I.

THE Hermetic Science conſiſts only in the right knowledg of the firſt Matter of the Philoſophers, which is in the Mineral Kingdom, not yet determin'd by Nature.

II.

An undetermin'd Matter being the beginning of all Metals and Minerals, it follows, that, aſſoon as any one ſhall be ſo happy, as to know and conceive it, he ſhall eaſily comprehend alſo their Natures, Qualities, and Properties.

III.

Althô ſome Perſons, poſſeſs'd with fooliſh Notions, dream, that the firſt Matter is to be found only in ſome particular places, at ſuch and ſuch times of the year, and by the Virtue of a Magical Magnet; yet we are moſt certain (according to our Divine Maſter Hermes) that, all theſe Suppoſitions being falſe, it is to be found every where, at all times, and only by our Science.

IV.

The Hermetic Art conſiſts in the true Manipulation of our undetermin'd Subject, which before it can be brought to the higheſt degree of Perfection, muſt of neceſſity undergo all our Chymical Operations.

V.

Our Chymical Operations are theſe, Amalgamation, Sublimation, Diſſolution, Filtration, Cohobation, Diſtillation, Separation, Reverberation, Imbibition, and Digeſtion.

VI.

When we call all theſe Operations ours, they are not all to be underſtood according to the common Operations of the Sophiſters of Metals, whoſe Induſtry conſiſts only in diſguiſing of Subjects from their Form, and their Nature; but ours are really to transfigure our Subject, yet conſerving its Nature, Quality, and Property.

VII.

This our Subject, after its having paſs'd thrô all thoſe artificial Operations, which always imitate Nature, is call'd the Philoſophers Stone, or the fifth Eſſence of Metals, being compounded of the Eſſence of their four Elements.

VIII.

The Metals and Minerals, which Nature has already determin'd, althô they ſhould be retrogradated into running Mercury, Water, and Vapor; yet can they by no means be taken for the firſt Matter of the Philoſophers.

IX.

Our true and real Matter is only a Vapor, impregnated with the Metalic Seed, yet undetermin'd, created by God Almighty, generated by the Concurrence and Influence of the Aſtrums, contain'd in the Bowels of the Earth, as the Matrix of all created things.

X.

This our Matter is call'd undetermin'd, becauſe, being a Medium between a Metal and a Mineral, and being neither of them, it has in it power to produce both, according to the Subject, it meets withal.

XI.

Such a Metalic Vapor, congeal'd and nouriſh'd in the Bowels of the Earth, is call'd the undetermin'd, and when it enchants the Serpent with the Beauty of its internal and additional Fire, the determin'd Green-Dragon of the Philoſophers; and without the true knowledg and right Manipulation of it nothing can be done in our Art.

XII.

This Green Dragon is the natural Gold of the Philoſophers, exceedingly different from the vulgar, which is corporeal and dead, being come to the period of its Perfection according to Nature, and therefore uncapable of generating, unleſs it be firſt generated it ſelf by our Mercurial Water; but ours is ſpiritual, and living, having the generative Faculty in it ſelf, and in its own Nature, and having receiv'd the Maſculine Quality from the Creator of all things.

XIII.

Our Gold is call'd Natural, becauſe it is not to be made by Art, and ſince it is known to none, but the true Diſciples of Hermes, who underſtand how to ſeparate it from its original Lump, 'tis call'd alſo Philoſophical; and if God had not been ſo gracious, as to create this firſt Chaos to our hand, all our Skill and Art in the Conſtruction of the great Elixir would be in vain.

XIV.

Out of this our Gold, or undetermin'd Green-Dragon, without the addition of any other created thing whatſoever, we know how thrô our Univerſal Menſtruum to extract all our Elements, or Principles, neceſſary for the performance of our great Work: Which is our firſt way of preparing the Grand Elixir: and ſince this our firſt Chaos is to be had without any Expence, as coſting only the trouble of digging it out of the Mines, This is not unfitly call'd the only way of the Poor.

XV.

The Operations in this our firſt way being in a manner the ſame with thoſe of our ſecond, which is, when we join our determin'd Dragon with our Serpent, we ſhall (to avoid Repetitions) in the ſubſequent Aphoriſms give Inſtructions for them both together.

XVI.

Our Serpent, which is alſo contained in the Bowels of the Earth, being of all created things whatſoever the neareſt ſubject of a Feminine Nature to our Dragon, thrô their Copulation ſuch an aſtral and metalic Seed, containing our Elements, is alſo to be brought forth, as can, thô with ſomewhat more of Expence and Time, perform the whole Myſtery of Hermes.

XVII.

Since our Serpent is of all created things the neareſt ſubject of Feminine Nature to our Dragon, ſhe is after her Copulation to be taken for the Baſis of our Philoſophical Work: for out of her Bowels, without the help of any other Metal or Mineral, we muſt draw our Principles or Elements, neceſſary to our Work, being retrogradated by the Univerſal Menſtruum.

XVIII.

This Feminine Subject cannot be retrogradated, unleſs to free her from her Impurities, and Heterogeneous Qualities, ſhe is firſt actuated by her Homogeneous ones, that ſhe may be in a better Capacity to receive the ſpiritual Love of our Green Dragon.

XIX.

After our Serpent has been bound with her Chain, penetrated with the Blood of our Green-Dragon, and driven nine, or ten times thrô the combuſtible Fire into the elementary Air, if you do not find her to be exceeding furious, and extremely penetrating, 'tis a ſign, that you do not hit our Subject, the notion of the Homogenea, or their Proportion.

XX.

If this furious Serpent, after it has been diſſolv'd by the Univerſal Menſtruum, filtrated, evaporated, and congeal'd nine or ten times, does not come over in a Cloud, and turn into our Virgin Milk, or Metalic argentin Water, not corroſive at all, and yet inſenſibly, and inviſibly devouring every thing, that comes near it, 'tis plainly to be ſeen, that you err in the Notion of our Univerſal Menſtruum.

XXI.

The Serpent, of which I now ſpeak, is our true Water of the Clouds, or the real Eagle and Mercury of the Philoſophers, greatly different from the Vulgar, which is corporeal, groſs, dead, and full of Heterogeneous Qualities, and a Subject, faln from its Sphere, like unripe Fruit from the Tree; but ours is ſpiritual, tranſparent, living, reſiding in its own Sphere, like a King on his Throne.

XXII.

Thô the vulgar Mercury is ſuch an unripe Fruit, corporeal, and dead; yet if you know how to amalgamate it with our Dragon, and to retrogradate it with the Univerſal Menſtruum, you may aſſure your ſelf, that out of this alſo you ſhall be able to prepare a Sophic Mercury, with which you ſhall certainly produce the great Elixir, diſcover the Secret of Secrets, unlock the moſt difficult Locks, and command all the Treaſures in the World.

XXIII.

Our Mercury is called the Mercury of the Philoſophers, becauſe it is a Subject, which is not to be found ready prepar'd to our hand: for it muſt of neceſſity be made by our Philoſophical Preparations, out of the firſt Chaos, and althô it is Artificial, yet is it naturally prepar'd, Nature, which is imitated in the Preparation of it, contributing likewiſe thereunto.

XXIV.

Since our Subject cannot be call'd the fiery Serpent of the Philoſophers, nor have the power of overcoming any created thing, before it has receiv'd ſuch Virtue and Quality from our Green-Dragon, and the Univerſal Menſtruum, by which it ſelf is firſt overcome, devour'd, and bury'd in their Bowels, out of which being born again, 'tis made capable of the ſame, it follows, that ſuch a Virtue of killing and vivifying is natural to our Dragon and the Univerſal Menſtruum.

XXV.

The Univerſal Menſtruum of the Philoſophers is that Celeſtial one, without which nothing can live nor ſubſiſt in this World: 'Tis alſo that noble Champion, which delivers the uncorrupted Virgin, Andromeda, who was with a ſtrong Chain faſtned to the Rock in the power of the Dragon, of whoſe ſpiritual Love having admitted, for fear of being eternally ruin'd and devour'd by him (which could not have been avoided, if this noble Champion had not come to her aſſiſtance) She is to be deliver'd of a Child, which will be the Wonder of Wonders, and Prodigy of Nature.

XXVI.

If our Virgin in her Confinement, before ſhe is ſet at liberty, does not manifeſt her extreme Beauty with all her internal, divers, delicate natural Colors, wonderfully charming, and very pleaſant to the Eye, it ſignifies, that ſhe has not ſufficiently enjoy'd the ſpiritual Company of the Dragon.

XXVII.

If the Univerſal Menſtruum has not totally deliver'd the Virgin from the Claws of the Dragon, it is a ſign, either that ſhe was not ſufficiently free from her Heterogeneous Qualities, or that ſhe had not receiv'd from the external Heat a ſufficient penetrating Quality, or that the Univerſal Menſtruum was too weak to perform its Undertaking.

XXVIII.

To know, whether the Amalgamation, Sublimation, Diſſolution, Filtration, Coagulation, and Diſtillation have been Natural and Philoſophical, the whole Body of the Serpent muſt come over ſpiritual and tranſparent, leaving only ſome few and very light Feces at the bottom, which can by no Art be reduc'd either into a running Mercury, or any other kind of metallic Subſtance.

XXIX.

After all theſe above-mention'd Operations, and the Separation, if our Serpent, being amalgamated with any Metal, pure or impure, cannot ſuffer the Fuſion, it will be in vain for you to go any farther with it: for you may aſſure your ſelf, that you do not walk in the true Paths of the Hermetic Art.

XXX.

Our Philoſophical Diſtillations conſiſt only in the right Separation of our Spiritual and Mercurial Water from all its poiſonous oily Subſtance, which is of no uſe at all in our Art, and from the Caput Mortuum, which is left behind after the firſt Diſtillation.

XXXI.

If after the firſt Diſtillation an exceedingly corroſive and extremely penetrating red Oil does not aſeend (which as ſoon as it begins to appear in the Neck of the Retort, the Receiver muſt be changed) it ſignifies, that the Diſtillation has not been rightly perform'd, and by Conſequence, that the internal Fire of our metalic vaporous Water, being burnt up, and corroded by its poiſonous Vapor, and the outward Fire, is ſtill mixt with it, and with the Caput Mortuum.

XXXII.

In caſe you ſhould commit ſo great an Error in the performance of this firſt Diſtillation, althô it will never be in your power to prepare the Mercury Duplex of the Philoſophers, unleſs you ſhould begin the whole Work again from the very Beginning; yet, if you have any farther Skill in our Art, you may eaſily prepare our Mercury ſimplex, with which you will effect great and miraculous things.

XXXIII.

This blood red Oil with its only Fumes penetrates every Part and Atom of all Metals and Minerals, and principally of Gold, out of which Diſſolution one may eaſily extract the right Tincture or Eſſence with highly rectify'd Spirit of Wine, and bring it over the Alembic with it: which is indeed a great Medicine for humane Bodies.

XXXIV.

A deep blood-red Tincture of excellent Virtue is to be extracted alſo out of the above-mention'd Caput Mortuum, accidentally and unfortunately intermixt with the internal Sulphur of our Mercurial Water, and with the red Oil, with highly rectify'd Spirit of Wine: with which after it has been evaporated to a Powder, imbib'd, and Philoſophically digeſted, you may aſſure your ſelf of having the Medicine of Medicines, next to the great Elixir, by which you may imperceptibly and quickly cure all ſorts of Diſtempers, to the great Admiration of all Galeniſts, and to the Aſtoniſhment of all Vulgar Chymiſts.

XXXV.

The moſt part of the Philoſophers, whilſt their Intention was to go farther to the nobleſt Perfection of our Celeſtial Art, either employ'd this red Oil, brought to a Potability, for internal Medicines, or to external Diſeaſes without any farther Preparation of it, till they had obtain'd the great Elixir.

XXXVI.

If the Caput Mortuum has not the Magnetic Quality in attracting the Spiritus Mundi into it ſelf from the Aſtrums, it is a ſign, that at the end of the Diſtillation of the red Oil the outward fire was ſo violent, as quite to burn up the Magnet, which is contain'd in the firſt Feces of our Mercurial Water.

XXXVII.

After the firſt Diſtillation, if the leaſt Part of the Virgin Mercurial Water can by any Art whatſoever be brought to running Mercury, or any other kind of a Metalic Subſtance, it is an evident ſign, that either the Subject, or its Preparation and Reduction into Water, has not been real, natural, or Philoſophical.

XXXVIII.

The above-mention'd Spiritus Mundi, althô of no uſe at all in this our great Work, is yet a great Menſtruum in extracting of Tinctures out of Metals, Minerals, Animals, and Vegetables, and in performing great things in the Art, volatilizing all fixt Bodies, and principally Gold.

XXXIX.

A great many Pretenders to the true Hermetic Knowledg prepare Menſtruums, to diſſolve common Mercury, and to turn it into Water ſeveral manner of ways, and by ſeveral additions of Salts, Sulphurs, Metals, and Minerals; but, ſince all thoſe Preparations are ſophiſtical, any one, expert in our Art, will be able to reduce it to its running Quality agian.

XL.

The Quality of our Mercurial Water being to volatilize all fixt Bodies, and to fix all thoſe, that are volatil, fixing it ſelf with thoſe, that are fixt, according to the Proportion of it, diſſolving its own Body, it unites inſeparably with it, conſerving always its own Qualities and Properties, and receives no Augmentation from any other created thing, but only from its crude Body.

XLI.

Our Mercurial Water has ſuch a ſympathy with the Aſirums, that, if it is not kept very cloſe, and Hermetically ſeal'd, it will in a very ſhort time, like a wing'd Serpent, fly away in a wonderful manner to its own Sphere, carrying along with it all the Elements and Principles of Metals, and not leaving ſo much as one ſingle drop, or the leaſt remainder, behind.

XLII.

Several Pretenders to the Magical Science prepare Magical Magnets, to draw from the Air, and (as they pretend) from the Aſtrums ſuch Menſtruums, as they think neceſſary for the Production of the Great Elixir; but their Magnets being compounded of ſeveral determinate things, althô their Menſtruums are great Diſſolvents, yet we do on aſſured knowledg affirm, that they can never perform any real Experiment in our Art.

XLIII.

Some are of Opinion, that, unleſs the Operator is Maſter in the Magical Science, and fundamentally underſtands all its Experiments, he will never be able by any other Art whatſoever to bring forth any ſuch things, as can produce the Univerſal Elixir. Now, althô we do not deny, that the Magical Knowledge is requir'd to attain to the higheſt degree of Perfection in all Sciences, yet we are moſt certain, that it is not at all neceſſary to the Formation of the Grand Elixir upon Animals, Metals, Precious Stones, and Vegetables.

XLIV.

Our Virgin Milk, or Metallic Water, being brought to a perfect Spirituality, and excellent Diaphanity, is call'd the true Chaos of the Philoſophers: for out of that alone, without any addition of any created, or artificially prepar'd thing, we are to prepare and ſeparate all the Elements, which are requir'd to the Formation of our Philoſophical Microcoſm.

XLV.

To underſtand aright, how out of this our Chaos we are to form our Philoſophical Microcoſm, we muſt firſt of neceſſity rightly comprehend the great Myſtery and Proceeding in the Creation of the Macrocoſm: it being extremely neceſſary to imitate and uſe the very ſame Method in the Creation of our little one, that the Creator of all things has us'd in the Formation of the great one.

XLVI.

When our Chaos or Celeſtial Water has purify'd it ſelf from its own groſs and palpable Body, it is call'd the Heaven of the Philoſphers, and the palpable Body the Earth, which is void, empty, and dark: And if our Divine Spirit, which is carry'd upon the Face of the Waters, did not bring forth out of the palpable Body that pretious Metalic Seed, we ſhould never be able by any Art whatſoever to go on any farther with the perfect Creation of our Microcoſm according to our Intent.

XLVII.

This Heaven of the Philoſophers, after it has ſeparated it ſelf from the Earth, containing our Philoſophical Seed, and the Magnet of our Salt of Nature, and from the ſuperfluous Waters, is call'd the Mercury ſimplex of the wiſe man: for whoſoever attains it, at the ſame time attains alſo the Knowledg and Power of retrogradating Metals, Minerals, &c. ſo as to reduce them to their firſt Being, to perfect imperfect Bodies, and to vivifie dead ones, conſerving always its own Property and Quality to it ſelf, and to produce the Great Elixir according to the uſual way of the Philoſophers.

XLVIII.

After we have ſeparated the Water from the Waters, by which I mean the Mercurial Celeſtial Water from the ſuperfluous Water, which is the Flegm; by the Bleſſing of God and the Infuſion of our holy Spirit, we do not in the leaſt doubt, but we ſhall be able to bring forth out of our Earth ſuch Fruits and Subjects, with which we ſhall certainly perform the whole Creation, carrying our Work to the higheſt Degree of Perfection.

XLIX.

Our Mercurial Water being of the ſame Brightneſs with the Heavens, and our palpable groſs Body, which did ſeparate it ſelf from our Celeſtial Water, having the ſame Properties and Quality with the Earth, none, but Ignorants, will deny them to be the right Heaven and true Earth of the Philoſophers.

L.

If, after the Separation of the Spirit from the ſuperfluous Waters, the World, in which it is contain'd, does not appear mighty clear, and full of light, and of the ſame brightneſs with our Celeſtial Water, it is a ſign, that the Separation is not fully perform'd, the Spirit being ſtill intermixt with the Waters.

LI.

If in the ſpace of nine or ten Weeks, or two Philoſophical Months at longeſt, our Mercurial Water has not done ſeparating it ſelf from all its own Earth, containing the Metallic Seed, it is an evident ſign, that you have either err'd in the working of it, or that its Digeſtion, having been too violent, has confounded and burnt up the principal Subject of the Creation.

LII.

This Philoſophic Earth, containing our principal Subject, after it has been ſeparated from all the Waters, is very gently to be dry'd by ſome external Heat, to free it from its extraneous Humidity, that it may be in a proper Capacity to receive the Celeſtial Moiſture of our Argentin Water, to which it unites its moſt noble Fruits, with which our Philoſophical Microcoſm is generated, nouriſh'd, and ſaturated.

LIII.

If the Earth, after it has been reverberated, humected with our Celeſtial Moiſture, does not preſently enrich our Air with the divine expected Fruits, you muſt certainly believe, that in the drying of it the external Heat has been ſo violent, as to burn up the internal Heat and Nature of the Earth, and conſequently ſpoil your Undertaking as to the performance of the whole Myſtery of the Creation, according to the nobleſt, richeſt, ſhorteſt, moſt natural, and ſecreteſt ways of the Philoſophers.

LIV.

In caſe the Earth ſhould be totally deſtroy'd by the violent external Heat, althô it is moſt certain, you cannot carry on our noble Creation any farther with it; yet if you know how to amalgamate our Mercury ſimplex with your common Gold, which is diſſolved, vivify'd, and renew'd by it, you may be ſure of effecting the Great Elixir, althô neither ſo quick, ſo natural, nor ſo rich, as you might have done without it. And this is our third way.

LV.

The Amalgamation of our Mercury ſimplex with common Gold conſiſts only in the right Proportion, and in the indiſſoluble Union of both, which is done without any external Heat in a very ſhort time, without which exact Proportion and right Union nothing of any Moment is to be expected from their Marriage.

LVI.

Know then, that this right Proportion is ten parts of our Mercury ſimplex to one of your fineſt common Gold in filings, which is diſſolved in it, like Ice in common Water, after an imperceptible manner, and as ſoon as the Diſſolution is over, the Coagulation and Putrefaction preſently follow, which effects if you find not, 'tis a ſign, that the Mercury exceeds its due Proportion. Now when your Gold has been thus well amalgamated, united, putrify'd, and inſeparably digeſted with our Mercury ſimplex, you will then have only our Philoſophical Sulphur, in which time one might eaſily have perform'd the whole Work, working without common Gold.

LVII.

Althô our Mercury ſimplex is exceedingly ſpiritual and volatil, yet ſince it is the right Agent, digeſting the Seed or Eſſence of all Metals and Minerals, it will, thô undigeſted, naturally adhere to any of them, althô corporeal, that ſhall come near it, and will never leave it, unleſs it be forc'd away by the Teſt, thô kept in a great Fuſion for many hours.

LVIII.

This Mercury ſimplex, which before its retrogradation was of a Feminine Nature, and before it left all its own Earth, was Hermaphroditic, being powerful in both Sexes, is now become of a Feminine Quality again, and althô it has loſt the Maſculine viſible Fire, yet it has conſerv'd its own, which is inviſible to us, and with which it performs viſible Operations in digeſting of imperfect Metals, after its Determination with any of them.

LIX.

If this our Mercury (the Proportion rightly obſerv'd) ſhould be amalgamated with any imperfect Metal, being firſt determin'd with a fixt one, it will regenerate and perfect the ſame, not loſing the leaſt Particle of its Virtue or Quantity: Which Metal after the digeſtion of a Philoſophical Month will (as moſt Philoſophers teach) be able to reſiſt all manner of Tryals, and will be far better than any Natural one.

LX.

The Determination of our Mercury ſimplex with any of the fixt Bodies is to be done by diſſolving a ſmall quantity of Filings of red or white according to the Color and Quality of the Metal, that you deſire to meliorate, and if you do not err in the Separation and Union of the Subjects, you may aſſure your ſelf of obtaining your deſire after a Philoſophical Digeſtion.

LXI.

To examine aright, whether the Mercury ſimplex is rightly prepar'd, or come to its Perfection, one only Drop, put upon a red-hot Plate of Copper, muſt whiten it through and through, and muſt not part with it, althô brought into a great Fuſion: Which, if you find, it does not, it will be a plain Demonſtration, that either your Mercury is not well prepared, or that it has not yet done ſeparating it ſelf from its own Earth.

LXII.

If your Mercury ſimplex, put upon its own dry'd Earth, does not preſently unite with the Eſſence of Metals, appearing deeper than any Blood, and ſhining brighter than any Fire, which is a mark of the Reception of its own internal Fire, and that the Eagle has ſuckt the Blood of our Red-Lion, it is an evident ſign, that you have err'd in the Manipulation of the Earth.

LXIII.

This Mercury, thus impregnated with its Eſſence, or Sulphur of Metals, is call'd the Mercury duplex of the Philoſophers, which is of a far greater Quality, and Virtue than the ſimplex, with whoſe Imbibitions in the Salt of Nature, after its being ſaturated with the ſimplex, the whole Myſtery of the Creation of the Philoſophical Microcoſm is maintain'd and perfected.

LXIV.

To know, whether your Mercury duplex is Philoſophically prepar'd, and ſufficiently impregnated with its own internal Natural Fire, put one ſingle Drop of it upon a red-hot Plate of fine Silver: and if the Silver is not by this Drop penetrated through and through with a deep-red Tincture, enduring the greateſt fire of Fuſion, it will ſignifie, that you either fail in the Preparation of it, or that you have not given it time enough to receive a full Saturation out of its own Earth.

LXV.

This deep-red Tincture, extracted out of our Philoſophical Earth, is call'd our Sulphur, our undigeſted, eſſentificated Gold, our internal elementary Fire, and our Red-Lion: for without its Help and Concurrence our Philoſophical World cannot be nouriſh'd, digeſted, or accompliſh'd, being the right Ground, and true Eſſence of the whole work of our Creation.

LXVI.

When the Earth has loſt its Soul, the remainder of it is the true Magnet, attracting the Salt of Nature from the combuſtible Fire after a violent Calcination for ſeveral hours: which Salt, after its Purification and Clarification, is call'd the clarify'd Earth or Salt of the Philoſophers, which, uniting it ſelf with our ſingle and double Mercury, after their Digeſtion, is call'd by our Maſter Hermes the Univerſal Spirit earthify'd.

LXVII.

The Extraction, Purification, and Clarification of our Earth or Salt of Nature is to be perform'd by our Mercury ſimplex: which, being put upon the reverberated Earth, will preſently draw it to it ſelf, and unite it ſelf with it, yet ſeparable by gentle Diſtillation, after which the clarify'd Salt of the Philoſophers is at hand.

LXVIII.

Althô we uſe our Mercury ſimplex in the Extraction of its own Soul out of its Body, and for the Clarification of the later; yet, ſince it is a philoſophical and perpetual Menſtruum, it loſes nothing of its connatural Prerogatives, nor does in the leaſt diminiſh in Quantity, being our true Alkaheſt, as Paracelſus is pleas'd to call it.

LXIX.

Thoſe three Principles, or Elements of our Chaos, perfectly ſeparated from their Impurities, and brought to their higheſt Perfection, are rightly call'd the three Herculean Works: for after the Preparation of them all the Labor, Trouble, and Danger will be paſt.

LXX.

Some fooliſh Operators pretend, that our Great Elixir is to be prepar'd in a very eaſie manner, and without any trouble at all, to whom we will with our Maſter Hermes briefly anſwer, That ſuch Impoſtors neither know our Matter, nor the right Preparation of it. Yet we do not deny, but any Healthy Perſon, of what Age ſoever he may be, may undergo all our Herculean Labors, neceſſary to the Performance of it.

LXXI.

Theſe our Operations are therefore call'd Herculean in reſpect to the reſt of the Work, which is exceeding eaſie, and without the leaſt Trouble or Danger, being for that reaſon call'd Childrens Play, becauſe a Child or a Woman, that has any Senſe, may eaſily work it, and bring it to the higheſt Perfection, according to the Saying of all true Philoſophers.

LXXII.

Althô all thoſe above-mention'd Operations are, according to the common Opinion of the Philoſophers, eſteem'd difficult, and dangerous; yet we can upon our Conſcience aſſure you, that we have our ſelf alone without the help of any Creature living prepar'd them all on a common Kitchin Fire, as is very well known to ſeveral Coadepts, our Friends, who could not but admire and approve of our Induſtry.

LXXIII.

No true Adept or perfect Artiſt can deny, but that the whole Work of the Great Elixir may from the very beginning to the end be perform'd on one only Furnace, in one only ſort of Veſſel, and by one only Perſon alone, at a very ſmall Charge.

LXXIV.

Some Impoſtors would perſwade the Vulgar, that Gold, Silver, and many other Ingredients are requir'd to the making of the Grand Elixir according to our nobleſt ways: which the Doctrines of all the Philoſophers, and our own infallible Rules clearly ſhew to be falſe: for 'tis moſt certain, that we neither uſe any of their Ingredients, nor yet any Silver, or Gold, (unleſs, as we have mention'd, in our third way) till we come to the Fermentation of our Elixirs.

LXXV.

We do with all true Philoſophers aſſure you, that all things, neceſſary for our Philoſophical Work, beſides the Fewel, Veſſels, and ſome few Inſtruments, belonging to the Furnace, are to be purchas'd for leſs than the Expence of one ſingle Guinea, and that every where, and at all times of the year.

LXXVI.

Since neither Gold nor Silver is to be us'd at all in the Formation and Cibation of our Philoſophical Work, it follows, that the old and common ſaying of ſome Authors, viz. That without working with Gold 'tis an impoſſible thing to make Gold, proves to be only a falſe Notion of Men, who underſtood not our Art.

LXXVII.

When our Herculean Works are brought to Perfection, which is, when our three Principles, or Elements are prepar'd, purify'd and perfected, unleſs the Philoſophical and unſeparable Union of them is exactly perform'd, the Great Myſtery of our Creation is not to be expected.

LXXVIII.

Our Principles or Elements being brought to a perfect and unſeparable Union and Digeſtion, it is call'd the Triple Mercury of the Philoſophers, which being finiſh'd, the whole Creation and Formation of our work is crown'd.

LXXIX.

All our Work of the Creation from its very Beginning to its perfect End may, on our certain knowledg, be perfected in leſs than nine Months by any skilful and careful Artiſt, that follows our Rules, unleſs ſome Accident ſhould happen in the Preparation of our Herculean Works: which to prevent, we wrought them our ſelf in an earthen Veſſel, which we count far better and ſurer than any Glaſs, and which is moſt agreeable to the Practice of the moſt ancient Philoſophers.

LXXX.

Before you come to the Union of your Elements, your clarify'd Earth is before all things to be digeſted in a moderate and continual Heat of Aſhes, to free it from any unnatural Moiſture, that it might have attracted after its Purification, to be in a fit Capacity to receive your Mercury ſimplex, by which it is to be nouriſh'd in its Infancy.

LXXXI.

If your clarify'd Earth, after it has been digeſted the ſpace of a whole Month, does not appear exceeding dry, ſubtil, and frangible, it will ſignifie, that you have fail'd in the Purification or Clarification of it, or that the external Moiſture, it had attracted, is not yet parted from it.

LXXXII.

Take great Care, that you do not begin your Imbibitions of your Earth, before you find it to be very well purify'd, clarify'd, dry'd, and brought to be very ſubtil, and extremely frangible: for it would be a great Detriment as well to your Work, as to your Mercury; and, althô it ſhould not ſpoil your Work, yet it would be to you a great loſs of Time.

LXXXIII.

After our clarify'd Earth has been brought to a perfect Purity, Dryneſs, and Frangibility, it is to be imbib'd with the eighth part of our Mercury ſimplex, or Virgins Milk, which will in a very ſhort time be ſoak'd into it, as into a Sponge, which ſhews the hungry State of our Infant, and then the Fire is to be continu'd, till the Infant is hungry again.

LXXXIV.

If in the ſpace of two or three days, or four, at the fartheſt, the Infant does not ſhew it ſelf to be extreme hungry by becoming very dry and frangible again, it will be an evident ſign, that you have overcome it by your exceſſive feeding of it.

LXXXV.

Great care is to be taken alſo in the feeding of the noble Infant: for if you do not well obſerve all our infallible Rules, you will never be able to bring it to a perfect Maturity: for in the Notion and Proportion of our Imbibitions, and the Management of them, the proſperous and unfailable End of our Work is to be expected.

LXXXVI.

'Tis always to be obſerv'd, that the Fire be very moderate, as long as you are making your Imbibitions, for fear of forcing any part of your Mercury to leave the Earth: for as a moderate Heat makes the Union between the Soul and the Body, and perfects all the Work: ſo on the contrary a too violent Heat diſunites and deſtroys all.

LXXXVII.

The Infant being dry, the Imbibition is to be repeated again, and this Method is to be us'd, until the Matter has receiv'd its weight of the Mercury: at which time if you do not find it to flow like Wax, and be whiter then any Snow, and very fixt, you muſt proceed with your Imbibitions, until you perceive the ſame.

LXXXVIII.

The Imbibitions are not to be made any oftner, than once every three or four days, in which time you will find your Matter, having ſoak'd up all your Mercury, to be in great want of Food, which muſt be ſupply'd, until it be ſaturated: the Mark of which will be, when it flows like Wax again.

LXXXIX.

Your Matter being brought to a perfect Fluxibility, uncomparable Whiteneſs, and unalterable Fixedneſs, know then, that you have perfectioned the white Elixir, which, being fermented with fine Silver in Filings, will be in a Capacity to tranſmute all inferior Metals into the fineſt Silver in the World.

XC.

Before the white Elixir is fermented with common Silver, you may multiply it, as well in Virtue, as in Quantity, by the Continuation of Imbibitions with the Mercury ſimplex, by which it may by Degrees be brought ad Infinitum in its Virtue.

XCI.

The white Elixir being brought to its Degree of Maturity, deſiring to go on to its higheſt Degree of Perfection, inſtead of fermenting it with Silver, it muſt be eibated with its own Fleſh and Blood, which is the double Mercury, by which being nouriſh'd, multiply'd in Quality and Quantity, and digeſted, the whole Work is accompliſh'd.

XCII.

As ſoon as the firſt Imbibition is made, you will ſee a great Alteration in your Veſſel: for there will be nothing ſeen but a Cloud, filling the whole ſpace of the Veſſel, the fixt being in controverſie with the Volatil, and the Volatil with the fixt. The Volatil is Conqueror at the beginning, but at laſt by its own internal Fire, conjoyn'd with the external, both are united, and fixt inſeparably together.

XCIII.

It is to be obſerved, that the Glaſs Veſſel, which muſt be oval, with a Neck half a foot long, and very ſtrong, be of a fit bigneſs, and of ſuch Capacity, that your Matter, when it is put into the Veſſel, may take up only the third part of it, leaving the other two vacant: for, if it ſhould be too big, it would be a great hinderance in performing the Work, and if too little, it would break into a thouſand pieces.

XCIV.

After you have cibated the noble Elixir with your double Mercury, before it can come to its perfect Fixedneſs, it muſt of neceſſity wander thrô all the States and Colors of Nature, by which we are to judg its Being and Temperament.

XCV.

The conſtant and eſſential Colors, that appear in the Digeſtion of the Matter, and before it comes to a Perfection, are three, viz. Black, which ſignifies the Putrefaction and Conjunction of the Elements; White, which demonſtrates its Purification; and Red, which denotes its Maturation. The reſt of the Colors, that appear and diſappear in the Progreſs of the Work, are only accidental, and unconſtant.

XCVI.

By every Cibation of its own Fleſh and Blood, Regeneration of its Colors, and Digeſtion, the Infant will grow ſtronger and ſtronger, that at laſt being fully ſaturated and digeſted, it is call'd the Great Elixir of the Philoſophers, with which you will be able to perform, Wonders in all the Regions, as well Animal, as Mineral, and Vegetable.

XCVII.

When your Elixir is brought to a Fluxibility, and a perfect Fixedneſs, if you deſire to make a Medicine upon Metals, you muſt determinate or ferment it with common Gold in Filings, in which Determination it will vitrify, and then you will have an incomparable Medicine, capable to tranſmute all imperfect Metals into the pureſt Gold, according to the Doctrine of all the Philoſophers, thô our ſelf never deſign'd any thing, but an univerſal Remedy for the Cure of all curable Diſeaſes, incident to Human Bodies, as is well known to our Friends, who have enjoy'd the Benefit of theſe our Labors.

XCVIII.

It is to be obſerv'd in the Fermentation, that the Elixir exceed not the Ferment in Quantity, otherwiſe the Sponſal Ligament of it cannot be actually perform'd, and when the Ferment is predominant over the Elixir, all will be preſently turn'd into duſt.

XCIX.

The beſt Method of Fermentation is to take one part of the Elixir, and put it into the midſt of ten parts of Gold in Filings, caſt thrô Antimony, to free it from all its Impurities, and to keep it in a circulary Fire for the ſpace of ſix Hours, ſo increaſing the Fire by Degrees, that the two laſt hours it be in a good Fuſion, and when cold, you will find all your Matter exceeding frangible, and of the Color of the Granate-Stone.

C.

Common Mercury, amalgamated with Lead, is counted the moſt proper subject for making Projection, which being in Fuſion, your fermented Matter being divided into three parts, one part of it roll'd, in Wax, is to be flung upon the Amalgam: then preſently cover the Crucible, and continue the Fire, until you hear the Noiſe of the Separation and Union: then the ſecond and third part, as before, and being kept for two hours in a continual Fire of Fuſion, let it cool by it ſelf.

CI.

Whoever ſhall preſume to prepare the Great Elixir according to our moſt Secret Ways without following and obſerving all theſe our infallible Rules, will certainly find himſelf mightily miſtaken at laſt, having after a great deal of Trouble, Charges, and Pains, reap'd nothing but Diſcontent; and on the contrary they, that ſhall walk in our true and infallible Paths, ſhall with very little Trouble and Expences attain to their deſired End, which we cordially wiſh to all thoſe, who are ſincere wellwiſhers to the Hermetic Philoſophy.

I.

OUR Circulatum minus in only a ſpecificated Elixir, belonging to the Vegetable Kingdom, by which without any Fire, or farther Preparation of the Vegetables, we can in a Moment extract their true Eſſence, containing their Virtue, Quality, and Property: which is a great Chymical Curioſity, performing Wonders in the Practice of Phyſick, and in demonſtrating ſome Works of Nature.

II.

We call it Circulatum, becauſe, thô never ſo often us'd in any Extraction, or Chymical Experiment whatever, it loſes nothing of its Quality, or Property: which is a Prerogative, pertaining to the Univerſal Elixir, call'd alſo the Circulatum majus, becauſe it commands in all the three Kingdoms of Nature; whilſt this, being reſtrain'd to one only Kingdom, is for that reaſon ſtil'd Minus.

III.

Out of Dianas undetermin'd Tears, when Apollo has appear'd, after the Separation of the three Elements, Determination, Digeſtion, and glorious Reſurrection, we can, without the Addition of any other created thing, prepare this our determin'd Elixir: Which is the firſt, nobleſt, and ſecreteſt way of the Philoſophers.

IV.

The Determination of our Dianas Tears conſiſts only in their perfect and indiſſoluble Union with the fixt Vegetable Earth, philoſophically prepar'd, purify'd, and ſpiritualiz'd: for the love of which they are forc'd to leave their firſt univerſal undetermin'd Property, and be cloath'd with a determin'd particular one, which is requir'd to this our Circulatum minus.

V.

Our ſecond way of preparing this our Vegetable Elixir is by a right Manipulation of a Plant of the nobleſt Degree, ſtanding by it ſelf, or ſupported by others: after the Preparation of which, and its Putrefaction, Reduction into an Oil, Separation of the three Principles, with their Purification, Union, and Spiritualization, the whole is to be turn'd into a ſpiritual ever-living Fountain, renewing every Plant, that ſhall be plung'd in it.

VI.

The third and common way is only a Conjunction of a fixt Vegetable Salt with its own volatil ſulphureous Spirit, both to be found ready prepar'd by any vulgar Chymiſt, and ſince in their Preparation the pureſt Sulphur, containing the Soul, has ſuffer'd ſome Detriment by their not being philoſophically manipulated, they cannot be inſeparably join'd without a ſulphureous Medium, by which the Soul being ſtrengthned, the Body and Spirit are alſo thrô it made capable of a perfect Union.

VII.

The proper Medium, requiſite for the indiſſoluble Union of theſe two Subjects, is only a ſulphureous and bituminous Matter, iſſuing out of a Plant, living or dead, which is to be found in ſeveral parts of the World, and is known to all manner of Men, (the Copavian we find to be the beſt, and after that the Italian,) by which, after it has been ſeparated from its feculent parts thrô our Univerſal Menſtruum, all the Pores and Atoms of the fixt Vegetable Salt, which is extremely fortified by it, being dilated, it is made capable of receiving its own Spirit, and uniting it ſelf with it.

VIII.

To fortify the Sulphur, and open the Pores of the Salt, no other Method is to be us'd, but to imbibe the ſame with the bituminous Matter in a moderate digeſtive Heat, as if one would hatch Chickens, and as the Salt grows dry, the Imbibitions are to be repeated, until you find it ſo fully ſaturated, that it refuſes to imbibe any more of the Matter.

IX.

In the Courſe of Imbibitions the whole Maſs is at leaſt nine or ten times a day to be ſtirr'd with a Spatula, or ſome other Inſtrument of dry Wood, by which reiterated Motion, the bituminous Matter receives a better ingreſs into the Body, and perfects its Operation the ſooner.

X.

Great Care is to be taken, that in the performance of the Imbibitions, no kind of Soil or Duſt fall into your Matter, for the prevention of which your Veſſel may be kept cover'd with a Paper, prickt full of holes, or any other ſuitable Covering, and that nothing come near it, which has its own internal Sulphur: for the Pores of the Salt being very much dilated and open'd, it may eaſily determine it ſelf to any other Subject, and ſo ſpoil your Undertaking.

XI.

If in three, or four Weeks time at fartheſt, your fixt Vegetable Salt does not manifeſt its full Saturation, 'twill certainly be in vain for you to go any farther with it: for you may aſſure your ſelf, that you either err in the Notion of the Salt or of the real ſulphureous Medium, or in the Management of the Imbibitions.

XII.

When your Imbibitions are fully perform'd, your Salt will then be in a convenient readineſs to receive its own Spirit, by which it is made volatil, ſpiritual, tranſparent, and wonderfully penetrating, entring of a ſudden into the Pores and Particles of every Vegetable, and ſeparating in a moment their true Eſſence or Elements.

XIII.

Althô the Salt is fully prepar'd for the Reception of its own Spirit, yet unleſs you well obſerve the right Proportion of them (which is, that the volatil always predominate over the fixt) you will never be able to making any perfect Union between theſe two Subjects, contrary in Quality, thô not in Nature.

XIV.

Before you begin your Deſtillations and Cohobations, after the Addition of the Vegetable Spirit to its own Salt, a Putrefaction of eight or ten days is to precede, during which time, the ſulphureous Spirit, ſtrengthned by the bituminous Matter, and finding its Salt fir for Conjunction with it, has the power to enter into its Pores, to facilitate its Volatilization, and Union.

XV.

If after ſix or ſeven Deſtillations and Cohobations of the deſtill'd upon the Remainder, you do not find your Spirit to be extremely ſharp, and the Remainder in the bottom altogether inſipid, it will be an evident Sign, that you fail in the true knowledge of the Vegetable Spirit, which, being exceeding volatil, has in its Nature power to volatilize its own Body, and unite it ſelf inſeparably with it, finding it capable of its Reception.

XVI.

It is to be obſerv'd, that in the Progreſs of your Deſtillations the ſulphureous Medium do not in the leaſt aſcend: for as it is a real Medium, concurring to unite the Body with the Spirit, before the Spiritualization of the Body, and without the Concurrence of which no perfect Union of theſe two Subjects is to be expected; ſo on the contrary in the Progreſs of the Work its Concurrence would be highly diſadvantageous to to them both, and totally ſubvert your Operation.

XVII.

The aſcending of the ſulphureous Medium, when the Spirit begins to carry over its own Body, to unite it ſelf inſeparably with it, evidently and certainly ſignifies, that you do not regulate your Fire, as you ſhould, and that, inſtead of giving a gentle vaporous Heat to facilitate the Union, you give a violent one to deſtroy it.

XVIII.

When your Salt is brought to its perfect Spiritualization, and real Union with its own volatil Spirit, then you will have in your power your Circulatum minus, or Vegetable Elixir, and Menſtruum, with which you will be able to perform wonders in the Vegetable Kingdom, ſeparating in a moment not only their Principles or Elements, but alſo at one and the ſame Operation the Pure from the Impure.

XIX.

If into this your Vegetable Elixir you put any green Vegetable, ſhred in pieces, it will in leſs than half a quarter of an hour without any external Heat putrify, and precipitate it ſelf into the bottom quite dead, (which is nothing but the curſed Excremental Earth) and on the Top will ſwim a yellow Oil, containing the Salt and Sulphur, and the Elixir will be of the Color of the Plant, comprehending its Vegetable Spirit: which if it does not, 'tis a ſign, that your Operations have not been Philoſophical.

XX.

One only drop of this yellowiſh Oil, given in Diſtempers according to the Virtue and Quality, attributed to the Plant, every Morning and Evening in a Glaſs of Wine, or any other convenient Vehicle, will infallibly and inſenſibly cure thoſe Diſtempers, and corroborate the vital Spirits, if conſtantly taken to purify the Blood in ſickly and infectious Times.

XXI.

If you put Coral into this Menſtruum, you will ſee an admirable Experiment: for althô its Pores are compacter, than in any other Vegetable; yet it will on a ſudden tranſmit its internal Spirit into the Menſtruum, and ſending its Soul and Body, like a blood-red Oil to the Top, will at laſt fall to the Bottom like a grayiſh Excrement.

XXII.

If Myrrh, Aloes, and Saffron, of each an equal Quantity, are put into this Menſtruum, the trueſt Elixir Proprietatis (as Paracelſus terms it) which is a moſt excellent Cordial, and almoſt of as great Efficacy and Virtue, as the Univerſal Elixir it ſelf, in curing all curable Diſtempers, will preſently ſwim on the Top, and its Caput Mortuum will ſeparate it ſelf into the Bottom.

XXIII.

This Vegetable Menſtruum diſſolves not only all ſorts of Gums, or any other kind of Subſtance in the Vegetable Kingdom, but alſo all ſorts of Oils and Balſams, coming out of Trees, ſeparating their true Eſſence, by which you may perform wonderful things both upon living Bodies, and dead ones, the laſt of which it preſerves for ever without opening or any farther Preparation of them.

XXIV.

Thô this Menſtruum is only ſpecificated upon Vegetables, it will nevertheleſs in a moment draw the Tincture out of Metals and Minerals; but it will not ſeparate all their Principles, not being the appropriated Menſtruum for ſuch Operations; and thô ſuch Sulphurs are highly balſamic for the Lungs and Spleen, yet ſince our Elixir Proprietatis far exceeds thoſe praeternatural Preparations, we only give this as a curious Chymical Experiment.

XXV.

Since this Vegetable Menſtruum is eternal, you muſt obſerve, that you loſe nothing of its Quantity or Quality in ſeparating of it from the Oil, and Spirit of the Vegetable, which is done by a gentle Deſtillation in Balneo vaporoſo, the Veſſel being very well luted and dry'd before. The Menſtruum, coming over with the Flegm of the Vegetable, from which it is by a Deſtillation in Balneo to be ſeparated for farther uſes, leaves the Oil at the Bottom, united with its own Spirit, which will eaſily go over in any common Heat, not leaving any thing behind it: which is a Mark of its Spiritualization, Purification, and Regeneration, that it has receiv'd from the Menſtruum.

XXVI.

Out of this Oil or Eſſence of your Vegetable ſo prepar'd, or by any other Philoſophical way, (as we have mention'd in our ſecond Manner of making this our Elixir) if you know how to putrify it naturally without any Fire, and to ſeparate all our Principles out of it, purifying and uniting them inſeparably together, being all made ſpiritual and tranſparent, you will then have out of this ſecond Regeneration the greateſt Arcanum in the World, as upon Vegetables, ſo alſo upon Minerals and Metals, except Gold and Silver.

XXVII.

If this regenerated Eſſence be determin'd with our firſt Matter, it will then be in a Capacity radically to diſſolve all ſorts of Metals or Minerals, and principally Gold, which is imperceptibly diſſolv'd in it, like Ice in common Water, and can never be ſeparated common Gold again, neither by Deſtillation, nor Digeſtion: out of which, after a Philoſophical Digeſtion, Separation of the three Principles, with their Purification, Union, Digeſtion, and third Regeneration, you may prepare the great Medicin of Medicins, of equal Virtue and Quality with the Grand Elixir upon human Bodies, and with our Mercury ſimplex, upon Metals or Minerals.

XXVIII.

The determinating this regenerated Menſtruum with our firſt Matter is to be perform'd by its Amalgamation with it, in which the Vegetable Menſtruum, drawing out of it all its Qualities and Properties, and uniting them with its own, is made capable of the ſame Virtue and Property, as our Mercury ſimplex, in diſſolving and volatilizing every created thing, that ſhall come near it.

XXIX.

Some are of Opinion, that both the Elixirs may be produc'd out of ſeveral determin'd things, as Human Excrements, May drew, (which they call alſo their Menſtruum from above, or Water from the Clouds) &c. as alſo that the Grand Elixir may be prepar'd out of this, or any other Vegetable regenerated Menſtruum; but ſince we know, that ſuch Menſtruums, which they call their Philoſophical Mercury, althô they may diſſolve and volatilize Metals, yet cannot meliorate any of them, this Diſſolution and Volatilization being neither natural nor Philoſophical, we therefore with good Reaſon judge all thoſe Opinions to be only falſe Suppoſitions and ill-grounded and imaginary Notions.

XXX.

We with our Divine Maſter Hermes abſolutely affirm, that, Almighty God having, after he had created all things, commanded every one of them to procreate out of its own kind, our Elixirs are not to be produc'd by any of thoſe ſophiſtical ways, as we have fully made appear in theſe and our precedent Aphoriſms, in which we have given ample Inſtructions for the preparing the Univerſal Elixir out of our undetermin'd Matter, and the ſpecificated one out of the Root of Vegetables.

XXXI.

Out of the true Affection and Charity, we have for all Lovers of Arts, we adviſe every one, who ſhall deſire to prepare either of theſe our Elixirs, only to follow our Infallible Rules, being the Compendium of the whole Practice and Theory according to all true Philoſophers, and not to mind any other: for ſome having deliver'd things by Hearſay, others from Reading, and very few from their own Practice, they may eaſily be impos'd upon and deluded by any Pſeudochymiſt or pretended Adept.