Chap. m. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. i; 



CHAP. iir. 



Of the Elemental Mind in our Compofition. — Of the Vegetable Life in 

 us : — difference betujixt it and the Animal Life, — The Animal 

 Life a mojl material Part of our Compofition — next to the Princi- 

 pal : — the ConneSlion beiivixt it and the Principal, and the Dif- 

 ference betivixt the tijuo. — The ivonderful ConneHion of all the three 

 inferior Principles ivith the higheJl.-^The Difference betivixt all 

 the four Principles recapitulated. — The Tetradys of the Pytha- 

 goreans different from the Trinity of Plato, 



HAVING thus fhown that Man is a compofition, not of fe- 

 veral qualities only, but of feveral fubftances, it is now pro- 

 per to inquire into the particular natuie of thofe fubftances which 

 are united in his wonderful frame. 



An^firf, as to the Elemental Mind, it is that of which we muft 

 partake, as well as other Bodies, being compofed, like them, of the 

 four Elements, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. It is by this prin- 

 ciple that we gravitate, like other Bodies on this earth, towards the 

 centre, and, like them, are moved when we fall from any height. It 

 is the fimpleft of all the Minds that enter into our compofition, and 

 therefore admits of the leaft variety ; nor do I know that there is any 

 difference between the Elements that compofe our Bodies, and thofe 

 which compofe other Bodies. 



The Vegetable Life in us is that by which we grew and arQ 

 iiourilhcd, and by which all the feveral operations of digeftion, 

 circulation, and fecretion are performed. Neither do I know that 

 there is any material difference betwixt the Vegetative Powers 

 in Man, and in any- other Animal which has blood that circulates 

 like his. I fliall therefore only obferve in general, that, as what is 

 lower in Nature is fubfervient to what is higher, and as the Vege- 

 table Life is undoubtedly inferior to the Animal, (o the Vegetation 



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