Page 27 - Book of Crates

dominates the unique matter; these substances are ten only as names.
But every time that one of these ten substances acquired a new
colouration, we gave it a name, although it was always the same
principle, that is, the lead of which I taught you the nature. It is
understood as the various, mixed substances, coupled and closely joined
together one with the other, in order to provide a homogeneous whole.

“Each of the properties carried in itself the substance to which it
corresponded. It assimilated and made itself more solid and non-
fleeing, which was consolidated more and more. Such is the unique
matter of which I spoke to you and which the philosophers distributed
between numerous operations and various colours, without, however,
ever agreeing, either on the substances, on the colours, or on the
operations. Some gave the names of solid substances, and others the
names of liquid substances. I delivered to you the explanations which I
had agreed to make known to you on this subject, while clearing it of
all obscurities of which one had enveloped it; I separated, thanks to
God, all the mysteries that surrounded the implementation of the
practice of this book, mysteries that the philosophers had piled up
intentionally, to prevent them from obtaining the results indicated in
concise and easily intelligible terms.”

“Now,” I said, “give me the explanation of this unique matter, that
you call lead; and of this water, that is, about the water which is made
of it. Why did one name this combined product the unique matter?
Finally go to the height of your goodness while explaining it all to me
and while condescending to give me your complete confidence. You
will have the right then to the complete recognition of the crowd of the
knowledgeable, and God, because of it, will fill you with his benefits.
Especially, be clear.”

“In this lead,” he answered, “there are the four natures similar to
those that one finds in this world, and the sought secret, which was the
reason for the successive deaths of the men. These four natures have
various colours: one is white; the other red; another black. Some
destroy each other when one mixes them, to form an homogeneous
whole where the black dominates, and the white is then contained in the
interior of the substance, which is covered and enveloped by the black

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