Author: Basil Valentine Year: 1665 Archive ID: lastvvilltestame00basi --- Page 1 --- .r '5> X th --- Page 3 --- THE LAST vVI LL AND TESTAMENT OF Bafif Valentine, Monke of the Order of St. B E N N E T, which being alone, He- bid under a Tab^c of Marble, behifid the Hi^h-AItar of the Cathtdral Ghurch, in the Imperial Gity of Erford: leaving it thereto be found by liiai, whom Gods Providence fhould make worthy of it. To which is added The Firfl declaring his Manual Operations* The. Second (hewing things Natural and SttJcrna^ "tural. Neve? before Publiihed in EngUfi» LONVCfN, Printed hyS.G.nnd B,gAot Edirard Brer^fleri and ate to be fold cU the fign of the Cra/zc --- Page 5 --- To the Readen IF wc TcRcdt on former Agcs,and confider hoV few there were of fucli that employed them* CcWcs in the fcruciny of the fccret Arcamtms > of Nature^ and how deftitute the Philuro* phers of thofe times were of thofe hcipes and ad-^ Vintages that conduce to the right undcrftanding of fnch Mi fieri es which we enjoy. ThiiHermcs the Prince of Philofophers Icemed to be alone,and the only Invciitoiir of this moil excellent Art. Crvmerui tht Abbot, and our Country-man, after thirty years lludy, and cxpenlive pradife and labour, was compelled to feek in Italy far a Mailer^ Flamell the Lnmian did partake of the fame hard Fortune, togctlier with many other of the Ancients. Our Author B.ifilm confelTeth that he (hould never have attained unto the knowledge of this Art, if by Gods fpecial grace Ibme Books of the Ancient Maftcrs had not come into his hands; Have we not then caufc to blels God that we are in fuch an Age, and in fuch a Nation al fo wherein we nnay convcrfe with many, both Ancient and Modern Philoibph.rs, fuch vvhote works do fpeak them to be Servants to the Molt High, beloved of him, and acquainted with the moltoctult and fetret Myjicrkf atid Arcanumsdi Nutur'e^ that having toiled and fpent much ot their precious time in frturlefs labours, to prevent the like in their (iicceflb'.ir^s \u\x diicovued, and i$ it- wcxq chalkA 2 --- Page 6 --- To the Readerl cd out the'way ( fo far as was lawful for them tc ^o ) how the Ingenious may attain to the tru under ftanding of this Noble Art : Such is our B t/z/i;rf, who from his infancy was dedicated to the fervice of God ? .and did fo well improve thofe fpi ritual aiid natural Talents he was entruiied withal, that there was not any thing he at^ tempted the knowledge of, that was concealed f;om him. Of fo charitable and liberal a fpirit was he of, that he became ufeful and helpful^ liis Brethren, not cnly in curing their Maladies, but intruding them in the knowleigeof Natures fecrets Alfo he could not go to his eternal reft in peace, unlcfs he imparted unto polkrity the means and wayes how he attained unto lo great Mifteries. Wllich Mifierics, and the feveral proceftes and ways of Operation you will hnd in this llibfcquent Trcatife, being the moft principal, excellent, and plain of all his works ^ and I may juftly fay, of all the Books that are extant on this ILbje^. It is one of the grcateii unhappinclles that doth accompany Mankind, that there isfuch zBaheil ot Languages, that every Language is not undcrliood in every place, this alone prevents the difcovery and growth of many profound Mi'- rteries,'how ignorant were our predecelfors of the work* of Bafillui^ becaufe they were wr^pt up for the moft part in the German Language, very little thereof being in Latiuc^ until ot late years this part was^one into Englijh-, as it is prefumed i by one that uiflerftood not the terms of the^rf, by the many grofsmiliakes committed, as the rendring Vitrum Antimonii-, the Vitr^sl of Antimony^ andmany other, fothat out of the Love I heart the Author, .;.n4 to the piopagaung io ingeniou --- Page 7 --- 1 4) the RcadcrJ 5!*7Qn(l true an Art and Science, I have Correded , ^ great part ot' the fbrmerTranllation, and d^ novo Tranilatcd the reft, that was fo impcrfedly done that it would not admit of amendment, more is alfu added unto it, that was not in the tormcr, the meannelTe and plainnefsof theftile, pleadeth for it felt, that the fubjedl is Left undcrllood in that drefs, and that the Author did aftcd it, being pleantifully endowed with that grace of humility, aftedrlng things more than words, as appears throughout his writings. Read him dili- , gently and often, for the ofner you read him, the plainer doth his works appear, it being ufual with the beft of Authors in this Art, to difcover the iecret Arcanum f moli plainly, yet £o dirperfcdly,and . in fo confufed a Method, that the envious and unworthy (hall never be able to reduce them into their due order> therefore often reiterate the reading of this Book, and compare his iayings with tlie fayiilgs of other Philofophers, and if thou art adcptcd unto this ficrcd Science^ thou wilt moii . ealily apprehend the Manual Operation thereof, I need fay no more concerning oiir Author^ if you read his works, they will fufficiently tclti/ie his worth. I heartily wilh every one of you, if adepted thereunto, as much contentment and plea- ' fure in the reading and operating the fcveral . works herein mentioned and difcovcr^d by our Author^ as himfclf had in the vyriiing and experimenting them. And that your labours and expences may be crowned with equal fuccefs, fo that you as devoutly and hunibly undertake the flnterprlfe, as he did, and make fo good an vife of what Divine Providence (hall permit you to partake'©!, • as ci^ Author did. Which that your number --- Page 8 --- To the Rcaaer. may incrcsrfc to the improvement of tnic K.no^«. ledge and Philofophy, to the advancement ot the Medicinal Science, for the health of Mankind,and to the multiplying of riches in your hand, or in the hands of fuch that may be helpful to the poor and needy, is the daily prayer cf, J.W. TRI; --- Page 9 --- THE P R E F ^A IC E AND; E N T R A N q.„£ U N TO B A S 1 L I U S VaLENTINUS) ? Hiskft" TESTAKiEHt* W HcftJS thu time U , cSie^that by the go^d ^ pleafure df' Alrnighty Gb'd my Creator^ and his dearly beloved Son Jefus Chriii , m^ Labnratfjryin ibis Qorrupihle JVortd draiveth to ^an ind-t and am to' approach from this earthly hahoratoty u?tt3 the heavenly^ and atn creeping daily and hourly nearer to the end^ and am to cl)/e accords ing to the appjvited time of my dear Sjviojtr^ aiming it the true Manna , or heavenly fud (f Etcrnat '^lifit fighing c mtinnally after the enjoying of fitch icbc^ 5 which bjve\i fnlmfs o^ x^^rlajiing fys i --- Page 10 --- ThePrcfcKc. I th liigU tt wy duty in corifcicHce^ to he reconciled if^ ( ^jiiChtijirmwiyHo my fiUovp Mcmhe>'Sihjt arc aliv^ I a t thd "_ frcferit , andnith thofc^ whlcy ^re in fUcccedm | finitn agcs^-fothat my Soul may he at rc% patiently naiting for the Lords call-^ And to become anlinhahi" , taut of that heavenly taradife^ and to be matricutl^cd info the book^ of lifc^ and ftand in re^dinefs day 'tthd nightto look^fir my Lords comings At the conrfideratim hereof I call to miud my rsrritings^ rchich I fct dorian to paper-, as otha' ancient Fhilofiphers have dnnehefaremi^ pnhlif^nngall fuch myli cries of na-' ii&e-t rvh^rcby jrtlflsy, and fuch thft bear an affem^n and^ love unto frich mylHcal truths may be benefited^ arid the fame I lovingly and readily leave to them^ as much as the highfji Spagyrick^-) arid heaven^ ly Fhyfician hath granted and revealed unto me > hlytonfcience fitrthtrhiith pycffedmt^intbe purfuan c of a ChrijiJan live^ and performance cf my propiife^di^ated by nature^ to mike a larger relation^ beceaufe it is a thing mett and necejjary to fct forth the l^anu.ilf which arebtloivzin^ hexe^XQito^ aud ought to he 'idefcribcd eifcntjlantially^ to 'inform the judge- • vteiit of fuch men addi&ed hereunto to the full-, naniciyhi}r:> natures bolts ^ rvhichfhe feieral i^ays thrujied juTiifard^ to losk^ ftrongly her fecrets^are to he thrujhd hac\ i ; ^^^^^ ^^-'^ ^^o>'J" of worldly "freifurcs might be Hnl'CK^-i thai the k^ioivlcdge of tranfctndent myficries rj.zyte attained unto & upon ferious continued praypi^^mto the Creat.r^mens'judgement and underjiandin^jn'c'hi ib ' more he eg^d on* . I .;r> i^?Kp-Hi upon either by foroe or indigency^, nor / 3 .; "-:in^^.!x:y^rfelf-^nd t'>jet djtvn any letter^ and {^ ji'.ft'c./f tj ; [ikrity \ onty a meer confideration of 4^CJ>W-i^ty -^*^d cf the iiiifrablcne^ of tlU ivsrld^vi^hcre i^cXihildren of darknejl ure alrmfi .n', hfthrmfedmetddAfi'' I amn^i able to exprc'fi hich intend to he reaJydnd confcionable in their Me-- dieamentSy 'may aid and cure their opprejfcd fcllotp Chrifiians-^ and to fcarch and inquire intofuch things^ which Godfor fuch purpofes hath ordained-^ and iru'^ flantedthem into nature. 'this prefcnt buok^ ofmine dcfcrves to be called [A bght unto djr\ncfs\ fir other things^ which in my former n>ritings I have difimrfcd of by tray of para^ hlesy Ti?hich ftile Imade ufe of the rather^ becaufe it if froper to Philifophers^ are declared in this my laji in" formation-i where Ideal in plain and clear jvordsy dffcribingy and naming tU matter openly^ Jhemng ithe preparations from the beginning-^to the middle and ind-i demon\irating-,and fating befire the eyes of men the matter in general and particular, C';^^w/z>^, and.. jufiifying the truth thereof^ and making a dlfiin&ion hetv^ixt tbegrmnd and no ground^ in fo plain termSy\ that the very Children miy undcrfiand-^ and feci i^ wpith their hands^And becaufe this beok^ajfii^dctk ano-t --- Page 13 --- The Preface. fher h^owlcdge-i diffmtjg from others of my nnriiwf^ trhcrein I have not vpritUn fi ohfcurcly^ normtde I ^fi (^ffttchfuhtihies^ai the a>icmtts did^rrho lived hefore mc and ended their djys happily^ therefore dnth it require another place aJJi to be laid up in^ and kept fecret from the perverfnefs of men in the xrorld* J do not defire it fhould be buried with wc, to be a prcy^ andfoodfor JVorms^ but it (hall be left above grottttfi, dnd }rept ferret from wicked tnen^ and my purpnfe y^ that it Jhall be laid into afecret place^ where nnne JJiallcome near it^ but hcyforrrhom God hath ordain-* ed another voritings ofmine jhallfoonerfee thepublick^ light* But k^otp thou^wb^evet thru art^ into, whofe hand this my la(i tejlament eomes^wJtich contains the 'Ee^ Velation ofheavenly and earthly wy1eries^itrt?ill happen to thee hy a divine providence-, to n>hofc cuflod^ of. my devotion then perfrm^dy I committed it^ dep'ftting ., the Jame into that fccret place together vrith other things-i not infcreed upon any grounds of necejfitiesy or jiraightnefjes^ to leave it there^ onlyfor him.,Tvhom God^s goodnefs Jl^all appoint to find it. For it is not good forme to lit God^s creatures andmytlcry^ wlnck . 4fe too ahftrufe already^ and ftept from the light intd dtrk^efs.^ by reafon of the malicious perverfencfs of the mcksd world to dye with me^ as-enviou/s men art wont to do with gifts., they are entriifiedrvithal j but tven leave a gUmpfe of truth and of the clear heaven^ thinking befitting to dtfcharge my confciencc inputting forth the talent to ufary^ let the will of the Lord be done in him., whom he dcemeth to he worthy ofit<, ifH» fphofe care and diligence I commit it from henceforth sndfor everf For I 4 Cloyjhr-man^ and an unworthy Servant of the Divine infinite trinity confcfs^ attd ' ^^k^oTphdge., that I fljculd never have cmt Jo far in my --- Page 14 --- The Preface. ^^y k^flrvkd^e of thefe endkfs niy!lcrksy in the Am'* h^y of jf.ttfi^al thim/-,in the nidinrathn^& cban'Ang their qu tVitkr , f>r ^ ft^e <^nd ftrongi Hphnld'in-7 of this profound k^nnvkd-fT^e, of the true McdiH/ie-y according to tMff Ordinance (r^hirchy I am ready to do good to ^U and every nne^rvhich d(fireth my help herein) Tvbich af Thttve dme hithertn^ fo my dcfire k that God would enable me todrt the fame to the laji of 'my breathings I fay I fhould never have attained unto it^if hyGodf fiecial good/uf^^ g/^-^^ ^^i mercy^ feverat hooks had mi come into my hands-, r^ritten (f ancient Majkrs > vphicb departed thif. life a long time before me^ cauftng great jny ti me, ftirring up in me a return of he-^rty thanks tri Cody who fo gracioufly rv/K pleifed in his providence to hcitow them on me. in the Chyjicr kfore any of my FcdorpSf fidi Jpeak^ it rvithout any vain-glory^ I hawe done fomuch good thereby to my fellnm^'Chrifiians^ as ever rpof pojnhle pr me to do^ which next to God , re-* turned thanks for it , even to the end of my days* . ' ' Norv ri>hereM I can be Sten^ard no longsf , I have d/ne acording a^ my abilities rpouldgive leave : Jet others alf) be indkfiriom^ and mt defective in their SteivardfJjip^ I return mine into the faithful bands of God Almightyy and dcln leaving them to hU difpfng^ to beJioj» them after my death unto him^ vchom hk Divine rvill fh^ll chufe thereunto^ to be for the k^torpledge of hit fraiJc-1^or:byname y the good and help of fuch, that jtand in want of fteccjfaries and'heahhy for the atf)iding and punning of all worldly pmipe^ prides jpantonnefs -i luxury^ rajhmfs^ pleajun^ ca-?^ yitOH^nefSj^ --- Page 15 --- . The Pfef^GC. ^ctoHfucfiy ' and ^ightfulnefr^ or cOnUmp of or LcrrdGod Almighty^ nmciful Gracious Fa^htt rf thine only begotten Son Jciiis Chrili , who art only the Lord of Sabaoth, the frinci^le of all things that are m.idc by thyWoxdy and definite eyid ^f all Creatures above and bdorv V I fm\m'if&abk Map^ and Earth-rporm , retHrn th^nkj with my bahling tongue from the inncrmfi Center of my hurt-y »/jj? bs{iheen pkjjcd to enlighten me with the great light of thy heavenly and earthly nrifdome^ and the greatest mylhries of the created fecrecies and treajures of thU IForld^ together with thy Divine fai'ing word^ by Tchich I learn to knovp thine Ahriighty pntr and wonders* 'to thee belongs eternalfraife-i kmour^and . gl(^y , from eternity unto eternity , that thou haji kefiowed on we health and lively hood^ flreyigth^ and abilityi ta kehelfftl to myfillovt^ Chrhlians in their nccejjjties and infliiled infnnities with thofe myfiical healing Medkines^ together with fuch f^iritual comforts^ ti raifi the drooping Jpirits^ Lord-, tothet alone belongs fower^ might ^ and glory., to thee ^ the praifcy honour-, and gratcfulncH, fur all the mtt-^ cies and graces thou haji bejiowed on\we^ andhajl frcferved me therein till to tlm my gr&at age-, an4 lowefi weaJ^efi* 0\ th ni God of all graces., and far^ fher of aUcomfortjybe not au^yi^i^hme-, that I 4^" liver up tc thee-, mine eternal Creatory the Keys % ftty Sttwardjhip-, wrapt np in this Fcrgamene-, aca^ding to the duty my calling andconfcience calls for'; ^ii" thefe thou fnffer'^jh me to kecp-houfe the moji ofmy time^til'l now-,thou haft calUdyand forcfen me to be thy fervant and Steward-, and haft gracietffly afforded^ that I Jhould enjoy the n.ble fweet frnits-^which were gathered in thy Almmary to my loft injiant end^ j^hich' --- Page 16 --- The Preface. l^hlch « 7»?„0 Lord^Ikth in thy power^ I hjfeech thei for the dear merits of Jcfus Chrift, come nojVy whefi thou fleafeji^ inclofe my hearty receive my Soul infi fhy heavenly 'throne of gracc^ let her he recommend-^ ed unto thee gracioujly^ thou faithful God^ vphd haji redeemed her on the holy Crop with the moji pre^ ciom linUnre of the true bloudofthy holy body : therk y my life well ended on^hi4 earthy grant to the body aquietrcfiy tiH at the liji djy^ body and foul joyti ^gain^ and are of a heavenly co^ipojluon : fir now my onlydcftre is th he dijfolvcd^ and to be with my Lord Chriily Ihe which thou Almiqjny-, Uoly^ and fie-avenly trinity grant to me-y andaU goodChrifiUiri hilievers. Amen. "that I may come to the work^ intendedy and mal^ ji beginning (f tht wirk^in handy if God be pkafed t'h Utthu book^ come tfi thy handsy before dU things un'^ ijpfjsntly you return hearty^and unfeigned thank/for p:v in the next place I bcfeech him to beftow on thee dlfi grace and blcjjingy a healthful bodyy fucccfi. fultyto accompli(h all the points fet dott?n herey which itnd t) the well-fare and beneft of thy Neighboury 'and to prepare them according to the Manualsy whicB p t^at endl fetdowHy and prcfribe themy that you ^ly hjppily andfuccesfuVy begin the wor)i^y that the middle and end be correjpondent thereunto^ 'then be ntft flap-tongu'd^ and refive abflutely in thy hearty no\ to ehtruji with thofe myjicrics any maliciouSy ungrjttful y and falfe fncny much lefs fhoUldfi thou make them p^rtak^rs thereof: for if Almighty God jvjtild bejioiv it on otherSy he [cmldd^ it immediately^ Mnd grant the fame by other means and ways withi>ut thee* therefore look^ to ity tempt not the Lord thy Gidy fur he will mk be moclCd. Be fiknt andre^ fttyingM meditmngon Gods punijhmnti jffhich m mm --- Page 17 --- the tfcface. ntanii able to out-runsk^ef a gved inUntim i kt no^ your gnedy mindrftn ott-^ hon^ycu may get ahundand ofGold and Silvtr riches^ and vanity^ hut before aU things^ which are mitten herein^ let that be your cheifejl aim^ horn y>n may appear helpful in rpord and deed to promote the health ofthy Neighbonr Chri" jiiaH : 'then have you "given-tdnd hronghf an offering jof thanks-} and God n>ill hefion> more upon thee-, and ppith fuch'Kevelations will come to ihee^ more than ever you roould have believed* • ' therefore inftead of a pcrfeii Phyficli^ book^^ I have annexed at the endthofc precioui Medicines v with Tpinch even to this hourJ: have cured fuccesfuty many difficult Symptnmes.i and difeafes^ held by others to ht incurable: which I recommend linto thee with the refl of the things contained in thefe writings.^ to thy confcicnce to he wary^ and not to abufe any of them^ as much or thy life and Smlis near and dear unto thee* ' If thou receive^ thUr faithful admonition and warnings which I give- unto thee here and there ai. the beginnings middle^and end, and in other placed alfoj and djcfi accordingly -i then thou canji not beto» thankful for thefe things^ which through Gods per^ miffian fhall be intimated and made known to thee out if this book; Butincaji thru ifpiltftrive againfl my faithful wparmng and fatherly admonition^ thefe myfieriesi n?hich were hid from the Icarned^and thou fufferji tg €ome into ftrange hands I look^ to thy fclf blame not me^ think, ntt that there is any reconMation for thee-, being out off ffom all thofe^ which liu: and dit inChriji. *thHS I let it refl , committing execution to the tiighefl-y which dwelktb in Heaven-, who punifheth fnd 0vptg^^ ^ mnner of fin ^ vices^ iniq^ties, md --- Page 18 --- The I^eface. ccjfjry thuT to defcnhe thif niy Declaration before my othir lyrltings ^ and to prove ihe fame vp'tth examr' fks^ that every one^ wh^m God Jh all judge to he rpor" thy of may conceive^ underliartd^ and ftthom thttrtic begimuHgy the true middle-^ and the true end of all created things• 'thereupon I furpfed to ma\e a he- ' ginning cf it with a ncceffary relation of the Originaly beginnings and exijiency of Minerals andMetalsj fr-m which ar'iftth this mijl noble and -precious Medicine ^ [rvbcreby is procured a healthful long Ufe^ and abundance of riches are obtained: Name* ly from ivhencc Minerals dnd Mctals have thcir ori" . ginal^ how they be brought to light-, that fcdrcherj into Natural things mayk^ow the whole NHnrt m her circumference^ before ever they lay hand to the ^ork^.y and acquaint thcmfclves weiltheremih : then, fiillthconeivlll flnam and ruH forth the other'iont Art will produce the other \.at Iaft ^lI what is fought for^ will be overtaken in joy^ and that which batkbetn Imfdfor^ -will happily be enpycd* y I'his my baok^I divide int^ five parts-iekkofthem is Jubdkiidcd i^to certain Chapters and Farts. As for the ftHe lifedherc^ it ought not to bej:xpe&ed tj be* any other than is met for a Miner^ after the conditio^ vf Mine-werks^wavth^ all Rhetorick,i- andfrnical mamcr of eloquent expreftons, h ^ It the firft part ofmy intended work^I willdefhri!?e chiefly the manner-, nature, a?id properties ef Mi'ne^ mirks, in which gr^of Minerals and MetalSyofthe firft Jperm, nativity, quality, and propertyy asalfi cf $k exhalation attd inhalations It --- Page 19 --- The Preface* II. *ih:feeondfart fhall be a kjndof recspltalathnof the fkii partJ n^herefljdl be contained alfoarcUthn ofthe condition and ocsafion of Mims^ Oars^ Stones^ pajfages andCkfts^mth their coherent liquors-^porpers and efcrations^ ^ ofGold^ Silver^ Copper^ Iron^ Ttn^ LeadyMercury-, and the refi of Minerals III. In the thirdpart is declared in manifeft^and literal exprejjims voithout any defe^ and obfcurity-ithe Univerfal of this vphole xporld^ hevp allfhilofophersht^ fore me^ with me^ and after me^ have made that moft ancient great fione^ whereby health and riches were obtained^ ofthepoffibility,^ hoW',andofryhatitmaybe done-itogetber with a perfi^ Declaration oj my XIL Keys^ with the names of our matter, IV. In the fonrth part I defcribe all the particulars of Metals^ which the one is endued with^ before the other^ out of which may be had perfe^ healthy and an advantage unto the getting ofgreat riches^with all the Manuals in general and particular^ belonging there\ tfntp : this fourth part I have intituled^ the Manuals c/Bafilius Valcntinus, wherein isftpewedhorv all ^£etals and Minerals^ fitting tberamto^ may be brought t6 their highd} prepa 'a-ion^ Ti --- Page 20 --- The Preface. V. ' Ih the pftb pjrt 1have annexed the tranfcendcnt^ moji dear wonderful Medicine of all Metals and Minerals^ and of other things^ which God Almighty had ordainedy and gracioufly granted for men^ n?ho in the Valley of mifery are fubje^ to fick^ejfes and poverty-, that they tjry have a remedy to help tkmfclves againft hoih' God the Father of mercy and falvatinn^ who liveth from eternity to eternity^ being ahove all the Creatures^ grant ^ace and hlcffing to this my fur- ^ofe-i that I may write fo^ that every one may underfiand^and Gods infinite mercyy& that it together with bis graciom goodnefs^redcmption mayfeem k^own-^ac' k^owledged^and continually meditated upon-^and every one may call en the Great Crcatour day and night > ^mixing t'> them fervc nt hearts fo to dire^ all their thoughts^ that they may make no otherwife of this no-, hie Creature ofGod and tranfcendent great myftery of Natxre^ together with theAnatomy thereof but only to the great honour of God^ and the good of all good Children* 'the fame grant this Father Son and Holy Gbofi in his mercy^ PiXncn . Ti --- Page 21 --- TABLE. the Cdtttents of the firfl fart of the hool^ THe firft Chapter treatethof the acthtnal liquor o^ Metals..^ p2g«i' The 2. Chap.trcateth of the fe€d of Metals P^^«4* 3-. Of Metalline nutriment 7 4. Ofthe (hop, or officine of Metals i o 5. Oftheegrelficnandingrellion of Metals 13 6. Ofthediffolution and redudionofxMetals 16 y. Of the afcenfion and dcfcenhon of Metals 19 8. Of the refpiriwg Metal, or quick Oar 2 x 9, Of the expiring, or dying Metal 24 I c . Ofpure and fine Metal 2 7 1 1 . Of the impure Metal 3 b i2.0f thcperfedMetal .33 i^.Of theimperfd(^Mctal ^6 1 4^ Of the Soap Metal 3 9 : <; » Of the inhalation, of inbreatliirg 41 £. Of the exhalation and out breatliings ^3 7. Of<:orurcation, adhalation, or glittering 45 Si O^ folium and jf>o/z«w,(him*mcr and glowet 47 9, Of the ful i ginous, vapours a-nd aihes 4 8 0. Of the Metalline water, or lie ' 50 1 Of the (ctd^ and o f the hull of th^ feed 5 7 2. Of the dikiing, or hrc rod 5^ b 2 Chip. 2 3. Of --- Page 22 --- A T A B L E. ^hap. 23. Of the glowing rod P^g«5^ 24. Ofthe leaping rod 5S (i<, Oi the fuYcilla^ orftriking rod 59 2 6 . Of the trembling rod 6 2 2 7. Of the falling, or nether rod 6 3 28. Ofthe fuperior rod 6$ 2 9. Of rcfting vapours, or fedimcnts 6S 3 c. Ofthe weather fait C^ 3 1. Of the ftone fait 70 3 2 • Ofthe Subterranean Pools 7 3 3. Of the Metalline Gold, or of the Metalline bed 72 34. of Metalfine ftreams 7^ 3 5« Of Chalk, or ftone Meal 74 35.0iLtheblaft 75 3 7. Of the brittle fluff 77 38. Of the blank fire 78 3^. Of the Mine glue 80 ^o. Ofcorroding Huff to eat ftoncs thorow 8 1 \ 41. Of having nnaterials ufcd for a flcdd , or dray 82 42. Ofthe frofl: in the Mine-works 84. 43. Of the flaming fire 85 44. Of the roafting fire S5-- 45. Ofthe corroding fire 86 46. Ofthe glowing hrc 87 47. Of the Lamp hrc SS 48.^0fthe cold fire 89 ' 4 9 7t) f the warm fire ^ ® 7hc Contents of the fecJJtd fart. ;. Chap./^F Mines sndCrius, what the middle \^ works oi Oars are F^^'93 r. Ofthe eencral operations of fcveral Metals 9 --- Page 23 --- A TABLE, 3 Of ftoncs, rocks, flints of Gold', and their ftrikingcourfes . pag.97 4. Of the oar of filvcr, and its running, or ftriking palTages 9^ 5. Of Copper oar, its fronc, and ftriki'ng pa'& fage . lox 5, OfIron oar, its ftocks,floats, fallings and llriking pafTages 1 06 7, OfLead oar, its mine, and ftriking paflagc no S. Of Tin oar, its itocks, floats, fallings and Itriking paflages ' 1 14 p. Of Mercurial oar, and its pafTages 117 ic. Of Wifmuth, Antimony, Sulphur, Salt, Salpcter and Talk i iS 1 1« Of a comparifon between Gods Word and the Minerals 1 20 12. How Jewels are wrought, th« blcffingsGod befiows on Miners 124 1 3 Of the eiTence ofGold 1 26 the Contents of the third party Jfeing a Vcclaratioii of the XIL Keys. The firft is declared pag.j 5 5 The fccond Key declared 1^2 The third Key declared i ^^ The reft are declared according to the c?our& going on in that part 1 4 g "^he Contents (fthefcnnb part concermng the parti" euhrs made of the y» Metals^ hors> they may be prepared with profits FIrft of the Sulphur ©f Sol, whereby Lune ^'^ ting'd-int©Gd4 , inf --- Page 24 --- A TABLE. The particular of Lune, of the extr46tion of i^ Sulphur and Salt pag. 188 Of the particular of Mars, how its Sulphur and Salt is extradcd ig yiot in the former 'irayfjlation* 'thcn^ follovp the conclufion and ekperiments* "npHe firft Sedfion treats ofSulphur, and the ferJ ment of Philofophcrs pag. 343 2. Sedion. Of the Philofopher. Vitriol 344 3 Sedion. Of the Philofophers Magnet 345 Allegorical exprellions betwixt the holy Trinity, and the Philofophers Stone 3 47 Of Sulphur of Saturn ' 349 Of Sulphur of Jupi ter 350. Of the Sulphur of Mars and Venus 351 Ofthe Sulphur of Sol 352 Of the Sulphur of Mercury 3 ti 5 as ifio) arevsu sis&m .iV: Ic ii iccn by all the works that ar^ undert:ikci;. about metals, that there is nothing io volatile as :p.etal is, and To nothing Itlrs and inoveth more ^ubtilly thaxiir v^j>ut.thh l^irin^ :^nd movhis; I --- Page 28 --- A. '^UeofOnyt»ieaItH^ilcsy>likut.thh Srin^^ vcA moving; I --- Page 30 --- 2 Bafilm Valentine his lafl will call here the Ferch of metals, by rcafoii of its continual proceeding, and uncelTant moving ; and becaufe the fame is not vifible in metals, and doth It m a twofold way, therefore I will let the old word ftand, and call its itirring a Luhricum^ and its Fcrch a Volatile s for with the vertue xvA po-ycrof boththete^it performeth all that, what it needs for the perfcdion, purity, and fizatiod ot its work. Seeing Fcrch is a perpetual living and forthgoing thing, one might admire and fay, of what condition is metal then, which we behold with our eyes, and feel with our hands •, which being thus hard and coagulated, whether the (ame be alive or dead , and whether the life or Ferch in metals may be deftroyed, (which is impofsiblej what is the condition of it, or how comes it to pa{s > I anfwer, that a metal may be alive when it reikth, as well as when it groweth, or ftirreth > and here a diftinclion muft be made again betwixt the death of metals, and their reft and quietness. For death toucheth only the bodies, when they perifh ^ but the life it (elf, or Fcrch cannot perilh or ceaie : therefore if a metalline body be extant, then is it at hand vifibly two manner ot ways. The one is w I'uiitld^^ and is difcerned in its moving too and fro, and if it be forced by a itrange dangerous heat i then it turns to a volatility, and flyeth away. The other way is-, vvhcn it is at hand in coagul.ito^ wherein it relteth io long, till It be reduced into its liqmd:i-}i^ and that is done in a twofold way, and laireth \^o long as the body Lfte.h, but as loon as the body is deikoyed or ^on., and is come or entred into a more, either i.oblc or ignoble body, then its Fcrch or life is gone --- Page 31 --- lV/7/ and Tellamnt. 3 gone alfo : therefore if you will referve and keep a body, then ta~ke good notice of its Fcrch or life •> for if you once ftir it, and hunt'it indifcreetly, you do it with the lofs or diminution of the body, wherein it is, f6r that hfe never goeth away •mpty,' but liill carrieth along one lite or Fcrch after the other, carrying it away fo long, that.at the lalt it leaveth none. But what the condition is of the moving and quittncfs of that life, and how Nature bringeth it to a relt, mufr be exadlly confidcred. For an accurate knowledge demonftrateth, that there is a difference "betwixt the life cf the feed and of the body •, for deal with the feed which way you will, you cannot bring it to z volatility^ becaufe it is againft its kind i andfo the body alfo is of the iame condition h but the Fcrch alone may be braught to it. For if you provide food for thcFcrch^ then you ftrengthen its whole work, even as a mother doth h'tr child^ which (lie fecdcth and chcrifheth well, and bringeth the fame the better to its reft \ fo is it alio with the Fcrch* Therefore all fuch wliich ga2e and view only the feed and body, and know not the fundamentals about the Fcrch^ lofe the body, becaufe they dbierve not Natures progrefs and proceedings, putting the cart before the horfe, or the formolt they put hmdmofr. This reirand fieep of the Fcrch fervcth tor that ufe, becaufe it preferveth the body from deih-udion, or con- (umption being once come into its peiiecirion. For as long as it awakneth, fo long it confumech, but when it is at relt, then it ihndeth clofe in a laitingnefs, and whenjt hath nothing to feed upDn, then it corrodeth and fcizeth on its own body, :onfuming it quite, at laft it llirreth and moveth B 2 to --- Page 32 --- 4 Bafiliui Fakntims his hft to another place. Hence is it that treafures, or pagement, which are buried, awaken at laft, confume their own bodies, reducing them to dull, fo that nothing of them remains but either a mear ftone or flux, as in many places is to be feen. . CHAP. II. Of the feed of Metals. A LI thofe Authors which have written about the mctaline feed, agree in that, when they fay Sulphur is the maiculine feed of metals,. and Js^iercury is the foeminine feed v which faying muft be taken in its genuine (enfc ^ for conimcn Sulphur and common Mercury are riot meant thereby. For the villble Mercury of metals is a body it felf out of bodies, and fo it cannot be a kcdi : and being cold, its coldnefs fcr fe cannot be a feed ', and the Sulphur of metals being a 'food, how can it be a feed? Yea, a feed confumeth Sulphur, how can one feed deftroy the other !* if io, what body fhuold it produce ^ It is tlierefcre an tiror, if thjt fhould be taken in the common lenfe ; if the Mercury of bodies is in a work, and hath taken food, then all the fex Mercuries protrude one body, as tlie ci>e of the" lex is in its predominancy, fo the body riieth. Seeing tlure are leven of thefe Mercuries, it happeneth, that when the feed of Mars and Ve^ 711(6 hath the predominancy, they produce a maf. culine body of Sol^ but if the feed ot Saturn and j///pi/cr doth piecominate:, then is produced a --- Page 33 --- will and Teflame'/it. 5 a foemlne body, which is called Lnde *> Mercwry is an afsiftant on both fides. The fiiTie happeneth unto other bodies : but theie arc always and in every and each work together ^ for they are indivifible, as it is meet alfo, what iTianner of oody could be produced elfe ? For Nature hath perfedl bodies, though in themlelves they muft be diflolvcd again, yet arc they perfed for, and in their time. For what nianner of feed could that be, if it (hould be defective in any of its branches ? Therefore every body hath its perfeft feed, hence the trafmutation hath its ground in the afcenun and defctntion of metals, which otherwife could not be, if they were not homogeneal in their feed. For if any man faith, that iilver is \\^:>i gO'd, clowns believe that alfo, becaufe they have not fundamental knowledge of the feed, how it is to go out ot one body into the other, or elfe it wants its fertility, neither can it be naturally without a body, wherein it refteth. There belong (even diftindt parts to an unformal body of metals,to bring it by noarifhment into a form, VIZ' I. An earth. 2. A ftone. :^. An earthafti. ^, Earthly Itreams. 5. Glafs or fubterraneal meta!. 6" Tnc fubterranean tincture. 7. The (ubterranean fnligo or feed, (fume.) All thefe are the materials of the body •, and as earth is mans matter , out of which God mide him , unto which he mull return again : fo all other bodies alfo at laft return to earth, that Miner which is judicious and knowing herein, him I judge to de- (erve the name of a Miner. For there are but few of them which are rightly infornied herein, or huh an/ faafxm?atil knowledge ot it, though B 3 they --- Page 34 --- they arc daily imployed about it : though fome might fay, they could not but be knowing it their profefsion, yet it is not fo really^ if ib, what right uk can ^ey make of thenn ? They put wrong names upon them, are ignorant of their iitility,and this is the reafon why they many times run them wafle upon heaps, where after fome time they turn to goodnefs, and the longer they lye there, tl\e better they are : this inltrudtion deferves no hatred, but ratha a grateful acknowledgment. why (hould Philofophers be believed to know any thing,? But where is it written, that, men (hould feek and find mercury of the body in a fubterranean fumj , ftone , glalle , but in their hooks? \vhere are learned artihcial finings infuliginations , incinerations, nutritions , but from them r* The (led of 'metals as it is perfed, fo is its Ferch^ or life invifible. Where do thofe men flay, which will work according to nature, and know none of thefe, neither do they know where to get it : yet fall upon Artift?, exclaiming upon them to be falie, and all iUch as are imployed in their ways : but ,we lee and hear how ignorance runs on. It is impoisible to get a body without feed, it were as- much as to fay, a feed is without fertility. Therefore perufe it exadly in its dilTolution, the redudion of it will aiibrd its body : work cheerfully. , But it is none of the meanefl work, as fome of the moit antient Philofophers have faid, which called it a double work: for thus they fay, the metal mull firif pals through the Melters hand, afterward it mufl come into the hands of the Alchymifl, if To be the feed fliall be known in the artihciil --- Page 35 --- IVilI and'TefiamenU J artihcial work : they mean or intimate by this faying thus much, that there is a twofold dilTolution, the one is, when the expert Melter brings the frangible body e^^ naturali condurtione into a malleabjenefs, whereby its impurity is gotten off. Then comes the Alchymlft, reduceth the body into cind!ers, calxes, glaires, colours, fumes, fubterranean, in which the feed of metals relteth, and the Yerch or life is found fertile in the body, and is reducible into a fpiritual water or ^rirna materia^ according as the quality and property of the mettal is,and is divided artificially into its natural principles, according to the proceis of the Chyrnick art, of which more in another place (hall be fpoken, when I (hall treat of the Minerals. CHAP. III. Of the Metalinc Nutriment'^ ALthough it belongeth not to this place, how mineralia fojJtUa are made under ground, however I will give a hint of it, how nature makeththem out of (ubterranean moift liquors and Myne crefcencies, which afterward ferve to be a food to metals ^ not fuch liquors which are decoded above ground *, therefore if you fhould adde here above ground, decoded ones to metals, undilTolved in their corporeal form, your work would be in vain : and where there are fuch mi' tieralia fojjili^i there are Myne-works alfo if not with it, yet are they not far off, as isfeenin many Mynes. As in Hungary are digged the faireft and bell: fulphur-alloms and Mmeral or Myne B 4 Vidriol --- Page 36 --- 8 Bajilm ^^"^nlentinus hU lajl Vicftriol. And about Harcynia are digged fait VidrioL About GoJIar, Mansfield^ Zellerfield^^nd at Efhland in Helvetia is digged Minc-falt, and at Hall there is great ftore of it,where there is found alfo very curious Sulphur. But you muft note, that thefc minerals are not ulcd thus grolTely, but are prepared firft, which is a curious work to bring a mineral thu'; high by fubliming into flores ^ which are half metalline, efpecially it made with metal, the metal being reduced into a mineral, from that the flowers are made : thus you fee natures forwardnefs, and how (he is reducible to her }irft water, Sulphur and Salt. Many make thefe flowers without metal, which are not fo good though, as the former way. For an oleum made of Vitriol or Copper,and is diflilled,is more effedual, yea a thoufand times more pretious in its operation, than that is,which is made of common Vitriol, whom nature hath not yet exalted. Its true, the Hungarian Vitroil, in its efficacy and vertue is found wonderful and fufficient enough, becaufe Nature hath graduated it to a greater iiccity, and brought it to a ripcnefs more than others were, and is more excellent than the reftBy tfiis preparation they can make ufe of the minerals,ftrengthen and encreafc their pleafure thereby. If any thing is to be made meet for metals, then it muft be done out of metals, with metals, and through or by metals, which is the real and only manual whereby may be hit the hardncis of the mineral flowers, always take from them, and adde nothing to them ^ this is the Art, which askcth great wondering, and deep meditation. Thus you muft learn to go to work, for thefe flowers are found often clalely compared, which Miners --- Page 37 --- WiU and TeBmenU 9 Miners very feldome know, elpecially in Himgary and Jfallachia^ thay are as fair as ever any red glowing oar may be, they are of a cr^Trallne tranfparent redncfs, are good gold and illver according as they are ting'd, this is a rare knowlcdge,aii art worthy the bed coniideration, which is to make glafs of a hardnefs, from thence it is, that the fubterranean glaffes make up the metal, thereby they come to their form. The preparation of thcfe flowers have their great utihty in phyfical ways, if their excrements be taken from them, and their ordours: thelc excrements are the feces of minerals, are nought for metals, ftirring up evil fedimcnts, which bring damage unto m.etals , a twofold evil comes from the miftaking of minerals : for decoded ones are a dangerous poifon, and corrofive unto metals, as we fee above ground, when aquafcrtis is mad^ of them,which corrcdeth,teareth,divideth, and parteth metals, and the other w^hich are fair to look on, flicking unto metals, and their worft poifon, for as (bon as thefe approach, they kindle and caufe the dangerous fediments, all availeth nothing unto them, though they have and keep their form. As an infeded man hath ftill the form and face of a man, though he be infedred-. and infcdeth others alio, and in cafe it turn all to one metal, yet it is biit an empty one, and nothing in it. This is a very necelTary obfervation for Miners and Laborators 5 for if they regard it not, they obftrudf not only their work, but endanger themfelves alfo *, becaufe the metal is" not onely turned into a volatility , if any feces or excrements be added thereunto, and that alfo which iftayeth , comes to be unmalleable^ and --- Page 38 --- I o Bafilwus ^a lentim h is fafl and fufFers continually diminution, as long as it is iinder the hammer. Thofe that work them, have caufe to look to it, if they fall on them with any tire, their reward ("urely is fome mine difeaie, which experimentally is known how. their poifon 49th ftick and hang on the top of the furnace and in their chefts, turning to arf:nick and inch poi- (bnous fumes and feeds, and do hurt .every way, as woful experience evidenceth. CHAP. IV. Of the metaline Jhof^ Officina.mctallorum, ALl natural w^orks have their fpecial convenient places in which they work \ where there is any fuch place or (hop, in which fome glorious and precious thing is made v and' fometimes. though the inftrument be veryhoi:rid and monftrous, and its matter unknown, yet- they are extant in that officine. Firft, touching the glory and praife of this ofbcine^it is likned to a Church, in whicli the feed and the Ferch axe married to the body, therein they eat, reft, and work, thither they carry all fair and pleafant materials under ground wherewith rhey are clad, and they have another kind of f^re^ v/ater, air, and earth, for the things that are accompliihed and perfeded therein, thelamecan hardly be parted again, no not with the help of the neather- air, if (0 be, that it mujft be parted afunder, then lee and make trial of it on the m.ercu ry of metals. Again, the things made fo hard and fixt cannot be --- Page 39 --- ' WtR and TeBam^nt. 1 jbe parted, as may be feen i)y gold, how firm and fixt is it in the fire ? the caufe whereof is the fubterranean heat and cold which it imparteth unto metals, and makes them firm thereby, for it is a ftony firmament o( the earth, and giving to metals their llony power, it groweth hollow and fpongy. full of pores, which at lafi; are fill'd up with metals, even as Bees do fill their hives with hony, and in the end it parts, and is carried av/ay in the flick or (Scohes^) For the Earth-fbnc is not confumed under ground, becaufe it is a fediment, not fuffering any thing to cijme in or out. Hence, is that diiference betwixt the Earth-ftone and the jterrellial-firmamental-ftone, which is one of the mineral-works. Let no man gainfay, that a ttone fhould have together both heat and cold at once> to afford the one now,and then to hide the other, for when it worketh upon inferior metals, theii it hideth its celdnefs, and To it helpeth every way, this is its trad and inftrument, heat and cold of the fubtcrranean fire-ftone. , The modern Chimifts which are ignorant, not knowing Nature aright, and - do n ot take notice of her ways, ufe (Irange inftruments, and then they make or caufe to be made all manner of veffels, according as every one of them hath a fancy to, but in natures ways they know little, (he regardeth not the variety of torms, and inllead of thefe, (he takes a fit and lafting inftrument, which holdeth in the work, and every form follows or accompanies the feeds precedency. The folly and ignorance of workmen is aggravated in that ^becaufe they defpife the knowledge of minerals. The inftrument fhe ufeth hereunto I (liould m ake m-rntion of it here, but wave it at this timc^ ( , and --- Page 40 --- ^ 2 Bafilinut Valentm hu fall and will do it in another place^ where you may kekfor, and take nc>tice of it. Thofe which think theniCilves to be the wifefi: do fay, that it is a vanity to obferve mathematically the Hits above, and to order any work after feafonable days and hours, it is fomething faid, but not fo well grounded. But this is moll certain, that if yon work according to common courfe , otherwife than we do, tbliowing only your own fancies, ^hen is your labour in vain. There is a difference to be made betwixt the upper ibrs, and the metalline ilars, which (hine and have their influence into the bodies. Touching the ftars above, they in their light and motion have a fingular influence > and the fcars^ below have their influence alfo upon their metals, ^tkis.each -Ileaven hath its p [Text truncated at 50,000 characters]