True alchemy and archimia

Meaning

Archimia is the disparaging alternative name the author gives falsely named alchemy. It is accused of inventing tinctures and colours that deceive people and consume property, health and life. In this passage the material contrast also supports a confessional argument: self-chosen means of salvation are likened to spiritless sophistical alchemy, whereas Christ is declared the sole mediator. The hostile labels directed at religious outsiders belong to the author’s historical polemic and are not endorsed classifications by this lexicon. The English preserves archimia rather than silently making it a recognized separate scientific discipline. The central distinction is claimed true efficacy versus deceptive substitution.