Archidoxa ex Theophrastia : Pars I

CONCERNING THE MYSTERIES OF THE MICROCOSM

original: De Mysterijs Microcosmi. The "Microcosm" is a central concept in Paracelsus’s thought, referring to the human being as a "little world" that contains everything found in the "Macrocosm" or the greater universe.

...[most ho]ly original: lichsten; likely the conclusion of heiligsten (most holy) or herrlichsten (most glorious) from the preceding page. and most noble: alone to know the mysteries of nature original: mysteria naturæ, from which is considered what God is, what man is, and what the practice of both is: the Heavenly in eternity, and the Earthly in the fragile. From this then arises what theology Theologia; the study of divine things is, what law Ius; justice or right conduct is, and what truth Verum is. It is only through the mysteries of nature that the life of man is to be known and followed, through which God and the eternal good may be recognized and attained.

For although there are wonders in medicine and in the mysteries, there is a mystery after this life that is much more—the eternal—of which we have no foundation regarding how it may be, except for what has been revealed to us through Christ. Outside of this revelation, no foreign understanding should be introduced; which, alas, happens nonetheless, as we establish in the Monarchy Likely referring to his work De Monarchia, or the concept of the singular true path of knowledge.. Therefore, we regard as nothing that reason which is not visibly founded upon the mysteries of nature.

We require, therefore, that all perceptible things Sensibilia; things that can be sensed or observed in the physical world be proven by perceptible demonstration, and not handled according to mere opinion. For this reason, we take it upon ourselves to seek the mysteries of nature, where the end result reveals the foundation of truth. This not only provides the foundation but fulfills and performs the mysteries of God original: Mysteria Dei and the highest love in man; that is the treasure of the highest good Summum bonum; the ultimate or supreme good. For we understand things materially in this our writing of the Archidoxes original: Archidoxorum; the "Primary Teachings" or "Supreme Mysteries.", and entrust spiritual matters to the Monarchy.

From this foundation we bring forth medicine; and according to experience Experiens; knowledge gained through direct observation and trial, so that we finally know and see that it is so, we wish to practice with our own eyes. We shall divide the book of the Archidoxes into ten...