Philosophy reformed & improved in four profound tractates.: The I. discovering the great and deep mysteries of nature: by that learned chymist & physitian Osw: Crollivs. The other III. discovering the wonderfull mysteries of the creation by Paracelsvs: being his philosophy to the Athenians. / Both made English by H. Pinnell, for the increase of learning and true knowledge.

TEXT 11.

When the great mysterie first separated all things,* 1.1 the first separation was of the Element, so that before all other things the Elements brake forth into their act and essence. The fire was made heaven and the wall of the firma∣ment. The aire was made a voyd space, where∣in nothing appeareth or is to be seen, possessing that place wherein is no substance or corporall matter; This is the coffer or inclosure of the in∣visible Destinies. The water passed into liquor, and took its place about the channells and hol∣lownesse of the centre within the other Ele∣ments and the skie;* 1.2 This is the hutch of the Nymphs and monsters of the Sea. The earth was coagulated into dry land,* 1.3 and is upheld by none of the other Elements, but is propt up by the pillars of the Archaltes; These are the strange and wonderfull works of God: The earth is the chest of those things that grow, which are nourished by it. This kind of separa∣tion was the beginning of all creatures, and the first distribution both of these and all other creatures.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The first Ele∣ments rose out of the se∣paration of the mysterie. What fire is. What the aire is.
• * 1.2

  What the wa∣ter is.
• * 1.3

  What the Earth is. It is sustained by the pillars of the Ar∣cealtes.