As for the Texts of Scripture, which seem to confirm the conceit, duly perpended, they add not thereunto. For whereas in that of _Job_, according to the Septuagint or Greek Translation we find the word PhÅnix, yet can it have no animal signification; for therein it is not expressed Ïοá¿Î½Î¹Î¾, but ÏÏέλεÏoÏ ÏοίνικοÏ, the trunk of the Palm-tree, which is also called PhÅnix; and therefore the construction will be very hard, if not applied unto some vegetable nature. Nor can we safely insist upon the Greek expression at all; for though the Vulgar translates it _Palma_, and some retain the word PhÅnix, others do render it by a word of a different sense; for so hath _Tremellius_ delivered it: _Dicebam quod apud nidum meum expirabo, et sicut arena multiplicabo dies_; so hath the _Geneva_ and ours translated it, _I said I shall die in my Nest, and shall multiply my days as the sand._ As for that in the Book of Psalms, _Vir justus ut PhÅnix florebit_, as _Epiphanius_ and _Tertullian_ render it, it was only a mistake upon the Homonymy of the Greek word PÅnix, which signifies also a Palm-tree. [SN: Consent of names.] Which is a fallacy of equivocation, from a community in name inferring a common nature; and whereby we may as firmly conclude, that DiaphÅnicon a purging Electuary hath some part of the PhÅnix for its ingredient; which receiveth that name from Dates, or the fruit of the Palm-tree, from whence, as _Pliny_ delivers, the PhÅnix had its name.
Nor do we only arraign the existence of this Animal, but many things are questionable which are ascribed thereto, especially its unity, long life, and generation. As for its unity or conceit there should be but one in nature, it seemeth not only repugnant unto Philosophy, but also holy Scripture; which plainly affirms, there went of every sort two at least into the Ark of _Noah_, according to the Text, [SN: _Gen. 7._] _Every Fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort, they went into the Ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein there is the breath of life, and they that went in, went in both male and female of all flesh._ It infringeth the benediction of God concerning multiplication. God blessed them, saying, [SN: _Gen. 1._] _Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth:_ And again, [SN: _Chap. 8._] _Bring forth with thee every living thing, that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful and multiply upon the earth:_ which terms are not appliable unto the PhÅnix, whereof there is but one in the world, and no more now living then at the first benediction. For the production of one, being the destruction of another, although they produce and generate, they encrease not; and must not be said to multiply, who do not transcend an unity.