his own desire. In a word, that I may give my ultimate Admonition unto the curious Seeker, I do advise thus; Dear Fowler, expose thy Nets and thy voluble feathers deliberately unto the Wind, and thou Mariner attend wel on thy Compasse when thou saylest in the deep Sea, night and day, and art fre­quently tossed with tempestuous stormes, now here, now there; For thus obser­ving, thou shalt not faile in thy hopefull Expectations, but in the end shalt take [Page 132] something with profit; and arrive with my [...]hip to its Port, from the remotest Countryes, with augmentation of thy wares and adventures.

But why do I spend time in speaking or comparing; I do but tread and thresh the empty stalks and strawes, in the man­ner of Tatling Sophisters, for my Wri­tings are so born, that but few Letters in them will passe by, without some fruit, and be extinguished without the sparkes of some benefit; But verily, they do contain in them a certain Doctrine and Instruction, that the Labour of writing is to me a kinde of Recreation and De­light.

Well! I will retire or go back, one passe in the manner of a Fencer, and in­duce into the Laboratory a new schoole or Learning, viz. of externall things, that I may declare and manifest the Reason or Cause, and Preparation of Antimony, that it may be approved as most profita­ble for outward Distempers (as indeed it is) Ile therefore give you the processe in a very few words.

My Disciple and Lover of Art, who desirest throughly to search into Natures secrets, and to find out the most hidden [Page 133] mysteries, that thou mayst distinguish betwixt day and night, light and darkness I say unto thee.

Take one part of the best Ungarian Antimony, and halfe a part of common, or of fosile salt, of potters Earths not baked six parts, grind and mix them well together; distill them with a strong fire, and a red Oyle will forthwith flow or distill forth, from which abstract the Phlegme by distillation, that a red pow­der may remain dry in the bottome, grind it, and let it be resolved upon a Marble stone, and thence wil issue a red Pellucid Balsome, far more noble then other vul­nerary Balsomes, most profitable in old Wounds, which the common Physiti­ans with their Plaisters, Unguents, Oyles, & Ligaments, do esteem as dangerous & to be suspected, and are with derision com­pelled to take off the bridle & Trappings from the Horse, and lay them aside, and lead him back again into the stable from whence they brought him. My Custome of speaking now containes no other thing; for a Monk cannot write all things so cleerly, as the reason and necessity of the work requires, because he is not versed in the circumstances of such businesse; he [Page 134] is (I say) ignorant of their Termes, that he cannot illustrate them formally or orderly enough; and he entreats pardon for any Transgession of that kind commit­ted by him, and in like manner will he show his forward readinesse to serve all Christians night and day in his spi­rituall Office, and he will reward the kindnesse of the Reader with his dayly Prayers. This Oyle is found to be most wholsome in old Ulcers and Wounds, of the greatest moment, nor are there many remedies above it or equall there­unto, except an Oyle of Antimony pre­pared with common Mercury sublimate, which in healing of Cancers, Gangreens, Wolfes, Noli me tangere, is more po­tent and noble; But in Fistulaes and creeping Ulcers, the afore prescribed Oyle, doth experimentally shew its force in many incredible accidents, even to ad­miration, which I forbear to rehearse, lest I should be thought to be ambitious and greedy after Honour, which vice I have alwaies fled from, doe flye from, and will fly from, by the help of God, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Tis thus prepared.

[Page 135]Take of common Mercury well mor­tified and most purely sublimed, and of Antimony, of each equall parts, grind them, mix them, and distill them by a Retort (which can hold the Spirits) three times, rectifie this Oyle with spi­rit of VVine, and tis prepared, being of a bloud-like colour; at the beginning it was white and resembled Ice, or molten Butter: This Oyle performes many wonders, which without it, 'twould be impossible in Nature to beleeve, could be amended, but yet notwithstanding its virtue, faculty, and operation, herein ap­peares in making good out of evill.

Another most profitable for externall wounds, may also be prepared, with ad­dition.

Take of Antimony and Sulphur, of each one part, Salarmoniack and Salt of Urine clarified, of each halfe a part, Calx vive or Quick-Lime two parts. Grind, mix, and distill them, if any thing sub­limes, scrape it off, and grind it againe with the Caput mortuum, pour thereunto the Oyle which thou abstractedst, di­still it as afore, and thus do three times, and tis prepared: old maligne and contu­macious Ulcers, refusing every remedy, [Page 136] do not despise this Oyle, it is most strong, most penetrative, and layes a foundation of most certain healing, even as the Oyle of Vitriol doth.

There's also prepared a wonderfull Vulnerary Balsome composed of many things, whereof Antimony is one.

Receive of sulphur four Ounces, melt it in the fire very gently, mix thereto halfe a pound of Quick silver, stir it with a stick untill it comes into a Masse, which grind or beate, because it is prepared, as Cinaber is wont to be prepared; grind with it of Antimony four Ounces, Red Arsenick four ounces, Crocus martis two ounces, powdred Bricks eight ounces, let them be sublimed together according to art, in a glasse vessell, and thou shalt have Rubies not unlike the Oriental ones, (as to the colour) (for they are vola­tile, and have nothing fix in them.) Let these Rubies be most neately separated from the Cinaber, which in the subliming did co-ascend with them, grind them, and extract them with Vinegar, which done, abstract the Vinegar in B. M. by little and little, and the remaining powder grind most finely small, and extract it with spi­rit of VVine in another vessell, separate [Page 137] the remaining feces, and digest this ex­traction with spirit of wine, in a vessel well luted, in B. M. for a moneth, Then abstract the spirit of wine (as you did for­merly the vineger,) put the remaining powder into a Cucurbit with a round bot­tome, and put it into a vessel full of water in a pit, that it may therein swim like a boat, and so in a few dayes it will resolve into a fair transparent liquour, most profi­table for old ulcers and wounds, if they be anointed with a feather dipt therein, and a common vulnerary plaister laid thereupon; It will not leave thee destitute of help, especially in those outward wounds which are old and uncapable of any other remedy.

But those solutions of continuity which depend upon some inward cause, are not to be understood or meant in this place; but for the healing of such, somewhat more is requried; which verily cannot be recovered without inward Remedies, which dry up and radically put out the Symptomes and centre of the disease, al­though there are but few masters in the world at this day, who circumspectly and exactly think of, and consider the thing which at present I doe write. Would man [Page 138] but consider the miserable state and posi­ture of our life, whereinto we are slipt by the fall of our first parents; (which lapse or fall, original sin and all kinds of cala­mities have followed, yea many and grie­vous diseases frequently too, wherewith we are oppressed,) he would spend his time more rightly and profitably, that so he mought (out of Christian charity) find out a means for his neighbours health, which is laid upon him as a duty, by the prince of heaven; But because most men doe trifle away and loose their time about toyes and trifles, and refuse labour as being troublesome, they remaine in their old opinion, and are good stewards of their flesh, fearing the wearing out their hands with the washing them, and the anointing of them with oyl, fearing also that by buying much soap to purge & wash themselves, they should encrease the merchants price; Poor miserable men, what have we in this world whereof we may boast, strangers we are in our con­duct, having our dwelling with God, who hath given us all things for our use whilest we live here, without pledge; we ought on that acount bodily and spiritually so to behave our selves unto him, as faithful [Page 139] stewards towards their masters, that we may with a good conscience stand in that day, when all these bestowed goods shall return unto him, and that heavenly hous­holder shall require an accompt from all his servants; left through means of our sins and unthankfulnesse, we be cast out into the utter prison of torment, where shall be gnashing of teeth. Did but a man alwayes think thereupon, it would not be strange for his heart, never to think of committing any evil, but would most di­ligently perform his office, that he might serve his neighbour; But the world very litle or nothing at all gives respect here­unto, but grasps up mony right or wrong; the Potentates care not, the commons help them forward; they defend force by the name of equity, that themselves may also enjoy a portion of ill gotten goods, and may as 'twere rightly devoure like Lords and Masters, the goods of their servants. Beware, I say, lest the bones stick in your throat, and the fish bones pierce and adhere to your heart.

But these Admonitions are but in vaine; ridiculous and contemptible unto the world, for when a while since I went on Pilgrimage to S. James of Compostella [Page 140] according to a vow, it being a difficult journy, and returned back unto my con­vent (for which I blesse God even to this day) I did believe that many would both rejoyce and praise God together with me, for those holy reliques which for the help and comfort of our convent, and all the poore I brought with me; But few amend their lives, and but few testify their thankfulnesse to God for so large a bene­fit; but have rather encreased their deri­sions, their contumelies, and their blas­phemies: But the just judge well knows how to punish them at the last day: But of this enough. I return to Antimony, Out of which is another remedy prepared most profitable for all feavers, and also in time of the plague.

Take of Antimony excellently well ground or beaten, without any addition, destil it with a strong fire in a Retort, whereto let be united a large glasse reci­pient. Iterate it three or fower times, for so at length will be produced a red pow­der, which extract with destilled vineger, Circulate the extraction in a gentle fire for ten dayes, then forthwith destil it to the Abstraction of the vineger; urge the remainder by a peculiar Artifice that it [Page 141] may passe into an oile, which yet circu­late and pellicane it, until the Phlegme be gon, and it be again reduced into a powder: the vineger must at first be sepa­rated in the destillation, and the oyl (comeing last) must be gathered in a new receiver. This oyl cures Quotidians, Ter­tians, and Quartain feavers, four grains being given with the destill'd water of carduus benedictus, and the sick covered so that he may sweat.

The same dose with Spirit of wine or destill'd vineger (according as the plague at first seized on the patient, either with burning or cold) doth most potently expel the plague, as three of my brethren can testify, who were, taken with the plague and having made their wils and given up themselves to death, were delivered by this Arcanum, and from that time for­ward did more highly esteem my medi­cine then before, and did assist me, both with their Prayers, and manual labour, (after performing the worship and service of God) so carefully, that at length, to­gether with me, they attained to many secrecyes and experiments, whence, by the industry of them, and other my brethren, more secrets of nature were detected and [Page 142] opened in one yeare, then in a long time before, for which I gave them thanks (e­ven to my last age) and moreover will be heartily thankfull, because they well de­served it both of me, and other honest Christians. But because they dyed be­fore me, I do supplicate the Heavenly Cheiftain for their Reward, who without doubt hath paid unto my btethren a suffi­cient Premium in Heaven, that they may be joyfully supplyed with a Celestial re­compence, in the stead of that which is taken from them in this Life, and which could not have beene paid them by un­skilful and ungratefull men.

There's also another Vulnerary Oyle made of Antimony, by an Addition, Thus.

Receive of Antimony, sulphur, and salt Petre, of each equal parts, shut them under a Campane, according as is custo­mary; but you wil do better if you use an Alembick with a Recipient, and you shall gather more Oyl then Per Campa­nam, as to its colour it resembles common oyle of sulphur, but it is much stronger, because of the addition, and operates more potently then the common vulne­rary oyle of sulphur doth, it is inwardly [Page 143] administred for diseased Lungs, and out­wardly administred to putrid filthy Vl­cers, the Dose inwardly is three drops with spirit of Wine, outwardly tis used only with a wound plaister layd thereon, thou shalt finde it an excellent Remedy in all evils.

Another profitable oyle for Gangre­nous Diseases and old Ulcers is thus pre­pared.

Receive of Antimony ground or pow­dred, one pound, of common salt, halfe a pound, of Potters Earth unba­ked five pounds, mix them, grind them, and distill them in a Retort, and a yellow Oyle will come forth, all the spirits being come forth, put the matter into another Glasse, abstract the Phlegme, put the remaining powder in a Cave upon a Mar­ble, and twill resolve into a liquid Bal­some, most profitable for serpentine cree­ping, and Gangrenous evills, especially in the face of a man, or breasts of a wo­man: I could write more things of this Balsome, but that I fear, that the unskil­full and tatling sophister, will say that (in his opinion) I write too much, and teach many things in Paper, which I never found by use, but only conceived in my imagination.

[Page 144]Another Oyle, may also be thus made.

Receive of Antimony foure parts, salt Armoniack one part, grind them together and sublime them with a gentle fire, & so the salt will lift up with it self the blood-like sulphur of Antimony, grind this subli­mate well, & for every pound of the crude Antimony that you sublime, add five oun­ces mo [...]e of Antimony to the sublimate, & su [...]li [...] it as afore. This sublimate will be excellently wel dissolved in a moist place, or else separate the salt therefrom, and dry it by little and little, and thou shalt have a sulphur combustible, like the common sulphur sold every where. Extract this sulphur (in time) with distilled Vine­gar, and separate the Vinegar in B. M. by a gentle heate, extract or draw out its Tincture, and the remaining Powder draw over or distil into a Recipient by a subtill Artifice; if the studious Artist doth rightly proceed in this way, he shall find a sweet excelling oyle, without any Corrosion or danger; It heales the Peri­pneumonia, expels the dolour of the sides and let the Asthmatick take thereof in the morning, and at evening going to bed two graines, with the Elixir or spirit of [Page 145] Wine; it heales pectorall Diseases and casts forth all impurities from the breast, and it hath been useful to me, and help­full to many a one, even beyond hope. But seeing that in other preparations I have sufficiently described the virtues of Antimony, I suppose it needlesse to re­peat them again in this place, least I be­come tedious to the studious, and excite in them I know not what suspitions. The Liquor, made of this sulphur (as I have al­ready said) is most profitably used in out­ward Remedies, it takes away all the filth of the skin, and if a little Oyle be thereto admixt, it takes away the Pimples and spots of the hands, if anointed there­withall. It makes the skin bright, and heales the Alopecia or head scab.

The sulphur of Antimony is also pre­pared yet another way.

Boile Antimony beaten or ground, two houres or more in a strong Lixivium made of Ashes, filtre the Antimony and pour thereunto most strong Vinegar, and a red sulphur will settle to the bottome, pour away the Phlegme and dry the pou­der; extract the Tincture with distilled Vinegar, as in the former sulphur, bring it into an oyl by distillation, which is not [Page 146] unprofitable, but yet weaker then the o­ther precedent, where by the benefit of sublimation with salt Armoniack, the bo­dy of Antimony is opened and realeased.

Now followes three preparations of Antimony cheifly necessary for a Spagi­rist, viz. The preparation of a vine­gar out of its proper Minerall: The signed star of the Philosophers, and Philosophical Lead, much esteemed of by many, who have beleeved that out of it might be made the true Mercury of the Philosophers, but it is impossible, neither is there so much granted by God thereunto, that in, or from Antimony, the Mercury of the Philosophers should be found; or the first Ers, Argent vive, and first water of perfect metalls, out of which is made the great stone of the Ancient Philosophers. But this Primum Ens is found in another Mineral, in which (having Relation to metals) the ope­ration is higher then that of Stibium, although that this hath its particular profit. Note well, That the Pillar as twere of internal and externall Medicine is to be had in every shop or place of vendible things, were it but rightly pre­pared; which I have oftentimes said, [Page 147] and there wanteth nothing but that the Artificer learn to discerne the Nature of Mineralls and metals, and with exactness observe the preparation and use of Anti­mony, whereupon a right Judgement will follow, and not before. I wil therefore accomplish my promise, and satisfie the wishes of my Disciples, and perfectly teach the Knowledge of the ul­timate and true separation of the good from the bad, beginning at the prepara­tion of the Philosophicall Vinacre of An­timony.

The Aes or Minerall out of which Antimony is melted and purged, beat or grind exceedingly small, put it into a glasse Phyal with a most long Neck, pour thereunto destilled raine water, that the glasse may be halfe full, Lute it and pu­trefie it in Horse Dung until the Aes or Minerall begin to boil, and to froth, or spume, and ascend or worke up, then take it out, because this is a signe that the bo­dy is opened; put this digested matter into a Cucurbit well Luted, and abstract the water which will be a little Acid, which being drawn off, increase the sire and somewhat wil sublime, this sublimate being commixt with the Faeces, let it be [Page 148] again moistned with the water which was extracted from it, and distill it as before, and iterate this Labour so often untill it hath purchased the Acrimony of the stron­gest distilled vinegar, but the sublimate doth decrease in every distillation. pour this vinegar thus prepared upon new Aes or Antimony-minerall in a pellican, that it may swim three singers over it, let it stand in a gentle heat twelve dayes, so the vinegar will become red and be more acid, separate this most purely, and di­stil it per B. abstracting the Vinegar, and a rednesse wil remaine at the bottome, which extract with spirit of Wine, and twill be a supreame medicine, rectifie the Vinegar again in B. that the Phlegme may be separated, and then dissolve there­in its own proper salt, viz. one ounce of salt to four ounces of vinegar, distill it strongly in Ashes, and so the vinegar will be more fortified, it refrigerates in a wonderfull manner beyond the force of common Vinegar, it allayes the gangrene that is enkindled by gunpowder, and such other burning accidents, if it be ground with the soule of Saturne into an Ointment, and applyed like a Cata­plasme: Being mixt with the water of [Page 149] Endive, and with the fixt part of salt pe­tre, burnt and prepared with sulphur, it divides and cures the squinancy, and ex­tinguisheth heat.

In the Plague a full Spooneful drunk at a time, and outwardly also applyed upon the Bubo, with a third part of the distilled water of the combust sperme of Frogs, extracts the poyson and refrigerates

The signed stone of Antimony is by many a one much esteemed of, and most men have earnestly attempted its prepa­ration; some have enjoyed their wishes, the intent and purpose of others hath come to nothing, many have beleeved that this star is the true matter of the phi­losophers stone; imagining it so over-ha­stily, because Nature hath freely formed this star of its own accord, but I deny it: (These men leave the Kings high way; and do journey through unfrequented rocky places where the wild goats do live and the birds of prey do build their nests) Tis not given to this star to be the mat­ter of so noble a stone though the cheifest of Medicines lye therein. It is thus made.

Take of Ungarian Antimony two parts, fileings of Sttele one part, burnt Tartar four parts, melt them together and pour [Page 150] them out into a Goldsmiths Crucible, wherein they are wont to purge Gold Let it coole, separate the Regulus from the Scoria and Faeces, grind it or beat it, and again add of burnt Tartar three times its weight, and melt it as afore, separate, grind it, and again add thrice its weight of burnt Tartar, melt it, and so the Re­gulus shal be purged; If thou hast pro­ceeded aright (which is here the maine thing) thou shalt have a white star shi­ning like to pure silver, and divided, as if the most accurate Painter had descri­bed it with its Radij or Beames. This Star sublimed with salt Armoniack; grows red, for the Tincture of Mars ascends, this sublimate may be resolved (in a Cellar) into an Oyl profitable for wounds.

This Regulus or Star may be often de­stilled by the fire, with the stony Ser­pents, so that in the end being totally consumed, he associates himselfe to the serpent; the which being finished, the Artist wil have a most burning matter, and altogether fiery, wherein many arti­ficiall things lye hidden, and this matter is also resolved into an Oyle, which ought to be brought over by destillation, and then rectified untill it be pure and cleer▪ Its use in the body, and to be administred [Page 151] inwardly, is thus. Mix no more then three drops only with some convenient Liquor, as two Ounces of Wine or some distilled water, according to the Nature of the disease, and so give it, and but twice only in a weeke: Tis expedient therefore that the Physitian respects the causes of Diseases, and the complexion of the sick, that he may with safety use his Remedyes. But this Oyle is of a most great Acrimony, wherein lye many things, not fit to be revealed unto the common people, but to be reserved as certain secrets for Philosophers, who have daily sustained most bitter Labours: Well then, whoever thou art that follow­est my steps, be not dejected in so doing, thou shalt find as I have found by my hard pains, which I wish unto thee withal my heart.

I have prescribed unto thee things e­nough even from the beginning, where­by thou mayst finde the end, but many dye, who (as yet) have not attained the beginning, and perish before the ob­taining of the magistry, I will on that account leave behind a book of Rudi­ments or Principles, that my Disciples being acquainted with the first experi­ments, [Page 152] may the sooner arrive to the wi­shed end, and give God and me thankes. In this oyle is this wonderful thing ob­servable, that it operates upon Chrystals calcined for three dayes, and extracts their salt, which done, the oyle is yet once more to be distilled by a Retort, and so hast thou a Remedy so potent, that it breaks and expels the stone of the blad­der, and perfects many other things.