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Anonymous

Candida Phoenix Philosophica

The White Philosophical Phoenix

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Candida Phoenix PhilosophicaPart II — Chapter 13: The Controversy Over Light

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English Page · Branch 346 of 411

Part II — Chapter 13: The Controversy Over Light

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German & Latin

220–221

Definitione Substantiæ hâc præsuppositâ, ut cetera non minùs breviter tangam, & ad ea applicationem faciam, ad hominem ipsum in specie transgredior, quem corporis Anatomici duplicem esse statuunt, unum cœlestem & immortalem, alterum terrestrem & corruptibilem: Quemadmodum autem homo terrestris æquè ac cætera corpora inferiora è duabus hisce, ut loquuntur, partibus est compositus, Substantiâ scilicet (quæ cum altero homine scil. cœlesti, sive anima, tamdiu invicem conjunctæ sunt, unam hypostasin constituunt) & excrementis; ita statim (& quidem Physicè) sequitur, falsum esse: Quicquid est in homine est Substantia; nec enim peccatum ullo modo pro Substantia haberi potest.

220–221

Candida Phoenix Philosophica: Part II — Chapter 13: The Controversy Over Light

220–221

Taking this definition of substance as given, I turn specifically to man, to touch as briefly on the remaining matters and apply it to them. Those who analyse the body distinguish two men: one heavenly and immortal, the other earthly and corruptible. The earthly man, like other lower bodies, consists, as they say, of substance and residues. That substance, together with the other man—the heavenly man or soul—constitutes one hypostasis for as long as they remain joined. It follows immediately, in natural philosophy, that “Whatever is in man is substance” is false; sin cannot in any way be regarded as substance.

220–221

About This Reading Edition

An anonymous Hermetic treatise of 1680, presented in its original German and Latin with a new English translation, 279 explanatory notes, the historical phoenix frontispiece, an introduction, reading guide, outline, glossary, bibliography, and original registers.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Candida Phoenix philosophica. Frankfurt am Main: Christian Hermsdorff, 1680. The chosen witness is the Wellcome Library copy digitized as b32993456; German and Latin, with French, Greek, and Hebrew passages retained.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The 1680 source is identified as public domain by the Wellcome/Internet Archive record. The supplied 2026 transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, reading guide, outline, glossary, bibliography, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. The frontispiece is retained from the supplied edition and credited to its historical witness.