Page 11 - Paracelsus Three Books of Philosophy

sensible and insensible; yet were not all things that grow, nor the living creatures, nor
such like things formed therein: but thus are we to consider of it, that it left and
assigned general mysteries to all things, that is, to men and living creatures and those of
one sort it gave a mystery to propagate themselves after their own form. In like
manner it bestowed a peculiar mystery on every other thing to bring forth its own
shape by itself. From the same original also (which the primary mystery ordained)
spring those mysteries from which another mystery may be produced. For a star (alias
muck) is the mystery of beetles, flies and gnats, etc. Milk is the mystery of cheese,
butter, and such like. Cheese is the mystery of worms that breed in it. So again worms
are the mystery of perished cheese. And thus there are two sorts of mysteries: the
Great Mystery, which is uncreated; the rest, being of the same kindred, are called
special mysteries.

Now seeing it is plain that all perishing things did spring and arise out of the
uncreated Mystery, we must know, that nothing created was brought forth sooner or
latter one than another, nor this or that thing apart, but altogether and at once. For the
greatest secret, to wit, the goodness of the Creator did create or lay all things together
upon that which is uncreated, not formally, essentially, or by way of qualities: but
everything lay hid in the uncreated as an image or statue does in a piece of timber. For
as the statue is not seen till the waste wood be cut away that so it may appear: so is it
in the uncreated Mystery, that which is fleshly or sensible, and that which is insensible,
both came forth and got to its own form and kind by a right and instituted separation.
Here was no hacking or hewing, but every thing passed into form and essence, etc.
Never was there workman anywhere to be found accurate and industrious in
separation, who with like skill could make even the least and lightest grain useful, and
put life into it.

Understand it thus, not as if a house were built out of the Great Mystery, or that
the living creatures were first gathered together and laid in an heap, and then perfected,
nor the other things that grow likewise: but as a physician makes a compound of many
virtues, though the matter be but one, wherein none of those virtues appear which lie
hid under the same. So must we think, that all sorts of creatures under heaven were set
in order and put into the Great Mystery, not perfectly according to their substance,
form and essence, but after another subtle manner of perfection (unknown to mortal
man) whereby all things were shut up into one. We all were created of that which is
frail and mortal, and are born much after the manner of Saturn, who in the separation
of himself brings forth all forms and colours, yet none of them appear visible in him.
Since then the mysteries of Saturn yield such like procreations; much more doubtless

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