The mystic science which besides gold sought for the omnipotent
philosopher's stone, is a late northern growth, which had its rise in
the theories of Paracelsus and others.
General Spirit of Doubt
With these superstitions, as with ancient modes of thought generally,
the decline in the belief of immortality stands in the closest
connection. This questiOn has the widest and deepest relations with the
whole development of the modern spirit.
One great source of doubt in immortality was the inward wish to be
under no obligations to the hated Church. We have seen that the Church
branded those who thus felt as Epicureans. In the hour of death many
doubtless called for the sacraments, but multitudes during their whole
lives, and especially during their most vigorous years, lived and acted
on the negative supposition. That unbelief on this particular point
must often have led to a general skepticism, is evident of itself, and
is attested by abundant historical proof. These are the men of whom
Ariosto says: 'Their faith goes no higher than the roof.' In Italy, and
especially in Florence, it was possible to live as an open and
notorious unbeliever, if a man only refrained from direct acts of
hostility against the Church. The confessor, for instance, who was sent
to prepare a political offender for death, began by inquiring whether
the prisoner was a believer, 'for there was a false report that he had
no belief at all.
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