Ripley reviv'd, or, An exposition upon Sir George Ripley's hermetico-poetical works containing the plainest and most excellent discoveries of the most hidden secrets of the ancient philosophers, that were ever yet published / written by Eirenæus Philalethes ...

The Earthly grossness therefore first morti∣fied in moisture, &c. This principle may not be denied, &c. Which had, of whiteness thou mayst not miss, &c. And if, &c.

THe cause of all these strange altera∣tions in one Glass, on one subject, with one decoction, without laying on of hands, is from the internal disposition of the Compound, which at the first is gross and Earthy, therefore in decoction it becomes very black, it being the na∣ture of all moist gross things, by the Fire to acquire such a colour. And this is ac∣cording to the intention of all Philoso∣phers, that although thou seekest white

and red, yet thou must at first make black, before thou canst make white pro∣fitably.

But when once thy Matter is become truly black, rejoyce, for this death of the Body will be the quickning of the Spirit, and then both Soul and Body will unite into a perfect whiteness, which is our Kingly Diadem.

The end of the sixth Gate.