1850 Anonymous Suggestive Inquiry Into The Hermetic Mystery

—
A
A
SUGGESTIVE
SUGGEST IVE INQUIRY
INTO
THE HERMETIC MYSTERY

WITH
A DISSERTATION
DISSERl ATION
ON THE
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BEING
AN ATTEMPT TOWAEDS THE EECOVEEY

AN ATTEMPT TOYVARDS THE RECOVERY
OP THE
/
f
ANCIENT EXPERIMENT OF
OF NATURE.
Itorum ad honiiuem
Iterum homincm rmionemquo
rationemque rcdcamus,
redeamus, ex quo divino dono homo animal
quo divine
dictum est rationale,
rationale, minus enira
enim miranda, otsi quso de homine
etsi miranda sunt, qum hominn sunt
sunt
dicta;; sed omnium mirabilium viucit
dicta vincit admiratiouem, quod homo Divinnm
admirationem, quod Dirinam potnit
potuit
invenlre
invenire Naturam, earaque eiiieere.-Jl[frc1n'ii
eamque eilicere. Trismcgisli, Asclcp-ins,
Mercurii Trismegisti, cap. xiii.
Asck'pius, cap. xiii.
LONDON
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—
Mercurii TRISMEGISTI,
P_#'L'ElÈ.-1IERCURII
efficere. Trismegisti, Asclepius,
As::Lm>1Us, xiii.
cap. xiii.
cap.
LONDON;
LONDON:
STEVENS AND CO.,
srmvnns AND cu., Pnlxrnas, BRLL Lum,
PRINTERS, mam. VAKl),
TEMPLE
BAR.
'rmlvui Bur.
THE PREFACE.
~C1R0M
ROM remote Antiquity, and through
Antiquity, through suc-
-^ cessive intervals in
intervals in the higher spheres of
higher spheres
mind, the tradition circulated;
tradition of an Art has circulated ;
vulgar
enigmatical as to evade vulgar
but so dark and enigmatical
entirely and baflle

apprehension entirely
apprehension baffle the most acute.
There isis doubtless some temerity in making

some temerity in making
an obsolete subject,
choice of an subject, and circumstances
conspired to render
have conspired Alchemy above
Alchemy every
every
liable to mistrust;
other liable ;transmutation of
mistrust the transinutation
impossible, and the

species has seemed impossible,
metallic species
pretensions
pretensions this science in
of this in general
general are at va-
probability and observed
riance with inductive probability
fact.
fact.
But many things have in

many things manner been
like manner
in like
increasing know-
impossible which increasing
considered impossible
ledge has proved

ledge true, and others which still
proved true, still to
common
common sense appear fictitious
appear were believed
fictitious were
times, when iaith

in former times, was more
faith was more enlightened
enlightened
sphere of vision open
and the sphere surpassing
open to surpassing
eH"ects.
effects. Daily observation even now
Daily now warns
Warns us
against setting limits to nature

against setting ;; as experiments
experiments
multipl}^ probabilities enlarge
multiply, probabilities enlarge in
in practical life,
practical life.
vi
VI THE PREFACE.
rm;
like a swelling
and, like flood, obliterate
swelling flood, the old
obliterate the land-
old land-
they sweep
marks, as they sweep along rapidly to fulfil
along rapidly fulfil their
their
destined course.
truth progresses
Thus truth openly in
progresses openly spite of scep-
in spite scep-
ticism, when her
ticism, hcr advocates bear witness to-
gether, the mists of error and false
gether, and over the false
interests establish her domain.

interests establish Few, however,
have a spontaneous
spontaneous disposition study, and
disposition to study,
many
many have not acquired aptitude; so that
acquired the aptitude ;
we
frequently observe, where labour of thought
we frequently thought
is condition, the greatest
is a condition, benefits are slighted
greatest benefits slighted
prejudicially deferred.
and prejudicially deferred. The notion of a
mystery is
mystery all things
is above all things obnoxious to modern
taste ;; as who will

will now
now believe either that
that there
has been any importance known which
any truth of importance
is not publicly
is knowing that
declared, or worth knowing
publicly declared,
he cannot understand?
understand ? Everypretension
Everypretension of the
kind has been repudiated, therefore, with all
repudiated, therefore, all such
investigations as are not immediately

investigations immediately prohtable
profitable
and appreciable common
by common
appreciable by sense.
In former times even

;; even when philosophy flou-
philosophy flou-
rished in Greece, Egypt,
in Greece, in Europe,
Egypt, and in Europe, during
during
the earlier Christianity, when no
ages of Christianity,
earlier ages no pains
pains
were spared to improve
were spared improve the understanding and
understanding
educate the rational faculties to their utmost
energy and refinement

limit of energy refinement; ; even then the
study
study was confined to
of the Hermetic Science was
few: and though still live
names still
very few
a very :
though their names
philosophy, and
history of philosophy,
most famous in the history
;:
THE PREFACE.
PREFACE. vii
VU
are held in traditionary honour to this

in traditionary this day, yet
day, yet
of their Wisdom, the Art which made
the source oftheir
the
them great,
great, and good, and memorable, has
good,
passed into oblivion-the
passed into oblivion —
the very style has become
very style
obsolete;
obsolete for those lasting
and, but for
;
theories and
lasting theories
solemn attestations
attestations which they bequeathed,
they have bequeathed,
the Experiment
Experiment of the
the Causal Nature its de-
and its de-
veloping medium would

veloping have been left
left without
relic even
a clue of retracement, or relic for surmise.
even for
hitherto thrown no
Modern Science has hitherto light
no light
on Wisdom of Antiquity;
on the Wisdoln Antiquity our discoveries
our ;
nor taken any

have neither added to nor part from
any part
— being of another order,
it--being
it it were, of
order, and, as it
another world. No consideration of period
period or
place is
place is sufficient for the difference;
sufficient to account for difference
ground of human
very ground
the very knowledge would
knowledge
seem
seem to have changed.
changed.
philosophy of modern times,
The philosophy more espe-
times, more espe-
cially that of the present
cially in
day, consists in ex-
present day, ex-
periment scientific researches as may
periment and such scientific may
tend to ameliorate our
our social condition, or be
social condition,
otherwise useful in contributing ease and
contributing to the ease
indulgences of life;
indulgences life whereas, in the original
whereas,
;
original ac-
ceptation, philosophy
ceptation, quite another sense
philosophy had quite sense:
it signified
it Wisdom. And the doc-
signified the Love of `Wisdom.
Wisdom, as delivered to us by
trine of Wisflom, by the
Hebrew and is in no
writers, is
best Ethnic writers, no re-
dependant on externals,
spect extrinsical or dependant
spect externals, but
on
professes to be based on
professes Causal Experience,
Experience,
viii
Vlll THE PREFACE.
THE
obtained by disciplining and effec-

systematic disciplining
by aa systematic effec-
tual the Rational Faculty,

tual conversion of the up to
Faculty, up
Intuition of Universal Truth in
an Intuition
an in its own con-
its own C011-
Identity or Self-knowledge.
scious Identity Self-knowledge.
Many great
Blany great and lasting theories have been
lasting theories
based on this by much vene-
supported by
ground, supported
this ground,
rable testimony rational evidence ; and, al-

testimony and rational al-
;
though variously
though variously taught individuals ofthe
by individuals
taught by of the
different schools, it
different it same native
preserves the same
preserves
simplicity unchanged,
simplicity the remote antiquity
unchanged, from the antiquity
of Zoroaster and the Jewish Cabal,
Cabal, through
through
enigmas and fables
the enigmas Egyptians, the
fables of the Egyptians,
Orphic Mysteries and Symbols
Orphic Bfysteries Symbols of Pythagoras,
Pythagoras,
up
up to the more scientific and full
more scientific full development
development
of Plato and his
liis brilliant disciples of the Alex-
brilliant disciples
andriau School.
andrian
These continued regard the human mind as
to regard
imperfect embryo,
an imperfect off from its
separated off"
embryo, separated its an-
tecedent Law ;; by this

and, by
and, this common
common outbirth into
life, so made subject to the delusions
life,
individual subject
of sense and phantasy, incapable of true
phantasy, as to be incapable
progress or wisdom until

progress until it
it had been rectified
and re-related,
re-related, as they us, even in
they assure us, this
in this
may be,
it may
world it be, by artificial aids and
by certain artificial
media, and made conformable to the Divine vision
media,
in truth,
in truth, whence it
it sprang.
sprang. And this was,
was, in
fact, though
fact, Peripatetics have wandered,
though Peripatetics wandered, the true
initiatory object and comprehending
initiatory object comprehending whole of
philosophy ; namely,
ancient philosophy namely, to turn the eye
;
eye of
;
THE PREFACE.
THE ix
IX
mind away sensibles and fix

away from sensibles its purified
fix its purified re-
the Supreme
gard on the
gard Intelligible Law within.
Supreme Intelligible within.
We are well aware
"fe aware that this kind of philo-
that this philo-
sophy
sophy is obsolete; that
is obsolete ; capacity of
the capacity
that the man
man is
is
considered unequal
unequal to the discovery of
the discovery essential
of essential
Causes; ; all pretensions
Causes and that all interior illu-
pretensions to interior illu-
mination have appeared fanciful, and are lightly

appeared fanciful, lightly
comparison with modern ex-
in the comparison
esteemed in
perimental
perimental It may
It
science. question how-
may be a question
science.
ever whether they, who have determined thus,
thus,
they,
competent judges;
were competent
were judges ;they have at
whether they
all
all entered upon ground of the ancient doc-
upon the ground
trine to prove
trine prove it, far as even to sur-
it, or studied so far
Method by
mise the Bfethod by which the ancients were
mystery of the Causal
propound the mystery
assisted to propound
Principle
Principle in life.
in life.
repeatedly shown, and may

It has been repeatedly may be
very evident to those who have considered the
very
subject,
subject, that our faculties for
our faculties knowled0'e
for knowledge,
E,
in
in ,
common
common with the whole human characteristic,
characteristic,
areby imperfect and that sensible evi-
by nature imperfect; ; evi-
dence fluctuates so with its

its objects, we are
objects, that we
unable to rise
rise above a certainty, either
a relative certainty,
respect of those things

in respect
in things which are
are around us
or of the nature of our
our own Being.
own Being. The more we
more we
indeed, the
reflect, indeed,
reflect, less conviction do we
less we meet ;
since every thing, whether abstract or actual,

every thing, in
actual, in
respect of human reason,
respect is mere
reason, is mere phenomenon,
phenomenon,
which,
which, being
being thus naturally placed alone with-
naturally placed
out a
proper intimate assurance in this life,
a proper li-
life, li-
—
X THE PREFACE.
rather than confirms, the evidence of the

mits, rather
mits, the
senses faculties.
and other faculties. the Law of
For the
Reason is
lieason absolute, and demands a satisfaction
is absolute, satisfaction
superior
superior to that
that which sensibles any thing
sensibles or any thing
extraneous can offer
offer ;
; hence the diversities of
the diversities
opinion, and the sceptical

opinion, result, which modern
sceptical result,
arrived at,
metaphysics have ariived
metaphysics in the various sys-
at, in sys-
tems of Locke, Hume, Condillac, Kant, and
others, by
others, different roads
by different roads;; and, it were, with-
and, as it
out the suspicion, following Reason into her
suspicion, following own
own
ultimate defect; prove all

defect as able to prove
; things sub-
all things
inferior, yet
jectively inferior,
jectively wanting the proper
yet wanting proper objec-
objec-
tive —
tive-self-demonstrativelight.
self-demonstrative ligiit.
—
Bacon perspicuously regarding
Lord Bacon-perspicuously regarding the ex-
in this
internal worlds as divulsed in
ternal and internal this way,
way,
without apparent
apparent means intrinsical reunion,
means of intrinsical
concluding also f`ro1n
and concluding fruitlessness ofthe
from the fruitlessness of the
philosophy (then
Aristotelian philosophy long
(then long since fallen
fallen
its original intention, and degenerated

ofl` from its degenerated
off original
a
into a mere metaphysical
mere playground), that the
metaphysical playground),
inquisition of mind in
inquisition its fallen
in its was and
fallen state was
for ever
must for inconclusive--
ever remain barren and inconclusive
condemned the method;
method and,
and, forsaking
forsaking it
; it en-
tirely himself,
tirely himself, proposed strictly scientific
proposed a strictly ex-
periment nature, vigorously
periment of external nature, hoping
vigorously hoping
by means, and by
by such means, proceeding induc-
by aid of proceeding
penetrate from without the circumfe-
tion, to penetrate
tion,
compound of Nature into her Formal

rential compound
Centres.
But how very
very distant his followers, even at
followers, even
THE PREFACE. xi
XI
this late
this late day, are from
day, goal, or from any
such a goal, any
rational idea of carrying
rational idea experiment at all
carrying experiment all into
into
the central
the ground, is
central ground, in the strong
is shown in strong out-
working spirit
working spirit of the age, which, notwithstand-
the age,
ing all
ing its abundance of facts,-dead,
all its facts, —
living, and
dead, living,
traditional-has
traditional — step in
has not advanced one step in Causal
Science. Effects indicate

Effects indeed are found to indicate
their
their infer many
we ivrfer
Causes, and so things, and
many things,
we
progress externally;
progress externally but no ; particular of
no one particular
is more intrinsically understood;
the more
nature is intrinsically understood or, ;
as respects ourselves,
respects ourselves, are we
we become better or
all that has been bequeathed,
wiser from all bequeathed, or ever
shall by such continual experimenting
be, by
shall be, experimenting and
superficial
superficial facts on from henceforth
facts accumulated on
to the vorld's
world's end.
For, as the Novum
tl1e author of the Novztm Organum,
Orgcmum,
in the
in observes, the edifice
Preface, himself observes, edifice of
this is, in
this universe is, its structure, as it
in its it were,
were, a la-
a la-
byrinth to the human intellect

byrinth intellect that contemplates
contemplates
it ; many ambiguous
it; where there are many ways, de-
ambiguous ways,
ceptive things and signs,
ceptive similitudes of things signs, oblique
oblique
and complicated windings, and knots of nature's
complicated windings, nature's
everywhere
everywhere presenting fur-
presenting themselves to view ; fur- ;
thermore, senses, as he admits,

thermore, the senses, admits, are fallacious,
fallacious,
the mind unstable and full
full of idols;
idols ; and all
all
presented under a
things are presented
things glass, and,
a glass, it
and, as it
were, enchanted.
were,
therefore, the journey
If, therefore,
If, is
journey is to be made per-
per-
petually through
petually through labyrinth
a labyrinth so obscure and
xii
Xll THE PREFACE.
PREFACE.
diflieult, as
difficult, that the Chancellor describes,
that which the describes,
light of sense, sometimes
under the uncertain light
shining and sometimes hiding

shining itself through
hiding itself through and
in the woods of experience
in the experience and particulars; a
particulars ; a
dreary
dreary prospect truly is
prospect truly is presented, and one
presented, one
promising
promising about as little traveller
little success to the traveller
actually now, after

as he has actually arrived at now, after the lapse
lapse
of many persevering toil
many centuries of persevering toil and expec-
expec-
—still, in
tation-still,
tation in the same maze of external na-
same maze
ture, dissatisfied
ture, unhappy, amidst the pass-
dissatisfied and unhappy, pass-
ing images
ing his
images of his own outward
own creation ;; without
ray of the First

a ray
a First Light guide him into the
Light to guide
inner courts of a more certain and sublime ex-
perience.
perience.
Or how any stable science arise
should any arise out
aggregate of particulars
of the aggregate common
particulars ?? The common
analysis their unity,
analysis of bodies does not discover their unity,
is the most scientific
nor is synthesis of heteroge-
scientific synthesis heteroge-
neous atoms found to yield
neous yield any effect. The
vital ellect.
any vital
free flies before all
Spirit of Nature flies
free Spirit all our destroy-
destroy-
ing crucibles; and, taking
ing tests and crucibles ; refuge in her
taking refuge
own Identity,
own
subtly
Identity, subtly hopes and ac-
eludes the hopes
tive elforts
efforts of the inductive mind. May not the
May
same objection,
same therefore, equally
objection, therefore, this
apply to this
equally apply
method of philosophizing
philosophizing as its its great
great advocate
opposed tl1e syllogistic

opposed to the scheme of Aristotle ;
syllogistie sclieme ;
namely, that it
namely, it works confusedly, suHèrs
confusedly, and suffers
Nature to escape our hands?
escape out of our hands ?
being the defective result of natural ex-
Such being ex-
;
THE PREFACE.
THE xiii
Xlll
periment, conducted
periment, ordinarily is
it
ordinarily
as it is through
through
discovery of life;
the Macrocosm, without the discovery Hfe
since the evidence of modern metaphysics,
and since metaphysics,
attempting to enter theoretically,
attempting falls short of
theoretically, falls
human faith,
faith, and is
is bounded in this may
in this; may it
; it not
be worth while to inquire, parti-
once more, parti-
inquire, once
cularly concerning
cularly concerning the doctrine of the ancient
Sages, how their
Sages, their pretensions superior Wisdom
pretensions to superior VVisdo1n
practically set forth, from

were founded, and so practically
ground? For it it has been ac-
Ontological ground?
the Ontological
knowledged
knowledged by opponents, and must be very
by opponents, very
discovery of Causes
all, that the discovery
evident to all,
would be of all parts of Science the most
all parts
worthy to be sought
worthy sought out, ifif it possible to
it were possible
be found;
found and, regards the possibility,
and, as regards
; possibility, are
ill discoverers
truly said to be ill
they not truly
they discovcrers that
conclude there is no land when they
is no can discern
they can
nothing
nothino; but sea?
sea ?
The numerous express declarations that
numerous express are
to be met
met with in
in those
early writers, the
early writers,
especially, that they
Greeks especially, were not alone
they were
able, generally had passed
very generally
able, but very beyond the
passed beyond
appearances in which we
world of appearances we range
range into
full Intuition of Universal Truth,
the full Truth, are, say
are, to say
least, remarkable.
the least, liberal allowance of
The liberal
imagination and mere

imagination verbiage, which ignorance
mere verbiage, ignorance
once ascribed to these men,
once no doubt de-
men, has no
many, and may
terred many, delay ra~
may continue to delay ra-
tional inquiry never explain

can never
inquiry ;; but can away their
explain away
xiv
XIV THE
Tm; PREFACE.
clear language of conviction,

clear language or nullify
nullify those
assertions of experieace
solemn assertions in the Divine
experience in
Wisdom,
Vifisdom, and surp-assing knowledge, which oc-
surpassing knowledge,
cur, in one form or other, at almost every
in one page
every page
of their transmitted works.
of` their Neither are the
definitions
definitions we gather
we
gather of this Wisdom so incom-
this Visdom
plete, or
plete, that they
ambiguous, that
ambiguous, can be possibly
they can possibly
any science or particular
referred to any relation of
particular relation
science, physical metaphysical, preserved
physical or metaphysical, preserved to
these times. Wisdom they
But the `Wisdom is,
they celebrate is,
as we
we before observed, eminently
eminently inverse ; con- ;
sisting
sisting in the
not in observation of particulars,
particulars,
neither in
neither in polymathy,
poljunathy, nor in acuteness of the
nor in
common in the natural order of
common intellect, nor in
understanding at all;
understanding all but in a conscious deve-
;
lopment ofthe
lopment Principle of the Uni-
of the Causal Principle
in Man,
versal Nature in Man.,
For man, say they,
man, say is demonstrated to be an
they, is
epitome of the whole mundane creation, and
epitome
all terres-
was p-enerated to become wise above all
was generated
trial animals
trial being endowed, besides those
animals; being
;
powers which he commonly

powers exerts, and by
commonly exerts, by
means of which he is
means is able to contemplate the
contemplate
things him, with the germ

thino^s which exist around him, germ
ot' a higher
of higher faculty, rightly de-
faculty, which, when rightly
apart, reveals the hidden Forms
veloped and set apart,
veloped
Being, and secrets of the Causal
of manifested Being,
identically within himself.
Fountain, identically Nor this
this
man reputed dis-
alone;;
alone not only is
only is man reputed able to (lis-
THE PREFACE.
PREFACE. XV
in the
but, in
cover the Divine Nature, but, forcible
the forcible
language the Asclepian
language of the Dialogue, to
Asclepian Dialogue, eject
effect
in this
It ; and in
It; this sense, namely, respect to
namely, with respect
Catholic Reason which is
the Cathohc
the is latent in his
latent in his life,
life,
man was once

man was said the
said to be the Image
Image ot' God.
of
It appears,
It appears, moreover, those ancients were not
enlightened
enlightenedon the a
ona priori ground alone,
priori ground alone, but
the same power Wisdom was
same power of W'isdom was confirmed in
in
in many
operation, in
external operation, surpassing effects
many surpassing effects of
spiritual
spiritual chemistry, in the asserted miracle
chemistry, and in
Philosopher's Stone.
of the Philosophers And here, though
though
it stumbling-block to unbelievers,
it has seemed a stumbling-block
anticipate for
we anticipate
and we advocacy the utmost
for our advocacy
scorn ;
scorn; yet, with this
yet, theosophic doctrine of
this theosophic
Alchemy runs hand
VVisdom, the tradition of Alchemy
Wisdom,
in hand.
in It is
It this which, occultly
is this permeating
occultly permeating
throughout, gives
throughout, gives substance to the transcen-
transcen¢
meaning to the subtle disqui-
dental theme, and meaning disqui-
sitious
sitions of the middle ages
ages-this —
this it was which
it was
filled intellect of that period

filled the acute intellect period with ar-
dour and admiration. was this which inspired
It
It was
inspired
Aquinas, Roger
Magnus, Aquinas,
Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, the
Lully, and his
fiery Lully,
fiery di Villa-
preceptor Arnold di
his preceptor
Ficinus, Picus di Mirandola, Spinoza,
Nova, Ficinus, Spinoza,
Reuchlin, the Abbot Trithenlius,
Reuchlin, Trithemius, Cornelius
Agrippa,
Agrippa, all the subsequent
and all subsequent Paracelsian
School. It is
It is this which, under another title,
this which, title,
as the most efficacious of all
Plato celebrates as all
calling
arts, calling
arts, it
it Theurgy and
Theurgy worship of the
the worship
—
Xvlii
XVlll THE PREFACE.
'rms
others,
Others, in that our suggestive
hope that
in hope
advocacy
suggestive advocacy
may either
may either receive eonfutation, if erroneous;
confutation, if erroneous or ;
become estabhshecl
established in
in the result.
result. That the
subject
subject is worthy from
is
worthy investigation
of investigation the
highest order of minds,
highest minds, we
we feel
feel no hesitation
hesitation in
in
affirming;
affirming them it
; to
always proved at-
it has always proved
tractive; for
tractive ; effects, desires
perceiving effects,
for reason, perceiving desires
to know causes, and is
is rarely incredulous in
rarely in the
pursuit.
pL1I`Slllt.
It is
is especially towards the analysis of this
It
especially analysis
this
Causal Experiment, therefore, that the present
Experiment, therefore, present
Inquiry is
Inquiry is directed,
directed, as being in due order to
being in
begin
begin with,
with, the foundation of that luminous
fabric of Wisdom
fabric Wvisdom which wewe shall
shall endeavour
practically, and for
practically, for the discovery's
discovery's sake,
sake, to
depict. For since Ontology

depict. Ontology is despaired of
is despaired
by
by modern metaphysics, reason is
is unable
metaphysics, and reason
in this
in this life
life to substantiate its
its own
own inference-
inference
although clearh^
although perceiving the Antecedent ne-
clearly perceiving
cessity, it
cessity, it cannot pass into an
pass an absolute con-
sciousness of the same ;-if
same —
therefore, the sub-
if, therefore,
;
capability, above referred to,

lime capability, yet subsists in
to, yet in
man
man and is is really educible, it must be under
really educible, it
the guidance by the
guidance of another Method and by
revelation of another Law. What was
Vhat was the Ex-
our fathers into experience
periment which led our
periment experience
self-knowledge in the Divine Antecedent of

and self-knowledge
all life?
all life ? This we learn; and,
we desire to learn for the
and, fOl' ;
sake of the liberal and sincere lovers of truth,

truth,
;
THE
Tm: PREFACE. xix
XIX
now the
offer theguidance by by which we we have our-
now offer guidance
selves been led
selves pleasurably and with
along, pleasurably
led along,
satisfaction, to explore
satisfaction, explore the mystic laboratory of
mystic laboratory
creative Light
creative opening a way
Light; opening
; also by
way also by which
they may
they may be enabled fully co-operate and
fully to co-operate
follow Art into the living
into the sanctuary of Nature.
living sanctuary
particulars should seem obscure in

If some particulars
If in
the early introduction, as it
early introduction, it is diflicult to
is indeed difficult
things so far
unfold things far out of the wayway of ordinary
ordinary
thought,
thought, Wewe hope
hope not to be judged rashly, but
_judged rashly,
after
after fair consideration
a fair of the whole. In
tracing the Hermetic tradition

tracing through many
through many
it has been our endeavour, as
venerable sources, it
plainly
plainly and practically
practically as the nature of the
matter would permit,
permit, to explain
explain the occult
ground, and,
ground, and, by help of theory
by the help theory supporting
supporting
persuade the studious that the Art

evidence, to persuade
evidence,
of Alchemy,
Alchemy, as it was anciently
it was
anciently practised in the
practtised in
East, in
in the Egyptian
Egyptian temples,
temples, amongst He--
amongst the He-
Early Greek Nations, and by
brews and Early by the
Mystics of the Middle Ages,
Mystics was aa true Art;
Ages, was
and that the Stone of Philosophers is not a
Philosophers is a
chimera, as it
chimera, represented in
it has been represented in the world
to be; but the wonderful offspring

be ; offspring of a
a Vital
Experiment Nature, the true foundation of
Experiment into Nature,
Ancient Wisdom supernatural fruit.
VVisdom and her supernatural fruit.
What, if
Vifhat, if our
our subject world's ridicule
subject be the world's ridicule;
and its
its professors
professors rank with the ignorant in-
ignorant as in-
sane orimpostors?
sane or impostors ? In choosing it popularity
choosing it popularity
XX THE PREFACE.
THE
the motive
was not the ;; but we have written
written for the
for
'l`1'uth's sake and for
Truth's the liberal
for the inquirer, from
Hberal inquirer,
whom alone we may anticipate either
may anticipate either credit
credit or
favour; and if
favour; if we succeed only in drawing
only in drawing aa very
very
few discerning intellects
discerning intellects aside from the broad
stream of popular dereliction, by
popular dereliction, light of
by the light
Ancient Vlfisdom
Wisdom into
into its Hiith, the undertaking
its faith, undertaking
will
will not
prove ungrateful, or have been con-
prove ungrateful,
in vain.
cluded in vain.
"
" 3? inill
I slnrare to
biiW not sfocare make gou
to maite gihc crcticnce,
you g{fa£ rrrmnre,
&3ut
23ut a main
pbplosopbzr maff bm
pf)2losopi)er f)crc Huh: zhitlenrc
finUc an £bil3£nce
Of
QB! the ttclutb; Huh
i\)z tretotf) ; fur men
anlJ for tl)at he
mm that be lag
lag
JI skill
31 skill 1101
not grcatlji what
grcatly toât tjbtg they sap."
sag."
—
CONTENTS.
PART I.
PART I.
AN EXOTERIC VIEW
V IEVV OF THE PROGRESS
AND THEORY
THEORY OF ALCHEMY.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER I.—A
I.--A PRELIMINARY Account OF
Preliminary ACCOUNT the
of THE
HERBIETIC
Hermetic PHILOSOPHY, with the
Philosophy, VVITH more SALIENT
THE MORE salient
POINTS OF its PUBLIC
OF ITS —
History gathered
Public þÿHISTORY-g3tl1 Horn
from
¬1' ¬d
the best extant Authorities, with notices
notices of the
Works of various writers,
works modern, in
writers, ancient and modern, in
succession,
succession, on subject of Alchemy
on the subject —
Alchemy--their
their
in support
evidence in support of the art of gold-making
gold-making
and transmutation. — 3.
Page 3.
transmutation.-Page
CHAPTER —
II.-OF
II. Of THE
the Theory
THEORY ofOF Transmutation
TRANSBIUTATION
INGENERAL,
GENERAL, AND
AND OF
OF THE
THE FIRST
FiRST MaTTER showiug
MATTER-showing
the true basis onon which the rational possibility
possibility
of Transmutation restsrests; with Definitions from
;
Albertus Magnus, Aquinas, Friar Bacon,

Magnus, Aquinas, Bacon, Ray-
Ray-
mond Lully,
Lully, Arnold Di-Villa-Nova, Synesius and
Di-Villa-Nova, Synesius
others, descriptive of the Hermetic Material-
others, descriptive Material
with some suggestions
some suggestions additional concerning
concerning the
Ethereal Nature and analogous phenomena of
analogous phenomena
— Page
Light.--Page
Light. 68.
CHAPTER — The Golden

HI.-THE
III. GOLDEN TREATISE Hermes
OF EIERMES
Treatise of
TRISBIEGISTUS concerning
Trismegistus the Physical
CONCERNING THE PHYSICAL SECRET
Secret
PHILOSOPHER,S Stone,
the Philosopher's
of THE
OF IN Seven
STONE, in SEVEN SEC-
Sec-
—
T1oNs-estcemed
tions one of the best and oldest
esteemed one
pieces of Alchemical Philosophy
pieces Philosophy extant;
extant com-
com-
;
——— —
>~.1i
XXll CONTENTS.
prising, in
prising, in epitome, the whole Art and secret
epitome, the secret
method of the coniection-to
the confection —
to which some eluci-
some eluci-
datory
datory annotations are added from the Scholium
elsewhere. —
and elsewhere.-Page
Page 99.
99.
PART
PART II.
II.
MORE ESOTERIC CONSIDERATION OF THE

A MORE THE
HERMETIC ART
HERMETIC AND ITS MYSTERIES.
ART AND
CHAPTER
CHAPTER I.-OF
I. Of the
THE True
TRUE SUBJECT
Subject OF of THE HER-
the Her-
Art
metic ART
METIC and
AND its
ITS CONCEALED
Concealed Root —
RooT-opening,
opening,
way of evidence,
by way
by evidence, the Alchemical Laboratory
Laboratory
only vessel which the Adepts
and only employed to
Adepts employed
Spirit of Nature and con-
sublime the universal Spirit
centrate her Light — how, when, and where the
Light-how,
may
Spirit may
Spirit be arrested, introverted in
arrested, in the circula-
circula-
tion,
tion, and brought
brought forth from inimanifest
immanifest being
being
into power
power and act, leading
act, leading on
on from thence to-
an outline ofthe
wards an Art. —
of the Hermetic Art.-Page Page I35.
135.
CHAPTER H.-OF
II. Of THE —
the þÿllYSTERIESLb
Mysteries beginning from
¬glIl1`1lI1g
the early
early initiations,
initiations, to show the imperfection of
imperfection
the natural life
life and understanding-the— artificial
understanding the artificial
means employed by
means and media employed by the ancients to
rectify these —
rectify these-connecting together Alchemy
connecting together Alchemy and
Mesmerism, also, with those preliminary
Mesnierism, also, preliminary Rites.-
Rites.
Page 171.
Page
CHAPTER HI.-THE
III. The JNIYSTERIES
Mysteries continued
CONTINUED- —
which indicate the greater
gi'eater ordeals and disciplines
disciplines
which the vital
vital Spirit
Spirit is
is made to pass through in
pass through
the progress
progress of a physical regeneration by
physical regeneration by art,
art,
out the sensual dominion of the Selfhood,
from out Selfhood,
—
CONTENTS.
coNTENTs. xxiii
XXni
through temporary death and annihilation

through a temporary annihilation to a
life and consciousness.-Page
new life consciousness. —
Page l9l.
191.
IV.—The
CHAPTER IV.-THE Mysteries coNcLUDED-with
MYSTERIES concluded— with
a
a view of the ultimate object
object of initiations
these initiations
to prove
prove the perfection, purity,
perfection, purity, and integral ef'-
integral ef-
ficiency
ficiency to which the human spirit may
spirit may arrive
arrive by
by
divine assimilation coming
divine assimilation coming in vital contact with
in vital
its Source. —
its Source.-Page
Page 220.
PART III.
III
LAWS AND
CONCERNING THE LANVS AND VITAL CON-
CONCERNING
THE HERMETIC EXPERIMENT.
DITIONS OF THE
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.-OFOf THE
the EXPERIMENTAL Method and
Experimental lqETHOD AND
FERMENTATION or
Fermentation the PHILOSOPHIC
of THE SUBJECT Ac-
Philosophic Subject ac-
cording
COEDING TOto the PARACELSIAN ALCHEMISTS
THE Paracelsian Alchemists and AND
some others
soME þÿOTHERS-Wh —
whereby the Principles
¬1` ¬by Principles of the
Art are yet more intimately
yet more intimately unfolded, and the
unfolded,
methodical order in which the experiment
experiment was
conducted to discover that hidden Light
Light which is is
specific Form of Gold
the specific Gold-how —
how to educate this
this
multiply it
and multiply by the ethereal conception
it bythe conception until it is
it is
made concrete and substantially brought

substantially brought forth.
forth. — -
Page
Page 255.
CHAPTER II.-A
CHAPTER II. —
A FURTHER Analysis of
further ANALYSIS the Initial
OF THE
INITIAL
PRINCIPLE
Principle AND its EDUcTIoN
and ITS Light com-
into LIGHT-com-
Eduction INTO —
prising Metaphysics of the Matter ; gathered
prising the Metaphysics gathered
;
particularly from the Greek Ontologists

more particularly_from
more Ontologists and
Cabalists,
Cabalists, progress of the conscious-
to show the progress
ness through stages of purification
through the various stages purification
rectiiied ferment,
and dissolution until the rectified ferment, over-
over-
whelming, becomes established
whelming, becomes in — Page 305.
life.-Page
life.
———
XXIV CONTENTS.
CHAPTER III. Of the Manifestation of the

—
Philosophic Matter exhibiting how, when,
and where the invisible Spirit of Nature is by Art
made visible and brought through a vital distil-
lation into substantive effect —
with power and
will to transfuse its luminous aurific virtue and
draw the universal life of Nature to its homo-
geneal accord. —
Page 349.
CHAPTER IV.— Of the Mental Requisites and

Impediments incidental to Individuals, either
AS Masters or Students, in the Hermetic Art
— to which are added various ])ractical instruc-
tions concerning the means and instruments that
have to be arranged and called together in fur-
therance of this undertaking, the quahfications of
external circumstances and accordances of fitting
seasons and places for operation. —
Page 393.
PART IV.
THE HERMETIC PRACTICE.

CHAPTER Of the Vital Purification, com-
I.
monlycalled the Gross AVork which de- —

velopes the actual mode of operation practised by
the Ancients, and mechanic means employed to
dissolve the vital compound and eradicate the
inbred evil of life —the mode of rational investiga-
tion likewise by which the Spirit is induced to
vield up her light and hidden virtue to increase
it.— Page 429.
CHAPTER II. Of the Philosophic or Subtle

Work — which affords, by a theoretic conduct,
—
CONTENTS. XXV
suggestions amply leading

suggestions amply practical under-
leading to a practical
standing
standing of
of the
the most abstruse secret
secret of the Her-
philosophy, showing
metic philosophy, showing the Trinitarian
Trinitarian method
operation which Reason follows
of operation recreatively
follows recreatively
for the verification
for verification ofof' her light
light to discover, mag-
mag-
nify,
nify, and know the Causal Nature transitively in
transitively in
being
being and in
in imaged —
imaged manifestation.-Page
manifestation. Page 455.
HI.— The
CHAPTER III.-THE SIX
Six KEYS
Keys of
or Eudoxus—
EUDOXUS-
leading into
leading Philosophy of the
into the most secret Philosophy
Multiplication
Multiplication and Projection, Rewards and Po-
Projection,
teneies,
tencies, Nature, Analogies, and Ap-
Properties, Analogies,
Properties, Ap-
pliances
pliances ofthe
of the Philosopher's Stone. —
Page 474.
Philosopher's Stone.-Page
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER The Conclusion
IV.--'THE CoNcLUs1oN-in — summary of
in summary
the whole, comparing
comparing this
this Philosophy, its me-
Philosophy, its nie-
relations, and ultimate promise,

thod, relations,
thod, promise, with those
of more modern acceptation
acceptation and repute.
repute.-Page—
Page
51 I
511. _
C
, :
The superintendence
Tlie of the
superintendence of the Press havinor
having been def'ect1ve in su<.111
defective 111 several
classical quotations,
classical the
quotations, the Author subjoius
subjoins the followinv more promi-
the following pronu
errafa
nent errata :- —
7,
Page 7, line
line 8,
8,/o?' omni, read omnes,
for omni, omnes.
13,for
13, igni, read
/oi' igni, o-ead igue.
igne.
21,for0pcratio11e,
1\,for operatione, read de operatione.
12,
12, 4, for miracula read miraculi.
4,
14,
14, Secrets. Secretorum.
11, read Secreta Ser^retorum.
29,
29, 40, for rmd tunc.
hunc read
/or hum:
34,
34, 31, for et, read 50.
Zl,f<jret,read50.
42,
42, 33, read Lc Le Grand Ecluircissement.
Eclaircissement.
45,
45, i>for seem, read serve.
4,_for
09,
69, 20, traiismutatur, read transmntantilr.
20, for trausmutatur, transmutantur.
TO,
70, 18,for
IS, uarissima. read
for carissima j'ead carissime.
26, rcducatur read reducautur.

26, for reducatur reducantur.
41, read species
41, sive forrnas.
species sive formas.
45, for materiam read materié.
45, materia.
71,
71 1, vera, read veras, and alium
1, for vera, aliam for alium
alium.
74,
74, 12,for inter, read intus.
12, for inter, intus.
Te,
76, 9, igne, read ignea.
9, for igne, ignea.
ss,
88, IS, omnis, read onmes.
13, for omnis, omnes.
104, 28, dieri, read diei.
for dieri,
2S,for diei.
137,
137, 34, /or
34, Marian read Monen.
for Marien Morien.
138,
138, 16,for re, read res.
16, for re,
155,
155, 11, omit with.
11,
30,f0r
30, /or support ,read rapport.
support,re«(? rajjport.
172, /or La Planche,

24, for Planche, read La Pluche.
179,
179, 30, become, read
30, for become, 7'ead became.
184,
184, 40, regimine, read regiminis.
iO, for regimine, regimir1is_
139,
189, 7, conjunetam, read conjunctum.
7, for conjunctam, coxijunctum,
190,
190, 14, for my,
14, my, read by. by.
17, rejoins, read regains.
17, for rejoius, regains.
30, for laudaveris,
30, laludaverit.
landaveris, read laudaverit.
192, 4,
4, for philosophica, read philosophic!.
/or philosophical, philosophici.
195,
195, 15, insert naturam after
15, insert after habens.
193,
198, 4, for ipse,
4, ipse, read
7-ead ipsaz.
ips£e.
13, for
13, limiue, read lumina.
for limine,
19,
19, for movere,
movere, read moveri.
21,for
21, dea, read dei.
for dea., dei.
23, for Cecropiam, read Cecropium.

/or Cecropiam, Cecropium.
199, not
notee Oracula, read Oraculis.
for Oracula.,
201, lin
201, line
c 6,(i,fo1' vaala., read maize.
for mala, m&lse.
221, 24,fm' northern, -read
24, for northern, read southern.
223,
223, 17, for Olympicus,
1T,for Olympicus, read Olympicos.
Olympicos.
229,
229, 29, diaphonous, read diaphanous.
29, for diaphonous, diaphauous.
231,
231, 1, for fo,
1, /or ?-eatZ of.
fo, read of.
232,
232, 7, for
7, epaptenomen, read
for epaptcnomen, irad epopteuomen.
epopteuomen.
248,
24S, 38, read
33, Cunctarumque patrem
7-ead Cunctarumque rerum spectare
patrem rerum spectare licebit
licebit.
278,
278, 37, inanimae, read inamoenze.
37, for inanimje, inamoenae.
~»
297, linc1G,
Page 297, insert aku
line 16, insert after ejiisque,
alne a/Ztr (md read snlu
ejusquo, and salumm fm' solum.
for solum.
sos.
308, l,/(ir sequentur, read sc<\ueiiter.
1,j1n'sequent1r, sc-quenter.
315, note
315, Mundura, rmd
for Mundum,
for read Mundi.
316, line
31(3, VmelZjfdr divini, read divime.
13,f6r divini, divinx.
317,
317, þÿ1S,f0l'V!1lì ¬, variae.
18, for varie, read vari«.
21, for utque, read
21, for 7-ead atque.
atque.
23, for omnis, read olnnes.
23, for omnes.
352,
352, 1-fad motnm
17, read raotum inin te
te experieris
experieris internum.
361,
361, 21,for sented, 'read
21, for seated, read sealed.
sealed.
363, 27, for Hunt,
27, for Haut.
fiunt, read fiant.
367, 3l5,1'cad
36, night.
read one only night.
434,
434, i,for dedeat, read tcedeat.
4,foJ' tjedeat.
435,
435, S,
8, for motionem, read amotioncm.
þÿl11Ofi0! ¬I`l1, amotioncni.
465, 1S,_for eum, rcafl
18, for euul, 7-ead cum.
CIIIII.
471, ST, 1-ca

37, <1 eritque
I'ead in te
eritque in cum iumine ignis,
te cum cum
ignis, c um igne
igne ventus, &c
ventus, &c.
493,
493, 38, for which, 1'¢'a<Ivhnt.
33,/'or read what.
509, 13, illurn, read illam.
IS, for ilium, illara.
A SUGGESTIVE
SUGGESTIVE INQUIEY
INQUIRY
INTO THE HERMETIC 1 1YsTEP~Y.
MYSTERY.
PART I.
I.
EXOTERIC VIEW
AN EXOTERIC OF THE PROGRESS
VIEV OF AND
PROGRESS AND
, THEORY OF ALCHEMY.
THEORY OF
B
SUGGESTIYE INQUIRY
A SUfiUESTIVE
INTO THE
HERMETIC MYSTERY.
CHAPTER I.
I.
A P
Prelinzimny
reliminary the Hermetic P/zi/osop/ey,
Account of the Philosophy,
wit/1
with the salient Points qf
t/ze more salient of its
its Public History.
History.
THE
WHE Hermetic tradition
dawn of in
early with the morn-
opens early
tradition opens
the eastern world. All
morn-
inging philosophy
philosophy in
pertaining
pertaining thereto is is romantic and mystical.
mystical. Its monu-
Its monu-
ments,
ments, emblems, and numerous written records, alike
records, alike
enigmatical, form one
dark and enigmatieal, one of the most remark-
episodes in
able episodes history of the human mind. A
in the history A
were it
hard task were it indeed and almost inlinite infinite to discuss
every particular
every particular that has been presented by
presented by individuals
concerning
concerning the art of Alchemy
Alchemy; ; and as difficult fix
difficult to fix
the of' a science which has been suc-
certainty
with certainty origin
origin of
cessively attributed to Adam, Noah and his son
cessively son Cham,
Zoroaster,
to Solomon, Zoroaster, and the Egyptian Hermes.
Egyptian
Nor, fortunately,
Nor, fortunately, does this obscurity concern us much
obscurity
in an inquiry
in inquiry which rather means and
relates to the means
principles
principles of occult science than to the period and
period
place
place of their discovery. Nothing,
reputed discovery. Nothing, perhaps,
reputed perhaps, is is
worthy or more
less worthy
less more calculated to distract
distract the mind from
points of real importance
points importance than this this very question of
very question
temporal
temporal origin,
origin, Which,
which, when we
we have taken all all pains
pains
satisfy and remember, leaves us no
to satisfy Wiser in
no wiser in reality
reality
than Wewe were
were before. What
Vhat signifies it, for instance,
signifies it, instance,
that we letters to Cadmus,
we attribute letters Cadmus, or or trace oracles 4/~
1/
to Zoroaster,
Zoroaster, or or the Gabbjirl'to Moses, the Eleusinian
Cabbal to Moses, (rece
mysteries to Orpheus,
mysteries or free-masonry to Noah ; whilst
Orpheus, o1'/,free-masonry ;
//BB 2
6°
,7"'
4 EXOTERIC View.
Exoteric VIE\'.
we ignorant of the nature and true be-

profoundly ignorant
are profoundly bc-
ginning
ginning of
of any
any one of of these
these things,
things, and observe not
how truth,
truth, being
being everywhere eternal, does there
everywhere eternal, there always
always
originate
originate where it
it is
is understood?
We
Ve do not delay,delay, therefore, to ascertain, even even were
possible, whether the Hermetic science
it possible,
it science was was indeed
preserved to mankind on the Syriadie
preserved pillars after
Syriadic pillars after the
flood,
flood, or whether Egypt
Egypt or Palestine may
may lay equal
lay equal
claims to the same;
claims same or, whether in
;
in truth that Sma-
table, Whose
ragdine table,
ragdine whose singular inscription has been
singular inscription
transmitted to this day,
this day, is
is attributable
attributable to Hermes or to
any
any other name. It
It may
may sutliee
suffice the present need to
present
accept
accept the general
general assertion
assertion of its
its advocates, and con-
sider Alchemy as an antique
sider Alchemy antique artiiice
artifice coeval, for
for aught
aught
we know to the contrary,
we contrary, with the universe itselfi itself
For although
although attempts
attempts have been made, by Herman
as by He1'man
Conringius,' to slight
Conringius,^ slight it invention, and it
it as recent invention, it
is also
is that, by
also true that, singularly envious fate,
by a singularly fate, nearly
nearly
all Egyptian record of the art has perished
all Egyptian perished; yet
; yet we
we
find the original

find original evidence contained in tl1e
the works of
Kircherf the learned Dane Olaus Borriebius,3
A. Kircher,'^ Borrichius,^ and
Robert Vallensis in first volume of the Theatrum
in the first T/zeutrum
Chemiczmzf
Chemicum,^ more more than 'sufiicient
sufficient to balance every every ob-
jection
jection of this
this kind,
kind, besides ample
ample collateral
collateral probabi-
probabi-
bequeathed
lity bequeathed
lity in
in the best Greek authors,
authors, historical
historical
and philosophic.
philosophic.
In order to show that the propositions propositions we we may here-
may
after
after have occasion to offer are not gratuitous, gratuitous, as also
vith better effect
with effect to introduce a stranger stranger subject,
subject, itit
will
will be 1'equisite through a brief account of the
requisite to run tln'ough
philosophers, with the literature and public
Alchemical philosophers, public
evidence of their science science; the more
; more so, so, as no one one of
the many
many histories of philosophy
philosophy compiledcompiled or or trans-
lated into our language,
language, advert to it manner
it in such a manner
1^
^gyptior. vetere et Paracelsicor. Nova Mc-
De Hermetica Egyptior. Me-
diciua.
dicina.
2
(Edipus .Egyptiacusr Idcm,
^ G^^dipus .^gyptiacus. Lapide Philos. Dissert.
Idem, do Lapide
3
2 De
Dc Ortu et Progressu
Progressu Chemise. Idem, /Egyptior. et Chemicor.
ldcm, yEgyptior.
H. Conringii
Sapientia, ab Il.
Sapicntia, Conringii Animad. vindic.
4
* De Veritate et Antiquitate
Antiquitate Artis Cliemim.
Cliemiae.
PREL1i1iN».RY AecoUN'r.
Preliminary Account. 5
powerful and Wide-spread

considering the powerful
as, considering influence
wide-spread influence
this branch formerly
this exercised on
formerly exercised on the human it
mind, it
appears to
certainly appears
certainly deserve.
to deserve.
This once famous Art, Art, then, has been represented
represented
giving titles
both as giving receiving them from its
titles and receiving mo-
its me-
ther land, Cham
land, Cham; ;
for
for so, during long period,
during a
a long period, accord-
ing to Plutarch,
ing Plutarch, was Egypt Egypt denominated, or Chemia,
on account of the extreme blackness of her soil
on —
soil::-or,
or,
as others say, say, because it it was
was there that that the art of
Vulcan was first first practised
practised by by Cham, one one of the sons
of the Patriarch, from whom they they thus derive
derive the
name and art together.
together. But by
by the Word
word Chemia, says
says
Plutarch, the seeing seeing pupil
pupil of the human eye
eye was also
also
designated,
designated, and other black matters,
matters, whence in
in part
part
perhaps Alchemy,
perhaps obscurely descended, has been
Alchemy, so obseurely
stigmatized as a Black Art?
likewise stigmatized Art.^
Etymological
Etymological research has doubtless proved
proved useful
in leading
in leading on
on and cerroborating
corroborating truths once
once
suggested,
suggested,
but it is not a Way
it is way of first discovery
first discovery ; ; derivations may
may
be too easily
easily conformed to any
any bias,
bias, and words do not
convey
convey true ideas unless their proper
proper leader be previ-
previ-
ously entertained. lVithout
ously entertained. being able now,
Without being now, therefore,
therefore,
to determine Whetherwhether the art gave gave or or received a title
title
from Cham, the Persian prince Alchimin, as others
prince Alchimin,
have contended,
contended, or that dark Egyptian Egyptian earth 5 to take
;
time, we
a point of time,
point We may begin the Hermetic story from
may begin story
Hermes, by
Hermes, by the Greeks called called Trismegistus,
Trismegistus, Egypt's
Egypt's
great and far-reputed
great king, who,
adeptist king,
far-reputed adeptist who, according
according to
Suidas, lived before the time of the Pharoes,
Suidas, Pharoes, about
four hundred years previous to Moses,
years previous Moses, er,or, as others
compute, about 1900 before the Christian era."

compute, era.^
prince, like
This prince, Solomon, is
like Solomon, is highly celebrated by
highly by
antiquity for his wisdom and skill
antiquity skill in the secret opera-
opera-
tions of nature, for his reputed
nature, and for discovery of the
reputed discovery
quintessential perfectibility of the three kingdoms
quintessential perfectibility kingdoms in in
their homogeneal unity ; whence he is
homogeneal unity ; is called the Thrice
1
^ Plutareh de Iside et Osiride,
See Platarcli Osiride, sub init.,
init., and Bryant's
Brya11t's
Analysis
Analysis of Ancient Mythology,
Mytliology, vol. ii.
vol. ii.
2 "
^ See Suidas de Verbo
Yerbo Chemeia, Credo Mercurium
Cbemeia, "Credo Mereurium Trisme-
gistuin, sapientem ^gyptium,
gistum, sapientem Elgyptium, floruisse ante Pharaonem,"
Pharaonem," &c.
6 Exorsaie View.
Exoteric VIEV.
Great Hermes, having

having the spiritual inteUigence of all
spiritual intelligence all
things
things in
in their
their universal
universal law.'
law.^
It
It is
is to be lamented that
that nono one of the many
many books
attributed
attributed to him, and which are named in in detail
detail by
by
Clemens Alexandrinus, escaped the destroying
Alexandrinus, escaped destroying hand of of
Dioclesian;2
Dioclesian;^ more particularly
particularly if
if we
we judge
judge them, as
Jamblieus
Jamblicus assures us We we may,
may, byby those Asclepian
Asclepian Dia-
logues
logues and the Divine Poemander,
Pcemander, which yet pass
yet pass eur-
cur-
rent under the name of Hermes.^ Hermes? Both are preserved preserved
in the Latin
in Ficinus, and have been well translated
Latin of Ficinus,
into our language
into language by by Dr. Everard. The latter, though
latter, though
a small Work, surpasses most that are extant for
work, surpasses for subli-
subli-
and its verses flow forth
mity
mity of doctrine expression
expression : :its forth
eloquent,
eloquent, as it
it were, from the fountain of nature,
nature,
instinct with intelligence;
instinct intelligence ; such as mightmight be more
eihcacious
efficacious to move move the rational
rational sccptie
sceptic off013' from hishis
negative ground
negative ground into
into the happier regions of
happier regions intelligible
intelligible
reality,
reality, than manymany theological
theological discourses which, which, of a
grade
lower grade of comprehension,
comprehension, are unable to make
this highly
this highly affirmative yet intellectual stand.
yet intellectual But the
subjects
subjects treated of in
in the books of the Poemander
Pcemander and
Asclepias
Asclepias are
theosophic
theosophic and ultimate, and denote
rather ourour divine capabilities
capabilities and promise
promise of regenera-
regenera-
tion than the physical ground of either;
physical ground either ;this, with the
this,
practical method of alchemy

practical alchemy being
being further givengiven inin the
T7`(ICl(!fl6S Aureus,
Tractatus Aureus, or Golden Treatise,
Treatise, an admirable
rclic, consisting of seven
relic, consisting chapters, attributed to the
seven chapters,
same author.4
author.'* The Smaragdine
Smaragdine Table, which, in
Table, which, in its
its
enigmatical but remarkable lines,
few enigmatical lines, is
is said to com-
com-
1' ii. adversus

Tertullianus de Anima, cap.
See TertuUianus cap. ii. Valentinianus,
adversua Valentinianus,
cap
cap XV.
xv. Hermetem vocat Physicoruin
Physicorum Magistrum.
Magistrum.
2- Chimia est auri argenti confeetio,
et argenti cujus libros Diocle-
confectio, cujus
sianus perquisites
perquisitos exussit eo quod Egyptii
eo quod uovas contra Dio-
Egyptii res uovas
clesianum moliti fuerant,
fuerant, duriter atque hostiliter eos tractavit.
atque hostiliter Quo
tractavit. Quo
tempore ctiam
tempore chimia, auri et argenti
etiam libros de chimia, argenti a veteribus con-cou-
scriptos, conquisivit
scriptos, exussit, ne
eonquisivit et exussit, ne deiuceps Egyptiis divitize
deinceps Egyptiis divitiae ex-
fluentia contisi posterum Romania
coulisi in posterum E.omanis rebellarent. (Suidas
(Suidas in Verbo
Yerbo
Chemeia.)
Chemeia.)
3
^ See Jamblicus
Jauiblicus de Mysteriis, viii. cap.
Mysteriis, sect. viii. iv. &c.
cap. iv.
4
^ Trismegisti Tractatus Aureus dc
Hermetis Trismegisti de Lapidis
Lapidis physici
physici
secreto.
—
PRELIMINARY AccoUN'r.
7
prehend
prehend principle and total
working principle
the working subject of the
total subject
art, we here subjoin:
subjoin original Arabic and
from the original
:
copies, it
Greek copies, it has into Latin by
been rendered into by
Kirclier
Kircher as follows
follows :-
:
TABULA SMAEAGDINA
SMARAGDINA HERMETIS.
Verum sinesine mendacio certum et et verissimum ;; quodquad est

est super-ins
superius est
sicut quad est
sicut quod est inferius; et quad
inferius ; et quod est inferius est
est mferius sicut quad
est sicut quod estest supe-
supe- / ^
perpetranda miracula rei
rius, ad perpetranda
rius, rei unius:
unius : et sicut omn
et sicut omn\ res fuerunt /-^-^
ah uno, medialione
ab mediatione unius, sic sic otnnes
onines res notaa fuerunt ab hdc
notce fuerunt hdc und re re /
adaptatione.
adaptatione. ejus Sol est,
Pater ejus est, mater vera vera Luna; portavit id
Luna ; portavit
ventus
ventiis inin ventre suo, nutrix
nutria: ejus
ejus terra est pater omnis telesmi,
est ;; pater sive
telesmi, sive
consnznmatio
consummatio totius totius nzundi
mundi est hic.
est hie. Vis est si
integra est
ejus integra
Vis ejus versa
si versa I
fuerit
fuerit in in terram. Sepai'abis terrain ab ignl,
Separabis subtile a
igr^,^ subtile a spisso, .wavi-
spisso, suavi- /"^
ter cum mul to ingenio
cum multo asceridit a terrfi
ingenio ;; ascendit terra inin caelum, iterumque descen-
coelum, iternnzque descen-
dit in
dit recipifque vim superiorum
terram, recipitque
i7i terrain, superiorum et et inferioruni.
inferiorum. Sic habebis
gloriam totius
gloriam totius nzundi, ideb fugit a te
mundi, idebfugit te omnis obscuritas ; hie hic est totius
est totius
qui vincet omnem rem ren: subtilein omnemque salidam
subtilem oinnenzque solidam
fortituilinisfortis,
fortitudinis fortis, qui vincet ornnem
penetrabit.
penetrabit. Sicut mundus creatus est. est. Hinc erunt adaptationes
adaptationes
mirabiles quarum modus est
niirabiles quarum est hic.
hie. Itaque
Itaque vocatus sum sum Hermes Tris- Tris-
habens tres
nzegistus, habens
megistus, fhilosophice totius
partes philosophiae
ires pa:-tes miendi.
totius mundi. Completum
Completum
Solis.
dixiibperatione
quod dixi operatione Solis.
est quad
A ^/^
We shall
VVe this tablet
shall have occasion to revert to this tablet and
its hereafter, when we come
apphcability hereafter,
its applicability we come to a particular
particular
examination of the philosophic
philosophic subject
subject in
in its active
its
and passive relations,
passive relations, and the intimate mystery of
mystery
those Hermetic luminaries in
in conjunction. The in-
conjunction. in-
scription may
scription may be thus rendered.
THE SMAEAGDINE OF HEEMES.

TABLE OF
SMARAGDINE TABLE HERMES.
error, certain and most true; that which is

True, without error,
True, is above
is as that which is
is is below, and that which isis below is as that which is
is as is
above, performing the miracles of

_for _performing
above, for Thing ; and as all
of the One Thing; all
were from one,
things werefrom by the mediation of one,
one, by one, so allall things
things arose
things
from this one thing
thing by
by adaptation
adaptation the father
father of it is the Sun,
it is Sun, the
from this one ;
mother of it Moon ; the wind carried it

is the Dloon;
it is it in its its belly;
belly ; the
nurse thereof isis the earth. is the father
This is father of allall peifection,
perfection, or
thereof
of the whole world.
consummation ofthe power of it
The power is integral,
it is integral, ifU
it be turned into earth.
it Thou shall separate the earth
shalt separate from thefre,
earthfrom the Jire,
the subtle from gross, gently
from the gross, sagacity ; it
gently with much sagacity it ascends
from
from earth to heaven, again decends to earth :: and receives the
heaven, and again
strength of the superiors
strength inferiors— so thou hast the
superiors and of the inferiors-so
glory the whole world
world; therefore
therefore let all obscurity
let all obscurity fee
/tee before
before
glory of
of ;
thee. This is
thee. strong _fortitude
is the strong fortitude of all fortitudes,
of all fortitudes, overcoming
overcoming
8 Exorenle View.
Exoteric VIEW.
every subtle
every subtle and penetrating
penetrating every solid thing.
every solid thing. So the wag
the world was
created.
created. were all
Hence were wonder;/'ill adaptations
all wonderful adaptations of
Q/'which this is
which this is
the manner.
the manner. 17zer¢jòre called Thrice
Therefore am I called Thrice Great He1~1nes,
Hermes, having
having
the Three Parts of
the the philosophy
qf the the whole
philosophy of the xohole world.
world. That
which I have written
written is C07Z8lll)l))lUf6¥
concerning the
is consummate^ concerning the operation
operation of
the Sun.
the
This Emerald Table, unique and authentic as it

Table, unique may
it may
be regarded, all that remains to
is all
regarded, is to us from Egypt
Egypt of
A
her Sacred Art. A few riddles fables, all
riddles and fables, more or
all more
less imperfect,
less imperfect, that were preserved
preserved by
by the Greeks, and
Greeks,
inserutable hieroglyphics
some inscrutable hieroglyphies are still
still to be found
quoted
quoted in
in certain
certain of the alehemieal
alchemical records:
records but the :
originals
originals are entirely away. And
swept away.
entirely swept And-duly
duly con- —
sidering
sidering all
all that is
is related
related by
by the chronielers
chroniclers of that
dynasty,
ancient dynasty, her amazing
amazing reputation
reputation for
for power,
power,
wealth, wisdom, magic skill
wisdom, and magic skill ;-and,
and, even
;
—
even when all all
these had faded,
faded, when Herodotus visited
visited the city,
city, after
after
the priestly government of the Pharoes had been over-
priestly government
thrown by Cambyses, and that savage
by Cambyses, conqueror had
savage conqueror
burned the temples annihilated the sacer-
temples and almost annihilatcd saeer-
dotal order,
dotal — after the influx of strangers
order,--after strangers had been
permitted, and civil
permitted, raged almost to the ful-
civil war had raged ful-
filment of the Asclepian
Aselepian-prophecy,--the
prophecy, the —
wonders then
recorded byby the historian of her remaining
remaining splendour
splendour
and magniiieenee
magnificence ,-what ; — shall we
what shall we now conclude,
now conclude,
when, after the lapse
when, after lapse of so many
many more
more
destroying ages,
destroying ages,
we
We review the yet yet mightily surviving
mightily surviving witnesses of so
much glory, surpassing

glory, surpassing and gigantic
gigantic even
even in
in the last
last
stage decay? Shall we

stage of their decay? we suppose the ancient
suppose
accounts fallacious because they they are too wonderful to
be conceived ; or have we
; we not now now present
present before our our
eyes
eyes the plain
plain evidence of lost
lost science and the vestiges
vestiges
of an intelHgence
intelligence superior
superior to ourour own
own ?? For what did
the nations flock to Memphis
Memphis ?
? For what did Pytha-
Pytha-
goras, Thales,
goras, Democritus, and Plato become im-
Thales, Demoeritus,
mured there for several solitary years, but to be initi-
solitary years, initi-
ated in the wisdom and learning
learning of those Egyptians?
Egyptians ?
For what else,
else, but for knowledge of that mighty
for the knowledge mighty
Art with which she arose, governed, and dazzled the
arose, governed,
whole cotemporary
cotcmporary world ; holding
holding in
; in strong
strong abeyance
abeyance
:
PRELIMINARY Account.
Preliminary AccoUN'r. 9
9
the ignorant,
ignorant, profane vulgar, until
profane vulgar, until the evil evil day
day of
desolation came with self-abuse, when, neglecting
desolation neglecting to
obey the law by
obey by which she governed, governed, all all fell,
fell, as waswas
foretold, and sinking
foretold, sinking gradually
gradually deeper deeper in in crime and
presumption, was
presumption, was at last annihilated, and every
at last every sacred
institution violated
institution violated by barbarians, and despoiled?
by barbarians, despoiled ?
"
"Oh,
Oh, Egypt! Egypt! Fables alone shall
Egypt! Egypt! shall remain of
religion, and these such as will
thy religion,
thy will be incredible
incredible to
posterity,
posterity, and words alone shall be left
shall engraved in
left engraved in
stones narrating
narrating thy thy pious
pious deeds. The Scythian
Scythian also, also,
Indian, or some
or Indian, some other similar nation, shall
similar nation, inhabit
shall inhabit
Egypt. For divinity
Egypt. divinity shallshall return to heaven, heaven, all all itsits
inhabitants shall die, and thus Egypt
shall die, Egypt bereft
bereft both of
God and man man shallshall be deserted.
deserted. Why
Vhy do you weep,
you weep,
O
O Asclepias
Asclepias ?? Egypt shall experience
Egypt shall experience yet yet more ample ample
evils ;; she was
evils was once holy, and the greatest
once holy, greatest lover of the
gods
gods on earth, by
earth, by the desert of her religion. And she,
religion. she,
who was alone the reductor of sanctity sanctity and the mis-
tress of piety,
piety, willwill be an example of the greatest
an example greatest
cruelty. And darkness shall
cruelty. shall be preferred
preferred to light, light,
shall be judged
and death shall judged to be more useful than life. life.
No one shall
shall look up up to heaven. The religious
religious man
man
shall be counted insane

shall ; irreligious shall
insane; the i1'1'eligious shall be
thought wise;
thought wise ; the furious, brave;
furious, brave ; and the worst of
men shall be considered good.
men good. For the soul, soul, and all all
about it, by which it
it, is
things
things by it is either naturally
naturally im-
mortal, or conceives it
mortal, it shall attain
attain to immortality,
immortality, con-
formably to what lI have explained
formably explained to you, you, shall not
only
only be the subjects
subjects of laughter,
laughter, but shall
shall be con-
sidered as vanity.
vanity. Believe me,
me, likevise,
likewise, that a capital
capital
punishment
punishment shall be appointed
appointed for
for him who applies
applies
himself to the Religion
Religion of Intellect. New statutes and
new
new laws shall be established,
established, and nothing nothing religious,
religious,
or which is worthy of heaven or celestial
is worthy celestial concerns,
þÿCOT1C ¬l'11S,
shall be heard or believed in by by the mind. Every Every
divine voice shall,shall, byby a
a necessary
necessary silence,
silence, be dumb
dumb:
the fruits of the earth shall shall be corrupted
corrupted ; and the air
; air
itself shall languish
itself languish with a
a sorrowful stupor.
stupor. These
events, and such an
events, an old ageage of the world as this, this, shall
l0
10 Exorsnic VIEVV.
Exoteric View.
take place-such
place — such irreligion, iiiordination, and unsea-
irreligion, inordination, unsea-
sonableness of all all good."
good."'
Such is is the substance of a a prediction which, as it
prediction it
was supposed
was supposed to have reference
reference to the Christian era,
era,
has been abused and reputed reputed a forgery forgery by by the faithless
faithless
learned of modern times.
learned times. It
It is,is, however, diflicultdifficult to
conceive why why it it should have been considered so ob-
so
noxious, for
noxious, for the early history
early history of Christianity certainly
Christianity certainly
does not fulfil fulfil it it was a falling
it ; it
; falhng off off from Divinity
Divinity
that was predicted,
wâs predicted, and not such a revival
revival as took
place upon
place upon the teaching
teaching of Jesus Christ and his
his apos-
apos-
tles.
tles. At that period philosophy
period philosophy too Hourished, and
flourished,
Spirit of the Vord
the Spirit Word w'as potent in
was potent in faith
faith to heal heal and
save. If prediction
If the prediction had been a forgery of
forgery Apuleius,Apuleius,
or other cotemporary opponent
cotemporary opponent of Christianity, Christianity, the
early
early fathers
fathers must have known it,
it, which they did not as
they
is plain
is plain from Laetantius,
Lactantius, and St.
St. Augustin mentioning,
Augustin mentioning,
expressing any
without expressing any doubt about its authenticity
its authenticity , ;
though the latter

and though latter (then adopting probably
(then adopting probably the
popular notion)
popular notion) esteemed it
it instinctu
instinctu fallacis
fallacis spiritusf
spiritus,^
might subsequently perhaps

he might subsequently perhaps have thought other-
thought
wise,
wise, had he lived so long. Christianity was yet
long. Christianity yet in
in
his time glowing,
his glowing, bright,bright, and efficacious,
efficacious, from the
Divine Fountain , faith ; faith waswas then grounded grounded in reality
in reality
and living
living operation,
operation, and the mystery
mystery of human re-
generation,
generation, so zealously
zealously proclaimed,
proclaimed, was also rationally
rationally
understood. fulfilment, with respect
The fulfilment, respect to Egypt, Egypt,
appears
appears to have taken place
place in part long
part long previously,
previously,
and in part to have been reserved to later times,
in part when
times, w4ien
sacred mysteries,
mysteries, too openly exposed
openly exposed to the multitude,
multitude,
perverted and vilificd
became perverted vilified by by their abuse.
But thisthis prophecy
prophecy carries carries us out of all all order of
time; it
time : will be necessary,
it will necessary, in tracing
tracing the progress of
progress
science,
our science, to pass again
pass again to Egypt.
Egypt. The period of
period
her true greatness
greatness is,
is, as isis well known,
known, shrouded in
11
Dialogue of Hermes,
Asclepian Dialogue
From the Aselepian llermcs, by Ficmus, as ren-
by Ficinus,
dered byby T. Taylor.
Taylor.
2
2 Sec Prophecy, in Plotinus'
Taylor's notes to the Prophecy,
See Taylor's Works,
Plotinus' Select Vorks,
end, p.
at the end, p. 557, Sze.
557, &c.
Preliminary ACCOUNT.
PRELIMINARY Account. ll
11
oblivion ; but, during the succession of the Ptolemies,

but, during
;
the influx of strangers, so long

influx of strangers, long before
before successfully
successfally
prohibited,
prohibited, became excessive her internal
excessive: : peace was
internal peace
destroyed, but her Art and Visdom
destroyed, Wisdom spread spread abroad with
her renown:
renown : foreigners obtained initiation
foreigners initiation into
into the
Mysteries
Mysteries of Isis;
Isis ; and India, Arabia, China,
India, Arabia, China, and
vied with her and with each other
Persia vied otlier in magian
in inagian
skill
skill and prowess.
prowess.
Pliny informs us that it
Pliny Ostanes, the Persian
was Ostanes,
it was
sage accompanying
sage accompanying the army
army of Xerxes, who first
Xerxes, first
inoculated Greece with the portentous portentous spiritspirit of hishis
nation?
nation.^ Subsequently
Subsequently the Greek Philosophers,
Philosophers, both
young
young and old, despising the minor religion
old, despising their
religion of their
own
own country, became anxious to visit
country, visit the eastern tem-
ples,
ples, and that of Memphis
Memphis above all,
all, in
in order to obtain
a verification
verification of those hopes hopes to which a previousprevious spirit
spirit
inquiry and this
of inquiry this newnew excitement had abundantly abundantly
given rise.
given
Amongst the earliest
Amongst earliest mentioned of these, these, after Thales,
after Thales,
Pythagoras,
Pythagoras, and a few others,
others, whose writings are lost,
writings lost,
is Democritus of Abdera, who has been frequently
is frequently
styled the father of experimental
styled philosophy, and who,
experimental philosophy,
his book of Sacred Physics,
in his Physics, treats especially
especially of
the Hermetic art, art, and that occult discovery discovery on on which
systems of ancient philosophy
the systems appear to have been
philosophy appear
very
very uniformly based?^ Of this valuable piece
uniformly based. piece there
are said to be several extant editions, editions, and Synesius
Synesius has
added to it it the lightlight of commentary." Nicholas
a commentary.^
Flammel also,
also, of moremore recent notoriety,
notoriety, has given
given ex-
ex-
tracts from the same at the conclusion of a very very
instructive work.4
work."* That its authenticity should have
its authenticity
disputed by
been disputed by the ignorant
ignorant is is not wonderful;
wonderful but
;
the ancients are nowhere found to doubt about it. it.
Pliny bears witness to the experimental

Pliny experimental fame of De-
l^
De
Dc
Ostanc Magno, vide Plinium,
Ostane Magno, Plinium, Histor. Nat. lib.
lib. xxx. cap.
cap. i.
i.
2
2 Democriti Abderitae
Abderitw de Arte Sacra,
Sacra, sive de
dc rcbus
rebus naturali-
bus et mysticis libellus, ex vencrandaa
mysticis libellus, Grzccze vetustatis
veneraudae Grêcae vctustatis de Arte
Chimica reliquiis
reliquiis erutus.
'
3
^ Synesius in Democritum Abderitam de Arte Sacra.
4
Synesius
Flammelli Summario
"*
Sumniario Philosophico.
Philosophico.
;
12 Exorsmc VIEV.
Exoteric View.
mocritus, and his his skill in the occult

skill in sciences and prac-
occult sciences prac-
tice
tice of them, both in in hishis native city of
native city of Abdera and
' / afterwards at at Athens, when Socrates Socrates was was teaching
teaching
<^ there.
there. miracul$( et hoc pariter
Plenum miracula et pariter utrasque artes
utrasque artes
/ eflloruisse, medicinam dico,
effloruisse, dieo, magieiernque
magiciemque eadem aetate,
setate,
'
illam Hippocrate banc
illam Hippocrate hanc Democrito illustrantibus, &cJ &e.'
Seneca also his
also mentions his artificial artificial confection of pre-
pre-
cious stones ;2
cious ;^ and it it is said that he spent
is said spent all all his
his
his return home, in
after his
leisure, after these and such-like
in these
physico-chemical researches.3
physico-chemical researches.^
sojourn of Democritus at Memphis,
During the sojourn
During Memphis, he
is said
is said to have become associated in
in his
his studies with
studies
a Hebrew woman woman named Maria, remarkable at that
period for the advances she had made in
in philosophy,
philosophy,
period for
and particularly
particularly in department of the Hermetic art.
in the department art.
A
A treatise entitled
treatise entitled Sapientissima
Sapientissima Maria
lllaria dc
de Lnpir/e
Lapide
rllaria Prac-
extant; also j\Jaria
is extant
P/zilosop/zica þÿPI'6
Philosophica ¬SCl`f])fU
PrcEscripta is ;
singularly excellent and esteemed fragment,

lica, a singularly
tica, fragment,
which is is preserved
preserved in
in the alehemical
alchemical collections?
collections.^
But amongst
amongst the Greeks, Democritus, Anax-
Greeks, next Demoeritus,
agoras
agoras is is celebrated as an
an alchemist. The remains of
his writings
his writings are unfortunately scanty,
unfortunately scanty, and even those
even
to be found in manuscript only,

in manuscript only, with exception of
exception
some fragments
some fragments which have been accidentally trans-
accidentally
lated.
lated. From these, however,
these, however, we
we are led to infer infer
of the general
general character of his
his expositions,
expositions,
favourably
favourably
countryman, also,
which Norton, our countryinan, also, inin the Proheme
Ordi/za! of
quaint Ordinal
to his quaint lands, thus holding
Alchemy, lauds,
fy" Alchemy, holding
l lib. xxx. cap i.

Hist. Nat. lib.
' cap i.
2
Epistola,
^
Epistola, xei.
xci.
3
^ Petronius Arbiter
Petronins Arbitt'r in Satyrieo.
Satyrico.
4
^ Democriti Ahcleritrc physici philosophi
Abderitas physici przeclarum iiomeu
philosophi praeclarum nomen;
hie Medo, ab ejus
hic ab Ostane ll'edo, c-jus aevi
fevi Persarum Regibus
Eegibus sacroriini
E{lCl'O]'lll1l
przefectnrze causa in Egypto

praefecturse Egypto niisso, sacris litteris
misso, sacris litteris initiatur et
Memphis fano inter sacerdotes et philosophos,
imbuitnr, in Memphis
imbuitur, philosophos, qnze-
quae-
disciplinam genere
Hcbrma, omni diseiplinam
dam Hebraea, Pannnenes. De
excultu, et Paminenes.
genere excultu,
auro et argento lapidibus et purpura,
argento et lapidibus sennone per
pnrpnra,ser1none per ambages
{l11lb1l,I6S
quo dicendi generc
scripsit, quo
composite seripsit,
composite genere usa est etiam Maria. Ve-
rum hi
rum lii quidem Democritus et Maria qnod
quidem quod enigmatibus
eniglnatibus plurimis
plnrimis
artein occultassent huidati
et eruditus artem sunt: Pammeues
landati sunt : Pammenes qnod quod
abunde et aperte
aperte scripsisset
scripsisset vituperatus
vitnperatus est. (Syncellus,
(Syncellus, Chrono-
graphia, p.
graphia, 248).
p. 248).
; ; ; :
PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT.
Preliminary Account, 13
him upup in
in excellent
excellent comparison with the
comparison envious
writers of
writers of his
his age.
age.
^_
All masters ttat that write ofof this
this solemn werke,
wer-ke,
Have made their their bokes to manie men full derke,
fuU derke,
In poysies, parables, and in
poysies, parables, metaphors alsoe,
in metaphors
Which
Vhich to to schollors causeth peine
schollors eauseth peine and Woe; woe
For inin their practise when they
their practise would assaye
they woidd assaye
They leeiè
They leefe their as men
costs, as
their costs, men see allealle daye.
daye.
Hermes, Rasis,
Hermes, Easis, Geber, and Aviceu,Avicen,
Merlin, Hortolan, Democrit
Merlin, Democi'it and Morien,
Morien,
Bacon and Eaymond
Raymond with many many moe moe
Vrote under coverts and Aristotle
"Wrote alsoe.
Aristotle alsoe.
For what hereof they cleare with their
they wrote cleare pen,
their pen,
Their clouded clauses
clauses dulled ; fro
; fro manie men men
Fro laymen,
laymen, fro fro clerks,
clerks, and soe fro every man
fro every man
They hid this

They this art noe man
art that noe Find it
man find it can.
By their bokes
By their bolies thei
thei do shew reasons faire, faire,
Whereby
Vhereby much people brought to despaire:
people are brought despaire
Yet
Tet Anaxagoras
ANAXAGORAS wrote plainest plainest of them all all
In his
his boke of Conversions N aturall;
Naturall
Of' the old
Of Fatliers that ever I founde,
old Fathers founde,
He most discloses
discloses of this grounde
this science the grounde;
`
Whereof
Vhereof' Aristotle had great envy.
great envy,
And him rebuked unrightfully,
unrightfully,
In manie
inanie places,
places, as I can well report,
report,
Intending that men
Intending men should
shoidd not to him resort, resort,
For he was large of his
was large cunnyng and love,
his cunnyng love,
God have his his soul in bliss
bliss above ;;
And such as sowed envious seede

forgive them for
God forgive for their mis-deede,^
mis-deede.l
Aristotle isis much blamed by Adepts in general

by Adepts general for
manner in
the manner in which hebe has not only
only veiled the know-
ledge which he secretly
ledge possessed, but also for having
secretly possessed, having
wilfully,
wilfully, as they complain, led mankind astray
they complain, astray from
path of true experiment.
the path We
experiment. Ve hesitate to judge judge
question, since, however much the barrenness of
this question, since,
his philosophy may
his philosophy deplored, it
may be deplored, appears improbable
it appears improbable
that any
any philosopher,
philosopher, much less
less one
one who took so
much pains Aristotle,
pains as Aristotle, should designedly
designedly labour to
deceive mankind. His idea was was peculiar and appears in
peculiar appears in
itself just.
just. He blames hishis predecessors
predecessors for the various
and contradictory
contradictory positions they
positions they had made in
in philoso-
philoso-
1
1 See Norton's
Norton's Ordinal Ashmole's Theatrum Chemicnm
in Ashmole's Chemicum
Britannicum, p.
Britannicum, 8.
p. 8.
;
14 Exormuc Vmw.
Exoteric View.
phising;
phising ; i.
i. e.
t. apparently
apparently contradictory,
contradictory, as
respects
respects
language taken in
their language
their in a literal sense for
literal sense; for he never ;
quarrels
quarrels with their
their true meaning,
meaning, and carefully
carefully avoids
disputing
disputing their general
their general ground.
ground. His metaphysics in-
metaphysips in-
deed, which thc natural touchstone of his
are the his whole
system,
system, differ
diifer in
in no one fundamental respect
respect or par-
par-
ticular that is
ticular is essential
essential from those of Anaxagoras,
Anaxagoras,
Heraclitus.
Plato, and Heraclitus. Certain cpistles
epistles to Alexander
/> philosopher's stone, attributed
the Great on the philosopher's attributed to
0" in
,Aristotle,
Aristotle, preserved
are preserved in the fifth
fifth volume of the
,
fy
Q (we
J<^^
tw"
^
^fit^ l
T/16(lZ1`Zl1)l C/zemicum;
Wu Theatrum
'
T
Chemicinti ; and the 'See^^^&ttm-îSe^frfhmna V
`
Jô^ is generally
is acknowledged to be authentic. In the
generally acknowledged
we book of ll/leteors
Meteors also a clearer intelligence
also of intrinsic
intelligence of intrinsic
Jj<^'^
causes is is evinced than may may be apparent
apparent to the com-
com-
mon eye.'
mon eye.^
philosophy of Plato is
But the whole philosophy is hyperphysical
hyperphysical;
Pheedrus, Philebus, and seventh book of Laws,
the Phaedrus,
the beautiful and sublime Parmenides, the Phsedo,
subhme Parinenides, Ph?edo,
Banquet, and Timeas have long
Banquet, long been admired by by the
studious without being being understood;
understood a
mystic sem-
mystic sein-
;
pervades the whole, and recondite allusions

blance pervades
baffle pursuit of sense and ordinaryimagination.
baffle the pursuit ordinary imagination.
Yet the philosopher
philosopher speaks more familiarly
speaks more familiarly in his Epis-
in his Epis-
—
tles;-and
tles; and if
if tl1e
the correspondence
correspondence with Dionysius of
Dionysius
Syracuse had concerned moral philosophy
Syracuse only and the
philosophy only
abstract relations of mind, why
mind, why such dread as isis there
expressed about setting
expressed setting the truth to paper
paper? ? But the
science which drew the tyrant
tyrant to the philosopher
philosopher was
more probably
more practical and profitably
probably practical interesting than
profitably interesting "
abstracts would appear
appear to be to such a mind. " Indeed,
Indeed,
1^
lib. iii.
See lib. cap. 15.
iii. cap. Ubi, alia, dicit,
Ubi, inter alia, inetalla iieri
dicit, metalla fieri ex
aqueo halitu et sicca exhalatione,

aqueo qua; sunt argentum
exbalatione, quze argentum et sulphur.
sulphur.
Metalla autem omnia, omnia, ut ad rem redeam, hunt
rem redeam, una eademque
fiunt ex una eademqne
materia propiuqua, utpote ex
propinqua, utpote ex argento sulphure, quod
argento vivo et sulphure, quod
omnes
omnes asserunt. Difierent tamen forma id est puritate
Different puritate et coc-
seu digestioue.
tione sen vero accidentium,
Spoliatio Vero
digestione. Spoliatio formanim ip-
accidentium, vel formarum ip-
sarum corruptio et aliarum introductio,
sarum essentialiam corruptio introductio, possibilis
possibilis est,
est,
et in symbolum facilis
liabentibus symbolum
in habentibns facilis est transitus, cireularis est
transitus, ut circularis
elementorum, ita et metallorum cx
generatio elementorum,
generatio ex se inviceln.
invicem. Which
Vhich
transmutation, thus indicated by
principle of transmutation,
universal principle Aristotle,
by Aristotle,
Hermes, Albertus Magnus,
Hermes, Magnus, and the rest of the alchernists
alchemists assert.
See also Aristotelis de LapideLapide ad Alexandrum Magnum Magnum ; Theat. ;
Chem. vol.
Cliem. vol. V.
v.
PRELIMINARY Account. 15
O son of Dionysius
,0 Dionysius and Doris, this this your inquiry con-
your inquiry eon-
-@/cerning
^cerning tlie-eearse
the-courno of of all
all beautiful things is
beautiful things is endued with
a certain quality, or rather it

certain quality, it is
is a parturition respect-
parturition respect-
ing
ing this ingeneratcd in
this ingenerated soul, from which he who
in the soul,
is liberated will
is not liberated never in
will never in reality
reality acquire truth."'"^
acquire truth.
Wisdom must be sought
Visdom sought for for her own own sake, neither
sake, neither
for gold
for gold or silver
silver or any any intermediate benefit, lest lest
these all
all should be denied together together without the dis- dis-
covery of their
covery their source. There is is a treatise
treatise on the
philosopher's stone in
philosopher's fifth volume of the Thea-
in the fifth T/zea-
trum C/lemicum
truni attributed to Plato, but the au-
Chemicum attributed
thenticity is
thenticity is doubtful ; ; and since
since the principal
principal Greek
records of the art were afterwards destroyed
art were destroyed with the
remnant of Egyptian literature at Alexandria, we
Egyptian literature we are
not desirous to enrol either either ofof these names names without
more extant evidence to prove
more prove their
their claim to the title title
of Hermetic philosophers.
philosophers. They They are mentioned here
in their series,
in their series, because we hope to make it
we hope probable,
it probable,
as the nature of the subject comes
subject comes to be developed, developed,
that the most famous schools of theosophy theosophy have in in
all ages been based on a similar experimental
all ages experimental ground ground
and profound
profound science of truth in in their leaders.
It was about the year
It was year 284 of the Christian era
when,
when, as Suidas relates, relates, the facility
facility with which the
Egyptians
Egyptians were
were able to make silver, and in
gold and silver,
gold in
consequence
consequence to levy troops against
levy troops against Rome, excited the
envy and displeasure
envy displeasure of the emperor emperor to such an an
extent, that he issued an edict,
extent, edict, by by which everyevery che-
mical book was to be seized and burned together together in in
the public
public market-place; vainly hoping,
market-place ; vainly hoping, as the his-
his-
torian adds,
adds, by this shameful act,
by this deprive them of
act, to deprive
the means
means of annoying annoying him any
any more. Thus
Suidas also endeavours to account for the silence silence of
antiquity with respect
antiquity respect to the Egyptian Egyptian Art." Art.^ Yet,
Yet,
notwithstanding
notwithstanding all
all this sacrilege,
sacrilege, the art appears
appears to
have been continually
continually revived in
in Egypt
Egypt throughout
throughout
the Whole period of her decline
whole period decline; and,
; though the re-
and, though
*1
Epistle
Epistle II.
II. Plato's
Plato's Works, Taylor, vol.
by Taylor,
Vorks, by vol. v.
2
2 Suiclas
Suidas in Yerbo
Verbo Chemeia. See the foregoing
foregoing note,
note, p. 6.
p. 6.
16 Exornnic
Exoteric Vinw.
View.
scanty, we have the

cords are scanty, thc memorable story story of
Cleopatra,
Cleopatra, the
the last
last monarch, dissolving
dissolving her earring in
earring in
such a sharp vinegar
a sharp vinegar as is
is only
only known to
to philosophers
philosophers
on
ground of natu1'e.
on the ground nature. Mystical tales too there
Mystical tales there
related of
are related of her pursuits
pursuits with Mark Antony, Antony, and
ce1'tain chemical treatises
certain treatises attributed
attributed to this this princess
princess
yet
are yet extantf
extant.^
It
It will unnecessary to delay
will be unnecessary enquiry long
delay our enquiry long atat
Rome ; a city
;
pre-eminently
city so pre-eminently iamous
famous for
for luxury
luxury and
arms waswas not likely arrive at much perfection
likely to arrive perfection in in
the subtler sciences
sciences of nature. Some failing
failing attempts
attempts
Caligula there are recounted by
of Caligula Pliny ;';^ and Virgil,
by Pliny Virgil,
Ovid, Vitruvius, and other men
Ovid, Horace, Vitruvius, men noted of the
Augustan
Augustan Age, Age, have been gravely gravely accused of sorcery sorcery
dabbling in
and dabbling in the black art. art. But the perpetual
perpetual
lamps best prove,
lamps prove, and without offence, that the Ro-
mans
mans understood something of chemistry and thc
something chemistry the oc-
cult laws of light
light; ; several of these are described by
by
Pancirollus; and St.Augustin
Pancirollus; St.Augustin mentions one consecrated
to Venus in in his inextinguishable. But
day, that was inextinguishable.
his day,
the most remarkable were were those found in Tullia's
in Tullia's
(Cicero's daughter's) tomb ;-and
(Cicero's daughter's) ; —
and that one
one near Alestes
in
in the year 500, by
year 11500, by a rustic
rustic who,
who, digging deeper than
digging deeper
usual, discovered an
usual, an earthen vessel or urn urn containing
containing
urn, in
another urn, in which last lamp placed
was a lamp
last was placed between
two cylindrical vessels, one of gold
cylindrical vessels, gold the other of silver,
silver,
and each of which was was full
full of a veryvery pure liquor, by
pure liquor, by
whose virtue it it is probable these lamps
is probable lamps had continued
to shine for upwards of fifteen
for upwards fifteen hundred years years; and,
; and,
for the recklessness of
but for of' barbarian curiosity,
curiosity, might
might
have continued their wonderful illumination to this this
time. By
By the inscription
inscription found upon upon these vessels,
vessels,
it
it appears
appears they were the work of one Maximus Olybius,
they were Olybius,
who certainly
certainly evinced thereby
thereby some some superior skill in
superior skill in
1
' Cleopatra Eegina
Cleopatra Egypti Ars auri faciendi,
Regina. Egypti faciendi, &c., aud others
&c., and
Catalogue of the Royal
mentioned in the Catalogue Library at Paris,
Eoyal Library Paris, 1742.
Dufresnoy, Hist. Herm. vol.
See Dufresuoy,
2
vol. iii.
iii.
2 Invitavcrat spes Caium Caligulam
Invitaverat spes Principem avidissiinuin
Caligulnm Principem avidissimum
auri; quam
auri ; quam ob rem coqui magnum
jussit ex coqui
rem jussit ex pigmenti pondus
magnum auri pigmenti poudus;;
et plane fecit aurum

plane fecit excellens, sed ita
aurum excellens, parvi ponderis
ita parvi ut detri-
ponderis nt
mentum sentiret, (Hist. Nat. lib.
sentiret, &c. (Hist. lib. xxxiii. iv.)
cap. iv.)
xxxiii. cap.
! : — ! —
PnEL1M1NAn' AccoUN'r.
17
adjusting
arljusting the gaseous elements, or other ethereal
gaseous elements, ethereal
adaptations
adaptations than is
is known at
at this
this day.
day. The verses
graven
graven on the larger
larger urn are as follows
follows 1- : _
Platoni sacrum
Platoui sacrurn attingite fures:
munus ne attingite fares :
urna latet.
Ignotum est
Ignotum vobis hac
est vobis quod in
hae quod in urna latet.
Namque elementa gravi
Namque gravi clausit digesta labore
clausit digesta labore
Maxim us Olybius.
Vase sub hoc modico Maximus Olybius.
Adsit fecuudo
fecundo custos sibi copia cornu,
sibi copia
Ne pretium tanti depereat
pretium tanti latieis.
depereat latieis.
Vhich
Which have been translated thus ;:
Plunderers, forhear
Plunderers, forbear this gift
this gift to touch
'Tis
'Tis awful Pluto's own ;
Pluto's own ;
A
A secret rare the world conceals
conceak
To such as you you unknown.
Olybius, in
Olybius, in this
this slender vase,
The elements has chained,
chained,
Digested with laborious art.
Digested art,
From secret science gained.
gained.
With
Vith guardian care, two copious
guardian care, copious urns
The costly
costly _juice confine,
juice confine.
through the ruins of decay,
Lest through decay,
lamp should cease to shine.
The lamp
On the lesser urn were these;

lesser urn these
Abite hine pessimi fures!
hinc pessimi fures
Vos quid
Yos voltis vestris cum
quid voltis oculis emissititiis
cum oculis emissititiisi' ?
Abite hinc vestro cum
cum Mercurio petasato
petasato cadueeatoque!
caduceatoque
Maximus maximo donum Plutoni hoc sacrum faeit.
saeruni facit.
Plunderers, with prying

Pluuderers, prying eyes, away
eyes, away! !
What mean
Vhat mean you by this curious stay?
you by stay ?
Hence with your cunning patron
your cunning patron god,
god.
With bonnet winged
Vith winged and magic
magic rod ! !
Sacred alone to Pluto's name

Pluto's name
mighty art of endless fame
This mighty fhme ll^ !
Hermolaus Barbarus,
Barbarus, in hishis corollary
corollary to Dioseorus,
Dioscorus,
or some other, where he is
some other, is treating of the element of
treating
water i11 general, alludes to a particular
in general, particular kind that isis
distinct from every

every other water
wâter or liquor, saying,-
liquor, saying,
There isis a coelestial,
ccelestial, or rather a divine water of the
chemists, with which both Demoeritus

chemists, Democritus and Trisme-
gistus
gistus were acquainted, calling it
acquainted, calling it divine water, Scy-
di\dne water, Scy-
1
See Theat. Chem. vol. vol. i. p. 24;
24; Ex Petri Apiani
Apiani Antq.
' i. p. Antq.
desumpta
desumpta; also,
; Taylor's notes to his Pausanias,
also, Taylor's vol. iii.
Pausanias, vol. iii.
C
e
! ! —
l8
18 Exorizmc View.
Exoteric TIEV.
thian latex, &c., which is

latex, &e., spirit of the
a spirit
is a the nature of of
the ether and quintessenee things, whence potable
quintessence of things, potable
gold, and the stone of
gold, of philosophers,
philosophers, takes its its begin-
begin-
ning. The ancient author of
ning. of the Apocalypse
Apocalypse fy" of the
the
Sec/'ct
Secret Spirit fy" l7ature,
Spirit of is also cited
Nature, is also cited by by H. Kuhnrath,
concerning this
concerning water; and he dcvoutly
this water ; aflirms, that
devoutly affirms,
the ether
ether inin this
this praeter-perfect aqueous body
printer-perfect aqueous will
body will
burn perpetually,
perpetually, without diminution or consumption
consumption
w
/
of itself, if the external air
itself, if
also, besides
are also,
dern accounts of lamps lamps found

restrained.1 There
only be restrained.^
air only
besides those mentioned by P^^ncirollus, mo-
by Pyfncirollus,
burning
burning in in monuments
and antique
antique caves
eaves of Greece and Germany. But the
Germany.
Bononian Enigma, long famous, without a solution,
Enigma, long solution,
should not be omitted here, since this
here, since relic has puz-
this relic puz-
zled many
many learned antiquaries;
antiquaries adepts claim
and the adepts ;
it as
it having exclusive reference to the occult material
having
their art.
of their art.
^LIA
JELIA LtELIA CRISPTS.
LFELIA CEISPIS.
Nee vir,
Nec vir, nee mulier, nee
nee mulier, androgyna,
nee androgyna,
Nee
Nec puella, juvcnis, nee anus,
puella, nee juvenis,
Nee
Nec casta, nee merctrix,
casta, nec meretrix, nec pudica,
nee pudica,
Sed omnia
omnia!
neque fame,
Sublata neque fame, neque ferro, ueque
neque ferro, neqne
Veneno, sed omnibus _!
Yeneno, !
Nee
Nec coelo,
coelo, nee terris,
terris, nee aquis,
nec aquis,
Sed ubique jaeet I

ubique jacet
LUCIUS AGATHO
AGATHO PRISCUS.
Nee
Nec maritus,
maritus, nee amator, nec
nec amator, neeessarius,
nee neeessarius,
Neque lnmrens,
Xcqnc moerens, neque gaudens, neque
ueque gaudcns, neque Hens,
flens,
Hane
];lanc
Neque
Ncque molem, neque pjramidem,
molem, neque pyramidcm, neque
neque sepulcrum,
sepulcrura,
omuia.
Sed omnia.
Seit et ueseit
Seit cui posuerit,
neseit eui posuerit,
Hoc est sepulcrum eerte, cadaver
sepnlcrum certe,
Non habeus,
habens, sed cadaver idem,
idem,
2
Est et sepulcrum
scpulerum ! ^ !
The following
following excellent translations appeared
appeared
amongst
amongst some
some original contributions in
original in the early
early
number of aa literary periodical, a few years
literary periodical, years since ::
3-
^
'^
Amphitbeatrum Snpientiaa
Amphitheatrum Eternae,
Sapientise Eternae, circa medium.
2
2 Tbeat. vol.
Theat. Chem. vol. '. p.
v. p. 744. Kireheri (Edipus
Kircheri (lidipus -^gyptiacus,
Hlgyptiacus,
'Ol. i.
vol. i.
7*
•''
The ("ritie, new series,
Critic, new series, No. 13, 1815, p.
13, 1845, p. 352.
—
Pm~:L1M1NAR' ACCOUNT.
Preliminary Account. lf)
19
JiLIA L.ELIA
JELIA L:ELIA CRISPIS.
CEISPIS.
Nor male, female, nor
male, nor female, nor herniaphrodite,
hermaphrodite,
Nor virgin,
virgin, woman, young or
woman, young or old,
old.
chaste. nor harlot,
Nor chaste, harlot, modest hight,
hight,
But all of them you're
all of you'rc told-
told
N ot killed
Not killed by poison, famine, sword,
by poison, sword.
But each oneone had its
its share,
share.
Not in
in heaven,
heaven, earth, water broad
or Water
earth, or
It lies,
It lies, but everywhere
everywhere l !
AGATHO
LUCIUS AGATHO PRISCUS.
T
No
lo lover, kinsman,
husband, lover, friend,
kinsman, friend.
Rejoieing, sorrowing at
Rejoicing, sorrowing life's end,
at life's end,
Knows or knows not, for whom
not, for Whom is placed
is placed
—
This-What?
This ^what ? This pyramid,
pyramid, so raised and graced,
graced,
grave, this
This grave, sepulclire ?P 'Tis
this sepulchre 'Tis neither,
'Tis —
neither-but
'Tis neither but 'tis all and each together.
'tis all together.
Vithont a
Without body I
a body I aver.
aver,
This is in truth a sepulchre
is in sepulchre;
;
notvvithstanding, II proclaim
But notwithstanding, proclaim
corpse and sepulchre
Both corpse sepulclire the same
same!
!
All these contradictory

contradictory claims are said by
by the alche-
relate to the properties
mists to relate properties of their
their universal
subject, we shall
subject, as We shall hereafter endeavour to explain.
explain. /
Michael Ma/er
l/layer detailed the whole allusion in
has detailed his
in his
Symbola}
Szymbo/a.' And N. Barnaud,
Barnaud, in
in the T/zeatrzzm
Theatrum Clze-
Che-
miciim, has a commentary
miczzm, commentary on the same? same.'^
But to proceed þÿtl'8,IlSf. ¬1'1'l1]g' our
proceed ; transferring
; regards from
our regards
Rome to Alexandria,
Alexandria, we we find many Christian Pla-
many
tonists and divines studying
studying and discussing discussing the Occult
in their writings.
Art in writings. St.
St. John, the Evangelist
John, Apos-
Evangelist Apos-
tle,
tle, is
is cited as having
having practised
practised it
it for the good
good of the
poor
poor ; ; not only
only in healing
healing the sick,
sick, but also confecting
confecting
gold, silver, and precious
gold, silver, precious stones for for their benefit. St.
St.
Victor relates particulars in a comxnentary,
relates the particulars commentary, and
the Greek Catholics were were accustomed to sing sing the fol-
fol-
lowing
lowing verses in a a hymn appointed
hymn appointed for the mass
mass on
on St.
St.
John
John'ss day.
day.
Cum genunaruni
Cum gemmarum partes partes fractas
Solidasset, has disti'actas
Solidasset, distractas
Tribnit panperibns.
Tribuit pauperibus.
11
Symbola Auriae Mensze,
Symbola Mensse, p. 170, etc.
p. 170,
2
2 Enigmaticum quoddam
Commentariolum in Euigmatieum quoddam Epitaphium
Epitaphium Bo-
nonize studiornm, ante multa seciila
noniae studiorum, secula marmnreo
marmoreo lapidi insculptum.
lapidi insculptum.
Theat. Chem. vol.
vol. v.
C2
20 EXOTERIC VIEW.
Exoteric View.
Inexlmustum fert
Inexbaustxim thesaurum
fert tbesanruni
Qui virgis feeit
Qui de 'lI'glS aurum
fecit aurum
Gemmas de lapidibus.'
lapidibu3.^
Looking
Looking to the general
to general testimony
testimony of of the Fathers,
we
we observe that
that the early
early Church Catholic did
did not
neglect
neglect to avail herself
avail herself of of the powers
powers which sanctity of
sanctity of'
life
life and a
well-grounded
well-grounded faith
faith had gotten
gotten her.
her. There
no doubt either
is no
is that the Apostles,
either that Apostles, when they they in-in-
stituted
stituted and left
left behind them certain
certain ordinances and
elementary types,
elementary types, as of water,water, oil, salt, and light,
oil, salt, light, sig-
sig-
nified
nified some
some real
real and notable eflicaeies.
efficacies. But our
our Re-
formers, mistaking
formers, mistaking these things things for for superstitions,
supe1'stitions, and
since they
since they had ceased to have meaning, turned
any meaning,
any
them allall out of doors doors; retaining
; retaining indeed little more of
little
the mystery
mystery of regeneration
regeneration than a traditional
traditional faith.
faith.
The Papists,
Papists, on on the other hand, hand, equally
equally oblivious,
obli\dous,
evinced only only to what a length length human credulity credulity and
ignorance may
ignorance may be carried, by placing
carried, by placing inherent holiness
in those material signs,
in signs, apart
apart from the spirit
spirit and only
only
thing signified; adding,
thing signified ; adding, moreover, to the original
original ordi-
ordi-
nations many many follies their own,
follies of their own, theythey fellfell into a very
very
slavish and stupid
slavish stupid kind of idolatry.
idolatry. And since one of
sources. of dissension that have arisen
fertile sourcesfof
the most fertile
in the Christian Church has been about these very
in very
shadows and types doctrine, it
types of doctrine, it is
is to be hoped if
that, if
hoped that,
they
again they
ever again should
sliould come
come to be generally
generally reintro-
duced, it
duced, it will not be on ground of ecclesiastical
on the ground ecclesiastical
persuasion,
persuasion, or any mere written authority,
any authority, which, how-
which,
ever high
high and well supported,
supported, has never yet been
yet
sufiicient to produce
found sufficient produce unanimity
unanimity; ;
but from a true
a
understanding
understanding and co-operation
co-operation of that original
original virtue,
virtue,
apart from which they

apart they do but mimic an efficacy, and
an eiiicaey,
gather
gather unwholesome fruits.
fruits. There is
is a curious story of
story
an early
early Christian mission to China,
China, related by
by Thomas
1
See Alexander Beauvais in Specido Nalurali)/.
in Speeulo Joliunnes
Naturalill. Hie Johannes
^ ^
Evangelista
Evaiigelista numeratur etiam :lb
ab Avicennu,
Avicenna, dietione
dictionc prima
prima libri
libri de
anima, possessores lnpidis
anima, inter possessores pbilosopbici, sunsqueinstitutioncs,
lapidis philosophiei, suasqncinstitutiones,
qui Avieenna artem haue
qui se Avicenna quod verisiinile
docuorint quod
banc doeueriut verigimile est, nam et
est, nam ct
prisca, auctore Adamo a
eeclesia prisea,
ecclesia a Sancto Vietore, Johauni
Victore, die D. Jobauni
deeinit in bymno incipiente "
"
EvangeUsta> sacro
Evangelistw mente decinit
sacro uiente hymno ineipiente: :Gratu-
iestivum," &e.
lexnur ad lcstirum,"
lemur &c. Yide Lucerna
Vide Lueernn Salis, (55, tie.
p. 65,
Salis, p. &c.
^
Vaughan, in
Vaughaii, his Jlfagifz
in his showing how the
Aflamicn, showing
JMag'ia Adamica,
faith
faith became originally
originally established
established there and elseelse-
where by by its
its open
open efficacy,
efficacy, and the power
power of Works,
works,
in healing
in purifying the lives
healing and purifying lives of men.
But we
we are atat Alexandria, and duringduring that
that grand
grand re-
vival of
vival of philosophy
philosophy which took place place and continued
there some
seine centuries subsequent
centuries subsequent to the Christian
epoch.
epoch. Plotinus,
Plotinus, Philo-Judaeus, Proclus, Porphyry,
Philo-Judeeus, Proclus, Porphyry, / /
Julidn, and Apuleius,
Jamblicus, Juli/n, Apuleius, each professing
professing a kbp/
/<^ '.
knowledge of the Theurgic

genuine knowledge
genuine Theurgic art,art, and experi-
experi-
physies
mental physics on
on the Hermetic ground.
ground. We
Ve shall
shall
have frequent
frequent occasion to quote their evidence here-
quote their
after; Heliodorus, Olympiodorus,
after ; Synesius, Athena-
Olympiodorus, Synesius,
Zozimus, and Archelaus,
goras, Zozimus,
goras, Archelaus, have each left left trea-
tises which
tises whieh are extant on the philosopher's
philosopher's stone?
stone.
The excellent
excellent Hypatia,
Hypatia, also,also, should be mentioned
amongst these, so celebrated for
amongst these, aequirements and
for her acquirements
untimely end
untimely end; it was from this
it was
; lady that Synesius
this lady Synesius
learned the occult truths of that philosophy, philosophy, to
which he ever afterwards devoted his his mind, and which
he never abandoned, pursuing it
abandoned, pursuing it still
still more zealously
Zealously
when, Christianity, he became a bishop
when, converted to Christianity, bishop
of the Alexandrian Church. He was careful,
careful, how-
protect the mysteries
ever, to protect
ever, mysteries of his religion
religion from
abuse, and refused to expound
vulgar abuse,
vulgar expound in public public
the philosophy
philosophy of Plato ; he and his
; his brethren having
having
unanimously bound themselves by
unanimously by oath to initiate
initiate
none but such as had been worthily prepared and duly
none worthily prepared duly
approved
approved by by the whole conclavefl
conclave.^ Of Syncsius,
Synesius, we we
remaining the Alchemical commentary

have remaining commentary on on De-
moeritus before mentioned,
mocritus mentioned, with an admirable piece piece
commonly
commo11ly found appended to other treatises,
appended treatises, those of / j
A
éfstefius
rtcfiuc and Flammel's
Flammel's Hieroglyphics,
llierog/gp/zics, for example,
example, Oy^lLoX^.
ea.
:
bl <
.
sf
/
1^
Phil. Christ.
Heliodorus Phil. Clirist. de Arte Saera Chirnieor. ad Theod.
Sacra Chimicor.
Imp.
Imp. Idem, versus Grrec.
Idem, Grêc. circa Chimiam.
Cliimiam. Olympiodori
Olympiodori Phil.
Phil.
Ales, de Divina et Sacra Arte Lapidis
Alex. Lapidis Philosophiei
Philosophici Tractatus.
Athenagoras de Perfect. Amoris. Zozimus
Athenagoras Zoziinus de Yirtute
Virtute et Com-
positionc
positione Aqnaruin. Idem, de Aqua
Aquarum. Idem, Divina. Idem,
Aqua Diviua. Idem, de Auri Con-
ficieiidi. Archelai, Carmen Iambicuin
iicieixdi. Arehelai, lambicum de Sacra Arte. See Du-
fresnoy, Histoire de I'Art
fresnoy,
2
l'Art Hermetique, vol. iii.
Ilermetique, vol. iii. Cat. Gr. IVISS.
MSS.
^
Synesius, Epistola
Synesius, Epistola 36,
36, 142.
22 Exoranle View.
Exoteric
translated into
and translated into English,
English, Basil Valentine's
with Basil Valentine's
C/zariot of
Chariot Antimotiy, and the
ofA11ti1nony, useful commentaries of
useful
the adept
adept Kirchringiusl
Kirchringius.^
Heliodorus
HeUodorus was was a familiar friend
a familiar of Synesius,
friend of Synesius, and
brother adept besides
adept;; besides the writings already named,
writings already
the mystical romance J'heage/ies C/mriclea
mystical romance of þÿY7l£'(Ig ¬)I6.S` and Charicka
of
being attributed
being attributed to him as an offence,
an offence, rather than
disavow it, it, as was required,
was required, he relinquished his
relinquished his
bishopric
bishopric of Tricca, in
Tricca, in Thessaly,
Thessaly, and went to pursue
pursue
his studies in
his studies poverty and retirement.
in poverty
Zozimus was was an
an Egyptian, reputed a great
Egyptian, and reputed great
practitioner.
practitioner. The name
name of Athenagoras
Athenagoras is is familiar
familiar
history; his
in Church history;
in tract, which has been trans-
his tract,
lated
lated into French,
French, and entitled
entitled Da Pa/jQ1it
Du Parfait Amour,
shows him to have been practicallypractically conversant with
the art he allegorizes.
allegorizes.
taking of Alexandria by
The taking by the Arabs, in in the year
year
640, dispersed
dispersed the choice remnant of mind yct
yet cen-
een-
there and it
tred there; ; was not long
it was long afterwards that the
Calif Omar, mad in his Mahomedan zeal,
in his zeal, condemned
her noble and unique library to heat the public
unique library public baths
city,
of the city, which it
it is
is said to have done for
for the space
space
six miserable months.
of six A
A wild religious
religious fanaticism
now prevailed; Christians and Mahomedans struggling
now prevailed ; struggling
for temporal
for supremacy
temporal supremacy :-and
:
—
and here we may observe
we may
something similar to a fulfilment of the Asclepian
something Asclepian
prophecy,
prophecy, but the evil
evil was more
more
profusely spread even
profusely spread
than was predicted
predicted ; for;for religion everywhere fallen
religion had everywhere fallen
off from her vital
off vital foundation
foundation; ;tradition and sectarian
delirium had taken place intellectual enthusiasm,
place of intellectual enthusiasm,
idle dreams were sct
and idle set upup as oraeles
oracles in the place
place
of Divine inspiration.
Divdne inspiration. The priests,
priests, above all
all blame-
having forsaken the law of conscience,
worthy, having
worthy, conscience, at-
tempted wield without it the rod of magic
it magic power.
tempted to power.
Confusion and licentiousness followed ; and from gra- ; gra-
dual sutferance grew, and came
sufferance grew, prevail,
came to prevail, in the
worst imaginable
imaginable forms. Necessity,
Necessity, at length,
length, com-
com-
1
1
Troics, Traitez
Troics, de la,
la Philosophie,
Philosophie, &c.,
&e., Paris,
Paris, 1612. The
of Antimony, from Kirchringius's
Triumphal Chariot 0fA_11i7i_1110].1}',
Triumphal ed., and The
Kirchringius's ed.,
True Book of Syuesius,
Synesius, on Philosopher's Stone.
on the Philosopher's
-
: :
pelled an abandonment of
pelled an of the Mysteries;
the Mysteries ; Theurgic
Theurgic
rites, no
rites, longer holy,
longer proscribed ; and
holy, were proscribed a11d a punish-
; punish-
ment, no less than death,
no less death, was menaced against against him who
"
dared to pursuepursue the " Religion Intellect."
Religion of Intellect." In the
interim, those few who had withstood the torrent of
interim,
temptation, indignant
ambitious temptation, indignant at at the multiform
folly, and observing
folly, observing by by aid
aid of their remaining Wisdom,
their remaining wisdom,
that ingression of evil
that the ingression evil was not yet yet fullilled,
fulfilled, has-
rather than delayed
tened rather delayed the crisis
crisis ; and by
; by burying
burying
themselves with their their saving science in
saving science in profound
profound ob-
scurity, have left
scurity, left the world to oblivion,
oblivion, and the deceit deceit
of outer darkness, individual exceptions,
darkness, with rare indivîdual exceptions, to
this
this day.
day.
It is
lt peculiarity of the Hermetic science
is a peculiarity science that men men
religion, time and country

every religion,
of every country and occupation,
occupation,
have been found professing professing it; it ; and Arabia, though though
she was guilty of so great
was guilty sacrilege at
great a sacrilege at Alexandria,
produced many
has herself produced many wise kings kings and renowned
philosophers.
philosophers. It is
It is not known exactly exactly when Prince
Geber lived;
lived ; but since his name has become noto-
his name
rious,
rious, and is cited by
is cited authors, whereas he
by the oldest authors,
himself quotes
quotes none,
none, he merits,
merits, at all events, an
all events, early
an early
consideration. Besides,
Besides, he is
is generally
generally esteemed by
by
adepts as the greatest,
adepts after Hermes, of all
greatest, after all who have
philosophized
philosophized throughthrough this art.
this art.
Of the five treatises, said to have been
Hve hundred treatises,
composed
composed by him, by him, three only remain to posterity
only posterity:
T/16 Iiwestigatioii
The Lzvestigntiolz Qf of Pelfuction, The
Perfection, T/ze Sum SIUIZ if of Z/ze
the
pclfect rllagiste/"y,
perfect Jilagisteri/, and his þÿ72"-5`f(l7?I ¬}lf,'1
Testament ;^ and the
light estimation in which these are held by
light more
by more
modern chemists,
chemists, forms a striking
striking contrast to the un-
un-
feignecl
feigned reverence
reverence and admiration with which they
they
l
' Gebri Arahum Magisterii in sua Natura.
Arabum Summa Perfectionis Magisterii
Idem, de Investigatione
Idem, Perfectionis Metallorum.
Investigatioue Perfeetionis Metalloruni. Idem, Testa-
Idem, Testa
mentum. These wei'e
were together at Dantzie
printed together
printed Dantzic from the
Vatican MSS., aiid have been translated into English,
llSS., and English, and en-
titled " Works of Geber,
The Vorks
"The comprising the Sum and Search of
Geber, comprising
Perfection ; Of the Investigation
; Verity ; and Of Furnaces ; with
Investigation of Verity ; ;
a Recapitnlation of the Author's

Recapitulation Experiments, by
Author's Experiments, Russel:
by R. Eussel
London, 1678." There are other translations,
London, l678." all faulty
translations, but all faulty in
one or
or other respect.
respect.
;
24 l£X()'lÈRlC
Exoteric View.
formerly reviewed and cited

were formerly cited by by the adepts,
adepts, Al-
bertus Magnus,
Magnus, Lully, Lully, and many many more more of the brightest
brightest
luminaries of their age.
of their age.
"
" lf
If we look back to the seventh century century (we quote quote
from the the address delivereddelivered at at the openingopening meeting
meeting of
the Faraday Society, l846),
Faraday Society, 1846), the alchemist is is presented
presented
brooding over his
brooding his crucibles
erueibles and alembies alembics that are to
place within his
place his reach the phi1osopher's
philosopher's stone, stone, the
transmutation of metals, metals, the alkahest,
alkahest, and the the elixir
elixir of
life.
life. VVith these we
With associate the name
we associate name of Geber, the
first authentic writer
first writer on on the subject ; from whose pe-
subject ;
pe-
culiar
culiar and mysterious style
mysterious style of writing, writing, we derive
we
.'' "
the word geber gebcr or gibberis/z."
gibberish
notwithstanding this
Yet, notwithstanding this and much more more that they
they
descant upon, upon, if if our modern illuminati
illuminati were but half
as experienced
experienced in in nature as they they might —
might be-had
be had they they
one ray
one ray even
even of the antique intellect
antique intellect they they deride, how
different a scene would not that remote age
different present to
age present
them ?? Instead of imagining
imagining greedy greedy dotards brooding
brooding
thei1' eruciblcs
over their crucibles and uncouth alembics, alembics, in in vain
hope
hope of discovering
discovering the elixir
elixir and stone of philoso-
philoso-
phers,
phers, they they would observe the philosophers philosophers them-
selves,
selves, by by a kindred light light made visible, visible, on their own
on their own
ground: experimenting indeed,

ground : experimenting indeed, but how and with
what? Not with our gross gross elements,
elements, our mercuries,
our mercuries,
sulphurs,
sulphurs, and our
our lifeless
lifeless salts
salts ; ; but in in a far
far difierent
different
nature, with stranger
nature, stranger arts,arts, and with laboratories too, too, how
diflcrent from those now
different now in :
—
in use :-- of common fittings,
common fittings,
inferior either;
yet not inferior
yet either ; but most complete, complete, with ves-
sels, fuel,
sels, furnaces, and every
fuel, furnaces, every material requisite, 1'cquisite, well
adapted together
adapted together and compact
compact in
in one. Right
Right skilfully
skilfully
has old Geber veiled a fair discovery,
a fair discovery, by by his own own art
alone to be unmasked unmasked: his gibbeinsh
:
gibbcris/1 is is not of the
commonplace,
present day's commonplace, tame,
present day's tame, and tolerable;
tolerable
but such ultra foolishness in literality literality are his receipts,
receipts,
as folly
folly isis never found to venture or common common sense
invent. For they

they are a part \'isdom's envelope,
part of wisdom's envelope, to
guard
guard her universal magistery
magistery from an incapable and
incapable
dreaming
dreaming world ;
; calculated they
they are, nevertheless,
are, nevertheless,
though
though closelyclosely sealed,
sealed, to awaken curiosity,
rational curiosity,
^
and lend helping hand to those who have already

lend a helping already
entered on the right deceive in
right road ; but to deceive
; in practice
practice
only the most credulous and inept.
only inept. They who have
They
really
really understood Geber, his adept
Geber, his compeers, declare
adept compeers,
one accord that
with one that he spoken the truth,
has spoken truth, though
though
great acuteness and precision
disguisedly, with great
disguisedly, precision z others,
others,
:
therefore, who do not professprofess to understand, and to

whom those writings
writings are a mere unintelligible jargon,
mere unintelligible jargon,
may
may take warning lest
wârning hence, lest they exhibit
they exhibit to posterity
posterity
a twofold ignorance and vanity of thought.
a ignorance vanity thought.
Rhasis, another Arabian alchemist,
Rhasis, alchemist, wâs even more
was even
publicly
publicly famous than Geber, onon account of the practi-
practi-
cal displays
cal displays he made of' his
of his transmuting
transmuting skill.
skill. Excel-
lent extracts from his
fi'om his writings,
writings, which are said
said to
exist in
principally in manuscript,
exist principally manuscript, often occur in
in the
works Roger Bacon.
w orks of Roger
The story
story of Morien, how in
the hermit Morien,
ofthe in early life he
early life
left his
left family
his family and native city (for
city (for he was
was a Roman),
Roman),
to seek the sage Adfar, a solitary
sage Adfar, adept, whose fame
solitary adept,
had reached him from Alexandria Alexandria; the finding
;
finding him,
gaining
gaining his
his confidence,
confidence, and becoming
becoming at length
length his his
—
disciple ;-is
devoted disciple ;
is related by by his biographer
biographer in
in a
natural and very very interesting

interesting manner
manner: :also, his
his subse-
sojournings, after
quent sojournings,
quent after the death of his his patron,
patron, hishis
intercourse with King King Calid,
Calid, with the initiation
initiation and
final conversion of that prince
final Christianity. But the
prince to Christianity.
given at much too great
details are given length for extract
great length
in this
in this place.
place. A
A very
very attractive and esteemed work,work,
purporting
purporting to be a dialogue
dialogue between himself and Calid,
Calid,
is extant under the name
is name of Morien,
Morien, and copiedcopied into
many
many ot"
of the collections?
collections.^ Calid also wrote some
some
treatises: his
treatises : his Liber Sccretonim, or Secret of Secrets,
Li/:cr b2'cret0ru11z, Secrets,
as it
it has been styled,
styled, is English, French,
is translated into English, French,
and Latin?
Latin.
Avicenna, next
Averroes, and the notorious Avicenna,
Prince Averroes,
demand notice. The latter became known to the
1
^ l1'orienus
Morienus Eremita Hierosol. de Transfiguratione MetaUorum,
Transliguratione Metalloruiii,
sen Dialogus
seu cum Calidc
Moricni cum
Dialogus Morieui regc, de Lapide
Calide rege, Philos.
Lapide Pliilos.
2
^ See Theat. Chem. vol.
vol. v.,
v. Salmon's Practical Physic
Sfll11lO11'S
;
Physio; and
;
Le Bihliotheque Chimiques.
Philosoplies Uhiiniqucs.
Bibliotheque des Philosophes
26 Exorisiuc V'IEV.
Exoteric View.
somewhere between the ninth and tenth centu-

world soniewhere
ries.
ries. strong but ill-directed
His strong genius, so similar
ill-directed genius, similar to
that of Paracelsus, was the occasion occasion of much suiiering suifering
self-desolation; but his
and self-desolation ; his name
name was illustrious over
was illustrious over
Asia, and his
Asia, his authority
authority continued preeminent preeminent in in the
European schools of
European of medicine until until after
after the Reforma-
tion.
tion. He is said to have carried
is said carried on on the practice
practice of of
transrnutation, with
transmutation, the magical
magical arts arts in in general,
general, to
a great extent; but his
a great extent ; his Alchemical remains are neither
lucid nor numerous, not those at least
lucid nor least which are well
'
A authenticated
authenticated.^
62/tfeéxiltif
CbJt^j^JC^^^ Aeeeéfus
Artofiuo was a Jew, Jew, who, by
_
by the use of the elixir, elixir, is
_
is
^
;
/
^ reported
reported to lived throughout the period
have lived throughout period of a
thousand years,years, with what truth or credibihty credibility opinions
opinions
may vary ; he himself ailirms
may vary ; affirms it, it, and Paracelsus,
Paracelsus, Pon-
tanus, and Roger
tanus, Roger Bacon appear appear to give give credence to
the tale,2
tale,"^ which forms part
jârt of his
his celebrated treatise
treatise
on philosopher's stone, and runs
thc philosopher's
on the follows:-
runs as follows: —
Ego
Ego vero Artelius postquam
vero Artefius postquam adeptus adeptus sum sum veramveram
accomplctam in libris vcridiei

sapientiam in libris veridici Hcrmetis,
aceomplctain sapientiam Hermetis, fùi fui
aliquando
aliquando invidius sicut creteri
sicut cseteri omnes,omncs, sed cum cum per
per
mille annos qua? jam
circiter quae
annos aut circiter _iam transierunt super super me me
Ei nativitatc
a nativitate
-; mea gratia soli
gratia soli Dei omnipotentis et usu
omnipotentis usu
§2,'1,ZI;¢/6A§;rL~f
hujus mirabilis quintze
Ci\ê.j6JUci^ hujus
^
esscntiae.-i.
quintee essentise. — /. e. I, Art c HuJ r
I, Afr%etius7
having
having learnt all
all the art in
in the books of'
of the true
Hermes,
Hermes, was was once, as others, envious; but having
othe1's, envious ;
having
now
now lived one
one thousand years,
years, or thercabouts
thereabouts (which (which
thousand years years have already
already passed
passed over me me since my my
nativity, by
nativity, by the grace
grace of God alone,
alone, and the
tlie use of
quintessence), as lI have seen,
this admirable quintcssence), through
seen, through
this long
this space of time, that men
long space men have been unable to
perfect the same

perfect magistery on
same magistery on account of the thc obscurity
obscurity
philosophers, moved by
of the words of philosophers, pity and
by pity
conscience, II have resolved,
good conscience,
a good resolved, in these my my last
last
1
^ following have been attributed to him :-Avicenna
The following :
—
Avicenna de
Metzillornm.
Tinctura Metalloi-mu. ldcm, Porta Elenienta.
Idem, Idem, de Mine-
Elementa. ldem,
—
ralilius,~printcd
ralibus,
others.
with the Dantzic edition of Geber
printed Avith Gebcr and a a few
1'
Theophrastns Paracelsus
See Theophrastus in Libro de Vita
Paracelsns in Vitalonga,
longu, Pontanus,
Pontanus,
Epistola,
Epistola, &c. R. Bacon,
Bacon, in Libro de Jlirab.
Mirab. Natur. Operib.
Operib.
Preliminary ACCOUNT. 27
days, to
days, to publish it all
publish it truly; so that
sincerely and truly
all sincerely ;
men may have nothing

men may nothing more toto desire this
concerning this
desire concerning
work. II except one thing
except one only, which it
thing only, is not lawful
it is lawful
thatlI should write, because it
that it can hebe revealed truly
revealed truly
only by God, or by
only by by aa master. Nevertheless, this
this like-
like-
wise may
may be learned from this this book, provided
provided one be
not stiff-necked, and have a a little
little experience?
experience.^
This Ai'tefius forms a sort of link in
Alchemy, carried
Alchemy, carried as it in
it was in
was the course of
history of
in the history
time from
étze/MZ
Asia into
into Europe,
Europe, about the period
period of the first
first cru-
sades, when a
general
general communication of the mind of
different
different nations effected
was effected by
was their being united
by their being
under a common
common cause. arts, and civiliza-
Sciences, arts,
Sciences, civiliza-
tion, in the East only,
tion, which had heretofore flourished in only,
were gradually transplanted into
gradually transplanted Europe; and towards
into Europe ;
the end of the twelfth century, thereahouts, our

century, or thereabouts,
Phoenix too bestirred
bestirred herself, passed into the
herself, and passed
West.
Roger Bacon was
Roger was amongst first to fill
amongst the first his lamp
fill his lamp
from her revivescent spirit
spirit; and
; with this
this ascending
ascending
and descending experimentally, he is
descending experimentally, said to have dis-
is said dis-
covered the secret ligature natures,
ligature of natures, and their magi-
magi-
cal
cal dissolution:
dissolution was moreover
he was
: moreover acquainted
acquainted with
theology in
theology its profoundest
in its profoundest principles;
principles ; medicine, like-
medicine, like-
wise physics
physics and metaphysics
metaphysics on
on their
their intimate ground;
ground;
and, having
and, having proved multiplicability of
proved the miraculous multiplicability
light by
light by the universal spiritspirit of nature,
nature, he worked the
knowledge
knowledge into such effect,
effect, that in the mineral king-
in king-
dom itit produced
produced gold?gold.^ What
Vhat marvel, persecuted as
marvel, persecuted
he was for the natural discoveries which he gave
was for gave to
the world,
world, without patentpatent himself,
or profit to himself,
pront if
if he
appropriate these final
should appropriate final fruits
fruits of labour and long
long
interior study
study? ? Yet it
it does not
not appear
appear that he was
was
selfishly prompted
seliishly prompted even
even in this particular
particular reservation ;
;
it was conscience,
it was conscience, as he declares,declares, that warned him
to withhold a gift gift somewhat over rashly rashly and dan-
1^
Artelii Autiquissimi
Artefii Philosophi de Arte Occulta atque
Antiquissimi Philosoplii Lapide
atque Lapide
Philosophoriim
Philosophorum Liber secretus.
2
2 See, Speculum Alchimise
See, Speculum Alchimiae Eogerii Bachonis, Theat. Chem. vol.
Rogerii Bachouis, vol.
ii.
ii. De llirabilibus
Mirabilibus Potestatibus Artis et Naturae,
N aturae, Soc.
&c.
28 Exoteric VIEW.
Exorsmc View.
gerously
gerously obtained.
obtained. His acutely
acutely penetrative
penetrative and expe- expe-
even with enough, led
rimental mind, not content even enough, led
him by by a fatal curiosity, as it
fatal curiosity, it is
is suggested,
suggested, into into for-for-
of self-sufficiency and unlawful perseru-
bidden realms of self-sutlieieney perscru-
tinations, which ended in
tinations, disturbing his
in disturbing peace of mind,
his peace
and Hnally
finally induced him to abandon altogether
altogether those
researches, in in order to retrieve
retrieve and expiate expiate in in solitude
solitude
the wrongs
wrongs he had committed. We
Ve know that
that the
imputation of magic
imputation magic has seemed ridiculous, ridiculous, and every every
report
report of the kind has been referred
referred to the fi'iar's fi'iar's
extraordinary skill
extraordinary skill inin the natural sciences.
sciences. The rejec-
rejec-
tion
tion of his
his books at Oxford has often been cited
cited as an an
instance of the exceeding exceeding bigotry

bigotry of those times, as
indeed it it was; ;
a11d
was and yet, yet, are we
we not nearly far off
nearly as far off per-
per-
haps
haps from the truth in
in our liberality
liberality as were our fore-
fore-
fathers in
fathers in their
their superstition?
superstition ? An accusation of magic magic
has not occurred of late, late, nor
nor would be likely
likely to molest
/rccc^v
013 CCL" ,
seriously any
seriously philosopher of the present
any philosopher present age age , but then
;
j^î
/
it didôften during
it did,òften during the dark ages,
ages, and who can tell tell
Tien
,
^
/
/ whether it
wliether it may may not again
again at some
some future day,
day, when
men
men even more
are even more enlightened and intimate with
enlightened
nature than they they are now now??
There are still remaining two or three works of
still remaining
Roger
Roger Bacon,Bacon, in in which the roots of the Hermetic
science are fairly fairly stated;
stated ; practice most care-
but the practice
fully concealed, agreeably
fully concealed, agreeably to that maxim,
maxim, which in in
his latter
his latter years
years he penned,penned, l/mt
tliat irzzt/1
truth ought
mfg/it 1101
not to be
ht
S/:own
shown to every for t/len
l`fb(I[([, for
every ribald, then that25/ml would become most
u~/lic'/1.511
vile, ichich,
vile, /zuml of a
the hand
in t/fc zz philosopher, is
p/zi/0so,u/1w', is the if/ie most
/»/'cci/ms of all Z/zi1zg.s'.'
precious ofa!! things.^
Many through the darkness of
lights shone through
Many great lights
great
those middle agesages, Magians, who were
Magians,
; were drawn about
fire of nature,
the fire nature, as it were, into communion with her
it were,
central source. Magnus, his friend and dis-
Albertus Magnus,
ciple
ciple the acute Aquinas, Duns Scotus
Aquinas, Seotus the subtle
doctor,
doctor, Arnold di
di Villa Nova, and Raymond all
Lully, all
Raymond Lully,
eoniessed adepts.
confessed adepts. Reuehlin, Ficinns
John Reuchlin, Ficinus tl1c
the Pla-
tonist,
tonist, Picus di blending alchemy
Mirandola, blending
di Mirandola, alchemy illld
and
l
1 Speculum Ak'liimia>,
Spcuuluin Alchimiw, in line.
iu flue. ]*`r.l3acl1onis
Fr. Baclioiiis Anglici libellus
Anj^lici libellua
cum
cum inllucntiis Cceli,
iufluentiis Cwli, relates to the same
same mystical subject.
mystical sub_]cct.
therapeutics neoplatonism and the cabahstic

therapeutics with neoplatonism cabalistic
art.
art. Spinoza also was a metaphysician and
profound metaphysician
Spinoza also was a profound
speculator on
speculator on the same experimental
same ground. Alain
experimental ground.
de risle celebrated French philosopher,
l'Isle the celebrated philosopher, Merlin
(St.
(St. Ambrose), the abbot John Trithemius, Corne-
lius
lius Agrippa
Agrippa his
his enterprising pupil, and many
enterprising pupil, many moremore
subsequent
subsequent to these, great, resolute,
these, great, resolute, and philosophic
philosophic
spirits, who were not alone content to rend asunder
spirits,
the veil ignorance from before their
veil of ignorance their own own minds, but
held it still partially

it still open for
partially open for others, disclosing the in-
others, disclosing in-
terior lights
terior science to such as were
lights of science were able aspire,
able to aspire,
willing to follow their
and willing great example,
their great labouring in
example, labouring in
the way.
way. Medium minds set
set limits
limits to nature, halting
nature, halting
continually, and returning,
continually, returning, before barriers
barriers which those
overleaped almost without perceiving
others overleaped perceiving them.
Faith was was the beacon-light
beacon-light that led
led them on on to con-
viction, by
viction, by a free
free perspicuity of thought
perspicuity thought beyond thingsbeyond things
seen,
seen, to believe and hope
hope truthfully,
truthfully, which is
is the dis-
dis-
tinguishing prerogative great

tinguishing prerogative of great minds. But it
it will
will be
necessary
necessary to regard
regard this
this extraordinary epoch
extraordinary epoch of Occult
Science more in detail, with the testimony
in detail, testimony of its its hc-
he-
roes, whose reputation,
roes, reputation, together
together with that of alchemy,
alchemy,
has suffered from the faitblessness biographers,
faithlessness of biographers,
compilers, commentators, and such like
compilers, like interference.
interference.
Most of the alchemical works of Albert, Albert, for for in-
in-
stance, have been excluded from the great
stance, great editions of
his works,
his authenticity of all
works, and the authenticity all has been dis- dis-
puted,
puted, but without lasting
lasting eflect;
effect; for
for in
in that long
long and
treatise, De Jllineralibus,
laborious treatise, Mineraiibus, unquestionably
unquestionably
his own,
own, even
even if if the rest were
were proved
proved spurious,
spurious, there
suflicient evidence of his
is sufficient
is his behef
belief and practice
practice to
admit all. all. Therein he describes the _/frat Jirst matter
of the adepts
adepts with the characteristic minuteness miuutcness of
personal observation, and recommends alchemy
personal observation, alchemy as
the best and most easy easy means
means of rational investi-
gation. De transmutationc horum corporum

gation. corporum metalli-
corum et mutatione unius in aliud non
eorum non est physici
physici
determinare, sed artis
determinare, artis quae
quze est Alchimica. Es! autem
Est
optimum genusgenus /:agushujus inquisitionis et certissimum, quia
optimzmz inquisitionis Ccrtissimum, quia
Munc per per causam
causam unius cuj usque propriam, res
rei propriam,
liunc
4
eujusque rel
/
; ;
30 Exoteric View.
Exorianic
cognoscitur,
cognoscitur, et de accidentibus
et ejus minime
accidentibus ejus minimi dubitatur,
nee
nec est diflicilc cognoscere.^
est difficile cognosceref
This passage is one
passage is amongst many
one amongst that might
many that might be
adduced from his own pen
his own pen to prove that Albert was
prove that
an alchemist;
alchemist ; Aquinas' disclosures
but Aquinas' disclosures are ample,
ample, re-
moving all doubt, even if
moving all if he himself had left room
left room
for any.
for any. Besides the treatise
treatise of minerals already already
mentioned, there is
mentioned, is the Libelhzs
Libellus de Alcheniia,
A/c/zemia, pub-pub-
lished with his
lished his other works ;^ ;' also, Concordmzditiu
also, the ConcordamUtia
P/zi/osop/forum f/e
Philosuphorum de Lapide, Sec're!u1/z Secretnrzzm,
La/Ji(/c, the Secrelinn Secretorum,
Brave Compendium
and Breve Comperzf/mm in in the Theatrum
T/IC(l[)'Il)1l Chemicum,
C/zemiczzm,
all treating of the same
all treating same subject.
subject. Albert's
Albert's authority
authority
is
is the more to be respected
respected in in that he gave gave upup every
every
temporal advantage,
temporal riches, fame, and ecclesiastical
advantage, riches, ecclesiastical
power, to study
power, philosophy in
study philosophy eloister remote from
in a cloister
greater portion
during the greater
the world during portion of a long life.
long life.
An opinion commonly obtained that the philoso-
opinion has commonly philoso-
sought after
pher's stone was sought
pher's after from selfish
selfish motives and
gain; and that such has been fre-

a blind love of gain : fre-
quently the case there is
quently is no doubt; but then such
no doubt ; sueh
never found it..
searchers never it. The conditions of success
peculiar, as will
are peculiar, will be shown. Avarice is is of all
all
motives the least
least likely
likely to be gratified by
gratified by the dis-
dis-
covery of wisdom.
covery It is
It is philosophers
philosophers only only that she
teaches to make gold.
gold.
falsi quoque
Alehimiam, falsi
Qufprunt Alchimiam,
Qurerunt rccti;
quoque recti
uumero, sed hi
Falsi sine numero, hi sunt rejecti
reiecti ;
Et eupiditatibus, heu, tot sunt infeeti
cupiditatibus, beu, infecti
Quod inter mille
Quod millia, vix sunt tres electi
niille millia, electi
Istani :id
Istam scientiam.3
ad scieutiam.^
adepts have been rare exceptions

The true adcpts in the
exceptions in
world, despite
world, despite of all
all calumny,
ealnmny, famous,
famous, and favoured
above their kind. Let any any one but with an unpreju-
unpreju-
eye regard
diced eye regard tl1e
the writings of those who may
writings may be
believed on their own own high
high authority
authority to have suc-
in this art,
ceeded in art, and he will
will perceive
perceive that the mo-
mo-
'
1Lib. iii.
iii. de Blineralibus, cap. 1.
Miueralibus, cap. 1.
2
2 Tom. 21, fol. Lugduni,
21, in fol. 1653, and in Theat. Chem.
Lugduni, 1653, Cbem. vol. vol. ii.
ii.
3 1Sl]l1'l0lG'S Theat.
' Norton's, Ordinall of Alcbemv,
Nortonhs. Preface, in Ashmole's
Alchemy, Preface,
Brit.
Chem. Brit.
PRELIMINARY AccoUNT.
tives actuating
tives actuating- them were of
were of the purest kind;
possible kind;
purest possible
truthful, moral,
truthful, always pious
moral, always pious and intelligent,
intelligent, as those
of the pseudo-alchelnists,
pseudo-alchemists, on on the other hand, were
reckless despicable.
reckless and despicable. But more of this
more this hereafter.
hereafter.
Alhcrtus
Albertus died, died, magnus
magnus in
in magia, major
magia, major in
in philoso-
philoso-
phia,
phia, maximus in
in theologia#
theologia ; and
^ his
his learning and
learning
fame descended fully on him who had already
fully on already shared
it, l1is
it, disciple, the subtle
his disciple, subtle and sainted
sainted Aquinas.
Aquinas.
The truth was not likely likely to lielie dormant in in such
hands 3 Aquinas
; Aquinas wrote largely and expressly
Wrote largely expressly on the doc-
trine of
trine transmutation, and in
oftransmutation, his þÿ77I
in his ¬.S'(IlH'l1¢S'A/c/zimizr,
Thesaurus Alchimice,
addressed to his his friend, Reginald, he al-
friend, the Abbot Reginald, al-
ludes openly practical
openly to the practical successes of Albert and
himself in in the Secret Art? Vain, therefore, are attempts
Art.^ Vain, attempts
of his
his false panegyrists, who, anxious it
false panegyrists, it would seem seem
rather forfor the intellectual
intellectual than the moral fame of their their
hero, have ventured to slur
hero, slur over his
his assertions as du-
bious.
bious. Aquinas is
Aquinas is much too far far committed in in his
his
writings
writings for
for their
their quibbling exceptions
quibbling exceptions to tell
tell in
in proof
proof
against his
against own direct
his own direct and positive
positive aflirmation.
affirmation. Me-
talla transmutari possunt
talla possunt unumunum in aliud,
aliud, sayssays he, cum
he, cum
naturalia sint sint et ipsorum
ipsorum materia eadem. Metals can
be transmuted one another, since they
one into another, they are of one one
and the same matter.3 matter."^ Declarations more more or less less
plain to the same
plain effect are frequent,
same effect frequent, and his treatise, treatise,
De Esse et Essentia, is
et Essentia, eminently instructive. It
is eminently It is is
true he slursslurs over points
points and sophisticates
sophisticates also occa-
sionally in order to screen the doctrine from superficial
sionally supcrlicial
detection ; for;
Aquinas was
for Aquinas was above all all anxious to direct
inquirers to the higher
inquirers purposes and application
higher purposes application of
the divine Art, Art, and universal theosophy, rather than
universal theosophy,
to rest its capabilities of quickening
its capabilities quickening and perfection
perfection in in
the mineral kingdom, kingdom, as at that period period many many were
wont
Wont to do, sacrificing their whole life's
do, sacrificing life's hope
hope to the
1^
Chronicou Magnum
See Chronicon Magnum Belgieum.
Belgicixm.
2
^Traetatus
TractatusD. Ttomae Aquino
D. Thomfe Aquino datus fratri
fratri D. Reinaldo
Keinaldo de Arte
Alchimize.
Alchimiae.
3
Meteorum initio,
^ llete0rum Initio, lib. iv.; and again,
lib. iv.;
Przecipuus Alcliimistarum
again, Prsecipuus
scopus est transmutare metalla scilicet
scopus seilicet imperfecta
impertecta seeundum
secundum veri-
veri-
tatem et non sophistice.
non
sophistice.
32 Exorisnic View.
Exoteric VlE\'.
multiplication of gold.
multiplication gold. Fac sicut
sicut te doeui,
te ore tenens docui,
ut scis quod tibi
seis quod seribo, quoniam peccatum
tibi non scribo, quoniam peccatuni esset
hoe secretum viris
hoc secularibus revelare,
viris secularibus revelare, qui
qui magis
magis
seientiam propter
hanc scientiam
banc propter vanitatem quam propter debi-
quam propter debi-
tum
tuni finem etet Dei honorem quserunt.
quzerunt. And again, Ne
again,
sis garrulus sed pone
sis garrulus pone ori
ori tuo eustodiam
custodiam ; et
et ut filiam
filiam ;
sapientum margaritam
sapientum margaritam ante porcas
porcas non projieies. Noli
projicies.
te, charissime,
te, charissime, cum
cum
majori opere oecupare, quia
majori opere occupare, propter
quia propter
salutis
salutis et Christi przedieationis
et Christi otlieium ; et
prEedieationis officium luerandi
et lucrandi ;
magni debes attendere divitiis

tClll])US magni
tempus spiritualibus,
divitiis spiritualibus,
quam lueris
quam lucris temporibus inhia1'e.'
temporibus inhiare.^
The pretensions
pretensions of Arnold di Villa
di Villa Nova have not
been contested,
contested, nor
nor are his
his writings the only
writings only evidence
his skill
of' his
of in the Great Art.
skill in Coteinporary scholars
Cotemporary
bear him witness,
witness, and instances are related
related of the won-
derful projections
derful projections which he made with the transmuting
transmuting
powder.
powder. The Juriseonsult,
Jurisconsult, John Andre, mentions
Andre,
him, and testifies
him, testifies tof genuine conversion of seine
to' the genuine some
iron bars into gold at Rome.
pure gold
into pure also and
Oldradus also
Panorimitanus of'
the Abbot Panoriinitanus of about the same period, period,
Hermetic Art as beneficial and rational, and
praise
praise the beneficial rational,
the wisdom of the alchemist Arnold di di Villa Nova?
Nova.^
The works of this this philosopher
philosopher are very very numerous.
numerous,
The Rosariwn
Rosarium P/ii/osuphician,
.P/If/080/)/IiL'll7)I, esteemed amongst
amongst the
best,
best, is
is published
published in
in the þÿyyI ¬(IlI`Zl77l
Tlieatrum C/zemicum,
Clitmicum, and
at the end of the folio folio edition of his his works. The
1^ cap. 1 and aud S. Traetatus datus Fratri
A_lCl1i1l]l&, eap.]
Thesaurus Alchimise, 8. Tractatus
Reinaldo. This
Eeinaldo. Seereta Alchimioe
Tliis with the Secreta Alehimim and another are given given
in the Theatrum
in Cheniieuni, and other collections of the Art.
Theatruin Cheniicuni,
2
^ Nostris diebus hahuimus
habuiinus magnum magnum Arnolduin
Arnoldimi di di Villa Is'ova,
N ova,
in Curia Romana summum summum medieinaxn medicinam et theologirnn,
theologiam, quiqui etiani
etiam
magnus A_lChyl11iSt{I
magnus virgulas auri,
Alchymista virgvUas quas faeiebat
auri, quas faciebat consentiebat onini
omni
subniitti, &e.
probationi submitti,
probationi (John Andreas in addit. ad Speeulum
&c. (Joan Specidum
Rub. de crim.
Eub. erim. falsi.)
falsi.) Hzec
Hsecille ille Andreas eniin enim a doetis
doctis omnibus ad
coelum usque laudibus vectus est,
coeluni usque quem Ludovieus
est, quern Eomanus
Ludovicus Rouianus
omnium
einnium hominum pra?stantissimum
þÿ1)1'f ¬Stl'J.lltlSSll1`l`ll111appcllavit.
appellavit. (E. Vallensis de
(R. ^'allensis
Vcritato, &c.,
Yeritate, &c., in Theat. Chem. vol. vol. i.i. p.
p. /L.)
4.) Alehiinia est ars
Alchimia
perspieaci ingenio
perspicaci inventa, ubi expenditur
ingenio inveuta, expenditur tantum pro pro tanto et
pro tali,
tale pro aliquafalsifieatione forinre
tali, sine aliquafalsificatione vel materia^,
format vel secundum
nmterim, seeunduin
Andream de Isernia et Oldradinn. Oldradum. Hoc Hoe insuper iirmavit Abbas
insuper firmavit
Sienlus Panoramitanus,
Siculus Pnnoramitanus, &c. &e. (D. (D. Fabianus de l[onte, INIonte, S.
S. Severin
Traetatu de
in Tractatu do Emptione
Einptione et Venditione,Venditione, Quest Quest 5.5. Oldradus, lib.
Oldradus, lib.
Concilio, Quest.
Concilio, Quest. 74.)
74.)
5716611/lllll, aa luminous treatise

Speculum, treatise; ttie
; the (,ll!)`HIf)l(I,
Carm'nia, Ques-Qut.s-
tiones
tio/ies ad Bo/iifaciut/i,
B0)l{7?IL`fll}}l, the 7238011726/lflllll,
Testamentuui, and somf
others
others are given given entire
entire in Thmtrum Chtmicum,
in the y7IC(If}'IHll C/zemicu//1,
but have not been translated. translated.
About this this time and towards the close close of`
of the fòur-
four-
century, an excitement began
teenth century, began to be perceptible
perceptible
in public mind. So many
in the public many men of acknowledged
acknowledged
science and piety, piety, one afterafter another,
another, agreeing
agreeing about
reality of'
the reality transmutation, and giving
of transmutation, tangible
giving tangible
proofs of their
proofs their own skill, could not fail
own skill, fail to produce
produce
an effect,
an effect ;
the art became in in high request, and its
high request, its
professors
professors were invited from all
were invited all quarters,
quarters, and held in in
high honour by
high by the world. Lesser geniuses geniuses caught
caught
the scattered doctrine and set to work, some some with
understanding and with various success.
sutlicient understanding
sufficient
Alain de I'lslel'Isle is is said
said to have obtained the Elixir, Elixir,
but hishis chief testimony has been excluded by
chief' testimony by the edi-
edi-
tors of' of his
his other works;works so often and unserupulously
; unscrupulously
private prejudice
has private interfered to defraud the public
prejudice interfered public
judgment
judgment of'
of its
its rights and true data.
rights data. The rejected
rejected
treatise, however, was printed
treatise, separately, and may
printed separately, may be
found in in the third volume of' of the 1716tlf}Ì[l}L
Theatruni þÿCl/IChemi-¬}}1f-
C111/z_'
cuin.} philosopher
This philosopher also wrote a commentary on
commentary on
Prop/Jecics Q/`
the Prophecies of rller/in,
Aleiim, which are reported reported to have
sole reference to the arcana of the Hermetic art? art.^
Raymond Lully
Raymond Lully is is supposed
supposed to have become ac-
quainted with Arnold,
quainted Arnold, and the Universal Science, Science, latelate
in life
life; ; but when the fame of his Christian zeal and
talents had alreadyalready become known and acknowledged acknowledged
abroad,
abroad, his his declarations in in favour of alchemy
alchemy had the
greater Weight.
greater weight. Unlike his cloistcred predecessors,
cloistered predecessors,
secluded and known as they they were
were by by name
name only to
only
the world, Raymond had travelled over Europe,
world, Raymond Europe, and
a great
great partpart of Africa and Asia; Asia and wdth
; with his former
fame was at length mingled
length mingled the discovery of alchemy
discovery alchemy
philosopher's stone.
and the philosopher's John Cromer,
Cremer, Abbot of
Vestminster, had worked for thirty
Westminster, years, it
thirty years, it is
is related,
related,
1^
Alani Philosophi, Dieta de Lapide.
Philosophi, Dicta Lapide.
2
2 Prophetia Anglicana Merlini,
Prophetia Anglicana Merlini, una cum Septem
una cum Septem Libris Explica-
Explica-
tionnni eandem Prophetiam,
tionnm in candem &c., Alani de Insulis,
Prophetiam, &e., Francfl 1608.
Insulis, T'rancf.
D
U
34 Exoteric V']EV.
Exoraiue View.
assiduously
assiduously with the the hope
hope of of obtaining
obtaining the secret. secret.
The enigmas
enigmas of
of the old
old adepts
adepts had sadly perplexed and
sadly perplexed
led him astray;
led astray ;but he had discovered enough enough to con-
vince him of the reality,
vince reality, and to encourage him to pro-
encourage pro-
ceed with the investigation;
investigation; when, Lully's
Lully's fame having
having
reached him, he determined to seek that that philosopher,
philosopher,
then resident
resident in in Italy;
Italy ; was fortunate
was fortunate in meeting with
in meeting
him and gaining
gaining his confidence became instructed
his confidence; ; instructed in in
the method of practice,
practice, and not a little editied
a little edified by by the
pious and charitable life
pious life which LuUy Lully led there, and
led there,
recommended to others. others. becoming still
Desirous of becoming still
more intimately enlightened than was

intimately enlightened was convenient in in
place, Cremer invited
that place, invited and brought
brought over with him
Raymond
Raymond Lully England where he was presented
Lully to England; ; presented
to the king,
king, then Edward II., II., who had also also before
invited him from Vienna, being
invited interested in
being much interested in
talents and reputed
the talents reputed skill
skill of the stranger,
stranger, and now
now
more than ever by by the promise

promise of abundant riches riches
which the sight Cremer's gold
sight of Cremer's gold held out to him.
Lully,
Lully, still
still as ever zealous for
for the promulgation of
promulgation
religion, promised
the Christian religion, promised to produce for
produce for the
king all monies requisite,
king all requisite, if
if he felt
felt disposed
disposed to engage
engage
in the crusades
in erusades anew. Edward did
,
,
hesitate, but
did not hesitate,
complied
complied with every
every condition appli-
respecting the appli-
respecting
ance of'
of the gold, provided only
gold, provided Lully would supply
only Lully supply
it.
it. The artist
artist accordingly
accordingly set to work,
work, so the story
story
in a chamber set apart
runs, in apart for
for him in Tower, and
in the Tower,
produced fifty thousand pounds
produced Efty pounds weight gold.
pure gold.
weight of pure
His own
own Words extraordinary fact
words relative to the extraordinary in
fact in
his testament, are these ;-Converti
his Converti una
; —
una vice in aurum
aurum
pondo argenti
sr, millia pondo
fet vivi, plnmbi
argenti vivi, stanni.
plumbi et stanni. lI
says he, at one time fifty
converted, says
converted, titty thousand pounds
pounds
weight of quieksilver,
weight quicksilver, lead and tin,
tin, into gold.'
gold.'
king no
The king sooner received this,
no sooner this, than breaking-
breaking
with Lully,
faith wath
faith Lully, more, the artist
in order to obtain more, artist
prisoner in his
was made a prisoner
wâs own laboratory,
own laboratory, and with-
regard at all
out regard all to the stipulation, engaged
stipulation, before engaged
in, commence his productive
in, ordered to commence productive labours anew.
This base conduct on part of his king
on the part was much
king was
1'
Ultimnm
Ultimnin Testamentum R. Lnllii.
TJ.
;
PRELIMINARY Aceouiwr.
lamented by by Cremer, who expresses indignation thereat

expresses indignation thereat
openly
openly in
in his
his ]k'.§'[(ll/l(,'lIl,'1
TeMament ^
; and the whole story has
story
repeatedly recorded in
been repeatedly in the detailed chronicles of
detailed chronicles
times.
those times. But to be short, our hero fortunately fortunately
escaped
escaped from his
his imprisonment,
imprisonment, and a
a
coinage of
coinage of the
gold
gold was struck in
in pieces weighing
pieces weighing about ten ducats
called Nobles qf
each, called
each, of 6/zethe Rose. Those who have ex-
amined these coins pronounce them to be of the finest
coins pronounce finest
metal, and the inscription
metal, inscription round the margin
margin distin-
distin-
guishes them from all
guishes all others in in the Museums, and
their miraculous origin.
denotes their origin. They are described
They
in Camden's
in Caniden's Antiquities,
Antiquities, and for
for the truth of the whole
story, we have, besides Cremer's
story, Cremer's evidence and the
declarations of Lully,
Lully, a great great deal of curious cotem-
allusion to be found in
porary allusion
porary in the books of Olaus
Borrichius, R. Constantius, I'Englet
Borrichius, Dufresnoy, and
l'Englet Dufrcsnoy,
Dickenson. The last some time after
relates that some
last relates after the
escape of Lully,
escape in the cell
Lully, there was found in cell he occupied
occupied
Westminster with Cremer, whilst it
at Westniiiistei' it was undergoing
undergoing
some repairs,
some repairs, a certain quantity of the powder
certain quantity powder of
transmutation,
transmutation, by means of which the workmen and
by means
architects became enriched.^
enriched.2
Lully's writings on Alchemy
Lully's writings are, as the rest,
Alchemy are, rest, ob-
scure
scure; ; only been understood with great
and have only great
pains and application
pains by those who have been so
even by
application even
possess the key
fortunate as to possess his cabalistic
key of his
mind. Whether his
Whctlier his equivocal contradictory lan-
equivocal and contradictory
guage was
guage baiiie the sordid chemists
was so contrived to baffle chemists;
or Whether,
or said, he learned the art late in
whether, as before said,
life, being
life, incredulous, and was
previously incredulous,
being previously was convinced
last only
at last only by
by Arnold exhibiting
exhibiting the transmutation
1
^ þÿCI' ¬11] ¬1'iþ
Cremeri ÿT ¬StHl]fl611tll11`l.
Testamentuin.
2
^ Aureas illas Anglorum primfim
illas nobiles Angloruin profectas memorat
primftm profectas
(ex E-aymundi) Camdenus. ldein
(ex Raymundi) Idem hodieque asseverautissime con-
liodieque asseverantissime
lirinant Anglorum curiosi,
firmant Anglorum ciiriosi, additque Edmundus Dickensonus
additqne
Lulliuni
Lulliuin in coenobio Vest1nonasteriensi vixisse nou
ccenobio Westmonasteriensi ingratnm
non ingratiim
hospiteiu:
liospitem : eninivero pluribus
enimvero pluribus ab ejus amnis, resartfi
ejus discessu amnis, resarta
quam
quam incoluerat cellula mnltuin multum adhuc pulveris Chrysopcei in
pulveris Chrysopoei
(listula repertum, magno
Cistiila repertum, inventoris architecti einolumento.
niagno iuvcntoris emolumeuto. See
Olaus Borrichius de Ortu et ct Progressu
Progressu Chemi?e, ftto. p.
Chemize, 4to. 242 and
p. 2i2;
;
Diolênson, de Quintessentia.
E. Dickenson, Qnintesseiitia.
D2
D 2
;
36
3G lixorisuic View.
Exoteric VIEW.
in his presence;
in his it would require
presence it ;
scrupulous examina-
require scrupulous
tion to judge
tion judge at this
this day:
day certain
certain it is there
it is
: there are pas-
pas-
sages in
sages in his
his writings
writings which leave room for controversy,
room for controversy,
though
though none, we
we think, virtually denying the art,
think, virtually denying art,
whilst- his
whilst in favour of it
essays in
his essays it are acknowledged
acknowledged
excellent and numerous;
numerous as manymany as tvo
; two hundred are
given in
given in the catalogue
catalogue of Dufresnoy
Dufresnoy treating exclu-
treating exclu-
sively
sively on this subjeetf
this subject.^
singular times when few any
Those, were singular longer
any longer
doubted the possibility
possibility of gold-making,
gold-making, and individuals
individuals
of the highest repute devoted their
highest repute their lives
lives to the subtle
subtle
investigation.
investigation. V eWe
have adduced this
this notable instance
of Lully's prowess in
Lully's prowess England, as one
in England, one only amongst
only amongst
many
many others, quite as well authenticated,
others, quite authenticated, which are
told by
by the authors before cited
cited and in
in the aleheniieal
alchemical
collections.
collections. curiosity
Public curiosity was
vas stimulated to the
highest pitch experiments
highest pitch ; experiments
; were made reckless of con-
sequences,
sequences, and the spirit
spirit of avariee,
avarice, bursting
bursting forth
expectant, absolutely
expectant, absolutely raged. Vhether the incaution
raged. Whether ineaution
of adepts,
adepts, in
in making
making their
their art too publicly
publicly profitable,
profitable,
given rise
had given rise to the frenzy, or whether it
frenzy, it was
was spon-
spon-
taneously kindled, or
taneously kindled, from whatever cause, cause, the fact fact is
is
lamentably
lamentably certain;
certain ;the .Stone
Stone was
was no longer sought
longer sought
atter
after by philosophers alone ; not only
by philosophers ;
only have we we Lully,
Lully,
Cremer,Rupecissa,De De
þÿCl' ¬ll`1 ¬l`,Rl]1) ¬ClSS?l, Meun,Flammel,John
þÿBICUII,Fli1l1]1Ì1 ¬l,JOl`lll
Pontanus,
Pontanus,
Valentine, Norton,
Basil Valentine, Ripley, and the host of eo-
Norton, Ripley, co-
temporary
temporary worthies,
worthies, successively entering
successively entering the lists;
lists
but with these a spurious b1'ood of idlers
spurious brood idlers living
living on the
pubhc
public credulity,
ercdulity, and which the practical evidence ot'
practical of
these others continued to ferment ferment; men
; men of of' all ranks,
all ranks,
persuasions and degrees

persuasions degrees of intelligence,
intelligence, of every variety
every variety
of calling,
calling, motive and imagination,
imagination, were, as mono-
mono-
nianiacs, searching
maniacs, searching after
after the stone.
As Popes with Cardinals of dignity,

Popes ^vitll dignity,
Arelibysliops Byshops of high
Archbyshops with Byshops high degree.
degree,
With A
\'ith bbots and Priors ofrcligiou,
Abbots of religion.
With
With Friars, Heremites, and Preests manic
Friars, Heremites, mania one,
o11c,
1
* Histoire Hermetique,
Ilermetique, vol. iii.
vol. iii. llis
His Theoria et Practica,
Practica,
given in the third volume of the Theat. Chem.,
given in Chem., appears ns one
appears to us
ofthe
of very best pieces
the very Of;lCllO1l1l("2`ll
pieces of Alchemical philosophy
philosopliy extant.
; ; ; ; ; ; :
PREL1M1N,av ACCOUNT.
And Kings
Kings with Princes and Lords great
great of bloode,
bloode,
For cverie
everie estate desireth after goode;
desireth after goode
And the Merchnunts alsoe, which dwell in
Merchaunts alsoe, iiere
in fiere
Of brenning
brenning covetise, have thereto desire;
desire
And common
common workmen will will not be out-lafte,
out-lafte,
as Lords they love
well as this noble crafte.
For as well they love this craite.
As Grouldsmithes,
Gonldsmithes, whome we shall leaste
we shall repreuve
leaste repreuve
sights in
For sights craft mevetli
their craft
in theii' meveth them to beleeve
beleere;
But wonder it it is
is that
that Brewers deale
deale with such werkes,
Free Masons, and Tanners, with poore clerkes ;,
parish clerkes
poore parish ;-
Tailors
Tailors and Glaziers woll well not therefore cease,
And eke sely will put
sely Tinkers will put them in in prease
preaae
Vith great
With presumption; _yet
great presumption ;
some collour
yet seine collour there was
all such men
For all men as give tincture to glasse
give tmcture glasse ; ;
But manie Artitieers

Artificers have bynbyn over swifte,
swifte.
Vith hastie
With hastie credence to sumesume away their thriitc
away their thrifte ; ;
And albeit losses made them to smarte

their losses
albeit their
Yet ever in hope
ever in hope continued their
their hearte
heal-te;
Trustinge some
Trustinge tyine to speede
some tyme speede right well,
right well.
Of manie such truly
truly I can tell;
can tell
Vhich in
A¥hich in such hope
hope continued all their lyib,
all their lyfe,
Whereby they
Vhercby were made poore
they were poore and made to unthrive
unthrive:
It had byne
It good for
byne good left oil'
for them to have left oft'
for noughte
In season, for noughte they
they founde except scoffe,
except a scoffe,
trewly he that is
For trewly is not a great
great clcrke,
clerke,
Is nice and lewde to inedle this werke;
medle with this werke
may trust me
Ye may me it is no
it is no small inginn,
inginn.
alle secrets pertaining
To know alle pertaining to this myne.
this myne.
For it is most profounde
it is profounde philosophye
philosophye
subtill science of holy
This subtill Alkimy.1
holy Alkimy.^
Many usurped the title

Many usurped adepts, who had no
title of adepts, no know-
know.
ledge even ofthe
ledge preliminaries of
of the prehminaries ofthe
the Art
Art; sometimes ;
deceiving, at others,
deceiving, being themselves deceived;
others, being deceived and it it ;
principally from the fraudulent pretensions

has been principally pretensions of
those dabblers,
dabblers, that the world has learned to despise
despise Al-
chemy, genuine doctrine with their
confounding the genuine
chemy, confounding
sophistical and vile
sophistical productions ; and a difficulty
vile productions diiliculty yet
; yet re-
mains to distinguish them, and segregate,
distinguish them, segregate, from so great
great
interspersion of darkness,
an interspersion darkness, the true light.
light. For aa mul-
titude of books were put forth with the merest pur-
were put pur-
deception, and to ensnare
pose of deception,
pose ensnare the unwary some
unwary; seine ;
indeed affirming,
atlirming, that the truth was was to be found in in
salts,
salts, or nitres, or boraxes ; but others,
nitres, others, in all
; all vege-
vege-
table bodies indiscriminately,
indiscriminately, committing
committing a multifa-
11
Nortoifs Ordinall in Ashmole's
Norton's Ashniole's Theat. Chem. Brit. p.
p. 7.
7.
38 Exorisiue
Exoteric Vuaw.
View.
rious posterity. Nor did

imagination to posterity.
rious imagination did these alone
content the evil
evil spirit of that day,
spirit of that day, but it intro-
it must intro-
duce mutilatcd editions
mutilated editions of the old masters, filled with
old masters, filled
inconsistencies,
inconsistencies, and the Wicked
the wicked inventions of designing
designing
fraud;
fraud and
; thus, as the they have
adept observes, they
adept
blasphemcd the Sacred Science, and by
blasphemed their errors
by their
have brought contempt on men philosophising.
brought contempt on men philosophising.
As of
of that
that Mounke which a boke did
wliicli a did write
Ot'
Of aa thousand receipts iu malice for
receipts in despighte,
for despighte,
Which
Vl1ieh he copied in manie a place,
copied in place.
Whereby
Vhereby hath byn byn made manic pale face
manie a pale face
And manie gowndes
gowndes have been made bare of of llC\'C,
hewe,
And men
men made fals
fals which beforetimes were tre\'e.'
were trewe.^
Nor has the literature

literature alone suffered suf'lèred from such
knavish interpolation;
interpolation ; but the social consequences
social consequences
described, at the time,
are described,
deplorable ; rich
time, as deplorable ;
rich mer-
þÿl1l ¬l'-
chants,
chants, and others,
others, greedy
greedy of gain, were
gain, were induced to
quantities of gold,
trust quantities silver,
gold, silver, and even precious
precious
stones, which
stones, lost, in
they lost,
wdiich they in the vain hope getting them
hope of getting
multiplied; and these rogueries
multiplied ; rogueries became so frequent frequent
and notorious,
notorious, that at last acts of Parliament were
last
passed in
passed in England,
England, and Pope's Pope's Bulls issued over
Christendom, forbidding, transmutatien, on
Christendom, forbidding transmutation, pain of
on pain
death,
death, and the pursuit
pursuit of alchemy."
alchemy."^ But this, whilst
this, w^hilst
giving
giving an external cheek,
check, did not smother the
of' riches,
desire of riches, or that morbid desi1'e
desire of them, so
them,
long
long fostered in
in the expectation ; experiments
expectation; experiments con- con-
tinued to be carried
carried on on in in secret with no no less
less ardour
than before, both by knavcs and philosophers.
by knaves philosophers. Pope Pope
John XXII.,
XXII., who interdicted it,
it, is
is said to have
practised
practised the art himself extensively,
extensively, and to have
wonderfully
vonderfùlly enriched the public treasury through its
public treasury through its
means. But to bring

bring f'0l`\'&`ll'(l
forward each extraordinary
extraordinary tra-
dition and character
cha1'aeter of'of the various artists artists who flou-
rished during
during the fourteenth and fifteenth
fifteenth centuries,
centuries,
would trespass
trespass too far
far on
on our pages
pages; ; and for the
present purpose,
present purpose, it
it may
may be needful only
o11ly to detail
detail the
more
more remarkable.
1^
N0't0l]'5
Norion'is Ordinall, cap. 1.
Ordinall, cap. 1.
7
^
lliitresiioy, Hist. Herm.
Seo Dufrec<uoy,
See llerm. vol. ii. p.
vol. ii. ll, &e.
p. 11, &c.
7
4"
^^^^^'^^
,
(H 15/
Preliminary AccoUNT.
PRELIMINARY Account. 39 \
Amongst them, the story

Amongst story of Nicholas Flammel,
and his his wife Perne4:te, has been thought
wife Perneyfe, interest-
thought interest-
ing.
ing. Their humble origin,
origin, sudden accumulation of
wealth, theirtheir charitable
charitable distribution
distribution of it, and
of it, the
the
eminent piety piety and mystery mystery of their their lives, attracted
lives, attracted
great
great attention
attention in
in their
their own country,
country, and a wide-
a
spread
spread fame has descended and connects their
their
name lionourably
honourably with the history history of thc
the Hermetic
art.
art. The relation
relation given simply by
given simply by the author con-
cerning
cerning himself is
is as follows ; —
;-l, 1, Nicholas Flam-
mel, Scrivener, living
mel, Scrivener, living in Paris, in
in Paris, in the year year of our
Lord, 1399, in Notary-street, near St.
in the Notary-street, St. James, of
the Boucherie, though though I
I learned not much Latin, be-
cause of the poverty poverty of my
my parents,
parents, who,
who, notwith-
standing
standing were, even by
by those who envy
envy me
me most,
accounted honest and good good people yet, by
people; yet,
; by the bless-
bless-
ing of God, II have not wanted an understanding
ing understanding of
philosophers, but learned them,
the books of the philosophers, them, and
attained to a certain kind of of' knowledge,
knowledge, even even of their
their
hidden secrets.
secrets. For which cause's sake, there shall
cause's sake, shall
not anyany moment of my my life
life pass remembering
pass wherein, remembering
this so vast good,
this good, II will will not render thanks to this this my my
good and gracious
good gracious God. After the death of my my pa-pa-
rents,
rents, I, I, Nicholas Flammel,Flammel, got got my my living
living by by the art
of writing, ingrossing, and the like;
writing, ingrossing, like and in
; in the course
time, there fell
of time, fell by by chance into my my hands a gilded gilded
book,
book, very very old and large, large, which cost me me only
only two
florins.
florins. It was not made of paper
It paper or parchment,
parchment, as
other books are, are, but of admirable rinds, rinds, as it it seemed
to me, young trees

me, of young trees;; the cover
cover of it
it was brass,
brass,
well bound,
bound, and graven
graven all
all over with a strange
strange kind of
letters,
letters, which I
I took to be Greek characters,
characters, or some
some
like.
such like. This II know, know, that II could not read them; them ;
but as to the matter which was written within, within, it it was

was
engraven,
engraven, as II suppose,
suppose, with an
an iron pencil,
pencil, or graver,
graver,
upon
upon the said bark leaves leaves; done admirably
;
admirably well, well, and
fair neat Latin letters,
in fair curiously coloured. It
letters, and curiously It
contained thrice seven leaves, leaves, forfor so they
they were num- num-
bered on on the top top of each folio, every seventh leaf
folio, and every
40 Exoteric View.
Exoraiue VIE\'.
was without writing;

was writini< ; but in in place
place thereof were were se-se-
images and figures
veral images figures painted.
painted.
Further, going
Further, going on on to describe the book and these
hieroglyphics minutely,
hieroglyphics minutely, Flammel relates relates how, how, at
length,
length, after much
much study
study and fruitless mean-
toil, their mean-
fi'uitless toil,
ing
ing was
was explained
explained to him by
by a
a Jew stranger,
stranger, whom
whom 'he
lie
met with in his travels;travels and how on
; on his
his return home, home,
he set to work and succeeded in the discovery, discovery, is is thus
W7
n
familiarly declared:-He
familiarly declared :
—He that would see see the mannermanner
W-Zfwxéffe
/-eA^vfi l^t of mymy arrival home, home, and the _joy joy of -Pernette;
Pornotto, let him
upon us
look upon us two in the city Paris, upon the door
city of Paris,
upon
chappel of .Iamcs',
of the chappel James', in the Boucherie,
Boucherie, close by by one
one
side of my house,
my house, where we
we are both painted,
painted, kneel-
ing, and giving
ing, giving thanks to God: God : for through
through the
grace
grace of God it
it was,
was, that I attained the perfect know-
])erfect
ledge
ledge of all
all that I desired. I had now
now the prima
prima nm-ina-
tcria,
teria, the first principles, yet
principles, yet not their preparatiofi,
preparaliozz,
which is thing most difficult above all things
a thing
is a things in the
world; but in the end I had that also,
world ; also, after a a long
long-
aberration and wanderingwandering in the labyrinth labyrinth of errors,errors,
for the space
space of three years. years. During which l1l11]C,I
During time, I
nothing but study
did nothing study and search and labour, labour, so as as
you
you see
see me
me depicted
depicted without this arch,
arch, where I have
shown my my process, praying also continually
process, praying continually unto God, God,
and reading attentively
reading attentively in my book, pondering
my book, pondering the
words of the philosophers,
philosophers, and then trying
trying and provingproving
operations which II thought
the various operations thought they might
they might
mean
mean by their words.
by At length,
length, I
I found that which
II desired;
desired ; which II also soon soon knew, knew, by by the scent and
odor thereof. Having
Having this,
this, I
I accomplished
easily accomplished the
easily
magistery.
Inagistcry. For knowing
knowing the prcparatioi/s
yn'cpa1'1/[i011,s'Q/` the prime
of 1/:april/ze
agents,
1/gc/zls, and then following
literally following
literally the directions in
my
my book,
book, II could not then miss the work if if I
I would.
Having came now
I came
Having attained this, this, I I'ro_ject~ion; and
now to Projection ;
the first time II made þÿpro_j ¬-ction,

projection, was upon mercury;
was upon mercury;
pound and a-half whereof,
a pound
a whereof, or thereabouts, II turned
or thereabouts,
silver, better than that of the mine;
pure silver,
into pure mine as II
;
proved
proved by assaying it
by assaying myself, and also causing
it myself,
causing others
to assay
assay it it for me,me, several times. This was was done in
;
;
the year, a.d. 1382, January

year, A.D. January 17, 17, about noon, in in mymy
house, þÿP
own house,
own ¬f'f'1` ¬i2'i3 ¬alone
Pcrncttc being present
alone being þÿ/ga/1x ¬Z{@
present with me. J Âynê, CC^
following the same
Again following
Again same directions
directions in in my
my book, word
by word, 11 made projection
by projection of of the Red Stone, on a like like
quantity of mercury,
quantity P crn otte-only being
mercury, lzlernette-only being present, Qwaé/a
present, and / -OAyruzJiA. o^
in the same house ; which was done in
in ; in the same same year,year,
April 25, at five
April five in afternoon. This mercury
in the afternoon. mercury II
truly transmuted into
truly into almost as much gold, gold, much
better indeed than common
better common gold, more soft
gold, more soft also, and
more pliable.
more pliable. II speak
speak in all truthfully.
in all truthfully. II have made
^
//O /
7
it three times
it with the help
help of Pdm ette, who under- /eAyn^JîLy
Bemfette,
i
/ þÿ ¬n,°1_
AQ/
stands itit as well as myself; myself; and, without doubt, if if shc
she
would have done it it alone, she would have brought brought the
work to the same, or full full as gi'eat perfection as II had
great perfection
done. II had truly
truly enough,
enough, when I
I had onceonce done it; it
but II found exceeding

exceeding great pleasure and delight
great pleasure delight in in
seeing
seeing and contemplating
contemplating the admirable works of na-
ture, wit/1i1z
ture, icithin t/ze vessels.
the vessels. And to show you you that II had
then done it it three times,times, II caused to be depicted depicted under
the same arch, arch, three furnaces,
furnaces, like
like to those which
serve for operations of the work.
for the operations II wâs
was much
concerned for for a longlong time, time, lest Pernettc, by reason

lest Pernette, by reason of
extreme joy, joy, should not hide her felicity, which II
felicity,
measured by by my my own; ow^n; and lest
lest she should let let fall
fall
some
some words amongst
amongst her relations, concerning
concerning thc
the
great treasure which we
great we possessed.
possessed. But the goodness goodness
of the great
great God, had not only given
only given and tilled
filled me
me
with this blessing,

this blessing, in giving
giving me
me a sober chaste wife;
wife
but she was also a wise prudent prudent woman,
woman, not only only ca-
reason, but also to do what was
pable of reason,
pable was reasonable;
reasonable
and made it business, as II did,
it her business, did, to think of God, God,
and to give give ourselves to the work of charity charity and
mercy.
mercy. Before the time wherein II wrote this this dis-dis-
I
course, wdiich was at the latter end of the year
course, which year 1413,
after the death of my companion she and II
my beloved companion; ;
already founded and endowed with revenues

had already revenues four-
hospitals, three chapels,
teen hospitals, chapels, and seven seven churches,
churches, in in
the city
city of Paris ; all; all which we we had new new built from the
ground, and were able to enrich with gifts
ground, gifts and reve- reve-
li
I
1
42 Exormue
Exoteric VIEV.
View.
nues.
nucs. We
Ve have also
also done at the same
Bologne about the
at Bologne same
as at besides our private
Paris, besides
at Paris, private charities,
charities, which it
it would
be unbecomin*^
nnbecoming to particularise.
partieularise. Building, therefore,
Building, therefore,
hospitals, churches, &c.,
these hospitals, &c., in in the aforesaid cities, II
aforesaid cities,
caused to be depicteddepicted under the said said fourth arch, the
most true and essential essential marks and signs signs of this art,
of this art,
yet under veils

yet veils and typestypes and hieroglyphical
hieroglyphical charac-
demonstrating to the w'ise
ters ; demonstrating
ters ; wise and men men of under-
standing, the direct
standing, direct and perfect
perfect way way of operation and
operation
/inear_y
liiieary work of the philosopher's
philosopher's stone ; ; w/lic/z
which beingbeing
pwfccted by
perfected by any one, ta/rcs
any one, takes away
(IU`(l_U from /zim
him Z//c root of
the af
ai! sin
all sin um/ evil ; changing
and evil changing his his evil
evil into good, and mak-
into good,
ing hini
ing him liberal,
liberal, courteous, fearing God, how-
religious, fearing
courteous, religious,
ever wicked he was before, before, provided
provided only only he carries
carries
through the work to its
through its legitimate
legitimate end. For from
thenceforward he is is continually
continually ravished with the
goodness of God, and wdth
goodness with his grace and mercy,
his grace mercy, which
he has obtained from the fountain of eternal goodness goodness ;;
with the profundity
profundity of his his Divine and adorable power, power,
and wathwith the contemplation
contemplation of his his admirable works.
Part of thisthis relation is given of himself by
is given by the au-
thor in his Hic1'0g!_yp/ries,
in his Hieroglyphics, and part is taken from his
part is his
]l'S[(I}lIC)1f
Testament ,'; and chronicles recount as late late as the yearyear
1740, that the evidence of his his charitable deeds re-
mained and the symbols symbols of the art in in the cemetery
cemetery of
the HolyHoly Innocents at the church of St. James, on
St. James,
the Marivaux door, door, at the portal portal of St. St. Geneveve,
Geneveve,
&e.,'
&c.,^ Amongst
Amongst the writings writings of Flammel, Flammel, besides
quoted from,
already quoted
those already from, we we have Le SommaireS01/uzmirc Phi-
losop/ziquc, in French verse,
losophicjae, verse, which is is also translated
inthe
in þÿ771 ¬(Ill'll)}l
the Theatruni C/lellzicum, an
Chemicuni, an esteemed work, wôrk, with
important annotations at the end ; Le Desir desire,
important ; desire, and
Lk
Ltr (;}'(I}I(1é
Grande Eclaircissement
1'}c'/aircissemeizt, which
, wdiich are more more rarely
rarely to
be met with.
The Isaacs,
Isaacs, father and son, son, Dutch adepts, adepts, are said
successfully, and are much lauded by
to have worked successfully, by
l'
llistoirc Hermetique,
See Histoire Hermctiqne, vol. i. p.
vol. i. 20G Lives of the Adepts,
p. 206; ;
Adopts,
p. 38.
p. Les Hieroglyphiques
Hieroglyphiqncs dc Fl1Illlll1Cl.
de N. Flammel.
;
;
Boerhaave, who appears either to

appears not either to have been a
stranger
stranger to their
their pursuit
pursuit or to the principles of occult
principles occult
science?
science.^
But Basil Valentine is is the star of' the fifteenth
star of fifteenth cen-
tury;
tury ;
he is
is generally reported
generally reported to have been a Benedic-
tine hermit;
tine hermit ; but a mystery hangs
mystery hangs about his
his indivi-
indivi-
duality
duality which has never been satisfactorily
satisfactorily cleared
cleared up,
up,
though
though careful
careful researches
researches have been made, and his
his
wôrks written
numerous works in all
written in all languages, called forth
languages, called
nmch curiosity on their
much curiosity appearance and have been held
their appearance
in high
in high estimation by students in
by in the Hermetic art.
art.
He ranks high amongst
high amongst his
his brethren for
for having, as
having,
discovered a new method of working
working the
they say,
they say,
Red Elixir, facilitated the process
Elixir, and facilitated materially,
process materially, which
had been hitherto laborious and a rare effect,
effect, as ap-
ap-
pears
pears from those lines
lines of
of Norton.
How that manie men men patient

patient and wise,
wise,
Found our White1Vhite Stone with exercise;
exercise ;
After that they were trewly

they were taught,
trewly taught,
With
Vith great labor, that stone they
great labor, caught ;
they caught
But few (saith he) or scarcely
(saith he) one
scarcely one; ;
In fifteen kingdoms hath our

fifteen kingdoms our Red Stone,
Stone.
Whom
Vhom to seeke it availeth right
it availeth right noughte,
noughtc,
Till the white medicine be fully
Till wrought ;
tiilly wrought
Magnus, the Blacke Freere,
Neither Albertus Magnus, Frecre,
Freer Bacon his compeere,
Neither Frecr compeere.
Had not of of' our Eed Stone consideration
our Red
Him to increase in multiplication, &e.'5'
multiplication, &c.^
The Hamburg
Hamburg Valentine's works
edition of Basil Valentine's
may
may be considered the most perfect.^ perfect.3 The English
English
translations are rambling incomplete ; with the
rambling and incomplete ;
is taken from the

exception of that one which is
single exception
single
commentary
Kirchringius, with his admirable commentary
Latin of Kirchringius,
on
on Triumphal Chariot
the 7Bìlllll}7/l(l/ C/mriot of Azztimony and Stone
ry' Antimony
Keys
þÿ7lll)C[U Keys
Fire. The Twelve ¬ are rendered in the Biblio-
fy" Fiiê.
of
;/zeyue des Philosopher
theque C/zimiqzfes, second edition.
P/If/0S0[)/166' Chimiques,
A
A valuable collection of English English Alchemy
Alchemy in verse
verse
11 HoUandus de Lapide
Joan Isaac Hollandus Philosophico, Francf. 1669.
Lapide Philosophico, 1G69.
Isaac Hollandus Opera Universalia, sire
Opera Universalia, sive de Lapide Philm., &e.
Lapide Phihn., &c.
2
Norton's Ordiuall,
2 Norton's
chap. 5.
Ordinall, chap.
3
^ Chimische Schriiften, Valentinii, in 12mo.
Sehrifften, Fr. Basillii Aâlentinii, 12n1o. 1717.
44 Exoteric Vusw.
EXO'lÈl{lC View.
was published
published by Elias Ashmole, himself a
by Elias lover of
a lover
occult science, and the great
occult patron, in
great patron, in his day, of
his day,
tl1ose who made it
those their study.
it their study. Neither waswas he igno-
igno-
rant of` subject, if
of the subject, if' we may
may _judge
judge by preface
by the preface
curious notes appended
and curious appended to his his Y71cat/'11/11,
Tlicatrum, wherein
he exposes
exposes certain
certain principles
principles of
of magic, alludes
magic, and alludes
to the manual artificeartifiee without much disguise. disguise. II
must profess,
profess, says
says he, I
I know enough
enough to hold my my
tongue,
tongue, but not enough
enough to speak
speak ;
; andthe
and the no
no less real
less real
than miraculous fruits
fruits II have found,
found, in my diligent
in my diligent
inquiry
inquiry in
in these arcana, lead
lead me
me on to such degrees
degrees
admiration, they
of admiration, they command silence,
silence, and forceforce me me
to lose my tongue,
lose my tongue, lest, being not wholly
lest, being wholly experi-
experi-
enced, as he goes
enced, goes on say, I
on to say, I should add to the
many injuries
many injuries the world has already suffered, by
already suflered, by dc-
de-
livering medley of my
livering the bare medley apprehensions without
my apprehensions
the confident attestation
attestation of' practice, and be justly
of practice ;
justly es-
teemed as indiscrete as those whom Ripley Ripley mentions,
that prate,
prate,
Wyth
Vyth wondreug,
wondreng.
Of Eobiu
Robin Hood,
Hood, and of his
his Bow,
Bow,
Whycli
"lhych shot therin I trow.^
never sliot
never trow.1
Norton's
Norton's Ordinal, dated 1477, with which this
O7`([fII(I[, this
Hermetic YY1eatrc
Theatre opens,
opens, is is a praiseworthy
praiseworthy perform-
perform-
ance, and with the exception
ance, exception of of' the Subject
Subject Matter
certain preliminaries,
and certain prelimiuaries, which are constantly
constantly con-
cealed, the process
cealed, process is is presented
presented in a candid,
candid, orderly,
orderly,
^ and attractive manner.
manner. So much cannot be said said for
tor
0( the Cannon Ripley, of Bridlington,
Cannon Ripley, Bridlington, whose private mis-
wdiose private
fortunes would seem to have made him envious. His
composition is
composition is disorderly,
disorderly, and those Yi/:else Tivelve Gates
have, we
have, we conceive, little edified
conceive, little cdilied any
any without the
Lodge. Added also to his own
Lodge. own wilful misguidance,
misguidance, the
verses are said to have suffered spoliation spoliation and dis-dis-
placement from the order in

placement in which they were originally
they were originally
written, according
written, cabalistic method
according to the mischievous cabalistie
in vogue
in vogue at that time. Ripley, therefore, is
Ripley, therefore, is univer-
sally complained of, though
sally complained of, though reputed reputed a good
good adept.
adept.
l
^ Ash|nole's Tlicatrum (`l1eu1icu1n
Aslnnole's Tlieatruin C'lieuiicum Britanicum, London, 1652.
Britanicum, London,
;
The commentary
commentary published the celebrated
by the
published by celebrated Anony-
Anony-
mous adept
mous adept Eireneus Philalethes,
Philalethes, under title of
the title
Ifip/eyltevivcf/,tliougli
Riplej/ Jxevived though
,
itcxplains great
itexplains a
a great deal
deal practically
practically
and may lead on the initiated,
soom to lead yet will
initiated, yet in-
appear in-
will appear `<L'L
oCevz^"^^
may seem
famously sophistical and inevitably
famously sophistical inevitably disgust
disgust abeginncrf
a beginner.^
Ashmole's collection
All Ashmole's is valuable,
collection is valuable, even were it it
only
only as a specimen
specimen of early mystic
early mystic literature.
literature. The
Fragment Pierce, the Black Monke, Bloomfield's
Fragment from Pierce, Bloomfield's
Blossoz/ls,
Blossoms, and P/zilosop/z_y
Philosophy and Experience, amongst
Experience, are amongst
the most instructive.
instructive. Ashmole's intention
Ashmole's intention of collect-
collect-
ing the English
ing English prose writings on
prose writings on Alchemy
Alchemy was was not
accomplished; only
accomplished ; only scattered
a few scattered
portions
portions were
were edited
edited
and these not of the best. best.
Ficinus, an Italian highly cultivated genius,
Italian of highly well
genius, wêll
known as the Latin translator of Plato, and saviour
of other valuable remnants of antique literature, was
antique literature, was
also an amateur in
also in the Hermetic art. art. He collected
and translated the works imputed imputed to Hermes, before
mentioned, from Greek into
mentioned, into Latin, and took pains pains
elsewhere theoretically explain
theoretically to explain the art?
art.^ Picus,
prince
prince didi Mirandola,
Mirandola, was his contemporary,
was his contemporary, and wrote
a treatise,
treatise, in in which he connects Alchemy Alchemy with wîth the
profound metaphysical
most profound science?
metaphysical science.^
Then we wê have the remarkable instance of Cornelius
Agrippa,
Agrippa, a man man of powerful
powêrful and penetrating genius,
penetrating genius,
who, having
who, himself the means and prin-
means
possessed
having possessed of prin-
eiples
ciples of the Occult Science from his
his friend,
friend, the wary
wary
and learned Abbot Trithemius, something it
Trithemius, set to work something it
seem after the example of Friar Bacon, proving

would seem example proving
them in self-sufficient order.
in a self-sufiicient His three books Of Q/`
Occult P/zilorop/ly, especially the first
Philosophy, especially illustrate
two, illustrate
first twô,
practical bias
the practical enterprising nature of his mind
bias and enterprising mind;
declares, he had not,
but as he declares, not, when he wrote them, them,
arrived at a fullfull experience,
experience, nor was was he able to make
11
Ripley Revived,
Ripley Eevived, being
being an Exposition of Sir George
au Exposition Riplcy's
George Ripley's
Epistle to King
Gates, and his Epistle
Gates, King Edward, by Eireneus Philalethes.
Edward, by
2 Florent. Liber de Arte Chemica.
Chenuica.
2 Marsilii Ficini Elorent.
3 J. F. de Auro in Theat. Cliem.
Chem. vol.
vol. ii.; also, J.
J. F. P.
P.
'^
Picus, dc
J. E. Picus, ii.;
also,
Mirandolae Domini,
MirandolfB Concordieque, Opus
Domini, Concordieque, Aureum de Auro.
Opus Anreuin Anro. Idem,
ldein,
Libri tres dc
de Auro turn &c.
conlicicndo, &e.
tum conficiendo,
I
46 EXOTERIC VIEW.
Exoteric View.
the philosopher's
philosopher's stone. But it it was this this discovery,
discovery,
made later
later in Ufe, which caused him to be discontent-
in life, discontent-
ed with his his former revelation,
revelation, and to publish publish that
book on V(/nity cy"
on the Vanity of the
the Sciences,
Sciences, which has been
considered as a recantationrecantation of his his former philoso- philoso-
phy
phy; ; but which is
is in
in fact
fact no recantation
recantation at
at all, but aa
all,
consummation rather rather and conclusion in in general
general of of hishis
works. Any
Any one
taking
taking- the pains
pains to read may
may per- per-
ceive
ceive that Agrippa
Agrippa wrote WTote it it neither
neither in in ignorance
ignorance nor in in
despair
despair of human knowledge.
knowdedge. It
It was
was by
by searching
searching
and proving
proving the magnitudemagnitude of the Mystery, Mystery, that he
arrived
arrived at that final final and convictive
convictive faith, faith, which is is as
much above ordinary science as the \ailgar
ordinary science vulgar eredulity of
credulity of'
mankind is is below it. it. It is not the part
It is part of a mind,
mind,
philosophic, to fall
sane and philosophic, fall hack
back content in in igno-
igno-
rance, retrograde passively despair
rance, or to retrograde passively in
in despair of its
its object.
object.
The vanity particular and temporal
vanity of particular temporal sciences is is dis-
dis-
covered by by comparison
comparison only only in
in the broad day
day light of
light
universal truth;
truth ; and there stood the magician magician at last last
when, as it
wdien, were from
it were fi'om the top top of Celsus'
Celsus' ladder,
ladder, look-
ing down upon
ing upon the steps steps by by which he had climbed, climbed, and
whereon he had successively
wdiereon successively rested, rested, he observed their their
inferiority
inferiority and the small, prospect they
prospect they afforded in
in
comparison
comparison with
wath that which he now,
now, at their
their clear
summit, enjoyed. Let any
summit, enjoyed. any oneone read from the Vanity Vaizity
q`
of t/ze
the Sciences the chapter
chapter on Alclicmii, and judge
on Alc/zcm_y, judge
whether the author contradicts,
wdiether contradicts, as report report has said,
said, or
contemns
eontemns merely merely the experience
experience of his
his youth
early youth ,
early ;
where, after
and where, showing the folly
after showing folly of pretenders,
pretenders,
speaking
speaking of the genuine
genuine Hermetic art,
art, he says,-I
says, —
tell many
could tell many things
things of this art,
art, if
if I
I had not sworn
sworn
to keep
keep silence,
silence, and this
this silence is
is so constantly and
constantly
religiously observed of the ancient philosophers,
religiously philosophers, that
there is is found no no faithful writer of' approved authority,
of approved authority,
that hath openlyopenly described this
this art:
art : which thing has
thing
induced many many to believe that all
all books of this art
were but of late years
were invented, &c. Finally
years invented, Finally of' of the
one blessed stone alone,
one alone, besides which there is is nono
other thing,
thing, the subject
subject of the most holy
holy stone of
philosophers,
philosophers, to speak
speak rashly,
rashly, would
w'ould be a
a
sacrilege
sacrilege
PRizL1n11NAm' Account.
and II should be foresworn.'

foresworn.^ Looking to the final
Looking final
chapters of the same

chapters same work also,also, we observe the ground ground
of the whole Hermetic philosophyphilosophy laid laid out, and the
relative
relative vanity
vanity of worldly science to that, which is
worldly science is
universal, rational,
universal, divine. The capabilities
rational, and divine. capabilities of ofthe
the
subject are
subject great ; and had it
are great; it been treated
treated in in the usual
full
full and rnasterly style of the scholar
masterly style scholar of Nettesheim,
it would have remained a
it a work of lasting value;
of lasting value but
;
he was
was fettered
fettered byby oaths and had been somewhat con-
science stricken; and the monks, whom he had formerly
science formerly
censured, eagerly
censured, promulgated the whole as aa recanta-
eagerly promulgated
tion of foraier
tion former errors, holding it
errors, holding up in
it up in this light and
this light
acknowledgment of the sufficienc}'^
an acknowledgment
as an sufiiciency of their own
their own
doctrine and of the common
doctrine common faith faith for
for salvation.
salvation.
In the beginning
beginning of his extraordinary career,
his extraordinary career, Theo-
phrastus
phrastus Paracelsus proposed
proposed openlyopenly to discover the
hidden secret of philosophy;
philosophy but the world scodcd
; scoffed at
his pretensions,
his pretensions, abused and persecuted
persecuted him him; and all
; all
the revenge
revenge he indulged
indulged in, was to leave it
in, was it unenlight-
unenlight-
ened. The writings
writings he putput forth are, are, with few excep- excep-
tions, filled
tions, filled with subtle malice,
malice, as it were,
it many
were, so many
sareasms upon
sarcasms mankind, and leading
upon mankind, leading them far far away,
away,
through
through alluring sophisms, from the straight
alluring sophisms, way of
straight way
truth. Surely,
Surely, as Ashmole remarks,
remarks, incredulity appears
incredulity appears
to have been givengiven to the world as a punishmentpunishment ; yet ;
yet
neither in its belief did it
in its it speed better, but has still
speed better, still
plodded on
plodded in error for want of thought,
on in thought, and through through
all ages men
all ages men have sutl"ered
suffered in ignorance,
ignorance, on on account
mainly of the indifference and selfishness
mainly selfishness of their de-
sires. Of the numerous
sires. numerous books attributed to Paracelsus, Paracelsus 7
and given together as his works,

given together works, the three Ad(/1'csses
Addresses
to Aiheuiaris, and the Aurora,
10 the Al/zeizifzizs, Aurora, are amongst amongst the
best. Those to the Athenians have been translated
into English, published with The
English, and published T/le Philosopliy
P/Ii[0Sl)])/ly of
J. Crollius,
J. Crollius, a disciple, and the Aurora also is
a disciple, is to be
met with, though
with, though more
more
rarely,
rarely, in
in company
company with the
Water Stone ef!/ze Men, by
uf the Wise 111611, byJ.J. Grasseus. Vitl1
Witli
respect to the private
respect history and character of this ex-
private history cx~
traordinary man,
traordinary man, accounts
accounts ditler,
differ, and opinions
opinions accord-
1
1 See De Vanitate Scicntiarum, Alch. &e.
Scientiarum, Alcli. &c.
48 Exoriznlc View.
Exoteric Vusw. _
ingly;
ingly ;
but his
his fame, authority of his
fame, and the authority his doctrine,
lasted
lasted down through
through a long
a period of
long period of time.
time. His early
early
death has been adduced as an argument argument against the
against
probability
probability of his
his being possessed of the elixir
being possessed elixir he
boasts;
boasts and
;
by
by others as a proof
a. proof of his
his having been
having
poisoned:
poisoned but :the poison
poison of intemperance and irre-
intemperance irre-
gular living
gular living has also
also been considered as especially likely
especially likely
fatal to one who was
to be fatal was in in the habit of taking
taking a
potent spiritual medicine,
potent spiritual medicine, which would
wôuld heighten the
heighten
physical consequences
physical consequences of depravity
depravity and habitual ex-
cess,
cess, and accelerate
accelerate dissolution
dissolution in
in the conflict
conflict of op-
op-
posite principlesf Paracelsus, notwithstanding the
posite principles.^ Paracelsus, notwithstanding
world's neglect, had numerous disciples,
world's neglect, disciples, increasing
increasing
also after
also his decease
after his deeease; some some intelligent
: intelligent and worthy
worthy
the name philosophers, as Van Helmont, Crollius,
name of philosophers, Crollius,
Fludd, Hclvetius,
Fludd, Helvetius, Faber, many more anonymous
Faber, and many anonymous ; ;
but there were others,

were others, mountebanli
mountebank pretenders, more
pretenders,
in number still,
in pursuing the baser line
still, who, pursuing line of their
their
mastcr's example, whilst they
master's example, they enviously suppressed the
enviously suppressed
little truth they
little knew,
they kneW', wrote and practised for
practised luere,
for lucre,
leading
leading mankind into
into error and the commitment even
egregious
of egregious crimes by
by their
their receipts.
receipts. And the world
which would not be bc drawn by by the true light, light, gave
gave
easy
easy wayway to their
their false
false stimulants,
stimulants, and encouraged
encouraged the
enemies' growth
enemies' growth in in literature, until the tares possessed
literature, until possessed
Held ; nor could it
the field ; it be well otherwise,
otherwise, as a modern
adept has observed on
adept on the occasion,
occasion, forfor this
this bushel
being placed
being placed over the light,
light, the darkness of it invited
it
ignorance
ignorance abroad.
The burlesques
burlcsques of Erasmus, Erasmus, which,
which, towards the
close of the sixteenth century, were turned upon
century, were upon the
follies then continually
follies continually going going on
on
amongst the cre-
amongst
dulous chemists and their dupes, dupes, show that it it was the
prevailing
prevailing mania of the age
age; when
; rich men and
men
potentates
potentates fell
fell easily
easily into the snares of the lowest lowêst
vagabonds,
vagabonds, who had acquired
acquired the tact only
only to write
and talk mysteriously.
mysteriously. Chaucer, in
Chaucer, in the taletale of the
Chanons
C/1(l)I0)l'6' Yeoman, gives an example
17001/[((Il, gives example of this this kind of
boastings,
the boastings, bereavements,
bcreavemcnts, and surpassing
surpassing beliefsbeliefs
1
^ Lives of the Alchemists,
See LiA'es
Seo p. 512.
Alcliemists, p. ^)2.
; ; : : :; ; : ;
.
of'ig11o1'ance;
of Ripley also,
ignorance as Ripley
; in his
also, in Erroueous Expe-
his Et^rofteous Empe-
tells how
rimemfs, tells
riments, he
lIade solucyons
Made full many
solucyoiis full many a one,
Of spyrytts,
spyrytts, ferments, salts, Steele;
yerne and Steele
salts, yerne ;
Ilfenyng so to make the philosopliers

AVenyng philosophers stone ; ;
finally I
But Hnally lost eche clele,
I lost dele,
After my my boks yet wrought II Well;
yet Wrought well
Il/'hich evermore
Wliich untrew I
evermore untrow provyd,
I provyd,
That made me me oft full sore
oft full sore agrevyd.
agrevyd.
þÿV&t ¬1'S
Waters corrosyve and waters ardent,
corrosyve ardent.
With which I I wrought in divers
Wrought in wyse,
divers Wyse,
Many
Many one
one II made but all
all was
was shent;
shent
Egg
Egg shells
shells I I calcenyd
calcenyd twyse
twyse or thryse,
or thryse,
Oylys fro
Oylys calcys I
fro ealcys I made up ryse
up ryse; ;
And every
every element fro fro other I I did
did twyne
twyne
But profytt
profytt found II ryght
ryght none therein.
none therein.
Also I wrought in
I wrought in sulphur
sulphur and in in vitriall,
vitriall,
Whych
Vhych folysfolys doe call
caU the Grene
Greue Lyon,
Lyon,
In arsenicke,
arsenicke, in Lu orpemint,
orpemint, fowle mot them fall fall ;
In delibi
delibi principio myne ineeptyon;
princzjzio was myne inceptyon :
Therefore was frawde in fyne the conclusyon

in fyne conclusyon :
And I I blew mymy thryft

thryft at the cole,cole,
My bawdy, my
clothys were bawdy,
My clothys my stomache was never hole. hole,
I provyd
provyd uryns,
uryns, eggs, here, and blod.
eggs, here, blod,
The scalys
scalys ofof yern
yern whych smethys do off
whych smethys smyte,
off smyte,
ust, and crokefer whych
(Es, ust,
Qj]s, whych dyd dyd meme never good good:
The sowle of Saturn and also marehisyte,
also marchisyte,
Lythage and antimony
Lythage antimony not worthWorth a myte:myte :
Of whych
whych gey gey tinctures I I made to shew,shew,
Both red and White whych were untrew,
white whych untrew.
Oyle of Lune and water
Oyle wyth labor greatt,
Water Wyth greatt,
I made calcynyng
calcynyng yt yt with salt
salt precipytate,
precipytate.
And hy hytself with vyolent
by hytself vyolent heatt
Grindyng
Grindyng with vynegar
vynegar tylltyll II was
was fatygate:
fatygate
And also with a quantitye
quantitye of spyces
spyces acuate
acuate; ;
Upon
Upon a marble whych whyeh stode me me oftoft in cost
And oyles
oyles with corrosyves
corrosyves I made;made but all; all was lost.
was lost.
Thus I rostyd
rostyd and boylyd
boy 1yd as one one of Geber's
Geber's cooks.
cooks,
And oft tymes
tymes mymy Wynnyng
wynnyng in the asches I sought; sought
For I was
was dysceivyd
dysceivyd Wyth many falce
wyth many falce books
Whereby truly I wrought
untrue, thus truly
Vhereby untrue, wrought:
But all
all such experyments avaylyd me
experyments avaylyd me nought
nought;
But brought
brought me me in danger
danger and in cmnbraunce,
cumbraunce.
By
By loss of goods
goods and other grievaunce,
grievaunce, &c.^&c.1
1'
An Admonition of Erroneous Experiments,
Experiments, Theat. Chem.
Chem
p. lS9.
Brit. p. 189.
E
50 Exoteric VIEW.
EXOTERIC View.
tide so long
The tide encroaching, however, began
long encroaching, began at at
last fluctuate; and as mistrust,
last to fluctuate ;
gathering fi'om
gathering from dis-dis-
appointment, ripened,
appointment, ripened, a changechange somewhat suddenly suddenly
took place
place in public mind, and turned finally
in the public finally into
into
an absolute odium of deluding alchemists and their
of the deluding their
art.
art. Then it it was that several were obliged
that several obliged to retireretire
into exile;
into exile ; even the true adepts-for
and even adepts — public
for the public
knew not to distinguish--suffered
knew^ distinguish — suffered equal cruelty and
equal cruelty
abundant inconvenience. They who before had been
They
courted and lauded in hopes of obtaining
in hopes obtaining gold, gold, or the
means of making it,
of making it, were arrested and tortured,
arrested tortured, in in
order to extort confession ; accordingly; acco1'dingly we find mixed
we find
up with their
up philosophy, bitter
their philosophy, complaints of injury,
bitter complaints injury,
murders, and unjust
thefts, lTl111'del°S, unjust imprisonments.
imprisonments. Alex-
ander Sethon was was hunted throughthrough EuropeEurope in disguise,
in disguise,
daring to remain in
not daring in any
any town, for for fear
fear of dede-
—
tection.-~II am
tection. am suffering,
suffering, sayssays thisthis author,
author, in in his
his
Open Ezztrance,
Open Entrance^ a continual banishment banishment; deprived
: deprived
society of friends
of the society family, and, as if
friends and family, þÿ(l1'lV ¬ll
if driven
by the Furies, am
by am compelled constantly to fly
compelled constantly fly from
place to place
place place and from kingdom kingdom to kingdom, kingdom, with-
out delaying anywhere.
delaying anywhere. And thus, though II possess
thus, though possess
things, II have no rest or
all things,
all enjoyment of any,
or enjoyment any, except
except
truth, which is
in the truth,
in is my
my whole satisfaction.
satisfaction. They
They
who have not a knowledge knowledge of this this art imagine,
imagine, if if they
they
they would do many
had, they
had, things: II also thought
many things : thought
the same, but am am grown circumspect by
grow^n circumspect b}^ experience
experience of
many dangers and the peril
many dangers peril of life.
life. II have seen seen so
much corruption
corruption in the world, world, and those even who
pass for good
pass people are so ruled by
good people by the love of
gain, that I am constrained even
gain, I am even from the works of
mercy, for fear of suspicion

mercy, suspicion and arrest. II have expe- expe-
rienced this
this in
in foreign countries,
foreign countries, where, ha^dng ven-
Avhere, having ven-
tured to administer the medicine to sufferers given given
over by physicians, the instant the cures
by physicians, cures became
known, report was spread
known, a report spread about of the Elixir, Elixir, and II
have been obliged
obliged to disguise myself,
disguise myself, shave my head,
my head,
and change
change my my name,
name, to avoid falling
falling into the hands
persons, who would try
of wicked persons, ^^Test the secret
try to wrest
from me,ine, in
in hopes
hopes of making
making gold. II could relate
gold.
PRELIMINARY AceoUNT.
many
many incidents of'
incidents of this
this kind which have happenedhappened to
me. Would to God that
Vould that gold
gold and silver
silver were as
were as A
`[b
common as the street
common mud; we should not then be
street mud ;
_/
i/Lj^L
l/L
obliged to fly
obliged hide ourselves, as if
fly and hide we were ac-
if we
cursed like like Cain.'
Cain.' Sendivogius was im-
Michael Sendivogius //p
,,/)
prisoned
prisoned by by his prince; even the pious
his prince ; pious Kdanrath
Kiiinrath is is r/iiA^
'LL(/
moved to bitterness, when speaking speaking of the treatment / /
he had experienced
experienced: George
: Welling, Fichtuld,
George Von Welling,
Miiller; Harprecht, also;
Miiller, Harpreeht, also ;
for good and innocent
for the good
nov suifered
now suffered more and more everywhere
everywhere for for the impo-
impo-
sitions
sitions of knaves, and were therefore compelled
were therefore compelled to
be silent more than ever cautious to conceal their
silent and more their
names, with the evidence of Alchemy,
names, Alchemy, from the world.
And as the mind of the day day became gradually engaged
gradually engaged
in puritanical
in puritanical discussions, interests of political
discussions, and the interests political
leaders, indifference
leaders, indifference to the art again succeeded, and a
art again
scepticism, blind, and nearly

scepticism, as blind, pernicious as the
nearly as pernicious
former credulity,
credulity, settled upon the minds of men.
settled upon men.
philosophers were content to have it
But philosophers so
it so; observ-
;
incapability of the common

ing the incapability
ing common herd,herd, and how
little they cared for
little they truth, or the witness of
for truth, of' na-ture's
nature's
miracles, in
greatest miracles,
greatest comparison with
in comparison their own
wîth their own selfish
selfish
emolument. Some gathered
gathered themselves togethertogether forfor
protection, and carrying
better protection, carrying onon their work into the
Rosierucian Fraternity, a widely
Rosicrucian Fraternity, celebrated, though
widely celebrated, though
secret association, established, as the report
association, established, report is, by a
is, by
German adeptist,
adeptist, who had travelled into the East,
East,
and in Arabia was initiated into many
was initiated many arcane mysteries
mysteries
of nature. Their Fame and Coryiission,
Confession, with
wdth the story
story
of their first institution, has been rendered into Eng-
first institution, Eng-
lish,
lish, with an
an excellent Preface, by
Preface, by Thomas Vaughan,
Vaughan,
and an Appendix, showing the true nature of their
Appendix, showing
philosophy, place
philosophy, abode, and other particulars
place of abode, particulars con-
con-
nected with their rnagian prowess and renown.
magian prowess renown.
But We we must not omit to notice the names names of Dee
magicians of Queen Eliza-

Kelly, two notorious magicians
and Kelly,
beth's time;
beth's time for
; though the latter was
for though was somewhat of
knave,
a knave, and a little
little over-presumptuous,
over-presumptuous, yet yet there is is
1^
lntroitus Apertus
See Introitus Apertus ad Occlusum llegflld-1 Palatic:/iriip.
Ocelusum Keg6M*i Palaties (?ap- xiii
xiii.
F 2
E
52 Exornnrc yIE\'.
Exoteric View,
reason
reason believe
to believe that
that he practised
practised transmutation,
possessed of
and became possessed of the Red Powder by
by some
secret information, if
secret kind of information, if not of the means of
perfecting
perfecting it
it by
by his
his own art.
art. Thus it
it was
was generally
generally
reported of Dr. Dee and Kelly,
reported Kelly, that they were so
they were
strangely
strangely fortunate as
as to discover
discover very large quan-
a very large quan-
tity of
tity Projection in
of the Powder of Projection in a niche amongst.
amongst
the ruins of Glastonbury
Glastonbury Abbey,
Abbey, and which was so
rich in
rich in virtue (being l1 upon
virtue (being upon 272,330), that lost a
they lost
they
great portion
great portion in
in trial,
trial, before they
they found out the true
height
height of the medicine. Vith
With this
this treasure they
they went
abroad, fixed
abroad, their abode at
fixed their at Trebona, and transmuted
occasionally.
occasionally. In Dee's
Dee's diary we
diary we have the account of
Kelly making
Kelly making projection
projection with one
one grain (in
small grain pro-
(in pro-
portion
portion no larger
larger than the least
least grain
grain of sand) upon
upon
an ounce and a quarter common mercury,
quarter of common þÿI1l ¬l`Cl1l`y,which
produced almost an ounce
produced ounce of purepure gold?
gold.^ Then there
is the story
is warming-pan,
story of the warming-pan, related by
by Ashmole,
from no very very distant testimony,
testimony, of a piece of the metal
piece
being
being cut out and,
and, without Kelly's touching or hand-
Kelly's touching
it., or melting the copper even, only warming it
ling
ling it, melting copper only warming it
in the fire,
in tire, the elixir
elixir being
being projected thereon, it
projected thereon, was
it was
transmuted into pure pure silver.

silver. The pan,
pan, he goes
goes on to
relate, was
relate, was sent to the Queen Elizabeth by by her ambas-
sador, who then lay
sador, lay atat Prague
Prague, that,
; that, byby fitting
fitting the
piece
piece into the place
place whence it
it was cut out,
out, it might
it might
exactly prove
exactly prove to be once
once a part
part of that pan.
pan. Broom-
Held had likewise
field likevise seen in in the hands of one one Master
Trye
Trye and Scroope, rings
Scroope, rings of Sir
Sir Edward Kelly's gold,
Kelly's gold,
the fashion of which was only only gold
gold wire twisted thrice
about the finger;finger ; of wdiich
which fashioned rings rings he gave gave
away
away to the value of 4000!.
4000/. at the marriage
marriage of one of
his
his servants. was highly
This was highly generous
generous ; but,
; but, to say say
truth, he was
the truth, was openly profuse beyond the modest
openly profuse beyond
limits, as Ashmole observes,
limits, observes, of a sober philosopheizg
philosopher.^
This kind of profusionprofusion has been fi'equently
frequently exhibited
by
by such as are reportedreported to have come come by the treasure
by
1
1 Dee's Diary,
Dee's Sept. 1586.
Diary, Sept.
2
^
appended to the Tlieat. Chem. Brit.
See notes appendeil Brit.
PREL1i11N».RY AecoUN'r.
never by those who have themselves con-

casually,
casually, never by con-
fected it.
fected it.
During
During the the abode at at Trebona, Dee and Kelly Kelly
appear
appear to have tried
tried many experiments,
many experiments, and their their
conversations with their their spiritual
spiritual informants are lu- lu-
dicrously
dicrously mundane and abortive.1
abortive.^ Vhether
Whether or not
they
they finally
finally succeeded in in the object
object of their
their research,
research,
uncertain;
remains uncertain ; the story
story runs that they did not,
they not,
that the secret of making
but that making the Powder was con-
fided
fided to Kelly
Kelly some yearsyears afterwards by dying monk.
by a dying
In Dee's Diary,
Dee's Diary, towards the latter
latter end, there cer-
end,
tainly
tainly are expressions
expressions of _joy
joy and gratitude, as if
gratitude, if he
had suddenly
suddenly attained to some great
great and important
important
discovery ; — Hgec est dies
discovery ; -Hcec dies quam
quam fecit Dominus, omne
fecit Dominus, omnc
quod
quod vivit
vivit laudet Dominum ;
—
;-and upon
and upon the thirtieth
thirtieth
day of the month following,
day following, he writes,-Master
writes,— Master E.
Kelly
Kelly did open
open the great
great secret to me, God be
me,
thanked.
Things were not carried on
Things were on so privately abroad, but
privately abroad,
the Queen had notice of the proceedings proceedings of her sub-
jects; and she sent letters
jects ; letters and messages summoning
messages summoning
them to return home home: Dee obeyed,
: obeyed, but Kelly Kelly re-
maining
maining behind,
behind, was taken prisoner by
prisoner by the Emperor
Emperor
Rudolph,
Rudolph, who had long
long set a watch over their
their move-
ments. It was during
It during this detention, that he wrote
this detention,
that little book, entitled De Lapic/e
little book, Lapide Philosophurum,
P/zi!0.s'op/mrzmz,
which is is commonly
commonly to be met with, but is
with, is of little
little
more .value
more value than repute.
repute. The death of Kelly Kelly is is in-
volved in in mystery,
mystery, and Dee is is said to have expired
expired in in
poverty
poverty at Mortlake.
The writings
writings of Jacob Bohme, Bohme, the profoundprofound theo-
sophist of Prague,
sophist Prague, and those of the Pordage Pordage and
Lead school,
school, maymay not be undervalued,
undervalued, since these en-
were all
thusiasts were on the same
all on same original
original track ; and the
;
first would seem

first seem to have attained something something better
even than a
even a View
view of the Promised Land. Moreover, Moreover,
Bohme has discovered such a ground ground of experience
experience
I
^ " A true and faithful
See "A faithful Relation of what passed many
passed for many
Years between Dr. John Dee
Years Dec and some
some Spirits."
Spirits." The book is
is
rare: London,
comparatively rare London, 1659.
comparatively :
—
54 Exoteric VlE\'.
Exorniue View.
principles of
and principles the Divine Art in
of the in his
his writings,
writings, as
as
may
1nay help
help tl1e
the student to conceive profoundly,
profoundly, and
lead means of understanding
him to the means
lead liim understanding the enigmas
enigmas
of the old
old adepts.
adepts. For this
this author is,
is, of all
all who have
hitherto entered experimentally
hitherto experimentally into
into the mystery,
mystery, the
simplest, and most confidential
plainest, simplest,
plainest, Y7ze
The
confidential exponent.
exponent.
Aurora, or Day The Discourse of
Spring;; Y7ze
Daj/ Spring the Wzree
Q' t/ze Three
]J)'f)lCl/J/CS,"
Principles ; T/ze
The Magnum
l/Uysterizmz _dlagzlzn/1;
Alj/sterium ; T716
The f/Tec
Tree of
Life;
Life ; The 7716 Turned
Ylzrneal Eye,
Eye, or Forty
Forty Qzzestio/is
Questions concerning
concerning
t/ze Life
the Life of Man, and his
fy"jU11J2, his Epistles, full of explicit
Epistles, are full explicit
indications concerning
indications physical basis
concerning the physical magic and
basis of magic
occult material of the philosopher's
philosopher's stone!
stone. So that ^
the following eulogy, copied

following eulogy, manuscript found
copied from a manuscript
in
in a volume of his works, may
his works, may not be considered mis-
placed, or altogether
placed, altogether extravagant
extravagant :- :
Vhate'er the Eastern Magi

AVhate'er Magi sought,
sought,
Or Orpheus sung, or Hermes taught,
Orpheus sung, taught,
Vhate'er Confucius
Wliate'er Coufucius would inspire,
inspire,
Or Zoroaster's
Zoroaster's mystic fire;
111yst1c fire;
The symbols Pythagoras drew,

symbols that Pythagoras tlreAv,
The wisdom godlike
godlike Plato knew,knew,
What Socrates debating
\'hat debating proved,
proved,
Epictetus lived
Or Epietetus lived and loved;
loved ;
The sacred fire

fire of saint and sage,
sage,
every clime in
'l'hro' every
Thro' every age,
in every age,
BEibme's wondi'ous
In Bohme's wondrous pagepage we view,
view,
Discover'd and revealed anew, &c.
Discover'd
anew, it
Revealed anew, it will
will be observed,
observed, theosophically,
theosophically,
but not intellectually.
intellectually. Nothing, since the Greeks,
Nothing, Greeks, has
been found to approach
approach their doctrine of Wisdom in
VlS(lOlll in
grace
perspieuity, grace
perspicuity, of utterance,
utterance, and scientific
scientific exphca-
expliea-
tion of the divine source. Of all
all the successors on the
same none have exceeded their authority, and

road, none
same road, authority,
very
very few have attained to the perfect veracity and
perfect veracity
ideality
ideality of their ground
ground ; but; of this
this hereafter. Nu-
merous
merous works on Alchemy have issued from the
on Alchemy
German press, detailing the experience
press, detailing experience of excellent
adepts; amongst those of later years,
and learned adepts amongst
;
years,
1 vols. Mo.
'
See Bohme's Works, edited by
Biihme's \'orks, by Law and others,
others, 'L4 vols. Ito.
may
may be mentioned Ambrose and Phillip Phillip Miiller
Miiller ;' Her-
;
^
man
man Fichtuld
Fichtuld;^ ;2 and his
his friend
friend George
George Von Welling
Welling;^ ,3
J.
J, Crollius
Crollius ;"
;
'^
the Van Helmonts, father
father and son ^
son;5 ;
Grasseus, the reputed

Grasseus, reputed author of the Water þÿSf0)I Stone,^¬,6
a
a
personal
personal friend
friend of Bohmc's
Bohme's ; Henry
; Henry Kainnrath,
K«iinrath, a <\.LA^
7
pious and learned adeptist
pious adeptist ; ;
Andrew Libavius ; 8^
''
J. J.
J. J. Beecher;9
Beccher;^ and J. J. Tollius,
Tollius, a Dutchman, and
elegant classical
an elegant expositor on the same
classical expositor ground. 1°
same ground. ^^
Faber, also;"
Faber, also ;
^^ but of
of all
all those who have connected
ancient fable philosophy, and explained
fable with philosophy, explained them by by / •
the Hermetic key, Michael Ma/ er ranks first

key, MiehaelMay'er first , and his
; his ^ ^
more esteemed and sought
works are more sought after,
after, even in in the
present day,
present day, than is
is easily accountable,
easily accountable, since he is
is pro-
pro-
guarded
foundly guarded
foundly in
in his
his revelations."
revelations.^^ Highly
Highly curious
engravings and woodcuts adorn
engravings ador11 the works
wôrks of these
authors, and even
authors, even the title-pages
title-pages of many many of them
convey
convey more
more idea and food for
for reflection,
reflection, than other
I
^
Philippi Mtilleri Miracula et Mysteria
Philippi MuUeri Mysteria Medico-(.`he1niea,
Medico- Cheinica,
Miiller's
Wirtemburg, 1656. Amb. Miiller's
Virte1nburg, Paradeis-Spiegel, Launen-
Paradeis-Spiegel,
bnrg,
burg, 1704.
2
2 Probier Stein,
Steiu, Prancf. 17-10.
Francf. 1740.
3
^ Opus Mago-Cabbalist.
Opus Mage-Cabbalist. &c., &c., Francf.
Prancf. 17 60.
1760.
4
**
Crollius, Philosopby lteforlned,
Crollius, Philosophy trans, by
&c., trans.
Reformed, Sze., Pinnel, Lon-
by Pinnel,
don, 1657.
don,
5
^ Van Helmont de Urtn Medicinze has been translated under
Ortu Medicinse
the title
title of Oreatrike, Physic Reformed.
Oreatrike, or Physic Eeformed. J. J. B. V. Helmont,
Hehnout,
Paradoxes.
6
" Das "Wasser-Stein
\'eissens, is
Wasser-Stein des "Weissens, is translated into
into English
English
and into Latin in the Musaeum lInssenm Hermeticum
Hermeticum; Area Arcano,
;
Arcane,
Lillinm
Lillium inter Spinas,
Spinas, &e., same Author,
by the same
&c., by collec-
Author, are in the collec-
tion of Manget.
Manget.
7
' Amphitheat. Sapieutiae
Amphitheat. Eternae, in fol.
Sapientise Eternze, fol. 1608. Magnesia Ca-
Magnesia
tholica, &c.
thoiica,
*
**
And. Libavins, Opera Omnia Medica,
Libavius, Opera Medica, in fol. vols. A
fol. 2 vols. A pon-
pon-
derons
derous compilation.
compilation.
9
^ Physica Subterrauea, Lips. Svo.
Physica Subterranea, Lips. 8vo. Idem, Idem, (Edipus
ffidipus Chemicus
Aperius Mysteria, &c. Fr:1ncf.1664.
Aperius Mysteria, Prancf. 1664. Idem, Laboratorium Chi-
Idem,
micum, Francf. 1680.
micuni, Prancf.
1"
1687. Mannduetio
Fortnita, Amst. 11587.
^^ Tollii Portuita, Ainst. Manuductio ad Caelum Coeluni Chemi-
cum,
cum, 1688. Sapientia
Sapientia Insanies, sive Promissn
Insanies, Promissa Chemica.
U
^1 Opera Medico-Chimica, 2 vols.
Opera 11edico-Chiinica, vols. 4to. ]:`rancf`. 1652.
ite. Prancf. /
12
Synibola Auifae Blensze. Idein,
^^ Symbola Aur/ae Menste.
Ulysses. Idem,
Idem, Ulysses. Idem, Septimana
Septimana "^/
I'are ; Arcana A
Philosophica, rare
Philosophica, ; rcanissima, h. e. Hieroglyphica
Arcanissima,h. Hieroglyphica ]Egyp-
^gyp-
tiaca Greeca, rare; Atalanta Fugiens,
Grseca, rare ; Chemicum
Scrutineuin Cheniicum
Pugiens, sive Scrutineum
Emblemata,
Emblemata, Thcmis
Themis Aurea, Viatoriinn, &c. &c.
Aurea, Yiatorium,
56 Exoteric View.
Exoriziue
throughout the whole of

oftentimes throughout
modern tomes, oftentimes
their development.
their development.
Novunz Lumtn
The Novum
'1`he Lumen Chemicum,
C'/lC)llfClH)l,Wl1iCl] passes under
which passes
the name Sendivogius, the Polish
name of Michael Sendivogius, adept, is
Pohsh adept, is
one of
one best known and popular
of the best popular of modern works
subject. It
on the subject. translated into
It has been translated into English,
English,
by
by John French, also
also a
a
practitioner;'
practitioner;^ whose introduc-
preface is
tory preface
tory is bold and striking,
striking, and was was published
published
in London under the title
in title of T/ze
The New Light Light of fy' A/-
Al-
vhemy,
cheiny, vith
with the nine books of Paracelsus,
Paracelsus, Dc
De .Zr[(fllI`(I
Natura
Renim, in
Rerum, in 1650. This New Light, professedly drawn
Light, protessedly
from the fountain of nature, grounded in
nature, and grounded in manual
experience,
experience, is
is cleverly
cleverly handled,
handled, and of an
an attractive
attractive
character;
character ; though
though in
in consequence
consequence of the wilful
wilful dis-
dis-
order and perplexity
perplexity of the composition, repeated pe-
composition, repeated pe-
rusal certain knowledge
rusal and a certain requisite, in
knowledge are requisite, in order to
gather its
gather its recondite drift;drift; and so much the more, as
its theory
its theory and asserted facts are at variance with our
facts our
common conceptions and experience
common conceptions experience of the possibility
possibility
of nature. The French edition of this this wo1'k,
work, also,
also, has
been translated by by Digby,
Digby, and contains,
contains, besides the
Yreatisc
Treatise on Salt S11/t omitted in above, other curious
in the above,
additions, coneludin0°.Dialo0'ue
additions, with a concluding O
Dialogue,
C 7 which is is instruc-
tive. 2
tive.^
There is is a multitude of little little English
English books on on
alchemy
alchemy afloat
afloat on
on the book-stalls
book -stalls ;; amongst
amongst them some
seine
original,
original, wellwell-written
-written and worthy perusal; for
worthy of perusal; al-
for al-
though Britain has not been so fertile
though fertile in adepts as
in adepts
France and Germany,
Germany, yet yet her scarce ones
ones have been
great ; the profundity
great ;
profundity and comparative
comparative candour of their
writings,
writings, being very generally
being very acknowledged by
generally acknowledged by their
foreign compeers to which Dufresnoy,
tbreigu eompeers; ; Dafresnoy, though though him-
self a sceptic,
sceptic, in his his Histoire Hevmetique
Hernzétique bears this this
characteristic witness. —
characteristic witness.-D'ailleurs D'ailleurs on on ne116 seauroit
scauroit dis- dis-
convenir que les Anglois
que les n'écrivent sur la
Anglois n'ecrivent la science her-
metique
métiquc avec beaucoup beaucoup de dc lumiere et de profondcur.
profondeur.
lls y font paroitre
lis paroitre leur jugement
jugement ct et leur esprit
csprit de re-
1
See l"rench's
^ Art of Distillatiou.
French's ;rt Distillation.
2
Send1'og1us`s New Light
Seiidivogius's
-
Light of Alchemy, by John Digbv,
Alchemy, hv Digby, Lon-
don, 1722.
don,
^
tlexion.
flexion. I1
II seroit a
seroit a souhaiter qu'ils portassent la
qu'ils portassent la
meme attention
attention et et la meme maturité
la meine maturite a 51 tout ce qu'ils
ce qu'ils
entreprennent,
entreprennent, on seroit beaucoup
on seroit beaueoup plus plus content d'eux d'eux
et ils s'exposerait pas
et ils ne s'exposerait
ne a l'estime
perdre I'estime
pas a perdre des autres
comme ils
nations comme ils s'y risquent tous les
s'y risquent les jours.
joursf
This piece of flattering
piece of flattering French testimony
testimony refers, refers, wewe
suppose,
suppose, to the
the writings
writings of our
early
early adepts;
adepts other-
other-
;
wise, of all
wise, flourished in
all that have flourished in latter
latter times, the
most celebrated and facile facile priucejys, is
pr biceps, is that Anony-
Anony- //
mous who styles styles himself Eiren¢us
Eirenûs Philalethes:
Philalethes the
: M,
^26/ ,/
many
many works that have appeared
appeared under this
this signa-
signa-
indicate so excellent and perfect
ture indicate perfect an artist, artist, that
his brethren, always
his brethren, admiration, unani-
speaking with admiration,
always speaking
mously
mously award him the garland.
garland. Yet himself, his
of himself, his
name,
name, and habits
habits of life
hfe nothing is
nothing known;
is known ; no
no cotem-
V
porary mentions him; Starlty, indeed,
,/
porary him Starlvy,
;
professes to
indeed, professes
have been his his servant once for for a time in in America,
America, and
assisted him in
to have assisted in the art; art
; and describes him as
English gentleman
an English
an gentleman of an ancient and honourable
family
family then living
living on
on his
his own
own estate and rarely
rarely
learned. —
learned.-II saw, says says he,he, inin my
my master's
master's possession the
possession
Vhite
White and Red elixir elixir in in very
very large
large quantity;
quantity he gave
; gave
me
me upwards of two ounces
upwards ounces of the Vhite
White medicine of
sufiicient virtue to convert 120,000 times its
sufficient virtue its weight
weight
into the purest
into purest silver:
silver : with this
this treasure I I went to
Work
work ignorantly
ignorantly and was
was caught
caught in
in the trap
trap of my my
own covetousness,
own covetousness, tbr for I I expended
expended or wasted nearly
nearly
all this
all tincture, and did not know its
this tincture, its value untiluntil itit
was nearly
nearly gone.
gone. However, II made projection
However, projection of a
part, and have tinged
part, tinged many many hundreds of ounces ounces by by it
it
into the best silver: silver: of a pound pound of mercury
mercury II have
made within less less than a seruple scruple of a pound pound of silver,silver, /
810.2
&c.^ It
It is reported, that Eirenûs
is also reported, Eireneus was was intimate '
/P^f
<15
with the chemist Boyle; Boyle but the rumours
; rumours are all all un-
un-
certain, and,
certain, and, as if if to increase the mystery,mystery, he has been
confounded with other English adepts, as Harprecht
English adepts, I~Iarp1'echt
and Thomas Vaughan, Vaughan, and his his writings
writings also with
Sendivogius, who has been identitied
those of Sendivogius, identified with
1
^ Vol, i. page
Vol. i, MS.
page 446.
3
- See Starky's Pyrotechny
Pyroiecliny Asserted.
Stark§y's
-F
58 Exornmc 'TIEV.
Exoteric View.
him under the thc na111e

name of of Alexander Sethon and others. others.
He himself informs us that that he was born in in England,
England,
somewhere towards the beginning beginning of of the 17th1 7th century,
century,
possessed the secret
that he possessed secret at at a veryver}-^ early
early age,age, and
was the victim of
was of unremitting
unremitting persecution.
persecution. His prin-prin-
cipal works are, A11
cipal An OpenOpen EntranceE71f)'(l)Z(76 to the nsyllll
to the Shut
I)(l/(ICC of
Palace ry" thethe King,King, RipleyRipley Revived,Revival, 1716 The__Mar- 111111--
y/ row of
Ilgll) of Alchemy
Af()/I(?l}I1f, in
, verse; Jlletn/101-11111
in verse ; Metallor iini /lIet1111101'-
Metamor-
p/10565,
phoses, B1'cu1.s'
Brevis /l/1111111/11cti0
Manuductio ac!
ad ]{11b11111111
Rubinum Cl(t'[C.S'[ll))l,
Ca'lestum, 170115
Fons
þÿ(1/l
ChemiccE V(3)`ff(l'[f.S, and a few others
¬)lIf(,`(l?Veritatis, others in 1111181211111
in the MuscEum
}lCl'I}1(ffiClllll and in
Her)neticntn Manget's collection.
in Manget's collection.
Thomas Vaughan, pseudonymd
Vaughan, whose pseudonym^ of Eugcnius Eugenius
Philalethes has,
Philalethes has, notwithstanding
notwithstanding the 'very very obvious
distinction of his
distinction his mind and style, style, caused him to be
confounded with the foregoing foregoing Eircneus,Eireneus, was was the au-
thor of several luminous little little treatises,
treatises, bearing
hearing on on the
higher grounds
higher grounds of this science, full
mystic science,
this mystic full of ideas
and the reconditc
recondite spirit spirit of antiquity.
antiquity. In these Vaughan Vaughan
makes casual reference to the gold-making gold-making possibility,
possibihty,
but is is at littlelittle pains
pains to attract in in this
this direction,
direction, or
indicate, as is
indicate, is usual, any any sophistic
sophistic order of practical practical
operation; and thus repelling

operation ;
repclling impertinent
impertinent inquiry, inquiry,
he leads at once once to the ,true true and only only valuable
speculation of the subject.
speculation subject. Moreover,
Moreover, unless we we be
mistaken, the one Art and medium of vital
mistaken, vital perfect-
perfect-
ibility
ibility is more clearly
is more clearly shown in his writings
in his writings than in in
those of any any other English English author. They are as fol-
They fol-
Magia A1/11111ic11,
low: il/agizz
low; Adamica, 01' or 1716 Arztiqzzitj/ of Magic
The Antiquity rllugic ,°;
whereto is is added,
added, A Discovery
Discovery of Q/" the ClU[I(lll Teme,
15/ze Caelum Ykrrre,
or Magician's Heavenly C/mos;
.'l1(IgfCi(lll'-5' Hcaverziy Chaos; Aiithrojwsopliia
A11t/11°o/wsop/1211
7'/IL'()lll(lglL'({, a discourse on the nature of man
Theomagica, man
grounded
grounded on protochemistry of Hermes,
on the protochcmistry Hermes, and veri-
iied by
fied by a practical examination of principles
a practical principles ; Anima
; Allflllfl
Magia /1bSCO)lI/il(I, a discourse
.l/llgid Abscondita, a of the l1l]lVCl`SZ1l
universal spi1'it spirit
nature, with its

of nature, its strange, abstruse, and miraculous
strange, abstruse,
ascent and descent; descent ; Euphrates, 01'
lizrp/zrates, or l'Va1fe1's
Waters M of the
East, a practical
East, a
practical discourse of that secret fountain
whose water flows from Are ; Lumen (le
fire; L11111c11 Lumine, a
de L1llIlfIlC,
new magical light
new nragical light discovered and consummated,
consummated, with
an allegorical
allegorical display display of the iirst
tirst matter, and other
matter, othcrva- va-
7C / / ann# l~"¢-4
»§f7_f// P1/ie
/)A._`[.y-/. ,,-KM.,
HLQM4
t7 cf;
C? U^^^y
'
/hw' -J^^^-y L/"""3>

r
^.A''-^ ^.^^-
f,
(flf(d^t7i-^
H fl t/¢.{7'L|-4 " ^-< '4'f'/LA,
.q
I-4
/
/Q"'f`~"'f<-7
;,»__)
^
F; /651 ,~'_ 5 I
,_
l_A7[7L¢,,,,;g[VQ,,,-_°¢1.¢44:< ff ""/`l'é4 _
Frm M
PRELIMINARY AceoUN'r.
magnetical introductions
luable magnetical
luable introductions and guides.
guides. This au-
thor's
tlior's is reported
death is befallcn extraordinarily,
reported to have befallen extraordinarily,
something after
something after the manner of the poet V irgi1`s, and
poet Virgils,
an overdose ofthe
from an elixir; nor should it
of the elixir; won-
appear won-
it appear
derful, narrative runs, that thc

as the narrative the subtle light of
subtle light life
of life
should inin these instances
instances have been swallowed up up in
in the
superior attraction of a
superior attraction greater flame.
a greater flame. Agrippa gives
Agrippa gives
similar account of the death of
a similar of Alexander the Great,
we
we know not 11ot onon what authority, saying that he died
authority, saying died
suddenly
suddenly by by the hand of his preceptor, (I(f}Nl)lfSfCl'iIIg
his preceptor, adimnister'mg
the venom
the fy" t/ze ivattrs
-venom of the waters Qf Styx, to whom the youthful
of Styfc, youthful
monarch had previously previously intrusted his
intrusted his life, body and
life, body
soul, without reservation.^

soul, reservation'
The Authors we we have broughtbrought forward as distin- distin-
guished
guished and genuine,
genuine, are but in comparison
few in comparison with
the whole number; number some some reckon as many as four
;
many
thousand ;^ ,Q but there enough without forcing
are enough forcing any any
into the ranks.
into Borrichius, from standing
Borrichius, testimony,
standing testimony,
counts as many many as two thousand five Eve hundred?
hundred.^
L'Englet Dufresnoy
L'Englet Dufresnoy has reduced the number still still
more, but then he was ignorant ignorant of the subjectsubject and
according to titles,
excludes according titles, rather than the matter, matter,
of several books covertlycovertly treating
treating of the Hermetic art?
art.'^
The Bodleian library library contains many
many hundred volumes
by separate authors. The Royal
by separate Library of France
Royal Library
was reputed still
was reputed still richer in l742, especially in
1742, especially in manu-
manu-
scripts ;
scripts ; and the Vatican and Escurial have large and
large
valuable collections in in the samesame branch.
And
Audit is in
it is in these archives alone that the ancient Art
is now
is preserved, in
now preserved, in which we we hoard the memorymemory of
bygone
long bygone hopes.
long hopes. To declare a man
man an
an Alchemist
in the present
in present day day would be to brand him as insane,
insane,
and the Hermetic ground ground is is as far
far out of the road of
common thought
common thought as if it were tabooed ; not indeed that
if it ;
any
any one
one
regards
regards it
it sacred, but devilish rather,
as sacred, rather, or
1^
Yauity Sciences, c. 541.
Vanity of the Sciences, 54;.
2
2 Petri Borelli Bibliot. Chem. Paris,
Paris, 1656.
-5
•^
De Ortu et Progressu
Progressu Chimize.
Cliimise.
4'*
Hermetique, toni.
Histoire Hermétique, iii. accompngnée
torn. iii. accompagnee d'nne
d'une Catalogue
Catalogue
Raisonnée des Ecrivains de cette Science,
Kaisonnee Paris, 1762.
Science, Paris,
60 EXOTERIC View.
Exoteric V'IE\'.
delirious, or ridiculous, as the bias

delirious, bias may
1nay bc.
be. Mean-
while, therefore, to to reconcile this science
reconcile this teach-
science or the teach-
ers of itit to the world, we
the world, we should feel to be a task
feel to task
ability, were
above our ability, it very
were it very far greater than it
far greater is ;
it is ;
grown so old
having grown
prejudice having
the prejudice old and strong
strong that
authority is
neither reason nor authority is longer
longer ableable to balance
it.
it. But inin whatever light light we be disposed disposed to regard regard
Alchemy, whether as the aeme
Alchemy, acme of human folly, folly, or, con-
trariwise, as
trariwise, as the recondite
reeondite perfection
perfection of wisdom and
causal science, it
science, it appears
appears almost equally remarkable:
equally remarkable :
considered in in the former way, we have before us

way, we us a a
huge
huge monument of avariee,
avarice, mad credulity,
credulity, and fraud
accumulating on
accumulating continually from immemorial
on continually iminemorial time,
with the deplorable
deplorable conclusion,
conclusion, that the greater
greater part part
of those to whom the world has been taught taught to look
up philosophical authorities were
up as philosophical were in in fact dupes and
fact dupes
deeeivers
worse deceivers ; on
worse ;on the other hand, if we hesitate
hand, if we hesitate in in
thus denouncing
denouncing all all the many well-approved
many well-approved and reli-
reli-
professors of this
gious professors
gious art, and suppose
this art, suppose them,them, even even in in
this particular,
this particular, to have been sincere, sincere, what then ought ought
we to conclude?
we That they were deluded?
they were deluded ? It It is
is true
their assertions are startling,
their startling, theirtheir promises
promises huge huge and
improbable, but then the means of realization proposed
improbable, proposed
actual; the transmutation of metallic bodies was
are actual ; was a
proof
proof addressed to the senses and so uniformly stated
uniformly
subterfuge or any
preclude subterfuge
as to preclude any medium fulfilment.
fulfilment.
—
-II have seen the Stone and handled it, says Van
it, says
Helmont,
Helmont, and have projected
projected the fourth part of one
part one
wrapped
grain, wrapped
grain, in paper, upon
paper, upon eight eight ounces
ounces of quick-
quick-
silver boiling
silver boiling inin a crucible,
erucible, and the quicksilver,
quicksilver, with a
small voice, presently stood still
voice, presently still from its flux, and
its flux,
was congealed like
was to yellow wax; and after a flux by
congealed like yellow wax; after by
blast we
we found eight
eight ounces
ounces all
all but eleven grains which
grains
wânting of the purest
were wanting gold ; therefore,
purest gold; therefore, one one grain
grain
this powder
of this powder would transmute 19186
1918G parts of quick-
parts quick-
silver into the best gold.
silver gold. am þÿCOl"lSl21'
II am constrained ¬l,l11 ¬(1
to be-
lieve,
lieve, for
for I
I have made projections
projections divers times of one
one
grain
grain of the philosopher's gold upon
philosopher's gold upon some
some thousands
grains of boiling
of grains quicksilver, to the admiration and
boiling quieksilver,
tickling
tickling of a great
great multitude. He who gave gave me me that
:
PnEL1M1NAn' ACCOUNT.
powder (the
powder stranger Butler, whom he first
(the stranger first found inin
prison) had so much as would transmute two hundred
prison)
pounds' worth of
thousand pounds' of gold?
gold.^ tincture of
Our tincture of
says Paracelsus, has within it
gold, says
gold, it an astral
astral tire
fire
which conquers
w^hich conquers ail things and changes
all things changes them into into a
nature like
like to itself;
itself it
it is
is a
; a most fixed
fixed substance and
immutable in multiplication ; it
in the multiplication is a powder
it is ; having
powder having
colour, almost like
the reddest colour, like saflron, yet the whole
saflfron, yet
corporeal substance is
corporeal liquid like
is liquid resin, transparent
like resin, transparent like like
crystal, like glass.
frangible like
crystal, frangible glass. It is
It is of a ruby colour of
a ruby
the greatest
greatest weight;
weight ;and this
this is
is a true sign sign of the
tincture
tincture of philosophers,
philosophers, that by its transmutiug force
by its transmuting force
all
all imperfect
imperfect metals are
changed,
changed, and this gold is
this gold is bet-
bet-
ter than the gold mines and out of it
gold of the mines; ; it may
may be
prepared better medicines and arcana?
prepared arcana.^ So likewise
Friar Bacon says, says, and Lully,
Lully, and Arnold in his
in his Syle-
Spe-
culzzm,
culum, that he had seen and touched,
touched, after
after much
labour and industry,
industry, the perfectperfect thing
thing f,l'&l]SlI1Ui}ll1g.3
transmuting.^
And Geber in in these words:-The
words: — The things
things are manifest
in which the verity
in verity of the work is nigh, and we
is nigh, we have
considered the things things perfecting
perfecting this
this work by
by a true
investigation,
investigation, with certain experience, whereby
experience, whereby we we are
assured that all all the words are true which are by by writ-
us writ-
in our volumes,
volumes, according we found them by ex-
ten in according as wê by
periment and reason#
periment reason.^ And again,-By
again, —
By the goodness
goodness
God's instigation
of God's instigation and by by our ownown incessant labour,labour,
we
wc have searched out and found, found, and have seen with
our eyeseyes and handled with our hands the complete- complete-
ment
inent of matters sought sought after after inin ourour magistery.5
magistery.^
And PicusPieus di di Mirandola,
Mirandola, in his book De Azzro
in his Auro :- —
come now,
II come now, says prince,
says the prince, to relate what my eyes
my eyes
have seen plainly without veil
seen plainly veil or obscurity;
obscurity ;one of
one
my friends,
my friends, who is is now living, has made gold
now living, gold and sil- sil-
ver above sixty sixty several times in my

my own
own presence, and
presence,
l1 have seen
seen itit and done it it myselffi
myself.®
1
1 Book of Eternal Life, Ortus. Med. fol.
Life, Ortixs. p. 590,
fol. p. &c.
590, &e.
2
2 Signatura Eerum,
Signatura Rerum, fol. page 358.
fol. page
3
^ Speculum Alchimiae,
Speculum initio, Theat. Chem. vol.
Alchimige, sub initio, vol. iv. p. 515.
iv. p.
4
^ Epilogue to the Investigation
Epilogue Investigation of Verity, Russel's Geber,
Verity, Eussel's Geber, p.
p. 20.
5
'"'
Idem, book i.
Idem, i. page 215.
page
6
^ Mirandolee de Auro,
Picus Mirandolze lib. iii.
Auro, lib. iii. cap.
cap. 2.
—
(52
62 Exornme Viiaiv.
Exoteric View.
We
Ve do not adduee adduce these testimonials
testimonials in either
proof either
in proof
of truth or
of the truth plausibility
or plausibiHty of
of the Hermetic art;
art but;
to lead
lead on inquiry,
on inquiry, without which it
it would be equally
equally
vain
vain to believe
believe as to denydeny; and further, to show the
;
pretension ambiguous, but absolutely

pretension was not ambiguous, absolutely prove-
prove-
able, if
able, all, we have the story
at all,
if at story of the transmutation
Adolphus in
before Gustavus Adolphus
before in the year
year 1620, the
the gold
gold
of which was coined eoined into bearing
into medals, bearing the king's
king's
efligy
effigy with the reverse. Mercury and Venus
reverse, Mercury Venus; and that
; that
other at Berlin, before the king
at Berlin, king of Prussia, widely
widely cele-
cele-
brated in in 1710.'
1710.1 The story
story related Kireher in
by Kircher
related by in his
his
Mundus S1zbtc1'ra11eu.s~ also
_/1/un(/115 Suhttrraneus also is and
eXplicit,and
is explicit, that of Hel-
vetius; but the foregoing,
vetius ; casually, may
foregoing, taken casually, may be suffi-
suffi-
cient to indicate
cient indicate that the evidence of Alchemy Alchemy was was
neither abstract nor
neither hidden, nor
nor hidden, nor
vaguely opinable,
vaguely opinable,
But elean, experimental and determinable;-
clean, experimental determinable :
and that if
if there was deception
deception at all, it must have
all, it
wilful and not the offspring

been wilful offspring of self-delusion on
self-delusion on
part of the adepts.
the part adepts. And then what should induee
induce
men to invent,
men invent, age after age,
age after age, and to reiterate
reiterate and con-
firm a shameful and unpopular
mits and eeelesiasties,
unpopular falsehood ?-pious
?
—
pious her-
physicians and metaphysieians,
ecclesiastics, physicians metaphysicians,
men
men of high rank and reputation,
high far above and out of
reputation, far
the way allurements, most of whom had in
way of sordid allurements, in
fact relinquished station, power,
relinquished station, wealth, and worldly
power, wealth, worldly
benefices for the science'
beneiiees for science' sake and the cause of true
religion?
religion? What interest should have moved them,
Vhat them,
supposing minds so degraded
even supposing far
degraded as to deceive so far
and frequently fellow-men ? Or shall we
frequently their fellow-men? we con-
eon-
Ripley either was

clude that Ripley was so mad and simple
simple a
knave as to write the offer ofier to his
his king
king to show him
working of
the actual working of' the Stone, if he had possessed
Stone, if possessed
promises to unfold the whole
nothing?? but he even promises
nothing
eonfeetion eonditionedly. Would
confection conditionedly. Vould he so far
far have ven-
tured, or what motive had he to deceive
tured, deceive??
I
Sec
' Eorricliius de Ortu et Progressu,
See llorriehius Progressu, the full aeeount; and
full account ;
Hist. Herm.
Dufresnoy, Ilist.
Dufresnoy, llcrni. vol. ii.
vol. ii.
—
AccoUN'r.
Preliminary 53
63
Never trewly
trewly forfor merke
lnerkc nor for pounde
nor for ponndc
Make
Blake yt
yt I common but
I common; ;bnt to you eonditioncdly
to you conditioneclly
That to
to yourself
yourself yeye shall
shall keep yt secretly;
keep yt secretly ;
And only
only yt
yt use, as may God's pleasure,
may be God's pleasure,
Els in C0l]]y11g8 of
tyme comynge
in tyme of God II shonlde
shoulde abye
abye
F or my discoveringe of hys secrett treasurye.^
For my discoveringe hys treasuryef
And if if the notion of wilful deceit is
wilful deceit is improbable;
improbable ;
then, their
then, their problem problem being being one of tangible facts,
tangible facts, it is
it is
still less
still less likely that
likely that they they were
were themselves deceived.-
deceived.
I write
I write not fables, says
t/zeater
theater ;; with thine
says H. K^nrath,
own
own
Kwhnrath, in
hands thou
in his
shalt
his Amplzi-
shalt handle and
Amphi-
%;,/
X-^-co-/
with thine own eyes thou shalt

own eyes shalt see Azoth, viz., viz., the Uni-
versal Mercury,
versal Mercury, which alone with its
its internal
internal and exter-
nal fire is sutlicient for thee
fire is sufficient for thee;; wdiich which transforms itself into
itself into
what it it will
will by
by the fire.
fire. And again,-II
again, — have travelled
much and visited visited those esteemed to know somewhat
by experience and 11ot
by experience not inin vain, amongst whom, II call
vain, amongst call
God to witness,
witness, got I
I got of one
one the universal tincture,
tincture,
and the blood of the Lion, Lion, which is is the goldgold of philo-
philo-
sophers.
sophers. I
I have seen it,
it, touched it,
it, tasted it,
it, smelt it,
it,
and used it it etlicaeiously

efficaciously towards my my poorpoor neighbours
neighbours
in
in most desperate
desperate cases.
eases. Oh, how wonderful
wonderhil is is God in in
his works ! 2^ !
The liberal
liberal mind naturally
natm'ally experiences
experiences a difficulty difficulty
in disbelieving where, possibility being
in disbelieving where, a possibility being granted,
granted, the
testimony in
testimony support of a
in support a matter is fair and honour-
is fair
able.
able. And though
though sensible evidence and moremore than
this
this sometimes is required
is required to silence negative assertion ;
negative ;
yet
yet reason, supported
supported by by her witnesses,
witnesses, may enervate
may
it, and induce that strict
it, investigation and thought
strict investigation thought
which should always always precede experiment,
precede experiment, but which
the multitude have never yet yet been found willing to
willing
undertake ;; and are consequently
consequently led astray in progress,
astray progress,
in
and learn as it it were by by chance. It
It is
is said that Lord
Bacon instituted certain experiments experiments with a view to the
discovery ofthe
discovery philosopher's stone,
of the philosopher's stone, and in iheAdvance-
the Advance-
ment of Learning he
cy"Learning faithfully recognises
faithfully recognises the possibility,
possibility,
as does also Sir Isaac Newton in his works works; while Leibnitz
;
1
^ Sir George Epistle to King
Eipley's Epistle
George l{ipley's King Edward TV.,IV., 5
v. 5.
2
2 Amphitheatrum
Amphitheatrnm Sapientire
Sapientiae Eternse, iinem.
Eternre, circa fineni.
G4
64 Exoteric TIEV.
EXOTERIC View.
devoted his his early life to the

early life pursuit: nor
the pursuit : nor diddid either
either
of these
of these greatgreat men, though
though they they were practically un-
practically un-
successful themselves, condemn the ancient tradition
successful tradition
deny its
or deny validity. Yet it
its validity. it would seem to be more more
ordinarily
ordinarily natural to the human mind to reject
reject those
things, which it
things, it has neither
neither been early early imbued in in the
belief of,
belief instructed to understand ; besides
of, nor instructed ;
besides indivi-
indivi-
research into
dual research possibilities, and because facts
into mere possibilities, facts
only
only are alleged,
alleged, is
is too hopeless
hopeless and arduous for
for this
this
short life, requires a definite
life, which requires definite assurance of suc-
cess, and fruit fruit even from the smallest labour. labour. And
this is
this is the world's
world's palliation
palliation for for despising Alchemy, and
despising Alchemy,
many
many thingsthings which the ancients have asserted in in like
like
manner, without the requisite
manner, requisite means of realization. realization.
they would not, nor have they
For they anywhere declared
they anywhere
openly
openly even the common
common Subject
Subject of their
their Art;
Art ; but
left mankind to imagine,
left imagine, as they did, all
they did, all that was was
concerning it,
erroneous concerning their salts,
it, as of their sulphurs, mer-
salts,sulphurs,
euries,
curies, magicmagic elements, confections. What
elements, and occult eonfeetions. Vhat
a chaos of metaphormetaphor and monstrous allusion does not
the literature Alchemy at first
literature of Alchemy present l Vith
first view present ! With
images and inconclusive positions
fantastic images
what fantastic positions is is it
it
not replete-signs,
replete — symbolisms, and subtle enigmas
signs, symbolisms, cnigmas
innumerable, as if
innumerable, try the ingenuity
if to try ingenuity at every every point?
point?
Contrary
Contrary to the usual endeavour of writers to enlighten,
enlighten,
by rendering
by intelligible, the adepts
rendering their ideas intelligible, adepts appear
appear
to have had a directly contrary aim,
directly contrary aim, at least so it it would
occur to any one from a cursory

any one survey; now
cursory survey ;
leading
new leading
along
along by by some
some ingenious
ingenious allegory,
allegory, full
full of deep
deep and
exciting suggestions,
exciting suggestions, yet enveloped in
yet withal enveloped mys-
in a mys-
tery so obscure that without lnore

tery light, it
more light, it were im-
possible to penetrate
possible penetrate it ; then, further to seduce,
it ; then, seduce, add-
ing, it
ing, may be,
it may bc, another gleam gleam of argument,
argument, tantalizing
tantalizing
hope and wearying
the hope understanding with un-
wearying the understanding un-
assertions, until all
equal assertions,
equal passes away
all passes again, with all
away again, all
discernment, behind some
possibility of discernment,
possibility some clouded meme-
taphor or word of warning
taphor warning that the secret of ages ages
may
may not be profaned.profaned. A variety artifices according
variety of artifices according
cabalistic method,
to the cabalistic moreover,
method, moreover, have been em-
em-
ployed, and the Hermetic

ployed, discourses are not unfre-
unfile-
;
Preliminary AccoUNT. G5
65
quently found introverted

quently in their
introverted in dis-
order, and dis-
their order,
persed with repetitions,
persed prevent the truth from
repetitions, to prevent
openly obvious, even to those who had'
becoming opeidy
becoming had'
already become possessed
ah'eady possessed of the true key;
key but only
only ;
of the vestibule
vestibule and entrance rights
rights ; ;
If you consider
If you consider how
bow the partes
partes ofof the werkes
Be out ofof order set by
by the old clerkes,
old clerkes,
As I said before,
I said before, the masters of of this
this arte,
arte,
Every and each
Every eacli of
of them disclosed
disclosed but a parte
parte ; ;
Wherefore tho'
Vhcretbre ye perceived
tho' ye them as
perceived tliem ye woulde,
as ye
Yet ye
ye cannot order or tliein as ye
_joiue them
or joine shonlde.'
ye shoulde.^ "
fl .
For is is not our art art cabalistical, A±te&is, and

cabahstical, asks Aaithais, /£13155//(Z/'S`
LOite^
""^
full ol" mysteries? And you,
full of mysteries? fool, believe we teach the
you, fool,
secret of secrets openly,
openly, and understand our our words
according
according to the letter; be assured,
letter ; assured, we we are not en-
vious, but he that takes the philosopher'sphilosopher's sayings
sayings
according to the outward sense and signification
according signiiication has
already lost the clue of Ariadne, and wanders up
already lost up and
down the labyrinth,
labyrinth, and it it would be of the same same
benefit to him as if
benefit if he had thrown his his money
money into
sea."
the sea.^ And Sendivogius,
Sendivogius, to the same same effect in the
effect in
Preface to the Twelve Treatises, I —
Treatises,~I would, says
would, he, have
says he,
the candid reader be admonished that he understand
my writings,
my writings, not so much from Hom the outside of my my
words as fi'omfrom the possibility
possibility of nature ; let let him con-
;
sider that this is for the wise,

this Art is wise, not for
for the ignorant
ignorant ;
and that the sense of philosophers
philosophers is is of another na-
ture than to be understood by vaporing T
by vaporing hrasoes, or
Thrasoes, or
letter scoffers,
letter learned scoffers, or vicious, against
vicious, against their own con-
own
sciences;
sciences ; or ignorant mountebanks, who, most un-
ignorant mountebanks,wl1o, un-
defaming
worthily defaming
worthily the most commendable art of Al-
chemy, their7Vhites and Reds deceived almost
chemy, have with theirWhites
the whole world.world?^ And again,
again, in the Epilogue,-All
Epilogue, All —
things
things indeed,
indeed, says
says the adept, might
adept, might have been com-
com-
prehended in a few lines

prehended lines ; but we
; we are willing
willing to guide
guide
into the knowledge
knowledge of nature indirectly,
indirectly, by by reasons
l
^ NO1'lDO11'S
Norton's Ordinal, cap. ii.
Ordinal, cap. ii.
2
- Phil, Antiquis.
Phil. Antiquis. Tract. Secret.
3
•''
New Light
See New Light of Alchemy,
Alchemy, Preface.
I,
66 Exorniiie fIEV.
Exoteric View.
examples: that
and examples that thou mayest
: mayest know what the the thing
thing
truly is
truly shouldest seek
is thou shouldest seek after,
after, also that thou
also that
mightest have nature, her
mightest light and shadow, discovered
herhghtand
displeased if
thee. Be not displeased
to thee.
to if thou meetest sometimes
with contradictions
contradictions in my treatises,
in my treatises, it being the custom
it being
of to use
philosophers to
of philosophers them thou hast need of them :
use them; ; :
if thou understandest them, thou shalt

if find a
shalt not find a rose
rose
without prickles.'
prickles.^
Each artist
artist striving yt how to
striving yt to conceal
conceal
Lest wretched caitifs
eaitifs shulde the
the treasure steal.
steal.
Nor vyllains
vyllains shulde their vyllanyes maintain
their vyllanyes
By this rare
By tliis whych danger
art whych
rare art; ; they to heal
danger they heal
In horrid
horrid nietavpliors veyled are
metaphors veyled are an art most plain,
an art
plain,
Lest each fool
fool knowing
knoAving ytyt shulde ytyt when known disdayne.-
disdayne?
And Roger
Roger Bacon advises, therefore, therefore, to leave oft' oii'
experiments until
experiments ground of wisdom is
until the ground is properly
properly
conceived.--And
conceived. —
And though
though II say, say, take this, this, and this,this,
believe me
believe me not (says (says hc) according to the
operate according
he) but operate
blood; i.
blood; according to the understanding,
e., according
i. ct., understanding, and so of
all; leave off"
all ; off experiments,
experiments, apprehend
apprehend my my meaning,
meaning,
and you will find,
you will find, believe me, being
believe me, being a lighted candlefi
lighted candle.'*
And Basil
Basil Valentine and Eireneus, and most adepts adcpts in in
warn their
short, warn
short, their readers against
against mnningrunning into the
practice upon
practice upon vague premises, and before they
vague premises, they have
attained to a full understanding of the matter to he
full understanding be
taken in in hand
hand, yet, yet, notwithstanding
;
all their
1lOt\"ltl]Sti1l1(ill]g all their injunc-
injunc*^
^ many seekers, and faithful

tions, many
tions, faithful ones
ones too,too, have been bee11
auf fade-ifled astray: Geber's
c\j^ i/£x^ci<As\Q^ astray: Geber's receipts k Basil's^ though at
receipts wsii Basil's/though
variance with all common-sense probability, have been
all common-sense probability,
the means
means of surrounding
surrounding many many a literal
literal soul with
stills, coals,
stills, coals, and furnaces, in
in hope by such lifeless
hope by lifeless in-
in-
struments to sublime the Spirit nature; or by
Spirit of nature; by salt,
salt,
sulphur, and mercury,
sulphur, mercury, or the three combined with anan-
timony,
timony, to extract the Form of gold.
gold. But they
they who
have thus fallenfallen to practise,
practise, without the true Light Light or
heeding
heeding their injunctions,
injunctions, had no
no right
right to charge their
charge
error onon the adepts.
adepts. The disappointment
disappointment Hll(i
and misery of
misery
l'
2
Epilogue to the Twelve Treatises.
Epilogue
2 Eipley's lfifth
Ripley's Fiftli Gate.
3
^ De Arte Alchemica. p. 315, &c.
p. 3-15,
PRm.1M1NARY Account.
fanatical chemists having

those fanatical attributable to their
having been attributable their
own misunderstanding bias, and more frequently
misunderstanding bias, frequently owing
owing
to the deceit
deceit of sophists
sophists than to the genuine
genuine tradition
tradition
of Hermetic science. science.
Since ditlicultics
difficulties however are apparent,apparent, and the pre- pre-
tenders to the Art were in in latter
latter times far far more nu- nu-
merous than the true adepts, adopts, and the literature
literature has
sui'rèred in
suffered consequence grievous
in consequence disgrace and spolia-
grievous disgrace spolia-
it
tion, it is
tion, is not surprising
surprising thatthat the public, having been so
public, having
long and g1'ossly
long grossly deluded, should at length have shut
at length
out Alchemy
Alchemy from amongst
amongst its its credenda. If' there was
If was
desire
no desire
no to search deeper, it
deeper, it was wisely
was
wisely done, and
checked the raging raging of a sore distemper.distemper. But that
many
many have fallen fallen into error and suffered, suffered, or others
proved deceivers,
proved deceivers, or that the world has chosen to dis- dis-
believe,
believe, are no
no
proofs
proofs in
in philosophy.
philosophy, even
even if
if it
it were
were
without so many witnesses, that the Hermetic mystery

many witnesses, mystery
is groundless. The world is
is groundless. ignorant of the
fully as ignorant
is fully
genuine doctrine and Art of VVisdom

genuine Wisdom as were were the im-
postors
posters whom it
it repudiated,
repudiated, and their
their judgment
judgment con- con-
cerning
cerning it
it is
is of as little
little value. The words of the
philosophers remain, though
philosophers remain, though modern science is
is not
able to confirm them, or present present anything
anything analogous
analogous
to the powers they
powers they professed,
professed, not in
in the advancement
of the mineral kingdom kingdom only, only, but over over all all nature.
And since they unanimously
they unanimously recommend a studious
examination, in in order to conceive rightly rightly of the pro- pro-
mises held out, attempting to judge
out, before attempting judge them or
pretensions of their Art,
the pretensions Art, wewe propose to investigate
propose investigate
preliminarily
preliminarily the theoretic ground and matter on
ground
which the physical possibility of transmutation rests.
physical possibility
F2
— ;
G8 Exornmc Vncw.
Exoteric View.
CHAPTER Il.
II.
Of l/ze
the Nicely
Theory of Transmutation in general, and Q/'t/ze
in ge:/0/°11l,f/1111 of the
Zlr'z{1 .s~1 1 1ta1z1zinge:/0/°1 l,f/1 1 Q/'t/ze
þÿ)Il'U ¬]`.5'(I!
Universal 1 at/Cr.
Matter.
Mercurio quicqiiid
in Mercuric quaerunt Sapicntes.-Turba Erercit.
Turba Exercif. l.
Est in quicquid quzerunt Sapientes. 1.
THE
HE theory though arcane, is very
Alchemy, though
theory of Alchemy, very sim- arcane, is
may be comprehended
basis indeed may
its basis comprehended in in
ple;
ple ; its
only statement of Arnold di

that only Villanova, in
di Villanova, in his
his
—
Specu/um,-T/lat
Specif Unit, 77?^^ there abit/es
abides in
in zzature
nature ff certain
a cet^tain pure
pure
matter, 'IU/ltC/I,
which, being discovererl mu/
being discovered and /zroug/it
brought by by art to to
perfection, cotwerts to itseyfproportioiza/ly

proportionally zz!! inzpezl/"ect
imperfect
pelfectio/2,c01werts to itself all
that it
bodies Z/za!
bor/ies touches.
it touches.
this would seem

And this ground of me-
seem to be the true ground mc-
talline transmutation, and of every

talline other; namely,
every other namely, ;
the homogeneity
homogeneity of of' the radical substance of things things;
and onon the alleged
alleged fact minerals, and all
fact that metals, minerals, all
diversified natures, being
diversified being ofof' the same created first
first prin-
prin-
ciples, may
ciples, may be reduced into their common basis or
their common
rne1'curial first
mercurial matter, the whole Hermetic doctrine
first matter,
appears to hinge
appears hinge and to proceed.
proceed.
The multiform body of the world lies
multifòrm body open, but the
hes open,
source is is everywhere
everywhere occult nor does ordinary
occult; nor ordinary ana-
;
at all discover this

this Universal Matter of the adepts.
adepts.
lysis
lysis all
lt objected, that natural species
accordingly objected,
It has been accordingly species
transmutable, because the transmutation of
cannot be transmutable,
species one into another necessarily
different species necessarily implies
implies
mixtion and a spurious thus, that if
offspring: thus,
spurious offspring if it
it were
were :
possible by
even admitted possible any means
by any means to infuse gold gold
into lead or form, it
inferior form,
or other inferior it would still
still remain
imperfect, and the better species

imperfect, species be defiled by by the vile
vile
admixture; that the result
admixture ; would not in fact be gold
gold
nature, according
all, but a middle nature,
at all, according to the propor-
propor-
tionate virtue of the metals golden or
conjoining, golden
conjoining,
leaden, or as the case might
leaden, might be. Since species
species are inin-
;;
THEORY
Theory of '1`RANSMUTA'1ÌON.
or Transmutation. 69
destructible,
destructible, therefore, the transmutation of metals
therefore,
has been regardedregarded as proposition and not
sophistical proposition
as a sophistical
a true art.
a art.
And this argument the alchemists also
this argument also admitting,
admitting,
have sometimes seemed to contradict contradict themselves and
their science
their science ; but such is
; is not really
really the ease,case, and only only
understanding them has it
from want of understanding it been supposed
supposed
so. lt
It is species that they
is not species they profess transmute;
profess to transmute
nor do they they ever teach in in theory
theory that lead as lead, lead, or01'
mercury as mercury
mercury specificate, can be changed
mercury speeificatc, changed into into
gold,
gold, any more than a dog
any more dog into
into a horse, a tulip into
a tulip into a a
daisy, or vice
daisy, versa, in
vice versa, in this
this way, anything of unlike
way, anything
kind ; but it
;
it is subject-matter of these metals,
is the subject-matter metals, the
radical moisture of which they
radical uniformly com-
they are uniformly
posed, that they
posed, they say say may may be withdrawn by by art and
transported from inferior
transported inferior Forms, being being set free by
set free by the
force of a superior
force superior ferment or attraction. attraction.
Species,
Species, says says Friar Bacon, are not transmutcd, transmuted,
their subject-matter
but their subject-matter rather,-Species
rather, — Species non trans-
muta|;ur, sed subjccta
I1]l1'Et}$l11', specieruln optime
subjecta specierum optime et propriis-
propriis-
:
—
sime :--therefore
therefore the first first work is is to reduce the body body
into water,
water, that is, mercury, and this
is, into mercury, this is
is called So-
lution, which is
lution, is the foundation of the whole art.' art.^
And the first preparation and foundation of the Her-
first preparation
metic art, says the author of the Rosrzréum,
art, says Rosarium, is is Solu-
tion and a reduction of the body body into water,water, which is

is
argent
argent Vive
vive : : for it
it is
is Well
well known to artists
artists that
species cannot,
species themselves, be transmuted,
cannot, as themselves, transmutcd, since
they are not liable to sensible action and corruption
they corruption;
but the Subjects
Subjects of species rather, since they
species rather, they are cor-
ruptible and may
ruptible may be changed changed; yet
:
yet neither can can the
Subjects
Subjects of species
species be transmutcd,
transmuted, unless they
they are
reduced first first into their original original matter,
matter, and made free
free
pass from one
to pass one into another form. But this is is not
contrary to reason,
contrary reason, because one one form being being expelled,
expelled,
another may may be introduced,
introduced, as is
is evident in rustic
operationsFas
operations — as in the making
making of glass
glass from flints,
flints,
stones, and ashes:
stones, ashes much more
: more then should the ex-
l1
See llogeri Radix Muudi
Rogeri Bachonis Eadix Mundi et Speculum
Speculum Alchemian
Alchemiiip.
70 Exorisiue View.
Exoteric
philosopher be able
perieueed philosopher
perienced able to corrupt
corrupt the Subject-
Subject-
uiatter
matter of natures
natures and to introduce new Forui!
a new
a Form.'
Arnold, also admitting that species
also admitting species are indestructible,
advises therefore
advises that the Subject
therefore that Subject be freed an arti-
by au
freed by arti-
ficial reduction."
ficial reduction.^ Species
Sj)ecies non trausniutari
transmutari sed indi-
indi-
vidua specierum.3
specierum.^ And Avicenna,*
Avieenna," and Aristotle,^
Aristotlef'
who is is also
also quoted
quoted from byby Ripley.
Ripley.
As the Pliilosoplier
Philosopher who in
wlio INIeteors did
iu the Book of lIeteors did wryte,
wryte,
'Phat the lykeness
That lykeness of oi' bodyes
bodyes inetallyue uot triinsinutable,
inetallyue be not trausniutable,
But þÿiLft
aftorvvai'db he added theis
¬I`\'i11'dS
lie theis words of more dclyte,
of more delyte,
IVit}zout they he
IJ'ithout they be reducer]
reduced toto their material/le;;
beyimzyng muteriahle
their beyinnyng
Vherefore
Wlierefore such bodies as iu in nature
uature be liquable
liquable
Mineral metalliue may
and nietalliue
IMiueral aud inay be mercurizate,
niercurizate,
Coneeive ye
Couceive
`
may tlieis
ye may science is
theis scieuce opiuablc,
is not opiuable,
But very liayinond and others determiliatep
by liaymoud
very true by determinate.*^
When
Vl1en therefore Lully, speaking of the Art,
Lully, speaking Art, declares
/ species are absolute and cannot be changed
that species one
changed one
Q
f-C^
I
^ Advertc carissimj^
Adverte earissim# quod quod qua)qua: sequuutur verissima sunt intelli-
sequuntur verissirna intelli-
geutibus. Prima prepanitio

gentibus. preparatio et iiuidanientuin
fundameutum artis solutio, id
artis est solutio, id
eorporis in
est corporis in aquam, reduetio hoe
aquaui, reductio hoc est in ai-gentum rivum
in argentuin vivum. ....
. . .
Seiant artiiiees
Sciant aleheinife species
artifices alchemia? species inetalloruni
metallorum rcre vere perniutari
pennutari non non
posse, quod
posse, quod quidem verum est,
quidcin veruin quia species
est, quia species per per se non sunt sub-
_iceta actiouibus
jecta seusibilibus, cum
actionibus seusibilibus, oinniuo incorruptibiles
Cllllll omnino iueorruptibiles; sed ;
subjecta specierum
subjecta optim^ periuutari
specicruni optiine pennutari possunt quoniam corrup-
possunt quonizun corrup-
/ tabilia sunt;
tabiiia sunt attamen
: attzunen subjecta
subjeeta'speeieruin permutari non possunt
specierum permutari possunt
/7~/
/7W uisi ipsa
nisi ipsa prius
quam prius
i'(J1'1l`lilll1 quam
formam
primam redueatur
prius ad priinnni 1llHtCl'i£ll1l et sie
reducaûr materiam
periuutzintur. Contra.
prius eraut permutantur. Contra hoe
sic in
hoc autem
nlialn
in aliam
autein ratio
non stat,stat, quiaquia destructa.
destructa una una forma iinniediate
immediate introdueitur
introducitur alia, alia, ut
patet
patet iu in operibus
operibus rusticoruin,
rusticorum, qui qui de lapidibus faciunt ealeein
kipidibus iiiciunt calcem et de
eiueribus \dtrum.
cineribus vitruui. Sie
Sic inulto
multo ibrtius sapiens studiosus in-
potest sapiens
fortius potest in-
r dividua speeiei novam forinaiii
COl'I'Ll!_l]1)6l'C et novnui
speciei corrumpere formam cis eis introdueere.
— Eosar. Abbrev. Tract.
-Rosar.
2
Tract, ii. ii. Do
De Lapide
Lapide in Theat. Chem. Cliem. vol.
vol. iii.
iii.
2 Species lI1GiJ{1ll01`lll1ltI`{l»l1Sl.lI.1t{`ll'i
Species metallorum transmutari non possunt: et hoe
non possunt : verum
hoc 'eru1n
est ut ipsi asscrunt, nisi
ipsi asseruut, nisi ad primam inatcriaiu redigantur.
priuiain materiam redigantur. Re- Ee-
duetio
ductio autem illorum ad primam
aufem illoruin primzun materiaui
materiam est facilis, —
&e.-Liber
taeilis, &c. Liber
Perlbet. Nagist.,
Perfect. Magist., sub initio. initio.
3
^ Speculum Alchymia; Aruoldi, Octava
Speculuui Aleliyinire Arnoldi, Oetava Dispositio. Dispositio. See also, also, in in
Rosario, lib.
Eosario, cap. ix Quid
1. cap. ix
lib. i. Qllld sit opus physicum ; also
opus pliysieuiu ; also Clangor
Clangor Buc- Bue-
euize, Traetatus
cinse, uiirabilis, dc
Tractatus nnrabilis, de Luna
Luiia Pliilosophiea
Philoso})hicaEnigmata Diverse.
Euiginata Diversa.
^6j2.C 6-if
Solo c^S 4
* Seiaut Artifices
Sciaut Artiliees tiCllll.1`ll{UASl'C
zVlchimis^sive formas fornms luetallorum
iuetalloriuu vere vcre trans-
/
./ mutari non non posse iusi
posse nisi in prnnain primam iuateriam
materiam et sic in in aliud quam quam
prius pcrmutentur. —
1l`1LlS1)0l'llllltCI]tLlI'._i_11i).li.TI`{tCiI2Li§.l.C2l1).i'.
5
De O])Cl'{lL.ll('ll.Sil1g.
Lib.ii. Tractat.i.cap.iv. DeOperat.lNled.Sing.
^ Mctalla :Lutein
Metalla autem omnia, Ollllliil., ut ad rem rem redezuu,
redeaui, hunt liunt ex una una
eademque niaterizuu,
eadeinquc materiam, A;c., &e.. before quoted,
quoted, pagepage 14. — Meteor, lib.
1-L.-Meteor, lib. iii.
iii.
cap. XV.
cap. xv.
"^
Epistle to
Epistle Kiug Edward,
King Edwai-d, stanza 10.
OF 'l`RANsMUrAT1oN.
r1`HEORY of
Theory Transmutation. 71
into another,
into —Elementiva habent vera conditiones et
another,-Elementiva et
una species
species se nonnon transmutet in ali}&m,'--we
in alivlm/ —
we shall
shall t Ct
not understand him as denyingdenying the art
art by
by any means,
any means, /
but a a false position of it
false position only the fundamental possi-
it only; ; possi-
bility and principle
bility principle of being not of spe-
of transmutation being spe-
cies, but of
cies, Subject or first
their Universal Subject
of their first matter.
And this
this Universal Subject
Subject is alleged foundation
is the alleged
ofthe
of the whole Hermetic experiment;
experiment not only the thing
only
; thing
transmutable in natures, as is
in natures, is above shown, but the
thing transmuting also, when set free
thing transmuting free and segregated
segregated
in
in its essentiality,
proper essentiality,
its proper the fermented Spirit assimi-
Spirit assimi-
lates
lates the Light throughout.-Trust
Light throughout. —
Trust not, says the
not, says
adept, those impostors
adept, impostors who tell
tell you sulvhur
you of a .snip/zur
fi/131312-S,
thigcus, and I know
I not what fables;
fables who pin also
pin
; also
the narrow
narrow namename oi' C/zemia on
of Cliemia on a science ancient and
iniinite.
infinite. It is
It is the Light only that can be truly
Light only truly multi-
for
plied, for this
plied, this ascends and descends from first
the first
tountain of
fountain of' multiplication
multiplication and generation.
generation. This Light
Light
(discovered perfected by
(discovered and perfected art) applied
by art) applied to anyany body,
body,
exalts and perfects it in its
perfects it own kind: if
its own if to animals,
animals,
it
it exalts animals;
animals if ; vegetables; if
vegetables, vegetables
if to vegetables, ;
if to
minerals,
minerals, it
it refines minerals,
minerals, and translates them from
the worst to the best condition where, note by
condition, where,
;
by the
way, body hath passive principles
passive principles in
in itself'
itself
way, that every body
every
for this
for this Light
Light to work upon, upon, and therefore needs not
any from gold

to borrow any silver.2
gold or silver.^
This last is given
last advice is common
given to correct a common
alehcmists extracted the Form out
error, that the alchemists
error,
of these metals to transmute and increase with.
initial principle
misconception of their initial
Gross misconception principle has
indeed caused their
positions
their frequently to appear
positions frequently appear
ridiculous;
ridiculous ; common
common talk,
as of the instance, of
talk, for instance,
weighing proportioning the elements so exactly
weighing and proportioning exactly
lasting accord;
as to constitute them into lasting accord con-
of con-
;
solidating
solidating thc
the metalline vapour
vapour by
by heat artificially
artificially
introduced,
introduced, or by rays ofthe
by the rays of the sunsun and moon moon
drawn to simultaneous co-operation,

co-operation, and several
I1
De Arte hlngua, part ix.
jNIagua, part ix.
2 Abscondita, page
-
aughan's Anima Magia
See Vaughan'vS
oee Magia Abscondita, page 30.
; ;
72 EX()'1`1Sl{IC View.
Exoteric
such-like
such-like literally
literally imputed far from
follies, far
imputed follies, their
their
minds, who protested
uiiiids, protested against
against such þÿllllSLl[1(l ¬I'SlIilll(lil]g,
misunderstanding,
having assumed to themselves another principle
having principle anda11d
another method of' generating metals, by
of generating by which they
they
follow nature independently,
were enabled to follow independently, and help help
her to exceed the ordinary limits of her law : not by
ordinary limits by :
the condensation of of imaginary vapours in

imaginary vapours in the mines,
mines,
or by
or
by the
the assistance
assistance of the luniinary
great luminary
great or lunar
light,
light, but by
by working,
working, as it
it is
is said,
said, the only
only universal
universal
living and occult nature by
living by and through through itself,
itself,
scientifically,
scientifically, which
w hich contains within itself
itself the true ori-
ori-
ginal
ginal of all
all these,
these, even of the whole inanilested
manifested exist-
exist-
ence. Thus, we
^J'hus, wê read, in the Lucenia
read, in LllC(,')`l1(1 Sails,
S(l[l=S',
ence;
A
A certain
certain thingtiling is
is found in the world
in tlic
Which
\'hicl1 is
is also
also in
in every thing and in
every thing every place.
in every place.
lt is
It is not earth,
earth, nor Hre, nor
nor fire, air, 11or
nor air, water,
nor water,
Albeit it it \ ants neither of these things,
wants things,
Nay
Nay it it can become to be fire, fire, air, water, and earth ;
air, water,
For itit contains all all nature in in itself purely and sincerely
itself purely sincerely ;;
It becomes white and red,
It red, is is hot and cold,
cold,
lt is
It is moist and dry dry and is is diversifiable
diversitiablc every
every way. way.
The band of Sages only have known it,
Sages only it,
And they call it

they call it tlieir
their salt.
salt.
It is
It is extracted from their their earth;
earth ;
And has been the ruin ot' of many

many a tool fool ;
Eor tlie common
For the common earth is is worth nothing llL'l'L',
nothing here,
Nor the vulgarvulgar salt
salt in
in any
any manner,
manner,
But
But rather the salt salt of
ofthe
the world,
woi'ld,
\'hich contains in
"Which in itself
itself all
all Life
Lif(> : :
Of
Ol' it is made that medicine which will
it is preserve you
will 1n'eser'e
'
you from
all
all maladies!
maladies.'
The Stone is is one, says the monk in

one, says in his
his Rosary
Rosary; the ;
medicine is one, in which the whole mystery consists,

is one,
mystery consists,
to which we we add nothing
nothing nor
nor take awayaway anything,
anything,
only in the preparation,
only in preparation, removing
removing superfluities.^—
supertluitiesi--AllAll
is made of Mercury, says Geber
is
Mercury, says Geber; for for when Sol is is re-
;
duced to hishis first i.c., the mercury,

original, i.e.,
first original, mercury, then
nature embracetll
embraceth nature,
nature, and by open and manifest
by open
proof we
[)roof we have concluded our Stone is
that our is no
no other
I
' Lucerna Salis,
Salis, from tlie
the Latin verse, p. 150.
1). loO.
^
ltosar, Abbrcv.
Kosar, .»bbre`. Tract,
Tract. iii.
-
iii. :md
and v.
'.
-PQ
Theory or TRANsMUTAT1oN.
THEORY of Transmutation. 73
than a foetent spirit

foetent living water, which
spirit and living we have
we
named dry
dry water, by
by natural proportion
proportion cleansed and
united with such union, union, that
that theythey can never more
more be
absent each from other?
fi'om other.' And Aquinas
Aquinas says,—
says,-It It is
is
Mercury alone which perfects

Mercury perfects in in our work, and we find find
in
in itit all
all wewe have need of of;; nothing different must be
nothing different
added. Some, mistaking,
Some, believe that the work can-
mistaking, believe
not be perfected
perfected with mercury mercury alone without his his sister
sister
companion; but II do assure thee that working

or companion ;
working with
mercury and his
mercury his sister (i e.,
sister (/._
e., as agent patient) that
agent and patient)
thou addcstaddest nothing diflerent from
nothing different Horn mercury;
mercury ; and
know also also that gold gold and silver
silver are arc not unlike in in kind
to this Mercury ; for
this our hlcrcury ;
it is
for it is their root: if
their root: if thou work-
est therefore with Mercury Mercury alone, alone, without foreign foreign inin-
tervention, thou obtainest ohtainest thy thy desire?
desire.^ The White \/hite
and the Red proceed proceed from one root, root, for it dissolves
for it dissolves and
coagulates itself-whitens,
coagulates itself — rubifies, and makes itself
whitens, rubiiies, itself to
be both yellow yellow and black ; it ; it unites with itself,itself, con-
ccives itself, and brings
ceives itself, itself forth,
brings itself forth, to the full full per-
per-
fecting of its
fecting its intention?
intention.^
It is
It only in
is only in her manifold changes changes that nature is is
known and made apparent in
apparent in ordinaryordinary life;
life ; but, since
but,
these alcheinists
alchemists professprofess to have enjoyed enjoyed another expe- expe-
rience,
rience, and through
through their
their Art to have discovered her
in her simple
in essentiality, to be that total
simple essentiality, total which works
all conditionedly
all conditionedly throughout existence, it
throughout existence, it will
will there-
lore be requisite
fore requisite to consider their their wîole
whole doctrine with
reference to this this presumed
presumed unity, unity, and by by no meansmeans be
lcd
led aside by by their metaphoric
metaphoric languagelanguage into common
a eomlnon
misconstruction of its
lnisconstruction its meaning
meaning; ; but since, according
since, according
to the old maxim, All AU is is in Altrcury which the
in illerczny t/ze wise
ivise men
men
.vue/f,
seek, let
let us
us seek therefore if
if we
we may
may be able at all
all to
identify
identify this mercury,
mercury, and whether the same
same ancient
he yet on earth.
material be yet on
is well known,
It is
It known, that the Greeks and eastern sages sages
derived all things in common
all things connnon from a certain pure pure and , /
hidden fire fire ; Stoics,

; Stoics, Pythagoreans,
Pythagoreans, Platonies,
Platonie*, and Pe-/'?'i"Zf3;
/>?^
celebrating the occult /
/
ripatctics vie with each other in celebrating
ripatetics
1'
Perf. cap.
invest. of Perl.
Invest, xi.
cap. xi.
2
2 Rosar. Abbrev. Tract.
Eosar. iii. and
Tract, iii. v.
74 lixorsuic View.
Exoteric ?IE\'.
virtues
virtues of the Ether;
Ether ; its
its all-pervading
all-pervading essence and
perfective power
perfective it they
ln it
power: in :
place the
they place the providential
providential re-
gulation ol'
gulation nature;; it
of nature it was the very life and substance
very life
of their theosophy,
of their theosophy, in in which from the highest
highest to the
lowest confines existence from .love
confines of existence, Jove to the last
, last
¢ 1 ~ I 1 1 ¢
link in the infernal

link infernal monarchy,
monarchy, all
all were inhabiting the
were inhabiting
etherial world; for,
etherial world for, as Virgil
; Virgil says,
says, it lights and nou-
it lights nou-
rishes the innermost earth as well
rishes as the air
well as air and starry
starry
heavens.
Prineipio cmlum,
Priucipio ae terras,
coelum, ac composque liquentcs,
terras, eomposque liquentcs,
Lucentemque
Lueentemquc globum
globum Lnure,
Luna?, Titaniuque
Titauiaque astra,
astra,
^y^ Spiritus inte: alit

Spiritus inter totanique infusa
alit ; tOl.`lll|l(_{ll0
; infuszi per
per urtus
ai'tus
Mens agitat
agitat molein,
molem, etet magno
inagno se corpore iniscetl
sc corpore miscet.^
And the assertions of the Ethnics, Anima

Ethnics, about the Aniina
Mundi, vary little or nothing
vary little in substance from the
nothing in
Hebrew doctrine, in words only;
doctrine, but in their
only neither are their ;
opinions so heinous or ridiculous

opinions ridiculous as the zealous policy policy
under a Christian guise,
guise, has too often
ignorance,
of ignorance,
caused them to appear. appear. That there is
is a fluid
fluid or vi-
vi-
talizing principle invisibly permeating

talizing principle invisibly permeating all
all things,
things, and
resident in air we
in the air common experience
breathe, common
we breathe, experience inin-
dicates, for
dicates, lor life subsist without air,
life cannot subsist air, nor in all
in all
kinds of air; air ;but there is is some
sonic one quality or ingre-
quality ingre-
dient in atmosphere which is
in the atmosphere is a secret food of life,life,
and on which it depends; what this

ininiediately depends
it immediately this ali-
; ali-
ment is,
nient is, though
though manymany names
names have been invented,invented, the
moderns in
nioderns in default of knowledge
knowledge are not agreed agreed; and ;
seeing
seeing it
it escapes
escapes the test of their closest vessels and
analyses,
analyses, and that it
it can be neither seen,
seen, heard, felt,
heard, felt,
nor naturally
naturally understood,
understood, the ancient theory
theory ofthe
of the One
Element has been very very much deridcd.
derided. The chemist,
chemist,
Homberg,
Homberg, indeed,
indeed, with Boerhaave, Boyle,
Boyle, and others
eminent of that period, alehelnists, that
period, hold with the alchemists,
there isis a distinct substance universally
universally diflused, though
dillnsed, though
sensible only only in its its mixed forms and })Owerful etleets ;
powerful efl'ects ;
that itit is
is the alone pure pure and active source of all all things,
things,
and most lirm firm bond of the natural elements, giving life
elements, giving life
all bodies,
to all bodies, penetrating
penetrating and sustaining
sustaining all
all things,
things, a11d
and
l
1 lib. vi.
.lIneid, lib.
.lûL'id, vi. 7:21.
7'2L
Tuisouv
Theory or hl.`RANSMUTATlON.
of Transmutation. 75
enlivcning
enlivening all; that this
all ; this mighty
mighty Ether inoreover moreover is is
always
always at hand, ready
ready to break forth
forth into
into action
action on
o11
predisposed subjects;
predisposed subjects ;fermenting, producing,
fermenting, destroy-
producing, destroy-
ing,
ing, and governing
governing the total
total course of nature. Bishop
Bishop
Berkeley,
Berkeley, too,
too, in
in his
his Si/is,
Sir is, contends learnedly
learnedly in
in favour
of the same universal material, material, which he likewise likewise calls
calls
ether, and a pure
ether, ajid pure invisible
invisible fire —
fire-thethe niost
most subtle
subtle and
elastic
elastic of all all bodies pervading
pervading all,
all, and considers
considers that
it
it is
is from thence, and not from any mingled pro-
any mingled pro-
perty, that the air
perty, air has its its power
power of sustenance and
vitalization.
vitalization.
These then, with a few fev others,
others, in times, have
in recent tinies,
far concurred with the ancients in
so far distinguishing the
in distinguishing
fontal Spirit
Spirit of nature,
nature, apartapart from its its manifestation,
manifestation,
and as distinct
distinct from that elementary ignition with
elementary ignition
which we are sensibly familiar; for
sensibly familiar ;
they do not allow
for they
that to be firefire indeed, excitation only
indeed, but an excitation only or eiieet
effect
of the antecedent potency j)otency which they describe.
they describe. But
they could adduce no tangible
then they tangible proofproof of their doc-
trine. The world could not see their invisible
trine. fire. It
invisible fire. It
has therefore been regarded regarded as a niere mere speculative
speculative chi-chi-
mera (which in
uiera (which part it
in part it waswas perhaps,
perhaps, in in their
their minds,
niinds,
without experience),
experience), and, and, accordingly, disbelieved.
accordingly, disbelieved.
For philosophy,
philosophy, at length, laudibly anxious to prove
length, laudibly prove
all things,
all things, yetyet too idle idle to theorise,
theorise, will will suppose
suppose no-
thing that is
thing is not openly shown how then should she
openly shown; ;
reeondite fire
recognise that recondite
recognise fire??
Neither are El1'C we desirous absolutely
we
absolutely to assume it it
here;
here ; for though experiments
though experiments of recent date seem to
supply
supply concurrent evidence, evidence, and the phenomena phenomena of
Mesmerism
Mesnierisin have helped helped to force again again on on the minds
of the more
more observing portion of mankind the suppo-
observing portion suppo-
sition of a " New lniponderable,"
sition
"
Imponderable," or " 0^-ic
"
Oc!-ic Force,"
Force,"
yet, few believe
yet, believe; and we ; we pass
pass it it now
now to continue our our
research concerning
concerning that elder Quintessence Quintessence of ofthe
the magi
niagi
which theythey introduce,
introduce, not as aa being being of speculation
speculation
merely,
inerely, but of experimental
experiniental science science; not perceptible
; perceptible
only in
only mingled fornis,
mingled forms, in the common
eoninion air
air or
or elementary
elementary
water, but as an
water, an essence compact
con] pact and tangibletangible without
^
heterogeneity; in which pure
heterogeneity ;
pure estate,
plabalists,
estate, the Gabalists, ^^y
76 l:lxo'r1z1a1e
Exoteric View.VIEW.
also describing, call

also describing, call it, Vestimenti, the Vehi-
Lumeii Vesti//ze1zti,tl1e
it, Lumen
cle Light; and the Greeks, eXevdepo^,

cle of Light; enevéepog, the Free
Ether, that is
Ether, that freed
say, freed
is to say, from the prison of gross
prison gross
matter, and ableable to work of itself intimately by the
itself intimately by
virtue own included light.
its own
virtue of its light. Thus Zeno defines
defines
— artitieiosum,
Ignem esse artificiosum,
it,-Ignem
it, ad gignendum
gignendum progre-
progre-
dientem via;-as
via; as a —
plastic fire,
a plastic generating by
tire, ever generating by
/ rule.
rule. And Cicero, as that eoelestis
coelestis altissima
altissima tethe-
ivthe-
Ou! reaque natura, id

reaque id est igneâquae per se oninia
igneAaquze per gignat,
omnia gignat,
/ '
—
-that heavenly high
that most heavenly etherial
high etherial igneous nature,
igneous
begets all
spontaneously begets
which spontaneously thingsf
all things.^
The light
light of ; the vital
of life
life \4tal draught
draught
;
That forms the food of every living

of every thing,
living thing,
And
A e'en the high,
nd c'en high, enthroned, all-sparkling eye
enthroned, all-sparkling eye
Of ever-mounting
ever-mounting fire th' immense expanse,
fire; th' ;
expanse,
viewlcss Ether in
The viewless his genial
in his genial arms
Clasping
Clasping the earth ; Him call
call thou Lord and Jove.2
;
Jove.^
lt
It is
is requisite, distinguish airs
requisite, however, to distinguish a'lrs here,
here,
lest
lest we speak profanely, calling
speak profanely,
we .love which is
calling that Jove is
Jove, and, mistaking

not Jove ; Olympus, embrace some
mistaking Olympus, some
cloud whilst the life-giving J uno is
life-giving Juno far away
is far away above allall
our idea and sight.
sight. goddess is
For the goddess subtilely min-
is subtilely
gled in
gled commonly observable in
in nature commonly in her action only,
only,
as adepts say, and to the world unknown, as we
adepts say, may
we may
Lully, amongst
observe Lully, amongst others telling
telling us, is of
us, she is
another birth, birth, and cannot be brought knowledge
brought to knowledge
handling
sagacious handling
without sagaeions and human help. Imo
help.-lmo —
argentum
2ll'g`GlTl2l1lH vivum
vivuni nostrum
nostruin aqua
est aqua alterius
alterius naturze,
naturcC,
non potest
reperiri non
qnae reperiri
qute supra terram,
potest supra cum in
terrain, cum in actio-
nem venire non possit
nem possit per absque
per naturam, absque adjutorio
adjutorio
/
ingenii
ingenii et
ct humanarum
hulnanarum manuum
nianuum operationibus.3
operationibus.^
I Ql H#c
1I:#c vere uullibi est quod
vere nullibi qumrimns.
quod qugerimus.
Nowhere; for the etherial spirit
Nowhere ; subsist of
spirit does not snbsist
itself, separate or tangibly
tangibly on earth;
on earth but, giving
but, giving sub-
itself, separate or ;
sistenee things, is
sistence to other things, oceultated even in
is occultated in their
detlled.
lite, and defiled.
life, It is,
It moreover, an
is, moreover, especial doctrine
an especial
IE
r* / -/ •
I
^ De Deor. lib
Y-it Door
Nat. i E lib. ii
ii.1
'ILJM/Q5
.co'\ÛO<a(!S 2
2 iccEtOtSHS. See . Bl1lCli\\'Pll'$ Letters
See Blackwell's on Mythology,
Letters on ).l,\`lllOl(),\2`\'. 12.
I
V
' 3
•'
Lnllii 'l`heorie:z
Luliii Praclica in Theat. Chem. vol.
Theorica et Practiea vol. iv.iv.
:
THEORY of rl_lRANSMUTA'lÌON.
Theory or Transmutation. 77
11
of adepts, that
of adepts, ordinary manifes-
operates her ordinary
that nature operates
tation direct contrariety
in direct
tation in contrariety to her perfect law ; that, as
perfect ; as
darkness and imperfeetion
imperfection are now
apparent, the true
now apparent,
Light is made occult
Light is occult; and that
; neither sanity
that neither nor beauty
sanity nor beauty
in
permanently supervene in bodies,
can permanently supervene bodies, unless the con-
con-
operated in
trary be operated
trary ; that that which is
in them ; so that fixed
is fixed
becoming volatile and the volatile

becoming Volatile volatile nature iixed, ad-
fixed, the ad-
ventitious
ventitious or
externally generated image may
externally generated image may be con-
eon-
stricted
stricted utterly, contrariwise dc-
central form eontrariwise
utterly, and the central de-
veloped into life
veloped into life and act.
act.
Si tixum
Si solvas faeiasque
fixum solvas Volare solutum
faciasque volare solutuin
Et volucrem figas, facie-nt
roluerein figas. tutum
facicnt te vivere tutum:
Solve, CoagLila,
Solve, Coagula, Tige.
Fige.
it is
Thus, it said that by
is said real experimental
by a real inver-
experimental inver-
sion, the Hermetic Art has
sion, imperfections to be
proved imperfections
proved
nature, and introduced to her from with-
accidental to nature,
out ;; that as water, spread upon a many-co-
spread abroad upon many-eo-
surface of earth,
loured surface earth, salts, spices, takes the hue
salts, or spices,
and flavour of the spot on which it
spot on rests, so it
it rests, it is
is with
prolific source of things

the prolific species subsist
things ; species
;
in it ad~
it ad-
it
ventitiously, as it were, by
Ventitiously, by sufferanee,
sufferance, and may be ex-
maybe
pelled, and
pelled, ought to be for the attainment of perfec-
ought perfec-
tion. — desires to attain his end,
Whoever desires
tion.-Vhoever says Arnold,
end, says Arnold,
let him understand the conversion of the elements
let elements,
to make light things heavy,
light things heavy, and to make spirits no
spirits no
spirits,
spirits, then he shall not work in
in a strange thing.
strange thing.
Converte elementa et quod quaeris invenies?
quod quseris invenies.^
And if skilful minister of nature shall
any skilful
if any shall apply
apply
force to matter ; and, ; by
and, by design,
design, torture and vex it in
it in
order to itsits annihilation,

annihilation, sayssays the philosopher; it,
philosopher it,;on
on
being brought
contrary, being
the contrary, brought to this this necessity, changes
necessity, changes
and transforms itselfitself into a strange variety
strange variety of shapes
shapes
and appearances;
appearances for nothing
;
nothing but the power of the
power
Creator can annihilate it it or truly destroy
truly destroy; so that,
;
that,
running through
length, running through
at length, the whole circle of trans-
completing its
formations, and completing
formations, period, it
its period, it in some
some
degree
degree restores itself,
itself, if
if the force be continued. And
that method of torturing detaining
torturing or detaining will
will prove
prove
1*
Arnoldi Oetava Dispositio,
Specuhiin, Octava
Arnold! Speenlum, Dispositio, &c.
78
7S Exormuc View.
Exoteric TIEV.
effectual and expeditious

the most effectual expeditious which makes use
11]&1lilClCS and fetters
of manacles fetters ; /.
;
i. e., lays hold and works upon
e., lays upon
matter in in the extremest degree?
degree.^
So much does Lord Bacon assume upon the declara-
assume upon the declara-
tion of Democritus;
tion Democritus ;
our philosopher had in
philosopher in him the
bright light
bright genius, which enabled him indepen-
light of genius, indepen-
dently
dently of experience to conceive well and grapple
experience grapple
possibility of nature. His mind glanced
with the possibility glanced
through and beyond
intuitively through
intuitively beyond the darkness which
time had cast east before the Visdom Wisdom of antiquity,
antiquity, and
he discerned her yet afar
beaming afar off with vener-
yet beaming off
able splendor
splendor in in her old domain. Though chained
Though
to the superficies,
superiicics, observing
observing and facts, he
collecting facts,
collecting
honoured those sages sages who long
long before him had ex-
perimented
perimented into
into the centre,
centre, and proved
proved there a firm
and immutable foundation of truth truth; ; but thither he

was
was not able himself to pass,
pass, for
for he knew nothing of
nothing
their
their Great Art,
Art, or of its
its subject
subject even, and naturally
naturally
mistook theirtheir hidden ground. ground. Had the smallest
glimpse only
glimpse only of this
this been revealed to him,
him, he would
imagined
have imagined all
all differently,
differently, nor ever proposed
proposed that
the dissolution of nature should be attempted attempted me- nie-
by " particular digesters

chanically,
chanically, or by help
help of such "particular digesters
applied to the fire,"
applied fire," as in the Sylva Si/lvarum he
Sy/rn Sy/7.'(ll`ll7)l
seriously designs
seriously designs for
for this
this end?
end.-
Such instruments do, do, in in fact, expel the very
fact, expel very nature
which the ancients prized leaving
prized ; leaving
; us without all re-
all
compense
compense in
in the dead ashes of her consuming
consuming vesture;
vesture;
proposal of Democritus is
whereas, the proposal
whereas, is not only
only to
reduce the matter,
matter, with her false
false forms,
forms, to the verge
verge
annihilation, but to entrap
of annihilation, entrap the bare spirit
spirit and help
help
on from thence to operate
her on operate her own
own intrinsical freed
fi'eed
according to this testimony

will, which according
will, testimony she possesses,
possesses,
and isis able to make manifest, wrapping
manifest, wrapping herself spon-
spon-
taneously
taneously about it,
it, even
even to a recreation. But if
if she
is
is suffered to depart invisibly
depart invisibly without pursuit or
pursuit
amendment, which is is the common catastrophe, then
common catastrophe,
1
1 Bacon, De Sapientia
See Bacon,
Sec Ycterum, Fable of Proteus.
Sapieiitia Vetoruni,
2
'^
See the Sylva
Sec Sylvarmn, iu
Sylva Sylvarnm, places; and the History
in two places ;
History of
Rarity and Density.
Rarity Density.
—
THEORY TRANSBIUTATION.
OF Transmutation.
Theory of 79
she isis caught

caught up again by
up again other external compellents,
by other compellents,
and, becoming
and, is
becoming defiled, is imprisonedimprisoned by by them and no no
better
better than she before.
was before.
was The eontrariation
contrariation pro- pro-
posed by
posed by the Alchemists, indeed, is is not in in the powerpower
of ordinary art, any
ordinary art, more than of nature herself;
any more herself; but
She through
passes through
she passes death from forni into
one form into another,
one another,
as in the chemic vessels,
as in vessels, without self-discovery,
self-discovery, beingbeing
instigated by
instigated by a fo1'cible exeentrie
a most forcible excentric will,will, which she
power but to obey
has no power obey: yet,
: yet, as the passage
passage runs,
—
-If If any skilful minister
any skilful minister shall apply
shall apply another force, and
force,
Vex the spirit in in order its
by
by design
design torture and vex spirit to its
annihilation, it, being brought
annihilation, it, being brought under this
this necessity,
necessity,
transforms and presently
presently restores itself, itself, the force
force being
being
continued.
And that magic,magic, says Paracelsus, is
says Paracelsus, is the most sin- sin-
gular
gular secret that directed
directed such an entrance into na-
ture; whieli,
ture ; which, if
if it
it were
were
divinely
divinely done by
by God alone,
alone, it
it
would be to no purpose purpose to study

study for
for it.
it. But the
Deity doth not make himself especially
Deity operative
especially operative
herein:
herein if that magic
if : magic then were natural, certainly it
natural, certainly it
was most wonderful, very very excellent for for quickness

quickness of of
penetration and swiftness of separation,
penetration separation, the like like
whereof nature can neither give give nornor express.
express. For
whilst that is is at work,
work, behold all things fall
all things fall apart
apart
their elements,
into their breaking forth into their
elements, breaking their act and
simple
simple essence. The greatest
greatest miracle of all all in
in phi-
phi-
losophy
losophy is
is seprzratio/1:
stparalioii separation
: separation was was the principle
principle and
beginning of all
beginning generation. And as it
all generation. was in
it was in the
great mystery, so it
great mystery, it is
is inin the lesser.
lesser. The tru/J/mt,
truphat, or
matter of the metals, metals, brings everything into its
brings everything pro-
its pro-
per kind,
per distinguishing and separating
kind, distinguishing separating with wonderful
thing into its
every thing
diligence every
diligence form.^ —
its due þÿfOl'1'11.1-C0l]V
Convert ¬1`l§
the
elements, says
elements, Arnold, and you
says Arnold, you willwill find what you you
seek; for our operation
seek ;
operation is nothing else than a mutation
is nothing
natures, and the method of conversion in

of natures, Argent
in our Argent
vive isis the reduction of natures to their iirst first root?-
root.^
The elements of l/lereury
Mercury being being separated,
separated, says says Ripley
Ripley,
1
* To the Athenians,
Athenians, book i. 9.
i. text 9.
2
2 Speculum Alchimijc,
Speculum Alehi1nia~, Octava Dispositio.
Dispositio.
80 EXOTERIC VIEW.
Exoteric View.
again eonnnixed
and again commixed by equal weight
by lequal weight or proportion,
proportion,
make the clixir
the chxir complete.
complete.'
Now as we we are taught
taught from the beginning, that the
beginning, that
whole of the theory and practice
the Hermetic theory practice proceeds
proceeds
upon the assumption
upon Being in
certain Universal Being
assumption of a certain in
nature, which is
is occult,
occult, and since
since the whole Art there-
there-
fore respect to this,
fore has respect this, we careful to observe
may be careful
we may
that in speaking
in speaking of elements, our authors do not al-al-
lude to the common elements-as
common elements — fire, air,
as of fire, air, and
water —
water-with which we
with wliich familiarly conversant, or
we are familiarly or to
those subtler gases,gases, so called simples of modern Che-
called simples
mistry, all
mistrv, all of which are impure equally irrelevant
impure and equally irrelevant
to this philosophy but the elements they
this philosophy; ; speak of,
they speak of,
being
as being introverted and transformed are the ele-
ele-
ments of the Mercury, properties of the universal
Mercury, properties
spirit ;
spirit ; in
in which,
which, and by alone, they
by which alone, profess to
they profess
perfective miracle of their
operated the perfective
have operated their Stone.
We must not limit,
We Paracelsus, an element to
says Paracelsus,
limit, says
a bodily
bodily substance or quality. That which we
quality. we see
is only the receptacle;

is only receptacle ; the true element is is a spirit ol'
spirit of
life,
life, and grows
grows in
in all
all things,
things, as the soul in
in the body of'
body of
man. This is First Matter of tlie
is the First the elements,
elements, which
can neither be seen nor felt, yet is
felt, and yet is in all things
in all things; ;
first matter of the elements is

and the tirst is nothing
nothing elseelse
but that lifelife which the creatures have ; and it ; is these
it is
magical elements which are of such an excellent and

magical
activity that nothing
quick activity
quick nothing besides can be found or
imagined
imagined like
like them?
them.^
Concerning the same, Hermes also advises men
Concerning men to
understand that the knowledge knowledge ofthe

of the four elements of
philosophers
the ancient philosophers was
was not eorporally
corporally or with-
out wisdom sought after, but they
sought alter, through patience
they are through patience
onlv
only to be obtained,
obtained, according
according to their kind,
kind, which
through
through their owm
own
operation
operation are everywhere in nature
everywhere
obscured."
hidden and obscured.^
We
Vc do not know whether we we have set the position
position
1
1
Alehimire, cap.
Medulla Alchimiae, i.
cap. i.
2
2 To the Athcnians,
Athenians, book ii.
ii. 5.
text 2 and 5.
3
^ 'l`raelatus Aureus,
Tractatus cap. i.
Aurens, cap. prop. -11.
i. prop. 4. linllii Theoria
See also LuUii Tlieoria et
1'raetica,
Practica, C. iii.
c. iii.
THEORY of
Theory 'l`RANsMUTATioN.
or Transmutation. Sl
81
clearly, that the order of natural

clearly, natural procedure ought to
procedure ought
introverted for
be introverted for a true and perfect manifestation;
perfect manifestation ;
the point
the point isis subtle, and as it may be more easily
it may easily ap-
ap-
hereafter on
prehended hereafter
prehended on more intimate
intimate ground,
ground, we we
leave it
leave for the present
it for especially what that
present to consider especially that
wâs, which the Alchemists profess
nature was, profess so toto have
revolutionized, inin order that gathering their
that gathering definitions
their definitions
of the whole, we may be better
we may able afterwards to
better able
conceive the particulars, —
Qui| Proteum non
particulars,-Qui§ non novit,
^
adeat Pana.
Pana,
Fortis subtilis
subtilis Pan, integer generalis ;
integer et generalis ;
Et totus ignis, aura, terra,

ignis, aura, sive aqua,
terra, sive aqua,
Qui resides solio
Qui cum tenipore
solio cum eodein
semper eodem
tempore semper
Medio, supremo et
Medio, supreme et infiino regno tuo.
infimo regno
Coneipiens, generaus,
Concipiens, producens, omnia servans,
generaus, produeens, servaus,
Exordiuni
Exordium rerumque
rerumque finis omnium,1
finis omnium.^
Yet not in elementary immanifest diiiusion

his elementary
in his let
diffusion let
us invoke the most Ancient Nature, Nature, but as he was
discovered by by the Hermetic masters; whole, and sin-
masters whole, sin-
;
gularly,
gularly, and before any
a.ny alteration
alteration had been induced in
in
his uniform substance by
his their art.
by their Thus Albertus
Magnus
Magnus defines the MercuryMercury of the wise to be a watery watery
element, cold and moist,
element, permanent water, an
moist, a permanent an unc-
unc-
vapour, and the spirit
tuous vapour, spirit of body;
body and again,
again,-the
; the —
Hrst material of the metals is
first an unctuous subtle hu-
is an
midity, iorcibly
midity, incorporated with a subtle terres-
forcibly incorporated _/^P.
<¢=§@=a
^rtp.fiii s describes itit as a white fume,
fume, in Q Z i/Lil!
in sub- (Mite/^/uû.S
treity?
treity.^
stance like pure silver,
like to pure resolving bodies into their
silver, resolving
original whiteness ; and as a vegetable

original ; vegetable life making all
life making all
things to grow,
things resuseitate.3
multiply, and resuscitate.^
grow, multiply, Which
Vhieh
dissimilarly viewing,
Lully, not dissimilarly
Lully, calls Hyle,
viewing, calls Hyle, saying,
saying,
1I llymni 1.
Orpheus ]lymni»1.
Orpheus —
'^
Mercurius SapientAm
Mercurixis Sapientnm elementum aqueum,
est eleuientum et hu-
frigidum ethu-
aqueuni, ii-igidum
midum, aqua permaneus,
uiidum, aqua vapor unctuosus
permanens, vapor nnctuosns et spiritus eorporis, &c.
spiritus corporis,
_ . Prima materia metallorum est humidum unctuosum
_ .
unetuosum
qnod est incorporatum

subtile, quod
snbtile, terrestri snbtili
incorporzituui terrestri subtili fortiter commixto.
—
-DeDe Mineralibus, cap. ii.
Minernlibus. cup. Brere Compendium
et Breve
ii. c-t
Compendium in Theat. Chem.
vol.
vol.ii.
ii.
3
^See Liber Secretissimns Artefii.
Secretissimus Artefii. Illa namque aqua
Ilia namque fumua
aqua fumus
aqua illa
&e. Est autem aqua
est, &c.
albus est, quaedam substantiae
ilia media qusedam siibstantise clara ut
argentum purum,
argentum purum, quee recipere tincturas solis et luuae
qufe debet recipere lunsB ut
G
^
82 Exornnic VIEW.
Exoteric View.
that it
that it is
is a clear compounded water,
clear compounded water, most like like in in
argent vive,
substance to argent vive, that it
it is
is found flowing upon
flowing upon
earth, and is
earth, generated in
is generated compound out of the
every compound
in every
substance of the air, therefore the
air, therefore the moisture is is ex-
tremely heavy?
tremely heavy. ^
Seek our
our
Argent Vive, says Ar-
Argent Vive, says
nold,
nold, and you
you will
will have all
all you desire from it
you desire it, it it isis ;
a stone and no no stone,

stone, in in which the whole Art consists, consists,
soul, and body
spirit, soul,
spirit, body; which if ;
if thou dissolvest,
dissolvest, it it will
will
be dissolved;
dissolved and if
; if thou coagulatcst,
coagulatest, it it will
will be co-
agulated ; and if
agulated ;
if thou makest it fly, it
it fly, it will Hy ; for
will fly for itit ;
is volatile,
is clear as a tear.
volatile, and clear tear. And afterwards, it is
þÿElft ¬l'\'i`lI'dS,
it is
made citrine, saltish, but without crystals
citrine, then saltish, crystals; and ;
no man
man may
may touch it
it with his
his tongue,
tongue, forfor it it isis a a
deadly poison.
deadly poison. Behold,
Behold, I
I have described it
it to thee;
thee;
but II have not named it, it should become com-
lest it
it, lest
mon
mon in the hands of all
in nevertheless, II will
all; nevertheless,
; will in in a
manner name
manner it, and tell
name it, tell thee that if if thou sayest
sayest it is
it is
water, thou dost say

water, say truth;
truth and if
if
; thou sayest
sayest it
it is
is
not water, thou dost lie. lie. Be not therefore deceived

with manifold descriptions
descriptions and operations,
operations, for for it
it isis One
Thing
Thing to which nothing
nothing extraneous may
may be added."
added.
There is is another found speaking speaking after after the same sense
congeletur convertatur in terrain albmu

eougeletur ct couvertatur vivam
albam vivarn. ....
. . . Est
quouiam aqua
quoiiiam ista est aqua
aqua ista vitro 'cgct1abilis,ideo
aqua vita; vegetabilis, ideo ipsa vitruu et
ipsa dat vitain ct
lilcit vegctnrc
facit cresccrc et pullulare ipsuni corpus mortuuiu
vegctare crescere pullularc ipsum corpus luortuuui et et
resuseitarc de
ipsum resuscitare
ipsuni dc morte ad nd vitam
vitain solutionc sublimatiouc et
solutione et sublimatioue ct
in tnli operatione
in tali þÿ01)CI'flll()ll ¬vcrtitur corpus in
vei'titur corpus in spiritum, spiritus in
spirituin, spii'itus in corpus
corpus et
tunc theta est amicitia,
tune factn nmicitizl, &c.
1^
Ji. Lullii 'l`hcorica
R. Lullii Tlieorica ct Prnctica, cap
et Practica, iii. De ]"()1'I1l2`t
cup iii. Pornia Niuori.M
inori. Est
aqua composita ex dictis

aqua clara composita dictis vaporibus
vaporibus per condcnszitiouem suae
per cond(Misationem sum
nuturze, qufe
naturae, vcnit iu
qum venit dictos vapores
in dictos vaporcs quatuor
quatuor clcmcntorum,
eleiuentorum, et ilia illa
ai'gento vivo magis
est res argento llflgiS propinqua,
propiiupm, quod quod quidem
quidein rcperitur supra
reperitur supra
terrain currens
terrani eurrcns et Iluens, &c.
et fluens,
2
^ Lapis est ct
Lapis et non
non lapis,
lapis, spiritus aniiua ct
spiritus anima corpus quem
et corpus: quern si
: si dis-
dis-
solvis, dissolvitur; et si
solvis, dissolvitur ; si coagules, coagulatur, et si
congulcs, eoagulatur, si Volare thcis,
volare facis,
volat.
volat. Est autem
uutem volatilis
volatilis albus ut hlcllryma
lacliryina oculi;
ocidi ;
postea clliei-
postca efHci-
tur citriuus, salsus, pilis
citrinus, salsus, pilis earrcus, qucm nemo
carens, quern nemo lingua
lingua sunsua tangere
taugere
potest. Ecee
potest. Ecce ipsuni
ipsum _juni jam sun sua delnonstravi dcscriptiouc. Non tameii
demonstravi descriptione. tnmcn
uomiunvi, quo
nominavi, oninis eget
quo omiiis locnplcs et pauper
eget locuples puuper et omncs habcre
vt omiies habere pos-
pos-
sunt et in
sunl.; ; in uianibus
mauibus suis est uc ac pro eausnntur.
pro eo causaiitur. Mode volo
JNIodo
ipsum nomiuare
ipsuin noniiuurc; ct; et dico quodquod si dixeris cum
si dixcris cum aquam esse,
nquam cssc, veruiii
verum
dicis;
dicis ; si dicis
ct si
et dicis cumcum aquam ai[uam neu non csse
esse mcutiris.
nientiris. Ne
Nu igitur
igitur deci-
piaris pluribus
piaris pluribus descriptionibus
descriptionibus et operantibus.operantibus. Unum enim quid quid
est. oui uihil
est. cui nihil alieni inlertur. — Speculum ;lehimi:1~,
inlbrtur.-Speculum Alchimia^, Uctnvn
Octava Disp.
Disp.
; — —
VPHEORY or
Theory 'l`R,~\NSMU'lÀ'1`l0N.
of Transmutation. S3
83
—
-Belus, in the classic
Belus, in Aristasus; and this,
synod of Aristceus
classic synod this, he ;
all
amongst all great
says, among'st
says, is
philosophers is magisterial,
great philosophers magisterial,
that our stone isis no though with the ignorant
stone; though
no stone ignorant
;
this is
this is ridiculous for who will
ridiculous ;; for believe that water can
will believe can
be made a stone, water;; nothing being
stone, or a stone Wtiter nothing being
different than these two ?? Yet, in
more different
more in very truth, it
very truth, it
is so
is : for this
for
: very permanent
this very permanent water is
is the stone, but
whilst it
whilst it is it is
is water it no stone?
is no stone. Again ;-
Again ^ ;
It is a
It is a stone and no stone,
In which the
tlie whole art consists ;
art consists ;
Nature has made it such,

it such,
But has not yet brought it
yet brought it to perfection.
perfection.
Tou
You will uot find
will not it ou
find it since there it
earth, since
on earth, it has no growth
growth ;;
It
It grows only in
grows only caverns of
in the Caverns l1l()llllf$ll]lS.
of the mountains.
The whole art depends
depends on it; it
For he who has the vapourvapour of this
this thing,
thing.
Has the gilded splendour ofthe
gilded splendour Eed Lyon,
of the _Red Lyon,
The pure
pure and clear
clear Mercury.
Mercury.
And he who knows the red Sulphur Sulphur which it it contains,
contains,
Has within his whole foundation.5'
power the M'hole
his power foundation."
Basil Valentine, more intimately

Valentine, more defining the nature
intimately defining
of the First Matter, declares it
First Matter, it to be comparable
comparable to nono
manifested particular
particular whatever,
wdiatever, and that all
all descrip-
descrip-
fails in
tion fails respect of it,
in respect Without the light
it, without light of true
experience. And Rupecissa
experience. says the same ; and Rip-
Rupecissa says Rip- ;
ley,
ley, that it
it is
is not like
like any
any common
common water or earthy
earthy
Aquosa substantia
material, but aa middle substance,--Aquosa
material, substance, —
sicca reperta,
sicca —
partaking of extremes celestial
reperta,-partaking celestial and ter-
1^
dicta. in hoc despecto,
Ecce dicta fauna divulgata
despccto, fama divulgnta quod apud
quod apud philoso-
philoso-
phos exeelsiun
phos est, quod
excelsum est, quod lapis et
est lapis non lapis, quod multis non^
non lapis, quod non,
cupantur uomiuibus, ne quis

cupantur nominibus, quis ipsum
ipsum agnosent &c.-
insipicns, &c.
agnoscat insipiens,
Turba Philosophorum Sermo Vigesima.
Pl1ilOSOI)l]O1`llID Sernio Vigesima.
Est lapis attamen non

lapis attanien lapis,
non lapis,
ipso soluni
lu ipso
In solum natura operatur,
operatur,
Qui
Qui fous ex eo proiluit,
tons ex profluit, .
Fixum
Fixuin patrem suum subinergit,
patrem suum submergit,
Absorbens illiiui cum corpore
illum cum corpore vitaque,
vitaque,
Douec illi auinia
Donee reddatur illi anima
volatilis ipsi
Et mater volatilis similis
ipsi similis
reguo, &c.
suo regno,
Fiat in suo
B. Va/enfiizii De Prima Materid.
Vahntinii Dr' lllaterid.
2
Salis Phil. p.
Lucerna Salis
2 Tiucerna
p. 33. From the Latin verse.
verse, Est qui-
qui-
dem lapis
deni lapis et non
non lapis, &<'.-See — Digbfs 'l'raus.
lapis, &<•. See Digbv's p. 277.
Trans, p.
G 2
G
— :
S4
84 EXO'lÈl{l() View.
Exoteric Yi aw.
restrial; and though

resti'ial ; though it may seem contradictory
it may contradictory so to
speak
speak of
of a tirst
first matter,
matter, as of
of a middle, third ; yet
or third yet ;
this is
this is done in respect of its
in respect its generation
generation by by active
active and
passive relations
passive relations of the Universal Spirit,
of the Spirit, whence it pro-
it pro-
ceeds as a at third, from its radix; Lully
homogeneal
yet homogeneal
third, yet its radix Lully
;
also
also calls
calls it tcrlium, and compounded
it tertium, compounded in in this
this sense;
sense ;
Basil Valentine,-
and Basil Valentine,
Corpus auima
Corpua anima spiritus in duobus
spiritus in duohus existit,
existit,
Ex quibus
quihus tota res proeedit
procedit :
Procedit ex
Pi'ocedit ex uno
uno etct est res
rcs una,
Volatile
Volatile et Hxum simul colliga,
et fixum coUiâ,
Sunt duo et ct tria saltcm unum
tria et saltom unuin
Si intelliges, nibil obtincs.l

non intelliges, nihil
Si non obtines.'
And Vaughan,
Vaughan, for for example
example of a modern authority, authority,
says, that the First Matter is
says, is indeed the union of
masculine and feminine spirits spirits; the quintessence
;
quintessenee of
four, the ternary
four, ternary of three,
three, and the tetract
tctract of one;
one and ;
that these are his physical and metaphy-

generations, physical
his generations, metaphy-
sical.
sical. The thing
thing itself,
itself, continues he,
he, is wo1'ld
is a world
form, a divine animated mass of complexion
without fortu, complexion
like silver,
like silver, neither mere power action, but
perfect action,
power nor perfect
a weak virgin
a certain soft
substance, a certain
virgin substance, prolific Venus,
soft prolific
the very
very love and seed of nature, nature, the mixture and
moisture of heaven and earth? earth. ^ As Sendivogius
Sendivogius likelike-
wise declares;-Our
declares, —
Our water is wetting the
heavenly, not wetting
is heavenly,
hands, not of the vulgar,

hands, vulgar, but almost rain rain water
water;";^
and by by such familiar analogies
analogies as tears,tears, rain,
rain, dew,
milk, wine,
milk, oil, the fermentative
wine, and oil, principle of the
fermcntative principle
spirit and her distilled
spirit distilled quintessencc
quintessence are very very ordinarily
ordinarily
denoted. We
Ve conclude these verbal instructions with
the following passage from the ancient book
sununary passage
following summary
of Synesius,
Synesius, and the New Light.-It Light. —
is, says
It is, this
says this
esteemed author, speaking of the same Matter,
author, speaking Matter, a a
fills with true virtue every
Light, which fills
clear Light, every mind
perceived it
that has once perceived it ; it is the nucleus and bond
it is
;
I
^ 'alentinii De l)lìlll{l
B. A'alentinii Materia, in Museo Hermotico.
Prima l[ate1'i§, llernieti<~o. Lullii
Thcor. ct
Theor. ot Pract. cap. iii.
cap. iii.
9
2 Lumeu
Lumen dedc linmine,
Luinine, p. 46, &c.
p. 46,
^ Now
5*
New Light Alchemy, Ti'act. 10. Of the Superu:tnr:il
T;igbt of ilche1ny,'1`raet. Supprnatur:il (1 one-
(J ene-
ration.
THEORY or
Theory of '1'RANSMUTATl0N.
Transmutation. 85
all the elements which are contained in

of all in it,
it, and the
spirit which
spirit nourishes all all things,
things, and by means of'
by means of
which nature operates universally; it
operates universally ;it is
is the virtue,
beginning, and end of the whole world ; in

true beginning, ; plain
in plain
terms, t/ze
the Quintessence
quintessence is ot/zer t/mn
is no other than our riscousviscous
celestial and
celestial rl/ir! glorious
glorious sou! soul drawn from its its 77l;)1Cl`(lb`l/
mincra by
mngislezy. But nature alone engenders
our magistery.
our
engenders it it is
it ; it
; is not
possible to make
possible ma/fe it by art
it by for to create is
art; for ; proper to
is proper
God alone;
alone but to make things
; things that are not perceived, perceived,
but which lie lie in
in the shadow, to appear, appear, and to take from
their veil,
them their is granted
veil, is granted to an intelligent philoso-
an intelligent philoso-
pher
pher by through nature. And this
by God, through this Latex is is the
sharp vinegar which makes gold
sharp vinegar gold a pure pure spirit,
spirit, seeing
seeing
she isis even that blessed blessed wâter
water which engenders engenders all all
things. Our subject

things. subject is presented to the eyes
is presented eyes of the
world, and it
whole world, it is
is not known ! ! O our heaven, O
our heaven, O
our water, O
water, O our mercury, mercury, O O ourour saltsalt nitre,
nitre, abiding
abiding
in the sea of the world
in world! O ! O our vegetable
vegetable ; O our; O our sul-
sul-
phur, volatile; O
fixed and volatile
phur, fixed O our caput
; eaput mortuum,
mortuuin, or
dead head, foeces of our
head, or fceces sea!
our sea ! Our water,
water, that wets
without
hands wîthout which nothing
not the hands, ; nothing can live, and
can live,
without which nothing nothing growls
grows or is is generated
generated in in the
whole world ! And these are the Epithetes
! Epithetes oi" Hermes,
of Hermes,
his Bird, which is
his Bird, is never
never at rest. It
It is
is of small account,
account,
yet no body
yet no
body can be without it,
it, and so thou hast dis- dis-
covered to thee a thing thing moremore precious
precious than the whole
world; which Il plainly
world ; plainly telltell thee is nothing else
is nothing else than
our sea
sea water,
water, which is
is congealed
congealed in gold
gold and silver,
silver,
and extracted by by the help
help of our
our
chalybs,
chalybs, or steel, by
steel, by
the art of philosophers,
philosophers, in in a wonderful manner manner by a
by
prudent
prudent son son of'of science?
science.^
Thus obscure,
obscure, afterafter all, is the true Matter of the
all, is
Alchemists,
Alchemists and
; if
if wê
we presume
presume to add here, here, that it it
is the simple
is generated
simple generated substance of life
life and light,
light, im-
manifestly flowing
manifestly throughout nature,
flowing throughout nature, and define it it as
that without which nothing nothing that exists is is able to be, be,
we
we are not for this yet wiser how to obtain or
yet or work it it
1• Valentine, in English,
Kirchringius Valentine,
See at the end of Kirehringius English, the Trea-
tise of Synesius,
tise Synesins, p. 166,
p. 166,and Sendivogius, New Light
Sendivogius, New Light of Alchemy,
Alchemy,
page
page 44.
86
Si) Exo'rEi<|e View.
Exoteric Vnzw.
apart
apart ; nor
; suflicient to convey
nor are words sufficient convey a a just
just notion
where there isis no ground of apprehension
no ground apprehension ; and whether
;
thing be most hke

a thing
a like water, earth, fire,
fire, quieksilvcr.
quicksilver,
azote, or ether, is indift'erent
ether, is indiflerent to the mind, needing
needing ae-
ac-
experience to fix
tual experience its idea.
fix its idea. This the art promises
promises
to aa patient and true philosopher, but as at a reward of
patient philosopher,
individual labour
individual and perseverance only. Wee may
perseverance only. VV may con-
tent ourselves thus early, therefore, with the exclusive
early, therefore, exclusive
it
assurance that it isis no one of
one of the many things with
many things
which sense
w^hich acquainted that it
brings us acquainted;
sense brings us it is
is neither
;
earth, nor air,

water, nor earth, air, nor fire, though it
fire, though it contains
in principle
in principle the nature all
of all these;
these neither
;
gold,
gold, nor
nor
silver,
silver, nor mercury,
nor
antimony, nor any
mercury, nor antimony,
nor nor alkali, or
any alkali,
gas,
gas, or vitriol
vitriol of the vulgar though
vulgar; though ; these titles
titles are
found interspersed
interspersed abundantly With
abundantly with others, others, equally
equally
deceptive,
deceptive, inin the pages
pages of the adepts.
adepts. Neither is it
is it
animal absolutely,
absolutely, vegetable,
or vegetable, or mineral, or any any
natu1'al particular
natural particular whatever:
whatever but the alone Lrclia
: Lcelia
/Elia latent in
^lia in and about all, Enigma cele-
all, which the Enigma cele-
brates as comprehending
comprehending all ; all but
; which the Alchemists
alone teach experimentally expound.
experimentally to expound.
The ordinary phenomena
ordinary phenomena of however, may
light, however,
light, may
occur,
occur, as not dissimilar from those which they de-
they
scribe , only
scribe only that they
;
shadowy and mingled,
they are shadowy mingled, com-
coni-
pared
pared with the alleged
alleged virtue and perfective properties
perfective properties
of the Philosophic Subject. Yet as colours
Philosophic Subject. colours-blue, —
red,
blue, red,
yellow,
yellow, and purple-are
purple —
are blended in the one
one uniform
light, and are shown apart
solar light, simply by
apart simply by a prismatic
prismatic
parting
parting of the rays,
rays, or particles
particles of their essence; and
essence ;
again,
again, when the disposition
disposition is
is exchanged, relapsing,
exchanged, relapsing,
they
they exhibit the uniform whiteness whence theythey came
came ; ;
so is
is it
it said to be with the Aleheniieal
Alchemical Pan, who,
Pan, who,
being
being but one
one himself,
himself, is
is in his
his o1"l"spring
offspring multitudi-
nous, and manifold in
nous, in every diversity of ibrni,
every diversity hue,
form, hue,
and complexion.
complexion.
The ever
'l`l|e whole
varying substance of the wliole
ever varying
l*Ilhe1'ial, watci-y,
Etherial, watery, earthly
earthly geiiei'al soul,
general soul,
linmortul Fire
Immortal Fire! Even all
! all the Morld is ihine
world is tliine
Aud parts
And pan-ts of thee, O Proteus,
ot'tliec, Proteus, power
power divine:
divine;
Since all things nature first
all things first to thee consigned,
consigned,
Aud
And in thy omnilbrin eonibnieil.
thv essence omuiform combined.
!
of 'l`RANsi1Ur,T1oN.
THEORY or
Theory Transmutation. 87
Then, again, light and heat mingle

again, as light bodies
mingle with bodies
entering
entering their
their composition, hardening
composition, hardening some, softening
softening
others, destroying
destroying or cherishing, changing their
cherishing, changing aspect
their aspect
continually, and modifying
continually, qualities; so is
their qualities
modifying their is the
;
quintessence said
Mercurial quintessence produce
said to produce all
all various
effects, but within itself
effects, eonsummately without exter-
itself consummately
nal reference,
nal reference, or elementary confusion.
elementary confusion. Hitherto wê we
have had account of the Matter only only as it

it first appears,
first appears,
say, and White,

they say,
pure, as they
pure, white, out of the philosophical
philosophical
contrition;
contrition and, so
so;far, we find
far, we testimony sufli-
find the testimony suffi-
ciently congruous:-but
ciently congruous but when
wdien the
:
—
Wise
wise artist
artist has
brought
brought all
all into
into this
this annihilate
annihilate condition,
condition, and pressed
pressed
out the waters of her extreme life re-acting,
life; nature re-acting,
;
it is
as it is said, unity three great
said, exhibits from out her unity great
magnetic principles of being-the
magnetic principles being —
Salt, Sulphur,
the Salt, Sulphur,
and Mercury
Mercury of adepts,
adepts, in
in relation
relation to each other
of agent, patient, and
agent, patient,
flowing forth
m\d offspring
offspring universal,-pe1'pe-
universal,
forth to multitudinous manifestation.
perpe- —
tually flowing
tually
Proteus, as we
For Pan contains Proteus, we have before seen seen
Democritus, and exhibits himself through
from Democritus, through thisthis
god
god; evolving every particular property
; evolving every particular property and form of
beings,
beings, out of his
his central will,
will, of necessity,
necessity, as the Or-
phic oracle declares ; also of Mercury,

phic ; like allusion.
Mercury, with like allusion.
Hear me,
me, O Mercury,
Mercury, and Son of Maia
Maia; the bright expositor of
bright expositor
;
things!
things
This Proteus then,

then, or Mercury, quintessence of
Mercury, or quintessence
philosophers, is
philosophers, warily concealed by
is warily
by them under an
infinity names, all
infinity of names, more or less
all more less applicable, yet de-
applicable, yet
lusive ; for though
; though every epithet is
every epithet is admissible,
admissible, inas-
much as nothing
nothing can be said amiss of a a Universal Sub-
ject, yet the right
ject, yet conception is
right conception is hard to gather from
gather
their books. In its
its artificial
artificial fermentation and pro-
pro-
gress perfection, the changes
gress towards perfection, changes it it undergoes are
undergoes
manifold; and as the common
manifold ; common life life of nature,
nature, itit be-
comes any
comes any and every
every conceivable thing
thing in turn that it it
wills to be now it
be, now it is mineral, now
is mineral,
;
vegetable, now
now vegetable, now
animal ; by ;predominance of either principle,

by predominance principle, itit is
is fire,
fire,
spirit, body, air, earth,

spirit, body, air, earth, and water
Water ; a stone,
stone,
; a vapour,
vapour,
or an aqua sicca; an essential oil oil of hfe,
aqua sicca an ;
life, and aa most
;
88 Exornnic View.
Exoteric Vlnw.
sharp
sharp vinegar, phoenix, a salamander, a poisonous
vinegar, a phoenix, poisonous
devouring dragon,
devouring dragon, and a chameleon;
chameleon eveiy
every colour,
;
every thought
every thought is
is included in
in its
its circulations
circulations nou1'ish-
; nourish-
;
ing, destroying, living, dying, corrupting, purifying, it

ing, destroying, living, dying, corrupting, purifying, it
is all
is things
all things ;;and, anon, it
it is
is —
nothing,-but potential
nothing, but a potential
chaos and egg of' philosophers
egg of precedential, nameless
philosophers ; aa precedential,
;
principle, always
principle, always in
in mutation, becoming to be,--first,
becoming be, —
first,
last, greatest,
last, least, the servant of art and queen
greatest, least, queen of
nature. Proceeding homogcneal through
Proceeding homogeneal through each omni-
fòrm variety,
form variety, and returning
returning into
into herself
herself manifestly the
manifestly
life and all
life all phenomena
phenomena which she as constantly sup-
constantly sup-
plies,
plies, the great Identity
great Identity is
is as herself'
herself unchanged
unchanged ;
.J
;
/' - /
-^'
A
1 I | I ,
Et, quaiito Llla

Et, quanto ilia magis formas se vertet iu
magis tbriiias oinnis,
in omn s, /'^/
/
Tzmto, iiate,
Tanto, nate 7 magis tenaeia V1llCl.&.l
magis tenacia vincla.^ '
i
/
7
/
advantage of the mutable nature

Adepts have taken advantage
Adepts
of their subject,
their subject, to baffle
baffle blind searcher,
the blind searcher, as w well
ell to
confound false as to lead the intelligent to a
premises
false premises intelligent
discovery _of
discovery of the simple t1'uth ; and where we
simple truth ; we find
find them
speaking contiisedly
speaking confusedly of elements, colours,
elements, colours, and opera-
opera-
tions,
tions, it
it is
is very requisite
very requisite .to
to bear in
in mind the idiosyn-
idiosyn-
cracy of their
cracy ground, and that it
their ground, it is
is to the qualities
qualities
changes which take place
and changes during the preparation,
place during preparation,
and multiplying Mercury by
multiplying the Mercury by its proper Light,
its proper Light, they
they
allude,
allude, and not to any phenomena
any superficial phenomena
superficial or those
elements which the moderns have so triumphantly triumphantly
decomposed. The three principles,
decomposed. principles, the Salt,Salt, Sulphur,
Sulphur,
and Mercury,
Mercury, are merely different as modes of being
merely different being ofof'
same thing,
the same thing, and the many
many names
names arising
arising out of the
passion of these,
action and passion these, do but indicate the stages stages
of' progress
of progress and development,
development, as of a tree, which with
a tree,
its leaves,
its trunk, flowers,
leaves, trunk, flowers, buds, fruit and branches,
buds, fruit branches, allall
differing,
differing, is
is nevertheless one
one individual,
individual, of'
of one
one
original,
original,
and of one root.
In the common
common estate,
estate, Spirit is
as the Spirit in nature,
is in nature, said
it is
everywhere, it
to be everywhere, thing vile and cheap;
is called a thing cheap
in its
its perfectly form, a medicine the most
prepared form,
perfectly prepared
potent
potent and precious
precious in
in the whole world
world; and the inter-
inter- ;
*
' lib. iv.
Georgics, lib.
Georgics, iv. 411.
THEORY of
Theory 'l`R,Nsi1U'rAT1oN.
partake of
stages partake
mediate stages of the predoxninance
predoniinarice of of either
either
being subliined
extreme; being
extreme ; subHmed at first, it
at first, is called
it is called a serpent,
serpent,
dragon, or green
dragon, lion, on account of its
green lion, its strength
strength and
vitality, which putrefying,
crude vitality, putrefying, becomes a stronger stronger
poison, and their
poison, their venomous toad; toad which afterwards
;
appearing calcined
appearing calcined by its proper
by its proper fire, is called
fire, is called magne-
magne-
sia
sia and lead
lead of the wise ; which again
; again dissolving, be-
dissolving, be-
comes their vitriolic
comes their vitriolic solvent and most inost sharp
sharp acetum ; ;
and this
this afterwards is is changed
changed into into an oil, oil, which,
whitening, is called
whitening, is called milk, dew, dew, quintessence,
quintessence, and by by
many
many other names
naines ; until raised to
until raised
;
to the final
final perfec-
perfec-
it is
tion, it is
tion, henceforth a their
phoenix, salamander, their
phoenix,
royal essence and Red Stone.
royal
great Elixir
Our great Elixir most highliigh of price,
price.
Our Azot,
Azot, oiu' Basiliske, and our Adrop,
our Basiliske, Adrop, our Cocatrice.
Cocatrice.
Some call it
Seine call also a substance exuberate,
it also exuberate. _
it Mercury
call it
Some call Mercury of mctalline
metalline essence,
essence,
Some limus deserti
deserti from hishis body
body evacuate,
evacuate,
Some
Sonic the Eagle flying fro'
Eagle tlyiug fro' the north with violence,
violence,
Some call it a Toade for
call it his great
for his vehenience,
great vehemence.
But few or nonenone at name it
all doe name
at all it in its kinde,
its kinde,
is a privy
It is privy quintessence;
quintessence keep it well in
keep it
; in minded
minde.^
Some
Solne speaking
speaking of it it thus in metaphor, others in
in metaphor, in
abstract terms, all ambiguously;
terms, and all ambiguously; one
one regarding
regarding only
only
certain properties,
properties, which another as entirely
entirely passes by,
passes by,
now describing
now describing in the natural state, in its
state, then in its purified
purified
condition,
condition, or otherwise inin any one of the intermediate
any one
through
stages through
stages which it
it passes, without note of order
passes,
in the art;
in altogether
art altogether
; it
it is
is by no means
by no means wonderful that
so many
niany erroneous conclusions have arisen respecting
respecting
it, ingenuity
it,
ingenuity having
having been rather directed to obscure
than reveal the truth,
truth, which indeed can hardly be well
can hardly
conceived, without an insight
conceived, insight into the experimental
experimental
ground.
ground. And there are other ditliculties
difficulties which beset
an theory of occult science,
an exoteric tl1eo1'y science, and inconsisten-
cies will
cies continually appear
will continually appear betwixt the sound of the
alcheniical writings and their
alchemical writings their true sense, until the
sense, until
initial ground
initial is understood. Patience in the beginning
ground is beginning
is required,
is therefore, to interrogate
required, therefore, interrogate and discern, hom
discern, from
I^
Bloo1nfield's
Bloonifield's Camp
Camp Philosophy, book i.i. in
of Philosophy, in Ashmole.
;
90 Exoteric VIE\'.
EXOTERIC View.
amongst so many
amongst many shadowy representatives, the true
shadowy representatives,
light. Constantly
light. holding in
Constantly holding simplicity of
in mind the simplicity
the Substance, whence these images images are allall derived, we
we
may nevertheless be enabled to thread in

may nevertheless in comparative
comparative
this Hermetic labyrinth
security this
security labyrinth of birdsbirds and wild
wild
beasts: and wdien
beasts : when Geber says,says, that the thingthing which
pei-fects in
perfects in minerals, isis the substance of argent vive
of argent
and sulphur, proportionally commixt in the bowels of
sulphur, proportionally in
Sendivogius, that the mat-
inspissate earth ;';^ or Sendivogius,
clean inspissate
ter of the metals is is twofold ;' Lully, or Ripley,
or Lully, ;"^ Ripley, or
Basil, calls
Basil, calls it third
it a third thing
thing; we we shall
shall not
; understand
them, or any any others so speaking, variety of
speaking, as of a variety
things,
things, sulphur, mercury,
of sulphur, mercury, or earth in in a common-
common-
sense interpretation,
sense interpretation, but of the magnetic relation,
magnetic
action, passion of the Ethereal being
action, and passion being in in itself.
itself.
And fi'om foregoing we may
from the foregoing we
may also judge that
also judge
when Hermes says says that the separation
separation of the ancient
philosophers is
philosophers is made upon Vater,
upon Water, dividing
dividing it it into four
substances,"
substances,-^ that it is
it is not the common elementated
common elemcntated
water to wdiichwhich he alludes ; any ;
more than did Thales
any more
when he said that all
wdien all things
things were generated from
were generated
thence,
thence, or Moses when he taught
he-taught that Spirit of
the Spirit
God moved creatively
creatively uponupon the face
face of the same. This
same.
water theythey speak

speak of is
is not the fluid
fluid with which in this
in this
life we are conversant,
life we conversant, either as dew,
dew, or of clouds,
clouds, or air
air
condensed in in Caverns
caverns of the earth, artificially dis-
earth, or artificially dis-
tilled
tilled in a receiver out of sea fountains, fountains, either either ot' pits,
of pits,
rivers, as the empirical
or rivers, empirical chemists formerlyformerly imagined
imagined;
but it is the ethereal body
it is body of life life and light light which
they profess to have discovered,
they profess —
discovered,-aa certain tortured
having
water, having
water, suffered alteration by by art and become
eorporilicd.
corporified. OO how wonderful,
wônderful, exclaims the Arabian,
Arabian,
is that Thing
is Thing which has in
in itself
itself all
all things which we
things we
seek, to which we
seek, we add nothing þÿ(llH' ¬l' ¬11tor extract,
nothing different extract,
only
only in in the preparation
preparation removing
removing supcrfluities
superfluities!^ !*'
The sense of all all these philosophers
philosophers is
is the same
same and
from their gathered
gathered evidence we
we may
may infer
infer that their
1 2
^ lnvcst. of Perf.
Invest, Perf. cap. i.
cap. i. ^ New
]>jêw Light,
Light, Tract. 3.
3.
3 4
^ 'l`ra<~t. Ama cap.
Tract. Aur. cap. i.
i. prop. v.
prop. •• Eosarium,
Rosarinm, Aristotele Arabus.
Arabns.
; ;
Tu
Theory of 'lll{ANSMU'lÀ'1ÌON.
EORY or Transmutation. 9]
91
Stone is
is nothing
nothing more less than the pure
more or less pure Ethereality
Ethereahty
of nature, separated by artincial
separated by purified and
artificial means, purified
made concrete by constriction and scientific
by constriction scientific multipli-
multiph-
cation of its
cation proper Light-the
its proper —
Light the preparation, generation,
preparation, generation,
birth,
birth, specification-all
specification —
all proceeding,
proceeding, arte mirahili,
mirabili, on
on
the hidden basis

basis of its
its primal eduction.
primal eduction. Earliest and
Earliest
easiest it
easiest attains to the perfection
it attains perfection ofof the mineral
kingdom
kingdom; and the seed of gold,
; gold, says adept, is
says the adept, is a
a
liery form of Light

fiery this is
inspissate, and this
Light inspissate, is the Stone of
Fire; —
Fire;-Lapis
Lapis noster, hiehie est
est ignis,
ignis, exex
igne creatus,
igne
in
et in
et ignem
ignem vertitur, et anima ejus
vertitur, et in ignc moratur.'
ejus in igne moratur.^
Thus nature,
nature, by help of art,
by the help art, is said to transcend her-
is said
self, and Light
self, is the true þÿfGlÌ1]
Light is fermenti^te¬llt principle which
principle al,
perfects the Ether in
perfects its proper
in its proper kind.
Nor can one be so stupid

stupid as to think
That water of its own accord should cause
its own
Within itself so great
Vitl1in itself link
change, and link
great aa change,
SuljDhur mercury with so firm laws,
Sulphur and mercury laws,
Its own dimensions to penetrate
Its own penetrate
So many
many times a a metal to create.
'
No, there must be an
No, an inward agent
agent granted,
granted,
Else would a thing unchanged still
thing unchanged still remain;
remain
This agent
agent isis thc
the form that matter wanted,
wanted,
\'hile it
While its proper
it its proper 11ature retain;
nature did retain ;
This Eorm
Form is is Light,
Light, the source of central heat,
heat,
Which
Vhich clothed with matter doth a seed beget. beget.
The seed no sooner is

no sooner is produced,
produced, but soon
Essays
Essays to bring
bring the matter to a change,
change,
On it
Un it stamps
it it stamps its
its character, which done,
character, Avhich done,
The Matter lives, may seem strange,
lives, and that which may strange,
Co-Worlceth with
Co-worketh with the Form t't' attain the end
To which the seed implanted
implanted doth intend, &c.9
intend, &c.-
This of the mineral kingdom,

kingdom, where the Formal
by
Light, by multiplication
Light, multiplication in
in its Ether,
its Ether, is
is said to produce
produce
gold through
gold; through superior
; superior skill
skill and coction in the vege-
vege-
elixir of the wise ; and more
life, the elixir
table life, rarely yet
more rarely yet
;
in the animal kingdom,

kingdom, and most of all all in man
man;
all these are included,
wherein all included, and a mj'^stery
mystery of Uni-
profound and diiiicult
Being, profound
versal Being, govern and no
difficult to govern
1^
Phil. Artis Auriferse,
ltosariuin. Democritus Phil.
Rosarium, Auriferre, Vol. ii.
vol. ii.
7
"^
Eireneus, Marrow of Alchemy, hook i.
Alchemy, book i. 45.
Eireneus,
'CLC
'azj
92 Exoteric [lEV.
_EXOTERIC View.
less
less arduous tl1an glorious to sustain.
than glorious sustain. For though
though the
the
material
material is throughout, forms are diverse,
is one throughout, diverse, and inin
him it that is
Image that
it assumes an Image is Divine and moremore po-
po-
tent than allall the rest:
rest which is
: is in this life
in this life yet
yet anan
embryo,
embryo, but when unfolded through
through a new birth
birth in
in
intelligence,
universal intelligence, transcends the limits
limits of
of this
this
nether sphere, passes into
sphere, and passes into communion with the
highest life,
highest power, science, and most perfect
life, power, felicity.
perfect felicity.
Of the phenomena
phenomena of light,
light, electricity,
electricity, magnetism,
magnetism,
great account is
&e., great
&c., is taken at the present day ; both to
present day ;
exhibit them, and to apply their various potencies

apply their potencies to the
affairs life: but of the real
affairs of life : real source of these potencies,
potencies,
efficient in
or of the true efficient any ease,
in any nothing is
case, nothing is known.
The beam has been tried tried and tortured, through pris-
tortured, through pris-
matic glasses and crystals,
matie glasses crystals, every
every chemical agentagent has
been exhausted upon upon it, it, alld electrical machines have
and electrical
instituted to
been instituted entiuap
entrap fluid,
the fluid, but in
in vain.
vain.
The þÿl ¬El1'[l ¬(l
learned free
are free to admit that,
that, though they
though they have
discovered lnuchmuch of the mysterious influences of light,
mysterious influences light,
more is
the more is discovered the more miraculous do they they
—
appear.-It
appear. passed through
It has passed through every
every test without
revealing its
revealing its secrets, and even
even the effects
effects which it it pro-
pro-
duces in its path
in its unexplained problems
path are unexplained problems stillstill to tax
intellects of men?
the intellects phenomena are effects
men.^ These phenomena effects
then of a Cause unknown, and that very very unknown
Cause it it was the alleged object of the Hermetic experi-
alleged object experi-
ment to prove.
prove. Shall we
we not therefore revert to the
inquiry, and search earnestly,

inquiry, if a glance
earnestly, if glance of faithfaith be
granted
granted only,only, to ascertain whether,
whether, recovering
recovering the
we may advance by
philosophizing, we
ancient method of philosophizing, may by
it to the same
it same end ??
Truth is is no
no where manifested upon the earth,
upon earth, because
her forms or sulphurs perplexed, and the passive
sulphurs are perplexed, passive
spirit of nature is
spirit impure. She is
is included and impure. more-
is more-
over specified everywhere, and does not consequently,

over specified everywhere, consequently,
as
passive, reflect without difference another
a true passive, reflect
impressing
impressing imageimage fiom
from without truly itself. But by
truly to itself. by
the Hermetic dissolution the right recipient is
right recipient is said to
1
' Hunt's Poetry
See Hunt`s Poetrv of
ni' Science.
TH i~:_oR' or
Theory of Tm
Transmutation.
NsA1UTAT1oN. 93
obtained, the
be obtained, the pure
pure is separated from the impure,
is separated impure,
the subtlesubtle ft'omfrom the the gross,
gross, and the agent agent and the
patient are one
patient one identity,
identity, as as in in thethe Emerald Table
it is
it is graven,-that
graven, —
that which is is below is that which is
is as that is
above,
above, and that which is
is above is
is as that
that which is
is below,
for the performing
for performing of the miracles miracles of the One Thing Thing
whence all all the rest
rest proceed
proceed by by adaptation.-And
adaptation. — And on this
this
unitary
unitary basis
basis of production
production the metamorphosis
metamorphosis of spe-
spe-
cies
cies is is not so entirely ridiculous. Have we not example
entirely ridiculous. example
in common process
i11 the common process of fermentation, the iyild 'îld _juice / L7}"/
juice /"7?v
of grapes
grapes converted into wine, and milk into
into wine, into butter and /
cheese and whey whey; and these each proceeding
;
proceeding out of
one thing thing vithout
without requiring
requiring the addition of anything
anything
different : but only
different : only by by operation
operation of their
their own
own ferment
they
they become changed
changed into
into different
different specific
specific natures?
Just so is Vital Spirit
is the Vital said to be,
Spirit said by the art
be, by art of Al-
chemy, promoted
chemy, promoted from one form of being being into
into another
by
by its
its own
own prepared
prepared must leaven
or leaven; ; and as such,
such, in turn,
in
it
it reacts eonvertively
convertively on on the elements of its its original
original ex-
traction; having
traction ;
previously passed
having previously passed on, throughthrough many many
stages,
stages, from impcrfection perfection. Analogy this,
imperfection to perfection. Analogy of this,
likewise, we
likewise, we have in in the animal kingdom; kingdom caterpillars
; caterpillars
changing their neuter forms quiescently,
changing quiescently, and becoming becoming
winged
winged moths. There remains the great
great difference,
difference, how-
ever, that whereas, in
ever, in these familiar
familiar examples,
examples, impri- impri-
soned nature rests necessarily necessarily within the limiting limiting law of
species
her species ; ; the will
will of the philosophic Proteus is
philosophic free
is free
to be drawn without hinderance to form itself itself about the

universal magnetmagnet of its own infinite
its own infinite self-multiplicative
self-multiplicative
Light which being
Light; ; transmuted, transmutes ; and mul-
being transmuted, ;
tiplying, multiplies
tiplying, multiplies its its proper
proper substance freely, freely, in in pro-
pro-
portion to the virtue which it
portion it has acquired
acquired in in the
fermentation. And hence it may be better conceived,
it may conceived,
perhaps, how this
perhaps, this fermented spirit spirit or Stone,
Stone, (as (as inin the
crystalline perfectness of its

crystalline perfectness its essence it it has been called,)
called,)
when brought
brought into contact with the crude life life of nature
whence it transmutes, i.
sprung, transmutes,
it sprung, /. e. attracts the same same
away from other forms into intimate coalescence with its
away its
own assimilative light. And notwithstanding metals and
own light. notwithstanding
all things in
all things in the world,
world, as the adepts say, derive their
adepts say,
94 Exorxzaie View.
Exoteric
origin from the

origin same Spirit, yet
same Spirit, yet nothing is reputed
notliing- is reputed so
so
allied
nearly allied
nearly to it
it as
gold;
gold; for
for in all
in all other metals
nietals there
is
is some
some impurity, and, therefore,
impurity, and, therefore, a certain weight
a certain weight isis
lost in transinuting
lost in transmuting from them
them; but in
in
; gold
gold there is
is
none, but the Formal Light is wholly

Light is wholly swallowed up in
up in
it
it without residue, dissolving intimately, gently,
residue, dissolving intimately, gently, and
naturally, compare it
they compare
naturally, as they it to ice in warm
ice in warm water;
water ;
excellent simile,
an excellent
an simile, by by the way, way, inasmuch as the com- com-
mingling
mingling natures differ
differ in
in estate only
only and were origi-
origi-
nally one. And II say

nally say to you, you, adds Sendivogius,
Sendivogius, that
you must seek for
you for that hidden thing, thing, out of' of which is is
made, afterafter a a. wonderful manner, such a moisture or
humidity which doth dissolve gold

humidity gold without violence or
noise,
noise, but sweetly
sweetly and naturally ; if
naturally ;
if you
you findfind out this
this
you
you have that thing
thing out of which gold
gold is
is produced by
produced by
nature. And although although all all metals have their their origin
origin from
thence, yet
thence, nothing is
yet nothing friendly to it
is so friendly gold; it
it as gold ;
it is
is
like a mother to it
even like
even it;; and so finally
finally I
I conclude!
conclude.^
And the method of working working to this this discovery,
discovery, and to
supply
supply the deficiency
deficiency of Form to the purified body
purified body of
the Spirit,
the Spirit, is
is described as the same
same in
in each of the three
kingdoms
kingdoms of nature:
nature : the pieparation only being
preparation only being diver-
sified
sified according
according to the variety indigent or in-
things indigent
variety of things in-
tended to be changed.
changed. And if if the Art has been more more
frequently proved in the mineral kingdom
frequently p1'ovcd kingdom than in in the
other two, we we learn
learn that this happened, not be-
this has happened,
cause the powerpower is is limited here,here, or because adepts adepts have
desired goldgold above every every other good good ; but because the
;
metalline radix first presents itself

first presents itself in
in the experimental
experimental
process,
process, and is
is most easily apportioned ; and because the
easily apportioned ;
responsibility involved is
responsibility is less vital and consequential,
less vital consequential, it it
has been more more freely exhibited and worked at large.
freely large.
In metals,
metals, says Geber, is
says Geber, is lesser perfection
perfection than in in ani.-
ani-
mals
mals; and
; the perfèction
perfection of them
the111 consists more
more in
in pro-
pro~
composition than in anything
portion and composition
portion anything else. else. There-
seeing in them is
fore, seeing
fore, is less
less perfection
perfection than the othei-, other,
we
wc can more
f1'eely perfect
more fi'cely perfect these. For the Most High
High
hath so distinguished perfections from
distinguished perfections fi'om each other in in
^
l
New LiG^Vit
Light Alchemy, l'ref?ice
of Alchemv, Phil. Eniirma.
I'ref'ace to the Pliil. p. 49.
Enigina. p.
THEORX'
Theory of 'l`n.>.NsMUT.T1oN.
9C)
many forms; and those things

1nany forms ;
things which in in the natural
composition were weakest, (i ff.
composition e. where life
(/' hfe predominates
predominates
corporeal consistency)
over corporeal consistency,) are by by God endued with W'ith
gi'eater and more
greater more noble perfcetion,_viz.,
perfection, viz., that which
subsists according
subsists according to soul or mind. And other
things by
things by Him made of a more firm and strong strong com-
position, as stones and metals, are endued with lesser
position, lesser
and more ignoble
ignoble perfection,
perfection, viz.,viz., that which is is from
fi'om
the w'ay proportionate mixtion of the matter?
way of proportionate matter.^
notwithstanding their
But metals, notwithstanding inferiority of pro-
their inferiority pro-
portion,
portion, are said
said to be produced originally,
produced originally, as all all
other things produced, from nietalline
things are produced, metalline seeds out of
the Universal SpiritSpirit or Mercury,
Mercury, by which also they
by wliich they maymay
be exalted and multiplied,
multiplied, and by no other thing
by no
thing; for for
;
that without this this Spirit

Spirit growth
growth is is impossible,
impossible, or or trans-
mutation or increase,
increase, and by it all
by it all natures are generated
generated
externally in their
externally in their proper kinds.
proper kinds. And the reason
that is given why
is given which thus include the proli-
why metals wdiich proli-
tic principle
fic principle do not naturally increase, is
naturally increase, is a deficiency
a deficiency
of heat,
heat, the Spirit overcome in
being overcome
Spirit being in the gross,
gross, pre-
pre-
ponderating
ponderating elements of their
their hard composition,
composition, so
that they fructify, unless they
they cannot tructify, they bcbe iirst purged
first purged
from their terrestreity
terrestreity and their their tincture set free free in in
the subtle Original
Original of allall life.
life. Vulgar
Vulgar gold Sendivogius
gold Sendivogius
compares to a herb without seed,
compares when it
seed, which wdien it is
is ripe
ripe
bears seed ; and as trees from southern climates cease
;
to blossom and bear fruit fruit when transplanted

transplanted into colder
soils,
soils, so it
it is
is with the metals hindered by by the crude
earth of which
vhich they composed. But, he adds,
they are composed. But, adds, If If
at any
any time nature be sweetly
sweetly and wittily helped,
wittily helped, then
art may perfect that which nature could 11ot:
may perfect not goldgold:
may
may yield
yield fruit
fruit and seed in
in which it
it
multiplies
multiplies itself
itself
by the industry
by artificer, who knows how
industry of a skilful artitieer,
nature, and thisthis by no other medium than fire
to exalt nature, by no tire
heat; but seeing
or heat ;
seeing this cannot be done,
done, since in
a congealed metallic body
a congealed body there appear
appear no
no
spirits,
spirits, it
it is
is
necessary
necessary that the body
body be loosened and dissolved,
dissolved,
and the pores whereby nature may
opened, whereby
pores thereof opened, may
1
1 Invest. of Perf.,
Invest, Perf., Russell's Geber, p.
Eussell's Greber, p. LH.
44.
96 Exornnie View.
Exoteric vIE\'.
wo1°k.'
work.* And thus, continues another, when the mine-
ral spirit is
ral spirit is pure, it will,
pure, it by its
will, by especial forms, do more
its especial more
than generate their forms to produce
generate their produce something
something like like
themselves, for it will
for it will work such an alteration in
an alteration in
things
things of like
like nature with themselves, that
that they
they shall
shall
equalize
equahze thethe Philosophical Elixir, whose divine
Philosophical EHxir, virtues
divine virtues
men so much admire, and fools
wise men fools condemn because
their blinded eyes
their penetrate within to the cen-
eyes cannot penetrate
tre of the mysteryf*
tre mystery.'^
We
Ve do not presume suppose that such a view of
presume to suppose
nature willwill be immediately acceptable, or that the Her-
immediately acceptable,
metic theory
theory presents itself even in
presents itself in a plausible aspect
plausible aspect
this are directly inverse to
yet ;
as yet the
; Laws on
on this ground
ground directly
ordinary notions of natural procedure
our ordinary procedure and to our our
and specific variation.
acquired conception ofsimplicity
acquired conception of simplicity specific variation.
But we investigating for
ve are not investigating for those who make their their
individual experience
mere individual negative
experience a negative measure
measure of'
of be-
lief,
lief, and who understand the possibilities
possibilities of nature
and art so far limit them
far as to limit them; but for
;
for such rather
vho,
who, more observing,
observing, see reason for
for hope
hope beyond their
beyond their
and able imagine
imagine least those
present vision,
present vision, are to at least
realities which the ancients assert convic-
surpassing realities
surpassing
apprehended in
having apprehended
tively as having
tively in intellect
intellect and experi-
experi-
mentally
mentally known. WeVc have hitherto brought their tes-
brought their
timony
timony so far only as the existence of a Homogeneal
fàr only Homogeneal
Subject
Subject in
in nature, showing that
showing was the ma-
same was
tliat the same ma-
terial basis oftheir
terial philosophy,
of their philosophy, and the only principle of
only principle of'
transnnitation, life,
transmutation, perfection. Ve
life, increase, and perfection. We have
endeavoured also to explain, explain, (as(as well as the fence with-
out which we we placed
placed ourselves for the preliminary
for preliminary dis- dis-
cussion would admit,) admit,) that the reduction of bodies to
matter, by
original matter,
their original by introversion of the generatedgenerated
requisite to a true manifestation and permanence
is requisite
life, is
life, permanence
by the process
ordinary process
ordinary ol'
of fermentation
any form,
in any form, as
by
furthermore, that this in-
this in-
familiarly evinced ; fùrthermorc,
also was famiharly ;
version is is not in power of unassisted nature,

in the power nature, as is is
l
1
New Light
New of Alch. Tract. 10; also AuguroUiis
Light of' Chrysopma,
Augurellus C'lirysopaea,
lib. i.
lib. 1.
2
^ Sal, Lumen
Nuysenient, Sal, et Spiritus
Spiritus ed. Com-
Mundi, Phil. ed.
Nuysement,
bachius.
;
THEORY of
Theory OF '1`RANSMU'1ÀTl()N.
Transmutation. 97
evident 1 indeed, she

evident : shc never
never withstands or alters for an
alters for
instant
instant her mode of beingbeing or vital
vital perpetuity.
perpetuity. It
It is in
is in
vain, therefore,
vain, therefore, to seek for that in
for that in nature which is an
is an
effect beyond
effect strength; she must be helped,
beyond her strength ;
that
helped, that
may exceed herself, or all
she may will be useless.
all will useless. For the
Mercury of
lTercury of the philosophers
philosophers is is not found of itselfitself on 011
earth, nor can be detained or perfected

earth, perfected without this this oc-
cult and needful Art assisting
cult her.
assisting her. And these are the
grand desiderata, to know what the true matter is,
grand desiderata, is,
where and how it it may

may be taken, and to find find an
an artist
artist
able and fitted
fitted to perfect it 1-without
perfect it : —
without the former we we
are advised to attempt nothing ; and without the latter
attempt nothing ; latter
practically of no avail.
the former can be practically avail.
Having premised thus much concerning
Having premised concerning the matter
ground of the Hermetic theory,
with the ground theory, so far only,
far only,
may enable us to guard
however, as may gross mis-
against gross
guard against
we propose,
apprehension we
apprehension; previous to entering
propose, previous
; on a
entering on
more intimate discussion,
discussion, to set the whole fairly
fairly before
the reader's judgment, in
reader's judgment, following translation of
in the following ofthe
the
Yiwctatus
Tractatiis Aureiae,
Aureus, or Ybeatise
Golden Treatise of Hermes, Hermes, Con- coh-
cerning
cerning thet/fc Physical »5f(,Ì`Cf of
P/1ysicul Secret ry' the Philosopher's Stone,
I'/zilosop/zcr'Ls' Stone,
which has been considered to be one one of the most an-
cient and complete pieces of alchemical writing

complete pieces writing extant ;
and may
may be regarded
regarded as exposition in
an exposition
an
epitome of
in epitome
the whole Art. Mystical
Mystical and disorderly this relic
disorderly as this relic is,
is,
and must especially appear

especially appear at first
first to any one
any one unaccus-
unaecus-
tomed
torned to the antique style, we
antique style, we trust that the short
may
pains may
pains not be grudged
grudged that it will cost in passing
it will passing
on discovery of its
on with us to the discovery its idea.
idea. The treatise
treatise
has been held in high esteem by
in high alchemists, and
by the alehemists,
Seliolia given
the Scholia given inin part
part may may assist
assist in the perusal.
perusal.
Whoever
Vhoever the author may may have been (for, (for, though
though it it
bears the name
name of Hermes,
Hermes, the true origin
origin is
is doubtful ,)
;)
it wears
it impress of very
wears the impress antiquity, and claims
great antiquity,
very great
better than to be frivolously
frivolously judgedjudged of by by those who
are uninitiated in science and ignorant ignorant of the kind of
wisdom it it unfolds. patience, and penetra-
Prudence, patience,
Prudence, penetra-
tion,
tion, the author owns,
owns, are required to understand him,
required him,
more than these for the discovery of his
and more Great Art.
discovery his
Books were not written in those davs days for the informa-
H
U8
98 Exoteric VIEW.
Exoraiue View.
tion
tion of the illiterate,
illiterate, as though
though any vulgar distiller
any vulgar distiller or
mechanic might
might carry away
Carry away the golden Heece;
golden fleece in
or in
;
such a guise
guise that the covetous, who made gold
gold their
their
only idol,
only readily, without research and the
idol, should readily,
Hereulean labour,
due Herculean gather the apples
labour, gather apples of
of the Hespe-
Hespe-
rides: nor yet
rides : yet that any,any, though learned,
though learned, as the adept
adept
adds, should by by once or twice
twice overly
overly and slightly read-
slightly read-
ing,
ing, as the dogs lap
dogs lap the waters of
of Nilus, straightway be
Nilus, straightway
made a philosopher.
philosopher. No, the magistery of this
magistery science
this science
forbids great a sacrilege:
forbids so great sacrilege our books are made for
:
for
those who have been or or intend to become conversant
about the search of nature?
nature.^ this is
For this iirst step
is the first step
tO\`H1'(lS discovery
towards the discovery of truth,
truth, to be diligent
diligent in
in the
investigation ;
investigation other
;
requirements
requirements there are and rea-
forthe
sons for extraordinary caution that has been used
the extraordinary
keep the Art concealed, which may
to keep may in sequel be
in the sequel
appreciated
appreciated when it
it is
is intimately
intimately understood.
And
Amd ye may
ye may trust me 'tis no small inginn,
me 'tis no ingiun,
To know all the
knou' all tl1e secrets pertaining
pertaining to this
this myne,
myne,
it is
For it is most profounde
profouude philosophy,
philosophy,
subtill science of lioli
This subtill holi Alkilny?
Alkimy.-
Vc£^/
1
^
2
Eirenfius Ripley Revived.
See Eiren/us Ripley Eevived.
/ 2 Norton's Ordiual.
Norton's Ordinal.
Tm; Golden
The Gonmsx '|`1zF;i\'1'1sE.
Treatise. 99
CHAPTER III.
III.
7'/ze Golden
The Go/den 1I`(2(l[iL\'C Iferznrs 7)'i.v11zegi.st11s,
Treatise of Hennes Trismegistus, ron- cun-
cermng l/ze
þÿC ¬)'}II)Ig
the P/L3/.rival
Physical S6(`}`('L'
Secret of I'/I6
the P/zi/050/J/1¢'1".»'
Philosopher's
Stone.
Stone. þÿS ¬Cff0}l.$`.
In seven Sections.
SECTION FIRST.
EVEN
VEN thus saith Hermes:
Hermes Through
saith long years, I
Through long
have not ceased to experiment, neither have I
not to
: years, I
experiment, I
spared any
spared any labour of mind mind; and thisthis science and art
;
l1 have obtained by bythethe sole inspiration of the living

sole inspiration living
God, who judged
_judged fit
fit to open
open them to me
me His servant ;^ ;'
who has given rational creatures the power
given to rational power of
thinking and _judging
thinking forsaking none,
aright, forsaking
judging aright, none, or giving
giving
to any
any occasion to despair?
despair.^
never discovered this
myself, II had never
For myself, this matter to
any one,
any one, had it
it not been from fear
fear of the day of _judg-
day judg-
ment,
ment, and the perdition
perdition of my
my soul,
soul, if
if I
I concealed it.
it.
It
It is
is a debt which I am
I am desirous to discharge
discharge to the
11
There are three things said to be necessary
things said for the attainment
necessary for
of the Hermetic sciencescience: viz.,
viz., study,
: experience, and the divine
study, experience,
benediction; and these depend
benediction ; upon each other
depend upon study is
other: study :
required
is required
for the theory,

for entering into the central experience
theory, and this for entering experience
which, in the Universal Spirit,
which, is not found without God.
Spirit, is
2
^ Without theoretic knowledge
Wlithout knowledge and a right principle to begin
right principle begin
with, many
^^^th, many have wearied themselves in expcriinenting,
experimenting, even even with
right subject,
the right vain but the true intention once discovered,
subject, in vain; ;
discovered,
the whole truth opens, practice succeeds
opens, as practice theory, alternating
siicceeds to theory, alternating
philosophic work. You must know,
in the philosophic know, says Greber, that he
says Geber,
who in kinzseb' principles is
himself knows not natural principles very remote from
is very
art, because he has not a true root whereon to found his in-
our art,
our in-
tention ; but he who knows the principles way of genera-
principles and the way genera-
tion, which consists according
tio11, nature, is
according to the intention of nature, is but
bvit a
very short way
very way from the completement.
completement. (Sum
(Sum of Peril
Perf. booki.).
booki.).
See also N Proheme, and chapters
orton's Ordinal Proheme,
Norton's chapters i. iv. ; and
i. and iv. ;
the Introitus Apertus

Apertus ad Occlusum RegemEege*» Palatio, cap. viii.
Pailatio, cap. viii. &c. C^
H2
H 2
;
100 Exoruiuc VIEW.

Exoteric View.
fàithfùl, as the
faithful, the Father of the faithful did
the faithful did hberally
liberally be-
be-
stow it
it upon mc.'
upon me.^
Understand ye ye then, O O sons of Visdom, that the
of Wisdom,
knowledge of
knowledge of the the four elements of
of the
the ancient
ancient philo-
philo-
sophers was
sophers was not corporally
corporally or
imprudently sought
imprudently sought
after, patience to be discovered ac-
through patience
after, which are through
cording
cording to their
their causes and their
their occult
occult operation.
operation.
But their
their operation
operation isis occult,
occult, since nothing is
since nothing is done
except
except the matter be decompounded,
decompounded, and because it is
it is
perfected unless the colours be throughly

not perfected throughly passed
passed
and accomplished.'^
accomplished."
then, that the division
Know then, division that was made upon
that wâs upon
theVater, by
the Water, by the ancient philosophers, separates
philosophers, separates it into
it into
substances- one into
four substances two and three into
into two,
)
; one
into one;
7
—
;
the third part of which is

third part colour, as it
is colour, were a coagu-
it were-a coagu-
lated moisture
lated moisture; but the ;
second and third
third waters are
Vise.3
Veights of the Wise.^
the Weights
1 it was conscience which

^
hereby declares
Our author hereby declares that it
disclose his
moved him to disclose knowledge, but in
dearly-acquired knowledge,
his dearly-acquired in such
only to the world that the studious might
terms only might understand and
follow inin hishis steps.
steps. He nowhere, therefore, addresses the igno-
nowhere, therefore, igno-
rant, lest his
rant, lest his instruction should be abused; abused but the predestined predestined
Q ;
^
^
sons of wisdom, to guide
practice
the practice
guide them,
his high
of his
them, being
art.
high art.
already initiated,
being already furtherinto
initiated, furtlier into
2
2 Here we we have a premonitory opening of the philosophic work
prcmonitory opening philosophic
which Hermes calls calls a knowledge
knowledge of ot' the elements;
elements which elements,
; elements,
however, are not commonly
however, commonly to be understoodunderstood; non noH corporaliter,
; corporaliter, as
Seholiast explains,
the Scholiast explains, sed spiritualitei'
þÿS'pil'ff'll(l[if ¬)`
etsajnenter, —
et þÿS(I_])i ¬/lf¢')','_'l10l3
not c orporally
corporally
but spiritually
spiritually and wisely;
wisely for ;for the properties
properties of the Universal
abstrusely included in
Spirit are abstrusely
Spirit in all
all existence,
existence, and to be understood
only by
only by its own intimate analysis
its own analysis and introverted light. light. But
nothing is
nothing except the matter be deeompoimded;
is done except decompounded for there ;
are many heterogeneous images and superfluities adhering to this

many heterogeneous images superfluities adhering
subject in its
subject its natural state,
state, which render it it u]itit
unfit lbr for progress
progress;
these therefore must be entirelyentirely discharged
discharged ; which,; which, say say the adepts,
adcpts,
is impossible
is impossible without the theory theory of their arcanum, arcanum, in which wliich they
they
show the medium by by which the radical element is is discovered and
set free to the aceomplislnnent
accomplishment of its its inclusive law. See The
Scholium —
Scholium-Paraeclsus
Paracelsus lst1st hookbook to the Athenians. H. Lullii
K.
Theoria et Practica,
Practica, cap. iii,
eap. iii. Nortou's Ordinal,
Norton's Ordinal, cap. cap. v. Eipley's
Ripley's .
Third Gate,
Gate, &c. Introitus Apertus ad Occlusum Regan:
,lutroitus Apertus Eegam Palatio,Palatio, /~</
/-S/
cap.
cap. vm.
viii. /
3
^The philosophic
Tlie philosophic water then, iuto four parts
being divided into
then, being parts or
hypostatic rm-lations,
hypostatic they are called elements. First,
relations, they one part,
First, the one part,
being divided,
being two, which are as agent
produces two,
divided, ])roduces agent and patient
patient in
;;
The GOLDEN il_`REA'lÌSE.

VFHE Golden Treatise. lOl
101
Take of the humidity

humidity or an ounce and a
or moisture an
half, of the Southern Redness, which is
half, and of is the soul
soul of
gold,
gold, a fourth
fourth part,
part, that
that is
is to say,
say, half
half an ounce ; of ;
the citrine Seyre, in

citrine Seyrc, like manner,
in like half an
manner, half ounce; of the
an ounce ;
Auripigment,
Auripigment, half
half an
an ounce,-which
ounce, —
which are eight; that
eight that is
is ;
three ounces.
three And know ye ye that the vine
vine of the wise
is
is drawn forth in three, but the wine thereof is
forth in is not
perfected, until at
perfected, until at length thirty he
length thirty be accomplishedl
accomplished.^
Understand the operation, therefore, decoetion
operation, therefore, decoction les-
les-
1
, ^ sens
,sens the matter, but the tincture
tincture augments
augments it:
it because:
l'_
Q24 Kel., Luna infifteen

^^^^>L/Luna days is
kr fifteen days is diminished ; and in ;in the third,
third,
she is augmented. This is
is augmented. is the beginning
beginning and the end."
end.^
the ethereal world;
world further aftervards,
afterwards, from their
; their conjunction,
conjunction,
three are said
said to be made manifest as body,
body, soul, spirit, which
soul, and spirit,
co-operating together in the
eo-operating together unity of the same
tlie unity same Spirit,
Spirit, beget all
beget all
things, giving birth
things, giving lo the whole substratal nature.
birtli to The clif-
dif-
ferences of the colours, observes the Scholiast,
Scholiast, Hermes divides
into two threes,
threes, i. spirits and three
i. e. into three red spirits white, which
tliree white,
have their growth all
their growth same identical
all from the same water, and are re-
identical water,
again. By
solved into the same again. By considering, therefore, that this
considering, therefore, this
water or mercury
mercury of the adepts
adepts has, vithiu itself,
has, within its own
itself, its own good
good
sulphur, or vital
sulphur, vital flame, mayest perfect
Hume, thou mayest all things
perfect all things out of
mercury ; but if
mercury ; know to add t/my
if thou shalt knew weights to the weights
thy weights weights
of nature, mercury and tr-Qale
nature, to double mercury triiile sulphur, it will
sulphur, it will quickly
quickly be
terminated in good,
good, then in better, until into best of all.
better, until all. See the
Sendivogius' New Light
Seholium; Sendivogius'
Scholium ; Light of Alcheniy,
Alchemy, p.p. 117 ; Arnoldi
;
Speculum, Disp.
Speculum, viii.
Disp. viii.
1
^ The proportional working of the philosophic
proportional working philosophic matter uponupon its
its
is indicated by
parts is
parts adepts under variously
by adepts perplexed forms and
variously perplexed
measures. Those distinctions which Hermes makes of the hu-
midity,
midity, the southern redness,
redness, soul of gold,
gold, seyre, citrine, auripig-
seyre, citrine, auripig-
ment, philosophers and their wine,
ment, the vine of philosophers wine, have no no other sig-
sig-
nification, says the Scholiast,
nification, says Spirit should he
Scholiast, but that the Spirit be seven
seven
distilled, which after the eighth
times distilled, distillation is
eighth distillation is converted by
by
fire into ashes,
force of the fire ashes, or a most subtle powder powder which, by
which, by
reason of itsits purity
purity and perfection, resists the fire.
perfection, resists fire. Neither
IVeither
vonder, he adds,
wonder, adds, that eight parts and three ounces
eight pai'ts ounces are equivalent;
equivalent
by the former section the one
for by one part is divided into two,
part is two, to each
wlaich there are
of which parts, which are the true philo-
are added three parts, philo-
sophic proportions
sophic proportions called by Hermes the Weights
called also by llfeights of the Wise.
Vise.
See the Scholiuni Ripley's Epistle;
Scholium ; Ripley's;
Epistle ;
Introit, Apert.
Introit. cap. vii.
Apert. cap. vii. ;
Norton's Ordinal,
Norton's Ordinal, cap.
cap. v.
2
2 Understand here the diminution and increase of that ethereal
light, which is
light, is the passive luminary in the Philosophic
passive luminary Philosophic Heaven,
Heaven,
changes and manifest operations
whose changes are described as wonderfully
operations are Wonderfully
parallel with those of the familiar satellite,
parallel
'
by which the philosopher
satellite, by
philosopher
A
indicatesher. Some divide the operation
vt plea.si?d covex't.^':^ indicatezher.
_
operation of the
I
Q/»/&'»(/<."y¢7c/EK* f
/
^
102 Exoteric VlEV.

Exo'r1~;1nc View.
Behold, II have declared that which was

declared that was hidden,
since the work is

since is both with thee and thee, that
about thee ;
was within is
which was is taken out and fixed, and thou
canst have itit either in earth
either in earth or sea?
sea.^
therefore, thy
Keep, therefore,
Keep, thy Argent vive, which is
Argent vive, is prepared
prepared
in the innermost chamber in
in in which itit is
is coagulatcd
coagulated ; ;
for that is
for Mercury which is
is the Mercury celebrated from the
is celebrated
earth?
residual earth.
residual
parts; the former Hermes calls

i11to two parts de-
calls de-
philosopher's stone into
philosopher's ;
coction, which dissolving

eoetion, discharges also
matter, discharges
dissolving the matter, its impuri-
also its impuri-
ties by a
ties by a proper until, being
rule; until,
proper ride ; being at length on the verge
at length verge ofof
annihilation, i.
annihilation, e. freed from every
i. e. every exteriorly attracting form, it
exteriorly attracting it
prepares,
prepares, as Democritus in
in the fable
fable of Proteus alludes,
alludes, to restore
itself through
itself powerfixl inbred revolutionary
through aa powerful follows
force. Then follows
revolutionary force.
what is called the Second Work,
is called Vork, which is in continuation of
only, in
is only,
perfect the newly
First, to perfect
the First, igformed embryo and multiply
newly informed embryo its
multiply its
vivific In such few words,
vivific light.
light. words, therefore, professes to
therefore, Hermes professes
comprehend the whole artificial process of working
working the
comprehend of the artificial process
Spirit.
Spirit.
11 is the work commended and suggested
Herein is suggested in-
to true in-
they may
quirers, that they
qnirers, experiment, and
may forsake the beaten road of experiment,
intrinsically within themselves the substance of that
seek to know intrinsically
XatLu'e in which they, with all
Universal Natm-e beings in
all beings
they, in common, it
common, as it
were, unconsciously live
were, unconsciously ; which, in the natural order of genera-
live; which, genera-
is made occult,
tion, is
tion, occult, abiding
abiding throughout
throughout invisibly.
invisibly. And as was was
explained in
explained theory concerning
in the theory concerning other gross elementary bodies,
gross elementary bodies,
original cannot be made manifest except
that the true original they be
except they
reduced into it it ; so with respect
;
man, that which is
respect to man, is sown,
sown, (dz.(viz.
germ of his existence which comprehends

the catholic germ eomprehends all all things,
things,
according to the Hermetic tradition,
according mystery of the whole
tradition, and mystery
faith and assurance of a better lif'e,)
nature, with the faitli
causal nature, is not
life,) is
quickened
quickened except
except it
it die.
die. That which is
is within,
within, viz.
viz. the causal
light, must be drawn forth by
light, fixed and that which is
by art and fixed; ; is
viz. the sensual spirit

without, viz.
without, life must be made fluxile
spirit of life tlnxilc and
oecultatcd belbre reason
occultated before reason can can become into that Identity by
tliat Identity by which
powers of the Universal Nature are made manifest and intrin-
the powers intrin-
sically
sically understood.
imderstood. But intending
intending to enlarge
enlarge inquiry
inquiry on this
on this
head, we defer our comments.

head, we
2
2 Our mercury,
mercury, says the wise Scholiast,
says tlie is philosophic,
Seholiast, is philosophic, fiery,
fiery,
running, which may

vital, running,
vital, may be mixed with all all other metals and
again separated from them. lt
again separated It is prepared in the innermost
is prepared
chamber of life, it is
life, and there it coagulated, and where metals grow
is eoagulated, grow
they may
there they found, even in the ultimate axle of each created
may be found,
life.
life. lf you
If this argent
you have found tliis argent vive,
vive, then, is the resi-
then, which is resi-
duum ofthe philosophic earth after the separation,
of the philosophic it safely,
keep it
separation, keep safely,
it is
for it worthy. If you
is worthy.
you have brought spirit to
your mercurial spirit
brought your
ashes or burnt it our inform-
it by
by Us own fire,
its own fire, you hare, continues our
you have,
ant, an
ant, an incomparable treasure, a
incomparable treasure, a thing
thing more precious than
more precious tlian gold;
gold ;
^ ^
The
Tun Golden
GOLDEN '.llREA'l`lSE.
Treatise. l()3
103
therefore, who now

He, therefore, now hears my words, let
my words, let him
search into them which are to justify
into them; ; evil-doer,
justify no evil-doer,
but to benefit
benefit the good therefore, II have discovered
good ; therefore,
;
all
all things that were before
things that before hidden concerning
concerning this this
knowledge,
knowledge, and disclosed
disclosed the greatest
greatest of all
all secrets,
secrets,
even the Intellectual
Intellectual Science.^
Science'
Know ye, Wisdom, who in-
therefore. Children of Visdom,
ye, therefore, in-
quire concerning
quire concerning the report report thereof,
thereof, that the vulture
upon the mountain crieth
standing upon
standing crieth out with a loud
voice, II am
voice, am the 'Nhite
White of the Black,
Black, and the Red of the
White, and the Citrine
Citrine of the Red ;, and behold IIspeak speak
the very
very truth,"
truth.
And know that the chief chief principle
principle of the art,
art, is
is the
Crow which is is the blackness of the nightnight and clearness
of the day,
day, and flies
flies Without wings. From the bitter-
without wings. bitter-
existing in the throat,
ness existing in throat, the tincture is is taken ; the ;
red goes forth from his

goes forth body, and from his
his body, his back is is
taken a thin water.
wate1'.3
for
for this
this isis that which generates
generates the Stone,
Stone, and is is born of it,
it, and
it is
it is Whole secret which converts all
the whole all other metalliue
metalline bodies in-in-
silver and gold,
to silver making both hard and soft,
gold, making soft, agent
agent and patient,
patient,
putting tincture and tixity
putting upon them.
fixity upon See the Scholium,
Scholium, lIaria
Maria
'J
Practica,
Practica, circa circa finein ; Introit. Apert.
finem ; Introit. cap. iv.
Apert. cap. iv. and v. ;
;
Krilfnrath,
Ku|(nrath, /KUy,
/ '_L
.
Amph. Isag.
Ainph. Isag. in in fig.
fig.
1^
Give not that which is
Grive is holy
holy unto the dogs, dogs, neither cast ye ye
your pearls before swine,
your pearls says the Divine Teacher;
swine, says Teacher and some men
; men
Scriptures have compared
the Scriptures compared to dogs, dogs, yea
yea greedy
greedy dogs,
dogs, wolves
and foxes;
foxes ; these are unfitunfit to be admitted to the Causal Know-
ledge,
ledge, lest,
lest, handling powerful machine of nature recklessly
handling the powerful recklessly
unjustly for selfish
or unjustly selfish ends, they subvert the order of fijial
ends, they fmal causes,
causes,
and,
and, rifling
rifling her treasury,
treasury, turn againagain and rend her. Hermes leaves
Mystery thus,
the Mystery therefore, to unfold itself
thus, therefore, itself through study and
through study
faithful experiment,
faithful experiment, that the mind by searching and patient
by searching patient in-in-
vestigation niay
vestigation may be prepared
prepared and able to appreciate
appreciate the truth when
found. Ve, We, also, explore the Intellectual Ground
intending to explore
also, intending Groimd
more fully hereafter, follow in its
fully hereafter, own wilful
its own wilfial order the Hermetic
mind.
2
2 The vulture, according to our
vulture, according our Scholiast,
Scholiast, isis the new
new born quint-
quint-
spirit or Proteus ; the mountain upon
essential spirit ;
upon which the vulture
stands is is a tit
fit vessel placed in a well-built philosophic furnace en-
placed philosophic eu-
colnpassed With
compassed with a wall of fire.fire. In him all
all the multifarious virtues
of nature are declared to be held in capacity, capacity, as as in rapid
rapid evolu-
tion he passespasses about his axis, making the light
axis, making light manifest without
refraction in every variety of its
every variety colouring and creative imagina-
its colouring
imagina-
tion.
3
•''
The vulture and the crow interpreted to be one
are interpreted
cron' are illlfl the
one and
I 04
104 EX()'1ÈHlC View.
Exoteric VIEW.
therefore, and accept

Understand, therefore, aecept this gift of God
this gift
which isis hidden from the thoughtless
thoughtless world. In the
caverns of the
Caverns tlie metals there is is hidden the
the Stone that
is venerable, splendid
is venerable, in colour, a mind sublime,
splendid in sublime, and
an open
open sea. Behold, I
I have declared
declared it
it thee;
unto thee ;
give thanks to God, who teaeheth

give teacheth thee thisthis know-
ledge for He in
ledge; for ; in return recompenses
recompenses the grateful?
grateful.'
Put
Pat the matter into into a a moist fire,
fire, therefore, and
same thing,
thing, only differing somewhat in
only differing Vhilst the Spirit
estate. Whilst
iu estate. Spirit
life appears
of life appears active
active and devouring
devouring in in the process,
process, itit has been
called vulture, and when it
called the vulture, it lies
lies in
in aa more obscured and passivepassive
condition,
condition, the crow.
crowv. The vultm'e
vulture isis the first
first sublimed quint-
quint-
essence not yet
essenee
perfected by
3et perfected by art ; the crowcrow is
; is also in the infancy
also in intaney
Work wherein
of that work Wherein the revivified
rcvivified spirit
spirit isis united with its its solar
solar
ferment. The blackness of the nightnight isis the putrefaetion
putrefaction of the
clearness of the day
same, and the clearness day signifies its resurrection to
signifies its
a state of
state of comparative
comparative purity.
purity. It It flies
flies without wings,
wings, being
being
borne and carried
carried by
by the fixed
fixed spirit;
spirit and the bitterness existing
;
existing
in the throat
in tliroat occultly
occultly indicates thetho death of the iirst life, whence
first life,
the soul
sold is edueed ; which is
is educed is also
; also the red and living tinetlu'e taken
living tinctiu'e
from the body
body; and the thin water is
; is the viscous humidity
humidity made
by
by the dissolution, radically dissolves all
dissolution, which radically all metals,
metals, and re-
tllljlll into their first
duces them first ens,
ens, or Water.
water.
Montis in exeelso consistit

in excelso eousistit vertice
vcrtiee vultur
Assidué elamans,
Assidue damans, Albus ego ego atque
atque niger,
niger,
Citrinus rubeus
Citrinus, rubeusque
=
Ieror nil
9 ue feror nil mentior:
mentior idem : est
_ _
Corvus,
Corvus, qui absque volnre
pennis absqne
qui pennis volare solet
solet
Boete tenebrosa
Xocte tenebrosi mediaqne lnee dieri,
mediaque in luce dieri,
Namque ortis caput
Namqne ortis 1lle vel
caput est ille vel iste
iste tuae.
tufc.
—
-See
See The Scholium
1
—Atalanta Fugiens
Seholiuni-Atalanta Einblema, xliii.
Fugieus Emblema, xliii.
^ Our author here,
here, repeating exception of the unintelligent,
repeating his exception unintelligent,
at the same time eloquentlyeloquently identifies
identifies the philosophic
philosophic matter,
matter,
calling
calling it mens
it meyis sublimis
subliinis et mare patens. It is
mare patens. is hidden in the caverns
eaverns
ofthe metals; that is
of the metals; is to say, in the central motion of the mineral
say,
life, where the spirit
life, is first
spirit is first coagulated
eoagulated and conceives itself into a
eoneeives itself
concrete form. It is
is called a stone,
stone, saysay the adepts,
adepts, because its its
generation
generation is is seen to be like that of stones, stones, and it it is trne
is a true
mineral petrifaction:
petriiiietionz therefore Alphidius vrites--Si
Alphidius writes —
lapis pro-
Si lapis pro-
prium nomen
prium nomen haberet lapis nomen ejus
lapis esset nomen ejns; and Arnold-Est
Arnold Est
; —
lapis et non
lapis 11011 lapis spiritus, anima, corpus, quem si
lapis spiritus, anima, corpus, quem si dissolvis dissolvis dissol-
dissol-
vitur, et si
vitur, si eoagules
coagules coagulatur,
coagulatur, et si si volare
volaro facis volat; est enim
facis volat enini
;
volatilis, albus ut laehryma

volatilis, oculi.
lachryma oculi. is a stone and no
It is no stone,
stone,
spirit, soul,
spirit, soul, and body, which if
body, if thou dissolvest,
dissolvest, itit will be dis-
dis-
solved;
solved ;
and if if thou coagulatest,
coagulatest, it will be coagulated;
it will coagulated and if if
;
thou dost make it it fly, it will

fly, it will fly,
fly, for itit is volatile and clear as a
is volatile
hte. See
tear, etc.
tear, Sec Arnoldi Speculum— Kii)|inrath Amph.
cap. iii.
ni.
Speculu111-Kul,n11'atliAmpli. Isag. fig.
Isag. in fig.
cap.
/~'.
f
— ;: ;
:
GOLDEN '1`1<nA'r1si<;.
The Golden
VPHE Treatise, l05
105
cause it
it to boil, in
to boil, that its
in order that its heat may
may bcbe aug-
aug-
destroys the
mented, which destroys siecity
siccity of the incombus-
tible nature,
tible nature, until radix shall
until the radix appear;; then extract
shall appear
the redness and the light
light parts,
parts, till
till only third
only about a third
1
remains.
remains.^
Sons of Science!
Science this reason are philosophers
For this ! philosophers
said to be envious, not that they
said grudged the truth to
they grudged
religious or just
religious men, or to the wise;
just men, wise but to fools,
fools, ig-
; ig-
norant, and vicious, who are without self-control
self-control and
benevolence, least they should be made powerful,
least they powerful, and
able to perpetrate
able sinful things.
perpetrate sinful things. For of such the
philosophers are made accountable to God, and evil
philosophers evil
men
men are not admitted worthy of this
ivorthy this wisdom?
wisdom.^
1
^ Many ways
Many ways are mentioned by by adepts of acting
adepts of their
acting with their
matter by sublimation,
as by calcination, coagulation,
sublimation, calcination, inceration,
coagulation, inceration,
may all
fixation, &c. ; which may
fixation, ; comprehended under the
all however be comprehended
lirst rightly understood;
first term rightly understood foribr the Hermetic sublimation, re-
;
peatedly operated
peatedly is the occasion of many
again, is
operated over and over again, many
changes in the matter and efiects,
changes which, though
effects, which, though differently
diflerently desig-
desig-
nated, are in
nated, their source the same. This sublimation is
in their is not,
not, there-
fore, exactly to be conceived by
fore, exactly analogy with the ordinary
by analogy ordinary chemical
process, which is
process, mere elevation of the subject
is a mere subject to the top top
ofthe
of vessel; but the Hermetic sviblimation
the vessel ; sublimation isis said
said to change
change the
qualifying and meliorating
matter, qualifying
matter, meliorating each time that it succeeds;
it succeeds
urging life, as it
urging on life, were, to the utmost exercise of vivacity,
it Were, vivacity, to
itself from death and a total
save itself clisseveration.
total disseveration. Concerning the
Concerning
peculiar nature,
peculiar artificial excitation of the philosophic
origin, and artificial
nature, origin, philosophic
fire, we
fire, we may more
may more
edectively hereafter.-See
inquire hereafter.
effectively inquire — Ripley
See Kipley
Revived, p.
Eevived, 2G3 Lumen de Lumine,
p. 263; ; Lumine, p. 58; Introit.
p. 58 ;
Apert. cap.
Introit. Apert. iii.
cap. iii.
2
- The monitions to secresy are no
secresy no less stringent than frequent
less stringent frequent
in the Writings adepts, modern as well as ancient.
writings of aclepts, Thus
Thus, 7
Raymond Lully,
Raymond LuUy, in his his Thesaurus, gives the following
Thesaurus, gives charge
following charge:
—-Juro
Juro tibi supra animam meam
tibi supra meam quod si
quod si ea reveles, dam-
ea rcveles,
natus es
es; : nam
nam a a Deo onine
proeedit bonum
omne procedit et ei soli debetur
ei soli debetur.
Quare servabis et secretum tenebis illud quod
Quare ei debetur
quod ei debetiu' revelan-
dum, &c.
dum, And Norton Writes-
-oi-ites
this science must ever secret be,

So this be.
The cause whereof is this,
whereof' is this, as ye may see
ye may see:
If one
one evil man had hereof all
evil man all his vvill,
will.
peace he might
All Christian peace might easily
easily spill;
spill
And with
ivith his pride might pull
pride he might pull doun
do\Aai
Rightful Kings
Eightful Kings and Princes of ofrenown.
renown.
Vhcrefore the sentence of peril
Wherefore peril and jeopardy
jeopardy
Upon
Upon the teacher resteth dreadfully.
dreadfully.
Lullii Testam.;
See LuUii Aquinas Thesau. Alcliim.;
Testam. Aquinas ; Nortolfs Ordinal,
Alchim. Norton's Ordinal,
;
cap. i. and viii.

cap. i. lt. Bacon,
viii. ; E. ; Speculum.
Bacon, Speculum.
; ;
l0(i
106 EXO'lÈI{IC View.
Exoteric VIEW.
Know that this this matter I I call

call the Stone but it
the Stone; ; is
it is
also
also named the feminine of magnesia, or
magnesia, or the hen,
hen, or
the white spittle,
spittle, or the volatile
volatile milk, the incombus-
tible in
oil, in
tible oil, order that it may be hidden from theinept
it may the inept
and ignorant,
ignorant, who are deficient
deficient in goodness and self'-
in goodness self-
control; which II have nevertheless signified

control ; signified to the
wise by by one
one
only
only epithet, viz., the Philosopher's
epithet, viz., Philosopher's
Stone. Include, therefore,
therefore, and conserve in this sea.,
in this sea,
fire,
the fire, and the heavenly bird,
heavenly bird, to the latest
latest moment
his exit.
of his exit. But II deprecate
depreeate ye all, sons of philo-
ye all, philo-
sophy,
sophy, on whom the great gilt
great gift of this
this knowledge
knowledge
being bestowed, if
being bestowed, any should undervalue or divulge
if any divulge
the power
power thereof to the ignorant, ignorant, or such as are unfit unfit
for the knowledge
for knowledge of this
this secret?
secret.^
Behold, I1 have received nothing nothing from any, any, to whom
I have not returned that which had been given
I given me,
nor have II failed
failed to honour him, him even in
; this I
in this I have
2
reposed
reposed the highest
highest confidence."
confidence.
1
^ philosophic matter has indeed received many
The philosophic perplexing
many perplexing
appellations,
appellations, some less
some more, some signifieative of its
less significative real origin
its real origin
and essence;
essence but in the concrete form,
; form, and forfor reasons before
given
given in part, it has been properly
part, it called the Stone.
properly called In this
this
same universal matter of the Stone also Hermes includes all
same all its
its
iuultiuominal ingredients. In its
multinominal ingredients. flowing, humid state it
its flowing, it is
is called
called
ofthe
the sea of the wise,
wise, passive
passive to allall impressions
impressions and influences of
light. By
the light. By the tire
tire and heavenly
heavenly bird are signified, says the
signified, says
scholiast, the external and internal agents
scholiast, agents in in the Hermetic
work, by
work, by either of which itit is
is conserved and nourished to the end. end,
2
2 In friendship, gratitude, and reciprocity of benefaction, say
friendship, gratitude, reciprocity bencfaetion, say
the adepts,
adopts, consists the chief art of operating
operating with their matter
matter;
and no man,
man, forfor reasons hereafter explicable,
explieable, can operate the
can operate
Hermetic artifiec
artifice alone.
saith Amolde
So saith Arnolde of the New Towne,
TowTie,
As his Rosary
Rosary maketh mcncione;
mencione
He
[Ie sayeth right thus withouten
sayeth right withouteu any lye
any lye
There maymay noe man Mercury
noe man IMercury mortifye,
mortiiye,
But itit be with his brother's
brothei-'s knowledging.
knowledging.
Lo, now
Lo, tirst declared this thing
now he which first thing
Of philosophers' was, Hermes the King.
philosophers' father was, King.
Chanuon's Yeoman,
Chaucer`s Tale of the L`hannon's
See Chaucer's èoin:m. Theat. Chem.
Brit. page
Brit, page 251.
125 L. Arnoldi Rosarium,
ltosariuni, circa finem.
circa fiiiem.
;:
The GOLDEN
Tins 'l`REA'r1s1s.
Golden Treatise. 107
This, O son, is
This, is the concealed Stone of many many colours
colours ; ;
which isis born and brought

brought forth
forth in
in one colour ; know
one ;
this and conceal it.

this it. By this,
By this, the Almighty
Almighty favouring,
favouring,
the greatest
greatest diseases
diseases are escaped,
escaped, and every
every sorrow,
distress,
distress, and evil
evil and hurtful
hurtful thing
thing is
is made to depart,
depart
for it leads
for it leads from darkness into into light,
light, from this
this desert
wilderness to a secure habitation,
secure habitation, and from poverty
poverty
straights to a free
and straights free and ample fortune?
ample fortune.^
SECTION SECOND.
My son, before all

all things
things ladmonish
I admonish thee to fear fear
God, in whom is
in Whom is the strength
strength of thy undertaking and
thy undertaking ; ;
the bond of whatsoever thou meditatest to unloose:

unloose
hearest, consider it
whatsoever thou hearest, it rationally.
rationally. For II
hold thee not to he fool.
be a fool. Lay hold, therefore,
Lay hold, therefore, of
my
my instructions and meditate upon
upon them,
them, and so let
let
thy
thy heart he
be fitted
fitted also
also to conceive,
conceive, as ifif thou Wast
wast
thyself the author of that which II now
thyself teach.
now teach. lf
If thou
appliest
appliest cold to any
any nature that is
is hot,
hot, it
it will
will not hurt
it: in
it in like
: manner, he who is
like manner, rational shuts himself
is rational
within from the threshold of ignorance;

ignorance lest supinely
lest supinely
;
he should be deceived?
deceived.^
l
' The consummate union of tlie the purified
purified spirit
spirit with itsits source
is
is covertly indicated by
thus covertly by Hermes as the true corner-stone
of his philosophy;
philosophy ; and that tincture of many many dyes Which, being
dyes which, being
dissolved renews itself, dying survives itself;
itself, and dying itself, until its
its Final
Cause is fully manifest and accomplished.
is fully accomplished. This is elixir of Light
is the elixir Light
from the central essence, so set free, tree, that it is said to prolong
it is prolong
life, cure disease and moral indigence
life, and cure indigence and physical
physical defects,
defects,
mingling
mingling with the common common breath of nature the eilicacy efficacy of an
life and love.
exalted life love.
2
2 Further suggestions are now
suggestions given concerning
now given concerning the true sub-
operation of the Hermetic work.
ject and operation
ject Having previously
Work. Having previously
shovm that the way
shown way to the attainment of' of the magistery
magistery isis by
by com-
coin-
munion with the ruling Spirit of nature ; entering

ruling Spirit ; entering yet
yet deeper
deeper as the
discovery, Hermes admonishes
progresses towards the Causal discovery,
work progresses
earnestly to fear and obey
the student earnestly its Law ; lest,
obey its ;lest, being
being trans-
gressed
gressed in any any part, man should work evil
part, man evil instead of good
good through
through
means.— The fear of God is
its means.-The
its is the beginning
beginning of wisdom,
wisdom, and the
knowledge of the Holy
knowledge Holy is understanding ;-and
is understanding ;
—
and this,
this, in the most
profound
profound sense, is said to be proved
sense, is Alchemy, and that they
proved in Alchemy, they
only who have become conversant by
only experience in the Fontal
by experience
IOS
108 Exoteric Vnsiv.
EXOTERIC View.
Take the flying bird and drown it

fiying bird it flying,
fiying, and didi-
vide
vide and separate
separate it it from itsits pollutions,
pollutions, which yet yet hold
it in death ; draw it
it ill ; forth, and repel
it forth, repel it it from itself,
itself, that
it may
it live and answer thee, not by
may live flying away
by flying away into into
regions
the regions above, but by truly forbearing
by truly forbearing to fly. For
fly. F or
if shalt deliver
if thou shalt deliver itit out ofof its
its prison, after this
prison, after this thou
shalt govern it
shalt govern according to Reason, and according
it according according to
days that II shall
the days shall teach thee ; then will ; will it
it become
a companion
companion unto thee, and by
by it
it thou wilt
wilt become to
be an honoured lord.^ lord.'
Extract from the ray its shadow, and from the light
ray its light
its obscurity,
its obscurity, by by which the clouds hang hang over it it and
keep away
keep away the light light, by ; means of its
by means its constriction,
also, and fiery
also, fiery redness,
redness, it
it is
is burned. Take, my my son,
this redness,
this corrupted with the water,
redness, corrupted water, which is is as a
live holding the fire,
coal holding
live coal which if
fire, w^hich if thou shaltshalt withdraw
so often until until the redness is is inade
made pure,pure, then it it will
will
associate with thee, thee, byby whom it cherished, a11d
it was cherished, and in in
wholn it
wdiom it rests.-
rests?
Nature have truly properly understood what

truly and properly wliat it is, and why
it is, why
God is is to be feared.
feared. Ingratted
Ingrafted i'n i'n that root,
root, writes our seholiast,
our scholiast,
understanding will
the true understanding grow up
will grow up in thee, and fill
in thee, fill thee,
thee, even as
body is
the body filled, with life.
is filled, lile. Thou must inust enter with thy thy whole
spirit into the centre of nature,
spirit natui'e, and there behold how all things
all things
continvied, and perfected.
begun, continued,
are begun, perfected. But thou must fii'st tirst enter
Spirit which is
into that Spirit is the Trainer
Framer of all things, which pierces
all things, pierces
through and dwells in that central root;
through root and by
;
entering into
by entering
that, it
that, will, as a vehicle,
it will, carry thee into the same root where all
vehicle, carry all
things are
tilings hidden, and reveal to thee the most recondite mysteries,
arc hidden, mysteries,
and show thee,thee, as in a glass,
glass, the whole work and laboratorylaboratory of the
most secret nature.nature, therefore, recommends him who is
Hermes, therefore,
Hermes, is
rational, and desires the further instruction of his

rational, reason, to shut
his reason,
hiinself within, away
liimself within, away from the distractions of sense and this this lite's
life's
ignorance, and learn to open

ignorance, open to himself the door of aa higher higher con-
con-
sciousness,
sciousness, lest lest in acceptation of words or things
in the outward acceptation he
things lie
should be deceived. Having premised
llaving premised thus mucli,niueh, he proceeds
proceeds to
detail the process
detail process by by which the spirit spirit is
is carried on on froiu
from each
succeeding
succeeding dissolution into a. more perfect
a more ibrm of being.
perfect form being.
1
^ These images,
Tliese indicating the mode
images, indicating inode of
ot' rational operation
operation with
the freed spirit
spii'it and itsits soul, will appear
soul, wiU inevitably obscure. The
appear Liievitably Tlie
process is
entire process repeated many
is repeated many times
tiines before perfection
perfection is is arrived
at ; and instructions for each,
;
according to the arising
each, according arising phenomena,
phenomena,
given by
are given by the seholiast
scholiast at fullfull length.
length.
3
A
2 A shadow
5l1{'l(l0\§'y darkness passes
passes always along with the philosophic
always along philosophic
—
The GOLDEN TRsAT1si~:.

THE Golden Treatise. 109
then, O my
Return then, ray son, the coal
coal being extinct in
being extinct in
life, upon the water for
life, upon for thirty days, as II shall
thirty days, shall note to
thee ; and, henceforth, thou art
;
king, rest-
art a crowned king,
ing over the fountain,
ing drawing from thence the
fountain, and drawing
dry, without moisture.
Auripigment dry,
Auripigment And now,
now, II have
made the heart of the hearers,
hearers, hoping in thee, to re-
hoping in
in their
joice even in
joice their eyes, beholding
eyes, beholding thee in
in anticipation
anticipation
I
of that
that which thou possessest.
possessest.^
body, moving in
body, moving in its
its own
own light until it
light until it is
is thoroughly purified from
thoroughly purified
sensual defileinents.
sensual defilements. Now
New that the clearness may may be manifest
inunifest
throughout without obscurity,
throughout scholiast, the body
says the scholiast,
obscurity, says must
body must
opened and made thin after
repeatedly opened
be repeatedly after its
its fixation
fixation and dis-dis-
solved and putrefied,
putretied, and as the grain grain ofof wheat sown sown inin the earth
putreties before it
putrefies it springs
springs upup into
into a new growth
a new growth or or vegetation,
vegetation,
Magnesia, continues
so our Magnesia, contiaues he, being sown in
he, being in the Pliilosophie
Philosophic
Earth, dies
Earth, dies and corrupts,
corrupts, thatthat it may conceive itself
it may itself anew.
anew. It is
It is
purified by
purified by separation,
separation, and is is dissolved,
dissolved, digested,
digested, and eoagulated,
coagulated,
sublimed, incerated, and fixed
sublimed, incerated, reeiprocated action of its
by the reciprocated
fixed by its
own proper
own
proper Identity, agent and patient,
Identity, as agent alternating to improve.
patient, alternating improve.
The water spoken
spoken of by by Hermes is is the passive spirit, the redness
passive spirit,
is its
is soul, and the earth begot
its soul, begot betwixt them is is the substance or
body
body of both —
both-the spirit thereafter penetrates
-the spirit penetrates the body, body, and the
body fixes
body —
fixes the spirit-the
spirit the soul being
being conjoined, tinges the whole
conjoined, tinges
of its colour, whether white or red.
proper colour,
its proper red. This processprocess isis given
given
in the following
in enigma, by
following enigma, by the excellent author of the Aquarium Aquarium
Sapientilni, Water Stone :-
Sapientiim, or Vater :
Spiritus
Spiritus ipse
ipse datur pro
datiir tempore corpori,
pro teinpore ille
eorpori, at ille
Exhilarans Animam Spiritus cluet.
Spiritus arte cluet.
Spiritus ille
Spiritus Animam subito si
ille Animain si contrabit
contrahit ad se,se,
Nullum se abjungit
abjungit segregat aque suo.
segregat aque
Tunc tria
Tune tria consistunt et in una sede morantur,
in una morantur.
Donee solvatur,
Donec solvatur, nobile corpus,
corpus, opus.
opus.
Putrescat necnee non
non moriatur,
moriatur, separat istis :
separat istis :
Tempore
Tempore at elapso atque Anima
Spiritus atque
elapso Spiritus
^stu
_/Estu conveniunt extreme sive sive calore,
calore,
Quisque suam sedem cum
Quisque suam cum gravitate
gravitate tenet.
Tntegritas
Integritas prwsto est, nulla et perfectio
prsesto est, perfectio desit
Amplis laetitiis
Amplis laetitiis glorilicatur
glorificatur opus.
opus.
Scholium, and Aquarium

See the Seholiuin, Sapientflm, Musaeum Hei--
Aquarium Sapientflm, Her-
meticum,
meticum, p.p. 95.
1
1 Here again
again the allusions will appear wilfully obscure to the
appear wilfully
nninitiated, fbr
uninitiated, for the master presupposes
presupposes not only knowledge of
only aa knowledge
Matter, but ofthe
the Matter, of the Vessel also in which itit is
is scientifically
seientillcally con-
cocted ; but we
; we must pass on.
pass The life
life of the coal isis fire,
fire, which
l lO
110 Exoteric View.
EXOTERIC VIEvv^
Observe, then, that the water was first in

was first tl1c air,
in the air,
then in earth restore thou
in the earth; ; it, also,
thoii it, also, to thethe supe-
supe-
riors
riors by
by its its proper windings, and not foolishly
p1'ope1' windings, foolishly alter-
alter-
ing it;
ing it then
; to the f.Ol`l]lC1'
former spirit, gathered
spirit, gathered in
in its
its red-
red-
let it
ness, let it be carefully
carefully conjoined'
conjoined.^
Know, 1ny my son, that that the fatness tatuess ofof our earth is is
sulphur,
sulphur, the þÿ"jl'lPlgI]]Cl1lZ,
auripigment, s iretz,
siretz, and colcothar,
colcothar, which
are also sulphur of'
also sulphur; of which auripignients,
;
sulphur, and
auripigments, sulphur,
like, some are more vile
such like, vile than others, in in which
there is is a diversity
diversity; of which ;
kind also
also is
is the fat of
fat
glewy
glewy matters,
matters, such as are hair, hair, nails, hoofs,
hoofs, and sul-
sul-
phur
phur itself,
itself, and of the brain,
brain, which too is
is auripig-
auripig-
ment; of the like
ment ;
like kind also also are the lion'sliou's and cat's cat's
bei11g extinct, becomes a dead body

being body; nor ot' coal alone,
of coal
; alone, but of all all
other things
things light
light is life, and it
is the life, it is
is heat that
that conserves it. it. But
the essence of life, seholiast, is
says the scholiast,
life, says nothing else
is nothing than a pure,
else tlian pure,
naked, unmingled
naked, Fire not that indeed which is
umningled Fire; ;
corrupting and
is corrupting
elementary, but that which is

elementary, celestial, and generating
subtle, celestial,
is subtle, generating all all
things.
things. The same is is of metals their first containing the
first matter containing
principals, the Salt,
three principals, Sulphur, and Mercury,
Salt, Sulphur, Mercury, of ot' which so much
has been spoken
spoken and ignorantly
ignorantly misapplied.
misapplied. By By the crowned
king, signifies the lirst
king, Hermes signifies resplendence of the
first manifested resplendence
vital tincture
tincture; the well is, as the catholic spirit of life,
is, as- life, inex-
vital ;
spirit inex-
haustible; at the bottom,
haustible ; bottom, or centre rather, rather, of which subsists the
occult
occ^llt Causality
Causality of allall ; even from this,
; this, the true efficient
cfhcient wheel,
wheel, is is
drawn,
drawn, according tradition, that auripigment
according to tradition, auripigmcnt of philosophers
philosophers
which is is the multiplicative
multiplicative virtue of their stone. Vhen tl1o11
AVhen thou
shalt see
sec
thy exhalations to return,
thy return, teaches the adept, adept, and by by
continuance of them on on thy
thy body, light shall begin
body, light appear with
begin to appear
such admirable colours as never never were Seen by
were seen by the eye man in
eye of man
so little room before;
little a room before then rejoice, ; for now
rejoice, for now our king hath
our king
triumphed
triumphed overover the miseries of death, death, and behold him returning returning
in the East,
East, with clouds,
clouds, in powerpower and great great glory.
glory. Here thou
mayest bait, and enjoy
mayest rest and bait, enjoy the glory
glory of thy
thy white elixir; now
elixir; now
is the time at hand
is liand in which that of the poet
in Avhich poet isis fulfilled.
fulfilled.
Nee te ptnniteat
N poeniteat facicm fuligine pingi
faciem fuligine pingi
hfec Phoebi nigra
Adferet hsec fhvilla jubar.
nigra fo,villa jubar.
jCXÎ Eirenéus, Ripley

See Eirenûs, Eipley Rcvived; Yaughan, Lumen de Lumiue,
Re\"ived Vaughan,
; Lumine,
p.
p.
!
I
58, &c.
58, &c.; Anthrop.
Antlirop.
; Theomag.
p. 22 ; and the Scholium.
Theomag.
p. ;
1
' Convert the elements, Arnold, and you
says Arnold,
elements, says you shall have what
wliat
you
you desire;
desire that is separate the matter into its
say, separate
is to say,
; its essential
relationships, join them again
relationships, and join together in harmonious pro-
again together pro-
portion.-See
portion. — Speculum sub initio,
See Arnoldi Speculum initio, Basil Valentine's
Valentine's Stone
of Fire, Smaragdine Table,
Fire, Smaragdine &e.
Table, .^'c.
1
THE GOLDEN '1`nEAT1sE.

The Golden Treatise. lll
1 1
claws, which is siretz: the fat

is siretz : bodies, and the
fat of white bodies,
fat
fat of the two oriental
oriental quicksilvers,
quicksilvers, which sulphurs
sulphurs are
hunted and retained
retained by by the bodies.^
bodies?
I1 say,
say, moreover, that this
this sulphur doth tinge
sulphur tinge and
HX,
fix, and is
is held by
by the conjunction
conjunction of the tinctures;
tinctures ;
oils also
oils tinge, but fly
also tinge, away, which in
fly away, in the body body are
are
contained,
contained, which is
is a conjunction
conjunction of Fugitives only
fugitives only with
sulphurs and alhuminous
sulphurs bodies, which hold also
albuminous bodies, also and
detain the fugitive
fugitive Ens?
Ens.^
The disposition sought after
disposition sought after by philosophers, O
by the philosophers,
son, isis but oneone in
in our eggegg; ; but this
this in
in the hen's
hen's egg is
egg is
much less less to be found. lest so much of the
But lest
Divine Wisdom
/VlSdO11] as is in a hen's
is in hen's eggegg should not be dis- dis-
tinguished,
tinguished, our composition
composition is,
is, as that is,
is, from the
four elements adaptedadapted and composed?
composed.^
Know, therefore,
Know, therefore, that in in the l1en's
hen's egg is the greatest
egg is greatest
help
help with respect
respect to the proximity
proximity and relationship of
relationship
the matter in nature; for
in nature ; for inin it
it there is is a spirituality
spirituality
and conjunction
conjunction of elements,elements, and an earth which is is
golden
golden in
in its
its tincture?
tincture.*
1 the various manifestations of

• alludes here in
Hermes alludes part to tlie
in part
the
tlie spirit in
spirit in this life, and the vegetable
this natural life, growth of it
vegetable growth it
in animal bodies. principle of vitalizatiou
bodies. The occult luminous principle vitalization
he calls
calls sulphur, auripigment, &e.,
sulphur, aulipigment, &c., hiding it also under a variety
hiding it variety
of other covertures.
2
2 A
A distinction is is here made by our author of the different
by our different
estates and uses of the philosophic
philosophic sulphur, Light, as it
sulphur, or Light, it be-
comes developed
developed in
in the Hermetic work.
3^ Hermes divides the matter into four parts, as was
parts, was before seen,
seen,
comparing also its
comparing vital composition
its vital composition to that of a hen's egg, which
hen's egg,
answers in all
all respects, excepting the eatholicity,
respects, excepting compound
catholicity, to the compound
simple of this
simple this art.
art.
omnibus, ovum
Est avis in mundo sublimior omnibus, ovum
Cujus ut inqniras,
Cnjus inquiras, cura sit una
cura sit tibi.
una tibi.
Albumen
Albnmen lntenm cireumdat molle vitellnm,
luteum circumdat vitellum,
(ceu mos)
Ignite (een
Ignito cautus id
mos) cantns ense petas
id ensc petas : :
Vulcano Mars addat opemopem : pullaster

puUaster et inde
:
Exortus, ferri
Exortus, ferri victor et ignis erit.
ignis erit.
See Atalanta Fngiens,

Eugiens, p. Epigramma viii.
411, Epigramma
p. 41, viii. and the Scholium.
4
* The Alchemists uniformly recommend us ns to observe nature,
uniformly nature,
that from analogy we may
analogy we may be better able to imagine
imagine and judge
judge of
ll2
112 Exornme VIEW.
But the son, enquiring

enquiring of Hermes, saith-The
saith The sul-
sul- —
phurs which are tit
phurs tit for
fòr our work, whether they
wliether are they
terrestrial?? To whom the Father answers,
eoelestial or terrestrial
coelestial
certain of`
certain of them are heavenly,
heavenly, and some are of the
earth.' ^
earth.
Then the son saith-Father,
saith —
Father, II imagine
imagine the heart in in
the superiors
superiors to be heaven, and in interiors earth.
in the inferiors earth.
But saith Hermes--It
saith Hermes — is not so ; the masculine truly
It is ; truly isis
the heaven of the feminine, and the feminine is is the
earth of
ofthe masculine?
the masculine.^
The son then asks —
Father, which of these is
asks-Father, is more
worthy than the other
wôrthy other; whether is
; it the heaven or the
is it
earth?? Hermes replies-Both
earth replies —
Both need the help one of the
help one
other; for
other; for the precepts
precepts demand a medium. But,
saith the son, if if' thou shalt say that a wise man
shalt say man
governs all
governs all mankind? But ordinary men,
ordinary replies
men, replies
Hermes, are better for for them, because every every nature de-
in society
lights in
lights society of itsits own kind, and so we
own kind, find it
we find it to
be in Life of Wisdom
in the Life \TlS(lO1l1 where Equals
Equals conjoined.
are conjoined.
But what, rejoins the son, is

what, reioins is the mean
mean betwixt them? them ?
To whom Hermes replies In —
replies-In everything
everything in
in nature
there are three from two, two, the beginning,
beginning, the middle,
middle,
and the end. First the needful water, water, then the oily oily
tincture, and lastly
tincture, fwees or earth which remains
lastly the foeces
below?^
below.
the proper þÿ1l] ¬flIOd

proper method of experimenting,
experimenting, and learn to co-operate with
eo-operate witli
her Spirit eficctnally to regenerate
Spirit etl`c-etually regenerate it.it. For particulars
particulars of the
Hermetic similitnde,
similitude, see the Seholium.
Scliolium.
l
^ AA short dialogue
dialogue hereupon ensues between Hermes and his
herenpou ensues his
son ; explaining that the distinctions of lights
son; the father explaining lights or sul-
sul-
phurs
phurs in the process ought not to be indiflerently
process ouglit indiftbrently understood,
understood, as
it` they were all
if they all of one quality
quality or idea. For the spirit, spirit, though one
though one
in essence,
essence, isis extremely diversified in
extremely in its
its conception,
conception, as also
according to the degree
according degree and order of its its rectification
rectification byby art.
7
^ The purified
purified sulphur incombustible, is
sulphur fixed and incombustible, is the generat-
generat-
ing seed ofthe
ing of the imiversal according to the adepts
nature, according
universal nature, adopts; but the
;
mercury (which
mercury (which is is tlie
the recreated body
body of' of the spirit, passive and
spirit, passive
pure) is
pure) is sometimes called the earth of the wise, conceiving into
wise, conceiving
itself the same
itself same seed by which it
by is also nourished,
it is nourished, digested,
digested, per-
per-
fected, and brought
fected, brought to birth —
birth-that visible inanilestation
is, to a visible
that is, manifestation of
its intrinsical virtue and light.
its light. But the son's son's allusion is is intimate
to the art,art, and particular.
particular. See the Scholium.
Seholium.
fl
-*
When,
\'hen, byby their strong
strong attracting law, the active and passive
attracting law, passive
The
'PHE Golden '.l.'REA'IÌSE.
GOLDEN Treatise. 113
But the Dragon

Dragon inhabits all these, and his
in all
inhabits in his
houses are the the darkness and blackness that that is
is in
in
them, and by
them, by them he aseends into the
ascends into air, from his
the air, his
rising which is
rising is their
their heaven. But, whilst
whilst the fume
remains in they are not immortal.
in them, they away
Take away
therefore vapour from the water, and the blackness
therefore the vapour
from the oily tincture, and death from the faeces:
oilv tincture, faeces and :
by dissolution thou shalt

by dissolution shalt possess
possess a triumphant
triumphant reward,
that in
even that
by which the possessors
in and by possessors live?
live.^
relations conjoined in
relations are conjoined in the Spirit, they become equalised
Spirit, they cqualised in in
their progeny and as the mystical
their progeny; ; mystical problem
problem of ofthe Trinity includes
the Trinity
three in in one and one in in three- —
three agent, patient, and offspring
agent, patient, offspring uni-uni-
versal co-equal ; so these three are found to be in
versal and co-equal ; all created
in all
things imitatively,
things paternal, maternal, and proceeding
imitatively, the paternal, proceeding ens of of
life. And there are the Salt,
life. Salt, Sulphiir, Mercmy of the adepts,
Sulphur, and Mercury adepts,
without which, ^Yhich, they
they say say truly, nothing ever is
truly, nothing is or can be vitally vitally
snbstantialised.
substantialised. And thou hast in in these three principles,
principles, says says
Sendivogius,
Sendivogius, a body, body, a spirit,
spirit, and an occult soul
an ocevdt soul; which three,
; three,
(being of one only
(being only substance in in a triple
triple relationship,)
relationship,) if if thou shalt
shalt
join them together,
join having been previously
together, having separated and well puri-
previously separated puri-
jied, will
fied, will without fail,fail, by
by imitating
imitating nature, yield most pure
nature, yield pure fruits
fruits
&c. When "When the adept speaks therefore of
adept speaks of a natural triplicity,
triplicity, he
speaks, reiterates
speaks, Vaughan, not of kitchen-stuff,
reiterates Vaughan, kitchen-stuff, those three pot- pot~
principles of water,
principles oil, and earth
water, oil, —
earth-or, som.e call
or, as some call them, salt, sul-
them, salt, sul-
phur, and mercury
phur, mercury; but he speaks
;
speaks of hidden intrinsical
intrinsical natures,
known only only to absolute magicians,
magicians, whose eyes eyes are in in the centre and
not 011 circinznference, and in this
on the circumference, every element is
light, every
this light, is
threefold.-See
threefold. — Anthrop. Theomag.
See Anthrop. Theomag. p. Sendivogius, New
22 Sendivogius,
p. 22; ; N ew
Light of Alchemy,
Light Alchemy, Digby's
Digby's Ed. p. p. 3; Scholiinn.
3; and the Scholium.
1
^ The dragon
dragon is is the self-willed spirit, which is
seltlwilled spirit, externally de-
is externally
rived into nature,
nature, byby the fall fall into generation.
generation. And by says the
it, says
by it,
scholiast, Hermes especially
scholiast, signifies the blackness of the matter
especially signihes
on itsits first ascension, which is
first ascension, operated with difliculty
is operated difficulty ou on accomit
account
1
of its
its thick glutinous
glutinous body, body, which has to be resolved, resolved, by fbrce ot
by force of
philosophic art,
the philosophic art, into an aerial and vaprous
an aerial substance and
vaprous substance; ;
during this process,

during process, we we are informed, powers ol
informed, the powers of the Philoso-
phic Heaven are wonderfully
phic wonderfully shaken and defiled, insomuch, that
dehled, insomuch,
like
tike a poisonous dragon
a poisonous dragon it it destroys
destroys all all that it touches, and hence
it touches,
it is said to have its

it is its houses in darkness,
darkness, and to possesspossess blackness
mortality, and death
and mortality, death; for
; for the root of this this science is is a deadly
deadly
Therefore, says
poison. Therefore,
poison. Hermes, take away
says Hermes, away the vapourvapour from the
water, and the blackness from the oily
water, tincture, and death
oily tincture, deatli from
tteces, that the component
the faeces, principles may
component principles may be pure, pure, and by by
dissolution thou shalt possess possess a a triumphant reward, even
triumphant reward, even that in
and by possessors live.
by which the possessors live. Thus,
Thus, the evil evil of the original
original
sin is is said to be discovered by by a a radical dissolution of the spirit, spiint,
and without this discovery discovery and thc the arising it cannot return
evil, it
arising evil,
II
l114
I4 Exorsnic Vmw.
Exoteric View.
Know
Know then,
then, my my son, that that the temperate
temperate unguent,
unguent,
which is
wliicli is fire, is thc medimn
tire, is the medium between the foeces fueces and
the water,
water, and is is the Perscrutinator
Perscrutinator of the water.
For the unguents
unguents called
are called sulphurs, because between
sulphurs,
fire and oil
fire oil and this this sulphur
sulphur there is such a
there is a close
close
proximity, that
proximity, that even as fire
fire burns so does the sulphur
sulphur
also?
also.^ A
All
All the sciences
sciences of the world, world, O son, are compre-
compre-
hended in in this
this my my hidden Wisdom and this
Visdom; this and the
;
learning of the Art consists

learning consists inin these wonderful hidden
elements which it it doth discover and complete.
complete. It It
believes him, therefore,
behoves therefore, who would hc be introduced to
this hidden Visdom,
this Wisdom, to free free himself
himself' from the usurpa-
usurpa-
tions of vice
tions vice; and
; to bc
be just, and good,
just, good, and of'of a sound
ready at hand to help
reason, ready help mankind, of a serene
countenance, diligent
countenance, dih'gent to save, and be himself a patient
patient
guardian
guardian of the arcane secrets of philosophy.^
philosophy.2
And this
this know, that except except thou understandest how
mortify
to mortify and induce generation, to vivify
generation, Spirit,
vivify the Spirit,
and introduce Light, Light, until
until with each other
they fight wn'th
they fight
grow white and freed from their
and grow their delilemcuts, rising
defilements, rising
it were from blackness
as it blackness' and darkness,
darkness, thou knowcst
knowest
nothing, nor
nothing, nor canst perform perform anything;
anything; but if if thou
to its pristine
its pristine purity and the iinmortality
purity and. immortality of its first source.
its first
thereibre, adds a no
Cause, therefore,
Cause, no less
less subtle than experienced
experienced adept,adept,
such an operation
operation in our earth, that
our mrlh, may change
/zen! may
tliat the central heat change
the water into air, air, that itit may
may go lorth into
go forth into the plains
plains of the
world and scatter the residue through through tlie pores of the earth
the pores eartli ; and
;
then, eoutrariwisc, the air

then, contrariwise, air will
will be turned into water, watei', farfin' more
more
subtle than the first iirst water was. And this
this is
is done thus
thus: if: if thou
give
give our man gold
our old man gold or silver to swallow,
swallow, that he may may consume
them, and then
them, the11 he
hc also dying may be burned,
dying may burned, and his ashes scat-
tered into the wâter,
water, and thou shalt boil that water until until itit be
enough, thou shalt have aa medicine to cure the leprosy
enough, leprosy (of life).
(of life).
the Scholium ; Sendivogius,
See tlie ;Sendivogius, New Light, Light, p.p. 35 ; Bfaria
Maria Practiea.
; Practica.
1
^ The knowledge
knowledge of this secret sulphur, Scholiast, and
says the Scholiast,
sulphur, says
how to prepare
prepare it it and use it it in this work includes the whole
perfection. It
art of perfection. lt is
is tlie stirrer-up of the whole power
the stirrer-up power and
cllicacy and purifier
efficacy matter; hence Hermes calls
purifier of the matter ; calls it it the
l'erserutin:1tor,
Perscrutinator, eminently distinguishing the Rational
eminently distinguishing ferment, con-
Eational ferment,
cerning which it
cerning it will
\'ill be our
our purpose hcrcaf`ter.
inquire hereafter.
purpose to inquire
2
- The whole paragraph will speak plainly for itself
paragraph speak plainly itself when it it is
is
understood, which we
understood, we leave for
For the present
present therefore unexplained.
unexplained.
^
'PHE GOLDEN
The Golden 'l`RsAT1sE.
Treatise. ll5
115
knowest this,this, thou wiltwilt be of a great

great dignity,
dignity, so that
so that
even kings themselves shall
even kings shall reverence thee. thee. These
secrets,
secrets, son, it it behoves thee to conceal from the thc
vulgar
vulgar and profane
profane world.'
world. ^
Understand also, also, that, our our Stone is is from many many
things
things and of
of various colours, and composed from
composed
elements, which we ought
four elements, divide and dissever
ought to divide dissever
in pieces, and segregate,
in pieces, segregate, in
in the veins;
veins and
; partly mor-
partly mor-
tifying the same
tifying same by its proper
by its nature, which is
proper nature, is also
also in
in
it, preserve the water and fire
it, to preserve fire dwelling therein,
dwelling therein,
which is is from the four elements and their waters,
their waters,
which contain its water: this
its water this however is
: is not water in in
its true form, but fire,
its containing in
tire, containing pure vessel the
in a pure
ascending waters,
ascending waters, lestlest the spirits
spirits should fly fly away
away
from the bodies;
bodies for,
for, by
;
by this they are made
means, they
this means,
tinging and fixed."
tinging fixed.
O, blessed watery form, that dissolvest
watery form, dissolvest the elements ! !
Now it it behoves us, with this watery Soul,

this watery Soul, to possess
possess
ourselves of a sulphurous
sulphurous Form, and to mingle mingle the
same with our
same our Aeetum.
Acetum. For when, by by the power
power of
water, the composition
the water, composition is dissolved, it
is dissolved, is the key
it is key of
the restoration
restoration; then darkness and death fly
;
fly away
away
them, and Wisdom
from them, Visdom proceeds
proceeds onwards to the ful- ful-
filment of her Law?Law.^
1^
principles of the art of working
The principles working the matter are here re-
peated.
peated. The two contrary light and darkness must
contrary natures of light
together, as it
contend together, it were, strife, and the war
were, in mortal strife, war must be
unceasingly for the 'destruction

waged unceasingly
waged destruction of the foreign
foreign life
life until it
it
grows white,
suceumbs, grows
succumbs, says, in order that the internal
Avhite, as Hermes says,
agent may
agent may return to vivify whole, and yield
vivify the whole, yield the abundant
tincture of itsits light.
light.
9
2 The catholic nature is is multifarious in its conception, and
its conception,
passes in the art through
passes through a strange
strange variety
variety ofof' forms and ap- ap-
pearances; but she operates
pearances ; operates her proper
proper progress
progress necessitously
neeessitously
under the threefold law of life life; the ingress,
;
egress, and alternat-
ingress, egress,
ing which, under dominance of either of its
ing action of which, its principles,
principles,
constitutes the whole phenomena
phenomena of the Hermetic process.
process.
3
^ Great is
Grreat is the reputed Aqua Philosophica,
reputed virtue of this Aqua Philosophica, which
distils itself
distils itself finally by the Art of Life;
finally to manifestation by for, as coin-
Life for,
; com-
mon
inon water washes and clcanscs
cleanses things
things outwardly,
outwardly, so this inwardly
inwardly
effects the same, itself pm-ifying
same, even itself itself from its
pui-ifying itself its inbred
defilements, so that no
defilements, vestige of evil
no vestige evil remains. And, And, being
being con-
con-
joined in consciousness with the central Ellicient,
joined Efficient, it it becomes
12
I2
;
ll()
116 Exoteric VH-iw.
Exorsnlc View
SECTION THIRD.
Know, mymy son, that philosophers bind up

that the philosophers their
up their
Matter with a strong chain, that
strong chain, it may
that it may contend with
the Fire,
Fire because the spirits
;
spirits inin the
the washed bodies
desire to dwell therein
desire rejoice. In these habi-
therein and to rejoice. habi-
tations they
tations vivify themselves and inhabit
they vivify there, and
inhabit there,
the bodies hold them, nor can they thereafter sepa-
they be thereafter sepa-
more?
any more.^
rated any
composed .odies
The dead elements are revived, the composed .odies
tinge and are altered,

tinge by a wonderful process
altered, and by process they
they
are made permanent, saith the philosopher.'^
permanent, as saith philosopher.2
powerful, and the key
all powerful,
aU key of every magic art.
every magic art. preparation of
The preparation
it is not known to many,
it is many, says Scholiast, and a very
says the Scholiast, very few have
obtained it;
it ; well is
because the well deep out of which it
is deep it is
is drawn;
drawn
vulgar chemists understand it.
nor do the vulgar it. Nor can this
this secret be
all, but practice
practice reveals it
truly learned either from aa master at all,
truly it
by the instinct of nature. See the Scholium and Lumen de

by
Lumine,
Lumiue, p. 67.
p. 67.
l of the passage
^
This may again remind the reader of
may again passage from De-
moeritus, where, describing
mocritus, where, describing the universal experiment, says that
experiment, he says
working with _nature
that method of working is the most effectual
.nature is effectual which
makes use of manacles and letters, laying hold on
fetters, laying on her in in the
degree. And this
extrernest degree.
extremest this constriction, according to the sebo-
constriction, according scho-
liast's teaching, is
liast's teaching, is not made by chance, but by
by chance, by means
means ofthe
of the
affinity which
affinity is between the body
wliich is body and its Mayer also
spirit, as Mayer
its spirit, also
his Emblems
alludes, in his
alludes, —
Einblems-Naturain
Naturam uatura
natura docet debellet ut ignem
ignem ; ;
for they proceed from one fountain,

they both proceed though, of the two,
fountain, though, two,
agent, because it
the agent, it vivifies
vivifies and holds the particles
particles of the matter
together, is
together, superior in operation,
representatively superior
is representatively operation, to compel
compel
Hypostasis of Nature to enter into his true Form.
the Protean Hypostasis
vi non
Nam sine vi non ulla dabit prsecepta, neque ilium
prrecepta, nequc illum
Orando flectes vim duram et vincula capto
flectes: Yun : capto
Tende. Doli circum hare
Deli demum frangentur
hsec demuni frangentur lI]II]lPS.
inanes.
See
Hee the Gcorgics, lib. iv.
Georgies, lib. 397; lIaieri
iv. 397 ; Fugiens Em-
Maieri Atalanta Fugiens
blcn1a,xx.;
blema, xx. ; Democritus, in the Fable of Proteus
Dcmoeritus, ; Aquarium
Proteus; Aquarium
Sapientiim Enigma
Sapientuin Enigma; and the Scholiast on
; on llcrines.
Hermes.
2
- The bodies ot the metals,
of explains our Scholiast,
metals, explains Scholiast, are the
domicils of their spirits,
domieils spirits, which when they are received by
they are by the
bodies, their terrestrial substance is
bodies, is by degrees made thin,
by degrees thin, ex-
tended, purified, and by
tended, and purified, by their vivif'ing
vivifying power, life and fire
power, the life fire
lying dormant is
hitherto lying audi
is excited and made to appear.appear. For live
the
life which
life whiz-b dioeUs the mefals
dwells in /lee is laid,
metals is laid, as it were,
as it asleep (in
were, asleep (in sense),
sense),
nor can it
nur its powers,
it exert its
powers, oror show itself,
itself, unless the bodies (?. (i. e.
rf.
The
THE GOLDEN
Golden r.l_lREA'l`1SE.
Treatise. ll7
117
O
O permanent ereatrix of the
watery Form, creatrix
permanent watery royal
the royal
elements! who, havinghaving with thy brethren and aa just
thy just
1
government obtained the tincture,
government findest rest.
tinctm'e, findest rest.^
Our most precious
precious stone is is east forth upon
cast forth upon the
dunghill,
dunghill, and that
that which is
is most worthy
worthy is
is made vilest
vilest
of the vile.
vile. Therefore it hehoves us to
it behoves mortify two
to mortify
Argent
Argent vives
vives together,
together, both to venerate and to be vene-
rated, viz.,
rated, viz., the Argent
Argent vive
vive of Auripigment, and the
Auripigment,
oriental Argent
oriental vive of l/Iagnesia?
Argent vive Magnesia.^
sensible and vegetable

the sensible vegetable media of life) life) be firstfirst dissolved
dissolved
and turned into into their radical source;
their radical source ;
being brought
being brought to this this
degree, at length,
degree, length, byby the abundance of of their
their internal light, they
internal light, they
communicate their their tinging property to other imperfect
tinging property imperfect bodies, bodies,
transmuting them into
transmuting into a fixed permanent substance. And
fixed and permanent
this, he adds further,
this, further, is property of our
is the property medicine, into which
our medicine,
previous bodies (of
the previous (of the spirit)
spirit) are reduced;
reduced ; that, first,
that, at first,
part thereof will
one part tinge ten parts
will tinge parts of an imperfect body,
an imperfect body, then
hundred, then
one hundred,
one thousand, and so infinitely
tlien a thousand, infinitely on. By By which the
efficacy of the creative word is
efficacy evidenced, Creseite
wonderfully evidenced,
is wonderfully Crescite et
multiplicamini.
multiplicamini. And
A11d by by how much the oftener the medicine
is dissolved, by
is dissolved, by so much the more more it it increases in virtue, which
in virtue,
otherwise, without any
otherwise, solution, would remain in
any more solution, in its
its single
single
perfection. Here there is
or simple state of perfection.
simple is a celestial
celestial and divine
fountain set open,open, which no man man is is able
able to draw dry,dry, nornor can it it be
exhausted should the world endure through through an an eternity
eternity of genera-
genera-
tions. —
tions.-See See the Scholium;
Scholium Introit.Ape1't.
;Introit. Apert. cap. cap. viii.;
viii. ; Trevisanus
Opusculuni circa finem.
Opusculum
1
' The Bxed watery Form of the philosophic
fixed watery matter, which
philosophic matter,
Hermes here apostrophises,
apostrophises, is is the same
same as was beforebetbre celebrated,
celebrated,
only more mature , this
only more ;
is the fountain which Bernhard Trevisan
this is
mentions, of such marvellous virtue
mentions, vii'tue above all all other fountains in
the whole world, shining like
world, shining like silver
silver and of caerulean clearness.
It is the Framer of the royal
It is I'oyal elements,
elements, sayssays Hermes,
Hermes, i. i. e. it
it draws
to itself
itself the rubitied light of its
rubified light its internal agent
agent permeating
permeating the
same throughout the Whole
same tliroughout whole essentiality.
essentiality. Separate,
Separate, sayssays Eiieneus,
Eiieneus,
light from the darkness seven times,
the light times, and the creation of the
philosophic Mercury
philosophic Mercury will will be complete,
complete, and this seventh day will be
day will
for thee a sabbath of repose; repose from which period,
; period, until the end of
revolution, thou mayest
the annual revolution, mayest expect generation of the
expect the generation
supernatiual
svipernatural son son of Sun, who comes
Sun, Who comes about the last age age into the
purify his brethren from their original
world to purify —
sin.-See
original sin. See the
Scholium ; Trevisanus,
; Trevisanus, end of his Opusculum Opusculum ;;l'evvNow Light
Light of Sendi-
vogius, Treatise and the Introit. Apert.
vogius, 10th Treatise; ; Apert. cap. iii. &c.
cap. iii.
2
2 The same nature, which in its
same catholic nature, its preternatural
preternatural exaltation
appears
appears so very precious in the eyes
very precious eyes of the philosopher,
philosopher, is is in the
common
common world defiled abiding everywhere
defiled; abiding
;
everywhere in putrefactions
putrefaetious and
the vilest
vilest forms of life.life. It is despised by mankind, who
is likewise despised by mankind,
: ;
HS
118 Exornuic View.
Exoteric vlE\'.
O
O Nature, the
the most potent ereatrix of nature, which
potent creatrix
eontainest Zll1(l
containest separatest natures in
and separatest in a middle princi-
princi-
ple!
ple! The Stone comes
comes with light,
light, and with light it is
light it is
generated,
generated, and then it
it generates
generates and brings
brings forth
forth the
black clouds or darkness, which is is the mother of all all
thingsf
things.^
are, for
for the most part,
the luost part, unconscious even of
uncouseious of its
its subsistence,
subsistence, muclilunch
more
more are ignorant of
they not ignorant
they of the method of ol' exculpating
exeulpatiug it it and
handling their
handling their life to good
life to effect ?? Hermes, indeed,
good eflbet indeed, gives instruc-
gives instruc-
tion, as did
tion, did Moses also,also, but under a veil, veil, which it it may
may be hardly
hardly
expedient
expedient through at
to look through at this stage of
this stage of our investigation.
investigation.
1^
Ve signified irom
AVe have signified testimony of
from the testimony of the adepts already,
adepts already,
though Without
though partienlarizing,
without particularizing, that
that light
liglit or sulphur,
sulphur, as theythey call
call
it, is
it, is the true lbrm
form or seed of gold, virtue
eoneeutering vii-tue
gold, and the concentering
ol' their
of philosophic stone. Thus far,
their philosophic far, then, theory of the Her-
then, the theory
proeess may
metic process supposed to run by
may be supposed by the analogy
analogy of naturenature; ;
grain, cast into the common

being east
grain, being common earth, grows and lruetiiies
earth, grows fructifies and
brings forth
brings increase, and this
its increase,
forth its this ednetion
eduction is is in its middle princi-
in its princi-
ple, that is
ple, is to say, in the specificative
say, in speeilieative form by which it
tbrm by it is
is intrinsi-
intrinsi-
generated and made to be that particular

cally generated
cally particular kind of grain grain and
other.
no other. Thus, the auritie
Tlius, seed, if
aurific seed, truly such can be found
if truly iound to be
specific seed of gold,
the speeitie gold, needs only only to be planted
planted in in its proper
its proper
vehicle, well prepared

etheria] vehicle,
etherial prepared and fallow to bring forth its
bring forth virtue
its vii'tiie
in increase.
in manifold increase. _
Rurieolae pingui mandant sua semina terra?,

Ruricolae pingui terrie,
Cum fnerit
fuerit rostris
rostris haee loliata suis.
ha'C foliata suis.
Pliilosophi aurum docnére
Philosophi niveos aurum docuere per
per agros
agros
qui folii
Spargere, qui
Spargere, folii se levis
levis instar habent:
habeut
Hoc ut agas,
lloe agas, illud bcne respice,
illud bene namque quod
respiee, namque aurum
quod anrum
Germinet, ex tritieo
Germinet, videris, ut speeulo.
tritico videris, speculo.
Alchemical art has bee|1

the Alehemieal
But tlie been continually compared to agi'icul-
continually compared agricul-
ture ; and the analogy,
; indeed, appears
analogy, indeed, throughout so inti-
appears to bear throughout inti-
mately and, ahnost
suggest and,
mately as to suggest deviation, point
almost without deviation, point out the
method of its
its application.
application. The body is gold,
body is says the author of
gold, says ol
the New Light, which yields
jSêw Light, seed, our
yields seed, silver, not common
our lune or silver, connuon
is
silver, is
silver, which receives the seed of the gold,
that whicli gold, afterwards itis
it is
governed by
governed by our continual fire fire lor
for seven months (philosophical),
(philosophical),
and sometinies ten, until our water consume
sometimes ten, consume three and leave one one;
duplo or a double. Then it
and that in duplo is nourished with
it is vvith the
milk ofthe thereof, which is
earth, or the fatness thereof,
of the earth, is bred in the bowels
of the earth and is governed and preserved
is governed preserved from putreiaction
putrefaction by by
the salt of nature: and thus tlius the infant of the second generation
generation
is produced
is produced; and when the seed of tliat
; that which is now
ivhieh is now brought
brought
is put
forth is put again
again into its its own matrix, it
ovn matrix,
purilies it, and makes it
it purifies it, it
a thousand times more
a fit and apt
11]OI'0 fit bring forth the best and
apt to bring
most excellent fruits.
fruits. But,But, betbre
before the metallic light is brought
light is brought to
;
The Golden Treatise. 119
But when we marry the crowned king to our red

daughter, and in a gentle fire, not hurtful, she doth
conceive an excellent and supernatural son, which per-
manent life she doth also feed with a subtle heat, so
that he lives at length in our fire.^
But when thou shalt send forth thy fire upon the
foliated sulphur, the boundary of hearts doth enter in
above it, is washed in the same, and the purified mat-
ter thereof is extracted. Then is he transformed, and
his tincture by help of the fire remains red, as it were
flesh. But our son, the king begotten, takes his tinc-
ture from the fire, and death even and darkness, and
the waters flee away.^
this ultimate perfection, it must many times, therefore, suffer itself
to be eclipsed, and die and corrupt, as the adepts teach, accord-

ing to the similitude of nature yet, Avitli this difference, that
;
whereas the produce of common husbandry exhausts and deterior-

ates rapidly the earth whence it springs, and is always terminated
in its kind witliout progression, the etherial seed, on the other
hand, tends always to improve its generation, fertilizing by the
return of each successive growth, and enriching its maternal soil
and this process, according to Hermes, is repeated seven times be-
fore the final resurrection of the Quintessence into a permanent
—
form of life. See the Scholium Maieri Atalanta Fugiens Êpi-
;
gramma vi. Sendivogius, New Light, Treatise 9 and 10.

;
1 The new-born Quintessences are here shown to be reunited for

fructification and to be further promoted, and, as the fable relates
of Isis, that she brought forth Horus, even feeding him with fire ;
so it happens in the Hermetic work. And this is wonderful, ob-

serves the Scholiast, that the parents, who were before the nurses
and feeders again by the law of the same spirit, are to be nursed
and fed. It is nourished with a gentle heat, not in the vulgar
way of decocting, but conformable to the heavenly fire. But
when we say, adds the adept, that our stone generated by fire,
men neither see nor do they believe there is any other fire but
—
the conmion fire, nor any other sulphur or mercury thus they are
deceived by their own opinions, saying that we are the cause of
their errors but it is not so.
; The philosophers uniformly distin-
guish their own especial fire as magical, creative, vital whereas
;
the common element is without sagacity or discrimination. Our

fire is a most subtle fire, inhabiting in himself an infernal secret
fire, and in its kind extremely volatile. Some call it the miracle
of the world, the nucleus of the superior and inferior forces of na-
ture, &c. — See the Scholium, Lumen de Lumine, p. 58.
" O happy gate of blackness, cries the sage, which art the
passage to this so glorious a change ! Study, therefore, whoso-
l2()
120 i§X()'lÈRIC View.
Exoteric 7lE\'.
The Dragon
Dragon shuns the sunhealns
sunbeams which dart dart through
through
ereviees, and our
the crevices, lives; the king
our dead son lives king comes
; comes
forth
forth hom
from thethe fire
tire and rejoices
rejoices with his spouse ; the
his spouse the ;
occult treasures are laid open and the

laid open the virgin's
virgin's milk is is
whitened. The son, already vivified, is

already vivified, is become a a
warrior in the fire,
wârrior in fire, and of tincture superexcellent. For
tincture superexcellent.
this
this son isis himself the treasury,
treasury, even himself bearing bearing
the Philosophic Matteinl
Philosophic Matter.^
Approach,
Approach, ye ye sons of Wisdom,
VlS(lOlll, and rejoice
rejoice: letlet us :
now rejoice together for

rejoice together; for the reign
; reign of death is is finish-
finish-
ed and the son doth rule, rule, and nownow he is is invested
invested with
the red garment, and the scarlet
red garment, scarlet colour is put on."
is put on.^
thyself to
appliest thyself
ever appliest this Art, only
to this only to know this for to
this secret, for
know this
this isis to know all,all, but to be ignorant
ignorant of this is
of this is to be igno-
igno-
of all.
rant of all. For putrefactiou
putrefaction precedes generation of every
precedes the generation every
new form into existence.
new existence. It is
It is the business of the philosophic
philosophic
fire not only
tire onl}' to \dvify, also to depurate
vivifv, but also segregate the he-
depurate and segregate he-
terogeneity of its
terogeneity its vehiculum,
vehiculuui, which being clone there appears
being done appears at
length in the fa'ces,
length fifcees, a most pure pure and rubicund tincture of the
colour of flesh
flesh and blood. And as flesh is nothing
flesh is nothing but blood coa-
abounding with a full
gulated, abounding
gulated, fidl and vigorous so, adds the
spirit, so,
vigorous spirit,
adept, likewise our
adept, our tincture is is of blood eoagulated,
coagulated, which blood
is boundary or satisfaction'
is the boundary hearts, as Hermes alludes,
satisfaction of hearts, alludes, the
object sought
object sought for, satislies when attained.
for, and which satisfies —
attained.-See See Scho-
lium, and Ripley
lium, Eipley Revived,
Eevived, 5th Gate.
I
' The nature and origin this Dragon
origin of this Dragon waswas before discussed,
discussed,
which becomes occultated in internal light
rising of the internal
in the rising light to
manifestation.
Si livuin
Si fixum solvas faeiasque
faciasque volare solutum,
solutum,
Et volucrem iigas,
figas, facient te vivere tutum
tutiun
Solve, Fige.
Coagula, Fige.
Solve, Coagula,
O
U Nature, erics the experimental
Nature, cries adeptist, how dost thou inter-
experimental adeptist,
change thy
change thy being, casting down the high
being, casting high and mighty
mighty and again
again
exalting that which was base and lowly!
exalting lowly ! O death,
death, how art thou
ranquislied, when thy
vanquished, prisoners are taken from thee and carried
thy prisoners
an estate and place of immortality
into an place immortality! The son,
! says Hermes,
son, says Hermes,
Tincture, for
gotten the Tincture,
has gotten for isis hc
he not in in truth the whole quintes-
quintes-
concentrated, as it
nature concentrated,
sential uature it were bearing in hand
personified, bearing
wex-e personified,
the golden life to perpetualisc
light of life
golden light perpetualise it universally. — See the
it uuiversallyf-
Philosophical
Philosophical Epitaph of V.
Epitaph W. C. titletitle page, a11d Eipley
page, and Revived.
Ripley Eevived.
Y
'^
light, once made manifest to sense,
The internal light, sense, so fhr
far is
is
ready perserutination of another life
ready for the perscrutiuation life into which it it must be
induced to enter, again, and die in
sullen- again,
enter, to sutler in order to transmute
itself.
the foul material into itself. Hermes proceeds,
proceeds, in the next chap-chap-
ter, to describe the work,
ter, work, which, principle, ditiers
which, in principle, differs nothing
nothing from
The G()LI)EN
'PHE Golden TRLSATISE.
Treatise. 121
section fourth.
SECTION FOURTH.
then, O son
Understand then, Visdo1n, what the Stone
son of Wisdom,
declares
declares : : will protect
Protect me, and II will protect thee increase
thee; increase ;
my strength,
my strength, that
that I may help
I ma.y thee.1
help thee.^
My Sol and my my beams are most inward and secretly
secretly
in me. My own Luna, also,
in is my
also, my light, exceeding every
is hght, exceeding every
light;
light ;and my good
my good things
things are better
better than all
all other
good things;
good things I
I give freely
give
; freely and reward the intelligent
intelligent
with joy
joy and gladness,
gladness, glory, delights , and
glory, riches, and delights ;
me II make
after me
them that seek after to know and under-
stand and to possess
possess divine
divine things?
things.^
philosophers have concealed
Behold, that which the philosophers
is written with seven letters:
is letters for Alpha and Yda fol-
for Alpha : fol-
low two Sol., in
two;; and Sol, in like manner, follows the book:
like manner, book :
nevertheless, if
nevertheless, willing that he should have
if thou art willing
dominion, observe the Art, and join join the son to the
daughter
daughter of the water,
water, which is
is Jupiter and a hidden
Jupiter
secret?
secret.^
foregoing but in
the foregoing images and delineation of
in the images of phenomena
phenomena
only.
only.
1
^ The fermenting
fermenting light light by by constant addition of the spirit, spirit,
»
leavens moremore and more, increasing as it

more, increasing it tends to the perception
perception of ol
its
its Enal
final cause in in life.
life. As Solomon, speaking of the Divine Wisdom,
Solomon, speaking Visdo1n,
says, Exalt her,
says, her, and she shall shall promote
promote thee, shall bring
thee, she shall bring thee
to honour when thou dost embrace her, her, &c. Proverbs iv. iv. 8, 9.
8, 9.
2
2 vital light,
The vital light, as we we
explained, is
have before explained, is centrally
centrally
hidden in in nature until it it is
is drawn forth; re-entering from
forth but re-entering
;
without inwards,
inwards, when freed again, agam, will it not then probably
will it probably meet
itself
itself in a yet more profound
yet more experience ? This is
profoimd experience? is the problem
problem
proposed for
proposed for the truly
truly intelligent, they may
intelligent, that they may inquire
inquire into the
Hermetic method of Self- Knowledge, which alone can
Self-Knowledge, can enable man man
to know and understand and possess possess divine things. —

things.-If If thou
seekest for for her as silve1', searchcst for wisdom as for
silver, and seai'chest for hidden
treasures then shalt thou
treasures; ; tliou understand the fear of the Lord and
find the knowledge
knowledge of God. Proverbs ii. 4, 5. But we
ii. 4, we post-
post-
pone the examination of this mystical
pone suggesting so much
ground, suggesting
mystical ground,
only
only as, proceeding, we
as, in proceeding, we find requisite to elucidate the Hermetic
requisite
mind.
3
^ The seven letters are taken to signify the necessary phases
signify necessary phases
through
through which the tl1e philosophic
philosophic material passespasses in order of colour
and qualitative virtue; some
qualitative virtiie ; call them planets,
some call planets, others metals,
metals, (for(for
the radical life life of the spiritspirit is mineral) and the rest ot
is indeed mineral); ; of
Hermes' allusion is
Hermes' is to the conjunction of active and passive prin-
conjunction passive prin-
ciples
ciples forfor the reproduction
reproduction of light ofthe
light out of the whole.
l22
122 Exorisnle View.
Exoteric '7lE\'.
Auditor, understand : let

Auditor, our Reason ; consider
let us use our
: consider ;
all
all with the most accurate investigation,
investigation, which in in the
contemplative partI
contemplative part I have demonstrated thee the
to thee;
to ;
whole matter lI know to be one only only thing. But who

thing.
is he that
is that understands
understaiids the true investigation
investigation and inin-
quires rationally
quires rationally into
into this
this matter? It
It is
is not from man,
nor from anything like him or akin to him;
anything like him nor nor from
;
bulloek: and if
the ox or bullock : if any conjoins with
any creature conjoins
one of another species,
species, that which
w^hich is
is brought forth
brought forth is
is
neutral from either?
either.^
Thus saith Venus: II beget
saith Venus beget light,
: light, nor is is the dark-
ness of my my nature ; and if my metal be not dried
if my
; dried all
all
bodies desire
desire me, for for II liquify
liquify them and wipe wipe away
away
their rust,
their rust, even II extract their their substance. Nothing,
Nothing,
therefore, is
therefore, is better Venerable than I,
better or more venerable I, mymy bro-
also being
ther also being conjoined."
conjoined.'^
But the king,
king, the ruler,
ruler, to hishis brethren, testifying
brethren, testifying
him, saith:
of him, saith II am
: crowned, and
am crowned, andlI am am adorned with
1
^The profound
profound significance
significance ofof the first
first monition to use our our reason
may
may be better appreciated inquiry tbr
appreciated on inquiry; for Hermes
; Ilermes has chosen to
lias cliosen
conceal the philosophic vessel, and here condescends,
philosophic vessel, eondeseends, i11 in part, even
part, even
to an equivocation
equivoeation ; but we
; we pass
pass on. I say you, writes Maria,
say to you, Maria,
this science may
laconically, that this
laconically, may be found in in all
all bodies;
bodies but ;
thought lit
philosophers have thought
philosophers say little
fit to say little of it,
it, because of the
shortness of lite
life and the length this art.
length of this art. They found it
They it most
evidently contains the four
easily in that matter which most evidently
easily
philosophic elements. It
philosophic lt is prepared in the innermost chamber
is prepared
of life, Scholiast, and there
says the wise Scholiast,
life, says it is
tliere it is coagulated
eoagnlated; and ;
grow, there they

where metals grow, they may found. — See Maria Practica,
may be found.-See Practica,
and the Seholinm.
Scholium.
2
2 All here isis to be understood etheriaUy, according to the prin-
etherially, according prin-
ciples
ciples before laidlaid down. Venus Yenus personifies
personifies the central light light of
nature, which is
nature, generations, and in
is occultated in her generations, in metalline
bodies is is more especially bound on
more especially on account of their terrestreity,
terrestreity,
and theretbre
therefore they gladly adhere to this
they gladly this moist spirit,
spirit, that it it- may
may
vivily them. And when she appears,
vivify appears, writes a no no less experienced
experienced
adept, the artist
adept, artist is rejoiced, and thii\ks
is rejoiced, perhaps his work is
thinks perhaps is
linished, and that he has the treasure of the world in hand

finislied, hand; but ;
it is
it so for if
is not so: : tries it,
if he tries it, the light still will
light still will be found imper-
imper-
tect, alone,
fect, transient, without the masculine tincture to tix
alone, and transient, fix it
it
in manifestation. Hence the fable table of Mars and A'enus Venus taken
together by
together Vulcan, as will be hereafter explained,
by Vulcan, explained, in the last lust
extremity of
extremity —
ol' life.-See
life. Scholium; E1'Clll`:l"S
See the Scholium ; Analogy and
Freher's Analogy; ;
Democritus, l"lan1melli Summula.

Denloeritus, in Mammelli Sunnnula.
The Golden
Tun Tnnarisn.
GOLDEN Treatise. l23
123
a
a
royal diadem , II am
royal am clothed with the royal garment,
; royal garment,
and II bring joy and gladncss
bring joy gladness of heart; for, being
heart for, chain-
being chain-
;
ed, II caused my
ed, my substance to lay of, and to rest
lay hold of, rest
arms and breast
within the arms my mother, and to fasten
breast of my fasten
upon her substance ; making
upon ; invisible
making that which was invisible
to become visible, and the occult occult matter to appear.
appear.
And everything philosopers have hidden is
everything which the philosopers is
generated by
generated us.'
by us.^
Hear then these words,words, and understand them ; keep keep ;
them,and
them, thereon;, and seek for
and meditate thereon for nothing
nothing more:
Man, inin the beginning,
beginning, is generated of nature, whose in-
is generated in-
ward substance is fleshy, and not from anything
is fieshy, else.
anything else.
Meditate on on these plain
plain things, reject what is
things, and reject is su-
perfluousfz
perfluous.^
philosopher: Botri is
saith the philosopher
Thus saith is made from the
:
Citrine,which
Citrine, is
which is extracted out ofthe
of the Red Root, and from
Root,
nothing else
nothing else ; and ;
if it
if it be citrine
citrine and else, Vis-
nothing else.
nothing Wis-
dom was thee it
was with thee; gotten by
it was not gotten
; by thy
thy care, nor,
nor,
if it
if freed from redness,
it be freed by thy
redness, by thy study.
study. Behold II
have circumscribed nothing; if thou hast understand-
nothing if ;
ing, there be but few things

ing, things unopened.3
unopened.^
1 is signified
^
By the king,
By king, the Rational Eiiicient is
Eational Efficient signified ; by
; by the brethren,
brethren,
degrees of illumination in
inferior degrees
the inferior spirit, which are iinally
in the spirit, finally
gathered
gathered up into accord with their first
up into first source. This same same reason,
reason,
artificially constrained,
being artificially
being constrained, lest lest itit should escapeescape the fiery fiery
ordeal, fastening, as Hermes says,

retui'ns, fastening,
ordeal, retLn'ns, i;pon the wheel of its
says, upon its
life, as it
proper life,
proper introverting the natural channel and order
it were, introverting
whereby a door is
generation, whereby
of generation, is marvellously
marvellously openedopened into the
intunate recess of life.-Sec
most intimate life.— See the Scholium ; Introitus A-
;
pertus, cap. viii.

pertus, cap. viii.
3
Vith what force and earnestness does the master here speak,
- "With
speak,
as if
if the whole groundground of the mysterymystery lay lay in these words. And
truly not in
truly vain, observes the Scholiast,
in vain, docs he hid
Scholiast, does bid to understand
them, and meditate upon
them, them, and to inquire
upon them, nothmg else.
inquire after nothing else.
earth that is, is, in-
Man,
Man, it it is said, was created of the dust of the earth:
is said, : in-
terprets the adept,

terprets of the arising
adept, of' quintessence of the universal
arising quintessence miiversal
understanding has never reached ns,
nature ; but the understanding
; who, without
us, who,
self'-investigation, are nnable

self-investigation, unable to perceiveperceive the realityreality of those
things which are spoken
things spoken out of an experimental knowledge of Life.
experimental knowledge
3
3 By
By the term Botri is
is here signified
signified the I'hilosopher's
The red root is Adamica, called sometimes Magnesia
is the Terra Adamica, Magnesia by by
wise, and Salt after the purification.
the wise, purification. It is
is not gotten by art,
gotten by art,
spontaneously, when the conditions are supplied

but of nature spontaneously, supplied
and a pure
pure receptacle
receptacle to givegive itit evidence.
124 EXO'1ÌZl{lC View.
Exoteric Vlnw.
Ye sons of of Wisdom ! burn then the Brazen Body

!
Body with
an exceeding
an exceeding greatgreat fire;
tire and ; it
it will yield gratefully
will yield gratefully
what you desire.
you desire. And see that that youyou make that that which
is volatile
is volatile so that it cannot fly,
that it fly, and by means of that
by means
tlies not.
which flies And that which yet yet rests upon the
rests upon
fire,
Are, as it
it were itself
itself a fiery flame,
fiery flame, and that which in
in
the heat of of a
a boiling fire is
boiling fire is corrupted
corrupted is
is Cambaiz'
Cambar.^
And know ye ye that the Art of this permanent water
this permanent
is our brass
is brass, and the colouring
7
colourinff C
of its
its tincture
tincture and black-
IS then changed into the true red.^ red?
ness is
changed
I declare that,
I by the help
that, by help of God,God, II have spokenspoken
nothing
nothing but the truth.
truth. That which is
is destroyed is
destroyed is
renovated,
renovated, and hence the corruption
corruption is
is made manifest
in the matter to be renewed
in renewed; and hence the meliora-
;
tion will
tion either side
appear, and on either
will appear, side it is a signal
it is signal of Art."
Art. -^
1•
The self-willed hypostasis of
self-willed hypostasis of nature must die, we before
die, as we
explained, in
explaiued, in order to evolve her universal being this also
being; and this also
;
sufter and die

must suffer die necessarily in order to multiply
necessarily in multiply the pe1'fection
perfection
its first
of its first form. Thus, his own operative
Thus, in his language, as it
operative language, were
it were
pyrographically, does Democritus exemplify

pyrographically, exemplify the Hermetic pro- pro-
cess at this juncture, when the innate evU
tliis juncture, evil being
being made manifest,
manil'est,
will proceeds
the will proceeds to operateoperate its proper solution in
its proper — Drawing
in life.-Drawing
life.
the Fixed Brass out bodily, bodily, writes our Abderite,
Abderite, thou shalt shalt compose
compose
a certain oblong
a
tongue, and placing
oblong tongue, placing it it again
again upon
upon the coals,coals, stir
stir
Aûlcau into it:
Vulcan into it : now irradiating
now irradiating with the Fossil Salt, now with
Salt, now -nith
the incessant Attic Ochre, Ochre, adorning
adorning nownow the shoulder and the
Paphia, till
breast of Paphia, till she shall more manifestly
appear more
shall appear manifestly beautiful,
beautiful,
and throwing
throwing the glaucus glaueus veil aside, she shall
veil aside, shall appear
appear entirely
entirely
Perchance, it
golden.. Perchanee,
golden. was when Paris gazed
it was gazed on on such a Venus,
Venus, he
prefer her both to Juno andllincrva.-Butwhen
did prefer —
and Minerva. But when the theartist seeth,
artist seeth,
adds a more modern experimentalist, the masculine tincture rise
a more rise
experimentalist,
death, and come
from death, come forth out of the thc black darkness togethertogether in
union with the white virginal will then know that he
spirit, he will
virginal spirit,
hath the great arcanum of the world,
great arcanmn world, and such a treasure as is is
inestimable.-See
inestimable. — See the Scholium Dcmocritus in
Scholinm; Democritus
; in Flammelli Sum-
raula ; l"reher's Analogy.
mula; and Freher's Analogy.
9
2 By conjunction with its
By a conjunction o\vn permanent
its own prepared spirit,
permanent prepared spirit,
the albified
albified water is is made red.red. Adonis ab apro oceiditur, cui
apro occiditur,
Yenus
Venus occurrens
occurrens tinxit rosas sanguine.-See
sanguine. —
See the Scholinm;
Scholium Ata-;
Fugiens, Emb.
lanta lfugiens, Eiub. xli.
xli.
3
2 Thus, even as the Hermetic material is
Thus, even is one the art is is one;
one ;
and the stone is is also one mineral spirit, spirit, exalted by by fermentation
intrinsically in its
intrinsically its proper kind; and as lcaven
proper kind ; leaven makes leaven, leaven, and
every ferment begets
every begets its own exaltation;
its own vinegar makes vinegar,
exaltation as vinegar
; vinegar,
Scholiast, so this art beginning
says the Scholiast,
says beginning in in our Mercury,
Mercury, likewise
finishes in the same. It is
is aa kind of Proteus, indeed, which,
Proteus, indeed, which.
Tina GOI.DEN 'l`RnA'r1sr_
The Golden Treatise. 125
SECTION FIFTH.
My son, that
My that which is is born of the crow is is the begin-
begin-
ning
ning of this
this Art.
Art. Behold, how I
I have obscured the
treated of,
matter treated of, by
by circumlocution, depriving
depriving thee of
light.
the hght. Yet this
this dissolved,
dissolved, this
this joined,
joined, this
this nearest
and furthest off, II have named to thee?
furthest off, thee.^
Roast those things, therefore, and boil
things, therefore, boil them in in that
that
which comes
comes forth horse's belly
forth from the horse's belly for
for seven,
fourteen, or twenty-one
fourteen, twenty-one days.days. Then will will the Dragon
Dragon
his own
eat his own Wings destroy himself
wings and destroy himself;; this this being
being-
let it
done, let
done, it be put
put in
in fiery
a fiery furnace, which lute
lute dili-
dili-
gently,
gently, and observe that none of the spirit may
spirit may escape.
escape.
And know that the periods periods of the earth are in in the
water, which let long as until
let be as long puttest the
until thou puttest
upon it.^
same upon it.2i
burned, take the
being thus melted and burned,
The matter being
brain thereof and triturate it in
triturate it in most sharp
sharp vinegar
vinegar
till it
it become obscured. This done, it lives
it in the pu-
lives in
till
obscured. pu-
let the dark clouds which wêre
trefaction; let
trefaction ;
were inin it
it before
it was
it killed be converted into
was killed its own
into its body.
own body. Let this
this
creeping
creeping upon earth, assumes the natiue
upon earth, natiffe ^f serpent, but be~
if a serpent, be-
ing emersed in water,
ing water, it
it represents itself as a fish
represents itself fish ; and presently
; presently
being in air,
being taking "to
air, and taking itself wings,
to iêlf wings, it it flies
flies as a bird; ;
yet is,
bird yet is,
notwithstanding, One throughout

notwithstanding, throughout ,the multiformity of nature.
the multiformity
With
Witli this
this the artist works, and with it
artist works, it he transacts
transacts all all the neces-
sary
sary operations
operations of our
our Stone.
'
'
philosophic work is
The philosophic is not considered to begin begin until after
the dissolution; preparation of the matter being
preliminary preparation
dissolution the preliminary
;
being
generally termed the gross
very generally
very gross work. manner of obscuring
The manner obscuring
truth, by
the truth, by repetitions circumlocutions, has been every-
repetitions and circumlocutions, every-
where adopted
adopted by by the Alchemists ; the nature of
;
ofthe process gives
the process gives
room for this,
rooni this, and ourour author set an example, example, imitating
imitating the
devious instinct of the spirit illustrations.
spirit in his illustrations.
2
2 The process of the dissolution is is here gone again, with
gone over again,
process
instructions, which the Scholiast explains
practical instructions,
certain practical explains under
another veil.
veil. matter, he says,
The matter, is to be decocted in the philo-
says, is philo-
Athanor, with aa continual fire. And the
sophic furnace called Athanor,
sophic fire.
vessel which holds the matter must be exactly sealed, lest the
exactly sealed,
penetrativc mineral vapour
penetrative expire and leave the dead body.
vapour should expire body.
And this may may be done with the lutum Sapientiw, Sapientise, or or Hermetic
seal, about which he gives
seal, gives particular instructions, and how the
particular instructions,
orifices and junctures
oritices philosophic vessel must be encircled,
junctures of the philosophic encircled,
so that no breath may go forth.
may go
— ^ ;
l'26
126 EXOTEIUC View.
Exoteric VIEV.
repeated, as II have described

process be repeated,
process described ; let it again
let it again die,
;die,
said, and then it
as II before said, it lives.'
lives.
In
In the lifelife and death thereof we work with the
spirits
spirits ;; for as it
for it dies
dies by
by the taking away of the spirit,
taking away spirit,
it lives
so it lives in in the return and is revived and rejoiees
is revived rejoices
therein.
therein. Being arrived
Being arrived then at this knowledge,
at this knowledge, that
which thou hast been searching searching for is made apparent
for is apparent
in the Affirmation.
in Aflirmation. II have even related
related to thee the
joyful signs,
joyful signs, even that that which doth fix the body.
cloth fix body.
But these things,things, and how they attained to the
they attained
knowledge
knowledge of this this secret, given by
secret, are given by our ancestors in in
figures and types

figures types : behold they
: dead II have open-
they are dead; ;open-
riddle, and the book of knowledge
ed the riddle, knowledge is is revealed
revealed;
the hidden things things II have uncovered and have brought brought
together the scattered truths within their
together their boundary,
boundary,
and have conjoined
conjoined many many various forms,
forms, even II have
associated the Spirit.
Spirit. Take it it as the gift
gift of God.^
God."
SECTION SIXTH.
SIXTH .
It give thanks to God, who has be-

It behoves thee to give
liberally of his
stowed liberally his bounty wise; who delivers
bounty to the wise;
us from
misery
misery and poverty.
poverty. I
I am
am tempted
tempted and
proven
proven with the fulness of his
his substance and his proba-
his proba-
wonders, and humbly
ble wonders, humbly pray
pray God that whilst we live
we live
we may come
we him?
to him.^
may come
1
^ The cerebral,
cerebral, or superior life of the Spirit,
superior life is obscured during
Spirit, is during
purification, and for
the purification, for the reveahnent
revealment of its
its true mineral radix or
or
source.
2
2 In a scientific
scientific association of the Spirit
Spirit the Hermetic Art has
been said summarily
sulninarily to eonsist-
consist
Ut Ventus qui
ventus fiat est ille
qui flat ille qui — Qui capit
dat.-Qui
qui dat. ille sapit.
capit ille sapit.
3
^ He
IIe who shall have received so
shall much grace
grace from the Father
Lights, as to obtain in
of Lights, in this life
life the iuestilnable gift of the phi-
inestimable gift phi~
losopher's who carries about with him,
stone M"ho
losopher's stone; ; him, as the Scholiast ex-
presses it,
presses own breast,
it, even in his own breast, the treasury
treasury of universal na- na~
ture has need not only
ture; ; only to be grateful
grateful but to be watchful of every
every
temptation,
temptation, lestlest- he should be drawn,
drawn, even
even unwittingly, to abuse
unwittingly,
it; ibr he
it; for ho isis then proven indeed, and taught
proven indeed, how, in the midst of
taught how,
so
so much abundance of power, wealth, and happiness,
power, wealth, happiness, he should
humble himself and sink away away from every appetite of self love in-
every appetite in-
single adoration of the divine goodness;
to the single goodness tbrfor in this lium-
; lunn-
;;
The GOLDEN TREATISE.

Tun Golden Treatise. 127
thence, O sons of science, the unguents

Remove thence, unguents
which we extract from fats, fats, hair,
hair, vercligrease,
verdigrease, traga-traga-
canth, and bones, which are written
eanth, written in in the books of ol`
fathers'
our fathers.'
But concerning
concerning the ointments which contain the tinc- tinc-
ture, eoagulate
ture, coagulate the fugitive
fugitive and adorn the sulphurs, it
Sl1ll)l]111'S, it
behoves us to explain their

explain their disposition
disposition more atmore
large;
at large
and to unveil the Form, which is is buried and hidden,hidden,
from other unguents
unguents , which
;
is
is seen in disposition
in disposition but
dwells in his own
in his body, as fire
own body, fire inin trees and stones,stones,
which byby the most subtle art and ingenuity it
ingenuity it behoves
to extract without burning.^

burning.2
And know that the Heaven is is to be joined mediately
joined mediately
Earth but the Form is
with the Earth; ;
in a
is in a middle nature
between the heaven and earth, which is
earth, wdiich is our water. But
the water holds of all all the first place which goes
first place forth
goes forth
from this Stone;
this Stone but
; the second is
is gold ,
gold but; the third
third
is
is gold,
gold, only in a mean
only in mean which is is more noble than the
water and the f'(GCCS.3
fseces.^
ble state, God only

state, Grod only is with, as the law of reason proves
is to be met with, proves
in its
in its ordinary development, mucli
ordinary development, much more so in the awakening
awakening of
its objective light.
its objective light.
1
1 The iixed sulphur of adepts,
fixed sulphur adepts, according Scholiast, is
our Scholiast,
according to our is the
nature, which the dcad

true balsam of nature, dead bodies of the metals imbibe,
imbibe,
and are as it throughly moistened with,
were throughly
it were preserve them per-
with, to preserve per-
distemper and rust. The more
petually from distemper
petually more anything abounds
anything
with this
this balsam, longer it
balsam, the longer lives and is
it lives preserved from perish-
is preserved perish-
ing. From things,
ing. abounding with a balsam of this
therefore, abounding
things, therefore,
kind, the universal medicine is
kind, concreted, which is
is concreted, is most effectual
to preserve
preserve human bodies in a state of health,
health, and to root out
diseases, whether accidental or hei'editary,
diseases, by propagation,
hereditary, by propagation, re-
storing sick to health and integrity.-
storing the sick intcgrity.-Sec —
See the Scholium and
Lucerna Salis
Salis towards the end.
2
2 Here again we
again we are reminded of the simplicitysimplicity of the matter
worked with,
with, and its light. But if,
its formal light. if, in thenatural
the natural world,
world, the
spirit is
spirit multitudinous and various forms externally
is invested with multitndinous externally
introduced,
introduced, itit behoves the artist
artist to extract these, therefore, and
these, therefore,
destroying the continental life.
to dissolve without destroying life.
3
2 The two invisible poles of the Spirit are here especially sig-
poles Spirit especially sig-
nalised by Hermes, and that consummate medium which brings
by Hermes, brings
them forth into manifestation. The water alluded to is is the
quintesscnce, as it
mercurial quintessence, first born in a
is first
it is a humid and vaprons
vaprous
consistency; which being
consistency ; inlbrmcd by
successively informed
being successively by the central
light golden and aurific,
light becomes golden comuninicating its
auriiic, communicating tincture;
its tincture
;
l28
128 ExoTERK iIE\'.
l`;XO'lÈR1C View.
But in these are the smoke, the

in these the blackness,
hlackness, and the
death. It believes therefore,
death. It behoves us, therefore, to dry the vapour
away the
dry away vapour
from the water, to expel
expel the blackness from the nn-
un-
guent, and death from the faeces,
guent, this by
fyeces, and this by dissolu-
dissolu-
tion.
tion. By which means
By means we attain to the highest
wê attain highest philo-
philo-
sophy
sophy and secret of
of all
all hidden things?
things.^
SEVENTH.
SECTION SEVENTH .
Know ye ye then, O
then, O sons of Science, there are seven
—
bodies--of
bodies of which gold gold is first, the most perfect,
is the first, perfect,
king of them, and their
the king their head--which —
head which neither the
corrupt nor fire
earth can corinipt tire devastate, nor the water
change
change; for
for
; its
its complexion is
complexion equalised, and its
is equalised, its nature
regulated
regulated with respect
respect to heat, cold,
cold, and moisture;
moisture;
anything in
is there anything
nor is
nor in it
it which isis superfluous,
superfluous, there-
fore the philosophers
fore philosophers do buoy buoy upup and magnify
magnify them-
in it,
selves in it, saying
saying that this
this gold,
gold, in
in relation
relation of other
bodies, is as the sun amongst
bodies, is amongst the stars, more
more
splendid
splendid
in light
in light ; and
; as,
as, by
by the power
power of God,
God, every vegetable
every vegetable
and all fi'uits of the earth are perfected,
all the fruits perfected, so gold
gold
by
hy the same power
power sustaineth
sustaineth all?
all.^
and as fire
fire by means of fuel
by means fuel increases continually,
continually, and a small
seed drawing strength and sustenance from the earth and air
dran'ing strength air
grows to be
grows large and prolific
he a large tree so this
prolific tree; ; this wonderful being,
being, es-
sentialised in
sentialised in its understanding substance,
proper vehicle or understanding
its proper substance, is is
transniuting the catholic
increase, transmuting
said to increase, catholic nature into itself. itself.
Our goldgold is is not common
common gold, says the adept,
gold, says adept, but a depurated
depurated
substance, in
substance, in the highest
highest degree perfected and brought
degree perfected brought to an an
astral or
astral or heavenly complexion. This is
heavenly complexion. is the Elixir,
Elixir, Ixir, or true
Ixir, or
tinging and fixing,

Ferment tinging fixing, and without which bodies cannot be
made pure.-Sec Scholium, Lucerna Salis,
pure.— See the Scholium, Sabs, &c.
'
' By an
By artificial dissolution of the vital
an artificial vital bond.
bond, byby means
means of Al-
chemy, the Causal principle

chemy, principle of nature is said to be developed
is said developed into
reminiscence and to arise in in the experience
experience of the recreated lite. life.
Modern philosophy
philosophy is is far removed from such investigation,
investigation, nor nor isis
it
it easy, perhaps, without habitual study,
easy, perhaps, study, to conceive the possibility
possibility
of an experiment that would lead into
an experiment ijito such a a science ofof' nature
as the ancients propose.
propose.
2
'^
The gold
gold ofof' the philosophers,
philosophers, or living living gold, they some-
gold, as they
times call
call their luminous concrete,
concrete, is is here alluded to throughout
throughout;
for though
though the dead metal also is eminently endued above other
is eminently
metals with the colour of its its formative virtue, virtue, yetyet this does
not fructify,
frnctity, being imprisoned, or
being imprisoned, or meliorate anything beyond
anything beyond
GOLDEN 'l`RE.''l`lSlC.
The Golden
Tue Treatise. 125)
129
dough, without aa ferment,

For as dough, I'ernient, cannot be fer- fer-
mented, so sublimcst the body
so when thou subhmest body and puri-
puri-
fiest it,
fiest it, separating
separating the uncleanness from it, wilt
it, thou wilt
then eonjoin
conjoin and mix them together,
together, and put put in
in the
eonfecting the earth and water. Then will
ferment confecting will
Ixir ferment even as dough
the Ixir dough doth ferment. Think
of this,
this, and see how the ferment in in this
this case doth
change the former natures to another thing:
change thing observe, :
there is
also, that there
also, þÿOlZll ¬1'\'lS ¬
is no ferment otherwise tthan
han from the
dough itself?
dough itself.^
Observe, moreover, whitens the

that the ferment w^hitens
eonfection
confection and hinders it burning, and holds the
it from burning,
tincture lest it should fly,

lest it fly, and rejoices
rejoices the bodies,
bodies, and
makes them intimately
intimately to join
join and to enter into
one into
another,
another, and this is
this is the Key
Key of the philosophers and
philosophers
the end of their
their work
w ork ; and this
by this
by
; science bodies are
meliorated and the operation
operation of them,
them, God assist-
assist-
ing,
ing, is
is consummate."
consummate.^
itself.
itself. But as the solar
solar luminary
luminary is medium that perfects
is the luediuiu perfects all
all
sublunary
sublunary nature, subliining by
nature, subliming his beams of light
by his light and heat,heat, so
does our soul gold, writes the Scholiast,
soul of gold, Scholiast, which is is the true au-
rilie principle,
rific even as a medium, perfect all
principle, even perfect all the other seven seven bodies ; ;
i. e. to signify
i. signify here, according to Hermes, the inferior
here, according spheres of
inferior spheres
vitality in
vitality in which it moves For though
it moves though the virtues of the philoso- philoso-
pher's gold
pher's manifold, when applied
are manifold,
gold ai'e applied to external nature,nature, restor-
ing her energies,
ing energies, and converting
converting her eireuxnferential
circumferential manifestations
their central whole conditionedly,
into their conditionedly, yet yet these things
things are not so
much denoted in the paragraphparagraph which refers spontaneous
refers to the spontaneous
operations of the divine Laiv
operations Law in life.
life.
1
^ This isis a very alchemists, and emi-
analogy with the alehemists,
very favourite analogy
nently suggestive ; Hermes,
nently suggestive ; therefore, advises ns
Hermes, therefore, us to meditate here,here,
that We we maymay imbibe the principle
principle of perfecting
perfecting in in our under-
standing and observe that except
standing except the pastepaste of Hourflour be leavened,
leavened,
or any liquor receive the ferment of its
any liquor its own
own advanced virtue,virtue, it
it
will
will not be exalted ; but die and corrupt
;
corrupt in the inferior elements of
its
its nature. See the Scholium and Basil Valentine's Aâlentine's Chariot of
Antimony throughout,
Antimony throughout, and the Stone of Fire.
2
^ In saying that the ferment Whitens
saying whitens the confection,
confeetion, ourour
author may thought to contradict what has been before stated ;
may be thought ;
but he only confounds the order of his instruction,

only eonfounds instruction, retrograding
retrograding
at the latter end,end, for the fermentive light light isis indeed white
White before
multiplication of its
the multiplication its internal form has rubified it, it, and the
silvery
silvery spirit is made manifest before the solar ray.
spirit is ray. Take the
White, clear, and dignified
white, clear, herb, says
dignified herb, Maria, which grows
says Maria, upon
grovvs upon
the little grind it
mountain?, grind
little mountains, it fresh when it it is
is arrived at'its
at its de-
K
K
l-30
130 Exornnic View.
Exoteric
But, through
through negligence
negligence and a a false
opinion of
false opinion of the
the
matter, the operation may be perve1'ted,
operation may perverted, as aa mass of
mass of
leaven growing corrupt, or milk turned with rennet
growing corrupt,
cheese, and musk among
for cheese,
for aromaticsf
among aromatics.'
The sure colour of golden matter for
of the golden for the
the red,
and the nature thereof, is
thereof, is not sweetness; therefore
sweetness therefore we we ;
make of of them i.e.

Sericum, i. e. Ixirlxir; and of them ; we
we
make the enamel of of which we

we have already written,
already w^ritten,
and with the king's
king's seal
seal we tinged the clay,
we have tinged clay, and
in
in that have set
set the colour of
of heaven which augments
augments
the sight
sight of them that see?
see.-
for in
hour, for
termined hour, iii it
it is
is the genuine body which evaporates
genuine body evaporates
not, neither does it
not, it at all Hee from the fire.
all flee fire. But, after
But, after this, it is
this, it is
necessary
necessary to rectify
rectify Kibric and Zibeth (the
(the soul
soid and spirit)
spirit)
upon this
upon body i.
this body; ; e. the two fumes which comprise
i. e. comprise and embrace
each other in in the two luminaries,
luminaries, and to put put them upon upon that
which softens them, them, which is accomplishment of the tinctures
is the accomplishment
and spirits,
spirits, the true weights weights of the wise wise: then,
: ground the
having ground
then, having
whole,
whole, put put it it to the tl1e tire;
fire
: things will
admirable things will then be seen.
There is required but to maintain a moderate
f1n'ther required
nothing fiu'ther
is nothing
fire; after
fiLre; after which it it is
is wondertnl
wonderful to see how, less than an
how, in less hour,
an horn*,
the composition
composition will pass from one
will pass another, til]
0116 colour to another, till it
it comes
perfect red or white:

to the perfect white -when it
: does, then abate the tire
it does, fire and
vessel, and when it

open the vessel,
open is cold,
it is cold, there willwill appear
appear in in it
it a body
body
clear, shining like
clear, shining pearl or the colour of wild
like a pearl poppy mingled
Mild poppy mingled with
white. It is
It is then incerating,
ineerating, melting, penetrative, and one weight
melting, penetrative, weight
this body
of this body cast upon upon twelve thousand of the imperfect imperfect metal,
metal,
will convert it
will it into
i11to gold.
gold. Behold, the concealed secret and these
Behold,
two fumes are the root of the Hermetic science ; which, ; being of
which, being
one root,
one root, are separated,
separated, dissolved, rc-united so often until
dissolved, and re-united
their fermentive virtue survives the utmost efforts eflbrts of art or nature
any
any moremore to decompose.-See —
decompose. See the Scholium Scholinm and Maria Practice., Practica,
Freher's Analogy,
and Freher's Analogy, end.
1
1 An unskilful artist artist maymay doubtless make errors in this art as
in any other, either in chemistry
any other, chemistry or in housewifery, without
in honsewifery,
understanding
understanding the proper proper method and matter of fermentation.
The remark of the mastei', 11eeds not further illustrating.
therefore, needs
master, therefore, illustrating.
2
2 The apparition of the new
apparition new light
light to the outward qualifications
qualitlcatious
of the spirit
spirit isis not welcome or sweet at first, first, but causes
causes a terri1'i~
terrifi-
cation of the whole circumferential life. life. The wrathfulness
wrathfidness is is
mightily exasperated by
mightily exasperated appearance of lore,
by this appearance says the theoso-
love, says
phist, and presseth

phist, violently to swallow it
presseth violently up in death;
it up death which
;
actually it
actually doth: but perceiving
it doth :
perceiving that no no death can can be therein,
therein, the
love sinketh only yielding up
down, yielding
only down, itself unto those murderous
up itself
properties for
properties for awhile and displaying among them its
displaying among own loving
its own loving
csscntizility. Thus
essentiality. 'l`l1us is is found,
fhund, at last, poison to death and
last, a poison auda a pesti-
pesti-
The
Tm; Golden
Go1.nsN 'làEA.'r1ss.
Treatise. 13]
131
The Stone, therefore, is

Stone, therelbre, the most precious
is the precious gold with-
gold with-
out spots-evenly
spots — tempered,
evenly tempered, which neither
neither fire,
fire, nor air,
air,
water, nor earth
nor Water, earth is able to corrupt
is able corrupt; for for it it is
is the
;
Universal Ferment rectifying

rectifying all all things
things inin a medium
composition,
composition, whose complexion
complexion is
is yellow and a true
yellow^
citrine colour.'
citrine colour.'
The gold
gold of'
of the wise, boiled
boiled and well well digested
digested with
fiery
a fiery Water,
water, makes Ixir
Ixir ; for
for the;
gold
gold of the wise is is
heavy than lead, which in
more heavy in a temperate
temperate composi-
composi-
tion is
tion lxir, and contrariwise, in
is the ferment Ixir, in-
our in-
in our
temperate composition,
temperate composition, is
is the confusion of'
of the whole.
lence to hell;
leuce liell for
for the wrathful properties
; properties are terrified at
are terrified this
at this
entering of love into
entering into them, which is coutran^ to their
is contrary quality, and
their quality,
renders them weak and impotent, impotent, so that they they lose length their
at length
lose at their
own
own will,
strength, and predominance.
Will, strength, predominance. See ]:`reher's Analogy at
Freher's Analogy
the end. By King's seal,
By the King's seal, Hermes signifies
signifies the greatgnsat Law of' of
Light
Light or or universal reason,reason, which is is iinally
finally impressed
impressed upon upon the
regenerated vitality
regenerated vitality of of' natu1'e.
nature.
1
^ This most precious
precious Stone,Stone, are we we at length
length to conclude then,
is Light
is Light essentialised artificially
artificially in its its proper substance, and exalted
proper substance,and
by fermentation into an
by imnnitable magnet,
an immutable magnet, able to draw and to
convert the radical
radical homogeneity
homogeneity of of' nature into its
natiu-e into its own
own assimilative
accord??
accord Yet this
this isis an ultimate promisepromise only,only, and the reward of of
ardent and continual toil; toil; the art offers many many intermediate benefits benefits
by the way,
by health, science a11d
alluring health,
wav, alluring riches, of her mineral
and riches,
stores. Our stone,
stone, sayssays the adept,adept, drives away away and cures all all
sorts of'
of maladies whatever,
whatever, and preserves in good
preserves any any one
one in good health
to the last
last term of his life: it
his life : it tinges
tinges and can change change all all metals
silver and gold,
into silver gold, even better than those which nature is is accus-
tomed to produce
produce; and, and, by
;
by its means, crystals
its means, maybe transformed
crystals maybe
into precious gems. But,
precious gems. But, if if the intention be to change change metals
into gold,
gold, itit is requisite they
is requisite shovild be first
they should first fermented wdth with the
most pure gold; for otherwise the imperfect
pui'e gold; imperfect metals would not be
able to support
support its its too greatgreat and supremesupreme subtility;
subtility ; but there
would ensue loss
wovild loss and damage projection. The imperfect
damage in the projection. imperfect
metals, also,
metals, ought to be purified,
also, ought purified, if if any one will
any one will draw profit
profit there-
from. One drachm of gold gold is is sufiicient
sufficient for for the fermentation in
Eed, and one
the Red, one of silver
silver for the fermentation in the Vhite A\Tiite ; and
;
the artist
artist need not be at the trouble of buying buying gold gold and silver for
this fermentation, because, with one single
fermentation, because, single veryvery small part, part, the
tincture maymay be afterwards augmented augmented more more and more more; for if'
; if
this medicine be multiplied
this multiplied and be again again dissolved and coagulated
coagulated
by the water of its
by mercury, white or
its mercury, or red,
red, of of' which it it was
was pre-
pre-
pared, then the tinging
pared, tinging virtue will be augmented augmented each time by by
ten degrees perfection which may
degrees perfèction may be reiterated at will. —
will.-Sec See Lu-
cerna Salis,
Salis, Kiijjiurath Amphitheat. tinem.
cerna
K,iiinrath~
Amphitheat. circa finem.
K
K 2
I \
/
132 Exormuc View.
Exoteric 7IE\'.
For the
the work begins vegetable, next from
begins from the vegetable,
animal,
the animal, as in
in a hen's
hen's egg,
egg, in
in which is
is the greatest
greatest
help;
help and
; our earth
earth is
is gold,
gold, of all
all which we make
seriacum,
seriacum, which is
is the ferment Ixirf
Ixir.^
1^
chapters of
The seven chapters the Golden Treatise
of the are here concluded ;
Treatise are ;
which are a a fair example of

fair example of the Alchemical writingsuritings in in general,
general,
and less
less sophistical
sophistieal than many,many, which may may be considered
considei-ed perhaps
perhaps
small recommendation of
as a small
as rest.
of the rest. For, although the dis-
For, although dis-
course is sententious, and analogies
is sententious, throughout with
dispersed throughout
analogies are dispersed
philosophic tact and plausibility,
philosophic yet the whole is
plausibility, yet is covered with an an
obnoxious veil; for neither does Hermes discover
veil; for discover the true Art,either
Art,either
whence, when,
whence, when, or or how the Matter is taken; but the philo-
is to be taken ; philo-
apparatus for
vessel, with the whole apparatus
sophic vessel,
sophic working the Spirit
for working Spirit to
perfection,
perfection, is is wrapped
wrapped up up under an ambiguous disguise. lt
ambiguous disguise. It is
is ini-
im-
possible almost to convey
possible convey an adequate idea of the extent to which
an adequate
mystification has been carried:
the mystiiication literature of
carried: the literature Alchemy
of Alchemy
has not its its parallel
parallel inin the entire range, but is
entire range, problem of
is the problem
contradictions by excellence, as it
by excellence, were, framed after
it were, after the pattern
pattern
of the cruel Sphinx herself ; so that the very
Sphinx herself ;
very abundant evidence
circumstances, would be advantageous,
which, under other circumstances,
which, advantageous, bebe-
comes burdensome in this this inquiry, difficulty of dis-
occasioning a diifieulty
inquiry, occasioning dis-
cretion where to believe and vindicate the true light. light. In these
easy reading
easy reading days, too, when the fruits
days, too, fruits of science are laid open
laid open
and books are made suitable for for the instruction of the "meanest" meanest
study for
disposed to study
capacities," few are disposed
capacities," for anything —
anything-even even the most
—
gain still fewer will
lucrative gain-still wiU there be found of a mind ready ready
to exert itself
itself about the traditionary
traditionary report bygone wisdom.
report of bygone
"fe
"We had not ourselves, singly without modern precedent,
ourselves, thus singly precedent,
ventured within the confines of this wild, but for the theo-
magic wild,
this magic
retic promise
retic possibility held out ; having
promise of possibility ; having observed also also much
of the doctrines and tangled
ofthe enigmas to unfold and arrange
tangled enigmas arrange them-
selves slowly, yet in
slowly, yet in peculiar
peculiar order,
order, by leading of aa certain
by the leading
experimental clue.
experimental clue. By this we
By we hope
hope to point
point out, we discern
out, as we
disjecta membra long
them, the disjecta
them, mangled and concealed
long since mangled
there, and to discover the abode,
there, least, of that quecnly
abode, at least, Isis who
queenly Isis
is alone able to gather
is together into the beauty
gather them together beauty and perfec-
perfec-
tion of their o1'iginal
original form.
PART II.
PART II.
MORE ESOTERIC CONSIDERATION OF THE

A MORE
HERMETIC ART AND ITS MYSTERIES.
1
'-'
"
'.
_
.
-an
The
'PHE True SUBJECT.
TRUE Subject. l35
135
CHAPTER l
I._
Of the Ylwe þÿSll@

the True Subject of I/ze
¬'(,'fof flermctic' Art,
the Hermetic Art, and its
its
Hoot.
c'01zcea/c'r/ Root.
concealed
Opus vobiscum et apud

Opus est, quod
apud vos est, intus arripiens
quod intus arripiens et per-
et per-
manens
manens in vel in
terra vel in mare habere potes.
potes.
Tractatus Aureus, cap.
cap. 1.
i.
HITHERTO
ITHERTO we have regarded this mystic
regarded this mystic laby-laby-
rinth
rinth Alchemy from without,
of Alchemy without, considering
considering
the superficial
superficial scheme only; only before we
; enter, it
we enter, may
it may
be well to offer consenting reader our clue,

offer the consenting clue, lest,
lest,
indirect and sudden outset,
merely our indirect
observing merely
observing outset, he
suppose
suppose the way
way mistaken,
mistaken, and losing
losing faith
faith accord-
ingly,
ingly, should decline to pass
pass on
on with us further towards
the end.
For the paths through which we
paths through we would conduct
him are dark,

dark, intricate, lonely, and in
intricate, lonely, in a measure
measure fear- fear-
ful;
ful ; far receding, and out of reach of this
far receding, this outer dayday-
light,
light, with all
all its
its corporeal
corporeal witnesses and scenes. Nor
has the wayway become smoother from being
being so long
long a
a
We
while untrodden. Ve shall have to thread many many wind-
pass round and through
ings, to pass
ings, through thick tangles
tangles of doubt
and overgrown prejudice, which time has accumulated
overgrown prejudice,
and thrown up together at the gates
up together gates ; before we
; we can
hope
hope to enter the sanctuary sanctuary of our Minerva, much
our Minerva,
less behold the sacred light
less light which burns there before
her pure presence for ever,
pure presence refulgent and still.
ever, refulgent still.
No modern art or notwithstanding
chemistry, notwithstanding all
chemistry, all
its surreptitious claims,
its surreptitious claims, has any
any thing
thing in common
common
Alchemy, beyond
to do with Alchemy, beyond the borrowed terms, terms,
which werewere made use use of in continuance chiefly chiefly to
latter; not from
veil the latter; f1°om anyany real relation, either of
method,
matter, method,
matter, or practical result. For though
practical though aqua aqua
l3(5
136 More
Home l'l5O'lÈRIU View.
Ksoteric VIEW.
Fortis
fortis and aqua regia seem
aqua regia dissolve metals, and
seem to dissolve
many
many salts
salts be Ibund
tbund useful in analysis,
useful in analysis, and fire for the
tire for
tearing in pieces
tearing in pieces of bodies yet nothing
bodies ;; yet nothing vitally altera-
vitally altera-
tive is
tive is achieved, unless the vital force present and
vital force be present
in action.
in action. But modern art drives
art drives out,out, in fact, the
in fact,
very nature which the ancients
very ancients prized;
prized ;
distilling and
distilling
dissecting superticies, harassing
dissecting superficies, for
harassing for ever, without the
more evolving
more evolving any any true cause and then some
cause: : some con-
clude, summarily,
clude, summarily, there is
is no cause, just
no
just because their
their
experience
notion of experience and method of experimenting
experimenting are
superficial and essentially
superficial atheistic.
essentially atheistic.
The pseudo
pseudo Alchemists dreamed of gold,
gold, and impos-
impos-
sible transformations,
sible transtbrmations, and worked with sulphur, mer-
sulphur, mer-
cury,
cury, and salt
salt ofthe
of the mines, torturing
mines, torturing all
all species, dead
species,
and living,
living, in vain,
in vain, without rightly divining the true
rightly divining
ldentity
Identity of nature;
nature ; the means
means
they employed
they employed were were
fiom literal
from readings
literal readings of receipts; they
receipts ;they had no
no
theory
theory
whereby to direct
whereby their research,
direct their research, and making making trialtrial of
nature, as if if she were a thing thing of chance,
chance, by chance,
by chance,
found nothing.
nothing. Some few,
fe\y, of superior imagination to
superior imagination
these, who had glimpses
these, glimpses of the Universal Subject, Subject, en-
deavoured to draw light light into
iiito the focus of their
their vessels,
vessels,
compress and entice the ether by
to compress by magnetical
magnetical dispo-dispo-
sition
sition and attractions of various kinds ; but their ; their
hopes
hopes too were vaguely
vaguely based,
based, there was no Wisdom
Visdom in
in
their magistery,
their magistcry, being ignorant
being ignorant of that internal fire
fire and
vessel ot' adepts, so essential to the accomplish-
of the adepts, accomplish-
ment of the Hermetic work. For how hardly hardly should
they
tliey divine without instruction,
instruction, or
interpret the dark
interpret
hieroglyphic
hieroglyphic seal
seal ?
?
lt
It is declared, in
is declared, in the ancient book of Tobit, Tobit, to be
honourable to reveal the woi-ks works of the Lord ; hut ;
good
but good
keep close the secret ofa
to keep king: and the old adepts,
of a king: adepts,
as ifif emulous of the sacred ordinance, ordinance, whilst they they
display
display all
all the grandeur
grandeur and abundant riches of'of his
monarchy, make little
monarchy, little or no mention of the king
or no king at
all.
all. And whilst the light light has remained so _long .long under
ignorance, with the Divine Visdom
the bushel of ignorance, Wisdom under
the bark of of' the Law,Law, it is deplorable to think how
it is deplorable
manv worthy and truth-loving
many worthy intellects have Ian-
truth-loving intellects lan-
y
'lùe TRUE
The SUBJECT.
True Subject. 137
guished
guished and perished for lack
perished for of knowledge
lack of knowledge; know- ;
ledge
ledge too that
that is
is attainable,
attainable, since
since it
it has been attained.
attained.
their few sakes,
For their sakes, we therefore, and feel
write therefore,
wê now wTite feel
evidence of the
emboldened to hazard evidence truth ;
the forbidden truth ;
without, we trust,
and without, transgressing the spirit
t1'ust, transgressing of the
spirit of the
prophet's advice,
prophet's advice, it
it may
may be allowed
allowêd to lay open
lay open the
regalia so far
regalia far as shall inquiry, and a
shall induce inquiry, a more re-
spectful consideration than heretofore.
spectful heretofore.
The inquiries
inquiries hitherto
hitherto made by
by us, þÿCO1]C ¬l'l1l1]g'the
concerning
physical
physical basis
basis of the Hermetic Science, have helped to
helped
identify
identify it
it with a matter now, now, at at best, hypothetically
hypothetical!
conceived of only,only, since
since the means
means of proving it
proving it are
unknown, and the obscure instructions instructions of the ancients
concerning the nature of their
concerning conceptive vehicle,
their coneeptive vehicle, has
incalculable error and confusion
caused incalculable confusion; and though
;
though
days of gross
the days credulity have passed
gross credulity passed away,away, and a
wide-spread education has helped
more wide-spread
more helped to awaken the
common
common sense of mankind to a perception of the im-
perception
probable and ridiculous in
probable in most things,
things, yet yet other ob-
stacles supervene,
stacles supervene, as great,great, if if not more obnoxious to
the pursuit
pursuit of causal science.
science. The human mind, mind, in-
in-
deed, has been so long
deed, long unaccustomed truly truly to know
anything, or even
anything, even think of, of, much less less investigate,
investigate, itsits
own
own intrinsical
phenomena, that to speak
intrinsical phenomena, speak of them at
the present
present time may may subject
subject us to every every imputation
imputation
presumption. And why
of error and presumption. A
why?? A barren pe- pe-
riod has supervened
supervened; and man
; man has no longer longer any
any ex-
perience in the life
perience Wisdom, nor yet
life of Visdom, yet surmises the
virtue that is is in him, to prove
in him, prove and magnify
magnify the Uni-
versal Source. Yet that was was thcthe foundation of the
whole Hermetic magistery,
magistery, whence
w^hence it is
it is said,
said, that if if
the wise had not found a a- proper vessel in
proper in which to con-
it, the etherial corner-stone would never have
coct it,
been brought
brought to light.
light. This Hali declares,
declares, and Md- M^- O
rien,
rien, and Albert, saying,
Albert, saying, that the place is
place is the prin-
prin-
ciple also ofthe
ciple generation ; and Hermes,
supernatural generation
of the supernatural ; Hermes,
vas philosophorum
philosophorum est aqua eorum
aqua eorum; ; but they do not
they
openly
openly reveal either,
either, as Maria concludes in her admo-
nition. — Philosophers
nition_--Philosophers have spoken sufiiciently of all
spoken sufficiently all
that is concerning
necessary concerning
is necessary the work,
work, with excep-
excep-
;
|38
138 More
M om; 'iuw.
lisowzmc View.
Esoteric
tion ofthe
tion of is a divine
ve.s'se!,'; which is
the vessel secret, hidden from
divine secret,
idolators, and without this
idolators, this knowledge
knowledge nono one can at-
at-
tain to the magistery.'
tain magistery.^
it appears
Thus it appears to have been a religious principle
rehgious principle
with the ancients, to withhold
w'ithhold the means of proving
proving
their philosophy trom
their philosophy incapable and reckless world ;
from an incapable ;
and ifif any

any by by hazard, lessless prudent
prudent or envious than the
rest, alluded openly
rest, oj)enly in
in his writings either
his writings either to the con-
cealed vessel or art art of vital ministration, his
vital ministration, his reveal-
reveal-
ment was was instantly annullcd by
instantly annulled false or weakening
by false weakening
commentaries, or as quickly
commentaries, quickly as possible possible withdrawn by by
means not the less
means less sure, because hidden from the
world.
wôrld. Of the former expedientexpedient wê we have a notable
example in Sendivogius, who, towards the conclusion

example in Scndivogius,
of his
his treatises, referring to the honest Hermit Mo-
t1'eatises, referring
rien's
rien's advice to KingCalid,
King Calid,-Hzec —Hsec enim þÿ1`Q, te extra-
rêxteextra-
¬X
f
hitur —
hitur-ThisThis matter,
matter, O O king,
king, is is extracted from thee-
thee —
endcavours to draw attention off
endeavours off from
from it, by inveigling
it, by inveigling
the reader into a doubt artfully artfully raised about some gold
some gold
sticking between a dead man's

found sticking man's teeth.- Such
teeth?
instances are not rare, and it it has been found easy by
easy by
similar equivocations,
such similar equivocations, without absolute denial,
denial, to
protect from foolish
protect foolish and profane
profane intrusion that living living
temple
temple wherein alone the wise of all ages have been
all ages
securely able to raise

securely rejected Corner Stone and
their rejected
raise their
Ens of Light.
Light.
When,
Vhen, however,
however, the writingswritings of Jacob Bbhme Bohme ap- ap-
peared
peared in Germany,
Germany, some
some century
century and a half ago, the
ago,
Alchemists who lived at that period, period, write as if they
if they
supposed
supposed their art could little
little longer
longer remain a secret ;
a similar alarm had previously
previously arisen amongst amongst certain
Rosicrucians about the books of Agrippa Agrippa and Para-
celsus' disciples,
celsus' disciples, and in in both instances because those
great theosophists
great theosophists spoke spoke openly, applying the practice
openly, applying practice
of Alchemy
Alchemy to human life
life ; suggesting also,
; suggesting also, as did the
1
' See Maria —
JMaria Practica-in
Practica — Ludus Puerorum dc
iu fine-Ludus
fine Vase sive
de A'ase
ovo Phihn. in quo
oro Philin. lapis noster
quo lapis ponendus est ut igne
iioster ponendus ignc ctet arte per-
per-
ficiatur.—
flCllltl1'.--Jl'l§lS Aurifer;Ti>, vol.
Artis Anrifcrre, ii. p.
vol. ii. lforieni de 'l'rans.1Ietal.
ll5. Morieni
p. 115. Trans. Metal.
Interrog. et Eesp.
Interrog. Resp. p.p. 27.
2
'^
See New Light
Sec Alchemy, concluding
Light of Alchemy, concluding chapter.
chapter,
'l`na TRUE SUBJECT.
The True Subject. l39
139
latter,
latter, the
the method and medium of attraction. attraction. For,
For,
notwithstanding
notwithstanding these, in
in common
common with the rest,
rest, teach
that the
that the lV[ercurial
Mercurial Spirit
Spirit is is everywhere,
everywhere, and to be
ôund in
`found in all
all things
things according to the nature of each,
according
not so much profess to have sought for it
yet they
yet they do profess sought for it
in many
in many things,
things, or
or that it
it may
may with equal advantage
equal advantage
be drawn forth
he forth from all since it
all , since
; it is neither apt
is neither apt to be-
be-
universal of
come universal of its
its own accord,
accord, or or in every Form of
in every
virtue sufficient for
virtue sufficient for the Hermetic work. Therefore,
say they,
say they, the best and noblest ought
ought to be chosen to
operate
operate with,
with, unless the searcher proposes to waste
proposes
labour and ingenuityingenuity without obtaining obtaining his his desired
end. Besides, to search out the identity through all
identity through all
creatures and minerals,minerals, by by way experiment, would
way of experiment,
seem to be a matter of no small difficulty,
seem difficulty, if if wewe must
needs investigate
investigate each each; but if
; subject should be
if one subject
presented which contains all,

presented all, and the comprehension
comprehension
of each subordinate form in in a superior
superior essence, then
this one needs only
this only to be he investigated
investigated for for the discovery
discovery
all.
of all. But thethc universal orb of the earth, earth, adds the
Moorish philosopher,
philosopher, contains not so great mysteries
great mysteries
excellences as ldan
and cxcellences Man reformed by God into his
l`{'fl)7`)7ZC(lI by his
image and he that desires the primacy
image; ; amongst the
primacy amongst
students of nature,nature, will will nowhere find find a greater
greater or
better reserve to obtain his his desire than in himself, himself, who
is
is able to draw draw^ to himself the Central Salt of nature
in abundance,
in abundance, and in in his
his regenerate
regenerate Visdom Wisdom possess-
possess-
eth all things, and with this light
all things, light can unlock the
most hidden and recluse mysteries mysteries of nature? nature.^ As
Agrippa, moreover, testifies,
Agrippa, moreover, testifies, that the soul of'
of man, being
man, being
estranged from the corporeal
estranged corporeal senses, senses, adheres to a divine
nature, from which it
nature, it receives those things things which it it
cannot search into by by its
its own
own powder
power, ; for
for when the
mind is is free,
free, the reins of the body being loosed and
body being
going forth, as out of a close prison, it
going forth, prison, it transcends the
bonds of' of the members, and, and, nothing
nothing hindering,
hindering, beingbeing
stirred up
stirred up inin its
its proper
proper essence,
essence, comprehends
comprehends all all
things.
things. And therefore man
man was was said to be the express
express
1
^ Centrum Naiturm
CVntruni page 40,
Coneentratun'i, page
jVaturse Concpiitratuni, 40, &c.
J
140 More
Mons VIEW.
Iisornnic View.
Esoteric
lmage of
Image seeing he contains
of God, seeing Universal! Reason
contains the Universal
within himself, and has a a corporeal similitude
eorporeal simihtude also
also with
all, ope1'ation with
all, operation all, and conversation with all.
wdth all, all. But
symbolises with matter in
he symbolises in a proper subject ; with
proper subject ;
the elements in in aa fourfold body; with plants

fourfold body ; plants in in aa vege-
vege-
table virtue;
table virtue with animals
; in sensitive faculty; with
in a sensitive faculty
a ; w4th
the heavens in spirit and influx
etherial spirit
in an etherial influx of the su- sn-
parts upon
perior parts
perior upon the inferior
inferior ; ;
with the angelieal sphere
angelical sphere
in understanding and wisdom,
in understanding wdsdom, and with God in in all.
all.
He is is preserved
preserved with God and the intelligences by
intelligences by
faith wisdom 5 with celestial
faith and wnsdom ;
celestial things
things byby reason and
discourse ; with all ; all inferior things by
inferior things by sense and do-
minion ; and acts with all,
; all, and has powerpower on on all,
all, even
even
on
on God Himself,
Himself, continues the magician, by
magician, by knowingknowing
and loving
loving Him. And as God knoweth all things, so
all things,
man, knowing
man, knowing Him, also can know all
all things, seeing
things, seeing
he has for for an adequate object Being
an adequate object Being in
in general,
general,
or, as some
or, itself: neither is
say. Truth itself:
some say, is there anyany-
thing
thing found in
in man,
man, nor any
any disposition
disposition in
in which
something divinity may
something of divinity may not shine forth;forth neither is
; is
anything in
there anything in God which may may not also be re-
presented
presented in in man. Vhosoever,
Whosoever, therefore, shall know
therefore, shall
/zim.§e@",
himself, shall
shall know all
all things
things in
in himself
himself: z but especially
especially
he shalkknow
shall know^ God, according to whose image
God, according was
image he was
made; he shall shall know the world,
world, the resemblance of
beareth he shall
which he beareth; shall know all
; all creatures with
which inin essence he symboliseth,
symboliseth, and what comfort he
can have and obtain from stones,
can
plants, animals,
stones, plants, animals,
elements;
elements from
;
spirits, angels,
spirits, angels, and everything; and
everything ;
how allall things may be fitted

things may for all
fitted for things, in
all things, in their
time,
time, place,
place, order, proportion, and harmony;
measure, proportion,
order, measure, harmony;
even how he can draw and bring
cvcn bring them to himself as a
loadstonc, iron.'
loadstone, iron.^
this the adept,
And this adept, Sendivogius, moreover declares:
Sendivogius, moreover declares :
That Nature, having

Nature, having her proper
proper light,
light, is
is by
by the shadowy
shadowy
body
body of sense,
sense, hidden from our
our eyes
eyes ; but if,
if,
;
says he,
says he,
the light
light of nature doth enlighten any
enlighten any one,
one, presently
presently
is taken away
the cloud is eyes, and with-
away from before his eyes,
^1 xlvi.
chap, xxxvi. and xlvi.
iii. chap.
l"hilosophy, book iii.
Occult Philosophy,
C
The True
THE TRUE Subject.
SUBJECT, 141
out any let, he can behold the

any let, point of our
the point our loadstone,
loadstone,
answering
answering to
to each centre of
of the beams, (viz. of the
(viz. the
sun and moon moon philosophical,)
philosophieal,) for
for so far
far doth the light
light
of nature penetrate
penetrate and discoverdiscover inward things; things the
;
body of man
body man is is a shadow of the seed of of nature, and
1T1El11'S body
as man's
body is
is covered with a
a
garment, so is
garment, n1an's
is man's
nature covered with the body. body. Man was created of
the earth,
earth, and lives lives by virtue of the air
by virtue air ; for
; for there
there isis
in
in the air air a secret
secret food of life, life, whose invisible con-
invisible con-
gealed spirit is
gealed spirit better than the whole world.
is better Oh,
holy
holy and wonderful nature!
nature ! which knowest how to pro-
pro-
duce wonderful fruits fruits by water, out of the earth and
by water,
from the air air to give
give them life life! The eyes
!
eyes of the wise
look upon
upon nature otherwise than the eyes eyes of common
common
men. The most high having been willing

Creator, having
high Creator, wiUing to
manifest all all natural thingsthings to man, man, hath eveneven showed
us that celestial things themselves were naturally
celestial things naturally
made ; by by which his
; his absolute powerpower and wisdom might might
be so much the better known; known all ; all which things
things the
philosophers in
philosophers in the light
light of nature,
nature, as in in a looking-
looking-
glass, have a clear sight
glass, sight of;of' ; for
for which cause they they es-
this art of Alchemy,
teemed this Alchemy, viz., viz., not so much out of
covetousness for gold or silver,
for gold silver, but for for the knowledge
knowledge
sake;
sake ; not only
only of all natural things,
all things, but also of the
power of the Creator.
power But they willing to speak
they are willing speak
of these things
things sparingly
sparingly only,only, and figuratively,
figuratively, lest lest
those divine mysteries,
mysteries, by by which nature is is illustrated,
illustrated,
should be discovered to the unworthy unworthy; which Z/wa,
; thou, if
/fnowest /row
thou knowest hoiv to /mow
know thyself,
Z/zyseg", and art I/Ulfnot ofcy" azz stiff
str#
neck, may est easily
neck, inayest comprehend who art created after
easily comprehend
the likeness of the great great world, yea after
world, yea image of
after the image
God. Thou hast in in thy body
thy body the anatomy
anatomy of the
world,
whole world, and all
all thy
thy members answer
answer to somesome
celcstials; let,
celestials; therefore, the searcher of'
let, therefore, of this Sacred
Science know that the soul in man, man, the lesser world or
microcosm, substituting
microcosm, substituting the place place of its centre, is
its centre, is the
king,
king, and is
is placed
placed in
in the vital
vital spirit
spirit in
in the purest
purest
blood. That governs
governs the mind, mind, and the mind the
body; but this same
body ; same soul, by which man
soul, by differs from
man differs
other animals and which operates operates in in the body,

body, govern-
govern-
^
H2
142 More Esoriaaic View.
Mons Esoteric
ing all
ing its motions, hath a far
all its tar greater operation out of'
greater opeiation of
body,
the body, because out of the body
body it
it absolutely reigns
absolutely reigns
Q/(av/,(_ —
CUaA^ _
in this
in this respect,
respect, it differs from the life
it differs lif'e of other creatures
which have only spirit and not the soul of Deity.'
only spirit Deityf
Such arearc the distinctive assertions of one esteemed
distinctive assertions
an adept
an adept by by his cotemporaries, and who professes
his cotemporaries, professes to
ground
ground them also
also on his
his own manual experience
experience in
in
proto-chemistry of
the proto-chemistry of Hermes. And, whether they they be
entirely credited or not, these may
entirely credited may help help to elucidate
elucidate
the words of Trismegistus,
Trisniegistus, where, in
in the first
first chapter
chapter
of the Golf/en Treatise, he says,-that
Golden Yi'ratise, says, — that the work is is both
in us and about us ; and that the whole magistery

in ;
magistery is is
comprehended in hidden elements of his V isdomfl

Wisdom.'^
Q comprehended in the his
^ And Geber's`,
Geber\ in in the same sense, where he declares that that
he who in /limse if knows not natural principles,
in /zimsey" principles, is very
is very
remote from this this sacred science,

science, because he has not
the true root in in him whereon to base his his labour and
intention."
intention.'^ therefore, and take heed,
Observe, therefore, heed, sayssays
Basil, that all
Basil, all metals and minerals have one root from
whence their descent is is; he that knows If/l(lf
;
t/iat rig/lily
rightly
needs not to destroy destroy metals in in order to extract the
spirit from one, the sulphur

spirit sulphur from another,
another, or salt salt from
another;
another for ;for there is is a nearer place
place yet yet inin which these
viz., the mercury,
three, viz.,
three, mercury, salt,salt, and sulphur-spirit, —
sulphur spirit, body body
soul-lic
and soul — together in
lie hid together thing, well known,
in one thing,
and whence they they may may with great great praise
praise be gotten. He
bc gotten.
that knows exactlyexactly this go/1/rngolden Seed magnet, and
seed or mag;/ct,
throughly into its
seareheth throughly
searcheth properties, he hath the
its properties,
true root of life, life, and may attain to that which his
may attain his
longs tor;
heart longs for; wherefore II intreat, intreat, continues the
monk, allall true lovers of mineral science, science, and sons sons of
diligently to inquire
art, diligently
art, inquire after this meta/[ir
metallic seed, or
seed,
root, and be assured that it
root, it is
is not an an idle
idle chimera or
dream, but a real
dream, real and certain truth."'
truth.
It was
lt was from such an intimacy, and central
an internal intimacy,
searching of the
searching thc mystery,
mystery, that the Paracelsian Crollius
l
»
Light of Alchemy,
New Light Alchemy, pp. pp. 32. 40, 102.
32, 40,
9
'^
Anr. cap.
Tract. Aur.
Tract, i. & ii.
cap. i. ii.
3
•''
Sum of Perf.
l'eri`. book i.i.
4
* Stone of Fire,
See the Stoue liirchringius. lid.
Fire, Kircliriiigius. Ed. "v0lTSt('l'iS
Webster's llist. of
Hist,
}li1ierals,p.
Minerals, p. 9, Eytract
9, the Extract.
— ; ^
The
'PHE True
TRUE Subject.
SUBJECT. 143
tells
tells us he came to know that
lie came that the same light and
same light
mineral
mineral vapour,
vapour, which produces gold
produces gold within
within the bowels
ofthe
of the earth is is also in man, and that
also in that the samesame isis the
generating
generating spirit
spirit of all
all creatures'
creatures.' And Albertus
Magnus, in
Magnus, in his
his book of of Minerals, after asserting
Minerals, after that
asserting that
may be found everywhere,
gold may
gold everywhere, in
in the final
final analysis of
analysis of'
natural thing,
every natural
every thing, concludes by by showing
showing that
that the
highest virtue nevertheless resides
highest mineral virtue resides in man ;; for
in man fbr
Ere, which is
fire, is the true aurific
aurific principle
principle inin the life
life of all,
all,
burns more than all all glorious
glorious in in him erect.-Our
erect. —
Our
Mercury is
Mercury is philosophic,
philosophic, fiery,
fiery, vital —
vital~which
which maymay be
mixed with all all metals and again separated from
again be separated
them it
them, it is
; prepared in
is prepared in the innermost chamber of life, life,
and there it is coagulated,
it is coagulated, as the Hermetic phrase phrase runs,
and where metals grow grow there theythey may
may be found."
found.
Remember how man, ys most noble creature
man, ys
Ertlfs composycion
In Erth's composycion that ever Grod
God wrought,
Wrought,
In whom are the fowre elements proportyonyd by nature,
proportyonyd by nature,
A naturall
na-turall mercuryalyte
mercuiyalyte Whych
w-hych cost ryght
ryglit nought,
nought,
Out of hys
hys myner yt most be brought
by arte yt
myner by brought;
For our mettalls be nought
Tor ells but myners
noiight ells too,
myners too,
Of our
our Soon and Moone, Wyse Reymond seyd
wyse Reymond so."
sevd so.^
And though philosophers have chosen to say

though the philosophers say
little
about it,
little on account of the shortness of life,
it, on life, and
length of this
the length this work, as Maria says, yet they
says, yet they
themselves found out these hidden elements, elements, and
themselves increased them. And thou, oh, Man, cries
thou, oh, cries
the Arabian Alipili,
Alipili, even thou art he who through the
through
breath and powerpower of the water
watej- and earth in thyself,
in thyself,
conjoinest
conjoinest the elements and makest them one; and
one ;
thyself
thyself not knowing
knowing what a treasure thou hast hidden
in thee,
in thee, from the coagulation
coagulation and consent of these
powers, producest
powers, producest an
an essence, called, by
essence, called, by us,
us, the expert,
expert,
great and miraculous mystery
the great mystery of'of the world ; that is
; is
fiery þÿ\`&t
the true fiery water.¬1`.-ESC'/H50
Eschva may'im,
mayim, Er(/sc/za
Erascha maijim,
nnryinz,
yea, it
yea, it surmounts in in its
its power,
power, the fire,
fire, air,
air, earth and
water; for it
water ; it dissolves radically,
radically, incrndates
incrudates eveneven the
l
^ Crollins' l'hilosophy
CroUius' Reformed, p.
Philosophy Relbrnied, p. 105.
9
2 Tract. Aurens.
Aureus. Text et Scholnnn,
Scholium, cap.
cap. 1.
i.
3
^
l{ipley`s Admonition
Ripley's Admonltlon of'
of Erroneons
Erroneous Expernnents.
Experiments.
;
144 More
Mein; Esoteric
Esorninc View.
/ mature, constant, and very fixed, tiery

very fixed, abiding
tiery and abiding
^S/ mass and matter of reducg it
gold, and reduc^^
of gold, it into
into a fat
fat
/ earth, like
black earth, thick spittle
like to thick spittle ; wherein we
; we find
find aa
water and the true salt destitute of
salt destitute of all
all odor, vehemency,
vehemency,
corrosive nature of the fire
and corrosive fire: there is
:
nothing in
is nothing in
besides to be found which can do this
the whole world besides this ; ;
nothing is
to which nothing is shut
shut; and though
; though it is a precious
it is precious
thing,
thing, more precious
precious than everything, yet
everything, yet the poor
poor as
well as the rich may have it
rich may it in same equal
in the same equal plenty.
plenty.
The wise men men have sought sought this thing, and the wise
this thing,
men
men have found it.^ it?
And itit behoves
believes him, therefore, who would be
him, therefore, bo intro-
intro-
this hidden \'isdom,
duced to this Wisdom, says says Hermes, to quit
quit
himself from the usurpations
usurpations of vice, vice, to be goodgood and
just and of a profound
just profound reason, ready ready at hand to help help
mankind; for
mankind for these subtle chemical secrets may
; may never
be handled by idle or vicious unbelievers of these
by the idle
matters in in which theythey are only ignorant, who, being
only ignorant, being
light, defile
destitute of light, by an evil
defile by imagination the
evil imagination
very ought to be refined.-Omne
Spirit that ought
very Spirit refined. —
Omne Aurum
est aes, omne :es
non omne
ses, sed non ees est aurum
aurum:»-and :
—
and the true
phj^sician, according toCroUius
physician, according (whom Paracelsus
to Crollius (whoin Paraeelsus calls
calls
a natural divine) is true,
divine) is true, sincere, intelligent, faithful
sincere, intelligent, faithful ;
being well exercised in the vital

and being analysis of bodies,
vital analysis bodies,
knows that there is is no
no constant qualityquality of anyany body
body
which
^vhich isis not to be found in the salt, mercury, and
salt, mercury,
thereof.^ And these three principles
sulphur thereof?
sulphur principles of attrac-
tion, circulation, the universal accord of
repulsion, and circulation,
tion, repulsion,
life,
life, everywhere and in all.
are evcryivhere all.
Blood containeth
contaiueth the three tilings told,
things I have told,
And inin his tincture hath nature of gold:
gold :
\'ithout
AVithout gold,
gold, no may sliine
no metal may shine bright
bright ; ;
Without blood no body

Vithout body hath light
light : :
So doth the greater less world still

greater and less still
Hold the circle

cii'cle according God's Will.
according to God's will.
Blood hath true proportion th' elements foure,
proportion of th' foure,
And of the three parts spoke of before;
parts spoke before ;
For blood is principle matter of each thing,

is the principle thing,
Which
Vhich hath any inanner of increasing.
any luauuer increasing.
1'
Centrum Naturm
Naturae Concentratum, 80, 81.
pp. SO,
Concenlrntuin, pp.
5'
' þÿR ¬iÒ1`ll1.
Phil. Eeform. pp. 25, Aureus, cap. ii.
Anreus, cap.
25, 95. Tract. ii.
; ;
The 'l`nU1~: SUBJECT.

Tin; True Subject. 145
The true blood

blood to find
find without labour
labour or cost,
or cost,
Thou knowest where to to have it, wits be
thy wits
it, or thy be lost;
lost
Seek out the noblest, as
the noblest, I said
as I said before,
And now of say no þÿ1110l`
of the Matter, II dare say more.^ ¬.l
Or, what more shall II say?

more shall say? (asks Morien, empha- empha-
tically, discoursing with
tically, discoursing ^\Ai\\ the Arabian monarch about
the confection of the Stone, Stone, and after after showing

showing the dis- dis-
tinctive supremacy of man
tinctive supreinacy man in nature.)
in nature.) The thing, O
thing,
king,
king, is
is extracted from thee,
thee, in
in the which mineral
thou dost even even exist;
exist with thee it
; it is
is found;
found by; by thee
it
it isis received;
received ; and when thou shalt shalt have proved proved
all
all byby the love and delight
delight in
in thee,
thee, it
it will
will inc1'ease
increase ;
and thou wilt wilt know that II have spoken spoken an enduring
an enduring
truth?
truth.2
Although few write so clearly
Although clearly to the purpose purpose as
those we have selected,selected, yet yet the more modern class
class of
adepts
adepts have in
in general
general left
left hints
hints and suggestions to
suggestions
same effect;
the same effect they
they
; describe the life
life man, as by
of man, by
their
their Art revealed,
revealed, to be a pure, naked,
pure, naked, and unmingled
unmingled
fire of infinite
fire differing from that of the
capability, diHèring
infinite capability,
prone creatures in
prone in form,
form, educability,
edueability, and capacity capacity for for
melioration in in itself
itself. And though
though it
it might
might be sup-
sup-
posed, according
posed, according to the alleged diHùsion of the hlatter,
alleged diffusion Matter,
that,
that, ifif the Art of separating
separating it it were known, it it might
might be
anywhere (which
taken anywhere (which in in part
part also is
is true) yet
true) yet we
we
may
may consider the object
object was not simply
simply to obtain the
Matter or prove prove it only, but to improve,
it only, improve, perfect,perfect, and
bring
bring the Causal light
light to manifestation. And in
in what
our human circulatory system
circulatory system differs
differs and oceultly ap-
occultly ap-
proxirnates,
proximates, so that it
it can
can be made to comprehend
comprehend all all
inferior existences, supersede nature in
existences, and supersede in her course,
course,
may gathered from this philosophy;
may be gathered philosophy; and many many rea-
sons are given
sons given why
why the most noble subject
subject was
was chosen,
chosen,
and this only vessel for its
this only its elaboration. The foregoing foregoing
evidence, however, without more
evidence, however, more defence at present, present,
may
may help help to lead on
on the inquiry
inquiry to a more
more
explicit
explicit
ground.
ground.
l
1 Britt. p.
Theat. Chem. Britt. p. 405.
5'
- De 'l'mnsm. Metal. Artis Auriferap,
Transm. ^fetal. vol. i.
Ailriforre, vol. i. end.
L
;;
146 More Esoraaic

Mona Vuzw.
Esoteric View.
is the
Attraction is the first of' motion in
principle of
first principle in nature
nature;
this is
this admitted, but the origin
generally admitted,
is generally origin of this
this uni-
uni-
versal
versal attraction is occult
attraction is occult and incomprehensible
incomprehensible to the
ordinary human understanding.
ordinary Repulsion is
understanding. Repulsion the se-
is the
principle, and a
cond principle, necessary consequence
a necessary consequence of the
by reaction.
first by
first reaction. Circulation
Circulation isis the third principle,
third principle,
proceeding
proceeding from the conflict
conflict of the former two.
All motion is derived from this
is derived threefold source in
this threefold in
its
its reciprocal
reciprocal relations, which are diversified
diversified according
according
qualifications with the matter. The attraction,
its qualifications
to its attraction,
circulation in
repulsion, and circulation
repulsion, in the sun sun and stars move
stars move
planets
the planets in
in their
their orbits;
orbits ; the same
same principle
principle in
in each
globe performs
globe performs the rotation
rotation on
on its
its axis,
axis, and the satel-
satel-
partake the same
lites partake
lites same motion from their primaries.
their primaries.
Every
Every quantity
quantity of'
of matter,
matter, solid, fluid,
fluid, or gaseous, when
gaseous,
separated from the rest by
separated by its
its quality discontinuity,
quality or discontinuity,
is possessed
is possessed individually
individually by by the same principles, how-
same principles,
infinite the variety
ever infinite variety of substances, natural or arti- arti-
ficial, great
ficial, great or small;
small ;
vegetable
vegetable and animal forms and
motions are no less less evidences of these three principles principles
heavenly and earthly
than the heavenly earthly bodies. Hence chemical
adinity,
affinity, called
called Elective Attraction,
Attraction, is is ruled by by the same
laws ; and it
; is found that when two matters unite,
it is unite, one
attractive and the other repulsive
is attractive
is repulsive ; when either at-
;
predominates in
repulsion predominates
traction or repulsion matter, the
in a matter,
circulation is ellipse;
is in ellipse ; but when they
they are in equili-
equili-
brium, a circle
brium, circle is is produced.
produced. Repulsion, being
Repulsion, being pro- pro-
duced in in its
its origin
origin by by attraction,
attraction, equals
equals it,
it, rea.etion
as reaction
equals action:
equals action : but in in nature one principle
principle is is everij-
every-
where more more latent or inert, wen/fer t/mn
inert, or weaker (mot/zcr;
than another
and there are degrees accordingly, in which either
degrees accordingly,
predominates
predominates in
in external manifestation ; hence the
;
different degrees
degrees of natural affinity for union.
affinity for There
degrees of strength,
are also degrees strength, from
fi'om harshness to mild-
ness, and in the operation
ness, operation of the Three Principles,
Principles, from
compaction of a hard rock to the loose adherence

the compaction
globule of mercury
particles of a globule
of the particles mercury or dew, dew, from
explosion
explosion to expansion,
expansion, and from a violent whirling
whirling
motion to a gentle gentle evolution. But the þÿ7)l medium ¬(]iIUIl
is al-
is al-
ways
ways in
in the circulation produced
produced from the action and
The
THE True
TRUE Subject.
SUBJECT. 147
reaction
reaction of of centrifugal
centrifugal and centripetal forces, and thc
centripetal forces, the
equality
equality of these
these forms a circle,
circle, as before
was before observed,
was
and which labours

labours to to harmonize the conflict conflict of these
two, and will will succeed if if the matter be duly qualified
duly quahfied
for it.
for it.
But, according to
But, according to the Alchemists, there is is but One
Matter truly qualifiable
truly qualifiable or capable
capable of
of qualifying matter
qualifying
to be harmonized in in this way, since
this way, since nature has fallen fallen
off from her original
off balance, and the wheel of
original balance, of human
life runs forth,
life deviating from its
forth, deviating its axis, into a line
axis, into line which
terminates hnally finally in in dissolution ; which nothing
;
nothing but
their Antimonial Spirit
their Spirit rectified
rectified by by Art,
Art, being
being in in bright
bright
lines
lines of equal attraction and repulsion,
equal attraction repulsion, as it it were a
magnet in
perfect magnet
perfect in a star-like
star-like circle
circle of irradiated
irradiated circu-circu-
lation,
lation, can contrariate or withstand.^ withstand*
And the agentagent in in the preparation
preparation of this spirit, con-
this spirit,
tinues Biihme,
Bohme, is is the Invisible l/lercury, and no
Invisible Mercury, no
process
process can finally
finally fail
fail where the invisible,
invisible, universal
spiritual air
Mercury, or spiritual
Mercury, air of Antimony,
Antimony, is is present,
present, con-con-
densed in its proper vehicle in
its proper in any
any of the degrees of
degrees
permanency;
permanency; and t/ze
the Principle fy"
Principle of its
its operation consists
operation
in the
in t/ze power harmonizing
power ry' /zarnzozziziug t/ze
the t/zree
three dismrt/1/Jzt prin-
discordant
of prin-
ciples Q"
ciples of Attraction, Rcputsiozz,
Rtpidsion, and Circzt/atiozzfg A»€t
Circulation^ I Asirrdr o-aj^
this in
this in the vital
vital spirit
spirit of the arterial
arterial blood,
blood, where the
universal principles
principles are in in their
their natural generation
generation un- un-
composed the repulsive
equally composed:
equally : repulsive force so far far predo-
predo-
minating
minating over the interior
interior attraction,
attraction, that the total
circulatory life
circulatory life isis cxpulsive,
expulsive, and drawn drawn without to a
debilitated consciousness away away from its First Cause.
its First
Which inverse order of relationship
Vhich relationship and vital
vital ignorance
ignorance
it
it is object of the Hermetic art to remedy,
is the object remedy, and, by
and, by
occultatiou of the opposive
occultation opposive principle,
principle, to restore thc
the
true rector to his original
original rule.rule. Sanguinem urinamque
Sanguinem urinamque
pariter
pariter dat nobis natura,
natura, et ab horum natura salem dat
Pyrotcchnia,
Pyrotechnia, quem quem circulat ars in salem circulatum
Paracelsi. Hoc addam
Paracelsi. addaln : sanguinis
: sang-uinis salem per per urinaceum
1
1 See Jacob Bohme
Biihine on the Generation of the Three Prin-
on tlie
ciples.
ciples. _
2
2 Idem, Phillips's Lives of the Alchemists,
Idein, see Phillips's Alchemists, p. 294, &c.
p. 294,
L 2
148 More Esoteric
MORE VIEW.
Esormuc View.
sic transmutari debere,

ferinentum sic
fermentum ultimain vitam
debere, ut ultimam
aniittat, mediamque
amittat, mediamque servet,
servet, salsedinemque retineat. 1
salsedinemque retineat.^
Si fixum solvas
Si faciasque volare solutum
solvas faciasque
volucreni figas,
Et volucrem faciunt te
figas, faciunt vivere tutum
te vivere
Coagula, Fige.
Solve, Coagula, Fige.
This know, therefore, says says Hermes, that that except

except
thou understandest how to mortify mortify and induce genera-
genera-
Spirit, to cleanse and introduce
vivify the Spirit,
tion, to vivify
until they
Light, until
Light, fight and contend with each other,
they fight other,
and grow
grow white and freed
freed from their
their deiilements,
defilements,
rising, as it
rising, it were, from blackness and darkness, thou
nothing, nor canst perform

knowest nothing, anything; but if
perform anything ; if
thou knowest this, this, thou shaltshalt be of a great dignity?
great dignity.^
All which our modern exponent, exponent, further illustrating
illustrating
process, confirms. For,
the Hermetic process, in three months'
For, in months'
circulation, says
circulation, he, by
says he, digestion,
by digestion, the powder
powder becomes
opposition of attraction
completely black, the opposition
completely attraction and re-
pulsion
pulsion ceases (in
(in the vital
vital spirit),
spirit), and attraction
the attraction
Hxed which produced
of the fixed repulsion of the
produced the repulsion
volatile, is
volatile, slain by
is slain by the circulation which also also dies it-
dies it-
self, and all
self, all three enter into rest. rest. Then there is is no
no
more compression
more expansion, ascent or descent,
compression or expansion, descent, but
the action and reaction have, have, by equiUbriate radia-
by the equilibriate
tion of forces and the subtletysubtlety of the spirit,spirit, formed a
circulation which has consumed all
circulation all discordant opposi-
opposi-
tion, and sunk down black and motionless. And thus
tion,
Hermes' crow is
the head of Hermes' is said to be in in the beginning
beginning
work; that which at first
this work
of this ; fixed, viz.
first was fixed, viz. the
medium, is
sentient medium, dissolved, and by
is dissolved, by the samesame process
process
more profoundly
more
profoundly operating, original evil
operating, the original is made
evil is
inanifest in
manifest renewed, and hence the
in the matter to be renewed,
principle of amendment
principle aniendinent and rectification will ap-
rectification also will ap-
on either side it
pear, and on
pear, it is signal of Art.
is a signal
same Three Principles
The same gradually assume
Principles gradually new
assume a
new
infinitely more powerful in

life, continues Bohme, inhnitely
life, more powerful
virtue, but without any
virtue, contest, and in three
any violent contest,
I
1 Arcanum Liquaris Alknhest Resp.
Liquaris Alkahest 76, 78.
Eesp. 76,
2
'^
Tract. Aur. cap.
cap. ii.
ii.
THE True
The TRUE SUBJECT.
Subject. 149
months þÿf&l'tll the mild action

farther,¬1', action of the principles
of the principles inin
harmony
harmony have produced brilliant
produced a brilHant
a whiteness in
in the
matter, which in in three
three months more more become a bril-
a bril-
liant yellow, red,
liant yellow, purpling tincture.-Approach,
red, or purpling
or tincture. —
Approach, ye ye
sous of VVisdom,
sons Wisdom, and rejoice;
rejoice let us now
let; now rejoice toge-
rejoice toge-
for the reign
ther, for reign of sin finished, and the king
is linished,
sin is king doth
rule,
rule, and now
now he is
is invested with the red garment, and
garment,
now
now the scarlet
scarlet colour is is put
put on.'
on.^
That waswas the process
process of working
working with the Vital Vital Spirit,
Spirit,
often reiterated
so often reiterated by by Hermes, Democritus, and the
Democritus,
rest before cited, which also
rest before also is many times passed
is many passed
through
through for
for the practical accomplishment. But every
practical accomphshment. every
other matter labours for for this perfection in
this perfection in vain;
vain it
; it can
can
only
only attain
attain to combustion, heat,
combustion, heat, and temporary light,
temporary light,
and the consumption
consumption of the common common elements in their
in their
analysis
analysis is
is a separation
separation into
into gas
gas and ashes;
ashes
;
but this
this
mystical
mystical nature revives,
revives, fortified
fortified from every
every successive
dissolution, renewing its
dissolution, renewing its Whole
Vhole resolutely
resolutely from either either
extreme by by union. This Spirit Spirit isis so full
full of life,
life, says
says
adept, that if
the adept, if the process fails in
process fails in any stage, an
any stage, an ad-
dition of the same
dition same will
will renew it. it. The white or red
powder
powder is
is increased tenfold in
in strength and quantity
strength quantity by by
digestion
each digestion of it
it with fresh antimony
mztimony in
in powder,
powder, wet
with gas water, or oi!
gas water, oil ofof this antimony, and each di-
this autinzony, di-
gestion
gestion is
is made in
in tenfold shorter time than the pre-
pre-
ceding, from a week to a few hours.
ceding, this gold
For this gold is is /
Sdn-<'~S`0Zé
.
endued with a a magnetieal

magnetical virtue, virtue, which,
which, by by the inin- (yns<6<ss-a zt
/fn
spifate
spi/ate fulgor
fulgor of its tincture, draws the divine increase
its tincture,
after itit; in which nature expends
; expends all all her forces,
forces, but
leaves the victory
victory to Art,Art, which,
which, by by graduation
graduation to the
full height,
full height, adds to the natural effulgence superna-
effulgence a superna-
tural light;
light ; for what else but light
for light should multiply??
multiply
Whence
Vhence it it has been called likewise the terrestrial terrestrial or
Microcosmie
Microcosmic Sun, Sun, the triumphal
triumphal Chariot of Antimony Antimony
swiftly upon
turned swiftly upon the current wheel of ;life;
life and this
is the Stone of Fire seen
is seen in in bright
bright lines, equal attrac-
lines, of equal
tion and repulsion,
repulsion, when made manifest, manifest, as it it were,
were, an
armed magnet
magnet included and circulating circulating in a perpetual
perpetual
1'
cap. iii.
Tract. Aur. cap. iii.
150 More Esoteric View.
Moms ES()'1ÈlilC
heaven'
heaven.^ Know now, therefore, and consider,
now, therefore, consider, says says
Basil that this
Basil Valentine, that this true tincture tincture of Antimony,Antimony,
which isis the medicine of of men
men and metals, metals, is is not made
of crude
of melted antimony,
antimony, such as the apothe-
apothe-
earies and merchants sell,
caries sell, but is is extracted from the
true mineral, as it
t)ae it is
is taken from the mountains IIl0ll'}I[(lf)IS;; and
/zow extraction
how that extraction should he
be made, is a is a principal
principal se-
in
cret in which the whole art
art of Alchemy consists.
Alchemy consists.
Health, riches, and honour attend him who rightly rightly
attains it. —
attains it.-LapisLapis noster inter inter duos
dues monticulos nascitur; nascitur;
in ct in
in te et in me
me et in in nostri similibus latet?
nostri similibus latet.^ And when
the mechanical part part of the Three Principles
Principles passes passes into
into
the hands of its þÿIllt`l'lLlf3C1ZUl'
proper manufacturers equally
its proper ¬1'S equally and
generally in
generally countries, concludes Bohme, then
all countries,
in all
will
will the school of adepts
adepts comecome out from its its captivity,
captivity,
will find
and will find their
their proper
proper level as true physicians for
physicians for
the body
body and soul,
soul, dispensing
dispensing the leaves of life for
life for the
healing of the nations.
healing nations. But now now the Seal of God
lieth before it,
lieth it, to conceal the true ground, unless a
ground,
man
man knew for
for certain that it
it would not behe misused;
misused ;
for
for there is
is no power
power to to obtain it,
it, no art or skill
skill
availeth,
availeth, 1111/ess'
unless one i/ztrust
intrust (mot/:er
another wit/1
with Somew/mt
somewhat (as
(as
Hermes and Arnold hear witness); yet
bear witness) ; yet the Work
Vork is
is
easy
easy and simple,
simple, but the Wisdom
VlSdOl1l therein is
is great
great and
the greatest 1nystery.3
greatest mystery.^
1'
Aurum ex se virtutein
Auruni virtntein inagnetieain liumaninn
quae cor huraanum
habct, quze
magiieticam habet,
fnlgore splendcnte
fulgore tineturae suse
splendente tincturiu trahit, in qua
suze traliit, iiatura omnes
qua natura vires
omnes A'ires
impcndit, rescrvata
suas impeiidit,
Biias tainen artis
reservata tamen artis industrize
iudustrisD victoria,
victoria, ut per per
graduationem supremain,
graduationcm supremam, quam quam splendori
splendori natnrali
naturali adjungit,
adjungit, in-in-
linite earn superare
iiuite possit, uudc ct
superare possit, nomen solis
et nouieu solis terrestris acqui-
acqui-
sirit. Artista igitur
sivit. igitur labore suo sue colorem aureum (in
eolorcm aureiun (in cujus
cujus pretioso
pretioso
perficiendo natura vires suas omnes
epere periieiendo
opere omnes impendit)
impendit) usqueusque ad
summuni
sumnnnn gradiim rnboris
gradlnn obseuri exaltat,
ruboris obscuri exaltat, quaqua auginentatione
augmentatione
inipei-lèeta in certa quautitate,
metalla imperfecta quantitate, ratione gradusgradus naturaiis
naturalis
projeetionein tineturaz
per projectionem
per tinctura^ hujus artilieialis nltins
hujus artiticialis altiCis aseendunt
asceudunt et
eolorautur,
colorautur, eo eo ipso nionstrans, qued
ipso monstrans, quod color isteiste aureus per naturnin
aureus per naturaui
in aurum
aurum introduetus aliqua sit
tanthm via aliqua
introductus tautilm sit ad rubidiuem
rubidinem in qua qua
perfectse virtutis ad conservandum
eomplcctio pcrfectzc
coniplectio eonscrvandum ct et multiplicaudum
inultiplieanduin
jacet
2
—
jacet -Tractatus
Tractatus dc Yero Sale,
de 'Vero Nuysement, p.
Sale, Nuysement, p. 164.
2 Triumphal Chariot of
Triumphal Antimony, by
ol' Antimony, by Kirchringius, English
Kirehringius, English
edition, p.
edition, 1-26.
p. 146. M.
N. Dunstaui Tract. Secret. init.
Secret, in init.
1'
2 |§2ih1ne's Epistles,
See Bcihme's Epistles, and earlyearly part the Forty
part of tlie Questions,
Forty Questions,
:
THE
The TRUE
True SUBJECT.
Subject. 151.
151
The greatest mystery of all

greatest mystery all isis in Existence, and the
in Existence,
only mystery ;
only mystery ;
and as iire
fire and light are one and every-
light every-
where perceived after the same
perceived after samc manner, so is is life
life in
in
every particular
ever}'^ particular the same
same inscrutable
inscrutable Identity through
Identity through
all.
all. Or does aa vast and filled filled creation hang before
creation hang before
eyes, and we
our eyes, we think it it to be without a a founda-
tion
tion ?? Do we ourselves exist exist and consciously breathe,
consciously breathe,
denying mystery;
denying a mystery ; rather, admitting this,
or rather, admitting this, does any,-cm
any-,^T7v£y
/
doubt that it it is
is discoverable? Does not everything
everything
imply necessary cause, and is
imply a necessary is not each sustained
still living
still living in same ? and is
in the same? is it it not absurd to sup- sup-
pose
pose that we
we are entirely depending on
entirely depending on externals,
externals, or
being in
that being part sclf-dependent,
in part self-dependent, we we are so far far de-
de-
pending
pending on
on
nothing?
nothing? If,
If, therefore,
therefore, we contain within
principle of being,
proper principle
us a proper being, why why should not this, tl1is,
proximate, be known ?? Behold,
thus proximate, Behold, says says the apostle,
apostle,
He is is not far off from every
far off every one of us ; us; for in Him we
for in we
live, move, and have ourbeing.
live, and move, —
ourbeing.-And again,toAnd again, to those
forgetful Athenians,-God
forgetful Athenians, —God made man man to the end that he
should seek the Lord, if haply he might

if haply feel after
might feel after him
and find him? him.^ And is is not this this a promise
promise worth the
certifying, an
certifying, Worthy to be sought
an end worthy sought out, feel and
out, to feel
know God? Seek and ye ye shall find, knock and it
shall find, it
shall be opened
shall opened unto you you yet
;; yet it
it remains hidden still:
still
and that Philalethean Welshman, Vclshman, Vaughan, Vaughan, indeed
advises that we we give ourselves no trouble about these
give
mysteries, or attempt
mysteries, attempt to dabble in in the subtle philo- philo-
sophy Visdom, until we
sophy of Wisdom, we have a knowledge of the
knowledge
Protochemic ArtificcArtifice , for
; for that by means of this,
by means this, and
this only,
this only, the true foundation is is discoverable,
discoverable, and
without it it nothing intrinsically understood. It
nothing can be intrinsically It
were a foolish presumption,
were
presumption, he observes, observes, if lapidary
if a lapidary
should undertake to state the value or lustre of a a
jewel that is
jewel up, before he opens
is shut up, opens tl1e cabinet, yet
the cabinet; yet
men
men will judge of invisible celestial
presume to judge
will presume celestial things,
things,
which are shut up up within the closet of matter, matter, and all all
and his Discourse of the Three Principles

Principles before referred to, con-
to, con-
taining
taining passages to the same
passages same eiiect.
effect.
l
' Xvii. 27,
Acts xvii. 27, 28.
152 More Esoriziuc
Mom; VIEW.
Esoteric View.
the while perusing

the while perusing the outside is the crust of
\vl1ich is
outside which
nature. But I advise
I advise them to use their hands and not
to use their
their fancies,
their fancies, and to change their
change abstractions into
their abstractions into ex-
ex-
tractions for verily

tractions ;; for verily as long
long as they lick
they lick the shell
shell
after their fashion, and pierce
after their experimentally into
pierce not experimentally into
the centre of of things, they
things, they can do no
no otherwise than
they have done
they they cannot know things
done; they ; things intrin-
intrin-
sically,
sically, but only describe them by
only describe their outward effects
by their effects
and motions,
motions, which are
subject
subject and obvious to every
every
common eye.
common eye. Let them consider, therefore,
consider, therefore, that there
is in
is in natu1'e
nature a certain
certain Spirit
Spirit which applies
applies himself to
the matter,
matter, and actuates in
in every generation;
every generation ; that
there is also a passive
is also passive intrinsical principle where he is
intrinsical principle is
immediately resident than in
more immediately in the rest,rest, and by by
mediation of which he communicates with the more
gross material parts.
gi'oss parts. For there is in nature a certain
is in
chain or subordinate propinquity complexions be-

propinquity of complexions
tween visibles
visibles and invisibles,
invisibles, and this
this is it
is by which
it by
the superior spiritual
superior spiritual essences descend and converse
here below with the matter. But,
But, he continues, have
continues,
a care lest you miseonceive
lest you misconceive me. I
I speak not in
speak this
in this
place
place of the divine spirit,
spirit, but 1 s//calf fy"
speak of a (.'0l'[(Iill
certain
. Art by w/fic/1 a
by which Przrticzz/m' Spirit
<1 Particular may he
Spirit may be mzited
united lo to t/fc
the
^tâ/êJ^"
Y wir
11,",( '
Universal; and nature by
þÿU)IfL' ¬l`S(1!,'and by conseyzzelzcc
conse(juence be be .s$¢=9#g!y-ex-
^trtmgiy ex--
/ (/ (1[l'(3([
alted and 11111/lip/fC(f.1
luultiplied} And Agrippa
Agrippa speaks yet
speaks more
yet more
specifically
specifically to this
this point, where,
point, where, in
in the third book of
his Occult Philosophy,
his P/zilowp/fy, he declares (calling Apuleins
(calling x\puleius
also to witness)
also witness) that by mysterious recreation
by a certain mysterious
appeasing, the human mind,
and appeasing, especially that which
mind, especially
is simple
is simple and pure, may
pure, may be converted and laid asleep
laid asleep
from its its present
present life
life so
utterly
utterly as to be brought
brought into
its divine nature,
its enlightened with the
nature, and become enlightened
divine light,light, and withal receive the virtue of some some
eflccts."
wonderful effects.^
passages are in allusion to the art of
Both these passages
Alchemy
Alchemy; ; and this, persists
this, Agrippa, is
persists Agrippa, is that which I I
would have you you know ; because in
; is the Operator
us is
in us Operator
of all all wonderful effectseffects ; who know how to discern
;
I'
Auima
Anima Magia
Magia Abscouditn,
Abscoudita, pp. 10,
pp. 10, 11.
9
- Book iii.
iii. cap. xlviii.
cap. slviii.
THE True SUBJECT.
The TRUE Subject. 153
and to effect, and that

to eiiect, that without any sin or offence
any sin offence to
God, whatsoever the monstrous mathematicians, the
prodigious magicians,
prodigious thc
magicians, the envious alchemists, and be-be-
witching
witching necromancers can do by spirits,
by in
spirits, in us, I
I say,
say,
is
is the Operator
Operator of mi1'acles.
miracles.
Not the bright

bright stars ofthe
stars of nor flames
skie, nor
the skie, of hell,
flames of hell,
But the Spirit all doth in
begetting all
Spirit begetting dwell!^
us dwell.
in us
How many
many earnest and curious books there there have
been written relative powers of magic
relative to the powers magic and trans-
formations by by spells,
spells, talismans, and circumstantial
circumstantial
conjurations
conjurations of all
all sorts,
sorts, which, taken according to the
according
letter, are ridiculous
letter, ridiculous without the key. key. But the re-
cords of Alchemy
Alchemy are,
are, above all,
all, calculated to mislead
those who have gone thoughtlessly seeking for
gone abroad thoughtlessly seeking for
perfection which was to be found only
that perfection only by experi-
by experi-
mentally seeking
mentally seeking atat home within themselves.
noscere mundum
Quid mirum noseere
Quid
Si
Si homines, quibus
possunt homines,
possunt quibus est et et mundus in ipsis
in ipsis /
Exemplumque
Exemplumque Dei quisquisêst
q11lS(1llE' est in imagine pa,rva?2
imagine parva?^ -^y
f
Man then,
then, shall we conclude at length,
shall we is the true la-
length, is la-
boratory of the Hermetic art;
boratory his life
art; his life the subject,
subject, the
grand distillatory, the thing
grand distillatory, distilling and the thing
thing distilling dis-
thing dis-
Self-Knowledge to be at the root of all
tilled, and Self'-Knowledge
tilled, all Al-
chemical tradition ?? Or,Or, is disappointed at such
any one disappointed
is any
a conclusion, imagining difficulties, or that the science

imagining ditficulties,
impracticable because it
is impracticable
is is humanly
it is based?-or
humanly based? —or some
some
may possibly think the pursuit

may possibly dangerous,
pursuit dangerous, or
inexpe-
inexpe-
dient, scientific investigation
unprofitable, scientific
dient, or unprofitable, investigation having
having
long and successfully
been so long successfully carried on on in every
every ad-
verse direction ? ? Behold We we invite not thcthe unwilling,
unwilling,
Will these studies be found to reward the sordid
nor will
nor
after riches or gold

seeker after gold only ; may find better
only ; such may
employ
employ and easier
easier emolument from the abundant offer-
offer-
ing of the precious

ing precious metal upon
upon earth,
earth, nor do we
we anti-
anti-
that many will in the day
present day
present be attracted
cipate
cipate many will
our goal.
to our goal.
l
^
Epistle to Trithemius at the end.
Epistle
5'
' Astronomicon, lib.
Manilius Astrouomicon, lib. x.
154 More Esoteric
Mons ESOTERIC VIEV.
View.
notwithstanding so much scepticism

Yet, notwithstanding scepticism and the
slur ignorance has cast now for
slm' which ignorance for centuries
centuries upon
upon
every early
every early creed
creed and philosophy,
philosophy, modern discoveries
discoveries
evermore to rcprove
tend evermorc reprove the same ; identifying
; identifying light,
hght,
common vital
as the common vital sustenant, to be in in motive accord
throughout the human circulatory
throughout circulatory systemsystem with the
planetary
planetary spheres
spheres and harmonious dispositions
dispositions of the
occult medium in
occult in space;
space ; and as human physiology physiology
advances with the other sciences sciences inin unison, the notion
of our natural con-espondency
correspondency enlarges,enlarges, proving things
proving things
more and more
more more minutely congruous, until
minutely congruous, until at length,
length,
relationship would seem to be almost
the conscious relationship
only
only wanting
wanting to confirm the ancient tradition tradition and
lead into
lead into itsits full faith.
full faith. Yet on on no no ground
ground with
which we are now actually acquainted
now actually acquainted could it it be
proved that man
proved man is is a
a perfect microcosm, wherein,
perfect microcosm, wherein, as
it was
it said, the great
was said, great world and all its creatures
all its
might
might he
be summarily
summarily discerned: we
we have no evidence
no
of any
any such thing atlinities with external nature
thing ; our affinities
;
are bounded in in sense, and our knowledge of her inte-

our knowledge inte-
gral operations
gral operations is proportionally defective.
is proportionally defective. All that
we do know is
we is learned byobscrvation,
by observation, and wê we should
hardly induced, from anything

be hardly anything we we are commonly
commonly
conversant with, with, to conclude that Self-Knowledge Self-Knowledge
would be a way knowledge of the Universal Na-
way to the knowledge
ture.
ture, Yet this
this was taughttaught and believed formerly, formerly, not
either as if if it arbitrary conceit,
were an arbitrary
it were conceit, but as a truth
understood and proved proved beyond
beyond speculation.
speculation.
It may he
It may however, and lest
observe, however,
^c well to observe, lest mis-
understanding should at all
understanding all arise inin this
this respect,
respect, that
it is not so much with reference to physical
it is physical particulars,
particulars,
perfection of his bodily
either to the perfection constitution, or
bodily constitution,
because he is composed of the four elements,
is composed elements, that
man was
man was formerly distinguished; for these other animals
fòrmerly distinguished;
and vegetables
vegetables even partake, and often in
even partake, in aa superior
superior
degree; but it
degree; it was
was rather on
on account ofa
of a DivineRcason
Divine Reason,
principle of Causal Eiiicience,
an occult principle
an Efficience, said to be ori- ori-
ginally
ginally resident in his life,
life, that man was
man was made to rank
so cabalistie scriptures
high in the cabalistic
high scriptures and schools of
antique
antique experience.
experience. And here we remark the outer
we
The TRUE
THE True SUBJECT.
Subject. 155
body, mentioned indeed,

body, amongst the
yet as amongst
indeed, yet the last
last of
things accordant;
things accordant ; nevertheless
nevertheless it
it is
is nearly
nearly all
all we
we are
now able observe as, of
able to observe; ; rest, the Universal
of the rest,
Reason so magnified and its
so magnified its ethereal
ethereal vehicle, mea-
very¬l'y
vehicle, þÿV mea-
gre
gre evidence is
is afforded
afforded to the senses or this
this life.
life. Yet
man, say they,
say they, is
is demonstrated to be a compendium
compendium
of the whole created nature, and was generated generated to bebe-
come wise and have a dominion over the whole of
come
things;
things ;
having within him, besides
having besides those faculties
faculties
whicii ordinarily and by
which he exerts ordinarily by which he judges and
judges
sensible phenomena, :with germ 21
contemplates
contemplates phenomena, ^^^^fe the germ of a
higher faculty
higher faculty Wisdom,
or Visdom, which,
which, when revealed and
set
set alone, all the forms of things
alone, all things and hidden springs
springs
intuitively known and are implied
of nature become intuitively implied
essentially.
essentially. This Being, moreover, or Faculty
Being, moreover, Vis-
Faculty of Wis-
dom, isis reputed
reputed so to subsist with reference to nature
as her substratal source, that it it works magically
magically
withal, discovering
withal, discovering latent properties as a principle,
properties go-
principle, go-
verning
verning and supplying
supplying all
all dependent
dependent existence;
existence and ;
of this they speak

this they if in
magisterially, as if
speak magisterially, in alliance
alliance they
they
Ornniscient Nature and,
had known the Omniscient and, in their own
in their own
illuminated understanding,
ilhiminated understanding, the structure of the uni-
verse.
Now if if it
it be true that such an experience experience was ever
granted
granted to man
man on on earth,
earth, it
it is
is now
now either wholly
wholly de-
parted
parted or the conditions are estranged.
estranged. We
Ve can but
with difficulty imagine,
difficulty imagine, much less
less we
are we able to be-
lieve, capable of enjoying
lieve, ourselves capable enjoying that free
free perspiea-
perspica-
city of thought
city thought in in universal consciousness which is is
cognizant by
cognizant safriaoqrtt with essential being.
by «app€n; being. Man from 32671/QEQL 1, F;
^ûx^/Cc^x^
his birth employs
employs sense reflection, and all
prior to reflection,
sense prior all our
knowledge begins
knowledge begins in this life life with sensible observa-
tion; most persons
tion ; on well contented With
pass on
pe1'sons pass with such
evidence as externals supply, regarding them as the
supply, regarding
only legitimate, or,
only legitimate, or, indeed,
indeed, possible objects of know-
possible objects
ledge. But some
ledge. some few there have been in in all excep-
ages, excep-
all ages,
multitude, intellects in
tions to the multitude, in whom the standard
reality has been too far
of reality far unfolded to suffer suffer them to
implicitly to the conclusions of sense. It
yield implicitly
yield It is
is not
those who have studied the philosophy philosophy of the ancients
l56
156 More
Moms ESOTERIC VIEW.
Esoteric View.
that have denounced it

that chimerical ; our metaphysi-
it as chimerical ; metaphysi-
eians, vithout amongst
cians, without exception amongst those deserving
exception deserving the
appellative, and who aspired
appellativc, aspired after after the same convictive
same convictive
truth, have lamented the inadequacy
inadequacy of natural reason,
at
at the same
same time that they recognised
they recognised the supremacy
supremacy
of its Law as
of its measuring and determining
as measuring determining sensible sensible par-
par-
ticulars;
ticulars ; they have not been able
but they able to redeem it it
from dependency
dependency on these; these ; for every
for attempt of
every attempt of the
unassisted
unassisted reason terminates negatively, negatively, as the Subject Subject
Identity
Identity slides
slides evermore
evermore behind the regardant mind
regardant mind; ;
it is only
it is able at
only able therefore, to maintain a coun-
best, therefore,
at best,
whereby to prove
ground, whereby
ter ground, prove the shifting shilling evidence of
its own
its own and other earthly phenomena.
earthly phenomena.
although satisfaction
But although satisfaction is is thus denied to modern
inquiry,
inquiry, and philosophers
philosophers have disputed about the
disputed
conditions and didicultydifficulty of the Absolute ground, ground, yetyet
are there none found,
1101163 found, even in
in latter
latter times, so pre-
times, pre-
sumptuous as to deny
sumptuous deny the possibility,
possibility, seeing seeing it it thus
doubly implied,
doubly implied, no less
less in
in the testimony
testimony of the highest
highest
reason than of tradition:
tradition : and so they have
they ha\ e honoured
the ancients afar afar off either in despair or adrniration
in despair admiration of
their Wisdom,
their Visdom, unable themselves to break the enchant-
ment which isolatesisolates the reflective faculty, and disables
reflective faculty,
it
it inin the inquiry
inquiry after
after that Fontal Nature which,
which, byby
necessary criterion,
a necessary criterion, it
it craves.
For we may observe,
we may observe, that the evidence of reason, rcason,
even in
even common life,
in common life, isis irresistible,
irresistible, or, or, more exactly
exactly
speak, intuition is
to speak, is the evidence and end of every every
rational proof.
proof. We
Ve believe in
in the phenomenon
phenomenon of
spontaneously, but in
existence spontaneously, in a power
power of antecedents
to produce
produce their etiectstnecessarily; in
eftects . necessarily ; in the idea of
time, eternity
time, eternity is
is implied;
implied; with bound,
bound, infinity; as the
intinity;
unit is is included in each dependent dependent of a numerical

series, and the mathematics have their evidence in
series, in
intellectual assent
intellectual assent; nor; nor do we we ever question
ever question the
validity of the Law, which
validity abstractedly concludes
w'hich thus abstractedly
within us, though our inferences from external facts
us, though
are for ever varying, and perpetually
ever varying, fault.
perpetually at fault.
Locke, discoursing
Locke, upon the intrinsic superiority
diseoursing upon superiority of
his ESM/_y,
the Intellectual Law in his Es.sai/, observes that Intui-
'THE TRUE
The SUBJECT.
True Subject. 157
tive is certain
faith is
tive faith certain beyond all
beyond all doubt, and needs no no
proof beyond
proof itself, nor can have any,
beyond itself, any, this
this being
being
highest of all
the highest all human certainty.
certainty. And it it isis this
this
a no less
less eminent French philosopher,
very truth, that a
very philosopher,
Victor Cousin, has successfully employed within these
successfully employed
years, to shake the sensual system
few years, system of of Locke and
Condillac to its its foundation.^
foundation? And this this subsistence of
Universals in in the human mind deserves to be pro- pro-
foundly considered by
foundly by allall who are interested in
are interested in the
pursuit of truth ; for
pursuit ;
for it
it includes a promisepromise far far beyond
beyond
itself
itself and stable proof
proof of another subsistence however
consciously unknown. Thus, if
consciously ordinary conviction is
if ordinary is
not attained but by by an
an assurance of reason to itself,
itself, and
if, in the discovery
if, in discovery of and assent to universal universal proposi-
proposi-
tions, there is
tions, is no
no use of ofthe
the discursive faculty or of exter-
discursive faculty
nal facts to witness ; if,
nal facts ; if, in short, we
in short, we really
really know anyany-
thing
thing of self-evident
self-evident intellectual
intellectual necessity, independent
necessity, independent
of sensible persuasion, then does it
sensible persuasion, follow, there
it not follow,
is higher evidence of truth than the senses afford,

is a higher afford,
and a superstantial
superstantial nature of things implied which,
things implied which,
though now
though latent and succeeding
now latent
succeeding in in order of time,time, is is
first
first inin thought
thought absolutely,
absolutely, and in
in the circular
circular pro-
pro-
gression of nature may
gression may be so practically
practically manifested at
last ? Aristotle compares
last? compares the subsistence of Universals
in the natural understanding
understanding to colours, since these
colours, since
require
require the splendour
splendour of the sun to discover their
beauty,
beauty, as do those the inspiring
inspiring aiiiux
afflux of their
their fontal
illumination; therefore,
illumination :
therefore, too, too, he denominates human
reason, intellect in
reason, inle//ect capacity, both on
in capacity, on account of its its
subordination to essentialessential intellect,
intellect, and because it is
it is
from a newnew awakening,

awakening, a divine recreation, recreation, as it
it were,
that itit conceives the full perfection of a life
full perfection life in ac-
cordance with its its own intelligible beauty, goodness,
own intelligible beauty, goodness,
and truth.
Thus strictly regarding the Intellectual Law,
strictly regarding Law, as it
it
proves
proves and orders inquiry
inquiry in common
common life,
life, we
we have an
an
image, it were,
image, as it embryo conception
an embryo
were, an conception of that Ar-
chetypal
chetypal Visdom
AVisdom which the ancients celebrated as
1
1 Elements de
rle Psycologie, &c. Paris,
Psycologic, Paris, 1836.
l58
158 Mons Esorisaic View.
More Esoteric VIEW.
occult essence of
the occult that Law.
of that And here we we remark
grand divergence
the grand divergence bctwec11
between modern and ancient
metaphysics:
metaphysics : that same Law which
wdiich the former recog-
recog-
nises
nises but as an an abstract boundary of
abstract boundary of thought
thought only, only,
having
having its
its object
object in
in sensibles,
sensibles, the latter
latter proclaims
proclaims
absolutely to be the catholic
absolutely subject of
cathohc subject of the great great
efficient force of
efficient force of nature, as known also, also, and proved proved in in
the human conscience,
conscience, when this this is purified and passed
is puriiied passed
into contacting
back into experience with its
contacting experience its source. And
this was Wisdom,
this Visdom, Intellect,
Intellect, Divinization;
Divinization ; and the true
man, according to Plato and the Aristotelians,
man, according Aristotelians, is is this
this
Intellect; for
Intellect ; for the essence of everything
everything is
is the summit
of its
its nature. And as man man is is the summit of of' this
this
sublunary
sublunary creation,
creation, and reason is
is the highest faculty
highest faculty
with which
wdiich he is endowed, should not this
is here endowêd, this pro-
pro-
bably
bably be the next in
in progress
progress to make manifest the
alleged divinity
alleged divinity of his
his first
first source?
source ?
Lest doubt should still still lurk, however, about such a
Divinity,
Divinity, and whether the notion is rightly conceived
is rightly
according
according to the teaching
teaching ofthe
of the best philosophers,
philosophers,
it may
it may be well to bring
bring them
them forward here, speaking
speaking
for themselves.
for
Thus Aristotle,
Aristotle, for for first example, since he will
first example, will not
be rated altogether
altogether as an enthusiast, enthusiast, in in the beginning
beginning
his A/etup/ii/sics,
of his 1][L'f(l/J/1 ysics, declares VisdomWisdom to be the highest highest
science; adding
science ;
adding that a wise man inan possesses a science of
possesses
all things
all things in in intellect
intellect; not indeed derived from sen-
;
sible particulars,
sible particulars, but accordingaccording to that which is is univer-
sal and absolute in himselt`.'

sal himself^ In the IViC/mmflc/1611/z
Nichomachcan
Ethics, too,
Ethics, too, after showing Intellect to be that power
after showing power of
the soul by by which
wdiich we
we know and prove things demon-
prove things
stratively, distinguishes Wisdom
stratively, he further distinguishes Visdom as the true
being of that Intellect;
being Intellect; the science and intellection
things most honourable by
of things by nature;
nature ; that though
though
this part
part is is small in bulk, bulk, yetyet itit abounds in energy, energy,
and as much exceeds the composite composite nature of man man in
power
power as in in this energy,
energy, which is is the most delectable
of all
all energiesfl
energies.'^ And throughout
throughout the Metaphysics,illelfzp/1_ysif~.-,
1^
9
Bfetaphysics, book i.i. cap.
Metaphysics, ii.
cap. ii.
^
Ethics, book
Ethics, x.
X.
Cap. vii.
cap. vii.
The
THE True
TRUE Subject.
SUBJECT. 159
but more especially

more in the Twelfth Book, he demon-
especially in
strates
strates the necessary subsistence
necessary of incorporeal
subsistence of incorporeal (i. e.
(/. e.
essential)
essential) being, and its
being, efficacy in
its efficacy operation when,
in operation
by
by the help
help of certain
certain mystical exercises
mystical exercises and prepara-prepara-
tions, Understanding Medium is
tions, the human Understanding is made
to pass into contact with its
pass into its Antecedent Cause Cause; that
;
then itit becomes to be a life life inin energy,

energy, and enjoys enjoys the
most exalted
exalted and excellent
excellent faculty faculty of discernment,
discernment,
which was before occult, occult, and the knowledge knowledge of which
is blessed, and not to be conceived of by
inexpressibly blessed,
is inexpressibly by
such as are not duly initiated and capable
duly initiated capable of thisthis deiti-
deifi-
cation. —
cation.-True Intellect, he says,
True Intellect, says, is is that which is is
essentially
essentially the most essential
essential of that which is
is most
essential; and it
essential ; it becomes intelligible
intelligible by by contact and
intellection ; and that Intellect
intellection ; Intellect is is the same with the
intelligible,
intelligible, the understanding
understanding recipient recipient of the intel- intel-
ligible
ligible essence*
essence.^ Which
Vhich essence, too,
too, is
is Wisdom,
Visdo1n, and
the faculty
faculty we we are discussing.
discussing. But Plato yet more
yet more
plainly
plainly declares that to know oneself is
is Wisdom
Visdom and
highest virtue of the soul:
the highest soul for:for the soul rightly rightly
entering into herself will
entering will behold all all other things,
things, and
Deity
Deity itself
itself;; as verging
verging to her own
own union and to
the centre of all all life,
life, lajdng
laying aside multitude and the
variety
variety of all
all manifold powers
powers which she contains,
contains, she
ascends to the highest
highest watch-tower of beings? beings.^ Ac-
cording Socrates, also,
cording to Socrates, also, in the Republic,Republic, we we read
Wisdom is
that Visdom generative of truth and intellect
is generative intellect; and;
Thecetetus Wisdom
in the T/zeaetelus 'Visdon1 is is defined to be that which
gives perfection
gives perfection to imperfect, and calls
things imperfect,
things calls forth
the latent Intellections of the soul-and soul —and again,
again, by by
Diotima, in the Banquet,
Diotinia, Banquet, that mind which is become
is
wise needs not to investigate
wîse investigate any any further (since (since itit
possesses the true Intelligible);
possesses InteUigible) that is
; is to say,say, the
proper object of intellectual inquiry
proper object inquiry in itself;itself; and
hence the doctrine of lVisdom Wisdom according
according to Plato may may
be sufficiently
sufliciently obvious.
But Wisdom, says the Pythagorean
Vifisdorn, says Pythagorean Archytas,Archytas, as
1
^ Metaphysics, book
Metaphysics, xii.
xii. chap.
chap. vii.
vii.
2
-See the First Alcibiades,
Alcibiades, page 90; and
page 90; aud Proclus
Prochis on
on the
Theology of Plato,
Theology Pluto, lib.
lib. i. cap. iii.
i. cap. iii. 7.
p. 7.
p. Taylor.
Taylor.
:
160 More
Mom: Esorsnic
Esoteric View.
much excels
excels allall thethe other faculties
faculties as sightsight does the
corporeal senses, or the
other corporeal the sun stars: and man
sun the stars :
man
constituted
was constituted to the end that hc
he might contemplate
might contemplate
the Reason of the whole nature, i11 in order that, being being
himself the work of Wisdom, he might
of Visdom, survêy the
might survey
Visdom of the things,
Wisdom things, which exist exist Wisdom is
Visdom is not
conversant with a certain definite thing but
existing thing
certain definite existing
simply
simply with all things;
all things ; and so subsists
subsists with reference
all that it
to all that it is is the province
province of it
it to know and con-
template
template the universal accidents
accidents of things
things and discover
Principles of all
the Principles all Being.
Being. Vhoever
Whoever therefore is is able
to analyze
analyze all all the genera
genera which are contained under
one and the same same principle
principle and again
again to compose
compose
connumerate them, he appears
and eonnumerate appears to be wise and
possess the most perfect
to possess perfect veracity.
veracity. Further still still
will have discovered a beautiful place

he will place of survey,
survey,
from which it it will possible to behold Divinity
will be possible Divinity and
all
all things
things that are in eo»ordination
in co-ordination with and successive
to Him, subsisting
subsisting separately
separately and distinct
distinct from each
other. Having
Having likewise entered this
this most ample road,
ample
being
being impelled
impelled in right direction by
in a right Intellect, and
by Intellect,
having arrived at the end of his
having his course, /le will have
he iv'iU
cozjoizzcd
coujoined cmls
ends wit/1
with beginzzizzgs,
beg'inu'uigs ,and will
will know that
God who is is the principle, middle,
principle, middle, and end of all
all things
things
which are accomplished
accomplished according justice and right
according to justice right
I
reason.^
reason.
again we have a Eieulty

Here again faculty discussed which is is far
far
above ordinary
ordinary reason, since this
this verges
verges to sensibles
and is
is dependent
dependent on on them Wisdom implies
them; but Visdom
; implies the
whole of life,
life, being
being returned into its
its principle, and
principle,
coming
coming into the consciousness of a vision at once
once
powerful
powerful and sublime. Thus Crito,
Crito, of'
of the same
same school :
God so fashioned man man as to comprehend

comprehend the Good
according
according to right reason,
right reason, and gave him a
gave sight called
a sight
Intellect,
Intellect, which is
is capable
capable of beholding
beholding God. For it
it
is not possible
is
possible without God to discern that
that' which is
is
best or most beautiful;
beautiful nor without Intellect to see
nor ;
l
^ See the Fragment given
Fragmeiit given by Taylor
by Taylor famblicns'
liis âniblicu.s' Life of
in his
Pytlingoras.
Pvlliagoras.
I
THE TRUE
The SUBJECT.
True Subject. IGI
161
God. And every

every mortal naturena/ure is is cstablis/lcd
established (in t/zis
{in this
life)
life) wit/1
with a a kim/red privution of
kindred privation Intel/ect ;; t/:is
W" Intellect this //mfr-
how-
ever is is not rlqirivezl
deprived by by God but /mt by I/ze þÿe,s~.s~c11<'
by the essence ¬q"ger1c-
of gene-
l'(lfi0)l.l
ration}
The term Intellect, as as it is here taken in
it is in itsits highest
highest
sense, is is synonymous
synonymous with VVisdom, Wisdom, and bears the same same
relation to our
relation Intellectual Law as does this
our Intellectual this to the
reasoning faculty,
reasoning being the self-evident
faculty, being self-evident antecedent
and end of its according to these phi-
inquiry, which, according
its inquiry, phi-
losophers, is
losophers, Pythagoras himself defined
is God. Pythagoras Wisdom
defined Visdom
as the science
science of truth which is in all
is in beings ;^ and
all beings,"
_Z /famblicus
y/amblicus in his life
in his life of this speaking of Vis-
this Samian, speaking Wis-
dom, sayssays that it it is
is truly
truly a science
science which is is convers-
ant with the first beautiful objects
first and most beautiful objects (i. (i. e.,
e., the
Divine Exemplars),
Exemplars), and these undecaying, undecaying, possessing
possessing
invariable sameness
invariable subsistence; by
sameness of subsistence; participation
by the participation
of which other things things also may may be calledcalled beautiful?
beautiful.''
Proclus, Porphyry,
Proclus, Porphyry, the gracefulgracefhl Plotinus, and others othei's
of the Neoplatonists,
Neoplatonists, too numerous to mention, mention, dilate dilate
on the same same asserted ground
on ground; and there is,
; is, according
according
all these philosophers,
to all Principle of Universal
philosophers, aa`Principle Universal Science
latent in in human life, real and efficacious,
life, real though cog-
efficacious^ though cog-
nizable only only under certain conditions which they they spe-spe-
cify, and wherein reason
cify, reason becomes alone into the sub-
experience of her Law.
stantive experience
This is Egyptians, industrious search-
is that which the Egyptians,
ers of Nature,
Nature, proclaimed upon
proclaimed their temples'
upon their temples' front, front,
Man s/mu/cl
that .ZILYIZ should know/mow /eiu1se{/":
himself: and this advice was was
meant experimentally
experimentally and ontologically, though
ontologically, though mo-
mo-
dern fancy sliglited it

fancy has slighted it and taken every every Ethnic fable
m}i:hology in a profane
and mythology profane sense. And here we we are
reminded of a difficulty
a difficulty in
in endeavouring
endeavouring to make these
positions respecting
positions respecting the nature of true Being
Being obvious
drawing them into a form related to sensible
and of drawing
intelligence. Every
intelligence. Every science is diliicult to treat of to
is difficult
the uninitiated mind, mind, and this this kind of speculationspeculation
1
1
page
See the Fragment
Sec
218.
yfamblicus'
Fragment in Jamblicus' Life of Pythagoras,
Pythagoras, by
by Taylor,
Taylor, _jU
page 248.
2
2 Idem, chap. xxix.
Idem, chap.
3
Idem, chap. ii.
Ideni, chap.
•''
ii.
M
Bl
;
162 More
Mom: Esorsaic VIEW.
Esoteric View.
more
more particularly
particularly is many and naturally
irrelevant to many
is irrelevant naturally
abstruse.
abstruse. Those to
to whom nature granted such a
has granted a
of
ray of experience
ray in
experience in the inner
inner life
life as would otherwise
appear favourable to a more profound
appear profound investigation,
investigation,
are often indifferent to the rational
often indifierent rational ground,
ground, and remain
satisfied
accordingly satisfied in
accordingly in the dreams and deluding visions
deluding visions
of an
an included imagination ;
imagination ; others
others more
more awakened to
reason on on the other hand, but in
in whom the spirit of
spirit
inquiry is
inquiry is wholly
wholly drawn to externals, disregard as vain
externals, disregard
every proposition
every proposition that does not immediately
immediately address
the senses or pander pander to some apparent individual in-
some apparent in-
terest;
terest ; even the most reflective
reflective and educated class
class
have rare inducements in in these days,
days, or permission
permission of
leisure prosecute studies
sufficient to prosecute
leisure sufficient studies of an abstract
But we We have adverted to the independent
nature. independent
evidence of Universals in in the human intellect
intellect by by way
way
of introduction chieiiy,
chiefly, not on their own
on their own account ab-
stractly considered, or so much because the ancients
stractly considered,
rested their proofs of internal science thereon
their proofs thereon; but
; ])ut
having
because, having
because, once derived a rational
rational ground
ground of pos-
pos-
sibility, we
sibility, may be better enabled to proceed
we may proceed with the
tradition of the Hermetic mystery
tradition mystery and more more tangible
tangible
effects.
effects. ,
jy The doctrine of the Hebrew âbalists is gfabalists one of

is one
Idealism; the whole world was before their

absolute Idealism; their
eyes
eyes cfllux
as an efflux of Mind,
Mind, an
an emanation of the great
great
superstantial Law of Light;
superstantial Light ; and that sublime Com- Coin-
mentary the Liber Zohar,
mentary Z0/zar, beams with the revelation of
the celestial prototype in humanity;
celestial prototype humanity ; and kindling
kindling
reminiscence the tire
into rcminiscence fire which burns covertly covertly
throughout Holy
throughout Vrit, addresses the Pentateuch to
Holy Writ,
understanding of mankind.
the understanding
These Rabbis explainexplain that in pursuance
pursuance of a a certain
arcane (though not wholly
arcane (though wholly inexplicable)
inexplicable) necessity,
necessity, crea-
falls away
tion falls always for the sake of individual mani-
away always
festation, from the consciousness of its
festation, its primal
primal source
source;
principle
that the principle of re-union nevertheless abides in the
generated
generated life
life of individuals and will in
in process
process of time
operate
operate to a restitution and higher
higher perfection
perfection than
could have been accomplished
accomplished if if suel1
such a fall
fall into this
:
TFHE TRUE
The SUBJECT.
True Subject. 163
existence had not taken place.

existence place. Treating of and inter-
Treating inter-
preting as divine
preting symbols, the relations
divine symbols, relations of the Old
they dignity
Testament, they vastly the view of the whole
dignity vastly
scheme;
scheme and placing
placing
;
reason over the head of authority,
over authority,
inciting man to self-
and inciting man to inquiry as the foundation and
self-inquiry
comprehending identity of every
comprehending identity other, they
every other, unite in
they unite in
one beautiful system the Religion
beautiful system Religion of Intellect
Intellect with the
Philosophy
Philosophy of Life.
Life.
But itit isis above all by the supreme
all by position which
supreme position
^ they assign
they assign to man in
man in the scale
scale of creation that these
creation
/v Qlabalists arrest attention.
)âbalists arrest attention. The Form of'
of man,
man, sayssays
the Rabbi Ben Jochai, Jochai, contains all all that is in heaven
is in
and earth-no
earth — form, no
no form, no world, could exist exist before the
human prototype;
prototype ; for all
for all things subsist by
things subsist by and in it:
in it
without it it there would be no world, world, and in this sense we
in this we
are to understand these words. words, T/ze Eternal /1£lS_f0lllI(/60'

The FAeruat has founded
the þÿ
the ¬(I)`l/l
earth upon
upon his
his wisdom. But we must distinguish
distinguish
the true man man from him who is apparent, for
is here apparent, for the
one could not exist exist without the other; other ; on that form
in man,
in man, which is is the Celestial Prototype,
Prototype, rests rests the
perfection
perfection of faith
faith in
in all
all things, and
things, and it
it is
is in
in this
this re-
spect
spect that man
man is
is said
said to be the image
image of God?
God.^ For
there isis a wide difference
difference between the idols of the hu-
man
man imagination andthe
imagination and the ideas of ofthethe divine mind, mind,
between man man as he is is here known, the individualized
multiplication of a blind will,
multiplication will, and that Motive Reason
which is his life.
is his life. And all all this
this would appear
appear less less ex-
travagant, perhaps,
travagant, perhaps, and impractical,
impractical, if,
if, instead of
measuring
measuring the surfaces of'
of things,
things, we
we were to consider
principles; if,
principles ; separating our shrunken un-
if, instead of separating un-
derstanding
derstanding to contemplate
contemplate and compare
compare with the
structure of this vast universe, universe, we we were to reflectreflect cou-
con-
upon that wonderful existence which we
trariwise upon
trariwise we share
in common
in common with all all and which is is at the basis
basis of every every
living thing.
speciiical living
specifical thing. For there is no reason why
is no
why
man, in that he exists and contains,
man, therefore, within
contains, therefore,
himself the total Cause of existence, existence, should not, not, if'
if
the revelation only allowed, perceive
only were allowed, perceive and under-
all, in that all-continental All which is
stand all, is in him-
1^ part iii.
Zohar, part i.
Zohar, part fol. 191,
i. fol. ]91, recto ;
; part iii. 1414,
114, rccto.
recto.
M
M 2
164 Mons Esofrsme V'IE\'.
More Esoteric View.
self.
self. is a freedom,
There is and explanatory
explanatory breadth
these writers
in these
too, in that does not bear the
writers that the impress
impress of
fancy,
mere fancy, with a
a solemn earnestness of style that
style that
only from conviction.
breathes only conviction. we cannot easily
That we easily
apprehend
apprehend the magnitude
magnitude of their
their doctrine
doctrine is no
is no proof
proof
it is
that it untrue; common
is untrue common sense is
;
is no criterion
criterion inin
such a case and its
its objections fail before
objections fail before the inference
inference
supporting experience.
of reason and supporting experience.
God dwells, says says the Jew Philo, Philo, in rational
in the rational
part
part of man
man as in
in a palace;
palace the ;
palace
palace and temple
temple of
great
the great self-existent
self-existent Deity
Deity is
is the intellectual
intellectual portion
portion
man of Wisdom
of a man Visdom; the Deity ;
Deity could never iind find
upon
upon earth a more excellent
excellent temple
temple than the rational
rational
man.^ And again,
part of man?
part again,-the — Logos, by
the Logos, by whom the
world was framed, is
was fi-amed, seal after
is the seal impression of
after the impression
everything is
which everything is made and is is rendered the simili-simili-
tude and image
image of the perfect Word of God ; and the
perfect Vord ;
soul of manman is is an impression

impression of this this seal
seal of which the
prototype and original characteristic is
original characteristic is the everlasting
everlasting
prototype
Logos." And what is
Locros.^ is Wisdom according
according to the ancient
Hermes ? Even the good,
Hermes? good, the fair, fair, and the blessed
Eternity; look upon
Eternity ; upon all through it,
things through
all things it, and the
world isis subject
subject to thy sight.
thy sight. For this
this Mind in men
in men
is
is God, therefore,
and, therefore,
God, and, are some men said
some men said to be divine,
divine,
for there humanity
for humanity is is annexed to divinitydivinity ;3 when
vhe11 it
;'^
is
it is
moved into the catholic Intuition of its

its Source.
Such then was Visdom, Wisdom, and that high high Intelligible
Intelligible
which it it behoves man man to search after, the one
after, one theme
and bulwark of ancient science, science, which no
no historical
teaching or observance of the accidents of nature
teaching
could realise
realise or improve-namely, —
improve namely, the standard of
truth in intellect.
rectified intellect.
in a rectified And philosophy
philosophy was was a
desire this kind, an appetition
desi1'e of this an appetition of reason for
for its
its an-
tecedent light
light; and
; if
if we
we may
may believe these sublime
enthusiasts, Intellect does not extend herself towards
enthusiasts,
1
J
De Pcenis, vol.
Przeiniis et Poenis,
Pra>miis ii. p.
vol. ii. 428, l.
p. 428, 10, ]2.
1. 10, 12. De Nohilitate,
Nobilitato,
p. 1137.
p. 437.
2
2 De Profugi.s,
l'rofugis, vol.
vol. i. p.
i. p. 549, l. 49.
510, 1. Dc Plantatione
De Plantationc Noe,
Noe, p.
p.
332, l.
1. 31.
3
^ See The Divine Pimamler.
Pimander.
^
The TRUE
Tun True SUBJECT.
Subject. 165
intelligible Cause in
the intelligible in vain.
vain. Quotation were end-
less, enough may
less, and enough may recur to the memory memory of those
who do not yet yet despair
despair of philosophy,
philosophy, or limit their
limit their
faith to the slow evidence of the senses and double
faith
ignorance of these days.
ignorance days.
Or, if any one
if any further doubt of this
one should further this Vis-
Wis-
seeing she did
dom, seeing did not reveal herself herself in in common
common
sciences of more
arts and sciences more recent human invention, invention, and
regard the whole as an abstract creature of the imagi-
regard imagi-
nation, he will
nation, err from the ancient tradition,
will C1'1` tradition, which
Wisdom, however far
makes Visdom, far removed from sensibles, sensibles,
to be no inessential thing; but an aflirinative
inessential thing; affirmative opera-opera-
tive hypostasis,
tive invigorating, and sustain-
informing, invigorating,
hypostasis, informing, sustain-
ing all
ing things; in
all things ; in the words of the Stagyrite Stagyrite before
cited,-It
cited, — It is
is essentially, essential of that which
essentially, the most essential
is most essential.
is essential.-But —But Solomon, better than all all and
beautifully in
most beautifully panegyric, describes her Vis-
his panegyric,
in his her:: Wis-
dom, sayssays the wise king, king, is is more movingmoving than any any
motion, she passeth
motion, passeth through
through all all things
things by by reason of
her pu1'encss.
pureness. For she is is the breath of the power power of
God, and a pure pure influence flowing
flowing from the glory of
glory
the Almighty
Almighty ; therefore,
; therefore, can no deliled
can no defiled thing fall
thing fall into
her ; for
; for she is is the brightness
brightness of the everlasting light,
everlasting hght,
the unspotted
unspotted mirror of the powder
power of God, and the
image of his
image his goodness.
goodness. And, beingbeing but One,
One, she can
do all things, and,
all things, remaining in
and, remaining herself, she maketh
in herself,
all things new
all things new; and in all
;
entering into holy
ages entering
all ages holy
souls,
souls, she maketh them friends of God and prophets,
prophets,
for God loveth none but him that dwelleth with Vis-
for Wis-
dom; for she is more beautiful than the sun and above
is more
all the order of the stars
all stars, being
;
compared with the
being compared
light,
light, she is
is found before it,
it, for this cometh
after this
night
night; ; but vice shall not prevail against
prevail against Wisdom
Visdo1n ;; and
if
if riches be a possession
possession to be desired in this
this life,
life, what
is richer than Wisdom
is Visdom which worketh all things ? for
all things?
she is mysteries of the knowledge
privy to the mysteries
is privy knowledge of God
and a lover of His works. works.1
Assuredly, then,
Assuredly, then, isis it
it not our duty and best interest
our duty
1^ vii.
Wisdom of Solomon,
Solomon, chap.
cliap. vii.
l66
166 More Esorisarc
MORE VIEW.
Esoteric View.
learn the way,

to learn every condition of
way, and seek to know every
this proffered alliance,
this proffered since
alliance, since we
we are not destitute either
destitute either
of rational ground or precedent,
of rational ground or precedent, nor is
is this
this the only
only
place in
place in Scripture promise with Vis-
Scripture where we have aa promise Wis-
dom of more substantial fruits? But as wê
substantial fruits? we observe
the outer manman to be unbelieving

unbelieving by by nature and unpro-
unpro-
mising
mising for
for much discovery,
discoveiy, with his
his senses and servile
servile
intellect all dark within, we leave
intellect all leave him here to work
his own instruments on
with his on his ground; there
own ground
his own ;
ealeine, weigh,
to calcine, weigh, and measure circumferenees, from
circumferences,
the first last round of material
first to the last material possibility
possibility ; per-
per- ;
then, when all

chance then, all has been tried
tried and found want-
ing
ing to his coalescing,
his reason, extremes coalescing, we may meet
we may
again.
again.
Meanwhile we, who look directly
directly onward to pene-
pene-
this mystery,
trate this mystery, seek not at random any
any longer in
longer in
the outer world where so many
many before have foundered,
foundered,
albeit
albeit extracting their lifc's
extracting their blood, and calling
life's blood, calling the
mumial vapour
vapour and everyevery element to their their aid
aid ; but we
; we
look within,
within, or rather,
rather, that we
we may
may learn how
howto to do so,
so,
inquire of the wise ancients to direct
inquire direct us about the true
method and conditions of Self-Knowledge.
Self- Knowledge. For it it is
is
this,
this, no common
common trance or day-dream,
day-dream, or any
any fanati-
fanati-
cal celestials, that we
cal vision of celestials, we propose scruti-
propose to scruti-
nize;
nize ; but true psychieal experience, catholic,
psychical experience, cathohc, even as
basis of that Law by

the basis by which we
we reason, feel,
reason, feel, and are
one, uniformly living and alike all.

uniformly living all.
It is into the substantiality
It is substantiality of this this and for for its its
practical
practical evolution that we
we must inquire,
inquire, if'
if wê
we
would discover the true Light Alchemy , and

Light of Alchemy ;
the Alchemists,
Alchemists, as we we have seen, propose such a
seen, propose
reducation of nature as shall shall discover this this Latex
without destroying
destroying her vehicle,
vehicle, but the modal life life
only
only , and
;
profess
profess that this
this has not alone been
proved possible, but that man,
proved possible, man, by by rationally
rationally condi-
tionating,
tionating, has succeeded in developing into action the
developing
Recreative Force. But the wây they do not so clearly
way they clearly
shew, or where nature may
shew, may be addressed in in order to
the rejection superfluous forms ; what was
rejection of her superfluous ; was their
immediate efficient?
efficient ? whence and whereon did they they
SUBJECT.
TRUE Subject.
The True
THE 167
direct their fire

direct their fire ?
? things, with the laboratory,
These things, laboratory,
its
its vessels and various
vessels they have disguised,
apparatus, they
various apparatus, disguised,
as we already shown, and as aa natural conse-
we have already
quence, by
quence, incurious world have been misappre-
by an incurious misappre-
despised. For as
hended and despised. as Geber, with hishis usual
observes, men
point, observes,
point, thought the confection of
men have thought thc confeetion
gold impossible,
gold they have not known the ar-
impossible, because they
tificial according to the course of nature;
destruction according
tificial destruction nature ;
they have proved

they proved itit to be of a strong composition, but
strong composition,
/zow strong
of how strong a composition they have not proven.
composition they proven.
And all
all this they knew not the Verity
this because they verity
Of altitude, latitude, and of
altitude, latitude, profundityd
of profundity.^
they, who have never glanced

For how should they, even
glanced even
in
in imagination believe in
imagination towards the Causal Truth, believe any
in any
effects ?? The well out of which she
other than remote effects
is drawn is
is is deep, fathorned by
deep, and not therefore to be fathomed by
plummet of a shallow reason ; he must ascend in
the plummet ; in
thought
thought who would, descending, hope
descending, hope to penetrate
penetrate so
superstantial experience
far as to the superstantial
far things. For
experience of things.
there it is yet
it is yet hidden,
hidden, the true light
light shut up as in
up in a
prison, separated off

prison, the fountain of Universal Nature separated off
by the
understanding by
from human understanding external attraction
of it
it through
through the gates
gates of sense.
When the soul is
Vhen in the body,
is situated in body, sayssays the
she departs
departs from self-contemplation,
self-contemplation, and
philosopher,
philosopher,
of the concerns of an external life; but,
but, be-
speaks
speaks life ;
coming
coming puritied
purified from body,
body, will
will recollect
recollect all
all those
things, the remembrance of which she loses in
things, in the
present lifef and Plutarch,
Plutarch, who was well initiated
initiated in
present hfe;^
these mysteries, says, the souls of men
mysteries, says, men are not able
participate of the Divine nature whilst they
to participate they are
encompassed about with senses and passions, any
thus encompassed passions, any
further than by gUmmerings, and as it
by obscure glimmerings, were,
it were,
in comparison,
in comparison, a a confused dream. But when they they are
impediments
freed from these impediments and removed into purer
purer
regions, which are neither discernible
regions, by the corporeal
by corporeal
1
^ Invest.of
Invest, of Perf. cap. iii. Russel's
cap. iii. Bloomf1eld's
Eussel's Geber. Bloomfield's Camp
Camp
of Philosophy,
Philosophy, v. 27.
9
Plotinus' Select "Works
- Plotinus' Taylor, page
Vorks; Taylor,
; 387, &c.
page 387,
—
168 More
Moms Esornaie
Esoteric View.
liable to
senses nor liable to accidents of any
accidents of it is
any kind, it is then
that God becomes their
that upon Him they
their leader--upon
leader —they
wholly depend, beholding
wholly depend, beholding without satiety,
satiety, and still
still ar-
dently after that beauty
longing after
dently longing beauty which it it is impossible
is impossible
for man sufficiently
for man sutliciently to express
express or
or think-that
think —
that beauty
beauty
which, according
according to the old old mythology,
mythology, IsisIsis has so
affection for,
great an affection
great for, and which she is is constantly
constantly in in
pursuit
pursuit of,
of, and from whose enjoyment every variety of
enjoyment every variety
good things
good things with which the universe is
is filled, is re-
filled, is
plenished, and propagated*
plenished, propagated.^ again, in
And again, in the open-
open-
ing
ing of the same admirable Treatise, he observes, that
to desire after the Truth is
desire and covet after aspire
is to aspire to be
partaker of the Divine Nature itself;
a partaker
a itself; and to profess
profess
that all all our
our studies and inquiries inquiries are devoted to the
acquisition of holiness;
acquisition holiness ; the end of which, which, as of all all
ceremonial rites rites and disciplines,
disciplines, was
was that the aspirant
aspirant
might be prepared
might prepared and fitted fitted forfor the attainment.
attainment of the
knowledge of the Supreme
knowledge Supreme Mind, whom the goddess goddess
exhorts them to search after. after. this Reason is
For t//is is /zer
her
temple
temple wlzerein
wherein the
the Eternal Sep'-ervis/cut
Self-exislent dwells,
dwells, and
may tlzere hejinally
may there approae/led, but 7L'lf/I
l1ejz`r1r1lly approached, with flue
due solenznity,
solemnity,
11ml sanctity
and sanctity of ry" life.
life.
But Psellus,
Psellus, in in his
his luminous commentarycommentary on on the
Oraclcs, further declares that thcre
Chaldaic Oracles, there is is no
other meansmeans of strengthening
strengthening the vehicle of the soul
')'?'/ but by Hatcrial Rites ; and Plato,
by Material ; Plato, inin the first A lcibir/(les,
first Alcibiades,
calls the magic
calls magic of Zoroaster the service service of the gods gods ; ;
and the use of this magic, in

this magic, in the words of the above abovc
Psellus, is
Psellus, is as follows ;-Yb : To initiate perfect the _lm-
initiule or perfect hu-
man soul by
/mnz by t/ze
the power
12)0?L`C)` of /zere on
materirlls here
Qf materials cart/z ,'; for
on earth for
t/ze supreme faculty zyfl/ze
the supremejh/¢'1zlt_y of the soul camzot
cannot by by its oiun guid-
its owzzguirl-
aspire to
ance aspire tu 15/ze
the sublimest institution, and to t/ze
.wlblimcst inslitzztimz, the com-
prehension 1)i1;i11it_q:: but the work
rf Divinity
]))`L'lZ6IiSl0)I of Piely lemls
worlf of Piety leads itit
by the /mmf
by liand to God,Gozl, by illzzminntioiz from
by illumination tliencc.
from thence.
likewise, in
Synesius, likewise,
Synesius, in his Yi'eulise on
his 'J)'ealise Proviflenee,
on Providence,
bears witness to the efficacy eliieacy of Divine Works Vorks; and the
;
Emperor
Emperor Julian,Julian, in those arguments preserved
arguments of his 1)1'CSC1''C(l
by Cyril, shows that without such assistance the Di-
by Cyril, sliorfs
l'
De lside
Iside et Osiride.
:
The TRUE
r1'HE SUBJECT.
True Subject. 169
vine union is
vine is neither
neither effected rightly understood;
effected nor rightly understood
and all
all the accounts we of the Eleusinian Mys-
we read of Mys-
teries,
teries, in
in addition
addition to the witness of
of these philosophers,
philosophers,
contirms
confirms that that Wisdom was was the offspring
offspring of a vital vital ex-
periment
periment into
into nature, by
nature, by certain
certain arts
arts and media pro-
pro-
ducing
ducing the central
central etlicient
efficient into
into conscious being and
being
etleet.
effect. If
If you investigate rightly,
you investigate rightly, says Arehytas, dis-
says Archytas, dis-
covery
covery will
will be easy
easy to
to you
you; ; but if
if you
you do not know
/low
hoiv to investigate,
investigate, discovery
discovery will will be impossible.
impossible.
It is the more to be
It is regretted
be regretted and wondered at, at, on
account of the importance
importance attached to this this discovery,
discovery,
Initiated were
that the Initiated profoundly silent
were so profoundly silent upon
upon these
means; since
means ; since mankind in general
in general would seem to have
been precisely
precisely in in this
this predicament,
predicament, they they have not
/fnozrn /:ow
knoan how to investigate ; and were
to investigate; were it it not forfor these
scattered innuendoes and acknowledgments
scattered acknowledgments of'
of an Art,
an Art,
we might
we
might well continue in
in ignorance
ignorance to despair of their
despair their
hidden ground;
ground at all: all events, seeing how far
events, seeing far wewe fall
fall
short of the perception
perception in
in this
this life
life ;; either
either believing, we
believing, we
might
might regard
regard the ancients beings superiorly
as beings superiorly en-
dowed ; or otherwise disbelieving,

; disbelieving, deny, many have
deny, as many
done, the validity
done, validity of'
of their
their assertions.
assertions. Yet as the case
now
now stands invoived
involved in in mystery,
mystery, will
will it
it not be unjust
unjust
to do either?
either ? For, For, being ignorant
being ignorant of the method,
method, how
should we we presume to test the truth of this
presume this philoso-
philoso-
phy? Equally, also,
phy? Equally, will it
also, will it not be incurious to yield yield
an implicit
implicit faith? Let us inquire
inquire now,
now, therefore,
therefore, if
if
fortunately a ray
fortunately ray of lightlight be leftleft to guide
guide us,us, whether
it be
it approach to a recollection of this an-
possible to approach
be possible
experiment, that we
cient experiment, we maymay become better judges judges
its merits
of its merits; and lest
; lest gaining
gaining nothing
nothing by by a tacit as-
sent, and pro\dng
sent, proving nothingnothing by by mere
mere
scepticism,
scepticism, we we
should deny something, and bolt ourselves continu-
deny something,
ously out from the sanctuary
ously sanctuary of truth in nature.
And here we we would engage engage the reader'sreader's attention
for a brief interval, (weighing well the substance of
interval, (weighing
philosophical assertion against

philosophical against modern pride pride and our our
growing indiflèrence,) to consider the ground
growing indifference,) ground of' of this
mystery, and whether there be still
Hermetic mystery, still anan en-
en-
open, as there was once said to be,
trance open, be, to the shut
170 More Esoteric TIEV.
Mons Esorsme View.
palaces of Mind. Let us descend into

palaces into ourselves, and
believe in ourselves if
believe in ourselves if we
we be able, that that which we
that we
is
are is worthy investigation ;
worthy our investigation
our and we may
we
may discover,
;
as we
we proceed, by their
proceed, by traditional light
their traditional it,
unfolding it,
light unfolding
Wisdom of
that the Visdom
that was not the outward,
of the ancients was outward,
adventitious
adventitious acquisition
acquisition or vain display which it
vain display it has
been supposed
supposed to be,
to but a very
a
very real, substantial, and
real, substantial,
attainable good.
attainable good.
A spontaneous revelation
A spontaneous truth, if
of' truth,
revelation of if it was ever
it was
indeed enjoyed at all

enjoyed at all without experimental research,
experimental research,
after the Hebrews ceased ; nor
after nor was ;
it longer
was it longer possible
possible
for
for all, nor
all, nor at every time, to partake
every time, partake the Divine com-
com-
munion. This, therefore,

This, as the Platonic Successor
remarks, our
remarks, philanthropic lord
our philanthropic lord and father, Jupiter,
father, Jupiter,
understanding,
understanding, that we might
we might not be deprived of all
deprived all
communication with the gods, gods, has given given us observa-
through Sacred 1 Arts,
tion through Arts by7by which we have at Hand
assistance.
suiiicient assistance.^
sufficient
Here, then, we
He1'e, then, we take up our clue to wêave
up ou1° weave onward
as we proceed, unravelling
we proceed, unraveUing the Mysteries by
Mysteries their
by their
traditional light.
traditional light. The objects
objects encountering
encountering this
this re-
search may,may, as wewe before said,said, be appaUing
appalling to some,
others, and,
nugatory to others,
nugatory first view,
and, at first view, too opposed
opposed
we fear
we fear to the opinions
opinions of all all ; but if,
;
by chance, a less
if, by chance, less
intellect, more allied
oblivious soul or intellect, allied than ordinary
ordinary
to antecedent realities,
realities, should find find familiar
familiar scenes re-
cur, thrilling reminiseence,
thriUing into reminiscence, as of some long
some long past
past
life forgotten
life forgotten; let
let
; such a one believe,
believe, and his faith will
faith will
not betray him,
betray him, the road whereon
w^hereon we
we are journeying is
journeying is
towards his Native Land.
1^
famblicus on
See /amblicus on the Mysteries; Taylor's Notes at the end,
Mysteries Taylor's ;
end,
page 347
page ;
Julian's Arguments.
3-17 ; the Greek extract from Julian's Arguments.
;
THE Mysteries.
The Mrsrsmns. 71
l171
CHAPTER II.
11.
Of t/ze
the _/Mysteries.
Mysteries.
The patli
path by which to Deity
by wliich Deity we climb
ls arduous,
Is arduous, rough, ineffable, sublime;
rough, ineffable, sublime
;
And the strong

strong massy gates thro'
massy gates thro' which wewe pass,
pass,
In our first course, are bound with chains of brass ;
our Hrst
;
men, the first

Those men, first who ofof Egyptian
Egyptian birth,
birth,
fair water of
Drank the fair of Nilotic earth,
Nilotic earth,
Disclosed by actions infinite
by actions infinite this
this road,
And many paths to God Phoenicians showed
many paths showed; ;
This road the Assyrians pointed out to view,

Assyrians pointed view,
And this
this the Lydians
Lydians and Chaldeans knew.
Oracle of
qf Apollo, _#om Eusebius.
Apollo, from Eusehius.
WE E have shown in in our history

history that the Greeks were
ignorant of the Hermetic Art,
not ignorant Art, which theythey
borrowed with theirtheir metaphysics
metaphysics (so (so far
far indeed as
things may
such things may be borrowed which pertain pertain to reason)
reason)
from the Egyptians
Egyptians and Persians,
Persians, whose temples were
temples were
visited by
visited by nearly every philosopher
nearly every philosopher of'
of note.
Now the Egyptian,
Egyptian, that is is the Hermetic Art, Art, or Art
of Divine works,
Works, was by by the Greeks called Theurgy T heurgy;
and was extensively
extensively practised
practised at Eleusis,
Eleusis, and more
more or , /
,W
less m
less icnzailzthe temples of their
allihg temples their Gods. On no no subject
subject /^v' 0'§;'Q'L
My CrL^^îA.
has more
more difference opinion arisen amongst
of opinion amongst the
learned:
learned the high
:
high veneration in in which the Mysteries
Mysteries
held, the intellectual enthusiasm with which the
were held,
were
Alexandrians speak
speak of them,
them, the philosophic
philosophic explana-
explana-
tions given detail by
given in detail by Jamblicus and others, concern-
others, concern-
ing the motive and divine nature of the initiatory
ing rites
initiatory rites
and the spectacles
spectacles they procured, have puzzled
they procured, puzzled manymany
who, unable in
inquirers who,
inquirers in latter times to account ra-
tionally, disposed of the greater
tionally, have disposed greater part
part as a pan-pan-
tomymic
tomymic show,show, sanctified byby priestly artifice and ex-
priestly artifice
aggerated
aggerated by by a wild imagination,
imagination, natural as it it has been
supposed to those Ethnic souls. But then the Fathers

supposed
l72
172 More
Moms ESOTERIC
Esoteric View.
of our Church, what frenzy

of frenzy should have possessed
possessed
that St.
them, that Augustin, Cyrillus, Synesius and the
St. Augustin, Cyrillus, Synesius
rest, should imitate
rest, their follies,
imitate their transferring the very
follies, transferring very
"
language, disciplines,
language, disciplines, and rites
rites of those " odious mys-
mys-
teries," their own ceremonial worship
teries," to their Christians,
worship as Christians,
and that Clemens Alexandrinus should call call them
"
blessed'?"
"blessed?" This has seemed extraordinary,
extraordinary, and the
authorities have been quoted
authorities quoted and requoted and turned
requoted
in many
in many various ways
ways byby modern writers, each to the
support
support of his
his own
own peculiar
peculiar view or modification, often,
modification,
as may
may be imagined,
imagined, at
at variance with the original
original sense
in context.
in
Varburton's
Warburton's bias bias is negative and singularly
is negative singularly mislead-
ing;
ing ; he regarded
regarded the whole scheme of the Mysteries
Mysteries
as a political fraud, came to the conclusion that the
political fraud,
gods were dead men

gods were men deified,
deified, and that the greater mys-
greater mys-
teries
teries were instituted solely
vere instituted solely with a view to nullify nullify the
lesscr.'
lesser.^ But, as is
But, natural, he who so shamelessly
is natural, shamelessly
charged
charged others with expedieney, quickly
a base expediency, quickly ceased
to be respected
respected as an authority himself, and his
an authority his notions
accordingly quite
are accordingly quite obsolete. Sainte Croix,
Croix, whose
researches are otherwise the most complete, complete, sets all in
all in
an astronomical and eminently
an eminently superficial
superficial aspect?
aspect.^
fast,
I ytoL- e-^-vey Gebelin and La Planche
tural eyes;^
Blrazazshe see all
the author of
all with vacant agricul-
of"
"
agricul-
eyes;3 whilst Antiquity
Antiquity Unveiled,"
Unvêiled,"
notwithstanding so much learning
notwithstanding learning to his aid, has found
his aid,
only the foolishness of the ancients,
out only ancients, and thinks
that the mysteries
mysteries should be regarded
regarded as a depository
depository
of the religious
religious melancholy
melancholy of the first
first men?
men.^ Every
Every
triiiing interpretation
trifling interpretation in short has been given, and
given,
everything imputed
everything imputed to the Mysteries except a discovery
Mysteries except discovery
of the Wisdom
Visdom which they they professed.
professed. For although
although
^ some with superior
some mind^, as Thomas Taylor
superior mindjl, Taylor forfor eX-
ex-
ample, have examined philosophically
amplc, philosophically , yet ;
yet from lack
of evidence, being without a guide
evidence, and being guide from anything
anything
#fa
iJLj- analogous
analogous in times, "^ too dispose^
in modern times,`§stoo disposes of them as
ff 1
93
^ See the Divine Legation, vol. i.
Legation, vol. i.
2
2 M ysteres, 2 vols.
Sainte Croix des Myst^-res, vols. Svo.
8vo.
3
3 Gebelin, Monde Primitif. La rianchc
(iebelin, Bfonde l'lanel1e des Cieux.
*
'*
L'Antiquite devoilée par
L'Antiquitc devoilee par ses Usages,
Usngcs, &c. &e.
;
The l/Ivsrnaias.
Tna Mysteries. I73
173
representations at
immaterial ceremonies, representations best of
at best of ab-
stract
stract philosophic truths.'
philosophic truths.^ a^
Q5
Now this
New this and all all such, Like-tlie foregoing opinions,
like- the foregoing opinions, <^4
Q
are discordant to our apprehension, apprehension, and injurious injurious to
the spirit Antiquity, which not alone upholds
spirit of Antiquity, upholds philo-
philo-
sophy,
sophy, that is
is to say, Cntological VVisdom,
say, Ontological Wisdom, as the true
object of
object of initiation,
initiation, but represents
represents the rites
rites themselves
as really efiicacious
as really efficacious to procure procure it. it. As the Platonists
Platonists
and Psellus, before cited
Psellus, before cited to the point,
point, distinctly declare,
distinctly declare,
&t they
Cicero, "fett
and Cicero, they were truly truly called
called hdtia, for they
Initia, for they ^
beginning of a life
were the beginning
were life of reason and virtue virtue ;
whence men men not only only derived a better better subsistence here, here,
being
as being drawn from
fi'om an irrational
irrational and brutal life, but
life, bat
led on to hope
were led hope and aspire aspire for
for a more blessed im-
mortality hereafter.2
mortality hereafter.^
Nor did the thc ancients promise promise this indiscriminately,
this indiscriminately,
but to those who were initiated in
were initiated in the Greater Mys- Mys-
teries only, as the Pythagoreans
teries only, Pythagoreans and Plato in
in P/my/0
Pluedo
assert that by by such means means an an assimilation was was inin-
duced,
duced, and final
final contact with
wîth the object
object of rational
rational
inquiry, which is
inquiry, whence, as a principle,
identity whence,
is that identity principle, —
we make our
we our first
first descent. ,famblicus
But yâmbHcus more
more par-
par- Z
_/^
ticularly explains
ticularly explains that it
it was by
by arts divinely potent,
divinely potent,
and not by by theoretic contemplation
contemplation only only or by by mere
doctrinal faith
faith or representations
representations either of reality; but
reality ;
by
by certain ineffable
ineffable and sublime media that 'l`heurgists
Theurgists
became cognizant
cognizant partakers
partakers in
in the Wisdom
Vi/isdom of true
q
Being?
Being. ^ i
Jmik Hcraclitus
Heraclitus calls
calls these uKet,
me/,, medicines,
medicines, as ^
being
being the help
help and remedy
remedy of imperfect
imperfect souls;
souls ; they
they
possessed a power
possessed healing the body
power of healing likewise, which
body likewise,
was extensively practised in the temples
extensively practised temples of Esculapius
Esculapius
physico-magical arts. But phi-
with various minor physico-magical phi-
losophy,
losophy, according
according to Strabo,
Strabo, was
was the object
object of thc
the
rites, and without the initiations
Eleusinian rites, initiations of Bacchus
Ceres, he considers the most important
and Ceres, important branch ol" of
human knowledge
knowledge would never have been attained.
Servius, commenting
Servius, commenting on Virgil, observes that the sacred
on Virgil,
1
^ Dissertation on Elensiniau and Bacchic
on the Eleusinian Baeehie Mysteries.
Mysteries.
2
-^ ^ De Legibus, lib. ii.
Legibns, lib. ii. cap. xiv.
cap.
3
/ -^
,dambliens
/âmblicns on
on the Mysteries
Mysteries ; Taylor, p. 109.
Taylor, p.
;
174 More ESOTERIC
MORE Esoteric VIEW.
View.
rites
rites of pertained to the purification
of Bacchus pertained purification of souls.
souls.
Liberi patris sacra ad purgationem
Liberi patris purgationem animarum
aniniarum per- per-
tinebant; and again,
tinebant ;
Animae acre
again, Anim-ae ventilantur, quod
aere ventilantur, crat
quod erat
in sacris Liberi
in sacris Liberi purgationis —
genus.--The
purgationis genus. The Greeks con-
ceived that
ceived that thc welfare of the states was
the welfare was moreover
moreover
secured by
secured by these celebrations,
celebrations, and the records refer
refer to
that
bestowing that of
them as bestowing
as of which human nature stands
principally in
principally in need, viz., viz., moral enlightenment
enlightenment and pu-
pu-
ritication lite; without the revelation
riti cation of life ; revelation and support
support
afforded by by them, indeed, existence was was esteemed no no
better than a
living death;
hving death ; the tragedians echoing the
tragedians echoing
sense of people made the chief
of' the people chief' felicity
felicity to consist
therein,
therein, as Euripides, by
Euripides, by Hercules says, —was blessed
says,-II was
when II got sight
got a sight
a of the mysteries ; —
mysteries ;-and in
and in Brice/zis,
Bacchis,
O
O blessed and happy happy he who knowing
knowing the mysteries
mysteries
of'
of the gods, sanctifies his
gods, sanctifies his life,
life, celebrating orgies in
celebrating orgies in the
mountains with holy
holy purifications. And Sophocles,
purifications. Sophocles, to
the —
same purport,-Life onlyis
same purport, Life only is to be had there, all other
there, all
places
places are full
full of misery
misery and evil.'
evil.^ 31^ fhe doctrine
^le
of the Greater Mysteries,
Mysteries, says
says Clemens Alexandrinus,
Alexandrinus,
related to the whole universe ; here all ;
all instruction
ended nature and all
ended; ;
things she contains were
all things were un-uu-
; —Omysteries truly sacred,

veiled ;-O mysteries truly sacred, O O pure light! at
pure light !
light
the light of torches the veil
veil that deity and
covers deity
falls off.
heaven falls off. I am
I am holy now
holy now that I
I am
am initiated
initiated ;;
it
it is
is the Lord himself who is
is the hierophanta ; he sets
hierophanta ;
his
his seal
seal upon
upon the adept
adept whom he illuminates with his
beams; and whom,
beams; as a recompense for his
recompense faith, he
his faith,
will recommend to the eternal love of the Father.
will
These are the orgiesorgies of the Mysteries,
Mysteries, concludes the
bishop,
bishop, in
in pious transport,
pious transport, come
come ye initiated.
ye and be initiated.
usage of the church was not to discover its
But the usage its
mysteries
mysteries to the profàne, especially
profane, especially those that relate to
the iinal
final apotheosis.
apotheosis. It is
It is even unwilling
unwilling to speak
speak of
U/ Catachumens, says
them to the Catechumens, says St.
St. Cyrillus, except in
Cyrillus, except in
obscure terms,
terms, in such a manner,
þÿlTlZ1l1l]C1',I1O\' ¬VC1',
however, as that the
faithful who are
faithful arc initiated may comprehend,
initiated may comprehend, and the tl1e
1 i. p.
^
Pra>textus, Hist. Nov. lib.
See Praetextus, lib. iv.
iv. Legation, vol.
Divine Legation, vol. i. p.
198. De Septchenes, chap.
Septchenes, chap. ii.
ii. p. 174, &<~.
p. 174, &c.
The Mysteries.
1.`HE TWZYSTERIES. 175
rest be discouraged.
discouraged. For by enigmas the Dagon
by these enigmas Dagon
is overthrown.'
is overthrown.^
was undoubtedly
There was undoubtedly aa secret hanginghanging about these
celebrations,
celebrations, both Ethnic and Christian, which no
Christian, no
record has divulged

divulged or
or common
common sense sense literally suc-
literally suc-
ceeded to explain away the
explain away; ;
providence and
thc belief in providence
a future state were
a freely promulgated, and ordinary
were freely promulgated, ordinary ^ -
^ .
ô»^ worship with whk A

these mysteries^ ought not fa/""
ttJt.^ccrK'.c/x
mwworsliip apart,
by
by any
apart,
means to be confounded;
any means
mysteries/ought
confounded since that might
; might
af
^"7 aa
fir;
perpetuated anywhere,
indeed be perpetuated anywhere, and has been with-
out essentially changing the estate of life.
essentially changing life.
Previous, however,
Previous, however, to more
more fully entering,
fully entering, we we are
desirous to observe that a few writers on on Animal
Magnetism, having
Magnetism, having within these few years years become
enlightened
enlightened by by that singular discovery, suggest
singular discovery, suggest their
Trance and its phenomena as a revelation of the temple
its phenomena temple
mysteries
mysteries and various rehgious
religious rites.
rites. But no
no one,
one,
that we are aware,
we are developed his suggestion
aware, has developed suggestion or or
carried the idea sufliciently
sufficiently above the therapeutictherapeutic
sphere ; they
sphere they appear
; appear to have taken a a broad view,
view, with-
out particular
particular inquiry
inquiry into the nature of their rites
from the ancients themselves. Had they they done this,
this,
(we speak
(we speak of the more
more advanced minds,)minds,) we
we are per-
per-
suaded that with that key key in hand,
hand, their attention
would have been drawn in new new directions,
directions, and their
satisfaction about the modern use use of it it become much
modified by observing the far superior

by observing superior results which,which,
through their T
through Theurgic disciplines, the ancients aspired
heurgic disciplines, aspired
after, different too,
after, were superior
they were
too, as they superior to any any that
we
we are accustomed to imagine even
imagine even at the present present
day.
day.
The ordinary effects of Animal Magnetism,
ordinary effects Magnetism, or or Mes-
merism,
merism, or Vital Magnetism,
Magnetism, or or by whatever other term
by
the unknown agency agency is is better expressed, are now
expressed, now so
familiarly
familiarly known in practice that it
practice it will be unnecessary
unnecessary
them they
to describe them; ; they have attracted the attention of
the best and most advanced minds of' of the present
present age,
age,
who have hailed with admiration a discovery discovery which
1^
See the extracts rendered byby De Septchénes,
SeptcheBes, in his Religion
Religion
of the Greeks, chap. ii.
Greeks, chap. ii. from Meursius, Eleusinea et Cecropia.
Menrsius, Cecropia.
I 76
176 More Esoteric
NIORE Esoreme TlE\'.
View.
enables manman alleviate pain

to alleviate pain and maladies insur-
mountable by means, and by
by other means, by benevolent dispo-dispo-
sition of his
sition his proper vitality, acting
proper vitahty, in accord,
acting in accord, to restore
health and equilibriate
equilibriate reposerepose to hishis suffering
suffering fellow
creatures. And thus it is it is true wcwe can lull
lull the senses,
sick, sometimes too restore the blind and deaf
cure the sick,
sight, and utterance

hearing, sight,
to hearing, utterance; and it
;
is a glorious
it is glorious
step in cheering
progress, cheering
step in progress, and hopeful, a blessing on
hopeful, blessing on
our mortal suffering

suffering state. But are we
we to halt here
always, or how long?
always, long ? The ordinary phenomena of
ordinary phenomena
prevision, community
lueidity, pre^nsion,
lucidity, community of will, and
sense, will,
sense,
thought,
thought, have long
long been familiar and might have in-
might in-
stigated
stigated to more important
more
important discoverydiscovery;; but years
years have
passed, and the science has not grown,
passed, grown, but retro-
graded rather in interest and power,
graded power, since De Main-
5~°§~5"'i" yduc faithful

rest, faithful spirits,
"rest,
road of inquiry.
inquiry.
spirits, first
first
, Elliotson,
set their
Dupotet and the
Go-l-l-re-u-1-1, Elliotson, Dupotet
Puységur, Colhoun
apduc Puysegur,
fellow-men on the
effects of Mesmerism, if
But the best effects if we
we connect it it
ancients' Sacred Art,
with the ancients' appear
Art, appear as trifles
trifles in
in com-
com-
parison ; Wisdom they

Supreme Visdom
parison ; the Supreme they investigated,
investigated, the
Self-Knowledge perfection of life
Self- Knowledge and perfection life and immortality
immortality |
promised
promised and said to be bestowed on
on those initiated in
initiated
w
yy/ the higher
these things?
things
Mysteries, iyihat
higher Mysteries,
? What
Vhat wisdom
Mesmerism to do with
^hat has lICS1HCl'lSll1
does it unfold?
it unfold ? What
Vhat
is its
is its philosophy,
philosophy, or has it
it yet
yet made an attempt
attempt luMully @/U~%'/ |
eî^^/r\^
investigate the subject-being,

to investigate subject-being, the cause of its its own
own
cfleets
effects '
? ? In common
common arts,
arts, the ingenuity
ingenuityis is set to work
how it it may may advance and adapt adapt them to the best ad-
vantage; new
vantage; capabilities are discovered which,
new capabilities which, put put in l
action,
action, otten
often prove
prove the fruitful
fi'uitful source of more
more ;; whereas
Mesmerism, dwelling altogether in the ]wact'ice
dwelling altogether praclice (the same
(the same
which from the first hrst unfolded nature as far far as it it was
able), continues to run

able), run onon with her in the same same com- com-
mon-place
mon-place round. Our sleepwakers
sleepwakcrs are little
little better
dreamers, for the most part,
than dreamers, part, or resemble children
born into a new world, without a guide,
new world, guide, unable of
themselves to educate their latent faculties, faculties, or discri-
or discri-
minate truth from falsehood in their revelations. And, And,
respects the Universal Medium,
as respects they
Medium, they even,
even, who be-
.
The M'STERIES.
THE Mysteries. l T7
177
lieve in
Heve in such a thing,
thing, take it it as it itself
presents itself
it presents
naturally, having
naturally, having no knowledge
knowledge of of' the capabilities
capabihties or
means of improvement, whither it
of improvement, it is
is able
able to ascend or
descend, or what
descend, is its
w^hat is right determination.
its right determination. The few
experimental tests that
experimental tests instituted hitherto
that have been instituted
prove nothing but to identify
prove nothing identify the same same " Impon-
"Impon-
derable" through all;
derable" through all; and if we make t1'ial
it' we trial of the
Spirit's asking for

Spirit's instincts, asking revelations of prophecy
for revelations prophecy
distant scenes or journeyings
and distant through the air;and
journeyings through air,-and
they follow^
they patients of our will,
follow us, those patients we then go
will, we go
from them to to philosophize, or wonder, or to think
out fi'om philosophize, or
no more about it, it, as the easecase may
may be; repeating the
be repeating
;
same
same operations, and witnessing
mechanical operations, witnessing similar
effects continually
effects continually again, until
over again,
over
length the en-
until at length
thusiasm which early early characterized the novelty and
novelty
raised
raised expectation
expectation about it,
it, has generally and
very generally
very
naturally
naturally died away.
away.
Now this,
this, according
according to our gatherings, was
our gatherings, was not the
sort of investigation
investigation that the ancients followed in their
in their
Mysteries; although working

Mysteries although
; working in
in the same
same material
and with similar instruments,
instruments, on on the same same ground,
ground,
yet
yet their
their practice wâs different;
practice was different ; for
for it
it was conducted
was
upon principles and with a truly

upon established principles philo-
truly philo-
as well as benevolent airn.
sophic
sophic aim. Theurgists, indeed,
Theurgists, indeed,
condemn the Spirit ofthe
Spirit of the natural life degraded and
life as degraded
incapable
incapable of true intelligence,
intelligence, nor
nor did therefòre
they therefore
they
value the revelations of its its first
first included sphere sphere; but
;
proceeded
proceeded at once, passing these,
passing these, as it
it appears,
appears, in in the
Mysteries, to dissolve the medium more
Lesser Mysteries, entirely;
more entirely;
and, they knew how,

and, as they segregate the Vital Spirit
how, to segregate Spirit
away
away from those detilements
defilements and imaginative im-
imaginative
pressures which, by
pressures which, by the birth into sense, had become
sense,
implanted there, obscuring
implanted there, obscuring its
its intelligence and that
intelligence
which,
eye which,
divine eye as Plato says, is
says, is better worth than
ten thousand corporeal

corporeal eyes
eyes; ; for by
by looking through
looking through
this alone,
this alone, when it
it is
is purified
purified and strengthened
strengthened by by
appropriate aids,
appropriate aids, the truth pertaining
pertaining to all
all
beings is
beings is
perceived.
perceived
The Neoplatonists
The Neoplatonists wrote largely largely of the Theurgical
Theurgical
art many are quoted quoted by by St. Augustine and his
Augustine his cotem-
eoteni- <,42é'-V
/^/os-
;`1nany;_are
; St.
N
178 More
Moms Esorrruc
Esoteric View.
vhich
poraries which
poraries are
ai'c transmitted, but
not transmitted, were destroyed
destroyed
/ probably through
probably through the sectarian
seetarian malice
maHce and short-
short-
sighted poHcy
sighted of
policy of the^Roman
the,Ronian government,
government, which toler-
toler-
ated nothing
nothing but luxury
luxury and arms. Yet suflieient
sufficient
remains to e\dnce evinee the nature of the Mysteries, Mysteries, since, since,
besides
besides those before —
named Plotinus, Proclus,
before named--Plotinus, Proelus, Por-
7"
"
Synesius, and ,lamblicus
phyry, Synesius,
phyry, Jambhcus especially
especially-all — all refer
refer to
declaring also
them, declaring also the objects
objects and revelations.
revelations. And
in
in what the disease
disease of the Spirit consists,
Spirit and from
what cause it it falsities
Hmlsiiies and is is dulled,
dulled, and how it it becomes
clarified
clarified and defecated, and restored to its
its innate
simplicity, may
simplicity, may be learned in
in part
part from their
their philo-
philo-
sophy for
sophy; for by
; by the lustrations
lustrations in
in the Mysteries,
Mysteries, as they
they
describe,
describe, the soul becomes liberated
liberated and passes
passes into
into a
a
divine condition of
divine ot` being.
being.
Synesius
Synesius writes appositely on the early
writes appositely disciplines,
early disciplines,
showing
showing the pliantast-ical
phantastical condition also
also of the natural
understanding essence, before it
understanding it is
is purified
purified by by art and
exalted.
exalted. This Etherial Spirit, Spirit, he says,
says, is
is situated on
on
the confines ofthe of the rational

rational and brutal life, life, and is is of a
eorporeal and incorporeal

corporeal incorporeal degreedegree ; and it
; is the medium
it is
which conjoins
conjoins divine natures with the lowest of all. all.
And nature extends the latitude latitude of a phantastic
phantastic essence
through
through every every condition of things; things it ;it descends to ani- ani-
mals in in whom intellect intellect is is not present
present; ; in this
this case,
case,
however, it
however, it is
is not the understanding
understanding of a divine part part
(as in
(as man it
in man ought to be)
it ought be) but becomes the reason of of'
the animal with which it it is connected,
is connected, and is
is the occa-
ocea-
sion of its acting with much wisdom and propriety.

its acting propriety.
And it it isis obvious, continues, that many
obvious, he continues, many of the
energies of the human life
energies life consist from this nature, nature,
if from something
or if something else (/(I c.
e. to say, from reason),
say, reason),
yet
yet this
this prevails most
prevails most; for we
we
; are not accustomed to
cogitate without imagination,
cogitate unless, indeed,
imagination, unless, some one
indeed, some
should on on a sudden be enabled to pass into contact
pass
with an
an intelligible essence?
intelligible essence.^
That is is into the identical apperecption
apperception of of' true being
being , ;
which is is not possible

possible under the ordinary
ordinary conditions of
I
' Taylor's Proclus on
See Taylor's the extract
Euclid, tlie
on Euclid, trom
from Syncsius,
Synesius,
ii.
vol. ii.
vol.
THE
The Mysteries.
Mvsrnnms. 179
thought in
thought in this
this life;
Hfe but reason is
; is always more or less
always more less
debilitated
debilitated in its energies
in its energies by
by the
the habitual
habitual dependence
dependence
on sense for for data and objective
objective proof, by that
proof, and by that
modal consciousness which prevents
prevents from transcending
transcending
it.
it. Nor isis this
this the only
only barrier, since when deed
barrier, since freed from
the eneumbrance
encumbrance of the senses temporarily,
temporarily, when inin a
state of'
state they
of trance they are quiescent, their
quiescent, their impressure
impressure
remains, and, as Synesius
yet remains,
yet says, a false
Synesius says, false imagination,
imagination,
which it is requisite
it is requisite to destroy, well as to banish all
destroy, as well all
intluxions from without, before
influxions understanding
before the understanding
spirit
spirit can superinduce
superinduce Divinity.
Divinity.
It is well
It is known that Pythagoras
Pythagorasinstituted long pre-
instituted long pre-
parations
parations and ordeals to train
train the minds of his
his disci-
disci-
ples, previously
ples, admitting them into the deeper
previously to admitting deeper
mysteries
mysteries of his
his school ; and his
his biographer
;
biographer relates
relates how,
how,
by
by divine arts and 1nedia,he
media, he healed and purified the
purified
souls of his followers, and that by
his followers, by constantly holding
constantly holding
allied to a certain
them allied preeedential good,
certain precedential their lives
good, their lives
were preserved
preserved in in continual harmony
harmony and converse
highest causes. But dense thickets,

with the highest thickets, which -7-
are full
full of briers, /amblicus,
briers, saySy/amblicus,
says surround the intel-
intel- _/
lect and heart of those who have not been purely
lect purely
initiated, and obscure the mild and tranquil
initiated, tranquil reason-
power, and openly
ing power,
ing openly impede intelleetive part
impede the intellective part
becoming increased and elevated ; and again,
from becoming : again,
—
-It It may
may be well to consider the length length of time
we consumed in
that we in wiping away the stains which had
wiping away
insinuated themselves into our our breasts, till, after
breasts, till, after the /
lapse of
lapse years, we
some years,
of' some we became fit
become fit recipients
recipients for the /^.
doctrines of Pythagoras for as dyers
Pythagoras ; for dyers previously
;
previously purify
purify /
garments, a.nd
garments, and then tix in the colours with which they
fix in
they
wish them to be imbued in in order that the dye dye may
may
evanescent, after the same
not be evanescent, same manner
manner also that
man prepared
divine man prepared the souls of .those
those that are lovers
of Visdom. For he did not impart
of' Wisdom. impart specious
specious doctrines
snare, but he possessed
or a snare,
or possessed a scientific knowledge of
scientific knowledge
things human and divine.'
divine.'
The
The Egyptian Olympiodorus also speaks
Egyptian Olympiodorus speaks of of' the
"> . v ~
1 ,.
/ ainblicus' Life of'

/aniblicua' of Pythagoras,
Pytlmgoras, chap,
chap. xvi.,
^/
1
xvi., xvii.
xvn.
'
/ N 2
N
;;
180 More
Moms Esornnic VIEW.
Esoteric View.
natural imperfection
impcrfectien of the
the human understanding,
understanding, and
how far
far its
its conceptions divine illumina-
conceptions are adverse to divine illumina-
tion.
tion. The jDhantasy,
phantasy, says
says he, is an
he, is impediment to
an impediment
intellectual conception;
our intellectual conception hence, when wc
; we are agi- agi-
tated by by the inspiring influence of divinity,
inspiring influence divinity, and the
phantasy intervenes, the enthusiastic
phantasy enthusiastic energy energy ceasesceases,
for enthusiasm and the phantasy
for phantasy are contrarycontrary to each
other.
other. Should it it be asked whether the soul is is able
able to
energize without the phantasy,
energize phantasy, we we reply, t//at the
reply, that the per-
per-
ception of
ception þÿI/YIli1f sals
cj Univei ¬I'..'(I[S
proves that
proves that it it is ab/c.'
is able}
As a rational promise to this
rational promise this life
life of a higher reality,
a higher reality,
the subsistence of these Universals cannot be too
often
often or too distinctly
distinctly brought brought to mind mind; for
; for not only only
do they
they reveal in
in us a necessity ot'
necessity Being beyond
of Being beyond pre- pre-
sent experience,
cxperience, but, adumbrating,
adumbrating, as it it were, their
their an-
tecedent light, assist much, if
light, assist pcrspicuously beheld,
if perspicuously beheld,
#1
^J /
.
.
to introduce the idea of that consummate VVisdom, Wisdom,
Z7xl'/O
U\...t^ wherein Elie-fsame
tho oamc reason,
'
becoming passive,
reason, becoming passive, receives
the substance of her whole. And the ancients glow- glow-
ingly describe the truth so conceived as an
ingly an unques-
unques-
experienee; one
tionable experience ; and the same
one _and same in all, where _
in all,
T
ditierenee is
difference merged in
is merged in objective
objective union. And Jamb-/amb- _L Z
licus moreover asserts,
licus moreover asserts, that TheurgicThcurgic rites rites conspiring
conspiring
this end were scientifically
to this disposed and early fle-
scientifically disposed early de-
tined by
fined intellectual canons
by intellectual canons; neither is
; is it
it lawful to
consider these canons as mutable, mutable, since they they are the
natural faith
faith of hfe, life, and alone of all
all creeds catholic
crceds
and independent.
independent.
But to transcend the sensible life life in rational energy energy
permanently
permanently apart apart is
is described as not less difiicult
less difficult
than fortunate to attain; attain ; hence Plato appropriates
appropriatcs the
possession
possession of Wisdom
Visdom to old age, signifying by
age, signifying by this inin-
intelleet divining
intellect divining intuitively
intuitively without imaginative error,
imaginative error
Wisdom such as is
a Visdo1n is not worldly,
worldly, since it it by no
by no means
means
belongs
belongs to the common
common life
life of man,
man, nor is
is to be
hoped
hoped for at all,
all, either in the early awakening
early awakening of the
life within
within; but by by transition effected by
life ; a
gradually
gradually by
Art away
away from the profound
profou nd stains of a
a baser atl`cction,
affection,
1*
Seo Porphyry's
See 1'orpl1yry`s Aids to Intelligibles.
lntelligibles. Taylor, p.
Taylor, 207, note.
p. 207,
The
Tun M'sTER1Es.
Mysteries. l8l
181
it is
it carried up
is carried through the
up through the love
love of of truth by faith into
by faith into
vivid
vivid contact with its its whole.
Whole.
And the extremity extremity of all all evil
evil in this life
in this life consists,
consists,
according to the ancients, in
according in not perceiving
perceiving the pre- pre-
sent evil evil and how much human nature stands in in need
of melioration;
melioration ; this is
and this part of that
is a part that twofold ig- ig-
norance which Plato exeerates, execrates, which being ignorant
being ignorant
that it
that it is ignorant has no
is ignorant no desire emerge, but may
desire to eme1'ge, may be
compared to a body
compared body all all over indurated by by disease,
disease,
which, being
which, being no longer longer tormented with pain, pain, is is nei-
nei-
ther anxious to bc cured.
be cured. But he who lives lives in in the
consciousness of something something better better will will meditate im-
provement, and desire
provement, desire is is the first
first requisite
requisite; indeed,
; indeed,
without desire desire on our part, part, art will will labour for for us in in
vain, since VVill
vain, Will is is the greatest
greatest partpart of of purgation.
purgation. And
through the means
through means of this, this, says Syncsius, both our
says Synesius,
deeds and discourses extend their hands to assist assist us in in
our assent ; but this
our ; being taken away
this being away the soul is is de-
prived of every
prived purifying machine because destitute of
every purifying
assent, which is
assent, is the greatest
greatest pledge reconciliation.
pledge of reconcihation.
Hence disciplines willingly endured become of far
disciplines willingly far
greater utility,
greater utility, whilst they vcxation to evil
oppose vexation
they oppose evil
and banish the love of stupid pleasure from the soul.
stupid pleasure soul.
But the phantasticphantastic Spirit Spirit maymay be purified,
purified, even even in
brutes, continues this
brutes, this author,
author, so that something something
better may induced how much will
may be induced: : will not the regres- regres-
sion of the rational soul be therefore base, base, if if she
neglects
neglects to restore that which is
is foreign
foreign to her nature,
nature,
and leaves lingering lingering upon upon earth that which rightly rightly be-
longs
longs on on high
high ?? Sili('E
Since it it is possible, by
is possible, bij labour and o a
[11///sitiozzizzlo
transition into other lives,lives, for
for I//c
the i)ll(lgl}I(l[l'L`C
imaginative .soul
soul to
bc om/ to emerge
})ll}'!]i('([ and
be purijied from this
czrzcrgc from t//is dark
1/ark abode.
obo(/e. And
this rcstoratio)i
)'('.S'[0I°lYfi0ll indeed
im/cod one one or two tivo may
mo_y obloin
obtain as a
gf!
o gift
I/z`vi11it_y and initiation. Then,

ry' divinity
of indeed, the soul ac-
Then, indeed,
quires fortitude with divine assistance,
quires assistance, but it is no tri-
it is tri-
fling
fling contest to abrogate
abrogate the confession and compact
compact
which she has made with sense. And in in this case
_fl)l'('C
force will employed, for the material inflictors
will be employed, inllictors will will
then be roused to vengeance, vengeance, by by the decrees of fate,
fate,
against the rebels of her laws
against laws, and this
; this is is what the
182 More Esoteric
MORE Esorsiue View.
Sacred DfSC0ll)`SC
Discourse testifies
testifies by
by the
labours of Her-
cules, and the dangers
cules, dangers which he required to en-
was required
was
dure,
dure, and which every
every one must experience who
experience
bravely
bravely contends for
for liberty,
liberty, till
till the Understanding
Understanding
Spirit
Spirit rises
rises superior
superior to the dominion of
of nature and is
is
placed beyond
placed beyond the reach of
of her hands?
hands. ^
evidence, it
foregoing evidence,
Hence, and from the foregoing may
it may
have become probable
probable that modern art
art has hitherto
hitherto
unfolded but a small and inferior inferior part only of
part only
the Spirit's life; nor has experience
Spirit's life ; experience yet opened into
yet opened into
temptations
those temptations and trials
trials which the conscious-
ness must necessarily pass through, all
necessarily pass through, all the while re-
gressive,
gressive, before it reaches into
it into the central illumination
of truth.
truth. Nor does anything
anything occur to us more 1no1'e beau-
tifully suggestive than the whole

tifully suggestive of the passage, from
passage,
which we we here gather, wherein Synesius describes not
gather, Synesius
011ly the life
only life that is operated upon
is operated and, in
upon and, in graceful
graceful
terms, the artifice,
terms, artifice, but shows the conditions of desire
will, so indispensable
and will, indispensable for for advancement, the la- la-
bours and dangers dangers likewise
likewîse which
wdiich attend those who
wiio
aspire to the upper
aspire grades of Intellectual
upper gi'ades Science.
Intellectual Science.
And is is it
it not true,
true, as he remarks so far, we do lead
far, we
for the most part
for phantastic life?
part a phantastic Hfe? Nor leastleast they
they
who least
least suspect
suspect it, for it
it, for it is shining of truth that
is the shining
makes this visible, as a cloud before her face.
this visible, face. Are
we not filled
filled too with conceits and roving roving imaginations
imaginations
idols, which we
and idols, mistaking for
evermore mistaking
we are evermore for the
real good?
good? Do we we not abound in in sects and dissen-
sions, heresies and doubts,
sions, heresies scarcely two are to
doubts, so that scarcely
be found agreeing
agreeing on
on all
all points?
points ? And the causes are
obvious ; without a standard and sure foundation to
;
build on,
on, we we judge,
judge, as we we are only able,
only able, with the ru-
dimentary faculties and senses that are bo1'n
dimentary faculties born in us, and
in us,
of all nature, as through
all nature,
through a glass darkly.
glass darkly. lf,
Tf, there-
]^
See Taylor's
Taylor's History Restoration of the Platonic Phi-
History of the Eestoration
losophy
losophy ill in vol.
vol. ii.
ii. of his Proclus
Proelus on
on Euclid. Tliis
This Synesius
Synesius waswas
the Christian Platonist,
l'latonist, Bisliop before 111Cl1lZl0l1C(l
Alexandria, beibre
Bishop of Alexandria, mentioned
in the history;
history one well experienced,
; according to his own
experienced, zu-eordiug own ac- :le-
count, in tlie
f-ount, ill the Hermetic
llcrnielie philosophy,
philosophy, and whose writings on the art
writings on
þÿlI'"jlNllllll1llll)l1
of transjimtation have in
liave in part descend(-d to this day.
part descended day
The MYs'rEu11;s.
'PHE Mysteries. l83
183
fbre,
fore, with thisthis same iiiisunderstanding and infected
same misunderstanding infected
Spirit,
Spirit, we we enter in forin discovery and contemplation
for the discovery contemplation
ol'
ot" ourselves, it will be useless
it will useless; we ;
shall not there
we shall there
discern
discern the true hypostasis,
hypostasis, but err
amongst the tur-
amongst tur-
bulent and shadowy impressures of this
shadowy impressures life's birth
this life's birth
sphere of
and sphere of accidents.
accidents. mingling with the soul
Thus mingling
of the universe, without purification purification or any any distinc-
distinc-
tion
tion of its
its light,
light, our vehicle disports herself oftentimes
vehicle disports herself
in many
in mingling forms;
many mingling forms as ; as it is with those who dream
it is
or make to themselves a a fool's
paradise with the drug-
fool's paradise drug-
gist's
gist's gas ; since
gas; since this, this, even impure
impure as it
it is
is and full
full of'
of
folly, being
folly, being of like
like nature with our life, coalesces;
life, coalesces ;
and would, if if allowed to persist,persist, consume its its 1'ation-

ration-
ality.
ality. And on
on this
this account we observe the ancients
particularly warn about the treatment of their
more particularly
more their
Spirit, which, though
Spirit, which, though of a
a
higher
higher birth
birth and instinct
instinct (as
(as
we
we may
may observe in
in the comparison
comparison of mesmerized
patients and those under the influence of chloroform
patients
or common
common aether,)tether,) and capable capable of so much higher, higher,
even as they they say say of the highest intelligence, yet
highest intelligence, yet inin
proportion may
proportion may suffer
suffer also
also the most fearful
fearful degrada-
degrada-
tion.
tion. Accordingly
Accordingly if if the will incline downwards, per-
will incline per-
sisting
sisting to grovel,
grovel, or evil evil agencies intervene, then,
agencies intervene, then, as
the Szzcrcfl Disc01u'.s'e has it,
Sacred Discourse it, the Spirit
Spirit growsgrows heavyheavy
and sinks into proiound profound Hades. It is
It is necessary
necessary that
the mind,
mind, onceonce seated in Spirit, should either
this Spirit,
in this either
tbllow or draw
follow drav or be drawn by by it.
it. Hence,
Hence, if'
if growing
growing
predominant in
predominant folly, she should cease to aspire,
in folly, aspire, the
whole identity,
identity, being submerged together,
being submerged together, would vould be
converted to her life. life.
For isis she not that very Sphinx of the Labyrinth,

very Sphinx Labyrinth,
the devourer of strangers strangers and all all who have not the wit
to unriddle her and know knov themselves?
themselves ? At all
all evênts,
events,
such is is said to be the nature of the Phantastic Spirit Spirit
before it it is mundified, that he who enters so far
is mundilied, far as to
pr¢y"ou1zrI!_y conscious in her essence,
be 'profoundly essence, will will be lost in
confusion, if
irrational confusion, if he assume
assume not quickly quickly his intel» intel-
lectual energies and solve, that is
leetual energies is comprehend,
comprehend, it it on
on its
its
own ground.
own ground. For, if
For, if reason remains passive, passive, this this
nature at
natm-e prevailing, will ravage
length prevailing,
al length ravage and devastate
— r — —
l84
184 More
Mons Esoramc View.
Esoteric
possession of the
and take possession the whole mind, destroying destroying its its
active energies
active energies and converting
converting them to herself.
to herself. Thus
Jamblieus, speaking
Jamblicus, speaking of of this
this mundane spirit, —
spirit, says-it
says it
grows
grows upon upon and fashions fashions all all the powers
powers of the soul,
exciting in
exciting opinion the illuminations
in opinion illuminations from the senses,
fixes in
and fixes in that lifethat life which is extended from
is body the
fi'om body
impressions
impressions which descend from intellect.
intellect. And Pro-
elus, concerning
clus, concerning the same nature,
same declares
nature, declares that —
that-it folds
it folds
itself about the indivisibility

itself indivisibility of true intellect intellect (which
(which is is
in its
in its centre),
centre), conforms itself
itself to all
all formless species,
species,
and becomes perfectly everything from which dianoia
perfectly everything
and ourour individual reason consistH. consist^. And, as it is com-
it is com-
monly
monly observed to be a vain labour to infuse
infuse doctrine
perplexed and turbid b1'ain,
into a perplexed brain, or for me1'ely prac-
for a merely prac-
tical unspeculative
tical unspeculative soul to judge
judge of abstract propo-propo-
sitions;
sitions just
;
just so,so, no doubt, the best constituted minds
no doubt,
would he inadequate to self-inspection
be inadequate self-inspection on their first
on their first
entrance into life. life. For the Spirit Spirit understands the
attections
affections of the mind,
mind, and reflects
reflects its
its image
image as it
it is,
is,
whether good good or evil.

evil. But the primary
primary and proper
proper
vehicle of the mind, mind, when it it is
is in
in a wise and purified purified
condition, is
condition, is attenuated and clear seeing seeing; when how-
;
ever the mind is affected, then this

sensually affected,
is sensually this vehicle
is dulled and becomes terrene
is terrene; ; the instincts
instincts are said
to be imperfect
imperfect just just in
in proportion
proportion as the perceptive
perceptive
medium is impure, and therefore it
is impure, it needs alteration
solution, as the Oracles teach,

and solution, teach, for for the discernment
diseernnient
good and evil,
of good evil, and the proper proper choice of life. life.
It is
It is therefore that the Alchemists so much declaim
against the vulgar
against vulgar Matter as it it is first made known,
is at first
full of heterogeneous
full heterogeneous qualities qualities and notions, notions, as a sub-
ject
ject fallen
fallen f`rom
from its
its sphere
sphere and defiled. Hence all all
those preparations,
preparations, solutions, solutions, ealeinations, &c.,
calcinations, &c., before
it becomes to be the "Mercury of Philosophers"
it "Mercury Philosophers "-
pure, agile, intelligent, living-as they say,
pure, agile, intelligent, living— as they say, in in her
own
own
sphere,
sphere, as a queen upon her
queen upon throne.-Aeei~pe-
throne. Aceipc -
þÿ`0(.'
occultum --- arcanum
¬tlifli11*=&l' — —
¬&'B'l3'i1i quod est zes- nostrum ct lavQr>
s~nostr
'
qnnd »uru«i- et mundum> —

quod_sit_pui'ui11»et~m+mdmns-Dehiflc-poiie-i44-v:ise
si t
}
—
t
Dcindc pone in va se
§~, nofetr e eum
~nest~H»~eu111--sifgil-le-plfi-lcsopi1° o
s igillo philoaophic ,
,
— cgimi« e- initiu m
g' 'ic-inifhiiii
/ est-pertectafsolutio. Take, says
cot pcrfccta solutio . Take, says Albertus
Albcrtus Magnus,
Magnus,
/
The
Tue Mysteries.
Mrsremiss. l85
185
the occult nature,

it may
sateve, which is
pure and clean.
is our brass,brass, and wash it
The tirst first rule
^
/'L LEQA ,L
it CjAXBaî'^JA
that it may be pure clean, .
_ .
. _
.
of the work is perfect solution.'

is a perfect solution.^
All which we we understand with reference to the uni-
versal Mundane Spirit, Spirit, as it it isis at first first consciously
consciously
revealed in in the recipient
recipient life
life of humanity
humanity; which
;
Aristotle,
Aristotle, in
in his
his Hletap/zysics,
Metaphysics, calls
calls pa.s'.s'iz:c inte//ect,
passive intellect,
because capablecapable of receiving
receiving and being
being converted to
— the best or worst inclination,
all--the
all inclination, the highest highest truth or
the most delusive imaginings-of
imaginings — manifesting motives
of manifesting
in vital
in etlects, and within certain
vital effects, certain limitslimits of organizing
organizing
transporting them.
even and transporting
And thisthis wewe take to be the identical identical agent agent which is is
spread
spread abroad in the present day
present day mesmerizing,
mesmerizing, the
" New^ Imponderable," for it it
photogenic medium, our "New
photogenic lmponderable,"
is Gomrnon Soul;
is the Common eoul also the subject-matter
; subject-matter of the
aforesaid, when they
Alchemists aforesaid, they call call it thing indif-
it a thing indif-
abject, and exposed
ferent, abject,
ferent, exposed in
in all
all hands,
hands, moving
moving here
below in in shadowy
shadowy manifestation,
manifestation, invisibly and uncon-
invisibly
sciously
sciously converted to every
every will
will and various use. It
It
is what the world cares not for,
is for, as the adept adept says, says, but
disesteerns
disesteems it it; it
; it hath it it in
in its sight, carries it
its sight, it in its
its
hands,
hands, yet yet is
is ignorant
ignorant thereof;
thereof; for it passeth
it passeth away
away with
a sudden pace pace without being being known
known; yet ; yet these trea-
chiefest, and he that knows the Art,
sures are the chiefest, Art, and
expressions,
the expressions, and hath the medium,
mel/izmz, will be richer
than anyany other."
other. ^ But,
But, in its its natural state, state, the micro-
eosmic
cosmic life life isis not dissimilar from the vitality vitality of the
world, which is
greater world,
greater is included by respiration in
by respiration in the
blood of all creatures, maintaining
all creatures, maintaining its its perpetual
perpetual pul- pul-
sation, as of the wind and waves,
sation, waves, their flux and re-
supplying to all
flux, supplying
flux, all existence the food of life. life. And
how much such a life life isis in need of melioration,
melioration, how
much it it suffers and desires, desires, and how tar far itsits benefi- . r
eence falls short of

c^nce falls
apparent, and,
apparent, and, witltout
human hope and iiflealét-y,
hope
more cv^deee^,
þÿv:it:lroa~t=mere=e@==i
d eality may
, may
¬lerree,that in her
Ca/.aft/§
be CciMyO-iJf^
'
Door-keeper,
Door-keeper, Isis is
is not revealed.
I
1
Alberti, in
Secret. Tract. Alberti, iu fine.
fine.Artis Auriteiwe, 130, &c.
p. 130,
Aurifer??, p.
2
^ Aquarium
Aquarium Sapient
Sapicntfim, part ii.
um, part ii. in fine.
fine. Vaughan's
Vaugliaifs Coelum-
Terrze, p.
Terree^ p. SO, Ste.
80, &c.
a
;
186 More ESOTERIC

MORE Esoteric View.
But so far far wewe have yet yet advanced only only to the gate gate of
Labyrinth, where the Sphinx
great Labyrinth,
the great Sphinx is is even now l]OV pre-
pre-
propounding her dark riddles
rapidly propounding
sent, rapidly riddles toto thethe world,
images of the obscure and intricate
images intricate nature of the hu-
man spirit
spirit ; which, by
; by the devious windings, windings, delusivedelusive
attractions and similitudes
attractions simiHtudes of of its
its own
own included sphere,
sphere,
leads impereeptibly, as it
leads imperceptibly, it were,
were, by by an alluring grace, into
alluring grace, into
that Hermetic wilderness and wdld wild of M agie in
Magic in which so
many adventurers have gone
many astray. This is
gone astray. is the M Mon-on-
ster and the Eternal Riddle explained explained common

to common sense
suits it,
as suits it, but misunderstood to this day that Com-
this day; ;
pound Simple
pound Simple and ground
ground of the elements-a
niagians' elements
magians' —
thing
thing so
perplexedly
perplexedly treated of by them, and having
by having
about it latitude for
it such a latitude for sophistication,
sophistication, that it is al-
it is al-
impossible
most impossible to collect
collect or unravel what has been
said of it.
said it. Or how should reason attempt attempt to define
an
an essence all comprehending, yet
all comprehending, separated in
yet separated in each
particular, by
particular, by so great Elll interval
great an interval from itself?
itself? But
this is
this is that Augean
Augean Stable that was
was to be cleansed,
cleansed,
that most famous labour of the philosophic philosophic Hercules;
Hercules
nor the least
nor least of labours,
labours, to. to_ turn the current of life life
into another channel,
channel, and purify
purify the natural source.
Close uponupon the revealment of the Medial Life then, then,

as we
we take it, it, in
in order of the Mysteries
Mysteries followed the
Purificative Rites,Rites, which were
were
designed
designed also to restore
/ / monarchy of reason in
the monarchy in the soul, soul, and this this not
pts/
Q^^| either as an an end so much,
much, but.preparatory
bu^preparatory to under-
going
going tl1e
the final
final initiations.
initiations. We
Ve arc
are induced,
induced, however,
longer on this first
to dwell longer first step,
step, and on the necessity necessity
of intellectual preparation
preparation and auxiliaries;
auxiliaries ; because it it
may
may be objected,
objected, as we
we proceed
proceed to unfold the ultimate
tradition of this
tradition this Wisdom,
Visdo1n, that we we have no valid wit-
ness to our our side;
side ; that any any individual may declare
may
according
according to the revelations of his
his mind,
mind, and introduce
a
a various imagination
imagination to the idea of truth ; ;that even
supposing
supposing the mind included for for a while and entirely
entirely
free from outward impressions,
impressions, still, retaining as it
still, retaining it
must the original bias,

original bias, not only
only of sense
sense but of birth
birtli
education, its
and education, its experience will be neither trust-
experience will
worthy
worthy nor
nor important
imi)ortant to this life;
life and then nothing
nothing
:
The Mysteries.
THE MYSTERIES. l87
187
of aa universal character, such as

universal character, as the ancients
ancients speak of,
speak of,
has been observed; or if asserted, how should it
if it be
þÿ=§`CQ/LC&( ¬lshardl-y
ScoaczIjlj proved ?? Reason in
-fearfHy proved days is
in these days is not content
1/ with aflirmatiou; it will

affirmation; it will have objective its
response to its
objective response
faith all
faith ; all pretensions,
; therefore,
pretensions, therefore, to internal lights
internal lights and
j
1
revelations have ceased to attract
revelations attract the attention of of
mankind. again, it
And, again, may be inquired
it may inquired why, why, if if true
Being is
Being is everywhere
everywhere totally present, it is
totally present, it is not so per-
per-
ceived ; and why
; why all partaking do not enjoy
things partaking
all things enjoy the
light of the so-called
light superstantial world '??
so-called superstantial
In reply
reply to this
this last
last objection, we
objection, we would ask if it be
if it
not because that very Light is
very Light is drawn outwardly, and
(ll'ELWl] outwardly,
enchanted by by sense;
sense that
;
it
it is
is internally unconscious
internally
and oblivious
oblivious every every where of the great Identity whence
great Identity
it springs
it springs? ? If
If that were applied inwardly which now
applied inwardly now
looks out,out, and every impediment removed,
every natural impediment removed,
experience might
experience might then reveal in in us the antecedent life. life.
But the former objections objections recur here : :there are impe-
impe-
diments ; and it ; it behoves us to consider scrupulously, scrupulously,
but without prejudice, possibility and tests of such
prejudice, the possibility
experience ; for
an experience for if
;if by
by this traditionary fall
this traditionary fall and out-
birth,
birth, the understanding
understanding is
is so polluted
polluted as to be no no
able, as Lord Bacon supposes#
more able, supposes,^ to reflect reflect the
total reason
total reason to itself, introspection will
itself, introspection useless, and
will be useless,
the central mystery mystery remains,remains, as humanity,
respects humanity,
respects
hopeless problem
a hopeless problem after
after all.
all.
None better than the ancients (who (who 'profess

"profess to
have enjoyed
enjoyed the rational life
life in its
its most intimate
spheres,
spheres, and to have reaped
reaped its
its most real and lasting
lasting-
advantages,)
advantages,) describe the folly
folly and fatal
fatal allurenients
allurements
to which they subjected who trust themselves
they are subjected
to remain passively
passively dreaming
dreaming in in the region region of the
phantasy,
phantasy, with its
its notions and instincts,
instincts, more
often more
false, fleeting,
false, fleeting, and evil
evil than the images
corporeal images with
corporeal
which sense
sense is is conversant. It
It is for this cause
is for they
cause they
insist
insist so much that, before any
that, before any one
o11e bctakes
betakes himself to
the inner life Ufe of contemplation-before —
contemplation before he hopes, hopes, wc
we
mean,
mean, to pass pass into its its Reason--that
Reason that all— all else be etlec-
cfl'ec-
l^
Instz|.u1'at-ion of the Sciences,
See his Instauration init.
Sciences, sub iiiit.
188 More Esorizmc View.
Moen Esoteric
obliterated, and the mental atmosphere

tually obliterated,
tually atmosphere made
clear passive before
clear and passive before its
its objective
objective light.
light. Vithout
Without
this, they
this, they promise nothing; with it,
promise nothing; all. And on this
it, all. this
possibility, namely,
possibility, namely, of
of purifying
purifying the
the human Under-
standing Essence,
standing developing to consciousness its
Essence, and developing its
occult.
occult Causality,
Causality, the transcendental philosophy
philosophy of the
mystics may
mystics may be observed to hinge entirely and exceed
hinge entirely
every other.
every other.
For that there is a foundation of'
there is truth in
of truth in existence,
existence,
is as necessary
is for us to admit as that we
necessary for we are ignorant
ignorant
of' it
of it;
; and the doubt rather remains also
also about the
discovery
discovery of
of means, than the possibility
possibility of'
of selt"-know-
self-know-
ledge.
ledge.
To continue then, authority of
partly on the authority
then, partly of' the
Greek philosophers
philosophers and partly
partly on some
some other grounds
grounds
hereafter to be disposed
hereafter of, we
disposed of, infer that the
led to infer
we are led
Hermetic puritieations Mysteries, celebrated in
purifications and llystcries, in the
temples
Eastern temples and by
by the priests
priests at Elcusis, were
Eleusis, were
real and etlieacious
real efficacious forfor the highest
highest ends that philoso-
philoso-
phy itself, namely,
propose to itself,
phy can propose purification and
namely, the purification
pertection of human life
perfection life; and that inasmuch as the
;
object
object was dif'lèrent
different and immeasurably
immcasurably superior
superior to
those proposed
proposed by by modern llesmerism,
Mesmerism, or any other
any
art or science of' were the
day, so also were
present day,
of the present
means employed
means employed (the particulars of which are furtJicr
(thc })articulars f.Ul'tl](_'l`
Practice), and the administration
discussed under the Practice),
in proportion
in proportion purer,purer, holier,
holier, and entirely seientihe
entirely scientific.
For does
For docs not all experimentalism and philosophy
our experimentalism
all our philosophy
end in Rict where the ancients began,
in fact began, purifying
purifying the
Vital Spirit in its
Spirit in its proper Light ?
proper Light?
Or if
()r if any
any one think we
we have been discussing
discussing allall the
nothing, and developing

mere nothing, a vain imagina-
while a mere developing imagina-
tion, we admit it;
tion, we it ;
suggesting
suggesting only that, That which is,
only that. is,
mind, so mere
in his mind,
in nothing, becomes in
mere a nothing, in that ofa of a
philosopher to be the All in
philosopher in all.
all. But who willwill now now
latitude andsuhstantiality
full latitude
conceive the full and substantiality of this
this prin-
prin-
metaphysical use
ciple, or the true metaphysical
ciple, use thereof? Few,
Few,
very
very few,
few, Philalcthes
Philalethes said,
said, there were in
in his day, and
day,
will even inquire
who will inquire now,now, or believe that it it is
is the
very
very same
same which solved and resolved,
resolved, and wisely
wisely
THE Mvsrsairzs.
The Mysteries. 189
manipulated, becomes to be the

manipulated, thc concrete Stone of of phi-
phi-
losophers;
losophers in
in its
its
; pure,
pure, passive
passive expanse,
expanse, a mi1'ro1'
mirror of
of
the catholic
catholic reason ofof nature, and the medium of that
holy and sublime experience
holy granted to man
experience granted man alone
in divine alliance-EX
in the divine alliance —
Ex natura et et diviuo
divino factum
Reuchlin, in
est, as Reuchlin,
est, T/ze _/llirgfc
in 2'he M'mjic Worr/,
Word, expresses
expresses itit- — /
Divinum enim quia

facit.
vinas substantias facit.
vinas
divinitate conjunct|lm di-
cum divinitate
quia cum conjunctam
di-
/
/a/
/^^/
^
Take that which is least, and draw it

is least, it by artifice into
by artifice into
the true ferment of philosophers
philosophers ; although
although our metal
;
is
is exteriorly yet it
dead, yet
exteriorly dead, it has life
life within, and wants
nothing more than that
nothing that That which in eyes of
in the eyes
philosopher is
a philosopher precious should be collected,
is most precious eollceted,
and that That which the many many set more value on on be
rejected; and these words are manifest without envy,
rejected ; envy,
says the Greek Aristhenes.
Aristhenes, O, how wonderful is is that
says
thing to which we
thing wc add nothing different and detract
nothing different
only in
nothing, only
nothing, in the preparation removing superiiui-
preparation removing superflui-
ties?
ties.^
From that which is is perfect nothing more can be
perfect nothing
made; for
made ;
species is
perfect species
for a perfect changed in
is not changed in its
its na-
ture, neither from

ture, froni an utterly imperfect
an utterly thing
imperfect thing can art
produce perfection; but this

produce perfection ;
this Universal SpiritSpirit is is de-
susceptible of conversion and all

—
substance passive, undetermined,
scribed as a middle substance-passive,
all extremes. And such
susceptible
accordingly we
accordingly we understand to be the Que Zfhing
^ne ^hing needfrrly
itself, in turn
poi"
purifying and to be purified
purifying purified itself by itself,
itself by i§Ll1'11
Q A
agent and patient,

agent patient, which are the Hermetic luminaries;
luminaries ;
L 21
Ll,(&f[¢`f
/
in their full
in representative advancement, the Sun and
full representative
Moon philosophical,
philosophical, passing through many
passing through many phases
phases
imperfeetion
from imperfection to perfection
perfection in the true magistery,
magistery.
And the Hermetic art would seem to consist simply simply
in the right
right disposition manipulation of this our
disposition and manipulation
Undetermined Subject, taking her where nature leaves,
Subject, taking leaves,
and byby divers operations, to be hereafter noted,
operations, noted, as of
amalgamation, distillation, filtration, digestion, and
filtration, digestion,
amalgamation, distillation,
by
lastly by
lastly sublimation to the Head of an appropriate
appropriate
1
1 Aristoteles Eosario, and in
Aristotelcs in Rosario, Salis.
in the Lucerna Salis.
|90
190 More
Moms Esoteric VIEW.
Esorenle View.
CStiill)llSllll1g her in
Vessel, establishing
Vessel, in a nev concentric Form
new and coneentrie
of Light.
Light.
Nor may this seein a fable
this seem fable to wise,
to the wise,
may
Since all things live
all things according to
live according their kinds ;
to their ;
life is
Their life light which
is light Avhich in theni hidden lies,
in them lies,
Discerned by by the eyes of soaring
eyes of soaring ll`li11(lS,
minds,
cliseovered is
To them discovered nature's map,
is true nature's map,
By whom produced
By nothing is
produced nothing is by Imp:
by hap :
For she her

For secret agent
agent doth possess.
possess,
\'hieh in
Which in the universe isis only
only one,
one,
is distinct
But is thro' species
distinct thro' uuinberless,
species numberless,
According to their
According seeds, which God alone
their seeds,
In the beginning
beginning diddid produce,
produce, and then ^.^
Set thein
them their law, found out
their lan", iffy
ont ^^y mental men.^
l]`lC1].1
^f
But a long- interval is
long interval is between,
between, and all all the labours of
that
that Heroic Intellect
Intellect to be passed through before the
passed through
i^join s her Head place.
51,4/ns
/vLQ.Ci'iynS rejected Keystone
rejected Keystone place. None but aa
/ philosopher
})hilosopher ever achieved the work, or,
work, or, for
for reasons
that are imperative,
imperative, ever will.will. The idle
idle and vicious
are totally excluded, nor are the rewards of Wisdom to
totally excluded,
be won
von byby fools wanting the very
fools wanting very principle
principle of of' nieliora-
meliora-
tion inin themselves.-Nemo
themselves. —
Nemo eniinenim dat id,
'
id, quod non

quod non
habet. —
habet.-He He only
only that hath it
it can
can impart-and
impart and —
he only
only
it who has laboured rationally
has it rationally inin the pursuit.
pursuit. As
is exemplified
is exemplified in
in that saying
saying of Esdras-The
Esdras The — earth
giveth much mould,
giveth inonld, whereof earthen vessels are made,
little dust that gold
but little gold cometh of. off* ^
Non levis adseensus,

levis adscensus, si petat ardua sndor
quis petat
si quis sudor I/
hunc tollit,
Plurimus hnne
Pluriiuns noetnrnfe insoninis
tollit, nocturna) olivzr
insomnis oliva'
lnunoritlir, quod mox
Tmmoritur, delet quod landaverigl ill se,
HIOX laudaveri^ in
f/
Qui
Qui cupit :uterine donari frondis
enpit teternae froudis honore.
se,
//
/(^Sj 1
^ liirenbus' Marrow
Eirenfeus' l[{ll'l'0V of Alchemy, book i.i. p.
Alchemy, 12.
p. 12.
3
/ -
Esdras, cap.
Esdras, cap. vin.
viii. book 1.
i.
—
The Nxsramas.
'Fila Mysteries. 191
CHAPTER
CHAPTER Ill.
III.
The _dfyslerics Cozzfimzcr/_

]\Iysterks contirmed.
It is
It necessary that the soul,
is necessary soul, when purified, associate
purified, should associate
its gelicrator.-Porplzyry,
with its generator. /lux, to InteUiyih.
Porphyry, Anx. Iutellzyib.
WE E have so far
nal life
far developed
only,
life only,
developed the nature of the
as it
it was at
at first
first revealed
t.he inter-
inter-
to the
aspirant
aspirant in
in the Lesser lwysteriesg
Mysteries ;and this
this was thc
the only
only
popular initiation open
popular initiation open to all. all. It represented, accord-
It represented,
ing to the accounts, a new

ing new and fertile field of natural
fertile field
contemplation
contemplation which every
every one
one was at liberty
liberty to ap- ap-
propriate,
propriate, and where each roamed at pleasure
pleasure without
rule or subordination, and without that consent and
rule
sympathy uniformity of life
sympathy which a uniformity life produces.
produces.
purificative rites
Previous to the purificative rites little change,
little change,
therefore, was effected.
therefore, effected. It gave a passing
It gave experience
passing experience
multitude, and in
to the multitude, in a few few^ awakened the desire
and hope
hope of better things; just as amongst
things ;
just amongst us Mes-
rism, which of all
risin, all modern arts arts isis most pertinent
pertinent to
this philosophy
this philosophy as working
Working in the same
same matter,
matter, aiibrds
affords
entrance^
more
more
with
entrancc,{with
than this,
the
this, in
imagination
imagination
in well-conditioned
of another
wêll-conditioned cases,
life.
life.
cases, we
And
we have &7=T,
^ 5_ff_¢_y;,
/(r^6/CAJiAy
proof of the intrinsical

proof inteUigence and power
intrinsical intelligence power of the
Spirit which can expatiate
Free Spirit expatiate into the whole circum-
ference of its sphere and reveal hidden things,
its sphere things, exhi-
biting variety of gifts
biting a variety gifts 3 it
; philosophize also more
can philosophize
it can more
less well according

or less according to the direction,direction, natural purity, purity,
and relaxation of the sensual bond. But not all all that
men Wonder
men wonder at in the present present day, day, the insensibility,
insensibility,
the cures,
cures, the mental exaltation,
exaltation, nor nor much more more of
same class
the same class which the trance spontaneouslyspontaneously deve-
lops even in
lops in the best subjects,
subjects, could satisfy satisfy the exact-
ing reason of our
ing rcason our forefathers;
forefathers ; desirous rather to inin-
vestigate the Thing
vestigate itself, the subject
Thing itself, subject of so many many unar-
mar-
;
192 More Esoteric View.

MORE ESOTERIC
vels, passed the first

they passed
vels, they first phenomena
phenomena to to look for
for
experimenting
Causes, experimenting within.
within.
ovum philosophorum
Volo ovum dissolvere et
philosophorum dissolvere ct partes
partes pl1i-
phi-
losophica hominis investigare,
losophic^ investigare, namnam hochoe est
est initium ad
alia —
alia--says
says the experimental F1'lH1';]
experimental Friar ;^ and concen-
to eoneen-
trate the whole vitality,
trate vitality, to turn the spiritual
spiritual eye, to
eye,
purify
purify and analyze
analyze the total
total essence and draw forth
forth
Edicient and to know it
the true Efficient it in coidentity, this
in coidentity, this
their object
was their
was object and the Art of Theurgy.
Theurgy. For it
it is
not,
not, as they say,
they say, that tl1e
the Spirit
Spirit is
is free
free from material
bondage, or able to range
bondage, range the universe of her own own
sphere,
sphere, that guarantees
guarantees the truth of her revealments,
revealments,
helps the consciousness on to subjective
or helps experience ;
subjective experience ;
for this
for coneentrative energy
this a concentrative energy isis needed, and an intel-
intel-
lect penetrating into
lect penetrating into other spheres,
spheres, rather than discur-
discur-
sive in
sive in its
its own.
There are many many ways
ways known and practised practised of en-
trancing
trancing the senses,
senses, and the key
key of the Hermetic ves-
tibule may be said
tibule may said to be already
already in
in our
our hands, which
are able to dissolve the sensible medium and convert
it experience of another lifc.^
it to the experience life." But the order
'
^ Eog. Bachoni
Reg. Mirah. Potest.
Bacboni de Mirab. Artis ct Xatui\T, Ars Aiiri-
et Naturfe, Auri~
fera, vol.
fera, ii. p.
vol. ii. p. 3l2.
342.
2
2 \'e
AVe adopt
adopt tbethe term dissolve here bcre iu in accordance witliwith tbe
the old
obi
doctrine;
doctrine vaiyiug theories
varying
;
have been proposed
tbeories bavc proposed the
explain tbe
to explain
cbange
change tliat that takes place in tbe
place in vital relationsbip
the vital relationship of the tbe patient in
patient iu
lnesmeric trance:
the mesmeric
tlie trance some
: some have tliongbt the
bave thought tbe sensible medinm
medium is is
drawn away away by superior attraction of life
by a superior life in
in the agent; others,
tbe agent ; otbers,
that it
tbat it is
is overcome,
overcome, or or included,
inclnded, or arrested, destroyed but
arrested, or destroyed; ;
the Alchemists,
tbe Alcbemists, witb with one accord,
accord, say it ought
say it ougbt to be (]iS80Il'('/1;
dissolved
and, in
and, autbority, shall
in default of better authority, we not suppose
sball ve suppose itit so to bc
be
dissolved, or that
dissolved, tbat it ought to be,
it ougbt the alkali
be, tbe alkali by
by the the dark
acid, tbe
tbe acid,
dominion of' selfhood by
the selfbood
of tbe by the friction of its
magnetic friction
tbe magnetic its proper
proper
ligbt, the
light, tbe sensible or animal into the tbe vegetable, the cerebral into
vegetable, tlie
^ the gauglionie life?
tbe ganglionic
facere,
facere, sayssays tbe
life ? Corpora :rbi
Corpora
autbor of tbe
the author
ttfei qui^ vult pui-gare oportet fluxa
quis
Rosarium, that
the Eosarium,
purgarc oportet tluxa
tbat the
tbe compact eartby
compact earthy
body of sense may
body may be rariiied
rarified and How flow as a passive watery spirit.
passi\ e watery spirit.
Tbe
The beginning
beginning of the says Albertus
work, says
tbe work, IMagnus, is
Albcrtus llagnus, periect
is a perfect
solution; and all

solution ; that we
all tbat we teach
teacb is notbiug else but to dissolve and
is nothing
reeongeal the
recongeal spirit, to make the
tbe spirit, tbe fixed volatile and the tbe volatile
fixed, until tbe
fixed, the total natn.re
nature is is perfected
perfected by by the both
reiteraiiou, botb
tbe reiteration,
Solary and Lunar form.
its Solary
in its —
form.-Alberti
Alberti Secret. Tract. Artis Auri- Anri-
l`cra>,p. 130.
ferae, p.
The MYs'rER1Es.
'PHE Mysteries. 193
in which the next solution,

in or resolution
resolution rather, was
operated translate the consciousness un-
operated which was to translate un-
derneath this
this medium by obscuration, towards the
by obscuration,
Central Source, is
Central is known probably very few in
probably to very in
the day, for
present day,
present it is
for it entirely concealed from
is entirely
the world:
world :
they
they only, ancients who
amongst the ancients
only, amongst
had fulfilled previous rites
fulfilled the previous undergone all
rites and undergone all
the required ordeals, were
required were entrusted with the passpass-
port. It
port. discovers a fearful
It discovers mystery in
fearful mystery in the opening
opening
sensation of power,
power, in life which, at
in a life
a at its
its entrance, is
entrance, is
described as dark, dangerous, and more
dark, delusive, and dangerous, more
corrupted far
corrupted far than the foregoing, through which
foregoing, but through
it is quite
it is quite necessary
necessary to pass before inquiry
pass hope
inquiry can hope
to meet its object in
its object in the Elysian light.
Elysian light.
Tenent media omnia sylvze,

Teneut sylvse,
Cocytusque
Cocytusque sinu labens circumfluit atro.
Betwigt
Betwixt regions and that upper
these regions upper light,
light,
Deep forests and impenetrable
Deep forests impenetrable night
night
Possess the middle space internal bounds,
space ; the infernal
;
Cocytus, with his

Cocytus, surrounds'
his sable wave surrounds.^
We are aware that the descent to the Infernal

Ve Internal regions
regions
and all
all those highly wrought descriptions
highly wrought descriptions of the poets,
poets,
concerning
concerning the riches
riches and powerful
powerful allurements of
Pluto's kingdom
Pluto's Hades, have been looked upon,
kingdom and Hades, upon,
and very naturally, as purely
very naturally, imaginative, and the re-
purely imaginative,
presentations of the same in
presentations in the mysteries
mysteries as a pic-
pic-
torial pantomimic show. But as we
torial or pantomimic we have hitherto
regard the minor celebrations from an
been enabled to regard an
esoteric point
esoteric point of view, shewing their relationship
view, shewing relationship to
more
mo1'e modern experience and the Hermetic art,
experience art, we
we
hope to continue on
hope on our
our adventure, being not without
adventure, being
precedent either or guiding
precedent authority over the same
guiding authority same
ground. For is
ground. is itit not absurd to suppose that men men
suppose
should have philosophized and composed
liave philosophized composed so manymany ex-
cellent and sublime discourses from the contemplation
contemplation
of shadows only
only ?? But setting
setting aside such aanotion, nei-
notion, nei-
ther do wewe conceive that by by Hades,
Hades, or that profound
profound
Lethe,
Lethe, the ancients understood a corporeal
corporeal nature,
nature, or
1
1 Dryden's }Eneid, lib.
Dryden's ^neid, vi. 130.
lib. vi.
o
O
; : ;
194 More Esoteric

Mons Esorsnxc View.
VIEW.
this fieshly existence of ours, or anything

this fleshly anything in in fact
fact
with which ordinary
ordinary observation makes acquainted;
us acquainted
but the whole allusion is to

allusion is to aa state vital submersion
state of vital
Mysteries, when the consciousness is
in the Mysteries,
in is artificially
artificially
drawn about the penetralia
penetralia of its first life.
its first life. Nor, if if
we may credit
we may credit accounts, is
is the descent difiicult,
difficult, or
or so
far infernal gates
off, but the infernal
far off, lie open
gates lie open to mortal men men
on earth;
on earth but
;
because of
of the arduous nature of'
of the
re-ascent and for for the sake of securing
securing it,it, lest
lest unpre-
unpre-
presuming to enter,
pared souls, presuming
pared enter, should be taken cap- cap-
tive by
tive deluding and fatal
by deluding desires, and work irremedi-
fatal desires, irremedi-
able evil
able evil there, precaution has been instituted
every precaution
there, every instituted to
keep
keep the way
way a secret from
fi*om the world,
world, as its
for its
well for
own
own sake as for justice and divine
for the cause of justice divine wis-
dom about to be revealed ; wherefore the Sybil
; warns
Sybil warns
JEneas of the danger
lEneas danger of his
his undertaking
undertaking in
in those me-
morable lines.
lines.
*
'
Facilis descensus Averni;

Faeilis Averni
atque dies
Noctes atque dies patet atri janua
patet atri Ditis:
janiia Ditis
Sed revocare gradum superasque evadere ad auras,
gradum superasque
Hoc opus, hic labor est.
opus, hie est. Pauci quos sequus amavit
quos aequus
Jupiter,
Jupiter, aut ardens evexit
evexit ad :ethcra
a^thera virtus,
virtus,
potuéi-e.l
geniti potuere.*
Diis geniti
The grand requirement of'

grand requirement after the
Mysteries after
of the Mysteries
first purificative rites,
first purificative rites, (the being already
(the inclination being already
freed fi'om dominion, and all
from the dominion, all the superficial progeny
superficial progeny
of sense,) will should conceive within itself
sense) was that the will itself
purely rational to withstand the temptations
a motive purely temptations
of its
its next including sphere ; that it
including sphere ; might be enabled
it might
to follow the true pathpath upward, penetrating through

upward, penetrating through
defilements, and dissolution even, to the
darkness, and deiilements,
darkness,
discovery of Wisdom
discovery Visdom in light abode. To this
in her hglit this
^neas accordingly
fEneas accordingly is
is directed by Sybil, whom
by the Sybil, we
wîom we
follow, after her warning
follow, warning already given, to search for
already given,
well-distinguished, most mysterious
that well-distinguished, bough.
golden bough.
mysterious golden
Aureus et foliis
foliis et lento vimine ramus,
ramus,
sacer?
inibrnse sacer.^
Junoni infernae
Without
\'ithout which as
propitiation he may
a propitiation may not venture
I 2
I
.Eneid, lib. vi.
:Eneid, lib. vi. 126. 2 ldem, 136,
jdem, 136.
The MYSTERIES.
THE Mysteries. l95
195
on the subterranean research.

on But it may be asked,
it may asked,
why
why this myrtle
myrtle branch was
was represented
represented to be of`
of gold.
gold.
Not merely
merely for the sake of the marvellous,
marvellous, Warburton
Varburton
tells us,
tells we may
us, we may be assured. A
A golden bough was
golden bough was
literally
literally part
part equipage in the shows,
of the sacred equipage shows, a
a
burden which the Ass, Ass, who w/10 carried t/ze the mysteries,
mysteries, we we
may
may believe,
believe, was
was proud
proud of.
of. But of what kind this
branch was, Apuleius partly
was, Apuleius partly indicates in his processionprocession
of the Initiated into the Mysteries lwysteries of of' Isis,
Isis, where we we
find itit connected with the Mercurial caduceus and
treated as a a most importantimportant symbol symbol in initiatory
initiatory
rites#
rites ;^ which we
we therefore understand ontologically,
ontologically,
as a ray living light,
ray of living golden and flexible,
light, golden flexible, the
true Brancha Spiritualis Raymond Lully.
Spiritualis of Raymond Lully. Intel-
lectusihabens subtilem ad intelligendum
lectusthabens intelligendum res
intelligi- fi
intelligi- /I 7'lQ§'L61L
Tz^^tZ'ua^^KJ-i
—
biles ;~-insinuating
•} insinuating by by rational penetration
penetration alone
W
through
through the murky murky circumference of the chloric ether
its own
into its congenial life, which is
own congenial life, is Proserpine, and
Proserpinc,
that lapsed
lapsed soul of ours,
ours, seated in her dark hypostasis
M'postasis
.unknown
,unknown; ; whose vapour
vapour is
is so
so subtile and transient
nothing but the glance
that nothing glance of its its proper intellect by
proper intellect by
faith can arrest it. it. And those doves that lead the way way
they not known to our
too, are they
too, our Alchemists and those
chosen seats?
But to be brief; brief; it is only
it is
only by exceeding zeal and
by exceeding
piety
piety of`
of intention,
intention, such as
as is
is ascribed Eneas in
to /Eneas
search of his father,fat/fer, and a prevailing
prevailing reason,
reason, that
the seeking
seeking mind becomes fitted
fitted for establishment
in her essence percipient of her final duty
essence and percipient duty to
separate
separate the good
good and reject
reject the evil
evil therein by birth
by
allied;
allied ; that she may may know to what she ought ought to
aspire, dismissing
aspire, dismissing every consideration, where
every other consideration,
desires are imagesimages and will their act. Thus, Thus, Plato
says,
says, theft
*fea^ it
it isis necessary
necessary that a man
man should have his
opinion as firm as adamant in him when he de-
right opinion
right
Hades, that there likewise he may
scends into Hades, may be un- un-
moved by by riches or any any such like evils, and may

hke evils, not,
may not,
falling tyrannies and such other practices,
falling into tyrannies practices, do in-
'^
Metam. lib.
lib. xi.
Xi.
2
-
Arbor, X,
Arbor, Seientiw H
X, Scientije Hnmanalis,
umanalis, p.
p. 99.
02
o 2
;
196 Mom: Esormuc

More VIEW.
Esoteric View.
curable suffer still

misehiefs and himself suffer
curable mischiefs still greater;
greater but ;
may know how to choose the

that he may
that the middle lifelife as
things, and to shun extremes on
to those things, on either
either hand,
both inin this life as far
this life possible and in
far as possible the whole
in the
hereafter? And again,
hereafter.^ in the Seventh Book of the Re-
again, in
—
public-He
public He who is able by
is not able by the exercise of
thc exercise his rea-
of his
son to define the idea
to define separating it
idea of the Good, separating it from
all
all objects and piercing,
other objects piercing, as in in a battle, through
a battle, through
every kind of argument,
every endeavouring to confute, not
argument, endeavouring
opinion but according
according to opinion
according according to essence, and pro- pro-
ceeding through all
ceeding through all the dialectic energies with an
dialectic energies un-
an un-
reason-he
shaken reason — he who cannot accomplishaccomplish this, nei-
this, nei-
ther knows he the Good itself, anything that is
itself, nor anything is
properly denominated the Good. And would you

properly you not
say that such a one, if
say apprehended any
if he apprehended certain
any certain
truth or imageimage of reality, apprehend it rather
reality, would apprehend it
through the medium of opinion
through opinion than of science
science ; that
;
in present life
in the present life he isis sunk in in sleep
sleep and conversant
in
in the delusions of dreams dreams; and
; that descending into
descending into
Hades, before he is is roused to a state, he will
vigilant state,
vigilant will
be overwhelmed with a sleep perfectly profound
sleep perfectly profound?^ ?2 To
asleep in
fall asleep
fall in Hades was indeed to be absorbed, absorbed, with-
incumbrancc of body,
out the incumbrance body, in in all
all its
its defilements;
defilements
according to the philosopher,
according philosopher, the direst
direst evil
evil that cancan
befal
befal any
any one;one ;
Virgil
or, as Virgil
or, has —
it,-to
it, to be a king
king
in hell.
in hell.
But with all warnings of ditliculties,
all the warnings difficulties, and dangers,
dangers,
. .
y and death, encountered, no
death, to be encountered, no hero or geeab=mazr
|j,inii iimii
oie/yrvC-a^M. occurs in poets, but
in the poets, he sometime descended to
the Infernals, free
Infernals, and had fi-ee egress egress thereafter to the
Elysian Fields;
Elysian Fields ; but two are described as suffering suffering for
—
attempt Theseus
the attempt-Theseus and who,
Pirithous, who, as Proclus
Pirithous,
explains, were
admirably explains,
admirably detained there —
there-the the one be-
cause he was too much a lover of beauty, the
corporeal beauty,
corporeal
other through
through his natural inability
inability to sustain the
arduous altitude of divine contemplation.
contemplation. In the sixth
book of the vEneid, Virgil has gracefully
/fEneid, Virgil gracefully set forth
the whole transaction of his his successful hero, hero, with the
T
1
'
Republic, book
Republic, x. ^
ldem, book vii.
Idem, vii.
The
THE Mysteries.
MYSTERIES. 197
labours and difficulties,

difliculties, and appalling visions that
appalling visions that at-
at-
tended on the outset of his
on his pious research
pious research ; all
all which
;
has been shown by Warburton and other learned

by Varburton' ^
commentators, to bear close allusion to the

close allusion the Mysteries,
Mysteries,
in
in which wewe have reason also also to believe
believe the poet him-
poet
self
self was profoundly initiated,
was profoundly initiated, and whose allegoric
allegoric
conduct, therefore,
conduct, therefore, we pursue
we pursue as an inquiry of In-
an inquiry In-
tellect after
tellect its Paternal Source.
after its
To continue,
continue, then, in order of the tradition:
then, in after
tradition: after
the ordeal rites undergone, and the few who
rites had been undergone,
were found fit, selected for
fit, selected for further
further initiation,
initiation, the con-
cession of
of more arcane mysteries
mysteries succeeded.
Gressus removete prophani

prophani
Jam
J am furor
furor humanus sensua
pectore sensus
nostro de pectore
Expulit?
Expulit.=^
As the consciousness passing

passing the middle region, clear
region, clear
rational from out the Aquaster,
and rational Aquaster, enters the Fire
World,
World, and the Sybil
Sybil leads
leads her hero to the dark
descent.
descent.
Spelunca alta
Spelunca alta fuit, immanis hiatu,
vastoque immania
fuit, vastoque hiatu,
Scrupea, nigro nemorumque
Scrupea, tuta lacu nigro tenebris;
nemorumque tenebris ;
-1 Quam super haud ullw

super baud ullae poterant impuné volantes
poterant impune
2/L
tAê^L Tendereita.
Tend ere -it* pennis talis sese halitus atris
pennis: talis
: atris
Faucibus effundens ferebat,
supera ad convexa ferebat,
efFundens supera
Unde locum Graii
TJnde Grraii dixerunt nomme Aornu1n.3
nomine Aornum.^
And what does all this imagery

all this at, but the
point at,
imagery point
thickening
thickening darkness of the nether air
air verging to the
verging
matteiypilowing perpetual motion

chaos of mattei' flowing out from the perpetual ^ ^:ju/jpC
fb/C
ofthe
of the first
first life elasticity, Aornus,
life;; destitute of elasticity, heavy
Aormis, heavy
like
Hke that of an enclosed cave, cave, and vast;
vast dangerous, as
dangerous,
;
it is
it is said by some, murky odour,
giving forth a murky
by some, giving like
odour, like
that of graves.
graves. It is the Black Saturn of the adepts,
It is adepts,
and that appearing precedes the mys-
corruption that precedes
appearing corruption mys-
tical regeneration into new
tical death and regeneration life: as de-
new life :
scribing the same

scribing they call
ens, they
same ens, it lapis
call it niger vilis
lapis niger vilis
foetens mundi et oritur sicut germi-
origo inundi
fcetens et dicitur origo germi-
1^
Divine Legation,
Legation, vol. vol. i. p. 345, &c.
i. p. 345,
2
^ Claudian de Raptu
Raptn Proserpinfe, sub initio.
Proserpiufe, initio.
3
Claudian
^
þÿ.È1
.Eueid, lib. Vi.
¬l(`l,
lib. 237.
vi. 2,37.
;
198 MORE Esoteric VIEW.

More Esori-:Ric ViEvr.
nantia.
nantia. Sendivogius calls
Sendivogius calls it
it Urinus Saturni, with
which he waters his his lunar and solar plants;
solar plants and
; ano-
ano-
/ ther, —
ther,--EXEx mari meo nebulae, quae
lneo oriuntur nebulse, qute ferunt aquas
aquas
(wJ benedictas et irrigant terras et
ips^ irrigant
et ipse et educant herbas et et
/ Hores.
flores. Vith
With thisthis allusion, the Alchemists also also call
call
the Ether theirtheir mineral tree for they
tree; for
; they were not so
hide this
careful to hide
careful in general,
this in seeing the true species
general, seeing species
laid asleep
was laid asleep in in sense, and doubly loekcd up,
doubly locked it
up, as it
were, within both corporeal
corporeal and spiritual
spiritual confines,
confines, and
how farfar the world was off from the art of unfolding
was off unfolding or
proliting by
profiting by it.
it. The reception
reception of Zlineas
jEneas in Hades is
in is
next described.
funywyeg/
/jjyyyyjyy^^^ primi sub limiae solis
Ecce autem, prinii et ortus,
soils et ortus,
Sub pedibus
pedibus mugire solum, ct
mugire solum, et _juga moveri
coepta mover!
juga ccepta
Sylvarum, visaequc
Sylvarum, per umbram
vlsaeque canes ululare per
Deal
Adventante Dea.^
And Claudian,
Claudian, to tl1e
the same effect,
effect, poetises
poetises the tremen-
dous advent.
Jam mihi cernuntur

mllil ceruuntur trepidis
trepidis delubra þÿl1lOV
mover^¬l'¢ D
t/
Sedlbus, ct
Sedibus, dispergere fuhnina
et claram dispcrgere fulmina lueczn
lucem
l^
Adveutum testata deg
Adventum jam magnus
de|. : _jam
:
magnus ah imis
ab Imis
Auditur iremitus
Audltur terrls, templumque
fremitus tcrris, teniplumque remugit
remugit
'
M/
(y^j Cecropiain; sanctasque
Cecropi^m; faces attollit
sanctasque faces attolllt Eleusin
Eleuslii ;
/
.
Angues Triptolemi
Angues Triptolemi stridunt,
stridunt, et squamea
squamea curvis
curvls
CoUa levant attrita
Colla attrita jugis
jugis
temias lleeate
procul ternas
Ecce procul variata liguras
Hecate variata figiu'as
Exoriturxz
Exorltur.^
And all
all this,
this, extravagant fanciful though
extravagant and fanciful though itit should
appear,
appear, has been echoed by
by philosophers, and the
philosophers,
Greek descriptions agree in
descriptions agree in each remarkable particular.
particular.
Plato, amongst
Plato, amongst others,
others, likens the descent ofthe
of the soul
into these oblivious realms of generation
generation to anan earth-
quake and other strong
quake strong convulsions of nature. Psellus,
Psellus,
his valuable commentary,
in his colnmentary, describes the apparitions
apparitions
procured by
procured by the Chaldaic rites rites as of two kinds
kinds; the :
lirst supe/°i1zspcctio11, when he who celebrates the

first called superinspcctiou,
rites sees a mere
divine rites apparition, as, for instance,
mere apparition, as, instance, of
1
/7. 1
rliueid, lib.`t. 255.
.-Eneid, lib.^v.
2
^ Raptu Proserpinse,
De Raptu Proserpinzr, sub init.
init.
The l.l[YSTER1ES.
Tun Mysteries. 199
light in some
light in some form or figure, concerning which the
figure, concerning
that if
oracle advises, that
oracle if any liglit, he ap
any one sees such a light, ap
his it, nor esteem the voice proceeding
proceeding
ply
ply not his mind to it, voice
likewise, to
thence to be true ; sometimes, likewise,
; many
to many
initiated persons,
initiated persons, there appear
appear Hghts in various forms
lights in
and figures.
figures. These apparitions are created by
apparitions by the
passions of
passions (ffl the soul, in
t/ze soul, in performing divine rites,
performing divine rites, mere
appearances, having
appearances, substance, and therefore
having no su/Jstmzce, therefore not
signifying
signifying anything true?
anything true.^ Vhich
Which vaporous
vaporous estate of
universal being,
universal being, the poets also fabulously
poets also fabulously concealed
satyric form of Pan, who exhibited himself
under the satyric
in every variety
in every disguises of
atrocious disguises
variety of atrocious of wild beasts,
appearances, that he
monsters, and demoniacal appearances,
and monsters,
might
might affright captivate him.
affright those who would captivate
Corripit
Corripit hic trepidus formidine ferrum
liic subita trepidus
Eneas,
^neas, strictamque aciem venientibus oifert.
strictamqiie acicrn offert.
Et ni
ui docta comes sine corpore
comes tenues sine vitas
corpore vitas
volitare cava sub imagine
Admoneat volitare imagine formae,
formae,
Irruat,
Irruat, et frustra ferro diverberet umbras?
frustra ferro umbras.^
For itit is
is the imaginative spirit which is
imaginative spirit is the maker of
images, as in
these images, dreams, only
in dreams, only more
more intense. As
moisture condensed in in the ah' clouds, which
air constitutes clouds,
the wind disposes
disposes inin various forms, so our our pneumatic
pneumatic
becoming humid and condensed beneath her
vehicle, becoming
vehicle,
presents many
heaven, presents
heaven, apparitions to the
many formidable apparitions
sense, and all
inner sense, all the race of demons, so much cele- cele-
brated by appear
by antiquity, appear
antiquity, to have their
their origin
origin in a
in
life this kind,
life of this viz., from an
kind, viz., vapour of the
an included vapour
imagination: nor
imagination :nor these, individually belonging,
these, individually were
belonging, were
seen only;
seen only but,
; but, as itit is recorded, each by
is recorded, rapport in
by rapport
this state becomes conversant with the whole phantas-
this phantas-
magoric universe of his
magoric sphere : hence the platitude
his sphere :
platitude of
the descriptions crowding of images
poetical crowding
descriptions and poetical images to
the individual sense. Proclus, commenting
Proclus, commenting on on the
11
Psellus de Oraculi, 14, 19.
OracuU, 14, See also Oracula Cbaldseorum
Chaldaeoruin
Demones Sacrilicia.
Sacrificia. Neqiie
Neque naturze,
naturse, voces
vcces per
per visibile
se visibile simula-
simnla-
crum. N
crum. enim oportet
on enirn
jSTon illos te spectare,
oportet illoa antequam corpus
spectare, antequam corpus sacris
piirgetur.
purgetur. Quando
Quando animas 1nulceutes,semper sacris abducunt.
mulcentes, semper a sacris
Ergo
Ergo exex sinibus terra; Nvinquam verum
exiliunt terrestres canes. lunquam
terrae cxiliunt verum
corpus inortali
corpus mortali homini monstrantes.
2
2
Hineid, lib.
.Eneid, ri. 290.
lib. vi.
200 Mons Esorniuc
More VIEW.
Esoteric View.
First A/cibiacIes
First Alcibiades of'
oi' Plato, that material
Plato, asserts that material images,
images,
assuming the appearance
assuming even of'
appearance even of things divine, con-
things divine,
stantly
stantly atfended
attended on
on the
the Mysteries, drawing towards
Mysteries, drawing
them souls yet sufhciently
souls not yet purified, and separating
sufficiently purified, separating
them from truth.
truth. And that
that such actually
actually appeared
appeared to
the Jlhstai,
Muitai, during
during the evaporative
evaporative process process of of purifi-
purifi-
cation,
cation, and before
before the lucid
lucid vision
vision of the light within,
light within,
is
is further shown in following passage
in the following passage of the same
experienced theologist.
experienced theologist. In the most holy Mysteries,
holy Mysteries,
says he,
says he, before
before the presence
presence of'
of the
the god,
god, the impulsive
impulsive
forms of certain
certain terrestrial
terrestrial demons appear, appear, which call
call
the attention off oft' from undehled advantages to matter.
undefiled advantages
And again, —
again,--as in the most holy
as in Mysteries, the mystics
holy Mysteries, mystics
at first
first meet with the multifornimultiform and many-shaped many-shaped
genera which are hurled forth before the gods
genera gods ; but on
;
entering the interior

entering part of'
interior part of the Temple, uumoved and
Temple, unmoved
guarded by
guarded by the sacred 1'ites, they genuinely receive
rites, they genuinely
into
into their illumination, and divested of
their bosom divine illumination,
their garments,
their garments, as
they
they would say, participate of the
say, participate
Nature,
Divine Nature, the same
same method takes place
place in in the
speculation
speculation of Vholes.'
Wholes.^ _
For the reason of this imitates, inasmuch as it

life imitates,
this life it
is able,
is able, and obeys instinctively
obeys instinctively its
its motive light;
light and ;
intellect is
as the natural intellect liable to error,
is liable error, so the spi- spi-
ritual also,
ritual also, not yet perfècted,
yet perfected, is
is liable
liable to be caught in
caught in
the traps
traps of these exterior spirits,
spirits, which being,
being, as
Valentine, in
Basil Valentine, in his A/C/l67lliC(1! C/mriot,
his Alchemical Chariot, observes,
observes,
endowed with senses a11d understanding, know Arts,
and understanding, Arts,
and have in in themselves an an occult operative
operative life; giving
hfe giving ;
testimony
testimony also of of' their
their virtue in the art of' healing
of healing
and other secrets,
secrets, by by which
w^hich they
they deceive and detain
unwary from the search of better things.^
the unwary things."
The writings
writings of the middle ages ages abound Hkewise likewise
with descriptions
descriptions of these demoniacal natures; natures regular
; regular
classifications of'
classifications of them are given given by Agrippa,-^ and Tri-
by Agrippa,3
'
' on the Theology
Proclus on Theology of Plato, vol. i.
Plato, vol. i. p. 9.
p. 9. Auima et
De Anima
Demone,
Demone, throughout.
throughout.
2
2
Triulnphal Chariot of Antiinony,
Triumplial Antimony, Kirchriugius, Engl. edit.
Kirehringius, Engl. edit. p.
p.
16.
IG.
5*
•*
Occult Pliilosophy,
Philosophy, bonk
book ii.
ii.
;
'PHE Mrsrimiss.
The Mysteries. 2Ol
201
themius;' and Psellus

themius;^ ,Q Proclus,3 ,famblicusf
Psellus ;^Proclus,^/amblicus,* and Por- Z
-^
phyryf
phyry,^ allude
allude to their
their material
material efficacy
efficacy and operation in
operation in
Vorks,
Divine Works, where desire, entering
desu'e, entering into
into those aerial
aerial
forms, is
forms, said to vivify
is said vivify them; ; Chaldaie oracle
them and the Chaldaic oracle
even persuades that there are pure
persuades pure demons.--Natura
demons. —
Natura ,
suadet esse demonas puros, puros, et materim germina

malt materiae
et mali germina Q^
utilia et bona;-and
utilia et bona, — that the germinations
and that germinations even evil
even of evil
matter are of use.6
use.^ Synesius
Synesius mentions them also
also as
progeny of matter, and as having

the progeny having an energetic
energetic
virtue, but at natural war
virtue, war with the truth-seeking
truth-seeking / . /
soul;7
soul;^ and Proclus, in in his Hymn to the Sun, ^dese-
his Hymn cg o- aesê^'TxîTej
-cratcG them as
»=emtes
^
/
Demons wlio machinate a
who macliiiiate a thousand ills,
ills,
Pregnant with ruin to our wretched souls,
Pregnant souls,
merged beneath li1"e's
That merged sounding sea
life's dreadful sounding sea.
In body's
body's chain they
they willingly toil ;
may toil
willingly may
e'er remember in
Nor e'er in the dark abyss
abyss
The splendid palace of
splendid palace of their sire sublime.
their sire
And itit is
is the dread of such an oblivion there below
that the oracle
oracle announces
announces to intellect in those solemn
intellect in
tones —
tones-Ducat animre profunditas
Ducat animse profunditas immortalis oculosque
oculosque
—
Omnes sursum
affatim,-Omnes
affatim, sursum extende. Let the immortal
depth
depth of thy
thy soul be predominant,
predominant, and all
all thy
thy eyes
eyes
upwards ; incline
extend upwards incline not to the dark world Whose
; whose
is a faithless
depth is
depth faithless bottom and Hades dark all all over,
over,
squalid, delighting
squalid, delighting in
in images, unintelligible, precipi-
images, unintelligible, precipi-
tous, and a depth
tous, depth always
always rolhng full of stupidity
rolling full stupidity and
folly?
folly.^
Umbrarum hic
hie locus est,
est, somni noctisque
noetisque sopol-29.9
soporae.^
If the soul on its says Porphyry,

departure, says
its depaVture, still pos-
Porphyry, still pos-
spirit turbid from humid exhalations,
sesses a spirit exhalations, it
it then
itself a shadow and becomes
attracts to itself heavy and
heavy;; a
l1
De Septem
Septem Intelligeutigt
Intelligentii &c.
2
2 Miehaele Psello de Demonibus.
Michaele
3
3 Excerpta M. Fieini
Excerpta Grzeeis Proeli
ex Grraecis
Ficini ex Procli Com. in Alcibiad.
4
^ De Mysteriis ^gypt-Chaldeor.
Mysteriis Egypt-Chaldeor.
5
* De Divinis
Diviuis atque
atque Demonibus.
6
" Oraeula
Oracula Zoroastri.
7
"^
De Somnii.
Somni^.
S R
^ Zoroastri Oracula
Oraeula Aninia, Corpus, Homo.
Animal, Corpus,
9
'^
^neid, lib. vi.
Eneid, lib. vi. 389.
389,
202 More
MORE Esoriame
Esoteric View.
spirit of
spirit of this naturally strives
this kind naturally strives to penetratepenetrate intointo
the recesses of the the earth, unless a certain certain other cause
draws it in a contrary
it in direction as, therefore, the soul
contrary direction: : soul
sun'ounded with this
when surrounded this testaceous and terrene
necessarily lives
vestment necessarily lives on the earth, earth, so likewise
likewise
when it attracts a moist spirit,
it attracts spirit, it
it is
is necessarily
necessarily sur-
sur-
rounded with the image. image. But it attracts moisture

it attracts
when it it continually endeavours to associate

continually associate with
nature, whose operations
nature, operations are effected
effected in
in moisture, and
moisture,
which are ratherrather under than upon upon the earth:
earth: when,
however the soul earnestly earnestly (le.si1'e.s'
desires to depart from
depart
(i.e. strives
nature, {i.e. penetrate centrally
strives to penetrate centrally without ex-
ploring the intermediate spheres,)
ploring spheres,) then she becomes a
dry splendour
dry splendour without shadow and without a cloud or
mist.
mist. For moisture gives gives subsistence to a mist in in the
air; but dryness a dry splendour from ex-
air ; dryness constitutes dry splendour
halation.^ Hence that renowned saying
halation.' saying of Heraclitns,
Heraclitus,
that a drydry sou!
soul is
is the
the wisest,
wisest, for
for the soul looking at
looking
things posterior
things posterior to herself beholds the shadow and
images
images of her vaporous
vaporous vehicle
vehicle ; but
; when she is
is con-
herself, she evolves her proper

verted to herself, proper essences and
irradiates the whole circumference with her own
irradiates own abun-
oxygenating and dispersive
dant oxygenating light?^ Thus Hermes;
dispersive light. Hermes :
Extract from the ray its shadow and its

ray its obscurity, by
its obscurity, by
which the clouds hang hang over it, it, and corrupt corrupt and keep keep
away the light
away by means of its
light; by; its constriction,
constriction, also, also, and
fiery redness it
tiery it is
is burned
burned; take,
;take, my my son,son, this watery
this watery
corrupted nature, which is
and corrupted is as a coal holding holding the
fire, which if
fire, if thou shalt withdraw so often until the
redness isis made pure, pure, then it it will
will associate with thee, thee,
by whom it
by was cherished and in
it was in whom it it rests?
-^
rests.
Yisitabis
Visitabis interiora terrai rectificando, invenies
terra? rectificaudo,
Occultum lapidem, medicinam.
veram mediciuam.
lapidem, reram
Visit the interiors of the earth rectifying,

rectifying, says
says the
sage, and thou shalt find the hidden Stone,
sage, Stone, the true
1^
Auxil. to lntelligib.
Au.vil. Intelligib. sect. 1.
1.
9
- Proclus onon the
tlie Theology Plato, book i.
Theology of Plato, i. cap. iii.
cap. iii.
3
^ Tl`21('t.
Tract. Aur. cap. ii.
cap. ii.
THE l/IYs'rER1Es.
The Mysteries. 203
medicine not the feculent

medicine: : feculent dead soil, soil, but our dark didi-
chaotic life
vulsed chaotic life from sense, which opened opened and recti- recti-
fied, dissolved and reunited, is
fied, dissolved is changed
changed from an earthly earthly
to a spiritual body, by rapport divine.
spiritual body, by rapport divine. In such a pro- pro-
cess it seem the Alchemists discovered the hidden
it would seem
principles
principles of of nature, as, experimentally
experimentally passing passing through
through
vegetable
the animal and vegetable into
into the mineral circulation
circulation of
her Law, they describe the life
they describe life of
of all things
all things here below
to be a thick fire fire imprisoned
imprisoned in in a certain
certain incombustible
aerial moisture ;-Ignis
aerial ;
—
Ignis ruber super super dorsum ignis ignis can-
didi —
didi-which
which moisture in its native
in its native state,
state, before it it is
is pu-
pu-
rified
rified byby the inflowing
inflowing light light of reason, is
is that
that Hades
we are treating
treating of,of, the Purgatory
Purgatory of the wise, wise, wherein
the consciousness,
consciousness, becoming
becoming artincially wrapped by
artificially wrapped by the
Mysteries,
Mysteries, continues for
for a while in in a state of solicitude
solicitude
painful amazement, unable of itself
and painful itself to discover,
discover,
a cloud of darkness,
darkness, that
through
through so great
great that Hypostatic
Hypostatic
Reality towards which it
Reality it is
is instructed evermore to as-
pire.
pire. And until
until this
this attraction
attraction is is found and finally finally
established in in union,
union, the opposive powers display
opposive powers their
display their
mutual forces in in discordant dissolute array, array, as the Al-
chemists, with all
chemists, all who have been profoundly profoundly experi-experi-
enced in in this ground, relate
this ground, relate each in his own
in his own instruc-
instruc-
tive way,
tive warning about the conduct through
way, warning through it, it, and
many real,
the many though chimerical horrors and entic-
real, though
ing phantoms that haunt around,
ing phantoms guarding the secret
around, guarding
chamber of their mineral soul. soul. For,
For, as the sage sage in in
Enoch declares it, it, lead and tin produced from
tin are not produced
primary fountain of their production
earth as the primary production; but ;
there is is an angel
angel standing
standing upon upon it, it, and that angel angel
struggles to prevailf
struggles prevail.^
Vaughan notes the
Vaughan same in the Regio
same Regio P/mmfastica
hantastica P
of his Hieroglyphic, and elsewhere,
his Hieroglyphic, speaking of the
elsewhere, speaking
mineral nature or First Matter,
Matter, he says, eye of man
says, The eye man
saw her twice under one

never saw one and the same
same shape
shape; ;
but as clouds driven by

by the wind are forced to this and
figure, but cannot possibly
that Hgure, possibly retain one constant
form, so is
form, by the Hre
persecuted by
is she persecuted fire of nature
nature;^;" as,
as,
1
^ Book of Enoch,
Enoch, chap. lxiv. 7,
chap. Ixiv. 7, 8.
8.
2
2 Lumine, Introd. Coehim
Lumen de Lumine, Cnelum Terrae,
Terrse, page
page 90.
204 More
Moms ESOTERIC VIEW.
Esoteric View.
by
by the re-entering Light of Reason in
re-entering Light in the Mysteries,
Mysteries,
which is Sulphur of adepts,
is that Sulphur causing all
adcpts, causing this mani-
all this
fold scenery in
fold scenery disruption of life.
in the disruption life. O Nature!
O Nature the !
natures, cries
most wonderful creatrix of natures, cries Hermes,which
Hermes, which
eontainest and separatest
containest all things
separatest all things in in a middle prin-
prin-
ciple. Our Stone comes
ciple. light and with light
comes with light light it
it
generated, and then it

is generated,
is it brings
brings forth the clouds,
clouds, and
darkness which is is the mother of all all things.'
things.^ Ray-
Ray-
mond Lully, also, in
Lully, also, his Compeiidiinn
in his Compendium Qf Alchemy, calls
of AIC/1em_1/, calls
the first principles of the Art,
first principles Art, Spiritus in sere
fugitivos in
Spiritus fugitivos aare <12 ZC/
6Ui/iz
condensatos, in
condensatos, in forma monstrorum diversorum diversoruni et
animalium etiam hominum, qui qui vadunt sicut sicut nubes,
nubes,
modo hinc modo illue illuc ; that is
; is to say,
say, certain fugitive
fugitive
spirits condensed in
spirits air, in shape
in the air, divers mon-
shape of divers mon-
beasts, and men,

sters, beasts,
sters, men, which move move like
like clouds hither
and thither.
an outward aeeeptation
In an acceptation such an an announcement of
principles would be absurd,
principles absurd, or what possible interpre-
possible interpre-
aftbrd them a place
tation could ailord place inin common
common sense? or
sense ? or
whence, if
whence, they be true,
if they true, (and Lully's name
(and Lully's name stands well
dcfènce,) were
for their defence,) were they
they so probably brought to the
probably brought
cognizancc
cognizance of philosopher, as from the self-inspec-
of' the philosopher, selflinspec-
tion of them in in life
life?? But Lully,
Lully, indeed, calls these
indeed, calls
chaotic forms first first principles;
principles ; not because they they are
permanent or their essence
permanent rational, in that unctuous
essence rational,
condition, but because within the material ex-
dark condition,
life, when it
treme of thisthis life, it is purified, the Seed of the
is purified,
_
/
Fl( Spirit is
Spirit is at last found: found which the adept
: adept further de-
rl"
scribes as/k
asy^ aa decompounded ens,
decompounded extremely heavy,
ens, extremely heavy,
shining through the
shining through thc darkness like a fiery star, being
fiery star, being
full of eyes
full eyes like pearlspearls or aglets.
aglets. For itit isis the whole
O/ Demagorgon, as yet
Dem^gorgon, actually animated by
yet not actually by contact
of his ownown returning light.
returning light. The father of of' it,
it, says
says
Vaughan, is
Vaughan, is a certain inviolable mass, fòr the parts
mass, for parts of
it are so firmly
it
firmly united you you can neither pound pound them to
dust,
dust, nor
nor separate
separate them by
by violence of fire."
fire.^ is
This is
the rock in the wilderness,
wilderness, because in great obscurity
great obscurity
and difficult
difficult to find the way way of, compassed about with
of, compassed
1
'
Tract Aur. cap.
cap. iii.
iii.
2
^ Lumen Lumine, p.
dc Lnmine, p. 68.
—
Tri
The MYSTERIES.
Mysteries. 205
darkness, clouds, and exhalations,

exhalations, as it dwelling
it were dwelling
in the bowels of the earth.
in earth.-Our —
Our viscous
viscous soul,
soul, as
Synesius calls
Synesius calls it, circulating in
it, circulating in the midst of all her
of all
Adamical defilements,
dcfilements, and which Plato comparescompares to
that marine Glaucus so deformed by
that by the foreign
foreign
weeds and parasites
parasites that
that had grown
grown about that in
him, that in
respect he resembled a beast rather than what
every respect
every
he really was?
really was.^ In such a deplorable
deplorable condition isis the
the
divine germ
divine germ of humanity
humanity said
said to be beheld under the
thousand evils its birth.
evils of its birth.
Monstrum, horrendum,
Monstrum, horrcndum, inforine, ingens cui
informe, ingens cui lumen ademptum.
ademptum.
There is is a curious figurative
figurative account given given in in a
letter
letter circulcated under the name name ofof the Brethren of the
Rosy Cross, which appears
Rosy Cross, appears to have reference to this this
passage of initiatory
passage initiatory progress
progress in in the Mysteries.
Mysteries. It
It
may be rendered thus :-
may :
There is is a mountain situated in in the midst of the

earl/1 or centre of the u'0r!a',
earth world, which is is both amall
small and
great.
great. It is
It is soft also
soft also above measure,
measure, hard, hard, and
strong.
strong. It is fn*
It is far of, near at hand
off, and near /land,"; but,
but, by
hy the
providence of God, it
providence it is invisible.
is invisible. In itit are hidden
most ample treasures, which the world is
ample treasures, is not able to
value. This mountain, by env)^ of the Devil,
by envy Devil, who
always opposes the glory
always opposes glory of God and the felicity felicity of
man, is
man, is compassed
compassed about with very very cruel beasts and
ravenous birds, birds, which make the way way thither both diffi- diffi-
cult and dangerous
dangerous; ; and therefore, hitherto,
therefore, hitherto, because
the time is is not yet come, the way
yet come, way thither could not be
sought
sought after
after by all;
by all
; but only by
only by the worthy
worthy man's
man's
self-labour and investigation.
investigation.
To thisthis moznztain
mountain you you shall go go inin a a certain night,
night,
when it it comes
comes most long long and dark ;
; and see that you
you
•pre'pare yourselves by
yourselves by prayer.
þÿ]JI` ¬]9ll7`6 prayer. [mist
Insist upon
upon the way
way
that leads to the mountain, mountain, but ask not of any any man
man
where it it lies only follow your

lies; only
; guide who will
your guide will þÿ0f
offer¬I'
himself to you you and will
will meet you
you in the way.^
way?
1
^ Republic, vii.
Republic, book vii.
2
' Themistius relates how,
how, when cnterino-
entering the mystic dome, the
mystic dome, tlie
206 More Esoteric
Mons Esornaic VIEW.
View.
This guide
guide will
will bring you to the mountain at
bring you at mir!-
mid-
nig/zt,
night, when all
all things
things are silent
silent and dark. It
It is
is neces-
sary that you
sary that you armarm yourself
yourself with a a resolute heroic
resolute heroic
courage,
courage, lest
lest you
you fear
fear those things
things that will
will happen
happen
fall back.^
and fall baek.' You need no SWOl'd other bodily
sword or other bodily
weapon,
weapon, onlyonly call
call upon your
upon your God, sivzcezdy
sincerely and lzeartify
heartily
see/ring Hiliz.
seeking Him.
When
Vhen you you have discovered
discovered the mountain, the first first
miracle that will will appear
appear is
is this;
this ; a
a most vehement and
very
very great
gi'eat wind that
that will
will S/za/»e
shake the whole 7I)0ll)lf(IfI)
mountain and
shatter the rocks to pieces.
shatter pieces. You will will be encountered
by
by lions,
lions, dragons,
dragons, and other terrible
terrible wild beasts
beasts; but;
fear not
fear any of these things.'^
11ot any things." Be resolute,
resolute, and take
heed that
that you
you return not, not, for guide
your guide
for your who brought
brought
you
you thither will
will not suffer
suffer any
any evil
evil to befall
befall you.
you. As
for the treasure,
for treasure, it it is
is not yet yet discovered ; but it
; it is
is very
very
near. After this
this wind will will come
come an earthquake,
earthquake, which
will overthrow those things
will things which the wind had left. left.
Be sure you you fall
fall not oH`.
off. The carl/zgzmke being passed,
earthqitakehe'mg passed,
there shall
shall follow a _/ireJire that will consume the earthly
will consume earthly
rubbish, and discover the treasure: but as yet
rubbish, yet you you
initiated
initiated is first with solicitude
is seized at first solicitude and perplexity,
pcrplexity, unable to
move
move a step forward, loss to find
step forward, at a loss find the entrance to that road
which isis to lead him to the place place which he desires till the
desires; till
;
conductor, laying
conductor, open for him the vestibule,
laying open vestibule, he enters &e._See
&c. —
See
Varburton's Divine Legation,
Warburton's Legation, the Extract. vol. ].
Extract, vol. p. 309.
1, p. So the
Sybil for
Sybil Aineas.
for Êneas.
Ille
Ille ducem
duecm hand timidis vadentem passibus
passibus aequat.
aequat.
The
Tlie adepts, many of them,
adepts, many some pains
them, are at some pains to denote the
peculiar disposition
peculiar appearance of this
disposition and appearance this guide,
guide, and the Chal-
daic oracle promises
promises that the mortal,
mortal, approaching
approaching to fire, will
fire, will
have a light
light from divinity.
divinity.
1'
Nunc auimis
aniniis opus,
opus, Euea, peetore firmo. Jlzlneid.
nunc pectore
-^nea, nnnc lib. vi.
Êneid, lib. vi.
"GO
260.
¢. .
2
^ Multaque przeterea variarinn
Multaque pr.Tterea inonstra ferarnm
variarum monstra ferarum
Centauri in foribus stabnlant biformes,
Scyllfeque bilbrmes,
stabulant Scyll?eque
Et centumgeniinus
centumgeminus Briareus,
Briareus, ac BeUua
Bellna Lernze
Lernje
Horrendum
llorrendunx stridens,
stridens, fianiniisqnc Chimera;
flammisque armata Chimera;
Gorgones, Harpyiaeque et forma tricorporis
Gorgoncs, Harpyimque ninbrxe.
tricorporis umbrae.
Corripit hic
Corripit hie subitd formidine ferrum
trepidus forinidiue
subita trepidus
§*Eneas. strictamque
Êneas, venicntibns offert.
strictamque aciem venientibus ofFert.
Et ni docta comes,
comes, &c. Idem, 285.
Tdem, 295.
;
rFHE Mvsrnrcins.
The Mysteries. 207
it.'
cannot see it.^ After all all these things, and near
these things, day-
near day-
there shall
break, there shall be great calm, and you
a great
a you shall
shall see
the day-star arise, and the 1/arlmess
I/ay-star' arise, will disappear
darkness will disappear ,-
you will conceive
you will conceive a great treasure;
great treasure the ;chiefest thing,
chiefest thing,
and thc
the most is certain
perfect, is a certain
perfect, a exalted tincture
tincture with
which the world, if
world, if itit served God and were worthy
were of
worthy of
such gifts,
gifts, might
might be tinged
tinged and turned into
into most pure
pure
gold.
gold.
And thus much of the concordance of these famous
Christian philosophers who,
Christian philosophers who, if they had not promised
if they promised
gold,
gold, and proclaimed prodigies after
proclaimed prodigies after an an entertaining
entertaining
Arabian Nights' fashion, would never, probably,
Nights' fashion, probably, have
been thought
thought of by
by the world,
world, or inquired after,
inquired after, as
they
they were, over Europe during
Europe during the last
last century, but
century,
without success. For they they who have this
this knowledge
knowledge
know where and how likewise likewise to bestow it, it, discerning
discerning
betwlxt the lovers of mammon
betwixt mammon and of truth. truth. Fearing
Fearing
dangerous curiosity
the dangerous curiosity of the vulgar
vulgar herd also,
also, we
we
obse1've,
observe, the Greeks pass by
pass by in
in silence the physical
physical
revealments of these Tartarean realms, or, or, poetizing
poetizing
the great evaporate in
experience, evaporate
great experience, in fancy,
fancy, as it it were,
the teeming
teeming life
life therein opened
opened with its
its overflowing
overflowing
light of
spirit and light
spirit increase.
of increase.
none admire
Let none
That riches grow
grow in hell; that soil
i_u hell ; may best
soil may
bane and here let
precious bane;
Deserve the precious ; let those
things, and wondering
Who boast in mortal things,
"Who tell
wondering tell
Memphian kings,
Of Babel and the works of Memphian kings,
greatest monuments of fame
Learn how the greatest
easily outdone
strength and art are easily
And strength
By spirits
By spirits reprobate?
reprobate.^
And further, how these again may be surpassed

again may surpassed and
Aladdin's 1'apid
vanish, as Aladdin's
vanish, rapid castle into air, before the
air,
Through tire the divine oracles more

11 Through fire teach, that those
plainly teach,
more plainly
finally obliterated that accede to the soul from gene-

all finally
stains are all gene-
principle in unconscious
ration and which conceal the immortal principle
vivifying the mortal sense.
oblivion for the sake of vivifying But the
light once entering
entering as a ferment combats and pene-pene-
inquisitive
inquisitive light as
trates through the surrounding

surrounding darkness until meeting
meeting its
its proper
proper
through
kindling with it,
pole, and conjointly kindling it, absorbs, transmutes, and
absorbs, transmntes,
pole, conjointly
2 Miltoh; §=§ifiiS@ Lost,
Milton's Paradise hook i. 676.
Lost, book i.
208 Mons Esormnc View.
More Esoteric
diseriminative radiance
discriminative radiance of celestial
celestial light.
light. And as in in
the pursuit
pursuit of other sciencessciences and arts, thought,
arts, thought, and
persevering labour and experience
persevering experience are required required to
ensure success, so should those delusive dclusive visions
visions and
errors which occur during during the conscious transferencetransference
to a more excellent
a more condition of being
excellent condition being be considered,
in like
in like manner, not as derogatoryderogatory or casting casting a doubt
at all upon the
all upon the ultimate truthstruths of of divine
divine science,
science, but
h is to good
is
rather contrary
as obstacles rather
everywhere
good everywhere
contrary
adverse.
adverse.
to it
it w,
i»idê»3se, as evil
evil
We
We do not,not, therefore, linger
linger here any more to con-
any more
sider diflerent allotments, the longer
sider the different longer or shorter
periods which
periods wdiich engage
engage pure pure or impure
impure soulssouls in in Hades,
their
their habits or the triple triple path
path arising
arising from their their es-
sences, all
all which is is indicated in in the Platonic discourses,
and most of which abound with symbolieal sj^mbolical theories
and poetical
poetical descriptions concerning the descent, as-
descriptions concerning
cent, and intermediate wanderings,wanderings, expiatory
expiatory punish-
punish-
ment and sacriiices,
sacrifices, and things things of a similar import,
similar import,
which the rites enjoined, before the aspirants,
rites enjoined, aspirants, by by the
called JMustai,
Greeks called fllustzzi, were
were passed
passed on on by
by the Hiero-
phant of the inner temple
phant templeto its immortal abode
to its abode: for
: for
such waswas Tartarns,
Tartarus, the next beyond beyond Hades,Hades, according
according
Ethnics, the alone eternal hypostasis
to the Ethnics, hypostasis to be
redeemed from thence, thence, from the oblivious realms of
generation, into
generation, Elysian recollection
into the Elysian recollection of VisdomWisdom in in
highest consciousness. But the soul is
the highest is said to be
in Hades all
in all the while that her hypostasis hypostasis continues
in darkness that is,
in darkness; ; is, we
we would say, whilst she regards
say, regards
her image objectively, before attaining
image objectively, attaining to the experi- experi-
knowledge.
mental knowledge. And here the Lesser lIyste1'ies Mysteries
surrounding medium into its

oecultates the surrounding
occultates its own
own abyssal life.
abyssal life.
See Tract. Aureus,
Aureus, cap. iv.
cap, iv. Burn the brasen body body with anan exceed-
ing strong
ing &c. and Eccles. eap.
tire, Sze.;
strong fire, ; cap. iv. verse 28.
iv. vei'se Go forth,
forth, and
upon the mount before the Lord. And,
stand upon behold, the Lord
And, behold,
by, and aa great
passed by,
passed strong wind rent the mountains, and
great and strong
pieces the rocks before the
brake in pieces thc Lord
Lord; but the Lord was
; was
not in the wind earthquake but the Lord
wind; and after the wind an earthquake;
: ;
was not in the earthquake;

earthquake and after the earthquake
;
earthquake a Hre,fire, but
the Lord was
was not in in the fire
fire; and after the Iire,
: still voice.
a small still
fire, a. voice.
1 Kings
1 xix. 11,
Kings xix. 11, 12.
THE MYSTERIES.
Mrsrnniss. 209
ended the
ended; the soul,
;
as it
as it were, on on the borders of the
Stygian
Stygian lake in View
in view of which Euripides
Tartarus, wdiich Euripides has
"
also " dream death."
elegantly styled
elegantly styled also a of death."
And the conformity
conformity between death and this this next
initiation, is
initiation, strikingly
is strikingly exhibited in
in a
a
passage preserved
passage preserved
by Stoboeus from an ancient record ; it
by ;
it has been well well
rendered by by Dr. Varburton,
Warburton, and runs thus :
—
;-TheThe
mind is is affected
affected and agitated agitated in in death,
death, just just as it is in
it is in
initiation
initiation into into the Grand Mysteries.Mysteries. And word answers
to word,
word, as well well as thing
thing to thing:
thing for
: TEAETTAN is
for TEAETT4N is
die, and TEAEIÔAI

to die, TE/IEIZQAI is is to be initiated;
initiated; the first
first
stage
stage is nothing but errors and uncertainties
is nothing uncertainties; labour-
;
wanderings, and darkness.

ings, wanderings,
ings, And now, arrived on
now, arrived on
the verge
verge of death and initiation,
initiation, everything
everything wears a
dreadful aspect aspect; it

it
; is
is all
all horror,
horror, trembling, sweating,
trembling, sweating,
and aifrightment.
affrightment. But thisthis scene once over, a mi-
raculous and divine light light displays itself, and shining
displays itself, shining
plains,
plains, and flowery
flowery meadows, open
open on
on all
all hands before
them. Here they they are entertained with hymns hymns and
dances, and with sublime and sacred knowledges,
dances, knowledges, and
with reverend and holy holy visions.
visions. And now
now become
perfect
perfect and initiated,
initiated, they
they free,
are free, and no
no
longer un-
longer
restraint; but crowned and triumphant,
der restraint ;
triumphant, they they walk
up
up and down in
in the regions
regions of the Blessed?
Blessed.^
But all,all, during transition, is
during the transition, is described as wear- wear-
ing fearful aspect;
ing a fearful aspect ; and dread fillsiills the soul about to
relinquish her natal bond in
relinquish life; neither may
in life ;
may it it be
irrelevant to call call in in mind that repeated repeated advice of
Solomon,
Solomon, that that-the —
the Fear of God is beginning of
is the beginning
Wisdom ;-as
Visdom ;
— as the spiritual regard in
spiritual regard mysteries, al-
in the mysteries, al-
ready involuted, and drawing

ready involuted, drawing towards its end, with awe,
its end, awe,
begins to perceive
begins itself in that Identic Source.
perceive itself Source, And
shall we we not believe that it was out of the same
it was same inti-
inti-
experience that the son
mate experience son of Sirach, inciting
Sirach, inciting men
men to
search after the Divine Wisdom, confesses, confesses, that-at
that —at
first she will walk with him by
first by crooked ways, ways, and bring
bring
fear and dread upon upon him,him, and torment him with her dis- dis-
eiplincs,
ciplines, until she may
may trust his soul,
soul, and try
try him by
by
her law?
law ? Then she will will return the straight straight wayway unto
1
1 Divine Legation,
Legation, vol.
vol. i.
i. p. 312.
p. 342.
P
;;
210 More Esoteric

Mom; Esoriziuc View.
says the Divine teacher, and comfort him, and

him, says
him,
show him her Secret. Secret. The root of Wisdom, is
of Visdom, is to fear
fear
the Lord, and the branches thereof are
long life
long life ;
strive for
strive for the truth, even unto 1/eat/1, death, and the Lord
shall for
fight for thee.^
shall fight thee.' So, likewise, we read, that
we read,
there is is in Alchemy a certain
in Alchemy a certain noble body, which is
body, is
moved from one one lord
lord to another, in
another in;
the beginning
beginning of
which there
there is suffering with vinegar
is suffering vinegar; but, but, in
; in the end,
joy
joy with exultation.
exultation O happy
O happy gate gate of Blaekness!
Blackness !
cries the adept,

cries adept, which art the passage passage to so glonousglorious aa
change! Study,
change !
Study, therefore, whoever appliest thyself to
appUest thyself
this art, only
this art, only to know this
this secret;
secret for
for ; to know this,
this,
indeed,
indeed, is is to know all,
all, but to be ignorant
ignorant of this, is to
this, is
be ignorant
ignorant of all.
all. Take away, therefore,
away, therefore, the vapour
vapour
from the water, water, and the blczc/mess blackness from the oily tinc-
oily t'mc-
ture,
tiire, and deaf/1
death from the fgeccs;
faces ; and by
by Di.s's0!utio1z
Dissolution
thou shalt triumphant reward, even
possess a triumphant
shalt possess even that in in
and by by which the possessors possessors live/^ live?
In the beginning
beginning of Phcedo, P/mfr/0, Plato,
Plato, by by Socrates,
Socrates, as-
serts,
serts, that it
it is
is the business of philosophers to study
philosophers study
how to be dead. Plotinus, Plotinus, at the same same time repro- repro-
bating suicide, has the same
bating suicide, doctrine; but Porphyry,
same doctrine ; Porphyry,
in his _/luxiliaries
in his Auxiliaries lo the Perception
to the Perception cy" of Intel/igib/e Na-
Intelligible
tures, explains
tuiês, explains the meaning
meaning of'
of these others ; for for there
;
is, says he,

is, says he, a twofold death,
death, the one
one indeed universally
universally
known, in
known, in which the body body is is liberated from the soul ;
but the other peculiar philosophers, in

peculiar to philosophers, in which the
soul isis liberated from the body body: :nor
nor does the one en-
tirely
tirely follow the other. That which nature binds,
binds,
nature also dissolves;
dissolves ; that which the soul binds, binds, the
soul likewise can dissolve: nature,
can dissolve :
indeed, binds the
nature, indeed,
body
body to the soul,
soul, but the soul binds -herself'
herself to the
body.
body. Nature therefore liberates the body from the
body
soul, but the
soul, thc soul may may also liberate herself from the
body." That is
body.^ say, if she know how, and have the
is to say, if
right disposition
right disposition awarded,
awarded, she may may dissolve her own own
1
'
2
Eeclesiasticus, chap.
Ecclesiasticus, chap. i.i. v. 20 chap. iv.
20; chap. Y. 17,
iv. v.
; 18, 28.
17, 18,
2 Hermes, Tract. Aur. cap.
Hermes, ii.
cap. ii. lievived, 5th gate,
Eiplcy Eevived,
Ripley gate, p.
p.
357.
3
3 Aux. to Tntcll. sect.
lo Intel!, 1, S,
1, S, S).
9.
THE Mrsrrzlzl Hs.
The Mysteries. 21 1
211
even the parental bond, and return

conceptive vel1icle,
conceptive vehicle, even parental
consciously (the elementary
consciously elementarj'- principles
principles remaining,
remaining, nornor
yet suffered
yet suffered to depart),
depart) under
, the dominion of another
law to life.
to life. That was the^" precious death,"
the,,f' precious death," spoken of
spoken of ,QVZ/U K
by
by the Hebrews and Academics, this the " happy gate
this "happy "
gate O
of blackness"
blackness" celebrated by adepts, the " head
by the old adepts,
of Hermes'
Hermes' crow,"
crow," which is is in
in the beginning
beginning of the
work ; that which was
; fixed, viz.
was fixed, viz. the sensual compact,
compact,
is dissolved, and that which is
is dissolved, is dissolved is is renovated,
renovated,
and hence the corruption
corruption and evil mortality is
evil of mortality is made
manifest in in the ultimate ci1'culation

circulation of the matter to be
renewed, and on either side
on either side it it is
is a signal
signal of Art. And
all without destruction to the mortal body
all body (if
(if perhaps
perhaps
some one values this),
some this), the willing life was
willing life was made to pass pass
out of itsits present
present oblivious fall, through regeneration,
fall, through regeneration,
into the reminiscent consciousness of her Causal Source.
into Source,
As the truth-telling
truth-telling Oracle again
again declares that,
that,
fiery mind to the work of

thou extend the fiery
If tliou of' piety,
piety,
Thou shalt preserve the fluxible
shalt preserve likewise.
body likewise.
fluxible body
Even through re-entering into and fortifying

death, re-entering
through death, fortifying
it with
it the eliXi1'
elixir of an
an immortal life.
life. Orandum est ut
Grandum
sit mens sana
sit mens in corpore
sana in corpore sano.
Seek thou the way
way of the soul,
soul,
Whence and by
by what order,
order, having
having body,
served the body,
same from which thou dost flow,
The same How, thou must return
And rise
rise up
up again, joining action to sacred speech!
again, joining speech.^
Suppose any one beginning

Suppose any beginning at the top
an artificial
an
top ofartificial
edifice,
edifice, should undertake to decompose it
decompose it stone by by
stone, setting
stone, setting all aside, with the dirt
all aside, dirt and rubbish,
rubbish, as
proceeds, he would at last come
he proceeds, come to the earth which
is
is at the foundation,
foundation, and have space
space to build upup anew
anew; ;
and thus it appear to be in the Hermetic pro-

it would appear pro-
cess. If any one should take the natural life
any one life as it it
presents itself, opening
presents itself, opening and analyzing
analyzing the parts thereof,
parts thereof,
spiritually and wisely,
spiritually one from another,
wisely, one another, graciously,
graciously,
as the mandate runs,-Terra — igni, subtile a spisso,
runs,^ Terra ab igni, spisso,
suaviter cum —
multdingcnio,--he
cum multaingenio, he would arrive finally
finally at
I
ii
f
basement, wherein is
the basement, is hidden the true alkaline ori- ori-
1^
Oraeula
Oracula Chaldaica.
p
P 2
;
212 More ESOTERIC View.

Mom; Esoteric
ginal
ginal of life in
of life i11 its
its threefold separately con-
threefold essence separately
tained.
tained. And this,
this, the adept
adept tells
tells is syllogism it
us, is the syllogisin it
best behoves
behovês us to
to look after;
after; for
for he that
that has once
once
Aquaster, and ente1'ed

passed the Aquaster,
passed entered the Fire Vorld, sees
Fire World,
what is is both invisible
invisible and incredibleincredible to common
common men.
He shall
shall discover the miraculous conspiracy conspiracy that is is
between the Prester and the Sun, Sun, the external and in-
in-
ternal fire
ternal fire of life, life, the thing desiring and the thing
thing desiring thing
desired.
desired. He shall
shall know the secret love of heaven and
earth, and why
earth, why all all infiux against the
fire descends against
influx of fire
nature of fire,fire, and comes
comes from above downwards, until
downwards, until
having
having found a body,
body, it
it reaseends
reascends therewith in
in perpe-
perpe-
interehange. He shall
tual interchange. know, continues the adept,
shall know, adept,
and see how the Fire Spirit Spirit has its its root in in the spiritual
spiritual
fire earth, and receives
fire earth, receives from it a secret infiux
fi'om it upon
influx upon
which it feeds.
it feeds. A A body
body imniarcessible,
immarcessible, than which
there is is nothing
nothing more more ancient, vigorous, and young.
ancient, vigorous, young.
/ , The Salt Saturn, that most
Salt of Saturn, lnost abstrnse principle of the
abstruse principle
O/ —
Stone-the —
Demj(gorgon sethere dempto
Stone the most ancient Demgtgorgon-zethere dempto
/ —
-deprived
deprived of light,
light, whose perpetual motion emanates
perpetual
the first
first material universe, universe, and is inineral soul.
is the mineral soul.
This isis the earth,
earth, distinguished
distinguished by by Anaxagoras,
Anaxagoras, which
centre, " hangs
"
abiding durably
abiding durably in in the centre, loftily," but its
hangs loftily," its
Being
Being is
is Tartarus ;
And the light

liglit hating world, and the winding
hating world, winding currents
By which many
T3y wliich things are swallowed up.
many tilings up.
Stoop
Steep not down, for a preeipicc
down, for precipice lies
lies below in the earth;
earth;
Drawing thro' the ladder whicli
Drawing thro' which hath seven
seven steps,
steps,
Beneath which is is the throne of Necessity.
Necessity.
Enlarge not thou thy
Enlarge thy destiny,
destiny.
The
T he soul will, after a manner,
will, after clasp God to herselfl
manner, clasp herself.^
As Porphyry,
Porphyry, in our
our motto head,
head, declares that
that-it is
it is —
necessary
necessary that the soul when purified
purified should associate
its Generator
with its Generator; and the virtue of it
; after this con-
it after een-
vcrsion
version is
is said to consist in a scientific
scientific knowledge
knowledge of
Being, which cannot be obtained either otherwise
true Being,
or without such a conversion.
1^
Oraeula Chaldaiea.
Oracula Chaldaica.
;
The Mrsremas.
'PHE Mysteries. 213
O
0 felix gnarus
qnisquis felix
beatam quisquis gnarus Dei
Sacrorum, vitam piat
piat;
Ac aiiimam iuitiat Orgygis
animain initiat Orgygis
Bacclians in lnontibus,
Baechans in montibus,
Sacris purus lustrationibusl
Sacris purus lustrationibus.^
But, perhaps, inquisitive reader,

perhaps, inquisitive reader, you will very
you will anx-
very anx-
iously ask, what
iously said and done? II would tell
was said
was tell
you, replies
you, replies the Epidaurian,
Epidaurian, if
if it
it could be
he lawfully
lawfully
told.
told. But both
hoth the ears and tongue tongue are guilty guilty of in-in-
discretion.
discretion. Nevertheless, II will
Nevertheless, will not keepkeep you
you in in sus-
pense
pense with religious desire, nor torment you
religious desire, you with a longlong
continued anxiety.
anxiety. Hear, therefore,
therefore, but behevebelieve what
is true: The priest,
is true : priest, then, all all the profane
profane being
being re-
inoved, taking
moved, taking me
me by
by the hand,
hand, brought
brought me
me to the
penetralia of tl1e
penetralia the temple.
temple. I
/ approached
opjlrooc/lea' the t/ze cozgpizcs
coujines
f/ent/1, and,
of death, Il(l"UI}1g trod t/ze
and, having þÿIIl}' ¬8IIOI(I
the threshold Proscrpine,
ry" Proserpine,
of
I returned
relzmzed from it, it, being carrie/I t/zroug/1
being carried through all t/ze Ele-
ol/ the
ments. _/lt mid/no'ht I saw
At nzirl/zig/zt the Sanz
sow 15/ze shinino; wit/z
Sun Sflfllillg with a
Zig/it ;; and I manifestly
spfcmlirl light
splendid zuonfcst/y drew near nom" to thethe gods
gods
above and /Jeneat/1,
beneath, ami proxizzzotely //florecl
and proximately adored t/ze/zz.
them.
Behold II have narrated to you things of which, though
you things though
heard, it
heard, it is
is nevertheless necessary
necessary that you you should be
ignorant?
ignorant.^
By
By no explanation,
explanation, nor any any familiar analogy
analogy do
we
we here presume to aid
presume intellect to a con-
aid the natural intellect
ception that transcends it,
ception it, and which can only be at-
can only
experience. Yet reason
through the identical experience.
tained through
may, does perceive
niay, it, but abstractly
perceive it, only as an
abstractly only infer-
an infer-
ence ; yet
ence it is hcr
yet it is her
;
true Hypostasis,
Hypostasis, for
for which,
which, as Isis
Isis
for
for Osiris,
Osiris, she isis constantly
constantly seeking,
seeking, her objective
objective
reality in the Great Unknown.
reality 1'ude uneducated
The rude
however, which serves sensibles without reflec-
reason, however,
reason, reflec-
tion,
tion, will
will not understand;
understand but that
;
only which, seeing
only which, seeing
something
something more
more in causation than mere
nicre antecedencc,
antecedence,
can magitte into the
ii
intelligible substance of her Law.
thc intelligible AîfZtC*
For there the true Etlicient found, which is
is to be found,
Efficient is is
not externally but^ becoming
developed ; but,
externally developed ;
conjoined
becoming conjoined in
consciousness, thc soul knows herself as a Whole
consciousness, the 'Whole
1 Baechis.
in Baccliis.
1
2
Euripides iu
Euripides
^
Apuleius Metam. book
Apuleius }Ieta1n. xi.
xi.
214 More
Moius .l';SO'lÌ§RlC
Esoteric View. V1 EW.
before knew but a part

which before part only
only ofof her human
proceeding
nature; and proceeding
nature ; thus, by theurgic assistance,
by theurgic assistance,
arrives at
arrives desired end,
at her desired end, and participating
participating of of Deity,
Deity,
as Plotiuus
perceives
perceives then and knows, Plotinus gracefully ex-
gracefully ex-
presses
presses it,
it, that the supplier
supplier of life
life is
is p1'esent
present ; and free
free ;
all external
from all external perturbation
perturbation and desire,
desire, pereipiently
percipiently
included in in the circular necessity of her Law, believes
circular necessity believes
its revelation
its revelation which is is her very
very self.
self.
This is Psellus speaks
Introspertiozz which Psellus
is the Iiitroapection speaks of,of, as
distinguished from the ~S'1z//e1'i21s]Jecti011
distinguished Superinspectmi which takes
place
place inin Hades. When the initiated
Vhen initiated person
person sees the
Divine Light
Light itself
itself without any
any form or figure; this the
figure; this
calls Sacro Sancto,
oracle calls
oracle Saneto, for
for that isis seen with a beauty
beauty
by persons, and glides
by sacred persons, up and down pleasantly
glides up pleasantly
through the depths
through depths of the world. This will will not de-de-
ceive; but as the Oracle in
ceive ;
in fine
fine advises,
advises.
When
Vhen thou
tliou seest a Fire without Form,
Eonu,
Shining
Shining flashiugly
flashingly through
through the depths
deptlis ofthe 'Vo1-ld,
of the World,
Hear the voice ofofFire.1
Fire.^
The same
same solemn and articulate instruction
instruction is is given
given
in an Indian record,
in record, translated by
by Sir
Sir Villiam
William J ones,
Jones,
as follows :~-Except
:
—
Except the First Cause,
Cause, whatever may may
appear
appear or may
may not appear
appear in
in the mind, know that to
mind,
be the 111lH(l'S
mind's mayamaya (or image or delusion)
(or image delusion) as of light light
or darkness ; as the great ;
great elements are in
in various
beings entering,
beings entering, yet entering, thus AM I,
yet not entering, in them
I, in AM
and yet
yet not in
in them
them; even thus ; far
far may
may inquiry be
inquiry
made byby him who seeks to know the of mind
,winciple iy"
pyiuciple
in union and separation,
in scpmwtiozz, which must be every
every where and
always?
always.'^ And in
in the book of Deuteronomy,
Deuteronomy, fourth chap-
chap-
ter, unfigured form ofthe
ter, the unfigured of the Divine Essence,
Essence, isis noted
in several places;
places and in the book of Zohar,
;
Zohar, it is ex-
it is
1
^ Quando
Quando videris lbrnia
forma sine sacram
saeram igneam
igncnm
Collucentum saltatim totius per
Colhicentum per profundum
profundum mundi,
mundi,
Audi Ignis
Iguis Vocem.
Orucula Chaldaica,
Oracula fine.
C/zalflaica, in fine.
2
^ Asiatic Eesoarches,
Researches, vol.
vol. i. p. 2-Ll.
i. p 211.
The MYSTERIES.
Tun Mysteries. 215
plained, that before the descent into creation thuDivinu Jnafiga

` '
plained, -Dotrxyy^^*_
&:%shas
Nntm'p has no form, and therefore it
no form, was forbidden to
it was
represent ,Him
represent JKim under any image whatever,
any image whatever, evên even so
much as as aa letter or point, and in this sense
or point, sense wewe are to
understand the mandate, —
mandate,--Take Take good
good heed unto youryour-
selves, for ye
selves, ye saw
saw no manner of simihtude
no manner similitude on on the day day
that the Lord spake spake unto you you in Horeb out of the
midst of the fire.^
fire?
But then the revelations we we have gathered
here gathered
(and which are but a small part
(and part indeed of what has
been described of the visions, visions, and awful accompani-
accompani-
ments which took place place in the celebration of the
Mysteries) have been explained
Greater Mysteries) explained away away as trifling
trifling
exhibitions; orreries,
exhibitions ; orreries, as some
as some say, say, contrived after the
Walker's or Lloyd's
fashion of VValker's Eidouranion ; by
Lloyd's Eidourauion ;
by those
unfigured
unligured lights,
lights, it
it has been argued,
argued, were
were meant aste-
roids,
roids, whilst the figured
figured are supposed agreeably
supposed agreeably to re-
present
present constellations of stars, grouped
stars, grouped together together in a
more defined form. The whole,
more whole, in fact,fact, has been re-
garded as a
garded moving panorama
a moving panorama and illusory illusory display
display of
lights.
lights. But what extreme of trifling
trifling or
or fantastic folly
folly
has not modern imagination
imagination ascribed to the ancient
mind? and how commonly commonly mistaken and useless do
not its
its best relics remain, for want of a corresponding
relics 1'emain, corresponding
intelligence in latter times?
intelligence Allegories of recondite
Allegories
experience, truthful fables,
experience, symbols replete
fables, symbols replete with in-
struction and refined emblems of art, art, have been either
trivially interpreted,
trivially interpreted, or condemned as
as futile without
appeal
appeal ; even
; even those life-bound mysteries,
mysteries, those dis- / . /
ciplines, purifications,
ciplines,
gone
gone for
purifications,
nothing,
notliing, or
or
sacred
as good
good
and
for
primordial
primordgffal
nothing,
nothing,
rites
rites
whilst
have
As-
//;/
^/
tronomy
tronomy has has'been
been the imputed spirit of the whole.
imputed spirit
On
Cn risk of some some ridicule, therefore, and dilettanti
ridicule, therefore,
scorn, we
scorn, we continue by our
by our clue,
clue, leaving the darker
leaving
scenes of life's
scenes life's drama, to look beyond
drama, beyond even even upon
upon / /
that beautiful sun-lit horizon of the Mayldaurentian, Majidaurentian, / ^^ LL
radiance, as of the real life.

rising to intellectual radiance,
rising life. Thus
Proelus says,
Proclus says, that to the wise indeed all things possess
all things possess
1 ii.
^ Deuteronomy, chap. iv.
Deuteronomy, chap. iv. v.
'. 15. Zohar, part
Zehar, part ii.
216 More Esoteric
Mons VIEW.
ESOTERIC View.
a silent
silent and arcane tendencytendency; and Intellect
; Intellect is is excited
excited
to the Beautiful with astonishment and motion motion; for
: for
the illumination
illuuiination from it it and its eflieacy, acutely
its efficacy, acutely i)cr-per-
through every
vade through every soul, and as being being the most similar similar
of allall things
things to the Good, it it converts every every soul that that
surveys
surveys it. it. The soul
soul also, beholding
beholding that that whicl1
which is is
arcane, shining forth as it
shining forth were to view,
it were rejoices in
view, rejoices in and
admires that Vvhich which sees, and is is astonished about it. it.
And as in in the most holy Mysteries, prior

holy IMysteries, prior to the mystic mystic
spectacles, those who are initiated
spectacles, initiated are said said to be seizedseized
with astonishment and dread, so in in Intelligibles,
Intelligibles, priorprior
to the participation
participation of the Good, Beauty shining forth
Beauty shining forth
astonishes those that behold it, it, converts the soul to
itself,
itself, and being being established in vestibules (of
in the vestibules (of the
good) shows what that is
good) is which is is in adyta, and
in the adyta,
what the transcendeney
transcendency is is of occult being. being. Through
Through
therefore, concludes the philosopher,
things, therefore,
these things, philosopher, let let
it be apparent
it apparent whence Beauty originates, and how it
Beauty originates, it
first
lirst shines forth, forth, and also that Animal (life) (life) itself
itself isis
the most beautiful of all intelligiblesd But Apuleius
all intelligibles.^ Apuleius
no less
no
directly indicates the nature of his
less directly own mys-
his own mys-
terious revelation where, speaking
where, speaking of the Intellectual
contact which the wise have proved, proved, when they they werewere
separated from body,
separated body, through
through the energies energies of mind, he
mind,
says, (calling his
says, (calling his divine master also to witness), that
witness),
this knowledge
this knowledge sometimes shines forth with a most
rapid corruscation like
rapid bright
like a bright and clear light in
light in the
most profound darkness."
profound darkness.^ And Plato himself, speak-
himself, speak-
ing
ing in
in like
like manner
manner of the Intellectual Intuition, in his
Intuition, his
seventh Epistle,
Epistle, writes that from long
long converse
conve1'se with
the thing itself, accompanied
thing itself, accompanied by by a life conformity to
life in conformity
it,
it, on a sudden a light,
light, as it
it were a leaping Ere,
leaping will
fire, will
be enkindled in in the soul,

soul, and will there itself
itself nourish
itself? And heaven,
itself.^ heaven, he adds in in another place place is is the
kindled intelligence
intelhgence of the First Intelligible,
Intelligiblc, and sight
sight
looking is heaven? And the sense of
looking to things
things above is heaven."*
1
^ Proelns
Proclus on the Theology Pluto, vol.
Theology of Plato, i. book iii.
vol. i. chap. xviii.
iii. chap, xviii.
9
2 On the God of Socrates,
Socrates, in init.
init.
"•'
Epistle vii. ; Taylor,
Epistle vii. ; Taylor, vol.
vol. v.
4
* Tilneas.
Cratylus, and in Timeas.
The Cratylus,
^
THE BIYSTERIES.
The Mysteries. 217
sight
sight is celebrated
is celebrated by all these,
by all these, therefore, as not onlyonly
beautiful and useful
beautiful useful ibr the purposes
for the purposes of this life
of this life ; but ;
as a leader i11 the acquisition

leader in acquisition of Wisdom. For is is it
it not
that
that very light which in
very light in us looks out beaming
beaming in in our
eyes directed within, and being
eyes that, directed being purified also, and
purified also,
scientifically inquiring, discovers
scientifically inquiring, discovers at last that other
last that
light which is
light is the substance of itsits own, until light
own, until light
meeting light
meeting apprehends itself
light apprehends ?
itself alone ?
Vhile
While thro'
thro' the middle of of lifè's boisterous waves,
life's boisterous
Thy
Thy soul
soiil robust the deep's
deep's deaf tumult braves,
braves,
Oft; beaming from the g0d's
Oft beaming god's thythy piercing sight,
piercing sight.
Beholds in in paths
paths oblique
oblique a a sacred
sacred lightl
light.
Whence
Vhence rapt rapt irom
from sense with energy divine,
energy divine.
Before her eyeeye immortal splendors shine,
splendors shine,
Whose plenteous
Vhose rays in
plenteous rays clarlcness most profound,
in darkness profound,
steps directed and illumined round.
Thy steps
'llhy
Nor was vision like
was the vision like the dreams of sleep. sleep,
seen whilst
But seen whUst vigilant you brave the deep
vigUant you deep ;
;
Vhile from your

While your eyes you shake the gloom
eyes you gloom of night,
night,
The glorious prospect bursts upon
glorious prospect your sight.1
upon your sight.
Open
Open the compound
compound creature ; look upon ; upon the ele- ele-
ments
ments; ;
divide the elements, and you you shall find the
shall find
quintessential nature open
quintessential nature: this, continues the adept,
open this,
:
adept,
and you shall
you shall conceive the subtle altereity of the an-
altereity
gelical spirit
gelieal in which is
spirit in is the divine act,act, and immediate
beam or Wisdom
VlS(lOIH from God. ln
In this
this work,
work, therefore,
therefore,
there concurreth in
in the separation
separation of first, a sen-
the first,
aspect, in the other we
sible aspect,
sible we behold with intellectual
intellectual
eyes,
eyes, so that you may
you may observe how all
all is
is in
in everything,
everything,
everything in all.
and everything all. As Hermes alludes 1 Qui for- :
naeem cum
nacem cum vase nostro construit, novum
construit, novum mundum
conflat. He that maketh a furnace with our glass glass to
it maketh a new
it new world ;^ ;2-a— a new
new
hypostasis,
hypostasis, and new
a new
stone, —
stone,-even even that Stone of the Apocalypse,
Apocalypse, the true
crystalline rock without spot
crystalline darkness, that re-
spot or darkness,
nowned Terra Maga Maga in zethere clarificata, which carries
eethere clariticata,
belly wind and fire.

its belly
in its fire. Having got
Having got this fundamen-
tal of a
tal little new
a little world, says
new wôrld, Vaughan,
says Vaughan, unite the
1
1 Hymn
Porphyry's Hymn
Porphyry's Plotinus, Select Works,
to Plotinus, Preface,
Vorks, Preface.
2
- Sec Fludd's
See Mosaica, circa niedio.
Fludd's Mosaiea, medio.
218 More
Mons Esornme
Esoteric View.
/zcavwz
heaven in triple proportion to the carl/1,
triple proportion earth, and then
apply a generative
apply generative heat to but/1,
both, and they will attract
they will
from above the sta/'fre
atar-Jire of nature. So hast thou the
glory of the whole world,
p:lory world, therefore let all all obscurity
obscurity
flee before thee?
tiee thee.^ This is Astrum Solis gotten
is the true Astrnm gotten
and conceived, spiritual San
conceived, the mineral spiritual Sun which is is the
Perpetual
Perpetual Motion of the wise,
wise, and that Saturnian Salt
which, developed
which, intellect and made erect,
develo})ed to intellect erect, subdues ,
now actually
now
will. For it
all nature to his will.
all is the whole Deingfgorgon,
it is
animated, which before wâs

actually animated,
Demjjfgorgon,
made visible
was inade
/@/
C
without itsits subject

subject light;
light length becoming
but at length
;
becoming
ignited, reflects from
ignited, fi'OH] out the dark abyss abyss of being,
being, asas
/) .
lueiferous
a luciferous wheel,
wheel, with its
its radiant sections, all
sections, com-
all coni-
prehending in their Law,

LriutJiCLUT^S i)rehending
[viz/MLL1/m$) again-bes ponkc >
Law, as the Oracle agaiiilaespealea.
Fire, the derivation
Fire, dispenser of Fire,
derivrition and dispenser Fire,
Whose
"Those hair pointed is seen
pointed is seen in his natére Light
native Light :
Hence comes
comes Saturn.
The Sun Assessor beholding

beholding the Pure Pole.
And this we we take to be that midnightmidnight Sun of Apu- Apu-

lcius,
Icius, the ignited
ignited Stone of Anaxagoras,
Anaxagoras, (for (for which that
philosopher
philosopher has suffered such abundant disrepute,
disrepute,
under error that his allusion was was to the luminary of
luininary
world). This is
this world). is the triuinphal
triumphal Chariot of Anti-
mony,
niony, the Armed Magnet Helvetius turned swiftly
Magnet of Hclvetius swiftly
about the current axle of life, life, which is is the Wheel
\Vheel of
signalized in Ezekiel,
Fire sigualized Ezekiel, seenseen byby the Hebrew pro- pro-
phets, Moses, David,
phets, Moses, David, and Zachariah
Zachariah; the Fiery
Fiery
y ;
Wai'
Puiy^m/î^
'
Chariot of the þÿ called f\lereaba,

¬a'b=a'l,called
Cabul , IMercaba, in which all all
things
things are transfigured;
transfigured and ; this is
is the Stone with
new name
the new name written in the Revelation and that Salt
which the Saviour orders that we we should have it it in

ourselves ; and is
; same with the Prester of Zoro-
is the same Zero-
aster which in the Chaldean sense sense means
means the Fire
Spirit
Spirit of Life,
Life, and is
is that Identity
Identity in all which sus-
all
all by
tains all bythethe efllux
efflux of His power — the supernatural
power--the supernatural
centre of everyevery living thing,
living thing, the powerful
infinitely powerful
infinitely
and all-efficient making power.
all-efiicient making power.
In beginning was
I n the beginning Word, and the Word
was the Word, \Vo1'd was
was
1
^ Anima
Animn Magia,
Magia, p.
p. 50 ; Smaragdina Hermetis.
TabuLa Sinaragdina
50; Tabula llerinetis.
^
The lf[YS'1ÈRIES.
'PHE Mysteries. 219
with God, and the Word

witl1 Vord was was God. The same
same was was in
in
the beginning
beginning with God. All things
things were made by
by
Him
Him;; and without Him was was not any thing made that
any thing that
was
was made. In Him was Life;
was Life ; and the Life
Life was the
was
Light
Light of men.
men. And the Light
Light shineth in
in Darkness and
the Darkness comprehended
comprehended it not.^ it not.'
And that Light Light shining
shining in in darkness,
darkness, if men had
if men
^
never known,
never how should they
they have asserted, or
asserted, -#r do <^
theologians
theologians invent such things
things in
in the present day
present day??
Neither did they formerly
did they formerly invent, but what they knew
they
and had seen seen declared.-To
declared. — To as many many as received the
Spirit
Spirit to them gave
gave he power
power to become the sons of
God,
God, which were
were born not of blood, nor of the will
blood, will of
the flesh,
fiesh, nor of the will
will of man,
man, but of God. —
God.-This This
therefore is is that Power which is is hidden in man, the
in man,
true Light
Light which lighteth every man
lighteth every man that cometh into into
the world,
world, if if haply
haply one might feel
one might after Him and End
feel after find
Him. An enchanted treasury treasury known only
only to the
wisely simple
wîsely simple who have subdued their
their will
will to the Law
of Visdom,
Wisdom, as Abraham did, did, as soon as he had gotten gotten
the creature into his hands?
his hands.
We
Ve omit many many things
things here relatingrelating to the mystical
mystical
regeneration, which may
death and regeneration, may be better under-
stood when we come to treat of the manifestation of
we come
the Philosophic
Philosophic Subject;Subject ; adding
adding merely merely at present,
present, in in
conclusion from our our doctors,
doctors, that the thc grand
grand perfection
perfection
of' their Art was to multiply
of multiply the Prester and place place him
in the most supreme
in supreme Ether,
Ether, which is
is that Augean
Augean
palace already prepared
palace already prepared for him in the beginning ;;
beginning
where, as in
where, habitation, he abides shining,
in a suitable habitation, shining, not
burning
burning as below,
below, or wrathful;
wrathful ; but vital,
vital, calm,
calm, t1'anS-
trans-
muting,
muting, recreating, andAno
recreating, and no longer
longer a Consuming
Consuming Fire.
Fire.
INTELLIGE
Intellige in IN scientia et
sciENT1A ET sapias
SAPIAS intelligentia :
INTELLIGENTIA :
experire IN
EXPERIRE in tllis,
11.L1s, ET investiga illa,
et INVESTIGA ILLA, et ET nota,
NOTA, ET et
cocrrfi, et
cogita, ET imaginare, ET
IMAGINARE, STATUE rem
et statue REM in integri-
IN INTEGRI-
TATE sUA
TATE SUA ET FAC SEDERE SEDERE CrEATOREM
CREATOREM IN THRON0 THRONO
sUo.3
SUO.^
1
1 St.
St. Joh11's Gospel,
John's chap. i.i.
Gospel, chap.
Aê€A/
D 9
2 Z^bii^ Jezirah, in fine.
Zephir-Jezirah, fine.
3 Abraham, cap.
Authore Abraham, i.
^ Idem, Creatione,Autho1'c
Iclem, Liber de Creatione, cap. i.
— !
220 More V11;\'.

ESOTERIC View
Mons Esoteric
CHAPTER IV.
Y71c
The illystcries co/lc/zu/cd.
Jlli/stcries concluded.
lt to hasten to the Light,

It behoves thee to {ll1(l to the beams of
Light, and of the
wlience was
Father from Avhence soul clothed with much
vras sent to thee a sonl
mind.--Zoroaslri
mind. Zoroastri Oracula, Auima, Cozynzs, Homo.
Anima, Corjms,
ITT ishisknown concerning

is
last labour in
his last
Hercules, that he performed
concerning Hercules,
in the Hesperidian
perfornied
Hesperidian region,
region, and
Olynipiodorus, in
Olympiodorus, his Commentary
in his Commentary on Gorgias of
on the Gorgias
Plato, infornis
Plato, informs us what we
We are to understand by this.
by this.
It is necessary
It is necessary to know, says he,
says he, that islands
islands stand out
of,
of, as being higher than the sea
being higher ,
; a condition of be-
lIl1G1'Cf.O1'C, which transcends this
ing, therefore,
ing, corporcal life
this corporeal life and
generation is
generation is denominated the Islands of the Blessed ; ;
and these are the SHIHC same with the Elysian Fields.
Elysian Fields.
Hence Hercules is is said
said to have accomplished
accomplished his his last
last
labour in in the Hesperidian
Hesperidian region , signifying by this,
region signifying
; by this,
having vanquished
that having vanquished an an obscure and ter1'estrial
terrestrial life,
life,
he afterwards lived lived in

in open
open day?
day.^ For he dragged up
dragged up
Cerberus from hell, hell, that is
is to say,
say, he liberated
liberated the
whole individual entity entity through
through aia threefold evolution
irom the bond of its
from its earthly geniture, and established
earthly geniture,
it finally
it finally in
in the most exalted life.
life. And those golden
golden
apples
apples were
were a part
part also of the reward of his
his arcane
arcane and
telestie labours;
telestic labours; which Theseus, Theseus, before him, hini, was un-
finish, being
able to finish, being detained by his passions
by his passions inin the sea of
sense. So Proclus understands the allcgory,wl1erc
allegory, where he
says that, being
says that, purified by
being purified by sacred institutions and
enjoying
enjoying undeiiled
undefiled fruits,
fruits, Hercules le11gth obtained
at length
establislnnent among
an establishment among the gods.gods.
Felix, qui potuit
Felix, qui rerum cognoscere
potuit rerum Causas,
cognoscere Causas,
Atque mctus omnes
Atque metus omncs et incxorabile Fatum
inexorabile ]Jl3.tl.l1Y1
Subjecit Pcdibus,
Subjecit Pedibus, strepitumque
strepitumque Achcrontis
Acherontis arari
avari !
Nature indeed,
indeed, benefieent mother,
as a beneficent ll1Otl1Cl', ofiers
offers the
l
1 See Taylor's his rausanias,
'l`:1ylor's notes to hid Pausauias, vol. iii. p.
vol. iii. 215, the extract.
p. 215, extract.,
THE MYSTERIES.
The Mysteries. 22|
221
rich treasury
rich treasury of life to
of life all, and the universal Father,
to all, Father,
it
it is
is said, keeps the gate
said, keeps of the fatal
gate of fatal cavern open for
open for
the convenience of mankind. therefore,
The descent, therefore,
is
is allowed on all all hands to be easy; easy ; but the ascent
otherwise, the gate
otherwise, gate indeed beingbeing so so narrow, close, and
difiicult
difficult to discern,
discern, that there be few, and they
they im-
mortals only,
only, that able
are able
are to pass through.
pass through. The allu-
allu-
sion to
sion to these is
gates is frequent
gates in antiquity,
frequent in antiquity, and that of
Homer in
Horner in the thirteenth book of the Odyssey,
Odyssey, describ-
describ-
ing the cave in
ing in Ithaca has been the subject subject of many
many
comments.
A
A lofty gate unfolds on either
lofty gate either side,
side,
That to the North is lnankind,
pervious to mankind.
is pervious
The Sacred South t't' iminortals
immortals isis consigned.
consigned.
That the poet docs not narrate these particulars

poet does particulars
historical information or misinformation either
from historical is
either is
very evident.
very For neither ifif there had been any geo-
any geo-
ground for
graphical ground
graphical description, could he have
for such a description,
hoped to gain
hoped gain belief
belief for allegory, thus
persistent allegory,
for the persistent
artificially opening
artificially up a path
opening up path to gods
gods and men
men inin the
region of Ithaca. But the wise Porphyry,
region Porphyry, after com-
com-
bating many
bating many cxplains that where-
opinions, explains
opinions,
erroneous
gate pertains
as the northern gate descending into
pertains to souls descending
generation, and
the realms of generation, the þÿ'H6'1'f'l-)
"ftortbe^n- ¬llI°}~ to souls î gi/1 1
ascending to divinity;
ascending divinity we ought
;
ought to observe, on
obsei-ve, this
on this
account, that Homer does
account, not say
say indeed that this
this last
last
is
is a passage
passage of the gods
gods but of immortals;
immortals :
signifying
signifying
by this,
by which are per
this, souls wdiich se, that is
per se, is to say, say, essen-
tially iinmortalf
tially immortal.^ nothing but the subtlety
For nothing subtlety of an
essence, and that by
immortal essence, by regeneration, can
regeneration, can pass
pass
And here we may
we better conceive, per-
immortality.
into immortality. may per-
haps,
haps, the value of that Golden Branch, which,
which, attracted
from the first soil, indifferent to every
its native soil,
first to its every
through
lure, through
other lure, death and darkness enters
enters; and ;
taking
taking root at last, gathers strength
last, gathers strength to germinate
germinate and
blossom,
blossom, as a a radiant flower, ovcrspreading and illu-
iiower, overspreading illu-
minating thc
minating surrounding wilderness of life.
the surrounding life. The
l
1 on
Porphyry on
Porphyry the Cave of the Nymphs, sub init.
Nymphs, init.
222 More
Moms Esorisiue
Esoteric View.
sudden transition the horrid

transition from the horrid realms
reahns of '1`2'l1't£ll'llS,
Tartarus,
forms an
an admirable contrast in in that
that part of the .flineid
part of' iEneid
tl1e hero, having
where the having passed the Stygian
passed the border,
Stygian border,
goes
goes forth his father
forth to meet his father in
in the Elysian Fields.
Elysian Fields,
Devenere loeos
Devcnere laetos, et
locos lzctos, {l¢lll(Pll£L vireta
et amoena vireta
Fortuuatoruni nemorum, sedesque
Fortunatorum sedesque beatas.
beatas.
Largior liic
Largior campos ffitlier
hie eampos Êther et Lnniine vestit
et Liiniine vestit
Purpureo: selemque
_Purpureoz suum, sua sidera
solemqiie smnn, siclera n6runt.l
norunt.'
divine ethereal purpled

This divine verdure, this
purpled verdure, meadow
this þÿ1H ¬ ¬l(lO\'
of Divine Ideas, or l'ratum, Fratum, as the Oracle denotes it, it,
, is place well known to philosophers

is a place philosophers ; the Alchemists
;
gmt
CL4^J^ in general
in general call call it it their garden, ls#
their garden, Flammel, in
tet Flammel, his
in his
Summary, includes the li[ountain
Summary, Mountain of ofthe
the Seven Metals,
saying,-the
saying, — philosophers have indeed a
the philosophers a garden where
garden
sun as
the sun well morning
morning as evening remains with a
evening
most sweet dew dew; whose earth brings
;
brings forth trees and
fruits which are transplanted
fruits thither, which also
transplanted thither, also re-
ceive nourishment Hom
ceive pleasant meadows. And
from the pleasant
if thou wouldest come
if come hither and find find good,
good, betake
thyself to
thyself the mountain of the Seven,
of Seven, where there is is
no plain,
no
plain, and look down from the highest
highest downward
Sixth, which you
to the Sixth, will see afar
you will off; in
afar off; i11 the top-
top-
most
Inost height,
height, you you will
will find
find a
royal
royal herb triumphing,
triumphing,
which some
some call mineral, some
call mineral, vegetable, some satur-
some vegetable, some
nine?
nine.^ For it
it isis either and all, which Vaughan
all, Vaughan dedc-
scribes as the rendezvous of all
all spirits,
spirits, where Ideas
as they descend from above,
they above, are conceived and incor-
porated. But it
porated. is a delicate and pleasant
it is region, he
pleasant region,
says,
says, as it
it were in
in the suburbs of heaven. Those
seven mystic mountains, whereupon grow
seven mystic mountains, whereupon grow the roses
and lilies,
lilies, are the outgoingsoutgoings of Paradise mention-
ed in Esdras, and the Planetary
in Esdras, Sphere of Sendivogius,
Planetary Sphere Sendivogius,
and that most flimous famous tincture of the Sapphirie Sapphiric Mine:
which is in truth the cleansed Augean,
is in Augean, the alreadyalready
prepared
prepared medial receptacle
receptacle of the new-born lightlight ; and
;
no sooner does this

no arise than all
this arise vegetable colours,
all the vegetable colours,
before obliterated in darkness, return to neutralize
11
633.
G38.
9
- l"lammelli Suinimila, in
Flammolli Suminula, fine, and llama
in fine, Pl`{`lCllC{1.
INTaria Practica.
THE lI'sTERiEs.
The Mysteries. 223
their poison
their poison and restore the suspended circulation to a
suspended circulation a
conscious equilibriate accord.
equiUbriate accord. This is Elysium, the
is Elysium, the
garden of'
enclosed garden of Solomon, where God condescends
to walk and drink of the scaled sealed fountain;
fountain thc true
the ;
Terrestrial Paradise, which some have called

Terrestrial called nos;
nox cor-
poris,
poris, the night
night of body
body or
or corporeal
corporeal sleep,
sleep, a term
made more by the apposite
intelligible by
more intelligible saying of
apposite saying
concerning souls in
Heraclitus, concerning
Heraclitus, in that condition, that wc
condition, that we
/ice their
live their f/eat/1
death and die I/zcér
ami die their /Je.
life. incaflows
In these meadows
theretbre the souls
therefore souls of the dead are said inhabit,
said to inhabit,
souls dead indeed to this this life,
life, yet
yet more alive in
more alive that.
in that.
externals, we desert our
For converted to externals, our best life
life un-
consciously Empedocles says,

consciously as Einpedocles says,
Heaven's exiles straying from the orb of

exiles straying
þÿH ¬&Y ¬1]'S of light.
light.
But philosophers said continually

philosophers are said visited
continually to have visited
this place,
this place, as we
we read for
for instance concerning
concerning the ha- /
bitation of R. C,C., Vidi aliquando Olynipictis

aliquando Olympicîs domos, /o^
^
procul a Fluviolo et
non procul
non civitate nota quas Sanctns
ct civitate Sanctus quas
Spiritus
Spiritus vocari imaginamur.
imaginamur. Helicon est de quo Io-
quo lo-
biceps Parnassus, in
quar, aut biceps
quar, in quo Equus Pegasus
quo Equus Pegasus
fontein aperuit
fontem aperuit perennis aquae adhuc stillanteni,
perennis aqua: in
stillantem, in
quo
quo Diana se lavat,
lavat, cui
cui Venus ut Pcdissequa
Pedissequa et Sa-
anteambulo, conjunguntur.
turnus ut anteambulo, Intelligenti
conjunguntur. Intelligenti
inexperto minimum hoc erit
nimium inexperto erit dictum. To
clear the prospect a little, therefore, Vaughan
prospect little, therefore, Vaughan adds this
this
Brachman's abode.
description of the Indian Brachman's
description I have
I
says Apollonius,
seen, says
seen, Brachmans of India dwell-
Apollonius, the Brachnians
ing
ing on the earth and not on the earth ; they
on they were ;
guarded
guarded without walls invisibly,
invisibly, and possessing no-
possessing
all In such a place the
thing, they enjoyed
thing, they enjoyed all things?
things.^ place
Anielius the soul of Great Plotinus was,
Oracle told AmeUus was,
Aluicitia est,
Ubi Amicitia ciipido visu inollis,
est, ubi eupido mollis,
Purse lsetitire, et selnpiteruis
plenus laetitise,
Pnrae plenus rivis
sempiternis rivis
irrigatus at
Ambrosiis irrigatus ;nnde sunt amorum
a Deo ; uude amorum
tranquilliis ^ther
spii-itus et trauquillus
Eetinacula, dulcis spiritus
Retinaeula, .f`;Etl1er
niagni Jovis.
generis magni
Aurei generis
By
By such rapid rivers of supernal
clear and rapid light the
supernal light
1•
Fama
Fauna E. C.
Contbssio, R.
et Confessio, Preface ¬ Yaughan.
þÿP1`0l.i`1(' by
by Vaughan.
;
224 More ESOTERIC Vmw.

Mom; Esoteric View.
Sybil drew her inspiration,

adoring Sybil
adoring by such,
inspiration, and by sucli, ac-
the god Apollo
god Apollo even loved
cording
cording to Orphic poet,
Orphic poet, the even
to contemplate.
contemplate.
Omnia quae Phoebe quondam
quae Phoebo meditanto beatus
quondam meditante
Audiit Eurotas, &e.
Eurotas, &c.
There are three modes of human vision vision recorded by by

St.
St. Augustin
Augustin , ;the first
first external, and belongs
belongs to the
eye; the second that of imagination,
outward eye; imagination, byby which
visible the internal sense the
representations
representations are
are visible to internal sense; ;
third is
is anagogic,and an intellectual sight, drawn above,
third anagogie,and intellectual sight,
intelligible species
by which intelligible
by beheld, as a pure
species are beheld, pure
infusion of hghtlight to the understanding.
understanding. The first
first
mode is familiar, the second has been already

is familiar, already discussed ; ;
this third
but this vision of the light
third vision is in
light is in Elysium: where
Elysium wdiere :
the eye
eye of mind, no longer
longer as heretofore looking
looking from
inwardly,
without inwardly, beholds its
its object
object through
through the at-
at-
mosphere of the natural life;
mosphere life but eont1'ariwise,
; having
contrariwise, having
passed
passed through
through this,
this, purifying
purifying to the centre, is
is con-
raised; and,
verted and raised; Unit, now
and, as a Unit, now regards the
regards
circumference transitively, including it
transitively, including it as anan under-
standing or reflector, as it
standing it were, to the focus of her
light.
light. Porphyry beautifully resembles this
Porphyry beautifully this mode of
outwardly, but cir-
Howing outwardly,
being to a fountain, not fiowîng
being eir-
scattering its
eularly scattering
cularly its streams into itself.
itself. And thus
an assimilation established,
is an
there is established, as nearnear as may be
may
in consciousness
in ,
knowing and the self
cozzsciozmzess, of the self knowing
self self
soul, time isis con-
known
known, yet yet with this motion of the soul,
;
con-
subsistent, as changing
subsistent, conceptions, she passes
changing her conceptions, passes
according to the self
one to another according
from one self motion of
through her eye
essence, and through
her essence, eye being
being directed to the
survey of the different forms which sl1e
survey contains, and
she contains,
which have the relation of parts
parts to her whole essence
essence,
but eternity is
eternity is consubsistent only
only with the permanence
permanence
itself?
intellect in itself.^
of intellect And thus, though there is
thus, though is a
above yet
grade above,
grade yet
;
this
this is
is the lntelleetion
Intellection in Elysium
Elysium
lniage of the Universal Nature
exemplary Image
where the exemplary
is revealed as in
also is in that Athanor of Hermes before
1
' See l'orphyry's Aid to Inte]lip;il>les.
Sec Porphyry's lntelligibles. Taylor,
Taylor, p. 237.
p.
;
l'['srER1Es.
The Mysteries.
THE Q25
225
mentio11ed, or furnace having

mentioned, having a glass glass to it, that sin-
it, that sin-
gular
gular fundamental of'
of his
his small new world.
world.
And the lifelife in intelligible world consists
in the intelligible consists thence-
forth in
forth in intellectually
intellectually energizing,
energizing, and this energy, dis-
this energy, dis-
tinguishing, understanding within itself simul-

desiring, understanding
tinguishing, desiring, itself'
taneously, generates Light
taneously, generates Light through perpetual tranquil
through a perpetual tranquil
quiet contact with the Principle
and quiet Principle of things.things. And
delight of Being
the calm delight Being there in in universal harmony,
harmony,
the truthful visions, scenery,
truthful visions, occupations and integral
scenery, occupations integral
intelligence
intelligence are pictured with all
are pictured colouring of
vivid colouring
all the vivid
that experienced
experienced poet's poet's soul ; and will;
rightly under-
will be rightly
stood as an unfolding of
an unfolding of the embryoembryo life, life, the nourish-
ment and education of the understanding understanding vehicle now now
standing
standing in in open
open presence before its
presence before its Archetypal Light ;
Archetypal Light
according to which also
according also it it perfeets
perfects all all the new-born at-
tributes, as of justice, beauty, charity, hope,
justice, beauty, charity, every fa-
hope, every fa-
culty,
culty, sentiment and desire in
desire in orderlyorderly relation
relation under the
dominion of reason ; and evolves the total
; harmony of
total harmony of'
nature, and all specific variety
all specific variety in
in her originating
originating source.
—
-The sun shines but for
The sun ns, exclaims the chorus of the
for us,
Initiated in in Aristophanes
Aristophanes; we ;we alone receive the glory glory
of his beams
beams, for for
; us alone the meadows are enameled
with flowers , even ; even forfor us,us, who are initiated initiated and who
have learned to perform perform all
all acts of piety and justice.'
piety justice*
Nor is it without reason that the river Eridanus is
is it said
is said
by
by Virgil
Virgil to through
pass through
pass those celestial
celestial abodes; for
abodes ;
for
this indicates the prolific
this prolific flow of spirit
spirit which accedes
spontaneously from the occult energy
spontaneously energy of such a lite life.
Taylor
Taylor has admirably
admirably set forth these particulars
particulars of'
of the
poet
poet in his
his Disse1'tali01z
Dissertation ;
; and that the most abundant
spectacles and powers
spectacles powers are belonging belonging to those Elysian Elysian
fountains is is shown by by Proclus,
Proclus, in
in his fourth book On
O/z
t/ze T/zeo/ogy,
the Theology, in in which also he relates that Theurgists Theurgists
placed their chief hopes
placed hopes of salvation : for :
plain of
for the plain
Truth,
Truth, he says,
says, is
is intellectually expanded
intellectually expanded to intelligible
intelligible
Light and is
Light splendid with the illuminations which pro-
is splendid pro-
thence and as the one (subjective
ceed from thence; ; (subjective identity)
identity)
emits byby illumination intelligible
intelligible light light so the intelligible
intelligible
(objective entity) imparts

(objective entity) imparts to secondary
secondary natures a
parti-
a parti-
11 i.
In Eamis, net i.
Ramis, act
Q
226 More Esormuc View.
Mom; Esoteric
cipation productive
cipation productive of essence. But the Meadow is is
the proUfic of life, according
hfe, accordmg to Plato, and of
prolific power
power
various reasons, and is
all various
all is the comprehension
comprehension of the
Efiicient causes of life
First Efficient
First generation of
life and the generation
Forms:
Forms forfor
: the meadows also
also which are here, con-
here, con-
tinues the great
tinues productive of all
exponent, are productive
gi'eat exponent, all va-
rious
rious forms and reasons and bear water which is the
is
of vivifcation.' And here the metaphysician

metaphysician
symbol
symbol of vivitication.^
physiologists and alchemists,
accords with the ancient physiologists alchemists,
experimentally searching,
who, experimentally searching, were said
said to prove the
prove
Universal Identity
Identity of Nature on the ontological
ontological
reproducing the whole material principle
ground reproducing
ground; ; principle to
sense and visibility
visibility fi'om dissolution of the spirit
from the dissolution in
spirit in
its proper kind without alloy.
its proper alloy. But intending
intending to speakspeak
of these material rewards of initiation
initiation hereafter,
hereafter, and of
this Vater
this Water especially,
especially, we we pass
pass onward for for the present
present
to introduce the self-conspicuous
self-conspicuous and prolific goddess
prolific goddess
Apuleius' most eloquent
according to Apuleius'
herself, according
herself, eloquent an-
nouncement, appearing
appearing in
in the Eleusinian Fane.
Moved by by thy prayers,
thy prayers, O
O Lucius!
Lucius ! behold,
behold, II am
am
come
come! ! I,
I, who am
am Nature,
Nature, the parent
parent of all
all things,
things,
the Queen of all all the elements, the primordialprimordial pro- pro-
geny of ages,
ages, the supreme
supreme of divinities,
divinities, the sovereign
sovereign
geny
dead, the first
spirits of the dead,
of the spirits coelestials, and
first of coelestials,
the uniform resemblance of gods gods and goddesses;

goddesses l, I,
;
who rule by by my my nod the luminous summit of the

heavens, the salubrious breezes of the sea,
heavens, sea, and the
silenees of the realms beneath
beneath; and whose
deplorable
deplorable silences ;
divinity
one divinity the whole orb of the earth venerates un-
un-
der a manifold form, by by different

different rites
rites and variety
a variety of
call
appellations. Hence the primordial
appellations. primordial Phrygians
Phrygians call
me
me Pcssinuntica;
Pessinuntica ; the Attic Aborigines, Cccropian
Aborigines, Cecropian
floating Cyprians,
Minerva; the floating Paphiau Venus
Cyprians, Paphian Venus; the ;
arrow-bearing
arrow -bearing Cretans,
Cretans, Diana Dyctynna
Dyctynna; the three- ;
tongued
tongued Sicilians,
Sicilians, Stygian Proserpine ; and the Elen-
Stygian Proserpine ; Eleu-
sinians,
sinians, the ancient Goddess Ceres. Some also call
call me
me
Juno
Juno; ; others,
others, Bellona;
Bellona ; others,
others, Hecate;
Hecate ;
and others,
others,
Rhamnusia. And those who are illuminated by by the
Proclns, on the Theology
11 Proclus, on Plato, book iv.
Tlicology of Plato, cap. vii.
iv. cap. \ ii. Tractatus
Anrcus, cap. iii.
Aureus, cap. iii.
'THE Mysteries.
The ltlYSTERIES. 227
incipient
incipient rays
rays of
of that divinity, the
that divinity, the Sun, when he
rises, viz.,
rises, viz., the Ethiopians
Ethiopians and the Arii, and the Egyp-
Arii, Egyp-
tians skilled in ancient
tians skilled in ancient learning, learning, worshipping
worshipping me
me
by
by
ceremonies perfectly
perfectly appropriate,
appropriate, call
call me by my
me by my true
name, Queen Isis. Isis. Behold then, I, I, commiserating
commiserating
thy calamities,
thy calamities, am
arn present, favouring
present, favouring and propitious
propitious ; ;
dismiss now now tears and lamentations, and expel sor-

expel
row
row; ;
for
for now
now the salutary day
salutary day will
will shine
shine upon thee.
upon thee.
Listen therefore attentively to these my
therefore attentively my mandates.
mxandates.
religion which is
The religion eternal has consecrated to me
is eternal me
day
the day which will
will be born of this
this wig/it
night; ; on
on which
day my
day my priests offer to me
priests offer me the jirst jrst fruits naviga-
fruits of ??aviga-
tion,
tion, dedicating
dedicating to me me a new s/zip, when now
?/etv ship, now the win- ivi?i-
and stormy waves of the

ter tempests
tempests are mitigated
mitigated the storm_y ivaves
appeased, and the sea itself
deep are appeased,
deep itself has now now become
navigable.
navigable. That sacred ceremony you ought to ex-
ceremony you ought
pect with a mind neither solicitozzssolicitous nor prry"ane. For
pect profane.
priest, being
the priest, being admonished by me,
by me, shall
shall bear a rosy
rosy
crown in rig/it hand ad/zering
his right
in his adhering to to the rattle, in
the rattle, in the
precinct of the pomp.
precinct pomp. Vithout Without delay delay therefore cheer-
fully
fully follow,
follow, confiding
confiding in
in my
my benevolence. When
Vhen you you
approach
approach the priest, gently pluck
priest, gently pluck the roses as if if you
you
intended to kiss kiss his immediately divest
hand, and immediately
his hand,
yourself of the
yourself the hide of that worst of
/ii(/e ry" beasts, and which
fy" beasts,
for some time since has been to me
for some me detestablef
detestable.^ Nor
should youyou fear anything pertaining
fear anything pertaining to my
my concerns as
—
difficult-only
difficult only remember and always
always retain it
it de-
posited in
posited penetralia of your
in the penetralia your mind,mind, that the re-
maining
maining course of your your life
life must be dedicated to me, me,
even to the boundary
boundary of your latest breath.
your latest Nor is is it
it
unjust that you

unjust you should owe owe your your whole life life to that
goddess
goddess by by whose assistance you will return to the Hu-
you will
man Form. But you
man you will live live happy,
happy, and you you will
will
glorious under my
live glorious
live my protection
protection: and when,
: when, having
having
passed through
passed through the allotted space space of your life, you
your life, you de-
scend (once more) to the realms beneath,
(once more) beneath, there also in
11
remembered that Lucius entered upon
It will be remeinbered upon this initia-
initia-
tion under the guise ass, into which he had been previously
an ass,
guise of an previously
transformed, guise the oracle also had announced shovild
trziusforined, which guise should
not depart from him until he had eaten of some
110t depart some Howrring
flowering roses.
Q 2
228 More
Moran ESOTERIC Vnaiv.
Esoteric View.
the
the subterranean hemisphere,hemisphere, you you dwelling
dwelling in in the
Elysian Fields, shall
Elysian shall frequently
frequently adore me me whom you you
now
now see, and shall shall there
there behold me me shining
shining amidst the
darkness of Acheron, reigning reigning in in the Stygian
Stygian Pene-
tralia, and being
traha, being propitious
propitious to you. you. Moreover, if you
if you
shall be found to deserve
shall protection of my
deserve the protection my divinity,
divinity,
by sedulous obedience, religious
by religious services, and inviola- inviola-
ble chastity,
ble you shall
cliastity, you shall know that it
know^ that it is
is possible
possible forfor meme
to extend your life beyond
your life beyond the limits appointed to it
limits appointed it by
by
fate.
fate.
The venerable Oracle being being thus finished, adds the
invincible goddess
philosopher, the invincible
philosopher, goddess receded into herself;
into herself;
and without
without delay,
delay, I, liberated from s/eep,
being liberated
I, being sleep, im-
mediately arose, seized

mediately seized with fear fear and joy, joy, and in in anan
perspiration, and in
excessive perspiration, in the highest degree
highest degree ad-
miring so manifest a presence
miring presence of the powerful goddess ,
powerful goddess ;
having sprinkled
having myself with mari/ze
sprinkled myself marine flew,dew, and intent
upon her great
upon great commands, II revolved in my mind the
in my
order of her mandates mandates; shortly
; after too the sun
shortly after sun
arose, and put
arose, put to flight rlarkness of black night?
flight the darkness niglit.^
The dragon
dragon shuns the sun's sun's beams which look through through
the crevices,
crevices, and the dead son lives —
lives-and and the new now
purified and holy,
vessel, purified holy, is is brought into the Elen-
Eleu-
vessel,
bropght
temple, to be consecrated.
sinian temple, consecrateriin in Light.
Light. Not, as
Not,
some
some have imagined,
imagined, a night-lamp
crystal night-lamp
crystal or magic-
magic-
lanthorn, cleansed for
lanthorn, consumption of the best
for the consumption
oil, to dazzle the ignorant
olive oil, ignorant or instruct beholders
with artificial
artificial emblems of natural science science; but a far
; far
more pellucid gas-lamp,
mo1'e pelhicid gas-lamp, an
an infallible
infallible gasometer,
gasomcte1', able to
hold and sustain and measure measure simultaneously,
simultaneously, even even
within itself
itself to kindle a perpetualperpetual flame, shining in
flame, shining in
equilibriate constancy
equilibriate constancy about the sutiicient
sufiicient fuel of all
all
life.
life. As Apuleius apostrophizing the same
Apuleius further apostrophizing same
divinity,
divinity, continues-Thou
continues — Thou rollest the heavens round
poles, dost illuminate the sun,
steady poles,
the steady sun, govern
govern the
world,
world, and tread on
on the dark reahns
realms of Tartarus.
The stars movemove responsive
responsive to thy command,
thy command, the gods gods
rejoice
rejoice in
in thy
thy divinity,
divinity, the hours and seasons
seasons return
t
1
_pnlPins, Metam.
Apiilphis. lletam_ bonk
hook Xi.
x"!.
Taylor, p.
Taylor, 263, &C.
p. 263, Szc.
;;
The Mysteries.
THE MYsTER1Es. 229
by
by thy appointment, and the elements reverence thy
thy appointment, thy
decree?
decree.^
All which is readily admissible of the Universal Na-
is readily
and, if
ture ; a.nd, we may believe the experienced, we are not
if we
;
may eXperienced,;wc
cut off from this fountain,
fountain, but attracted out from it it;
which supplies
supplies all life perpetually,
things with life
all things perpetually, so that
we
we are what we we are by its influence;
by its influence ; but inin turn re-
ceiving the
ceiving impressure foreign forms,
impressure of foreign forms, passions,
passions,
accidents, and evil
accidents, generations, the passive
evil generations, passive purity is
purity is
defiled and obscured,
obscured, and unconscious of that inner
light which lives
light reality; of which the present
lives in reality; life is
present life is
mere vestige
a mere
a comparative diminution of exist-
vestige and a comparative exist-
ence,
ence, an imitation,
imitation, as it
it were,
were, of that which is
is absolute
and real spontaneous revelation in aa purifled
real; whose spontaneous
;
purified
understanding, and universal
imparts virtue with understanding,
soul imparts
knowledge,
knowledge, health of body, and long
body, length of days
long length days;
riches as from the Causal fountain of all things, and
all things,
felicity in communion with all.
felicity all. It also emits light
It light
accompanied
accompanied with harmony
harmony of intellection, and finally
intellection, finally
exhibits a form of such rarified þÿl' ¬l1'lH ¬deffulgence
effulgence that the eye eye /;
all the is drawn °>^^7^

of mind,
mind, all while^ regarding,
while/rcgarding, is to contact
contactj^
pfél
suddenly, unable longer
suddenly, longer to sustain itself itself alone. This J
is the method and arcane
is arcane principle
principle of Self- Knowledge,
Self-Knowledge,
narrow way
and the narrow regeneration into life
way of regeneration life ; and so
;
great
great is
is the tenuity
tenuity and attractive subtilty of the Di-
subtilty
vine Nature,
Nature, says flamblicus,
says yfamblicus, that the initiated, initiated, when Y
_/^
surveying
surveying it, it, are affected in the same
same manner
manner as fishes,
fishes,
when theythey are drawn upwards upwards from the dark and /
turbid waters into the diaphglnousdiaphanous clear air becoming
air; becoming
; Rf/
/^
languid as soon
languid they perceive it, and deprived
soon as they perceive it,
deprived of the
/
use of their connascent spirit?

use spirit.^ For to this spirit spirit the
vision in Hades is allied which is
is allied is borne through
through with-
out much disturbance of the common common life but, when
life ; but,
;
the central magnet magnet moves

moves to the ascent, ascent, this expi-
expi-
ration is is described
dcscribed as taking taking place place
;
5 a
a liberation is
is
efiected through
effected tl1l'OLl°`l`l
D
agony,
afronv
C ~
7
as it
it were of'
were of death,
death, the cir-
cir-
culatlon oscillates, and the soul,
culation oscillates, eoalescmg with its
soul, coalescing its ve-
ve-
'
9
Apuleius, Metam. book xi.
Apuleius, xi.
]3ll1l)llCl1S on
/amblicus on the Mysteries, Taylor, p. 100.
Mysteries, Taylor, p.
i 1
,,
:
230 More
Moms .ESOTERIC View.
Esoteric
free from eorporeal

hiele, transcends free
hide, corporeal hinderanee into the
hinderance into
Elysian light.
Elysian hght. That waswas the rosy
rosy crown ofof which the
Hierophant was
Hierophant was to assist Apuleius' Lucius to pa1'take,
assist Apuleius' partake,
when he waswas enabled to put put of that worst of
off the hide of that of
beasts, and re-enter into
beasts, into the Divine Form of humanity.
humanity.
Vherefore, O ye
Wherefore, O ye asses ! cries Agrippa, in
cries Agrippa,
! in condemnation,
which are nownow^ with children under the command-
your children
your
Christ by
ment of Christ his Apostles,
by his messengers and
Apostles, the messengers
Wisdom in his
readers of true Visdom in his Gospel,
Gospel, be you looscd
you loosed
from the darkness of the flesh flesh and blood, yeye that de-
sire
sire to attain
attain to Wisdom
true Visdom;
t1'ue not;of the tree of the
knowledge of good
knowledge evil, but of the tree of life:
good and evil, life
setting apart all traditions of

setting apart all traditions men and discourse of the
of men
flesh and blood whatsoever it
flesh it be; entering not either
be entering ; either
into the schools of other philosophers,
into into your-
philosophers, but into your-
selves, ye
selves, shall know all for
things, for
ye shall know" all things, the knowledge of
knowledge
all things is
all things is compact in you
compact in even as God hath ere-
you : even : cre-
ated trees full
full of fruits,
fruits, so hath he created the soul as
a reasonable tree full full of forms and knowledges;
knowledges but :
through
through the sin
sin of the first parent all
first parent all things
things were
were
opened
opened ; ; and oblivion,
oblivion, the mother of ignorance, step-
ignorance, step-
ped in.
ped in. Set you
you then 'now now aside who may, may, con-
magician,
tinues the magician, the veil
veil of your
your understanding,
understanding,
who are wrapped
wiio wrapped in ignorance: Cast
in the darkness of ignorance :
4 o
0 out the drink of Lethe, you which
Lethe, you which have made youryour-
selves drunken with forgetfulness,
selves forgetfulness, and wait for
for the
/410 True Light, you which
Light, you suii"ered yourselves
wfeich have suffered yourselves to be
overtaken with unreasonable sleep; sleep ; and forthwith,
forthwith,
when your
your face is
is discovered, ye
discovered, ye shall pass from the
pass
light
light to light#
light, and
^ from glory
glory to glory,
glory, as Apostle
the Apostle
— from
says-from
says the light
light of the senses to the illumination
reason, and from reason through
of reason, through its topmost Raith
its topmost faith
into the substantive gloriiication
glorification of all.
all.
'Twas
'Twas in a golden
golden cup
cup
That Helius passed,
passed,
Helius, Hyperion's
Helius, Hyperion's son.
son,
O'er floods and oceans
O'er oceans wafted far
far away.
away.
To Erebus he went,
went, and tlie
the sad realms of night
night
His aged
aged parent
parent there he found,
found,
1
^ Vanity
Vanity ofthe Sciences, in conclusion.
of the Sciences,
: :
THE Mysteries.
The MYSTERIES. 231
/
Andthe
the kind consort fo his better
fQ his days,
better days, gi/
<^-
And all his blooming
all his blooming offspring.
offspring. ^
Then to
to the sacred grove he sped,
sacred grove sped,
sacred grove
The sacred of laurel.
grove of laurel.
And this
this strain brings us to
strain brings to the final purpose of
final purpose
flineas
iEneas who, goinggoing forth
forth to
to meet his
his fri/zer in the
father^ in
Elysian fields,
Elysian fields, has the whole Epopteia opened
Epopteéa opened to him
—
-the Panthcistic
the Pantheistic revealment of the Universal Nature,
her secret foundation, the soul's
soul's essence, origin, hin-
origin, hin-
derances,
derances, and proper
proper end. -
Principio coeluin, ac terras,

Principio coelum, camposquc liquentes
tcrras, camposque liquentes
Lucentemque globum
Lucentenique Titaniaque astra
Lunse, Titaniaque
globuin Lunse,
Spiritus intus
Spiritus totamque infusa
alit, totamque
intus alit, per artus
iufusa per
Mens agitat
agitat molem et magno se
et magno corpore miscet.
se corpore
lnde hominnni
Inde homimmi pecudumque genus vitreque
pecudunique genus volantuni,
vitfeque volantum,
Et quae inarmoreo fert
quee marmoreo inonstra sub sequorc
fert monstra pontus.
jequore pontus.
Igneus est
Igneus ollis vigor,
est ollis coelestis origo
vigor, et coelestis origo
Seminibus: quantnm
Seminibus :quantum non noxia corpora tardant,
corpora tardant,
Terrenique hebetant artus,
Terrenique artus, lnoribundéque menibra.
moribundaque membra.
Hinc metuuut cupiuntque dolent gaudéntque
lnetnunt cupiizntque gaudentque neque
neque auras
claus* tenebris et
Respiciunt, clausae
Eespiciunt, carcere caeco.
et carccre cacco.
Quin
Quin et suprenio cum
ct supremo cum luniine vita reliquit
lumine vita reliquit:
Non
N on tamen onine malum miseris,
omne inaluin nec iiinditus
miseris, nee omnes
funditus omnes
Corporeee excedunt pestes
Corpoi'eae penitusque necesse est
pestes; penitusque
;
diu concreta modis inolescere miris.

Multa din miris.
Ergo exercentur
Ergo veterumque malornln
poenis, vcterilmque
exercentnr prenis, malorum
cxpendunt. Alizc
Supplicia expendunt.
Supplicia Aliie panduntur inancs
panduntur iuanes
Suspensae ad ventos:
Suspensa; ventos aliis
: gurgite vasto
aliis sub gurgite
eluitur scelus,
Infectum eluitur exuritu_r igni.
scelus, aut exuritur igni.
Quisque
Quisque suos patimur maues.
suos patimur manes. Exinde per amplum
per amplum
Mittimur Elysium,
Elysium, et pauci lzeta arva tenemus:
pauci laeta tenemus
Donee
Donec longa dies perfecto
longa dies perfecto temporis
temporis orbe
Concretmn
Concretam exemit
cxemit labem,
labein, purîmque
purflmque reliquit
reliquit,
_/Ethereuin sensum,
jEthereum sensum, atque anrai simplicis
atque aurai simplicis ignenrl
ignem.'
This initiation
initiation to the Paternal abode which,
which, accord-
ing
ing to the Alexandrian Platonists,
Platonists, opens
opens the whole of
paths and media by
the divine paths by which the soul becomes
finally fitted
finally fitted forfor establishment under the coelestial
coelestial cir-
cir-
culation ofof' her Law, exhibits in progress
hcr Law, progress likewise the
self-splendid appearances of the true gods,
self-splendid appearances gods, which are
both entire and firm, expand to the mystic
firm, and expand mystic inspec-
inspec-
tion of all
all intolligibles; as Socrates explains in Phee-
intelligibles ;
explains Phse-
drus : tclete precedes
drus: For telete muesis, and muesis,
precedes mzzesis, muesis, epopteia.
epoptein.
11
Eneid, lib.
^neid, vi. 721.
lib. vi. 724.
232 More
Moms Esoriinic VIEW.
Esoteric View.
Hence, says we
he, we
says he, are initiated {tckioametha) in
initiated (tc/ciuznlzet/10) in
ascending by
ascending by the perfective gods. But we view with
perfective gods.
closed eyes,
closed eyes, i.i c. pure soul
e. with the pure
_ itself {muoumetlia)
soul itself (mzzozzmct/1a)
entire and stable
entire stable appearances,
appearances, through
through the connective
gods, with whom there is
gods, is the intellectual
intellectual wholeness
and the firm establishment of of souls.
souls. And we become
^
wa/
/
Ca^/ fixed
fixed in,
ligible
spectators of'
in, and spectators {cp^ptclfomcn) the intel-
of (C])d}7fC}P0)JlC)1)
through the gods
watch-tower, through
ligible watch-tower, gods who are col-
intel-
col-
lectors of
lectors of wholes;
wholes we speak, indeed, of
we speak,
;
all these things
of' all things
reference to the intelligible,
as with reference
intelligible, but we we obtain a
diiierent thing
different thing according different order.
according to a diflPerent order. For the
perfective gods
perfective initiate us in
gods initiate in the intelligible
intelligible through
through
themselves; as the collective
themselves ; collective monads are through through
themselves the leaders of of intelligibles.
intelligibles. And there are
many steps
indeed many ascent, but all
steps of ascent, all of them extend
to the Paternal port port and the Paternal initiation.^
initiation?
find the Hero,
To find for whose only
Hero, for only sake
We
`Vc sought bitter lake.
sought the dark abodes and crossed the bitter lake.
For the Paternal is is the first

first source ofof' life,
life, and the
last wdiich the conscience is
last into which is initiated;
initiated and the
;
re-birth and re-creation of

re-birth this principle
of this principle in
in the Free
Ether, prepared
Ether, prepared for
for it,
it, is
is the end and plenitude
plenitude of ini~
ini-
tiatory
tiatory rites.
rites.
In Taylor's his Pausanias we

Taylor's notes to his we find an extract
from an ancient writer,

writer, Aselepius Trallianus, wherein
Asclepius Trallianus,
the ctynion ao(îa, Wisdom,
etymon of auqua, Visdom, isis derived from þÿ'TO0'¢
roaê^;,¬ ¬,
the conspicuous Thus what is
clear. Thus-what
conspicuous and the clear. —
is Wisdom?
We reply, that it
Ve reply, it is
is a certain
certain clearness, being that
þÿC/cz1r11 ¬s.s',as being
which renders all all things
I/:ings colzspiczzous.
conspicuous. From whence
wîence
was this
was this word clearness denominated '?? We
reply, from
Ve reply,
therefore, the clear is
Since, therefore,
fig/15. Since,
light. is accustomed to lead
light and knowledge
into light things concealed in the
knowledge things
ignorance on this account,
darkness of ignorance; ;
account, concludes the
writer, it
writer, it is
is thus denominated. also, Minerva
Thus, also,
Thus,
is sometimes called Phosphor,
is being the bearer and
Phosphor, as being
measure of the Demiurgic Fire. And what arc all the
are all
Demiurgic Fire.
gods but manifestations of this same Fire germinating
this same
gods germinating
through projecting energy
through the projecting energy of in
distinct in
of' Intellect distinct
11
on the 'Theology
Proclus on Plato, book iv.
Theology of Plato, chap. xxvi.
iv. chap.
;
Tim Mrsrnnins.
The Mysteries. 233
Light??
Light In its
In its lucid
lucid understanding, expanse, Mi-
stable expanse,
understanding, stable
nerva
nerva; in its golden
in its golden
;
radiance and ideality, Apollo,
ideality, Apollo ;
forth in
shining forth
shining in beauty, infinite attrac-
beauty, warmth, and infinite attrac-
tion, Venus ; in
tion, its concentrated flashing
in its
; flashing force, Mars;
Mars ;
in compact
in compact impenetrable purity, the chaste Diana
impenetrable purity, Diana;
penetrating
penetrating in in all
all the variety
variety of perspicuous thought
of perspicuous thought
and imagination,
imagination, the Winged Mercury in
winged Mercury; its universal
in its ;
fabricative
fabricative virtue
virtue and beneticence,
beneficence, the Derniurgic
Demiurgic Ju-.ln-
piter;
piter and
; thenceforth downward and upward
upward from
the last
last to the first ineffable Phanes,
first ineffable Phanes, before Saturn, or
proceeded to manifestation by
Cybele, proceeded
that ancient Cybele, by will
will
in time.
in
Then nor the sun's

sun's swift
swift members splendid
splendid shone
in dense harmony
But in harmony established lay
lay
Concealed; cternity's
Concealed revolving sphere
eternity's revolving
; sphere
Eejoicing its centre firm to roll.
Rejoicing round its roll.
U11til, as the poet

Until, goes on to explicate,
poet goes explicate, by fian-
by the fan-
ning
ning of the celestial
celestial ether set
set in
in motion,
motion,
Then all of the god

all the members of appeared]
god appeared.^
And the nourishing

nourishing cause of these gods gods isis said
said to
union, comprehending
intelligible union,
be a certain intelligible comprehending in in itself
itself
the whole intellectual progression, filling the Ethe-
progression, and filling
acme and power. All the gods,
real Hypostasis with acme
real Hypostasis power. gods,
says beautiful, and their splendour
Plotinus, are beautiful,
says Plotinus, splendour is is in-
in-
tense. What else, else, however, is is it Intellect through
it but Intellect through
they are such ?? and because Intellect energizes
which they energizes in
them in in so great
great a
degree,
degree, as to render them visible
visible byby
its Light.
its Light. For they
they are not at one time wise, and at
wise,
another destitute of wisdom,wisdom, but they they are always wise,
always wise,
in an impassive, stable,
an impassive, stable, and pure
pure Intellect ;; seeing
seeing
things as Intellect itself
such things itself sees, occupy and
they occupy
sees, they
pervade
pervade without ceasing
ceasing the whole of that blissful re-
blissful
gion.
gion. For the life
life there is is unattended with labour,
labour,
and Truth is is their generator
generator and nutriment,
nutriment, their es-
sence and their nurse."nurse. Plato also by

'^
by Socrates nar-
rating the mode of ascent to the Intelligible
rating Beauty,
InteUigible Beauty,
1
'
2
Empedocles, Physics.
Empedocles, Physics.
- on the Beautiful and the Three Hypostases.
Plotinus on Hypostases.
234 More
Moms Esofrmuc VIEW.
Esoteric View.
and how, following

following tl1e divine leaders
the divine leaders they they became
partakers of the
partakers the same, concludes-It
concludes — was then lawful
It was lawful
survey splendid
to survey Beauty, where we obtained together
splendid Beauty, together
with thatthat happy choir, this
happy choir, this blessed
blessed vision
vision and contem-
plation ; and we indeed enjoyed
plation ; enjoyed this felieity, following
this fehcity, following
choir together
the choir together with Jupiter,Jupiter, but others in in conjunc-
conjunc-
tion with some
tion soine other god ; at
god at the sanie
; same time beholding
beholding
being initiated
and being initiated in in those mysteries
mysteries which it is law-
it is
ful to call
ful call the most blessed blessed of all all mysteries.
mysteries. And
these divine
divine orgies celebrated by
were celebrated
orgies were by usus while we we
perfect and free
were perfect free from those evils evils which awaited
us in succeeding period
in a succeeding period of time; time we ;ice likewise
liktivise were ivere
ii/itiatetl in
initiated in and bzicame .sjiecttltors
mill became spectators of entire, simple,
Qf entire, simple,
stable, will
quietly stable,
quietly and blcsserl resident in
visions, resident
blessed visions, in zza Pure
Liglit ;,° being
Light oztzuvelres pure
being' ourselves pure and þÿllflC')`(Zl from tl/is
liberated¬(l_/(l'0}IL this sur-
sm'-
roznizliiig vestment, wlzif'/1

roundi)ig restzizeizt, which ice rlenominmte liorly,
we denominate body, am/ and to
ev/iii'/z we are buztml
which bound like
like an oyster
oyster to its sliell.
to its shell. And
Beauty, continues the divine narrator,
Beauty, narrator, shone upon upon us
during
during our progressions with the gods:
our progressions gods but on our
: our ar-
rival hither,
rival hither, we possessed the power
we possessed power of perceiving
perceiving it, it,
through the clearest

through clearest of our senses' senses.^ Not, let
Not, let us be-
"'
lieve Warburton, " a inere
lieve with Dr. Varburton, mere illuminated image, image,
which the priest priest had purified,"
purified," for for indeed his his whole
account of ofthe
the institution
institution is is absurd ; but when we
; we con-
sider to what Plato really
sider really alludes,
alludes, by by those simple simple and am/
l1¢'cssc1l
blessed visions
visions resident in in a pure light, we
pure light, we can no
longer wonder why
longer why the initiated were were called happy happy and
reported to have been blessed
reported blessed,"^ since through
; through initi- initi-
ation, they
ation, they were conjoined with the total deity
were conjoined deity and
intellectual perfection of their leaders,
intellectual perfection leaders, and were were re-
plenished with the divine essentiality.
plenished essentiality. And the being being
entire is is derived to souls from froin equilibriate
equilibriate circulation
in their Ether
in Ether; which contains,
;
contains, and is is connective of all all
the Divine genera. Everything, however,
genera. Everything, however, which in i11 the
whole contains parts, comprehends also that which is
parts, coniprehends is
divided,
divided, and collectscollects that which is is various into union
and simplicity.
simplicity. But the tl1e quiet, stable, and .simple
quiet, stable, simple
visioizs,
visions, are unfolded to souls supernally,
supernally, as Proclus
1
1
l'h:cdx-us, Taylor,
Phfedrus, Taylor, vol. iii. p.
vol. iii. p. 327 and following.
following.
2
^ See Taylor's
T:1ylor's observations in the note onon this passage, p. 327.
passage, p.
The
'PHE Mysteries.
Mvsrnmas. 235
explains
explains from the supercclestial
supercelestial place.
place. And so those
gods and those powers
gods follow the gods
powers that follow gods reveal
themselves each inin his particular form or
his particular or essence of
light, but by
light, no means extend themselves as figured
by no figured
phantasms, such as the mind before
phantasms, before beheld in
in Hades
from its own
f1'om its self-shadowing creative
own self-shadowing creative fancy.
fancy. For
vherefore should they
wherefore supposed to exhibit
they be supposed these??
exhibit these
ls it
Is it not evident that their
their characteristic
characteristic would be far
far
better expressed
better expressed by
by their simple idea
their simple living in
idea living in the un-
derstanding, than by
derstanding, by any figured light
any other figured or repre-
light or repre-
sentation? By no means, theretbre,
By Jamblicus,
says Jamblicus,
therefore, says
does Divinity either transform himself into
Divinity either into phantasms
phantasms
nor extend these from himself to other things, but
things,
emits illuminations, representations of himself in
illuminations, true representations in
the true manner
manner of souls.
souls. truth, he adds,
And truth, adds, isis co-
existcnt with the gods,
existent gods, in
in the same manner as light
same manner light
with the sun. all
For as all other things,
things, such as are
principal, primarily
principal, primarily begin themselves, and impart
begin from themselves, impart
to themselves that which they give to others ; as for
they give ; for
instance,
instance, in in essence,
essence, in in life,
life, and inin motion;
motion thus also
;
the natures which supply supply all all beings

beings with truth pri- pri-
marily proclaim
marily proclaim the truth themselves, and precedane-
themselves, precedane-
ously unfold the essence of themselves to the specta-
ously specta-
tors. Hence likewise they Thcurgists a Fire
they exhibit to Theurgists
which is is itself, visible?
itself, visible.^
itself, to itself, Let no
no one
one there-
fore
fore wonder,
wonder, says Proclus, the gods
says Proclus, gods being
being essentially
essentially
one simplicity
in one simplicity according transparency, if
according to transparency, if various
phantasms
phantasms are hurled forth before the presence of
presence
them
them; ; nor
nor if
if they, being uniform,
they, being uniform, should ap-
in their ap-
pearance
pearance be multiform,
multiform, as we
we have learned in
in the most
perfect Mysteries.
perfect Mysteries. For nature and the deminrgic
demiurgic inin-
tellect eorporeal
tellect extend corporeal formed images
images of things
things cor-
poreal, images of things
poreal, sensible images intelligible, and those
things intelligible,
without interval,
interval, since all all things
things are anan cmanation
emanation from
these?
these. ^ And thus the soul, soul, when looking
looking at things
things
posterior
posterior to herself,
herself, beholds the shadows only and
only
images
images of true being
being ; but,
but,
; when
wdien she converts herself to
herself, she evolves her own
herself, own Essence,
Essence, and the vivificvivific
11
Ilunblicus
/amblicus ou the Mysteries,
on X. Taylor, p. 106.
chap. x.
Mysteries, cliap. Taylor, p.
2
2 On the Theology,
On Theology, book i.i. chap
chap xx.
Z
7
Q36
•236 More
Mons Esorefue VIEW.
Esoteric View.
reasons which she contains.

contains. And at at first, indeed,
first, indeed,
she only
only as it it pcrceives,herself
were percei
were ves. herself ; but,
; but, when she
penetrates
penetrates more more profoundly
profoundly for for the examination of
herself,
herself, she finds in herself
finds in herself both understanding and
understanding
the Reason of created beings. beings. When however she pro-
Vhen pro-
ceeds into
into her interior
interior recesses and into into the Adytum
Adytum of
Life, as the great
Life, great tbeologist declares, she perceives,
theologist declares, perceives, with
the eye closed as it the of the
eye closed it were, genus
genus gods, which
gods,
are the Unities of all for all in us
being: for all things
all being :
things are in
psychically,
psychically, that
that is
is to say, in
say, in the efiicient
efficient Reason of
life,
our life, and through this,
through this, when it is developed, we
it is developed, we are
capable of knowing
capable knowing all things, by
all things, exciting the images
by exciting images
powers of the Vhole
and powers Whole which we contain. contain. And
this has been said
this said to be the best employment employment of our
energy, to be extended to a Divine nature,
energy, nature, and having
having
individual powers
our individual powers at rest,
at rest, to revolve harmoniously
harmoniously
round it, excite all
it, to excite all the multitude of the soul to this this
union;
union ;
and laying
laying aside all
all such things
things as are pos-
pos-
terior
terior to the One, to become seated and conjoined conjoined to
that which is is ineffable
ineffable and beyond beyond all things?
all things.^
It is
It satisfactory
is satisfactory to observe
observê how ancients, with
these ancients, wîth
accord,
one accord, dismiss all
all visions which take place dur-
place
ing
ing the imperfect self-activity
imperfect self-activity of the human mind as
arbitrary
ai'bitrary and untrustworthy
untrustworthy; ; how well they had
they
learned to discriminate,
discriminate, and how very very absolute and
clear a lineline they
they draw between enthusiasm and fanati- fanati-
cism, between the shadowy
cism, shadowy world of imaginative imaginative vivi-
sion and the light light of the true gods: gods nor will
: any one,
will any one,
profoundly considering their assertions,
profoundlys considering assertions, doubt about
the origin
origin or respect
respect due to divinitics, which,
these divinities, which,
as an enianative splendour
an emanative splendour f1'om from the Causal Fountain, Fountain,
make manifest in in energy
energy its its intellectual Law.
\'hat though in solemn silence all

"What though all
Move
More round this dark terrestrial ball
In Reason's
Reasozfs ear they all rejoice,
em' they all rejoice,
And utter still
still their glorious voice,
glorious voice.
For ever singing they shine,
singing as they shine,
" The Hand t/mf
" ng
that moves us is divine.
ns is divine.''^
I'
Idem,¬l]],
þÿii(l chap.
chap. iii.
iii.
7
^ l3laek\'ell's Mythology,
Blackwell's iIythology,lett. 8.
lett. 8.
!
THE Mrsremrzs.
The Mysteries. 237
Or, as the Mathematician paints

Or, it,
paints it,
En
En tibi
tibi Norma Poli — en divre
Poli-! ! divse Libramina Molis
Molisl
Computus en
Computus Jovis I et
en Jovis ! quas dum primordia
et qnas primordia rerum
reruin
Conderet, omnipotens sibi

Couderet, omnipotens ipse Creator
leges ipsc
sibi leges
Dixerit, et
Dixerit, Opcris qufe
et Operis locarit.
quze Fundamenta locarit.
And here againagain we we take occasion to observe that it it

is
is indeed byby divine
divine Media, and not a mere conception
a mere
conception
of the mind or abstraction, either
metaphysical abstraction,
or metaphysical either that
Theurgists are conjoined
Theurgists conjoined to the Divine nature nature; since,
; since,
if this
if this were the case, what would hinder those who
philosophize theoretically from participating
philosophize theoretically participating of this this
^
union ?? which they
ineffable
they do not; not ~1z==t
; hs^ the perfect
perfect eflieacy of
efficacy
5,
^
7~^
ineffable works,
works, says ,It1mblicus, which are divinely
says âmblicus, divinely ,L
'
in a way surpassing all

performed,
performed, in way surpassing all ordinary ordinary intelli-
intelli-
gence
gence and the power
power of inexplicable symbols which
inexplicable symbols
are known only to the gods themselves,
only gods themselves, impart impart The-
urgic
urgic union. Hence we
we do not perform
perform these things
things
through
through intellectual
intellectual perception; since,
perception ; since, if
if this
this were the
case, the intellectual
intellectual energyenergy of them would be im-
parted by
parted us, neither of which is
by us, is true:
true : for when we
for we
do not energize intellectually (all preparative

energize intellectually (all preparative conditions
having been fulfilled,)
having fulHlled,) the Synthemata,
-Synt/zez/fam, i.i. 6.e. the Theur-
gic
gic aids
aids and media themselves,
themselves, perform by themselves
perform by
their proper
their proper work ; and the ineffable power
;
power of the gods gods
itself, knows by
itself, by itself
itself its own images.
its own images. It
It does not
however know them, them, as if if excited by by our
our intelhgence;
intelligence;
for neither is is it
it natural that things vhich comprehend
things which comprehend
should be excited by by those that are comprehended,
comprehended,
perfect by
nor perfect by imperfect natures, nor wholes by
imperfect natures, by parts;
parts;
hence neither are divine causes prooodancously called pAe^jxû-uî
°
»z
lui 0-7/3
energy by
into energy by our intellections but it
our intellections; ; is requisite
it is
requisite to 6
consider these and all all the best dispositions
dispositions of the soul, soul,
and also the purity pertaining, as cerlailz
purity pertaining, concauses ;,°
certain C011c0u.s'cs
tl1e things
the things which properly
properly exciteexcile the Divine will will being
being
Synthemata themselves : and thus things
the Divine éynt/zeuz/zta : things
pertaining to the gods
pertaining gods areare moved by by themselves,
themselves, and
do not receive from an inferior nature {i.e.
an inferior (Le. to say,say,
from the regardant subject) the principle
regardant subject) principle of their
—
238 More
Mona Esoteric
Esorisaie View.
energy?
energy.' As the Chaldaie
Chaldaic Oracle in its
likewise in
likewise its own
operative language declares
operative language declares : :
And tliese things I

these things I revolve in the recluse
revolve in reeluse temples my mind:
of my
temples of mind :
Extending
Extending tlie like fire
the like fire sparklingly
sparklingly into
into the spacious air,
spacious air,
To put into the mind the symbol
put into symbol ofof variety,
variety,
And
Andnot to walk dispersedly
not to dispersedly on channels, but stiflly
empyreal channels,
on the empyreal stiffly z:
the king
For the king did
did set before the world an
set before intellectual ineorrnpti-
an intellectual incorrupti-
ble pattern.
ble pattern,
This print through the world,
print through world, he promoting, accordingly ap-
promoting, accordingly ap-
peared,
peared.
Beautified with all
Beautified all kinds of
of Ideas ofwhieh
of which there isis one
one Fountain.
Intellectual notions from the Paternal Fountain cropping
Intellectual cropping the
Flower of Fire-
Fire
And to these Intellectual of Intellectual
Intellectual Presters of all things
Intellectual Fire all tilings
subservient by
are subservient
by the persuasive will of
persuasive will of the Father.
Fatlier.
Having put
Having put on
on the completely vigour of
completely armed vigour of resounding
resounding Light,
Light,
triple strength,
with triple fortifying the soul and the mind.
strength, fortifzying
O
0 how the world hath Intellectual guides inflexible l2^
guides inflexible !
So did Theurgie by the medium of the pas-

rites, by
Theurgic rites, pas-
sive
sive Ether,
Ether, unfold the embryo vigour of her newly
embryo vigour newly
conceived life ;
awakening intellect
life; awakening into reminiscence
intellect into
and filling
filling it
it with the conscious reasons of things
things
manifest and occult
occult; and
; as it
it were
were by
by an obstetric
hand and action, bringing forth the total
action, bringing total nature and
ornamenting
ornamenting it
it with Light.
Light. For Wisdom
ViS(lO1T1 enaets
here enacts
the part discreet mother, who having
part of a disereet1nothe1', having educated
her son and furnished him with understanding,understanding, bids
him use it, it, exercising
exercising him in
in every virtue and theo-
every
retic discipline for
retic discipline for the final
final conversion and aeeoin-accom-
plishment
plishment of his
his soul.
soul. And if
if the education has been
complete
complete and the discipline perfect, says Porphyry,
discipline perfect, says Porphyry,
inferior powers
the whole inferior powers willwill range
range inin harmonious
concord about their proper rule,
proper rule, and will
will so venerate
this Reason,
this Reason, as to be indignant if
indignant they
if they are all self-
at all self-
moved,
moved, in
in consequence
consequence of not being quiet
being quiet when their
master is is present;
present; and will reprove themselves for
will reprove
imbecility, so that the motions themselves will
their iinbeeility, will
1'
Jlfnnbliens on
âmblicus on the Myst. chap. xi.
llyst. chap. xi. Taylor, p. 109.
Taylor, p.
2
- Oraenla Chaldaica.
Oracula
The
THE Mysteries.
Mrsramas. 239
be dissolved through their

dissolved through their proximity
proximity to to the reasoning
reasoning
power?
^
power.
But the government
government of the natural natural hfe life is oligar-
is oHgar-
chical,
chical, almost
ahnost an
an
anarchy,
anarchy, where there is
is no perma-
perma-
nently accepted leader
nently accepted leader of the Whole whole ; but each motive ;
rising,
rising, as it
it were, becomes usurper of
an usurper of aa vacant
throne ; and external
; institutions imaged
external institutions imaged from thence
accordingly are selfish,
accordingly conflicting, and unhappy.
selfish, conflicting, unhappy. Yet
observing
observing how the faculties
faculties of the common
common mind rally
rally
about the standard of each tyrant tyrant motive, as it
motive, it ac-
cedes, and how the highest
ccdes, highest are thus often often made to
subserve the lowêst
subscrve lowest ends,
ends, how covetousness, ambition,
covetousness, ambition,
and envy,
envy, and pride will erect and manifest themselves
pride will
in
in the circumstances of individual and social
of individual social life,
life, and
stamp
stamp their
their character on
on nations,
nations, and obscure the
perception
perception of every
every other good
good; we
we may
may gather
; gather from
though faint
passable though
thence a passable faint conception
conception of the Al-
mighty Force that moves
mighty moves about the Rational Magnet, Magnet,
and how the Presters of Intellectual Intellectual Fire follow in in ra-
diant order the will W'ill of their First Cause. Under such
indeed, when once he is
a monarch indeed, is established,
established, no dis-
no dis-
sensions would
wôuld be likely likely to arise,arise, but the inferior inferior
powers will so venerate his
powers his leading
leading motive that they they
will move only
will move only according
according to his
his movement,
movement, pursuing
pursuing
constantly in
constantly in observant order his his infallible
infallible rule.
Fire, says the adept
Fire, says adept philosopher,
philosopher, is is the purest
purest and
most worthy
worthy of all all the elements and its its substance is is
the finest of all all; forfor this
; first of all
w as first
this was all elevated in in
the creation with the throne of Divine Majesty. Majesty. This
nature is is of all
all the most quiet quiet and like unto a chariot, chariot,
wdien it
when it is drawn, it
is drawai, runs when it
it runs; ; it is drawn, it
is not drawn, it
stands still.
still. lt is
It is also in all things
in all things indiscernibly.
indiscernibly. In
it are the reasons of life
it life and understanding, which
understanding,
are distributed in in the first
first infusion of man's life, and
man's life,
these are called the rational soul, soul, byby which alone man man
differs from other creatures and is is like to God. This
wâs of that most
soul was mostpure fire, infused by God into
pure fire, by
the vital
vit-al spirit,
spirit, by by reason of wdiich
which man, man, after the
11
Aids to lntelligeysect.
] ntellig^ sect.
'
2.
2.
-/'(`,
;
240 More
Moms Esoteric rIE\'.
Esrrrsicie View.
creation all things,

creation of all created into
things, was created into a particular
particular
world or microcosm. In this
In subject, God, the Crea-
this subject, Crea-
all things,
tor of all things, put
put his
his seal
seal and majesty,
majesty, as in the m
which is
subject, wdiich
purest and quietest subject,
quietest is governed
governed byby
purest
infinite wisdom of God alone.
will and infinite
the will alone. Vhere-
Where-
fore God abhors all
fore all impurity
impurity; ;
nothing
nothing that
that is
is filthy
filthy
compounded, or blemished may
or compounded, may come near Him,
therefore, no mortal man can see God, or come
therefore, come to
Him lzatzlral/y.
naturally. For that Fire Fire which is in the circum-
is in
ference of the Divinity,

ference Divinity, in in which is carried the seal
is carried seal
and majesty of the Most High,
High, is so intense, that no no
majesty ]\Iost is
eye can penetrate

penetrate it
it ; for
for Fire
Fire will
will not suffer
suffer anything
anything
eye ;
that is compounded to come near to it:

is compounded it: but is is the
separation of everything
death and separation everything that is is com-
We
pounded. Ve have said
pounded. said that it it is
is the most quiet quiet sub-
it is, else would follow that God could
it wôuld
ject;
ject ;
so it is, or else it
rest; but it
not rest ; it isis of a most quiet quiet silence
silence in in itself
itself
more than any man's mind can imagine.

any man's imagine. Thou hast
in the flint,flint, in in which there is is fire,
fire,
example of this
an example this in
and yet is not perceived,
perceived, neither doth appear
appear until
until it is
it is
yet is
stirred up up byby motion, and kindled in

in it
it that it it may
may ap-
ap-
in which is placed the sacred ma- ma-
pear. So the Fire in wdiich is placed
pear.
of our Creator, is is not moved unless it it be stirred
stirred
jesty
jesty
up byby the proper
proper wall will of the Most High, High, and so is is
up
carried where His holy
carried holy will will is.
is. There is is made by by the
will of
W\\\ ofthe Supreme Maker of things
the Supreme things a most vehe-
ment and terrible
terrible motion. Thou hast an an example of'
example of
this, when any
this, any monarch of this world sits in
sits in state
st-ate;
what a quietness there is
is about him, him, what a silence,
silence,
quietness
although some
and although some one of his court doth move, move, the
motion is only of some
is only some one or other particular man,
particular man,
in an order which is
in regarded. But when the
is not regarded.
Lord himself moves, moves, there is is aa universal stir stir and mo- mo-
tion, then all

tion, all that attend on
on him move
move with him.
V hat then, when that Supreme
What Supreme Monarch,Monarch, the King King of
kings, and Maker of all all things (after
things (after whose example
example
kings,
the princes
princes of this this world are established) established) doth move move
his own
in his own majesty
majesty? ? What
Vhat a stir!
stir ! What
Vhat a trem-
guard of this heavenly heavenly army

bling, when the whole guard
bling, army
move
move about him ! ! But some
some one
one may
may ask, how do we
ask, we
The Mvsrnnlas.
THE Mysteries. 241
know these things, since

these things, things are hid
heavenly things
since heavenly hid from
man's understanding? To whom we answer, that
l1]3l1iS understanding? we
the}'^ are manifest to philosophers

they philosophers into into whom the inin-
comprehensible Deity
comprehensible Deity has his
inspired his own
inspired own Visdom.'
Wisdom.^
For the total
total Reason is is in
in this life of ours hidden,
this life hidden, asas
the Ere in fuel

fire in fuel that is
is not kindled, or or as gold in
gold in the
dark oreore unseen —
unseen-our our Iron, our Red Earth, our Load-
stone, celeberrimus ille
stone, ille microcosmos et et Adam, inin which
we
we are all now
all now as dead ;; nor can be awakened to remi-
resolution of the whole circulatory
niscence without a resolution circulatory
confine, when it
confine, it arises
arises identically perfect, and
identically reverse, perfect,
alone.
alone. is the Sal Sapientum
This is Sapientum et Mereurius Phi-
et Mercurius n
`
losophorum
losophorum ; their their
; Seeretum
Secretum Secretorum pt Pons A&Ut
^j
irepmxn;-Sci1'e
iiorum )
—
Scire etiam tibi
tibi eonvenit,
convenit, OO bone rex, quod
rex, quod
hoc magisterium
magisterium nihilnihil aliud
aliud est,est, nisi
nisi arcanum et se-
cretum secretorum Dei altissimi altissimi et et magni Ipse enim
magni; Ipse
;
hoc seeretum
secretum prophetis eommendavit: quorum
prophetis commendavit : quorum seilieet
scilicet
animas suo paradise eollocavit?
paradiso coUocavit.^
We
Ve learn, finally, that the souls of the Initiated,
learn, finally, Initiated,
being
being made perfect in
perfect in every telcstic accomplishment
every telestic accomplishment
virtue, and having
and virtue, having passed
passed orderly through the
orderly through
whole progression
progression of Intelligible Causes, by the Greeks
Intelligible Causes, by
gods,
called gods, were next promoted to a contemplation
promoted contemplation
of their
their Highest
Highest Unity.
Unity. For having
having vanquished
vanquished every every
irrational and gravitating
irrational inclination,
gravitating inclination, the soul, holding
soul, holding
thc circle
the circle of reason complete,
complete, as it it were, and para- para-
mount over all, and possessing
over all, possessing all, except her own
all, except own
identic essence, desires this
identie this now
now alone and above
every other good,
every good, her finalfinal Cause and consummation
in the Absolute so long deprived.
long deprived.
I will
I will open
open a secret Initiated, but let
to the Initiated, let the
f/nom be
dno)\'< he .S/zu/_
shut. thou, O Musseus,
And thou, QffS,Z?7`lllIg of the
Museeus, ojfspjing
brig/It
b?'ight Si/cue,
Silene, attend carefully
carefully to my
my songsong; for Il
;
deliver the truth without disguise disguise: : su1'ièr

suffer not there-
prejudice
fore former prejudice to debar thee from that lumpy
/mp;i_y
/W
life which this Avzozuieztge
k?ioivIedge will
will procure
procure unto thee. But
contemplate
studiously contemplate
studiously thc
the divine
divine oracle,
oracle, and perse-
perse-
1 Alchemy, Element of Fire,
1 Sendivogius, New Light
Scndivogius, Light of Alchemy, Fii-e, p. 99.
p. 99,
2
2 1Iorieni
Morieni de Ti'ans.
Trans. ]\Iotal. Aurifera, vol.
Metal. Ars Aiirifera, vol. ii.
ii. p, 27.
p.
'
R
242 More
MORE Esorsaie View.
Esoteric
vere in purity
in of mind and heart.
])llJ`fl_1/ of heart. Go on on inin the right
right
way,
way, and contemplate
contemplate the sole
sole Governor of
of the
Vorld.
World. He
Ile isis One a.nd and of Himself alone, (I/0116 ) and to t/mi that
0/ze all
One things
all things owe
owe their
their Being.
Being. He
llc operates through
operates through
all, was never seen by
all, by mortal eyes, eyes, but does Himself
0ne.'
every one.^
see every
This contemplation,
contemplation, then, then, of of the indwelling
indwelling Unity Unity
cX-iA-t^ was the final preparative
final preparative to translation;
translation ;
but
fe«t" it
it has
supposed,
been supposed, from the concluding passage,
concluding passage, that He
was never seen by
fU(I.§'
by mortal
moi^tal eyes,
þÿ ¬_1yCS,and others of like
like im-
port, that the Initiated,
port, therefore, did
Initiated, therefore, did not behold Him.
But it it should be remembered, that the initiated initiated were
nowhere considered as mortal men, in respect of their
in respect their
souls,
souls, which were
were
regenerate,
regenerate, and so fortified
fortified by assi-
by assi-
milation and proximity, proximity, that, that, whether in in union or
separation, their
separation, regard was not extraneous but hy-
their regard hy-
postatieal,
postatical, as of like
like to like.
like. No
N o mortal can see God
or comecome to him naturally naturally ; for

;
for ifif that light
light which is is in
in
the circumference be so intense that nothing nothing eorporeal
corporeal
can sustain it, it, and previous
previous unions,unions, which were but
partial and instantaneous,
partial instantaneous, as it it were, tried ethereal
tried the ethereal
vehicle to its susceptibility, how much less,
its utmost susceptibility, less,
therefore,
therefore, can the compound
compound creature, approaching to
creature, approaching
the Centre, live?
Fiery Centre,
t.he Fiery Neither is is it said to be
it said
lawful for for the pure pure to be touched by impure, and

by the impure,
the uninitiated are for for this
this reason totally debarred, as
totally debarred,
it were, by a threefold barrier of sense, sense, ignorance, and
it by ignorance,
disinelination, from the discovery
disincHnation, truth. But neither
discovery of truth. neithei
let it
let he imagined,
it be imagined, do the Initiated com-
say'-actively coni-
self-actively
prehend
prehend the life
life of Deity
Deity; fo1'
for that would
;
be indeed
an inversion and a submerging of the Creator in
a suhmerging in the
creature;
creature ;
beautifully unfolds the passive
but Plato beautifully passive
lntuition, and the three
method of the Divine Intuition, ele-
ele-
vating
vating eauses of love,
causes love, hope, and faith,
hope, faith, to those who
do not negligently
negligently read what he has written. For
what else than love eonjoins
conjoins the soul to beauty?
beauty ? and
where else is
is truth to be hopedâsks
hopcd, asks the philosopher,
philosopher,
except place?? And what else than faith is
in this place
except in is the
cause of this ineffable zzzucfsix?
inetlable niuesis? in short,
)}II(('SfS, in
For iiuiesis, short,
l'
Orphic Fragment
See the Ori)hie \r{l'l)lll'i0lI, ol.
l"rnginent in A\'arburton, i.
vol. i.
;
The
THE Mvsreiues.
Mysteries. 243
is
is neithe1' through
neither through intelligence judgment, but
intelligence nor judgment,
through
through the unieal
unical silence
silence imparted by
imparted faith, which
by faith,
is then better
is better than every
every gnostie energy (when it
gnostic energy (when it sur-
passes this),
passes this), and which establishes
establishes both whole and
individual souls in
individual souls in the ineffable Unknown!
ineffable Unknown.^ But,
But,
lest we
lest prolong the transcendental theme ; that which
we prolong ;
is
is most externally
externally remarkable in in the theurgie
theurgic man-
dates for
dates this translation
for this translation is, is, that the whole body
body
should be buried, except the head ; sublimely
buried, except sublimely signify-
; signify-
ing that the
ing thetotal life, with exception
total life, exception of that which is is
intellectual,
intellectual, should be buried in
in profound oblivion;
profound oblivion
elevating, in
alone elevating, phrase, the head of the
in Platonic phrase,
eharioteer
charioteer to the place beyond the heaven,
place beyond heaven, where he
is
is filled
filled with the Demiurgic Wisdom and an
Demiurgic Wisdoni an empy-
empy-
real life.
real life.
And it is necessary,
it is necessary, says Proclus, that the soul
says Proclus,
thus becoming Intellectual World,
becoming an Intellectual World, and being being as
much as possible
possible assimilated to the whole intelligible
inteUigible
universe, should introduce herself to the Maker of the
universe,
Universe, and,
Universe, and, from this this introduction, should, in
introduction, should, in a
certain respect,
respect, become familiar
familiar with him, through a
him, through
certain intellectual energy. For uninterrupted
intellectual energy. uninterrupted energy
energy
anything calls
about anything calls forth and resuscitates our dor-
mant Ideas.
ldeas. But through
through this this familiarity,
familiarity, becoming
becoming-
stationed at the door of the Father, Father, itit is necessary
is necessary
that wewe should become united to Him. For discovery
discovery
is —
this,-to
is this, to meet with Him, to be united to Him, Him, and
to see Him Himself--the —
Himself the Alone with the Alone; Alone the ;
withdrawing herself'
hastily withdrawing
soul hastily herself from every
every other
energy to Him
energy Him; for
; for then,
then, being present with her
being present
father, she considers scientific
father, scientific discussions to he be but
words, banquets
words, together with Him on
banquets together on the Truth
of Real Being, Being, and in pure splendour is
pure splendour purely
is purely
initiated in entire
initiated enti1'e and stable vision. Such, therefore,
Such, therefore,
is
is the Discovery
Discovery of the FatherFather; not that which is
; is dox-
astic,
astic, oror pertaining opinion for that is
pertaining to opinion; ; is dubious
and not very very remote from the irrational
irrational life;
life neither ;
is it
is it scientific;
scientific; for this is is syllogistic
syllogistic and composite,
composite,
and does not come come into contact with the intellectual
intellectual
1^
Proclus, on
Proclus, on the
tlie Theology, book
Theology, iv.
iv. chap.
chap. ix.
ix.
2*
1: 2
R
244 More Esormue
Mons fIE\'.
Esoteric View.
essence ofthe
of the Intellectual Demiurgus. But it
Intellectual Delniurgus. is that
it is that
subsists according
which subsists according to Intellectual
Intellectual Vision Itself:
Itself:
Intelligihlc, and a union with the

a contact with the Intelligible,
Deiniurgie
Demiurgic Intellect.
Intellect. And this
this may properly be de-
may properly de-
difficult, as Plato alludes, either
nominated difiieult, either as how to
obtain, presenting
obtain, itself to souls,
presenting itself souls, after every evolzztimz
after cvezy evolution
Qf
of life,
life, or as to the true labour of souls.
souls. For after
after
wandering generation, after
wandering about generation, purification and
after the purification
the light
light of science;
science intellectual
intellectual
;
energy alone, by
energy by the
intellect that is
intellect that is in forth; locating
in us, shines forth locating
; the soul
in the Father, as in
in a port,
in at establishing her in
purely establishing
port, purely in
fabrieative intellections,
fabricative intellections, and conjoining
conjoining Light
Light with
—
Light.-Not
Light. Not such as waswas with science, vision
science, or that vision
that was in Elysium, but more
in Elysium, more beautiful, more intel-
beautiful, more intel-
lectual, and partaking
lectual, more of the nature of the One
partaking more
this.
than this. then, is
This, then,
This, is the Paternal Port and the
discovery
discovery of the Father,
Father, according to Proelus,
according Proclus, viz.,
viz.,
an undcfilcd
undefiled union with him.' him.^
And with what magnificence
magnificence of thoughtthought and dictiondiction
does the Platonic Successor reeal Initiated Reason
recal the Initiated
to the contemplation
contemplation of of_ her end,
.
end, as ablating every-
ablating every-
mme thing
o/ru^ (IaMlaa^ thing else in gradual 3|)1)1'OHCI1/A jj
gradual approach/ ? ai li ng
together the
together
<;»,Zé'L»;7 else
^ whole voluntary
in
voluntary accord,
accord, he
.
exhorts us now, if
now, if
ever, to remove from ourselves ll]l1li]lf01'I1l
ever, multiform knowledge,
knowledge,
exterminate all all the variety life, and in perfect
variety of life, quiet
perfect quiet
approach near to the Cause of all.
approach all. Let not only only
arm/ opinion and phantasy
Ci'^yid opinion phantasy be at rest, nm# the passions
rest, »©¥- passions
alone, which imi)ede
alone, impede our anagogieanagogic impulse impulse to the
First, be at peace;
First, peace but let ;let the air and the universe
be still us), and let
(within us),
still (within let all things extend in us
all things
with a tranquil
tranquil power,
power, to commune
commune with the In-
eflable.
effable. Let us also, standing there,
also, standing there, having tran~
having tran-
Intelligible, and with nearly
scended the Intelligible, nearly closed eyes,
eyes,
adoring, as it
adoring, it were, sun(^ since it
rising amz(
were, the risirzg is not
it is
lawful for any any being

being whatever iiiteiitly
þÿfll[ ¬lIl/_yto behold Him)Him)
let us survey
let survey t/mtthat S1111
Sun whence
w/zcncc t/ze gods
lute/ligib/e gon/s
the hitelUgible
jirwvez/, emerging,
proceed, emerging, as the Poets say, say, fromfi'om the bosom
of the ocean ocean ; and again
; again from this divine tran-
quillity
quillity descending Intellect, and from Intel-
deseending into Intellect,
]
^ On the Tiniaens of Plato,
tliP Timajus vol. i.
Plato, vol. i. '1àylor,
Taylor, p.p. 254.
THE MYSTERIES.
The Mysteries. 245
leet,
lect, employing the reasonings
employing of the soul, let
reasonings of let us
relate
relate to ourselves are from
ourselves what the natures are fi-oni which,
in
in this
this progression,
progression, we we shall consider the First
shall consider First God
exempt.
exempt. Let us, as it celebrate
it were, celebrate Him, not as as
establishing the earth
establishing earth and heavens, nor giving sub-
nor giving
sistence to souls
sistence generations of mortals ; for
souls and the generations ; for
things
these things He produces indeed,
produces but amongst
amongst the last
last
of'
of things.
things. Prior, rather, let us celebrate Him as un-
let us un-
in
folding in Light
folding Light thethe whole Intelligiblc þÿUlliU
Intelligible Universe and¬7`S8a nd
intellectual
intellectual genusgenus of together
gods, together
gods, with all
all the super-
super-
mundane and mundane divinities divinities; as the God of all
; all
gods,
gods, the Unity
Unity of all unities,
all unities, and beyond
beyond the First
First
Adyta as more
Adyta; ; ineffable than all
more ineffable silence, and more
all silence, more
Unknown than all all recondite essence, as Holy Holy amongst

amongst ./f
the holies,
holies, and concealed FHfHWgsl
aniengsi the Intelligible gods.
Intelligible gods. UriZAAyr^
Such was theology of the wise Ethnics,
was the theology Ethnics, such
their piety, and with such an
their piety, an energetic cxpansion of
energetic expansion of'
their
their whole unfettered will
will and understanding,
understanding, did
did
they seek to prove
they Reality in
prove Reality in the Great Unknown
— unknown, because concealed in
-unknown, in this life —
this life-uncon-
uncon-
scious,
scious, even
even whilst yet
yet in
in Elysium,
Elysium, the soul looked
out through
through all
all her imaged light.
imaged light. But returning
returning
from thence into into herself with all all her beams concen-
tered, addressing
tered, addressing the Great Archetype, Archetype, He becomes
known
known; yet ;
yet not as in
in the individuated consciousness,
consciousness,
things
things are said to be known apart
apart; ; nor
nor as before,
before,
either in in separation
separation of subject
subject and object;
object ; but abso-
lutely,
lutely, in
in Identity;
Identity ; as passing
passing from herself the soul
no longer
no longer sees or distinguishes by
distinguishes by intellection nor
nor
imagines
imagines that there are two things,
things, but,
but, consubstan-
tial, becomes herself
tial,
herself) the ultimate object object as she was cA
before the subject
subject in simultaneous accord. And thus
the Divine Oracle ratifies ratifies the Platonic instruction
inquire.
to inquire.
There isis something Intelligible which it

sometliing Intelligible it behoves thee to under-
ivith the Flower of thy
stand with thy mind.
Tor it' thou inelinest
For if thy mind thou shalt understand this also,
inclinest thy also,
Yet understanding, comprehend this wholly:
understanding, thou shalt not comprehend wholly:
Tor it is
For it eircunllucid strength
is a Power of circumlucid glittering with vehe-
strength glittering
mence
mence of intellection.
iutellection.
246 More Esoteric
Mons Esormuc Vnsw.
View.
the ample
But with the ample flame
flame of the
of ample mind which measiu-eth
tlie ample ineasureth all
all
things,
thingB,
Except this
Except lntelligible:
this Intelligible:
lint
But it believes tliee
it behoves thee to
to iniderstand this also
understand this ;
fixedly, but hav-
also; not fixedly, hav-
ing
ing a pure turning
a pure tui'uiug eye,
eye,
the empty
Extend tlie empty mind of of thy soul towards the
thy soul the lntelligible,
Intelligible,
That thou mayest
mayest learn
learn the lntelligible, for
the Intelligible, for it exists beyond
it exists the
beyond the
mind.
Such isis the condition

condition and metaphysical alienation
metaphysical ahenation
which ancient experience
experience sublimely proved,
subHinely proved, as passing
passing
to deitication
deification ; which tl1c
; the natural reason echoes, but by
by
necessity of faith
a necessity only, since
faith only, it cannot pass
since it into the
pass into
snperstantial
superstantial proof.
proof. Theoretie
Theoretic contemplation,
contemplation, sen-
sible abstraction, continuity
sible abstraction, continuity of active
active thought, all
thought, all are
alike inadequate
alike inadequate ; Vithout
Without the Pontic
; Pontie Medium, with-
Theurgic assistance
out Tlieurgie assistance we are unable to transcend the
consciousness of thisthis life, prevented from
life, and so are prevented
carrying metaphysics
carrying metaphysics or of proving
proving existence on the
ontological ground.
ontological ground. But this
this desiring
desiring faith
faith of reason
by
by which she has persisted
persisted and still persists, occa-
still persists, ocea-
sionally
sionally to inquire
inquire and infer, respecting
infer, respecting causes which
beyond and behind her natural grasp,
are both beyond we
has, we
grasp, has,
think,
think, been compared
aptly compared
aptly to the perception
perception which
the eye light and colours
eye has of light colours; for sight, observing
for as sight,
; observing
believes, yet
believes, yet can afhrm
affirm nothing absolutely
nothing absolutely about the
reason or essences of colours colours; in; like manner
in like manner reason,
reason,
reflecting abstractedly, perceives necessity of subsist-
reflecting abstractedly, perceives a necessity subsist-
ence within itself,
itself, yet,
yet, unable to know, can B¢l`lll'l1] affirm
nothing
nothing with respect
respect to it.
it. For afiirmation
affirmation implies a
implies
testimony in
doubled testimony subject and object,
in subject object, or as aa
logician might
logieian might say, say, atlirmation
affirmation arises
arises out of that which
is composite
is composite from a predicate. If there-
a. subject and a predicate.
subject
fore Intelleet
Intellect should by any means
by any means be enabled to come come
visive contact with its
into visivc vision, as if
its vision, begetting an
if hcgetting
experience, it
experience, it would then assert;
assert and the assertion,
; assertion, as
respects itself,
respects itself, would be true;
true ;illld
and the disbelief of
disbelief
others who had not proved proved the same,
same, would be to it it
if some
as if some one havinghaving slept away his
slept away his life
life dreaming
dreaming in
this world,
world, should on awakening awakening to outward sense, sense,
persist
persist in
in those dreams with which he had been so
long
long conversant,
conversant, denying
denying the reality
reality of the appearing
api)caring
THE
The MYSTEIUES.
Mysteries. 24 7
247
world;
world and; his infatuation
as his obvious, and
infatuation would be obvious,
his denial
his denial disregarded
disregarded by mankind, so is
by is the blindness
of the sensible
sensible life
life described
described as obvious and lament-
able by
able by those who have passedpassed into
into a more profound
profound
and convictive
convictive experience.
experience.
But not reason, nor enthusiasm, nor ardent desire, desire,
intellectual conception,
nor an intellectual conception, nor abstraction, as we we
taught, conjoins
are taught, theurgists with the One
conjoins theurgists One; but ;
these are preparatory only to the self-oblivious

steps only
preparatory steps self-oblivious
amplitude of conception
amplitude precedes Him moving
conception which precedes moving
in the ultimate recessure of life.
in life.
He comes, says Plotinus, suddenly
says Plotinus, alone, bringing
suddenly alone, bringing
with him his own empyreal universe and total
his own empyreal total deity,
deity,
in one. And all
in all things in that ultimate circulation
things in circulation are
rliaphginous, nothing
diaphanous, resisting, as of subject
nothing dark or resisting, subject
and object
object remaining
remaining in in the mind;
mind but everything
everything is
; is
apparent to every
apparent faculty intrinsically
every faculty throughout. For
intrinsically throughout.
light everywhere meets light,
light evcryxvhere thought its
light, as thought its under-
standing in
standing all, continental all,
in the all, all, resident in in each
particular, perfect with all
particular, perfect all ; and the splendor
; splendor there is is
infinite, for
infinite, everything there is
for everything is great, even that which
great, even
is small,
is small, for
for it great. The sun
it has the great. sun which is is there
is all
is all the stars, and again
again each star is the sun,
is sun, anda11d all
all
stars, as ideas are in
the stars, in the mind everywhere,
everywhere, and the
same
same mind in all; all ;
only in each a different
only different quality
quality is is
dominant, yet
dominant, all
yet all are
comprehensible in
comprehensible in each,
each, and
transmutable one one into another, arise and
thoughts arise
another, as thoughts
displaced vithout
are displaced without disorder or opposive opposive persistence.
persistence.
Motion likewise there is harmonious, for the
perfectly harmonious,
is jjerfectly
motion is is not confounded, as in in the world it is, by

it is,
by a
mover different from itself
mover different itself ; but the seat of each thing
;
thing
is that which the thing
is thing itself is, and concurs
itself is, concurs and provesproves
itself to be what it
itself it is
is byby its
its own
own self'-evidence,
self-evidence, pro- pro-
ceeding constantly
ceeding tovards that whence it
constantly towards originated.
it originated.
Thus, that which thinks a11d

Thus, and understands,
understands, and the
thing
thing understood are one,
one, coeternal and coequal,
coequal, and
their substance is intellect, and Intellect
is intellect, Intellect according
according to
these philosophers
philosophers is is the subsistence of all. all.
But in the sensible world the circulation of things things isis

altogether diiierent;
altogether different ;for though
though this
this has been proved
proved
also to be an an outbirth from the same same universal centre, centre,
—
2-18
248 Moke Esoteuic
Moran ES(Y1Èll.lC View.
V1 nw.
yet c(iuilibriuoi of being

yet the equilibriuui being is
is broken everywhere
everywhere at
at
the
t he eircunifercnee for nianifestatioii
eircunifercnec for thing does not
one thing
manifestation ; o11e ;
subsist
subsist another, but each part
by another,
by individual remains
part or individual l'Cl]12l~lHS
alone in i11 contrariety
contrariety of conscience ; nor ;
l101' does thetl1e devious
wheel of life obey
of life obey her axle axle anyany more, until returning
until returning
i11to it,
into it, sl1e perceives
she perceives l1er
her error and the transgression
transgression
that was
that was made in in self-will,
self-will, for forthe
the sake of' this expe-
of this expe-
l`lG11CC, from the great
rience, great Law of Light, plenitude of
Light, from plenitude
Power, from
Power, f`rorn immortal Harmony,
Harmony, and that high high Exem-
plar
plar which is
is before all
all things,
things, and tl1e
the Final Cause of
all; which seeing
all ;
seeing only
only is
is seen, {l1]ClLl1`l(]Cl'Slli1l](lll1g` is
seen, and understanding is
understood by hy him,
him, who having
having a
sight
sight like
like that of
L.ynceus, penetrating
Lynccus, penetrating all all centres,
centres, discovers himself in in
That finally
finally which
wiiich is
is tl1e
the source
sou1'ee of all;
all a11d
and ;
passing
passing
from himself to That, That, transcending, attai11s the end of
transcending, attains
his progression.
his progression.
Ille defnn
Ille dei'im vitam aeeipiet, videbit
divisque videbit
accipiet, divisque
Perniixtos heroas,
Permixtos ipsc videbitur illis.
heroas, et ipse illis.
And thisthis was consummation of thc

was the eonsunnnation Mysteries,
the Mysteries,
the ground ofthe
ground of the Hernietic Hcrinetie philosophy, prolific in
philosophy, prolific in
supernatural increase,
supernatural increase, transmutations and magical
magical
eflects.
effects. And thus it it is
is said
said to be lawful for for the Vital
dcsccnd and ascend
Spirit to descend
Spirit ilSCC11(l inin successive circulations
u11til sl1c
until she terminates iIC1'
her flight in
in Principle of lJl1l1lg'S.
flight the Principle things.
this was
And this life of the gods
wâs the life gods and of divi11e
divine happy
happy
men,
IDCII, who rising
rising in
in voluntary abncgation
voluntary abnegation above the
evil and sensual habitnde
evil habitude of this this life many sufier-
life and many suffer-
ings to vhicl1
ings body is
which body allied, obtained,
is allied, together wdth
obtained, together with a
liberation fl'O1l1
liberation fi*om tl1ese, foretaste simple,
these, a foretaste beatific, and
simple, beatifie,
secure, of the
secure, tl1e life
life which is is eternal;
eternal ;when, by
when, by exciting
exciting
the divine virtue within,within, they they became
becanie simultaneously
simultaneously
elevated, and proceeding
elevated, proceeding through tl1rough Intellect to Wisdom,
they arrived at the First Principle
they Principle; and ; again de-
alld again
scending
scending þÿtllCl1CC,lll(21'C ¬lSll1g
thence, increasing in
in divine virtue by each
by
ascent,
ascent, until the total life
life was irradiated from the
ample
ample recess of light.
light.
Tunc
Tune ire mundum arehetypuin
ire ad mnndum archetypum smpc redire
atque redirc
S53epe atqne
/"Lg/Lf,/, ~> v
y^jZ-y^vL^ry-^ l'at1'e1nq:1:e==:n»ia speetare
Patreiiijp*ffaj»ii«ia licebit-
spectare licebit
Cujus tune Co-operator

Cujus tunc Co-operator eflcctus
effectus potest
potest Omnia.
;
Tn E Mysteries.
The A/IYSTERIES. 249
But there many degrees

are many degrees of of Divine illumination
illumination; ;
1101' were the rites

nor Eleusis found to be equally
of Eleusis
rites of cfii-
equally effi-
eacious for
cacious all; since
for all; since all souls are not of
all souls equal capacity
of equal capacity
bias towards intellectual
or bias intellectual education z but as philoso-
:
philoso-
phers agree that preceding
phers agree initiations are preparatory
preceding initiations preparatory
to those in in a subsequent order,
a subsequent possession of the
order, so the possession
best habits
habits of thought
of thought in
in this
this life,
life, and incli-
natural incli-
nation, render the Spirit
nation, Spirit better
better adapted
adapted to sublime.
Plato, accordingly, cites the records of the Mysteries,
accordingly, cites Mysteries,
to Witness
witness that there are many many more Thyrsus bearers
more Thyrsus
than Bacchic souls; souls ; which is say, that many
is to say, many had
the tire
tire indeed, and were able even to perceive perceive it, it, who
were without the power

were
power to discover and draw it
it forth
forth to
manifestation.
manifestation. ill the Thyrsus,
For, in Pronietheus is
Thyrsus, Prometheus fa-
is fa-
bled to have concealed the fire stole from heaven ;

fire he stole ;
but Bacchus, persisting

Bacchus, persisting through
through the whole course of
life allotted,
life allotted, returned, as the Orphie Orphic verse denotes
triumphant, and appearing
l1in1, triumphant,
him, appearing in in splendour
splendour to
mortals.
Bacchus, ipse
Bacclius, ipse totus igneus
igneus et fulgidus qui nudis oculis
appareret, qui
fulgidus appareret, oculis
toierari non posset.
tolerari non posset.
So Osiris appeared in shining

appeared in garments, as Apollo,
shining garments, Apollo,
all over so Socrates^ his mighty genius (^'^'^
(//'/
all radiant;
radiant Socrateslxhis mighty genius once
; once
freed, in
freed, ecstacy shone forth,
in ecstacy forth, as itit is related, to the
is related,
more dazzling than the luciferous wheel of

heholders, more
beholders, dazzling
the meridian sun, itself from the freed centre
diffusing itself
sun, diffusing
outwardly until it
outwardly until it moved the dark cireuinference
circumference of
itself?
sense itself.^
So great Alcides, mortal mould resigned,

great Alcides, resigned.
His better part enlarged and all
part enlarged all relined;
refined
August
August his Visage
visage shone Almighty Jove
shone;; Almighty
car his honoured offspring
his swift ear
In his oflspring drove.
So Orpheus, and/divine Achilles shone refulgcnt

Orpheus, and/^divine refulgent
armour and Jason,
in his armour; on l1is
Jason, on
; his return from Colchis,
Colchis,
with the Golden Fleece.
1
Agrippa Phil, book iii.
1 Agrippa Occult Phil. iii. where are given several notable
given
; and Apuleius onon the Demon of Socrates.
examples
examples in this kind;
kind Apuleius
250 More Esormue
Mona Esoteric Vnzw.
View.
But, say the expouuders,

say the expounders, all
all this splendid delirium
this splendid delirium
transfiguration in
and transfiguration in the Mysteries
Mysteries was was the effecteffect of
narcotic liquors,
narcotic liquors, which were administered to the A15/size Mystce
before the
before the shows commenced, causing causing a confusion
of their intellects,
ot" their intelleets, and the strange strange and miraculous ap- a])-
pearance
pearance of
of the objects
objects exhibited
exhibited to them. But this
this
is all a mistake;
is all mistake arising
; naturally enough
arising naturally enough out of the
tendency
tendency of
of common
common sense, Procrustes like, to acco111-
accom-
modate all things
all things to tl1e
the limitation
limitation of its
its own sphere,
sphere,
which þÿC01U])1'
comprehends ¬l1Cl1dSbut a small part, part, however, of the
things which are. The light
things light exhibited in in the Eleusiuian
Eleusinian
mysteries,
mysteries, i.
i. e.,
e., in
in the true initiations, as is
is plainly to
plainly
be gathered
gathered from the sense of the ancients, was the
Light
Light of Life
Life which these could kindle illltl
and fortify, and
fortify,
the total
total drama was Di\dne. Divine. Let ignorance disbelieve,
ignorance disbelieve,
and impiety
impiety reprobate,
reprobate, as
long
long as they
they are able; ; those
Tlieurgic
Theurgic associations were
were neither futile
futile nor
nor
unholy;
unholy ;
nor were the visions visions or gods gods attending

attending on on those
Mysteries dead images,
Mysteries images, nor mere mere symbols,
symbols, nor impo-
nor impo-
tent, nor
tent, idle, nor
nor idle, invisible, though
nor invisible, though unseen. For are
we not taught
we
taught by by the highest philosophic authorities
highest philosophic
to believe that by by 'l`henrgie
Theurgic rites,
rites, an ascent was
an was made
through
through appropriate
appropriate media and a
gradual assimilation,
which without these could not be effected, etlected, to the
knowledge
l\nowlc(lge of the First
First Cause ,
; and that theoretic
not theoretic
only,
only, but aetual
actual in
in co-eiheiency
co-efficiency of being
being and universal
intellcction.
intellection.
And here, if any
here, if agree with us,
any agree us, he will readily
will readily
appreciate that mandate of the Mysteries
appreciate Mysteries which
ibrbids things should be divulged
forbids that divine things divulged to tothe
the
uuinitiated.
uninitiated. For beyond
beyond the danger
early danger
early to unpuri-
unpuri-
ticd
fied souls,
souls, there remains this this objection,
objection, that such
things cannot be understood by
things by the multitude,
multitude, nornor
rightly any but by
by any
rightly by by those only
only who were fortunately
fortunately
enabled to perceive
perceive them. But it it is
is not possible, fol-
possible, fol-
lowing their descriptions,
lowing sublimely articulate rela-
descriptions, the sublimely
tions of the Greek 31](lAlCXi1H(l1'lt1l]
and Alexandrian Platonists,
Platonists, or those
no less profound
no less
protbund and earnest Mystics
Mystics of the middle
ages, concerning
ages, hypostasis and last
concerning the divine hypostasis last con-
junction of the contemplative
junction contemplative soul and a11d its
its lll11]10l'till
immortal
THE Mvsrnruss.
The Mysteries. 251
experience, to
experience, to maintain an indiflerent spirit,
an indifferent with-
or with-
spirit, or
being in
out being degree moved to
in a degree responsive
to a responsive sense of
their reality.
their reaUty. And he who, beingbeing endowed with a a
pereipient
percipient mind and liberal,
Hberal, will
will take pains
pains to examine
writings, or even
those w^ritings, even those of of the reputed
reputed enemies
faith —
their faith-the
of their the enlightened
enlightened Fathers of of the Christian
Christian
Church-may
Church — may be persuaded by very
persuaded by very much evidence, too
much to intrudeintrude in in this place,
this place, that the Eleusinian
rites alluded to,
rites to, and the objects objects attained,
attained, werewere of
differing from those which have been
widely diflering
a nature widely
generally reported.
generally reported. And if,if, as must be indeed ad- ad-
mitted, they they became latterly disgraced
latterly disgraced in
in impure
impure
hands, yet yet thisthis ought
ought not by by any
any means detract
means to detract
from our esteem of the original original institution,
institution, to which
latter orgies
those latter orgies were diametrically opposed. That
were diametrically opposed.
the Mysteries
Mysteries were instituted pure there is
pure no doubt,
is no
since
since it universally allowed ; early
is universally
it is ; Christians con-
early Christians
curring with the wisest Ethnies
curring Ethnics in declaring that they
in declaring they
proposed
proposed the noblest ends,
ends, and by
by the worthiest means
means
attained them ; where not only

; only every thing within was
every thing
conducted with deeorum, decorum, but utmost care was was taken
to secure the same same for for those passing
passing without the Fane, Fane,
where misbehaviour, even even of the eye, was accounted
eye, was
criminal, and indiseretion
criminal, indiscretion was punished, and profana-
was punished, profana-
tion byby death. That all all was
was a mere machination and
lure, or the visions of men
priestly lure,
priestly men of obscured intel- intel-
lccts,
lects, isis an
an assumption arising out of the double igno-
assumption arising igno-
rance of modern times;
rance times; all those immortal fables
all fables
descriptions of poets,
glowing descriptions
and glowing philosophers, saints,
poets, philosophers, saints,
and historians belie belie the folly,
folly, and reflect it on those
reflect it
regarding the fluctuating

who, from regarding
who, fluctuating objects
objects of sense
only, with a trifling
only, imagination, have obscured the
trifling imagination,
high reality and light
high reality light of better days.
days.
But itit isis then,
then, as Epictctus says, that the idea
Epictetus says,
Mysteries becomes truly
of the Mysteries venerable, when,
truly venerable, when,
ancients, we
believing the ancients,
believing we begin to understand their
begin
assertion, that all
assertion, things therein were provided
all things provided by by
them for
for the improvement
improvement and perfection of human
perfection
life.
life.
Thus far far wewe have endeavoured to sketch through

through
;
252 More
Mons Esoteric VIEW.
ESOTERIC View.
the order of of the

thc Mysteries
Mysteries to their consummation;
to their consummation
for the sake of
for the aflbrding
of affording a
a
ground to
gi-ound to the pursuit
pursuit
inquiry,
of our inquiry, to indicate
indicate the connection of the
the Sa-
Sa-
cred Art and Alchemy,
Alchemy, and inaslnuch
inasmuch as modern
revelation permit, the nature of
revelation would permit, that Art
of that Aii; and
proper Subject
proper Subject of this
this philosophy.
philosophy. In the progress
progress
this Vital
of this Experiment,
Vital Experiment, it
it may
may not be ditlicult
difficult to
imagine
imagine that
that powers
powers would be disclosed
disclosed and particular
particular
secrets of nature in in the substance of her Vhole. Whole.
These intermediate fi'uits fruits and fragments,
fragments, havinghaving
intervals to the world,
been exhibited at intervals world, without a dis- dis-
covery
covery of'
of their
their source, have given
given risc
rise to much asto-
nislnnent and misapprehension,
nishment and those futile
þÿl1]lS ¬1I)l)1` ¬l] ¬l1SlOl], re-
futile rc-
searchcs of common
searches chemistry after
common chenlistry elixir and gold.
after the elixir gold.
vhieh are
Both of which vital products,
arc vital products, as we we shall
shall proceed
i)rocecd
elucidate with the method and metaphysical
to elucidate nietaphysical origin
origin
of' the
of Philosopher's Stone.
thc Pl1ilosopher's Stone.
PART
PART III.
THE LAWS
CONCERNING THE LAVS AND
ANI) VITAL
THE HERMETIC
OF THE
CONDITIONS OF
EXPERIMENT.
255
CHAPTER I.
l.
Q/`t/ze
Of the Experimental /i/el/mf! and
Experimental Method an/I Fcrrfzelztzziinu
Fermentation of 1/ze
fy' the
P/zilosop//ic þÿSll@ ¬Cf,fzccvrmlizzg
Philosophic Subject, according to Z/ze 1)(l)`0(`Cf.¥i/(ll
to the Paracelsian
Alc/:enlists and .some
Alchemists ot/zers.
sovie others.
Naturam in primis
Naturain in imitabcre in
primis imitabere niagister.
in arte magister.
Ilanc iuassaiu exterior taiitum
massam exterior calor excitat
tantum calor ignis
excitat ignis ;
;
Zllthereo interior seel

JEthereo interior sed periicit
perficit oninia
omnia fotu.
fotu.
Tractatus —
Trczctatus _/lztreus--Sc/zolium,
Aureus Scholium, cap. i.
cap, i.
-yr,
is notless
T is tendency of the Greek philosophy
not less 'aa tendency philosophy
IT to substantializc life, than to free
substantialize life, free the conscious
being from corporeal
being dependency ; in
corporeal dependency ; considering mind
in considering
apart from its
apart its material organs,
organs, they by no
they by means make
no means
it
it appear
appear therefore as an an abstract conception,
conception, or inin-
ferential only, as with modern metaphysics
ferential only, metaphysics is is the ease;
case;
but as an an absolute substratal matter also of existence. existence.
On justjust such a foundation do the Alchemists esta-
blisl1 their Free Masonry;
blish their Masonry claiming
; like extreme attri-
claiming like attri-
butes and miraculous origin for their first
origin for first matter,
matter, as
do the Greeks,
Greeks, forfor that ethereal hypostasis
hypostasis We we were
were
before discussing.
discussing. A few also profess,
A profess, with the same
admirable earnestness,
earnestness, to have observed in in the experi-
experi-
development of their .weliek
mental development whole internal being,
being, the /Ttomy
procedure of the occult nature into evidence,
whole procedure evidence,
with her universal efiicient by the
efficient by Light of Wisdom
thc Light WlSLl0ll]
thcnceforth revealed.
thenceforth
ignorance of the means
In ignorance means by which such a spec-
by spec-
tacle was obtained,
tacle was may continue unaccredited,
they may
obtained, they unaccredited,
their assertion is
for their
for is at variance with the judgment of
judgment
common
common sense,sense, neither does it it belong
belong to the natural
order of mental experience;
experience ;
nevertheless, since the
nevertheless,
philosophy, and every
whole of the Hermetic philosophy, every tradition
science, depend
of occult science, immediately
depend immediately therefrom,
therefrom, for
our undertakings
our undertaking's sake,sake, itit will
will be requisite
requisite to consider
25G
256 and CONDITIONS.
Laws AND Conditions.
their Initial
this, their
this, Principle, particularly, and how
Initial Principle, more particularly,
in its
it became known in
possibly it
possibly first arcane descent
its first
and emanation.
We have already
Ve endeavoured to prepare
already endeavom-ed prepare a way way
in part,
in part, showing
showing the imperfection
imperfection of
of the natural Spirit
natural Spiiit
this world, the oecultation
in this
in occultation of its Light, and the
its Light,
vital alteration that was deemed necessary
vital alteration necessary and ope- ope-
rated inin the Mysteries
Mysteries upon upon those who were desirous
immortality in
of wisdom and immortality in the awakening
awakening con-
science of a divine
science divine life within.
life within. Let us examine yet yet
into the Method
further into
further this Vital
llfcl/:od of this Experiment,
Vital Experiment, that,
that,
proceeding to unfold the Art in
before proceeding
before in actual practice,
i)ractice,
may understand the Principles;
we may Principles ; and be enabled,
from out the many sophistry in in which it it is
many clouds of sophistry is
enveloped,
enveloped, to distinguish
distinguish that Light
Light and virtue of true
Chemistry, by
Chemistry, by which the ancients were assisted assisted :-that
:
—
that
deformed and limping CEdipus, for
limping (Edipus, for example
example; so that
;
he was able to vanquish Metaphysical lIonster,

vanquish the Metaphysical Monster,
and enter in in with her to the Temple Temple of Truth.
And here, preliminarily, we
here, preliminarily, we maymay remark with how
propriety the Egyptians
much propriety Egyptians placedplaced the Sphinx Sphinx in in
the vestibule of Isis, Isis, who is is the same same with Minerva
Wisdom we are investigating;
and that Visdom investigating ; for what the
for
Spirit is
intelligent Spirit
natural intelligent is in man, that Ether is
in man, is
universe; and this

in the universe
in ;
this intelligence, phantastic as it
intelligence, phantastic it
is and drawn without, may

is called the vestibule of
may be called
Reason, which is,
Reason, is, as itit were, temple of that Intel-
were, the temple
lectual Illumination which proceeds, proceeds, when the con-
ditions are duly
ditions otlered, from the Divinity
duly offered, Divinity within. In
our vestibule,
our therefore, the Phantastic Spirit,
vestibule, therefore, Spirit, which is is
the natural vehicle of our hfe, life, is situated; and in
is situated ;
manner the commonly

a similar manner diffused Ether is
commonly diitused is as a
respect of the universal soul of
in respect
vestibule or vehicle in
world, which is
the world, suspended in
oeeultly suspended
is occultly Nature, and
in Nature,
may
may be called her temple
temple; as an an outward shadow,
;
guarding
guarding the Light
Light within of both worlds, is that
worlds, so is
Sphinx of the Universe.
Ether then the Sphinx
And she is
is all passively which the internal
things passively
all things
light is
light impassively. By
is impassively. form, combined
By her animal form,
summit, is
with the human face and summit, is indicated the two-
EXPERIMENTAL l'IETHOD.
Experimental Method. 2.57
257
fold capability and diflusion

fold capability of such a life;
diffusion of life for
for she
; she is
is
the .summit
summit of irrational mind relying
of the irrational relying on instinct,
ba.s'isvhe1'eon
and the basis whereon to build
build the rational
rational and trans-
cend opinion
opinion in in indivisible
indivisible science.
science. Her wings
wings are
images of the elevating
images power which the imagination
elevating power imagination
possesses, by
possesses, by which likewise
likewise she is capable
is rendered capable
divine assimilation
of divine assimilation and of returning
returning within and
upward to
upward to a region vivid intellection
region of vivid intellection everywhere
everywhere
resplendent with light.'
resplendent light'
Door-keeper of the Egyptain
Such was the Door-keeper Mys-
Egyptain Mys-
teries;
teries ; agreeably also
agreeably also do we find the art of Alchemy
we find Alchemy
directed upon the same enigmatical
directed upon enigmatical source.
A is invisible,
A nature to search out which is invisible,
of our Maistry
Material of insensible.
Maistry a substance insensible.
This Material, whilst yet immanifest, they

yet immanifest, they worked,
worked with by
and Worked by itself joining self
itself alone ; _joining
;
self to self,
self, as
—
runs vita vitam concipit,
the advice runs-vita concipit, natura naturam
vincit ac superat,
vincit superat, patefacit,
patefacit, gignit renovat; item
gignit et renovat ;
natura natura leetatur

leetatur et emendeturf as men
emendetur ;^ men also
now prove, mesmerising one another,
now prove, mesmerising another, but without the
knowledge
important knowledge
important how to alter
alter and amend the Thing.
Thing.
This Mesmerism, in respect of our Mystery
in respect may
then, may
Mystery then,
be regarded
regarded as a first
first key which, opening
key which, opening into the ves-
tibule, affords
tibule, View within the sense's
affords a view prison, but of
sense's prison,
labyrinth of life
the labyrinth life only.
only. vary at the circum-
Facts vary
ference,
ference, and appear
appear often so contradictory that reason
contradictory reason
is at a loss,
is loss, even if
if otherwise admitted capable,
capable, for stable
materials whereon to base judgment judgment 5 and each suc-
;
some unforeseen diversity of

yields to some
theory yields
ceeding theory
ceeding diversity
Spirit's
the Spirit's manifestation. If the ancients had known
the inner life only as it
life only it is now known, if
is now they had mis-
if they
revelations,
taken dreams for revelations, instinct for intellectual
vision,
vision, and insensibility
insensibility for the highest good, and so
highest good,
left Nature to dream on
left on and take her rest without
thought to probe
exerting a thought
exerting probe or prosper
prosper her ability,
ability,
11 Taylor's Notes to his Pausanias ; an

See Taylor's an admirable extract from
;
concerning the Sphinx,

Hermonseus concerning
Lasus Hermonwus vol. iii.
Sphinx, vol. iii.
2 alii in T
Rosariuin, Democritus et alii
Arnoldi Rosarium,
2 Arnold! urbn Philosophorum
Turba Philosophorum ;
;
De Lapidis Physici
Lapidis Physici Condit. cap. iii.
cap. iii.
S
258 Laws
Lsws AND
and Coxmrloxs.
Conditions.
then theythey would have been just just such inconsiderable

inconsiderable
heathens as the world has taken them for; for the Sphinx
; Sphinx
had never owned her mastery mastery or yielded yielded to theirstheirs her
wary wit
wâry wit ; then they
;
they would have been, as we, servants,
not masters;
masters plodding
; interpreters of
plodding interpreters of effects,
effects, without
power
power or
preseience.
prescience. But it
it was all
was otherwise, as
all otherwise, as
will
will one
day
day be perceived,
perceived ;
their philosophy
their philosophy as far
far
exceeded ours ours in in substance and objective certainty, as
objective certainty,
it does avowedly
it avowedly in beauty and intellectual
scope, beauty
in scope, intellectual
promise.
promise.
It may be considered that the
It may thc discovery
discovery of Vital Vital
Magnetism
Magnetism is young,is young, and has had no
no time to grow
grov up up
into a
into science; that it
a science ;
is the business of a philosopher
it is philosopher
to observe and gather gather factsfacts from without patiently patiently and
compare experiences
compare experiences ; ; and we
we do not object but admit
object
that it is
it is a way;
a way ;but whether it
it isis the best way,
way, or
surest,
surest, to find
find the truth eventually we doubt
eventually we doubt: :
long
a. long
a
way
way we
we all
all know it
it to be—
be-laborious
laborious and not very
very
cheering, if'
cheering, we regard
if we regard the point point to which it it has hither-
hither-
to attained in in the most intelligentintelligent and experienced
experienced
hands. Or how should should they the)" attempt
attempt to theorise
about a revelation that is is above their their own own?? as well
might
might we
we presume
presume to estimate the worth of a treasure
that isis unseen, as to judge judge of spiritual
spiritual causes from rc-re-
mote effects.
effects. ls not experience
Is experience the basis
basis of true
knowledge, and rational
knowledge, rational experiment
experiment the proper proper road to
attain it?it ? How then can can we we hope for an
hope an understand-
ing
ing of'
of spiritual
spiritual causes without entering
entering in
in upon the
upon
proper ground
proper ground of their
their experience? Verily, says
experience ? Verily, says the
adept,
adept, as long
long as men
men continue to lick lick the shell after
their fashion, presuming
fashion, presuming to judge
judge of hidden celestial
celestial
things which are shut up
things up inin the closet of of' the matter,
matter,
all the while perusing
and all perusing the outside, outside, they can do no
they can
otherwise than they they have done; done; theythey cannot know
things substantially,
things substantially, but only
only describe them by by their
effects and motions
outward effects motions, which are subject
> subject and ob-
every common
1
vious to every common eye.* eye.
But be the modern method of experimenting experimenting as it it
1
^ Yaughan's Auima Magia
`'aughau`s Aniina Abscondita, p.
Magia Abscondita, S.
p. 8.
ExPERmEN'1'AL Method.
Experimental Mrrruon. 259
may, right or
may, right according to
wrong, according
or wrong, opinion, the ancients
to opinion, ancients
did
did not choose it
it ;
; but adopted different
adopted a different one in
a one in their
their
philosophy;
philosophy ;which wc, observing
we, observing the imperfect
imperfect fruitsfruits
of the inductive
inductive sciences generally, and that
sciences generally, that facts ac-
facts ae~
cumulated about them for ages,
for ages, have failed in every in-
failed in every in-
stance to yield the satisfaction
to yield satisfaction which reason requires, requires,
particularly desirous
more particularly
are more desirous to to examine at the pre- pre-
sent time, if if peradventure
peradventure philosophyphilosophy might might hope hope
advantage to return with her instruments to work
with advantage
formerly on
as formerly on the It (I priori ground. It
priori ground. It has lain long
lain a long
uncultivated, and indigenous
while uncultivated, indigenous weeds briers
and briers
have sprung
sprung up ovcr, so that
up over, that it it is is difficult,
difficult, on first first
view,
view, to believe
believe that it
it ever
yielded foreign
yielded foreign fruits
fruits ;; but
patience,
patience, and the possibility granted,
possibility granted, we
we will
will endea-
vour to clear
vour
path, by
clear a path, by the helphelp of evidences that yet yet
remain, many
remain, many and curious,
curious, about the riches
riches of Wisdom
VV-iS(lOI11
and those livi11g living waters that abound in in Paradise,
Paradise,
compassing
compassing about too that land of Havilah where good
good
gold ;1
gold is
is ;^ the Tree of Life
Life also,
also, and Knowledge, and
Knowledge,
other precious
precious thingsthings Wonderfully
wonderfully adulnbrated
adumbrated about
penetralia of True Being.-Surely
the penetralia Being. — Surely there is is a vein for
for
si/ver, says Job,
the silver, says Job, and a
place
place for
for gold
go/(I where they
they
_/ine it.
Jine it. [ron is
Iron is taken out of the earth, earl/2, and brass is is
molten out of the stone. As for for the earth, cart/2, out of it
it
cometh bread :: and under
Cometh ander it is turned up
it is up as it it were
were
fre. And the stones of it
Jire. it are the place place of Sapp/zires
sapphires ::
and itit hath dust of ry" gold.
gold. There is
is a path which no
pat/z
knoweth, and which the vuiturels
fowl knoweth,
fowl vulture's eye eye hath not
seen: the lions
seen : whelps have not troddefz
Ziorfs w/:alps trodden it, it, nor
nor the
Zion passed
fierce lion
fierce passed by.by. He putteth
putteth forth his /mud
hand upon
upon
roek ;; he overturneth the uzoznzlaifzs
the rock mountauis by by the roots.
He cutteth out rivers among among the rocks; rocks ; and his ei/e eye
seeth everyevery precious
precious thing. thing. He bindeth the food flood
overflowing; and the t/ling
from overflowing; thing that is is /vid
hid bringeth
bringeth
he forth to [ig/lt.light. But where shall wisdom be found found??
and where is is the place þÿIHl(] ¬7`8L'(1}l(]f}1g? Man knoweth
place of understanding?
price thereof;
not the price thereof; neither is is itit to be found in the
/and ff
latul living. Whence
t/ze living.
of the "thence then cometh Visd0m Wisdom '?? and
1^
Genesis, chap.
Genesis, chap. ii. vcr.
ii. 10, and following.
ver. 10, following.
s 2
260 Laws AND CONDITIONS.
LAWS and Conditions.
where is place of understanding

is the place understanding ?? Seeing Seeing itit is hid
is hid
from the eyes eyes ofof all living,

all living, and kept
kept close
close from the
fowls of
fowls the air.
if the air. God understandeth the way way thereof.
thereof.
lookcth to the ends of earth,
For he looketh cart/2, and seeth
seeth wider
under
whole heaven ;; to make the weight
the wlzole
the weight for the the winds;
winds ;
weigheth the waters by
and he weigheth by measure. When he
made aa decree for for the rain
rain and a way way for
for the light-
light-
ning
ning and tlzzuzder:
thunder: t/zen
then did
did he it,
see it, and declare
declare it;
it;
prepared it,
he prepared it, and searc/:ed
searched it it out. And unto man man he
said, Behold, the fear of t/ze

said, the Lord, that that is
is Wisdom ; ,-
and to from
depart from
to depart evil
evil is
is Understandizzgf
Understanding}
Let us, then, investigate
investigate a means for for the discovery
discovery of
Wisdom, as the ancients declare to be right
VlSdO1`l1, right and pro- pro-
fitable, and believe that he spoke
fitable, spoke well
well and summarily
summarily
said, that " the first
"
who said, first step
step inin philosophy
philosophy is is to set
the mind a-going."
a-going."'
As we we are informed that the conduct of the Mys- Mys-
teries was uniform and entirely
teries entirely scientific;
scientific so likevise
; likewise
philosophers
philosophers insist insist that,
that, inin the Hermetic art, art, theory
theory
ought
ought to precede practice
precede practice ; and
; that,
that, before the Spirit
Spirit
can be expected
can expected to yield yield any rational or pure
any rational pure effects,
she must be made to conceive conceive them : the right
: right way
way and
object being well understood.-Dwell
investigation being
object of investigation understood. — Dwell
altogether
not altogether in
in the practice,
practice, says
says the adept,
adept, for
for that
is
is not the way way to improve
improve it it: be sure to add reason to
:
experience, and to employ

thy experience,
thy employ thy thy Nlllld
mind as well as thy thy
hands?
hands. "^
So wrote Vaughan
Vaughan in and, to the same
1 650 ; and,
in 1650; same
effect, artists
effect, artists of everyevery age
age: and, and, in
: in the sequel
sequel of this
inquiry, we
inquiry, we maymay understand W/ly; Why ; and why why we we have
no such miracles as those which are related of the

apostles in former times who received the
saints and apostles
gift healing from their Lord.
gift of healing Is it
Is it not obvious to
common
common sense, sense, that he that would heal others, others, or hope
or hope
impart any
to impart any superior eflicacy, should first
superior efficacy, first of allall heal
or be healed himself
himself?? Take first first the beam from out
thine own
own eye, and then thou mayest see clearly
eye, mayest clearly to
take out the moat that is is in in thy
thy brother's
brother's eye:eye and:
again, is
again, is itit not —
written,--Physician
written, Prepare
thyself; Prepare
Physician heal thyself;
1
^
Job, elmp.
Job, xxviii.
cliap. xxviii.
9'
Yaughan's Luinon de Lmnino,
vll.llgllfllliS Lumen p. IS.
Luiiiino, p. 18.
;
EXPERIBIENTAL
Experimental METHQD.
Method. 261
thy wo1'k
thy without, and make it
work without, it fit
fit for thyself in
for thyself in the
field;;
field and afterwards build
build thy
thy house?
house. If, then, wê
If,^ we go
out atat once to common life

to throw our common common
life to common
what wonder we have only
lives, w^hat
lives, only common results results??
That much depends quality of the life
upon the quality
depends upon life im-
parted, general observation teaches

parted, general teaches; and with what
;
consequences the moral leaven is

corresponding consequences
sure corresponding is
attended may may be understood, in in a degree,
degree, by by the
recipient in
recipient in the mesmeric trance. But the spon- spon-
taneous fermentation which the Vital Spirit Spirit undergoes,
undergoes,
and the change
change which is is thereby effected in
thereby effected in the Passive
Subject, is
Subject, is not taken advantage
advantage of in in modern practice,
practice,
or pushed uttermost; much less
or pushed to the uttermost ; less is
is understood,
understood,
that exact art art of grafting transplanting which
grafting and transplanting
the ancients practised,
practised, and by means of which a
by means
growth and sublimation of the Spirit
growth Spirit was effected,
effected,
even
even to a third,
third, fourth, fifth degree
fourth, and fifth degree of concen-
trated essentiality
essentiality in many representative
in as many vessels or
representative vessels
forms.
The true medicine,
medicine, according Paracelsians, is
according to the Paracelsians, is
bound in in man,
man, shut up as it
up may be milk,
it may Within the
milk, within
hard and solid nut and as fire
solid nut: : fire which lies
lies hidden inin
fuel,
fuel, unless it
it be ignited,
ignited, is
is good
good for
for nothing, so our
nothing, our
fire of life
fire life (called Antimony by
(called Antimony adepts) can effect
by adepts) effect no-
thing comparatively
thing comparatively excellent whilst it
it is
is immured.
When however,
however, by by a due purgation,
purgation, the pure life is
pure life is
separated,
separated, as metal from the dark and sordid ore, it
ore, it
will
will flow forth,
forth, as is
is declared,
declared, ""
a pure panacea from
pure panacea
;"
god of Light
the god Light ;"
"Those
AJVhose fragrant locks distil
fragrant locks distil ambrosial dews,
dews,
Drop gladness down and
Drop gladnessclown blooming health
and blooming health diffuse
diffuse;
Where'er
Where'er the
the genial falls
p'anàcea fall^,
genial planacea "" ^^-.^
Health 'crowns the§tate,
crowns the state, and safeft'y».guaH§'the
and safe^yûards'the walla.^
walls?
As all
all things by fire,
proved by
things are proved also, are we
fire, so also, told,
we told,
trial of the knowledge

the trial knowledge of physic
physic is
is to be made by
by
fire; physic
fire ; physic and pyrotechny,
pyrotechny, says
says Crollius,
Crollius, cannot be
separated;
separated for
; thc
the natural inbred chemist teaches to
'
' Wisdom ofSolo1non,
`\'isdom of Solomon, and in Proverbs,
Proverbs, chap.
chap. xxiv.
2
2 Callimachus's Hymn to Apollo,
Callimachus's Hymn by Dodd.
Apollo, by
and Conditions.
every mystery
segregate every
segregate into its
mystery into its own reservaele,
reservacle, and
free
to free the
the medicine from those scurvy envelopes
scurvy envelopes
wherein naturally it is
naturally it is wrapped,
wrapped, by by a due separation
separation
impurities and filthy
from the impurities filthy mixtures ofof superiieial
superficial
elements that the pure
external elements; ; czlysta//inc matter
pure crystaUine
may
may be administered to our bodies therefore a
bodies; and therefore ; a
physician
physician should bc
be born of the light
light of grace
grace and
spirit of the invisible
spirit of invisible divinity.' Wherewith a man
divinity? W'herewith
no longer
no asks,
longer asks, What
Vhat is
is it?
it? How this be? or,
can this
Whence
`Vl1ence come
come such salutary
salutary effects?
effects ? For it
it feels itself
feels itself
move in
move in conscious virtue
virtue from its its own source, beingbeing
allied, as an efilux
allied, of' that living
efflux of light which can move
living light
mountains to its its faith.
faith.
To find this Light,
find this Light, a11d free it
and to free captivity, was
it from captivity,
physicians in
practice of physicians
the practice in the middle periods,periods, for for
curing bodily
curing bodily ills,
ills, and administering
administering to the defects
age. But the Theurgie
of age. Theurgic Art professed
professed a powerpower of pu- pu-
rifying
rifying and informing
informing the Mind much more benencial
beneficial
and lasting
lasting than this pertaining to the mortal body,
this pertaining body,
and farfar advanced beyond beyond that object; approaching
object approaching
^
za/me( J
tpiXTtiAjL more nearly,
nearly, as it it would seem,
seem, 1^
;
fulfilment of'
Q a fulnlment of the
perfect
perfect doctrine of regeneration preached
regeneration preached by Jesus by
Christ and his apostles, than any
his apostles, any other known ; for, ; by
for, by
effectual baptismal
an eflTectual
an
baptismal purification, they
purification, they also prepared
prepared
way, and by
the way, by a gradual subjugation of the passions
gradual subjugation passions
and adaptation
adaptation of the subordinate powers
powers to reason,
reason,
whole hypostasis
the wdiole hypostasis was converted through
finally through
finally
identity of'
Hiith into the identity
faith of substant lightlight within.
And it it appears that, in
appears that, in order to discover this this Reason,
Reason,
men
men had in in former times the iaith faith to putput the question
question
to Nature rationally:
rationally : not rudely indeed, or,
rudely indeed, or, as is is with
modern chemistry
chemistry the fashion, demohsh her ediiices
fashion, to demolish edifices
and burn her out of life life and home;
home; but they they knocked,
knocked,
was bid them,
as was them, and the doo1's doors being opened from
being opened
within, they
within, enjoyed and took advantage
they enjoyed advantage of ot' their en-
en-
trance as lawful guests guests: and,
:and, when all ready, and
all was ready,
they were admitted to the inner chamber,

they chamber, we we ohscrvc
observe
l
' k`rollins` Pbilosopliy,
Sec Crullhis'
See Pliilosophy, The True PliVfic, chap. i.i.
Plnysic, chap. Also B.
àle|niuc's (."liariot
Valeutiue's l`hariot dt"
oi' Aittimony. p. 42. <tc.
lltlll0ll)'. )). Xe.
^ ^
;
METHOD.
ExPEn1r1ENTAL Method,
Experimental 263
them still,
still, not so engaged in
much engaged in noting phenomena,
noting phenomena,
or looking for facts
looking about for facts to furnish private judgment
furnish private judgment;
but more
more becomingly
becomingly inquisitive, addressing them-
inquisitive, addressing
admiring there where they
selves to Nature, and admiring
selves they found
her happily exalted
happily exalted above them, sphered
sphered in
in the magian
magian
circle
circle of her own light:
own light not
:
stupidly gazing either, but
stupidly gazing either,
speculative,
speculative, how they approach nearer and be-
they might approach
might be-
come worthy
come
worthy of the knowledge
knowledge and familiarity
famiHarity of that
light. For they
light. they wêre
were not content with first first phe-
phe-
nomena, nor did Theurgists
did Theurgists disturb
disturb the divine
divine intellect
intellect
about trifling concerns but they
trifling concerns; they consulted it
;
it about
things which pertain

things purification, liberation, as
pertain to purification,
tells us, and the salvation of life.
J amblicus tells
Jamblicus life. Neither
did they studiously
did they employ themselves in
studiously employ in questions
questions
which are indeed difficult,
difficult, yet useless, to mankind ; but,
yet useless, but, ;
directed their to things

things
on
contrary, they
on the contrary, they their attention
which are beneficial to life, life, and such as tend towards
discovery
the discovery of truth?
truth.
No man
man enters the magian' school, itit seems, but
magian`ss school,
he wanders awhile in in the region
region of chimeras ;; and the
inquiries
inquiries which he makes before attaining
attaining to experi-
experi-
knowledge are many,
mental knowledge many, and often erroneous?
erroneous.
investigation, once begun
But investigation, begun in right rectifying
in a right rectifying
spirit, enters;
spirit, enters,- &
as the adepts^
adeptsf who having
having set the chain
of vital
vital causes in action, succeeded in
in action, t1'aeing them to
in tracing '°m,
their efiicient link in
last efficient
their last ^cleity ; whence surveying,
in deity ;
surveying, JD
J/
they
they were enabled,
vere enabled, under the divine will,
will, to work such
in things below are supernatural
supernatural this
to this
perfection
perfection in things as
greater than the natural intellect is
life, and greater
life, is able to
conceive. For the Central Light Wisdom was
Light and Visdom all
was all
their aim, and the way

their way to it was all
it was all the revelation they
they
valued or asked for, for, until the hidden Divinity Divinity was was
in eflect and
experience and made manifest
moved into experience effect
power.
power.
But what saysay our GEdipus distillers of this
CEdipus distillers this Ether,
Ether,
Lay
Alchemists ? Lay
instructive Alchemists?
the instructive'^ the line
line to thy
thy
thoughts and examine all all patiently,
patiently, and infer from
þÿflff ¬2`
thoughts
I
1 Mysteriis, sect. vii.
_/ 1 See Jainbhcns
Sec Jamblicus dedc Mysterns, vu. cap. viii.
cap. vin.
2
2 Lumen de Lumine,
Vaughau's I.umen
See Vaughan's Tiunnne, p. 40, &c. B.
p. 40, Valent1ne's
ll. Valentine's
tfharmi sub initio, Norton`s
Norton's (l1'd1111l,
Ordinal, c. iv. &c.
Chariot initio,
264 LAWS and
Laws CoND1'rioNs.
ANI) Conditions.
experience, art in the

tl1ou
('."lI[)(f)`fC)l(`(', and thou
art in way to become in-
the way in-
jil//ib/e.
fallible. Take hold of
of that Rule which God hath
that Ifllfd hatli
given thee for

given thy direction,
for thy by which thou mayest
direction, by mayest
discern right fi'om
discern the right wrong.
from the wrong. for that
Seek not for that
in mzture which is
in nature is effect beyond
an effect
an beyond her strength; you
strength you ;
help her,
must help her, that she may
may exceed her common
common
all is
course, or all is to no purpose;
no ])urpose ; for Mercury of
for the rllercurly of
1/ze
the Wise comes not but by by help
help of ingenuity
ingenuity and in-
in-
dustry.'
dustry.^ But he thatthat devoteth himself to philosophy,
philosophy,
Crollius, and shall
says Crollius,
says sincerely and as he ought
shall sincerely ought
come to the inner rooms
come rooms of nature by holy assiduity
by a holy assiduity
of' preparations,
of joining thereto diligent
preparations, joining co/ztemplalion
diligent contemplation
of natural causes, and withal shall refuse no pains
shall refuse pains or
difficulties
difficulties to get experience by
get (f.2Y)(:'IìCl1CC by the industry
industry of hishis
handy
handy work, he shall,
shall, if
if the grace
grace of the most High
High
be infused into him, bring bring forth
forth far things out
greater things
far greater
open bosom of nature than they
this open
of this they seem to p1'o- pro-
mise at first
first sight."
sight.^ To the same effect Van Helmont
same effect
writes, that the attainment of the Tree of Life
writes, Life isis la-
la-
borious, and the fruit fruit of intellectual research.3
research.^ Excel-
also, is
lent, also,
lent, is this advice of Basil Valentine,
this Valentine, and
instructive to the point point: : Learn and look for the first
for fi1'st
foundation, says
foundation, says the monk, which nature holds con-
cealed; search for
cealed ; for it even with thine own
it even own eyes and
eyes
hand,
hand, in in order that thou maycst mayest be able to philoso-
philoso-
phise
phise with judgment
judgment and build upon
upon the impregnable
imprcgnable
but, without this
rock ; but,
;
discovery, thou wilt continue a
this discovery, a
vain and phantastic trifler, whose discoursings,
triiler, discoursings, without
phantastic
¢'.rperiem'e, are built
e.iperieiue, upon sand.
built upon Let not any any one
imagine that we can be satisfied with mere
satisfied þÿll] ¬l' ¬
imagine either we can
words, who rather exact documents proved

words, proved by by ex-
periencc, in
perience, in which we we are bounden to have faith/* faith.'*
1' Lumen de Luminc,

cle Lumine, page
page 39. LulliiTlieorizlet1'raetiea,cap.
Liillii Theoria et Practica, cap.
lxviii et lxxxviii.
Ixviii Ixxxviii.
7
' Prefiice of Osw
Admonitory Preface
See the Admonitory Oswald
aid Crollius, page
Crollius, page x.
3
3 Oreatrike, p. 631, 710,
Orcatrike, p. &c. 4to.
710, kc.
4
^ Disco igitur, disputator
Disce igitur, mi, et inquire
disputator mi, primum fundamentum
inquire pr-iinuiu funclaineutuiu
ipsis oculis ct
ipsis et manu, quod natura secutn
mann, quod secum fert absconditum sic
tert abseonditum: sic
:
demi^m prudcnter, ct
demum prudenter, cum _judicio
et cum inexpugnabilem Petr-:un
judicio incxpuguabileiu :edifi-
Petram jedifi-
poteris. Sine hoc autem
care poteris. autcm vauus phantasticus nugator
vanus et phantasticus uugator
ciijus sermones
manebis, cujus
manebis, absque illa
sermones absque ilia Expcrientia
Expericntia supra arenam
supra arcnam
Experimental METnon.
EXPERIMENTAL Method. 265
Such are a few of preliminary lessons

of the preliminary adepts,
lessons of adepts,
in which they
in they all agree that
all agree thc way
that the way to
to Visdom
AVisdom is is by
by
patience
patience and rational
rational inquiry.
inquiry. Some scattered
scattered spe-
spe-
cimens of of the kind We we have remarked in in the writings
writings / .
Lully, and Michael Mayer

of LuUy, Mayer and others, to which in in '
i-,
the Practice
Practice we shall have occasion
we shall occasion to allude.
to allude. That
they did not investigate
they investigate triflingtrifling matters is is indeed
obvious, but diligently,
obvious, diligently, fi'om from the Hrst, concerning the
first, concerning
intimate causes of things; things ; and how they might
they might
themselves enter into into the fundamental experience, experience,
their anxiety is
their anxiety is manifest and the truly truly philosophic
philosophic
inclination
inclination of their their mind.
contemplation which absolves the Secoml
But the contemplation Second
part of our admonition is
part is cdestial,
celestial, continues the
monk Basil, and to be understood with spiritual spiritual
reason
rcasorz;; for for the circumstances of everything everything cannot
perceived any
be perceived any other way way than by by the spiritual
spiritual
cogitzzlion of man,
cogitation considering how
man, considering /low nature may may be
helped
helped and perfected
perfected by by resolution of itself,
itself, and /ww
how
the destruction and compaction
compaction are to be handled,
handled,
whereby under a just
whereby title, without sophistical
just title, sophistical deceits,
the pure
pure may may be separated from the impure.^
separated impure.' For it it
is
is no graft
no graft from this life
this life that enters into
into the divine
foundation, nor
foundation, nor anyany arbitrary instinct; natural reason,
arbitrary instinct;
even the most acute,
even acute, is comparatively, and
is dull here comparatively,
inoperative,
inoperative, and stands in the Philosophic Work,
Philosophic Vork,
albeit necessary,
albeit necessary, as a mere circumstantial aid on the
threshold of the divine inquiry, inquiiy, as it it were an an iron

key,
key, intended to unlock the golden
golden treasury
treasury of light
light
within. And no no sooner, we informed,
we are informed, has it
it done
and, further extricating
this, and,
this, itself, helped
extricating itself, helped to introduce
the spiritual
.s'pir'itzm:l intellect
intellect into seyllclzoz/J/edge, than this
self-knowledge^ this
latter, returning
latter, returning with power
power upon upon the life
life without,
without,
proceeds
proceeds to analyzeanalyze and revolutionize,
revolutionize, proving proving all, all, as
may
may be said, chemically by
said, chemically by the fiery
fiery essence
essence of' its
of its
fundati sunt.
solum fimdati
polum Qui autem serniocinationibus
Qui sermocinationibus suissuis et nugis
nugis
me aliquid
me aliquid vult, is
docere vult, me verbis tantum
is me tantrum nudis non pascat, sed
non pascat,
Experientife factum documentum

ExperientisD dociunentum simul sit sit praesto oportet, sine
prsesto oportet,
quo nou
quo locuin dare,
non teueor verbis locum fideinque iis
dare, fidemque adbibere, &c.
iis ndhibcre,
1
1 B. 'alentine's Antimonv, sub initio.
Valentine's Chariot of Antimony, initio.
;
:

and Conditions.
newly
newly conceived Lav. Law. It It is this vital
is this perscrutinator,
vital perscrutinator,
t/le inter/za!
the internal Jive _fire of t/le
cy" the Sll/IZ)/ZIII'
sulphur of ry' thyt/ly water,
wafer, as
Eireneus calls calls it, it, that, investigating
investigating scientifically,
scientifically,
operates thc
operates the whole change. change. And it it is happily pro-
is happily pro-
vided against
against intruders,
intruders, lest lest the casket should be
rified
rifled of its rich offering,
its rich offering, that they they only only who have
obtained this this passport
passport can attain attain to the Magistery Magistery
of Life since they
Life ; since
;
they only,only, literally
literally speaking,
speaking, can enter
in through the narrow gate,
in through gate, as in in the Mysteries
Mysteries we wc
have already described.

already described. And the discovery is
discovery is ditlicult,
difficult,
and reputed
reputed tedious by by many many who have spared spared no no
/ , labour either
either of body body or 01' mind in
in the research —
research-reclusa reclusa
'-t- resedit longius,
resed/t longius, as the poet poet says; says it
;
it is
is far
far off, gotten in
oH`, gotten in
the penetralia,
penetralia, as it it were,
were, the flower Hower of human intellect, intellect,
triply imprisoned in
triply imprisoned in the dark body's body's hold. hold. This it it is
is
business of the philosopher
the business philosopher to open open and set free;
set free ;
and this this is is the security,

security, that he must be a lover lover of
Wisdom who can set her free.
Visdom free.
Our
Ozzrjrefire is is the true Slifl)/lll)`
sulphur of G0/f/, Gold, says says þÿEll' ¬'11§l1S,
Eireneus,
which in in the hard and dry dry body body is
is imprisoned, but by
imprisoned, by
the mediation of our our water it it is
is letlet loose,
loose, by by rotting
rotting
the moles of the body body (/. (i. e.,
e., of the ethereal body) body)
under which it is detained ; and after
it is ; after separation
separation of the
elements (of (of the same same body) body) it appears visibly
it appears visibly inin our
T/lin! þÿjlf ¬IlS'[l`l((/[_But the means to discover this
Third Menstrual. this
is not a light
is work,
light work, it
it requires ]))`Qf01lH([
requires a profound meditation .-
for
for this
this is is the seed of fy' G0/d,
Gold, involved in
in many
many links,
links,
and held prisoner,
prisoner, as it it were,
were, in in a deep dungeon he
deep dungeon; ;
that knows not our our two Jirst menstrua Is is

`/l'l`.S'l }}1£')I6'f)'lll//S is altogether
altogether
shut out from attaining attaining to the sig/it sigJU of this this Third and
last;
last :
yet he who knows how to prepare
yet prepare the Jirst _/irst
water,
u'ntc1', and to join
join it
it to thc
the body
bo(/_y in
in just pondus,
a just
a pondus, lo to
J/mt it
shut it up
up in in its
ils masse! p/Ji/osop/zicfl//ly,
vessel philosophicall//, u11til
until the i1y"a11t
infant
formed, and,
be formed, and, what is greater than all,
is greater all, to govern
govern his his
/irc (/('.l*f!3)`0l(-Sf?/,
fire dexterously , so as to cherish internal heat with
external, and can wait with patience
external, patience till till hehc see signs
signs ;
he shall perceiveperceive the _/frat
Jirst water
wfzlcr will
will work on
on thc
the
body
/mf/_y till
till it
it hath opened
opener/ thc
the pores
porcs and extracted partly
partly
the tincture of of` Sol.
bb/. Take counsel counsel; be not so careful
;
ot' the iire

of lire o|` /l//ll/)}l)}' as
of the Athanor as of your vour i}lf(')'llll/
internal Fire.Fire.
"
EKPER1lIEN'1ÀL
Experimental l/IETIIOD.
Method. 267
Seek it in the /louse

it in of Aries,
house of it from the
Aricfi, and draw it
of Satiii^n
1/ep!/ls of
depths jllerczniy be the
let Mercury
Saturn; let ; the interval,
interval, and
your signal the Doves of Diazzaf
your signal Diana}
On some such errand, may remember, the
we may
errand, we the Sybil
Sybil
sends Zllneas, that, from out many
iEneas, that, entanglements and
many cntanglements
obscurity, he may
obscurity, bring to her the Golden
may discover and bring
well
Bough, well directing
Bough, directing him how to look from beneath
upwards,
upwards, and take it in
it in hand.
Alte vestiga oculis ; et

vestiga oculis rite repertum,
et rite
; repertulu,
Carpe manu
Carpe niauu; uamque
; Ipse volens facilisque
namque Ipse facilisque sequetur,
sequetur,
Si te fata
Si te vocant aliter,
fata vocant; aliter, non
; viribus uUis
nou viribus nllis
Viueere,
Vincere, nee
nec dnro
dui'o poteris couvellere ferro.'^
poteris convellere ferro.2
So Orpheus,
Grpheus, in his Argonautics,
in his Argonazztics, leading
leading to the Cave
Mercury,
of Mercury, exhorts mankind how they ought
they ought to act
and study there.
study there.
At qufecnnque viruln ducit

qujecimque virum ducit prudentia cordis
prudentia cordis
Mereurii ingredier spelimcam
Merciirii ingredier plurima ubi ille
speluncam plurima ille
Deponit bona,
Deponit quorum praegrandis
bona, stat quorum przegrandis acervus
Ambabus valet
valet hie
liic manibus sibi sumere,
mauibus sibi sumere, et ista
ista
Ferre domum, valet hie
domuin, valet hic visitare
visitare iucomnioda
incommoda cunctai.
cuncta.
therefore, who wishes to partake

He, therefore, partake of many many
goods, let
goods, let him approach
approach to the Cave of Mercury, Mercury,
which, according to the Hermetic interpretation,
which, according interpretation, is is
'I`renerus, the most hidden vapour

Taenerus, vapour of lifelife: let
let him
:
enter with a prudent motive, well understanding

prudent motive, understanding and
allied to what hc
allied he seeks ; and that which he shall
; shall bear
away from thence.
away Centaur-like, in
thence, Centaur-like, in both his Hands,
Hands,
will be the mizzeral
will rar/ia; and true matter of the Her-
mineral radix
metic Art. But ifif he have not a right mind, and
right mind,
predestinated conditions and the order of
unless the predestiuated
observed, all
operation be observed,
operation all will
will be vain 5 forfor the power
; power
will hidden, despite
will remain hidden, despite of every eflbrt, in a pu-
every effort, pu-
sillanimous uncongenial
uncongenial soul. Nescit Sol comitis non non
memor
memor esse sui ; Ignire
Ignire ignis
; ignis amat, non aurificare sed
ainat, non
aurum. Fire loves fire, fire, say they,
say they, not to make gold,
gold,
but to zissimilateit.
assimilate it. Take, therefore,
Take, therefore, that body
body which
1
^ See Ripley
_Ripley Eevived,
llevired, pages
pages 263,
2G3, 266, 65).
266, 69.
2 lilw. vi.
vi. 145.
'^
^neid,
fEneid, lib. 1L5.`
268 Laws
LAWS AND
and CoND1T1oNs.
Conditions.
is
isgold, not a
gold, ferment, and throw
a brazen ferment, th1'ow it
it into
into
Mercury-such
Mercury —
such a Mercury
Mercury as is
is bottomless, or
it can never find,
whose centre it find, but by discovering
by discovering its
its
0wn.'
own.'
This is is the Art of CEdipus, which,
of Gidipus, which, well well conducted,-
conducted,
with the Sphinx,
Sphinx, ends in in her subjugation;
subjugation ; in other
in
words,
words, the Ethereal Spirit
Spirit abandons her phantasy, and
phantasy,
yields
yields the clear
clear light
light of'
of understanding to him who,
understanding
having
having been duly
duly educated and singled out, knows
singled out,
how and wherewith to investigate investigate her peculiar peculiar es-
sence. Thus,
Thus, Synesius
Synesius says — Intellect above all
says-Intellect things
all things
separates
separates whatever is
is contrary
contrary to the true purity
purity of
Spirit; for
phantastic Spirit
the phantastic ; for itit attenuates this this spirit
spirit in in
an occult and ineffableineffable manner, and extends it it to
Divinity?
Divinity.^ But the natural Intellect Intellect cannot do this, this,
comprehending properly,
neither comprehending properly, or being being conceived of
the Spirit;
Spirit neither is
; its essence so acutely
is its penetra-
acutely penetra-
tive as to operate
tive operate the change
change required. Salt
required. Salt is good,
is good,
but if Salt have lost
if the Salt lost itsits savour wherewith shall shall itit
seasoned ?
be seasoned?
And here the commoncommon difficulty ensues, as language
difficulty ensues, language
becomes less less and less less adequate
adequate to convey convey to the
understanding the truth alleged.
natural understanding alleged. To conceive
at once the free perspieacity
free perspicacity which experience and
experience
long study
long study bestowed on those men,
men, thei1°
their assertion of
the magic
magic action of mind in
in her own
own
spheres, the effi-
spheres, effi-
cient force of of' an individual freed will upon the vehicle

wdll upon
its motive cause,
of its cause, separating, refining, and transmut-
separating, refining,
ing
ing it
it from an impure,
impure, dull consistency to the clear
consistency
light
light of universal intelligence, is
intelligence, is arduous to the unac-
customcd mind
customed mind; and in this age,
; age, which is is without
witness, without experimental
a witness, knowledge,
experimental knowledge, we we should
say,
say, of'
of true causality,
causahty, most especially
especially adverse ;
yet it
; yet it
will bc necessary,
will be having
necessary, having so far
far ventured,
ventured, to discuss
the point
point, and,
;
and, as well as we may be enabled,
we may enabled, to sub-
stantializc without deforming
stantialize deforming this
this Intellectual Science.
'
See Ripley
Ripley Revived, page 206. Maieri Atalanta Fugiens,
Revived, page Em-
Fugicns, Ein-
^
blema
bloma xviii.
xviii. Lumen de Luminc,
Lumine, p.
p. 97.
ZS
^ See thc extract from Synesius
ec the
Syuesius de SO11111llS, Taylor's Proclus
Somuiis, in Taylor's
on Euclid.
on
—
EXPERIMENTiL METHOD.
Experimental Method. 269
It may be remembered, in
It may in aformer citation from his
a former citation his
book to to the Athenians, Paracelsus saying, that SEPA-
saying, that Sepa-
RATION is
ration is t/ze greatest miracle in
the greatest philosophy, and that
in phi/osop/ly, that
magic the
magic the most singular by
singular by which it is ejected;
it is effected ; very
very
excetleutfor
excellent for quickness
quickness cy" penetration and swiftness
of penetration swyftness of
operrztion,
operation, the
the ti/fe
like whereof Nature knows not. Now
whereof
this Separation, of
this Separation, of which he speaks,
speaks, and of of which
all
all the Hermetic Masters speak, appears
speak, appears to be identical
identical
that which is
with that is described as taking place in
taking place in the
Mysteries,
Mysteries, when the great
great ordeals are passed through
passed through
during decomposition and death of the natural
during the decomposition
life.
life. The analogy throughout from the begin-
analogy bears throughout begin-
ning
ning in
in suffering,
suffering, succedent dissolution, and cor-
dread, dissolution,
dread,
ruption, to the final
ruption, final resurrection of the pure pure Ether
into Light.
into Light. This Separation
Separation is is indeed the primary
primary
object
object of the Art Which,
which, continues our doctor, if
doctor, if it
it
divinely
were divinely done by
by God alone,
alone, it
it would be to
study after
purpose to study
no purpose after it;
it but there is
; is a free power
free power
in the creature to its
in its mutual affection
affection and destruction ;
—
;
again The free

and, again-The
and, will Hourisheth
free will flourisheth and is is conversant
in virtue,
in virtue, and isis either
either friend or foefoe in our Works;
in our works ;
but that is is the sequestatrix,

sequestatrix, which gives
gives to every
every
thing
thing its
its form and essencef
essence.^ Which is
is the part espe-
part espe-
cial
cial of Intellect, sariie perscrutinating
Intellect, that sanie Intellect
perscrutinating Intellect
which Hermes speaks of,^ and where in
speaks of," in the Smaragdine
Smaragdine
Tab/e
Table itit is Separahis, THOU
written-Separnbis,
is written Thou shalt separate
separate
the earth from the fire, fire, the subtle from the gross, gross,
gently,
gently, with much sagacity;
sagacity it
it; will
will ascend from earth
heaven, and again
to heaven, again descend from irom heaven to earth, earth,
will receive the strength
and will strength of the Inferiors and
of the Superiors:
Superiors this is
: is the strong
strong fortitude of all all
fortitudes, overcoming
fortitudes, overcoming every strong and penetrating
every strong penetrating
every solid thing:
every solid thing: therefore let all obscurity
let all obscurity flee flee
before thee;
thee so the world was created,
; created, and hcnce
hence are
all adaptations of which this is
all wonderful adaptations þÿII1&[l1] ¬l`.3
is the manner.^
So passing wonderful is
passing Wonderful is itietarezl
it i^jât^ by same reputed
by the same reputed ^^<jpC
gdmi
''
First book to the Athenians, text 9 and 10.
tlie Athenians,
2
^ Tractatus
Tractatiis Aureus, cap. ii.
Aureus, cap. ii.
3
^ Tabula Smaragdina
Smaragdina Ilermetis.
Hermetis.
^ —
270 Laws
Lrxws and
.mn CONDITIONS.
Conditions.
author, i11
author, in the Asclepius, that lllilll
Asclepius, that man should be bc able
able
only to find
not only the Causal Nature but to effect
find the it.'
effect it.'
Nor ought therefore, taking
ought we, therefore, i11to consideration
taking into
tl1e human
the l1uman agency,
agency, to understand thisthis decomponency
decomponency
life in
of life in a mechanical sense, or in ordinary way
any ordinary
in any way
of dissolution;
dissolution ;but, according
but, according to the literal
literal wording
wording
of the Table,
Table, we we observe Mind to be the the true Separa-
Separa-
tl1e efficient
tor, the eflicient as well
well as the regimen
regimen of the Work, work,
into which, as before
into before shown, no foreign admixturc is
foreign admixture is
allowed to enter. And thus we are given given toto under-
sta11d that
stand that the knowledge
knowledge of of the elements of the
ancient philosophers
philosophers was not corporally corporally nor impru- iinpru-
dently sought
dently sought after,
after, but is
is through patience and
through patience
Wisdom to be discovered according
Visdom according to their their causes
their occult operation;
and their operation; for
for their
their operation truly
operation truly
is occult,
is occult, since nothing is
since nothing is discovered exceptexcept tl1e mat-
the 111at-
ter be decomposed,
ter decomposed, þÿ"j(l
and because it
it is
is 11ot
not perfected
perfected
unless the tl1e whole introversion is passed througl1.-
is passed through.
understand, reiterates
Auditor, understand,
Auditor, reiterates the greatgreat Master ; let let
;
us use our Reason —

Reason-consider
consider allall with the most accurate
O^ rnatter^5=»»d know to be One
investigation, the whole matte1;,=:-mel
investigation,
only Thing?
only Thing.
And as folly,folly, and phantasy,
pliantasy, a11d
and passion
passion are modes
being
of being ofthe
of the One Thing,
Thing, and Reason is another
is another; and
;
as the phantasy,
phantasy, if if suffered to prevail,
prevail,will convert all
will all to
her own folly in
own folly in the internal life life; so may
;
may we
we judge con-
_judge
trari\'ise, that this
trariwise, this Reason gaininggaining the ascendancy,
ascendancy,
would gather
gather all all up, ferment, into the superior
up, as a ferment, superior
essence and a11d traction of her own Light.
own Light. This Lully
Lully
intimates ; and Arnold,
; Arnold, and Bacon,
Bacon, and Geber, Geber, with the
celebrating the virtues of their
abundantly celebrating
rest, abundantly
rest, their Head
Stone.3
Stone.-'
But if any one
if any Should be further disposed
0116 should dis])osed to ques-
([ues-
demur about the physical
tion their doctrine or dClT1U.1` physical eflicaey
eificacv
of this Reason,
Reason, let let him for a plea plea only regard the image
only regard image
l
'
Asclepius, cap.
Asclepius, cap. xiii., see motto on
xiii., soc title page.
on title page.
5-'
- Tract. Aur. cap.
cap. iv.
iv.
3
•'
Sec Lullii Theovia
See Thcoria et Practica,
Practica, et Arbor Scientise, Brmielm
Sc-ientia;>, Brancha
Human.
lluinan. Arnoldi Speenluin,
Speculum, Geber
Gebcr Invest,
Invest. of Perf. ; and again
;
again i11
in
Manget,
Mangct, Sumnntnr I.apis in capitulis
Suniantur Lapis notus, &e.
capitulis notus, etc.
EXPERIBIENTAI. Method.
Experimental METIIOD. 271
of itit in this life.

in this life. What
Vhat else else is is it but reason, that
it hut that
enables us to analyzeanalyze and judge opinion, to
judge opinion, to govern
govern our
passions, and separate
passions, separate facts facts from falsehood in in the un- un-
derstanding?
derstanding? And with the logical faculty,
logical faculty, is
is there
there
not a universal evidence which subsists
a universal subsists by by faith,
faith, an an
independent
independent standard by
by which all
all things
things are measured
and proven
proven in in life?
life ? Considering this
Considering this standard of our
common
common faith, faith, abstractedly
abstractedly a a prior
prior necessity
necessity of being being
also,
also, will
will be understood, an infinite
infinite suflicience, magni-
sufficience, magni-
tude and eternity
eternity of duration;
duration ; and thus obtainingobtaining a
glance only
glance only of the antecedent, we
we find
find less
less difficulty
difficulty
in imagining
in imagining the superior virtue of that
superior virtue that which is is
the Reason of our Rule ; well ; well remembering
remembering that that it it is
is
this the ancients speak,
of this calling it
speak, calling it Wisdom,
Visdom, Intellect,
Gold, Sol, Sulphur,
Sol, Sulphur, Tincture. Intellectus
Intellectus naturam ha-
bens subtilcm
subtilem ad intelligendum
intelligendum res intelligibiles par-
intelligibiles par-
ticipa;ig§
ticipate cum
cum entibus intensis
intensis et cum
cum entibus extensis,
extensis,
viz., cum intenso calore corporis,
viz., cum corporis, cum cum quo quo conjunctus
conjunctus
est et cumcum intensa bonitate sustentata in in suis intensis
suis intensis
concretis.'
concretis.^ For it it is Light
is Light indeed,
indeed, and an occult
splendor
splendor of existence transcendently pure
transcendently pure ;
; and as the
luminary
luminary of the sensible
sensible world purifies
purifies and subtilizes
subtilizes
the gross matter, and by
parts of matter,
gross parts by a natural chemistrychemistry
sublimes and converts the varied elements of earth, earth, so
are we taught
we taught to conceive of the Intellectual
Intellectual sun ; for
; for
things which the natural reason as an
those things image
an image
theoretically, this
enacts theoretically, supernatural reason is
this supernatural is said to
do as an an archetype
archetype essentially separating and reject-
essentially ; separating
; reject-
ing the false
ing false forms and elementary elementary qualities qualities which
supervene through generation,
supervene through assimilating the whole in-
generation, assimilating in-
ferior life
ferior by continual trituration of its
life by foreign tincture,
its foreign tincture,
and imparting, according to its
imparting, according paradigmatic virtue,
its paradigmatic virtue,
perfection to such faculties as are indigent
perfection indigent by by pure
pure in-in-
Itself to the passified
fusion of Itself passified Spirit
Spirit throughout,
throughout, even even
through the open
light through
as light atmosphere is
open atmosphere is everywhere
everywhere
diffusing itself
seen diflfusing invigorating and manifesting
itselfkinvigorating manifesting all. all.
1
' Lullii Arbor X. Scientiae,
Scientize, p. qui est Brancha
p. 99, de Intellectu qui Branclia
Spiritualis Arboris Humanalis.
Spiritualis See also in Plotinus' Select Works,
iu Plotinus' Vorl<s,
very beautiful treatise on the Gnostic Hypostasis.
a very Hypostasis.
;
272 Laws
LAWS and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions.
'o,
following remarkable extract from the list
The following list works
Anaxagoras, one of the earliest
of Anaxagoras,
of earliest of the Greek Her-
metic School, further further exemplifying
exemplifying the nature of such sueh
an Intellect, confirms what has been said
an said above of its its
efiieient operation. The passage,
efficient operation. passage, as preserved
preserved by by Sim-
plicius, is
plicius, is given
given in Aristotle's ]ld'ctap/rysics,
in a note to Aristotle's Metaphysics,
by Taylor, page
by Taylor, page 7,7, and runs thus :- :
—
Intellect is
Intellect infinite and possesses
is infinite possesses absolute power, power,
and is mingled with any
is not mingled any thing;
thing but is
;
is alone itself
itself
by itself.
by itself. For ifif it were not by
it were itself, but were
by itself,
mingled with something
mingled something else, it it would participate
participate of
all things,
all things, for for in thing there
every thing
in every there is is a portion
portion of everyevery
thing; and things
thing ;
things mingled together would prevent
mingled together prevent it it
from having similar dominion over things,

having a similar things, as when
alone by itself. For it
by itself. is the most attenuated and
it is
pure of all
pure all things.
things. It likewise
It possesses an universal
likewise possesses
knowledge of eveiy
knowledge thing, and is
every thing, is inin the highest
highest sense
powerful. Vhatever
powêrful. Whatever soul possesses greater or lesser,
possesses greater lesser,
over all Intellect has dominion. Every
all these Intellect Every thingthing too
comprehends or contains is
that comprehends subject to its
is subject its power
power;
so that it it even comprehends the Principle
even comprehends itself.
Principle itself. And
first
first of all all indeed,
indeed, it began from that which is
it began is small
to exercise its comprehending power,
its comprehending power, but afterwards
comprehended more
it comprehended
it more and more abundantly; Intellect
more abundantly ;
also knew all all that was mingled

was together, and separated
mingled together, separated
together with
divided, together
and divided, what they would in
they in future
be, what they
be, they had been, and what they
Avhat they now
now are. All
Intellect
these Intellect adorned in
in an orderly
an manner,
orderly manner, together together
with thisthis circular enclosure which is is now comprehendecf,
now comprehended
-ing by
teg by the stars,
stars, the sun, sun, and
and the moon, the air
moon, air and
ether, which
the ether, are separat»g
separatiiug from each other. But
this comprehending
this comprehending Intellect made things
things to be sepa-
sepa-
separated the dense from the rare,
rated ;; and separated rare, the hot
from the cold, cold, the lucid from the dark, dark, and the dry dry
from the moist. There are many parts
many parts indeed of many
many
things ; but in short no
things ; thing is
no one thing singular by
is singular itself
by itself
except
except Intellect.
Intellect. Every
Every Intellect
Intellect too is
is similar, both
similar,
greater and the
the greater tlie lesser ; but no
; no other thing is
otiier thing is
similar to another.'
anotlier.'
1'
Aristotlc's llctaphysics,
Aristotle's note, page
Metaphysics, note, 7
page 7.
Exrrnminxrfm Nlnrnon.
is to say,
That is no other faculty
say, no is universal,
faculty is universal, or of
itself alone consciously
itself
of reason which is is truly
this root
distinguishable
consciously distinguishable pJuat this
catholic; and so
truly catholic ; so byby the micro-
e/LQ/yéf
ejâJ^M-'^
experiment
cosmic experiment into
into It,
It, the
the knowledge of the nia-
knowledge ma-
crocosmie
crocosmic Cause also was derived.
also was derived. For in in the Hermetic
process they are seen to co-operate;
process they co-operate ; and all all thatthat
Anaxagoras
Anaxagoras here speaks
speaks of as
relatively past,
relatively past, has been
described as present
described present by philosophers on the internal
by philosophers internal
ground. Else,
ground. Else, how should men
men have
assertedAsuch
asserted^such
tl1ings d
things (abQjut_jntejJect_ajid the rational rat ional facj facult
ilty/asf
as by
by
no means belong
belong to the natura
natural revelation of it,
it, if
if they
they
had not known another and proved proved the work divine? (^
No one assert them now.
one could assert Beef-
fesr believe,
believe, indeed,
indeed,
5°
ô»xi2y
, 0')'f.Q/
that mind is &thing really

is asgrthing really but an elaboration of the
brain, aa resulting
brain, phenomenon
resulting phenomenon of organization. Sen-
organization.
sible evidence favours such an opinion,
sible opinion, for for life
life is is no-
where seen apart by

apart by itself,
itself, but follows
follows constantly as a
constantly
result of material generation
result generation in in o1'der
order of effect
effect to cause;
cause ;
and human reason, as a ray ray of light,

light, reflected
reflected apart
apart
from its originating
its originating focus,
focus, is
is halting
halting and impotent in
impotent in
respect
respect of nature, and unconscious of its
its First
First Source.
There is piece of Egyptian
is a piece mythology, related by
Egyptian mythology, by
Eudoxus in in Plutarch, concerning Jupiter,
Plutarch, concerning Jupiter, that his his feet
feet
had grown together and that he was
grown together was forced to live live in in
solitude, and ashamed of himself as it
solitude, were; until at
it were ;
length Isis,
length Isis, pitying
pitying hishis forlorn condition,
condition, succeeded in in
cutting
cutting them asunder,
asunder, and so restored him to himself
society. And this,

and to society. this, continues the scholar, scholar, is is
designed represent to us that the mind and reason

designed to represent
Supreme God,
of the Supreme God, which in in nature is is invisible
invisible and
dwelling in
dwelling in obscurity,
obscurity, by by being
being put put in in motion becomes
known,
knovn, and proceeds proceeds to the production production of other
beings.'
beings.^ And this too is is an an allegory
allegory of the Art, Art, in in
which the purified spirit or intelligence,
purified spirit inteUigence, that is is Isis,
Isis, byby
dissolving the vital
dissolving medium, opens
vital medium, opens the occult source, source,
and draws the Voluntary
Voluntary Efficient upward upward into intel- intel-
lectual reniiniscence.
reminiscence.
`
And this §e latAat one thing need-
one thing aeed-- ^
L;
consummated, that man
6iLjidiicli-4uaît to be consummated,
'
man may
may
know himself; whence, what for,
himself; whence, for, and whereto,
whereto, he is is
'
^ See the Treatise De Iside et Osiride.
T
T
274 and Coxnnrioivs.
allied. All is
allied.~»~All —
is one soul, says Magian, but reason,
says the Magian,
unless be illuminated, is
it
it free from error, and
is not free
Light is
Light is not given except God impart
given to reason except it; for
impart it for ;
the first Light is

first Light is in
in God,
God. far exceeding all
far exceeding all understand-
ing.'
ing.^ And Aristotle says, Y7mt
Aristotle says, That Intellect
Intellect must be as-
sumed whiehwhich isis most perfectly purified; the know-
perfectly purified ;
ledge of which must be sought

ledge sought for in spirit
for in spirit or spirits,
spirits,
bv him
by aspires to obtain it.
iiim who aspires it. For this
this indeed is is
pure, and possesses
pure, possesses an an ineflablc beauty, because it
ineffable beaut}^ it is
is
nothing but Intellect.

nothing Intellect. For the beauty
beauty of of Spirit
Spirit isis the
highest beauty when it

highest beauty it energizes
energizes intellectually,
intellectually, with-
out error, purely; and it
error, and purely ; it knows things things not as
discovered by by human labour, but as they they are unfolded
by the Divine will."
by will.^ The Alexandrian Plotinus also also
speaking of such an Intellect,
speaking Intellect, describes the material
of it beautiful, and as far
it as beautiful, far surpassing intel-
ordinary intel-
surpassing ordinary
paradigms are wont to do the images
ligence, as paradigms
ligence, images which
represent them; and the soul receives with it,
1'epresent them ; it, he says,
says,
Light, and this
a sudden Light, this Light
Light is is from Intellect,
Intellect, and
is also It.3
is It.^
It would be mere
It perplexity, and evince a want of
mere perplexity,
rational perception,
perception, to regard
regard thisthis Reason therefore as
inessential arbitrary, either in
inessential; or as arbitrary,
; operation, or
in operation,
event in
since, in our mere
event; since, ; mere individual consciousness it it
is the foundation of all
is law-the
all law —
the onlyonly unerring
unerring neces-
faith in this
sity of faith
sity this life;
life the luminous revelation of
;
which in purified
in a purified human intelligence, is
intcUigencc, is that perfect
perfect
beginning Wisdom,
beginning of Visdom, which is
is half ofthe
of the perfect whole.
perfect
Dimidium facti qui bene cmpit
facti qui says the phi-
hahet, says
cocpit habet, phi-
losopher; for
losopher a small
; grain
grain of the metaphysical
metaphysical fer- ter-
mcnt, leavens
ment, the whole lump.
lump. And as the grain of
grain
wheat is is putrcfied
putrefied in the earth,
earth, and afterwards by the
by
Vc(^
7{-di
'
tc^cJi nouriohmcnt of watoi? becomes growing

L .
'
growing wheat,wheat, termi-
multiplying in the fermental form inbred,
nating and multiplying
nating inbred,
so the metaphysical graft,
metaphysical graft, already purified and passed
already purified passed
'^
Agrippa's Third Book of Occult Phil. chap,
Agrippa's xliii.
chap. xliii.
2
one of those singularly instructive
is taken from one
This passage
2
passage is singularly
treatises attributed to Aristotle by by his Arabian compilers,
compilers, as
rendered byby Taylor. Magnus in his
Taylor, from the Latin of Albertus Magnus
Dissertation, book iii.
Dissertation, iii.
3
Works on
Plotinus, Select "forks
Plotinus,
•''
Gnosticdlypostasis, &e.
on the Gnostic Hypostasis, &c.
EXPERIMENTAL Method.
Experimental Mirrnon. 275
fire, re-enters to redeem its

the fire, congenital life,
its congenital life, and
finally
finally by
by assimilation
assimilation transmutes all
all into
into the sub-
stance of its own Auritic
its own Aurific Light.
Light.
During the process
During working this
process of working leaven, many
this leaven, many
phenomena arise,
phenomena arise, and those wonders which, having having
been variously
variously observed, are described described and poetized poctized; ;
for this
for this acute discriminative
discriminative sulphuric occasions
Spirit occasions
Slllpl1J1'iC Spirit
putrefaction of
a putrefaction of the philosopher's
philosopher's Mercury,
Mercury, i. i. e.
e. of the
vapour of
impure vapour
impure into which it
life, into
of life, it enters, so that all all
the elements are in in commotion, raging, raging, swelling,
swelling, and
rolling like
rolling tempestuous sea;
like a tempestuous darkness, made visible
sea darkness,
; visible
appearing light,
by the appearing
by light, shrinks more more and more con-
densing; and falsehood, as it
densing ; trembling for
it were, trembling for her
kingdom,
kingdom, puts puts on every sinister
on every guise, to combat and
sinister guise,
eclipse the living
eclipse truth, as,
living truth, increasing in
as, increasing power and
in power
armed with bright bright eftulgence,
effulgence, it it arises, threatening
arises, threatening
dissipate the total fabric,

to dissipate fabric, and dissolve dissolve its its very
very
foundation.
So did the armour Achilles, while yet
armour of Achilles, yet far off he
far off
only showed himself, dismay
only dismay the assembled hosts of
Troy that shield so ominous
Troy; ; olninous in in its device, breast-
its device,
helmet's crest of gold,
plate, and helmet's
plate, forged by
gold, forged by Vulcan,
Vulcan,
at Thetis's prayer for
Thetis's prayer for her hero in in Olympus
Olympus; where-
;
single-handed overcame them all

with he single-handed — gods, men,
all-gods, men,
and rivers —
triumphant in
rivers-triumphant in the divine fury fury which roused
him to the fightf
fight. ^ And here the poetic allegory like-
poetic allegory like-
wise is is apparent
apparent; Achilles does not appear
; appear at all all in
in
arms, nornor has he these, until after
these, until Patroclus, his bosom
after Patroclus, /
friend, is
friend, slain; just
is slain; just as Misen^s'
Misenas' funeral rites rites must be I ^/
celebrated before .y^neasEineas is is allowed to _journeyjourney to the
infernal shades?
shades.^ Peculiar too the rites are, which the
rites are,
Sybil enjoins,
Sybil enjoins, and the sacrifices to be made to those
remains,
remains, as at thc
the pile
pile of Patroclus,
Patroclus, set on
on the sea-
shore. Let it it not be believed that Virgil Virgil on on this or or
on any other occasion was
on' any was so servile
servile an an imitator, for
imitator, jjfor
that either poet poet is relating events of human history,
is relating history,
l ii.
'
Iliad, book x.
See Iliad, ApoUon. Ehodius
X. Apollon. Argonaut, lib.
Rhodius Argonaut. lib. ii.
So the gloomy
gloomy god
god
see the golden
Stood mute with fear to see rod, &c.
golden rod,
3
2 ^neid, lib. vi.
}Eneid, lib. vi. 14-9.
149.
T 2
T
—— ;
276 Laws
LAWS AND CoNn1r1oNs.
and Conditions.
or magnifying the heroes of
magnifying of a a common
common fight;
fight; but
Virgil and Homer agree
Virgil in this,
agree in that they
this, that they adopted
adopted the
same theme, had witnessed the
same heroic conflict,
same heroic
the same conflict,
the same summary
summary action
action of Divine vengeance
vengeance and
mysterious
mysterious metamorphosis of Ufe
metamorphosis life; their
their warriors,;
therefore,
therefore, demigods
are divinely tutored and sus-
demigods divinely
tained-free
tained —
free from the dilemma of earthly difficulties,
earthly difficulties,
in their
and in strength and use of it
their strength it sublime. If
If tra-
tra-
dition was useful
dition useful to supply
supply their imagery, the inci-
their imagery, inci-
dents are nevertheless woven intointo a mystical
mystical ac-
ae-
eord, and natural probability

cord, relations of time
probability and the relations
unserupulously sacrificed to the report
are unscnipulously sacrificed report of Truth.
And they
they who have partaken same mystic
partaken of the same mystic
knowledge from the Greeks
knowledge Greeks-Plato, — Proclus, Por-
Plato, Proelus,
h\pu C^\, phyry, to Faber, ToUius,
phyiy, Tollius, and Michael hlaffw, the Ma^,
golden chain of Hermetic philosophers
golden —
unanimously
philosophers-unanimously
tracing through minutcst
tracing even through incidents their
minutest incidents their allusion,
—
-have
have claimed those poets poets for their own.
for their own. Skilfully,
Skilfully,
doubt not, they have delineated the most poetical
not, they poetical of
Arts; and the admiring
Arts ; listened, but with-
admiring world has listened,
understanding ; and may
out understanding ;
long continue to do so z
may long :
—
-YetYet we will proceed:-
we will proceed :
For the friends of those heroes must die die indeed,

indeed, as
they
they arcare said to —
do-those
do those bosom friends friends-andand be —
lamented
lamented; for for the celestial
; celestial medial lifelife which,
which, inin the
order of divine rites,
rites, precedes
precedes the heroic work, work, is by
is by
necessity cut off,

necessity even in
off, even its prime;
in its prime when perfected
; perfected at
all points,
all points, is
is shut upup and buried;
buried all all but the hallowed
;
memory
memory burning to retrieve.
burning Thus the excellent
poet Manzoli,
poet Manzoli, whose assumed name name of Palingenius
Palingenius
denotes one regenerated,
regenerated, divulges artificial method
divulges the artificial
in the few following
in following lines
hues z- :
Hunc _iuvenem
Ilunc juvenem Arcadium,
Arcadium, infidum,
infidiim, niuiiumque
nimiumque fugncem,
fugacera,
immersinn Stygiis
Prendite, et inimersum
Prendite, Stygiis oeciditc
occidite lymphis.
lymphis.
Mex llyales
]\Tt)x TTyales gremio impositum. Dens
gremio impositnni, Deus excipiat quein
excipiat quem
Lemnia terra celit, siiblatumque in
colit, sublatumque in cruce tigat.
cruee figat.
Tunc sepelite
Tune sepelite utero in calido et dissolvite
dissolvitc putreni,
putrcin,
Cujus
Cuius stillantes artns
artus de corpore
eorporc nostro,
nostro,
Spiritns
Spiritus egredius
egredius penetrahit,
penetrabit, et ordine miro, miro,
Paulatim extinctum nigris I'(>''0L'1ll)lt ab umbris
nigris revooabit
Aurnté indutum chlamyde,
Aurata chlaniyde, argeutoque
argentoque nitcntcm;
nitonteni
X : ;
Experimental METHOD.
Projicite hunc demum in

Projicite in primes,
prkaoe renovabitiir
,
alter
renovabitur alter (MAJ
hh^-iyrxjCi^
Ut Phoenix, et
et qure tangit perfecta
qu93 tangit relinquet
perfecta relinquet '
Corpora, Natiure
Corpora, et fledera
lcges et
Naturae leges vincens:
foedera vincens
Mutabit species fugabit.
paupertatemque fugabit.
species paupertateinque Q)
(Tj)
Which has been rendered thus:-

thus :
—
Take this slippery lad
this Arcadian slippery that's apt
lad that's apt to Hy,
fly,
And inin the glittering lake, drowned let
Stygian lake,
glittering Stygian let him die,
die,
Then set lap, let
Hyale's lap,
set on Hyale's Lemnos' God
let Lemnos'
Take him to to feed, and crucifv
crucify the lad.lad.
Then inin aa Warm placed, his
warm womb placed, his taint dissolve,
taint dissolve.
Whose dropping
Vhose dropping limbs aa spirit shall devolve,
spirit shall devolve,
penetrate and strangely
To him and penetrate; ; strangely so. so,
Dead by degrees, shall
by degrees, life anew
bring to life
shaU bring anew
All clad
clad inin robes of gold and silver
of gold hue.
silver hue.
Cast him again coals, Proteus like
on hot coals,
again on like
He'll renewed, and all
He'll be renewed, aU he touches make
; nature's laws and promises
perfect nature's
Most perfect; promises excel,
excel,
Species
Species he'll change and poverty
he'll change repel.
poverty repel.
Nothing is
Nothing radically to meliorate the Vital
is done radically
previous to this
Spirit previous
Spirit this dissolution of the first
first medial
life:
life :Hyanthe died, so I-Iylas
I-Iyanthe died,
so Hylas at the fountain,
fountain, //
'I
too, before the //
/CaJ /
Adonis, Misenas, Patroclus, too,
Elpenor, Patroclus,
Misen^s, Elpenor,
brought into act.
was brought
heroic virtue was act. It needs a motive
It /
and excitation this is
excitation; and this ; given by
is given artifice of the
by artifice
depriving it
Divine Law depriving it when in in full vigour of its
full vigour its
Understanding Light.
Understanding Eurydice was lost
Light. So Eurydice lost to Orpheus
Orpheus
and Proserpine by Pluto's
Proserpine by stratagem, whom the god-
Pluto's stratagem, god-
dess Ceres too bewails;
bewails forfor the identical dilemma is
; is
common to these all,

common all, who personate wanderings
personate the wanderings
anguish of Intellect
and anguish artificially isolated on the
Intellect so artihcially
plain of Truth.
plain
'Tis not in fate th'

'Tis th' alternate then to give,
give,
dead, Achilles hates to live.
Patroclus dead, live.
me revenge
Let me revenge itit on proud Hector's
on proud Hector's heart,
heart,
Let his
his last spirit smoke upon
last spirit my dart;
upon my dart
On these conditions willwill I breathe, till then
breathe, till
among the race of'
Walk among
I blush to walk men.^
of men .IL
all in
Nor all was that vindictive will
in vain was will conceived,
conceived,
tears, though
or those heroic tears, Pope
though Pope has rendered them
/~
£21,(V.¢;C0/M141 cf. :Z/Ll -
1- xviii. xx. to c. also Fawke's

Iliad, book xviii. Fawke's Apol-'
Pope's Homer's
2- Pope's Homer's Iliad, Apol--
Argonuatics, book
Rhodius Argonuatics,
lonius Ehodius i.
boolv i. He too Alcides,
Ile Alcides, &c.
^c.
278 Laws
Lmvs and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions.
" unavailing."
"
unavailing." Not so so the master. Nor is is anything,
anything,
we believe, in
we in that so lengthened
lengthened Iliad
Iliad of
of woes un-
purposcd,
purposed, oror with all
all its
its inconsistencies,
inconsistencies, untrue:
untrue but :
in those particulars
in those particulars above all
all suggestive,
suggestive, which are
to common
common sense leastleast bent; weeping warriors,
bent such weeping
; warriors,
so much brave reserve, such radiant radiant armour, such a
magic
magic strength
strength of hand, and eye, and voice,
eye, to kill
voice, to kill
and terrify whole armies and convulse the elements,
terrify
belongs but to one race, one cause, one
belongs conflict ; Di-
one conflict ;
vinity
vinity mingles
mingles but in
in one, the war of life.
life. And forfor
this Heroic VV
this cause the Ileroic ill enters in,
Will self'-sacrificing,
in, self-sacrificing,
and stirs
stirs up bitter waters, to redeem and reinstate
up the bitter reinstate
kingdom lost.
the kingdom lost. But Achilles,
Achilles, too,too, must die die and
Sufibr,
sufl:'er, as was
was predestinated,
predestinated, before the fatal
fatal gates, as
gates,
]Eneas
iEneas leaves the dedicated bough bough in in Tartarus. For
how otherwise should that which is is sown be quick- quick-
ened unless it die??
it die Does not the grain putrefy in
grain putrefy in the
moist earth before it springs ?? So each succeeding
it springs succeeding lite life
must die,die, as transplanted

transplanted in
in the next, it
it dissolves,
dissolves, cor-
rupts, and rises

rupts, into a better form.
rises into For when thou
sowcst,
sowest, as the great Apostle says,
great Apostle says, thou sowest not
that body
body that shall
shall be ;'
;^ but it
it is the Law especial
is especial of
spiritual generation
spiritual generation that the parent
parent is
is bcttered
bettered in
in the
onl°spring,
offspring, even
even to the fourth generation,
generation, or iifth,
fifth, if
if
this happily
this happily should be attained. —
attained.-There There is
is an
an
earthly
earthly
body
body and there is is a spiritual
spiritual body —
body-the terrestrial is
the terrestrial is
bcttered in
bettered in the celestial,
celestial, and the celestial, descending
celestial, descending
and overcoming,
overcoming, is is conceived into the divine. divine. No
man ascends
7II(Hl nsccm/S up up into
into /zeavcn
heaven but /ze
he who
w/zo came 1/own
down
heavot, even I/ze
from /maven, sooi fy"
the sou man 'w/zic'/z
of man which is in /zecwezz.
is in heaven.
uf' /
f/j-^j\^j This is is the true LightLight which lightetl»,_man
lighteth/,nian that cometh
conieth
^' into the world,world, which in in the Saviour was perfected; perfected;
one ray
one ray of which is is able to cleanse this leprous life
this leprous life of
ours, it to the purest

ours, and convert it spiritual extreme.
purest spiritual
lurnine lumen
Cujus de lumine
Cujus
Omuc micat;
Omne niicat sine quo
; tencbreseunt lucida de quo
quo tenebrescunt quo
"ML nu, A,
(yr\ClyrryU£^^\^
/
Lucescunt tencbrm atque in-ani-mfs
tenebrce atqne imago.
i»aiiie*» noctis image.
Speaking
Speaking of the Essence, Plotinus writes
thc Intellectual Essence,
1
^ St.
St. Corintllians, 1st
Paul to the Corinthiaais, lst ep.
ep. xv. 37.
EXPERIMENTAL METHOD.
that we should not at first

effect, that
to the effect, hope to ob-
first hope
tain
tain the universal
universal subject, through the medium of
subject, but through
an image, satisfied-such
image, and be satisfied —
such is is his expression-with
his expression —
with
a certain
a
portion of gold,
certain portion representative of'
gold, as a representative of uni-
uni-
versal
versal gold therefore Anaxagoras
gold ;';^ and therefore Anaxagoras says, it begins
says, it begins
from that which is .small to exercise
is small exercise itsits comprehending
comprehending
power. Ramus, non
power. non arbor-The —
arbor The bough, bough, not the whole
tree, is to be taken. For, in
tree, is in however small a propor- propor-
tion, if
tion, if the reason be but pure, pure, it it will
will penetrate
penetrate
according to its
according purity, and gather
its purity, growth; but if
gather growth ; if it
it
pure, in
be not pure, in other words, if if the motive be not uni-
versal, it
versal, returned, to work, and resolve,
it must be returned, resolve, and
meditate, and prove,
meditate, prove, until it finds
until it finds experience
experience at at length
length
in
in the supreme
supreme Unity Unity of itsits Law. To find
find the true
Separator is
Separator is described, in fact, as the greatest
in fact, greatest diffi-
diffi-
eulty;2 as we
culty ^
; we may
may remember also in Virgil, the tree
also in Virgil,
is hid.
is hid.
tegit omnis
Hunc tegit
Liicus obscuris claudimt
Lucus et obseuris eonvallibus umbraz.
claudaut convallibus umbrae.
The tree of lifelife covered over, indeed, with the dark

over, indeed,
oblivion of thisthis natural outbirth,
outbirth, isis latent and difiicult
difficult
iind,
to find, even for
for him who has already passed
already passed the tur-
bulent waters of the senses' senses' medium and sees within.
For it it lies
lies not in merely, or in natural cunning,
in art merely, cunning,
celestial instinct only
but with the celestial reveal, that
only to reveal ;
originally conceived
intelligence which originally
subtle Maternal intelligence
it,
it, and can
can alone lead into the yet more
yet central, ante-
more central,
cedent, Paternal light

cedent, light of life.
life.
Maternas agnoscit
agnoscit aves laetusque precatur
laetusque prccatur
duces, O,
Este duces, 0, si qua via est cursumque
si qua cursumque per
per auras
Dirigite
Dirigite in
iu lucos,
lucos, ubi piuguem
pinguem dives opaeat
opaeat
Eamus humuin.'^
Ramus humum.3
premeditation of the Divine Art been

Thus has the premeditation
poetized ; and the discovery
poetized ; of' that heroic,
discovery of heroic, separable,
separable,
purpose, which has been so
triply refined intellectual purpose,
triply
11
Select Works;
Vorks; Enneacl, lib. viii.
Ennead, v. lib. viii.
2
2 L. Comitibus Metallar. lib. iv.
Oper. lib.
MetaUar. Nat. Oper. vii. ; Chrysopaea
cap. vii.
iv. cap. Chrysopaea
;
lib. ii.
lib.
3
3 ^neid. lib.
Eneid, lib. vi. 138, 193.
vi. 138,
—
280 Laws and Coxnrrioxs.
ANU Conditions.
often and under so many

often many names personified —
personified-Hercules,
Hercules,
Lyneeus,
Jason, Lynceus, Perseus, Cadmus, (Edipus, Diony-
GEdipus, Diony-
sils,
siis, Achilles, Bacchus, Amphiaraus, our
Amphiaraus, our Son, as
Hermes calls calls him, born a king^ who, taking his
king,,who,taking l1is tinc-
tinc-
fircjpasses through
ture from the fire^passes through darkness, and death,
Stygian waters. This is
and Stygian that prolific
is that Mustard-seed,
prolific Mustard-seed,
Light of divine
and Light Faith, which being
divine Faith, being the proper
proper sub-sub-
stance of the thing thing hoped
hoped for,
for, penetrates
penetrates into
into the yet
yet
reality of life;
unseen reality life;
it is
it this, which, visiting
is this, visiting the
interior
interior rectifying, discovers the occult Stone-the
rectifying, discovers Stone— the
hidden Medicine. Such was was the Caduceus of Hermes- Hermes
the Golden Bough,Bough, the ferrying ferrying Cup Cup of Hercules,
Hercules, and
all the golden
all golden passports admitting to those realms,
passports admitting realms, so
dangerous
dangerous to folly,
folly, and delightful
dehghtftil to Wisdom
Visdom recover-
her lost Etlieient in the Light

Light of
of life.
ing
ing lost Efficient in life.
This vertical
vertical separated
separated LightLight then we we take henceforth
bc the true alterative
to be principle in
alterative principle in the Divine Art,- Art,
The Alchemists are excessively excessively wary wary in
in speaking of it,
speaking it,
they are indeed concerning
as they concerning the human circumstances
throughout. For as we
mystery throughout.
of the mystery may by this time
we may by this
perceive,
perceive, it
it is
is no common
common light light that enters into Di-
a Power which glancing
vinity,
vinity, but a congenial ray;
congenial ray;
which glancing
forth from the capable capable will suchfas
will of suchj^ divinised
as are divinised,
only,
tta^, is
is essentially
essentially Divine. The persevering Trevisan
persevering
worked for upwards of half a century
for upwards century in in vain, until he
vain, until
this ; and Pontanus in
found this ; his Epistle
in his Epistle confesses how
he erred twôtwo hundred times, times, experimenting
experimenting even even after
after
he had attained a general general knowledge
knowledge of the 7)l(Ilfl2)`matter
and method of its its use, never correctly
use, never divining the
correctly divining
ldentity of the singular
Identity thing itself.
singular thing itself. Seek therefore,
therefore,
he says, writing
says, writing to his
his friend,
friend, seek to know this Fire
all thy
with all soul, that so thou may
thy soul, mayestest attain thy
to thy
desire ; for
; for itit is key of all
is the key philosophers
all the philosophers which
they have never openly
they openly revealed. But profound profound medi-
tation alone can give give it thee, so thou mayest
it to thee, mayest dis-dis-
cern,
eern, and not otherwise'
otherwise.^ Other examples
examples w'e
we have in
Zachary,
Zachary, and in
in Flammel
Flamnêl ;
; w
who,
ho, after he was conversant
matter^ and had both fire
in the matter, fire and furnace indicated
to him by by Abraham the Jew, Jew, wandered in the wilder-

l in Theat. Chem.
Ejiistle in
^
See Pontanus Epistle
ness of
ncss
uncertainty for
of uncertainty for three several years.
three several Madathan,
years. Madathan,
another celebrated adept, is
adept, is citedcited by Vaughan as
by Vaughan
having practised for
having practised for five years together
five years
unsuceessfull`y,
together unsuccessfully^,
until at last,
until at last, he after the sixth
saysbaftcr
says^ year, II was
sixth year, was en-
trusted with the Key Key of Power, by by a a secret revelation
revelation
from Almighty
Almighty God,^ God? Contemplate therefore
Contemplate therefore and ob-
says Basil
serve, says Valentine, these things
Basil Valentine, things diligently,
diligently, for for
in
in the preparation
preparation of consists
Antimony consists
A/ztinzo/ry the Key of
Key
Alchemy,
Alchemy, and this principal key
this principal key is is of great
great concern.
Be itit known, moreover,

moreover, that our stone of Fire (which
Fire (which
is
is Antiniony)
Antimony) ought ought to be boiled boiled and maturated with
corporeal tire
the corporeal fire of the microcosm,
microcosm, for for at the farewell,
farewell,
or ne plus ultra, of the operative
plus ultra, operative fire fire of the macro-
macro-
cosm, the fire fire of the microcosm doth begin begin the pro- pro-
~
duction of a new species 01 generation ; and

geneiation and, there
. . . . .
species or ; , there- _
,
fore, let
fore, no man
let no man wonder at thiscoction,^ coction.2 And believcf believe
wc
only Basil, says Kirchlngius,
not only Basil, says Kirchwigius, but me
me; ; with the`~Q _//'
the
same faithfaith and sincerity, affirming to you
sincerity, afiirming you that this this
first key
first key is is the principal
principal part
part of the whole Art ; , this
this
opens
opens the first
first gate,
gate, this
this will
will also
also unlock the last,
last,
which leads into the palace palace of the king. king. Believe not
only, but consider and observe. Here you
only, you stand in in
the entrance ; if; if you
you miss the door,
door, all
all your
your course
course will
will
be error;
en'or ; all your haste ruin;
all your ruin; and all your wisdom
all your
foolishness.
foolishness. He who obtains this Key and knows the
this Key
method, which is
method, is called Manual Operation,
Operation, by by which to
it,
use it, and hath strength
strength to turn the same, will
will acquire
acquire
riches,
riches, and an
an open passage
open passage into the mysteries
mysteries of che-
mistry?
mistry,^
it
Sophistry, it
Sophistry, will be observed therefore is
will no leader
is no
in this
this Art, avarice, or ignorance
Art, or avarice, ignorance, but he who pre-
; pre-
sumes without the revelation of the Divine Light
sumes
Light to
his own
introduce his own blind purpose, instead of condition-
purpose,
ating and inquiring
ating inquiring patiently, will be in
patiently, will in danger
danger of
1
1 Post sextuni annum clavis potentiaa
sextum annum potentiae per arcauam revela-
per arcanain V
f\/} u^Qt^yrr^
þÿ/'//L/" ¬Lcn
tionem ab onmipotente rnihi concredita
omnipotente Deo mihi coucredita est, sec Lumen
&c.; see
est, &c.
if/l¢/,Mf§_
;
-/'/•x*/?^
de Lumine,
Lumine, p.
p. 67.
A ^ H€Jy>^^^^ >
2
2 Chariot of Antimony, p. 24
Antimouy, p. ; Stone
; of Fire, pp.
Fire, 160, 168; Idem,
pp. 160, 168; Idcni,
24; also
p. 24;
p. Dyou. Zachary
ako Dyon. Zachary Opusculvmi,
Opuscuhun, part ii. ; Lucerna Salis,
part ii. ; Salis, p.
p.
64, &c.
64,
:
282 Laws
LAVS and CONDITIONS
AND Conditions
falling
falling into infinite
into infinite snares.
snarcs. The Law of of Nature,
being simple
being simple and harmoniously framed, will
harmoniously will bafiie
baffle him
rise up
and rise up in
in judgment against
judgment against his
his generation, and
generation,
condemn him to wander in in thc
the labyrinth
labyrinth alone. alone. Hence,
all the care
all care that is is taken to train train the true Inquisitor,Inquisitor,
that he may
that may obtain
obtain the passport clear,
passport clear, as we have
we
h\^0JH^ shown it; it; that

that he^know
he/Jinow what, and where, and how he
ought
ought to obey,
obey, and inquire,
inquire, and will,
will, and hope.
hope.
/J
And it it is
is therefore
therefore declared to all all lovers of Art, says
Art, says
.laeob Biihme,
.Jacob Bohme, whose Separator Separator is
is an
an artist
artist of great
great
subtlety in
subtlety in them, that they first
that they first seek God's God's love and
grace, and resign
grace, resign up up themselves to become wholly wholly one one
with that:
that : else all
else their seeking
all their seeking is delusion, or
is but a delusion,
courting
a courting of a shadow, and nothing
nothing is
is found in any
in any
jun/anzezztal wort/i,
fundamental, worth, unless
unless one dot/z
doth (3ll[l`Z{.Sf
entrust allot/iw'
another
wil/1 Somew/mt.
with soiueivhat. The which is is forbidden to the children
of God in in whom the grace grace is is revealed,
revealed, that they east
they cast
not pearls before swine,
pearls before swine, uponupon the pain pain of eternal pu-
pu-
nishment ; only; only it
it is
is freely granted
freely granted to them to declare
light, and to show the way
the light, way of attaining
attaining the pearl; pearl
but to givegive the divine Separator Separator into the bestial bestial hand
is prohibited, unless a man
is prohibited, manlinoweth
knoweth the way way alld will
and will
of him that desires it.^ it.'
We
We do not see either that it is exactly
it is possible to
exactly possible
give
give into such possession
possession that which is
is divine ; except,
; except,
indeed,
indeed, the Theosophist
Theosophist alludes to a mediate occupa-
occupa-
tion. And this
tion. brings us to consider more
this brings more i)articularly
particularly
the representative understanding, measure, and guar-
representative understanding, guar-
dian of the Light;Light for,; for, as we may remark in the fables,
we may fables,
the heroic adventurer with all his divine equipment,
all his equipment,
though
though he loses
loses his first
first companion,
companion, never
never goes
goes
through
through the labours alone;
alone ; but is
is aided by stratagem
by stratagem
and wise council in the way. way. Vithcut
Without Ariadne's
Ariadne's een- con-
duct, Theseus could not have tamed the Minotaur ; or
duet, ;
Jason, but for

Jason, for the ready ready counsel and assistance of
Medea, have obtained the fleece
Medea, Eurystheus sets Her-
fleece; Eurystheus
;
cules to the performance

performance of each separate labour;
separate labour his
;
1^See Bohme's
BE5hme's Epistles ; on The Turned
same effect on
Epistles; and to the same
Eye printed with the rest of his works,
Eye; printed
; works, in Mo.
4to.
EXPERIMENTAL l/IETHOD.
f""/_ .4
wwf"/,
aids Achilles
mother aids Achilles ; JUpcnor
; Ulysses and the Sybil
.Bl-péner, Ulysses; , Sybil
;
accompanies fEneas
accompanies through the infernal
JEneas through shades.
infernal shades. In
Alchemy, too, the Moon is
Alchemy, is singularly honoured; for
singularly honoured for ;
it is the Passive Intelligence

it is Intelligence which, freed art and
by art
freed by
in conjunction,
set in
set responds to the Vill
conjunction, responds Will ofof her seek-
seek-
Reason; discovers
ing Reason
ing discovers the way
; way of progress,
progress, unra-
velling the context of each involuted thought,
velling thought, and
setting aside
setting obstacles with utmost discretion,
aside obstacles passes
discretion, passes
with him through abyss, as it
through the abyss, were the very
it were king-
very king-
dom of confusion, triumphant over all
confusion, triumphant all and uncon- ^ .
founded. It is
It is from within that the knowledge^ knowledge/Q to-
to- '^^^^^-^'^^^^
gether with the true efficient,

gether (which are indeed
efficient, t-pi'ii^f^ (which
one in principle, but in
in principle, their practical
in their operation and
practical operation
for the sake of offspring
for distinguished and sepa-
offspring are distinguished sepa-
rately represented
rately represented in in the Art), revealing at the same
Art), revealing
their origin,
time their destination. The mode
origin, essence, and destination.
of analysis
analysis however is directed, and the means
is directed, means forfor the
most part provided by
part provided by the Passive Understanding
Understanding
gotten in
gotten contemplation of herself.
in transcendental contemplation herself.
ISTUD EST VAS vas HERMETIS, QUOD
HeRMETIS, QUOD STo1c1
StOICI OCCULTA-
oceULTA-
verunt, ET
VERUNT, et NoNnon EST est vasvas nigromanticum
N1GRoMANT1cU1x1 sed est
SED EsT
Mensura Ignis
MENSURA lGN1s tui.^TUI.1
Both therefore have to be prepared prepared-the — spiritual
the spiritual
agent and the spiritual
agent spiritual patient-according
patient —
according to those
Smaragdine Table ; That which is
words of the Smaragdine ; is above
is
is as that which is below, and that which is
is below, is below isis as
that which is is above,
above, forfor performing
performing the miracles of the
One Thing
Thing whence all all the rest proceed
proceed by by adaptation.
adaptation.
It is
It therefore, in
is not lawful therefore, in this
this work,
work, to conjoin
conjoin unlike
natures; but,
natures ; but, in order to bettering/
bettering/ in
in the offspring,
offspring,
equal Spirits are allied;
equal Spirits are allied ;as Hermes says,
says, both need the
help
help one of iiother,
Miother, for
for the precepts
precepts demand a me-
me-
dium ,"-^ that as the crude natural life was in

life was in the first
first
place bettered in the natural,
place natural, so the supernatural
supernatural may may
be so much further advanced within themselves, themselves, even
to the order of bodies permanent, permanent, being changed from
being changed
eorporeal
a corporeal to a
a
spiritual
spiritual extreme : :
1^ Practica, in fine
Maria Practica, fine
2
- Aureus, cap.
Tract. Aureus, cap. 11.
ii.
284 Laws
AND Conditions.
Ouvrieigsur tout aye

Ouvriei'.sur cure
aye cure
Que l'art iinite
I'art la nature,
imite la nature,
teu de
lfcxterne feu
L'externe eharbon
de charbon
la matiere altcréc.,
Rend la alteree,
l'interne et
Mais I'iuterne l'a>therée
et I'setheree
bon.1
ouvrage bon.'
Faira ton ouvrage
The fire of the natural

fire of life stirs
natural life stirs up and, being
up and, manu-
being manu-
lnitted, alters;
mitted, alters ; internal alone is
but the internal is able,
able, being
being
perfect the work begun
purified, to perfect
purified, according to that
begun , according
;
saying of the sage--Si

other saying sage —
Si pariat
pariat ventum valet auri
valet auri
pondera eentum-if
pondera —
centum if wind be made of gold gold it is worth
it is
an hundredfold. Let us be careful

an careful therefore dis-
therefore to dis-
tinguish, in
tinguish, conception, the pure
in our conception, pure from the impure,
impure,
spirit of universal reason and its
rectified spirit
the rectified its intelli-
intelli-
gross ether and perplexed
gence from the gross
gence perplexed understand-
this mundane sphere.
ing of this
ing sphere. For there cannot come
any thing
of any vi1'tue which it
thing that virtue it has not; though
not ; though
that which itit has indeed maymay bc improved and mag-
be improved mag-
nified.
nified. And therefore it it behoves ns mortify two
us to mortiiy
Argent vives together,
Argent says Hermes ; both to venerate
together, says ;
and to be venerated, viz., Vive of Auripig-

Argent vive
viz., the Argent Auripig-
ment and the Oriental Argent Magnesiatz
Argent vive of Magnesia.^
Sol meus nr
Son MEUS sunt in
kadii suN'r
et RADII me Ixrmnsz,
IN ME intime, LUNA veeo rno-
Ltjna vrmo pro-
pbia
PRIA meum
l[EUM lumen est,
ILUMEN EST, OMNE lumen supebans
omne LUMEN SUPERANSQ ET et bona
; QBONA
MEA OMNIBUS
MEA OMNIBUS BONIS MELIOKA SUNT.
BOXIS MELIORA SUXT. PROTEGE ME
PeOTEGE ME ET PEOTE-
PROTE-
GAM MIIII MEUM

LAEGIEI VIS MIHI
TE, LARGIRI
GAM TE, MEUM UT ADJUVEM
A_DJUVE1I TE.3
TE.^
they which sound the depths

These are they together ; the
depths together ;
philosophical. And as the influence

Sun and Moon, philosophical.
of the Moon, says says Plutareh, reflect the
Plutarch, seems to reflect
works of reason, and to proceed
ivorks Wisdom, so the
proceed from VlS(l0lI1,
operations of the Sun are seen to resemble those
operations
strokes which by mere dint of strength and force bear
by mere strength
down all
all before them. You also have been initiated
Mysteries in which there are two pair
in those Mysteries pair of eyes,
eyes,
it is
and it pair which are beneath
requisite that the pair
is requisite
should be closed when the pair pair that are above them
perceive, and when the pair
perceive, pair above are closed those
opened. Think therefore,
which are beneath should be opened. therefore,
1^
Aureus, Scbolium,
Tract. Aureus, cap. i.
Scholium, cap. i.
2
cup. iii.
Tract. Aur. cap.
^ iii.
il
•^
Idem,
ldem, cap. iv.
cap. iv.
;
EXPERIMENTAL IVIETHOD.
says Synesius,
says explaining the same
Synesius, explaining same Egyptian
Egyptian Mythology
Mythology
Isis and Osiris,
of Isis Osiris, that
that this
this is
is an indicative of
enigma indicative
enigma of
contemplation and
þÿC0llf ¬7ll/)/Ilffllll action
action ;
; the intermediate nature
alternately encrgising
alternately according to each of these?
energising according these. ^ Pro-
elus,
clus, also
also dividing
dividing the Apollonieal Intellect, remarks
ApoUonical Intellect,
that the prop/zelic power unfolds the simplicity
piôphetic power simplicity of truth
and takes awayaway the varietyvariety of that which is false ; but
is false ;
the arrow-darting power

(Il')`0ll)-lfllffillg power exterininates
exterminates everything,
everything,
furious and wild,
furious wild, and prepares
prepares that
that which is is orderly
orderly
gentle to exercise
and gentle exercise dominion, vindicating itself
vindicating to itself
^
Unity?
Unity.
alone, indeed, if
Power alone, if destitute
destitute of the ruling
ruling aid
aid of
Wisdom, would be borne along
Visdom, along with violence,
violence, minghng
mingling
destroying all
and destroying all things;
things yet ;
will not move
yet nature will move by
by
either, and Intellect
theory either,
mere theory Intellect is therefore useless
is therefore
for the purposes
for purposes of action when depriveddeprived of the sub-
serviency
serviency of the hands. But these two Vis-
concurring. Wis-
concurring,
dom with Power in all things
in action, all things become possible
possible ;
and inin such a subtle and firm texture of divine
splendor and prophetic
splendor prophetic companionship, Will may
companionship, the Vill may
descend inin safety
safety to the abodes of Power. A man
wise man
is says the wise king,
strong, says
is strong, knowledge increaseth
king, and knowledge
strength.
strength. Two are better than one,
one, they have
because they
good reward for
a good their labour
for their in water
labour; as in
; face an-
wâter face
swers to face, man to man?
face, so the heart of man man.^
By mutual
By conidence
confidence and mutual aid
Great deeds are done and great
great discoveries made.
The wise new
new prudence from the wise acquire,
prudence acquire,
And one
one brave hero fans another's fires*
another's lire.'*
And as the Rational Efficient,

Efficient, armed with a bright
bright
intelligence, discovers the evil
intelligence, evil of its first conception,
its first conception,
now
now appearing manifold within the veil,
appearing
a dissolution of the vital
even to a yital bond,
it proceeds
veil, it proceeds
bond, continually
continually r/5
/
/
_
11
Sec Extracts from his treatise on
See
mfg
Providence, at the end of
on Providence,
Plotinns' Select "Works,

Plotinus' V0rks, byby Taylor, p. 531 ; and Plutarch,
Taylor, p. ; Isis and
Plutareb, Isis
Osiris, circa inedialn.
Osiris, mediam.
2
3
- Proclus on
on the Theology —
Theology of Plato-Scholia
Plato on the Cratylus.
Scholia on Cratylus.
^
Proverbs,
Proverbs, chap.
chap. xxiv. Xxvii.
xxvii. Eccles. iv.
iv.
4
4 Iliad, book x. 265.
Iliad,
;;
286 Laws
AND Conditions.
imaging
imaging its its revelation
revelation in in act.-Vfr*Belovcd
act.+f+Beloved brother, advises
brother, advises
experienced and earnest Bolime,
the experienced Bohme, if' you would
if you
Mystery, seek it
seek the Mystery, it not in in the
the outivard
outzuarzl spirit
spirit;
you will
you there be deceived, and attain
will there attain nothing
nothing hut but a a
glance of
glance mystery enter in
of the mystery; ; even to the Cross,
in even Crass,
then seek gold gold and and youyou willwill not be deceived.
deceived. You
must seek in in another world for pure child
for the pure that is
child that is
without spot spot; in; this world

in this you find
Vv'orld you find only drossy
only the drossy
child, that is
child, is altogether imperfect ; but go
altogether imperfect ; go about it in
it in
right manner
a right
a manner; enter in ; in even
even to the cross in in the
Fourth Form, there you you have Sol Sol illld
and Luna together
together ;
bring them through
bring through an anguish anguish intointo death, and bruise bruise
that composed
composed magical magical body body so long until it
long until it become
again
asrain
o that which it before in
was before
it was in the centre of' of the
will ; and tl1en
will ; then it it becometh magical magical and hungry hungry afterafter
nature. It It is longing in
is a longing in the eternal desire,
desire, and would
hiin have a body;
fain body; give give it it Sol, viz., the soul,
Sol, viz., soul, that con-
joining they
joining they maymay conceive a body body according
according to that
soul.
soul. So the Vill springs up
Will springs up in in Paradise with fair fair
golden fruits.
golden fruits. We
Ve speak
speak not here of a glass glass or image,
image,
gold, whereof men
but of gold, men vaunt themselves, their
vannt themselves, their
idol
idol god?
god.^
In such few words does the Theosophist Theosophist comprehend
comprehend
beginning of the Sacred Art,
the end and beginning Art, the sum sum of
the divine Intention and its fruits ; for
its vital fruits for by
by death
;
and contrition of the agent agent in in the patient,

patient, and vice
versa,
versa, the old life is crucified; and out of that
finally crucified
life is finally ;
crucifixion, by
crucifixion, by reunion of the principlesprinciples under another
law, the new
lav, new life
life is elicited; which life
is elicited ; is a very
life is
very real
and pure Quintessence,
pure Quintessence, the Mercury
Mercury so much sought
sought
even the Elixir of Life
after, even
after, Life; which needs only
; only tl1e
the
corroborative virtue of' of the Divine light which it
light v.diich it draws,
draws,
in order to become the living
in gold of the philosophers,
living gold philosophers,
transmuting
transmuting and multiplicative-the
multiplicative —
the concrete JW*/zz for??i of
that which in the dead metal we we esteem.
esteem.-O —
O Nature,
Nature )
magnanimous creatrix
the most magnaniinous ereatrix of natures!
natures cries the !
Master, eontainest and scparatest

Master, which containest separatest all things in
all things
a middle principle!
principle Our Stone comes
! comes with Light, and
Light,
1
Tu1:ne1;¥>Eycg; Quest.
fr
Quest. 17,
17, &e.
&c.
_,;___
`7'(' L,
Ô'Vtly'" I
;
with Light it is
Light it is generated;
generated and then it brings forth
it brings
; forth
the darkness, which is
clouds, or darkness,
the clouds, is the
the mother of allall
things?
things.^
Let us pause consider what it
then, to consider
here, then,
pause here, it was the
philosophers really
philosophers really searched for
for and discovered
discovered in
in this
this
Stone; that we may
Stone ;
may be prepared
prepared to learn
learn some
some more
definite particulars
definite particulars of theirtheir practice,
practice, and in in what condi-
condi-
tion the vital
tion vital elements are placed placed during
during their
their experi-
experi-
recreation.
ment and recreation. We
YVe have seen that, that, next to the
tirst preliminaries, the object
first preliminaries, object was to produce
produce an altera- altera-
tion
tion inin the Vital Spirit,
Vital Spirit, and that this
this was operated by
operated by
a true Rational Analysis, Analysis, which,
which, repeatedly passed
repeatedly passed
through, leads
through, leads on dissolution of the whole natural
on to a dissolution
born hypostasis,
hypostasis, and is is the condition proper proper to induce
new life
a new life and growth
growth intointo consciousness. That which
they sought
they sought after,
after, and profess accordingly
profess accordingly to have dis-
dis-
eovered, therefore, is
covered, therefore, is this
this lniraeulous principle
miraculous principle of re-
generation; by
generation ; by which the relationships
relationships of the vital
vital
exchanged the sensible
elements are exchanged; ; sensible medium, which
in this present
in this present birth is is dominant, being being made occult; occult
and the occult supernatural
supernatural reason of life,
life, which is
is
catholic,§D§ becoming
catholic ^fe^,
. becoming manifest in
in #B
fi self-evidence
and power.
power.
And this is is the true way way and means by by which the
metaphysical
metaphysical body
body of gold
gold will
will be made profitable, and
profitable,
in no other way,
in way, as the adepts adepts teaeh;
teach ; but by by taking
taking
body, when it
that body, is found,
it is found, and joining
joining it
it with a spirit
spirit
which is cozzsa/zgzzizzeozzs and proper
is consanguineous proper to it, it, and circulat-
ing these two natures one

ing one uponupon the other,
other, until one
have conceived by by the other.-Pinge
other. —Pinge duos Angues, Angues,
cries Cornelius Agrippa
cries Agrippa; or, ;
proceed in the more
or, to proceed
suggestive language of his
suggestive language ingenious disciple
his ingenious —
disciple-Take Take ourour
serpents, which are to be found everywhere
two serpents, everywhere on the
face of the earth;
earth they
;they are a living male and a living
a li\dng living
female (understand
(understand in relation to the spirit spirit always
always
without all all corporeal allusion); tie
corporeal allusion) ; tie them in a love
/mot
knot and shut them up up in the Arabian
Arn/zirzn Caralia.
Cl/l`d/1(I. This
is Jirst labour;
is the jim! labour ; but the next Next is more difficult.
is more difficult.
Thou must incamp against them with the Jire
inczz/up against fire ofQ" na-
1
^ Tractatus Aureus,
Aureus, cap. iii.
cap. iii.
288 Laws AND CON-DITIONS.
and Conditions.
tare, and be sure

ture, sure thou dost b1'ing
bring thy /ine round
thy line
about.
about. Circle them in,
Circle in, and stop
stop all
all avenues, that they
1/venues, that they
find no
find no reli¢
relief. Continue this
this siege patie/1!l_y, and they
siege patientlij, they
turn into
into an an ugly venomous black toad ; which will
ugly venomous will be
transformed to a horrible horrible devouring
devouring dragon, creeping
dragon, creeping
and weltering
wcltcring in in the bottom of her cave, Cave, without
wings.
wings. Touch her not by by anyany means, continues the
adept,
adept, not so much as with thy hands, for
thy for there
there is is not
upon
upon earth such avehement
a vehement transcendant poison,
poison. As
thou hast begun begun so proceed, and this
proceed, this dragon will
dragon will turn
into a swan, but more white than the hovering
into hovering virgin
virgin
snow when it
snoiv it is
is not yet yet snllicd
sullied with
-with, the enrlll.
earth. Hence-
forth
forth I I will
will allow thee to forti/`_y fortify thy thy _/ire, till the
Jire, till
P/zcenia; appears.
Phcenix appears. It
It isis a red bird of' of a most deep deep
Colour
colour with a sl1ini11gjzèr_y
sliining Jiery /me. hue. Feed thisthis bird with
the /ire of
i\\Qfire his fatlzer
of his father and the ether el/zer of his his mot/:er
mother ,'; for for
the first is meat,
first is meat, the second is is drink,
drink, and without this
this
last he attains
last attains not to his his jizll
full glory.
glory. Be sure to un-
derstand this this seeret
secret ;; for for fire
Jire feeds not well unless it it be
_/irsl ]%d.
Jirst fed. It
It is
is of'
of itself'
itself (hy
dry and choleric,
choleric, but a proper
proper
tempers it,
moisture tempers gives it
it, gives it a /feavenly complexion and
heavenly (`()N1/)[6'$l(UI
brings it
brings exfiltntion. Feed thy
it to the desired exattatioj/. thy bird
bi/^d then
as II have told thee, thee, and he will
will move
more in
in his
his nest, and
?2est,
rise like
rise like a star of of' the ]l7'l1l(I)IIC)ll.
Jifinamenf. Do this,
this, and thou
J
placed
hast placed nature in
in the lzorizon
horizon of Eternély. Thou
of Eternity.
/\ ; performed that command of the âbalist.
hast performed Qabalist, Unite
c^ ; tlze Old
the end to the t/ze beginning
beginning as t/zefla/ne
the flame is
is united to lo the
the
I coal; for
coal; for the
the Lord is
is superlatiuely
superlatively one and ndnzils
admits cf
of no
second*
second.^ Consider what it it is you seek
is you seek: you
: you seek an
indissolublc, miraculous,
indissoluble, miraculous, trausmuting,
transmuting, uniting union;
uniting union ;
but such a tie tie cannot be without wîthout the jirst unity. For
Jirst unity.
to create and to transinute essentially and naturally
transmute essentially naturally
violence is
without violence is the properproper ofliee
office of power,
tliejirst power,
i\\e Jirst
phil
the Jirst
_
wisdom and the /1'/'st
Jirst love.
love. Without
\Vithout this
this love
the elements will will never be married ;,' they they will
will never
never in-
in-
ward and essentially
essentially unite;
unite ; which is
is the end and per-
per-
'2
fection of magic.magic.
'^
fection
l1
Liber Jezirah, cap. i.
Jezirah, cap. i.
Fige finein
Fige fiuem in principio
priucipio sicut flammam
sieut ilammam
prunzn conjunctani,
pruna) quia Dominua
coujunctani, quia Dominus superlative
superlative unus, non tenet
unus, et non
seeundum.
Becundum.
2
2
Vaughan, Lumen de
Vaughan, cle Lumine,
Lumine, p. 62, and following.
p. 62, following.
; ;
EXPERIMENTAL Mnrnon.
Thus Vaughan: the italics,

ThusVaughan: copied from the original,
italics, copied original,
serve well to
to denote where a a latent meaning is
latent meaning- is implied
implied
analogies which are aptly
and those analogies referrible throughout
aptly referrible throughout
the process. following verses translated
process. The following translated from the the
Aquarium
Aquarium Sapiemfzlm
Sapieutian of about the same
same period,
period, may
may help
help
thc subiect
elucidate the
to elucidate further and lead
subject further dis-
lead on the dis-
cerning mind.
cerning
spirit is
The spirit given
is given to the body
body forfor a
a time,
Aud
And that refreshing spirit washes the soul
refreshing spirit soul by
by art;
art
If
If the suddenly attracts the soul
spirit suddenly
the spirit soul to itself
itself;;
Then nothing separate it
can separate
nothing can it from itself.
itself.
Then they
they consist in Three and yet
consist in yet abide in seat,
in one seat.
body is
Until the noble body dissolved, and
is dissolved, putrefy and sepai'ate
aud putrefy separate from
them ;
after some time the spirit
Then after spirit and soul come
ajid soul come together
together
In the extreme or last heat, and each maintains its
last heat, its proper
proper seat in
in
constancy.
constancy.
nothing wanting,
Then, nothing entire sound estate and perfection
wanting, an entire is
perfection is
at hand.
at hand,
And the work
Work isis glorified
glorified with great
great joy.1
joy.^
This is
is the constant doctrine and rule
rule of the regene-
regene-
ration of light
ration light out of darkness, life from death
darkness, of life death; ;
the solution of the sense-born spirit spirit and its subsequent

its subsequent
sublimation,
sublimation, by by a preponderant
preponderant afiinity
affinity artificially
artificially en-
into the transparent
dowed, into glory of its
transparent glory its prototypic
prototypic
form. And thus we we learn from adepts,
adepts, though
though parti-
parti-
vary, that nature was not proved
culars vary, proved by by them at
random ; forfor neither does she move
; move by by theory only or
theory only
mere mechanic art, art, but by experiment and
by rational experiment
the light
light of faith,
faith, which,
which, entering, up the inward
stirs up
entering, stirs
oppressed Hre
oppressed fire of the chaotic natural-born life, life, and en-
deavours to convert,
convert, as it by a pure
were, by
it were, conscience,
pure conscience,
mo\ang
moving the matter to a contrite state; state; which at length
length
penetrating to meet the self-willed Identity
penetrating Identity within,
within, isis
arrested, and the contest of good
arrested, good and evil commences in
evil commences in
soul, each striving
the soul, for the ascendant,
striving for ascendant, until the latter
latter
prevailing
prevailing for period (md
a period being the neccssitous
{mek such being necessitous
decree) an eclipsation
decree) an eclipsation of' light takes place,
of the light place, and a a
dissolution of its was before shown. And,
body, as was
its body, And, as
we
we read in fable, Typhon
in the fable, Typhon killed Osiris, utcriue
Osiris, his uterine
l'
Aquarium
Aquarium Snipicntilin,
HapientAm, in in Mus. Kerm.
llerm. The Enigma.
Enigma.
u
U
.
290
29U Laws and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions.
brother, and scattered his members

scattered his to the four winds
usurped his
and usm'ped his rightful re-collecting,
lsis, re-
rightful throne ; but Isis, ;
collecting,
hides them in
hides in a chest just so the ethereal
chcst: just :
hypos-
ethereal hypos-
tasis is divided
tasis is against itself
divided against itself and brought
brought toto a separa-
a separa-
tion three ; the
tion even as these three the soul, spirit, and the
soul, the spirit,
;
body's principle;
body's principle; the paternal,
paternal, maternal, and proceed-
proceed-
ing substance of life
ing life ;; sulphur,
sulphur, mercury, salt. The sul-
mercury, salt. sul-
phur, which is
phur, is the soul golden ferment, being
soul and golden dislo-
being dislo-
cated in in its
its purpose
purpose by by the opposive
opposive will, will, is carried
is carried
aloft
aloft to float upon the ethereal waters, whilst
float upon these con-
whilst these
tinue to tear, decoct,
tinue soften the sensual dominant
decoct, and soften
and make it it more
more ilt for the returning
fit for returning reason and un- un-
derstanding to wo1'k
derstanding work upon;
upon for ;for itit is brought to an ex-
is brought
tremity indeed, and made to feel

tremity feel the want of ofthe
the light
light
it rejected. The light
it had rejected. moreover dessnret
light moreover elocritot ascend//7i^
ascent
lmtllf carries with it

bfliuiii carries ferniental odour of the body,
it a fermental body, ^
which by by the divine Art also also is is so contrived in in order
that the soul may may not depart altogether into the re-
depart altogether
gion of nonentity.
gion nonentity. Thus Hermes-Take, —
Hermes Take, my my son, the
flying bird
flying bird and drown it it flying,
flying, then divide and cleanse
it
it from its its filth keeps it
filth which keeps it in
in death ; expel
; this and
expel this
put away
put away all pollution, that it
all pollution, may live
it may live and answer thee, thee,
not by flying away
by flying away indeed but truly truly by forbcaring to
by forbearing
ily?
fly.' And all while, during
all the while, during this period of the se-
this period
veration, a wonderful coction is
veration, is described as going going on; on;
cart/z is
the earth is overflown with waters^ þÿ2U({l' ¬)'S,the two great
great
lights eclipsed, the ui/'
/ig*/its are eclipsed, air is darkened, and all
is darkened, all things
things
are in confusion and disorderly relation, by
disorderly relation, by reason of
the successive passion prevalence of the vital
passion and prevalence vital
principles one
principles another; .tbr
one over another; for the balance is is so
maintained that they they cancan neither be said properly properly to
die or live
die according to that descriptive
live according Prosopopoeia of
descriptive Prosopopoeia
the Stone.
Non
N on ego continue morior dum spiritus
ego coutinue spiritus exit,
exit.
Jam redit assidue
assiduc quzunvis szepc recedit
quanivis et ssepe
Et mihi
inihi uune magna est anima,
nunc magna ll{lC1llf£tS.
nunc nulla faeultas.
aulma, mine
Plus ego quam corpus

ego sustinui quam corpus debuit unum,
unum,
Tres animas habui, quas omnes
habui, quas omnes intus habebam,
habebani,
þÿDlSCBSS6l' ¬
Discessere dna;
dua\ sed
scd Tertia po'iie secntn, est,
poenc secuta est, &c.
l'
T1'act'. cap. ii.
; ;
Experimental Mnruon.
ExPER1MnN'1'A1, Method. 291
am not dead although

II am although mymy spirit's
spirit's gone,
gone,
it returns, and is
For it is both off and on,
botli off
Now I I have life, now II have none
life, now none;
I
I suffered
suffered more than one could justly
one coidd
justly do,
Three souls
souls I all my
had, and all
I had, own but two
my own; ;
Are fled
fled ; the third
; left me
third had almost left me too?
too.^
Unremitting attention are enjoined

Unremitting care and attention enjoined at at this
this
critical
critical juncture,
juncture, lest
lest either
either of
of the dissolute
dissolute elements
should escape
escape from its legitimate attraction, and the
its legitimate
property
property of the Spirit, which is
Spirit, is as yet indifferent
yet indifferent
life or death,
to life death, should by by force
force of
of too strong
strong afire, as
afire,
LuUy
Lully explains,
explains, be dissevered from the body,
body, and the
thencefortli depart
soul thenceforth depart into
into the region
region of
of her own
own
sphere.
sphere. And therefore
therefore he says,-Let
says, — Let the heavenly
heavenly
power or agent
power agent be such in place of generation,
in the place generation,
mutation, that it
or mutation, may alter
it may humidity from
alter the humidity
its
its earthly complexion to a fine
earthly complexion transparent form or
fine transparent
species?
species.^
pg#
Uejir
we are not here
But we proposing to exhibit the Prac-
!*§#©• proposing
tice, but only

tice, only to understand it.
it. therefore,
Previous, therefore,
to the birth and fruits
fruits of spiritual increase, it
spiritual increase, may be
it may
expedient briefly
expedient only to consider the intermediate
briefly only
stages
stages of the abyssal regeneration and contest of the
abyssal regeneration
Embryo before it
Metaphysical Embryo
Metaphysical is born into the eaite
it is wise ^P~<ui
ception ^
ception @ the eye eye of sense. Entering
Entering in for the
in for
adepts describe it
dissolution, adepts
dissolution, it indeed as the greatest
greatest
poison-a —
poison a most potent, wilful ens of fire
destroying, wilful
potent, destroying, fire ; ;
for the contrary

for will of the Whole
contrary will whole dissolving
dissolving life
life is
is
loosened byby it, aouates it

it, which acuates it exceedingly,
exceedingly, the one
being natural and the other a fire
being fire against Nature
against Nature;
conjoining together,
conjoining they make a conflagration more
together, they conflagration more
consuming than any
fiercely consuming
fiercely any elemental flame; and
flame ;
being of equal
being they prey
origin, they
equal origin, upon each other
prey upon
incombustibly, and by
incombustibly, by so much the more
more increasing as
increasing
l
1 Theat. Chem. Tom. Toni. iii.
iii. p. Chimica, Carmen
764. Processus Chimica,
p. 76-L.
Elegans,
Elegans, v. x. and xi., Yaughan's Magia
xi., Vanghan's Magia Adamica.
2
Practica, Testament, where he
2 See his Theoria et Practica, and in the Testament, lie
writes, Si cum
writes. cum igne magno operatus fueris proprietas nostri spi-
igne magno operatus proprietas spi-
ritus, &c.;
ritus, (S:c.
; again, Ubi artista regidam
and again, regnlam singulavi diligentia ob-
singulari diligentia
debet, &c.
servare debet, Src. Sal Lumen Nuysement, p.
Lumen; Nuyseinent,
; p. 133,
133, &c.
2"
U 2
u
^ ;
292 and Coxnirioxs.

together in
they draw together
they in might.
might. And as the fable fable fur-
fur-
ther relates
ther relates of Egyptian monarch, that
of the Egyptian his hair
that his hair
was sudered
suffered to growgrow whilst yet he tarried
whilst yet tarried in in Ethiopia;
Ethio])ia ;
fire is
this fire
so this is suifcred
suffered to grow profusely, shooting
grow profusely, shooting
forth all
forth all his radiance in
his Satanic radiance personality and act,
in personality
until the time of his
until his mortiiieation
mortification is is ripe
ripe and ready
ready
at hand.
at Adepts
Adepts callcall him the Green Lion, Lion, Ty-Ty-
phon,
phon. Fire-drake;
Fire-drake or,
;
during
during the
the morti1'ication,
mortification, he
is their venomous
is their venomous Black Toad; Toad for for the newly
; newly roused
Etlicient
Efficient is is exceeding wrathful, as we
exceeding wrathful, we before
before hinted,
reducing
reducing the
the foreign
foreign body
body of Light,
Light, which is is
Osiris, to a mere mere vapour, called by

vapour, called philosophers, on
by philosophers,
account of its its origin, libur Wi}/ds,
origin, the Four lfwnds, which,
which, con-
densing together
densing together at the top
top of the vessel
vessel in form
in
drops,
of drops, runs down continually,
continually, day
day and night,
night, with-
out ceasing?
ceasing.^ Sendivogius, in
So Sendivogius, in that wittywitty dis-
dis-
course of his, relates that Sal and Sulphur,
his, relates meeting
Sulphur, meeting
together at
together at a certain fountain, began to fight,
fountain, began fight, and Sal
Sulphur a mortal wound, out of which wound,
gave Sulphur
gave
instead of blood, came came forth,
forth, as itit were, most white
milk, and it
milk, it became to be a greatgreat river.2
river.
first the sun in

For first uprysing obscurate
hys uprysing
iu hys
Shall be, passe the waters of Noa's
be, and passe Noa's dude,
flude,
On erth whych were a hundred days
whych were coutinunte
days contiuuate
away or all
fifty, away
And fifty, thys waters yode,
all thys yode,
waters, as wise men
R-yght so on our waters,
Rvght uuderstode,
men understode,
1
pass : that thou,
Shall pass : wyth David,
thou, wyth may say
David, may any
-//? ^yyy-Ci/)''^ / Abierunt inin sicco flumin», &e.3
dinning, &c.'^
commonly called the Gate of Putrefaction,

is commonly
This is Putrefaction, and
its
its entrance is
is described as dark, Cixnmerian
dark, with Cimmerian
windings,
windings, and continual terriflcation
terrification of the Spirit ;
Spirit
but the cause of the dissolution appears
appears to proceed
proceed
vital heat stirred
from the action of the vital stirred up
up artificially
artificially
blood,
within the blood, and which being
being so continuously tri-
continuously tri-
turated, ignites
turated, ignites and opens
opens for itself
itself a
a passage,
passage, endea-
vouring forthwith to absorb the circulating
vouring by the
light by
circulating light
1
1
Gate, Of Solution,
Ripley, Second Gate,
See Eipley, Solution, and in Ripley llevived.
liipley Revived.
9
- New
N"ew Light Alch. Discourse of Sulphur.
Light of Alch.; ; Sulphur.
3
'^
Kipley's Fifth Gate,
Ripley`s Of the Piitrofaction,
Gate, Of`thc Pll'l`('f!('tl0ll, v. 12.
^
Experimental lIs'rnon.
clilux of its
efflux its own abundant chloric
chloric spirit being trans-
spirit being
fixed.
fixed. And all all this
this while
While it
it is
is that the powers
powers of
Philosophic
the Philosophic Heaven are so wonderfully
wonderfully shaken and
deliled; for,
defiled for, as the French adept
;
adept phrases
phrases it,
it, The two
dragons do bite
dragons bite one
one another very cruelly, and never
very cruelly, never
leave off
off from the time they
they have seized
seized one another,
till their slavering
by their
till by slavering venom and mortal hurts hurts they
they
into a go1'y
are turned into blood, and then, being
gory blood, being decocted
totally in
totally their own venom,
in their venom, are turned into Fifth
into a Fifth
Essence.
To Saturn,
Saturn, Mars w with
ith bond of love is tied,
love is tied,
Who is
"rho by him devoured of mighty
is by mighty force,
force,
Whose
Vhose spirit
spirit Saturn's body doth divide,
Saturn's body divide,
And both combining yield a Secret Source
combining yield
From whence doth flowllow aa Water
"Tater wondrous bright,
bright,
ln which the Sun doth set and lose
In lose his
his light!
light.
is a profound
There is mystery couched in
prolbund mystery in these light
light
words;
words for
for
; as there was darkness upon
upon the Abyss
Abyss
Spirit moved upon
when the Divine Spirit upon the Vaters'
Waters' Pace,
face,
in the hyperphysical
so in hyperphysical work is is it
it seen to be, be, when
the swifter current of the Infernal motive wheel sur- snr-_
eclipses the Divine Light

mounts and eclipses Light in circula-
in the circula-
tion.
tion. And, moreover, there is
And, tempter Evil of
is the tempter / . /_
/ ds
'74/'
_
the Son of Man made manifest, andâll^

manifest, and/àll,§a reality
reality the t>>^
at / fi
original
original Sin with a more
more
appalling possibility, to
appalling possibility, //
be met onlyonly by voluntary sacrifice
by voluntary sacrifice and humiliation of
the Selfhood under the exemplary exemplary cross of Christ. Christ.
For is written, He shall
it not written,
is it shall overflow the channels,
C/1011726/S,
and go over all
go over ban/is :: and he shall pass
all the bmiks pass through
through
_/uda/1; shall overflow and go
Jiidali ; he shall over, he shall reach
go over,
even to the neck nec/f ,'; and the stretching
stretching out of his ufings
wings
shall fill
fill the breadth of thy land,
thy land, OO Emanuel ?2
?^
There is, is, say Alchemists, nothing

say the Alchemists, nothing of anan unclean
nature that enters into the compositioncomposition of the Stone,
Stone,
except One thing,
except thing, which is is the Instrument moving
moving
gold to putrefy,
the gold putrefy , and in in this respect
respect (for
(for itit is
is
my
1
^
Eirencus, Marrow
Eireuûs, lliarron' of
ol' Alchemy,
Alchemy, book iii.iii. v. 35.
2
lsaiah, chap. viii. ver. S.
^ Isaiah, chap. viii. 8. See also the book of ol' Jehior of
ol' the
Fire and its Mystery, chap.
its Mystery, xi.
chap. xi.
294 Laws and Coxurrioxs.
LAWS AND Conditions.
the very
vcry gravegrave of of the rational light)
the rational light) it it is
is called
called by by
Typhon, Satan, Aquafoetida,
them Typhon, Aquafoetida, Ignis Ignis Gehennae,
Mortis Immundities,
lmmundities, &c. &c. And because the the philoso-
philoso-
phers
phers are obscure concerning this
concerning this principle, principle, lest lest
the rational inquirer should be led
rational inquirer into troublesome
led into
their sophistication, we are are induced to dwell
error by by their sophistication, we
rather and explain at length that, though
explain at length that, impure in
though impure in the
beginning,
beginning, and manifestly evil,
manifestly evil, it
it is
is nevertheless a neces-
ingredient, and when finally

saiy ingredient,
sary finally brought through the
brought through
natural Alembic, and returned, returned, it it constitutes
constitutes the force force
and integral perfection of the Divine Superstructure.
integral perfection Superstructure.
And although
although Sulphur
Sulphur and Mercury, Mercury, says Adept,
says the Adept,
should be alreadyalready described
described and known, yet without
yet
Salt no man
Salt man can attain to this
can attain this Sacred Science.^
Science? Hermes,
alluding
alluding to the same, says —
says-The Dragon dwells in
The Dragon all
in all
the threefold nature, nature, and his
his houses are the darkness
and blackness that is is in in them;
them and while this
; this fume
remains they they are not immortal. But take away
away the
cloud from water, the blackness from the sulphur,
fi'om the water, sulphur,
death from the fzeces,
and deatb feeces, and by by dissolution
dissolution thou
shalt obtain a triumphant
triumphant gift, gift, even that in in and by by
which the possessors
possessors live?
live.^ And although
although Hermes
does not speak speak of of' it openly, because the root of this
it openly, this
Science is is a deadly
deadly poison, yet protest
poison, yet I
I protest to you, says
you, says
Maria laconically,
laconically, that when this this poison
poison is is resolved
into a subtle water, water, it it eoagulates
coagulates our Mercury Mercury into
most pure
pure silver
silver to all
all tests?
tests. ^ But whilst it
it remains
in the natural state,
in state, in in the evilevil of its original concep-
its original concep-
tion, no
tion, no goodgood can come come until it is
it is overtaken and
resolved.
Then lyke
lyke as sowles after paynes
paynes of purgatory
purgutory
Be brought into Paradyce,
Bc brought Paradyce, where ys joyful lyfe,
ys joyful lyfc,
So shall in purgatory
hys darknes in
sliall our stone after hys
pLu'gatory
Be purged,
purged, and joyned in elements without stryle,
joyned in strj4e,
Eejoicing in the beauty
Reioicing beauty and whytenes
whytenes of his wyfe,
wyfe,
And pass fro'
Arid pass fro' the darknes of purgatory
purgatory to lyght
lyght
Of Paradyce, whytenes Elixir of great
Paradyce, in whytenes great myght.
niyght.
1
'
2
Sendivogius, New Light
Sendivogius, Light; Discourse ofthe
; of the Three Principles.
Principles.
2 Aureus, cap.
Tractatus Aureus, ii.
cap. ii.
3
'
Maria,
Maria, Practien,
Practica, circa finem.
And like to water doth

yse to
like as yse dotli relent,
releut,
Vhcreof congealed it
Whereof congealed was by
it was violence of
by violence of greate cold,
greate cold,
When
\'hen Plxmbus
Phoebus ytyt smyteth hys beams influent,
wyth hys
smyteth wytli inllueut,
Eyght so
Ryght minerall reduced ys
to water minerall
so to ys our gold,
gold,
As wrytetb
wryteth plainly Raymond and Arnolde,
Albert, Raymond
plainly Albert,
Wyth heat and moisture by
Vyth Crafte occasionate
by Crafte occasionate
Wyth congelatiou
Vyth congelation of
of the Spyrite.^
Spyritel
.
5j/ crrgfte occasiomzte,
By crafte says, because it
occasionate he says,
, is by
it is by the
grace of the connate spirit
attractive grace
attractive that the self-
spirit that self-
willed agent
willed agent isis finally
finally seen to be subdued and betrayed
betrayed
to self-niortification,
self-mortification, as it it were,
were, byby aa conscience mov-
ing
ing contrite in
in the Law of her Light:
Light: here, therefore,
here, therefore,
Sol being eclipsed, the Lunar Vulcan acts a principal
being eclipsed, principal
part, Isis in
part, as Isis Mysteries, where she is
in the Mysteries, is also called
also called
Athena, to express self-motion and intelligence
express that self-motion intelligence
with which this this Spirit
Spirit is is endowed. In like manner
like manner
they give
they Typhon, in
give to Typhon, this predicament,
in this predicament, the name name of
Seth, Bebo, and like
Seth, words, as Plutarch explains,
like words, explains, im-
porting a certain
porting violent, forcible
certain violent, forcible restraint,
restraint, contra-
riety, and subversion, all

riety, all which Osiris,
Osiris, i. e. the Divine
/. e.
suffers in
Light, suffers
Light, passing through
in passing through the voluntary
voluntary axle
in regeneration ; but tempered
in the regeneration ; tempered by by the benignbenign H
offices of Isis,
offices Isis, hcyîs likewise gradually
heAis
opposive principles
the opposive principles are,
gradually enthralled,
enthralled,
through her artful
are, througli
and
artful interces-
interces-
/02%f>f40
/v
sion, linally
sion, reconciled, and remain together,
finally reconciled, together, circulating
circulating
with her in cquilibriate accord.
in equilibriate
Canst thou draw out Leviathan with an E111/l00b`?
hook 1 or
his tongue
tongue with a cord which thou lettest
lettest down?
downl
Canst thou put put an hook into his his nose ?? or bore his jaw jaw
through with a thorn
through thorn?1 Vill Will he make many many supplica-
supplica-
tions unto thee?
tions Vill
Will he speak soft words unto
speak sry?
thee?
thee ? Will he make a covenant covemnzt with thee? thee ? Wilt
thou take him for a SCl`1)£lllb_f0l'
servant for ever? Wilt Vilt thou play play
with him as with a bird ?1 Wilt thou bind him for thy thy
maidens? Shall the companions companions make a banquet banquet of
him
him?? Shall they part him among
they part among the merchants
merchants??
Canst thou fill .S/fin with barbed hooks,
fill his skiji /looks, and his
/ICI!!! with fish
head fish spears?
spears? Lay 'THY
LAY Hand UPON
'thy HAND upon him,
HIM,
REMEMBER
RE11EMBER THE AND no
BATTLE AND
THE BATTLE DO NO MORE.
N0 Moms.
Behold,
Bcliold,
1
1
Ripley's
Ripley's Fifth Gate, Of
Filth Grate, Uftlm I'ulre1iiction.
the Putrefaction.
1
296 Lfiws Asn
Laws Coxmrioxs.
and Conditions.
the hope
hope of of him is is in vain.
in vain. Yet shall
shall not one one be be cast
cast
down even at at the sight
sight of him? None is
is so fierce
fierce
that dare stir
that stir him up: up who then is
:
is able to to stand
before me ? Who
before ME? Vho hath prevented
prevented me, me, that II should
I'tpay him?
repay Vhatsoever
Whatsoever is is made uudei^ the wlzole
under the ivhole
heaven is is mine. I will
I will not conceal his parts nor his
his parts nor his
comely proportion.
comely proportion. Who
Vho can discover
discover the face
face of his
his
garment^
garment? or who
w^ho can come
come to him with his
his double
bridle??
bridle Who can open
Vho open the doors of his his face,
face, his his
teet/z
teeth are terrible
terrible round about. His scales
scales are his
his
pride, shut up
pride, together as with aa close
up together seal. One is
close seal. is so
another,
near to another, that no air can come
come between them.
They
They are _joined
joined one one to another, they stick
they stick together,together,
that they
they cannot be sundered. By
By his
his neesings a lig/it
neesings light
doth shine, and his his eyes
eyes are like
like the eyelids
eyelids of the
Out of his month
his mouth go go burning lamps,
burning lamps, and
morning.
morning.
sparks #fre
sparks of fire leap leap out. Out of his his nostrils
nostrils goeth goeth
smoke,
smoke, as out of a seething pot
seething pot or cauldron. His breath
coals, and þÿi`l_]q(Z)Il
Aindletlf coals,
kindleth ^ flame goeth
¬
goeth out of his niozztlz. In
his mouth.
his neck l'ClllE1ll1Ci1ll
his 7ieck remaineth strength, strength, and sorrow
sorrow is
is turned into
joy
_joy before him. The _flakes
fakes of his
his /es/i
flesh are frm
Jlflll inin
themselves; they
themselves they
;
cannot be moved. His lzeart
heart is
is as
firm as a stone ;; yea, yea, as hard as a at piece of the nether
piece netlzer
nzillstone.
millstone. When he ronset/L
Vhen r onset h up np /zinzsey",
himself, the mighty
mighty
afraid: by
are afraid: by reason of tlze the breakings
breakings they they purify
purify
tlzenzselvesf
themselves.^ The sword of him lziin that layetlzlayeth at lzint hi/n
cannot /told
hold :: the spear, dart,
spear, the da7^t, nor
nor the /zabergeon.
habergeon.
He esteemcth
esteemeth iro?i straw, and brass as rotten wood.
iron as straw,
arroiv cannot make him flee,
The arrow flee, sling
sling stones are
turned with him into stubble. stubble. Darts are counted as
stubble: he laugheth
stubble : shaking of
laugheth at the s/taking ofa spear. Sharp
a spear. Slzaiyi
stones are under him:
him he spreadeth
: sharp
spreadeth sharp pointed
pointed
things upon
things mire.
upon the ??ii?r. He maketh the deep boi!
deep to boil
pot he maketh the sea like
like a pot:
like : like a pot
pot of ointment.
He maketh a path pat/z to s/zine him
shuie after him; one would
one ;
Upon
lfoary. Upon
deep to be hoary.
think the deep eart/1
earth there is
is not
his like,
his lilfe, who is
is made without fear.
fear. He belzoldetlz
beholdeth all
all
1 See ]Maieri
1 Haieri Atalantn
Atalauta Fugieiis, Emblema xi.
Fugiens, liinblema xi. Dealbate Lato-
nam et rumpitp
natn libros, SA rx
rumpite libros, p.
; ;
Experimental METHOD.
high t/zings:
high things: he is king over all
is a king the c/zi/dren
all the Q/`
children of
P)`f(/6.1
Pride}
Much mightmight be added, and innumerable similitudes similitudes y_
fA belonging,,to
belongin^to this
this rebellious
rebellious Principle and^that identical ^y
Principle andAthat identical ^
A75
representative of him which the Divine Art requires,
representative requires,
in
in order that that his
his stolen
stolen forces may be drawn forth
force_s may forth
and spent
spent in
in the sanguinary
sanguinary conflict
conflict which he provokes
provokes
in life.
in life. Just as in in the Egyptian rehcs he is
Egyptian relics fre-
is so fre-
quently
quently seen depicted
depicted with all
all the emblems of grace
grace
power in
and power in human semblance, fiercely seated between
fiercely seated
his circumventing
his circumventing foes.foes. For the Orient Animal must
stripped of his
be stripped his skin,
.s'/fin, not with arrows or clubs, but
with the Hand, as Adepts Adepts say say ; the whole garment
; garment of
Light
Light must
must- be dissected,
dissected, shorn, and the signal victory
signal of victory
heroically transferred. Animal de oriente pelle
be heroically pelle sua
^
leonina spoliari
spoliari debet ejusque,evanescere
ejusqueêvanescere atque atque tum
turn Aa oiJ^(^
simul ingredi magnum occani
ingredi magnum sc^mnjcumque
oceani scllum pulchr^ 7^/
cumg_ueApj_cl;ri;, —ite/
'
tudine iteruin
iterum egredi,
egredi, &c.2
&c.^ But we
we must proceed
proceed; 5 '
giving only, by
giving only, by way way of recreation, this
this Philalethean Lion
Hunt from MaidenMalden in part, and the Cosmopolite
in part, Eire-
Cosinopolite Eire-
nûs.
neus.
^
HUNTING
HUNTING THE GEEENE LYON
THE GREENE LYON.
0^ All hail
hail to the noble companie
compaBie
Of students in in holi Alkimie;
lioli Alkimie ;
"Ihose practise doth them teach

AVliose noble practise
To veil
veil their art uyth mysty speech
wyth mysty speech :
:
Moiight
Mought yt yt please your worshipfulnes,
please your -svorshipfulnes,
To hear mymy idle
idle soothfastnes,
soothfastnes,
Of that stronge practise I have seene
stronge practise
In hunting
hunting of ofthe Lyon Greene,
the Lyon Greene,
"Whose color doubtless ys
IVhose ys not soc
soe
your wisdom well doe know
As that your know;
man lives that ere hath seene
For no man scene
Upon foure feet a lyon

Upon lyon greene.
greene.
But our lyon
lyon wanting
wanting maturitie,
maturitie,
greene for his unripenes
Is called greene unripenes trust me
me ;;
yet full
And yet quickly he can
fuU quickly run
can run
And soon can overtake the Sun;
soon can Sun
And suddenly
suddenly can hym devoure
can hyin
they be both shut in one towere
If they
hym eclipse
And hym was so brighte
eclipse that was brighte
And make thys red to turn to white
thys rcd
1
1 Job, chap. xli.
Job, chap. xli.
7
' Hierog. Egypt.
Maieri Hierog. Grzec. p.
Egypt. Grsec. p. 222.
;
298 Laws AND

lJAVS and CONDITIONS.
Conditions.
By virtue
By virtue of of his crudytie.
his crudytie.
And unripe
unripe huiuors
humors whych whycli in in llylll
hym be ;;
Auf] yet
And within hym
yet within hyin he hath such heate
That wlien
when lie he hath tlie the Sun npeate,upeate,
He bringetli
lle bringeth liyni hyni to more perfection
to more pei't'ection
Than ere he had by by Nature's
Nature's only sanction.
only sanction.
Who then so'ere
Vho so'ere would win eternal eternal fame
Must learn
learn thisthis LyonLyon Greene to tame.
this before
But this before by by Art he can attain attain
To study
study hynihym to know, he must
to know, inust be fain. iiiin.
Nor ys it, trust me, for
ys it, for a a stupid
stupid fule,fule,
N or yet
Nor yet for
for oneone brought
brought up up inin vulgar
vulgar schuleschule:
I
I shall hym therefore
shall hym therefore lively lively out pourtray,
pourtray,
Least from thys
Least banquet you
thys banquet you go go leane away. awav.
Vith mind attentive,
AYith attentive, to my my words give give heed,
heed,
Least you instead of
you instead ineat on
of meat fancies feed
on fancies feed:
:
This horrid
horrid beast, which we our Lyon call,
our Lyon call,
Hath manymany names,
names, that that noe uoe manman shallshall
The truth perceive,
perceive, unless that God direct direct
And on on hishis darkened minde niinde a Light reflect.
a Light reflect.
'Tis not because this
'Tis this subject
subject doth consist consist
Of animal components
components (he (he that list list
May well conceive)
May conceive) that we therefore use
we do therefore
name of beasts ; nor

The name ; nor is it to abuse
is it
The readers;
readers he whocAêr
;
whoever see soe doth thi.nk,think,
Vith
"With stupid
stupid sots sets himself doth doth thereby
thereby link. link.
But it's
it's because of the transcendant force force
hath; and for
It hath ;
for the rawness of its its source,
source,
Of whyeh
whych the lyke lyke isis nowhere to be seene, seene,
That yt yt ofof'us
us is is named the Lyon Lyon Greene.
Now
New listen,
listen, and I shall shall to you you disclose
The secret,
secret, whych
whyeh tymes tylnes past hath, like
past hath, like a ro rose.
se,
Been
Been hedged
hedged so in on every side with briars.
on every briars,
That few could pluck pluck yt yt at their heart'sl1C1`l1't'S desires
desires.
There is is a substance of nietalline metalline race, race,
you the niatter
If you matter view,view, whose louring lonring face face
A
A sophister
sophister would at first first sight
sight so scare,scare,
That he yt approach would never
yt to approach never dare; dare
The form that'stliat's visible
visible is is very
very vile,
vi\e,
And doth nietallyue
metallyne bodies so delile, defile.
none to see yt,
That none yt, could be broughtbrought to think
That thence shoidd should spring bright Pheebns'
spring bright Pha'bus' pearlypearly dunk
druik ;
yet, O strange
And yet, strange! a wonder to relate,
! relate.
At this samesame spring
spring naked Diana sat, sat,
Who horned Acta'on
Vho Aetmou for hys hys venturous peeping. peeping
spring two dreadful beasts have in
This spring in their keeping
keeping
Whych drive away
Vhych away rash searchers to their woe, woo,
Them to enehant,
enchant, the Art who do not know.
Yet further,
fùrt»her, lbr for to answer your
lo answer your desire,
desire,
] say,
1 this subject
say, this subject never felt tblt the firefire
: ;
BIETHOD.
EXPERIMENTAL Method.
Experimental 299
sulphur metalline, but ys

Of sulphur ys more crude
Than any minerall, which doth elude
any minerall, elude
unwary, and in
The unwary, in fire fugitive
fire fugitive
'Tis found; th'
'Tis th' impure away the
impure away pure doth drive,
the pure drive,
And its
its components
components are a Mercury Mercury
Most pure,
pure, tho' tender, with
tho' tender, Avith a Sulphur dry
a Sulphur dry
Incarcerate, which doth the flux
Iucarcerate, retaine.
flux retaine.
And as shackles doth the same detaine.
in shackles
as in detaine.
Sulphur with malignant
This Sulphur malignant qualities
qualities
Mercury iniect
Doth so the Mercury whych with yt
infect whych yt lies,`
lies,'
That tho' fundamental union,

they have no fundamtsntal
tho' they
Yet hereby
hereby is is debarred the sweete communion,
lllhych otherwise would surely
Wliych surely intereede
intercede
Between thys nymph, which we
virgin nymph,
thys virgin Lcade
call Leade,
we call
And her dear sister, whyeh in
sister, whych silver streams
in silver
Runs abundantly ; then should the beams
Euns down abundantly ;
Of bright Apollo course the dews whyeh

bright Apollo whych fall
fall
commixed waters, from the tall

From these cominixed tall
Aspiring
Aspiring mountain, gliding thro'
mountain, gliding vales,
thro' the vales,
Fire to conceive of of Nature, whych avails
Nature, whych avails
To warm
warm the bath for for Sol,
Sol, in whych he may
in whych may
Descend and wash, wash, and wythwj^th fair play.
fair Phoebe play.
Till flesh and youth
Till flesh youth renewing,
renewing, they able
they be able
To shine wyth
wyth glory, multiplicable.
aye multiplicable.
glory, aye
Know then this this Subject, whych the base
Subject, whych
Of all
all our secret ys, ys, and it it uncase
unease ;
;
And choose what thou shalt finde of

shalt finde of meanest price
price :
Leave sophisters, following my

sophisters, and following advice,
my advice.
deluded; for
Be not deluded ; for the truth is is one,
one,
'Tis not in
'Tis in many things, this
many things, is Our Stone:
this is Stone
At Hrst appearing in ata garb
fii"st appearing garb defilecl,
defiled,
And, to deal plainly,

And, plainly, itit is Saturn's ehilde.
is Saturn's childe.
His price
price is meane, his venom
is meane, venom veryvery great
great
His constitution cold, cold, devoid of heat.heat.
Altho' 'tis mixed with a sulphur,
Altho' 'tis sulphur, yetyet
sulphur is
This sulphur combustible; to get
is combustible ; get
Sulphur metalline and pure,
Another Sulphur pure.
And mix with the Mercurial parts parts be sure :;
Sulphur in the house of Aries seek,

This Sulphur seek,
shall you
There shall you find it; this will
find it; will be the G-reek
Greek
Aleides, who with Jason journey
Alcides, journey took
Colchos ; this it
To Colehos ; it is whych never book
is whych
As yet revealed; and yet
yet revealed ;
yet I will proceede,
proceede,
And greater mysteries unfold with specde.
greater mysteries speede.
Our Subject,
Subject, it it is
is no ways
ways malleable,
malleable.
lt is metalline and its
It is its color sable,
sable,
Vith intermixed argent,
"With argent, whych
whych in veins
The sable fieldfield with glittering
glittering branches stains;
stains
The pure
pure parts
parts from the impure
impure thou shalt never
never
With
Vith fire
fire or common water here dissever,
or common di.ssever,
;
300 Laws AND Connrrioxs.

and Conditions.
N
Noror with hardest iron
with the hardest iron dig it thence,
dig it
For steel, 'gz1inst this
steel, 'gainst alfordeth no
this aftbrdeth defence;
no defence
So easily
easily as little boy
any little
as any boy
A
A giant
giant can
can suppress,
suppress, thisthis can destroy
destroy
Alcides'
Alcides' hreastplate,
breastplate, with"ith his
his target
target stout,
stout,
And put opposing armies to the rout
put opposing
Of swords and spears,
Ol' spears, O wondrous force force l and yet
!
yet
sages this
The sages this have seen, when they they did sit
did sit
council, how this
In council, this fury
fiu'y they
they might
might tame,
Vhich
Which (as unparalled) they
(as unparalled) theu did
they then did name
Their Lyon Greene; they
Lyon Greene ; szgfered him to prey
they suffered prey
Sociates ; and when ihe_/ray
On Cadmus Sociales; the fray
Was over, they
IVas they with 1)zàu's
Dian's charms hym hym 1_1/ed,
tyed,
And made hym
A1111 hym under waters
wafers io abide.
to abide.
And
Azul washed hym clemze, and after
hym cleane, gave hym
after gave hym wings,
icings,
To fly, much like
Tojiy, dragon, whose sharp
Ii/fe a dragon, springs
sharp springs
Of Fiery U'ater, th'
Fiery Water, th' only way iv
only way wasfounal
as found
Apollo his
To cause Apollo his harp
harp slrings
strings toto sound.
This is nymphs' bath which we
is the true npnphs' we did
did search and try,
try,
proved to be the wise men's
And proved men's 1Iercury.
Mercury.
evil of the Original

The evil Original Sin being overcome by
being overcome by so
many stratagems, the New Life thence arises,
many subtle stratagems, arises,
whose quintessential virtue, imperishablc
quintessential vu'tue, imperishable and perpe-
perpe-
is the Corner Stone or first
victorious, is
tually victorious,
tually first Material
foundation of the Hermetic Art: Art known, as the
:
adept says,
adept only to the Vise,
says, only AVise, because they they alone can
know it it who have it in themselves.
it in The irrational
irrational
fi'lVOlOl1S-IIlll](lC(l cannot receive this
and frivolous-minded this truth,
truth, because
it depends
it depends exactly
exactly upon knowledge of Yh
upon the knowledge at which
7'îat
is most abstruse in
is in them. The example
example given
given of
Cadmus, from the Greek fable, fable, identities
identifies him with
Jason, ^neas, and the rest,
Orpheus, £Encas,
Jason, Orpheus, rest, who represent.
represent
the Rational FermentFerincnt ; the associates are taken to sig-
; sig-
nify the other faculties

nif}^ faculties of the mind originally oiiginally at-
tendant on this, but which are drawn away
on this, away afterwards
into the vortex of the Opposive Opposive Principle,
Principle, rapidly
rapidly
attracting them
attracting thcin when it it is freed, and,
is freed,
revelling with
and, revelling
which, it
which, it becomes satiated and more more easily
easily ensnared.
As itit isis told of Saturn, likewise, that he was inebri-
Saturn, hkewise,
ated when he was bound in letters his son
by his
fetters by son; and by ;by
the advice of the goddess,goddess, too, according
too, according to Orpheus,
Orpheus,
the subtle stratagein
stratagem was was contrived.
Experimental Msfrnon.
When stretched
"Vhen stretched beneath the
the lofty
lofty oaks you
yon view
Saturn, vith honey
Satnm, with honey of thc bees
of the bees produced,
produced,
Sunk in ebriety; fast
in ebriety fast bind the god.
; god.
For the Saturnian Will, being allowed to revel,

VVill, being rcvcl,
limitation or rational
without limitation rational restraint, throughout
throughout
faculties, becomes intoxicated;
the subordinate faculties, intoxicated ;
his
his
desires
desires are more
more than satisiied, and,
satisfied, as the image
image runs,
from the effect
effect he sleeps.
sleeps. It is then the watchful eye
lt is eye
of Intellect, well advised and able,
Intellect, well prepares to cut him
able, prepares
off, and drawing
off, forth all
drawing forth all his strength, plants
his brazen strength, it
plants it
in
in the newly-furrowed soil,
newly-furrowed soil, whence springs
springs another
armament, which, still still rebellious, contending with
rebellious, contending
each other for for the self-same Stone,
Stone, are by by it more
it once more
annihilated and again again raised
raised up.
up. So the Bath of
Diana isis prepared
prepared out of the blood of many many battles,
where the innocents suffer guilty, and many
for the guilty,
suffer for many
barbarous images befall,
images befall, until
until the Identical
Identical Spirit arises,
Spirit arises,
pure,
pure, bright, contrite, from its
bright, and contrite, primseval element,
its primaeval
free in
and free legal
in legal subordination only to its
only its own
own
perfect
perfect Law,
Law.
The matter Hrst
first of metals Mercury
Mercury
A moisture is
is which wetteth not the hand
Tet flows,
Yet flows, and therefore isis named water dry,
dry,
The vulgar
vulgar is one's¬'Scommand.
every þÿO11
is at every command,
But this is not the water we
this is we desire,
desire,
For in our
our water is our secret tire.
is our fire.
This Matter while its its life

life it
it did retain,
retain,
Was apt all metals e'en
apt all e'en to procreate,
procreate,
The life
life when gone,
gone, then dead it it doth remain
Till new soul shall it
Till a new it reanimate.
This lIatter is to metals all
Matter is all of kin
All which do hide a Mercury within.
a Mercury
He then who knows the parts Mercury
parts of Mercury
And can its
its superfluitics decrease,
superfluities decrease,
And with true Sulphur
Sulphur itit can vivify
vivify; ;
For dead it
it is, fluent, he with ease
though fluent,
is, though
May gold
May gold unlock and after recongeal
recongeal
Both to an Essence which all griefs can heal.
all griefs
Lo here aa spring
Lo! !
spring of wealth,
wealth, a Tree of Life,
Life,
No wealth so great, no sickness here is
great, no is rife,
rife,
Here in a map,
map, thou seest the creatures all all
Abridged, and reduced to their perfection.
Abridged, perfection.
Here thou beholdest in a Subject
Subject Small,
Small,
From this world's
world's misery tilll protection.
misery aa fiill pmtcctioii.
! :
302 Laws CONDITIONS.

and Conditions.
,mn
O Mercury, wonder ofthe

thou \Ò1l(l01`
Mercury, tliou \`0l`l(l !
of the world !
How strange
strange thy nature is
thy nature; is and how compact!
compact
A
A body dost possess
body dost which doth enfold
possess vhich enfold
A Spirit
Spirit inexpressible
inexpressible toto act,
act,
mysteries ; this
Our mysteries this only; desire,
only we desire,
This isis our this our secret
water, this
our water, fire.
secret fire.
For Argent
Argent Vive is gold essential
is gold essential
Only unripe,
Only which, if
unripe, Which, if thou canst prepare
prepare
By art,
By it gives
art, it secret menstrual:
gives the secret
The mother of of our Stone which is is so rare.
Our oil,
oil, our nngnent,
unguent, and ourour marehasile;
marchasile;
Which we do name
We also our fountain bright.
name also bright.
O crystal fountain! which with fourfold

crystal fountain !
spring
fourfold spring
Runs valleys with its
Euns down the valleys pearly drops
its pearly drops
Distilling, with the which our noble king
DistiDing, king
Is washed and carried
carried to the mountain tops.
tops,
Where he the virtue
Vhere of the Heavens receives,
virtue of receives,
after him, when fixed,
Vhich never after
WTiich leaves.
fixed, leaves.
May-dew which our earth doth move
is our May-dew
This is
bring forth fruit,
To bring which fruit
fruit, wdiich fruit is
is perfect gold:
perfect gold
This is Eve, whom Adam doth so love.
is our Eve, love,
his soul,
That in her arms his soul, strange told,
strange to be told,
He doth receive, who erst as dead was was seen,
And quickened
quickened first appears in
first appears in colours green.
green.
How this?? Even thus,
How this in Saturn there is
thu-s, in is hid
A
A soul immortal which in in prison
prison lies,
lies,
Uutie its
Untie fetters, which do it
it.s'_fetters, it forbid
To sight
sight forfor to appear, shall arise
appeal", then shall arise
A
A Vapour shining, like
Vapour shining, pearl oi'ient,
like pearl orient,
Which is
Vhich our Moon and sparkling
is our sparkling þÿFlI`ll1£Llll
Firmament.^ ¬l`liJ.l
By
By such a vital
vital and mysterious
mysterious process
process is
is the
First adopts said
First Matter of the adepts said to be generated
generated and
produced emancipation of the Fontal Source;
by an emancipation
produced by Source ;
this
and this is Diana, and that refulgent
is Diana, Light which
refulgent Light
every other hght
eclipses every
eclipses light but that of its its proper
proper
strikes the irrational intruder blind.
Reason, and strikes
Reason,
is the wholeness of
For she is of' the Fundamental Na-
personified, the knot and link of all
ture at once personified, all
being, inferior as well as superior,

the elements of being, superior,
which she contains within herself
herself.-A A Light —more
Light more
splendid than the Sun and gold,
splendid gold, and more
more beautiliil
beautiful
than the Moon or silver, more diaphanous
silver, and more diaphanous than
1
Eirenûs, Marrow of Alchemy.
Alchemv.
'
Eircnpns,
' l
/
/Obe/V
ExPER1MEN'1'AL Method.
Experimental METHOD. 303
the purest chrystal; inasmuch transcendant,

purest chrystal ; transcendant, says says the
acute Helvetius)
Helv-etius/ that that most recreant Beauty
that that Beauty can can
blotted out from my
never be blotted my mind, though it
mind, though it should
be rejected
rejected by by all, disbelieved by
all, and disbelieved by fools
fools and the
illiterate.
illiterate. For though
though our Art is
is unknown, we do
assert, according
assert, experience, that
according to experience, that this mystery is
this mystery is to
be found ; but only
; only with the great great Jehovah saturninely
satnrninely
placed in
placed in the centre of the world. There, within most
intimately, the Abyss
intimately, Abyss of the Spagiric Spagiric artificc
artifice is is dis-
dis- / ~
/
closed;
closed ; there,
there, as in
in a
crystalline diaphan|ty, the
crystalline diaphanlty, / eu/
^-'*-^,
Miracle of the whole world. There, in in that region,

region, '
no longer
no
longer fabulous but by
by art
art made natural, is is seen
the Salamander casting casting out the etherial waters, and

etherial waters,
washing
washing himself in
in the flames ;; there the river
river Numi-
tius,
tius, in
in which }Eneas, bathing,
iEneas, bathing, was
was absolved from his his
mortality,
mortality, and by
by command of Venus was transformed
into
into an immortal god. god. There,
There, also, is Eridanus and
also, is
Lydian
that Lydian river
river Pactolus transmuted into
into gold
gold as
soon as Mygdonian Midas had washed himself in in the
Mygdonian
same. Also,
Also, as in
in a
beautifully pictured series, there
beautifully pictured series,
is
is displayed
displayed everyevery mythological antique
mythological antique device ; Apollo
; Apollo
Muses, and Parnassus and the Fountain struck
and the Muses,
tiom Pegasus, and the fountain of Narcissus,
from Pegasus, Narcissus, even even
Scylla washing
Scylla washing in
in the flood,
flood, beneath the fervent rays
rays
of the meridian sunbeams; sunbeams there,
; there, too,too, the blood of
Pyramis
Pyramis and Thisbe,
Thisbe, which turned the white mulber-
ries deeper die.
ries to a deeper die. The blood of Adonis transformed
by
by Venus into an
an anemone rose;
anemone rose that blood,
; blood, too,
too, of
mighty
mighty Ajax, Ajax, out of which sprang
sprung the fairest
fairest hya-
hya-
cynthine
cynthine flower. There also are the drops
drops of water
decocted by Medea, out of which such a
by Medea, a verdure
sprang up suddenly
sprang up suddenly to cover the bleached earth;
earth ; and
potion which the enchantress boiled out of so
that potion
many
many herbs gatheredgathered three days days before the full full moon,
moon,
for the healing
for heahng of Jason, Jason, when that hero had grown grown
iniirm.
infirm. The gardens
gardens of the Hesperides,
Hesperides, also,
also, are in
Elysium
Elysium; ; and here Hippomanes
Hippomanes runs
runs the race with
Atalanta, and vanquishes
Atalanta, by
vanquishes by stratagemstratagem of the golden
golden
fruit.
fruit. Here, too,
Here, too, magnanimous
magnanimous Hercules, Hercules, havinghaving
l^
Vitnlus Aureus.
Yituliis
304 and Coxnrrioxs.
burnt all his maternal body

all his body upon upon a pile pile of of wood,
revives entire and incombustible, as the Phoenix on
revives entire on
pyre, and is
her pyre, changed into
is changed into the likeness
Hkeness of of an im-
mortal god.
god.
Such are a very few of'
a very of the gamesgames and choicechoice spec-spec-
tradition commemorates as instituted
tacles which tradition
tacles instituted by by
Visdom, for
Wisdom, benefit of souls
for the benefit emerging from Lethe
souls emerging
and Egyptian
Egyptian darkness to the glorious glorious liberty
liberty of the
^ Freed Will in in life.

life. And it is that kindling
it is kindling of Divine
afizki
Cltl^ 2/"E
Its Ecstacy, in
Ecstacy ,in connection wi fliitft Source, that
x:i:tl:i:tS that attracts the
phenomenon of
whole phenomenon of nature to its its desire,
desire, and works
total miracle of the Hermetic Art in
the total exalts
life, exalts
in life,
Mind by by the understanding
understanding of Causes,
Causes, and confirms it.
it.
But in the summary

_But in summary language
language of the Greek saint
saint (since
(since
here itit becomes us not to assert) assert): Know, says
:
Sy-
says Sy-
nesius, that the Quintessence and hidden thing
nesius, thing of our
Stone is is nothing
nothing else else than our viscous celestial celestial and
glorious
glorious soul, drawn by
by our
our
magistcry
magistery out of' its mine,
of its mine,
engenders itself
which engenders itself and brings
brings itself
itself foith,
forth, and that
Water
Vater is is the most sharp vinegar, which makes gold
sharp vinegar, gold to
pure spirit-nay,
be a pure spirit — nay, itit is
is that Blessed Nature which
engenders
engenders all
all things
things ; but,
but,
; usurpation, in
by usurpation,
by in each par-par-
ticular universally
ticular universally and without return.
These plain supporting the evidence which
plain words, supporting
before, will
gone before,
has gone will leave less less doubt,
doubt, if if we
we yield them
yield
respect to the method and true basis
credence, with respect
credence, basis of
experiment reason, aided by
the Hermetic experiment; ; by a perspi-
perspi-
cuous
imagination,
cuous imagination, will
will attain readily
readily to the idea,
idea, and
research maymay further assist
assist the faithful
faithful to confirm it.
it.
We cannot, however, quit

Ve subject, the preliminaries
quit a subject, preliminaries
establish, without advert-
important to establish,
of which are so important
K
K,
~
ing (ilabalistic and other Greek Concordances,
ing to certain (Jlabalistic concordances,
in^hope
imhope that their separate
separate witness may
may tell
tell favourably
favourably
/
/ ° °
in OQticlusiorrTte this Material of Mind.

/yhis
A
Kia
305
CHAPTER ll.
II.
A
Apfilff/l8l` Ana/y.s'i.s' ¢y"
further Analysis of 5/ze Initial
the Princip/c, 11/ulits
Initial Principle, and its
Er/uction into Lzg/It.
Eduction into Light.
Deus, cum
Dens, cum solus fuisset in
solus fuisset principio, creavit
iu pi-incipio, substantiain;
unain substantiam
creavit uiiam
hanc prnnam materiam
lianc primam nominamus. -BI
materiam. nominzlmns. —
y/1`11s_ Phe'/.
Mylius
;
Reform. pars
Phil. Reform, pars
v1.l1b.
lib. 1.
vi. 1. 4/
V / / /
_,' If /
W7-ff
"
f,_!,4'.
THE HE philosophy Cabal, as delivered

philosophy of the Saibal, J
genuine Hebrew remains and their

dehvered in in the
their commen-
only genuine
only
taries, is eminently
taries, is comprehensive and sublime;
eminently comprehensive sublime and ;
these characteristics
characteristics are mainly
mainly dependent
dependent on its very
on its very
simplicity. All things
great simplicity.
great things therein are psychically
psychically
derived: and,
derived : according to the doctrine of an essen-
and, according
tial emanation,
tial emanation, the whole physical physical universe is is ex-
corporified, as it
tended and corporified, it were, byby a multiplication
multiplication
of the indeficient
indeticient unit into its parts,
into its parts, under the intel-
intel-
ligible Law of its
ligible its own proceeding Light.
own proceeding Light. Into the
method of this philosophy, or the many
this philosophy, many beautiful par-par-
ticulars arising out of its
ticulars arising its material, space does not allow
material, space
us to enter;
enter they
; they who are desirous may may conveniently
conveniently
examine forfor themselves, either in the Latin editions of
Rosenroth ,I ;'
begin with F
or to begin ranck's very
Franck's very excellent / n ^
history of the Cabal
history Gabai, which contains,
, numer-
contains, besides numer- ku;vO~G{X£iJ(^
passages from the Hebrew,
ous translated passages
ous Hebrew, commen-
commen-
notes, that we
taries and notes, we have read with no less less in-
in-
dehght.^2
struction than delight.
The Initial however, which we
Principle, however,
Initial Principle, we have been
discussing,
discussing, and to which it
it will
will be necessary to confine
necessary
inquiry
inquiry for
for the present,
present, is
is in
in the Zo/mr
Zohar designated by
designated by
name of Wisdom,
the name Wisz/om, or the Supreme
Supreuze Crown
C1'0u'11 ; that is
; is
say, after it
to say, it has become into manifest Being; Being but ;
1^
Kabbala Deuudata, Doetrina Hebracorum
sen Doctrina
Denudata, seu Hebraeorum Transcenden-
talis et
talis Rcstitutus. Francf. 1684.
Liber Zohar Eestitutus.
2
2 La
Religieuse des Hebreux,
Philosophic Eeligieuse
Kabbale, ou Philosopliie
];a Kabbale, Hébrenx, par
par Ad.
ranek. Paris,
-Franck. 18-13.
Paris, 1843.
X
—
306 Laws
LAWS AND
and CONDITIONS.
Conditions.
in Beginning, for
in the Beginning, for reasons mctaphysically explicable,
metaphysically expUeable,
the divine
the hypostasis is
divine hypostasis is distinguished
distinguished by by the epithet
epithet ofof
Unknown, and described described according
according to its negative ab-
its negative ab-
soluteness, in
soluteness, in the sumsum of of two or or three paragraphs, as
three paragraphs,
follows
follows :- :
All before they

things before
All things they became manifested were were con-
con-
cealed in
cealed in the unknown and incomprehensible
incomprehensible Infinite, Infinite,
and this subsistence, whence all
this subsistence, proceeded, was
all proceeded, was but as
an interrogation,
interrogation, an imperceptible sufiicience,
an imperceptible sufficience, having having
neither mind, nor figure,
neither figure, nor self-comprehension,
self-comprehension, or
Being,
Being, properly
properly so called called; but when the Unknown
;
would manifest himself, himself, he begins begins by by producing

producing a
point; but,
point ; but, whilst
whilst the point
point of Light
Light remains within
subjective
subjective and inseparate,
inseparate, he is
is unknown, and as the
Unity things
Unity of things to be developed only by
developed only by the Separation
Separation
of them in in Himself: in this sense he is
in this is called
called the
Ancient of Days, Days, the VhiteWhite Head, the Old Man, Man^by by
excellence,
excellence, the Mystery
Mystery of Mysteries,
Mysteries, 'ti/hicli
Which is
is before
all
all things-whose
things — whose emanation is All?
is All.^ And thus the
hypostatic
hypostatic vision is
is more
more prominently
prominently delineated. He
is, says the Rabbi Ben Jochai,
is, says speaking of the same,
Jochai, speaking
the Mystery Mysteries, and most unknown of the
Mystery of Mysteries,
unknown yet
unknown, yet he has a form or idiom which belongs
; belongs
to him ; but, under this
; this form by by which he is
is seen, he
seen,
remains still unknown.
still unknoicn. His clothing
clothing is white, and his
is white, his
aspect
aspect that of a countenance unveiled.unveiled ....
. . . From his
his
/zead he shakes a dew which awakens the dead,
head dead, and
brings
brings them to new /Je;
life ; wherefore,
wherefore, it
it is
is written,
written. Thy
T/ey
dew is is the f/ew Qflig/zt.
t/ze dew of light. It
It is this which nourishes the
is this
most exalted saints, saints, the manna manna which descends into
field of sacred fruits;

the field fruits ;
aspect of this
the aspect this dew is is
w/lite, as the diamond is
white, white, the colour which con-
is white,
tains all?
all.^
This white appearance
appearance of the primaeval splendour in
primaeval splendour in
the abyss,
abyss, is is very
very constantly notified ; thus we
constantly notihed ; we read in in
Apocalypse, of the Vhite
the Apocalypse, White Stone with the new new
name
name written upon it
upon it ; and in the vision of the Son of
;
1
^
Zohar, part
Zohar, i. Franck's
part i. Franck's Translation, 175, 185, &c.
pp. 175,
Translatiou, pp.
2
^
Zohar, part
Zohar, iii. fol.
part iii. 12, S
fol. 12, 8 recto in Franck. p.
p. 170.
—
Further ANAI.'s1s.
l"UR1~r-mn Analysis. 307
Man, ofof the snowy

snowy whiteness of of his glory, whose hair
his glory, hair
like
was hke wool, and
was a11d white as snow?
snow.^ And II beheld,
prophet in
says the prophet
says in Enoch, the Ancient of Days, Days,
whose head was like &c.2
was like wool, &c.^ But these,
these, and all
all
like revelations
such like revelations will will be esteemed fanciful fanciful or figu-
or figu-
rative,
rative, perhaps,
perhaps, or arbitrary, since
arbitrary, since they they are not com-
monly conceivable, and the worldly
monly conceivable, worldly mind is is shut out
from the imagination
imagination even
even of occult
occult t1'uth.
truth. They
They
only
only who have entered experimentally
experimentally within to know
themselves, have 'been
themselves, satisfactorily able
been satisfactorily able to recognise
recognise
the ground
ground ; and they
; they only
only who are gifted
gifted with an ap-
an ap-
proximating faith,
proximating faith, to discriminate their
their universal testi-
testi-
mony
mony from amongst amongst so many fanatical delusions, will
many fanatical will
be inclined,
inclined, or able either,
either, to advance to the contem-
plation of their
plation their proofs.
proofs.
But to continue. As all
all colours in in their
their prismatic
prismatic
unison are white, just so is
white, just is the Universal Nature, de-
appearing in
scribed as appearing in the evolution of her Fontal
Light;
Light ;and Paracelsus gives it
gives it as a reason, that there
should be a simple simple ground

ground of all diversity without
all diversity
confusion whereon to recreate :-Omnia :
—
Omnia in in Dei mann manu
alba sunt is is ea tingit
tingit ut vult :-all
: —
all things
things in
in the hand
of God are white, says says the Magian,
Magian, ât
& He mes^
may co-
according to His pleasure.
loursthem according pleasure. Agreeably, the
Agreeably,
Sails writes :-The
Liicerna Salis
author of the Lzzcerna :
—
The matter will will
become white like like a hoary man, whose aged
hoary man, aged com- com-
plexion
plexion resembles ice ; it will
ice; it Whiten more
will also whiten more after-
after-
wards, like silver.
wards, like silver. Govern youryour fire
fire with great
a great deal
care, and afterwards you
of care, you shall
shall see that in
hi your
your
vessel your
your matter will will become white as snow. snow. Then
is your elixir
is your perfect as to the white
elixir perfect work.—
w^hite work.--This This
agrees
agrees with the descriptions
descriptions of Arnold,
Arnold, Lully,
Lully, Arte76&¢</5
kxto^ûu^s
-&:s, and the rest cited in
^M&, in the Theory, which, in
T/zeory, which, in the
original
original verse, runs thus :-
verse, runs :
Acquiret eanitiem viri

Acquiret canitiem viri senis,
senis,
Albicabitque fere ut argentum,

Albicabitque argentum,
Summa
Sumin^ diligentia
rliligentia ignem rege
ignem rege
1^
Eevelation St. John,
Revelation of St. chap. i.i. vv 14;
John, chap. ii.
chap. ii.
14 ehap. ; v. 17.
2
2 Book of Enoch, chap. xlvi.
Enooh, chap. 1, &c.
xlvi. v. 1,
X
X 2
—
308 Laws
LAWS ANU
and CONDITIONS.
Conditions.
/-€y Videbisque sequent)lr

Videbisque materiain in
sequentj/fr materiam vitro
in vitro
'
Albcrc omninb candore
Albere omnino nivali
candorc nivali
Et turn
tum confectum est elixir ad album!
est elixir album.'
Sendivogius, in
The same Sendivogius, his Ntw
in his New Light,
Light, calls the
calls the
Vater of our Sea,
Water Sea, the Vater
Water of
of Life,
Life, not wetting
wetting the
;
believe me, he says,
hands ; and believe fOl' Tl saw
says, for it with my
saw it my
eyes,
eyes, and felt
felt it-that
it that —
water was as white as snow."
snow.'^
And Eireneus,
Eireneus, but we will enlarge; for
will not enlarge for isis not ;
already defined so
this the Matter already
this often
often by the old
by old
Alchemists, saying,saying, it
it is
is no common
common water, but an an
unctuous mineral vapour, vapour, universally subsisting
universally subsisting ?
? Bo-
dies therefore, say
dies therefore, they, are to be turned into
say they, into such a a
vapour,
vapour, and this
this vapouris
vapour is the Stone known and proven
proven
in the Book of Life Life-Sumatur —
Sumatur lapis lapis in eapitulis notus;
in capitulis notus ;-
Such is is the subtle phrase phrase of the Arabian Arabian; and this
; this
is the Matter every
is every where alluded to, to, and so often
denoted in in the Mysteries
Mysteries; which in
; in demoniacal
forms is is at iirst
first in vision made apparent,
in vision apparent, nor nor
known until until the eye eye of mind, regardant
regardant and pu-
pu-
rifying, meets its
rifying, its First source. For are we we not all all
"
" such stuff
"
dreams made of ? " Yet
verily,
verily, stufl' as are of?
we may believe the
if we
discovery of it
the discovery it is
is no dream, if may
experienced;
experienced ;but,
but, on
on the contrary, every
contrary, every phantastic
phantastic
desire and imagination
imagination is
is alienated and merged
merged in in-
in in-
tellectual
telle 'tual contact of the Thing itself, which is
Thing itself, our
is our
Identity. This is
Identity. is the true Hermetic material, material, which is is
celebrated by all his
by all his disciples
disciples; that
; recommended by
by
Orpheus
Orpheus to be taken in in the cave of Mercury,Mercury, and car-
ried in
ried in both hands away away; ;and this
this is
is power borne
the power
by
by the Centaur Cheiron,Chciron, the monster tutor of heroes, heroes,
cloud-begotten,
cloud-begotten, sprung sprung from out of the nebulous
impure
impure ether, duplicate fo1'cc,
ether, with a duplicate force, as it it were,
were, of a
Magnet
Magnet armed to magnify magnify and energize
energize and prepare
prepare
the way, being the substance real,
way, being promise of a
real, and promise
more pcrfèct life
more perfect life to come. The same
same in Silcnus is
in Silenus is sa-
personified the most venerable preceptor

tirieally personified
tirically preceptor of
the God of Wine Vinc ; and this is
;
Pan, and the foundation
is Pan,
of the great
great Saturnian Monarchy Monarchy ofthe of the Freed Vil], Will,
1
' Lucenia
Lucerna Salis,
Salis, p.
p. 153.
158. 12mo.
l2mo.
2
2
Philosophical Parable.
Philosophical
ANALYSIS.
FURTHER Analysis.
Further 309
which was
vas once circumscribed in
in Intellect, for the
Intellect, for
manifestation of its
its Light.
Light.
This same, the Arabians call call F103 Sails Albi-thc
Flos Salis Alhi the —
Flower ofof White Salt, and thus the substant hypos-
Vhite Salt, hypos-
tasis is
tasis said very
is said truly to
very truly designated; and this
to be designated this is
;
is
Que!/em, which Van Helmont speaks
the white sand, Qutilem, speaks
manifesting itself
of as manifesting itself forth in a
forth in vivid vital
a vivid vital soil,
soil, which
spade or mattock never pierced?

spade pierced.^ This is is the true
earth wherein is recreative fire,
is the recreative even that
fire, even
magic
magic
"
" Land of Havilah, where good
"
is ; " and this fire
tire
gold is
good gold ; this
spontaneously to himself, co-

parts thereof spontaneously
binds the parts
agulates them, and stops
agulates stops their flux and this
their flux; ;
Salt is
this Salt is the
VV ater that wcts
Water wets not the ;
identical
tl1e hands ; and that identical Mag- Mag-
nesia that waswas exhibited in in tl1e Mysteries; the Vhite
the Mysteries ; White
Vishnu the Lord of Radha;
Island of Vishnu; ; Radha the Vhite
; White
Paradise, which the author of the
Paradise, Round
Itozu/fl Yhwcrs, with
Toioers,
an exclusiveness, pardonable
an for its
pardonable for its enthusiasm, mis-
took for his Emerald Home?
for his Home.^
The Platonists have declared true Being Being to be white,
white,
and all
all that Plato says, says, in I'/zmlo,
FhcedOy about Tartarus is,
is,
Olympiodorus,
according to Olympiodorus,
according to be understood ethically
ethically
and physically ethically, in
physically: ethically,
: in that Tartarus is is the place
place
of the soul's
soul's trial,
trial, where the balance of existence
is imperfections are made manifest;
struck, and imperfections
is struck, manifest phy-
phy-
;
sically, in
sically, in that it is
it is the zu/zo/ezzcss
luhoieness W"
of exestczzcc.
txisteuce. And
what isis written about rivers rivers and seas by by Plato,
Plato, which
is ridiculous in
is in anan external sense, sense, isis to be psychically
psychically
understood,
understood, as when he says
says that the taste and colour
of these waters is is according
according to the quality
quality of the earth
through
through which it
it flows:
flows : this
this also indicates, adds our
indicates, our
exponent,
exponent, that souls,
souls, in
in which reason does not preside
preside
charioteer, are changed
as a charioteer, according to the subject
changed according subject
temperament
temperament of the body
body; ; but when reason
reason has the
dominion, the soul does not yield,
dominion, but, contrariwise,
yield, but, contrariwise,
assimilates herself to the Supreme
Supreme virtue."
virtue.^ And her
_/irst
first motion towards this from her ultimate artificial
artificial
I' ix.
Oreatrike,
Oreatrike, chap.
cliap. ix.
2
2 Round Towers of Ireland
See the Eound Ii-eland 5 an ;
work, by
au estimable work, ll.
by li.
O'Brien, chap.
O'Brien, chap. xxii.
xxii. p.
p. 327.
3
^ See Taylor's
Taylor's Dissertation on Aristotle, book ii.
on Aristotle, ii. p, 319.
p.
;
3lO
310 Laws and (lownrrioxs.
AND Conditions,
recessure
reccssure is is the true origin according to
origin of matter, according to
these
these philosophers,
philosophers, and the primary
the primary cause of all,
all, when
virtue is
generative virtue
the generative is drawn up up into
into intellectual
intellectual
alliance
alliance with the the medial lifelife and light.
light.
In the third
third book of Reuchlin, De Arte
of' Rcuchlin, A/'tc Cabalistica,
Cabalistim,
we read,
read, Nihil est
est in
in nisi
prineipio nisi Sapientia.--No-
j)rincipio Sapientia. — No-
thing is
thing is in
in the beginning Visdon1, or Sapience.
beginning but Wisdom, —
Sapience.-lt It
is this
is this which we we are accustomed to call call the Three
4
Persons in in Divinity,
Divinity, the which is is an
an Absolute Essence
Essetice, 7
Ha#
XKcCt, -aelaich,
wliieh ,
whilst
whilst
and rests still
it
it is
is retracted
still and quiet,
in
in the
quiet, or, as they
Abyss
Abyss of darkness,
darkness,
say, having
they say, having re-
spect
spect to nothing, is
nothing, is for
for this
this cause termed by by thc
the
Hebrews, Ain,
Ain, i.
i. e to say.
say, Ni/ai!
Nihil gzzoarl nos; nothing or
quoad }ius; nothing
no entity
entity as respects
respects us. being atleeted
Because we, being affected
with inability
inability in in the conception,
conception, do judge judge and
imagine
imagine of those things
things which do not appear inlme-
appear imme-
diately
diately as ifif they
they were not at all.
all. But when it
it has
showed itself
itself forth to be somewhat indeed, indeed, and that it it
does really in the human
^
if
really
light A/cy)/1;
light Alcpli ;
in
continues the ¢abalist,
(Jfabalist, is
as it
it is
is written,
written,
apprehension exist, then,
apprehension
The
exist,
Aleph converted into
is dark Ale/J/1
then,
night shineth as the

night
day,
day, the darkness and the light
light are all alike to Him
all Him;
—
-Tencbrae
Tenebrae sunt ei ei sicut
sieut ipsa lux.
ipsa lux.
Si tu,
Si tu Deus meus, illnininaveris nie
mens J illuiniuaveris
7,
Lux tenebrfc 111020.
hunt teuebra^
liuut mese.
So Paradise waswas opened

opened in in the Seer,
Seer, and by by that
kindling
kindling of Divine enthusiasm i11
in conjunction with its
conjunction its
source, the soft lenient LightLight was created, which he
was created,
celebrates, and whence all

celebrates, all things
things are saidsaid to emerge,
emerge,
and whither they
they return ; but without our cognizance,
;
cognizance,
who are
arc chained to these exterior surfaces,surfaces, content
with the bare tradition of of' a life
life to come. But inin
that Place,
Place, whither he waswas snatched up, up, the prophet
prophet
them, and what he beheld of the Radical
describes them,
Essence, and the manifold glories
Essence, glories of that mystical
mystical
Adamic Soil.
Soil. And this
this II beheld,
beheld, says he, the þÿS
says he, ¬Cl'Ct
secret
Heaven and of Paradise according
of l-leaven according to its divisions,
its divisions,
and there my eyes beheld the secrets of the thunder
my eyes
^ ; —
FURTHER Analysis.
Further ANALYSIS. 311
lightning, and the secrets

and lightning, secrets ofof the vinds, how they
the winds, they
are distributed they blow over the earth.
distributed as they earth. The
secret of the winds and of the clouds;
secret clouds there II per-
there ;
per-
ceived the ja/ace
ceived place whence theythey issue forth, and II became
issue forth,
saturated with the dust
dust ry'
of the earth.
the earth. There II saw the
wooden receptacles
woodtn receptacles (the vegetable life), out of
vegetable or medial life),
separated, and the receptacles
which the winds became separated, receptacles
of
of the snow, and the the cloud itseg"
itself which continued over
the earth
the eart/1 before
before t/ze the world}
the creation of the world?
apparition of the
This nebulous apparition Embryo
the___ Catholic Embryo ,
before its
befòre birth, some modern Qlabalists
its birth,
plained to be an
plaincd
dJabalists have eX~
an absolute concentration of Divinity
ex-
é
/C
Divinity ^^"^
within itsits proper substance, i.
proper substance, of' subject
e. of
i. e. subject and object,
object,
in their original
in their original identity;
identity which, as a cloud before thc
Which,
; the
falling shower, gives
falling birth to the primitive
gives birth primitive Ether,
Ether,
which is is the pure vacuum, or understanding
attracting vacuum,
pure attracting understanding
whereby
whereby the central efficient is
efiicient is drawn forth
forth to will
will and
operation. Dionysius
operation. it caligo divina,
styles it calzgo
Dionysius styles because,
divina, because,
says, it is
as he says, it is obscure and humanly humanly incomprehen-
incomprehen-
sible, visible indeed. The author
though visible
sible, though of the Lumen
author of' yy
Lumina: calls
de Lumine calls it,
activce, and describes it
activce,
it, from the Qabalists,
it
(pabalists,
as beneath all
Yenebrce
Tenebra:
degrees of
all degrees
QC
[y
sense and imagination — certain

imagination-aa certain horrible, inexpressible
horrible, inexpressible
chasm?
chasm.
Non-being which nor

Non-being nor mind can
can see
Nor
N or speech since, as of Being
reveal; since,
speech reveal;
being void,
void, IB
'Tis object of the mental eye;
"llis not the object eye
But there thy
thy intellectual notions check
When in this
this path
path exploring?
exploring.^
its End is
For its is innniteg
infinite as the Oracle forewarns,
; fòrewarns,-
Stoop
Stoop not down,
down, fora
for a precipice
precipice lies
lies below in the earth 5 ;
—
-it is nothing
it is nothing respects
as respects the consciousness before it
it is
is
conceived ; nothing,
nothing, as Dionysius
; adds, of those things
Dionysius adds, things
are, or of those that are not,
that are, in an
not, in empty destruc-
an empty
tive sense; but it
tive sense that only
it i^ that only True Thing of which we
Thing we
"J¢§cO7}1_
;
(^^r}^ê^
l
1 Book of Enoch, chap. xlvi.
Enoch, chap. xlvi. and xli.
xli.
2
2 Lumen de Lumine,
Lumine, the chapter on Matter,
chapter on init.
Matter, in init.
3
2 From the Fragments
Fragments of Parmenides, given at the end of Tay-
Parmenides, given Tay-
lor's Dissertation
lor's on Aristotle.
on
312 Laws AND
and Conditions.
CONDITIONS.
^
can affirm nothing,
nothing, whose tlieology is negative,
theology is negative but ;
<<rfU(y^
c,»~<>/IZZ fee'
CzT>ôUCocLejS bQ'l9§
ifmhtu iu the perfect possession of is the most happy
perfect possession happy- m
life.
life. Bohme also declares-God,
Thus Biihme declares —
God, ineomparably
incomparably
good and great,
good great, out of no!/ling
nothing created some!/zing,
6omethi?ig, and
something was made one t/:ing
that something thing in
in which allall
things were contained,

things contained, both celestial terrestrial.
celestial and terrestrial.
And this
this first vas a certain cloud or dark-
something was
first something
ness, which
ness, was condensed into water ; and this ; this water
is
is that One Thing Thing in in which all all things
things are contained!
contained.^
Now here we we do not read either that all things
all things
came of nothing
ealnc absolutely, but that God of nothing
nothing absolutely, nothing
created something
something which was made that one thing thing in in
which are all. all. And this
this One
Une Thing
Thing appears
appears to be no-
no-
thing less or more

thing less more than that Identity which is
Identity is made in in
,» the regeneration
regeneration by reprocedure into experience
by the reprocedure experience out
^
1
in
OJ\jiy}^
ai..
of the dissolute void of lifârtificially
lifeartifieially induced. As re-
/v
/
spects the creature,
spects therefore, it
creature, therefore, it may
may be considered as
first divine manifestation out of the abyss,
the first abyss, when
the Spirit
Spirit is is brought forth into a new
brought new circulatory
circulatory con-
fine, displaying
displaying its its universal properties internally ae-
properties internally ac-
cording to the magnetic,
cording action, and passion
virtue, action,
magnetic, virtue, passion
ofthe
of the Mieroeosmic
Microcosmic Heaven. And there is is in
in the Ce-
lestial Light, continues the same
lestial Light, same author,
author, a Substance
like water which yet is no
yet is water, but such a
no water,
spirit or
a spirit or
property. but it
property . it burns moremore like a kindred oil, oil, and is is
called by many the Tincture.
by many Tincturc. And this Tineture
Tincture is is
source of the material world,
the source vorld, and gives gives to all all
essences virtue to grow grow: it it is
: is also in all all metals and
stones it
stones; it causes silver and gold
; grow, and without
gold to grow,
it
it nothing could grow, but with it, all
nothing grow, things: amongst
it, all things: amongst
all the children of nature it it only is a virgin,
all
only is virgin, and has
never generated
generated anything
anything out of itself; itself; neither can can it it
generate,
generate, yet yet itit makes all things that are to be impreg-
all things impreg-
nated:
nated it it is
: is the most hidden thing, and also the most
thing,
manifest; it
manifest is the friend of God and playfellow of vir-
it is
;
playfellow
tue; it
tue ; itself to be detained of nothing
it suffers itself nothing and yet yet
it is
it is in
in all
all things;
things but if ; if anything
anything be done against against the
right of nature,
rig//I nature, then it it readily
readily flies away it
flies away: : it con-
'
' Generation of the
tlic Three Principles.
l'rinciplcs.
} ;;
FURTHER ANALYSIS.
Further Analysis. 313
tinues in
tinues of decaying
in no kind of anything, but abides
decaying of anything, abides
constantly
constantly with life.
life. The way
vay to
to it
it is
is very
very near, yet
yet
no language
language can
can express
express it nevertheless it
it: nevertheless
: meets them
it ?neet6-
that seek it
that it a
f/rig/zt
rig /it in
in its
its own
ow/z way.
way. It
It is
is powerful, yet
powerful, yet
of itsey" nothing; when it
itself does nothing goes out of a
it goes ; thing it
a thing it
comes not into into itit again

again Jmtzzra//y,
naturally, but it it stays
stays in in its
its
ethe1'.
ether. It is not God, but it
It is it is God's friend; for
is God's for itit
works not of of' itself
itself. It
It is in all
is in all things 2/zzperceptébty,
things imperceptibly,
and yet it may
yet it may we/i
u-ell be þÿ0'U ¬1`])01L`l3I`t'(/and used,
fbe overpowered 11.965/, especially
especially
in metals : there
in there it
: it can of itself, being pure,
itself, being pure, make gold gold
iron and copper,
of iron copper, and make a a little grow to be a
little grow
great- deal.
great deal. For it is the source of universal increase
it is increase ; ;
its way is
its way is as subtle as the thoughts thoughts of man,
man, and his
his
thoughts do even arise
thoughts arise from thence. things are
All things
thence arisen throughthe Divine bnagi
arisen throught-he I1/zfzgizmlimz, do yet
nation, and dojêt
stand inin such a birth,
birth, station,
station, and government.government. The
four elements have likewise such a ground ground or original;
original
but the understanding
understanding and capacity capacity is is not in nature's
in nature's
own ability
own
ability without the Light Light of God God; but it
;
it is very
is very
easy to be understood by
easy those zu/zo
by if/lose who are in in if/ze
the Lég'/1t,lo
Light, to
them it it is easy and
is easy (I11{]])/Hill.)-I
plain —I have myselfmyself seen this this
knowledge, continues our author in
knowledge, in another place, place,
with those eyes eyes wherein life life generates
generates in me, forthe
in me, for the
new man
new man speculates into the midst of the astral astral birth
speculates
geniture, and thus,
or geniture, adds, in
thus, he adds, in explication
explication the me-
thod of his experience.
experience.-At —At last when, after
last when, after much
Christian seeking seeking and desire, suffering of much re-
desire, and suffering
pulsc, resolved, he says,
pulse, IIresolved, saj^s, rather to put put my my /yelife to
utmost hazard
lI[l)l0A'l' /mzarcl than give over
to give and leave oft; the
off;
gate
gate was was opened
opened to me, me, so that in one one quarter
quarter of
an hour II saw
an saw and knew more more than if if II had been
many
many years years at the University ;;
University at which II did exceed-
ingly admire,
ingly admire, and knew not how it
it happened to me
happened me;
and, therefore,
and, therefore, I
I turned my
my mind to praise God for it.
praise it.
For II saw saw and knew the Being Being of beings,

beings, the Bysse,
Bysse, or
ground
ground or original
original foundation ; and
; the Abysse,
Abysse, that is is
Without
without ground, ground, or fathomlcss
fathomless or
or void;
void ; also the birth
generation of the I-Ioly
or eternal generation Holy Trinity,
Trinity, the descent
1
1 See Bohme's
B6hmc's A\rorks,
Vorks, vol. i. p.
vol. i. 97, il
p. 97, fol.
41 fol.
314 Laws
Lmvs ANU Coxnrrioxs.
and Conditions.
this world and of

original of this
and original of all
all creatures through
through
Wisdom, and II knew and saw
the Divine Visdom, saw in myself all
in myself all
the Three Vorlds:
Worlds viz., divine angelical,
first, the divine
viz., tirst,
:
angelical, or
paradisaical; and then the dark world, being
paradisaical ; uri-
being the ori-
gina! of nature
ginal by
by the
þÿ7I[I[lU` ¬ Fire;; and then thirdly,
the Fire thirdly, the
^.^KClAyO-âJc etci mi l and visible
eternal
-
world, being
visible world, procreation or extern
being a procreation
birth
birth or, as it it were, a .szzbstance expressed
cz substance
eaypressed or spokenspoken
forl/1 from
forth t/ze
fum the IIIICVIIII!
internal and .api/'itzzrzl worlds.
spiritual worlds. And II
saw and knew the whole Being, Being, and luorking u'0r/sing essence in in
the evil
evil and in in the good,
good, and the mutual original original and
existence of each of them ; and likewise ; likewise how the
pregnant genetrix
pregnant genetrix or fruitful bearing
01' fruitful bearing womb of eternity eternity
brought forth, so that II did
brought did not only greatly wonder at
only greatly at it,
it,
but did also exceedingly rejoice.

also exceedingly rejoice. Albeit, Albeit, II could veryvery
apprehend the same in
hardly apprehend
hardly in mymy external man, man, and
express it
express it with my pen.
my pen. I saw as in
I saw in a great deep in
great deep in
Internal; for
the Internal for II had a
; a thorough view of the uni-
thorough
verse as in in a chaos wherein all things are couched and
all things
wrapped
wrapped up, up, but it impossible then for
it was impossible for me
me to ex-
tlie same.
plain the
plain Yet it opened itself
it opened itself in in me
me from time
time, as a young
to time, plant, and came
young plant, came forth into the
external principle
principle of my mind.
my mind ....
. .. And thus II have
written not from instruction or knowledge knowledge received from
men,
men, nor nor from the study
study of books, but II have written
books,
out of my my ownown book which was
was opened in
opened me, being
in me, being
the noble similitude,
similitude, the book of the most noble and
Image of God
precious Image
precious God: and therein II have studied as
:
child in
a child in the house of its mother, which beholdeth
its mother,
what the father doth. II have no need of other books, books,
my
my book hath only only I/zrce leaves, the same
three leaves, same are the
Eternity. Therein II can
Principles of Eternity.
Principles can find allall whatso-
ever Moses and the Prophets, Prophets, Christ and his
his Apostles
Apostles
have taught
taught and spoken.
spoken. II can find therein the
foundation of the world mysteries and yet
vorld and mysteries; ; yet not II
Spirit of God doeth it
but the Spirit it according
according to the mea-
sure as he pleaseth.'
pleaseth.^
y . // Here we we have modern testimony testimony agreeing agreeing in all par-
all par-
'i'Lifr'"f'"
fCcxlrtJCo^^ ticulars with the most ancient Gabal
Gdbal and profound
profound ex-
perimental
perimental divinity;
divinity nor ;this alone,
alone, but other favoured
I'
See BE3hme's Works, Turned Eye,
Bbhme's lvorks, in vol.
Eye, in vol. ii.
ii.
^
FURTHER AN,~.1.'s1s.
individuals,
individuals, amongst whom Van Helmont
amongst Helinont relates,
relates,
how by
by a mysterious
mysterious hand he was led
led along into
along into
perception of the
a perception simple element of nature.-And
the simple nature. And —
while II variously
variously wandered that I
I might
might view the
Tree of Life, says the physician,
Life, says physician, at at length
length with-
out the day beyond the beginning
day and beyond beginning of the wig/lt,
night, II
saw, as as in
in a dream, the whole face
a d1'eam, face of the earth
earth. even
as it
it stood forsaken, empty or void at the begin-
forsaken, and empty begin-
ning
ning of the creation;
creation then ; afterwards,
afterwards, how it
it was,
while, as being
while, being fresh,
fresh, it
it waxed on every
every side
side green
green with
its plants
its plants; again,
;again, also, as itit lay
lay hidden under the flood. Jiood.
For II saw
saw all
all the species
species of plants
plants to be kept under
kept
the waters: yet yet presently
presently after
after the flood,
flood, that they
they
did all
all enter into way of interchanges
into the way enjoined to
interchanges enjoined
them, which was was to be continued by their species
by their species and
seeds, Sze.
seeds, &c. For in sky of our Archaeus,
in the sky Archeeus, aspectual
aspectual
deciphered as well from the depth
Ideas are deciphcred depth of the
starry heaven of the soul itself,
starry its_elf, as those formed by by
or implanted spirit of the seven bowelsf
erring
the erring implanted spirit bowels.^
in this
Here in this sphere
sphere those mighty
mighty wonders are,
are.
Vhich, as the sporting
Which, sporting of the Deity,
Deity,
Themselves display;
display Wonders
wonders indeed they
; they are
Which
"Ihich do exceed man's
man's comprehending
comprehending lar
far
Here 'tis
'tis that God himself t'
t' himself displays,
displays,
From whence the sense arises up up in
in joys,
joys,
A
A thousand things for aye
things for arise,
aye arise,
Eternal waters and eternal skies.
skies."
Basil Valentine also,

also, before proceeding
proceeding to a descrip-
descrip-
tion of the Philosophic
Philosophic Matter, opens his
Matter, opens his discourse tg
fe c-j^^
^BS effect as follows:-Vhen
the effect follows :
—
When at a certain time an an
abundance of thoughts,
thoughts, which my my internal fervent
prayer suggested, had set me
prayer to God suggested, me loose and wholly
wholly
business, II purposed
free from terrene business, purposed inin myself
myself to
attend to those spiritual inspirations of which we
spiritual inspirations we have
more accu)
need for the more accurate scrutirqy of nature. There-
ate scrutiny
make m_yseQ"
fore II resolved to ma/fe wings, that II might
myself wings, might
ascend on high inspect the stars themselves,
high and inspect themselves, as
1^
Oreatrike, chap.
Oreatrike, Ix. and xcvi.
chap. Lt. xcvi.
7
2
Pordage, Mimdiim Explicatio,
Pordage, Muadum Explicatio,
'
p.
p. 320.
2 Lqffud/ `-'L '14/"

'"
316 Laws AND
and Coxorrions.
Conditions.
Icarus
Icaras and his his father Daedalus did
father Diiedalus did in
in times past. past. But
when II soared
soared too near near the sun, my /cat// efs with its
my /cat/:ers its
vehement heat were were consumed, and II fell fell //l.'(l(f/Ollg
headlong into into
the depths
depths of the sea. Yet to me, in in this
this my my ecvtrenzc'
extreme
fzecwsity, invoking
tiecessity, invoking God, /IC!/) help waswas sent from /zcaveu heaven
which freed freed me me from all all peril
peril and present destruction.
present destruction.
For oneone hastened to my my assistance
assistance who commanded
thc waters
the þÿ' ¬U(l[8l`§'should be still stiff;; and instantly
instantly in in that deep z/sep
abyss' appeared a most high
abyss appeared mozzfzlain upon
/:ig/1 mountain upon which at
length II ascended;
length ascended that II might
;
might examine whether, whether, as
men affirmed,
men aflirnied, there was was indeed any any friendship
friendship and
familiarity
familiarity between inferiors fHfCl`f0l'6` and 6«/;er/'or^^__ai4d-^îe-
.s'11pcrio;'_§,,a,1xd.xd;c-
622/'
ther the superior Jt111's
.s'uperi0J' stars ^. e. e. Ideas DivinflIentisl
Ideee Divin^'^ Mentis] have
acquired
acquired strengthstrength and power power from God, their Creator,
their Creator,
prof/nee any
to produce any one thing thing like lihe toto t/fer/zselves
themselves on earth. cart/1.
And having
having searched into things, things, II found |}dz. Gdz. in in the
metaphysico-chcmical
metaphysico-chemical analysi^ analysis) that whatsoever the
ancient masters had so many many ages ages committed to writ- writ-
i11g and delivered to their
ing disciples, ivas
their disciples, was true as 11.9 tru!/1
truth
Use# In very
itself. very deed, that II may expound the matter
may expound
in a few words, II found all
in things which are generated
all things generated
in the bowels ofthe
in 7Il0lllIf(ll-'IS to be infused from the
of the mountains
.superior é`f(ll'S
superior stars as [ig/zl, light, and to take their beginning bL'g'f)J)Jf)1§`
from them in form of
tliejbrm
in the Qf an aqueous
aqueous c/our/,_/i11m',
cloud, fume, or
vapour \'l1lCl1,Vf0)ÌI
zzrrpfmz' :: \y\\\c\v, for a long time fed and zzoiwis/:ez/,
/Ong limefkd nourished, is is at
length ez/zzctvd
length educted into a tangible lm1g'i/1/ejbmz form by by the elements.
IIoreover this
Moreover vapour is
this vapour U'(l[C!'fl18SS may
dried, that the icateriness
is dried, may
lose itsits dominion,
z/ominion, and thc*/irc t\\Q Jire next by help of thc
by help the air
cur
þÿ1`Ci§"jl
retain the ruling
ruling power-of —
power of water, water, firefire; and of fire,
; air
fire, air
and earth are produced produced; which notwithstanding
;
notwithstanding are
found in in all consisting of body
things consisting
all things body before the sepa- sepa-
ration of them them: but this
: this water therefore containing (,'0)I[(!f)liIl§' ull,
all,
which by by the dryness
dryness of its fire and air
its fire air is
is formed into
cart/1, is
earth, is þÿiZl1 ¬_fl.)`.§'fmatter
thejirst of all
þÿJlllif/f ¬)` all things?
things.'
this allegory
In this allegory the whole
wdiole metaphysieo-chemical
metaphysico-chemical anan-
alysis of the Universal
alysis Universal Subject Subject is is displayed--the
displayed — the sepa-
sepa-
introspection and reunion of the vital
ration, introspection
ration, vital elements
in their ethereal accord.
in And for for this
this reason adcpts adepts
l
' H.
J^. Yl1C]ltlllL', 8toue
Valentine, l"irc, i11
Stone of Fire, init.
in init.
FURTHER Analysis.
l1ave
have concluded this this Identic Salt to be the true grain,
Identic Salt grain,
since it cannot be annihilatcd,
since it annihilated, but survives
survives the wreck of
dissolute Being
the whole dissolute Being throughout
throughout_the —
the seed not
only
only of this
this world
wôrld but of the next. For all things,
all things,
organized
whether organized or otherwise, decay
decay and pass away
pass away
into elements but this
into other elements; ;
this mystical
mystical substance, this
this
root of the world, returning immediately upon the
world, returning immediately upon
dissolution of its
dissolution its parts,
parts, renews them ; nor will then be
nor will
;
quiet,
quiet, but Proteus-like
Proteus-like runs from one complexion of'
complexion of
into another,
light into
light f`rom this
another, from that, transmu-
this colour to that,
ti11g himself before the regardant
ting eye into
regardant eye into aa strange
strange
variety
variety of forms and appearances,
appearances, exhibiting
exhibiting the uni-
uni-
phenomenon of nature in
versal phenomenon in recreant display
display as he
forth from green
runs forth green to red and from red to black,
receding theneefòrth into a
receding thenceforth a million of colours and
transmigrating species.
transmigrating species.
/ Vcrum, 11bi
Verum, correptum manibus,
ubi correptum manibus, vinclisque tencbis ;
vinclisque tenebis ;
Q01
'CSJ varid illudent
Tum vari^
Turn illudent species,
species, atque ferarnm 3
atque ora ferarimi -^
Fiet enim subito sus sus horridus, atraque tigris,

horridus, atraque tigris,
Squamosusque
Squamosusque draco, fulva cerrice
draco, et fulva leana:
cervicer leana
Aut
Ant acrem tlainmae sonitum
acrein flammse dabit, }ltque
sonitiim dabit, )(ftque ita
:
vinelis
ita vinclia
.._
rv
G/
Excidet,
Excidet, aut ni tenues dilapsns
aquas teuues
iu aquas ahibit.
dilapsus abibit. /
Sed quanto
quanto ille magis formas
ille magis se vertet in
forinas sc in ournife, /^'/
Tanto, gnate,
Tanto, magis contende tenacia vincla.^
gnate, niagis vincla.1
oinnifs, '
And when hc departed from the fragile

he has departed fi'agile laby-
laby-
through which he was dispersed,
rinth through says thc
dispersed, says the adept,
adept,
and isis moreover purified from every
moreover purified impurity, he
every impurity,
raises himself likewise into an infinity
infinity of forms
forms: oneone :
vegetable, and then into a stone or into

while into a vegetable,
some animal now
strange animal;
some strange now he transmutes himself`
; himself into
the sea, becoming
sea, becoming be a pearl, or a gem or a metal,
to pearl, gem metal,
shining with red flames,
beautifully shining
beautifully irridescent with
flames, and irridescent
myriads colours; and thus he lives perpetually
myriads of colours ; perpetually the
worker of miracles,
miracles, an
an
indefatigable magian,
indefatigable magian, by by no
no
means wearying in
means his labour but growing young
wearying in his growing young ever-
more
more and increasing daily in vigorous
increasing daily vigorous display
display and
strength."
strength.^ And these miraculous alterations will not
I
^
Georgicor. lib.
Georgicor. iv. 405.
lib. iv.
2
2 Fama et Confessionis,
Confessionis, R.(f.
K.C. Prcfhce.
Preface. Ubi Vero
vero spiritus
spiritus ex-
&e.
cessit, &c.
cessit,
318 Laws
liaws and CONDITIONS.
ANI) Conditions.
~%,¢}/df?
cease, as Democritus jtiktdtts, until the Matter has
allaeeks, until
worked out its own restitution
its own restitution and isis brought by Art
brought by
into the supernatural
into supernatural fixity its Final Cause ; and that
Hxity of its that ;
binding is
mode of binding said to be
is said best which makes use of
bc best
fetters ; as Hermes also
manacles and fetters ; says-The
also says The philo-
philo- —
sophers
sophers chain up their matter with a strong
up their strong chain or
they make it
band when they it to contend with i'ire.'
fire.^
Nam sine vi non ulla

sine vi uUa dabit
dabit przecepta, neque illuin
prsecepta, nequc ilium
Orando flectes:
flectes vim duram, et
: et vmcula capto
vincula capto
Tende. h.-^^ demum frangentur
circnm bzec
Doli circum frangentur þÿ1l12ll1 ¬S.2
inaiies.''^
To arrest this imaginative Hux

this imaginative flux of freed vitality, we
freed Vitality, ve
may
may well conceive that it
well it needs the whole volun-
tary magnet; and that this
force of the central magnet
tary force this alone,
;
which is its proper

is its proper reason, can compel
compel it
it to repose.
repose.
^b
Q Reuchlin, concerning
Reuchlin, concerning the two catholic
cathohc natures con- eon-
V
ztzitia
.
/^ . tained in the mirific
tainedinthe Word, alludes;/sayi1ig=One
mirific Vord, alludesy^saying: One nature —
'^ ^ is such that it
is it may
may be seen with the eyes, eyes, felt felt with
hands, and is
the hands, subject to alteration
is subject alteration almost at every every
moment you
moment: you must pardon,
: pardon, as Apulcius
Apuleius says, says, the
strange expression,
strange expression, because it
it makes for
for the obscurity
obscurity
of the thing.
thing. This very
very nature,
nature, since she may
may not
continue one and the same, same, is accordingly apprehended
is accordingly apprehended
of the mind under such hcr qualification more rightly
her qualification rightly
na? as she is^than as she is is mt;
oat namely,
namely, the thing is
thing is in
A TxM^ ^s isAthan ; as in
truth, that is,
truth, changeable:
is, changeable the :ot/161°
othei^ þÿl]iitll1'
nature ¬or prin-
prin-
cipiating substance is
cipiating immutable, and
incorruptible, immutable,
is incorruptible,
always subsistent?
always subsistent.^
And this,this, adds an ancient and much esteemed
C^ Adeptistnis
Adeptiit,îs the Work
work which I
I have sometimes seen
singular and most deal'
with a Sfllgllfflf dear friend;
friend who showed ;
me certain large
me certain large furzmces,
furnaces, and those crowned
crotvned with
C
L/f cornues of glass.
glass. The vessels were several; several ; having,
having,
tripods, their serlirizrfzzta'
besides their .'1'ip0ds, caskets ; and
sediments or Caskets;
within was a holy ablation or present,
holy oblation present, dedicated to
7l'rna1'_y. But why
the Ternary. why should II any longer conceal
any longer
1•
Tract. Aur. cap.
cap. iv.
iv.
3'
2 lib. iv.
Georgie. lib.
Georgio. iv. 397.
3
^ Rcuclilin
Eoucblin de Ycrbo
Vcrbo Mirifico.
Mirilico. And in
in Terrai ol'
(`<elum Terriip
the Crelnm of
Vaughan.
Vaughan. /
/1
1
I/ ,-2
AL (-?»"f'.."<Sc'/_.C. 77<»;vi°f 'in/C wx. l'/ _

2 OAL
if
-_
,f
—
FURTHER ANA1.'s1s.
divine a thing?
so divine thing? Within this fabric,
Vithin this fabric, (i. e., the con-
{i. e.,
secrated
secrated vessel), certain mass moving
a certain
vessel), was a circularly,
moving circularly,
or driven representing the
driven round about, and representing the very
very
figure of the great
figure world.
great world. For he1'e eartlz was to
here the earth
standing of
be seen standing of itself in the mitlz/est
itself in middest of all,all, com-
passefl
passed about withivith most clear clear waters, risingrising up up to
several lzilloclrs
several craggy rocks, and bearing
hillocks and craggy bearing many many
sorts of fruit,
fruit, as if it had been watered with sliowers
if it showers
from the moist air.
moist air. It seemed also
It also to be very fruitful
very fruitful
of wine, oil,
oiwine, milk, with all
oil, and milk, all kinds of precious stones
precious stoties
and metals.
metals. The waters themselves, like those of the
like
full of a certain
sea, were full transparent salt
certain transparent —
salt--nownow white,
now red,
now red, then yellowyellow and purpled,
purpled, and, as it it were,
chamletted with various colours, which swelled up
up to
the face of the waters. All things were
things were actuated
with their
their ownown appropriate
appropriate fire fre ;; but in in very
very truth
imperceptible
imperceptible as yet, yet, and ethereal.
ethereal. But one thing
one thing
above the rest forced me me to an
an incredible
incredible admiration,
admiration,
namely, that so many
namely, many t/ii/fgs,
things, and diverse in in kind,
kind, and
of such perfect
perfect particulars,
particulars, should proceed from
proceed from one
only tliing;;
only thing and that,
that, with very
very small assistance:
assistance :
which being strengthened and

being þÿ6`fl' ¬Ilg1f/I ¬)l ¬(l jirtliereil by degrees,
furthered by degrees,
the artist affirmed to me
faithfully aiiirmed
artist faithfully me that all all those didi-
versities would settle
versities settle at last last into one body.bor@. Here I
I
observed that jitsilfusil lfimz'

kind Q"
of salt
salt to be not different
different
pumice stone,
from pzmzice quicksilver, which au-
stone, and that quicksilver,
thors call
call mercury,
mercury, to be the same with Lu1ly's
same Lully's
Lzuzaria,
Lunaria, whose water up
gets up against
gets against the fre of
fire If
nature,
nature, and shines by
by night,
night, but by day
by clay has glu-
a glu-
tinous, viscous faculty!
tinous, faculty.^
Here we we have the whole Hermetic laboratory laboratory»-
furnace,
furnace, fire, matter, and vessels,
fire, matter, vessels, with their mys- mys-
terious germinations,
germinations, subtly subtly depicted
depicted and set apart.
apart.
this clarified
For this hypostatis, (shall
clarified hypostatis, we not believe in
(shall we in
1^
See, in Lumen de Lumiue,
See, Lumine, the Extract, p. 69.
Extract, p. Also,
Also, the
Parable of Sendivogius, Paracelsus' s account of the magical
Sendivogius, and Paracelsus's magical
separation of the Elements,
Elements, and vision, place. Hel-
vision, in their native place.
separation
mont's Imago l1'entis,
mont's Imago beginning; and his Tree of Life.
Mentis, in the beginning; Life.
ii., Deut. viii.,
Genesis ii., xi., &c. ; and,
viii., xi., ; and, in Exodus, Mosesfs Descrip-
Exodus, Moses's Descrip-
tion of the Promised Land. xxviii., &c.
Job Xxviii.,
320 Laws
Lmvs and CoN1J1T1oNs.
ANU Conditions.
it ?) is
it?) stage of
is the stage all Forms,
of' all Forms, and here they
they are spon-
spon-
produced, not in
taneously produced,
taneously imagination, or as
in mere imagination, as
oi', as in
might conceive imaginatively,
we miglit
we imagiuatively, or, in a dream,
shadowly; but as the true Genesis of Light.

shadowly ;
Light.
Haec Argenti Rives,
dedit Argenti
Haw: dedit Kivos, Aerisque metalla
Aerisque metalla
venis, atque
Ostendit venis, atquc auro plurima Huxit
auro plurima fluxit
Hrec genus
Hsec genus aere virum ; Pubemque Sabella
vii-um; Marsos Pubeuique Sabella
Assuetmnque; Malo Ligurem
Assuetumque volcosque verutos
Ligurcm volcosque
;
Extulit Hsec Deeios

Extvdit ; Hare
; Decios Maries, maguosque Camillos
Marios, magnosquc ;
;
Salvo Magna
Salve Magna Parens frugum Saturuia Tellus
frugum 8aturnia
Magna
Magna viruin l
viiaim !
And though images, with the rest,

though these images, may ap-
rest, may ap-
pear extravagant,
pear extravagant, and Virgil
Virgil refers
refers all
all the compliment
compliment
his native soil
to his yet the truth,
soil; yet ; truth, gathering
gathering strength
strength by by
may
detail, may plead through
detail, plead through the whole accord. Such
are a few only declarations of in-
only of the remarkable declarations in-
dividuals who, by experimental ingress,
by an experimental ingress, they
as they
acknowledge, to the Vital Radix, have discovered the

acknowledge,
original of nature,
catholic original
catholic intellectual and material,
nature, intellectual material,
with the groundground of phenomenon, through
every phenomenon, through the
every
arising spectacle
arising spectacle of the Majesty within them-
Creative Majesty
selves. Many
selves. Alany might
might be'
be added of good repute and
good repute
accordant; but numbers would not ensure more
accordant ; more cre-
dence for for them, who ought, ought, on
on their own
own
authority,
authority,
to be believed ; and have been and will
; will be always
always by by
those who are able to glance glance freely,
freely, without ima-
ginative hinderance,
ginative capability of mind;
hinderanee, into the capability mind and,
; and,
analogy
by analogy
by of their own
own clear reason,
reason, can
can
judge of
judge
that fontal which, when entertained in
fontal revelation which, in con-
sciousness, becomes efiicient,
sciousness, efficient, and, its simultaneous
and, in its /
energy, divine.
energy, divine. Hence, they
Hence, they will -rmrl from #2
perceive,=1aI££l
will perceive, i^-^
no idle
no dreaming, the conviction of those sublimated
idle dreaming,
arose, who were
souls arose, superior to the dieta-
were not alone superior dicta-
tion of folly,
folly, but were moreover from the liabi-
were freed moreover liabi-
lity
lity to error which besets ordinaryordinary minds:
minds : for they
they
had passed delusions, not of sense
passed the turbulent delusions, only
sense only
selfhood, and having
but of the selfhood, having combated every every
sinister disguise
disguise in opposition,
opposition, were proved and re-
were proved
being admitted to the apperceptive
previous to being
proved, previous
proved, apperceptive
vision of oi' the Causal Truth which they dese1'ibe, when
they describe,
Further ANAL'SIS.
FURTHER Analysis. 321
meeting Light,
Light meeting
Light itself alone; and de-
apprehends itself'
Light, apprehends de-
velops the triple
velops mystery of its creative Law through-
triple mystery of its creative through-
out, from the infernal motive wheel which is
the infernal tl1e origin
is the origin
of the mineral kingdom, through
kingdom, through the the whole inter-
inter-
mediate paradisiacal growth, up
vegetable growth,
paradisiacal vegetable up to tl1e
the final
final
concord of of the Divine in
Image in man.
Image man. For as Life
Life
through
passes through the philosophic fermentation,
philosophic fermentation, its
its sub-
passes
stance is entirely transmuted,
is entirely transmuted, and the threefoldthreefold pro- pro-
perty is developed,
perty is developed, with a
a
dividing
dividing of the heterogeneous
heterogeneous
by an
parts, by
parts, extinguishing of the forms and properties
an extinguishing properties
of the Medial Spirit.Spirit. And not only only is it resolved into
is it into
principles, which Van tielmont
these three principles, Helmont also calls
also calls
Salt, Sulphur,
Salt, Mercury, but there is
Sulphur, and Mercury, procedure
is a procedure
radical destruction,
towards a radical destruction, almost annihilating the
annihilating
components ofthe
components life, which at
of the former life, at length,
length, in in its
its
a new
new seed to begin begin a New
exigence,
extreme exigence, draws
Generation. -And —And this is the way
this is recedure to the
way of the reeedure
Night Hippocratcs, leading
Night of Hippocrates, leading thenceforth into
into the Day Day
of Orpheus.
Orpheus.
It is
It little remarkable that the same
is not a little ideas, Eilild
same ideas,
even to their expression,
expression, are to be found
found in
in the meta- ,
physics
physics of`
of þÿII10(l
modern Germany
¬1'11
Germany as in
in the (fabalistic
(|âbalistic com- rC'
mentators and mysties mystics of the middle ages. ages. Yet the ^^
surprise
surprise which this
this might
might otherwise awake is
is dimi-
nished,
nished, when we
we consider the znziversal
universat characteristic
characteristic of
Reason
Reason; whence
;
it
it happens accountahly
happens accountably that,
that, that
common logic
truth which common logic arrives at byby abstraction 3i__^^L
as
^-^
an inferential necessity,
inferential necessity, is
is the same RabbiQ§f'
same which the Rabbifs^
experimenting, and guided

ontologically experimenting,
ontologically guided by same
by the same
Law, aflirm out of their own
Law, affirm own more proving observation
more proving
we may
experience. And thus we
and experience, illustrate the point.
may illustrate point.
All things, says the German philosopher
things, says philosopher (Hegel),
(Hegel),
have their commencement in pare Being, which is
pure Being, is
merely an imletcrzizizzale
indeterminate t/zuug/115,
tlwught, simple
simple and imme-
merely an
for the true commencement crm

diate ; for ;
can be nothing
nothing
else:
else but this pure
: Being is
pure Being no other than a
is no pure ab-
a pure
stractiozz, it
straction, it is absolutely negative,
is a term absolutely may
negative, which may
in its
also in its immediate conception
conception be called non
non Being}
Beingxl
11
Das reiue /mfang, weil
macht den Anfang,
Seyn macHt
reine Seyn es so wohl rciner
reiuer
Y
322 LAWS
Laws and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions.
Such isis the conclusion rationally

rationally arrived
arrived at by sen-
at by
sible abstraction;
sible abstraction ; Kant, Fichte, but moremore especially
especially
Schclling whose intellectual
Schclling penetration appears
intellectual penetration appears to
have passed carried metaphysics
beyond these two, carried
passed beyond metaphysics
into
into the same void non-entity
same void non-entity at last. Hence the scep-
at last. scep-
tical result
tical result of their
their transcendental labours,
labours, which, too
far surpassing
far surpassing sense and itsits phenomena accept their
phenomena to accept their
proof, stopped
proof, nevertheless of objective
stopped short nevertheless objective realization
realization
on their own ground
on their ground; there being arrested, faithful
being arrested,
; faithful and
as it
it were in means of passage
in view, without a means passage to the
promised shore. Yet so it
promised shore. it is, that very
is, that hypostasis which
very hypostasis
bounds reason in in transcendental abstraction, when
met by by contact of the inquiring
inquiring light light within,
within, is is that
Absolute Identity
Identity which it it seeks after, which, before
after, which, before
all duality
all duality of consciousness,
consciousness, is is the fortitude
fortitude and lifelife of
all.
all. But let
let us revert to the learned Rabbi's Rabbi's advice
concerning the true nature of Divine Inversion ; for
concerning for;
Ben Joehai
Jochai and his disciples
his disciples also atlirin
affirm that God
created all nothing, and this
things out of )10f/lfllg,
all things this not du-
biously, sed quasi
biously, quasi auctoritatem habens /mbezzs;; but in in what
sense this nothing is
this not/zing understood, we
is to be understood, we are thus,
thus, dif-
dif-
ferently than by
ferently the German,
bythe Gerinan, informed.
K When
Vhcn the Qlfabalists
f abalists
drawn forth from nothing,
affirm that
they do not intend,
nothing, they
all
all
intend, says
says
things
things are
the Rabbi,
Rabbi, from nothing
nothing in in the common-sense ae- ac-
ceptation of that word ; for
ceptation Being could never be pro-
for Being
; pro-
duced from non
non Being
Being (defieiently
(deficiently understood), by
understood), but by
non Being they mean
non t/ml which is
Being they mean that is neither conceiv-
nor as essence,
able as cause nor essence, but yet is in
yet is in fact
fact the
Cause of causes
causes: it is that which we
it is: call the primitive
We call primitive
non Being; because it
non Being ; it is
is anterior to the universe
universe; and :
by it we
by it we do not signify corporeity either,
signify corporeity either, but that
Principle Wisdom on
Principle or Visd0m on which itit is
is founded. Now
New if
if
any one should ask what is

any Wisdom,
is the essence of Visdom,
gcdanke, als
gedanke, als das unbestimmte einfaehe uninittelbare ist,
einfache unmittelbare ist, der
Anfang. Aber nichts
erste Aufang. niclits vermitteltes und weiter bestimmtes
seyn kann.
seyn Dieses reine seyu ist nun
seyn ist nun die reine abstraction,
abstraction,
damit das absolut negative
negative welches
welcbes gleichfiills uninittelbar genom-
gleicliftills unmittelbar genom-
men
men das niclits —
nichts ist.-Encyclopedic
ist. Encyclopedic des Sciences Phil. S6 86 et 87.
See M. Franck's
l"ranf-k's observations onon this point, and La Kabbale,
I
point, Kabbale, p.
p.
187, ABC.
187, &c.
;
FURTHER Analysis.
and in manner she is

in what manner is contained inin non Being,
Being, no
one can reply to this
can reply question becrlusc
this question; becaast in
:
in non Be-
ing, there is
ing, is no distinction (as of'
f/istizzctioiz (as subject and object
of subject in
object in
the consciousness byby which it it can be truly
truly said
said to hc
be
known), no mode of
known) , of' true existence; neither can we,
existence neither
;
therefòre,
therefore, compre/zencl,
comprehend, say, /low
so to say, Wisdom be-
how Visdo1n be-
comes united to life?
comes life.^
Now this doctrine is
this doctrine precisely in
is precisely in accordance with
the Hermetic philosophy, definitions of the
philosophy, and these definitions
primitive non-being, perfectly correspond with the
primitive non-being, perfectly correspond
Aristotle's discourses
theology, and Aristotle's
Platonic theology, discourses concern-
ing
ing the origin
origin of things
things and incomprehensible nature
incomprehensible
objective
of the objective contact in
in Identity. And as to the
Identity.
dogmas
dogmas of the rest,
rest, as of Thales,
Thales, Pythagoras, Anaxa-
Pythagoras,
goras,
goras, Parmenides,
Parmenides, Empedocles, and others,
Empedocles, others, which
men have been accustomed neglectfully
men neglectfully to run over;
over
it may not be amiss,
it may amiss, as Lord Bacon advises, advises, to cast
eyes with more reverence upon
our eyes
our upon them?
them.^ For, al-
For, al-
Aristotle, after
though Aristotle,
though manner of the Ottomans,
after the manner
thought he could not Well
thought reign unless he made away
well reign away
with all
all his ;
yet, to those who seriously
his brethren ; yet, seriously pro-
pro-
pose to themselves the inquiry
pose after truth,
inquiry after truth, it may not
it may
regard the positions

displeasing to regard
be displeasing positions of those various
touching the nature of things
sages, touching
sages, their founda-
things and their
tion.
tion. Nor ought
ought we, in thisthis our state of'of inconceptive
inconceptive
ignorance, to conclude,
ignorance, conclude, as manymany have done,done, that these
men
men spoke ill,
spoke ill, or arbitrarily, whereof'
imagining causes whereof
arbitrarily, imagining
to make a world, for it
world, for it was
was not so:so :their elements,
elements,
atoms, numbers, mathematics,
atoms, numbers, physics, and metaphy-
mathematics, physics, metaphy-
sics, or by
sics, by whatever names names their principiating
principiating ideas
were —
distinguished-all
were distinguished all their philosophy,
philosophy, in short, was
short, was
established, and belonged
confessedly established,
confessedly belonged to an experience
experience
and method of observation,
observation, to the profane
profane multitude
unknown. For they discovered, and have asserted,
they discovered, asserted,
without arrogance
arrogance or sophistication, that there are
or sophistication,
methods by by which an ascent may may be effected from the
oblivious bondage
bondage of this existence,
existence, and, through a
and, through a
1
1 See La Kabbale,
Kabbale, p.p. 214. Comment. Abram ben Dior on the
Zephir Jezirah,
Zephir Jezirah, p. 67, &e.
p. 67, &c.
2
Adv. of Learning,
^ Adv, lib. iii.
Learning, lib. iii. sec. 5.
see. 5.
Y 2
Y
;
324 Laws
AND Conditions.
gradual assimilation, survey more
to a survey more or less less imme-
diate
diate of the Causal Source.
And thus, though it
neglectful though
thus, neglectful it has seemed in ge-
in ge-
neral of facts,
neral facts, and common-sense observation, observation, these
Greeks too derived nature mediately mediately from a certain certain
Intellect in
Intellect in energy,
energy, but without distinction, fixing her
distinction, fixing
Being
true Being in
in the Law of Universals. Those eveneven who
appear
appear to differ,
differ, as for
for example, Thales,
example, Thales, and the phy-
phy-
siologist Empedocles
siologist Empedocles--substituting — substituting elements as prin-
prin-
ciples, do so in
^ ciples, in the choice of expression chiefly, and in
expression chiefly, in
the manner of regarding regarding; ; for
for the substance alluded to
we may judge by their
by them all
by all isis the same; same as we ;
may _judge by their
definitions,
definitions, which agree
agree not with any material of ele-
any ele-
intellect,
ments, or intellect, or atoms,
atoms, that we
We discern
discern or un-
un-
derstand at all all; ;but they speak,

they speak, as before said, out
said,
C (I of another perceptionperception of things, things, exhibiting
exhibiting the phe-
phe-
w;$5,,,ti@f2
^^(Jit^ôi^'^ nomena
nomena
improper
improper
of
here
the
to
THiprr^tnntinl
.
delay
delay a short
'
world.
time,
time, in
in
It
It may
may
order to
not be
point
point
out to the more more studious,
studious, how it happens, that so many
it happens, many
mistakes have arisen about their doctrine, doctrine, and that
language
language apparently divergent, may, nevertheless,
apparently divergent, may, nevertheless, har-
monize at its its source.
For that these philosophers philosophers have diseonrsed discoursed vari- vari-
ÔLA^(y>\a A, ously,
^' ously, is
is very certain; somc7\indeed
very certain; someîndecd of the lnitial
Initial
^ (J /
Principle, mtrHg. that it

Principle, is one
it is finite, others infi-
one and finite, infi-
nite; some,
nite some, as Heraelitus,
;
according
Heraclitus, according to essence,
essence, have
denominated it befrc'
it to ho, fire ;; another,
another, as Thales,Thales, looking
looking
to the first manifestation, teaches that all
first material manifestation, all y-
have from 7'
^^^
beings
beings their beginning
beginning watcr,'
luater ; whilst 'lliaiecs
T^ mGac,
with no no less reason or authority, authority, mentions a certain ^
curl/1 as antecedent,
earth antecedent, and the most ancient element element;
but Anaxagoras,
Anaxagoras, rather regarding
regarding the perfection and
perfection
origin
origin of the One Thing
Thing in consciousness,
consciousness, calls it
calls it In-
tellect
tellect ;,' as Plato, likewise, in the Parmeiude.s,
Plato, likewise, Pfzrmczziz/vs, derives
all
all things
things transcendentally,
transcendentally, proving proving the perpetuity
perpetuity of
Being
Being in itself
itself. But whilst these celebrate Mind as
prceedential, and those desire to indicate the subsist-
precedential,
ence of Matter,
Matter, in in either case it it is same for the
is the same; ;
mind is is not without the lnatter matter (the (the universal element
we mean), nor
we mean), nor that matter without the mind ; but all ; all
;
FURTHER ANALYSIS.
things, however
things, various in
various in manifestation,
manifestation, are eonsub- consub-
stantial
stantial in their
in their Cause.
And with respect
respect to the number of of principles
principles and
elementary transmutations, we may
elementary We may plainly
plainly perceive
perceive
that it it is common elements, or abstracts
is not the connnon abstracts either,
they contend about;
they about but their
; their investigation
investigation concerned
the prior
prior Elements of' Life
of Life ; ; which openly distin-
some, openly distin-
guishing, call
guishing, call the Celestial
Celestial Elements Elements, as Plato,
; Plato, in in
P/Jaedo, speaking
PhcEclo, of'
speaking of cart/1, for instance,
earth, for calls
instance, calls it the it if/ze
most and tut element wil/llll
ancient ivithin I/ze /zcaveu; and Proclus
the heaven;
informs us what We we are to understand by by the heaven ;
—
-Heaven,
Heaven, he says,
says, is
is t/ze
the izzte/Zectunl
intellectual contact with t/ze
Contact the
intelligible,
intelligible, for
for there is
is an intelligible which may
intelligible may be
conjoined intellect, and is
conjoined to intellect, is its
its true end. end.' ^ But this
this is is
in
in allusion to the highest highest sphere sphere of ethereality,
ethereality, which
Aristotle triply
Aristotle triply distinguishes,
distinguishes, first, first, as the 6/ze essence of the t/ze
zz/tinmte circulation of the
ultimate t/ze universe ;,' second, second, as that t/mt
zu/fic'/1
which is in continuity
is in cozzlimzity with wit/z it it;; and third,
third, as that If/mt body
body
w/lic/1
which is is þÿC0l7l]]l`6'/l(3)l([
comprehended¬(lby by t/ze
the /rfszf
last ci1'cu!11L'i0n.
circulation. For,
For,
says he,
says he, we
we are accustomed likewise
likewise to call
call that
heaven,
heaven, which is
is composed
composed from every
every natural
and sensible body.^ body? That is is the arising
arising SpiritSpirit of
the Universal Nature which, which, persisting separately,
persisting separately,
bounds as it it were, by by an invisible summit,
an invisible summit, every every cor-
poreal subsistence,
poreal subsistence, and in
in the conscious alliance only
only
becomes known. The same is is called by Hermes,
by Hermes, aa
Quintessence; and the Hermetic philosophers,
Quintessence ; philosophers, speakspeak-
ing
ing of their
their cart/1,
earth, locate it
it even as Plato does, within
does,
their heaven ; and in
their ; in order to distinguish
distinguish from the fe- fe-
culent dead soil, call it
soil, call magical,
it magical, the Earth of the Vise,
Wise,
Olympus, Our Earth,
Olympus, Earth, Sze., &c., and of the other elements
same, as we
the same, we have shown already in our
already our Exoteric
T/zeozy,
Theory, and elsewhere. Which
Vhich the initiated
initiated poet,
poet, in in his
JlIet1111m1'p/loses,
Aletamnrphoses, neither unaptly
unaptly signalizes
signalizes in the arising
arising
circulation of Nature from the four concentering eoncentering winds.
Hare super
Hsec super imposuit liqnidam et gravitate
imposuit liquidam carentem,
gravitate carentem,
1Ethera, Bon
TEthera, quicquam terrenze fzecis
non quicquam terrense fa^cis habentelnf'
habentem.^
But Plato yet more plainly

yet more alluding to the Ethereal
plainly alluding
1
the Theology
On tlie
1 Theology of Plato,
Plato, pp.
pp. 236, &e.
240, &c.
236, 240,
2
2 See his Treatise on Heavens, bool;
on the Heavens, book i.i.
3
^ Ovidii Metam. lib. i.
Metain. lib. i. 67.
;
326 Laws and CONDITIONS.

AND Conditions.
Quintessence, in
Quintessence, in Timceus, says,says, that of four elemcrzts
that Qff0Zll' elements
if/ic [)C)lZiIll`gllS assumed
the Demiurgus þÿ(lS8lll)I ¬([
One Whole
lV/zolejrom each, and t/fat,
from each, that,
/gy
by a 11 reasoning process, /ze
l`C(l._§'0NiHg` p1'oc°e.s's, he C()/ISfiIfIll't'(l1
constituted the t/ze world One 0)ie
lV/zo/cj9'0m
Whole from w/zo/es,
wholes, in in all things perfect azzdjree
all things perfect and free from
Ulf/ age
old age am/ z./isca.s°e.'
and disease} As Aristotle
Aristotle again,again, where he
says, that the
says, that t/ze wer/rl,
world, beingbeing C()))l])06'C([
composed from f//[se/1.s'ib/e
all sensible
1/miter, is
matter, is one alone a/one and pe1j'cct,'
perfect; cannot mean mean this this
world,
world, which isis neither
neither uniform nor free
free from age
age or
disease, perfect in
disease, or perfect way what other,
any way;
in any other, therefore,
;
should they either mean but the ethereal

they either ethereal; which art
art ;
taught them to segregate,

once taught segregate, and establish
estabhsh upon
upon the
ruins of this
ruins this mortal and dislocated existence ??
That Einpedocles
Euipedocles likewise taught
taught a twofold order of
natural procedu1'e-the —
procedure the one intelligible, and the other
one intelligible,
sensible ; —
sensible ;-deriving latter as an image
deriving the latter image from the for-
for-
mer
mer as an
exemplar, is
an exemplar, evident, from the whole tenor
is evident,
of his
his P/1 ysicst For he identifies
Physics all things
identifies all in respect
things in respect of
their
their source making elements there to subsist
source;; making subsist as quali-
quali-
tative virtues, which, multiplying
virtues, which, multiplying into being,
being, become
distributive powers,
powers, of which the sensible elements
and this
this world are the remote subjects
subjects and emanation
emanation;
eontrariwise, also,
contrariwise, receding from eftect
also, receding eitect to cause, he
shows how the universal flame frame isis borne along
along inin per-
per-
petual interchange.
petual interchange.
How
How many
many things
things one their being
to one being owe,
owe,
Fire, water,
Pire, water, earth and air
air immensely
immensely high,
high,
And each with equal power is
equal power is found endued,
endued,
And friendship equalized in length
friendship equalized length and breadth.
All things now thro'
things in union now thro' love conspire,
conspire,
And now thro' strife
now thro' strife divulscd are borne along,
along,
Hence, when again
Hence, emerging into light.
again emerging light,
The One is seen, 't
is seen, is from the many
't is many formed.
All mortals too,
too, so they are born,
far as they
sofar born,
OY
Ot`pm'1mn1ent
2)ermanent duration are deprived
deprived ;;
But, diversified with endless change,
But, as diversified change.
Thro'
Thro' this unmoved
ninnored for ever they
for ever they remain,
remain,
Like a sphere rolling round its
sphere rolling its centre firm?
finn.^
Anaxagoras,
Anaxagoras, and certain others of the early
early Greek
1
^ on the Theology-
Proclus on Theology of Plato,
Plato, book V.
v. p. 365.
p.
2
2 Empedocles, Physics,
Empedoeles, cap. i.
Physics, cap. i.
;
;
FURTHER ANAL'SIS.
alluding to this
school, alluding
school, absolute subsistence
this absolute subsistence of things,
of things,
assert, that matter likewise
assert, is the progeny
likewise is progeiiy of mind;
of mind
and the
the Alexandrians go as to explain the man-
go so farfar as explain man-
of its
ner of its descent and efflux; efflux ;
as if they too in
if they in alliance
aUiance
had known these things, and by
these things, analogy, through
by analogy, through
their
their own, the structure of the universe;
universe observing
; observing so so
many
many fine distinctions and such a
fine distinctions subtlety of onto-
a subtlety
logical operation as was
logical operation difficult to deline-
extremely difficult
was extremely deline-
ate byby words, or consistently
consistently in
in writing
writing to unfold.
unfold.
Many, therefore,
Many, adopted fables,
therefore, adopted similitudes,
symbols, similitudes,
fables, symbols,
enigmas, and the licence
enigmas, licence of poetry they also
poetry they called in
also called in
aid,
aid, as well on
on this
this account, as to veil
veil their
their meaning
meaning
from vulgar misprision and debate.
vulgar misprision debate. But Aristotle
Aristotle
preferred an abstruse style
preferred style of diction
diction to everyevery other
disguise,
disguise, that he might
might be comprehensible to the pro-
comprehensible pro-
found only
only; ; as, when writing to Alexander about the
writing
publication of'
publication his Acraomatic Ethics,
of his avows that
Et/zics, he avows
none but his his ownown pupils would be able to understand
pupils
them?
them.^
And with respectrespect to those strictures
strictures on on the writ-
ings
ings of his
his predecessors,
predecessors, we
we are disposed to take
disposed
them in a particular
particular application only , his
application only ; his most erudite
translator,
translator, Thomas having
Taylor, having
Taylor, also shown that
their reference has been alienated and widely
their widely misunder-
stood. The Aristotelian philosophyphilosophy is is built on on simi-
lar grounds,
lar grounds, and arrives at the same same conclusions as
those whom it rebukes; but the method is
it rebukes ; is different,
different,
and herein the Stagyrite Stagyrite lays lays claim to superiority,
superiority,
rather than by by professing
professing any new basis
any new basis of argument
argument
knowledge. The differences
superior knowledge.
or superior differences that arose in
philosophy owing
philosophy owing to men men regarding the same
regarding same nature
from diverse points points of View, view, and the contradictions
language, offended his
that occur in language, his accurate genius;
genius
and he was desirous that they they should harmonize in the
expression of'
expression of that truth in which they, they, by by co-know-
ledge, agreed. That whereas,
were agreed.
ledge, were whereas, for instance,
instance, Pytha-
Pytha-
goras would explain
goras explain essence in number and define it it
by mathematical reasons,
by reasons, as Plato by by Ideas,
Ideas, mingling
mingling
1 Simplicius in Plutarelfs
Plutarcli'a Life of'
^ See the Commentary
Commentary of Simplieius of Aris-
totle,
totle, and the note, 4, to Taylor's
p. 41,
note, p. Taylor's Dissertation.
^
328 Laws
LAVS and CoNn1'r1oNs.
AND Conditions.
these
these with geometric symbols; Parmenides and
geometric symbols ;
others, by
by atoms, elements,
elements, and by
by so many various
so many
ways
ways; he
; complains
complains that
that they
they deliver
deliver nothing clearly,
nothing clearly,
nor carry
nor their principles
carry their principles duly duly and comprehensively
comprehensively
through
through their
their whole system
system ;; but shift
shift from oneone asser-
tion to
tion to another, that that is
is apparently,
apparently, varyingvarying their
their speech.
speech.
Thus, in in the beginning
beginning of his —
his fllctzzp/1_ysic.v,-There
JMetaphijsics, There are
some, he says,says, who have discoursed about the universe
as if
if it were indeed one nature ; yet
it were yet allall of them have
;
not diseoursed
discoursed afterafter the samesame manner, neither of that
which subsists beautifully (i.
subsists beautifully {i. c.
intelligibly), nor of
e. intelligibly),
that which subsists

that according to nature. By
subsists according By no means
no means
therefore does their
therefore their discourse harmonize in in the specu-
sjdccu-
lation
lation of causes. For they
they do not speak speak likelike ce1'tain
certain
physiologists
physiologists who, supposing Being
supposing Being to be one,
one, at the
same time generate
same
generate the One from
fi'om matter:
matter : but their
their
assertions are of a different
assertions nature; for
different nature physiolo-
for the physiolo-
;
gists who contend that Being

gists Being is is one, when they they generate
generate
universe, at the same
the universe, same time add motion; motion but these
;
men
men assert that the universe is is immovable. Thus,
Thus,
Parmenides appears appears to have touched upon upon the One
Reason; but
according to Reason;
according llelissus, according
butMelissus, according to Matter;
Matter;
/:ence the former asserts that the universe is
heiice is finite
finite;
;
but the latter

latter that it is infinite.
it is infinite. But Xenophanes,
Xenophanes,
who was the first first that introduced this this doctrine,
doctrine, did
not assert anything clearly, nor does he appear
anything clearly, appear to have
apprehended the nature of either of these
apprehended these; but look-
;
ing to the w/10/e

ing whole //raven,
heaven, he says, says, the One is is God.
These men men therefore are to be dismissed, dismissed, two of them
indeed as beingbeing a at little
little too rustic,-viz.,
rustic, —
viz., Xenophanes
Xenophanes
Melissus, but Parmenides appears
and Melissus, appears to have seen
more
more than these where to speak.
speak.'
Such likelike defect of method and ineorrectness incorrectness of
diction does the Stagyrite complain of,
Stagyrite complain sparing none
of, sparing none
of his predecessors; but his

his predecessors ; his opposition
opposition is is uniformly
uniformly
directed to the letterletter rather than to the spirit spirit of their
doctrine; for he was

doctrine ; was strenuous in asserting asserting the caus-
ality praises those as in the highest
mind, and praises
ality of mind, highest degree
degree
gifted who perceived
gifted perceived this;this; in his his fl/('[(([)/I_ySfCStl]l`0Ug'll-
]\Ietaphiisicfii\\YO\\^\\-
1'
Metaphysics, sub init.
]Metaphysics, init.
FURTHER
Further ANALYSIS.
Analysis. 329
out, magnificent appreciation

evineing aa magnificent
out, evincing appreciation of of the Intellec-
Intellec-
tual
tual ground.
ground. But he was desirous,
was as we
We have said,
said,
philosophy; and accordingly

to methodize philosophy ; undertook,
accordingly undertook,
by
by establishing
establishing a system universal logic,
system of universal logic, to correct
the in1perf'ection
imperfection of common thought
common thought and speech. The
speech.
design was noble,
design was and carried
carried out to the original inten-
original inten-
tion
tion and on on its
its own intimate basis,
basis, was no
no doubt
valuable to fix experiment and assist
fix experiment assist in defining and
in deiining
unfolding, by
unfolding, by means of the categories,
categories, as by by aa conge-
conge-
nial channel,
nial channel, the birth
birtli of the Divine Intellect
Intellect into
into life
life
and manifestation.
That was the syllogism important to be sought
syllogism so important sought
after,
after, which also
also is
is according
according to Aristotle
Aristotle the true
object
object of philosophy;
philosophy ;
in
in the universal
universal terms of which
every other science is
every implicated, and without
is implicated, Without which
permanent
nothing permanent
nothing is
is said
said to be endued. When, losing
'vVhen, losing
this substantial
this substantial ground
ground and aim therefore, the Orgauon
Ol°g(l)I0)1
Work upon
began to work
began itself; it
upon itself, grew weak and were
it grew wore out
gradually, as Bacon observed it
gradually, it in
in his
his day becoming
day becoming
useless, since it
worse than useless, it occupied intellect that
occupied an intellect
might
might have been better employed, employed, and substituted for for
truth the least
least salutary satisfaction in
salutary kind of satisfaction in the dis-
dis-
play of scholastic
play subtlety and aimless dispute.
scholastic subtlety dispute.
The same
same has happened
happened with the Pythagorie num-
Pythagoric num-
bers, and those mathematics which had all

bers, their original
all their original
keystone in
keystone in the Arch of Heaven ; or how else
; else should
numbers have been established as the causes of things things
if'
if they
they had not been allied
allied in
in idea to something
something better
than themselves ?? All things produce their
naturally produce
things naturally
similars, numbers beget
similars, numbers, letters
beget numbers, letters and words
phrases, and lines
constitute phrases, superficial forms only.
lines superneial only.
They
They may,
may, by
by composition,
composition, be made,
made, in their way,
way, to
degrees and kinds of things
represent the degrees
represent things ; but this
; this isis
the utmost of their abstract capability.
capability. They
They cannot
themselves, or anything
produce themselves,
produce anything else, else, into substantive
appearance.
appearance. We may exhaust all
lVe may all their combinations,
combinations,
divide, add up,
divide, up, and multiply infinity, we
Hgures to infinity,
multiply figures we
shall have figures nothing more
figures and nothing more, nothing
;
nothing solid,
solid,
square, not the smallest grain
short, or square,
long, short,
long, grain of sand
without the Edicient
Efficient which is
is in
in all.
all.
therefore, we
being obvious therefore,
This being we judge that when
judge
AND Conditions.
the ancients established numbers as the causes of

ancients established
things
things and derived from them the gods themselves,
gods themselves,
with all their hosts
all their hosts of power power and material material depen-
depen-
dencies, they
dencies, they had some some very very different
different idea idea atat-
tached from that that which modern theorems or their their
supply. Or shall
probations supply.
probations shall it it be believed
believed that
Pythagoras was so
Pythagoras was so wanton and vain-glorious as
vain-glorious as to
sacrifice
sacrifice a hecatomb,
a when he discovered that the
subtendent of ot' a
a right-angled triangle is
right-angled triangle is equivalent equivalent to
those parts
parts which contain it;
it; or that Thales, when,
as is related, he did
is related, something of the same
did something same kind about
the inscription
inscription of the circle,circle, gained nothing more than
gained nothing
a Hat
fiat demonstration for for hishis pains
pains ?? Or are not rather
the hecatomb, and the theorem separately symbolical,
separately symbolical,
alike relating
and alike relating to the discoverydiscovery of that miraculous
Quintessence, known to the wise as the
Psychical Quintessence,
Psychical
Yinctzzrc of
Tincture Qf t/ze Shpp/1i1'ic Mine
the Sapphiric rl/ine which,
which, being being inin its own
its own
threefold segregated essentiality equal
segregated essentiality equal to the whole
dissolute compound
compound whence it it arises,
arises, casts off" off the
superfiuity, sacrificing
superfluity, sacrificing the old nature to begin anew?
begin
Charon does not ply ply the StygianSt-ygian Lake without a re-
compense,
compense, neither thesecrets
are the secrets of the highest
highest causes
approached without a mean

approached mean of expiation;
expiation ; but the
vicarious dedication of huge huge beasts,beasts, will will not avail
their Prototypes
whilst their Prototypes remain feeding feeding and tatteningfattening
in Philosophic
in the Philosophic Field.
Field.
The habit of exhibiting
exhibiting points points of abstrusc philoso-
abstruse philoso-
phy
phy by by mathematical reasons,
reasons, has been general
general in in
every age
every age ; ;but in order to derive from them or from
fi'om
numbers anything substantive, it
anything substantive, it isis necessary
necessary that
point or unit should be established as something
the point something
absolute; that every
absolute ; every dependent
dependent partaking, partaking, whether
multiplied, divided amongst
added, or dixaded
multiplied, added, amongst each other, other, may
may
be essentialized in in the same. same. Hence Zeno said (of (of
Elea, not the Stoic)
Elea, Stoie) t/za!
that Q" any one .s/1011/d
if any should uudcrla/fe
undertake
to I/eznomstrate
demonstrate the p/zilosop/zer's
philosopher's Unit, I/hit, he /ze would unfo/rl
unfold
Being.
Being. For the One of thesc
these philosophers
philosophers is
is the Foun-
tain ot` all Being;
of all Being; and just just as there is
is a descent from
unity
unity into multitude,
multitude, and all
all that multitude is
is implied
implied
in the One;
in One and this
; this furthermore
fl1I'tl1C1'lTlO1'C fillsfills all
all and each of
its
its dependent multitude- as one
dependent multitude — one is two, and two in
is in two,
FURTHER Analysts.
three, and three

three, three in
in four, four in
four, and four five-and
in five and still
still —
unit, which is
that unit, is inin the beginning,
beginning, is implied in
is implied all
in all
and is in all ideally ;;
is in all ideally so is
is each said
Being said
Being to be implied
implied
in
in all
all and all in each, and every
all in part of
every part of each inin all,
all,
from the equilibriate eternal
equilibriate eternal centre to its
its infinite
infinite
extremes. And asas the smallest fragment of the load- load-
fragment
stone remains perfect
perfect in
in two poles,
poles, and each particular
particular
spark of fire
spark principle and developing
fire contains the principle developing
force of the entire
force element, so may
entire kindred element, may we not
every portion
conceive every portion of existence
existence to be continent
proportionally of the Great lVl1ole?
comprehended proportionally
and comprehended Whole ?
amongst the Greeks who have written
All those amongst
concerning
concerning this Whole, and who appear
this Vhole, appear to have arrived
arrived
at an experimental conception
an experimental conception of its
its reality
reality in
in the self-
self-
unanimously
knowledge, unanimously
knowledge, assert that it
it is
is simple, and
simple,
not so much therefore an object
an object of reason as of contact
and intuition.
intuition. moreover, with the Al-
They contend moreover,
They
chemist,
chemist, that there is
is a certain
certain pure subsisting
pure matter subsisting
about InteUigibles
lntelligibles which is
is universal,
universal, and the proved
proved
origin
origin of every
every vital
vital and corporeal
corporeal existence ;; that
though
though occult in
in nature, it
it can be made manifest to
even, and exhibited in
sense even, divine and practical
in divine practical
effects.
effects. But it it was
was forbidden by by the mandate of the
Mysteries
Mysteries that their
their revelation should be communicated
to the profane
profane ; and the modern Alchemists are,
; are, with
few exceptions,
exceptions, silent respecting the metaphysics
silent respecting metaphysics of
their Art;
their Art ;the Neoplatonists were, however,
Neoplatonists were, more
however, more
communicative, since,
communicative, since, forbearing direct allusion to
forbearing direct
the Practice, they feared less to speak
Practice, they speak of Principles
Principles
procedure of mind. Their writings
and the procedure writings appear
appear
indeed as so many many auxiliaries
auxiliaries to the perception
perception of
causes, and their reasonings
ontological causes,
ontological reasonings and images
images
are admirably adapted to stimulate that faith
admirably adapted faith which,
which,
dormant as we we now
now are in the corporeal darkness,
corporeal darkness,
glows
glows notwithstanding responsive to the truth within.
notwithstanding responsive
we desire to investigate
If we principles and the highest
investigate principles highest
causes, lct us inquire
causes, let now therefore of them briefly,
inquire now briefly,
how we may begin
we may begin to learn , and concerning
; concerning this Ql-u»
-le- 6/
At-cA.c/
tel-ligible Matter whether it
'
teHtgible is, what it
it is, it is,
is, and after
what manner
manner itit ought
ought to be conceived of, of, what the
A ND Conditions.
perception
perception of it resembles, and what relation
of it relation it
it bears
in general
in general reasoning power,
to the reasoning power, and finally how it
finally it
comes forth out of the Causal fountain to be in
forth in efleet
effect ?
?
The following gathered from the scientific

summary gathered
following summary scientific
Porphyry may
conduct of Plotinus and Porphyry may not be unac-
ceptable
ceptable to the philosophically inquisitive þÿl'(5EL(l
philosophically inquisitive reader.¬1'.
Tl 1¢ii1°s¢'
Thatat itt iss necessary
ieee sfu thele
there 'mu sl o ld be a certain
should þÿC'ii S u-
¬1l§'t1l h
Sub-
of bodies which is
ject of
ject different from
is different them, is suffi-
is suffi-
ciently evinced by
ciently by the continual mutation of eorporeal corporeal
quantities;
quantities for
for
;
nothing
nothing that is
is transmuted is
is entirely
entirely
destroyed
destroyed ; since
since
; if
if such were
were the case there would be
certain essence dissolved into
a certain into nonentity;
nonentity; and this
this
persisting, there would be no
persisting, no remaining
remaining ground ground of
gCl]C1'E1tlOll.
generation. But change
change arises,
arises, indeed,
indeed, from depar-
the depar-
quahty and the accession of another;
ture of one quality another the ;
su bjec t -ma tt er lhowever

subject-matter iowcver- that — w l iic l ]1'CCCiVCS
tliat which receives tl forms
ic forms
the
refiects them
and reflects —
them-always remaining
always remaining thc
the same and
p1'oceeding
proceeding and receding continually
receding continually into
into itself.
itself.
This therefore Corruption
Corruption manifests (especially (especially the
artificial), for
artificial), corruption
for corruption is
is of that which is composite,
is composite,
and so each sensible
sensible thingthing is
is made to consist of matter
and form and their union in in eorporeity.
corporeity. This too In-
duction testiiies, demonstrating that the thing
testifies, demonstrating thing which
is corruptible
is corruptible is is composite.
composite. Analysis
Analysis likewise evinces
Ci/r\^ CA^crr^ the same thing,
^^^ same thing, as ifif for
for example
example ^^^
3:31 pot
pot should be
resolved into gold, gold, but gold gold into water;
water; and the water,
water,
incorruptible, will
bcingineoiruptiblc,
being require no analogous
will require analogous process'
process.^
1
* Here Plotinus doubtless makes an an allusion to the mysticalmystical
analysis ; drawing his
analysis; drawing his comparison
comparison also also fi-omfrom tlience.
thence. For byby no
analysis either is
other analysis is a pot
pot resolved into gold, gold into a
gold, or gold a
water which is is indissoluble. But what he says says isis perfectly
perlectly con-
C011-
formable to the Hermetic doctrine,doctrine, both in an an internal and in an

external sense
sense ; for,
for, by
; reducation ofthe
by a rcdueatiou spirit in the blood,
of the iron spirit blood,
it becomes cleansed from its
it its foreign
foreign oxide and aurified —
anrilied--that is,
that is,
illuminated by contrariation of its
by eontrarintion its I'orm.
Form. The radical moisture of
Tlie
the
tlic metal likewise,
likewise, obeying fermentive virtue ofsueh
obeying the fcrmentive of such a test when
applied,
applied, maymay be made to pass pass away,
away, as the tradition runs, runs, from
its own ]fòrm
its own Foi'm into that which is more integral
is more integral and perfect.
perfect. All
things may
tilings may be reduced to gold according to this doctrine,
gold according doctrine, as A]-
Al-
hertus Magnus
bcrtus ]Magnus in in his book De T)e fU;)I(')'(llilJlf8
Mineralihus asserts, asserts, and where also
he is Bevfcher in his Plujsica
by Be<^cher
is cited by Svbterranea, p.
I'/zysica Sul1ter¢~am»a, :
—
p. 319 :-NonNon
dari remrem elementatum
eujus ultima substantione non
clementatlnn in cujus non reperiatur
reperiatur
FURTHER ANALYSIS.
the elements, continues Plotinus, are neither

But the neither
form, nor composite and therefore
nor matter, but composite corrup-
therefore corrup-
tible ; and since
tible ; since everything manifest
everything is
is corruptible,
corruptible, and
yet
yet a
a certain subsistence remains, it is
certain subsistence it necessary therc
is necessary there
prinmri/y vital which is
Afazfnre primarily
should be a Nature vita! 10/iic/1 also form-
is also
less, iznlestrnctible
less, indestructible and immortal,
inznzortal, as being L*/ze principle
being the principle
other
of other Li/1iIZg~S`.
fy" things. Form indeed subsists according to
subsists according
quality and body
quality body inin manifestation ; but matter
;
nmttar accord-
ing
ing to the subject
subject which is
is indefinite, because it is
it is not
form. This Indefinite

lndefinite is is not therefore everywhereeverywhere to
nor that which in the
be despised,
despised, that w^hich in conception of it
conception it is
is
fornzless,
formless, if
if it
it applies
applies itself
itself to If/Ii}lg.S` prior,
things prior, i.
i. e., to
e.,
the divine excmplarics, and the most excellent

divine exemplaries, excellent life.life.
Neither should it it be considered by by any any one incredi-

one as incredi-
ble that I/zere is a
the?'e is certain pure
ll certain
pure and divinedivine Jllnttcr
Matter mc- me-
diately
diately subsisting prinzary and secondaiiy
subsisting between primary secondary þÿC(lNS
causes¬é'
their gross
and their gross efects
effects ;
; but it
it is
is rather requisite to be
requisite
persuaded by philosophical
persuaded by philosophical assertion that such isis the
case,
case, and that by
by means
means of the Theurgic
Theurgic Art it
it is
is made
7JI(IlIifCS[
manifest and through
imparted through
imparted arcane and blessed
visions. So far
visions. far do the ancients likewise extend matter
even to the gods themselves and no otherwise ac-
gods themselves; ;
them a participation of superior Being

cording
cording to can
can participation superior Being
be effected by men who
by men vho dwell on earth, earth, unless a foun-
dation of thisthis kind be first established.
first established. For this
this
Matter, as Jamblicus relates,
Matter, relates, being
being connascent with
the gods by whom it
gods by is imparted,
it is imparted, willwill doubtless be anan
entire and tit receptacle
fit receptacle for the manifestation of Di-
vinity. He moreover adds,
vinity. adds, that an exuberance of
power
power is
is always present with
always present highest causes ; and
wîth the highest ;
same time that this

at the same this power
power transcends all things,
all things,
it present with all
is nevertheless present
it is all in
in unimpeded
unimpeded energy.
energy.
first illuminate the last
Hence, the first
Hence, last of things,
things, and im-
aurum. That is
is (if we may interpret), Light, which
(if we is the formal
auruin.
may interpret), Light, wliich is
essence
essence of all things, and most abundant in gold,
all things, gold, is
is found in
the ultimate alchemical analysis every existing

analysis of every existing thing.~That
thing. —
That
all metals,
all likewise, may
metals, likewise, may be reduced into water,
water, that is,is, into
first pure
their first matter, is
pure matter, is the doctrine of Plato and }iiQ_diaciê»
Aristotle. Taylor's Translation
See Taylor's Translation of the Tiinaeus
Timseus of the former,
former,
Meteors of the latter,
and the hleteors Works of Plotinus,
latter, and the Select Vorks Plotinus,
p. 38,
p. 38, note.
;
334 Lfxws and

Laws CONDITIONS.
A ND Conditions.
material are present

material material natures immani-
present with material
festly.'
festly.i
Since, then, it
Since, it becomes necessary simply to refer
necessary simply refer
Being
Being to all
all things,
things, and all
all things sympathize thereby
things sympathize thereby
internally with each other
internally other; but consciousness in
; this
in this
life of ours is
natural life separated
is separated off
off from the antecedent
essentiality, so that
essentiality, that we perceive in
we perceive reality nothing
in reality nothing of
our selves : hence the ancients
our true selves : ancients have declared this
this
life to be little
life better than a diminution of existence;
little better existence
for by
for by no ordinary process of rational
ordinary process contemplation
rational contemplation
is
is the mind able to conceive this this nature or the infini-
innni-
tude of true Being.Being. But if
if any
any one wish to discover
Principle he must become first
the One Principle first assimilated to
it, Proclus in
it, as Proelus in the sixth
sixth book, Parmeniz/es of
book, on the Parmerndes
Plato directs-he
directs — raise himself to that
he must raise t/mt which isis
most united in in nature, and to its its iiower
flower and 15/mtthat
through which it
through it is
is Deity;
Deity by ;by which it it is
is suspended
suspended
Iiom its
from its proper
proper fountain and connects and unites and
causes the universe to have a sympatheticsympathetic consent with
itself -I
itself. —I have also, says Pletinus,
also, says Plotinus, investigated
investigated myself,
myself,
among the order of beings,
as one among beings, and the 1'eality
reality is
is
testified by
testified reminiscence; for
by reminiscence ; for no one one of real beings
real beings
subsists out of intellect sensibles in
intellect nor as sensibles in place
place ; but
;
they
they always
always abide in
in themselves,
themselves, neither receiving
receiving
corruption.2 And again
mutation nor corruption.^ again in his treatise
in his treatise
concerning the Descent of the
concerning If/ze Soul,
Soul, the same same author
—Often when by
relates,~~Often
relates, by an intellectual energy, II am
intellectual energy, am
roused from body body and converted to myself, myself, and being
being
separated from externals,
separated retire into the depths
externals, retire depths of mymy
essence, II then perceive an admirable beauty,
perceive an beauty, and am am
vehemently confident that II am

then vehemently am of a more more ex-
cellent condition than of a life merely
a life merely animal and
terrene. For then especially,
especially, [energize according to
1 energize according
life and become the same
the best life same with a nature truly truly
Divine being established in this nature II arrive at
Divine; being
;
that transcendent energy energy byby which II am am elevated be-
/
l^
!If"nnhlieus on
<lamblicus on the Mysteries, chap, xxiii.
Mysteries, chap. xxiii. sect. v., and Plotinus'
sect, v., Plotinus'
Select Works
Works-of— Matter, and of the Iinpassivity
of Matter, Impassivity of Ineorpereal
Incorporeal
Natures.
2
2 Select Works,
\'orl<s, p.
p. 294.
FURTHER ANALYSIS.
youd
yond intelligible, and fix
every other intelligible,
eveiy myself in
fix myself in this
this
sublime eminence as in ineffable harbour
in an ineffable harbom' of of repose.
repose.
But
Bat after abiding in
this blessed abiding
after this in a Divine Nature, fall- fall-
ing off
ing off from Intellect
Intellect into into the discursive
discursive energy energy of
reason, II am am ledled to doubt how formerly formerly and at present present
my
my soul became intimately intimately connected with a corporeal corporeal
nature; since
nature ; since in this deiiic
in this deific state appears such as
state she appears as
she is although invested

herself, although
is herself, with the dark and
everflowing vestiinent
everflowîng vestiment of body. body. And since since there is is aa
twofold nature, one intelligible intelligible and the other sensible,
it
it is beller indeed for
is bettei^ for the soul to abide abide in in the inteUi-
intelli-
gible
gible worldworld; but necessary
;
vzecessaly from its
its condition that itit
should participate
participate of sensible
a sensible
a nature ; ; nor ought
ought it
it to
suffer
suffer any any molestation because it it obtains only only a a mic/cl/e
middle
order in in the universality
universality of things
things ; since
;
since it
it possesses
possesses
indeed a divine condition, though though it it is
is placed
placed eveneven as
in
in the last
last gradatiozz
gradation of an intelligible essence, border-
an intelligible essence,
ing,
ing, as it
it were on
were on the regions of sense. For our souls
regions
are able alternately to rise
alternately rise from carrying back
hence, carrying
fi'om hence,
with them an experience
an experience of what they have known
they
suliered in
and suffered their fallen
in their fallen state;state; from whence
wîence they they
will learn how blessed it
will it is
is to abide in Intelligible
in the Intelligible
World
Vorld; and by
;
comparison, as it
by a comparison, were of contraries,
it were contraries,
will more plainly
will more plainly perceive
perceive the excellence of a superior
superior
For the experience of evil a clearer
state. experience evil produces
produces
knowledge of good,
knowledge especially where the power
good, especially power of
judgment
judgment is
is so imbecile,
imbecile, that it
it cannot without such
experience
experience obtain the science of that which is
is best?
best.^
These things supposed then,
things supposed then, we we proceed
proceed to a more more
intimate consideration of the Material Principle Principle which,

which,
according philosophers, the Divine experience
according to these philosophers, experience
we may judge how far
we far they
they agree
imparts
imparts; ; that may judge agree or
whether they they differ
differ at all in their definitions from those
all in
foregoing Hermetic philosophers
of the foregoing philosophers and adepts. adepts.
These Greeks wishing wishing indeed to exhibit, exhibit, as well as
words might enable, the peculiarities
might enable, peculiarities of this Matter
when they they assert that it
it isis one, immediately add that
one, immediately
it is
it is all
all things,
things, by by vhich
which they signify that it
they signify it is
is not
11
on the Descent of the Soul,
See Plotinus on Soul, last
last of the five
five
by T. Taylor.
Treatises rendered by Taylor.
;

AND Conditions.
some
some one ofthe things with which sense brings
of the things brings us ac-
quainted;
quainted ; and in
in order that we may
may understand that
that
the Identity in
in every Being is
theldentity everyBeing something uncompounded,
is something uncompounded,
that the mind should not fall
and that fall into
into the error of of
it is so far
eoacervation,
coacervation, they they saysay it is one far as one
one; ;
depriving
depriving
idea of multitude and dual, i.
the idea reflective, con-
e. rejflective,
i. e.
tcinplation. Vhen
templation. When likewiselikewise they they assert that that it it is
is
everywhere, they
everyw^here, they add incontinently
incontinently that
that it
it is
is nowhere;
nowhere
endeavouring by
so on endeavouring means of contrary
by means contrary peculiarities
peculiarities
gather the mind up
to gather into a
up into neutrality
a neutrality about itself
itself;; at
one and the same exhibiting
same time exhibiting these in
in order to ex-
apprehension those notions which
terminate from the apprehension
derived, and such ordinary
externally derived,
are externally ordinary reasoning
reasoning as
tends to obscure rather than elucidate elucidate the essentialessential
characteristics of real
characteristics real Being.
Being. Neither is is there any any
absurdity
absurdity in
in their
their conduct of the understanding
understanding so far,
far,
or even in in an external sense considering considering one

one
thing to
thing
be many, since every centre bears a circumference of
many, every
dependent number differs
radii, and each dependent
radii, differs from the One.
since the ethereal element is
But since is described by by so
many
many ablative characteristics,
characteristics, since they
they assert it
it is
is
neither form, nor quality, quality, nor nor eorpereal,

corporeal, nor nor reason,
nor bound ; but a certain Infinity
; Infinity ; how therefore ought
; ought
we to conceive,
we conceive, asks Plotinus, Plotinus, of that which is is infi-
infi-
nite? What is its idiom in
is its intellection, or how is
in the intellection, is
such an image image to be entertained by by the reasoning

reasoning
power ?? Shall we
power we saysay itit is indefiniteness?? For if
is indefiniteness if' the
similar is perceived by
is perceived by the similar,
similar, the Indeiinite
Indefinite also
will be apprehended
will apprehended by by the Indefinite:
Indefinite : Reason how-
ever in in such an apprehension,
apprehension, will will become bounded
Indefinite, that is
about the Indetinite, say, will
is to say, pass out from
will pass
itself into an
itself an undefined void of thought. thought. But if if' every-
every-
thing
thing is
is known by
by reason and intelligence, and no
intelligence, no
otherwise, and here reason is
otherwise, is bounded so that it it cannot
be said to have intelligence
intelligence ; but, ; but, as it it were,
were, a a depriva-
depriva-
tion ofot` intellect
intellect is implied, how shall we
is implied, we conceive such
a state of being
a genuine, or believe it
being to be genuine, it even
even to be
at all
all ? Yet Plato,
Plato, in Timceus, inforins ns
Tinzcezzs, informs us that Matter
apprehended, and that by
is indeed to be apprehended,
is by a a sort of
defective or ablative reasoning; and Aristotle has been
ablativc reasoning ;
FURTHER ANAl,'SIS.
at
at some pains in his
pains in Illetap/1ysics
his Aletaphysics explain the con-
to explain the
ceptive
ceptive idiom of Materiality.
Materiahty. I mean, he says,
I mean, says, byby
Matter, that
Matter, that which of itself itself is neither
is neither essence nor nor
quantity, nor any

quantity, one of those things,
any one things, by by which Being
Being
is defined.
is defined. For there is something of which each of
is something of
these is predicated, and from which Being
is predicated, Being and each of
its predications are dif'l"erent;
its predications different but; Matter, being
being the
last
last of things (extant
things (extant without identity),
identity), has neither
essence nor quantity
quantity nor
anything else
anything else in
in the percep-
percep-
tion, at
tion, atleast things which subsist
least of those things according
subsist according
to accident.
accident. Or if
if any one from this
any one this suppose
suppose Matter
to be essence, he will will err
err; ;
for
for a separate subsistence
seprzrfzte subsistence
this or that particular
as this particular thing especially belongs
thing especially belongs to
what we call
we call essence, (that (that is
is to say, composition of
say, composition
subject
subject and object
object is
is necessarily implied in
necessarily implied in the idea
intelligence,) which is
of true intelligence) posterior and an-
is both posterior
terior subject sought;

terior to the subject sought which
; therefore is is in
in a
certain respect
certain respect manifest only, only, being
being one and void in
in
1'espect
respect of other things;
things ; Matter, therefore,
therefore, concludes
logieian, is
the logician, is made veritably
veritably manifest only only byby
negation
negation and in
in defect
defect of true Being;
Being; so that, to
that,
pass
pass into
into contact with it,
it, is
is to be in
in a certain
certain respect
respect
ignorant?
ignorant.^
Since, they assert this
then, they
Since, then, subject-matter to be
this subject-matter
somewhat
somewhat; and ;real, notwithstanding all
real, notwithstanding all its
its inverse
characteristics ought
and irrational characteristics; ought we
we not
; to analyze
analyze
yet
yet more therefore,
more profoundly therefore,
profoundly not slighting reason
shghting
indeed,
indeed, but passing through
passing through it,
it, beyond every bound
beyond every
and finite in order to conceive that kind of
probability in
finite probability
ignorance, which is
ultimate ignorance, is the Infinity Life ? Whe-
Infinity of Life? Vhe-
we conceive it
ther shall we it to he an all-perfect
be an all-perfect oblivion,
oblivion,
or such anan ignorance
ignorance as in every know-
in the absence of every
ledge is
ledge present ?? or does the Indefinite consist in
is present in ne-
gation simply,
gation simply, or in
in conjunction
conjunction with
wdth a
a certain inter-
rogative
rogative affirmation? Or shall we
we suppose
suppose it
it to be
like darkness to the eye, obscurity being

eye, obscurity ground
being the ground
of every visible colour?
every visible For to this, also, the wise
this, also,
compared the estate of Being
ancients have compared vcrging to
Being verging
p. 221 ; book 237, &c~

l ix. p. 237, 154, Ac.
1 Aristotle's Metapli. book ix.
Aristotle's Metaph. ;
x.
X. p.
p,
z
Z
338 Laws and Connrrioxs.
AND Conditions.
annihilation:
anniliilatioii : and as the sensualsensual eye eye without hght light sees
nothing but darkness, becoming
nothing becoming in in a certain respect
a certain respect
and for one with it; so the mental eye, ob-
for the periodperiod one it
;
eye,
servant ot" of no attracting object,
no attracting thought, reflection,
object, thought,
and all all that in in sensibles
sensibles resembles light being sub-
light being
merged, and not being
merged, being able having the
able or having the motive to
bound that that which remains, is is said
said to become wholly wholly
into that obscure oblivion which is
into is the Original
Original of of' Life
Life 1:
a crass, obscure vacuity--as vacuity — as inin the Descent Virgil Virgil de-
scribes it
scribes — vast, endless, horrible
it--vast, —
horrible-and and Parmenidcs
Parmenides
and the rest rest cited
cited to prove prove the same initial initial nonnon-
entity of all;
entity all ;
having the same
having relation to true Being,
same relation Being,
indeed, as silence silence to sound, as night night to day, day, or as body body
rude and misshapen misshapen bears to any artificial form with
any artificial
which it may afterwards become eudued.
it may endued. And as that
which is is above all intelligence is
degrees of intelligence
all degrees is a certain
certain
infinite
infinite and pure light, so is
pure light, this darkness,
is this darkness, therefore,
therefore,
to be conceived at the opposite opposite extreme of the mag- mag-
netic chain,
netic chain, whichwl1iel1 is is extended a 91011 gradu ad
non §"7`(1([Il ml /1021
uon
,Q`l`(I([I(}ll :: and this
uradum this isis that ladder of Celsus and of Zo-
roaster which reaches from Tartarus to the highest highest
Heaven. Just as in in the ascending
ascending series series of causes, it it
is necessary
is necessary to arrive arrive at something
something which is is the Final
Cause of all; all
; so in
in descending analytically it
descending analytically it isis equally
equally
necessary
necessary to stop stop at the contrary conclusion, which is
contrary conclusion, is
proved, in
thus proved, in the experience,
experience, to be the last last and lowest
effect, in
eflfect, in which all all the attributes of the First Cause are
not onlyonly deficient but reversed.

When
\'hen therefore the mind is is inthe Night of llatter,
in the Night Matter,
shall we we suppose
sup])ose that she is
is aficeted
affected in manner
such a manner
as if if she understood nothing? nothing? By By no means,
means, says says
the philosopher
philosopher--but — but when she beholds Matter she
suffers such
.S'lW')`fS' .wc/z zz passion as ivlien
a ])(IS6'l0ll w/ze/1 she
.s/ze receives Z/ze Being
receiz'cs the Being Q/` of
t/mt
that 10/zic/1
which i_s~_/?11'1/1/css ;
is formless and her perception
perception ofthe
of the Form-
Forin-
Subject is
less Subject
less obscure, and vast,
is obscure, vast, and infinite,
infinite, as we we
have shown,shown, where descending
descending into the bosom of'
of the
Intellect, having
Mysteries, Intellect,
Mysteries, having already analyzed and sepa-
already analyzed sepa-
rated the component component parts parts of'
of Being, becomes dis-
Being, dis-
mayed
mayed about the sensation of her extreme life.
life. Then
indeed she understands obseurely, obscurely, and sinking sinking into the
— 1
FURTHER Analysis.
Abyssal
Abyssal Subject, feels,
Subject, feels, but understands not her intellec-
intellec-
tion any
tion any more ; until, pained with the void of the
until, pained
;
the re-
treating infinitude, (such being
treating infinitude, being the divine
divine decree,) and
if afraid
as if afraid of placed out of the
being placed
of being the order of of things,
things,
the soul rallying about her last
retracts, rallying
soul retracts, last deserted Unit,
and not enduring
enduring any any longer
longer to stop stop at nonentity, be-
at nonentity, be-
comes into
comes into true Being.Being. So true is is it, that Death is
it, that is the
way of Life,
way Life, and that the fear fear ofof God is is the beginning
beginning
of Visdom.
Wisdom.
For Self-knowledge
Self-knowledge is is impossible
impossible unless every every other
knowledge is
knowledge is deprived; deprived ; as this
this selfhood likewise hkewise
is obliterated
is obliterated in in the overwhelming
overwhelming attraction, attraction, which
which
raises
raises it into the First
it into First Cause. And thus extremes
are said
said to be present present at at the new birth, when Light
new birth,
Light
springs
springs forth to manifestation out of the abyssal
abyssal Dark-
ness, which is is then alone before its its Creator;
Creator and is
; is
brought
brought forth by
by Him for
for Erst
a First Jllntfer
Matter to give
give con-
trasting substance to His revelation,
trasting revelation, and understanding
understanding
to His Act.
Act.-As— As the motto simply simply expresses
expresses it it-DEUs,
Deus,
CUM SOLUS
CUM soLUs FUISSET IN PRINCIPIO, cnEAv1T CREAVIT UNAM UNAM SUB-sus-
STANTIAM, HANC HANC PRIMAMPRIMAM MATERIAMMATERIAM NOMINAMUS.NOMINAMUS.

And since it is given
it is given us in theory to understand
in theory
that such an hypostasishypostasis is
is in
in the beginning without
begi/zfzizzg
all affirmation,
all afiirmation, being being neither life, nor
life, nor intellect,
intellect, nor
reason,
reason, nor
nor bound,
bound, for
for it
it is
is infinite;
infinite ; nor power from
power
itself, but falls
itself, off from the consciousness of all
falls off all these ;;
ought we
so ought we therefore to conceive of the First Matter, Matter,
which cannot either receive the appellation appellation of Being, Being,
since it it is
is not known in in energy, but flies
flies from him,
him,
energy,
indeed, who wishes intently
indeed, intently to behold;
behold; for the thought,
thought,
cireumseribing boundary,
as circumscribing
boundary, eludes the Izjnite, Infinite, and
thus the desire is, is, in this instance,
in this instance, diametrically
diametrically opposedopposed
presence of the thing
to the jweseuce thing desired. When therefore,
Vhen therefore,
/ /y j a
as the Platonist and -Gabaiteaeh, -Gdt^ teach, it it is unknown, or
is unknown,
'
/sz
(6
^.c. ytu:?u>txZ(.i
known as nothing; nothing it ; it is
is rather probably present, but
probably present,
is not perceived
is perceived by by him who strives self-actively
self-actively to com- com-
prehend it.
prehend it. And this the poets signify in the story
poets signify story of
Actreon, who for his presumptuous
Actseon, presumptuous intrusion was dis-
was dis-
graced
graced by goddess and hunted thereafter by
by the goddess by his own
own
thoughts ; but to the sleeping

distracted thoughts ;
sleeping Endymion
Endymion she
z 2
34O
and Conditions.
presence, and the

willing presence,
vouchsafed her wilUng t11c vast benefits
benefits
of her love.
love.
Quaeres n1u_ltun1
Quzeres multuin et non inve11ies
et non iuvenies
Fortasse lnvenies cum non
inveuies eun1 non quaeres.
quzeres.
When you
Vhen you have assumed to yourself
yourself an Eternal
an Eternal
Essence, says
says Porphyry, infinite in
Porphyry, infinite in itself
itself according
according to
power and
power; a11d begin
; begin to perceive
perceive intellectually
intellectually a11 hypos-
an hypos-
tasis unwearied, untamed, a11d
tasis unwearied, failing, but trans-
and never faiUng,
cending in
cending in the most pure genuine life,
pure and genuine life, and full full
itself; and which,

from itself; likewise, is
which, likewise, is established in itself,
in itself,
satisfied with and seeking
satisfied itself; to this
nothing but itself;
seeking nothing this
essence,
essence, if you add a subsistence in
if you in place, relation
place, or a relation
certain thing,
to a certain thing, at the samesame time you you diminish this this
essence, or rather appear appear to diminish it, it, byby ascribing
ascribing
to itit an indigence of place
an indigence relative condition of
place or a relative
being; you
being ;
you do not, however, in
not, however, reality diminish this
in reality this
esse11ce, but you
essence, you separate yourself f1'om
separate yourself from the percep-percep-
tion of it,
tion receiving as a veil
by receiving
it, by veil the phantasy
phantasy which
runs under your apprehension of it.
conjectural apprehension
your conjectural it. For
you
you cannot pass stop, or render more
beyond, or stop,
pass beyond, more per-per-
fect, or effect
fect, least change
effect the least change inin a thing
thing of this tl1is kind,
kind,
because it it is impossible for
is impossible for it
it to be in in the smallest
degree deficient.
degree deficient. For it
it is
is much more sufficient
suilicient than
any flowing fountain can
perpetually flowing
a11y perpetually can be conceived to
be.'
be.^ If, however, you
If, however, you are unable to keepkeep pacepace with it, it,
11The Mind of the Divinity, Trismegistus, which becomes
says Trisniegistus,
Divinity, says
known by
by the Divine Intention in
i11 tlie
the understanding, is most like
understanding, is like
unto a torrent running
running with a violent and swift stream from a
high rock,
high whereby it
rock, whereby it glides away also
glides away also from tl1e understanding of
the understaiiding
such as are either bearers it. —
hearers or dealers in it.-Asclepius, cap. i.
Asclepius, cap. e11d.
i. end.
Vaughan, Lumen de Lumine,

See also Vaughan, Lumine, where, discoursing with
where, discoursing
Nature in her 1ni11eral region, the artist
mineral region, artist describes the same same Matter
if he had been an
as if
eye-witness of the whole supernal
an eye-witness supernal procedure
procedure
its source.-A
from its source. — A fat
fat mineral nature it was, he says,
it was, bright like
says, bright
pearls, transparent like crystal;
pearls, and transparent crystal ;when I had viewer/ viewed itit and
il well,
searched it then it
well, t/zen appeared somewhat spermatic
it appeared
sperinatic; and here-
;
informed that it
vpon I became informed
1/pon was the
it was tlie First Matter and very very
sperm of the _grenler
natural true sperm greater world. It isis invisible in nature
and therefore there are few fcw that find it it; many
;
lllillly believe that it it is
is
not to be found;
found (for
; (for the world is is made up up of manymany divers dark
and particular and contrary
particular ajid qualities, and the first
contrary qualities, unity is
first unity is occul-
ANALYSIS.
FURTHER Analysis.
Further 34]
341
assimilated to
and to become assimilated the whole Intelligible
to the Intelligible
Nature, you
you should not investigate
investigate anything
anything pertain-
pertain-
ing
ing to real
real Being;
Being or if
if
; you
you do, you
you will
will deviate from
path that
the path that leads
leads to it, will look at
it, and will at something
something
else;
else ;
if you
but if nothing else,
investigate nothing
you investigate else, being esta-
being esta-
blished in yourself and in
in yourself in your own Essence, you
your own will
you will
be assimilated
assimilated to the Intelligible Univeise, and will
Intelligible Univei-se, will not
adhere to anything posterior to it.
anything posterior it. Neither therefore
therefore
should you am of aa great
say, II am
you say, magnitude 5 for
great magnitude; for omit-
this idea of greatness,
ting this
ting greatness, you will become univei*sal,
you will universal,
as you were universal
you prior to this. But when, together
universal prior this. together
with the universe, something was
universe, something was present with you,
present you,
you became less
you by the addition ; because the addition
less by ; addition
was not from truly
was truly subsisting Being, for
subsisting Being, for to that you you
anything. When,
cannot add anything. Wlien, therefore, anything is
therefore, anything is
added from non-being

non-being (i. (i. e.
e. from the subjective
subjective self-
self-
place is
hood} a place
hood) is afforded to povertypoverty as an associate,
an associate,
accompanied by
accompanied by an indigence
an indigence of all
all things. Hence,
things.
dismissing 12071-bélllg, you
dismissing non-beiug, will then become suflicient;
you will sufficient ;
for
for when is
any one is present
any one present with that which is present
is present
in himself,
in himself, then he is
is present
present with true Being, which
Being,
is everywhere ;
is everywhere but
; when you
you withdraw from yourself,
yourself,
then likewise you you recede from real Being: of such
Being :
great consequence
great consequence is
is it
it for
for a man
man to present with
be present
that which is is present
present with himself,
himself, that is
is say, with
to say,
part, and to be absent from that which is
his rational part,
his is
him.Î
external to him.
Add to this,
this, that contraries are always eonsubsistent
always consubsistent
in the Divine Original--the
in —
Original the small, great, the defi-
small, the great, defi-
tated in its generation and does not appear).

its generation appear). But that stream was was
more large
more large than anyany river in her full channel; and notwithstanding
full channel ;
notwithstanding
and violence of the fall,
height mid
the height fall, itit descended without any any noise,
noise,
the waters werewere dashed and their current distracted by by the saltis/L
saltish
rocks, but for all
rocks, all this they came down with a dead silence like
they came like the
still
still sqft air.
soft air. liquor, for it
Some of the liquor, it ran me, I took up
by me,
ran by up to
strange woollen
judge what strange
juz/ge sulastance it
ivoollen stibstonce it was steal down like
was that did steal like
snow. When I had it
TV/zen it in my hand,
in my hand, itit was
was no common water but a
no common a
certain kind of oil oil of a watery —
watery complexion.-Lumen
complexion. Lumen de Luinine,
Lumine,
pp.
pp. 7, 8, &c.
7, 8, This same, Sendivogius in his New
same, Sendivogius New Light,
Light, calls the
water of our sea, sea, the water of life,life, not wetting hands and be-
wetting the hands; ;
says, for I saw

me, he says,
lieve me, it "ith
saw it with my my eyes felt it,
eyes and felt it, that water
was as white as snow,

was snow, &c.
1 Perception of Intelligihles, iii.
1
Porphyi-y's Auxil. to the Perception
Porphyry's Intelligibles, sect. iii.
342 Laws ()oNn11'1oNs.
and Conditions.
AND
cient, and the

cient, exceeding for
exceeding; for as a ; is, to external
a mirror is,
neither able
passive, neither
images, passive,
images, itself
able of itself to withhold, nornor
away, so is
pass away,
yet to pass
yet is this ethereal glass
this ethereal intellect,
glass to intellect,
subsisting
subsisting according proeessure and in
according to processure defect of
in defect all
of all
imagination.
imagination. Hence, every
every imagination concerning it
imagination concerning it
will
will be false, either that it
false, either it should appear appear in in the con-
ception as any
ception particular thing,
any particular thing, or contrariwise as
as
nothing; for
nothing for it
it is both; and
is both the subsistence, which is
is
—
; ;
the reality
reahty of it, it, may felt
may be felt indeed,
indeed, not known but
known-but
as an escape
escape of of consciousness into into itsits primal
primal source
limitation. Thus is
ideal hmitation.
without ideal is it said to be formlcss,
it said formless,
variable, incorporeal,
variable, infinite
incorporeal, infinite ;; neither mere power, nor
mere power,
perfect action, but aa weak superstantial

perfect action, superstantial proliiie nature,
prolific nature,
as it nothing
were nothing in
it wêre in the Idea yet in Being all
yet in Being things
all things
—
»-whence
whence every every form of life, increase, and materiality
life, increase, materiality
derived. And Ideas, as they
also are derived. they enter into into and depart
depart
from it,it, are seen as images
images which pervade
pervade without
dividing, like
dividing, like shadows in water, or more
in water, exactly as in
l]]Ol'C exactly in
a dream ; or as if
; if we
we should conceive imaginations
imaginations sent
repereussive mirror or reflective

into a repercussive reflective vacuum of the
understanding.
understanding. ,
And the Passive Nature ought ought indeed to be a thing thing

of this
this kind,
kind, purepure and indeterminate; that it
indeterminate ; may
it may
reflect,
reflect, without self-hinderanee
self-hinderance or refraction,
refi'action, the Divine
throughout; that there may
Light throughout
Light ;
may be no falsehood or
commixture of images, images, but the Truth only, only, and alone,
alone,
and byby itself
itself should be made manifest.
manifest in
in life.
life. Such was
was
Alatter so often celebrated by
the Matter by the Alchemists,
Alchemists, the
Quintessence of Plato, Plato, the WaterVater of Thales, Thales, the Non
Being
Being of Parmenides,
Parmenides, and that Abyss of the Caba-
Abyss
styled also
lists, styled
Hsts, hy them Unknown, Void,
by Void, Nothing,
Nothing,
infinite, until, returning
Infinite, until, returning by
by its
its Rational Boundary in
Boundary
the Freed Vill consciousness, it
Will to consciousness, it makes manifest
Wisdom,
Life, Visdom,
the Life, Plenitude,
Plenitude, and Supreme Cause of
Supreme
all.
all. And concerning
concerning this
this Matter ecelesiasties of dif-
ecclesiastics dif-
ferent orders are happily agreed

happily agreed: Pierce the Black
:
Monk, with the Benedict Valentine ; the experimental-

Monk, experimental-
;
ist Bacon, with the Greek Divine;

ist Friar Bacon, Divine Synesius,
Synesius, ;
with the Canon Ripley,

Ripley, Morien, Lully, and Albertus
Morien, Lully,
Magnus; Mahomed an princes
Magnus the Mahomedan
; Geber, and
Calid, Geber,
prinees Calid,
Avieenna, with Paracelsus and the Christian brother-
Avicenna,
Funriien fNAL'YSIS.
343
hood of the Rosy Cross, who, having

Rosy Cross, into
having searched into
Nature by their proper
by their proper Reason experimentally,
experimentally, found
Her's; and used it
Her's ; it; giving thanks, and adoring
giving thanks,
;
tl1e
adoring the
perfection of the Almighty
perfection Almighty Creator in in his discovered
his discovered
Light.
Light.
For in
in the natural world there is no such Matter to
there is
be found
found; but the purest
; purest is defiled with the imagination
is defiled imagination
of Forms externally
externally introduced.
introduced. Nothing therefore is
Nothing is
generated truly, i. e.
generated truly, we mean, simply
c. we i.
simply so as to represent
so as
represent
the Formal Agent
Agent alone
alone; or can be for
; for
; Nature; is bound
is
magically,
magically, nor is
is she able of herself
herself to loosen the bond
of coagulation,
coagulation, byby which her Inner Light
Light and principle
principle
perfection is
of perfection everywhere shut up.
is everywhere up. She cannot enter
into the True Light
into for, as the adept
Light ; for, ; says, she has no
adept says, no
hands] nor
hands, nor intellect
^ sufficient, nor a will
intellect suflicicnt, will free
free to vin-
dicate her final
dicate final purpose
purpose in in life.
life. It is
lt is therefore she
proceeds to generate
proceeds generate in in monotonous retrogression,
retrogression,
always circulating
always circulating into herself.
herself. lf
If indeed things be-
things
held inin Nature were such as the Archetypes, Archetypes, whence
they derived, it
they are derived, might be
it might bc said that matter is is
passive
passive to their
their reception;
reception but ; that which is
is seen
seen as
that wdiich
which sees is falsified, and nothing
is falsified, nothing possesses
possesses a a
similitude;
true similitude all
all
; is
is mixture and an adulterous
manifestation, so far
manifestation, far as the phenomenon
phenomenon of the ex-
ternal Natnre
Nature is is concerned. Vithout the magical
Without magical
solution and human aid to fortify, Spirit is
fortify, the Spirit is not
able to forsake her extraneous forms even, much less

can she conceive herself singly singly in the Universal anew.
Vherefore she reads this
Wherefore this important
important lesson to Ma-
dathan, who thinking,
dathan, thinking, in ignorance, to make
his ignorance,
the Philosopher's
Philosopher's Stone without dissolution, receives
dissolution,
this check:
this cheek:-An —
An tu nunc nunc coehleas
cochleas vel eancroscancros cumcum
testis devorare niteris?
testis niteris ? An nonnon prius
prius a a vetustissimo
planetarum
planetarum coquocoquo maturari et preparari illos oportet?
preparari illos oportet?
Dost thou think,
think, says she, to eat the oysters,
says she, oysters, crabs,
crabs,
all?? Ought
shells and all Ought they they not firstfirst to be opened
opened and
prepared by
prepared by the most ancient cook of the planets planets ??
lf
If any one now,
any one now, therefore,
therefore, by by hazard should lightly lightly
1
^ Klum Ariadne,
Filum page 61.
Ariadue, page
;
344 Leiws
Laws and Connrrioxs.
AND Conditions.
propose to himself to probe

propose probe this
this Matter;
Matter yet yet without ;
risking anything,
risking anything, or devoting
devoting his
his life,
hfe, as philosophers
philosophers
did formerly,
did pursuit ; but thinks the
formerly, to the pursuit tiines are
the times
;
altered, and that his

altered, his mind, being
being on
on the alert,
alert, will dis-
will dis-
it, or that some
cover it, sleepwaker will
entraneed sleepwaker
some entranced will reveal
the truth to him, if if there be any,
any, without let hini
delay ; let
delay him ;
be advised by by these monitions;

monitions sinee Life and nothing
since Life; nothing
but Life,
Life, and no other Fire that of'
Fire but that Intellect,
of Intellect,
subliuied and fortified
sublimed fortihed in in its efficient source, discovers
its eflieient discovers
the True Matter of' adepts and this,
of the adepts; this, as we
; we are
abundantly
abundantly instructed,
instructed, by
by a dissolution
dissolution of the Vital
Vital
Spirit and alienation
Spirit alienation of its bond.--Flesh
its natural bond. Flesh and —
blood cannot enter into kingdom of heaven,
into the kingdom heaven,
neither doth corruption
corruption inherit
inherit ineorruption;
incorruption the ;
sting of death is
sting is sin, strength of sin
sin, but the strength is in
sin is in
the Law of dual generation.
generation.
Debito niodo
modo ergo Lapidem solvas,
ergo Lapidem solvas,
Et nequaquam
nequaquam sophistieo,
sophistico,
Sed potius
potiiis seeundflm mentem sapientnm,
secundilm menteni sapient6ni,
Nullo corrosivo
corrosive adhibito;
adliibito
Nûsquam eniin
Nusquam enim aqua
aqua aliqua est,
aliqua est,
Quzve solrere possit
Qua* solvere lapidem nostrum,
possit lapidem nostrum,
I'ra~ter unicuin
Pra^ter fOl]IICl1ll1lI] purissiniuni
unicum fonticulum purissimum et Illl'1I)IdiSSIII]11ll],
limpidissiuium,
Sponte scaturientem,
Sponte scatxu'ientem, qui ille est,
qui latex ille est.
Ad solutionem idoneus, idoneus,
Sed omnibus
omuibus iere absconsus,
fere absconsus,
Inealesccns quoque
Incalescens quoque per per se,se,
In causa est, ui
causn est, ut lapis sz/del lachnjmas
lapis svdet /achrymas;;
Lentils
Lentus Calor
calor externus ei expedit,
ei expedit,
Id quod memorize probe
quod memorife probe iuandabis.
niandabis.
Adhue umnniinum tibit-ibi aperire
aperire libet,
libet,
Quod nisi 'IdC1'IS_fIl1)lZI)1Z mlqrznn
nisi Yiderisy?/»n/;« Hiyrinn
Inferins,
Inferius, supernzsqzze alberlirzenz c=.1:isterf>,
superiusque albedinem existere.
Opus tuum
Opus tuuni sinistré pei'actum est,
sinistra peractnin est,
Et lapidem
lapidein errone solvisti,
solvisti,
Ex hoc
hoe signo
signo potes statini cernere.
potes statim cernere,
Si reeté procedis,
Si vero recte procedis,
Apparet
Apparet iibi atra nebula,
tibi alra nebula,
Qufe fundum
Quae funduin sine inora mora petet,
petet,
S_pirz`tu a/beclinem
Spiritu þÿG¢S'S1lD1 ¬2ZfE.]
albedinem assumente}
All that is
is performed
])C1'f01'1TlC(l in the Proto-eheniie artifice
Proto-chcmic artifice
1^
Luccrna,
Lucerna, Salis Phil. p. 36, cap.
p. 30, iii.
cup. iii.
Fuarniaa Axixmsis.
may
may be comprehended
comprehended in in three —
three terms-solution,
terms solution, sub-
limation,
Hmation, and fixation. Solution dissolves
fixation. dissolves and liquifies
liquines
the included Spirit Spirit;; sublimation volatilizes
volatilizes and washes
it; and after
it ; after calcination
calcination there is a reunion into
is a into a more more
permanent
permanent form of Being.
Being. And these processes are
processes
reiterated many
reiterated many times, and many many labours of body body and
mind have to be undergone, undergone, as in
in the Practice will be
will
demonstrated;
demonstrated ;
and as Hermes himself assures, that to
obtain
obtain the blessed Lunary Lunary of Diana, he had suffered
suffered
much, and toiled toiled incessantly.
incessantly. For the spirit spirit is is inin the
beginning,
beginning, even in
in the best disposed subjects,
disposed subjects, terres-
trial, heavy,
trial, fantastic, and proves
heavy, fantastic, rebellious every-
proves rebellious every-
where at its its Source. And, as in SphinX's fa-
in the Sphinx's fa-
bles,
bles, we
we read that when vanquished,
vanquished, she wâs
was carried
carried
within the temple temple upon upon the back of an an ass, this is
ass, this is
to signify
signify the simple simple estate of Being Being to which such
a nature is is to be reduced by deprivation of all
by deprivation all passion,
passion,
will, imagination, purpose,
will, imagination, purpose, or reflective
reflective thought. Nei-
thought.
ther, perhaps,
ther, perhaps, is is the patient suHèring
patient suffering that has after-
after-
wards to be endured, in bearing
in bearing and bringing forth
bringing forth
the burden of the divine mystery, mystery, unaptly
unaptly repre- repre-
sented under this this same guise guise of an an ass;
ass ; for for it it is
is
not until
until the conqueredconquered elements return under the
humiliating cross of dissolution that the catholic
humiliating
Wisdom is
Wisdoni is made manifest, manifest, and brought brought to hand.
Agrippa,
Agrippa, in
in his
his Vanity mf
Vanity of tlze
the Sciences,
Sciences, has written
many
many things
things in
in favour of this
this asinine condition,
condition, which
w^hich
is necessary, he says,
very necessary,
is very says, for disciple of Wisdom
for a disciple Visdom to
undergo ; for
undergo; for this
this beast is is an example of fortitude,
an example fortitude,
patience, and clemency,
patience, clemency, and his influence occultly occultly de-
Sejalzirotlz, i.i. e. Hochma.
pends on Sephiroth,
pends Hoclmza. He liveth on on little
tittle
forage, is
forage, is contented with whatsovei^wlzatsovcr' it it be ;; is is ready
ready to
pemuy, hunger,
endure penury, lzuzzger, labour, stripes, and persecution;
labour, stripes, perseczztion;
is of a
is a very
very simple, understanding, yet
imliferent understanding,
.sim]Jlc, indifferent yet withal
has an innocent, clean lzcart;
an imzocefzt, heart ; without choler,
clzoler, and peace-peace-
bearing all tlzings
_h¢l, bearizzg'
ful, things zcitlzout ofencc;; as a reward for
without offoice
virtues, he wanteth lice,
which virtues, lice, is
is seldom sick, sick, and
liveth longer than any
longer any other beast.-So
beast. — So runs
runs the paral-paral-
lel according to the magician's
lel according magician's mind; mind ; and the ass, ass, he
goes on
goes on further to observe, observe, does also many many labours
346 Laws
Lixws CONDITIONS.
and Conditions.
AND
above his his part

part; for ;for ht b)`C(l/£61/I the
/le brcakttli cz/rt/1 zrit/1
the earth with t/zethe
p/aug/1, 1/1'f1u°el/1
plough, (Iraiceth ))l(l/ly many /wavy C({)`L'.5'
heavy carts and 'lL'(/ltil'
water in in mills,
mi//.s',
grim/s cor?!,
grif/ds (`0)']l, &c.;
&c. ; and these things things wiUingly,willingly, for for
his
against his will
against will he does not go.
go. All which qualifica-
qualifica-
tions are, in
tions in their
their similitude,
similitude, very applicable and ne-
very applicable
cessary to
cessary to be found in
in the Philosophic
Philosophic Subject; Subject and ;
without which it it does not serve or carry out into

carry into
operation
operation the Divine behests.
behests. But many wonderful
many
stories are related of this
stories this allegorical
allegorical ass in in former
fornier
times,
times, and of his
his qualifications,
qualifications, which the familiar
familiar
quadruped
quadruped is is nono moremore known to exhibit, exhibit ; nor is
nor is he
even treated with that kind of consideration which
tradition
tradition has secured in in certain instances for
certain instances things
for things
less
less celebrated and as
unworthy. For did
unworthy. did not the
Saviour signalize
signalize this this beast above every every other,other, making making
choice of it on the occasion of his
it on his greatest
greatest earthly earthly tri- tri-
umph
umph ?
? Of Abraham, too,the
too the
, Father of the Faithful, we
Faithful, we
constantly
read that he constantly travelled
travelled with his
his asses
asses; ;
and
one, ridden by
that one, prophet Balaam, was notoriously
by the propl1etBalaani, notoriously
clear-sighted and,
clear-sighted and, more discerning discerning than his master,
his master,
intclligibly spoke.
intelligibly spoke. A A story,
story, little
little less
less astonishing, is
astonishing, is
related of Ammonius,
Amrnonius, the
tbe philosopher,
philosopher, that he ad-
mitted an ass daily daily to be the auditor of his his lectures,
lectures,
and join
join in
in fellow scholarship
scholarship with Origcn and the
Origen
Greek Porphyry.
Porphyry. Who would believe it?
Vho it? Yet this this
same ass has been accounted a worthy
same worthy companion companion
of the wise in in allall ages,
ages, and has borne the burden
of the Mysteries
Mysteries from time iinmeinorial. immemorial, Jews, Jews, Eth-
nies, Christians,
nics, Christians, have in
in turn, identifying, honoured
turn, identifying,
him
him; neither, perchance, had Apuleius
; neither, perchance, Apuleius of Megara Megara
been admitted to the mysteries mysteries of Isis,
Isis, if
if he had not
first of an inquisitive
first inquisitive philosopher
philosopher been turned into an
ass. There is is nono creature,
creature, concludes the panegyrist, panegyrist,
is so able to receive divinity
that is divinity as an ass, ass, into whom
if ye
if ye be not at length length turned,
turned, ye ye shall in no wise be
carry the divine mysteries.1
able to carry mysteries.^ nothing that
For nothing
is defiled
is dciiled byby information,
information, or ineonstant.,
inconstant, or impassive, impassive,
1'
Vanity
Vanity of the Sciences, chapter next in conclusion. Apuleius,
Sciences, chapter Apuleius,
Metamorphoses,
Ilet:imorphoscs, or Golden Ass.
FURTHER Analysis.
Further ANAL's1s. 347
or selfish,
selfish, or impure attract Divinity.
impure can attract Divinity, All
All mixed
unguents
unguents are hateful
hateful to
to Minerva.
The goddess
goddess scorns
seorns
All mixture of
All of her pui'e simple oil.l
pure and simple oil.^
And, as in Mysteries, the Aspirant

in the Mysteries, Aspirant entering into
entering- into
the interior
interior to behold the thc Adytum, leaves behind him
Adytum, leaves
all
all the statues in in the temple
temple; so must the mind be
;
prepared to depart
prepared depart from all all images
images and intellections,
intellections,
self-originating or impressed,
whether self-originating before it
impressed, before it can
entertain
entertain the simple Light within.
Unity of Light
simple Unity within. The wise
hierophants indeed appear
hierophants appear to have signified
signified by by these
illustrations the order in
illustrations Divinity is
in which Divinity is perceived.
perceived.
For, as when returning
For, returning after after the association within,
within,
which was was not with a statue or mere mere mental image image
(but with the reality
(but reality which these images images represent),
represent),
the statues again present themselves as secondary
again present secondary
objects
objects to view;;
view so likewise, subsequent to the Divine
likewise, subsequent
Union, there recurs That also also which waswas in in the mind
prior
prior to the union,
union, exalted and multiplied. Af/d
multiplied. T/mt
And That
w/zic/zf
ichick thus remains to to him 'IU/I0 _ymsscs beyond all
who passes beyond all
t/1i1zg's,i.s'
things, is Y71at
That TU/lf()/Z
ivhich is
is prior
prior to all
all t/zings,
things, and I/ze
the
Hrs!
First _/ll(/tier.
Jilatter. For the soul does not willingly willingly accede
to that which is is entirely running back
non-being, but running
entirely non-being,
from thence in a contrary direction, it
contrary direction, it arrives not 11ot
at another thing
thing but at itself.
itself. And as in the Di-
conjunction, whilst it
vine conjunction, lasts, there are not two
it lasts,
things
things as of subject
subject and object consciousness,
object in the consciousness,
but the life understanding and the light
life understanding light understood are
one;; whoever thus becomes One by
one by mingling
mingling with
Etiicient, will
the Efficient, will have aa remnant of it himself ;
it with himself;
according
according to the eloquent
eloquent tradition of Plotinus,
Plotinus, where,
where,
discussing
discussing this
this union,
union, he treats it
it as no
no mere
mere
spectacle
spectacle
figment, but as a
or theoretical figment, experimental
a true experimental
ingress understanding essence to its
ingress of the understanding its source.
And the light energy which are
light and energy there, he says,
a1'e there, says, are
Light shining
of the First Light shining primarily
primarily in in itself,
itself, which at
1
' Callimachus's
Callimachus's Hj^mn
Hymn to Minerva.
;

and Conditions.
one and the same time illuminates

illuminates and is is illuminated.
illuminated.
But if if any
any one
one should inquire
inquire what the nature is
is
this First
of this Light, which is
First Light, is the foundation of everyevery
primarily knows itself,
intellect and primarily
intellect itself, such a one
one should
first become established
first established inin Intellect, when he willwill be
able through
able image, to behold the Arche-
it, as an image,
through it,
type.
type. philosopher, may
this, continues the philosopher,
And this, may be
effected if you
etieeted if you iirst
first separate
separate body from the man
body man and its its
defilements; and That
defilements ;
Y71at U`/ITC/I generated of in-
which becomes g<:21e1'nted in-
ielligezzce, ajier
tel/igence, every!/zing' foreign
after everything foreign isis þÿl`
removed, is t/ze
¬IlI0l' ¬([,
is the
qf all.
Ofigflllll of
original all. For this primary motion of
this primary of the ebbing
ebbing
life from its
life its ultimate recessure recreates,
recreates, and so the
virtue, which was
Generative virtue, alienated, becomes re-
was alienated,
united to Mind.
And here we vc observe the rulerule of thought
thought to be inin-
variable, whether theoretic
variable, theoretic or in in actual operation;
operation
whether, according to st1'ict
whether, according analysis, reason becomes
strict analysis,
bounded about its its own
own inversion, common
as with common
logic is
logic is tl1e
the case
case; or,
; or, experimentally proving, it
experimentally proving, eftects
it effects
that inversion, strictly followed either way,

inversion, strictly way, itit arrives
arrives
same Truth, though
at the same though in in difterent
different relations,
relations, the
one inin light, thc other in
hght, the life, the one by
in life, by inference,
inference,
the other in in Absolute Identity, proving the First
Identity, proving First
difierences and inconsistencies that occur
Source. The differences
in the ancient writers,
in writers, and those faults faults which now now to
verbal critics apparent, vanish for

critics are most apparent, for the most
verbal their might cease to
part
part in right understanding, and might
right understanding,
regarded as such,
be regarded such, could we we but forfor an interval onlyonly
their original
enter into their light. The proud
original light. proud spirit
spirit of
modern science might might then be taught taught to venerate the
Wisdom it
Visdom it has so long in
long in ignorance despised , even
ignorance despised ; even to
honour the very contradictions,

very contradictions, which not from levity
levity
or indistinctness of thoughtthought arose,arose, but from such an an
subtlety and refinement of reason
excessive subtlety reason rather,
rather, as,
as,
utterance, was was blurred by by inadequate
inadequate
seeking to find utterance,
seeking
reception,
reception, and the duplicity
duplicity of common
common speech.
speech.
— :
349
CHAPTER III.
III.
Of the Manifestation
the M(t)t{fl6Sl(lft0ll if the First
of the. ATatter, am/
First Ilfntter, and its
lis
[l{f`()1`l)Z(l[t0}l by
Information Light.
by Light.
Visdom is
"Wisdom is poured forth like
poured forth water, and glory
like Water, failcth not before
glory failetli before
Him for Book of Enoch, c. xl.
for ever.--Boo/2
ever. xl. v. l.
1.
LET
ET US now conceive the Vital Spirit
us now Spirit theurgieally
tbeurgically
freed through sacrifice of all foreign
purified and freed
purified through sacrifice all foreign
attractions,
attractions, revolving
revolving about its
its centre and having
having
power
power aetivc
active and passive
passive in
in hypostatic
hypostatic union always
always
about to generate infinite fulness
generate the infinite fulness which it it contains
and draws ; as even
; even nownow wewe approach,
approach, carrying
carrying along
along
with us the body
body of our contrite,
Sphinx, subdued and contrite,
our Sphinx,
to the gate first Adytum
gate of the Hrst Adytum ; where we would con-
;
template
template awhile, in
in the vestibule, admiring at the Tears
vestibule, admiring
Isis, even that blessed Vater
of Isis, Water which Nature sheds
divinely
divinely for
for f
thersmszioef the world. For not all
all was
was
vaporous
vaporous vision,
vision, as we
we have shown, or mere
mere
idcality
ideality
on the internal ground
ground; but experience was pre-
experience there was
;
pre-
sent with power
power and effect
effect in substance to bear it
it wit-
ness.
It was
was scarce day When, all
day wlien, all alone,
alone,
I saw Hyanthe and her throne;
saw Hyanthe throne ;
In fresh green damashs she was
green damasks was drest,
drest,
And o'er globe did rest.
saphir globe
o'er a saphir
This slippery sphere when I did see,
slippery sphere see.
Fortune, I thought
thought itit had been thee ; ;
But when I saw saw she did present

present
A
A majesty more permanent,
majesty more permanent,
thought my
I thought my cares not lost, if I,
lost, if I,
my discoverie.
finish my
Should finish diseoverie.
Sleepy she looked to m.j
Sleepy first sight,
my first sight,
As if
if she had watched all all the night,
night,
And underneath her haîd hand was
was spread
spread
supporter of her head :
The white supporter
But at my1ny second studied view,
view,
perceive a silent dew
I could perceive
350 Laws
LAWS AND CONDITIONS.
and Conditions.
Steal down her cheeks;
Steal cheeks least ; it should
least it should stayne
staijne
Those cheeks, where only
Tliose smiles should reign,
only smiles reign,
The tears streamed down for haste, and all
for haste, all
In chains
chains of
of liquid pearl did
liquid jJearl flill.
did fall.
F air sorrows ; and more dear than joys,
Fai}- joys,
\'hieh
AVhich are but emptie ayres and noise
emptie ayres noise ,-;
Your drops
Tour present an richer
drops present richer prize,
prize.
For they something like
they are something like her eyes.
eyes.
w/zite Fool
Pretty white
Pretty Fool!! why hast thou been
why hast
Sullied with tears and not with sin
Sullied S1-IZ?
?
'Tis true ; thy
'Tis thy tears like
; polished skies,
like polished skies,
Are the bright rosials of
brighl rosials of' thy'
thy eyes
eyes ;;
sueh strange
But such /aê« do them attend,
strangefafes attend.
As if ifthy
thy woes would never end, end,
From dro2)s
drops to sig/is
sighs they turn, and then
they turn,
Those sighs
Tliose sighs retLu°n
retm-n to drops again :
drops again :
But whilst
Whilst the silver lorreui seeks
silver torrent
T\\oê flowers that
'l`liose_/iozvers tliat watch it it in thy cheeks,
in thy
The wlziie am] red
white and Hyanthe wears,
real Hynuthe Wears,
Turn to rose water all all her
l1er tears.
tears.
you beheld aflame
Have you ^Jlame that that springs
springs
From iticense,
incense, when sweet czzrlezl rings
curled rings
Of smoke attend her last weakfires,
last xoeak fires.
And she all in
s/ze all in perfumes expires ??
perfumes expires
So died Ilymzt/ze;
Hyanthe ; here,
here, said
said she,
she.
this rirzl
Let not this part from thee,
vial part thee,
It holds my
It my heart, tho' now
heart, tho' 'tis spilled,
now 'tis
spilled,
And into waters all distilled,
wafers all distilled,
'Tis cousiant
'Tis still: trust not
constant still: not_/à[.se
false smiles,
smiles,
Who
\'ho slums
SMILES and weeps not, she beguiles.
wceps not, bqgzriles.
IS'ay trust not tears
Nay þÿf ¬[l7'S tillse are
the few.
,- false
; Few 7
many that are true,

Those tears are many true.
Trust me, and take the better ehoyee,
choyce,
my fears
AVho hath my
"Tho can want no
tears eau no joyes}
joyesl
When
Vhen divine Causes and human Conditions which
are assimilated to them are co-ordinate
eo-ordinate to one
one and the
same end,
same end, the perfection
perfection of such works overflowing
overflowing
returns a pure and most bright
a. pure
bright reward.
Ite profhni!
profani Fanum est fauum
! fanum
Nihil ingreditur profanum.
ingreditur P1Òfi'!111J1]1.
For thought
thought does not move,
move, passing its owm
passing its own essence
into feehng vain but mercy

feeling in vain; mercy imparts
; benefits
imparts the benefits,
and gifts
gifts of the most exquisite
exquisite sacrifice.
sacrifice.
l^
Vaughan's C(l'll1ll1 'lèr1':1~,
Y£11lgll{ll7S Ccelum Terrae, p. p. 93, &e.
93, &c.
:
; :
MANIFESTATION of
Manifestation OF THE MATTER.
the Matter. 351
Nor less
less instructive
instructive than elegant is the following
elegant is following-
of
Prosopopoeia of
Prosopopoeia the Stone.
Stone.
In nomine
vzomine Dei viventis
1:z`ve2ztis et UiUQfCd7ZfiS.
et vivijicantis.
lnihi corpus,
Terra mihi vires mihi
corpus, vires uiihi prfestitit
praestitit ignis
ignis : :
Alta <lo1nus
domus qufero, sedes est
quiero, sedes semper in
est scinper in imo:
inio :
me perfundit
Et me perfundit qui me elto
qui me deserit hnnior.
cito deserit liumor.
Sunt mihi
milii sunt lacrymzc, sed non
lacrymae, sed caiisa doloris;
est eausa
non est doloris ;
Est 1te1'
iter ad C(Blll1l],
coelum, sed
sed me gravis
me
gravis impedit
ilupedit aer:
aer :
qui me
Et qui genuit, sine
ine genuit, sine me
ine non naseitur
nascitur ipse.
ipse.
Pulvis aquze
Pulvis aquae tennis, niodieo cum
tenuis, modico cum pondere
poudere lapsus,
lapsns,
Sole madens, zestate
Sole madens, sestate llnens,
fluens, in frlgore
frigore sicens,
siccus,
Fhunina facturus,
Elumina faeturus, totas prius
prius oecnpo terras;
occupo terras ;
tibi referam
Mira tibi referainnostrfe primordia vitze
nostrse primordia vitae : :
Nondum natus eram,

Nonduiu erain, nee eram tum
tuin matris 111 alvo,
in alvo,
Jam posito me nemo videbat.
natum me
partu, uatuln
IJOS1tO partu, vulebat.
Non possum
Nou nasci, si
possuni nasci, oceiclero matrem z
non occidero
si non :
00C1(l1 matrem,
Occidi me Lnanet
matrein, sed me exitus idein.
manet CXltl`lS idem.
Id mea mors patitur,
mea niors patitur, quod jam mea
quod jam nica fccit
origo.
fecit origo.
Vita lnihi est, morior si

mors est,
mihi inors si caepei'o
caepero nasci ;
Sed prius
prius est fatura lcthi quam
fixtuin letlii quam lucis origo ;
lucis O1'1g0 ;
Sie solas
Sic solas manes lpsos nnln duco parentes.
ipsos mihi parentes.
non sum, sed
quidem non incst mihi maxima virtus,
virtns 7
Magna
]\Iagna qnideni inest
S Jiritns
Spiritus
I est magnus,
Q
llIl,1llVlS
IDHUHIIS 7 quamvis in corpore
coriore parvo.
uarvo 3
Nec
Nee mihi germen habet noxam,
lllllll gernien noxani, nee ruhorein.
cnlpa ruborem.
nec culpa
Ambo sinnns
Anibo sumus lapides, una sumus,
lapides, una ambo jacemus
suuins, Il/ll1l.)O_li`tC(?1lll.lS§ ;
Quam
Quinn piger nuns, tantum
piger est mius, non segnis
tantnni non segnis it it alter
alter; ;
Hie immotus non descrit

llie manet innnotns ille moveri.
deserit ille þÿll]O' ¬l'1.
Fiudere
Findere me
ine nnlli
nnlli possunt, innlti:
prfecidere multi
possnut, praecidere
sum versicolor,
Sed sum fnturns
quandoque futurus
versicolor, albus quandoque
Male manere niger,
Malo manere ultima, fata
1l1Q'6I', minus ultima fata verebor.
vercbor.
NuUa
Nulla niihi certa
mihi eerta est, nulla est peregriua
est, nuHa peregrina tigura.
figura.
Fulgor intns, radianti luce coruscus,
Fnlgor inest intus, coruscus,
Qui nihil ostendit,
Qui nisi si quid
ostendit, 1l]S1 Vldeflli ante.
quid viderit
Non continue morior dum spiritns
ego continuo
ego exit.
spiritus exit.
Nam redit
Nam redit assidne,
assidufe, quamvis
qnamvis etct srcpe rccedat :
saepe recedat
nnnc magna est aninim,
inihi nunc
Et mihi animse, nunc
nnnc nulla facnltas,
facultas.
magna
ego snstinni
Plus ego
Phis quam corpus
sustinui quam corpus debnit unum.
debuit unum.
Tres aninias habul, quas
animas habui, omnes intus
quas onines iutus habebaln.
habebam.
Diccssere
Dicessere duse, poene secuta est?
dufc, sed tertia poene est.^
This marvellous subsistence of the Vital Principles

Principles
in their extreme separation by Art has been already
separation by already-
noticed,
noticed, and will
will be in
in the Practice more
more particularly
particularly
11
Theatrum Chemicum, vol.
Thcatruni Cheinicnnl, vol. iii.
iii. p. 763.
p.
— ;:
352 and CONDITIONS.

Laws AND Conditions,
hereafter.
hereafter. It
It may be sufficient
may he sufficient for to ob-
present to
for the present
great care and diligence
serve, that great is needed at
dihgence is this
at this
juncture
juncture to apply
apply the threefold
threefold secret of the Art;
Art
that the hypostatie
so that principles of
hypostatic principles attraction and re-
of attraction
pulsion
pulsion and circulation
circulation may
may he
be brought into
brought perfect
into a perfect
equilihriate
equilibriate accord,
accord, the one no
no more
more
acting than the
acting
resisting in
is resisting
other is in the ethereal bond.--Seek
ethereal bond. —in
Seek Three in
again seek One in
One, and again in Three, dissolve,
dissolve, congeal
congeal:
remeinhcr, says
and remember, saysKuhnrath, carefully to observe
Kuhnrath, most carefully
threefold law of the composition,
the threefold composition, otherwise the
animated spirit conjoined to the body,
spirit cannot be conjoined body, nor, on
the other hand, will will the body body he be reunited to the spirit.spirit.
Which
Vhich process,
process, however, being being rightly gone through
rightly gone through
beginning-the
from the beginning —
the new Chaos of the Universal
Nature of the new new world will appear to he
will then appear un-
be un-
folded and separated.
separated. Apply Apply no manual labour,
labour, but
when you you shall
shall have enacted the separation, (cum
sepa1°ation,-(eimn=pea:-- pcf
'-^ 'oj^c3a^ motum in
_gi
< in te,
ire, -^j
—
e ris ^
intcrnum
internum et pro gaudio,
et pro gaudio,
.^1 laehrymahisl)-thou
lachrymabis !) thou wilt
wilt surely
surely understand that the
original
original sin
sin has been removed, separated bythe
separated by the Fire
of Divine love in regeneration of the three princi-
in the regeneration princi-
—
ples-body,
ples body, soul,
soul, and spirit.
spirit. I
I write not fables:
fables :Vith
With
thy
thy hands thou shalt touch,
touch, and with thy
thy eyes
eyes thou
shalt see Azoth ! The Universal !Universal! which alone,
! alone, with
the internal and external Hre fire in harmonious sympathysympathy
with the Olympic
Olympic Fire, Fire, is is sufficient
sufficient forfor thee : by
: inevit-
by inevit-
able necessity,
necessity, physico-chemically
physico-chemically united for
for the con-
con-
summation of the Phi1osopher's

Philosopher's Stone. Stone? ^
When, in the last

Vhen, last extreme of tribulation and depart- depart-
ing life, the returning
ing life, returning faith faith and desire of the Passive
Spirit attracts the Soul again
Spirit again into herself, first link
herself, the first
in the chain of the magnetic
in magnetic series series moves
moves: then the
:
Divine Fiat comes comes mercifully

mercifully to bless the union, union, and
a new hypostasis is created out of the darkness to
new hypostasis is
abide:
abide fiery soul suffers
the fiery
: suffi3rs itself again to be impri-
itself again impri-
soned,
soned, as by by a lawful magic, magic, in the hquid liquid crystal
crystal of
understanding ether;
the understanding ether andthe
; light which is
and the light is in
in her
then streams forth brightly rejoicing in her Paradise
brightly rejoicing
'•
~H:nh:nratli, Ampli.
fethnrath, Sap. Etern.,
Ainph. Sap. Etern., Isag.
Isag. in fig.
fig. cap. viii
cap. viii.
.' F
/CK on
/
/
:
MANIFEsTA'r1oN of
Manifestation or the MATTER.
'run Matter. 353
Regained. Then it
Regained. is Lux*
it is Lu.v manifests
mnmfeste ct et visibilis
visibUis ad ocu-
Zum, as the adept
lum, says, in
adept says, in which state state itit is
is first
first made
subject to
subject to the artist.
artist.
Mars et et Venus, ou plutot plutot Mars par par Venus, en fait fait un<'/
unC^
fort
fort noble medicine et
/
et precieu^,
précieujt, qui qui a le grain fixe
le grain fixe so- u'eA
laire;
laire et
et ces deux font font ensemble le mariage si
le mariage célébré
si celebre
;
/
auprés
aupres des amateurs de la sagesse: pendant
la sagesse : pendant leur Con-
leur
jonction, il s'eleve
jonction, il s'eleve une vapeur une tres spiritueuse et
vapeur tres spiritueuse et ne-
cessai1'e E1
cessaire a un grand
un grand ouvrage il faut
ouvrage: il faut prendre
: prendre cette va-
peur
peur avec des filets
filets bien subtils:
subtils dans
: le 1'este
le reste on on
trouve un vitriol
un vitriol bien bean,
beau, dont tire
on tire par
on par des opera-
opera-
tions fort
tions fort subtiles
subtiles et difliculté decouverte,
et de difficulte decouvertc, un sou-
un soii-
phre
phre solaire
solaire ou or
philosophique
philosophique vivant.1-Vhich
vivant.^ —
Which
subtle device of Vulcan most profoundly profoundly hidden unless
the artist
artist shall
shall have rightlyrightly conceived either either by by
spiritual
spiritual aid
aid or himself experimenting in
experimenting in a triunc
triune fur-
fur-
spherically round, his

nace spherically round, his labours are declared to be
vain,
vain, even though working in
though working in thetl1e right material, if'
right material, if
he cannot cause it it to appear.
to þÿ[l])]) ¬(ll°. If
If the horse's
horse's strength
strength
be yet denied, in
yet denied, in vain he will will strike
strike upon upon the moun- moun-
tain, the Hinty
tain, flinty conscience yields yields no
no
chalybeate, feels
chalybeate, feels
no contrition,
no contrition, but by by the fiery well-teinpered
fiery well-tempered steel.
steel.
Haud licet
licet altaris laticcs haurire salubres
altaris latices
scclerum viru mens
Cui scelerum moribimda tulnet;
mens moribunda tumet
Divino calice abstineat, ne cordis ad arcem
calico abstiueat, arceni
Pcrvehat arcanam potio

Pervehat arcanam iniqua luem.
potio iniqua
Difiluat in
Diffluat in lacrymas
lacrymas vehemens qiias quas fervor ainoris
amoris
Elicit, et fletu
Elicit, fletu diluat ante scelus.
scelus.
Culpa ciens lacrymas
Culpa lacrjanas nonnon tota est conscia,
couscia, siru
^•iû
Gemma oritur, fufedi Elia
oritur, foedi filia pulchra
pulchra patris.
patris.
flueus oculis
Gutta fluena oeulis velut Indicus uuio Het fiet
Ut medicina reo, reo, sic pretiosn Deo.
sic pretiosa
lacrymas ée fonte potest
Post lacryrnas liaurire salutcm
potest haurire salutem : :
Qui
Qui non flet moritur,
non flet moritur, ne ne moriare, fleas 2^
inoriare, Heas
sown under the cross and completed

is sown
All is completed in its
in its
number-Darkness
number — will draw over the face of the
Darkness will
fdiglit, Saturn and the Antimony
Abyss, Might,
Abyss, Antimony of the WiseVise
will bc
will Obscurity and the Head
present, Obscurity
be present, l-lead of
of' the Crow
in the various hour of conjunction
conjunction; and all
all the
thc co- ;
1
^ Mystere la Croix,
Mystere de la chap. xiii.
Croix, chap. xiii.
2
2 Orpheus Eucharisticus Emblema LVI.
Orpheus LVI.-Apodosis.
Apodosis. —
A A
:
354 Laws AND CoNn1T1oNs.

and Conditions.
lours of the world will

lours of will be apparent
apparent; also
also Iris, ;God's
Iris, God's
messenger, and the tail
messenger, of the peacock
tail of peacock; as the rain-rain- ;
bow through
through the falling drops, reflects
falling drops, tl1e sunbcam
reflects the sunbeam
in the apparent
in apparent ether after
after the storms are overpast
overpast
and the dark clouds are dispersed,tl1e beautiful
same beautiful
dispersed, the same
token of reconciliation
reconcihation isis made apparent
apparent in
in the Micro-
cosmic Heaven;
Heaven ; the fire
fire and water are commingled, and,
commingled, and,
falling together
falling germinate, and the
together under the cross, germinate,
beautiful Ideal
beautiful Harmony is
Ideal of Harmony is born of
ofthe
the Spirit.
SjDirit.
IN
In cruce
cnucn sub
sun srnnna VENIT SAPIENTIA
sphera venit Sapientia VERA.
vera.
This is
is the union snpersentient, nuptials sub-
supersentient, the nuptials
lime,
lime. Mcntis
Mentis et
et Universi;
Universi ; the Thought
Thought solitary unites
solitary
itself to the non-being,
itself non-being, or simple Understanding of'
simple Understanding of its
its
ether, and proceeds

ether, into simultaneous subsistence with
proceeds into
exuberance of power.power. This is is the marriage,
marriage, by by the
ancients so many many times prefigured,
prefigured, of Peleus and
Thetis,
Thetis, of Earth and Heaven,
Heaven, when the gods,
gods, attended
with allall their
their attributes, come together
attributes, come together in in divine hila-
hila-
1-ity;
rity ; of Bacchus and Ariadne ;; of Jason with Medea,
when, after many
when, after trials and risk
many trials risk of life, gained with
life, he gained
her the golden fleece from Colchos.

golden fleece Lo! behold II
Lo !
will
will open
open to thee a mystery, mystery, criescries the Adept,
Adept, the
bridegroom
bridegroom crowneth the b1'ide
bride in the North !-In —
In the
!
darkness of the North,North, out of the crucifixion of tl1e

the
life, when the sensual dominant is
cerebral life, is occultated
oecultated
in
in the Divine Fiat and subdued, subdued, there arises a1'ises a Light
Light
wonderfully
wonderfully about the summit, which, wisely returned
which, wisely
and multiplied according to the Divine blessing,
multiplied according blessing, is is
made substantive in
in life.
life.
Tn Arsenic sublimed there is

In way
is a way streight,
streiglit,
Vyth Mercury
Wytli calcined, nyne
Mercury ealeincd, tymes liys
nyne tyines weight,
hys weight,
And grownd
grownd together Water of Myght,
together with the Vater Myglit,
'Which
Whicli bearcth Lyfe and Light.
ingression of Lyfe
beareth ingression Light.
And anon,
anon, as they together byne,
they together byne,
Alle rnnnyih
Alio Water bryght
rnnnytli to "later bryght and schene
schcnc ;;
('pon this Fii'e
i^pon Fire they grow together
they grow together
'lìl Hee no
'I'ill they be fast and flee no whyther
they whyther;
Then feed them fortli
forth with own lland,
thine own
\'llll tliine Hand,
Wilh
\'i1h meat and bread, they be strong,
tyll they
broad, tyll strong,
And thouihon shalt have a good
good Stone]
Stouc.^
l
• Pierce, the Black
Pierce, tlie Monk, on the
Monk, on Elixir.
MANIFESTiTION or
Manifestation the NIATTER.
of TIIE Matter. 355
Ou1' golden
Our golden water, says the adept,
says in
is not found in
adept, is
wells, nor in
wells, in higher
profundities, but in
in profundities, places, and as
higher places,
inhabitants of the Canary
the inhabitants Canary Islands Islands draw sweet
from the tree
water fi'om tree tops,
tops, so is
is ours taken from the
higher parts
higher parts of
of the world , ; for
for l/Iereury, being
Mercury, being ripe,
ripe,
arises to
arises to her superior habitation.'
superior habitation.^ Exalt her, and she
shall promote
shall promote thee thee; she shall
; shall bringbring thee to honour
when thou dost embrace her her; she shall
; shall give
give to thy thy
head an an Ornament of Grace; Grace a a Crown of Glory
; shall
Glory shall
deliver unto thee.^
she deliver thee." Return then, then, O my O my son,
reiterates the Hermetic Master, the coal
reiterates being extinct
coal being extinct
in life,
in life, as II shallshall note to thee thee; and henceforth thou
;
art a Crowned King, resting over the Fountain and

King, resting
drawing
drawing from thence the Auripigment,
Auripigment, dry dry without
moisture: now
moisture now I
: I have made the heart of the hearers
hoping in
hoping in thee to rejoice,
rejoice, even in in their eyes beholding
their eyes beholding
thee in in anticipation
anticipation of that which thou possessest. possessest.
Rejoice now,
Rejoice therefore, O so11
now, therefore, son of Art! Art Who who hast the
!
Sun for thy Diadem and the Moon Crescent for

for thy for thy
thy
Garland.3
Garland.^
Ce qui qui a ete été attire doit etre
attiiê doit étre cuitCui! sisi long
long temps
temps
d'unc certainc maniére
d'une certaine maniere de repetition, jusqu'a ce qu'il
repetition, jusqu'a qu'il
montre les les couleurs de l'arc Tare en en ciel;
ciel ;
signe de grace
signe grace
et de reconciliation ; et ; que les
et que les goutes pesantes tombent
goutes pesantes tomhent
dans Ie fond du vase recipient
le fond recipient ;; quasi comme un
quasi comme un mer-
mer-
commun distille
cure commun distillé: ce qui
: qui vousvous donnera un un
Ophthalmique
Op/lt/mlmigue et Afztiepileptigue merveilleux; et meme
Antiepileptique merveilleux ; meme
quelque chose de plus
quelque plus si si le
le Seigneur
Seigneur vous ouvre les [es .
yeux.
yeux. Cet
Get s'appelle Aimantique}
ouvrage s'appelle þÿAl)}IH}l[iQll ¬.4
ouvrage i/^ /
Lastly, says
Lastly, says I^»nrath,
þÿl' ¬e5hnratli,after the ashy
after colour, and the
ashy colour, n-AjAy/
white,
white, and the yellow,
yellow, thou shalt behold the Stone of /
Philosophers ;
Philosophers our
; King
King and Lord of hosts go forth from
go
the C/l(l)}l[)(')`
chamber of his his glassy
glassy sepu/c/zre,
sepulchre, into this this mundane
sphe?'e, in his his glorified regenerate and in
body, regenerate
glorified body, in perfec-
perfec-
sphere,
11
llcrcury`s Caducean Rod,
Mercury's Rod, sub init.
iuit.
5'
2
Solomon, iv.
Proverbs of Solomon, 8, 9.
iv. S, 9.
"•^
Aur., cap.
Tract. Aur., ii., and Ripley
cap. ii., Rcvivcd.
Ripley Revived.
4
^
Mystére cle
Mystere la Croix,
de la Croix, chap. xiii.
chap. xiii.
a
A A 2
A
;
356 Laws
AND Conditions.
tion perfected
tiofi perfected; as aa shining
;
shining carbuncle, most temperate
temperate
in
in splendour,
splendour, and whose parts, most subtle
parts, subtle fllld
and most
pure,
pure, are inseparably
inseparably blent
blent together
together in
in the harmonious
rest of
rest into one.^
of' union into one.'
It is an
It is adopted maxim with the Adepts
an adopted Adepts that theythey
sow in
who sow shall reap
in tears shall reap in joy. For he that rc-
in joy. re-
liberated and with the prepared
enters liberated Light of intel-
prepared Light intel-
lectual
lectual faith,
faith, mourning,
mourning, and, like another Achilles,
and, like Achilles,
conscious of self-sacrihce,
self-sacrifice, to besiegc
besiege the fortress
fortress of
Self-Vill in
Self-Will in life, prevailing
life, prevailing at length through
length through death
jj/_ and every obstacle, the Divine Will
every obstacle, Vill favouring,
favouring, isis not
"f
/
IÎjI/i^>XlLl/ only promoted
only promoted throughthrough the whole hyrpestatis,
teppestafe, and con-
/ verted to the proper perfection of its

proper virtue and perfection its root;
root
but there, likewise, to increase,
there, likewise, triumph, and multiply,
increase, triumph, multiply,
according
according to the hermaphroditic virtue of its
hermaphroditic its conceived
Law. So Life Life isis perfected

perfected in Wisdom, and the Vill
in Visdom, Will
springs up
springs in Paradise with fair
up in golden fruits.
fair golden fruits.
Corpus solutuin
Corpus solutum est aqua perenuis congelans
aqua perennis þÿlI ¬I`Cl11'll1l11perpe-
congelans Mercurium perpc-
congelatione.
tua congelatione.
Never grudge, then, that thou hast destroyed

grudge, then, destroyed thy
thy
gold, says
gold, Eireneus, for
says Eireneus, hc that thus destroys
for he destroys loseth
not, but soweth good
it not,
it good seed in good earth, from
good earth,
shall receive it again
whence he shall it again with one
one hundred-fold
increase?
increase.^ Whereas he that saves his gold,
Vhereas is to
gold, that is
say, remains satisfied

say, satisfied in his reason,
first-fruits of his
in the first-fruits reason,
his labour,
loses his labour, and is
is deceived,
deceived, like Midas, and dis-
Midas, dis-
understanding and faith
mayed for want of understanding
mayed faith in the
destination of Causes.
But if
if any demand, how that which is
any one here demand, is
destroyed
destroyed should
shoukl be capable
capable of'
of increase,
increase, and how
how^ the
newly implanted motive takes root in life?
newly implanted life? The
Apostle
Apostle has best answered it;
it as concerning the
concerning
;
mystery
mystery of the resurrection,
resurrection, he shows, by
shows, bythe common
the common
analogy
analogy of nature,
nature, the Law to bc
be such. Behold,
Behold, says
says
he,
he, that which is
is sown
sown is
is not quickened except
quickcned except it
it die ; ;
I
1/ ^ Auiph. Sap.
j^tAnratli, Amph.
:l'~§;h1ira1l1, Sap. Etern., cbap. viii.,
Etern., chap. viii., Isag.
Isag. in fig.
fig.
, 2
2
Ripley ]i0'l'0(l,
Eipley 108, 198.
Revived, pp. 108,
BIANIFESTATION of
Manifestation or the NIATTER.
THE Matter. 357
and that
that which is is sown
sown is is not the body that shall
body that shall be,
but mere grain,
grain, as it may
as it may be of
of wheat or any other
any
grain. —The
grain.-The germ germ of
of all
all Being
Being is
is indeed corrupted
corrupted
before it is brought
it is forth, and seeds
brought forth, seeds spring
spring up up not as
seeds merely,
seeds merely, but into perfect resemblance of
into a perfect of their
their de-
de-
veloped stock; yet
veloped stock yet
;
is
is not anything
anything the more
more bettered
bettered
in its kind, but the process
in its process of vital
vital melioration is is
further exemplified
exemplified in in the fcrmentive
fermentive art, where, by aa
art, where, by
contrition fretting of their
contrition and fretting their elementary
elementary particles,
particles,
natures are transformed, and their bodies spiritualized
their bodies spiritualized
and preserved
preserved by assimilating must or leaven. So,
by the assimilating
in man,-there
in —
man, there is body and there is
is a natural body spiritual
a spiritual
is a
body.
body. Howbeit that is not first
that is first which is is spiritual,
spiritual, but
that which is natural, and afterwards that which is
is natural, is
spiritual.-The
spiritual. —The Rational Light,
Light, once discovered and set
in motion,
in motion, acuates the Spirit, Spirit, and the Spirit, Spirit, in its
in its
turn penetrating, overcomes the corporeal,
penetrating, overcomes corporeal, wdiich which is is
dominant, in
the sensual dominant, regeneration; and so
in the regeneration ;
swallows up up the same, same, that it it is

is glorified
glorified and trans-
occultating the body
figured, oecultating
figured, body in in more luminous mani-
festation.-Know
festation. —
Know ye ye not how a little little leaven leaveneth
the whole lump?lump ? Purge Purge out therefore the old leaven, leaven,
that ye may be a new
ye may new lump,
lump, as ye ye are unleavened.'
unleavened.^
SOLVE
Solve ET reiterates the Benedictine Monk,
Coagula, reiterates
et COAGULA,
Dissolve and CoagulateCoagulate; after putrefaction
;
putrefaction succeeds
generation, and that because of the incombustible
generation, incombzzstib/e su!- sul-
phur
p/zur that heats or thickens the coldness and crudities crudities
of the þÿgI¢I(,`fi'SI/'1)
quicksilver,¬I`,which suffers
szgfers so much thereby, thereby, that
at last it is
last it is united to the sulphur and made one
suqa/zur one bodybody
therewith. And these, viz., the fire,
these, viz., air, and water,
fire, air, water, are
contained in in one vessel in their earthly vessel, i.
earthly vessel, c. in
i. e.
their gross body

gross body or composition ; and I
composition ; I take them and
then II leave them in in one alembic,
alembic, where I1 decoct and
them, without the help
sublime them, hammer, tongs,
help of hammer, tongs, or
file;
file; without coals,
coals, smoke,
smoke, or Ere,
fire, or
or bath ;; or the alem-
bics of the sophisters.
sophisters. For II have my my /leave/1/_yjire,
heavenly Jire,
which excites and stirs stirs up
up the elementfzl
elemental according
one, according
one,
as the matter desires a more more becoming
becoming agreeable
agreeable Form.^Form."
1
^ 1 Coriiithians,x.v.
Corinthians,xv. 6, 7.
6, 7.
9
- Mehuiig
Mehung illi11 Aâughau's C`<1=lnm Terwe,
7Zillgl1£l11'S Coelum p. 122.
Terrae, p.
;
358 Laws CoNDiT1oNs.

and Conditions.
AND
And the Light

the Light is is made manifest in in great
great Darkness,
viz., in
viz., in the contrition
eontrition or distress distress of of the sensible
sensible nature
in conscience, where a peculiar
in the conscience, pecuHar motion is present;
is present
even then, as Jacob Bolnne

even Bohme says, says, cometh the Power of
Christ in in the midst of such a motion. And, further,
of
of the noble tincturetincture arising
arising in in the light,
Hght, he says —
says-It It
cometh forth forth from anguish anguish into into the meekness of the
hght and springeth
light springeth forth afresh through
forth afresh through the mortifying
mortifying
anguish)
anguish,^ as zz /Qfe having
a life anot//er þÿ]))'0])
/lacing a)wther property,¬)Ìf_y,where the
property
property of the fire fire is desirizzg, and thereby
is a desiring, thereby it it at-
ai-
tructet/1
tracteth the vi/'tuevirtue of the Light Light into itself, and maketh
into itself,
it
it an
an essence, viz., —
Water. Common chemistry
^^z., VATEl{.-COIHIHOII chemistry is is not
without an analogy analogy of this kind, by
this kind, by the condensa-
tion of light
tion producing it
light produeing it into fluid form. But herein
into a fluid
are the two forms : one : according to the source of the
one according
fire, which is
fire, is 1'ed,
red, and thereintherein the virtue,virtue, viz., sulphur
viz., sulphur
is ;; and the other is
is is like
like a thin nieekness,
meekness, yet yet having
having
co-essentiality, is
co-essentiality, is water,
water, which is is the desiring
desiring tincture ;;
and both of which contracting contracting togethertogether into one, are
into one,
converted into into Blood. N Nowow the original in
original in the blood, blood,
viz. fire,
viz. fire, which is its warmth, is
is its is life;
life; and in in the vir-
vir-
tue of the warmth,
warmth, the thin Water Vater of Life proeeedeth
proceedeth ; ;
one virtue proceedeth

proceedeth forth from another, another, and the vir- vir-
tue doth always always re-assume
re-assume that which goeth forth.
goeth forth.
And this is is the true Spirit Spirit which is is born of the Soul, Soul,
wherein is is the Image
Image of God, and the Divine Virgin Virgin of
God's wisdom consisteth.
God's For all understanding and
all understanding
knowledge
knowledge lieth
lieth in
in this
this Spirit;
Spirit ; it
it hath the senses and
the noble life, life, which uniteth it it with God God: for
: for this
this
Spirit
Spirit is
is so subtle that it
it can
can enter into God,
God, if
if it
it
resigneth
resigneth itself
itself up
up to Him ; ; and, casting away
and, casting away the cun-
ning Jire of its
l1illg_]§)`(3 its own
own soul,
puttet/1 its
soul, putteth ivill into God;
its will
then it it dwelleth with Him in in power,
power, and is clothed
is c/ot/wr! With.
with
the Divine Essezztif//ity?
Essentiality.'^
And this Essentiality
Essentiality it it is
is which qualifies
qualifies the true
Adept
Adept; ; which sanetifies
sanctifies even
even as it
it qualifies, infusing
qualifies, infusing
goodness into every
true goodness every litelife that it it has once adorned.
1
^ And, therefore,
And, llerines says,
tliercfore, Herines that the sure quality
says, tliat quality ofthe
of the
golden
golden mutter and the nature thereof is
matter is not sweetness, cap. 7.
&c., cap.
sweetness, &c., 7.
3
^ Bi3lnne's
Bohme's Turned Eye, Quest. 37.
Eye, Quest.
— ;
MANIFESTATION or
Manifestation the lf[ATTER.
of THE Matter. 359
It is
It is this Corner- Stone which links
this Material of the Corner-Stone links
reason toto Divinity, Theology
Divinity, Theology to the subtle
subtle philosophy
philosophy
of the middle ages,
of vulgarly contemncd
ages, and made the vulgarly contemned
Art of Alchemy
Alchemy to to be honoured and holy. holy.-lt —
It is sown
is sown
in corruption,
in corruption, It It is
is raised in incorruption
raised in incorruption; It
It is
is
; sown
in dishonour,
in dishonour. It It is
is raised glory ; It
in glory
raised in is sown in
It is ; in weak-
ness. It
ness, is raised
It is raised inin power
power ; It is sown a natural
It is; natural body,
body,
It is
It is raised
raised aa spiritual
spiritual body.
body. The first man is
first man is of the
earthy; the second man is

earth, earthy
earth, ; is the Lord from hea-
ven.1
ven.^
And this
this is
is that mystery of
great and miraculous mystery
that great
Image, which it
our Image, it behoves us to reHect
reflect into, rather
into, rather
discuss ; that we may
profanely to discuss
than profanely ;
may know our our
selves, and what Adam, even our F
true selves, Father, is ; and
ather, is ;
what the Son;Son and, without error or presumption,

;
presumption,
that Holy
Holy Spirit fabricates all
Spirit which fabricates things, and sus-
all things,
tains all
tains all by Word of his
by the Vord his PoWer.--
Power.
Non
N on poterit illa
poterit ilia dare qui
qui uon habet habct
non habet: : nemo, nisi
autern nemo,
habet autem nisi
qui jam
qui cohibitis elementis, victa
jam eohibitis superatis coelis,
victa natura snperatis proge
coelis, progc
ipsum Archetypum isque transcendit; Cujus

suos Angelos, ad ipsum Archetypum isqvie transcendit
Angelos, Cujus
;
tunc Cooperator effectus potest

Cooperator effectus Ornnia.
potest Omnia.
For the Soul,

Soul, being
being in associates with
in such a condition, associates
perceives himself so to asso-
Efficient, and he who perceives
her Efficient,
ciate will have a similitnde
ciate will
rpasses
Kpasses from himself as an
It with himself. And if
similitude of It
image
image to the A1'chetype,
Archetype,
/M%W
if he - jf^^Â^'^-^
he will then attain the end of his

will then his progression.
progression. And
when falling off' from the vision of God, if
falling off again ex-
if he again
cites the virtue which is

cites is in perceives him-
in himself and perceives
self to be perfectly
self adorned, he will
perfectly adorned, will again, says the
again, says
elevated, through
Successor, be elevated,
Platonic Successor, through virtue pro-
pro-
Wisdom, and afterwards to the
ceeding to Intellect and Visdom,
ceeding
Principle of things.
Principle things.
Vaughan, in his
Vaughan, Magia, has well described
his Anima flfagia,
Metamorphoses and how the Light,
Hypostatic Metamorphoses;
the Hypostatic ;
Light,
striking in
striking rapid coruscation from the centre to the
a rapid
in a
solitary unit through
depends from the solitary
circumference, depends
circumference, through
the surrounding vapour,
surrounding vapour, in
in a vital series;
magnetical series
magnetical
says, differs
nature, he says,
celestial nature,
where the celestial differs not in sub-
11
42, &c.
Corinthians, xv. 42,
lI Corinthians,
;
:
360 Laws
LAVS and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions.
stance from the aerial aerial spirit

spirit but only only in degree and
in degree
complexion and
complexion; ; aerial differs
the aerial differs from the the aura or or
material
material effluxefflux of ofthe soul in
the soul in constitution
constitution only only and not
in nature:
in nature so that These three,
:
being but One substan-
three, being
tially, admit of a perfect
tially, perfect hypostatic
hypostatic union, and maybe may be
carried
carried by certain intellectual
by aa certain intellectual LightLight into supreme
into the supreme
horizon, and so swallowed up up of immortality.-Behold
immortality. — Behold
Il show you you a a mystery,
mystery, says Apostle, we shall
says the Apostle, shall not
all sleep,
all sleep, but we shall c/zfzzzged, in
shall be changed , in a moment, in in
the ticinkling
twin/flizzg of eye, at
if an eije, at the last trump (for
last lrump (for the
trumpet
trumpet shall S/ml! sound)
sound) and the dead 1/er/fl shall
shall be raised
raised in-
in-
corruptible, and wê
corruptible, shall be changed.
we shall
changed. For this this cor-
ruptib/e must put
ruptible put 011 incorruption, and this
on ineorruption, this mortal
must put i1nm0rta!ity.'
put on immortality} .
And know, says Bacon, that it

Roger Bacon,
says Roger it is
is impossible
impossible
for you to attain
for you this immortal essentiality,
attain this essentiahty, unless you you
sanctified in
become sanctified in mind and purified
purified in soul, so as to
in soul,
be united to God, and to become one spirit spi1'it with Him.
But if you revolve these my
if you my instructions
instructions in your mind,
in your
you
you maymay obtain the knowledge knowledge of the beginning, beginning, the
middle, and the end of the whole work,
middle, icork. And you you
will perceive
will perceive such a .subtlety lows(/01/1, and such a ]m~
subtlety of Wisdom, pu-
/'ity
rity of mailer, as shall
ry" matter, amply replete
shall amply your soul,
rep/etc your soul, and
lill you
fill you with satis/?1c'ti01r.
satisfaction . And when you you shall ap-
shall ap-
pear
pear t/zzzs
thus before the Lord,
Lord, He will open to you
will open you the
gates of His treasure,
gates treasure, the like like of which is is not to be
found on earth.
on earth. Behold, I
Behold, show you
I you the fear #ar of t/zu
Q" the
Lord, and the /Ove
Lord, love ofof Him,
Him, with unfeigned nbc(/ie11¢'c,'
unfeigned obedieiwe
nothing shall
nothing wanting to them that fear
shall be wanting fear the Lord, Lord,
who are C/ol/zcdclothed with the exccllencyexcellency of His holiness: holiness
To whom be all all praise."
praise.^ %
»
'
For as in in the Beginning

Beginning there was said to be one
only
only matter of all
all things,
things, so in this
this imitative processprocess
all divcrsities
all diversities of things things are seen to proceed from and
proceed
return to this this only
only One;One which is
; is called a conversion
of the elements,
elements, and aa conversion of the elements in
this respect
this respect is is just
just to make aetives
actives passive and passives
passive passives
active;
active ; the occult becoming
becoming manifest
manifest and the manifest
l l
^
Corinthians, xv. 51,
1 Corinthians, 5l, (Qc.
Sic.
9
2 Eogeri Bachonis Rudi;
Rogeri Bachouis Eadix Mundi,
Mundi, lib.
lib. iii.
iii.
llANIFESTATION or
Manifestation MATTER.
THE Matter.
of the 361
occult
occult in in inverse order order of of conception.
conception. And he, says says
Scndivogius enigmatically,
Sendivogius enigmatically, who knows how to congeal
to congcal
water with heat, heat, and to join _join aa spirit thereto, shall
spirit thereto, shall cer-
ccr-
tainly find
tainly find out thing more precious
a thing
a more precious than gold, and
gold,
every thing else.
every thing else. Let /:im þÿf}I6I'Qf0l` ¬
him therefore cause that I/ze
that the
spirit be
s_/Jirit be þÿ6't"])(1?`[lf ¬(l'_f)'077l
separated frôm t/ze
the water,
water, that
that it
it may
11zf1_yput1'cy';y
putrefy
and bebe like
li/fe a Afterwards, the
grain. Aftcrrzva1'f/5,
zz grain. feces being
the faces being cast
awayy /et
rzrzvay, let him/Ii/zz ref/1/Ce
reduce and bring bring bac/a
back the spirit again
the spirit again
from
fum t/ze
the deep
deep into
into water and make t/16121
them bejoiuer/ ag(/in,
be joined again,
t/mt Conjunction
for that Cozyzmction will generate a branc/1
will generate branch of zmlike unlike
s/mpc
shape lo
to itspnre.»1ts.'
its parents}
In such a process process it it was
was that the Quadrature of the
Circle was supernaturally
Circle supernaturally demonstrated ; which natu- ;
rally it
rally it cannot he; be and in
; in no other way way but by by a trans-
mutation of the hypostatic hypostatic relations,
relations, as in
in a circulat-
circulat-
ing
ing medium making
making passivcs
passives active
active and actives
actives passive.
passive.
ln
In the first first conjunction
conjunction the Spirit Spirit predominates;
predominates in ;
in
the second the Soul, Soul, i. i. e.,
e., its Light;; which two are,
its Light by
are, by
adepts, called
adepts, Mercury and Gold,
called Mercury Gold, and the activity activity of
mercury
mercury over goldgold in
in the first
first place
place is
is because the
formal virtue of Sol is is seated
acatod ; his
; his sulphur is
sulphur imprisoned,
is imprisoned, 3JIjClAJ2jZ
so that he is is not aware
aware of it, it, does not feel feel or know
himself, as We
himself, we may
may say, say, until
until penetrated by
penetrated by the Mer-
curial Spirit,
curial Spirit, then he sends forth his
his Light; to which
Light ;
Mercury, in
the Me1'cury, in turn becoming passive, conceives and
becoming passive,
bears an offspring offspring more perfect perfect than either parent. parent.
And when that light light is is again
again taken and given given to a
proper recipient,
proper recipient, it is made a thousand times more
it is more fitfit
and aptapt to bring forth excellent a11d
bring forth and abundant fruits. fruits.
Fae
Fac ex mare et foemina cireulum;
ex mare quadrangulum hine
circulum inde quadrangulum;
; hinc ;
triangulum, cireulum, et habebis lapidem

trianguluni, fac circulum, lapldeni philosopliorum?
philosophorum.^
For beyond all the four precedent

beyond all degrees of per-
precedent degrees per-
is made a Fifth Essence,
fection there is Essence, which ncuter
neuter
from all,
all, yet partaking of all
yet partaking all in perpetuity
perpetuity of union,
union,
Quadrangle becomes a Circle of golden
the Ethereal Quadrangle golden
light
light in eternity; being
eternity being advanced
; into the order of
1^ Treatise v.
Sendivogius, New Light,
Sendivogius, Light, Kubnrath,
V.; Kuhurath,
; Amph.
Amph. Sap.,
Sap.,
cap.
cap. vin.
viii.
9
- Fugiens, Emblema
Maieri Atalanta Fugiens, Emblcma xxi.
—;
362 Laws ,mn

and CoNn1TIoNs.
Conditions.
spirits permanent,
spirits which, though
permanent, which, they have bodies, yet
though they yet
are not subject to those laws of gross
subject to gross corporcity
corporeity
fetter bodies unregenerate.
which fetter therefore the
unregcnerate. And therefore
philosopher's Mercury is
philosopher's Mercury system of wonders ponde-
is a system ponde-
rous, fixed, and,
rous, fixed, and, as a petrifaction
petrifaction from water is,is, ex-
quisitely eompact;
(j[uisitely compact; yet penetrative withal
yet penetrative wdthal and com-
com-
municative of tincture
tincture for it
;; for it can pass, it were, in
pass, as it in the
twinkling
twinkling of an eye eye toto the very
very centre, and, and, projected
projected
on the imperfect
on imperfect metal of any any life, dissolves it,
life, dissolves it, draw-
very foundation into

away the very
ing away
ing into itself.
itself. Thus the
author of Lucerna Sa/is describes
Luctrna Halls describes the gold gold of the
Wise to be by no means vulgar
by no gold ; but it
vulgar gold it is
; is aa certain
water c/car
clear mm'
and pure,
pure, on on which is is borne the [ig/ztning
lightning
fy' t/ze
of the Lord ; and it is from thence that all
it is all things receive
things receive
their life.
their life. this is
And this is the reason, continues he, why
he, why
our gold is means of the spirit
by means
our gold is become spiritual
spiritual ; by ; spirit
it through the A/embic,
passcth through
it passeth Alembic, itsits earth remaining
remaining
black, w^liich however did
black, which did not appear before, but
appear before, now
new
itself and becomes a t/lick

dissolves itself thick water.
luater. The which
desires
desires a more
more noble life,
life, to the end it may
it may be able to
rgain ilsef
7'ejoin itself. By reason
By reason of the thirst
thirst it has, it
it has, it dis-
dis-
solves and is dissevered,
is dissevered, which benefits it
it much
very much;
very
because ifif it
it did not become water and oil, its spirit
oil, its spirit
and soul could not I1Ot unite nor minglemingle with it, it, as itit then
does;
does and in; in such a mannermanner that of them One Thing Thing is is
made which rises rises to a consummate perfection perfection; the
;
parts thereof being

parts being so firmlyfirmly joined together that they
joined together they
never after
can never after be separated?
separated.^
This then is is the Conjunetion
Conjunction in in which all all the mys-
mys-
Microcosm have their consummation
teries of the Mierocosm consummation-
the true circulated Form of Gold 3 the Conjunction,
thc ;Conjunetion, by by
Ripley
Kipley called lL'll`{l])Zil)C,
tctraptive, that highly
so highly commended
fountain of Pythagoras,
Pythagoras, and Divine YEtrr1c't_ys.
Tetractys.
Vl101lCC
"VVhouco all all our Wisdom springs, and which contains
Visdom springs,
l)C1'0l11l14`LlJN'{ltl1I'C7S
Perennial Nature's fountain, cause, and root?
fountain, cause, root.^
fourfold, drawn from three heads by

Tctractys, fourfold,
Tetractys, by thc
the
1
' Lucerua Salis, p. 39
Salis, p. ;
; from tlie verse, Aurum Sapienttim,
the Latin verse, S{l1)iCI1t3ITl,
&U.
&c.
2
- .l'u1nblieus's Life of Pythagoras,
Jamblicus's xxviii.
chap. xxviii.
Pytliagorns, chap,
,_-
I
l
;
lV[AN1FEsTAT1oN
Manifestation or THE MATTEII.
of the Matter. 363
obstetric
obstetric hand of thc physico-chemical Art and
the physico-chcinical with-
out possibility of dissolution
possibiUty of' for those
any more ; for
dissolution any ; prin-
prin-
ciples
ciples so
_joined
joined together of God, man
together of man cannot any
any more
more
put
put asunder.
There is
is no liglit but what lives
no light lives inin the Sun,
Sun,
There is
is no sun
sun hut is twice begott
but which is begott ;
Nature and Arte the parents
parents first
first begonne:
begonne :
By i],\'£IS but Nature perfeets

By Nature t'was not.
perfects not.
then, what Nature left,
Arte then, in hand doth take.
left, in take,
And out of a twofold
one a
of one worke doth inake.
twofold Worke make.
A
A twofold work doth make, but such a Work
twafolzl Work work
doth admitt Division none
As dotli none at all,
all,
secret, most doth lurke,)

(See here wherein the secret,
(See lurke,)
Unless it
IJnless it be a mathematical.
It yet make it
It must be two yet it one and one,
one,
And you way to make it
you do take the Way it none.
Lo
Lo here,
here, primar secret of this
the priinar this Arte,
Contemne it not, but understand it
it not, it right,
right.
Who faileth foreniost part.
failcth to attaine the foremost part,
Shall never know Arte' s force or Naturels
Artelsforce may/zt.
Nature's might.
Nor yet power of one and one,
yet have power mist,
one, so mixt,
To make by by one fixt, one untixed
onejibst, unfixed iixt.1
fixt.^
Here again geometric method of procedure

again the geometric procedure
with the Metaphysical
Metaphysical Embryo, through its
Embryo, through complex
its complex
parts,
parts, is
is epigrammatically symbolized by
epigraminatically symbolized by the Adept
Adept
Michael Majer.
Mayer.
Foemina masque
Poemina unnséinrni
niasque unus ôst tibi
»quum
circulus, ex quo
tibi circulus, quo
/7
Surgat^
_Surgaiy hahens
habens eeqmim quadrata latus.
forma quadrata
Hinc
llmc Trigonuin ducas, omni qui
Trigonum ducas, parte r^tundam
qui parte rétundani / 0>
O/
sphferam redeat:
In spheerain redeat TUM
:tum Larls oetus EMT.
Lapis ORTUS ehit. '
j
ture non mox
Si res tanta tuae
Si mo; venit obvia nienti,
menti,
Dogma Geolnetrze
Dogma Geometree si eapis, Omne
si capis, OMNE sc11cs.5'
scies.^
He therefore who discovers the Quadrature,

Quadrature, and on on
this ground
ground is is able to demonstrate will have a
it, will
it,
sufficient without the University

reward sufiicient University patronage
patronage or
more
a more
a laborious proof.
proof. For having
having resolved all
all sorts
and ideas of things,
things, all
all thoughts, passions,
thoughts, passions, and actions
one and the same
to one Principle, he will not alone have
same Principle,
1 Enigma Ashmole's Theatrum,

1
`F]nigma Philosophicum,
Philosophicuni, Ashmole's Theatruni, p.
p. 423.
2
- Maieri Atalanta Fugiens, Epigramma xxi.
Fugiens, Epigramma xxi.
;
364 Laws AND CoND1T1oNs.

and Conditions.
that Principle, and be able

that Principle, compose and renumerate
able to compose
every particular out of the same
every former particular same ; but,but, accord-
;
ing to the philosophic

ing report, he will
philosophic report, will be percipient
percipient of
beautiful and Universal Mystery
the most beautiful Mystery of Nature;
Nature
having before
having himself, as in
before himself, glass, the
in a glass, great Arche-
the great
typal Law of Light,
typal Light, in
in which are all all things causally
things causally
ranged
ranged in in the order in in which they were originally
they were dis-
originally dis-
tributed and set
tributed set apart. in Pimnmler
As, in the Pimander
apart. As, and Boo/f
Book
lrwsdouz, we read,
of Wisdom,
qf read,-The—
The whole world is is before thee,
O
O God little grain
God! as a little
! grain ofof the balance,
balance, as aa moment
of the little tongue in
little tongue in the scales, and as
weights and scales,
weights
a drop of the dew that falleth falleth in the morning upon
morning upon
drop in
—
earth.'--Perfect
the earth. Perfect in
^
in the Microcosniic
Microcosmic Unit as in in the
Deity of the Great Vorld.
total Deity
total World. For no no sooner, itit is
is
docs
said, does
said, the Divine Light pierce
Light pierce to the bosom
ho.som of the
matter, but the pattern
matter, pattern of the whole Universe appears appears
in
in those Subject Vatcrs, as an image
Subject Waters, image in in a glass,
glass, con-
ceived and divided forth forth in all the vastness of'
in all of ideal
ideal
distinction and effulgence
distinction upon that glorious
effulgence upon glorious meta-
height where the Archetype
physical height
physical Archetype shadows the
intellectual
intellectual spheres.
spheres.
Tu cuncta
enucta snperno
superno
Duels ab exemplo
Ducis exemplo pulchrum
pnlclirnm pulcherrlmus
pulcherrimus ipse
ipse
Mundum mente gerens, in imagine
sinnhque iu
gerens, siuiilique imagine ibrlnas,"
formas,^
me, ye
Tell me, celestial powers!
ye celestial first the gods
powers How first !
gods
were made
and world were made?? The rivers
rivers and boundless sea
1
1 Chap. xi.
Chap. xi. ver. 22.
2
•^
And this appearance
appearance the Universal Idea in
of tlie iu the mind is is
singularly corroborated iu
singularly in that analysis of ordinary
spiritual analysis
tliat spiritual ordinary bodies
which
whicli Paracelsus and Van llelniont
llelmout allude to, saying, that by
to, saying, by se-
l)aration of their parts
paration parts the specific
specific impress
impress is is to be perceived
perceived iniu
containing the decomposed
the vessel containing spirit, and that the whole
decomposed spirit,
creature may resuscitatcd from thence
also resuscitated
may be als(} —
thence-these these are the words
ISIarci, in
of Marci, in his Defensio 1(lC{1l`llll
Idearum Operatricinm.
Operatricium. Quid qurcso
Qnid qua?so di-
di-
ecrnnt hi tanti philosophi,
cerunt philosophi, si si plantam
plantain quasi memento nasci in
quasi inomento vi-
iu vi-
viderent, cum
vase vinlerent,
treo vase cum snis
suis ad vivuin
vivum coloribus,
coloribus, et rursum
rursuin inte-
rire, et renasci,
rire, rcnasci, idque quaudo luberet
quoties, et quaudo
idque qnoties, lnberct?? Credo dte-
dae-
monum
inonnm arte magica inelnsum diee1'ent illudcre
magica inclusum dicerent sensibus lnnnanis.
illudere seusibus humanis.
Such anan impress
impress l1owcvcr,\'l1cther
liowever,wliether real or fictitionsly represented,
or fictitiously represented,
would be but as a secondary vestinient or witness of
secondary vestimeut ok' that which isis
in Arehctypal mind creatively
iu the Archetypal eflicicnt.
creatively efficient.
MANIFESTATION or
Manifestation IVIATTER.
the Matter.
of 'run 365
its raging
with its raging surge?
surge ? How the bright shining stars
bright shining
and the wide stretched heaven above, and all all the
gods
gods that spring
spring from them, givers
givers of good things??
good things
First of
First of all existed Chaos 3 next in
all existed ;in order the broad
bosomed Matter appeared, the most
Matter; and then Love appeared,
;
beautiful of the Immortals.

beautiful Of Chaos sprung
sprung Erebus
Night,
dusky Night,
and dusky and of Night
Night came
came Ether and smihng
smiling
Day?
Day.^
The theogony
theogony of Hesiod, though long esteemed a
though long
mere poetical
mere
poetical iiction,
fiction, was
was accepted by the ancient phi-
accepted by phi-
losophers,
losophers, who quote
quote his
his language
language ; and the
; Epic Cycle
Epic Cycle
is said,
is by the Platonists, to include the true philosophic
said, by philosophic
secret of the creation.
creation. And when set in comparison
set in comparison
descriptions, the above passage
with the Alchemical descriptions, passage ap-
ap-
pears
pears indeed to be very regular
very regular and correct ; as also
also
; the
continued imagery poet, indicative
imagery of the poet, several
indicative of the several
estates of the Ethereal Quintessences arising one above
arising one
called forth by
another, called
another, light and heat of the
by the light
superincumbent mind, as posterity
superincumbent common
posterity from a common
parent.
parent. Indeed, compare the cos-
closely we compa1'e
Indeed, the more closely
more consistent do they
ancients, the more
mogonies of the ancients,
mogonies they
appear one
appear less so with the common-
one with another, and less common-
place imagination
place insomuch that the learned
things insomueh
imagination of things: :
have judged copied from some one original,

judged them to be copied original,
or that the Mosaic was only revealed truth of all.
was the only all.
We
Ve are not disposed anything on
disposed to rest anything on our own
our own
assertion, but neither should we
assertion, we be less less inclined to
reverence
reverence the received Scripture, if
Scripture, if itit should prove, at
prove,
any time,
any time, that those agreeing
agreeing with it,
it, were not bor-
rowed ; but all
; originated from the same
all originated same divine source.
In the Beginning-in —
Beginning in that inane Identity —
Identity-from fi*om that
silent
silent dead obscurity-when
obscurity —
when as yet nothing is
yet nothing is fashioned
in the dissolute chasm of life-the

life —
the Divine Will,Vill, then
alone operating, says the o2ahalistic
operating, says (Cabalistic Interpreter,
Interpreter, pro-
pro- r\
itself into a material form and þÿ1`
duces itself ¬C1° ¬ZlEIO1).-BC-
recreation. Be- — -
hold,
hold, I
I deliver thee of an
an awful birth and progeny
progeny of
living God,
the ever living only to the favourites of
God, revealed only
Heaven and ministers of His Mysterious Vill.'2
Mysterious Will.^
1
1 Hesiod, Epic
Hesiod, Epic Cycle, Weeks and the Days.
Cycle, The Veeks Days.
2
2 Blackwelfs letter vii.
Mythology, letter
Blackwell's Mythology, vii.
:

and Conditions.
And these were

were a part of' the lesson
part of lesson taught
taught by
by the
Memphian
Memphian prophet
prophet to the young
young Aspirant
Asph'ant to
to the priest-
priest-
hood, even
hood, mysteries of
even the most hidden mysteries God's creation.
of God's creation.
And how did teach? By
did he teaeh? merely, or signs,
By words merely, signs, or
traditional authority?
traditional authority ? Or, ifif none of these can truly
truly
understanding ; shall
teach the understanding say, more probably,
we say,
shall we
; probably,
passing it
by passing
by to the evolution of its
it inwards to its proper
proper
mystery, thence to emanate and recreate ??
mystery, When the
Vhen
initiated
initiated poet write his
sat down to write
poet Ovid sat Fnsti, he was
his Fasti,
inspired, as he declares,
inspired, declares, by universal deity
same universal
by that same deity of
the two-faced Janus.
Me CHAOS antiqui, nam

Chaos antiqui, nam sum prisca,
res sum vocabant.
prisca, vocabaut.
Adspiee, quam longi
Adspice, quam longi temporis
temporis acta canam.
Lueidus hic
Lucidus Aer, et,
bic Aer, et, qua? tria corpora
qua; ti'ia eorpora restant,
restant.
Ignis,
Ignis, aquze, tellus, unus
aquae, tellus, unus acervus erant.
Ut semel haee secessit lite
baec rerum secessit suarum,
lite snzirum,
Inque novas
Inque abiit massa
novas abiit massa soluta demos;
domos;
riamma petit
Flznnma petit altum ; propior locus aei-a
altum; propior aera cepit:
cepit
Scderunt fretumque solo.
Sederunt medio terra fretumque solo.
Tune Ego,
Tunc qui fueram globus,
Ego, qui globus, et et sine
sine imagine
imagine moles,
In faciem redii dignaque membra Deo.
redii dignaquo
Nunc
N unc quoque, confuse: quondam
quoque, coufusae quondam nota parvaparm fignraz,
figura;,
Ante quod est in
Ant^ quod in me, postque, videtur idem.
me, postque,
Aecipe, qnzesitze
Accipe, qua; caussa sit
qufesitae quae sit altera formae
forma: ; ;
Hanc siniul
Hane ofBciumque meum;
noris, ollieiumque
simul ut noris, meum;
Quidquid
Quidquid ubique
ubiquc vides, ccelum, mare, nubila,
vides, ccelum, nubila, terms,
terras.
Omnia sunt nostra
nosti-5 clausa
clansa patcntque
patentque Manu!
Manu.^
When
Vhen the primeeval CHAOS, hoary,
parent Chaos,
primaeval parent hoary, as the
Egyptian
Egyptian figure
figure runs,
runs, with unnumbered first
ages, was first
ages,
moved by by the breath of Erebus,
EREBUS, she brought
brought forth her
enormous first-born HYLE,
enormous Hyle, and,
and, at the same portentous
portentous
birth, the amiable Enos,
birth, Eros, chief'
chief of the Immortals.
They
They were
were no sooner
sooner come
eome Light than they
to Light they pro-
pro-
duced an an infinite ofispring,
infinite offspring, various and undefined at
first, but afterwards fountains of Being.
first, Being. And know,
know,
Youth, adds the metropolitan
consecrated Youth, metropolitan of Mem-
phis, that ere this fair
phis, fair universe which thou beholdcst
beholdest
appeared
appeared ; ere the
; tl1e sun
sun mounted on high,high, or the moon
moon
gave her paler

gave light;
paler light ere
; the vales were
were stretched
below, or the mountains reared their towering
out below, towering
1
^ Ovidii Fastorum,
Fastorum, lib.
lib. i.
i. 10-L.
104.
;
MANIFESTATION or
Manifestation THE MATTER.
of the Matter. 367
3G7
heads; ere the the winds began plants had

began to blow, or plants
sprung
sprung forth
forth out of the earth;
earth while ;the
the heavens yet
yet
lay
lay hid
hid in
in the mighty
mighty mass, or ere a star
star had dart-
dart-
ed to itsits orb; various parts
orb the various
;
of which this
parts of this won- /7
drous frame consists

consists laylay^^^d and inform, brood- )?"ew1Q`/ ?rviynOAJi^
ing overwhelmed in Abyss of
in the Abyss of Being.
Being. it
There it
ing 6
<y
lain for
had lain for ever, if if the breath of the tremendous
spirit that dwells in
spirit in the Darkness had not gone forth
gone forth
put the lifeless
and put mass in
lifeless mass in agitation.
agitation. /
Ille reriim, mundi

opifex rernm,
Ille opifex
divino semine fecit
Sife hunc divino
Si/e
inundi melioris
inelioris origo
origo:
fecit
:
'
/ts
Sire recens
Sive tellus seductaqiie
reeens tellus nuper ab alto
seductaque nuper alto
eognati retinebat semina coeli
]Etherc, cognati
^there, eoeli;
fluvialibus undis
lapeto mistam Huvialibus
Quam satus Iapeto
Finxit efligiein moderantfnn
in effigiem
Finxit in cuncta þÿ(l
moderantum cnneta ¬OI'U.1`l1.l
deorum.^
lt was then the congenial

_ P0/1/55
began to (]Z»_'§'SCUCl`
-ô^s- began
_
It was congenial -poets dissever

from their /zcterogencous
their heterogeneous associates,
associates, and to seek a a
mutual embrace: fllatter appeared:
embrace Matter: appeared inseparable
and inseparable
:
from itit attraction instantly operate. O ! who

began to operate,
instantly began O !
sufiieiently declare the strife

can unfold or sufficiently
can ineffable,
strife ineffable,
the unutterable war, that attended their their operation."
operation.'^
—
-ToTo whom hath the root of Visdon1 Wisdom been revealed,
revealed, or
who hath known her wise counsels ?? unto whom hath
Wisdom been made manifest?
knowledge of W'isdom
the knowledge manifest ? and
who hath understood her great Experience ?? There is
great Experience is
Wise and greatly
One Vise greatly to be feared,
feared, the Lord sitting
sitting
upon his
upon his throne. He created her and numbered her, her,
and poured
poured her out upon
upon all
all his
his works. She is
is with
according to his
all flesh according
all his gift,
gift, and he hath given given her
to them that love him? him.^
And Solomon, with matchless
matehless eloquence
eloquence and beauty
beauty
unrivalled, celebrates the revelation of
that remains unrivalled,
that Living Light which became known to him,
Living Light him, with
mysteries of universal creation,
the mysteries creation, not by by outward
teaching or rational inference from effects,
teaching effects, but by by the
Intuition, as he relates it,
Conscious Intuition, it, of only night.
only night.
of"A A
.
oi^t/
C'/L@
11
Ovid. Dil'C'bH,l1l.,
Motam., lib lib i.
i.
2
2
3
Blackive-ll's lTyl'hology, letter vii.
Blackwell's Mytliology, vii.
^ Ecclesiasticus, i.
Ecclesiastieus, i. G, 7,
G, &fe.
8, &c.
7, 8,
363
AND Conditions.
God hath given

given to me, says Vise King,
says the Wise certain
King, a certain
knowledge
knowledge of the things
things that
that are,
are, namely,
namely, to know
how the wo/'ld
/:ow the world was made, and the the operations
operations ff
of t/ze
the
elements.
elements. beginning, ending,
The beginning, ending, and midst of the
times; the alterations
times ; sun; and the
turning of the sun
alterations and turning ;
changes
changes of the seasons. The circuits
circuits of years and
years
position of the stars.
position stars. The natures of living
living creatures
and the furies beasts, the violence
furies of wild beasts, violence of winds and
reasonings of
the reasonings of men; ; diversities of plants
men the diversities plants and
the virtues roots.
virtues of roots. And all
all such things either
things as are either
secret or manifest, them II know. For Wisdom, which
is
is lV0r/fer of all
the Worker all things, taught me. In her is
things, taught is an
an
U72derstanding —
spirit-holy,
u/zde/'stamling spirit only begotten,
holy, only manifold,
begotten, manifold,
subtle,
subtle, lively, clear, undefiled,
lively, clear, plain, not subject
undefiled, plain, subject to
hu1't, loving the thing
hurt, loving thing that is is good;
good : quiet, which
quiet,
cannot be letted,
letted, ready
ready to do good, good, kind to man, stead-
man, stead-
fast, free from care,
tast, free having all
care, having all power, overseeing all
power, overseeing all
things, and going

things, through all
going through understanding, pure
all understanding, pure and
most subtle spirits?
spirits.^
Wisdom (shall
such a Visdom
And sueh (shall we not believe it?) it?)
was the worthy object _of
worthy object all Hermetic Philosophy,
of all Philosophy,
and the miraculous substance of its its transmutativc
Stone. Or what, do we ask,
we ask, isis the Philosopher's
Philosopher's
Stone?
Stone ? The philosopher's
Pl1ilOSOI)l1Cl"S stone, says the mys-
stone, says mys-
terious adeptist, is
terious adeptist, is Rune/z Elohim,
Ruach Elo/lim, which moved
face of the waters,
upon the /ilce
upon waters, the _firmanzelzt being in
firmament being in
the midst,
midst, conceived and made body, truly
body, truly and sensibly,
sensibly,
virgin womb of the greater
in the virgin world, viz.,
greater world, viz., that
Earth which is 'IUif/1011! form
is without fnin and water. The S0/1, Son,
macrocosm, mean
light of the macroeosm,
born into the light mean and of no
no
account inin the eyes
eyes of the vzz/ga/',
vulgar, eonsubstantial
consubstantial
nevertheless, and like
nevertheless, like his father the lesser
lesser world,
world,
setting
setting aside all
all idea of anything individually human :
anything individually :
universal, triune,
universal, hermaphrodite
triune, licrmaphrodite; visible, sensible to
visible,
;
hearing, to smell,
hearing, finite, made manifest
smell, local and finite; manifest byluj
itseU` regeueratively by
itself regeneratively by the obslet/'ic
obstetric hand
/fam] fy'
of I/ze
the Phy-
Phy-
sico-C/ze/zzicnl/l1'l
sico-Chemical AjH .~: glorified
glorified in his once assumed body, body,
fhr benefits and uses almost infinite
for wonderfully salu-
infinite; wonderfully
;
tary
tary to the microcosm and to tl1e
the macrocosm
macroeosm in uni-
in
]
1 Wiadom
Visdom vii. 9.
Solomon, vii.
of Solomon,
if
|I
l1TANIFEsTAT1oN
Manifestation OF MATTER.
the Matter.
of THE 359
369
versal triunity. The Salt

versal triunity. Saturn, the
Salt of Saturn, the Universal
son of of Nature, has reigned,reigned, does reign, reign, and will will reign
reign
naturally and universally
naturally universally in in allall things;
things ;always and
always
universal through
everywhere universal
everywhere through its its own fusibility, self'-
own fusibility, self-
existent
existent in in nature. Hear and attend! attend ! Salt, that
SALT,
most ancient
ancient principle
principle of the Stone ; whose nucleus in
ofthe ; in
the Decaf/
Decad guardguard in silence.
holy silence.
in holy Let him who hath
understanding understand;
understanding understand ; II have spokenspoken it-notit — not
weighty cause has Salt
without weighty dignified with
Salt been dignified
the name Wisdom than which,
name of Visdom: : together with the
which, together
SUN, nothing is
Sun, nothing is found more useful?
more useful.^
But what explanation
explanation is this ? it
is this? will be objected
it will objected; ;
a bafiiing
baffling about of iguotum jyer
terms, ignotum per ignotius.
ignotiws. Truly,
Truly,
and thus it it has been the custom of philosophers philosophers
to ring changes from Wisdom
ring the changes VVisdom to their their Stone,
Stone,
and from the Stone to lVisdom, Wisdom, throughthrough every every ima-
ginable note and echoing
ginable echoing cadence in variation, round to
in variation,
the same
same again but the world has become no no wiser
again: :
for their
for their song.
song. For how hardly
hardly should words avail,
avail,
even the most significant,
even significant, to convey convey a tangible
tangible idea of
that which is is beyond
beyond and inverse to all
all sensible expe-
expe-
rience; which is
rience ; is neither hard nor soft, soft, nor tangible
nor tangible
nor visible, comprehensible by
visible, nor comprehensible common sense,
by common sense,
until
until thought,
thought, by by understanding
understanding (as light by
(as light by the focus
of the familiar
familiar lens, lens, producing combustion), has
producing combustion),
brought
brought it
it forth into effect and flame ?
effect ?
Thus considering
considering the inverse problem, analogically
problem, analogically
however,
however, we
we arrive at a more
more familiar conception, as
conception,
'reason assists the imagination
reason assists imagination to a solution of its its own
own
intimate mystery
mystery in
in life.
life.
The centre of every every BeingBeing is spirit from the ori-

is a spirit ori-
ginal
ginal of the world
world; ; and the separation
separation of this
this is
is con-
con-
stantly enacted in
stantly generation, whence every
in generation, every creature
is brought
is through
brought through experience experience into life
life and operation.
operation.
And so far far wewe stand even even nownow in the great mystery,
great mystery,
in the Mother of all Beings ; but by
all Beings ;
corporeal, i.i.e.
by the corporeal, e.
the sensual principleprinciple which is is predominant

predominant in the
conception, the divine original
mundane conception, original is is obscured
1
,;I£U§'l]l1'Zltl1, Amphitheat.
^.j&d?nrath, Sap. Etern.,
Amphitlieat. Sap. Isag. in
Etern., Isag. Hg.
fig.
B B
/<A.we /2
—
370 Laws
LAws AND Connirioxs.
and Conditions.
and separated
separated off consciousness and the
off from the consciousness; indi-
the indi-
;
vidual
vidual subsists, as a distinct self-spiration, severation,
distinct self-spiration, sevcration,
or outbirth, as it it were, from that that Fontal Reason
whence it it springs.
springs. But in in the regeneration this Rea-
regeneration this
is said
son is said to
son to be discovered,
discovered, as, upon upon the dissolution
dissolution
of the natural life, it
natural Ufe, it arises, through the selflpereeiv-
arises, through self-perceiv-
ance,
anee, with creative attributes
creative attributes and powers.
powers. Let us
hear the testimony his own
concerning his
testimony of Hermes concerning own in-
in-
experienee in
timate experience divine Poemander,
in the divine Peemander, figura §g=arat~ively
tt^dy
set forth as follows :-
set forth :
My thoughts,
thoughts, being seriously busied about the
being once seriously
things
things that be,
be, and my
my understanding lifted
understanding lifted up,-all
up, — all
my
my bodily
bodily senses being entirely
being entirely holden back;
back ; me-
thought II saw one of an exceeding
thought exceeding great stature, and
great stature,
infinite
infinite greatness,
greatness, call eall meme by by name, and say say to me,
What wouldst thou hear and see?
'Nhat see ? And what wouldst
thou understand to learn and know? Then said said I, I,
Who
Vho art thou? II am, quothquoth he, Poemander, the
he, Poemander,
Mind of the Great Lord, Lord, the most mighty mighty and abso-
luteEmpe1'o1°.
lute Emperor. I
I know what thou wouldest have, and
have,
II am always present with
am always present with thee.
thee. Then, said
said I, II would
I,
learn the things things that are,

are, and understand the nature of
them, and know God. How? said he.
them, he. II answered,
that II would gladly gladly hear. Then, said he:
Then, he Have me
: me
again
again in
in t/fy
thy mim/,
mind, and whatsoever thou wouldest
learn, I
learn, I will
will teach thee.
thee.
When he had thus said,
Vhen said, /ze he was changede/mzzged in i?i his
Nea or Form,
Idea Form, and straightway,
straightway, in
in the twin/f!i;»1g
twinkling
fy" an eye,
of eye, all all things were opened
things were opened to me; me and I saw
;
an ilwlllifd Light, (1/Z things

1111 infinite Light, all
t/ziizgzs were become Light, Light, both
siveet and exceec/ing
sweet exceeding plefzsazzt.
pleasant. And II was was wonder-
dehghted in the beholding

fully delighted
fully beholding it. it. But after a Httle little
while, there was 1/a þÿ(](lIÀ"7I
while, darkness ¬.S`Smade in in part,
part, comingcoming
down obliquely, fearful, and hideous,
obliquely, fearful, hideous, which seemed
unto me me to be changed into a certain moist mztzzre
cr/umged nature
unspeakably trozzb/ef/, iv/lic/z
which smoke, as from
1()1.S7)('(lk(1b/_y troubled, yie/def!
yielded a
a smoke,
/ire; and there proceeded
fire; proceeded a voice þÿ1/)1Illl' unutterable, ¬l`(lL/C,and
very
very mournful,
inournfinl, but (IV/i('11/(Il'{';
articulate; insomuch,
insomueh, that it it
seemed to have come eome from the IJglit.
Lig/11. Then from
that LightLight a certain holy Word joined
holy "ford joined itselfitself unto
;
MANIFESTATION
Manifestation OF MATTER.
the Matter.
of THE 371
Nature, and flew the

out jew pure and unmixed
the pure n1nni.z'edjirefire join
from
the moist nature upward
the moist upward on /lig/I. It
on high. It was exceeding
exceeding
light, sharp, and operative
light, shaiyi, operative withal,
withal, and the air, air, which
was also light, followed the spirit,
also light, spirit, and mounted up up
with the Fire Fire (from the earth and water created below) below)
insomuch, that it it seemed to hang and depend
to hang depend uponupon it;it
and the earth and water ivater stayed

stayed by themselves, so
by themselves,
together, that the earth could not be seen for
mingled together,
mingled for
water;; but they
the water were moved because of the Spi-
they were Spi-
ritual Word that
ritual Vord that was carried upon them.
carried upon
Then said said Poemander unto me, me, Dost thou under-
this, and what it
stand this, it meaneth ? ? I shall know, said
I shall said I,I.
Then said said he, he, / am
I ani that Light, the
Light, the rllind,
]\Iind, thy thy God,
who am am hfjore that moist
before that moist nature,
nature, that appeared appeared out
of the darkness,
darkness, and that bright and lightful
bright hghtfal Word
from the Mind is
the _/Wind is the Son of God. How is is that? quoth
quoth
I.
I. Thus, replied
Thus, he, understand it.
replied he, it. That which,
which,
in thee, seeth and heareth the W'ord
in thee, Word of the Lord, and
the Mind, the Father, Father, God, differ dQ'j"er not one j5'oni from ano-
ther,
ther, and the union of these is
is life.
life. I
I thank thee:
thee :
But Hrst,
first, saidsaid Poemander, Coneeioe we/Z
Poemander, Conceive well thethe Light
Light in in
Mind,
thy jllind,
thy and Know It.
It.
And when he had thus said, said, for for a long long time we lue
looked steth"astt_y
stedfastly one upon upon the other, insoniueh,
other, insomuch, that
II trembled at his his Idea or FormForm:: But when he nodded
me, II beheld in
to ine, my mind,
in my mind, the Light Light that is is innu-
merable,
merable, and the truly indfjinite
truly indefinite ornament or world,
world,
and that the fire fire is comprehended or contained in
is eonipre/:ended in
and byby a most great Power, and constrained to keep
great Power, keep its
its
station.
These thingsthings II understood,
understood, seeing seeing the l/Vord Word of
Pfemander,
Pcemander, and when I
I was
was
mightily amazed, he said
mightily amazed,
again
again unto me;
me; Hast thou seen that Archetypal
Are/zetypat Form, Form,
which was was before
before the interminated and infinite
infinite be-
ginning
ginning? ? But whence,
whence, quoth
quoth I, 1, or whereof are the
elements of of' nature made ?? Of' Of the Will IW!! and Counsel of
God,
God, he answered,
answered, which
ivhich taking
taking the Word
Vi/'ord and behold-
ing
ing the beautiful World
world in
in the Archetype
Archetype thereof, iini-
thereof, imi-
it, and so made this world by the same
tated it, same
by princi-
princi-
ples and vital
ples vital seeds,
seeds, or soul-like production production of of itsey".
itself.
B B 2
R
;
;
372 LAWS and

Laws CoNn1T1oNs.
AND Conditions.
straightway, God said

And straightway, said to the Holy Holy Vord,
Word, inin-
crease increasingly,
increasingly,
C1'e1z.s'e and multiply
multiply in
in multitude, all
all ye
ye
my
my Cl'C(IIfZ(}`C-Y,
creatures, and workmanships.
workmanships. And let
let /lim
him that
that
is endued with
is emluezl Jllind /mow
ivith Alind know himself to be
/IUIISCZ/P to f7ll7l10I'If(l/,°
be immortal
that the eazzse
and that cause ofof death is
is the /one body, and let
fy" body,
/o?;e of let
learn all
him learn all things that are of
things that of which he is is made.
therefore thou learn in
lf therefore
If in this
this way, believe thy-
way, and believe thy-
self to be of the Life
self Light, thou shalt
Life and Light, pass back
shalt pass
into Life.
into Life.
But telltell me me more, O
more, O my my Mind!
Mind how II shall
! shall go into
go into
Life?
Life J* God saith, /et let t/ze
the 1111111 en(/ued ivith
man endued wit/1 BIIND,
Mind, mar/f,
mark,
consider, and /mow
C011-S'f(fC/`, /1i111_s'eU` ivell.
knoiv himself well. Have not11ot all men a
all men
mind? Have aa heed what thou sayest, sayest, for
for I,I, the
Mind, come come into into menmen that are holy holy and good,good, and
pure and merciful,
pure merciful, and that live live piously
piously and religi-
religi-
ously, and m_y]J1'e.9e11ec

ously, mij presence is is a help unto them ; and forth-
ahelp ; forth-
with they
they know all things, and lovingly,
all things, lovingly, theythey suppli-
suppli-
cate and propitiate
propitiate the Father, Father, and blessing b/esxizzg Him, they they
give Him thanks and sing
give sing hymns
/1_y1mz.s~ unto Him;Him being
;
being
ordered and directed by by iilial
tilial affection
affection and natural
love ; and before they
; they givegive up their bodies to the death
up their
of them, they hate their
they /late knowing' their
senses, knowing
their sezzscs, izror/ev
their works
mu/ operations
and operatic/Is ; or, rather, II that am
or, rather, am the Mind itself, itself,
will not suffer
will suffer the works or operations operations which belong belong
to the body body to be finished finished in in them
them; but being
; being the
Door-keeper, 1 .s'/mt
Porter and Door-keeper, shut up t/ze entrance
up the entrfnzce ofW" evil,
evil,
and cut off the thoughtful thoughtful desires of filthy filthy works.
But to the foolish, foolish, and evil, evil, and wicked,
wicked, and envious,
envious,
covetous, and murderers,
and covetous, murderers, and profane, profane, I / amnm
far
off, giving
of, giving place place to the revengingr'ez'er1g'i1zg Demon,
1)C)Il0I1, which,
which, apply-
apply-
ing unto him the sharpness
ing of Jire, tormenteth such a
S/lar*/nzess cfjire,
man sensibly,
man sensibly, and armeth him the more more to allall wicked-
ness, that he may

ness, may obtain the greater gi*eater punishment
punishment;
and such a a one never ceaseth unfulfillable
one never desires, and
unfulfiUable desires,
insatiable concupiscences,
eoncupiseences, and always fighting in dark-
always fighting
ness; for the Demon ailliets
ness ; afflicts and torments him, him, con-
þÿlllC1' ¬2`tSlDg'the Fire upon
tinually increasing
tinually upon him more more and more.
Thou hast, hast, O O Mind,
Mind, said I, I, most excellently taught
excellently taught
me
me all things,
all things, as l
I 1/<'si1'erI
desired ;
; but tell me moreover,
tell me moreover,aftc1'after
the return
re1'1n'11 is made, what then? First of all,
is made, all, in the
;
l/IANIFESTATION
Manifestation OF BIATTER.
THE Matter.
of the 373
resolution
resolution of the materialmaterial body body of of sense, this this body it-
body it-
self is
self is given
given up (I/l(3)`£lfi07l, and the form which it
up to alteration, it
éfzvisib/6 ;; and the idle
hath becometh invisible id/e manners
manners are per- per-
mitted and left left toto the Demon, and the senses of the
body
body return into
into their fozuztains
their fountains (in (in the circulation)
circulation) ; ;
being parts, and are again

being parts, again made up up into
into operations
operations ; ;
and anger eoncupiscence remain lowest in

anger and concupiscence in the ir-ir-
rational life,
rational life, and the rest strive upward
rest strive upward by harmony;
by harmony
until, being naked of all
until, being all operations,
operations, it it cometh to the
eighth sphere, which is

eighth sphere, is Intellect, having its
Intellect, having its proper
proper
power and singing
power praises to the Father, with the
singing praises
things that are.
things And all they that are present
all they rejoice
present rejoice
and congratulate
congratulate the coming coming of It, being made like
It, being like
to Him with whom It It converseth ; It ; It heareth also also the
powers that are above the eighth
powers eighth nature,
nature, singing
singing
praises to God in
praises in a certain
certain voice that is is peculiar
peculiar to
them, and then in
them, in order they they return to the Father
and to themselves.
When
VVhen Poemander had thus said said to me, me, he was
mingled among
mingled among the t/ze Powers, but I, I, giving thanks,
giving thanks,
blessing the Father of all,
and blessing all, rose up up and being being
enabled by by Him, and taught taught the nature of the Whole, Vhole,
having seen the greatest
and having Spectacle, I
greatest Spectacle, began
I began
preach unto men
to preach men the beauty beauty and fairness of piety piety
and knowledge;
knowledge and, and, becoming
; becoming a guide guide unto many, many, II
sowed in them the words of Wisdom.
.vowed Wiscloni. And in in my-
my-
self II wrote the bounty
bounty and beneficence of Peeniander, Poemander,
and being filled with what II most desired,
being filled desired, II was was ex-
ceeding glad
ceeding glad : —
:-For
For the sleep
sleep of the body
body waswas the sober
watchfulness of the Mind; Mind ; and the shutting shutting of my my eyes
eyes
Sight and my
the true Sight; ;
my silence great
great with child and full
full
good; and the pronouncing

of good ; pronouncing of' of mymy words the blos-
soms and fruits of good
soms good things.--And
things. — And thus it it came
came
to pass, happened unto me

pass, and happened me by Poemander,
by Poemander, the Lord
of the Word, whereby
Vlford, whereby I
I became inspired by
inspired by God with
the Truth. For which cause cause with my my soul and whole
strength, II give
strength, praise and blessing
give praise blessing unto God the Fa-
—
ther.-Holy
ther. Holy is God the Father of all
is all things
thi11gs! Holy
! Holy is is
God whose will will is
is performed
performed and accomplished
accomphshed by by His
own Powers ; Holy
own Holy is
; is God that determineth to be
^
374 AND CONDITIONS.

Laws and Conditions.
known, and
known; is
is known of his own, and those that
of his that are
His!
His Holy
Holy
! thou, that
thou, that by thy Word hast esta-
Vord
art
by thy
art hast esta-
blished all
bhshed all things
things I Holy art of whom all
Holy art thou, of ! all natu1'e
nature
is
is the Image!
Image! HolyHoly art thou, whom nature hath not
art thou,
formed!
formed Holy
Holy art that art
thou, that
art thou,
! stronger than all
art stronger all
Holy art
strength! Holy art thou,
strength ! that art
thou, that art greater
greater than all
all
excellency! Holy
excellency Holy art
art thou,
! that
that art
art better
better than all
all
praise!
praise O thou
! O
unspeakable!
unspeakable unutterable!
unutterable ! to be
!
praised
praised in
in silence.
silence. I
I beseech thee that
that I
I may
may never
err from the knowledge
knowledge of theethee; look mercifully upon
mercifuUj'' upon
;
me
me and enable me, and enlighten with thy grace all
enlighten thy grace all
that are in ignorance, the brothers of my
in ignorance, my kind, but thy
kind, thy
Sons. Therefore II beseech thee, thee, and bear witness,
witness, and
go into the Light
go Light and Life.
Life. thou, O Fa-
Blessed art thou,
ther !man would be sanctified
Thy man
ther! Thy thee, as thou
sanctified with thee,
given him all
hast given all Power?
Power.
To such testimony
testimony we are unable to add anything anything
that would render the operative
operative revelation of Intellect
Intellect
more obvious,
obvious, or its
its experimental knowledge
experiniental knowledge more more
credible to the uninitiated.
uninitiated, They They who cannot imagine
imagine
will disbelieve without experience
will disbelieve experience; but others there
;
may
maybe, this day
be, at this day even, in in whom the flame of thought thought
burns broad and clear,
clear, who having
having within them a sub-
stantial evidence of the thing hoped
thing hoped for,for, will
will believe and
know too, longlong before sensible observation shall have
forced the many many to a faith which, in
faith which, in the Intuition
alone, is
alone, is blessed. But if one wish to discover the
any one
if any
First Principle, according to the doctrine of the an-
Principle, according
cients, he must be theurgically
cients, prepared, and pass
theurgically prepared, pass
through many
through many preliminary
preliminary ordeals,
ordeals, tests, and
corrosive tests,
fiery solutions and dissolutions refining,
fiery refining, in in order to
raise himself to That which is is the most united in
nature, and to its Flower, and That through
its Flower, through which
it is
it is Deity;
Deity by
by which it
it
; is
is suspended from its
suspended its
proper fountain, and connects and causes the Uni-
proper fountain,
verse to have a sym})athetic
verse
sympathetic consent with Itself. Itself.
0
ice
— And if
-And if k called them godsgods unto whom the Word
it Vord of
1^
The Diviue I'o:mander of Hermes Trisinegistus,
Divine Poemander Trismegistus, book ii.
—
MANI-FESTATION or
Manifestation the MATTER.
of THE Matter. 375
God came, and the Scripture Scripture cannot be broken, say say
ye
ye of Him whom the Father hath sanctified
sanctified and sent
into the world, thou blasphemest,
into blasphemest, because II said said I am
I am
the Son of God?' God?^ Does not all unbelief, as the
all our unbelief,
our as
common
common faith, arise in
faith, arise in ignorance
ignorance ?? For at at present
present therethere
is no profound
is no profound understanding
understanding of
of the Scriptures; nor
Scriptures ;
does any any look,

look, as Agrippa
Agrippa says,
says, under the Bark ofthe of the
Law. But even unto this day,
this day, when Moses is
is read,
read,
the veilveil is
is upon
upon their
their heart.
heart. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless, when it
it
shall
shall turn to the Lord, Lord, says
says the Apostle,
Apostle, the veil
veil shall
shall
be taken away. away. For the Lord is is that Spirit,
Spirit, and
where the SpiritSpirit of the Lord is,
is, there is
is liberty. Ve
liberty. We
all, with open
all, open face
face beholding,
beholding, as in
in aa glass,
glass, the glory of'
glory of
Lord, are changed
the Lord, changed into
into the same
same
image
image from glory
glory
to glory,
glory, even as by by the Spirit
Spirit of the Lord?- Lord.^
Unhappy, truly
Unhappy, therefore he is
truly tlierefore said to be, who regards
is said regards
the Law as a a mere simple recital, or in
simple recital, in the light
light of
ordinary discourse, for
an ordinary if in
for if in truth it it were no-
thing
thing more
more than this;
this ; one could even
even be composed
composed
at this
this day
day more
more worthy
worthy of admiration., In order
admiration. ..
to find
find such mere words, observes the Qabalist,
mere words, lâbalist, we we /
/\
have only only to turn to the legislators legislators of this this world,
world, ^=^
who have frequently
frequently expressed
expressed themselves with more more
grandeur
grandeur and grace.
grace. It
It would sufiice
suffice to imitate them,
them,
and make expedientexpedient laws after after their fashion. But
it is
it thus each word of the Law has a mean-
is not thus; ;
ing and eloaks

ing cloaks a mystery entirely sublime. The story
mystery entirely story
of the Law is is the vestment of the Law ; unhappy ;
unhappy he, he,
who mistakes the vestment for the Law itself. itself. The
wise attend not to the outer clothing clothing of things, things, but to
body which it
the body covers the sages
it covers; ;
sages and servants of
the Supreme
Supreme King,King, those who dwell on the heights heights of
Sinai, are occupied
Sinai, occupied only only about the Soul, Soul, which is is the
basis of allall the rest;

rest ; which is is the Law itself itself;; so that
they may
they may be prepared
prepared at length length to contemplate
contemplate and
know that Soul which breathes in the Law.3 Vithout
Law.^ Without
nothing is
which nothing known,
truly known,
is truly whose Experience is
Experience is All.
1
1 St.
St.John's Gospel,
Jolm's Gospel, x.
2
2 1 Corinth. iii. 15,
Corinth, iii. &e.
15, &c.
3
^
Zohar, part
Zohar, iii. fol.
part iii. fel. 152, verse ;; Frank,
152, verso p. 165 ; Origen
Frank, p. Origeu Homil.
;
7,
7. in Levit.
iu
AND Conditions.
Moreover, sayssays St. Paul, II would not that

St. Paul, that yeye should
ignorant,
be ignorant, how that all
all our Fathers were under the
c/mu/,
cloud, and all passed t/:rough the sea;
all j/(1.96-cz! through thc sea ; and were all
were all
bapzfizezl
baptized unto flloscs
iMoses in in the cloud and in
in the sea ;; and
did eat the same
all eat
did all spiritual meat, and did
same spiritual all drink
did all
the same
same spiritzu/I
spiritual drizzle:
drink : for
for they
they drank of that
of spi-
that spi-
rilzzal
ritual rock that followed them
that followed them: and : that rock was
was
C}11'i.s'l.'
Christ.^
thee, my
And II advise thee, says the Saint Synesius,
my son, says Synesius,
to make no
no account of other things only for
things; labour only for ;
t/ml Wizter
that Water which burns to blackness, dissolves and
dissolves
congeals.
congeals. It is that which putrefies
It is putrefies and causes ger- ger-
mination,
mination, and therefore
therefore I
I advise thee that thou wholly
wholly
employ
employ thyself
thyself in in the eoetion coction of this this water, and demur
not at the expense
expense of time ; otherwise thou shalt gain
; gain
no advantage.
no
advantage. Decoct it
it by
é"C)Il4l/ by
geiitli/ little
little and little,
little,
until it
until changed its
it have changed its false
false tincture
tincture into perfect
into a perfect
forum of light
form light; and have great
; great care at the beginning, beginning,
that thou burn not its its flowers and its vivacity, and
its vivacity,
make not too much /msle haste to come come to an end of thy thy
work.2 S/zu! thy
work.*^ Shut thy 2}¢,'
vessel. S`<S`8/ well
v;e\\. that it
it may
may not brent/ze
breathe out,
out,
so that thou uiayest
mayest bring bring it it to some effecteject ;^ ;3 and note
dissolve, to calcine,
that to dissolve, calcine, to tinge, whiten, to
tinge, to whiteu,
renew,
renew, to bathe,
bathe, to wash,
wash, to coagulate,
coagulate, to inibibe, to
imbibe,
decoct,
decoct, to tix,
fix, to grind,
grind, to dry
dry and to distil
distil are all one,
all one,
and signify
signify no more,
more, than to decor!
decoct nature
mztzzre until
until such
time as she be bc perfected.
perfected. Note further, further, that to extract
soul, or the spirit,
the soul, spirit, or the body, is nothing else
body, is nothing else than
caleinations in
the aforesaid calcinations in regard
regard theythey signify the
signify
operation
operation of Venus. It
It is
is through
through the fire
fire of the ex-
traction of the soul that the spirit spirit comes forth gently;
gently ;
understand mc, me, the same same also may be said of the exex-
may
traction of the soul out of the body, body, and the reduction
it afterwards upon
of it upon the same same body until the whole
body ; until
;
be drawn to a commixion of the four elements, elements, and

so that which is is below,
below, being being like that which is is above,
above,
arc made nuuiifest
there are 11111/IMS! two
ttco /umirzzzries,
luviitiaries, the one fixed,
fixed,
1
1 1 Cor. X.
x. l, 2, 3,
\, 2, 3, 4.
2
2 See Lumen de Lumine,
Lnmine, p. 6.6.
p. U6. Norton's Ordinal,
Norton's cap. iii.
Ordinal, cap. iii.
3
OS-f ]5iren¢us's Experiments, at the end of his Ripley
^ Eirenûa's Experiments, Eipley Revived,
Eevived, p.
p.
f
&c.
(3, &c,
6, Norton, &e.
Norton, &c.
llAN1FESTA'1ÌON or
Manifestation the l/IATTER.
of THE Matter, 377
the other not not; whereof the fixed

; fixed which is is the male
remains below, and the volatile volatile remains above,above, moving
moving
itself
itself perpetually,
perpetually, until until that which is rises upon
is below rises upon
that which is
that is above, and all all being substantiated, there
being substantiated,
issues forth
then issues forth an incomparable Luminary.^
an incomparable Luminaryi
That was the Experiment Experiment that led led our Fathers into into
Experience,
Experience, and illumination
illumination in
in the Divine Antecedent
life.
all life.
of all And if if experience
experience be truly, truly, as it is said
it is said
to be,be, the properproper test
test of philosophy,
philosophy, then was not
theirs
tlieirs the right right and true philosophyphilosophy with Christian
regeneration for
regeneration for itsits most worthy
worthy end ?? That was was the
Art of Democritus commemorated by by Lord Bacon in in
passage before quoted,
a passage quoted, but which, for for its
its value's
value's sake
we take leave
ac well aa on account of the notoriety Veteriety-, wê
* '
^,
recite-That
to recite — That if if any
any skilful
skilful minister of nature shallshall
apply
apply force
force to matter,
matter, and by design
by design torture and vex
Vex
it in order to its
it in annihilation, it,
its annihilation, it, on the contrary,
contrary, being being
brought under this
brought changes and transforms
necessity, changes
this necessity,
itself into
itself into a strange variety of shapes
strange variety shapes and appearances
appearances ; ;
so that at length,length, running through the whole circle

running through circle of
transformations and completing completing its its period,
period, it þÿ)'C'6'f0l` ¬<S'
it restores
itself, if
itself, if the forceforce be continued. And that method of
torturing, and detaining
binding, torturing,
binding, detaining will prove most effec-
will prove effec-
expeditious which makes use of manacles and
tual and expeditious
fetters; that is
fetters ; is to say, lays hold of and works upon
say, lays upon
matter in in the extremest degrees." degrees,^ That is,is, in
in the last last
exigence of life;
exigence life when it
; is about to be born again
it is again from
out the oblivion of this world wôrld and its its defilements,
defilements, by by
attraction of the recreative Light Light within.
Then she is is Isis,
Isis, the Divine I am, by
I AM, by the Greeks
called Myrionymous, or the goddess
Myrionymous, goddess with a thousand
names hereby to denote the capacity
names ; hereby
; capacity with which such
a Matter is is endowed of understanding,
understanding, and of being being
converted to all all or any of the Forms or degrees
or any degrees of
specific Law,
specific Law, which it it may please the Supreme
may please Supreme Reason
impress upon
to impress upon her. As respects herself, she is
respects herself, is
Nothing;
Not/ling;-no — no one apostate particular,-neither
apostate particular, — neither animal
1
1 From Synesius' True Book concerning
Synesius' concerning the Philosopher's
Phil0sopl1er's
Stone, in fine.
Stone, fine.
2
'^
Bacon's Wisdom
Bacon's Ancients, Fable of Proteus.
Visdom of the Ancients,
;
378 Laws
LAws CONDITIONS.
and Conditions.
AND
nor vegetable
nor
—
mincral apart;
nor mineral
vegetable nor
is the
apart but,-pre-existent
but,
of all;
pre-existent to
;
—
all,--she
them all, she is the mother of all; and her birth,
birth, ac-
cording to the Adepts,
cording Adepts, is singular and not without a
is singular
miracle.
miracle. Idler
Her very
very complexion
complexion is is miraculous and dif- dif-
ferent from every
ferent every other whatsoever, and that which
forth by
brings forth
she brings by the FireFire of nature lawfully conceived,
lawfully conceived,
is Philosophic Sun.
Orns, the Philosophic
is Orus, And hence,
hence, and from
the whole above, we may
the may have gatheredgathered some approxi- approxi-
mating
mating idea of the multinominal goddess appearing as
goddess appearing
she was described
described by by the initiated,
initiated, who celebrated her
Mysteries in
Mysteries in the Eleusinian fane, and further, as fol- fol-
lows, by
lows, by oneone of the no less less intimately
intimately experienced
experienced
fraternity of the Rosy
fraternity Cross.
Rosy Cross.
I am
I am a Goddess for for beauty
beauty and extraction,
extraction, famous,famous,
born out of our own proper sea,
oivn proper compasseth the
sea, which compasseth
whole earth,
earth, and is restless.
is ever restless. Out of my my breasts
II pour forth milk and blood ; boil
pour forth ;
boil these two till till they
they
are turned into into silver
silver and gold.gold. O, most excellent sub-
ject!
ject ! out of which all things in
all things in the world are generated,generated,
though at the first
though sight, thou art poison
first sight, poison adorned with
the name name of of' the tlying eagle ; thou art the First
flying eagle ;
lllatter ;; the Seed of Divinebenediction,

JMatter Divine benediction, in in whose bod bodyif
there is is /wat
heat and rain; ra'ui ; which notwithstanding
notwithstanding are
hidden from the wie/rec/, icicked, because of thy thy /:abit
habit and
virgin vestures, which are scattered over the whole
virgin z~e.s~t111'cs,
'wow/1/.
world. Thy parents are the Sun and Moon (philoso-
Thy parents (philoso-
phical)
phical) ; in
;
in thee there is is þÿ'lL'(l[
irate r¬lànd ivifie, and go/d also,
and wi/ze, go/ff also,
and silver upon the þÿ
si/vcr upon ¬(Il`f]1,
earth, that mortal man man may may re-
joice. After this manner
joice. manner God sends us his l1is blessing
blessing
and wisdom with rain, rain, and the beams of the sun, sun, to
the eternal glory glory of his name. name. But consider, consider, O O man,
man,
things God bestows upon
what things upon thee by by these means. means.
Ybrture the
Torture Eagle til/
t/fc EAGLE S/ze iveeps
till she
wccps;; and t/le the LION
Lion beilgg'
being
weakened,
zvcakcncd, b/cells
bleeds to death. The blood of this Lion in-
in-
corporated
corporated with the tears of the Eagle
Eagle is
is the treasure
of the whole earth. These creatures used (in (in their
circulatory course)
circulatory course) to devour and kill
kill one another ; ; but
notwithstanding
notwithstanding this
this their love is
is mutual,
mutual, and they
they
put
put on
on the property
property and nature of a Salamander
Salamander;
which,
which, if if it
it remains in in the firefire without any any detriment,
detriment,
—
TVIANIFESTATION of
Manifestation llAT'rER.
the Matter.
or THE 379
cures all all the diseases

diseases of of men men and metals. metals. After thatthat
ancient philosophers
the ancient philosophers had perfectly
perfectly understood this
this
subject, they diligently sought
subject, tliey diligently sought in
in this
this mystery,
mystery, for
for the
centre of of the miclfllemost
middlemost tree in in the Terrestrial
Terrestrial Para-
flise, entering in
dise, entering in by by fi-ri-e gates. The first
litigiozls gates.
fee litigious first gate
gate QM/
was the lcnowledge
was knoivledge of the t/ze true matter, and here arose
the first,
first, and that a most bitter conflict.
bitter conflict. The second
was the preparation
was
preparation by by which the matter was to be
qualified,
qualified, that they
they might
might obtain the embers of the
eagle and the blood
eagle blood of the lion. lion. this gate
At this gate there is
is
a most slimy)
a. fight, for
sharp jiglzt, for it produceth water and blood,
it produceth bloofl,
and a spiritual
spiritual brightbriglzt body.body. The third
third gategate is is the
_/ire which conduceth to the maturity

Jire maturity of the þÿ?12 ¬(llCl7?(3.
medicine.
The fourth gate gate is is that of of multiplication
multiplication and augnzen- augmen-
tation in
tation in which proportions
proportions and weights weig/its are necessary.
necessary.
The fifthfifth and lastlast gate
gate is is projection.
þÿ])l'(y ¬Cfl0N. But most glo- glo-
rious, full,
rious, rich, and highly
full, rich, highly elevated is is he who atat-
tains but to the fourth gate;
tains gate ; for
for he has got got an uni-
versal medieine
medicine for all diseases.
for all diseases. This is is the great great
character of the boolf book of Nature, Natzt/'e, out of which
her whole alplzabet
alphabet doth arise. arise. The fifth
fifth gate
gate serves
only for
only for metals. This mystery, existing from the
mystery, existing
foundation of the world and the creation creation of Adam, is is
of allall others the most ancient; ancient a knowledge
; knowledge which
God Almighty,
Almighty, by by his Word, breathed into nature;
his Vord, nature; a a
miraculous power, power, the blessed Fire of Life; Life ; the trans-
parent carbuncle and red gold
parent carbunele gold of the Vise Wise men, men, and
the divine benediction of this this life.
life. But this mystery,
mystery,
because of the malice and wickedness of men, men, is is given
given
only
only to few; notwithstanding
few ; notwithstanding it
it lives
lives and moves
moves every
every
day
day in the sig/it
sight of the whole world,
world, as it
it appears also
appears
by the following
by following parable
parable :- :
II amam a poisonous dragon, present everywhere, and

poisonous dragon, present everywhere,
to be had for HOL'/llllg.
nothing. My water and my
My my firefire dissolve
and compound
compound ;; out of my body
my body thou shalt draw the
green
green and red lion:
lion : but if
if thou dost not exactly know
exactly
me, thou wilt with my
me, my firefire destroy
destroy thy thy Jive
jive sezzses.
senses. AA
pernicious quick
most pernicious poison
quick poison comes
comes out of my
my nostrils,
nostrils,
which hath been the destruction of many. many. Sejnzrate,
Separate,
therefore, the thick from the thin art'Jicially,
the1'efore, artificially, unless
380 AND CONDITIONS.
Laws and Conditions.
thou dost dost delight

delight in in extreme poverty. poverty. II give give thee thee
faculties
faculties both male and female,
female, and the powers
powers both of
heaven and earth. earth. mysteries of my
The mysteries my art are to be
performed magnan'imoudy and with great
performed lll(lg)1(I)Ii}ll0ll-S/y courage, if
great courage, if
thou wouldest have me overcome the violence
me 0ve1'c01/ze violence of of the
_/ire, in
Jire, attempt many
in which attempt many have lost their labour and
lost their
their
their substance. I
/ am
am the
the Egg
Egg of Nature, Nature, known
o11{1/
onlij to
to Z/ze
the IWSC,
Wise, such as are pious
pious and modest, who
make of me me a /it!/e
little fvorlfl.
world. Ordained was I, I, byby the
Almighty
Almighty God, for
for men
men; ; but though
though many many desire
desire me,
II amam given only
given only to few,
a few^, that they may
they may relieve
relieve the
poor
poor with my
my treasures, and not set
set their
their mind on
on
golf/
gold that
i\\(it peris/zct/1.
perisheth. I
I am
am called
called of the philosophers
philosophers
rllercury:: my
Mercury my husband is G0/1/ ])]II/03(7)/IIC!!/.
is Gold philosojjhical. II am
am
the Old DragonDragon that is everywhere

present everywhere
is present on
on the face
face
earth.
of the earth. I am
I am father and mother, mother, youthful
youthful and
antique,
antique, weak yet powerful,
yet powerful, life
life and death,
death, visible
visible and
invisible,
invisible, hard and soft,
soft, descending
descending to the earth and
ascending
ascending to the heavens,
heavens, most high
high and most low,
light
light and heavy.
heavy. In me
me the 011/cz'
order of nature is
is cyften-
often-
tizlzes izzvcrtezl
times inverted in in colour,
colour, number, weight, weight, and mea-
sure. II am, am,within,
within, the Light nature; II am
Light of nature; am dark and
bright;
bright I
I
;
spring
spring from the earth andI
and I come
come out of
heaven ; II am am well known and yet
;
yet a mere nothing
nothing; all ;all
colours shine in in meme and all metals, by
all metals, by the beams of
the Sun Sun; II am ; carbunele of the Sun,
am the carbuncle Sun, a most noble
clarified Earth,
clarified Earth, by by which thou mayest mayest turn copper, copper,
iron, tin, and lead into most pure
iron, tin, pure gold.^
gold?
Involve we we then our thoughts,
thoughts, if if we
we would intrin-
sically
sically conceive the wonderful Nature that is belore
is set before
us and in however small a

us; ; proportion the grain
a proportion grain of
faith be naturally
faith allotted, if
naturally allotted, if itit be but real, let us be-
real, let
lieve in
lieve in it,it, and nourish and educate, educate, that it it may
may
increase with knowledge,knowledge, and finally prove its
finally prove its ownown
reward in in practical experience; without faith,

practical experience :
faith, without
conception, nothing
the ideal conception, nothing is is or can proven ; for
can be proven ;
is
is not this, fact, the leader of all
this, in fact, all experimental
experimental inin-
faith we we invite is is nono blind eredulity,
quiry? The faith
quiry? credulity, but
1^
given in the
As g;iven Cwlum Tcrrzc
tlie Coelum Terrse of Vaughan,
Vaughan, from the Latin
original of the Fraternity.
original I"raternity.
! ! ! ! ;;
MANIFPISTATION or
Manifestation the MATTER.
of THE Matter. 38]
381
liberty of
such a liberty. thought, as, bearing
of thought, bearing its evidence
its own evidence
independently
independently of'
of common
common observation,
observation, can
can
glance
glance be-
be-
yond this
yond boundary into
this boundary into thc
the integral probability of
integral probability of'
Life.
Life. faith, however small or insufiicient
Such a faith, insufficient of
itself, will
itself, will lead
lead on, by pursuit, unto the thing
proper pursuit,
by a proper thing
hoped bring to evidence the occult Causality
for, and bring
hoped for, Causality
of Nature:
Nature and be it for gold, health,
science, or health,
then, or science,
gold, then, /
,pdf
it for
or higher
:
higher purity wisdom ,îe is

purity and wisdom,/he is inquiring this a
on this
inquiring on ^^ /
basis-we
basis — repeat it--the
wê repeat it —
the percipient will
right-believer will
percipient right-believer
he deceived.
not be deceived.
The Matter of all things is
all things is One and proved simple
proved simple
in
in the experience throughout all
experience ; throughout
;
all her various manifes-
tations-as
tations —
as agent, patient, hot, cold,
agent, patient, dry, moist;
cold, dry, moist by by ;
whatever colour, quality,

quality or orspecies designated whether
species designated-whether
, —
singular plural in
singular or plural manifestation, Nature reinains
in manifestation, remains
one and the same Unknown Identity
one through all
Identity through all ; • /? ^
neither water, air, earth nor gold
water, air, gold is
no ele-
élégf 0%
is a&-€oaapifeeti8^ czyt/^CTLUt
but
bat every tyro in
every tyro chemistry concludes they
in chemistry they are no ele-
ments ; but Her, the true element,
; element, they
they have never
found;
found for
;for she eludcs their tests and closest vessels,
eludes their vessels
all except those
all except of her own ethereally
own ethereally Wise
wise construction,
construction,
in which she bears her Universal Offspring,
in Offspring, herineti-
hermeti-
cally
cally sealed through
through the flood and wreck of this
this dis-
dis-
solute existence to a resurrection always glorious, and
always glorious,
immortal at last.
last.
.ELIA
ELIA L.IILIA
LEELIA CEISPIS.
Cmsris.
Nec vir, nee lnulier,

vir, nee nec androgyna,
mulier, nee androgyna,
Nee
Nec pnella,
puella,nee jnvenis,
nec juvenis, nee
nec anus,
Nee
Nec casta,
easta,nee meretrix, nee pndica,
nec meretrix, pudiea,
Sed omnia l
Suhlata neque
Sublata neque fame, ferro, neque
neque ferro,
fame, neqne neque
omnibus!
Veneno, sed omnibus
Nee
Nec coelo, terris, nee
nee terris,
ccnlo, nec nec aquis,
aquis,
Sed ubique jacet 1
ubique jacet
LUCIUS AGATHO
LUCIUS PBTSCUS.
AGATHO Parsons.
Nec mnritns,
,Nec maritus, nee nee necessarius,
amator, nee
nec amator, neeessarius,
Neque moerens,
Neqne moerens, neque
neque gaudens, neque flens,
gaudens, neqne Hens,
Hane
Neque molem,
Neque neque pyrainidein,
molem, neqne neque sepulerinn,
pyramidem, neque sepulerum,
Sed omnia/
omnia/
Seit et neseit eni
eui posnerit,
posuerit^
Hoe est sepnlcrnni
sepulerum certe,
certe, cadaver
Non habens,
habcns, eadavcr idem,
sed cadaver idem,
sepulerum !
Est et sepulcrnm
— ; —
LAWS and Conditions.
lsnu
iELiA LAELIA
l.i;lia enlsrrs.
crispis.
N or male, nor female,
Nor female, nor hermaphrodite,
nor hermaplirodite,
N
Nor woman, young
virgin, woman,
or virgin, young or old,
or old.
Nor chaste, nor liarlot, modest hight,
nor harlot, liiglit.
But allall of
of tlicm you're told-
theln you're told
killed by
Not killed poison, famine,
by poison, sword,
famine, sword,
But each one had its
eacli one its share,
share,
in heaven, earth, or water broad
Not in
It lies,
It everywhere !
lies, but everywhere !
LUCIUS AGATHO
Lucius PRISCUS.
AGATIIO 1>R1soUs.
Noo
N husband, lover, lzinsinan, friend,
lover, kinsman, friend,
at life's end,
Reioieing, sorrowing
Eejoicing, sorrowing at life's end.
Knows or knows not, for whom is
not, for is placed
placed
—
This-what pyramid, so raised
This what P? This pyramid, raised and graced,
graced,
This grave, this sepulchre?
grave, this sepulchre ? 'Tis 'Tis neither,
neither,
—
neither-but
'Tis neither
'Tis 'tis all
but 'tis all and each together.
together.
Vithout body II aver,
Without a body
This is in truth a sepulchre;
is in sepulchre
notwithstanding, I
But notwithstanding, I proclaim
proclaim
corpse and sepulchre
Both corpse same !
sepulchre the same !
is identical-need
All is identical —
need we repeat it ??-in
repeat it în the Uni-
—
Identity, and every
versal Identity, every possible
possible assertion of it
it will
will
true, and the reverse in
be true, annihilation.
in annihilation. All life,
life,
soul, and spirit-the

body, soul,
body, spirit — hypostatic relations-
the three hypostatie relations
in
are born in it, one out of'
it, one of another; conjoin, die,
another conjoin, ; die, and are
niortified,
mortified, one within the other;
other are ;fortified
fortified and in-
in-
creased, the one
creased, the Aone by by the other;
other differing
; only, in
differing only, respect
in respect
either oneetf the
«tib^fr oneiof tlie other,
other, as agent, patient, and that
agent, patient,
offspring which is
universal offspring is the All in all, without
in all,
foreign
foreign adniixturez
admixture: as it
it is
is written, Thou
written,-Tliou —
hast dis-
dis-
posed
posed all
all things,
things, in number,
number, and weight,
weight, and measure.
measure.-
length, and breadth,

For these are the length,
For breadth, and profundity
profundity
Nature,
of Nature, which the Spirit
Spirit in
in her enianative
emanative Law dis-
dis-
plays
plays; ; from the point proceeding
point proceeding into the line,
line, from
the root into the square superfieies, and from the
square superficies,
square by multiplication
square by multiplication into Cubic form which is
that cubic is
supernatural foundation of the New physical

the supernatural Vhole.
physical Whole. V
The battle's fought, the conquest

battle's fought, conquest won,
won,
The Lyon
Lyon dead revived;
revived ;
Eagle's dead which did llilll

The Eagle's him slay.
slay,
And both of sense
sense deprived.
deprived.
The showers cease, dews, which fell
cease, the dews, fell
For
For six
six weeks,
weeks, do not rise
rise; ;
'I`he
Tlie ugly toad, that did so swell,
ugly toad, swell,
With swelling, bursts and dies.
\'ith swelling, dies.
; ; ;
MANIFESTATION or
Manifestation the MATTER
of THE Matter. 383
The Argent field with

Aiggent field is stained,
with. Or is
lvitll violet
With lll'DCl`l]ll.XCd ;
violet intermixed
The sable
sable blacJce
blae/fe is disdained
is not disdained
Vhich shows the spirit's
Which fixed ;
spirit's fixed;
The compound
compound into into atoms turned,
The seeds together blended,
seeds together
The flying soul
Tlie flying soul to to th' returned,
th' earth returned,
The searing
soaring birdbird descended.
The king
Tlie king and queen
queen contumulate,
And joined
joined as one one together,
together.
That which beforebefore was was two by fate
by fate
I s tyed, which none can
Is tyed, can sever.
The king is
Tlie king is br-other
brother to his his wife,
wife,
And she to to him is is mot/mr;
mother
One father is is to both, whose Whose lifelife
Depends
Depends upon upon each other. other.
The one when dead, dead, the other dies, dies,
And both
bot/L are laid in
are laid grave
in grave; ;
The cofins
coffins one inin which both lies, lies,
Each doth the other save : :
Yet
Tet each the other doth destroy, destroy,
And yetyet both are amendedafmenoleel ;;
One Without
without th'th' other hath no no joy,
joy.
one, of one
Both one, one descended.
Twice forty days do come
forty days come and go, go,
To which twice five live are added ; ;
These do produce
produce a perfectperfect crow,
crow,
Whose
Vllhose blackness cheers hearts sadded ;
Twice fifteen
Hiteen more
more produce
produce a dove, dove,
Whose
Wliose wings
wings are brightbright and tender ; ;
Twice ten moremore make the so^d soul above

To need no fire defender
nojire defender ;;
For soul and body combine,
body so combine.
T/ze
The spirit intercezling,
spirit interceding,
give of silver fine,
Tincture to give line,
soul, the lfooly,
The sold, body, inleuoling.
inleading.
Also such iixity
fixity to add
Against the flames prevailing,

Against prevailing,
Which
Vhich maymay the chymist
chymist make full glad,
full glad,
The sophist
sophister still failing,
er still failing,
Who
Vho seeks in fancies for
infancies for to find
Our Art so much concealed,
concealed,
Not duly weighing in his mind
duly weighing
is a fountain sealed,
That 't't is sealed,
Which one
Vhich thing only
one thing only cancan unlocke;
unlocke
This one
one thing know.
thing learn to know,
Lest you
Lest same event should mock,
you the Sallie mock,
That these same same lilies
lines do shoW.1
show.^
l
Eirenrfus's Eipley Revived, p.
Ripley Revived, 188, Sze.
p. 188, &c.
Eii-enfus's
^
f I
y/^0^1
61,9/,
; ^ —
384 Laws
AND Conditions.
The same
same tradition powers and
of the manifold powers
tradition of
preservation
preservation of' the One Thing
of runs in
Thing runs symhol
in symbol
throughout
throughout the Gentile
Gentile hfythology,
Mythology, and the
the Arkite
Mysteries
Mysteries have reference
reference to the physical
physical secret of the
regeneration throughout.
regeneration throughout. The god,
god, dead and revived,
is a principal
is principal character inin all their ceremonial rites-
all their rites
amongst the Cabiri,
Cadmillus amongst Atys in
Cabiri, Atys in Phrygia,
Phrygia,
in Lydia,
Adonis in Osiris amongst
Lydia, Osiris amongst the Egyptians.
Egyptians.
by Thee, as sacred poets

Once too by sing,
poets sing,
of Bacchus,
The heart of swiftly slaughtered
Bacchus, swiftly king,
slaughtered king.
Was saved in
Vas in fEther When, by
iEther when, by fury fired,
fury fired,
The Titans fell
fell against his life
against his life conspired
conspired ;
And with relentless thirst for
rage and thirst
relentless rage gore
for gore
Their hands his his members into fragments tore.
into fragments tore.
But ever watchful on thy F
on thy ather's will,
Father's will,
Thy
Thy power preserved him from succeeding
power preserved succeeding ill, ill,
Till from the secret counsels of his

Till his Sii'e,
Sire,
And born from Semele thro' thro' heavenly
heavenly fire,
fire.
Dionysius to the world at length

Great Dionysius length
Again appeared with renovated strength.
Again appeared strength.
Once too thythy warlike axe with matchlcss
matchless sway sway
Lopped from their savage
Lopped savage necks the heads away away
beasts, and thus the pests
Of furious beasts, destroyed
pests destroyed
Which
Which long all-seeing Hecate annoyed.
long all-seeing annoyed.
By thee benevolent,
By great Juno's
benevolent, great Juno's might
might
Vas roused to furnish mortals with delight
AVas delight ;;
And thro'
thro' lif'e's Wide and various range
life's wide 'tis thine.
range 'tis thine,
Each part beautify with arts divine.
part to beautify di\dne.
lnvigorated hence,
Invigorated hence, byby thee wewe find
find
A deiniurgie
A impulse in
demiurgic impulse in the mind ; ;
proudly raised and for

Towers proudly for protection
protection strong,
strong,
To thee dread guardian Deity belong,
guardian Deity belong.
As proper symbols of th'
proper symbols th' exalted height,
height,
Thy
Thy series
series claims amidst the courts of Light.
Light.l
reported to have passed

All the heroes are reported passed through
through
an ordeal of the same —
Cadmus, Deucalion,
same kind ;-Cadmus, Deucalion,
;
Bacchus, Hercules,
Osiris, Bacchus,
Osiris, Orpheus, &c.--and
Hercules, Orpheus, &c. and to have —
gained
gained wonderful powers
powers and advantages
advantages thereby.
thereby.
All their adventures, indeed,
adventures, indeed, are so many records of
many
dangers that the soul must endure
diiiieulties and dangers
the difficulties
overcoming
overcoming her household enemies within the strong-
strong-
'
' 1'roch1s's
Proclus'a Hymn
Hymn to Minerva,
Minerva, by Taylor, in his Sallnst.
by Taylor,
MANIFESTATION of
Manifestation lIAT'1ÈR.
THE Matter.
OF the 385
hold of of life.
life. Nor are they few, but many
they few, many and fearfulfearful
that have to be encountered;
ones that encountered for ; for those passions,
passions,
vices, which to
desires, vices, to our deadened conscience are
trifling
trifling and palliable, when viewed within the
palliable, thc senses'
senses'
prison, by
prison, by the revealed light
light of equilibriate justice, are
equilibriate justice,
monstrous ; and, without )( metaphor,
; metaphor, in in their
their imaged
imaged
atmosphere
atmosphere appear appear terrific:
terrific :and in
in the divine
divine lan-
lan-
guage
guage of Pcemander,
Poemander, do force
force the inwardly placed
inwardly placed man
man
to suffer
suffer sensibly.
sensibly. they do not suddenly
For they depart,
suddenly depart,
easily, even from him in
or easily, in whom the exemplary exemplary
virtue
virtue is is revealed;
revealed but, as we
; we may
may remember in in the
tradition of the Mysteries,
early tradition
early Mysteries, the material intlictorsinflictors
are roused to vengeancevengeance by by the decrees of fate fate against
against
rebels of her laws;
the rebels laws nor is
; it any
is it trifling exertion
any trifling
which the will will has to make to overcomeovercome the compact compact
which it it has made with sense sense; but herein consists
; consists the
meritorious strugglestruggle of the powers, until, by
powers, until, by artificial
artificial
force
force of heat and exhalation, exhalation, the Light, Light, so long long
hidden and enshrined in in the Archeus,
Archeus, comes forth forth
as a
dry splendour,
dry splendour, surviving through all.
surviving through all. And
this
this isis that Tincture of the Sapphiric Sapphiric Mine before
alluded to, to, and that Subtendent which is is found se-
minally
minally equalequal to the whole of the parts parts whence it it is
is
derived. [11
In hdc /nic aqua hieme ;,' in
/niet hiejiie
zzgufi rosa latet this
in this
water, when destruction has done its
water, its worst with thc the
elements of life, life, the principle
principle of all is
all artificially pre-
is artificially pre-
served, as Noah in
served, in the ark, who, surviving,
ark, who, surviving, was was able
renew all
to renew things
all things out of the remnant of creation that
was saved therein
was therein; ;that elect remnant, worthy the
remnant, worthy
sacrifice that was
sacrifice was made even of the whole corruptible corruptible
humanity, that has power
humanity, reproduce all
power to reproduce all and each
perfection and increase out of itself.
with tenfold perfection itself.
Thus Wisdom
Visdom is is the perpetual
perpetual theme of earlyearly
poetry,
poetry, and though
though unknown to modern philosophy,
philosophy, the
science; of theology,
ground of ancient science
ground theology, the true End
;
and proper
proper subject
subject of Divinity. Wisdom is
Divinity. For this Visdom is
the vehicle of the Catholic Reason in Identity,
Identity, the
bearer and measure of the Demiurgic
Demiurgic Fire-that
Fire that Fire —
which the sensual conception
conception oceultates,
occultates, and for-
so for-
c
e c
386 Laws AND CoND1'r1oNs.
and Conditions.
restricts, that
eibly restricts,
cibly man does not suspect
man suspect it it even
even; ;
but in
not knowing in truth what it
fancies himself at
willing thraldom, fancies
his wiUing
in his
is to be free
at liberty,
hberty, C1-5
;when, the A
^
knowing in it is free i\when, S-
integral
integral etlieienee
efficience of this
this Identity
Identity set
set in
in motion,
voluntary Axle in
effects follow the voluntary
effects in a neeessitous full
a necessitous full
—
accord.-That
accord. was Free Will,
That was Vill, not the niotiveless chi-
motiveless chi-
mera which human fancy
mera fancy has been prone coin, but
prone to coin,
operative Almighty
the operative Magnet freed
Almighty Magnet f1'eed from Tartarean
obscurity, and drawn upward
bondage and obscurity,
bondage upward to the glo- glo-
rious consciousness of
rious of the revolving Light
revolving Light above.
And the whole secret of this this discovery,

discovery, it it would
seem, consists
seem, consists in in the sanguinary
sanguinary circulation
circulation of the
Vital Spirit;
Spirit ; in
in which there is
is a th1'eefold
threefold Law, as
before explained,
explained, which has to be revolutionized also
also
in periods; called
in three periods ;called by Alchemists, for
by the Alchemists, certain
for certain
accurate reasons, Altitude, Altitude, Latitude,
Latitude, and Profundity:
Profundity:
Altitude and Profundity,
Profundity, being being united at their their extreme
Latitude; and so the wheel of Life is is
poles, make Latitude;
poles,
turned about : :the Profundity
Profundity is
is the subjective life,
subjective life, the
0 water that is
wâter is below; _the the Altitude is is the objective
objective
Light,
Light, the stmaaaa
«tfeam that is
is above;
above; and confiux of
the conflux
e'Z7(Q/L in a Calx, out of which, which, as from a rocky
these two is is in rocky
fountain,
fountain, the physical
physical 'lÈTR,eT's
TETRACTi'S through the
springs through
springs
contrite experience
experience into life, life, with attributes prolific prolific
and enduring
enduring fruits.fruits.
That was the Water Vater so much magnified magnified by by the wise
Adepts,
Adepts, the miraculous product
product of the spiritual poles
spiritual poles
of mind in conjunction
in sublime conjunction at their source this
source; ;
was their Sli//11 Lac Vh^gi}ns,

roris, L1/c
St ilia ?'o?is, Virgiizis, Elixir, Aqua Vitce
Elixir, Aqua Vita'
_/lzot/1,
Azoth, Prima Jllf/terirz
JlJateria Lapis
Lapis ct Rchis,
Reins, regenerate
regenerate in
in its
its
once assumed body,

onee body, visible, tangible,
visible, tangible, and sensible to
every sense,
every sense, local and finite,
finite, made manifest of itself
itself
regeneratively, by
regeneratively, by the obstetric hand of the physico- physico-
chemical a1'tart for benefits and uses almost iniinite. infinite.
Fresher liquor is none

liquor there is none to taste,
taste,
And it consume nor wziste
will never consume
it will waste ; ;
Tho' it
Tho' it be occupied evermore,
occupied evermore,
will never
lt will
Tt never be less in store ; ;
! ; ; ; ;; ;
B/IANIFESTATION OF
Manifestation MATTER.
THE Matter.
of the 387
Vhich Democrit
Which Deinocrit named to his intent,
his intent,
Lua: umbra cnrens,
Lux carens. Vater orient;
Water most orient
And Hermes said, no liquor
said, no liquor so necessary,
so necessary,
As was
was water of of crude Mercury
Mercury : :
And this shall stand, said

this shall that noble clerke,
said that clerke,
For the
thc Vater
Water Within þÿV ¬I'l{ ¬.1
within our werke.^
Another Tablet is is here which Philosophy

Pliilosopliyfcspea-=a
y-upoj»~ft KIVLQP/
(Tyl^^-S^
bi4u§ratef`s.1i=-,
l^mo gratofi ;^ erected to the memory
memory of her early
early
friend.
friend.
Blessed be thou.
thou, EXPERIENCE!
Experience !
Full mighty
mighty is thy Influence,
is thy
Thy wondrous works record full
Thy full Well,
well,
World of
In world of Worlds where thou dost dwell
worlds ivhere ;
In earth, in heaven,
earth, in heaven, and in in hell.
hell. ,
That thou artart the very

very same, /' _ ,
didst from nothing

That didst nothing all things frame;
all things frame
Wherefore, now
Wherefo1'e, blessed by
now blessed T^ thy name !
thy name !
/ gge/ I
I
/
By Whose pure
By whose pm*e and simple Light,
simple Light,
All creation
creation sprung forth Bright,
sprung forth Bright,
Flames and floods
floods began
began to roar,
roar.
And to present their hidden store
present their
Of spirits, that sing
spirits, that evermore,
sing everinore,
glory and magnificence,
All glory magnificence.
All humble thanks and reverence,
reverence,
Be given EXPERIENCE l
given to Experience !
To that most Sapient,

Sapient,
The High
High Omnipotent
Omnipotent!
said, Be It,
That said, It, and it was done,
it was done.
Our earth,
earth, Olll'
oui* heaven, were begun
heaven, were begun;
am, quoth
I ani, she, the most in might,
quoth she, might,
Word, in
In word, life, and eke in light,
in life, light,
mercy and i11
In mercy in judgment
judgment right.
right.
The Depth
Depth is mine, so is
is mine, is the Hight,
Hight,
The Cold,
Cold, the Hot,Hot, the Moist,
Moist, the Dry,
Dry,
Where allall in all Am
is, there Am I.
all is, I.
What thing
thing tell when I began,
can tell Where I make an end,
began, or where end,
VhereWitl1 wrought, and what I mought,
Wherewith I wrought, mought, or what I did intend
To do,
do, when I had done
Work I had begun?
The work begun ?
For when my Being was
my Being was alone,
alone,
One Thing
Thing I made when there was was none;
none
Amass confused and darkly
A mass clad,
darkly clad,
That in itself,
itself, all
all Nature had
To form and shapeshape the good
good and bad;bad
And then,
then, as time beganbegan to fall,
fall,
1^
Sec
See Norton's
Norton's Ordinal, chap. iv.
Ordinal, chap. iv.
c c 2
: ;
388 and CONDITIONS.

It
It pleased
pleased me me thethe same
same to to call,
call.
first Material Mother of
The first of all.
all.
And from that
that lump divided I
lump divided I foure sundry elements,
foure sundry
Whom
Vl]l)l]1 I
I commanded for for toto reigne
reigne in in divers regiments;
divers regiments
In kind they they did did agree,
agree,
But not in in qualitye.
qualitye.
Whose
Vhose simple
simple substance I I did take,
did take,
My
My seat invisible to make ;
seat invisible ;
And of of the qualities

qualities compound,
compound,
I
I made the starry
starry sky sky so round,
With
Vith living
living bodies on ground,
on the ground,
And blessed
blessed themþÿill1 ¬111
infinitely,
infinitely,
And bade them grow grow and multiply!
multiply !
One Thing
Thing was was first
first employed,
employed,
Vhich
Which shallshall not be destroyed
destroyed ; ;
It compasseth
It eompasseth the world so round,
A
A matter easy easy to be found found:
And yetyet most hard to come by by: :
A
A secret of secrets pardye, pardye,
That is is most vilevile and least least set by,
set by.
But it's my love
it's my lore and darling,
darling,
Coneeived with all
Conceived all living
living thin
thing,g,
And travels to the world's ending.
world's ending.
A childe
ehilde begetting
begetting his own Father,
his own Father, and bearing
bearing hyshys Mother,
Killing himself to give
Killing give life
life and light all other,
light to all
Is that I ineane,
meane,
Most mild and most extreme.
Did not the world that dwelt in me me
Take form and walk forth visibly; visibly ;
And did not I then dwell in It, It,

That dwelt in in me me torfor to unite,
unite,
Three Powers in one seat to sit.^ sit.'
And these are the Three continually

continually noted in in Al-
chemy,
chemy, the Sulphur
Sulphur and Mercury
Mercury and Salt,
Salt, the active
and the passive,
passive, and the of
resulting experience life.
resulting experience life. The
first, in
first, in regeneration, is
the regeneration, Word of God indepen-
is the Vord indepen-
dent without allall human will,
will, miraculously conceived
miraculously
and confessed divine in in the new
new birth
birth: The second is is :
of the Humanity,
Humanity, i.
i. e. of the sclfhood, prepared
selfhood, prepared and
sanctified; and the result of these two in
sanctified ; in union is is the
Bodily
Bodily Substance of things
things theuceforth
thenceforth created. By
By
a severance from real being,
a being, non-being,
non-being, that is
is to say
say
Matter, is produced
Matter, is produced ; and the sacrifice that is
;
gratefully
is gratefully
'
1 See Ashmole's
Ashmole's Theat., page 336
Theat., page ;; Experience and Philosophy.
Experience Philosophr.
MANIFESTATION OF
Manifestation of the l/IATTER.
THE Matter. 389
provided
provided ofof the material nature in
the material in their reunion, as
their reunion,
supplying body
supplying body to the Divine, excites
Divine, excites the Powers to
participation, conceives
participation, conceives them when they they accede, and
consciously
consciously unfolds them into visibility and act.
into visibility act. And
hence wewe may be enabled to conceive perhaps, in
may perhaps, in aa
measure at least, how the microcosmical tradition
at least, tradition
arose, how the human hypostasis
hypostasis becomes, through
through
self-perceivance, into
a self-perceivance, into universal intelligence, and of
universal intelligence, of
VJ
^
its own
its own voluntary
voluntary resignation, If the nothingness
resignation, 'of nothingness of 7,05/YV
/ki-ô-^-v/
-
self oblivion,
self oblivion, to be the All, precedent to that wherein
All, precedent
is all.
is all. For with the desire desire of rest and contact, contact, there
is a power
is power of of accession,
accession, and with accession accession a suffi- sufli-
cience, operative
cience, operative and universal.
universal.
Come and see, says the Rabbi in
see, says Thought is
Zohar, Thought
in Zohar, is
Principle of all
the Principle all that is; is ; but itit is
is at first
first lDzk1z0w1z
Unknown
and shut up up inin itself
itself When
Vhen the Thought Thought beginsbegins to
develope
develope itself
itself forth, it
it ar1'ives
arrives at that degree when it
degree it
becomes Spirit. Spirit. Arrived at this
this estate,
estate, it
it takes the \
name þÿ[IIl ¬f/lg` ¬IlCC, is no longer

name of Intelligence, and is
before it
longer as before it was
shut up up in
in itself.
itself. The Spirit,
Spirit, in
in its
its turn,
turn, developes
developes
itself in the Zzosom
itself bosom fy" t/ze izzystezy
of the mystery with which it is sur-
it is
rounded; and there proceeds

rounded ; proceeds a voice which is
is the
reunion of the celestial celestial choirs,

choirs, a voice which rolls rolls
forth in in distinct articulate, for
distinct utterance articulate, for lt comes from
It comes
Mind?
the Mind.i
Thought is
'THOUGHT the principle
IS THE PRINCIPLE of that is.
all THAT
OF ALL ls. Mag-
Mag-
nificent, yet
nificent, yet impervious
impervious assertion,
assertion, shall
shall we
we say
say?? or
what conceptive
eonceptive heightheight may may struggle
struggle to confirm it? it?
What
Vhat imagination
imagination strong strong or hardy enough
hardy enough to glance
glance
into the fullfull faith?
faith ? To Bc Be the Understanding
Understanding of that
Light, of which all
Light, all Nature is Efflux, to move
is the Eillux, move One
with the First Mover, Mover, and Be His Will, Will, who is is at once
once
Antecedcnt and Final Cause of all? "We cannot,
the Antecedent We cannot,
profanely as we
profanely we live
live without the knowledge knowledge of our-
selves, attain to the Divine Idea;
selves, Idea; either to entertain or
think It It self-actively
self-actively is impossible. For the Thought
is impossible. Thought
which is is of God creative is is the inversion of our our
1 part ii.
Frank. part
^ i. 246 Verso;
Part i. verso Frank,
; ii. p. 191.
p.
;
390 Laws
LAws and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions.
thought; and to know Him in

thought ; in ItIt is
is self-annihilation
self-annihilation in in
life which is
the life is eternal.
eternal.
Yet if wilt even break the Whole,
if thou wilt instructs
Vhole, instructs
Poemander, and see
Pnemander, things that are without the
see those things
mayest. Behold how great
world, thou mayest. power alld
great power and
swiftness
swiftness thou hast!
hast ! Consider that which containscontains all all
things, and understand that
things, nothing is
that nothing is more capaeious,
more capacious,
than that which is incorporeal, nothing

is incorporeal, more swift,
nothing more swift,
nothing powerful 3 but it
nothing more powerful ; is most capaeious,
it is capacious, most
swift, and most st1'ong.
swift, strong. And judge
judge of this
this by thyself,
by thyself,
assimilating, for
assimilating, for the like is
like is intelligible
intelligible byby the like.like.
Increase thyself into
Increase thyself into anan immeasurable greatness, leap-
greatness, leap-
ing beyond
ing beyond every body, and transcending
eveiy body, transcending time, become
Eternity,
Eternity, and thou shalt
shalt understand God. If thou
If
art able to believe in thyself,
believe in thyself, that is
nothing is impos-
nothing impos-
sible, but perceivest
sible, thyself to be immortal, and that
perceivest thyself
thou canst understand all all things, every art,
things, every every
art, every
science,
science, and the manner and custom of every
manner living
every living
thing; become higher
thing ; higher than all height, lower than all
all height, all
depth, comprehend
depth, comprehend in thyself thc
in thyself qualities of all
the qualities all the
creatures ;; of the fire,
fire, the water, the dry,
dry, and the moist,
and conceive likewise that thou canst at once be everyevery-
where, in the sea and in
where, in the earth : Thou shalt
: shalt at once
once
understand thyself,
thyself, not yet begotten,
yet begotten, in
in the womb,
young, old,
young, dead, the things
old, to be dead, things after
after death and all all
together, as also times,
these together, times, places, deeds, qualities,
places, deeds, qualities,
else thou canst not yet
or else yet understand God. But if if
thou hast shut upup thy
thy soul in
in the body,
body, to abuse it;
it
and say, nothing, II can do nothing,

say, II understand nothing, nothing, II am
am
afraid of the sea,

afraid I cannot climb up
sea, I up into Heaven, II
know not who II am,
know^ am,I
I cannot tell
tell what II shall be;
shall be
what hast thou to do wîth with God? For thou canst
none of those fair
understand none fair and good
good things,
things, and It It
evil not to know God.
greatest evil
is the greatest
is But to be able
to know, hope, is
will, and to hope,
know, and to will, is the straight
straight way
wây
and the divine way proper
way proper to the Good
Good; and
; it
it will
everywhere thereafter and everywhere
meet thee everywhere everywhere be
seen of thee,
thee, plain
plain and easy,
easy, even
even when thou dost no no
longer expect
longer expect or look ibr
for it.
it. It
It will meet thee waking.
waking,
—
MANIFESTATION OF
Manifestation THE A/IATTER.
of the Matter. 391
391
sleeping, sailing,
sleeping, travelling
sailing, travelling night and by
by night
by day, when
by day,
speakest and
thou speakest when thou silence.
keepest silence. For
keepest
there
there is nothing
is nothing which is
is not the Image of God.^
Image God.'
But the exemplary
exemplary Logos is
Logos is hidden,-slain
hidden, — slain from
the foundation in in the exterminating
exterminating fiat
fiat of Idcn-
our Iden-
tity ;
tity ;
and the occultation
occultation of of this
this does not take place
place
therefore,
therefore, but in
in two poles
poles or principles diametrically
principles diametrically
reverse. We
Ve must pass eternal wheel of the vicis-
pass the eternal vicis-
things, from the manifest created individu-
situdes of things,
situdes individu-
ality, back into
ahty, Initial germ;
into the Initial ;
through all
germ through all
ages, all
all ages,
infinitude of soul experience,
revolutions and the infinitude experience, until
until
life,
Hfe, as anan ocean tide flowing to its
tide flowing its extreme boundary,
boundary,
returns to refund its treasury again
its treasury again in
in its
its First
First Source.
Most mighty
mighty and surpassing
surpassing magic magic of Reflection:-
Reflection.
And thou august august Mother of all things, Divine Ex-
all things,
perience. —
perience.-'I`hought emanating Light, as by
Thought emanating Light, by Intelli-
Intelli-
gence excrueiated,
gence excruciated. Life
Life springs
springs forth
forth with motion,
feeling itself to BE.--In
feeling itself Be. — affirmation, in
In the which ai'lirmation, in the jy / /)
ôtJî^tU^^
//
Divine II am,AM, is
is by
by the Ga-hal
Cabal signified
signified the Substant
Unity of all
Unity all that is is ; the fountain of Universal Na-
;
ture and her ExemplaryExemplary Law, the source of so

many
many miracles and magical accordances, as of every
magical every
supernatural increase--where
natural and supernatural increase — where Experience
Experience
is present
is present with Power,
Power, and Efiêct Effect in in substance to bear
them witness
witness-where—where WisdomVVISDOM is poured POURED forthFORTH like LIKE
Water
XVATER AND Glory faileth
and GLORY FAILETH not BEFORE HIDI
NOT before Him for ron
ever.
Even.
visibles here are said verily

For visibles spring out of
verily to spring
that which is invisible, as from the precedent
is invisible, no-
precedent no-
thingness Something
thingness Something is
is produced
produced; and thus ;the
recreation was
was seen to be a metaphysical
stupendous metaphysical
a stupendous
Infinite into Light,
birth out of the Innnite Light, according
according to that
saying of the Sybil
notable saying in Boissard,
Sybil in Boissard,
Yerbum
VERBUM intisibile FIET
INTISIBILE geeminabit ut RADIX.
et GERMINABIT UT
palpabile
fiet PALPABILE ET Eadix.
Ought
Ought we is impal-
we not therefore to take That which is impal-
pable and conceived first, and work
first,
pable imperfectly
imperfectly at
1 Poemander, book X.
^ Hermes' Divine Poemander,
Hermes' s.
and Conditions.
faithfully,
faithfully, as the philosopher tells
the philosopher until it
tells us, until it be the
pleasure
Divine pleasure to make it
it appear
appear;
;
to dissolve, coagu-
eoagu-
late, resolve,
late, refine, and regulate,
resolve, refine, until Reason becoming
regulate, until becoming
Light in
bright Light
a bright periphery of her fiery
in the periphery fiery essence
is the Mistress of
remains immortal, and is of Life.
Life.
H10 EST MERCURIUS

HiC EST MeECUBIUS Nosrnn
NOSTEE NOBILLISSIMrS,
Nonimissnws, ET DeUS NUN-
ET DEUS NUN-
enmvir EEM
QTJAM CEE4.VIT
Qiuxi NOBLLIOEEM sen
Nonrmonmx
nm: SUB CCELO
como PE^TEE ANIMAM
PRETEB iu~r11mM
EATIONALEM.
nuioxunmi.
And here the External and Internal Worlds World? were

seen to blend together in
together in confluent p1'oviug
harmony, proving
harmony,
eaeh
establishing each other,
and establishing and leaving nothing
leaving reason nothing
more to doubt of,
more of, or the senses to desire, fulfil-
desire, but a fulfil-
ment under the Universal Law.
;
393
CHAPTER IV.
IV.
the _/llcntal
Of the Mental Reguisites
Requisites and Impeflinzents incidental
Impediments incidental
to
toIndividzmls either
Individuals Jlfasters or Stuflezzts
either as Masters Students inin t/ze
the
Hermetic Art.
falsi quo
Quserunt Alchimiam falsi
Quai-runt que recti,
quoque recti,
sine numero, sed hi
Falsi sine
Falsi hi sunt rejecti
rejecti;
Et cupiditatibus,
cupiditatibus, hen!
lieu! tot sunt infecti,
iufecti,
inter mille,
Quod inter millia, vix
mille, millia, tres electi
vix sunt tres electi
Istam ad scientiam.
scientiam.
Nortorfs Ordinal,
Norton's Prolzeme.
Ordinal, Proheme.
whom indmation has

inclination has led
TOOa those
V those
the Inquiry,
benevolent sphit, to
benevolent spirit,
a
thus far, with
may appear
Inquiry, it
may appear it
far, with
no trifling object that we

trifling object we are in pursuit of,
in pursuit irra-
of, or irra-
tional, if
tional, may help
if we may help to recover the Ancient Experi- Experi-
ment of Nature into her Causal Light Light: nor,
: let us be
nor, let
assured, will
assured, will a few short years study or idle
years of study idle handling
handling
sufficient to admit a man
of the Matter, be sufficient man to the
science. Neither does it

arcana of Hermetic science. it follow (and
(and
which is more to be regretted),
is more regretted), that because all men
all men
have the material and live by it,
live by it, that every
every oneone isis
therefore fitted
fitted to handle the same, same, or able to im-
promote, and profit
prove, promote,
prove, profit byby it in the manner
it in manner here
proposed.
proposed. Few, we fear,
We fear, _judging
judging by by our own own ob-
servation, and very
servation, according to the testimony
very few according testimony of
more experienced
more observers, are endowed with a dis-
experienced observers, dis-
position naturally adapted towards this peculiar
position naturally adapted peculiar re-
search;; for that it
search it is pecuhar and distinct
is peculiar distinct fi*om
from every
every
other branch of philosophy,
philosophy, may, may, without a
a more
more
lengthening demonstration, have become apparent.

lengthening demonstration, apparent.
To save fruitless therefore, and deter the idle,
labour, therefore,
fruitless labour, idle,
it may
it may be well to learn at once, before we
once, we enter on on
the routine of Practice,
Practice, what the impediments
impediments are, are, and
those mental endowments most insisted on, on, for se-
curing
curing success
suceess in
in the experimental
experimental pursuit.
pursuit.
Geber, who, in his
Geber, who, his Sum of Perfection, Writes
of Peijcction, writes at
;
394 and CONDITIONS.

length, and
length, better than many,
better many, on this head, excludes
on this
several classes,
several which may
may serve
serve as a foundation for
a for dc-
de-
veloping
veloping the defects
defects of each.
each. Natural lmpoteney, he
Impotency,
is
asserts, is manifold,
asserts, and may
may proceed partly from the
proceed partly
defects
physical defects of
physical of the artist, partly from his
artist, and partly his soul
soul ;
for either
for either the organ
organ may may be weak or
or
wholly corrupted,
wholly corrupted,
soul in
or the soul in the oi'gan
organ having nothing of
having nothing reetitude or
of rectitude
reason inin itself;
itself; or because it
it is
is fantastical, unduly
fantastical, imduly
suseeptive
susceptive of
of the contrary
contrary of forms,
forms, and suddenly ex-
suddenly
tensive fi'om
tensive from one thing thing knowable to its
its opposite,
opposite,
discrimination.
without discrimination. If a man
lf man have his his faculties
faculties
therefore so incomplete,
therefore incomplete, he cannot come to the com-
pletion
pletion of this
this work ;; no
no more
more either
either than if
if he were
sick,
sick, or blind,
blind, or wanting
wanting in
in his
his limbs,
limbs, because he is
is
helped by
helped by those members, by
by mea/izztiozz
mediation fy"
of zu/lic/1
ivhich like-
like-
wise, as ministering
wise, to Hamre,
þÿ7)lf)li.S`li ¬)'l')lg`to this art is
nature, this is pezfcctef/.
perfected.
And further on, respecting Impediments of Mind,
respecting the Impediments
the Arabian continues,continues, He that hath not a natural
sagacity and soul,
sagacity soul, <S`('(l)'C/lfllg suhtly, am!
searching s11b1f@, and scrutizzizing'
scrutinizing
]))`f)lCf])/CS,
natural principles, I/ze
the F1l))([(lI)lC))f(l/6`
Fundamentals ry"
of Nature,
Nature, (/NI!
and
/lrtfytces
Artifices 'IU/1i(,`/L
which <'f1n_fb//ow
can follow N(lfIl)`C
Nature in
in the properties of
properties
action,
her action, cannot find the true Radix of tl1is
this most
precious
precious science.
science. As there be many
many who have a stty'
stij/'
Nev/f,
neck, void of ingenuity
ingenuity and every
every sort of pcrscrutina-
perscrutina-
tion.
tion. Besides these, these, we find many
we find many who have a soul
easily opinionating
easily opinionating every p/1nuta.s'_y; ; but that which
every phantasy
they
they believe to be truth is
is all imagination,
all imagination, deviating
deviating
reason, full
from reason, full of error,
error, and remote from natural
Law
Law; because their
;
their brain is is replete _
fumosities it
replete with fll?)l0Sfl'fCS, , it
cannot receive the true intention of natural things. things.

There be also, also, besides these, these, others who have a a soul
moveable from opinion opinion to opinion,
opinion, and from will
will to
will, as those who suddenly
will ; suddenly believe a thing and will
a thing will
the same,
same, without any ground at all
any ground ?'eason ; and a
all of rca.s'011,°
little after do believe another thing,
little after thing, and accordingly
accordingly
will another.
will And these,
these, being changeable, can ill
being so changeable, ill
mwz/zp!i.s'/1
accomplish the least of what they
they inte/111:
intend : but rather
leave it it defective.
rhjbcliuc. There be, moreover, others who
be, moreover,
cannot K/isccrzz
discern any ffllf/I at all
any truth all to /ook after in
look ujlcr in natural
things, no
things, no moremore than beasts ;; others again, again, who con- con-
Mental
MENTAL Requisites and IMPEDIMENTS.
REQUISITES AND Impediments. 395
demn this
this science believe it
science and believe it not to
to be
be; whom, in in ;
like manner
hke together with the rest,
manner and together rest, this
this science
science
contemns and repels accomplishment of
repels from the accomplishment
this pious work.
this most pious And there
there are some
some besides,
besides,
who are slaves, loving money,
slaves, loving money, who do aflirm
affirm this
this to
be indeed an an admirable science,
science, but are afraid
afraid to in-
in-
te/'posit
terposit the necessary c/zarges.
necessary charges. Therefore, although
Therefore, although
they approve, and according
they approve, according to to reason, /zavc sought the
have sought
same, yetyet to the experience
experience of the work attain
they attain
they
not, through
not, through covezfozzszzess
covetousness of money.
money. Therefore our
science comes
science comes not to them. For how can can he who is is
ignorant
ignorant or negligent
neghgent in
in the pursuit
pursuit of Truth, other-
wise attain
attain itit?1
?
^
Now, if if some
some of these should appear appear forced,
forced, or
fanciful obstacles
rather fanciful pursuit
obstacles to the pursuit of science,
science, we
pray
pray the reader to consider their
their application
application more
more
closely, and whether,

closely, whether, by by particularizing,
particularizing, wê we may be
may
able to discover their their real
real drift.
drift. And to beginbegin with
this
this first
first and last
last defect of Avarice
Avarice; those mammon-
; mammon-
worshippers appear
worshippers appear indeed formerlyformerly to have believed
but too much;much aes* j±ei^ that miserable division of them
;
sn# who sought

©siy sought in ignorance, from inert
in ignorance, matter,
inert matter,
without a ray ray of light guide their benighted
light to guide benighted hopes.hopes.
Thew did but small harm comparatively,
The$ comparatively, it it1§`
^Tnot they Zaecé'
not they 'Cv~&^
who^^
who are so greatlv
greatly obnoxious to philosophy,
philosophy, -1-;»a@ay
-fe^^rnay
mfbeéitlier compassionatcd for
be rather compassionated folly, who found
for their folly, found""'
nothing but loss
nothing loss and disappointment
disappointment in in exchange
exchange for
years of patient
years patient and expectant
expectant labour. There have
been others,
others, far far more
more blameworthy,
blameworthy, tl%ft H4io ^:^ and ^ f
more against whom the

fallacious, against
more fallacious, thetrue adepts have
true adepts
unanimously
unanimously declaimed;
declaimed depraved
depraved minds,
;
minds, that havinghaving
entered, as Geber
entered, Gebcr implies,
implies, byby the right way of reason,
right way reason,
forsook her guidanceguidance nevertheless,
nevertheless, and basely basely en-en-
tangling
tangling the clue of life, climbed by
life, by it
it into forbidden
self-sufficiency, and in
regions of self-suthciency,
regions in the openopen face of
Truth,
Truth, stole her young
young hopes,
hopes, the Hrst-fruits of her
first-fruits
growth, and slew her there.
divining growth,
divining
1
^ Summa Perfect. lib.
Perfect, lib. i. cap. iii.
i. cap. iii.
;
396 LAWS AND

Conditions.
Mammon led led them onon ;

Mammon that least erected
that least erected spirit that fell
spirit that fell
From heaven, for for e'en in heaven his
e'en in looks and thoughts
his looks thonghts
always downward bent,
Were always
Vcrc bent, admiring more
admiring more
The riches of heaven's
riches of pavement-trodden tloor
heaven's pavement-trodden floor
Than ought
ought divine holy else
divine or holy else enjoyed
enjoyed
beatificd
vision beatific.^
In vision
These are they they who have been held in in abhorrencc

abhorrence
bythe good
by the good in
in all
all ages
ages ;;who, having
having succeeded in
in in-
in-
ducing
ducing an
an exalted
exalted energy,
energy, have wilfully
wilfully denied the
Light
Light itsits t1'ue
true fulfilment, and substitutingsubstituting their their own own
hasty purpose
hasty purpose instead of the Divine,
Divine, defiled
defiled it;
it
; com-
coin-
pclling the Spirit

pelling Spirit to their private ends.
their private ends. And what
will not the subject
will subject soul suffersuffer when pressed pressed by by so
exccrable an
execrable evil? For such is
an evil? is the constitution of
things, that it
things, either be filled
it must either filled with a Sl`l])C1'l01'
superior
inferior power
or inferior power; ;and as the former is
is the reward
proximate to the Final Cause, the
piety and proximate
of piety
latter
latter is punishment of the impious
is the punishment inipious who defile defile the
divine part
divine part of theirtheir essence, insinuating an
essence, insinuating an evil spirit
evil spirit
in the place
in place of the Divine.»-They
Divine. ^
—
They have discovered se-
crets, says
crets, says the prophet,
prophet, and they
they are those who have
judged :: for
been _judged they know every
for they every secret of the
angels, evêry
angels, oppressive and secret power
every oppressive power of 11'eri/s,devils,
and every power of those who commit sorcery,
every power sorcery, as well
as ofof' those who make molten mo/ten þÿ2:7Il(lg`
images ¬Sin in the whole
earth. They know lioiv
cn/'I/1. They /:ow silver
silver is is produced
produced from the
car!/1, and how,
dust of the earth, how, on earth, the metallic
on cart/1, meta//ic dropdrop
exists ; for lead and tin
exists ; tin are not produced]:)roduced from the
earth as the primary _fbllllfl/ill of their production.
privrznly fountain production.
There is an angel
is an standing upon
angel standing upon it, it, and that angel angel
struggles prevail. They
struggles to prevail. They have discovered secrets, secrets,
and these are a1'e they who are to be judged judged ,2 -^ who have
they
discovery of nature to an ill
turned the discovery ill account ; and ;
these are theythey to whom Geber alludes, who

Gcbcr alludes, w/10 do ajjirmqyirnz
this to be indeed an G([lIlf)'(Ib/6
this science, and
admirable science, (md have song/Itsought
it
it (1/so
also according
according to reason,
I`(3(l.SÒ}l, yet coz:/a'
yet could not
7iot into t/ze
cnlcr into
enter the
1
1 Pariitlise Lost,
Paradise Lost, book i.
i.
2
2 Book of Enoch, cap. lxiv.
Enoch, cap. Ixiv. sect. ii.
ii.
;
MENTAL
Mental Requisites
Rnquisrfrns AND IMPnn1MENTs.
and Impediments. 397
expe/'iem°e, being
experience, afraid in
being afraid their own
in their own persons to inter-
persons to inter-
the
posit the necessary
posit neccssaly c/mrges, i.
charges, i. e. to
6. to abandon the life
life of
selfhood, and return the product

the product to a
a benevolent and
truthful end.end. Just to the point,pomt, we we have the story of
story
an
an Arabian Magician,
Magician, who must needs steal little
steal a little
boy,
boy, to go
go with him to the mozmtnin, in
mountain, in order to sup-
sup-
ply the material his
ply his own wickedness did sutler him
did not suffer
to approach.
approach.
No impure
impure leaven (need (need wewe repeat
repeat it it ?)
?) can enter into into
Wisdom
Visdom; ; she scorns to promote
promote folly folly in
in any
any guise,
guise,
much less less will
will she suffersuffer defilement at man's man's iinite
finite
hand. But if anything
if anything be done against
against the right of
right
nature, she forsakes the polluted
nature, polluted tabernacle and is is lost.
lost.
Know, likewise,
likewise, says
says the pious
pious author of'
of the Aquarium,
Aqzmrizmz,
that if if by
by reason of that gift gift vouchsafed to thee by by
God, thou happen
happen thereupon,
thereupon, even after after thou hast it, it,
wax proud
to wax covetous, under whatever cover of
proud or be eovetous,
false pretence,
false pretence, and dost hereby hereby tempt tempt thyself
thyself to a
turning away
turning away from God, by
by little
little and little;
little ; know, for for
II speak
speak the truth,
truth, that this this art will vanis/2 from
ivill vanish from umler
under
thy /mm/S,
5/ly insomueh that thou shalt not know even
hands, insomuch even
that thou hadst it. it. The which, verily,
which, verily, hath befallen
more than one' one without their expectation.^
expectation? Does any any
one at this
one this day, really conversant with the Subject,
day, really Subject,
ridicule such an
ridicule assertion; or
an assertion ; or are our our minds so far far
estranged from the sphere
estranged sphere of final final causes, as to be
unable to conceive the accountabilityaccountability of moral evil evil
under the Law? Law ? Is Is not destruction to the wicked? wicked ?
says J
says ob, and a strange
Job, punishment to the workers of
strange punishment of'
iniquity '?? Doth not He see my
iniquity ways, and count all
my ways, all mymy
steps ? If I
steps? I have walked with vanity, vanity, or it' if my
my foot toot
hath hasted to deceit deceit;; let me be weighed
let me zreig/lcd in in anan even
balance, that God may
balance, may know mine ifztegrifiy. integrity. If my my
step
step hath turned out of the way,
way, and mine /mart
heart
walker/ after mine
walked (Jtcr eyes, and if
rnine eyes, if any
any blotb/ot hath
/fat/1 cleaved
C/caved to
mine /1111/ds:
hands : then let me sow,
let me sow, and let
let 111/ot/ref'
another eat
cal;
yea,
yea, let
let my ojkpring
my offspring be rooted out.-If
out. — If l
I have made
gold
gold mymy hope,
/zope, or have said to the fue go/r/, Thou art
Jitie gold,
1^
Aquarium Sapientfim, Appendix.
Aquarium Sapientllm, Appendix.
398 Laws and
LAWS AND CONDITIONS.
Conditions.
my þÿC0/ff?/ ¬fIC ¬,'

my confidence; if rejoiced because my
if` II rejoiced my weatt/1,
wealth was
was
great,
great, and blJC(/[ISC
because mine /mud
hand /md
had gotten 7/HIC/Z;; if
gotten much if 1
I
beheld the ,mn when it
the sun it þÿS/lt)I
shined,¬(],
or the moon walking
wat/fizzg in
in
brightness :: and my
brig/ztness my /zeart hath been
heaj^t hath, sectrtli/ enticed,
heen secretly enticed, or
my
7)11/ mouth /mt/1
mont/1 hath kissed my hand:
kissed my /mzzd: this
this also were an
also were
iniquity
iniquity to be punished by
punished by the .DM/ge: for I S/mu/d
Judge: should
have denied t/ze God that
denied the that is above?
is above}
That was the transgression
transgression of' of Eve, and of Adam,
who sought
sought to hide hishis iniquity
iniquity in his bosom ,Q
in his ;^ but so
multifarious
multifanous are the estrangements
estrangements of sense, and so
rapidly
rapidly effects
are effects carried
carried along
along and remotely imaged
remotely imaged
in this
in this world, that their
world, that their source becomes less less and less less
object general regard.
an object of general regard. The Laws of'
of Nature
indeed are examined into, and practically practically demonstrated
to be justjust what they appear to be
they appear be;; the moral, the
physical,
physical, and the organic
organic are well reasoned and ohown
-espa-xi;
tiptigt as
;
in
in their
their constitutional
constitutional eonsequences,
consequences ,attaliimat--
auf edfrom
(X^(xrcu «4 from each other, fixed and independent. independent. For nature
/ at the circumference
cireumfèrence subsists
subsists inin this
this way
way; ;
animals,
animals, birds,
birds,
fishes, herbs too,
insects, fishes,
insects, too, and minerals, having their
minerals, having their
parts variously qualified,
parts so variously qualified, that not anything
anything homo-
geneous
geneous is is discovered to sight.sight. Each creature never-
theless has its
theless its class
class ; and a kingdom
;
kingdom in common belongs
in common belongs
to each specific
specific variety.
variety. As a tree,
tree, with its flowers,
its flowers,
leaves, and branches,
leaves, branches, in in plural manifestation, is
plural manifestation, is at the
root oneone; and as the flower may
;
may diedie and the leaves
still survive, or the trunk without either live
still survive, live to endure
the winter's
winter's blast, respect to the natural laws;
blast, so with respect laws ;
and in in such a respect

respect a1'e they seen,
are they independent and
seen, independent
apart from
apart fi'om each other other; neither more
; more nornor less,
less, for in
for in
their root are they they not also one one?? Let the virus but
once reach this
once this by
by either channel,
channel, the moral,moral, the phy- phy-
sical
sical or the organic infiinged, the whole structure
vitally infringed,
organic vitally
sympathizing decays.
sympathizing decays. It It is
is true,
true, a man may
a man may be unjust,
unjust,
cruel, avarieious; may
cruel, avaricious ; indulge in
may indulge many vices without
in many
suffering in health,
suftering provided the structural Laws be well
health, provided
conditioned and obeyed: obeyed contrariwise,
contrariwise, also,
: also, the best
1
^
Job, xxxi. 3—21.
Job, 3-21.
7
2 Idem, 33.
ldem,
Mental
MENTAI. REQUISITES and IMPEDIMENTS.
Requisites AND Impediments. 399
men may
may suffer from physical
suffer defects and infringe-
physical defects infringe-
ment of
of the organic
organic law.
law. In mechanical arts,
arts, too, and
intellectual operations,
ordinary intellectual
ordinary we image
operations, we ideas
image out ideas
by suitable
by suitable subjects
subjects independently; that, whether
independently so that, ;
it be for
it for the sake of of gain, object of what-
gain, fame, or object
ever kind, whether the work be undertaken with a
or other uncertain intent,

nialicious, or
benevolent, malicious, intent, the
thing resulting may
thing resulting may be the same, and remain to image,
image,
not the motive instigatory
instigatory but the Idea. Idea. It is
It is either
either
well
well or ill beautiful
done, beautiful
ill done, or according to the
deformed, according
pattern and skill
pattern skill that have been exercised, irrespective irrespective
of the individual intention
intention which gave gave it it birth.
birth. 'I`he
The
pictures
pictures of Holbein are not less less beautiful
beautiful for
for all
all the
covetous spiritspirit that reigned
reigned with their conception; the
conception ;
deformity
deformity of the artist's
artist's soul was, as the Laws of
Nature, apart,
Nature, apart, nor ever manifested in
in his produced
his produced
Work.
work. The motive-springs
motive-springs of humanity humanity are very very
generally made occult;
generally occult^ likelike the armament within Within the
Trojan Horse, are often admitted under other pretext,
Trojan Horse, pretext,
develope
to develope their
their force
force securely,
securely, whether of good
good or evil,evil,
in the world.
World. And whilst yet yet they
they are borne alongalong
consequence far
in outward consequence far from their their originating
originating
source,
source, the many
many are slow to perceive it,
perceive though they
it, though
they
should retain all all the While
while possibly,
possibly, in in the abiding
abiding
purpose, the conscious rewards of its
purpose, own kind.
its own
But in Alchemy, where the nature
in Alchemy, nat-ure of things
things is is alto-
gether
gether altered and ultimately
ultimately reversed,
reversed. Final Causes
are of all revealed, and that in
manifestly revealed,
things most manifestly
all things
their immediate act and operation operation no no less
less than in the
effect.
eifect. Here is gathering of grapes
is no gathering grapes from thorns, thorns,
or figs from thistles,
figs thistles, as in
in this
this life is
life is attempted
attempted; ; but
the intention is is received back according
according to its its kind most
exactly; where the subject,

exactly ;
object, and result,
subject, object, through
result, through
phase of life
every phase
eveiy life agree together, where the end is
agree together, is
determinate fi'om from the beginning, beginning is

beginning, as the beginning is by
by
the end made manifest, without intervention or con-
ecalment in the ministering
cealment Spirit throughout.
ministering Spirit throughout. Spring- Spring-
ing directly
ing ourselves, this highly
directly from ourselves, highly effective agent, agent,
even in the natural inclines, as the will directs,
natural state, inclines, directs,
to image
image the conceived Idea Idea; how much more,
; more, when
; ; ;
400 Laws
LAWS CONDITIONS.
and Conditions.
AND
promoted
promoted through third degree
through aa second to aa third degree of cou-
con-
centration,
centration, does it
it become fortified
fortified ; and further
further mul-
;
tiplying in the Conjunction,

tiplying in Conjunction, impose
impose inin sure conse-
quences on him who wields it
quences it the inherent account-
ability ??
ability An eyeeye for
for an
an
eye, a tooth for
eye, for a tooth ; so ;
does the Law of Justice retribution in

Justice exact retribution in those
spheres
spheres : hence
: so much caution and that the
secrecy, that
secrecy,
Power might only be discovered through
might only through the long labour
long
of an experienced
experienced and upright
upright mind. Hence so much
continued warning
warning offoff the profane þÿ(l ¬V1atll]g,
lest, deviating,
profane ; lest, ; they
they
should either
either break or become broken necessitously nccessitously
upon Vheel of Life.
upon the Wheel Life. Sons of science for tlns
science I for this reason
!
philosophers said
are the philosophers said to be envious, declares Hermes,
not that they grudged the truth to religious
they grudged religious or just
just
men, but to fools,
men, fools, ignorant
ignorant and vicious,
vicious, who are without
self control and beneficencc,

self beneficence, lest they should be made
lest they
powerful and able to perpetrate
poverfùl sinful things,
perpetrate sinful for of
tlnngs, 101'
such the philosophers
philosophers are made accountable to God,
men are not accounted worthy
evil men
and evil worthy of thisthis V1s-
Wis-
clom.'
dom.^
Mais tryeful, nierveylovs, and Archimastrye
tryeful, merveyloys, Arcliimastrye
Is the tincture of holi holi Alkiniy
Alkimy ; ;
A
A wonderful science,
science, and secret filosophy
filosophy
A singular
A grace and gift
singular grace gift of the
thc Ahnightyc;
Almightye ;
Which
\'hich never was was found,
found, as witness we we can,
can,
Nor thys
thys science was was ever tauglit
taught to man, man,
But he were
were proved perfectly with space.
proved perfectly space,
\/'hcther
Whether he were able to receive this this grace.
grace.
For his
his trewth,
trewth, virtue and ter his stable wit,
for his wit,
Which, if
\'hich, if he faill,
faill, he shall
shall never have it. it.
Also no man man should this science teach, teach,
For it
it is wonderful, and so selcouth,
is so wonderful, selcouth,
That itit must needs be taught fro'
taught fro' mouth to moutli mouth;
Also he must (if (if he be never
never so loath),
loath),
Receive it it with a most sacred oath,
a inost oath,
That, as we
That, we refuse great dignity and fame,
great dignity fame,
Soc he must needly
Soe hc needly refuse the same.
And this science n ust ever secret be,
ii be,
The cause whcreofis
whereof is this, ye may
this, as ye see.
may see,
If one evil man had hereof all
evil man all his will,
will.
All Christian pease
pcnse he might
might easily
easily spill
spill ;
And with his pride might pull
pride he might downe,
pull downe,
Rightful Kings
Eightful Kings and Princes of reuowne
renowne;
1'
Tract. Aur.
Anr. cap. i.
cap. i.
;
MENTAL Requisites
Mental REQUISITES and IMPEDIMENTS.
AND Impediments. 40]
401
Wherefore the the sentence of peril and jeopardy

of peril _jeopardy
Upon the teacher resteth resteth dreadfull_y.
dreadfully.
So that
that forfor doubt of pride and wealth
of such pride wealth
He must beware, that will
beware, that this scie11ce
will this science teach,
No man therefore may
man therefore
may reach this great present,
this great present.
But he hath virtues
virtues excellent.
excellent.
See tho' men
Soe tho' men weene possessors not to aide
weene possessors aide
To hallow this this science,
science, as before
before is is saide,
saide,
Neither seem not blessed blessed effectually,
effectually.
Yet, in
Yet, in her order, this this science
science isis holy.
holy.
And forasmuch
forasmueh as no man may her find
no jnan may find
But only
only by grace, she is
by grace, holy in
is holy in her kind.
kind.
Also itit is a Work
is a work and cure divine,
divine,
Foul copper
copper to make gold gold and silver line ;
silver fine ;
No man
man may may Find
find such change
change by his thought,
by his thought,
Of divers
divers kinds which Grod's Grod's hands have wrouglit wrought ;
For Gr0d's
Por Grod's conjuctions man may
conjuctions 111311 may not undoe,
undoe.
But ifif his fully consent thereto,
grace fully
his grace thereto.
By help of this
By help science, which our
this science, our Lord above,
above,
Has given
given to such men men as He doth love, love,
Vlfhercfore old
Wherefore old Fathers, conveniently,
conveniently,
Called this
this science HolyHoly Alkimy.'
Alkimyl
None ever truly truly attained to the fruits fruits of this
this philo-
philo-
sophy,
sophy, as the wise declare,
declare, without rectitude of inin-
tention and the blessingblessing of God on on a well triedtried expe-
expe-
rience: and it
rience : is the reiterated assertion of this
it is this grate-
grate-
ful
ful truth that has encouraged
encouraged us, by a natural faith,
us, by faith, to
inquiry and recommend it
pursue the inquiry
pursue it to others who
instruction.
are desirous of instruction. To say
say that the pursuit
pursuit is is
Without
without danger
danger to the ill-informed,
ill-informed, would be presuming
presuming
too much on late late acquaintanceship
acquaintanceship and contrary contrary to the
credible assertion of adepts. adepts. But there many de-
are many
grees
grees of success in
in the legitimate path,
le2:itimate path, and every step
every step
is progressive
is progressive where the Rule of Reason is
is pursued.
pursued.
Avarice, ambition, or a curious hope,
Avarice, or ambition, hope, may may longlong to
prove
prove the promise
golden promise
golden of Alchemy
Alchemy; but ; neither will
will
be found to be the true Form Pbrm of G0/I/,'
Gold ; Reason alone
can enter into It ;Mammon may
It ; Mammon may draw the dead metal
in heaps
heaps about its
its sordid circumference ; but it
; it cannot
quicken
quicken the aurifio
aurific seed in life
life ; that Spirit is
; is
Spirit too gross gross
to permeate
permeate the ethereal profuudity;
profundity all
all
; he can draw
from it it is
is stolen;
stolen for he is
; is the first
first to flyfly from VVis-
Wis-
1
^ Norton's
Norton's Ordinal, chap. i.
Ordinal, chap. i. in Ashmole's
Ashmole's Theatrum.
D D
402 LAWS
AND Conditions.
fiery ordeal, not able

dom's fiery
dom's to enter with his
able to his camel
form, or
daring
daring to his vaporous essence in
prove his vaporous
prove essenee in Her
pure Light.
pure Light.
But to proceed; next above the Covetous, Seeptics
to proceed ; Sceptics
are
are condemned by Geber but as these by
by Geber: : by their own
their own
ehoiee remain in
choice in ignorance, they would merit less
ignorance, they less re-
proyal were it
proval it not that they endeavour to hinder
that they
others as well
well as themselves from the pursuit
pursuit ofof truth.
truth.
And of all evil
all evil spirits that
spirits that haunt this
this world and set up
set up
their bar to human advancement, infidelity
their infidelity perhaps
perhaps is is
absurd: by
the most absurd by infidelity, we
: infidelity, we mean that
that fashion-
fashion-
able kind of faithlessness,
faithlessness, which,
w^hich, without rational
rational
Ibundation,
foundation, denounces everything that is
everything is new, or or
not seeming immediately

seeming immediately to square
square with the received
common-place, and which in
common-place, in truth conceives
eoneeives nothing
nothing
worthy
w'orthy to be believed,
believed, or held in
in veneration. The
age
age of'
of religions
religious intolerance has passed gradually away,
passed gradually away,
great allowances are now
and great now made for for most things,things,
all
all kinds of folly
folly and diversities
diversities of opinion; but so
opinion ;
much higher does the folly

inueh higher folly of scepticism
scepticism run than
heretofore,
heretofore, over all
all boundary,
boundary, test
test of' reality and pro-
of reality pro-
bability
bability of truth,
truth, that we
we had as lieve
lieve the days of
days
Galileo had been our's, our's, as live
live so much
niuch later to see the
recovered secret of ages ages dwindle and sink into obloquy obloquy
for lack
for faith and mind verily
laek of faith verily to bear it it witness in in
manifestation.
It is the wisdom of modern seepties
It is sceptics to ape ape the thing
thing
which theythey stand most i11
in need of,
of, viz.,
viz., sound reason;
reason;
'
q
deficiency too is is doubled in
'"^
the dencieney in their disguise,

disguise, as,, ig11o-
& igno-
rant of their own own ignorance,
ignorance, they push
they push forward as so
many stolid bolts before the gate

many stolid gate of Truth. Yet, Yet, de-
spite
spite of all
all the rejeetors
rejectors and scofiers,
scoffers. Nature opens
opens
hospitable door to the multitude in the highways
her hospitable highways
byways, seeking them out to alleviate
and byways,seeking alleviate their sufferings
sufterin gs
1
and offer a new knowledge
new guide to knowledge
guide and felieity. Ve
felicity. We
,7-
7u;
Lfj o
L Mesmerism : neitlier
allude to Mesmerisni : ashamed, but grateful
wei^êr ashamed, grateful
acknowledge the neglected
to acknowledge Door-keeper that gave
neglected Door-keeper gave us
first introduction to the vestibule of antique
first antique science.
Do they perceive how she has risen up,
they not perceive lifted by
up, lifted by aa
faithful hands out of their reach ?? Those seofiers
few faithful scoffers ??
;
Mental REQUISITES
MENTAL Requisites AND IMPEDIMENTS.
monarchy was established

But her monarchy triumphant
estabhshed and triumphant
before they
even before
even perceived her, or ever their
they perceived their wicked
crusade against
against her was begun. They
was begun. They warred with
they knew not what, or wished either
they either to know or,
to know; ;
had they
they wished,
wislied, would it it avail
avail without faith
faith to sti-
sti-
mulate inin the
the pursuit.
pursuit. Nature, who is is liberal
liberal of her
common gifts
common gifts and lavishes
lavishes earthly blessings without
earthly blessings
personal respect, opens
personal respect, this casket after
opens not this after the same
same
rule;
rule she
;
must be moved to it
it subtly, conscientiously,
subtly, conscientiously,
courteously, and then she will
courteously, will surrender to none
none but a
philosopher,
philosopher, one one too that has been disciphned in
disciplined in her
schools, tried
schools, tried and proven
proven to ensure his ability
his ability to bear
the sacred trust.
trust.
Therefore no man shulcle

no man shulde be too swifte, svvifte,
To cast away
away ourour Lord's
Lord's precious
precions gifte,
gifte,
Consideringe how
Consideriuge Almighty God,
liow the Almighty
From great
great doctors hath this this science forbod ; ;
And granted
granted it it to few menmen of his his mercy,
mercy,
Such as he faithful, trew and lowly.
be faithful, lowly.
And as there be but planets planets seven
Among the multitude of'
Among stars in
of stars in heaven,
heaven,
among millions of millions of mankind
Soe among
Scarcely seven men
Scarcely maie this
men male this science finde. Hnde.
Vherefore
Wherefore laymen
laymen ye ye may
may lerelere and see
How many
How many doctors of great authority,
great authority,
With many searchers have this
Vith many this science souglit,
sought,
Yet all
all their labours have turned to nought. nought.
And if they did cost,
if they lbund none
yet found
cost, yet none availe,
availe,
But in their purpose
purpose often tyme tyme did faile,faile.
Then in despair, they reason and departe.
despair, they departe,
And then theythey say say how there is noe such arte ;
is noe ;
But fained fables, name it

they name
fables, they they goe,
it as they goe,
A
A fals
fals fond thing, say it
they say
thing, they is alsoe.
it is alsoe.
Such menmen presume too much upon
presume upon their minde,
minde,
They
They weene
weene their wits suiflieient
sufficient this arte to iindc;
finde
But of their slander and wordes of outrage, outrage.
We
Ve take thereof trewly little charge:
trewly little charge :
For such be not invited to our feast,

our feast.
Which
Vhich weeneth themselves Wise, wise, and can can doe leaste.
leaste.
Albeit such men men listlist not longer
longer to pursue,
pursue,
Tet is
Yet is this science of AlkimyAlkimy full full trew ;;
And albeit
albeit some proud clerks say
some proud say nay,
nay,
Tet every
Yet every wise clerke weU consider may,
elcrke well may.
How he which hereof might might no no trewth see. see,
May
May not hereof lawful witness be be;
;
DDQ
D D 2
; ;
404 Laws
L/xws and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions,
it were
For it were a thing and queinte
a wondrous thing queinte
A
A man that never
man ilmt sight to peinte.
never had sight peintc.
How should
sliould a blinde man be sure
a born blinde sure
To write or make good portraiture ?
write or good portraiture?
build Poule's
To build I'oulc's steeple
steeple might be greatc doubte
greate double
For such proud clerks to
proud clerks to bring aboute;
bring aboute
might be apt
Such might apt to their crowne,
to break their
they could
Ere they wisely take it
could wisely it downe.
"Therefore all
Wherefore full far
all such are full behinde,
far behind e,
To fetch
fetch out the secrctest of kinde;
pointc of
secretest pointe kinde
Therefore all
Theretbre all men, fortune and chance,
their fortune
men, take their
Remit such clerks to
Eemit to their
their ignorance*
ignorance.^
scepticism has quite

Rational scepticism quite another object object and
never exhibits itself
itself in in the ref`raetory
refractory form of' its mock
of its
It
ally. It is
ally. is the province
province of reason to inquire and en-
inquire cn-
deavour, by by perserutination,
perscrutination, to prove
prove all
all things, that,
things, that,
rejecting the false,
finally rejecting
finally false, it it may
may hold fast fast that which
is true.
is Such scepticism,
scepticism, more more properly
properly perhaps
perhaps
called discrimination,
called discrimination, is
is as much required by
required by the Her-
metic Student as the other is is obnoxious. For thisthis
kind of analytic
analytic exercise helps
helps to corroborate the mind,
and cultivate that distinctive supremacy of truth in
distinctive supremacy in the
qAoU'I undcrstanding,\whieh
understanding/^which is
is so essential
essential to success in in the
^ / practical
practical research ; ;but which is
is very rarely
very rarely to be met
with in in uneducated minds. And, being without it,
And, being it,
need we we wonder that so many are now, Gebcrs
now, as in Geber's
many
Norton's time,
and Norton's opinionative, unstable in
time, opinionative, in purpose,
purpose,
wilful and dissimulating
wilful (llSSll1]L1l21tlll_$:',';
; or that they
they who
wlio have never
never
entertained the thc true ideal ideal should fail fail to recognise
recognise the
image
image when represented
represented before their eyes ??
eyes The
searcher of nature ought
Searcher ought to be,
be, as she herself is,
is, faith-
faith-
simple, patient,
ful, simple,
ful, constant, giving
patient, constant, his mind to the
giving his
discovery of truth alone,
discovery alone, hopefulhopeful and benevolent. It
It
him, also,
behoves him, also, who would be introduced into this
this
hidden Wisdom,
\Visd0m, says says the Hermetic l\Taster, Master, to freefree him-
self' from the usurpation
self usurpation of vice, vice, and to be good, good, just,just,
and of a sound reason,
ofa reason, ready ready at hand to hel]) help mankind, of
a serene countenance,
countenance, diligent diligent to save, save, and be himself a
guardian of the arcane Secrets
patient guardian
patient secrets of philosophy?
philosophy.^
1*
2
Norton's O1-dinal,
Norton's chap. i.i.
Oi-dinal, chap.
2 cap. ii.
Mental REQUISITES
BIENTAL Requisites AND IMPEDIMENTS.
And if
if to these qualifications
to these qualifications a leisure be
a convenient leisure
all may
added, all may be hoped for progressively
hoped for progressively passing by
passing by
living experience
a living
a into the Light.
experience into neither will
Light. But neither a
will a
busy head nor a faithless
busy faithless heart, by
by impure hands, be
impure hands,
able ;
able nor does a
; Vagabond inclination
a vagabond in by
inclination enter in by the
way of life.
narrow way life.
Vith impediments of
respect to the impediments
With respect body mentioned
of body
by Geber, these are less
by numerous and more com-
less numerous com-
monly
monly supplied:
supplied Hands
:
and eyes
eyes are to be had in
in
conjoined vith
abundance, and where these are conjoined with the
foregoing
foregoing conditions, liinderances with respect
conditions, other hinderances respect to
artist may,
the artist may, for
for the occasion, be passed
passed by.
by. Then
for the student;
for student; he should, as a matter of course, be
learn, at least,
possessed, or learn,
possessed, cultivate the incipient
least, to cultivate incipient
qualifications he intends afterwards to bring
qualifications bring to prac-
prac-
tice.
tice. The same
same patient hope and free
patient hope free perspicuity
perspicuity of
thought and imagination
thought imagination also will be called
also will for, in
called for, in ac-
ae-
quiring the Hermetic doctrine,

quiring doctrine, by perusal, as is
by perusal, is after-
after-
wards needcd
needed forfor the experimental
experimental proof. proof. Reading
Reading was
not formerly adapted to the million,
formerly adapted million, as it it now
now is,is, in
in
thought,
thought, language, reference —
language, and reference-familiarized familiarized and
made easy understanding of all.
easy to the understanding all. No such al- al-
luring baits
luring idleness are to be found on the title
baits to idleness title
pages of the middle age

pages age school of philosophy
philosophy ;-no ;
—no
such simplifications
siinplifications of science,
science, as we we nownow hear of, of, are
belonging to Alchemy.
belonging Alchemy. It It is true, there are
is true, Revelations,
a1'e Revelations,
Open Entrances, New Lights

Open Entrances, Lights and True Lights, Sun-
Lights,
hloonshine, with other Auroras,
shine and Moonshine, Auroras, and pictured
pictured
Dawns
Dawns; Manuals, Introductory Lexicons of obscure
Manuals, Introductory
;
terms, with meanings

terms, meanings no no lessless obscured;
obscured ; Trium- /
and /3. *L "'l/7/'e)L

/'V ayrx/y^*-
phal Chariots also,
phal Xéans, Gates, Keys,
also, ^\£a»&. Gates, Keys, Guides
too without number,
number, all
all directing
directing on
on the same
same Royal
Royal
Road when this is found but useless to most way-
is found; ; way-
farers ;nothing
farers; nothing that we
we observe at all
all suited to the
means
means or taste of the millionmry
miUion?ffy class of'
of readers whose 'oÔ^^
OJ. Q/
I
understanding, like that of'
understanding, pampered children,
of pampered children, has
grown
grown flaccid; and, by
flaccid ; and, by excess of object-teaching, has
object-teaching,
forgotten
forgotten how to think.
Very few there will
Very will be found to relish relish the enigmas
enigmas
of the old Alchemists ; no ; no thoughtless cxperimentalist,
thoughtless experimentalist.
-;
406 Laws
LAWS CoND1T1oNs.
and Conditions.
AND
persisting
persisting in his mere
in his mere senses--no
senses no hopeful —
hopeful receipt-
receipt
monger,
monger, sectarian
sectarian fanatic, or fact
fact idolator-no
idolator no idling
idhng —
curiosity
curiosity seeker,
seeker, or
or dilettanti
dilettanti imaginist,
imaginist, will
will find
find even
his leisure well
his leisure well occupied
occupied inin this pursuit z we warn
this pursuit :
them all,
all, the subject
subject is
is too abstruse,
abstruse, and too intricately
intricately
dealt with, for
dealt for the natural understanding
understanding to appre-
appre-
'
'
jUL. / hend at first view.
at first adepts in-
But it Qio truckss the adcpts in-
foretold, their
deed foretold, their records have proved like a curious
proved like
two-edged instrument-to
two-edged —
instrument to some it it has cut out dainties,
dainties,
it has only
and to others it cut their
only served to ent their fingers;
fingers
yet altogether to be blamed.
they not altogether
yet are they It is
It is not
for the ignorant
for ignorant to blame the power that which they
power of that they
do not know how to handle ;; or would itit not be a ridi-
ridi-
thing, if
culous thing, some child
if some child or arrogant rustic were to
arrogant rustic
denounce the language
language of Astronomy,
Astronomy, or
say that Che-
say
mistry
mistry was a vain science,
science, and merely because the
merely
comprehensible
terms are not comprehensible without instruction ?? In
all the records of Alchemy,
almost all Alchemy, the inner sense is is
held aloof from the literal literal ; and if,
; by hazard or bene-
if, by
design, the truth has escaped
volent design, escaped in in plain
plain discourse,
discourse,
it has been either slighted
it slighted over disbelieved.
or disbelieved. Thus
Scndivogius
Sendivogius relates it
it had happened
frequently happened
frequently to him,
him,
having
that having intimated the Art to some
some friends,
friends, word by
by
word explaining
explaining it,
it, they
they could by
by no means
means understand
him, believing, as he quaintly
him, not believing, quaintly expresses
expresses it, it, that 15/zere
that there
was any
any water
usater in
in our sea;
se11,- and says
yet, says
yet, he,
he, they
they would be
philosophers. Other instances of the same
accounted philosophers. same
kind are given, amongst whom, Eireneus,
given, amongst Eireneus, in in the run of
allegory
his allegory relates,-There
relates, — There were
were a multitude of men,
men,
who,
who, seeing my Light
seeing my Light my in
in my Hand,
Hand, which they
they could not
well, they
discern well, they being
being in that darkness which would
not be enlightened
enlightened ; but, ; through a
but, as through a thick cloud be-
holding my
holdiug my candle,
candle, judged
judged it
it ominous,
ominous, and leftleft their
stations. For their eyes eyes with darkness and smoke were were
tender, that my
made so tender, my candle overpowered
overpowered them,
them, and
they
they could not bear its
its lustre;
lustre therefore
;
they,
they, c1'ying
crying out,
out,
away. II mused much at this,
ran away. this, continues the philo- philo-
sopher, how they
sopher, they could be in in such Cimmerian darkness; darkness;
wondered, II bethought
and as Ilwondered, bethought me, me, that theythey had with
them another light,
light, as it it were.
were, Fox-fire or wood,
or Rotten wood,
.
Mental Requisites
MIBNTAL REQUISITES and IMPEDIMENTS.
AND Impediments. 407
Glow-Worm's tails;
or Glow-worm's with this
tails; and vith they sat
this they in consul-
sat in
reading Geber, Rhasis, and such whom II heard
tation, reading
commenting on them, not without
them name, and commenting
much pleasantness.
pleasantness. Then II considered that
that the light
light
which II had brought
brought with me me did
did not enlighten
enlighten that
place, but stood separated,
place, separated, as itit were, from the dark-
ness ; and withal
;
there was once a
withal II remembered that there a
Light in the World,
Light in V01'l(l, and the Darkness comprehended
comprehended it it
not: and that
not : that darkness II newnow perceived
perceived had a false
false
fire
fire of its
its own, with which it it seemed to its
its inhabitants
inhabitants I
he wonderfully
to be vell enlightened*
wonderfully well enlightened.^ ^Ct V11
'
/ad
i^l
This hnmoroua intududa of Eirenûs,.in Eireneus, in the out- ,nzffi
'JJia^^
application, bea1's
ward application, bears not nnaptly unaptly to our con-
clusion, that the abstruse light
clusion, light of Alchemy
Alchemy is is not
fit for
fit for the understanding
understanding of all, neither is
all, neitlier is percep-
percep-
tible
tible to the gross intelligence of the mass
gross intelligence mass of manman-
kind.
kind. But singular fate
this singular
this ineredulity has seemed
fate of incredulity
always to attend, lest
always lest folly wilfnlness, precipi-
folly or wilfulness, precipi-
tously passing
tously passing into practice, should either perish
practice, perish or
break the divine legislation
legislation in in inharmonious effects. effects.
And thus the Art will probably continue concealed
will probably
through
through manymany ages ages still;
still ;
except by
nor, except by a very few,
very few,
be more
more accredited, though
accredited, though all
all early
early Christendom
should rise
rise upup in attesting array
in attesting array to give
give it it evidence.
For what is is truth to tritlers,
triflers, or light
light to the indifferent
indifferent
worldling,
worldling, who cares not to be undceeived?
undeceived ? How en-
list him in a search so arduous,
list uninteresting to his
arduous, so uninteresting his
afleetions,
affections, and inimieal
inimical to his
his self-love?
self-love ? No ! wise !in
his generation,
his generation, rather let let him sleep on
sleep on; for what
;
would it profit him to learn to believe without the

it profit
power
power of realizing any
realizing any goodgood ?? Without a stable
theory,
theory, and the desire
desire of absolutely leading,
truth absolutely leading, all all
is mere
is mere vanity
vanity and a vexation of the spirit.
spirit.
wei'e much better for such to cease,

It were cease,
Than for this put them in presse
tliis art to put presse ; ;
Let such-like butterfles þÿ\'O11[l ¬l`

butterlies wonder and pass,
pass,
Or lcarne
learne this lesson both nownow and lasse,
lasse,
Following lioli letter,
Following the sentence of this lioli letter,
11
Ripley Revived, First Gate,
Ripley Eevived, Gate, p.
p. 12
121. 1
; ;
408 Laws AND

and CoND1'r1oNs.
Conditions.
Attingeus
Attingens a at fine
fine usque ad finem
iinem fortiter,
fortiter,
Disponens omnia suaviter
Disponens suaviter ;
is proceede
'l'hat is
That proceede mightily th' End
mightily to th'
From thethe beginning the Fiend.
maugre the
beginning inaugre Fiend.
All things
All disposing, in
tilings disposing, in the meane
meane space,
space,
With great
AVitli suavity that cometh of
great suavity of grace,
grace,
men and mutable
short-witted men
All short-witted
Such must needes be variable
variable ; ;
And some every man

do every man believe,
believe,
their coffers
Such credence doth their grieve;
coffers grieve ;
To every tale to them told,

every new tale told,
They give credence and leave
They give the old.
leave the old.
some Lords be of
But some of stable Wit,
stable wit,
apt to finish
only be apt
Such only finish it.l
it.^
Adepts all therefore advise discretion,

Adepts all disc1'etion, and are cir-
cir-
cumspect
eulnspect in
in their
their revealments,
revealments, lest
lest That,
That, which in
in the
philosopher
hands of a philosopher becomes most precious,
precious, should
be otherwise made worthless, all.
worse than all.
worthless, or worse He
that understands,
understands, says says the royal artist, let
royal artist, let him under-
stand and advance;
advance but let
; let him that cannot,
cannot, be igno-
igno-
still.
rant still. this treasure is
For this bought with
is not to be bought
money
money; and as it
;
it cannot be bought,
bought, so neither can it it
be sold."
sold.^ Ye sons of Avariee
Avarice and Ignorance,
Ignorance, cries
cries
Geber, and ye
Geber, ye of evil manners, avaunt and fly
evil manners, f1'om
fly from
this science,
this science, forfor it is inimical to you,
it is you, and will
wdll bring
bring
you poverty.
you to poverty. this great
For this gift of God is,
great gift is, by
by His
judgment,
judgment, hidden from
fi'om you
you forever;
forever and; therefore we
we
treat of it it in
in such words as to the wise shall, shall, by
by pur-
pur-
suit, become intelligible:
suit, intelligible : but to such as we we have de-
scribed, men
scribed, mon of mean
capacity, will be most profound;
mean capacity, will jirofound;
a11d
and fools shall be absolutely
fools shall absolutely dcbarred
debarred entrance therein."
therein.^
7
Common languagelanguage is is suited to express common
express common
,fjto
,U'l/ k/qc
jcn-Ufh-^ idoftc and to convey
-ideas,,
convey them to the vulgar vulgar conception,
conception
^ but the Alchemists,
Alchemists, for for various sutlicient reasons, have
sufficient reasons,
lit to deliver their Wisdom in
thought tit
not thought in this way,
wây, as
if it
if syllabled out like a
it could be syllabled a romance or com-
or a com-
mon ballad, for the amusement of the first
mon ballad, first runner by, by,
who would deign deign to look with his mere nnere eyes and read.
eyes
'|`hcy better knew tl1e
They instructions, and
the value of their instructions,
'
1 Norton's Ordinal,
Norton's chap. vi.
Ordinal, chap. vi.
7
2 Calid i11 Salmon, p.
in Salmon, p. 30.
3
3 Summa Perfect.
Perfect, in fine.
fine.
I
NIENTAL REQUISITES
Mental and liirenmsxrs.
Requisites AND Impediments. 409
so studiously veiled it, that

that he only
only who was
studiously veiled it, really de-
was really de-
sirous, and made fit
sirous, Et by study to
long study
by long pursue the work,
to pursue Work,
should be able
able to understand them.-The
them. The words ofthe —
of the
wise are as goads,goads, sayssays the preacher,
preacher, and as nails nails fast-
fast-
ened by by the master of assemblies which are given given by by
one shepherd.-One
one shepherd. — One spirit
spirit indeed reigns reigns throughout,
throughout,
intention; but she is
and one intention ; is so hedged
hedged in in with ca-
balisms, metaphors,
balisms, metaphors, types,types, emblems, and sophistica-
sophistica-
is but One Leader, who should undertake the
OneLeader,
tions/`there
tions, there is
deliverance; one only,
deliverance ;
only, we repeat; he that
we repeat ; that is —
is allied-
allied / •
/I
the same^hat, in practice strengyiening,_afterwardsJ&

strepgtl@ning,_af`terwards,is /La ^-s? Cc&r\jKt
same
Athat, in practice
enabled to raise raise the allegoric siege of
allegoric siege life; and by
of life ; by the ,ic /173'
aCu^/^
<"
fire of
fire of' his
his divine
divine wrath enkindled,
enkindled, to overcome the
overcome é^
stronghold
stronghold of evil
evil therein allied.
allied.
And let let the sapient artificer, concludes the prince,
sapient artiiicer, prince,
studiously peruse
studiously peruse our books, collecting
books, collecting our dispersed dispersed
intention, which we
intention, we have described in in divers
divers places
places
that we might might not exposeexpose it it to malignant,
malignant, ignorant ignorant
men
men ; ; and let let him proveprove his his collection
collection even into
knowledge, studying
the knowledge, studying and experimenting with the
experimenting
instance of sagacious labour, till
sagacious labour, till he comecome to an
entire understanding
entire understanding of the whole. Let the stu-
dent exercise himself, himself, in
in order to find
find out this
this our
proposed
proposed way way of investigation,
investigation, so as to acquire a
acquire
plenary knowledge
plenary knowledge of the verity
verity of the perfecting
perfecting
corrupting Matter and Form.^
and con-upting Form? And again, —
again,-I
beg of thee,
beg thee, my my son, says says the adeptadept Rieliardus,
Ricliardus, to
examine the writings writings of of' the philosophers
philosophers; for if
; if thou
art slothful at thy books, thy
thy books, thy mind cannot be
he prejaared
prepai'ed
for icork ; nor will
for the zuorlc; will he he be able advazztngeozzsly
advantageous lij to
his Hand to the
bring his
bring the practice
practice whose Jllind Mind is sluggish in
is .9/uggis/z
.s~tuc/ying'
studying the theory.
theory. But he with more
more
security shall
security shall
advance to the wôrk work who has stored his mind with
resources
resources: :
ignorance is
ignorance wiped off
is wiped off by study, which
by study,
restores the human intellect to true science and know-
ledge, and by
ledge, enigmas the Dagon
by these enigmas Dagon is is overtlirovn.2
overthrown.^
Zachary
Zachary likewise,
likewise, in his
his Opusculum —
Opusculum-This II tell
This tell thee,
thee,
11
Epilogue
Epilogue Invest, of Perfection.
to the Invest.
2
^ Salis, many
See Lucerna Salis, passages to the same
many passages elfect. Richardi
same effect. Eichardi
Ang. libel. cap.
Ang. libel, iii.
cap. iii.
—
4l0
410 Laws AND
and CONDITIONS.
Conditions.
hc says,
he says, thatthat thou oughtest first to read
oughtest first read with
with un-un-
patienee
wearied patience and perseverance
perseverance the writings
writings of the
the
philosophers
philosophers before
hefore thou extendest thy
thy Hand to the
Philosophic
Pliilosophic Work,
Vork, and pray
pray to God for
for his
his grace
grace and
wisdom to help help thee therein;
therein for for no acquired
110 one ever acquired
;
this art by
this art by chance, but by prayer rather
by prayer rather than by by any
any
other means.
means. Mediums nevertheless are to be em- em-
ployed? Pray,
ployed.^ says Sendivogius,
Pray, says Sendivogius, pray; pray; but work.
God indeed gives gives understanding; but thou must
understanding;
know how and when to use it? it.^ Arnold, in in his
his
Rosary,
Rosary, mentions three requisites,
requisites, viz.,
viz., subtlety of
subtlety
mind, manual skill,
mind, skill, and a free will for
free will for the operation
operation ;3 ;'*
sufhciency ofthe
Lully, likewise adds a suflieieney
to which Lully, of the Divine
Favour, and books to open
Favour, open the understanding
understanding and
give
give it it zest forfor truth."'
truth. ^ The author of the L!ZCL')')l(£
Luccnia
.5?1!is, agrees that in
moreover, agrees
Sails, moreover, aequiie this
in order to acquire this
science study
study is required
is required in
in the beginning,
beginning, and medita-
tion, that aa good
tion, good foundation may may be laid;laid for
for that ;
without this this God does not reveal His grace, nor unless
grace, nor
He be prompted
prompted thereto by prayers of him
by the fervent prayers
who desires signal a favour.
desires so signal He does not either
either
grant it
grant it immediately
immediately to' any
to person,
any person, but always by
always by
mc//inte wit, by
cI£.s710.s-itions, to wit,
mediate dispositions ,
by instructions and the
labour of the hands
hands; to which He gives
;
gives a thorough
thorough
blessing if He be invoked thereto with a sincere
blessing if sincere heart:
whereas, when recourse is
whereas, duly had to Him by
is not duly by
1
^ Zachary Opuscule,
Zachary Opnseule, p. p. 69.
2
- New Light,
Light, p. 1211.
p. 122.
3
•*
Arnoldi Rosarium, l. ii.
llosarinm, 1. ii. cap. '.
cap. v. Puta subtile iugenium
ingcnium ar-
tilicis,
tiHcis, opera niauuum et arbitrium;
opera nianuum arbitriuni quod
quod quidem requirit divitias,
quideui requirit
;
divitias,
sapientiuiu,
sapieutiam, et libres.
ct libros.
4'^
Lullii Thcor.
LuUii Theor. Test. e. c. 31. Et ideirco fili tibi
idcirco fili tibi dico, quod tria
dieo, quod tria
reqniruntur,
reqiiiruutur, scilicet, iugenium sublile
scilicet, ingenimn naturale non
subtile natiirale non sophislicnm,
sopliisticuiii,
mauuum
manuum operatic, et libernm
operatic, arbitlgnm, et hoe
liberuni arbit\[uni, hoc requirit
rcquirit supieutium,
sapieutiam,
<li'iti:1s,
divitias, ct libres.
et libros. Sapientiam, ad seicndum
Sapieutiam, lheere: divitias,
sciendum lacere : divitias, ad
habendum
þÿll1llJ ¬1](.llllH
potcstatem thciendi:
potestatem facieudi : libros intellect um aperiendum
libros ad intelleetum aperieudum
(ll'('1`S1lll
divcrsvuu qui qui est in multis gentibus. —
Kicârdus Studium se-
gentibus. And Ricl;ardus-Studium
cundum doctores amovct amovet ignorantiain
ignorantiam et ct reducit humanum
huuianum intel-
intel-
lectmn ad veram
lectum seientiam ct
veram scientiam cognitioncm cujuslibet
et cognitioncm rei.
cujuslibet rei. Ergo
Ergo
neecssc est per studium hujus suavis operis SCl('I1fil1lll
primis necesse
in primis per hnjus operis scientiam
aequirere et per
acquirere pliilosophiea dicta iugenium
per philosophica acuere, cum
ingcnium aeuere, cum in ipsis
ipsis
sit eognila
sit cognita via veritatis si ergo laborantes laborem non
si ergo non de-
fI'l1ClJllll1 iudo
spexerint fructum
spexerint inde provcnientem
provenientem duleitcrdulciter gustabuut,
gnstubunt, &c.&e.-
Theat. Chem. vol.
Thcat. ii. p.
vol. ii. p. 410.
419. _liielliarmli Angliei Libellus,
Iticlyardi Anglici Libellus, cap. ii.
cap. ii.
^
DTENTAL
Mental Requisites
REQUISITES AND IMPEDIMENTS.
and Impediments. 4ll
411
prayer, He stops
prayer, thc effect
stops the effect thereof, either by
thereof, either inter-
by inter-
posing obstacles
posing obstacles to things
things already begun,
already begun, or else
else suf-
suf-
tering to conclude with an
fering them to evil event?
an evil event.
These several preliminary requirements will
preliminary requirements will not ap-
ap-
pear astonishing to those who have obtained an insight
pear astonishing insight
into the nature of
into of this science, nor will
this science, it be deemed
will it
by any,
by we hope,
any, we hope, a canting
canting pretence affectation for
pretence or affectation for
philosophers to talk
philosophers talk of praying
praying for for Divine assistance
assistance in in
a research, which is
a is so much wrapped
wrapped in in and about the
Desire as to be ultimately
ultimately made manifest through through its its
means. Besides, are we we not accustomed to seek for for
benefits
benefits where we we think they are to be found ?
they ? if we go
if we go
to the musician to learn learn music,
music, the chemist to procure procure
instruction
instruction in in his art, to the astronomer, builder,
his art, builder, or
other niechanist
mechanist to learn their their several acquirements,
acquirements,
how much more ought
how^ ought we we not to apply apply to the Causal
Fountain for Wisdom, which is
for Visdom, is His alone and volunta-
rily bestow ? And as the learned of this

rily to bestow? this world
wôrld must
be won by some means to impart
won by some
impart their knowledge,
their knowledge,
shall we
shall we not by the same
by parallel endeavour to move
same parallel move
the Divine Nature by prayers, who has promised

by prayers, promised all all
things to those humbly
things humbly and early seeking Him
early seeking Him?? For
to desire and covet after after Wisdom
Visdom is is to seek to be a
partaker
partaker of Divinity to which we
that Divinity aspire, and no
we aspire, no
otherwise can we be made partakers,
can we partakers, it is taught,
it is taught, but
by
by aa voluntary assimilation.-My
voluntary assimilation. — My son, instructs the
wise Hermes,
Hermes, I
I admonish thee to God, in
love God, whom
in wliom
is the strength
is strength of thy undertaking
thy undertal~;ing and the bond of
whatsoever thou meditatest to unloose, unloose, and this this
science II have obtained by by the sole gift gift of the living
living
God inspiring
inspiring me?
me.^ Man may —
may conditionate-ought, by
conditionate ought, by
patient
patient labour disciplining,
disciplining, to prepare
prepare the way
way of the
Greater in in the Lesser Good Good; but he cannot compel,
;
coinpcl,
much less impart,
impart, the Divine blessing blessing on his handi-
on his
work, neither cement the spiritual
work, spiritual union Mor yiov give
give
it
it increase. There is is a period
period too,too, when in conjunc-
conjunc-
1
1
Digby's Translation of the Lucerua
Digby's Salis,
Sails, page 320.
page Re-
Ee-
capitulation.
capitulation.
cap. i. & ii.
2
- Tract. Aur. cap. i. ii.
: : ;

AND Conditions.
tio11, the
tion, the Spirit transcends all
Spirit all earthly control, and
earthly control,
passing
passing under the
the Divine Hand, recreates by His sove-
by
reign
reign will
will alone.
alone. But it
it is
is vain to look for
for blessing
a blessing
from Nature without His co-operation

co-operation who is is her Vill
Will ;
for without controversy,
for controversy, as the Scripture alludes, the
Scripture alludes,
Lesser isis blessed
blessed by by the Greater. —
Greater.-Every good gift
Every good gift and
every perfect gift

every perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights in
Lights in
whom there
there is variableness or shadow of turning.
is no variableness turning.
— And again,
-And again, Paul may may plant
plant and Apollos
Apollos maymay water,
water,
but God alone givethgiveth the Increase.
Increase. -And —
And God withholds
this increase
not this increase alone, but deprives deprives the talent
talent like-
like-
wise, where it
wise, it is
is wasted or hoarded without interest interest or
promotion. To them that have and use is
promotion. is given
given
abundantly, but from him that improves
more abundantly, improves not
is taken away
there is even that which he has.
away even has. For the
Almighty
Almighty will
will not permit
permit his
his gifts
gifts to remain idle,
idle,
less may
much less may theythey suHèr
suffer abuse, being
being immortal;
immortal and ;
he therefore must be a good good steward who would

wôuld over-
rich treasury
look the rich treasury of life.
life.
Our gold common plate,

silver ben no common
gold and silver plate,
But a sperme owte of a body
a sperme body I1 take,
take,
wliycb is
the whyeh
In tlie is alia, Lune, Life and Light,
Sol, Lune,
alle, Sol, Light,
"Tater
"Water and Ertb, Fyre and Fryght:
Erth, Fyre Frygbt
And alle cometh of one
alle cometb one Image,
Image,
But the Vater Wood, maketb
AVater of the Vood, maketh the marriage.
marriage.
Therefore there ys no other waye
ys no waye
But to take thee to thy thy beades and pray pray; :
For eovetons
covetous men men ytyt findeth
fiudeth never
Though they
Though they seek yt once and ever:
yt once ever
Set not your
your hearts in thys thys thing
thing
only to God and good
But only good lyvinge
lyvinge
And he that will will come thereby
thereby
Must be meeke
meekc and full full of mercy
mercy :
:
Both in
Botli in spyrit
spyrit and in in countenance,
countenance.
Full of charitie
eharitie and goodgood governance,
governance,
And ever more more full
full of alms deede.
Symple
Symple and pev.'cr1y
pewerly hys lyf to leade:
hys lyf leade :
\'ith prayers,
AVitli penances, and piety.
prayers, penances, piety,
And over
ever to God a lover be, be,
And allall the riches that he ys ys sped,
sped,
To do God worshippe
worshippe with almes deed.
you that have sought
All you manic a day.
sought manie day,
Leave worke, your bcades
\'OI`l{C, take your beades and pray.*
pray!
1'
Pierce, the Black
Fierce, Monk, on
Monk, on the Elixir,
Elixir, in Ashmo1e`s
Aslimole's Theat.
;
MENTAL REQUISI'FES
Mental IMPEDIMENTS.
and Impediments.
Requisites AND 413
41^
Vith the nature and effects

With effects of
of prayer, in ordinary
prayer, in ordinary
Hfe, men are familiar
life, all
all
men familiar in
in one degree for
other; for
degree or other;
every desire of the mind is
every desire is in its kind a
in its prayer and
a prayer
preparative
preparative for the acquirement
for acquirement of its its object
object ,; and if if
prayer effected
prayer nothing else,
effected nothing else, itit certainly collects the
certainly collects
coiToborates the faculties
mind, and corroborates faculties in in their
their pursuit
pursuit ;
for
for when the thoughts
thoughts are concentered, means means and ad-
juncts themselves, which do not occur when

suggest themselves,
juncts suggest
they
they are indifferently drawn ; and thus by
indifferently ; by a prayerful
a prayerful
communion we we often obtain and divine

often things which
things
otherwise we we should not. But the esoteric
esoteric ground
ground
brings
brings us
acquainted
acquainted with prayer in
prayer far deeper
in a far deeper sense,
sense,
and adepts
adepts are eloquenteloquent in in their imputations of its
their imputations its
efiieacy
efficacy in
in Spagyric Vorks,
Spagyric Works, when the mind is
is lifted
lifted
up —
even in
up ;--even
; in the midst of the operations operations of Vital
Chemistry,
Chemistry, full
full of labour and toil, they
toil, they prayed,
prayed, says says
Kirchringius,
Kirchringius, and every
every man
man knows,
knows, that hath entirely
entirely
devoted himself to this business, how effectual
this business, effectual prayer
prayer
is,
is, and how often those things
things which he long sought
long sought
and could not find, imparted to him in
find, have been imparted in a mo-mo-
ment,
ment, as it
it were, infused from above,
above, or dictated by
by
some good
good genius.
genius. That also is is of use in in solving
solving rid- rid-
dles and enigmatical
enigmatical writingswritings ; for for if
; you burn with a
if you
great
great desire
desire of knowing
knowing them, that is piâyer
is pra_yer.': and
when you incline your
you incline your mind to this
this that, variously
or that,
variously
discussing
discussing and many
meditating many things, this
meditating things, this is co-
is C0-
: that your prayer may not be, be, for want
operation
operatioti :
your prayer may for of
exertion a tempting
tempting of God ;;
yet
yet all
all endeavour is
is vain
until you
until you find Hnd the solution.solution. Nevertheless, if
Nevertheless, if you
you
despair
despair not,
not, but instantly persist
instantly persist in
in desire,
desire, and cease
not from labour, length, in
labour, at length, moment, the solution
in a moment,
will
will fall
fall in in; this is
; is rcvelrztion,
irvdation, which you you cannot
receive unless you you pray
p1'ay with great
great desire and labour,
labour,
your
using your
using utmost endeavour
endeavour; and ; yet
yet you
you cannot
perceive
perceive how from all
all those things,
things, of which you
you
thought, which were not the solution of the Enigma,
thought, Enigma,
the solution itselfitself arose. This unfolding
unfolding of the Riddle
you the mystery
opens to you
opens mystery of all things, and shows how
all things,
available prayer
prayer is is for the obtainment of things things spiri-
spiri-
tual and eternal,
eternal, as well as corporeal corpo1°eal and perishing
perishing
;
414 Laws and CoND1T1oNs.

AND Conditions.
goods: and w/zen

goods : prayer is
when prayer Nl(/(/C 'wit/1
is made with 11 a /1cm't
heart not
feigned,
feigned, but
hut sincere, you
sincere, you will
icill .sec
see that
that t//arc
there is
is not/sing'
nothing
m01'ejt_for
more Jit for the
the fzcqzziring cy'
acquiring of 11;/mt
what you
_you desire.
desire. Thus
piety is
piety for all
available for
is available things, as the oracles
all things, declare,
oracles declare,
prayer especially,
and prayer especially, which is
is its
its principal
principal exercise, is
is
protitable for
profitable great undertakingsl
for great undertakings.^
But with all
lest,
lest, this, it
all this, it should appearappear to any any su-
perstitious
perstitious or
or unrighteous to invoke the
otherwise unrighteous
Divine aid aid to this particular undertaking,
this particular undertaking, as if if God
were mutable, we take lcayg leayp to add a a few further con- a
atso
^} siderations in
siderations andfthe different
defence, and^the
in defence, different kinds of invosg invox .
cation which were were employed

employed by by the ancients in
in
celebration of Theurgie
their celebration
their rites.
Theurgic rites.
Prayer, according
Prayer, according to Jamblicus,
Jamblicus, was divided into into
three classes.classes. The firstfirst of which,
which, as pertaining
pertaining to
the early early initiations,
initiations, was called C0//active,
was called having
Collective, having
for its
for its object
object to gathergather the mental powers powers into into ae-
ac-
eord with their
cord their leader, seeking a clue whereby
leader, seeking whereby it it
may
may enter the intelligible profundity
intelligible profundity of the Enigma.
Enigma.
The second cfects effects the t/ze bonds Q" of coflcordfzrzt spirits;
concordant spirits;
ealling forth,
caUing forth, prior
prior to to_ the energy
energy of speech, speech, the
imparted by
gifts imparted
gifts Divinity, and perfecting
by Divinity, perfecting the subor-
operations, prior
dinate operations, intellectual alliance.
prior to intellectual The
third is is the
thefna!
final azz!/zoritative
authoritative sen!
seal Q'
of 11ui01z,°
union ; when the
desire, leading
desire, leading from faith,
faith, becomes into its
its true end.
The first, first, recapitulates
recapitulates our our author, pertains to Illumi-
author, pertains
nation; the second,
nation ; second, to a Communion of Operation Operation;
through the energy
but through energy of the third,third, we we receive a per- per-
fect plenitude of Divine Fire.
fect plenitude Fire. And supplication,
supplication, inin-
deed precedes,
precedes, like like a precursor, preparing the way
precursor, preparing way be-
fore the sucrfce
fore appears ; but sometimes it
sacrifice I/]v]6`(l1`S,' it intercedcs
intercedes
mediator f' and sometimes fzccomplis/Jes
as a 7I1C(]f(Il0I','2 accomplishes the end
of sacrificing.
sacrificing. No
ZV0 operation however, in ~S'(IC)'('([
operation /zowever, sacred con-
cerns, can
1'c1'11.v, wit/10118 the intervention
.swcccezl without
can succeed i)1ZCl"U('I1ff0ll Q" prayer.
of p1'11_ye1'.
Lastly, the continual exercise of prayer
Lastly, prayer nourishes the
I
^ See the Auuotations
Sec Annotations of Kirchringius Yalentiue, sub
Kirchriiigius on Basil Valentine,
init.
init. ]). 5.
p.
9
2 St. Paul's
See St. Paul's Epistle viii. 26,
Eomans, viii.
Epistle to the Romans, 26, 27.
l_"";
H-
MENTAL
Mental Requisites
Rizouisirizs and IMPEDIMENTS.
vigour intellect, and renders the receptacles

vigour of our intellect, receptacles of
the soul far
far more capacious
czzpacious (by
(by enlarging
enlarging the desire)
desire)
tor the
for the communications of the gods.gods. It likewise
It likewise is
is
1*/ze Divine Key
the w/zic/1 opens
Key ivhich men the
£0 men
opens to the pezzctra/ia fy'
penetralia of
Wisdom ;; accustoms us to the splendid rivers of super-
splendid rivers super-
nal light; and by
nal light ; these, in
by tliese, in a short time, perfects
perfects the
inmost recesses and disposes
disposes them forfor the inefiable
ineffable
knowledge and contact of Divinity;
knowledge Divinity nor does adora-
nor :
tion desist
tion till it
desist till raised the sublimated soul up
it has raised up to
the summit of all. all. For it gradually and silently
it gradually silently
upwârds the manners
draws upwards of the soul,
manners of' by divesting
soul, by divesting
foreign to a
thing foreign
every thing
her of every a Divine nature,nature, and
clothes her with the perfections
clothes perfections of the gods.
gods. Besides
this, it
this, produces an
it produces indissoluble
an indissoluble communion and friend-
friend-
ship
ship with Divinity, nourishes a
Divinity, a Divine love, and in-
in-
flanies
flames the Divine part
part of the soul.
soul. Vhatever
Whatever is is of an
an
opposive and contrary

opposive contrary nature it
it helps
helps to expiate
expiate and
expels whatever is
purify, expels
purify, is prone generation, and re-
prone to generation,
nothing of the dregs
tains nothing dregs of mortality
mortality in in its
its ethereal
and splendid
splendid spirit;
spirit perfects
perfects
;
a good hope
good hope and faith, faith,
concerning
concerning the reception
reception of Divine Light, and in
Light, in one
word, renders those by by whom it it is employed the fa-
is employed fa-
miliars and domestics of the gods?
miliars gods.^
Such then beingbeing the advantages
advantages of prayer, prayer, and such
the connection of adoration with sacrifice, sacrifice, and the
end of Theurgic sacrifice is a conjunction with
Theurgic sacrifice is conjunction wdth the
Demiurgic
Demiurgic Intellect; hence,
Intellect hence,
; does it not follow,
it follow, that the
benefit of prayer,
prayer, if if we
We concur at all all inin opinion
opinion con-
cerning
cerning these things,
things, is
is of the same
same extent with the
good
good which is
is conferred by
by such an alliance? And
these three terms of adoration,
adoration, in which,
w'hich, according to
according
the authorities,
authorities, all
all the Divine measures
measures are contained,
contained,
only conciliate the warring
not only warring elements of life, but
life,
extend to man man three supernal

supernal benefits;
benefits ; as,
as, trans-
lated from one form of perfection
perfection to another,
another, Life pro-
pro-
gresses, bringing
gresses, bringing forth an
an
offspring
offspring to be sacrificed on
on
thc alternating confines of each ; as it

the alternating ; it wêre
were three Hes-
perian Apples
perian Apples of Gold.
11
See ,]Jainl>licus,
JâmMicus, De Mysteriis,
Mysteriis, cap, Xxvi.
cap. xxvi.
1
%
416 LAws
Laws CONDITIONS.
and Conditions.
AND
And thus the end of all adoration is

all adoration attained, and
is attained,
there the rationalrational inquiry rests
inquiry rests as in its
in its proper object,
proper object,
there the
and there attraction of love
the true attraction love is is to be found,
which in in this life never can be but by
this life by an ablation
ablation of
MH
1
O-L
*f'/
p ' its
•jfei For the attractions
attractions which are here supplied to
supplied
sensible
sensible perception,
perception, and for
for which so many
so
many pray,pray, are
transitory,
transitory, and the desire
desire of them is
is nothing more than
nothing more
desire of images
the desire images which lose lose ultimately
ultimately the mag- mag-
netic virtue
netic imparted to them bythe
virtue imparted by the idea, idea, and because
without it, it, when in in the possession,
possession, they they are found to
be neither truly truly desirable,
desirable, nor suflieient, nor good.
sufficient, good.
u
D
/V But if,
and for
if, -La
•«
for a general
the HidifFereat
prosperity in
general prosperity
concerns of life,
life,
public worship, hoping

in public worship,
men
men pray
pray
hoping
heard, how much more
to be heard, more should not the desire desire be
conceived effectualeffectual when addressed within the Living Living
Of)/vu
f^crr^-^ Temple
Temple to
t® the Divine Light
Light within ; ; when,
when, in
in the con-
gress
gress of allied
allied mind,
mind, the Spirit
Spirit wakes to consciousness ; ;
and, in
and, theiruniversal harmony
in thcLmniversal harmony conspiring,
conspiring, dissolves
dissolves
total life
the total love.
life to love.
II called
called upon upon the Lord, Lord, exclaims the Psalmist, Psalmist, and
He heard me me out of His holy temple, and my
His holy temple, my cry
cry
came before Him, even
came even unto His ears. I prayed,
I prayed, and
understanding was given
understanding given me;me II called
; called upon upon God, God, and
Spirit of Wisdom
the Spirit Visdom came —
me. And hence it
came to me.-And it may
may
more readily
readily be conceived,
conceived, how prayer
prayer and self-saeri-
self-sacri-
tice conspiring,
fice conspiring, mutuallymutually corroborate and confer on
each other a perfect eflicaey in
perfect efficacy in Divine works works; since,
; since,
even Matter itself itself isis said to be extended to the desi1'- desir- , /
V
able, i.e.,i. e., to the Good; and tlûgh this desire isX,^/ is
able,
through A
filled with as many

filled many goodsgoods as it is able to participate.
it is participate.
And when things things have run up
up far
so far as to this
this Sudi-
Suffi-
cience they they become tranquil
tranquil in
in it,
it, and are liberated
from the parturitions,
parturitions, and the desire which they they nal
na-
turally possess.
turally possess. Neither will
will it
it therefore be proper
proper to
omit any any partpart of this
this concord,
concord, or deny any faculty of
deny any faculty
the mind its its due exercise in the Prejmration, Preparation, since
these diversified parts parts ot'of the Spirit
Spirit are in their re-
nascent harmony made one
naseent harmony one ; thence again
; again to be evolved
procession to complete
in catholic procession equilibriated cir-
complete the equilibriated cir-
cle of their Law.
cle And this much mav may suflice concern-
suffice concern-
RTENTAL
Mental REQUISITES
Requisites and IAIPEDNIENTS.
AND Impediments, 417
ing the
ing the nature ofof prayer,
prayer, and the
the corroborative efficacy
etlicacy
of the Human Will, Vill, acting in
acting in concert with its
its Final
Final
Cause to fulfil lt.
to fulfil It.
The next difficulty presenting itself

difiiculty presenting itself to the mind of
the student,
student, after
after he has obtained a general
a general knowledge
knowledge
of the Hermetic ground, ground, with a hopeful desire to
hopeful desire
operations, has been to find
commence operations, find suitable
suitable assist-
assist-
ance in undertaking; many
in the undertaking many
; have halted here a long
long
while unprofitably,
unprofitably, for for it
it isis evident that that Without
without a
Subject to work with and reciprocate
Subject reciprocate the design
design it it re-
mains abortive, as a statue in in the conception

conception without
the marble to givegive itit utterance.
The ascent to Unity Unity is arduous, and the descent is
is arduous, is
not undertaken in in safety alone; neither is
safety alone ; is there any
any
Spirit, as we have already
increase of the Spirit, already shown,
shown, with-
out a medium and a bond, —
Behold, two are better
bond.--Behold,
says the Preacher,
than one, says Preacher, because they they have a good good
reward for
for their labour, and nmtually
their labour, mutually assist
assist each other
by the way
by way: but for
: for one alone, there is
one alone, is no
no end of his his
labour; and for
labour; wdiom do II labour,
for whom saith he,
labour, saith he, and be-
reavc my soul of good?
reave my good? This is vanity, yea,
is vanity, it is
yea, it is a
travail?
sore travail.^
But so much has been written, written, and with such a deal
sophistication,
of sophistication, about the Philosophic Vessel and
Philosophic
its
its multiform distillatory apparatus, of nerves,
distillatory apparatus, veins,
nerves, veins,
alembics, that we
and alembics, we should be in in doubt where to
choose a guideguide in this
this respect
1`CS1)CCt sufliciently
sufficiently intelligible,
intelligible,
and who is trustworthy and of equal
same time trustworthy
is at the same equal
fame ; one
; one hint, however, in
hint, howêver, in the sum
sum of Norton's
Norton's Or-
c/izml, may
dinal, help to extricate us
may help us from the diiliculty
difficulty of
many more,
explaining many
explaining more,
Which are full
Wliicli full derkc,
derke,
ordeyne instruments according
To ordeyne wcrke.
according to the werke.
As every Chapter hath divers intents,
every Chaj^ter intents,
it divers instruments,
So hath it instruments.
Both in matter also i11
in shape,
shape,
In concord that nothing may
tliat nothing mishap ;
may mishap ;
As workers of division and separation

separation
Have small vessels for their operation
operation ; ;
1
1 Eccles. iv. 8, 9.
iv. S,
E E
; ; ; ; ;
4
418 Laws
Lixws and CONDITIONS.
AND Conditions.
But vessels
vessels broad for for humectation,
And somesome deale
deale broad for tor circulation
circulation ;;
But long vessels for
long vessels for precrjoitatirm
])recipitatio)i ;;
But short
short am] long serve sublimation ;;
and long
Narrow vessels
vessels and four inches bigU
four inches high
Serve correction
correction most properly.properly.
Of vessels
vessels some be made of ot' leazle,
leade,
And somesome of cla^/ both quick
of clay quick and deaddead;
Dead clay clay is called such a thing,
is called thing,
As hath suffered
suffered great
great 7`0[tSfll1gj
roasting
Such meddled in in potvder
powder with good raw clay,
good raw clay,
îWjier
þÿVil1_] ¬er abide and not go away
go :1\':y; ;
But many
many clayes
clayes willwill woll leapleap l11fEl',
iwfier,
Such for for vessels
vessels doe not desire. desire.
vessels bc
Other vessels be made of of stone,
For tier sufficient, but few or
fier sufficient, or none
none; ;
Among
Among zvorhemen,
workemen, as yet is founde
yet is
In any county of English
any county English grounde,
grounde,
\'hich of
Which of -water
wafer nothing
nothing drinke shall shall
And yet witliall ;
rlriefer withall
yet abide driefier
large for
Stones, large
Such Stones, intente,
our intente,
for our
Were fl.a precious
Vcrc instrument;
precious instrument
But other vessels
vessels be made ol' ofglasse,
glasse.
That spiritual
spiritual matters should not outpnsse outpasse ; ;
Of ashes, offeme in
ashes, o_f`_ferne in this lond everi
this land everi each one
cue
Be made, but elsewhere be of stone ::
Of ourour glasses,
glasses, the better kinde, kinde,
The morning
morning stufie
stuffe ye ye shall
shall itit finde,
Which
Vhicl1 was was ashes the night night before,
before,
Standing in heate,
Standing heate, all night and more,
all night more,
The harder
harzler stagfe
stuffe is is called Fretovz,
called Freton,
Of clyoping
Ot' clipping of other _glassesglasses it come ;
it come ;
Tinctare
Tincture with ancalinganealing of ofglasicrs
glasiers
\'ill
Will not perse him as they
]iot perse they reherse.
By
By this doctrine
this zloctrine chase
chuse or re/iese,
refuse.
Tahe that which you
Take wall unto _z/oar
you woll your use,
use,
For in figures
figures of vessels kinde,
kiude,
man followeth his
Everie man own minde
his own minde;
The best fashion isis yc maic be sure,
yo maie sure,
She that concordeth with vessel ol' of Nature ;
;
And figure
figure that best concordeth with quantity,
quantity,
And with all
all circumstances, ma-ttcr best is
circumstances, to matter is she,
she
And this sheweth best /llber-tus Magm/s,
Albertus lhI(1_Q1Z1l6`,
his Boke
In his Boho De lllineralilms.
Minei-alibus.
Hereof a secreate disclosed was. was 3
By my
By good Blaster,
my good more and lesse,
Master, to more lesse,
Saying, Si Deus non fleclisset
Saying, dedisset nohis
nobis vas
ras
Ni/zil dedisset,
Nihil derlisset, and that is
is glasse}
_qlasse.l
l1
Xorton's Ordinal,
JSTorton's Ordinal, chap. vi. p.
chap. vi. 9~L.
1). 94.
:
MENTAL
Mental Risouisirns AND IMPEDIMENTS.
Requisites and Impediments. 419
The Spirit finally constructs its

Spirit finally its own vi-
vessel and vi-
own vessel
trifies
trifies itit; and since
; since thc artist is
the artist is at liberty to make
at liberty
choice according to convenience of'
choice according his instruments in
of his in
beginning, and each one
the beginning, one would be likelylikely to vary
vary
in
in his preference, we
his preference, We avoid a superfluity
superfluity of description
description ; ;
besides, of the many

besides, many that may be called
that may called together,
together, at
first, few, it
first, it will
will be understood, are chosen to proceed proceed
beyond the exigencies
beyond exigencies of the preliminary
preliminary Gross Work.
And then, will they not speak
will they for themselves ?? Those
speak for
philosophic
philosophic vessels, like
like the planks of Argo,
planks Argo, on occa-
sion, are still
sion, still oracular ; being felled from the self-same
being felled
;
ground too,
ground too, in same classic
in the same grove, made vocal by
classic grove, by
Apollo.
Apollo.
And inethinks few

metliiuks potters Within
fev potters within this
this Realm,
Eeahn,
Have made at at ony tyme such cunning
ony tyine cunning ware.
ware,
As we,
We, for science, doe fashion and prepare.
for our science, prepare.
Few ever formed such, nor nor the like
like of them,
them,
Yet they without wrinkle or hem ;
plain Without
they are plain ;
another, it
One within another, it is pretty feate,
is a pretty feate,
The Third without them to guide up the
guide up heaie.
the heate.
First then with the potter
First potter thou must begin,
begin,
Which cannot make what he hath never seen.
Vhich
In order that thy vessels be made to thy
thy vessels thy mind
Stand byby while he worketh more suretysurety to finde
finde
And shew him what to do by some sign
by some sign or similitude,
similitude,
And ifif his Wits
wits be not too dull and rude,
rude,
He will
will understand what thou dost meane.^ meane.l
A
A humorous story is related in
story is in continuation, this
by this
continuation, by
author, difficulties he met with
author, of the difficulties wîth in
in the practice
practice
assistance: and how%
from indifferent assistance how, after so much
:
vexation and loss of time,

time, he was obliged
obliged to take the
whole of the Manual labour upon
ofthe upon himself.
passe, how our workes to frame.

For servants doe not passe, frame,
But have more
more delighte play and to game.
delighte to play game.
A good Solomon, let
servant, saith Solomon,
good servant, let him be unto thee,
thee,
own hearte,
As thine own hearte, in each degree:
degree
For it precious a faithful servant to hude,
is precious
it is finde,
Esteem him above treasure if thy minde.
if he be to thy
Not wreckless, sober, Wise
Wreckless, but sober, wise and quiet,
quiet,
Such a one were even
evcn for my dyet.^
for my dyet?
1^
Charnocke's Breviary of Philosophy,
Charnocke's Breviary chap. i.
Philosophy, chap. i.
7 iii.
2 Idem,
Idem, chap.
chap. iii.
E
12 E 2
— : : ; : ; ;;

and Conditions.
The value of such assistance may be better

assistance may better appre-
appre-
ciated when
ciated we
speak of the
we come to speak Preparatory
the Preparatory
Practice which Norton, uaively,
Practice naively, and without much
enumerating also
envy, describes, enumerating
envy, also the needful qualifi-
qualiti-
cation
cation and numbers of individuals the
employed about the
individuals employed
Work, as follows
Gross Vork, follows z- :
The Second Concorrl

Concord with this this Arte is,is,
When ye
Vheu ye can fiude
finde apt
apt Ministers
Noe Minister is is apt
apt to this intent
to this intent
But he be sober,
sober, wise, and diligent
diligent;
Trewe, and ivatchful,
Trewe, waic/z_/ill, and also
also limeroz/s,
timerovs.
Close of tongue,
Close Laffy not vicious,
tongue, of body vicious,
Clenhj of hands, in
Clenly tuching curious,
in tucking curious.
Not rlisobealient,
disobedient, neil/zer presumptuous ;;
neither presunqotuous
Such servants may may your
your workes of of charge
charge
Minister, and save from
Minister, trom all
all outrage
outrage:
But trust meme that two such servants or three
Maie suflicient for

Male not sufficient your work be
for your be; ;
If your matter be of quantity

If your quantity reasonable,
reasonable,
Then eight
eight such servants be convenable
eonrenable; ;
upon little
But upon finde ye
quantitye, finde
little quantitye, shall
ye shall
men able to performe
Foure men pertbrme alle:
alle
Then one
one }zz1U`
half oiof them
them, must werkewer/ce
Vhile the other half sleepetlz
AVhile goeth to krrke
sleepeth or goeth kerJie :
:
For of'of this

this Arte ye shall not have praije
ye shall pn-aye
But it 6e mini.st('refI
it he ministered as well by night
loell by daye
night as r/aye;
Contiuually, except the holi
Continually, except Sonday alone ;;
holi Sondny
From Evensong
1~`rom Evensong begin till Evensong
begin till Eveusoug be done.
And while they they ivorkc
worke they
they must needs eseherr
eschew
ribaudry, else
All ribaudry, they shall
else they linde this
shall finde this trewe,
trewe,
'Phat mishap shall
That such mishap sliall them befall
befall
They shall destroy
They shall part of their werks
destroy part Works or all
all ;
Tlieretore
Therefore all all the ministers must be men. men,
Or els
els thei must be all weomen ;
all weomen ;
Set them not occupied

occupied oneone with another,
another,
Though
Though some some to youyou be sister
sister or brother ; ;
Yet thei
iTet thei must have some some good
good disporte,
disportc,
greate labors to recomforte:
Their greate recomforte
uothiuge shall better avaunce
Then nothinge
Worke than shall
Your woi'ke Coueordauuee.
sliall this Concordaunce.
Yet Instruments useful there be more, more.
ordcyned therefore ;
As be Furnaces ordeyued ;
men imagined
Old men imagined for this this Arte
AA special _furnace for every
special fiirnace every parte
parte
Every devising after his owne
Every each devising owne thoughte
thoughte
But many
many furnaces of them be uoughte noughte ;
Some
Seine were
were too broad, some too long,
broad, some long,
Mani of them did nature wrong.
Mani wrong.
BIENTAL
Mental REQUISITES
Requisites and Inraomnwrs.
Therefore some
some furnaces may well
furnaces may well be used,
used,
But many of them must be refused.1
many of refused.^
The true furnace has been described little sim-

described as a little
ple
ple slzell
shell ,'
; thou mayest easily carry
mayest easily carry it,
it, says Vaughan,
says Vaughan, in in
one of thy thy Hands
Hands; the ;
glass
glass is
is one, and no more
more; ;
philosophers have used two,

but philosophers mayest thou.
two, and so mayest thou.
As for itself, it
for the work itself, is no
it is way troublesome ; a lady
no way ; lady
may
may read the Arcaflla,
Arcadia, and at the same
same time attend
this philosophy without disturbing
this philosophy fancy. For
disturbing her fancy.
my
my part,
part, continues the philosopher,
philosopher, I
I think women
women
fitter for
are fitter it than men,
for it men, for in such things
for in things they
they are
patient. And again,
more neat and patient.
more in the Lumen
again, in Lumen clede
Lumina-tlie— excitation of the Fire is
Lurnine the excitation is a very trivial,
very trivial,
slight, thing nevertheless, all
ridiculous thing;
slight, almost a ridiculous ; all the
generation are therein con-
corruption and generation
secrets of corruption
tained?
tained.^ Geber calls this furnace Athanor ; and from
calls this ;
his example, others have described the same

his example, same with a
misleading subtlety,
misleading little commendable or instructive
subtlety, little
to any.
any.
But who knoiveth

lfnowelk the power, Working, and kinde
power, the working,
O^
Of ereryfizrnace, lie maye
every furnace, he lreut/1 tinde;
lnaye well trexdh finde ;
But he which thereof in ignorance.

thei-eof dwelleth in ignorance,
his Werke
All his faleth upon
worke faleth upon chance.
man is
Noe man his Intent
is sure to have his
"Without full concord of arte with liys
Vithout full hys instrument.
Mani more
lI:mi more instruments occupied
occupied ye shall see
ye shall
Than in this chapter now
this chapter now rehearsed be,be,
Which
Vhich ye ordayne by
ye must ordayne by good or sad advice,
good or advice,
And prove hand, if
prove them before hand, ye be Wise?
if ye wise.^
showing that indeterminate instruments must

After showing
employed in
be employed beginning, until the determinate
in the beginning,
shall declare themselves as byby the Spirit
Spirit they
they are
proved fit,
proved fit, Norton proceeds
proceeds in
in due order to point out
point
the best local and other outward circumstances for
1 vi.
1 .Norton's Ordinal,
Norton's chap. vi.
Ordinal, cliaj^.
2
2 Yaughan's Lumen de Lumine,
See 'augl1an's &c.; Ccelnm
Lmnine, &c. ; Coelum Terrzc,
Terrae, p.
p.
&c. and Sendivogius's
118, &c.;
118, ; Light and Eirenéus's
Sendivogius's New Light; ; Eirenûs's Introitus
Apertus, chap.
Apertus, viii. and xxiv.
chap. viii. xxiv, '.^q_.
(LQ
3
^ Ordinal, chap. vi.
Ordinal, chap. vi.
— ; ;
422 Laws Asn

and Cosnirioxs.
Conditions.
carrying on different Hermetic operations,

the different operations, as fol-
as fol-
carrying on the
lows z-
:
The Fourth Concord is

Thc full notable
is full notable
this arte and
Between this
Eetween places conrenable.
Zllld places convenable.
Some places must needs be ever
places must; ever more drie,
more drie,
Flose from
Close no waies windy;
aier and no
trom aier windy ;
Some must be darke and dim of of sight,

sight,
ln which Sun-beams none
In maye light
none mayc light ;
some places., the
But for
for some places, the trewth so is,
so is,
'I`hei cannot have too much brightnes
Thei brightnes : :
places must needes be moist and cold,

Some places
For some workes as Auctors toulde ; ;
But inin our workcs in

our workes everie place,
in everie place,
Wind will hurt in
U'incl will in everie
ererie case ::
Therefore for every worke in
for every in season
Ye
Ye must ordaine places places by
by reason.
Philosophers said,
Philosophers said, by their engine,
by their engine,
How it wrought wit/zin
it should be wrought locks 7}yne.
within locks nynr.
Astrologers said
Astrologers said it was a grace
it was grace
To tinde
finde a fitting
fitting z1:orking
ivorking place
j)lace ::
For manic things will
manie things will wondrous doc doe
ln some
In places and elsewliere
some places elsewhere not soc soe ;
;
eontrarie wonders be of one thinge.

But contrarie thinge,
In countries wrought
ln contrarie coimtries wrought without leasing
leasing ;
;
none other cause

`Vhercof none
"Whereof cause maye
mayo appeare.
appeare,
But only places of the splzeare
contrarye places
only contrarye spheare ::
Wherto
Vhe1-to places contrairye of thc
places contrairye the grounde.
grounde,
To them concordant and obedient be foundc; founde
great evidence and wittnes
Hercof great
Hereof wittues full
full eleare,
cleare.
ln the Jl[(1y1IPt`S
In Magnet's stone openly doth appeare,
slone openly appeare,
Vhose north pointe
AV'hose pointe drawcth
drawoth towards his conntnje,
his countrye,
Vhich under the South Star driveth needles away.
AVhich uader away.
wuse men
AV^herefore wise
\'hcretòre men which for for this Arte soughtc,
soughte.
some places
Found some places concordant,
concordant, some places not.'
some places not.'
having been
Secrecy having
Secrecy heen a principal object with those
principal object
practising
practising this Art, difficulty
Art, was found often to secure
difficulty was secure
this, and at the saine
this, same time supply
su})ply the other conditions,
conditions,
vary with thc
which vary the constitution and instinct of the
spiritual guide.
spiritual guide. .lust
Just such a locality
locality as Virgil appoint-
Virgil appoint-
for
ed for his Bees,
Bees, has been nicutioned
mentioned as desirable with
all his appropriate
all allegorical exceptions
appropriate allegorical corrupt and
exceptions of corrupt
cvil
evil associates. Strong
Strong currents of air
air are well known
1'
Ordinal,
Ordinal, chap. ri.
chap. vi.
Mental
BIENTAL REQUISITES IMPEDIMENTS.
and Impediments.
Requisites AND 423
to disturb
disturb communion; and the
communion the entranced Subject
; Subject isis
more
more or less
less susceptible
susceptible cfof all
all imaginative impressurcs,
imaginative impressures,
even after
which, even their act has passed
after their hang and
away, hang
passed away,
pollute
pollute the
the ether of their
their pcrtinacions
pertinacious abode,
abode, adepts
as adepts
well testify, Cornelius Agrippa,

testify, and Cornelius his Occult Phi-
in his
Agrippa, in P/1 i-
[osop/zy, diffusely expounds, showing
losophy^ diffusely expounds, showing that
that truly
truly
lt; is
It a grace
is a grace
To tinde fitting working-place.
finde a fitting working-place.
The following lessons of an

following lessons an English Adept, neither
English Adept,
antique
antique nor envious, may not be uninstructive in
envious, may in con-
clusion of the rest.-If rest. — thy desire
If thy desire leads thee on on to
practice (that
the practice (that isis of the ultimate Philosophic
Philosophic
Vork),
Work), says Vaughan, consider well with thyself
says Vaughan, thyself what
manner
manner of man
man thou art,
art, and what it is
it is that thou
wouldst do do: For it

: it isis nono small matter. Thou hast
resolved with thyself thyself to be co-operator with the
a co-operator
living God,
living God, and to minister to Him in his work of
in his
generation.
generation. Have a care, therefo1'e,
therefore, that thou dost
not hinder his his work
work; ;for
for if
if thy
thy heat exceeds the
proportion, thou hast stirred
natural proportion, stirred upup the wrath of
natures, and they
the moist natures, they will will stand up against the
up against
tire,
central fire, and the central fire
fire against them, and there
against them,
will be a terrible
will terrible division in in the Chaos ; but the sweet
;
spirit of Peace,
spirit Peace, the true eternal Quintessence,
Quintessence, will will de-
part
part from the elements, leaving
elements, leaving both them and thee
to confusion;
confusion ;neither will
will he apply apply himself to that
Matter as long long as it
it is
is in thy
thy violent destructive
We
Hands. Ve should always always remember that doctrine of
Zeno, that Nature gave
Zeno, gave us one tongue and two ears,
one tongue ears,
that we might hear much and speak
we might speak little.
little. Let not
any
any man
man therefore be ready to vomit forth his own
ready own
shame and ignorance
ignorance ; let
; let him first first examine his his know-
ledge,
ledge, and especially
especially his practice,
practice, lest
lest upon
upon the expe- expe-
þÿl'l ¬IlC of
rience ¬ a few violent knacks he presume presume to judge judge of
Nature in her very sobrieties.
very sobrieties. But ifif thou knowest
principal First Matter,
the principal Matter, know also for for certain thou
hast discovered the Sanctuary Sanctuary of Nature. There is is
nothing between thee and her treasures but the Door :
nothing :
—
424 Laws AND Coxnrrioxs.

and Conditions.
that indeed must be opened.
that opened. Have therefore therefore a chari-chari-
table seraphie
table seraphic mind, charitable and not destructive
mind, charitable destructive to
thyself. There is
thyself. in every
is in Christian aspice,
every true Christian a spice, I1 willwill
not say say a grain,
grain, of faith, for then we
faith, for we could work miracles.
miracles.
But know that as God is is the Father, so Charity is
so Charity is the
nurse of Faith. Faith. For there springs charitable
springs from charitable
works, (fi'om
works, (from the effects effects of of spiritual beneHeence,) a
spiritual beneficence,)
hope
hope of heaven heaven; and who is
; is he that will gladly be-
will not gladly
lieve what he hopes
lieve hopes to obtain obtain?? On the contrary,
contrary,
there springs
springs no no hopehope at all all from the works of dark-
ness, and by
ness, consequence no faith, but that faith
by consequence faith of
devils
devils to believe tremble.-Settle
believe and tremble. Settle not in t/ze lees
in the /ees
and pm/rl/es
puddles Qf of I//ethe wof'/11.
u'orld. [fave
Have t/ly heart in
thy /:cart /:eaten
in heaven
(11111
and I/fy /mmls upon
thy hands upon earl/z
earth Ascwzrl in
Ascend in piety
piety and dede-
scent! in
scend in charity.
c/1111'izf_y. For this this is Nmfure of Light
is the Nature Lig'/zt and
the way any of the children of it. it. Thou must live, live, as sayssays
Agrippa, according
Agrippa, according to God and the angels, rejecting
angels, rejecting
all things
all things that are dissimilar dissimilar to Ii/[C /zenvcn ;; otherwise
the heaven
thou canst have no no communion with superiors. superiors. Lastly,
Lastly,
MII(-V esto non
Unas so/us.
non solus. Avoid the multitude,
multitude, as well of
passions as of persons.
passions persons. And, in conclusion, II would
in conclusion,
have thee understand that every every dayday isis a contracted
year,
year, and that each year year is is as an extended day.
an day. An-
ticipate the year
ticipate in
year in the day, day, and lose
lose not a day in
day in the
year.
year. Make use use of indeterminate agents agents tilltill thou
canst find find a determinate
deterniinate one one: the many
: many wish well, well, but
one only
one loves.
only loves. Circumferences spread, spread, but centres
contract: so superiors
contract :
superiors dissolve and inferiors coagulate;
inferiors coagulate ;
stand not long long in in the su)i nor long in

S1111 nor long in the .>'/mrlc,
shade, where
extremes meet, there look for
1'.1't1'cn1¢'.s' meet, tbr complexions.
complexions. Learn
from thy thy errors to be infallible,
infallible, and from thythy misfor-
tunes to be constant. There is is nothing stronger than
nothing stronger
[)('l`<'('U('l`(Il1(`(',
Perseverance, for it
for miracles. I
it ends in miracles.^
Abundant evidence might brought to bear ,

might here be brought ;
but sutlicient
sufficient has been said for suggestive purposes,
suggestive purposes,
and addition would be as little little likely
likely to stimulate
information as to satisfy the
inquiry
incjuiry without practical
])ractical satisfy
incredulous. Nothing more generally insisted on,
is more on,
Nothing is generally
1
^ Anima INlagia
Aiiinia Abseondita, p.
llagia Abscondita, p. 51,
51, &e.;
itc. Cteluni Terrai,
Ca-luiii; p. 137.
Terra-, p.
;
Mental Requisites and Impediments. . 425

1u
T'
next to benevolence and rectitude of intention, than
lf °: -
Q
*g
.
perseverance for this 1experiment and if to the fore-

;
instructions we add in sum, that effects ration-

going YN:
ally investigated
1 lead into their causes, and that as the
plant of its seed
'U is reared, and according to its proper
species germinates in '11

git a congenial soil, so in this phi-
losophy the end is implied in the beginning, and the
purpose is by the product made manifest the motive, —
through ->the resulting action, by the metaphysical
cause, into physical effect
Qui capit, Ille Sapit.
And with this advice we conclude our introduction,

as it may
¢» 1
be called, to the Sphinx's lair. The first —
* _
O9 causes moves, as we apply
link in the chain of vital
up
the Master
Q. Key.
PORTTJS
Explicit, at Pbaxis maûalis c-eteea pandet.
'I I
l
PART
PART IV.
THE HERMETIC
HERMETIC PRACTICE.
PRACTICE
— — :
429
CHAPTER I.
I.
Of the Vital Purification,

I/ze Vital Puryfcatiou, commonly
commonly caller]
called
Wie
The Gross Work.
Dii sudoribus vendunt Artes.-Arcanum

Dii Artes. Arcanum Ignis
Ignis Aqure G.
Resp. 6.
Jquce Resp.
EXT,?the preliminary
NEXT^.the preliminary aids already noted,
aids already noted, and a
sufficient
sufficient theorytheory to begin
begin with,with, follows the Pre-
paration
paration of the Philosophic Subject,
Philosophic Subject, which is per-
is per-
formed, says
formed, says the Monk Basil, by operation of the
Basil, by operation
Hands,
Hands, that some some real real effect
effect maymay be produced.
produced. From
preparation
preparation arises
arises knowledge,
knowledge, even such opens all
as opens all
the fundamentals of Alchemy Alchemy and Medicine. Opera-

Opera-
tion of the hands, hands, continues he, he, requires
requires di/igent
a diligent
application of itself,
application itself, but thethc praise
praise of the science con-
sists in
sists experience; hence that notable maxim-P/1
in experience ; —
maxim Phy- y-
sician, /zeal
sicirm, heal t/z_ys@Q".
thyself. But the diflerence
difference of these, these, ana-
tomy
tomy (that(that which is is spiritual)
spiritual) distinguishcth:
distinguisheth operation
:
operation
shows thee how all all things may
things may be brought brought to light light
and exposed
exposed to sight visibly
sight visibly ;; but /rzzozcledgc,
knowledge, i.
i. 6.
e. expe-
expe-
rience, þÿ'7`
rience, reveals tthe
¬7J ¬(llS practice and .9/zozos
he practice jizrt/fer how
shows further /1010 to
proceed, and
proceed, ana' that whence t/ze true practitioner
w/renee the practitiofzer is, is, and
is no other than a confirmation
is coniirmation of the previous previous work work:
because the thc operation
operation of the hands manifests somesome-
thing
thing that is
is good,
good, and draws the latent and hidden
outwards, and brings
nature outwards, brings it it to light for good.
light good. And
thus, as in
thus, in Divine things things the way way of the Lord is is to be
prepared, so also,
prepared, also, in in these (spiritual) things, the
(spiritual) things, t/ze zmyivay
has to be opened opened and prepared,
prepared, that no error be made
from t/ze
from path : but that progress
right pat/2:
the rig/it progress may may be made
without deviation in the direct way way to healthf- health.
AJanual operation is
_/ll10`lIZl(l] operation chiefly required,
is chiefly therefore with-
required, therefore; ;
out which,
which, indeed,indeed, every operation, like a ship
every other operation, ship
ballast, floats and is
without ballast, is uncertain. But it it is
is difficult
difficult
express this with a pen;

to express pen for
;
more is
for more is learned
learner! by by otice
once
;
430 HERMETIC PRACTICE.

HERMETIC
seeing the
seeing done 7 than can be
the work done, be mug/it by the
taught by the zvriti/Ig
irriting
pages}l
many pages.
of many
Although
Although the Alchemists have written written diHùscly
diffusely on on
the Manual Practice, and delivered delivered many many Keys,Keys,
whereby, as they
whereby, they say,
say, we we maymay enter into into the the sanc-
philosophy and open
tuary of philosophy
tuary open her interior
interior recesses
recesses;
first way
yet the first
yet way of approach and shut entrance to
of approach
these has not been unfolded, nor would it it be possible,
possible,
we think, for
we think, for any one to discover the Practice from
any one
their books alone.
their alone. although it
For although it is called a play
is called play of
children, and represented
children, represented as a very very trivial,
trivial, slight, al-
slight, al-
most a ridiculous linear decoction through-
thing, one linear
ridiculous thing, through-
out and dissolution
dissolution by by line, yet neither instinct
line, yet instinct nor
reason would probably suggest, without instruction,
probably suggest, instruction,
tractive artifice
the tractive artifice nownow made publicly publicly easy easy of en-
trancing the senses in
trancing in their
their own
own medial light.
light.
But recent observation has proved proved various means of
effecting this,
effecting determining the natural life
this, and determining life to an
an in-
in-
traction of itsits beams, by by the hand or eye eye of another mes-
merising,or
merising, by a passive
or by fixed gaze
passive fixed gaze ; the virtues of ether
;
and chloroform too are familiar,familiar, and in in these days days igno-
igno-
preferred to the former expedients,
rant] y preferred
rantly expedients, since since their
eHècts are considered analogous
effects analogous and more more easily sup-
easily sup-
plied ;
plied ; which however are very different, as proved
very different, proved byby
eontrariety of their cause. For,
the contrariety For, whereas the one, one,
overcoming in
overcoming in light,
light, oxygenates, puriiies, and sublimes
oxygenates, purifies,
arterial blood,
the arterial blood, and in
in intellectual
proportion the intellectual
proportion
powers
powers; the
; other contrariwisc, by
contrariwise, by influxion of dark-
ness, drowns the oxygenating
ness, oxygenating spirit, prostrates and con-
spirit, prostrates con-
founds the mental powers, powers, and, and, further overwhelming,
overwhelming,
often produces syncope and death. But we
produces syncope we have no no
space
space to dwell here on errors that daily experience
daily experience
remove. The ancients appear
promises to remove.
promises appear to have
acquainted with other analogous
been acquainted analogous means means and inc- me-
dia of curative reputerepute; ; other revolutionary arts, too,
revolutionary arts, too,
by
by which the human spirit spirit may
may be involuted and con- con-
verted to its proper spheres.
its proper spheres. But to effect
eft'ect this
this was.
was,
1
' B.'alentinii
B.Valentinii Currus Triumphalis Antimonii, sub initio ; Kircli-
Triumphalis Antimonii, Kirch-;
Idem nota.
ringius in Basilio ldem
ringiug
;
WORK.
THE GROSS WORK.
THE 431
as we have repeatedly beginning only

repeatedly shown, a beginning only ofof the
Hermetic a1'tart ; the medium in
;
in its
its natural state is
natural state is vola-
vola-
tile, phantastic, irrational, and impotent,
tile, immanifest, phantastic, impotent,
compared with what it
compared it subsequently
subsequently is is able
able and by by
artificial conception
artificial suffers itself
conception suffers to become.
itself to The Al-
chemists, We
chemists, repeat therefore, did
we repeat satisfied
did not remain satisfied
passes of the hand, or any
with a few passes first phenomena
any first phenomena
whatever, but they
whatever, proceeded at
they proceeded scientifically to
at once scientifically
purify, depriving the ether of its
purify, depriving affections and
its wild affections
impressures
impressures by dissolution of the circulating
by a dissolution circulating body
body
in its own
in its own blood. For this is that Brazen Vall
this is Wall cele-
cele-
brated by Antiquity, which surrounds our Heaven and
by Antiquity,
must be scaled, and through past before any
through past any one can
discern the equilibriate
hope to discern
hope equilibriate felicity Being within.
felicity of Being
— Take the occult Nature, which is
-Take is our Brass,
Brass, says
says
Albertus, and wash it
Albertus, it may
it that it may be pure
pure and clean ; ;
dissolve, distill,
dissolvê, distill, sublime, calcine, and
sublime, incerate, calcine, fix
fix it;
it
the whole of which is is nothing

nothing else successive
else than a successive
dissolution and coagulation
dissolution coagulation to make the fixed fixed vola-
volatile fixed.
tile, and volatile
tile, fixed. beginning of the whole
The beginning
work isis a perfect solution?
perfect solution.^
although there are many
Now, although many ways ways of including
including
the sensible
sensible medium and of interior
unfolding the interior
unfolding
hght temporarily, yet
light temporarily, for
yet for the Purification we
we read but
of one
one way,
way, called by
by the Manual,
Adepts, Jllalzzml,
Adepts, and their
their
Lmear
Linear way, supersedes all
icay, which supersedes all other fi-om
from begin-
begin-
ning
ning to end of the Dissolution. And, according to
according
testimony, and for
general testimony,
their general explicable rea-
for other explicable
sons,
sons, we
we judge
_judge that the Hand was the instrument em-
em-
ployed,
ployed, not only
only to impart
impart the Spirit
Spirit as a natural gift,
gift,
but byby a continual mechanic trituration,
trituration, as it it were,
were, to
dissolve and ultimately
ultimately obliterate its its innate defects. The
Mercury philosophers, says Lully, comes
Mercury of philosophers, says LuUy, comes not but by
by
help
help of ingenuity,
ingenuity, and the Manual operations of man.
operations man.
And Vaughan
Vaughan says, says, Nature is is not moved by by theory
theory
alone,
alone, but by
by sagacious
sagacious Handicraft and human assist-
assist-
— Nature cannot of herself enter into the disso-
ance.-Nature
ance. disso-
1
1 Alberti
Secret. Tract. Albert! Mag.
Mag. in fine;
fine ; Ars Aurifer¢, 130, and
p. 130,
Aurifer«6, p. /
^
another. /
432 HERMETIC
IIERMETIC PRACTICE.
lution, says the

says the author of of the
the Filum Ariadne, because
Filiun Ariazlne,
she has no Hands.-The—
no Hands, The Hand, says Hehnont, is
says Van Helmont, is
the instrument of instruments, which the soul soul likewise

hkewise
useth, as a means
useth, means by by which it it bears
bears its image into
its image into
operation?
operation.^ We
Vc could bring together a
bring together amultitude
multitude of
passages showing
passages showing the literal
literal application of
application of these, these, but
have a doubt about the utihty, utility, since they would prove
since they prove
nothing
nothing to unbelievers ;; and those who disposed to
are disposed
for themselves, looking

inquire for
inquire looking to context and proba- proba-
bility, may
bility, may be readily
i:eadily convinced. We Ve are lessless than ever
anxious at at this
this late stage of inquiry
late stage inquiry to persuade others,
persuade others,
or induce trial of the practice
trial of practice where theoretic
theoretic power
power is is
deficient;
deficient ; but leave
leave the inercdulous
incredulous therefore to their
their
incredulity, until
incredulity, faith has independently
until faith independently established
estabhshed
fact over their
the fact their heads. For neither will will the pre-pre-
lude of'
of Hermetic practice attractive to the idle,
practice be attractive idle, but
continual labour is is exacted throughout
throughout the perform-
perform-
ance —patient toil,
ance-patient
and
toil, skill,
free will
unremitting attention,
skill, unremitting
to
attention, in
of
in the
execution,
execution, a free will the discovery
discovery error,
error,
without discordant slurring slurring or disguise.
01' disguise.
He that neglects
neglects the knowledge,
knowledge, being being disheartened
by
bythe
the diflieulties
difficulties thereof,
thereof, shall
shall never find where the
find
lieth, says Crollius,
disease lieth, says Crollius, for
for these Chemical Secrets
never be fingered
will never
will fingered by by those slothful or sottish sottish de-
spisers of them,
spisers them, by by reason of their indispositionindisposition and
unaptness
unaptncss for
for Manual operation.
operation. As also of the profane,
profane,
lewd,
lewd, and unworthy,
unworthy, there will
will be little
little danger of their
danger
apprehending
apprehending and discerning
discerning Divine Mysteries ; because
Mysteries ;
they want
theywant the spirit of
of Wisdom,
spirit Visdoin,and and are
quick ofun-
not quick of un-
derstanding
derstanding in these things.^ — Some
things."-Some indeed, amongst
indeed, amongst
ignorant and pseudo-chemists,
the ignorant pseudo-chemists, says says Eircnéus,
Eirenûs, ima- I\(^^'
gine
gine that our
our work
wôrk is
is mere recreation and amuse-
a mere
ment from beginningbeginning to end, holding indeed the

end, holding
labour of this this artifice
artifice in in light
light account. In the work
which they
they account so easy,
easy, however,
however, we
we observe they
they
reap
reap an empty
empty harvest for
for their
their idling pains
idling pains
; , we
we know,
know,
1^
Tlicoria ct
R. Lullii Theoria et Practica; Vaughan, Coclum
Practica Yauglian,
; Coolum Terrrc;
Terra; Le ;
Filet d' Ariadne, circa med._;

d'Ariadne, med..; Norton,
Norton, Ordinal,
Ordinal, c. iv.}[cln1ont,
iv. Helmont,
Oreatrikc, lntrod.
Oreatrike, Introd. and cap.
cap. c.
2
p. 10.
^ Crollius Phil. p. 10.
onoss WORK.
THE GROSS
rm; womc. 433
next the Divine blessing

blessing and a good principle to
g(l0(]])Iìl1Ci[)/6 to begin
begin
with, is
with, that it is by
it ussidzzity
by assiduity and industry that
industry that we
we ac-
First l'Vorlr.
complish the First
comphsh Work. Nor is is the work so easy easy
that it
it should be considered considered as a a mental recreation,
recreation,
either (since a concentrated attention is
either (since necessary), but
is necessary) ,
according to the labour we

accor(/ing' likewise reckon the
we do likewise
reward ; as Hermes says--I
; says —I spared
spared no either of
no labour either
mind or body;body; which also

also verifies
verifies that proverb of
proverb
Solomon
Solomon-The —
The desire
desire of the idle
idle shall
shall cause him to
perish.
perish. Neither is
is it
it wonderful that
that so
so many
many chemical
students were in in former times reduced to poverty, since
poverty, since
spared labour,
they spared
they labour, but no expense.
expense. But,
But, continues
the same author, We,
same author, we, who know the truth, truth, /mvc
have
worked,
worked, and we know beyond
beyond doubt that there is
is no
no
tedious than our First

work more tedious First Operation,
Operation, concern-
ing which Morien gravely
ing warns King
gravely warns King Calid,
Calid, saying
saying
that many
many philosophers
philosophers had been overcome
overcome with the
fatigue
fatigue of this
this work. Neither would I
I have these
Hguratively, continues he;
things understood figuratively,
things he II am
; am not
speaking
speaking here indeed of the commencement of the
Supernatural Vork,
Supernatural Work, but of things
things as we
jirs!
wejirst find them ::
and to wc!! dispose the

ivell ¢!i.s]J0.s'e matter,
the ;//r//^tv, this truly
truly is
is a labour and
a work.'
work.^
The work of philosophers,
philosophers, says Arnold, is
says Arnold, is to dissolve
the Stone in own Mercury,

its own
in its Mercury, that it it may
may be reduced
into its
its first —Opus namque
Matter.-Opus namque philosophorum,
first Matter. philosophorum,
Lapidem in
est dissolvere Lapideni in suum Mereurium, ut in pri-
suum Mercurium, pri-
mam materiam.^ This labour has,
mam reducatur materianrg has, byby the
author of the Hermetic Secret, Urbigeranus, and
.S%>cret, Urbigeranus,
some others, been styled
some others, styled a Labour of Hercules. For
there isis such a mass mass of heterogeneous superfluities
heterogeneous superfluities
adhering to our subject,
adhering nothing short of disso-
subject, that nothing
give it
lution can give it rest ; and^ wMeli Adepts say,
Etl1ClW-l-}4lQll Adepts
; it will
say, it v/ill '"IKJIaoA-
impossible to accomplish
entirely impossible
be entirely accomplish without the Theory
Theory
Arcanum, in
of their Arcanum, in which they
they show the medium by by
which the RoyalRoyal Diadem maybe may be extracted from our our
Subject. And even
Sordid Subject. even when this this isis known,
known, con-con-
tinual labour is is required
required in in the application,
application, lest
lest re-
1 cap. viii. iloricni de Trans. Metal.
^ Introit. Apert.
Apert. cap. viii. ; Morieni
; MelaL
2
2 Arnoldi Rosar, ix. lib.
cap. ix.
llosar, cap. i.
lib. i.
F F
—
434 Hmuinric Practice.

Hermetic l'RAcT1ci:.
mainiug
maining in any
in any pavt,
part, if left alone, before
if left before the total solu-
the total solu-
tion of'
tion of her enigma,
enigma, the
the Sphinx
Sphinx should retrieve
retrieve her
I
X- / dominion unawares
nnawares and frustrate
frustrate the work begun- begun
(JL Tere, coque,
Tere, eoque, et
et reitera,
reitera, ct
et non te
te fledeat-Grind,
4êat Grind,— eoct,
coct,
'
says
says the wise anthor
author of the Rosarizuzz,
Rosarium, and 1'eiterate
reiterate
.
your labour and be not weary.
your weary.' Vork
^ Work not to-day
to-day and
sorry to-morrow ; but lay
be sorry ; lay sorrow aside
aside and continue
your
your labour steadfast
steadfast unto the end, lest
lest peradventure
perad venture
God hoodwink and make open open the Light, says the
Light, says
Spirit
Spirit to Dr. Dee
Dee; the
; labour is
is equal
equal to the work, and
to fight
fight against
against the Powers of Darkness requires great
requires great
force?
force. '^ And letlet him who would learn, says Van Hel-
learn, says
mont, buy coals and (ire,
buy coals discover those things
fire, and discover things
which watching
watching successive nights, nights, and expenses,
expenses, have
afforded to philosophers.^
philosophers.3 Kings Kings and powerful princes
powerful princes
have not been ashamed to set set their
their hand to the work
in order to seek out,
in out, by their sweat and labours,
by their labours, the
secret of Nature, which they faithfully be-
they have faithfully be-
queathedf
queathed.^
Ardna prima via

Ardua prima via est ; vix
qua vix
est; et quii mane
mane recentes
'
Enitantur eqiii.'^
equi."
Fresh horses there are verily verily needed to this Celestial

this Celestial
Ploughshare
Ploughshare and laborious assistance for
for a toil
toil that is
is
incessant,
incessant, to clear
clear the wasted field
field of human life,
life, and
harrow it it for more congenial
for a more growth z nor once nor
congenial growth : nor
twice;
twice ; but many
many times the labour must be repeated,
repeated,
dying is renewed into a better life.
as each dying is life. This the
wise poet,
poet, in
in his
his GC());QìC<9, teaches;
Georgics, teaches and
; this recals to
mind the advice of of' Norton and his his brother AdeptsAdepts
servants, their capacities
about the choice of servants, capacities and quaqua-
lifications,
lifications, which moreover
moreover are tried
tried in a
in double,
a double,
single, manifold.
single, manifold, and triply complicated sense. All the
triply complicated
operators, says Zachary, supply themselves with three or
operators, says Zachary, supply
four, sometimes ten,
four, ten, furnaces or more as for
or more-as —for solution,
solution,
'
'
llosar. cap. iii
Eosar. cap. iii
9
-
Dee's Conversat.
Dee's init.
Couversat. sub. init.
3
2
Oreatrike, fol. p. 7l0.
fol. p. 710.
4
* Digbv's
Digby! liucerna
Luc-enia Salis,
Salis, Dialog.
Dialog.
5
^
lletnm. lib.
Ovidii :Metam. i. Gi.
lib. i. Ui.
The VoRI<.
Gaoss Work.
'PHE Gross 435
calcination- ~-and
sublimation, calcination-
sublimation, -and the mattcrpasscs through
wr//^<^r passes througli
innumerable but not all

vessels innumerable;
vessels ; all would availavail without
a Method in distribution ; one would not advance
their distribution
in their ;
in effect
in effect beyond another, unless the operation
beyond another, operation were
altered ; there is
altered ; is indeed but one way working, in
way of working, in one
linear way
matter, one linear way I/Z)`0l(§`/l0llli,
throughout, one
one vessel
vessel uniform
eazrepting rc/fzozfal.
throughout, excepting
throughout, removal. operandi mo-
Unicus operandi /
dus in in unica fornacula, praetei^ moti-

in unico vase, in praeteik - G-- >
onem, donee decoctio compleatur.^

donec decoctio compleatur.'
The Preparing Spirit dissolves
Preparing Spirit dissolves the body [l0(]y of Light,
Light,
and cleanses it it from the corrupting
corrupting causes, and extracts
a Second Spirit subsisting and tinging
Spirit subsisting tinging in body, and
in the body,
reduces the bodies by by dissolution
dissolution into
into itself;
itself; and these,
these,
says
says the Adept,
Adept, are the advantages
advantages of the Spirit prc-
Spirit pre-
paring
paring its
its body
body and extracting
extracting from it
it the tinging
tinging
spirit:
spirit : for this
for Argent Vive
this Argent vive was at first gross, unclean,
first gross,
fugitive, being mingled

fugitive, being mingled with extraneous Sulphurs but
Sulphurs; ;
by
by the operation
operation of Art it
it is
is cleansed and renewed,
and coagulated
coagulated by by its
its own
own internal
internal sulphur,
sulphur, red and
white, and is
white, double; not viscous,
is double ; viscous, but acidulated,
acidulated, sub-
tle, and very
tle, very penetrative, resolving the bodies mineral.
penetrative, resolving
But our evidence runs runs in advance; as we
in advance ; we remark
by
by the way
way that this
this Argent
Argent vive,
vive, which is de-
is
linen//y,
cocted lineally, is
is generated ponticcu'[_y,
generated pontically, as it
it were
we1'e
by a reciprocal alternation,
by reciprocal alternation, distributing
distributing its
its advanced / /
virtue from hand to hand.-And hand. — And know, says says Eireneus,
Eireneus, 'Q^l
preparation of the philosophic
that the exact preparation philosophic EaglesEagles
may
may be considered the first
first degree
degree of perfection
perfection in this
in this
Art, in knowledge of which there is
in the knowledge is required
required also
sagacity of mind. For do not suppose
some sagacity
some suppose that this this
science has become known to any any of us by chance, or
by chance,
by happy guess
by a happy imagination; but we
guess of the imagination; we have
worked and sweated daily, daily, and passed many sleepless
passed many sleepless
nights, much labour and szccrftirzg sweafuig iwXy ^'Q have under-
truly we
nights,
pursuit of truth. You, therefore,
gone in the pursuit
gone therefore, that are
but beginning,
beginning, as a tyro, tyro, in this study,study, be assured that
nothing can
nothing can be achieved in Operation without
in the First Operation
sweating and much labour.
sweating In the Second, however,
Second, however,
'
'
Opusc. Lucerna
Zacharius Opusc. Salis,
Salis, p.
p. 96.
F F 2
; ;
436
43(J Hmxmric PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
Nature alone operates,

operates, and without any
any imposition
imposition of
hands, by
hands, by the sole
sole assistance
assistance of
of a 1c'e//-1'¢'g1z/flied ex-
wt/I-reguiiitt'd ea'-
ter1zal_/1/'e.'
ternal Jwe}
Avicen, in in Porta, wrote, if if ye

ye remember,
How ye slioulde proceede
ye shoulde perfection to
proceede perfection engender,
to engender,
Trevrly teaching
Trewly teaching as pure treuth was,
as the pure
Comedas lit ut hibas,
bibas, et bibas ut eomedas
etbibas comedas ; ;
Ratt
Eatt as it drinketh and drink as
as it as it
it doth cate,
eafce,
And in in the meane

meane season, take it it a perfect sweate.
a perfect
Rasis set dietary and spake
set the dietary spake some deale far,
some deale far,
Non tamen comedat res festiuanter festinanter;
Let not youryour matters eate cate over hastilie,
hastilie,
But wisely consume their
wisely consume their foode leisurelie.
foode leisnrelie.
Hereof the prophetprophet made wondrous mention, mention,
Ifyc apply it
If ye apply it to this
this intention
Visitasti terrain
Visitasti inebriasti eam,
terram et inebriasti
Multiplicasti locupletare
Multiplicasti loeupletare eam, eam,
'Ferrznn
Terram fructiferam in salsuginem
in salsuginem
terrain sine aqua
Et terram aqua in exitns aquarium.
in exitus aquarum.
lf lI have plenty
If plenty of of nieate
meate and drinke.
drinlie.
Men must wake when they
]\Ien desire to winke
they desire vvinlie ;
;
For itit is
is labor of of watch and paines paines greatc,
greate,
Alsoe the foode is is full
full costly
costly meute.
Thereibre all
Therefore poore men
all poore beware, says
men beware,
says Arnoldc,
Arnolde,
For this
this Art 'longcth
'longeth to greate
greate men men of the worlde.worldo.
Trust to his Words, words, ye poore men
ye poore men all,
all.
For I I am witness, that soe ye
am Witness, ye finde shall.
shall.
longanimus et suavis,
Esto longanimus suavis, said
said he,
he,
hasty men
For hasty men th' shall never see.
th' end shall
length of clensing
The length clensing matters infected
Deceiveth much people people for that is unsuspected.
is nnsnspected.
Excess for quarter of an
one half quarter
for one an hour
May destroy
May destroy all all ; therefore chief succour,
;
succonr,
ln primum
In prirnum pro pro quoquo et nltimum
ultimum pro pro quo
quo non non
To know the siniperings
simperings of our our Stone,
Stone,
Till it may
Till it may no no more
more simper do,
simper do, nor nor cease,
cease,
`
,~4"/
'
"/mA^^^^^^'
And yet
-^^*^ ^*^^g continuance may
y®^ long may not cause increase.
L/WV
'
I Remember that water will will bubble and boyle, boyle,

yy^ But butter must simjêr and also also oyle;
siinper oyle
'
And so with long long leisure it it will waste,
will waste,
And not with bubbling bubbling made in haste. ^
2
Frequent against haste in

given against
Frequent advices are given in the pre-
pre-
lest the centres should
paration, lest
paration, be stirred
stirred up
up before
'
^ Introitus Apertus, cap. vii.
Apertus, cap. vii.
2
^
Ordmnl, chap.
Ordinal, iv.
chap. iv.
— ;
The Gnoss VoRK.

"THE Gross Work. 437
the circumferences are made ready

the ready toto conceive them;
them
may observe that
and we may that Gildipus,
CEdipus, he who of yore over-
of yore
Sphinx, was lame and impotent
came the Sphinx, impotent in in his feet,
his feet,
signifying by
signifying this (amongst
by this (amongst other abstruse allusions),
alkisions),
that we should not make too much haste
that tl1e solu-
haste to the solu-
riddle, lest
tion of her riddle,
tion lest she expound herself with-
should expound herself
out a proper understanding unawares
proper understanding —
unawaresi-Alciatus,
Alciatus, paint-
paint-
ing dolphin
ing a dolphin wreathed about an anchor, for
for an
an emblem,
wrote these þÿWO1'dS-F
wôrds Lente-Make
¬S[flZ(£ Lente
Festina —
Make not too
much haste-which
haste —which admonition applies only well
applies not only
to the common affairs
common affairs of life,
life, but especially to the
especially
tritulation
trituration of the Subject, which ought
Philosophic Subject,
Philosophic ought to
be slow,
slow, gentle,
gentle, and continuous.
Gutta cavat lapidem
lapidem non vi swpe cadendo.
vi sed saepe
And therefore the Adepts, again, admonish

again and again,
Adepts, again
and caution, lest by
caution, lest by too great
great excitation internal
the internal
awakening should cause a disseveration in in the
agent awakening
agent
Chaos, and the two Principles
Principlesstand
stand up
up one against
against the
other, before the intended mastery
other, mastery is
is secure.-Cause,
secure. —
Cause,
therefore, prepared for
wings to be prepared
therefore, wizzgs for the Matter byby JJuno,
11/10,
.
,1 Bacc/1113,
Bacchus, and l/lt[C(lIZ
Vulcan you
; but as you
; love your
your LQQJ,
Life, says
says
ire, permit it not to fly
1 fee, permit it suddenly, rather deliver it
fly suddenly, it to
Mercury,
l[ercu1'y, to be instructed by
by him gradually
gradually to accus-
tom itself to flying

itself yea, bind it
flying ; yea, ;
it with a cord, lest (as
cord, lest (as
a bird got
got out of its its cage
cage and past
past your
your reach)
reach) it
it
through ignorance approach

through ignorance approach too near
near the Sun,
Sun, and like
like
Icarus, having its
Icarus, having unproved feathers burnt,
its unproved burnt, fall
fall head-
long
long into the sea
sea; but
; after
after you
you have detained it for
it for
its time, loose its
its due time, its bonds that it it may
may fly come
fly and come
/ ./
to those fortunate Islands towards which all sons
all the sons .
f nJ^J^
V,
liiybfg
of Art direct sig/zt, and whereunto all
their sight,
direct their all Adeptlstr;
Adepti«te^ ^/ S/ \^^^^^
long-de.s'i1'ed and sought
aim to arrive as to their long-desired sought for for //
harbour.'
harbour.^ Take the ilying bird, says
flying bird, Hermes, and
says Hermes,
drown it flying; and divide and separate
it flying; separate itit from its its
redness, which holds it
redness, it in death draw it
in death; ; it forth and
it from itself,
repel it
repel itself, that it may live
it may answer thee
live and answer
not by
by flying away indeed to the region
flying away above, but
region above,
forbearing to fly.
by forbearing ily. For if if thou shalt deliver
dehver
truly by
truly
1^ Eng.
Kirchringius,
Kirchringius, Basilio, Latin,
in Basilio, 12mo. p.
Latin, l2111O. 160,
p. 160; Eng. 74.
^
438 HEl{)lET]C
Hermetic PRAc'r1cE.
Practice.
it
it out ofof its
its prison, after this
prison, after this thou shalt shalt govern
govern itit
according to
according to Reason and according
according to to the
the days specified;
days specified;
then itit will
will become ajl companion to thee,
al, companion thee, and byby itit
thou shalt
shalt become to be an honoured Lord. Extract
from the ray ray its
its shadow and its its obscurity, by which
obscurity, by
the clouds hang hang over it corrupt, and keep
it and corrupt, keep away
away
light by
the light by means of its its constriction
constriction also, also, and fiery
fiery
redness, it
redness, it is
is burned. Take, my my son, this watery cor-
this watery
rupted redness, which is,
rupted is, as a livelive coal holding the fire,
coal holding fire,
which ifif thou shalt withdraw so often often until
until the redness
is made pure,
is pure, then itit will
will (I.S'.§'0Cf(1f(3
associate with thee, by whom
thee, by
it was cherished and in
it wâs in whom it rests?
it rests.
He tincture most specious,

that would seek tincture
that specious,
Must needly
needly avoid all things wild and vicious
all things vicious ; ;
means each hath his

Of manifold means his property
property
To do his
his oiiice
office after
after his
his degree,
degree,
\'itb
With them hid things
things be outset
Some that will
will help, some that woulde let.
help, and some let.
AVho woulde have trew worke may
"Tho may no
no labour spare,
spare,
vet his
Neither yet though he make it
purse, though
his purse, it full
full bare ; ;
And in the Gross Vorke

in the AVorke he isis furthest behind,
behind,
dayly desireth the end thereof to linde.
That dayly finde.
If the Gross \'orke'with his circumstance
all his
Worke'with all
Were
Vere done in three years
years it chance. 2
were a blessed chance.^
it were
This is is meant chiefly in

mcant chiefly in reference to the Second
Operation,
Operation, and the periods are often to be understood
periods
metaphorically
metaphorically with respect to the discovery
respect discovery of the
philosophic
philosophic Salt.
Salt. Some have met the Light
Light sooner,
sooner,
some later, and the natural periods
some later, protracted by
periods are protracted by
faulty conditions from the commencement, by
faulty by the in-
in-
patients, as by
disposition of patients,
disposition by the ignorance
ignorance of agents,
agents,
which things
things also are more
more or less
less implied.
implied. Years
have been employed
employed by by some
some in
in the Preparation, the
Preparation,
perplexity
perplexity of the records have added to the natural
difficulty,
difficulty, and to others it
it has never
never been vouchsafed.
Eireneus, mentioning
Eireneus, mentioning his
his case as remarkably
remarkably favoured,
favoured,
says
says that in the course of two years
years and a half the
whole Arcanum was was revealed to him. —
him.--II made,
made, says
says
five wrong
he, not five
he, experiments in it
wrong experiments it before II found the
'
^ cap. ii.
2
^ N(lI`lOll`S Ordmall,
Norton's OrdinalK cup.
cap. iv.
lv.
— — : ; ;
Tun Gaoss
The Work.
Gross Voin<. 439
true way, although in

way, although some particular
in some turnings of the
particular turnings
Encheiresis I erred
Eneheiresis I erred often often;; yet,
yet, so that in my
in my error II
knew myself
myself a master, and in less
in no less
no than two full
full
years
years and a half, of
half, of a vulgar
a
ignoramusII
vulgar ignoramus became a
a
true Adept,
Adept, and have the secret through
secret through the goodness
goodness
of God'
God. ^
It
It is imagined that the better
is to be imagined better foundation there
is
is laid
laid in
in theory
theory from the commencement, other things
things
being equal,
being equal, the surer, easier,
surer, easier, and more
more
rapid would
rapid
result ; but from books, general
be the result ;
general principles only
principles only
can be gathered, instruction from particular
gathered, and instruction particular expe-
expe-
rience. The vvorking
rience. theory, as we
working theory, We long ago suggested,
long ago suggested,
can be obtained through through the practicepractice only;
only for
for the ;
way
way devclopes
developes itself
itself in
in the practice by
practice by rational
rational inqui-
inqui-
sition
sition of the Light within. And this
Light Within. this may
may be a matter
students, •tbui-
gratulation to students,
of gratulation thx- whilst adepts
adepts are so
very
very abstruse and envious in
in their
their disguises, to learn
disguises,
that the Hermetic Art is is not so much the offspring
offspring of
intelligence
natural intelligence as of involved thought. Ab actio-
thought. actio-
nibus procedit
jiibus procedit specwlatio
speculatio is is a famous maxim of Aris-
totle's and eminently
totle's applies to this
eminently applies philosophy, where
this philosophy,
discovery opens
each discovery opens into a new
new field
field inquiry, and
of inquiry,
fruit of contemplation
the fruit contemplation is is ever more sown in
more sown in order
bring about the solution of its
to b1'ing proper dilemma in
its proper in
the explanatory growth of truth.
explanatory growth
Not all by reading,

all by by long
uor by
reading, nor sitting still
long sitting still ;
Nor fond conceit, working all
nor working
conceit, nor by will
all by will 5
But, as I said,
But, said, by grace it
by grace is obtained:
it is obtained
let feels
therefore, let
grace therefore,
Seek grace refrained.2
foola be refrained.^ .4
/
U
Seek grace;
grace and, by importunity
and, by ; reason, seek for
importunity of reason,
the clue of Truth within the Spirit's
Spirit's life if haply
life , if haply she
;
may
may find
find it,
it, or we
we be able to discover whether she
have itit or not That which analyzes
not-T/lat analyzes even must be
that, returning
analyzed ;; that,
analyzed analytically, it
returning analytically, may resolve
it may
the separable
separable Selfhood and reiterate the same by al-
same by al-
ternation until it inseparable Unit of
it arrives at the inseparable
Truth.-Liber
Truth. lib rum eazplicit-And
Liber librzmz explicit —
And this isis the way
way of
1
^
Ripley Revived,
Hipley p. 87.
Iievived, p.
2
^ Ashxnole's Tlieatruin.
Kelly's Verses in Ashmole's
See Kelly's Theatrum.
— ;
440 Hiziuinric PRACTICE.

Hermetic Practice.
rational perineation,
rational permeation, by
by the
the Understanding of Nature,
Understanding of
into her Causal Light.
into her Light.
shalt thou instant
So shalt instant reach the realms assigu'd
assign'd
In wondrous ships instinct with mind
ships self-moved, instinct ;;
No helm secures their course, no pilot
secures their pilot guides;
guides
Like man intelligent plough the
they plough
intelligent they the tides,
Conscious of every coast and every
of every bay,
every bay.
That lies
lies beneath the Sun's
Sun's all-seeing ray
all-seeing ray; ;
veiled in
And, veiled clouds impervious
in clouds impervious to the eye,
eye.
Fearless and rapid through the deep
rapid through deep they Hy !l^
they fly !
And that court of King King Alcinous, to which Ulysses Ulysses

became admitted, is is the dominion of Intellect,
Intellect, which,
which,
in description of these Phoeaeian
in the description Phoeacian ships, also, is
ships, also, is
signified; the hyperbole,

admirably signified
admirably ;
hyperbole, in in fact, would be
absurd without other reference,
reference, and the well-illumined
Taylor
Taylor has shown,in his l)i.s'Se1'tr1lio11, that the whole
shown, in his Dissertation, \;ho\e of
Odyssey is
the Odyssey an allegory pregnant with latent
is an allegory pregnant mean-
latent mean-
ing and the recondite Visdo1n
ing Wisdom of antiquity.
antiquity.
Here again,
again, then,
then, we we observe that it it is
is not from a
study or a few spontaneous

moderate study spontaneous revelations of the
Spirit's \drtue,
Spirit's instinct, that we
virtue, or natural instinct, we should pre-
pre-
sume
sume to judge of the Hermetic Mystery
judge JNIystery ;; since brazen
walls and adamantine are between, between, and all all the breadth
of that vast sea sea to be passed over before we
passed we can hope
hope
to set foot upon
upon the royal
royal coast ; a sea-
; sea
Huge, horrid,
Hnge, vast~-where
ho1'rid, vast —
where scarce in safety sails
in safety sails
The best built
built ship, tho' Jove inspires
ship, tho' inspires the gales.^
gales."
Even with these advantages,
advantages, and after
after the Hrst
first flood-
gates and barriers of sense are overpast,
gates ovcrpast, greater ob-
greater
stacles await him,
him, and Herculean labours,
labours, who dares,
dares,
confines, to make choice of
approaching to the Nether confines,
approaching
Light.
Light. No one may hope,
one may hope, without toil
toil and pe1'seve-
perseve-
ranee, to obtain it.
rance, it. Wisdom is
Visdom is the reward of volun-
tary and arduous research. Perseus passed

tary passed through
through
dangerous
dangerous encounters, strugghng with monstrous Chi-
encounters, struggling
meras and Theseus before Ariadne vouehsafcd
meras; ; vouchsafed her
love and assistance
assistance;; Bacchus,
Bacchus, Ulysses, Hercules, and
Ulysses, Hercules,
l
'
'T
P0pe's Homer's
Pope's Honier's Odyssey, lib. viii.
Odyssey, lib. viii. 55,
55, fS'c.
&c.
-
-
ldeln.
Idem.
— ; ^
Tun Gnoss
The VoRK.
Gross Work. 441
the rest;
the rest Jason, also,
; passing through many
also, passing hopes and
many hopes
fears, and performing
fears, performing dangerous feats and supernatural
dangerous feats supernatural
labours, before
before Medea led to the
led him to of Mars.
Field of
the Field
For the "Worke is
the Gross Vorke in her
foul in
is foul kinde,
lier kinde,
And full of
Aud full of perills shall findc,
as ye shall
perills as finde,
No man's
man's Wit can l1im
wit can him soso availe
availe
that sometimes he shall
But that shall make a failc :
a faile :
As Well
well the
the layman,
layman, soso shall
shall the
the elerke,
clerke,
And all
all that
that labor in the
labor in gross worke.
the gross wôrke.
Ylfherefore Anaxagoras said
Wherefore Anaxagoras trewly thus--
said trewly thus
Nemo prima
prima fronte reperitur discretus.1
fronte reperitur discretus.^
They all
They set forth
all set expectant heroes only
forth expectant in the
only in the begin-
begin-
ning,
ning, content also
also with the company
company of
of their
their rude de-
de-
serts, and it is
it is satisfactory
satisfactory to learn
learn with all
all this
this pro-
pro-
spective discouragement, that
spective discouragement, that
He that shall
that shall end itit once
once forfor certaine
certaiue
Shall never
Shall never have neede to begin begin againe.
agaiue.
Much I might Write
I might write ofof the Nature of of III;/nes,
Mynes,
ll/'hieh
Which in in the gross icorke be but þÿ/37l_§'
gross wor/re Z.71 ¬S;;
engines
For in in this worke find
this Werke find ye nothing shall,
ye nothing shall,
But /zmzdie
handle crafte,
crafte, called /lrt mec/zanical,
called Art mechanical.
W'herein
Wherein aa hundred Wayes wayes and moe,
Te may commit aa fault
Ye may fault as ye ye therein goe. goe.
Wherefore believe what old
Wlierefore believe old Auctors tell;tell
Uqfhout experience ye
Without experience may not do wel/_
ye may well.
Consider all circumstances, and set
all circumstances, set your
your deligte
deligte
To keep Uniformity of
keep Uniformity of all things requisite
all things requisite ; ;
Use oneone manner vessel in

manner of vessel in matter and in in shape,
shape,
Beware of of Connnixtion
Commixtion that nothing nothing miseape.
miscape.
And hundredth fonltesfoidtes in speciall
in speciall
Te may
Ye may make under this this Warning
warning generall.
generall.
Nethlesse thisthis doctrine woll suffice
sufliee
To him that can in practice be wise.
in practice Wise.
woui ministers be witty and tiew
If your Witty trew,
Sueh
Such shall
shall not need youryour workes to renew. renew?
(f Q (Q/M Qi
And here we may may bethink ourselves how Fla1nmel
Flamiuel V
learned discretion from hishis Second Book, and how
la^ Eirenéus promises
Eirenûs guide, and describes him too in
promises a guide, in
his Ripley
his RQJley Rcvivcd.
Revived. And, in Vulcan's
And, Vulcan's labours,
labours, says
says
nrath, II have worked indefatigably
,J£8knrath, indefatigably with no
no small
but, thanks to God,
expense, but,
expense, God, mymy own
own alone; now in
alone; now in
companionship,
companionship, and now
now not ; both happily sometimes,
happily sometimes,
;
1
^
Ordinal, cap.
Ordinal, iv.
cap. iv.
2
Idem.
< Un 2
2,142
442 Hismiiarie PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
sometimes without success. But how should he do

well who never has done amiss
well aruiss?? What was
\/hat wrong
was wrong
taught me
taught me what w'as
right,
was right, from day to day one
day day one boo/f
book
t/zrozving light
throicing /ig/it z1_/mn anot/fer, IIwas
iipoji another, was enabled to inter-
inter-
pret them.
pret I observer! w/mt
/ observed taught by
what nature tazlg'/it by t/ze
the
Minis!/y of art. O thou edifying
ministry edifying Cabal of much
profit! O thou Physieo-Chemical
profit ! Cabal! how hath
Physico-Chemical Cabal !
she not advanced nie! me Meanwhile, carefully

!
keeping
carefully keeping
note of conversations, experiments, and conceptions
conversations, experiments, conceptions ofq"
my
my own as wel/ well as ot/zers:
others ye, my
when ye,
: cotempo-
my eotempo-
rarics, were idly
raries, were dozing, II was watching
idly dozing, watching and at work.
Meditating
Meditating earnestly
earnestly day day and night what II had seen
night on w^hat
learnt —
and learnt-sitting, standing, recumhcnt,
sitting, standing, recumbent, by by sunshine
moonshine, by
and moonshine, by banks, in in meadows, streams,
streams,
mountains'
woods, and mountains.' And thus w'c we read,
read, inin the
Ilermeticul Y)Ìll)/lj)/I, how the Stone of Philosophers,
Hermetic at Triumph, Philosophers,
which is petrifaetion of the Spirit,
pure petrifaction
is a pure Spirit, is prepared
is prepared
by those who trace nature with the assistance

by assistance of the
Lunar Vulcan ; by by which Lunar V
;
ulcau, as we
Vulcan, we long
long
ago suggested, is
ago suggested, is meant the first prepared Subject,
first prepared Subject,
which is also called
is also called Diana,
Diana, and the secret natural interior
interior
Adepts, and because this
Fire of Adepts, same Lunar Caustic
this same
is brought into
is brought by an exterior excitation.
into act by excitation.--Sol —
Sol est
Fons totius ealoris,
caloris, Luna autem Domina
Doniina Humiditatis.
I-Iurniditatis.
The ethereal humidity
humidity nourishes the Solar# Light and
Solar^ Light
educates it;
it; is that Nemean Lion said to be
and this is
horn
born of her foam.
Vith respect
AVith respect to the rule of Investigation,
Investigation, however,
however,
having opened thus much,
having opened much, wewe would add a few re-
marks, for
marks, for neither is it said to be expedient
is it expedient to inquire
inquire
about Ends so much as about things things pertaining
pertaining to
ends, the Artist holding
ends, holding his right
right intention from the
beginning. This principle
beginning. in his Et/tics,
Aristotle, in
principle Aristotle, Ethics, as-
tutely argues.
tutely argues. For neither, obsenês, does a phy-
neither, he observes, phy-
sician consult whether he shall
sician shall heal the sick, nor a rhe-
sick, nor
torieian whether he shall persuade,
torician nor the politician
persuade, nor politician
whether he shall establish an an equitable
equitable legislation, nor
legislation, nor
does any
any one of remaining
remaining characters consult about
I
'
Amph. in medio.
Sap. Etern. in
Amph. Sap.
The Gross
THE Work.
Guess VonK. 443
the End. proposing aa certain

But, proposing certain end, theythey consider
how and by by what Medium it may
it may be obtained.
obtained. If
If
also it appears
also it appears that this
this end is
is to be obtained through
through
many
many media, they through which of them it
they consider through it
may
may be obtained in
in the easiest
easiest and best manner. But
if through
if one medium they consider how it
through one they may be
it may
accomplished,
accomphshed, and through
through what likewise
Hkewise this
this may
may be
obtained until they
until they arrive
arrive at
at the First
First Cause which is
is
discovered inin the last place.
last place. For he who consults,
artful moralist,
continues the artful moralist, appears investigate
appears to investigate
and analyze
analyze in
in the above-mentioned manner, as if if he
investigating and analyzing

were investigating analyzing a a diagram?
diagram.^
Even so, in lnquiry, he who consults,
in the Hermetic Inquiry,
the end being
being proposed
proposed which is immediately in
is not immediately his
in his
power, investigates
power, investigates the Medium by
by which he hopes to
hopes
obtain itit ; and if
; if this
this Medium be not entirelyentirely enlighten-
enhghten-
ed, he explores
ed, another, and further till
explores another, till he discovers the
first Medium which is

first is immediately
immediately in in his power, in
his power, in the
discovery
discovery of which inquiry
inquiry te1'minates,
terminates, and the work,
beginning
beginning from thence, passes
thence, passes into accomplishment.
accomplishment.
That Medium, therefore,
therefore, which is last in
is last in the analysis
analysis
is first
is in generation,
first in generation, beingbeing proved
proved able accom-
to the accom-
plishment,
plishment, and of thc
the many
many called
called to the consultation
of means few are chosen to proceed proceed with the Philoso-
phic
phic Work.
Vork. For philosophers were
philosophers were not wont to inin-
vestigate
vestigate trifles,
trifles, but they
they inquired
inquired about such things
things
purification and the method of perfect-
as tend to purihcation perfect-
life.
ing life.
ing And when things,
things, thus truly eligible, are
truly eligible,
the objects inquiry, the Divine Vill
objects of inquiry, Will being
being con-
con-
ciliated, Wisdom
cihated. Visdom runsruns lovingly
lovingly by by her own
own rule to
fulfil it;
fulfil it; and hence ourour deeds and discourses extend
Hands, as it
their Hands, were, to assist
it were, in our
assist us in assent, and
our assent,
Vill
Will is is the greatest
greatest power
power of purgation. And when
purgation.
That which from the first first is eflicacious returns into
is efficacious
its proper
its Eflicient, how much more
proper Efficient, more will
will not those
strokes,
strokes, reverberating, be
reverberati11g,be effectual to overcome
overcome? ?
fllle plus Cheieon

Ille pius justissimus omnes
CIIEIRON_jllSlZlSSlH1l1S omncs
Nubigenas ct
Inter Nubigenas Magni Doctor Achillis.
et Magui
This is hc who,
is he capacity of Power and
who, in his double capacity
I
1 Nichomachcan iii, cap.
Ethics, book iii.
jS'iclioraacbean Ethics, iii.
cap. iii.
444 Hizmmrie Pafxcricis.
Hermetic Practice.
Motive in alliance, corrects and educates the

in alliance, the Heroic
Fi1'e, tames and directs
Fire, tamcs directs its
its illimitable virtue, and reetifies
illimitable vdrtue, rectifies
the Armed Magnet
the Magnet by by an infallible rule.
an infallible 1'ule. And that
Intellect rides
Intellect through the abyss
rides through abyss of the sensual mo- mo-
narchy, secure in
narchy, in its
its Ether;
Ether ;and, as a ship upon the
ship upon
stormy seas is
stormy is directed
directed byby the beacon-light,
beacon-light, it it follows
follows
until integrally
until related, when, centre meeting
integrally related, centre,
meeting centre,
the consciousness transcends in in revolutionary Light.
revolutionary Light.
We
Ve know that, in in common
common life,life, the hands perform
perform
innumerable oflices image mind about, by
offices and image by mate-
rial subjects,
rial subjects, in variety of ways.
in a variety ways. And as the mind
easily retains
more easily that which the hand before has
retains that
noted by by its
its exterior sense ; so, in
exterior sense; in Hermetic works, the
hand is is found best able to express express and impartimpart what
premeditated: and thence, from its
the mind has well premeditated : its
replenished members, thought

replenished thought carries itself by
carries itself by volun-
tary motion into
tary into effect.
effect. Such werewe1'e Daetyli
those Dactyli
Idzei, literally
Idrei, Fingers of Mount Ida, so renowned
literally the Fingers
in fable
in fable for for their
their medicinal and magic skill, who
magic skill,
worked, it
worked, it is
is said,
said, at the footfoot of the Parnassian Moun-
tain to exhibit by
tain by their fiery artificc
their incessant fiery artifice the me-
nie-
tallic veins therein imbedded?

tallic imbedded.^ So Pallas is is fabled,
fabled, by
by
Vulcan, to have been brought
help of Vulcan,
the help forth from
brought forth
Jove; for,
Jove ; for, without the instrunxentality
instrumentality of Motion, Motion,
which the lame god personates, the Fabricative Intel-
god personates, Intel-
lect is
lect is not born. But if if thereafter it it should happen,
happen,
says the wise Adept,
says Pluto's Palace should be ex-
Adept, that Pluto's
posed to any
posed together with Minerva's
one together
any OllC Artiiice, or
Minerva's Artifice,
if Vulcan stands together
if together with her at the Altar there, there,
the Association is is ominous.
Coexistunt namque uuturalia opera

ualnque naturalia splendore,
opera mentali splendore,
Yitifer Ignis,
Vitifer Ignis,
Centro incitans
Centre iucitans seipsnm
seipsum lumine resonante.
resouante.
Fontanum alium,
alium, qui
qui Empyreuin mundum dueit,
Einpyreum 1nu11du1n ducit,
Centrum quo omues, usque
quo onines, quo forte equales
usque quo equales fuerint?
fueriut.^
To instruct the ignorant

To ignorant is part of the present
no part
is no present
ob_|cet; but to stimulate the inquiry
object;
inquiry of such as are
1
1 See Bell's Pantlieon, p.
Bell's Pantlieon, p. 209.
2
2 Oracula Chnldeor.
Chaldeor. Muudus,
Mundus, Anima,
Aninni, Natura.
The VoRK.
Gnoss Work.
THE Gross 445
enlightened, and to
already enlightened,
already faithful in
to advance the faithful in the
pursuit
pursuit of truth, we
truth, we conclude with such instructions
instructions
may Hnally concerning this
as may be finally needful concerning said hyper-
this said hyper-
physical
physical Gross Vo1'k.
Work.
The Second part part of the Gross Work is described by

is described by
Vaughan
Vaughan as one of the greatest
greatest subtleties
subtleties of the Art ; ;
observes, knew the First

Agrippa, he observes,
Cornelius Agrippa, Pre-
First Pre-
paration,
paration, and has clearly
clearly discovered it;
it but
; the ditli-
diffi-
culty of the Second made him almost an enemy

culty enemy to hishis
own profession. By
own profession. By tl1e
the Second Work
Vork we are to un-
u11-
derstand, therefore, the Solution of the Philosophic

derstand, therefore, Philosophic
Salt
Salt (i. voluntary bond);
e. the voluntary bond)
(/. e. which
; is
is a secret which
Agrippa did
Agrippa rightly know, as it
did not rightly it appears
appears byby his
his
practice
practice at Malines,
Malines, and as he confesses in
in the first
first
book of Occu/t I'/li/050///fy, that he could not increase
Occult Philosophij,
the transmutative virtue, virtue, nor would Natalius teach
him for
for all
all his frequent and serious
l1is frequent serious entreaties.
entreaties. This
was it, adds his
was it, disciple, that made his
his disciple, his necessities
necessities so
vigorous and his
vigorous his purse weak, that II can seldom find
purse so weak, find
full fortune.
him at full But in this he is
in this is not alone: Ray-
Ray-
mond Lully
Lully received not this mystery either from
this mystery
Arnold, but, in
Arnold, but, in his
his first practices, he followed the com-
first practices,
mon
mon tedious process which after
process all is
after all is scarcely profit-
scarcely profit-
able.
able. Here he met with a drudgery drudgery almost invincible,
invincible.
Ripley also laboured for
Ripley also new inventions to putrify
for new putrify this
this
Red Salt which he enviously
enviously calls
calls his
his Gold;
Gold; and his
his Art
was to expose it
wâs expose it to alternate tits
fits of /wat
heat and C0/c/,
cold, hut
but
this he is
in this is singzz/ar;
singular ; Faber is is so wise that he will will
not understand him. Let us return then to Raymond
Raymond
Lully,
Lully, who became so great a master that he performed
great performed
the Solution in nine days, days, and thisthis secret he had from
God himself since this is is his
his profession. —
profession.-Nos, Nos, says
says he,
he,
prima illa
de prima ilia nigredine
nigredine a paucis paucis cognita benignum
eognita benignum
Spiritum affectantes, pugnam
extraherc aliectantes,
Spiritum extrahere ignis vincen-
pugnam ignis
victum, licet
tem, et nos victum,
tem, licet sensibus corporis
corporis multoties
palpaâmus,
palpavimus, et oculisoculis propriis illum vidimus;
propriis ilium vidimus Extrac-
;
tionis tamen ipsius

ipsius notitiam nos habuimus quacumque
notitiann nos quacumque
scientiarum vel arte: arte : ideoque sentiebamus nos
ideoque nos adhuc
aliqua excaeeatos, quia
aliqua rusticitate excsecatos, nuilo modo eam
quia nullo cam
446 l'n,e'r|c1;.
llmmmrrc Practice.
Hermetic
donec alius
comprehendere valuimus, donee
comprehendere alius Spiritus
Spiritus prophe-
prophe-
tize, spirans
iioe, spiralis Luminum deseendit,
a Patre Luininum descendit, tanquam
tanquam
nullatenus deserens, aut a se postulantibus
suos nuUatenus postulantibus defi-deli-
ciens, Qui in
ciens, in somniis tantam elaritatemclaritatem mentis nos- nos-
oeulis infulsit
trae oculis
tr?e Illam intus
infulsit ut lllam intus et remota omni
et extra, remotaomni
gratis revelare
Egura, gratis
figura, revelare dignatus
dignatus est est insatiabili bonitate
insatiabili bonitate
nos reficiendo dernonstrans, ut ad earn
reficiendo demonstrans, implendam dis-
eam implendam dis-
poneremus corpus
poneremus corpus ad unam unam naturalem decoctionem
deeoetionem
secretam, qua
seeretam, qua penitus retrogrado cum
penitus ordine retrograde pungenti
cum pungenti /
I
/
lancea tota ejus natura in
laneea totaejus in meram nigredinani visibiliter
meram nigredinam visibiliter
'
6/
/^
/'
dissolveretuiul
dissolveretur.^
In the first
first act of the physieo-chemical
physico-chemical works, ex-
plains Kuhnrath, by
plains by diverse instruments and labours
and the various artifice artifice of the Hands and of Fire, Fire,
Adrop, (which
from Adrop, (which inin itsits proper tongue is
proper tongue called Sa-
is called
turn, i. e. the Lead of the Wise,)

turn, /".
Vise,) our heart of Saturn,
the bonds of' of coagulation
coagulation being dexterously relaxed,
being dexterously relaxed,
Dueneeh and the Vitriol
the Green Duenech Vitriol of Venus, which
are the true matters of the Blessed Stone will appear.
will appear.
The Green Lion, lurking and concealed, is
Lion, lurking is drawn forth
forth
from the Cavern of his his Saturnine Hill Hill by
by attractions
and allurements suitable to his his nature. All the blood
flowing fiom
copionsly flowing
copiously from his his Wounds,
wounds, by by the acute lance
transfixed, is
transfixed, is diligently
diligently collected iiie li/i; the mud
nie and ////";
earth, wet, humid,
earth, wet, humid, stagnant,
stagnant, impure,impure, partaking
partaliing of
Adam,
Adam, the First First Matter of the creation of the Greater
World of our
Vorld very selves and of our
our very potentStone,is made
our potentStone,is
manifest-the —
manifest the Wine Vine which the Vise Wise have called the
Blood of the Earth, Earth, which likewise is is the Red of
Lully, so named on
Lully, on account of its its tincture which is is the
colour of its its virtue,

virtue, thick, dense, and black,
thick, dense, black, blacker
black, will
than black, will then he be at Hand
Hand; the bond by
; by which
the soul is is tied
tied to the body body and united together
together with
it into one
it one substance is is relaxed and dissolved. The
Spirit and the Soul by
Spirit depart from the body
degrees depart
by degrees body
and are separated
separated stepstep by step; whilst this
by step ; this takes place
place
the fixed is is made volatile,
volatile, and the impure impure body (ofthe
body (of the
Spirit)
Spirit) from day
day to dayday is consumed, is
is consumed, is destroyed,
destroyed,
l
^ See the passage quoted in Vanglian's
passage quoted l'r0fhce to the Fame
Vaughan's Preface
and Confession of'
of the R. C.
tlie K.
Tim
The Gross
Gnoss Von1<.
Work. 447
dies,
dies, blaekens, and goes
blackens, goes to Ashes. These Ashes,
my Son, deem
my not of little
little worth; they are the diadem
worth tl1ey ;
of' thy
of thy body
body; in in them lies
; lies our pigmy, conquering and
pigmy, conquering
subduing giants.
subduing giants. In the Second Operation, which takes
þÿO]) ¬}`(Iff0)1,Wl]lCl1
place
place in
in one
circularcrystalline
circular crystalline vessel
vessel justly proportion-
justly proportion-
ed to the quality
to the quality of its
its contents, also
also in
in one theoso-
phic sealed furnace of Athanor,
cabalistically sealed
phic cabalistically Athanor, and by by
fire, the body,
one fire, body, spirit,
spirit, and soul, externally washed
soul, externally
and cleansed and purged
purged with the most accurate dili- dili-
gence
gence and Herculean labours,
labours, and again compounded,
again compounded,
commingle, rot of
commingle, of themselves and without manual co-
operation, by
operation, by the sole
sole labours ofof nature, are dissolved,
dissolved,
conjoined,
conjoined, and reunited;
reunited and thus the
; fixed
fixed becomes
volatile wholly
volatile wholly; these three
;
principles
principles also
also are of
coagulated, diversiiiedly coloured,
themselves coagulated, diversifiedly coloured, calcined,
fixed ; and hence the World
and fixed ; Vorld arises
arises renovated and
new?
new.^ -
Here then lies lies the Gordian Knot of the Hermetic

Mystery —
Mystery-and who is
and is he that is is able to untie it,
it, en-
quires
quires the philosopher
philosopher? ?-QuiQui scit
scit —
Salem et solu-
ejus solu-
ejus
tionem, scit
tionem, oecultum antiquorum
scit secretum occultum antiquorum philoso-
philoso-
phorum. He who
phorum.-He — w^ho knows the Salt its solution,
Salt and its solution,
knows the secret of the Ancient Sages. Sages. And if if it
it be
again
again asked who ? V/e have
'? We
already
already named him, and
openly;
openly; but this
this Light shining everywhere
Light shining everywhere in
in Dark-
ness, how hardly
ness, hardly should it it be comprehensible
comprehensible without
Itself '?
Itself?
Janna. clansa est,

Janua clausa Yah quae
est, vah quas lamentabilis haéc vox ;;
hsec VOX
Orcina fr-ustra pulsabitis
Oreina sed frustra pulsabitis ostia pugnis
pugnis3>
Vestrse namque Manus
Vestrze namque Marius nequeuut
uequeunt difiirigere
ditiingerc ferrum.
What then ought

ought we we to be doing, since hands and in-
he doing, in-
tellect incapable, and the truth of this
alike incapable,
tellect are here alike this dis-
covery was never yet
covery was yet put paper, and for this suffi-
put to paper, suiii-
cient reason,
reason, that it is
it proper alone,
is proper LuUy says,
alone, as Lully says, to
God to reveal it;it; since it is His alone prerogative,
it is prerogative, and
no
no mortal cancan communicate it it to another unless the
Divine VVill
Will be with him.-Not
him. Not every —
messenger, says
every messenger, says
l
^
l;~l'Fi'll]1'2'liLll, Ainphitheat.
Kwiinratli, Tsag. in
Sap. Isag.
x\mpliitlieat. Sap. fig.
fig. c.
p
KUI
/K/,cc I
—
;
448 I'IERIIETIC PRACTICE.

Hermetic Practice.
Van Hchnont, approaeheth to

Helmont, approachcth to the mine of of Stones
Stones;
but he alone, who, being being loosed from his
loosed ft-om his bonds, has
known the wars, being fitted for
being fitted for his journey, a friend
his journey, friend
places and who has virtue.
to the places virtue. They
They err, there-
there-
fore, who ascribe
fore, this single
ascribe this single combat only only to Corro-
sives;
sives ;to wit, they
wit, they too much trusting
trusting to Second quali-
quali-
ties,
ties, as being
being ill
ill secure, do sleep thereupon, and
sleep thereupon,
through
through a neglecting
neglecting of speciiical qualities,
specifical also ap-
qualities, also ap-
propriated
propriated ones, (which
(which are
only
only extended on
on their
their
object,) being
proper object,)
proper being slighted, they have gone
slighted, they gone into
into Ob-
scurity.
scurity. For the Ostrich does not digest
digest iron or little
little
birds Hints,
birds through an emulous quality
flints, through quality of corrosion ;;
but there is virtue of loosing
is a virtue loosing the bars and bolts
bolts of
Tartar. It
Tartar. is convenient to meditate about this
It is this virtue,
virtue,
continues the physician,
the physician, and of what I
I have spoken
spoken ; ;
blessed be that God of Wonders,Wonders, who hath sometimes

converted the VaterWater into Rocks, and at other times the
pools of Vater.'
into pools
Rocks into Water. ^ Vho Who then shallshall ascend
into the Mountain of the Lord, Lord, or who shall shall stand in in
Holy Place? He that hath clean hands and a
His Holy
who hath not
heart,vho
pure heart,
pure not given
given up his soul unto vanity
up his vanity
sworn deceitfully.
nor sworn deceitfully. shall receive the blessing
He shall blessing
from the Lord, righteousness from the God of'
Lord, and righteousness of his
his
salvation.
salvation.
We
Ve do not quote casually, or because the Scriptural
quote casually, Scriptural
phrase
phrase is
is popular
popular; but
; because it
it is
is apt,
apt, as seen and
proved
proved on the Divine Ground
Ground; where
; man
man indeed may
may
experiment, plough, plant,
experiment, plough, plant, and irrigate,
irrigate, but cannot of
himself (or
(or in alliance,
in alliance, unless he dare sin,)
a deadly sin,)
deadly
compel Blessing without its
compel the Divine Blessing free accord.-
its free accord.
Wisdom was with thee,
Visdo1n thee, says Hermetic Master;
says the PTermctic Master it ;it
was not gotten
gotten by thy if it be freed from
it
was
by thy care,
care, nor,
no1', if
redness,
redness, bythy '^
neither, it
study." So neither,
by thy study. it is
is written, is he
written, is
that planteth anything, neither he that watereth,
planteth anything, watcreth, but
God, that giveth
God, giveth the increase?
increase.^ He therefore must be
propitiated,
propitiated, not by prayer
by prayer and supplication alone,
supplication alone, but
1
^
Orcatrike,
Oreatrike, vi. p.
cap. vi.
cap. p. 710.
7
^ Tract. Anr. cap. iv.
Aur. cap. iv.
3
^ 1 Corinth. cap.
1 Corinth, iii. V.
cap. iii. 7.
v. 7.
THE Gross
The Gaoss WonI<.
Work. 449
by faithful and charitable

by faithful charitable works preparing preparing the way way bebe-
fore
fore Him;Him nor;
nor would it he
it be thought astonishing, per-
thought astonishing, per-
haps, if
haps, if Antimony
Antimony should cause cause a sudden transpiration,
transpiration,
that an
or that an Iron Key Key should help help to unlock a treasury
a treasury
of
of fine
fine Gold. Desire leads into its
leads into its object
object by by faith
faith im-
mediately ; but mediately,
mediately ; mediately, by _just works, that hope
by just hope is is
engendered which, kindling
engendered into
kindling into faith, faith, by by ecstacy,
ecstacy, pene-pene-
trates to its
trates its First Source.-Our
First Source. — Our Antimony,
Autimony, says says Basil
Basil
Valentine,
Valentine, which is is fixed,
fixed, seareheth
searcheth out fixed fixed diseases
diseases
and eradicates
eradicates them;them which purgers,
;
purgers, not fixed, fixed, cannot
do;
do ; but they
they do only carry away
only carry away some
some spoil from dis-
spoil dis-
eases ; or they
; they maymay be compared
compared to \'E1tG1'Wl]lCl1,
water which, driven
by force
by force through
through a street, penetrates not the earth
street, penetrates
itself.
itself Fixed remedies purge purge not by by the inferior
inferior parts,
parts,
because that is is not the true way way of
of expelling fixed
expelling fixed
venoms ; and that way
; way they
they would not touch the Ker-
nel,
nel, as it
it may
may be called,
called, or centre of the disease ; ; but
by
by expelling sweat,
expelling sweat, and otherwise, they
otherwise, they strike
strike at the
very
very inmost root of the disease,
disease, not contented with a
certain superficial expulsion

certain superficial expulsion of iilths.
filths. 'l`herefore
Therefore we
we
admonish all every one, that all

all and every all venomous impu- impu-
rity is
rity totally
is totally to be taken away
away from Azztimony, before
Antimom/,
it can
it either be called
can either called a medicine truly truly or adminis-
tered with safety-insafety —
in other words, words, that all arrogant
all arrogant
self-will, sensuality, folly, avarice,

self-will, sensuality, folly, avarice, and variability of
variability
purpose,
purpose, all
all but the one voluntary
voluntary faith
faith to rectify and
rectify
perfect,
perfect, be removed from the mind of him who is is to
enter into the radical radical dissolution of Life. Life. For the
weapons of this
Weapons this warfare are not carnal, carnal, as the Apostle Apostle
teaches, but mighty
teaches, through
mighty through God to the pulling
pulling down
strong holds ; casting
of strong casting down imaginations,
; imaginations, and every every
high thing
high thing that exalteth itself
itself against the Knowledge
against Knowledge
of God,
God, and bringingbringing into captivitycaptivity every thought to
every thought
the obedience of Christ.^ Christ? And for this cause, cause, con-
tinues the Monk, the good good must be separated separated from
the evil,
evil, the fixed from the unfixed, unfixed, the medicine
from the venom, venom, with accurate diligence, diligence, if we hope
if we hope
by
by the use
use of Antimony
AIlffHl0l)y to obtain t1'ue
true honour and
I
'
Corinthians, x. 4,
2 Corinthians, 5.
4, 5.
G G
;
450 ITERMETIC
Hermetic Practice.
I?RACTlCE.
true utility;
utility but Fire
;
only can effect
Fire only that, and Vulcan
effect that,
is
is the
the sole
sole and only
only master of all
all these.
these. Vliatsoever
Whatsoever
the V ulean in
Vulcan in the Greater Orb leaves e1'ude and per-
leaves crude per-
fects not, that
fects that in in the Lesser Vorld World must be amended
by a certain
by certain other Vulcan, ripening ripening the immature, and
cocting
cocting the crude by heat, and separating
by heat, separating the pure pure
from the impure.
impure. That this
this is
is possible, no man
possible, man will
will
doubt;
doubt for
for
;
daily experience
daily experience teaches the same, and it
it is
is
very apparent
very apparent in
in the COl'pO1'C8.l aspect
corporeal aspect of colours which
proceed from the Fire.
proceed Fire. For by Separation and Fire,
by Separation
which perfeets
•which perfects its
its fixation, venomosity is
fixation, venomosity is taken away,away,
change is
and a change is made of the evil evil into good ; therefore
into good ; therefore
Fire
Fire is Separation of Venom from the Medicine,
is the Separation
and of goodgood and evil evil ; which however is
; is a thing
thing that
none of the physicians
none physicians either either dares or can truly truly and
fundamentally
fundamentally own
own or demonstrate,
demonstrate, unless he who
friendship with Vulcan,
firmly contracted friendship
hath firmly Vulcan, and inin-
stituted Fiery bath of Love.1
stituted the Fiery Love.^
There is is one operation
operation of heat, heat, says Vaughan,
says Vaughan,
whose method is is vital
vital and far far more mysterious
mysterious than
all othe1', and there be but few of that Spirit
all other, Spirit that can can
comprehend
comprehend it:
it : But because I
I will
will not leave thee
without some satisfaction, II advise thee to take the
some satisfaction,
Monn of the 1';l`)ll(IHZC)Jl°,
_llnon Firmament, which is mif/I//c iV11tzn'e,
is a middle Nature,
and place
place her so that every part
every part of her may
may be in
in two
elements at one one and the same time time; these
; t/:eve elements
equally attend /:cr
also must aqua/ty body ,'; not one further
her body fùrther off,
off,
nor one nearer than the other.
nor other. regulation of
In the regulation
these there is is a twofold geometry
geometry to be observed, observed, na-
tural and artificial.
artificial. Flamnsel also,
Flammel also, speaking of
speaking ofthethe
Solar and LunarLnnar Mercury,
Mercury, and the plantation
plantation of the
one in
one in the other, gives this
other, gives instruction.
this instruction. Take them,
says, and cherish them over a fire
he says, fire in Alembic
thy Alembic;
in thy
but it it must not be a fire fire of coals,
coals, nor
nor of any wood,
any wood,
but a bright
bright shining
shining fire
fire like
like the Sun itself,
itself, whose heat
must neither be excessive,excessive, but always always of one one and the
same degree? Our operation,
same degree.'-
operation, concludes Morien, Morien, is is
1
^ Triump. Cher. ef
Triump. Chor. of Antiin.
Antim. Kirchringius, Eng. ed.
Kirchringins, Eiig. p. SS.
ed p. 58.
fr .
»,
'
-
Ceeluni
Ccelum Terrze, 11.8 ; Flammelh
p. 118;
Terrse, p. Snnnnnln.
Flaminelli 8u)ntniila.
: ;
The
THE Gross VoaK.
Gnoss Work. 451
nothing else
nothing extracting water from the earth
else but extracting earth and re-re-
turning it
turning again,
it again, so long
long and so often
often until
until the earth
earth is
is
completely putreiied ;
completely putrefied for
for by
by elevation
elevation
; of the mois-
is heated and dried, and by
body is
ture the body returning it
by returning it
again
again it
it is
is cooled and lnoistened
moistened ; by
by the continuation
;
of which successive
successive operations
operations it is brought
it is brought to corrupt
corrupt
and to lose its Form, and for
lose its for a season to remain
dead? This then is
dead.^ intention and manner
is the true intention
supply the right
working to supply
of working right conditions for for attract-
ing
ing the Divine Seed, by
by action
action and re-action
re-action raising
raising
successively
successively actives
actives by passives,
by passives, and, vice
vice versa,
versa, pas-
pas-
by actives,
sives by
sivcs actives, until
until the spiritual ability is
spiritual ability complete.
is complete.
what one doth concoct t'other
For wliat will drive
t'otber -will drive away
away ; ;
But ifif thou canst each work perform

perform apart,
apart,
And knowest them afterwards to reconcile,
Then thou art art master of princely Art.
of a princely
The very will thy
very success will thy hopes beguile;
hopes beguile
Thou hast all Natnre's works ranked on
all Nature's on a file,
file,
And allall her treasures at command dost keep keep ;;
On thee the Fates will neêr dare but smile.

will never smile.
No Mystery
Mystery is for thee too deep:
now for
is now deep
Th'
Th' art Nature's darling whether dost wake or sleep.
Nature's darling sleep.
Pardon my plainness, of the Art,
my plainness, Art, thou knowest
fruit of my
It was the fruit
It my untame desire
To profit many ; and, without a boast,
profit many ; boast,
man above my candor shall
No man shall aspire.
aspire.
my
My zeal
My was kindled by
zeal was by llinerva's
Minerva's ]:ìre.2
Fire.^
explanation of the whole difficulty,

for an explanation
But for difficulty, adds
author,
same author,
the same in
in his
his Open E}ll)`(l}IC6,
Ojjeii Entrance, attend to these
instructions-Take
instructions —
Take four parts of' our Fiery
parts of Fiery Dragon,
Dragon,
wdiich bears in his
which his belly Magic Steel,
belly the Magic Steel, and conjoin
eonjoin
parts of our
to nine parts Loadstone, that by
our Loadstone, by a violent con-
they may
cussion they may be reduced into a mineral wâter; water; re-
scum which swims
scum swîms upon
upon it; leave
ject
ject the superfluous
superfluous it ;
the Shell and take the Kernel ; and purge purge t/zrice
thrice with
;
Salt and with Fire :: which will be easy

.Shit do, if
easy to do, if Sa-
turn have chanced to regard his beauty
regard his beauty in the glass of'
glass of
Mars. Hence comes
Mars.-Hence —
comes the Chamelion which is our
is our
Chaos, in
Chaos, in which allall the Arcana are contained
contained; not in ;
yet, but in virtue."--~Non

act as yet, virtue.^ Non igitur — solis
igitur externus solis
/
'
1
1 De Trans. Metal.
i I
/ aW
act
'
2
2 Eii-enûs, Ripley Revived,
Eirenéus, Hipley Revived, verses in
in fine.
fine.
- 3
3 Introitus Apcrtus, cap. vii.
Aportus, cap. vii.
G 2
G G
4.32
4.')2 IlERMR'lÌC Pimcrieu.
Hermetic Practice.
coelestis
coelestis calor
calor est qui profunduin
est qui tcrrze calefiicit
profuiidum terroe sed
calefacit sed
potius
potius solis
solis terrestris
terresti'is innatus
iiniatus calor;
calor duplex
duplex ;
eniin
enim est
est
Linus reverberationis
Calor, unus
calor, reverberationis qui est, alter
qui externus est, influx-
alter influx-
ionis
ionis et penctrationis, qui
et penetratioiiis, qui internus est, de quojani
internus est, quo jam lo-lo-
quor, cujus
quor, cujus natura est viviticare
vivificare augmentare
augnientare conservare
couservare
per radicalis humoris in

per sustentaculum radicalis in hoc igne con-
igne con-
tenti?
tenti.^ , -/5
is
. . .
Which Vuleanic action, to destroy

Vhich \ulcanic destroy life life and,`1naintain
andAmaintain
it, Democritus before all,
it, all, and as it pyrographically,
it were pyrographically,
—
poui'trays, as-Drawing
pourtrays, as Drawing the fixedfixed Brass out bodily, bodily, in-in-
structs this Abderite, thou shalt
this Abderite, compose aa certain
shalt compose certain ob-
tongue, and placing
long tongue,
long placing itit again
again uponupon the coals, stir
coals, stir
Vulcan into it; it; now i1'1'adiating with the
now irradiating Fossil Salt,
the Fossil
now with the incessant Attic Ochre, adorning
now adorning now now the
shoulder and the breast of Paphia Paphia till till she shall
shall appear
appear
manifestly beautiful,
more manifestly and, throwing
beautiful, and, throwing the glau(j^s glauqiis lOi
/0
veil aside, shall
veil entirely Golden.
appear entirely
shall appear Perehanee
Perchance '
it was when Paris gazed

it was gazed on on such a Venus,Venus, he did did pre-
pre-
fer her both to Juno and Minerva.^
fer Minerva?
This evidence may may suffice for the present
sufiice for occasion,
present occasion,
which is is to promote inquiry rather than pursue
promote inquiry pursue it. it.
For when the inquirer inquirer has learned how he ought ought to
having increased also his
begin, having
begin, his natural store ol' ineli-
of incli-
nation and faith faith by practice in
by practice in equal companionship
equal companionship
reciprocal benefaction,
and reciprocal benefaction, he will will not despair;
despair; and
though the riddle should appear
even though
even appear ever so intricate intricate
first, it
at first, will solve itself
it will itself at every
every stage, opening into
stage, opening
new
new prospects within the veil
prospects veil of life.
life. Labour to know
causes, advises the philosopher
causes, philosopher; he that seeks ra-
;
tiovally finds the true end,

tionu//`y end, not otherwise;
otherwise for for such a
;
conduct eonciliates Minerva, and at her behest .love

conciliates Minerva, Jove
Everything depends
undertaking. Everything
prospers the undertaking.
prospers depends upon upon
Motive, which is
the Motive, is the true spiritual
spiritual ferment;
ferment ; and
according to the virtue of the fernicnting
according principle is
fermenting principle is
the result obtained.

Sic fiiiis
tinis ab
al) origine
origine pendet.
pendet.
The end depends

depends from the beginning
beginning; ; and as the
1^
Nuysement, Sal Lumeu,
Nuvsement, Latin of Conibachius.
Lumen, the Latiu Coinbachius.
2
'^
Flainznelli Summula,
In Flammelli Qua: ex
Suzmnula, Quae Deinocrito coUeguutur.
ex Democrito colleguntur.
Guess Work.
The Gross
THE VonK. 453
vine draws its

vine foeculent impure
sap from the foeculent
its sap earth,
impure earth,
yields
and yields a fluid
fluid fruit,
fruit, which
wiiich by
by the
the fernientive
fermentive art
art
is
is turned into spiritualised, and advanced into
into wine, spiritualised, into
permanent form of being;
more permanent
a more being; so, inin the Herme-
tic art,
tic art, the philosophic
philosophic matter, drawn in
in part from the
part
heterogeneous air and defiled
heterogeneous air vitality, is
defiled breath of vitality, is puri-
puri-
fied by
fied by successive interehanging
interchanging of ferments, fretted,
dissolved, and rectified
dissolved, into a
rectified into and immortal
a consummate a11d
Form ofof Light.
Light. halts many
But Nature halts many times before
this final rest, at
this final at each stage offering the fruits
stage odering fruits of'of her
conceptive imagination
conceptive imagination to allure;
allure ;
if'
if the artist
artist be am-
am-
bitious, however, and a true philosopher,

bitious, philosopher, he will will ac-
cept of none
cept none of these,
these, but will will proceed, sacrificing
proceed, sacrificing
all the intermediate benefits,
all again and again
benefits, again again tortur-
her, and, with relentless
ing her,
ing relentless hands,
hands, slaying
slaying the firstfirst-
born offspring
offspring until
until the Divine Perfection is
is attained.
attained.
—
--ForFor other foundation can no man
can no man lay,lay, as sayssays the
Apostle,
Apostle, than that which is
is laid,
laid, which is
is Jesus Christ.
Christ.
Now if if' any
any manman build upon upon this
this foundation gold,
gold,
silver, precious
silver, stones, wood,
precious stones, wood, hay,hay, stubble ; ; every
every
man's work shall
man's manifest; for
shall be made manifest : for the Day Day shall
shall
declare it, it, because it shall be revealed by
it shall by Fire;
Fire ; and the
shall by
Fire shall man's work of what sort it
every man's
try every it is.
is.
lf' any
If any man's
man's work abide which he hath built there-
therc-
upon, he shall
upou, shall receive a reward. If' man's work
any nian's
If any
shall be burned,
shall burned, he shall suffer loss:
shall suffer loss :but he himself'
himself
shall be saved ; yet
shall ;
yet so as by by Fire.
Fire. Know ye
ye not that
Temple of'
ye are the Temple
ye God, and that the Spirit
of God, Spirit of God
dwelleth in you? you ? If If any
any manman defile
defile the Tem])le
Temple of' of
God, him shall
God, shall God destroy
destroy ; for
;
Temple of God
for the Temple
is holy, which Temple
is holy, Temple ye ye are.'
are.^
It is
It is vain to look in expectation,
expectation, or believe ourselves
in the hereditary
in treasure, without so
possession, of a treasure,
hereditary possession,
much as opening opening or suspecting
suspecting even even the casket in in
which it it is
is shut up.
up. common elements of Nature
The common
obscure their Divine Original, Original, and Chemistry
Chemistry and all all
our experimental
our experimental physics physics drive it it forcibly without
forcibly
the means Identification.
means of Identification. Yet as the experienced
experienced
1
'
Corinthians, iii.
11 Corinthians, 11—
iii. l1~17.
17.
454 IIERMETIC PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
Chemist knows how, by skilful application

by a skilful his art,
application of his
analyse thc
to analyse common elements, and distil
the common distil them to
high virtue
a high strength of refinement, so the Alche-
virtue and strength
mists long
long since
since have taught
taught by more subtle
by a more subtle ap-aj)-
paratus and artifice,

paratus more cogent
tests more
artifice, and tests cogent than all,all,
to rectify the Universal Element, and compress
to rectify compress itsits in-
in-
visible vapour into
visible vapour tangible Form.
into a tangible By applying the
By applying
proper voluntary corrosive they
proper voluntarycorrosive obliterate its
they teach to obliterate its de-
de-
Iilements
filements ; by
;by gentleness
gentleness to mollify
mollify its
its Durity
Durity ; by
by bene-;
ficence to sweeten its

ficence its acerbity;
acerbity by justice to moderate
by justice
;
its
its intensity, it with hope,
irradiate it
intensity, and to irradiate truth, beauty,
hope, truth, beauty,
universal intellection
and universal supplanting the sensual do-
intellection ; supplanting
;
minion, and rectifying,

minion, until finally,
rectifying, until iinally, by an actual sub-
by an
version of the self they made their
hood, they
selfhood, their Sublimatc
Sublimate
sublime.
Thus he who, like like (Edipus,
Qidipus, is solve the
is able to solve
Enigma of the Sphinx
Enigma Sphinx; in in other words,
; words, to penetrate
penetrate
rationally
rationally the darkened essence of his his natural under-
standing, will,
standing, will, by
by conversion illuminating
illuminating its
its obscurity,
obscurity,
cause it
it to become lucid throughout, and to be no
lucid throughout, no
longer what it
longer it was before.-~For
before. —
For Mind is is the Key
Key of
this Hermetic Enigma,
this Enigma, and no sooner sooner does it it attain
attain
to Self Knowledge,
Knowledge, by by proper
proper inquiry within, than the
inquiry within,
Efficient proceeds outwards to image
Efficient proceeds image itsits motive in in
thatfwhich before lay
operation, so that)^which
operation, lay in speculation only
in speculation only
is
is carried out in in Life.
Life. But it it is until the right
is not until right
Motive is discovered, and until the mundification of the
is discovered,
/ Spirit is
Spirit is completed
completed in in both kinds,
kinds, and all all things
things are
0^1 reduced to a crystalline diaphaneity, that the Philoso-
crystalline diaphoneity,
'
'
phic Work has been said
phic Vork said truly
truly to begin.
begin. For, as was
For,
observed, if
before observed, if any permanent confection is is made
any permanent
or suffered to take place before-hand, the immature
place before-hand,
offspring does not abide.
offspring
He that would seek TinctureTineturc niost specious

most specious
Must needly
needly avoid all wild and vicious.
things Avild
all things
The philosopher's worke doe not begin
1)l1llOS01)llC1°'S workc begin
Till all
Till all things pure without and wit-hiu.'
things be pure within.*
1*
Nortoifs
XovtoiTs Ordiunl, t"i[). ir.
Ordinal. cap. iv.
—
455
CHAPTER Il.
II.
Of t/ze P/zilosop/lic
the Philosophic or Subtle lVo1'/r.
Subtle Work.
in omnibus primum,
Omnia in Tertio tradidit
primum, omni Tertio (ex omni pri-
tradid.it (ex pri-
mo seeundo)
mo secundo) omnia in
in omnibus primum seeundum, ut inde
primum secundum, inde omnia
in
in omnibus, etet omnia, catholice,
catholiee, aguosceret,
agnosceret, cognosceret
cognoseeret acae pos-
pos-
sideret.-Efzigma
sideret. Amph. Sap.
Ku/znrat/z, Amp/z.
Enigma Kuhnrath, Sap.
distinctive dis-
grand distinctive
AS S there are three reigns
tributions
tributions of the
reigns or grand
kingdoms
kingdoms of Nature, so we
Nature,
dis-
we are
informed that in in the Philosophic
Philosophic Vork, Work, preceding
preceding her, her,
is
there is a a threefold order of legitimate operation
legitimate operation and
a relation sequences^ which merits especial
relation of Causal sequences, especial
note. For these three operations,
operations, which are in fact
in fact
so many degrees through which the Spirit
many degrees through Spirit passes
passes from
conception to manifestation,
conception manifestation, are perplexedperplexed by by the
in their
Adepts in their records,
Adepts records, and reserved strictly under
strictly
the Master Key Key of their
their Dilemma, in
Dilemma, in order that the
mysteries
mysteries of this
this most venerable science might
might not
be discovered to the profane. profane. And shall
shall we, who
have hitherto presumed
presumed so far
far on their
their indifference as
to break the preliminary signets and unloose so many
preliminary signets many
covertures of occult learning, learning, moremore audacious still, still,
approach
approach those final
final cerements unannealed, and with
a full
a discovering hand expose
full discovering expose before all all indiscrimi-
nately
nately the Art of simple Nature,
simple Nature, which the ancients
kept
kept so holily,
holily, and which the Visest
Wisest in modern times
have deemed it it unprofitable
unprofitable to reveal? The unwor-
unwor-
thy alone would have it
thy it so ; the intelligent
; love1's of
intelligent lovers
truth would bewail nothing nothing more more than a desecration
it in incapable
of it incapable hands ; nor ; will they
nor will they be offended or
grudge
grudge the additional pains
pains which a conscientious
reserve may occasion them to discover, by

may discover, by a theoretic
conduct, the ultimate Art of Life.
conduct, Life.
The tradition of the Preliminary Practice, as it
Preliminary Practice, it has
been delivered by by each one one following
following his own guide
his own guide
independently, may
independently, may be regarded
regarded as it were a track in
it were
— :
456 Hermetic PaAc'r1cE.

Hnmirrric Practice.
the sands easily

the changeable, and where we
easily changeable, ought to
we ought to
conduct ourselves rather
rather by polar star-light
by the polar star-light than
by any
by footsteps which are seen implanted
any footsteps there. Be-
implanted there.
sides the confusion of the
sides the tracks which the many many
wayfarers
wayfarers have left
left is
is so great,
great, and one finds
finds so many
many
ditlerent paths
different paths and wilful
wilful deviations,
deviations, that it
it is
is almost
impossible not to be led
impossible astray from the right
led astray right road,
which the Star alone points points out for for allall and each one
his proper
by his
by proper sight beholding it.
sight beholding it. The wilful
wilful con-
fusion otòf the Hermetic doctrinedoctrine has doubtless checked
many aspirants
many some in
aspii'ants ; some
; beginning, others in
in the beginning, in the
middle of theirtheir philosophic
philosophic career, have been disap-
disap-
pointed; many
pointed ; many even with a perfect
perfect knowledge
knowledge of the
preliminary
preliminary work, and having
having the true Matter in
in Hand
also and means ot`
also purification, are said
of purification, said to have fal- fal-
tered inin defect
defect of the ultimate theory theory whereon to pro-
pro-
ceed; some,
ceed ; even when they
some, even they understood this, having
this, having
already approached
already through much labour and contem-
approached through
plation
plation towards the their journey, having
end of theirjourney, having the
Purpose also in
Final Purpose in Mind, havê have been entangled
entangled by by
the snares and pitfallspitfalls which their
their predecessors had
predecessors
dug in
dug midway between them and the fulfilment
in the midway
of their
their destined course. vow sincerely
II vow sincerely to you, you,
says
says Eudoxus, in
in that introduction his to the Six
of his
Keys, that the practice
Keys, practice of ou1' our Art is difficult
is the most difficult
thing
thing in
in the world,
world, not in
in regard
regard to its
its operations, but
operations,
in respect
in difficulties which are in
respect of the ditliculties it, to learn it
in it, it
distinctly
distinctly from the books of the philosophers.
philosophers. For
if, on the one
if, side, it
one side, is called
it is reason a recreation
called with reason
and play
play of children;
children ; on the other,
other, it requires in those
it requires
who
vho search for for the Irut/i7311!/1 a protbund knowledge of
profound knowledge ot`
principles
the princi})les and of the operations
operations ot`
of Nature in
in the
Kinds: Thus Norton says
Three Kinds :
says-
hath he to be a
Greate neede hatli
GTreate a. elerke
clerke
this Snbtill
diseerne tliis
That would discerne Subtill Verkc:
"Werke
He must kuow
know hys
hys first iilosophie,
first filosophie,
come by Alkiinie.
lf he trust to come
If by Alkiiiiie.
It is
It is a great thc True Matter and
point to find out the
great point
proper Subject
proper Subject ot`
of this work
wo1'k; even for this
; we must
this we
The SUBTLE VoRK.
THE Subtle Work. 457
pierce through aa thousand obscure veils

pierce through veils wherewith itit
has been overspread: : distinguish it

overspread we must distinguish by
it by its
its
proper idea
proper among a million
idea and name, among miUion of pseudo-
pseudo-
nymes and abstruse appellations,
nymes whereby the
appellations, whereby the Adepts
Adepts
have chosen to express
express it: it we must learn to under-
:
stand the properties

properties of it, in
of' it, in order to
to judge of the
judge of the pos-
pos-
sibility
sibility of the miracles alleged;
alleged ;and before we
we can
imagine
imagine into
into the abstruse Original
Original of Nature,
Nature, we
we must
reflect profoundly and patiently,

reflect profoundly patiently, in
in order to discrimi-
discrimi-
nate the secret Fire of the Wise, Vise, which is is the only
only
agent granted by
agent granted by Art to purify
purify and dispose
dispose Nature to
sacrifice of her last
a sacrifice
a last life.
life. This, we
we must know, and
the Divine Law Lav that succeeds to animate her by by a re-

We
volutionary course. Ve must learn further how to
volutionary
convert and congeal
congeal the new-born Quintessence or
mercurial water into into anan incombustible fixed unguent,
fixed unguent,
and, by
and, by the entire
entire revolution of its
its body,
body, to awaken
Light to Life.
the occult Light Life.
And to effect
effect this, moreover, adds our author of T/ze
this, moreover, The
Triumph, you
Trizzmp/1, you must make the conversion of the Ele-
separation and the reunion of the Three
ments, the separation
Principles; you must learn how to make thereof a
Principles ;
you
Mercury and a citrine
white Mercury Mercury, and you
citrine Mercury, you must
Hx this
fix Mercury
this IMercury and nourish it
it with its
its own
own blood,
blood, to
the end that it may be converted into
it may into the fixed Sul-
phur, which is
phur, is the Stone of Philosophers.
Philosophers,
principles of the Hermetic Art,
These are the fixed principles
in which there is is no
no variableness but in in their disco-
very,
very, which,
which, having
having already
already discussed,
discussed, we
we proceed to
proceed
promise of a more
redeem our promise more subtle application
application to
practice; and this,
practice ; this, without incurring
incurring too great great a re-
sponsibility on
sponsibility ourselves, may
on ourselves, may we we trust be intelligibly
intelligibly
succeeding evidence as it
conceived from such succeeding it is expe-
is expe-
only to afford.
dient only
We
Ve read, in the Egyptian
read, in Egyptian Fable of IsisIsis and Osiris,
Osiris,
that they were sister
they were brother, and being
sister and brother, being conjoined
conjoined
in marriage
in likewise, that their kingdom
marriage likewise, kingdom was was cruelly
cruelly
divulsed and usurped
usurped by Typhon, who
by their brother Typhon,
malignant and envious spirit
a malignant
in a spirit killed Osiris,
Osiris, cut his
458 Hermetic Pa,C'r1eE.
l"IERIlE.'1`lC Practice.
body into
body pieces and scattered
into pieces scattered his
his members ~to to the
four winds. Isis
fom* Isis however, recollecting these, preserved
recollecting these, preserved
them in chest which floated
in a chest the Nilotic
on the
floated on Nilotic waters in
in
safety until the
safety until arrived for
period arrived
the period restitution when
for a restitution; ;
king was thenceforth resuscitated, and came forth

the king forth
invulnerable from fi-om his his ashes, and far more powerful
far more powerful
than he was before, to the enjoyment enjoyment of his his dominions
rightful throne.
and rightful
Now
New in in this fable, already
this fable, explained in
already explained part, Plu-
in part,
tarch, with the Adepts Adepts also
also being
being witnesses, is pro-
is pro-
foundly
foundly couched not only
only the principiating
principiating action of
Intellect but the methodical a1't
Intellect art of the samesame subtle An-
tecedent to bring itself, by
bring itself, by begetting
begetting a supernatural
supernatural
offspring,
offspring, into
into natural effect.
effect.
And since
since it it is
is 1'equisite, according to the ancient
requisite, according
Metaphysics,
Metaphysics, to consider the doctrine of Causes from
its Principle,
its Principle, and causes are said
said subsist in
to suhsist in a four-
four-
fold respect,
fold respect, one
one of which they
they assert to be essence, and
essence, asd
that
iit^ the suhsisting
subsisting as a certain certain particular
particular thing thing and
cause and principle,
C//use
principle, form the First Why
ll'/13/;; but the
second cause is is matter and that which subsists subsists as a
sulject;
subject; A T/zird
Third is
is, thatwhcncc
that whence the begiizrzirzg of
beginning mo-
rj mo-
tion is
tion is derived ; and The [hurt/1
; Fourth is is a cause opposite
opposite to
viz., that for
this, viz.,
this, for the sake sa/fc of which the inquiry inquiry sub-
sists, and the Good which is
sists, is the end of generation.^
generation.'
Hence,
Hence, referring
referring this this Peripatetic
Peripatetic scheme of investi- investi-
gation
gation to the art of Wisdom
Visdo1n for
for realisation,
realisation, we
we may
may
conceive the whole intellectual relationship relationship ; and how
;
the speculative
speculative Motive of the First Cause is finally
is finally
produced
produced in
in reversionary
reversionary order from the Third, in
Third,
whom it it becomes eflicient,efficient, by by the Second into the
3 Fourth ; as it
; it were a triplicate
triplicate Heing Thought, Will,
f eing of Thought,
and Understanding,
Understanding, which, resting in the solc
which, resting sole vision of
its only
its only begotten
begotten perfection,
perfection, desires not to surpass
surpass
itself; but,
itself; but, perceiving
perceiving itself
itself indeed to be the Final Object
Object
its own
of its own First Cause,Cause, is goof/, according
is good, aeco1'ding to the words
of the Stagyrite,
Stagyrite, and the end of spiritual spiritual generation.
generation.
These, then, are the universal principles
These, then, principles which it it has
l
^ See Aristotle's
Aristotle's Metaphysics,
Metaphysics, book i.
i.
:
The SUBTLE
THE Subtle VVORK.
Work. 459
sometimes been deemed expedient

expedient in practice to
in practice to re-
present,
present, and these
tliese are their
their several
several relations:
relations:
Primus dicatur
dicatur in
in quo sensus dominatur.
quo sensus domiiiatur.
Sensibus aequato gaudet Natura Secunclo.
aequato gaudet Secundo.
Tertius excedit,
excedit, cujus tolerantia Isedit.
cujus tolerantia lzedit.
Destructor sensus nescit
nescit procedere Quai-to.
procedere Quarto.
respects the operation

And, as respects operation of these, viz. of the
these, viz.
natura~l, unnatural, and the supernatural
natural, supernatural Fires, they
Fires, they
should be quickly
quickly lighted, says the Adept,
lighted, says Adept#^ lestlest one
should putput out the other, or this this should stifle stifle that:
that
all which the Fourth, partaking
over all
partaking of the aerial aerial fiery
iiery
supervenes for
element, supervenes
element, for the accomphsliment
accomplishment of the
work. respects the Vessels, the First
And, as respects First indeed
may
may be considered to be opaque,
opaque, the Second less less so,
thc Tliird
and the Third still
still less
less so. This last
last containing
containing truly truly
Him who is is to be born ;âs the embryo
mas embryo in in the mother Cbr<^
is protected
is protected with a triple covering and sustained within
triple covering
until mature,
until mature, even even so is
is the metaphysical
metaphysical offspring
offspring
said
said to be involved:
involved :
which, by
which, by the birth of Horus in in
Egyptian Fable,
the Egyptian Fable, isis accurately represented, when,
accurately represented, when,
Typhon
Typhon being vanquished, the lawful empire
being vanquished, empire is is re-
—
sumed.-Triuna
sumed. Triuna universalis essentia, essentia, quaequae Jehovah ap-
ap-
pellatur et ex
pellatur ex Uno, divina essentia,
essentia, dein ex Duobus,
Duobus, Deo
homine, ex Tribus,
et homine, Tribus, personis
personis videlicet,
videlicet, ex Quatuor,
Quatuor,
utpote
utpote tribus personis
personis et una Divina Essentia, quem-
Essentia, quem-
admodum etiam ex Quinque Quinque tribus personis,
personis, et duabus
Fissentiis nimirum, divinis
Essentiis nimirum, divinis et simul humanus est.'^ est.2
Hence the Divine Monarchy Monarchy consists,
consists, and is
is esta-
bhshed
blished; ; the primary
primary principles whereof,
principles whereof, as herc
here an-
an-
nounced,
nounced, are in their representation familiar;
representation famihar ; but of
the form of the Fourth in in that burning
burning Fiery
Fiery Furnace,
Furnace,
we may
we
may conceive only only from what is written. —
is Written.-BeholdBehold
II will send youyou FAijah,
[Glyn/z, the prophet,
prophet, before the coming
coming
of the Great and terrible Day Day of the Lord, Lord, and he
shall turn the /warts þÿIT!!/l ¬)`6`
hearts of the Fatliers unto the Children,
C/lil(/rely,
and the hearts of the Children C/zildren to their Fat/zers,
Fathers, lest lest I I
come and strike the earth with a curse.
come curse?^ But, say
But, say the
1
1
Symbola Anreaa
Maieri Synibola Aureae Mensze,
Mensae, p.
p. 256.
Y
'^
Aquarium
Aquarium Sapicntum i11 Mus. Herm. p.
Sapientum in p. 112.
3 iv. 5,
2
Malachi, iv.
Malaclii, 5, 6.
6.
460 -
Hermetic PIIACTICE.
l'lER)IE'1ÌC Practice.
Adepts, Naliiscstjcnn
Adepts, Artista ^
Elias Artista
]Vat11s est_jam Elias the artist,
:' Elias, the artist,
is bom already
is born already; and this is he that
this is that was
; was appointed
appointed a
baptizing with the water unto repentance,
forerunner, baptizing repentance,
who has foresliown
foreshown all things in
all things in his apparition to the
his apparition
birth is
wise, whose birth
wise, is miraculous in in the hypostatie
hypostatic
transfiguration, prior to the Divine Light,
transfiguration, and prior Light,
Vhom
AVlioin to seeke it
to seeke it availeth nought,
right nought,
availeth right
Til] the white meclicivze
Till fully wrought.
medicine be fully wrought.
medieins in
Alsoe both medicins their beginninge
in their beginninge
Have one manner of
one manner of vessel
vessel and workinge,
workinge,
for the Vhite
well for
As well also for
AVhite as also for the Red,
Eed,
Till
Till all
all quick things be made dead ;
quick things ;
When vessels
Ifhen vessels rziuljbrme
and forme of operation
operation
chaunge in
Shall chaitnye matter, figure, and graduation.
in matter, graduaiion.
But my my herte quaketh,
quaketh, my my hand is tremblinge,
is tremblinge,
When II write of this seleouth thinge.

this most selcouth thinge.
brought forth
Hermes brought forth a true sentence and blounte,
blounte,
Vhen he said,
AVheu Ignis et
said, Ignis et _flzolh
Azoth tibiszrjfcin/11.2
tihi sujfficiunt?
It will be unnecessary
lt will unnecessary now now to remind the attentive
attentive
reader of what w^hat has been before explained. explained. Nature,
provides us with the foundations of Visdom,
indeed, provides Wisdom,
and materials wherewith to construct her immortal
4
/ Light but it
Edifice of Light;
Edifice it' is
is the work only
; only of a Master
Q'-
lCA^^ Mason, of Grand Architects,Architects, as the I/odgc. has it, it, to
A
r
erect structures in in the air. air. The task is is too onerous
inferior craftsmen*
for inferior
for craftsmen.^ lt is the part
It is part of Mind alone
represent herself in
to represent this wây
in this way by own reflective
by her own reflective
embody the ethereal Image,
energy, to embody
energy, Image, and ehisel
chisel itit out
in
in Light.-O
Light. —O watery Form
blessed watery Form! that dissolvest the
!
Elements!
Elements Now it
! it behoves us with this this watery
watery soul
possess ourselves of a sulphurous
to possess sulphurous Form, and to
minele the same
mingle same with our Aeetum. Acetum. For when by bv the
power of the Vater
power Water the composition
composition is dissolved, it
is dissolved, it is
is
the Key
Key of the Restoration.
Restoration. when thou shalt
And wdicn
pour forth thy
pour thy Fire uponupon the Foliated Sulphur, Sulphur, con-
Master, the boundary
tinues the Master, boundary of hearts (i.c. {i. e. the
Cause) does enter in above it,
Final Cause) it, and is washed
is wâshed
in
in the same,
same, and the mortal matter thereof is is ex-
tracted. Then7'/zen i,s //c transformed

is he in his tinclure.
!rr111.g"orn1c'1/ in tincture. Our
1
1 lntroit. Apertus.
Introit. Apertus. cap xiii.
cap xiii.
9
^ Xorton's
Norton's Urdinal,
Ordinal, cap.
cap. '.
v.
i
Q l
l`
" .tjgii L'aililo JMivnua l of Froo
.
I- Maauuiv, jiaii iii. p. 17.

Tun SUBTLE
The Vom<.
Subtle Work. 46l
461
Son the King King takes his tincture from the fire
his tincture fire and
death even, and darkness and the waters flee flee away.
away.
The Dragon
Dragon shuns the the sunbeams
sunbeanis which dart dart through
through
crevices, our dead Son Uves.
the crevices, lives. The King King comes forth forth
from the Fire, Fire, and rejoices rejoices vith with his spouse, and the
his spouse,
occult treasury
treasury is is laid open. The Son, already
laid open. already vivifled,
vivified,
is become a warrior in
is in the Fire,Fire, of of tincture
tincture superexcel-
superexcel-
lent.
lent. For thisthis Son is is the treasury,
treasury, bearingbearing even even (in (in
his
his hand) the Philosophic Philosophie Matter.^ Matter.'-Now— Now then bring bring
gifts of salutation
ye gifts
ye salutation to the Rain Rain;; that, that, not being being
withh olden, it may
wit/z/zolden, it f/esceml upon
may descend upon you you ; and to the dew,
; dew,
if it
if it has received from you you gold gold and silver. silver. Open
Open
your eyes, and lift
your e_z/es, lift upup youryour /zorn.s',
horns, ye ye that are ca-
comprehend the Elect One; before whose
pable to comprehend
pable
feet all all his antecedent; fall
his antecedents fall away,
away, and are eofzszmzef/_ consumed.
Those mountains
77I0ll)Il(Ifl7.§' which thou hast seen, seen, the mountain
copper, the mountain of silver,
of copper, silver, the mountain of
gold,
gold, the mountain of f/uid metal, and the mountain
fluid metal,
of lead,
lead, allall these in
in the presence of the Elect One
presence
shall
shall be like
like a honeycomb before the Fire;
honeycomb Fire ; and like
like
water descending
descending from above upon
upon the mountains, and
mountains,
shall. become debilitated
shall debilitated before his feet.
his feet. All these
things
things shall shall be rejected
rejected when the Elect One shall
shall
appear in
appear in the presence
presence of the Lord of Spirits.'^ —Behold,
Spiritsf*-Behold,
I will
I will send my my þÿA/l]('SS
Alessenger,¬l1_g` ¬)',and he shall prepare prepare the
way
way before me
me: : and the Lord, whom
Whom ye .see/r, shall sud-
ye seek,
denly
denly come
come to his
his yt'/N?)/(3,
Temple, even
even the messenger of the
)l!CSS'('lIg`L'?`
covenant,
covenant, whom ye delight
ye delight in:
in : behold he shall come, come,
saith the Lord of Hosts. But who shall abide the day day-
of his coming? And who shall
his coming? stand when he ap-
shall stfmf/ ap-
peareth ? For he is
pearet/1? is like
like a Rejiner's Fl/'e, and like_}91!-
He/i11er's Fire, X\\ie ful-
Zers' soap :.° and he shall sit

lers' soap refiner and purifier
sit as a refiner purifier of
.siiver :: and he shall purify
silver purify the sons
sons of Levi,
Levi, and purge
purge
them as gold gold and silver,
silver, that they may
they may offer
offer unto the
Lord an offering in righteousness.^
an 0f6lìI)g righteousness."
This was was He whom the Patriarchs and Hebrew
Ile
prophets looked for,
prophets for, and the Ethnic philosophers, philosophers, in in
11
Tractatus Aureus, cap. ii.
Aurcus, cap. ii.
2
2 Book of Enoch, xeix.
Enoch, xcix.
3
3
Malachi, iii.
Malachi, 1, 2,
in. 1, 3, 4~.
2, 3, 4.
;
462 Hermetic PRACTICE.

I'IERl1ETIC Practice.
adored; who in
anticipation, adored
anticipation, in the
; the sacred
sacred humanity
humanity
of Jesus Christ
of at last
was at
Christ was manifest; whom the
last made manifest ;
Apostles and early

Apostles Christian Fathers, Saints, and Mar-
early Christian
tyrs testify
tyrs testify of,
of, and with
wdth understanding
understanding worshipped;
worshipped ;
—
even--Tliat
even That which was from the Beginning, Beginning, which they they
had heard, and seen with their eyes, which
their eyes, they had
w^hich they
looked upon, upon, and their their hands had handled, of the
Word
Vord of of Life;
Life ; for the Life
for w as made manifest, and
Life was
they
they had seen it, it, and bear witness, and shew unto
us that Eternal Life, Life, which was Father, and
was with the Father,
was manifested unto them.^ them? And noiv
now also the axe 1/me is
is
laid unto the root of the trees

laid : therefore every
trees; therefore every tree
hringeth not forth
which bringeth good fruit
forth good fruit is dowm, and
is hewn down,
into the fire.
cast into fire. Iindeed
I indeed baptize
baptize you Vater
you with Water
unto repentance
repentance: : but He that cometh after
after me is
me is
I, whose shoes 1 am
I am not worthy
worthy bear:
mightier
mightier than I, to bear:
He shall baptize you
shall baptize you with the Holy Holy Ghost and with wdth
Whose fan is
Fire: Vhose
Fire : is in his Hand, and he will
in his will throughly
throughly
purge
purge his his floor,
floor, and gather gather hishis wheat into into the garner;
garner
but the chaff he will will burn up unquenchable tire?
up with unquenchable fire.'^
O mysteries
mysteries truly truly sacred! exclaims the Bishop Bishop of
Alexandria in in holy transport, O pure
holy transport, pure Light;
Light; at the
Light of torches,
Light torches, the veil veil that covers God and Heaven
/ falls
falls off.
off. am holy
II am holy nownow that II am am initiated.
initiated. It
It
/
/.Qi is the Lord /zimsey"
is the himself ivho who isis the Hirrop/zdnta. He sets
the Hicrophdnta.
/zis upon t/ze
sen! upon
his seal Adept, whom
the Adept, w/:om /le illumi//ates with /zis
he i/Zzmzi/zntcs his
beams: and whom, as a recompense
bcmns: recompense for for faith, will
faith, he will
recommend to the eternal love of the Father. These
are the orgiesorgies of my my mysteries,
mysteries, come
come ye ye and be re-
ceived."
ceived.-^
Mysteries of Antiquity
Thus the Mysteries changed their
Antiquity changed
only to appear
form only appear more resplendent when Chris-
more resplendent
tianity came the prevailing
came to be the religion ; when bap-
prevailing religion bap-
>-^, tianity ;
was an eflectual rite, and the

effectual rite,
^\<^
regeneration was
tismal regeneration
L
S't'^ Eucharist a true isitratiefl Faith, by
when Faith,
;
by humilia-
^ tion under the exemplar} cross of Christ,
exemplary brought Him
Christ, brought
1
1 First Epist. Gen. St.
Pirst Epist. i. St.
John, i.
St. John, St. Panl llehrews, i.i.
Paul to the Hebrews,
2
2 St. Matthew,
St. llatthew, iii. 10, &e.
iii. 10, &c.
3
•'
Clemens Alexandrinus.
(`lemcns Alexandrinns. See De Scptchencs, ltclig. of thc
Septchene.s, lôlig. the
chap. ii.
Greeks, chap. ii.
THE SUBTLE
The Subtle XVGRK.
Work. 463
forth
forth anew in
anew in each regenerate
regenerate hfe, life, identically
identically perfect
perfect
in
in all
all things,
things, immortal, and transcending transcending every every pre-
pre-
cedent revelation
revelation of the Light; Light; as St. St. Paul,
Paul, in
in his
his
Epistle
Epistle to the Hebrews, also
also bears
bears witness
witness :
—
z-God,
God,
who at sundry times and in
at sundry in divers
divers manners spake spake in in
times past
times past unto the Fathers by
by the prophets,
prophets, hath in
in
these last days spoken
last days spoken unto u11to us by by his Son, whom he
his Son,
hath appointed
appointed heir
heir of all
all things, by
things, by whom also he
also
made the X/V01'l(lS;
Worlds who being
;
being the brightness of his
brightness his
glory and the express
glory express image
image of his
his person,
person, and up-
up-
holding all
holding things by
all things Word of his
by the Vord power, when he
his power,
had byby himself purgedpurged our sins, sat sat down on the right right
hand of the MajestyMajesty on on High'
High.^
Meditate, therefore,
therefore, says T heosophist, and study
says the Theosophist, study
theosophically
theosophically to reduce the Ternary by
Ternary by the Quater-
nary, through
nary, through the rejection
rejection of the Binary, Binary, to the sim-
plicity
plicity of the Monad
Monad; ; that thy body, soul,
thy body, soul, and spirit
spirit
be gathered
gathered to rest in in the name
name of Jesus. —
Jesus?-Learn
^ Learn to
Principles of our Chaos to a new
unite the Principles new Life,
Life, and
they will be
they will he regenerated
regenerated by by Water and the Spirit.
Spirit.
These two are in in a l1 things,
things, and each has in himself,
in himself,
as Trismegistus
Trismegistus says, says, the seed of his his own regeneration."
own regeneration.^
Proceed then patiently }7l(l)IIl(1[/y. The work

patie/zz!/y but not manuaUii.
is performed
is performed by an invisible
by an invisible Artist ,°; for for there is is a se-
cret incubation of the Spirit Spirit of God upon Nature you
upon Nature; ; you
must onlyonly see that the outward heat fails fails not,
not, but
with the subject itself you
subject itself you have no more more to do than
the mother with the child that is is in her womb. The
two former
tormer principles perform all.
principles perform all. The Spirit
Spirit makes
of' the water to purge
use of purge and wash his body, body, and he
will
will bring
bring it it at last
last to a celestial
celestial immortal constitu-
tion.
tion. Does any one think this
any one this impossible
impossible ?? further inin-
quires Adept. —
quires the Adept.-Remember, Remember, that in the incarnation
Christ, the Quaternarius,
of Jesus Christ, Quaternarius, or four elements, elements, as
some call
some call them, were united to their eternal Unity
them, were Unity and
Ternarius. Three and Four make seven. This Sep- Sep-
l
St. Paul to the Hebrews,
Hebrews, i.i. 1,
1, &c.
"
&rlanrath Amp.
j^tknratli Sap. Etern. in medio.
Amp. Sap.
3
2
Pfeniander, Sermon on
See the Divine Pfemander, thc Mount
on tlie Blount of Regene-
Regent'
ration.
-~0My
LLL/
7
464 Hermetic PRACTICE
HERBIETIC Practice
tenary is the
tenary is true Sabaoth, the the rest
rest of into which
of God, into
shall cuter.
the creature shall enter. is
This is the best
best and plainest
plainest
manuduction that
that II can give you z in
give you a word, Salvation
in aword,
:
is nothing
is nothing else
else but a 'l`ransmutation1--of
a Transmutation^ —
of the compo-
compo-
principles of life
nent principles hfe in in the circulation.
circulation. t.his is
And this is
metempsyehosis which
the true metempsychosis has been the source
many errors in
of many in the commoncommon acceptancy
aeeeptaney; but;
which, in the Ancient Schools of

in of Divinity, signiiied nei-
Divinity, signified nei-
less than a transmigrating
more nor less
ther more transmigrating of the human
this animal terrene existence through
Identity out of this
Identity through
the ethereal
ethereal elements of its original formation. §Qa:ie=la7i125
its original W^^^l/i^^
universal fundamentals of nature;
elements are the universal nature ;
in the Human Form alone are

but in attain to
are found to attain
that supremacy
that supremacy of Reason which
wdiich re-enters to its
its First
First
Cause; when,
Cause vhen, by
;
by Triplicate
a growth
Triplicate growth of Light in
Light in the
Understanding, becoming
Understanding, becoming consciously allied, It
consciously allied, It ema-
nates a Fourth Form, truthful, godlike,
godlike, being
being the
express image
express image of its motive magically
its magically portrayed.
portrayed.
I.
IN 'run
In
I. the beginning was Tim
UEGINNING wus Word,
the XVORD,
And THE
II. AND
II. _"TURB was
the "Word with Gen,
mis \'ITH God,
III. AKD
III. the Word
And THE V01an was-Gen.
was- God.
things were made by

All things by Him, and without Him
was not any thing made
any thing that was made. In Him was
was
Life,
Life, and the life was
life was the Light of Men. And the
Light
Light shineth in
Light Darkness; and the Darkness compre-
in Darkness ;
compre-
hendeth it
it not.
IV. There was a

Turin: wAs A man sent from
MAN SENT God whose
rnom Gon name wis
wnosiz NAME was John.
Jonrr.
The same came for

same came Wit/iess, to bear w
for a H/if/1658, itness ofthe
witness of the
Light,
Light, that all
all men through
men through /lim
him might
might believe.
htlieve. He
was not t/mt Light,
nm! that /,ig/lt, but wâs
was sent to bear lVitr1cs.s'
Witness of
Light.
that Light. That was the true Lig /uf,
Light, which lighteth
lighteth
man that cometh into the world ,Q-which
every man
every
;'^ —
which in in the
Saviour was perfected
perfected ; one ray of which,
one ray ; intrinsically
which, intrinsically
permeating,
permeating, is
is able to cleanse this
this leprous life of ours,
leprous life ours,
1^
Lumeu de Lumiue,
Lumen Lumine, p. p. 92.
ii
^ Sl. John's
tSt.
Gospel. i.i.
JUllll1S Gospel,
:
LFHE VoR1<.
SU BTLE Work.
The Subtle 465
and convert it it to the

the virtue
virtue and perfect potency of
perfect potency of its
its
Vholc.
Whole.
And whosoever in in any other Light
any other or Form of
Light or of Light
Light
should look for First Cause, or for
for the First for any Final
any other Final
Cause in in this, except the First,
this, except contrary to
First, would seek contrary
against the divine

reason, against divine ordinance, and against
against him-
self
self;; for
for nothing else is
nothing else is worth seeking, te1'minate
seeking, or can terminate
in
in good,
good, but will fruit of the Fall
will be the fruit only, which
Fall only,
Adam took upon consequences of
himself ; the mortal consequences
upon himself;
which are hourly
hourly expiated
expiated by by our race, and which no no
one, unless he were were insane, haply would labour to in-
insane, haply in-
crease. The rule
rule of Wisdom, in verification of her
in the verification
Light, is
Light, is absolute, though intermediates apply
absolute, and though apply
naturally for
themselves naturally generation, they
for the generation, they a1'eare re-
jected
jected inin the accomplishment
accomplishment ; as it ; it is explained-Non
is explained — Non
fit ad monadis simplicitatem
fit simplicitatem reductio, nisi nisi rejiciatur
rejiciatur
bina1'ius, non
binarius, non enim cum ûm Jehovah unio nisi nisi prius
prius a
devitatio et tui
teipso devitatio
teipso —
abnegatio.-For
tui abnegatio. For as the absolute
Identification
Identification in theory is
in theory is not conceived but by self ab-
by self
lation and avoidance,
avoidance, so, so, practically,
practically, neither is
is Nature
reduced to the Monadic simplicity simplicity of her Element but
rejection of her Biliary
by rejection
by Binary conception.
conception. For if
if in the
Duad the divine Idea were suffered sufl"ered immediately to
immediately
bring forth,
bring forth, an imperfect
an
offspring would result,
imperfect offspring result, and
discordant by by predominance
predominance of either either generating ex-
generating
treme,
treme, as in this
in this life
life is
is manifest;
manifest ; but byby carrying
carrying the
upward through
circulation upward through Third principle for
principle for repro-
repro-
circulation a
bation, it.
bation, rectiiied, overcome
it___is rectified,
is overcome in
in its
its proper voU-
proper voli-
tion,
tion, and dying, (if
dying, (if the divine rule be thenceforth fol-
fol-
lowed,)
lowed,) is
is raised again by reversion,
again by reversion, and through
through aa
passing, as it it were, from heaven to
diligent analysis
diligent analysis passing,
earth and from earthea1'th heaven, it
to heaven, it receives the
strength
strength of superiors
superiors and of inferiors, to make mani-
inferiors,
fest the Flower of Intellect retrospectively
fest its Ar-
retrospectively to its
to the Hermetic Riddle:
Riddle
chetypal Source, according
chetypal Source, according
Omnia
OMNIA in OMNIBUS peimum,
IN omnibus PRIMUM, OMNI Teetio THADIDIT,
omni Tmzrio ex omni
teadidit, EX omni
peimo srzouzmo, omnia

Pnnuo secundo, omrra in omnibus primum
IN ozmnsus secundum, ut
PRIMUM srcumnun, inde
Ur mm:
omnia nv omnibus,
oiusni in omusus, etET omnia
oirxm catholice
cunomcn Aaiwoscaam, cognos-
a&nosceket, cosmos-
oeeet
cmmr ac possideeet.
AC Possinrnm.
H H
H H
: ; ; ^
466 HEIIBIETIC PRACTICE.

Hermetic Practice.
Tm:
The Fmsr
First all things in
ALL frruxes all one
IX ALL the Fmsr
gave rm; First Secorm
Second ALL
all
THINGS IN
THINGS FROM THE
IN ALL, rnoxr ALL IN THE
THE ALL Fmsr SECOND
THE FlEST SeCOND T0 THE
TO run
Tnum
Third ALL; that he
all run;
nr might discover, know,
MIGHT DISCOYER, and possess
KNOV, Asn all
possess ALL
THINGS
muses universally.
UNIYERSALLY.
And this,
tlIis, it
it would seem, is Catholic Art of
is the CathoHc of
Reason investigating
investigating her First Source, which the Chal-
First Source,
daie oracle no
daic no less
less orderly
orderly pursues.
pursues.
Where the Paternal Monad

Vhere Mouad is?is ?
The Monad is enlarged which generates
is enlarged generates Two,
For the Duad sits sits beside glitters with intellectual
beside him and glitters sections,
intellectual sections,
And to govern
govern all things and to order everything
all things everything not ordered.
ordered.
For in
in the whole world shineth the Triad over which the Monad
rules.
rules.
This order is is the beginning
beginning of of all sections:
aU sections :
For the mind of of the Father said said that all things be cnt
all things cut into
into Three
— "Wliose will
-Vhose will assented ; and then all
; all things were divided.
things were divided.
And there appeared
appeared in in it
it (the
(the Triad) Wisdom, and multi-
Virtue, Visdorn,
Triad) Aîrtue,
scient Verity
scient Verity :
way floweth the Form of the Triad,
This way Triad, being pre-existent, not
being pre-existent,
First (Essence)
the Fii'st (Essence) but where they they are measured.
For thou must
1llllSiE conceive that all things serve these three Principles.
all things Principles.
Their First Course is is sacred,
sacred, but in in the middle another,
another, and the
third Aerial which eherisheth the Earth ill
wliich cherisheth Fire;
in Fire
And Fountain of all all Fountains,
Fountains,
The Matrix containing
containing all things, thence abundantly
all tilings, abundantly springs
springs forth
The generation
generation of niulti-various matter
multi-various matter;
Whence
"Thence isis extracted a FresterPrester the Flower of glowing glowing Fire,
Fire,
Flashing into the cavities
Flashing cavities of the world,
world, forfor all things from thence
all things
begin to extend downwards their

begin their admirable beams!beams
Such is is the
tlIe recreant progress
progress of mind,
mind, ascending
ascending
and descending
descending throughout life, for the investigation
throughout life, investigation
of its
its manifold resources and powers
powers; where there is
; is
an exact machinery
machinery to be observed,
observed, a method which,
which,
though
though simple, is ditlicult
siinple, is for common
difficult for common sense to con-
ceive aright-a
aright — mainspring
a niainspring exquisitely
exquisitely tempered,
tempered, anan
enduring pivot, wheel within wheel revolving
enduring pivot, revolving vitally,
vitally.
Mercury,
Mercury, Sulphur,
Sulphu1', and an an immortal Salt.
Salt. And as
steel draws thc
steel the loadstone and the loadstone in like
manner
Inanner turns towards steel, steel, so isis it
it with tlIe
the sepa-
sepa-
principles
rated principles of will
will and understanding
understanding in in their
l
' Chaldaic Oracles,
Chaldaie i.
Oracles, i.
THE VonK.
SUBTLE Work.
The Subtle 467
freed state.
freed state. It is
It that our loadstone
is true, moreover, that
contains in
in its inmost centre an abundance of that
its ininost that
Salt, which is
marvellous Salt, is that menstruum i11 in the
sphere of Saturn mentioned by
sphere by Eireneus, which cancan
calcine gold.
calcine gold. naturally towards
This centre turns naturally
Pole, where the virtue
the Pole, virtue of steel is
of the steel gradually
is gradually
strenyhened.
strengthened. In this
this Pole is
is the heart of the Mer-
cury, which is
cury, in which its
Fire, in
is a true Fire, its Lord rests;
rests ;
and passing through

passing through this
this great
great sea, guided
guided by
by the
Light
Light of that Polar star which magnet exhibits,
our magnet exhibits, it
it
arrives at its
arrives original destination.-The
its original destination. Vise will
The Wise —
will re-
joice,
joice, adds the Adept,
Adept, but fools
fools and the ignorant
ignorant will
will
hold it for a small thing,
it for thing, nor yet
nor Wisdom,
yet learn Visdom,
though they should see the Central Pole extravasated
though they
bearing the notable Sign
and bearing Omnipotence. But
Sign of Ornnipotence.
Philosophy hearken to the Vords
let the Son of Philosophy
let Words of the
unanimously declare that their
Vise, who unanimously
Wise, their work maymay
be likened to the creation of the world.-In
world. —
In the Be-
o-iiuwis God made Heaven and Enrt/1.
gimzing Earth. And the Earth Earl/z
was without Form and void ;; and Darkness
was Dar/mess was uponupon
Deep. And the Spirit
Nice of the Deep.
the Face Spirit of God moved
lVr1lers.
upon the Face of the Waters.
upon And God said, said. Let
Light: and there was Light.
there be Light: And these
Lig/zt.-And —
words may philosopher for
suffice, continues the philosopher;
may suffice, for the ;
Heaven and Earth philosophical,

philosophical, even as agent agent and
patient, must be united upon
patient, upon the throne of friendship
friendship
and love,
love, where they will thereafter reign
they will together in
reign together in
honour-.'
everlasting honour.^
evêrlasting
llaria
Maria sonat breviter quodquod talia tonat,
talia tonat,
Gummis cumcum binis fugitivurn Hgit in iinis,
fugitivum figit imis,
trinis tria vinclat fortia
Horis in trinis fortia Huis.
finis.
Maria lux roris ligam ligat in tribus horis,

ligarn ligat horis,
Filia Plutonis consortia jungit
Filia ainoris
jungit amoris
Gaudet in assata per per Tria sociata?
sociata.^
Thus exalted by
by a rotary circulation,
rotary circulation, it
as it were, from
were,
perfect form of vitality
the lowest to the most perfect from
vitality-from —
its beginning
its voluntary through
beginning in voluntary indigence, through each
indigence,
succedent sphere of resolute conception,
sphere conception, the Spirit
Spirit
11 Sec Introitus Apertus,

See Apertus, cap. iv.; Genesis,
cap. iv. ;
chap. i.i.
Genesis, chap.
2
2 Maria Practica,
P1-actica, &e.; ;
Aurifera, vol.
&c. Ars Aurifera, ii. p.
vol. ii. p. 208.
HH H
H 2
—
458
468 Hermetic Pnfe'r1CE.
HER)llE1ÌC Practice.
goes on
goes on increase and multiply
to increase multiply its its hidden light light out-
wardly,
wardly, until its
until its substance, being replenished, it
being replenished, it isis
forth
b1'ougl1t forth
brought to sight.
sight. The First
First has it
it and refuses
refuses
it, the Second gives
it ; gives it it and regards
regards it it not
not; ; ......
And the Fourth,

Fourth, as the Artist, applies it
Artist, applies it to the work
in
in furtherance, thus proving
proving himself from Hrst
first to lastlast
to be essential,
essential, and the greatest
greatest Handicraft of
of all
all;
;-
when the Stone, so singularly raised up
singularly raised up by builders
by the builders
each in in turn rejecting
rejecting it, it, becomes the Head Stone of
Corner.--T
the Corner. — This is the Lord's
his is Lord's doing,
doing, and it it is
is mar-
vellous inin our Eyes.

Eyes.
And as the Stone of the Vise Wise is is completed
completed in in
circulations, so likewise
three successive eirculatious, likewise was was the
Temple of mighty
Temple mighty Solomon built built up up by by the joint joint
assistance of Hiram and Queen Sheba, Sheba, and wonder-
fully adorned with gold,
fully gold, and silver,silver, and constellated
beams ; as in
;
in the book of Jezirn/1Jezirah we also —
read-that,
also read that,
Fiery
with the Fiery Letters
Letters of the Law,
Law, He engraved the
engraved
empty,
empty, and the void,
void, and the obscure mind, and made,
mind,
it were, a heap
as it heap of grain
grain and a statue, and
straight statue,
straight
interseeted
intersected it it with _joined beams'
joined beams.' Vhieh
Which brings brings to
mind those lines lines in in the nineteenth book of the
Odyssey, when Ulysses
Odyssey, Ulysses and Telemachus,
Telemaehus, removing removing the
weapons
weapons out of the armory,
armory, lIinerva
Minerva preceded them,
preceded them,
having
having a golden
golden Lamp,Lamp, with which she produced
produced a
very
very beautiful Light,
Light, on perceiving which, Telema-
perceiving which,
immediately addresses his
chus thus immediately his Father:
Father : OO
Father!
Father this
!this is certainly a most admirable thing
is certainly
thing which
itself to my
presents itself
presents my eyes.
eyes. For the walls of the
House,
House, the beautiful spaces spaces between the rafters, rafters, the
fir beams,
tir beams, and the columns appear appear to rise
rise in radiance
in
as if fire.
if on fire. Certainly
Certainly some
some one
one of the gods
gods is is pre-
pre-
sent who inhabit the extended heaven. But the Vise Wise
Ulysses thus answered him:-Be
Ulysses him :
—
Be silent,
silent, repress
repress your your
intellect, and do not speak.
intellect, speak. For this this is is the custom of
the gods
gods in Olympus?
Olympus.^ Homer, Homer, therefore,
therefore, in common
in common
with the philosophers
philosophers of his
his age,
age, indicates that for the
for
1
1
7
Cap. i.i.
Cap.
^
Odyssey,
Ody.ssey, book xix.
xix.
: : ; ;
THE SUBTLE
The Subtle VoRK.
Work. 469
proper reception of
proper reception of divinity,
divinity, quietnde
quietude and a a cessation
cessation
of mental energy becoming and necessary
energy are becoming necessary to the
consummating knowledge of
eonsummating knowledge of the First Cause.-And
First Cause. And —
thc knowledge
the knowledge of it, it, says Trismegistus, is
says Trismegistus, is aa most Di-
vine
vine Silence, and a rest all the senses
rest of all senses, for neither
for neither
;
T/lat
can he that understands That understand anything anything
that sees 17mt
else, nor he that
else, That seesec anything else, nor in
anything else, in
sum move
sum move the body.
body. For, shining
shining steadfastly
steadfastly up up and
around the whole mind mind, it it enliofhteneth
7 enlighteneth
0
all
all the soul
soul, >
and loosing
loosing it bodily senses and motions,
it from the bodily
it
it draweth it it from the body, changeth it
body, and changeth wholly
it wholly
into the Essence of God. God,
We
Ve awaken from the intellectual intellectual Intuition,
Intuition, sayssays
Schelling,
Schelling, as from a fl state fy"
of dent/z-and
death and we — awaken,
into that created personality
by reflection, into
by personality wherein it it
is
is impossible
impossible any any longer
longer to know Him.-The
Him. The —vision
vision
graven in
graven memory is
in hallowed memory all that remains to us;
is all us
for
for the object
object of human reason is
is the limit
limit of its
its
power,
power, and the pure
pure zero of all all relative
relative conception
conception
l)efore the throne of God.-But
waits before —
God. But to our our work.
The last
last concord is is well known to Clerkes
Between the spheresphere of Heaven and our Subtil Verkes. Werkes.
Nothing in
Nothing in e1-th
erth hath more
more simplieitie,
simplicitie,
Than th'th' elements of our Stone well be,
woll be,
Wherefore thei, thei, being
being in in worke of generation,
generation,
Have most obedience to constellation
constellation:
Whereof concord most kindly kindly convenient
Is a
Is a direct and FieryFiery ascemclant,
ascendant,
Being
Being sign. common for this
sign common this operation,
operation,
For the multitude of their iteration:iteration
Fortune your ascendant with his Lord alsoe,
your aseemlant alsoe,
Keeping
Keeping th' th' aspect slzrews them fro'
aspect of shrews fro' ; ;
And if if they
they must let, needly infect,
let, or needly infect.
Cause them look with a triue aspect.
trine aspect,
For the white W'or/ce make fortunate the Moone,
ivhife Worke Jlloone,
For the Lord of the Fourth House likemse likewise be it done
it done;
;
For that is abseouditum of old clerkes ;

is Thesaurum ahsconditum ;
Soe of the .sixth house for servants of the Ylferkes

sixth /rouse Werkes ;
Save allall them well from great impediments,
great impediments,
As itit is picture, or like
is in picture, same intents.
like the same
Unless that your nativity pretend
your nativity pretend infection,
infection,
contrariety of this Election,
In contrariety Election,
The virtue of the IMover Mover of the orbe is is formall,
foi'mall,
The virtue of the eight sphere is
eight sphere is here instrunientall,
instrumental],
With her signs
Vith signs and figures
iigures and parts
parts aspeetuall,
aspectuall,
: : ; —— ;

HERMETIC Practice.
planet's virtue
The planet's virtue is proper and speeiall,
is proper speciall,
The virtue
virtue of the elements is
of the is here materiall,
The virtue infused resulteth
virtue infused of them all:
resulteth of all
First is
The First like to
is like to aa Work1uan's
workman's mind,
The Second like his hand ye
like to his ye shall
shall iinde;
linde
The Third is is like
like a good instrument,
a good
The remnant like a thing
like a wrought to
thing Wrought your Intent.
to your Intent.
Make all premises with other well
all the premises accord,
well accord,
Then shall your merits make you
shall your greate Lord.
you a greate
In this Elixir, of
this wise Elixir, of whom ye ye make mencion,
mencion,
Is engendered a thing
Is engendered thing ofof Second Iuteution.'
Intention.^
II could tell
tell thee, says
says Vaughan,
Vaughan, of first and second
of' a first
sublimation, of a double nativity,
sublimation, visible and invisible,
nativity, visible
without which the Matter is is not alterable
alterable as to our
Hnal purpose.
final purpose. II could telltell thee also sulphurs sim-
also of sulphurs
ple and compounded,
ple compounded, of'
of three Argent
Argent vivesvives and as
many Salts, and all
many Salts, this would be new
all this new newsnews (as
(as the
schoolmen phrase
phrase it),
it) even to the best learned in
, in Eng-
Eng-
land.
land. But II hope
hope not by this discourse to demolish
by this
man's castles;
any man's
any castles ; for why should they
for why despair when
they despair
I contribute to their
I their building?2
building?^
Our
Out magistery
magistcry is is Three, Two, and One—
Three, Tivo, One-
The Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Stone.
Animal, Vegetable,
First, I say,
First, say, in name of'
in the name Holy Trinity,
of the Holy Trinity,
Look that thou join in one
join in one persons Three-
persons Three
The Fixt,
Fist, the Variable,
Variable, and the Fugitive
Fugitive-
Till they
Till together taste death and live.
they together live.
The first
first one
one is Dragon fell,
is the Dragon fell,
That shall
shall the other twaine both slay slay and quell
quell ;
The Sun and MoonIMoon shall lose their light.light,
And in mourning
mourning sable, they shall
sable, they seem dight,
shall seem dight.
Three score days long, or neere thereabouts ;
days long, ;
Then shall
shall Phmbus
Phoebus appear iirst out.
appear first out,
With strange
strange colours in all all the Ifirmzunent,
Firmament,
Then our joy is
our joy coming and at Hand present.
is coming
present,
Then Orient Phcebus
Phoebus in his hemisphere
hemisphere
To ns full gloriously
us full gloriously shall appear
appear:
Thus he who can can work
Work wisely,
wisely.
Shall attain unto our l[aistery.3
our IMaistery.^
Which
'Vhich magistery
magistcry is fiery form of Light
is a fiery Light inspissate,
iuspissate,
I
' Norton's
Norton's Ordinal,
Ordinal, chap. vi.
chap. vi.
7
^ Vaughan' s Lumen de Lumine.
See 'aughan's
3 Thcatrum
Theatrum Chemicum
3 Chemieum Brit.;
Brit. Conclusion of Bloomfield's
; Bluomfield's Camp
Camp
of Philosophy.
Philosophy.
The Subtle
THE W'oRK.
SUBTLE Work. 471
made manifest by
by a triplicate introve1'sion
introversion and multi- L/vc^lJCe^
plication of the
plication hypostatie
the hypostatic unit by the circulatory
unit by circulatory me-
me-
dium throughout life.

throughout life.
Already see the
Already the laurel brauches wave!
laurel branches wave !
Hark l sounds tumultuous shake tl1e

!
trembling cave.
the trembling
F
Far, ye profane,
ar, ye far off
profane, far off with feet,
w4th beauteous feet,
Bright Phoebus comes and thunders at
Bright the gate.
at the gate.
See! the glad
See ! sign the Delian Palm hath given,
glad sign given,
Sudden it it bends ; and hovering
hovering in
; in the heaven,
heaven.
Soft sings the Swan With
Soft sings melody divine.
with melody divine.
BURST OPE
BUEST BAEs! YE
YE BaES
orE YE TE GATES,
GaTES, YOUR
! HeADS EXPAND,
TOUE HEADS
He coMEs!
HE comes The Gtod
THE ! GOD orof LIGHT,
light, THE GoD's AT
the God's at hai^d.
HAXD.
Begin song, and tread the sacred ground

Begin the song, ground
In mystic symphonious to
mystic dance symphonious to the sound.
Begin, young
Begin, men l Ap0l.lo's
young men eyes endure
Apollo's eyes
!
None but the good, the

the good, perfect, and t/ze
t/ze perfect, pure.
the pure.
Who
Vho view the god great, but abject
god are great, they
abject they
From whom he turns his his favouring away.
eyes away.
favouring eyes
All-seeing God
All-seeing God! in every place confessed,
every place
! confessed,
Ve will
"VVe will prepare, thee, and be blessed.
prepare, behold thee, blessed.
He
He comes, young men l Nor silent
young men silent should ye
! stand,
ye stand,
Vith harp
"With harp or feet,
feet, when Phoebus is hand.1
is at hand.^
thy God in
thy roof to thy
Fit thy in all
all thou canst,
canst, continues
the philosopher, in what thou canst not he will
philosopher, and in will help
help
thee ; thou must prepare
; prepare thyself
thyself till
till thou art conform-
able to Him whom thou wouldest entertain, entertain, and that
in every way
every way of similitude.
similitude. Thou hast three that are
receive,
to receive, and there be three accordingly that give.
accordingly give.
And when thou hast set thy thy house in
in order,
order, think not
thy guest
that thy guest will
will come
come without invitation.
Perpetual knockings at his doore,

Perpetual knockings doore,
Teares sullying
sullying his transparent rooms.
his transparent rooms,
Sighs
Sighs upon Weep more and more,
sighs, weep
upon sighs, more.
He comes.
This is way that thou must walk,

is the way walk, in which,
which, ifit
dost, thou shalt perceive
thou dost, a sudden illumination
perceive
— Eritque^tecum Luminfgf
_Ei-itqueftccuni Lumin^, Ignis;
Ignis cum
cum Tgne Vent(|)
Tgne Venttm; ; ; US
cum Vento, Potestas;
cum Vento, Potestas cum Potestate,
cum Potestate, Scientia;
Scientia
; cum
cum ;
Scientia, sanae mentis integritas.^

Scientia, sanze integritas.
2
And
-And then it
it is
is —
re-
.
'
* Callimachus' Hymn
Callimachus' by Dodd.
Apollo, by
Hymn to Apollo,
2
2 Anima Magia Abscond.
Auima Magia Abscond, page 47, &c.
page 47,
472 HERBIETIC PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
quisitc
quisite to believe that we
believe that we have seen Him, says Ploti-
says Ploti-
nus, when the Soul receives a sudden Light.
receives a Light. For the
Light is with Power, and is
Light is God. And then it
is God.-And —
it is
is
proper to think that

proper that He is present, when, like
is p1°esent, hke another
Divinity, entering
Divinity, entering into
into the house of
of some
some one who in-
w^ho in-
him,
vokes him, he Hlls
fills it
it with splendour. For,
splendour. For, unless he
entered, he would not illuminate it, it, and then the soul
soul
would be without Light,Light, and without the possessionpossession
God!
of God.^ But when illuminated,
illuminated, it
it has That which
it sought
it sought for;
for and ; the Thought
Thought and understanding
understanding
are in
in the experience
experience One.
Nec SENTIEE Deum

NEC Sentire DEUII nisi
NISI qui ipse DEI
pahs II=sE
QUI EAES Dei EST.
est.
That was
was the sum
sum of the Hermetic Mystery, and the
Mystery,
ultimate Object
object of the Alchemical Art to accomplish
accomplish ; ;
and byby such a subtle analysis

analysis and pure synthesis Of
pure synthesis of
vital agencies and effects,
vital agencies effects, the Word
Wòrd of Life
Life would
seem to have been sought after
seem by our ancestors, and
sought after by our ancestors,
experimentally found:
experimentally found which: their neglected Scrip-
neglected Scrip-
tures everywhere of, and the Smaragdine
testify of,
everywhere testify Smaragdine Table
yet lives
yet lives summarily
summarily instructing
instructing us to reprove.
reprove.
True "without
TRUE YIT}IOUT ERROR, certain
eebor, OEETAIN and MOST
AND true That
most TRUE; which
THAT XVHICII
;
is
IS ABOVE
ABOITE is
IS as
AS WHICH
that
THAT
\'HICII BELOW, AND
IS ]3ELOY, THAT WHICH IS
AND THAT
BELOW
BELONV IS AS THAT WHICH
AS THAT KVHICH ron PERFORMING
ABOVE, FOR
IS ABOYE, THE
EEHIOHMING THE
MIRACLES OF
IHIHAOLES OF THE OnE ThING.
THE ONE THING. AND AnD AS ALLALL THINGS WERE
THINGS VERE
FROM by the
One, BY
FROM ONE, mediation of
THE IHEDIATION or One,
ONE, so ALL things pro-
all THIXGS Eno-
FROM THIS
ceeded EEOH
CEEDED One THING
this ONE Thing BY adaptation. The
by ADAETATION. Father
THE FATHER
of IT
OF is the
it lS THE SUN, the Mother
Sun, THE BTOTHER OF of IT
it IS the Moon,
is THE the
MOON, THE
VIND carried
"Wind CARRIED it
IT in
IN its belly
ITS the nurse
BELLY; THE NURSE
; thereof 1S
THEEEOE is
THE Earth.
THE EARTH. THIS
This IS the FATHER
is THE father ofor all
ALL perfection AND
I-EHIEOTION and
consummation OF the
coNsU:IHATION of whole world.
THE WHOLE WORLD. The
THE POWER of it
povvf;r OF IT is
IS
IXTEGRAL, TURNED INTO EARTH.

INTEGRAL, IF IT BE TURNED ThOU sHALT
EaRTH. THOU SHALT sE-SE-
PARATE THE EARTH
EAEATE EARTH FROMFROM THE THE SUETLE
FIRE, THE
THE FIRE, FROM THE
SUBTLE EEOII THE
GROSS, GENTLY, WITH MUCH
GENTLY, WITH MUCH SAGACITY. IT It ASCENDS
ASCENDS FROM
FROM
EARTH
EARTH TO HEAVEN, AND AGAIN
HEAvEN, AND AGAIN DESCENDS TO TO EARTH
EARTH; AND RE- ;
EE-
CEIVES THE
CEIVES THE STRENGTH or OF THE
THE SUPERIORS AND OF
SUEEEIOES AND THE INTE-
OF THE INFE-
RIORS.
nions. SO THOU IIAST
So THOU HAST THE GLORY OF or THE
THE WHOLE WORLD
WHOLE WORLD: :
THEREFORE LET ALL

THEREFORE ALL OBSCURITY FLEE BEFORE ThIS IS
THEE. THIS
BEFORE THEE.
THE STRONG FORTITUDE
THE EOETITUDE OF ALL FORTITUDES,
OF OVERCOMING
FORTITUDES, OVERCOMING
EVERY SUBTLE
EYERY AND EENETEATINO
SUBTLE AND PENETRATING EVERY SOLID SOLID THING. So
THE WORLD
THE WORLD WAS
WAS CREATED. HeNCE WERE
HENCE wEEE WONDERFUL
WONDERFUL ADAP-
1>
P1Otinus`s
Plotinus's Select Works,
VOrks, Taylor, p. 453.
Taylor, p.
Subtle Work.
THE SUBTLE
The VoRK. 473
OF WHICH
TATIONS, OF Wnrcn MANNEE. THEREFORE
THE MANNER.
THIS IS THE AM II
ThEKEFOEE AM
GREAT HERMES,
ThEICE GeEAT
CALLED THRICE
CALLED HeEMES, HAYING THEEE PARTS
HATI>'G THE THREE PAETS
OF THE 1>uILoso1>HY
or THE PHILOSOPHY OF
or THE WHOLE TTOELD.
THE WHOLE woELD. ThAT WHICH II
THAT wnicn
HATE
HAVE SPOKEN IS CONSUMMATED CONCEENING THE OPERATION
COXCERNING THE OPEEATION
OF
or THE SEX.
THE Sun.
"
The six following "Keys,"
six following delivered into
Keys," delivered safe
into the safe
ofthe
hand of the intelligent inquirer (since they
intelhgent inquirer (since they will
will be use-
ful to none
ful none else),
else) may
,
acceptable; that, Without
may be acceptable ; without
involving
involving more
more
responsibility
responsibility on
on ourselves,
ourselves, he may
may
apply
apply their
their explanatory
explanatory words as he thinks tit.fit. But
we all from hasty
deter all
we would deter hasty trial
trial and avow our
wilful important link

reservation of an important
wilfiil reservation link in
in the applica-
applica-
tion of these principles
tion principles to practice,
practice, lest
lest any attempting
any attempting
without a full
realize,, Without
to realize, investigation of the method,
full investigation
should fail utterly in
fail utterly pursuit.
in the pursuit.
;
474
CHAPTER III.
III.
The Six Keys

Y7ze Six Eur/o;1:us, opening
Keys of Eudoxus, into Z/ze
opening into the most
Secret Philosophy.
Secret P/zifosop/1_y.
THE
THE FIRST
FIRST KEY.
THE
HE First Key is that
First Key that which opens"the
is opens'the dark prisons
prisons
i11 which the Sulphur is shut up this is it which
-
in SI(/_])/lllI` is up; this is it
:
knows /low
hotv to extract the seed out of the body, body, and
which forms the Stone of the philosophers philosophers by by the con-
junction of the spirit
junction spirit with the body-of —
body of sulphur sulphur with
mercury.
mercury. Hermes has manifestly
manifestly demonstrated the
operation
operation of this First Key`_by
this First Key' by these words: In t/ze the
caverns
mourns of ry" the
the metals t/zere there is is /ziclclen
hidden t/ze Stone, w/zic/L
the Stone, which
is venerable,
is venerable, brig/zt
bright in in colour,
colour, a mind sublinze, sublime, and
an open
an
open sea. This Stone has a bright bright glittering:
glittering : it
it
Spirit of a sublime original:

contains a Spirit original it is the Sea of
it is
:
Vise, in
the Wise, in which they they angle
angle for for their mysterious
mysterious
Fish. But the operations
operations of the three works have a
great deal of analogy
great analogy one another, and the philoso-
one to another, philoso-
phers
phers do designedly speak
designedly in
speak in equivocal
equivocal terms,terms, to the
end that those who vho have not the Lynx's LynX's eyeseyes may
may pur-
pur-
sue wrong,
wrong, and be lost
lost inin this
this labwinth,
labyrinth, from whence
it is very
it is very hard to get get out. ln effect, when one
In effect, one
imagines
imagines that they
they speak
speak of one vork,
one
they often treat
work, they
of another. Take heed, therefore, not to be deceived
heed, therefore,
hero;
here ; for it
it is
is truth, that in
a truth, in each work the Vise Wise
ought to dissolve the body
Artist ought body with the spirit spirit;
he must cut off the Raven's Raven's head, head, whiten the Black, Black,
and vivify
vivify tl1e White
the Vhite; ;
yet it
yet it is properly in the
is properly
operation that the Wise

First operation Vise Artist cuts oif off the head of
the Black Dragon and of
Bhick Dragon ofthe
the Raven. Hence, Hermes
Hence,
says, What
W/lot is of the Crow is
is born oft/ze is t/ze
the beginning of t/:is
says, beginning of this
Art. Consider that it it is
is byby separation of
separation ofthethe black,
black,
foul, and stinking
foul, stinking fume of the Blackest Black, Black, that
`
The
THE Six Keys.
KEYS. 4 75
475
our white, and resplendent

astral, white,
our astral, resplendent Stone is
is formed,
which contains
contains in
in its veins the blood of
its veins of the
the Pelican.
Pelican. lt
It
is at
is this First
at this First Purification
Purification of the Stone, and at this
at this
whiteness, that the work of
shining whiteness,
shining of the First
First Key
Key
is ended.
is
THE SECOND KEY.

THE
The Second Key dissolves the compound

Key dissolves compound of the
Stone,
Stone, and begins
begins the separation
separation of the Elements in in a
philosophical
philosophical manner
manner: : this
this separation
separation ofthe
of the Elements
is not made but by
is by raising
raising up up the subtle and pure pure
parts
parts above the thick and terrestrial
terrestrial parts.
parts. He who
knows how to subhme sublime the Stone philosophically,
philosophically, justly justly
deserves the name name of a philosopher,
philosopher, since since he knows
the Fire of
the fy" the
the lwse,
Wise, which is
is the Instrzuzzenzf
only Instrument
only
which can work this this sublimation. No philosopher
philosopher has
openly revealed this
ever openly Secret Fire,
this Secret Fire, and this power-
this power-
ful agent,
ful agent, which works all
all the wonders of the Art:
Art : he
who shall
shall not understand it, it, and not know how to
distinguish it
distinguish by the characters whereby
it by whereby it it is described,
is described,
ought
ought to make a stand here, here, and pray
pray to God to make
it clear
it clear to him ; for ;
for the knowledge
knowledge of this
this great Secret
great
is gift of Heaven,
is rather a gift Heaven, than a Light Light acquired
acquired by by the
force of'
natural force reasoning;
of reasoning; let
let him,
him, nevertheless,
nevertheless, read
writings
the writings of the philosophers;
philosophers ; let
let him meditate;
meditate ;
and, above all,

and, let him pray
all, let pray: there is
: no difficulty
is no difficulty
which maymay not in in the end be made clear by by Work,
Vork, Me-
Prayer. Vithout
ditation, and Prayer.
ditation, Without the sublimation of the
Stone, the conversion of the Elements and the extrac-
Stone,
tion of the Principles
Principles is is impossible;
impossible and this
; this conver-
which makes Vater
sion, w^hich
sion, Water of Earth, Earth, Air of Water, Vater, and
Air, is
Fire of Air, is the only
only way way whereby
whereby our MercuryMercury can can be
prepared.
prepared. Apply
Apply yourself
yourself then to know this
this secret
Fire, which dissolves the Stone naturally
Fire, naturally and without
violence, and makes it
violence, it dissolve into Vater Water in the great great
sea of the Vise,
Wise, by t/ze distillation
by the distillation which is is made by bij t/ze
the
rays
rays offy" the Sun and Moon. rl./0011. It is
It is in this manner
manner that
according to Hermes,
which, according
Stone, which,
the Stone, Hermes, is is the vine of
'Vise, becomes their
the Wise, their Vine,
Wine, which,
which, by by the operations
operations
produces their rectified
Art, produces
of Art, Water of Life,
rectified Vater Life, and their
HERBIETIC Practice.
most sharp Vinegar. The Elements of

sharp Vinegar. of the Stone can-
not be dissolved
dissolved but byby this
this Nature
Natm'e wholly Divine;
wholly
perfect
nor can a perfect dissolution
dissolution be made of
of it, but after
it, after aa
proportioned digestion
proportioned digestion and putrefaetion,
putrefaction, at
at which the
operation of the Second Key
operation Key ofof the First Work is
First Vork is
ended.
THE
THE THIRD
THIRD KEY.
The Third Key comprehends

Key comprehends of itself
of longer
itself alone a longer
train of operations
train all the rest
operations than all rest together.
together. The
philosophers
philosophers have spoken very
spoken very little
little of it,
it, seeing the
seeing
Perfection of
Perfection of our þÿ_/i[ depends
¬)'CIlly
Mercurij depends thereon ;; the sin-
sin-
cerest even, as Artefius, Trevisan, Flammel, have passed
Artefius, Trevisan,Flammel, passed
in silence
in silence the Preparation
Preparation of our Mercury, and there
our Mercury,
is hardly
is hardly one
one found who has not feigned, instead of
feigned, instead
showing
showing the longest
longest and the most important of the
important
operations
operations of our
our Practice.
Practice. Vith
With a design to lend you
design you
a hand in in this part of the way
this part wây which you you have to go, go,
and where for for want of Light
Light it it is impossible
is impossible to know
road, II will
the true road, will enlarge
enlarge myself
myself more more than others
have done on this Key ; or at least
this Third .Key ;
least II will
will follow
which they
order, that W'hich
in an order,
in they have treated so con-
fusedly, that without the inspiration
fusedly, inspiration of Heaven, or
without the help
wîthout help of a faithful
faithful friend,
friend, one remains un-
doubtedly
doubtedly in
in this labyrinth,
labyrinth, without being able to find
being find
happy deliverance from thence. II am
a happy
a am sure,
sure, that youyou
who are the true Sons of Science will will receive a veryvery
great satisfaction
great explaining of these hidden
satisfaction in the explaining
Mysteries,
]\Iysteries, which regard
regard the separation and the purifi-
separation purifi-
tl1e Princijn/e_s' our JMercury, which is
cation of the Pr'mciples of Q/` oia^ Jllerczny, is
made by by a perfect
perfect dissolution and glorification
glorification of the
body, whence it
body, nativity, and by
its nativity,
it had its by the intimate
union of the soul with its body, of whom the Spirit
its body, Spirit isis
only tie
the only uorks this conjunction.
tie which wor/fs conjunction. This is is
Intention, and the essential point
the Intcvztion, point of the Operations
Operations
Key, which terminate at the generation
of this Key, generation of a
new substance infinitely nobler than the First.
new infinitely First.
After the ViseWise Artist has made a spring spring of living
living
water come
eome out of the Stone, Stone, and has pressed pressed out the
philosophers, and has made their wine,
vine of the philosophers, wine, he
—
THE SIX
The KEYS.
Six Keys. 477
ought to take notice

ought notice that
that in this homogeneous
in this homogeneous sub-
stance, which appears
stance, appears under the the form of of Vate1',
Water, there
there
are three different substances, and three natural
three different natural prin-
prin-
ciples of
ciples bodies —
of bodies--Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury--which
Salt, Sulphur, —
Mercury which
are the spirit, soul, and the body;
spirit, the soul, body ; and though
though
they appear
they perfectly united together,
pure and perfectly
appear pure there
together, there
still wants much of their
still being so;
their being jbr when by
so for
;
distil-
by distil-
ice draw the
lation 'we
lation the Water, tvhich is
Ufater, which is the soul and the
the soul the
the
spirit, the Body
spirit, Bot@ remains in the
in the bottom the
Q" the vessel, like
of like
a dead, black, and dreggy
a dead,
dreggy earth, which, nevertheless,
nevertheless,
is not to be despised
is despised , for
;
for in subject there is
our subject
in our is
nothing which is
nothing is not good.
good. The philosophe1',
philosopher, John
protests that the very
Pontanus, protests
Pontanus, superfluities of the
very superfluities
Stone are converted into into a true essence, and that
he who pretends anything from our sub-
separate anything
pretends to separate
ject
ject knows nothing
nothing of philosophy; for
philosophy ;
for that allall which
is
is therein superfluous, unclean, dreggy-in
superfluous, unclean, dreggy — fine, the
in fine,
whole compound,
compound, is
is made perfect by
perfect by the action of'
of our
Fire.
Fire. This advice opens
opens the Eyes
Eyes of'
of those, who,
those, who,
to make an an exact purification of the Elements and of
purification
the Principles, persuade themselves that they
Principles, persuade they must
only
only take the subtile
subtile and cast away
away the heavy. But
heavy.
Hermes says
He1'mes says the power
power of it
it is
is not integral until it
integral until it be
into earth;
turned into earth ; ought the sons of science
neither ought
ignorant that the Fire and the Sulphur
to be ignorant Sulphur are
hidden in in the centre of ot' the Earth, and that they they must
wash it exactly with its
it exactly its spirit,
spirit, to extract out of it it the
Salt, which is
Fired Salt,
Fixed is the Blood of our Stone. This
is
is the Essential Mystery
Mystery of the operation,
operation, which is
is not
accomplished
accomplished till after
till after a convenient digestion
digestion and a
distillation. You know that nothing
slow distillation. nothing is is þÿIllO1'
more con-
con-
¬
fire and water;

trary than fire
trary water; but yet yet the Wise
Vise Artist must
make peace
peace between the enemies,
enemies, who radically
radically love
vehemently.
each other vehemently. Cosmopolite
Cosmopolite told manner
the manner
thereof in a. few words:--All
a_feW words: All things
things t/zerqfore being
theiêfore being
purged mahe Fire and lVr/ter
make Ere Water to be be Friends,
Friends, which they they
purged
easily
will easily do iii
in their Earth which had ascended with
them. Be then attentive on this this point;
point moisten often-
;
times the earth with its water, and you

its water, you will
will obtain what
you seek. Must not the body
body be dissolved by the
by
you
;
478 I~I1§RMETIc Practice.

Hermetic PRACTICE.
water, and the

water, the Earth be penetrated with its
he penetrated its Humidity,
Humidity,
bc made proper
to he proper for
for generation
generation ?
? According to
According to phi-
phi-
losophers,
losophers, the
the Spirit is
Spirit Eve,
is Eve, the Body is
is Adam
Body Adam; they they ;
ought
ought to be bc _joined together for
joined together propagation of
for the propagation
their species.
their species. Hermes says
says the same
same in
in other terms
terms: :
For Water is is t/ze Nr/£11/'e which

strongest Nature
the strongest w/:ic/z surmoznzls
surmounts and
excites If/IC
excites fixed 1i(llZlI'6
the Jixed Nature in t/ze
in the Body,
Body, that 15/mt is,
is, rgjoiccs
rejoices in in
il.
it. In effcet,1these
effect, these two substances,substances, which are are of the
same nature but of different
same genders, ascend insensibly
different genders, insensibly
together, leaving
together, leaving but a
a little
little foeces
foeces in
in the bottom of'
of
their
their vessel;
vessel so that
; that the soul,soul, spirit,
spirit, and body, af`ter
body, after
an exact purification,
purification, appear appear at at last inseparably united
last inseparably
under a more noble and more perf'ect Form than it
more perfect was
it was
before,
before, and as
fdiflerent
îdifferent from its
its first
first liquid
liquid Form as
the alcohol of Wine Vine exactly

exactly rectified
rectified and aeuated
acuated with
its salt is
its salt different from the substance of the wine
is different
f`ro1u whence it
from it has been drawn drawn; this: this comparison
comparison is is
not only very fitting,
only very fitting, but it
it fùrthcrmore
furthermore gives
gives the sons
science a precise
of' science
of knowledge of'
precise knowledge operations ofthe
of the operations of the
Third Key.Key.
Vater is
Our Water is a living spring which comes out of
living _spring of' the
Stone by by a natural miracle of our
our
philosophy. The
philosophy.
first
first of all is
of' all is the water which issueth out of this this
Stone. It is Hermes who has pronounced
It is pronounced this this great
great
Truth. He acknowledges,
acknowledges, further, further, that this this water is is
the Foundation of our our Art. The philosophersphilosophers give give it it
many names
many names; for
for
; sometimes they
they call
call it
it wine,
wine, some-
some-
times watcr
water of life, life, sometimes vinegar, vinegar, sometimes oil, oil,
according
according to the different
difterent degrees
degrees of Preparation, or
Preparation,
according
according to the diverse effects
effects which it
it is
is capable
capable of
producing.
producing. Yet I
I let
let you
you know that it
it is
is properly
properly
Vinegar of'
called the Vinegar
called Wise,
of the Wise, and that in
in the distilla-
distilla-
this Divine Liquor
tion of this Liquor there happens happens the same
same thing
thing
as inin that of common vinegar
of' common vinegar ; you
;
you maymay hence draw
instruction:
instruction : the water and the phlegm phlegm ascend first; first
the oily
oily substance,
substance, in which the efficacy
efficacy of the water
consists, comes
consists, comes the last, last, &c. It It is thercfòre necessary
is therefore necessary
to dissolve the body body entirely,
entirely, to extract all
all itsits humi-
dity
dity vhich
which contains thc
the precious
precious ferment,
ferment, the sulphur,
sulphur,
that balm of' Nature, and wonderful unguent,
of Nature, unguent, without
;
The
fill-IE Six KEYS.
Keys. 479
which you ought not to hope

you ought hope ever to see in in your
your ves-
sel this blackness so desired
sel this desired by by all
all the philosophers.
philosophers.
Reduce then the whole compound compound into Water, and
into water,
make a perfect
perfect union of the volatile
volatile with the fixed; it
fixed ;it
is
is a precept
precept of Senior's, which deserves
of' Senior's, deserves attention,
attention, that that
t/ze highest
the /Jig/zest _Dune slzoulfl be
fume should be reduced
reducer! toto the
the lowest;
lowest ; for
l/ze divine
the divine water
wr/ter is is l/ze
the thing from /ze(/ven,
clescendi/lg J5°0m
thing descending heave?!,
t/ze rezlucer
the reducer Qf of t/ze
the soul
soul to
to its
its bocly,
body, wlziclz
ivhich it
it at lengt/z
length
revivcs.
revives. The Balm of Life Life isis hid in in these unclean
foeces; you
foeces ; ought to wash them with this
you ought coelestial
this coelestial
water untiluntil you
you have removed away away the blackness
from them, and then llzen your Wvater .Shall
your Water shall be
be animated wit/z with
Z/zis Fiery
this Fiery Essence,
Essence, wlziclz
ivhich zrorlrs
works all
all the
the ZlJ0)I(]Cl`»$'
ivonders fy"
of our
Art.
further, that you
But, further, you may
may not be deceived with the
terms ofthe
of the Compound,
Compound, II willwill tell
tell you philo-
you that the philo-
sophers
sophers have two sorts of compounds. The first
compounds. is
first is
the compound
compound of Nature, whereof II have spoken spoken in
in
the First Key for
First Key; for it
; it is
is Nature which makes it it in
in a
manner incomprehensible
manner incomprehensible to the Artist, Artist, who does no-
but lend a Hand to Nature by the adhibition of

thing
thing by
external things, by the means of
things, by of' which she bringsbrings
forth and produces
produces thisthis admirable compound.
compound. The
second is is the compound
compound of' Art; it
of Art it is Wise man
is the H686
; man
who makes it by the secret union of the fixed with the

it by
volatile,
volatile, perfectly eonjoined with all
perfectly conjoined prudence, which
all prudence,
acquired but by
cannot be acquired by the lights
lights ofof' a profound
profound
philosophy.
philosophy. The compound
compound of Art is is not altogether
altogether
same in
the same in the Second as in in the Third Work \lVork ; yet
yet it
it
;
is always the Artist who makes it.

is always it. Geber defines it, it,
a mixture of Argent
Argent vive and Sulphur,
Sulphur, that is is to say,
say,
volatile and the fixed;
of the volatile fixed which,
which, acting
; acting on one
another, volatilized and fixed reciprocally
another, are volatilized reciprocally into a
perfect Fixity. Consider the example
perfect Fixity. Nature you
example of Nature; you ;
see that the earth will never produce

will never fruit if
produce fruit if it
it be not
penetrated with its

penetrated its humidity, and that the humidity
humidity, humidity
always remain barren if
would always if it
it were
were not retained and
by the dryness
fixed by dryness of the earth. So, in the Art,
So, in you
Art, you
can have no no success if if' you
you do not in the first Hrst work
Serpent, born of the SHme
purify the Serpent,
purify Slime of'
of the earth ;
480 I-IERMETIC Pimcriciz.
Hermetic Practice.
if
if you do not
you whiten thesethese foul foul and black foeces, foeces, to
separate from
separate thence the white sulphur, sulphur, which is the
is the
Sal Amoniac of of the Vise,
Wise, and their
their Chaste Diana,
who washes herselfherself in bath and all
in the bath; ;
this mystery
all this mystery
is but
is the extraction
extraction of the salt
jixed salt of
Jixed of our com-
coin-
pound, in
pound, in which the whole energy
energy of our Mercury
Mercury
consists.
consists. The water wiiich which ascends by by distillation
distillation
carries up
carries up with it part of
it a part this fiery
of this fiery salt,
salt, so thatthat the
affusion
affusion of the water on
on the body,
body, reiterated
reiterated many
many
impregnates, fattens,
times, impregnates,
times, and fertilizes
fertilizes our Mercury,
JMercury,
and makes it fit to be fixed, which is
it fit is the end of of the
Vo1'k.
Second Work. One cannot better explain
explain this
this Truth,
than by by Hermes, in words When
in these words: : IV/len I saiv saw that
that t/ze
the
water by
unter' by degrees
degrees did become t/zickcr
thicker and /zarder
harder I did
rejoice, certainI_y knew that
for I certainly
rejoice, for t/mt I 5/2011/d
should _jind ichat I
Jind what
song/It for.
sought for. It
It isis not without reason that the philo-
philo-
sophers give
sophers this
give this viscous Liquor
Liquor the name
name of Pontick
Vatcr.
Water. Its exuberant ponticity
Its ponticity is is indeed the true
character of its
its virtue,
virtue, and the more you shall
you shall rec-
tify it,
tify it, and the more you
more you shall
shall work
wôrk upon it, the more
upon it,
virtue will it
virtue will it acquire.
acquire. It
It has been called
called the Water
Vater of
Life,
Life, because it
it gives
gives life'
life to the metals ;; but it
it is
is pro-
pro-
perly
perly called the great Lunaria,
great Lunaria, because of its
its bright-
bright-
w^herewith it
ness whercwith it shines
shines. ....
Since II speak
speak only you, ye
only to you, true scholars of
ye ti*ue
Hermes, I I will
will reveal to you
you one secret which you will
you will
not find entirely
entirely in
in the books of the philosophers.
philosophers.
Some of them say, say, that of their liquor
liquor theythey make two
Mercuries-the
Mercuries — White and the other Red;
oneVhite
the one Red; Flammel
has said more particularly,
more particularly, that one must make use of
the citrine Mercury to make the Imbibition to the
citrine Mercury
Red giving notice to the Sons of Art not to be de-
Red; giving
;
ceived on point, as he himself had been,

this point,
on this been, unless
the Jew had informed him of the truth. truth. Others have
taught
taught that the White
Vhite Mercury
Mercury is
is the bath of the
Moon,
Moon, and that the Red Mercury
Mercury is
is the bath of the
Sun. But there are none who have been willing wdlling to show
distinctly to the Sons of the Science by

distinctly by what means
means
they may
they may get get these two mercuries. If you apprehend
you apprehend
me
me well, you have the point
well, you already cleared up
point already up to you.
you.
— ;
Tun Six Keys.

TuR 481
The Lunaria is is the White

Vhite Mercury,
Mercury, the most sharp
sharp
Vinegar is
Vinegar is the Red Mercury ; but the better
Mercury to deter-
better to
; deter-
mine these
these two mercuries,
mercuries, feed
feed them with Hesh
flesh of their
of their
own species-the
own species the —
blood of innocents whose throats
are cut ; that is
is to say,
;
say, the spirits
spirits of the bodies are the
Bath where the Sun and Moon go to wash themselves,
goto themselves.
II have unfolded to you
you aa great Mystery, if
great Mystery, you reflect
if you reflect
Well on it;
well it the philosophers
philosophers who have spoken
; spoken thereof
have passed this important
passed over this important point very slightly.
point very slightly.
Cosmopolite has very
Cosmopohte it by
wittily mentioned it
very wittily by an in-
an in-
genious allegory,
genious speaking of the purification
allegory, speaking purification of the
Mercury
Mercury: :This will
will be done, says he, if
done, says he, Qfyozt s/zall give
you shall give
our old man gold
old man gold will
and silver
silver to
to swallow,
swalloic, t/mt
that /ze
he may
may
consume them, and at /engt/1
consunie t/rem, length /zehe also
also (lylllg may be
dying may be burnt.
burnt.
He makes an end of describing describing the whole magistery magistery in in
these terms ;--Let Let his
;
/tis ashes
as/ees bebe strewed
streived in t/ze water ;;
in the
boil
boil itit until
until itit is
is 6')l0llg`/I,
enough, and you you have a medicine to
/zo/ve zz to
cure þÿI/1 ¬! ¬])I'0~S`y.
the leprosy. You must not be ignorant
ignorant that Om'
Our
Old Manlllan is is our /Mercury
Mercury ;; this this name
name indeed agrees
agrees
with him because He is /irst matter of all
is the Jirst
_
all metals.
He
I-Ie is their water,
is their water, as the same author goes goes on on to say,
say,
and to which he gives gives also the name
name of steel
steel and of the
loadstone ; adding,
adding,
;
for
for a greater confirmation of what
greater
I am about to discover to you,
I am you, that if #gold couples with
gold couples
it eleven times it
it it sends fort/1
forth itsits seed,
seed, and is is clebilitatetl
debilitated
death ;,' but t/ze
almost unto tleatlz C/zalybes
the Chalybes conceives and be-be-
gets
gets more
rt son more
a glorious
glorious t/mn
than the
the Fat/zer.
Father. Behold a
Mystery
great Mystery
great which I
I reveal to you
you without an
an
enigma; this is
enigma ; is the secret of the two mercuries which
contain the two tinctures. tinctures. Keep them separately,

Keep separately,
and do not confound their species, species, for fear they they should
beget aa monstrous Lineage.
beget Lineage.
I not only
I speak to you
only speak more intelligibly
you more intelligibly than any any
philosopher
philosopher before has done,
done, but I
I also reveal to you
you
the most essential point point in the Practice;
Practice ; if you
if you medi-
thereon, and apply
tate thereon, yourself to understand it
apply yourself it well ;
but above all, all, if you .work

if you work according
according to those lights lights
which II givegive you,
you, youyou maymay obtain what you you seek for. for.
And if if you come not to these knowledges
you come knowledges by by the way way
which II have pointed pointed out to you, you, II am am very
very well as-
1
I 1I
482 IÌER1IE'1ÌC PRACTICE,
Hermetic Practice.
su1'ed that
sured that youyou will hardly arrive
will hardly arrive at your design
at your design by by
only reading
only reading the philosophers. Therefore despair
philosophers. despair of of'
nothing —
nothing-search
search the source of ofthe
the Liquor
Liquor of the Sages,
Sages,
vhich contains all
which all that
that is necessary for
is necessary for the work ; it is
it is
;
hidden under the Stone —

Stone-strike strike upon
upon it
it with the Rod
Fire, and a clear
Magic Fire,
of Magic clear fountain will issue out:
will issue out then
:
do as II have shown you, prepare the bath of the King

you, prepare King
with the blood ofthe Innocents,
of the Innocents, and you
you will
will have the
Mercury of the wise,
animated Mercury wise, which never loses
loses its
its
virtue, if
virtue, if you keep
you keep it
it in
in a vessel
vessel well
well closed.
closed. Hermes
says, that there is
says, is so much sympathy
sympathy between the pu- pu-
rified
rified bodies and the spirits, spirits, that theythey never quit quit one
one
another when they they are united together together: because this
: this
union resembles that of the soul with the glorified glorified
body
body ; after
; which. Faith tells
after which, tells us,
us, there shall shall be
more separation
no more separation or death ;
;
because the spirits de-
spirits de-
sire to be in
sire in the cleansed bodies, bodies, and having
having them,
they enliven and dwell in
they in them. By By this
this you may ob-
you may
serve the merit of this this precious
precious liquor,
liquor, to which the
philosophers
philosophers have given
given more than a thousand dit'-
dif-
ferent names,
ferent names, which is is inin sum
sum the Alchaest,
great Alchaest,
great
radically dissolves the metals-a
which radically —
metals a true perma- perma-
nent water which, which, afterafter having radically dissolved
having radically
them, is
them, inseparably united to them,
is insepa1'ably
increasing their
them, increasing
weight
weight and tincture.
tincture.
THE FOURTH
THE FOU RTH KEY.
The Fourth KeyKey of the Art is is the entrance to the
Second Work
Vo1-k (and
(and a reiteration
reiteration in part and develop-
in part develop-
ment of the foregoing):
foregoing) it is this wl1icl1
it is : which reduces our
Water
Vater into Earth ; there is
; is but this Water in the
only Vater
this only
world,
world, which by
by a
a bare boiling
boiling can be converted into
Earth,
Earth, because the Mercury
Mercury of the Wise
Vise carries
carries in
in its
its
centre its own Sulphur,
its own Sulphur, which coagulates
coagulates it.
it. The ter-
rihcation
rification of the Spirit is the only
Spirit is operation of this
only operation
work. Boil them with patience;
patience; if if you
you have pro-
pro-
ceeded well,
well, you
you will
will not be a long time without per-
long per-
ceiving the marks of this
ceiving coagulation and if
this coagulation; if they
they
;
appear not in their time,

appear they will
time, they never appear
will never appear; be- ;
it is
cause it an undoubted
is an undoubtcd sign
sign that you
you have failed in
failed
;
THE KEYS.
The Six Keys. 483
some essential
some thing in
essential thing operations for
in the former operations; to
for to ;
corporify
corporify Spirit, which is
the Spirit, is our Mercury, you must
Mercury, you
have well dissolved the body
Well dissolved in which the Sulphur
body in Sulphur
coagulates the Mercury
which coagulates Mercury is enclosed.
is enclosed. But
that our mercurial water
Hermes assumes that Water shall obtain
shall obtain
all virtues which the philosophers
all the virtues attribute to it
philosophers attribute it
if it
if it be turned into earth. An earth
into earth. earth admirable is is it for
it for
—
fertility-the
fertility the Land of Promise of the Vise, Wise, who,
knowing how to make the dew of Heaven fall
knowing fall upon
upon it,it,
cause it
it to produce fruits of an
produce fruits inestiniable price.
an inestimable price.
Cultivate then diligently
Cultivate this precious
diligently this earth, moisten
precious earth,
it often with its own humidity,
it often its own dry it as often, and
humidity, dry it
you will
you will no less
no less augment
augment its virtue than its
its virtue weight
its weight
and its
its fertility.
fertility.
THE FIFTH KEY.

THE
The Fifth
Fifth Key Key includes the Fermentation of the
Stone with the perfect body,
perfect body, to make thereof thc the
medicine of the Third order. II will nothing in
say nothing
will say in
particular
particular of the operation
operation of the Third work ; ; except
except
that the Perfect Body Body is necessary leaven of Our
is a necessary
Paste. And that the Spirit ought to make the union

Spirit ought
of the paste
paste with the leaven in
in the samesame manner
manner as
water moistens meal, meal, and dissolves

dissolves the leaven to com-
pose
pose a fermented paste paste fit
fit to make bread. This com-
parison
parison is
is very proper
very proper; ; Hermes first
first made it, saying,
it, saying,
paste cannot be
that as a paste wit/zout a ferment
fermented ivithout
be fermented ferment ;
so when you shall
luhen you /zaoe snblinzed,
s/za!! have cleansed, and sepa-
sublimed, cleansed, sepa-
rated thet/ze joulness
foulness from y9'o//z the Fafees,
Fceces, and would make
t/ze
the conjunction,
conjunction, pat put a ferment to them
a ferment t/fem and make t/ze the
earth,
water earth, that t/ze
the paste
paste may may be made a ferment
ferment;
repeats the instruction of the whole
which repeats Whole work,
Work, and
shows, that just
shows, just so as the whole lump lump of the paste paste
leaven, by
becomes leaven, by the action of the ferment which
has been added,added, so all all the philosophic
philosophic confection be-
comes, by
comes, by this operation,
operation, a leaven proper
proper to ferment a a
new matter, and to multiply
new matter, multiply it it to infinity.
infinity. If
If you
you ob-
serve well how bread is made, you
is made,
you will find the pro- pro-
portions
portions also,
also, which
w4iich you ought
you ought to keep among
keep among the
matters which compose compose our philosophical paste. Do
philosophical paste.
I
I I
I 2
484 Hizmuzric PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
not the bakers put more meal than leaven, and more
put more more
water than the leaven and the meal? The laws of
Nature are the rules you ought
rules you follow in
ought to follow in the prac-
prac-
tice of our magistery.
tice magistery. I
I have upon the
given you, upon
given you,
points, all
principal points,
principal instructions which are neces-
all the instructions
sary for you,
sary for you, so
so that it
it be superfluous
would be superfluous to tell
tell
you more of it;
you more it particularly concerning
particularly
; concerning the last
last oper-
oper-
ations, about which the Adepts Adepts have been lessless re-
served than atat the First,
First, which are the foundations of
Art.
the Art.
THE SIXTH KEY.

THE
The Sixth Key Key teaches tl1e Multiplication of the

the Multiplication
Stone,
Stone, by by the reiteration
reiteration of the same
same operation, which
operation,
consists but in
consists in opening
opening and dissolving and
shutting, dissolving
shutting,
coagulating, imbibing
coagulating, imbibing and drying; whereby the vir-
drying ; whereby vir-
tues of the Stone are infinitely
infinitely auginentable.
augmentable. As my
my
design
design has been not to describe entirely
entirely the applica-
apphca-
tion of the three medicines, but only only to instruct youyou
ill the more important
in operations concerning the pre-
important operations concerning pre-
paration of Mercury,
paration which the philosophers
Mercury,_which philosophers com-coni-
monly
monly passpass over in
in silence,
silence, to hide the mysteries
mysteries
from the profane
profane which are only only intended forfor the wise,
wise,
I will
I tarry no
will tarry longer upon
no longer this point,
upon this point, and will tell
will tell
you nothing
you nothing more
more of what relates
relates to the Projection of
Projection
Medicine, because the success you
the Medicine, you expect depends
expect depends
11ot thereon.
not II have not given you very
given you full instruc-
very full
on the Third Key,
except on
tions except Key, because it it contains a long
long
train of operations,
train operations, which, though simple
which, though simple and natural,
natural,
require understanding of the Laws of Nature,
great understanding
require a great Nature,
and of the qualities
qualities of Our Matter,
Matter, as well as a
a
perfect
perfect
knowledge
knowledge of chemistry
chemistry and of the ditlerent
different degrees of
degrees
heat which are fitting for these operations.
are fitting operations. I1 have
conducted you
you by by the straight way
straight way without any any wind-
ing; and if
ing ; if you
you have well minded the road which II
have pointed
pointed out to you, you, I am
Iam sure
sure that you will go
you will go
straight to the end without straying.
straight straying. Take this in
this in
good part from me,
good part me, in design which II had of
in the design
sparing you
sparing you a thousand labours and a thousand trou-
bles, which II myself
bles, myself have undergone
undergone in this painful
painful
THE Six KEYS.
The Keys. 485
journey for
journey for want of of an assistance, such as this
an assistance, this isis which
II give
give youyou from sincere
a sincere heart and a tender affection
affection
for all the true sons of science.
for all science. II should much bebe-
wail, if,
wail, if, like
like me, after
after having
having known the true Matter,
Matter,
you should spend
you spend fifteen
fifteen years entirely in
years entirely in the
the work, in in
study
study and in
in meditation, without being
being able
able to extract
out of of the Stone the precious precious juice juice which it it cncloses
encloses
in its
in its bosom, for for want of knowing knowing the secret fire fire of
wise, which makes to run
the wise, run out of this plant (dry
this plant (dry
and withered in in appearance)
appearance) a water which wets not
the hands, and which by magical union of the dry
by a magical dry
water of the sea of the wise, wise, is is dissolved into into a viscous
water —
water-into into a mercurial liquor, liquor, which is is the beginning,
beginning,
the foundation, and the tl1e Key
Key of'
of our
our Art :
—
:--Convert,
Convert, se-
parate, and purify
parate, elements, as II have taught
purify the elements, taught you,you,
and you you will
will possess
possess the true Mercury
Mercury of the philoso-
philoso-
phers, which will
phers, will give
give youyou the fixed fixed Sulphur
Sulphur and the
Universal Medicine. But II give give youyou notice,
notice, moreover,
moreove1°,
that even after after you
you shall
shall be arrived at
at the knowledge
knowledge
ofthe
of the Secret Fire of the Vise, Wise, yet yet still shall not
you shall
still you
attain your
attain point at your
your point your first
first career. I
I have erred
many years
many years in in the way way which remains to be gone, gone, to
arrive
arrive at the mysterious mysterious fountain where the King King
himself, is
bathes himself, is made young young again,again, and retakes a
new life
new life exempt
exempt from all all sorts of infirmities.
infirmities. Besides
this you you must know how to purify, purify, to heal, heal, and to
animate the royal royal bath bath; it
; it isis to lend you you a hand in in
this
this secret way way that II have expatiated expatiated under the
Third Key, Key, where all all those operations
operations are described.
II wish with all all my
my heart that the instructions which II
have given
given youyou maymay enable you you to go directly to the
go directly
End. Bat remember, ye
But philosophy, that the
sons of philosophy,
ye sons
knowledge of'
knowledge Magistery comes
our Magistery
of our comes rather by the In-
by
spi1'ation of Heaven,
spiration Heaven, than from the Lights Lights which we we
can get by
can get by ourselves. This truth is is acknowledged by
acknowledged by
all artists;
all artists ; it
it is
is for this
this reason
reason that it it is
is not
enough
enough to work ;
pray
; pray daily,
daily, read good good books,books, and
meditate night night and day day onon the operations of Nature,
operations Nature,
and on on what she may may be able to do when she is is as-
sisted by
sisted by the help help of our our Art:
Art and by
:
by these means means
486 HERAIETIC Practice.
Hermetic PRACTICE.
you will succeed Without

you will without doubt in your undertaking.
in your undertaking.
This is all
is all II have now to
now say to you.
to say you. II was
was not will-
will-
ing to make you
ing you such aa long
long discourse
discourse as the matter
seemed toto demand ; neither have I
; told you
I told you anything
anything
but what is essential
is essential to our Art;
Art so that if
; you know
if you
the Stone which is is the only
only matter ofof Our Stone, and
if Understanding of Our Fire, which is
you have the Understanding
if you is
both secret and natural,
natural, you you have the Keys
Keys of the Art,
Art,
and you calcine Our Stone
you can calcine Stone; not by
; common
by the common
calcination which is
calcination is made by by the violence of fire, fire, but
by
by a philosophic
philosophic calcination
calcination which is purely natural.
is purely natural.
Yet observe this,
this, with the most enlightened philoso-
enlightened philoso-
pliers, that there is
phers, is this dif'lèrence between the com-
this difference com-
mon
mon calcination
calcination which is is made by by the force force of Fire Fire
and the natural ealcination
calcination ; that the Hrst
;
destroys the
first destroys
body consumes the greatest
body and consumes greatest part part of its its radical
humidity ;
humidity but
; the second does not only preserve the
only preserve
humidity
humidity of the body
body in
in calcining it, but still
calcining it, still consi-
consi-
derably augments
derably augments it.
it. Experience
Experience will
will give you know-
give you
ledge in the Practice of this
ledge in great truth,
this great truth, for for you
you will in
will in
eflect
effect find
find that thisthis philosophical calcination, which
philosophical caleination,
snblimes distils the Stone in
sublimes and distils in calcining
calcining it, it, much
augments
augments its
its humidity;
humidity the
; reason is
is that the igneous
igneous
spirit
spirit of the natural fire
fire is
is corporified
corporified in
in the substances
which are analogous to it.
arc analogous it. Our Stone is is anan Astral
Fire which sympathizes
sympathizes with the Natural Fire, and
Fire,
which,
which, as a true Salamander receives its
its nativity, is
nativity, is
nourished and growsgrows in in the Elementary
Elementaiy Fire, Fire, which is
is
geometrically proportioned
geometrically proportioned to it.
it.
The Keys
Keys of Eudoxus open open nono more
more, and as these
;
last entering
last ones, entering to the Multiplication and Projec-
Multiplication Projec-
tion,
tion, are avowedly
avowedly defective,
defective, and the information may
may
interesting to the studious,
be interesting we propose
studious, we propose to supply
supply
it briefly from another and not less credible source.
it briefly
It only for the work of Multiplication,

It remains only Multiplication, says
says
the Author of the Open Opoi Entrance,
Entrance, to take one part of
one part
the Perfect liIatter
Matter and to join it with three or four
join it
parts
parts at most of the Mercury
Mercury of Work, and
the First Vork,
place
to place both in
in a
a vessclwell
vessel well luted and sealed;
sealed and, by
and, by ;
— —
The BTULTIPLICATION
THE Multiplication PROJECTION.
and Projection.
AND 487
the help
help of of a gentle
gentle and well-regulated
well-regulated tire, fire, youyou willwill
see with satisfaction
satisfaction all operations before
all the operations before named
pass through
pass through rapidlyrapidly in in seven days, days, and the virtue virtue is is
augmented a thousand times in

augmented in this revelation above
this revelation
what it it was before.
before. Then repeat
Tiien thereupon the same
repeat thereupon same
operation, and all
operation, all will
will be run through before your
through before your eyeseyes
in three days,
in days, and the matter will will have again attained
again attained
this a redoubled virtue.
by this
by virtue. this, if
After this, you desire
if you desire to
repeat the same
repeat same work, one natural day day will
will complete
complete
the whole, and every regiment of the colours will
every regiment will in in
that brief space be passed
brief space passed through
through ; which, if the
;
if
same process
same
process be again again repeated,
repeated, an an hour will will sulice,
suffice,
increasing likewise in
increasing likewise proportion, thou-
multiplicable proportion,
in multiplicable
sands by by thousands
thousands;; so that at length, length, if if you multiply it
you multiply it
fifth time, you

a fifth will be no
you will no longer
longer able to calculate the
strength of the medicine. Render thanks to God, then,
strength then,
who hath put put into possession the universal treasury
thy possession
into thy treasury
of nature.-
nature.
And for for the final Projection, as the metalline per-
final Projection, per-
fectibility
fectibility of the matter is sometimes called,
is called, we we have
this concluding advice :-
this concluding :
Take one part of your

one part your perfect Stone, whether white
perfect Stone,
or red;red ; then cause
cause to be melted in a crucible
in crucible four
parts
parts of one
one of the fixed metals,
metals, i.
i. e.
e. silver if
silver if it
it
be forfor the white,

white, or gold
gold if
if it
it be for
for the red; join
red ;
join to
this
this one part part of the Stone, according to the kind that
Stone, according
you desire
you produce ; throw the whole into
desire to produce ;
into a horn,
horn,
and there will will result to you you a pulverizable
pulverizable mass. mass. Take
then ten parts mercury purged
parts of mercury purged and purified,
purified, place
place
it on
it on the fire,fire, and when it
it begins
begins to crackle and to
smoke throw in one part part of your powder, which will,
your powder, will,
twinkling of an
in the twinkhng an eyeeye as it penetrate the
were, penetrate
it were,
mercury melt this wîth

mercury; ; with an an augmented
augmented fire; fire ; and youyou
will have the medicine, medicine, thoughthough of an inferior order.
Take one part part of this last last matter and project project it it on
on any
any
metal so that it it be only
only purified
purified and set in fusion pro-
; pro-
;
only as much of the Stone as you

ject only
ject you desire to tinge tinge
metal, and you
of the metal, you will
will have gold or silver more
gold more
pure
pure than that which nature ever
ever
yields.
yields. However it
it
is always
is always best to make projection by
projection by degrees degrees until the
;;
488 llizmisric PRACTICE.

Hermetic Practice.
Stone yields
yields no tincture, because, in
no more tincture ; in projecting
projecting a
small quantity
quantity of of powder
powder on a large large quantity
quantity of of im-
perfect
perfect metals (except
(except indeed our Ahrcury
rllcrcuzy alone),
alone) the
the ,
Stone sustains
sustains great loss on account of
great loss of the impurities
impurities
with which they they abound. Therefore, the more
Therefore, more the
meta! is
metal purijicd before projection,
is ]7ll}`f/fC([ projection, the more more successful
successful
will be the t1ansmutation.'
will transmutation.^
But, be it it remembered, there there is is a twofold
tW'Ofold fermenta-
tion-a
tion — spiritual and a
a spiritual bodily.
a bodily. The spiritual fermenta-
spiritual
tion
tion isis performed
performed by multiplying
by multiplying the tincturcs, which
tinctures,
is not done with common
is common gold gold or silver;
silver for for they
they are
;
not tinetures,
tinctures, but gross compacted
gross compacted bodies.-Be
bodies. Be —
thou
well advised, says says Sendivogius
Sendivogius in his Praxis,
in hi^ Praxis, that thou
takest not common
common gold gold or silver, for these are dead;
silver, for dead
take Ours which are living; living; then put put them into
into Our Fire
Fire
let there be made of them a dry
and let liquor:
dry liquor first
first of :
all the Earth will

all will be resolved into Water, Vater, which is is
Mercury of philosophers,
called the Mercury philosophers, and that water
shall resolve those bodies of gold
shall silver, and shall
gold and silver, shall
consume them so that there shall
consume shall remain but the
part with one part
tenth part part , and this
; shall be the radi-
this shall radi-
cal moisture of metals.
cal Then take water and saltsalt-
nitre, which comes
nitrc, comes from Our Earth in in which there is is
river of living
a river
living water,
water, if
if thou diggest
diggest the pit
pit knee
deep, therefore take the water out of that ; but take
deep, ;
that which is upon this

c/ear;; upon
is clear this put
put that radical mois-
ture; and set it
ture ; it over fire of putrefaction
over the fire putrefaction and gene- gene-
ration, not on such a one as thou didst in
ration, in the first
first
operation:
operation govern
: govern all things
all things with a great
great deal of dis-
dis-
cretion, until colours appear
cretion, appear like
like a peaeock's
peacock's tail;
tail
govern it
govern digesting it,
by digesting
it by it, and be not weary, until
weary, until these
colours be ended, ended, and there appear appear throughout
throughout the
whole one green colour, and so of the rest
green colour, rest; and when ;
thou shalt see in the bottom ashes of of' a fiery

fiery colour
and the water almost red, open the vessel,
red, open vessel, dip dip inin a a
pen, and smear some
pen, some Iron with it it ; if'
; if it tinge, have in
it tinge,
readiness that water which has been spoken spoken of, of, and
1'
From tlio
the lntroitus Apertus
Introitus Apertus of Eirentus
ol' Eirenius Philalethes, cap.
Philalethes, cap.
xxxiv.
XXXIV.
I 1
/ ,
;
The T/IULTIPLICATION
THE Multiplication and PnoJEcTioN.
AND Projection. 489
in
put in
put so much of that water
of that the cold air
Water as the was
air was
which went in, boil it
in, boil again with the former fire,
it again until
fire, until
it tinge again.
it tinge again. So far my experience
far reached my experience ;-II can ;
—
do no no more, says
says the wary Artist, II found out no
wary Artist, no
—Now that
more.--New
more. that water must be the menstruum of
the world, out of sphere of the Moon so often
of the sphere often
rectified until it
rectified until it can ealcine
calcine gold?
gold.^
And when thou hast made the Stone and magic me-
magic nie-
dicine, says
dicine, Vaughan, and _it
says Vaughan, is become a liquid
it is liquid fiery
fiery
spiritual
spiritual substance, shining like the sun, in
shining like in this
this com-
com-
if
plexion, if you
plexion, you would project,
project, youyou would hardlyhardly findfind
the just
just proportion:
proportion : the virtue of the medicine is
is so
intensive and powerful.
powerful. The philosophers
philosophers therefore
take oneone part of their
part their Stone and cast it upon ten parts
it upon parts
of pure
pure molten —
gold-this single grain
gold this single all the
brings all
grain brings
gold to a bloody
gold powder; and, on
bloody powder; on the contrary,
contrary, the gross
gross
body
body of the gold
gold abates the strength of the
spiritual strength
spiritual
projected
projected grain.
grain. This descent or incorporation,
incorporation, some some
wise authors have called bodily fermentation;

called a bodily fermentation ;but
philosophers did not use common
the philosophers common gold to make
gold
their
their Stone (though(though so manymany deceptively
deceptively write about
it), they used it
it), they it only qualify the utensive power
only to qualify power of
it when it
it was made,
it was made, that they might
they might the more
more
easily
easily
find what quantity
quantity of base metal they they should project
project
upon.
upon. By this means they
By this they reduced their their medicine to
a dust, and this
dust, this dust is is the Arabian Elixir. Elixir. This
Elixir the philosophers
philosophers could carry
carry about them
them; but ;
the medicine itself so, for it

itself not so, is such a
it is a subtle moist
fire
fire that there is is nothing
nothing but (its (its proper) glass that
proper) glass
will hold it.2
will it.2
And it suiliceth in
it siifficeth iu one glasse put
glasse to put
composition as may
So much of composition may cost
The price
price of'
of half an ounce of gold,
gold, which shut
"With Hermes' seal,
Vith Hermes' it should be lost;
no fear it
seal, no lost
Except some error be committed,
Except some committed, which
How to avoid I faithfully
faithfully shall teach?
teach.^
And because our intention is

is to the changing of
changing
1'
Sendivogius' Light of Alchemy,
Sendivogius' New Light xi.
Alchemy, Treatise xi.
2
2Vaughan' s Lumen de Lumiiie,
'aughan's Lumine, p. p. 95. .NO1`tO11'S
Norton's Ordinal,
Ordinal,
chap.
chap. ii.
ii.
3
^ Marrow of Alchemy,
.lIarrow Alchemy, book iii.
iii p. 77.
p.
:
490 TIERMETIC PIIACTICE.

Hermetic Practice.
into gold,
metals into gold, says
says the Author of of Luccrmz
Luccnia Salis,
Scilis,
it is
it is requisite
requisite that
that they
they should first
first be fermented with
very good and most pure
very good gold
pure gold ; for
for ;otherwise the im-
perfect
perfect metals would not be able
able to support
support its
its too
great and supreme
great supreme subtlety
subtlety; but ; there would rather
ensue loss damage in
loss and damage in the projection.
projection. The im-
perfect
perfect and impure
impure metals (let allusion here
(let not the allusion
misapprehended) must also

be misapprehended) also be purified,
purified, if one will
if one will
draw anyany proiit therefi'om; one
profit therefrom one drachm of gold
;
gold is is
sufiicient for
sufficient for the fermentation in in the red,
red, and one one
drachm of silver for the fermentation in
silver for in the white.
white.
And the artist
artist need not to be at at the trouble of buyingbuying
gold or silver
gold for this
silver for fermentation, because, with one
this fermentation, one
single very small part,
single very tincture may
part, the tincture may afterwards be
augmented
augmented more more and moremore in in such a mannermanner that
whole ships might be loaded with the precious
ships might precious metal
that would accrue from this this confection.
confection. For if if this
this
multiplied, and be again
medicine be multiplied, again dissolved and
coagulated by
coagulated by the virtue of itsits mercury,
mercury, white or red, red,
of which it it was prepared, then the tinging
was prepared, tinging virtue
will be augmented
will augmented each time by degrees in
by ten degrees in perfec-
perfec-
tion, which may
tion, may be reiterated
reiterated as often as one pleases.'
pleases.^
Like the sun's
sun's atoms 'tis'tis a powder
powder fine,
fine,
Vl1ite for
Wliite for the white, and red for
tlie white, for red projection.
projection.
The metals, by it
metals, by teined, exceed the mine
it teined,
In piu'ity;
piu'ity and such is
; its perfection
is its perfection
That he who hath it it in an an hour's
hour's space
space
And less than, may
less than, may command in any any place.
place.
At first it is
first it very small,
is of virtue very small,
might it
Compared with the might
Compared it doth attain
By
By oft
oft reiteration : who so shall
: shall
It oft
oft dissolve,
dissolve, and then congeal
congeal again,
again.
Shall find a medicine that will translate
Innumerable parts Sol's estate.
parts to Sol's
'Tis pondcrous and yet
'Tis ponderous yet in
in grains
grains divided,
divided,
That powder
powder allall appears soft as silk,
appears as soft silk,
On metal it,
it, like wax, in flux is
wax, in is guided
guided
To enter to the centre, just like milk
centre, just
Is penetrated
penetrated by by the Kennet sour,
sour,
And curdled in the minute of an an hour.
This medicine is
is best thus to project
project:
First on portion of the metal
a portion
on a nictzil pure,
pure,
I'
See Digby's
Digby's Lucerna Salis, cap. viii.
Salis, cap. viii.
;
'PHE
The lf[ULTIPLICATION and PROJECTION.
Multiplication AND Projection. 491
'Which of
Which powder is
of the powder to be effect
is to effect
As red on gold,
red on gold, on silver eke be sure,
on silver
The white to throw, one
one part of this,
part of your Stone
this, your
On four
four of metal,
of metal, or else
else tive
five to one.
one.
Then brittle
brittle like
like to glasse
glasse that will be,
that masse will be,
Of colour
colour bright
bright and shining very clear,
shining very
Yet not transparent, also thou shalt
transparent, also shalt see
Its
Its virtue
virtue lessened, which will appear
will appear
To view most glittering,
glittering, like ruby fair,
like a ruby fair,
Then upon
upon Argent this with care.
Vive cast this
Argent vive
On ten parts project until
long project
parts one so long until
The tincture
tincture to decrease thou shalt
shalt perceive,
perceive.
Vhich
Which being done, thou soon
being done, at thy
shalt, at
soon shalt, will,
thy will,
Most perfect tire receive
Sol and Lune from fire
perfect Sol receive ;
Thus guide operation and
thy operation
guide thy aad be sure,
sure,
The effect
effect will
will prove gold and silver
prove both gold silver pure.
pure.
And if
if thou list thy essence to augment
list thy augment
In goodness
goodness or in weight, thou so
in weight, work,
so maist work,
That never shall thy stock with use be spent,
shall thy spent,
So great
great a power in
a power this Stone cloth
in this doth lurk,
lurk,
it, like
That it, like ire, is apt
fire, is multiply
apt to multiply
Itself
Itself in weight as eke in dignity.
in weight dignity.
A portion once I saw,
portion saw, and found
ibund by
by proof,
proof.
That which a man's far exceed
might far
l11E1I1'S belief might
Of the Red medicine,
medicine, which for for behoof
Of such who to this may proceed,
this science may proceed,
1 shall
I declare, by
shall declare, by which may
may wcll appear
well appear
That useless it it is not, as many
is not, many fear.
fear _ .
I saw
saw then,
then, as I said, powder so
said, a powder
virtue, scarce to be believed
Increast in virtue,
quantity, as scarce would show
smaU quantity,
That so small
In bulk a grain, weighed much more indeed,
nor weighed
grain, nor indeed,
Which yet
Vhich yet to gold great a quantity
gold so great quantity
Could well transmute as may
may be deemed a lye.
lye.
man by
No man by its number could attain,
art its attain.
great it
So great was the tincture sound,
yet was
it was, yet sound,
For on an ounce
on an projected was that grain,
ounce projected grain.
perfection did so abound,
In which perfection abound,
That all made, of which one
all was essence made, one grain
grain
Was upon ten times as much again.
Vas cast upon again.
is one ounce in ten,

That is ten, and these likewise
more, which yet
On ten times more, was medicine made,
yet was made,
more to one of these would not suffice,
Ten more suffice.
it to bring;
To metal it bring nor was't
; was't allay'd,
aUay'd,
projections made before,
So with these oft projections before,
But one at last ting'd ninety thousand morel
ting'd ninety more.^
1
^
Eircuéus' Marrow of Alchemy,
Eirendus' iii.
Alchemy, book iii. v. 45, &c.
45,
;
492 I-Immsrxc PRACTICE.

Hermetic Practice.
the Author of
And the the Ro.sm'y
of the declares that
Rosary declares that he who
shall have
shall accomplished this
accomplished Art, even though
this Art, though he were
live thousands of
to live years, and every
of years, day maintain
evêry day
thousands of yet he would never know scarcity;
of men, yet scarcity
attained this
having attained
having this blessed
hlessed abundance, also, not by by
oppression of others
the oppression
the others or by by unlawful means,
means, but
by patience, and the labour of
industry, patience,
by industry, of his own hand.
his own
I
^
(^ only, continues Eirenéus,
And not only, Eirenûs, could he transmute
baser metals into silver, but make precious
gold and silver,
into gold precious
also more beautiful
stones also perfect than those of
beautiful and perfect
nature ; and would possess
; possess a universal medicine, more-
over, capable of curing
ove1', capable all diseases;
curing all diseases ; one adept,
even one adept,
were he permitted,
were might impart
permitted, might whole
impart health to the wdiole
world?^
world.
But lest
lest this testimony should grow
this kind of testimony grow egregious,
egregious,
ou1° book, by
and our ill hazard falling
by ill into the
falling into tl1e hand of
some e1'edulous
credulous dunce or adventurous gold-seeker, gold-seeker,
either for
should detain either deliberate about
for a moment to deliberate
looking at home for
looking which their
for that wdiich their instinct
instinct and pro- pro-
per wôuld otherwise direct
destiny would
per destiny direct them to find
find
ab1'oad,
abroad, we desist thel=e£e1:e,
we desist these, should
implore these,
therofmf^, and implore
they value their
any, as they
there be any, their ownow^n lives
lives and peace
peace
of mind and fortune,
fortune, to regard nothing of all
regard nothing all that has
been written. For would it supposing the
not, even supposing
it not,
assertions to be true,
whole of the assertions (and which
true, (and literally
wdiich literally
taken they not) would it
they are not) not, wê
it not, ask, be a
we ask, a. delirious
speculation
speculation for any one to undertake to mf//fe
for any make the pre- pre-
cious metal which is is to be had in plentiful abundance,
in plentiful abundance,
all ready
all ready elaborated by by nature, ripe, and easy
nature, ripe, easy to his his
hand ; to be had for
; the mere gathering,
mere gathering, and if if not
some natural risk,
without some yet without laborious study
risk, yet study
or other mystical alloy ?-Let
mystical alloy ? —
Let not one then be allured
by the ultimate promises
by Alchemy which are the
promises of Alchemy, ;
rewards only
only of a longsutlering and laborious life;
a longsutlering life ; of
unwearying thought, patience under atilictions,
unwearying thought, patience afflictions, conquest
conquest
over unruly thirst, stripes
hunger, thirst,
passions, hunger,
unruly passions, stripes merited
and unmerited,
unmerited, persecutions, iudigcnce, seltldenial-all
persecutions, indigence, self-denial — all
l
* lntroitus Apertiis,
lutroitug Apertus, cap.
cap. xxxv. De Multipliei
Multipiici hujus
hujus Artis.
;
Rmvaans AND
Rewards Porxmcixs.
and Potencies. 493
philosophers ha.ve
which philosophers undergone, even encounter-
have undergone,
ing the terrors of
ing of death and hell
hell itself in pursuit
itself in pursuit of
their object;
their object ; was not gold
which was gold however, or or silver;
silver
but the substance of thesethese things after all,
things which, after all,
when it was gotten
it was gotten by despised and swal-
by them, was despised swâl-
lowed up in the vision
up in vision of yet more alluring
of a yet alluring prospect
prospect
of the Light.
of the Light.
To sum
sum up then,
up then, lest wê
lest we should never come come to an an
end of this fugitive pursuit-In
this fugitive pursuit —
In the last operation the
last operation
union Philosophic Stone is
of the Philosophic is said
said to be 'finally
finally
cemented,
cemented, in
in its component
its component parts agreeing and hav-
parts agreeing
relation to the external world
ing relation
ing world; which union or
;
consummation of its its transmutative virtue virtue is is called

called
Fermentation."_
Fermentation. Mark the harmonious —
mystery that
mystery-that ,
f
" n
Q"
which in in the (Eabal
Cabal is is denominated the union of man, man, ,L/,,,,,@
ÔLVtvle^-^fC
reduced to the simplicitysimplicity of the Monad, with God, God,
MEG"
iJjKr that iuy^physico-chemistry is
in,,physico-chemistry is called called Fermentation. The
pious and experienced
most pious experienced amongst
amongst the Adepts Adepts do
not demur either to compare compare the phenomena
phenomena of their their
work to the Gospel Gospel tradition of the Life
Life of Christ
our human redemption
and our ; ^^nrath, Bohme,
redemption ; <@I11`£Ltl], Biihme, Freher,
Freher, "é,%e
,__
f"
Grasseus,
Grasseus, and various others amongst
amongst the more
more modern,
modern,
agree with the early
agree Adepts ; pointing
early Adepts pointing out too how,
; how, inin
every
every minute respect,
respect, their
their magistery
magistery not only
only cor-
responds, but is
responds, in very
is in very deed a type, type, and promise,
promise, and
foundation of our Christian Creed. Not, be it
Not, it under-
stood, that they
stood, they identify
identify or in
in the least
least confound the
perfection,
metalline perfection, which belongs
belongs to the primary
primary
evolution of life life only,
only, with the ultimate Divine asso-
ciation ; but they
;
they show that their Stone exhibits, exhibits, alike
in its
its origin, developement and artificial
origin, developement preparation
artificial preparation
throughout, the Universal Law of Light

throughout, Light in in Nature.
And as man, man, united with God, God, becomes divinely divinely em-em-
powered,
powered, and therefore can do what he wills,
wills, since he
wills what God Himself does in consonance with reason
wills reason ;;
Philosopher's Stone in the greater

so does the Philosopher's greater world,
world,
fermented in its its parts by reason of the fermentation,
parts by fermentation,
transform itselfitself into whichW-h-ieh itit wills,
wills, and works for for
/
,,-
^ — ;

Hnammc Practice.
diverse natures of all

the diverse all things, coequals itself
things, coequals itself to to all,
all,
to every
every and each, and to universals.
universals.
It is the universal
It is universal medium of 1'estoration and pre-
of restoration pre-
servation, says K«knrath, which by
says Ku!-inrath, its own cquilibriate
by its equilibriate
virtue expels
virtue suffering and every
expels suffering disease whether of
every disease of
mind or body ; in
or body either kingdom
in either
; kingdom of nature rectifying,
rectifying,
according capability of each.
according to the capability each. Metals it is said
it is said to
to
benefit by
benefit transference of their
by transference their radical
radical moisture, depriv-depriv-
its terrestreity
ing its
ing terrestreity and foreign oxides; vegetables,
foreign oxides vegetables, by
;
by
an increase of their
an increase ettlorescent spirit;
their efflorescent spirit ; and animals, ac-
cording to the natural exigence
cording exigence of their their being.
being. Azoth
of our Stone, continues he, reduces bodies to their their First
First
rcanimates them with the Universal Form,
Matter and reanimates
crystals it
crystals it advances to gems, gems, and many many pearls
pearls artificially
artificially
it concretes into one.
it Metals,
Metals, also, myself have
also, as II myself
seen, crystals,
seen, crystals, gems,gems, as well as gold, gold, it it makes fluid fluid
and potable;
potable it
it frees
; frees animals from disease, and pre- pre-
serves them in in the strength
strength of its its virtue;
virtue ;it
it refreshes
vegetables;
vegetables ; though nearly
though nearly dead it it will
will revive them; them
fermented with the specific specific essence of simples,simples, and meme-
thodically applied in
thodically applied in a fitting lamp, its
fitting lamp, its enduring water,
enduring water,
lighted
lighted by art, burns perpetually,
by art, perpetually, for for ever. It expels
It expels
and drives away away evil evil spirits
spirits from the possessedpossessed-
wherefore not not?? There are particular
particular potencies
potencies in in na-
ture which malignant
malignant powers powers give give wayto-why —
way to why not to
universal ? The author of confusion could not
the universal?
—
symmetry. It exalts and ennobles natural abi-
endure symmetry.-It
lity in
lity in the healing art,
healing art, and it drazvs doivn
it draivs down sublime meme-
moly nm/
mory and prmle/Ice.
prudence. It wonderfully excites pe1'petual
It wonderfully perpetual
joy, and an honest boldness and fortitude of mind ex-
joy,
hilarating all
hilarating all life.
life. And, that II may
And, may include many many
things
things in
in a few words,
words, it
it is
is miraculously
miraculously efiicient
efficient in all
in all
the productions
productions of nature,
nature, also the sublunary
sublunary spirits,
spirits,
for every
for every and all all of these,
these, by by anan inherent necessity,
necessity,
obey
obey this Stoncf
this Stone.
For this powerful viviiic Ens is
powerful vivific is of the same same origin
origin
as that which it it assimilates-viz.,
assimilates —
viz., the Universal Spirit, Spirit,
1
' .lixrhiiratli Amph.
JfeAnrath cap. ix.
Amph. cap. ix. &c., in fine.
&c., in fine.
. f
/f /
)r_/ U,/i
Rswsxnns AND
Rewards and Porswciss.
Potencies. 495
which has been so often often fermented, rectified, and re-

fermented, rectified,
ealcined, until
calcined, until the central
central force
force being wholly drawn
being wholly
without, acts forcibly
without, at the circumference, and is
forcibly at is able
able
draw, by
to draw, by a supernatural magnetism,
supernatural magnetism, the
the Homogeneal
Homogeneal
everywhere into
Nature everywhere into itself, according to the Rational
itself, according
Form inbred.
inbred. And hence we we may
may conceive why why the
philosophers have given
Hermetic philosophers given it name of
it the name
Azoth, which ar/heres
Azol/1,
rig/lily
rightly conceive,
may
may be truly
adheres to
conceive, says
to bodies; which if
says léevhnrath,
Ifehnrath, thou art
said, He who has begun
truly said, begun aright,
if thou dost
art he of whom it
aright, has done
it ^/
Kea/
half of the whole.
half The Stone is is fermented with its its
meta! existing
metal in the highest
existing in purity, with pure
highest purity, pure silver
silver
for the W`hite,
for White, and with Red for for fine
fine Gold. And this
this
is
is the work of three days? days.^
The Stone is is here saidsaid accurately
accurately to be fermented
its own
with its own metal:
metal for
: is not Light
for is Light the true AurificAurific
Seed; not common
Seed ; common Light, Light, but that which in first
in the first
rotary wheel of life
rotary life becomes ciiicient,
efficient, which is poten-
is poten-
tially included everywhere
tially everywhere in in either kingdom of na-
either kingdom
ture, though laid
ture, though laid asleep?
asleep ? Or what else else should pos- pos-
sibly transmute or multiply
sibly multiply by its own
by its assimilative
own assimilative
virtue? What else

Vhat else but Light
Light cancan multiply,
multiply, or does
multiply, anyhow or anywhere
multiply, anyhow anywhere; and if
; if everywhere
everywhere
else, why not in
else, why in the mineral kingdom,
kingdom, when set free free
to attract its its proper
proper fuel indeficiently, without hetero-
fuel indefieiently,
geneous hindrance or alloy?
geneous alloy?
And if if in
in the mineral kingdom kingdom it it can overcome so
can overcome
great inertness,
great inertness, and renews the vegetable spirit, im-
vegetable spirit,
parting
parting health and increase to decaying nature, how
decaying nature,
much greater
greater benefits will it it not bestow on man who
on man
nourished it? it ? Nor in the outward ministration of the
medicament only,
medieament only, but above all, all, and most perma-
perma-
nently,
nently, in the vital
vital rectification.
rectification. Thus Juhan,
Julian, in his
Oraticm
Oration to the Emtra-,/l/Izmdarze
Ejrtra-Mundane Zlfot/zer,Alother, forfor example,
example,
tells us that when the soul gives
tells gives herself to Divinity,
Divinity,
and wholly
wholly delivers herself to the guidance
guidance of a better
nature, institutions, through

nature, divine institutions, through purification, taking
purification, taking
the lead,
lead, the Divine Light Light will
will immediately
immediately shine on
on
l1
Amph. Sap. Etern. cap.
Amph. Sap. cap. viii. p. 211.
viii. p.
496 IJERMETIC PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
her;
her and, in
; in consequence deificd, she
being thus deified,
consequence of being
transfuses a certain
transfuses certain vigorous strength into
vigorous strength into her
her connate
spirit, which, when included, and as it
spirit, were possess-
it were possess-
ing dominion, becomes, through
ing this spirit,
through this spirit, the cause
safety to the whole body.
of safety body. For, continues the Em-
peror, diseases,
peror, least the greater
diseases, or at least happen
part, happen
greater part,
from the mntative
mutative and erroneous motion of of the
the spirit
spirit
—
-which physicians likewise
which physicians allow or, at
likewise allow; at all
; events,
all events,
that those most difhcult originate from
difficult to be cured originate
thence.
thence. For health is is a certain symmetry or equiH-
certain symmetry equili-
nature, which it
brium of nature, is the pre-eminent
it is pre-eminent powerpower of
the Telestic
Telestic art to impart, ordering all
impart, ordering all things
things by by the
unity within.
unity within. indeed, the oracles
And, indeed, testify the
oracles testify
assertions, when they
truth of these assertions, declare that
they declare
through purifying
through purifying ceremonies bodies become wo1'tl1y worthy
receiving divine assistance and health,
of receiving health, and that the
mortal vestment of bitter
bitter matter will hy these means
will by
preserved.
be preserved.
Harlnonia resonat
Harmonia namque, sub qua
resouat namquc, qua est corpus mortalc.
corpus mortale.
Extendens, igneam nientem, ad opus
igneam mentem, fluxile corpus
pietatis, et fliixile
opus pietatis, corpus
servabitl
servabit.i -
And that which a man received, will

man has received, will he not be
able to impart again, and bestow of his
impart again, his exuberant
felicity
felicity for
for the benefaction of others ?
? Or at least
least itit
is so 1'elated
is related of Hippocrates,
Hippocrates, that he cured extraordi-
nary maladies because he was
nary was endowed with a divine
nature, and had ca1'ried
nature, carried up up medicine from a low estate
great achievements. For he was the descent of
unto great
many generations, and a.
iizzzizygeize/'ati0i1.9, a divine man,
man, as the tradition
by
says, by
says, direct descent from /ESLYZ/f(l])iI1~9 on the fàther's
JEsculapius father's
side, and by
side, his mother Praxithea
by his Prurcit/1611 of the race of the
Hci'f1c/ifles. Vherefòre
Heraclides. Wherefore from bot/1 sew/s he had his origin
both seeds origin
from the grills.
g<>ds. For he waswas initiated as a young young bcbe-
ginner
ginner in medicinal affairs
affairs by
by his g'i'cat-g1'r1111U"at/fer, so
great-grandfather,
far as /ze
far he knew. But himself did also teach himself— himself`-=hnv-
://«i'-
ing
ing made use fy'
of a divine
divifie nature —
izature-tlie
the whole art. And,
And, in
l'
Oracula Chaldaica Auima, Corpus,
Clialdaiea; Anima,
; Homo Juliaifs
Corpus. Homo; Orutions
Juliau's Orations
;
n., in
ii., fine.
in fine.
REWARDS
Rewards AND Pofrsxcuss.
and Potencies. 497
the industry
industry of his mind, he as far
of his excelled his
far excelled proge-
his proge-
nitor.;
fiitors as he also
also exceeded them excellency of
in the excellency
in
Art.
Art. For he takes away (continues the narrator)
away (continues narrator) not
only the kind of bestial,
only bestial, but also of brutishly fierce
also of brutishly fierce
and wild diseases,
diseases, through
through a part
great part
great of the land
and sea; dispersing
dispersing the succours of £Esculapius,
-^sculapius, even
Triptolemus the seed

as Triptolemus balmy health and
seed of Ceres ; balmy ;
virtues,
healing virtues,
healing
Such sire of pharmacy,

sage Chiron, sire
Sucli as sage pharmacy,
First taught
First taught Achilles, thee.1
Achilles, and Achilles thee.^
Therefore he hath most justly justly obtained divine divine ho-

nours in places of the earth
many places
in many earth; and is; is made
worthy
worthy by by the Athenians of the same
same gifts with
gifts
Hercules and _/Esculapius.
^sculapius. And this this man man is is the
father and preserver

father preserver of health,
health, the curer of all all griefs.
griefs.
In sum,
sum, thisthis manman is is the prince
prince of'
of divine
divine know-
ledge, concludes the Persian,
ledge, Petris, in
Persian, Petris, in his
his epistleepistle
addressing
addressing Artaxerxes-send
Artaxerxes send— thou for
for Him !'
!^ 2
physician with the honour due unto
Honour the physician
him, says Solomon ; fbr
him, says for the Lord created him-as
; him as if— if he
specially
specially were
were above all
all men
men created by
by God,
God, who is
is
able to heal the sick and restore life life to the distressed,
distressed,
which all physicians, however, are not able.-But
all physicians, able. — But a
physician
physician chosen by
by God, continues Hehnont,
Helmont, His own
own
signs shall
signs follow, and wonders for
shall follow, for the schools ; for ; for he
prepare to the honour of God his
shall prepare his free
free gifts,
gifts, to
the comfort of his his neighbour;
neighbour compassion
compassion shall
; shall be his
leader.
leader. For he shall possess
possess truth in in his
his heart,heart, and
knowledge in
knowledge his understanding
in his understanding; charity charity and the
;
mercy of the Lord shall enlighten

mercy enlighten his way way, and he
;
bestow favour of the Lord,

shall bestoiv Lord, and the hope hope of gain gain
shall not be in his thoughts.
thoughts. For the Lord is is rich
liberal, and will give
and liberal, give him one hundred fold in an an
heaped-up measure
heaped-up measure: He : will
will fructify
fructify his work,
work, and
anoint his Hands with Blessing. Blessing. He will fill fill his
mouth with consolation and with the trumpet
trumpet of His
I
^
Iliad, b. xi.
Iliad, b. xi. Pope,
Pope, 965.
2
2
Helmont, Tumulus Pestis.
Helmont,
K K
K K
498 I°IERl1ETIC PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
Word, from which diseases shall flee.

diseases shall flee. He will
will fill
fill his
his
life with length
/Ufe length of days,
of days, hishis /rouse riches, and his
house with riches, his
children with the fear
c/zildren fear ofof the Lord. His footsteps
footsteps
shall bring felicity,
shall bring diseases shall
felieity, and diseases shall be in in his
his sig/1t
sigJit as
snow in
snow in the
the noon-day
noon-day of of summer
summer in in an open
open valley.
valley.
Curse and punishment
punishment shall shall flee away, and health
flee away, health
shall follow
shall follow him. promises of the Lord
These are the promises
physicians whom He hath chosen.
unto physicians These are are
blessings of those wiio
the blessings in
who walk in the path path of mercy.mercy.
Because the Lord loveth those that that work mercy;mercy and ;
therefore he will
therefore will enlighten
enhghten them with his Spirit, the
his Spirit,
Comforter.
Comforter, is
For who is liberalliberal as the Lord, who
Lord,
giveth many
giveth things freely,
many things for seine 51111112
freely, and, for some small matter, vzzatter,
bestoweth all all things?
things ? Blessed is is the Lord who saves
merciful, and who saves him that is

the merciful, is to be saved
freely.
freely. And consolation shall
shall meet the merciful man man
in
in the way
way of hope,
hope, because he has chosen a faithful
faithful
—
master.-But,
master. But, continues the same same estimablc
estimable narrator,
narrator,
arrogance
arrogance and sloth,
sloth, which long since extinguished
long since extinguished
Charity, but a few
Charity, few^ ages
ages ago sequestered a chirurgeon
ago sequestered chirurgeon
also from a physician;
physician wherefore
; afterwards servants
handled the manual instruments and operations; operations ; as if
if
it
it unbeseemed a Christian to help
help his
his neighbour
neighbour with
his hands. mean time seine
In the mean some noble matrons
healed defects with their own hands that were de-
their own
spaired
spaired of by physicians. And truly
by physicians. truly after
after that the
study of ambition and gain

study gain were practised,
practised, charity
C/1a1'it_y
grew vo/rl, 7I1CI`C_y
greiv cold, mercij was extinguished, ]1c1'is/led, and
enstirzgzlis/led, art perished,
the Giver of Lights
Lights withdrew his his Gifts;
Gifts the number
;
increased,
of our calamities increased, and were made
physicians were
physicians
the fable
fable of
ofthe
the vulgar.
vulgar. T}'l([/I
Truth 1'e111ai11ecI
retnaiued buried in t/113
in the
grave of
grave ry" science ;; and instead thereof a confused kind
of brawling discursive, which was
being discursive,
arose, being
brawling arose, was ac-
counted for for doctrine. And those false
false doctors de-
scribed and drew of themselves a a whole army dis-
army of dis-
eases,
eases, almost grieving, too,
grieving, too, that the catalogue
catalogue of them
was
was yet so small.
yet For they,
they, being allurecl with the
being allured
facility
facility of the art of Galen, promised to measure all
Galen, promised all
diseases by geometrical demonstrations of degrees
by the geometrical degrees
cold, and to heal them all
of heat and cold, thereby. Chi-
all thereby.
REWARDS and
Rewards Pornxcuss.
AND Potencies. 499
rurgeons also,
rurgeons well the modern as the
also, as well the ancient, from
imitation and emulation of
an imitation largely and widely
of these, largely widely
treated promiscuously
treated promiscuously of
of all
all diseases, snatching
snatching the the
cures of them all all under themselves, in in the sight
sight and
despite of
despite of their maste1's.
their former masters. Because at first, and
at first,
from the root of medicinal ordination, all things be-
all things
longed
longed to be cu1'ed
cured only
only and alone by physicians; but
by physicians ;
chirurgecns
unto chirurgeons afterwards only by
only permission and
by permission
favour.
from favour. Both of them have failed, failed, however, under
a confused strife strife and become inefficient.^
inetlicientf
So the origin,
origin, decline, and fall fall of the Healing
Healing Art has
pictured by
been pictured by one of its
its brightest
brightest ornaments
ornaments; ; and
truly
truly is
is it
it not deplorable
deplorable to think that knowledge
knowledge once
so perfectly attained and demonstrated in
perfectly in its efficacy,
its efficacy,
should, by
should, by a degenerate usage, have been lost
degenerate usage, lost to man-
man-
kind? The accounts given given by by Van Helmont of the
cures which he himself alone effected effected of some some 10,000
individuals yearly,yearly, without any any diminution of his his medi-
cine, would now
cine, unaccredited, except
now be unaccredited, except by by those few,few,
perhaps, who,
perhaps, fragment of the same
who, with a fragment same virtue,
virtue, have,
have,
by a benevolent application,
by application, learnt to conceive some-
thing of the illimitable
thing powers and artificial
illimitable powers artificial increase
increase of
vitalization. These will
vitalization. will vindicate the Light,Light, if any, who
if any,
observing
observing its its first
first dawn,
dawn, shall promote
promote it it by
by a truthful
inquiry,
inquiry, nor nor suffer it it again
again to fall fall into disuse through
through
negligence,
negligence, or
by obloquy be tempted
by obloquy tempted to an an unchari-
table ambuscade.
And then have we we nono other defects than those of
body
body to distress us? Are not our minds,
minds, too,
too, ailing,
ailing,
and is is there no no balm ready
ready? ? Is
Is there no physician
no physician
there??
there In Greece there were were manymany temples
temples to many many
gods —
gods-to Ceres, Minerva, Apollo, Bacchus, and the
to Ceres, Minerva, Apollo, Bacchus,
rest, all
rest, ministeiing to the defects of mind,
all ministering mind, educating
educating
disciplining the understanding
and disciplining understanding for the conception of
conception
Wisdom and a better life
Visdom life within.
}Esculapius was
iEsculapius was a a
demigod amongst
demigod only amongst them,
only them, who is
is of modern Mes-
merism the only —
just pride.-Honour
only just pride. Honour the physician
physician
with the honour due unto him for for the useuse youyou may
may
11
Tumulus Pestis,
Pestis, chap.
chap. i.i.
K K
K Q
K 2 r
—;
500 IÌERllETIC PRACTICE.

Hermetic Practice.
have of him, for

of for the Lord created c1'eated him. There is is a a
time when in his

in his hands there
there is is a good
good success;
success the11
then
;
let him not go

let go from thee, for for thou hast need of him.'--
of him. ^
But to whom hath the root of Visdom Wisdom been revealed;

revêaled
hatli known her wise councils?
or who l1ath Unto whom
knowledge of W'isdom
hath the knowledge Wisdom been made manifest? manifest ?
or who hath understood her great Experience ? She is
great Experience? is
WW ,
with tdtquen, replies the prophet,
aitzrnen, replies
but Her secret is
according to his
prophet, according his
gift; is with the Faithful?
wmv gift ;
Now such a a faith

faith as the
Faithful.^
Scriptures incnleate
Scriptures inculcate as be-
stowing
stowing Wisdom on
on the possessor,
possessor, is
is unknown at this
this
day; nor
day ;nor does man
man any
any longer
longer seek after
after the Truth
that isis inin himself, rarely imagines
himself, rarely imagines it it even, so far far
live without the true knowledge
we live
do we knowledge of ourselves.
ourselves.
We pray the liberal
Vc pray liberal reader to reflect, therefore, and
reflect, therefore,
link his
link probabilities of reason,
imagination to the probabilities
his imagination 1'eason, and
ponder
ponder on
on the testimony
testimony of experience,
experience, and believe
that Mesmerism, as it it is mechanically practised in
is mechanically practised in the
present day,
present day, is
is first
a first step indeed,
step indeed, and this
this only
only before
the entrance of that glorious temple of Divine Visdom
glorious temple Wisdom
which a more more scientific
scientific Handicraft enabled the an-
cients experimentally
cients experimentally to enter,
enter, and from its
its founda-
tion build up, as it crystalline ediliee of Light
up, it were,
we1'e, a crystalline edifice
Light
and Truth. The materials are yet present with us
yet present us; ;
the foundations easily easily laid;

laid ;the will
will only
only is is wanting
wanting
to discover the way,way, and faith resuseitate the Corner
faith to resuscitate
Stone,
Stone, which ignorance
ignorance has rejected from immemorial
rejected
time, bat-science-»only~ean-refute.
For ifif man does not enter in
man docs in to understand himself,
himself,
evil under which he lies
and the evil lies enchanted in
in this
this life
life,
he cannot understand the ancient doctrine concerning
concerning
the fall
fall or regeneration, presume to deliver matter
regeneration, or presume
original curse, unless he perceive
from the original it, or be
perceive it,
instrumental in in the restoration.
restoration.-Vhile —
While Adam stood
in Paradisaieal
in Paradisaical innocency, explains
innoeeney, explains the theosophist,
theosophist,
The Eternal Word
Vord was his leade1',
was his leader, and had dominion
in him: his life,
in him :Ufe, which wâs flame, burned in
was a clear flame,
nourished by
and was noui'ished by that pure
pure spirit of the divine
spirit
1 2
^ Ecclesiasticus, viii.
liuclesiasticus, viii. 2 IJem,
ldem, i.
i.
REWARDS AND
Rewards and POTENCIES.
Potencies. 501
together with the Water

substantiality, which, together
substantiality, Vater of
of'
eternal life,
eternal life, generated in the angelical
generated in angelical world, gave
gave
forth
forth a glorious
glorious and bright shining Light.
bright shining Light. Imme-
diately after
diately after the fall man. God said
of' man,
fall of said to the Serpent,
Sezyoezzt,
lwill
I enmity between thee and the woman,
put enmity
will put Woman, and
between thythy seed and her seed;
seed her seedseed shall
; shall bruise
bruise
thy head,
thy shalt bruise
head, and thou shalt his heel.
bruise his heel. Herein the
the
Philosopher's Stone or tincture
Philosopher's tincture lyeth.
lyeth. For though
though
this concerneth
this coneerneth man, inin the first
first place,
place, yet secondly it
yet secondly it
eoncerneth the whole creation
concerneth creation The bruising of' the
bruising of
serpent's head is
serpent's is done spiritually
spiritually and corporally,
corporally, both
in
in nature and inin the soul, though in
soul, and though in different de-
different de-
yet by
grees, yet
grees, by aa parallel process in
parallel process in each. The serpent'sserpent's
sting is
sting is the wrath fire, Hre, and the woman's
wou1an's seed the light light
and love fire fire: these two are in
: in every thing ; the
every thing ;
predoininated in
former predominated in outward nature, by by the fall,fall,
and therefore the latter latter must he raised
be raised up, up, and, by by its
its
shining through the wrath,

shining through wrath, must subdue and keep keep it it
taking away
under; taking
under ;
away from it it its
its predominant
predominant power, power, so
that itit may
may exercise its its true natural officeofiice as a servant
to the light
light; ; that these two may no more
may no more stand in in
opposition
opposition to each other,
other, but be one thing
one
thing reharmo-
nised by light and love,
by light love, and re-introduced into Pa-
radise;
radise ; when the dark poisoning poisoning Mercury
Mercury is is thus
tinctured,
tinctured, his anguishing
anguishing death is
is turned into tri-
tri-
umphing
uniphing life, life, and his
his former dark desire into
into the
light, which is
desire of light, is able to make a pure pure love and
light substantiality, —
light substantiality,-viz., heavenly body
viz., a heavenly body out of an an
earthly.
earthly. The whole work therefore consists sum-
sum-
marily herein
marily —
herein-That That Two Natures be reduced to One, One,
as they
they were
were at the beginning.
beginning. A
A heavenly
heavenly and an
an
earthly
earthly matter are to be mutually
mutually united and brought
brought
heavenly consistency.
to a heavenly consistency. Earth must be turned in, in,
and Heaven out. The Mercury Mercury which is
is therein doth
all this
all itself:: the Artist is
this itself attempt it-he
is not to attempt it — he can-
not do it-he
it — he is prepare the way,
is to prepare way, the matter as is is
requisite,
requisite, and leave the work to be done by
by the work-
man which is
man is in it nevertheless, understand-
already nevertheless,
it already: :
ing required of him. His design

faith are required
ing and faith design beingbeing
less than to redeem matter from the curse,
no less curse, and
502 Hr;iu11;'1'1c PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
to raise it Hom
raise it from the dead, which never can be done by
by
is dead himself in
one who is in his understanding and in-
his understanding in-
ternal life.'
ternal life.^
Who then is competent, who qualified

is competent, minister
qualified to minister
in great a matter?
so great
in so matter ? Who but he that
Vho Spirit has
that the Spirit
already prepared, and endowed with prudence
already prepared, prudence for for the
undertaking.-He
undertaking. — He that
that is holy, he that
is holy, that isis true, he thatthat
hath the Key Key of David, openeth, and no man
David, he that openeth, man
shutteth;
shutteth ; and shuttcth,
shutteth, and no no man
man
openeth?
openeth.^ Or
what man man is is he, asks Solomon, that can know the
counsel of God? God ? or who can think what the Vill Will of
the Lord is? is? thoughts of mortal men are
For the thoughts men
miserable,
miserable, and our devices devices are but uncertain. For the
corruptible body
corruptible p1'esseth down
body presseth the soul,
soul, and the
earthly
earthly tabernacle weigheth weigheth down the mind that
museth uponupon manymany things.
things. hardly do we
And hardly we guess
guess
aright
aright at things
things which are upon
upon earth, and with labour
do we we Hnd
find the thingsthings that are before us us; but the
;
things
things that are in
arc in heaven who hath searched Out?
out ?
and thythy counsel who hath known, e.z'ce_pt z/lou
except thou give give
Wisdom and send thy thy [lo/y Spirit from above?
llolif tS]1i1°itj5'o1/1 above 1 For
thc ways
so the ways of them which lived
lived on
on the earth were
were re-
formed, and men
men were taught
taught the things
things that are
pleasing vuito
pleasing thee, and were
unto thee, Visdom.
through Wisdom.
were saved through
She preserved
preserved the first
first formed Father of the world
that was created alone, alone, and brought
brought him out of his
his
fall,
fall, and gave
gave him power
power to rule all
all things.
things. But
when the unrighteous
w^hen unrighteous went away fi'om her in
away from in hishis
perished also in
anger, he perished
anger, in the fury
fury wherewith he mur-
dered his his brother. For whose cause,cause, the earth being
being
drowned with the Flood, Flood, Wisdom again preserved it,
again preserved it,
and directed t/ze the course ofry" t/ze

the /'ig/zteozzs
righteous in a piece cf
piece of
wood
ivood Q" of sum!! va/ue.
small value. Moreover, nations in their
Moreover, the N/ztiofzs
co1zspi1'i12g' being
wicked conspiring confounded, she found out the
being confounded,
/`fgf1ft'0llS
righteous and preserved him blameless unto God,
preserved God, and
kept
kept him strong against
strong against his tender compassion
compassion to-
wards his his Son. When the ungodly
Vhen perished, she
ungodly perished,
11
Frcher, Of the Analogy
See D. A. Frelier, in the Process of the Phil.
Analog}- iu
\'ork Man through Jesus Christ.
Eedernption of Man
AYork with the Redemption through
Y
^ Rev.
Eev. chap. iii. v. 7.
chap. iii. 7.
:;
REVARDS and
Rewards POTENCIES.
AND Potencies. 503
delivered the rig/zteous

delivered righteous man who fled
man fled from Fire,F'lrt, which
fell upon
fell upon the jive cities,
the Jive of
cities, of whose wickedness, even to
Whose to
this day,
this day, the waste la/zclland that smoketh is is a testimony,
a testimony,
plants bearing
and plants fruits that
bearing fruits that never come come to ripeness,
ripeness,
and a a stamling
standing pillarpillar cf Salt is
of Salt is a monument of an
a moiumzeizt an im-un-
l/elieving soul.
believing soul. But Wisdom delivered
delivered from pain those
pain
that
that attended upon upon her. her. When the rig/iteous
'When righteous fled fled
from hishis l)7'0l/16238 wrath,
brother s wrath, she guarded
guarded him in
in right
right
paths, 5/iowerl
paths, showed him /:im the
t/ze kingdom
/ciizgdovz of God, and gave
W' God, gave him
knowledge of holy
/mow/edge things ; made him ric/z
holy things; rich in in his tra-
his tra-
vels,
vels, and multiplier]
multiplied t/ze
the jiwit of
fruit his
his labozirs.
labours. In the
covetousness of such as oppressed oppressed him, she stood by by
him and made him rich rich ; she defended him from his
; his
enemies, and kept
enemies, kept him safe safe from thosetliose that lay lay in in
wait, and,
wait, and, in
in a sore eoigflict,
conflict, she gave
"ave him the victory:
victory
tlzat lie
that Hllg/Il know t/mt
he iniaht gorllinesgi
that godliness is stroiiger t/:azz
is strong-er than all.all.
She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, Lord,
and withstood dreadful kings /rings in in wonders and signs. signs.
She rendered to the riglzteous righteous a rewarzlreward of their their la- la-
bours, guided
bours, guided them in
in a marvellous way,
way, and was
was unto
them forfor a cover by by day dai and a light lig/zt of Stars in in the
Mig/it
jiight season ; ;
and led them through

broughtjthem
brought
through mae/1
them through
through
much water. But she drowned
the Red
RED SEA,
Sea,
enemies, and cast them up

their enemies, up out of the bottom of
Deep. Therefore the rig/zteous
the Deep. spoiled the un-
righteous spoiled
godly,
godly, and praised thy Holy
praised thy Holy Name, O O Lord, and mag-
Lord, mag-
nified, with one
nified, one accord,
accord, thy thy Hand that fought fought for for
them. For VVisdomWisdom opened opened the mouth of the dumb, dumb,
and made the tongues tongues of t/:em them that cannot speak speak elo-
quent.
quent. She prospered
prospered their Works
works in
in the Hand of the
Holy Prophet.^
Holy Prophet?
When once the Divine Light
Vhen once Light isis loosened in life, life,
is
is prospered
everything prospered
everything as long
long as her Rule is
is observed;
observed
understanding then bears its
for the understanding its motive energy
energy
effect.-And
into eifect. —And the Word
Vord of the Lord is is unto them
upon line,
Line upon Precept upon
line. Precept upon pjxcept, (purifying and
preccpt, (purifying
perfecting) lzere a little
perfecting) here there a little?
little and tlzere little.'^ The whole
individual is is occupied;
occupied everyevery look and action is
; is byby
1 2
1 Wisdom
Visdom Solomon, xxi.
of Solomon, xxi. ^ xxviii. 13.
Isaiah, xxviii.
Isaiah, ] 3.
— :
504 Haamerlc Pimcricia.

Hermetic Practice.
rule and with power

rule power; as is
is it likewise w^ritten,
it not likewise
; written,
1716 Ham/s
The Hands ay" t/ze W5-c
of the Wise are very þÿ/l
are very ¬(lU_?/?
heavy 1 1716
The rig/it
right
/zaml'
hand of t/ze Lord bringeth
Qf the brizzget/L mighty
mfg/1t_yt/zizzgs to pass.
things to pass.-
—
And His brightness
brightness wâs was as the light, says Habbakuk,
light, says
/ze had
and he /md horns
//or1z.s'comi11g
coming out of fy" /:is
his hand, nm/ f/I6`)`C
/land, and there was ivas
the hiding
the /:ic/ing fy' his power.
of his pozcer.' Is
Is
^ it
it not promised,
promised, more-
more-
over, that the horn /10)`ll of the righteous

righteous shall shall be exalted,
exalted,
and hishis seed made triumphant
triumphant over many many nations?
Be thou faithful
faithful unto death,death, and II will will give
give thee a a
crow11oflife.2
crown of life.^ And again again of Wisdom,
Visdom,--Length —
Length of days
days
is in
is in her right hand, and in
right hand, in her left riches and honour.
left riches
Exalt her and she shall promote thee,
shall promote thee, she shall
shall bring
bring
thee to honour when thou dost embrace her, her, she shall
shall
give to thy
give thy head an Ornament of Grace, Crowai of
Grace, a Crown
Glory shall
Gloiy deliver unto thee.3
shall she deliver thee.^
Nor are these the only passages in
only passages Scripture where
in Scripture
Wisdom a promise
with VlS(lOll1 promise is given of more
is given more material
fruits :-
fruits :
He that hath an let him hear what the

hear, let
an ear to hear,
saith unto
Spirit saith
Spirit the Churches:
Churches
To him that overcometh will give to eat of the Tree
wall 1I give
of Life,
Life, which is in
is in the midst of the Paradise of
God.
To him that overcometh will will II give
give to eat ofthe
of the hidden
Manna,
Mauna., and will give
will give him a Vhitc Stone, and in
White Stone, in the
new name written,
Stone a new name wa'itten, which no man
no man knoweth
saving he that rcceiveth
saving receiveth it.it.
And he that overcometh and keepeth keepeth my
my works unto
end,
the end, to him will
will I
I power
give power
give over
over the nations ; ;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron;

iron as the ;
vessels of a potter they be broken in shivers

potter shall they
even as II received from my
my Father. And IT will give
will give
him the Morning Star.
Morning Star.
He White
same shall be clothed in Vhite
Ile that overcometh the same
Raiment. And II will
wall not blot out his name
name out of
the Book of Life.

Life. Behold I come quickly
I come quickly: hold fast
fast :
no man
that which thou hast that no thy Crown.
man take thy
I
^ Habbakuk, iii.
Habbakuk, iii. ~L.
4.
2
'^
ii. 10.
Revelations, ii.
1*
^
_l)l'O'C1'l.)S,
Proverbs, viii.
viii.
REWARDS and
Rewards POTENCIES.
AND Potencies. 505
that overcometh will

Him that will I
I make a pillar in the Temple
a pillar in Temple
of my God,
of my and he shall
shall no more go
no more out and II will
go out: :
will ,/
write
write upon
upon him the name of my
name of' my God,,,which
God,^which is
is New a a^rx^ -,^-
A ae,
Jerusalem, which cometh down out of of heaven from 7LD!/I7'2
Tujt-r*^^ (fiAt
my
my God
God: and I will write
I will write upon him my New Name.
Name, 74; fd? oL-yj^x^
:
upon my ^f ^^^
jéihlj
Behold II stand atat the door and knock, and if any man
if any
come in
man
in with
C u^
Lv
^
^
my voice
hear my open the door II will
voice and open will come
him, and sup
sup with him,
him, and he with me.
me.
And to him that overcometh will will I grant to sit

I grant sit with
me my
me in my throne,
in throne, even as I
I also
also overcame, am
and am
set
set down with my
my father
father in
in his
his throne.
that hath an ear to hear let
He that let him hear what the
Spirit
Spirit saith
saith unto the Churches*
Churches.^
But as Agrippa
Agrippa says, C/ausum est
says, Clausum est Armnrizmz-tlie
Armarium the —
Scripture
Scripture isis obscure and mystical throughout; even
mystical throughout even in
; in
the simplest
simplest details
details most profound,
profound, but significant in
significant in
its
its promises
promises even of material blessings
blessings and gifts.
gifts. For
when we begin Spirit, adds the disciple,
begin to love the Spirit, disciple,
then he sends us these thingsthings as tokens and pledges
pledges of
his love, to whom all
his love, all hearts are open,
open, all desires
all desires
known, and from whom no secrets are hid Whose
hid; whose ;
prolific
prolific virtue is
is the source of all
all things,
things, and in
in the
alliance becoming
conscious aUiance becoming known, potentialises
potentialises the
whole in each individual universally
universally without reserve.^
reserve. ,
ground of'
That was the ground doctrine, the founda-
of ancient doctrine,
shadowy tradition of which
of those creeds in the shadowy
tion of`
mankind nownow live.
live. They
They are all plain to him that
all plain
understanding, as Solomon says,
hath understanding, says, and right
right to
them that find knowledge.
knowledge. Behold instruction is
is
better than silver, knowledge than choice gold.

silver, and knowledge gold.
Wisdom
Visdom is rubies, and
is better than rubies, all the things
andàll things that
may be desired are not to be compared
compared to Her. I,
I,
may
prudence, and find out knowledge
Wisdom, dwell with prudence,
Visdom, knowledge
witty inventions.
of witty Counsel is is mine and sound
Wisdom II am
Visdom; ; Understanding ; II have strength.
am Understanding ;
strength.
Riches and honour are with me, yea, durable riches
me, yea,
and righteousness.
righteousness. My fruit
My fruit is
is better than gold
gold ; and ;
1'
Revelation St. John,
Kevelation ii. iii.
John, ii. iii.
505
506 Hsnmrric PRACTICE.
Hermetic Practice.
my
my revenue than choice
choice silver.
silver. lI love them that
that love
love
me, and those that me early
that seek me shall find
early shall find me?
me.^
They, then, who have been fortunate enough
They, enough to
this work, having
perfect this
perfect received so much grace
having received grace from
the Father of Lights
Lights as obtain this
as to obtain this inestimable
inestimable gift gift
of Divine Wisdom,
Visdom, what more on on earth
earth should they they
desire, but that
desire, that it may be always
it may applied aright
always applied aright in in
obedience to the Divine Will, Vill, for for the benefaction
benefaetion of
mankind and vindication
vindication of true virtue? virtue ? For not
were they exempt from human ills,
only were
only they exempt having the
ills, having
means of abundant wealth, power, and health at their

means their
power,
command, but, but, moreover, they they had a manifest token
of divine favour, and sure promise
divine favour, promise of immortality
immortality in in a
life to come.
life come. Nor is is itit to be wondered, therefore,
therefore,
why philosophers,
why philosophers, when they they have obtained this this medi-
cine, have not cared to lengthen
cine, lengthen their their days,
days, or make a
parade of their
vain parade riches
their riches to the world which they they
despised,
despised, with every temporal
every temporal power power and advantage,
advantage,
in comparison
in comparison of that which, in in the acquirement
acquirement of
things, was by
these things,was their
by their art foreshown. Or who new now
having
having human perfectibility,
perfectibility, and a
prospect of a happy
prospect happy
immortality set before them in
immortality in a plain physical type
plain physical type and
experience,
experience, would rest in
in a mere
mere metalline good, like
good, like
Midas, who, preferring
Midas, who, preferring an earth-born harmony
harmony to the
music of the spheres,
spheres, was was dishonoured by by the god, god,
and bore evidence of his his misfortune in sight of the
in sight
whole world ??
Many prophecies
Many prophecies there are of times to come, come, and
days
those days are even said
said to be at hand, when the
hand,
Monarchy, which is
Fourth Monarchy, is the Intellectual reign reign of
Truth and Peace,Peace, shall predominate,
predominate, when the Mo-
ther of sciences will will come
come forth,forth, and greater things
greater things
be discovered than have been hitherto in in the past past
monarchies of the world. But we
monarehies we do not tarry tarry about
matters; the revelation of all
these matters ;
things is
all things is always
always
at hand for for him who knows how to investigate, investigate, and
the rest willwill be alvays
always far far behind. lf truly
If truly there
be minds prepared,
prepared, or if if the greatgreat era approaches
approaches
more rapidly than is
more rapidly given us
is given yet even in
us yet in faith
faith to
9
2 Proverbs, chap. viii.
Proverbs, chap. viii.
R,EVARDS
Rewards POTENCIES.
and Potencies.
AND 507
foresee
foresee (for notwithstanding so
(for notwithstanding many signs
so many signs thatthat are
appearing,
appearing, and signal
signal rumours
rumours of
of a coming change, yet
coming change, yet
they
they are fewer and far
far between and more rare yearly
more
yearly
which indicate progression of
indicate the progression of Truth) ; but if,; if, wewe
say,
say, a better
better age
age is
is approaching,
approaching, which at
at some
some
period
period
of time must come, when abundance of all all things
things
by an
by equitable
an equitable distribution
distribution of all,
all, shall
shall help to
help
break down the competitive competitive barrier
barrier of
of society, and
society,
introduce a alliance amongst
co-operative alliance
a co-operative amongst mankind,
then this this incentive inquiry may
incentive to inquiry may not be inoppor- inoppor-
tunely offered, to advance the foremost intellect,
tunely ojEFered, intellect, and
fix its
fix its dominion in self-discovery of truth.
in the self-discovery truth.
present time, when all
At the present all are more or less less
engaged in
eagerly engaged
eagerly pursuance of external advan-
in the pursuance
tages, and under penalty
tages, penalty of being
being cast into into the fieryfiery
iiurnace of the world's
fiurnace scorn, do fall
world's scorn, fall down and wor-
ship that earth-born goddess
ship goddess of temporal Utility, which
temporal Utility,
opinion has set up,
opinion it would be vain enthusiasm to
up, it
attempt to divert attention,
attempt attention, but for for a moment, from
so favoured an idol, were it
idol, were it not that in in the minds of
all, even
all, even its its most degraded votaries, there exists
degraded votaries, exists a
most real bitter sense of its
real and bitter insufficiency and la-
its insuiiiciency la-
tent deformity
deformity ; everywhere
; without, the evil
everywhere without, evil isis ap-ap-
parent, and presses
parent, presses closer as time speeds speeds on, fatally
fatally
accelerating as if
accelerating if it
it neared some attracting focus.
some attracting focus.
hope still
Yet hope lingers in expectation;
still lingers expectation and, with that
;
patience which is
abiding patience
abiding is the test of of' faith in in a good
good
cause, may may we
we continue to seek on, not vaguely
vaguely
around us us for
for passing excitements, but with steady
passing excitements, steady
perseverance looking within, until Conscience reveal
perseverance looking within,
to us those higher objects of pursuit,
higher objects pursuit, and truer attrac-
tions,
tions, which will
will not suiier
suffer the aspiring to them
mind aspiring
to fall purifying and corroborating
fall into dishonour ; but purifying
;
corroborating
they draw,
as they will, when at length
draw, will, length theythey are worthily
wôrthily
won,
won, unite with and transmute their worshipper into
worshipper
Harmony and Beauty,
that Harmony which, in the dim be-
Beauty, which,
holding, he venerated and loved.
holding,
" Begin to-day, nor end till evil
evil
"Begin to-day, till sink
In
ln its
its due grave;
grave and if
if at once
; we may
once we may not
—
508 Hsmus'ric Paacrierc.
Hermetic Practice.
the gi-eatiiess
Declare the greatness of the work we
of the we plnn,
plan,
Be sure atat least that ever
least that in our mind
ever in
It complete before
It stand complete before us, a dome
us, as a
Of light beyond this
light beyond gloom, a house of
this gloom, of stars
stars
Encompassing
Encompassing thesethese dusky ; a thing
tents; a
dusky tents thing
Absolute, close
Absolute, close to all, though seldom seen,
all, though
Near as our Hearts and perfect

as our the Heavens.
perfect as the
our aim and model, and our Hands
this our
Be this
Shall faint until
wax faint
Shall not wax until the work isis done."
done."
The Idea is
of the Good, the Pure, and the True is
the alluring
alluring object which we all
object all innerly worship-the
innerly worship the —
progeny of
progeny Intellect, immortal and strong-
Divine Intellect, strong
even Moral Beauty which, though
Beauty though obscurely now,
obscurely now, as
through the
through mists of sense and selfishness,
selfishness, ever shines
attractively —
our
attractively-our Polar Star.
Star.
"
"
When from
"Then irom the lips of Truth one mighty
lips of mighty breath
like a whirlwind, scatter in
Shall like
Shall in its
its breeze
pile of
The whole dark pile of human mockeries,
mockeries.
shall the reign
Then shall reign of Mind commence
commence on earth,
on earth,
And starting fresh,
starting fresh, as from a second birth,
birth,
Nan, in the sunshine of the Vorld`s
Man, in new Spring,
AVôrld's new Sprin ga
Shall transparent like
Shall walk transparent like some holy thing."
some holy thing."
Having much of the Hermetic Mys-

Having discussed thus 'much Mys-
tery, suggested certain particulars
tery, and suggested particulars concerning
concerning the
Practice at this latter end,
this latter end, which may may be unfamiliar to
the reader, we would repeat
reader, we warning to beware of
repeat our warning
hasty interpretation and trials
hasty interpretation skill, without a proper
trials of skill, proper
foundation laid study of the Hermetic records and
by study
laid by
scientific Laws of Art.
scientific Many things have no doubt
Many things
escaped
escaped us
us inadvertently;
inadvertently ; others we have dcsignedly
we designedly
reserved,
reserved, lest
lest falling
falling into incapable hands,
incapable hands, the highest
highest
trust of Nature should be betrayed,
betrayed, and the wây way of truth
become perplexed by duphcity
perplexed by duplicity in
in the pursuit.
pursuit. In vain
ignorant, in vain the avaricious,
the ignorant, —
avarieious,-the selfish,
the selfish, faith-
faith-
less, or
less, or frivolous, will in vain seek to percolate
frivolous, will percolate this
Mystery.
Mystery. The right-minded
right-minded and studious alone be-
nevolently, conscientiously,
nevolently, conscientiously, and rationally persisting
rationally persisting
to the end, will unravel it:
end, will it: and in thisthis ease
case each must
labour singularly
singularly for
for himself. The success of the
experiment,
experiment, as we
we have repeatedly
repeatedly shown,
shown, depends
depends
discovery of the true Intention. And this
on the discovery
on
— :
Rizwanns AND
Rewards POTENCIES.
and Potexcies. 509
being more or less

being involved in
less invôlved in every
every mind, is is not
clearly
clearly distinguishable in
distinguishable in all;
all nor are they
; many,
they lnany,
only, who have been found to enter
therefore, but few only,
therefore,
in by
in by the narrow way of
narrow way of life.
life. The talent
talent isis granted
granted
few, and for
only to a few,
only conditions are needful to
for them conditions
it forth
draw it increase; for
forth to increase for them we
; we have written,
written,
and to persuade
persuade those only only who may able amidst
may be able
so many heterogeneous elements of Nature, to dis-
many heterogeneous dis-
cern
cern the rational possibility by
rational possibility infallible touch-
by the infallible
stone of her Original
Original Light.
Light.
Tune
Tunc mentis divinze
divinse homines oraeula eaeea,
oracula caeca, ,
Volventes anime
animo ancipiti vix
ancipiti vix tempore longo,
tempore longo, / /
f
^^-^/
Experti
Experti multa, non parvis
multa, et non parvis sumtibus illum
illAm '
Invenere artem, qua non urs

qua non ars dignior ulla est,
dignior ulla est,
Lapidem Etheriuin,
Fingendi Lapidem
ringendi quem seire
^therium, quem profanis,
scire profanis.
Hand quaqnain
quaquam licet, et frustra
licet, et plebs improba
frustra plebs improba quserit.
quaerit.
Quem qui habet, ille
qui habet, potest, ubi vult
ille potest, decenter:
\'ult habitare decenter
Nee
Nec fortunae
fortune iram metuit,
metuit, nee brachia furuin,
bracbia furum,
Sed tanto paucos dignantui* munere divi.1
paucos dignantur divi.^
Injunctions likewise are frequent

Injunctions respecting the
frequent respecting
sacred nature of the ministration,
ministration, and of the responsi-responsi-
bility incurred by
bility even who are favoured in
by those even in the
undertaking, lest
undertaking, desiring too little
lest desiring little or presuming
presuming too
tar in
far self-suflieient pride,
in self-sufficient it should fall,
pride, it fall, and Satan
monarchy upon
establish a monarchy upon the most holy holy of works.
Does any any smile at the surmise? It is
It is of small ac-
count, so he be ignorant;
count, ignorant; those warnings
warnings do not apply, apply,
were ever meant to scare his
nor were his complacency,
complacency, who, who,
without the Light
Light of Reason,
Reason, would be least of all all able
to precipitate
precipitate itsits downfall. But lestlest the desire of
such a one should lead him to practise, practise, which
w^hich by
by
good
good fortune it
it may
may not,
not, we
we advise him of our our know-
ledge, and of the vindietive
ledge, Wisdom for the
Spirit of Visdon1
vindictive Spirit
justification
justification of her Rule-Ne
Rule Ne tu
tii augeas —
fatum En-
augeas fntum-En-
large not thou thy
large thy destiny —
Neither break a super-
destiny-Neither super-
ficies, as the Pythagoric
fieies, Pythagoric precept
precept runs-lest —
runs lest the sin sin of
the agent being multiphed
agent being multiplied in the patient,
patient, it
it should
survive in the unhappyunhappy offspring
offspring unto the third or
fourth generation.
generation. The Spirit Wisdom runs lov-
Spirit of Visdom
*^
Palingenius Zodiacus Vitae,
Palingenius Yitê, Theat. Cheni.
Chem. 2, p. 87.
2, p.
— ;
510 HERBIETIC Practice.

Hermetic PRACTICE.
by her
ingly by
ingly own Rule to
ovn to fulfil
fulfil it it ; but leaves
; leaves him to to
hopeless
hopeless confusion who abandons the Divine purpose
purpose
for accomplishment of
for the accomplishment of private
private ends.ends.
So the Israelites, that so wonderfully stiff-neeked
wonderfully stiff-necked
suffered for
race, suffered for their their rebellion
rebellion and selfish
selfish lusts;
lusts
falling
falling intointo a multitude of snares and misfortunes- misfortunes
fire, famine, and sword, and no less
by fire,
by less miserable capti- capti-
vity, by
vity, by the Divine command. And that
that those errors
might be guarded
might against, and that no presumption
guarded against, presumption
might
might thereafter
thereafter arise,
arise, the Lawgiver,
Lawgiver, in
in his
his book of
Deuteronomy,
Deuteronomy , instructs
instructs them to he
be grateful, humble,
grateful,
and mindful, throughoutthroughout the passage, of past
passage, past be-
nefits received,
nefits received, nor ever to murmur
murmur at the decrees
of God.
—
1
-ButBut thou shalt shalt consider in heart, he says,

thy heart,
in thy says, that
as a man man chasteneth his his son, so the Lord thy thy God
chasteneth thee. thee. Therefore thou shalt keep
shalt keep the com-
mandments of the Lord thy thy God,God, to walk in
in his
his ways,
ways,
and to fear fear him. For the Lord thy thy God hringeth bringeth
thee into a Good Land; Land a land of brooks of wâter,
; water, of
fountains,
fountains, and depths
depths that spring
spring out of valleys and
valleys
hills;
hills ; and of wheat,
wdieat, and'
and barley,
barley, and vines,
vines, and fig-
fig-
trees,
trees, and pomegranates
pomegranates ; a;
land
aland ofoil-olive,
of oil-olive, and honey
honey ;;
a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarce-
ness, thou shalt not lack anj'thing anything in in itit ; a land whose
;
stones are iron, iron, and out of wdiose whose hills hills thou mayest mayest
dig
dig brass. And when thou hast eaten and art full,
full, then
thou shalt bless the tl1eLord
Lord thythy God for
for the good
good land which
he hath given thee.
given thee. Beware that thou forget forget not the
Lo1'd
Lord thy God, in
thy God, in not keeping
keeping his
his commandments,
þÿCO1I11I1&Il(l[l1 and
¬11fS,
judgments,
judgments, and statutes:
statutes lest,
lest,
: when thou hast eaten
and art full, and hast built
a1°t full, built goodlygoodly houses and dwelt
therein;
therein ; when thy
and wdien thy herds and thythy flocks multiply,
multiply,
and thy thy silver
silver and thy
thy gold
gold is
is multiplied, and all
multiplied, all that
thou hast is multiplied:
is multiplied : then thy
thy heart be lifted
lifted up,
up,
and thou forget forget tl1e
the Lord thy
thy God,
God, which brought
brought
thee forth out of the land of' Egypt, from the house of
of Egypt,
bondage
bondage: who
: led thee through that great
through terrible
great and terrible
wilderness,
wilderness, wherein were fiery
wêre fiery serpents,
serpents, and seorpions,
scorpions,
drought, where there was
and drought, was no water wdio
no water; ; who brought
brought
— — :
REWARDS
Rewards and POTENCIES.
AND Potencies. 511
thee forth
thee forth water out of the rock of flint.
of the flint. Who
Vho fed fed
thee
thee in ill the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers
thy fathers
knew not; that He might
not that
;
might humble thee, thee, and that that He
might prove thee,
might prove thee, to do thee good
good at
at thy
thy latter
latter end:
end
and lest
lest thou say say in
in thine
thine heart My
My Power and the
might
might of
of lVIine
Mine Hand hath gotten
gotten me
me this
this wealth. But
thou shalt
shalt remember the Lord thy thy God ; for
; for it is He
it is
giveth
that giveth thee power
power to get
get Wealth,
wealth, that he may
may
establish his
establish his covenant which He sware unto thy thy fa-fa-
thers, as it
thers, is this
it is this clay.
day. And it it shall he, if
shall be, if thou do at
all forget the Lord thy
all forget thy God and walk after after other gods,
gods,
and serve them and worship worship them, I
I testify against you
testify against you
this day that ye
this day ye shall
shall surely perish?
surely perish.^
immortality is
For immortality only to be consummated in
is only in
union, and in
union, in the abandonment of the dual selfhood selfhood
its volition to the Divine Vill.
and its Will. Vherefore
Wherefore II ab-
hor myself,
myself, cries
cries Job, (when
(when all
all else
else deprived he
being deprived
being
renounced himself,)
himself,) and repent
repent in in dust and ashes- ashes.
Look on every one that is
on every proud and abase him,
is proud him, and
tread down the wicked in their place.
in their place. Hide them in in the
together, and bind their faces in
dust together, in þÿSCCl' Then
secret. ¬t.*T}IEN
VVILL I
will also confess
i ALso coxrizss unto thee
UNTO THEE thatTHAT thineTHINE OVN own
RIGHT
Right HAND Hand can SAVE THEE/2
CAN save thee.^
That was the path

path and promise
promise to blameless souls
men and prophets
which the wise men prophets constantly
constantly pursued,
pursued,
passing through
passing through cve1'y
every ordained discipline,
disciphne, ordeal rite,
rite,
and humiliation, in order that they
humiliation, in they might
might become con-
con-
formable to the Divine Perfection they they desired to

approach.
approach. Once delivered from the exterior bondages
bondages
of sense and heterogeneous desire, from the passions
heterogeneous desire, passions
and false affections of this
false affections this transitory
transitory life,
life, the final
final step
step
is declared comparatively
is comparatively easy transcending by the
easy; as transcending
; by
faith, from the
energy of faith,
energy separable selfhood,
separable selfhood, the
Identity passes into universal accord.
Identity passes aceord.-To To go—
go forth
and to return;
return therefore was
; was the agreement
agreement cut
off —
off-so says the C
so says abal
Qafbal7-Close—
Close thy eyes and meditate:
thy eyes
//
meditate :
yffa f'
1
1 Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy viii. from ver. 10.
viii.
2
'^
Job xl.
xl. 12,
12, &c. xlii.
Xlii.
512 I'IERME'IÌC Practice.
Hermetic PRACTICE,
and if heart fail

thy heart
if thy thee, return again
fail thee, again ;; since therefore
since therefore
it is
it is written,
written,
EGREDERE
Egeedeee et
ET eegeedeee,
BEGREDERE, et peopteeea
ET PROPTEREA pactum
PACTUBI
pk.ecisum EST.1
rnmelsuu est.'
This isis the work

work-this —
this the Hermetic method and its its
end The line
end: : line returns to form a a circle
circle into its be-
into its be-
ginning, and they
ginning, join not in
they join in time,
time, for their union is
for their is
Eternity.
Eternity. This, reader,
reader, is
is the true Christian Philoso-
pher's Stone, which, if
pher's if it
it be a chimera, then is
a chimera, is the
itself not stable,
universe itself stable, of which it it has been proven
proven
to be the most exact epitome,epitome, having passed the test
having passed test
experimental
of experimental reason not only,
only, but, analyzed
analyzed to the
last extremity
last extremity of contrite conscience,
conscience, is is confirmed in in
operation, visibility,
operation, visibility, and luminous increase, when
rising in
rising rational supremacy
in rational supremacy over sense and finite finite re-
flection, the Ethereal Hypostasis
flection, Hypostasis revolves in in its
its First
First
Cause.
I'
Zepliir Jezirah, cap.
Zephir cap. i.
i.
513
CHAPTER
C H APT ER IV.
T/ze Conclzzsiozz.
The Conclusion. _
clearly as the limits

ITT has been our endeavour, as clearly
prescribed by
prescribed by evidence and our
limits
understanding
understanding
would enable us, discuss the ground
us, to discuss ground and practical
practical
pretensions
pretensions in
in general
general of the Hermetic Mystery. To
Mystery.
explain
explain all require an extensive range
all would require range and a
closer
closer opportunity experience
opportunity of experience than has been hitherto
granted
granted us. Nor with these auxiliaries, perhaps, should
auxiliaries, perhaps,
we become more
we intelligible, since
more intelligible, since caution very
very usually
usually
observation, and the truth has been so
increases with observation,
increases
intricately, arbitrarily, many folds
in many
intricately, arbitrarily, and in folds enveloped,
enveloped,
and the cloud of witnesses is is such that it might
it might
puzzle Apollo
puzzle Apollo himself to explicate
explicate the whole Enigma
Enigma
intelligibly to the world.
intelhgibly wôrld. To induce research,
research, there-
fore,
fore, we pretend
we
pretend only
only to have signalized the Light,
signalized Light,
that any
any one
one fortunately perceiving, led along
might be led
fortunately perceiving, might along
by
by its attracting
its presence to the discovery
attracting presence discovery of Truth.
Evidence has constantly preceded, neither have we
constantly preceded, we
ventured manymany assertions of our own
own; but
; the repu-
repu-
table witness of individuals of various ages ages and nations,
nations,
whose names
names are renowned in in philosophy,
philosophy, have been
gathered together
gathered together in aid of this
this Inquiry, and in
Inquir}'', in sup-
sup-
port
port of the dignity
dignity of the Hermetic Science;
Science ; which
they have not only
they judged to be true,
only judged many add
true, but many
personal experience
their personal experience in
in conirmation,
confirmation, attesting the
attesting
reality
reality of the Philosopher's
The confection of this this miraculous substance,
substance, more-
over, they
over, they have helped
helped us to trace in
in theory from its
theory its
foundation in in the free
free Ether, through an
Ether, through artificial pro-
an artificial pro-
elaboration, into manifest effect.
cess of elaboration, effect. And the
Transmutation, they
principle of Transmutation,
principle they have shown to be re-
lating
lating not to Species
Species but to their Universal Subject,
Subject,
whose concentrated virtue the Stone likewise itself is.
itself is.
L L1.
514 CONCLUSION.
Conclusion.
And Man was the proper laboratory of

proper laboratory of the
the whole Art;
only
not only the
the most perfect
perfect chemical devised
apparatus, devised
apparatus,
by
by Nature for
for the distillation
distillation of
of her Spirit,
Spirit, but having
having
besides the whole fermentative
besides fcrmentative virtue,virtue, motive, and
principle of vital
principle vital melioration and every requisite com-
every requisite com-
plete
plete within himself, for
for the rectification
rectification and further-
further-
ance
prescribed Law
ance of her prescribed Law; mind and manual efficacy,
;
eflieaey,
it is
as it is narrated,
narrated, by
by the Divine Will, effect all
Vill, to effect all things,
things,
though
though concealed in
in this
this life
life by
by the external attraction
attraction
and obstructive energies
energies of sense.
This hidden capacity
capacity it it has been shown to be
the purpose
purpose of ofthe artifiee to explore
the Hermetic artifice explore ; and
;
adepts well-skilled, as they

that adepts they profess, in
profess, in the vital
vital
analysis
analysis of bodies,
bodies, by
by such means discovered the life
life of
man
man therein circulating to be a pure fire
circulating pure fire incorporated
incorporated
in a certain
in certain ineombustible
incombustible ethereal vapour also, that
vapour ; also,
;
the Universal Etlicient was in

Efficient was in this
this fire,
fire, and the diverse
kingdoms natu1'e, as it
kingdoms of nature, it were, bound together together inin the
threefold enchantment of his his natural Identity
Identity ; one of
;
only, the animal life,

which only, life, being developed to con-
being developed
sciousness, the other two,
sciousness, viz. the vegetable
two, viz, vegetable and mine-
ral, are known only
ral, only to those who have entered experi- experi-
mentally
mentally within to prove
prove the hypostatic
hypostatic action and
working essences in
passion of the working
passion in life.
life.
Partly,
Partly, also, authority of the Ancients,
also, on the authority Ancients,
coupled with certain other arguments,
coupled arguments, not altogether
altogether
speculative, we
speculative, We have been thence led to regard the
regard
Mysteries celebrated at Eleusis and the rest,
Mysteries rest, in
in a more
more
important
important light
light than heretofore;
heretofore; not as mere external
eercmonials, pictured
ceremonials, sufferings and beati-
pictured scenes of sufferings
tudes, but as real inductions of the Understanding
tudes, Understanding
Spirit to its
Spirit its Source.
And with the development
development of these Mysteries we have
Mysteries we
Alchemy ; and with these both,
been enabled to connect Alchemy ; both,
in
in their preliminary practice, the modern art,
preliminary practice, art, called Mes-
merism, strikingly
merism, strikingly accords ; which
; we
we have proposed
proposed
as a first
suggestively,
suggestively, therefore,
therefore, first key opening to the
key opening
vestibule of this Experiment,
Experiment, where sits Sphinx
sits the Sphinx
with her eternal enigma,
enigma, still
still to perplex intruders, and
perplex intruders,
open philosophers only
open to philosophers tl1e inner halls of Light.
only the Light.
CONCLUSION.
Conclusion. 515
Bearing these things

Bearing things inin mind, byby thc assistance of
the assistance ot'
the Greek Ontologists,
Ontologists, wewe have ventured, intimately
intimately
pursuing their course, to follow
pursuing their follow mysterious
mysterious Nature
through many
through intricate windings
many intricate windings and circumstantial
circumstantial
difficulties, into
difficulties, into her Initial
Initial Source; and there observed
after operating
her, after operating voluntarily
voluntarily about her ownown annihi-
annihi-
lation, to survive and establish
lation, establish a stable
stable monarchy
monarchy upon
upon
her redeemed Light.
Light.
Particulars, also, of
Particulars, also, of the metaphysical
metaphysical experience
experience we
delineate, and to show the catho-
attempted to delineate,
have attempted
Work
licity and causal reference of the Hermetic Vork
licity
throughout.
throughout.
From impediments
impediments likewiselikewise described,
described, and rare inin-
tellectual conditions, it
tellectual conditions, it has been shown why why the Divine
Experiment has been so seldom attempted
Experiment attempted and more more
rarely brought
rarely legitimate conclusion on this
brought to a legitimate this earth.
earth.
And why philosophers, in
why philosophers, in all considering the
ages, considering
all ages,
unfitness of of' the multitude, and fearful
multitude, consequences
fearful consequences
that might ensue from individual abuse,
might ensue abuse, have con-
their knowledge,
cealed their communicating almost by
knowledge, communicating by word
of mouth only practical device.
only the p1'actieal device.
If we
If we have been freer freer inin our expositions, the spirit
our expositions, spirit
was
was not the more reckless,
more reckless, but because the thresholds
of ignorance
ignorance are already overpast, and experiment
already overpast, experiment is is in
in
need rather of a motive to dignify dignify it than,§'practical
it than^practical
machinery. Vhat
machinery. What if if the darkness should contend with
and prevail
prevail awhile,
awhile, yetyet there in the centre the light light
will kindle and increase,
will increase, and gain strength to radiate
gain strength
upwards through the whole circumference,
upwards through despite of
circumference, despite
every
every eilort
effort of ignorant
ignorant selfishness and folly to
folly prevent.
prevent.
reason instructs that we
So reason we should have faith in in hu-
manity
manity as in the ultimate realization and prevalence
prevalence
good.
of good. But tiiey are all now incredulous who were
all now aan/
7^^^?^
formerly dreaded in
formerly in their belief;
belief; and under that safe
guardianship
guardianship we
we leave them,
them, happily supine in
happily supine in the
conviction that our conduct will will neither be attractive
or intelhgible, much less practically useful to the pro-
intelligible, less practically pro-
fane multitude of mankind. For although this Art of
although this
Alchemy is
Alchemy is eminently experimental and practical
eminently experimental practical in
its
its consequences,
consequences, yet vet it
it isis wholly unsuited to minds
wholly
L L L 2
;
5l6
516 CoNeLUs1oN.
Conclusion.
commonly
commonly so styled practical, who are impatient
styled practical, impatient of of
every
every proposition
proposition that is
is not immediately
immediately applicable
applicable to
afiairs of life.
the affairs life. F
For these the Hermetic Art is
or these no
is no
suited than they

more suited they forfor it;
it
; it needs a philosopher,
it philosopher,
antique mould, a
one of the antique a true loverlover of Visdom,
Wisdom,
who, for l1er sake, will
for her will devote everything
everything else,else, stu-
stu-
dious, simple,
dious, ardent, and withal suscipient
simple, ardent, suscipient of of appear-
appear-
truth.
ing truth.
ing
They who in
They in a kindred spirit spirit have pursued])ursued thisthis
Inquiry,
Inquiry, 1naymay have divined many things which will
many things will be he
hidden from the indifferent indifferent and thoughtless
thoughtless reader;
reader
for we have spoken
for principles with reference to
spoken of principles
practice, and in
practice, indirectly indicative
in an order indirectly indicative of the
genealogical method of ascent;
genealogical ascent even
; even that artistic
artistic fa-
fa-
brication of the Fire which Prometheus received from
brication
Vulcan, and Minerva disseminated providentially providentially for for
the sake of her luminous radix, lest it
radix, lest it should be smoth-
ered in irrational alliance,

our iiTational
in our alliance, and perish perish ungratefully
ungratefully
Without return.
without
cou1'se of this
In the course this vital experiment the ancients
vital experiment
discovered the whole of the philosophy philosophy they they teach,
quintessenee of Universal Nature and her fruitful
the quintessence fruitful
springs: by
springs : this pyrotechnical
by this induction, powers
pyrotcchnical induction, powers werewere
/ , conscience, the whole generative
revealed to conscience, generative original
original
/ -t/e, /
and those temptations
^^^ temptations whieh^Reason
which,_Reason alone, purified and
alone, purified
/ / singled out by
singled by Art for for the encounter,
encounter, is is able entirely
entirely to
withstand.
And that ray ray of motive Light, pure, vital,
Light, pure, vital, and
efficient, we have shown to be the true Form of Gold,
etlicicnt, we Gold,
the alone universal principleprinciple of increase and perfection,
perfection,
the same which in in the circulatory becoming
system, becoming
circulatory system,
dominant, is
dominant, is made concrete in in life;
life; and is is the trans-
mutative ferment--even —
ferment even the Philosophic Philosophie Stone.
And this is grand Hermetic secret,
is the grand secret, that there is is
Subject in nature,
a Universal Subject nature, and that SubjectSubject is is sus-
ceptible of nourishment in
ceptible in Man ; and this
; this isis the
Mystery, of all
greatest Mystery,
greatest mysteries the most wonderful,
all mysteries wonderful,
^^^^ ^^^
that man should be able to find the Divine Nature not
7'}ur{~(nJî . A
// snag but to effect
ftaiy, efiect It.It.
The philosophers
philosophers sought sought after WisdomVisdom for her own own
sake;
sake; for her beauty
beauty and bright divinity they
bright divinity they wooed
woocd her,her,
CONCLUSION.
Conclusion. 517
and gained
gained with her an ample ample dowry, silver, and
gold, silver,
dowry, gold,
the glittering
glittering treasures of of her creative
creative light
light inin abund-
ance. And some have dwelt gratefully these inter-
gratefully on these inter-
mediate benetits, them, but were, above all,
recording them,
benefits, recording all,
careful to celebrate
careful celebrate the primary
primary attraction
attraction which led led
them in in for discovery of
for the discovery life. And we have omitted
of life.
many things,
many things, which, to the many, might be more
many, might
attractive, even than gold
attractive, gold or silver,
silver, or a more remote
a. more
prospect of immortality;
prospect immortality ; for
for every desire is,
every desire in the
is, in
magic region, made prolific,
magic region, prolific, embodying itself, by
embodying itself, by the
ethereal conception,
ethereal conception, as a principle
principle to enact its its volun-
tary accord.
tary accord. But to allure
allure by by particular
particular promises,
promises,
however rich real, which might
rich or real, restrict to individual
might restrict individual
interests virtue which is
interests a virtue infinite, forms no
is inlinite, part of
no part
design;; man
our design man is
sufficiently bounded already
is sufficiently already in in
all—
all-howhow many
many ways
ways is is he not fettered, by the poverty
fettered, by poverty
his imagination
of his imagination and the littleness
littleness of his his love?
love ?
Having
Having run cursorily
then run through the circuit
cursorily through circuit of the
Hermetic Tradition, without attempting, attempting, however, to
include the whole length,
length, which would embrace a far far
wider field
field of philosophical inquiry than is
philosophical inquiry is commonly
commonly
imagine-d,it may be proper,
imagined, it may proper, inin conclusion, to consider the
several bearings
bearings of the same
same with respect to other sci-
respect sci-
ences, and their comparative
ences, comparative value to mankind at large. large.
Between the Physical
Physical and Moral sciences, com-
sciences, com-
monly
monly so called,
called, though there are links found indi-
though indi-
cative of a radical relationship,
relationship, yet yet each are through-
through-
out their departments divergent, and the class
departments divergent, class of mind
occupied by
usually occupied
usually by either is is distinct.
distinct. The former,
former,
based externally, having the senses for chief evidence,
externally, having evidence,
makes practical
practical utility
utility itsits end and only Whilst
value; whilst
only value;
the latter, having
latter, having its
its evidence and object
object alike Within
within
the mind,
mind, attaches less consequence worldly benc-
consequence to worldly bene-
fits, misprising
fits, misprising the lights
lights of sense also as inferior and
comparatively
comparatively insecure. And thus Philosophy
Philosophy stands
divnlsed at this day,
divulsed day, the Spiritual
Spiritual unable to prove prove
itself absolutely, or the Material to disprove
itself absolutely, disprove the other
practically;
practically ; they accordingly maintain on
they accordingly side a
on either side a
negative, though
negative, though 1'elatively assured, ground.
relatively assured, ground. Bat
But tl1e
the
;
5lS
518 Coxewsiox.
Conclusion.
Hermetic Science, supposing supposing this this indeed to to be wellwell

founded, would include
include both in the ample compass
in the ample compass of of
its experiment,
its experiment, as
passing
passing from either
either extreme of Mind
and Matter, to prove prove them, it arrives at
it arrives Catholic
at the Catholic
Efleet of Life.
Effect of Life. And here the external and internal
internal
worlds are said said to blend together in confluent
together in confluent har- har-
mony,
mony, establishing
establishing each other, and leaving
other, leaving reason no-
more to doubt or the senses
thing more
thing desire, but aa ful-
senses to desire, ftil-
filment under the Law.

,1 jj2. If then, in
lf contrariety to every
in contrariety every popular prejudice,
popular prejudice,
^
^jr<v-^ ^ I and on the of
yet imagine this Art of Alchemy
can yet imagine this
experimental
experimental foundation
all the learned cavils
all
of
philosophers, we
on the lonly^.eyidence,J of defunct philosophers, we
Alchemy to be real, real, and an

science, notwithstanding
notwithstanding
cavils and clamours of disappointeddisappointed
chemists that have been raised against it
raised against it ;-if
;
—
if it
it be true
that the1'e
there is is a Subtle Nature pervading
pervading the universe,
universe,
which is is the All in susceptible of arti-
thing and susceptible
every thing
in every arti-
ficial
ficial alteration
alteration all
through all ;
through ;and if man by
if man his
by his especial
especial
prerogative of Reason and rectitude of purpose
prerogative purpose is is able,
able,
development of these,
by a development
by these, to advance and bear the
life
life within him through
through dissolution into a new new birth,
birth,
superior
superior to nature beyond the reach of elementary
and beyond elementary
discord to destroy;
destroy ; and if all this
if all this has been accom-
through
plished, passed through in
plished, passed in the conscious experience,
experience,
and proved
proved demonstratively in facts,
demonstratively in facts, visible deeds, and
visible deeds,
effects; then,
effects; then, these things supposed,
things supposed, and experience
experience
being the admitted test of
being philosophy, will
of philosophy, will itit not fol-
fol-
low that theirstheirs was
was the right
right and true philosophy,
philosophy,
which at the vertex of a double ignorance ignorance has been
forgotten and despised
forgotten despised ??
For the experience
experience of intellect would, under the sup-
intellect would, sup-
position,
position, be esteemed pre-eminently
pre-eminently above that of sense,
sense,
inasmuch as the one one revelation is is naturally superior
naturally supei'ior
and acknowledged,
acknowledged, eveneven in this life,
in this life, before the other
other;
and that kind of evidence would be necessarily pre-
necessarily pre-
ferred by
by all
all which is
is universally
universally inclusive and leading
leading
out from the Causal Fountain into natural effect. effect. But
by no
by reason that comes
no reason sense will
comes from sense will such an evi-
an evi-
dence be obtained,
obtained, nor shall we we ever learn, without
ever learn,
ldentie eo-operation, how Nature works,
Identic co-operation, works, or by by what oc-
CONCLUSION.
Conclusion, 519
virtue the
cult virtue
cult the grain
grain of of wheat is is even instigated,
instigated, so
that it
that grows and bears
it grows bears itsits abundant increase
increase upon
upon
earth.
earth. All our knowledge
our knowledge without the experience is
experience is
empirical, the result

empirical, only of
result only of observation of of remote
effects.
effects. And therefore Alchemy has been declared
therefore Alchemy declared to
be the only glass of the mind, which shows how
only true glass
to enter, and to touch, and to discover
to enter, discover the Truth in in
her own simplicity
simplicity and univocal demonstration. Nei-
ther does it it therefore bring
bring so many many arguments,
arguments, as
might be, to prove
might itself, since
prove itself, since the evidence is is self-
self-
sufficient, and without itself
suflicient, itself cannot, however truly truly
imaginable, be known. Such a demonstration would
imaginable,
stand above all all common-sense conclusions,
conclusions, above ima-
gination, opinion, and all
gination, above opinion, proof, which
logical proof,
all logical
is barren without self-knowledge,
is self-knowledge, and isolated isolated and l#"~/
^^^JjxA-.y^
crring upon the pla-ue
erring upon plane of Truth. /
this/,is the only
Yet thisîs only guide
guide we we now of,
now can boast of, ^^/rfuaocM
j_
which, if
which, if stable inin its own criterion,
its own criterion, yet being de-
yet being `;3°1°<»°ZZ§;
Jî^j^^c^tty
pendent on externals for

pendent for matter and practical pur-
practical pur-
suit, fiuctuates, and hence many
suit, fluctuates, evils arise
many evils arise and those
diversities opinion which distract
diversities of opinion distract mankind. The
world,
world, so imperfectly ruled, has instituted
imperfectly ruled, instituted a sort of
free-will standard of its own
its own; ; men will
men will believe as
they like,
they like, see or not see, assume
see, assume suits their
as suits
convenience,
convenience, or reject
reject their own criterion
own criterion at plea-
plea-
sure,
su1'e, even testimony of their own
even the testimony own highly
highly esteemed
senses when these do not tally
sober senses, ^
tally with their pre- pre-
conceived prejudices,
prejudices, interests,
interests, or hopes. But it
hopes. it is
is
evident, irrespective of all

evident, irrespective all particular objections, that
particular objections,
true science does not consist in in the exhibition of phe- phe-
nomena,
noinena, neither can
can anything short of the Causal Dis-
anything
covery fulfil the Idea of Truth.
covery fulfil The doubt would not
superiority of Causal science,
rest therefore about the superiority science,
if
if it possible, but whether it
it were possible, it be truly
truly possible
possible or01'
not. lf the philosophy

If philosophy of the tl1e Ancients is is without a
foundation, if
true foundation, if there is is not any
any other essence of
things
things besides that which is
is apparent and has a sensi-
apparent
subsistence, then the Physical
ble subsistence, Physical will indisputably be
will indisputably
first and only
the first science; but if
only science ; if otherwise there is is
proved
proved to be a
a certain immutable Being
Being of all, pre-
all, pre-
520 CONCLUSION.
Conclusion.
existent sensibles, which can bc

existent to sensibles, proven in
be proven in intellect
intellect
and confirmed in in sensible phenomena, as the
sensible phenomena, the Al-
chemists and Greek metaphysicians
nietaphysicians assert, assert, then this this
will
will be prior, sm'er, and the best
prior, surer, best philosophy.
philosophy.
To those in in whom the spirit spirit of observation
observâtion has been
wholly drawn to externals, it
wholly may have seemed a ridi-
it may ridi-
culous thing
thing to speakspeak of of life intellect indepen-
life and intellect indepen-
dently, apart from their
dently, as apart their manifest operations;
operations ; still
still
more so to enter on
more specific idioms and modes of spi-
on specific spi-
ritual subsistence, seeing-
ritual subsistence, seeing we we have no no tangible
tangible proof
proof
calculated by means to satisfy the searchers of ex-
any means
by any satisfy
science;
act science that
; life is
as life is nowhere seen apart apart from
organization, or moral consciousness from either,
organization, either,
phenomena little
they are phenomena,
they likely to be discovered
little likely
practically understood.
apart or practically
apart —
understood.-Against Against such an an opi-
opi-
nion wewe have no no present demonstration to offer
present offer; our
; our
own
own assertion
assertion would
wôuld add nothing nothing to the authorities
authorities
already cited;
already cited inquiry is
inquiry
; is only antidote of ra-
the only
tional
tional scepticism.
scepticism. For this
this we we have laboured to sup-
sup-
ply means and the natural subsistence of Universals
ply means; ;
in the human mind may

in may afford a ground ground of probability
probability
wdience proceed into
whence to proceed their proof.
into their proof. That we we are de-
prived of the power

prived power of apprehending
apprehending the ancient doc-
trine
trine of internal Wisdom is
Visdom proof that it
no proof
is no is untrue ;
it is ;
there isis a strongly

strongly enchanted fortress
fortress about it, it, whose
yield not either to impertinent

forces yield curiosity or the
impertinent curiosity
peremptory demands of sense. Nor can all
peremptory all the ne-
gative evidence of sensual certainty

gativê certainty inin array
array disprove,
disprove,
or for an instant nullify, assertions which belong to
for an nullify, belong
another Experience
Experience and another probability probability of Art and
Nature.
will it
But, will
But, it be objected,
objected, that which has never never been
in our
in thought, things
our thought, things so far far above us, nothing
us, are nothing
to us? Truly, if
Truly, if beyond
beyond our our possible attainment,
possible attainment,
they would be indifferent;
they indifferent; but benefits are not the
less real because unexpected,
less unexpected, or promises promises to be cast east
away
away because the means
means of fulfilment are not im-
mediately discernable. The evils
mediately evils of this life
lite are mani-
fold,
fold, and a prospect
prospect of escape,
escape, or
or melioration even,
even,
will
will not be obnoxious to those who are fortunately
are fortunately
CONCLUSION.
Conclusion. 52]
521
perceive it.
able to perceive
able it. Neither let it
Neitiier let it be supposed, that
supposed, that
the Wisdom
because the Visdom of the ancients transcends, that it
ancients transcends, it
mcans contradicts
contradicts human reason, but quite
any means
by any
by quite
that was, in
otherwise ; that
; truth, the
in truth, the basis
basis of their philo-
of their philo-
sophy,
sophy, which is
is with us
us the boundary
boundary and summit of
knowledge. That Faith alone,
our knowledge.
our alone, indeed of all all else,
else,
remains to us in in common
common-in — in that wewe are, we we have a a
witness which believesbelieves and infers,
infers, a reality beyond
a reality beyond
experience ; and hence it

present experience
present ; it is in vain that meta-
is in
inductively arguing,
physicians, inductively
physicians, arguing, have sometimes en- cn-
deavoured to reduce the Idea of Cause to mere ante-

juxta-position in
cedence or juxta-position in time.
time. The instinct
instinct of
human nature is constantly opposed
is constantly opposed to them, and be-
be-
lieves,
lieves, heedless of all
all doubt and diliicult
difficult discussion.
discussion.
For Power is is latent everywhere,
everywhere, and we feel it
we feel it in
in the
recognize
shadow, and recognize its
its presence spontaneously
presence spontaneously in in
every
every action of life.
life. Striking upon
Striking upon this
this Faith therefore,
therefore,
in default of its
in default object, and taking
its true object, taking to witness
some of the closer
some closer records of transcendental experience,experience,
we have hoped to awaken the imaginative centres to
we hoped imaginative
such an accord as might might stirstir Reason from her long le-
long le-
thargy
thargy to seek for
for genuine
genuine reminiscence in
in her root
of Light.
Light.
"
" Thougli from our
our birth the faculty
faculty divine
Though
Is chained and tortured, cabin'd,d, cribb'd,
tortured, cabin' cribb'd, confin'd,
confin'd,
And bred in
in darkness, lest the light
darkness, lest light should shine
brightly on the uninstructed mind,
Too brightly inind,
The beams pour in, and truth and skill
pour in, may couch the blind."
skill may blind."
Were
Vere it it not that the ancients acknowledge and uni-
acknowledge
formly
formly insist
insist on
on the use means for
use of means for removing
removing thc the bar-
riers by
riers by which the Divine Light
Light is
is here held in
in thraldom,
thraldom,
we might more consistently
we might more Wisdom ,
despair of their Visdom
consistently despair ;
but itit was avowedly

avowedly thing acquired,
a thing acquired, the reward only
only
of peculiar
peculiar and arduous discipline;
discipline not
; such as mere
mere
logic or the mathematics now
school logic afl"ord, but as dif-
now afford, dif-
ferent and far far above as was
was the promise and ultimate
promise
aim. No modern institutions,
institutions, either secular or or re-
ligious,
ligious, furnish anything
anything analogous,
analogous, no
no effectual
means
means of moral elevation,
elevation, no no rites
rites of purifying
purifying or or
awakening
awakening etlicacy
efficacy to the mind. We
Ve plant
plant and in-
in-
522 Coxcrusiox.
Conclusion.
knowledge, and give

crease knowledge, precepts and devise
give precepts devise ex-
amples,
amples, and draw forth
forth the faculties their
observing faculties to their
observing
superficial contentment;
superficial contentment but all circumstantial
all our circumstantial
our
;
labours do not rectify rectify the mind, or turn the inbred

inclination
inclination out of life.
life. Circumstances indeed do mo- mo-
dify, and, according

dify, and, according as they
they are Well
well or ill
ill devised,
devised,
deteriorate the habitual character of
improve or deteriorate
improve of man-
man-
kind ; but they
;
they do not recreate; no power
recreate ; no power that is
is not
vital can touch the evil
vital evil that is
that is inbred, or
inbred, or even discover
discover
it truly
it truly without introspective
introspective proof proof. That which
generation
generation binds dissolution
dissolution only only can unloose-the
unloose — the evil
evil
must be met by by its
its proper antidote, overcoming
proper antidote, overcoming dark-
ness by Light in
by Light hypostatical alliance;
in the hypostatical alliance ; every
every ac-
cessory
cessory means
means of melioration will
will be preparative to
preparative
this,
this, which restores the human mind to integrity and
integrity
unive1°sal science.
universal science.
Man has never been observed to advance himself
individually through adventitious acquirements;
individually through acquirements ; but,
but,
on contrary, the increase of luxury,
on the contrary, luxury, to which
thought is
thought is now applied, enervates the moral character,
now applied, character,
fosters selfishness
fosters selfishness by competition, fraud,
by competition, fraud, and emulous
hate.
hate. Institutions,
Institutions, framed by
by the same
same defective pat-
pat-
tern, multiply
tern, multiply the evil,
evil, as every
every advance we
we make in
in
externals leads us us further od' off from the First First Source.
And until WisdomVisdom shall have eflected effected that individual
reformation,
reformation, which above all
all things we
things now need,
we now need, it it is
is
vain to look in in externals for a perfection perfection and feficity felicity

which have not been imaged imaged there. We
there. Ve may may alter,
alter, and
improve, and educate,
improve, educate, and prepare prepare the way way with ad-
vantage
vantage; ; but the notion will
will be variable, and every
variable, every
plan
plan defective without the Exemplary
Exemplary Light. Light.
But some
some oneone still
still considers the discovery discovery impossi-
impossi-
ble, or,
ble, or, if
if possible, yet
possible, yet that this Wisdom
'Wisdom is
is too diffi-
diffi-
perhaps in
cult perhaps pursuit? To the former objection,
in the pursuit? objection,
supposing it
supposing inveteratc, we
it to be inveterate, we oppose
oppose nothing,
nothing,
having
having nowhere undertaken to convince,
convince, but only to
only
promote
promote investigation. Incredulity
investigation. Incredulity is
is the strongest
strongest
barrier of possibilities
possibilities over the world, world, no doubt wisely wisely
provided
provided to prevent
prevent a too rapid
rapid movement of mind
practice,
into practice, before it
it is
is well prepared
prepared and disposed to
disposed
;
CONCLUSION.
Conclusion. 523
pursuit of
the pursuit truth.
of truth. Vith respect
With respect toto the difficulties
difliculties
of
of the pursuit,
pursuit, we we have nowhere denied them, or
that they insuperable to the
they are insuperable common herd of man-
the common man-
kind.
kind. Vithout
Without an earnest desire desire of discovery,
discovery, the
will be frustrated, and labour will
faith will
liveliest faith
liveliest will be vain
unless reason give give direction
direction to the persuasion of
persuasion
faith. But how hardly can these either subsist
faith. hardly either subsist with-
out the other ?? since since faith
faith isis the very attracting load-
very attracting'
stone which hope pursues, and desire
hope pursues, desire and reason, and
willing armament of Mind, to which, in
the whole willing in her
allied forces,
allied nothing is
forces, nothing impossible ; or what apparition
is impossible ; apparition
difficulties would deter conviction steeled
of difficulties steeled to the
purpose of her Motive Light?
purpose Light ?
Or does any persisting to calumniate this
any one, persisting this Philo-
sophy,
sophy, say
say it
it threatens to sacrifice
sacrifice important
important temporal
temporal
interests for
interests for the sake of visionary visionary and remote gains? gains ?
objections however will
Such objections will not be rational,
rational, but
spring out of the baser affections
spring affections of humanity
humanity and
short-sighted sense. The eye
short-sighted eye is satisfied with see-
is not satisfied
ing, nor is
ing, is the ear filled filled with hearing,
hearing, nor nor does any any
transitory good
transitory good sufliccsuffice to human desire desire; above
; all,
above all,
there is is no selfish object worthy
selfish object worthy the pursuitpursuit of In-
tellect ; nor is
tellect ; is any recompense found corre-
worldly recompense
any worldly
sponding
sponding to its its need. But the proper object of the
proper object
faculty is
rational faculty is in
in its Source, which lies
its Source, profoundly
lies profoundly
buried in this life
in this life of sense. And this it it is
is the province
province
of the Hermetic Artifice to resuscitate and bring bring
through self-knowledge into the experience
through self-knowledge experience of life.
life. For
this same Root of Reason is

this same Wisdom, and that saving
is Visdom, saving
Salt which philosophers
philosophers were wont anciently
were
anciently to exca-exca-
vate and by by so many many circulating
circulating media to exalt. The
diadem of Wisdom Visdom is ulu buuiti with this Stone,
is e:£H==b'65Et Stone,
which,
which, as a halo or crown light, the regenerate
of light, regenerate soul
puts
puts onon as a new new body,
body, wherein it it can rule overover the
elementary
elementary world and pass through it, overcoming
pass through it, overcoming evil evil
and falsehood,
falsehood, and ignorance
ignorance and death.
To the faculty
faculty of Reason,Reason, therefore, nothing is
therefore, nothing more
is more
attractive than this philosophy, philosophy, which immortalizes it;

it
yet,
yet, will it
it be argued,
argued, there are other faculties
faculties of the
human mind equally equally real,real, if important, and
if not as important,
—
52-l
524 Coxctusiox.
Conclusion.
which ought
ought not to be despised?
despised? Neither, we reply,
we reply,
is faculty of
any faculty
is any the soul repudiated in
soul repudiated in that supernal
supernal
alliance ; all
alliance; but all are present
present togethertogether in in obedience to
their
their rightful rule
rightful rule and hahitude
habitude ;; or if
if any one is
any one is re-
fractory during
fractory during the passage,
passage, it is it is the occasion of suf-
suf-
fering
fering to the better natures,
better natures, which are all
all engaged
engaged
voluntarily in
voluntarily in the restitution
restitution of of their
their King.
King. But if if
they all
they all must he sacrificed
be sacrificed for for the sake of him who is
is
their source, would not this

their expedient, rather than
this be expedient,
that he should continue in in an illegitimate thraldom
an illegitimate
under all?
all? Such is
is not the ultimate necessity of the
necessity
case however;
ease however ; for
for the [)l'L'L'/I)`ClI
bn'thren all
all are renewed to-
gether
gether with him, and every dignified
every dignified sentiment is
is Set
set
in accord,
in accord, to testify
testify and maintain the triumphant
triumphant Mo-
narchy of Light.
narchy Light.
And what more alluring alluring to a cultivated Imagination Imagination
than this pursuit, which abounds in
this pursuit, ideality and the
in ideality
beautiful symbolism
beautiful syinbolisni of universal truth, which discovers
truth,
springs of Classic inspiration,
the occult springs inspiration, tradition,
tradition, my-my-
thology, tablc,
thology, fable, and every graceful
every graceful remain?
And will
will not Veneration,
Veneratioin, too, intimately invited
too, be intimately
by
by the prospect
prospect of its
its own
own antique worshipful Idea-
antique worshipfiil Idea
there where,
where, in
in the presence
presence of Divinity, Divinity, true awe is is
felt,
felt, and man
man discovers and knows the perfect good-
perfect good-
ness, whieh profanely
ness, which profanely without the tc1nple's temple's veil veil he
cannot, or unless the understanding
cannot, understanding is is absolutely
absolutely con-
cou-
_joincd
joined? ?
And are not Hope Hope and Benevolcnce
Benevolence interested in in
this research,
this research, and Justice longing
longing for
for an
an
equilibrium,
equilibrium,
and Self-respect and Kuty Hirst-y, and every
every honourable ino- mo-
aaa-ay,
uXJi^xA-U^
/
^^^^ Self-respect
tivc allied??
tive herein allied
,
And to know the First Truth of

things really
things experimentally, and to revolve the
really and experimentally,
Light in
Causal Light permanence of intellection,
in permanence intelleetion, isis not this
the highest
highest privilege
privilege that man
man may propose
may propose to himself?
And when we we are told that all things are added to that
all things
felieity, that the springs

felicity, springs of Universal Nature,Nature, with her
growth
growth and fruits,
fruits, are at our
our
delegate disposal,
delegate disposal, if we
if we
believe, what else
can believe, else is
is worthy
worthy our
our whole desire?
desire ?
And what kind of science, supposing it
science, supposing real,
it real, would
be so conclusive as this, this, which exhibits all things in
all things
— ;
CoNeLUs1oN.
Conclusion. 525
their
their constructive Causes, such as
constructive science
no other science
a.s no
does,
does, or
or other conviction can do,do, but that
that only
only
penetrating, enters into
Identically penetrating,
which, Identically into the Vhole
Whole
of Existence ??
Let no one therefore
no one therefore conceive that that this philosophy
this philosophy
is unattractive, which
is unattractive, wl1ich has occupiedoccupied the best best faculties
faculties
of the best minds, and at
ofthe at the tnp'^'^^^
iaepsaaast summit of ot" their
their
capacity. Nor are the rewards so
capacity. so remote, eithereither as inin-
dolence and adverse inclination
inclination may may cause them to ap- ap-
pear.
pear. But if if inferior interests should yet
inferior interests complain, as
yet complain, as
in danger
in danger of their
their dominion,
present dominion,
present and pride or
pride
avarice, or ambition or ignorance,
avariee, ignorance, accustomed to rule rule
in
in this life,
this life, should disdain the subaltern station station which
Di\dne Law assigns
the Divine assigns to them, them, let let not one one enlist
enlist or
be drawn by by promises,
promises, however lest
alluring, lest they
alluring, they be
deceived and swallowed up up in
in the gulph
gnlph of their own
their own
overwhelming
overwhelming delusion.
delusion. As who would wish it should
it
otherwise, unless it
be otherwise, it were to generate generate evil evil by by the
viperous progeny
viperous progeny of self-love
self-love ?
?
Should it considered, on
it be considered, on the other hand, hand, that tl1e the
research of Causes is is altogether
altogether impious,impious, and above
capacity of man,
the destined capacity man, and vain, since, as Job
vain, since,
says,
says, by sea/'c/ling
no one by searching can Jind out the
_/ind the Almighty
Al/zzig'/zty
pelfeciiou-we
to perfection — we would observe,
observe, with respect
respect to this this
last assertion, that it it isis easily explicable ; for
easily explicable for though
last assertion, ;
though
it is eminently
it is eminently true that man, man, searching
searching in in his
his ownown
will
will alone,
alone, is is incompetent
incompetent to the Divine Discovery,
Discovery,
yet, by conditionating,
yet, by conditionating, in in obedience to tl1e the Divine Will, Vill,
he comes into the integral integral alliance and power power-
K/IOC/1' and it
Knock shall /ze
it S/ml! opened unto you,
be opened you, ask and ye ye s/ml!
shall
receive, your joy may
receive, that _your_jo_y may Izepzll.
befall.
With
Vith respect
respect to the charge charge of impiety,impiety, should this this
persist,
persist, the evil
evil is
is inherent in the preposterous idea,
preposterous idea
nor can we
nor
pains just now to vindicate the
we be at the pains just now
most sacred science from such an an aspersion

aspersion; but re-
;
commend those who really really think in this way,

way, with the
already warned off,
rest already desist from inquiry,
oH`, to desist inquiry, nor
give
give heed to the subject
subject as long
long as tl1e
the fatal
fatal suggestion
suggestion
lurks 5 lest it
; it should become manifested forth in some
in some
practical form of pusillanimity,
practical pusillanimity, or faithless
faithless attempt to
attempt
interrogate
interrogate the profundity
profundity it
it fears.
fears. There is nothing
is nothing
:
526 CONCLUSION.
Conclusion. ^,
an A
impure,
impure, or or of itself impious, mnnli ]nni Wm* Art of Wis-
itself impious, Vis-
dom, long distinguished as holy.
long distinguished holy. But lo /22111 that
to him that
esteems a thing
cstecms thing 1111clea11,
unclean, as St. says, it
St. Paul says, it isis 1111-
un-
clcan, for
clean, for the
the thought will defile
thought will defilc it.
it. HONI
Honi SOITsoit QU1qui
MAL Y PENSE. Let not this
MAL t/zis good
good t/zen
then be be evil
evil spoken
spoken
J All things indeed _71ure,'
t/:ings are iiideed pure but
but it is evil
it is evil for
of.
li/Ill! man 10/10
that 211011 ivho eateth t/ze bread Q'
þÿ ¬(lfCl/I
the
;
/Ufe u'it/10fe11ce.-
of life ivith offence. —
The Art of Alchemy is
of Alchemy all Arts tlaeaefeve
is of all distin-
thQrofoi'c distin-
guished as holy,
guished since it
holy, since it has been piously
piously occupied,
occupied,
and aided the most devout minds,
minds, inin times past,
past, to the
attainment of their common end. Not that we
their common we would
insinuate that salvation is
that human salvation dependent on
is dependent on aa
mere art-far
mere art —
far otherwise ; the Divine `Will
; operates its
Will operates its
fulfilment alone ; but the Art is
fulfilment ; is said
said to be a remedy
remedy of
offers the means
souls, and offers
imperfect souls,
imperfect assimilation:
means of assimilation
knowledge of
whether a knowledge means is
of these means is absolutely
absolutely neces-
sary, we dare not take on ourselves to determine-the
sary, determine the —
power of God is
power Adepts declare that He
infinite; but Adepts
is infinite ;
always revealed them to his

has always his elected
elected children.
If
If doubt yetyet further should arise this Wisdom
arise about this Visdom ; ;
seeing she did not reveal herself in

seeing in common
common arts and
the discoveries of human'invention

human invention ; it may be plainly
it may
; plainly
observed that such particulars foreign to the Di-
particulars are foreign
purpose, they
vine purpose, they are foolishness to her her; she teaches
;
an Art which supersedes

supersedes allall these and comprehcnds
comprehends
liberal science in
every liberal
every in sublime freedom of intellcction
intellection
and every discovery ill
suho1'dinate discovery
every subordinate in her revealed accord.
Yet who will will now believe??
now believe
It is by
It is by the searching proving of His own
searching and proving own Iden-
tity, no otherwise,
tity, otherwise, that man man can arrive at the assur-
ance of this Wisdom, which is
this Visdorn, is above science, art, and
science, art,
every other kind of faith;

every faith which
; includes all
all know-
arts, and every
ledges, arts,
ledges, particular
every particular which the inquiring
inquiring
Spirit seeks within itself. This isis that Vell
Well of Hera-
Spirit itself.
clitus in which the Truth yet

clitus yet lies profoundly hidden ;
lies profoundly ;
whence also those philosophic

philosophic tears. This is is that
Nothing which Socrates knew,
Nothing knew, on account of which
pronounced him to be the wisest of man-
the oracle pronounced man-
kind ; which Democritus,
; Democritus, beholding, laughed at other
beholding, laughed
things: it
things : was this which warned Friar Bacon from
it was
CONCLUSION.
Conclusion. 527
the error of his ways, and convicted Agrippa

his ways, Agrippa of the
vanity
vanity and confusion of
of his
his youth,
youth, when at
at length
length in in
his
his manhood he came to know know^ that to know No-
thing was the most happy
thing happy life.
Hfe. For he who in in such
wise knows Nothing-no
wîse —
Nothing no one one apostate —
particular-has
apostate particular has
All, and, being
the All, composed
being composed of the whole,
whole, he is
is able
able
discern, to make, and to effect
to discern, effect the whole ; but falling
; falling
off Iioin
off this, in
from this, in becoming dividual, he ceases to be
becoming dividual,
again, however, into
returning again,
the Universe : returning
: into the Uni-
versal and abandoning
versal abandoning the selfhood,
selfhood, he raises
raises himself
on high,
high, and governs
governs the world.
And when we we consider the highly highly elevated philo- philo-
sophy
sophy of the Platonic successors profound yet
the profound
of
successors;
the
;
Hebrew
yet .
/
j /)
/tiuraaéa,/1
/Oi/t^xOZ^
f
^
simple metaphysics
simple metaphysics Gfrbai,
€aifti, as it
it has
been partially transmitted, with a persuasion
partially transmitted, persuasion of reality
reality
unequalled
unequalled in
in modern language;
language ; the soul-stirring
soul-stirring
syllables of the Hermetic and Chaldaic Fragments
syllables Fragments ; the
;
reiined enthusiasm of the Middle Age

refined Age Adeptists
Adeptists ; and
;
all these and many

all many more separately agreeing in
separately agreeing in the same
same
divine tradition ; and,
; and, added to these all, all, the Christian
doctrine of fulfilment
fuliilment in in the Gospel
Gospel ; we
;we cannot but feel feel
regret, mingling with the satisfaction these things
regret, mingling might
things might
otherwise afford,
afford, that so early early and great promise of
great a promise
the human mind should have been bhghted, blighted, not only, only,
but forgotten
forgotten almost in world. Or can
in the wôrld. can we recall such
wê recall
hghts without reflection,
lights reflection, and incuriously
incuriously believe that
knowledge wâs
knowledge granted to man
once granted
was once man by revelation, but
by revelation,
since, we
has since, we cannot tell why, passed
tell why, passed awayaway forfor ever?
ever ?
Are we we the children of a second fall, or what spell
fall, spell
holds us that we wê no longer
longer aspire even to understand
aspire even
the language
language of our Fathers, or desire to pass
our Fathers, pass into the
life
life of those elder times,times, when Man, Man, not yet yet always
always the
poor servant and interpreter
poor interpreter of Nature,
Nature, moved under
his God,
God, her Lord and Master? Are we we not all all born /
/ /
of one generation, in the same
one generation, same surrounding world
surrounding world; #he ; LW
^be- "T^fez f-
identical sun sun now enlightening us as formerly
now enlightening us
formerly shone
upon
upon the bards and hallowed sages sages of Asia Minor?
Yet, whilst they
Yet, they so manymany centuries ago ago bear testimony
testimony
knowledge of their Creator and his intimate
to a knowledge
works, we
works, we continue stillstill in
uncertainty, blind and
uncertainty,
528 CoNeLus1oN.
Conclusion.
baflled
baffled þÿCVGl'yWl] ¬l`Cabout the
everywhere the beguilements
beguilements of of sense.
No longer for ourselves, life
careful for
longer careful is wasted on
life is on ex-
ternals, which, always
ternals, always ungrateful, yield
ungrateful, yield new
new burdens
perplexities in
and perplexities proportion as
in proportion they increase.
as they increase. The-
oretie is everywhere
science is
oretic science condemned but there is
everywhere condemned; ; is
no such thing
no
thing at this day
at this day since, with all extolled
all her extolled
;; since,
artiiiee, disciplines and powers,
array of disciplines
artifice, array powers, the Wisdom
the Visdom
Antiquity has disappeared
of Antiquity fron1 amongst
disappeared from men.
amongst men.
And to what are we arrived without her? Even at
we arrived
pinnacle of external science,
proudest pinnacle
the proudest science, the whole
explored, and facts
physical nature explored,
physical facts of allall generations
generations
accumulated together
together before our eyes,
eyes, what
wdiat should we w'e
wiser without the Causal knowledge
be wdser knowledge of these things? things?
What single
\/'hat advantage have we
single advantage we gained
gained by rnisprising
by misprising
the ancients? Those low, low, literal,
literal, spiritless interpre-
spiritless interpre-
tations
tations of poetic fable and philosophy
poetic table philosophy-what —
wdiat satisfac-
satisfac-
tion have they afforded?? Or of what use will
they afforded will they
they
ever be, but to memorialize our ignorance ignorance to future
generations? It
generations? is true,
It is they have flattered
true, they flattered our self- self-
complacency for
eomplaeeney for awhile into a belief belief that former Vis- Wis-
dom wâswas foohshness, and that men
foolishness, men never lived in
never lived in
reality who were

reality wxre moremore knowing, religious, and vir-
know'ing, religious, vir-
tuous than ourselves. But then the evil evil far outlives
far outlives
the temporary gratulation of those conceits^
temporary gratulation coneeits/ which
stripped the Ideal Standard of all
have stripped all excellency,
exeellency, and
imagination of its
shorn the imagination its brightest
brightest hopes
hopes of beauty,
beauty,
goodness, and immortal truth.
goodness, truth. All has been swept swept
away with a remorseless hand ; all
away wdth ; all veneration and faith faith
in ideality, whilst sense has been the acknowledged
in ideality, acknowledged
hght, and prazetieal-utility
beacon light, praotioal utihty the highesthighest good.
good.
(<j0/b/J'/&/ Is
Is it
it not full return, when
full time to return, wdien things
things are arrived
/
at the preeipiee self-oblivion, w
precipice of self-oblivion, when
hen experimental
experimental phi- phi-
losophy labours for
losophy for selfish aggrandisement, and self is
selfish aggi'andisement, is
least of all all served in attempt; when thought
in the attempt ; thought
wastes its eternal substance in the pursuit
its ete1'nal time, and
pursuit of time,
the idea of Truth is mangled in
is mangled machinery
in the reckless machinery
Error ? Has not Lord Bacon himself,
of Error? himself, the leader of
this extcrminating
exterminating chase, whilst endeavouring
chase, wdiilst endeavouring to super- super-
sede the bare exercise of logic, logic, and clear the field field of
Learning in his
Learning Imzzzgurrztion, recommended the pu1'-
his Inauguration, pur-
—
CoNeLUs1oN.
Conclusion. 529
suit of Causes above every

suit of every other, and taught,
taught, by his
by his
own energetic
own
example,
energetic example, to
to inquire
inquire of the ancients, and
after their
experiment after
to experiment their hidden Wisdom,
Visdom, though though he
knew it not,
it not, but only
only burned about thc lights which
the lights
they
they had bequeathed
bequeatlied ?
? What
Vhat more, then, should we
then, we
add to exhort,
exhort, extol,
extol, or explieate, having
explicate, having studied
studied to /^__
,,Qa/6%
-,
revive theseând
revive theselxand relies
relics of the Sacred Art long
long buried aUf^-^^
in oblivion?
in oblivion ? If their
If their witness is disbeheved, addition
is disbelieved,
would be uselessuseless ;; ifif otherwise,

otherwise, we await the result. result.-
It would be as impossible
It impossible in
in an exposition
exposition of this kind
this
to conciliate
concihate all tastes, as to draw divergent
all tastes, divergent prejudices
prejudices
into accord. There is is one
one pleasure horse, another
pleasure of a horse,
of a dogdog: : a goat
goat difièrs
differs from either
either in
in his
his natural
choice and in
choice; ; in man
man eveiy various inclination
every inclination is
is to be
found, and a multifarious understanding understanding in

in the affairs
affairs
of life
life ; so that those arguments
; arguments which to some some would
wôuld
be convincing,
convincing, by by others are not discerned, or needed
by many
by many more
more who are endowed with an instinctive
an instinctive
faith and appreciation.
faith appreciation. Truths which are
grateful to
grateful
certain persons
certain persons are odious to others, according as they
others, according they
may
may be constituted or
habitually
habitually trained. In this
this In-
quiry, therefore,
quiry, therefore, we we have sought sought to attract those
chiefly
chiefly to whom such a pursuit would be naturally
pursuit naturally
pleasing, and such as have been customarily
pleasing, customarily esteemed
worthy of the reward.
worthy
With
Vith respect
respect to the practical benefits. our hopes,
practical benefits, hopes,
though
though not enlarged,
enlarged, are vigorous vigorous and of the most
grateful kind,
grateful kind for
; for those to whom it it is
is addressed the
Light will attract,
Light will attract, and to them will will not be moderately
moderately
useful, if
useful, they advance by
if they by it it to the true end.
That the subjectsubject is is worthy

worthy of inquiry inquiry from the
highest order of minds,
highest minds, we we repeat
repeat ourour persuasion,
persuasion, and
at the same
same time entertain a belief belief that the period period is is
not farfar distant when this will be obtained, obtained, and the
truth, by
truth, by these means,means, be so manifestly presented be-
manifestly presented
fore the eyes eyes of all, all, that contrary prejudices, and
contrary prejudices,
doubts, and false
doubts, false inte1'ests,
interests, will will be mergedmerged in the
revelation of power irresistible fact.
power and irresistible fact.
The catholic torch, torch, miraculously
miraculously kindled, kindled, kindles
Light of Universal Nature,
the Light Nature, and either exter-
M
M M
M
530 CONCLUSION.
Conclusion.
nally or internally,
nally internally, morally physically, or in
morally or physically, in all
all
ways, according to
these ways, according to the application,
application, works
through every
from thence through every part,
part, diffusing energy, life,
diffusing energy, life,
and joy, in either

joy, in either of of the three kingdoms,kingdoms, as we we
have shown, by by its
its voluntary assimilation, increas-
voluntary assimilation, increas-
ing and promoting
ing promoting things
things to theirtheir utmost boundary
boundary
of strength.
strength. But,
But, above all,
all, it
it rejoices in
rejoices in the Mind
of Man, when,when, in in conscious rectituderectitude of thought
thought
action,
and action, he bears it
it in
in comprehensive superiority
comprehensive superiority
elect over the rest-when,
elect rest — including all
when, including all in
in the ca-
tholic perceivance
tholic perceivance of
of this
this Reason, he submits his own
his own
omnipotence
oninipotence to the oniniseienee
omniscience of its
its Rule-when
Rule when —
Nature opening
opening upup to him the vast resources of her
essence and the mystery
mystery of the most wonderful crea-
tion, with every
tion, every temptation self-idolatry laid
temptation to self-idolatry laid open
open
view,
to view, oblivious of all
all else
else in
in admiration and love of
Wisdom and integral
so much Visdom perfection, he co-operates
integral perfection, co-operates
with the First
First Cause.
Some may may consider we we have openedopened too much,
little of a mystery
others too little mystery irrelevant to the common common
understanding
understanding of mankind,
mankind, and no
no doubt our conduct
is blanieworthy
is blameworthy in in other respects;
respects ;
yet
yet those for
for whom
whon)
we have laboured will
we will not prove ungrateful
prove ungrateful if
if they
they
attain to the end of our
attain proposed discovery.
our proposed discovery. For the
discovery of
discoveiy the Causal Nature is
ofthe is doubtless of all all parts
parts
of knowledge
knowledge the worthiest to be sought after, it
sought after, if
if it be
possible
possible to be found; and,
and, as to the possibility, they
possibility, they
computed for ill
are computed for ill discoverers that think there is no
is no
land because they they discern nothing

nothing but sea. —
sea.-Believe
Believe
it,
it, then, beyond the turbulent sea of sense,
then, beyond sense, there is is a
haven and signalsignal marks to direct where the Promised
Land is is to be found. And Life is is the nucleus of the
/^ /} whole Hermetic Mystery, Mystery, and the Key Key thereof is is feitcl-
hafels
A-C^/Cc lent-;
4ect ; the golden
golden ore of which,
which, likewise,
likewise, we
we have lavishly
lavishly
/ shown. If, however, the Key
lf, however, wanting, how may
Key be wanting, may we we
presume
presume to enter
enter; ; or,
or, without it,
it,
explain
explain the intricate
intelligence of those mirific wards which were
intelligence were con- con-
structed by by it,
it, and for it
it to through,
pass through,
pass and for it
it
alone? They, They, we

we
repeat,
repeat, who can
can understand the
language of'
language philosophers, will understand their
of the philosophe1's,
CONCLUSION.
Conclusion. 531
Art ; for this

Art; for this we l1ave opened
wc have the way
opened the only, which if
way only, if
any
any one will
will consent to travel
travel in,
in, we
we assure him of
success, but not otherwise;
otherwise for neither was
for ; this re-
was this 1'e-
search undertaken indiscriminately,

indiscriminately, nor can it
it be pro-
pro- •
y,
secuted without a congenial »I;ig=ht. But he who
congenial 4^î4. ^<L^/(yC.
desires enter, let
desires to enter, let him search for for the
the Root of of Reason ^
rationally, and hold by
rationally, It, and conspire
by It, conspire with if he
It, if
It,
would have Truth at at last.
last. He who knows the first first
entrance, and how to render the fixed tincture

entrance, tincture of life life
volatile, and to return it,
it, being free, is
being free, already
is already admitted
temple of Divine Science,
to the temple Science, and joinsjoins inin with the
whole conclave
conclave; because, through
;
through all
all the interior re-
interior
cesses, the method is is allied.
allied. Let him search into into the
enigrnas, peruse the fables, and consider the parables
enigmas, peruse parables
and maxims of the wise Adepts.
Adepts. They They all all tend to one
discovery, and declare the same,

discovery, same, and even in in their
their
inconsistencies will
inconsistencies will be instructive to him who has the
Key. And he who sets
Key. sets himself in this
himself' in this wise to the
philosophy, will
comprehension of the whole philosophy,
comprehension will be a
competent labours, how much assistance
judge of our labours,
competent judge
we
we have added towards the recovery of lost
recovery Wisdom,
lost Visdom,
and with what sincerity we have opened
sincerity we opened the way
way
pernieating into those antiquated
permeating antiquated abodes of Light.
Light.
THE END.
THE END.
Stevens
M and
dC Pt
Co., Printers, BlldT
Bell Yard, Temple
UB Bar.
y
H711 he
Will be published shortly,
published shortly
THE ENIGMA OE
OF ALCHEMY AND
(EDIPUS RESOLVED.
POEM IN FIVE PAETS.

A I'OEI[ PARTS.
DESIGNED TO EHICinATE
DFQIKJNFD T0 THE
irtcmxrxf THF
FABLES, SYMBOLS, AND OTHER MYTHOLOGICAL

BIYTIIOLOGICAT, DISGUISES,
IN
TN WHICH THK
\'lllCH THE
HERMETIC ART
HERMHTIC ART
BEEN ENVELOPED AND SIGNALIZED IN VARIOUS

HAS BEEN
HAS 'ARI()U§ AGES;
IN
ECCLESIASTICAL CEREMONIES, MASONIC FORBIUIEE,

CEEEMONIES, MASONIC FORMUL.^,
ASTUOiS'OMICAL
ASTRONOMICAL SIGNS AND
AND CONSTELLATIONS,
THE EMBLAZONMENTS OF
EVEN THE OF CHI-
AND
VALRY, HERALDIC BADGES, AND
VALEY,
OTHER EMBLEMS,
EMBLEMS.
explanation have been

Which without explanation handed down,
handeil down. and which are shown
Shown to
originated in
have originated same mystic
in the same mystic school;
school ; through each particular
through tracing
particular tracing
their allusion to the
MEANS AND MECHANISM

MEANS AND MECHANISM
OF Tins
UNIVERSAL
UNIVERSAL SCIENCE.
SCIENCE.
it is
Hereby it
Hereby is hoped only to draw the attention of the curious, but to offer
hoped not only
a
a new incentive to inquiry,
new prospect real,
inquiry, a prospect beautiful, and more
real, beautiful, more fruitful than
heretofore to the
Qllmiring lllllassir
^tlmuing an!! Qtubeut
ClaiSSic antJ of '/Snricnt
^tutJjnt nf Snncnt Itsarning.
Itfarmng.

1850 Anonymous Suggestive Inquiry Into The Hermetic Mystery

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1850 Anonymous Suggestive Inquiry Into The Hermetic Mystery

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—

THE HERMETIC MYSTERY

AN ATTEMPT TOWAEDS THE EECOVEEY

entirely and baflle

There isis doubtless some temerity in making

impossible, and the

But many things have in

ledge has proved

times, when iaith

against setting limits to nature

interests establish her domain.

taste ;; as who will

investigations as are not immediately

In former times even

energy and refinement

are held in traditionary honour to this

veloping medium would

nor taken any

obtained by disciplining and effec-

tual the Rational Faculty,

rable testimony rational evidence ; and, al-

tecedent Law ;; by this

progress or wisdom until

mind away sensibles and fix

mination have appeared fanciful, and are lightly

repeatedly shown, and may

dence fluctuates so with its

respect of those things

since every thing, whether abstract or actual,

rather than confirms, the evidence of the

opinion, and the sceptical

ultimate defect; prove all

its original intention, and degenerated

compound of Nature into her Formal

Science. Effects indicate

byrinth to the human intellect

thermore, senses, as he admits,

shining and sometimes hiding

actually now, after

ray of the First

opposed tl1e syllogistic

practically set forth, from

imagination and mere

tional inquiry never explain

clear language of conviction,

powers which he commonly

things him, with the germ

man was once

filled intellect of that period

depict. For since Ontology

capability, above referred to,

self-knowledge in the Divine Antecedent of

sake of the liberal and sincere lovers of truth,

particulars should seem obscure in

tracing the Hermetic tradition

persuade the studious that the Art

to be; but the wonderful offspring

Albertus Magnus, Aquinas, Friar Bacon,

CHAPTER — The Golden

MORE ESOTERIC CONSIDERATION OF THE

through temporary death and annihilation

made concrete and substantially brought

particularly from the Greek Ontologists