The Chemical Basilica or Alchemical Royal Jewel

Before I take in hand the description of the medicines, I have deemed it good to treat in this reminder preface, with the help of God, several matters that a philosophical Medico physician must note and consider with all diligence.

Firstly, what is that Medicina medicine that drives diseases out of the human body, and which has hitherto been recognized and observed by only a few. Besides the proper and perfect philosophical description of the elements and of man, as the little world, which has hitherto been completely obscured and forgotten through the mists of ignorance.

Secondly, where such true and right medicine is hidden.

Thirdly, that one must bring it out of its shells with the help and assistance of Vulcani Vulcan/fire and prepare it through the art belonging thereto.

Fourthly, with what powers and in what manner it works in the human body and drives out diseases.

Fifthly, what kind of Medicum physician it requires as its servant.

And then sixthly, of the most ancient, general, and highest medicine of the philosophers, which is indeed highly praised by many, but seen and believed by the very fewest, and much less recognized and possessed.

I.

Of the right and true medicine.

Sirach ch. 34, sect. 20; ch. 37, sect. 26. See the Labyrinthum Medicorum Labyrinth of Physicians by Paracelso.

For the Præceptor teacher teaches his pupil in vain, who is not generated from the stars.

The right and true medicine, of which I have here undertaken to treat with the gracious assistance of God, is a pure gift of the Highest, and comes by no means from the heathens, but from the Rector of the highest university, namely solely and alone from GOD, who surpasses all in age and cannot err, the Father of Light, from whom one must also ask and learn it alone. For wisdom is not learned from creatures, but from God, who as the only Master-workman of all secrets knows their properties, and assigns to every created creature its special one. They are not learned from any mortal Præceptor teacher, nor from books, as properly as from this one, who is the most excellent and best master of all things: namely, the highest Creator and grace-rich God, from whom this noble art flows to us, not otherwise than warmth through the ray of the sun, which brings forth all flowers and plants of the earth. For what does man have that he has not received from above? For everyone must go back, as it were, and learn from the first, but the same from God, who created knowledge for him. The Medicus physician, however, should be born from the light of grace and nature, from an inner and invisible man,