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CHAP. I. What things are necessary toward a perfect Generation.
THE propagation of kindes, as it is made in the Elements by Transmutation, and in Mettals by Apposition, so it is in crea∣tures by Generation. But of Generation there are diuers ma∣ners. * 1.1 For some creatures engender without coition onely by affrication. Others quite contrary to the ordinarie course of Nature, by a reception of the instrument of the female. Some females also do engender within themselues without the help of the male. There are also some creatures which are engen∣dred onely by putrifaction without either male or female: o∣thers are sometimes bred out of putrifaction, other-whiles out of seede. But all these kinds of generation are maimed and imperfect, and therfore the * 1.2 creatures so procreated, are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vnbloodye and insectile crea∣tures, of which a man of worthy memory among vs, D. Muffet hath written a learned and * 1.3 curious discourse, which happely time may communicate vnto the world. The Generati∣on of man and of the perfect creatures is farre more noble, as whereto three things are al∣waies required; a diuersity or distinction of sexes, their mutuall embracements and copu∣lations, * 1.4 and a permixtion of a certaine matter yssuing from them both which potentially containeth the Idea or forme of the particular parts of the body, and the fatal destiny of the same, & this the Grecians call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
The distinction of the Sexes is especially necessary, because Generation is not accom∣plished but by seeds which must be sowne in a fruitefull ground, that is, shedde into such a place as wherein their dull and sleepy faculties may be raised and rowzed vp, which we call * 1.5 Conception, and afterward that which is thus conceiued, may be cherished, nourished, and so attaine the vtmost perfection of his kinde. But because man was too hotte to per∣forme this office (for his heate consumeth al in him and leaueth no remainder to serue for the nourishment of the infant) it was necessary that a woman should bee created (for wee will insist now onely in mankinde) which might affoord not onely a place wherein to che∣rish and conceiue the seede, but also matter for the nourishment and augmentation of the same. Both these sexes of male and female do not differ in the kinde as we cal it or species, that is, essentiall form and perfection; but only in some accidents, to wit, in temper and in the structure and scituation of the parts of Generation. For the female sexe as well as the male is a perfection of mankinde: some there bee that call a woman Animal occasionatum, or Accessorium, barbarous words to expresse a barbarous conceit; as if they should say, A * 1.6 Creature by the way, or made by mischance; yea some haue growne to that impudencie, that they haue denied a woman to haue a soule as man hath. The truth is, that as the soule of a woman is the same diuine nature with a mans, so is her body a necessary being, a first and not a second intention of Nature, her proper and absolute worke not her error or pre∣uarication. The difference is by the Ancients in few words elegantly set downe when they define a man, to be a creature begetting in another, a woman a Creature begetting in her selfe.
The second thing required to perfect generation, is the mutuall embracements of these * 1.7 two sexes which is called Coitus or coition, that is, going together, A principle of Nature whereof nothing but sinne makes vs ashamed. Neither are these embracements sufficient, vnlesse from either sexe there proccede a third thing, by which and out of which a newe man may bee generated. The effusion therefore of seeds (which are indeede the immedi∣ate * 1.8 principles of generation) is altogether necessary, otherwise it were not a generation, but a new Creation. These three things therefore must concurre to a perfect generation, a distinction of sexes, their copulation, and an emission of seede from them both.