Archimedes Texts

465
the Sea; That the vicissitudes of the Windes return into their
primitive State; That some men succeed others? But who con
sidereth that the self-same Scene of Life is ever acting, by diffe
rent persons; and that nothing is new in humane affairs? There
fore Solomon instancing in those things which all men see, doth
put men in minde of that which many thorowly know, but too
slightly consider.

But the 104. Psalm is thought by some to contain a Discourse
altogether Physical, in regard it onely concerns Natural Philoso
phy. Now God is there said, To have laid the Foundations of

the Earth, that it should not be removed for ever. But here al
so the Psalmist is far from the Speculation of Physical Causes:
For he doth wholly acquiesce in the Greatnesse of God,
who did all these things, and sings an Hymne to God the
Maker of them, in which he runneth over the World in order,
as it appeared to his eyes. And if you well consider this
Psalme, it is a Paraphrase upon the six dayes work of the Crea
tion: For as in it the three first dayes were spent in the Separa
tion of Regions; the first of Light from the exteriour Dark
ness; the second, of the Waters from the Waters, by the inter
position of the Firm ament; the third, of the Sea from Land;
when also the Earth was cloathed with Herbage and Plants:
And the three last dayes were spent in the filling the Re
gions thus distinguished; the fourth, of Heaven; the
fifth, of the Seas and Aire; the fixth, of the Earth: So
here in this Psalme there are so many distinct parts pro
portionable to the Analogy of the six dayes Works. For
in Verse 2. he cloaths and covereth the Creator with Light
(the first of Creatures, and work of the first day) as with a
Garment. The second part beginneth at Verse 3. and treats of
the Waters above the Heavens, the extent of Heaven and of Me
teors (which the Psalmist seemeth to intend by the Waters a
bove) as namely of Clouds, Winds, Whirl-winds, Lightnings.
The third part begins at Verse 6. and doth celebrate the Earth
as the foundation of all those things which he here considereth.
For he referreth all things to the Earth, and to those Animals
which inhabit it, for that in the judgment of Sight the two prin
cipal parts of the World are Heaven and Earth. He therefore
here observeth that the Earth after so many Ages hath not falte
red, tired, or decayed; when as notwithstanding no man hath
yet discovered upon what it is founded. He goeth not about to
teach men what they do not know, but putteth them in minde
of what they neglect, to wit, the Greatnesse and Power of God
in creating so huge a Mass so firm and stedfast. If an Astrono
mer should teach that the Earth is placed among the Planets, he