The Chemical Theatre, Vol. IV

disposition. The Latin text begins with "positione," completing the word "dispositione" from the previous page. And that imbalance original: "intemperamentum" we wish to be signified by the letter G, occurring in the conversion from D and F into G.

Neutrality, a neutral middle ground, or moderation original: "mediocritas", is the disposition in which the actions of its subject conduct themselves in the manner of a middle point, for the preservation of the species, as far as the beginning of sensory experience is concerned. This is to be signified by the letter E, which descends from B and F, returning into D, by which C is formed—just as we promised to explain in the "Practice," which is the second part of this book.

Since we have said our Theory original: "theoricam" is divided into three parts, and from those parts it befits you, my son, to descend i.e., to move from abstract theory down to practical application, you must therefore consider that all parts of the theory are understood in two ways. First, by taking the terms more strictly than they can be grasped according to the nature of their categories, according to what they are in themselves. And second, sometimes according to how they are direct and closer signs, by nature, to some relationship that can be signified through knowledge within bodies capable of being balanced.

But, son of learning, the first consideration is to proceed properly in the order of intellectual or cognitive original: "intellectivæ" teaching, just as you will find declared in the treatise on questions, in the chapter on questions of the Abbreviated Art Abbreviated Art: Ars Abbreviata, one of Lull's foundational works on his combinatorial logic system, specifically in the tenth question. The second book of this science and art is completed from that basis. This is because a noble memory, a noble instinct, and a noble desire must be placed and fixed in the heart of the craftsman, to whom our secret must be revealed—a revelation that is moved by the Creator of all intelligence.

Because, by the consideration of this second part, without doing violence to nature, we will set forth the requirements of our mastery mastery: magisterium, the alchemical process of creating the Philosopher's Stone or the "Great Work" through a process revealed to us divinely. We shall also present our secret, which is the perfecting instrument of our entire mastery and of all nature; and we will show and teach that secret to the "son of the art." If he be faithful and good, he shall not reveal it—especially to the enemies of the sons of art and science, nor to those who work against nature.