2. Figures, characters, words or speech are (indeed) properly no quantities: For figures and characters are only delineations and circumscriptions of some kind of matter, and are all, whether natural or artificial, properly contained under quality, and denoting what figure or Form the thing is of. Figure therefore properly is attributed to artificial things, as to a circle, a square, a triangle, and the like; and form to animate things, as to a Man, an Horse, an Oxe, and the like: And so characters whether ingraven in metals, gemms, stones, clay, plaister or wood, or written upon parchment, paper, or the like, of what figure or form soever they be, are but qualities, and do qualifie the matter according to the form and figure impressed in the subject matter, which being artificially done, the matter is the patient, the figure or character is the exemplar cause, and the force that maketh the impression is the efficient cause, and that these as qualities have some efficacy, no rational man can deny.
Geom. l. 19. p. 144.
3. But to make it more clearly manifest, let us suppose three various figures that are Isoperimetral, as a circle, a plain square, and an equilateral triangle: Though they be all of equal circumference, yet shall the circle contain more than either the square, or the triangle; and therefore learned Ramus doth lay down this rule. Circulus è planis Isoperimetris inæqualibus est maximus. But when the question is asked, what is the cause, why a circle of figures of equal circumference, contains the most? The answer is commonly made, Quia omnium figurarum perfectissimus, & capacissimus est circulus; but if it be again urged, what is the cause, that a circle of an equal circumference to a plain square, should be more capacious than the square? Here (the thing being found true by ocular experience) the capaciousness of the circle, more than the square (they being both of equal circumference) can be ascribed to nothing else at all, but only to the figure, and therefore of necessity, figures have in them some efficiency.
Vid. Logic. System. Harmon. Alstedii. p. 249.
4. That which we call speech, or oration, is considered three ways. 1. That which is mental and only conceived in the mind, and not expressed. 2. That which is expressed or uttered by the vocal organs. 3. And that which is written. And these are called mental, vocal and written. The two, that is, mental, and that which is written, are referred to the predicament of quality. And whereas oration vocal is by some referred to the predicament of quantity, as it is the measure of sounds and syllables, as it is pronounced, whereof some are made long, and some short; and so while distinct sounds and syllables are uttered in a certain mood, they are said to be measured, and to belong to quantity: But if we will understand aright, one thing in different respects may belong both to the predicament of quantity and quality. So the prolation of sounds or syllables in respect of their modification, and comparing one to another, some may be long, and some may be short, and have a different part of time in their pronunciation, and so may Analogically, and by way of similitude, be said to be measured, and consequently referred to the predicament of quantity. Yet if we consider speech or oration, which consists of sounds and syllables, in relation to the efficient cause, the material and instrumental, which is the breath of Man by his several organs, moving, modulating and figuring the air (which is the subject matter) into diversity of sites, motions, contextures and moods, then we must conclude that words, charms or rhythms, having efficient, material and instrumental causes, do belong to the predicament of Quality, and are of great force and virtue naturally, notwithstanding all that is or can be objected to the contrary.
Alphabet. Natur. p. 20.
Ibid. p. 52.
5. Lastly, we are to consider that the breath of Man being variously modulated by its passage from the lungs, by the throat, palate, tongue, and other vocal organs, doth make such several impressions and configurations of the moved atomes in the air, that thereby so great a diversity of impulses or sounds are made upon the drum of the ear, that thereby naturally we are able to distinguish one from another. Now humane institution found forth the ways of making these several sounds, or tones, to be appropriated to such and such things, or to signifie the diversity of creatures and things, according to the several compacts and agreements of Men amongst themselves, so that what one sound doth signifie in one language, may signifie another thing in another. So that not considering the institution or invention of this or that significancy of several sounds in several languages, every sound, or articulate prolation, doth naturally make a distinct and several impulse upon the ear, and thereby the senses, and consequently the mind are variously affected by them. And therefore the younger Helmont doth give us an apposite passage, or two to this purpose, Englished thus: “For as in those of ripe years, certain musical modulations being heard, do often so efficaciously imprint in the mind the Idea of the voice and tones, that diverse do sensibly feel them for so long a time in themselves, as it were yet sounding, that they cannot, when they would, be freed from them: From whence also (he saith) the word inchanting seemeth with the Latines and Gauls to have drawn its original. So the Idea of our Mothers tongue impressed in infants, doth so long adhere there, that to them about to speak afterwards, it doth as it were place, and order the tongue, and so is the only one mistress of their speech.” And again he saith: “If in times past there were found those, who by the benefit of musical instruments could move and mollifie the mind of Man various ways: How much more humane voice, if it being moderated by prudence, do break forth from a living spirit, shall not only have power to effect those things, but also those that are far greater?”
Having thus far largely handled this point, we shall only recapitulate a few things, and so conclude this Treatise.
1. It being granted, that great effects have been produced by words, charms, rhythmes, and tunes, we have removed all diabolical concurrence to those effects, except what may be mental and internal, as in all wicked persons, when they use natural means to a wicked and evil end, and that (as we conceive) by sufficient and convincing arguments: And especially because, where there is no natural agent, there the Devil can operate nothing at all, and if there be a natural agent, his concurrence is not necessary.