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1. SInce that part of the world, which is expos'd to our knowledge, is fi∣nite; and any never-so-little bulk infinitely repeated, exceeds the greatest possible: it follows, that the sin∣gular bodies of this part are finite, and
some actually the least: nay, that, accor∣ding to the order of the World, bodies cannot be divided beyond a certain term.
2. There will be, therefore, in each of the Elements certain minutest parts, which are, either not at all, or very sel∣dome, farther divisible. When, therefore, the Elements are forc'd one against ano∣ther, the sides of the rare ones must, of ne∣cessity, become united with the sides of the dense: but, when they come to be di∣vided again, 'tis impossible they should not leave some of those minutest parts sticking to the dense bodies.
3. For, since, in the same Quantity, the dense part is lesse divisible then the rare; that, too, which is compounded of rare and dense, in the same bulk, is lesse divisible then the rare part of the same quantity: It must needs be, therefore, that the rare Elements must stick, by their minutest parts, to the dense which they have once touch't.
4. Hence, 'tis evident, that the minu∣test parts being rub'd off on every side, by the ouching together of divers Ele∣ments, mixt bodies must necessarily be made. For, if two dense parts touch one minutest rare; since the minutest is indi∣visible,
there naturally emerges a Com∣pound of the three, as hardly divisible as are the dense ones themselves.
5. Whence, we have the first Distincti∣on of bodies: For, since the Elements are four, and may be joyn'd together by big∣ger or lesse parts; as oft as great parts of one Element redound, the body is call'd by the name of that Element.
6. Thus have we severall kinds of Earth: and, in this sense, all consistent things have the notion of Earth; all visi∣ble fluid things are call'd Waters; and there are many kinds of Airs and Fires.
7. But, when a body, that has the con∣sistency of one Element, is full of minute parts of another; the substance of one E∣lement gets the denomination of the o∣ther's quality: Thence proceed the de∣grees of temperaments, hot, cold, &c. and in one and the same kind, too, reduplica∣ted differences of the Elements; viz. of Earths, some are Earthy, some Watry, some Aeriall, some Fiery; and so in the rest, ev'n to the lowest species.
8. It appears, again, wherein consist those qualities, which distinguish bodies, as to their consistency. First, the notion of liquid & consistent plainly follows the
nature of rare and dense: and soft is a middle between liquid and hard; but hard, being that which resists division, clearly refers to density.
9. But grosse and Massive appertain to the quantity of parts: for grosse is not, so, divided into minutest parts, as to be able, by its subtilty, to enter into the least pores or crannies; and Massive has no pores or passages in its body, but speaks parts constipated and thrust close toge∣ther: Both of them plainly expresse a cer∣tain notion of Density.
10. As for Fat, and tough, and vis∣cous or slimy, they have this common to them all, To stick where they touch: but fat, in lesser parts; viscous, in greater; tough, properly, holds its own parts toge∣ther, and cleaves not so much to o∣thers.
11. They, therefore, consist of moist and dense well mixt: from moist they de∣rive the facility to unite; from dense, the difficulty to be separated.