Page 16 - Treatise on Salt

Chapter 3

Of the dissolution.

Since the time draws nigh, when this fourth monarchy shall
predominate towards the north, which will be soon followed with the
calcination of the world, it would be proper enough to discover clearly to
all in general the philosophical calcination or solution, (which is the
sovereign princess in the chemical monarchy) the knowledge whereof
being acquired, it would be no longer difficult afterwards for many to
treat of the art of making gold, and to obtain in a short time all the most
hidden treasures of nature. This would be the sole and only mean capable
of banishing from all the corners of the world that insatiable thirst which
men have for gold, and which drags along with it the heart of almost all
those who inhabit the earth; and to cast down (to the glory of God) the
statue of the golden calf, which the great ones, as well as the little ones
of this age adore. But as all these things, as well as an infinity of other
hidden secrets, belong only to a good artist, we shall disclose them to
him now what Paracelsus has heretofore said; to wit, that one third part
of the world shall perish by the sword, another by the plague and famine;
so that there will hardly be left another third part. That all the orders (that
is to say, that beast with seven heads) should be destroyed out the world.
And then (says he) all things shall return to their perfect and primitive
state, and we shall enjoy the Golden Age: man shall recover his found
understanding, and shall live conformably to the morals of men, etc. But
notwithstanding all these things will be in the power of him whom God
has destined to the performance of these wonders, yet we shall leave in
writing, whatever shall be of any utility to those who are in quest after
this art; and we say pursuant to the sentiment of all the philosophers, that
a true dissolution is the key of the whole art: that there are three sorts of
dissolutions; the first is, the dissolution of the crude body; the second, of
the philosophical earth; and the third is, that which is made in the
multiplication.

But for as much as what has been already calcined, dissolves more
easily than what has not, it is absolutely necessary that the calcination,
and destruction of the sulphurous impurity, and of the combustible
stench, precede all other things: in the next place, all the waters or

12