Page 5
TEXT 5.
* 1.1Understand it thus, not as if a house were built out of the Great Mysterie, or that the living creatures were first gathered together and laid in an heap, and then perfected, nor the other things that grow likewise: but as a Physitian makes a compound of many vertues, though the matter be but one, wherein none of those ver∣tues appear which lie hid under the same. So must we think,* 1.2 that all sorts of creatures under heaven were set in order and put into the Great Mysterie, not perfectly according to their sub∣stance, form and essence, but after another sub∣till manner of perfection (unknown to mortall man) whereby all things were shut up into one. We all were created of that which is fraile and mortall, and are born much after the manner of Saturn, who in the separation of himselfe brings forth all forms and colours, yet none of them appear visible in him. Since then the mysteries of Saturn yeeld such like procreations; much more doubtlesse the great mysterie hath in it this miracle,* 1.3 in whose separation all other superflu∣ous things are cut off, yet is there nothing so needlesse and uselesse but can bring forth out of it selfe some other increase, or fit matter thereof.