Magia Adamica

For pardon should be granted, as the man of Madaura says, to new language serving the obscurity of its subject. Although this nature cannot remain one and the same, it is nevertheless received into the mind's lodging by such a power of the soul, more rightly in respect of what it is than what it is not: as the thing truly is, that is, changeable. But the other nature of substances is incorrupt, unchangeable, constant, one and the same, and always existing.” [Vaughan’s own English rendering:] “One nature can be seen with the eyes and felt with the hands, and is subject to alteration at almost every moment. You must pardon, as Apuleius says, this unusual expression, because it serves the obscurity of the thing. Although this nature cannot continue one and the same, the mind nevertheless apprehends it under its actual condition: more rightly as it is than as it is not, namely, as the thing truly is—changeable. The other nature, or principle of substances, is incorruptible, unchangeable, constant, one and the same forever, and always existent.” So he says. Now this changeable nature is the first visible, tangible substance God ever made. It is white in appearance, and Paracelsus gives the reason: [New translation of the Latin:] “All things are white in God's hand; he colours them as he wills.” [Vaughan’s own English rendering:] “All