Page 39 - Paracelsus Three Books of Philosophy

cannot more fitly be compared to any thing than to fire, which we strike out of a hard
flint, flaming and burning contrary to all natural knowledge. As that hidden fire breaks
forth, and burns; in the same manner and form is the essence brought into its nature.
Here consider, that in the beginning there was but one thing, without any inclination
and form, from which afterwards all things came forth. That rise or original was no
other but as a temperate colour, suppose purple, having no inclination in it to any other
colour, but plainly to be seen it its just temperature. Yet in it are all colours. The red,
green, azure, yellow, white, black colour cannot be separated from it. And every one
of these colours have many dark colours come from them, yet every one thoroughly
and rightly tinctured by itself. And though various and contrary colours lie hid in them,
yet all are hid under one. After the same manner every thing had its essence in the
Great Mystery, which afterwards the Supreme Workmaster separated. Crystal will
strike fire, not from a fiery nature, but from solidity and hardness. This also hath the
other elements in it, not essentially, but materially, viz. the burning fire, the breathing
air, the moistening water, the black and dry earth. Besides all these it hath all colours
(but hidden in it) in the mixture of their qualities, as fire in steel, which discovers itself
neither by burning, nor shining, nor casting any colour. In this respect all colours and
all the Elements are in every thing. If any be desirous to know how all things should
thus come and penetrate into all things, he must believe that all this came to pass and
was exactly and accurately ordered by that only One who is the former and architect of
all things.

Although Nature, as we have said, be invisibly in bodies and substances; that
invisibility comes to a visibility by means of those bodies. As [this invisible body] is the
essence of every [thing], so is it visibly seen in virtues and colours. Invisible bodies
have no other, but this kind of bodily consideration. Therefore observe, that invisible
things have all the elements in them, and do operate in every element. They can send
the fire and virtue of their element out of themselves; they can send forth air, as a man
does his breath; also water, as a man doth urine; they have the nature of earth too, and
come from the earth. Take it thus, the liquor or moisture of the earth doth boil daily,
and sends on high that subtle spirit which it had out of itself. Hereby invisible things
and the firmament itself are nourished, which without a vapour cannot be. Things
incorporeal can no more live without meat and drink than corporeal things. Therefore
stones grow out of the earth, but from a spirit like their own nature. Every stone draws
its own spirit to itself. From such like proceed ghosts and fiery dragons, and many
more. If then invisible things as well as visible be conversant in their essence, it is from
the nature of the Great Mystery, as wood is set on fire by a candle or taper, which
loses or wastes nothing thereby. And though it be not corporeal, yet it must have that

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