The Testament of Raymond Lully

Concerning the definitions of this art, the complaint of nature, and what theory and practice are.

CHAPTER 1.

Real entities, standing in their primordial and succeeding principles original: "principiis"; the fundamental building blocks or elements of matter, provide the knowledge and the means of understanding the nature of bodies, of intermediaries, and of known extremes. These are the cause of their true permutation and transmutation, according to their roots, within a spherical form and permanent species through their own dispositions. This is possible insofar as they are permutable and entirely transmutable into a true, useful form of perfected things. By conserving their essence as much as possible, they may be led to the highest and most perfect temperament original: "temperamentum"; the ideal balance of the four qualities (hot, cold, moist, dry) that defines a healthy or perfected substance.

But in this book, when we speak in physical dissociation original: "discontinuatione physica"; likely referring to the alchemical process of separating a substance into its components, we hold a mandate from the mistress and lady of nature. For she has appeared manifest to us; she has opened her works to us and shown them plainly. Therefore, weeping and groaning, crying out against us, she said: "Alas, what shall I do from now on, since they strive to take away and carry off my instruments from me, and they wish to plunder my secrets and uncover me."