ON THE ELEMENTS.

...would return, at that time when the elements will melt away original: "colliquescent." This is a reference to the eventual dissolution or purification of the physical world, often associated with the biblical end of time when elements "melt with fervent heat." and put on their original splendor before God. Nothing there will be lost except injustice. For God, in the exact fullness of time, when it pleased Him, brought forth the Natures of all things by His Word. original: "Verbo." This refers to the "Logos" or the divine command ("Let there be...") used to create the universe.

In the beginning, indeed, He separated that which was most subtle In early science and alchemy, "subtle" describes matter that is extremely thin, fine, or ethereal—the opposite of "gross" or heavy matter. from the rest of the mass, and the element of Fire was made. It occupies the highest seat of the world, filling that infinite space which would otherwise be empty, and surrounding the magnificent works of God. For naturally, whatever is lightest ascends upward.

Now God, again separating from that mass what was lighter and more subtle, created the element of Air, whose place is directly beneath the lightest fire. In the same way, He separated the more subtle and moister part from the remains, and formed Water along with the Earth.

Indeed, Water used to cover the entire face of the earth, just as fire covers the air, and air covers the water. Drebbel is describing the "Aristotelian spheres," a traditional model where the elements sit in layers: Earth at the center, then a layer of Water, then Air, and Fire as the outermost shell. Furthermore, the omnipotent power of God lifted the Earth, which was submerged in the waters, up on high, and placed us upon it, so that there...