Now follows what we mentioned of the aforesaid Lazarus Ercker

Of the manner of Boiling Salt-petre.

AND FIRST

By what means a Lixivium is to be made out of a Nitrous Earth.

If you are minded to make a Lixivium of such an Earth, dig it as deep as you shall find by proving it to be either good or naught, especially if you intend to make it in great quantity, and keep it in a dry place. Then take care to have some great wooden Tubs, or Vessels made, so large, that each of them may hold about some ten Wheel-barrows full of the Earth, and whereby you may be able to prepare Lixivium enough, answerable to the work you have proposed to your self to do, and to the bigness of your Copper. Now there are commonly required for such a work, to one Copper Pan that weighs two hundred weight, eight Wooden Vessels which are to be placed in such order, that on each side there may stand four in a row, opposite to each other. These same Tubs are to be so far distant from the next Collateral Vessels, as is requisite for the Wheel-Barrow wherein the Earth is brought to come between: Yea, and it is necessary that there be half an Ell’s space betwixt the said Tubs and the Earth, or Ground, it self, whereon they are placed. Likewise, each of the Vessels, or Tubs, must have a hole in the fore-part, and towards the bottom thereof, fit to put in a Plug (or Tap) at: Then finally, there must be put under those Plugs, a long Vessel like a Channel-pipe, which may receive in it the Lixivium running out of the Tubs, and may guide it along into a peculiar Wooden Vessel, as into a common Store-house set in the Earth hollowed for that purpose, to receive the said Lee in.

All your Tubs being thus rightly ordered, put in upon every Tubs bottom another (false) wooden bottom, perforated with many Holes, and let it lie two Fingers breadth distant from the true bottom: Upon this (false) bottom lay yet another made of Bull-rushes, or your small sort of Reeds which grow plentifully in Ditches about the thickness of a quarter of an Ell: In want of these Reeds throw in upon the aforementioned perforated bottom, the quantity of a Span (thick) of Chopt Hay, or Straw, laying some very thin boards thereon, that so it may not be scattered (or float) abroad. And your Vessels are made compleatly ready.

Now then, put of the Earth you have already tried and gathered, as much into each of your Tubs, as they can hold, yet with this Caution, That the top part of your Vessel be empty a Spans heighth. And observe this, that if you can get some old ashes of the Curriers, or Soap-boilers, as much of it as two or three Wheel-barrows will carry, it must be put in upon the topmost (made) bottom of the Tub, afore the Earth, but now spoken of, be put in. At the top of the earth, lay a Cover made of Twigs, (or Withes) and fasten it with a wooden stick at the top of the earth. This done, pour common water upon the earth contained in the Vessel, an Hands breadth in heighth, so as that it may rather touch (or be poured) on the Twigs, than the Earth it self, least the said earth become unequal thereby, and hollowed in several places. Let it stand thus for eight hours, which time being overpast, draw your Plug out, and let the water you poured on, run out at the hole beneath, which as long as it is muddy, you must always pour in again into the Vessel, repeating this so often, till it comes out clear, then keep it, and this water is called a weak Lee or Lixivium.

This done, pour common water again upon the earth from which the Lee hath been already, once separated, that so it may extract the residue of the Lixivium out of the earth; and this Lee is of no use, save that it may be poured on upon new earth, instead of simple water; for it oftentimes doth even yet contain a great deal of Nitre, insomuch, that you may sometimes extract out of an hundred weight thereof, three or four pound of Nitre.

This Extraction being finished, take out the unprofitable earth out of the Vessel, and put in new; and continue the Operation, after the aforesaid manner, reiterating it so long, and so often, until you have gotten store enough of the Lixivium, that the work of boiling be not intermitted for want of Lixivium.

Besides, there must be some Wooden Vessel placed at the upper part of the Copper which this Lixivium is boiled in, out of which may run so much Lixivium into the Copper as is wasted away by boiling, that so there may be still kept the same order of boiling, and the same quantity of Lixivium in the Copper. This boiling is to be on this wise continued, until a Centenary, or hundred weight of Lixivium in the Copper, yields according to the less assay (or weight) twenty five pounds of Nitre; and this may be done in two Days, and one Night.

This being thus done, you must have ready yet two Tubs, or Vessels (more) of Wood, made after the afore prescribed manner, and furnished with a (false) perforated wooden bottom, besides its own bottom, and likewise with such a bottom as is made of Reeds (or Bull rushes); only you are to observe this here; That there must be put yet another perforated wooden bottom upon this topmost bottom of Reeds, upon which there must be first cast in some chop’d Straw, then some Ashes of Firr, Beach, or any other Tree, so much in quantity as may overtop the Straw an Ell or Cubit, [Ulna] high; or rather (if it may be had for a very mean price) as much as may fill the Tubs, or Vessels. But yet, these Ashes are not to be just simply thrown in (as they are) upon the Straw, but afore this is done, they must be first well mixt together, then moistened with some of the best hot Lixivium, that there may be made a Mass. Then when the Ashes are on this wise prepared, and put in the Vessel, the Lixivium boil’d to its heighth, and which yields in the proof twenty five pound, must be poured thereon, as hot as possibly it may, and is to be often drawn off by the lower hole, until (if troubled or muddy) it becomes clear.

After that all the Lee hath thus passed through the Ashes of both Tubs (the which is done upon this account, That all its fatness may pass into (or be left with) the Ashes, which Ashes are hereby rendred stronger to wash withal) keep it in a peculiar Vessel.

Then pour the common Lee or Lixivium upon the Ashes remaining in the Tubs, which when it hath passed through the Ashes, is called the second stronger Lixivium: Then again pour on yet a third time, hot Lixivium, and when ’tis drawn off, it is called the second weaker Lixivium: Lastly, the common Lee, or Lixivium, may be poured on cold upon the Ashes, that so all the virtue of the same may be wholly extracted.

The Figure before going (Numb. 1.) will shew you the way of placing the Tubs, of preparing the Lixivium, and ordering the boiling.

A Are the eight Wooden Tubs, wherein the earth is put.

B Channels, or Conveyances, by which the water runs into the said Tubs.

C Channels, or Gutters, by which the Lixivium is conveyed into a Vessel set thereunder.

D The Vessel in which the Lixivium is gathered, or received.

E The little Vessel out of which the Lixivium runs into the Copper.

F The Furnace.

G The Copper.

H The door of the Furnace whereby Wood is put in under the Copper.

I The Lower Wind-draught (or Ash-hole) of the Furnace.

K The inward shape of the Furnace.

L An Iron Grate, which the Wood is put upon.

The manner of preparing the Liquor, out of which Salt-petre may be made by Boiling.

First of all, pour your second weaker Lixivium into your Copper, and set it a boiling, then let your second stronger Lixivium run thereinto by little and little; and then lastly, the first Lixivium it self, and which is the chiefest of all, until the Copper be almost filled, and the Lixivium be boil’d enough to shoot.

And now when you perceive that your Liquor is made strong enough by boiling, put in a Brass Ladle perforated (or full of holes) several times, even to the bottom of the Copper, and if the Lixivium lets fall out of it any Salt, you will find it at the bottom, the which you may take up with your Ladle.

Note also, That the Scum which at the end of this Boiling is plentifully gathered, must be carefully taken away: Now then try the readiness of your Lixiviums Crystallization, on this wise: Put either two or three drops on a cold Iron, or on a Polish’d Plate of Iron, and if it stands, or grows hard; that is, if when you turn the Iron up and down, it does not run (or flow) down, these are signs of the fitness of your Liquors Crystallization. Or else, you may put some of the Lixivium in a Brass Vessel, and set it in cold water, and so you shall see whether the Liquor be fitted enough to Crystallize; for assoon as ever the Lixivium shall be cold, there will be plenty of Salt-petre generated: Nay, even the very Brass Spoon it self denotes the goodness of the Liquor, it being put into the Liquor, and again taken out, it will show it sticking on it, as if it were Oil.

Out of a Centenary, or hundred weight of Liquor thus perfectly prepared, there will proceed more than seventy pound of Salt-petre.

The way of rightly using the Liquor for the Generating of a more Crude Salt-petre.

Pour your Liquor prepared after the afore-shown manner, out of the Copper into a narrow Tub, or Vessel, made of Firr, or Pine-tree wood; wherein let it remain quiet, till it be a little refrigerated, and the muddiness, or slimyness [Limus] appear, and you find that the salt sticks on in Granes to the sides of the Vessel; now when you perceive your Lixivium so cooled, as that you can put your finger thereinto without burning, pull out the Plug, wherewith an hole made in this long Vessel, about a span’s heighth from the bottom, was shut, or stopt, and so let the Liquor run forth, into very great Wooden Vessels, and deep, purposely made for such a business; or else into Copper Pans, buried almost (up to their Necks) in the earth, (for the cooler the place is, which they stand in, so much the better, and the more plenty of Salt-petre is gathered, and Crystallizeth) and you will find that your crude Salt-petre will shoot therein, the thickness of almost two fingers breadth, partly of a whitish colour, partly yellow, and partly blackish.

After that this boil’d Liquor hath stood for two days, and so many nights in the Vessel, the Lixivium of the Salt-petre which swims at top, must be taken away, which you may mix with the strong Lixivium, and pour a second time upon Ashes, for else the Lixivium will contract too much fatness, and there will be no Salt generated.

Sometimes it happens, that when the Ashes are not good, there’s no salt at all gathered in the Liquor, in which case there is no presenter Remedy, than to mix such a Lixivium stronger than is fit, with another, and so pour it again upon new, and good Ashes, and then let the boiling be again perfected after the afore-prescribed manner.

Likewise, when in the boiling you find the Lixivium very muddy, whereby the Collection of the Salt is oft-times hindred, it must be taken away, and let the Washer-Women, or Lawndresses have it, and other must be substituted in its room, and be farther purified by the help of Ashes.

The Figure signed (Numb. 2.) shews the manner of preparing the Liquor by boiling, and of extracting and gathering the Salt thereout of.

A Long narrow Tubs, or Vessels, in which the decocted Liquor of the Lixivium is cooled.

B The Furnace wherein the Copper stands.

C The Man that manageth the boiling, and extracts, or draws out the salt with a Ladle, the which he lays in a Withy Basket placed on the Copper, that so the Lixivium (in it) may again run down into the Copper.

D The little Basket.

E The little Tub out of which the strong Lixivium runs (by little and little) into the Copper.

F Coolers, or Vessels, in which the Crude Salt-petre shoots.

G Four Brass Pans put in the Earth, hollowed for the purpose, in which likewise the Salt-petre is generated (or shoots.)

H A strong Vessel whereinto the Lixivium remaining after the generating (or shooting) of the Salt-petre, is put.

The way to purifie the Crude Salt-petre.

When all these things are thus done, and the Lixivium that swims at the top of the Salt-petre is taken away, lift up those Vessels, or Brass Pans, containing that salt, and turn them up and down in some convenient place, that so the residue of the Lixivium, that lies as yet in them may flow, or run clearly out, into another Vessel set thereunder.

This done, take the Salt-petre out of the Coolers, or out of the Coppers (or Brass Pans) with an Iron Spatula, or rather with such an Instrument as your Plasterers use (eine telle, a Truel) and put it in a Tub that has a hole in the bottom thereof, that so the Lixivium may be perfectly separated therefrom. They that sell that crude Salt-petre, and not at all purified, for the Salt-petre Boilers, do pour thereon pure (or clear) Well-water, by the means of which, it is made more white, that which is thencefrom separated they do again mix with other stronger Lixivium and so boil it up for the following use.

But if you have a mind to purifie this crude Nitre from its salt, and all its Impurities, that it may be rendred fair, and white, you are to proceed this following way:

Take almost as much Well-water as is sufficient for the dissolution of the Salt-petre, put it in the purifying Copper Vessel, first cleaned with water, and dried with a cloth, and put the fire under it, and make it most exceeding hot, then throw in your Salt-petre by little and little, and in pieces, continually stirring the Salt-petre that sticks at the bottom with a spoon, that it may be the easier, and sooner dissolved; this only is to be observed, that there is required a more gentle fire, while the Salt-petre is cast into the Copper, so as the water may be kept always hot. When all the Salt-petre is almost dissolved in the water, promote the boiling thereof, by augmenting the fire, then try if there be any salt in a (biggish) gross form, residing in the bottom of the Copper Vessel, which if you find to be, (for indeed, the Salt-petre it self is not so very easily dissolved, nor doth its being admixt in a more copious manner, at all benefit the Lixivium) take it forth with a Spoon, (or Ladle.)

This done, separate the Scum swimming at top of the boiling water, then have ready a Brass Vessel that will hold about ℥j.ss. of Liquor, fill it half full with the Lixivium, set the Vessel in cold water to cool, and you shall find your Nitre presently to Crystallize, or shoot therein.

Hereby may you try whether your Purgative water be strong enough, or not; for if it be stronger than is fit, you will find a little skin spread it self over the matter contained in the Vessel, and when it comes to be so, add thereunto more hot water, keeping the fire in that degree of heat, as may suffice to keep the water contained in the Copper, gently boiling.

Now when you have kept it thus boiling for some season, try the goodness of your water again, after the aforesaid manner; and if you shall find a Crystallization therein, and no Concretion, or heaping-together, leaving a gaping, or chap in the midst, the business is well done; but if it be otherwise (than thus well done) so that it be wholly shut in (or gathers a skin all over) at top, pour on hot water, until your Matters come to succeed after the manner aforesaid.

Then after all this, take of the best Wine Vinegar, about one pound thereof, and pour it into the said water, and you will presently see a blackish spume, or filth arise in plenty at the top thereof, and when you have left it so a while, it may be easily taken off, because of the thickness it contracts.

The boiling being yet a while longer continued, pour in the same quantity of Vinegar again, and diligently separate the Scum as afore: This pouring on of Vinegar, and separating of the Scum, may be repeated yet a third time, and oftner, whereby the purgatory water may be made altogether pure, and that there appears not any more spume.

When all this is done, cast in upon this water two or three Ounces of Burnt-Alum, most finely powdered, stir all well with a Spatula, whereby the Salt-petre may shoot into longer Crystals.

Then after this, pour out the purgatory water into the aforementioned deep Vessels, and cover them over with Linen Cloths, that the Liquor cool not. Let it stand thus one hour or two at most, and a yellow slime will settle to the bottom: Then let the water while it is yet warm flow out hence, into other Vessels made of wood, and especially of Elm, and which are large enough; or else, you may let it run into Copper Pans set deep in the Earth, for the better coolings sake, which cover over very neatly with Cloths, that so the Crystallization may begin from the bottom, and not at the upper part, as we see it wont to happen, where it is not kept by Coverings from the External cold: And we also observe therein too, that the Crystals shoot not into that length, as when the Crystallization begins from the bottom.

Let them stand thus for two or three days, until you see no more Crystals generated, which you may on this wise try.

Put some of the Lixivium in your (little) probatory Vessel, wherein, if you find that there are no more Crystals generated, you may take out the rest of the Lixivium: Then take out the Petre with an Iron Spatula (or Truel) and put it into a Vessel that is full of holes in the bottom, that so all the Lixivium may be the better separated therefrom. And you shall have your Salt-petre pure and white, and freed from its Salt.

Forasmuch as the Lixivium here separated hath as yet some saltness in it, it may be mixed with other strong Lixivium to be (agen) boil’d up, for the production of the Crude Salt-petre is usually holpen forward there-withal.

Some there are that for the better purifying the Petre, do put Calx vive in together (with it) whereby the water becomes most white like Milk, and the Salt-petre gets a greater fairness.

You must withal observe that during the time that the purifying water is contained in the Copper, your fire must be most gentle, least by overmuch boiling you get some damage, for a little fire is able easily to cause (a too vehement) ebullition, and when it has got strength (or the start of you) it is hardly allayed again. The scum which you take off from it you may pour upon ashes as if it were a Lixivium, that so nothing (from whence any profit can be hoped for) may be lost.

There is sometimes seen to stick to the bottom of the Copper (especially when it is used about many boilings) a certain stony and hard substance like Tartar, which unless it be taken away, your Copper will easily suffer damage under that same matter and be burnt.

The earth and ashes left, after the weak Lixivium (hath past through them) are to be laid up in some convenient place, and there kept for four years or more, that so they may be again apt to yield a-new more Lixivium by extraction; which, that it may be the better and easier done, there must be made in them (many weeks afore they are wrought upon) by digging some Pits or Gutters, that so they may be freed by the heat of the Sun from that moisture wherewith they as yet abound. Nor do the ancients so much wander from the Truth in that they suppose it much better and more profitable to keep all the earth under a roof or shed, and that it will be far sooner reduced unto a fitting goodness, than to lie open to the weather, for much of the Salt-petre is corrupted (or spoiled) with an abundance of moisture, especially with the Rain it self: For it needs only a little wetting whereby it may be generated, and extreamly shuns, or is injured by too much moisture.

Besides these ways, there are many that mix with this earth that is yet contained in the Tub the Saw-dust of Firr, or some other Wood (the height of) a Fingers length (on it): And they perswade that Salt-petre is also generated and multiplied from that fatness which is mixed with the Saw-dust, and that the earth prepared on this wise can be so changed in a years space (so it be kept in a dry place) that it may be again made use of as afore. Yea and they suppose too that they can do much here, if they pour upon such a barren (or lean) earth, thus lying in a dry place, the reliques or remains of the dyes, which the Dyers are otherwise wont to throw away, and evident it is that they are aluminous, but yet not so frequently.

Besides such waters of the Dyers they are wont also to mix soot with their earth, (yea and the ashes too of which Lawndresses do commonly make their Lee;) that so it may be made the more fruitful and may be the sooner brought to use.

This only is to be noted, that there are sometimes found earths that give a thick black Lee, which being used by it self is too fat, to which is to be added a leaner and dryer earth, that so the Salt-petre may be the better and more plentifully generated.

The way therefore how, and the instruments by which crude Salt-petre is purifyed, is shown by the 6 and 8 Figure (in Lazarus Ercker’s Book I think he means.)

The manner of purifying the gross and blackish Salt that comes out of the Salt petre.

That black or rather ashy colour Salt, which is found in the Copper while the nitre is prepared by boiling, and likewise in the narrow Tub or Vessel, may be reduced into very good Salt, and very convenient for daily use, and no ways at all hurtful to Man, if it be but duly purified; which said purification is to be thus ordered.

The Copper being well cleaned fill it with most clear Well-water, put fire under it and make it boil, throw in the said Salt by times (not all at once) into the boiling water, that so it may be dissolved; which, that it may be the sooner and better done, stir it continually with a Spatula, when you think that it is all dissolved pour out the Lixivium into some Vessel or Tub, & you shall see the grosser part will settle to the bottom, and the Lixivium will clear up: When you perceive this, pour this clear Lixivium again into the cleansed Copper, and boil it so long till the Salt settles to the bottom, which take out of the said Copper with a perforated Ladle, and put it in a Basket that is placed over the Copper, that so all the superfluous Lee or moisture may again run down into the Copper, and yields (or leaves) the Salt perfect and dry.

Some there are who afore they use this Salt about domestick affairs, do decrepitate it first, and perswade themselves that it becomes thereby the more virtuous (or strong.)

What remains behind of the Lixivium in the Copper, you may boil it up like as you would any other Lixivium appointed to be Crystallized, then pour it out into the Vessels destinated to that purpose, and you shall see Salt-petre to be generated in them; for seeing the said Salt proceedeth out of the Salt-petre, this Lixivium cannot be wholly void of Salt-petre, and therefore may it be separated from that Salt by the aforesaid way, and be purified.

But you are to note here, that where there is too great a quantity of Salt-petre permixt with the said Salt, or that the Salt it self is too black and impure, that Salt cannot get its due lustre and whiteness by barely one such a purifying Operation, and therefore there is requisite a reiteration of this Operation, so that it be again dissolved in new water, and be purifyed, whereby it may become altogether white.

However, such a black and impure Salt, may be purified even by this way (following.) Pour the solution it self, while ’tis yet hot, (the water I mean in which the Salt is dissolved) upon the ashes which a Lixivium hath been already poured on before, and you shall see the Salt Lixivium to be wholly purified: But yet all the Salt which is extracted thence, is not sufficiently white, but that which is gathered last of all is yellowish, and therefore must be yet once again purified. Note also here, that when such a Lixivium of Salt is poured on the ashes, they must be well edulcorated (after the operation is finished) least the Salt sticking in the Reedy or Bull-rush-bottom should give an unfitting saltness to the Lixivium that is next poured thereupon.

And thus have you the common method of boiling and preparing Salt-petre, in which you meet with what may be well disallowed or rejected, viz. it is extreamly tedious, nor is it at all gainful, for out of a centenary of Lixivium, we have no more than three or four pound of Petre; to get which too, all the rest of the water must be done off by evaporation, which is a long time doing, and requires no small costs. Yet I will shew in what follows, by what means this inconvenience may be prevented, which I have proved by mine own experience.

The way of augmenting the Crude Lixivium afore its boiling.

The Salt-petre boilers have hitherto variously sought after the way of augmenting (or fortifying) the Lixivium of Salt-petre, that is, of causing a more plentiful provenue of Salt-petre, in the Water remaining of the extraction of Salt-petre, but in vain, because they were ignorant of the lesser proof which all things here are tried by. Its augmentation is done on this wise.

Take of a Lixivium, a Centenary of which contains iiij. ℔. of Nitre, pour so much of it as a Tub or Vessel will hold, upon new earth, let it stand for twelve hours; then draw off the Lixivium, and as much as you find wanting of what you poured on (which may easily be known by the emptiness of the measure which it was in, afore you poured it on, and in which it is now gathered or received again) pour so much simple water on the Earth, which draw off in like manner, and mix it with the Lixivium, and you will then have the same quantity that you had in your Vessel afore. This done try the Lixivium by the lesser experiment or proof and you will find it to contain vj. ℔. of Nitre. Pour this Lixivium that contains in it vj. ℔. of Nitre upon other new earth, and proceed on the manner aforesaid, and you shall have your Lixivium to contain ix. ℔. of Nitre. You may pour this a third time upon other new earth & proceed on with it after the aforesaid manner, and you shall yet have more Nitre out of a Centenary of Lixivium. But you must be always wary in this Operation, that you draw off, neither more nor less Lixivium from the earth than you had before in the Vessel. These things it pleased me to add, concerning the second pouring on of water, meerly for the experiments or proofs sake, whereby we may be made certain of the augmentation thereof (forasmuch as the Lixivium doth by this means hold in it more Nitre) and that we may be forced to acknowledge its augmentation even in that way. Then after this is done, you may use the weaker Lixivium instead of water, to fill up the first measure, and so the Lixivium will be the easier, and more augmented; and we may in a short time have sufficient quantity hereof for to boil. And although this augmentation of the Lixivium requires a great deal of labour, yet are all the (pains, &c.) recompensed, because we hereby get in one Weeks space, and with less expence of Wood, far more Nitre than by the other common ways: But yet there are requisite more Vessels for this kind of working, wherein the separated Lixivium may be kept.

I will also give the Reader a manuduction here, by what way the boiling of the Lixivium is to be ordered, or contrived: First of all, this is well to be regarded, that forasmuch as a great boiling requires a great quantity of earth, and yet there does not at all times, earth of a like goodness offer it self (especially seeing a Man cannot make proof of it all) upon which the costs and labours (necessary about it) may be well (or at the best hand) bestowed: It seems wholly expedient, not to make such a great Coction (or boiling-trade) but to do it with only three or four Tubs, that so we may choose only the best convenient earth, which we may dig in the Cities (or Towns) out of Houses of long standing, and out of Stables, but yet not too deep: Such a Lixivium as contains in an hundred weight of it eight pounds of Nitre, may be increased to eighteen or twenty pounds, if we proceed according to the aforesaid method. And therefore such Nitre boilers as inhabit those regions where there is scarcity of Wood may give hereunto good heed.

Now the Lixivium augmented on this wise, doth not attract all the nitre out of the earth it self, but there doth yet some always remain behind: And therefore you need not presently throw it away, but pour thereupon some simple Waters, which after it hath stood thereon for some hours, draw off again, and you shall have a weak Lixivium, which you may try by the proof, and proceed on therewith in the method of augmenting it, and so you will have a continual labour.

This likewise is to be observed in an especial manner, let the Work-house in which this boiling up of your Salt-petre is done, be very low, and covered with thatch, that so the heat may be the better kept about the Tubs, and this Operation may be done as well in the Winter as in the Summer, and that the weak Lixivium may not at all congeal.

And now, even as Salt-petre is made by boiling, out of the Lixivium which is made of Earth, even so is it of that Lixivium which is gotten out of Stones or the Lime (and Dung) Arches (afore-spoken of;) only there is this difference, That this last way of my contrivance (with stones &c.) is easier, and yields more Nitre. Such as are pleased with this kind of work may set about it, nor will they bestow their Labours in vain; there may be abundance of things, and those wonderful ones too, effected with Salt-petre, as I have abundantly demonstrated in my foregoing Writings, and shall in my following ones too, more clearly demonstrate if God vouchsafe strength and abilities.

But before I come to the practice it self, and to describe the benefits of Salt-petre in specie (or in particular) it is wholly necessary to shew how wonderful, yea how incomparable a subject, that Salt-petre is. And this thing I have already handled at large in the Second Part of the Philosophical Furnaces, in the Second Part of the Pharmacopœia Spagyrica, but especially in my Miraculum Mundi, and in the Explication, and Continuation, and Defence of the same.

Here the Author runs out into a large digression in his own vindication, upon the occasion of certain Letters sent him by one I. H. S. who Stiled himself the Son of Sendivogius; in which Letters he highly extols the Hermetick learning of the Author, but blames him for Writing so plainly of great secrets, and exhorts him to be more sparing and obscure for the future. Withal offering his service (and begging the Authors leave) to defend his Person and Writings against Farnner and others. The Author not taking his advice nor yet accepting of his service (suspecting him to be a self designer) this I. H. S. afterwards published a Book entituled Lucerna Salis Philosophorum. In which he offers to teach the making of the Philosophers-stone at a price or reward; and reproacheth Glauber whom he before had so highly magnified in several Letters, advising People to avoid his writings as Sophistical. In this Treatise he mentions a Prediction or, Prophecy of three Monarchs that were to appear in the World: The first of Paracelsus, concerning Elias the Artist. Secondly, That of Cosmopolita of the coming of the Northern Monarch. Thirdly, That of Jacob Behmen, That a Lily shall bring forth Flowers from the North. He intimates that himself is the Elias of Arts. Secondly, That some Northern Monarch shall do mighty things in the World: And Thirdly, that the Writings of Jacob Behmen should be again Printed a new. After the Author hath shewed the ill dealing of this I. H. S. with him, and vindicated himself, then he proceeds briefly to Comment upon these three Predictions or Prophecies.

By what hath been said, may the Candid and well-minded Reader judge what judgment is to be had of this Monarch of Arts I. H. S. Every one that reads them will find whether or no such a Monarchy is to be expected from such a ones Writings. But now that I my self may likewise here produce my opinion, concerning Paracelsus his meaning where he writeth, I say that the most eminent Secrets will not be known afore Elias the Artist shall come and teach them: (But I pray) what hath the holy Man Elias to do with Arts? verily no thing at all. Paracelsus minded or pointed at some other thing, he well knew, that no body comes unto such knowledge, unless by Revelation from God, by godly Prayers, and by searching: This is the true Elias which Paracelsus speaketh of, if (viz.) the word Elias be read backwards, and E changed into A: For then ’tis the same with Salia (that is, Salts) such as these (viz. salts) are known unto, to them is Elias a master or teacher. And where the said Paracelsus speaketh of Salts he adds Alchimy finds it (to be) in Nitre: Hereby shewing and pointing at Salia, Salts, which word being read backward is Elias? And this is my opinion as touching the coming of Elias the Artist, and I do yet (again) say, that to him to whom Salts are known, hath Elias appeared. And let this be sufficient to have spoken of the first Monarchy of I. H. S. and what is to be judged thereof.

Now follows the Second Monarchy.

As for the second Monarchy, he alledgeth the Prophecy of Paracelsus, which runs thus: A Lion shall come from the North, and become the Monarch of the World: Which Prediction is not at all to be understood according to the Letter. What has Paracelsus to do with the Northern Lion? What business has he with the Monarch of the World. Some there are that endeavour to attribute that Prophecy to one or other of the Northern Kings, but yet that was not in the least Paracelsus’s meaning, he drove at a far other-guess business, and by that Lion he meant Salt-nitre, which is wont to be brought unto us by the Northern Winds, Rain and Snow, and that several times yearly as is well known unto all; hereupon many amongst the Philosophers, and some of them the latter Philosophers, have filled great Vessels with the Rain and Snow that comes out of the North, and aimed at the preparation of a Tincture thereout of, but they found nothing else but Salt-petre, which to get, I have shown a much shorter way.

Paracelsus, Basilius, and others have Written many things of the green and red Lion, all which are to be understood of Salt-nitre, which may most easily be transmuted into the green or red Lion, concerning which thing I my self have made mention in many places.

But some or other may reply, How can it be said that the Lion shall be expected out of the North, if Paracelsus did by it understand or mean Salt-petre, for that cannot be said to be expected (or waited for) which hath always been? Surely the approach of this Northern Lion is not to be supposed or thought to be as to the outside aspect and known use, but only according to the internal virtue, & the Treasure therein hidden; concerning which, the Philosophers have written many things enigmatically, and kept up all things most secretly. Verily he to whom the inside of Salt-petre is known will be able to report wonderful things, for ’tis that only that is the true Monarch, and is able to institute a good governance for those that possess and know it. This Monarch will not be to any one a stirrer up to kill others, and to take from others their Goods and Kingdoms, and to disquiet the whole World, as we see other Monarchs do, but he will bring Peace and Concord, and will perswade the Soldiers to stay at home and to get their food by the labour of their hands, and not to shed the blood of the innocent; he will injoin the greedy Usurers to be beneficial to the poor & to put an end to their immoderate usury; he will shew to the Divines, that all their contentions are vain, and that they cause nothing but inquietude, dissention and discord amongst Men, and will require at their hands to Preach concerning friendship to, and love of ones Neighbour, which under this unprofitable contending is wholly lost, and to banish away all hatred; and contrary-wise to strive after patience and Christian humility. These kind of Doctrines and governance the inward or inside knowledge of the Northern Lion will bring with him, and not any War or shedding of Blood. But afore the said Lion is tamed and made gentle, he is very ravenous, and the venomous Basilisk, and devouring Dragon, preying both upon Men and Beasts, demolishing Cities and Castles, and destroying Goods and Men together. Thus have I in brief expounded my opinion of the coming of the Lion from the North, let everyone believe it as he listeth. And thus much shall suffice for the Second Monarchy, and how it is to be understood.

Now follows the third Monarchical Prophecy.

As for what concerns the third Prophecy which I.H.S. doth also make mention of, (& will have it) to concern a certain Writer, whose name is Jacob Behmen, who exercised the Shooe-makers Craft, and published many Theological and also Chymical things, which John Beth doth again Print: As far as I know by his writings, he was an honest Man, but I do not know what he understood in Alchimy; but however this is evident, that he never exercised or practised Chymical Operations, and that his Chymical writings are most difficult to be understood, but his Theological writings are read by many. My opinion concerning the business is this, that this same I. H. S. was minded to quarrel with me, that so there being a brawling bred between us he might make his Books the more saleable. I have therefore thus plainly answered him, but if he proceed on in contrarying and opposing me, I shall be constrained Nolens Volens to meet with him another kind of way, for I am even wearied and glutted with contention. If he will needs brawl and scold let him do it with those that have no work to do, such as he himself & his associates are, who have no Family to rule and look after, I can for my own part bestow my time better than in those contentions, which bring no profit, but only to the Bookseller, whose Books before they are known sell well.

But to conclude, I will in a few words open the ill affected mind of J. H. S. to the Candid Reader. When I had lookt into his Treatise, and perceived that he had ranked me amongst the Sophisters, I showed to some of my faithful Friends, the Letters which he had written unto me, that so I might hear their Judgment concerning them; verily, there was not one amongst them all, but wondered at the wicked mind and falseness of this Man: Yea, one of them did afterwards inform him by his Letters, what way I had purposed to take, viz. again to wipe off that undeserved Title he had put upon me, and to defend my self against such Monstrous Impiety; To which he received from the said J. H. S. an Answer, which he likewise shewed me, wherein (’mongst other things) he pretends, that the cause of his hatred [against me] was, because I had in some places written so very clearly of the Universal Medicine: Yea, and he farther adds, that it is no such great despising one, or Contempt to call one a Sophister; for Geber was accounted for a Sophister, and yet was he a King. And that if I wrote against him, he would do the same against me, and endamage not only me, but my Children too; which Epistle is yet kept safe. Now let any Honest Man consider whether this be a Human, or Diabolical action.

Some, when they heard this, perswaded me to pass over all in silence, and that there would come of it such another brawling business as was with Farnner, whose Exhortation I yielded to, that I would not so much as once answer him, how great Lies soever he told, but rather purposed by referring all till the next Spring, to get me Friends by the benefit of my very eminent Inventions (God willing) which should not only intercede, or stand up for me, but also for my Children too, after my Decease: I doubt not, but that there maybe some principal persons found, which are capable of overturning such Inhuman Perverseness.

These few things was I constrained to add (in a Parenthesis) for the defence of my Writings, thereby to paint out the deceitfulness of Men, and to discover what is to be opinionated concerning such turn-coated Foxes: The which I entreat the Reader not to take in evil part, but to accept of the Secrets laid open in this Treatise, as a Reward for his pains in reading this Apology.

Now follows the Most Potent Lion, and Monarch of the North; to whom none in the World may be compared, nor did ever any excel him in Glory and Power, or shall be like unto him.

But before I begin to write any thing of that Omnipotent Monarch, I have thought it profitable to add here in this place, for the better knowledge of the same, Paracelsus his Prophesie, as I met with it, whereby any one that is skill’d in nature, may sufficiently see, that Paracelsus did not mean a King, but the great Philosophical Mistery, and would point that out unto us: His Words therefore are as follows.