Book V - Snyder Bible

246
Chapter XIX: More Difficulties of the Atomic Theory.
joined together, formed a body, and because the quality of fire
does not tend downwards, but upwards, that the nature of
fire, always pushing upwards, supports the mass of the world
placed upon it; to this we answer: 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? 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. 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 Yahweh.
ature.
Now, in this, the controversy is about a name. For while it
is evident that it is a work of mind and reason, what you call
nature, I call Yahweh the Creator. 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. But if you regard the philosophers as fit witnesses,
Plato testifies concerning these things in the Timoeus,
where, in a discussion on the making of the world, he asks,
whether it has existed always, or had a beginning, and decides