The World Made of Nothing by a Creator.
2486.
Yet from this fact also, that in the conjunction of the elements,
if one be deficient or in excess, the others are loosened and fall,
is shown that they took their beginning from nothing.
2487.
For if for example, moisture be wanting in any body, neither will the dry stand;
for dry is fed by moisture, as also cold by heat;
in which, as we have said, if one be defective, the whole are dissolved.
2488.
And in this they give indications of their origin, that they were made out of nothing.
2489.
Now if matter itself is proved to have been made,
how shall its parts and its species, of which the world consists, be thought to be unmade?
2490.
Yet about matter and its qualities this is not the time to speak:
only let it suffice to have taught this, that God is the Creator of all things,
because neither, if the body of which the world consists was solid and united,
could it be separated and distinguished without a Creator;
nor, if it was collected into one from diverse and separate parts,
could it be collected and mixed without a Maker.
2491.
Therefore, if God is so clearly shown to be the Creator of the world,
what room is there for Epicurus to introduce atoms, and to assert that not only sensible bodies,
yet even intellectual and rational minds, are made of insensible corpuscles?
Doctrine of Atoms Untenable.
2492.
Yet you will say, according to the opinion of Epicurus,
that successions of atoms coming in a ceaseless course, and mixing with one another,
and conglomerating through unlimited and endless periods of time, are made solid bodies.
2493.
I do not treat this opinion as a pure fiction, and that, too, a badly contrived one;
yet let us examine it, whatever be its character, and see if what is said can stand.
2494.
For they say that those corpuscles, which they call atoms, are of different qualities:
that some are moist, and therefore heavy, and tending downwards;
others dry and earthy, and therefore still heavy;
yet others fiery, and therefore always pushing upwards;
others cold and inert, and always remaining in the middle.
2495.
Since then some, as being fiery, always tend upward,
and others, as being moist and dry, always downwards,
and others keep a middle and unequal course,
how could they meet together and form one body?
2496.
For if any one throw down from a height small pieces of straw, for example, and pieces of lead of the same size, will the light straws be able to keep up with the pieces of lead, though they be equal in size?
|
|
|
2497.
Nay; the heavier reach the bottom far more quickly.
2498.
So also atoms, though they be equal in size, yet, being unequal in weight,
the lighter will never be able to keep pace with the heavier;
yet if they cannot keep pace, certainly neither can they be mixed or form one body.
The Concourse of Atoms Could Not Make the World.
2499.
Then, in the next place, if they are ceaselessly borne about,
and always coming, and being added to things whose measure is already complete,
how can the universe stand, when new weights are always being heaped upon so vast weights?
2500.
And this also I ask:
If this expanse of heaven which we see was constructed by the gradual concurrence of atoms,
how did it not collapse while it was in construction,
if indeed the yawning top of the structure was not propped and bound by any stays?
2501.
For as those who build circular domes, unless they bind the fastening of the central top,
the whole falls at once;
so also the circle of the world, which we see to be brought together in so graceful a form,
2502.
if it was not made at once, and under the influence of a single forth-putting of divine energy by the power of a Creator, yet by atoms gradually concurring and constructing it,
not as reason demanded, yet as a fortuitous issue befell,
how did it not fall down and crumble to pieces before it could be brought together and fastened?
2503.
And further, I ask this:
What is the pavement on which the foundations of such an immense mass are laid?
2504.
And again, what you call the pavement, on what does it rest?
And again that other, what supports it?
2505.
And so I go on asking, until the answer comes to nothing and vacuity!
More Difficulties of the Atomic Theory.
2506.
Yet if any one say that atoms of a fiery quality, being joined together, formed a body,
and because the quality of fire does not tend downwards, yet upwards,
that the nature of fire, always pushing upwards, supports the mass of the world placed upon it;
|
|
|
to this we answer:
2507.
How could atoms of a fiery quality, which always make for the highest place,
descend to the lower, and be found in the lowest place of all, so as to form a foundation for all;
whereas rather the heavier qualities, that is, the earthy or watery,
always come before the lighter, as we have said;
hence, also, they assert that the heaven, as the higher structure,
is composed of fiery atoms, which are lighter, and always fly upwards?
2508.
Therefore the world cannot have foundations of fire, or any other:
nor can there be any association or compacting of the heavier atoms with the lighter,
that is, of those which are always borne downwards, with those that always fly upwards.
2509.
Thus it is sufficiently shown that the bodies of the world are consolidated by the union of atoms;
and that insensible bodies, even if they could by any means concur and be united,
could not give forms and measures to bodies, form limbs, or effect qualities, or express quantities;
all which, therefore, by their exactness, attest the hand of a Maker,
and show the operation of reason, which reason I call the Word, and God.
Plato's Testimony.
2510.
Yet some one will say that these things are done by nature.
2511.
Now, in this, the controversy is about a name.
2512.
For while it is evident that it is a work of mind and reason,
what you call nature, I call God the Creator.
2513.
It is evident that neither the species of bodies, arranged with so necessary distinctions,
nor the faculties of minds,
could or can be made by irrational and senseless work.
2514.
Yet if you regard the philosophers as fit witnesses,
Plato testifies concerning these things in the Timæus,
where, in a discussion on the making of the world,
he asks, whether it has existed always, or had a beginning,
and decides that it was made.
2515.
'For,' says he, 'it is visible and palpable, and corporeal;
yet it is evident that all things which are of this sort have been made;
yet what has been made has doubtless an author, by whom it was made.
|
|
|
2516.
This Maker and Father of all, however, it is difficult to discover;
and when discovered, it is impossible to declare Him to the vulgar.'
2517.
Such is the declaration of Plato;
yet though he and the other Greek philosophers had chosen to be silent about the making of the world,
would it not be manifest to all who have any understanding?
2518.
For what man is there, having even a particle of sense, who, when he sees a house having all things necessary for useful purposes, its roof fashioned into the form of a globe,
painted with various splendour and diverse figures, adorned with large and splendid lights;
2519.
who is there, I say, that, seeing such a structure,
would not immediately pronounce that it was constructed by a most wise and powerful artificer?
2520.
And so, who can be found so foolish, as, when he gazes upon the fabric of the heaven, perceives the splendour of the sun and moon, sees the courses and beauty of the stars, and their paths assigned to them by fixed laws and periods, will not cry out that these things are made, not so much by a wise and rational artificer, as by wisdom and reason itself?
The Book of Recognitions CHAPTER EIGHTY SIX
Divisions 2521-2555
Book 8
RECOGNITIONS 8
Mechanical Theory.
2521.
Yet if you would rather have the opinions of others of the Greek philosophers,
— and you are acquainted with mechanical science,—
you are of course familiar with what is their deliverance concerning the heavens.
2522.
For they suppose a sphere, equally rounded in every direction, and looking indifferently to all points,
and at equal distances in all directions from the centre of the earth,
and so stable by its own symmetry,
that its perfect equality does not permit it to fall off to any side;
and so the sphere is sustained, although supported by no prop.
2523.
Now if the fabric of the world really has this form, the divine work is evident in it.
|
|
|
2524.
Yet if, as others think, the sphere is placed upon the waters, and is supported by them, or floating in them, even so the work of a great contriver is shown in it.
Motions of the Stars.
2525.
Yet lest the assertion may seem doubtful respecting things which are not manifest to all,
let us come to those things of which nobody is ignorant.
2526.
Who disposed the courses of the stars with so great reason, ordained their risings and settings, and appointed to each one to accomplish the circuit of the heavens in certain and regular times?
2527.
Who assigned to some to be always approaching to the setting, and others to be returning to the rising?
2528.
Who put a measure upon the courses of the sun, that he might mark out, by his diverse motions, hours, and days, and months, and changes of seasons?
2529.
— that he might distinguish, by the sure measurement of his course,
now winter, then spring, summer, and afterwards autumn, and always,
by the same changes of the year, complete the circle with variety, without confusion?
2530.
Who, I say, will not pronounce that the director of such order is the very wisdom of God?
2531.
And these things we have spoken according to the relations given us by the Greeks respecting the science of the heavenly bodies.
Дата добавления: 2019-02-13; просмотров: 230; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!