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THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE 173 In the "Magical Writings of Thomas Vaughan" edited by A. E. Waite, the problem is put in the clearest terms. First it must be granted :
“That God is the Principal and Sole Author of all things, who by His Word and Spirit hath formed and manifested those things we see, and even those things which at present we cannot see. As for the matter whereof he formed them, it being a substance preexistent, not only to us, but to the world itself, most men may think the knowledge of it impossible, for how shall we know a thing that was so long before us, and which is not now extant with us, nor ever was in their opinion) since the creation ? To this objection, which at first sight may seem invincible, we shall return an answer that shall break it; for we will show how and by what means we came to know this matter, and not only to know it, but after long labours, to see it, handle it, and taste it.”
It will be seen that the alchemist's problem was the same as that of the scientist of to-day in regard to matter. Matter devoid of form is indescribable in the ordinary terms of our language. We may invent such a term as "Protyle" for the sake of defining a mental concept. We may posit it as a theory that Nature, though diverse in forms of manifestation, hides an essence which is one, and that the Visible Universe is Unity manifesting in diversity. “All
