Two Treatises on the Nature of the Elements and the Fifth Essence

21
ON THE ELEMENTS (DE ELEMENTIS).

God (Deus) had granted to it from the beginning, whether it be air (aër), or water (aqua), or earth (terra), yet not without a medium (medio). For it is necessary that the thickness of water be tempered by the subtlety of air, and its humidity by the dryness of the earth (telluris): then finally you will have prepared the Matter (Materiam), which can be rendered bright and VIVID by the benefit of fire (ignis). But more could be said concerning these things, which, in the pursuit of brevity, must be omitted, so that we may be led more quickly to the proposed subject.

CHAPTER III.

How the Economy (Oeconomia) of sublunary things (rerum sublunarium)

is perfected through the mutual action and

passion of the four Elements (Elementorum).

Come then, Reader, let us now investigate the virtues of Air, and likewise of the other elements. Just as the three elements are dead without Fire, so also is Fire without the other three. Hence learn to admire the wisdom of God, who made nothing in vain. For just as Fire is life itself: it lives indeed in the air, just as air lives in the fire, and water in the earth, [...]