I Am very glad I have applyed my self during the time I was in France to some work useful to the English Nation , even before his Majesty of Great Britain had done me the honour and been graciously pleased to call me unto his Royal service . For in this Treatise of Chymistry you shall finde a Chapter of Vegetables and their preparation , which contains several specifical Remedies , to oppose and root out Scorbutical Diseases , which are but too frequent and connatural to the Clime of this your Country ; so that with a very earnest and sincere heart and affection I do impart unto you , not only that which I have declared of most abstruse and secret particulars in the matter of Vegetables , but all the Contents of this whole Work also , both touching Animals and Minerals , where you likewise will meet with a considerable Harvest of Antiscorbutical Remedies . I wish all may succeed to the common good and advantage of your Nation , and to your own in particular ; since it is the chief aym , and sole intention of our Great Soveraign . You shall know by the sequel of this Discourse , that I have now , and shall alwayes have for you and the improvement ●f your knowledge , the same tendernesse I have had for the French Apothecaries ; I shall then advertise you , that 't is near five and thirty yeares since I was first addicted to Pharmacy , and that by a Father that was in his profession most exact , who employ'd himself particularly in the curious searches into things necessary for the Election , Preparation , and Composition of Medicines , which he kept in his Shop , to dispose of according to the precept and orders of the Physitians . I may say , as he was my Father , so he was my Master , from whom I received the first Elements of Pharmacy and Chymistry ; who likewise in the first place enjoyned me to observe that excellent principle , viz. to exercise my Profession with Fidelity , suffering nothing to discredit the dignity of this Art : But above all , to follow punctually the directions of the Physitians , which ought to be the Fountain from whence all first receive the Noble knowledge of true Natural things , and the manner of preparing them well .

But this excellent Patron , by whom I ought to square all the Actions of my best life and Profession , soon forsook me , leaving me full of nothing but grief for his losse , and a true Prognostication of the decay of Pharmacy . For he foresaw that the body of the Physitians was divided in such a manner , that the branches were separated from the Roots , and that the nourishment necessary for their subsistance must fail them , without question , if he did not effect a good reunion , that might oblige the Physitians to continue their studies and searches into Naturals , and so communicate them to the Apothecaries . And these ought to receive them with due respect and gratitude , to the end that they might jointly dedicate themselves to the Publick good , without farther rending themselves by partialitie and particular interest , which hath ever been the ruin of those that are willing to indulge themselves from their due endeavour . Now when I saw my self deprived of the instructions of a Father and a Master , I applyed my self wholly to follow his last precepts . Whereupon I searcht among the dead for those Physitians that had written best of Pharmacy , and among these living , those that did practise best , and did labour daily to imbellish it by their new doctrines , and supplyes of good and wholsome Remedics . 'T was my good fortune to finde at Sedan ( which was then the place where I was setled ) one Dr. Duhan deceased , Dr. of Physick , and professor of Philosophy , who did me the favour to instruct and shew me much ; 'T was of this great Man that I confesse I receiv'd whatever did by degrees promote in me that good design of diligent searching into Physical verities , because those notions are absolutely necessary for our Apothecary , that would acquit himself well in his profession with requisite fidelity ; and I can say in commendation of his admirable Genius , that France hath suffered much by his untimely death ; for he was designing then to publish some Writings , which would have much illustrated the knowledge of things Natural , Medicine & Pharmacy . He had Anatomised Nature in General and particular sufficiently to acquit himself honorably of what he had undertaken , had he not been ravisht hence so soon to the infinite losse of the Common-wealth of Learning . Afterwards at Paris , I had the happinesse of liberty to converse with M. du Clos Dr. of Physick , who did me the favour to correct my defaults , and lead me as by the hand of his judgement and experience , through all that which I have undertaken in my endeavors to advance the dignity of Pharmacy , which now lies bending toward its ruine , if it be not upheld by its true Arches and Pillars , those faithful , learned , experienc'd and curious Physitians . This Excellent and rare Physitian denyed me none of those lights , or illustrations , that are necessary for the well-doing of those that addict themselves to the legitimate preparation of Pharmacy ; so that I am indebted to Him for the well-being I have acquired in my Profession . Thus I have continued , till at length I was called some years since by the favor of Mons. Vallot , the most worthy and Chief Physitian to our most invincible Monarch , as Apothecary and Distiller in ordinary to the King , to perform by his precepts & order lessons and operations in a course of the true Pharmacy ; which is Chymistry , and that in the Garden which his Majesty prepared in the Suburbs of St. Victor . 'T was there truly that I found wherewithall to satisfie the appetite of my curiosity , not only by the profuse expence with which this True Father and Restorer of Medicine and Chymistry furnisht us vessels and materials withal , for the demonstration of those operations which I was commanded to make yearly , as well after the Ancient as new wayes ; But likewise by those unfathom'd depth's of Learning and Experience which he possest , and which he communicated to me for the application of it to my self in particular , and the imparting of it in pulick Lessons so in general , ( I finde I come in my expressions beneath my desires ) that I thought I could not do lesse then to let Posterity know , how much I stand indebted to the bounty , learning , and sole generosity of thir great and illustrious Mecenas .

I have given you this account of the progresse I made in Pharmacy , to the end that you may see the method of making your own advantage , and to discover to you the reasonable submission that you and we do , and alwayes shall owe to our illustrious Masters . You must know then by this that I am about to say , that I give you nothing here but what hath been received from the Physitians , so that it is to them only to whom you owe the obligagation . And as for my publishing this Tract of Chymistry in French , 't is because I would imitate the most eminent Authors of Germany , who thought themselves obliged to write of Chymical Pharmacy in the vulgar Tongue , that it might likewise be useful not only to the Apothecaries , but , that it might likewise be serviceable to men of other professions . For as much as is impossible to write with order and method of that which is necessary to Art , when we declare not , nor illustrate at the same time the principles of things Natural ; and moreover , because we discover not the order of the generation , and corruption Physical , from which all the effects of Nature do result which are the subject of the operation as well of the one as the other Pharmacy .

THey that reckon Chymistry amongst the modern Arts , and of but late invention , betray their knowledge both in the history of Nature , and the reading of ancient Authors : Since , in the first place , Chymistry is nothing else but the Art and Knowledge of Nature it self ; that it is by her means we examine the Principles , out of which natural bodies do consist and are compounded ; and by her are discovered unto us the causes and sources of their generations and corruptions , and of all the changes and alterations to which they are lyable : And secondly , it is known , that the ancient Sages have taken from Chymistry , the occasions and true motives of reasoning upon natural things , and that their monuments and writings do testifie this Art to be of no fresher date then Nature it self . To this do agree the testimony of the holy Scriptures , by whom we are taught , that even in the Worlds Infancy , Tubal-Cain the eighth of Mankinde from Adam , descended of Cain's line , was an expert Artist in all Brass and Iron works , which he could not have been without a previous knowledge of Minerals , and without being well acquainted , that the Mineral nature contains in it self and comprehends the Metallick , as the purest part of its essence . But this knowledge cannot be attained unto , but by the help and skill of Chymistry ; since it is by this Art we are informed , how a metallick , malleable and ductile body , may be extracted out of brickle and inform Minerals . Whence we do safely conclude , that he did receive this noble Art from his Predecessors , or being himself the inventor of it , left it to Posterity , as the richest Jewel they could inherit from him . This Assertion may be proved by the most ancient of Authors , and most worthy of credit ; and so we have upon record , that Moses took the Golden Calf , an Idol of the Israelites , did calcine it , and being by him reduced to powder , caused those Idolaters to drink it , in a reproach and punishment of their sin . But no body , how little soever initiated in the mysteries of this Art , can be ignorant , that Gold is not to be reduced to Powder by Calcination , unlesse it be performed either by immersion in Regal Waters , Amamulgation with Mercury , or Projection ; all which three Operations are only obvious to those which are fully acquainted both with the Theorical and Practical part of Chimistry . This truth is confirmed by Hyppocrates , when in his Book de Diaeta , he saith , Artifices aurum molli igne liquant : and all experimented Artists know , that Gold is not to be melted without some violence of fire , and that the action of fire doth rather purifie it , then destroy it , unless it be made tractable and volatile by the help of certain salts and powders , only known to few persons ; and those specially who have had their hands in the work , and by practice attained the secrets of the Art. We could joyn to this , the authority of Aristotle , made use of by his Sectators of this Age , to oppose Chymistry , who saith , That the Inhabitants of Umbria , were wont to calcine Reeds , thereby to extract a salt out of them for their ordinary use ; which they would not have undertook without being first taught by the principles of this Art , that Salt is a body of an uncorruptible nature , which by this vulgar calcination could not be destroyed : And if we run over all Ages since the Worlds Creation , we shall scarce finde any wherein some great man hath not raised himself a name to live in the remembrance of Posterity , by the help of Chymical learning . Witnesse the Aegyptian Mercury , or famous Trismegist , whose works do at this day exercise the understanding of the greatest wits : Witnesse the first inventor of Glasse ; and that other more skilfull Artist , which had attained to that admirable secret of making it malleable , and dyed with it , by the strange and tyrannical policy of the Emperour Tiberius . And do not Geber , Raymundus Lullius , Peter of Apona , Basilius Valentinus , Isaac the Hollander , and Paracelsus , sufficiently prove by their incomparable works , that Chymistry is the true Key of Nature ; that by her means the expert Artist discovers her hidden beauty , aad that without her aid , no man shall ever attain to the true preparation of those remedies , which are only capable to encounter with that Hydra of various diseases wherewith humane nature is daily afflicted and assaulted ? But we should prove ungratefull to our Age , and the memory of a most worthy and charitable Physician , and to the industry of one of the most ingenious and exact Artists that ever was , if we should passe by unmentioned the subtil Van Helmont lately deceased , and the laborious Glauber , yet living , since they are as the two Beacons and Lights which we are to follow in the Theory of Chymistry , and the best practice of it : From their works then , and Paracelsus , we acknowledge to have compiled this Abridgement of Theorical and Practical Chymistry , which we shall divide in two parts : The first containing the Theory , the second the Practice of the Art : The first part divided in two Books , shall treat in the first , of the Principles and Elements of Natural things ; and in the second , discover the springs and effects of purity and impurity in them : The second part shall also be divided into two Books ; the first whereof is to contain all the necessary terms , both to reduce in practice , and understand the operations of the whole Art ; and the second and last of all , shall open the means , and give a plain description , whereby to anatomize all mixt bodies , whether Vegetables , Animals , or Minerals , and thence to extract such remedies as are necessary for the cure of our diseases . But before the principal matter be entred upon , I have not thought it unnecessary , for the Readers satisfaction , to clear some few Queries , which use to be moved , touching the nature of this Noble Art.

IT is one thing to treat of a Science and Art , in order to teach it , and it is another to discourse upon the same : The first belongs properly to the Artist ; the second is a matter of deeper speculation , and belongs to the enquiry of the Philosopher , whose part it is , to treat of the method , object , end , and action of every Art or Science . According to these rules , we will succinctly examine the most difficulties occurring in this Art , propounded in the following Quaeries , and first , Concerning the Names usually given to Chymistry , whence they are derived ?

1 Quaery . This art , as many others , hath according to its several effects , received several names ; the most ordinary is that of Chymia , or Chymistry , which seemeth to have its original from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying Gum , or Liquor , because it teacheth to reduce the most solid and compact bodies into Juice or Liquor . Sometimes it is called Alchymia , Alchimy , with an addition of the Arabick Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 al , * * Answerable to the Greek Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . which is the indication of some remarkable thing ; often times prefixed as a Particle : Others have called it Alchamia , supposing Cham one of the Sons of Noah , to have been after the Flood inventer and restorer of Chymical Arts , but chiefly Metallick . Sometimes it is called Spagiry , which name includes the Noblest of her operations , namely to separate and joyn again substances , from the Greek * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to divide , and re-unite again . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; And because none of her operations can proceed without external fire , which doth excite the internal heat of bodies : It hath the name also Pyrotechny , as the Art of fire , from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as to say , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If it be called the Art of Hermes , or Hermetical , it gives a note of her Antiquity ; as Distillatory Art , or Art of Distillation , designs the most familiar of her operations . Of all these names we rather choose that of Chymistry , as being the most vulgarly known and received .

2. Quaery . If Chymistry ought to be called Art or Science ? and of its definition .

Before we enter into the definition of Chymistry , it 's necessary to examine her genus and difference , the knowledge of both which is necessary , before a true definition of things can be given . We must then examine , whether it be an Art or a Science , before we can define it's true genus , and seek its difference in the object ; since there is no part more essential in its definition . But to avoyd difficulties and intricacy , let us in few words explain the differency between Art and Science , and the several acceptions incident to the name of Chymistry .

The differency assigned between Art and Science , is only to be taken from the diversity of their intentional ends or purposes : For as it is the only scope of a Science to contemplate , and its end to attain knowledge by that contemplation , wherein it doth rest satisfied without putting the minde to a further inquity : So Art is only bent to operation , and never ceaseth untill it hath brought the purposes of the Artist to a desired accomplishment . Whence we may inferre , that Science is only of such things as are not in our power , and that Art doth busie it self upon such things as are in our power . This being granted , we must know , that as Chymistry is of a great extent , so it hath also several ends , and that as it hath all the sphere of Nature for its object , some things are under the power and reach of its disciples , others not ; and besides these two kindes of subjects , which are wholly of a different nature , there is a third sort , partly under their power , and partly not : Whence we may in some manner conclude , that there are three species of Chymistry ; the one wholly Scientifical and given to Contemplation , and may be very well tearmed Philosophical , having only its end in the knowledge of Nature , and of its effects ; because it takes for object those on●y things which are constituted out of our power : So that this kinde of Chymical Philosophy , doth rest satisfied in the knowledge of the nature of the Heavens and Starres , the source and original of the Elements , the cause of Meteors , original of Minerals , and the way by which Plants and Animals are propagated ; having not in her power to frame or make any one of all these things , but being sufficiently pleased with entertaining her discourse and reason upon the causes of so many various effects . The second species of Chymistry may be called Iatrochymy of Medicinal Chymistry , whose only end is operation ; but not to be attained , unlesse by the means and helping hand of Contemplative and Scientifical Chymistry : for as the art of Physick , consists in two parts , Theory and Practice ; the former being but a Clue and help to lead unto the other : so shall also Iatrochymy participate of both ; the end of its contemplating being only Operation , and that operation again purposing only the satisfaction of her disciples mindes , about the Contemplation both of things that are , and are not in our power . The third species is Pharmaceutical Chymistry , which hath for its end only operation , belonging to the Apothecary's profession , who is to direct his work by the Precepts and Orders of Iatrochymists : such as amongst the French Physicians is eminent at this day , Monsieur Vallot , first Physician to his most Christian Majesty , who doth eminently possesse the Theory and Practice of those three species of Chymistry which we have spoken of . This third species or kinde , hath for its object those things which come under our power to operate on them , and extract those different parts which constitute the compound thereof . Whence , from all that is above said , we may conclude , That Chymistry may be called both Science and Art in several respects , and so consequently a practical or operative Science .

Thus having found the genus , it remains we should finde the Difference , to compleat the definition . Some do define Chymistry , The art of Transmutations ; others , The art of Separations ; others , of both Transmutations and Separations : But as Transmutation and Separation are the effects of Chymistry , they cannot constitute its true and specifical Difference . There are several other wayes of definition used by others , but which do all come to what we have already said ; therefore we must of necessity take the Difference from its Object , as it is above deduced . Some Authors make the object of Chymistry to be , Mixt bodies : but they are deceived ; for the Elements which are unmixt bodies , are also under the verge of this Science : Others would have it the Natural body ; but they also are deceived ; since Chymistry hath under its consideration the universal spirit , which is divested of all corporeity . We say then , that Chymistry makes all natural things , extracted by the omnipotent had of God , in the Creation , out of the Abysse of the Chaos , her proper and adaequate object . But it is to be noted , that by natural things we do not understand bodies only , as they are said to be composed of matter and form , but that we mean all created things , though deprived of bodies ; and by opposing things natural to supernatural , there will be a sufficient distinction set between the Creator and Creatures , to take away that reproach wherewith the Professors of this Noble Science , are ordinarily spotted and traduced . Chymistry is then thus defined , A practical and operative Science ( or knowledge ) or things natural . It is a Science , as is already said , because it contemplates natural things ; but because it doth not end or rest in Contemplation alwayes , but alters sometimes natural things by the means and help of others , it may be called an operative or practical Science . To make short , It 's nothing else but Physick , or knowledge of Nature it self , reduced to operation , and examining all it's Propositions by reasons grounded upon the evidence and testimony of the senses , and not relying upon bare and naked contemplation . This is then the difference between the Chymical-Physician , or Naturalist , and he that followes the Schools , or Dogmatical way ; that , if you ask from the former , What parts do constitute a body , he will not give you a naked Answer , and satisfie by words and meer discourse your curiosity , but he will endeavour to bring his demonstrations under your sight , and satisfie also your other senses , by making you to touch , smell and taste the very parts which enter'd in the composition of the body in question , knowing very well that what remains after the resolution of the mixt , according to the rules of Art , was that very substance that constituted it . But if you ask from the School-Philosopher , What doth make the compound of a body ? He will answer you , that it is not yet well determined in the Schools : That , to be a body , it ought to have quantity , and consequently to be divisible ; that a body ought to be composed of things divisible and indivisible , that is to say , of points and parts : but it cannot be composed of points , for a point is indivisible , and without quantity , and consequently cannot communicate any quantity to the body , since it hath none in it self ; so that the answer should have concluded the body to be composed of divisible parts . But against this also will be objected , If it be so , let us know , whether the minutest part of the body is divisible or no ; if it be answered , Divisible , then it is instanced again , that it is not the minutest , since there is yet a place left for division : but if this minutest part be affirmed to be indivisible , then the answer falleth again into the former difficulty , since it returns to affirm it a point , and consequently without quantity ; of which being deprived , it is impossible it should communicate the same to the body , since divisibility is an essential property to quantity . You see then , that Chymistry doth reject such airy and notional Arguments , to stick close to visible and palpable things , as it will appear by the practice of this Art : For if we affirm , that such a body is compounded of an acid spirit , a bitter or pontick salt , and a sweet earth ; we can make manifest by the touch , smell , taste , those parts which we extract , with all those conditions we do attribute unto them .

Now followeth the third and last Query : What is the end of Chymistry ? It is not to be wondered , that ordinary Naturalists have attained to so little light , in their search and knowledge of natural bodies , since they did propose to themselves no other end but contemplation ; thinking that it became not them to set their hands to the work , thereby to attain a true knowledge of mixt bodies by Chymical Anatomy : They and their Sectators also , imagining they should wrong their Gravity and Doctoral State , to defile and sully their hands with the blacknesse of Coals . Much contrary hath been at all times the practice of Chymical Philosophers , though they made , as well as they , Contemplation their end : For they were perswaded , Practice and Operation were to be joyned , to receive a full delight and satisfaction , and lay firm and sure foundations to their Reasonings ; unwilling to build upon the quick-sands of vain , frivolous , and fantastical opinions ; which made them willingly undergo the charges , toyl and labour of Practical Chymistry ; and not be discouraged by Watchings , and ill Savours , that they might attain the sooner to a solid an delightfull knowledge of the things of Nature , finding by the several experiments of their Works and Processes , the abstruse causes of its wonderfull effects , wherein they differ very much from the Empyricks ; which do , without much reasoning , confound , obscure and intricate all things .

We do then conclude and affirm , that Operation is truely the general end of Chymistry : For the Philosopher operates , only the better to be able to contemplate ; the Iatrochymist also to discover the better by his operation that which Nature performs in the body of a sound man , that he may be capable to restore health , when by sicknesse it becomes vitiated and disordered . Lastly , the Pharmaco-Chymist operates , only to furnish wholsom and salutary remedies to the sick Patients , according to the judicious Prescriptions and Orders of the skilfull and learned Physician . Is it then to be wondred at , if Chymists do bestow so much labour and industry in purchasing this noble knowledge , the perfection of which can never be attained without having first anatomized the greatest part of Nature ? For as it is necessary to dissect the human body , if we will know its organical parts ; so it is requisite , before we can discover the fairest and best part of natural substances , which are as it were hidden and involved within a secret rinde , that we should open their composites . Whence it may be concluded a very difficult matter for any to attain to the exact knowledge of natural things , without the previous guidance of Chymistry , and being acquainted with all its parts ; neither can any be reckoned a perfect Physician without the help of Hermetical Philosophy , since it is the truest ground of Physick , and without which no Practitioner can deserve any other title then that of Empyrick : For it is not a Gown , or degrees taken in Universities , which constitute the Physician , but a solid knowledge of Nature , grounded upon sound Reason and mature judgement , improved by practice and experience . Whence it followeth , first , That Chymistry doth not meerly consist in the skill of preparing well a Remedy , as many do erroneously imagine ; but in the using of it with due circumstances , and respect to the Theorems of Art , which is properly the true Physick : Secondly , that whosoever meddles with Chymical remedies , without the previous grounds of Theory , can deserve no other name then of an Empyrick , since he is altogether ignorant of the internal efficient causes of their effects , and cannot give the Physical reasons , why he doth administer such a remedy , for such and such disease ; being not sufficiently grounded to know that these rare prescriptions of Chymistry , have their remedies grounded , not upon the actions of first and second qualities , but upon the specifical and internal vertues of their Chymical Principles , as will more evidently appear in the sequel of this Treatise .