On the Universe

nature. For when it makes the inner parts of burnt things—and especially wood—black, it shows us the true color of earth. For the proper color of earth is blackness. And because earth is most dry, therefore fire makes it pure and resolves it into ashes, which are pure earth, namely, the most dry. On the surface of coal, it is red and shows the nature of water, which God finally established in its own moisture so that it might be red in life and be blood, and the seat of the soul. For otherwise, water is white in itself. But from fire, or from the hot, it acquires this color by the decree of God, his nod thus demonstrating to us the basis of immortal life. For that eternal redness is for the sake of the essence of one eternal life in the blood, which is accustomed to be demonstrated here (which is our form). These two tend downwards and make one globe, with the order of nature violated in the water.