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. IV. Of Unity, and the Scale thereof

NOw let us treat particularly of numbers themselves: and because number is nothing els but a repetition of Unity, let us first consider Unity it self. For Unity doth most simply go through every number, and is the common measure, foun∣tain, and originall of all numbers, contains every number joyned together in it self intirely, the beginner of every mul∣titude, alwayes the same, and unchangable: whence also be∣ing multiplyed into it self, produceth nothing but it self: it is indivisible, void of all parts: But if it seem at any time to be divided, it is not cut, but indeed Multiplied into Unities: yet none of these Unities is greater or lesser then the whole Unity, as a part is less then the whole: It is not therefore Multiplyed into parts, but into it self: There∣fore some called it concord, some piety, and some friendship, which is so knit, that it cannot be cut into parts. But Martianus, according to the opinion of Aristotle saith, it is named Cupid, because it is made one alone, and will al∣waies bewail it self, and beyond it self it hath nothing but being void of all haughtiness, or coupling, turns its proper heats into it self. It is therefore the one beginning, and end of all things, neither hath it any beginning, or end it self: Nothing is before one, nothing is after one, and beyond it is nothing, and all things which are, desire that one, because all things proceeded from one, and that all things may be the same, it is necessary that they partake of that one: And as all things proceeded of one into many things, so all things en∣deavour to return to that one, from which they proceeded; it is necessary that they should put off multitude. One therefore is referred to the high God, who seeing he is one, and innu∣merable, yet creates innumerable things of himself, and contains them within himself. There is therefore one God, one world of the one God, one Sun of the one world, also one Phoenix in the World, one King amongst Bees, one Leader amongst

Flocks of Catel, one Ruler amongst heards of Beasts, & Cranes follow one and many other Animalls honour Unity; Amongst the Members of the body there is one Principle by which all the rest are guided, whether it be the head, or (as some will) the heart. There is one Element overcoming, and penetra∣ting all things, viz. Fire. There is one thing created of God, the subject of all wondring, which is on Earth, or in Heaven, it is actually Animal, Vegetable, and Minnerall, every where found, known by few, called by none by its proper name, but covered with figures, and Riddles, without which neither Alchymie, nor Naturall Magick, can attain to their compleat end, or per∣fection. From one man, Adam, all men proceed, from that one all become mortall, from that one Jesus Christ they are regenerated: and as saith Paul, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God, and Father of all, one mediator betwixt God and man, one most high Creator, who is over all, by all, and in us all. For there is one Father, God, from whence all, and we in him: one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom all, and we by him: one God Holy Ghost, into whom all, and we into him.

The Scale of Unity.

In the exemplary world.	יIod	One Divine essence, the fountain of all vertues, and power, whose name is expressed with one most simple Letter.
In the intellectuall world.	The soul of the world.	One supreme Intelli∣gence, the first Creature, The fountain of lives.
In the Celestial world.	The Sun.	One King of Stars, foun∣tain of life.
In the Elementall world.	The Philosophers Stone.	One subject, and instru∣ment of all vertues, na∣turall, and supernaturall.
In the lesser world.	The Heart.	One first living, and last dying.
In the infernall world.	Lucifer.	One Prince of Rebelli∣on, of Angels, and dark¦ness.