Action in every several Part of one Creature, as 'tis impossible for
Human Perception to perceive them; nay, not every Corporeal Motion of
one Creature, doth perceive all the varieties of the same Society; and,
by the several actions, not only of several Parts, but of one and the
same Parts, cause such obscurity, as not any Creature can tell, not
only how they were produced, but, not how they consist: But, by reason
every Part knows his own Work, there is Order and Method: For example,
In a Human Creature, those Parts that produce, or nourish the Bones,
those of the Sinews, those of the Veins, those of the Flesh, those of
the Brains, and the like, know all their several Works, and consider
not each several composed Part, but what belongs to themselves; the
like, I believe, in Vegetables, Minerals, or Elements. But mistake me
not; for, I do not say, those Corporeal Motions in those particulars,
are bound to those particular Works, as, that they cannot change, or
alter their actions if they will, and many times do: as some Creatures
dissolve before they are perfect, or quite finished; and some as soon
as finished; and some after some short time after they are finished;
and some continue long, as we may perceive by many Creatures that dye,
which I name Dissolving in several Ages; but, untimely Dissolutions,
proceed rather from some particular Irregularities of some particular
Parts, than by a general Agreement.
CHAP. IV. Of Productions in general.
The Reason that all Creatures are produced by the ways of Production,
as one Creature to be composed out of other Creatures, is, That
Nature is but one Matter, and that all her Parts are united as one
Material Body, having no Additions, or Diminutions; no new Creations,
or Annihilations: But, were not Nature one and the same, but that her
Parts were of different natures; yet, Creatures must be produced by
Creatures, that is, Composed Figures, as a Beast, a Tree, a Stone,
Water, &c. must be composed of _Parts_, not a _single Part_: for, a
single Part cannot produce composed Figures; nor can a single Part
produce another single Part; for, Matter cannot create Matter; nor can
one Part produce another Part out of it self: Wherefore, all Natural
Creatures are produced by the consent and agreement of many Self-moving
Parts, or Corporeal Motions, which work to a particular Design, as to
associate into particular kinds and sorts of Creatures.
CHAP. V. Of Productions in general.
As I said in my former Chapter, That all Creatures are produced, or
composed by the agreement and consent of particular Parts; yet some
Creatures are composed of more, and some of fewer Parts: neither are
all Creatures produced, or composed after one and the same manner; but
some after one manner, and some after another manner: Indeed, there
are divers manners of Productions, both of those we name Natural, and
those we name _Artificial_; but I only treat of Natural Productions,
which are so various, that it is a wonder if any two Creatures are
just alike; by which we may perceive, that not only in several kinds
and sorts, but in Particulars of every kind, or sort, there is some
difference, so as to be distinguished from each other, and yet the
species of some Creatures are like to their kind, and sort, but not
all; and the reason that most Creatures are in _Species_, according
to their sort, and kind, is not only, that Nature's Wisdom orders and
regulates her Corporeal Figurative Motions, into kinds and sorts of
Societies and Conjunctions; but, those Societies cause a perceptive
Acquaintance, and an united Love, and good liking of the Compositions,
or Productions: and not only a love to their Figurative Compositions,
but to all that are of the same sort, or kind; and especially, their
being accustom'd to actions proper to their Figurative Compositions,
is the cause that those Parts, that divide from the Producers, begin a
new Society, and, by degrees, produce the like Creature; which is the
cause that Animals and Vegetables produce according to their likeness.
The same may be amongst Minerals and Elements, for all we can know.
But yet, some Creatures of one and the same sort, are not produced
after one and the same manner: As for example, One and the same sort
of Vegetables, may be produced after several manners, and yet, in the
effect, be the same, as when Vegetables are sowed, planted, engrafted;
as also, Seeds, Roots, and the like, they are several manners, or ways
of Productions, and yet will produce the same sort of Vegetable: but,
there will be much alterations in replanting, which is occasioned by
the change of associating Parts, and Parties; but as for the several
Productions
of several kinds and sorts, they are very different; as for example,
Animals are not produced as Vegetables, or Vegetables as Minerals, nor
Minerals as any of the rest: Nor are all Animals produced alike, nor
Minerals, or Vegetables; but after many different manners, or ways.
Neither are all Productions like their Producers; for, some are so far
from resembling their Figurative Society, that they produce another
kind, or sort of Composed Figures; as for example, Maggots out of
Cheese, other Worms out of Roots, Fruits, and the like: but these sorts
of Creatures, Man names _Insects_; but yet they are Animal Creatures,
as well as others.
CHAP. VI. Of Productions in general.
All Creatures are Produced, and Producers; and all these Productions
partake more or less of the Producers; and are necessitated so to do,
because there cannot be any thing New in Nature: for, whatsoever is
produced, is of the same Matter; nay, every particular Creature hath
its particular Parts: for, not any one Creature can be produced of
any other Parts than what produced it; neither can the same Producer
produce one and the same double, (as I may say to express my self:)
for, though the same Producers may produce the like, yet not the same:
for, every thing produced, hath its own Corporeal Figurative Motions;
but this might be, if Nature was not so full of variety: for, if all
those Corporeal Motions, or Self-moving Parts, did associate in the
like manner, and were the very same Parts, and move in the very same
manner; the same Production, or Creature, might be produced after it
was dissolved; but, by reason the Self-moving Parts of Nature are
always dividing and composing _from_, and _to_ Parts, it would be very
difficult, if not impossible.
CHAP. VII. Of Productions in general.
As there are Productions, or Compositions, made by the Sensitive
Corporeal Motions, so there are of the Rational Corporeal Motions,
which are Composed Figures of the Mind: And the reason the Rational
Productions are more various, as also more numerous, is, That the
Rational is more loose, free, and so more agil than the Sensitive;
which is also the reason that the Rational Productions require not such
degrees of Time, as the Sensitive. But I shall treat more upon this
Subject, when I treat of that Animal we name _MAN_.
CHAP. VII. _Lastly_, Of Productions in general.
Though all Creatures are made by the several Associations of
Self-moving Parts, or (as the Learned name them) _Corporeal Motions_;
yet, there are infinite varieties of Corporeal Figurative Motions, and
so infinite several manners and ways of Productions; as also, infinite
varieties of Figurative Motions in every produced Creature: Also, there
is variety in the difference of Time, of several Productions, and of
their Consistency and Dissolution: for, some Creatures are produced
in few Hours, others not in many Years. Again, some continue not a
Day; others, numbers of Years. But this is to be noted, That according
to the Regularity, or Irregularity of the Associating Motions, their
Productions are more or less perfect. Also, this is to be noted, That
there are Rational Productions, as well as Sensitive: for, though all
Creatures are composed both of Sensitive and Rational Parts, yet the
Rational Parts move after another manner.
CHAP. VIII. Productions must partake of some Parts of their Producers.
No Animal, or Vegetable, could be produced, but by such, or such
particular Producers; neither could an Animal, or Vegetable, be
produced without some Corporeal Motions of their Producers; that is,
some of the Producers Self-moving Parts; otherwise the like Actions
might produce, not only the like Creatures, but the same Creatures,
which is impossible: Wherefore, the things produced, are part of the
Producers; for, no particular Creature could be produced, but by such
particular Producers. But this is to be noted, That all sorts of
Creatures are produced by more, or fewer, Producers. Also, the first
Producers are but the first Founders of the things produced, but not
the only Builders: for, there are many several sorts of Corporeal
Motions, that are the Builders; for, no Creature can subsist, or
consist, by it self, but must assist, and be assisted: Yet, there are
some differences in all Productions, although of the same Producers;
otherwise all the Off-springs of one and the same Producer, would be
alike: And though, sometimes, their several Off-springs may be so
alike, as hardly to be distinguished; yet, that is so seldom, as it
appears as a wonder; but there is a property in all Productions, as,
for the Produced to belong as a Right and Property to the _Producer_.
CHAP. IX. Of Resemblances of several Off-springs, or Producers.
There are numerous kinds and sorts of Productions, and infinite manners
and ways, in the actions of Productions; which is the cause that the
Off-springs of the same Producers, are not so just alike, but that
they are distinguishable; but yet there may not only be resemblances
between particular Off-springs of the same Producers, as also of the
same sort; but, of different sorts of Creatures: but the Actions of all
Productions that are according to their own _Species_, are Imitating
Actions, but not Bare Imitations, as by an Incorporeal Motion; for
if so, then a covetous Woman, that loves Gold, might produce a Wedg
of Gold instead of a Child; also, _Virgins_ might be as Fruitful as
_Married Wives_.
CHAP. X. Of the Several Appearances of the Exterior Parts of One
Creature.
Every altered Action of the Exterior Parts, causes an altered
Appearance: As for example, A Man, or the like Creature, doth not
appear when he is old, as when he was young; nor when he is sick, as
when he is well in health; no, nor when he is cold, as when he is
hot. Nor do they appear in several Passions alike: for, though Man
can best perceive the Alteration of his own Kind, or Sort; yet, other
Creatures have several Appearances, as well as Man; some of which, Man
may perceive, though not all, being of a different sort. And not only
Animals, but Vegetables, and Elements, have altered Appearances, and
many that are subject to Man's perception.
The Fourth Part.
CHAP. I. Of Animal Productions; and of the Differences between
Productions, and Transformations.
I understand Productions to be between Particulars; as, some particular
Creatures to produce other particular Creatures; but not to transform
from one sort of Creature, into another sort of Creature, as Cheese
into Maggots, and Fruit into Worms, &c. which, in some manner, is like
Metamorphosing. So by Transformation, the Intellectual Nature, as well
as the Exterior Form, is transform'd: Whereas Production transforms
only the Exterior Form, but not the Intellectual Nature; which is the
cause that such Transformations cannot return into their former state;
as a Worm to be a Fruit, or a Maggot a Cheese again, as formerly. Hence
I perceive, that all sorts of Fowls are partly Produced, and partly
Transformed: for, though an Egg be produced, yet a Chicken is but a
Transformed Egg.
CHAP. II. Of different Figurative Motions in MAN's Production.
All Creatures are produced by Degrees; which proves, That not any
Creature is produced, in perfection, by one Act, or Figurative Motion:
for, though the Producers are the first Founders, yet not the Builders.
But, as for Animal Creatures, there be some sorts that are composed of
many different Figurative Motions; amongst which sorts, is Mankind, who
has very different Figurative Parts, as Bones, Sinews, Nerves, Muscles,
Veins, Flesh, Skin, and Marrow, Blood, Choler, Flegm, Melancholy, and
the like; also, Head, Breast, Neck, Arms, Hands, Body, Belly, Thighs,
Leggs, Feet, &c. also, Brains, Lungs, Stomack, Heart, Liver, Midriff,
Kidnies, Bladder, Guts, and the like; and all these have several
actions, yet all agree as one, according to the property of that sort
of Creature named MAN.
CHAP. III. Of the Quickning of a Child, or any other sort of Animal
Creatures.
The Reason that a Woman, or such like Animal, doth not feel her Child
so soon as it is produced, is, That the Child cannot have an Animal
Motion, until it hath an Animal Nature, that is, until it be perfectly
an Animal Creature; and as soon as it is a perfect Child, she feels it
to move, according to its nature: but it is only the Sensitive Parts of
the Child that are felt by the Mother, not the Rational; because those
Parts are as the Designers, not the Builders; and therefore, being not
the Labouring Parts, are not the Sensible Parts. But it is to be noted,
That, according to the Regularity, or Irregularity of the Figurative
Motions, the Child is _well shaped_, or <strong>mishaped</strong>.
CHAP. IV. Of the Birth of a Child.
The reason why a Child, or such like Animal Creature, stays no longer
in the Mother's Body, than to such a certain Time, is, That a Child is
not Perfect before that time, and would be too big after that time; and
so big, that it would not have room enough; and therefore it strives
and labours for liberty.
CHAP. V. Of Mischances, or Miscarriages of Breeding Creatures.
When a Mare, Doe, Hind, or the like Animal, cast their Young, or a
Woman miscarries of her Child, the Mischance proceeds either through
the Irregularities of the Corporeal Motions, or Parts of the Child; or
through some Irregularity of the Parts of the Mother; or else of both
Mother and Child. If the Irregularities be of the Parts of the Child,
those Parts divide from the Mother, through their Irregularity: but,
if the Irregularity be in the Parts of the Mother, then the Mother
divides in some manner from the Child; and if there be a distemper in
both of them, the Child and Mother divide from each other: but, such
Mischances are at different times, some sooner, and some later. As for
false Conceptions, they are occasioned through the Irregularities of
Conception.
CHAP. VI. Of the Encrease of Growth, and Strength of Mankind, or such
like Creatures.
The reason most Animals, especially Human Creatures, are weak whilst
they are Infants, and that their Strength and Growth encreases by
degrees, is, That a Child hath not so many Parts, as when he is a
Youth; nor so many Parts when he is a Youth, as when he is a Man:
for, after the Child is parted from the Mother, it is nourished by
other Creatures, as the Mother was, and the Child by the Mother; and
according as the nourishing Parts be Regular, or Irregular, so is the
Child, Youth, or Man, weaker, or stronger; healthful, or diseased; and
when the Figurative Motions move (as I may say for expression sake)
curiously, the Body is neatly shaped, and is, as we say, beautiful. But
this is to be noted, That 'tis not Greatness, or Bulk of Body, makes
a Body perfect; for, there are several sizes of every sort, or kind
of Creatures; as also, in every particular kind, or sort; and every
several size may be as perfect, one, as the other: But, I mean the
Number of Parts, according to the proper size.
CHAP. VII. Of the several Properties of the several Exterior Shapes of
several sorts of Animals.
The several Exterior Shapes of Creatures, cause several Properties,
as Running, Jumping, Hopping, Leaping, Climbing, Galloping, Trotting,
Ambling, Turning, Winding, and Rowling; also Creeping, Crawling,
Flying, Soaring or Towring; Swimming, Diving, Digging, Stinging or
Piercing; Pressing, Spinning, Weaving, Twisting, Printing, Carving,
Breaking, Drawing, Driving, Bearing, Carrying, Holding, Griping or
Grasping, Infolding, and Millions of the like. Also, the Exterior
Shapes cause Defences, as Horns, Claws, Teeth, Bills, Talons, Finns,
_&c._ Likewise, the Exterior Shapes cause Offences, and give Offences:
As also, the different sorts of Exterior Shapes, cause different
Exterior Perceptions.
CHAP. VIII. Of the Dividing and Uniting Parts of a particular Creature.
Those Parts (as I have said) that were the First Founders of an Animal,
or other sort of Creature, may not be constant Inhabitants: for, though
the Society may remain, the particular Parts may remove: Also, all
particular Societies of one kind, or sort, may not continue the like
time; but some may dissolve sooner than others. Also, some alter by
degrees, others of a sudden; but, of those Societies that continue, the
particular Parts remove, and other particular Parts unite; so, as some
Parts _were_ of the Society, so some other Parts are of the Society,
and _will be_ of the Society: But, when the Form, Frame, and Order
of the Society begins to alter, then that particular Creature begins
to decay. But this is to be noted, That those particular Creatures
that dye in their Childhood, or Youth, were never a full and regular
Society; and the dissolving of a Society, whether it be a Full, or
but a Forming Society, Man names _DEATH_. Also, this is to be noted,
That the Nourishing Motion of Food, is the Uniting Motion; and the
Cleansing, or Evacuating Motions, are the Dividing Corporeal Motions.
Likewise it is to be noted, That a Society requires a longer time of
uniting than of dividing; by reason uniting requires assistance of
Foreign Parts, whereas dividings are only a dividing of home-Parts.
Also, a particular Creature, or Society, is longer in dividing its
Parts, than in altering its Actions; because a Dispersing Action is
required in Division, but not in Alteration of Actions.
The Fifth Part.
CHAP. I. Of MAN.
Now I have discoursed, in the former Parts, after a general manner, of
_Animals_: I will, in the following Chapters, speak more particularly
of that sort we name _Mankind_; who believe (being ignorant of the
Nature of other Creatures) that they are the most knowing of all
Creatures; and yet a _whole Man_ (as I may say for expression-sake)
doth not know all the Figurative Motions belonging either to his Mind,
or Body: for, he doth not generally know every particular Action of
his Corporeal Motions, as, How he was framed, or formed, or perfected.
Nor doth he know every particular Motion that occasions his present
Consistence,
or Being: Nor every particular Digestive, or Nourishing Motion: Nor,
when he is sick, the particular Irregular Motion that causes his
Sickness. Nor do the Rational Motions in the Head, know always the
Figurative Actions of those of the Heel. In short, (as I said) Man doth
not generally know every particular Part, or Corporeal Motion, either
of Mind, or Body: Which proves, Man's Natural Soul is not inalterable,
or individable, and uncompoundable.
CHAP. II. Of the variety of Man's Natural Motions.
There is abundance of varieties of Figurative Motions in Man: As,
first, There are several Figurative Motions of the Form and Frame of
Man, as of his Innate, Interior, and Exterior Figurative Parts. Also,
there are several Figures of his several Perceptions, Conceptions,
Appetite, Digestions, Reparations, and the like. There are also several
Figures of several Postures of his several Parts; and a difference
of his Figurative Motions, or Parts, from other Creatures; all which
are Numberless: And yet all these different Actions are proper to the
Nature of _MAN_.
CHAP. III. Of Man's Shape and Speech.
The Shape of Man's Sensitive Body, is, in some manner, of a mixt Form:
but, he is singular in this, That he is of an upright and straight
Shape; of which, no other Animal but Man is: which Shape makes him
not only fit, proper, easie and free, for all exterior actions; but
also for Speech: for being streight, as in a straight and direct Line
from the Head to the Feet, so as his Nose, Mouth, Throat, Neck, Chest,
Stomack, Belly, Thighs, and Leggs, are from a straight Line: also,
his Organ-Pipes, Nerves, Sinews, and Joynts, are in a straight and
equal posture to each other; which is the cause, Man's Tongue, and
Organs, are more apt for Speech than those of any other Creature; which
makes him more apt to imitate any other Creature's Voyces, or Sounds:
Whereas other Animal Creatures, by reason of their bending Shapes, and
crooked Organs, are not apt for Speech; neither (in my Opinion) have
other Animals so melodious a Sound, or Voice, as Man: for, though some
sorts of Birds Voices are sweet, yet they are weak, and faint; and
Beasts Voices are harsh, and rude: but of all other Animals, besides
Man, Birds are the most apt for Speech; by reason they are more of an
upright shape, than Beasts, or any other sorts of Animal Creatures, as
Fish, and the like; for, Birds are of a straight and upright shape, as
from their Breasts, to their Heads; but, being not so straight as Man;
causes Birds to speak uneasily, and constrainedly: Man's shape is so
ingeniously contrived, that he is fit and proper for more several sorts
of exterior actions, than any other Animal Creature; which is the cause
he seems as Lord and Sovereign of other Animal Creatures.
CHAP. IV. Of the several Figurative Parts of Human Creatures.
The manner of Man's Composition, or Form, is of different Figurative
Parts; whereof some of those Parts seem the Supreme, or (as I may say)
Fundamental Parts; as the Head, Chest, Lungs, Stomack, Heart, Liver,
Spleen, Bowels, Reins, Kidnies, Gaul, and many more: also, those Parts
have other Figurative Parts belonging or adjoining to them, as the
Head, Scull, Brains, _Pia-mater, Dura-mater_, Forehead, Nose, Eyes,
Cheeks, Ears, Mouth, Tongue, and several Figurative Parts belonging to
those; so of the rest of the Parts, as the Arms, Hands, Fingers, Leggs,
Feet, Toes, and the like: all which different Parts, have different
sorts of Perceptions; and yet (as I formerly said) their Perceptions
are united: for, though all the Parts of the Human Body have different
Perceptions; yet those different perceptions unite in a general
Perception, both for the Subsistence, Consistence, and use of the
Whole Man: but, concerning Particulars, not only the several composed
Figurative Parts, have several sorts of Perceptions; but every Part
hath variety of Perceptions, occasioned by variety of Objects.
CHAP. V. Of the several Perceptions amongst the several Parts of MAN.
There being infinite several Corporeal Figurative Motions, or Actions
of Nature, there must of necessity be infinite several Self-knowledges
and Perceptions: but I shall only, in this Part of my Book, treat
of the Perception proper to Mankind: And first, of the several and
different Perceptions, proper for the several and different Parts:
for, though every Part and Particle of a Man's Body, is perceptive;
yet, every particular Part of a Man, is not generally perceived;
for, the Interior Parts do not generally perceive the Exterior;
nor the Exterior, generally or perfectly, the Interior; and yet,
both Interior and Exterior Corporeal Motions, agree as one Society;
for, every Part, or Corporeal Motion, knows its own Office; like as
Officers in a Common-wealth, although they may not be acquainted with
each other, yet they know their Employments: So every particular Man
in a Common-wealth, knows his own Employment, although he knows not
every Man in the Common-wealth. The same do the Parts of a Man's
Body, and Mind. But, if there be any Irregularity, or Disorder in a
Common-wealth, every Particular is disturbed, perceiving a Disorder
in the Common-wealth. The same amongst the Parts of a Man's Body;
and yet many of those Parts do not know the particular Cause of that
general Disturbance. As for the Disorders, they may proceed from some
Irregularities; but for Peace, there must be a general Agreement, that
is, every Part must be Regular.
CHAP. VI. Of Divided and Composed Perceptions.
As I have formerly said, There is in Nature both Divided and Composed
Perceptions; and for proof, I will mention Man's Exterior Perceptions;
As for example, Man hath a Composed Perception of Seeing, Hearing,
Smelling, Tasting, and Touching; whereof every several sort is
composed, though after different manners, or ways; and yet are divided,
being several sorts of Perceptions, and not all one Perception. Yet
again, they are all Composed, being united as proper Perceptions of one
Man; and not only so, but united to perceive the different Parts of one
Object: for, as Perceptions are composed of Parts, so are Objects; and
as there are different Objects, so there are different Perceptions;
but it is not possible for a Man to know all the several sorts of
Perceptions proper to every Composed Part of his Body or Mind, much
less of others.
CHAP. VII. Of the Ignorances of the several Perceptive Organs.