AChymicalltreatiseoftheAncientand

highlyilluminatedPhilosopher,Devine
andPhysitian,ArnoldusdeNovaVilla
wholived400yearsagoe,neverseenein
printbefore,butnowbyaLoverofthe
Spagyrickartmadepublickfortheuseof
Learners,printedintheyear1611.
TranscribedfromBodleianLibrary,MSAshmole1415,pp.130
146,byHerewardTilton.
HereBeginnsMr.ArnolddeNovaVilla'streatise.
HespeakestohisScholarsthus,KnowmydeareSonnethatthis
isaBookeoftheSecretsofnature,andIshalldevideitintosix
parts.Inthefirstdiscoursewhatthestoneis,secondlywhythe
Stoneisnaturall,thirdlywhytheStoneisanimallikeourblood,
fourthlywhyitiscalledherballorRadicall,fifthlyI'lerelateits
trueandconstantpreparation,andsixtlyIshalltrulyandwithout
liesgiveyouanaccountoftheaugmentaionofourgrowing
stone,totheendthatfoolesmaybeederided,andwiseand
understandingmentaught.Thisartisnothingelsebuta
knowingofthesecretandhidthingsofnaturallmasterrsand
Loversofthenaturallartandwisdome,thereforenobody
shouldapproachtothisart,unlessehehasheardbeforesome
Logick,whichteachestodistinguishtruthfromfalsehood,and
withallthenaturallartwhichteachesthethingsofnature,and
thepropertyoftheelements,otherwisehetroubleshisminde
andbodyandlifeinvaine,itisaStoneandnoStone,andis
foundbyeverybodyinplanefields,onMountaines,andinthe

water,andiscalledAlbida,heereinallphysitiansagree,forthey
saythatAlbidaiscalledRebio,theynameitinhidandsecret
words,becausetheyperfectlyunderstandthemateriam,some
sayitisblood,otherssayitismanshair,otherssayitiseggs,
whichhasmademanyfoolesandunwisemen,thatunderstand
nomorethentheletter,andthemeeresoundofwords,seeke
thisartinblood,ineggs,inhair,intheGaull,inAllum,insalt,
buttheyhavefoundnothingfortheydidnotrightlyunderstand
thesayingsofnaturalists,whospaketheirwordsinhid
language,shouldtheyhavespokenoutplainly,theywouldhave
doneveryillfordiversreason,forallmenwouldhaveusedthis
artandthewholeworldwouldhavebeenspoiled,andall
agricultureperisht;seeingitissothatamanmustgivean
accountofhisworkes,Idesiregod,thathewouldgiveme
reason,andwisdome,anddirectmehowImayestrangeor
concealethisnobleartfromfooles,whichmademesaywhat
thisstoneis;KnowmysonnethatourStoneasHermesspeakes
isinalivingthing,outofwhichsayingthetrueattemptofthis
artmaybeeknowne,andbecauseofthissayingsomeaccording
totheirfollyhavesoughtthisstoneinbeasts,inherbs,inAllum,
buttheyhaveremainedfooles;nowI'letellyouwhatourstone
is,Sol,Luna,Azoth,nowtherearethreestonesandtheyare
deaduponearth,andendthethingaforeinLunambythe
carefullunderstandingandpreparationofman;outofthisstone
ismadetruegoldandsilverthesamewithnaturall;theScholar
saydhowcanthisbee,forthephilosopherssaythatartis
weakerthennature,andyousay,outofthatstoneismadegold
andSilverthesamewithnaturall.TheMasteranswerr'dweedoe
notmakeit,asnaturemakesit,butwehelpenaturewithourart,
inwhichrespectitisnaturallandnotartificiall;therearethree
thingsinthenaturallartandwisdomeasHermessays,whenthe
StoneisinathingthathasaSoule,astheSouleisspirituall
whenitgoesawayinSmoak,forwhichcauseitscall'dafugitive
servant,andafiniteSpirit,forintheworldthereisnoother
spirittothisart,anditisofanAyrynature,whichisasignof
perfection,andthatitisnotinSaltorAllum;heisnotwisethat

seekesinathingwhatisnotinit,andbecauseneithergoldnor
SilverisinAllumorSalt,weemustnotseekthemtherebutin
suchthingswheregoldandsilveristobeefound.
ButthatourStoneisnotinbeasts,hearehowHermessaith.All
thingsaremadeaccordingtotheirnature.Outofmananother
manismade,andoutofalivingcreatureanotherlivingCreature
isproduced,andonethingproducethanotherlikeitselfe.How
thencanthemedicinehelpeman,itbeingnotfitforman?The
Masteransweresthus,UnderstandtheSayingsofWisemen.
TheMedicineswhicharegiventomandoenotmakeman,but
driveawayhisdistempers,andsoitishere.OurMedicinegiven
tohimtowhomweeoughttogiveit,makestruegoldandSilver
whichissubjecttonodefect,andchangesthemanintothe
Woman,andtheWomanintotheman,andthemanintoan
angell;howcanthatbeesaiththeScholar?Thouhasthearditin
thepreparationonly,perceivewellthewordsoftheNaturalists
andbeewiseandnotunwise,itbeingnecessarythatourStone
mustbeeofanincombustiblenatureandmatteritisevident,that
itisnotfoundinsalt,oranimals,oranyoftheothermentioned,
butthatMercuryisaloneanincombustiblespirit,andtherefore
necessarilymustbeeanobjectofourscience;sothenitis
manifestwhattheStoneis,andhowmuch,andhowitisnot.
KnowmySon,thatourStoneisnaturall,formanyreasons;first
itisnaturallbecausenatureinthelikemannermakesmanand
womanasthewisemayknow,buttheunwisedothnot
understandthis.SecondlyitiscallednaturallbyHermesthe
fatherofallNaturalists,amanwhoistobeebeleived.Thirdly
themedicineisfoundnaturally,thethingswhichareunderthe
CircleoftheMoonebeingfoureelements.Andthereforeour
Stoneisjoynedtogetherbythe4elements,andamongthe4
elementsoneiscold,anotherdrye,somewarme,somemoist.
TheScholarheresaith,ThenourStoneiscold,moist,dryand
hot.TheMasteransweres:Understandplainly.TheSeven
planetsareStones.Mercuryiswarmanddrybecauseofthe
Sunne,coldandmoistbecauseoftheMoone,forheisofthe

natureofwater,ofaire,ofearthandofFire.Thereforeheisas
thethingtowhichyoujoinedhim,Goodwiththegood,andbad
withthebad,whichmakesAristotlesay,whenthouhastWater
outoftheaire,andaireoutofthefire,andfireoutoftheearth
(openthyearesandunderstandthesayingsofthewise)Then
thouhastthewholeArt.
KnowmysonnethatourStoneisanimallike.TheScholarsaith,
whatisthereasonofthis?TheMasterreplyes,becauseheehath
aSpirit,andthereforeasoulwhichmakesitanimallike.The
Scholar:howhathitaSoule?TheMaster:dostnotthouknow
thatthereare4Spirits,Sulphur,Arcenicum,Salmoniac,and
Mercurius,youseeitisunderthenumberofthese4spiritsand
thereforeitisaSpirit,andtheSoule,andbecauseitisaSouleit
mustneedsbeeanimallike,foranimalshavesoules,hereabouts
markewellasIhavetoldtheeofspiritsandoftheSouleandof
theanimalliketotheanimallike,thisisthereasonwhyour
Stoneisanimallike,andHermesinLibroSenatorsaith,our
StoneisofathingthathathaSoulethatisofaSpiritorfugitive
thing,butthefoolesandunwisemenwhothought,assomeyet
thinkthatitisinbeasts,findeandloosetymeandlabourand
spoilboththeirbodiesandgoods.TheScholarsayes:whyisour
Stoneblood?BecauseArcaglaussayestaketheStonewhichthe
ancientsbidyoutakeandrubhimsolongtillheberub'dto
blood,thatis,tillhebecomered,andbecauseoftherednessehe
iscalledblood,andwhenourStonebecomesred,thenhehasin
himthenatureoffire,andoutofitallsecretsmaybedrawn,
markandperceivewhatIsay,andthouwilthavethewholeart,
foolswhothoughtthathewasblood,didlabourinbloodand
foundnothing,forthingsaremadeaccordingtotheirnature.
ThenaturallMastersays:makeoutoftheStonefleshandblood,
thathemaybeeredandthouwilthavethewholeart,Makeof
theMilkthatisofwhiteStonefleshandblood,thatitmaybee
whitelikemilkeandmayflow.TheScholarsaith:howisthis
stonemadewhite,andhowisitmadered?TheMaster
answeres,TaketheStoneandrubbhimwithblood,anditwill

beered,HoweverIdeclaretheArttotheeotherwise,and
clearer.Takethesmallandinconsiderableandrubitwiththe
mostamiableandthebest,anditwillbemaderedbythehelpof
theFire,Observeherethatthefirecausesthemtojoyneand
purgeththem,andadornesthem.Buttheunwise,whoperceive
nottheSpeechesoftheNaturallMasters,trytheartaccordingto
theoutwardLetter,andfindenothingandthencryIt'saLye,
andtheartisfalse,forweehavetryeditandfoundnothing.
Thustheydespaire,andraileagainstthebooksandtheArt.The
Scholarsaith,whyisthisStoneHerball?TheMasteranswers:
becauseastheherbehathamoveablesoule,soourstonehatha
Soule,forHermessaithourStoneisofathinghavingaSoule,
buttheunwisethoughtitwasinherbsyetdidnotfindeitthere,
andsohaverenouncedtheart.SomesaythatMercuryshould
beecompoundedorcoagulatedwiththeherbsandsohave
soughthimintheherbsandfoundnothing,YetthisIdoenot
sayasiftheMercuriuscouldnotbeecompoundedorcoagulated
withtheherbs,butIsaythatthecoagulationisgoodfornothing,
andwhentheyhavethuscoagulatedhim,theythinktheyhave
donegreatmatters,yethavedonenothingthat'sworthanything,
norfinishedanything;itbeinginconstanttheytalke,Ican
coagulatetheMercurius,buttheymightrathersay,Icanspoile
theMercurius.AndwhatisitthatMercuriusistobee
coagulatedwith?Theymakehimofherbes,andmakesofragil,
thatheisworthnothing.Mercurius,ifheebeerightly
coagulatedheemustbeeasheavyinweightasgoldthoughhee
beewhiteincolour,fortheWhitenesseisaSigneofperfection.
Thisdone,thereneedsnomorebutonlytogivehimthecolor,
andsoitisgold.TheScholarsaith,whyisourStonecalledthe
redServant?TheMasteransweres:becauseheesoonturnesred.
TheScholar:whydoethephilosopherssay,thatMercurydoth
notdye,unlesseitbekilledwithitsBrother?TheMaster:
HermessaithThattheDragondyesnot,unlesseyoukillhim
withitsBrothertheSun,orSistertheMoone.Thereforesaith
Avicenna,Maketheblindtosee,andtheseeingblind,andthou
wilthavetheArt.Anothersaith,intheHerballStoneareHaire,

Blood,Eggs,andthisheesaidtoshewinthesewords,the4
Elements,beleevenotmeebutthenaturallphilosophers,who
maybeebeleeved,norgiveancredittocommonfoolishrecipes.
Forthosethathavemaderecipesfoundnothingofthisart,but
theyhadsomebooksofthephilosophers,whospeakeinriddles
ofthisart(Fortheyframedthesebookeswithsuchhidwordsas
withallumandSalt,andwithotherthingsunintelligibletothe
simple,thoughintelligibleenoughtotheprudent)thattheyhave
deceivedthewholeworld.IsawaMonckwhohadlabouredin
thisArtveryneeretwentyyeares,andcouldfindenothing
notwithstandingofthis,howeverlikeabaseraskallheemadea
bookewhichheecalled,TheFlowersofParadise,inwhichwere
above100recipes,andthisbookehesufferedtocomeinto
everymanshand,andbythesemeanesmuchpeoplewas
deceived,forheewasaCoxcombandknewnothing.
InthisChapterIwillteachthepreparationofthePhilosophers
Stone,butthewayofitspreparationwhichIknow,Ihavenotof
myselfe,butapartofthisLabor,Ihaveofoneofmybrethren,
andapartofaGermanMoncke.ThereforIdesireGodthathe
takeawayfrommeethesinofenvy,thatImaybringeverybody
intothewayoftruth.Inthebeginningofthislabour,I'lesay,
thatthemostexcellentHermesteachesthewayinplainwords
torationallmen,butinoccultandhidspeechestotheunwise
andfools.Isaythatthefathersonandholyghostareone,and
yetthree,sospeakingofourStoneIsaythreeareone,andyet
aredivided.Markwell,theWorldwaslostbyaWoman,
thereforenecessarilymustitbeerestoredbyaWoman.Take
thereforethemotherverypureandlayherintoabedwiththe
Servant,andputtthemupcloseintoaPrison,tilltheybee
purifiedoftheirsins,andshee'lebeareason,whichwillbeea
blessingtoallpeople.Signeshavebeenmanifestedinthesun
andinthemoone.Thentakethesonandbeatehimthathemay
bepunishedanditspridemaycomedown,andheforsakehis
pride,andabideinhumility.Therefore,saithGeber,outof
Mercuryeverythingismade.ThesameChaptersaithfurther,

ThecommonSulphurisfoundinSolandLuna,inMercury
morefugitive,inthebodywater.Andthesameinanother
chaptersaith,AfterwardtheTincturebecomesWater,thatit
maybecomebetterinitsnature.Thereforetakethepunishedson
andlayhimintoabedandtherehee'lebegintodelighthimselfe,
thentakehimandgivehimtotheJewestobeecrucified.Being
crucifyedheegrowespale,thentakehim,andturnehim,andif
youcannotseehimwell,youtakeawaythevailefromthe
Temple,whereuponagreatearthquakearisethandyou'lesee
variouschanges,andhee'leleapeupanddownebecauseofhis
greattortures,thenhee'lefalldowne;thereforestirrhimbelow
more,andhee'legiveuptheghost.Thusallnecessarythingsare
accomplished,andmanyWorkmenhaveerredinthis.
TheScholarsaid,thesewordsIunderstandnot.TheMaster
answered,ImustnecessarilyhidetheSecretsofSecretsofthe
naturallart,asotherNaturalMastershavedone,foritisnotwith
thisartasitiswithothers.Henceitissaid,whatsoeveris
written,iswrittenforourLearning,thatthroughpatienceand
comfortoftheholyghost,weemayhavetheScripture.Amen.
IcameonedayintoagreatMastershousetorecreatemyselfe
withhiminthisartforsport,yetwithmagisteriallwords,andI
satathisrightside;Thereweretwomenwithhim.TheoneI
knew,buttheotherIdidnotknow.Thesetwobegantospeake
ofthisart,neitherbeingashamedofmee,nortakinganycareof
mee.ThenunderstoodIbytheirspeechesthatwhichIhad
soughtagreatwhile.YetdidtheywonderwhatIsoughtthere
andwereamazedatthespeech,whichtheyhadhadtogether.
Thenturnedthehonestoldmanhisfacetowardsmeeandsaid,
ThewiseandprudentMercurius(tospeakethecommonway)is
comprehendedinthesewords.Takeleadeandwhatsoeverislike
lead,andtakeAzoth.Thisistherightorderingoftheart,which
theEgyptianshaveacknowledgedandthat'stheirriddle,their
reason,theirvertue,andtheirmeeknesse.Herearefourethings,
twoaremanifestwhichhenamedthelead,andthatwhichislike

lead.Thensaidoneofthemen,howmanyarethethings,to
whichtheothersaid,therearefoure,andsaidmoreover:These
artwordsoftheprudentandwise,andhaveadarkeobscurityin
them,andaretakenoutoftheapparentsentencesofthewise.
Thentheoneasked,howisthis?towhichtheotheranswering
saidthewisemanunderstandsbuttwo.Theoneaskedagaine,
whicharetheytwo?Themanansweredandsaid,Thehidden
thingafterthisheeaddstwowordsandtheysignifiefoure,and
fouresignifiebuttwo,andheechangedthewordsofthewise
beforementionedandsaidfoure.Andthewisemensaybuttwo.
Thenheansweredandsaidasitwassaidbefore,Inthesewords
isahiddenobscurityandtheyaretakenoutoftheillustrious
sayingsofthewise.HerebymeanestheMasternothingelsethen
thatoutofthefourethingstwoshouldbeesettogether,manand
wife.Andhavingthususeddiversewordsamongtheresthe
said,TakeFireandwater,andminglethesetwotogether,and
therewillbeeonethingoutofit.Afterthishesaid,TakeLead
andthatwhichresembleslead,andhechangedthesewordsand
said,TakeAzothandthatwhichresemblesAzoth;withsuch
hiddenwordsdoetheyhidetheirwordstoallunwisemen.
PerceivethereforeandtrustGod,thatthoumaystperceivethe
bettertheaforesaidsayingofthewise.OfthisIlegivetheean
examplewhentheMastersaith,TakeLead,accordingtoa
philosophicallsenseormeaning.Thewordleadisamanlyname
andword,andsooneofthenumberofthenamesofmen.
Herebymaystthoutrulyknowthenameoftheman.Andhe
saithfurther,Thatwhichresembleslead,thatis,thatwhich
resemblestheman.SoheehidesthenameoftheWoman,and
thereasonwhyhementionsthemansnamefirstisbecause
sheeisofhim,andnotheeofher.Thereforesaidthemaster,
ThatwhichresemblesLead.Afterthisonesaid,TakeAzothand
thatwhichresemblesAzoth.TheMastersherebymeanethe
wife.HerehenamestheWoman,andmentionsnotthenameof
theman,forheehadnamedhimbeforeinthebeginningofthese
words,wherehesaith,TakeAdamandwhatresemblesAdam.
AfterwardsheechangeththisSpeecheagaine,tomakeitmore

occulttohimthatisnotaltogetherwise,andsaid,TakeEva,and
whatresemblesEva,herethounamestEvaandnottheman,and
thisthoudoest,becausethoudidstbegininthefirstspeechwith
theman.ThattheseSpeechesdoenotatallhinderawisemanin
hisreason,butmakehimmoreingenious,andmoreintelligent.
Whentheyhadtalk'dtogetheragreatwhile,theybeganagaine
inagreatfeareanotherwayandlanguage.Minglethewarm
withthecold,forsoanequallmixturewillariseoutofit,which
isneitherwarmenorcold,andmixthemoistwiththedry,and
you'lehaveanequallmixture,whichisneithermoistnordry.
TheSpeechnowuttered,ismanifestfrom4things,andoutof
thesefourearenumberedandterminatedManandWife.The
manishotanddry,thewifecoldandmoist,butwhentheycome
together,andunitethemselvesnaturally,thereismadeanequall
mixtureofthewarmeandthecold,ofthemoistwiththedry.
AndofthisawisePhilosopherdothnotdoubt,andtheartificiall
conjunctioncannotbeeunlessethethingsbelongingthereunto
betotallyprepared,everyoneaccordingtoitskind.Foras
Josephsaith,Mixtogetherfireandwater,andtherewillbetwo,
Mixtogetheraireandearth,andtherewillbeefoure,Afterward
offouremakeone,thenthouartcometowhatthouwouldstbee
att.Andwhenthisisdonemakeoutofthatbodyanoncorpus,
thatisaSpirit,asoutofthenoncorpusorSpiritmakeabody
againe,whichmaybeeconstantonthefire,andnotremoveany
wayfromit.Already,thouhastcomprehendedtheWisdom.Doe
inthisasJosephhathsaid.Beforethoubeginnestthelabourof
thisArtificialltreasurewhichistrue,prepareallthings,eachin
theirkindandnature,beginthencetotheend,andwhenthou
hastdonethisthouhastmadeawaterwhichiswarmeandnot
warm,coldandnotcold,moistandnotmoist,dryandnotdry
accordingtoitsnature,anditisfixed,thatitcannotfly,anditis
thethingwhichrevealesandopenstotheethetincture,andifit
werenotforthisArtificiallwater,allhopewouldbeeinvaine.
WhentheMastersspeakehereandthere,theystillcometothis

Noblewater.Thereasonisbecausethatwaterisamedium
betweenthecontrarythings,thiscomesfromthence,anditis
waterandnowater,fireandnofire,aireandnoaire,earthand
noearth.Becausethenitisandisnot,accordingtoitsNoble
NatureitisarightmediumbetweenetheunlimitedElements.
ThisNoblewateristhebeginning,middleandendofthisNoble
art,perceivethisspeechwelltogetherwiththeformer.Forthe
Mastersspeakecommonlyonething,andmeaneitinanother
sense,andwheretheyspakemosthiddenlyandmost
profoundly,theretheydoemeanitmostsimply,andwherethey
speakemostplainlyandopenlythentheydoehidemostthis
divineandNobleart.Outofthisspeechandsentencesitis
manifest,thatthisartmaybeetaughtwithallitsSecretesina
fewwords,norwillanymanbefoundintimetocome,thatwill
saysomuchinwritingasissaidhere,unlesseoneshouldshow
ittotheotherwithhandandmouthandreveal'dandopen'dall
tohim,forthephilosophershaveunwillinglydiscoveredthis
amiabletruth,andhavereserv'dittothemselvesandtakenit
withthemdownetotheGrave;andwhatinotherBookesis
taughtbyexamplesandcircumstances,thatisexpress'dhere
cleerely,andthusthisNobleArtiswrittenbymetrulyand
sincerely.
Thereforethatmynameandmemorymayforeverremaine
upontheearth,Ihavewrittenthissmallbookeandmadeitby
thehelpoftheHolyGhost,forallPosteritiesandChildrenof
GodandofthisArt.
OnetimeIsatealoneinmyChamberwithmyWife,andread
theBookesoftheancientdeceasedphilosophers,andthosealso
thathaveliv'dinmytime,andthereIfoundwrittensomething
ofAlkabrithandZandorit,andofotherstrangewordsandthings
wherebyonemayturneeverymanfromtherightway,andhe
thatmattersitlooseshistime,goodsandsubstanceandlasthis
health,andmiserablyrobbshimselfeoflife;andthatthou
mayestbelievemethebetterItellthewholetruth,thatnoman

canattainuntothisartunlesseheretiresfromtheworldand
converseswithhisequalls,andjoynhimselftothem,andthough
everyonesayesthatheerevealsit,yethoweverallhideitas
thouseestbymethatIdoerevealeit,butnottotheunwiseand
foolish;andifItrulydiscoverthisdivineart,mybookewillbee
soprofitabletothem,thatthebookesofwisemenandmywords
willbeethesame,mywordstheirs,andtheirsmine;notthatI
wouldstealetheirwordsfromthemandmakethemmineowne,
thiswouldbeunjust,butonlymymeaningagreeswiththeirs,
andtheirsagainewithme.Thereforewhosoeverwillfindeout
theSecretsofthisArt,lethimreadthisbookeand
understanding.Andwhy?becausethisbookeiscleereand
knowntounderstandingmenandtothosethatobservecarefully
andreadewithattentioninit,buttotheunwiseandunexpert,
andthosethatarenotdiligentitmustneedsbeehiddasitis
fromchildren.Knowthen,thatthereartmanywholabourhard
inthepreparationofSulphur,andintheSublimationof
Arsenicum,whichartcombustibleandcorruptible.Thesemen
onlylooketothewordswhichtheyreadeorheare,andnotto
thehiddensensethatisinthosewords.FortrulytheSulphur,
Arsenicum,Auripigment,Zandorit,Vibrick,Mercurius,Salt,
Saltpeter,SalaPculi,SalmiacandAllumsignifieinthisNoble
artintruthnothingbutwater,andthemakingwhitethe
Philosopherstalkof,isnothingelsebutthepurificationofthe
Waterthatitmaybeeclearerandpurer,andbythesublimation
orexaltationunderstandnothingelse,buttheascensionofthe
vapourfromthewaterintheCucurbitbelowandaboveinthe
AlembickandagainethroughtheCanalesLateralesinthe
Cucurbit,andagainethroughtheCanaleslaterales;andbythe
washingunderstandTheBodieschangingintowatersolongtill
outoftheWaterapartinitofthemanifoldvapoursascends,
andfallingdowneagainearecoagulatedandconsolidatedthatit
mayneverriseagaine,andthereasonhereofisbecausethe
corporealSpiritintheSpirituallandtheSpirituallagaineinthe
corporealhasmixedandsoakeditselfe,andbecausethe
SpirituallSpiritisstrongerthantheCorporeallSpirit,theyboth

arevapourousandellevatethemselvesintheheightofthe
allembick;butwhenthecorporeallSpiritovercomesthe
Spirituallhemustnecessarilyremainewithhimatthebottome
intheCucurbit,andwhentheyhaveunitedthemselvesthe
SpirituallGhostwhichispenetrablemakesthecorporeallSpirit
togetherwithhimselfpenetrableandpermeable,forthe
corporeallSpirithasinhimthetincture,thatis,theredand
whitecolour,andwithalltheSpirituallSpiritleadsthe
corporeallinandwithouthinderancejustasamandoesgoe
throughahousewithanopendoore,andisnotspiedbyany,so
itishere;butthiscannotbeunlessethebodythatwilldrawthe
Spiritoutoftheman,beetotallycleansedfromallimpurity,and
therebytheLeprosieofthewholefromthewholebeperceived.
Understandthis,thatis,thatashesbedrawneandmade,forthus
thebodiesaredeprivedoflustinessandmoistness,andsothe
bodymayfirstbecomespirituall,whenthebodyisturnedto
ashesaccordingtoitshighestpurification,andoutofthose
ashesbemadeaLixevium,inthatwaterishnaturethebody
becomesspirituall;andunderstandthissecrethowthebodyhas
theashesinit,andintheashesistheStone,andtheStoneisthe
Spirit,andintheSpiritthereisthetinctureorcolour,andinthe
tincturetheSoul,andtheSoulhadinherafierypermeation,and
leadswithherthecolourinthebody;andhethatdoesnot
understandhowheshallbeginthis,howwillhecometothe
middle,ortotheend,thereforethusspeakeallmasters:itisone
body,andyettherearemanybodies,andthosemanyareno
morethenonebody,thisunderstandallsoitisonebodybecause
itisnotbeatenassooneasitisturnedintoashes,eachsingular
dustisasingularbodyandwhentheashesareturnedintowater
itisawaterandnowaterandmaywithartificiallindustrybe
returnedintoabody,butbeforethisthebodymustoftenrestin
thebellyofthewindundertheheightoftheheavens;and
thereforetheMasterssayitisaStone,andresemblestheEagles
StonefortheEaglesStoneissuchaStonethatinhisbellythere
isanotherStone,andifyouwillpullitoutfromthence,you
mustturnetheStoneintoAshes,andoutoftheashesthereis

firstanotherStonemade,andwhenthatStonedoessweatright,
itsowneWaterismadeofit,andwhenhehaswellsweated,he
drinckstheSweatyWateragaineintohim,andflysafterwards
upanddowne,andfromthegreatmotionwhichhedoesforce
upabovehisMassintheaire,thewaterbecomesofitselfagaine
aStone,andbytheparaphraseoftheEagle,understandthe
evaporationofthevaporousspirit,andbytheirredescention
understandtheheavyfallingdowneofthebody;yetthereare
manywhocalltheaforesaidashesasowremasseoraLeaven,
buttheyknownottheirwater,thatthecorporeallnatureattracts
thecoagulatednatureoutofthoseashes.
MoreoversaysMasterJosephtheirSpiritisthefusionofboth
bodies,bythishedoesnotmeanethedissolutionsofthebodyes
onthefire,buthemeanesthattheyshouldbeeturnedinto
Mercury,andthatoutoftheMercurytheflowersshouldbe
extracted,andthisistheStonewhereofAristotlespoketohis
King,didmenknowwhatagreatTreasuretheyhadinSaturnus
theywouldnotgiveitforasmallsummeofMoney,butthey
wouldmakesomuchgainbyit,thatonemightbringthewhole
WorldintohisSubjection;andanotherMastersaid,takethe
thingsastheycomeoutoftheirtreasury,andliftthemupinthe
highestmountains,andhumblethemagainfromthehighest
mountainstotheirroots,thesearethewisestwordswhichhehas
spokenopenlywithoutallenvyandwithoutanysecrecy,and
afterwardheehathnotnamedthethingshemeant,intheheighth
oftheMountainesandbytheroots.ForasinMountaines
naturallgoldismade,andintheground,sointhisart,ourgold
ismadeintheheighthoftheAlembick,andintherootethatis
intheCucurbit.Andthisisacleanlysimilitudewhichmay
easilybeperceived,andherebyyoumayunderstand,whenthe
Masterspeakeofthehighemountainesorthedeepegrounds
thattheydoenotmeanetheheadsofmenortheirfeete,sowhen
theyspeakeofhaire,andofblood,theyonlyunderstandthe
resemblanceofthem.Thereforemanymenaredeceived,which
lookeaftertheliterallsenseandseekeitwhereitisnottobee

found.ForthisArtissonoblethatitmustbesoughtandfound
outinitselfe,andnothingliketoit.Asoutofamanismade
anotherman,sooutofoneNobleMettallismadeanother
Mettall,andthereisnotransmutation,assomeidleandsimple
menthinke.Whodothnotmollifyandhardenagainedotherre,
thereforemaketheearthblack,andseparateherSoulefromher,
andthewater,afterthatmakeitwhitethatitmaybecomeasa
nakedSwordandwhenitgroweswhite,giveittotheCovetous
firesolongtillitgroweslarge,anddothnotflyaway;Heethat
candoethismaywellbecalledhappyandexaltedinthisWorld,
andlethimdoeitintheloveofGodandinhisfeare.Amen.
Thefirstwordinthisgreatworkisthebodiestransmutationinto
MercuryandthisthePhilosophershavecalledadissolution.
AndthisArtificiallandingeniousdissolvingisthebullwarkof
thisart.HencesaithRosarey,Unlesseyoudissolvethebodies,
YourLaborisinvaine.ThereforethedissolvingofPhilosophers
isnotadrinkinginbutthebodiestransmutationintowater.Nor
isitcalledaPhilosophicaldissolvingunlesseitbecomescleere
asMercury,sothouwilthaveanelement,whichisthewater.
Thesecondwordisthatitbepurifiedandfilledwithitsterra;of
thisspeakesMorienus,lettheearthbeefilledwithitswater,and
letitbeecleansedwithit,andwhenitispurifiedonbothsidesit
endsthewholeart.Aristotlesayesingenerall,putthedrytothe
moist,thedryistheterra,themoististhewater,thusthouhast
earthandwatereachbyitself,andtheearthispurifiedwiththe
water,andwhentheyarecleansedonewiththeother,thouhast
Colourscleererthenbefore,thereforesaiesRosariusingenerall,
ifonebydayseesmanystarrsintheheavens,thesunneis
hinderedofitsLustrebymoon,andwhenthatdoesvanishthe
Sunnshinesclearerthenbefore.
Thethirdword,thatthewaterdoesliftitselfinvapourswhichis
condensedandcoagulatedoftheearth,andthick,thatisthatit

makesitselfespirituallintheaire,andsothouhastWater,earth
andaire,andwhileithurversintheaireArchelaouscallsitthe
greatMasterHermesesbirdbywayofsimilitude;therefore
sayesAlberius,makehimwhite,orwhitehimwiththe
nimblenesseofthefire,solongtilloutofhimarisesthespirit
whichiscalledHermesesbird,sotheearthwillremaine
cineratedinthegroundwhichisofafierynature,sothouhast4
elementsintheearthwhichdidremaineintheground,anditis
thefire;henceMorienus:theEarthwhichremainesinthe
ground,thoumustnotatalldespisenorvillify,understandthe
earthofthebody,andthatsameearthistherightendofthe
permanentandconstantthings,afterthatwithagoodwaterthou
mustannointanderrigatetheLeaven,andtheLeaveniscalled
bythePhilosophersaSoul;theycallalsothepreparedbodya
Leaven,forasaLeavendoesmakeotherbreadsowre,sodoes
thisthing,andItelltheefreely,thatthereisnootherLeavenbut
GoldandSilver,ofnecessitymusttheLeavenbeeLeavenedin
thebody,fortheLeavenistheSouleofthebody,andtherefore
saysMorienus:Unlesseyoupurifytheuncleanbody,andcreate
inhimanewsoule,youhaveperceivedLessethennothingin
thisart;likewisesaysArnuldus,thespiritchangesintothebody,
andcleansesandeternisethhim,aboutthistheSpiritdoestye
himself,andtheclearpermeationsoftheSoulwhichhereis
mentionedisaLeaven,andrejoyceswiththebody,becauseit
hascleanseditselfewithhimandnowthenatureischangedso
thatthegrosserthingsstaybehindthere;saysAschanosinTurba
Philosophorum,theSpiritisnotjoynedtothebodyunlesse
beforeitbeetotallypurifiedfromalluncleanesse,butinthe
conjunction,thegreatestmiraclesaremadeevident,forthereare
seenallthecoloursthatamancanthinkof;andwhenthe
coloursbeginntobeelighterandlightersothatthouseest
sometimesonelyasitwerealittlesparkandbeginnstorejoyce
thereinfromthyheartandSoul,thentakeheed,forourbasilisk
prepareshimselfwhokillsmenmoreforjoy,whichthey
conceivefromhimthenforhispoyson,forhispoysonlastsbut
amoment,thatiswhenthesupremepowerortheQuintessence

oftheelementsdoesdiscoveritselfinsomanywayesand
colours,andthelastisdoneinaMoment;whenthisisdone
thouseestthesunandMooneshinelovelyintheheavenofhis
ownewater,andbeginstorejoycebutthengoeawaylestthou
loosestthylifeforjoy,andthustheimperfectbodyiscoloured
withhisbestcoloursbecauseofthepoweroftheheaven,and
theheavenisthesoul,andtheSpiritiswiththehelpofthesoul
joynedtothebody,andaretyedonewiththeother,andthe
bodyischangedtothecolouroftheLeavenandbecomes
eternallygood;outoftheWordsprescribedandsaidany
understandingmanmayknowthatthephilosophersindarkand
hiddenwordeshavehiddethewholeart,fortheysayourStone
isof4elements,andthat'sagreattruth,fortheyhavecompar'd
themwith4elementswhereofWeehavesaidenough,andone
mayknowtheelementsbythecoloures,hethatknowesit,and
isacquaintedwithit;somePhilosophershavesaidthatour
Stoneisofabody,ofasoul,andofaSpirit,andtheyhavesaid
true,andweedoeyeild,andtheygivetotheperfectbodywhat
hehadnotbefore,anditbringshimintoabetterspirit;theSoul
bringsintotheimperfectbodyaconstantspirit,whichisnotat
allfugitivebeforetheAire,andthereforeitkeepsitscolourand
weightunchangeablyandthemoreyoudriveitthemorenobleit
becomesbothincolourandweight.Somealsosayunlesseyou
changethebodiesintonobodies,andthenobodiesagaineinto
bodies,youarenotcomeyettotherightart,forthebody
becomesfirstanaquaMercuryincorporalandafterwardsthe
WaterandtheSpiritinthechangingandsobothbecomeone
body;somealsosaychangethenaturesquiteandcleaneand
youwillfindewhatyouseeke;andthat'strue,forwemakeof
thatwhichisgrosseasubtleandquickthing,andofabodywe
makewater,andofthatwhichismoistwemakeadrything,of
thewaterwemaketheearth,andthusweechangethetrue
naturesandmakeofthatwhichiscorporallaspirituallthingand
ofaSpirituallacorporallthing,andweemakethatwhichis
abovelikethatwhichisbelow,andthatwhichisbelowlikethat
whichisabove,theSpiritisturnedtoabody,andthebodytoa

Spirit;andthereforeitssaidinthebeginning,theWordwasa
Spirit,andthatwordtheSpiritwaswithGod,thatiswith
himselfe,andGodwasthatword,hehimselfwastheSpirit,and
thewordtheSpiritwasmadeflesh,theSpirithasassumedthe
truebody,andsothatabovebecametrueasthatbelow,the
Spirithasbecomeamettallickinthebody,andthatwhichwas
below,thatis,thebody,isbecomemettallickewiththeSpirit;
andthusitiswellknownthatourStoneisoutoftheelements
anditisabody,asoul,aspirit,andnottwospirits,onesouland
nottwosoules;andthesayingofPhilosophersistruewhosay
ourStoneismadebutofonething,andthereintheyhavesaid
verytrue,foritismadeonlyofwater.Andinthewaterandout
ofthewaterourwholearthathanend,foritdissolvesthebodies
withthedissolutionaforementioned;notwithsuchadissolution
asunwisemenfancy,thatourStoneshouldbechangedinto
Water,butit'sdissolvedwiththetruenaturalldissolution,so
thatheischangedintosuchawaterasitwasfromthebeginning
beforeitwasabody,andthatverywaterincineratesandturnes
thebodyagaintoearthintoashes,andmakesthempenetrable,
anddoeswhitenandpurifiethem,asMorienussays:Azothand
thefirepurifiesLatonem,andtakeallhisdarknesseaway,Laton
animpurebodysettogetherofGoldandSilver,Azothand
Mercury,andthattwodistinctbodiesjoynthefireandAzoth
togetherwhentheyarereadyasissaidbefore,thatnoattempt
againstthefireorotherattemptscanpartthem,onefromthe
other,andthatsamewaterdoesnotsublimateneitherdoesit
exaltitselfwithasublimationoffoolesorexaltationasthey
imagine,butwiththewiseandunderstandingsublimationor
exaltation;foroursublimationismakinganoblethingoutofan
ignoble,thereforefoolestaketheshavedbodiesandmakethem
ascendbytheheatofthefire,andminglethemwithanimpure
spirit,aswithArsenickandSalmiack,andtheymakeaStrong
fireunderitwherebythebodiesascendwiththeSpirit,andthen
theysaynowarethebodiessublimated;whereastheyarequite
Killed,forwhytheyfindethebodiesimpurethereforeobserve
thatourSublimationisnotdrivingonandascending,butthe

makingofadrythingandcorruptedasoundone,agreatand
highone,andchangingitintoanothernature,andmakingona
suddainsublimevapours,andallthisdoesourWatertogether;
andsounderstandourSublimationandnototherwise,andtake
heedoftheSublimationoffooles,wherewithmanyare
deceived;markeourwateratfirstkillsandmakesaliveagain,
anditmakeswhitetheblackcolour,whenit'schangedtoearth,
afterthatinnumerablecoloursreflectfromthewhitenesseand
allthecolourslastendisthewhite,foratlastitturneswhite;
somecalltheStonelead,asGigillspeakes,inourleadisthe
wholeart,andifourleadbeimpureourstoneisalsoimpure,
whilehelyesinhismotherswomb;OdidtheLeadMongers
knowthevertueofLead,theywouldnotpartwithitforsosmall
aprice;somecallourstoneCheifeCopperorClockminerallas
Eximiusspeakesingenerall.Knowthisallweethatseekethis
art,thatnotinctureismadewithoutthischeifeCopperorClock
Minerall,andthustheyhavegivenitinnumerablenames,and
yetmeanenomorebutonething,andthistheyhavedonefor
thisreason,thatfoolesshouldnotfindeitout,fortheyhave
nameditwithallmannerofnamesthatcanbeenamed,yetthey
havemeantbutonething;anditisnomorebutonething,to
wittthePhilosophycallwater.Ourartisalsocomparedtoman
making.Thefirstisthedeprivationofitschastity,thesecondis
theconception,thethirdisthebeingwithchilde,thefourthis
thebirthitselfe,andthefifthisthebringingupofthechild
borne;understandalsothesewords,ourSonthatcomesfromthe
privationofchastityisMercury,forheisdrawnoutofaperfect
bodysothereremainesanearththemotherof4elements,and
whentheearthbeginstotakesomewhatinofMercury,itscall'd
unchastity,butwhenthemanlyeswiththewifeitscalled
conception,whichwithouttheMercuryiswroughtintheearth;
thisiswhatthePhilosopherssay,ourArtisnothingelsebutthat
themanlyeswithhiswife,andthattheymingleonewiththe
other,sothattheWatergovernesandhastheMastery,andthat
theMercurybeemorethentheEarth,andsoearthencreasesand
augments;butwhentheearthbecomesawifesheiswithChild,

afterthatthefermentisaddedtotheimperfectpreparedbodyas
issaidbefore,solongtillitbecomessomethingincolourandin
sightandthat'scalledthebirth;sothenourStoneisborn,forthe
PhilosopherscallhimKingandsaythus,honouryourKingwho
comesfromthefirecrownedwithadoublecrown,bowthe
kneesbeforehimwhenhecomestohisperfectalterr,forthesun
ishisfatherandtheMoonehisMother,theperfectbodyis
Luna,theperfectbodyisgold;atlastfollowesthenourishment
wherebyheisnourishtwithagreatnourishment,heisnourisht
withhisowneMilke,withtheSeedinthebeginningheisfed,to
witwithMercury,tillhehathdrunkenoughoftheMercury.
Belovedsonnsbythesethingswhicharetoldyou,Youmay
easilyperceivethedarkeandhiddenworkeofthePhylosophers
andbythatyoumayknowthattheyallrunneonewayandupon
onestraine,andthatourartisnothingelsebutwhathasbeene
saidbefore,thedissolutionofbodiesandchangingoftheirfirst
matter,howit'smadeearthandhowitbecomesalightand
spirituousintheairewithdistillingitbecauseofthemoistnesse
whichisinit;thusitbecomeslustyinvapours,andtheearth
remainesbelowincineratedandisofafierynature,thusyou
havetrulythetotallchangingofthingsandtheminglingofthe
SoulwiththebodyandwiththeSpirit,anditassumessucha
Spirituallandpowerfullincreasethathumanereasoncannot
fathomeit,thehighestbepraisedandblessedforitfor
evermore.
NowwillIinthenameofGodmakemanifestthepracticeand
theverysenseofthePhilosophershowoneshallperfectthat
Ellixir,thatistheaugmentationofthetruetinctureandofSilver
andGoldonlyoutoftheMercuryoftheSages,ortheminerall
Mercuryandinallcopperbodieswhichfallshortofperfection,
insomuchthattheybecomeperfectintoaperfectLunaandgold
abovethenaturall,whichisnotthatcommonMercury,call'dby
thePhilosophersprimamateria,waterishhotmoistandcold,an
element,aconstantwater,aSpirit,abody,aswimmingsmoake,
ablessedwater,awaterofthewise,avinegarofPhilosophers,a

dewofHeaven,virginMilke,acorporealMercury,besides
othersinnumerablenameswherebyheiscalledintheBookesof
thePhilosophers;allthoughthesenamessoundvariously,yet
theysignifiebutonething,towitttheaforesaidMercurium
Philosophorum,foroutofhim,andinhimandbyhimonlyare
soughtallthevertuesofthewholeartofAlchimy,andofthered
andwhitetincture,QandR.
ThereforesaithGeber,withoutMercurytheartisnotperfected.
Itisathing,aStone,aMedicineinwhichlyestheart,unto
whichnooutwardthingistobeapplyed,onlyinthepreparation
theremainingorsuperfluouspartistobeetakenof.Thereforein
thatandoutofthatamanmayfindeallthings,needfulltothis
art.Foritkillsitselfeandrevivesitself,makesitselfehard,
makesitselfeweake,makesitselfblackwhiteandred.Andthe
samemasterinhisdiscoursesayeth.Weeaddnoexternallthing
becauseofthegoldandsilver,forthesearecallednotinternall
things,whicharetobeeadjoynedtotheMercury,Fortheyare
twoFellowHelperswherebythewholeworkoftheartis
perfected.AndanotherPhilosophersaith,Itisathing,whereby
manyhavebeeneundone,asawholemultitudewasforone
manssake.
TheMercuryisalsocalledanaturallrootofahighTreeoutof
whichinnumerablebranchesgrow,anditscall'dtheknowne
stoneofthephilosophers,andintheBookesofPhilosophersthe
firstoperation.TotheperfectionoftheaforementionedStoneor
ElixirbelongsaSublimationorexaltationwhichmustbee
broughttopurity.AndthisIshallhereafterwithouttheleast
coveringmakemanifest.Butyoumustnotethatthissublimation
isnothinglessethanapurification,forherebyallremaining
drossethatwasintheMercuryispurgedaway,thusthis
sublimationtheinconstantparticlesareliftedupfromthe
constant,fortheinconstantascendandtheconstantremaine
belowatthebottome,yetintheoperationtheinconstantbecome
inpartconstantandit'sparticularlytobeenoted.Heethat

rightlysublimatesourMercury,heehathperfectedthewhole
art,ForMasterGebersaith,Thewholeperfectionisinthe
sublimationinthevessel,andintheorderingofthefire,forin
thealreadymentionedsublimationarecomprehendedallother
particulars,whichbelongtoourartandlabour,assublimating,
dissolving,ascending,descending,cooling,mollifying,
purifying,andperpetuating,washingandcolouringonredand
white.Allisdoneinavesselinorderinanoven,whereofthe
Mastersofnaturehavewrittenmuchthattheartwasnottobee
perfectedconstantly,onpurpose,thattheunwisemightreachto
it,buttothejustandtothegodlyitbecomesprofitablebothhere
andhereafter.
Nowmakeitthus.TakeinthenameofGodtheaforementioned
MercuryorthenaturallWater,thefirstmatteroftheSages,
Takeofitasmuchasyouwill,andputtitintoitsvessellwhich
mustbepure,cleare,andcleane,andSealeitwellabovewith
theSigillsHermetis,thattheMercurymaynotcomeoutabove,
andsettitinitspreparedplace,thatitmayhaveamoderate
heateeverymomentforamonth.ThenaturallmastersaithThat
itmayhaveitsplacewarmewherebyitworksitselfupand
downe,solongtilitascendnomoreintheglasse,andbeginsto
beecolleatthebottome,andbecomesdrybelowintheglasse
withouttheleastmoistnesse,likeablackearth,thatiscaput
Corvi,oranearthydryelement,forthusthetruesublimationor
exaltationofthephilosophersisperfectedasissaidbefore.And
inthissublimationisthetrueseparationoftheElements,asthe
Masterssay.