great Negromancer, who had a Bell not exceeding the weight of two pounds which as oft as he did Ring, he could allure and stir up many and various Apparitions and Visions of Spirits. For when he lift he did describe certain words and characters in the inward superficies of the Bell: After if he did beat and ring it, forthwith the Spirits (for shapes) did come forth or appear of what form or shape soever he desired. He could also by the sound of the same Bell, either draw unto him or drive from him many other Visions and Spirits, as also Men and Beasts, as I have seen many of these performed by him with mine own eyes. But whensoever he did begin any new thing, so oft he did renew the words and Characters also. But notwithstanding he would not reveal (he saith) unto me, those secrets of the words and characters, until I my self more deeply weighing and considering the matter, at last by chance found them forth. Which notwithstanding, and the examples of which I here studiously do conceal. But it is not obscurely to be noted here, that there was more of moment in the Bell, than in the words: For this Bell was certainly and altogether compounded or made of this our _Electrum_.” [Sidenote: _Argum. 5._] [Sidenote: _In Verb. Herb. & lapid. mag. vis est._ _p._ 579.] [Sidenote: _Vid. lib. de Doctr. promisc._ _c._ 24. _p._ 187.] [Sidenote: _De secret. oper. artis & natur._ _c._ 2.] [Sidenote: _Paracels. Archidox. magic._ _lib._ 1.] 5. And that there are great and hidden virtues both in Plants and Minerals, especially in Metals and Precious Stones as they are by Nature produced by Mystical Chymistry prepared and exalted, or commixed and insculped in their due and fit constellations, may not only be proved by the instances foregoing, but also by the reasons and authorities of persons of great judgment and experience in the secrets of nature, of which we shall here recite some few. And first that learned and observant person _Baptista van Helmont_ tells us thus much: “But this one thing (he saith) I willingly admit: To wit, that metals do by many degrees surpass Plants and Minerals in the art of healing. And therefore that metals are certain shining glasses, not by reason of the brightness; but rather that as often as they are opened, and their virtues set at liberty, they act by a dotal light, and a vital contact. Therefore metals do operate, by a manner attributed to the Stars, to wit by aspect, and the attraction of an alterative biass or motion. For the metals themselves are glasses, I say the best off-spring of the inferiour Globe, upon which the whole central force, by some former ages, hath prodigally poured out its treasure, that it might espouse most richly, this liquor, this sweat, and this off-spring of Divine Providence, unto those ends which the weakness of nature did require. But (he saith) I call them shining glasses, which have the power of penetrating and illuminating the _Archeus_, from its errors, furies and