CHAPTER XVI.

THE PHILOSOPHIA SACRA,” AND “ PHILOSOPHIA MOYSAICA.”
1626 — The “Philosophia Sacra,” Title — and Chart — Portrait of Fludd — Description — Dedicated to Bishop Williams — The “ Prcemium ” — Christ the Centre of True Philosophy — Moses — Pan — Chart, “ Catoptron ” — Description — “ Meteors ” — What ? — Angelic ex- istences— Four Archangels’ power over Four Winds — “ Philosophia Moysaica,” 1638 — Latin and English Editions — Contains Fludd’s Matured Opinions on Religion and Philosophy — Has same spirit of warm devotion — but less learned than the “ Historia ” — The opinions of four Authors on Fludd’s System and Works — Jennings — W aite — Hunt — Gordon .
LUDD’S “ Philosophia sacra et vere Christiana sen
Meteorologia Cosmica,” a folio of fully 300 pages, with charts and illustrations, was issued, “ Francofurti prostat in Officina Bryana, 1626.” The title-page is handsomely engraved. At the top are three scenes — the burning of the cities of the plain, the deluge, a ship being driven, fire, rain, wind. On one side of the title is the figure of S. Michael, the sun in full splendour forming his head, transfixing the dragon with a spear, the top of which is a cross. On the other side appears what seems to be the revelation of S. Gabriel to Daniel ; below S. Michael is a smaller picture representing an earthquake ; in the other corner is a scene in pastoral life — a palm tree in one corner, birds flying across the space. The angels of the four winds occupy the corners of the spaces. At the foot, below the title, a naked man lies on the ground ; above, a circle in which are certain interior parts of a human body. The chart is explained at p. o2. A second title follows : — “ Aer Area Dei Thesauraria seu Perspicuum Sanitatis et Morborum Speculum.” A
DOCTOR ROBERT FLUDD.
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beautiful portrait of Fludd occupies the other side of the leaf It is very pleasing. Fludd is represented with his right hand over his breast, the left resting upon a book placed on a table. In the upper part of the curtain on the left side is seen an effulgence or sun, in the rays of which are the words, “ Si tu illustres lucernam meani, lehova Deus Splendentes efficies tenebras meas. — Ps. 18, 29.” On the other part is Fludd s heraldic achievement, the same as that on his monument. Above it, “ In lumine tuo Videbimus lumen.” The face has an appearance of deep earnestness and reverence, with a touch of sadness. The eyes are large and soft, the beard pointed and trimmed closely. Below are the following lines : —
“ Quem genus et virtus ornant, quem prisca parentum Gloria, cui patriam terra Britanna dedit :
Cui sedet incoctum generoso pectus honesto.
Candor et integritas ambitione carens Omnia cui Natura parens secreta reclusit
Quidquid et harmonici cosmus uterque tenet Pseonise Robertus hie est De Fluctibus artis Fama, Machonii signifer ille Chori.
Vidimus ingenii vires mentisque recessus Ista viri faciem picta tabella refert.
Oceani Venerem perhibent 6 fluctibus ortam Hie Venus et gravitas mixta decore nitent.
Honori Virtutique ejus P.