CHAP. V.
Of the Conclusion of the Process of the Ancients, made by Paracelsus.
Lastly, the ancient Spagyrists, by a certain orderly augmentation of fire, long continued, fixed their pellicanate and dry Lili, until from blackness, through a change of all colours, it became red as Blood, and with its colour had put on the condition of a Salamander. Rightly indeed did they proceed in such a Labour; and it is equal and fit, that every man, who would compass this Pearl, should proceed after the same manner. To declare this more clearly to thee, would be very difficult for me, if you have not in the School of Alchymists learned to observe the degrees of fire, and also to change your Vessels. If you have done this, then you will see, that as soon as your Lili shall be made hot in the Physical Egg, it will with wonderful apparitions become blacker than a Crow, afterward, in success of time, whiter than a Swan; and lastly, passing through yellowness, become more red than any blood. Seek, seek (saith the first Spagyrist) and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. It would be an impious and uncomely thing to put Meat into the mouth of so perfidious a Bird. He should rather be suffered to flie out, as I, and all others before me were compelled to do. Therefore follow the true Art; for this will lead thee to the perfect knowledge of That. There is no reason to set down any thing here more amply or clearly than I have already done; let thy Pharisaick Schools teach thee what they will, from their own unstable and tottering Foundation, it will not reach their end or scope; but after you shall, as accurately as is possible, have learned Alchymistick Industry, nothing then in the nature of things will be so difficult, but it, by help of this Art, may be manifest to thee. Indeed, Nature her self brings forth nothing to light, which is brought to its highest perfection; as in this place may be seen by the Unity or Union of our Duality; but Man should, by Spagyrick preparations, deduce it to that, unto which it was ordained by Nature.
Thus far have I said enough of the Process of the Ancients, and of my correction of The Tincture of Natural Things, as to its preparation.
Now, we having this Treasure of the Egyptians in our hands, it concerns us to convert the same to our profit, which is two-foldly offered to us from this Spagyrick Magistery. In the first way, how it may be applied for Renovation of the body; in the second, how it is to be used for Transmutation of Metals: Therefore, since I Theophrastus Paracelsus am experienced in both diversly (according as the signs of the Work, both in experience and proof, have appeared better and more perfectly to me than any other) I will describe and propose the same.