such deeds which are contrary to
the ways of men and incompatible with their worldly desires?

It is evident that nothing short of this mystic transformation could cause
such spirit and behaviour, so utterly unlike their previous habits and
manners, to be made manifest in the world of being. For their agitation
was turned into peace, their doubt into certitude, their timidity into
courage. Such is the potency of the Divine Elixir, which, swift as the
twinkling of an eye, transmuteth the souls of men!

For instance, consider the substance of copper. Were it to be protected in
its own mine from becoming solidified, it would, within the space of
seventy years, attain to the state of gold. There are some, however, who
maintain that copper itself is gold, which by becoming solidified is in a
diseased condition, and hath not therefore reached its own state.

Be that as it may, the real elixir will, in one instant, cause the
substance of copper to attain the state of gold, and will traverse the
seventy-year stages in a single moment. Could this gold be called copper?
Could it be claimed that it hath not attained the state of gold, whilst
the touch-stone is at hand to assay it and distinguish it from copper?

Likewise, these souls, through the potency of the Divine Elixir, traverse,
in the twinkling of an eye, the world of dust and advance into the realm
of holiness; and with one step cover the earth of limitations and reach
the domain of the Placeless. It behooveth thee to exert thine utmost to
attain unto this Elixir which, in one fleeting breath, causeth the west of
ignorance to reach the east of knowledge, illuminates the darkness of
night with the resplendence of the morn, guideth the wanderer in the
wilderness of doubt to the well-spring of the Divine Presence and Fount of
certitude, and conferreth upon mortal souls the honour of acceptance into
the Ridvan of immortality. Now, could this gold be thought to be copper,
these people could likewise be thought to be the same as before they were
endowed with faith.

O brother, behold how the inner mysteries of "rebirth," of "return," and
of "resurrection" have each, through these all-sufficing, these
unanswerable, and conclusive utterances, been unveiled and unravelled
before thine eyes. God grant that through His gracious and invisible
assistance, thou mayest divest thy body and soul of the old garment, and
array thyself with the new and imperishable attire.

Therefore,