The origin, however, of the generation of man was not derived from the
earth, nor that of other animals, nor of plants; but the proper order of
the world being perpetual, it is also necessary that the natures which
exist in it, and are aptly arranged, should, together with it, have a
never-failing subsistence. For the world primarily always existing, it
is necessary that its parts should be co-existent with it: but I mean by
its parts, the heavens, the earth, and that which subsists between these;
which is placed on high, and is denominated aerial; for the world does
not exist without, but together with, and from these.
The parts of the world, however, being consubsistent, it is also
necessary that the natures, comprehended in these parts, should be
co-existent with them; with the heavens, indeed, the sun and moon, the
fixed stars, and the planets; but with the earth, animals and plants,
gold and silver; with the place on high, and the aerial region, pneumatic
substances and wind, a mutation to that which is more hot, and a mutation
to that which is more cold; for it is the property of the heavens to
subsist in conjunction with the natures which it comprehends; of the
earth to support the plants and animals which originate from it; and of
the place on high, and the aerial region, to be consubsistent with all
the natures that are generated in it.
Since, therefore, in each division of the world, a certain genus of
animals is arranged, which surpasses the rest contained in that division;
in the heavens, indeed, the genus of the gods, but in the earth men, and
in the region on high demons;—this being the case, it is necessary that
the race of men should be perpetual, since reason truly induces us to
believe, that not only the [great] parts of the world are consubsistent
with the world, but also the natures comprehended in these parts.
Violent corruptions, however, and mutations, take place in the parts of
the earth; at one time, indeed, the sea overflowing into another part
of the earth; but at another, the earth itself becoming dilated and
divulsed, through wind or water latently entering into it. But an entire
corruption of the arrangement of the whole earth never did happen, nor
ever will.
Hence the assertion, that the Grecian history derived its beginning
from the Argive Inachus, must not be admitted as if it commenced from a
certain first principle, but that it originated from some mutation which
happened in Greece; for Greece has frequently been, and will again be,
barbarous, not only from the migration of foreigners into it, but from
nature herself, which, though she does not become greater or less, yet is
always younger, and with reference to us, receives a beginning.
And thus much has been sufficiently said by me respecting _the whole_
and _the universe_; and further still, concerning the generation and
corruption of the natures which are generated in it, and the manner in
which they subsist, and will for ever subsist; one part of the universe
consisting of a nature which is perpetually moved, but another part of a
nature which is always passive; and the former of these always governing,
but the latter being always governed.