Chapter VI. (Sermo V.)
The appearance of the earth, which is found in its sprouting and greenness, is conveniently added; it provides the voice of God as the cause of fertility, which some mistakenly attribute to the heat of the sun.
25. As the water receded, it was fitting that the appearance of the earth and grace should be given, so that it would no longer be invisible and formless. For many also say that what does not have appearance is invisible; and therefore they take the earth to have been invisible, not because it could not be seen by the highest God or his angels, for humans had not yet been created, nor even animals, but because it was without its appearance. However, the appearance of the earth is the budding and greenness of the field. And so, in order to make the earth visible and composed, God said: Let the earth bring forth grass, yielding seed according to its kind, and the fruit tree yielding fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself (Gen. I, 11).
26. Let us hear the words of truth, whose series is the salvation of those who listen. For the first voice of God, imparted to each created being for the purpose of procreation, is the law of nature, which remains on earth for all ages, giving a prescription for future succession, so that the process of reproduction and fructification may grow in usefulness. Therefore, the first germination occurs when the nascent things seem to burst forth: then, when the germ bursts forth and progresses, it becomes a plant: and when the plant has progressed a little, it becomes hay. How useful, how powerful a voice. Let the earth bring forth the grass of hay, that is, let the earth itself bring forth, needing no help from any other, not requiring anyone's assistance.
27. For many are accustomed to say: Unless the milder heat of the sun warms the earth and in some way nurtures it with its rays, the earth will not be able to bring forth vegetation. And for this reason, people attribute divine honor to the sun; because with the power of its heat it penetrates the depths of the earth and nurtures scattered seeds, or it loosens the frozen veins of trees. Therefore, listen to God as if he were uttering this voice: Let the foolish talk of men who is to come to an end, let empty opinion depart. Before the sun becomes a luminary, let the grass grow: let its antiquity have precedence over that of the sun. Lest the error of men prevail, let the earth bring forth before receiving the nourishment of the sun. Let all know that the sun is not the creator of what is born. The gentleness of the earth loosens it, and by the indulgence of God, it produces fruits. How does the sun serve the purpose of life to the newly born, when they are first brought forth by the divine operation of vivification before the sun comes into play for these purposes of life? He is younger than the plants, younger than the hay.