Chap, z.

Of the Separation of Fire fromWater subtile from thick ; and■ with what indufrj it should jbe ejjefied.

N Ature, the most sagacious Agent,shews us by her proper operations,that in all things we must first confide!the end for which we undertake anymatter, and then finde our means to at-'tain the end. A prudent Searcher ofNatures secrets then should have perfectknowledge of the principles, progress,jand qualities of matter, both internaland,external, lest in his search he con-found his end with his means : andforsaking the high-way which Naturehath.trodden, from the Foundation ofthe World, turn into by-paths, and iphantastical unknown and unfrequented |tracts.

Hermes knew the right way well .for

he '