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I. QUare maneat corpus in aqua donec solvatur in pulverem novum, in fundo vasis & aquae, qui dicitur ci∣nis niger, & haec est corruptio corporis quae vocatur à sapien∣tibus Saturnus, AEs, Plumb∣um philosophorum, & Pulvis discontinuatus.
II. Et in tali putrefactione, & resolutione corporis tria signa
apparent, scilicet color nigèr, discontinuitas partium, & o∣dor foetidus qui assimilatur o∣dori sepulchrorum.
III. Est igitur ille cinis de quo philosophi tanta dixêre, qui in inferiori parte vasis reman∣sit, quem non debemus vili pendere.
IV. In eo enim est Diadema Regis, & Argentum vivum nigrum, immundum à quo ni∣gredinis debet fieri purgatio, decoquendo continuò in nostra aqua donec elevetur sursum in album colorem, qui vocatur Anser, & Pullus Hermogenis.
V. Quia qui terram rubeam denigrat & albam reddit, ha∣bet magisterium, ut etiam ille qui occidit vivum, & resusci∣tat mortuum.
VI. Dealba ergo nigrum, & rubefac album, ut perficias o∣pus:
VII. Et cum, videris albe∣dinem apparere veram, quae splendet sicut gladius denuda∣tus, scias quod rubor in ista albedine est occultus.
VIII. Ex tunc non oportet illam albedinem extrahere, sed coquere tantum, ut cum sicci∣tate, & caliditate superveniat citrinitas, & rubedo fulgen∣tissima.
IX. Quam cum videris cum tremore maximo lau∣dabis Deum optimum maxi∣mum, qui cui vult sapien∣tiam dat, & per consequens divitias, & secundum ini∣quitates eripit, ac in perpe∣tuum subtrahit, detrudendo in servitutem inimicorum, sui laus, & gloria, in saecula saeculorum.
I. WHerefore let our body remain in the water till it is dissolved into a subtil powder in the bottom of the vessel and the water, which is called the black Ashes: This is the Corruption of the Body which is called by Philoso∣phers or Wise Men, Satur∣nus, AEs, Plumbum Philo∣sophorum, & Pulvis disconti∣nuatus, viz. Saturn, Latten, or Brass, the lead of the Philosophers, the disguised powder.
II. And in this putrefacti∣on and resolution of the bo∣dy,
three signs appear, viz. a black color, a discontinui∣ty of parts, and a stinking smell, not much unlike to the smell of a Vault where dead Bodies are buried.
III. These Ashes then are those of which the Philo∣sophers have spoken so much, which remained in the lower part of the Vessel, which we ought not to un∣dervalue or despise.
IV. In them is the Royal Diadem, and the black and unclean Argent Vive, which ought to be cleansed from its blackness, by a continu∣al digestion in our water, till it be elevated above in a white Colour, which is call∣ed the Gander, and the Bird of Hermes.
V. He therefore that maketh the red Earth black, and then renders it white, has obtained the Magistery; so also he who kills the liv∣ing, and revives the dead.
VI. Therefore make the black white, and the white black, and you perfect the Work.
VII. And when you see the true whiteness appear, which shineth like a bright Sword, (or polished Silver) know that in that whiteness there is redness hidden.
VIII. But then beware that you take not that whiteness out of the Vessel, but only digest it to the end, that with heat and dryness it may assume a Ci∣trine colour, and a most beatiful redness.
IX. Which when you see, with great fear and trem∣bling, render Praises and Thanksgiving to the most great and good God, who gives Wisdom and Riches to whom soever he plea∣ses: And according to the wickedness of a person, takes them away, and withdraws them for ever again, depres∣sing him even to the bottom of Hell, To him, I say, the most Wise and Almighty God, be Glory to the Ages of Ages.