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<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Society</strong> <strong>Miscellaneous</strong> <strong>Manuscript</strong> 6/5: <strong>Alchemical</strong> <strong>notes</strong> <strong>in</strong> the<br />

hand of Isaac Newton<br />

Transcribed by John T. Young, July-August 2005<br />

Note on the transcription<br />

This is <strong>in</strong>tended as a diplomatic transcription, i.e. as faithful a representation as possible<br />

of the orig<strong>in</strong>al text. Spell<strong>in</strong>g, punctuation and capitalisation are given as they appear <strong>in</strong><br />

the manuscript and not modernised, standardised or corrected. Obvious errors are let<br />

stand but commented on <strong>in</strong> the <strong>notes</strong>. Like almost all writers of his period, Newton does<br />

not dist<strong>in</strong>guish capital U from V or capital J from I so neither does this transcription.<br />

The follow<strong>in</strong>g conventions are used <strong>in</strong> the transcription:<br />

Any editorial <strong>in</strong>tervention or conjecture, apart from end<strong>notes</strong>, is enclosed <strong>in</strong> curly<br />

brackets {}. All square brackets [] are Newton's own. This is a very important<br />

dist<strong>in</strong>ction, as Newton often appears to <strong>in</strong>clude his own explanatory or editorial <strong>notes</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />

square brackets <strong>in</strong> the middle of passages cited from other sources.<br />

Illegible material is presented thus: {?} = one illegible character; {??} = two illegible<br />

characters; {???} = three or more illegible characters. If (as is usually the case) the<br />

reason for the text's be<strong>in</strong>g illegible is that it is deleted, the question marks are shown <strong>in</strong><br />

strikethrough: {???}.<br />

Editorial expansions of conventional abbreviations such as macrons are given <strong>in</strong> curly<br />

brackets: unguentu{m}. So is conjecturally supplied text where text is miss<strong>in</strong>g or<br />

<strong>in</strong>visible due to manuscript damage or over-zealous b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g, with an explanatory<br />

endnote.


Dubious read<strong>in</strong>gs are given <strong>in</strong> curly brackets with an italicised question mark:<br />

{<strong>in</strong>præparatus?}.<br />

Catchwords are presented thus: {catchword: nostra}.<br />

Folio numbers are given <strong>in</strong> curly brackets <strong>in</strong> bold: {1r}. There are no folio or page<br />

numbers <strong>in</strong> the manuscript itself.<br />

Interl<strong>in</strong>ear and marg<strong>in</strong>al <strong>in</strong>sertions are placed <strong>in</strong> angle brackets < >.<br />

Deleted text is presented <strong>in</strong> strikethrough.<br />

Normally, one l<strong>in</strong>e is left blank between paragraphs. Where Newton has left an<br />

unusually large gap between paragraphs, two l<strong>in</strong>es are left blank.<br />

Indentation of paragraphs (or the lack of it) is given as it appears <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

Any other editorial commentary is given <strong>in</strong> the end<strong>notes</strong>.<br />

Newton uses the follow<strong>in</strong>g more or less conventional symbols <strong>in</strong> the text:<br />

☼ Sol/sun, i.e. gold<br />

� Luna/moon, i.e. silver<br />

� Mercurius/mercury (either the planet or the metal)<br />

♀ Venus, i.e. copper<br />

♂ Mars, i.e. iron<br />

� Jove/Jupiter, i.e. t<strong>in</strong><br />

� Saturn, i.e. lead<br />

� sulphur<br />

� antimony/antimonium


X usually either 'star' or 'sal ammoniac', but accord<strong>in</strong>g to B.J.T. Dobbs, The Foundations<br />

of Newton's Alchemy, or 'The Hunt<strong>in</strong>g of the Greene Lyon' (Cambridge: CUP, 1975), xii,<br />

Newton also used it idiosyncratically to mean 'star regulus of antimony'.<br />

Two symbols I have been unable to replicate:<br />

1) A cross surmounted by an oblong, mean<strong>in</strong>g 'tartar[us]' and here expanded as<br />

{tartarum} s<strong>in</strong>ce its one occurrence is <strong>in</strong> a Lat<strong>in</strong> passage and <strong>in</strong> the accusative.<br />

2) A circle enclos<strong>in</strong>g a cross m<strong>in</strong>us the left-po<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g arm. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Fred Gett<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />

Dictionary of Occult, Hermetic and <strong>Alchemical</strong> Sigils (London: Routlege and Kegan<br />

Paul, 1981), 342, this was variously used to mean 'crystallised verdigris', 'genu<strong>in</strong>e<br />

sulphur', 'verdigris', 'vitriol' or 'vitriolic acid'. I have very conjecturally expanded it as<br />

{vitriol?}.<br />

{1r}<br />

Text of MM/6/5<br />

Quemadmodum imbibisti et sublimasti elementum terræ cum spiritu albo &<br />

sublimasti <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> 1 sulphur album naturæ salem crystall<strong>in</strong>um qui est<br />

sulphur album naturæ sic imbibere debes elementum ignis cum spiritu rubro & sublimare<br />

<strong>in</strong> salem rubrum pellucidu{m} qui est sulphur rubrum naturæ. Et hi duo sales sunt<br />

columbæ sulphur album & sulphur rubrum naturæ, columbæ gem<strong>in</strong>æ Diana et<br />

Apollo, Arsenicum et auripigmentum, fumus albus & rubrus, Beia et Gabricus, ffrater et soror poculo amoris <strong>in</strong>ebriandi, Sol et Luna balneo 2 lavandi , montes<br />

mercurij et Veneris. Faber Panchym. p 579, 655, 662, 663, 674,<br />

675, 677, 679, 688, 689, 690, 691, 693, 698, 699, 703, 712. Alchym, Propugnac. p. <br />

53. Herc. Piochym. p. 4. Triomph 3 Hermetiq{ue} p. 141, 142, 143. Arnaldi Rosar p 280,


281, 282 l<strong>in</strong> 11, 12, 13, 14. Aristot p 238 l<strong>in</strong> 27 & p 239, l<strong>in</strong> 1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 17, 21.<br />

M<strong>in</strong>schict 4 Testam. p. 484.<br />

Revelabo vobis secretum quod <strong>in</strong> libris philosophorum non <strong>in</strong>venietis. Ex liquore<br />

nostro facimus duos mercurios album et rubrum. Flammel docet mercurium rubrum<br />

servare ut cum eo faciat imbibitiones ad rubrum. Mercurius albus est balneum lunæ &<br />

rubrus est balneum solis. Lunaria est mercurius albus & acetum acerrimum est mercurius<br />

rubrus. Sed ut hi duo mercurij melius determ<strong>in</strong>entur nutrias utrumq{ue} cum carne sprei<br />

ei propriæ [id est album cum sale albo et rubrum cum rubro ]<br />

Sanguis <strong>in</strong>nocentium effusus hoc est spiritus corporum [albus & rubrus] sunt balneum<br />

solis et Lunæ. Cosmopolita hoc secretum tetigit valde subtiliter loquendo de purificatione<br />

et animatione mercurij. Hoc fiet, ait ille, si seni nostro aurum et<br />

argentum [i.e. sales duos] deglutire dabis, ut ipse consumat illa & tandem ille etiam<br />

moriturus comburatur. Et rursus: Si undecies coit aurum cum eo emittit suum semen &<br />

debilitatur fere ad mortem usq{ue}. concipit chalybs et generat filium patre clariorem.<br />

Ecce mysterium grande quod vobis revelavi s<strong>in</strong>e omni ænigmate, hoc est secretum<br />

duorum mercuriorum qui cont<strong>in</strong>ent duas t<strong>in</strong>cturas. Conserva eos seorsim non<br />

confundas earum species ne procreent progeniem monstrosam. Triomph. Hermet. p 141,<br />

142, 143.<br />

5 Terra nostra chymica quæ vere Latona est postquam spiritu suo hoc est Iove nostro<br />

impregnata est multa patitur cog coctionibus & digestionibus varijs tandem pervenit ad<br />

Delum <strong>in</strong>sulam hoc est ad quanda{m} terram aquis circundatam. Hæc <strong>in</strong>sula viridis est &<br />

pulchra admodum & visu grata. In hac Insula terra nostra seu Laton a fœtum suum<br />

<strong>in</strong> lucem ubi primò apparent adamantes pellucidi quos Dianam<br />

nostram vocitant Chymici; ultimò tandem carbunculi apparent quos Apoll<strong>in</strong>em dicunt.<br />

Non <strong>in</strong>telligo adamantes illos et carbunculos qui <strong>in</strong> ultima nostra digestione & coctione<br />

apparent qui omn<strong>in</strong>o fixi sunt & permanent sed <strong>in</strong>telligo adamantes crystallos &<br />

carbunculos qui <strong>in</strong> sublimatione nostra apparent volatiles & <strong>in</strong>fixi qui spirituosæ sunt<br />

substantiæ neivei et rubicundi coloris quarum substantia una dicitur Diana nostra seu<br />

terra foliata et sulphur album naturæ altera vero dicitur Apollo noster & rubicundus


maritus & sulphur naturæ rubeum quorum duorum spirituum impetu currus fortunæ<br />

nostræ ut ait Basilius Valent<strong>in</strong>us impelletur rotatur ac gyrat. Hi ambo spiritus Diana et<br />

Apollo dicti uno partu progignuntur a Latona {catchword: nostra} {1v} nostra seu terra<br />

Chymica quiq{ue} nihil aliud sunt quàm tenuissima ipsius terræ pars cum tenuissima<br />

ipsius terræ pars cum tenuissima ipsius aquæ parte quæ terram dissolvit nostram seu<br />

Latonam. Itaq{ue} Diana nostra & Apollo noster etsi s<strong>in</strong>t terræ nostræ progenies, nihil<br />

sunt aliud quam terra ipsa & spiritus mercurij et anima sulphuris una cum spirituali sale<br />

quod animam sulphuris & spiritum mercurij simul convertit: Et dum spiritus<br />

mercurij prælabet cum spirituali sale id Diana dicitur & sulphur album naturæ & Luna<br />

chymica: dum verò anima sulphuris prævalet <strong>in</strong> eodem subjecto & colorat illud <strong>in</strong><br />

rubeum colorem, tunc dicitur Apollo noster aurum nostrum, Rex noster, rubicundus<br />

maritus & sulphur naturæ rubrum: de quo clamatur apud Philosophos rubicundus maritus<br />

candidam duxit uxorem, quod sulphur illud debeat conjungi cum albo sulphure et simul<br />

<strong>in</strong>carcerari cum aqua sua ut <strong>in</strong> eo carcere putrefiant moriantur et tandem resurgant <strong>in</strong><br />

vitam <strong>in</strong>corruptibilem ut reliquis imperfectis corporibus vitam suam immortalem hoc est<br />

perfectionem <strong>in</strong>tegram & absolutam communicare queant. Mori autem debent Apollo et<br />

Diana putrefieri et corrumpi{?} ut <strong>in</strong> eorum morte putrefactione & corruptione substantia<br />

eorum penitissime mundetur & radicitus ab excrementis suis omnibus v<strong>in</strong>dicetur quod<br />

alioqu<strong>in</strong> fieri non potest. Mors siquidem rerum et putrefactio est earum purificatio. Partes<br />

enim compositi <strong>in</strong> morte et putrefactione ejus separantur ab <strong>in</strong>vicem & <strong>in</strong> separatione sua<br />

partes impuras primæ compositionis deponunt. Et de<strong>in</strong>de quod <strong>in</strong>de exurgit multò purius<br />

est et perfectius quam antea. Faber Panchym. cap. 31. p. 691, 692.<br />

Desponsatæ materiæ nostræ hoc est rectè et perquam optime præparatæ, ad coitum et<br />

matrimonium disponuntur, & {?} aqua nostra quæ dicitur fæm<strong>in</strong>a nostra recipit semen sui<br />

viri hoc est recipit purum sulphuris vel rubei vel albi. Quod quidem sulphur album vel<br />

rubeum permiscetur <strong>in</strong> ventre aquæ cum puro aquæ & illud purum aquæ censetur semen<br />

femellæ quod quidem permiscetur cum puro sulphuris albi vel rubei & ex hac<br />

permixtione modò femella nostra concipiat hoc est ret<strong>in</strong>eat illud purum sulphuris albi vel<br />

rubei & calore suo foveat exurgit fœtus ille Chymicorum qui censetur Lapis ille tantopere<br />

decantatus. Concipit autem fæmella nostra & ret<strong>in</strong>et facili via semen viri sui hoc est


sulphuris albi vel rubei, modo pura sit & ab omni sorditie v<strong>in</strong>dicata. Si enim ads<strong>in</strong>t sordes<br />

& maculæ ita ut his co<strong>in</strong>qu<strong>in</strong>etur fæmellæ uterus concipere non potest. V -- -- Vt ergo<br />

perquam optime concipiat fæmella nostra quæ est aqua nostra mercurialis, hæc septies est<br />

destillanda donec candorem omn<strong>in</strong>ò cœlestem acquisiverit 6 , sulphur etiam nostrum<br />

sæpius est destillandum septies est sublimandum per se et s<strong>in</strong>e fæcibus ullis donec etiam<br />

nitorem habeat summum. Tunc temporis conjungendæ sunt hæ materiæ, aqua pura nostra<br />

et sulphur nostru{m} una pars sulphuris summopere puri cum quatuor partibus aquæ<br />

{catchword: nostræ} {2r} itidem purissimæ & vasi vitreo immittendæ & firmiter sigillo<br />

chymico concludendæ & Vulcano levi & debili per menses novem committendæ. Per hoc<br />

tempus coeunt et conjunguntur hæ materiæ & aqua nostra concipit virtututem sulphuris<br />

nostri & signum primum conceptionis est nigredo hujusce materiæ & coagulatio quædam<br />

aquæ nostræ per virtutem sulphuris nostri. Post conceptionem sequitur prægnatio quæ<br />

nihil aliud est quam manifesta <strong>in</strong>crassatio & coagulatio aquæ nostræ. Dum enim aqua<br />

nostra perfectè conjuncta est cum suo sulphure, sulphur vi ignis sui coagulat aquam &<br />

aqua <strong>in</strong>crassescit & congelatur <strong>in</strong> substantiam crassam & p<strong>in</strong>guem picis liquatæ similem,<br />

& hæc est prægnatio Morieni. Igitur <strong>in</strong> prægnatione nostra, aqua mercurialis nostra (quæ<br />

est subtilior & aquosior pars terræ nostræ <strong>in</strong> forma aquæ limpidæ & candidæ ponderosæ<br />

p<strong>in</strong>guis et glut<strong>in</strong>osæ & acetosæ qualitatis, unde acetum dicitur acerrimum) coagulatur &<br />

condensatur <strong>in</strong> substantiam crassam p<strong>in</strong>guem glut<strong>in</strong>osam nigri coloris quæ magis et<br />

magis agente calore tum <strong>in</strong>terno tum externo crassescit & condensatur variantibus<br />

coloribus nunc flavo nunc viridi nunc nigro subnigro & nigerrimo. quæ omnia variam<br />

illam quam <strong>in</strong>terius patitur materia nostra alterationem satis superq{ue} <strong>in</strong>dicat atq{ue}<br />

commonstrat. Sulphur nostrum agens <strong>in</strong> aquam sui similem vult eam sibi ipsi omn<strong>in</strong>o<br />

similem reddere et <strong>in</strong> suam ipsius substantia{m} convertere: quod tamen fieri non potest<br />

subitò cum ads<strong>in</strong>t qualitates quæ illud nolunt. Vnde v<strong>in</strong>cendæ sunt et pedetentim per<strong>in</strong>de<br />

alterandæ pedetentim levi externo calore adhibito, ut tandem qualitates illæ aquæ nostræ<br />

quæ sulphuri contrariantur occultentur & petant centru{m} aquæ, & aliæ similes quæ<br />

omn<strong>in</strong>ò occultæ erant fiant manifestæ et jungantur sulphuri nostro. Et tunc aqua notra<br />

facta est verissimu{m} sulphur & verissimè imprægnata est ut ita loquar a sulphure<br />

nostro. Et hoc fit dum materia nostra vasi nostro reclusa Leucophæo exornata est colore<br />

et subaldido vestita <strong>in</strong>dusio. Tunc verè imprægnata est mulier nostra et vivit fœtus si


allegorice ita loqui valeam Philosophorum, qui quidem lente et suavi cum igne est<br />

fovendus ne nimio igne pereat et occidatur. Satis habet alimenti <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>seci. nihil adhuc<br />

opus habet quam solo igne levi et dulci extr<strong>in</strong>secus adhibito. Quæ enim <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>secus<br />

adm<strong>in</strong>istrari debent & pater et mater quæ illi præsto adsunt, abunde m<strong>in</strong>istrant. Hæc est<br />

ergo prægnatio nostra chemica quam Morienus nobis brevissimis descripsit verbis.<br />

Differt a conceptione quod <strong>in</strong> conceptione aqua nostra <strong>in</strong>cipiat coagulari & condensari <strong>in</strong><br />

substantiam crassam & p<strong>in</strong>guem subnigram: hic verò <strong>in</strong> prægnatione nostra aqua nostra<br />

condensetur <strong>in</strong> subcandidam & Leucophæam substantiam, et hoc fit <strong>in</strong> uno et eodem vase<br />

& <strong>in</strong> eode{m} furno et igne. Et hæc operatio coctio vocatur simplex et elixatio quod res<br />

quæ coquuntur adhuc madidæ s<strong>in</strong>t et humidæ. Et hæc de Prægnatione chemica dicta<br />

Morieni dicta sufficiant. Quamprimum adoleverit {catchword: fœtus} {2v} fœtus<br />

Chymicorum <strong>in</strong> ventre matris suæ, parturiat mater necesse est & exoriatur fœtus qui adeo<br />

ferus est & crudelis ut quamprimum exortus est & a ventre matris exclusus matrem<br />

devoret et patrem & ipsos assumat <strong>in</strong> alimentum & moriatur pater & mater propter filium<br />

enatum quem enutrire suo sangu<strong>in</strong>e et carne coguntur parentes. -- Cum autem ignis<br />

naturalis et acer sit rerum omnium pater, eam ipsam substantiam patris nom<strong>in</strong>e donarunt.<br />

Cum autem <strong>in</strong> eadem substantia aquosum quid & terrestre percipiatur & separetur arte<br />

Chymica (ratione aquosæ illius substantiæ et terrestris etiam et pari ratione et pondere <strong>in</strong><br />

ea cum igne naturali <strong>in</strong> ea substantia simul prædom<strong>in</strong>antis.) Matris nomen eidem<br />

substantiæ tribuerunt, cum aquosa illa substantia & terrestris sit mater rerum omnium.<br />

Ignea ergo et ærea, aquosa et terrestris substantia, quæ <strong>in</strong> tali mixtura vigent et florent,<br />

patris et matris nomen a Philosophis sortitæ sunt. Cum autem ex his substantijs per<br />

putrefactionem et mortem exurgat nova quædam substantia purissima a prioribus<br />

substantijs dist<strong>in</strong>cta, hæc substantia de novo exorta dicitur filius exortus ex præcedentibus<br />

substantijs, quæ cum alterentur et corrumpantur <strong>in</strong> exortu et partu hujus novæ substantiæ<br />

ideo dicuntur emori <strong>in</strong> partu hujusce filij, & cum hæc substantia de novo producta ex<br />

putrefactione illa vivat et accrescat <strong>in</strong>dies donec total præcedens substantia conversa sit <strong>in</strong><br />

hanc novam substantiam ideo f<strong>in</strong>xerunt philosophi emori patre{m} & matrem ex<br />

nativitate filij quem sangu<strong>in</strong>e et carne enutrire coguntur parentes ne <strong>in</strong>tereat. -<br />

- Post Vbi vero totum comederit et bibirit aperiendum est vas & novo sangu<strong>in</strong>e patris &<br />

matris enutriendus est et epotandus ut roboretur magis ac magis & sic ad supremam


energia suæ virtutis energiam deveniat, crescit enim tunc temporis illo potu et cibo, et<br />

mole corporis et virtute et energia agendi, et quo magis sangu<strong>in</strong>e patris et matris proluitur<br />

tanto magis crescit et mole corporis et virtute agendi ita ut ad <strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>itam virtutem & agendi<br />

potentiam devenire possit. -- Et hæc cibatio et enutritio <strong>in</strong>ter philosophos Chymicos<br />

multiplicatio nuncupantur. In alimento illo et potu adm<strong>in</strong>istrando cauti et prudentes<br />

admodum debent esse artis Chymicæ Alumni et Operatores ne plus alimenti et potus<br />

adm<strong>in</strong>istrent quam coquere et digere potest Natus noster alioqu<strong>in</strong> supervenit cruditas<br />

quam quidem corrigere possumus cum tempore et coquendi diuturnitate & hoc opus<br />

retardat et hæc retardatio fallit <strong>in</strong>cautos cum materiam suam fixam & permanentem<br />

credentes eam ipsam volatilem et aeream reperiunt & adhuc crudam & <strong>in</strong>digestam, quod<br />

quidem ex copia potus et sangu<strong>in</strong>is paternis & materni evenit & cont<strong>in</strong>git qui cum crudus<br />

sit et <strong>in</strong>digestus, copia sua totam materiam nostram etsi coctam et perfecte digestam<br />

re<strong>in</strong>crudat et <strong>in</strong>coctam reddit Sanguis autem paternus & maternus quo uti debemus ad<br />

enutriendum fœtum nostrum & alumnum est aqua mercurialis, quæ est pars volatilis<br />

summopere depurata materiæ nostræ, sulphure volatili albo vel rubeo ejusdem materiæ<br />

imprægnata. Hæc substantia ita præparata dicitur sanguis materiæ nostræ, et cum materia<br />

nostra sit pater et mater fœtus nostri, ideo hanc substantiam aquosam sangu<strong>in</strong>em<br />

paternum & maternum {catchword: asserere} {3r} asserere possumus quo enutrire &<br />

cibare debemus fœtum nostrum. Hæc Cibatio & enutritio <strong>in</strong>ter Philosophos Chymicos<br />

multiplicationem nuncupantur, cum accrescat fœtus noster & multiplicetur tali potu et<br />

cibo, qui quidem potus et cibus summopere purus esse debet & ab omnibus excrementis<br />

suis v<strong>in</strong>dicatus. Faber Panchym. cap. 56, 57, 58, 59.<br />

Mons Chymicorum non unicus est etsi ex una et eadem exurgat essentia. Duplex est<br />

et duplici nom<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>signiri habet apud Chymicos, Vnus dicitur mons Mercurij alius<br />

Mercurij, ex mons Veneris, ex quibus duobus simul conjunctis nascitur humidum<br />

nostrum radicale metallicu{m} & m<strong>in</strong>erale. Ex his solis profluit et non ex alijs. In his<br />

solis etiam coquitur & digeritur, et coctione illa sola ab omnibus suis excrementis<br />

v<strong>in</strong>dicatur putrefactione sua quam <strong>in</strong>ter coquendum patitur & tande{m} coagulatur &<br />

<strong>in</strong>duratur <strong>in</strong> terram puram claram penetrantem fixissima{m} cuncta metallica et m<strong>in</strong>eralia<br />

perficientem. Dicuntur autem hæ substantiæ ejusdem generis et speciei, una rubei coloris


est & crystall<strong>in</strong>i clari alia verò albissimi & nitentis ac etiam crystall<strong>in</strong>i, mas una est<br />

fæmella alia. Hæ ambæ conjunctæ substantiæ spiritum igneum producunt quo <strong>in</strong>ebriatæ<br />

tantum patiuntur ull supra ignem externum conveniente{m} illis adhibitum ut tandem<br />

moriantur et nigrescant & cont<strong>in</strong>uato semper eodem igne externo ex morte et<br />

putrefactione resurgant &c Faber Panchym. p 655.<br />

In montibus chymicorum est frater & soror et poculum amoris Qui fratrem hunc et<br />

sororem cognoscit is verè totam artem et materia{m} ejusq{ue} præparationem <strong>in</strong>telligit.<br />

Dicuntur enim hi sales duo <strong>in</strong> eodem utero geniti nati, quorum unus igneas & æthereas<br />

habet virtutes & proprietates mascul<strong>in</strong>as & verè viriles, alius verò aqueas & frigidas habet<br />

qualitates languidis & frigidis fæm<strong>in</strong>arum qualitatibus correspondentes. Hi sales ut homo<br />

et fæm<strong>in</strong>a unus et idem sunt <strong>in</strong> specie et radice sua. -- Non possunt autem frater et soror<br />

Chymicorum conjungi simul & matrimonio uniri nisi poculo amoris jungantur. Philtrum<br />

autem istud seu poculum ex <strong>in</strong>timis eorum substantijs educitur, unde clamat Chymicorum<br />

Turba, Natura Naturam sequitur, natura naturam v<strong>in</strong>cit, natura natura{m} v<strong>in</strong>cit 7 natura<br />

naturâm lætatur & gaudet ut <strong>in</strong>dicent matrimonium fieri debere ex <strong>in</strong>timis eorum<br />

substantijs. Poculu{m} ergo istud aqua est quæ <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>timis eorum substantijs latitat. Hæc<br />

sola aqua fratrem nostrum et sororem nostram copulat et jungit ut ambo juncti progignant<br />

fœtum nostrum Adonidem & Ganimedem qui enutriendus est ut ad perfectam ætatem<br />

deveniat. Faber Panchym p 674, 675<br />

Par pondus utriusq{ue} materiæ <strong>in</strong> nostro primo matrimonio celebrando est<br />

adhibendum. In secundo autem matrimonio dum pars volatilis parti fixæ & permanenti<br />

conjungitur pondus etiam est perpendendum Nam pars fixa necesse est ut dissolvatur ac<br />

diluatur et aqua fiat a parte volatili. Ideo major esse debet <strong>in</strong> quantitate pars volatilis<br />

quam ipsa pars fixa. Aliqui chemicorum ponunt decem partes aquæ super unam corporis<br />

fixi alij septem alij quatuor. Modo pars fixa dissol- {catchword: vatur} {3v} vatur a parte<br />

volatili hoc ego existimo vere sufficere. Nam de<strong>in</strong>de per coctionem perrennem &<br />

cont<strong>in</strong>uam coagulatur pars volatilis a parte fixa. Si sit maxima quantitas partis volatilis<br />

retardatur coagulatio, unde his qui causam nesciunt cont<strong>in</strong>git desperatio. Ego tamen non<br />

observavi pondus sed materias conjunxi et amxima quantitate partis volatilis partem


fixam dissolvi & de<strong>in</strong>de <strong>in</strong> balneo Mariæ aut levissimo c<strong>in</strong>erum calore superfluam<br />

volatilis materiæ partem extraxi donec tenacem vidi materiam viscosam & valde nigram.<br />

Tunc vas repagulo satis firmo obsignavi & tempori ad coquendum tradidi,<br />

benedixitq{ue} Deus & <strong>in</strong>crementum dedit. Est etiam pondus observandum <strong>in</strong><br />

multiplicatione. Nam opus album & rubrum perpotandum est et irrigandum suo spiritu<br />

seu fonte nostra crudo sed puro & septies destillato. Ibi pondus est observandum ne elixir<br />

submergatur. Parce admodum irrigandum ut materia cooperiatur tantum gladij<br />

spissitud<strong>in</strong>e quod multoties est operandum donec lapis satis biberit & perfectissimæ sit<br />

albed<strong>in</strong>is & rubed<strong>in</strong>is completæ & facillimæ fusionis quæ illi cont<strong>in</strong>git ex copia humidi<br />

sui perfecte cocti & fixi facti. -- Naturæ pondus est ut corpus bibat quantum potest<br />

ret<strong>in</strong>ere & spiritum reliquum <strong>in</strong> alios usus rejiciat. Faber Hydrogr. pag. 203, 204.<br />

Pondera Solis Lunæ et Mercurij Sendivogius & Philaletha ponunt ut 1, 2, 11 Hermes<br />

dicit unum duobus & tria uni, Maierus vult solem esse ad Lunam ut 1 ad 2, fit enim hoc 8<br />

versu, Dimidia quod agentis et illius adjice duplo. Turba et alij fere omnes volunt sulphur<br />

esse ad aquam ut 1 ad 3 vel 2 ad 7, Sendivogius e Faber ut 1 ad 4 Sendivogius (uti jam<br />

dictum est) ut 3 ad 11), et tres partes sulphuris (viz t unam ☼ is & duas Lunæ) imbibit cum<br />

una parte aquæ undecies.<br />

{5r} 9<br />

Via duplex est humida et sicca et humida. In via sicca (quæ prior occurrere solet)<br />

præparatur sal naturæ seu metallorum per putrefactionem imbibitiones et sublimationem<br />

<strong>in</strong> multo onere solvenda & Hæ viæ <strong>in</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>cipio differunt ut <strong>in</strong> operatione conjunctionis<br />

propemodum consentiunt quia <strong>in</strong> ambabus conjungenda cum auro sophi philosophico<br />

conjunguntur, quamvis <strong>in</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>cipio differunt ab <strong>in</strong>vicem. Nam <strong>in</strong> via humida non<br />

præparatur sal metallorum sed chaos philosophicum sive materia nostra absq{ue} ulla<br />

alia re adjuncta per se <strong>in</strong> aquam mercurialem convertitur idq{ue} per contrarias<br />

operationes . Hæc aqua<br />

illibata Div<strong>in</strong>a est et hyperphysica, tria pr<strong>in</strong>cipia <strong>in</strong> se cont<strong>in</strong>ens:. Est mercurius vitæ,<br />

aqua illa cœlestis, vera auri et o{mn}ium metallorum et m<strong>in</strong>eralium origo, respendens<br />

ponderosa et dulcissima, de qua Hermes exclamat: O aqu<strong>in</strong>a forma permanens, regalium


creatrix elementorum, quæ cum lum<strong>in</strong>e venis et cum lum<strong>in</strong>e genita es: mirabilis et simul<br />

et laudabilis) siquidem omnes Ph{ilosoph}i: Deo ter optimo maximo <strong>in</strong> 2 da operatione<br />

merito palmam offerunt. Clavem hanc jucundam qui habet omnia metalla suaviter ac<br />

radicaliter dissolvere eademq{ue} <strong>in</strong> materia{m} primam reducere potest.: ex 10 quo<br />

particularia duo ad solem et Lunam si recte proceditur veraciter producuntur. Vna pars ad<br />

centum transit per putref. et colores Multiplicari etiam potest. Grass. Epist p 540 541. 5 11<br />

In hac via ab unitate per b<strong>in</strong>arium <strong>in</strong> terrarium descenditur non prius<br />

tamen quam per ord<strong>in</strong>em graduum <strong>in</strong> simplicitatem consurgat Et<br />

ternarius reducendus est ad unitatem. Primum enim ex quatuor elementis a natura composita massa per sublimationem physicam <strong>in</strong> unum corpus <strong>in</strong><br />

prima operatione deducitur. Tum separato agente levi sed mirabili modo fit b<strong>in</strong>arius <strong>in</strong><br />

compositione [corpus sc. et anima] medio tertij, scilicet spiritus qui amborum manet<br />

copulator manet perpetuus. Ib. p. 538, 539, vide et p 540 l<strong>in</strong> 22.<br />

2 Materia ex qua hanc aquam elicimus, (quæq{ue} alias dicitur electrum<br />

Magnesia Lunaria plumbum Philosophorum &c) est m<strong>in</strong>era plumbi nondum fusa quam<br />

natura <strong>in</strong> formam et splendorum metallicum deduxit, sed imperfectam reliquit, quæq{ue}<br />

grana aliquot auri vel argenti <strong>in</strong> se cont<strong>in</strong>et to (ceu poma <strong>in</strong> arbore) cont<strong>in</strong>et ib p 540 Arca a p arcan. a p:<br />

310 p 322.<br />

3 Compositionem <strong>in</strong>greditur etiam Regulus ♂ tis cum ♀ e . In hoc regulo ♂ & �<br />

<strong>in</strong>separabiliter uniuntur donec ♂ fixetur <strong>in</strong> aurum verissimum tunc enim �<br />

rel<strong>in</strong>quit. Sed hæc per hæc separatio fit per mediationem ♀ ris {???} <br />

Per hujus mediationem {???} Diana eosde{m} separat ab<br />

<strong>in</strong>vicem. Et hæc operatio fit absq{ue} præparatis Dianæ columbis estq{ue} secretissima<br />

et laudatissima. Nec Nam columbas præparare opus sit 13<br />

tædiosissimum 14 <strong>in</strong> quo artifex vel peritissimus f sæpius per <strong>in</strong>fortuniu{m}<br />

aliquod errabit. quam Philal. <strong>in</strong> marrow of Alkim. part 2 pag 15


2 16 B Componitur tamen hæc materia cum alijs rebus Hoc subjectum est metallicum<br />

sed non est metallum nec m<strong>in</strong>era sed metalla et m<strong>in</strong>eræ quia illorum omnium natura est<br />

<strong>in</strong> una re quæ vocatur electrum m<strong>in</strong>erale immaturum, magnesia seu Lunaria Ideoq{ue} philosophi semper <strong>in</strong> plurali<br />

loquuntur, viz t metalla, metallorum, metallis. Hæc radix m<strong>in</strong>eralis seu astrifleuns septem<br />

radijs constans flos a suis <strong>in</strong>qu<strong>in</strong>amentis paulatim separari et ex illo succus albus<br />

mercurialis liliorum aut scaturigo universalis metallorum exprimi debet qui valde tener &<br />

volatilis est. Occultæ naturæ mysterium p 530 et Arca p 297, 305, 315.<br />

4 Tres lapides compositionem potissimum <strong>in</strong>grediuntur, lapis solis seu Leo ruber aut<br />

sulphur rubrum, Lapis Lunæ <strong>in</strong> quo est sulphur album 17 et lapis � ij qui medium est <strong>in</strong>ter<br />

priores duos et amborum naturam <strong>in</strong> se <strong>in</strong>clusam tenet quiq{ue} terra est quæ quicquid <strong>in</strong><br />

illam sem<strong>in</strong>atur producit. Hoc mysterium ignorantibus occlusum manebit donec solem et<br />

lunam <strong>in</strong> unum {ortem?} 18 redigere queant: quod citra {???} voluntatem fieri<br />

nequit. Hæc enim est ars summa et <strong>in</strong> Dei manu servatur. Arca p 302 303.<br />

{5v}<br />

In Via sicca præparatur sal<br />

metallorum multo onere et assiduo labore difficulter solvendo et coagulando. Et hoc opus<br />

est fere præcipuum et difficillimum <strong>in</strong> arte: siquidem hic multa tarditas jacet ut omnes<br />

philosophi scribunt & est clavis artis et <strong>in</strong> ignis adm<strong>in</strong>istratione error facile committi<br />

potest ut materia dest<strong>in</strong>atur & flores seu virtus vegetabilis comburatur. Quare cavendum<br />

est ne ab et ejus impuritatibus damnum capiatur. Postquam venenosi vapores lapidem<br />

rel<strong>in</strong>quunt, duo flores albus seu �, & ruber seu � paulatim & successive apparent. Hac<br />

via Grassæus lapidem primò paravit Est enim magis obvia, sed per viam humidam non<br />

sed hic defectus circa materiam solutionem primam et veram compositionem versatur,<br />

adeo ut per viam humidam multo citius ad f<strong>in</strong>em perveniatur. Quidam enim <strong>in</strong> 378 vel<br />

etiam <strong>in</strong> 30 diebus lapidem præparaverunt & ad f<strong>in</strong>em feliciter perduxerunt. Vnde De qua<br />

Geber: Vnica est via perfecta qua relevamur a tantis laboribus et oneribus solutionum.<br />

Grass. Epis. p 541 et Arca p 335, 338, 339.


Solutiones 19 duæ apud Philosophos <strong>in</strong>venientur: Prima quand <br />

Siccam per materiam primam <strong>in</strong> materiam primam . 20 Hæc per magica fit elementa igne aperto: Humida vero astrale per semen quod<br />

siccus est liquor qui cæræ fluit <strong>in</strong>star et liquescit. In hac solutione fit<br />

plerumq{ue} separatio quia menstruum sumit sibi solummodo nobilissima{m} animam e<br />

sulphure metallico jam {???} adepto. Snyders Pharm. p 7 Ignis <br />

sympathi{cus} 21 sulphur metallicum accendit ex sulphure et<br />

nitro compositus , sulphur metallicum <strong>in</strong> {???} solutione<br />

sicca 22<br />

Solutiones duæ apud philosopos 23 <strong>in</strong>veniuntur, sicca et humida. In sicca<br />

redigitur materia [metallica] per materiam primam [sc. ignem <br />

sympathicum, et ignem frigidum metallicum, putrefactionem præparatos] <strong>in</strong><br />

materiam primam {??} id est <strong>in</strong> tria pr<strong>in</strong>cipia tanquam <strong>in</strong> siccam quandam aquam quæ<br />

non solum � sed etiam � dicitur. Snyders. Pharm. p 7, 10. Ignis ille duplex componitur<br />

ex � et nitro sic dictos ob actionem <strong>in</strong> se mutuò.<br />

Hi ambo sunt ignes efficaces verum <strong>in</strong>festissimi <strong>in</strong>imici. Si scis hos reconciliare et unire<br />

ac tum metallicum � per illorum igneum spiritum <strong>in</strong>cendere, aditum habes ad sanitatem<br />

et divitias 24 . Ib. p.<br />

65, 71. Hic ignis est siccus liquorculus <br />

<strong>in</strong> quo metalla facile liquescunt & s<strong>in</strong>e quo centrum m<strong>in</strong>ime læditur ib p. 11.


potes cognoscere quod dum conspicis tunc maxima sedulitate debes<br />

<strong>in</strong>censam animam cum suo corpore ex igne liberare alias ret<strong>in</strong>es mortuum duntaxat<br />

corpus, spectabile ad visum ut electrum. Promptitudo et dexteritas quæ hic requiritur<br />

impossibilis est descriptio. Tali et non alio modo salvanda est anima quasi per metallico<br />

magneticum corpus salvanda. {?} ib p 12 Scias igitur quod dum � ium metallorum per sui<br />

simile (i.e. per � vel vulgarem vel Saturni) fortificas, <strong>in</strong>de separatio <strong>in</strong> metallico sulphure<br />

et sale debeat sequi. Et iterum dum metallare sulphur (i.e. per ignem sympathicum)<br />

augmentas acuis et <strong>in</strong>cendis, quòd tum similiter dissipatio ac dissolutio <strong>in</strong> tribus pr<strong>in</strong>cipijs<br />

fiat. Quod idem de fortificatione salis <br />

<strong>in</strong>telligendum est. Separationum verò optima est hæc, quando ad summum sulphur<br />

extrahitur per <strong>in</strong>censionem sympathici ignis. Hæc separatio parvo potest fieri tempore,<br />

igne aperto. Cavendum est autem ne metallorum � præ <strong>in</strong>censione sua comburatur.<br />

Debet idcirco custos adesse qui hoc impediat, nempe spiritus Terræ seu<br />

Saturni. ib p 19. Nam frigidus metallicus ignis nihil aliud est quam � us � ni<br />

qui se cum metallis amalgamat et ope jam prædicti ignis duplicis sympathici <strong>in</strong> igne se<br />

patitur calc<strong>in</strong>ari ib p 66. Hic ignis mercurio fere similis est et metallum tanquam spiritus<br />

pervadit, procurat sympathicum ignem <strong>in</strong> toto penetrare, animamq{ue} omnibus locis<br />

<strong>in</strong>cendere potis est, metallum efficit porosum, recludit occluditq{ue}, pr<strong>in</strong>cipium est et<br />

f<strong>in</strong>is, prima {catchword: et} {6r} et {cla?}rissima 26 clavis. In summa fundamentum est<br />

operis totius: nam est quoq{ue} vehiculum ignis sympathici et ab hoc destruitur atq{ue}<br />

corrumpitur. ib. p 10, 11. Ignis sympathicus sulphur metall Quisquis animam Veneris per<br />

magica <strong>in</strong> igne elementa nutrire et conoservare posteaq{ue} a corpore calc<strong>in</strong>ato extrahere<br />

novit, is verum libelli hujus sensum obt<strong>in</strong>uit. ib p 38. Sulphur 27 enim omnia corpora peredet calc<strong>in</strong>ans ipsa <strong>in</strong><br />

pulverem et c<strong>in</strong>erem. ib p 49, 56. Per hanc<br />

destructionem primo elicimus<br />

sulphur, de<strong>in</strong> salem elixiviamus mercurius qui amborum v<strong>in</strong>culum fuit est<br />

etiam ad manus. Metallica proprietas est <strong>in</strong> omnibus: nam sulphur aurificat, sal atq{ue} �<br />

ambo colorant ib. p 11, 27, 38. Nam aurum æquæ ac reliqua metalla hac methodo <strong>in</strong><br />

tria sua pr<strong>in</strong>cipia reducitur idq{ue} trium aurorarum<br />

curriculo & hoc præcipuu{m} est


metallorum nec non aurum & Lunam potabilem adaptabo. Estq{ue} hæc reductio<br />

præcipuum> ad universale generalissimum punctum . ffieri enim non potest ut<br />

aurum Vniversale generalissimum extra tria illa exordia auri affabrè construamus Propter<br />

hanc rationem Sapientes tres illas igneas claves seu quas elementa magica baptizo, quibus<br />

solidum auri corpus reseramus, illiusq{ue} animam et clarificatum corpus educimus,<br />

summe velarunt. ib. p 34 Nam universale generalissimu{m} fit ex duplici mercurio (i.e.<br />

lunari et solari sive vener saturni et veneris) producitur & cum solari sulphure 28 animatur<br />

atq{ue} fermentatur et eum perdurante auri sale figitur de<strong>in</strong> per alia duo sulphura & jam<br />

dictum � multiplicatur <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>itum {???} ib p 72. Auri vero sal e pr<strong>in</strong>cipia sic obt<strong>in</strong>entur.<br />

Cum igne duplici sympathico <strong>in</strong>cipe <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>e naturæ id est oppugna et calc<strong>in</strong>a illas alias<br />

<strong>in</strong>expugnabiles auri portas. Sic <strong>in</strong>cendit et augmentat unus ignis alium id est unum �<br />

aliud. Vnde sequitur animæ et corporis dissolutio. Debet vero ad hoc alter ille frigidus<br />

metallicus ignis quoq{ue} usurpari qui de m<strong>in</strong>erali quodam necdum fuso staurno seu<br />

immalleabili plumbo extrahitur & mercurius Saturni nuncupatur, quiq{ue} non ardet ut<br />

communis � sed habet terrestrem siccam qualitatem. Vnde potest � ☼ is defendere ne<br />

comburatur & suo cum � io avolet. Quando aurum cum � io saturni sic amalgamatum est<br />

potest <strong>in</strong>fernalis ignis solidum illud corpus multo ciitius et melius calc<strong>in</strong>are et solarem<br />

ignem ab omnibus partibus accendere <strong>in</strong>q{ue} c<strong>in</strong>eres redigere. Ex his deducimus cælico<br />

cum rore, sulphur; et ex remanente corpore elixiviamus post debitam<br />

reverberationem superpretiosissimum illum medic<strong>in</strong>alem salem, de quo sapientes<br />

dixerunt Sal metallorum est lapis ph{ilosoph}orum. Hic sal cum spiritu v<strong>in</strong>i clarificari<br />

debet, de<strong>in</strong>de cum � e suo unitur et cum spiritu mundi, id est cum illo spiritu qui ex � io<br />

Saturni destillatus est, imbibitur, <strong>in</strong> uno unico vitro ac fornace purificatur et figitur. Sic fit<br />

Opus Vniversale per solum mercurium saturni. At Mercurius etiam solaris qui ex m<strong>in</strong>era Veneris confit, ad auri<br />

destructionem <strong>in</strong> Vniversali generalissimo usurpatio ib p 69, 70, 71, 72. Nam<br />

auri et hujus � ij amalgama {???} calc<strong>in</strong>atur et <strong>in</strong><br />

pr<strong>in</strong>cipia sua resolvitur per elementa magica. Snyders Metamorph. Plan. cap. pag . 30<br />

ffit autem � is ♀ is redigendo ♀ 31 {vitriolem?} et semel atq{ue} iterum sublimando et<br />

præcipitando {vitriolem?} per X et {tartarum}. Ib De<strong>in</strong> � frigidi � ni et � is <strong>in</strong> oleum


ubicundum redigitur quod est menstruum universale quo o{mn}ia {?} � u <strong>in</strong><br />

potabilitatem adiguntur, quodq{ue} verus est spiritus hermaphroditicus, duplex �, lac<br />

virg<strong>in</strong>is {?} aqua permanens unicum illud medium solvendi et animam cum corpore<br />

conjungendi ib p 40, 68 & Metamorph. Ch. pag. 32 Quando Venus <strong>in</strong> crystallum<br />

abit tunc ea unice facit ad magnum sapientum opus, præcipue ejus anima {catchword:<br />

quæ} {6v} exhibebit se specie rubicundu{m} ponderosi olei ib p 40. Qui frigidum meum<br />

draconem {pobe?} <strong>in</strong>telligit, idem nihilo ulterius eget quam igneum rubrum quendam<br />

igneum volantem draconem huic suo fratri adjungere, tunc duas naturas <strong>in</strong> unam redigit<br />

spiritualem mercurialem naturam redegit &c. Absq{ue} hoc nequit universale<br />

generalissimum confici. Cont<strong>in</strong>et hac materia Vim naturæ totius esq{ue} o{mn}ia <strong>in</strong><br />

o{mn}ibus. ib. p. 57.<br />

Basilius <strong>in</strong> clave qu<strong>in</strong>ta de solutione sicca dicit: Spiritus duo contrarij cohabitare<br />

possunt <strong>in</strong> uno subjecto. -- Vt ferrum h{ab}et mgnetem 33 sic aurum h{ab}et magnetem<br />

suum qui est Lapidis materia prima. Si hoc <strong>in</strong>telligis felix es{?}. -- Materia nostra summè<br />

purificata destrui debet et reduci <strong>in</strong> pulverem et c<strong>in</strong>erem: de<strong>in</strong>de ex eo faciendus est<br />

spiritus volatilis albus sicut nix [viz t sp tus � ij ] et spiritus alius ruber sicut sanguis: qui duo<br />

tertium cont<strong>in</strong>ent. et tamen spiritus unicus sunt. Hos tres conjunge {???} ijsq{ue} præbe<br />

cibum et potum necessarium & tepidos serva usq{ue} ad nativitatem lapidis.<br />

De eadem solutione agit Philaletha ubi dicit quod <br />

Regulum ♂ tis {???} formidat, Sed Dianæ columbæ feras domare novit, esto hic tibi<br />

Diana propitia quæ feras domare novit, cujus b<strong>in</strong>æ columbæ pennis suis sic aeris malignitatem temperabunt ut<br />

per poros facile <strong>in</strong>grediatur adolscens qui concutit statim peroledos, nubemq{ue} tetricam<br />

suscitat. Tu undas super<strong>in</strong>duces ad Lunæ usq{ue} candorem atq{ue} ita tenebræ, quæ<br />

super abyssi faciem erant, per spiritum se <strong>in</strong> aquis moventur discutientur. Sic jubente Deo<br />

lux apparebit. Lucem a tenebris separa septima vice eritq{ue} creatio hæc sophica<br />

Mercurij completa & septimus tibi dies erit sabbatum quietis, a quo tempore ad anni<br />

usq{ue} revolutionem possis expectare generatio rem supernaturalis solis filij. Introit.<br />

apert {?} cap. 6. Et rursus: Regulus ♂ perpetua hydro-phobia 34 stultescit <strong>in</strong>sanitq{ue}.


Sunt tamen <strong>in</strong> sylva Dianæ b<strong>in</strong>æ columbæ quæ rabiem ejus mulcent si per veneris artem<br />

applicentur. Tum ne hydrophobiæ 35 patiatur aquis submergas <strong>in</strong> ijsq{ue}<br />

pereat: quarum impatiens nigricans canis rabidus ad aquarum superficiem fere suffocatus<br />

ascendet. Tu imbre ac verberibus illum fuga ac procul arce. Sic tenebræ disparebunt.<br />

Fulgente Luna <strong>in</strong> suo plenilunio pennas suppedita et avolabit aquila relicitis pone se<br />

mortuis Dianæ columbis, quæ <strong>in</strong> prima acceptione fuer<strong>in</strong>t mortuæ [i.e. <strong>in</strong> sal metallorum<br />

per putrefactionem præparatus fuerit] prodesse nequeunt. Itera hoc septies, tum tandem<br />

requiem adeptus es, nisi quod decoctio tibi nuda (post extractionem ☼ is uri ex hoc � io )<br />

<strong>in</strong>cumbat, quæ est quies placidissima, ludus puerorum opusq{ue} mulierum. Philal cap 7.<br />

10. Nam � us sic præparatus <strong>in</strong>terno � per nostrum artificium gravidus est et solo calore<br />

conveniente adhibito semetipsum coagulat per modum floris lactis supranatante quasi<br />

terra subtili super aquas. Nam � <strong>in</strong> � latens est sol volatilis nondum satis<br />

digestus at satis purus. Quare nuda digestione <strong>in</strong> aurum transit. Verum si � iste jungatur<br />

cum auro vulgi, tum non coagulatur, sed aurum vulgi dissolvit (mediante venere seu<br />

spiritu) dissolvit et putrefacit & {???} {???} <strong>in</strong> aurum n{ost}rum convertit. ib.<br />

c. 10. Sed hoc opus tædiosissimum est et menses octodecim requirit ad t<strong>in</strong>cturam<br />

quæ per per aurum n{ost}rum mensibus septem raperitur . ib.<br />

c. 19. Igitur Philaletha <strong>in</strong> via sicca salem metallorum id est sale{m} veneris et<br />

corniculatæ Dianæ seu Veneris et Columbarum qua præparat qui 36 {?} sal plumbum æris<br />

liquor saturniæ vegetabilis, dicitur Diana candida dicitur. De<strong>in</strong>de <strong>in</strong> hoc sale dissolvunt tanquam femella dissolvit<br />

Regulu{m} ♂ & ne sulphur comburatur & avolet <strong>in</strong>jicit �, sulphur fæces nigrum emergens & mercurium fugiens abstergit &<br />

materia {???} {???} {???} sublimat albescat, quam de<strong>in</strong>de sublimat, & hoc facit<br />

septies. {???} {???} sic lucratur mercurium Ph{ilosoph}oru{m} plumbum<br />

album sapientum ex igne et liquore saturniæ vegetabilis et v<strong>in</strong>culo � ij compositum, qui<br />

plumbum album sapientum dicitur. De<strong>in</strong> pergendo ad opus s{e}c{un}dum vel dissolvit<br />

aurum vulgi <strong>in</strong> hoc � o vel ex hoc � o extrahit aurum nostrum <strong>in</strong> hora nativitatis tempo diebus septem per<br />

digestione{m} x37 Sed Snyders aliter operatur . Is enim ex � per


Venerem frigidam fermentatis et � o per � um calefacto, extrahit �<br />

lunarem, eiq{ue} de<strong>in</strong>de adjungit � solarem ex ♀, et <strong>in</strong> eo<br />

decoquit auro calc<strong>in</strong>ato extrahit � et salem ex auro calc<strong>in</strong>atis extractum.<br />

{7r}<br />

{Po}nitur 38 igitur Arsenicum, Auripigmentum, Zandarich pro � et � <br />

nostro junctis & simul {su}blimatis 39 id est pro sale albo naturæ .<br />

[Arsenicum.] Raymundi 40 practica p. 152. Arnald <strong>in</strong> Th. Ch. v 4 p Rosar Arnald. p 280. Flammel annot. p. 788. <br />

Laurent. Ventura <strong>in</strong> Th. Ch. v. 2. p 223, 224, 243, 244. Speculum Alch Arnold.<br />

<strong>in</strong> Th. Ch. v 4 p 528. Ferrar p 34 & <strong>in</strong> Th. Ch. v 3 p 143.<br />

Auripgmentum propter colorem magis denotat � & marem et<br />

Arsenicum � et Fem<strong>in</strong>a{m} . Ventura <strong>in</strong> Th. Ch. v. 2 p 224, 243, {???}<br />

Auripigmentu{m} Zernich Arnol forte � album rubicatum Arnold v 4 Th. Ch. p 524.<br />

Arsenich Lapis perfectus primi ord<strong>in</strong>is Ripl. Epist p. 116.<br />

Arsenicum pro Azoth quo laton lavatur Ros<strong>in</strong> ped Sar p 15 179.<br />

Auripigmentum � perfectum Turba p 41. Arold. Th. Ch. v. 4. p. 524 Desiderabili<br />

v. 4 Th. Ch. p 721. Ripl v 4 Th. Ch. p 719.<br />

Arsenicum masculus (idem cum plumbo ) &<br />

auripigmentum fæm<strong>in</strong>a ratione caloris & humiditatis sc. spiritus rub. vel alb. Auror.<br />

Consurg. p 138. Ros<strong>in</strong> {?} ad Eut. p 168


Zandarich, Auripigmentum, fæm<strong>in</strong>a cum plumbo [albo] masculo miscenda.<br />

Ros<strong>in</strong> ad Eut. p. 168 Turba p. 7 l 1, 14<br />

Auripigmentum sp tus rubeus, Scala. p 87 l 36, 39 Morien p 35. Allegor <strong>in</strong> Turb p. 79 l<br />

34, 35, 38, 40.<br />

Zandarich {?} plumbum album Ros<strong>in</strong> ad Sarant. l 2 p 187. Artef. p. 7 Turb<br />

{?} <strong>in</strong> v 5 Th. Ch p 37 <br />

Auripigmentum plumbum album Ros<strong>in</strong> ad Sar. p 187.<br />

Allegor <strong>in</strong> Turb. p 62, 37, 39<br />

42 Basiliscus, {???} magnetica sulphur ratione nutrimenti<br />

et <strong>in</strong>fectionis pro sulphure ponitur Nam si aut Basiliscus nutriri dicitur per diversum<br />

cibum et potum donec adolescat magnus fiat et maturus de<strong>in</strong> moritur et ex ejus pulvere<br />

fiunt miracula sic � nutritur per aqua{m} permanentem donec magnus<br />

{???} & fluxibilis sit, de<strong>in</strong> moritur & {??} <strong>in</strong> pulverem mirificum convertitur. Et sicut<br />

Basiliscus suo flatu et odore <strong>in</strong>ficit animalia sic corporis magnesiæ {??} cito<br />

perficit � et de natura sua <strong>in</strong> naturam alienam subito mutat. Vnde Morienus: scito quod<br />

terra fœtida cito recipit sc<strong>in</strong>tilulas albas. Aurora consurg. p 134. Ferrar p. 55.<br />

Ideoq{ue} Reg ♂ quia hoc Chaos <strong>in</strong> Gr. dicitur Chaos. et 4 metalla dicuntur fratres et 4<br />

Elementa ( 45 ) et magnesia di dicuntur etiam æs et Venus id est � (<br />

46 ) et magnesia dicitur quadricorporea ( 47 et � (ne hunc omittas dicitur<br />

Deorum maximus & Saturnus Iove devorato putrescit Corpus<br />

magnesiæ ex quatuor compositum elementis corporalibus. Magnesia corpora circumplectitur Flammel annot p 778 Venus sunt quatuor corpora,<br />

et Veneris quadricorporea natura per Magnesiam ostenditur & gubernatur et hæc Venus<br />

id est corpus non t<strong>in</strong>git nisi t<strong>in</strong>gitur ib p. 783. Quatuor corpora t<strong>in</strong>guntur et non t<strong>in</strong>gunt.<br />

Magnesia dealbata (id e. tota compositio per sublimationem ) non s<strong>in</strong>it corpora


frangi. ib. p 784. Serpens devorat Cadmum cum socijs Æris corpus Magnesiâ regitur, &<br />

argentum vivum habet quatuor <strong>in</strong> se & aqua sulphuris dicitur et sulphura cont<strong>in</strong>et. Sunt<br />

autem sulphura animæ occultæ <strong>in</strong> quatuor elementis, quæ per artem extractæ se<strong>in</strong>vicem<br />

cont<strong>in</strong>ent naturaliter & conjungunt.<br />

{8r}<br />

Kuhul, Alcool {???} pulvis <br />

subtilis & spiritualis, lapis plumbum tam nigrum quam album, est {???} Materia Latona tam {?} nigra dealbanda quam dealbata. Est enim nigredo saturnia Turba p. 31 & Turba <strong>in</strong> V 5 Th. Ch. p. 18, 42. Allegor.<br />

sapient p 64 48 , 74. Cax 49 imbibenda Th C corpus Turba <strong>in</strong> V 5 Th. Ch p 9, 36. Lapis ex quo fit plumbum nostrum<br />

[sc album] <strong>in</strong> aceto coquendum Turba p 8 & Turba <strong>in</strong> V 5 p 14. Materia <strong>in</strong> statu<br />

dealbandi seu tr seu {nigrend?} Flammel<br />

cap. 5 Sulphur album Turba p 27, 28, & Turb<br />

<strong>in</strong> Th. Ch v 5 p 37.<br />

{8v}<br />

-- & aqua reguntur et mundantur et sibi <strong>in</strong>vicem occurentes lætantur. Sed<br />

hæc quatuor non t<strong>in</strong>gunt sed qui<strong>in</strong>tum [i.e. fermentum] ipsa] t<strong>in</strong>git. Qua Propterea dicunt<br />

Philosophi: quatuor numeri vulgi non t<strong>in</strong>gunt nisi æs, quod æs t<strong>in</strong>ctum postea t<strong>in</strong>git (i.e.<br />

fermenta) nummos vulgi Turba p. 27. Omnis t<strong>in</strong>ctura debet habere <strong>in</strong>gredientem lapidem<br />

ex eoq{ue} constare quem vult t<strong>in</strong>gere Exercit. 4 <strong>in</strong> Turb. p. 104. Ex Metallis est <strong>in</strong>troitus<br />

et secretum artis est metalla permiscere Trevisan. Serpens devorat Cadmum cum socijs<br />

Introit apert p. 6, 50 {?} Marrow of Alk. p 69 de<strong>in</strong> et pugna f<strong>in</strong>ita fæcibus ablutus, stella apparet<br />

ex terra, sed hæc terra non amalgamatur cum � nisi mediatione columbarum Dianæ Mar<br />

of Alk. part 2 p. 5, 6. & part 1 pag 69. Vide etiam Si ex septem metallis � � ♂ ♀ ♂ � ☼<br />

� vel unum desit, non aperitur sigillum sapientum M<strong>in</strong>schict 53 <strong>in</strong> Testamento p. 477,<br />

478. Ideoq{ue} Philosophi loquuntur <strong>in</strong> plurali<br />

numera metalla metallorum metallis. Arca p. 305. Et compositio etiam ante


putrefactionem Chaos dicitur Arcan Grassæus <strong>in</strong> Epistola p. 541. Et � ius vocat flos{??} ex septem radijs {sectans?} Seu Arca p 324. Occultæ naturæ mysterium p<br />

532. Metalla secretum naturæ clausum {???} & <strong>in</strong> seipsis <strong>in</strong>carceratum tenent suntq{ue}<br />

chaos nigrum & menstruum ex hoc chao destillatur. Metalla<br />

{???} hæc sunt � quo huc arti maxime favet, � <br />

junctus cum Lunaria sui generis, Venus etiam cum filio cupid<strong>in</strong>e &c. Bloomfield p.<br />

312, 313, 314. Lapis n{ost}er ex 7 lapidibus extrahitur quoru{m} duo præcipui sunt ♂ et<br />

�. Arcan Hermet p 40. Regulus ♂ is est Chaos nostru{m}. Introit apert p Philaletha<br />

pas{sim?} 54 id est Chaos <strong>in</strong>greditur. Venus est unicum medium conjungendi<br />

hunc {?} Reg cum � Mar of Alk part 1 pag 55 Venus cum hoc regulo conjungitur ut<br />

unicum medium <strong>in</strong>ter ipsum et �. Marrow of Alk. part 1. pag & part 2 pag 56<br />

Iupiter {?} a � devorandus est ut materia putrescat Ib. part pag & Snyders 57<br />

& Basilius Ideoq{ue} {??} de plumbum album est � imperium adeptus Grassæus primu{m} operatus est <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eris tanq{uam}<br />

præst mollisimis & spiritu plenissimis (pag. 298)<br />

{???} postea didic sed erravit <strong>in</strong> prima compositione dicitq{ue} quod<br />

t<strong>in</strong>ctura ex spiritibus faciolior ex corporibus difficilior (p 298) at<br />

postea defectum deprehendit circa materiam solutionem primam & veram compositionem<br />

p 338 quo nam <strong>in</strong> via humida (i.e. quæ cum sale (i.e. salissima) sal naturæ non præparatur<br />

sed Chaos Philosophicum sive materia nostra statim absq{ue} ulla re addita per se <strong>in</strong><br />

aquam � alem a his convertitur idq{ue} per contrarias operationes. p 541. Marrow of Alk<br />

part 2 pag.<br />

Hermes cap. Snyders. 58 Basil valent<strong>in</strong> Novum lumen. c 10. Abrahamus per<br />

crucem <strong>in</strong> qua serpens occiditur, perq{ue} {?} <strong>in</strong>fantes cæsos <strong>in</strong>telliget 4 metalla ideq{ue} Flamellus ponit tres <strong>in</strong>fantes pater gladi Hermes<br />

dicit lapidem esse de cavernis metallorum & Venerem Iovemq{ue} nom<strong>in</strong>eat.<br />

{Corsufle?} 59 � quod <strong>in</strong> � coquitur {???} & imbibendo<br />

dealbatur Turba p. 18. Caput operis nota <strong>in</strong>itium sed post complexum, totum compositum


quod oportet septies assari et tunc omne corpus t<strong>in</strong>git & vocatur flos æris, flos auri flos<br />

ferri et mille nom<strong>in</strong>ibus i.e. � album Turba p 19 media substantia sublimata, ex corpore<br />

et aqua constans, corporale et spirituale compositum, Zanderic, Camber, Ethelia,<br />

Duenech bonus, aqua permanens Artef. p. 7. Æs t<strong>in</strong>gens, colla<br />

auri marmoris splendor Ethelia auripigmentum randerich, argentum vivum ex omnibus<br />

extractum, � dealbatum quod assimilatur marmoris splendori. Turba p 29 Materia quæ<br />

post nigred<strong>in</strong>em {???} albed<strong>in</strong>em quæ dealbatur dicta Bonitis Cambar Duenech,<br />

Kukul, Taabritis, Ebiseneth, Alber æris, Randerich, Flammel quam dealbare oported 60<br />

Flammel c. 5<br />

61 Inseratio <strong>in</strong> decoctione vel fit <strong>in</strong> pr<strong>in</strong>cipio decoctionis per imbibitionem cum parva<br />

quantîtate spiritus ut supra (Philal <strong>in</strong> Ripl. port. p 180) vel est materiæ liquefaction post nigred<strong>in</strong>em (Flammel annot p. 770 {?}) ({???}) vel liquefactio ejus<br />

<strong>in</strong>spissatio <strong>in</strong> {???} {???}bationis Latona horum nativitatis & congelationis<br />

lunaris. (Theat Ch. v. 2 p 274, 276) {?} vel ejus liquefactio <strong>in</strong> transitu ab albed<strong>in</strong>e ad<br />

rubed<strong>in</strong>em Artef. p 5 l. 12. Philal <strong>in</strong> Ripl port p 61, 62, 180, 365.<br />

Th Kuhul, {pl?} lapis ex quo fit plumbum nostrum <strong>in</strong> aceto coquendum Turba p 8. v 5 p<br />

14. Sulphur, calx, alumen ex ponus, sputum Lunæ, sputum <strong>in</strong>combustibile Turb<br />

p 27 aqua sulphuris aqua ardens. Tur. p. 27. 62 {consul be?} sulphur cum �<br />

sublimatum, arg. vivum Cambar arg. vi. auripigmentum, Zendrio Eb<strong>in</strong>eseth (i.e.<br />

plumbum album T. p 28. 77. v 5 p. 37 Nigredo de Kuhul ib p 31. 63 Kukel colore<br />

Tyriò Turb. p 84 64 Kuhul, Corpus magnesiæ & � quod non comburitur <strong>in</strong> quo<br />

arg. vivum coagulatur Turb <strong>in</strong> v 5 Th Ch. p. 9. Kuhul nigred<strong>in</strong>e coopertum deibus 40 p.<br />

18. Nigredo Kuhul p. 42. Kenkel Tyrio colore p 46. Terra nigra ut Kuhul p<br />

74. Corpus magnesiæ <strong>in</strong> quo arg. viv. constr<strong>in</strong>gitur. Corpus Kuhul, sputum Lunæ, sulphur<br />

<strong>in</strong>combustibile calx axata, alumen ex pomis ib p 36 {???} Korpus mortuum & nigrum ut<br />

Kuhul, magnesia, Kuhul, plumbum magnetis Saturnius. p 64.<br />

{9r}


Lullius 65 <strong>in</strong> prædictis destill præ destillationibus quibus anima extrahitur et corpus<br />

calc<strong>in</strong>atur, utitur tribus ignis gradibus. Primus destillat aquam <strong>in</strong> B.M. 66 donec venæ<br />

cessent, de<strong>in</strong> mutat Recipiens et destillat aerem <strong>in</strong> c<strong>in</strong>eribus et ultimo <strong>in</strong>tendit ignem ad<br />

destillandum elementum ignis Et <strong>in</strong> separatione elementorum auri utitur<br />

destillationibus 15 vel pluribus {?} ad extractionionem 68 aeris, et adhuc pluribus<br />

ad extractionem ignis et ubi aerem<br />

destillavit mutat Recipiens 69 & apposito parvo Recipiente destillat oleum <br />

cum igne, mixtum quod oleum pretiosissimum habetur & pro <strong>in</strong>ceratione medic<strong>in</strong>æ<br />

servatur. {?} In Experimentis autem uti Ad extractionem animarum utitur digestionibus<br />

horarum tantum 24. Alij utuntur digestionibus dierum duorum vel trium. 70<br />

Præcedentia omnia fieri debent a71 cum igne valde lento et naturæ hujus materiæ<br />

accepto et grato ne virtus spiritus et anima vel mercurij comburatur. Alioqui de toto hoc<br />

Magisterio actum esset. Nam b72 spiritus si combustus fuerit corpus suum postea non<br />

<strong>in</strong>trabit nec vivificabit. Si elementa comburuntur effectu et commodo privantur<br />

Præstat 73 verò Oleum <strong>in</strong>cerativum <strong>in</strong> idem Recipiens cum aqua et aere destillare &<br />

postea separare per destillationem ut supradictum est. Nam spiritus qui ultimo exhalant, siccitate sua et ignea substantia a Recipiente exirent <strong>in</strong> auras<br />

nisi aqua humida <strong>in</strong> Recipiente contenta ipsos cohiberet & ret<strong>in</strong>eret & <strong>in</strong> aquam<br />

converteret. quod est <strong>in</strong> arte nostra secretissimum etsi leve et triviale videatur.<br />

Dicunt 74 aliqui quod <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>e destillationis post abstractionem ignis ascendet sal quidam<br />

volatilis <strong>in</strong> forma fumi albi & ad latera vasis adhærebit. Siquis ascenderit ablui debet<br />

cum spiritu & cum igne conjungi


In calc<strong>in</strong>atione materiæ , porositas conservari debet. nam si non esset<br />

porosa 75 lac ejus virg<strong>in</strong>eum nullum <strong>in</strong> illam haberet <strong>in</strong>gressum. Conservabitur autem<br />

porositas si physicè aquosam humiditatem & corrumpentem sulphureitatem separes per<br />

calc<strong>in</strong>ationem nostram. Vulgaris calc<strong>in</strong>atio chymica fit cum magno labore per ignes<br />

magnos seu aquas fortes quæ porositatem destruunt: nostra verò s<strong>in</strong>e magna vi flammæ &<br />

valde facilè cum igne leni qui tam naturalis est ut physicè calc<strong>in</strong>et materiam nostram &<br />

illam non immutet, nec virtutem sem<strong>in</strong>um generantium evertat sed porositatem conservet.<br />

Si materia nostra <strong>in</strong> vulgarium chymicorum igne esset, nostri flores qui facillimè mutari<br />

& alterari possunt totaliter vastarentur imò corpus materiæ nostræ Vim ignis illorum non<br />

sust<strong>in</strong>eret sed <strong>in</strong> brevissimo tempore consumeretur et <strong>in</strong> natura sua <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>seca adeo<br />

corrumperetur ut post destructionem virg<strong>in</strong>ei sui sem<strong>in</strong>is materiæ planè <strong>in</strong>fructuosa<br />

mansura esset.<br />

{9v}<br />

Si separatio elementorum non bene succedit, commiscenda sunt omn{ia} 76 et iterum<br />

putrefacienda . Lull. Codicill. p. 127<br />

{10r}<br />

Water is y t genus generalissimum, or all-<strong>in</strong>clusive upon w ch the spirit of God moved <strong>in</strong><br />

production of matter for creation of the several species. And if we consider a right of the<br />

operation of nature we shal f<strong>in</strong>d fermentation to be the <strong>in</strong>strument of life evidenced <strong>in</strong> all<br />

production & more <strong>in</strong>telligibly demonstrable to us <strong>in</strong> the circulation of o ur blood by the<br />

fermentation of the acid & the alkali, be<strong>in</strong>g the water or humidum radicale w ch when<br />

vivified by its acid or � viz the cœlestial <strong>in</strong>fluence is become the humidum or � of nature<br />

as not only the subject matter of all be<strong>in</strong>gs but the very nutriment it self ffor all be<strong>in</strong>gs are<br />

preserved by that of w ch they were at first made. Now upon farther observation we f<strong>in</strong>d<br />

this Alkalie & acid <strong>in</strong> their operation together to produce a salt as y e third pr<strong>in</strong>ciple, the<br />

domicil of nature & that where<strong>in</strong> is <strong>in</strong>cluded the three pr<strong>in</strong>ciples & the four elements. ffor<br />

<strong>in</strong> the anatomie of this salt, we f<strong>in</strong>d a water, a spirit a 77 t<strong>in</strong>cture & an earth. The water is<br />

the subject upon w ch by the operation of the celestial <strong>in</strong>fluence by putrefactive union this<br />

water, this spirit, this <strong>in</strong>fluence by putrefactive union makes salt; & this is an every days


demonstration & made appear <strong>in</strong> the fermentation of water or other juces from w ch by art<br />

are produced spirits t<strong>in</strong>ctures & salts, & this nature likewise teacheth when we see <strong>in</strong> the<br />

putrefaction of water agitated by the power of celestial <strong>in</strong>fluence or � of nature a<br />

sulphureous odour to ensue & that a sediment then falls down be<strong>in</strong>g the limus of<br />

production, where<strong>in</strong> lieth hid, as a snake <strong>in</strong> the grass this great & hidden mystery. It is<br />

therefore no wonder that Ph{ilosoph}ers <strong>in</strong> their advice lay before us the rule of nature <strong>in</strong><br />

obte<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the great secret both for medic<strong>in</strong>e & transmutation. And if I may have the<br />

liberty of expression give me leave to assert as my op<strong>in</strong>ion that it is effectual <strong>in</strong> all the<br />

three k<strong>in</strong>gdoms & from every species may be produced when the modus is rightly<br />

understood: only m<strong>in</strong>eralls produce m<strong>in</strong>eralls & sic de cæteris<br />

But the hidden & secret modus is Clissus Paracelsi w ch is noth<strong>in</strong>g else but the<br />

separation of the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples, their purification & reunion <strong>in</strong> a fusible & penetrat<strong>in</strong>g fixity<br />

{11r}<br />

In y e first copy of Turba <strong>in</strong> Ars Aurifera the first two first works<br />

are thus described Iungite novem partes aquæ cum calefacit vas &<br />

iterum novem partes cum calefactum est vas apponite. p 36. Socrates <strong>in</strong> Turba p 8<br />

speak<strong>in</strong>g of y e Imbibitions of the second work <strong>in</strong> a closed vessel saith Tente ipsum aceto acerrimo centum qu<strong>in</strong>quag<strong>in</strong>ta diebus caventes ne <strong>in</strong><br />

fumum vertatur acetum & pereat. Hoc cognito quod demonstravi, nihil aliud est quam<br />

Opus mulierum & Ludus puerorum. And Belus <strong>in</strong> Turba p 9, 10 speak<strong>in</strong>g of y e same<br />

imbibitions concludes thus. Hoc regim<strong>in</strong>e spiritus <strong>in</strong> corpora et corpora <strong>in</strong> spiritus<br />

vertuntur. Moneo tamen caveatis ne compositum fumiget et fugiat. Propterea vas bene<br />

operite & <strong>in</strong>venietis arcanum quod philosophi <strong>in</strong> suis libris occultarunt.<br />

Pandulphus <strong>in</strong> Turba p 11 thus describes the composition {?} imbibitions of y e 2 d & 3 d work. Aqua permanens est aqua vitæ<br />

munda & quod nullum venenum t<strong>in</strong>gens generatur absq{ue} sole et ejus umbra. Qui enim<br />

sapientum venenum sole et ejus umbro [i.e. Sole et Luna] t<strong>in</strong>xit ad maximum pervenit


arcanum. Si id <strong>in</strong>tellexistis, o Turba, bene quidem: s<strong>in</strong> autem, operis vobis perfectionem<br />

reitero. Accipite album mundum quod maximu{m} est arcanum<br />

{12r}<br />

There are 3 humidities <strong>in</strong> all compositions , the 1 st<br />

is Elementary united <strong>in</strong> every body united w th earth, This earth & water united (i.e. fixt<br />

salt) are y e vessel of y e other elements <strong>in</strong> w ch are enclosed viz t y e fire <strong>in</strong> y e earth<br />

& y e air <strong>in</strong> y e water. They are permanent <strong>in</strong> all th<strong>in</strong>gs & even <strong>in</strong> their ashes & <strong>in</strong> y e fixt<br />

salt drawn from thence & <strong>in</strong> glass made thereof & they are named the body by<br />

Ph{ilosoph}ers because they give corporeity to all their natures. The 2 d humidity is<br />

called radical. Tis aereal volatil & <strong>in</strong>flammable Some small part of it rema<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> y e ashes<br />

but it is wholy dissipated <strong>in</strong> vitrification Before its congelation it was y e vapour of y e<br />

elements of an etheral nature. In every composition it takes y e form of oyle hav<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />

animals y e form of grease <strong>in</strong> vegetables the form of oyle <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>erals y e form of sulphur.<br />

In this humidity consists y e form true subject of all alterations, & the foundation of all<br />

generations, & the vertue of the compound w ch is vigorous or languid accord<strong>in</strong>g to y e<br />

abundance or defect of this humidity In it is nature shut up & conserved. It is y e true<br />

sperm of th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> w ch resides the sem<strong>in</strong>al po<strong>in</strong>t The 3 d liquor is alimentary, the Mercury<br />

vegetable. Tis volatile & the first that abandons the body, & be<strong>in</strong>g a vapour very subtile<br />

& spiritual it penetrates y e body & preserves it from burn<strong>in</strong>g, the dissolvent of<br />

nature caus<strong>in</strong>g corruption & blackness by its humidity & acidity w ch it has<br />

contracted <strong>in</strong> a m<strong>in</strong>eral body. Tis very acid & sharp & y e author of all motion Tis<br />

compared to a menstruall. Its vertue is great beyond expression tho it be very<br />

imperfect crude & vile. p 115, 116, 117, 118, 119. 120, 121.<br />

445) 5760 (130 - 35 /44½ = 130 - 50 /89 = 129 39 /89 =129 4 /9 = 129 7 /16.<br />

1335 131<br />

- 15<br />

Of y e 4 mercuries p. 122 &c


Impurities 78 h<strong>in</strong>der y e union of y e 3 pr<strong>in</strong>ciples, whence iron is less perfect<br />

tho more coct then silver, & ☼ � & � vulgar <br />

are of y e strongest & most united composition & iron tho more coct then Silver is yet less<br />

perfect & united be<strong>in</strong>g more feculent & {there?} & therefore o ur matter <strong>in</strong> w ch y e 3<br />

pr<strong>in</strong>ciples are least united ought to be the most feculent of m<strong>in</strong>erals<br />

And ffor impurities h<strong>in</strong>der y e union of y e80 3 pr<strong>in</strong>ciples so y t are found more open <strong>in</strong> iron y n <strong>in</strong> silver tho iron be more coct &<br />

most open <strong>in</strong> y e 1 st matter. & most shut & united <strong>in</strong> Gold & � {???} easily separated by putrefaction. p 156, 157, 158.<br />

Every body accord<strong>in</strong>g to its species conte<strong>in</strong>s its own seed w ch is not found <strong>in</strong><br />

divers th<strong>in</strong>gs & o ur body the true gold of y e wise conte<strong>in</strong>s all th<strong>in</strong>gs necessary to y e art p.<br />

148, 14<br />

The fem<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>e sperm is sharp & pontic p 161, 223<br />

Vulgar ☼ & � are not at all fit for o ur work because they want a th<strong>in</strong>g w ch is absolutely<br />

necessary <strong>in</strong> o ur art that is a proper Agent. I speak not of y e <strong>in</strong>ternal agent or solary<br />

sulphur but of y e external w ch excites y e <strong>in</strong>ternal & leads it from potentia to act. This<br />

agent leaves gold <strong>in</strong> y e end of its coction, (as is described <strong>in</strong> Margarita pretiosa). And so<br />

Zachary disputes well that vulgar argent vive wants this agent & Bernard<br />

exclude 81 metalls alone that is metals deprived of this agent as is expla<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> Arca<br />

arcanorum aperta p 162, 163, 164 Therefore vulgar ☼ & � ought not to enter y e<br />

Ph{ilosoph}ic work neither <strong>in</strong> whole nor <strong>in</strong> part. ib. All the metals have this spirit or<br />

agent <strong>in</strong> y e m<strong>in</strong>es except ☼ w ch it forsook <strong>in</strong> its f<strong>in</strong>al decoction & � to w ch it was never<br />

joyned {catchword: but} {12v} but <strong>in</strong> fusion they lose it p 166, 167.<br />

Metals are thus generated of � & �. The vapour of y e Elements w ch is very pure &<br />

almost <strong>in</strong>sensible & conte<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> it y e spirit of fire or light w ch is y e form of y e Vnivers, &


e<strong>in</strong>g so impregnated w th y e spirit of y e Vnivers represents y e first Chaos conte<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g all<br />

th<strong>in</strong>gs necessary to y e creation that is y e matter universal & form universal. And <strong>in</strong><br />

descend<strong>in</strong>g & becom<strong>in</strong>g sensible it first puts on y e body of y e air w ch we breath &<br />

becomes enclosed <strong>in</strong> it to nourish & vivify all nature, & that it may act more easily upon<br />

{?} the grosser bodies of vegetables & m<strong>in</strong>erals it next<br />

<strong>in</strong>s<strong>in</strong>uates its self <strong>in</strong>to water. This water is dispersed through all nature & becomes<br />

someth<strong>in</strong>g sal<strong>in</strong>e & upon new occasions becomes rarefies by y e action of y e <strong>in</strong>cluded vapour of y e<br />

Elements & this aquous & mercurial vapor meet<strong>in</strong>g with sulphureous vapours they mix &<br />

curculate 82 together <strong>in</strong> y e matrix of y e sal<strong>in</strong>e water, & be<strong>in</strong>g unable to get out of it they<br />

joyn w th the salt of this water & put on y e form of a lucid earth w ch is properly the Vitriol<br />

of nature. ffor vitriol is noth<strong>in</strong>g else then a salt <strong>in</strong> w ch are shut up the spirits mercurial &<br />

sulphureous & there is noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> nature w ch conte<strong>in</strong>s those the sulphur so plentifully &<br />

visibly as vitriol & whatever is of y e nature of Vitriol. p. 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172,<br />

173. ffrom these vitrioliq{ue} waters by a new commotion (or<br />

fermentation) caused by y t of y e air, ascends a new vapor neither mercurial nor<br />

sulphureous but of y e nature of both. & <strong>in</strong> ascend<strong>in</strong>g carries up with it some part of y e salt<br />

but the most pure lu{???} 83 & accord<strong>in</strong>ly 84 as it settles <strong>in</strong> places more or less pure &<br />

dry or most 85 & joyns with various substances it engenders divers sorts of m<strong>in</strong>erals. If<br />

this double vapour comes to a place where y e fat of sulphur adheres they unite & make a<br />

glut<strong>in</strong>ous substance from whence by the action of the � upon y e humid vapor a metal is<br />

formed. If y e plaes & vapors are pure this metal will be gold from w ch y e<br />

proper agent will separate <strong>in</strong> y e end of y e decoction. But if y e decoction is not perfected<br />

nor y e sulphur separated there will be engendred divers imperfect metals<br />

accord<strong>in</strong>g to y e various impurity of y e vapour & of y e place. Vulgar Quicksilver is also<br />

engendred of this vapour when <strong>in</strong> its ascent the proper agent or spirit is evaporated by too<br />

sudde<strong>in</strong> a motion as happens to y e spirit of y e other metals <strong>in</strong> fusion. p 173 174 175.<br />

Whence it appears how far off is {vitriol?} <strong>in</strong> y e generation of metals & how they are<br />

illuded who work upon it as the true matter of y e stone <strong>in</strong> w ch y e metalliq{ue} essence<br />

ought to reside p 176. One sees also that metals whilst <strong>in</strong> their m<strong>in</strong>es have their proper<br />

agent, but by fusion lose it & then are not to be wrought upon. And if you take the oars of


Metals they have many impurities <strong>in</strong> separat<strong>in</strong>g of w ch you will lose their spirit or agent.<br />

You must therefore take another subject prepared by nature, concern<strong>in</strong>g w ch we will<br />

treat <strong>in</strong> an express chapter as clearly as is possible. p 177 178.<br />

The m<strong>in</strong>es are cold as to sense. Yet m<strong>in</strong>erals cont<strong>in</strong>ue <strong>in</strong> their motion of grow 86<br />

vegetat<strong>in</strong> grow<strong>in</strong>g. ffor nature uses another sort of heat, a warmth of y e nature of spirits<br />

w ch are always <strong>in</strong> motion & by motion have {always?} a faculty of warm<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

You must not use corrosive liqu waters for your dissolv<strong>in</strong>g but<br />

y e same fire w ch nature uses w ch must be well acuated to render it more active & more<br />

agreable to y e nature of y e compound. Its construction is very <strong>in</strong>genious & there<strong>in</strong><br />

consists almost the whole philosophical secret, philosophers hav<strong>in</strong>g said noth<strong>in</strong>g or but<br />

very little thereof.<br />

{13r}<br />

Arsenicum Philosophorum est sulphur album eorum & Auripigmentu{m}<br />

est sulphur rubeum eorundem, pars figenda sola coctione. Dum enim sal metallicum<br />

solutione sua et purificatione <strong>in</strong> altum sublimatur ut <strong>in</strong> siccitate sua melius v<strong>in</strong>dicetur ab<br />

excrementis, albed<strong>in</strong>e præcellit & t<strong>in</strong>ctura volatili ita ut Arsenicum commune & vulgare<br />

imitetur, ideò nuncupatur Arsenicu{m}. Idem de auripigmento Philosophorum dicendum<br />

est censemus cùm pars ad {?} rubeam t<strong>in</strong>cturam dest<strong>in</strong>ata & ex auro communi extracta,<br />

dum aqua nostra volatili volatilis fit & auripigmenti colorem acquirit auripigmentum<br />

dicitur cum aliquæ ratione auripigmenti sequatur naturam. Humido enim p<strong>in</strong>gui aeris et<br />

aquæ constat & venenatam habet qualitatem. Hæc enim materia cruditate sua et<br />

imperfecta coctione venenum summum est & per<strong>in</strong>de a Philosophis omnibus venenum<br />

nuncupatur. Quod iden de Arsenico nostro dicendum est. Faber Panchym. p 579.<br />

Non tædeat te multoties imbibere quia corpus nisi cum mercurio sit <strong>in</strong>corporatum non<br />

ascendit sursum. Hanc sublimationem autem facimus ut corpora redigantur <strong>in</strong> suam<br />

materiam primam scilicet <strong>in</strong> mercurium et sulphur. Fecimus ergo hanc sublimationem<br />

tribus de causis Vna est quia corpus fit spiritus de subtili materia et natura: secunda est<br />

quod Mercurius se bene <strong>in</strong>corporet cum calce: tertia est quod totum sumat colorem album


vel rubeum. Idcirco quando calx sublimatur ad album Lunam debet esse alba &<br />

mercurius [quo imbibitur] similiter albus: et calx quando sublimatur ad Solem debet esse<br />

rubea et mercurius similiter rubeus igne calefactus & debet esse pulvis <strong>in</strong>ceratus quia non<br />

bene operatur aliquis ad solem nec ad Lunam nisi tali modo. Et cum mercurio quem<br />

sublimas ad Lunam non commisceas ullam rem quia solis calor non <strong>in</strong>trat ad Lunam nec<br />

Luna ad Solem. Non mittas ergo mercurium rubeum ad album nec album ad rubeum sed<br />

pone unamquamq{ue} speciem cum sua specie & pone ad ignem accensum & sublima<br />

totum. Et non misceas illud quod remanet deorsum cum illo quod ascendit sursum sed<br />

pone unumquodq{ue} ad partem: quoniam quod <strong>in</strong> fundo remanet reiterabis ad<br />

sublimandum per Mercuriale <strong>in</strong>corporamentum donec ascenderit totum: alioqu<strong>in</strong> non<br />

ponas ipsu{m} <strong>in</strong> magisterium. Alembicum <strong>in</strong> quo sublimas mercurium sit vitreum et<br />

cucurbita terrea vitreata cujus os fundi sit amplu{m} quòd possit mercurius ascendere<br />

liberius. Alembicum vero cum cucurbita debet jungi ita quod Mercurius non possit exire<br />

quia non sublimatur mercurius nisi per fumositatem aeris. Ideo si locum <strong>in</strong>venerit<br />

apertum, evolaret <strong>in</strong> fumum & deperiret Magisterium Vide ergo quod diximus quoniam<br />

omnia verba necessaria sunt et laude digna. Hæc ergo sufficiant ad complementum<br />

sulphuris albi et rubei. Arnold. Th Rosar Lib. 2. cap. 18. pag. 282. Et Rosar. p. 222.<br />

Hæc scientia eligit aurum pro patre et argentum pro matre. Quia de istis duobus<br />

corporibus <strong>in</strong> eorum sulphure et arsenico præparatio nostra medic<strong>in</strong>a elicita est et<br />

elucidata. De auro tanqua{m} omnium pretiosissimo metallorum ergo t<strong>in</strong>ctura est<br />

rubed<strong>in</strong>is t<strong>in</strong>gens {catchword: et transformans}{13v} et transformans omne corpus ad<br />

perfectam claritatem: argentum verò est albed<strong>in</strong>is t<strong>in</strong>ctura imperfecta claritate omne<br />

corpus t<strong>in</strong>gens Cum istis corporibus misce mercuriam non tamen talem sicut est<br />

communis, Nam argentum vivum <strong>in</strong> sua natura non est miscibile cum corporibus.<br />

Raymund Theor. cap 17 p 29, 30.<br />

Aqua foliata est aurum Philosophorum quod Hermes vocavit ovum habens multa<br />

nom<strong>in</strong>a. Mundus <strong>in</strong>ferior est corpus et c<strong>in</strong>is combustus ad quem reducunt animam<br />

honoratam. Et c<strong>in</strong>is combustus et anima sunt aurum sapientum quod sem<strong>in</strong>ant <strong>in</strong> terra sua<br />

alba foliata benedicta sitiente quam nom<strong>in</strong>avit terram foliorum & terram argenti et terram


auri. Per omnia illa <strong>in</strong>tendunt corpus suum calc<strong>in</strong>atum & dealbatum. Ista aqua triplex est<br />

sol cum duobus radijs et sol cum uno radio, qui est unum <strong>in</strong> quo sunt tria videlicet aqua<br />

aer et ignis. Et terra nigra existens <strong>in</strong>ferius est mundus <strong>in</strong>ferior ex duobus permixtis et<br />

temperatis corporibus. Senior p. 22, 23.<br />

Elementorum duo sunt lapidea ignis et terra et duo aquatica aer et aqua. Aquam autem<br />

extrahes ex substantia humida aerem verò et ignem ex substantia sicca. De terra autem<br />

non cures ex qua sit substantia dummodo sit f<strong>in</strong>a. Nam terra et ignis aerem bibunt et<br />

desiccant & figunt, aqua vero et aer terram et ignem abluunt t<strong>in</strong>gunt et perficiunt. Idcirca<br />

oportet ut sit aqua multa et oleum multum quoniam multitudo t<strong>in</strong>cturæ tanta erit quanta<br />

multitudo olei fuerit. Igitur paulatim solvitur lapis <strong>in</strong> mercurium & <strong>in</strong> quatuor divibitur<br />

elementa ut habeatur materia prima. De<strong>in</strong>de abluitur cac<strong>in</strong>atur & lavatur & tandem<br />

sublimatur ut materia attenuata magis depuretur & totum hoc attenuatum ut sulphur et<br />

argentum vivum munda habeantur super terra{m} de illa materia de qua aurum et<br />

argentum efficiebantur subtus terram. Rosar. abbr. Tract 2. pag 654 655.<br />

Imbibe terram cum aqua de octo diebus <strong>in</strong> octo dies. {???} Item coque<br />

terram <strong>in</strong> aere ut bibat de illo conformiter sicut fecit de aqua sua prædicta. Fiat hoc sæpe<br />

quousq{ue} biberet de aere quantitatem aquæ humatæ & semper per octo dies coque et<br />

calc<strong>in</strong>a suaviter. Si verò volueris operari ad rubed<strong>in</strong>em &c Rosar. abbr Tract 3. p. 657.<br />

Tractatus quartus. Rosarij abbreviati pag 660, 661 docere videtur terram albam<br />

foliatam <strong>in</strong> duas partes dividere et unam partem servare pro opere albo & aliam quæ pro<br />

opere rubro est imbere cum {???} rubra & coagulare de<strong>in</strong> apponere ipsi ignem<br />

lapidis rubeum & iterare imbibitionem & assationem multoties quousq{ue} siccum sit 87<br />

et rubeum & sublimare quousq{ue} totum (secunda vel tertia si non prima vice)<br />

ascenderit rubeum <strong>in</strong> colore {et?} usifur.<br />

Elementa duo sicca dura et lapidea ignis nempe et terra quia <strong>in</strong> siccitate concordant<br />

<strong>in</strong>simul præparari possunt quoniam unam habent præparationem. Conjunge ergo<br />

grossitiem ignis cum terra post aeris abstractionem & præpara <strong>in</strong>simul propter temporis


abbreviationem & etiam ut bona sit eorum commixtio & non confundatur præparatio &<br />

unus alium bene t<strong>in</strong>gat & ne urantur super ignis pugnam. Vnde præparare eos <strong>in</strong>simul est<br />

magis salvum et magis tutum prop<strong>in</strong>quum. Rosar Arnaldi p. 278. Aristot p. 236 & Rasis<br />

apud Aristot ib. Raymund Cold. p. 145. Bacon p. 278. 88 Accipe ergo elementa terræ &<br />

ignis, conjunge et tere & calc<strong>in</strong>a bene accenso igne. Recipe caute aerem <strong>in</strong> illis manentem<br />

quia ut dicit Rasis aer qui a terra tardius separatur, pretiosior habetur. Cum verò bene<br />

fuerit calc<strong>in</strong>ata et ab omni aere vacua erit coloris pallidi et habilis ad prægnationem. Si<br />

vero spiritus <strong>in</strong> ea remanserit subnigra manebit et m<strong>in</strong>us bene operationi convenit. Et ideo<br />

dicit Plato, Oportet te pro {14r} posse tuo separationem elementorum exercere donec non<br />

remaneat aliquid de spiritu <strong>in</strong> corpore nisi quod non sentiatur. & signum hujus erit cum<br />

nihil a corpore evaporaverit. Tertius gradus notri operis est Divide ergo lapidem <strong>in</strong><br />

quatuor elementa, rectifica ea & conjunge <strong>in</strong> unum et totum habebis magisteriu{m}.<br />

Tertius ergo gradus nostri operis est reductio. Nam corpus siccum et mundum est<br />

congruum ad potandum quoniam omne siccum appetit suum humidum. Liga ergo mulieri<br />

ablactanti manus post tergum ut non possit affligere filium, appone super manus ejus<br />

bufonem ut ablactet eum donec moriatur & fuerit mulier mortua <strong>in</strong> igne, erit bufo grossus<br />

de lacte. Pone ergo <strong>in</strong> vase suo terram superius calc<strong>in</strong>atam, superfunde aquam<br />

rectificatam coque lento igne per hebdomade{m} & postea suaviter calc<strong>in</strong>a decocta{m}<br />

materiam. Sic jugiter facit donec terra exhauserit decuplum sui de aqua. Nam omnes res<br />

aquam appetunt quoniam ipsa tam igni quam alijs rebus præstat alimentum et dignum<br />

admiratione complectitur arcanum.<br />

{15r}<br />

Chap VII. p. 127. The Oracles answered by men speak<strong>in</strong>g through long pipes &<br />

ceased because the Romans did not frequent them w th gifts for ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the Priests.<br />

ib p. 9 Ζευς a Ζεω ferveo. Mars a Ma-fors. Iupiter , Ιαω πατηρ <br />

Αρης Η'ρως.<br />

Q? In the long way how much superior waters <strong>in</strong> every eagle.


Q 2? In y e formation of y e body is y e lunar sublimate used w th out resublimation to take<br />

away its corrosiveness.<br />

Q. 3? after y e eagles are over, is the corrosive red heterogeneous spirit separated from<br />

y e green Lyon or from y e black body. And at that time is any th<strong>in</strong>g distilled from y e black<br />

body after the Gr. Lyon is poured off.<br />

Q 4? About y e separation of y e volatile sulphurs from y e red water. If the red water<br />

was dryed upon y e Lunar sublimate would not the volatile sulphurs rise before y e subl. 2<br />

would they rema<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> the bottom by a gentle evaporation?<br />

Pref. p. 13, 14. Colchos not <strong>in</strong> the Archipellago nor an Island nor possest by y e ancient<br />

Greeks<br />

Answ 1 In y e long way the long way the superior waters of about 9 10 or 12<br />

destillations about ½ the 20 distillations.) viz t so much as suffices to moisten y e earth.<br />

A. 2. The lunar sublimate is used without resublimation <strong>in</strong> form<strong>in</strong>g the body<br />

A. 3. After y e Eggles 89 <strong>in</strong> the short work is little or no red corrosive sp t separable from<br />

the Gr. Lyon: In the long work there is a great deal w ch must be separated & not enter the<br />

work any more but be<strong>in</strong>g diluted dropt <strong>in</strong>to bear 90 or w<strong>in</strong>e is much more medic<strong>in</strong>al then<br />

oyle of {vitriol?} . Noth<strong>in</strong>g is distilled from y e black body<br />

after y e gr. Lyon is poured off, but A. 4 91 <strong>in</strong> the end of the sublimation of y e bird of<br />

Hermes someth<strong>in</strong>g acid will arise w ch may be put to the v<strong>in</strong>egar of y e 2 d Chapter.<br />

A 4. The volatile sulphurs are of y e same k<strong>in</strong>d w th spirit of<br />

salarmoniack & readily unite w th y e {vitriol?} & fix themselves upon it. They ascend &<br />

go off <strong>in</strong> the destillation before the genu<strong>in</strong>e spirit beg<strong>in</strong>s to rise.<br />

This spirit is of a v<strong>in</strong>ous nature & destills <strong>in</strong> ve<strong>in</strong>s, so that it is easy to see when y e other


spirit is gone of & this beg<strong>in</strong>s to rise, viz t when about 1 /3 of y e whole or a little above is<br />

destilled off. If the salarmoniac sp t be rectified noth<strong>in</strong>g will rema<strong>in</strong> beh<strong>in</strong>d but flegm. If<br />

y e Inferior waters be destilled w th out tak<strong>in</strong>g the fire out of y e furnace both spirits will<br />

come over together & leave <strong>in</strong>sipid flegm beh<strong>in</strong>d them. Both spirits must The fire must<br />

be taken out. The Lunar subl of Ch. 1 is cold & earthy. By resublimation from the red<br />

earth it becomes hot & active & fiery so as to fume & fret & burn the flowers unless cooled by a due proportion of y e <strong>in</strong>ferior waters. In y e putrefaction it melts<br />

<strong>in</strong>to an oyle, & <strong>in</strong>creases y e white oyle.<br />

NB. 1. In the long work the red corrosive spirit w ch distills at y e end of all the eagles<br />

from y e green Lyon, is of a rough styptick {???} austere corrosiveness, &<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g once separated from y e work must enter no more; the golden oyle w ch destills<br />

afterwards from y e putrefied body is more corrosive & fiery on y e tongue w th a very but<br />

sweet w th out any roughness or austerity.<br />

2 The matter grows more & more sal<strong>in</strong>e every eagle {???} & at length turns entirely to<br />

a salt separable from the feces.<br />

3. In the long work the matter at the end of every eagle is {??} three or four <br />

days <strong>in</strong> destill<strong>in</strong>g. It is destilled <strong>in</strong> same earthen egg <strong>in</strong> w ch it was digested. The<br />

v<strong>in</strong>egar comes over first & then a v<strong>in</strong>ous spirit & volatile salt w ch sticks to y e<br />

sides of y e {???} Receiver & is washed down by the v<strong>in</strong>ous spirit.<br />

4 When the <strong>in</strong>ferior waters are poured upon the vitriolick salt they ferment together &<br />

a froth rises upon the liquor to a great thickness like east. 92 or Barm. In a vessel close shut<br />

up they will not ferment. When this salt is dried & sublimed. It rises like mercury<br />

sublimate & a great quantity of fex 93 rema<strong>in</strong>s below, even more then <strong>in</strong> any other<br />

operation. And this fæx burns like soot & yeilds a good quantity of fiery alum<strong>in</strong>ous salt.<br />

5. The black matter <strong>in</strong> the egg <strong>in</strong> the middle of y e 5 t digestion tasted pungent not {???}<br />

nor sweet but fiery & someth<strong>in</strong>g sharp.


{15v}<br />

The <strong>in</strong>ferior waters after the coagulat<strong>in</strong>g salts & sulphurs are destilled from it are<br />

of an ur<strong>in</strong>ous nature then like any other salt & <strong>in</strong> some cases (as when poured on<br />

94 ) emit a spirit smell<strong>in</strong>g like spirit of Vr<strong>in</strong>. But they are much more ponderous then ur<strong>in</strong>.<br />

In every eagle the matter & its spirits grow more & more ponderous to y e end of the<br />

eagles & the red spirit grows more & more red.<br />

In the end of every digestion, <strong>in</strong> destill<strong>in</strong>g the {???} spirits from the e{blot} 95 egg after<br />

3 or 4 or perhaps 5 days destillation, when the white fumes beg<strong>in</strong> to rise or fumes of the<br />

green Lyon beg<strong>in</strong> to rise, they will be apt to penetrate the lute & fill the room w th a<br />

st<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g scent. When you see this signe you must put an end to the destillation. And when<br />

all is cold & y e destill green Lyon is poured off the matter black matter rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the<br />

vessel should fill about 96 part of y e Vessel.<br />

In the first second & third eagles the fermentations are slower & last longer <strong>in</strong> the<br />

follow<strong>in</strong>g {four?} eagles they grow quicker & shorter. In the short work they are at y e<br />

hight <strong>in</strong> y e first & second eagles <strong>in</strong> about 5 or 6 days, <strong>in</strong> y e 6 t & 7 th eagles <strong>in</strong> about 2 or 3<br />

days. In the long work they last half as long aga<strong>in</strong> as <strong>in</strong> the short one. The digestions are<br />

about 1½ or 2 times as long as the fermentations & last till the lunar sublimate {?} relents & resolves <strong>in</strong>to an<br />

oyle. ffor the lunar sublimate must oylify <strong>in</strong> every digestion, <br />

The white spirit is of a milky colour but more transparent. In the first Eagle tis almost<br />

white like th<strong>in</strong> milk. In the follow<strong>in</strong>g Eagles it grows yellower & yellower {??} & the<br />

third & permanent menstruum is till 97 yellower. But afterward when the matter by<br />

putrefaction the white spirit is as white as snow leav<strong>in</strong>g its yellowness beh<strong>in</strong>d w th the<br />

body. 98


This last white spirit when congeales <strong>in</strong> cold & relents & melts <strong>in</strong> a gentle hea warmth<br />

& so does the third & permanent menstruum. They are both universal dissolvents &<br />

dissolve by penetrat<strong>in</strong>g without ebullition as mercury penetrates metals <strong>in</strong> amalgamation.<br />

After 7 or 8 Eagles when the matter beg<strong>in</strong>s to be ripe, if you drop a drop <strong>in</strong>to a silver spoon & heat the spoon, the spirit will soak <strong>in</strong>to the spoon<br />

& be<strong>in</strong>g evaporated leaves the silver black with<strong>in</strong> & without <strong>in</strong> manner of a black spot<br />

upon y e spoon, & the like will happen to gold by the red spirit after you have the<br />

three pr<strong>in</strong>ciples. This black spot <strong>in</strong> the silver spoon is the signe by w ch you {???} may<br />

know when your matter is sufficiently ripened by the eagles. ffor till it be so penetrant as<br />

to dissolve silver it is not sufficiently ripe.<br />

If when you have the three pr<strong>in</strong>ciples you dissolve one part of the lunar sublimate <strong>in</strong><br />

two parts of y e white spirit & digest them 40 days, the whole will become white spirit of<br />

ten times more vertue then before except a very few fæces. But this will not<br />

happen till the matter is sufficiently ripened and acuated by the eagles.<br />

If you dissolve one part of the red eath or ashes of the first work <strong>in</strong> two parts of the<br />

red spirit & digest 40 days & destill: the whole, except a few feces, will ascend & be red<br />

spirit of ten times more vertue then before. Thus may the white & red spirits be<br />

multiplied <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>itum. ffor y e Philosophers tell you that Mercury be<strong>in</strong>g once dissolved<br />

dissolves its self ever after <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>f<strong>in</strong>itum.


1 Sic.<br />

2 Altered (orig<strong>in</strong>al illegible).<br />

3 Sic, for 'Triomphe'.<br />

4 Sic, for '[Hadrianus a] Mynsicht'.<br />

Notes<br />

5 Note <strong>in</strong> right marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Faber Panchym. p. 691'.<br />

6 Altered (orig<strong>in</strong>al illegible).<br />

7 Sic.<br />

8 Altered from 'hic'.<br />

9 f. 4 is blank.<br />

10 Altered from 'Ex'.<br />

11 Altered from '4'.<br />

12 The manuscript is damaged at this po<strong>in</strong>t; the 'a' is miss<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

13 Altered from 'est'.<br />

14 Roughly two characters miss<strong>in</strong>g here due to manuscript damage.<br />

15 The page number is not given.<br />

16 Altered, probably from '4'.<br />

17 Altered (orig<strong>in</strong>al illegible).<br />

18 The manuscript is damaged here; this read<strong>in</strong>g is highly conjectural.<br />

19 The whole of this paragraph has been struck through with a cross.<br />

20 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: '9, 10, 11, 12 19, 25, 27 38, {66?}, 69.<br />

21 There is no obvious reason why this word has been left <strong>in</strong>complete.<br />

22 The rema<strong>in</strong>der of this paragraph is marked for <strong>in</strong>sertion further on <strong>in</strong> the text, and has<br />

been transcribed there (from 'accendit et elementum' to 'ib p 12').<br />

23 Sic, for 'philosophos'.<br />

24 Sic.<br />

25 The follow<strong>in</strong>g passage, up to 'ib p 12', is an <strong>in</strong>sertion from further up the page.<br />

26 The letters 'cla' are supplied conjecturally; the orig<strong>in</strong>al is lost through manuscript<br />

damage.<br />

27 A word miss<strong>in</strong>g here through manuscript damage.


28 Altered from 'sup'.<br />

29 Altered (orig<strong>in</strong>al illegible).<br />

30 Spaces left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

31 A word miss<strong>in</strong>g here through manuscript damage.<br />

32 Spaces left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

33 Sic, for 'magnetem'.<br />

34 There is a hole <strong>in</strong> the manuscript separat<strong>in</strong>g 'hydro' from 'phobia', which expla<strong>in</strong>s the<br />

hyphen.<br />

35 Altered from 'hydrophobiam'.<br />

36 Altered from 'quæ'.<br />

37 This small cross is presumably <strong>in</strong>tended as a form of 'NB' marker.<br />

38 First two letters hidden by the b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

39 First two letters hidden by the b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

40 I.e. Ramón Lull or Raimundus Lullius.<br />

41 Sic, though this should surely read 'corpore'; altered from 'corporibus'.<br />

42 The rema<strong>in</strong>der of this page is written upside down from the bottom of the page.<br />

43 Space of about 16 characters left blank.<br />

44 Space of about 5 characters left blank.<br />

45 Space of about 16 characters left blank.<br />

46 Space of about 30 characters left blank.<br />

47 Space of about 24 characters left blank.<br />

48 Altered from '74'.<br />

49 Sic, presumably for 'Calx'.<br />

50 Space left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

51 Sic, for 'par' or 'part'.<br />

52 Space left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

53 Sic, for 'Mynsicht'.<br />

54 Text supplied very conjecturally: the orig<strong>in</strong>al is hidden by the b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

55 Space left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

56 Spaces left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

57 Spaces left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.


58 Spaces left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

59 An extremely conjectural read<strong>in</strong>g: 'Corsufle' is certa<strong>in</strong>ly not a Lat<strong>in</strong> word, but Newton<br />

here beg<strong>in</strong>s us<strong>in</strong>g a wide variety of extremely arcane, non-Lat<strong>in</strong>ate alchemical code-<br />

words.<br />

60 Sic, for 'oportet'.<br />

61 The rema<strong>in</strong>der of this page is written upside down from the bottom of the page.<br />

62 Space of about 12 characters left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

63 Space of about 14 characters left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

64 Space of about 14 characters left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

65 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Lul. exper 18, 21, 25, 34'.<br />

66 I.e. 'Balneo Mariæ'.<br />

67 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Codicil p. 118, 119.'.<br />

68 Sic, for 'extractionem'.<br />

69 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Codicil. p. 117, 123.'.<br />

70 Sic: presumably the orig<strong>in</strong>al 'duorum vel trium' should have been deleted. Note <strong>in</strong> left<br />

marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Exper p 199, 214 229, 249. 252 260, 262, 274, 286 301 Ars Intellect & Pract p<br />

311'.<br />

71 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: 'a Elucid p. 236. Raymund. Codicill. p. 179 Aristot p. 234.'.<br />

72 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: 'b Raymund. Apertor. p. 186, 187,'.<br />

73 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Faber. Panchim. p. 718, 717, 670'.<br />

74 The whole of this paragraph is struck through with a cross. Deleted note <strong>in</strong> left<br />

marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Instructio de arbore solari'.<br />

75 Note <strong>in</strong> left marg<strong>in</strong>: 'Instructio de arbore solari p 184, 185, 186.<br />

76 Two letters concealed by the b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

77 Altered, probably from '&'.<br />

78 This and the follow<strong>in</strong>g paragraph are struck through with a cross.<br />

79 Sic: it appears the <strong>in</strong>sertion has been left <strong>in</strong>complete.<br />

80 Sic.<br />

81 Sic, presumably for 'excludes'.<br />

82 Sic, presumably for 'circulate'.


83 Someth<strong>in</strong>g has been spilled on the manuscript render<strong>in</strong>g the rest of this word wholly<br />

illegible: 'lucid' seems a plausible conjecture.<br />

84 Sic.<br />

85 Sic, presumably for 'moist'.<br />

86 Sic.<br />

87 Altered from 'est'.<br />

88 Short space left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

89 Sic.<br />

90 Sic.<br />

91 This is at the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of the l<strong>in</strong>e: it appears Newton had been go<strong>in</strong>g to start a new<br />

'Answer' and then decided to add the sentence beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g 'Noth<strong>in</strong>g is distilled' to Answer<br />

3.<br />

92 Sic, pesumably for 'yeast'.<br />

93 I.e. fæx ('dregs'), as Newton spells it a little further on.<br />

94 Space of about 25 characters left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

95 This probably read 'egg' orig<strong>in</strong>ally.<br />

96 Space of about 8 characters left blank <strong>in</strong> the manuscript.<br />

97 Sic, obviously for 'still'.<br />

98 It seems that one or more words have been omitted from this sentence.

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