[CHAP. X. Of Dead or Dull Fires.]
OF Dull, Dead Fires, some sorts seem to be of a mixt sort: as for example, Vitriol, and the like, seem to be Exteriorly, of the Figurative Motions of Fire; and Interiorly, of the Figurative Motions of Water, or of Watry Liquors: And Oyl is of Fiery Figurative Motions, Interiorly; and of Liquid Figurative Motions, Exteriorly; which is the cause that the Fiery Properties of Oyl cannot be altered, without a Total Dissolution of their Natures. But, such sorts whose Fiery Figurative Motions are Exterior, as being not their Innate Nature, may be divided from those other Natural
Parts they were joyned to, without altering their Innate Nature.
[CHAP. XI. Of the Occasional Actions of Fire.]
All Creatures have not only Innate figurative Motions that cause them to be such or such a sort of Creature; but, they have such and such actions, that cause such and such Effects: also, every Creature is occasioned to particular Actions, by forrein Objects; many times to improper actions, and sometimes to ruinous actions, even to the dissolution of their Nature: And, of all Creatures, Fire is the most ready to occasion the most Mischief; at least, Disorders: for, where it can get entrance, it seldom fails of causing such a Disturbance, as occasions a Ruine. The reason is, that most Creatures are porous: for, all Creatures, subsisting by each other, must of necessity have Egress and Regress, being composed of Interior and Exterior Corporeal Motions. And Fire, being the sharpest figurative Motion, is apt to enter into the smallest Pores.
But some may ask, Whether Fire is porous it self?
I answer: That having Respiration, it is a sufficient proof that it is Porous: for, Fire dyes if it hath not Air.
But some may say, How can a Point be porous?
I answer, That a Point is composed of Parts, and therefore may very well be porous: for, there is no such thing as a Single Part in Nature, and therefore, not a Single Point.