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fortune of truth to be so served was not only opposed but abused by a barbarous, malicious ignorant one. I should
think that gentleman did set up for Bartholomew Fair he has such contrivances in his Second Lash. The tutor
dedicates to his pupil, and the same pupil versifies in commendation of his tutor? Here was a claw; there was never
any so reciprocal: surely Rosinante and Dapple might learn of these two. But this is stuff to stop our noses at: let us
leave it for Cambridge, whence it first came.
The coagulation of our water and the solution of our earth are the two greatest and most difficult operations of the
Art, for these two are contrary keys: the water opens and the earth shuts. Be sure then to add nothing to the subject
but what is of its own nature, for when it is prepared it is all-sufficient. He coagulates himself and dissolves himself,
and passes all the color and this by virtue of its own inward sulphur or fire, which wants nothing but excitation,
or, to speak plainly, a simple, natural coction. Everybody knows how to boil water in fire; but if they knew how to
boil fire in water their physic would reach beyond the kitchen. Study then and despair not; but study no curiosities. It
is a plain, straight path that Nature walks in; and I call God to witness that I write not this to amaze men; but I write
that which I know to be certainly true.
This is all I think fit to communicate at this time, neither had this fallen from me but that it was a command imposed
by my superiors. They that desire experimental knowledge may study it as a sure guide; but he that rests at his lips
and puts not his philosophy into his hands needs not these instructions. Wit's Commonwealth or a Book of
Apothegms may serve his turn. I prescribe not here for any but such as look after these principles; and they must
give me leave to inform them, if they be not perfect masters of the art. I am one that gives and takes, and this to
avoid contentions. I can suffer the schoolman to follow his own placets, so long as he does not hinder me to follow
mine. In a word, I can tolerate men's errors and pity them. I can propound the truth, and if it be not followed, it is
satisfaction to me that what I did was well done.
A Postscript to the Reader
This small discourse was no sooner finished though by command but the same authorities recalled their
commission; and now being somewhat transformed I must as some mysteriously have done live a tree. Yet the
wise know that groves have their wood nymphs, and I remember I have read of an image whose Hic fodias placed
the substance in the shadow. To be plain, I am silenced, and though it be in my power to speak, yet I have laws as to
this subject which I must not transgress. I have chosen therefore to oppose my present freedom to my future
necessity, and to speak something at this time which I must never publicly speak hereafter. There is no defect in
ought that I have written, if I but tell you one thing which the philosophers have omitted. It is that which some
authors have called "the Vessel of Nature and the Green Vessel of Saturn"; and Miriam calls it the Vessel of
Hermes. A menstrous substance it is; and to speak the very truth it is the matrix of Nature, wherein you must
place the universal sperm as soon as it appears beyond its body. The heat of this matrix is sulphurous, and it is that
which coagulates the sperm; but common fire though it be most exactly regulated will never do it; and in this
opinion see that you be not deceived. This matrix is the life of the sperm, for it preserves and thickens it; but beyond
the matrix it takes cold and dies, and nothing effectual can be generated thereof. In a word, without this matrix you
will never coagulate the matter nor bring it to a mineral complexion. And herein also there is a certain measure to be
observed, without which you will miscarry in the practice. Of this natural vessel speaks Miriam in the following
words: "The key of the science is in all bodies, but owing to the shortness of life and the length of the work the
Stoics concealed this one only thing. They discovered tinging elements, leaving instructions thereon, and these also
the philosophers continue to teach, save only concerning the Vessel of Hermes, because the same is Divine, a thing
hidden from the Gentiles by the wisdom of God; and those who are ignorant of it know not the regimen of truth for
want of the Hermetic Vessel."
In the proportion and regimen of this thing which they call their vessel, and sometimes their fire, consists all the
secret. And verily the performances thereof are so admirable and so speedy they are almost incredible. Had I known
this at first it had not been with me as it has been; but every event has its time, and so had I. This one thing to lay
aside other reasons does not only persuade but convince me that this Art was originally revealed to man. For this
I am sure of that man of himself could not possibly think of it; for it is invisible. It is removed from the eye, and
this out of a certain reverence; and if by chance it comes into sight it withdraws again naturally. For it is the secret of
Nature, even that which the philosophers call "the first copulation." This is enough to a wise artist; at least it is all I
intend to publish. And now, reader, farewell.
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