Introduction to the Divine Art of Chemistry

does not exist in the building, but the power of the medicinal art exists in the healthy person, but not insofar as they are healthy. Whence in the second book of the same it is said that the principle of movement in active and productive things is in the external agent and maker, but in natural things it is in themselves. Since, therefore, the principle of the movement of generation in the matter of Alchemy is intrinsic, although the administration is extrinsic, therefore it is natural and not productive, nor active. And although the power of the art of building is not in the built object, and the power of the medicinal art is in the healthy person (not insofar as they are healthy), nevertheless in the art of Alchemy it is different, as the power of the art of Alchemy is in the healthy metal insofar as it is healthy. And this is the same, because its power is founded in a substantial form which is given, and infused, and mixed into the healthy metal, and remains like a perfectible thing with its perfectible, since the principle of generation and transformation is intrinsic. For this power of transmutation and virtue is not of nature alone, since it is not found in the nature of things; nor even of art alone, since it is not an artificial form, but a work of nature, insofar as it is ministered and directed by art through divine will.

Chapter two, in which he introduces generally the practical part of the truth of the art of Alchemy.

After we have therefore declared according to reason the general speculative mode of the truth of this art, now we shall narrate the general practical mode, which is its end, in the acquisition of which the art serves and ministers to nature. We say, therefore, speaking according to the nature of things and reason, which from their proper nature can be said according to the wise, regarding the knowledge of the essence of any things, that nothing proceeds nor is generated except from its own proper and univocal having one name and one definition principles, as is evident from the other book of the Metaphysics. Therefore not