Lumen de Lumine

There is nothing now behind but that which the Philosophers call secretum Artis: a thing that was never published, and without which you will never performe, though you know both Fire and Matter. An Instance hereof wee have in Flammel, who knew the Matter well enough, and had both fire and Furnace painted to him by Abraham the Jew: but notwithstanding he err’d for three years, because hee knew not the third secret. Henry Madathan a most noble Philosopher practic’d upon the subject for five years together, but knew not the right method, and therefore found nothing; at last saith hee, Post sextum annum Clavis Potentiae per arcanam Revelationem ab omnipotente Deo mihi concredita est: After the sixth year, I was intrusted with the Key of power by secret Revelation, from the Almighty God. This Key of power, or third secret was never put to paper by any Philosopher whatsoever. Paracelsus indeed hath touch’d upon it, but so obscurely, it is no more to the purpose then if he had said nothing. And now I suppose I have done enough for the Discovery, and Regiment of the fire; if you think it too little, I must tell you it is much more then any one Author hath performed. Search it than, for he that finds this fire, will attaine to the true temperament, he will make a noble deserving Philosopher; and to speake in the phrase of our Spaniard, Dignus erit poni ad Mensam Duodecim parium.