Fundamenta chymica: or, A sure guide into the high and rare mysteries of alchymie; L.C. Philmedico Chymicus.

CHAP. 9. Of the specification of the Univer∣sal Spirit to Bodies.

THe Soul of the World, and its Acti∣on and Vertue, is represented in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things in which it is: this bindes and ••njoyns the superiour things with the ••feriour: for as many Idea's as the ••eaven contains, so many seminal ••uses it obtains; whence, by the Me∣••••ation of the Spirit, it forms so many ••ecies in the matter. When therefore ••falls out, that any one of these spe∣••es degenerate, it may, by the Soul ••ithin it, and the mediation of the ••••iversal Spirit, be reformed, and re∣••••ced to its former state; for the Spirit alwayes at hand, and ready for all ••otions. In the mean while, we must ••••t imagine that the intellectual Idea attracted; but rather, that the Soul indued with such a vertue, and al∣lured

by the material forms: whi•••• cannot seem absurd to any one; for prepares every one his meat and nut••¦ment, because it is transmutable into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things by which it is sollicited, and w••¦lingly remains and resides therein. Z••¦roaster calls the Agreement and H••••¦mony of the Forms, with the Soul of th•• World, Allurements. Whence it a••¦pears, That all things and kindes dra•• their powers and faculties from th•• Soul of the World, not all totally, b•• such as respect the seed or propag••¦tion, and the like, whereby they germ••¦nate or encrease. An example here we have in Man, who, feeding onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Man's meat, acquires not the Nature 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Birds, Fishes, or the like, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cats. Many other Animals also fe•• upon the same victuals, and yet eve•• one attracts that which is proper to h•• species: so that it is worthy our admi¦ration, that out of the same Meat, M•• can attract what is proper to Man, an•• a Bird what is proper to a Bird. An•• this is not because there are many an•• diverse Aliments in one and the sam•• dish, but because of the species nourish¦••d,

which attracts and changes the nu∣••iment proper to, and convenient for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 self; by mediation whereof, it gene∣••tes its like, by vertue of this Soul ••nd seed, which is in it according to its ••ality.

But we mu•••• not think, That in the ••achine of the Worid, the Spirit, Soul ••nd Body, are things separated: for ••••ese three are alwayes united and ••••njoyned, as is apparent; and by this ••••ion, the whole Spirit and corporal ••bstance become vital.

The universal Soul then, feigns and ••••agines divers forms, which the Spi∣••••t receiving into the bowels of the ••ements, makes corporeal, and pro∣••ces. Hence Animals generate onely ••nimals; Plants, Plants; and Mine∣••••ls, Minerals: though not all alike: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Minerals, as I said before, generate ••ot their like after the same manner 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Plants, because their Spirit is co∣••••ited by too gross matter; which ••••irit, if it could be conveniently ex∣••cted, and conjoyned with Mineral ••atter••, would generate its like, be∣••••use by its exquisite penetration into

imperfect Bodies, through the subtili••¦ation of Art, and artificious Gradua¦tion of Fire; it brings with it pro¦per and Mineral seeds onely, not ani¦mal, because repugnan•• ••o its Nature•• yet I will not say, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it wants th•• action of other faculties; but that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doth not demonstrate them, but a••¦cording to the species whereto it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 accommodated: for else every thi•• would produce its unlike: a Tree wou•••• generate a Man; a Plant, a Bull; a M••••¦tal, an Herb: which I speak onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 respect of the diverse specifications 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things.

For if we consider the most gen••¦ral Genus, it produces in all thin•• its like, because, being Mercur•• it assumes the Nature of all thin•••• wherewith it is mixed. But huma•••• Art cannot effect that that is sole•• granted to Nature, which alone 〈◊〉〈◊〉 procreate a species: Art may dil•••• and multiply it, if it begin its ope••••¦tion at the root of the species, ••••¦prudent Philosophers do; who, ex••••¦cting the Spirit from Minerals spec••¦cated, decently purified, and reduced 〈◊〉〈◊〉

perfection, render it apt to perfect im∣perfect things.

And an expert and industrious Artist perpending these things aright, may easily institute admirable Adaptations.