Philosophia Maturata:
AN
Exact Piece of Philosophy,
Containing
The Practick and Operative part
thereof in gaining the Phi∣losophers
Stone;

With the wayes how to make
the Mineral Stone, and the Calcination
of Mettals.

Whereunto is added,
A Work Compiled by
St. Dunstan, concerning the
Philosophers Stone,
And the experiments of Rumelius
and Preparations of Angelo
Sala, all most famous
Chymists in their time.

Published by Lancelot Colson, Dr. in
Phys. and Chym.

London, Printed for G. Sawbridge,
and are to be sold at his house
upon Clerken-well-Green, 1668.



A Preface rela∣ting to the life of St. Dunstan, the Author.
HOw reverent an
esteem Antiquity
hath had of this holy man
wil appear, in that so ma∣ny
famous Authors have
written concerning him,
to wit the Author of the
Brittish Antiquities; Hi∣story
of Great Brittain;
Malmsbury, and Mat.


Westminster. He lived
about the year of our Lord
946. having been at first
a Monk, after that Abbot
of Glastonbury, then
Bishop of Worcester,
next of London, and fi∣nally
Archbishop of Can∣terbury:
As to the Re∣ligious
part of his life, it
was so exemplary, that
after ages even to this
time have esteemed it mi∣raculous:
He flourished in
the Reigns of Edred or
Eldred, Edwin and Ed∣gar
three Kings of Eng∣land.


In Edwins Reign
he was Banished, during
which time the King by
the Rebellion of his Sub∣jects
was deprived both
of his life and Kingdom,
whom Edgar succeeding,
highly favoured and pro∣moted.
He Crown'd Edw.
King at Kingston, this
Edward was surnamed
the Martyr, being mur∣thered
by the procure∣ment
of Queen Elfrida.
After whose death Ethel∣dred
was Crowned King
by Dunstan, with whom


also he was so much in
favour that he preferred
him before all his Nobles
and laid up all his richest
royal Housholdstuff, Char∣ters
and Records with all
his Wealth and Treasure
in his Monastery, so that
all things were in his
power, the King without
his advice doing no∣thing
either in the pub∣lick
affairs of the King∣dom
or in his own pri∣vate
negotiations: And
as he stood thus in his
Royal Masters favour,


with all fidelity to that
great esteem he employed
his endeavours to enrich
religious places either by
the Danes wasted; or by
bimself founded: in this
manner did our Author by
the favour of his Prince
attain the highest honors,
and surely not without
great merit, his extraor∣dinary
acquired parts
and learning, deserving
greater Eulogyes then
this narrow scantling of
Paper can allow room for.
At last full of honour and


dayes and replete with
the grace and affection of
his Prince, be received
his Quietus est from the
cares of this world to en∣joy
the happiness of a
better, leaving behind
him the pattern of his
Religion, vertue and
learning for the world to
imitate, a tast whereof
you have in the ensuing
discourses. Et sic Vive
& Vale Lector.


To the Understanding Reader.
THou art here presented with
an ingenious peice of curious
Art which may well be entituled
An exact Piece of Philosophy,
for its subject is of such a nature as
none but such as are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉Lo∣vers
of Wisdom, are able to com∣prehend,
and that hath made
some even pretenders to Learn∣ing
cry out, That the Philosophers
Stone is indeed an invaluable
Gemme, but such as deserves only
to pass among nominal, not real
Jewels, but it would be a toylsom
work, and to as little purpose as
certare de lana caprina, to give
an answer to such Anomalus Ca∣prichio's.

The following tract (there is
no doubt) will yeild great satisfa∣ction
to all such as knowingly


pursue this kind of Philosophy,
especially when they shall consi∣der
the eminency of its Author,
for it bears in front the Reverend
Character of Learned Dunstan,
of whom the present world, at
least those therein that have con∣versed
in this Science, cannot but
know, that he was as exact as di∣ligent,
and so diligent, that none
before, nor hardly any since did
ever arrive herein to equal perfe∣ctions
with him.

But why should we waste time
in making Eulogyes of him, of
whom not only antiquity, but e∣ven
the wickedness of the pre∣sent
age speak both great and ho∣nourable
things, (to give them
no greater a Title) Let the Work
it self advance (as no doubt it
will) its own praise, for its Au∣thor
needed not the stilts of a
vain-glorious sustentation. Fare∣well.

Page 1
AN Exact Piece of PHYLOSOPHY.
Touching the Stone of Phylosophers.
IT is chiefly to be un∣derstood,
That the An∣cient
Phylosophers did
often endeavour to com∣pose
in a most short time
above the Earth, those
Page 2

things, which by Nature,
in many years, were perfect∣ed
under the Earth; viz.
To make most perfect and
most pretious Sol and Lune;
wherein they imitated the
foresteps of Nature, choo∣sing
to themselves most pure
Earths, white and Red,
which they named their Sol
and Lune; joyning them to∣gether
as Nature doth, with∣out
repugnance, untill at
length they were brought
to a fixation and subtilty:
This thing also is needfull
for you to perform, if you
desire to obtain the desired
end in this Science.

For Sol and Lune, is no∣thing
else, but Red and
White Earth, to which Na∣ture
Page 3

hath perfectly joyned
Argent vive, pure, subtile,
white, and Red, and so of
them hath produced Sol and
Lune.

It is therefore needfull
for thee, seeking this Science,
That first thou get these
Earths, White and Red,
subtile, pure and fixed, and
in these two Earths to fix
two Mercuries, white in the
white, and red in the red,
without division, and by
their least parts, so as they
may endure the greatest
examen of the fire, and may
have such fusion, that as we
see a great quantity of Wa∣ter
coloured with a little
Saffron, so they may in the
least quantity abundantly
Page 4

tinge every mettall, and all
metalline spirits whatsoe∣ver,
so as they be of the
same Kind and Nature, and
may altogether and fully
bring them to their own
quality.

And moreover, that in
themselves they may be in∣finitely
multiplied, and able
to free the body of Man
from the worst and most
deadly Diseases; which
Properties truly are not
found in common Sol and
Lune, without great La∣bour,
(and yet but onely in
part) because that the Ve∣getative
power, the Mother
of all increase, for the most
part, is long since extinct in
them.

Page 5

If thou know how to per∣form
this, and to imitate the
condition of the inferiour
nature in making Mettals,
thou mayst worthily rejoyce
in the name of a Phyloso∣pher,
as being not meanly
expert in natural things.

It is to be noted, That the
more Antient Phylosophers
used not common Sol and
Lune in this Work, and
therefore they said, That
their work needed not great
Cost and Charges, but that
it might be as well perform∣ed
by the Poor, as the Rich:
Which were altogether
different from the truth, if
it could not be performed
without Common Sol and
Lune: For they are very
Page 6

pretious and rare, and hard∣ly
to be gotten of poor men
without great labour. In∣deed,
many have brought
great quantities of Sol and
Lune to nothing by this Art,
and have unprofitably spent
and wasted their Time and
Labour, to the destruction
both of their Bodies and
Souls, which is much to be
lamented.

Moreover, in these our
Times, we know no man
who doth diligently and
truly find out the Philoso∣phers
Tinctures, but most of
them labour absurdly and
vainly in vulgar Mercury, and
in common Sol and Lune;
therefore few of them ob∣tain
this grace.

Page 7

Let us take heed; for al∣though
Sol and Lune may be
subtilated and mixed with
tinctures, and so reduced
into lesser tinctures and
Elixers with mean profit;
yet the true way according
to the Doctrine of Philo∣sophers,
is not in them: for
Sol and Lune are two tin∣ctures
Principal, red and
white, buried in one and the
same body, which by nature
were never brought to per∣fect
compliment, yet they
are separable from their dir∣ty
and earthy accidentall
dross, and afterward accor∣ding
to their proper qua∣lities,
are made most fit fer∣ments
for pure earth, white
and red, so as in no sort
Page 8

they are said to need any
other thing.

For the whole Work is
one, and the thing it self is
one, and all the whole is
derived from an Image. For
our Ancestors knew, that
the parts of this our Stone
are celestiall and concrete;
which were altogether ab∣surd,
if common Sol and
Lune were needfull to the
composition thereof.

For it is said, Take a bo∣dy
wherein is Argent vive,
pure, clean, unspotted, and
incompleat of Nature: such
a body after its compleat
and perfect cleansing, is
much better then the Bodies
of Mineral Sol and Lune.

Of this self-same body,
Page 9

which is the matter of the
Stone, three things are chief∣ly
said; namely, that it is
a green Lyon, a stinking
Gumme, and a white Fume.

But this is spoken of Phy∣losophers,
purposely to de∣ceive
Folks, and to bring
them into doubts, by the
many and different names.

But understand thou shalt,
one thing alwaies is really
signified, though acciden∣tally
and by names it is said
to be three: for the green
Lyon, stinking Liquor, and
white Fume, are spoken of
one and the same subject,
wherein they altogether lie
hid, untill by Art they are
made manifest.

Page 10

By the green Lion, all
Philosophers mean green Sol
multipliable and sperma∣tick,
which is as yet incom∣pleat
by Nature, having
power to reduce Bodies to
the first matter, and to make
fixed things spirituall and
flying, and so it is fitly cal∣led
a Lion.

For as every Beast is sub∣ject
to the Lion, so every
Metalline body is confirmed
and strengthened by the
power of this Liony and
green Sol; namely, of our
Mercury, when it is Philo∣sophically
prepared.

This is bred and born
with a certain water, which
we call Argent vive of the
Philosophers, and white
Page 11
Mercury: Therefore their
water White and Red, gi∣veth
unto us two tinctures,
white and red, proceeding
from one body and sub∣stance:
These are alwaies
named our Mercuries; and
after due conjunction, de∣coction,
and digestion, we
call our White and Red
Stones.

By the stinking gumme,
we mean a certain stinking
smell, proceeding from the
unclean Body in the first di∣stillation,
which is altoge∣ther
like unto stinking Assa∣faetida,
that with a certain
sweetness, whereof it is said
before its preparation, its
smell is grievous; which is
most certain: but after that,
Page 12

in a due manner it shall be
prepared and circulated in∣to
any quintessence.

This dignified matter of
Philosophers abounds with
unspeakable sweetness, ha∣ving
power to cure the Le∣prosie,
and other grievous
Diseases; and without this
our living Sol, it is impossi∣ble
to make aurum potabile,
to cure with; which of
Philosophers is called the
Elixer of Life, and of Met∣tals.

Yet I deny not, but that
Philosophers may very well
and with good success, dis∣solve
Mineral Lune and Sol
with radical things of their
own kind, and as yet not per∣fected
by Nature, and so may
Page 13

attain to the highest mysterie
of this Art.

But certainly it is not for
every mean Wit; it is for
Princes who do most abound
with Sol and Lune: but this
way is universally open and
lawfull unto all men, yet
chiefly for poor men, as be∣ing
more brief, and of lesse
Cost.

It is called a white Fume,
because that in the first di∣stillation,
before the red
tincture doth ascend, there
riseth a fume truly white,
whereby the receiver is
clouded with a frequent
milkish shadow and moy∣sture,
for which cause it is
called the Virgins Milk.
Wherefore, wheresoever
Page 14

thou shalt find a substance
endued with these three
qualities, know that it is the
true matter of the Philoso∣phers
Stone.

There ariseth a Question
very difficult, which much
troubleth fantastick Heads,
viz. our Stone sheweth it
self in a foul shape, because
it is in every thing, and in
every place; whence ma∣ny
men reading this, make
choice of several and stink∣ing
things, which with great
labour they distil, calcine, &
joyn together. But let such
hear what the Philosophers
say, Who so seeks the Philoso∣phers
Secrets in Turds looseth∣his
Labour, and in the end
finds nothing but deceit.

Page 15

Yet there is also another
thing which troubleth these
mens Brains, viz. our
Stone is bred between two
Mountains, it is cast out in∣to
the Dunghill, and tro∣den
under mens feet, it is
counted a most vile and
contemptible thing, it is
generated between Male
and Female, and lieth hide
in Thee, in Me, and in such
like things. And contrari∣ly
it is said, Our Stone can∣not
be in things differing
from its kind, namely, from
the Nature of Sol and Lune;
for nothing can give that
which it hath not. A Net∣tle
cannot produce a Rose,
nor a Woman a Dog; How
then shall we resolve so
Page 16

many doubts rising from
Contrarieties?

Truly, it is easily done;
for it is plain, That nothing
in this World, whether it
be Animal, Vegetable, or
Mineral, can be generated
without a natural and a spe∣cial
appetite.

Therefore according to
the Doctrine of Phyloso∣phers,
which informs us on∣ly
by obscure Examples;
We must understand that
the Stone may be by Simili∣tude
in every thing, and in all
places, chiefly, because it is
nothing else but a specifical
vertue and quality joyned
with natural heat, whereby
every compounded thing is
brought to his perfectest de∣termined
end.

Page 17

Things generally spoken
are alwaies generally to be
understood, for what earth∣ly
thing can be in every
thing, and in all places, but
only a specifical Appetite,
and a natural Heat; for
these are the immediate and
near causes without which
the Stone cannot be.

Whosoever therefore
desireth to understand the
Stone, let him not depart
from his specifical quality
and Original.

Of a Man cometh a Man,
of a Rose a Rose; so like∣wise
from a matter which is
potentially Gold, having
things necessary, and Excre∣ments
purged, ariseth Sol by
an inward Appetite; there∣fore
Page 18

from a Mettal ariseth a
multitude of metalline tin∣cture
and perfection: The
Stone is made of a mettal,
living, hot and moist, when
natural heat is joyned with
it, whereby it is made apt
to generate its like. For
our Stone is most pure mat∣ter,
viz. the nature of Sol,
containing in it self a vege∣table
heat, whereby it hath
power and vertue alwaies to
multiply in its own specifi∣cal
and natural form; there∣fore
it is called the secret
Fire of nature, stirring up
the compound, and per∣fecting
it in our Glasse into a
Stone, in like manner as seed,
by reason of its own proper
naturall heat, and radicall
Page 19

moisture, if its mother
Earth doth putrifie to admi∣rable
Generation and Mul∣tiplication.

Whosoever therefore
keeps not this our heat, our
fire, our balnium, our invi∣sible
and most temperate
flame, and of one regiment,
and continually burning in
one quality and measure
within our Glasse; I say,
whosoever understands not
this Dunghill, horsebelly,
and moist fire, shall labour
in vain, and shall never at∣tain
this Science.

Thou seest therefore that
the radical humidity, which
is that first vegetable Ver∣tue,
is the cause of multipli∣cation
of every thing in its
Page 20

kind. Therefore of the
Composition of Sol and Lune
take our burning water, that
Aqua vite, which the igno∣rant
do think, but falsly, to
be extracted from Wine,
Oyl, and such like Li∣quors.

I say, such green Sol and
Lune, in which the vegetable
vertue is not extinguished,
but is living, hot and moist,
and hath power to reduce all
Bodies to their vegetability;
for by this, with Gods per∣mission,
bodies extinct, and
not multipliable, may more
easily get the habit and ver∣tue
to germinate, which of
Phylosophers is called the
beginning and tearm from
whence the Stone is genera∣ted.

Page 21
Marie the Prophetesse in
an Epistle to Aron, writeth,
That the Body taken from
little Mountains, is a Body
white and clear, not suffering
putrefaction nor motion, and
it is that which is generated be∣tween
Male and Female; By
those little Mountains is un∣derstood
Sol and Lune, which
are naturally separated from
us by a great distance, by
whose influence Gold and
Silver are generated, both
which are in our Mercu∣ry.

By Male and Female, we
understand Agent and Pati∣ent,
Active and Passive, both
which are also in our active
Mercury, and in our Passive
Earth.

Page 22

Whereby, without
doubt, is inferred, that a
mineral Earth and Water
are the Active and Passive
matter, as the Philosophers
Stone. And here hence
appears that community be∣tween
the Poor and Rich;
seeing that the Stone may be
made of one thing, without
visible Sol and Lune.

But here by the way, I
advertise thee, that betwixt
the Elixer and the Stone
there is this difference; for
the Stone rejoyceth in unity
and simplicity, but the Elix∣er
in plurality.

The Stone therefore is
one thing, our Mercury, Sol,
Lune, our Lincture white
and red, which may be na∣turally
Page 23

joyned with its own
proper Earth, or with the
Earth taken from the little
Mountains, and may easily
be obtained by mortal men.
But the Elixer is the same
vegetable Mercury, which
yet by reason of its fixation,
is said not to be common,
but consisting of many
things, for it is absolutely
fix'd in the Earth of com∣mon
Sol and Lune: And
therefore it alwayes con∣sisteth
of many things, viz.
of Mercury vegetable, and
of a different Earth, which
is neither Common nor fit
for poor men. But of this
Earth, it is not much to be
respected of what substance
it is, so it be fix'd.

Page 24
Alphidius is of the same
Opinion, saying, The Faeces,
from whence this Earth is ta∣ken,
seeing it is of no value,
is altogether to be rejected,
and the Mercury to be planted
in another subtil Earth: For
its own Earth is seldom na∣tural
in the composition of
the Elixer.

Yet, my Friend, I will
name it to thee by its own
Name, whereby the com∣mon
People name it; and it
is the end of the Egg, where∣by
we understand the na∣ture
of Mettals, viz. Mer∣cury
rightly mix'd by Na∣ture,
with its own sulphur,
of its own accord inclined by
pntrefaction and growing.

Page 25

From this Egg, three
things must be considered;
namely, The Yolk, the
White, and the Shell; and
this last is only and altoge∣ther
necessary for Phyloso∣phers,
which is called the
end of the Egg; that is, the
last part, rejoycing in per∣fection,
having the likeness
of a little Mountain, and
also generated between
Male and Female; which
when it is perfectly calcined
it exceeds all Earths what∣soever
in whiteness and sub∣tilty,
enduring the greatest
fire, embracing Tincture,
and desiring a metal in Na∣ture,
which is hardly be∣lieved
of Workers in the
Art, unless they being
Page 26

overcome by experience the
Mistress of things, that they
be compelled to confess and
admire it. But another
Earth, wherein there is
any Mercurial humidity,
will not drink up our Mer∣cury
with so much greedi∣ness,
and therefore it is
not so commodious; the rea∣son
is, because it aboundeth
with its proper and natural
humidity, but this hath non
such, for its humidity was
naturally transferred to the
generation and union of the
White and the Yolk.

Yet we deny not, that this
vertue is necessary, yet pro∣fitable
for the preservation
of man's Body, which is de∣rived
from the outward
Page 27

parts to the inward, yet so
as it be mixed with the Elix∣er
of life; this Earth is
wholly contemned, when
the matter included is cor∣rupted,
and is cast out on
the Dunghill, and every
where troden under foot,
and accounted unprofita∣ble.

Sometimes I desiring to
try whether it would joyn
with our unctious humidity:
I put it thereto, which it
drunk up with so great ap∣petite
as that it seemed
spongious, & a most fat con∣gealation,
rather then an
Earth naturally naked;
from which when I had
gently evoparated Mercury,
it remained very Citron.

Page 28

Here I will end and shew
what matter, and what way
of practice is necessary for
this Work and Art.

Of the Practick, and Ope∣rative Part.
In the Name of God take
a Drop of the Green Lyon,
which I have mentioned be∣fore,
and dissolve him in di∣still'd
Vinegar very well for
ten dayes, stirring the Com∣pound
strongly three times
every day, that it may be
well mixed: then separate
the Foeces three times by fil∣ter;
afterward evaporate
the Vineger with a gentle
fire, untill it be thick as
Page 29

Pitch, then pour it out, and
keep it safe.

Having 12 pounds of the
Green Lyon thus brought
into Gum, thou may'st be∣lieve,
that thou hast seen
Earth of Earth, and the Bro∣ther
of Earth, whereof Phy∣losophers
have so often spo∣ken;
put thereof three pound
into a Glass, whose third
part may contain at least four
Sextaries of Wine: put it
into a Furnace with Sand, so
as the Sand may be two fin∣gers
thick under the Glass,
and about and above the
Matter; then the matter be∣ing
a little dryed with a gen∣tle
heat, put a Receiver not
yet luted thereto: after a
few hours, having received a
Page 30

certain light Water, when
thou seest a certain white
Fume begin to ascend, put
thereto another most long &
most large Receiver, which
lay close, least the Spirits
break forth, which are most
necessary in this Work:

Note also, that from the
first appearing of the White
Fume, the fire must be dis∣creetly
increased by little
and little: This same ting∣eth
the Receiver with a cer∣tain
thick and milky humidi∣ty
which is our Lune, and
therewith shal also ascend a
most red oyl, called the Phi∣losophers
acreal Gold, a stin∣king
Menstruum, the Philo∣sophers
Sol, our Tincture,
Burning water, the Blood of
Page 31

Green Lyon, our unctious
humidity, which is the last
comfort of Man's Body in
this Life; the Philosophers
Mercury, the Solutive Wa∣ter,
which dissolveth Sol un∣der
conservation of its Spe∣cies;
it hath also many other
Names.

Continue this Distillati∣on
from the first appearance
of the white Fume 12 hours
following: then remove the
Receiver, and stop it close,
lest the Spirits be lost, which
are very volatile and pene∣trative:
And thus thou hast
the Bloud of the Green Ly∣on,
called The Secret Water,
and most sharp Vinegar, by
which all Bodies may be re∣duced
to their first Matter,
Page 32

and purgeth Man's Body
from all Infirmities.

This is our Fire alwayes
equally burning in one
measure within the Glass,
and not without: This is
our Dung-hill, our Aqua∣vitae,
our Balmy, our Horse∣belly,
working and produ∣cing
many Wonders in the
most secret Work of Na∣ture:
It is also the Exami∣ner
of all Bodies dissolved,
and not dissolved; a Fire
hot and moist, most sharp, a
Water-carrying Fire in its
Belly; otherwise it could
not have power to dissolve
Bodies into their first Mat∣ter:
This is our Mercury,
our Sol, our Lune, which we
use in our Secret Work.
Page 33

Take the Foeces left in the
bottom, as soon as they are
cold; for they are our
Cross-Bill, far blacker then
Pitch, which thou may'st set
on fire, by putting a kindled
Cole into it; so as they shall
be calcined of their own ac∣cord
into a most Yellow
Earth: But this Calcina∣tion
sufficeth not for its per∣fect
cleansing; put it there∣fore
into a Reverberatory,
with a moderate heat, for
eight dayes, and so many
Nights following, increa∣sing
the heat and flame, till
it be white as Snow; they
may also be calcined in a
Potters Furnace, being
meanly hot.

Page 34

Having this white Earth,
thou may'st putrifie and al∣ter
it, or the Calxes of other
Metals prepared, as I will
teach you in that which fol∣loweth,
at thy pleasure, into
a new Whiteness or Red∣ness,
by meanes of our Lune
or Mercury, which putrifieth
with them by Generation,
and Vegetation; which
Properties they wanted be∣fore:
for the Phylosophers
say, first calcine, then pu∣trifie
and dissolve; distill,
sublime, descent, and fix of∣ten
with our Aquavitae; wash
and dry, and make a Mar∣riage
between the Body and
the Spirit; and if the Water
be congealed, by a natural
commixture with the Body,
Page 35

then the Body shall dye of
the Flux, shedding its bloud,
and putting on many Co∣lours;
after the third Day,
he shall ascend and descend,
first to the Moon, then to the
Sun, through the round O∣cean
Sea, and without end,
sitting in a very little Ship;
and when his Journey is
ended, he shall immediately
obtain the Victory, for do∣ing
whereof, there shall not
need any great expence:
And thus thou may'st wait
again patiently the Harvest,
and thou should be fill'd
with Joy and Riches. And
now we will speak of Putre∣faction.

Take an ounce of this
Calx hidden before in the
Page 36

Philosophers eg, and thereon
put of the red tincture to
cover it two fingers; then
seal it, and set it to putrifie
eight daies in a most cold
place; which being ended,
it will drink up the humidi∣ty;
again pour on as much
of the tincture, and let it
stand as before for other
eight daies, continuing again
the said imbibitions and
times: let it stand till it cease
to drink any more tincture;
remove it not from its place,
untill it be blacker then any
pitch; which being seen,
set it into a natural balmy,
that the moisture with the
black Earth may be digest∣ed,
and fixed into a white
Mineral: then divide it into
Page 37

two equal parts, and work
the one for the white, and
the other for the red stone:
which thou shalt thus easily
perform; Ferment the one
part with the oyl of Lune,
that is, with white water,
and the other part with the
oyl of Sol, that is, with the
red water; and so by greater
heat and digestion, it shall
be converted into a most red
powder, like Dragons blood.

This powder being joyn∣ed
with a part of our Mer∣cury,
and circulated, is call∣ed
Aurum Potabile, Elixer
of life and of Mettalls, which
transmuteth Mercury and all
imperfect mettals into most
perfect Sol.

Page 38

But here learn a general
Rule; If thou ordain the
Elixer only for the white,
then keep one part of the
red work, distill the other
part with a gentle fire, ta∣king
the white water, which
we call our white tincture,
our Eagle, our white Mer∣cury,
and Virgins milk, and
having these two Mercuries,
thou mayst practise with
them, either upon their own
Earths, or upon the calxes of
Mettals prepared.

For it is said, The Earth
is not much to be respected,
so that it be fix'd. There∣fore
take which thou wilt,
being first altered into
whiteness; and for the white
work, you may ferment thus;

Page 39

Take the Calx of Lune
and Earth altered, equall
parts, grind them together,
and temper them with white
Mercury, named Virgins
milk, which keep safe; sub∣lime
the rest not fixed, and
that which ariseth to the
sides of the glass, like Mer∣cury
sublimed, reiterate up∣on
his proper calxes, grind∣ing
and tempering with our
Virgins milk, distilling and
subliming as before, untill no
fire will raise it.

This our Mercury subli∣med
and fixed, made of the
white Earth of bodies alter∣ed,
arising at first admirably
by the vertue and help of
water.

Page 40

This is that Mercury, in∣stead
of which the unlearn∣ed
take the compounded of
common Mercury, Vitriol, and
Sol sublimed; wherein they
are deceived: when this is
thus fixed into white earth,
it is afterward calcined,
whereof is made an Elixer
or stone as followeth; Put
it into a circulatorie, and
pour thereon Virgins milk
to cover it, then circulate
it to the thickness of oyl, by
drying and calcining it, as
often as thou wilt, for by
this means it may be aug∣mented
infinitely.

But before thou make pro∣jection,
congeal it into an
oily powder, one part there∣of
converts thousand, nay
Page 41

ten thousand parts of Argent
vive, and the other Mettals
into pure Lune, enduring all
trialls.

In like manner thou shalt
work with the Red Water
upon the calx of Metals, by
fermenting and subliming
upon the calx of Sol alter∣ed.

And note, That thou canst
have no perfect ferment, un∣till
it be altered with Mer∣curie
from their first quali∣ties,
into a new whitenesse
and rednesse by means of
Putrifaction and alteration,
which before it wanted.

But when after putri∣faction,
it shall be reduced
into Whiteness, then it be∣comes
spiritual, and is more
Page 42

apt to joyn better with our
Mercurie sublimed natural∣ly,
and by the least parts,
and also to be fixed toge∣ther
inseparably; which
would not be so naturall, if
one part were fixed, and the
other part to be separa∣ted.

Moreover, when spirits
have not vertue to penetrate
bodies, nor bodies appetite
to imbrace spirits, it is im∣possible
that they should be
joyned by their least parts.

But contrarily, when fer∣ments
are made spirituall,
then spirits will joyn with
spirits, and the body which
was most perfectly fix'd, is
naturally disposed, and in∣clined
to return to his for∣mer
Page 43

fixation; which with∣out
doubt cannot possibly be
in bodies which were never
perfectly fix'd, but the body
before fixation, desiring a
solid habit and fixation,
draweth with him, and into
his disposition, all spirits
whatsoever, which are joy∣ned
with him, and not dege∣nerating
as Sulphur vive,
Arsnick sublimed, Bole-Ar∣monick,
and such like.

Common Mercury subli∣med,
may very well be joyn∣ed
with spiritual ferments,
which with calx of ferment
not altered, wi•l never be
perfectly joyned.

Therefore this part of
natural Phylosophie exclu∣deth
all citrinations and
Page 44

dealbations, which were not
produced by a perfect alte∣ration
before the tincture,
were joyned to their bodies
and spirits.

For nothing can be made
an Elixer, untill it hath pass'd
the Philosophical Wheel;
which being unknown, all
labour comes to nothing.

Page 45
Of the abbre∣viation of the Work. Wherein almost all Elixers are contained, and the wayes to make them.
The First Abbreviation.
TAke Vitriol, calcine it
into ashes, then beat
them into most subtile pow∣der;
put them in an Urinal,
and pour thereto Virgins
Milk to cover them, stop
the Urinal with a Linnen
cloth, and let it stand eight
Page 46

dayes, then adde thereto as
much of the aforesaid Milk,
reiterating this from eight
dayes to eight dayes, and
when it will drink no more,
let it stand in a cold place,
close stopt, untill a certain
Cristalline earth like Fishes
eyes, appear in the upper
part thereof, which separate
from the gross part remain∣ing
in the bottom, which
put into the Philosophers
Egg to digest discreetly un∣till
it be perfectly fixed.

Then increase the fire, till
it be perfect yellow, and
then again increase the fire,
until it be red as Dragons
blood: Then add to this a
part of red Mercury, to co∣ver
it, and congeal it by cir∣culation
Page 47

into Oyl, and after∣ward
into Powder, and do
thus three times.

Project one part of this
Powder upon forty of most
pure Lune, melted with one
part of most fine Sol, and it
shall be converted into most
pure Sol: or if you project
it upon Amalgum of Mer∣cury
and Sol, or of Mercury
and Lune, it shall be more
certain, and more plenti∣full.

But if thou wilt have
Gold most perfect, and most
high, take the Elixer out of
the Egg, put it in an Urinal,
and poure upon of the fore∣said
red Mercury, equally
compounded, and mixed
with a strong Corrasive
Page 48

made of Vitriol and Sul∣phur,
which evaporate from
the Elixer with a most
gentle fire, and by this means
the tincture of the one wa∣ter
and of the other, shall be
fixed with the Elixer, by
augmenting its quantity and
colour; which being often
repeated, the Elixer shall be
converted into the form of
Oyl, in which if you quench
Lamins of Lune nealed,
they shall be throughout
ting'd into most perfect Sol,
which being melted with a
part of most pure Gold, it
shall be purer then any com∣mon
Gold.

But if you take as much
of the white Earth of Mars
altered as before, of Vi-
Page 49
Vitriol, fixing it upon the calx
of Sol altered, and afterward
rubified, and then convert it
into Oyl as before, with the
said compounded water;
thou shalt have a great E∣lixer,
converting every Me∣tall
into most pure Gold.

This work may be done
in twelve weeks: but it is
not good for the health of
Mans body.

In the same manner with
the ferment of Lune altered,
thou mayst fix the white
Earth of Vitriol, and of
Mars altered, which are re∣duced
into Oyl with the
foresaid Virgins Milk, being
equally mixed with water
of common Mercury, sub∣limed,
fixed, and calcined,
Page 50

so hast thou the best Elixer
to convert all Bodies into
most pure Lune.

The Second Abbreviation.
IF thou canst artificially
prepare the aforesaid
white or red water, thou
mayst farr sooner attain the
end of the work. First there∣fore
fix Mercury sublimed,
and calcine it, and then dis∣solve
it in the other Mercury
white or red, untill they be
made one water: purifie this
water three weeks, and it
will alter the calxes of any
Metall; for in this work is
Page 51

joyned a twofold Water,
namely, natural and against
nature.

The way to fix Mercury
sublimed, is thus: First sub∣lime
Mercury; if there be
half a pound of it, joyn here∣to
half a pound of Saltpeter,
and as much of Vitriol,
grinding and tempering the
mixture with distilled Ace∣tum,
till all become like
white Paste; when they are
thus incorporated, sublime
seven times, that of his own
accord he may be clear, then
fix it in this manner: put two
or three pound in a long re∣ceiver,
stop the mouth, place
it in ashes, so as the Globe
may be wholly covered; the
first week, give it a gentle
Page 52

fire; the second week stron∣ger,
and the third most
strong: this done, it shall be
very well fixed. Again, dis∣solve
it in Virgins Milk, af∣ter
the foresaid way and
order; if thou wantest mo∣ney,
thou mayst obtain a
branch or particular, in farr
shorter time.

Thus, take the foresaid
white compoundèd Mercu∣ry,
and fix it upon the calx
of Lune, not altered by cir∣culating
it thereon, and
when one part is fixed, add
more, repeating it often, un∣till
the calx it self melt like
Butter on a fiery Cole.

One part thereof pro∣jected
upon ten of Mercury
purged, maketh good Lune
Page 53

for Vessels and Houshold-Ornaments.
This self-same
way thou mayst handle our
red Mercuries composition,
being made as before with
the said water extracted
from Mercury sublimed, fix∣ed,
calcined, and dissolved
in the said red Water, so as
it be then calcined upon the
calx of Sol not altered, and
thou hast the best tincture
to convert Lune into Sol,
whereof Rings and other
things may be made.

Page 54
The Third Abbreviation.
PUt into a Circulatory,
an ounce of the calx of
the Egg-shells very well re∣verberated,
and pour there∣on
of white or red Mercury
to cover it; then nip the
glass, or stop it close with
lute made of powder of Iron,
Vitriol, and Honey, well
boyled together, circulating
in balnco, till it be dryed up
into powder.

This done, pour in more,
observing the same order,
untill it be made oyl; This
converts Mercury, and the
Page 55

other Metalls into most per∣fect
Sol and Lune, according
to the nature and disposition
of the Elixer.

After the same manner
thou mayst circulate our
Mercury upon the Calxes of
Metals. There can be no
way shorter than this; for if
thou put an ounce of calx of
Sol with Mercury, before
likewise fixed, and pour
thereto as much red Mer∣cury
as may cover the calx
two fingers breadth, then
stop it close with Paste com∣pounded
with Hony, Bole∣armenick,
and Iron dust,
mix'd and strongly tempered
and boyled, till it be stiff and
black.

Page 56

Then set the circulatory
in a Furnace, and with gen∣tle
heat digest the red Mer∣cury
into a red and fixed
calx, then adde thereto as
much more of that Mercury,
circulate and dry it as be∣fore,
till the Calx have drunk
as much Mercury as it can,
and be converted into a thick
blackish oyl, and so thou hast
an Elixer which converts
ten parts of Mercury, purged
and heated, into a most red
powder dry and fixed, which
if thou also put into a Circu∣latorie
with increase, and
digest by imbibition and con∣gealation,
as before, it shall
be so much increased in
quantity: And thus thou
mayst multiply this Elixer
infinitly.

Page 57

One ounce thereof will
congeale a hundred of crude
Mercury into powder; of
which powder, one ounce
will convert ten of any metal
into most pure Sol.

And this way thou mayst
work with the Calx of Lune
and Mercurie joyned toge∣ther,
so as evaporation be
made by Circulation, and
adding our naturall white
Mercurie, untill it be redu∣ced
into oyl, proceeding in
all points as in the former,
with the red Mercurie upon
the calx of Sol, and so thou
shalt have a white Elixer
converting all bodies into
most pure and perfect Lune.

Page 58
The Fourth Abbreviation.
TAke an ounce of the
Earth of the quintes∣sence,
smelling most sweetly,
and an ounce of the Mercury
of Virgins Milk; powder the
Earth, and joyn it with the
Mercurie.

This way shall be made a
perfect composition in the
first order for the white
Elixer, which by longer
time and greater fire is redu∣ced
into a red Elixer; put
therefore the compound in∣to
a blind Urinal (as it is
call'd) very close stopt, and
Page 59

gest it in dung equally for
15 dayes; then take it out,
and shut it up in a Philoso∣phers
Egge, and digest it
in a gentle heat, till it be
black, and so unto perfect
whiteness. This we call
a white Elixer: within this
time, the fire being increa∣sed,
will be red, of which
one ounce cements hundreds
of Mercury into Sol.

To multiply it, take a part
thereof, and joyn it in the
foresaid manner with Vir∣gins
milk, digest as before,
unto whiteness, and then un∣to
redness.

In this second repetition,
the Projection will be upon
Page 60

four hundred. By this Pro∣jection
thou mayst multi∣ply
it at thy pleasure.

The Fifth Abbreviation.
DIssolve the red Calx
of Sol and Mercurie in
the first most strong Corro∣sive
composed of Salt-Peter
and Vitriol the common
way; put the solution▪ in a
pellican in balneo, drawing
off the one half, then stop
it most close, dry it up with
a gentle heat; then add more
of the Corrosive, observing
the foresaid order, in dissol∣ving,
Page 61

evaporating and con∣gealing
ten times, untill the
Corrosive cease to arise;
which is then done, when
by no fire it can be fixed into
powder, but remaineth like
oyl and thick.

This Elixer converts Mer∣cury,
and every metall into
most perfect Sol; This work
ought to be done in a Circu∣latory
placed in an Earthen
Pot, wherein it must stand
covered with dung to the
middle; This Pot must be
full of holes in the bottome,
and must be placed upon
the mouth of a Copper Ves∣sell
half fill'd with hot wa∣ter,
as a Copper Vessell is
placed of a Furnace, where∣in
fire must be made to be
Page 62

continued discreetly for ne∣cessity
of digestion.

This Experiment is called
Rustum.

Of the Minerall Stone.
GOD is wonderfull in
his Works, who is
Vertue, teaching the
Truth.

Take in this name the
Mercury white or red, simple
or compounded, and dissolve
therein five stones of the
Sea; Doing in all things as
you did in Vitriol, and thou
Page 63

shalt have the great Elixer.

By the same way of u∣trifaction,
all Mineralls may
be altered, and so of every
fixed thing (a due matter be∣ing
added) may be made an
Elixer, for our Mercury white
and red must be joyned with
fixed things which want
Mercury; and this way the
Metalline Bodies may be
brought into a metalline
form, namely a Vitrified
Powder, as also Egg-shells,
which when they are per∣fectly
calcined, will endure
fire more than Sol; and
thereof being well and arti∣ficially
ting'd, Philosaphers
have made Sol in the space
of one day, which Nature
cannot do under-ground in a
Page 64

thousand years: A thing
hard and incredible to the
unlearned; yet true and
most certain, and confirmed
by the Testimony of many
men.

Be thou therefore not so∣licitous
or curious in choo∣sing
thine Earth, so that it be
of a Metalline Nature, and
induring the Fire.

Hereby Glass is made
malleable, and by meanes of
this Tincture, is converted
into transparent and fixed
Mettal, whereby it appear∣eth,
that this Science is pos∣sible.

For there is no Earth
which doth more easily em∣brace
the Spirituality of our
Mercury, than that which is
Page 65

most deprived of Mercury,
and moisture; which Priva∣tion
thou shalt not find in
Bodies of another Nature,
although yet they be very
much calcined.

Wherefore it appeareth
manifestly, that seeing Sol
and Lune, are nothing else
but Earth, Red and White,
wherein a most pure Mer∣cury
is fixed and joyned by
the least parts, that Philoso∣phers
(having the same Ele∣ments)
may artificially imi∣tate
Nature in her Compo∣sition
under the Earth, to
produce the same effect: for
it is certain, that Earth may
be fermented to Water, so
as it be fixed; and Water
fermented to Earth, if it be
Page 66

perfect and cleansed; and
this without the help of any
common Sol or Lune: And
therefore Philosophers in their
Writings have taught, that
the Stone is equally common
both to the Poor and Rich.

These things considered,
thou shalt understand, that
our Stone lyeth hidden, and
fecretly lurketh, often in
places least suspected, and
nothing esteemed, whose
matter and nearness, if it
should be known, would
produce most great dan∣ger.

It is to be noted, that the
Philosophers have found out
divers wayes of handling
this one thing: But I answer
for them all, and briefly
Page 67

conclude, That our Earth
doth drink up and fix our
Mercury; and that this Mer∣cury
doth wash and ting our
Earth, and so doth perfect it
into the Stone, without any
further ferment.

For the white Mercury
giveth a most perfect Tin∣cture
of Lune, and the Red
Mercury of Sol: Therefore,
when they are fixed in con∣venient
Earths, they make
Sol and Lune, without the
help of common Gold and
Silver. Behold thou un∣derstandest
this Tincture,
which we draw out from a
vile thing of no price: yet
note, that he that hath Salt
in his Breast, may ferment
this Tincture with common
Page 68

Gold, whereby he may ob∣tain
incomparable Riches,
yet with Wisdom, with
most great Cost, and not
without danger.

For from Sol alone, by
means of this Tincture,
which is our burning Wine,
is made a most pretious and
a most perfect Elixer, white
and red; for it rejoyceth in
fulness of white and red Sul∣pher,
whereby may be made
most perfect Silver.

Of this Work, I have
written more fully in my Se∣venth
Book; wherein I
Treat of the manifold plen∣ty
of Gold, and of the great∣est
Elixer of Life: But here
also I will briefly touch it.
Understand therefore, that it
Page 69

behoveth thee to alter the
Calx of Gold (with the
foresaid Stone, equally mix'd
with the Water of Mercu∣ry,
sublimed and perfectly
fixed) into most white and
fixed Sulpher.

Then calcine it well, that
the strength and poyson of
the Fire against Nature put
to it, do hasten to Putrifacti∣on
and alteration, may be ut∣terly
destroyed.

Then imbibe it with the
foresaid simple Milk, untill
the Calx it self have drunk
up a reasonable quantity
thereof, and that it be fix∣ed.

Dissolve it again with the
same Milk, and make it vola∣tile;
afterwards fix and cal∣cine,
Page 70

and then bring it into
Oyl, with a little part of that
Virgins Milk by circulation,
and so it shall be a perfect
Elixer, converting Mercury,
and each imperfect Mettal,
into most perfect Lune: and
by the same way, thou mayst
rubifie the other part with
our Red Mercury, by fixing
and calcining, and after∣ward
dissolving it with the
same Red Menstruum; and
at last by circulating it into
a thick Oyl, which we call
potable Gold, a curing and
preserving Exixer of Life,
and of Metals.

Know also, That if our
Red Mercury equally with
Mercury sublimed and fixed,
be circulated with Lutrie,
Page 71

Vitriol, or Iron, before and
after Rubification, be digest∣ed
into Oyl, it will convert
thine Lamins, of Lune neal∣ed
and injected into pure
Sol, which if thou afterward
taketh out, it will serve for
all need to live withall.

It is a general Rule, That
if thou wilt be a Master of
this Art, it is needful to
make all Medicines gumous
and fusible, melting like wax
of their own accord, with∣out
Fume, upon a Plate
nealed.

For by this means, each
part will follow the other in
Projection and will joyntly
dilate themselves through
the Pores of the Metal, with∣out
any disjunction: but if
Page 72

any part be ponderous, it
will separate the parts of
the Metal, & make it brittle.

Therefore the Medicine
must be often subtilated, af∣ter
that it is perfectly fixed,
that at least it may be an in∣combustible
Oyl, and rather
may be called a Species, then a
Genus, because it is nothing
else but a fixed Tincture of
Colour.

If (this thing observed)
thou canst prepare thy Me∣dicine
thus, thou shalt make
fair Metals, and malleable,
or else not.

Also here understand, two
Bodies to be dissolved with
the Natural Menstruum, is
always the second Calx, not
the first; and therefore it
Page 73

behoveth thee to dissolve
Calx of Mettals with a com∣pound
Mercury, as before is
taught, that they may sooner
putrifie, and be altered into
the second Calx (which we
call Sulpher of Nature, and
Foliated Earth) which we
then dissolve and circulate
into Oyl, with a Simple
Menstruum; namely, Na∣tural.

Page 74
The Calcination of Met∣tals.
NOw learn how Met∣tals
are to be calcined:
Know therefore, that Saturn
and Jupiter we calcine onely
one way, which is this: Put
either of them into a great
Iron Vessel, and in the Fire,
so that the Flame may beat
upon the Mettal; and draw
off the Scum with an Iron
Rake, to the sides of the
Vessel, stirring it often, until
it grow white; then searse
it, & gather the subtile Pow∣der;
one Ounce is sufficient
for thee.

Page 75

Sprinkle Venus and Mars
with the best Viniger well
distilled, that they may ga∣ther
Rust: burn this with
most strong Fire in an Iron
Dish; when it is red-hot,
cool it in the best Acetum,
evaporate that Acetum, and
gather a most red Earth;
which dry, and keep safe∣ly.

Amalgame Sol and Lune,
and grind it on a Marble
with Powder of Salt, pre∣pared
without any moisture,
untill no Mercury appear:
then sublime and evaporate
the Mercury with strong fire;
grind that in the bottome in∣to
most subtile Powder, and
sublime, untill no Mercury
remain with it; wash the
Page 76

Calx with hot Water, to
take away the Salt; dry it,
and thou shalt have a Calx
more subtile then Meal.

Another way is thus: Take
thin Lamins of Sol, neal and
cast them into Mercury, heat∣ed
on hot Ashes; so the Mer∣cury
will drink up the Sol.

Note, That every Ounce
of Sol requireth four and
twenty Ounces of Mercury;
put this a malgame in a larg
Glass; bury it in Sand in a
great Furnace, give it Fire
by degrees; after the sixth
hour make it vehement: con∣tinue
this heat five dayes
and nights, at each hour put∣ting
down the Mercury
which ascendeth, with a lin∣nen
Cloth, bound with a lit∣tle
Page 77

Iron Rod, and stopping
the Glass with Lute, till at
last all become a Powder
redder then Blood, which
then we call the first Calx,
good and perfect; with
which, if you mix Fire of
Nature, to use his Vertues,
as it requireth, thou canst not
erre in this Science.

The Recapitulation.
I Have told out of what,
and how thou shalt make
our Mercury white and red,
and how this Mercury is to
be actuated and sharpned;
how thou shalt prepare
Page 78

Calx, how to purifie and al∣ter
them into a new White∣ness,
which we call our Mer∣cury
sublimed; how to ab∣breviate
the time of Putri∣faction
and. Alteration; how
to fix and dissolve again, and
then how to circulate into a
white and red Elixer; how
by Imbibitions, with proper
Waters white and red, they
may be infinitely multiplyed
to an incredible profit.

Learn therefore Patience,
fear God and love him, keep
these Secrets, and then the
Lord will bless thine En∣deavours.

Saint Dunstan lived, and
was Archbishop of Canter∣bury,
in the Reign of King
Edgar, and Etheldred his Son,
Page 79

as appeareth by an Antient
Monument yet extant, in St.
Paul's Church in London,
containing a Prophecie in
these Words:

HEre lyeth Etheldred
King of England, Son
of King Edgar; to whom (on
the Day of his Consecration,
after his Coronation) it is re∣ported,
that St. Dunstan, Arch∣bishop
of Canterbury, Prophe∣cied
openly this Curse;

Because thou hast aspired to
the Kingdom, by the Death of
thy Brother; in whose Blood,
the English, with thy infamous
Mother, have conspired, the
Sword shall not depart from thy
House, but shall be against Thee
Page 80

all the Dayes of thy Life, de∣stroying
thy Seed, untill thy
Kingdom be transferred to ano∣ther
Kingdom, whose King and
Language the Nation, over
whom thou Reignest knowest
not: Neither shall thy Sin,
and the Sin of thy Mother, and
the Sin of those men, who were
accessary to that wicked Coun∣cel
be expiated, but by a long
Revenge.

Which Things came to
pass, as were fore-told by
that Holy Man: For Ethel∣dred
having been in divers
Battles miserably vexed, and
put to flight by King Swans-Dansh
and his Son, and at
last straitly Besieged, and
Page 81

shut up in London; He there
miserably dyed, in the Year
of our Lord, 1017. after he
had Reigned 36. Years in
great Tribulation.

Page 82
DUNSTAN of the Stone of the Philosophers; With the Experiments of Rumelius of New-Mar∣ket.
I.
TAke of the best red
transparent oar of gold,
as much as you can have,
drive its Spirit from it
through a Retort; this is the
Azoth and the Acetum of
Philosophers, from its pro∣per
minera, which openeth
Page 83

radically Sol that is prepa∣red.

II.
Take the Minera of Venus
or Saturn, drive their spirits
in a Retort, each of these
dissolveth Gold radically, af∣ter
its purification.

III.
Take Pulverised oar of
Saturn, or vulgar Saturn cal∣cined,
extract its salt with
Acetum, or its Antinae, puri∣fie
it in the best manner, that
it be transparent as Crystall,
and sweet as honey, and be
fluid in heat like Wax, and
brittle when cold.

Page 84

This is the Tree, which is
cut off, of unwholesome
Fruits, on which must be
inoculated the twiggs of
Sol.

IV.
Take of that Earth which
lyeth waste in the Field,
found every where in Moo∣rish
grounds, into which the
Astrals ejaculate their ope∣rations,
being adorned with
all manner of Colours, ap∣pearing
like a Rainbow; ex∣tract
from it its purest and
subtillest. This is the Uni∣versal
Menstruum for all; and
is all in all.

Page 85
V.
Take of the Oar of Sol
and Mercurie a like quantity,
grinde each very well, pour
on it the Spirit of Mercurie,
that it stand over 3. fingers
deep; dissolve and digest it
in a gentle warmth.

VI.
Take of the best Vitriol,
or of the Vitriol of Venus,
drive their Spirits in a Re∣tort,
white and red; with
this red Spirit being rectified
and sweetned, you may fer∣ment
and inbibe the subtile
Gold Calx, and with the
white Spirit you may dis∣solve
Page 86

it after it hath been
purified.

VII.
Take quick Mercurie, pu∣rifie
and dissolve it so long
in alcolisated spirit of Wine,
till its impurity be separa∣ted
from it, and become in∣to
its extream transparent
easie fluid essence; like un∣to
the white gluten of the
Eagle, and capable to re∣ceive
the blood of the Red
Lyon.

VIII.
Extract the salt of the
crude and white calcined
Tartar, Purifie and Clarifie
Page 87

it as often, till it be as bright
as the tear of the Eye, and
can be brought no higher;
therewith you may sharpen
its own spirit of Wine,
which dissolveth Sol and
Lune.

IX.
Take of the ranck poiso∣nous
matter or stone, called
Kerg swaden, exuviae, or
husks of the Metals, drive
its spirit very circumspectly,
receive it so, that it may
turn unto water, it redu∣ceth
all metalls to a potable∣ness.

Page 88
X.
Take of the ayre or hea∣venly
dew, being well pu∣rified,
ten parts, and of sub∣tile
Gold Calx one part, set
it in digestion, dissolve and
coagulate it.

XI.
Take the Urine of a whole∣some
Man, that drank meer∣ly
Wine, make of it, accord∣ing
to Art, the Salt of Mi∣crocosme,
purifie it very
well, which doth so much
accuate the Spirit of Wine,
that it dissolveth Sol in a
moment.

Page 89
XII.
Take of the best Oar of
Gold, pulverise it very well,
seal it with Hermes his Seal,
set it so long into the vapo∣rous
fire, till you see it spring
up and grow a white and
red Rose.

XIII.
This last Experiment he
calleth the Light. Take in
the Name of the Lord, of
Hangarish Gold, which hath
been cast thrice thorow An∣timony,
and be laminated most
thinly, as much of it as you
will, and make with quick
Mercury an a Malgame, then
Page 90

calcine it most subtilly, with
flowers of Sulpher, and spi∣rit
of Wine burnt, as often,
till there remaineth a fair
subtile Gold Calx, of a pur∣ple
colour. Take one part
of it, and two parts of the
above mentioned red mat∣ter,
grind it very well toge∣ther
for an hour on a warm∣ed
Marble, then cement and
calcine well by degrees for
three hours in a circle fire.
This work must be Iterated
three times, then pour on it
of the best rectified spirit,
that it stand over it three
fingers deep; set it in a gen∣tle
and warm digestion, for
six dayes to be extracted,
then the Spirit of Wine will
be ting'd as deep as blood;
Page 91

cant of that tincture, and
pour on another, as long as
ir will tinge it; put all these
ting'd Spirits of Wine into
a Violl, so that the fourth
part only be fill'd, and seal
it hermetically, set it on the
vaporous fire of the first de∣gree,
let it be of that heat as
hot as the Sun shineth in
July; let it stand thus for
forty dayes, then you shall
obtain your wish.

The Author recommend∣eth
this last Experiment very
highly, affirming upon his
experimental practice, that
this aurum Potabile is the
highest Medicine next unto
the universal, and being ta∣ken
in appropriated vehicles,
Page 92

Cureth all Diseases, with∣out
causing any pains at
all.

Item, With this Aurum
Potabile is Antimony prepa∣red,
so that it purgeth only
downwards, and carrieth
forth all ill humours without
molestation, and is called the
purging Gold; hence are his
Pills of Gold.

It is prepared also by the
help of Antimony into a dia∣phoretick
gold, to expell by
sweating all malignant hu∣mours;
and Mercurius vitae is
made also with this potable
gold (if it be kept in a long
digestion), their dose is ac∣cording
to the Quality of the
person.

Page 93
Some Principall Preparations OF ANGELO SALA.
TAke of Sugar one
ounce, of Rosewater
one spoonful, boyl these in
a Skillet, till it afford a small
thred at the pouring forth;
take it off the fire, being cold
pour to it one scruple of
Annis oyl, pour it on a
a Trencher; this serveth
against phlegme.

Page 94
A Purge of his.
Take of the best Rhubarb,
Mechoacan ana one dram,
of Andromachus his Treacle
one scruple; infuse these
over-night in Wine, cant
it off, and let the party
drink it, and fast three hours
upon it; it purgeth down∣ward
gently.

Hidromel, or Metheglin.
Take of the odoriferous
crude Honey one part, of
Fountain water six parts,
boyl these, do not scum it,
stirring it continually with a
woodden Spatule, let it not
settle to the bottom, boyl it
Page 95

way to the third part, then take
it away from the fire, let it
grow cold, strain it through
a cloth, barrell it, hang into
two drams of Ginger, and
one grain of Musk, then stop
it very well, set it in the Sun
or warm place for 6. weeks,
thus the pure separateth
from the impure; draw it
off into a clean vessel, stop
it well, it will keep long,
the staler it is, the better it
is.

The use of it; This Li∣quor
tasteth & smelleth like
Malmesy, & is good for such
as have a short breath, and
are troubled with a Ptissick;
it is of an abstergent and le∣nifying
quality, it purgeth
the Breast and Reins, cutteth
Page 96

phlegme very much, pre∣serveth
the vigour of the
radical moisture.

A Water for the Tooth∣ache.
Take of the Greek Pyre∣trum,
of the root of Master∣wort,
and Angelico, ana one
ounce; of Dragons blood,
of calcined Lead, of each
two ounces; of simply di∣still'd
Vinegar two pound;
infuse and extract its sub∣stance,
in a warm place for a
sennight; then adde to it
one ounce of Niter, dip into
it Cotton Wooll; apply
and hold it to the place af∣fected,
it allayeth the Flux,
and healeth all Infirmities,
Page 97

and stayeth the Rheum; it
mundifieth the gums, it car∣nifieth,
sicatrizeth, and con∣solidateth,
and instantly al∣layeth
the pains of the teeth.

Balsom of Tobacco.
Take spirit of Turpentine,
spirit of Juniper, of each
one pound; of Indie Tobac∣co
leaves six ounces; infuse
and circulate it for a sen∣night,
and press it out in the
press, it cureth all wounds
in 24. hours.

A Stomachical Aqua-vitae.
Take of cut Galanga four
ounces, of Ambergreece four
grains, of rectified Aqua∣vitae
Page 98

20 ounces, infuse these
for a sennight, caut it off,
dissolve as much Sugar in
it, as you may; it is good
for a weak Stomach, for the
Cholick and griping in the
Guts.

Aqua-Theriacalis, Against the Plague.
Take of Andromachus his
Treacle two ounces, of the
root of Angelica, and Ma∣sterwort,
of each one ounce,
of calcined red Corals
(which are calcined be∣tween
two Crutibles, for six
or eight hours in a strong
fire) four ounces; of Flow∣ers
of Sulphur one ounce, of
rectified Aqua-vitae three
Page 99

pound: infuse these for four
days, and extract, then add
to it of rectified spirit of
Vitriol one drachm; one
drachm of this used, serveth
against all cold Defluxious,
Megrums, Giddiness.

Pills for the Head, comfort∣ing and strengthening the Brains, which defend the same against Corruptions.
Take wild Thyme four
ounces; of white Agarick,
of the best Rhubarb, of each
3. ounces; of Spick, Ginger,
Galanga, of each one dram;
of rectified Aqua-vitae 15
ounces: infuse these for a
sennight, caut it off, and
press it out as much as you
Page 100

can; then take of wash'd
Alloes Succotrina six ounces:
boyl it in a glazed Pot or
Pan, to the thickness of Pitch,
mingle one scruple of Saf∣fron,
and 5. grains of Musk,
keep it in a Leaden Box. It
is to be used after Supper
from one scruple to one
dram; take it in a new laid
Egg, or in Wine made up
into Pills, purgeth gently,
expels Wind.

For the Gowt.
Roast a sweet Apple in
hot embers, and the flowers
of Cassia, of a like quantity,
inbibe it with a Womans
milk, make a cataplasme; it
is a certain lenitive against
Page 101

the tormenting pains of the
Gout.

A laxative Conserve of Roses.
Take of old Conserve of
Roses two ouuces, of Dia∣gridium
one drachm and a
half; of Cinamom, of Cloves,
of each one scruple; of spi∣rit
of Wine, one dram; of
spirit of Vitriol, ten drops;
of the best Musk 3. grains:
make an Electuary accord∣ing
to Art, without fire, in a
glass Morter; and when it
worketh too dry, or grow∣eth
too dry, then put to it
some Julip of Roses, and
keep it in a Venice glass: its
Vertue is to purge without
Page 102

any detriment, it consumeth
all superfluous humiditie of
the body; its dose is even
to half an ounce, to be ta∣ken
fasting.

A Compound extract of Diagridium.
Take of the best Diagri∣dium
two ounces, of the
root of Mechoacan four oun∣ces,
of Galanga, of Cinamom,
of each one drachm, of white
Ginger half an ounce, of
oriental Saffron half a dram,
of Musk five grains: Beat
these and infuse them in
Aqua-vitae; extract and ex∣press
according to Art: then
reduce it to a viscous mat∣ter,
then adde of Salgema
Page 103

half a scruple to each dram,
and keep it in a Glass. Its
dose is from five to eight
grains, in wine or broth; it
purgeth the Body without
danger.

A Confection of Diagridium.
Take of the Compound
extract of Diagridium six
drams, of the powder of
Diacorels two drachms, of
white Sugar three ounces;
of Baulm water a sufficient
quantity; Make Lozenges,
and keep them in a Glass
well stopt. It purgeth the
Body without hurt, and is
very good against abound∣ing
humors; it purgeth the
Brains and Back, and pur∣geth
Page 104

the whites, and running
of the Reins, let the cause
be what it will; it is good
against the Dropsie, and
such like symptoms. Its dose
is from 2. scruples to 3, and
is to be taken fasting.

A Laxative Unguent.
Take Alloes Heppatick, of
Mirrh, of each six ounces,
of Coloquint, of Agarick,
of Scamonie, of each one
ounce and a half; of Sallet
oyl 24 ounces; of Goats
suet fix ounces; of old wine
four pound; All these bea∣ten
grosly: Then boyl them
gently in Wine in a glazed
Pot, keep close the Oyl and
Suet, till the Wine be con∣sumed,
Page 105

then strain and keep
it.

But if you will prepare it
better, first boyl them, then
set it in purification, in warm
horse dung, for a whole
month, then separate it, as
above: If the Belly be an∣nointed
warm with it, and
then a warm cloth upon it,
it purgeth the body from
abounding humours; it kills
the Worms, and operateth
in other wayes.

Our Dragons Blood.
Take of rectified Mercury
12 ounces, of lamins of steel
3. ounces; put these into a
Urinal well luted, and pre∣cipitate
according to Art,
Page 106

iterating it a second time;
then take it out of the Ves∣sel,
put it into an Earthen
Pan or Glass, kindle five or
six times Aqua-vitae on it;
then being dryed, keep it for
use: This is our Dragons
Blood, which purgeth up∣ward
without any danger.
Its dose is seven grains even
unto ten, in Conserve of Ro∣ses,
or Conserve of Baulm.
It must be taken mornings
fasting, and drink some wine
after it.

A sweet Confection of Diadragon.
Take of our Dragons
Blood six drachms, of the
salt of Red Corals, and
Page 107

Pearls, of each two scruples;
of Saffron, Galanga, Cina∣mom,
of each one scruple;
of the best Musk and Am∣bergreece,
of each 6. grains,
of white Sugar six ounces,
of a sufficient quantity of
Rosewater.

Let the Sugar be boyled
to the thickness of Manus
Christi, in an Iron Pan, then
adde the other Ingredients,
and make rolls, which are
kept close in a glass; This
Confection may be used in
all Diseases where there is
need of purging; it attract∣eth
from the Remoter parts,
cuts Phlegme and Humours,
where it is needful. Its
dose is from one drachm to
two, fasting: There is no
Page 108

better Purge for Quartan
and Tertian Agues; and is
Medicinal against the Pox.

The bitter Confection of Diadaragon.
Take of our Dragons
Blood six drachms; of the
Salt of red Corals, of Mo∣ther
of Pearls, of each two
scruples; of Cloves half a
drachm, of Saffron half a
scruple; of Aloes Succatrina
two scruples; of Sugar six
ounces; a sufficient quantity
of Marjoram water; make
a Confection, as above: It
may be used against such
Diseases, where Amber and
Musk cannot be used, and
where no sweet things are
admitted.

Page 109
Head Pills.
Take of fresh Tyme (Epi∣thimus)
four ounces; of the
best Rhubarb, of Mechoa∣can,
of white Agarick, of each
two ounces; of Galanga, of
Cloves, of each 2. drams; of
Marjoram one handful; of
Musk, of Ambergreece, of
each 5. grains: Beat these,
except the Musk and Am∣bergreece,
then according
to Art make an Extract, with
Aqua-vitae, to a solid form;
then adde Ambergreece and
Musk, then add the powder
of Mastix, and the powder of
Amber, of each one dram
and a half; make a masse,
keep it in a glass or leaden
Box. Its dose is one scru∣ple,
to be used after Supper,
Page 110

or mornings, fasting; they
purge without any danger,
and may be used severall
times, against several Infir∣mities
of the Head.

Conserve of dry Roses.
Take the subtile powder
of red Roses one ounce, of
Rosewater 3. ounces, of the
spirit of white Vitriol one
drachm, of the best Musk
and Ambergreece, of each
one grain, of white Sugar
12 ounces; infuse the Ro∣ses
in Rosewater and the
spirit of Vitriol, keep them
in maceration for 4. hours,
in a glass, then boyl the Su∣gar
with the Rosewater, to
the consistence of Manus
Page 111

Christi, then incorporate with
them the Musk and Amber∣greece
in a glass Morter:
Thus is your Conserve pre∣pared,
which is sufficiently
red and odoriferous: This
sort of Conserve is more ef∣fectual
than those which
are prepared in the vul∣gar
way, especially where
strengthening is needfull, by
reason of the spirit of Vitriol;
and the older this Conserve
is, the better it is.

Electuary of Diacorals.
Take of our Conserve of
Roses 12 ounces, of the salt
of red Corals 2. rams, of
pulverised Orras, and of
pulverised red Santals, of
Page 112

each one dram; of Rose
Julep two ounces; make an
Electuary without fire in a
glass Morter, keep it well
closed; it is good against the
Chollick, and illia• passion,
provoketh Urine, and corro∣borates
the whole body; it
mundifieth the reins and
panicles of the brains, and
subtillateth the blood by its
mundifying quality; and it
is a very good astringent af∣ter
purging, and consequent∣ly
it is admirable good for
the superfluous courses of
women, as well of the white
as of the red; yet so, that
the party be first purged.
Its dose is from one dram
to two at once, to be used
fasting.

Page 113
An Electuary for the Stomach.
Take of our Conserve
of Roses, of Conserve of
Baulm, of each 3. ounces;
of the pulp of Quinces two
pound; of skim'd honey four
ounces; of spirit of Vitriol 20
drops; of Galanga, of Cina∣mom,
of each half an ounce;
It is best to incorporate it in
a Glass; It serveth to com∣fort
the stomach, being
weakned by superfluous hu∣mours;
it strengtheneth and
exhilerateth the heart, if
continually used. Its dose is
half an ounce, at a time, to
be taken mornings fasting.

Page 114
Electuary Therebiminated.
Take of the whitest pul∣verised
Sugar six ounces, of
most subtilly pulverised Or∣ras,
and powder of Mastix,
of each one dram; of syrup
of Cinamom three ounces;
Let all these be incorpora∣ted
in a glass Mortar; then
add of the spirit of Turpen∣tine
one drachm, of oyl of
Nutmegs 5. drops; keep it
in a glass. This is an excel∣lent
Electuary to cut tough
and viscous phlegme in the
stomach and breast; there∣fore
it is good for those that
are Rhumatick, and short
breathed, it purgeth the
Reins, and provoketh urine;
Page 115

being obstructed by gross
viscous humors; it may
serve also against many in∣firmities
and corruptions
conceived in the womb: It
is of a digestive evacuating
and mundifying quality, and
consolidateth also; its dose
is from one dram to two, at
evening to be taken going
to bed.

A Confection against the Hart∣ake.
Take of the siderial Pow∣der,
one ounce; of white Su∣gar
six ounces, a sufficient
quantity of Marjoram water.
Make Lozenges of it, they are
admirable good for the a∣king
of the heart: its dose is,
Page 116

as occasion serveth, from
two scruples, to foure
scruples, more or lesse, as
the Physitian shall direct,
and it may be ministred at
all times; but the party
should use it continually,
then let it be taken morn∣ings
fasting.

An Antidote for the Womb.
Take of Pulegium Syl∣vestre,
four ounces; of Mug∣wort
two ounces; of Galanga,
Ginger, of each an ounce.
Make an extract with these,
with Aquavitae, according to
Art, to the consistence of
Hony, and keep it in a Glass,
adding to each dram, half a
scruple of vegitable Salt. Its
Page 117

dose is six grains, in water of
Mugwort. It provoketh the
Courses of Women strong∣ly,
therefore make use of it
circumspectly.

An Antidote against the suffo∣cation of the womb.
Take of the Extract of Casto∣rium
2. ounces, of the Extract
of the Root of Peony 1 ounce;
of the Magistery of the Mo∣ther
of Pearls, and Corals, of
each one dram; of subtilly
pulverised Craine, Humany
two drams; of Saffron orien∣tall,
half a dram; of Rectified
Oyl of Amber two scruples,
incorporate these in a Glass
Morter, and stopt close,
keep it. It is of an admira∣ble
efficacy, for the suffoca∣tion
Page 118

of the womb; its use is
fasting, and may be continu∣ed
for eight dayes, or as
long as there is occasion for
it: Its dose is half a scruple,
and are to be made into
Pills: it may be ministred
also in water of Marjoram
and Pyony.

A Powder of Diacorels.
Take of Red Roses two
ounces and a half; of the
Salt of Coralls, half an ounce;
of the Spirit of Vitriol, two
drams; of Sugar-Candy, one
dram; of Ambergrease and
Musk, of each four grains.

Make a Powder accord∣ing
to Art, and keep it well
stopt in a Glasse. This Pow∣der
Page 119

is good against Convul∣sions,
and pains of the heart;
it strengtheneth the brains,
and subtillateth the blood,
and maketh the heart glad,
and causeth a good digesti∣on
in the stomach. Its dose
is half a dram, in Wine, or
other proper Vehicle.

A Confection of Diacoralls.
Take of the Powder of
Diacoralls two drams; of the
Spirit of white Vitriol, two
scruples; of white Sugar two
ounces, and a sufficient
quantity of Rose-water. Let
the Sugar be boyled to the
consistence of Manus Christi,
put in a Glasse in warm
Sand, then add the Powder
Page 120

to it, afterward the spirit of
Vitriol, then cast it forth into
Tablets, and keep them in a
Box of Wood, this confe∣ction
is a true Conservative
of mans body: It is of an ad∣mirable
vertue. Its dose is
half a dram, which is to be
taken fasting.

A pretious Antidote.
Take of our pretious Ma∣gisterium
of Extractum le
Zourdicum, of each two
drams: of our pretious gol∣den
Bezourd, of our golden
Cordiel Electrum, of the Ex∣tract
of Opium Thebaicum;
prepared with the juyce of
Lemons, of each one dram;
of Ambergrease two scruples,
Page 121

and fifteen grains of pure
Musk, gr. b. of the whitest
Sugar an ounce: the dry In∣grediences
must be well
grounded on a Marble; for
two or three hours, to an
impulpable Powder.

A Balsum of Treacle.
Take of the Treacle of
Andromachus four ounces, of
the Root of Masterwort, An∣gelico,
Pimpinella, Tormentilla,
of each an ounce, of Galan∣ga,
of Ginger, of each six
drams, of the Salt of Rede
Coralls, and orientall Pearls,
of the Lemnian Earth, of
each half an ounce; of Ori∣entall
Saffron, one dram; of
Camphire one scruple; of the
Page 122

best Musk, and of Amber∣grease,
of each half a scruple;
of the spirit of Turpentine,
and of the spirit of Juniper∣berries,
of each ten ounces,
of the best Aqua-vitae two
pound, infuse all according
to Art, put it in a Glasse,
lute it, let it circulate in a
Balny, for a month, then se∣parate
the two Liquors, one
from another. This Balsom
looks very red, and then this
Aqua vitae, is deservedly
called the Mother of the
Balsum, both are very good
against all Infirmities, and
are admirable good against
the Plague; the Balsum is for
inward use, half a scruple,
and of the water one dram.
Both cause sweat & Urine.

Page 123
A Magisterie of Coralls and Pearls.
We have an Universall
way to make the Magisteri∣um,
not onely of Pearls and
Coralls, but of all other
Gems. And this operati∣on
is performed only by the
help of our Phylosophick
Aqua-vitae: we will tell you
the manner how you ought
to proceed about the Ma∣gisterie
of Coralls, which
shall be the Patern to pro∣ceed
also with the rest.

Take of the Powder of
red Coralls, six ounces, of our
Aqua-vitae twelve ounces.
Let the Coralls be infused in
the Aqua-vitae, and let them
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be dissolved thereinto a
clear water. Then separate
the pure from the impure,
by inclination, taking heed
that you do not stir the feces;
then take this dissolution, set
it in ashes in an Urinall well
luted, distill the Spirits and
flegme from it, so that a dry
matter be left in the bottom
of the Vessel; take out that,
and set it into a moyst place,
which in a short time, will
wholly be dissolved, leaving
some earthliness of no value;
take this Liquor, set it in
Sand, so that the humidity
being dissolved into fumes,
may have a dry matter be∣hind.
Take it out of the
Vessel, add a triple quan∣tity
of Spirit of Wine to
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it, or Aqua-vitae, which is
thrice rectifyed; Set it on
circulating in a gentle heat,
for a moneth, either into a
balny, or at the Sun, and it
will yield some Sediment;
separate the clear by incli∣nation,
and in a balny, sepa∣rate
the Spirit and Phlegme,
and in the bottom of the
Vessel remaineth the Magi∣sterie,
in the form of a mu∣cilaginious
Oyl, and this is
the true Prima Materia; and
thus you have the Magiste∣rie
of Coralls, which looketh
very white, but the Magi∣sterie
of Pearls, cometh near
to the colour of Gold. Thus
you may proceed with all
precious Stones which our
Menstruum dissolveth into a
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clear water. The Vertues
of these Magisteriums, can∣not
so easily be described.
Their Dose is from three
grains to five, and the use of
it may be continued as long
as there is need of, and that
without danger. It is mini∣stred
in Wine, Broth, or
distilled water. Electuary,
or Confections, even as the
Physitian shall see it conve∣nient.

The great Magistery of Vitriol.
This Magistery is made
by meanes of the four Prin∣cipall
Operations, which
are distillation, dissolution,
Sublimation, and Circula∣tion.

Page 127
The first operation produceth this Liquor.
Take of Roman Vitriol, or
any other, which is good, as
much as you please, distill
it in a retort, extracting
onely the spirit and water,
and increase your fire as
much as you can, so that at
last, nothing appear more
in the neck of the Retort,
then let the Receiver grow
could, take out the Liquor
and keep it: take out the
feces also, or the Colchotar,
for the following separa∣tion.

Page 128
The second operation produceth the Salt.
Take the foresaid Col∣chotar,
pulverise it very
subtilly, dissolve it in com∣mon
water, and extract ac∣cording
to Art all its Salt,
so that all the sharpness be
gotten out of the Colchotar
Calcine this Salt: dissolve,
and coagulate it five times,
so that it be very well recti∣fied,
still adding the Col∣chotar
left, to the other, but
keep the Salt.

The third operation produceth Sulpher.
Take the foresaid Col∣chotar,
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burn it in a great
Crucible, then pulverise it
very subtilly, and add a third
part of that quantity of Salt
Armonick; incorporate these
two very well, then sublime
it very well luted in an U∣rinall,
observing the de∣grees
of fire, and there will
appear in the Alembick, a
yellowish matter; continue
the fire, when no more fumes
come forth out of the Uri∣nall,
then let it cool, take out
the sublimed matter, put it
into common water warm∣ed,
that the Salt Armonick
be extracted, separate the
clear water from the Sedi∣ment;
iterate this as often,
till all the Salt Armonick be
extracted, and in the bottom
Page 130

will remain the Sulphur of
Vitriol; of a green colour,
which being dryed, keep it.

The fourth Operation affordeth the Magisterium.
Take all the former Li∣quor,
the Salt and Sulphur,
joyn these three in a Circu∣latory
very well luted, cir∣culate
it in a Balny for a
Sennite, then separate the
cleare, and distill it in an A∣lembick,
in a Balny, so that
all the water come over in
the bottom, there will re∣main
a green Liquor, which
containeth Salt, Sulpher and
Mercury of Vitrioll, which
keep, for it is the true Ma∣gisterie
of Vitriol.

Page 131
The Compound water of Vitriol.
Take the separated water
in the Balny, from the said
Magisterie, and to each
pound of it, add the follow∣ing
Ingredients, viz. take
of rect•fied Aqua-vitae, two
ounces, of the Root of Peonie
half an ounce, of red Roses
of Palm, Marjoram, of each
one Pugill, put all into a
Balny, into a Circulatory,
for 24. houres, then strain
the Liquor, which will be
very red, then add to each
pound of these, the follow∣ing
things of Cranium huma∣num
one ounce, of Spodium
half an ounce, of Camphore
Page 132

half a dram; of Saffron half
a scruple; of Ambergrease
two grains; put all these
into a Glasse, and circulate
it for six weeks continually,
then separate by inclination
the subtile from the thick,
which keep in a Glasse well
luted. And this is the most
pretious Liquor, which
worketh marvellously, in all
the Spices of Convulsions,
and is administred in the fol∣lowing
way.

The use of the Magistery of Vitriol, and its Compound Water.
If you intend to admini∣ster
such noble Medica∣ments,
which are of such an
Page 133

admirable efficacy in the
Falling-sickness, then this
Order ought to be obser∣ved;
Before you begin, you
must expect the new Moon,
because this Disease is then
in its vigour, and then you
must proceed in the follow∣ing
manner: First, the sick
party must be kept from all
such meats and Sents, which
occasion and cause such a
Disease; However, Wine
must not altogether be pro∣hibited.
Secondly, you must
make an Aromatick, and vi∣triolized
water to be his
Diet-drink, when ever he is
thirsty between meales; in
the mornings fasting, you
are to give three or five
drops, according to the con∣stitution
Page 134

of the party; if our
green Magisterie, with half
a dram of the compound
water in Marjoram Wine,
then the strife will begin a∣gainst
the Disease, and will
cause a Vomit to the party
of clear water, refresh him
after four houres are past.
Thirdly, the fit must be ob∣served,
and alwayes when
the fit is past, you must mi∣nister
unto him one scruple
of the Compound vitrioli∣sed
water, with Marjoram
Wine, and if the fit cometh
often, then you ought to mi∣nister
but half a dose, conti∣nuing
it till the Disease be
diminished, which will be
about the new Moon. At
last, when you see it need∣full,
Page 135

minister the Magisterie
once more: in brief, he that
will undertake to cure such
a Disease, must be a Physi∣tian,
and not a Woman.

The Compound Liquor of the vitriolised Tartar.
This Lemmon Liquor, by
reason of its temperature,
may very well be used to se∣verall
infirmities, and to all
such persons, where there is
need of opening, subtilia∣ting,
mundifying, and con∣solidating,
and it worketh
by sweat and Urine.

Take of white crude
Tartar, of Viscous Vitriol, of
each two drams; beat these
two together, distill them
Page 136

in a Retort, as much as pos∣sible
you can, then let the
stilling-Vessels grow cold,
and take the Liquor out of
the Receiver, which is mud∣dy
and stinking, poure it on
again to the Caput mort, in a
new Retort well luted, ap∣ply
a Receiver, and distill
again; iterate this work a
third time, so that the Li∣quor
be as clear as water:
weigh the Liquor, add half
its quantity of rectified A∣qua-vitae
to it, then take of
albified Vitriol, and calci∣ned
Tartar, of each 20. oun∣ces,
put all these into a Re∣tort,
adding to it all the Li∣quor,
distill as long as any
water and Spirits run over,
then let the Vessels grow
Page 137

cold, and keep that Liquor
in a well stopt glass, to
which add the following
matters:

Therefore take the said
Liquor, and add to each
pound three drachms of Sas∣safras;
of white Ginger two
drachms; of Galanga, of
Treacle, of Andromachus,
one dram and half; of Orien∣tall
Suffraca, six grains, of
Ambergreece and Musk; of
each 3. grains. Put all these
into a glass, circulate for six
weeks in a warm place, or in
the Sun, then separate the
subtile from the thick, by
inclination or decauting, and
keep it as a Jewel.

Page 138
The Vegitable Salt.
Take the Caput mort of the
said Tartar and Vitriol, ex∣tract
its Salt with distill'd
common water, coagulate
away one moity, and let it
grow cold, to the bottom∣ward
you see the transpa∣rent
salt like Cristal, then
coagulate the water more,
and let it grow cold, conti∣nue
it so long till all the salt
be gotten out; which keep
for a Medicinal use.

The use of the Compound Liquor of Tartar.
This Liquor may be used
safely against all manner of
Page 139

obstructions of the body, and
it is a Specificum against the
Pox. But its particular ope∣rations
are against the Scia∣tica,
Gout in the hands, Chol∣lick,
Illiac Passion, and against
the torments and gripings in
the Belly.

The manner of the using
of it is this; You must take
mornings an hour before day
in the best Wine, then the
party must abide in the bed
for half an hour, then let
him take warm broth, and
the party will begin to sweat
all the body over, which
cometh very easily; After
two or three hours sweat∣ing,
let him shift himself, and
rise out of the bed, and eat
some restorative: And this
Page 140

may be used twenty or thir∣ty
times more or less, as you
shall see occasion, using eve∣ry
fifth day a moderate pur∣gative;
in this manner many
Chronical Infirmities are
cured. Its dose is from two
drams to 3. drams in Wine,
and the oftner the party ma∣keth
use of, the better it
will be for him, for it remo∣veth
all peccant matter, and
reneweth the blood of the
whole body.

The use of the Vegitable Salt.
This Salt may be mini∣stred
with such things which
work and operate against
the gravel in the Reins, and
the Stone in the bladder, be∣cause
Page 141

it is very proper for
such diseases. Its dose is
half a dram at once.

A Specificum against the Cholick.
Take of the spirit of Juni∣per,
and spirit of Turpen∣tine,
pour it on St. Johns-wort,
press it out, add more of the
fresh Flowers to it, till it be
very red; one scruple of it
taken in broth, is an appro∣ved
Medicament against the
Cholick; If St. Johns-wort be
digested in spirit of Wine
for a moneth, then its pre∣tious
oyl will swim at the
top.

Page 142
The green oyl of Vitriol.
Take of Vitriol 2. pound,
put it in an Urinal in a
balny for a month, let it be
dissolved into a transparant
green Liquor, its combusti∣ble
Sulphur remaineth in the
bottom, decaut the Liquor
from the phlegme, rectifie it
in a balny, then you have the
purging green oyl where∣with
you may cure the Fal∣ling-sickness.

FINIS.