The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Secondly, Out of this lump and unformed confusion did God afterwards distinctly form this World, and all the parts of it. First, those four Elements, called the simple bodies, by fetching one contrary out of another, as Light out of Darkness, the Firmament out of emptiness, dry Earth out of Waters: then the compound bodies out of the same Elements, and for the most part, of all four unequally mingled together, every one principally ⟨p. 74⟩out of the same Element which they garnish or inhabit. As Grass and Trees out of the Earth, The Sun, the Moon, the Stars wholly or specially out of the ^rfire, (as may not unprobably be gathered Fishes) out of the Waters, Birds out of the Air, Beasts out of the Earth. But men and women, as a piece of singular work, he framed in a more artificial sort.

Secondly, Out of this lumpe and vnformed confusion did God afterwards distinctly forme this World, and all the parts of it. First, those foure Elements, called the simple bodies, by fetching one contrary out of another, as Light out of Darknesse, the Firmament out of emptinesse, dry Earth out of Waters: then the compound bodies out of the same Elements, and for the most part, of all foure vnequally mingled together, euery one principally ⟨p. 74⟩out of the same Element which they garnish or inhabit. As Grasse and Trees out of the Earth, The Sunne, the Moone, the Stars wholly or specially out of the ^rfire, (as may not vnprobably be gathered Fishes) out of the Waters, Birds out of the Ayre, Beasts out of the Earth. But men and women, as a piece of singular worke, hee framed in a more artificiall sort.

1. rFor it is plain by Moses, that the Heavens thē selves, and those celestial bodies, were made not of any fifth essence, as Aristotle and some other dream, but of elementary matter, namely, of the fire. Whereupon the very substance, and the whole frame and compass of them all, which we call the Skye, is termed [Greek or Hebrew], aether, from [Greek or Hebrew], which is to burn, for that all things there are fiery, as Anaagr. an old Philosopher did well derive it: Albeit Aristotle in his first Book de Clo, reiect this Etymology and preferres another rather, from [Greek or Hebrew], because it is in perpetual motion. But that seemeth neither so natural for the Word, nor so apt for the matter.