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my Testament a perpetual Monument upon my Altar, of all the Cures which I have performed by his grace;
that I might so doing, not only give thanks to GOD, but also make my Gratitude known to Posterity, that
they likewise may acknowledge the wonderful works of the Most High, which I (by my diligence) have
extracted from the Bowels of Nature, and which he himself had hid and absconde in her profound and most
secret Recesses.
But touching the Sublimations of Antimony, which are afterwar called Flowers; let the Reader further
observe, viz. that they are like Waters, which break out in high Mountains. Now, of the difference of waters,
which arise in the highest Mountains, yea in higher than they, if such can be foun; for even unto them woul
the waters ascend; since it is known, that in the tops of the highest Mountains, Springs do very often issue it;
an of other waters which are foun by digging deep in the Earth, and by following their Springs must be
searched out: [MATRIX PERCULIAR TO EVERY ELEMENT] any man may judge that the Matrix of
Triumphal Chariot Page 41
waters in the Earth, is on one part more abundantly replenishe with the Riches of waters, then on another;
since every Element hath a peculiar Matrix, either strong or weak, according as it is produced by the Sydus,
whence Elements derive their Original an have being. Now, when such a Matrix is strong and potent in the
Earth, it can drive forth its Seed strongly and efficaciously from itself, by a vehement Pressure, even up to
the Snowy Mountains of the Alps, or to the very top of the Babylonish* Tower.
*This Parable is of very great moment, but so very clear to those, from whose Eyes the Cataract
is taken away, as to explain it to them, would be to hold a Candle to the Light of the Sun: to
others, from whose sight the Cataract is not took off, this place gives no occasion of detracting
the same. Therefore, read, peruse, and meditate; Day is an Instructor to the Day; the later
Reading explains the former, and the former the later.
65. If any fatuate man hear this my Discourse, he will say, I am either mad or drunk with Wine; but this will
be no other than a Reproach, like to that, which was cast upon the Disciples of our Saviour. Of Sublimation,
the Reason is the same; for as Waters, which are many times found in the highest Mountains, are more
salubrious, and more cool than those, which by digging deep into the Earth are found in Plains: so, if the
Matter by pressure & force of fire be driven upwards to the Mountains of the Ancient Wise Men, who died
long before my time, the Earth, which for the most part is unprofitable, remains until its Salt shall be
extracted from it for its proper use. Thus is made Separation, by which the Evil may be distinguished from
the Good, the Pure from the Impure, the thick from the thin, the subtle from that which is not subtle, and the
Venom from the Medicament. We miserable Mortals, by Death which we have deserved for our Sins are put
into the Earth, until we putrefie by time, and be reduced to filths; and afterward by the Heavenly Fire and
Heat raised, clarified, and exalted to a Celestial Sublimation, where all our Feces, all Sins, and every
Impurity shall be separated, and we made the Sons of GOD, and of Eternal Life, unto which the Lord of his
Mercy and Goodness bring me with you. But I hope no man will take amiss this Comparation of the
Mundane with the Spiritual, viz. the Heavenly Exaltation with the Earthly Sublimation. For no man should
suppose what I have done, to be done without Reason, but rather know, that I am not ignorant what is white
or black, how much the tenebrous and dismal Air differs from the serene and clear Heaven. Therefore let us
break off this Discourse, and produce another Preparation of Antimony.
Let the Disciple, Apostle, and faithful Imitator of Art, understand this Instruction, and according to the true
Philosophick Doctrine faithfully consider, that every Extraction from Antimony (as also from all other
Things) hath great difference in Operation, which neither consists in the Matter, nor is known by the Matter,
from which it is drawn; but consists and remains in the Preparation, and in the Addition, by which the
Virtue is extracted from the Matter, as is known by Experience; as for Example. Whatsoever is Extracted
from Antimony, or any other thing with Spirit of Wine, hath a far other virtue of Operating, than those,
which are extracted with good and sharp Vinegar. The Causes of this I have already hinted in my other
Writings; but the principal Cause have is, because all Extractions made with Spirit of Wine, from Antimony,
or any purging Herbs, Roots, or Seeds (understand of the first Extraction) powerfully expel by Seidge: but
on the contrary, whatsoever is extracted with Vinegar, purgeth not downward but rather prevents that, and
retains in a certain peculiar manner, by which the Volatile is changed into fixed.
66. This is a singular Secret, and an Arcanum of great price; but there are none, or very few found, who
mind such things; because many things are hidden, and lie deeply buried in this Arcanum, which no One,
either Master or Servant, nor any Wise man of this World hath unto this Day observed or considered.
[EXTRACT OF ANTIMONY] Therefore the Extraction of Antimony is made two ways, viz. with Vinegar,
and with Spirit of Wine. Vinegar obstructs, and Spirit of Wine, of itself powerfully expels and causeth
Urine, as also Stools; as elsewhere in another manner is shewed, and especially where I speak of my Twelve
Keys, as namely, that the Extraction of Glass of Antimony moderately purgeth; but on the contrary the
Extraction of the same Glass, which is made with Vinegar purgeth not: which is true and not permixt with
any falsity. But this Experience gives occasion of thinking and reflecting, by which way of Reasoning,
Nature gives promotion and production to a true Philosopher. But it is a thing much to be admired, that
every Subject, which is first of all extracted with Spirit of Wine, should have a Purging Property. Yet when
Glass of Antimony is from the beginning extracted with distilled Vinegar, and that Vinegar again abstracted,
and then the Antimony extracted with Spirit of Wine, all its venomous purging virtue passeth away, and no [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]