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