The Archidoxes and Medico-Chemical Works of Paracelsus

What art truly is.

Since therefore that art is, and deservedly should be called, that which teaches the Mysteries of nature, namely to cure and heal a contraction through the Quintessence in the space of 4 days, which otherwise would persist until death: likewise to bring a wound to the end of its cure in 24 hours, which could not be done in as many days through bodies? Let us now proceed forward vigorously through experience with the separation of the mysteries of nature from the impediments of bodies.

Nothing is more excellent than the knowledge of Mysteries.

First, however, it must be considered what is most useful and excellent for man, namely to know the Mysteries of Nature, through which he can weigh what God is, and what man is, what the use of the knowledge of them is worth in each, namely of celestial eternity to earthly infirmity. From which the knowledge of Theology, Justice, and Truth Alternative reading from source: Rhetoric is born beautifully: likewise that the mysteries of nature are alone the life of men, and these only are to be imitated, which can be known and obtained from God as the eternal good.

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Eternal Mystery, etc.

For although certain things are found wonderful in Medicine, and much greater things in the Mysteries of nature, nevertheless after this life the Mystery is eternal, of which, or what it is, we have no other foundation than what has been manifested to us through Christ.

Theologians are criticized.

From thence indeed arises the ignorant stupidity of Theologians, of those who attempt to draw forth interpretations of the Mysteries of God from that of which they do not understand the smallest apex, and which can in no way become known to us men, what was the will of Him who gave it. But they twist His word to pride and greed, from which seductions have arisen, and daily grow more powerful, as we could in the Monarchy. Therefore, we despise the Reason not founded visibly in the Mysteries, indeed we consider it as nothing.

Jurists are reprimanded.

Likewise, Jurists establish laws according to their own opinions, so that nothing may be lost for them, although the utility of the Republic is entirely in danger.

Since therefore such vain businesses come into use in faculties of this kind beyond equity, let us leave them aside until their own time. And let us not care for the foolish talk of those who speak more about God than was revealed to them there, and wish to understand Him equally, as if they had been of His councils, while meanwhile despising us, detracting from the mysteries of nature, and likewise from Philosophy, of which they are all totally ignorant. The wicked clamor of these is their most powerful science, by which they presume themselves to be those on whom faith entirely depends, and without whom heaven and earth would perish. O the madness of men, and also the greatest imposture, in place of which it would be more just that they should exist as null and useless servants. Although we, too, through use imitating these, together with them, could easily learn to bend the word of our only Doctor and Founder to our own pride. But, since the word is not exactly known to us, it must be apprehended by faith alone, and no earthly thing, however stable it may seem in reason, this burden, or rather yoke...