Archidoxis, Book VI

THE Sixth BOOK OF THE ARCHIDOXIS.

Of Magisteries.

HAving thus finished the Precedent Books of the most excellent Medicaments; we have intended to adjoyn this Book of Magisteries; And first of all to declare what a Magistery is; This therefore is a Magistery, viz. that which can be Extracted out of things, without any Separation or Preparation of the Elements; and yet notwithstanding, the Powers and Virtues of the things, are by the addition of some thing, Attracted into that matter, and conserved there.

Those Virtues do not at all proceed from the nature of the things, as in reference to the operation, nor do they proceed from a Specifick Virtue, but from the Permixion, by which those same virtues are extracted; If Vinegar be poured into Wine, it makes it all Vinegar, this now is a Magistery. But if Wine be poured upon Hony, that is not wholly transmuted hereinto, wherefore it is not a Magistery.

Those things therefore are to be considered that appertain to a Migistery, even as, What Wines do to Acetum; for such as are perfect, and are, as is fit they should be, they are not in the least apt hereunto, neither can they make a Magistery. Therefore the Natures of things are to be considered; likewise the difference of the Extractions of Magisteries is to be heeded, as out of Metals, Marcasites, Stones, Hearbs, and such like Matters, by those things which are not Metalick, and are yet nevertheless made like to Metals, no otherwise then as Wine is made like to Vinegar, both in Powers, Virtues, and Sapour. And that the Wine appears nor different from the Acetum, the cause thereof is, because there is also a Nature like Acetum, in it, whence it comes to passe that their Natures have one and the same appearance. So likewise i[…] the Nature o[…] the Metals be pure, it doth even in like manner and equally appear so in their Magisteries, but yet it is not of that same propertie.

Moreover as concerning the Additions, this is to be noted, viz. those Things that are assumed to this intent and purpose, although they are not of one and the same Complexion, Power, or Act, yet nevertheless they agree and accord in the preparation; For that which results from the Virtues thereof, is an appropriated, and not complexionated product. By those Mediums do the Metals themselves afford their Magisteries, the which indeed may be accounted no lesse then Quintessences, as to their Virtues. Gold doth deposit and lay down in its Magistery all its Quality and Complexion in one essence; And it is not to be therefore supposed, that because the Body is of no moment or Value, that therefore the rest will be infected therewith; No, for the Leprosie thereof doth not at all hurt in this place, but the whole is good Sugar is intirely sweet, whilest tis yet in its Body and not Separated, and it also may be so prepared (with an abiding in its sweetnesse) that it may become far more sweet and efficacious then it was afore; but the abstracted Quintessence is not sweeter then in or with i[…] own Body. Wherefore this Body doth not at all bring any dammage thereunto. But yet notwithstanding the Virtue thereof Separated from the Body, is more Noble, then being prepared in or with it. But the Magisterie doth amend it more then Nature could.

The very same also is to be understood of those Stones that enter into the number of Magisteries, and likewise of their Bodies, viz. that that which is assumed about the use of them, is not defective in its Virtue, but is a Magistery sufficiently strong. This you are to understand on this wise, even as when Sulphur is kindled and wholly burnt up, that which burns it is the very least portion thereof; so likewise the stones; as for Example, Chrystal, when tis reduced into a Magisterie, it brings all Stones into their First Matter, and grinds them after a wonderful manner no otherwise then the Essence thereof; and that s[…] this Reason, because the Body may be, or is tinged by the Quintessence, and may be accounted for an Essence no otherwise then as Vinegar and Wine is; One whereof doth make the other like it self without any defect In like manner, tis not onely so in Stones, that the Tincture is thus made, but also in such like Metals a the Quintessence of Gold Tingeth all its Body into a pure Quintessence, the which light we account of a great, yea too too great, viz. the light of all the secrets of our Archidoxis; and therefore we kindle Coals with a cheerful mind, that so we may find the final conclusion of those Noble Mysteries of Nature; We draw our Instructions from Examples, proved experimentaly by us, as in Magisteries, and chiefly in that […] Gold, the which contains both the Body, and the Quintessence equally as well as the Quintessence it self is, that is drawn therefrom. And therefore Magisteries are known to us to be gifted with peculiar Virtues, and we write them down, to our praise, even to death.

We speak in like manner of the Magisteries of Hearbs, the which are so effectual, that half an ounce of them operates more then an hundred ounces of their Body, and the reason is, because that scarce the hundredth part is the Quintessence. Wherefore the quantitie of it being so very little, the greater heap thereof is to be used and administred, which is not required in Magisteries; for in those the whole quantitie of the Hearbs is reduced into a Magisterie, the which is not then to be esteemed inferiour (by reason of its Artifice) to the true extracted Natural Quintessence it self; one part of this being administred, is more profitable then an hundred parts of the like Body, and that for this reason; because the Magisteries are prepared, and are rendred accute to the highest degree, and are brought to a qualitie, equal to a Quintessence, in the which Magisteries all the Virtues and Powers of the whole Body are present, and from them Virtues, doth its help and succor arise unto it. For in them doth the Penetrabilitie and Power of the whole Body exist, from the permixion that is made therewith; for the Body doth not receive any of these with desire or affection, but such things onely as are spiritual to it self; whereby it comes to pass, that it attracts that Magisterie, and permixeth itself therewithal, no otherwise then as even Gold draws to it self the Mercurie of Life, and is commixed therewith (the which thing Iron doth not do, and the reason is this, because they are not so agreeable betwixt themselves in the Composition) and so, both the Body of it, and this Magistery are Amalgamated together and made one; concerning which product many Examples are to be found, which we shall not mention in this Place. Some of the Marcasites do after the same manner perfect the Operation of their Medicinal properties; but yet with this difference, viz. they leave their Body and the best part of them onely (as the juyce) is extracted, and is neverthelesse a Magistery, albeit the Body be Separated therefrom; But yet this is to be understood, that that is not the Body of the Marcasite, but rather of the Earth or Mineral, in which the Marcasite doth lie; for it hath not such an efficacious Virtue of it self, whereby to be Separated from the Earth, or Minera, but abides therein, as a Marcasite, and is so accounted of. And therefore to declare a Magisterie what it is, of what it is made, and what Virtues it is endued withal, we will in what follows, set down the Practise thereof, and likewise describe the Artifice of its Preparation; but yet this Process cannot be couched in one General Explication, but there must be a particular treating of each, as of the Metals by themselves, also of the Marcasites by themselves, and so of the Stones and Hearbs.

Likewise there is to be had a Singular Magistery of Blood, and this is also taught by a Peculiar way and manner. In it is to be considered, what the Virtues and Powers of a man are, and that the Nature of it contains in it self, in what things there is a defect, &c. but yet without the diminution of the Natural Creation it self, but is to be considered as a work perfect & compleat with its parts, even as a bird with all its Feathers.

Of the Extraction of the Magisterie out of Metals.

First of all, we will set down the Magistery out of Metals, and declare that which shews it self to be of wonderful Virtues, and are to be known according to the Tenour of its Essence. The Process of them must be done without any Corrosives, and all such complexionated things as are coutrary to the metals. For the Essences are corrupted by the Conjunction or Commixion of contrary things, insomuch that by this errour, they shew forth no virtues, the one overcoming and bearing sway over its contrary.

And whereas a great regard is to be had of their agreement and affinitie, therefore the Temperate alone will be suitable thereunto; but now you are to know what that Temperate Thing is; a Temperate Thing, a Complexionated somewhat or Body, for this doth receive the other into it self, and is incorporated with that whereto it shall be adjoyned, so that it doth not any more discover the old, and its own complexion, but the Virtues of that Body onely which shall be added unto it; Thus indeed Vinum ardens, or burning Wine hath in it self a full and perfect complexion, but yet it doth (as I may so speak) Complexionate that which is put into it, much more abundantly, and doth so perfect its oparation, according to the Virtues of that Body which was put therein.

And therefore seeing it doth thus Attract the Virtues of another and tame its own, it is for this reason said to be Temperate, and is deservedly called so. But here are some destinctions to be noted, for we mean the Elements onely, and we may speak so of oyl, the which draws to itself the Natures of others, and hides its own Element. Out of any thing that is like to these may be made a Magisterie; so that the Virtues of the metals may pass into that same temperate thing, and may be mundified and purified therewith, and be destilled even to their limit or end, such a like Magistery after it shal be perfected, shal be called Potable, and that because it may be taken in drink, whence it comes to passe, that the Magistery of Gold, is called Aurum Potabile, and that of Silver, Argentum Potabile, so of Iron, Lead, A[…]gent vive, &c. they may be made Potable and so called, and be described according to their own Complexions, and according to those processes, they have far greater Operations then is Expedient for us to write of; After this manner, with one Temperate medium, and one process, and also by way of practise, may all the Magisteries of the seven Metals be made.

The practise thereof is thus;

Take Circulatum purged excellently well, yea to the highest essence, whereto put the thinnest Metaline Leaves or filings of any Metal you please, excellenly and most subtilely wrought and mundified.

These two being put together in a sufficient weight must be circulated for four weeks, and the Leaves will be reduced by this temperate medium into an oyl, and into a form of fatnesse swimming at top, and coloured according to the condition of the Metal, the which you shall Separate by a Silver drawer from the Circulatum; this therefore is Potable Gold or Silver, &c. The like may be also extracted with the other Metals, and may be taken in drink, or with your food, without any detriment.

The Extraction of Magisteries, out of Pearls, Corrals and Gems.

THE Magistery out of precious Stones, is to be understood after the same manner, as that out of Metals, as to the Virtues, which each Stone hath according to its Nature; But this is to be noted, that for Stones there needs no Temperatum, nor any kind of Addition, because their solution is not the same with the resolution of the Metals, but the Magistery of them is extracted by another way; in the practise of which there are three Processes to be understood, one for Gems, a second for Marcasites, and a third for Corrals; by which three all stony growing Things may be brought into their proper Magisterie. As for the process of Stones, their Colours are not to be observed, neither their brightnesse and claritie to be heeded, for that all the Magisteries of them have a white Colour. So likewise Pearls, Corral excepted, for they hold their Colour singularly above the others in the Magistery; and therefore the Colour in them is to be chiefly noted; for the Magisterie of them, together with the Body and Element and whole Essence is Extracted (by additions) without corrupting them, and may neverthelesse be again restored into their perfection; and therefore as to their Generation and Nature, they cannot be compared to Stones, and yet have they a Stony condition. This also may be done, viz. the whole Colour may be Extracted out of the Body of the Corrals, into another medium, and there may afterwards be made an image or frame of their Bodies, as of Clay; and after this frameing, may the Colours be again infused, and be made as good Corral as afore. But now this cannot possibly be done so with Pearls, not with Gems, for they cannot by the same Rule be any more reduced into their perfection, but they remain in a Magistery, their essence not being corrupted. We have likewise perceived it to have pierced the Glasses, and the Instruments, and to have informed and stamped them according to its own Nature. As thus, The Magisterie of the Magnet, it hath drawn unto it self, in the form and manner of the material Magnet, and hath afterwards fixt it into the Glass, and hath tinged it, so that even this also hath attracted Needles and Straws, &c. The same is to be understood of the rest, and therefore are they to be kept in Gold onely; we have met with more such things as these then is credible, of the which sort we make here a memorial onely, that so by this guiding, more thin as may be searched out in Arts and Magisteries; Whereas therefore they require a peculiar demonstration beside, or different from the other Extractions. We will now Teach their Practise on this wise; And first of Gems

Take Gems, (and first of all grind or beat them, and Calcine them according to a Reverberatory condition) and Common Saltnitre, in equal weight, viz. a pound; the which burn together excellently well into a Calx, and after let them be washed with burning Wine, so long, until there be found no more superflous Matter; After the Washing, Calcine this matter again, and proceed in all respects as afore, and so the whole will passe into the burning Wine. Evaporate this by Ebullition, so shalt thou have an Alkali, the which being Resolved into a Water, keep. There's no reason that thou shouldst abhor the use of the administration hereof, how acute or Calcineous soever it be; for 'tis by that acuïty alone that it Operates upon that which resists it; and it is so Subtile, that one only drop tingeth the Whole body into a singular Virtue.

Likewise Pearles are to be reduced into a Water on this wise, viz Take Corrected Vinegar, whereto put the Pearles being bruised, and let them digest therein for a Month, and so will they be Resolved into a Water; then Distil it and Separate the Acetum therefrom by a B; this done, thou shalt find the Pearls in the bottom Resolved into a Water: this is the Magistery of Pearls or Unions. And although the process of this Practick be an easie and short way, yet nevertheless (believe him that hath Experienced it, for) Wonderful is the Operation of them; but yet this activity of their virtues is not made by Art, but is placed even in the Nature of them, and is hidden in their grosse substance, by reason of which they cannot Operate no more then a dead body, but a Resolution being made, their body will be vivified; but of this enough.

But now Corrals are to be ground and Calcined (at the beginning) with Salt nitre, then afterwards to be prepared as the Gems are, and to be also Resolved; So hast thou the Magistery of Corrals, the virtues of which I do most highly and peculiarly admire, which God hath bestowed on this Growing Thing, and which are of such a powerful and wonderful Operation, according to the admirableness of their Growth,

Of the Extraction of the Magistery out of Marcasites.

AS concerning the Magisteries of Marcasites, this is necessary to be known, That they onely are Minerals; and therefore the Mineral is not adduced into its Magistry, but the true Marchasite only, as is also apparent in Metals, the which do not passe into their Magistery unlesse they be first Separted from their Mineral: And although that Marcasites cannot well be Separated therefrom, yet neverthelesse it may be done in the Magisteries. There are indeed various kinds of Marcasites, as the Golden, Silverish, the Golden Talk, the White, and the Purple, the Tinny or Bismutey; Antimony, Granate, and other such like; to all which, notwithstanding, there's one only Extraction is agreeable. Likewise the Virtues and Powers of them do in in Medicine shew and discover themselves according to the Conditions of the Metalick Operations. And though they be not in Metals, yet notwithstanding have they the Properties of them, Therefore wee'l now set down a few things thereabouts, because we mention them more at large in our Book of Extrinsecals. There is a difference, or distinction to be observed, according as is their particular Affinity and Agreement; as Gold and the Marcasite, Antimony and Lead, the which in their framing and Constelation, may be compared to each other mutually, but are neverthelesse Separated in Virtue; For in some Marcasites there is more virtues then in the Cons[…]milar, or like Metals. This we see happens in Lead and Antimony; of which two, this latter Cures the Leaprous, the Morphew, the Alopecia, & the like, and all Scabs, & Scars, or Chops, the Leonine, Elephantiack, and Tyrian, &c. which the Magistery of Lead or Saturne doth not do; Therefore the Properties of this kind are to be noted, the which do sometimes lie hid, not only in great but even in lesser thing, and that more abundantly. Therefore lets proceed to the searching out this Reason, Why Antimony possesseth more virtues then its Metal doth? You must note, that the body thereof is not fix, nor sufficiently digested into its own Perfection as Saturne is; thereupon it assumes a volatile Property. But the Matter it self out of which tis born, is Beereavative (or capable of divesting) and Mundificative of its own natural Property, which so remained uncorrupt, as we set down in the Book of Generations. Hence tis, That it purgeth Gold and Silver more then the fire or any other Element doth; thereupon also it Mundifies and purgeth the body, even as Gold and Silver are freed by it of all their Impurities; The Magistery of Antimony expels the Leaprosie more then is Credible. The like is to be understood of the rest.

Now lets proceed to the Practise, whereby we teach the preparations of the Magistery from them all, on this wise;

Take a Marcasite, grind it most subtilly, and put to it so much dissolving Water as may over-top it the breadth of six fingers; Let it be dissolved, and afterwards be putrified for a Month, then let it be Distilled, and be Separated, as we teach of Metals. This done, thou shalt have the Magistery of that Marcasite thou tookest.

The Extraction of the Magistery from Fatty Substances.

NOr is it to be otherwise conceived of about the Extraction of the Magistery of Fatty Substances; as the at of Amber, of Rozins, Oyls, and others, as they appear in the like Material Substances; concerning which, there are Three waves of Extracting of their Magisteries; one peculiar way is of Amber, another of Rozins, and the other of Fatty Things; as Oyls, Fats, Butter, and such like. For Amber cannot at all endure the Process of the Extraction of Fatty Things, because, thereby its virtues would be lost. Likewise Resinous Things cannot undergo the practise upon Amber, for it would be destructive to them; Therefore we will teach the preparations of those Magisteries in Three wayes; Seeing that there appears such excellent virtues in Fats, and that variously; There, where Essences can Operate nothing at all, do the Fatty Things help; for they have that property by reason of their Specifick and Appropriate Virtue, which is not found to be so perfect in other things, nor indeed is it; and as the difference is betwixt Corrals & Gems, so also is it to be understood of these; The Practise of them is this, and first of the Amber.

Take Amber, exceedingly well ground, as much as you please; and of Circulatum as much as is sufficient, digest them in Flacco, or a flatted Vessel, in Ashes for six dayes; then let the Circulatum be Distilled thencefrom, and be again poured on, the which let be done so often until there be found an Oyl in the bottom, the which Oyl is the Magistery of Amber. This hath disclosed to us its wonderful Virtues. May it so remain.

The Resinous bodies are reduced unto their Magistery, on this wise;

Take Turpentine, Gum, or Rozin, as much as you please, put it into a Glasse luted, and let it be digested for a Month per se in a hot digestion; then being mixt with the dissolving Water, let it be boyled in burning Wine, for half an hour only. Then distil it by a blind Head, or Alembick, then let them stand for one day; So shalt thou find certain Oyls, distinct from each other, the which Separate, for each of them is a Magistery i[…] its Nature.

But the Magisteries of Oyls are made without the addition of dissolving Waters, the which likewise have virtues corresponding with the virtues of their Matter.

The Extraction of Magisteries out of Growing Things.

COming to Treat of Growing Things, we mean by Growing Things, such as grow green, and afterward[…] wither, and do again wax green in their Season, as afore: and likewise those things that Flower; as Trees, Herbs, and such like. The Magisteries of these are diversly made and Extracted from them; as from Trees one way, from Herbs another; the difference whereof consists in this, viz. That the one is Wood or Timber, and the other is Putrifiable The Leaves therefore and Flowers must be prepared as the Herbs are; Therefore we will set down these Magisteries Separately: The preparation of the Magistery of Wood's is thus;

Take the Wood, cut it small enough, the which put into a glazed pot, able to abide the fire, and shut or cover it exceeding well; let it be burnt with a fire of Coals for four Hours, then take it out, and putrifie it in a Glasse for a Month, then Distil it in Ashes even to the last Spirits; which being perceived, presently cease, that so the Magistery may not get any stinch from the fire; By this way shalt thou have the Magistery of that Wood which thou hast undertook to prepare. Thus also may Seeds, Roots, and Barks, and such like as contain an Oyl in their Material Substance, be extracted; There […]es a greater Artifice in those Extractions then is said or understood, although the Process be here entirely described.

But as for Herbs, and other such like, they are to be permixt with burning Wine, and to be putrified therewith for a month; then are they to be Distilled by B. M. and that which is Distilled must be again poured on; and it must be thus proceeded withal so long until the whole Quantity of the burning Wine be fourtimes less then the Juyces of the Herbs: Distil this same by a Pellican, with new Additaments, for one month, then Separate it; Having so done, thou shalt have the Magistery of that Matter or Herb wch thou tookest.

The Extraction of the Magisterie in Wine.

NOw wee'l declare the Magistery of Wine, the which appears to be endowed with innumerable Virtues; whereas it receives such a Nature from most of the Virtues that lie hid in the Earth, as we set down in the Generation of Wine; Now you must know, That the Magisteries hereof are to be done Two wayes, albeit we passe over One of them in silence, because the process thereof is common, such as we use in the many Extractions of Wines. Some Practick wayes of this Magistery of Wine are here set down; Some do endeavour to Extract it whilest the Wine is yet new, and boyls in the purging; Some bury it, and so leave it an hundred dayes, (or years;) Very many Separate it without fire. But however it be done, I shall not Write any thing here thereof; I will only deliver that Way which I have tryed by Experience. First of all, you are to know, That in Wine is a very Subtile Spirit, and but little; and is contained in (and accompanied with) much Phlegm. And although this be a Quintessence, yet notwithstanding is a Magistery to be made thereof, […] by using a greater Practise, and Process.

You are also to know, That there are more and greter virtues in that Wine which hath not as yet put do[…] its Tartar, for there is sometimes more virtues in Tan[…] then in the Wine it self; Also the Oldnesse of Wine more laudable then that which is Young, for the Spir[…] thereof is more digested in Successe of longer tin[…] then a shorter. Moreover, tis to be considered, Th[…] the Wine that is to be for this use, must be buried in th[…] cold Earth, and its Vessel must be exceedingly we[…] shut both above and beneath, that so it may have n[…] breathing vent at all: for it may be kept thus many hundreds of years without Tartar. But we will not speak here of the length of time, for it will be too tedious; but yet tis good to remember it. Nor is that a Magisterie of Wine that is drawn out of Must, or n[…] Wine, but a Magistery of Must: Nor is it a thing of A[…] to Distil it with its feces, or its own phlegm; as Vinum ardens is, because by this way those Virtues of the Spirit are lost which are in its Essence. Therefore tis no wayes convenient to do this same thing. So by how much the oftner the best Vinegar is Distilled, so much the remoter doth it recede from the Spirit of Wine: Upon which account 'tis to be considered with the highest diligence, that the Quintessence be not by any means Corrupted in the Magisteries, but rather that it be augmented and fortified in its Virtues: Likewise, when it is Separated without Fire, it cannot by any means be a Magistery, because there is the Substantiality wanting. You are therefore to know that the Spirit of the Wine is to be conserved together with its Substance, and not with its Phlegm: For there are Two Substances to be found in Wine; the one is Winey, in which the Spirit of the Wine is, and from which it cannot be Separated; the other is Phlegmatick, which is permixed with the feces, and the sweet, or insipid Water, both which are to be Separated from the true Substance, as a Metal from its Mineral, or Earth.

Furthermore tis to be known concerning Wine, That […]he Feces and Phlegm thereof is the Mineral as 'twere, and that the Substance of the Wine is the Body, in which the Essence is Conserved; even as the Essence of Gold lies in Gold. Therefore wee'l set down the Practise for a remembrance, that so we may not forget it: and 'tis thus;

Take the oldest Wine; and the best that you can get, both as to Colour and Taste, what you please; put it into a Glasse Vessel, so that a Third part thereof may be full; and shut it with the Seal of Hermes, and keep it in Horse dung, and in a continued Heat for four months; let it not be defective, viz. your Heat. This being done, then in the Winter-time, when the Cold and Frost are extreamly sharp, set it abroad in the cold for a month that it may be Congealed; After this manner, the Cold doth thrust the Spirit of the Wine together with its Substance into the Centre of the Wine and Separate it from the Phlegm: That which is Congealed or Frozen, cast away; but that which is not Congealed, you may account to be the Spirit with the Substance; Put this in a Pellican in a digestion of Sand, but not too hot, and there let it abide for some time; Afterwards take forth the Magistery of the Wine, of which we have now spoken. As for those more Processes that are existant and are applyed to use, we will speak more largly of when we shall Treat of Elixirs; and here wee'l make an end, and be mindlesse of some other those Processes of Wine which we have no great liking unto.

The Extraction of the Magisterie out of Blood.

WE will now explain our Opinion concerning Blood, in wch there are most wonderful Virtues and admirable, more then can be believed, and are sufficiently evidenced, yea most exceeding apparent, so that the Blood Exists out of the best Root, and most Noble Fountain of the Heart, (as we declare in the Treatise of the Composition of man) wherein is no defect, so it hath its Conditions according to the Nature of the Heart, and is a pretious Treasure of the whole Nature and of all that which lives therein.

Here some may say, That the Bloud when it is let […] of the veins, is deprived of those virtues necessarily that renew and sustain the Bloud, but this is not so for it may be Conserved in the Essence as we shall shew below. Let us therefore but consider the paucity of such men as live with a sound Body and Bloud; Therefore it must be looked to, that such men be brought into renewed Quality and Essence, by Arcanaes and a Quintessence as we mentioned afore; that the Bloud may thereby flow from them sound and uncorrupt. Nor d[…] we speak of mans Bloud only, but also of the Bloud o[…] the Sperm, which we make a Discription of in our Secrets, in which there is no Disease nor Alteration, b[…]he-most-highly-to-be-admired Bloud out of the Spe[…] of man, which we pretend, and alleadg to be taken i[…] this place; and this for many reasons not here mentioned. We also speak of the Blood of Bread, which i[…] to be in like manner taken for the same use; for there are therein such Virtues as are scarce to be searched ou[…] by us, nor will we undertake the burthen of doing i[…] to its highest worth. In like manner may it be understood of other nourishments and Commestible Things in all which is Blood to be had, although we see it n[…] in them, no more then in bread, the which is notwithstanding made Blood, by putrefaction; as in the Stomack and the Liver. So likewise every thing that is therewith taken, for food is changed after the same manner, as in the Body. We will forbear to Write of this Blood more largly and prolixly, especially because we see that it will not prove an acceptable thing to any body but our selves onely; and there[…] G[…] will sleep in rest, and being afterwards awake[…] out of our sweet sleep, we will proceed on to speak further of this Blood. Each thing may be prevalent as far forth as it can in its Virtues, and answerable to asmuch as it hath in it; for out of a good thing doth much of good proceed, & this we must alwayes duly consider of. Neither will we only speak of the Blood of Commestible things, but also of Potable Things, which doth simply exhibit Blood unto our Body. Likewise there may be extracted out of Blood, Quintessences as well as Arcanaes, concerning which we do not here speak in the least, but have determined to speak of Magisteries onely, and to conclude each, in this one process.

Take the Bloud, which being shut up in a Pellican, let it so long transcend, or rise up upon the Horse-belly, (or Dung-hill) until the Third part of the Pellican be filled; for, all Bloud in its Rectification is dilated according to the Quantity, and not according to the Weight; This time being finished, thou shalt Rectifie it by a B. By this way the Phlegms Separate, and the Magistery remains in the bottom; the which being shut in a Retort with the Seal of Hermes, Distil it nine times, as we have Taught in the Book of Preparations: By this way shalt thou have the Magistery of Bloud.

The End of the Sixth Book, &c.