The Stone thus prepared, is made fit for multiplication. And now hee setteth downe his multiplication ct easie liquefaction, with a vertue to pierce as well into hard bodies, as soft, saying: _It ascendeth from the earth into heauen, and again it descendeth into the earth_. Here we must diligẽtly note, that although our stone bee diuided in the first operation into foure partes, which are the foure Elements: notwithstanding, as wee haue alreadie saide, there are two principall parts of it. One which ascendeth vpward, and is called vnfixed, and an other which remaineth below fixed, which is called earth, or firmamẽt, which nourisheth and firmenteth the whole stone, as we haue already said. But of the vnfixed part we must haue a great quantity, and giue it to the stone (which is made most clean without all filth) so often by masterie that the whole stone be caried vpward, sublimating & subtiliating. And this is it which the Philosopher saith: _It ascendeth from the earth into the heauen_. CHAP. IX. _How the volatile Stone may againe be fixed._ After all these things, this stone thus exalted, must be incerated with the Oyle that was extracted from it in the first operation, being called the water of the stone: and so often boyle it by sublimation, till by vertue of the firmentation of the earth exalted with it, the whole stone doo againe descende from heauen into the earth, and remaine fixed and flowing. And this is it which the Philosopher sayth: _It descendeth agayne into the earth, and so receyueth the vertue of the superiours by sublimation, and of the inferiours, by descension_: that is, that which is corporall, is made spirituall by sublimation, and that which is spirituall, is made corporall by descension. CHAP. X. _Of the fruit of the Art, and efficacie of the Stone._ _So shalt thou haue the glorie of the whole worlde._ That is, this stone thus compounded, thou shalt possesse the glorie of this world. _Therefore all obscuritie shall flie from thee_: that is, all want and sicknesse, because the stone thus made, cureth euerie disease. _Here is the mightie power of all power._ For there is no comparison of other powers of this world, to the power of the stone. _For it shall ouercome euery subtil thing, and shall pearce through euery solide thing._ It shall ouercome, that is, by ouercomming, it shall conuert quicke _Mercury_, that is subtile, congealing it: and it shall pearce through other hard, solide, and compact bodies. CHAP. XI. _That this worke imitateth the Creation of the worlde._