CHAP. I. Of the Principles of Natural things .

THere is nothing more rarely to be met with , in the Vulgar Philosophy , where Natural things are unfolded , with the vain figments of Forms and Qualities , than the word Fermentation : but among the more sound ( especially of later years ) who respect the Matter and Motion chiefly in Bodies , nothing is almost more usual . But Fermentation hath its name from Fervescency , as Ferment from Ferviment or growing hot . The word is well known in making of Bread , and in the purgings of new Wine , Beer , and other potable Liquors : thence it is also applyed to other things , which are wont to swell or grow turgid , after the same manner : that at length it signifies , whatsoever Effervency or Turgency , that is raised up in a Natural Body , by particles of that Body variously agitated .

Bodies of a divers Consistency and Habitude , are apt to a Fermenting , viz. either Thin or Thick , Liquid or Solid , Animate or Inanimate , Natural or Artificial ; in all which is found an Heterogeneity of parts or particles , to wit , there are in them some substances light , and always endeavouring to fly away : and also there are others thick , earthy , and more fix'd , which intangle the subtil Particles , and detein them in their Embraces , whilst they endeavour to fly away ; from the strivings , and wrestlings of these two twins , in one Womb , the motion of Fermentation chiefly proceeds ; but on the contrary , what things do not Ferment , for the most part consist of like Particles , and are of the same Figure and Conformation , which indeed consociat among themselves , without any Tumult or Turgescency , lye quiet , and enjoy a deep peace . If Must , or new Wine , or new Ale or Beer , be closely Bottl'd up , or put into Vessels of small vent , they will grow so very hot , that often the Vessels are in danger of breaking . But if the same Liquors , being Distilled by themselves , and then what is seperated shut up , from thence no motion or heat will follow . Wherefore , Distilled Waters , hot Spirits , Oyls , fixed Salts of Herbs , and very many other more simple preparations of the Chymists , remain a long while without any alteration or Fermentation , Perhaps some of the Particles do evaporate , but the rest do not tumultuate . In the mean time the juice and blood of Vegetables or Animals , as also all Liquors Concreted , and compounded of many things , quickly Ferment , and from thence enter into divers turns of changes . The Spirit of Wine being closely shut up in a Phial shews no sign of growing hot , but if but a little Oyl of Turpentine be added to this Spirit , the Particles of the Liquor will so leap forth , that I have seen it break a Glass Hermetically Sealed . All Distilled Waters of Herbs , so they be kept simply in a Glass , will remain incorrupt a long time , but if you add to the same Sugar or Syrrup , it presently grows soure and is corrupted : Wherefore , that the Fermentation of Bodies may be rightly unfolded , we must inquire , what those Particles or Substances are , and of what Nature of which mixt things are Compounded , and from whose being put together , and mutual strivings , motions for the most part naturally proceed .

Altho there be many and divers Opinions of Philosophers concerning the beginnings of Natural things , yet there are three chiefly deserve our Assent , and Faith , before the rest . That famous fourfold Chariot of the Peripateticks obtains the chief place , which emulous of the four wheel'd Coach of the Sun , is hurried by a quick passage , through the fictitious Heaven of the first Matter , and measures that vast and empty thing , with a perpetual reciprocation . For they say , all things are Constituted out of Water , Air , Fire , and Earth ; and that out of the divers transposition of these , Generation and Corruption , as also the changes of all alterations whatsoever , do arise . In the second place , and next , stands the Opinion of Democritus and Epicurus , which lately also hath been revived in our Age , this affirms all Natural effects to depend upon the Conflux of Atoms diversly figured , so that in all Bodies , there be Particles Round , Sharp , Foursquare , Cylindrical , Chequer'd or Streaked , or of some other Figure ; and from the divers changes of these , the Subject is of this or that Figure , Work , or Efficacy . The third Opinion of the Origination of Natural Things , is introduced by Chymistry , which , when by an Analysis made by Fire , it resolves all Bodies into Particles of Spirit , Sulphur , Salt , Water , and Earth , affirms by the best right , that the same do consist of these . Because this Hypothesis determinates Bodies into sensible parts , and cutts open things as it were to the life , it pleases us before the rest .

As to the four Elements , and first Qualities from thence deduced , I must confess that this Opinion doth somthing help for the unfolding the Phaenomena of Nature , but after so dark a manner , and without any peculiar respect to the more secret recesses of Nature , it salves the appearances of things , that 't is almost the same thing , to say an House consists of Wood and Stone , as a Body of four Elements . The other Opinion , which is only a piece of the Epicurean Philosophy , forasmuch as it undertakes Mechanically the unfolding of things , and accommodates Nature with Working Tools , as it were in the hand of an Artificer , and without running to Occult Qualities , Sympathy , and other refuges of ignorance , doth happily and very ingeniously disintangle some difficult Knots of the Sciences , and dark Riddles , certainly it deserves no light praise : but because it rather supposes , than demonstrates its Principles , and teaches of what Figure those Elements of Bodies may be , not what they have been , and also induces Notions extremly subtil , and remote from the sense , and which do not sufficiently Quadrate with the Phaenomena of Nature , when we descend to particulars , it pleases me to give my sentence for the third Opinion before-mentioned , which is of the Chymists , and chiefly to insist upon this in the following Tract , to wit , affirming all Bodies to consist of Spirit , Sulphur , Salt , Water , and Earth , and from the diverse motion , and proportion of these , in mixt things , the beginnings and endings of things , and chiefly the reasons , and varieties of Fermentation , are to be sought . If any one shall object , That the Atomical , and our Spagyric Principles , are altogether subordinate , to wit , that these , tho at the last sensible , are resolved into those , only to be signified by Conception ; I shall not much gainsay him , so it shews that those Conceptions are real . I being dul and purblind , leave the more accurate to quick sights , being content to be so wise as to perform the business of the outward Sense with Reason : for I profess , it pleases not me , to devise or dream Philosophy . But that our Work may more rightly proceed , it will be necessary , to speak first a few things of these kind of Principles in general , and of their Affections .

I mean by the name of Principles , not simple and wholly uncompounded Entities , but such kind of Substances only , into which Physical things are resolved , as it were into parts , lastly sensible . By the intestine motion , and combination of these , Bodies are begot , and increase : by the mutual departure and dissolution of these one from another , they are altered , and perish . In the mean time , what Particles are gathered together in the subjects , or depart away from them , will appear under the form of Spirit , Sulphur , Salt , or of one of the rest .

CHAP. II. A description of the Principles of Chymists , and the Properties and Affections of them .

1. SPirits are Substances highly subtil , and Aetherial Particles of a more Divine Breathing , which our Parent Nature hath hid in this Sublunary World , as it were the Instruments of Life and Soul , of Motion and Sense , of every thing ; whilst they of their own Nature are always enlarged , and endeavouring to fly away , lest they should too soon leave their subjects , they are bound somtimes with more thick Particles , that by entring into them , and by subtilizing them , and variously unfolding them , they dispose the substance to maturity , as is to be observed in the Vegetation , and Fermentation of Bodies ; somtimes being restrained within some spaces , to wit , the Vessels or Bowel of living Creatures , they are compelled more often to repeat the same measures of their motions for the performing the works of Life , Sense and Motion . From the motion of these proceed the animation of Bodies , the growth of Plants , and the ripening of Fruits , Liquors , and other preparations ; they determinate the Form and Figure of every thing , prefixed as it were by Divine designation : they conserve the bonds of the mixture by their presence ; and open them , by their departure , at their pleasure : they bridle the irregularities of Sulphur and Salt . The perfection and state of every thing consists in the plenty and exaltation of Spirits , and the fall and declination , in their want and defect .

As to the Subjects in which the Spirits are : Minerals because they are of a more fixed nature , wanting Motion and Vegetation , are almost without Spirits , or at least are contented with a few . For the birth and growth of Vegetables , they are required in a more moderate quantity . In the Constitution of a living Creature , where there is greater Use of Spirits , for Sense and Motion , a far more plentiful quantity is found . In the works of Art , and chiefly in those which ascend to perfection , by Digestion and Fermentation , there are found to be a sufficiently great proportion of Spirits : but in all subjects whatsoever , whilst the immersed Spirits are mingled with the other Principles , their condition or state comes under a threefold consideration : for they are either depressed and scattered , and so involved with more thick Particles , that they are very little seen , or shew forth their powers , as in things undigested , crude and unripe , may be perceived , in which the Spirits can hardly extricate themselves into motion , and from which they can hardly be drawn by Distillation . Or secondly , the Spirits flying forth from the thick substance of the rest , are full of vigor , shake and rightly dispose the more gross Particles , subtilize the thick , digest the crude , and bring things to the steme or height of maturity and perfection : or lastly , Spirits having obtained the height of things , do luxuriate and make excursions out of the Body : hence those that remain , are by degrees lessened of their plenty and strength , until being less in power than the Particles of the Salts and Sulphur , they are put under their yoak , and by little and little are destroyed and driven away out of the Subject ; on this threefold state depends the beginnings or rudiments , the maturity and exaltation , and the defect and end of things .

It is observed , when the Spiritous Latex is drawn forth of any Liquor by Distillation , that the vapor or steam is not elevated into dew , that is , comes together in little drops or dew , every where poured forth , as it is wont to do in watery things ; but it is divided into streaks , and many little rivulets , and renders the Alembic mark'd in every part , with straight lines , only not meridional , leading from the Centre of the top , to the brim of the Circumference . The cause of which seems to be this , to wit , since that the spirituous substance is very subtil , it is not easily Collected into Liquor ; neither is it fixed every where about the sides of the Vessel , in its ascent , as watery Liquors ; but always stretches 〈◊〉 and unless when it comes to the top it self of the li●… head doth in no wise 〈◊〉 but there the spirituous breath , being restrained as it were in a punct , and being brought backward , it begins to gather into dew : wherefore , from that top , as it were the Fountain , the Spirits flowing forth on every side by streams , descend in streaks towards the mouth or brim of the Alembic . And when those lines wholly disappear , it is a sign , that the spirituous substance is quite still'd forth , and that the watery breath only ascends .

2 , Sulphur is a Principle of a little thicker consistency than Spirit , after that , the most active : for when the Spirits first break forth from the loosned sub●●●nce of the mixture , presently the Sulphureous Particles endeavour to ●…low The Temperament of every thing , as to Heat , Consistency , and amiable frame or contexture , depends chiefly on Sulphur ; from hence also for the most part arise variety of Colours and Odors , the fairness and deformity of the Body , also the div●●s●●y of tastes . In the Bosom of this the Spirits immediately , in which as in a Copula , they are united , by the more hard embraces of the rest . The substance of Sulphur , though less subtil , is yet of more firceness and unruliness than the Spirits are , for this unless it be restrained , by the embrace of the others , as it were in bonds , and its Particles be detained one from another by the interjection or coming between of the rest , not only leaves the subject , but destroys it self , with too impetuous an eruption . Indeed the little bodies of this being gently moved , do cause digestion , and maturation , sweetness , and many perfective qualities in things : being a little more strongly moved , they induce heat , and an excess of qualities , inordinations , and chiefly a stinking favour : but being more impetuously moved or stirred up , they bring in the dissolution of Bodies , yea a flame and Burning .

The substance of Sulphur is never seen sincere , yea it consists not of it self from others , but vanishes away into Air : its Particles being concreted and chained together , with Salt and Earth , are fixed as it were immoveable , as is seen in Metals and some Stones : or being Diluted with Spirit and Water , and temper'd together with the rest , exist in motion , by which means ( as was before said of Spirit ) they are in a threefold state , within the substance of the mixture : for either first of all its little bodies being involved with Salt and Earth , or too much drenched with a watery humidity , are obscured , so that they exercise but little of virtue , from whence the humid and cold temper of things exists , their qualities are Obtuse , Dull , and of small virtue or force , and the Bodies less apt to be inflamed , as is discerned in unripe Fruit , raw Juices and green Wood. Or secondly , The Particles of Sulphur begin to shine forth with Spirit , to be more thickly heaped or rolled together , and to appear eminent above the rest of the Principles . And so by its motion , they evaporate the superfluous moisture , digest Crudities , and induce a warm temper in things , active qualities , a lively force and maturation , or ripeness : which kind of exaltation of Sulphur may be observed in Wine and Liquors long Fermented , in ripe Fruits , in the Youth and florid Constitution of living Creatures . Or thirdly , The Sulphureous Particles being gathered into vigor , grow too hot , loose the bonds of mixture , and desire to fly away ; and from their diverse manner of departure and separation , the dissolution of Bodies variously happens : For either they evaporate with Water and Spirit , by degrees , and without tumult , and leave their subjects lean and dry , which , when the Sulphur is wholy gon , fall into Ashes : Or secondly , in Bodis which abound with Sulphur , when the mixture is loosned , and the Spirits begin to fly away , the remaining Particles of Sulphur are wont to be very much moved , and to grow exceeding hot ; and being shut up in a thick substance , are gathered together more nearly , ( as in Dung and Hay growing hot ) and conceive heat , and somtimes Burning : breaking forth after this manner , by heaps , and impetuously , they breath out a stinking smell , and bring on a rottenness to the subject . There is a third manner of eruption , whereby the Sulphureous Particles go forth of Bodies , when they withdraw themselves , as it were with violence , and being gathered together , break forth into fire and flame : whereby indeed becoming unbridled and untamed , they break all bars or lets , and wholly destroy the substance or frame of the Subject : By this means , by their own and proper effervescency they procure a Burning , as when they being layed up wet , or the wheels of Carts , or Axeltree , made hot by motion doe fire , or because Sulphur is inkindled by Sulphur : for its Particles being impetuously moved , shake or move all that 's near them , and carry them into the like motion of Conflagration , as shall be more fully shown hereafter , when we shall discourse concerning the nature of fire .

3. Salt is of a little more fixed nature , than either Spirit or Sulphur , nor so apt to fly away ; but bestows a Compaction and Solidity on things , and also weight and duration , It retards the dissolution of Bodies , and promotes Congelations and Coagulations , and very much resists Putrefaction , Corruption , and Inflammation ; to wit , forasmuch as it fixes the too volatile Sulphur and Spirit , and detains them in a Body : wherefore ponderous Woods , Stones , Metals , and what abound in Salt , are hardly enkindled , and remain a long while free from Corruption . Not only the duration of the individual , but also the propagation of the Species , depends very much upon the Principle of Salt , because the fertility of the Earth , the growth of Plants , and especially the frequent faetation , and bringing forth of young , in living Creatures , takes their Original from the Saltish Seed : hence it is , that Venus is said to arise from the Sea , and Lust is called Salacity . For Salt having obtained a flux , gathers together , and stirs up into motion , the idle , or too much disjoyned little Bodies of Spirit or Sulphur , and excellently keeps them together with itself , for the producing the first ground-work of things .

Salt within the frame of the mixture , is either altogether fixed , when its Particles being almost destitute of Spirit and Water , but bound together with Earth , or Sulphur , or both of them , grow into Stones , Metals , or Minerals of another kind ; which fixity in Nature is imitated in making Glass , and Earthen Ware : or Salt is loosned from its fixedness , to wit , when its Particles being mixed with the other Principles , and chiefly with Spirit and Sulphur , and Diluted with Water do unfold themselves , and being diffused through the mixture , do Ferment with the rest : whilst the little Bodies of the Salt are after this manner put into motion , there is observed of them a threefold State or Condition , to wit , of Fusion , Volatilisation , and Fluxation .

I call the State of Fusion , when the little Bodies of the Salt being Commixed with the rest , begin as to their smallest parts to be dissolved , and diffused , and explicated here and there , through the whole substance of the mixture , as may be observed in the Germination of Plants , in the first Conceptions of living Creatures , and in the beginnings of Fermentations ; hence Spring only a rude and indigested formation of things , an ingrateful savour , and for the most part bitter or biting .

From these first Rudiments of Motions , the Saline Particles ascend by little and little , to Vigor and Volatilisation , together with Spirit and Sulphur : to wit , whereby they run through the whole substance of the Body , and variously move its matter , and dispose it towards maturity . Some little Bodies sharpen , and stir up into Motion , others Fix , Establish , and Congeal into a stony hardness . If there be plenty of Spirits and Sulphur , the Particles of Salt , as their handmaids , go about to unite , and associate themselves intimately with them , that they are not only snatched together with them , through all the recesses of the mixture , but ( the subject being exposed to Distillation ) Salt also ascends in the Alembic , even as the Spirit . From the Volatilisation of Salt , Beauty , and Fairness , and savour chiefly sweet , happen in things , as in the florid blood of living Creatures , in ripe Fruits , as also in Sugar , Milk , and Hony , we know by experience .

I mean the Fluxation of Salt , when the saline Particles , which being first gathered together , with Earth , or Sulphur , or associated with Spirit , and so remain separated one from another , afterwards the bond of the mixtion being loosened , they become wholy free , and unloosened from the yoak of the rest : for so they flow together , explicate themselves through the whole frame of the subject , and whilst Spirit and Sulphur for the most part fly away , these exercise a dominion over the remainder , and induce a soureness into the whole mixture : by reason of this Fluxation of Salt , Wine , Milk , Blood , and Eateable Things , at first grateful and sweet , grow ingratefully soure when they begin to Corrupt ; and for this Reason , all Salts whatsoever , having gotten a Flux , by a violent Distillation by Fire ( that is , being driven from the Combination of Earth ) grow sour , than if the same sour Liquor , be put upon the insipid dead Head , the Whole lastly becomes salted .

Salt being deprived of the Company of the rest , ( except the Earth ) becomes at last fixed , as is observed in Sea-Salt , or the incineration made of Herbs , whose Particles so cleave together , that they cannot be pulled asunder by the strongest Fire . When Vegetables are Distilled , some Saline Particles , though but few , made fit for Fusion , ascend with the rest ; and from thence some Distilled Waters retain a genuine savour of the mixture : The parts of living Creatures being exposed to Distillation , yield a Volatile Salt : when Minerals , or ponderous Woods full of Salt , are brought under by Chymistry , the Distilled Liquor is like to Salt that hath gotten a Flux , and is very sour .

Spirit and Sulphur easily unlock the substance of the mixture , and make way for themselves ; but Salt cannot , unless it be snatched forth of doors together with the Spirit it self . As Spirit and Sulphur being outwardly applyed , in dissolving or burning a Body , open as it were the doors for their Companions shut within , so also , Salt Liquors Distilled , do the same thing . For Stygian Waters strongly Corrode Metals , and are seen like a flame put to them , to burn and consume the same .

Salt resists Inflammation , for that it detains the Sulphureous Particles in its Bosom , and hinders them from breaking forth . But excepting that Sal Nitre encreases the burning of Sulphur , which indeed happens by accident , because that Salt , as it were an Hermaphrodite , grows very turgid with Sulphureous Particles also , combined in the mixture ; wherefore , when the Salt is melted by other fired Sulphur , the shut up Sulphur , breaks forth with violence , and ( like a blast from a Bellows ) shakes the inkindled fire round about , and drives more impetuously the subject into a Body : In the mean time , if yout put the flame to Nitre , it will not be inkindled at all ; but being put to a Sulphureous Body , it promotes its enkindling ; but the other Salts , less turgid with Sulphureous Particles , or rather destitute of them , being mixed with Sulphur , hinder its inkindling , and somtimes put it out .

So much for the Active Principles , which effect , as it were , the first ground-work of Bodies : those which follow , chiefly bestow on them Consistency and Substance . For from hence exist either Liquids or Solids , Small things or Great . For Water and Earth , fill the little spaces that are empty , through the Combination of the rest , with their coming between , and amplifie and enlarge the lineaments of the Body , otherwise too short and contracted .

4. Water is the chiefest Vehicle of Spirit and Sulphur , by whose intervention they consociate one with another , and with Salt ; for the other Principles , being dissolved by a watery humor , or at least diluted , continue in motion , without which they grow stiff , as congealed things .

When Water is wanting , the active Principles meet together too strictly , and mutually rub against , and consume themselves ; and when for this reason , the suppliment of food is cut off , the Body grows withered . If humidity abounds too much , these Elements are estranged or dissociated too much one from the other , wherefore the subject becomes sluggish and slow , and of less efficacy , and unapt for motion . Besides , Bodies too moist , are lyable very much to rottenness and Corruption ; because from too much Humidity the Combination of Spirit , and Sulphur , and Salt , is too loosely effected ; that they do not mutually embrace one another , nor are retained with their embracement , in the subject . Indeed Water abounding easily evaporates , and then the frame of the mixture being loosened , and the doors set open , Spirit and Sulphur easily break forth , the way being made , and leave the subject , as it were vapid , or made sharp with Salt : for from hence , the infusions of Vegitables , Decoctions , Juices of Herbs , and all Liquid preparations , if the quantity of Water be greater than the rest of the Principles , and improportionate , quickly Corrupt .

Water is most easily drawn forth out of every thing by Distillation , for when Spirit and Sulphur are often intangled with nets of Salt or Earth , they hardly let go-their embraces , and are not obedient but to a more intense heat , and often times require a previous Putrefaction . Water most easily , and often with no labour , is driven out of every Body . But most often it snatches in its flying away , some more loose Particles of Spirit and Sulphur , and carries them with itself , forth of doors .

5. As the interjection of Water in Liquids , so of Earth in Solids , fills the empty little Spaces and Vacuities , left by the other Principles . For these , hinder the active Principles from a too streight embrace , whereby they should rub against themselves , and cleave one to another ; also by its thickness , it retains too Volatile things : besides , it inlarges the due substance , and magnitude in Bodies .

The more that Earth abounds in any thing , it is so much the less active , but of longer duration : hence Minerals endure a long while , then next the greater Trees ; in the mean time Animals , and the more slender Plants , are but of short age .

In Distillations , Earth ascends the Alembic , almost not at all , or but in a very little quantity : for the most part it is left , with a portion of Salt , for a Caput Mortuum or Dead Head ; therefore it is called Terra Damnata , or damned Earth : because , when the other Principles are freed , the Prison being as it were broken , this is still detained : besides , Earth being deprived of the Company of the rest , is of no Use , nor capable of change , or exaltation .

Thus much for the Elements or Principles of Natural things , considered apart , and by themselves . It follows , that some of their Affinities and Conjugations be unfolded : because these very strictly cohere with those , and very hardly or not at all are joyned with others . Out of the mutual Combination of some , and disagreement of others , various Affections arise , the knowledg of which gives no little Light to the Doctrine of Fermentation .

There is a certain Kindred and Similitude of parts , between Spirit and Sulphur , which are agil or light , and easily to be dissipated in both ; wherefore , Spirit being driven forth of the Body , draws abundantly with it Sulphureous Particles , as is discerned in Spirituous Liquors Distilled out of any thing ; to some of which if you mingle Water , the Liquor appears as it were troubled with precipitated Sulphur ; but the Spirit without the Sulphur is undiscernably mixed with the Water , which however by reason of is Volatility , may be also easily drawn away and separated by Distillation .

Altho Spirit and Sulphur are Principles very resembling , and ( because of a ready motion ) either are inflameable , yet they are not one and the same , as is asserted by some : For Sulphur Copiously subsists in Bodies almost destitute of Spirit , to wit , in common Sulphur , Antimony , and other Minerals ; in which its Particles are very fixed , and of their own nature almost immoveable , which is very far from the Nature of Spirits : For they abounding in any mixture , never lye idle , and always in motion , bring various alterations to the Subject where they dwell ; then if they abound in strength , they easily and without tumult carry themselves forth of doors of their own accord . But Sulphur , altho it abound , doth not easily evaporate , but hath need of a strong heat , or an actual fire , that may make a way for it ; and lastly , it breaks forth , not without a stink or burning : yea , if you endeavour to Distil Oyly and Fat things , although very Sulphureous , with a moderate Fire , they are wont to yield a Liquor only Waterish , and not inflameable ; but if we provoke generous Wine , which swells with Spirit , by the gentle heat of a Bath , a most burning Water will Still forth , and apt wholly to be inflamed .

Spirit is not presently joyned with Salt : For Sugar and Salts are scarcely dissolved , by the rectified Spirit of Wine , but are after a manner associated by a long digestion and circulation ; as is perceived in the Volatile Salt of Animals , or Tincture drawn forth from the Salts of Herbs , or of Minerals , by the Spirit of Wine . If that Spirits excel in plenty , and virtue , they assume to themselves , and Volatilise the Saline Particles . And therefore the Salt contained in the Juice or Blood of Animals , being associated with Spirit is volatilised : also the Spirit of Wine , being Distilled by many Cohalations , with the fixed Salt of Herbs , renders it Volatile , and makes it pass through the Alembic ; but if the power of the Salt be greater , it tames the Spirit and fixes it . Hence the blood , being become Salt , by means of an ill dyet , becomes less Spirituous . Fixed Salts , and the Oyl of Vitriol fix the Spirits , grown too volatile , and unbridled ; and Coagulate the Spirit of Wine it self .

But Sulphur is a more fit subject of the Spirit , by the coming between of which it easily is united with Salt and the other Principles ; and as Spirit best agrees with Sulphur and Water , so Sulphur intimately cleaves to Earth and Salt .

As to Sulphur , besides its affinity with Spirit , it hath a great relation with Salt it self , to the volatilisation of which it doth not a little help : wherefore in Bodies which abound with a volatile Salt , there is found plenty of Sulphur , as in Amber , Soot , Hornes and Bones , as also in the excrements of living Creatures ; where Salt and Sulphur are in motion , and evaporate from the subject , a very stinking smell is sent forth ; for Sulphur being sharpned with Salt , pricks more strongly the sensory , and strikes it with its sharpness ; in the mean time , Sulphur exhaling with Spirit , both pleases the sense , and excites a very pleasant Smell .

Sulphur is as it were distracted between Spirit and Salt , and adheres at once to both parties . In the Distillation of Amber , Turpentine , Harts-Horn , and the like , a certain lesser part of Sulphur , being united to Spirit , first ascends , and causes a Yellow Oyl , or clear Liquor of a grateful smell : the other part of Sulphur , being joyned to the Salt , is driven forth in the second place , and is Distilled with a most stinking smell , in the form of a red or black Oyl : In like manner , in the Circulation of the blood , a pure and delicate portion of Sulphur , being mixed with the Spirit , supplies both the Animal and Vital Spirit with matter ; the other more thick part , being Boyled and Rosted with Salt , is layd up in the Choledock Vessels ( or belonging to Choler ) as it were a certain excrement separated from the blood . As Spirit does not easily Cohere with Salt , so Sulphur does not with Water : wherefore Fat and Oyly things , as also Gumms and Sulphureous Refines , either swim upon the Water , or sink down to its bottom . But Sulphureous things , Salt coming between , are commixed with a Watery Liquor , as we see Oyls imbued with Sugar or Salt , to be dissolved in common Water , which otherwise would flow separate .

Sulphur is not so tractable in Distillation , as Spirit , Water , or Salt : for the Particles of this , being very Viscous , stick together among themselves , and also to others , that they cannot easily be pulled from their embrace . Hence among Sulphureous things , there are some , which are not forced , but by a strong and burning heat , into a stinking Oyl , and very empyreumatick , or smelling of Fire : but others , more pertinaciously cleaving together , are not to be loosened by Distillation , but are only broken into integral parts ; and so ascend under the form of a dry Breath , as common Sulphur , Benzoin , Camphor , and the like .

Salt , besides its affinity with Sulphur , is also most strictly united with Earth ; wherefore Stones , and the more hard Minerals , consist chiefly of Salt and Earth . The Acid Spirits of Minerals , ( which are only Salts resolved into Liquor by Distillation ) if at last they be poured on the Caput Mortuum , Cohere with a strict embrace to it , that there will be need of a most strong Fire , to drive them forth again . Also in Glass , the union of Salt and Earth is so strictly made , that it will not suffer a Divorce by any means . Salt also is most easily dissolved in Water ; and it melts of its own accord , in a moist Air : and these are as easily separated one from another .

By reason of these Combinations , these Principles have got various Appellations , and not Congruous in their own Nature to themselves . For Sulphur , for as much as it is Associated with Spirit , is called pure and sweet ; when with Salt , impure and stinking , for as much as with Salt and Earth , it is called thick and Earthly ; when the Spirit assumes to it self Sulphureous Particles in a moderate quantity , it is seen to be sweet ; when saline , sharp ; when both , bitter . Salt has a diverse disposition , and is known by many names , by reason of its various mixture with the other Elements , and chiefly with Earth : for besides the Titles of Fluid , Fixed , Volatile , for this reason it is termed Marine , Aluminous , Nitrous , Vitriolick , Armoniack , or of some other kind . By some , these kind of Conjugations are esteemed , but wrongfully , as so many divers Principles , when they are but more simple mixtures , by the coming together of the first Elements , and being loosened by Distillation they openly shew their Race , from whence they are . For all Salts whatsoever being driven into a Flux by the Fire , shew Liquors very near of Kin one to another , to wit , Acetous : by the like means Spirit and Sulphur are compelled to put off their Masks , and to resume the Native Species common to each .

And so much for the Principles of Natural Things , and of their Affections and Conjunctions . It is abundantly manifest , that these kind of Substances are in every Body , ( besides the Analyses of Bodies Chymically instituted ) also from the Mutations , and effects of Things , which happen of their own Nature . When Must is Ripened into Wine , is not Spirit , a Sulphureous part , also Salt , and Earth Conspicuous to our Tast and Eyes , besides the watery Liquor ? Also the Juice of every Plant being exalted by Digestion , exhibits the same sincere , and as it were distinct : what is greater , things subject to the Flame , when they seem to be burnt , and reduced almost to nothing , they go into these kind of Particles ; besides the Salt remaining in the Ashes , the Smoke and Flame grow together into Soot , as it were a Meteor , in which are comprehended together , Spirit , Sulphur , Salt , Water , and Earth , as it were in a certain compendium of the mixture . For the active Principles abound in Soot , more than in any other inanimate Body .

But because with some there hath spread a certain suspicion , that those our Princiciples , chiefly the Saline and Sulphureous , are to be produced for the most part by Fire , and are no ways to be found in mixt things , unless after the coming between of that : I will witness to you in some instances , that the thing is plainly otherwise . Concerning the first , It is commonly known , that the Ashes of every Plant , being once Elixivated , or made into a Lye , if it be afterwards Calcined , will not yield any thing of Salt ; besides if Concretes being Distilled , Exhale or Breath forth a very sharp or acid Liquor , their Calx is not saltish ; and on the contrary when the Salt being Volatilized or brought to a Flux , ascends the Alembic , you shall seek for it in vain in the dead head . To prove the existency of the Sulphureous Principle in Vegetables , take Guaiacum , or a piece of any other ponderous Wood , and being put into a Glass Retort , draw it forth by degrees ; it shall exhibit , together with an Acid Liquor ( which water is saltish ) in great quantity , a blackish Oyl ( which part of it is Sulphureous . ) It appears from hence that this was in the Body before the Distilling , and in no wise produced by its Operation , because if you proceed after another manner , that the Sulphur may be taken out of the Concrete before Distillation , the Liquor that comes forth will be almost wholy deprived of its Oyliness : Wherefore , if you pour Spirit of Wine to those Chips of Wood , it will Extract in a great quantity , by this Menstruum , a pure Refine , which is the Sulphureous part it self : then if you Distil ( as before ) in a Retort , the remaining Chips being washed in common Water and dryed , you will have a very little Oyl only . What is more to be admired , and confirms also more fully the truth of this kind of Origination , some Bodies , which being almost destitute of Spirit and Sulphur ( because chiefly Volatile ) consist chiefly of Salt , Earth and Water , are separated into these Elements by Distillation : the same mixture in number , and wholy known by the same accidents , is restored to them , being mingled together again ; for example , if you Distil Vitriol in a Reverberating Furnace , you shall have a Phlegm almost insipid , or a Watery part , then a Liquor very sour , or a Salt having gotten a Flux , and in the bottom , a Red Earth , and finely Purpled : this being rightly performed , if the two Distilled Liquors be poured to the dead head , you shall have the same Vitriol , as you had before , and again revived , in the same Colour , tast , yea and almost in weight . In like manner you may proceed , with the same success , with Nitre , Sea-Salt , Salt of Tartar , and perhaps with Alum and other Minerals : So that those Concretes , which consist of fixed , and stable Elements , may like a Mechanick Engine be pulled into pieces , and presently without hurting the Machine , be restored or made whole . But there is enough spoken concerning the Principles of Natural Bodies . These being thus premised , we will proceed to the thing proposed in the beginning , to wit , the Doctrine of Fermentation .