PREFACE.

Preface.

Be, I pray, O WISDOM-GOD original: "HHOCHMAH-EL." From the Hebrew Chokmah (Wisdom), here personified as a divine entity., my sister! O UNDERSTANDING-GOD original: "BINAH-EL." From the Hebrew Binah (Understanding)., my friend! Proverbs 7:4.

...and strangely enough, poked right under my nose. Now then! The name of the LORD be praised.

CHAOS. a Also known as Brant, b In the dedicatory letter of the Practice of Theoretical and Empirical Medicine,

¶ Regarding the little word CHAOS CHAOS: In alchemy, this refers to the Prima Materia or "First Matter"—the raw, disorganized substance from which the Philosopher's Stone is created., the mocker will also amuse himself and play the fool quite skeptically regarding alchemical confusion or muddle-headedness. Sensible people, however, do not allow themselves to be led astray by fools. The learned physician, Walter Bruel a speaks of it thus b: Even if, he says, that alchemical CHAOS may appear vile in appearance and seem devoid of all life, it nevertheless nurtures within its bosom that which can signify that the alchemists’ highest veils and enigmas are not mere dreams. Add to this that there is nothing in the entire school of philosophers that can more certainly persuade us of the resurrection of our flesh (and indeed with great renewal and glory) than that alchemical CHAOS, or as they call it, Philosophical [Chaos]. Thus he says. Bruel is arguing that the way alchemists transform "vile" matter into something glorious is the best physical proof that the human body can be resurrected by God. The testimony of this excellent man is rightly worth more than the mockery...

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