CHAP. V. 



Examination of the different Syfiems of Generation, 



PL A TO, in theTiraaeus, accounts not only 

 for the generation of men, of animals, of 

 plants, and of the elements, but even of the hea- 

 vens and of the gods themfelves, by images 

 reflected or extracted from the divine Creator ; 

 which images, by an harmonic movement, are 

 arranged in the moft perfed: order, according to 

 the properties of number. The univerfe, he 

 fays, is a copy of the Deity ; time, fpace, mo- 

 tion, and matter, are the images or reprefenta- 

 tions of his attributes ; and fecondary and par- 

 ticular caufes are refults of the numeric and har- 

 monic qualities of thefe images : The world, 

 from its excellency, is the moft perfedt animated 

 being. To give the world complete perfedion, 

 it was neceffary that it fhould contain all the o- 

 ther animals, or all the pofhble forms and 

 reprefentations of the creative power. Man is 

 one of thefe forms. The efience of all genera- 

 tion confifts in the unity and harmony of the 

 number Three, or of the Triangle, namely, that 

 which generates, that in which generation is 

 performed, and the refult, or that which is 

 generated. The fucceflion of individuals in the 



fpecies, 



