Breviloquium

But corporeal nature must be considered by us with respect to becoming, with respect to being, and with respect to operating.¹

Concerning corporeal nature with respect to becoming, these things are especially to be held: that it was brought into being in six days, so that in the beginning, before every day, God created heaven and earth.² — But on the first day light was formed; on the second the firmament was made in the midst of the waters; on the third day the waters were separated from the earth and gathered into one place; but on the fourth day heaven was adorned with luminaries; on the fifth, air and water with flying things and fishes; on the sixth day, earth with animals and men; on the seventh day God rested, not from labor nor from work, since until now he works, but from the founding of new species; because he had made all things either in a likeness, as those that are propagated, or in seminal reason, as those that are brought into being in other modes.

The reason for understanding the aforesaid is this. For since things flow from the first and most perfect principle; and such a principle is most omnipotent, most wise, and most benevolent: therefore it was fitting that they should be brought into being in such a way that in their production the aforesaid threefold nobility and excellence might shine forth. And therefore the divine operation for producing the worldly frame was threefold, namely, creation, which is appropriated to omnipotence; distinction, which corresponds to wisdom; and adornment, which corresponds to the most lavish goodness.

And since creation is from nothing, therefore it took place in the beginning, before every day, as the foundation of all things and times.³

Again, because the distinction of the bodies of the world is considered according to a threefold mode, therefore it was made through three days. For there is a distinction of luminous nature from transparent and opaque nature, and this was made on the first day in the division of light from darkness; and there is a distinction of transparent nature from transparent nature, and this was made on the second day in the division of the waters from the waters; and there is a distinction of transparent nature from opaque nature, and this was made on the third day in the division of the waters from the lands. In these, moreover, the distinction of celestial and elemental things is implicitly given to be understood, as will be declared afterwards.⁴ Thus, therefore, distinction had to be made through three days.

And because adornment corresponds to distinction, therefore likewise it had to be consummated in three days. For there is an adornment of luminous nature, and this was made on the fourth day in the formation of the stars, sun, and moon; and there is an adornment of transparent nature, and this was made on the fifth day, on which fishes and birds were made from the waters for the adornment of water and air; and there is also an adornment of opaque nature, namely, earth, and this was made on the sixth day, on which beasts were made, reptiles were also made, and human nature was likewise made for the consummation of all.⁵

But all these things, although God could have made them in an instant, he nevertheless preferred to make them through a succession of times: both for the distinct and clear representation of power, wisdom, and goodness; both for the fitting correspondence of days or times and operations; and also so that, just as in the first founding of the world the seminal principles of works to be done had to come about, so there might also come about prefigurations of future times. — Hence, in those seven days, the distinction of all times, which are unfolded through the course of the seven ages, preceded as it were seminally.⁶ And hence it is that to the six days of works is added the seventh, of rest; which day is not written to have evening, not because that day had no succeeding night, but to prefigure the rest of souls, which shall never have an end. — But if it were said in another way, that all things were made at once,⁷ then all these seven days are referred to angelic consideration. Yet the first mode of saying is more consonant with Scripture and the authorities of the Saints, both those who preceded and those who followed blessed Augustine.