Three books of occult philosophy written by Henry Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim ... ; translated out of the Latin into the English tongue by J.F.

CHAP. VII. Of the Number of Four, and the Scale thereof.

THe Pythagorians call the Number of four Tetractis, and prefer it before all the vertues of Numbers, because it is the foundation, and root of all other numbers; whence also all foundations, as well in artificiall things, as naturall, and di∣vine, are four square, as we shall shew afterwards: and it signifies solidity, which also is demonstrated by a four square figure. For the number four is the first four square plain, which consists of two proportions, whereof the first is of one to two, the latter of two to four, and it proceeds by a double procession and proportion, viz. of one to one, and of two to two, beginning at a unity, and ending at a quaternity: which proportions differ in this, that according to Arithmatick, they are unequall to one the other: but according to Geome∣try are equall. Therefore a four square is ascribed to God the Father, and also contains the mysterie of the whole Trinity: for by its single proportion, viz. by the first of one to one, the unity of the paternall substance is signified, from which proceeds one Son, equall to him; by the next procession, also simple, viz. of two to two, is signified by the second procession the Holy Ghost from both, that the Son be equall to the Father by the first procession; and the Holy Ghost be equall to both by the second procession. Hence that super∣excellent, and great name of the divine Trinity in God is written with four letters, viz. Iod, He, and Vau; He, where it is the aspiration He, signifies the proceeding of the spirit from both: for He being duplicated, terminates both sylla∣bles, and the whole name, but is pronounced Jove as some will, whence that Jovis of the heathen, which the Ancients did picture with four ears, whence the number four is the foun∣tain, and head of the whole divinity. And the Pythagorians call it the perpetuall fountain of nature: for there are four degrees in the Scale of nature, viz. to be, to live, to be sen∣sible,

to understand. There are four motions in nature, viz. ascendent, descendent, going forward, circular. There are four Corners in the heaven, viz. rising, falling, the midle of the heaven, and the bottome of it. There are four Elements un∣der Heaven, viz. Fire, Aire, Water, and Earth; according to these there are four triplicities in Heaven: There are four first qualities under the Heaven, viz. Cold, Heat, Driness, and Moystness, from these are the four Humours, Blood, Flegm, Choller, Melancholy. Also the year is divided into four parts, which are the Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter; also the wind is divided into Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern. There are also four rivers of Paradise, and so many infernall. Also the number four makes up all know∣ledge: first it fills up every simple progress of numbers with four termes, viz. with one, two, three, and four consti∣tuting the number ten. It fills up every difference of num∣bers, the first even, and conteining the first odd in it. It hath in Musick Diatessaron, the grace of the fourth voice. Also it conteins the instrument of four strings, and a Pythagorean Diagram, whereby are foundout first of all musicall tunes, and all harmony of Musick. For Double, Treble, fourtimes double, one and halfe, one and a third part, a concord of all, a double concord of all, of five, of four, and all consonancy is limited within the bounds of the number four. It doth also contein the whole of Mathe∣ticks in four terms, viz. point, line, superficies, and pro∣fundity. It comprehends all nature in four terms, viz. sub∣stance, quality, quantity, and motion. Also all naturall Phy∣losophy, in which are the seminary vertues of nature, the na∣turall springing, the growing form, and the compositum. Also Metaphysick is comprehended in four bounds, viz. being, essence, vertue, and action. Morall Phylosophy is compre∣hended with four vertues, viz. prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance. It hath also the power of justice: hence a four∣fold law, of providence from God: fatall, from the soul of the world: of nature from Heaven: of prudence, from man. There are also four judiciary powers in all things being, viz.

the intellect, discipline, opinion, and sense. It hath also great power in all mysteries. Hence the Pythagorians did ratifie the number four with an oath, as if it were the cheifest ground whereon their faith was grounded, and their belief might be confirmed. Hence it was called the Pythagorians oath, which is expressed in these verses.

I with pure minde by th' number four do swear That's holy, and the fountain of nature Eternall, parent of the mind—

Also there are four rivers of Paradise; four Gospels received from four Evangelists throughout the whole Church. The Hebrews received the cheifest name of God written with four letters. Also the Egyptians, Arabians, Persians, Magicians, Mahumitans, Grecians, Tuscans, Latines, write the name of God with only four letters, viz. thus, Thet, Alla, Sire, Orsi, Abdi, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Esar, Deus. Hence the Lacedemonians were wont to paint Jupiter with four wings. Hence also in Orpheus his divinity, it is said that Neptunes Chariots are drawn with four horses. There are also four kinds of divine furies, proceeding from severall deities, viz. from the Muses, Dionysius, Apollo, and Venus. Also the Prophet Ezekiel saw four beasts by the river Chobar, and four Cherubims in four wheels. Also in Daniel, four great beasts did ascend from the Sea, and four winds did fight. And in the Revelati∣ons four beasts were full of eyes, before, and behind: standing ••ound about the Throne of God, and four Angels, to whom was given power to hurt the Earth, and the Sea, did stand upon the four corners of the Earth, holding the four winds, that they should not blow upon the Earth, nor upon the Sea, nor upon any Tree.

The Scale of the Number four, answering the four Elements.

The Scale.

The name of God with four letters.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉				In the Originall world, whence the Law of pro∣vidence.
Four Triplicities or intelligible Hierarchies.	Seraphim. Cherubin. Thrones.	Dominations. Powers. Vertues.	Principalities. Archangels. Angels.	Innocents. Martyrs. Confessors.	In the Intel∣lectual world, whence the fa∣tall Law.
Four Angels ru∣ling over the cor∣ners of the world.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Michael.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Raphael.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gabriel.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Uriel.
Four rulers of the Elements.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Seraph.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cherub.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tharsis.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ariel.
Four consecra∣ted Animals.	The Lion.	The Eagle.	Man.	A Calf.
Four Triplici∣ties of the tribes of Israel.	Dan. Asser. Nephtalin.	Jehuda. Isachar. Zabulun.	Manaile. Benjamin. Ephraim.	Reuben. Simeon. Gad.
Four Triplici∣ties of Apostles.	Mathias. Peter. Jacob the el∣der.	Simon. Bartholemew. Mathew.	John. Phillip. James the younger.	Thaddeus. Andrew Thomas.
Four Evange∣lists.	Mark.	John.	Mathew.	Luke
Four Triplici∣ties of Signs.	Aries. Leo. Sagittarius.	Gemini. Libra. Aquarius.	Cancer. Scorpius. Pisces.	Taurus. Virgo. Capricornus.	In the Celestial world, where is the law of nature
The Stars, and Planets, re∣lated to the E∣lements.	Mars, and the Sun.	Jupiter, and Venus.	Saturn, and Mercury.	The fixt Stars, and the Moon.
Four qualities of the Celestiall Elements.	Light.	Diaphanous∣ness.	Agility.	Solidity.
Four Elements.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Fire.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ayre.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Water.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Earth.	In the Elemen∣tary, where the Law of genera∣tion, and corrup∣tion is.
Four qualities.	Heat.	Moysture.	Cold.	Dryness.
Four seasons.	Summer.	Spring.	Winter.	Autumne.
Four corners of the World.	The East.	The West.	The North.	The South
Four perfect kinds of mixt bodies.	Animals.	Plants.	Metals.	Stones.
Four kinds of Animals.	Walking.	Flying.	Swimming.	Creeping.

What answer the Elements, in Seeds. Plants.		Flowers.	Leaves.	Roots.
What in Me∣tals.	Gold, and I∣ron.	Copper, and Tin.	Quicksilver.	Lead, & Silver.
What in stones.	Bright, and burning.	Light, and transparent.	Clear, and congealed.	Heavy, & dark.
Four Elements of man.	The Mind.	The Spirit.	The Soul.	The body.	In the lesser world, viz. man, from whom is the Law of prudence.
Four powers of the Soul.	The Intellect.	Reason.	Phantasy.	Sense.
Four Judiciary powers.	Faith.	Science.	Opinion.	Experience.
Four morall ver∣tues.	Justice.	Temperance.	Prudence.	Fortitude.
The senses an∣swering to the Elements.	Sight.	Hearing.	Tast, and smel.	Touch.
Four Elements of mans body.	Spirit.	Flesh.	Humours.	Bones.
A four-fold spi∣rit.	Animall.	Vitall.	Generative.	Naturall.
Four humours.	Choller.	Blood.	Flegme.	Melancholly.
Four Manners of complexion.	Violence.	Nimbleness.	Dulness.	Slowness.
Four Princes of divels, offensive in the Elements.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Samael.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Azazel.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Azael.	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mahazael.	In the infernall world, where is the Law of wrath, and pu∣nishment.
Four infernal Rivers.	Phlegeton.	Cocytus.	Styx.	Acheron.
Four Princes of spirits, upon the the four angels of the world.	Oriens.	Paymon.	Sgyn.	Amaymon.