Lumen de Lumine

The Mother or first Matter of Metals is a certaine watery Substance, neither very water, nor very Earth, but a Third thing compounded of Both, and retaining the Complexion of neither. To this agrees the learned Valentine in his apposit and genuine Description of our Sperm. Materia Prima (saith he) est Aquosa Substantia, Sicca reperta, & nulli Materiae comparabilis. The first Matter is a waterish Substance found Drie, or of such a Complexion that wets not the Hand, and nothing like to any other Matter whatsoever. Another excellent, and well experienc’d Philosopher defines it thus. Est Terrena Aqua, & Aquosa Terra in Terrae ventre Terrae commixta, cum Quâ se commiscet Spiritus, & Coelestis Influxus. It is (saith he) an Earthy water, and a watery Earth, mingl’d with Earth in the Belly of the Earth, and the spirit and Influences of Heaven commix themselves therewith.