Selected quad for the lemma: fire_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
fire_n	body_n	spirit_n	water_n	4,477	5	6.7332	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90641	Philadelphia, or, Brotherly love to the studious in the hermetick art. Wherein is discovered the principles of hermetick philosophy, with much candor and plainness. / Written by Eyreneus Philoctetes.	Philoctetes, Eyreneus.; Starkey, George, d. 1666.	1694 (1694)	Wing P1982A; ESTC R204402	19,199	104

the effect according to the same Philosopher This one skill performs the Mastery of Theory enobles a Philosopher and unfolds to the knower all our Secrets By which all may know whether they conceive aright for all pretences or Conceits of the knowledge thereof that has not this effect is certainly of no value And indeed the secret Doves of our secret Dyana are truly remote from every vulgar eye her Fountain and Wood must first be known where they ascend and descend before you attempt to catch them Seek then wisely when their nest is found enclose them with a transparent Wall so high and close that they cannot escape by flight then stirr them up but at first expect only the female who is more watchful then her Mate but she will return and bring him also But know also that as Art imitates Nature so do Manual and preparatory work bear great Analogy with natural and perfect Operations but that which is effected in the one Mechanically is lively Acted in the other naturally even to the astonishment of the Artist Therefore once more let me assure the Ingenious that Philosophers have so jointly spoken of these which alone covers our Secrets that a distinction cannot be made without profound Meditation and segacious Wit which no sooner is performed but the Mastery of Theory is acquired but till this be attained all Practice is uncertain and to be shunned for nothing is more easie then to misinterpret and consequently misapply our sayings And altho' we do say and that truly properly Distil Sublime Calcine Putrifie Separate and Reconjoyn the Elements c. yet also admonish that our Operations are not vulgar but secret and truly Natural and prrformed in one only Vessel Therefore let none persuade themselves or be persuaded by Roguish Sophisters which abounds contrary to this And truly as our Operations are secret so are our Agents by which they are carried on without intermission to their End For as was said by a knowing Master Our Instrument that bringeth the matter into motion in the first second and third work is not the fire of a Bath nor Dung nor Ashes c. And therefore as there are in our Work three Periods or terminations which are three Calcinations or Fixations so likewise every one of them is effected by its proper Agent every Termination or Fixation terminating the Action of its Agent having performed its Work as one to kill another to make alive c. Also these works differ in their Perfections the first producing imperfect Saturn black and foul the second perfect Luna white and pure the third Ripe Sol red and permanent These things being premised presume I may speak somewhat of our Operations themselves without yielding an occasion to any foolishly to endeavour the same by any vulgar means As many therefore as would attain the mastery of our universal Mercury that doth possess the Virtues of Superiour and Inferiour which is the one only Subject of our Secrets let them thus proceed R. The Venerable matter of Philosophers called by many Names Adapt a fit Vessel Furnace and Fire according to its necessity then proceed to Calcination which opens the Pores of the Body being effected by a moist Fire or Bath and not only preserves but increases radical or natural Moisture by which means the Calx is made unctuous and fit for dissolution hence may be learned the difference between the Operations of the vulgar and ours for which of them that vulgarly Operate makes Calcination with a moist Fire or reduceth the Body or Calx into Attoms as it were impalpable abounding with humidity and therefore easily flowing We exclude from hence all Corrosive Waters and strange Humidities which the ignorant call moist Fires being altogether forraigne to our intent putrifie this Calx in a Fire of wet Ashes for fourty dayes and nights but let the fire be such that nothing sublime then Distil it gently and according to Hermes separate the subtile from the gross the Water from the Earth with great discretion and thou shalt obtain a water of great force and value which we call Virgins Milk and Whitening Spirit and in the bottom will reside a black earth which is called the Earth that remains Cohabate this water so often till Leton is washed and also dissolved and become one inseparable with the water then is the whole compound turned into Purity without any manual Separation according to the Philosopher He that separates any thing from the subject thinking it to be necessary knows nothing in Philosophy For that which is superfluous unclean silthy and feculent in sum the whole substance of the subject is perfected into a fixt spiritual body and this the wise Men never revealed therefore few cometh to the Art thinking that to be some such superfluous unclean thing Another also thus Writes Wash away the blackness from Leton not with thy hand but with the stone or fire c. for this separation of the pure from the impure is not made with hands but nature her self alone by working it circularly to perfection brings it to pass This Operation is not only called Separation but also Conversion of Elements whereby the Quadrangle is made a Circle and all truly conjoyned which indeed is our so much concealed Conjunction and subject of Wonders which now hath attained the Superior and Inferior Virtues of which says Pontanus Hermes speak obscurely Hence forward the work is more easie and delightful and the Reward bountiful if according to Hermes it be made compleat for vis ejus est integra si versa fuerit in terram But this Operation of Congealation is also Natural which is effected without any imposition of hands Therefore let all beware of any other pretence or Endeavour Contrary to this Having taken sufficient care already and provided against me understanding these things grosly need say no more a word to the wise being sufficient yet for the further instruction of a Tyro let me admonish that they seek not to gather Grapes off Thorns nor Figgs from Thistles but employ their whole Study to understand these things Radically For most certain it is every Effect has its Cause which Cause being unknown the consequence will be the means to bring to pass such an effect will be unknown tho' the Effect should be actually seen For what would any be the wiser should they see the Effect of our Arcanum upon imperfect Metals and not apprehend the Cause they were no more able to effect it then before Hence the necessity of understanding the Generation of this Secret and powerful Agent in the Radix of its Nativity Having therefore a desire to benefit the Studious having already shewed above that all Generation is and indeed must be effected by an Homogeneous Agent and Patient Seed and Matter betwixt which a ferment is begot through a special appetite in them and through this ferment an offspring is produced according to the nature of the Seed c. shall for

a conclusion descend to the prime principles of our work Which Principles indeed are no other then those that constitute and every way compleat a Metaline Body viz. Sulphur and Argent Vive in both which is a special Appetite For a pure Mercury greedily coveteth a pure Sulphur and a pure Sulphur the Mercury for the perfection of Mercury is Sulphur and the Rest of Sulphur is in Mercury But be not ignorant that such a Mercury is only fit for our work which is really female void of Sulphur otherways the Appetite will be wanting which let me perswade is the very foundation of our Art But this appetite is wanting in Common Mercury as having a sufficient proportion of Metaline Sulphur tho' unactive by reason of its being pluct from its Root and thereby become dead and therefore not fit for the stirring up this first Ferment tho when the Ferment is once stirred up it is then capable of being fermented Also our Sulphur is a pure active Sulphur when a pure Mercury is the subject of its action Capable to effect what is desired by Mercury And truly where things are thus qualified their imbraces are effectual and their Union easie and speedy But beware of common Sulphur which in no wise is fit for our intent being an Enemy to Metaline love capable indeed of viciating but not really marrying a Virgin Mercury but being ambitious and powerful enough to compel usurpes the Throne and truly possesseth the same in peace till the right Heir comes which is stronger then he who dispossesseth and casts him out and takes possession himself Let thy first work therefore in practice be to assist the right Heir who when he possesseth his Throne will recompence thee with the gift of Harmonia Hence with ease and advantage may be learned not only how our subjects are said to be living but how they become so and also what good reason Philosophers have so to call them not that they are matters taken from any Animal as some grosly think much to their own and those they perswades damage but are become such through the Ferment their appetite have produced and Created No other life is found in Metals Minerals and Vegitables Neither is it possible to communicate the Life or Ferment of one to the other by reason as is shewed above of their difference in matter all true Ferments requiring an Homogeneity between Agent and Patient Whosoever therefore shall Meditate well on these and see their Harmony with true mens Writings shall certainly gain this viz. be preserved from the absurd and chargeable Experiments daily practiced by the foolish and inconsiderate Operators and also from being imposed on by ignorant and deceitful men who propose to make this our so highly prized Arcanum from almost every thing yea such things that have no unity with Metals yet nothing less then a perfect Metaline Tincture is to be produced O deep ignorance O vain attempts justly rewarded by nature with scorne and by her sons detested with the highest Derision Could they but remember by whom it was said such as men Sow such usust they Reap and as God will not be mocked so neither will Nature Wherefore if thy intention be to exalt a Metal in virtue beyond what nature hath done thou must take a Metaline nature both in male and female or thy endeavour will be vain and the end Fruitless Seek therefore with all thy Industry this secret fermental Virtue which is begot between our secret active sulphur which is our Fire our Air yea our congealed Air which is the covering of this secret spirit which is better then all the Earth this is our green Lyon and Sal Armoniack which alone is able to warm purge and enliven the Water of our Balneum How this doth accord with the Operations of Nature may easily be learned if we take an Observation of her procedure therein Doth not the heavenly influences impregnate the Air with a secret Spirit of Life which then is communicated to the Water which brings them to the Earth by which the secret Life of Seeds contained in the Matrix thereof through Putrifaction are set at Liberty and by their fermental virtue Coagulates the Water into its own Nature multiplying its Species thereby it being its proper matter This is our whole Work this our whole Philosophy which furnisheth the Possessor with health and Riches But the Wise men make not these things though truly excellent the bound of their search but with Solomon say how much better it is to get wisdom then Gold and understanding rather then fine silver For what would it profit in the end if a man should obtain the knowledge of the Vein for Silver and know also the place where they fine Gold and that out of the Earth cometh bread and under it is turned up as it were fire and that the stones of it are as Saphire and that it hath dust of Gold together with all the misteries thereof and yet not know the place of understanding and remain ignorant of the Wisdom of God surely the same dumbness that possessed Job after he had gone thus farr would fall upon that Tongue when God shall plead and when the great Creator of every thing and knower of every secret Corner shall Reason Therefore above all get understanding and wisdom pursue with all thy power But the heart is not capable to possess wisdom nor the breast to Treasure up understanding till the Cup of Water colloured with Fire be received from the hand of God My heart truly is moved with these things and my spirit beats in my Breast with which I magnifie the great Creator Yea let all the people Praise him and all the Host of Heaven magnifie his holy strength yea praise ye him Sun Moon and Stars Fire Hail and Snow for his Mercy endureth for ever and is over all his works who was is and is to come And now let me take my leave of the studious sons of Hermes having shewed my Brotherly love in thus Candidly writing which will be justified by the knowing and serviceable to the honest and ingenuous but to the foolish who will apply our plain Discourse to their own whimsies and foolish conceptions unprofitable If any inquire who I am be thus Answered I am too publick to be known too private to be inquired after and too quick footed to be pursued Yet also so near as to behold with pitty as well as admiration the foolish endeavours conceited knowledge of many for whose Instruction and Information I have written this short and candid Piece and thus held forth my Brotherly hand of help As many therefore as expect a Reward of their Labour and study in this Science I shall Recommend to the Teachings of the great Master and strict Law of nature without which ●o approaching this Mystery Farewel EYRENAEUS PHILOCTETES Written in the Year 1691.

HIS Respected and Worthy FRIEND THy early Love to Hermetick Philosophy sincere Respects to the Masters of it and long perseverance in the Study were sufficient motives to Communicate what might fall into my hands that was rare and valuable tho the Obligations of Friendship were less numerous The Enclosed Manuscript I have had by me for some time but for some Reasons could not communicate it so soon as my respects to thy self and it would have prompt me I have not seen nor heard of many Copies therefore for its Novelty may presume and for its worth speak what I think That it is a compendious and plain Theory of the Principles of Nature in general and of Hermetick Practice in particular Not Phantastically talked of but fundamentally evinced from the necessity thereof and Authority of the Ancient Philosophers Fully manifesting the impossibility of the contrary through the uniformity and Regularity of Natures Actions in the Production of the several Species of Natural and perfect Bodies For the Author I shall nor presume to give any judgement since he is pleased to conceal his Name and Circumstances there by lye obscure the practice of Hermetick Writers But this we may learn that his Candor and Brotherly Love to the Studious and Religious stile Entitles him to Christianity as well as his Matter and Method doth to Knowledge and Practice in the School of Hermes and Nature whether he be old or young Native or Stranger And since he has been thus solicitous and even studious to prevent Errors in all and to direct the feet of the worthy in the way of Truth we must reasonably believe he hath taken the best method to effect it which is to inculcate the knowledge of true Principles and possibility of Nature And indeed I have long conceived the Multitude of Errors in Practice that have happened to the searchers of Art has been most owing to the Ignorance in Principles and the want of a Previous understanding in the Law of Nature Nature no doubt has a Law she cannot transgress let us therefore study to know that and we shall not attempt it neither Art or Accidents may frustrate her end and cause Abortion but neither carry her to or beyond her usual Perfection but in her own way This small Tract worthy Friend Concisely teaches what the Fire and water or Agent and Patient that are active or living are how they are said to be living what their life and how understood and indeed the Nature and Reason of the Hermetick Art very much Illustrated thereby Neither is it barren of so much Divinity and some peculiar Hints that may afford pleasure and profit to one so intent thereon as becomes so deep Philosophy which doubtless is the shadow of Divinity or Younger Sister And indeed I could wish the contemplation of Gods Works in Nature were less omitted by the Christian professors of our Age and the Lucre of Gain more seing it tends to the honour of God good of our Neighbour and satisfaction of our selves every way except our satisfaction be in much Riches and Honour purchased with our most precious time and possessed with Ignorance and Folly which is very short of the Nobility of our Intulect and end of Creation and for which we must surely give an Account Is not the Christian enabled to ascribe the Attributes of Wisdom and Power to God in the Consideration and Contemplation of the Number and Magnitude Order and Beauty of the Works of Creation as he is those of his goodness and Mercy which is over all his Works in manifesting the same word by which they were made to redeem and restore them the last absolutely necessary the first altogether becoming and adorning a virtuous and pious mind and Christian Profession Doubtless the Natural and Mechanick knowledge acquired by Solomon no way unfitted but qualified him for a Divine Who when he had erected that glorious Edifice and beautified it with the choicest Products of Nature and Art as a Naturalist and Mechanick Dedicated the same in great wisdom as a Divine We have Reason to believe the Psalmist no less filled with the consideration of the Attributes that are Manifest in the Creation which even compelled him to celebrate the same almost continually And indeed nothing less is to be thought than that a mind thus possessed with admiration should continually fear so great love so good and adore so glorious a Being incomprehensible Power and Majesty Neither has indeed the Holy Apostles and followers of Christ fallen short but rather excelled in this And truly respected Friend the Characters of Nature are preferable to those of Men since they are Gods and such our Lord himself chose to shew forth the greatest Mysteries by Therefore if ignorant of them how shall we understand his Sermons and Doctrine aright Much might be said but in as much worthy Friend there is no need of Arguments to covince tho this may incourage one so fully satisfied of its Utility innocency and profit to prosecute the same with diligence Judgement and to prefer it to the Mean and unbecoming practices of our Age that solicite nothing but Gain or Greatness and miserably live in this world without the knowledge of Gods greatness and Wisdom love and Mercy made manifest in his Creation and its Redemption But least I should Transgress my intended Limits and detain too long from the Inclosed I shall refer what might otherwise have been here offered in Relation to the Secret Art of Hermes to another Opportunity more convenient and in the mean while continue to desire thy Prosperity and happiness every way as I have hitherto done who am thy Friend in Sincerity and Affection PHILETAEROS Philadelphia OR BROTHERLY LOVE To the Studious in the Hermetick ART IT is real matter of Lamentation to see so many pressing after Knowledge and so few taking the right Path or making a true Estimation thereof I could indeed make known my Zeal on this occasion with pleasure did I not know by Experience that most that are Studious in this Science pass over such lines with impatience and great neglect for their minds be solicitous only about the practice of Alchymy they reject almost every Line that treats not thereof I must indeed Confess that the Arcanum of this Art is not only defirable but truly Excellent and also that thereby Divine Truths are adumbrated yet also do affirm it gives not the possession thereof which is alone Entailed upon that Divine excellency that never faileth Charity For surely whether there be Prophesies they shall fail or Tongues they shall Cease or Knowledge it shall vanish away but the word of the Lord which is Christ the Charity or gift of God to the World abideth for ever Therefore let me admonish the Studious to pursue knowledge in the Path thereof who then will make a true Estimation and will perceive that it is not the ultimate Attainment but only a Link of the Divine Chain And as