Page 28 - Paracelsus Three Books of Philosophy

four worlds, according to the four elements and primary habitations; but there is but
one Eternal, in righteousness, equally to be known in all four.

From the element of earth we may learn very much, that out of it we came. Every
like knows its like. The knowledge of the other elements flows from philosophy. But
this is a thing like (us) issuing from experience, out of which afterward philosophy
grows up. But as the element of earth procreated a signature, so likewise did all the
rest. As we have stones, so have the other elements as many. Indeed those stones are
not like ours, but are made after their own proper form. The rest of the elements have
their minerals too as well as we. The celestial firmament hath minerals both of flowers
and stones, which we may rank amongst the miracles. Though here we may easily be
deceived, and quickly run ourselves aground while we stick so much to have the
natural courses reckoned among prodigies, and that this or that hue of the firmament
foreshows some singular thing; thus we presage like prophets, whereas we should
rather conclude that such things come to pass according to the natural course of the
firmament. But if any such thing should at any time so fall out, we should believe, that
such was our course and state. Meanwhile if any thing of the elements be faulty, that
same will enfeeble the rest. For all things should run in a perfect and uninterrupted
course. And though the other three elements serve to nourish us; yet are they ready to
serve the firmament, and the air, and the water too, and those things that are in them.
One thing is nourished by another, as many trees in an orchard. And we may take
notice of the slips and failings of the firmament, as well as the firmament doth observe
our defects. The same may be said of all the rest.

It is silly and vain philosophy to place all happiness and eternity in our element of
earth. A foolish opinion it is, to boast that we only of all creatures are the most noble.
There are more worlds than one, nor are there none besides us in our own. But this
ignorance is much more capital, that we know not those men who are of the same
element with us, as the Nocturnales, Gnomes, etc. Who though they live not in the
clear glory of heaven, nor have any light of the firmament, but hate what we love, and
love what we hate, and though they are not like us in form, essence, or sustentation;
yet is there no cause of wonder: for they were made such in the Great Mystery. We
are not all that were made, there are many more, whom we know not of. Therefore
we must conclude, that there were more bodies than only one simple body shut up in
the Great Mystery, though in general there was but eternal and mortal there. But in
what various shapes and sorts they brought forth, no man can tell. This doubt will be
wholly removed when the eternity of all those things shall meet together. Then
certainly many unknown things shall be fully found out and made known many ways,

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