ON THE ELEMENTS.

DE ELEMENTIS.

...is accustomed to be nourished into the proper substance of each thing. In this manner, they are nourished and grow through the continuous attraction of water; by which very thing both the most fitting order and the wisdom of our Creator is clearly demonstrated to us. For if the cold should be more intense, the water soon coagulates original: "coagulatur," meaning to thicken or solidify and takes on the form of earth. Now, just as cold—the characteristic work of the earth—condenses water, impressing upon it its own thickness and hardness: in like manner, air condenses fire, if the coldness of the air surpasses the heat of the fire. Fire is changed into air, air into water, and water into earth, as was shown before.

This is a thing worthy of admiration, and one which most firmly demonstrates that which we previously advised concerning the separation of the First Matter First Matter: original "Prima Materia," the formless, chaotic substance from which the universe was created in alchemical philosophy. For just as GOD separated the Elements from the Mass created at the beginning: so these same elements, by the benefit of our fire (which is like a shadow of the first being), are reduced to their original essence. This is a fact which a lit lamp—indeed, every combustible combustible: original "ustile," referring to anything capable of being burned body—demonstrates to the eye. For as soon as oil has been lit, it is soon so illuminated by the power of the flame that...