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BEfore we come to the matter it self, give us leave to premise a few things which are very necessary to be understood of all that intend this Phi∣losophicall study.
First, that the Seed of a thing is one thing, and the Sperm another.
Secondly, that the Earth receives the Sperm of things, and the Water receives the Seed in like manner.
Thirdly, that the Air distills into the Water by means of Fire, and the Water conveys the very same into the Earth.
Fourthly, that there is alwayes ple•••• of Sperm, but not alwayes Seed answ••∣rable: This causeth many defects i•• the operation of Nature. We sha•••• lay them down in a generall way, a•••• leave every Philosopher to apply th•••• every one to his own particular oper••∣tions.
I. Sometimes the Seed comes in to sparingly, or not so plentifully as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expected, and this is caused by wa•••• of a sufficient heat to digest it; an•• this must needs hinder many goo•• things which nature would have prod••∣ced, had she had a sufficiency of heat, fo•• where the Sperm enters without seed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 goes out again as it comes in, and bring forth no fruit.
II. Sometimes the Sperm enters in to the Matrix with a sufficiency of Seed but the Wombe of the World is fou•• and not fit for conception, as being burdened with grosse, foul, sulphu∣rous and flegmatick vapors, so that 〈◊〉〈◊〉
brings forth either Abortives or Mon∣sters.
Have a speciall care of this in your operations, or else you will never get Aurum Potabile while your eyes are open.
We come now to a particular disqui∣sition of the Element in hand, in which we shall observe the same method we did in the former, and shew you,
1. What it is.
It is the Menstruum of the World, the heavyest of the Elements, full of unctious flegm, cold and moyst, and well tempered with Air.
Secondly, it is divided into
1. The most pure Water is Coele¦stiall, yea above the heavens, as w•• shall shew you more at large in th•• third Section.
2. The lesse pure Water remains i•• the Air, being dissolved or distille•• into Air, by the heat of the centra•• Sun.
3. The plain and grosse Water re¦mains in its sphere, and makes one glob•• with the body of the Earth, and ac¦cording to the will of God, by th•• operation of Nature, preserves an•• keeps every thing that is subtil the par∣ticular way. How it doth it, we sha•• shew you in the third Section.
Having thus shewed you what Wate•• is, we come now to shew you wha•• its operations are, and therefore consi¦der,
1. That it is the Menstruum of th•• World, which penetrating the Air, b•• reason of the continual distillation of th•• central Fire, draws along with it a war•• vapor, which causeth a naturall genera∣tion
of those things which the Earth as a Matrix is impregnated with; for he that is well skilled in the genera∣tion of Man, cannot be unskilled in the way how Nature generates all things else, it is impossible he should; because himself is an Epitome of them all; for when the Earth as a Matrix receives a due proportion of Seed, mixed pro∣portionally with Sperm (be the Seed of what kinde soever, it matters not) Nature presently begins the conception, and proceeds without intermission, till she hath brought it to perfection, and when she hath brought it to perfection, she nourisheth it, and cherisheth it, even to its utmost period.
2. The remaining moisture or sperm which is not fit for any generation that is excellent, Nature expells to the sides or superficies of the Earth, where the heat of the centrall Fire putrefies it, and by that putrefaction is generated small vermine and worms.
3. We desire you would diligently heed this, that the Earth is easily dis∣solved
and purified in the Water; ever one that hath but the least skill in A•••• chymie knows how to do it; but th•• Air is congealed in it, and radicall•• joyned with it, but how this is done, onl•• Philosophers know.
4. He that is a reall student in Phi¦losophy, may easily see divers wonder of Nature in this Element, as it were i•• Sperm; but it is the best and safe•••• course to take that Sperm in whic•• the Astrall Seed by the influence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Stars is already proportioned, b•• cause Nature produceth pure things b•• the first putrefaction, but far mo•••• pure and noble by the second.
These things we thought good 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inform you of concerning the Elemen¦tary world, wherein you may see,
First, that the Fire preserves th•• Earth, that it be not drowned and di••¦solved.
Secondly, the Air preserves the Fir•• that it be not extinguished.
Thirdly, the Water preserves the Earth that it be not burnt.