The Chemical Theatre, Vol. IV

...as if they understand nothing about it. And therefore it is written that it is the form of the world; in what manner the elements are ordered in the world, from which all things are generated, will best appear and be declared by us in the following chapter.

On the minor form, and on the principles of simple mineral nature through extremities and means.

CHAPTER 4.

Since the major form has been determined, we will hereafter descend to determine the minor form. In this are the principles succeeding in the work of nature, more closely related according to the extremities and the means of their closer operations.

A diagram featuring a large inverted triangle with the words GOD (top left), Wisdom (top right), and Hyle primordial matter (bottom) at its vertices. Inside the triangle is a circle divided into three segments. The segments are labeled Artificial (top left), Exemplary (top right), and Material (bottom). Inside each segment are the letters A, B, and C respectively.

And since we have said above that the principles are universally all extremities the outer limits or pure states of a substance and all their means the intermediate states or connecting substances, we say here that the first and principal mean, extreme, or extremity, are the four elements mentioned above, which are the elemented extremities, and are signified by B. The second are the vapors composed of the elements themselves immediately from the first composition of nature—called "without a mean"—signified by C. All elemented bodies are resolved into these vapors to enter a new generation. You should wish to retain and understand this, because I speak to you generally so that you may reach the end of that which is sought.

The third is clear water composed of the said vapors through the condensation of its nature, which enters into the said vapors of the four elements; and that is the thing most closely related to quicksilver original: "argento vivo," or mercury, which is indeed found running and flowing upon the earth. And this quicksilver in every elemented body, succeeding from the matter of air, is properly generated. Therefore its moisture is very heavy, due to a homogenous airiness a quality where the substance is uniform in its airy nature running like a wind through perforated subterranean veins, and it falls into sulfurous mines...

original vocabulary: form of the world, elements, Hyle, God, Wisdom, Artificial, Exemplary, Material, quicksilver, mineral, vapors, condensation, matter of air, sulfurous mines