figure, from motion, from time, and its essence; 

 and, therefore, it may be concluded that the world 

 is unbegotten and incorruptible : for the form of 

 its figure is circular; but a circle is on all sides- 

 similar and equal, and is therefore without a be- 

 ginning, and without an end. The motion also 

 of the universe is circular, but this motion is stable 

 and without transition. Time, likewise, in which 

 motion exists is infinite, for this neither had a be- 

 ginning, nor will have an end of its circulation. 

 The essence, too, of the universe, is without egres- 

 sion [into any other place], and is immutable, be- 

 cause it is not naturally adapted to be changed, 

 either from the worse to the better, or from the 

 better to the worse. From all these arguments, 

 therefore, it is obviously credible, that the world is 

 unbegotten and incorruptible. And thus much 

 concerning the whole and the universe. 



CHAP. II. 



SINCE, however, in the universe, one thing is ge- 

 neration, but another the cause of generation ; and 

 generation indeed takes place where there is a 

 mutation and an egression from things which rank 



