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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

The Summary of Physics Restored

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1653 Latin Enchiridion

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The Summary of Physics RestoredThe 245 Canons · English

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The 245 Canons · English

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Latin

Ex remotissimo illo principio Abyssum quandam caliginosam, informem ac indigestam, proximam Elementorum & Mundi materiam Deum eduxisse ac creasse iisdem visum est: Molem autem hanc modò terram inanem & vacuam, modò aquam sacra pagina nuncupat, licèt actu neutra esset, sed utraque potestate ac destinatione; illam fumo aut vapori tenebroso haud dissimilem fuisse licet coniicere, cui stupens quidam spiritus frigoris & tenebrarum inerat.

English

Those same thinkers held that from that most remote principle God brought forth and created a certain dark, formless and undigested abyss, the immediate matter of the elements and the world. Scripture calls this mass now an empty and void earth, now water, although it was neither in actuality but both in potentiality and destination. We may conjecture that it resembled smoke or a dark vapour, containing a certain numb spirit of cold and darkness.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1653 Enchiridion physicae restitutae, conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet, with Latin and a fresh English translation, all 245 canons, the title and maxim, address to students, epigram, original marginalia, 140 modern annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Enchiridion physicae restitutae. Geneva: Jean-Antoine and Samuel de Tournes, 1653. ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Rar 4790; digitised by e-rara, doi:10.3931/e-rara-21407. Conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet; the original title page is anonymous.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical Latin text is a public-domain work. The supplied 2026 fresh English translation, readable Latin transcription and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.