Page:Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus Vol I (IA cu31924092287121).djvu/267

 in alum. Such, too, is the case with Mercury. There is one kind in metals, another in gems, and so on as before. Yet these things are still only three. One essence is Sulphur, one Salt, one Mercury. Add to this, that all these are still more specially divided. Gold is not one but manifold, as also a pear, an apple, is not one but manifold. There are, therefore, just as many Sulphurs of gold, Salts of gold, Mercuries of gold. The same remark applies to metals and gems. As many sapphires as there are, some more valuable, others more common, so many Sulphurs of sapphire, Salts of sapphire, and Mercuries of sapphire are there. The same is true of turquoise and all other gems. All these things Nature holds, as it were, as in one closed hand, from which she puts forth every separate kind, the best and noblest that she has. Thus, she contributes metals to one genus, and divides that genus into other and various species, all comprising metals. In this way the three primals are to be understood, namely, that they embrace as many created species as grow; and yet they are only composed of one Sulphur, one Salt, and one Mercury. As a painter with one colour depicts numberless figures and forms, no one of which is like another, so Nature is like that painter. In this alone they differ; Nature produces these things with life, while the painter produces only dead ones. Nature's productions are substantial; the painter's are mere shadows.

Then again, the reasoning about colours leads to a similar conclusion. On that head, notice this brief information, that all colours proceed from Salt. Salt gives colour, gives balsam and coagulation. Sulphur gives body, substance, and build. Mercury gives virtues, power, and arcana. So these three ought to be combined, nor can one exist without the other. God gives life to those whom He has predestined to derive it from these as it has seemed good to Him. Now Nature herself extracts the colours from the Salt, giving to each species that colour which is suitable. The body which is appropriate to each it takes from Sulphur. Thus, too, the necessary virtues are derived from Mercury. So, then, whoever wishes to learn the bodies of all things must before all else make himself acquainted with Sulphur. Again, he who desires to know colours must seek his knowledge from Salt. He who wishes to learn virtues let him scrutinise the secrets of Mercury. So he will have laid the foundation for examining the mysteries of every growing thing as Nature has infused these mysteries into each separate species. But you should know that Nature has mixed up such bodies, colours, virtues, one with the other; yet with a little effort it is possible for any one who will, and to whom God gives the power, again to separate them, to form, colour, and endow them. You see and know how it wakens our wonder when from a dusky black seed emerges a tree adorned with its bright and joyous colours, with leaves, fruits, and flowers. This mystery of Nature, as it exists in flowers, is so sublime and great that no one can fully investigate it. God is very much to be admired in His works, and from the contemplation of these one ought not to withdraw by night or day, but constantly to take delight in the study of them. This is in the truest sense to walk in the ways of God.