The First CHAPTER . Of the Nature of Elements . Elements are Simple bodies , out of which all others are compounded , and into which they are at last resolved .

ELements are called simple bodies , because they are not compounded of other bodies of a divers species , but only of Matter and Form , which are the first principles of all things , yet are not bodies . The Elements therefore are the first Simple bodies , and the ingredients to the composition of all others ; for it is beyond the reach of knowledg to find a body perfectly mixt which comprehends not in it self the substance of the four Elements , which is evidently visible in our bodies , which are compounded of four Humors of strait affinity to the nature of the four Elements ; but this is more clearly manifested from the dissolution of mixt bodies , which thereupon flow again into Elements ( as it is asserted in the definition ) for example , in the combustion of Wood , part thereof is converted into Aire , as it appeareth by smoak , which abundantly streaming from it , is changed into aire , part alters into water , sweating out at both ends , part into earth by ashes , which are of a terrene Nature , lastly part thereof is transmuted into fire , as it is apparently demonstrated by the coals and flame . But though many bodies in their corruption have not straightway an immediate transition into Elements , but by a kind of vicissitude invest themselves in other substances , yet they at length in their ultimate resolution , retire into those Elements out of which they were conflated , as it appears in our Food , which in Mans body first is changed into Chyle , then into blood , and next into the substance of the body , which after Death is resolved into Elements , but part of this aliment degenerates into excrements , which in their dregs partly represent Earth , partly Water in Sweat and Urine , partly Fire and Aire in Steams , which insensibly leave the body being habitually disposed to such transpiration .

CHAP. II. Of the Number of Elements . The Elements are four ; Earth , Water , Aire , and Fire .

SOme of the ancient Philosophers held the Elements to be infinite , whom Aristotle in his First Book of the Heavens convinceth ; others contracted the Elements into one only , whom Hipocrates in his Book of Humane Nature confutes by the force of this indissoluble Argument ; If , saith he , man were constituted by one Element , he would not be sensible of any pain .

The reason which confirms this consequence is this , because what ever Sympathize in pain , partake of the same sense , and are alterable , but contrariety is the cause of every alteration ; if therefore there were but one Element , there could not exist any contrariety , because nothing is contrary to it self , and whatsoever suffers , the passion thereof proceeds from another thing .

But the cause why we precisely oblige our selves to four Elements , appears by the first qualities , which being four are very distinct one from another , to wit , Calidity , Frigidity , Humidity and Siccity , which being accidents , it is necessary every of them should have its particular distinct and separate subject . Nor can it be conclusively objected , that there are but two Elements , because calidity with siccity , and frigidity with humidity are coupled together in one and the same body ; For if from hence we gather that there are two Elements ; Calidity being linck'd with Humidity , and Frigidity with Siccity , we may gather that there are two more : besides the probation of four Elements is sensibly confirmed by the dissolution of mixt bodies , which are resolved into those four first bodies according to the assertion of the preceedent Chapter .

CHAP. III. Of the Qualities of the Elements . The Qualities of the Elements are first and second .

The First Qualities are those , which are primarily in the Elements , and upon which the others have a dependence .

And they are Active or Passive .

The Active are those , which have chief efficacy in the mutual alteration of the Elements , and in the constitution of mixture .

THese are not nominated Active simply and absolutely , as some were of opinion , because they only act , the rest being purely passive ; but this distinction is caused only by Comparison , because the Action of them is more efficacious than of those others which are termed Passive , for that they are more Passive than Active , though they be not wholly destitute of action , for Humidity acts upon Siccity , Siccity upon Humidity .

And these Actives are Calidity and Siccity .

Calidity is the first Active Quality ; the effect of which is the congregating of things Homogeneous , and dissipating of Heterogeneous , as Aristotle in his second Book of generation .

Logicians terme those things Homogeneous , which partake of the same nature and species , Heterogeneous which are of diverse Species , which understanding closeth not with this discourse ; for Heat in the generation of a mixt body , doth not only congregate things Homogeneous but Heterogeneous also , viz. moist with dry , which differ in Species . So also different Aliments in the ventricle are congregated by Heat and chylifyed . We must then here understand by things Homogeneous , those which bear such a relation of similitude to one another , that they may be convenient to constitute the nature of one thing and to be converted into it . So moist and dry , by reason of their unition in generation of a mixt body are called Homogeneous ; so in concoction Aliments distinct in their Species , are Homogencous ; whereof that part which cannot aptly be reduced to Chyle , as the excrements , are only Heterogeneous , and therefore segregated .

And there are other proprieties of heat , viz. Resolution , Operation , Incision , Maturation , and Attenuation .

Nature is infinitely stored with examples of these proprieties , but they are more apparent in the matter of Medicaments , which by the vertue of them are very efficacious .

Frigidity is a first active quality which musters together things Homogeneous and Heterogeneous .

So water with water , wax with wax , and any other thing adhering or incident to them , as Straws , Stone , Wood , Sand , Chaffe , and other things are coagmented together by conglaciation ; till by Heat dissolving this combination they are separated .

The work of Frigidity is to allay Heat to a due temperament , lest the mixt body should be over-Heated to a dissolution .

This quality doth not only rally together things Homogeneous and Heterogeneous , but also fixeth them to adstriction , condensation , obstruction , and incrassation .

Cold being contrary to Heat intailes a necessity to the contrary production of effects , nor must we comply with Cardan , who is of opinion that cold is meerly the absence and privation of Heat , and nothing positive ; which Avicenna seems to intimate , who sayes , that cold is no ingredient to the operations of Nature . But Scaliger learnedly opposeth them both , Exercit. 22. And before his time Averroes , whose assertion , that cold is requisite in the works of nature , is established upon the basis of two reasons , first by tempering the Heat ; next by operating in things a consistency and coherence of parts ; which cannot be effected by Heat whose propriety is dissolution .

Thus much of the Active qualities .

The Passive are those which are less Active , and therefore in the mixtion of bodies are subordinate to the Active . And they are Humidity and Siccity .

Humidity is a Passive quality , whose effect is to make things exorbitant as to their own bounds , but easily confined to the limitation of another , Arist. 2. gene.

So water , wine , oyl and other humid bodies diffuse themselves , and can only be contained within the bounds of vessels .

Siccity is a passive quality making things to be easily content with their own limits , but impatient to be bounded by any other .

So wood , stones and other such like things , do obstinately hold their proper figure , nor easily receive the impression of another .

It may be objected , that fire which is highly dry is not confined within its own but rather some aliene boundary ; which may also be affirmed of dust and ashes .

To which I oppose , that this is by accident and not naturally contingent to fire , because of the tenuity of its substance , which will not admit such cohibition , for there must be a copulation of Siccity with some density , that this description may properly be applyed to a substance . But dust and ashes in conservation retain their proper figure : for they are not a body continued , but a contiguity of the smalest parts of the earth , which by reason they are so exile can be entertained in any place .

These four first qualities are found in the Elements , as they can in possibility comply . For we meet with Calidity and Siccity in Fire , Calidity and Humidity in Air , Frigidity and Humidity in Water , Frigidity and Siccity in Earth .

The inherence and conjunction of these first qualities , are at large disputed with much opiniative Heat of controversy by Professors in Physick , to whom for brevity sake we referre the Reader .

Thus farre concerning first qualities .

The second qualities are those which immediately result from the temperature and mixtion of the first .

By this description we casheer from the second qualities , colours , smel , and taste , which are not the immediate effects of the first , nor so manifestly , but more remotely and obscurely depend upon them . For this cause some , though not significantly , place them in subordination by the terme of third qualities . In which if there be any difficulty the enucleation thereof must be referred to the doctrine of the Senses , because without these perspectives they cannot be brought under a right understanding .

These are fourteen , viz. Rarity and Density , Gravity and Levity , Hardnesse and Softnesse , Subtility and Crassity , Aridity and Lubricity , Friability and Clamminess , Asperity and Laevity .

Rarity is a second quality produced chiefly by Heat , by which things are extenuated to a possibility of dissipation .

So Water by the Heat of the Sun is attenuated , thin , and dissipable : so clouds easily pierced by the rayes of the Sun , are usually termed rare .

'T is worth observation , that rarity is twofold , one , which consists in the tenuity of substance : and this is properly reduced to the Predicament of quality , accompanying Heat as the effect thereof , and so the aire is thin , the earth thick . The other consists not in the tenuity of substance , but in the remoteness of parts , so we call a spunge rare , because of those intervalls and distances of the parts which lodge the aire : and this Rarity takes place in the Predicament of Site , and is , though better understood by us , more improperly termed Rarity .

Density is a second quality arising from Cold , by which things become more compact , firme , and with difficulty dissipable .

So water congealed by cold , so stones and metalls are dense .

Gravity is a quality produced by cold and density , by which things tend downwards .

Levity is a quality produced from Heat and rarity , by vertue of which things make upwards .

Hardnesse is a quality arising from Siccity , by which things yield not easily to the touch .

Softness is a quality arising from humidity , which renders things tangible without a repulse .

Subtility is the production of Heat , Siccity , and Rarity , by which things are attenuated and fitted for penetration .

It differs from rarity , as the effect from its cause ; rarity being the Procatarctick of subtility . But not all rare things are subtile , for there is rarity in the aire , but no subtility , and some aire is crasse ; so by our advice our patients remove from gross aire , which in many diseases is not good to breath in .

Crassity is a quality which owes its being to cold , and density , by which things become Solid and less fit for penetration .

For Crassity is differenced from density , as the effect from its cause , for all dense bodies cannot properly be termed crasse .

Aridity is a quality generated by Siccity , which banisheth almost all humor . Lubricity is a quality flowing from humidity , by which things being rendred slippery deceive the touch .

So a Snake , and a way conglaciated is slippery .

Friability is a quality arising from Siccity , by which things for want of coherency may easily be crumbled .

So salt and sugar are friable .

Clamminess is a quality arising from humidity , which causeth things to be sticking and glutinous .

So pitch , glue and other such like things are called sticking .

Asperity is a quality issuing from Siccity , by which the superficies of things is unequal , and not tangeable without offence .

So the barks of Trees and pumices are offensive by their asperity .

Levity is a quality arising from humidity , by which things being of an even superficies are pleasing to the touch .

This quality is not the effect of humidity only , but may also be artificially produced , when the rudenesse of things solid and dense is polished and plained .