essarily it
has an end because every composition, collective or particular, must of
necessity be decomposed. The only difference is that some are quickly
decomposed, and others more slowly, but it is impossible that a composed
thing should not eventually be decomposed.

It is necessary, therefore, that we should know what each of the important
existences was in the beginning--for there is no doubt that in the
beginning the origin was one: the origin of all numbers is one and not
two. Then it is evident that in the beginning matter was one, and that one
matter appeared in different aspects in each element. Thus various forms
were produced, and these various aspects as they were produced became
permanent, and each element was specialized. But this permanence was not
definite, and did not attain realization and perfect existence until after
a very long time. Then these elements became composed, and organized and
combined in infinite forms; or rather from the composition and combination
of these elements innumerable beings appeared.

This composition and arrangement, through the wisdom of God and His
preexistent might, were produced from one natural organization, which was
composed and combined with the greatest strength, conformable to wisdom,
and according to a universal law. From this it is evident that it is the
creation of God, and is not a fortuitous composition and arrangement. This
is why from every natural composition a being can come into existence, but
from an accidental composition no being can come into existence. For
example, if a man of his own mind and intelligence collects some elements
and combines them, a living being will not be brought into existence since
the system is unnatural. This is the answer to the implied question that,
since beings are made by the composition and the combination of elements,
why is it not possible for us to gather elements and mingle them together,
and so create a living being. This is a false supposition, for the origin
of this composition is from God; it is God Who makes the combination, and
as it is done according to the natural system, from each composition one
being is produced, and an existence is realized. A composition made by man
produces nothing because man cannot create.

Briefly, we have said that from the composition and combination of
elements, from their decomposition, from their measure, and from the
effect of other beings upon them, resulted forms, endless re