An Hermetic Work.

white Sand and Flints , etc ., are often AA'ithout corporal Gold , but never Avithout spiritual Gold , by the AA'hich nevertheless Silver may be tinged , and transmuted into good Gold as may plainly appear by ancl in the aforesaid practice and trials . But now the philosophers seek not corporal Gold but spiritual , and they will know Avhere , and in Avhat subjects the spiritual or first essence of Gold is most plentifull y contained , ancl how to get the same with ease . Therefore , although the said first essence of Gold be in AA'hite Sand , and white Flints , etc ., yet the said Philosophers will not meddle

with that so Avillingly , nor Avill any expert true Philosophers , tye themselves so to one subject , as not to use any other thing to get their Tincture . To ivhom it is Avell known that the first essence of Gold is found in everything throughout the whole earth ; for where ei'er there is any Sulphur , there may be had the first essence of Gold to have their Tincture . But now in all Vegetables , Animals , ancl Minerals , there is a Sulphur certainl y known and found , therefore in all parts of the Avorld , the matter of the Philosophers ' stone may be had everj'Avhere , so that the poor may have the same Avithout charge , no less then the rich , according to AA'hat the Philsophers doe proclaim , saying their matter is

everywhere , and you may have the same in any parts of the Avorld without money , ancl it meets you , and is trod on under feet , and cast out on the Dunghills ; for so the true Philosophers do say , and write . Also a true Philosopher will not require or need much Gold for his Medicine : for if he haA ' e but half an ounce AA'hich he brings to perfection , it AAnll suffice for his Avhole life , and be in his power to multiply , and bring it to perfection as often as he please , and necessity shall require . So that it may easily be demonstratedthat not only Goldbut somewhat more rare

, , , ( viz . ) the true Tincture is in Stones , Avhich the ancients did intimate in these Avords . Auro guid melius Jaspis , etc ., What is better than gold , a Jasper Stone , etc , So Paracelsus exceedingly commends Red-Tale Granats Antimony , and Lapis Lazuli ; expressing further , that the Tincture or first essence of Gold may be gotten out by sublimation , etc ., Take notice also further , that the first essence of Gold may be found in any other small or meaner Stonesand amongst the first and chief of theseviz ., the Blood stoneSyihydis

, , , Magnesia , Pedemontana , Emery , and such like . In the which also it is so fixed , that to possess it there needs no other art , but the manner of extracting it , and giving it ingress by Gold . On the other side , the first ens of Gold , in the Vegetable , Animal , and Mineral Sulphurs , Marcasites ancl Antimony are had in plenty , but are so volatil , that those little stones are to be preferred .

But IIOAV in brief I shall sheAv , that in stones ( of Avhich hot countries had most Gold ) , there is not only fixed Gold , but also volatil ; Avhenee the true Tincture may be perfected . F ^ or Avhoei'er can make the first essence of Gold that is in Stones volatil , and gather it by distillation , doth get a graduating AA'ater by which our quick fluid Mercury or Quick-silver may be coagnlated'to good Gold . And AA'hoever can join , and marry this volatil first essence of Gold to corporal Gold , and this with that to be made one , and procure ingressionhe may hope for more goodand may expect undoubtedlto enjoy

, , y the same to a better use and profit . For that the first essence of Gold is more useful ancl needful to prepare the Tinctures than corporal Gold itself , as not a few Philosop hers haA'e signified by the folloAA'ing words , Avho say , Gold and Silver are not made by them unless this first essence do effect it . The first Ens also of Gold , AA'hich lies hid in all Vegitables and Animals , doth Coagulate Mercury , even to Yallowness , but not constant and fixt ; but if it be made fixt ,

it also fixeth and Coagulateth Avith constancy , but cloth not so before . It remains therefore most assured true , that Avhere eA'er Sulphur is found , there is also the first Essence of Gold , and where the first essence of Gold is , there is also the Tincture , wherefore , being Sulphur is found in everything of the world , to the least Herb , Stone , and Bone . It follows that also out of any little Herb , piece of Wood , little Stone ancl Bone , etc ., the true Tincture he prepared

may . NOAV this our neAV li ght doth not profit him that is blind , and will presume and resolve to be so still . More of this you may find in my third Century and also in the first part of n ? Spagyriok Pharmacopeia-. ( To be continued ) .