The Golden Chain of Homer

18The philosophers also say: our solvent and dissolved matter must remain together, either both volatile or both fixed. Secondly, the solvent must be homogeneous with the dissolved matter; indeed, it must be a mineral menstruum of universal presence, one that conforms to each and every thing. This is doubted in the case of aqua fortis and spirit of vitriol. Answer: I have already taught that solvent and dissolved matter remain together. That nitre, salt, and their spirits are homogeneous with all subjects has been proved above, for all universals are homogeneous with the specifics, and the specifics with the universals, as has been demonstrated and is known to everyone. That it is a mercurial of universal presence can be recognized from its universality. Someone will again say: suppose we allow that nitre and salt are universally present and universal in relation to all specifics; vitriol, on the other hand, is a pure acid and a mixture, which seems contrary to the universal mercurial menstruum, because vitriol has more sulphur than mercury. That vitriol is a first being of minerals has been proved above. That it has mercury, sulphur, and salt is known to all practitioners. But that it is more sulphurous than mercurial cannot prevent its action, for all subjects come from sulphur; and all this scrupling matters nothing, provided it produces its effect. Moreover, how many authors establish vitriol as the first matter of metals just as they do mercury? They have even recommended it as the matter of the stone, as that saying goes: “By visiting the interior of the earth,” and so forth. If, then, vitriol is the first matter of metals, after its dissolution it must have the power to reduce metals to their first condition, and it must be homogeneous with all minerals. If it is the matter of the stone, it is the extract or quintessence of all minerality. It is also known that saltpetre and salt are a universal subject, which many recommend as the natural subject in all things, calling it all in all because it is found everywhere. Because it is universal, it is a subject indifferent to receiving any form or specification. In vitriol they become specified, become one with it, and remain with it both volatile and fixed; whatever they dissolve they again make volatile and fixed, and it remains inseparably with them. Whoever thinks to separate it from them separates the volatile part, while the fixed nevertheless remains. For one seed gladly remains with another, especially the specific and universal, and they let the aqua recolacea depart from them.