Magnalia Naturae, or The Philosophers-Stone lately Exposed to Public Sight

Magnalia Naturae: OR, THE PHILOSOPHERS-STONE Lately expos'd to publick Sight and Sale. BEING A true and exact Account of the Manner HOW WENCESLAUS SEILERUS The late Famous Projection-maker, at the Emperours Court, at Vienna, came by, and made away with a very great Quantity of Pouder of Projection, by projecting with it before the Emperor, and a great many VVitneſſes, ſelling it, &c. for ſome years past.

Publiſhed at the Requeſt, and for the Satisfaction of ſeveral Curious, eſpecially of Mr. Boyl, &c.

BY John Joachim Becher, One of the Council of the Emperor, and a Commiſſioner for the EXAMEN of this Affair.

Minut. Felix.

Quid igitur ingrati ſumus? Cur invidemus: ſi veritas divinitatis (quae per ea quae fiunt ſat intelligi potest, Rom. 1. 20.) nostri temporis aetate maturuit.

LONDON, Printed by Tho. Dawks, His Majeſties Britiſh Printer, living in Black-fryers. Sold alſo by La. Curtiſs, in Goat Court on Ludgate hill. 1680.

Advertiſement.

BOoks and ſingle ſheets Printed and ſold by Tho. Dawks, in Black fryers, and by La. Curtiſs in Goat Court on Ludgate-hill, where may alwayes be had, 1. Godfreys Murder made viſible, and the Papists Cruelty therein. 2. A Chronology of Popery, ſhewing When, and Who brought in their idle, fooliſh Foperys. 3. The only Hiſtorical Plot Cards, with a Book, illuſtrating the PLOT, by greatly ſatisfying the Protestant Reader. 4. The Beggars Petition to H. S. ſhewing Reaſons enough why he threw Popery off, and we not now befoold into it. 5. The 3 Prime Diſcoverers, their Pictures, with Verſes ſhewing their Reaſons why they diſcovered this Helliſh Popiſh Plot. 6. Romes Hunting-Match for 3 Kingdoms. 7. England's Calamity foreſhewn, from the growth of Popery, in Gemanys Miſery. 8. A Seaſonable Caution to Apostatizing Protestants; or Gods eminent Judgment upon Proteſtants that turn'd Papiſts to ſave their Lives, but periſhed. 8. The Reſurrection proved in a Relation of what hapned to Mris Ann Atherton, who lay 7 dayes in a Trance, declared in an aſtoniſhing Speech when ſhe came to life.

9. A great Truth, The Jeſuit a down-right Compleat Atheiſt, proved ſuch, and condemn'd for ſuch, by the Famous Faculty of Sorbonne, well known to be the beſt Divines of all the Catholick Party, and by the French Biſhops, & Pope Alexander 7. Shewing how they make a Mock at Sin, deny God, and overthrow all Religion. Their Deſign being to Debauch Mankind, wherein they, as a Judgment from God upon us, have ſucceeded pretty well, but ſpeedy Judgment attends its Promoters.

10 Famous Master Rich's Abſence ſupply'd by a KEY to his Short-hand TABLE, entituled The PENS Dexterity, Allowed and Approved by both Ʋniverſities. Fully diſcovering the whole Art to the Meaneſt Capacity, in that Method he Taught his Scholars, with the reſerved Rules in their proper Places, by T. Dawks, a quandam Scholar of his; the like never publickly diſcovered before; all Books and ſheets relating to this Hand has been Abuſes to the Publick, & the Buyers of them much deceiv'd, for the Table alone was ne'er deſign'd by Mr. Rich to teach the whole A R T, but to bring Scholars to him: And for the Truth of what I ſay, as well in relation to this Key, as to other ſpurious Books, I refer my ſelf to Mr. Rich's Scholars, as fittest Judges, knowing not where elſe to appeal. Alſo, I have added ſince it came to my hand, beſide the Key to diſtinguiſh this from all falſe Tables, Directions concerning the place of Vowels, which he gave me in writing among the private Rules; wherefore, all old Tables without the Key are falſe ones, beware of them. Theſe true ones are ſold by. T. Baſſet, at the George by S. Dunſtans Church in Fleetstreet: by Fr. Smith at the Elephant by the Exchange in Cornhil,

11. Alſo Dr. Salmons New London Diſpenſatory, end his Soul of Aſtrology, are always to be had at the places aboveſaid. As for his Synopſis or Praxis Medicinae, the vaſt labour it hath taken up, is the Cauſe of its not coming forth; expect it ſpedily, the Compleatneſs of the Work make it exceed in thickneſs his Diſpenſatory, beſides the 21 Plates.

There is in the Preſs A packet of Popiſh Deluſions, Falſe Miracles and Lying Wonders: Together with many grand Diviſions among Papiſts, notwithſtanding their ſeeming Ʋnity.

The TRANSLATOR To the READER.

THere is no ingenious man that is not unacquainted with the Curioſities to be met with in the World, who hath not either ſeen ſom Tranſmutation of Metals, or at leaſt heard ſo many witneſs that they have ſeen it; as to be perſwaded that there is ſuch Thing as the Philoſophers-Stone, or Powder of Projection. Only there he ſome great men (as his Highneſs Prince Rupert, who hath ſeen the Projection at Frankfort, in Germany) who ſeem to queſtion whether ſuch Pouder or Tincture is prepared with Profit. But this Doubt is hereby now fully cleared and reſolv'd, from the great quantity of this Tincture left buried by the Abbot Founder of the Church it was found in: (as this Relation informs you) for it is not credible that the Abbot was Maſter, before he had done the Work, of ſuch an immenſe Treaſure, as he must needs have had to draw ſo much Tincture from: which could not be extracted (if the Preparation thereof is without profit,) from a leſſer quantity of Gold than it gives or yield again in the Projection: ſo that the ſame quantity of Gold as it yields again muſt have bin ſpoiled to make it; which it is not credible an Abbot of Germany was Master of, as is ſaid. And, for the Truth of this Relation, beſides that, it is attested by many men of great Quality, good parts, Probity, and Modeſty, by the Emperor himſelf; by Count Walleſtein who was Reſident here a year ago; and by Dr. Becher at preſent in this City. It is ſo publickly known through all parts of Germany, chiefly about Vienna where this was tranſacted, that to doubt, or deny it, were as abſurd, as if one denyed that the West-Indies have bin found out of late years, or that there be ſhips at Sea, becauſe he hath ſeen neither.

But among the many remarkable Paſſages in this Relation, one thing is moſt worthy of Obſervation, viz. the Honeſty of F. Fra. Preyhauſen, who deſerves to be chronicled for his Faithfulneſs & Truth to F. Wenceſlaus the Finder of this Pouder: for he wanted neither frequent Opportunities nor ſpecious Pretences to effect what ſom Princes could not forbear to attempt (i. to rob Wenceſlaus of his Powder) tho without a certainty of Succeſs, & tho he was himſelf ſure of Succeſs, for he was thrice, for a good while each time, entruſted with the Box, & might find Excuſes enough for it; yet he not only did not ſuccomb to the Temptation of getting All, as they did; but did not ſo much as deny, purloin, or withhold the least part of the Pouder from F. Wenceſlaus, even when (ſeeing how he ſquandred it away) he had a good pretence to keep back ſome for his uſe: and might justly have claimed and reſerv'd ſome for his own uſe alſo, not only for his Services, but for the great Dangers he had expoſed himſelf to for his ſake; thus keeping True to the End, even againſt his own Right & ſo great a Temptation. A faithful man who can find? Pro. 20. 6. But here ſuch one is found, and that among the Fryers! Whence I am glad to Obſerve, That all the Fryers are not quite ſo black as ſome make them; and to ſee that among them, as well as among other Sects ſome good men are to be found who make Conſcience of an Oath, and keep it tho to their loſs. Thanks be to F. Francis's Honesty for ſo much as we know of this whole Concern. I am ſure that if he had what his Honeſty deſerv's, what the Emperor hath done for Wenceſlaus had bin beſtowed upon him; and that Wenceſlaus himſelf, whilst in the Dungeon, would have ſaid with all his heart, that if he would do for him what he hath done, he would deſerve what he hath not had, I mean the whole Pouder: But Honesty meets ſeldom with what it deſerves.

Errata. Pag. 1. l. 16. for After, r. As for p. 29. l. 22. r. Imprudent.

Magnalia Naturae: OR, THE TRUTH OF The Philoſophers-STONE ASSERTED: Being expoſed to Publick Sight and Sale in our Daies.

THE Place where Wenceſlaus Seilerus (who is the main Subject of this following Diſcourſe) was born, I am not certain whether it was at Vienna, yea or no; But ſure I am He was of the Auſtrian Country: and his brother did wait upon the Count of Weiſſenwolf, the younger. After, Seilerus himſelf, when he was about the 20th year of his Age, he was caſt into a Monaſtery of the Auguſtine Fryers at Bruna in Moravia: where, after his year of Probation, he took the Habit upon him, and was admitted into the Number of Fryers, though it were againſt his Will, as he afterwards confeſſed, and as the Event did make appear: For having once made Profeſſion of the Order, he did continually ſtrive and ſtudy how he might free himſelf from the Monaſtery, and ſeeing that could not be done without Money, and Money, in his Circumſtances, could not lawfully be obtained: He began to ſtudy an indirect way for the obtaining thereof, for his fellow Fryers having often muttered to him of ſome great Treaſure hid in their Monaſtery, he had a great deſire to find it out.

And in order thereunto, he did not ſcruple to learn the Magick Art, if any one had been ready to inform him therein: wherein Fortune ſeemed to favour his deſires, for there was an old Woman, a Cow-keepers wife, living before the Gate of the Town, and Fortreſs, who was skilful therein, and he came to be acquainted with her upon this Occaſion.

The yonger Monks and Students, as they were called, are allowed ſome ſet daies, every week, to walk out of the Gates of the City, to enjoy the open Air and to refreſh their minds, ſuppoſed to be wearied with ſtudy; In theſe Relaxations one Company diſperſed it ſelf here, another there, as they think fit for their Divertiſment. But Fryer Wenceſlaus (for ſo I ſhall hereafter call him) made uſe of this Occaſion, alwayes to viſit the ſaid old woman, and upon the pretence of drinking New milk, to interogate her concerning her Art. And in a ſhort time he got ſo much into her Favour as to obtain from her a ſmall Waxball marked with certain Figures or Characters, which was of that Virtue, That, if it was laid upon the Ground, it would preſently run to the place where any Treaſure was hid: (This Ball I afterwards ſaw often in his Cuſtody, and handled it with my hands.)

It happened afterwards, That, as the Cuſtom is for the old Fathers when they grow weak, to have ſome young Fryers to aſſiſt them; ſo, Fryer Wenceſlaus was aſſigned to attend an ancient Father, who was a Cabaliſt, and a lover of Magick, in which ſtudies, at any Vacancies, he ſpent his time. He often told Fryer Wenceſlaus, That there was a Vaſt Treaſure hid in the Church of their Monaſtery; to whom Wenceſlaus replyed. That he had got a Ball which, he was aſſured, had the Virtue to diſcover hidden Treaſures: And, thereupon he ſhewed him the Ball, and the Characters impreſſed thereon, which the old Father did ſeriouſly conſider, and much valued them.

A while after, as they two were walking alone in the Church, afore day, after Mattens, they Tryed the Ball, by laying it down in ſeveral Places, but found no effect; At laſt, placing it near a certain Pillar old and ruinous, it began to ſhew its Efficacy and Virtue by its often running thereto: This they Interpreted for a certain Indication, That the Treaſure was there hid; but how to come at it was the Queſtion. They had neither Leave, Means nor Opportunity to break down this ſtony ſtructure, neither did they certainly know at what height or deph thereof the Treaſure was laid in it. So that upon theſe Diſcouragements they were forced to let it alone.

But it happened afterwards, That, a great Tempeſt ariſing, The whole Church, and eſpecially this decayed Pillar, was ſo ſhaken and ſpoiled, that to prevent its falling down the Abbot was neceſſitated to order it to be demoliſhed. And in regard the old Father, whom Fryer Wenceſlaus attended, had skill in Architecture, and by reaſon of his Infirmities could not be otherwiſe ſerviceable to the Monaſtery, he was therefore appointeed to overſee the Maſons; which Office he and his Aſſiſtant Fryer Wenceſlaus did willingly undertake, and were very ſedulous in theit Attendance, and diſcharge thereof. When the Pillar was almoſt all pulled own, They found therein a Copperbox, of a reaſonable bigneſs, which the old Father preſently ſnatch'd up and carryed it into his Cloyſter, and immediately opened it: Where, at the Top, he found a piece of Parchment, on which there was ſome Inſcription and Writing: I once had a Copy of it, but I loſt it amongſt my other Letters; But this I remember, It contained the number of the years wherein the Church was built, and the Name of the Abbot the Founder thereof, who had been an Envoye at Ratisbone; I do alſo remember, That amongſt other Writings, there was this Motto, AMICE, TIBI SOLI, which I Engliſh thus, Friend, to thy ſelf alone. Under this Parchment there were other Letters laid, marked with Characters, which contained Directions how to multiply the Powder, as the Inſcription ſhewed: and under them there were four Boxes full of a red Powder.

When the Boxes were opened, Fryer Wenceſlaus was quite out of Heart, having loſt his preconceived hope of ſome great Treaſure therein: for he verily believed that, if there were not old [•]ieces of Gold yet ſome Diamonds, or other precious ſtones muſt have been lodged there. And finding no ſuch thing, but four Boxes of darkiſh colored Powder, he was ſo impatient at the Diſappointment, that, if he had been the ſole Manager of the Buſineſs, he had thrown away Boxes, Powder and all: For at that time he was ſo little acquainted with Chymiſtry, that ſo much as the Name was not known to him, and he had ſcarce heard of the word Tincture.

But the old Father was not ſo Tranſported, but told him, That perhaps ſome Medicinal Virtue was contained in the Powder, and that the Characters in the annexed Papers might poſſibly diſcover its Uſe, and therefore he was reſolved to ſtudy ſome Books, to find out what thoſe Characters meant: In the mean time he would carefully keep the Box.

Not long after, The old Father ſent Fryer Wenceſlaus into the Kitchin of the Monaſtery, to ſee if he could find an old Peuter diſh or Plate, which was no longer fit for uſe, and if he could, to bring it to him; which he accordingly did, who thereupon cauſed a Coal-fire to be made, and put a Crucible into Fryer Wenceſlaus hand, to place therein; This was the firſt Chymical Operation that ever Fryer Wenceſlaus performed in all his Life, and for which he was ſo unfit, that he plac'd the Crucible upſide down, ſo that the old Father himſelf was forced to ſet it in its right Poſture. They put the Pewter Plate broken and folded together into the Crucible, which being preſently melted, the Father took out ſome of the Pouder (ſo much as would lay upon the point of a Knife) which was in one of the four Boxes, and wrapping it in a little wax, he caſt it into the Crucible upon the Pewter, and commanded his Aſſiſtant Fryer Wenceſlaus to blow up the Fire, adding theſe Words, Now I ſhall ſee whether I have well decyph[•]red the Characters, and whether I have found out the uſe of this Pouder.

As ſoon as ever the Powder was caſt in, the Pewter ſtood ſtill, came to a ſuddain Congelation. Then the Fire was ſuffered to go out, and the Crucible to wax cold, which being broken, there was found a ponderous maſs of Metals, very yellow and variegated with red lines: Upon which the Father made Fryer Wenceſlaus to go out into the Town, upon pretence of getting a Book to be bound, and wiſhed him to go to ſome Gold-ſmith, and ſhew him this Maſs of Metal, alleadging to him, That he had ſome ancient Roman Coins of Gold, which he had melted down, but for want of a ſufficient Fire and other Defects, he had not done it exactly; and therefore he deſired the Gold-ſmith to melt it over again, and caſt it in an Ingot; The Gold-ſmith gratified him therein, and Fryer Wenceſlaus, at the Command of the Father took off a ſmall piece, which he Preſerved, and then asked the Gold-ſmith, What the reſt was worth? Who, after he had weighed and tryed on the Touchſtone, did value it at Twenty Ducats (which are worth two Crowns a piece) at which Rate Fryer Wenceſlaus ſold it to him, and receiving the Money, returned joyfully home. The old Father did only deſire the remaining Portion of the Gold, which he had reſerved, but ſuffered Fryer Wenceſlaus to injoy the Ducats, yet with this Advice, That he ſhould diſcover it to none in the Monaſtery.

But Fryer Werceſlaus, though he had not been Maſter of ſo much Money a long time, was not ſatisfied therewith, but entertained various thoughts in his mind, whether he ſhould by Flight free himſelf from that Bondage and Slavery he was in, whileſt he had the Advantage of ſo much Caſh? Or elſe, whether he ſhould ſtay ſo long there, till either by Flattery or Craft, he had got the Copper Boxes from the old Father. To the firſt of theſe Cogitations he was edg'd on, by the eagerneſs of that Deſire he had to leave the Monaſtery: But then, the great Heap of Gold which he might make with the Powder, as he well conjectured, if he could get it into his hands, did ſomewhat abate his Fervor, and perſwade him to ſtay. For, though he was yet altogether ignorant of Chymiſtry, yet the precedent Tryals had given him ſo much Light, That he was fully perſwaded, The Box contained and was worth a vaſt Treaſure; and, though at that time, the Rareneſs of the Powder, and the multiplication of it had very ſmall Influence upon his Thoughts: yet, becauſe he had a ſhare in finding of it out, by means of his Ball, he therefore thought that half of it at leaſt did belong to him.

But there was another thing which more perplexed his mind, and that was the Fear, That the old Father, either out of a Principle of Devotion, or of Vain-Glory, ſhould diſcover the whole ſtory of the Buſineſs to the Abbot, and by that means ſhould make away all the Pouder: and he was rather inclined to theſe Cogitations, becauſe he had obſerved, That the Father, who before had been more remiſs in hiding the Box, now of late was ſo ſolicitous to preſerve it, that he kept it continually in his Desk, and ſcarce ever ſtirred from it, except when he was to go to Church with Fryer Wenceſlaus.

Being moved with theſe Conſiderations, he was induced to demand boldly ſome Quantity of this Powder of the old man? The Anſwer he received, was, That he was yet too young to know how to diſpoſe of, and to keep well this Powder: beſides, he wanted no Money whilſt he was in the Monaſtery; and, if he ſhould procure a ſumm by means of this Powder, in his preſent Condition, it would be very prejudicial both to his Soul and body, and he might become thereby of all men moſt miſerable: Moreover (proceeds the Father) This Powder may have many other Virtues and Operations which are yet unknown both to you and me, and therefore I will farther ſtudy the Writings annexed to it, and hereafter I will be mindful of you, but at preſent I will not part with any of the Powder, only you ſhall have every week two Crowns allowed for your Divertiſements: thus the Father; But this fair ſtory ſounded not well in the Fryers ears, who had a private Deſign (unknown to the oldFather) to leave the Monaſtery

In the Interim it happen'd, That as they two were returning from Mattens, early in the Morning, the old Father complain'd of a Cold he had got, & a great Rheum in his head, and deſired Fryer Wenceſlaus to go to the Cellar and fetch him a Cup of Sack, he did ſo, and upon his Return he found the Father taken with a Fit of an Apoplexy, and Speechleſs: whereupon, the firſt thing he did was to find out the Key of his Desk, and taking from thence the Copper Box, he carryed it to his own Cell, and hid it there. This being done, he rang the Bell in the Fathers Cell to call up the Monks, who came flying with all Diligence to bring him ſome Remedies, but they were all too late the Father being quite dead: Hereupon his Desk was preſently ſealed up, and ſolemn Ceremonyes according to the occaſion were performed over his dead Body. But who more inwardly joyful than Fryer Wenceſlans, from whom Death had removed his Rival, and made him to be Maſter of all the whole Treaſure.

Hereupon he began to deliberate with himſelf how he might make his Eſcape out of the Monaſtery with moſt Safety and leaſt Suſpicion. But herein many Difficuties did accrew: He was grown a little deboiſt and prodigal by the Opportunity of the 20 Ducats abovementioned, which he had to ſpend; and by that means he had incurred the Emulation of his Fellow Fryers, who did urge the Pryor and Superiour, That, the old Father being now dead, and ſo Fryer Wenceſlaus diſcharged from his Attendance on him, he ſhould for the Future be bound to a ſtricter Diſcipline, both in reference to his Studies, as alſo to his frequenting the Church. Moreover his Ducats were all ſpent, and no opportunity offerd to make another Tryal, or if he had, he could not have ſold the Product of it.

In this Anxiety he reſolved to open his mind to another Monk, a Comrade of his, one Fryer Francis Preyhauſen, That ſo they might mutually conſult together what was beſt to be done: for you muſt know this Fryer was intimate with Fryer Wenceſlaus, as having entred into the Colledge at the ſame time; and, being alſo a young man, was weary of a Monaſtical life, as well as he.

Whileſt theſe things were in Conſult, there happened a Solemn Diſputation in the School of the Monaſtery; Where among other Theſes, Fryer Francis, under a Moderator, was obliged to maintain, That Mettals can not be tranſmuted: And it chanced to be the turn of Fryer Wenceſlaus to be the then Opponent: But, as he had made no great Proficiency in his Studies, ſo Fryer Francis eaſily bafled him, and expoſed him to the laughter of the Auditory; ſo that in a great Paſſion he broke out into theſe Words, VVhy do you laugh? I can practically demonſtrate the thing to be true? To whom the Moderator with great Indignation, anſwer'd; Hold thy peace, thou Aſs, wilt thou alſo be an Alchymiſt? I ſhall ſooner be able to turn thee into an Ox, than thou to tranſmute the Metals. Herewith Fryer Wenceſlaus's mouth was ſtop'd.

When the Diſputation was over, Fryer Wenceſlaus took occaſion to confer with Fryer Francis; when they two were alone together in the Garden belonging to the Monaſtery, Fr. Francis thus accoſted him, You have this day publickly affirmed in the Diſputation, That you were able to tranſmute Metals; 'Twas unadviſedly ſpoken of you, whether it be true or falſe; if it be true, and it come to the Abbot's ear, you will not enjoy your Liberty very long: Beſides, there is a great muttering in the Monastery, That the old Father and your ſelf, found a Treaſure in the Church, and, That the Maſons ſaw a Copper box, and that a Monk of the Auguſtine Order ſold ſome Gold to a Goldſmith, and that you did take from the Kitchin a Pewter plate; Moreover, the ſuddain Death of the old Father is not without ſome Suſpicion; and altho you may alledg, That the money was ſent you by your Friends, and it were true, that they did ſend you ſome, yet it being probable that ſome came another way, for which and other reflections, you would never ſcape Scot-free out of the Monaſtery, 'twas well the Moderator took you for a Buffle-head. But, if what you have affirmed be falſe, you do ill again that way, by aſſerting that which you are not able to demonſtrate. I do therefore earneſtly deſire you to declare unto me, as to your intimate Friend, the whole truth of this Matter.

Whereupon Fr. Wenceſlaus fell down at his Feet, humbly beſeeching him to ſwear not to diſcover what he ſhould reveal to him, but to afford him his help and aſſiſtance, and then he would diſcloſe that to him, which, upon their ſtealing away from the Monaſtery, would procure great wealth to them both, and advance them to high Dignities; and that they would equally ſhare the Happineſs between them, and run alike hazard in all things. In a word, the Bargain was ſoon made, and they without loſs of time, went into F. Francis's Cell, where they took their mutual Oaths one to another. And then F. Wenceſlaus declared the whole Intregue and the procedure thereof to F. Frarcis, withal deſiring him upon the firſt occaſion to go into the City to buy there a pound of Lead, which being brought to him, he chang'd it into Gold, obſerving the Method the old Father had obſerved before: The tranſmuted Gold was carryed back by F. Francis into the City, and there ſold to a Jew, for an 100 Ducats, though it were worth more, his pretence was as the former, that it was melted down out of ancient Coin and Meddals. Having receiv'd this Money, and thus made a ſtrict League and Friendſhip with F. Francis, and the Art being now found true for the ſecond time, they were more intent upon their Deſign of Eſcaping out of the Monaſtery.

But that which retarded their Reſolution, was the Seaſon of the year, it being then Winter; and a very hard one too, for they well underſtood, that they could not then ſafely take ſo long a Journey as they were to undergo, if they would by their Flight elude the ſearch, (which would be made without doubt with all diligence poſſible after them) and avoid the puniſhment uſually inflicted upon ſuch an occaſion. Hereupon they thought it more convenient to deferr their intended flight till the Spring following, and they were the rather induced thereunto becauſe they had found means to paſs that time merrily, by getting now and then a Cup of Wine, and a couple of roaſed Pullets, which F. Francis (who was well verſt in that Trade) knew well how to get, and to convey into their Chamber. But becauſe F. Wencelaus had as great a mind to taſte of Womens Fleſh as of that of Poultry: and had lighted on a certain Auſtrian Drab fit for his purpoſe, he cauſed therefore ſome mans Apparel, with a Periwig, and ſutable Accoutrements to be made ready for her.

Having thus diſguiſed her Sex, they gave her the Name of Seignior Anaſtaſio, & ſhe came often to the Monaſtery, on pretence, That ſhe came from Vienna, to viſit her Coſin F. Wenceſlaus, pretending he was her Kinſman; this laſted a while, but the Viſits of this Seignior Anaſtaſio was ſo frequent, that at laſt, he was obſerved to come into the Monaſtery ſometimes, and not to go out again, by reaſon of his ſtaying all night in the Cell of F. Wenceſlaus, who did thus live for ſome weeks in diſhoneſt Love with him: and, when he went either to the School or to the Church, he alwayes carefully carryed his Key with him.

But a matter of that Nature could be kept cloſe no longer; ſome Rumour of it came to the Ear of the Abbot or Prior, ſo that one Morning as F. Wenceſlaus was at Mattens before day, The Abbot demanded of him the Key of his Cell, which he was forc'd to deliver, (but how willingly, any one may gueſs.) The Abbot immediately, with the Pryor, and ſome other Monks went to his Cell and there found Seignior Anaſtaſio naked in the Bed.

At this ſight there was a general Conſternation on all ſides, none knew what courſe to take, F. Wenceſlaus his mind was more in his Chamber than in the Chappel canring out his Mattens; as for Seignior Anaſtaſio, ſhe was doubtleſs as much at a loſs; for, to run without her Cloaths out of the bed before ſuch venerable Company, was no wayes thought convenient, and, as for the good Prelates, they were alſo uncertain how to ſteer; ſome adviſed to declare the matter to the Magiſtrate, that ſo Anaſtaſio might be thruſt out of the houſe by the Secular Power; others feared, That if they took that courſe, they ſhould derogate from their Rights and Priviledges; and, if Seignior Anaſtaſio ſhould chance to be whipt, and to be put into the Stocks for diſſembling her ſex, the noiſe of ſuch a thing would affix an indelable Character of Infamy upon their Monaſtery.

After ſome Deliberation, they concluded, That preſently Anaſtaſio ſhould put on her Clothes, and, after a ſevere Reprehenſion, ſhould be ejected out of the houſe, in the Morning before day. And, as for Fryer Wenceſlaus he was called from Mattens, and ſhut up in his Cell, the doors being well bolted and barr'd on the outſide, until four Walls were prepared to encloſe him, which were already built, only ſomething was defective in the Door, which was ſupplyed the next day.

Whilſt this was a doing, Fr. Wenceſlaus found Opportunity to ſecure his Copper Box, and to gather together the Pouder, and by means of a Rope to let them both down at a window to Fr. Francis, who ſtaid there on purpoſe to receive them; and withal he conveyed down a Letter to him, the Contents whereof was, To deſire the ſaid Fryer Francis not to forſake him in his Diſtreſs, but to uſe his utmoſt Endeavour to contrive a way for his Deliverance, withal minding him not to violate his Oath about the POWDER, but to keep it ſafe, for as yet, to his great Comfort, it was intire.

The next day, Fr. Wenceſlaus was kept Faſting, and in the evening his Back was ſcourg'd with many cruel laſhes, and afterwards he was ſhut up cloſe within four walls, and for a Month fed with nothing but bread and water; during which time, the Severity of the Stripes he underwent, the Diſaſter of Seignior Anaſtaſio, and the hazard of the loſs of his Powder did ſo afflict him, that he was even ready to deſpair; but this did ſomewhat relieve him, that he carried a ſtring with him into the Dungeon, and caſting it out at the hole, received ſometimes both Letters and Victuals from his Comrade F. Francis: and indeed the deſperate Condition of Fr. Wencenſlaus did ſo affect his heart, that he bent all his Endeavour to excogitate ways how to free him; at laſt an happy opportunity offered it ſelf upon this occaſion.

Prince Charles of Lichtenſtein was a great Favourer of Chymiſtry, and he had a Steward of his houſe at Bruna, to whoſe Friendſhip F. Francis had inſinuated himſelf, and by him ſent a Letter and ſome of the foreſaid Pouder to the Prince, in which he related the lamentable Condition of Fr. Wenceſlaus, and implored his Aid for his Deliverance.

The Steward having ſent the Letter, and going to Felisbourg the Princes ſeat, was ſcarce arrived but that the Prince beſtovved upon him a more profitable office than that which he had before, and this Meſſage concerning Fr. VVenceſlaus was ſo favorably receiv'd, That he ſtrictly injoyned him to return ſpeedily to Bruna, and to aſſiſt Fr. Francis to the utmoſt in order to the Deliverance of Fryer Wenceſlaus. And to that purpoſe he Committed his own Seal to his Cuſtody, to be made uſe of for that End, if there were occaſion.

Thus the Steward returning home, did preſently Conſult with F. Francis to deliver F. Wenceſlaus; and being delivered from his Priſon and Cloyſter, to hide and ſhelter him a while in the houſe of his Maſter the ſaid Prince of Lichtenſtein: untill ſome convenient opportunity could be found for his paſſage out of the Town, and for his conveyance to the Prince of Felisburge. In order whereto Fr. Francis took Care to provide a falſe Key, fit to open the Dungeon, which he more eaſily did, becauſe the Padlock was on the outſide of the Door: and on a certain day, when Mattens were ended, he brought his Project to its deſired Effect, for he opened the Door, and took out Fr. VVenceſlaus, locking the Door again; and diſguiſing him with a Cloak, Coat, and Periwig which he had prepared for that Purpoſe, he conveyed him through a bygate in the Garden of the Monaſtery, to Lichteſtein's Houſe, where he ſhut him up in a Chamber, locked the door, and Sealed it up in two places with the Princes own Seal and a Labell appendant.

The next day when the Monaſterys Porter, according to his Cuſtom, was carrying his Bread and Water, about noon, to F. VVenceſlaus, Lo, he was not to be found! whereupon a great Tumult was raiſed in the Monaſtery, and from thence the News flew to the Count de Collebrat, Governour of that Precinct, who preſently commanded the Gates to be ſhut, and ſearch to be made in all houſes, not excepting Litchtenſtein's houſe it ſelf. When they had diligently ſearched every Corner of this latter houſe, at laſt they came to the Chamber that was ſealed up: Here the Steward of the Houſe interpoſed, and told them, That that Room was the Cloſet of the Prince, which he had ſealed up himſelf with his own Seal, and therefore, it could not be opened without great danger and hazard of incurring his high Diſpleaſure.

Whereupon they deſiſted; and F. VVenceſlaus remained hid there for ſome weeks, untill at length he found means, in a diſguiſe to eſcape out of the Town in the morning early, at the very firſt opening of the Gates, and ſo was conveyed, with other officers, in the Princes own Coach, to Felisburgh. Being arrived there, he was courteouſly received and well treated by the Prince, before whom he made a notable demonſtration of his Art.

But the Prince ſoon found, that a man in his Circumſtances and of his Abilities, could not be long concealed in his Court, becauſe the Abbot of Bruna having ſent Spies after him, would certainly find him out, and would alſo obtain a Mandate from the ſupream Conſiſtory at Vienna concerning him. Whereupon (though, as ſome think, the Princes Intent was to gain the whole Tincture from him) he adviſed him to go to Rome, and there obtain a full Diſcharge from his Monaſtical life, and to ſecure himſelf from the Abbot, which favour he profered to obtain for him by means of his Agent there: And to accommodate him for his Journey, he gave him a Bill of Exchange for 1000 Ducats, and withal provided an Italian, his Chamberlain, to bear him Company on his way.

But you muſt know Fr. VVenceſlaus had ſent away his Comrade Fr. Francis (who privately had made an Eſcape) to Vienna with the Tincture enjoyning him to get him a private Loding there, to abſcond himſelf for a while, till he could commodiouſly contrive his Journey to Rome.

Soon after the Italian Chamberlain and he began their Journey, and when they were about half a Daies Journey from Vienna, the Chamberlain on a ſuddain pick'd a Quarrel with him, and holding a Piſtol to his Breaſt, threatned to kill him, unleſs he would deliver him the Tincture.

F. VVenceſlaus being thus unexpectedly aſſaulted, was much abaſhed, and calling God to Witneſs, proteſted, That the Tincture was not, for the preſent, in his hands, but that he had ſent it before by his Companion F. Francis to Vienna whom the ſaid Chamberlain had himſelf ſeen to undertake that Journey a few daies before.

The Chamberlain was the rather induced to believe his aſſeveration, becauſe upon Search both of him and his Portmantle, he found nothing at all of the Tincture therein. Hereupon, They came to Terms between them, F. VVenceſlaus was to give the Chamberlain 100 Ducats, and an Amneſty to be for their ſuddain falling out, and ſo they agreed and bid one another, Farewell.

The Chamberlain, being a Covetous Italian, was glad of the Money, and F. VVenceſlaus was glad to be rid of him, having eſcaped ſuch an hazard, and being now likely to attain Vienna, where he arrived in the Evening of the ſame day, and told his Companion F. Francis what had hapned to him in every Circumſtance, upon the way. He being a ſubtle man, did eaſily perceive by his Relation, what vvas the Myſtery of his deſigned Journey to Rome, and that his Bill of Exchange was but a meer Colluſion, whereupon they both reſolved to take another courſe for their ſafety, in order whereto, by means of a Saxon whoſe name was Gorits, a crafty fellow, and a Clerk in the Chancery of Bohemia, they came acquainted with one Count Schlick, a perſon of great ſagacity, then living at Vienna, a great Favourer of Chymiſtry, but had lately received ſome affronts from the Court, he was very glad of their acquantance, and preſently took F. VVenceſlaus into his Protection, and brought him to his Houſe, where he made ſome Tryalls, and withal gave him ſome of the Tincture, that he himſelf might make one.

But as for F. Francis, he always lodged abroad. After ſome Weeks, Count Schlick told F. VVenceſlaus, that he could no longer ſecure him after that rate at Vienna, for both the Clergy and alſo the Prince of Lichtenſtein, had an ill Eye upon him, for his ſake; and being already disfavoured at Court, he ſhould run a further hazard, by concealing of him nevertheleſs he would ſhew him what courteſy he could, and if he pleaſed, he would ſend him to one of his own Country-Houſes and Caſtles in Bohemia, where he might remain in greater ſecurity, and accordingly he prepared all things for the Journey. F. VVenceſlaus did eaſily perceive the intention of the Count, for before he had obſerved, that the Counts Footmen did obſerve him as narrowly as the Monks had done in the Monaſtery, and therefore perceiving what was to be done with him, he made his Eſcape through an Arch in the Wine Cellar, built after the Italian faſhion, the day before he was to go to Bohemia (a place deſigned for his perpetual Impriſonment) and retired to the lodging of his friend F. Francis, to whom having related what had hapn'd to him again, upon deliberation they both agreed to extricate themſelves out of all theſe hazards, and to acquaint the Emperour with the whole matter.

And to introduce them into his preſence, they knew none more fit than a Spaniſh Count called de Paar (whoſe Brother named Peter, was Hereditary Poſt maſter, in the Emperours Hereditary Country) he was a great Alchymiſt, a Factious and Seditious man, and one much troubled with the Gout, yet he had found means to creep into the Emperours favour: therefore this gain unlookt for was no leſs acceptable to him, than to the others before, for he had heard a great while before of F. VVenceſlaus, and had an extream paſſion to be acquainted with him, and fancied that he ſhould ſee ſtrange things in him, as King Herod did of Chriſt, whoſe firſt, he acted the part cunningly enough, as you ſhall preſently hear. They agreed together, that F. VVenceſlaus ſhould abide Incognito at his Houſe, where he was as much obſerved as at the Houſe of Count Schtick.

Here he made another ſmall Tryal, whereupon Count Paar went to the Emperour, and diſcovered to him the whole Buſineſs. But his Imperial Majeſty who (by reaſon of the great & weighty concerns of the Empire, doth not only not much regard or value Learning, as his Father did, except what contributes to his Recreation, as Plays, Muſick and the like, but alſo had a particular averſneſs from Alchymy, holding that for a meer Impoſter, which did coſt his Royal Father and his Uncle the Arch-Duke Leopold, ſo much expence, both of Mony and Time) gave no great heed to the Propoſition made by Count Paar, eſpecially it having been related to him, that this F. VVenceſlaus was a fugitive Monk, and had led a diſſolute life; and moreover by Report was accuſed of Magick.

The Spaniſh Count Paar having heard this Repartee of the Emperour, being a ſubtil man, and eaſily foreſeeing thoſe Objections would be made, had armed himſelf againſt them: upon which he thus replyed to his Imperial Majeſty; That he did confeſs, that there was a great weight in all the Objections made by his Majeſty, yet without preſuming, being ſo means a perſon, to Impoſe upon his Imperial Majeſty, it ſeemed to him, that though the Caſe were extraordinary, yet nevertheleſs the Dictates of common Reaſon were to be obeyed, which doth adviſe ſometimes to conſider of things, abſtracted from the perſons they concern, it being evident, that ſome men though ill in themſelves yet have been the Authors of Uſeful Inventions, of which Truth, Inſtances might be given near at hand, in regard his Imperial Majeſty had many notable Inventions in his Archieves, which owed their Originals to bad men, yea, ſome of them accuſed of the ſame miſcarriages as F. Wenceſlaus, and ſince it is true, that ſome good things are done by ſome bad men; it being no leſs true, that all men are Sinners, muſt we therefore reject all their laudable Inventions and all the good Works they do. A notable Example whereof (proceeded he) lyes as yet freſh before your Majeſty, Joſeph Burrhi was accuſed of Hereſy, and being taken at Vienna, was ſent to Rome, but after Pennance, he was pardoned upon the ſcore of his knowledge, rather than of his perſon, and the Germans his Accuſers were by this means deceived; of which I my ſelf (ſays he) at that time being Burrhus his Commiſſary at Vienna, did forewarn them, but in vain. Your Majeſty (ſaid he farther) is a perſon, with whom God ſeems to deal after a peculiar manner, having wonderfully delivered you from many imminent dangers, and now in theſe neceſſitous and indigent times, cruel Warrs being alſo in proſpect, your Hereditary Countries being alſo exhauſted, the Divine Bounty ſeems to offer you a mean and way how you may moſt pitty and ſpare your Subjects: It is the Devils Policy to caſt ſuſpition upon all extraordinary Aſſiſtances, that ſo he may make them uſeleſs; but (ſays he) it is as great a Sin not to accept of things when offered, as to abuſe them when they are accepted. As for my ſelf (ſaith he) I have no great reaſon to be a Friend to Chymiſtry, having ſuffered ſo much leſs by it, as your Imperial Majeſty well knows, neither did I ever find any Truth in the Art, ſave only in this Pouder of F. Wenceſlaus, and the tranſmutation made thereby. But as in referrence to that Tryal, he dared pawn his Credit it would ſucceed; and if his Majeſty would not believe his word, yet he might depute ſome perſons to ſee a Trial made; for his part, he thought he was bound in Conſcience to diſcover the whole buſineſs to his Majeſty, referring it wholy to him, whether he would graciouſly accept the Propoſal and protect the perſon that made it, or elſe diſcard them both; ſtill hoping nevertheleſs, that his Majeſty would not take his good Intention in ill part, nor exclude him from his Favour; wiſhing for a Concluſion, That he would cauſe one Trial to be made under the Inſpection of ſome perſons; unprejudiced, that ſo his Impertal Majeſty might be ſatisfied, at leaſt in this one thing, that he had not made the Propoſition to him without ſufficient reaſon: Thus he concluded his Harangue. The Emperor, as he is gratious to all Suitors, ſo he gave favourable attention to the Counts diſcourſe, and commended him for it; Only (ſaies he to the Count) Alchymy is a ſubtil Impoſture, and though you your ſelf may mean honeſtly, yet perhaps you alſo may be deceived thereby, otherwiſe I do not (adds he) at all deſpiſe the wonderful Works of God, but do highly value them, and accept of his Gift with all hearty thankfulneſs, and I do well know how long my Father took very great pains in that Art; and how highly he prized that little which was ſhewed him by the Baron Chaos, and rewarded him for it; beſides, I know full well how to make a diſtinction between the Art, and the life of its Profeſſors. Only leaſt he ſhould expoſe himſelf, and ſhew himſelf too eaſy, he gave the Count order to make another Tryal, and to procure the Preſence of other skilful Perſons both of the Clergy and Laity: That ſo he might make him a more exact Relation of the Matter with all the Circumſtan e, and receive further order of his Majeſty concerning it.

Count Paar being return'd home from his Audience: The very ſame day he ſent to Father Spies and Dr. Becher to invite them to Dine with him the next day, adding theſe Words in his Meſſage, That he had a Buſineſs to communicate to them from the Emperour. The next day, they all accordingly met. F. VVenceſlaus being preſent, where after Dinner Count Paar made known his Commiſſion, and forthwith cauſed an ounce of Schlachenwald Tin, and a new Crucible to be bought, which Materials being prepared and tried, and for fear of Inchantment, ex abundanti canteſa: ſprinkled with Holy water: The Trial began and was finiſhed within a quarter of an hour, one part Tinged, ten Thouſand parts into Gold, which was ſo graduated by the Tincture, that it was almoſt Friable, and was ſtriated and diſtinguiſhed with red Veines interſperſed, of which, as likewiſe of the Tin before it was tinged, both the Count de Paar, and alſo Father Spies, and Dr. Becher, each of them took a little piece for a perpetual Memorial of the thing. The reſt was ſealed up with their three Seals, and the ſame quantity of the Powder as this Projection was made with was encloſed with it, and the thing was by all three ſuſcribed to.

The next day, Count Paar went to his Imperial Majeſty, and delivered it to him, making alſo a full Relation of all the particular Circumſtances in the Trial.

Hereupon the Emperour enjoyned him to treat Fr. Wenceſlaus kindly, and to aſſure him of his Favour, moreover adviſing him to refrain his ill and ſcandalous life, and to ſatisfy the Clergy, that he would reaſſume the Monaſtical Habit, and for the reſt he would take Care; and till he had enquired further into the the thing, he would for his Security ſend him into ſome private place

The Count returned home very joyful with this Commiſſion and the very ſame Evening he cauſed F. VVenceſlaus to be re-veſted with his Monks Habit by two Engliſh Fathers of the Auguſtine Order, Father Dun[•]ll and Father Vostaller: A Letter was alſo writ to his Abbot at Bruna, informing him, that he might ſet his mind at reſt concerning him, becauſe he had laid aſide his Monks habit, and cloathed himſelf with other Apparel, for no other Reaſon, but becauſe he would free himſelf from the hardſhip of a Priſon, and make a Journey to Vienna, to diſcover a great Secret, which he had, to his Imperial Majeſty, which being now done, he had again reſumed his Monks habit.

All this was done to perſwade him, that they meant him nothing but good, to make him call again for all the Tincture from his Comrade, and to keep him from converſing any longer with thoſe which before were his moſt intimate Aquaintance, as counting himſelf ſufficiently ſecured againſt all Violence, by the Emperors Protection, and his Monks Habit: So that Count Paar was as a Father to him, and he, on the other ſide, as his adopted Son. Theſe two new Friends, undertook a Voyage together, to a Country-houſe of the Count's (adjoyning to a certain Lake) which he had in Hungary, diſtant about a dayes Journey from Vienna.

Being come thither, the very ſame night they two being alone in a Chamber, The Count pluck'd out a Decree of the Emperor's (as he pretended) which was ſealed up, adding theſe words, My Son, Into what Gulf of Miſery art thou cast? Here I have a Command in writing from the Emperor, to demand the Tincture of Thee, and if thou refuſeſt to deliver it, then to my great Grief, I muſt execute upon Thee the Sentence contained in this ſealed Decree.

Fryer Wenceſlaus deſired to read the Decree; but, the Count replyed, If it be opened, it muſt be immediately executed! and, withal plucking a Piſtol out of his Pocket, he directed it to his Breaſt, Sighing, and breaking forth in theſe Words, Into what miſerys are we both Caſt! Yet notwitſtanding if thou wilt harken to my Counſel, (from whence thou maiſt gather my Love and Fatherly Care, and free both of us from this great Misfortune, and make our Condition very happy) I will give it to thee.

Nothing was more grateful to Fr. VVenceſlaus than to hear this Condition, and having given him his hand that he would follow it:

The Count began thus, 'Tis certain (ſaid he) That you and I do both ſtand in need of the Emperours Protection, and 'tis as certain, That we ſhall be forc'd to deliver the Tincture to him. My Advice then is, (which I refer to you for your approbation and conſent.) I will pretend, that being injoyn'd to make a ſtricter Examination of this Tinging Powder, that I have employed it all, in order to its multiplication, to try whether it might be augmented for the greater Benefit and Advantage of his Majesty. However, we may both be ſheltred under the Continuance of the Emperors Protection, and yet we may keep the Tincture; And after the time deſigned for its augmentation is elapſed, we will eaſily deviſe ſome colorable Excuſe, to evade it; as, That the Glaſs was broken, or ſome Error committed in the Operation. For, the Truth is, (ſaid he) The Emperours Court is not worthy ſo great a Treaſure; it will be Proſtituted there and made common. But to ingage they ſelf to me in a greater degree of Faithfulneſs, Thou muſt not refuſe to give me half the Tincture, and we will take a mutual Oath to be faithful one to the other, as long as we live, and for what now hath paſſed between us, it ſhall be buried in perpetual oblivion. The Emperor ſhall never know any thing of it, neither ſhall he ever have any of the Tincture.

Fr. Wenceſlaus was fain to make an Agreement on thoſe Terms which vvere dravvn up in writing, ſubſcribed with both their hands, and confirmed by their mutual Oaths; and ſo the Tincture vvas divided betvvixt them. The Count made a Tryal by himſelf alone the next day, vvith ſome of his proportion thereof, to try vvhether he had not been deceived therein: but he found it Right and good.

Having ſtaid a vvhile at this Country Houſe, he vvas about to return to Vienna; but he vvas taken ſo grievouſly ſick of a fit of the Gout, that out of the intollerable Torment vvhich he felt, he drank ſome Aurum Potabile, vvhich Burrhy had given him heretofore; but vvith this Caution, That it vvas not yet perfect. Having taſted a fevv drops thereof, he preſently felt a moſt grievous and vehement pain in his Joynts, ſo that he could hardly perform his Journey vvith Fr. Wenceſlaus to Vienna. But the firſt night after his coming, he vvas ſo afflicted vvith heat, that all his Entralls ſeemed to be on a Flame; as he complained himſelf. The Day follovving his Phyſician, the Son of Dr. Sorbat, vvhoſe Name vvas Kreiſſet, vvho vvas alſo Phyſician to the Emperors Army vvas ſent for, vvho conſidering his preſent Condition, applyed the propereſt remedies he could, which availed him nothing, but bad Symptoms did ſo grow upon him, that the third day his Caſe was judged deſperate.

The Count himſelf alſo being ſenſible of his Death approaching, cauſed his Brother the Maſter of the Poſt-Office to the Emperor, Count Peter de Paar, his only heir, (for the ſick Brother was a Batchelour) to be ſent for about night: to whom he ſpoke in theſe Words;

It was foretold to me heretofore in Italy, That I ſhould obtain the Tincture, and, That ſoon after I ſhould dye! The firſt part of the Prophecy is fulfilled, and the latter is near at hand to be accompliſhed; I know, That you have beſtowed as much time and Expence in this Art as my ſelf; I have nothing more valuable to leave you, and which, nothing can be more acceptable to you, than a Notable Portion of Tincture, which I have ſealed up in this Desk, and ſhall entruſt it in the hand of my Confeſſor, who upon my deceaſe, ſhall deliver it to you.

After which words, he delivered the Desk to his Confeſſor, who was preſent and heard him ſpeak them. Count Peter not imagining his Brother was ſo near his End, took his leave of him for that Night, and rode home, becauſe it was very late. And his Brother ſoon after departing this Life, his Confeſſor alſo took Coach, and went home to the Monaſtery of St. Francis, not far diſtant from the Emperial Poſt Office at Vienna. The Death of the Deceaſed Count being ſignified to his Brother, by his Footmen who had accompanied the Confeſſor home.

The Count immediately roſe out of his Bed, being but newly entred thereinto, and clothing himſelf, gallopped at two of the clock in the morning, to the Monaſtery of the Franciſcans, and, after he had knock'd fiercely at the Gate for admittance, the drowſy Porter aroſe and let him in; the Count deſired to be admitted to the Speech of the Confeſſor of his newly deceaſed Brother, but it was reply'd, It was an unſeaſonable time for ſuch a Viſit, in regard the old man was weak, and weary, and being newly returned home, was laid down to reſt. The Count was not ſatisfi'd with this Anſwer, but was very earneſt with the Porter to accompany him and ſome of his Attendants to the old Fathers Cell: he making Excuſes, the Count ruſhed in preſently himſelf, and awak'd him, demanding the Desk which his Brother had depoſited in his hands, as now rightfully belonging unto him.

The Father was much ſurprized at his fuddain irruption and demand: which he did the more ſuſpect, becauſe it was made at ſuch an unſeaſonable time of the night: whereupon he deſir'd the Count to hold himſelf contented till the Morning, and then he ſhould have the Desk delivered unto him without fail, only he deſired to deliver it in before the Father Guardian, and that he would then give him his acquittance for the Recept thereof. The Count, not content with this Anſwer, by the help of his Attendants and Servants, endeavored to get it from him by force:

Whereupon a Tumult aroſe; The Watch was ſent for, the Monks were alſo gathered together, and a Spaniſh Bp. of the ſame Order, the Confeſſor of the Empreſs Margaret, then lodging in the Monaſtery, was alſo rouſed out of his ſleep, who hearing ſuch a tumultuous Noiſe in the Monaſtery, a priviledged place, was ſo much concernd thereat, that he enquired into the occaſion, whilſt the Count was yet preſent, and underſtanding that it aroſe upon the ſcore of a ſealed Desk: he demanded it of the Father who had it in keeping: which having received from him, the next morning he carried it with him to the Emperor, and complained grievouſly againſt the Count, as being the occaſion of that nights Uproar: In the mean time, as ſoon as it was day, the noiſe hereof was ſpread all over the City: and among the reſt it reached the Ears of F. Wenceſlaus, who preſently haſtned to Court, and by means of the Empreſs's Confeſſor obtaining Audience, he related to the Emperor the whole Story how the Count had uſed him in Hungary, how he had extorted from him half the Tincture, how he was neceſſitated, by a forced Agreement, not to diſcover any thing hereof whilſt he was living, but was now free from the Obligation of his Oath by the Counts Death, that he was very glad that the Tincture was at length come into the Hands of the right Owner his Imperial Majeſty, for whom he had long before deſigned it; he did therefore now implore nothing more of his Imperial Majeſty, but that he would afford him his Protection, againſt the Violence of Count Peter Paar, his Poſtmaſter, and his Adherents.

The Emperor perceiving the wonderful Series of this Affair, preſently entertained F. Wenceſlaus at his Court, and committed him to the Care and Inſpection of Count Walleſtein, the Imperial Governor of Hatſchirr.

About this time, the Poſt-maſter above-mentioned dyed alſo. F. Wenceſlaus being thus received into the Emperours Protection, had his Lodgings aſſigned him by the Imperial Bowling-Green, where he made ſome Tryals before the Emperour and Count Auſtin of Wallestein his Guardian, and in the Pallace of the Johannites in the Carinthian-ſtreet, he made one of 15 Marks, as they ſay, out of which Tranſmutations the Count Walleſtein made him a Gold Chain, to keep in perpetual Memory of the thing. Moreover he did depoſite ſome of his Tincture in the Court, for augmentation, and, as farr as I can judge, by the Proceſs dlivered to me, he had a great deſire to get the Mercury of Silver, how far he proceeded in it, I do not certainly know, but ſome affirm, that he made ſome progreſs therein.

In the mean time he both deſired to be acquainted with ſome noted Chymiſts and eminent Artiſts, and ſeveral Impoſters and Sophiſters intruded themſelves into his acquaintance, ſo that from thence reſulted very frequent junketings, drinkings and merry meetings, and many fooliſh trifling Proceſſes wrought by him; from whence F. Wenceſlaus learned rather ſeveral cunning and ſubtil Impoſtures, than any real augmentation of his Pouder: But the noiſe & multitude of ſo many Importunate Viſitants, being cumberſom at Court, where F. Wenceſlaus had his Diet, under the ſevere inſpection of Count Walleſtein, he thereupon pretended, that he had occaſion to make ſome ſorts of Aqua Forts and other Menstruums, which would be dangerous to the whole Court, and cauſe ſuch noyſom Fumes and odious Smells, that they could not ſafely be prepared in that place; therefore a Laboratory was built for him, in the Carinthian Fort, where the Emperors chief Engineer did dwell, his name was Fiſcher, a great lover of Alchymy, and who ſhewed himſelf very officious to him, aſſiſting him to build ſtrange and moſt nonſenſical Furnaces which can ever be ſeen; and beſides being not a little pleaſed with his good fortune of the neighbourhood and acquaintance of the Owner of ſo rich a Tincture; but this intimacy laſted not long, as the event ſoon made appear: for when F. Wenceſlaus had ſcarcely well fixed his habitation, and ſetled his things in order, the Engineer was forced to leave the ſplendid dwelling there aſſigned him by the Emperour, and to go to Javarin in Hungary, to dwell there, his Wife alſo, as ſome give out, being vitiated into the bargain; F. Wenceſlaus alſo fell very ſick, and he that waited upon him in his Chamber dyed ſuddenly, not without ſome ſuſpicion of Poyſon, and he himſelf alſo lay without any hopes of recovery, in this caſe J. A. C. P. C. L. de S. who before had bought ſome of the Tincture of him, and had paid him for it a thouſand Ducats, deſigning to take this opportunity of his illneſs, and deceaſe ſo apparent, and ſo to get and enjoy his Tincture without money, ſent to him one Biliot, a French Phyſician, to ſteal from him, under pretence of a Viſit, both the ſaid thouſand Ducats, and the reſt of the Tincture: Fortune did favour him as to the firſt part of his Deſign, but in the latter ſhe did fail and diſſappoint him, for F. VVenceſlaus had hid his Tincture more carefully than his thouſand Ducats: at laſt, the Sick man, contrary to all mens exſpectation began to Recover, and F. Francis who was ſent to Rome to obtain a Diſpenſation for him, to abſolve him from his Vow, having obtained the ſame returned home; whereupon preſently F. VVenceſlaus laying aſide his Monks Habit, took a Wife and was married publickly to one named Angerlee, who had miniſtred to him in his ſickneſs, and had otherwiſe been very aſſiſtant to him when he wanted her; ſhe was a very ſubtil and crafty woman, yet accounted at Vienna but little better than a common Harlot, and ſhe was the worſe thought on, becauſe her Siſter had been naught with B. D. L. and by his advice and aſſiſtance had cauſed her Husband to be made away, for which Fact, he the ſaid B. D. L. was Sentenced to Death: but, though afterwards pardoned by the Emperour, yet was deprived of all his Dignities, degraded of his Nobility, and caſt into perpetual Priſon in the Citadel of Gratz, where he dyed Miſerably; and his Whore, F. VVenceſlaus's Wives Siſter, was the ſame day to be Beheaded in open Court, before the Judgement Hall, the Scaffold and all the reſt being already prepared, but by the interceſſion of the Wife of Caſtell Rodrigo, the Spaniſh Embaſſador ſhe was ſet free, yet afterward, upon the account of her leud life, and diſhoneſt Practiſes, ſhe was kil'd with a Piſtol-ſhot.

Fr. VVenceſlaus being linked by Marriage into ſuch a Family, did then fancy for a time, That all the Elements did conſpire together to make him happy: for why? he was viſited by Perſons of the higheſt Rank, and withal was mightily reſpected by the moſt eminent Ladies, Counteſſes and Princeſſes: As for me, as Spectator of this Scene, I conſidered him in this Fools Paradiſe: Whilſt it put me in mind of Cornelius Agrippa, who, in his Book of the Vanity of Sciences, under the Title of Alchymy, ſayes, That if ever he ſhould be Maſter of the Tincture, he would ſpend it all in nothing but in VVhoring; for women being naturally covetous, he could thereby eaſily make them to proſtitute themſelves, and to yield unto his Luſt.

And it ſeems that not only F. VVenceſlaus was ſo mighty a Proficient and ſo ſtout a Souldier in the School of VENUS, That he was brought very low by the French Diſeaſe, but alſo that his Wife Angerlee dyed of it. After whoſe deceaſe Fr. VVenceſlaus exceeded all Bounds of honeſt Modeſty, and dayly let looſe the Reins to all ſinful and voluptuous exceſſes: for from that time he had obtained the Tincture, he ſpent in two or three years time more than Ten Myriads of Crowns, in all manner of Luxury: and he foreſaw well enough, that it could not laſt and ſubſiſt long at that rate: for the Tincture would not maintain him. And to turn it into Gold, or ſell it for a ſmall price would turn to no Account, as he had alwaies hoped it would by Augmentation, and thereby to gain an inexhauſtible Treaſure.

But on the one hand, his Want and Neceſſity was ſuch, and on the other hand, the Solicitings of thoſe who would buy of his Powder, were ſo importunate that he could not reſiſt ſo great Temptations: And therefore between both, he reſolved upon a diſhoneſt Shift, which was to ſell for great Rates, Poudred Cinnabar, red Lead, and the Caput Mortuum of Aqua fortis boyled, and ſuch other Ingredients in ſtead of the true Pouder, mixing alſo therewith ſome few Filings of Copper, that Fooliſh ignorant People might miſtake the ſame for a Gold-making Pouder: to ſome he ſold it without any ſuch Cozening Addition as Coppar: And if they were not able to tinge with it, he would lay the Blame on their Impatience and Unskilfulneſs in making the Projection. To others, he pawned ſome of his Counterfeit Tincture for a great ſumm of Money, which he pretended, he had a preſent uſe for: but he was loath to ſpend his Tincture in projecting, becauſe he hoped to augment it with a Thouſand-fold advantage: And that they might ſee the Tincture was genuine and true, he took ſome of it and wrapt it up in a little Wax, with which he mingled a little of his right Tincture, which he called his Crocus, or Pouder of Reduction, and ſo tinged therewith.

By this means he got very many 1000's of Crowns, and over and above he got P. C. de L. and C. L. to be his Aſſiſtants and Partners in theſe Myſteries. But the Impudent ſort, among which A. C. P. and his Coſen C. B. are to be reckoned, he gave them whole Ingots which he had caſt, conſiſting of equal parts of Gold and Silver; then filing ſome of them, and diſſolving it into common Aqua forts, which he brought with him, he affirmed that now his Tincture was exalted into a Menſtruum, which would preſently change Silver into Gold: and that as ſoon as ever the price or value which was to be paid for its purchaſe ſhould be put thereto, it would be converted into Gold:

It hath been alſo further related to me, That he grew to that Degree of Impudence, as to tinge ſome ſort of Coins after this manner into Gold, before the Empreſs Dowager and the Emperour himſelf. Yea, this fellow was ſo arrogant, as to cauſe his own Effigies to be drawn on ſome of thoſe falſe Coins which he did attempt deceitfully to put off.

Yet this matter could not be kept ſo ſecret, but the more prudent began to ſmell the Cheat, and to mutter ſomething about it; which was very ill taken in the Emperours Court. For he was in ſuch Credit there, that it was not ſafe to impeach him, as being received into the Emperors Protection, both againſt the Clergy and the Secular Power, and even againſt the skilful in the ſame Art. For great men are loth to acknowledge their Error; but think themſelves, tho under a Miſtake, to be as infallible as the Pope himſelf.

Thoſe who were not much concern'd in the Matter, ſuffered it ſo to paſs, as taking little Notice of it; but ſome true Philoſophers were very much aggriev'd, That ſo in famous an Impoſtor, after ſo many Vows and Proteſtations made by him to the contrary, and after ſuch evident Proofs of his former debauch'd Life, after ſo many villanous Crimes committed, and his baſe Proſtitution openly of ſo noble an Art of Chymiſtry, ſhould yet notwithſtanding that he ranted it up and down in his Coach in Maſquarades, before the Emperours Court, be maintain'd and protected by him. But others, who had been cozened by him of great Summs of Money, even to many thouſand Ducats, with his adulterate Tincture, could not ſo reſt ſatisfied, but brought in their Action againſt him at common Law: where, after ſome time and much Expence, they obtained Judgment againſt him, but it never was put in Execution, though all other means were try'd.

Now the Emperour, unleſs he would have left his Favorite VVenceſlaus to the Juriſdiction and power of his Judges, and Rigor of the Law, muſt needs interpoſe: for the Complaints made againſt him for his inſolent and abuſive practiſes were ſo many, and the Fame of them was ſpread ſo far abroad in the world, That his Imp[••]ial Majeſty thought it more convenient to have the Noiſe of it altogether ſuppreſt.

To be ſhort, The Emperour paid all his Debts, and that he might prevent his farther opportunity of Coſenage, he got from him the reſt of his Tincture, and then advanc'd him to the moſt Ancient Order of Barrony in Bohemia, by the Title of Baron Seyler of Seylerburgh, and afterwards made him Hereditary Maſter of the Mint of Bohemia: and having thus preferred him, he ſent him away from his Court to Prague, where he now lives very gallantly; and hath made Fryer Francis the Steward of his Houſe: having married a Second Wiſe, called VValdes Kircheriana, a handſome woman, and of a Noble Family.

In the mean time, a Rumor was ſpread all over Germany, That the Devil had carried him away Soul and Body. Which Report, though it might have ſome good grounds, yet, for this time it was not true: but he hath very great reaſon to-fear that it may prove true, at laſt, if he doth not amend his Life: and the Event thereof we muſt expect.

I have deſcribed the Series of this Story both to vindicate the Truth, and alſo to ſatisfy ſo many Curious, who have deſpicable thoughts of Chymiſtry. If I have miſtaken in any Paſſage, Fr. VVenceſlaus is yet alive, and I earneſtly deſire him to amend and rectify my miſtakes, and to vindicate himſelf, by giving the World a more exact Account thereof, that he may no longer lye under any unjuſt Reflection.

For a Concluſion, I heartily wiſh, That if God ſhould bleſs any lover of this noble Art, with ſome ſuch like Treaſure, he would uſe it better than VVenceſlaus hath done: for the Glory of God, the Benefit and advantage of his Neighbour and the furtherance of his own everlaſting Salvation.

FINIS.