Mosaic Philosophy (1638) - Page 12

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST SECTION:

{ The First Book will describe the Instrument or experimental Machine This likely refers to a weather glass or thermoscope, which Fludd used to demonstrate the effects of heat and cold, by the diligent observation of which every small part of our Mosaic Philosophy is demonstrated and upheld against the false Doctrine of the Heathens.
{ The Second Book distinguishes genuine and true Wisdom from the spurious and false; consequently, it distinguishes the essential and Sacrosanct Philosophy from that adulterated and produced by human invention of the Heathens original: Ethnicorum; Fludd uses this term to refer to pagan Greek philosophers, particularly Aristotle, whose influence he sought to replace with biblical authority.

This First Section is divided into five Books, of which:

{ The Third.

{ Explains the principles of all things.
- { Those which are Primary:
  - { Darkness or Prime Matter Materia prima. Chapters 1 & 2.
  - { The Waters, which are the fertile Matter of all things. Chapters 3 & 4.
  - { Divine Light, which is that most central essence creating, forming, giving life to, and moving all things. Chapters 3 & 4.
- { Secondary Principles.
  - { Active, which are { Coldness. / Heat.
  - { Passive, which are { Moisture. / Dryness.
{ Discusses and reveals the true condition of fullness and emptiness original: plenitudinis & vacuitatis, referring to the debate over whether a vacuum can exist in nature against the opinions of the ancient Philosophers.
{ Teaches the mystical reasoning behind both { Condensation. / Rarefaction. }

{ The Fourth.

{ Reveals the origin of Generation and Corruption, and also the mystery of Regeneration and Resurrection. Chapter 6.
{ Utterly refutes the opinion of the Heathens, which contends that God acts in this world out of necessity This refutes the idea that God is bound by natural laws or fate, asserting instead His absolute free will. Chapter 7.

{ The Fifth explains the mystery of

{ The Winds. Chapters 2, 3, & 4.
{ Clouds and rain. Chapters 5, 6, & 7.
{ Snow. Chapter 7.
{ Springs and rivers. Chapters 8, 9, & 10.
{ Lightning and Thunder. Chapters 11, 12, & 13.
} It clarifies these subjects in opposition to the views of the Heathen Philosophers.

And at the end or conclusion, an Appendix is published, extracted from the works of a Man most profound in the mysteries of God and Nature Possibly referring to the author himself or a revered predecessor like Hermes Trismegistus or Paracelsus, which extols the excellence of the Mosaic Philosophy above all others and magnanimously defends it.