Eirenaeus Philalethes Ripley reviv'd: or, an exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Hermetico poetical works 2 Eirenaeus Philalethes. Ripley reviv'd: or, an exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Hermetico poetical works. Containing the plainest and most excellent discoveries of the most hidden secrets of the ancient philosophers, that were ever published. Written by Eirenaeus Philalethes an Englishman, stiling himself Citizen of the world. London: Printed by Tho. Ratcliff and Nat. Thompson, for William Cooper at the Pelican in Little- Britain, 1678. Contents: 1. An exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Epistle to King Edward IV ... 1677. 47p.; 2. An exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Preface ... 1677. pp. 1-94; 3. An exposition upon the first six gates of Sir George Ripley's Compound of Alchymie ... 1677. pp. 95-389; 4. Experiments for the preparation of the Sophick Mercury, by Luna, and the Antimonial Stellate-Regulus of Mars, for the Philosophers Stone ... 10p.; 5. A breviary of alchemy; or a commentary upon Sir George Ripley's Recapitulation: being a paraphrastical epitome of his Twelve Gates ... 1678. 28p.; 6. An exposition upon Sir George Ripley's vision ... 1677. 25p. 5. is reprinted in de Rola (item 2260) Transcribed by Robert Nelson // rexresearch.com 3 INDEX Author's Preface to His Expositions Upon Sir George Ripley's Compound of Alchymy, &c. An Exposition Upon Sir George Ripley’s Epistle to King Edward IV An Exposition Upon Sir George Ripley's Preface The Learned Sophies Feast The First Gate: Calcination The Second Gate: Dissolution The Third Gate: Separation The Fourth Gate: Conjunction The Fifth Gate: Putrefaction The Sixth Gate: Congelation Experiments for the Preparation of the Sophic Mercury A Breviary of Alchemy: A Commentary on Sir G. Ripley's Recapitulation An Exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Vision Porta Prima --- De Calcinatione Philosophica 4 Ripley Revived Printed for William Cooper at the Pellican on Little Britain, 1677 The Author’s Preface To His Expositions Upon Sir George Ripley’s Compound of Alchymy, &c. This Canon of Bridlington flourished in the days of Edward the Fourth, King of England, to whom he wrote an Epistle, as in the beginning of this Book appeareth: a true Artist he was, as every one who hath attained the k knowledge in this Mastery can testifie. He wrote, among other writings, these Twelve Gates of Alchymy, which with the Preface, Recapitulation, Erroneous Experiments by him warned of, his Epistle to the King, Vision, and Wheel, I shall unfold. For his experience herein he was eminent, yea his Writings indeed are, in my opinion, for the fullness of them, and eminent descriptions of things, to be preferred before any that I have read or seen, yet I have seen many. I would detract from no candid well-deserving Author, but would ingenuously give them their due; yet Ripley to me seems to carry the Garland. For mine own part, I have cause to honour Bernard Trevisan, who is very ingenious, as in all his Writings, so especially in that Epistle of his to Thomas of Bononia, in which let me seriously profess, I received the main Light in this hidden Secret. I shall not name the place, but read the Epistle, and read it again and again, for in it is most excellent truth, and Naked truth. Next to him, or rather before him in some respects, is an author whom I will not name; yet truly all Chymical Writers are therein to be preferred by any man, by how far he gets good by them: one commends Raymond Lully before all, yet I remember not that ever I got good by reading of him: some in good sooth, who are not Professors of this Secret, write more edifyingly to the informing of a Tyro, then those whom skill hath made crafty, especially in such places where they intend nothing less then to discover 5 such Secrets. I learned the Secret of the Philosophers Magnes, from one, of their Magical Chalybs, from another; the use of Diana’s Doves, from a third; the Air, or rather the Camelion of the Philosophers. From another; the gross Preparation of their Menstruum, in another; the number of Eagles, in another: but for the operation on the true Matter, and signs of the true Mercury, I know none like Ripley, though Flammel be eminent. I know what I say, as knowing experimentally the truth, and what is errour. For mine own part, I have had experience of misleading Sophistical Writers, and have made many toilsome laborious Experiments, though but young; and therefore having at length, through the undeserved mercy of God, arrived at my Haven of Rest, I shall stretch out my hand to such as are behind. I have wrote several Treatises, some in English, but especially in Latine; one English treatise touching the Stone, very plainly written, but not perfected, unfortunately slipt out of my hand, and perhaps may come abroad into the World; if it do, I should be sorry. Two Latine Tractates, one intituled, Brevis manuductio ad Rubinum Coelestem, another, Fons Chymicae Philosophiae, I wrote, which for especial Reasons to me known I resolve to suppress. Two other Latine Treatises, the one intituled, Ars metallorum Metamorphoseas, the other, Introitus apertus ad occlussum Regis Palatium, I lately wrote which perhaps thou mayst enjoy. Two English Poems I wrote, which are lost. Also an Enchiridion of Experiments, together with a Diurnal of Meditations, in which were many Philosophical Receipts declaring the whole Secret, with an Aenigma annexed; which also fell into such hands, who I conceive will never restore it. This last was written in English, with many other which I wrote for mine own recreation, and afterwards burned. But now at length studying how to profit the Sons of Art to my utmost, I have rather resolved to unfold Ripley’s Knots, and so thou mayst have two Witnesses in one; for by the unfolding of him thou shalt both see the depth of the Man, and discern that both he and I were truly, and not Sophistically, intrusted with this Divine Science and Art; in which it is not notional, as many men conceive the Art to be, but real Experiments of Nature, taught me by the only God and master of Nature, that was my Guide; having seen and made the Secret Water of the Philosophers, and known the use of it by ocular experience, to the effecting of the admirable Elixir. These writings peruse, for they are not Fancies, and so with the help of the most High, thou shalt attain thy wish. 6 An Advertisement The Compound of Alchemy which seems to be most made use of in this Book for Quotations, agrees for the most part with the Edition published by Ralph Rabbards, and Printed at London 1591 in quarto, in which Edition the English is not so old as is that Copy which was published by Elias Ashmole Esq.: Yet I humbly conceive that this Expositor hath thought fir to clear the sense of the old English Verse, by the change of some few words, more significant to the present speech, and yet doubtless not differing from the mind of the Author; which change of words, I durst not presume to alter, but that I ought rather in justice to the Author to let them pass; and for this reason likewise, that whomsoever shall desire to see the difference, may easily compare all three together, because they are all published in Print: and in performing this service, I hope to have done my duty faithfully, and wronged no body. I likewise make bold to acquaint the Reader, that in the Exposition upon Sir G. Ripley’s Preface, in the Learned Sophies Feast, pag. 52. line 5. I find this word [greatest] which from what follows line 11. (I humbly conceive, with submission) should be [meanest] as may more manifestly appear from the same Author, in his Secrets Revealed, pag. 62, 63. and in Sir G. Ripley’s 5th Gate, Stave 40. line 6. But because I found it [greatest price] in two copies, I therefore lest it so, and by this Advertisement submit it to the Readers Judgment. I have likewise found, that in the Exposition upon Sir G. Ripley’s Epistle to King Edward the 4 th. Pag. 9. line 2. for Mercury, some copies read Antimony, which is likewise left to the Readers scrutiny, by W.C.B. 7 The Contents 1. The Author’s Preface. 2. An Exposition upon the Epistle to K. Edw. 3. --- upon the Preface. 4. --- upon the 6 Gates 5. --- and the Experiments of the Sophic Mercury 6. Breviary of Alchymy. 7. An Exposition upon Sir G. Ripley’s Vision. 8 An Exposition Upon Sir George Ripley’s Epistle to King Edward IV. Written by Eirenaeus Philalethes Anglus, COSMOPOLITA London, Printed for William Cooper, at the Pellican in Little Britain, 1677 Sir George Ripley’s EPISTLE TO King Edward the Fourth, UNFOLDED. This Epistle as it was immediately written to a King, who was in his Generation, both wise and valiant; so it doth comprise the whole secret, both learnedly described, and yet artificially vailed. Yet as the Author testifieth, that in this Epistle he doth plainly untie the main knot; So I can, and do testifie with him, that there is nothing desirable for the true attaining of this Mystery, both in the Theory and Practick of it, which is not in this short Epistle fully taught. This then I intend as a Key to all my former writings, and assure you on my faithful word, that I shall not speak one word doubtfully or Mystically, as I have in all my other writings, seeming to aver some things, which taken without Figure, are utterly false, which we did only to conceal this Art.