ON THE ELEMENTS.

...you may perceive the distinction between both. Our culinary fire original: "Ignis Culinaris." This refers to the common, man-made fire used in a kitchen or hearth, as opposed to the "vital heat" or celestial fire discussed by philosophers. serves as an example and proof: fueled by wood or dry peat, it gathers with great force and, as if by suction, draws the air toward itself. It renders that air bright, pure, and shining, and assimilates it entirely to its own nature. It does this so eagerly and intensely that if it should happen to be cut off—with the air withdrawn or intercepted (that is, whenever it happens to be suffocated)—it soon dies out and vanishes into thin air. This is indeed most worthy of notice.

For it shows how zealously God’s creatures In the 16th and 17th centuries, "creatures" referred to anything created by God, including the inanimate elements of nature. carry out their functions, and how diligently they work as long as they have something to act upon; and the more they find, the better they operate, provided nothing stands in their way. So too should we properly fulfill our own duty, allowing God the Creator and the gifts of God to work within us without envy or hindrance. In this way, we may be moved forward from one light to another, having been rendered purer and more brilliant by the rays of divine light.