Lumen de Lumine

Now that we may confirme this our Theorie and Discourse of the Sperm not only by Experience but by Reason, it is necessary that we consider the Qualities and Temperament of the Sperm. It is then a slimie, slippery, Diffusive Moysture. But if we consider any perfect products they are firme, compacted, figurated Bodies, and hence it follows they must be made of something that is not firme, not compacted, not figurated, but a weak, quivering, altering substance. Questionlesse thus it must be, unlesse we make the Sperm to be of the same Complexion with the Body, and then it must follow that Generation is no Alteration. Againe: it is evident to all the world, that nothing is so passive as Moysture. The least heat turnes Water to a Vapour, and the least cold turns that Vapour to Water. Now let us consider what Degree of Heat it is, that acts in all Generations, for by the Agent we may guesse at the Nature of the patient. We know the Sun is so remote from us, that the Heat of it (as daily Experience tels us) is very faint, and remisse. I desire then to know, what Subject is there in all Nature, that can be altered with such a weake Heat, but Moysture? Certainly none at all: for all hard Bodies, as Salts, Stones, and Metals, preserve, and retaine their Complexions in the most violent, excessive Fires. How then can we expect they should be altered by a gentle, and almost insensible Warmth? It is plaine then, and that by infallible inference from the proportion and power of the Agent, that Moysture must needs be the patient: For that Degree of Heat, which Nature makes use of in her Generations, is so remisse and weak, it is impossible for it to alter any thing but what is moyst, and waterish. This truth appears in the Animal Familie, where we know well enough the Sperms are moyst: indeed in Vegetables the Seeds are Drie, but then Nature generats nothing out of them, till they are first macerated, or moystned with Water.