my mind as the Sun upon a Cloud which he rais'd represented this Impression having imprinted in my memory her Nobleness indelible not convenient to be publish'd at this present time As for the subject of this Treatise it appertains to the Astronomer in part 't is true yet who understands the Characters and Aspects of the Signs and Planets by this will know them in any Ephemeris or Annual Kalender whereby you may judge of the future Weather For our present purpose Mr. William Lillies is the best extant As for apparitions in the Airy Regions you have here the Observations upon them and for the nature of Vegetables they are more essentially observ'd and better known in general then the influence of the Stars or the nature of Meteors are discovered to learned Men especially all tender and redolent Flowers that embroyder the Earth or perfume the Air whose natural instincts each Florist observes as Kalenders of the Weathers mutability besides these here 's Birds and Beasts that are domestick Creatures or familiarly seen which if they satisfie not the beholders I have presented them with a Glasse not to see their features in but to view the state of the Air whether Dropsical or Feaverish Hot or Cold and by a member sequestred from the Element confin'd within a transparent Glasse where behold its contraction or rarefaction and from thence you may visibly presage the approaching weather the fourth and last Part is historical so there is something in every ones Sphere or Element The Tables of the Stars natural qualities in their tempers seem oppugnant to themselves as ♄ cold and dry with ♃ hot and moist likewise in pag. 82 line 28 and 29 and such like seeming contradictions in general but not in particular respects these are the observations of others faithfully recollected and transfer'd to your judgements as Moderators whereby I will not deceive you if you be deceiv'd The Cosmical rising and setting of some Stars are mention'd here when as to many Places and whole Countries those Asterismes can neither rise nor set In all such cases 't is to be understood if visible when neer the Horizon of that place or direct North the Sun ascending or descending that Hemisphere at the same time As for terms Latine words and quotations not explain'd they are known unto the Lady for whom this is chiefly intended and if they do eclipse or offuscate the subject as in relation to others the next Impression shall delucide them And as for those who only know how to find fault I can with more facility remit then such as they can censure So all such malignant spirits I leave to themselves and reconvert my discourse from them to the Ingenious as the Heliotrope from its shade to court the Sun and if they are satisfied I am pleas'd by subscribing Your friend and coadjutor THOMAS WILLSFORD To his honoured Uncle Mr. Thomas Willsford upon his Book of Meteors HEav'n is by earth epitomiz'd The greater world by th'lesse Comprisd The sacred Harmony o' th spheres Made audible to mortal ears Nature's Anatomy displayd The universal frame survayd The Elements complexions shown And every Star's Dominion The Weathers watr in glasses cast Speaks how her fits may change or last Whence bearded Comets have their births And strong Convulsions shake the Earth Whence all portentous symptomes rise Bad Omens and sad prodigies These are thy tracks pervious to none But to thy better thoughts alone Whose mystique Causes do'st explore Seeing implum'd effects in store Who Can'st the Cabala of Fate And energy of Planets state While stupid we on Terrene Regions move But Looking up see Stars and Thee above Edward Boteler AN INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLDS EPITOMY AND THE Generation of Meteors ACcording to my Talent received from the sole Creator of the Vniverse whose Fiat alone made this great and stupendious Machine of the World for whose excellency Man cannot find an attribute but Supereminent in all beginnings Eternal Immense Omnipotent c. which we cannot comprehend Who in the beginning created Heaven and Earth Gen. 1. cap. 1. And by his omnipotent Word alone made on the first Day Light which He divided from darknesse whose Divine assistance I now implore to illuminate my understanding and to dissipate the clouds of Error involving humane Learning deviated in diversity of Tracts in which obtenebrated ways we grope for what we seek in the bewildred cogitations of others whereof some do think they see so well as Argus when they are as blind as Moles Phantasmes undermining their wilful benighted judgements Others there be whose sordid minds are buried deep in Earth or so propense on vanities that they reflect not upon Natures dayly works much lesse on the Sacred Deity from whence she was ordained herself should but any stupid man that hath a glimmering light in the use of Reason behold the Heavens he must needs read there an immense Creator if his Reason enters into judgement for to examine the cause or contemplate on the effects observe the illuminated Orbs how by an orderly course and succession they rise and set distinguishing Days from Nights and Seasons of the Year contracting their Lights or distributing their Rays impartially to the Pesant as the Prince they cannot but confesse the Providence Goodnesse and Bounty of an Infinite and universal Opificer Which moved Ovid though a Heathen wavering like a weather-cock turn'd with Air of poetical fictions yet from them converts himself to point at the original Author Metam lib. 1. describing of the Chaos Quia corpore in uno Frigida pugnabant calidis humentia sice is Mollia cum duris sine pondere habentia pondus Hanc Deus melior litem Natura diremit And a little after Ille Opifex rerum mundi melior is origo Declining here the Poets and Philosophers authority let any rational man but contemplate of the least vegetable or sensitive creature a time there was it had no being it increases to maturity and perfection at a period declines again returning unto Earth from whence extracted according to the course and conception of Nature which evidently demonstrates that She and the World had an original as by their Fruits and off-spring the subjects of mortality and consequently must have an end Eccles-cap 3. consider then the omnipotency of an Eternal Creator by whose sacred Word alone 't was made by whose Providence it continues and by whose Power it shall perish all things declaring the Almighty Deity and so apparently that there are not any but must see it except wilfully blinded in their understandings and thus writeth the Apostle of the Gentiles S. Paul inspired by the holy Ghost ad Roma cap. 1. ver 20. Invisibilia enim Dei à creatione Mundi per ea quae facta sunt intellecta conspiciuntur sempiterna quoque ejus virtus Divinitas ita ut sint inexcusabiles Now to return from whence I came and look back to the Creation on the second Day God made the Firmament
by the perfidious Jews condemned by Pontius Pilate then Presedent of Judea under Tiberius Caesar and crucified at whose passion the World did tremble with an Earthquake and the greatest that ever was or as it is thought ever shall be untill His coming again to judge the quick and the dead but some say this was miraculous and not universal these are the words of Didymus Mei Christi tempore non privatus aliquis terrae motus sed tota terra conquassutâ— centro convulsa fuit In the year of grace 1117. there was in Lombardy and Earth-quake which continued 40. days in which time it overthrew many buildings but the greatest wonder was it removed one Town from its seat and set it in another place a good distance from the former situation with many of the houses standing this story you may read in Floriacensis these are evident demonstrations of an Omnipotent power Job cap. 9. ver 5. Qui transtulit montes nescierunt hi quos subvertis in furore suo In the year of grace 1509. the City of Constantinople was shaken with an Earth-quake in whose ruines there was overwhelmed 13000 Men Women and Chridren In the year 1531 the City of Lixborn trembled with an Earth-quake which ruined 1500. dwelling houses Fromondus lib. 4. Meteo does affirm how that in the year 1570. Ferraria was miserably shaken with an Earthquake which had continued in Italy the space of two years as some Authors do write and in the year following being 1571 the Turks presuming of their strength and the divisions of Europe by reason of the Sects and Schisms raised a mighty Army intending to invade Europe both by Sea and Land for which design a fleet was rigged And for the prevention of this general calamiy it pleased God to unite all the Christian Princes as against the common enemy who provided another and put to Sea and upon the 6. day of October the Christians gave the Turks battail which Sea fight continued that day and the next and then the Antichristians fled and many of them did run their Gallies a ground whereby to save their lives The Christians in this Sea-fight sunck and took 230 Gallies and slew 30,000 Mahumetans and multitudes were taken prisoners who with the prizes and spoils were divided amongst the contibutors according to their adventures In this fight 12000 Christians were redeemed from the Turkish slavery The Christian Princes lost in this fight 8 gallies and 8000 Souldiers This was called the famous Battail of Lepauto In the year 1601. there was a general Earthquake through Europe which made it all to tremble but not the people nor yet so much as moved them to repentance for their transgressions against Heaven In the year of the Worlds Redemption 1638. March the 27. S. N. between 3 and 4 in the afternoon the Kingdome of Naples was violently shaken with an Earth-quake which subverted houses and Castles the City of Necosia standing by the Sea side was made an Island and five miles divided from the Continent the Earth finking Nature brought in the waters to fill the lower grounds and cover her entrails there perished in this Earth-quake of men women children so neer as could be gathered the number of 40,000 this was a forerunner of implacable tumults and commotions of the people besides the bloudy Tragedies acted there betwixt the Kings of Spain and France Many prodigies I have here omitted as partly fearing to be prolix some again I have found but not their sad events and others I have let passe as from doubtful Authors as the Earthquake and Tempest at the taking of Constantinople by Mahumet the great from Constantine the last Christian Emperour of Greece in storming this City there happned a direful Tempest of Thunder and Lightning and an Earth-quake that killed 3000 Men Women and Children and ruined 800 houses but Authors do not well agree in this nor yet of the time When it was taken one saith Anno Domini 1452 May the 27. which was Whitsunday Eve Knolls writes 1453 May the 29. which was the Tuesday after Trinity Sunday that year But all agrees the City was quite depopulated putting all to the Sword but what were reserved for Mahumet's pleasure and those led away into a miserable captivity the Tyrant intending this for his Antichristian seat called in the Jews to inhabit it Here you may see Heavens just revenge against a stubborn people perversly maintaining that diabolical Heresy against the Sacred and ever blessed Trinity at which time Feast the Empire had a fatal period and the Grecians delivered into the hands of the most barbarous enemy These fatal Meteors are great motives to humble Man to make him repent his iniquities and soberly remember the most dreadful day of Judgement of which these prodigies are forerunning fignes according to Isaia cap. 24. ver 1. Ecce Dominus dissipabit terram nudabit eam affliget faciem ejus disperget habitatores ejus Plagues and Epidemical Diseases EArth-quakes are often forerunners of Plague and Famine Heavens direful revenge and just runishments proceeding from excesse or defect and presag'd sometimes from subterranean vapours restrained in the Earth and by rarifaction being grown over great to be contained they do make violent irruptions and so by infecting the Air in which we breath they do breed pestiferous diseases but these exhalations are generally held most infectious to beasts For their heads being prone towards the Earth and neer it they do draw in with their breath those crude exhalations into their bodies much more then Man who stands erect but beasts being genepally infected with the viciated Air and their bloud contaminated the eating of their flesh breeds contagious Deseases in Man and in such times the greedy Grasier sends those to the slaughter which he thinks to be infected fearing they should die in his hands and keeps the soundest still for store Of these general calamities I could instance many but fearing lest I should weary you with reading as I am with writing I will briefly relate these Before the Nativity of Jesus Christ the Worlds Redeemer 18â— there happned a Plague in Africa that swept away 30000 Romane Souldiers and of the Natives 1080,000 which depopulated not onely many Towns and Cities but some whole Provinces In the year of Christ 171. Antoninus Emperour of Rome it pleased God to visit the World with a Plague which made whole Countrys like a Charnel house This general Pestilence began at Babylon but spread its infection over a great part of Europe In the year of Grace 254. there happned an Epidemical disease that raged violently and continued in several Countries the space of 15 years all which time the Church of God was persecuted by the Pagan and Tyrannical Emperours possesed with infernal spirits in Rome at these times it rained bloud where this Plague continued three years while the living in the City were not able to bury the dead From the Sacred Virgin 's
Planets in their mean motions with the distance of the four Elements from the Earth's centre THe Firmament or 8. Sphere in which the fixed Stars are placed is affirm'd by Astronomers to be in distance from the Worlds centre the Earths diameter 9327 times from the Terrestial Globes superficies 18653 semi-diameters the distance from us in miles 65285 500 the least Star in this Sphere is conceived greater than the Globe compos'd of Earth and Water and that all the Stars of the first magnitude are 100. times as great in relation to their Cubes Under the starry Firmament there are imagined 7. peculiar Spheres involv'd within one another on these the ancient Astronomers did fancy little circles called Epicycles whose centres were in the superficies of those Orbs in whose circumferences they plac'd the centre of each Planet according to its proper Sphere thereby to solve the irregular motion of each wandring Star in their various courses and excentrick motions that point which is most remote from the centre of the Earth is called Apogaeon the lowest Perigaeon the difference between them is termed the mean motion the Planet being then on the superficies of his own Sphere Saturn the highest of all the Planets in his mean motion is in distance from the superficies of the Earrh 10358 1 10 Semidiameters in proportion to it as 31 to 11. being greater than the Terrestrial Globe 22 3 10 according to cubical numeration and is in distance above us in our Hemisphere 36153318 Miles this later age by Telescopes hath discovered 2 Stars that attend him interposing themselves sometimes betwixt him and us Jupiter in his mean motion is in distance from the Earth 3917 4 10 semi-diametrs and is in proportion to it as 12 to 5. and greater than the Terrestrial Globe according to the Cubes made of their diameters 13 8 10 and in distance from us 13711090 he hath 4 Stars discovered that make a progress with him through the 12 Signes but keep no equal distance and do often interpose themselves and us Mars in his mean motion is above the Earth 1713 2 10 semi-diameters and is in distance from the superficies of the terrestrial Globe 5996200 Miles and according to Tycho Brahe the Cube made of his Diameter is less then that of the Earth 13 times and a little more Sol in his Apogaeon is from the superficies of the Earth 1169 semi-diameters in his Perigaeon 1089 and consequently in his mean motion 1129 and according to his Cube 139 times greater then the cube made of the terrestrial Globes diameter and is in distance from the Earths superficies 3951500 Miles Venus is in proportion unto the terrestrial Globe as 6 to 11. and she is lesser then the globe of Earth 6â— 1 1 times and in her mean motion is in distance from thence so much as the Sun is or very neer Mertury is held less then the terrestrial Globe 19 times very neer and in his mean motion hath the same distance allowed him almost as the Sun hath in his mean motion Luna in her mean motion is in distance from the Earth's superficies 58 9 10 semi-diameters in Miles 206050 and the cube made of the terrestrial Globes diameter will contain that made of the Moon 's 42 8 10 the proportion being as 2 is unto 7 and so much greater is the Globe of Earth then that of the Moon Vnder the Moon 's Sphere is the Element of Fire conceived for to be in thickness 154050 Miles whose concave or neerest distance from the superficies of the Earth and Water is conjectured 52000 Miles and from the center 55500 Miles The upper Region of the Air being next unto the Element of Fire is suppos'd to contain in thickness 51994 Miles and the concave of it in distance from the superficies of the Earth 6 Miles the Middle Region 4 Miles and the lowest two Miles which is the distance from the Earth to the highest watery clouds and this is the Region of Air in which we mortals draw our vital breath in The two lowest Elements do make one Globe consisting of Earth and Water whose Diameter is 7000 Miles and the whole circumference 22000 Miles and according to this proportion 61 1 9 miles upon this Globe will answer unto one degree in the Heavens but expect no exactness in the dimensions Here I could have shown you a great assembly of various opinions but not assisted with any convincing Reasons or grounded upon undeniable demonstrations as in the magnitudes and distances of the Stars most supposing them for to be in a further distance from the Earth and of greater magnitudes in which proportions I have followed Tycho Brahe but not altogether in their heights Some deny these several Spheres and the motions called Accessus and Recessus others will have them moved by Angelical powers and this opinion is assisted by the great Doctor and light of the Catholike Church St. Augustine lib. 83. p. 74. saying Every visible thing in this World is under the charge of an Angelical power And so writeth St. Jerome cap. 28. On Ezech. That there is an Element of Fire some reject others do affir it but deny that either the Fire or the Air have any morion with the Heavens from East to West Aristoile affirms the Air to be naturally of a hot quality the Stoiks and Cardanus do think it cold Turnebius neither but apt for either heat or cold The common received opinion is that the upper Region of the Air is naturally hot and dry the second cold and moist the lowest Region temperate according unto the place and Season of the year but generally the whole Element of Air is thought to be hot and moist Now as for the two lower Elements Earth and Water as united together they do make one Globe and this assertion generally ratified and unanimously consented unto by the ablest men in all Ages yet something in approbation of this shall be said hereafter But as for the greatness of this Globe it is doubted of by many although not with such dissonant and diversity of opinions as for the magnitude and height of the Spheres and the other two Elements for some do seem to prove by Eclypses of the Sun and Moon and voyages at Sea what part or how many leagues or miles upon this Globe will answer unto one degree of the Heavens the common opinion is 20 leagues or 60 miles and by this account the terrestrial Globe is in compass 21600 miles Ptolemaeus accounts 500 Stadiums for 1 degree that is 22500 miles if the Stadium in Egypt did not exceed that in Italy others will have it 66 miles allowed for one degree and in compass then 23760 miles but I have in this allowed for the whole circumference of the Earth 22000 miles Thus numerous are the opinions of learned Philosophers Geometritians Astronomers Geographers Cosmographers and Navigators and their ways so ambiguous seldome agreeing in any thing often crossing one another that if there
and in time it will lose its saltnesse being but accidental As for the ebbing and flowing of the Seas the cause is assigned unto the Moon her influence having power over all waterish bodies and besides the Tides are observed to alter as she does in her course if not hindered or furthered by accidental causes as winds land flouds or the like She coming later every day unto the Meridian by 48. minutes or very neer and those Seas which flows when she is above the Horizon of that place will cause greater Tides then when she is depressed in the opposite Hemisphere and when she hath latitude and declination towards the pole elevated the force of her influence is the greater and the waters will flow the higher and rage the more violently in all indraughts especially at the new Moon or ful which are usually called Spring-Tides but the full Moon and three Tides after are much the greater her power then predominating most over all waterish and phlegmatick bodies and requires time to bring in greater supplies of water into the Land Of Earth-quakes and their causes from whence they do proceed THe causes of these are exhalations hot and dry generated by the vertue of the Sun and Stars inclosed within the concaves and hollow places of the Earth yet they cannot break forth by reason of the vapours grosnesse and the close compactednesse of the Earth which involves them and there increasing till it cannot be contained and not finding a passage out it strives to force one and so violently shakes the Earth that it causes a trembling which often hath swell'd up mountains and overturned others and ruinated many Cities making mens houses their sepulchres and whole Towns involved in a grave overwhelmed with their ruines the continuance of Earth-quakes is uncertain from a minute to a day and a longer time according to the greatnesse of the vapour inclosed and the firmnesse and solidity of the Earth which contained it Here I have shewed you the weak and supposed reasons of men in the wonderful and stupendious frame of Heaven and Earth all which are subjected and do obey the commands of the Immense Creator Eternal God and Author of Nature to whom be all Honour Praise and Glory world without end Amen AN INTRODUCTION TO The Third Part. Predictions of the Weather TO Prognosticate or foretel the alteration of the Weather there hath been in all Ages diligent observers of Nature who have prescribed rules and prenotations of the Airs mutability grounded on judicial signs collected from the Stars and the four Elements the principles of all sublunary bodies Of these Predictions there be several kinds both general and particular established by humane reason some derived meerly from old experience yet many of them true divers observations are ascribed to some particular Place Country Province or lesse proportion of this our habitable world being oftentimes confined within the precincts of a parish as by fogs or mists ascending from some meer or morish grounds or descending from the tops of hills high exalted places and low depressed dales some men do observe domestick and particular beasts as the story of the Herds-man c. But as for all such presages as are not general or warranted by some seeming reason I will quiâ—e reject and leave them at home for to observe the smoak of their own chimneys for it is my real intention at least my desire to direct my serene instructions to the benefit of the tender vigilant or distressed travellers whereby they may avoid the danger or inconvenience of foul and tempestious weather by presaging the Airs alteration and the inundation of the lower Regions menacing the Earth with their over-charged exhalations and vapours in tumults ready to descend to avoid these ensuing storms is the scope of my intentions in this Treatise and the better to enable you to do it I have prostrated to your view The Worlds Eprtomy and the several risings settings apparitions and occultations of the Stars with the natures of those celestrial Orbs the four Elements and all Meteors in general the secondary causes under God of heat cold wet and dry weather from whose excesse proceeds want disâ—â—â—d all corporal distempers and from their â—â—â—cord plenty crowned by the blessing of Hâ—â—ven with health and happinesse That the Stars have their influences upon sublunary bodies it is not denied by any learned men and affirmed undoublably by many of the most famous Philosophers Astronomers and Divines as witnesse Aristotle Ptolomaeus and St. Augustine lib. 13. Cap. 4. de Trin. and multitudes more which I have omitted fearing to incumber this volume with testimonies and approbations of that which seems demonstrated unto reason and confirmed by experience and according to Hippocrates with the consent of many others Thunder Lightning Hail Snow Rain Storms and all alterations of the weather may be predicted by the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the aspects of Planets their natures and qualities considered with the climate region and season of the year The Stars being supposed of several natures and each constellation mixt their influencies may cause diversity of effects as heat cold moisture or drought which are the four qualities of the Element and as for the Planets they do alter according to their aspects which many learned Phisitians do diligently observe in administring Physick and in the time of their Patients falling sick calling the 7. day critical the 14. c. Their reasons are the Moon having dominion over all humors and waterish bodies and in her motion swift doth passe in 7. days and a little more from one sign into another of a contrary nature and quality as from ♎ hot and moist into ♑ cold and dry and the like of others from whence the Doctors do judge of the malignity of the disease with the hopes of life or danger of death and of this you may read in Gallen lib. 3. de diebus Criticis rather then in me And in prognostication of the Weather these judicial days would be observed in the beginning of drought Rain Snow Frost or the like and there would be considered the latitude and aspects of the Planets the nature of the signs they are in passing under the fixed Stars especially where they are mixt with the nature of those Planets Consider the season of the year as Hale or Rain in the Spring or Autumn Thunder and Lightning in Sommer Frost and Snow in Winter Ponder also the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the Planets the Eclipses Comets and all fiery Meteors and such as these accompanied by nature are justifiable for God hath given man knowledge and understanding in the course of natural things and signs in the Heavens whereby to avoid inconveniencies not with a certain but a conjectural science by the Asterisms or celestial configurations and the four Elements from whence may be presaged distempers of the Air causing contagious diseases sterility and the like as Aristotle writeth of Thaletes
with the four Elements ♈ Fiery Hot and dry Cholerick ♉ Earthly Cold and dry Melancholy ♊ Aierial Hot and moist Sanguine ♋ Watery Cold and moist Phlegmatick ♌ Fiery Hot and dry Cholerick ♠Earthly Cold and dry Melancholy ♎ Aeriall Hot and moist Sanguine ♠Watry Cold and moist Phlegmatick ♠Fiery Hot and dry Cholerick ♑ Earthly Cold and dry Melancholy ♒ Aeriall Hot and moist Sanguine ♓ Watry Cold and moist Phlegmatick The nature and qualities of the seven Planets in union with the four Elements ♄ Earthly Cold and dry Melancholy ♃ Airy Hot and moist Sanguine ♂ ☉ Fiery Hot and dry Cholerick ♀ ☽ Watry Cold and moist Phlegmatick As for the temperature of the Planet ☿ he is of himself inclinable to the condition of the Sign he is in or the nature of any other Planet that is in ☌ ⚹ □ △ or ☠with him yet in conjunction he is generally observed as ♂ is to cause tempests and a turbulent air but more or less according to the disposition of the others and the Signs he moveth under suitable to their temperatures and not moderating the evil aspects of the bad as men do in this World according to the old saying or Adagie Who lives with good are good we see And with the bad perverted be Definitions of some few terms that are used by Astronomers A Parallel Sphere is also called vertical having the World's Poles in the Zenith and Nadir the Aequator in the Horizon the Meridians and Azimoths are all one and likewise the Parallel circles and Almicanters in a verticle Sphere there is half a year day and half a year night one half of the Heavens never riseth and so consequently the other half must never set A right Sphere hath the World's Poles in the Horizon the Aequinoctial circle passeth by the Zenith and Nadir and by that means it divides the Horizon at right angles in this Sphere every degree and part of the Aequator that ascendeth or descendeth the Horizon with the Sun or any fixed Star will come to the Meridian with the ☉ or the same ⚹ for these causes it is called a right Sphere and here the days will be always equal to the nights either of them being 12. hours in any time of the year and all the Stars likewise will be 12. hours above the Horizon and as long depressed in every natural day An Oblique Sphere hath one Pole elevated above the Horizon and the other as much depressed in any oblique Sphere the Aequator will pass by the Horizon obliquely making an acute and consequently an obtuse angle with it and that degree or part of the Aequator which shall ascend the Horizon with the Sun or any Star will not come unto the Meridian of the place with the ☉ or the same ✴ for these reasons this Sphere is thus nominated In all oblique Spheres some part of the Heavens will never rise some will never set and some Stars will both rise and set as by the Sphere is evident in any latitude The Altitude or Poles elevation is an arch of the Meridian circle intercepted between the Horizon and the end of the World's Axis and the complements are the degrees and parts that it wants of 90 that is an arch of the Meridian contained between the Pole elevated and the places Zenith which in all oblique Spheres is ever equal to an arch of the Meridian intercepted betwixt the Horizon and the Aequator The Declination of the Sun or any Star or part of the Heavens is an arch of the Meridian passing through the centre of the ☉ or ✴ and intercepted between the Aequator and the centre of the ☉ ✴ or point of the Heavens given either North or South The Oblique Ascension is the degree or part of the Aequator that ascendeth the Horizon with the Sun or any Star in an oblique Sphere and those degrees reckoned from ♈ and continued to the end of ♓ that is to 360. degrees The right Ascension of the Sun or any Star or part of the Ecliptick are the degrees of the Aequinoctial circle that ascends the Horizon with them in a right Sphere or the degrees of the Aequator that do come unto the Meridian of any place with the ☉ ✴ or any other part of the Heavens and those reckoned from Aries to 360. degrees in the Aequinectial circle as were the former oblique Ascensions and this is general in all oblique Spheres whatsoever and the true degree in the Aequator that ascended the Horizon the ☉ or ✴ in a right Sphere The Magnitude of a Star is to be understood only of the fixed which for distinction and the readier finding them in the Sphere they are divided into six sorts the first being the greatest and so in order but as for those of the sixt Magnitude or cloudy ones they are but little observed in the predictions of the weather yet are here inserted with a Table of the Sun 's right Ascension in hours and minutes for every 15. degrees of the Aequator is equal to an hour and so each degree is equall to four minutes in time as was said before I have here inscribed a Table for the Sun 's right Ascension every fift day of the year and two other of the Stars which are observed in prognostication of the weather with the right Ascensions Declinations and Magnitudes of them whereby they may be readily found on the Globe or without it when they will be visible and when obscured with the Sun and what time of day or night they will come upon the Meridian from whence the hour of the night and many other useful propositions and necessary conclusions will be deduced by well observing these in pronostication of the weather A Table of the Suns right Ascention in hours and minutes for every fifth day in any moneth in the yeer Daies Janu. Febru March Aril May June ho.mi. ho.mi. ho.mi. ho.m. ho.m. ho.m. 5 19 50 21 57 23 42 1 34 3 28 5 34 10 20 11 22 16 00 00 1 53 3 48 5 55 15 20 32 22 35 00 18 2 11 4 8 6 16 20 20 53 22 54 00 36 2 30 4 28 6 37 25 21 13 23 12 00 54 2 49 4 49 6 57 30 21 33  1 12 3 9 5 10 7 18 Daies July August Septem October Nove. Decem. ho.m. ho.mi. ho.mi. ho.mi. ho.mi. ho.mi. 5 7 38 9 39 11 32 13 21 15 23 17 32 10 7 58 9 58 11 50 13 40 15 43 17 54 15 8 18 10 16 12 8 13 59 16 5 18 16 20 8 38 10 34 12 26 14 18 16 26 18 39 25 8 57 10 33 12 44 14 38 16 48 19 00 30 9 16 11 11 13 3 14 58 17 10 19 23 The right Ascentions DEclinations Natures and Magnitudes of some one noted Starre in each Constellation of the Firmament from the North Pole to the Ecliptick The first Table of ✴ in North Latitude Right Ascentions ho.mi.
in watery Signs prognosticates rain in fiery Signs drought and scatters over the heavens with red and yellowish clouds causing often times rain and as in Signs that are aireal it makes the weather warm Particularly they cause in the Spring and Autumn showres in Sommer thunder lightning and hail in Winter remisse heat and oftentimes extendeth the celestial bow a premonitor of following rain but usually not much The Sun and Venus in conjunction SOl and ♀ in ☌ do generally prognosticate moist weather especially in watery Signs and particularly in the Spring and Autumn rain in Sommer thunder and showres and in the Winter quarter moist and foggy weather The Sun and Mercury in conjunction SOl and ☿ in ☌ do commonly beget winds in airy Signs with moisture in watery Signs rain in fiery Signs drought warm winds with corruption these two Planets do always accompany the Sun neither of them exceeding 60. degrees in their greatest distances and this not 30. The Sun and Moon in conjunction or aspected SOl and ☽ in ☌ □ or ☠in moist Signs produce rain reddish clouds and great drops of water and in fiery Signs fair weather and altereth the Air according to the season of the year and the present temperature of the time at the new and full she causeth the greatest flux of the Sea and all waterish humors and much the more if aspected with the Hyades or Pleiades at the same time with other circumstances to be considered as the other Planets and what hath been said before Venus and Mercury in conjunction VEnus and ☿ in ☌ do commonly beget in moist Signs showres and generally at all times of the year moist winds and if this conjunction shall happen when the two luminaries are in ☌ □ or ☠or within an hour it will cause an inundation or very much rain if not hindred with other intervening causes Venus in conjunction or aspected with the Moon VEnus and ☽ in ☌ □ or ☠presage generally mild and gentle showres or moist weather with some cold according to the season and much increases the flowing of the Seas causing violent Tides especially with Hyades or Stars of their own natures Particularly in the Spring moist and cloudy time in Sommer remisse heat in Autumn they produce dark clouds and in the Winter season a cold and troubled Air if not snow sleet or rain Mercury in conjunction or aspected with the Moon Mercury and ☽ in ☌ □ or ☠do signifie winds clouds rain with various and unconstant weather and generally in all seasons of the year if it happens in watery Signs rain or moist weather is presaged in airy Signs wind in fiery Signs drought in earthly Signs cold they cause also many times pale uncontinued clouds resembling the colour of smoak but the effects of these are not durarable or of long continuance without the assistance of the higher Planets The fixed and wandring Stars are observed diligently by some in administring Physick Phlebotomy c. which I will omit in prescribing any Rules being out of my element but leave it to the learned Practitioners Others do vigilantly regard the Planets in Agriculture and above all the Moon predominating most over vegetables but this is also out of my rode excepting my Predictions of the Weather and seasons of the year as for other things Experience is the best instructor yet those that will may satisfie themselves with Virgils Georgicks with Pliny lib. 17. 18. and divers others of that kinde but being this you have and those not always at hand peruse these few collections if you please they being held general Observations in Agriculture TO plant or sow the Moon in these Signs is held the best viz. in ♈ ♉ ♊ ♠♎ ♑ ♓ and if the ☽ be aspected with ♀ it is the better as causing the more moisture Plant or graft trees the ☽ increasing in ♉ ♎ and ♒ Sow all seeds after the new ☽ but round seeds neer the opposition ☽ is generally held the best but all moist seeds in wet grounds the ☽ decreasing Gather fruits the ☽ decreasing before the last quarter The Eclipses of the two Luminaries are generally observed prejudicial to this kind of husbandry and the bloming of Corn. Any Planet that is retrograde and in ☌ with the ☽ is accounted hurtful to planting graffing or sowing The wind in the North or in the East is held destructive or hurtful to planting graffing or felling of timber Cut hair and shear sheep the ☽ increasing Presages of the weather by Experience collected from the inflamation of Comets fiery impressions influences and apparitions of the Stars reflecting on sublunary Meteors HItherto I have discovered according to my ability the effects of the fixed and wandring Stars selected from their aspects by the registers of Experience conceived by them the efficient cause under God of Wind Rain Hail Snow c. But all men not being Astronomers and my intentions generall to whom I indeavour the dedication of my discourse therefore I will demonstrate the weathers transactions by signs derived more directly from the immediate dictates of Nature beginning with Comets being generally supposed to be sublunary and so descend unto those more inferiour according to my prescribed order intending to treat of falling Stars Rainbows and all fiery apparitions in the Air and then our terrestrial fires for although they are compounded of the 4. Elements yet I will rank them amongst these because the flames of all combustible matters do naturally of their own accords ascend towards the Element of fire the seat of lenity whereas all heavy and ponderous things do tend downwards pressing toward the seat of gravity and centre of the Earth The effects of Comets 1. ALl fiery impressions and Comets do presage violent tempests of long continuance and also they do denote much heat and inflamation of the Air Pliny lib. 2. cap. 25. 2. Frequent and many Comets do foreshew sterility of the Earth famine plague burning feavers and many other pestiferous diseases by reason they do consume the humidity of vapours and exhalations and so from thence they ingender choler inclining men prone to discentions and civil wars it threatens Princes and great men with death and all such as are of tender or fiery constitutions to this consents Cardanus lib. 1 cap. 1. but the effects of these are the more violent and of longer continuance by how much the greater and permanent they are and the like judge of all unusual fiery Meteors 3. The shooting or glancing of seeming Stars through the Air do presage rain snow or tempestious weather quickly after to ensue and observe what point of the Heavens these Metoors point at from that quarter will the wind proceed if there be many of them falling often and sevaral ways it is a sign the weather will be variable but if they be numerous and all tending one way then expect great winds much snow or rain and probably to continue long for it argues
at his setting be mixed with sky-colour or purple expect then immoderate tempests and storms of wind and rain 34. If the Sun at his rising seem to be as it were affronted with clouds in tumults moving towards him observe from what quarter of the Heavens they come from thence will the storm arise and if they come from the South expect then both wind and rain especially if the clouds were fiery red or mixt 35. If the Sun doth cast his beams a far of amongst the clouds at his rising and some of them seem refracted or the middle void it presages rain 36. If he spread his beams before he rises above the Horizon expect both wind and water 37. If at his setting there appear a white circle about him there will be some troublesome weather the ensuing night but withal if there be a thick mist invirons him the tempest may be outragious both wind and rain 38. If there be red clouds about the Sun at his rising which do become black or dark soon after he is up it presages rain 39. If the Sun all day or before his setting an hour or two appeareth with a purple colour and coming to the Horizon descending seems greater then at other times it foreshews both wind and rain A Paraphrase HEre with the setting Sun I will end his presages and now behold the Luminary of the night for what hath been said of his rising is or may be applied for the most part as rules in presaging the weather at the time of his descending the Horizon of any place but not so certain and effectual as his first apparition in the morning because there be more grosse and undigestâ—d vapours raised in the night or fall for want of heaâ— to concoct and dispose of them according to their qualities the reason of all these presages is grounded upon the colour of the vapour or exhalation on which the Sun reflecting doth cause these fiery and diversity of apparitions elevated above the superficies of the Earth but neer us interposed between the Sun and our sight which by the vertue of his rayes he converts according to their qualities and quantities into several Mereors for if they seem pale they are watery if red windy if black and mixt both if his rays seem refracted broken or crooked it is by reflection of one cloud upon another which argues their number to be many and if unpenetrable it shews them to be great and grosse And so much for the Sun By the Moon 40. THe Aegyptians whom Virgil and Pliny follow did observe the fourth day of the Moon after the Conjunction to be the surest sign for if she does appear after Sun-setting pure and bright it argues fair weather and if red wind if dim or cloudy storms and wet weather also if the tips of her horns be blunt it foreshews foul weather and if very sharp pointed it presages winds fair or frosty weather 41. If her Northern horn be only sharp-pointed it presages wind from that coast but if her lower or Southern horn be only so the wind will be Southward and if she hath a red circle about her it is a sign of wind and rain But Varra who maketh these observations also of the weather says That if the Moon hath a circle or garland about her and the same clear and bright it promises fair weather until the Full. 42. If the Moon after the change appear not until her fourth day and the wind blowing West expect then cold and winter-like weather the reason that the fourth day is observed in these is this her fourth time ascending the Horizon reckoned from the New Moon inclusive is but three days compleat in which time she does recover light and hath then entered another sign of a different nature from that at her change But some would have these rules observed when her age is â— 8 part of her whole course that is three days and sixteen hours very neer but this cannot be strictly observed the Moon not being then always visible above any one Horizon 43. The Moon increasing and rising with her upper or Northern horn blackish presageth much rainy weather after the Full but if the tip of her lowermost horn be so aspected then it will rain before the Full but if it appears blackish between her horns that is in the middle of her body according to Varre it will be wet weather about the time of her being Full. 44. When the Moon is at the Full if her body seem very fair and bright it is a sign of good weather but if red it argues wind if inclining to black rain and if a mist about her it is a sign of snow rain or wind and if two or more of these circles it is the worse and presages storms and where the circle is brightest or most transparent from that part of the Heavens expect the winds 45. Lastly the eight points or angles which the Moon maketh with the Sun are observed by many and are these days viz. 3 7 11 15 19 23 27. and the day in which the two great Luminaries do happen in Conjunction 46. Observe what weather it is when the Moon comes to be South any day if the weather changes not then it is like to continue that day whether it be sair or foul This would also be observed in the other Planets at what time they do come unto the Meridian of any place so well as their rising and setting But to find the ☽ coming to the Meridian multiply her age by 4 and divide the product by 5 the quotient will be the time required Example admit the Moons age were 5 which multiplied by 4 the product will be 20 and that divided by 5 the quotient will be 4 the hour of her being South that day and so for any time By Rain-bows 46. THere have been Rain-bows in the night-time seen made by the Moon and as for their effects being seldome known they shall be omitted only as signs conceived prodigious but those of the Sun made by his rays are usual and are these a Rain-bow appearing presently after rain is held a sign of fair weather and that the storm is past but if two or more be seen at once it is a presage of future rain for it argues the clouds to be very waterish when the reflection of the one can form the impression and figure of another in several clouds as it were in mirrours a Rain-bow broken presages tempests Of the Ignis fatuus 48. THese pallid fires appear but at some times of the year and that in certain places and in those parts where they are most usual they are not commonly seen but as fore-runners of fultry heat in Sommer and wet in the Winter they are usually observed to appear in open weather yet I have seen one in a very cold feason both for frost and snow moving but a little before me and within a few days after the frost did break they are
four continued days these were as Emblems in both places of their rebellion against Heaven and Earth which are the ways of the Divel For he that follows Christ walks not in darknesse The Romans were also thus benighted when the Prince of obscurity was adored by them which Virgil does apply to the death of Julius Cesar and the civil wars Lib. 1. Geor. Sol tibi signa dabit solem quis dicere falsum Audeat ille etiam coecos instare tumultus Saepe mones fraudemque operta tumescere bella Ille etiam extincto miseratus Caesare Romam Cum caput obscurâ nitidum ferrugine texit Impiaque aeternum timuerunt saecula noctem Portentious Stormes of Rain BEfore the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour 766 in the Raign of Rivallus a British King for three days space it rained bloud out of which corruption there ensued multitudes of venemous Flies which killed many men and bred a mortality with desolation almost unto the whole Island This is collected from the British antiquities A little before the death of Nero the Tyrant and Emperour of Rome it rained bloud with many other prodigies as you may read in Livy In the year since the Sacred Virgin was a Mother 1534 about the Feast celebrated for the Resurrection of the Son of God it rained bloud in Germany which falling upon Mens garments did describe the form of red Crosses to put us in mind peradventure of His cruel Passion a Sacrifice for the whole World In the Low Countries neer about this time the skins of men and women were signed in this manner in a shower of bloud In the year of our Redeemer 1571 at a place called Emden in Frisia there fell in the night time a great shower of bloud which discoloured the earth and all it fell upon for the space of 5 or 6 miles in compasse and in such plenty that divers cups were fill'd the next day with it about these times began cruel and bloudy wars by the Sacramentarians In the year 1601 the like of these prodigies began and continued the space of 3 years and then was seconded with a woeful plague Marcus Varro affirms how it rained Frogs in several parts and in divers Towns of Gallia Cardanus reports Anno Domini 1510 how that in Lombardy it rained hard Stones of a sulphurious taste in colour like to rusty Iron one Stone that fell in this Storm was presented to the King of France Avicenna affirms how that in Persia it rained Iron In the time of Augustus Cesar it rained Silver as Dion testifieth In Armenia there fell from the Clouds red Snow as if it had received a tincture of Vermilion And befides these as it is recorded there hath fallen from the Skies Flesh Milk Corn Wool and divers other prodigies over long to be rehearsed because they are doubtful and yet affirmed by Pliny Livy and divers other well approved Authors yet they upon report of others have inscribed many Errours so I will passe them over and proceed Of Deluges and portentious irruptions and courses of the Waters Besides many wonderful flouds in particular Countries there be three held stupendious above the rest the General Deluge in the time of Noah in the year from the Creation of the Stars 1656 this was 15 Cubits above the highest hills in this Deluge all the World perished but what was with Noah in his Arke as you may read in Gen. cap. 6 cap. 7 and cap. 8. The second great inundation is accounted that of Achaia in which floud that Province was submerg'd This Deluge was 540 years after that of Noah and by Computists affirmed to be about the 90 year of Jacob the Patriark Deucalion's was the third in the Country of Thessalia about 100 years after the building of Rome this Deucalion was son to Promethe us Prince of Greece who in a Boat saved himself and his Family from the fury of the floud on mount Parnassus this is that Deluge which Ovid mentions in his Metam Lib. 1. which swallow'd up the Atlantike and divers other parts and great Territories in Europe Yet it is a general received opinion that he had perused the old Testament by relating how the World in time to come should be destroyed with Fire as in these Verses Esse quoque in fatis reminiscitur affore tempus Quo mare quo tellus correptaque regia coeli Ardeat Mundi moles operosa laboret In the last year of Nero Cesar's raign new Rivers did spring out of the Earth and others did alter their courses and former channels as it is recorded by Pliny lib. 2. cap. 103 and about that time some Rivers were observed to run backward as if they would have returned contrary to course into the Earths bowels again or to shew the preposterous courses of the Tyrant that ript open his Mothers womb to see from whence he came Conimbricensis Tract 11. cap. 8. Mete writeth how that in the raign of Emanuel King of Lusitania the waters in the River Tagus did part themselves running with two streams on either side and the middle of the Channel void of water Nilus the famous River of Egypt and wonder of the World upon the Cosmical rising of the Dog-Star does overflow the fruitful valleys enriching the soyl and so producing an annual crop yet some years these floods have proved extraordinary as you may read in Pliny lib. 5. cap. 9. the greatest flood that ever was observed there is recorded to be 15 cubits high in the time of Claudian the Emperour the least that ever was known is reported to be a little before the bloudy and fatal field of Pharsalia between Pompey the great and Cesar the Conquerour In the year of Mans Redemption 1521 the Rivers of Rhine and Maze with some others of lesser note both in Germany and the Low Countrys by the extraordinary Tides and swelling of the Seas forced these Rivers to overflow their banks which inundation overwhelmed 72 villages in which perished above 100,000 people with inumerable multitudes of Cattel of several kinds this I find recorded by Mr. John Stow in his Anuals of Henry the 8. Many strange and portentious births have been produced in all ages not onely to the terrour of Man but to the astonishment even of Nature and these with many other stupendious prodigies for brevity sake I let pass and will conclude with those recorded of the Romans more furious and bloudy then the worst of civil wars and thus Virg. lib. 1. Geor. Vox quoque per lucos vulgo exaudita silentes Ingens simulacra modis pallentia miris Visa sub obscurum noctis pecudesque locutae Infandum sistunt amnes terraeque dehiscunt Of Earth-quakes and their wonderfull effects THe moving of a Coach or Cart will make houses sensibly to shake and tremble according to the motion or Weight of the Carriages more especially in towns where there are many vaults or Cellers and the streets paved in one continuum with
as the bounds unto this great work for the empyreal-Empyreal-Heaven or his blessed Seat is an Orb unlimited whose Centre is everywhere and the Circumference nowhere and since that Genesis doth mention the Heavens as the nobler part of this admired Architecture I desire here to begin where I hope for to conclude having finished my Pilgrimage through this transitory Desart and in what I shall err may it be ascrib'd to my weaknesse and not my will and that we may always remember our imbecillities and reflect on the Glory and Majesty of the sole eternal God Behold the Regal Psalmist 75. ver 1. Confitebimur tibi Deus confitebimur invocabimus nomen tuum narrabimus Mirabilia tua The subject of my intended discourse is Meteors originally deriv'd from the Creation of the 4 Elements their conceptions extracted from thence by Nature with a continual succession from Corruptions to Generations and from hence Reason assisted with Experience discusses their Qualities and from their material cause prognosticates their effects the Stars are generally conceiv'd the efficient cause in elevating and digesting the matter which Nature imploys to what 't is aptest for thus the wandring Planets and fixed Constellations over-looks their transmutations and by their mutual aspects do generate the Meteors from whence Man does prognosticate the Weather either at the present or by calculation of their places for any time in future yet the nature of these Stars being known but by the effects depending much upon Experience on Demonstration little this presciential knowledge is often subjected unto errors besides the course is more uncertain by reason so few do concur and not an Age free from extravagant opinions of Philosophers and Astronomers started up in opposition to what hath been maintain'd and generally receiv'd before the World 's inviron'd in obscurity for the pride of Knowledge which transgression made humane Sciences conjectural under the tuition of Experience yet since we are allowed to argue and dispute upon it conclusions may be deduced and made apt for humane use and Nature beheld through the Meteoroscopes of Reason although with mists before our eyes the Scouts to our understandings yet some are sharper-sighted than others and many think they discover more than they doe and multitudes magnifie and multiply things greater then they are or more than is true so I will record here a few supposed both Wise and Learned men and so proceed Empedocles the Philosopher of Sicilia a man famous for wit and endow'd with a profound talent of humane learning imploying all the faculties of his mind to discover the secrets of Nature and the substance of the Celestial orbes in which the Elements are involv'd he maintain'd to consist of Water of this opinion he had many disciples which flourished until buried with the Author's and in this later Age his paradoxes are reviv'd again unto which Galilaeus doth much incline others conceive them to be form'd out of a refined Element of Air and the Stars of Fire many urges that the arched vaults of Heaven are compos'd out of Natures Quintessence as it were a sublim'd substance refin'd from the 4 Elements yet differing essentially in their Qualities as by being neither Hot nor Cold Drie nor Moist Ponderous nor Light to be brief a body which they fancie but understand it not Aristotle conceiveth the Stars to be a thicker part of their Spheres in which they are infixt not differing in matter nor Species any more than knots in a piece of timber and these condensed Orbes apt to receive light being void of lustre in themselves like the common people of the Skies but as they are illuminated by the influence of the Sun nor have they heat but by reflection nor colour but by participation of divers phaenomenons or appearances of sundrie colours but all this cannot be admitted since sage Experience in peculiar motions by demonstration overthrows their Arguments and Reason denies their conclusions In the Firmament are plac'd all the fixed Stars accounted in number but 1143 and of those there are 14 rarely visible besides multitudes without peradventure that never were or shall be seen to Mortals since by Perspectives some have been discovered in this later age to attend particular Planets never observ'd before and by several mediums undoubtedly have influences on sublunary bodies yet by what means 't is in dispute but least my cogitations should wander with those Stars it shall ascend to the fixed distinguished by their Magnitudes whose differences are 6. as by these paradigmas following 1 The number of Stars of the first Magnitude are accounted 15. viz. as the Scorpions and Lions heart c. 2 Those of the second Magnitude are reckoned 45. viz. the north Horne of Taurus and the Foot of Gemini c. 3 Of the third Magnitude there are numbred 208 Stars as the Breast and Knees of Cassiopeia 4 The fourth Magnitude doth list 474. as the Northern and Southern Asse c. 5 The fifth Magnitude or difference doth number 217 as the least in the Pleiades and the Ram. 6 Of the sixth and last Magnitude 49 Stars as those in the mouth and on the back of Capricornus c. There are accounted besides all these 14 little cloudy or obscured Stars that seldome do appear viz. Praesepe in the breast of Cancer the sum of these is 1022. to which if you add 121 Stars of several magnitudes discovered by the Portugalls in their voyages to the East-Indies the totall will be 1143 in several Constellations according to Astronomers observations but I believe not true since the Sacred Records puts to man this quaery Who can number the Stars but these are more than we know or shall use in our observations here although there were none created unnecessary nor can there be less without an error The fixed Stars are so called for never changing their positions or latitudes and their longitudes not one minuit in a year as all the Planets daily doe to distinguish the fixed and avoid confusion they are contracted into several Constellations or Asterismes the easier to be remembred the sooner to be found and the better for observation these Celestial Configurations are now numbred 58. representing the formes and names of Men Beasts Birds Fishes c. deriving their Pedegrees from Astronomers Poetical fictions or their natural effects as when the Sun enters the Sign of Aquarius these northern Countries to expect much rain or snow Canis major or Sirius at his Heliacal occultation or setting inflames the Air and makes Dogs apt to run mad as Pliny testifies lib. 1. cap. 40. the Egyptians call'd their river Nilus Siris from the Dog star observing their inundations to happen constantly every year when this Star ascended their Horizon with the Sun and those floods over-running their valleys untill his Haliacal rising or apparition summon'd those extravagant but fertile waves to retreat into their confined channels Hypotheses of Astronomers concerning the heights and magnitudes of the fixed Stars and also the