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

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DE ELEMENTIS.

...-ted into the proper substance of each thing.

By this means they are nourished and increased by the continuous attraction of water; by which fact both a most fitting order and the wisdom of our Creator (Creator) are clearly demonstrated to us.

But if the cold should be more vehement, the water is soon coagulated and takes on the form of earth.

Now, just as cold—the proper work of earth—condenses water, impressing upon it both its own thickness and hardness, in a similar way the air (aer) condenses fire (ignis) if the coldness of the former should overcome the heat of the latter.

Fire is changed into air, air into water (aqua), and water into earth (terra), as was demonstrated before.

A matter worthy of admiration, and one which most firmly demonstrates that which we previously advised concerning the separation of the first Matter (Materia). For just as God (DEUS) secreted the Elements (Elementa) from the Mass (Massa) created at the beginning, so these same elements are reduced to their pristine essence (essentia) by the benefit of our fire (which is as a shadow of the first being), a fact which a lit lamp—indeed, every combustible body—demonstrates to the eye.

For as soon as the oil has been lit, it is soon so illuminated by the virtue of the flame that [...]