nd right of this kingly form, on whose breast and
stomach are placed planet symbols, we notice water in the shape of drops
(tears) and flames that signify suffering and resurrection. "When we
notice that not only the principles of the old 'amateurs of the art'
correspond with those of the 'royal art' [freemasonry], but that the
symbolism also is the same in all parts, we recognize that the later
masonic societies are only a modern reshaping of the societies which
dropped the depreciated names of the alchemists in order to appear in a
new dress" (l. c., p. 175). That the assertion of the complete similarity
of the symbolism is not mere fancy, the following considerations (and not
those only in this section), will satisfactorily demonstrate. In the
following examples the words showing it most clearly are italicized.

Alchemy was regarded by its disciples as a _royal art_. Old sources show
that the art of making gold was revealed in Egypt only to the crown
princes. Generally only the kings' sons were informed by the priests
concerning the magic sciences. The hermetics derived their art expressly
from kings, Hermes, Geber, and the patriarchs of alchemy were represented
as kings.

According to Khunrath (Amphitheatrum) prayer, work and perseverance lead
to eternal wisdom by the mystical ladder of the _seven_ theosophical
_steps_. Perfect wisdom consists in the knowledge of God and his Son, in
the understanding of the holy scriptures, in self knowledge and in
knowledge of the great world and its Son, the Magnesia of the philosophers
or the Philosopher's Stone. The mystical steps in general contain _three_
activities, hearing (audire), persevering (perseverare), knowing (nosse et
scire), that applies to _five_ objects, so that we can distinguish _seven_
steps in all. Only the pure may enter the temple of wisdom, only the
_worthy_ are intrusted with the secrets, the _profane_, however, must stay
away.

In the fifth table of Khunrath's Amphitheatrum is pictured the seven
pillared citadel of Pallas (Prov. IX, 1). At the entrance is a table with
the legend Opera bona (= good works). Behind sits a man with the staff of
Mercury. On each side is a _four sided pyramid_, on the top of the left
one is the _sun_, on the right the _moon_. On the former stands the word
_Fides_ (= faith), on the latter _Taciturnitas_ (= silence). Behind the
man we read the word _Mysterion_, over the inner entrance _Non omnibus_ (=
not for all).

Alchemy