ECHO PRIMA

OF MERCURIE AND SULPHUR

Dry water from the Philosophers Clouds! Look for it, and be sure to have it, for it is the key to inaccessibles, and those locks that otherwise would keep thee out. Chorus omnium.

It is a middle nature between fixt, and not fixt, and partakes of a Sulphur Azurine. Isaacus Flander, & Gymnosophiste apud Philostratum.

It is a Raw, Cooling, Feminine fire, and expects its Impregnation from a masculine, Solar Sulphur. Aristot. Arabs.

It is the only compleat Angell to the Infern, or Bottom of the earth, where all the Treasures are hid. Apollo apud Homerum in Hymno ad Mercurium.

All that are conversant in this Art, learn from Experience, and all good Authors, That the true matter and subject of this stone, has Gold and Silver in potentiality, and Argent vive naturally, or actually, Which Gold and Silver are much better than those men commonly see and handle, because these are alive and can increase; the other dead: And if this could not be effected, the matter would never be brought to this perfection, which this art promises, which is indeed so efficacious as to perfect Imperfect metals. But this same invisible Gold or Silver, which by this Magistery is exalted to so sublime a degree, cannot communicate its perfection to imperfect metals, without the help and service of vulgar Gold and Silver. Adeptus Aonymus apud Combachium.

The Sun and the Moon must be in Conjunction that they may absolve perfect generation. Arnoldus Villanovan in flore florum.

No corruption , that is, no mutation or passage of one form into another can be made, without the mediation of Putrefaction, (which is the sole mean and way to Generation) nor any putrefaction be had, without some Mercury, or Argent vive, which is the special delator, or conductor of the vegetant faculty, called by the Philosophers, The viridity of Nature.

Anonymi  Adepti -- Sal, umen, et Spiritus Universi. Minerals have their Roots in the Ayre, their Heads and Tops in the earth. Our Mercury is Aerial; look at it therefore in the Ayre, and in the Earth. Calid Aegyptius.

It is the potentiall vapor of metals. Aegidius de Vadis.

Our Stone is the conjunction of Sol and Luna, till Sol has drawne the substance of Luna to his nature and colour. Lullii Codicillus.

And this is done by the inward fire, or Sulphur of the stone. Idem ibidem.

Minerals made of living Mercury, and living Sulphur, are to be chosen: worke with them sweetly, not swiftly with precipitance. Dastinus.

The thing that works perfection in metals is the substance of Argent vive and Sulphur proportionall mixt, by long and temperate Decoction inspissate and fixt in a Wombe of clean earth; with conservation of his radicall not corrumpent humidity, wrought up to a solid substance, with due ignition fusible and under the hammer Extensible. Geber, de Investig: cap. 2.

Those that know the Mercury and Sulphur of the Philosophers: know that they are made of pure Gold and the finest Luna and Argent vive, which are dayly seen, and loot upon, from which our Argent vive is elicited. Berardus de Granpag. 1. Manuscr. Vetustiss.

Our Stone is the potentiall vapor of Metal; and how to get this, thou must be very carefull and wary. Aegidius de Vadis.

Our Water is a lustral, or expiating essence, and the cause efficient of the clarity of the whole body, and medicine. Two things it works in the earth: It washes it, it tinges it: As it washes, it is Water; as it tinges, it is Ayre. Ludus puerorum.

The ancients call'd our Argent vive Aqua Sicca, Dry water. Tauladan.

It is apparent, what that Argent vive is that Geber points at, in his Summa to be taken, namely, the Cleane substance of fixt Mercury, shut up in Sol and Luna. Idem.

Argent vive in its first root is compounded of white earth, subtile, and sulphureous strongly mingled with a bright and clear water, united with such an union, per minima, till the moyst be tempered with the drie, and the drie with the moyst equally into one Intimate substance, that will not rest on a plain Surface, nor adhere to the Tangent because of its Siccity, which has altered and cohabited the Aqueity in it. But it is homogeneous in its nature: for it either remains all in the fire, and fixt; or else, all flyes away in fume; because it is Incombsutible, and Aereal. And this is a signe of perfection. Richardus Anglicus Philosoph. Vetustus.

Mercurius crudus, Mercury crude, dissolves bodyes, and reduces them to their material prima: but the Mercurius corpurum the Mercurie of Bodyes cannot do it. Holcot Anglus.

The Mercury of the Philosophers is compounded of Mercury Crude and the Mercury of Bodyes, by an Union Intimate and Inseperable, as there is in Simple water mixt with Simple water. Libanius Gallus apud Trithemius.

By a Lucid Key he opened secret places, otherwise inaccessible, and within was great store of Silver and Gold. Mercuris Antiquoruum apud Homerum.

ECHO II

THE NAMES OF THE MATERIAL TO THE MAGICAL PRACTICE

When our materials are Amalgamated, that Amalgam, to conceale it from the unworthy, is call'd by Philosophers our Venus, our Gold, The earth of Magnesia, the whole Compound. Jodocus Greverius.

I tell thee that our Semen is the true Salamander, conceived by fire, nursed by fire, and perfected by fire. Idem.

The matter which we need to our worke is not the Hyle, or the Chaos, but the materia prima propinqua, The first matter in a propinquity, that is, the second; which in animals is Sperm, in vegetals Seed, in minerals Sulphur, and Argent vive. Ripleus Anglus, Sendivogius Polonus.

Sulphur perfectly clarified and dealbate, Philosophers call Their foliated Earth. Vogelius manuscriptus.

The work yet Crude is call'd our Argent vive, water permanent, Our Lead, our Argent vive, water permanent, Our Lead, Our Saturn, the spittle of Luna, our Jupiter. When better decocted, then it is Argent, then Magnesia, and white Sulphur. When it is Red, it's call'd Auripigment, Corall, Gold, Ferment, a Stone, a Lucid Water of celestiall colour. Adeptus Anonymus, Desiderabile &c.

Magnesia is That whole mixture from whence is drawn our humidity call'd Argent vive. Ludus puerorum.

The Dragon is the Sulphur that is Extracted from the Bodyes by the magistery. Nich. Flamellus Annot. In Democratum.

The liquor of Lunary, the vegetable mercury, the quintessence, and water Ardent, are all one thing. With our liquor of Lunary, known but to few, is our Solution made, and our potable Gold; but without it, not at all.Rosarium Philosoph.

Trouble not yourself about the diversity of names, and the regiment o the work; for if we would make Sol, we must take Sol, if Luna, Luna for our Ferment. Dastinus.

Our Black Materia dealbated is called the Terra Foliata, Ashes of Ashes, ferment of ferment, and white Sulphur enduring the fire: and yet without Ferment neither Sol nor Luna will come forth but from what that's as good as nothing. Lib. Durum verborum.

Our Stone in the beginning is called water; when the body is dissolved, Ayre, or Wind; when it tends to consolidation, then it is named Earth, and when it is perfect and fixt, it is called Fire. Dominus Vobiscum.

Argent Vive is called Wind, that is, Aereal Argent Vive, the strongest vinegar, poyson Tingent, Virgins Milk, Burning fire, burning worse than the fire of Hell. Incertus Author.

The Stone is called Adrop, that is Saturnus; because, as Saturn is the chiefest of the Planets; So our mercuriall Saturnine Stone, is the highest and most pretious of Stones. Saturninus.

Our compound is called by Philosophers White earth when it is white; and Red when it is Red. Scotus de Bufone.

When our limous earth is whitened, we call it Yharit, that is, Silver; and when it is made red we call it Temeinchum, that is, Gold: And it is whitenesse that tinges Venus and makes it Yharit, and that rednesse that tinges Yharit, and makes it Temeinchum, that is, Gold. Calid Egyptius, Philosophus nobilis.

Our matter is call'd the elementall Stone, because the four elements are extracted from it: The mineral Stone, because it is made only of minerals: The vegetable Stone, because it is nourisht and augmented, which are the properties of the vegetative Soul: The Animal Stone, because it is refresht with sweet odors, and corrupted with stinking.  Scotus de Bufone.

Our Stone is called Adrop, that is, Saturn. Speculum Arnaldi.

Our Stone after its putrefaction is called Magnesia, and in the putrefaction it is called Saturnus, Idem ibidem.

All the metals when they are prepared by Art, then they are call'd Sol, Luna, Mercurius, &c.  For before they were onely Gold, Silver, and Quicksilver. Marcilius Ficinus.

The Incombustible Grain of metals, is their radicall humidity, and is as a certain Seed of Sol, and Luna, which nature has inserted to them, that upon opportunity they may be Excocted to Sol and Luna by Nature in a long, by Art in a very short, Time. Vogelius.

Azot is a fift Essence, a body of itself Subsistent differing from all the Elements, and all the Elementals both in Matter and Form, Nature and Virtue, having nothing of the Corruptible: and it is called a fift Essence because it is Extracted from four, and has in it no Elemental motion, as other Elemental bodyes, Tinging and purifying, metallic bodyes by its Colour, and keeping from Corruption all other Bodyes that are joyn'd with it. Incertus Author.

Terra Alba, White Earth, White Sulphur, White Fume, Auripigment, Magnesia, and Ethel, signifie the same, in this Art. Tertia Synodus Pythagorica Manuscripta.

ECHO III

NO WAY BUT ONE TO THE SULPHUR OF NATURE

Nemo habet in Sulphure nisi Unum Iter. No road but one to find the quick Sulphur.

Thou needest but one thing, namely Water, and one operation, to wit Decoction, to White and Red, in one vessell, understand of one kind. Alphid Arabs.

Although the wise men have varied names and perplext their sayings, yet they allwayes would have us think but of One Thing, one Disposition, one Way, The wise men know this one thing; and, that is one, they have often proved. Morienus Eremita Hierosolymitanus.

In a multiplicity of things our art is not perfected. For it is one stone, one med'cine in which consists the whole magistery: to which we add nothing extraneous, nor take away any thing; but only, on our preparation that, that is superfluous. Idem Eremita.

White and Red proceed from The same Root without any other Kind intervenient. For it dissolves, and conjoins It selfe, makes it selfe Black and Citrine, white and red, espouses Itselfe, conceives, brings forth, and does all to the perfect end. Rhasis Arabs. Et Idem Haly.

If you Govern Our Brasse, Our Venus, with Our Water, then you shall find all that is said; otherwise, you do nothing. Turba Philosoph.

There is no way for the Rectifying of Bodies intirely and completely without our Tincture, which is a Clean Seed, and has upon it the blessing of multiplication from Heaven. Aurora.

Our water Gilded with Solar Sulphur is the Secret of the Aegyptians, Caldeans, Arabians, Persians, and Greeks. Hallelujah per Anonymum.

ECHO IV

THE NUMBER OF THE COMPONENTS OF THE MAGICAL STONE

Of Sol and Luna thou mayst make the perfect med'cin without Separation of the Elements, without labour, without fear, without danger; they need a long time, but they are safe. Isaacus Flander. Lib. 2. mineral.

The Ancients labour'd in the Amalgamation of Sol and Luna, which is indeed the most perfect worke, and the Care little. Idem ibidem.

Mercury alone perfects the works, in it we find all that we need, to it we adde nothing extraneous. Sol and Luna are not Extraneous to one another, because they in the beginning of the work are reduced into their first nature (that is, Mercury), therefore from It they took their beginning. Divus Thom: Aquinas, cap. 3.

Wherefore I counsel you my friends, that you work not on any one thing but Sol and Luna, reducing them into their first matter, that is, Our Sulphur and Argent vive. Lulli Codicillus.

Of Sol vulgar, & Luna vulgar, both Solute there is a preparation of mercury vulgar. Of those Three without any other Species, the Physic-Stone is generated, and of no other can it be made by the Wit of Nature. Incertus. Incipiens. Desiderabile.

The difference betwixt the Solar and the Lunar Tincture in This: This Solar contains Solar Sulphur; The Lunar, Lunar Sulphur. Albertus Magnus.

The Stone is one: Yet This one, is not one in Number, but in kind. Scala Philosoph.

Rebis is the first part of the work; Elixir the Second; Tincture the Third; and Medicin the fourth. Therefore it appears, That to Azoth Elixir is required, because Elixir in this work precedes Azoth; For from Elixir, Azoth is extracted. But Azoth is that which is extracted by our Mercury from the bodyes dissolved; and That is counted the Maturer. Desiderabile.

Elixir is no other then the body resolved into Mercurial Water, after which resolution Azoth is extracted out of it, that is, a Spirituous Animated Essence. Idem.

In one Thing for species, and Two Individuals It consists and is perfected, frst to White, then to Red, finally by increasing the fire. Petrus Valentiae.

In the first Regimen, set the Crude and pure Elements upon an Easie fire, that they may be mingled and joyn'd together; govern them so that they may be dessicate, or dried; and all will be black; from which blacknesse an Occult Whitenesse is drawn, & afterwards a Redness by decoction. And when it is in the perfect White, it is in Dust Impalpable. Zininus.

The Generation of metals and the Philosophers stone is to conjoin proper principles; videlicet Man with Woman, Active with Passive, Sulphur with mercury, that so Generation may ensue Corruption. Argent Vive is the Recipient of the Form, and Gold the very Philosophers Stone.  Saturninus.

The whole work consists in Sol, Luna, and Mercury. Tersim.

Gold and Silver are metals, out of which the Golden ad Silver Elixirs are made. Tauladan.

Tinge with Gold and Silver: because Gold gives the Golde; and Silver, the Silver Nature and Colour. Richardus Anglicus.

It is necessary that the Stone before it be made Elixir, be extracted from the nature of Two bodyes. Monachus.

The fire ought to be very soft, till the Spirit be separated from the Body, ascending into black clouds above the body: By a Spirit Crude, a spirit Digested is Extracted from the body dissolved. Idem.

Take the Stone Suspended upon the Sea, his name is Victor; with him slay the living, and enliven the slain; for in his power are Death, and Life. Incognitus qui incipit Exemplum Scientiae.

Our Mercury is drawn from the Calx of Metalls by putrefaction, till the Compound put off one nature, and put on another. And so by such Operations, is made the Mercury of the Philosophers. Jacobus de Sancto Saturnino.

ECHO V

THE OPERATIONS OF ART IN HER MINISTERY AND ATTENDANCE TO NATURE

Nature begins all her Actions from Separation. Mortification is the first step to Separation, and the only way to that End: for, as long as bodies remain in their old Origin, Separaton without putrefaction, or mortification, cannot reach them. Anonymous Adeptus.

Amalgama which is the first Work, is made with one of Sol, and four of Mercury. And this is the beginning of the Work the Philosophers have called by many names, Our Venus, Our Gold, The Earth of Magnesia, The whole Compound. Jodocus Greverius.

In the first Decoction, when thou art blacking, there will rise from the Earth a certain humidity of Argent vive like a Cloud, and will stick to the upper part of thy vacant Oval by its sides, which thou must let alone untoucht. Idem.

Blacknesse like that of the blackest Coal, is the Secret of True Dissolution. Raym. Lullius in Clavicula.

Turn thy clouds into raine to water thy Earth, and make it fruitful. This Reduction of clouds to raine, is called by some Cauda Draconis, the Dragons Taile: and others say, that new Mercury is to be added. Idem Greverius.

The bodyes are first to be Subtiliated by Disolution, which is the first Degree of the Work. And this Dissolution is nothing else, but that bodyes be return'd into Mercury and Sulphur from whence they took their Original. But no other body can be resolved into Mercury, but a Metallic, consisting of Mercury and Sulphur.

The Spirit of metals is part of Our Stone; and That we must evacuate from the bodys of metals: namely from the two perfect by putrefaction, division of Elements, and their fixation. Raym. Lullius.

When the matter Ascends by Wind, that is, by fume, the Philosophers call it Sublimation: when it is cast into the bottom of the vessel, and Converted into Water, they call it Solution, or Distillation: When the Earth is Inspissate, they say it is Corruption: and when it begins to change from black, they call it Ablution. Extraction of Water from the Earth, and turning it on the Earth again, till the earth putrefie, and be cleare again, is the Summe of our magistery. And when the Philosophers saw their Water diminished, and their Earth increased, they called it Ceration; Then, when all became Earth, they called their Work Congelation; and when White, Calcination. Monachus. ex manuscripto vetustiss.

Dissolution begets blacknesse, Reduction Whitenesse, Fixion Citrinity, Inceration Redness, Blackness is the Earth, Whiteness the Water, Citrinity the Ayre, Rednesse the fire. Anonymus.

Solution turnes the Stone into its Materia prima, that is, into Water: Ablution into Ayre: Conjunction into fire: Fixion into earth Spiritual and Tingent, Scala Philosoph.

Putrefaction is made by a most Gentle fire hot and moyst, and no other, so that nothing Ascend. Desponsation and Conception is made by a kind putridnesse in the bottom of the vessel. Rosarium.

Burn with Water, wash with Fire, Idem ibidem.

Labour not to make thy Mercury Diaphan that is, into a cleare, Transparent Water; for so it is too highly Inflamed, and Irrestrinctible and will never be fixt, never congealed. Aureola.

When we Dissolve, without any Intervall, we calcine, Sublime, Separate & Compound and between Solution, and Composition of the body and Spirit, there intervenes no space of Time. Alphid Arabs.

ECHO VI

THE WATERING OF PEGASUS AT HIS OWN FOUNTAIN; AND OF HIS OTHER FOOD OUT OF THE AYRE AND EARTH

With the Water of Paradise bedew the earth now clarified and that Water will again Ascend to heaven, and Descend againe to the Earth to make it fertile, and bring forth White, Citrine, and Flayme Red flowers. Isaac Flander.

Cibation is the Nutrition of our Materia Sicca with milk and meate, both moderately given, till it be brought to the third order. Ripleus Anglus.

Our Great business is to make the Body a spirit, and the Spirit a body. But it is True, That if the Summe of the volatile exceed and Subdue the Summe of the fixt, it will finally be turned into a Spiritual body White or Red. Rosarius Minor.

The Earth does not Germinate without frequent Irrigation, nor receive Irrigation without Dessication. Therefore at every Turn after desiccation pour Water on it temperately, neither too much, nor too little. If too much, it will be a Sea of Conturbation. If too little, all is burnt to a light Cinder. Daustricus.

Our divine Water, the Spume of Silver mingled with Magnesia, rids away the Darke Umbra of the body. Democritus Apud Flamellum.

The Dragon born in Darknesse, is fed with his owne Mercury, submerged in it and then a little dealbated by it.

Keep a soft fire, till there be patience between Water and Fire, and till the Spirit and Body become one. Monachus.

See that thou water it temperately: for if it abound, it will be a Sea; and if there want, a Combustion will be made. Desiderabile.

As in this work in its first Composition, nothing that is extraneous to its Nature enters: So neither does any thing Multiply it, that is not of its first Disposition. Trevisanus.

The magistery of the Philosophers does not need a Commistion of any extraneous thing; but out of the proper seed metallic cast into Philosophical earth prepared, it produces a Stone infinitely multiplicable, if it be nourisht with its own menstruum, or humor Connatural, and be excited by the heat of the Philosophers Sun from its Potentia into Act. Theobaldus Hoghelandus.

Take the quantity, know the weight of it, and add to it as much of the humidity as it can drink; of which humidity, we have not the pondus determinate. Calid Aegyptius.

The Time of every Imbibition to its Exsiccation is Twenty or Thirty natural dayes. Clangor Buccinae.

ECHO VII

IGNIS MAGORUM

THE PHILOSOPHERS FIRE

Our fire is Mineral, Equall, Continuall. It vapors not unless excited too much. It partakes of Sulphur. It is taken from some other Thing than the material, it breaks down all before it, Dissolves Congeales, and Calcines: That Fire, with a Fire Remisse, perfects the whole work, and makes all the right Sublimations. Pontanus uti et in Epistola.

The Fire against Nature must torment the bodyes, That is the Dragon burning violently, like fire of hel. Ripleus.

All along, the fire must be gentle till the Water be congealed in Whitenesse. A stronger heat given, the Mercury flyes the fire by reason of its Frigiditie. Therefore keep thy fire soft, till thou hast a white Congelation. Benedictus.

By a Temperate fire a little quantity of the Drie Dessicates the moyst, and this by little and little, and not suddainly. And by how much the Stone has more of the Ablution, so much the more Intense is the whitenesse. Scotus de Bufone.

The fire of the first Degree, that is of Solution, and Putrefaction, ought to be so weak, that Nothing Ascend of the nature to be Sublimed, and so a gentle fire gives Mercury Ingresse into the body, when with a strong one all is destroyed. Saturninus.

The heat Dealbant must not be too much, else all is gone. But understand this of the first White after Nutrition. Anonym.

Make thy Contritions with fire, not with thy hads. Argent vive is fierie, and burns the bodyes more then fire; whatever Metallic body is joined to it, it slayes it and brings it down to dust. Synodus Pythagorica.

Although we always speak of Slow-fire, yet in earnest we think, that in the Gvernment of the work, by little and little, and at Turnes, the fire to the End, is to be Augmented. Bacho. Spec. Alchym.

There are only Two fires found in the books of the Philosophers: The one dry, the other moyst: The Dry is the Elemental, The moyst is Mercury. Alanus Niger.

As oft as occasion shall require, heat and cool, moisten and dessicate thy Earth, and there is no Error. So oft as thy vessels are broke, thy matter must cool, to be reposed in a like vessel, and put again to the fire. Greverius Sacerdos.

ECHO VIII

THE PHILOSOPHERS VESSEL; THE CONE, OR OVAL, THE COLOURS OF THE CHAOS; TRANSIENT, AND CRITICAL

The vessel must be Glasse, and Round, with a long Neck, firmly Sealed on the Top, and is to be Enclosed with aother Vessel, that the heat not enter the matter immediately, and so the Digestion is in a Triple vessel. Liber Trium Verborum.

Put thy Amalgam carefully into a Glasse vessel of such a capacity, that thy Earth that is sown and harrowed, may take up only the Third part of it, the other two left vacant. Close up the orifice with the wisest Lute. Jodoc. Grever.

Set one halfe of the round of the Vessel into Ashes, the other be above, that thou mayst look at pleasure upon the work. Alanus.

The vessels are Glasse, wide below, terminating in an Acute, like the figure called a Cone. Vogelius.

Think not That the Philosophers lye when they say, The whole Magistery is perfected, in one only vessel: when thou hearest them say so, think presently of the Species of the vessel, not of the Individual, and thou hast found the Truth. Greverius.

We need but one Vessel, one Furnace, one Disposition; which is to be understood, After the preparation of the first Stone. Flamellus in Democritum.

Our vessel is a Glasse, firmely shut, round bellied, of a neck strict and long, half a foot, or thereabout. This vessel is called an Egge, a Sublimatory, a Sphear, a Sepulcher, a Cucurbit, &c. Laurentius ventura Italus.

Put thy matter into a glasse-vessel Round and strong, the Orifice strait, and sealed that it cannot expire the least fume. Scotus de Bufone.

THE COLOURS

When the matter has stood for the space of forty days in a moderate heat, there will begin to appear above, a blacknesse like to pitch, which is the Caput Corvi of the Philosophers, and the wise men's Mercury. Alanus.

Blacknesse once seen, thou mayst be sure a True Conjunction of the principles is made.

Before the clear Spendent colour comes, all the Colours in the world will appear and disappear: then thou shalt see an admirable whitenesse, that will seem to thee, the True whitenesse, and yet it is not so. Before the True whitenesse comes, thou shalt see all about in the margin of the Glass as it were Oriental pearls, in the matter of the Stone, glittering like the Eyes of fishes, and when thou seest the Matter white as Snow, and shining like oriental gemms, The white stone is then perfect. Let it cool of Itself. Isaacus Flander.

The Colours are only Three, the others that come are called the middle Colours, that vanish away: But the black, White, and Red are Eminent and lasting Scenes. Trithemius.

When in the work blacknesse appears, know that thou hast found the right way of working. Then rejoice, for God has given thee a very Great and pretious Gift. Phoenix.

In the hour of Conjunction wonderfull things present themselves apparent to us. For all the Colours that can be Imagined, appear in the work; and the Imperfect body is colour'd with a firm Coloration, by mediation of the Ferment. Arnaldus in Flore Florum.

ECHO IX

THE TIME TO PERFECT THE PHYSICK WORK

This work cannot be perfected in a little space of Time; therefore the Artist must be patient. Greverius.

The shortest Time of the preparation is the Circuit and Revolution of the Greater Luminary. For the Stone must be kept in the fire, till it cannot an more be changed from one nature to another, from one Colour to another, but become like the Reddest blood running like wax in the fire, and yet diminishing nothing at all. Laurentius Ventura, Italus.

We take a year for our Expectation; for our Calx, in lesse Time, cannot be made. Ripleus.

The Philosophers seeing a sort of whitenesse come, after a long Time, of the Colour of Ashes, called it Incineration, or Dealbation. Idem.

In purification there cannot be a determianted Time, but in ninety dayes the Red work is completed.

Variation of Times happens from the quantity of the med'cin, and according to the Industry of the Artist. Monach.

After the first fifty dayes, the caput Corvi shows itself; fromthence in an hundred and fifty the Dove is made; and in another hundred and fifty, the Red is wrought. Till you come up to whiteness, use a Gentle fire. Saturnius.

When it has stood under an Eclipse for five months, and the Darknesse recedes, the light supervening, Encrease your fire. Scala philos. Riplieus etiam.

The Time for perfection of Elixir is at least one year. Rosarius.

Be patient in extracting thy Tincture; for haste is the first Error of Art, and burns all. Anonymus.

In forty dayes and nights, after the True purification of the Stone, the work to White is compleat: because in the purification there cannot be a Set time; but in ninety dayes and nights, the work to the Red is perfected. Rosarium Vetustum.

The first Decoction has no certain Time and indeed is somewhat Tedious: yet waite upon it, and Expect it with joy. Many have perisht with haste and affected with Tediouslnes given over all. Phoenix Liber pretiosissimus.

ECHO X

THE FERMENTATION OF THE STONE

Ferment is made after the Ortus, or Birth of the Infant. And Ferment is nothing but meat Disposed to a Convertibility into the Essence of the Infant, that all may be made of one nature. This fermentation Cibal, ought to be de sua propria natura of the Infant's own nature, and assimilated to it; else there will be no Incorporation. No conversion into Sulphur. Lullius in Codicil.

Ferment must not be of this or that, but of Sol or Luna only: For we look for nothing but that the Stone be turned into his like and from them is the whole Temperament: nor is it Ferment before the Bodyes be turned into their first matter. Vogelius.

In fermentation see that the Summe of the volatile do not exceed the Summe of the fixt: otherwise the Sponsal Ligament of the body would be put to flight. But if a little of the Sulphur be cast upon much of the body, so that it has the dominion over it, it soon converts it into Dust; the Colour whereof is as the Colour of the body, one ounce of the Dust four of the Body. Anonymus Incipiens Desiderabile.

Know that there is no Ferment, but Sol & Luna. Arnaldus in Flore Florum.

Fermentation is the Animation of the Stone. Clangor.

Of the nature of both, and the mutation of their substance.

He that is able to turne the Soul to a Body, and the Body to a Soul, and mingle with it Subtile Spirits, is able to Tinge every Body. Calid Egyptius.

ECHO XI

THE MULTIPLICATION, AND PROJECTION OF THE TINCTURE

It is impossible to multiply the central salt without Gold, But the Sons of Art only know the True seed of Metalls. Novum lumen Chymicum.

Multiplication is either Virtual; Such as is made by Alteration, by Dissolving and Congealing; or Quantitative, by Apposition of new Matter. Scotus de Bufone.

The Quantitative is Nothing else but the Augmentation of the Tincture from one pondus ad infinitum: So that the Worke is never again to be begune, and this Without the Diminuation of its force. Incertus.

PROJECTION UPON METALLS

No Projection of the Red stone but upon Luna. Isaac Flander.

If thou wouldst make Projection upon Jupiter, melt it in a Crucible, and put to one pound of Jupiter one ounce of pure Luna, and melt them together; then cast on it thy White Tincture, and the Jupiter animation of the Stone. Clangor.

If Thou put to It but Little of Ferment thou shalt have but little Tincture. Dastinus.

When the stone is liquefied by Decoction. It must then be Coagulated, But this Coagulation is made with Ferment, or with its owne body, which is the same thing.

When the Anima Candida is perfectly risen, the Artist must joyn it, the same moment, with its body: For the Anima without its body cannot be held. But such a Union must be made by mediation of the Spirit: because the Anima cannot have life in the body nor perseverance in it, but by the Spirit: And such an Union and Conjunction is the end of the Work. The Soul must be joined with the First body whence it was, and with no other; which if thou dost not, thou shalt faile of thy purpose, as many Ignorants have done who knew not this Secret. Margarita Novella.

Spirits are fugitive, until such Time as bodyes are joined with them, and help them to fight against the fire: and yet those parts agree but little, unless with good Operation, and Continued labour: because the nature of the Anima is Tendent Upwards, where the Centre of the Anima is. And who is he of those that have tried, that was able to Conjoyne Two Things that are Diverse, whose Centers too are Divers? unless after the Conversion shall be transmuted into True Luna, less or more, according to the Spirituality of the stone? And if thou would'st Work with thy Red Stone, project it upon Luna Molten, and thou shalt finde the purest Sol.

Cast thy medicin upon thy Ferment, then it is frangible as Glasse. Take that frangible masse, and cast it upon metals first clear'd, and thou shalt have metal of proofe. Ripleus Anglus.

This Secret thou must not be Ignorant of, That our Red man, and his wife do not Tinge till they are Tinged. Evoaldus.

Would any man by the Physic Stone turn lead into Gold or Silver? Then he must first mingle with it the Substance of Lead, that both may become one Thing; In the same way he must proceed with Tin, and Copper, Idem.

ECHO XII

THE VIRTUES OF THE GREAT ELIXIR, OR ASTRAL MEDICINE

This Chymic-powder, whether you call it the Philosophers stone or susile Salt; Sulphur, Elixir, or potable Gold, has in it a wonderful power over the Three Dimensions of Nature, the Animal, Vegetal, and Mineral Kinds. Thus first on the Animal: Every Animal, brute, or man, it brings to Sanity from every disease within. Or without. All defections from natural Symmetry are reduced by it to Temperament, because there is in it a perfect Equation of Elements separate from their dregs, and all Sulphurous Adustions. On the Vegetal; It acts wonderfully by Exciting their Genital power in their seasons, or out of them, to a most florid vegetation. In the mineral; Every Imperfect metallic body, Lead, Tin, Copper, common Argent vive, it transformes to Silver, or Gold better then the natural in every probat. Pretious Stones too; the Emerald, the Carbuncle, the Anthrax, or Rubie, Chrysoprase, Adamant, Chrysolite, and many others, are made by it. Rob. Vallensis.

By long Inquisition, Labour, and certain Experience, we have found one medicin, by which, that which is hard may be made soft, and that which is soft may be made hard, that which is fugitive be fixt, that which is foul and dark, be Illustrated with a wonderfull splendor. Geber Arabs.

Wrincles of the face, every litura or spot, gray haires, to takes away, and keeps us in perpetual youth, and cheerfulness. Clangor.

The Crystallin Lamen cures the most Diseases; the Red Elixir all; makes a man grow young like the Eagle, and has produced the lives of some to above five hundred years. Geber.

Arteph the Jew when he wrote his book, affirmes he had lived a thousand and five and twenty years. Rogerius Bacho, de Artis mirabili potestate.

By its Ethereal, humid, oleous fire, it gives us youth; by its Tincture, it transforms the Imperfect, to the perfect Mines; makes various sorts of pretious stones, with the most pretious malleable Glasse. Charta Sacerdotum, et Chorus Omnicum.

ECHO XIII

THE WAY TO ATTAIN TO THIS SACRED SCIENCE

Fear God, you that look after this Sacred Skill: For that which you seek is not a small Thing, but the Treasure of Treasures, the Gift of God, most Excellent, and Admirable. Bacaser in Synod. Pythag.

He that is Idle and negligent in the Reading of books, shall never be prompt in the preparation of Things: for one book opens another, one speech explicates another; and that which in one is Incompleat, in another is completed. And how can he that refuses the Theorie apply himselfe to the regular practice? Arnaldus in Rosario.

Follow it with the Instance of labour, but first exercise thyself in a diuturnity of Intense Imagination: for so thou mayst find the compleat Elixir; but without that, never at all. Idem. Lib. 2 Rosar.

Serious Study (our Doctors say) removes Ignorance, and brings the human Intellect up to the knowledge of Every Thing. Richardus Anglicus.

Think not to find out our profound sense by the sound of the letter: for he that takes the sound of the words, and has not the hidden sense too, shall lose his Labour, and his Cost. Aurora.

If thou canst Resolve even the least of our Sayings, the Greatest cannot be hid from thee. Aurora Consurgens prolog.

All wisdome is from God, and was always with him from eternity. Whosoever therefore loves wisdome, let him seek it, and begge it from him: for he is the Altitude and profundity of all Science, the Treasure of all wisedome; because from him, in him, and by him all things are, and without his will nothing can be: To whom be glory for evermore. Albertus Magnus de Alchymia.

It is impossible that This should be beknown unless it be known from God, or form a master. Rosarium Philosoph.

The Artist must be prudent, and of a witt naturally subtile, & profound, and excellent in the Ability to Judge. He must be learned likewise; that what his wit reaches not to, that may be supplied by his learning: For whosoever aspires to this Science, and is not a philosopher, is a fool. He must be Industrious, Laborious, and of a Constant mind; not precipitant; but very patient: For all hastiness (saies our Geber) is from the Devill. He must be at his owne election, and free; not held by other businesses and cares.

He must have enough money for his practice, and books enough for his study. Theobald Hogheland.

And above all he must be jealous over the Secret, and keep it severely to himselfe. Idem Hogheland.

I adjure thee bythe living God, whosoever thou art that hast this book in thy hands, that thou offer it not to any of the Unworthy; such as are Fools, Tyrants, Opressors, Covetous, Proud persons, Adulterers, oft Amorato's or such whose belly is their God. Place thy hope in the Lord God, work in his feare to the good of man, expecting the blessing from above. Jodoc: Grever. initio Lib.

Thou who hast this book, hide it in the bosome, discover it to none, offer it not to Impious hands: for it fully containes in it, the very Secretum Secretorum of the Philosophers. Such a pretious Jewel as This, is not to be cast before Swine. Therefore thou that hast the book, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, that deservedly thou mayst be said to be, and be, of the Number of the Ancient Magi. Arnaldus in Rosario, lib. 2, cap. 32.

FINIS.