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of vitriol, for it is worthless in its crude state. It is like unto wood, out of which it is possible to carve anything.
Three kinds of oil are extracted from vitriol  a red oil, by distillation in a retort after an alchemistic method, and
this is the most acid of all substances, and has also a corrosive quality  also a green and a white oil, distilled from
crude vitriol by descension.  De Vitriolo. Nor let it be regarded as absurd that we assign such great virtues to
vitriol, for therein resides, secret and hidden, a certain peculiar golden force, not corporeal but spiritual, which
excellent and admirable virtue exists in greater potency and certainty therein than it does in gold. When this golden
spirit of vitriol is volatilized and separated from its impurities, so that the essence alone remains, it is like unto
potable gold.  De Morbis Amentium, Methodus II., c. 1.
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Antimony can be made into a pap with the water of vitriol, and then purified by sal ammoniac, and in this manner
there may be obtained from it a thick purple or reddish liquor. This is oil of antimony, and it has many virtues. 
Chirurgia Magna, Lib. V. Take three pounds of antimony and as much of sal gemmae. Distil them together in a
retort for three natural days, and so you will have a red oil, which has incredible healing power in cases of otherwise
incurable wounds.  Chirurgia Minor, Tract II., c. 11.
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Man himself was created from that which is termed limbus. This limbus contained the potency and nature of all
creatures. Hence man himself is called the microcosmus, or world in miniature.  De Generatione Stultorum. Man
was fashioned out of the limbus, and this limbus is the universal world.  Paramirum Aliud, Lib. II., c. 2. The limbus
was the first matter of man. ... Whosoever knows the limbus knows also what mam is. Whatsoever the limbus is,
that also is man.  Paramirum Aliud, Lib. IV. There is a dual limbus, man, the lesser limbus, and that Great Limbus
from which he was produced.  De Podagra, s. v. de Limbo. The limbus is the seed out of which all creatures are
produced and grow, as the tree comes forth from its own special seed. The limbus has its ground in the word of God.
 Ibid. The limbus of Adam was haven and earth, water and air. Therefore, man also remains in the limbus, and
contains in himself heaven and earth, air and water, and these things he also himself is.  Paragranum Alterum,
Tract II.
Alchemical Catechism
A SHORT CATECHISM OF ALCHEMY
Q. What is the chief study of a Philosopher?
A. It is the investigation of the operations of Nature.
Q. What is the end of Nature?
A. God, Who is also its beginning.
Q. Whence are all things derived?
A. From one and indivisible Nature.
Q. Into how many regions is Nature separated?
A. Into four palmary regions.
Q. Which are they?
A. The dry, the moist, the warm, and the cold, which are the four elementary qualities, whence all things originate.
Q. How is Nature differentiated?
A. Into male and female.
Q. To what may we compare Nature?
A. To Mercury.
Q. Give a concise definition of Nature.
A. It is not visible, though it operates visibly; for it is simply a volatile spirit, fulfilling its office in bodies, and
animated by the universal spirit-the divine breath, the central and universal fire, which vivifies all things that exist.
Q. What should be the qualities possessed by the examiners of Nature?
A. They should be like unto Nature herself. That is to say, they should be truthful, simple, patient, and persevering.
Q. What matters should subsequently engross their attention?
A. The philosophers should most carefully ascertain whether their designs are in harmony with Nature, and of a
possible and attainable kind; if they would accomplish by their own power anything that is usually performed by the
power of Nature, they must imitate her in every detail.
Q. What method must be followed in order to produce something which shall be developed to a superior degree than
Nature herself develops it.
A. The manner of its improvement must be studied, and this is invariably operated by means of a like nature. For
example, if it be desired to develop the intrinsic virtue of a given metal beyond its natural condition, the chemist
must avail himself of the metallic nature itself, and must be able to discriminate between its male and female
differentiations.
Q. Where does the metallic nature store her seeds?
A. In the four elements.
Q. With what materials can the philosopher alone accomplish anything?
A. With the germ of the given matter; this is its elixir or quintessence, more precious by far, and more useful, to the
artist, than is Nature herself. Before the philosopher has extracted the seed, or germ, Nature, in his behalf, will be
ready to perform her duty.
Q. What is the germ, or seed, of any substance?
A. It is the most subtle and perfect decoction and digestion of the substance itself; or, rather, it is the Balm of
Sulphur, which is identical with the Radical Moisture of Metals.
Q. By what is this seed, or germ, engendered?
A. By the four elements, subject to the will of the Supreme Being, and through the direct intervention of the
imagination of Nature.
Q. After what manner do the four elements operate?
A. By means of an incessant and uniform motion, each one, according to its quality, depositing its seed in the centre
of the earth, where it is subjected to action and digested, and is subsequently expelled in an outward direction by the
laws of movement.
Q. What do the philosophers understand by the centre of the earth? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]