Lumen de Lumine

The predominant Element in it, is a certaine Fierie subtill Earth, and from this prevalent part the Best Philosophers have denominated the whole Compound. Paracelsus names it openly but in one place, and he cals it Viscum Terrae, The Slime, or Viscous part of the Earth. Raymund Lullie describeth the Crisis, or Constitution of it in these words. Substantia lapidis nostri est tota pinguis, & Igne impregnata. The Substance of our stone (saith he) is altogether fat, or viscous, and impregnated with fire; In which respect he cals it elsewhere not water, but Earth. Capias Terram nostram (saith he) impregnatam a Sole, quia lapis est honoratus, repertus in Hospitiis desertis, & est intus inclusum velut magnum Secretum, & Thesaurus incantatus. Take our Earth, which is impregnated, or with Child by the Sun, for it is our precious stone, which is found in desolat Houses, and there is shut up in it a great secret, and a Treasure inchanted. And againe in a certaine place he delivers himself thus. Prima materia Fili, est Terra subtilis sulphurea, & haec nobilis Terra dictum est Subjectum mercuriale. My son (saith he) the first Matter is a subtil, Sulphureous Earth, and this noble Earth is call’d the Mercurial subject.