Letter to William of Paris, chapters 8–11

CHAP. VIII. Of obscuring the Mysteries of Art and Nature.

AFter an enumeration of some few examples concerning the pr[…]valency of Nature and Art ([…]hat by these few we may gather many,) by these parts the whole; and so from particulars, […]n[…]vers[…]ls, which will d[…]m[…]nstrate the u[…]ssary […]spiring to Magick, since bo[…]h N[…]ture and Art afford such suffic[…]nci[…]s. I shall now endeavour a method[…]al procedure in singulars, la[…]ing open b[…]h the cau[…]es a[…]d waves in particular: and yet I […]ill call to mind how a[…]ecrets (of Nature) are not committed to Goats-skins and Sheeps-pelts, that every clown may understand them, if we follow Socrates or Aristotle. For the latter in his Secreta Se[…]retarum affirmes, He break[…]th the heavenly Seal, who communicateth the Secrets of Nature and Art; the disclosing of Secrets and Mysteries, producing many inconveniencies. In this case Aulus Gellius in Noct. A[…]tic. de Collatione Sapie[…]tum, sayes, It's but folly to profer Le[…]tices to an Asse, since hee's content with his Thistles. Et in lib. lapidum, The divulging of Mysteries is the diminution of their Majesty, nor indeed continues that to be a Secret, of which the whole fry of men is conscious.

For that which all men, which wise, and the more noted men affirme is truth. That therefore which is held by the multitude, as a multitude, must be false; I mean of that multitude, which is distinct from knowing men. The multitude, it's true, agree with wise men in the more vulgar conceptions of their mind; but when they ascend to the proper principles and conclusions of Sciences and Arts, they much dissent (striving to get onely the appearances in Sophismes and subtilties which wise men altogether reject)) And this their ignorance of the proprieties and Secrets, makes the division from knowing men. Though the common conception of the mind, have all one Rule and Agreement with knowing men. Yet as for common things, they are of small value, nor enquirable for themselves, but rather for particular and proper ends.

The Reason then, why wise men have obscured their Mysteries from the multitue, was, because of their deriding and slighting wise mens Secrets of wisdome, being also ignorant to make a right use of such excellent matters. For if an accident help them to the knowledge of a worthy Mystery, they wrest and abuse it to the manifold inconvenience of persons and communities. Hee's then not discreet, who writes any Secret, unlesse he conceal it from the vulgar, and make the more intelligent pay some labour and sweat before they understand it. In this stream the whole fleet of wise men have sailed from the beginning of all, obscuring many wayes the abstruser parts of wisdome from the capacity of the generality. Some by Characters and Verses have delivered many Secrets. Others by aenigmatical and figurative words, as Aristotle sayes, (in lib. Secret, O Alexander, I shall ais-close to you the greatest of Secrets, which it becomes you by divine Assistance to keep secret, and perfect the thing pr[…]posed. Take then then the Stone, which is no Stone, which is in every man, and in every place, and in all times; and it shall be called the Philosophers Egge, and the Terminus Ovi. And thus we find multitudes of things obscured in the Writings and Sciences of men, which no man without his Teacher can u[…]vail.

Thirdly, They have obscured their Secrets by their manner of Writing, […]s by Consonants without Vowels, none knowing how to read them, unlesse he know the signification of those words. Thus the Hebrewes, Caldees, Arabians, nay the major part of men do most an end write their Secrets, which cause[…]h a great obscurity amongst them, especially amongst the Hebrewes. For, as Aristotle sayes in his fore recited Book, God gave them all manner of wisdome long before they were Philosophers: And all Nations had their Originals of Philosophy from the Hebrewes, as Albumazar in lib. Introductorii Majoris; and other Philosophers, with Iosephus lib 1. & lib. 8. Antiquit. makes it evident.

Fourthly, This obscuring is occasioned by the mixture of several sorts of Letter[…], for so the Eth[…]ick Astronomer hid his knowledge, writing it in H[…] b[…]ew, Greek and Latine Le[…]ters altogether.

Fif[…]hly, This obscuring was by their inventing other letters, th[…]n those which were in use in their own, or any other Nation, being framed meerly by the pattern of th[…]r own […], which surely is the grea[…]e[…]t imp[…]d[…]men[…]; yet this was the pr[…]ctice of Artefiu[…] in lib. de Secretis Naturae.

Sixthly, They used not the Characters of Letters, but other Geometrical Characters, which have the power of Letters according to the several Position of Points, and Markes. And these he likewise made use of.

Seventhly, There is a greater Art of obscuring, which is called Ars Notoria, which is the Art of Noting and Writing, with what brevity, and in what manner we desire. This way the Latines have delivered many things. I held it necessary to touch at these obscurings, because it may fall out, I shall thorow the magnitude of our Secrets discourse this way, that so I may help you so farre as I may.

CHAP. IX. In aliis Adverg. Of the Manner to make the Philosophers Egge.

NOw I shall methodically handle those things I promised above, the dissolving the Philosophers Egge, and finding out the parts thereof; a work which will give beginning to other enterprises. Make a diligent purification of the Calx with the waters of Alkali, and other acute waters, grind it by several contrition with the salts, and burn it with many assations, that the earth may be perfectly separated from other elements, which I hold worthy the longitude of my stature. Understand it if you can. For without doubt there will be a composition of Elements, and so it will be part of that Stone which is no Stone, which is in every man, and in every p[…]ce of man; and you may find this in all the seasons of the year in its place. Then take oyl after the form of a Saffron-cheese, and so viscouous first (as not to be smitten asunder by a stroak) divide the whole fi[…]ry virtue, and separate it by dissolution, and let it be dissolved in acu[…]e water, of a temperate acutenesse, with a slight fire, and let it be boyled till his fatnesse, as the fatnesse of flesh be separated by distillation, that nothing of the unctiousnesse may issue forth; and let this fiery virtue be distilled in the water of Urine. Afterwards boil it in Vinegar, untill the least part, which is the cause of adustion be dried up, and the fiery virtue may be had; but if theere be no regard of it, again let it be made. Mind and search what I say: for the speech is d[…]fficult. The Oyl is dissolved in acute waters, or in common Oil which works more ex[…]resly, or in acute Oyl of Almonds upon the fire; so as the Oyl be separated, and the spirit remain occult, in […]he p[…]rts of living creatures, Sulphur and Ar[…]ick. For the stones, in which the Oyl of humidity overflows, have their terminus in the union of its parts: for there is no vehement union, but one may be dissolved from another by the nature of water, which is the subject of liquefaction in the spirit, which is the Medium betwixt the dry parts and the Oyl. The dissolution being made there will remain in the spirit, a pure humidity, vehemently mixed with dry parts, which are moved in it, when the fire resolves it, which is sometimes called of the Philosophers, Sulphur fusibile, sometimes Oyl, other while an […]ery humour, sometime a conju[…]ctive substance, which the fire separates not, sometimes Camphore: and if you please, this is the Philosophers Egge, or rath[…]r the Terminus and end of the Egge; and it came […]o us from these Oyls, and may be esteemed amongst the subtilties, when it is purged and separated from the water and oyl in which it is. Further, the Oyl is corrupted by grinding it with desicea[…]ing things, as with salt or Atrimentum, and by a[…]ation, because there is a passion arising from the contrary; and afterwards it is to be sublimated, untill it be deprived of its o[…]eagmeity, and because its a[…] Sulphur or Arsnick amongst Minerals, it may be prepared, even as it. Yet it's better to boil it in waters, that are temperate in acuity, untill it be purged and whitened. Which wholsom exaltation is made either in hot or moist fire: The distillation must be re-iterated, that it may sufficientl[…] receive it[…] goodnesse, untill it be rectified, the signs of its last rectification are candor and crystalline se[…]enity: And when other things grow black by fire, this grows white, is cleansed, shines with clearn[…]sse and admirable splendour. From this water and its earth comes Argentum vivum in Minerals, and when the matter hath waxed white, this way it is congealed; the Stone of Aristotle, which is no Stone, it's set in a Pyramid a hot place, or (if you please) in the belly of an Horse or Ox, and it imitateth an acute Feavor. For from seven to fourteen, and from that it sometimes proceeds to one and twenty, that the Fecis of the Elements may be dissolved in its water, before it be separate: The dissolution and distillation is to be iterated, untill it be rectified. And here is the end of this intention. Yet know that when you have consummated your work, you are then to begin.

Another Secret I shall shew you, you must prepare Argentum vivum by mortifying it with the vapour of […]in for Pearls, and with the vapour of Lead for the […]one Iberus; then let it be ground with desiccating things, and At[…]ramentis, and the like, as is said, and let there be an as[…]ation: Then let there be a sublimation if for Pearles twelve times; if for rednesse one and twenty times, untill the humidity within it be totally corrupted. Nor is it possible, that its humidity be separated by vapour, as the fore-said oyl; because its vehemently mixed with its […]ry parts; nor doth it constitute, as in the fore[…]said metals. In this Chapter you may be deceived, unlesse you distinguish of the sign[…]ication of the words. It's now high time I involve the third Chapter: that you acquire the Calx, the Calx of the body, which you intend, the body is calcined, when it is appodiated, i. e. that the humour in it may be corrupted by salt, and with salt Armoniack and vinegar, and sometimes with burning things, and with Sulphur and Arsnick: and sometimes bodies are fed with Argentum vivum, and sublimated from them, untill they remain putred. The Claves of the Art are congelation, resolution, inceration, proportion; and another way purification, distillation, seperation, calcination and fixation, and then you may acquiesce.

CHAP. X. FORTE. 620. Of the same Subject another way.

IN the 602. Arabian year you intreated me for some Secrets. Take then the Stone, and calcine it with a light assation and strong contrition, or with acute things. But in the end mingle it a little with sweet water, and compound a Laxative Medicine of seven things (if you will) or of six, or of five, or as many as you please; but my mind rests in two things, whose proportion is better than the other sixt proportion, or thereabouts, as experience will teach you. Resolve notwithstanding the gold at the fire, and tried it better; but if you will credit me, take one thing that is the Secret of Secrets of Nature, able to do Miracles. Let it be mixed from two or more, or a Phoenix, which is a singular creature at the fire, and incorporate by a strong motion: to which if hot liquor four or five times be applied, you have the composition. Yet afterwards the coelestial nature is debilitated, if you i[…]use hot water three or four times. Divide therefore the weak from the strong in several vessels, if you believe me: Let that which is good be evacuated. Again, use the pouder, and the water which remains, carefully expresse: For of a certain, it will produce the parts of the pouder, not incorporated; therefore take the water by it self; because the pouder exiccated from it hath power to be incorporated into the Laxative Medicine. Work therefore as formerly, untill you distinguish the strong from the weak, and apply the pouder three, four, five times or oftener, and work alwayes the way: And if you cannot work with hot waters, do it with water of Alkali, and by such acute things you make the violence of the Medicine[…] But if by reason of the acu[…]ty and softnesse of the Medicine it be bro[…], the pouder, being applied, apply v[…]y car[…]fully more of the hard and soft. But if it be by reason of the abundance of the pouder apply more of the Medicine; if it be by reason of the strength of the water, water it with pistils; and congregate the matter, as you can, and separate the water by little and little, and it will return to its […]ate, which water you must exiccate: for it contains both pouder and water of the Medicine, which are to be incorporated, as the principle pouder. Here you may not sleep, because here is contained a very great and profitable Secret. If you rightly order in a right series of things, the parts of the Shrub or Willow, they will keep natural union: and do not deliver this to oblivion, for it is profitable for many things. You must mingle Pearls with the made union: as I think there will arise something like the Stone Iberus: and without doubt it mortifies that which is to be mortified by the vapour of Lead. You shall find Lead, if you expresse the living from the dead; and the dead you must bury in Olibanum and Sarcocolla. Keep this Secret, for it is of some profit, and so must you do with the vapour of Pearls, and the Stone Tagus, and you must (as I have said) bury the dead.

CHAP. XI. FORTE. 603. Of the same Subject another way.

TO your desire in the Arabian year 630. I return this Answer. You must have the Medicine which may be dissolved in the thing liquified and steeped in it, and penetrate its interior parts, and may be mingled with it; and it may not be a fugitive servant, but transmute it. Let it be mingled by reason of the spirit, and let it be fixed by the Calx of the metal: it is to be thought that fixion is prepared, when the body and spirit are set in its place, and the spirit is made a body. Take then of the bones of Adam, and of the Calx the same weight; let there be six to the Stone Tagi, and five to the stone of Pearl; let them be ground with Aqua vitae, whose property […]t is to dissolve all other things, so as in it they are dissolved and assated, untill it be incerated, i. e. let the parts be united, as the parts in wax. The sign of inceration is, that the Medicine liquifies upon iron very hot. Then let it be put in the same water in some hot and moist place, or let it hang in the vapour of waters made very hot: after that dissolve and congeal them against the Sunne. Afterwards take Saltpeter, and argentum vivum shall be converted into lead: And again, wash the lead with it, and mundifie it, that it may be the next to silver, and then work as a pious man, and also the whole weight must be 30. But yet of Saltpeter LVRVVOPO Vir Can Vtriet Sulphuris: and so you may make Thunder and Lightning, if you understand the Artifice: but you must observe, whether I speak aenigmatically, or according to the truth. Some men have supposed otherwise: For it is told me, that you must resolve all into its first matter, of which you have Aristotl[…] speaking in vulgar and known places, which makes me silent herein. When yo[…] have this, you have pure, simple and equal Elements. And this you may do by contrary thing and various operations, which formerly I have called the Claves of the Art. And Aristotle sayes, That the equality of potencies excludes action, and passion, and corruption. And these things Aver[…]ho's […]ffirms, reproving Galen. And this Medicine is esteemed the more pure and simple which may be found, which is prevalent against Feavers, passions of the mind and body. Farewe[…]l. Whoever unlocks these, hath a key which opens and no man shuts: and when he hath shut no man opens.

In this Translation, I followed Dr Deos Edition, Printed at Hamburg, 1618.

FINIS.