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 http://www.archive.org/details/basilvalentinehiOObasi 
 
. I 
 
 B AS IL VALENTINE 
 
 HIS 
 
 rriumphant Charioc 
 
 OF 
 
 ANTIMONY. 
 
 WITH 
 
 ANNOTATIONS 
 
 OB 
 
 Theodore KzrfymgiHf. M. D. 
 
 WITT^ 
 
 ^^'S.^^'^^^^^^oftht Learned 4>;.efc a 
 Greek Abbot taken out of the Emperour's 
 Library, concerning the Philofopher's 
 
 L O ND O N. 
 
 Printed for Dorman Nex^man at the Kings Arms 
 
 in the Poultry. 1678. 
 
Jhtfi five Boohs lately Puhlifljed are to he foil 
 by Dorman Newman nt the Kings ArmS' f 
 in tht Poultry, . I 
 
 PHilofophical Dialogucs,concerning the Prin- 
 ciples olnatuial Bodys, wherein the Princi- ' 
 pies of the old and new Philolbphy are ftated and ^ 
 the new dernonlbated to be more agreeable to rea- 
 fbn,f! oin mechanic?! expcric-ice and its ufefuhiels 
 to the benefit of irani-jnd in dHodeamo. 
 
 A lliort Eflay towards the hi ory and cure of 
 Fevers humblypropofed to the Lonfiderrtion of the 
 Roryal Society anu > he Colledgeof fpyfiitans in or- 
 der to the In iprovcmcnt of Phy fick and thereby the 
 ben '.fit of our Country men. 
 
 JLxerchntioncs auatoyr.icA in varias regiones hftma" 
 7ii cordons jfartmm ft; HtiUram atqne ufum oftende'atet 
 rccentiHmMedjcorum^OoiiUrgorHJn^ec mn Pharmaco- 
 fcUrHmin itfum dlvidgata, 
 
 ylRol'crto Bayfield medico^in duodecima. 
 
 A Treatife ol the Gout written originally in the 
 French tongue by Theodore Turqnet de Mayerne 
 Knight, chief Phyfitian to the late King and Queen . 
 -of £/?^/^;7<^Ei][gliflicd by Thomas SherUy M. D. Phy- 
 4it-ianin ordinary to hisprefent IMajcfty Ojarles the 
 Second, wirh advice about Hypocondriacal fitt^ 
 whcreunto is added Medicipal counfels or advi- i 
 ces by the fame Author in (7t?/7x.v. I 
 
 . -^^Udeht Alcd^mm fliewing the Reafons and I 
 r;i dnnd of the Contenipt of Phyfick and Phyhtians ji 
 iv\ dii-odecima. ! 
 
TO THE 
 
 READER. 
 
 IT IS well known, that the prefcnt 
 Subjeft, on which this eminent 
 Author fo elegantly difcour- 
 feth, was not long fince generally 
 ( though moft injurioufly ) bran- 
 ded with the dcteftable Name of 
 Poyfon. This (?rf/«/» wascaftypf. 
 on it ( as appears by the prefent 
 Book ) in the Dayes of the Author^ 
 and perhaps, long before that timq 
 it might, through the Malice of 
 idle Speculators , be condemned. 
 For thofe Men, who prefume to be 
 Matters of all Knowledge, becaufe 
 Letter-learned in the Theory of 
 this or that Art, without the leafl: 
 Skillor Will to exercife themfelves 
 in the Pradice thereof, muft needs 
 A a con- 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 condemn what they do not under- 
 ftand. And this they are induced 
 to do, left by approving what they 
 hav^ no Knowledge of, they fliould 
 too palpably difcover their Igno- 
 rance i becaufenot able to evince 
 the Reaions of their own Approba- 
 tions, i herefore, 'tis too too proba- 
 ble, that they, hating Labour, and 
 envying the fcdulous Endeavours of 
 others , left thereby their own 
 freming Honour fhould beeclipfed, 
 would rather ( according to the 
 Old Proverb ) give Antimony an HI 
 Name, then foul their Hands in ex- 
 peiiencing the Virtues, wrth which 
 ir is endued. How ill it hath been 
 fpoken of in this our Time, is well 
 known rovT)any;and of howfervice- 
 able uTe it hath been, in the Cure 
 of very nianv deplorable 13ifcafesj 
 within twenty years lafl: paft, isas 
 well underftood by moft of the in- 
 duftfioufly laborious Fhyficrans of 
 thisCi y> who can; and day ly do, 
 
 when- 
 
To the Reader, 
 
 whcnfoever they nieet with Men of 
 like Induftry, tefiify for the Author, 
 chat unto ANTIMONY is not 
 undefervedlv afllgjned 2l C H 4 R I' 
 or TKivMFHANt. For 
 none were permitted to enter Rome 
 in a Triumphant Chariot, that had 
 not flayn at leaft five thoufand Em- 
 ffiies^ and obtained an intire Viftory. 
 Wherefore, if Antimony ( through 
 the Gift of the mojl HIGH infited 
 in it ) more ihan any one Simple of 
 Nature, be able to fubdue and expel 
 infinite Difeafes ( the Enemies of 
 Humane Life ) as is undoubtedly 
 known it is, and to obtain an intire 
 Vi61ory over them, why fliould any 
 Man envy that, by which his own, 
 or his Neighbours, Life is or may be 
 fo well preferved? It is true^if taken 
 without Preparation or being ill 
 prepared ( becaufe of the much E- 
 vil mixt with its great Good ) Ws 
 more injuiious than profitable to 
 the Humane Body *, which our Au- 
 
 A 3 thor 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 thor well obferves, teaching Co ma- 
 ny and laudable Preparations of the 
 fame. Which Preparations are in 
 no fmall Meafure illuftrated by the 
 prefent Annotations of the Learned 
 Kirkj'irsgius. Therefore the end of 
 tranflating aneWjand reprinting this 
 Work now a fecond time in the 
 Englifii Tongue^was partly becaufc 
 of the aforefaid Annotations j and 
 partly that fo Laudable a Work 
 might not be obliterated by time, 
 and by that means the pious and 
 good Intentions of the Author be 
 fruftratcd , but uiore cfpecially, 
 that our Ingenious Country Men, 
 intent on the Knowledge of Natu- 
 ral things, might in their own na- 
 tive Language find whafoevcr is 
 needful and neceflary for accom- 
 plifihing them in the Laudable 
 Studies of the Works of Nature^ 
 without being neceflitatcd to fcek 
 forreign Aids , as many heretofore 
 have been ccnftrained to do : bc- 
 
 caufc 
 
To the Reader: 
 
 cairfe what they dcfired ro be iiifor* 
 iTied in, was lockr up in' orher Ldn« 
 guages, and could nor be unlocked, 
 but by few, who liable, were not 
 alvvayes willing fo to do ^ and if 
 not able, though willing, could not 
 cfFcft the fame. 
 
 For this very Fnd, arc the Works 
 of Ge/'^r the famous Arabian Prince, 
 and Philofopher, now likewife 
 tranflated into Fnglifh, ready for' 
 the Prefj, and will be fpcedily pub- 
 lifhed. In the mean while, com* 
 mitting all to GODj we heartily 
 wifli well to all, and to every Inge- 
 nious Student in the Praftice of Chy« 
 mkal Phyfick good ^uccefs. Fare^ 
 wel. 
 
 A 4 Th( 
 
THE 
 
 TABLE 
 
 oF 
 
 PARTICULARS 
 
 Comprifed in the 
 
 WORKS 
 
 O F 
 
 Basil Valentine. 
 
 A 
 
 Pap. 
 
 A '8' 
 
 Dvice after Re^reheftfon. 1 1 9 
 Aliment^ which ftouri/ljeth all things^ 
 
 what, 145* 
 
 of 2 Kindes, 17 
 
 Endued with the 4 firfl ^alitiej, 1 9 
 Compared to a Q'wcle. ibid. 
 
 Its Virtues iftexhaujiihle. 20 
 
 Contains its own Vinegar* 24 
 
 Compared to a Bird in the Aire, 28 
 
 Con/pared to a "BorJi. 29 
 
 Contains all Colours, 59.60 
 
 /// Aftrum, C^r. 40 
 
 Spcakj of it fclf, 4O5 5 9. 
 
 Its Original and R<fot, 47 
 
 /// principal ^aliti^s^ 5 1 
 
 lis 
 
The Table.' 
 
 Pag. 
 Its 5. FundafHenial Princtple/, 5 1 
 
 Its wonderful Virtues. 54-59 
 
 The hundredth pdrt of thcM fiot kpovpn. 141 
 Ho good in it for the Hnmatte Eod)i, mthout 
 Preparation. 54 
 
 Tet crude it fattens Swine Jiotfi. 86 
 
 Diverfly prepared hstb divers Efe&s, Sj 
 If a prefent help againB Wounds, 121 
 
 Apothecaries reprehended. 45 
 
 Some Arts why fnppreffed. 1 3 6 
 
 ^rtiii and Vulcan ought to agree, 16 
 
 Artifh vex, wreli^and torment Antimony. 
 
 18 
 Arcanum of Antimony. 121 
 
 /// ufe and Virtues, ibid 
 
 Authors Apology, lo6j 1 07 
 
 Pilgrimage, 126 
 
 Prayer, 34'45'I46- 
 
 Why he induced rude Examples' 86 
 
 Why hefpeakj (imply, 12 2 
 
 His Balfome of Life^ wh^t, 1 54 
 
 His Parable, 545 
 
 His Continency, 153 
 
 B 
 
 BAlfom of Antimony, 107 
 
 Its Virtues, 1 08 
 
 Ballom^ for Wounds^ its ufe, 122 
 
 Of Antimonyj and other Ingredients, 125 
 C 
 
 CAlcination, Vegetahle^ Vphat* 2$ 
 
 Of Anumony, 62 
 
The Table* 
 
 Pag. 
 Cathartkkjy all Venomuti 5 7 
 
 Exfell but corre3 not. 85 
 
 Center ofArt^ not known by external afpe&» 
 
 120 
 Cinnabar y how made, 124 
 
 Chymical Medicines fold in Shops, 90 
 
 D 
 
 DEjpifert^ of Aniimony compared to an 
 Affe. 55 
 
 Do&ors reprehended, 10. Ii. 12.17. 
 
 29.31,53. 44- 45- 53' 54- 55- 65-1 17- 
 121. 122. 125. 
 
 1^0 Man made Do&or vfithout Labour. H06 
 True Dol^rine, wherein it conJUit, 1 2 
 
 Dofe^ ohfervable, 2 2 
 
 E 
 
 EArth (?/ Antimony. 147 
 
 Elixir <7/Anliniony» 84 
 
 Its Virtues, ' 85 
 
 Example^ of Beer^<&c* 24 
 
 Such^ why produced. 27 
 
 Example^ of a Blacksmith, 1 6 
 
 Of Bees, 42 
 
 Of an Egg: 38 
 
 Of Frogfpawn, 39 
 
 Of a member < ^ .> ibid. 
 
 ^ (^ Benummed J 
 
 Of 0)1 of tartar and Vinegar, 45 
 
 Of Soap, 58 
 
 0/ ^;>ir/7 ejf ivine and Aquafortis. 4 j 
 
 of 
 
The Table. 
 
 Pag. 
 
 of steel and a flint. 41 
 
 Of a Toad, 39 
 
 Of Man and Woman. 150 
 
 Of Corn. 154 
 
 Extract <»/ Antimony. 95 
 
 Its Virtues and Vfe. ^6 
 
 Of Antimony^ by a Cau^icl^Water. 100 
 
 /// Virtue f^and Vfe, 102 
 
 F 
 
 FErmentation^neceffary^ why. 1 49 
 
 Fifhes dye not of Cold 1 1 8 
 
 Why they dy in frozen Waters. ibid. 
 
 Fixation^ whence, 1 48 
 
 Fire mal^ts Separation. 16 
 
 7 he Separator of Venoms. 5® 
 
 Divers Fires. 155 
 
 Flowers ^/Antimony. 89 
 
 l^beir Virtue. 92 
 G 
 
 GLafs ^/Antimony, fimple. 6^ 
 
 With Borax, 66,67 
 
 Goods of GOD lent^ only for time of Life. 
 
 125 
 
 GOD5 to be Fir il invoked. 2 
 
 His End in propojing Venoms. 55 
 
 C olden Colour from Antimony, lid 
 
 H 
 
 HlUory of the Virtues of Balfom of 
 
 Antcmony. 72 
 
 vj a oropfy cured. 75 
 
 '■'^ of 
 
The Table.^ 
 
 Pag. 
 0/ George Gaftriot. 77 
 
 Of 5 of the Authors Brethren cured of the 
 . Plagne. ,127 
 
 Hone/, how prepared. 43 
 
 A Corrofivt Venom of it, 42 
 
 Hops^ the Vegetable Salt of Beer* 2 5 
 
 I 
 
 I Dleneff ^condemned, n8 
 
 Influence of Superiors on inferiors, 1 44 
 K 
 
 Klngs^ and Princes , n/ijtnfornted by 
 DoSors, 32.52 
 
 L 
 
 LAbonr^ necejfarily required, 8 1 
 
 SuchdjJJjun it do not what they ought, 
 
 125 
 Liver ^/Antimony. 97 
 
 Its virtues. lOO 
 
 Lead offhilofophers. 158 
 
 Why the Btgulus is called Lead. 139 
 
 Love, a Difeafe^ d^c, 1 5 Oj 1 5 1 
 
 ItsfadEjgfe^s, I52 
 
 M 
 
 MArs tranfmuted into Venus, i o i 
 Matrix, peculiar to every Element, 
 
 92 
 Matter^ of all Metalls and Aiineralls^ one, 
 
 49 
 
 Medicine^ ineffectual if not fepardted from 
 
 its Impurity, 42 
 
 Medicine^ 
 
The Tabid 
 
 Pag. 
 
 Medicine^ none greater than in Aotimony. 
 
 55 
 
 not prepared vpithout Vulcan. 54 
 
 Mercury^ not fixed by Animals and Vegeta^ 
 hies, 48 
 
 Within and without mere Fire, 49 
 
 Zfnvariable after Fixation. ibid. 
 
 Made <?/ Antimony. 60 
 
 Mercury^ Sulphur^ and Salt in Antimony. 
 
 . .59 
 
 Mercury living extraSed from Antimony. 
 
 114 
 
 Its medicinal Preparation and Vfe* llS 
 
 Minerals hovp made, 1 45 
 
 N 
 
 NAture to be followed. 4) 
 
 Abfamded from Men, 1 3 
 O 
 
 Operations and Vtility give Experi' 
 ence. 12 
 
 Oyl of Antimony, from its Clafs, 7 1 
 
 By Difiillahon, 7 * 
 
 /// Preparation Enigmatically defcribed. 
 
 ibid. 
 Made another way, 7^ 
 
 Oy/^/Antimouyj per fe, 109 
 
 Another, 223 
 
 Another, 127 
 
 Another. 1 2 8 
 
 Another. 129 
 
 An9» 
 
The Table. 
 
 Pag. 
 Another. 129 
 
 Another made ofRegulus, 136 
 
 Its Effe^s. 157 
 
 Oylofthe Mercury <>/ Antimony. 116 
 
 Oyl oj Sulphur ^ei CampuQ. howmadt* 128 
 P 
 
 Ponder of Antimony s fixed, 88589 
 ^hite and fixed, 103 
 
 /I/ Virtues. 1 05 
 
 0/R-uland. 04 
 
 foudersfixedyVphy called Stones. I47 
 
 Purging by the Inferior parts^ not the ivay to : 
 expel fixed Difeafes, 58 
 
 VinteJJence of Antimony, what. 
 
 Its tpofiderfnl Virtues, 76 
 
 ^arUn^ ^otfdian, and Tertian Fevers 
 
 cured. 1 37 
 
 R 
 
 REntedies fixed purge not, 58 
 
 Riches required by all. 2 1 
 
 Ruot of Difeajes^horp expelled, 57 
 
 Jldinded by few, I 2 5 
 
 Rubies of Antimony. 1 ^4. 
 
 S 
 
 S^///, endued with no Tinging Virtue 
 148 
 -^rQ Keyes, ibid 
 
 ^<i// i?/ Antimony, and its ufe^ when redu- 
 
 ced 
 
The Table. 
 
 Pag. 
 
 ced to 0)1 or Spirit 1 1 5 
 
 SigndteStarofPhihfophert, 135 
 
 Solution when necejfary, 2 i 
 
 Spirits of various Kinds, 1$ 
 
 Vivificative^ and Operative* 14 
 
 Of the Elements, 1 5 
 
 Wanting Speech, 1 6 
 OfWine^ volatilize, T 
 
 Ofl^inegar,fix, J ^ 
 
 7r«e Sulphur of Ani'imony 109 
 
 Otherwife prepared. 1 3 1 
 
 i'^ove of Fire, 145 
 r^e difference betvpeen it and the Stone of 
 
 Philo fop hers 1 47 
 
 J// Preparation, 154 
 
 /// Z^e, DtT/e, &c. 157 
 
 ^ Stone^ whether made without Matter, 149 
 
 T 
 
 TIn&ure of Antimony if ront its Clafu 70 
 
 Another, I07 
 7r»e not made of crude and melted AQiimO" 
 
 ny. 146 
 
 "Named the Stone of Fire. ibid. 
 
 Tin&ures^ their difference, 147 
 
 ought to have love to Met all/, 152 
 
 U 
 
 Vinegar of Antimony, 13a 
 
 Its property, 1 34 
 
 Vtnegir^not tranfmutahle into Wine, 23 
 
 renome^wbence it arifeth, ^6 
 
 PrepA* 
 
The Tabic. 
 
 Pag. 
 
 prepared rejijif ?oyfon» 30 
 
 Taksn away two wayet, 57 
 
 Virtue of Vnicorns- horn proved, 37 
 
 Vulcan^ the Key, 1 6 
 
 A Maiier in his own Element, 4 1 
 
 Mdfter and Reveahr of all Secrets, 54 
 
 Contemned b) whom, ibid. 
 W 
 
 WAter of Mercury^ how made, io2 
 
 IVater of Anaxagoras^^ what: 145 
 
 Wine^ tranfmutable to Finegar^ how* 2 5 
 
 HeatSy Vinegar cools, 87 
 
 , Words of the Author all ofnfe, 121 
 
 ERRATA 
 
 PA'ge. 4. line. g2. read Gvdf?j,p.2i.l. ii.r. Af/Vji. p. 33. 
 1. 12. r. him.^. 57. 1. 14. r. into it. p . 68. !• laft, r. 
 prcL p. 77. 1. 8. r.w/,/ «»f, p. 90. 1. id. r. commodioufly.p, 
 94.1. 3. add nof. p. 107. 1. ^d. r. o«/f. p. 109. 1. 55. add /«. 
 p. ibid. I. 22. dele again. Y>. 124. 1. 25. ddc ef n'ine. p. 126. 
 1. 20. r. rra)fi. p. 127.1. i^.r. Extraffion. p. 129. 1. 5. add, 
 you. 1 34. 1. 4. r. his. p. 1 56. 1. 7. r. Vncij^itau. 
 
 BASIL \ 
 
BASIL VALENTINE 
 
 HIS 
 
 Triumphant Chariot 
 
 O F 
 
 ANTIMONY. 
 
 Since ^, Bafil P^alcntine yhyKcVigious Vows ani 
 bound to live according to the Order of St. 
 Benediti, and that requires another manner 
 of Spirit of Holinels , then the commoii 
 State of Mortals exercifed in the prophane bufi- 
 nefsdf this World •, I thought it my duty before 
 all things, in the beginning of this kttle Book, to 
 declare what is necellary to be known by the pious 
 Spagyrifi, inflamed with an ardent delire of this ^rr^ 
 as, what he ought to do,and whereunto to dired his 
 aim, that he may lay fuch Foundations of the whole 
 matter, as may be ftable-, left his Building fliakerf 
 with Winds, happen to fail, and the whole Edifice 
 to be involved irt fhaimeful Ruine , which other- 
 wife, being founded on more firm and folid Princi- 
 ples , might have continued for a long feries of 
 time. Which Admonition I judged was , is , and 
 always will be a neceilary part of my Religious 
 Office-, elpecially,fincewemuftalldie, and no one 
 of us, which now arc, whether high or low , (liall 
 
 B long 
 
Bafil Valentine^;2( tTflump^aiU 
 
 long be feen among the number of Men. For it 
 concerns me to commend thefe Meditations of 
 Mortality to Pofterity , leaving them behind me, 
 jiot only that honour may be given to the Divine 
 IVlajefty, but alfo that Men may obey him fincerely 
 in all things. 
 
 In this my Meditation I found that there were 
 five principal Heads, cliier.yto be confidered by the 
 wife and prudent Spcftators of our Wifdom and 
 Art. The firft of which is y Invocation of GOD. 
 The feco5id, Co-ntempl ition of Nature. The third, 
 True Preparation. The fourth, Tlie Way of V/injr, 
 Tiie fifth , Vtiltty and Fruit . F ■""■ r h e , who regards 
 not thefe , fliall never obtain place among true 
 Chym.jh yOi fiii up the number of perfcd 'Jfagynjh. 
 Therefore touch mg thefe five Heads we Ibaii here 
 follo\viiig treat, and lo far declare them, as that the 
 general Work may be brought to light and per- 
 feded by all intent and ftudious Operator. 
 
 I . Invccauon of GUD mult be made with a cer- 
 tain Heavenly Intention, drawn from the bottom 
 of a pure an J imcere Heart , and Confcience , free 
 from all Ambition, Hypocrifie, and all other Vices, 
 which have any afiinity with thefe , as Arrogancy, 
 Boldners,Pride, Luxury, Mundane Petulancy, Op- 
 prellion of the Poor , and other dependent evils, 
 all which are to be eradicated out of the Heart v 
 that when a Man defires to prollrate himfelt before 
 the Throve of Grace, for obtaining bodily health, 
 he may do that witb. a Confcience free from all un- 
 profitable Weeds, that his Body may be tranfmuted 
 into an Holy Temple of GOD, and be purged from 
 every uncleannefs. For GOD will net be mocked 
 (which I earneftly admonilh) as Worldly Men, plea- 
 fing and flattering themfclves with their own Wif- 
 dom, think: GOD, I fay, will not be mocked , but 
 tlie Creator of all things will be invoked v ith re- 
 verential 
 
Cftariot of Zntimonj^l ^ 
 
 Verentlal fear, and acknowledged with due Obedi- 
 dience. And for this there is great Reafon. For 
 what hath Man, that he mult not own to be received 
 from this his Omnipotent Creator , whether you 
 have relpedto the Body, or to the Soul , which o- 
 perates in the Body ? Hath not he, for fuftentati- 
 on of this , out of his meer Mercy communicated 
 to us his Eternal iy0^i),andalfo promifed Eternal 
 Salvation} Hath not he alfo provided food and 
 cloathing for the Body, and all thofe things, with- 
 out which the Body cannot fubfill ? All thefe , by 
 humble Prayer a Man obtains of that moll excellent 
 Father, who created Heaven and Earth , together 
 with things Vifible and Invifible, as the Firmament, 
 Elements, Vegetables, and Animals. Which is 16 
 very true , that I am certainly aflured , no Impious 
 Manihalleverbe partaker of true Medicine, much 
 lefs of the Eternal Heavenly Bread. Therefore 
 place your whole Intention and Truft in GOD^ 
 call upon him and pray , that he may impart his 
 bleflingto you: let this be the beginning of your 
 "Work,that by the fame you m.ay obtain your deiired 
 end, and at length elFed what you intended. For 
 the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wifdom. 
 
 Whofoever purpofeth in himfelf to feek after 
 that, which is the greateft of Terrene things, efpe- 
 cially the knowledge of every good thing , that is 
 in the Creatures, and6'0i) hath liberally imparted 
 to Men, and implanted (as to their effedive power) 
 in Stones ) Herbs ^ Roots, Seeds ^ Animals , Vlants , Mi- 
 nerals^ Metals, yea and indeed in all things ^ let him 
 call away all Earthly thoughts , rejedt "ail that de- 
 pends on them , and hope for freenefs of Hearty 
 and pray unto GOD with great lowlynefs of mind : 
 So doing , his hope of freenefs may at length be 
 turned into true freedom. Which no Man will 
 ^oubt; who knowS; that he alone is \jQD , who de- 
 
 h % liver ed 
 
4 Bdfil Vakntine'iCS CruCtlpIjailt 
 
 livered Ifrael from all his Enemies-, which delive- 
 rance he did in very deed eifect, not only for Ifrael, 
 butairofor all Men making humble fupplications 
 to him, and praying with brokennels of Heart. 
 Therefore let Prayer be the h.fl: point of our Ad- 
 monition, which alfo is, and by us is called Inz'oca- 
 tio-nof CUD, whichif made, not with Hypocrifie 
 and a feiuned Keait, but with fuch Faith and Trull^ 
 as that, w ith whi( h the Cemimon in Capernaum pray- 
 ed^ with fuch lowiinefs of mind, and confeflion of 
 "Sins, as the lVonK-.r:o^ Ci?iaan was endued with :, with 
 iiich Charity as the Samaritan fliewed to the Man 
 wounded in the Wtij to Jericho, pouring Wine and 
 Oyl into his Wounds, paying his Charges in the 
 Inn , and giving order he ihould be very carefully 
 looked to^ Laitly, if a Man's Chriftian Charity ex- 
 tends itfclf fo far, as if he obtain what he prays 
 for, he would willingly communicate of the fame 
 to his Neighbour , then he fliall undoubtedly ob- 
 tain Riches and Health, the end of his Prayer. "^ 
 
 * fi'hjtthe Authour hath p-mifed hen at largt, and dfiwhin often infirted 
 touching Piety, the Mnrihip 0/ GOD, and Invocation of his Naire, I purpofg 
 neither to frai:e nor dijpraifss Lit them he judged fgns of his own earnefl 
 Piety, Arguments of his fincirity^ a.nd fignatc Impiffis oj his fervent ':^eal (by 
 Jo many Tautologies and Keiterations) ojten boiling up. Every Man, according 
 to the Opinion of his mind., and the perfwafion, in rrhich he was educated irom 
 his childhood., ivill more or lep efteem of this. It tiuis my hufimfi to tranflate 
 the Aathiiars writi'igs into Latin, in fuch a Method and Order, as I thought 
 vcould in no wife give any diftajie to the delicate Palat oj the Reader ; alfa 
 to indicate that, which feenis pertinent to the b:ifiTi< of every Chymift and true 
 Spagyrift , and not to negleH the other. For [nice Piety is available for all 
 things, as divine Oracles teach, and the principal extrcife 0/ Piety is Prayer j 
 by -which Cebfiial Gifts are obtained of GOD the giver of all good things j 
 our Authour wills, th.it unto him the mind be lifted up, even in the mid(i of the 
 VperMinns hf ih»u{lry full of labour and toil, ifvrayeriff'iled no other 
 thi'ig, it art J inly co'ldis the rflfnd (called away from all other things) into it 
 fdf and rendas it apt for that, which is in hand; whence it comes to pafsy 
 th^t it repHs upon many things, and con fiders them ., which othnwife would 
 not mtr the Kind, if it fit abont its iml^perfuniiorilyf and dijira^led with 
 
 2. Next 
 
Cljattot of aitifimctip. 5 
 
 ^'Jirioui Conc^l^ions : And fo, by the help of Prayn- w* riceive nuny thingSj 
 tfhichwe (if not ungYatejul) mafi nieds ac^riowUdg^ive hane ok. thud fiom 
 GOD.. How ojtmthis Is foundto beoj kfein.S^z%sncV.\YoxV.i every Mart 
 l^nows, that hath any time intirdy devoted himfelj to this hufim(l ', viz- how 
 ojtcn thole things trhich he long fought and could not find, have ken imparted 
 to him in a mowent^and as itvrere infifd from abovf, ordiclxted by fome good. 
 Genius. That aljoisof ufe in dilf'ilving all Riddles y or ,<y£nigmatical Wri- 
 tings: Forif you bjira with a great dsfire of i^nowing them, that is rra}er; 
 and tvhen you ini^line your mind to this or that, -jarioufly difcn^ljtng and medita- 
 ting many thi)!gi,this is Co-operation ; that joz/v Prayer may not he idle, or 
 tempting GOD : yet this your endeavour is in vain, until y mi find the Soliiti- 
 
 ' on. l^Jrcertheltfs if you defpairnot, but inslantly pcrfisl in difire, and ceafe not 
 fim labour, at length in a moment the 5o\nt\omvill fall in; this is l^.cycXz- 
 tioi\,whi:h you caivnt receive unlef you pray with gnat de/ire and labour, 
 ufing your utmost endeavour ; and yet you cannot perceive, how foni all tbrfz 
 
 'things (_of which you thought') which were not the Solurion of the j^'.nigma, 
 the Solution it felf arofe. This unfolding of the Kiddle opens to you the rry- 
 flery of all gnat things, and iJjcws how available Prayer is for the ohtain-nent 
 of things Spiritual and Eternal, as well as Corporal and pcriihing goods : and. 
 when Prayer is made with a He.'rt v.ot feigned, but fincrre ; you will fee th ;t 
 th:re is nothing more fit for the acquiring of what you defre. Let thi'fe fiffice 
 to be fpol^'n oj Vnyer, whicbBafiYms and all Philofophcrs with him do not 
 
 . vainly require, as an introduflion to Chymiftry. For Piety is profitable jor^ 
 all u'orl^, [jpecially for all Great Undertakings. 
 
 2. Nextinorder after Pr^Vfr is G?^;ffw/'/.rfz<?;7, by 
 which I underftand an accurate attention to tlie 
 bufinefsit felf, under which will fall thele confide- 
 rations firft to be noted. As, what are the OrcHm- 
 fiances of any thing , what the Aimer , what the 
 Form, whence its Operations proceed , whence it 
 is infufed and implanted , how generated by the 
 Stars J conformed by the Elements , produced and 
 perfected by the three Princifles. Alio how the bo- 
 dy of every thing may be dillblved, that is,refolved 
 into the firft Matter, or firft Effcncc (of v/hich I have 
 already made mention in other of my writings) viz.. 
 how the laft Matter may be changed into the firft, 
 and the firft into the laft. '♦^ 
 
 "* whdt iti'i here fet down, touching the true Tliccry of Philofopliv, 4)-* 
 
 * B 3 This 
 
6 Bafil Valentine'jg Cmimpl^ant 
 
 Campfttdlimi of thofe things, wJj/Vf? Philofophers hav( in fo many Boo\s (rvrtt 
 about the fame bufiiufs) revealed, jhall I fay, or concealed. Attend to the words 
 of the Authour, and yon rpillfee, that he perfeftly l^new that Spirit feneti'a- 
 iing all things, tvhich pre fides or bears rule in all things, yet is involved and 
 dbfconded in matter and defilements on every fide •-, from which if once freed, it 
 returns to the purity of its own fuhjiance, in which it produceth all things, and 
 is all in all. To comment upon this, would be a worl^ no lefs than, thi produ- 
 dticing of all Bonl^s of Thilofophers, compiled with fuch accurate Jiady , and 
 contending with fo great contention about the Theory. 
 
 This Contemplation, which abfolves the fecond 
 part of our Admonition, is Celeftial, and to be uri- 
 derftood with Spiritual Reafon •, for the circum- 
 Hancesand depth of every thing cannot be percei- 
 ved any other way, then by the Spiritual cogitation 
 of M^n: ;{nd this Comemplatio?7 htwofold. One is 
 called polTible, the other impoffible. The later 
 confifts in copious cogitations, which never proceed 
 to effeds, nor exhibit any form of a matter, which 
 falls under the Touch. As if any one fhould en- 
 deavour to comprehend the Eternity of the Molt 
 High, v/hich is vain and impolTible, yea a Sina- 
 gainft the Holy Spirit, fo arrogantly to pry into. 
 %he DmWfyitfelf, whichislmmenfe, Infinite, and 
 Eternal •, and to fub jed the incomprehcnfive Coun- 
 fel of the Secrets of GOD, to humane Inquifition. 
 The other part of Contemplation?, which is poffible, 
 is called the Theory. This contemplates that, 
 which is perceived by Touch and Sight, and hath a 
 formed Nature m time: this confiders, how that 
 patnrc may be helped and perfeded by Refolution 
 of it fclf ;, how every body may give fofth from it 
 fclf, the good or evil, Venome or Medicine latent 
 in if, howDeftrudionandConfradion aix to be. 
 handled, whereby under ajull; Title, without So- 
 phiftical deceits, the pure may be fevered an J fepa- 
 rated from the im.puie. This Separation is inftitu- 
 i^d and made by divers manual operations , and 
 
 various 
 
Cljarfot of ftitfmoit^ 7 
 
 \'ar lous ways •, Some of which ar--' vulgarly known 
 by 'experience, others remote fiom vulgar experi- 
 ence. Thtk ^iQ^Gilcinatio^ySiihlmatiorii Reverbe- 
 ration, CrrcuUtmi, FfttrefattioKy Dif/ji'i:?!^ Difiillatiof^f 
 
 CohohattoN, Fixation , and the lil:-. -.f tktfe^ ail the 
 degrcesof which are found in operating, learned, 
 perceived and manifeited by the faine. Whence 
 clearly appears what is moveable, whrit is fixed, 
 what is white, red, black, blew, or green, viz. when 
 the operation is rightly inPcitated by tlie Artificer, 
 for pofllbly the Operator may err, and turn afide 
 from the right vray •, b- 1 that N.-rtme fhould err, 
 when rightly handled, is not pofTible. Therefore 
 if you fhall err, fo x.\\?x. Nature cannot be altogether 
 free, and rcleafed from the Body, in which it is held 
 Captive, return again into your way, learn the 
 T/?fory more perfedly, and enquire more accurately 
 in the method of operating, that you may find the 
 foundation and certainty in Separation of all 
 things. Which is a m.atter of great concern. And 
 this is the fecond foundation of Philofophy , which 
 follows Frayer : for in that the fum of the matter 
 lies, and is contained in thefe words. Seek firft the 
 Kingdom 0^ GOD J and his 7;/y?/cf by Frayer^ and all 
 other things , v/hich Man leeks in thefe Tempo- 
 rals, and he hath need of, either for the fiiften- 
 tation or health of his body, Ihall be added to 
 you. 
 
 3. Next to the T/jfory, which fearcheth out the 
 jnmoft properties of things, fellows Freparationy 
 which is performed by Operation of the hands, that 
 ibme real work may be produced. ^romFrepara- 
 tiof2 arifeth Knowledge, viz.. Such, as opens all the 
 fundamentals of Medicine. Operation of the 
 Hands requires a diligent application of it felf, 
 but the praife of Science confills in experi- 
 ence, but the difference of thefe Anatomy dillin- 
 
 B 4 guifn- 
 
§ Bafil Valentine'ieJ (Ttfumplmnt 
 
 guiflieth, * Operation fhews how ajl things may 
 be brought to light , and expofcd t*> light vifibly : 
 but knowledge Ihews the praLlice-, and that, 
 whence the true Practitioner is, and is no other thea 
 confirmation : becaufe the operation of the hands 
 manifefts fomething that is good , and draws the 
 latent and hidden nature outwards, and brings it to 
 light for good. For, as in Spirituals , the way of 
 the Lord is to be prepared ^ foalfo inthefe things, 
 the way is to be opened and prepai-ed, that no er- 
 rour be from the right path , and Procefs may be 
 made , without devious errours, in the dired way to 
 health. 
 
 ^ Mxniid Operation is chiefly rsifuired inlhisthird Part, without whichy 
 psry Operation, lil^e a. Ship wanting Ballafi , floats and is uncertain. It is 
 diffi:ult to exprefs this with a Pen •, for more is learned by once feeing the worl^ 
 done, then can be taught by the writing of many Pages *, yet if it be no offence 
 to you, to per life thife Commentaries together with Eafilius Qnthis fo neceJJ'arji 
 part) will not a little hilp. ' ' 
 
 4. After Prfp^r^/^/o;^, and erpccially after repara- 
 tion of the good from the evil , we are to proceed 
 to the * Vfeo? the Weight or dofe, tliat neither 
 more, nor lefs then is fit, may be given. For above 
 all things, the Phyfician ought well to know, whe- 
 ther his Medicament will be weak or ftrong, alfp 
 whether it will do good, or hiurt , unlefs he refolve 
 to fatten the Church-yard, with the lofs of his fame, 
 and hazard of hi$ own Soul. 
 
 * By life, theAuthour undpflands what others call Dofe •, for what will 
 a good Midicine profit you, if yon l^now not in what quantity to adminifter it j 
 that the fami mayratkrhe.il, then hurt or I^Ul. By experience only to learn 
 this^ is aworl^fidl of ptrilouf caf:ij,lty , y^t the Difcipline or l^mwledge of 
 Dofes was fpund out this way firfi , and afterward ea/ily taught by mrds. 
 UUre a Uvi,ng Voice is wanting, it is fajerto be tootiritrous, then in any wife 
 bold or adyenturo:ts, although of Antmorxy I can affirm, that being duly pre- 
 fared it is a. \^xrmUfs a Medicine as Ci^fllia or M^uiua. The wholt caution is 
 
 ^ 5. After 
 
chariot of ^Intimoit^ 9 
 
 (hlejfy about ilsufe, after thi firft pe^nrxtions •■, kdufe it may JI ill retaift 
 much of its own crude Veaome. 
 
 5 . After the Medicament is taken into the body, 
 and hath diffiifed it felf through all the Members, 
 that it may fearch out thofe defedts againft which 
 it was adminiftred, the Vtillty comes to be confide- 
 jed •, for it is poflible, that a Medicament diligently 
 prepared, arid exhibited in due weight, may do more 
 hurt then good in fome Difeafes, and feem to be Ve- 
 Bome rather then Medicine. Hence an accurate 
 reflexion is to be made to thofe things , which profit 
 or help ', and they are diligently to be noted , that 
 we may be mindful to obferve the fame in other 
 cafes. 
 
 Yet both in the * Vfe^d Vtility^ this one thing 
 is neceflary to be confidered, vItl. whether the Di- 
 feafe be an external and open wound, or only an in- 
 ternal and latent evil : for as the difference of thefe 
 is great, fo the way of curation is not the fame. 
 Therefore the bottom of every Difeafe is to be 
 known , that it may be underftood, whether the 
 fame may be cured by external remedies only , or 
 jnuft from within be driven outwards. 
 
 '*■ That indication, is to k tal^en from things hdping and hurtingy is i^ort>f% 
 tven to Tyro's. But what the Authour ffibjoyns touching internal and external 
 curation, are not fo rude , as not to deferve good Attention : And alfo thofe 
 things which he permixeth with his own Satyr ical Kefrehenfton , if the Reader 
 he fo wife as to believe that Bafilius intermixed them to deter the unworthy de- 
 riders of Chymiflry from approaching to his facred Arcanums, fcf w/// be wife 
 forhimfelf. For whiljl others rail andfwell with indignation, he gathers the 
 fruit of the Authouf s Axioms,which as another Agent he fcattered among thefe 
 7'h^rns. nhilfi you , lover of Chymiflry, ptrufe thefe, fo^ long willll^eep filenci. 
 
 For if the Center of the Difeafe be within , fijch 
 a Medicine muft be given, as can fearch out, appre- 
 hend and reftore that Center: otherwife the 
 
 Phyfi- 
 
10 Bafil Valentine'jS? CtlUtttpl^atlt 
 
 Phyfician's labour will be fruitlefs and in vain.' 
 
 Moreover, if there be an internal Difeafe, which 
 arifetb, and is fed from an internal Original, it mult 
 never be driven inward by external remedies-, for 
 great difcommodityv/ill thence enfue, and at length 
 Death it felf. Which may be underltood by the 
 fimilitudeof aTree: for if any one, whilft it ger- 
 minates or flowers, repels the Hmmours to the Inte- 
 riours, whence they proceeded to the nutriment of 
 the Earthy that Tree will be fo far from bringing 
 ibrththedeflred Fruit by the flower, that a fuftoca- 
 tion of the fame arifcth from the violent conjundi- 
 on of humours not finding any out-let. Therefore 
 there is great difference between frefli wounds in- 
 flidled by Prick, Cut, or any other way, and the old 
 which derive their Original from within. For the 
 frefli wounds may be perfedly cured by external re- 
 medies only j but in thofe, which are nourifned 
 from within, an external application of Oyls, Bal- 
 foms. Unguents , and Plaifters profits little , unlefs 
 the Internal Fountain be Hopped, whence the hu- 
 mours flow to the external parts. When the Foun- 
 tain fliall be flopped, the Flux willceafe, and the 
 evil may eafily be cured with Diet only. It is no 
 great point of Art to heal any frefli wound •, for 
 this every Country-man can eafily cffed with crude 
 Lard: but to remove all Symptomcs which happen 
 in wounds, and to dry up the Fountain of the evil, 
 this is the work, and this the labour of the ArtiH. 
 
 Now come hither, you Phyficians, how many fo- 
 €ver there be of you, that arrogate to your felves 
 the Title of Dodor of either Medicine , viz.. of 
 internal and external Difeafes \ underftand ye the 
 Title of your honour, and confult your own Con- 
 fcience, and fee, whether you received that from 
 CODjthatis, poflefsitin verity, or whether you 
 ufurp it as a form, for honour fake. For, as much 
 
 9S. 
 
C^tiot of Sditttmotip. ^it 
 
 las Heaven is diflant from the Earth , fo vaftly diffe- 
 rent is the Art of healing internal Difeafes , from 
 the Sanation of external wounds. If the Title be 
 given to youby GOD^ the fame GOD will give a 
 Bleffrng, Felicity, Health, and happy events^ but if 
 your Title be vain , and only devifed and alTumed 
 for ambition, all things will evilly fucceed to you: 
 your honour will fail, and you will prepare for your 
 felf Hell-fire, w^hich can no more be extinguilhed, 
 then it can be exprefled by words. For Chrilt faid 
 to his DifcipleS', Ton call me Lord and Mafier, arid 
 ye do well, Therefore whofoever afliimes a Title 
 of Honour, let him fee, whether he do well, and 
 whether he afcribes not more to himfelf, than he 
 knows and hath learned, which is the real abufe of 
 this Title. For he, who will write himfelf Dodor 
 of either Medicine , ought to underftand , know, 
 and be well skilled in both , viz.. the Internal and 
 External Medicme. Nor fhould he be ignorant of 
 Aaatomy, that he may be able to fliew the Conftitu- 
 tion of the Body, and dilcover from what Member 
 every Difeafe proceeds, together with its Fountain 
 and caufe. Alfo remedies, with which he may cure 
 the Difeafe, and circumftances of external Wounds, 
 are to be underltood by him. Good GOD ! where 
 will the Title be found , what will become of the 
 Mafter, when an exad Trial (hall be made, for dif- 
 covering the ignorance of thefe Doctors of eithejc 
 A^edicine ? 
 
 In times paft, long before my days, the Dodors 
 of Medicine did themfelves cure External wounds, 
 andjudged that a part of their Office-, but m thefe 
 our times, they take Servants, whom they employ 
 in thefe things, and this way the noblefl of Arts is 
 become a Meclianick Operation •, and fome of thofe 
 who exercife it, are indeed fo very rude, as they 
 knew not Lett ers_, and fcarcely know how (accord- 
 
 inz 
 
i% Bafil Valentinc'iS? CrUllttp^ant 
 
 ing to the Proverb) to drive an Afs out of the Corn." 
 Thele, 1 fay, profefs themfelves Mafters in curing 
 wounds, and Doctors of Dodors •, and to fpeak the 
 truth as it is, they may by a better right glory in 
 this Title, then thou magnificent Dodor, umbrati- 
 cal Chyrurgion, and molt ignorant Boafter of Ti- 
 tles, why do you ftile your felf Doftor of cither 
 Medicine. What more now Mafter Doftor, what 
 iay you, moil expert Chyrurgioji ? 1 pray be not 
 offended at this, or take it amifs v for you your felf 
 will quickly confefs, if you do but ferioufly confider 
 wounds made by Prick or Cut, that you have as 
 much knowledge in the cure of them , as is in the 
 Brain of adunghilCock, which Children learning 
 their A. B. C. are wont tofct in the Frontifpicce of 
 their Primer. 
 
 Therefore I perfwade all Men, of what ftate or 
 condition focver , who are delirous of Learning, 
 from your Maftersto fearch out the true Docftrine, 
 which confifts in Prefaratiop^ and afterward in the 
 Vfe ^ {q they, or you, fiiall poflefs the Title allumed 
 vvith honour, and Men will undoubtedly have confi- 
 dence in you, and you will in very deed do them 
 good , then will you to the Eternal Creator give 
 thanks cordially without feigning. But let every 
 Man ferioufly think with himfelf , what it is he 
 ought to do, and what he is to omit , and whether 
 he doth juftly or unjullly ufe the Title affumed. 
 For he, who alTumes any Title, ought eljDecially to 
 undcrftand the condition of that Title , and why 
 he ailiimed it, or what the true foundation is. It 
 is not fufficicnt, if any one with the vulgar fay (fa- 
 ving your reverence , let the more delicate Men 
 pardon us, if we intend ing to fpeak to the purpofe, 
 make mention of putrefadion ) this is egregious 
 dung, it hatha ftrong and grievous ill favour , and 
 knew not how it ccmes to pafs , that a Man , who 
 
 perhaps 
 
Ci^attot of Mtinxotif' 1 1 
 
 perliapseatsfoodof a moft grateful tafte and o- 
 dour, and well accommodated to his natural Appe- 
 tite, thence makes excrement endued with quali- 
 ties fo contrary, and yielding an odour fo very un- 
 grateful, and repugnant to Nature : of which there 
 is no other reafon , then natural putrefadion and 
 corruption. The fame happens in all Aromatical 
 well fmelling things. It is the Philolbphers part 
 to enquire, what odour is, and whence it receives 
 itsvertues, and in what the virtue of it maybe 
 made manifelt to true profit. For the Earth is 
 nourifhed and fatned by ftinking dung , and noble 
 Fruit is produced of it. Of this matter there is 
 notonecaufe only, but our Book would fwell to an 
 huge Volume, if we fliould but briefly hint at all 
 natural Generations and mutations •, yet Digeflion 
 and Putrefatiion are the principal keys of them. 
 For the FzVf and >4zr make a certain MatHration^ by 
 which a Tranfmutationof the£^rf^and Water may 
 follow •, and this is alfo a certain mutation, by wh ich 
 of evil fmelling Dung a molt fragrant Balfam may 
 be produced-, and on the contrary, of moft grate- 
 ful Balfam ill favoured Dung. But perhaps you 
 will fay, why do I produce examples fo very rude 
 and abfurd ? I do confefs the example is taken from 
 a Cottage, rather then a Royal Court-, yet a pru- 
 dent confiderer of things, more accurately diving 
 into the matter, will ealily underitand, what fuch 
 examples intimate to him, viz,, that of the hi^heft 
 things the lo weft are made, and of the loweft the 
 highelt, fothat, of a Medicament is produced Ve- 
 nome, and of Venome Medicine-, of the fweet, 
 bitter, acid, and corrofive-, and on the contrary 
 of the corrofive, another thing more profitable. 
 
 O good GODy how much is Nature abfconded 
 from Men,fo that fhefeemstodifdain to be wholly 
 feen by us? But fmcethou haft ordained fo very 
 
 fhort 
 
14 feafil Valentine'jJ 'Ctfttmptjaitt 
 
 Jhort a time of our Life, and thou the Judge of all, 
 referveltmany things to thy felf in the Creatures, 
 which thou haft left to be admired, not known , by 
 us, and of which thou alone wilt be the beholder 
 and Judge, grant unto me, that unto my Life's end 
 I may keep thee and my Saviour in my Heart , that 
 befides health and neceflaries of the Body , which 
 thou haft liberally beftowed, 1 may alio acquire the 
 health of my Soul and Spiritual Riches*, of wliich 
 ineftimable good lam freed from all doubt by that 
 thy mercy , in which , for me a miferable fuiner, 
 thou didft Con theTreeof theCrofs) fhed the Sul- 
 phur and Balfom of my Soul-, which is indeed a 
 mortiferous Venomxeto the Devil, but to us Sinners 
 a moft prefent remedy. I do certainly heal my 
 Brethren, as far as concerns the Soul, by Prayer, and 
 in relation to the body, with apt Remedies •, there- 
 fore I hope they will on their parts ufe their endea- 
 vour, that they with me, and I with them , may at 
 length inhabit the Tabernacle of the Moft High, 
 and in him our GOD enjoy Eternity. 
 
 But to return to my PhWofophy o^ u4mim<my, I 
 Would have the Reader, before all other things, to 
 underftand , that all things contain in themfelves 
 operative and vivificative Spirits-, which inhabi- 
 ting in the Body feed and nourifh themfelves, and 
 are fuftained by the Body. Elements themfelves 
 want not thefe Spirits, which (the living GOD per- 
 mitting that^ whether they be good or evil , have 
 their Habitation in them. Men and Animals have 
 in them a living operating Spirit, which receding 
 from them, nothing but a Carkafs remains, la 
 Herbs, and all things bearing Fruit, a Spirit of Sa- 
 nity exifts i otherwife they could not, by any Pre- 
 paration, be reduced to Medicinal ufe. Metals nnd 
 all Minerals, are endued and polFefled with their 
 own iiicomprehenfible Spirit, in whicli , the power 
 
chariot of Sitttmonr' ^1 
 
 and virtue of all their poflible efiecfts, confifts. For 
 whatfoeveris without Spirit, wants Life, and con- 
 tains in it felf no vivifying Virtue. Therefore, 
 you are to know , that in Antimony alfb there is a 
 Spirit, which efefts whatfoever is in it, or can 
 proceed from it, in an invifible way and manner, no 
 otherwife, than as in the Magnet isabfconded a cer- 
 tain invifible power, as we fhall more largely 
 treat in its own place, where we Ipeak of the 
 Magf2et. 
 
 But there are various kinds of Sjiirits-, ^ vifible 
 tothelntelled, and endued with Spiritual know- 
 ledge, which notwithfbanding cannot (when they 
 will) be touched or apprehended, as Natural Men 
 are touched-, efiDecially they, who have their fixed 
 Refidence in Elements, as are the Spirits of Fire, 
 Lights , and other Objedls formally darting out 
 Light from themfelves : fuch are Airy Spirits, who 
 inhabit the Air •, AqucowS^ints livmg in Waters-, 
 and Tfrrfw Spirits living in the Earth, w^hich we 
 Men call Earthly Men^ which are chiefly found in 
 Wealthy ^lines of the Earth, where they Jhew and 
 difcover themfelves to us. 
 
 t 
 
 ^ irh.it follors^, fern fomewhat confufedj according to the Sentiments ofcer' 
 tai nTheologichns, who have held various opinions of Spirits refiding in the 
 rirey Air, andoth?r Elements •, adjudging them to the Eternal Fire of Hell ^'kx:. 
 Alltvhichvpith Bafilius, "B'e leave as unI^nown,t»the Judgement of the Divint 
 \novpledge. But what he himfelf fubjoyns^ touching the tvondtrful virtue ani 
 power of Antimonial and all other ChymicalSpiritSy which we onr filves with 
 fo great admirationhave often feen^ we under jiand only of material Spirits^ 
 which certainly are endued with as great virtues^ andeffeHthirigs no lefs won- 
 dnful then thofe Spirits, which phantafiicl^ pe-rfons (oppriffed with Melancholy) 
 affirm they fee and tall^ with ; yea I cannot remember that I ever found written 
 or declared (by fuch, as talking a liberty of lying-, endeavour to pfeafe or tmi^ 
 ethers) any greater- or more wonderful virtues thmthefe Spirits havu 
 
 Thefe Spirits are endued with Senfes and Un- 
 derltanding, know Arts, and can change themfelves 
 
 into 
 
ltd Bafil Valentine'^ Criump^atlt 
 
 into divers Forms, until the time of their Judge- 
 ment ', but whether a definitory fentence ought to 
 be pronounced againfl them as yet , or no , that I 
 leave to the Providence of the Divine Majelty, 
 from whom nothing is hid. There are other Spi- 
 rits, wanting fpeech, which cannot ihew themfelves 
 vifibly in the very ad-, and they are thofe which 
 live in Animals, as in Men and the like, in Plants alfo 
 and in Minerals •, neverthelefs they have in them- 
 felves an occult and operative Life, and manifelt 
 and difcover themfelves by their efficacious power 
 of operating, which they contain in and bear a- 
 bout theinfelves, and molt apparently give teftimo- 
 ny of their virtue of healing, whenfoever that (by 
 the help of Art) is extradled from them , being ac- 
 curately feparated from their body. After the lame 
 manner, the efficacious Spirit, and operative power 
 of Antimony^ manifefts its gifts, and diftributes 
 them among Men, being firft loofed from its own 
 body, and freed from all its bonds, fo, that it is able 
 to penetrate, and rcndred fit to be applyed to thole 
 Ufes, which the Artificer propofed to himfelf ia 
 Preparation. 
 
 But the Artill and Fulcan ought to agree: the 
 Fire gives feparation for an operative power , and 
 the Artificer forms the matter. As a Black-fmith 
 ufeth one fort of Fire, alfo Iron only is his matter, 
 which he intends for forming divers Inftrumcnts. 
 For fome times of it he makes a Spit , at another 
 time Horfe-ffioes, another time a Saw, and at length 
 innumerable other things, every of which ferves 
 for that life, unto which the Smith intended it, al- 
 though the matter is but one, which he prepares 
 for lb many divers ufes. So of Animony various 
 works may be made for different ufes: in which 
 the Artill istheSmith that forms-, Vulcan is as it 
 were the key which oper.Si and Operation and U- 
 
 tility 
 
tility give experience , and knowledge of the Uf^?. 
 1 if foolilh and vainMeil had but Ears to hear, 
 and true eyes with underftandihg, not only for hear- 
 ing what I write, but for uftderilandirig the Arca- 
 num and knowledge of the ufe •, alUiredly they 
 would not fuck ihthofe iilfalubrious and turbid Po- 
 tions, but haften to thefe limped Fountains, aad 
 drinkbf the Well of Life. 
 
 Therefore let the World know, that I fha^ 
 prove thofe preteiided Dodors , who feem to be 
 wife, to be mere Fools and Idet>ts, and caufe many 
 nnlearned Meh (but fuch as are ftudious Difciples of 
 my Dodrine) to become true Dodors in very deed. 
 Wherefore I here folemnly cite and invite all Men, 
 who earneftly afpire to knowledge, with a chearful 
 mind, goodConfcience, and certain hope, to cm- 
 brace and become Spedators of our Doclrine , and 
 accurately to perufe my Writings and Informations:^ 
 for fo, at length , they (being pofleffors of what 
 they fought) will extol and commend m^ after 
 death, rendring my mortal name immortal , vvitli 
 their perpetual remembrance of my praifes, aj 
 long as the World endures. But if w'hen I ani 
 dead, any one be pleafedto inftitute a difputatiori 
 in the Schools ngainlt me, my writings will fully 
 arifwerallhisObjedions, and lam afllired my Di- 
 fciples wifi never forget the benefit received from 
 me, by which they will obtain the Empire of Truth; 
 which ever was to me, and alwa^'s will be to them,' 
 fufficient to fupprefs a Lie to the Worlds end. 
 
 Alfo let the well meaning and fincere obferver of 
 Art know, that there are tv7o kinds o^ Aitimcny 
 very different each from other : one is fair , pure, 
 and of a golden property , and that contains very 
 much AicrcuryT, biit the other which hath much Snl^ 
 phur is not fo friendly to gold as the firfl , and is' di-' 
 ftintiuilhedby fair long and white filinin^ ff^reaksV 
 t There- 
 
l8 Bafil Valentine'jEj tTdump^aitt 
 
 Therefore one is more fit for Medicine and ^/c/j/w)*, 
 then the ether : as when the Flefliof Fiflies is com- 
 pared with the Flefh of other Animals , although 
 both thefe are, and are called Flefh, yet each of thefe 
 very much differs from the Fleih of the other ^ 
 even: fo of Ammo?iy the difference is the fame. 
 Many do indeed write of the Interiour virtue of 
 Ant'mony , but few of them ever taught the true 
 Foundation of the virtues with which it is endued, 
 or found out which way, or in what manner it re- 
 ceives them-, So that their DoArine is founded up- 
 on w^ords only, exifts without any true foundation, 
 and they themfel ves lofe the Fruit they hoped to re- 
 ceive by fuch Wr itmgs. For to write truly of An- 
 timony is a work that requires profound Meditati- 
 ons, a mind largely unfolding it lelf, and knowledge 
 of its manifold Trefarmon , and of the true Soul 
 of it, in which all tlu- Utility is cited, and which 
 being known you maybe able to give an indubitate 
 Judgement, of what evil or good, Venome or Me- 
 dicine is latent therein. It is net a matter of fmall 
 moment by a true Examen to fearch into Antimony^ 
 and thereby to penetrate fimdamentally into its 
 Eflence, and through earneft ftudy to attain the fi- 
 nal knowledge thereof, that the Venenofty of the 
 fame (againft which unskilful Men ignorantly ex- 
 claim) maybe taken away, and it be changed and 
 prepared into a better State, becoming a Medicine 
 fit tor ufe and void of Venome. 
 
 Many Artifts intending to Anatomize Antiinonyy 
 have divers ways vexed, wrefted and tormented the 
 fame, in fuch wife as it caiinot be well defcribed in 
 Words, much Icls believed^ yet, the matter being 
 truly examined, they cffeded nothing. For they 
 fought not its true Soul , and therefore could not 
 find the feigned Soul of it, which thcmfelves fought. 
 By the black Colours a mill; was calt before their 
 
 Eyes, 
 
€lmiot of Ifntimoti^ i^ 
 
 Eyes, Co that they could neither obfcrve the true 
 ^oiilitfelf,norkriovv it. For Aminwny like unto 
 /^rc/^r)', may fitly be compared to a round Circle, 
 of vvliichthcreisnoend, in which the more dili- 
 gently any Man leeks, the more he finds , if Proccls 
 be made by him in a right way and due order. . Ytt 
 the Life of no one Man is fufficient for him to leant 
 all the my ftcries thereof. It is Venoir.e afid a molt 
 fwift poyfon, alfo it is void of Venome and a moil 
 excelleiit Medicine •, whether it be ufed outwardly 
 or inwardly. Which is a thing hid from moit Men 
 byreafonof their own blmdnefs^ and they judge 
 it an incredible , foolifh and vain work , becaufe 
 (through their ignorance) it is unknown to them, 
 v/hocanno other wife be excufed, then that they 
 defer ve the name of Stupid it^^ : yet that is not 
 to be fuffered iii them, becaufe they defire iiot 
 to learn or be better informed, either here, or elfe- 
 where. 
 
 Amimo-fiy IS endued with ail the four firlt qualities, 
 it is cold and humid, and again it is hot and dry, and 
 accommodates it fclf to the four Seai'ons of the 
 year, alio it is volatile and fixed. The volatile part 
 of it is not void of Venome, but the fixed is free 
 from all venenolity •, which is fo very ftrange, as it 
 may be reputed one of the feven Wonders of the 
 World, of which fo many Writers have difcourfed, 
 not knowing themfelves what they writ. There 
 hath been no "<" Man before me, and at this day there 
 is none found , who hath fo throughly learned the. 
 power, virtue, ftrength, operation, and efficacy of 
 Amimony^ or Co profoundly penetrated into all the 
 f^/fz-j.-^)' thereof, as nothing more is latent In it un- 
 found out, orwhich cannot be brought to light by 
 experience. If fuch a Man could be found he wouia 
 be worthy to be carried about in a Trii.tn^hn-at Cha-^ 
 riot^ as in times paft was granted to Monarch's-, 2.hi 
 G 2 potent 
 
20 Bafil Valentine'^ Ctfumpljailt 
 
 potent Heroes, after they had happily fought 
 Battels, and were returned with Vidory. But I \ 
 fear, that many of our Dodors will be conftrained 
 to provide a Chariot for themfclves. 
 
 '*' Hire the Authour fpeal^ largely in commsndation of Antimony. Read, read' 
 (I fay) LovsYofchymifiry^ and yi)u will find nothing Hypirbolicaly nor any 
 thing Torafonk^. Bafilius in jpsai^ingas he doth, hath xoL exhaufied the Praifes 
 of Antimony *, becaufi no Man unto this day could evir experience all its Virtues, 
 m have feenmaiiyof its Lfifls., and many new Ejfeils are daily found by curious 
 Searchn's, yet many more remain uni^own. So that, as in Fire is an inexhaujiible 
 Fountain, ( for the more yon ta^e jrom ity the more it gives) fo /;i Antimony 
 is an inejlimable Treafiire of new Virtues. F0 if from it you extrail its Acctum 
 a thnufand times ^ it will a thouj and times yeild ^fw Acetum. Nature feems 
 to have made choyce of this Mineral , therein to hide all her Treafures. "hnre- 
 frre not without reafnn /;.«/; Bafilius made for // ^i Triumphant Chariot3n'/?;VJb 
 is daily enriched with Spoy'.s tal^en from the Camps of Ignorance. 
 
 For the Mafters of this terrene World are fo 
 intangled with their own Thoughts , that they 
 feek nothing from Antimony but Riches, and for- 
 get to fearch its utility for medicine , and the 
 Health of the Body, which notwith {landing ought 
 nboveallthings to be fought, that ( being brought 
 to L.ight ) the wonderful Works of our GOD 
 may be m.ade manifcit, and the Glory given to him, 
 with great thankflilncfs. It is not to be deny- 
 cd , but that more of Riches and Health may be 
 found in it than either 3^ou all, or Imyfelf, can 
 believe : for 1 profeis rny felt no other than a 
 Difciple in the Knowledge of Antimony, although 
 in it 1 have feen , experienced , and learned more 
 than you , and all fuch as you are (who arrogate to 
 your fclves great skill therein ) either have lear- 
 ned , or ever can learn. Vet no Man fliould 
 therefore be troubled , or der])air of his well 
 doing, lince GO D Viondcrfully dilpcnfcth his Goods 
 and Benefits ^ but becauie tlie World , indulging 
 their own Ingratitude, have neither efteem.cd, 
 
 nor 
 
chariot of antimony. 21 
 
 nor with due Reverence acknowledged the Mu- 
 nificence of the Moft High , but have preferred 
 Riches before Health, GOD hath fpread as it were 
 a Spider's Webb before their Eyes, that being blind 
 they might not know the Secrets of Natmx abfcon- 
 ded in the Form of this Mineral. 
 
 All men cry out Rich , Rich we would be. I 
 confefs you allafpire to Riches, and with the E- 
 picure fay , The Body mufi frfi be provided for, 
 the Soul may at Unqth alfo find fomcwhat •, and with 
 M'diis (as in the Fable) youdefire that all things 
 whatfoever you touch may be turned into Gold. 
 Hence it is, that fo many feek their defired Riches 
 in Aitiniony : But becaufe they accept not that 
 Guift of the Creator with a grateful Heart, which 
 before all Things fliould be procured , and call 
 the Love of their Neighbour behind their back , 
 therefore they in vain look the Horfe in the Mouth •, 
 for they know his Age and Strength no more than 
 the Guefts at the Marriage-Feaft in Cma. of Gal.lee 
 knew the wonderful Work, which Gmji there 
 wrought , when he turned Water into Wine, 
 They knew , that Wine was Water , and that the 
 Waterwas turned into Wine , they perceived by 
 the Taft •, but how that Tranlinutation happened 
 w^ashid from them. For the Lord.lESUS, our Sa- 
 viour, referved that Supernatural Work to him- 
 fclf , as a Teflimony of his Omnipotency. Where- 
 fore I fay , it is every Man's duty , to fearch out the 
 IMyfteries and Arcatiums , which the Creator hath 
 inlired in all Creatures •, for although ( as we 
 laid) it is not Credible, that we Men can through- 
 ly learn and penetrate all Things ;, yet we are not 
 forbid to inquire into them , fmce by Study and 
 i^iligence fo much may be effected , as although 
 tl] rough fome dcfRl a Man be hindred in fuch 
 wile. ^ he cannot attain to the dcluxd Richc> 
 
 C ^ and 
 
j^ Bafil Valentine*^ ti:tiump!)ant 
 
 and perfed Sanity , yethemav acquire enough to 
 occasion him not to repent of his Labour , but ra- 
 ther to minifter unto Kwrx matter of Joy and Re- 
 joycing , that he fees himfelf fo far an Ade^tifi , 
 ns lie ftands always obliged to render thanks to 
 
 his Creator. 
 
 Therefore , whofocver deHres to become a jxr- 
 feft Anatomiil q1 J-ti'^^ony ., the fiift thing to be 
 conHdered by him is Soh-.tion of the Body^and in or- 
 der to this, he muft take it in a convenient place, 
 aiid propofe to himfelf the right way , that he be 
 notfeduced into devious Paths. Secondly he muft 
 ob'.eive the Governr:nce of the Fire , taking 
 Carethat it be neither too much, nor too little, 
 pr too hot , or too cold. For the fumm of all 
 is fted in an exact Governance of the Fire-, b^ 
 which the vivifying S fa-its of Amhnony are ex- 
 tradled, and loofed from their bonds, and fo ren- 
 dered capable to mani fell: their Effeds operative- 
 ly. Alfo he mull: take great Care , that this O- 
 percitive Vertne be not mortifyed and perifn by 
 Aduftion, Thirdly, the life or Dofeis to be ob- 
 ferved by him , that he may adminifter it in due 
 rnanner, knowing the ]\Teafure , as I above men- 
 tioned, when 1 fpake of the live principal Heads 
 requillte in the Exercife and Pradice of Chymtfrry ; 
 tut here I only hint at itcuribrily byway of a Pa- 
 rable ^ 
 ■ By RcfoLt'or? the fum of th^ Matter is propo- 
 fed, but by Fire it is prepared to proht. For a 
 Butcher cuts out an Ox, and divides it into parts, 
 but no Man can profitably enjoy this Flcfli, un- 
 Icfs he h; It hoyl it by Fire, by which Operation 
 the Red Subilancc of the FleHi is changed and pre- 
 pared into white Aliment. If a Man conftrained 
 by hunger', (honld eat that F.a^and Red Flelh, it 
 'jvoald be ycaom to him rather than Medicine \ 
 
 becaufe 
 
chariot of ^[ntimoti?; 73 
 
 bedufe the natural "Heat of tlie Stomach is too 
 weak to concodt and digeft that crude Body. 
 Hence, my dear Friend, you may conthide, that 
 fince Amimony^ hath greater Venom , and a more 
 grofs Mineral Body than Animal Flelh ( as by 
 the above recited common Example I have alrea- 
 dy ihewed) it will alfo prove more perillous , if 
 uled Crude, without Preparation, Separation and 
 Coition by Fire •, yea it will be and remain Ve- 
 nom, which will fuddenly kill the Sick. There- 
 fore the Venenofity of Amimony is fo to be taken 
 away , as it may never again be converted in- 
 to Venom , after the fame manner , as W^'me , 
 which being once, by putrefadion and corruption 
 tmrned into Vinegar , never afterward yeilds any 
 Spirit of Wine, but always is and remains Vine- 
 gar. But on the Contrary , if the Spirit only of 
 the Wine be feparated , and the Aquofty lelt by 
 it felf , and the fame Spirit afterward exalted , it 
 will never in any wife be changed into Vinegar, 
 although it fhould be kept an hundred Years-, 
 but will always remain Spirit of Wine , no o- 
 therwife , then as Vinegar remains Vinegar. * 
 
 This Tranfmutation of Wine into Vinegar is a 
 wonderful Thing-, i)ecaufefome what is produced 
 from Wine , which was not before in its vege- 
 table EfTence. In which it is alfo to be noted , 
 that in diftillationof Wine the Spirit firft comes 
 forth:, but (on the contrary) in diftilling Vinegar 
 the Phlegm firft comes , afterward the Spirit , as I 
 have fliewed above in its own place , where I alio 
 made mention of this Example. Therefore Spi- 
 rit of Wine m.akes Bodies volatile , becaufe it 
 Iclf is volatile-, but Spirit of Vinegar fixeth all 
 Medicaments, as well of Minerals as Vegetables, 
 and renders themfolid*, fo that they apprehend 
 things fixed, and expel fixed Difcafes. 
 
 C 4 * CoQfidef 
 
14 Baqi Valentine*^ Ctmmpliani 
 
 * Confider aiii qbferve thefe things diligent- 
 ly i for tliis principal Key is of great concern. 
 Therefore ^mimony'y which contains in it felf its 
 own Vinegar , ought to be i^o prepared, as all its 
 Venenofity n^ay be taken av;ay ,andhe, wlioufeth 
 it, conceives no Venom thereby, but rather drives 
 away and calls out all Poyfon from himfelf, by 
 the life thereof. 
 
 * Bdijv! neit only Bafiiius , hut me alfn ^ with the fame Talth andfn- 
 errity iffinriing to you \ This 'is the firli Key , this is the principd part of 
 the wh'oli Art , this opens to you the 'firji Gate , this will alfo unlocl^ the bfr, 
 yohith leads to the Palace of the King. But as I [aid , not only belcivc, 
 hut alfo eonftdiY and olfrvi. H-re you fiand in the Entrance , if you mi(i, 
 thcDoor, aliyour Conrfi will beKrrnr, all your Hafl Ru-ine, and all your ^'if- \ 
 doin Fooli'hnef?. H>. who obtcins this Ksy, iind J^ows the Method ( which || 
 is called Manual Operation') by which to ufe it , and hath (Irength to turn the 
 fame , will acquin Riches , aud an open Vajf-igc unto the Myjleria of chy- 
 mipy- 
 
 Therefore Preparation of Antimony confifts in 
 the Key of Alchimy , by which it is diflblved, o- 
 pened;, divided and feparatcd*, as in Calcination , 
 j^everheratwn , Sublimation , C^c. as we declared 
 abov^! of it. Alfo in extracting itsEllence, and in 
 vivifying its Mercury^ which Mercury mult after- 
 ward bee precipitcd into a fixed Pouder. Like- 
 wife by Ait and a due Method, of it may be made 
 an Oyl, which is effectual wholly to conrume that 
 |[icwand unknown Difjrdc, v.'hich x\\c French, in 
 their Vyarlikc Expeditions, brought into our Re- 
 gions. The fame is vifible in other Preparations, 
 derived from the 5/?-^:^p7ctArt and Alchimy ;, as for 
 Example : if any one would make Beer of Barley, 
 Wheat , or other Corn , all thefe degrees mult 
 be niod perfectly known to him , before he 
 ran frpm. thofe Grains extract their molt fubtil 
 ^ffciicc and virtue, and reduce the fame into a molt 
 fSicacious Drink. Fait, the Grains mujtbe fo^ 
 ■■■■—.■■ long 
 
Cl^atiot of Klnttmon]^. ^% 
 
 long fleeped in Water , as untill they be able fuf- 
 ficiently, to openandrefolvethemrelves(as I,when 
 I was a Young Man , travelling into England and 
 J^olland , diligently obferved to be done in thole 
 places ) this is called Futrefa'cHon and Comtption, 
 This Key being ufed , the Water is drawn off 
 from the Grain , and the macerated Corn is laid on 
 Heaps clofe together , and left fo for a due time , 
 vntil it Ipontaneoufly conceive heat , and by the 
 fame heat germinating, the Grains adhere each tQ 
 other : this is Digeftion, This being finifhed , the 
 Grains which adhered in their Germination , ai^e 
 ieparated , a|id dryed , either in the Air , or by Heat 
 of Fire, and fo hardned. T\\n\s Reverberation^ and 
 CoaguLition. Wlien the Coru is thus prepared, it is 
 carried to the Mill , that it may be broak and 
 ground fmall •, x\'\\'s,h Vegetable Calcination. After- 
 ward , by Heat of Fire coding ^hefe Grains , the 
 more noble Spirit of them is extracted , and tlie 
 Water is imbibed with the fame-, which without 
 the aforesaid Preparation could not have been. 
 This way the crucle Water is converted into Beer, 
 and this Operation (though I fpcak but rudely) 
 is and is called Dtjiillation. The Hops , when ad- 
 ded to the Beer , is the Vegetable Salt thereof, 
 which conferves and preferves from all Contraries, 
 endeavouring to corrupt the fame. This way of 
 boyling Water into Drink , by cxtradion of the 
 Spirits from the Grains, the Spaniards and Italians 
 know not , and in my native Soyl of Germany 
 about tlie Rhine, few are found skilled in this 
 Art. 
 
 Alter all thefe works are performed , a new 
 Separation is made by Cla-nf cation, viz. of the Drink, 
 in this manner : a little Tej} or Ferment is added, 
 which excites an internal Motion and Heat in the 
 jj^eer, fo tliat it is elevated in it fclf, and ^ by the 
 P ^ help 
 
i6 Bafii Vaicntine'je^ Ctiumpliartt 
 
 fidp of time) Separation of the denfe from the rare, 
 and of the pure from the impure is made-, and 
 by this means the Beer acquires a conftant virtue 
 in Operating , fo that it penetrates and etfeds all 
 thofe Ef7ds , for which it was made and brought into 
 ufe : which before could not have been •, becaiife 
 the Spirit, the Operator was hindred, by its own 
 Impurir- from effeding its proper Work. 
 
 Ai vv ine alfo doth not Experience teach the 
 fifae ? 'tliat cannot , before the time come , in 
 whicii the imp- iritys may be feparated from it , fo 
 very prrfvdlly and efficacioufly perform its own 
 Vlork* , as after Separation of the pure from the 
 impure : which by Drunkcnefs is manifeft ^ for 
 Beer or Wineunlettled, and not purifyed, give 
 net forth from thcmf Ivesfb much Spirit for ine- 
 briating, as after Clarification. But of this no more. 
 After all the aforeCiid , a new Operation may 
 be inftituted , by Vegetable liiblimation, for le- 
 paration of the Spirit of the Wine or Beer, and 
 . for preparing it by Diftillation into another 
 Diink oiBitrmng Wim, which may alfo be made 
 of the Lees or Dregs of Wine and Beer. When 
 this is done, the Operative Virtue is feparated from 
 its own Body , and the Spirit being exfrafted by 
 Fire , forfakcs its own unprofitable dead Habita- 
 tion, in which it was commodioully liofpited be- 
 fore. Now , if this Burning Wtne , or Spirit of 
 Wine, b:- redifyed, -an Exaltation is made by 
 often diftilling it, and by a certain method of O- 
 pcrating , the pure part ( free from all Phlegm or 
 i^.ouofity) may be fo concentred, and as it v/ere 
 condcnfcd , as one Meaiiirc of it may effed more, 
 th'.:: twenty or more could have done before. For 
 it <'' on.:r inebriates, and is fwift, volatile and fub- 
 tii for v,:;nctrating and operating. 
 * Here I admonilli you , whofQevcr you are , 
 
 ^ who 
 
Cft^tfot of Wntunditp. i^ 
 
 wlio dcfire to be taught by my Writings , and 
 hope to obtain Riches and a true Medicine from 
 Antimony ,that you would not carelefly perufe my 
 Intention, in which is no~ letter writ in vain, and 
 which hath not a certain fingiilar- frgnification for 
 your Inftruftion. 
 
 '*■ Corns hither youTrxvdh^ ftay your Journy here. Contemn not or flighty 
 pj if ovci- this tautological , but wt im'iertimnt , AdmonitiaT. , often in your 
 rr.ind. hsvc r-courfe to this Defcri^tion of Beei- , fcarch , contemplate , and 
 fviigh aU Toings , perhaps in this turbid and ftimotis Gtilj , you tvill find, 
 the Fijh you lool^ not for. if in this Light you, yet be blind , I J^iotv not 
 any Colhrium will profit yo:i : ifwrtb fo certain a manudnclion you cannot 
 pa(i on to the worl^ it filf, I l^orv not reha tvill lend you a Staff, or what 
 Dmonfiration can direct tin Jonrny of a (lupid Man. Meive , read^ me- 
 ditate^ labour, and fpare the life of fo many Chymical Boo\s , which dijirafi 
 yoti with the Error of various ways , this one tells yon all Tjnngs. 
 
 Yea , I here fblemnly affirm , tliat there are ma- 
 ny words difperfed here and there in my Wri- 
 tings , to which if the Reader give heed as he 
 ought , and know In what Fundamentals the prin- 
 cipal Heads of the matter ?.re lited, and as it were 
 biiryed , he will have no Caufc to repent his often 
 turning over the fame Leaves , but will efteem 
 every word as much, as a peiceof GpldCoyn. For 
 yon know, that although the Examples by me pro- 
 pofcd , found harfn , as delivered in a rude manner , 
 yet they contain in tlicm fomewhat that is excel- 
 lent and or great Moment. Yet I am not here am- 
 bitious to procure Authority or praife to my 
 Writings , wh.ich is not my Buiinefs , nor would 
 it become me : for when the Operation of them 
 (hall be brought to Light , they will acquire 
 praife enough to themfclves. I purpofely and wil- 
 lingly produce Examples fp rude and common, be- 
 caufe the povvcr of Antimony and the true Virtue 
 thereof, deeply and profoundly abfconded in its 
 iiimolt paits^ is to b: f:arched out. I was w^l- 
 
28 Bafil Valentine'jsJ Crfuillp^ant 
 
 ling , by thefe grofs Examples to lead you by the 
 haud, and fhew you the way, that by them you 
 might attain to the Thing it fclf, and not at the 
 very firft err from the Gate •, for fo doing you 
 would long wander , and never bring your Opera- 
 tion to the defired End. For Anthony is like a 
 Bird, which is carryed through the Ar and as 
 the Wind drives it , fo it turns it felf which 
 way that wills : here , in this Cafe, Man ads the 
 Part of the ^>or Wind, and can drive and move 
 jlntimotiy^ at his pleafure, andrepofe it in fuch a 
 place, as himfelf choofeth : he can imbibe it , 
 with a yellow, red, white, or black Colour, ac- 
 cording as he defires it (liould be , and as he rules 
 and governs the Fire-, becaufe 'm. Amimony (as 
 in Mercury ) all Colours are found •, which no Man 
 fhould wonder at , confidering how many Things 
 Nature bears abfconded in her Bofom , which 
 neither you nor I are able to comprehend in many 
 days. 
 
 If a Book happen to be given to a Man , that 
 is unlearned , he knows not what is fignifyed by 
 that WritingjOr what that Scripture intends •, for il: 
 is hid from his Eyes, and he ftands amazed, as a Cow 
 at the fight of a new Door. But if unto that un- 
 learned Man , any one fuggeft the Explication of 
 the Book , and teach him not only the matter 
 contained therein , but alfo the ufe o f the fimc , the 
 Man no more admires it, as an Art •, but by this 
 means it becomes to him a Common Thing , the 
 Reafon and Operation of which he underftands, 
 and by his own Study he can learn , conceive , and 
 comprehend the Utility fo pcrfedly , as now 
 noneofthofc Things, which were contained ia 
 the Book, are hid from hinr, becaufe he hatii 
 learned both to read and undcrlland what is writ-, 
 ten therein. Such a Book is A:nimpny to thofe, 
 
 whQ 
 
chariot of Ulntimou^ 2^ 
 
 who know not the Art of Reading •, therefore 
 I faithfully admoniih all , who dcfire to be par- 
 takers of its Utilities , to bend their mind to 
 know and pronounce the letters thereof, that 
 iq they may acquire the Art of Reading that 
 Book •, and in fuch a manner , that ( as in a 
 School ) they may be removed from Form to 
 Form-, when he who hath rightly ga&ied Expe- 
 rience , Ihall prefide as Rei^or , and judge of that, 
 which in Trial is molt worthy: for One is worthy 
 to be preferred before another , in the PoIIeflion 
 of thgt. 
 
 But here , what comes into my mind , and 
 ought in no wife to be paifed over m Silence , I 
 think good to mention ^ viz. ; that at this Day 
 many are found who exclaim , and ralhly pro- 
 nounce CrHcifie , Crucifife , againft all thofe , who 
 prepare Venoms into Medicaments, by which (as 
 they fay ) many Mortals periih , or , it they efcape 
 with Life , live miferably^ inch ^rc Mercury y Arfe- 
 nickj Aitimony , &c. and this Clamour is cheifly 
 made by thole, who (if it pleafe the GODS) are 
 called DoEiors * of Medicine , yet indeed under- 
 ftand not what the difference is , between Venom, 
 and Medicine , but are wholly ignorant how Ve- 
 nom may be prepared , fo as to pafs into a falu- 
 tary Medicament ^ and inftead of its malignity, put 
 on a better Nature. 
 
 ''■ Bafilius fomevphat indulgnh his orpn Genius, imdghing againji 
 Falfe-Phyfitians, Tvhofe ignorance ( in his timt^Tvasfo very great'', ^s they 
 contemned every fublime Preparation of Medicine , whicfj he himfelf, <ind 
 Chymifls with him didprofe(\-y prefer ibing the fame as unprofitable, perillous^ 
 and hurtful : againji whom , it is not ftrange, if the Chymifls ( on the other 
 hand ) rnfe up with fome fmall vehemency , and endeavour couragioufly , by 
 ajftflanceof thtir Knowledge and Confcience, to breai^through that Rowz oj 
 unskilful Men j but the befl Things are not allways the mofi profperous. Chy- 
 mifts overcame by the Juftice of their Caufe, but wtri overcome by Numbir : 
 yit , having imitj and goodnejS on thdr fide , they fought with fo grea 
 
 Agamft 
 
go Balil Valedtine ^ CtrumpljJint 1 
 
 Confidcnce_^ ^s they rvsi'i certjinly ajfurcd they (hould bejr aw^y the Vidory ; 
 tvhich our Author h(re jhews , and Paracdfus C pyoph^Jj'ing of the Coming of 
 tlias the Am{\) did preftse tyould be /4ni certainly unto me (feria^tjly 
 confidering how greatly Chypnifls have in thefe tltn^s iriiprovcd their l(jio-!V' 
 ledge ) the Dawning' of that bay hath opened It felf, fince I b:hold ji many 
 Rays of the of poaching Sun. 
 
 Again H: thefe I do in a fpecial manner exclaim 
 anji proteft , againft tliefc , 1 fay , who ( ignorant of 
 Freparatiofi) exhibit Poyfoa to Men ; for Mercury , 
 j4iirif lament , Antimony , and fuch like , are ve- 
 noms in their Subftance , and unlefs rightly prepa- 
 red remain Venoms. Yet after a Legitimate Pre- 
 paration , all their Venenofity is broke , extiii- 
 giiilhedand expelled, lb that no part of them re- 
 mains , but what is Mcdicme , whicli rclifts all in- 
 ternar Venoms , although mofl deeply rooted, 
 and radically deftroys the fame. For Venom, 
 being in fuch a manner prepared , as it can no lon- 
 ger hurt , refills all Poyfon , which is not as yet pre- 
 pared , and fo very well prepares and fiibjugatcs it, 
 as it is compelled with the fame to put off its 
 own venomous Nature. 
 
 Here I fhall raife a great Contention among 
 the Learned , for I know they will doubt what thefe 
 my Words fliould fignify, as whether what 1 af- 
 firm and write be poflible to be done or no •, and 
 they will be divided into feveral Opinions there- 
 about. Some will judge it is in no wife poiliblc , 
 that from thofe Things , of which we treat, the 
 venenofity fiiould be wholly taken away -, nor do 
 I wonder , that they perfift in that Opinion , fince 
 theDodlrine of like Preparations is ablblutely un- 
 known to them , v/ho have not the lealt thought 
 of that, whicli leads to the Knowledge of thele 
 more profound Myfler les. Yet a fmali par t of thefe 
 INIen vyiil with me be .conftrained to acknow- 
 ledge, it is poflible a vile Thing maybe ct.anged 
 
 mo 
 
C^atiot of IKntfmon^ 3 1 
 
 into a better. For you ( yoa DoEiors I mean) muffc 
 ;Confefs to me , that your purpofe is to reduce 
 that Evil , from which the Difeafe had its Origi- 
 nal , into a better State. Go to then ^ will you not 
 airogrant,thatif anyEvil be in thofe Things, of 
 vi\\\.c\i Medicine is to be made, the fame Evilmuft 
 be converted into a better State, that it may fb 
 much the better perform its operation, and more 
 powerfully and profitably ad , without any no- 
 table peril ? But lince unto very few as yet is known, 
 or by Experience found , the Way, by which a 
 Man ought to proceed in tliefe Preparations , a 
 very fmall part of thefc will afliime and contend 
 for the Opinion 1 here afErm , and publickly pro- 
 fefs : for very many will be carryed away with 
 the greater Rout , crying , Vemm , Femm \ which 
 Voyces , whillt I hear them , put me in mind 
 of thofe wild Clamours, by which the Jews re- 
 quired the Saviour and Redeemer of the World , 
 that he might fuffer the Punifliment of the Crofs , 
 often crying out Crmify him , Crucify him^ whom 
 they proclaimed to be the higheft , moll prefent , 
 molt pcrnitious , and curfed Venom , when as in- 
 deed he was the nobleft , fupreme , moft glorious 
 iand moft profitable Medicine of our Souls , which 
 was to deliver us from the Death of Sinners^ froiii 
 the Devil ^ Hell and all Misfortunes. Although 
 thofe proud Pharifees and Lawyers neither could 
 nor would undcrftaiid this, neverthelefs he both 
 then was , and will be to the end of the World , and 
 after it to all Eternity , the lame fuperexceilent Me- 
 dicine : and neither the Devil , nor Death , nor the 
 very Gates of Hell , nor any Creature, how power- 
 ful , or perverfe foever , can effed any thing at 
 all, whereby to overthrow this Truth. 
 
 So 1 hope , yea doubt not ( although all vaga- 
 bond and circumforaneous Medicafien , all F'hyfi- 
 
 tians 
 
§ a Bafil Valentine^-el CtlUmp^ant 
 
 tians refident in Cities , and how many foever ther* 
 be, that profefs themfelves Maflers of any part 
 of Medicine^ do all together contrive what they 
 can, and exclaim againft Afntmony) but that the 
 fame Antimony will triumph over the ingratitudes 
 of all thofe unskilful Men (for true Phyfnians and 
 fuch as are always ready to learn, I toiicli not 
 here ) and by its own power and virtue acquired 
 after due preparation, will overcome and tread un- 
 der foot all its Enemies. But, on the contrary , 
 thofe ignorant falfe Judges, and pertinacious con- 
 temners of >^«//w(7;;^, becaufe they know not the 
 Truth , together with the proud and blood-thirily 
 Jews , Ihall peri(h, and be caft into the Abyfs of 
 Hell. How ridiculous thofe magnificent , and to' 
 themfelves only wife Doclors ^{q.cvs\ to me , who 
 deter r Emperors , Kings , Princes , and all other 
 Creat Men , and ferioufly admonifli them not ^<S 
 much as to touch fuch Medicines with their Lips,be- 
 caufe they arc noxious , venomous, and every way 
 perillous , 1 will not here declare , ITnce I fee thcnt 
 only to judge according to their Own Opinion , 
 without entertaining any Obfervations of other 
 things, the Knowledge of which they have not 
 before acquired by their own Contemplation , 
 and therefore cannot judgeof any thing elfe , or 
 otherwiie than they have learned. Therefore to 
 thefe I lay, if there be arty Man, tliat hath taken fo 
 ftrongaPoy/ow, as prefent Death is necellarily ex- 
 pc(ftcd to follow , 1 will ( provided the Man be 
 left wholly to my Care ) give him an Anidore by 
 me prepared which fhall continually rcfiil that 
 rcnorn , and quickly expel it out of the Body. But 
 1 little care , whether you Mr. Dolhr', who do 
 neither know this Thing, rior ever would apply 
 your mind to know it , do flight the fame , and 
 repute it as a ridiculous, and altogether falfe talc, 
 
 it is" 
 
Cfjariot of antitimon)^. 33 
 
 it is fufficient for me, that I am able (but if prriife 
 worthy , let praife be given to GOD) to prove 
 and defend the Truth thereof For I my felf 
 have experienced it-, I have made,I halve prepared, - 
 I have prefcribed this Medicine , and there \vant«? 
 not a fufficient number of Witneilcs to confirm it 
 under Hand and Seal. 
 
 And whenfoever I flmil have occafio'n to con- 
 tend in the School with fuch a Do(ftor, who knows 
 not how himfelf to prepare his own Mcdicines^-^'^^^rt*'^ 
 but commits that Bufinefsto another, I am furel 
 Ihall obtain the Palm from her : for mdeed that 
 good Man knows not v/hat Medicines he pre- 
 Icribes to the Sick*, whether the Colour of them 
 be white, black, grey or blew, he cannot tell \ nor 
 floth this wretched man know, whether the Medi- 
 cament he gives be dry or hot, cold or humid :, but 
 he only knows, that he found it fo written in his 
 Books, and thence pretends Pofreflron ^or as it were 
 PofleiTion ) by Prefcription of a very long time :: 
 yet he dcfires no fiirther Information. Here again 
 let it be lawful to exclaim , good G D^ to what 
 a ftate is the matter brought ! what goodnefs of 
 mind is in thele men 1 what care do triey take of 
 the Sick ! Wo, wo ta them ! in the day of Judg- 
 ment they will find the fruit of their ignoiancC 
 *uid rafhnefs *, then they will fee him whom they 
 pierced , when they neglefted their Neighbour^ 
 ibught after Money and nothing elfe : whereas 
 were they cordial in their Profcffion ; they would 
 fpend Nights and Days in Labour, thnt they might 
 become more learned in their Art , whence more 
 certain health v;ould accrew to the Sick with their 
 Eftimation, and greater glory to themfelves. Biit 
 fince Labour is tedious to them, they commit tnc 
 faattcr to Chance , and being fecurc of their Wo- 
 Hour aiid content with their Fame, they ( like Braw- 
 
 D ' krs) 
 
^4 Bafil Valentine'jEj Crfumj)l).int 
 
 krs-) defend themfclves with a certain Garrulity, 
 without any reli^ccl had to Confcience or Truth ^ 
 Coals feem wonderful ftrangc, and as out-landiili 
 Wares to them, therefore they fpare the Money, 
 that fliould be beftowed in them, as if they intend- 
 ed to lay it out to a better ulc. Fulcan himfelf, 
 viz. the Prepairer of Medicaments, is not found a- 
 mong them •, for their Fornaces ftand in the Apo- 
 thecai'ies Shop, to which they ieldom or never 
 come. A Paper Scroi in which thek ufual Re- 
 cipe is written , ferves their purpofe to the fiill, 
 which Bill being by fome Apothecaries Boy or Ser- 
 vant received, he with greatnoyfe thumps out of 
 his Mortar every Medicine , and all the Hc:ilth of 
 the Sick. 
 
 IMy GOD, change, change thcfc times, and 
 and put an end to this arrogant Pride , overturn 
 thoie Trees , left they fwell up to Heaven, throvy 
 down thofe Giants Icll they accumulate all Moun- 
 tains-, and defend thofc, who fcrioully managing 
 their Bufmefs, faithhilly ferve thee, that they may 
 beablctoifandngainfl: thcfe their Pcrfecutors. I 
 leriouHy admonifli nil thoib in our Monalfery, bound 
 by the iame X'ows v/ith me, tliat they would with 
 my fcif Night and Day pray unto GOD, that, 
 he would fo illuminate thefe Enemies of true Me- 
 dicine, as they may execrate their own Error, and 
 acknowledge tiie Glory of GOD, and his Power 
 infited in the Creatures, and perceive the Clearnefs 
 latent in them , by Prepai'ation and Anatomy (as 
 it wore fpcaking in tlicir Ears) which othcrwile 
 furroundcd and covered over with external Impu- 
 rities , v/ould deeply be concealed , and never 
 brought to Light. But I trult the Ceator of all 
 Things, (botli of thofe which fdl under our Senfe, 
 and of thofe that ai'e remote from our Senfes) will 
 benignly hear our Prayers.^ that, jf not whilll: I 
 
 iuid 
 
Ciftatiotdf antimony 53 
 
 ^id my Brethren live, yet after our Death , liich a 
 Converlion of Things and Men {GOD anfvver 
 ^hcfe Defires) may follow , as that thick and ob- 
 fcure Veil may be taken away from the Eyes of our 
 Enemies, and they by true and infallible Illumina- 
 tion, obtain a clear light, that they ma^' find their 
 |oft Groat : which GOD the eternal Governour 
 of Times and Things of his Grace and Mercy 
 grant. 
 
 But it is fit, that I , who intended to publiih a 
 certain Difcourfe of Antimony, in all its Numbers 
 abfolute, fliould begin with tiie "^ Name itfelf. 
 
 • ^ Bo£ts do often 1^0 fit, in the mld[i oftUir Poems, Hifiorhs or T^ihUs'tif 
 Princes, that by a continued Series of Vjings, th;y raxy the more ufily attzitt 
 their End, which is to delight their Readers : Chymills for another end ufg 
 the fame Medium. For fince their pnrpofe ts to teach the Readers fo, as they 
 »iiy only be underflood by thofe, who wholly devote themfelves with a fei-jeni 
 
 Maniddicled to fame Scholafiicl^Order : hut by and by turning fiorii this Dlf-, 
 courfe, he mfweisan ObjeirioHybepre it is made by lnieriogation% viz. rrhethef 
 from Antimony ali its Venoms may be ta^n away, the pjjlbility of which hi 
 proves by very profit. ible and fignifi'cant Examples. 
 
 The A-ahi.<!r.s, to whom in times pafc this Mi-* 
 neral was known', did in their Language call it^''^- 
 nat ; but the ChMdea/is called it Stibium ; among 
 the Lmujcs ar this day the Naitic of Antimony is 
 ufed, by which name they firft of all ligniiied' it. 
 We Germans in our Language have given it i 
 Name, which ieems to exprefs a certain property 
 of its Nature-, for fince it is ^Qtw to conUll of a 
 certain ftreiked Matter , and of it may eaGly be 
 fiiade Gl.tfs endued with various Colours, whiclj 
 proceed there from , we have called it Spss^gLip, 
 iis if we fhould fay Ilreiked Giafs. From vvhich 
 Vaarikety^ of Uie Nawe, by a prudent Judgment, k 
 
 %\ D 2 f0gU%' 
 
35 Bafil Valentioe'ja; Ctiumpljant 
 
 lingular Collection may be made, viz.. that Jntimouy 
 was kDOwn,and greatly eO:cemed,and its virtue and 
 llt'lity obfervcd and brought into ufe by the Arabia 
 ansy O^aldeanSjLatws )Xid our Gerrna?is : but after- 
 ward, the Herefies of various Opinions arifing, the 
 ufe was vitiated, and its Virtue and Glory firft ob- 
 Icured , and afterward wholly extinguiftied. Of 
 which there is no Reafon to Doubt •, for nothing 
 is more probable , than that Truth fhould fuffer 
 Dammage and Shipwrack. by the Opprcflion of E- 
 ncniies. For who knows not the Malice of the 
 Devil, which by Reafon of our Sins and Blindnefs 
 is very often permitted by G D. The Devil is 
 the perpetual Enemy of Mankind , who imploys 
 all his Strength, and all his Deceits, and omits no- 
 thing, which in himftlf is, to prevent the Know- 
 ledge of the profit of true Medccine, and to exter- 
 minate its ufe •, knowing well enough, that by that 
 means the power and glory of 6" O Z) is obfcurcd, 
 and thofe Sacrifices of the praifes of men are impe- 
 ded , by which they gave thanks to GOD, be- 
 caufe he hith infited as it were the Raves of his 
 Goodnefs in the Creatures, whence they may ob- 
 tain Health by a natural auxiliary. m 
 Butlinceto difcourieof the Name of Jlmmony, , 
 is not to our purpofc, we will defill from this Mat- 
 ter. For all the Praife of Animony confifts in the 
 Preparation thereof, which is made for perfecfling 
 the Virtues infiifed in it from Nature by the Author 
 of Nature. Therefore my difcourfe fhall be of 
 this, handling it and its known Virtue, and I will 
 endeavour to make my Name immortal. Yet be- 
 fore 1 come to d, dare the Virtue of Amimony, fince 
 1 above coufeffed, that it is meet Venom, 1 would 
 have you know and diligently note , that Ve- 
 nom is able to draw Venom to it felf, becaufe like 
 it f.lf, much fooner and much more than any other 
 Thingof another Nature. Now 
 
Cl)ariot of aiutimonp. 57 
 
 Now let any Reader confider, and obferve it as 
 a Thing worthy of Note , that the true Vnicorm- 
 horn, fophifticated by no fallacy, repels all Venom 
 from it felf,nor can it alTiime or draw to it felf a- 
 ny thing of Venom, as is manifeft by Experience, 
 lit a living Spider be put in a Circle made of Vm- 
 corns-horn, and out of this Circle it cannot go , or 
 pafs over the Vnicoms^hom , for it Ihuns what- 
 foever is adverfe to Venom. But if the Circle be 
 made of venemous Matter, it is not to be doubted, 
 but that the Spider will go out of it, and pafs over 
 that Venom like it fclf. Note this Experiment, 
 make a piece of Silver hollow, and put it in Water, 
 that it may float like a Boat, and put \^enonfjto it, 
 then hold a piece of true Unicorns-Horn, as' nigh 
 to it as you can , but fo as you may not touch it, 
 that Unicorns-Horn by its fpiritual Virtue will 
 drive the Silver from it , fo that it will flie away 
 like a Duck, which fwimming on the Water flies, 
 when it perceives the Snares of the Fowler ready 
 to entangle it. But on the contrary, Nature in a 
 wonderful manner loves and follows its own like, 
 as appears by this Example. Put a little piece of 
 pure and fine Bread in a difli fiiU of Water, fo as the 
 Bread may fwim upon the Water, hold a piece of 
 true Unicorns-Horn clofe to it, yet fo as it touch it 
 not', and if you leifurely move the Unicorns-Horn 
 the little piece of Bread will follow it. Nature 
 fo much loves its own like, and fo much hates what 
 is unlike it felf , as this flies , and that follows. 
 Therefore let our Do'dors confider, that Venom by 
 a certain Magnetick Power Attradts Venom , and 
 thole things which are void of Venom, do in like 
 manner draw to themiclves things pure, and want- 
 ing a Venomous quality. 
 
 Therefore Venom may be taken away two way 5 ', 
 
 fii#> by its Contrary, which rclifts \'tnom , as al- 
 
 ^ P 5 ready 
 
J § Bafil Valentine*<g tTrfumpbant 
 
 ready is related of the Unicoms-Horn. Second- 
 ly, by Like, when Venom by a certain Magnetick 
 power draws Venom to it felf. But the Venom 
 whi.-:h muft heal Venom like it felf, ought firll tp 
 be-fo j)repared, as its Venom may pafs into Medi- 
 cine, and by its own attradive virtue , aflume the 
 other to and expel it with it felf. Of which thing 
 you have a moft clear Example in Soap : That i§ 
 compc/unded of Oyl and other fat ingredient Mat- 
 ters, which fcem to be, and in very deed are, more 
 Spt to foul, than c Icanfe Linen •, but becaufe in the 
 Boyling of the Soap, cfpcciallyby the help of Salt, 
 a certain Separation and Preparation is made, the 
 ^oap is fendred moft apt to drawto it felf and wafl^ 
 out all fouinefs and filths from Linen and other 
 things : lb indeed may Venom in a certain manner, 
 by Antecedent Preparation be accommodated fo, as 
 to be no more Venom, but a Medicament, it draws 
 to it felf all other Poyfon,caIts it out,and reftores 
 Hie man to hispriHine Purity and Health. 
 
 Now fince our Difcourfe hath led us fo far, and 
 Wc have begun to open Nature fo much ^ that the 
 tiTily Studious of Medicine (though hitherto igno- 
 i^ant of this) may clearly know, v/hat Good or E- 
 Vil is laterit in Nature , what is Venom and what 
 js harmlcfs *, which is a thing hath not as yet been 
 found oiit by Dcclors,by reafon of their own fupine 
 tiegligence •, and that the Truth thereof may be 
 ^cmonRrated and alio confirmed^ it will not be a- 
 bifs to produce certain Ex-perimental Examples , 
 Which m.ay difcover the Truth, and refute the falfe 
 pphijons of others. Put an Egg, which in the 
 Winter is congealed with Cold , into very cold 
 Water, there kt it lie for a due fpaceof time, and 
 the ice will externally adhere to the Egg-fhell, but 
 the Cold be extracted from the Egg it felf, and re- 
 
 {lored to its pr iftine vigour and intirenefs. Again, 
 ■ . • if 
 
chariot of ISntimon^ ^^ 
 
 If any Member be benummed with Cold, let not 
 the Patient negied himfelf, but apply cold Snow- 
 water round about, fo one ColdattraAs the other, 
 and the Member is rcitored. On the contrary, if 
 any One have a Member inflamed, let him apply- 
 to that Inflammation an hot Matter *, as for Ex- 
 ample, Spirit of Wine, which is mere Fire, or the 
 .Quinteflence of Sulphur , and he will in very deed 
 find, that Heat is attra(n:ed by Heat, in a certain 
 Magnetick manner, and like to rejoyce in like, and 
 not only to aflwage the pain and heat of the inflam- 
 ed Member, but abfolutely to rcftore tiie fame to 
 its priftine ftrength. 
 
 Yet left this our pnrpofe fiiould not be fully e- 
 nough confirmed by Examples, I will alfo add an- 
 other, by v/ay of Supplement. Take Frog-Spawn 
 in the Monethof Alarch, and laying it on a Board 
 dry it in the Sun, when dry reduce it to Powder, 
 and ftrew of this Powder, upon Wounds made by 
 Venomous Vipers or Serpents -^ by this means 
 fuch Wounds will be fo prepared, as they may be 
 perfedly healed by other Medicaments applied 
 -thereunto. Or otherwife, if Linen cloaths be of- 
 ten moiftned in Frog-Spawn, and as often dried, 
 and that Linen cut into fmall pieces and applied 
 to Wounds , they eflett the fame , as the aforefaid 
 Powder would have done. But that the very founr 
 dation of this Truth may more clearly be declared ; 
 -take a venomous Toad , dry him in the Sun, fhiit 
 him up in an Earthen clofed Pot , and by burning 
 reduce him to Aflies •, then having taken out the 
 Afhes, and reduced the fame to Powder, apply of 
 that Powder to a Wound made by Venom, and this 
 Poyfonattrads the other Poyfon, and joyns it with 
 it felf Why fo, 1 pray ? Becaufe by this Burning, 
 which is the Calcination of the To.id, its interior 
 Virtue is maJe manifelt, and ciTicacioris for opera- 
 
 D 4 tiusv 
 
■apg Bafil Valentine'^ •Cc(umpl)ant 
 
 tiug*, fo, that Like can attradlike, and efpecially 
 Venom V'cnom, to it felf. Therefore firmly per- 
 fwade your lelf, that this Trrth is infallible and 
 immutable, which I have here propofed to you and 
 others by Example. If any Oneafflidted with the 
 Pefl, do diligently obferve this, he will find the 
 Truth of thofe Things I have here above mentio- 
 ned : the Ajirnm of Sol, and the Spirit of Mercury y 
 minillred in a Pcflilential Scalon, preferve many. 
 For the Spirit oi Mercury doth alfodraw to it felf 
 its own like , and hath in it felf the Medicament, 
 iind attractive power of all venomous Dlfeafes. 
 Yet fince the A'^mim. of Sol, from which (as from 
 ?n operative raid all vivifying Sun) all things in 
 their kinds univerfally arife :, therefore I detcr- 
 rriine ihat in the potency of Gold, more than in 
 all otlier Things, is an Operatin.s; Nature •, that is, 
 in its ownJfrrHm, whence both it felf, and all Mc- 
 pls' and Minerals , in the Beginning , received 
 their firil Nativity and Propagation of Generati- 
 on. Touching which more may be faid, when I 
 fliall manifcfl to you the Jflrum of 5o/, and com- 
 mend the fame moft religioufly to your Confci- 
 Ciice. 
 
 After the fame manner procefs is to be made with 
 An.into72y^ whi^h hath the fame Operations with 
 corporal Gold •, yet of the Aflrum thereof I now 
 fpeak not. Fori know (faith Jmrno/ty) it be- 
 hoves me , before that , to fear and tremble •, al- 
 though in many principal Arcumtms of Medicine, 
 I far excel it-, yet univerfally I am able to effect 
 iione of thofe Things, which the Aflrum of Sol 
 (confirmed by theTeitimony of Celeftial Verity) 
 is able to produce. The Afimm of Mercury I 
 omit, becaufc I my felf have n^iy defcent from, the 
 iame Original with it: but as to a Celeilial pene- 
 trating power of Operating, I give the firf: place 
 
Cljariot of 3Intimd»i^; 41 
 
 of Dominion to the Aflrum of Sol. 
 
 My Writings and Books, compoled by Experi- 
 ence, properly follow and anlvver each to other ^ 
 as one Metal (as to its virtue) is obferved and e- 
 ftcemed by another, and mnfh by Fire be proved of 
 what value it is, So theic my Sayings,or Writings, 
 or Medicaments , ought to be brought into the 
 Schools, as tending to one Scope and End. Into 
 the Schools, I fay, where Riches obtain to them- 
 fclves (as it were) an Hereditary place, and inftead 
 of that take avvay all the Honour, which is due to 
 Vulcan only, who can boafb himlelf to be a Maftef 
 in his ovv'n Element of Fire. Which may be fnew- 
 ed by Example , and a true and manifell Proof; 
 When molt hard Steel is ftruck with an hard and 
 folid Flirt, Fire excites Fire by vehement Commo- 
 tion , and acceuHon, drawing forth the occult Sul- 
 phur, or the occult Fire is manifefted by that ve- 
 hement Commotion, and enkindled by the Air fo, 
 as it truly and efficacioully burns ; but the Salt 
 j-emains in the Aihes, and the Mercury thence takes 
 its flight together with the burning Sulphur. "*" 
 
 ^ I'ou , 7?-/.)a riad this mo(l fimj'UCnmpar/fon of Sted and a Flint, flac^the 
 Feins of your Admiration., and fnioufl}' asl^ your fdf, rchether there can be 
 found out any roay or Method, by which fj-om this Stone and Cold Iron may bt 
 ertracled, a Siibllance, of -which one only Grain (but rphy do I fbeat^ of it 
 Grain ? ) of n-'hich the hundred part of a Grain, can in a very jhort time 
 Convert agrr.it Maf^of fnme rude Mattn\ into the mnji fpkndid and mojl pre- 
 tiotis of all Ihings ; yea , into Fire maft profitable for Manl^nd ? Tnis it 
 po/Jtble, and isdayly dune , when the fixid is made Volatile, and the Volatile 
 again fixed. He that hith undvcflanding, lit him undirjlund^ and ceafe f«t 
 dtfame the admirable virtues ofchymical mrl^, 
 \ 
 
 So here alfo underftand, that Jmimony ovi^X in 
 a. certain Method io to be hajidled, as its M rcury 
 may ])e feparated from the Sulphur thereof, in a 
 Narm-al Manner. Now * as Fire, whith lies ab- 
 i onded in flatter, unlcfb /tbe m.ade maiiifelt, and 
 
 call 
 
}^»t Bafil Valentine')^ ^timttpl&ant 
 
 can be demonftrated, is profitable for nothing, is 
 not (as I may fay) tangible by the Hands, nor can 
 it effed any thing to purpofe ^ fo Medicine can 
 effed nothing that is excellent, unlcfs it be firft fe- 
 parated fiom its Grofsnefs , redified and fodif- 
 charged of Impurities , clarified and brought to 
 Light by due Preparation , as is manifeft in all 
 Things : for when Separation of the pure from 
 the impure is made , and all that is mountanous or 
 terreftrial is fegregated from the pure Metal, then 
 the defired Harveft is to be expected. Hence it 
 is manifeft , that Fire can effed nothing, before it 
 is in a certain manner opened and fet at Liberty, 
 that it may operate. Therefore , to comprehend 
 much in few Words, Ifay, this is the Condition of 
 Antimony. Whatlbever is occult and abfconded 
 from the Knowledge of the Vulgar, that injoysthe 
 Name and Honour of Art , viz,, as long as it lies 
 hid i but fo fbon as it is difcovered and made ma- 
 nifeft, Art hath end, and it becomes a Mechanick 
 Work ^ as I have more than once declared in other 
 of my Books. 
 
 A Bee fucks Honey from Flowers, with fuch Art 
 as the Almighty hath infited in it, in which Honey 
 is latent a Virtue, Juice, and Corroborative Power, 
 of which a Medicine is made, as 13 obvious to the 
 Eyes of all Men. Now , from that Honey , of a 
 fweetand moft pleafant Tafte, a vi'^'ent Corrofive 
 and prefcnt Venom may be prepared •, wliich per- 
 haps no man, unlefs he who hath learned it, will 
 believe , no man certainly conlidcrs this, unlefs he' 
 be a diligent Obfcrver. Yet for this Caufe Honey 
 is not to be contemned , nor is it to be faid , that 
 although it hath a moft grateful Svvcetnels, yet it 
 is a Corrupt Medicine •, bccaufe a Corrofive n'ay 
 be made of it : but it Ihould rather be laid , that 
 Conuption prccvcds from the Phyiicians igno- 
 rance, 
 
Cl^aitfot of Sntunottp* 4$ 
 
 t^ce, 1vho knew not how ducly to prepare it. 
 Here I am willing to teach the ignorant Phyficiaii, 
 to free him fiom the lafl judgment. For Honey 
 Is prepared of the Superfluities of Brute Animals, 
 iy which the Grounds and Fields are fatned ^ in 
 thole Grounds arife Flowers, Herbs, Fruit-Trees 
 bf various kinds, from which the Beefi fiick a moft 
 Sioble Qi^inteffence : by this is made the Alteratioa 
 land Generation of one Thing into another', viz.. 
 into Aliment of another Form and Talle , which 
 in no wile agrees with the former, and that is cal- 
 led Hoiiey. Of fuch Honey is prepared a Food 
 molt grateful , plealant and fit for man , and for 
 Jnany Things moll profitable. Of the lame may 
 be prepared a Poy fori molt hurtful to Man and 
 Bealt. 
 
 Therefore, do yon Searcher of Nature, of what 
 Age, Sex, Fortune or Condition foever, follow me 
 find Nature. I will fliew you the Truth, without 
 «riy Mixture of falilty, drawn from the very Foun- 
 dation. I will make you underfland , who pro- 
 ceeds rightly, and who unadvifedly. I will teach 
 you to feparate the Good from the Evil, the High- 
 tft from the Lowelt. For of Antimony^ if its Ve- 
 tiom be firft changed into Remedy, is made a Medi- 
 cine , which eradicates, and like Fire penetrates, 
 prepares and by coding confumes all Difeales. 
 therefore Animony is fiiil to be prepared into a 
 true 5fo;;f, which is the QnintelFence thereof^ and 
 j)ecaufe, in its Operation it is altogether like unto 
 Fire, (when reduced to its Coagulation) it fhall by 
 me be ramcd the Stone of Fire. When this Stoiie 
 of Fire is rightly prepared, as in the End of this 
 ^reatile I will further ihew, its Medicinal Virtue 
 confumes all noxious Humours, purifies the Blood 
 in the highelt Degree, and performs all that may 
 . t)e effected by Aurum potabile. 
 
 Therefore^ 
 
j^^ Bafil Vakntine')E( tTttUmpl^ailt 
 
 Therefore , I pray you , my unexperienced Dor 
 ^or, who hiive neither learned my Preparation, nor 
 conceived the life, not to judge from a falfe Sufpi- 
 tion , and your own ignorant Thoughts ^ but fet 
 about the Work it felf, and learn how the Prepara- 
 tion of Antimony ovi^i to be made,howyou Ihould 
 further proceed with it,how its Venom is expelled 
 and feparated, and Salutary Medicine pofited in the 
 place of it, and exalted. When I l^y "^you {hall 
 nave performed This , then at length wiU you be 
 able to judge of the difference , and underftand 
 thofe things , which before were very far remote 
 from your Knowledge. 
 
 "" Hiye agiin the Author tvaxeth hot igiUiji falfe Plryftchns ; but do yen 
 fiid on, and a.fttr this H?at be will give you a. frcjitaole Do^ine^ wfe;Vfc you 
 ms^ foon find /» Aqua Fortis and Spirit of Wine. 
 
 O you wretched and to be pitied M:dicaflers, 
 who painted with a Fiictu, breath out I know not 
 what Thrafonitk. Brags , and pafs over Mountains 
 wanting Foundation , walking through Clouds in 
 your own Thoughts, and know not where at length 
 you fliall reft your Foot : you, I fay, I admonifh to 
 confider what you will anfwer, in the Extream Judg- 
 nicntof the Sonpf (3 D. Seek^^ and when you 
 have found , convert what you find to ufe, and fo 
 performing your Office commit the Reft to GO Dy 
 who will givefuccefs, and never leave you deftitute 
 of help. But you infamous men , more mad than 
 ^.^cr/?.?,W;.j« Fools, who will neither learn,nor foul 
 your Hands with Coals, judge not left you procure 
 Judgment to be pronounced againft you, which 
 your Childrens Children may write down to youc 
 ftiamc in an undeleble Charatter. 
 
 Every Phyfician ought above all Things to take 
 Care, that he do neither Icls nor more, th:ai pro- 
 cure 
 
C^atiot of 3lnttmon^ 4^ 
 
 cure theReftitution of Health lafl:,not iiiflitutlng 
 his Curation contrary to Nature, or deviating from 
 her dired Intention. When Spirit of Wiiic is 
 poured upon AqiM Fortis a vehement Ebullition is 
 made, and thefe two Natures will not eafily per- 
 mit themfelves to be together •, but he, that linows 
 how by Diftillation to conjoyn and unite them, ac- 
 cording to the true Intention of Philofophers, he 
 may ule them in many things for good. After 
 the fame manner , Oyl or Liquor of Tartar, and 
 Vinegar made of Rich Wine, ad each upon other ^ 
 for they hate and rly from each other, as Fire and 
 Water, although they proceeded from one and the 
 fame Matter. Therefore the Phyfician ought ia 
 a fpecial manner to be mindflil, to underftand all 
 Circumftances from the Sick very exadly, and con- 
 fider the lame being underltood that in Curing he 
 may ufe fuch Means, as are fit to remove the Difeafe, 
 left the Patient be inp.ired by the Medicine. As 
 for Example, v^henlron is dirlolved in A^nafortisy 
 if you faddainly pour Oyl of Tartar upon that So- 
 lution, you (hall difficultly prefervethe Glafs from 
 breakings for the contrary Natures, like unto 
 Gun-powder, take Fire, and break the Glafs. Of 
 all thefe Things, our Gown Dodlors know nothing 
 at all ^ therefore they have no other Defence for 
 their Ignorance, than Silence only. 
 
 You titular Do(ftors , you I fpcak to, who write 
 long Scroles of Receipts : you Apothecaries, who 
 with your Decodtions fill Pots, no lefs than Thofe 
 (in Princes Courts) in which Meat is boyled for the 
 fuftentationof fbme hundreds of men: you, I fay, 
 who hitherto have been Wind, fifFer ^Collyrinm to 
 be poured into your Eyes, and permit them to be 
 anointed with Balfom, that the mcft thick skin of 
 Blindnefs may fall from your Sight, and you behold 
 Che Tf uthj as in a moft clear Glafs, COD grant 
 V you 
 
^$ Eafil Valentine'iS TTciumpIiaitt 
 
 you Grace , that you may know his wonderful 
 Works, and the Love of your Neighbour be root- 
 ed in you, that you may fcarch out true Medicine, 
 which the Ruler of the Heavens hath, by his own 
 omnipotent hand , and his ineffable and eternal 
 Wifdom , from above infufed in , impreflcd on , 
 and communicated to his Noble Creatures, for the 
 Good of Mankind', whence man may find help in 
 hisgreateftNeceffity, and Counfel for Health in 
 his Difeafes, Why do you , niiferable Worm of 
 the Earth, and food of Worms, look fb intently 
 on the Rind or Shell , and negled the Kernel, be- 
 ing unmindful of your Creator , who formed you 
 according to his Image ^ When as you ought to 
 give thanks to him , and with diligent Study to 
 fearch out his Works, exceeding Nature her felf ? 
 Return and look into your felf, there behold ths 
 Image of your own Ingratitude , that you may be 
 afhamed of your felf, efpeclally becaufe you have 
 not fearched out thole Things , which the molt 
 wife G O b, for the Good of Mortals •, hath in- 
 fufed in his Creatures •, by knowing which , you 
 might have offered unto him the moft acceptable 
 Sacrifice of Praife and Gratitude. 
 
 But I will put an end to this Difcourie, left my 
 Tears (which I can fcarcely keep in, from continu- 
 ally falling from mine Eyes ) fhould blot this my 
 Writing , and whilft I deplore the Blindnefs of 
 the World, I blemifli this Lamentation , which I 
 would have kuown to all men. I am a man Religi- 
 ous, incorporated in a moft holy Order, in which 
 I will perfevere,as long as itfhall pleafe the Omni- 
 potent GODy to animate this miferable Body, 
 with Vital Spirit : therefore I muft not write o- 
 ther things, or otherwife, than is agreeable to this 
 State. But had I the Office of a Secular Judge , i 
 ^, ivould lift up my Voyce, and found a Trumpet in' 
 
 theiy 
 
€\)mot tt Unttmon^ 47^ 
 
 their Ears, that thofedeaf men may hear , who 
 Jiithcrto would not acknowledge the Truth, but 
 out of Ignorance, without Caufe, falfly and flande- 
 roufly perfecute, calumniate, contemn, dilparage, 
 ^nd meditate how they may totally fupprefs the 
 fame. 
 
 But thou , O Lord GOD^ who dwellefl in the 
 Higheft, who art called and truly art the COD of 
 Reft, who fitting in the Supreme Throne of Ma- 
 jefty , governeft Heaven and Earth , which thou 
 haft created , who conferveft the Stars , and or- 
 daineft the Courfe of vhe Firmament in its Moti- 
 on according to thy Command , before whom all 
 Creatures tremble, which are found in the Earth, 
 or in Heaven, and the Infernal Spirits are aftonifh- 
 ed with unexpreflable dread, be pleafed, I pray to 
 look down upon the Tranfaclions of this moft un- 
 grateful World, and teach them inwardly to know 
 thofe Things, which thou haft outwardly and vill- 
 blypropofed to the Sons of Men, that thoumayeft 
 be prayfed in thy Throne , known in thy Verity, 
 and adored in thy immenfe Majefty. As for my 
 felf, I an unworthy and miferable man, give thanks 
 unto thee, for thy great and infinite Gifts and Be- 
 nefits of Riches and Health beftowed on me , and 
 laud thy Majefty for ever for the fame. More, O 
 my Father and Lord, I neither cai:>, nor am able to 
 defire in this periihing World. 
 
 Now , that we may write of A/itimony , and be- 
 gin our Difcourfe from t:he very Foundation, 
 whence Antimony acquires its Empire , Triumph 
 and Glory, by which it is exalted to perfed Opera- 
 ^tion, we muft before all Things difcover the cer- 
 tain Original of its Root : how it is generated in 
 the Earth, to the Dominion of what Stars it is'fub- 
 
 E* dted , and what Elements have throughly dige- 
 edit, and which they bC; that have brought it to 
 c , Maturity, 
 
48 Bafil Valentinfe*j£( Ccfillttpl^ant 
 
 Maturity. Ajtimony is no other than a Fume, or 
 (as 1 may othcrwife call it) a Mineral Vapour , 
 which is genited from above by the Stars, and af- 
 terward by the Elements deduced and digclted to 
 formal Coagulation and Maturity. Here it is to 
 be noted, that Antimo-ny hath acquired its Eflence^ 
 Virtue, Power, Operation and Quality, from the 
 fame Principle, Root and Edence, whence Vulgar 
 Mercury is produced*, yet with more firm Coagu- 
 lation , fo that it is brought to an harder Eflence, 
 than the living or running Mercury of the Vulgar 
 hath. The Reafon of this is, becaufe it hath atiii- 
 med from the three Principles, a little more of the 
 Snbftance of Salt, than Conimon Mercury. For 
 although of all the three Principles , it hath the 
 leafl; part of Salt, yet it hath afllimcd more of the 
 Eflence of Salt, than common Mercury, whence un- 
 to it hath hapned fuch a Coagulation. Hardnefs 
 in every thing is from Salt, which vulgar Mercury 
 hath not. For it hath a very fmall part of Salt, 
 but in it, in a ipiritnal manner , is inlited a certain 
 more hot Spirit of Sulphur ^ therefore it alwayes 
 flows, and cannot be bronglit to Coagulation, un- 
 lefs by the help of other Metallick Spirits, which 
 endued with very great Virtues, are chiefly found 
 in the Mitrix o^ Samm^ without which it cannot 
 be fixed, unlefsby him, who polfcllcth the Stcfie of 
 Philofophersj by which its three Principles may be 
 brouglit to a concordant Equality, and then it ac- 
 quires fuch a Body, as will melt, flow, and abide the 
 Hammer, like all other Metals: otherwife Mercu- 
 ry is and will be tiaid Mercury, until its volatility be 
 this Way taken away. Hence it is known, that all 
 Animals and all Vegetables are too weak to fix Mer- 
 cury into a malleable Subftance (as many have in 
 \a"n eadeavourcd) bcraufe all thefe have notaMe- 
 tallitk Nature. Aiercmyy withiii and vvidiouty i"? 
 
 no 
 
Cljatfot of ^iitfmoit^ 4i. 
 
 no other thanmeer Fire-, therefore it is not com- 
 buflibleby any Fire, no Fire can apprehend it Ib^ 
 as to alter its EiFence , but it fuddenly flies and re- 
 Iblves it felf into an inconibuftible Oyl Spiritually ^ 
 or after its fixation it remains fo invariable, as no 
 \ Itrength or power of men is fafficient again to al; 
 ter it. And whatfoever can now be made of Gold 
 may then alfobe made of it by Art •, becaufe after 
 Coagulation it is altogether like Gold : for it with 
 Gold hath one and the fame Root, Stock, or Pro- 
 ducftion originally. 
 
 But fince I purpofe not in this place to difcourfe 
 more largely of Mercury , and intend only fimply 
 (yet truly) todefcribe the very Foundation of An- 
 r/wow^', from true and certain Principles,! will ceafe 
 to fpeak of Mercury ^'\xi<\ proceed to a further De- 
 claration of Ant'mony. . Yet , whatfoever 1 have 
 propofedby way of Similitude touching Mercury "*;; 
 for an Introdudion and further Confideration, is 
 not written in vain, or to no purpofe-, but to the 
 end, that the very Beginning of Antimony may be 
 more clearly underftood,which (asl before fliewed) 
 received its original, as it were Mercurially, with 
 It. 
 
 . * ^hhh fo mifiyably perplexeth all the Students nf this Art : what tjur 
 Mercury is , which is the Matter of the Stone, which is found every where 
 and in all Tiiings-, is here briefly and clearly mauiffled. Toirefore our Author 
 Bafilius doth not in Vain in-jlte your Attention. All the Light I am able to 
 add to this clearnefif would rather obfcure , than, illnmate thi fame : thei-.fore^ 
 with him, I ad/Konifi you to attend, 
 
 . Wherefore moft diligently think on this *,. often 
 bear in mind, obferve and underilandjthat all Mi- 
 nerals and Metals togeth-rt, in the fame Time, and 
 after the fame manner , and of one and the fame 
 principal Matter , are produced and genited. 
 That Matter is uo other , than a meer Vapour ^ 
 
 • E whicH 
 
Jo Bafil Valentine'^ CtlUmpIiant 
 
 which is extradled from the Elementary Farth by 
 the Superior Stars, ^shy a Sydereal Diftillationof 
 the Macrocorm : which Sydereal hot infulion, with 
 an Airy-Sulphureous Property defcending upon In- 
 feriors, foacfts and operates, as in thole Metals and 
 Minerals is implanted fpiritually and invifibly a 
 certain Power and Virtue, which Fume afterward 
 refolves it felf in the Earth, into a certain Water^ 
 from which Mineral Water all Metals are thcnce- 
 ' forth generated and ripened to their Perfection^ 
 and thence proceeds this or that Metal or .Mine- 
 ral, according as one of the three Principles ac- 
 quires Dominion, and they have much or little of 
 Sulphur and Salt, or an unequal Mixture of the 
 Weight of them , whence fome Metals are fixed -, 
 that is, fomeconftant and liable, fome volr.tile and 
 eafily mutable, as is feen in doldy Silver y Copper thor/y 
 Tm and Lead. Befides thefe Metals, other Mine- 
 rals alfo are generated of the three Principles, ac- 
 cording to the Communication and Participation 
 of the unequal weight of them : as are Vitriol, An- 
 timony, and many other Marchafites, or other E- 
 leiftrnms, and Minerals, which for brevity fake we 
 here omit. 
 
 But Gold, in its ^/?/7/w and Beginning w^as hn- 
 bibed v»'ith a much more pcrfeLt Sulphur , and a- 
 much more perfedt Mercury^ than all other Metals 
 and Minerals, and therefore its operative Virtue is 
 much more potent and more efncacious, than the 
 Aftriims of Other Metals : Yea, all Virtues whatfo- 
 cver are difperfed in other Metals, and m.any more 
 than them, are found in xVt A^nim of Gold only. 
 Moreover I fty, when that one thing is brought to 
 further Maturity by Fire, it contains more Perfecti- 
 on, than all Metals and Minerals together. There 
 is one only Mineral, of which 1 have often made 
 jiivJition already, in which is found a Sulphur of 
 
 5o/, 
 
 I 
 
€\)Htiot of 3Pnffmonp. 5^^ 
 
 Sol, equally as flrong and powerful, yea itiore po- 
 tent and more ftrong, than in Gold it ielf : ib a.lib> 
 there are two kinds of Mvtals found, in vv'iiich this 
 Predominancy powerfully Triumphs, of which at 
 this time I have neither will nor difpofition to 
 write-, but I am willii g to keep within die Bounds 
 I have let my fdf in treating of the Elfence of ^/?- 
 timonyy touching which I purpole now to fpeak. 
 
 Therefore Antimony is a Mineral made of the 
 Vapour of the Earth changed into Water, which 
 Spiritual Syderal Tranfoutation is the true Aflrnm. 
 o^ Antimony^ which Water, by the Stars firft, af- 
 terward by the Element of Fire, which refides in 
 the Element of Air, is extr?ded from the Elemen- 
 tary Earth, and by Coagulation formally changed 
 into a tangible Eflence, m which tangible Ellence, 
 (viz.. whence Aitimony is formally made) is found 
 very much of Sulphur predominant , of Mercury 
 iiot fo much, and of Salt the leaft of all three ; yet 
 it afliimes fo much Salt , as it thence acquires an 
 hard and imn:alleablc Mali. The prin^ ipal Qua- 
 iity of it is dry and hot, or rather burning, of Cold 
 and Humidity it hath very little in it, as there is in 
 Common Mercury •, in Corporal Gold al fo is more 
 Heat than Cold. Thefe may fuffice to be fpoken 
 of the Matter, and three Fundamental Principles of 
 Antimony , how by the Archcm in the Element of 
 Earth it is brought to perfection. 
 
 Yet the Lovers of Chymiflry fhould not tliink 
 this Philofophick Rcafon by me alleadged of ab- 
 folute neceiiity to them , nor need they be folici- 
 tons to know, in what Center the Ajvrum of Ami- 
 rnony refts, or from what Root it ilows-, but fliould 
 rather delire to learn the Utility and ufe thereof^ 
 viz., which way it ought to be prepared arid re- 
 i;iuced to its State, that they may know its Virtue,^ 
 Power, and Operation J touching which in times 
 
 E 2 paft 
 
5 a Bafil Vakntine'g; tEflUmp^jant 
 
 paft fo many Things have been written, and to this 
 Day are mentioned, and fpoken of by all men of alJ 
 States and Conditions. For die Learned, as well 
 as the Unlearned hope to have their ardent and iii- 
 fatiable Defire latisfied by This:, therefore I will 
 not detain the Reader with ambiguous Difcourfes, 
 or tedious Delays , but fimply teach every Tiling, 
 which I by great Study and Diligence (which I have 
 often imployed about Animony) could find out 
 touching the Eflence of Antimony. For no man , 
 by reaicn of the iliortneis of Life , can know or 
 fearch out all its Arcxnurn's ; becaufe in Preparation ' 
 of Antimony , one new Wonder follows another 
 perpetually, one Degree Ficceeds a former L)e- 
 gree, Colour follows Colour, and one Virtue, Pow- 
 er or Operation always manifelts it fclf greater 
 than another. 
 
 And, to begin here I fiiy, Aitimony is meer Ve- 
 nom, not of the kind of the leaft Venoms, bijt fuch, 
 as by which you may d.flroy Men and Beafts, fo ve- 
 nomous a power is diffuied through the whole 
 Subftance of this Mmeral. Hence arifeth the 
 common Exclamation of all men. For the Peo- 
 ple, unskilful Dodors, and all Thofe, to whom the 
 ground of true Medicine is unknown, do with one 
 mouth proclaim it f^^enom , renom ! Poyfon , fay 
 they Tas I my felf above confcfled) lies in Antimo- 
 ny. For this Caufe let Ui dillwade all men from its 
 nfe •, for it endangers the Health and Life. There- 
 fore Doctors refident in Princes Courts , admonilh 
 Monarchs , Princes , and other Potentates not to 
 ufc Antimony . Other Scholafticks cry out, Beware, 
 you in no wife ^dmit Antimony \Mo iMedicinal life ., 
 for it's meer Poyfon : thcfe the Inhabitants of Ci- 
 ties and Villages follow. And this far fpread Cla- 
 mour fo moves the greatefl: part of Mortals,as Aiti^ 
 wony 'mx thefeour Days is very ill fpoken of, and no 
 
 maflt 
 
Cljatfot of aintimorip* 55 
 
 man dares put confidence in the Medicine thereof, 
 which in it is found fo various and unexpreflible. 
 For truly and holily I affirm (as truly as GOD is 
 phe Creator of all things vifible , which are con- 
 tained in Heaven or Earth , which either have 
 come, or in time to come iliall come unto our know- 
 ledge) that under Heaven , or by the Rays of the 
 Sun , with the Guidance of Experience , can be 
 found or demoiiftrated no greater Medicine , than 
 is in this Mineral •, yea , there is no Snbjed , in 
 \vhich fo fluently and abundantly can be found flich 
 moft certain Remedies for Health, as fliall be de- 
 clared (by fure and undeniable Experiments) to be 
 in jhjtimofiy. 
 
 Son , attend to this my Difcourfe , and do thou 
 Reader give heed to my Writings, and do you wife 
 men of the World diligently obferve my Declara- 
 tion of Aitimony founded on Experience. For my 
 Theory arifeth from Nature, and my PraHice pro- 
 ceeds from certain Experience , which fhews its 
 manifold Utility, and infinite Ways produceth the 
 iame, not without the incredible Admiration of all 
 men. ButlalTentto you, and confefs (as I have 
 before acknowledged in my Writings) that Anti- 
 mony at firft is meer Venom, and before Preparation 
 hath nothing in or with it felf , but Poyfon •, and 
 that I affirm to be true. But you, whofoever you 
 are, infignized or not infignized with the Degree 
 of Do'dor^ Mafler, or Batcheler^ whether skilful in 
 Art, or by Ibme other Priviledge promoted ^ you, 
 1 fay, who lb inconfiderately and fb arrogantly 
 without Truth exclaim , and prate againft me, 
 paufe a while, and forget not your own Argument, 
 hear what I have here to fay. Antimony is Venom, 
 therefore every One mud beware he ufe it not. 
 No, that doth not follow Mr. Doctor^ Batchelor^ 
 .91 Mifier; it dot h not follow, I fay, Mr. Doctor, 
 E i although 
 
54 Bafil Valentiae'jJ Ctfump^aut 
 
 although you be proud of your Red Hat. Treacle 
 is made oi" the moft perillous Venom of a Vifery 
 which is called oii^ov, whence alfo it had its Name ^ 
 therefore no man muft ufe it , for there is poylbn : 
 in it. Doth this Confcquence pleafe you ? How 
 doth this my Dodrine like you ? You hear, that 
 after Preparation, no Venenofity is found in u4nti' 
 rnony ; for by the Spagyrick Art Antimony is con- 
 verted from Venom into Medicine , no otherwife 
 than as of the Venora of a Viper is faid,which is con- 
 verted into Treacle \ but without Preparation you 
 fhall find no Good in it, nor any thing of Medici- 
 nal Help, but much loisand detriment. 
 
 Now, wholbever defires to become a Difciple 
 of Anhnony , he muft, after Prayer, and an earr.elt 
 Invocation of GO Dy betake himfclf to the School 
 of P^^ilcan ; for he is the Mafter and Revcaler of all , 
 Secrets. This Mafler is contemned by the Wife 
 Men of the World, fct very light by and derided-, 
 becaufe they, by reafon of their own Negligence 
 and Malignity, have learned nothing of him-, and 
 iall Revelation, through their own Sloath, is impe- 
 ded : for no Medicine was ever prepared without 
 Vulcan , whatfoever thofe fenflefs mad men fhall 
 bableandafhrm to the Contrary. " 
 ' But 1 will proceed to theProcefsand Preparati- 
 on of Jntimony\ fori little value the Clamours of 
 arrogant and klf applauding men : let them make 
 iind bring to light any Work that can excel Ami- 
 rnony . It is well known to me, that of Antimony 
 may be made Medicines equaj to Thole, which are 
 in Gold and vulgar Mercury (I except the Aflrum 
 of Sol) for of this may be prepared Aurum potabile 
 againftthe Leprous, of this may be made Spirit of 
 Mercury, the highcil Remedy againft the French 
 POXj of this other inlin'te Remedies may be pre- 
 pared. If thofe Contemners cannot perceive and 
 
 underltancl 
 
€})mot of ^ntimon^. 55 
 
 I '^derfland this, what wonder is it ? None, becaufe 
 ' they have not learned it. No man can give a found 
 Judgment of tha^, which lie never learned. Let 
 the Afs, an y^?//'w.^/ like them in llupidity be their 
 Example, who cannot teach a Shepherd how to 
 handle his Pipe , fo as to play an Harmonious 
 Tune •, becauft he hath not learned. So , right 
 Judgement, with a folid Foundation cannct be given 
 by a man, who before hath net bent his Studies 
 that way , that from Writings he may be able to 
 difcern what, in fuch aBufinefs, is jult or unjuft. 
 After the iame manner in this Faculty, what can be 
 attributed to any of the Doctors , before he hath 
 from Writings, and by his own proper labour ac- 
 quired Knowledge ? 
 
 Yet before I pafsto theProcefs itfelf, (bme One 
 may perhaps interrupt and ask me, which way both 
 Minerals and other Things receive their Venenofi- 
 ty ? What Venom is ? Whence the Poyfon of eve- 
 ry Thing hath its Original ? How it may be taken 
 away, alfo how fuch a Mineral may without peril 
 fecurely be ufed for Health after evacuation of 
 that Venom ? To thefe Queftions I will briefly and 
 clearly anfwer. The Infufion of Venom falls un- 
 der a twofolil Confideratioij, viz. Natural and Su- 
 pernatural. 
 
 Thefir{lReafon,why GOD the fupreme Lord 
 of the Stars, and the Maker of Heaven and Earth, 
 hath propofed to us open Venom, efpecially in Mi- 
 nerals , is, that by this his Ordination he might 
 fiiew to us his Wonders and powerful Works, for 
 diftindionof Good and Evil, as in the Law he pre- 
 fcribed to us the Knowledge of That, whi^h lies 
 as aDuty on us to do, viz,. toChoofe the Good and 
 Efchevv the EviL So alfo the Tree of Life in Pa- 
 radife was propofed ^ its right ufe tended to 
 Goodjbut its abufe brought the Fall to Evil ^ for by 
 
 E 4 X\\\% 
 
5^. Bafil Valefttine^-S Ctfulttpljant 
 
 that GOD'S Command was broke, whence proceed- 
 ed Deftrudion and all Evil- Thisisthefirft Reafon. 
 
 A Second Keafon is, that by this v/e might com- 
 prehend and nnderftand the Diftindion between 
 Evil and Good, and at length learn to exterminate 
 Malice and repofit Goodnefs in its place. For 
 GOD wii'is not , that man ihould perifh and be de- 
 ftroyed, but that he fhonld depart from Evil, and 
 come to amendment of Life, that Deftrudion may 
 be driven far away from his Soul. So, to Us his ■ 
 Creatures, with wonderful Conveniency hath he 
 propofcd Good and Evil, which is found both in the 
 Precept of the Word,aud in the VVork of the Crea- 
 ture:,that we may cl loole what is profitable and good 
 for Health, and Ihun what is evil and pernitio.is. 
 
 Thirdly, Venom is alfo made by the Stars, when 
 contrary OppoHrions and Con jund ions of them 
 happen, by which the Elements are Infeded fo, as 
 they become the Caufe of Peftilences, and other 
 Venomous Difeafes in this World: which alfo is 
 |:o be underilood of Comets. 
 
 Fourthly, Venom is made from Things repug- 
 nant each to other, as when any One mkindlcs a 
 deadly Pcy. 'on in himfelf , by Anger or Sadnefs; 
 alfo when a n\';n dr inl^being above mtafure hot. 
 
 Fifthly, among Venoms may benumbred Wea- 
 pons, with which any One is (lain v then the Abufe 
 of Arms is Venom to that man. But when any One 
 ufeth Arms, for the j Lift and unblamable defence of 
 his Body, to which end they were invented, then 
 |:hey may be accounted a certain kind of Medicine. 
 
 Lalt ly, tl^e Caiife of Venom may be dcmondratcd 
 T)V N.^lure, in this manner : whatfoever Nature re- 
 fills is Venom, and that becaufe it fights againft Na- 
 ture. As when any one eats fuch Food, as his Sto- 
 m.-rch cannot bear, then that Food is Venom to him ; 
 iox it is repugnant to Nature: on the contrary, 
 
 if 
 
€l)ati;ot of anh'moit^ fy 
 
 if any One eat fuch Food, as is Friendly to his Sto- 
 inach, to him that Food is Medicine, 
 
 But Venom is principally attracted to Bodies in 
 the Earth, vvhilft they are a certain Mercurial Ef- 
 fence (now I fpeak of the Venom of Minerals ) 
 which yet is in an immature, crude, and not well 
 ■digefted Form, which is repignant to Nature, and 
 difficultly digefted •, becaufe fuch a Mercurial Ef- 
 fence is not yet perfect, well digefted to Maturity, 
 therefore it paileth through the whole Body, as a 
 crude , immature , undigeftible Mineral. As if 
 crude Corn fhould be eaten by men, that would be 
 fo difficult to be digefted by the Stomach, as a nota- 
 ble debility of the Body would follow. For the 
 natural Heat is too weak to deduce that to a due 
 Concodion and Perfedlion. Corn, which receives 
 its Maturity from the Fire of the Great World, 
 muft afterward be throughly coded by the Minor 
 Fire, that it may be digefted by the Microcofm. 
 As before we faid, touching the boyling of Flefli 
 to Maturity, fo here the fame is to beunderftood 
 of Antimony i which being yet crude, and not 
 throughly coded in the Earth to fixednefs , the 
 Stomach of Man Tas I may fo Tpeak) is too weak to 
 bear it, or retain the fame, as by certain Experience 
 is rranifefted, ^•/^,. that all Catharticks, whether Mi- 
 nerals, Animials or Vegetables, are venomous, be- 
 caufe of a certain Mercurial volatile Matter ftiil 
 predominant in them •, which volatile Spirit is the 
 Caufe why other things, which are in man, are ex- 
 pelled : not that by this Merus the Root it felf of 
 Difeafes is laid hold on, which only is eftectcdby 
 the fixednefs of every Medicine. For every Medi- 
 cine throughly fixed, fearcheth out fixed Difeafes, 
 and eradicates them-, which Purgers not fixed can- 
 not do, but they do only as it were carry a- 
 ^■ay fome Spoyl fiom Difeafes ;, or they may be 
 
 compared 
 
58 BaGI Valentine'^? Ctiump^atlt 
 
 compared to Water which driven by force through 
 a Street Penetrati.s not the Earth it lelf. Fixed 
 Remedies purge not by the Inferior Parts,becaufe 
 that is not the familiar way of Fxpelling hxed 
 Venoms , and that way they would not touch the 
 Kernel (asl may call it or Center of the Difcafe^ 
 but by expehing Sweat, and othcrways they ftrike 
 at the very inmoft Root of the iJileafe, not con- 
 tented with a certamfuperficialExpulfion of Filths. 
 Therefore we often admonifh ail and every One, 
 that all venomous Impurity is totally to be taiven 
 away from Animo-ny^ beibre it can either be, or be 
 calic d fuch a Medicine, as may fafcly be given. For 
 this Caufe, the Good mull befeparated from the 
 Evil, the Fixed from the not fixed, and the Medi- 
 cine from the Venom with accurate diligence, if 
 we hope by the life of A^itimony to obtain true 
 "Honour, and true Utility •, but Fire only can ef- 
 fed that. For Vulcan is the fole and only Mailer 
 of ail Tnefe. Whatfoever the Vulcan in the Great- 
 er Orbe leaves crude and perfects not, that in the 
 Lellcr World miilf be amended by a certain other 
 Vulca?: , ripning the Immature , and coding the 
 Crude by Heat, and feparating the Pure from the 
 Impure. That this is polTible no man doubts^ for 
 i^ayly Experience teacheth the fame, and it is very 
 Apparent in the Corporal Alpcd of Colours,which 
 proceed from the Fire. For by Separation and 
 Fire, which perfed Fixation, VenenoHty is taken 
 away, and a Change is made of the E vi 1 into Good, 
 as we have already faid. Therefore Fire is the 
 Separator of Venom from Medicine, and of Good 
 from Evil:, which is a thing, that None of the P/?)'- 
 fcUms either dares or can truly and fundamentally 
 own, or demonftrate to me, uniefs he who hath 
 firmly contraded Friendihip with r></c-««, and in- 
 ftituted the firy Bath full of Love, by which the 
 
 Spoufe, 
 
Cljarlot of Hittimon^. yr^ 
 
 Spoiife , being throughly purged from all Defile- 
 ment, may legitimately lie down with her Bride- 
 
 oom in the Marriage Bed. 
 
 Fie upon the Acutenefs of the Worldly Wit 
 of thofe, who neither underftand, nor are willing 
 to endeavour to underitand thele my Writings. 
 If you did know, what is called fixed, and what not 
 fixed, and what it fignifies to feparate the Pure from 
 the Impure, alTuredly you would purpofely forget 
 many Things , and omitting other vain Works , 
 would follow me only. For in me (Animony fpeaks 
 of himfelf) you will find A^rcury-, Sulphur and Salt, 
 tlien which Nothing is more Conducible for the 
 Health of men. ' Mercury is in the Regdm^ Sulphur 
 in the Red Colour, and Salt in the remaining black 
 Earth. He that can feparate thefe, and again unite 
 tliem in a due mamier, according to Art, foas Fix- 
 rition may bear Rule, without Venom, he may re- 
 ioyce with Honour and Truth •, becaufe he hath ob- 
 ramed the Stone of Fire ,which may be prepared of 
 Antimony for the Health of Mortals, and for Tem- 
 poral Suftentation with parcicular profit. For in 
 Antimony you may find all Colours, Black, White, 
 Red,Green,Blew,Yellow,and more other mixt Co- 
 jonrs, than can be believed, all which may be lepa- 
 i ated apart, and known particularly, and fingularly 
 applied to ufe ; according as the Artift intends,fuch 
 an Ordination is to be inftituted. 
 
 Therefore now will I diftmdly declare , how 
 xMedicine is to be prepared. Venom to be expelled. 
 Fixation to be fet about, and a true Separation to 
 be made, by which the Evil may be fubdued and de- ~ 
 prefled, and the Good triumph and be taken into 
 ufe. hi the mean while, let the Lover of Art con- 
 fider, that every of the other Metals may be com- 
 pared to every of the Pretious Stones , but this 
 only contains univerfally the Virtues of all Stones , 
 '" which 
 
% Bafil Valentine*^ tTtfump^ailt 
 
 which thofe Colours , which it gives forth and ex- 
 hibits to the Sight from it felf in the Fire, do fuffi- 
 cicntly demonltrate. Its Tranfparent Rednefs is 
 afligned to the Carbuncle, Ruby, and Coral-, its 
 Whitenefs , to the Diamond and Cry Hal •, its 
 Blew Colour, to the Saphire ; Green, to the Em- 
 rald'y Yellow, to the Jacwth\ its Black , to the 
 Gramte, which Stone contains in it felf a certaia 
 Blacknefs occultly abfconded. But as to Metals, 
 the Black is affigaed to Saturn, the Red to Iron, the 
 Yellow to Gold, the Green to Copper, the Blew 
 to Silver, the White to Mercury , and its mixture' 
 of various Colours is attributed to Jupttr. But 
 as all the Colours of all Metals and Precious Stones 
 are clearly found in Antimor'.y ; fo alfo all the pow- 
 ers and Virtues of Medicine are no lefs fliewed in 
 it, than the Colours aforcfaid : but to educe from 
 it all thefe Colours is not the Lnbour of one man. 
 For our Life is circumfcribed with Limits more 
 ftrait, than will permit one man by his Labour 
 throughly to learn whatibever Nature keeps con- 
 cealed and abfconded in her Bofom. In one cer- 
 tain way of Preparation , from Antimony by diftii- 
 lations is drawn forth an Humouc acid and fliarp, 
 like true perfcft Vinegar. Another way is prepa- 
 red a fhiningRcd Colour, fweet and favoury, ns pu- 
 rihcd Honey or Sugar. Another way, a Vv'orm- 
 wood liikeBitternefs proceeds therefrom •, other- 
 wife, a certain Acrimony, like fome Salt-Oyl : tiius 
 always one Nature follows another. Again , by 
 Sublimation it is driven to the Olympick Moun- 
 tains, like a flying Eagle, red, yellow and white. 
 Alfo foixed down by Defcent, it yields divers Co- 
 lours and Preparations : alfo by Reverberation, 
 of it is made a Metal, like common Lead. Like- 
 wife a tranfparent GIafs,'red, yellow, white, black, , 
 ajid endewed with otlier Colours : all which not- 
 
 ■yvithftandm^, 
 
chariot of atitfmottp. 6t 
 
 withflanding , are not fafe to be ufed in Medicine, 
 unlefs they be firil proved by ariother Examen. 
 Alfo it is relblved into rare and wonderful Oyls, 
 which are various and manifold, Tome of which are 
 madeperfed with Addition, others without mixti- 
 on of any other things •, fome likewife are taken 
 inwardly, others only outwardly applied to com- 
 mon Ulcers, and Wounds, Itfupplics us with 9:> 
 many fever al Extradions, varied with fo many Co- 
 lours, as it would tire a Delphian Af olio to defcribe 
 them all-, but indeed , all the Mutations of its Na- 
 ture , vvhicli are difcovered through the Gate of 
 Fire, it by its own Oracles will bell unfold. Of it 
 is made living Mercury , and Sulphur which burns 
 like common Sulphur, fo that of that Gunpowder 
 might be made. Of it is made a true and natural 
 Salt ; ?nd many other things are prepared of the 
 fame. 
 
 Therefore we begin to (peak of the Preparations 
 thereof, as of its Ejfence^ Magifiery-, Arcanum^ E- 
 lixir , and particular TinBm-e^ in which you mult 
 imploy all diligence and Care j efpecially when I 
 fhall in my Writings declare to you the Stone of 
 Fire, and its Preparation, together with other va- 
 rious Secrets and Arcanums , which indeed are 
 fcarcely at all known to the World •, and which 
 have been little regarded, fincethe Egyftians^ Jra- 
 bians and Chaldeans dyed, who profeiled thefe Arts : 
 of which notwithftanding the ufe is very great, 
 for fearching out the very Fountain of true Medi- 
 cine, and all other Works pertinent thereunto. 
 
 Now diligently mind, and with profound Me- 
 ditation confider all the following Preparations , 
 one fucceeding another, as I ihall reveal them. Foe 
 there is no One inferted, which hath not itsfmgu- 
 lar Utility, but every of them is ufeful, according 
 as ordained iii its State. A tod Medicine of An- 
 ' . ^ " ' (imonyj 
 
62 Bafil Valentine'jJ CrfUlltpljant 
 
 tmony, expels fixed Difeafes and eradicates them V; 
 but Antimony not fixed, as when it is crude and not 
 prepared , opens and purgeth the Stomach only, 
 but toucheth not the Root of the Difeafe. There- 
 fore I will fet about the Preparation of all, that ap- 
 pertains to Antimony^ and difcover all the Keys of; 
 its Preparation, which now (as by a new Nativity) \ 
 are brought to Light, and revealed by Fire, in the 
 fame ftate, to which they were ordained by G" X) 
 their Creator. This unlocking and preparing of 
 Mineral Antimony is performed by divers Methods 
 and Ways, by the difpofure and governance of the 
 Fire, with manifold labour of the Hands , whence i 
 proceeds the Operation , Virtue, Power and Co- i 
 lour of the Medicine it felf And fince Antimony 
 tothe Afpedtprefentsacrude black Colour, mixed i 
 with a little whitenefs, Iwili firll fpeak of its de- ! 
 ftrudivealteration,whichconfifts m Calcination and | 
 Incineration^ and that is thus made. 
 
 Take Hungarian or other A/.'timony , the beffc 
 you can get, grind it, if poliible, to an Impalpable 
 Powder j this Powder fpread Thin all over the 
 Bottom of a Calcining Pan , round or fquare ^ 
 which hath a Rim round about, the height of two i 
 Fingers thicknefs ; fet this Pan into a Calcining • 
 Fornace,andadrainiiterto it at firll a very moderate 
 Fire of Coals, which afterward increafc gradually : 
 when you fee a Fume beginning to arife from the 
 Antimony, ftir it contmually with an Iron Spatula, 
 without ceafmg, as long as it wall give forth from 
 it fclf any Fume. If in Calcining, the Antimony 
 melt, or concrete into Clots, then remove it from 
 the Fire,ajid when cold again reduce it to a fubtle 
 Powder, and as before calcine it , continually ftir- 
 ring as we faid , until no more Fume will afcend." 
 If need be repeat this Operation fo often and ib 
 long, as until that A/itimony put jnto the Fire, will 
 
 jieither 
 
C!)atiotof 3^timo^^ ^ 6^ 
 
 neither fume, nor concrete into Clots, but in Co- 
 lour rcfemble White and pureAflies: Then is the 
 Calcination of Anttmony rightly made. 
 
 Put this Antimony thus calcined into a Gold- 
 fmiths Crucible fet in a Fornace, and urge the Fire 
 with Bellows, or put it into a Wind-Fornace, ad- 
 miniftring fach Fire, as the Antimony may flow, like 
 clear and pure Water. Then, that you may cer- 
 tainly and infallibly prove , whether the Glafs 
 made thereof be fufficiently coded , and hath ac- 
 quired a tranfparent Colour, put a long rod of Iron 
 cold into the Crucible, andpartof the Glafs will 
 ftick to the Iron, which with an Hammer ftrike 
 off^ and hold up againft the Light, to fe.e wlitther 
 it be clear, clean and tranfparent •, if fo, it is well, 
 and perfectly mature. 
 
 Here let my Reader, unlearned and but a Begin- 
 ner in Art, know ^for I write not to men skilled in 
 this Art , who have often experienced the powers 
 of the Fire, but to Candidates, Tyro^^ * and the 
 iludious Difciples of the Sp^/^r/c/^^ Science ;, be- 
 :aufe to make Glafs of Antimony is a thing com- 
 non, and well known to many, know, I fay, that 
 every Glafs, whether made' of Metals , Minerals, 
 or any other Matter, muft be throughly codded in 
 Fire to due Maturity, that it may have a clear and 
 tranfparent Colour, and be apt for further Prepa- 
 ration to Medicinal ufe : which tranflucid and pure 
 Maturity Vidcm only effefts in his fecret and hid- 
 den Nature. Tlierefore, let every man know, con- 
 Ider and retain this. 
 
 "^ Rightly doth Bafilius py, hs rvritis to the Tyro'^ ef this Art; bccuifihi 
 ngins tvith the Glafs of Antimony, that is, from theviryRmimmsnf Chy- 
 Tiiflry, and fo accurately tcacheth to mal^ that, oi no man how i^nora/jt foever 
 •an be deceived therein : yet the Anciems haze net jeldom experienced , how 
 yftm they ha^'s med in thi Praxis, yoy fuch I havi mitten theft Conunenu- 
 
 When 
 
^4 t' ^^^^^ Valentine')8l Ctiump^atlt 
 
 ries. For me ^ let every One pUafe bimfelf in bis awn writhiis : furely /I 
 thln^I have offered fornewhat^ which Toflerity veiU always thankfully accept,! 
 For although J did for feveral years mofl diligently read Bafilius and othtr\ 
 Maflers oj the Art of Arts, and in Labouring followed them, as exactly as fofjl- 
 bly I could., yet I committed fo many Errors (the remembrance of which fills mt\ 
 Tvith Horror) lojl fo much Money, and wasfo often conftrained to amend thofe> 
 Errors with labour, as I have com^ajjinn of all Tmje, who would enter into this \ 
 •way, incited thereunto by their earnefl defne to hel^ their Neighbours : for i have j 
 no refpeSl to Others, who aim at nothing but Riches, and would mal^e fo noble \ 
 an Art fubfervient to Avarice , the worft of all Vices i let them fuHain the ' 
 dammage they deferve to fujfer. But do you, who are endued with a mote no- 
 ble Spirit, Firft feek the Kingdom of GOD, which is either conflituted or i 
 propagated by charity to your Neighbour, and all other Things, tvhich othit i 
 menfo impioufly feel^, fhall fpontaaeoufly (which is the Bounty of GOD) be' 
 added to you. Ineedto ufe no great Argument s to perfwade any man to read: 
 thofe Commentaries; for every OnCs own Buftnefs will fuficicntly admonilh* 
 himy when he IhiUfee me often with one word, and a mofl fimple Animadverfion 
 to favehimfo great Charges, which he hath too frequently befiowed in labour- 
 ing without fuccefs. I do here candidly prnfel^to thee, (ludious Reader, had the 
 Manual Operations been as fincerely jhewed to me, as I here open them , 1 Ihomli 
 havefavid a great Sum of Money ■■, for I very often erred, when I would over 
 eage-rly profecute certain ?rocei{cs of others, and by that vain endeavour, lo/l 
 fame Thoufands of Florens. Tet l feldome twice repeated any of thefe Oinrati" 
 ens, which our Author (mofl fincerely and openly, of all that I l^ow) bath in 
 this Bool^inferted. 1 fhall nothereinjiit^ae a Tyrocinium of Chym'iflry, ,is 
 other Authors, well l^nown to young Beginners, have alrezdy done; but I am 
 willing, by Admonition to help thofe, who long f nee could loofe this Subjtfl 
 fi-omits Bonis, and with mo(i fervent defire deftgi to arive to the Goal expofed 
 to their Eyes and Mind, leajl either Jlippery Blood in the nay, or Entellus norv ' 
 lying projlrate, [hould hinder them fi-om gaining the propofed Reward, which ii ' 
 Riches and Health, 
 
 When ill the Method we have taught, your v^-z-l 
 timony is converted into Glafs , take a Platter or , 
 Difn made of Copper, which is finooth and broad, 
 heat it hot at the Fire, other wife your Matter will 
 flie out ^ then pour in the tluid IMatter as thin as 
 you can, and you will have pure, yellow , tranfpa- 
 rent Glafsof ^//rm<?;;j. This is the belt way of 
 preparing Glafsof Ammony per fe, without addi-. 
 tion-, and this Glafs, above all others, is endewed 
 With the j^reateH Virtue and Power, wliich it ma- 
 
 nifelts 
 
chariot of 3Int(monp. ^5 
 
 nifefts after its further Preparation. This is by 
 me called Pn-re Glafs of Antimony* * 
 
 * Toii u now the Common, and welll^own n?ay of malting Glaft oj Anrj* 
 mony, ■which is profit Me in many Operations : but to adminifler it fo to the 
 Si\Tvitboiit DifiinHion, is dmrl^ full of danger and jferiL It indeed fnc^ 
 ^:\is happily , butthii cafud or accidental health of fome, 14 not of fo great mo' 
 r:'it, as therefore to expofethe Life of onemantoPeril. For I have feen a Sic^ 
 ->.';, who afler he hadtal^en but half an omce of the Infufion, vomited and 
 ^, 'ged above meafure^ and foon after died. Hence are thofe Tears^ hence thnfi 
 :iamours arife agxinji Chymifts, as if the impious rajknefi of fome falje Cliy- 
 mflswereto be imputed to the Arty which Pfeudochymifts care not how many 
 Houfes they fill with Funerals, prsvided one or two that are healed will blaze 
 ■heir Fame, and they can hear themfelves called Doftors, And rob the fimple of 
 heir money. 7he reafon of this great danger is , btcaufe all the Emetic^ force 
 f Antimony contatnfdin the fixed Salt thereof in which nftdes all its yene-^ 
 ufity, which weal^Natures cannot overcome, and therefore receive not fo much 
 ',ood fi-om the Salntiftrous virtue thereof, as hurt from its Venom. But thii 
 king (kould not deter found men from the ufe of Antimony , fince they fee /f, 
 "ven then when mixed with Vmnm , often to produce faint ary EffeSls* Toey 
 "hohld rather thm reafon : if that falntifiroiis Partus be fi-eed from the Noxiout 
 'acuity , what Good would it not do, or what Difeafes would it not heat ? 
 Iherefore, behold I h;r$ offer to yott (kch Gla^ of Antimony, as I my felf uCe 
 ften, and may be ufed ly every man^ without any danger of a. mortal Cata- 
 lirophe. 
 
 Tal^e pure Glafi of Antimony, made as Bafilius hire teachethy melt it in a 
 yucible, andl^eep it in flux fo long, as until a third part he confumed. Unn 
 tt it cool, and grind the fame to an Impalpable Powder, upon which pourSpi* 
 it of wine highly reclifi'ed, until it jland three fingers above the Powder ; 
 lofe the Vijfd firmly, and circulate the Matter for three Moncths ; then by 
 yi ft illation abfira^ the Spirit of irine,or if it be tinged with Rednefi, (which 
 ilways will be, if you have rightly operated) only pour it off., and l^eep it aparty 
 or it is an excellent Medicine. Tje remaining Rody put into a Crucihle, per- 
 lit it to flow, and then cafi it into what Forms you will. For it can afjume 
 vhatfoever Shai^cs you will have it, whic'omay be fet in Rings j and worn on 
 he Hand. But its Medicinal ufe is thus. 
 
 Put this Gbfi for one Wight in two ounces of Cold U'inei and in the 7yIorning 
 etthe Sic((_ dfinl(_that nine, and you will find very good fuccefs j for it purg- 
 tb ^indly,a>id if Nature incline to bring the Matter upward, it performs that 
 ■clion modtrattly , caufi'ig gentle Vomits. Only Note this : the prefcribedDrfe 
 null be diminifljed, according to the Strength, Age and Conflitutionof the Sici(^. 
 im. Reader , candidly accept of this my fir ft Admonition offered to thy felf^ 
 'nd ixpeff tQ fiii rmej if you willingly and, intently Pirufe the a^ter follow^ 
 
 f For 
 
66 Bafil Valentine'jS CtUimpbailt 
 
 For there are other GlalTes prepared of .Antimo- 
 wy, by Addition of Borax and otlier things, in this 
 manner. 
 
 Take of Crude Antimony one part, of Fenetian 
 Borax two parts-, putthefe together into a Cruci- 
 ble , which fetting the Velltl in a Wind-Fornace, 
 or urging the Fire with Bellows , caufe to flow, 
 that they may be well and perfectly mixed toge- 
 ther, afterward pour out the Mixture into a Pan, 
 or Dilh of Copper made hot, as thin as is poHlble, 
 as before v/as laid in the Superior Preparation, and 
 you will find your Antimony fair and tranfparcntly 
 clear, * like a /^yro/j/f^ or Ruby , provided you ob- 
 fcrve the due and accurate Method, Operating as 
 you ought, in Governing the Fire. 
 
 * Ttjf Caution.^ te vphicbonr Author h.n afcribes theSuccffsy is that you 
 ufe a. mft fii'ong Fire, fucb as is required for melting of Gold : for without 
 this you cunnot acquire the Ke^nijsofa Pyropus. 
 
 The Rednefs may be abftraded from this Red 
 Glals, with Spirit of Wine "^ , and by long conti- 
 nued Circulation in Fire, be perfected, and rendred 
 araoit excellent, profitable and efficacious Medi- 
 cine. 
 
 ''' t\ot -with commn Spirit of i-'ine, bne with Phi lofophic^ Spirit, tvhick 
 fiYf Cft'iilti'Jg (hit T/ncfur?, I th:t.s prepare. 
 
 Tali! of SA-kxmomzck thrice fihlimcd'^uu. Spirit of nine-, dijlilled //9- 
 onSaltoj Tartar fCi asit may be i>^p<fly dephlt'gfjj.ted : put them togethir lit 
 aPhial^yt'bich plac: ih heat of Dii^i ft on t})e Spirit may fuUy imbibe the Sulphur 
 or Fire oj f'-eSal-Armoniack ;, then'ripl tks mixtine oy Alunhicl^thrice^ and. 
 y34 la-i'.ibave a true Menftruum, ivlererviih to Extfafl that Kedncfs from the 
 Ciafsoj Antimony. 
 
 A'.fo th- Tincture of this Glafsif ertraHed-ivitb its proper vinegar, and by i 
 furtUr Ope/iitio/iis ^irfi^ed, and becomes a mo fi excellent Medisment, 
 
 But a trac {parent white Glafs of Jntimony, af- 
 ter comn'J.\aon u ereoi, is prepaicU in this man- 
 ner. Take 
 
Cfjarbf: of ^ntimon^ (5; 
 
 Take Animony beat or ground finall one part ^ 
 Venetian Borax very pure four parts : put thefe, 
 well mixed together, into a Crucible, and caufe the 
 Mixture to flow well. At firil indeed it wiil be yel- 
 low, but if it iland longer in Fire, the yeilownefs. 
 vaniflieth, the Mutter receives a white Colour, and 
 thenceforth becomes a fair and white Glafs. 
 •Whether this Colour be brought to perfect Matu- 
 rity, you may prove witii a cold iron, as above is 
 faid. Many otiiei vvays,of Annmonv m.ay be form- 
 ed Glafles *confifcing almoftof Infinite Forms. 
 
 ^ Let him who d?frres to prepare mon GUffes of Antimony , confult Be- 
 guinus, Hartman, Crollius, and other Authors ■, we here acq^uiefce inthefe pro- 
 fofid by Bafilius. 
 
 But fmce my purpole here was not to defcribe 
 other dalles, then i my felf had experienced, and 
 which manifelt happy iuccefs in Healing, i jadged 
 it unnecefTary to walle Paper in delcribing them, 
 or by a tedious difcourfe to weary the Reader ; 
 elJDecially fmce, unco you is already in part propo- 
 fed the principal Colour fvlz,.thQ Red) v/hich is 
 foimd in Glafs made of Ammony. The black Co- 
 lour, which Antimony had before Preparation , is 
 now in a Spiritual m?.nner flown up the Chimney •, 
 becaufein fuch a Spiritual .aanner, very much of 
 the Venomous Subltancehad Icfcit before, through 
 the Expulfive force of the Fire, as by Cakination. 
 Yet becaufe in this Preparation all the whole Ve- 
 nom is not taken away from the Glafs of Antimony^ 
 but it {till retains very much thereof-, I am. willjug 
 (now 1 have beeun) f.::ther to reveal to you,which 
 way the Venom may wholly be removed from this 
 Glafs , and another Separation o'l the Pure from 
 the Impure, of the Venom from the Medicine, be 
 inftituted ^ by which the Tongue of the Oraxor 
 will be loofed; and occallon given to him of largely 
 
 F 2 exprel- 
 
^8 Bafil Valentine'jJ Cttumpljant 
 
 exprefling my Praifes , and publifliing the fame, 35 
 with a great Sound, through all Parts of this Infe- 
 riour Orb: which will be a neceflary Confcquence 
 of the Gratitude of my Difciples, when theyfliall 
 fee with their Eyes, touch with their Hands , and 
 with their Underftanding comprehend , that I to 
 their great profit, have declared to them the very 
 Truth, withour Deceit, and made them the Heirs 
 of a memorable Teftament. 
 
 Therefore the firll Separation of the Sulphure 
 from its Body, and the Extraction of the Tindlure 
 from its Salt, is performed in this manner. Take 
 pure Glafs of Antimony^ as I taught you to make it, 
 without the adjundion of any other Thing, Grind 
 it to fubtle Powder * impalpable as Flower ^ 
 
 ^ nhut I hire fhaH advife is (hort , but vny profitable , tvithoiit tvhlch 
 tfhat the Author appoints cannot be done, nor by beating or grinding in a Mor- 
 tar can you ever bring the Body to a requifite finemfs, much lefs upon a "Porphyry 
 Stone can you grind the fame. %erefore firfi beat it in a Mortar, aftoTvard, 
 mix it with diftil/ed Vinegar, that it may have the Confiflency of a foft Pap- 
 lif^e matter, and fo grind it upon a Porphyry Stone, as Painters grind their CO' 
 Ims, and undoubtedly you will obtain yonr defire. 
 
 Which Powder put into a Glafs with a Plain flat 
 bottom, called a Cucurbit, and there pour upon it 
 ftrong Vinegar well rectified : then fet the Vcllel in 
 a Digellivc Fire, or if it be Summer, expofe it to 
 the Sun, ftirring it twice or thrice'*' a Day, and fo 
 long digeft it in that temperate heat , as until the 
 Vinegar contrart a Yellow Colour inclining to Red- 
 nefs,^like the Colour of molt clean and well puri- 
 fied Gold 
 
 * 7l)0!i art happy, if thou canfl be reife by my Vmmage, Lover of Art.. 
 I e-aUly followed this (hort Adnciition, (lining the Cucurbit ttvict or thrice 
 a Diy, but the Mdtterwas alw.ys coagulated lil^ a Stone, and finely fo firmly 
 to the bottom , ai it could by nopm bi rmovtdthjr,i: but afttrwardj being 
 
 t^"^ Then 
 
©larjotof 35ntimonf. ^9 
 
 worervn)y^ fi-om the viryfirft J begun to jiirthe Mattir mth 1 moden Spatula 
 five or fix times a Day^ or oftner i you may imitate thefame^ if you be wifiiy 
 not only here^ but alfo in the Superior Triparation of Antimony > and in vjtr;f 
 ExtraClion oj Tinware fi-om Antimony. 
 
 Then pour off this clear and pure Extradion , 
 and pour on frelh Vinegar, and repeat the Opera- 
 tion, as long as the Vinegar is tinged, and until no 
 more Tindture can be extraded. Filter all theie 
 Extractions mix'd together , and put them into a 
 Glafs Body, with its Head annexed, and by B.M. 
 diftil off the Vinegar-, until in the Bottom remain 
 a Yellow Powder, inclining to Rednefs. Upon this 
 Powder pour diftilled Rain-water often times, and 
 as often diftil it off again, ftill pouring on frefh 
 diftilled Rain-water. Repeat this labour To long, 
 as until the Powder remain Sweet and "^ grateful. 
 
 * Our moft fincire Author here deceives you noty but Conceals d mtain tfti^ 
 nud Operation, which if you attend to me clearly difcovering the jame , the 
 mrl^ it felf -will never fail to Anfwer your defire. If you have muth Tm^urs^ 
 you mufi have a great Cucurbit •■, if Little, a lefs tvill ferve. For if you ta^e 
 a greatir Ve(fel,than ynnr Tin£Iure requires-, the Vinegar mu(i neceffarily have 
 a greatir Fire to canfe it to afcend, by reafon of the height it mufi nnavoidably 
 rife, or it cannot be diflilled j and infujiaining fo forcible a Fire, there ii 
 great danger of Corrupting the Tincture it felf Here alfo is required another 
 Caution •-, viz. thi(, after two thirds are diflilled ojf , you mufi change your 
 ViffH, and put theremaining Matter into a lets Glafs Body, and thence difiill off 
 the Vinegar , until the Kemancncy acquire the jujl thic^efs of a Poult is. Alfb 
 tal^ heed, as Eafilius feems to intimate, that you diflil not off the Vimgdr 
 unto drymfs, le(i the Tinkure by Aduftion be wholly corrupted. 
 
 Notwithjiandiig allTnis my own "Precaution now given, 1 could not choofe^ 
 hut labour a whole year to little purpofe, often repeating this Tincture with a. 
 vjin endeavour , whence I rt'as almoft as ojten weary of Chymiflry through 
 defptration ; for my Tinclure was of fio efficacy in Medicine ; becauje a meer 
 Caput-mortuum ow/y, anfavoury and of no value. Hence confider,how little 
 anyProcefs profits, whether fet down in miting, or received fiom a Friend hy 
 word of mo:;th, unleCs you fet to your hand, and pra^ically learn every par" 
 ticiibr of the M'orl^ fit to be objirved in operating. Alfo fee-, how liberally 1 
 deal with you, in revealing that, the ignorance of which hath put me to great 
 trt^nbU a^d charge. Tr)S manudOpefitiony which is repifitejor edulcorating 
 
 \ F X This 
 
JO Bafil Valentine'^ CtiUlltp^ant 
 
 thk Pap'UI^ MattiY Yimamng in th? bottom^ is this. Upon this Matter pour 
 dipilkd Wutn\ and gmtly abjlrafl the fame by Balneo. nhen you have re- 
 felted this a third time^ you wiUfind the water to come off Iweet j which time 
 m.ift be obfirved with viry great diligenci. For ij you be deceived in that, 
 your '-J'orl^is at an end^ all your labour lofi , and you hall get nothing , but a. 
 Caput Mortuum. For as foon as twenty, or at mofl thirty drops of fweet 
 ■water come forth , an Acidity appears again and dijiils forth^ which the nn- 
 wary judging to be an Acidity of the Vineg.tr jormirly added, proceed in di- 
 (lilling , ex'^etling the water to come Jorth \wiet •, but this being the Acidity 
 of Antimony, which (the Vinegar being extracted) inmediatly follows the 
 Sweet Water ithat per/idling to diftil deflroys the whole Virtue of the Antimo- 
 ny, and leaves nothing remaining hut an unfavoury Caput-morruum. Tljere- 
 fnre be thou more wary-, and as foon as this Sweet water comes forth, ceafe to di- 
 fiil, and tal^^e out the Vap-lil^e Matter rejiding in the Bottom, and putting that 
 into another Gbfs, permit ittodry at the Solar-Heat j or elfe cjaporate all its 
 moyfture with mofl gentle Fire, that it may remain a dry Powder : and whe/t 
 yon have avoyded this danger^ then go on. 
 
 ' This Powder grind upon a Mnrble or Glafs, iirft 
 made hot •, then put it in a Glals Body, and pour 
 upon it of the bcft refilled Spirit of Wrr/e, ib much 
 as will Hand above it three Fingers thicknefs : then 
 fctit inaDigefliveheat, as above, for extracting 
 the Tinclare of Aitinwny^ which will be high colour- 
 ed and plcaiantly red to amazement^ and it will 
 depofit a certain Earth , or fcculency in the bot- 
 tom. 
 
 This £Arfr^£?/(?;-? is fweet, gratefiil, and fo very 
 efficacious in Medicine y as no man, that hath not ex- 
 perienced the lame , will give credit thereunto. 
 T\\t Feces in the bottom retain the Venenoiity, but 
 the ExtralIio?i Medicine only , which Experience 
 hath taught to be a profitable Retr.cdy for men and . 
 Beafts. For if three or four Granes of this Me- 
 dicine be taken, it expels the Lcprofie and Gall-ck 
 Lacs f puril^es the Blood, drives away A<fda//cholyy 
 and refiUs all Venom : and whofoever labour'^ with 
 'Skcrtncfs of Bre.-tli., Difficulty of Breathing , or 
 Prickings of th'-- Sides , he may be cured by the 
 life of this Medicine; ^' which effecfts many other 
 
 wonderful 
 
€\)titiot of IHntimottp. jt 
 
 wonderful Things, if rightly adminiftred , and in 
 due time. 
 
 '^ Tljefe Medlcammts, -which ptrform their Ofm-atlons , not by finable force, 
 its Catharticks, Emeticks, Diaphoreticks, and the lil^ are tvont to opirate^ 
 but infenfihly uniting thdr own more pure Unlvirfal Spirit unto our Spirits, a- 
 tnmd Nature and rejiore it to health, are not to be i-.fid, unlefs Tvkre the Body 
 hath firfi hem cleanfed from the impurities af peccant Humours , othmvife yon 
 cajl thefe Pearls into a Dnnghil, where (overwhelmei with Filths) they cannot: 
 fhine and nianififl their Virtnes. Tor althvigh, by reafon of their manifold 
 Virtues, they may be called Univerfals, yet they are to be numbred with To- 
 picks, before which Generals are to be nfed^ according to the Opinion of Ga- 
 len, and allPhyfilians. 
 
 The Tmdiurehcrefpol^n.of performs allthofeCiires^ which Bafilius mentions, 
 if the ufe of it be continued for fame time. For where that Saying is of 
 jorce. Medicines ufcd help , continued heal, it muji certainly be applied to 
 thofe elpecially, which infenfibly operate. 
 
 That Yellow Powder, of v/hich mention is made 
 above before it is extracted with Spirit of Wine, 
 may be ground upon a hot Stone, and then put into 
 Eggs ^ boyled hard, in place of the Yolk, which is 
 to be taken out : fet thefe Eggs in a moift Place, or 
 Cellar, and the Powder will refolve into a yellow 
 Liquor. 
 
 * Itdeed fi)ft Eggs, according to the Saying; are always tvdrlly andfoftly 
 to be handled ; but in thefe hard Eggs alfo, I have fomewhat to advife you of; 
 fnrif after ymhave tal^n out the I'oll^, you be not mindful to breal^ that 
 Pdlicle , which divides it fiom the white,you will wonder to fee how your 
 Ealfom will intrude It felf within the ahlte, and deprive you of a great part 
 thereof. 
 
 This admirable Z.%;.w- heals all green Wounds , if 
 foon after a Wound is made, it be put therein with 
 a foft Feather, and the Wound well covered with 
 aStyptick, or other Pre fervative Playfter. All 
 frefli Wounds inflidted either by Prick or Cut , are 
 healed by this Liquor , without Putrefadion , In^- 
 fiammation, or any liiperliuity of Filth, fo perfed- 
 ly, as unto Him, who created Heaven and Earth, 
 
 F 4. and 
 
73 Bafil Valentine'}]( Ctiump^ftnt 
 
 and in them infited fuch a Medicine, due Thanks ' 
 and Prayfe defervedly ought to be given. In all 
 old, malignant and corroiive Wounds, ufe this Ex- 
 traEiion Or B.tlfom of Antimony , and it will never 
 fail Thee in thy neceflity. And thou thy fclf, af- 
 ter me wilt write an Encomium of its Prayfes and 
 publiQi the Virtues thereof, by which externally 
 applied miferable Mortals may be made happy : 
 for the Wolf and "^ Cancer yeild to if, Rotten- 
 nefs in the Bcn:s, malignant Ulcers corroded and 
 perforate with Worms fly from it, and it rcftores 
 to prilline Health, and provides Entertainment for 
 that with it felf, when its fixcdnefs ihall be duly 
 ufcd inwardly, and other Convenient Means duly 
 applied outwardly. 
 
 * if Cliirurgions 'rosuld h?re givi mdh to our Author^ tvith how great 
 Cit'-e vpould thty prepare this Ballbm for thvnf.lves , and with how great 
 Fruit, andknv frequently might they ii'e the fame? For I innrpofing mj Judg- 
 ment mufi fjy^th.7t Bafilius here comes far (hort, in exprefjkg its da? Trayfes ; 
 for it performs more, than he declares of it. One (hort Hiflory, drawn fi-om 
 the Centuries of njy Medicinal Ohfervatious, will confirm the truth of what I 
 J have faid. A certain H'unan , about forty I'cars of Age , for feven 
 years together fuffered great dolours in her left Breaji, which were accompani- 
 ed r?ith 1 Timor and Hardnefs. T>?ofe Chirurgeons and Pliyficians, whom 
 Jhe adzifed with , did all with one Conftnt jtidgc her Vifeafe to be a Cancer \ 
 and (he was alfo fudged tolahtmr with a Cancer, by the C^nfure of that famo-.u 
 Tya5litiov.r, who at Ox'coiws ( a Village about the JJul^s-fTood) v-:ry laudably 
 and happily pra^ifed Chirurgy, and drew to himfelf a vaji nnmbn- of People : 
 fir after he had , for three Moufth togethir , in vain endeai'oured to heal this 
 Difeife , be feverely pronounced her Brcaft was to be cut ojf, or the Vifeafe 
 could not be extirpated. Tiu Woman, refolving rathtr to juffer all Dolours of 
 the Difafe , then to fulain \'o cruel and inhnrnane a K.:meiy, came to me. 7, 
 beholding her Breafi, found it wholly inJIi'Hed, and twice as bigg ,rs the other^ 
 and an abundance of thin Humors flawing to the Hound. 1 phrpofed to try all 
 I r.ould do, rather thin fttffa this mifir.iidemm.ut to peri. h; and thin^'ng of 
 this Balfon nfglved to try, whether T at, which in other Difealcs hud jir! filled 
 the promifes of its Author , wo:ildfiil me here. Toerejore, to the Difeafed 
 H'Oinan waiting my Anfwn', I fa id; in eight days ti:/-! I would refolve her^ 
 ffhithfr thin Wfts any kipes of Can or no , without Cn'.ting of) and there- 
 
 Ajro 
 
C^atiot of Kintimon^ 73 
 
 Mpdn gsvt htr this Rmtdy to ansint her Breafl thtrtwith : and "which is very 
 ftrang! , in the Space of twa 'Days the Matter came to Kipenefs , and a ju^ 
 Confiflency. ihrefore , I then filled with good hope , adjoyncd inrcard and 
 outward Remedies , which feemed convenient for the purpofe , and in ttvo 
 Moneths Space the nomans Bfeajl was perfectly healed, upon this 7, not with- 
 out a picHliar Joy^ hlejfed and prayfed the Lord) that had conferred fo great vir^ 
 tue on this Balfom. 
 
 Alfo Glafs of Antimony is by me two ways re- 
 <iuced to an Oyl , in diftillation (as they call it) by \ 
 
 •Alembeck. 
 
 Take Glafs o[ Jntimony ; as it is made of the 
 Minera of Antimony ^ fubtily pulverized, and ex- 
 : trad its Tindure with diftilled Vinegar •, after- 
 , ward abftrad the Vinegar thence , and edulcorate 
 the remaining Powder. Then pour on Spirit of 
 Wine, with which extrad the Tinfture, and circu- 
 late it in a Pelican well clofed, for an intire Moncth. 
 Afterward , diftil it fer fe, without any Addition, 
 with a certain lingular * Dexterity •, and you will 
 thence receive a wonderful grateful and fweet Me- 
 dicine, in the form of a Red Oyl, of which after^ 
 ward may be formed the Stone of Fire. 
 
 * T^us is the mrl^, this the Labour, very few true Sons of Art (wham A- 
 pollo loves) could extraB this linClure by Almbec^ There is need (as Ba- 
 llliiis faith) of a cereain peculiar manual Operation. Tins Tin6lur el fought 
 puny years , and at length fG O D favouring rr.e) found the fame, wilt 
 thou have me difcover it to Tine by an .^Enigma ? I fee thou dcfirefl I (hould, 
 tbtrefore tai^e this Myfiery., thus. Alcmus, painting a Dolphin wreathed a- 
 Ifoii* an Anclior, writ thcfe 'A'ords : Make not too much haft. Ufletm of this 
 Ad'nonition, not only in all your Life, bnt alfo in this v:ry matter ., as very yro- 
 finable t) yoH : for the hafty Eirc!i (as the faying is) brings forth blind 
 Whelps. Tvtiefore I agai'i and again admonil} you, to caufe uings to be pre- 
 pared j^r your Mattrr, by Juno, Bacchus and Vulcatr, but, as you love your 
 Life,pirmit it not fuddedy to fl^e^rather del'veritto Mercury to be inflruSfed 
 by him grjduiL'y to accufioin it felf to flyiig j yea, hini it with a Cord, left 
 (as a lirdgot out of a Cage, aid p-ji your Reach) it through Ignorance ap- 
 proach too near the S -it, and with Icarus, having its Feathos burnt, fall head-* 
 long into the Sea. Bit after you have detained it for its due time, loofe its 
 ^Ofids, thai it mayj?,, and comi_ to tUfe fortmateWaxidij unto which all Sons 
 
 This 
 
74 Bafil Valentine'^ tCtfumpljant 
 
 '§f Art dihCl thiir sight ^ and rpbireunto all Adeptlfis aim to xrrivey as unta 
 then dtfmd and lon^ fought Harbour. Hin^ Lover nf Art, you fhould not 
 he rpnded. or angry with me, as if I deluded yen (de/irous of the l^noroledge of 
 this Sicnt) by a Tantalick Apple fhown. Jihat (hoiild 1 do? 1 in this Cafe 
 give you advice, fiould yo:>. hxve :me caft Pearls before Swine? and unto all men 
 expofe the AJyfterv , which the Ant lent t(iH jO ho lily, and might not reveal it, 
 unleflto the worthy Sons of Art only? Tloouthy felfwouldeli bewail nothing 
 jnore^ and wouldijl even execrate me, for doing fo. They, who underjiand me^ 
 undcrftand Art : and unto fuch as are Chymifts, have I opened the way, which 
 ij they diligently travel in,they may arrive, where they dejire to be. No mun 
 did ever fo clearly reveal this to me ; but by reading the Writings of Authors, 
 firenuoufly labouring , and tiiifting in GOD without fainting or desperation 
 (which is a mo ft efficatious l^nd of Prayer) I at length attained to what I have. 
 Do thou fludy , and be diLgent, that thou mayefi comprehend : for he , who, 
 ](Kows how to render Tinclures volatile, is air tady admitted into the very Ve* 
 mtrale and Conclave oj the chymical Art j hecaufe of aH other Myjieries the 
 Method is the fame. Vernfe the Fables , fearch into the Riddles, and confider 
 the P.trables el all wife mtit •■, they all tend hither, and all fay the fame. Corn- 
 fare the Parables oj others, with thism.y ./Enigma , and this with them, that 
 you may underfiand how much Light I have added in ally and how Eafit I have 
 made the ffay to tbofe fereae Temples of ff'ifdem. 
 
 This Oyl is the Qumtefcence^ aiid the hlghefl, 
 that can be written ot Antimony ; as you may find 
 in my former Writings, wherein I have made a Ihort 
 Declaration of ^^^mwo;;^, and in which 1 Ihewed 
 aifo, that there arc four Inflrumcnts required for 
 its Preparation, and the fifth is that, in which rnl- 
 can hath fixed his Refidence. Underftand thus : 
 four Preparations mnfl be made before itcanbepcr- 
 fesfled-, and the fifth is the Utility, and effect of 
 the Work in the Body of man. The firfc Labour 
 is Cdcinatlan and Liquefaction into Glafs. The fe- 
 condis X)/>f/n(?;7, by which Extraclionis performed. 
 The third is Coagulation. The fourth is Difiillati-. 
 en into Oyl, and after that Separation follows Fix- 
 ation, by the v\x\\'X\dX.\t Coagulation , through which 
 the Matter is deduced to a perlucid Fiery Stone .-. 
 which thnt it may operate upon Metals, muftbe 
 fermented, for acquiring its penetrative Property ; 
 
 buc 
 
€l)mot of Intimon^ 75 
 
 but not fo much , as that Ancient Stone of Philo- 
 fophers, becaufeit isnotUniverfal, but only tin- 
 geth particularly. Touching which , about the 
 End of this Book , more (hall be fpoken when we 
 treat of the Stone of Fire. 
 .• This diftilled OyPof which we have now fpo- 
 ken,effedsall things,thatare neceflarytobeknown 
 by a Phyficiariy and which he hath need of, in his 
 Cures. 
 
 * Had I not J^notvn Bafilius, 7 fhould have thought him , in this place t<^ 
 have dealt lil^e a hzceher^ or Vagabond Medicafler with yon : but the Matter 
 it fctf unto m-i fo often fpea^s for him , as I religiouflv fcruple even in the 
 ieafi to doubt his Promfes. For rphatfoever I have experienced (but there are. 
 wry fstv Proceffes contained in this Bool^, -which 1 have not tryed : for Hit 
 from the very fir ji , tv.ts my Teacher , Friend and Patron) / have found fo 
 very efficacious beyond the Author'^ Promifes, that it feems to me , he hath been 
 fparing in declaring the virtues of his Medicaments, kajl in prayfing them^ 
 he fhould be thought too much to commend himjelf. Yet ifhall not here in 
 hisfteady undertake to comment much on their laudable Virtues. Lethimtvha 
 believes not, ma\e tryal, that he may l(now. vvhofoever fhall by his own incre- 
 dulity be deterred from experiencing the Truth hereof, he will fuffer punijhmtnt 
 enough for his Offence, by the ivant of the fi-uit of the fame. For this Oyl, if 
 rightly ufed in its time, is a Medicine truly Univerfal. Conftder, I pray, what 
 I fay, if rightly ufed in its time, that is , the Body being fir ft purged from grofi 
 and crnde Humours, and general Medicines ufed (as you may remember I did 
 before admoni'h') this Oyl is an Univerfal Medicine , for healing all Difeafes Cu- 
 rable. For Chymifts<?r^ notfo mad, or conceited, by reafon of the Goodmfiani 
 Virtue of their Medicaments , as not to jadge fome Difeafes to be mfanable. 
 Mhocanaefloreanyofthe Principal Members abfumed by putridnejl.^ yet I 
 Tvoidd not have all Difeafes judged unfanable, by thefe ourchymical Remedies., 
 which are every where vulgarly condemned as fuch. As for Example , how ef- 
 ten have I r'flored the CryftjI'ine Humour taJ^en away ; which who judgetb 
 not impofftble to be reduced ? But, of thefe and the lil^e, another place will be more 
 fit to write. Only of t His Medicament I fay, that it heals Feavers of every 
 kind:, yu, even the C^artan it plf (that ancient Reproach o/Phyficiansj 
 and in chronical Di 'empe-rs minifefis wonderful Effects: Htre among maiy of 
 my Obfervaiims I will give yon one only Experimmt. In. the rear i65^. A 
 young Maid , aged twenty one Tears , fwoUen to an enormns Grofinefi with the 
 ^opfie, cane to me for help. Itoo'^this only for her Medicine. For I gave 
 her tj other thing , then this very Medicament twice a Day , to which I dayly 
 Addd a Clifi(r : and iri tjvmtj dayes fh{ bad. fmatfo muchy as her Body was 
 
 The 
 
7 ^ Bafil VaIcntinc*<Ej CtiUlltpl^ttt 
 
 [e^md hslf anlE.U. within that !paeeof twmy TJ^y^, en 7 faid^jhi dfa imded I 
 oj urine f^rovil^d by the. fame Medicament) not alittUy but her SweatSvas I 
 Tvr.ndiYJuL . \ 
 
 Note : my Frien4,jwii tovero/Art, thdc this Oylywhnher you prepa^'eit i 
 yotrfelf^ or receive it from dnother prepared by him, doth not imitate other Via- : 
 ph(frstic^s in. operating , which being ufed , tviU in their firji T)ofe provnl^ '■■ 
 Sweats. For if this be given to a Patient tvhofe Body is objlru^'d with Hu- 
 mors , thefirfi Dofe aHs nothing , but gently opens the Vaffaqes, that Sweat^s 
 Koybep-ocuredy the next day it caufeth a gentle and l^indly breathing oj Sweats 
 cmy \ the third Day it Sweats moderately j but the fourth Day , and thence jor- 
 ipoi'd'tit caufeth fuch an abundance of Sweatyos the Waters proceeding then:} run 
 through the Bed upon the Floor. Here is need of a true Fhyfician ; Hercules. 
 Ctub wiU profit little^ if not in, che Hand 0/ Hercules himfelf. ' . ' 
 
 The Dofe of it before Coagulation is <;ighf 
 Grains taken in Wine. It makes a man very young 
 again, delivers him from all Melancholy, and what- 
 foever in the Body of man grows and increafeth, 
 as the Hairs and Nayls, falls off, and the whole maa 
 is renewed as a P/)iKw»'A' (if fuch a feigned Bird ,which 
 is only here for Example fake named by me,canany 
 where be found upon the Earth ) is renewed by 
 Fire. And this Medicine can no more be burned 
 by the Fire , than the Feathers of that unknown 
 Salamander : for it confumes all Symptoms in the 
 Body , like confuming Fire, to which it is defervedly 
 likened^ it drives away every Evil, and expels all 
 That , which jiurum^Totahile is capable to expel. 
 The * Afir'Am of Sol only excels every Medicine of 
 ^ the World when rightly prepared to perfeft Flxa- , 
 
 tion: for the Aftrum of 5o/, and the Afirum of 
 Mercury arife almoft from the very fame Blood of 
 their Mother , and from one Original of vivifick 
 Sanity. 
 
 * Ut nri man here prodigaU^ or rafhty Vfafthis ownColdy now he hears of 
 th ! k{':-Tumn f SoU nor exPofe himflf to fo great Hazard, as to enter a peril- 
 lons Combat with vulgar Mcrcur}-. In the Chymical mrld another Sol [hines^ 
 cud ancth:rMcrcuTy attindsonJii^'iTcr. Vt the Chymical Sol, w Mercury 
 kre, is not Gold^ but more excellint than all Gold j yea^ more potent than every 
 
 Now 
 
, chariot of aintimonp* 77 
 
 M^feuryj although fabulousy and feigned to be ca^Mt to refiore the Dead t0 
 lift: it is the Gold , and Argent-vive of Philofophers , which Bafiliui hert 
 hints at. But Tve have neatedy and muji treat of Antimony only. 
 
 Now, no man hath caufe to fear, that this Oyl 
 of Antimony Sxtrafted firft with diftilled Vinegar, 
 and afterward with moft pure and lubtle Spirit of 
 Wine, and then further exalted (as highly aspoffi- 
 bie) by Vulcan , will in any wife purge , or excite 
 frdquent Stools , or make any Alterations : for it 
 ^ffedts nothing of all this , but by Sweat , Urine, 
 and Spittle, expels the very Root of the Difeafe to 
 Amazement , and reftores whatfoever is corrupted 
 bj any Symptom. 
 
 But Common Glafs of Antimony , being ground 
 to Powder, put into a little Wme (wz. fix Grains 
 or more of the Glafs, according to the ftrength of 
 Nature)and that mixture fet in heat for one Night, 
 and in the Morning the Wine * poured off clear 
 from the remaining Powder , and fo drunk by the 
 Patient , purgeth downward exciting feveral 
 Stools, and oftentimes alfo provokes Vomiting, by 
 reafon of the Mercurial immature Property ,which 
 is yet inherent in the Glafs, as every intelligent 
 Phyfician will eafily judge , and indeed he ought 
 further to Examine how this Glafs, when he would 
 purge with it , ought to be proved , and admini- 
 Itred in a due Dofe. 
 
 ''■ This is a Co^>mn Vomitory, or Emetick Wine, rvell J^ovan^ rvhich all 
 rendering Empiricks now ufe in all Places , fome times tvith a prober oi'^Sf 
 fometimes the CMtroij., always ambiguous Succefi ■■, which proceeds partly from 
 the Phypcian, and partly from the Medicine. This is a Thing to be bewayled ', 
 for ashisiorie's relate, thatGeorge Ccifinot I\ing of the Epirots,Tffcen the Em' 
 perour of the Turl^s had often as\ed him, how his Sword , which he had fent, 
 when Peace was made, according to his agreement with the Tur^, could perpe- 
 trate fuch wonders as he fpal^e of, faying he faw not any thing fingula:i in it^ 
 made thisAnfwer: I did indeed fend the Sword of Scanderbeg but not Scan- 
 derbeg'i^r/;;, with wriishtbAt Swcji Wdi mana^idj fo as to ■ perform fo grta^ 
 
 Many 
 
jB Bafil Valentine'jEj tTrUltttpIjant 
 
 Miracles': fo , veiy many Chymkal Medicines, are either dead, or (which // 
 fnore to be defbred) oftentimes the Caufes of Death , when not managed by the 
 hand of a sl^ilful DoUor. nhich unhx^^y Succefs of this Medicine is caufed 
 f-om the Mercurial Propertiesywith which it is too much impregnated (as Ba-. 
 iilius wellnotes in this Vlace) and which l am wont to correal in thisjnanner. 
 
 Tal^e Glafs of Antimony , moji pure, ^iiij. Venetian Borax" |R. melt 
 them together, tlois being artificially dene, you will have a Green Glafs tranf- 
 parent as an Emrald. Grind this toafubtlt Power, upon rvhich pour French- 
 mne, and permit the mixture to (land for feveral days in a Moderate Heat. 
 
 of this wine give to thz Sic^, fi-om ^j. to 5ij, according to the Age, 
 Habit of Body, Strength, and other tlmgs either Natural, or not Natural, which 
 the Prudence of the Phyfician (when he fits as Judge, whether the Life of any 
 One is llkelj to be continited or not) ought always well to conftder. That this 
 Emetick Wine may be given to the Sicl^ without peril , Experience the mofl 
 certain Miflrefs of Phyficians hath taught me , and yet more than this : for 
 Tvhen the Mine poured in the Powder (hall be all exhaufted , if you pour on 
 more French nine, that will aljo be imbibed with the fame Virtues. For here 
 Antimony difcovers in it felf to be fomewhat, that is of all wonderful 7l)ings 
 the mofl admirable : becaufe it contains in it felf inexhauHible Treafures, and 
 although you tal^e from it , yet you diminish not the Virtues thereof. A li^t 
 ftupendioiis Miracle alfo is in extra£ling the Vinegar of the fame, and in othef 
 mrl(S fit to be kept under the Seal of Harpocrates. 
 
 Many men are required for the Searching out 
 the Powers and Virtues of this Subjedl. For I a- 
 lone, by reafbn of the fhortnefs of my Time , could 
 not dive into and fcarch out all things, do thou thy 
 felf fet about the Work , and after me , yea with 
 me, thou wilt praife me and I thee : if you find out 
 any more ; I praife you by thefe my Writings , 
 and fliall commend you out of the Sepulcher t6 
 which I am deftinated, although in Body thou art 
 to me unknown , nor ever had I any difcourfe with 
 thee, becaufe perhaps not yet born. 
 
 Common Glafs of kntimoyiy is alfo by AdditiorX; 
 diftilled into a laudable and falutary oyi, wliich may 
 be ufed without peril, with very great profitinthe 
 Epii'cpfie-^ as here following I ihall teach. 
 
 Grind the Ghfs of ^/timony toasfubtlea Pow* 
 dcr as poflibly youcan, then put it into a Glals- 
 Vcifcl with a llat Bottom, and pour upon the Pow--^ 
 
 der 
 
€Wiot o! SntimonF* 79 
 
 der the Jnice of mripe Crafes , then having well 
 luted the Vefleldigeft it for certain Days. This 
 being done abftrad all the Juice •, afterward, grind 
 it well moyftned with Spirit of Vinegar , and a 
 double Weight of clarified Sugar. Then, having 
 put it into a Retort, inthe Name of the Molt High 
 begin to diftil , and at lail adminifter a vehement 
 Fire, and you will acquire a moft Red Oyl^ which 
 mufl: be clarified unto Tranfparency with * Spirit 
 of Wine. \ 
 
 ^ irhm the ^xxxhor faith , it mm k clarified with Spirit of ivim unti 
 Iran^arency ; the Admomtion is (hort indeed, bvt of great weight. For he 
 wills , that this Oyl (hould be driven over by Alembecl^t the fignification an^ 
 fnanual O^eratien of whichylhave already above taught. 
 
 The life of this, given in a fmall Quantity , is 
 found to be moft profitable. With this Oyl Spirit 
 of Salt may be joyned, and the Mixture poured up- 
 on a fubtle prepared Calx of Gold, (which how it 
 fliould be made I have already taught in other of 
 myWritings) which hath before, together with its 
 Water, palfed by Alembeck. If this be done, this 
 Menflrmm takes to its felf the Tindure^of Gold 
 only, and leaves the Body untouched. 
 
 3f- 
 
 Da yoH thinJ^, Lover of ChymiHry ^ yna under Hand what yniirsad ? 
 ton cannot understand , unle[^ either divindy Philip , or humanely Oedipus, 
 afipear to you, and clearly teach you the vp.:y nf ^npning this Tincture. To^ 
 difi:ulty of the K\mgrm confiHs in this; viz', that all Menfiyuums, rcith 
 which Tinctures are extracted, muf: n^ceff.irily be void cf Colour j other-ivife 
 how can you l^now: whether ynu obtain tm Tinflure yoii Tvould extras, or on- 
 ly retrad the fame yon poured on ? Iwi'.' not detain ynu with a tedins Dif- 
 courfe fill of ambiguities , but lead you. as it were by the hand , (herving yoti 
 how I infiituted thu Procefiin the Var \66<^. if you thence, by your attenti- 
 on , and cov.paring the precedent with the prefent , and thefe with thofe that 
 follow, reap any profit^ open the Bofom oj your Heait, that no part of this may 
 fall to rt)f Earth. 
 
 I tjcl^ thut Fed Oyl, thus far prepared as is already (hewed, and rectified it 
 by Rctorc j and. then ac^aind a }fhite Oyl , of an acid b^t gratejd Ta'h. 
 
 U'on 
 
8o Bafil VaIefitine'0 tCfftrmpfjatlt 
 
 upon thisjpowred halffo much Spirit of Salt : the Mixture I digefltd In d 
 Tbial for a. full Month , that thtfe two Spirits might be mell conjoyned j after- 
 7v<nd , for the better conjunifion of them , I distilLi them thrice by Retort. 
 Then I poured them upon the Calx of Gold (the Method of preparing -which yon 
 Tfili find in other mitings of Bafiliusj and fit them together in Digefiionfor 
 a Month , rohich being elapfed , the MenAnuim rvaa tinged with a deip- 
 yellow Colour inclining to rednefi. I leifurely poured off the Unilure , and- 
 having put it into a Retort , with gentle Fire abfiraCled the Humidity , 
 that a. red Vouder might remain in the Bottom. Tljii Powder I edulcora- 
 ted with diftilled ifattr , and again extrafled the Tinflure with Spirit' 
 cf^'ine-j then I rendred this Dragon vol it He , and gave him his own Tayl to 
 be devoured for fix whole Months , and obtained a tinclure mojl pleafant and 
 grateful •, ten or twelve Grains of which given to the Sicl^^ provoke Sweaty 
 comfort the Natural Powers , and (not to amufe the Intelligent with wards) in 
 alt Difeafes both of Humane and other Bodies, it is an Univerfal Medicine. 
 
 Since it hath happened to me here to mai^e mention of the moft excellent of all 
 Ttnflures^ I will once teach the Chymift what will heofufe to him for thejuturt. 
 "Dmt is to fay , it is of great concern to i^now , with wh.it Mcnflruum every 
 Tintture (hould be extracled^ For it is not fufficient (according to the erro- 
 neoHS Opinion oj many) that Mcndvuums b.' fweet and void of Corofion; but 
 it is alfo behoof il , that tkre be in than a peculiar Amity and Convenieucy with 
 the Mercury of the Body, on which they are poured, that from the fame they may 
 extract its true a?id finctre Sulphur. By Example, I [hall teach you fomewhat 
 more clearly. Dijiilled li'atcr extratls the Tinflure from Sulphur, made of the 
 Gla(i of Antimony by di[iilled Vinegar. But if in this Operation you per- 
 fwade your felf you have feparated the Pure from the Impure, you will be de- 
 ceived : for this water imbibes a certain Salt, which infcfls the TinHure ; but ' 
 Spirit oj wine reflified is its proptr McnUruum : becxufe Toat only affumts the 
 volatile Sulphur thereof, and hath no Commerce with the Salt. 
 
 The fame happens in Tinflure of Corals , which is extrafled with Spirit of 
 wine difiilled upon Orange Pills : for here you obtain not the fincere Tinclure 
 ef Corals; becaufe,by this Mcnflruum, tht: pure Sulphur is not feparated from 
 the Body of the Corals. Tlu lil^ Error to be committed in m.xny other ToingSy 
 I have obferved by Experience, which (fjould be efrecmed the bejl Miflrefr, unkfs . 
 tiz tale it for granted that chargtable and fruitUfs Proaffis are neceffarily re- 
 quired in this Art. But that I may conclude with the Tinfihre, whence all 
 this Dilcourjc b:ith proceedtd; I would have no man to thinl^tbis to be the 
 Aurum porabilc of Philojophrrs : for this would be a viry great Error in Phi- 
 lofoph)', and give occafion to Sophifrers ( a.^ their manmr is) to prefer their So- j 
 phifms before the Truth it felf. Although this TinCiun is moft precious, and it 
 Tinllure ef Gold, yet it hath only aff.-Ticd the Colour of Gold: but the weight 
 thneof which is pio)er to Aurum potabilc, adheresnot thereunto. 
 
 Touching th? potable Mfdirir.e hoe is r.ot placeof fptaljng , unlefs I would 
 tranjgrefs tht limit;) which 1 huv( Mthii lijus prejcritai my fdf, ofCemmtnt- 
 
tf(g upon the Triumpliant Chariot of Antimony , tvbich 9u)- Eafil Valentine 
 hith made for it fo truly magniftcfnt. Otb.rwifi, I (heuld declare ^ hovfSol 
 might bepnfxid by Venus and Vulcan , fo as in the (pace of two hours to re- 
 folve it felf into Mercury united wTth Bacclius, having very fiv feces j 
 rphich Mercurial Menftruum may .igun be fiparatid fiom the refolvid Gold^ 
 and fo you mi^ht acquire a mojl gratejul Liquor very fonderons , Tvhicb can 
 ntver afterwird be reduced to its former Con/ijlence. tm very Operation I 
 have 'fhewed to fme Curious Lovers of Chymiftry. But ofthefe sljewhere 
 another Occafion of nriting will be given. 
 
 Wlicn the Fermentation is made , I fli^ll have 
 need of a vaft Quantity of Paper to declare all the 
 Arca:>Hm''s of Nature, which by this Medicine are 
 effeded beyond the Opmion of all men. I urge 
 this fo much the more carncftly to the Phyfician, 
 that he may confider thofe things which 1 propofe 
 Philolbphically, betake him.felf to labour, perform 
 this Preparation of Anwiony , and deduce it to 
 life •, then, he himfclf will dayly find more Praife, 
 and learn from it more Operations than any of the 
 other Phyficians could have prefcribed him. 
 
 When you fliall have brought Antimony fo far, 
 and duely perfedted your Work, in which you are 
 to adt prudently, and the m.attcr is to be largely 
 and profoundly weighed, that by Labour you may 
 acquire Experience •, then may you boaft that you 
 have obtained the I\Iagii^ery , which is known or 
 communicated to few. This Magillery mixM with 
 a Solution or TiriLlure of Corals, and exhibited 
 with Cordial Water effects Wonders in Difeafes, 
 that are to be cured by purifying the Blood. And 
 whatfoever Dillem.per is offered to you, in which 
 the Blood is corrupted by any Accident, this Ma- 
 giftery heals it , exhilarates the Heart, promotes 
 Chaftity and Honefty , and renders m.an apt and 
 fit for every thing betakes in hand. 
 
 For all the fe Benefits to the Creator ^^AdConfer- 
 ver of all Things, thanks is always to be given 
 from the bottom of our Hea:t-, becuife he hath 
 
 G with 
 
82 BaGl Valentine**? Ctiumpbant 
 
 with fo great CompalTion refpeded his Creatures^ 
 Infirm both in Body and Mind, and fupplied us with 
 Means , by which the Difeafes of either may be 
 healed , and we in every neceflity obtain folace, 
 afllftance and pcrfed Help. 
 
 Now my Intention is to proceed , and Ipeak 
 fomewhat of the Arcanum of Antimony^ but with 
 very great Brevity. 
 
 Take of Antimony moll fubtlely pulverized 
 1 . Part , of SaLArmomack^ , fo called , which is 
 brought from Armenia, 
 
 * of Antimony and Sal-Armoniack tqiid parts axe to be tal^cn , rohich I 
 Bafifius ficms to intrnd, but I l^now not hoiv he forgot to mention it. 
 
 alfo pulverized-, mixthefe,and putting them into 
 a Retort diftil them together,^ 
 
 ^ That tvith one and the fame labour^ the Sal-Armoniack together with the 
 Antimonv, may be d'lslllled and fublimed, fuch an Inslrument as this I here 
 (hew youydefcribing all its FartSy may be made* 
 
 Here place the Figure in the 8 2 Page. 
 
 A. is the Fornace. B. the Retort. C. the RecipieXt. D. the Aperticrewith 
 a Pipe of a Moderate bigne{i,o?i which may bs ft the Alembec^ E. Tin other For- 
 nace is F, which containing a moderate Fire^ fublimes what falls into the re- 
 ceiving Vejfd up into the Alernbecl^ E. And fo the Matter whith is diHilled 
 from the Kitort B, by the Fire of tin Fornace F, is prefently fublimed ■■, Minch 
 may nut only be ujcful in this Cafe , but alfo in every Sublimation of other 
 Matters. 
 
 and upon that which comes forth in the Diftillation, 
 pour common dillilled Rain-water , but let it firft, 
 be made hot, and fo by edulcorating remove all, 
 the 5^-?/f, that no Acrimony may remain , and the 
 Amiinony will appear like pure, white (liining Fea- 
 thers. Dry them with fubtle Heat , and having^, 
 put them in a Glafs ciicvlatory or Pelican, pouf" 
 
 on 
 
Cfjartof of ^ntmionp. B3 
 
 on them good and perfectly reftified Spirit of ri- 
 'triol, and'CircuIate the Mixture till both be well 
 conjoyned * and united, then diilill the whole, and 
 pour on Spirit of Wine, circulate again \ then let 
 reparation be made , and remove the Feces fetling 
 to the Bottom, but keep the Arc amtm -which re^ 
 mains mixt with the 5p/m of Wif2e and f^itriol. 
 
 ^ This Union muft be fo firm , as in dlUiUing one mxy not be feparettii* 
 from the other •■, otherwife you rvill lofe your Labour and. Co ft* Gf hoiv great 
 moment this Union /,v./«Chymiftry, they befi know, who ofily by confounding 
 ■ two things togither.thinlitheyihaUeffeSiiVondirs:^ bkt aftirwxfds (thiir Ex- 
 prience failing thm) they learn how gi'eat difference then is between Union 
 and Confufion : for Things cor.foimded receive no Virtue , that wm not in 
 them bsfore j' but by Union, I i^mw not what Spirit is ingefied,-rvhich performs 
 fiich things as the Mind of man could mver perceive to have their bsing thence. 
 Hence confider in the Generation of Animals (who would believe it I ) how 
 ,from the Union of Elements is gmerated Sight , Tafi, Touching , and fo many 
 'Vowers of Animal s^ivhich are infited in. none of the Ehm'Jits ■, and yet arife 
 from them united, vihuifoever it hafpe^is , that any Tintlure feems to have u- 
 nited it )el) with its Menflruum , and afterward may be feparated therefiorn, 
 that therefore is becaufe Matrimony is not legitimately Celebrated., nor the union. 
 in a due manner perfed, \ nhich yoi: fhall more than once fee fo happen in the 
 Tin6lure oj Sol and Antimony. 
 
 T^H Indriimeni:, by which I cm]oyn my Tincinres, and am wont to copulate 
 thm in an undiffdvible Co[>:d.itipn, you jhali find defcrihei hereafter in this 
 very Bool^. Toat in Spiric'^f Wine is to be n')ted, which happens not in other 
 Menflruiims \ becaufe it ts mojleafily united to Toings, and againwitha flight 
 artifice feparated from the fame. 
 
 . Now when you again re^ftifie this Arcajnim-, one 
 
 -. drop of it exhibited with Role- water , is more a- 
 
 yailable than a Pot full of the Decodion of Herbs, 
 
 for it caufcth a good x^ppctite, corrects thcSto- 
 
 ftiach, and concods all malignity in it, drives away 
 
 Sadnefs and Melancholy, makes good Blood and a 
 
 good Digeftion •, in the Suffocation of the .?^latrix 
 
 ■^ Jind Cholick Paffion ( both which it wonderfully 
 
 ' ?ippeafeth) it is inllead of a Treafure of iiieilima- 
 
 - "^le price, and. deferves Commendation, noc cafily 
 
 ^ipf€fliMeby\^'ords, 
 
 G i ATter 
 
»4 Bahl Valentine'jSf Crumtpl?ntlt 
 
 After the Arcanum of Amimony next in order 
 follows the Elixir ^ of the fame, which you may 
 prepare in this manner. 
 
 ''■ T\yii Proc(^ ask is eafieto prform , fo it may by Us be nfily pajfed ovtr^ 
 Icjl wejhouldfeim to tal^e Fen in handy rather from An itching defne of writing^ 
 th:n jor illHmijutingtlnngs obfcure. 
 
 Take, in the name of the Lord, good Minera of 
 Antimony y grind it fiibtJely, and iublime it with 
 half fo much Sal-Armoniail^ Whatfoever fhall be 
 fublimcd put into a Glafs Retort, and thrice diftil 
 it, feparating the Feces every time. Afterward re- 
 move from it the Sal-Armoniackjyy edulcoration , 
 and reverberate the Matter of Antimony in a VeiTel 
 well clofed, with moderate Fire (not forcing too 
 much) until it become like the Earth of Cinnabar. 
 This being done, pour on it Itrong diftilled Wine 
 Vinegar, and extrad its Rednefs-, afterward ab- 
 ftraLl the Vinegar, until a Powder remain. This 
 Abftraflion mult be made in Balnco. Then , ex- 
 tract this Powder with Spirit of Wine, that the 
 Feces may be feparatcd, and you will have a pure 
 and clear Extrai^tion. Having finifhedthis Opcra- 
 tion,put this Spirit of Wine together with the Ex- 
 traction into a Cnciirhit, and add thereto a little of 
 the Tiuifture of Corals, and of the Qu^inteflence of 
 Rubarb, and then adminifter the Dole of three or 
 four Grains. 
 
 It caufeth gentle Stools , and purgeth without 
 Gripings of the Belly •, and indeed if you have 
 proceeded well in preparing, it renders the Blood 
 agir^, and is a Medicine apt for thofe who defirc 
 GcntlePurgations. 
 
 Here perhaps fome Fhyfician may wonder, how 
 'tis poflible, that this xMtdicine fliould caufe mode- 
 rate and eafc Purgations , when as Antimony is a 
 
 Matter 
 
C^atfot of l^utunonp. 85 
 
 Matter vehement and forcible, and to it is joyned 
 Rubarb, which of it felf alfo hath a Purging Pro- 
 perty. But let him cea(e his admiration, and know 
 that the venomous purging power of Anmiony is 
 by this Preparation fo mortified, as it can apprc-- 
 hend or expel nothing •, but as foon as fome purg- 
 ing Simple is ad joyned to it , it thon accordin;.; to 
 the powers of its own Nature performs the OPilce 
 of opening and purging. But Afnimony prepared 
 hath no adion upon the ^ Stomach, thence to ex- 
 pel its impurities-, but by the purging Medicine, 
 its adjunft, acquires a more open Field, and therein 
 can operate without Impediment any other way, 
 and difcern , yea fearch ont the way of Effeding 
 thatbetter,to which it was ordained and prepared, 
 without hindrance. 
 
 "* Note b:rs viry fcrloufly , th^ Galenick Catharcicks h.vjs powir of expel- 
 llng, but not of ConUling Humors; but Chymical Pursers are enduid with ei- 
 ther Fiiculty-f and certainly it Ihoiild not b: minded how much is expelled, but 
 bow much is healed, which the occult power of Medicaments prepared chymi- 
 cxlk doth much better efiecl) than that common and publicl^vlolenccof purging 
 forcibly. 
 
 I would have all men to credit thefe my words, 
 fince I have no neceff.ty to write other than the 
 
 - Truth. This Elixir in fuch manner prepared, as I 
 have taught , penetrates and purgeth the Body, as 
 
 ■ ^«fm;o/;^ purgeth Gold, and frees it from all Impu- 
 rity: So that if I would at large commemorate all 
 the powers and virtues thereof, I mufl: put up my 
 Supplications to the GOD of Heaven , and in- 
 treat him to vouchfafe me a longer Life, that I 
 might laud his wonderful Works, and fearch out 
 further , and according to Verity communicate to 
 others what I have found, thacthcy with me excited 
 to admiration , may publickly render thanks to 
 their Crf^/<?r, for his fo great Blellings. 
 
 G 2 But 
 
S6 3a(il Valentine*^); Ctiump!)aat 
 
 Bnt to proceed in my purpofe, having once be- 
 gnn,l here defer ibe the Virtues of u4^timo?7y,!{s far 
 ns i have experienced them-, yet what is hid from 
 my knowledge , I ought to pafs over in filence. 
 For it becomes me not to give my Judgment of 
 things unknown, and which I have not my felf ex- 
 perimentedjbut I leave them, commending the fame 
 to other Judges, who with ftudy and labour in this 
 SubjcCl, have made fome good progrefs. No one 
 man can be fo expert in knowing the Virtues of 
 A-nimcyiy, as nothing ihall remain unknown by him, 
 not only by reafon of the fhortnefs of his L.ife (as I 
 before laid; but alfb, and chiefly bccaufe fome new 
 thing isdayly found in it. 
 
 Therefore, let men know, that Antimony not ou.- 
 le purgeth Gold, cleanfeth and frees it from every 
 peregrme Matter, and from all other Metals, but 
 ?Ifo ^by a power innate in it felf) eft'edsthe fame in 
 Men and Beafts. If a Farmer purpofe in himfelf 
 to keep up and fatten any of his Cattle , as for 
 Example an Hog; two or three days before, let 
 him give to the Swine a convenient Dofe of crude 
 ^^^/^mi.^;?)', about half a dram mix'd with his Food, 
 that by it he may be purged :, through which Pur- 
 gation he will not only acqifire an Appetite to his 
 Meat, but the fooner increafe and be latned. And 
 if any Swine labour with a Difeafe about his Liver 
 or other Parts, or clfc be Leprous. Antimony caufeth 
 the Lcprofie to be dryed up and expelled. 
 
 This Example fceins indeed to lound fomewhat 
 grofs and r«ftical, to the Ears of Great men efpe- 
 cially ; but my purpofe in propofing itonly Vv^isto 
 the end, that private Men and Laicks, whole Brauis 
 were not by Nature fabricated to the moft fubtle 
 Philofbphy of the Learned,may fee the Truth here- 
 of, in the very Operation it felf, with their own 
 Eyes: alfo that by this rude Propcfal, they might 
 ' . . ■: give 
 
€\)Htiot of aintimonp. §7 
 
 give greater credit to my other Writings, in which 
 1 have ipoken a little morefubtely of thefe Things. 
 Yet I would have no man, following me as his Au- 
 thor, to give a Medicine of Crude Antimony to 
 men •, for mute Animals can in their Stomach con- 
 cod much more hard Foods, than the tender Com- 
 plexion of Men is able to digell. Wherefore, he 
 who would rightly and with profit ufe Antimonyy 
 he muft learn the Preparation thereof fiift, and af- 
 terward know theDofe,as what is convenient for 
 the Young, and what for the Old-, how mlich may 
 be given to robuft Bodies, and how much to the 
 weak, in which no fmall Myftery of this Art confills, 
 the ignorance of which will do more hurt than an 
 imprudent Phyfician can do good. 
 
 Should I confirm all things by Examples, that 
 would l)e the Caufe of a very Prolix Writing-, 
 therefore 1 will break off this Difcourfe , and pafs 
 on to another Preparation of Antimony, and de- 
 fcribe its fixednefs; which afts like Wine, from 
 which its Spirit is fubftraded and feparated from 
 its Body. This Spirit heals the Body internally, 
 and if externally applied,draws to itfelfall the Heat 
 of a part inflamed : but, on the contrary, when 
 of the Wine, Vinegar is made, it cools, either in- 
 wardly or outwardly applied •, although the Wine 
 and Vinegar have their Original from the fame 
 Root , and proceed from the fame Stock. The 
 Reafon of this diverfity is , becaufe Vinegar is 
 made through digefl;ion only, by which Putrefadi- 
 on of the Wine follows, together with a Vegeta- 
 ble Fixation : but on the contrary, Spirit of Wine 
 is made with Separation by diftilling,or vegetable 
 fubliming, which renders the Spirit volatile. By 
 like reafon Antimony is prepared , and according 
 to its divers Preparations hath divers Effedls, and 
 diverfly communicates its Gifts to us, which arc 
 
 G 4 fcarcely 
 
SB Bafil Valentine'jJ CdtUtip^ailt 
 
 fcarcely comprehenfible ^by the humane Intelled. 
 But the Fixcdnefs thereof, touchhig which I here 
 treat, is thus prepared. 
 
 Take of ^m many ^s much as you will , grind it 
 to a fiibtle Powder, which put into a CucHrbit, ^nd 
 pom- on it of jI^ho. fortis lo much as will ftand a- 
 bove it the breadth of fix Fingers -^ and having well 
 andfirmlycIofcdtheVel]cl,pIaceitina fubtle heat 
 for ten Days, that the Matter may be extradled. 
 Decant off this Extradlion pure and clear, and filter 
 it, that it may be free from all feculencies and Im- 
 purities ', then put this Extraction into a Glafs- 
 Body , and abftradl all the J^na form by Diflillation 
 \n Afhes or Sand^ and in the bottom the Powder of 
 jintimouy will remain yellow and dry. Upon this 
 pour diftilled Rain-wgter, and put it in a like Glafs 
 in moderate heat, and you will have a Red Extradi- 
 on. This again filter , and gently diftii off the 
 Rain-water by B. M. and the Powder will remain 
 red in the Bottom. Upon this red Powder pour 
 ftrong diftiiled Vinegar: this Vinegar will in forae 
 time draw to it felf the Colour red as Blood, and 
 put down Feces. Afterward diftii off the Vinegar, 
 and there will again remain a red Powder. This 
 Powder reverberate continually for three days to- 
 gether without ceafing in an open Fire-, This be- 
 ing done, abilraft the Tin(n;iirc from it by Spirit 
 of Wine, and feparate the Feces remaining from the 
 Tindure. All thefe Works being with fo great 
 labour performed , again feparate the Spirit of 
 Wine by diflillation in Bdnco^ and a fixed "^ Red 
 Ppwder will remain, which operates wonderfully. 
 
 ^ Piapliorctick Antimony U fold, in, Sho'^s , but rphat hen the Author 
 fhews us, by thsnjxicof Fixed Powder of AnrimonVi « not to be bought fir 
 Silver or Gold ; toe Virtues of which fo fir exceed all th^t, of which the 
 ComKon Son are I'Artxf^rs ; H vain with fo great attention and fiudy (of 
 
 Half 
 
chariot of 3^ntimou^ s^ 
 
 jn/hkhin prifaring this Powdsr^ there is very great need) did our Phibfipher 
 intend this fmkj, if thefe Myslmes of fo great EfeHs mufl comt to the hand- 
 ling of the Vulgar^ or be piiblic^ly fold for Money. Let him who attains to 
 thts fixed Powder fife it in Cbronical Difeafes^ elpecial/y where Sweats are to 
 be excJttd, and he will fee Effects caufmghim to rejoyce^if be ufe it inhimfelf', 
 and by which he will be glorified^ if he ufe it in others. 
 
 Half a dram of this being taken thrice a day, 
 viz.. Morning, Noon, and Night, or oftner, hurts 
 ■no man •, for it expels all clotted Blood out of the 
 Body, and being long taken fecurely opens all pc- 
 rillous Impofthums, and expels thcni^ radically 
 cures the French Dlfeafe^Q^'df^ih new Hairs to grow, 
 and notably renovates the \vhole man. 
 
 Now, fince I have taught to make a fixed Powder 
 of Antimoriy^ and the Extraftion thereof very com- 
 modious for Ufe, leaving this Difcourfc, I purpofe 
 briefly to treat of the Flowers of Jmimony^ which 
 may be many ways prepared. But the greatcft 
 part * of men neither can difcourfe of, nor anfwer 
 to thefe :, becaufe they have not learned the Pro- 
 ceflcsof ilich Operations: buttlieleaft part, viz.. 
 ^he Difciples, Apoftles, and Followers of the Spa- 
 gyrkk^Art J will more elteem my Writings , more 
 diligently read them , and more prudently give 
 Judgement of the fame. 
 
 * How ;»,vr/;Chymiftry Wits impeached by Calumnies^ in the times of Eafi- 
 lius, is manifeft by the very many Rdiqucs of uriters^ with which fame Theo- 
 logicians, imprudently judging what they understood not, and Politicians (not 
 much more prudent than them) haze defamed their own BooliS •, and in the 
 mean while alfo given occafion to Others , mere throughly fearrhing into the 
 matter, of ptdging thofe very Authors, with no greater circumfpeclion to have 
 lil^wife hfpattered other innocent Pcrfons with their Cenfiirt. I do not here 
 jpea^ of thofe n r iters, who [harph reprehend certain Vagabond SophiHers , 
 that covering their own uicl^dnip, under the Pretext oj a mofi noble Art, do 
 by a great Name impofe great Frauds upon the People. For this l^'nd of men 
 are not only worthy of fever e Keprehen/ion , but alfo of dm Puniilment. But, 
 Tvhat Evil do th-y define, if under their Denominalion t^e Good be abnfed? 
 
 But, 
 
90 Bafil Valentine'jg; Cthimp!)int 
 
 ^ by is the mofi certain and fofalutary and profit able an Art profcribed ? Bi* 
 ''aufe there are men founds which ufe not the Art it felf.but the l^ame and Sha- 
 don> of this Art. Tet I am untviUing to prolong this Apology, left Envy, < 
 which hath been the greateft Caufe of Calumny, jail upon me in this manner la- 
 menting, whilft i hear Bafilius encouraging his , and have rcafon to applaud • 
 our own Times, in which fome part of that mofi thicl^ Cloud, which cajl out 
 fo many Tnunders, is already vani(hed. In Shops they now fell Medicaments^ 
 Chymically prepared (as thty fay) and thofe very Perfons ^ who are willing 
 mojilyto be esteemed Hippocratick Difciples , jcarcely dare to condemn Chy- 
 miftry, and fince they call into ufe what are made by the chymical Art, they 
 cannot deny it. Ah not thnfe Times at hand, in -which Elias the Artift, thi 
 Revealer of great ei- Myflcries is to c»me ? Of whofe Coming Paracelfus /i 
 clearly prophefied in various places of his mitings Z Ptrhaps it will be worth 
 our while, for the Solace of tbe opprefjed Difciples 0/ Bafilius, to quatt certain 
 places, in which hepredi^s the coming of Elas not then born: whicnif any 
 One cammodioufly interpret, as all other Sayings of that man are to be ta^en , he, 
 •will find nothing of ahfu^dity in them, unlefl he refolve to discover his own 
 ahfurd Stupidity , or wielded Envy. In the Bool^ of Minerals, Chap. 8. Pa- 
 racelfus thns writes: nhat is mofi vile, GOD fuffers to be difcovered, but 
 what if oj greater moment is yet hid from the Vulgar, until the coming of Eli- 
 as the Artift ; others read , until the Art of Elias , when he comes. And a- 
 gain, in his Bool^ of Minerals, Treat ife thefirfi. It is indeed true (faith he) 
 that many things lie hid in the Earth,whichl, as well as others am ignorant of. 
 For this ll^now, GOD, in time to come will marJfeji his Winders, and bring 
 to light many m.ore of th:m, then unto this Day have been l^nwn by us. Alfo 
 this is true ; there is nothing abfconded , which jhall not he revealed •-, there- 
 fore thiye Cometh One, whofe Magnalc lives not yet , who fnall reveal many 
 Ttyings. 
 
 TInrefore he comforted, be comforted , Lover of Chymiflry , and prepare 
 the way of th^tElia^, who brings happy times, and wilirezeal more Secrets than 
 our Ancejhrs, by reafon of Envy, and the Iniquity of their Days diirft difcrver. 
 iihofoever thoH ai't, converfing in this Art , confr fome fmall matter to this fe- 
 licity ; and let iis give the mrld that Medicin:, which by reafon of evil Hu- 
 mors predominant, it cannot taJ^e all at once, by degrees, that it may gradually 
 recover of its Difeafe, and the Times 0/ Elias come (for Arts alfn, as well as is 
 under ftood of other things, have their Elms, faith Theophri[ii\s)where it will 
 b: lawful for into /ffj^ freely of thefe things, and openly to do good to our 
 Neighbours, without p-rfecntion oj the Impious. Read, underfiand, and com- 
 fort your felf with thefe. 
 
 But, my Difciple and Follower, if you will imi- 
 tate me.my advice is, that you take upyourCrofs, 
 at firfl-, and fuffer as I havefuffered •, learn to bear 
 Perlecution, as I have already born it, labour, as 
 
 all 
 
€\^mot of ^nttmon^. 91 
 
 nil our Predeceflbrs with me have done •, with con- 
 fcitinual Prayers fcek unto the Lord GO D^ and be 
 w/lthou patient, and laborious without wcarinefs, and 
 [then the Mojl Highy who hath mercifully heard me, 
 Will not foriake Thee : for this Caufe I every hour 
 give thanks to GOD, as my Eyes filled with Tears 
 can and do witnefs. 
 
 Now, to proceed in my Initrudion, touching 
 i|;he Flowers of Ammo'ny , it is to be underllood , 
 that the true F lores of Jbitimony , may be prepared, 
 mot one, but various ways, as is known to every 
 •Spa^yrifi. There are fome who drive them, mix'd 
 with Sal-Armomack^, over by Retort ^ then they 
 edulcorate them, by wafliing away the Sal Armoni- 
 ack^, and thefe they greatly efteem ; for thele 
 Flowers are of a fair and white Colour. Others 
 have peculiar Inftrumer.ts for this Work, prepa- 
 red with windy Caverns, through which the ^»?/- 
 njofiy may receive the Air , and be fublimcd. O- 
 thers, fctting three Alembecks one upon another 
 fjblime thcni with ftrong Fire, and with one and 
 the H^.me labour make wiiite , yellow , and Red 
 Florcs ^ all which ways I have tried, and found no 
 Error in them : But the Procefs, by which I make 
 Flowers of Antimony, molt profitable for Medicine, 
 and more efficacious in their Operations is this. 
 • I mixed the red Flowers of Antimcay with Col- 
 cothar of Vitriol , and fublimed them together 
 thrice. So, the Eifence of Vitriol afcends with 
 them, and the F lores are more ftrong : which being 
 done, I extraft the fame Flowers with Spirit of 
 Wine. The Faces fettle to the bottom, and fep»- 
 rate themfclves from the Spirit. Thefe the Arti- 
 ficer lays alide, and diftils off the Spirit of Win© 
 in 5. /I/, until the Powder remains dry. 
 
 Thefe are my prepared Flowers of Antimony , 
 ivhich I adminiilred to my Brethren, and others, 
 
 who 
 
92 Bafil VaIefitine'0 tCr(umpl)ant 
 
 who in there NectfTities, required help of me, for ! 
 their Souls fpiritiial, in rcfpcdt of my, Ecclefiaftical 
 State,& for their Bodies tcmporal,by rcafonof the 
 Truft they rcpofed in my Art. Thcih Flores purge 
 gently,without frequent,or exceflivc StooIs,& have 
 cured many Tertian & Quartan Fevers ^?i\to very ma- 
 ny other Dileafes-,10 that I purpofed, by the help of 
 ourSaviourJefus,and his molt Holy Mother /I /^r)', 
 to ordain in myTelfamcnt a perpetual Monument 
 upon my Altar, of all the Cures which I have per- 
 formed by his grace-,thatl might (b doing,not only 
 give thanks to GOD, but alio make my Gratitude 
 known to Pollerity,that theylikewife may acknow- 
 ledge the wonderful works of the Moif High,which 
 I (by my diligence) have cxtraded from the Bowels 
 of Nature, and which he himfelf had hid and ab- 
 Icondcd in her profound and moll fecrct RecelTes. 
 But touching the Sublimations of y^/^rrmrwyjWhich 
 arc afterward called Flowers-, let the Reader fur- 
 ther obferve,t;f2L. that they are like Waters .which 
 breakout in high Mountains.Now,ofthe difference 
 of waters,which arife in the highcft Mountaius,yea 
 in higher than they,if fucii can be found;for even un- 
 to them would the waters afccnd:,fmce it isjknown, 
 that in the tops of the higheft Mountains, Springs 
 do very often ifluc if,and of other waters which are 
 found by digging deep in the Earth, and by follow- 
 ing their Springs mull: be fearched out:any man may 
 judge that th^Adatrix of waters in the Earth, is on 
 one part more aboundantly repleniflied with the 
 Riches of waters, then on anothcr:,fince every Ele- 
 ment hath a peculiar .'T/.#r;.v,either llrong or weak, 
 according as it is produced by the Sydns^whtnco. 
 Elements derive their Original and have being. 
 Now, when fuch a Mttrix is llrong and potent in 
 the Earth, it can drive forth its Seed ftrongly and 
 cfficacioufly froinitfelf, by a vehement Prelfure, 
 
 even 
 
€lmiot of ^tttimonp. 93 
 
 even up to the Snowy Mountains of the Alps^ or to 
 the very top of the Babylom^) ^ Tower. 
 
 * This PiirabU is of xiry great moment^ but Jo vtry clear to thofe , ^ofn 
 
 Tvhofe Eyes the Catarafl is tal^n away, as to explain it to them , rvohld hi to 
 
 hold a Candle to the Light of the Sun : t» others, from tvhofe fight the Catarafi 
 
 ■■ is not tool^ of, this place gives no occafion of detr ailing the fame, therefore 
 
 ' read,periife, and meditate •■, Djy is anlnUruHer to the Day ; thi later Ruding 
 
 I explains the former, and the former the later. 
 
 • If any fatuate man hear this ray Difcourfe, he 
 will fay, I am either mad or drunk with Wine •, but 
 
 I this will be no other than a Reproach, like to that, 
 which was caftupon the Difciples of our Saviour. 
 Of Sublimation , the Reafon is the fame ;, for as 
 
 ' 'Waters,which are many times found in the higheit 
 Mountains,are more falubrious,and more cool than 
 thofe, which by digging deep into the Eiirth are 
 found in Plains:fo,if the Matter by prefliire & force 
 of fire be driven upwards to the Mountains of the 
 Ancient Wife men, who died long before my time, 
 the Earth, which for the moft part is unprofitable, 
 remains until its Salt Ihallbe extraded from it for 
 its proper ufe. Thus is made Separation,by wh ich 
 the Evil may be diltinguiflied from the Good, the 
 Pure from the Impure,the thick from the thin, the 
 fubtle from thatjwhich is notfubtle,and the Venom 
 from the Medicament. We miferable Mortals,by 
 Deathwhich we have defcrved for ourSins^reput 
 intO;the Earth, until we putrefie by time,and be re- 
 duced to filths^ and afterward by tlie Heavenly Fire 
 and Heat raifed, clarified, and exalted to aCeleftial 
 Sublimation , v/here all our Feces, all Sins, and e- 
 very Impurity fhall be feparated, and we made the 
 Sons otGOD, and of Eternal Life , unto which 
 the Lord of his Mercy and Goodnefs bring me 
 with you. But I hope no Man will take amifs this 
 Coraparation of the Mundane with the Spiritual, 
 f/^. the Heavenly Exaltation with the Earthly Sub- 
 limation. 
 
94 Bafil Valentine'^ CtUimpI)aut 
 
 limation. For no man fhould fuppofe what ! 
 have done, to be dpne without Realbn, but rather 
 know, that I aifiignorant what is white or black, 
 how much the tehebrous and difmal Air differs 
 from the ferene and clear Heaven. Therefore let 
 us break olf thisDifcourfe, and produce another 
 Preparation of Antmofiy. 
 
 Let the Difeiple, Apoltle, and faithful Imitator 
 of Art, underftaid this Inftrudion, and according 
 to the true Philofophick Doctrine faithfully con- 
 fider, that every Extradlion from ^-^f/wo;?^ (as alfo 
 from all other Things) hath great difference in O- 
 peration, which neither conliftsin the Matter, nor 
 is known by the Matter, from which it is drawn ^ 
 but confills and remains in the Preparation, and in 
 the Addition, by which the Virtue isextrafled 
 from the Matter, as is known by Experience-, asj 
 for Example. Whatfoever is Extracted from An- 
 timony^ or any other thing with Spirit of Wine,' 
 hath a far other virtue of Operating, than thofe, 
 which are extrafted with good and liiarp Viucgar. 
 The Caufes of this I have already hinted in my o- 
 ther Writings-, but the principal Caufe is, be- 
 caufe all Extradions made with Spirit of Wine, 
 from Aitimony^ or any purging Herbs, Roots, or 
 Seeds (underftand of the firil Extraction) power- 
 fully expel by Seidge : but on the contrary, what- 
 foever is extracted with Vinegar, purgcth not 
 downward, but rather prevents that, and retains 
 in a certain peculiar manner, by which the Volatile 
 is changed into fixed. 
 
 This is a fmgular Scaet , and nn Arcanum of great" 
 price ; but there are none, or very few found, who" 
 mind liich things-, bccaufemanythings are hidden, 
 and lie deeply buried in this Arcannm , which no 
 One, either Mafter or Servant, norany W'ife mart 
 of this World hath iinto this Day obfervedor con-^ 
 fidered. " " Tf-M§^ 
 
 { 
 
C^atiot of 3ttntimottr. 95 
 
 Therefore the Extra<ftion of Antimony is made 
 two ways, viz.. with Vinegar, and with Spirit of 
 Wine. Vinegar obftruds, and Spirit of Wine, of 
 it felf powerfully expels and caufeth Urine, as alio 
 Stools •, as elfewhcre in another manner is (hew- 
 ed , and efpccially where 1 fpeak of my Twelve 
 Keys, as namely, that the Extradion of Glafs of 
 Antimony moderately purgeth •, but on the con- 
 trary the Extradion of the fame Glafs, which is 
 made with Vinegar purgeth not : which is true and 
 not permixt with any falfity. But this Experi- 
 ence gives occafion of thinking and relieving, by 
 which way of Reafoning, Nature gives promotion 
 and production to a true Philofopher. But it is a 
 thing much to be admired , that every Subjedt , 
 which is firlt of all extracted with Spirit of Wine, 
 Jhould have a Purging Property. Yet when Glafs 
 of Antimony is from the beginning extracted with 
 diftilled Vinegar, and that Vinegar again abftradt- 
 ed, and theu the Antemony extrafted with Spirit of 
 Wine , all its venomous purging virtue palleth a- 
 way, and no fign theireof remains, nor alfumes it 
 to it felf any power of provoking Stools^ but it 
 performs its Operations by Sweat, and other ways, 
 chiefly by Salivation and Ejeftion by the Mouth •, 
 it fearcheth out all hurtful Evils in the Body, purg- 
 eth the Blood , heals the Difeafes of the Lungs, 
 and profits thofe who are ftrait-breafted , and 
 troubled with a frequent Cough. In a word it 
 Cures very many Diieafes , alio aiTwageth a Ma- 
 , lignant Cough , and whatfoever is of that Dilpo- 
 lition, and is a Medicine very admirable. 
 
 Moreover, there is another Extraction of Anti- 
 wony made in this manner. Grind crude Antimo- 
 ny to powder , and poi'ir upon it ftrong Vinegar, 
 not of Wine, but made of its proper yl//«fr^, and 
 txpofe the Mixture iu a Veffel well clofed to the 
 
 SoUr 
 
j^i Bafil Valentine'^ CriumPftant 
 
 Solar hcaf, then, after fome time the Vinegar wilt 
 be tinged with a Blood-like Colour, pour ofTthis 
 Extradtion clear, filter it, aud diftil by Alcmbick 
 in Sand: then again, in diftilling, it fhews admira- 
 ble Colours, pleafant to the Sight, and wonderful 
 in Alpe(n:. • This Oyl "^ at length becomes Red as 
 Blood, and leaves many Feces and prevails againft 
 many Infirmities : for its fingular Virtue aad life 
 is commanded in the Leprofie ^ the New Difeafe 
 lately rifen amongft the Souldiers is by it confum-* 
 ed and dried up, and indeed it efTeds Wonders. 
 
 ^ Hns thy Slnctritu Valentine, is fuspeBcd. Jilio cm by this tbyprcfcri-^ 
 ptlnnma^e fW^Quinteffencc, which Petrus the Sjianiard^in his Bnoli Of the 
 C^uintcdcnc of all Things, dcftYvtdly extols^ at the greatefi Secret of Vhi- 
 lojofhy ? uhxt (1)^11 I fay? Mdic2 mal^s thit^mt iprvtrfe ^ but timeroits 
 mm^ftiring^lujl /fArcanum'i ^oonld be communicated openly to the -tvicl^ed^ 
 they Tvould do more hurt with them then good. Ihis Vrocefl feemsto me to be 
 purpofely defer ibed obfcurely by this Religious Man (why elfe fhould he not ha-^e 
 written otho-wife .' Jbecaufehe l^new the Sons of Art would undtrjiand it by his 
 Prefcript. But that you^ Reader^ may undcrfland, you have not in zati i}mt 
 your Money in buying, or time in reading tbefe Commentaries^ I will clearly 
 and nal^edly difcovcr to ynu , how I my felf have oftentimes performed this 
 ■very Ji'ori^: do you give g-ood heed to aU Ihings, that ynu may not at all be 
 deficient j for the Operations are f concatinated , or. co-United together , xs 
 one being omitted, or negligently performed, all the otber are Ipoyled, and your 
 labour cannot anfwer your Dcfires. 
 
 Tali? of the M Minera of Antimony, which is fi-iable^fnrif you tal^e crude 
 Antimony, as Bafiliusf^c^wx to indicate, you, can effect nothing; haaufe it hath 
 already lofl its mosl fubtle Suli'httr in thefirft Dinillation) grind it to fn fubtk 
 a Powder, as it may ^a(i through a Tiffany Seive : put it into a Cucurbit, and 
 pour upon it yinegar, which according to Art is diUilled from its proper M'l- 
 nera. Set it in Digeflion. for forty D.iys, and (if you have exaHly^ obferved 
 all things,which are hereunto required)your Vinegar will be tinged with a Co- 
 lour red as Blood. TtiisredTinclure poured off' by lnclin.ition,put into a Reterty 
 and gently abUraCl the Vinegar. The Ponder remaining extraCi with fpirit 
 of uine, that it alfo may contrail a bltod-lil^e Colour. Put tbis Extraction, 
 into a Circulatory Veffely lil(e to this, th: Figure of which I hereexpofij 
 
 Here place die Figure intlie <p6 Page. 
 htCiHfelmvir foHti any more apt to render the Spirits ^okttle: thtn place 
 
 The 
 
 I 
 
Pcuje. 6". 
 
chariot of aintimonp. 91 
 
 this dokble Viffd in B. M. to be digested fo long^ as until you fe: theTlnciuri 
 raife it felf upwards and paf^overvoUtiU by Ahmbec^y using this^ coolyoni^ 
 Fefjd, and put all thi Matter into a Cucurbit, dnddi^il the Spirit according 
 to Art^Tvhich will pafioicr tk Hdm as red js Blood. Twi again abfira^ thi 
 Spirit, and ynu will have a moji pondtrom thicl^ Oyl. 
 
 How this Oyl jhoidd after this bi joy ned with its own Salt, andnnited^ 
 Vt elfewhire fpt'ik. 5 ^^'^ "f^ "/ "f^hich in amcndi ng Metals is vsry great. Hire 
 7ve have defer ibed it, and brought it fo far, us it becomes a moji excellent Aft- 
 dicine in grievous Vifeafes^ which are in all places accounted uncurable.. It 
 performs its whole Operation by Sweats. Andfmce there is no Difeafe, which 
 it helps not ; what need is there to name any ? It is better to be altogether Si' 
 lint, then to detract from its praifes, by reciting a few. There is no ■ man who 
 hath made any Vrogrefiin. Chymislry, that l^ows not what the Qninteffena oj 
 Antimony is. 
 
 ^ The Pkyfician before all Things , Ihould dili- 
 gently contemplate its ufe, according to his own 
 Experience and Knowledge ', but elpecially com- 
 pleating its Preparation in a due manner, without 
 being weary of his labour, or forgetting any of 
 thofe Things which arc prefcribed to be perform- 
 ed. 
 
 Again, another Extraction of Antimony y is tliTis 
 inftituted. Take , in the Name of the Lord , of 
 Antimony and crude Tartar y of each equal parts ^ 
 put thefe well mixed together in Powders , into a 
 ftrong Crucible, which will not fuffer the Spirits to 
 penetrate it, and burn this Matter in the Fire, un- 
 til the T^mz/- be wholy corabuft : this work muft 
 be done in a Wind-Fornace. Grind this burnt 
 Matter to afubtle Powder, and pour on that Com- 
 mon Water fir ft made hot , and fo edulcorate the 
 i Matter by Lixiviating. And fo it becomes a 
 I Liver^, fo called by many of our Anceftors, who 
 I lived long before us. 
 
 \ _ ''' ttuWstxis a Caufeef much Difcourfeii Banquets , and the Liver of Ant 
 timony will be to m no fmall Occajion of the lil^e in Chymical Operations. But 
 in th'e firfl place coajider, than inHeai of Crude Tartar, it is better to tal^e Sab 
 
 ! */ Tirt-iY, not onh for acciUra,ting thi Opoation (for otherwife it muft be 
 ' ■ " H ' ' melted 
 
98 Bafil Valcntinc'ig 'QCtfttmpljattt 
 
 mdnd fo lof!g. Of until the TmaYk chsngdinto Salt) but chiefly ^ that pU 
 may have Glafs of a. far better Colour. Alfo Baiilius foiot^ er for fmt Rta- 
 fons did omit, to appoint the Gldfs firfl to he poured into a PUtter made fcor, aud 
 then bfnten to powder in an hot Mortar : othnwife the Clafsy by reafon of thi 
 Salt of Tartar, asfoon as it tal^s the cold Air is changed into a certain Puife or 
 Pa;;. Befldes, he omitted to determine the Quanticy oj WattTi *'» yvhich this 
 Torvder (hould be di^nlved^ that we may have a mon ftir and deep Colour ; in 
 tvhich Exaltation oj Colour very much is fited. Alfo the Precipitattea of the 
 Liver fiem the iratcr^ which mufi be made with Vinegar, he involved in Si 
 lence'j although this, and the above mentioned^ are necejfjry in this Operation. 
 
 Here J am unwilling to jorbear to admoni[h,that not only in this, but in every 
 'Melting of Antimony, t)ie Arcift ought to obferve the Face of Heaven, andbt- 
 gin his ffcrl^when the fame is clear and ferene. if you do otherwife, you. will 
 in vain deplore the Obfcurity of the Colour in your Liver of Antimony. Far 
 if ysu laugh at me , attributing much Virtue to the Influences oj the Stars, J 
 Shall deride you, deploring the uulucl^e Succefs of many Proceffes. But Iwould 
 not digrefsfo far, as to tal^e on mt to prove the Virtues of CeleUial Influences^ 
 againfl men, either l^now in g fo little^ as they cannot undtrjland^ or having ex- 
 perienced fometvhat do not difcern ; but in the meanwhile art fo obHinate, at 
 they will not believe thofe things which they fee, have tried ^ and invery deed 
 found to be fo. Iwould no more urge Reafons againfl thefe men, then againjl 
 thefe, who deny even the Mutation of Metals by the Stone of Philofophers. m 
 judge fuch men more worthy of Contempt than Refutation, who fay that is not 
 pof/ible f which they have beheld with their EyeSy and done ivith their hands .\ 
 Jor it is very rude to fay, I deny, I deny, who proves? Thefe pervtrje menb] 
 their thus ailing, do foineiimes provol^e the patience of good ingenious Arties, 
 judging that they, with a certain Zeal of confirming what they ajfert, will 
 proceed fo jar, as to difcovtr to them their Experiment of fo excellent an Art\ 
 But I do not thinly that any of them, who hive obtained the MyUery will be /ij 
 iinprudcnt, as unadvisedly to cafl Pearls before Swine, and to difcover to thi 
 Unworthy, what GOD hath revealed to him *, or give them of the Bread h\ 
 L ats, which is not to be cafl to Dogs. 
 
 Therefore, returning to the Matter from whence 1 digrtjfed, I affirm, that ther\ 
 (ire fame times of the year, in which if Liver 0/ Antimony be made, and pre^ 
 cifitated with a due Menftruum, it will be imbibed with altogether anothe\ 
 Colour , and he endued with other Virtues than that, which is made at anothi 
 time; and that, both for Metals, and for healing the infirmities 0] m:n, as I m\ 
 filf have experienced in many grievous Vifeafes, aid Symptoms oj Vifeafes. Iln 
 will alfo add tb/s : fiom the Liver 0/ Antimony maybe extracted a Redntj^ 
 irith Spirit of fi ine, which Rednefs is made volatile, and pafieth over 
 Helm , W'hich alfo may be exhibited to all without danger. Nor is there 
 ^reat need of that Caution of Bafilius (even before the Kednefs is volatilixti 
 flat it mufi he given in a fmall Quantity, for being given from thirty ^^k 
 juity, or fifty D'ops, it fwents -very mcdiuttly, and doth not ^mge orVtmii 
 
chariot of intMnoaiJ- 99 
 
 h .1 it (ffeffs ivonders in purging ths Bloody extirpatini the Roots of a Difeaft, 
 and rtndring the Patient vlgoro:iS, by infenfibU ExplrAtion, and its occult Fir" 
 tms. tinsVindible Wine needs not the Bu'h oj Eloquence to commend it tothe 
 Sici^^ who once having experienced its Virtues, l^ow what it can do , <w4 
 that it as much anfwers their De fires, as they esUnn their Money. 
 
 Put this Liver dried into a QtcHrbity pour there- 
 on moft pure Spirit of Wine •, abftradt the Spirit 
 by diftilling in B. M. fo that a tkird part only may 
 remain. But before Diftillation , the Spirit of 
 Wine together with the Extradion muft be filtred 
 through Paper. This Extradion may indeed be 
 profitably ufed \ but in a fmall Dole, and with great 
 Caution. What happens in this Operation is ve- 
 ry admirable. For the Spirit of Wine abflrafted, 
 can no more be imited with the red Extra(ftion , 
 whence it was diftilledi but one floats above the 
 other, as Water and Oyl, which cannot be mixed. 
 But if the abftraded Spirit of Wine be poured 
 upon other Liver of Antimony , it again attracts 
 the Colour to it felf-, yet this, although poured 
 upon the former Extraction , cannot be mixed 
 therewith. Which is a Thing fo ftrange, as it 
 may be numbred among W'onders. But who can 
 declare all the Wonders of G D? or who will 
 worthily eftcem the Gifi:s of the Creator , which 
 he hath implanted in his Creatures ? by us fcarce- 
 ly perfcrutable with deep Meditation. 
 
 I before made mention of the Extradion of An- 
 timony, from its Glafs ^ by Vinegar, and alfo by 
 Spirit of Wine: but now I fay, when fuch an Ex- 
 traction is made by Vinegar, and the Vinegar i^ a- 
 gain abftracted by B. M. and tlie Powder which 
 remains is refolved in amoillplace, into Oy lor 
 . Liquor of a Yellow Colour •, it effeds f.ich Won- 
 j ders in Wounds, new and old, as I neither can, nor 
 ' ■ 4are to commit them all to writing. 
 
 H 2 For 
 
100 Bafil Valentine'^a; Ctiuitipljant 
 
 '^ Here our Author acls as a Teachir careful^ and full of Ajf(Bion,voho nat 
 failsfiedonccto wention^doth ofun inculcate the prlncii>al Precepts of his Doflrine. 
 Biit.,7vhat it Is, th.1t Fpicially >/iov(s him to r (peat the Virtues of the Sulphur of 
 Antimony, //t'f not : he faith, he repents nothing in vain-., therefore do ihsr^ 
 Header, ij thou judgeft it oj Concern, more attently conftder^ whether you may 
 rot here find fomtiihat that is not mentioned^ or the Eeafon. why it is again, 
 spol^n of I, who pYoffs my filfto write to the latelligent, reiterate nothing 
 hire. He thst comprehends, let him com.prehend ; he that hath not there under- 
 floody I fear will not here understand. 
 
 For it reprcfTcth all Symptoms of what kind fb 
 ever, fuffercth none to take Root, and admits na 
 Putrefadion in frelh Wounds. Alfotlie Extracti- 
 on of this Powder, before Solution is made by Spi- 
 rit of Wine,effl(fts the fame, and yields not rsin- 
 feriour to other Medicaments , which arc admini- 
 ftred againfl: internal Affedts. 
 
 I have often made mention of this Preparation 
 in other of my Writings, alfo in this Treatifc of 
 Aainwriy^ very largely :, becaufe I know how great 
 Benefits r.nd how great Secrets are latent in it» 
 Therefore! hope, no Difcipic will be affefted with 
 tedioufnefs, by Rcafon of Repetitions in my Wri- 
 tings, which I faithfully open and bring to Light. 
 For whatfoever 1 write is not without Reafon; 
 and my words are Short, but require much Confi- 
 deration, although often repeated. To the Igno- 
 rant my Difcourfes contribute little underftanding, 
 to Children and the unexperienced little Profit •, 
 but to my Difciples and Apoftles, much health and 
 profperity. 
 
 There remains another Extradion by a Cauflick 
 Winter, which Experience hath taught me in this 
 manner. 
 
 Take o f Vitriol and Com.mon Salt, equal parts y 
 from thcfe by Retort diftil a Water*, which be- 
 ing forced out by vchen^ciU fire, comes forth a 
 
 matter 
 
 n 
 
 ^! 
 
 
 l\ 
 
matter like thin Butter, or the Sediment of Oyl 
 Oliver which keep apart for ufe. 
 \ 
 
 ^ Hin I will tend] youtkMMii.il O^n'Mwh Lovn- ofChym\{[ry,rpUch 
 undoubtedly yon -will gn.nly (Hsm of, whin ynu jhaH find tbs gre^t cnmrno- 
 Aity thenof in operating. Lf/?, as it ofiin bappms^ ivhm you dijUl the Spi- 
 rits of Metals,your Veffds [JjoHld be Inol^sH. 
 
 Here place the Figure in the loi Page. 
 
 Of your Earthen Retort A. open the upper hole B. into which put your Matter 
 by Parts, lefi all together fmting the heat, jhould acl too forcibly -^ and pre-- 
 fently Clofeibe Hole with its proper Cover. To the Spirits received in the Vejfd 
 C. exit ii givenby the hole D. into the other oppofit Receiver E. to which again. 
 is applied the other Receiver F. So, the more fubtle Spirits afcending tbrou/^b 
 thiHole D, fettle inthe RecipientV. But the more grofi remain inthebottotiQ. 
 of the Receivir C. T;i^s InArumerit will be mofl apt for your ufe here ; not 
 only, as I faid, left a moji firong Spirit pajjing out breal^the Glaffes^ but alfo 
 for other irorl^,as by aneafie peculation youwillhence gather. 
 
 Subtly grind the Caput-mortuum , and in a Cellar 
 
 permit it torelblve into Water, this Water keep 
 
 and filter it through Paper. Afterward take Hun^ 
 
 garian Antimony^ grind it to a fine Powder, and 
 
 having put it in a CHcurhit with a flat bottom, 
 
 pour this Water thereon , and fet the Vellel in 
 
 Heat. When it hath Itood there for a due time, 
 
 the Mattt^r will be like an Amethyji, with abiackiih 
 
 Violet-Colour. Then augment the Fire much, 
 
 and you will have a tranfparent Colour, like unto 
 
 ablew Saphyr. From this Colour precipitate a white 
 
 Powder, by pouring on Common Water. This 
 
 Powder taken , hath the fame Operation , as the 
 
 Red Extradlion of Glafs of jintimony , by Seidge, 
 
 and it alfo excites Vomiting. In that Solution 
 
 made from the CtpMt-mortimm, ?indke'pt in a Cellar, 
 
 if thin Plates of Iron be digeiled , Mars will be 
 
 truly tranfmuted into ren^u, as Experience will 
 
 teach. 
 
 Now further confider. Take that didillcd Ovl 
 H 3 -or 
 
102 Bafil Valentine'^ tTldltttpljaut 
 
 or Water, as is Ipoken of above in this procefs, 
 and pour it upon Crociis Mayw^ with SMlpkay re- 
 \'^?rbcrated to a Rcdnefs \ fet the Mixture in Heat, 
 and you will have ancxtrafted T'md.meo( Mars, 
 red as blood. Take of this Extradion one part ^ 
 of the Red Extradion of ^;;f/r^o;7y, which is pre- 
 pared with fixed Salt Nitre and Spirit of Wine, 
 three Parts;, of the Water of /^/^rc//^)' * leifurely 
 injefted through a long Pipe, one Part*, 
 
 *■ Chymiftj, that they may rchn the Jngmiitin of their Rcdders i and 
 v.oYe^ left arj hut the true Students of Art jhould pcmtrate into their SecretSj 
 deliver not a'i Tilings in one place, but feat! er their Dncuments., that by the Di" 
 lige^t CoUeffion of them, they may judge of their Aftnefl, a.f the Eagle proves 
 her Touvg eypofingthem to the SoLir Kays : fo you fee Bafilius h;ri propofetb 
 the life of the it'jter of Mercury, vehich he taught to he made in his Treatife^ 
 Tcrhich is Called a Supplement, or rather gaie a rude Draught of that Pracef?, 
 For neithir thae, n»r here dath heir.al^ yr.cntinn of an hole, that muji be open, 
 in the luperior part of the Retort, and thereinto a long Pipe fitted , through 
 Tvhifh the Mercury msy be put in, in very fm. til Parcels. For if you include 
 d very fmall part of Mercury /'; a Retort, fir (I made v;ry hot with a vehe- 
 ment Fire, a this muft be, if you vrould excraftthe Spi^'it, that Merairy, 
 Tvith its oivn vehement and untamable violence, would nut only hurft the Retort, 
 hut oterthrow the Fornace alfo ; unlefs ynu gize it a larger Ipace, and greater 
 liberty of Flying ; fo that, after it hath zifited many Retorts, it may reft, and 
 being as it weretired,fett!t. Rut fince it rsivtU l^ovn to a M true Chvmifts, 
 efhow great Virtue this Mercury is, in the Refolutiar.of Metals, I will here 
 Mil^ no further itfention thereof. 
 
 and of the Calx of Gold diiTolvedin this Cauftick 
 Water, half a part. Mix all thefe together, and 
 after they are canted off clear, diflil the Mixture 
 with a Moderate Fire in Sand. All will not pais 
 over by Diftillation , but a fair clear Solution rc" 
 mains fixed * in the Ecttom •, which we may ufe in 
 old open Wounds, wherein it laies a Foundation 
 for Healing to Amazemcut. 
 
 * This Solution is not yet fixed, but if yau be not already wearied with 
 Ubour , hy a. further Operation yon m^y fix it, The princip:il ufe of this is. 
 
 The 
 
•i** Chariot of aittimon^- 105 
 
 in tht Emmdation of Metals, ivbichBzfilim^doth doth not fo much asmmtia»» 
 Notv the Genius of till Ciiymiits -will undersiand me, here candidly difcave- 
 ving this Sicret t6 aH. Do thouy Lover of Chimiftry , in mind and thought 
 ffoiftlj folhrp me expounding the Oracle -, but tht Operation cannot be fo fvoijt- 
 ly performed. 
 
 this Powder mufl firfi be Extracted v i b flrong Vinegar, which afti)if>pard 
 abslract,and tvhxt remains in the bottom edulcorate with diUilledirater: again 
 Extract it with Spirit of irina, and ahslra6l the Spirit, t.nd in the bottom will 
 , tmain a Red Powder. Jo)n this with the fixed Salt, which is made of the 
 Feces, which remained after the Vinegar was ufid for Extraflion. And der 
 liver it to Vulcan for three Months space, that it way no more pe from tht 
 J ire, but mofi pleafingly ^ort with and in the fame, if you perform this,yoii 
 have Two conjoyned in an infeparable Matrimony : and you have fiparated thg 
 pure fi-om the impure , have rendred the VoU ile fixed, and fixed the Volatile^ 
 and art not far from that Felicity, which will answer all yonr Defifes, 
 
 The C^put ntortmm which ishft, being refolved 
 in an Humid place, yields a Liquor ib (harp, as no 
 u4<jua fortis may be compared with it in Sharpnefs. 
 But of thefe enough at this time. For I mult now 
 Ipeakof a White Powder, which may alfb be pre- 
 pared of Ar.timony in this manner. 
 
 Take pure Antimony, which is brought from 
 Hmgarix , or found in like Mountainous Places ; 
 grind it to a fubtle Powder : take alfo the lame 
 raeafure of pure Salnitre , which hath been thp 
 third time diligently cleanfed. This Compoiition 
 burn in a new glazed Pot (which was never infe- 
 <fled with any Fatnefs) in a Circulatory Fire-, not 
 all together, but by parts, and at divers times. 
 This way of Operating, Ancient Spa^yrifis called 
 Detonation , a Term of Art to be learned by the 
 Difciple of Art , as being not Common to every 
 Rullick, in his Artifice and Experience. 
 
 This Operation being performed, grind the 
 •hard Matter, which remained in the Pot, to a fine 
 Powder, and upon it in another Glazed Pot pour 
 common Water warm •, which when the Mattel is 
 letlcd again repeat the pouring on of Water fe- 
 yeral times , until all the Saliutre be extradted ; 
 
 H 4 L^ftly, 
 
104' Bafil Valentine'gf Criumpl)ant ♦ * 
 
 Lnllly, dry the remaining Matter, and with frefli 
 Salnitre * as much as its own weight is, burn it a- 
 gain, and repeat the fame Operation the third 
 time. 
 
 '^ Eafilius doth not mifgiiid.' or delude you , O Lover of Chymillry , 
 
 Tvhllft he fo candidly d/fcoucrs mofi Secret Myfteries, and fo ftncerely and 
 faithfully prefents thnr wonderful Epcfs. As by this -aery Operation you have 
 dn nrampli : For after the firfi Detonation with Nitre, and fo foon as you 
 fhall have fiparated the Salnitre fi-om the Powder with pure water , y«« have 
 the Powder of Ruland, with which that m.tn effedled fe many Medicinal iron- 
 dersywherehy he got to him f If fo great a Nami^ and fomitch wealth, whichy 
 if y oil. prepare under a certain Const it .-.t ion of Heaven (as I advifed^ in pre- 
 paring the Liver oj Antimony} yoji will have fo much the better^ by how much 
 the more Red : far the Colour is the Soul thereof the Ejfetl tf which in Medi- 
 cine^ Ruland proved and commended *, but Ire, neithir exhaufled its prjyfes, nor 
 did he perjwadc th" unexpei-ie^ced , that fo great Virtues wtie latent in this 
 Medicament. Tl)is Crocus o| Merals (for (o it is called) is not that, which 
 is publici^ly fold in Shops, ujion eight Grains of which they pour Z\\ of wine, 
 and although the Sicl^ only driil^^ that wine, without my other Powder, it of- 
 tentimes wor\s fo forcibly, upwards and downwards, iis either way,fometinies 
 b^hwayes. the life it fflj ijfues out. But theufeoj this isthtis. Tal^e eight, 
 nine, ten, or eleven Cranes oj this our Author'' s preparing the firji Ti>f!C, accord- 
 ing to the ftrength of the Sicl^, and all other Things co- indicating ; pour ox 
 them time or four ounces of wine ; for it matters not much, whethir you tal^ 
 more or life of the wine. Set the Mixture in B. M./w?' the /pace of four or five 
 hours, svd fo extract a mod Red Tinclurc f/om this Crocus of Metals (which 
 in an lajufion of the Crocus oi the Shops cannot be extr ailed) this wine, now 
 impregnated with th- Sulphur of the Crocus, together with the more fubtle 
 pari oj the Powder, which in canting off comes out, I give to the SicS^ , and it ' 
 furgith {'indly upwards and downwards without molestation. Nor doth this 
 Medicament only expel Humours, but (as is proper to Antimonials rightly pre- 
 pay d^ it flril^s at the very Root of\the Dijeaje^ and whatfoever in the Body is 
 corrupted and declined p-om its due (t'ate, that it amends and restores, what' 
 wonderful iffefis, this only Tlntlure hath difcoverad to me, I forbear to mention, 
 left I floould be compelled to bring their Credit in dnesiion, who have experienced 
 them. In this only believe me, whofoever thou art, that wouldefi v{e Chymicd 
 Medicaments , alwayes be fire to tal^e the true TinCtures of Ihings, in which ■ 
 their volatile Sulphur is abfconded ; if you neglect this, you neglect your own 
 Fame and Cain, and the Health of theSic^. 
 
 Wiiat remains after this third Operation grird 
 to a fcibtle Powder, ai:d on that pour the bcft Spi- 
 rit 
 
Ci^atiot of ^Inttmonr* io$ 
 
 rit of Wine-, circulate the Mixture for one 
 Month , in a Cucurbit or Circulatory diligently 
 nine or ten times, io often pouring on frelh Spirit. 
 This being done, dry the Powder with gentle heat, 
 and for one whole Day keep it red-hot in a Cruci- 
 ble, fuch as Goldfmiths uie to melt their Metals 
 in. Afterward reiblve this Powder (^in a moyft 
 Place, upon a Stone or GlafsTable, or in Eggs boyl- 
 ed to an hardnefs) into a Liquor, which fet in heat, 
 again dry, and reduce to Powder. This Powder 
 effeds many egregious and wonderful Things, 
 which cannot eafily be believed by Thofe, who 
 have not proved the fame. "^ 
 
 ^ If you bivt -bslleved^ or expn-ienced the Virtues of this Powda' ones dc- 
 tonatedf yeu Trill not be a Thomas in this third Detonation. Set to yowc 
 hand, to.ich and ufe thisy and it ivill perform the fame, rvhich true Diaphore- 
 tick Antimony wk, but with greatir Security aod Efficacy. 
 
 But it operates not fuddenly, it mull have time to 
 exercife its Powers, and Ihevv its own Vertue, by 
 the Teftimony of Experience, very admirable. 
 
 Whofoever labours with internal Impofthumes, 
 let him take of this white fixed Powder of ^»fzwo- 
 ny in the Spirit of Wine, or any other rich y^ne, 
 the fourth part of a Dram, five or fix times a Day, 
 and he will find his internal Impofthume opened, 
 and all the Coagulated Blood to be expelled by de- 
 grees, without any peril of Life or Health. He, 
 who is afflidled in his Body with the New Difeafc 
 of Souldjers, if he ufe this Powder in the aforefaid 
 manner, will alfo find this Evil confumed through- 
 out the whole Body , and by the fame expelled. 
 Moreover, it produceth new Hairs, and renovates 
 a man to the admiration of all men ^ it givi« new, 
 found > and pure Blocd , and is the Effedter of fo 
 xnv.chGcod, as even the leaft part of it ( although 
 
 Equity 
 
io5 Bafil Va^entinc';^ Cttumpl&ant 
 
 Equity feems to require this; cannot bymcbe de- 
 fcribed or declared, it is not fit I '^ic" d i.:K ma- 
 nifelt all things clearly, aad in iuch manner, .'tsany 
 man , without Lfibour and Toy], by reading my 
 Writings, may become a perfect X)tf^ifor ^ iiom.orc 
 than it is fit, that a Tonn'i Country Man * fiiould be 
 fed with the whiteftand belt baked Bread, which 
 he hath not prepared with his own Labour, or the 
 Corn of which himfelf thralhed not out. 
 
 ''" Valentine ha.t)y fo clearly ditccled alllhingSf m nomsny either before or 
 Mftn- hmjhath done it more clearly, /ilfthat came after him ftemtohxvecon- 
 ^ired, and agreed together to (pre ad Clouds over that Light, vrbich he brought 
 into the mrld. Hence it if, that thiy da not Publicl^ly extol his Prayfes, ac- 
 cording to the high EHeem every man Privately hath of him •, nor have thef 
 tranflated his Boo^s into other Tongues^altho-igh Hi., of all Author s^ it ths moji 
 worthy, ivho fpeaJ^ in the Languages of all Nations^ that he may be a comfort 
 to the Lovers of Chymiflry, erring in the Labyrinths of others, and always 
 produce a new Off-tpring of Philofo^hers. But no man (hould thin^, that hg 
 could fo clearly Sp'il^^ as every man ^ handling QXvjmSix'^ (according to iht 
 Saying) with unvpafind Hands, might prefintly underhand hint ; that is, at 
 himfelf faith, not pofjible to be done, nor is it ex^edimt that the Son of a vile 
 Clonvn (hould eat of the finefi Flower, in preparing which he tool^^ no Pains ; 
 yet (as belovf he confeffeth) orr Author hath ufed plain , fimple and clear 
 ffords. 
 
 But I make too large a Progrefs in this open 
 Ficfegjf Dofti ine, in which the Ancient Hunters 
 take their Larks, and the Young Ones prefently 
 follow them with their Nets.For my Style(as all my 
 Writings witnefs) hath a certain fingular purpo* 
 fed Method, like that of all Philofopers before me, 
 If any one think it ftrange, that I here propofe 
 certain fingular ProcefTes, in which m.y Phiiofophy 
 differs from other, let him be anfwered with this, 
 rhat Philofophick Speech much differs from the 
 Method of other mens Difcourfes, who nakedly 
 and fiftcerely declare fomc Procefs , without any 
 Ambiguities or Cloudings of ty£^/7>w.'r's. There- 
 fore, confider the diflerence, and accufc not me. 
 
Cljatiof of aitttfmonp. 107 
 
 3 as if I had deviated from Order, in my Style of 
 
 ' Philofophy . and of Preparations and Procefles. 
 
 i For in a Philoibphick Difcourfe, it is behooful to 
 
 ' learn and judge of what appertains to the Theory, 
 
 hut the Pradice teacheth you the Inftrudion of 
 
 Procefles ; therefore in them, true, fimple, clear 
 
 and well grounded Words are to be ufed. 
 
 Alfo , of Jminwny is made a Balfom, againft 
 grievous Difeafes very profitable •, yet not of 
 Crude Antimony , but ot the Regiilm thereof, 
 whence may be made living Mercury , in the fol- 
 lowing manner. 
 
 Take of the beft Hungarian Antimony ^ and crudc 
 '^Tartar equal parts, and of Salnitre half n part •, 
 grind them well together, and afterward flixthem 
 in a Wind-Fornace*, pour out the flowing Matter 
 into a Cone , and there let it cool •, then you will 
 find the Re-nlni, which thrice or oftner purge by 
 Fire, with Tartar and Nitre ,-and it will be bright 
 and white, fliining like Cupellate Silver, which hath 
 fulminated and overcome all its Lead. 
 
 * nhat I advlfid to in the Vrepuratiennf Liver of Antimony it here t» be 
 repented •, inHtad tf CrudeTartur take Salt of Tartar., by which the Operation 
 ypiU fotntr and better proceed. Salnitre here is unprofitable. Toerefore, tah 
 •f Antimony and Salt of Tartar^ of each equal parts^ melt them and mal^ ^ 
 'Kcg\i\viS., according to the Rule here given ^> Bafilius. if you caftarcay the 
 Glaji(asill men for the mofi part do) ysu tviU do ill. For J, of that prepare 
 n viry profitable Mtdicamint in this manner, i grind this Gla(i in an hot 
 Mortar, taking heed it contrtH no Hmidity from the Air, rohich may eafil-^ 
 be prevented , and having put it in a Phial , pour Alcohol of ffine thereon, 
 and thence extras a moft beautiful TinSlure, in Colour red lil^ Blood. Thit 
 Tinclhre is a mosl excellent Cordial, if thirty, forty or fifty Drops of it be tihrt 
 in convenient Liquor, and that^ if you TviU^ twice or thrice a day ; for it'is 
 ta^en Tvith fajety, andrecreates ehi whole Man. 
 
 Grind this Regulm to a fubtle Powder, and hav- 
 ing put it into a Glafsjpour it on, Oylof Juniper, 
 or Spirit of Turpentine, wjiich cgmes forth in the 
 
loS* Bafil Valentine'^ Cciumpljant 
 
 firll Diftillation, and is pure as Fountain Water ; 
 keep the VelTel well clofed, in a fubtle heat of 5. 
 ^. and the Oyl of Juniper, or Spirit of Turpen- 
 tine, will become red as Blood , which pour otf^ 
 and redtifie with Spirit of Wine. This is endu- 
 ed with the fame Virtues, as Balfom of Sulphur, as 
 I fhall then fhcw, when I write of Sulphur, becaufe 
 they require one and the fame Preparation. 
 
 Of this Balfom only three or four Drops, taken 
 thrice in a Week with hot Wine, heal theDifeafes 
 of the Lungs, cure the frequent Cough, und^fih- 
 ma, alfo they are conducent in the ^erti^o, prick- 
 ings of the Sides and in diuturnal Coughs. 
 
 Alfo many Oyls may be prepared of Antimony, 
 fomc pr fe and without Addition, and many others 
 by Addition. Yet they are not endued with the 
 fame Virtues, but each enjoys its own, according 
 to the Diverfity of its Preparation. Of which i 
 now give you this Similitude. There are many 
 kinds of Animals, which live only in the Earth, as 
 are many Creeping Things, Worms and Serpents ^ 
 alfo others, fome of which are new kinds, which , 
 before were not, and thefe alfo proceed from Pu- 
 trefadtion of the Earth. Some inhabit the Wa- 
 ters , as all kinds of Fiflics •, others flie through 
 the Air, as every kind of Flying Things, and Birds ^ 
 fome alfo are nouriflicd in the Fire, as the Sala- 
 mander. And befides thefe, in the more hot Re- 
 gions and Iflands, are found many other Animals, 
 which to thefe Nations are unknown, which pro- 
 long their Life by the Solar Heat, and which die 
 fo foon as brought into another Air. So Auimo- 
 ny , when prepared by the Addition of Water, 
 afllimes another Nature and Complexion for ope- 
 rating , then when prepared by Fire only. And 
 although every Preparation of it ought to be 
 made by Fire, without whicb the Virtue of it can- 
 not 
 
chariot of Snttmony; 109 
 
 not be manifefted : yet confider, that the Additi- 
 on of Earth gives'it wholly another Nature, than 
 the Addition of Water. So alfo when Antimony 
 is fublimed m Fire through the Air , and further 
 prepared, another Virtue, other Powers, and ano- 
 ther Operation follow , than in the Preparations 
 aheady defcribed. Therefore the Oyl of Anti^ 
 mony^ fer fe, without addition , and the true Sul- 
 phur thereof are prepared after this Pv^Jethod. 
 
 Take crude Hungarian Antimony y put that ground 
 to a fubtle Powder , into a Glafs Cucurhit with a 
 flat bottom: and pour thereon the true Vinegar 
 of Philofophers rend red more acid with its own 
 Salt. Then fet the CncHrbit firmly clofed in Horfe- 
 dung, or B. M. to putrefie the matter for forty 
 Days, in which time the Body refolves it felf, and 
 the Vinegar contrads a Colour red as Blood. 
 Pour off the Vinegar , and pour on frelh, and do 
 this fo often, as until the Vinegar can no more be 
 tinged. This being done , filtre all the Vinegar 
 through Paper, and again let it, put into a clean 
 Glals firmly clofed flgai« in Horfe-dung, or^.A/I 
 as before, that it may putrefie for forty Days •, in 
 which time the Body again refolves it felf, and the 
 Matter in the Glafs becomes as black as Cakan- 
 tham , or Shoemakers Ink. When you have this 
 Sign, then true Solution is made, by which the fur- 
 ther Separation of Elements is procured. Put 
 this black matter into another Cucurbit, to which 
 apply ^u Alembick, and diftil off the Vinegar with 
 modcrr.te Fire ^ then the Vinegar pafleth out 
 clear, and in the bottom a fordid matter remains •, 
 grind that to a fubtle Powder , and edulcorate it 
 with diftillcd Rain Water, then dry it with gentle 
 heat , and put it' a Circulatory with a long Neck 
 (the Circulatory muft have three Cavities or Bel- 
 lies, as if three Globes were fet one above another, 
 
 .yet 
 
1 1 o Bafil VaIentine'0 tTtfumpbaUt 
 
 yet diltind or apart each from other, as Sublima- 
 tories,' with their Aludel Cor Hcad3 ^re wont to 
 b. made, and Jt muft have a long Neck likeaPhial, 
 (or Boltnead and pour on it Spirit of Wine high- 
 ly rcdiiied, till it rifeth three Fingers above the 
 Matter, and having weii clofed the Veflel , fet it 
 in a moderate heat for two Months. Then fol- 
 lows another new Extraction , aud the Spirit of 
 Wine becomes tranfparently red as a Ruby, or as 
 Was the firft Extra^l:ion of the Vinegar , yea more 
 fair. Pour off the Spirit of Wine thus tinged , 
 filtre it through Paper, and put it into a Cucurbit 
 (the black Matter which remains fet afide, and fe- 
 parate from this Work^ for it is not profitable 
 therein) to which apply an Head and Receiver, 
 and having firmly clofed all Jundures, begin to 
 diftil in Aiheswith moderate Fire : then the Spirit 
 of wine carries over theTindture oiAntimony with 
 it felf, the Elements feparatethemfelves each from 
 other , and the Alembeck and Recipient fcem to 
 rcfemble the form of pure Gold tranfparent in 
 Afped. In the end Ibme few Feces remain,and the 
 Golden Colour in the Glafs altogether fayls. The 
 red Matter, which in diftilUng pafled over into the ' 
 Receiver, put into a Circulatory for ten Days, ■ 
 and as many Nights. By that Circulr.iion Sepa- 1 
 ration is made •, for the Oyl thereby acquires Gra- 
 vity, and feparaLcs it felf to the bottom from the j 
 Spirit of Wine^ and the Spirit of Wine is agai^ j 
 Clear, as it was at firft, ^nd fwims upon the Oyl. 
 Which admirable Separation is like a Miracle in 
 Nature : Sepaiate this Oyl * from the Spirit of 
 Wine by a Separatory. 
 
 ''■ HiYi yau ha-ui not only vphjijorjer can be rnidt 0/ Antimony , but alft 
 almoft allthit an b( nomfid by a Chymift. 7fc« k t}m tvith vehich aU tht 
 
 This 
 
 i:: 
 
 i 
 
 kI 
 
 I' 
 
 to 
 
Cl)atiotof Unttmon^ m 
 
 J^oii^s n[ aliCh\m]{isare filled^ -ahichk involved in fo many Fables, compli- 
 cated in fo many Riddles, and explicated withfo many obfcure Commentaries , 
 th^t is,which in .illtne mrld is defied by Foois, fuiight by the Sons of Art, and. 
 found by the wife, tlj/s^&^wii reveals, this he repeats, this he inculcates ', 
 this is fc/5 Triumphant Chariot , ifphich he as it -were carries about, and often 
 (herps in the vaiious Tarts of his writings. B-.fnre in this Treatife, he prefents 
 it under the Name of an Extrusion of Crude fiimmony , here it is Oyl of An- 
 timony, foon after it is converted into a Stone, Tcvhich is called the Stone of Fire. 
 71ms this Proteus often nprs it felf, always various, yet always the fame in 
 SiibUance. Compare all thefe Proa ffes, which ^re fo often diver fly propounded^ 
 with theft my Commentaries made upon the Extra6ii»n of Crude Antimony, 
 And you will have the iiori^ compleat in all itf Numbers ; you will havt a Trea- 
 fure, in which^ if you l^ow not what you have, I remit youtoMCoTpi's DunghiL- 
 Cocl^, who found a Cm in the Dunghil, but i^new not ivha'- he had. Confider 
 diligently , Lover ojChymiftry, and you will find that no man hath dealt 
 more clearly andfincerely with Ibee, than Bafilius, and me after him, who (herv 
 thee whe-it the Hare Hies, which fo many Others have hunted in vain, if now 
 yoH be not here wife,yon wiU not be healed with three AnticyraV. Therefore I 
 will aid nothing, U!f I ma^e Fools mady who now indeed are wife. 
 
 This Oyl is of a fingular and incredible Sweet- 
 nefs, with which no other thing may be compared, 
 it is grateful in the life, and all Corrofivenefs isfe- 
 parated from it. No man can by Cogitation 
 judge, by Undei (landing comprehend, what incre- 
 dible Effefts , potent Powers , and profitable Vir- 
 tues are in this Royal Oyl. Therefore , to this 
 Sulphur oi Antimony ^ I have given no other Name, 
 than my Balfom of Life -, becaufe it effects very 
 much, by the Grace ot GO Dy inthofe, in whom 
 was no help to be hoped for, but by the Mercy of 
 G D, and nothing remained but a moft: certain 
 expedation of changing Life with Death ; as my 
 Brethren can witnefs hath been often done. It 
 refreflieth a man fo , as if he were new born ^ it 
 purifies the Blood -, mixt and exhibited with the 
 Tinftureof Corals, it cleanfeththeLeprofie, and 
 expels every Scab , which through impurity of 
 the Blood takes Root in man. It drives away 
 Melancholy and fadnefs of Heart, it confirms the 
 
 junctures. 
 
n 2 Bafil Valentine'ji^ Crfumpbatlt 
 
 JuiKftures , and above all ftrengtheiis the Heart, 
 when given with the Magiftery of Pearls. Alfo it 
 helps the Memory, and in Swouning a more noble 
 Medicine is not found, if fix drops of it mixt with 
 equal parts of Oyl of Cinnamon be put upon the 
 Tongue, and trie Noftrils and Arteries be anoint- 
 ed with a little of the Effcnce of Saffron. 
 
 Ah Good GOD, what moves me to fpeak , 
 write, and invent many Things! For I fuppcfe I 
 fhall find few among the Doctors , who will give 
 ajbfblute Credit to thefe my Writings , which I 
 have declared faithfully, injiead of a Tcitament, 
 to my Difciples , Apoftles , and Followers •-, but 
 Others, who before knew thefe wonderful Effects, 
 and have often in Truth experienced thefe Vir- 
 tues, will more accurately attend , and more eafily 
 believe, and for this bounty of mine (viz.. becaufe 
 I have opened , by the permifTion of GO D^ the 
 Powers and Virtues which are infufed in the Crea- 
 tures, and have as it were freed rhem from Prifon, 
 brought them to Light, and unto free Operation) 
 give me thanks, and fpeak honourably of me , af- 
 ter I am reduced to Dull: in the Grave. 
 
 Another way to drive Antimony ^Yiithout Addi- 
 tion,over by Alembeck is this. 
 
 Makea^f^«/;«of Ait'i many, hy Tartar and Sal' 
 nitres as I above taugltt, grmd this fubtily, put it in 
 a great round Glafs, and place it in a moderate heat 
 of Sand. This way the A^ntmony will be fublimed : 
 whatfoever fhall be fublimed , that dayly put 
 down with a Feather, that at length it may remain 
 in the Bottom, and there perfift until nothing more 
 of it can be fublimed, but the whole remains fixed 
 in the Bottom. Then is your Regnlui fixed and 
 precipitated ^er fe. But confider, here is requi- 
 red a fufficient time , and repetition of the Labour 
 often, before you can obtain that. This Red Pre- 
 cipitate 
 
Cljatfot of 3gnCimoitr. tt^ 
 
 cipitcite take out , grind it to a fubtle Powder , 
 which Ipred upon a flat and clean Stone, fet in a 
 cold moift iFlace and there let it remain i'or lix 
 Months •, at length the Precipit?te begins to re- 
 iblve it fclf into a red and pure Liquor , and the 
 Feces or Earth is feparatcd from it. The Salt of 
 Afttimony^ 1 lay, only refolves it felf into Liquor, 
 Which filter, and put into a Cucurbit, that it may 
 be condenfed by extradtion of the phlegnr, and 
 again fet it in a moyft place, then will it yield you 
 fair Cryllals. Separate thefe from their phlegm, 
 and they will be pellucid, mixt wiith a red Colour \ 
 but when again purified become white. Then is 
 made the true Salt * of Antimony^ as I have often - 
 prepared it. 
 
 "* "u^ iV». or like with like, k a. Vravcrb among th; Gmf>!;^ and is 
 here munifeli in our chymcjl mrl^. For this Salt acujtes ali MenftruumVj 
 for their more tafie extra&ion.of Mitils; but thofe Extri^Jvis mo^ ^yehicH 
 an mjide of Ancimdrty, as of a Mi air d to it of affiiity xni li-^s. 
 
 This Salt dry, and mix with it Venenim Earth ' 
 
 (which is called Tri^d) three Farts , and in ftrong 
 Fire diftil it. Firit a wiiicc Spirit comes off, after- 
 ward a red Spirit, whiclf alio refolves it fclf into 
 white. Reclilie this Spirit gently and fubtily in 
 a dry or moyfl; B4neo , and fo you will have ano- 
 ther white Oyldiftilkd from the S?\zo^ Amimony. 
 This Oyl, but why do I call it Oyl ? this Spirit , \ 
 fliould rather lay , lince the Salt is diftilled in a 
 Spiritual manner , in Qnaitans and other Fcavci-s 
 often man i felts its Virtues, andis very conducenc 
 in breaking the Stone of the Bladder ^ it provokes 
 Urine, and is profitable in the Gout. Outwardly 
 applied to oUcoirofive Wounds, v/liich have their 
 Operation from Adars ^ it purifies them, Alfo, 
 this Spirit q'' the Salt of Annm'jiv purifies the 
 whole Blood, as the Salt-of Gold ciOth. Antlal- 
 
 I though. 
 
114 Bafil Valcntine'jg trtfump^ant 
 
 though , in healing very many other Difeafes if 
 may be profitably applied, yet it is not Co perfed, 
 as the above defcribed red Oyl of Jnnmcny , in 
 which its Sulphur is deduced to the highefl; .'puri- 
 fied and feparated, as I laid J therefore I forbear 
 to fpeak more of this. 
 
 Now , fince I have treated of the Sulphur and 
 Salt of Antimony ^?xid flievvedhow they may be re-' 
 duced into Oyl and Spirit , to be fiibfervient to 
 Medicine •, I here treating further , purpofe to 
 fpeak of its Mercury alfo,and to raanifeit what 
 Medicine lies abfconded , and as it were buried 
 in it. 
 
 Take the RegHh^ of Antimony , made in fuch 
 manner, as I above taught, eight Parts. Salt of 
 Humane Urine clarified and fublimed , one Part. 
 Sal-Armoniack one Part: and one Part of Salt of 
 Tartar. Mix ail the Salts together in a Gla's, and 
 having poured on ftrong Wme-Vinegar , lute it 
 with the Luting of Sapience, and digcll the Salts 
 with the Vinegar for an intire Moneth inconveni- 
 ent Heat-, afterward put all into a Cucurbit, and 
 in Aflies diftil oiFthe V^incgar, that the Salts may 
 remain dry. Tlicfe dry Salts mix with three Parts 
 of Vc-fialan Earth, and by Retort diftil the Mix- 
 ture with ftrong Fire, and you will have a wonder- 
 ful Spirit. This Spirit poi'r upon the afc^i-ciaid 
 Regnlm oC Anirr.cny reduced to Powder , and fet 
 the whole in putreraclion for two Moneths. Then 
 gently difti! the Vinegar from it, and with what 
 remains mix a fourfold weight of the filings of 
 Steel, and with violent Fire diftil by Retort : then, 
 tbe Spirit of Salt, which pallcth out, carries over 
 with it felf the Mrcwy of Atimony'm the Speci- 
 es of Fume. Wherefore in this c3perarinn you 
 muft apply a great Recipient with a large q lantity 
 of Water in it; fo uoin^, the ' pitit of : al: will be 
 
 nibced 
 
Cljahot of antimony. t^s 
 
 mixed with the Water5but the Mercury colleded in 
 the Bottom of the Glafs into true Living Mercury. * 
 
 * uhxt -op^re ArcanumV in. the times of Bafilius, are now in our tiinis but 
 vuigar Chymical Worlds. Haw often (hau ive find any Ons^ rcho numb^s him- 
 felf among true Chymifts , that is ignorant of tk way of malting Mercury 
 fl/ Antimony ? either in this mauner^ <w Bafilius twcto J;, or in another. 
 For various Artificers have now invented various MethodSj^and ivery Ont 
 ufeththaty he beft a^-oves of 
 
 Behold, O Lover of Art, I have fhewed you, how 
 of Animofjymyj be made Running /T/^rc^^^, which 
 very many have fo long, and in fo many Parts of 
 the World fought •, and how we may ufe this Mer- 
 cury with prayfe in Medicine, I will here difcover 
 and fet down in Writhig. 
 
 Take in the Name of the Lord, of this Mercury 
 one Part, exprefs it through a Skin, and pour on ic 
 of red Oyl of Vitriol highly rectified, four Parts, 
 Extrad the Oyl, and the Spirits of the Oyl will re- 
 riiainwitli the Mercury: Force it with vehement 
 Pirc, and Ibmewhat will be fublimed. This Sub- 
 limate again put down upon the Earth in the Bot- 
 tom. Then pour on other Oyl, of the fame weight 
 as before , and repeat this labour a third time. 
 The fourth time, put the Sublimate which afcends 
 with the Earth, and grind both together, and the 
 whole will be clear and pure', like a Speciilmn or 
 Cryftal. Put this into a Circulatory, and pour 
 On it a like weight of Oyl of Vitriol, and thrice 
 fo much Spirit of V^ine. Circulate until Separa- 
 tion be made, and at length the Mercury refolveit 
 felf into Oyl, andHoat about like Oyl Olive. 
 When yon fee this, feparatc this Oyl from the other 
 Liquor, and put it into a Circulatory, and there 
 pour on ftrong diftilled Vinegar, and permit it fo 
 to reft for about twenty Days. Then this Oyl 
 again acquires its own Gravity, and fecdes to ths 
 
 I lb botuom ; 
 
1 1 6 Bafil Valentine'jsJ Ctmmp!)ailt 
 
 Bottom ; and whatfoever Venenofity was in it, 
 remains in tlie Vinegar, which will be tenebrous 
 and altogether confuled. "^ 
 
 '-■'' iWiiz IS no m?d of TorcJns at Noon Vay., rm of Commentaries Ik fo per" 
 Spicuchi a Defcrlption ., bj which B3G\\\Mtf.ichsth to m.i(^j the Mercury of 
 .ftjitimony. B^gin Icifnrclw give h^ed to all particulars., and your im\ ihsll 
 mvtr deceive yniu L?(i Ijhoiild darl^n the Aitthnr, I deffft from Com minting ; 
 but add., that I doubt Tiot., hut that W>/V Mercury ■»'/.'/ manifji wonderjul 
 jEffe^s in the Humant Body : Yet I bake not experienced its Virtues jor tht 
 health nf Animals., therefore my Commentaries mull not exuedntyExpiricnce. 
 
 But in the Emendation of AletalSy it (hews It filj to be s.niiicd with fingu- 
 lar Virtues. For I fay^ and clearly affirm , ht that cai bring this Oylhere de^ 
 fcribed by Bafiliiis, to the fiate of a fixed Stone., mat glory that he hath a fixed 
 Jinlliire., only injerior to the one only Kjng of Kjniis, the Great (lone of Phi- 
 lofophers, J-fiun thou hafi proceeded thus far^ J .over of chymi(iry , go not 
 baci^^ nor tal^c oQ thy hand from the Plough : but go on cbearfullyy perhaps in 
 fo great a Crave. 
 
 Tl.'f Golden Branch, vrifh Leaves and Trpigsof Gold ' 
 Vill fhew it fdf to Thee 
 
 This is a great A-cmrdm, and feems repugnant 
 to Nature, that tliis Oyl fnould firft Iwim, and af- 
 terward being rendred more ponderous , fettle to 
 the Bottom. But confider, the Oyl of Vitriol is 
 alfo heavy, yet when the Mercury in irs Sqxiration 
 is not altogetb.er pure , it itahds above ii :, but 
 when the impure Lightnefs is taken from it by Vi- 
 negar, becaufe t!ie Vinegar alVum^s that , then the 
 Oyl receives its jullweiLVat. becomes compacT:, and 
 fettles to the Bottom. " Fhis is the Oyl of the 
 Mcrcn-y of AniniOfiy^wXvxh. is the fourth Column 
 of xMedicine. 
 
 Now come hitlier you Lepers', where be you? 
 1 wiil fnpply yoM with Means for Heakh. This 
 Oyl is profitable againlt the Apoplexy, comforts 
 the Brain, makes a man indiiiLrious, a.id chcrilheth 
 the vital Spirits of the Head. If auy one hath la- 
 boured long with grievous Dilealcs,and will for 
 
 fome 
 
Cljiidot of IHiitimon^. 1 1 7 
 
 ibmc time dayly ufe this Oyl, his Hairs and Nayh 
 will fall off, and he will be renovated, as a man new- 
 born. All the Blood in the Humane Body isby it 
 ib purified, as every Evil is taken off from it, and 
 expelled. This heals the French JDifeafe, which we 
 have lately inherited j for by this IVledicine it is 
 radically extirpated. And, to comprehend much ' 
 in few words, the praife of this Oyl is greater in 
 Medicine, than can be exprefled by Speech or 
 Writing. 
 
 Why do we, miferable Mortals, taken from the 
 Earth, and ready to return into Earth, [tick here ? 
 Why do we not haften to give Thanks to GOD 
 om Creator, for this Medicine fo mercifully granted 
 to Us ? You Dollars (if it plcafe the Gods) of 
 either Medicine , coine to me a religious man and 
 Servant of G D , 1 will manifelt to you what 
 your Eyes never fa w, and will fliew you the way of 
 Health and Sanity, which before you never knew. 
 Yet if any one be found among you, who under- 
 ftands my Proc-.fles, and the way of Preparation, 
 better than I •, let him, I pray, not be fdent, or fct 
 a Seal to his Lips: for here I Hand ready to learn, 
 nor am I aQiaii-ed further to inquire , and defire 
 that Liglit, which before 1 knew not. Fori have 
 often laid, thaithisour Life is circamfcribedwith 
 more ftrait Limits , then that one man (liould be 
 able to fcarch out all Things, which Nature bears 
 abfcondcd in her Bolbm. But on the contrary, I 
 being the Author, let them be lilent, who have ex- 
 perienced kfs than I, and if they have not attained 
 to a folid Linderftanding of my Writings , let 
 them not attempt to amend them, or (like Draw, 
 lers) with inconuderate Words reprehend, wiiat 
 they never learned in the Schools, and the Proceffes 
 of which they never received from men billed in 
 the Law. For my Terms otherwife found, and 
 1 3 . fignifie 
 
H? Bafil VaIentioe*j2j Criumjjtjant 
 
 fignifie other than theirs , who oppofe thcmfelves 
 againft me, and who are alhamcd of the Labour of 
 Planting Trees , and of Grafting fruitful Sprouts 
 thereon , therefore they always abide among dry 
 and withered Wild Trees, and can never attain to 
 any Branch of green , fappy , and well manured 
 Fruit Trees. 
 
 Halten not, I lay , O man experienced in our 
 Art, to pafs your Sentence of Judging, and be not 
 willing to condemn , what yon have not yet your 
 felf acquired by Thoughts , or gained by Difci- 
 pline. Many imprudent men frequently lay. Fifties 
 are frozen m Waters •, but thefe dilcover their 
 own imprudence and want of Knowledge. For 
 it will never be proved , that a Fifii, even in the 
 bittereft Winter will ever be frozen in Waters, as 
 long as the Ice of thofe Waters is day ly broken by 
 the diligence of Mortals. But the reafon why 
 Fifties dye, is becaufe, when the Ice is not opened, 
 their refpiration is hindred, and they thence are 
 are fuffocated. For it may cafily be proved, that 
 no Animal can live/ when to it theufe of Air is 
 denied. Whence it may well be concluded, that 
 thofe Fifties, which" are found dead under the Wa- 
 ter, in an extrcam Cold Seafon, die not of Cold (as 
 men of little undcrilanding think) but becaufe 
 they are deprived of Air. By like Reafon (that 
 we may apply thisExample) I fay, fince Antimonyy 
 is to produce fuch admirable Fruits , it is to be 
 taken out of the Mountains ; but fuft, by the Care 
 of the Miners fpiracles, or breathing places, are 
 to be made for it, and afterward it muft be prepa- 
 red with Water, Air and Fire, as with auxiliary' 
 Mediums, left its fruitfulncfs be fuffocated in the 
 Earth. But with many and laborious Preparati- 
 ons of Artifice, it muft be manifefted and brought 
 to Light , for the expeded Sanation of Difcafes, 
 
r 
 
 Cteriot tl antimoit^ 119 
 
 by reafon of which it hath been ib long fought into. 
 
 Where now, O Wretch ! who contemneft ^z- 
 tinwny^ snd among all men accufellitas mere Ve- 
 nom, where is thy Rhetorick, or Dialed, where^ 
 with to defend thy felf ? But fm^e thou under- 
 Jlandeft neither White, nor Black, nor Green, nor 
 Red, nor Yellow j nor kuoweft which way to go 
 about to juftifie Animofjy, its Virtue, Power and 
 Utility, being unknown to thee,thoudoell well, if 
 thou keepefl Silence, and permittefl; this Repre- 
 henfion of thy Ignorance, as a W'ave driven with 
 vehement wind to lly over thy Head ^ fearing, that 
 if thofe Winds and Waves fhould be predomi- 
 nant, thy own weak and frail Bark would be funk 
 and fubmcrged. To avoid this peril, fealbnably 
 call upon thy Sleeping Malter, as the Difciples of 
 our Saviour Jefiis Chriji- did, when they feared they 
 Ihould perifh. Yet this muft not be done with a 
 dillemblcd aud feigned , but with a true and pure 
 Heart, without all Hypocrifie^ then yonrRederH- 
 ption and Help will undoubtedly follow, fo that in 
 all Verity you will fee and find the Winds and the 
 Sea to obey you, aud all Things to be brought to 
 thedefired End. 
 
 I wilh man were but fo difpofed , as he would 
 Itudy to obtain fomewhat with labour and Dili- 
 gence, thencertainly the Gods, thePrefidentsof 
 Profperity and Art would give Succefs, by which 
 fuch a Difciple and Follower of Art might be af- 
 fured, that in the wifhed School of Art, and defired • 
 Domicil of Grace, Felicity and Health Ihould not 
 be denied him, but that he himfelf fnould certainly 
 fee and find the Foundation of the Corner Stone, 
 upon which he might commodiouOy build up all 
 the other Orders of Stones. Then would ceafe 
 the fo many evilly founded Impertinenciesof Bab- 
 iers, which in the Schools ftun the Ears of Difci- 
 
 1 ^ pics, 
 
190 Bafil Valentine'jgJ CtfumpTiaut 
 
 ple?,andinHoulcsthe Ears of the Sick-, ard the 
 Atacter it lelf would fpeak , as it were with opcri 
 Ivfouth , and by certain Experience confirm, that a 
 Caftle or Palace of Stone cannot fo eafily be fet on 
 Fire and burnt, as a Pidgeon-Houfe, or the old 
 Ntll of a Stork coinpofgd of rotten Wood , and 
 dayly dried more and more by the Sun. 
 
 But my Auditor and Difciple , do thou with 
 fliarp Judgment weigh this my hncere Information, 
 ?nd with fervent delire ftrive to penetrate the in- 
 moft Center of Art, which by the external Face 
 can be known by no man-, profecute and prefs af- 
 ter the Virtue and Power thereof , noothcrwife, 
 thanasaHunterpurfuesa Wild Beaft-, fearch out 
 jts Footflcps through the Snow , that you may 
 rightly diitinguifli, and not take an Hart infliead 
 c[ an Hind, or an Hare inftead of a Fox, or give 
 a falfc cilimatc thereof, by erring from its Foot- 
 fteps. Well, call out your Nets, and take a mul- 
 titude of Fifhes, according to your own Wifli or 
 Delire. Place your Threads as is bchooful , and 
 diipofeof the Birds, which allure others to their 
 place, and by this way of Fowling you will fulfil 
 your delire with profit. Thnt by thefe, to every 
 Scare her I may brielly propofe my Admonition and 
 Advice, I fiiy: My Friend the Hunter , difpofe 
 rightly your Nets and Inftruments for Hunting 
 a=; b.hoveth •, and you Mariner, who Night and 
 Day fayl through the valt Seas , and are often 
 ' driven hither and thither by the Winds, give heed 
 to the Point of your Compafs , and undoubtedly 
 you wili reap profit, and not bring home your 
 Ship y fwiftly returning, without great Gain of 
 Merchaiiciize. 
 
 Bat wl'Y do I treat of riiany things, or fpend 
 time unprofitably (astatling Sopliillers are wont 
 ^0 do; in beating out the empty Chafl7 I am de-. 
 
 ceived j 
 
f' 
 
 Cbatiot of Kinttmon^ 121^ 
 
 iCcived ; I do not unprofitably fpend my time *, 
 ■for all tlie Words in my Writings iire of ule, and 
 in them are found few empty Letters, which con- 
 tain not fome Utility together with a profitable 
 Inftrudion, fo that the time I fpend in Writing 
 will rather be a Recreation, than a Burthen to mc. 
 Therefore now, after the manner of Fencers, I will 
 Jlepback one pace, and into the Chymical Labora- 
 tory infer a new Doctrine of External Things^ 
 ^iz.. (hew, that Antimo-ny is of fuch a Nature, as 
 r.,ay be prepared ib, as to yield prefent help in Me- 
 dicine pertinent to External Wounds, which ma^ 
 nifoldly offer themfelves to us, and are declared 
 by Chirurgy. Therefore I will begin and briefly 
 explain my Procefles, vi?i. how that is to be ufed 
 in Medicine , and how it may profitably be pre' 
 pared. 
 
 Whofoever thou art , among Junior Students, 
 thatdefireit to fcarch out the Occult things of Na- 
 ture, and to bring her hidden Secrets to Light, 
 attend to what I fay , that thou may eft be able to 
 diftinguifh Day from Night, and what is clear from 
 the Obfcure. 
 
 Take of Huniarim Antimony one part, Common 
 Salt half a part, and fix parts of Ar^ilU not burnt, 
 grind all together , and difcil vehemently with a 
 continual Fn-e without Interminion and at length an 
 Oyl will come forth : from this abftracl its Phlegm 
 by Diltiliation, that a red dry Powder may remain 
 in the bottom of the OicHrhit. This Powder grind 
 ftbtily, and rcfolve it into a Liquor, upon a Mar- 
 ble Stone-, and you will have a redfliiningBalfom 
 for Wounds , which far excels very many other 
 BaIfom=. Its Ufc * is principally in Wounds , 
 which have been a long time open , and m the 
 Cure of which the Bockors with their Plaifters , 
 Unguents , Oyls and Ligaments could effed: no- 
 
 tliing? 
 
122 Bafil Valentioe'jsJ Ctiutttllftanr 
 
 thing ! but with very great Difgrace they nt 
 length take off the Horfe's Bridle and Saddle, and 
 return him to the Stable, whence they had him. 
 
 ^ A rvife Gmral of an Army fo di^ofeth his Souldiers it tlmi of Fight In^^ 
 that in thi beginning of the Battle, the good andftrong Souldiers fight, and in. 
 the End of the fame the befl and mojl firong come to dial with the Enemy ; but 
 (uch as are not preerful enough , for the firjl and lajl Encounter, in Anns or 
 ftrength^'are by him placed in the midfl, that they may tal^e Example of fighting , 
 fi-om the Former,and hope of help and yiciory f-om the Later. The Emperor is 
 imitated by the Orator, in placing his Arguments fo , as be may overcome the 
 miads' of men. Bafilius imitates the Orator , in difpofing his Froceffes fo,as hr 
 may lead his Difciple to Sapience, and the Fruit ofirifdom. m have already had- 
 famous Proceffes,and in explaining them have ufedeur Endeavour, and contrihu- 
 tedfome Light. Now follow thofe, that are in themfelves clear enough, and not 
 tffo great moment as the former j therefore we (hall not infijl upon them. 
 
 My Form of Speaking Savours of Simplicity ; 
 for I am a man Religious, to whom the Method of 
 Secular Men is unknown •, therefore cannot fo 
 clearly deted and dcfcribe all Things, as the Matter 
 it felf feems to require. Such a man as 1, as to the 
 Terms, becaufe he cannot fo formally ufc them, de- 
 fires to be pardoned in this, and if he ncgledt any 
 thing therein, he craves the candid Acceptation of 
 all men, and in refped of his State ofiers himfelf 
 willing and ready to ferve all Chnjhans Day and 
 Night,and by his Prayers to GOD-, to recompencc 
 this their Benevolence. 
 
 This Oyl isfalutary in many grievous Accidents, 
 and efpecially in old wounds, lb that few Medicmes 
 are found, which mufl not give place to this. Only 
 that Oyl, which is prepared with the Vulgar Sub- 
 limate of Apothecaries, is equal unto it in Effc(fts, 
 and is oftentimes by Experience found to be better, 
 efpecially in the Wolf and Cmcer, and in the NoU 
 me tangere. But in ordinary Fiftula's, and the 
 Heroes the fuperiour Oyl effects wonders , which 
 were they not confirmed by Experience, could not 
 be believed, and ail which 1 recite not, left fome 
 
c^attot of Idtuimon^ t^ 
 
 one or other fhould judge me to do it from Ambi^ 
 tion, or that thence 1 hunt alter Fame, which was 
 Qever by me either fought or defired ^ nor at this 
 time, as I can hoUly affirm, is it aimed at by me. 
 
 Now 1 will give you the Preparation of another 
 Oyl. 
 
 Take Mercury mortified (which is fublimed to 
 clearnefs and Splendor, and fold by Apothecaries) 
 and Amimo?iy, of each equal parts. Grind them 
 together, and diftil them by fuch a Retort, as will 
 retain the Spirits thrice , and afterward redifie 
 this Oyl with Sp'urit of Wine. Then the Opera- 
 tion is abfoived,and the Oyl becomes red as Blood ; 
 but at firftitis White, and like Ice or congealed 
 Butter. This Oyl efFedts wonders in many Affe(fts, 
 where Nature gave no hope of Amendment, and 
 it always moftly Ihews its force , virtue , power, 
 and efficacy, in the perfed Emendation of Evil in- 
 to Good. 
 
 By Addition may be prepared another Oyl ve- 
 ry profitable in external Wounds. 
 
 Take of jintimony one part , Sidphnr one part, 
 Sal-Armomack^^ or Salt of Urine purified half a 
 part, ^XidCJx'Five two parts. Expel the Oyl 
 ' ftrongly : whatfoever is fublimed, that grind with 
 the CapHt-njortmm, and thereon again pour the 
 Oyl diftilled off', and thrice diftil it ^ thentheOyI 
 is prepared. 
 
 When old Wounds can in no wife be healed, 
 then ufe this Oyl. For it is ftrong, potent and pe- 
 netrative: and lays a good Ground (even as Oyl of 
 Vitriol doth) for future Sanation. 
 
 An admirable Balibm of divers Ingredients (a- 
 mong which is Antimony ) very ufeful in old 
 Wounds, is thus prepared. 
 
 Take of Snlphnr ^iiij- fet it over a moderate 
 Fire to melt, and put into it half a pound of Mer^ 
 
 CHry, 
 
^ 24 Bafil Valentine'<Ej CciUlttpljailt 
 
 cury^ andftirthe Mixture fo long together, as un* 
 til both become one Mafs. This Mafs grind to 
 Powder (for it is made as Cwrjabar is wont to be 
 prepared} then grind with it ^iiij. of ^a/wo/;j', of 
 red A^fenick ^iiij. of Crocus Martis |ij. and of 
 Powder of Tiles fviij. Put al! thefe into a Glafi 
 Cucurbit, and fub lime them, as fuch things are 
 wont to be fublimed ^ and in this Sublimation you. 
 will have Rubies in Colour not inferiour to the Ori» 
 cntal, but they are not fixed •, for they are volatile, 
 and fly from the Fire. Let the Artificer fcparate 
 thefe Rubies from the Cinnabar , which afcends ia 
 the Sublimation, grind them to Powder and ex^ 
 tradbthem with ftrong Vinegar. This being done, 
 let him abltraft the Vinegar leafurely in B. M. and 
 a Powder will remain-, this Powder grind fmallas 
 before, and having put it into another Glafs, ex- 
 trad its Tindlure with Spirit of Wine, and fepa» 
 rate the remaining Feces. This Extradicm with 
 Spirit of Wine digell in 5. /ti. well clofed for one 
 Month. Then abllrad the Spirit of Wine, as 
 you abftraded the Vinegar , and put the remain- 
 ing, Powder of Wine into a flat Glafs Difn, and fet 
 that Difli in a Cellar into a Pail full of Water, that 
 it may Swim^ipon the Water, as a Boat. So do- 
 ing, the Powder which is in the Glafs will in a few 
 days refolve it fclf into a clear and perlucid Li- 
 quor. 
 
 This Liquor is falutary in old open Wounds, 
 jindis a vulnerary Balfom in like Accidents, it put 
 into them, and they covered round with a common 
 StiptiekPlaiftcr. in diuturnal open Wounds, it 
 leaves no man dcltitntc of help, although iuch, as 
 in the Cure of which all other Remedies have been 
 tried in vain. Of open Ulcers , which have their 
 Original from within, 1 fpeak not here -^ for they 
 cannot perfedly be hcakd without internal Re-. 
 
 medics, 
 
C^anotof S^nttmon^ ns 
 
 nedies, which drye up all Fluxions, and radically 
 xtirpate the Difeafe : although at this time few 
 ire found, who bend their thoughts this way, oc 
 ake any Courfe to touch the Root itfelfof thofe 
 Dileafes, of which I now treat. 
 
 If Men would in their Minds well confider the 
 Talamitics of Life, into which the Fall of our firft 
 Barents precipited us, andferioufly weigh that O- 
 riginal Sin, and the great troop of Evills thence 
 Jliung, Fiz. : of Sadnefs, Anguidi, Difeafes and 
 Mifencs, they certainly would Ipend their time 
 letter, and imploy more labour to fearch out the 
 lealchof their ntighboursjfo ftridly commended 
 :o them by the Supream Ruler of Heaven, and by 
 lim commanded as their proper Duty. But how 
 nany ( with grief be it fpoken ! ) fliunning labour, 
 uOnfume their time unprohtably, and do not what 
 vvastobe done by them, but what they formerly 
 lave done, and Hill have alufc to do, being af&ayd 
 itodo fomuch, as will foyl their Fingers Ends^ as 
 f they did envy the Tradefman, who perhaps gets 
 1 fmall Gain by felling Soap, which they would not 
 willingly buy, to walh their delicate hands. Are 
 act all wcmiierable Mortals, that Uve here,>Stran- 
 gers in the Earth, poireHing nothing, that we can 
 all ours? Are not all Things wc here ufe, the 
 Goods ofourL-^/'/s^, lent to us, whilft we live and 
 ao longer ? Therefore we ought fo to behave our 
 Selves inufingthem, that fupported with a goftd 
 Confciencewemaybe able to Hand in that Day, 
 in which an Account is to be given for them •, and 
 be not for our Ingratitude call into Prifon, and ut- 
 ter Darknels where fiiallbe weeping and gnafliing 
 ofTeeth. Ifthis were the Meditation, and this 
 the Intention of every Man, he would be like a 
 Moniler, if he fliould think of admitting Sin in him- 
 felf, or of negleding his Office-, and all Men 
 
 WOi.'ld, 
 
i^6 Bafii VaIcntine*jS tirtfumptjant: 
 
 would, with a certain Emulation ftrive to pleafure 
 their Neighbours, with the Gifts received from 
 GOD. But thefe things are remote from the 
 thoughts of the World, and Wordly Men -^ Mo- 
 ney^ Money ^ is the Scope of all their Intentions ; this 
 the Potent feekdiredly or indiredlly, and for this 
 the Poor are fiibfervicnt to them, that they alfb' 
 may participate of the Mammon of Iniquity. 
 
 Yet take heed, ladvife you to take heed, left 
 the Bones of that Fiefh, fticking in your Throat, 
 Suffocate you, or the Back-bones of Filhes pierce 
 your Heart. But what doth Admonition help' 
 which tlie World little eftcemes of and derides? 
 Hear, 1 pray you an Hiftory ; or learn a Parable. 
 When!, according to my Vow, undertook a Pil- 
 grimage to St. James yX.Q s\'i\X. that holy Place as qi 
 Stranger, I prayed to GOD, and bound myfelf 
 with a Vow, that if he granted me an happy Re- 
 turn to my Monaftery, I would render him due 
 Prayers. He granted my Requcft, and I daily re- 
 turn Thanks to him. But I thought many more 
 would have rejoyced with me, and have givert 
 thanl^sto the fame GOD, for the famous Reli- 
 ques, which at that time 1 brought with me to our 
 Monaftery, ( for Confolationof thePoor, and ma- 
 ny Others } that it might procure to it felf a Name, 
 inthisperiOnng Valley of Tears, that could not 
 bee wiped out by any OWivion. Yet hence few 
 were rendred either better, or niore grateful to 
 GO D, for fo great a benefit •, but per levered ii 
 Derifion and Contempt of that, which GOD vvil 
 vindicate in the lalt Day. 
 
 But of thefe enough at this time,Iet us proceed ii 
 our Inftrndion of Antim()?:y, whence yet anothel 
 Medicine may be prepared, which I my felfhav^ 
 experienced to be very falntary; and eiFetlual ii 
 every kind of f eavers, and in the Peftiknce. 
 
 Grinc 
 
Grind Antimony fubtily, put it into a Glafs Re- 
 ort, and diftil it with a ftrong fire, without any 
 Addition, ^. or 4. times, and alwayes with a large 
 tleceiving Veflel •, at length of it is made^ Red 
 Rouder, which extrad with Vinegar,and circulate 
 ;he Extraction with a gentle fire for ten whole 
 Dayesj abllrad the Vinegar by Diftilling, and that 
 which remains, by afingular * Artifice in diftilling 
 will be changed into an Oyl. Let this Oyl be fur- 
 ther Circulated until all Humidity be drawn off 
 therefrom, and it again be reduced to Pouder, as 
 it was-, whenthe Vinegar is abftraded and fepara- 
 tcd by Diftillation, then gather the Oyl in a new 
 Receiver. 
 
 * Tins Exta^ion may be rendnd vol at He with Spirit offfine, aftsr the faint 
 manmi\ as I taught yun in. the former Operations. 
 
 Four Grains of this Oyl taken with water of G«r- 
 duns Benedi^asj if the Sick be well covered and 
 Sweated, heal QnotiMm, Tertian & Qnanan Fevers. 
 The fame Dofe is very available for expelling the 
 Peft, either given with Spirit of VV^ine, or with 
 diftilled Vinegar, according as the Paroxyfm of 
 the Peft firft invades, either with Heat, or with 
 Cold. Which is witnefTed by three Brethren in our 
 Monaftery, who recovered of the Plague by this 
 Arcanum, when they expeded no other but Death, 
 and had made their Vl^ills. This fo reconciled 
 their Minds to this my Art, as they helped me, 
 with greater Zeal then before,both by their Pray- 
 ers and Labour,and fpent the leifure time they had 
 exempt from Religious Dutyes, in ferving me day- 
 ly; and in a (hort time attained to fo great Expe- 
 rience, that by their own Induftry, and the In- 
 duftry of their Brethren, they gained more true 
 Knowledge in fear thing out the Arcaiiujus of Na- 
 * ture. 
 
I i3 Bafil VaIeatine'0 Ctftimp!)aitt 
 
 ture, then Ihey could before obtain in a longer 
 firief of time. Therefore, , for thefe Men, li| 
 give them thanks, even unto my very old Agcy 
 and in very deed I return them thanks, bccaule 
 they deferved fo well of me, and of others, by their 
 fo faithful Labour; but they finifhed their Coiirft 
 ofthi*; Life before me, and emred the way of all 
 Flclh, wherefore I recommend their Reward to thtf 
 Supreme Phyfitian,who dwells in the higheft Hea- 
 vens, and there will refreih them with Tufficientl 
 Joy, and makeup in Heaven that juft RecompeBc€< 
 which here on Earth was denyed them by ignorant, 
 and ungrateful Men. 
 
 Another Oyl of Antimotiy for wounds, is-pr^ 
 pared with Addition in the following Mannet. . 
 
 Take of ylntimony^ Sulphur, Sdtmtre, of each C- 
 qual parts-, Fulminate thofe under a Bell, as Oyl o! 
 Sulphur per Camp.rn. is made ■, which way of prepa- 
 ring hath long fince been known to the AntientJ. 
 But Confidcr, you will have abetter.way, if inftead 
 of a Bell, you take an Alembeck "^^ and apply to it 
 a Recipient^ ib you will obtain more Oyl, whidi 
 will indeed be of the iarae Colour, as that which is 
 made of Common Sulphur, but in powers and vir- 
 tues not a little more excellent, then it. 
 
 '^ lHf)W, Lnver ofchymiflry, Sptai^to yon by Pi^ures ^not in yvoYdsevil) 
 that by a Com^cndhm of Spnch.ynu may alfo yav! this divipudixm tJLiooHf. 
 and Charge. Bihold this Innrument, 
 
 Here place the Figure in page. 128. 
 
 'MdpYovif^efoYyoHYfilffHch anOnejhitymn.iy fo/Mf" Eafilius, in mj^iai 
 Oyl o/S.vM/rrperCampan. F<ffthisP/.iy ^j. wiil ydldysn as mnch Oyl, t 
 aVoundtrillmal^- intW'Common Mthod. From Sixteen ounces of Sulphit 
 you may cytraclhalfanOinceejOyl^ which t'tbirSj inthi^'rws)', do fcuraly tx 
 pa'i from Si xucn founds. 
 
 vvl 
 
Fcuje. 12. z- 
 
 
/ 
 
chariot df aittimoit^ ta^ 
 
 We nfe 3 or 4. Drops of this inwardly t?ik^r\ 
 vvith Spirit of VVinc againft the Fhthif'ck of 
 the Lungs:, but outwardly, if it firll be anointed, 
 and a StiptickPlayfter applyed,againft ail Wounds 
 ftinlcing, and tending to putrefadtion, and lb will 
 find it to be the moll; certain Remedy of all 
 'Wounds. 
 
 Again another Oyl of Antimony againft all 
 xorroding Wounds very profit;ible, is this way 
 made. 
 
 Take of Jmimorty fb. j. Common Salt dryed, 
 tb. p. Tiles broken ; tb. v. Grind all together, 
 and put them into a Retort, whence diflil a Yellow 
 Oyl. When all the Spirits are come forth, put 
 the Matter in another Glafs. and from it extrad 
 ;the Plegm, andaPouder will remain ^ which in 
 an humid place fpread upon a ftone, and you will 
 have an Humid Balfom, which is a fuigular Remedy 
 in all Verminant Wounds, and in the Cancer, 
 1 which hath being cheifly intheFaceofaMan,and 
 in the Breads of a Woman. Much more might be 
 written of this Balfom, did I not fear, that every 
 unskillful Man, and the Rabble of Sophifters 
 would fall foul on me, and fay I fpeak too largely, 
 and commit more to writing,then Experience hath 
 taught: me; and fo thatlboait only of Speculati- 
 ons, and mere Imaginations. 
 
 Moreover, another Oyl is made in this manner. 
 
 Sublime one part of jintimony^ with a fourth 
 part of Sal Armc»niack,witli lubtileFire. The Salt 
 carrycsuptiie Sulphur o^ Antimony , red as Blood. 
 Grind this Sublimate to a fine Powder, and if you 
 took at firfl ft».j.ofv^/;r>"?«o«^, grind with it again 
 5v. of Sal Armoniack, and Sublime as before. The 
 Sublimate diflblve in a moyfl place. Or otherwife, 
 take the Subl imate, and edulcorate it from the Salt 
 added, gently dry it, and you will have Sulphur, 
 • K which 
 
139 '^^^^ Valentine'jS^ IJDtfampljant 
 
 which burns like Common Sulplnir, which is fold 
 at the Apotliecaries. From this Siilpur extradl 
 itsTiiKture with diftilled Vinegar, and when you 
 have abilraded the Vinegar by gentle Heat of 
 B. M. and by a fubtile Operation again diftilled 
 the remaining Ponder, you will have (if in this 
 Operation yon erre not^ amoft Excellent* Oyl 
 grateful, Sweet, and pleafant in its ufe, without 
 any Corrofivenefs or peril. 
 
 ^ T'^ls is another Kepetkion of the VvocSsy by -which thsBdiom a/ Antimony 
 is_mjdtyaso:it Anthn alls it in this T,:jtife,or the Quinte ff^nce of Annmonyy 
 ofrt-hich ofi;n above. Yet in the proccfs there is this diffennce^ that here the 
 Su'.t.h -ir isf'p.tratedby the Sd Aimoniacl^from the Antimony,<?fli then extrncled 
 iron the Fiv^ar ^ ivhereas, in the other Proceffeythe Sulphur is extracted by the 
 Vinegar^ ivhiiji it is yet united vcith the Antimony. But th-fe are not things 
 offo great a. Moment, as to frupate the Fft'efl oj Operations. Thercjore this 
 Fa-'iety gives the greater Liberty to the Operator^ that he may not be Scrupulous 
 inthojettiings^i^ivhichhe undirrundsthe Keafon of whit ht doth , and of 
 the Method by which he a^s. 
 
 Itheaisthe Pi-,thifick,rcmedics the Prickings of 
 the Sides •, and if any One labours with difhculty of 
 Breathing, let him take too Granes in the morning, 
 and as many at Night going to Bed. in the Elixir or 
 Spirit of Vv-^ine, and he Ihall be healed , For it di- 
 lates the Pailnges of the Breall, expells all Impuri- 
 ties, and Phlegmcs out of the Brcalt j and to me it 
 hath often produced many unlookcd for Effefts. 
 But lince in other Preparations of yhnimony, I have 
 dcfcribed fuch Virtues^ as with this are common to 
 them, I Judge it needlefs to repeat them all, left 
 in-^i^cSe(ftatorsof Art I fnould create tedioufnefs 
 •through nraltipHcity of Words, or alien thoughts 
 by an impertinent Tautolooy. 
 
 In the meanwhile, the Liquor, which, as I above 
 fnjd, was re folvcd in an Humid Place, is an cxter- 
 jial Medicine, and very profitable *, for it clcanfeth 
 ' thc^ 
 
C^aitfot o! Stitmioitp. i3t 
 
 tlic Impurities of the Skin, and if a little Oyl of 
 Tartar be mixed tlierewith, it heals the Phagede- 
 na of the Fingers ;, and if often anointed there- 
 ^witb, it purify es the Skin and cures Scrophulaes. 
 
 Alio, Sulphur o^Aitinwny is prepared in an o- 
 ther Manner. 
 
 Guild Aitimony to a fine Ponder, which boyl 
 for two hours or a little longer, in ailiarp Lixi- 
 vium made of the Alhes of Beech-wood. Wlien 
 boy led, filter the Antimony clear, and poor Vinegar 
 upon the filtrcd Liquor, and then the Sulphur will 
 fettle to the bottom wholly red. Pour off the 
 Phlegm and gently dry the Ponder. Diiiil this 
 Pouder with the Vinegar of VVine^ cxuraift the 
 Tin(fture,and do as you did with the former Sul- 
 phur. To reduce the fame into an Oyl by Difti- 
 liiig^iswonhyourwkile: Aitiioughthe Oyl above 
 mentioned hath greater Virtues, becaufe its Body, 
 by the Sal ArmonLack,in the beginning of the Sub- 
 limation was better dillblvcd and opened. 
 
 There yet remain many things to be written of 
 ArAimohy^ and efpecially Three, neccflary to be 
 known by the SfagynchS'h-^?\X\?i\\ and Philofopher, 
 'uiz.. the Preparation 01 Vinegar, which is made of 
 its Mmera-, and then the Philofophick Signate 
 Star, which is not to be omitted; and laftl v the Lead 
 of Philofophers, of v/hich we fliali fpeak fomewhaf, 
 touching which Many have imagined Great 
 Things, and thought ( in their way of Realbning, 
 and Speculation ; to prepare the true and fyncere 
 Mercury of Philofophers of if, which indeed can- 
 not be done, fince lb great Efficacy is not from-a- 
 bove inilted in Antimony ^ as that in it can exift that 
 Mercury,or of it be prepared. That Mercury is 
 the lirft Ens^ or firft Water of Metails, which is 
 per feat, other wife the Great Stone of the ancient 
 ,Wife Men could not be made of it. That lirlb 
 
 Is 2 £?'V3 
 
f 33 BaGI Valentine*^ CriUltipbaitt 
 
 £tis^ \ fay, and the Seeds thereof, are found in a- 
 liother Mineral, in which the Operation (according 
 to the Genius of Metalls ) is greater, then in Antt^ 
 vjony. Yet this Jijpplyes us with a certain Parti- 
 jGular, and moft profitable Operation •, and befides 
 in it you may hnd wbatfoevcr appertains to hi- 
 ternal and external Medicine. For it is the Column 
 of ever Shop of Apothecaries ,if duely prepared, as 
 1 often ad men ifh ;, nor is any thing wanting in it, 
 provided the Artifl: hath karned v/ell to diftinguifh 
 theDifpolition of Metalls andMineralls, and dili- 
 gently obfervcs both the Preparation and life of 
 'ylnttmof.y\ becaufe then, and hot before, follows 
 aperfec^t Judgement of it. Therefore I will ftand 
 to my Prom ife, and comfort my Difciples, accor- 
 ding to their Wifh, by fatisfying and inftruding 
 them, wliich way the Separation of Good from Evil 
 may be known to them, and giving Information 
 touching the Vinegar of Philofophers, which i? 
 made of At^itimony. 
 
 Melt the Mincra of Jntimony^ and purify it, 
 g;rind it to a Subtile Pouder, this Matter put into a 
 Round Glafs, which is called aPhiali,havinga long 
 Neck, pour upon it diftilled Water, that the Vcllel 
 may be half full. Then haying well cjofed the 
 Veifei, fet it to putrefy in Hoi fedung, until the 
 Minera begin to wax hot, and cart: out a Froathto, 
 thcSi.peihcies: then 'tis time to take it out ; for 
 that is a Sign the Body is opened. This digeftcd 
 Matter put into a Cucurbit, which well dofc, and 
 extract the Water, which will have an acidTafte. 
 When all the Water is come off, intend the Fire,and 
 a Sublimate wi!] afcend:, this again grinde with 
 the Fccci, and :igain pour on the lame Water, 
 pndafecondtimeabflrad it, then it will be more 
 Sharp. This Operation muft be repeated, until 
 ihc Water b; ir.ade as Acid, as any other Sharp) 
 " ' ■ diltilled. 
 
Paae.ijl 
 
C^ah'ot of Shttimon^ U§ 
 
 fiiftilled Vinegar of Wine. But the Sublimate, the 
 oftnertlie Operation is repeated, the more it isdi- 
 minillied. Wiien you have obtained this Acid 
 Vinegar, take frelh Minera as before and pour 
 this Vinegar on itjfo as it may ftand above it three 
 Fingers-, put it into a Pelican, anddigeft it two 
 dayesin Heat, then the Vinegar becomes red, and 
 inuch more fharp then before. Cant this clean 
 off, and diftil it without Addition in B. M. The 
 Vinegar comes offwhitc, and the Rednefs remains, 
 in the Bottom, which extracted with Spirit of 
 Wine is an excellent Medicine. Again rectify 
 the Vinegar in B. M. that it maybe freed from 
 its Phlegm-, laftly dilTolve in it its proper Salt, 
 ijiz. : in ^iiij- of it, ^j. of the Salt, and force it 
 Itrongiy by Afhes •, then the "^ Vinegar becomes 
 more iharp, and accjuires greater Strength, and • 
 virtue. 
 
 * T^iisVimgir alfn is numhrcd among the chief of thofe things, which are 
 pi^mdof Anx.\moxi)\thirifore I thought it worth rvhik to illujirsts thistvitJj 
 fame Commintxfies. For dthoitgh it may b2 m^de in the tvay Bafilius prefa-ib?s, 
 ytt thei-e are SUlljome things -wanting to rendix the mr^ both more eafj^ and, 
 more pcije^, which I here fuh'joyns For fix poinds of Ammony are required 
 fixteen poH/ids of Di Hilled ^f'atir, andwhtn ( after vigcfiion ) we tvoutd diUiL 
 it , a cirtuiu manual Opsration mufi be obfinied,oa which depends the Succefs 
 cf the whole mrl^almoli. For the Alemhecl^ muft b: fo placed, as his Pips of 
 Bcii^ may be covered witb H'atn; which either mufi be put into the Recipient, or 
 ^afs out by dijliUing into the fame ■, dthcrwife the Spirit's of the Antimony 
 will be loft, and more then halj part of the fame p-erilh, or the Wjr^ require 
 much more time for its perfe^ion. ihive expreffed this by a Figure hert placed^ 
 that if . 
 
 Here place the Figure in the 153. Page; 
 
 mjutta J fs rjoe incre.tjea, ana imieva>{S, ann as/h-iny .\igoci con^iiiLiawnn- 
 ftii inttrmiljioit. 'HiiU let all cool, and ck Subiimati as he teich24y mujl a.^ 
 
1^4 . Bafil Valentine'^ tTrftimp^mut 
 
 'gjin in mixed with th? Antimony, this L^ibntir fnr thrie Dayis -and Nigk/ 
 piHsi hire- affimedy and aftirrvdrdrcpiattdto the thitd time. 7n:ny.n'.r M'atcr 
 Trill be acid, as commonVimiar. if yon tinge this Vinegar with '/^rflinera 
 0/ hnnmowy yyoii will ba.ve a Tinfture^-vMih Bafilius names i^is Baijme of 
 Life^fo Ojtin defcrikd, b:tt niver fufficiently commenikd. O^did Mortals 
 l^iorv whit Myflrries lye dfconded in this Tinclnrc, I qu:flion vrhnhcr they 
 Tvould-bedeftrdiis tnfet about aiy other Preparation 0/ Antimony, j^ll things 
 are in this Oie. Ihxvej\o!^nyO Lover of Chymi-lry^ do thou atU 
 
 This' Vinegar Cools vehemently,' not as com- 
 mon Vinegar, but with great Admiration, arid cer- 
 tain Experience, eipecially fcrrifln aging the Gan- 
 grcencproduced from Gnnnonder •, alfo it heals 0- 
 ther enraged Wounds and JMembers, when joyned 
 with the Soul of Saturn, wrougiit up into an Ihi- 
 guent, and applyed outwardly. And mixt with 
 Water of Endive, to which Salt pr/r;-7r//..' is added, 
 it confiimes the Sqninancy, and extirguiflieth its 
 great Heat: befides, it ailwageth the Motion of 
 the Bloud inflnmcd. In time of the Peftilence, ta- 
 ken invvardly, the Dole of one Spoonful, feveral 
 times, and outwardly applyed to t!ie Swellings by 
 Linen Cictiies moyllned therein, extratts the Ve- 
 nom, and moft excellently cools: But conlidcr, 
 when you would vSq it "m this manner outwardly, it 
 mult be mixed with a third part ol'Watcr diftillcd 
 fromFrogfpawn. 
 
 Many lugbly efteem theSignatc Star o^ Aniira- 
 ^'j'jand very many rave endeavoured to prepare it, 
 iparing no labour to attain the fame. Which 
 fo'ne have acquired wirhgoodluccefs, others have 
 loft all their labour andCoft, Many have alUime J 
 an Opinion, that this Star is the true IMatttr, 
 v;i)ence the Stone of Phdofophers may be made, 
 i iiducrd h.ereunto, Ivy this thcnglitor imagiination, 
 r::. be:aufe Mature hcrfelf liadi iigned k into a 
 Star, therefore they could not choofe buteltcem of 
 it, and by thefe Cogitmions were led into the Way 
 
 of 
 
I 
 
 chariot of aatfmonp" J3S 
 
 of Error, But I fyncerely denounce, tlwt it is no- 
 thing lb. For thele kind of Searchers erre from the 
 Kings high-way, and kill themfelvesin clambering 
 up Rocks and Cliffs, in which wild Goats inhabit, 
 and Birds of Prey build their nefts. It is not given 
 tothisStarto contain in itfelf fo great Potency, 
 or from it felf to form fo pretious a Stone, Yet I 
 affirm, that in it lyes abfconded a famous Medicine, 
 whic h may be made of it. The Star is thus made. 
 Tdkcoi Hungariitn A/itimony 3. parts. Of Steel, 
 I. part, melt thele together with 4. parts of 
 burnt T/zrr^r, when melted pour out the whole in- 
 to a Cone, when cold take out the Regulus, and fe« 
 pai-ate it from all impurity, and the Scoria. Grinde 
 ^ this Regulus to Pouder and weigh it,then add there- 
 to thrice fo much of burnt Tartar^ and pour ic 
 out as before. Repeat this labour the third time:, 
 then the Regulus purgeth it lelf,and becomes purs 
 and clear. Note, when you have rightly corn- 
 pleated the Fufion, and have ufed a manual Opera- 
 tion, as is fit (which is of principal concern inthi> 
 Work) you will obtain a fair Star * bright and 
 fhining like Cupellate Silver, no lefs artificially 
 formed, then if iome Painter had with his Com- 
 paffes diligently divided the fame. 
 
 * Htn it Istohinotd. In the thirdfnfionofthi ReanbSy th; Firs muj bz 
 •vfh?mently heightncd, thxt if any Irnpurity rsmiin nitb the Regulus, it may 
 by that intcnfe hnt be tul^n .twAy. By thismuns y.iu wiU h.iv; ,t K:^:i[>is in 
 beauty and nhitenefs com^J.rMe to Silver, b:iti;iyirtu and Trie. far^Su^i' 
 riof 
 
 This Star with Sal Armoniack is reduced to a 
 red '*■ Sublimate , for theTinfture of Mars afcends. 
 Such a Sublimate maybe refoived in a moift place 
 into a Liquor, which difcovers wunderfal Virtues 
 in Chirurgy. 
 
 K 4 Thl3 
 
136 Bafil Valcntine'isl Ctiuinpljant 
 
 * tl)isSublimatefhcfof£it isfet lit a Cellar to be thin rtfnhtd, fhouldk 
 furgtd [■'ontbe Sit Armoniicl^fvltb diiiillidn'Atn: Jlny are fcrv Things which 
 ladmoni'hjbut b) the Ignorance of tbife or thofe^greM Errors arc committed ^ani 
 the Work^ rvith oM its Costs and Charges ^erllhtth, or' at leaji jeilds not 
 fuj^ciiitt to pay yvhat tht Materials coft. 
 
 This Regulus, or Signate Star, melted often 
 with the Stony .Sc/;)f«f, is brought to fiicha ftate, 
 as at length it confiuncs it Iclf init, and wholy 
 unites it lllf with the Serpent. * This bang done, 
 the Sdiator of Art hath a iMatter altogether iiot 
 and fiery in which vc;y much of Art is l.itcfit. This 
 prepared Matter refolves it Iclf into an Oyl •, this 
 very Oyl ought to be brought over the Helm by 
 DllUllation, and then rednyed, that it may be 
 pure and clear, 
 
 * of a Snake or Serpent the Nature Isfuchjjpu (licJ^nyour hold he rlfeth 
 uj),ifro:tgTipihimhardhi bur (Is, the fame I fear here :Therefore the Author calls 
 thit a Snp^ntj ivhirh he mixi'h rcith this Regulus. Bnt it is the Ser^entof 
 aStoiiyora Sto'iy-Sir^intyhecauft the Salty as a. Snai^c willingly licl^s a. 
 
 Sitne, 
 
 This Oyl may commodioufiy and fecurely be 
 taken inwardly, but with great Prudence and 
 Caution, aixi not oftncr then twice or thrice in a 
 Week,and no moreat one time, then three Drops 
 in I'l], of Wine, or other \^''ater dilfiilcd from 
 Herbs, according to the Exigency of the Difeafe. 
 ForthisReafon,it is the Phyiitiaus part to know 
 the C'aufesof Difeafes, togethcT with the Complex- 
 ion of the Sick, that he may the more fcvurely ufe 
 his Remedies. 
 
 This is a famous y/cWw(7wy * containing in it felf 
 !i;aiiy A'cu?mms •, but there is no need to reveal 
 nil things together aiid at once to unskillful men. 
 GiimeArtsaretolx; iljpprefled, tlir^t fonie Secrets 
 and ..•^/r.i;;; :?;?j may reiiiiiin proper lo tl.x: Philofo- 
 
 pjier, 
 
CIEl^tiot of aintimonp^ 93t 
 
 Ipher, who in fearching them out hath daily 
 fultained grievous Toyl. 
 
 f They, whoundirnand of how great utility it is to txtrafl thi EffencnftoA 
 Metals^ an not ignfffant of the virtues of thisftjarp Oyl. for thiiistht only 
 Menftruum/o>- this purpofe. How many art they who have fptnt their whoU 
 Life in chymical Operations, and never could arrive to the J^nowledge of 4 
 ^•«f Menftruum ? To thee it is here revealed^ if Health be your aim^ you may 
 fafely ufe it in the Body i ;/ pu attempt fomewhat more fublimiy and havi 
 already conceived good hope you (hall compound ity this is the principal htlp of 
 dl/y for afcending to the Tfjront oftheChymical isjngdom* 
 
 But let him, who refolves to tread in my Foot- 
 ftcps not be weary of Searching •, but what I 
 have done, let hira do, and what I have Co often 
 defired, and what with fo carneft Wifhcs I have 
 fought, let him feek. Thefe Principles, which I 
 have prefcribed you, are fufficient for to 
 fearch out the End by. Many have failed, yea 
 many have been cut off by Death, before they 
 could in their Learning attain to the Principles 
 only, that is, they were deprived of Life, be- 
 fore they could acquire the Magiftery of Art. 
 Therefore, 1 at fuft fet forth a Book of Rudi- 
 ments, that the Studious follower of Art (who 
 in his firll Experiences had need of fb much time ) 
 might the fooncr attain his dcfired end , and 
 wifhed Scoi>e, and next unto GOD give me 
 thanks. 
 
 Moreover, in this Oyl a wonderful Effcd is 
 latent. For if this Oyl be circulated with Cry- 
 ftals for Ibme time, viz.. for three Days and 
 Nights ( the Cryltals being ftrlt Calcined ) it from 
 them extracts a Salt : which being done, the Oyl 
 may again bediftilled off by Retort. Thus yoii 
 will have a Medicine , which admirably breaks 
 the Stone in the Bladder, and expels it ;, and alfo 
 
 effects 
 
13^ Bafil VaIcntine'«E? Criuntptettt 
 
 effeds many other ThingSjby a ceitaiu famous vir-f 
 tue in it. 
 
 But that we may alfo fay fbmething of the Lead 
 of Philofophers, let the curious fearchcrs of Na- 
 ture know, that between Ammony and common 
 Lead, there is a certain near affinity , and they 
 hold a ftrid friendfhip each with other. As a 
 Tree calls out of it's fide it's fupeifluous Rofin, 
 which is the Sulphur of that Tree •, as the Cherry- 
 tree, and other Trees, which give forth fuch 
 Gums : there are other kinds of Trees alio, which 
 by reafbn of their abundance of Aiercury, produce 
 and call forth from themlelves a certain Excrefcen- 
 cy, which neither in Form, nor Virtue is in any 
 wife like to their Fruit •, but hath wholy other 
 properties, as in Oaks and Apple-trees is apparent, 
 which produce like baftard Fruits, or Monfters : 
 So the Earth alfo hath like abortive Fruits, which 
 in Separation from the pure Metals, arc fevered and 
 cafb out. 
 
 Nowi although there is fo ftrid an affinity be- 
 tween v^wfiw^jwy, and 5<«f«?-« 5 yetbyrealbn of the 
 too much Sulphur , which Antimo-ny hath in it 
 felf, it is caft out from it*, becaufe its villous 
 Body (in it's Nativity) could not come to per- 
 fedtion ; and tlierefore it was conftrained necella- 
 rily to confill among Minerals : becaufe it's abun- 
 dance of hot 5/^/p/;«r was the Caufe, tliat hindred 
 it^ Mercury^ that through defed of Cold, it could 
 neither come to Coagulation, nor into a Malleable 
 Body. Moreover, 1 fay, the Lead in Jmimouy is 
 no other, then it's Reguius, which hath not as yet 
 obtained Malleablcncfs. And, as above I faid, 
 when the Rcgulus and Steel by Liqucfaclicn arc uni- 
 ted, and deduced to a Star, there are many, who 
 would thence make thcaPitient ftone of Philolb- 
 phers j which I before denycd to be poffibk. Yet 
 
 what 
 
fefot Medlbihcs may be prepared of it, you have 
 already briefly heard*, therefore touching, tji\em^l 
 Jhall not add a Word more. . ,, 1 1 . „ { V f^ji't -S ' i 
 But the Rcafon, why th'e'Regulus U caUea and 
 accounted Lead, is this. Wheu that Regulus is 
 taken, which Jntimony gives forth from itfelfin 
 making Glafs, and put into a Crucible well clQfed, 
 which can refift the fire, with the Salt o^ S^unm 
 ( having been firft Cemented with the Salt for t}\rcQ 
 hours ) and thefe permitted to melt together, in a 
 Wind Forriace, the * Regulus, when taken out, is 
 found to be rendred foft, and more ponderous,thea 
 it Was before. For it receives it's ponderofity 
 from the Spirit of the Salt , which alfo gave it 
 foftnefs , K) that it's Body now is compad and 
 heavyr 
 
 ''■ I nottnvio:i(ly^ asmmy ChmiUs do^ but ajficllonatdy dial wttb chirurgi" 
 ons : Tpiffjing that thiy wouldin- their mind, as according to their faculty they 
 may andoHght, endeavor to prepare fuch helps-, for their miferably ajfucled Pa- 
 tients, and fuch covjpmdiums of Sanity-, as -may b^e pripared of this Regulus. 
 miild yon, have me difcover to yon the-Myjiery ? hear with pleafure, and ufe 
 it. This Regulus, by thi Salt of Saturn rendred Malleable, tnufl be mixed 
 Tvith equal parts of Mercury condenfed by Saturn, and in a vehement firt 
 fliix^d, andfo.xeell mixed. The Matter comts forth, ia. ifs ixternd Face lil^ 
 unto ^iher, but in its internal Firtues is more nobUyindmore pretious then any 
 Silvci: But you Chyrnrgeon, fludious of your own Art, and by Art cevetoits 
 of Glory, deduce that into thin Plates, and externally apply it to Wounds, and. 
 Malign ane FifiuWs, So doing, you will be amazed, when yon (hall fee I^a- 
 ture, hehed by this Art, to perjorm more, in avery jhort timcj then you could 
 have hoped for in a longer time, by fo many Unguents an-d Plaijiers. Tiie Ku- 
 flicks ( to ufe theii'ords of Qzfil'ms) will no more deride and upbraid yoUy 
 frying, they can tff?6l more with a piece of crude and (iinl(ijig Lard, then yok 
 are able to do Tviththe laboriomProceji of your rvhole Chirargic^Art. 
 
 Therefore I fay,there is not muchdiflcrencc be- 
 tween the Signnte Star, and Lead ot' Jtnimony^ 
 which notwithftandJng are every where diltm- 
 guifliedastwo divers things. For eitlier of thenii 
 is made of the Qid.^'iQijimmony, and prepared in- 
 to 
 
1140 Bafil VaJentinc'jS Ctlumpl^ftnt 
 
 tooneandthc fame Medicine, as is already by md 
 Hifficicntly declared. Here therefore I break oil 
 my Difcourfe, that 1 may explain wliat the ftone of 
 fire is, after 1 Ihall have declared the Appendix 
 which follows. 
 
 OGO D gmnt thy GrAte^ and opffi the Hearts 
 and Ears of Men HnwilUn^ to hear, arjd to them 
 impart thy BleffttJ^y that they may acknowledge Thee in 
 thyOmnifotencyy and wonder f id Worki of Nature, to 
 thy Traifcj Honor and Glory y and for the Healthy So- 
 iactf and Confirmation of the Strength of their Nci^h^ 
 hor, and alfo for Reftoring the Sick^ to their prifiine 
 Health. Ame«, 
 
 THE 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 FOe a Concluflon you are further to know, that 
 Antimony may be apply ed to many other Ufes, 
 thenasaboveexi)reflcd^ as to Scripture or Print- 
 ing, for which Printers ufc it. AUb under a cer- 
 tain Conftellation and Concourfeof the Planets, a 
 Mixture of Metals is made with Jifitimony, of 
 which Artiftsform Signatures and Charaders en- 
 dued with lingular Virtues. Of the fame Mix- 
 ture alfo are madeSpecuIums, of many and won- 
 derful Afpecfts ami Properties. Alfo Bells and 
 )ther hiftruments may be made thereof, of admi- 
 AAc formd. Likewif« Images of Men, and many 
 % Jier Things *.- 
 
Cftactot of aiutimeiii?- h^ 
 
 '* Tht Vittuts t*d ^ovirs 0/ Antimony rvhlch tht Authtr her( in this Apptndii 
 
 fo lightty-taiichtth^and fifjcth over, are fo rnnny andfo varioufy cu indeed the 
 
 hundredth pittof them if not yet l^nown to Men. frhich ignornnee Hndoubted- 
 
 ly ridemds to the Reproach nnd Ignominy efour l^indy becaufem Men, among 
 
 : fo many othtr Animals , only indued with Reafony and a Faculty §f Dif- 
 
 i courfingy are hurry ed with fo great imfetuoufnefs^to that wic.l^ and abaminx' 
 
 ble Defhe of Giin, as fcarcely any Man hath leifnre to fearch out the mnderty 
 
 vhich the Author ofNiture hath injited in his Creatures. But I am unwilling 
 
 to repeat thisKeprihenfion fo often fpoi^n of by Valentine •, I do only call it to 
 
 Kind. Thin Mineral^ in which lies hid fo admirable a Spirit^ that by EX' 
 
 baufling it cannethi exhaufled, hath alfo Virtues^ which by no manfludying 
 
 can be fufficiently l^owju if hat I have tryed^ out of the way of chymiftry and. 
 
 Medicine^ are few •, yit Experience hath taught me fo much, as I judge Anti- 
 
 \r\ony ix other things will jhtw it felf no lejs admirabUythen in. ChymiHrj dnd 
 
 M-.dicint. 
 
 ret what I thinly of.chara^crs and Signatures, which the Author fdith may 
 hi mads under a Concourfe of art-iin ConflellationSy 1 ihall not here difcover. 
 It fiificith me., that J can fay, that among aH Metals and Miner als, tbere is not 
 an-; Suhflance l^own, which contains fo much of a. Coelejiial Spirit, and hath ft 
 :rut Sympathy with the St.vs, as Antimony, migh this, with all that t 
 in e before faid 0/ Antimony, but not negligently, and IpfitH to the Stone j 
 which is called the Stone of fire. 
 
 But fince thcfc things concern not Medicine, nor 
 appertain to my Order, Rule, and Calling, 1 reft 
 well fatisfied in my Vocation, and commend 
 them to the Handling of Others, who kr\ow them 
 better. 
 
 OP 
 
»*? 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Triumphant Chariot 
 
 O F 
 
 ANTIMONY, 
 
 AND 
 
 What theS TON e of Fire is. 
 
 Hen, at a certain time an abun- 
 dance of Thoughts ( which my 
 internal and fervent Prayer to 
 GOD fuggefted) had fet me 
 loofe and wholy free from all terrene Bufinefles, I 
 purpofed in my iclf to attend to Spiritual Inlpirati- 
 ons, of which we have need, for the more accu- 
 rate icrutiny of Nature. Therefore I refolved to 
 make my felf Wings, that I might afcend on high, 
 and inlpect the frars * themfelves, as Icarus^ and 
 his Father Dadalm in times pafl did, if credit 
 may be given to the Ancient Writings of Poets. 
 
 "■ Tois U.zve is to be given to all, -who trent of Sacred 7t;/«j^^,Viz. to declari 
 thofsTbings, which they areivilling to difcover ( not to the unlearned igno- 
 rant Deridersy but only to Mm^ ivorthy^ and to fuch as fincerely de/ire, and 
 
 But 
 
YU Bafil VaIent!ne'}S fCtlUlttpliant 
 
 kfpifttnthe ^mUdg( ofthefme ) in a eirtaltt ftngular and Parabolical kjni 
 of writing. Jn which our Author is the more t« be excttfed^ becaiife yvhen. he 
 ernes to the grc.ite[l ofMyHerieSy which he intended to exflain in this B9»l^, he 
 betal^eshimjdf to rmain hiding Places ofParableSy and with the Heaven ef 
 Viety, which is wont to cover all things (yea even the moft wicked) he fo 
 KffilshisSecrHs^as None but Vioia and ftncere Difciples of Art cut with tht 
 fcutmefs 0j their ftght penttratt thefe clouds. Do thou therefore, 
 
 Dum fiigit ad Saliccs, & fe cupit ante vidcri, 
 
 vnth imtain iateMual Luxury fpert with hinty ht willnot delude Thee, 
 
 But when I foared too near the Sun, my Fea- 
 thers with it's vehement heat were confumed, and 
 burnt, I fell headlong into the depth of the Sea ; 
 ycttome, inthis mycxtream Ncceility invoking 
 ^ O D, help was fent from Heaven, which freed 
 me from all peril and the prefeutDeftrudion. For 
 an Angel haRned to my alFiftance, who commanded 
 the Waters they fhould be ftill, and inflantly, in 
 that deep Abyfs appeared a moil high Mountain, 
 upoi) which at length I afcended , that I might 
 thereon examine, whether ( as Men had affirmed) 
 there was any Fricndfhip * and Familiarity be- 
 tween Superiors and inferiors, and whether the 
 Superior Stars have acquired power from G Dy 
 their Creator, to produce any one Thing like 
 themfeivcs in the Earth. 
 
 * Toere hith ken no Man, who had darted his fight hut at it were through a 
 'Lattice^ into the Pemirals of Cky^iftryiwha did rjer deny thts Influence of Sk' 
 priors upn T>iferio-As. ThiYrforc lit Rafiruis fo holily affirming^ ^nd fo often 
 cpealy decLiring it to Men, b: credited by thofi, -svh!), the true Light being not 
 j/U rifsn upn tht/K, do by feeling wichout fight practice Chymifiry. 
 
 'And having fearchedliito Things, I found, that 
 whatibever the Ancient Mafters had fo many Ages 
 fince committed to Writing, and delivered to their 
 Difciples , who carneftly defu'cd to be the true 
 
 feoitators 
 
Ci^srfot o! Ifiitimon^ 145 
 
 Imitators ofthcm, was (as I may fay) more true 
 than Truth it feIfAVherefore,as is fit, j give prayfe 
 and thanks to my Lord and Heavenly Father, jfor 
 his incomprehenlible Works. 
 
 In very deed ( that I may expound the matter ia 
 few Words ) I found all Things, which are genera- 
 ted in the Bowels of Mountains, to be infufed from 
 the Superior Stars, and take their beginning from 
 them, in the form of an aqueom Cloud, Fume or 
 Vapour , which for a very long time fed and 
 nourifhed by the Stars, is at length edudedtoa 
 tangible form by the Elements. Moreover, this 
 Vapor is dryed, that the Watrinefs may lofe its 
 Dominion, and the Fire next, by help of the Air, 
 retain the Ruling Power. Of Water Fire,andof 
 Fire and Air Earth is produced : which not- 
 withftanding are found in all things confuting of 
 Body , before the Separation of them. Therefore 
 this, ^-/^L. Water is the firft Matter* of all things, 
 which by the Drynefs of Fire and Air is for- 
 med into Earth. 
 
 * This is an old Song^thisis theSunt of Art; from thisimtationof'^xturt 
 is found the U([er Stone ofF ire, from this it is made^nhmfoevtr it isproparedy 
 from the Same alfo the great Philofophicl^Stone dsrives its Original. This is 
 the u'Jtn- 0/ Anaxagoras, the Fi>e oj'Empedocles, and Ariftotk^s firft Matter, 
 of which ill things have been, and to this Viy are made. n'i?icb is dearly evi' 
 dent in the Nutrition of Man y the Grotvth of aTree, and in the Generation of 
 MetaliSi For that, hvhich confiitutesFleP}, mods, and Met alls, is not tal^en 
 from Food, Rain or Earth, but is infufed into them from elfwhete. That very 
 Thing is the Aliment , which noiirifheth all things, but that it may he jo varioufly 
 fpecificate,it mufl be feparated from that Body, in which it dwells^ and be joy- 
 ned to anotiur , which by the Chymical Artisferformed. 
 
 But now fince my Intention is to defcribe the 
 Stoneof Fire, how it is made of ^/«f;>/w«)/, together 
 with the Proce-fs of its Preparation, which not 
 only heals Men, but Metalls alio particularly-, it 
 will be ftecelTary befor&aU Things, to fpeak icme- 
 ' • . L is^'hat 
 
146 Bafil ValeDtine*j2( ^tiumpl^attt 
 
 whatofthcfe following Heads. What properly 
 the Stone of Fire is •, what is its Minera^ whetiier 
 a Stone can be made without Matter or no •, what 
 is the extreme difference of Stones, and how many 
 Species of them are found, and laftly of their ufe. 
 
 hi this my pitypofe, I prajy Spirit of Heaveri 
 ilUtminate me^ that J may give a trne and jyncere 
 jnftrniiion^ viz. according as is fit for me, and 
 the matter it felf permits. Indeed I have hopes of 
 Eternal Ahfolution from this my Snpream confef- 
 for, who from Eternity pojfejfeth the Throne of 
 Afercyj and will give TejHmony of all Things^ 
 when the Decretory Sentence jliall be pronounced 
 fipon all Men, in the lafh Judgement, without any 
 appeal. 
 
 Therefore firll know and confider, that the 
 True Tindlure ofAmmony, which is the Medicme 
 ofMen and Metalls, is not made of crude and mel- 
 ted Antimony^^sk is fold by Merchants and Apo- 
 thecaries ^ but extradcd from the Minera, as it is 
 taken out of the Mountains, and before it is for- 
 med into Glafs. But how that Exrradion fnould 
 be made, is the principal Work in which the whole 
 Artconfifts: Health and Riches attend him, who 
 rightly attains to that. But, my Reader, you mult 
 diligently mind this, viz.. that the Tincture of 
 >ff^riw(?r/ypreparcd.fixed andiolid, or the Stone of 
 Fire ( as I name it ^ is a certain pure, penetrative 
 ipiritual and fiery Effence, which is reduced into a 
 coagulated Matter, like the Salamander, which in 
 Fire is not confumed, but purified and confer- 
 Tcd. 
 
 Yet the Stone of Fire tingeth not univerfally,as 
 
 the Stone '^ of Philofophers, which is made of the 
 
 ' EflenceofGolditfclf. To this no fuch power is 
 
 given, as that it flaould perform fuch things, but it 
 
 tingeth particulaily •, w^, Silver into Gold, Tin 
 
 alfo 
 
Cft^ttot of anfimDn^ H7 
 
 ?!iro and Lead*, but Mars and f^ems it toucheth 
 riot, nor do they yield more, then from them by 
 Separation may be effeded. 
 
 • * As much as titaven is elevated above the Earth, fo much doth the tfue Stont 
 of Philcfophers differ from this Stone ef Fire. I my felfdo cmdidly confefs, that 
 although I havejou/idthis^yet I am very far diflantfrorn the other. And this, 
 Tvhatfoivir it is, I own to be received from the mfdome o/Bafilius. Do you tal^e 
 hted you he not deluded by your own fhanta/iij and that others distivtyon 
 not. 
 
 I^foreovcr, onepartof it can tinge no more, then 
 five parts of Metall, fo as to perlift in the Tryal of 
 Saturn and Aitimony^ whereas, on the contrary, 
 the Great Stone of Philofophers can tranfinute to 
 infinity. Alfo in augmentation it cannot be ib 
 far exalted-, ye& the Gold is pure and foiid. 
 
 The Minera, out of which this Stone or 
 Tindure is made, is no other then f as 1 above 
 mentioned ) the very Earth of Antimony ^ from 
 which, 1 fay, it is made: but how or with what 
 virtue, force, and power it is endued, you fliaU 
 hear anort. 
 
 Let the Reader confider, that there are man_y 
 kinds of Stones found,which tinge particularlyjbuc 
 all fixed Poudcrs, which tinge, I here lignify by the 
 name of Scones;, yet one tingeth more highly then 
 another, as efpecialiy the Stone of Philofophers, 
 which obtains the principal place •, the next is the 
 Tindufe of 5o/', and of Luna^ &c. FoLthe 
 White: after thefe, the Tiadlure ot'f^itrioloicf^e- 
 nns'^ likewife the Tincture q1 Mars-^ either of 
 which hath in it felf the Tindure of 5^/, when re- 
 duced to Fixation. Next to thefe follow the 
 Tinctures oi Jupiter and Satnrn for Coagulation of 
 Mercury^ and laftly, the Tindure oiAlercnry it 
 felf. This is th': difference and multiplicity of 
 Stones aad Tind'jres, all which notvvithitanding * 
 
 L 2 are 
 
1 48 Bafil Vaientine'0 tCdamp^ftnt 
 
 are-generated from Seed, and from one original 
 /I^.?f/7A-?from which the true Univerfal Stone pro- 
 ceedsjbiit out of thcfe no other Mctallick Tindture 
 is to be found. But all other Things, by what 
 name foever called, all Stones ( whether pretious 
 or coitfnon ) 1 touch not now, nor have 1 any In- 
 tention to write or fpeak any thing of them at this 
 time; bccaufc they contain in themfelves noo- 
 ther Virtues , then what appertain to Medicine. 
 Nor fhall 1 here make mention of Jlmmal or Fege- 
 f^/^/t- Stones-, becaufe they are only conducent to 
 Medicine •, but for Metallick Works unprofitable 
 and voyd of all Virtue. Yet ?11 the Virtues of all 
 Things, Mineral, Animal and Fey et able ^ collected 
 into one, are found in the Stone of Philofophers. 
 
 Salts are endued with no tinging Virtue, but 
 are onelyKeys '*" for the Preparation of Stones^ 
 otherwife oftliemfclvesthey cffednothing. 
 
 5^ 
 
 Sdts, as here is rightly faid^ are Kjyts •, thsy o^en the Chefi ivkrein the 
 Trtafure lyes. But yen mufi be fure to tai^e the trne Key \ otherwife you may 
 fpoyl the Lo:{i^and not open the cbejl.Itis not fafe in this Caje to tal^e <^uid/fl)- 
 Quotas Apothecaries are wont.l'nu m-ijlhave aPhilnfophick^ Kjy,and proper Salts 
 ft for opening mufi be tal^tn. Nor contemn that Di!ti>Uflon, which is intimatedy 
 betviHen Salts openings which the Author here calls ( as they are ) Kjys, and 
 Salts fixing, -which enter the Treafiire itfelfj as is fufficiently manifeft by the 
 Text. 
 
 Yet, as for Metallick Salts ( 1 now fpeak to the 
 purpoie if you rightly undcrftand,what d.ftinftion 
 Iput between Mineral Salts ) they arc not ^o be 
 llightly eilcemed, nor to be rejccHcd in TJni.T:nres, 
 lince we can in no wife be without theru; ir their 
 Compofition, For in them lyes that mrft pre.ious 
 Treafure, from which every Fixation jeri-.cs its 
 Original. 
 
 Here fome may ask, and indeed ver^ pror-rly ; 
 whether fuch a Scone can be made without matui ? 
 
 J 
 
C^atiotof littimon^. 149 
 
 f anfwer, No. For every Thing mull have its 
 pwn Matter; but not without Diftinftion. Ani^ 
 mals require their Matter, Fe^etMcs theirs, and 
 Mmeralb theirs. Only confider and before all 
 things obferve this-, -c^/?:. that no Body can be pro- 
 fitable foraiiyStone,withouc Fermentation, which 
 I find in the end of the Worlc ( I mean as to the 
 Preparation of the Great Stone) cannot be omit- 
 ted, if! would convert Metalls with gain •, for aL 
 though in the Beginning a Corporal form, and 
 corporal Entity, vifiblc and tangible is taken ^ yet 
 from that formal Body muft be extradeda cer- 
 tain Spiritual and Celeftial Entity ( (hall I call it ) 
 or Apparency •, for I find no other more fit name 
 to give it : which Entity was by the Stars, before 
 infufed into that Body, and by the Elements conce- 
 ded "and made perfed. Yet this Spiritual Entity 
 muft again by a leller Fire, and by the Regimen 
 and Diredion of the Microcofm, be reduced to a 
 tangible, fixed, Solid and inconfumptible Matter. 
 
 But what do I, or what do Ifpeak? I aft as if I 
 were deprived of my Reafon,"^ in uttering words 
 \o openly. For if I had eitlier Reafbn or Judge- 
 ment, Uhould not difcover fo great Things with 
 my Tongue, or command my hand to proceed in 
 writing them. 
 
 ^ An thru wellin thy n'lts,Bz{\[\us, who doeU thus proflltnde the Arcanum 
 of the Stone, which hath unto this day been fo dilig.vitly abfconded by allPhihfo' 
 fhers'i Sitnly, if thou hadfl not Uboured with ll^now not what I/itemperMce of 
 Mind, thou wouldeU have clofedthy Lips, and not have fo clearly. opmed, what 
 it is is tefeparate the Pure from the Impure^ what to render the fixed volatilSy 
 and again to fix that ; how the Inferior becomes Superior, and that again plun^ 
 ged into the Deep Ahyffe, from which it had afcended. To difcover fo many 
 Mylcries, in fofcwwordsy as here thou doe ft, affnredly if it be not Madnefs, it 
 is a certain very great bmvolence to Poflerity. Ihis is that which moved him. 
 y^kmae ferns to havs burned wiib this JffeCiion, and could not overcome 
 
 L 3 All 
 
1 50 Bafil Valentine'iSJ Ctiump^atlt 
 
 that Inclination of mil-doing to, miny^by the Obligation (impofed on all Thilo- 
 fo^hns ) of concealing that Secret Aiyjlery nf Nature, which by the Author thsre- 
 tifthat is^by Na.ture naturating with Melli51ual Revelation^ is commknicated 
 mlyto the Sons of Art worthy and chofen. 'I^}e Secret nf Secrets hath fallen from 
 Bafiliuj, do thou Reader attend, if you find the Pearl, be not Ul(e JEioi^'s 
 Cock. 
 
 All Tirkflures of Mctalls ought to be fepa rated, 
 asthatthey maybe moved with a certain princi- 
 pal Love and Affe(^ion to Metalls, and have a pro- 
 penfity and defire of uniting themfelves with them, 
 and of reducing them to a better State. Will 
 you have an Emblem, or Example ? Behold here it 
 is of Man and Woman, if they two be inflamed 
 with Mutual Love, neither Delay, nor Reft is ad- 
 mitted, until they be united, and their Defire is lli- 
 tisfyed: after this Union they reft, and are mul- 
 tiplyed, according to the good pleafure of GO Z), 
 and the promifc or his Dlcfling. 
 
 Man lives obnoxious to many and perillous 
 Difeafes, fome of which debilitate and confume the 
 powers of Nature fo, as the Man can by no Reme- 
 diesbe perfedly reftored to Health and his former 
 Strength. But Love is adifeafe, with which no 
 other Difcafe may be compared, which is not hea- 
 led unlefs by Production of its own like, which ci- 
 ther Sex defircth, and that Defire is not fatisfied, 
 unlefs byfulfillingthis will of the enkindled affeLt- 
 ion. How many Teftimonics of this violence, 
 w!)ich is in Love, are daily found ? for it not only 
 inllames the Younger Sort, but it fo exagitates 
 fome Perfons far gon in years, as through the bur- 
 ning Heat thereof, they are almoft mad.. Natu- 
 ral Difeafes are for the moft part governed by the 
 Complexion of Man, and therefore invade fome 
 jnore fiercely, others more gently, but Love, 
 witiicutdiftindlion o'' poor or rich, young or old, 
 liczeth All, and having feized fo blinds them, as 
 
 for- 
 
chariot of llntimonp. 151 
 
 forgetting all Rules of Rea (on, they neither fee or 
 fear any Snare. Peculiar Members arc infected 
 with die Singular Syinptomes of other Difeafes, 
 all the other parts remaining found and free from 
 that Dolour. Whom Love infeds, it invades all 
 over, penetrates the Body and its whole Subftance, 
 Form, and EfTence, and leaves nothing unoffended. 
 For taking place in the Heart there it kindles a 
 Fire, the burning heat of which is diffufed through 
 jthfVe.iiS, Arteries, and all the Members of the 
 Body , and in a word I fay, where Love once hath 
 fixed its Root, the man is lb deprived of all fenle, 
 rcaibn and underftanding, as he forgets all things, 
 ierioi^fly minds nothing •, he is unmindful of 
 COD and his Law,his promifes and threats he lit- 
 tle regards-, the torments of Hell and rewards of 
 Eternal Life he contemns. Ifpeak of inordinate 
 and unlawful Love, to which, if a man be once ad- 
 ditled, he adheres fo pertinacioufly, as nothing 
 can reclaim, nothing can reflrain him ; he forgets 
 ihisDuty, Calling and Condition;, derides all ad- 
 monition, dclpifcth the Counfels of Parents, Supe- 
 riors, and others who wilh him wcii •, briefly I fay, 
 he is lb blind with Love, as he cannot fee his own 
 Miiery ^ fo deaf, as he cannot hear thofe, who by 
 their faithful Advice, endeavour to turn and avert 
 from him, thedammage and evil, which would be- 
 fall him. Love leaves nothing intire, or found in 
 the Man i it impedes his Sleep, he cannot reft ei- 
 ther Night or Day ; it takes off his Appetite, that 
 he hath no difpofition either to Meat or Drmk,by 
 reafon of the continual Torments of his Heart and 
 Mmd. It deprives him of all Providence ; hence 
 henegle(5ts his Affaurs, Vocation,and Bufinefs •, he 
 jninds neither Labour, Study nor Prayer •, calts 
 away all thoughts of any Thing but the Body belo- 
 ved j this is his ftudy, this his moft vain Occupa- 
 L 4 tioiL ^ 
 
15^ Bafil Valentine'^ tTtiumpIiailt 
 
 tion. If to Lovers the Succefs be not anfwerable 
 to their Wifh, or lb foon and profperoully as they 
 defire, how many Melancholies hence ariie, with 
 griefs and fadneflbs , with which they pine away 
 and wax lb lean as they have fcnrcely any Flefh clea- 
 ving to the Bones ; yea, at length they loofe the 
 Life it felf. as may be proved by many Examples! 
 For fuch Men (which is an horrible thing to think 
 of ) flight and neglect all perils and detriments, 
 both of the Body and Life, and of the Soul and 
 Eternal Salvation. 
 
 But of theft enough •, for it becomes not a Re- 
 ligious Man to infift too long upon thefe Cogitati- 
 ons, or to give place to fuch a flame in his heart. 
 Hitherto ( without Boafting I Ipcak it ) 1 have 
 throughout the whole courfe of my Life kept my 
 felf lafe and free from it, and I pray and invoke 
 GOD to vouchiafe me his Grace, that 1 may keep 
 holy and inviolate the Faith, which 1 have Sworn, 
 and live contented with my Spiritual Spoufe, the 
 Holy Catholick Church. For no other Reafon 
 have 1 alltaged thefe, then that 1 might exprtfs the 
 Love, with ^vhich all Tindures ought to be mo- 
 ved toward Mctalls. if ever they be admitted by 
 them into true Fricnddiip, and by Love, which pe- 
 netrates the inmoft parts, be converted into a bet- 
 ter State. 
 
 Now let us proceed to the Preparation of the 
 Stone, and leave its ufc to the Clofe of this Dif- 
 courfe. This Stone is of a penetrable and fiery 
 Nature, is cofted and brought to Maturity by fire, 
 no otherwife, then all other Things , which are 
 found in this Orb-, which notwithftanding as they 
 are of a divers Nature , To they in divers man- 
 ners obtain that, according as the Nature of 
 ThinT«; fnpplies with divers Fires, 
 
 Thefii-ftFireis dx^lfial, by GOD kindled in 
 
 our 
 
Ci^riot of Sitttmonp. 15$ 
 
 our Hearts, by which being inflamed we are moved 
 with Love and a certain confidence in and o( GOD 
 our Creator, of the Molt Holy and Incomprehen- 
 fible Tri-mty ^^nd of the Mercy , Grace of o^ir Saviour 
 JESVS CHRIST'^ which Confidence kin- 
 dled in Us by Love, never fails, neverdeferts usin 
 our Nccellities, but will moft certainly deliver 
 our Souls from everlafting deftrudion. The le- 
 Cond Fire is Elemental, produced by the Sun, and 
 tends to the Ripening of all things in the Macro- 
 cofrn. The third Fire is corporal, with which all 
 Foods and Medicines are coded and prepared, 
 without which Men can neither obtain Health of 
 Body, nor fiiftentation of Life. Of a fourth Fire 
 mention is made iu the Saaed Scriptures, viz.. 
 that, which before the Supream Judgment of (7 O D 
 fliall confume this vifible World : but what Fire is, 
 and how itfhall operate, that (if we be wife) we 
 mult leave to be judged of by his own Supream 
 Majelty. A fifth Fire is allbfpoken of in Holy- 
 Writ, -vix:.. Eternal Fire, in which never to have 
 end, the Divcis fhall never be fet at liberty from 
 their Infernal Prifon, and wicked Men, their Com- 
 panions, adjudged to thofe Eternal Fires, fhall be 
 vexed, punilbed and miferably tormented for ever : 
 from which 1 pray the Omnipotent and merciful 
 Lord to preftrve us. Here 1 would admonifli all 
 and every Creature endued with Reafbn, by their 
 Prayers to beg that Grace and Mercy from the Om- 
 nipotent, that they may fo conform their Life to 
 the Divine Precepts, and their own Duty, as that 
 they may efcape this Fire, and it's Eternal Tor- 
 ments. 
 
 OurftoneofFire (which is to be noted) mufl 
 be codled and ripened with Corporal Fire in the 
 Microcofm, as all other Medicines and Foods are 
 prepared by the lame. For where the great Fire 
 "' ^ ^ of 
 
154 Bafil Valentine'^ CrilUilpljant 
 
 of the Macrocofm ceafcth from it's Operation, 
 there the Microcoihi begins to produce a new Ge- 
 neration-, therefore this Conco(flionnioi;ld feem 
 ftrange to no Man. Corn is augmented and ri- 
 pened by the Elementary Fire of the Macrocofm-, 
 but by the Corporal Fire of the Microcofm anew 
 Codion and maturation is effcded, that man may 
 ufe" and' enjoy that Divine Gift for his liiltcn- 
 tation, and by the lame perfe<^ the Lnft and 
 the Leaft, which is produced of the Firft and the 
 Greateft. 
 
 The true Oyl of Antimony^ of which the faid 
 ftonc of Fire is ipade, is above meafure Iweet, and 
 from it's earth is in fqch wife purged and fcparated, 
 as if a Glafs full of it be cxpofed to the Sun, it 
 calls forth various and wonderful Rays (as if many 
 fiery Specnlnms were there prefentj rcfemblinga 
 Ruby, and other Colours. Now attend O Lover 
 of Art and Truth, and hear what I fliaii teach. 
 
 Take in the Name of the Lord, of ihe A'finera 
 of Antimony i which grew after the Riling of the 
 Sun, and Salt Nitre, of each equal Parts j grmd 
 them fubtily and mix them; burn them togerher 
 ' v/ith a moderate Fire very artificially and warily^ 
 for in this the principal Part of the V/ork confifts. 
 Then you will have a matter inclining to Black- 
 nefs. Of this matter make Glafs, grind that Glafs 
 to a fubtile Pouder, and extract from it an iiigh red 
 Tincture with fharp dillilled Vinegar, which is 
 made of it's proper MiKcra. Abftrad the Vine- 
 gar in B. M. and a Pouder * will remain, which 
 again extraJl: with Spirit of Wine highly redi- 
 lyed, then fomc feces will be put down, and you 
 will have a fair, red, fwcet Extradion, v^hichis of 
 gFeatUfe in Medicine. This is the pure Sulphur 
 of A^tmoriyy-whioh mull bcfeparated as exadly as 
 jspofiible. 
 
 If 
 
C!}at(ot of Intimon^ i ss 
 
 * Ta^e hecdyta^f heedyO Lover ofchymlflry^ leefi by this Fm, you, burn the 
 n'ings ofyov.Y Bir.i^ which hath now raifei it feljto tht tof of Mountains. Few 
 Tpords arc [nfficient to tht Intelligent^ there is no need to incHlcatethi famt things 
 ofteny our carejul FAthe>- BafUius doth that often tmugh. 
 
 Ifofthis Extradlion you have tfc. ^ij- takeofthp 
 Salt of Aritimonjy as I taught you to prepare it, 
 |iiij. and on them pour the Extraction, and cifqi- 
 Jate them, for a whole Month at leaft, in a Veflei 
 well clofed, and the Sal twill unite it felfwith the 
 Extracted Snlphnr. If Faces be put down,feparatc 
 them, and again abftrad the Spirit of Wine by 
 B. M. The Pouder which remains urge with 
 vehement Fire, and not witho-Jt admiration will 
 come forth a varicoloured fweetOyl, grateful,pel- 
 lucid and red. Redlify this Oyl againe in B. M, 
 So that a fourth part of it may be diftilled,and then 
 it is prepared. 
 
 This Operation being compleated, take living 
 
 * MiYCHry of Antimony, which 1 taught you how 
 you fhould make, and pour 
 
 * The vpordy Our Mcrcnry^yvhich hath fo often rendred Thee ambiguous, :s 
 alfo hereto be under flood: for ij you tal^s not the true Mercury ofPhilofopherSy 
 you do nothing, uhofoeverhe be^ that (hall candidly teUyou thisy hi will be t$ 
 you ?)'\idcs^ and y OH to him Oie{[cs, and nothing will be more fleafant to jfnifs 
 Lifey then toj^yn my filftayou, as a third Social i in Friend(hi[:, 
 
 upon it red Oyl of Vitriol made upon Iron, and 
 highly redifyed. By Diftillation in Sand remove 
 the Phlegm from the Mercury •, then you will 
 have a pretious Precipitate, in Colour fuch, as ne- 
 ver was any more grateful to the Sight *, and in 
 Chronical Difcafes and open Wounds, it may pro- 
 fitably be ufed for recovering the ^riftine Sanity 
 For it vehemently dryes up all Symptomatica! Hu- 
 ijiors, whence Martial-Diieafes proceed ^ in which 
 
 the 
 
?5^ Bafil VaIentine';Sf Cnumpftailt 
 
 the Spirit of the Oyl, which remains with the Mer^ 
 cHry,?aiA conjoyns and unites it felf thereto, pow- 
 erfully helps. 
 
 Take of this precipitate, and of the Superior 
 Sweet Oyl o^ Jntimony^ equal parts pour thefe 
 together into a Phial, which well clofed fct in con- 
 venient heat, and the Precipitate will in time re- 
 folve and fix it felf in the Oyl. Alfo the Phlegn) 
 bytheFii-e will be confumed, and what remains 
 become a Red, dry, fixed and fluid ^ Poudcr which 
 will not in the leaft give forth from it felf any 
 Fume. 
 
 * 
 
 Tat hentit far hsnce ye Prophant, and you that an initiated in the Sacred 
 Myfieries ofchymiflry l^eep filence. "Let tht }\ing enter into his Eed-Chamber, 
 that he mxy ctnfumtnate his Marriage. 
 
 O tuatequantisattollct Gloria rebus, 
 Connubio tali 1 • 
 
 Yet mal^e not too much hafi to enter, or diflurb this Matrimonial Coniun^ion^ 
 let them for many Months delight themfdves with their mutual Embraces, and 
 not go forth, until from their mutual Love they be changed into an Hermaph-o- 
 ditid^Body, and have produced that Son de freed by all, if not a l^ing ofKjngSy 
 yet at leafi a Reguliu or Ruler, which delivers his Subjefls from Difeafes and 
 Ntcejjky. 
 
 Now my Follower, and Difciple of Arcanum s, 
 1 will fpeak after a Prophetick manner. When 
 you have brought your Philofophick Studies ( in 
 thcI\kthodby me prcfcribcd ) to this end, you 
 have the Medicine of Men and Metals, which is 
 grateful and Sweet in ufe, wirhout all peril, it is 
 penetrative, yet caufcth not Stools, it induceth 
 Emcndation,and expells Evil. ll(e it as is fit^and it 
 will yeild you many Commod-ities,both for health, 
 and temporal neceflity •, by which me^^ns you will 
 be freed from want in this World; which is a 
 thing of lb great Moment, as no Sacrifice of Gra- 
 titude 
 
titude can be found fufficient to anfwer this favour 
 ofG O D (lie wed to you. 
 
 Here, O my (7 O D, las a Religious Man am 
 troubled in Mind ^ and know not whether I db 
 well or ill, whether in ^ fpeaking I have exceeded 
 or not reached the due Bounds -, whilfi; I propofe, 
 and fhew to every One, as it were, his proper 
 Houfe. Do thou, that art a young Follower of 
 Art, inquire, fearch and try, as I have done; if you 
 attain your End, give greateft thanks to GOD, 
 and after him to me your Mafter. But if you 
 turn alide into devious and by-paths, blame your 
 felf, not me •, for I am not guilty of your Error. 
 
 ^ Our Author judgeth himfdfto havefpoi^en too much^ if you alfo thinly, the 
 fame, you will re Joyce in his Snimfs. Yet it is ftrange^ that no Man (aji W«* 
 tribute a little Light -to this Fhibfophy^ but be presently repents. 
 
 Now I have faid enough, and writ enough, and 
 taught fo clearly and openly , and plainly , as 
 ■more manifeftly or clearly cannot be done by 
 Writing, unlefs fomclofland rafli Man, knowing 
 and wiiiinglywouldcafthimfelf into Hell, to be 
 there Submerged and Perifti: Becaufe, by the 
 Creator of all Things we are mofl feverely prohi- 
 bited further to unlock thefe Myfteries, or to eat 
 of the Tree which was planted in the midft of Pa- 
 radifc. Therefore here I will defift, until Others 
 (hew, what is here to be done by Mc,and what they 
 judge is to be omitted, and fay no more of this,but 
 pafs to *ts life. 
 
 Therefore know, that the Ufe confifts in Obfer- 
 vation of the Perfon and his Complexion, with re- 
 lation to what appertains to Humane Health, that 
 Nature be not overpowered with two great a Quan- 
 tity, or not helped by too fraall. Yet too much 
 isnotfoReligioufiy to be feared j for it will not 
 
 readily 
 
158 Bafil VaJentine'iJ Crtum^Ijant 
 
 readily hurt-jbccaufe it helps to recover the prifline: 
 Sanity, and fights againft Venom, if any be in 
 the Body. This I only add, three or four grains 
 of it, given in one onely Dofe, are fufficient for 
 evpelling every Evil, if taken in Spirit of Wine.* 
 For this Stone Or Tindure paiTcth through all the 
 Members of the Body, and contains in it felf the: 
 Virtues of many Arcafmms. It remedies the Gid- 
 dinefs of the Head, and all Difeafes, which have 
 their Original from the Lungs. It cures difficul- 
 ty of Breathing, and the Cough-, the Leprofy and 
 Fr^w^ Difeafe are amended by it, in a wonderful 
 manner. The Pell, Jaundies, Dropfies and all 
 kinds of Fevers, are often cured by it, Likevvife 
 it expells Venoni taken. It profits thole, who 
 have drunk a PMfr;/w or Love-potion: it cori- 
 firms all the Members, Brain, Head, and all things 
 depending thereon. It helps the Stomach and Li- 
 ver-, heals all Difeafes, which proceed from the 
 Reins •, clcanfeth the impurity of the Bloud. Alio 
 this Tindture of y^;f;wo?7y,. breaks the Stone of 
 the Bladder to Poudcr •, and expells if, it provokes 
 Urine, when flopped by FUtus^. It reftores the 
 vital Spirits, cures Suffocation of the Matrix, makes 
 theMenllrues flow if flopped, and flayes them if 
 inordinate. It caufeth Fruitfulnefs, and makes the 
 Seed found, and avaylable for Generation, both in 
 Women and Men. Laflly, this Stone of Fire in- 
 wardly taken ( convenient Plaifters being alio 
 ■ outwardly applyed ) heals the Cancer, Fillula.'s, 
 Rottcncfs in the Bones, and all corroding*Ulcers, 
 and whatfoever takes beginning from the Impuri- 
 ty of the Blood, alfo the Difeafe it felf called Notl 
 me tanyere. And that I may comprehend all in fev/ 
 Words, this Stone, like a Particular Tindure, is a 
 * Remedy againft all Symptomes, which can hap^ 
 pen to the Humane Body. All which Experience 
 
 will 
 
Cljariot of aintimour* «5f 
 
 will very clearly demonftrate to you, aiid open the 
 way farther to you, if yoa be a Phyfitian, called by 
 CO D to that Office. 
 
 » 
 
 ^ Here the M'Jicinil Virtues ari fpo^en of At large. For fiafiliui )«/>;«- 
 feth 1\)te not to he d{UUd with tb: Filths ef AvzTicey but fpUndid ia the 
 Light of Chsrity.^ini burning ycith a Defire of helping thy Neighbour , fellowing 
 him dij cover i/!g th:fe Seres. N»iv fsrevel Lovir of Chymifiriy and if than j 
 haft gM/ied any Light, either from the Interpretation o/lBafilius, 6r my Commen- 
 taries, enf^)y it, and com n'-mcatt the fame to the Sons of Art, that Philofophy 
 opprtffidjor fn many Tiarswitbthi intoUerable Teai^ of Avarice^ may at length 
 be revivedy anil return be of thnfe times of the Egyptians,in which Tn(rncgii\u% 
 and fo many wife Magi, "Philofophi^^ed not with empty denominatisns, but 
 "Kith wonderful Worlds. 
 
 In thefe,! think I have done my part, and writ 
 more then fufficiently of Anttmony. If any One 
 foiiowes iiic, he may add his own Experiences to 
 theie, that ( with the fingular favour of C7 O i) ) be- 
 fore the corkfummation of the World, the Myfteries 
 of the moft High may be revealed, to his Glory and 
 honour, and the Conlervacion of health. Having 
 finiflied thisDifi ourfe,l intend foratimetobefilent 
 and return to my Monadery, there to learn Philo- 
 fophy further, that! may be able to comment ofo- 
 ther Thiniz;s and as 1 h;ive already promifed, I fliall 
 {GOD willing) write of Vitriol, common Sul- 
 phur, and theLoadftone; and open their Principle, 
 Powers, Operations and Virtues. 
 
 Let GOD the Lord of Heaven and Earth i^ratit 
 to lis temporal Health here^ atjd hereafter Eternal SaU 
 nation for the Refrefhment ofoitr Souls ^ in the Seats of 
 Joy and Gladnefs, never to he limited within my Bounds 
 of time. Amen. 
 
 Thus I conclude this Treatife of Antimony ^ and 
 all whatfoever I have written of the Red Oyl of 
 Antin!on\\ w^ich is made ofits Sulphur highly puri- 
 fied,and of tiie Spuit, which is prepared ofiisSalt. 
 
 Incline 
 
I^o Bafil Valefitine'jS Ctfuiltb^Ut 
 
 Incline your IVIind to thofe, and with theni compare 
 thefe laft, which I have prefcribed you touching 
 the Stone of Fire. If you acutely confider them, 
 youmayeafily find their Union unto the End, by 
 this Comparation. For the Foundation is the 
 fame, the Realbn the fame,the Friendfhip the fame, 
 by which Health is required, and the Stag long 
 fought taken with a pleafant Hunting. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
TRUE BOOK 
 
 Of the Learned 
 
 SYNESIUS 
 
 A 
 
 Greek Abbot, 
 
 Taken out of the 
 
 EMPEROUR'S LIBRARY. 
 
 Concerning the 
 
 Philofopher's Stone, 
 
 Homer. 
 
 Hac partim tpfe tuoferfendensfeUore tecum ^ 
 Partim Divlim aliquis tihifu^gerat. 
 
 To fo great a Myftcry who ITiall Afpire. 
 
 Lo«rfo», Printed for Darmjn Newman at the Kings Armj 
 in the FOHltry. 1678. 
 
1^3 
 
 T HE 
 
 TRUE BOOK 
 
 of the Learned Greek Abbot 
 
 SYNESIUS 
 
 TAKEN OUT OF THE 
 
 Emperours" Library. 
 
 T Hough the Antient Philofophers bave 
 written diverfly of this fcience, con- 
 cealing under a multitude of names the 
 true principles of the Art; yet have 
 they not done it out upon important confiderati- 
 ens as we fliall hereafter make appear. And though 
 they arc different m their exprelfions, yet are they 
 not any way difcordant one from another, but 
 aymingallat one end, and fpeaking of the fame 
 thing,they have thought fit f above all the reft j 
 to name tht proper ui^emy by a term, ftrange, nay 
 ibmetimes contrary to its nature and qualities. 
 
 Know then, my Son, that almighty God toge- 
 ther with this Univerfe, created two Stonesy tliat is 
 %o fay, the White and the Red^ both which are un* 
 
 M z dev 
 
1^4 'Ci&e true 25ooh . 
 
 der one and the fame fubjedt, and afterwards mul- 
 tiplied in fuch abundance,that every one may take 
 as much as he pleafe thereof. The matter or them 
 is of fuch a kind, that it feems to be a mean between 
 Metal and Mercury, and is partly fixed and partly 
 not fixed, otherwife it could not be a mean be- 
 twixt Metalls and Mercury : ajld this matter is the 
 inftrpment whereby our defire is accompli (bed, if 
 we do but prepare it. Hence it comes thatthofe 
 who bcftow their endeavours in this Art without 
 thcfaid medium, loofe their labour, but if they are 
 acquainted with the Medium , they (hall find all 
 things feafible and fortunate. Know then that 
 this yl/f/a'z«m, being aerial, is found among the ce- 
 leftial Bodies, and that it is onely there are found 
 the Mafculine and Feminine Gender, ( to fpeak 
 properly ) having a conftant, ftrong, fixed and 
 permanent Virtue,of the eflence whereof ( as I have 
 told thee ) Philofophers have exprelled themfelves 
 only by Similitudes and Figures. This they did, 
 that the fcience might not be difcovered by the 
 Ignorant, which if it (hould once happen, all were 
 loft .• but that it might be comprehended only by 
 thofe patient fouls, and fubtilized underftandings, 
 which being fequeftred from the fovlinefs of this 
 world, are clcanlcd from the filth of that terrene 
 dunghil of Avarice, vvhcreby the ignorant are 
 chained to the enrthinefs of this World, which is 
 f without this adniirable quintcflcncej the recep- 
 tacle of poverty, it being certain, that thofe di- 
 vine Ibuls , when they havcdiv'd into Dcmocrituis 
 foumaw, that is to fay, into the truth of Nature, 
 would foondifcover wh^-'.t confufion might happen 
 in all eftatcs and conditions, if every one could 
 make as much Gold as he w-ould himielf. Upcn 
 this ground was it that they were plcafed to fpeak 
 by figures, types, and analogies,that fo they might 
 
 not 
 
hot be underfloodbut by fuch as are difcreet, re- 
 ligious, and enlightned by ( divine ) Wifdome. 
 All which ODtwithflanding, they have left in their 
 writings a certain method, way and rule, by tic 
 afTiftance whereof the wife man may comprehend 
 whatever they have written molt obfcurely, and 
 in time arrive at the knowledge of it, though haply 
 wading through fome error, asl havedone.praifed 
 be God for it. And whereas the Vulgar ignorant 
 perfon ought to fubmit to thefe reafons, and confe- 
 quently adore, what is too great, to enter into his 
 Brain, he on the contrary accufcs the Philofophers 
 of impofture and impiety, by which means, and the 
 fcarcity of wife men, the Art falls into contempt. 
 
 But for my part, I tell -thee, they have always 
 exprefled themfelves according to certain Truth, 
 though very obfcurely, and fometim,es fabuloufly, 
 all which I have difcipher'd in this little Treatife,and 
 that after fuch a manner that the earneft defirerof 
 Sciencefhallunderftand what hath been myftically 
 delivered by the Philofophers. And yet if he pre- 
 tend to underftand me and know not the nature of 
 the Elements and things created, as alio our rich 
 Metal, he dothbutlofe his Labour: but if he un- 
 derftand the Concord and Difcord of Natures, he 
 will by God's afliftance arrive to the reft ? It is 
 therefore my fuit to God, that he who fcall under- 
 ftandthe prefcnt Secret may work to the glory and 
 praifeof the facred Divinity* 
 
 Know then my dear Son, that the ignorant man 
 cannot comprehend the fecret of the Art, becaufe 
 it depends upon the Knowledge of the true Body^ 
 which is hidden from him. Know then, ray Son, 
 pure and impurcy the clean and unclean Natures, for 
 there cannot come from any thing that which it 
 hath not. For things, that are not or have not, can- 
 not give but their own Nature- make ufe then of 
 M 5 that 
 
that which is nioft: perfect and nearefl in kind, 
 thou fhaltmeet with, and it fhall liifike. Avoid 
 tlicn that which is nnxr, and take thcfiwfk, for that 
 proceeds from the QHinteffeme. Note that we 
 havetwo bodies of very great perfection, full of 
 MercHry : Out of thcle extract thy Mennry^^nd of 
 that thou fhak make the Medicine^ c^led by fbme 
 ^turejfence, which is a Vertue or power that is im- 
 perifhable, permanent, and perpetually vidorious, 
 flay it is a clear Light, which Iheds true goodnefe 
 into every foul that hath once tafted of it. It is 
 the knot and link of all the Elements, which it con- 
 tains in itfclf, asbeiHgalfo the Spirit which nou- 
 rifhethall things, and by the affiftance whereof Na- 
 ture works in the Univcrfe. It is the force, the 
 beginning and endof tlie whole work, and to lay 
 all open to thee in a word, know, that the Quimcf- 
 jf^wceand the hidden thing of our Stone is nothing 
 tlfe then our vifcous, celeftial and glorious SouJ 
 drawn by our Magiftery out of its Mine, which en- 
 genders it felf, and that it is not poflibic for us to 
 make that water by Art.but Nature alone begets it, 
 and that water is the moflf) vy ^/w{j^>-, which makes 
 Goldto be a pure fpi; -t, nay it is that ble(f(d Nature 
 whichengcndcFsall things, which through its pu- 
 trefadion rs become aTri-unity, and by rcafon of 
 its Viridity caufes an appearance of divers colours. 
 AndIadvircthce,mySon, make no account of any 
 other things, ( as being vain, ) labour only for that 
 iv.zffr, which /vovzj to biickncfs y whitens.^ Sffolves and 
 cffi^cals. It is that wiiich putrefies, and caufes 
 gcnninatioyi, and therefore I advife thee, that thou 
 wholly imploy thy fclf in the decodion of this 
 water, and quarrel not at the exix?nce of time, o- 
 therwife thou IhaJt have no advantage. Decodl it 
 gently by little and little, until it have changed it$ 
 falfc colour into a perfect, ajid have a great care at 
 
 the 
 
Conrernfng t^ ^Wotopl^t^ Si^tont 1 5; 
 
 the beginning that thou burn not its Flowers and 
 its vivacity ,and make not too much haft to come to 
 an end of thy work. Shut thy Veflcl well, that 
 what is within may not breath out,and fo thou mayft 
 bring it to fome efFedt. And note,that to diffolve^ 
 to calcine^ to nnge^ to whiteriy to renevp^ to bath^ to i 
 wajlj^tO coa^ulate^tO imbibe^ to decoH^ to fix, to^rind, 
 to ^ry, and to ^zy?i/,areallone, andfignify no more 
 then to cowo^ Nature,untilfuch time as it be per- 
 fect. Note further that to cxtrad the foul , or 
 the fpirit, or the body, is nothing elfe then the 
 abovefaid Calcinations, in regard they fignify the 
 operation oif^emu. It is therefore through the 
 fire of the extradiori of the foul that the Ipirit 
 comes forth gently, underftand me. The fenae 
 may alfo befaidoftheextradion of the foul out of 
 the Body, andtheredudionofit afterwards upoa 
 the lame Body, until the whole be drawn to a com- 
 mixtion of all the four ElemeUts. And fo that 
 which is below, is like that which is above, and 
 confequently there are made therein two lumina- 
 ries, the one flvtthe other not, whereof the fix'd 
 remains below, and the volatile above, moving it 
 felf perpctually,until that which is below,which is 
 the male, get upon the female, and iA be fixed, and 
 then iflues out an incomparable Luminary. And 
 as in the beginning, there was onely one, fo in this 
 Matter, all proceeds from one and returns to one, 
 which is called a converfion of the Elements, and 
 to convert the Elements, is as much as to make the 
 humid dry, and the volatile fixed, that fo that 
 which is thick may be made thin, and weaken the 
 thing that fixeth the reft, the fixative part of the 
 thing remaining intire. Thus happens the life and 
 death of the Elements, which compofcd germinate 
 and produce, and fo one thing perf.ds anothier, 
 and afliits it to opf ofe the Fire. 
 
 M 4 The 
 
1^3 CljettueaSoofe. 
 
 The Pradice. 
 
 MY Son it is neceilary that thou work with? 
 the Mercury of the Phtlofophers and the wife, 
 which is not the Fitl^ar^ nor hath any thing of the 
 Vulgar ^hut^ according to them, is the firfi Ainttery 
 the Soul of the World, the cold Element , the hlcjfed 
 Water ^t he Water of the Wife^ the Vencmous Water, the 
 mofi fjiirp ritrefar. the Mineral' Water, the Water of 
 celejliaiff-ace^ the Vi'gm Mdl^, our Mineral and cor- 
 poreal Mercnry. For this alone perfeds both the 
 ilonesjthe White and the Red. Confider whr.t Gcber 
 fayes, that our Art confifts not in the multitude of 
 feveral thmgSjbecanfe i\\(^Mrciiry is but one only 
 thing, that is to fay, one only Stone wherein con- 
 lifts the whole Magiftery ^ to which- thou ihalt not 
 add any ft^range thing, fave that in the preparation 
 thereof thou ftialttake away from it wkatfocver is 
 iuperfluouS; by reafon that in this matter, all things 
 requifite to this Art are contained. And therefore 
 it is very obfcrvable that he faies, we miiil add no- 
 thing that is ftrange, fave the Sun and Moon for the 
 red and white Tindure,v*^hich are not ftrange C to 
 it 3 but are its Ferment, by which the vv^ork is ac- 
 compliflicd. LalHy, mark my Son, that thefe Suns 
 and Moons arc not the fame with the Vulgar Gold 
 and Silver, for that our Suns and Moons are bet- 
 ter in their nature then the Vulgar Siins and Moons. 
 For our Suns and Moons arc in their i>arure living, 
 anJtholeofthe Vulgar are dead incomparifonof 
 ours,v/hicii are exiftent and permanent in our Stone. 
 Whence thou maift obfcrve that the Mercury 
 drawn out of our Bodies, is like the aqueous and 
 common Mercury, and for th^t reafon, enjoyes it 
 iclf and takes plcafureiiiitslike,andis more glad 
 
Concetnf ng tfte j^iftiiofortct'jJ S)t one. 1 6 j 
 
 of its company, as it happens in the fimple c-md 
 compound, which thing hath not been difcovered 
 by the Philofophers in their Books.And the advan- 
 tage therefore which is in this Art, lies in the Mer- 
 cury, Sun and Moon. Dicmtdes faith, majie ufe of 
 fuch a matter as to which thou muftnot introduce 
 any ftrange thmg, neither pouder nor water, for 
 that leveral things do not improve our Stone, and 
 thereby hefufficiently inftruds him, who under- 
 ftands him, that the tindure of our Stone is not 
 drawn from any thing but the Mercury of the Phi- 
 lofophers ; which is their principle,their root,and 
 their great Tree, fprouting forth into boughs aiid 
 branches. 
 
 The firft Operation^ 
 
 SUBLIMATION 
 
 IT is not Vulgar but Philoibphical whereby we 
 take away from the Stone whatever is fuper- 
 iiuousjwhichjineffed: is nothing elfe, but the ele- 
 vation of the not-fixed part by fume and vapor, for 
 the fixed part fliould remain in the bottom, nor 
 would we that one fhould be feparated from the 
 other, but that they remain and be fixed together. 
 Know alfo that he, who fhall fublime our Philofo- 
 phical Mercury ( wherein is all the vertueof our 
 Stone ) as it ought to be done, fliall perfed the Ma- 
 giftery. This gave Geber reafon to fay that all 
 perfcdion confifts in Sublimation^and m this Subli* 
 mation all other operations, that is to fay, Difiilla- 
 
t?o ^^c tjcuc J3oofe 
 
 ttMf AffatioHy DefirHiiiofjy Coa^Hlatim, PHtrefaSiioriy 
 Calcination^ Fixatiorty Reduction of the White and Red 
 Tinbthrcsy procreated and cngendred in one furnace 
 and in one Veflel, and this is the ready way to the 
 final Confummation , whereof the Philofopheis 
 have made divers chapters, purpofely to amule the 
 Ignorant. 
 
 Takctheninthe name of the great God, the 
 venerable matter of the Philofophers, called the 
 firft /^/eof the Sages, which contains the above na- 
 med Philofophical Mercury, termed, the firft mat- 
 ter of the perfect Body, put it into its Veflel, which 
 muft be clear, diaphanous and round, and clofely 
 flopped by the ScalofSc.ds, and make it hot in its 
 place, well prepared, with temperate heat, for the 
 Ipaceof a Phibfoplucal Month j keeping it fix weeks 
 and two days in the fweat of Sublimatioii until it be- 
 gins to be putrefycd, to ferment, to be coloured 
 and to be congealed wiih its metallick humidity, 
 and be fixed lo far, that it do no more afcend in 
 aicryfumoHs fni>fi(1ncethutTGm^mfiKQ(\ in the bot- 
 tom, turned from what itwas, anddevefted of all 
 vifcous humidity, putrefycd and black, which is caf 
 led the lable Robe, Night or the Crowcs-hcad. 
 Thus when our ftone is in the vellcl, and that' it 
 mounts up on high in fume, this is called Sublimati- 
 9ij, and when it falls down from on high, DifiilUri- 
 on,A\v\ Dcfccnfion. When it begins to partici- 
 pate of the fumous fnbftancc, and to be pntrcfyed, 
 and that by reafon of the frequent aft cnt and de- 
 fccnt it begins to coagulate, then it is Putyefuuton 
 and dcvouiing Salphui, and laftly through the 
 want or privarion of the humidity of the radical 
 water is wrought Calcination and Fixation both at the 
 fame tiine,by decoftion alone, in one oncly Vellel, 
 as I have already faid. Moreover in this flibiima- 
 tion is wrought the true feparation of tiic Elements, 
 
 for 
 
CCottcernins t^e }^1^lo(op^et]$ Stone- 17 > 
 
 for in our Sublimation the EUxir is turned from 
 Water into a terreftrial Element dry and hot, by 
 which operation it is manifeft, that the reparation 
 of the four Elements in our Stone is not Vulgar but 
 Philofophical. Hencealfo is it, that in our StODc 
 there are but two formal Elements, that is to lay. 
 Earth and Water; buttheEartli hath in its groR. 
 nefs,thevrnueand drought of Fire^ and the Wa- 
 ter contains in it felf the air with its humidity. 
 Thus we have in our Stone vifiblybut two elements, 
 but efiedually there are four. And by this thou 
 maift pdge, that the reparation of the four Ele- 
 ments is abfolutely phyfical not vulgar and reaf, 
 fuch as the ignorant daily employ themfelves in. 
 Continue therefore its decodion with a gentle 
 fire, until aH the black matter appearing in the fu- 
 perficies be quite difTipated by the Magiftery, which 
 blacknefs is by the Philofophers called the dark 
 mantle of the Stone, which afterwards becoraijig 
 clear is termed the cleanfmg water of the earth, or 
 rather the Elixir. And note,that the blacknefs which 
 appears is a fign of putrefadion. And the begin- 
 ning ofthedillblutionisafign of the conjundtion 
 of both Natures, And this blacknefs appears fome- 
 times in forty dayes, more or Icis, according to the 
 quantity of the matter, and the mdultry of the 
 Operator, which contributes much to the reparati- 
 on of the faid Blacknefs. Now my Son, by the 
 grace of God thou art acquainted w ith one Element 
 ofour Stone, which is the black earth, the Ravens 
 head, by fome called the obfcure fhadow , upon 
 which earth as upon a bale all the reft is grounded. 
 Tliis tcrreftial and dry Element, is called, Lrfrw, 
 the Bftllyblack^ Dre<^gs,oHr MetalloHr Mercury. And 
 thus by the privation of the adull humidity, which 
 IS taken away by Philofophical fublimation, the vo- 
 latile is hxed^ and the moi^ is made dry aiid earth*, 
 
 nay, 
 
172 tirijc true i3oofe 
 
 nay,according to CfW, there is wrought a change 
 of the complexion, as of acold and humid Nature, 
 into dry choler, and according to A'phUms, of a 
 liquid into a thick. Whence is apprehended whnt 
 the Philofbphers mean when they fay, that the o- 
 peration of our Stone is only a tranfmutation of 
 Nature and a revolution of Elements. Thou ieeft 
 then how that by this incorporation the humid be- 
 comes dry, the volatile fixed, the Spiritual corpo- 
 realjthe liquid thick, water fire, air earth, and that 
 there happens an infallible change in their true 
 nature, and a certain circulation of the four Ele- 
 ments. 
 
 The (econd Operation, 
 
 DEALBATION. 
 
 IT converts our Mercury into the white Stone j 
 and that by decoftion only. When the earth 
 isfeparated from its water, thenmuft the Veifel be 
 ieton theAflies,asisufual in adiltilling furnace, 
 and the water be diftilled by a gentle fire at the be* 
 ginning, fo that the water come fo gently that thou 
 mayft dill mdly number as far as torty names, or 
 pronounce fifty fix v^^ords, and let this order be ob- 
 ferved in all the diftillationsoftheblaek earth, and 
 that which is in the bottom of the Veflel, that is,the 
 Faces remaining to be imbibed, with the new water, 
 will be dillbived, which water will contain three or 
 four parts more then thofe Faccs^ih^t fo all may be 
 dillbived and converted into Mercury and y^rarm 
 vive. I tell thee that this mult be donefo often, tliau 
 
 there 
 
there fhall remain nothing but the Mure. For this 
 diftillation there is no time limited, but it is done 
 fooner or later according to the greater or lefler 
 quantity of the water, proportionablyito thejquan- 
 tity of the fire. Then take the earth which thou 
 fhalt havereferved in aVeflel ofGlafs, with its 
 diftilled water, and with a foft and gentle fire, fuch 
 as was that of Diftillation, or purification, or ra- 
 ther one fomewhat ftronger, continue it, till fuch 
 time as the earth be dry and white, and by reafbn of 
 its drought,drunk np all its water. This done,put 
 to it fome of the abovefaid water, and fo, as at the 
 beginning,continue on the fame decodion,until that 
 tarth is become abfolutely white, cleanfed and 
 clear, and have drunk all its water. And note 
 that the fald earth will be wafhed from its blacknels 
 by the decodion, as 1 have faid, becaufe it is eafily 
 putrefyed by its own water,and is cleanfed, which 
 is the end of the Magiftery, and then be fure to keep 
 that white earth very carefully. For that is the 
 White A^feratry, White Magnefia^ Foliated earth. 
 Then take this white earth redified as abovefaid, 
 and put it into its veffti upon the alhes, to a fire of 
 Sublimation, and let it have a very ftrong fire until 
 all the coagulated water,which is within,come into 
 the Alembick, and the earth remain in the bottom 
 well calcined : then haft thou the earth, the water, 
 and the air, and though the earth have in it the 
 nature of the fire, yet is it not apparent in effedt, as 
 thou (halt lee, vv'hea by a greater decodion thou 
 Ihalt make it become red •, fo that then thou Ihalt 
 manifeftly fee the tire in appearance, and fuch mulh 
 be the proceeding in order to Fermentation of the 
 white earth, that the dead body may be animated 
 and enlivened, and its vertue be mulriplyed to in- 
 finity. But note,that the Ferment caimot enter in- 
 to t'hedeadbody, butby the means of the water, 
 
 which 
 
^H tctie true l5otk ] 
 
 which hath made a contrad and.a marriage between 
 the Ferment and the white earth. And know that 
 in alJ Fermentation the weight is to be confidered, 
 that {6 the quantity of the volatile exceed not the 
 fixcd,and that the marriage pafs away in fiime. For, 
 3s5f»wrfayes, if thou convert not the earth into 
 water, and the water into fire, there cannot be a 
 conjimdionofthe fpirit and body. To do this 
 take a l^men or plate red hot and caft on it a drop 
 of our Medicine, which penetrating, it (hall be of a 
 per fed colour, and will be a lign of perfedion. 
 If it happen it do not tinge,reiter^ethedinblution 
 and coagulation, until it do tinge and penetrate. 
 And note, that feven imbibitions, at the moft, are 
 ftffiGicnt, and five at the Icaft, that fo the matter 
 may be liquifyed, and without fmoak , and then the 
 matter is perfed as to whitencls, for as much as 
 the matter Ibmetimes requires a longer time to be 
 fixed , and fomctimes is done in a (horter, according 
 to the quantity of the Medicine. And note that 
 our Medicine from the creation of our Mercury 
 requires the term of feven months to compafs the 
 whitenefs, and, to arrive at the rednefs, five •, which 
 put together, make twelve. 
 
 Of the third Operation, 
 
 RUBIFICATION. 
 
 TAke of the white Medicine, as much as thou 
 wilt, and put it with its Glafs upon the hot 
 afhes, till it becomes as dry as the a(hes. Then 
 put to it fome water of the Sun, which thou haft 
 
 kept 
 
Icept purpofely for that end, and continue the fire 
 to the lecoiid degree, until it become dry, thenpuc 
 to it again fome of the abovefaid water, and fofuc- 
 ceflively imbibe and dry, until the matter be rubi* 
 ficd, and fluxible as wax, and cover with it the red 
 Jjamerif as hath been faid, and the matter Ihall be 
 perfect as to recbufs . But note that at every time, 
 thou needfl; put no more of the water of the Sun 
 then is barely neceflary to cover the body, and this 
 is done that the Elixir fink laot and be drowned, 
 and fo the fire muft be continued unto deficcation^ 
 and then muft there be made a fecond imbibition, 
 and fo proceed in order to the perfcdion of the 
 Medicine, that is to fay, until the force of the di- 
 geition of the fire convert it into a very red pou- 
 fler, which is the true Hyle of thePhilofophers, the 
 bloody Stone, the purple red Coral, the pretioi^ 
 R 11 by, red Mercury and the red Tindure. 
 
 PROJECTION. 
 
 THe oftner thou fhalt difTolvc and coagulate it, 
 ' the more will the Vertue of it be multiplyed 
 to infinity. But note that the medicine is multi- 
 plyed later by Solution ^ then by Fermentatiort. 
 Wherefore the tiling diflblved operates not well, if 
 it be not before fixed in its ferment. Neverthelefsf 
 the multiplication of the Medicine by folution 
 is more abondant then that of the Ferment, by rea- 
 ibn there is more fubtilization. Yet I advifc 
 thee that in the multiplication thou put cje part 
 pfthe work upon four oftheothcr,and in alhort 
 fiine there wili be made a pouder, all Ferment, 
 
 The 
 
176 ^^b^ true ffioofe \ 
 
 The Epilogue according to 
 HERMES. 
 
 THus art thou to fcparate the earth from tht fire^ 
 thegrofs from the {nbtil gently, with great 
 Judgment, that is to fay, feparate the parts that 
 are united to the Furnace, by the diflblution and re- 
 paration of the parts, as the earth from the fire, 
 the fubtile from the grofs,c^c. that is to fay, the 
 more pure fubftance of the ftone, until thou halt 
 got it clean, and free from all fpots or filth. And 
 when he faith, tt afcetidsfromthe earth up into Heaven 
 and returfisa^ain into the earth, there is no more to 
 be underftood by it then the Sublimation of the Bo- 
 dies. Further, to explain what dift illation is, he 
 fayesf/»? Wwdcarryes it in its belly x^'^^t is, when the 
 water is diftilled by the Alenibick, where itfirft 
 afcends by a wind full of Fume and Vapour.and af- 
 terwards returns to the bottom of the Veffel in 
 water again. When he would alfo cxprefs the conge- 
 lation of the matter, he fayes, Its force is ahfolute, if 
 it be turned into earth, that is to fay, be converted by 
 decoction. And to make a general demonfttcUion 
 of all hath been faid, he fayes, It jlall rctei've both 
 the inferior a?jdffipcrior fore e^th^ti'' t' fay, that of 
 the Elements, for as much as , if \ i ir. Med icine re- 
 ceive the force of the lighte. parts, that is to 
 fay, air and fire, it fiiall alf' receive that of the 
 more grave and weighty parts, ciiangmg it felf into 
 water and earth, to the end, that the Matters be- 
 ing thus perpetually joined together, may have 
 permanence, durance, conftancy, and ftability. 
 GJory be to God. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
■7c^.. c;^g^ 
 
'/ 
 

 'A