An Hermetic Work.

AN HERMETIC WORK .

( Continued from page 391 . ) CHAP . I . A lain and fall explanation of the aforesaid EitaphScutcheons OMOI Motto ' s of

p p , W . C . As luellfor the Philosopher ' s Stone as Ids oivn Tomb-stone . THIS Epitaph is literally the Avork of Philosophers , and yet may revive the old useful Adigy and Motto upon this Authors Tomb-stone , to remember thy end . For as this flourishing fri signifies this Author W . C . being a Mereurialist , tired of all Avorldly Inquina jfli ments . So it illustrates all the Planets and their Mercury , and tho

universal Spirit cP and Mercury of the World , and the specificks of Nature ; and no less , the true Mercury of Philosophers for this work : free from all filthy corruptions well fitted , and put naked without Garb , or any strange thing into its Glass , and private Philosophical Nest or Yessel , ( as into a Grave and Coffin ) with constant vapourous heat for Putrifaction , ancl its true preparation , rectification , and perfection , orderly through its progression of Colours , till it come to the true Sulphur of Philosophers , which in the interim , makes good that Philosophick saying ,

Est iter ad Ccelum , sed me gravis impedit Aer , Et me perfudit' qui me cito deserit humor . Huic mihi sunt Lachtymse , sed non est causa doloris , & c . Englished thus , It tends to Heavenhut the gross Air hinders

, , And moisture falne quickly turns to Cinders . Hence comes these Tears , though there ' s no cause of grief , For they but nourish , th' Earth gave them relief . And though Worms feed upon my Carkass here , My Soul ' s in Heaven with my Saviour Dear .

Thus it may appear double you see , or one in two , Male ancl Female , Superieur and inferieur , Gross and Subtil , Ccelestial and Terrestrial , Sulphur and Mercury , Water and Earth , Corruptible and Incorruptible , or Spiritual . And so the parts also are three , Body , gol , and Spirit ; Sal , Sulphur , and Mercury ; Q . ) . & g . Calx , Ferment and Tincture ; and the very Mercury may be termed threefold , preparing , prepared , and essential , and according to Ripley , and Rainiund , calcining , reviving , and essential . So likewise it may be termed four ; for the Waterand Earth Avhich are tAvo visible

, Elements , comprehend Fire and Air , which are the four Elements , which are turned inside outward , whereby they shew their effects ancl properties . Thus Terra ; Statunda Lavat , pyr Pwrgat , Spiritus inttrat . The Earth fastens , Moist Avasheth , Fire purgeth . and Spirit enters . In and for which , also there are four Fires used , Natural against Nature , Innatural , and Elemental ; all which , at the last will make a fifth Essence ; and so by a perfect Ternary Quadrate , and Quintessential process , from one ,

two , three , four , and five . It returns again into one most perfect spiritual substance , and so is Reunited , and raised to a perfect Circular Centre , a fixt fusible and incorruptible Medicine , to make the true Elixir of Philosophers ; opening and shutting »' pleasure , giving the Keys of happiness to all that shall enjoy it , to enter to a King dom of Health , Wealth , and Honour , and shutting out all ignorant dark Bodies , and Spin ' Thus then at last this Medicine may obtain the name and number , intimated by W . t » Avhich as it is this Authors name , who is but one in Person , and in Figures , twice fi ve