Treatise of Divinity, Book 3 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
THe fift dayes worke was the Creation of all living creatures which live and move in the two moist Elements,Gen. 1. 20. 21, 22. the water and the aire, viz. Fishes*The Fishes were appointed to encrease and multiply, and to fill the waters: the fowles were appointed to increase and multiply and fly in the aire. and moving creatures, which live and move in the waters; and all kinde of Fowles which flye in the open Region of the aire, divers in nature, shape, qualities, and manner of living.
The Hebrew verbe foreign of which the word foreign which is here translated the moving creature, is derived; is used as here, so in other Scriptures frequently, first to signifie creeping or moving forward without feete, as Genes. 7. 21. and Levit. 11. 19. and secondly also to bring forth abundantly as here, and also Exod. 1. 7. Fishes breed and bring forth young in great abundance, more then any other creatures do, by the multitude of spawn they would encrease beyond all measure and number, if by one meanes or other the spawne were not devoured and consumed.
Who can render a reason of their ability to swim so in the waters, to support themselves in the midst of the waters, & convey themselves up and down in it?
Fishes are in Scripture termed Reptilia, Psal. 104. 25. In the great and wide Sea there are things creeping innumerable both small and great, so called, because things when they swim seeme to creep along in the water. As birds have their wings and traines by meanes whereof they cut their way, and make smooth passage through the aire, so fishes are furnished with finnes wherewith they guide themselves in their swimming, and cut the current of the streames aud waves for their more easie passage, wherein their course is directed by their taile, as shtps are conducted by their Helm.
The Sea gives more and greater dainties then the earth, those that did most affect to please their pallate of olde, set great store by fishes, and paid dearer for them then flesh. God hath furnished them with a strong power of encreasing. Birds bring forth some foure or five in a nest, some three, and some but two, the most but twenty, as the little Wren, for being so little, the kinde would bee consumed by the things which devoure such weake creatures, if those that be, did not bring forth very many: but every fish brings forth a great multitude, many hundreds as we may see in their spawne.
That God should give unto these things a power to multiply so very fast, is wonderfull, and it is agreeable to reason too, for the fishes doe more devoure one another then the beasts doe, the greater being much more ravenous then any beast, as being bigger, and their stomacks by an antiperistasis of the cold water more vehement in digesting.
They are said to bee without number, Psal. 104. 25. not simply, but to us, for wee cannot tell the number of them, though God (which made them) doe know the particular number of them. Hee can tell how many fishes there bee in the Sea, though to us they exceed the power of counting, yet he hath the precise and exact number of them.
We know not the kinds of fishes, how much lesse the particulars.
There be (saith Plinie) of fishes and other creatures living in the Sea,Plinies Naturall history, l. 32. ch. 11. one hundred seventy and sixe severall and distinct kindes.
What Philosopher can tel how many Dolphins, Herrings, Whales, sword-fishes there be in the Sea?
The Echeneis Remora,Plinies Naturall hist. l. 32. ch. 1. or stop-ship, but halfe a foot long is able to stay the greatest ship under saile. Keckermannus humori frigido à Remora fuso adscribere videtur qui aquam circa gubernaculum conglaciet. in Disput. Phisic. The Cramp-fish Torpedo is able to benum and mortifie the armes of the lustiest and strongest Fishers that be by touching onelyonly the end of any part of an angle-rod,Id. ibid. which they hold in their hands, although they stand aloft and a great way from her: hence it hath its name,Johnstoni Tbaumato graphia. quod torpore manus afficiat, because it benummeth the hands.
The Naturalists tell us of one fish which they call the Uranoscope, which hath but one eye, and that in a verticall point, on the top of the head, directly upward: by which it avoids all rocks and dangers.
There have been known Whales sixe hundred foot*Plinie Ibid. Four Actes long in the Indian Sea. Idem l. 9. c. 3. Amama Antibarb. Bibl. l. 3. Chamierus t…m. 2do. l. 9. ch. 11. Plin. Ibid. c. 2. long, and three hundred & 60. foot broad, some like mountains, & some like Islands. God himselfe speaking of his owne power, of all the creatures, rehearseth onelyonly two, the Behemoth, Job 40. 15. to the end, that is the Elephant, and the Leviathan, Job 41. per totum, that is the Whale, this being the greatest among the Fishes, as that among the beasts.
The Sword-fish hath a beake or bill sharp pointed, wherewith hee will drive through the sides and planks of a shippe, and bore them so, that they shall sink withall.
The Dolphin is said to bee a fish of such exceeding great swiftnesse, as that oftentimes he outstrippeth a ship under sail, in the greatest ruffe and merriest wind, in swiftness of course. In this fish is propounded to us an example of charity, and kind affection toward our Children, as Plinie bli. 9. chap 8.in his description of the nature of this fish sheweth, and Aelianus l. 5. c. 18 As also of his singular love toward man, whereof Aelianus produceth strange examples.
It may seeme strange that it should please the Pope to forbid flesh to men rather then*Pisces Deus noluit sibi offferri tum quod extra aquam non vivant (nihil autem mortuum ex animalibus offerri sibi Deus velit) tum etiam quod ex Serpentum genere ce…sentur. Pisces-Serpentum vero genus universum damnatum est à Deo, propterèa quod per serpentem deceptus fuerit homo, fuit que serpeus organon Diaboli, Gen 3. … Isag. Christ. l. 2. c. 23 fish, i. the lesse dainty and luxurious, before the more: for what is of some alleadged, that the curse fell upon the earth, and not the Seas, is fondly affirmed, seeing when it is said, cursed bee the earth. By earth is meant the whole globe of the earth, consisting of Sea and dry land.
Some fishes are exceeding small, and for their smalnesse & workmanship bestowed upon them, admirable. In the Sea the Cockles, a little kinde of shel-fish, yet in its kinde very artistciall, some-what resembling a Cre-fish, which are dainties for rich men.
Those little and small things are made with so many joynts and parts and turnings, such a proportion and shape, and every thing so exact and suitable, as would stirre up astonishment in any beholder. Gods power is likewise in the greatnesse of some fishes, as the Whale, some of which are 80, yards long, their eyes are as bigge as an hogshead, and their mouth so wide, that a man sitting on horse-backe might bee held in it.
God hath created the Fowles of heaven among other creatures, Psalm 104. 12. Gen. 1. 20, 21.
The things wherein the Foules differ from other creatures are 1. That they be winged, having feathers and wings by which they are covered, and by which they doe passe through the aire, and the place wherein they flye, viz. in the open firmament in this lower heaven. Their creation is wonderfull in divers respects.
First, their making is wonderful, far differing from that of beasts, fishes, and men.
2. They have great variety of kindes, some wilde, some tame, some great, some little, some Sea or water birds, some land birds.
3. Their manner of breeding, they lay egges and hatch them, & out of a kind of confused substance, that to us seems void of life, by the heate of their bodies they doe bring forth their young naked at first, which after by the same cherishing of warmth, do bring forth feathers to cover them. Many of them are so beautifully adorned with their feathers for colour, and are so glorious, as a man cannot but looke upon them with wondring and delight, for where doth nature shew more variety, and a pleasinger composition of colours then in Doves necke, a Peacocks taile, and some other like birds.
4. For their swiftnesse of flying, that they can with such celerity passe through the aire.
5. They are many wayes serviceable to many: they are a dainty foode for weake stomacks, they pull up many kindes of wormes and vermine, that else would bee very harmefull to us.
Fowles or birds are more worthy than Fishes, because they do more participate of aire and fire (the two noblest Elements) than of water and earth. All birds are mustered under the name of Fowles as under their Genus.
There are examples of vertues in the fowls propounded for us to imitate,Job 12. 7. One cannot say of the Phoenix being only one in the world, increase and multiply, there were two of all creatures in the Arke, therfore there is no Phoenix. Aldrovandus and Plinie, and of vices for us to shun.
In the Phaenixe an example of the Resurrection: in the Storke of loving affection: in the Dove of innocencie & conjugall faith: in the Crows and Estridges of unnaturalnesse.
We should imitate the Stork, Crane & Swallow cJob 39. 13, 14, 15, 16. Lam. 4. 3. Jer. 8. 7.in acknowledging the seasonable time of our repentance.
The Storke hath her name from foreign, love, & the *foreign She is somwhat like a Hern having a long necke and feete. Hebrew word is neer of kin with another, which signifieth bowells of compassion, as which indeed are most tender in her. A story whereofaDoctor Twist against Doctor Jackeson. Petronius Arbiter & Solinus cal the Stork pietatis cultricem. They count it there a happy Omen for the Storke to build in their houses. wee have in the description of the Netherlands, viz. of a Storke, that when the house was on fire where her nest was, kept the fire off from her young ones with her owne bodie and wings so long till she was burnt her selfe.
It is loving to mankind, delightfull to build in the tops of houses and chimneys, as is usuall to be seen in Germany.
It is the embleme of a gratefull man: for at her departure from the house where she builds (as some report) she usually leaveth a young one behinde her. Aelian writeth of a Storke which bred on the house of one which had a very beautifull wife, which in her Husbands absence used to commit adultery with one of her base servants; which the Storke observing, in gratitude to him who freely gave him house-roome, flying in the villans face, strucke out both his eyes.
The Eagle is reckoned the Soveraigne Queen of all Fowls, as the Lion is reputed the King of all beasts.
It is Altivolans avis, Job 39. 27, 28, 29.an high soaring bird, that sometime flyeth so high a pitch as she transcendeth the view of man: she hath a tender care of her young, when they be flush and ready for flight,See of the Nightingales singing. Plinies 10. l. of naturall history, c. 29. and Famianus Stradas Prolusions. then she stirreth up her nest and fluttereth over them; yea she taketh them on her wings, and so soareth with them through the aire, and carieth them aloft, and so freeth them from all danger. In that she carrieth her young ones rather upon her wings then in her tallons, she sheweth her tender care and love that she beareth unto them
The Hebrew name foreign which is translated Fowle, Gen. 1. 26. signifieth in generall every living thing, which by helpe of wings flyeth above the earth in the aire: so that not only birds but also bees, wasps, hornets, and all other winged things may here be understood. Bees are notable, Deut. 32. 11.
1. For their good husbandry,Bees are principall among In…ects. she is very painfull, shee flies to every herb and flower, and seekes and searches into every corner of the same. Shee so abhors idlenesse that she punisheth the idle drone,When bees are most angry in swarming, cast but a little dust upon them, and they are presently quiet, & leave their hū ming. and will not give it any quiet harbour in the hive. 2. She is thrifty, which is another part of good husbandry, what she hath gotten in the Summer, she charily laies up in her Cells, and doth not spend it till she must needs.
2. For their care of the common good, she is an admirable lover of that, she labours, eates, fights in common, and all her paines is directed to the common good, she will with unresistable courage assaile any enemie though neuer so strong, which shall offer to wrong the common body.
3. For their concord, Bees of the same hive are linked together in the bond of amity, though they be many of them, yet they know & love each other, & keep peace among themselves, and flye domesticall sedition, unless the rulers be multiplyed, and by their disorders set the rest of the Bees at variance.
4. For their dutifulnesse to their King or Prince,*See Plinies natural history, l. 11. c. 17. they are most loyall subjects to him, they labour for him, & build him more then one palace, and that more large and sta…ely then their owne, they fight for him, and goe abroade with him.
Wee see and use the fowles, and eate their flesh, and lye upon their soft feathers,Corollaries. and yet contemplate not the goodnesse of God in them.
We have divers kinds of tame fowle in our back-sides, they bring us young, and we kill and dresse them, and set them upon our Tables and feast with them. They lay egges, and we eate of them: they sit and hatch and cherish their young, and we see that admirable manner of drawing actuall life out of a potentiall life by the working of heate. And we have many wilde fowle, but who seeth Gods wisedome, power, bounty, in giving them to us.
Let us stirre up our selves to give God his due glory, in respect of this kinde of creature.
Amongst other creatures, the Lord hath stored the world with divers kindes of foure-footed beasts, which move and walk upon the face of the earth, Psal. 104. 11, 12. these were created on the sixth day.
These beasts are creatures endued not with life alone, but with sense also. They consist of a body and of a sensible soule, & besides the life of vegetation which is to be found in plants, by which they grow and are nourished; They have also a soul whereby they discerne divers bodily objects, and can both discerne and follow that which is good for them, and shunne what is evill, and so preserve themselves alive by using things helpfull for them, and avoiding the contrary. All these beasts were made to walk upon the ground with four feete, having their heads bowing down to the gronnd to seeke their diet, without which they could not live, and which is provided for them upon the face of the ground.There are divers kindes of bruite beasts differing in nature, qualities, figure, colour, quantity, voice. They were made on the sixt day before man was created, Gen. 1. 24.
This worke is wonderfull in respect of the divers sorts of these beasts, some great, and some small, some of one shape & nature, some of another.
We see great variety of them in our owne Countrey, and there is farre greater variety abroad in the world which wee have never seene. That out of the same earth and water all these kinds should grow by a word spoken with the mouth of God, let it be so, is a strange and wonderfull thing. By vertue of these words, there were Sheep, Goates, Kine, Horses, Camels and Dromodaries, Elephants, Lions, Beares, Dogges, Tygers, Wolves, Foxes, Deere. What are all these but a most artificiall mixture of earth and water put into a certaine shape or forme of members, having head, feete, backe, breast, bellie, braine, liver, heart, guts, and other intrailes, and having power to see, hear, to touch, smel, tast, to eate, drinke, goe, generate, to remember, to have a kinde of thought of things within, to imagine and discerne, having also affections and passions. They carry us, feede us, cloath us, till the ground for us. How full of tedious and toilsome paines would our lives be, if we had not a horse to beare us up and downe from place to place, and horses or oxen to convey all manner of things for us.
Wee must magnifie the name of God, and frame our selves to sincere thankefulnesse unto him who hath made such a multitude of creatures inferiour to our selves, and given to us the use of them. O what a wonderfull skilfull workeman is hee, that out of the earth could produce such a number of such creatures. And how good was he to us, that hee did not give reason unto them as well as sense; for if they had reason to know their own strength and our weaknesse, wee should never keep them under as we do.
Let us not abuse these creatures of God to bad purpose, or use them in a cruell and inhumane manner; they are our fellow creatures, made of a little courser earth; and since they obey us with all cheerfulnesse, let us be likewise obedient to God.
There is no creature among all the beasts of the world which so amply demonstrates the power and wisedome of Almighty God as the*Vtrum ea vox Elephas ab Eleph bos, an verò potius ab Alaph quod Syris & Ebraeis discere est, derivata sit, meritò dubites. Adeo verisimilis utraque sententia est; Nam quod primam attinet, in confesso est apud Graecos & Latinos, nobilitatam semper fuisse bovis praecaeteris terrestribus animātibus magnitudinem. Ita credibile est, Ebraeos, Syros & Phoenices cum hoc animal & mole & figuratione corporis ad bovem quàm proxime accedens primò vidissent, bovis nomine appelasse. Quod ad alteram attinet, quis ignorat ea, quae de hujus belluae docilitate narrat Plinius, l. 80. c. 1. 3. 7. Cicero Epist. Famil. 1. 7. & plena manu Lipsius. Centuria prima Epist. 5•. Amama. Antibarb. Bibl. l. 3. Elephant, both in respect of his proportion of body and disposition of spirit. Hee is by the Hebrews called Behemoth, by way of excellency, as the Latines for the same cause call him Bellua, and by Job chap. 40. vers. 15. he is likewise called Behemoth in the plurall number. He is wittily called by Julius Scaliger, Bestiarum Heros: and by Job in the same Chapter, vers. 19. the chiefe of the wayes of God, that is, the greatest, strongest, and most understanding of all earthly irrationall creatures, as Deodate interprets it. Vide Fulleri miscel. Sac. l. 4. c. 10. Elephas peregrinum est apud nos animal, Indis & aliis notissimum & obvium. Johnstoni Thaumatographia certè turres olim armatorum in proelia ferebant. Id ib. The Elephants were usefull in the wars, they caryed Castles and armed men.
Aristotle lib. 9. de hist. animal. cap. 47. makes mention of a memorable thing to make men flye incest. The King of Scythia had a Mare of a most excellent race, which brought forth most excellent colts; among the rest she had one which excelled them all; the King was desirous that this colt might horse his damme, that so he might have an excellent race of them: but the colt when he was brought to his damme, would not horse her; the King seeing this, he caused them to cover the damme that he might not know her. But he perceiving afterwards that it was his damme, ran away and cast himselfe over a steep rock, and brake his neck.
There are many things wonderfull in the Dog, his sagacity, docility, fidelity.
A dog in Epyrus, in a great assembly of people, knowing the man that had murdered his Master, flew upon him with open mouth,Plinies natural history, lib. 8. ch. 40. barking and snapping at him so furiously, that he was ready to take him by the throate, untill he at length confessed the fact, that caused the dog thus to rage and foame against him.
The dogs which be neare unto Nilus, Id. ib. Vide adagium, canis de Nil….lap of the River, running still, and never stay while they are drinking, for feare of the greedy Crocodiles. Aegyptio canes è Nilo nunquam nisi currentes lambitant, dum Crocodilis insidias cavent.
It happened, that upon a narow thin planke that lay for a bridge, one goate met another, both comming from divers parts: now by reason that the place was so narrow, that they could not passe by, nor turne about, nor yet retire backwards blindly,Plinies natural history, l. 8. c. 50. considering how long the planke was, and so slender withall; moreover the water that ran underneath, ranne with a swift streame, and threatned present death if they failed and went besides. Mutianus affirmeth, that hee saw one of them to lye flat downe, and the other to goe over his backe.
In Sibaris there was a young man named Crathis, A memorable story of the punishment of buggery.which being not able to retaine lust, but forsaken of God, and given over to a reprobate sense, committed buggery with a female Goate, the which thing the Master Goate beheld and looked upon, and dissembled, concealing his mind and jealousie for the pollution of his female. Afterward finding the said young man asleepe (for he was a Shepheard) he made*Topsell de quadrupedibus. all his force npon him, and with his hornes dashed out the buggerers braiues.
Alexander the Great had a very strange and rare horse called Bucephalus, *Bucephalus siguifieth an oxe head. Plinies natural hist. l. 8. c. 42. lib. 6. cap. 20. Aul. Gell. Noct. Att. l. 5. c. 2. This horse is also celebrated by Plutarch, and Quintus Curtius.either for his crabbed and grim looke, or else of the mark or brand of a bulls head, which was imprinted upon his shoulder. He would suffer no man to sit him, nor come upon his backe but Alexander, when he had the Kings saddle on, & was also trapped with royall furniture, for otherwise he would suffer any whomsoever. When he was dead the King solemnized his funerals most sumptuously; erected a Tombe for him, and about it built a Citie that bare his name, Bucephalia.
That is a lofty description of a horse, Job 39. 19. to 26. If Bankes aSir Walter Raleigh.had lived in elder times, he would have shamed all the Inchanters of the world: for whosoever was most famous among them, could never master or instruct any beast as hee did his Horse.
That story of Androdus & the LionbHic est leo hospes hominis, hic est homo medicus leonis. See Doctor Willet of the Camel on the 11. of Levit. quest. 14. is commonly known. Vide Auli Gellii noctes Atticas, l. 5. c. 14.
There is in some kind as much of the Creator in the Ant, as in the Lion, in the former excellent skilfulesse, in the other power and majestie.