THE SECOND BOOK Of sundry popular Tenents concerning Minerall and vegetable bodies generally held for trueth which examined prove either false or dubioâ—â— CHAP. I. Of Crystall HEreof the common opinion hath been and still remâ—ineth amongst us that Crystall is nothing else but Ice or Snow concreted and by duration of time congealed beyond liquation Of which assertion if the prescription of time and numerositie of Assertâ—rs were a sufficient demonstration we might sit downe herein as an unquestionable truth nor should there need vlterior disquisition For indeed few opinions there are which have â—ound so many friends or been so popularly received through all professions and ages And first Plinie is positive in this opinion Crystallus sit gelu vehemâ—ntius concrâ—to the same is followed by Seneca and Elegantly described by Claudian not denyed by Scaliger and some way affirmed by Albertus Brasavolus and directly by many others The venerable Fathers of the Church have also assented hereto As Basil in his Hexameron Isidore in his Etymologies and not onely Austin a Latine Father but Gregory the great and Jerom upon occasion of that terme expressed in the first of Ezekiel All which notwithstanding upon a strict enquiry we finde the matter controveâ—â—ible and with much more reason denyed then is as yet affirmed For first though many have passed it over with easie affirmatives yet are there also many Authors that deny it and the exactest Mineralogists have rejected it Diodorus in his eleventh booke denyeth it If Crystall be there taken in its proper acception as Rhodiginus hath used it and not for a Diamond as Salmatius hath expounded it for in that place he affirmeth Crystallum esse lapidem ex aqua pura concrâ—tum non tamen frigore sed divini caloris vâ— Solinus who transcribed Plinie and therefore in almost all subscribed unto him hath in this point dissented from him Putant quidam glaciem coire in Crystallum corporari sed frustra Mathiolus in his Comment upon Dioscorides hath with confidence and not without reason rejected it The same hath been performed by Agricola de Natura fossâ—lium by Cardan Boeâ—ius de Boot Caesius Bernardus Senuertus and many more Now besides authoritie against it there may be many reasons deduced from their severall differences which seeme to overthrow it And first a difference is probable in their concretion For if Crystall be a stone as in the number thereof it is confessedly received it is not immediatly concreted by the â—fficacy of cold but rather by a Minerall spirit and lapidâ—ficall principles of its owne and therefore while it lay in solutis principiis and remained in a fluid body it was a subject very unapt for proper conglaceation for Minerall spirits doe generally resist and scarce submit thereto So wee observe that many waters and springs will never freez and many parts in rivers and lakes where there aâ—e Minerall eruptions will still persist without congelation as we also visibly observe in Aqua fortis or any Minerall solution either of Vitrioll Alum Salpeter Ammoniac or Tartar which although to some degree exhaled and placed in cold conservatories will Crystallise and shoot into white and glacious bodyes yet is not this a congelation primarily effected by cold but an intrinsecall induration from themselves and a retreat into their proper solidityes which were absorbed by the licour and lost in a full imbibition thereof before And so also when wood and many other bodies doe petrifie either by the sea other waters or earths abounding in such spirits doe wee usually ascribe their induration to cold but rather unto salinous spirits concretive juyces and causes circumjâ—cent which doe assimilate all bodyes not indisposed for their impressions But Ice is only water congealed by the frigidity of the ayre whereby it acquireth no new forme but rather a consistence or determination of its diffluency and amitteth not its essence but its condition of fluidity neither doth there any thing properly conglaciate but water or watery humidity for the determination of quick-silver is properly fixation that of milke coagulation and that of oyle and unctious bodies onely incrassation And therefore Aristotle makes a triall of the fertility of humane seed from the experiment of congelation for that sayth hee which is not watery and improlificall will not conglaciate which perhaps must not be taken strictly but in the germe and spirited particles for egges I observe will freeze in the generative and albuginous part thereof And upon this ground Paracelsus in his Archidoxis extracteth the magistery of wine after foure moneths digestion in horsedunge exposing it unto the extremity of cold whereby the aqueous parts will freeze but the Spirit retyre and be found uncongealed in the center Againe the difference of their concretion is not without reason collectible from their dissolution which being many wayes performable in Ice is not in the same manner effected in Crystall Now the causes of liquation are contrary to those of concretion and as the atoms and indivisible parcels are united so are they in an opposite way disjoyned That which is concreted by exsiccation or expression of humidity wil be resolved by humectation as earth dirt and clayi that which is coagulated by a fiery siccity will suffer colliquation from an aqueous humidity as salt and sugar which are easily dissoluble in water but not without difficulty in oyle and well rectified spirits of wine That which is concreated by cold will dissolve by a moist heat if it consist of watery parts as Gums Arabick Tragacanth Ammoniac and others in an ayrie heat or oyle as all resinous bodies Turpentine Pitch and Frankincense in both as gummy resinous bodies Masticke Camphire and Storax in neither as neutralls and bodies anomalous hereto as Bdellium Myrrhe and others Some by a violent dry heat as mettalls which although corrodible by waters yet will they not suffer a liquation from the powerfullest heat communicable unto that element Some will dissolve by this heat although their ingredients be earthy as glasse whose materialls are fine sand and the ashes of Chali or Fearne and so will salt runne with fire although it bee concreated by heat and this way alone may bee effected a liquation in Crystall but not without some difficulty that is calcination or reducing it by Arte into a subtile powder by which way and a vitreous commixture glasses are sometime made hereof and it becomes the chiefeâ—t ground for artificiall and factitious gemmes but the same way of solution is common also unto many stones and not only Berylls and Cornelians but flints and pebbles are subject unto fusion and will runne like glasse in fire But Ice will dissolve in any way of heat for it will dissolve with â—ire it will colliquate in water or warme oyle nor doth it only submit to an actuall heat but not endure the potentiall calidity of many waters for it will presently dissolve in Aqua fortis sp of vitrioll salt or tartar nor will it long continue
preserved from extinction and so the individuum supported in some way like nutrition And so when it is said by the same Author Pulmo contrarium corpori alimentum trahit reliqua omnia idem it is not to be taken in a strict and proper sense but the quality in the one the substance is meant in the other for ayre in regard of our naturall heat is cold and in that quality contrary unto it but what is properly aliment of what quality soever is potentially the same and in a substantiall identity unto it And although the ayre attracted may be conceived to nourish that invisible flame of life in as much as common and culinary flames are nourished by the ayre about them I confesse wee doubt the common conceit which affirmeth that aire is the pabulous supply of fire much lesse that flame is properly aire kindled And the same before us hath been denyed by the Lord of Verulam in his Tract of life and death also by Dr. Jorden in his book of Minerall waters For that which substantially maintaineth the fire is the combustible matter in the kindled body and not the ambient ayre which affordeth exhalation to its fuliginous atomes nor that which causeth the flame properly to be termed ayre but rather as he expresseth it the accention of fuliginous exhalations which containe an unctuosity in them and arise from the matter of fuell which opinion is very probable and will salve many doubts whereof the common conceit affordeth no solution As first how fire is strickeÌ„ out of flints that is not by kindling the aire from the collision of two hard bodies for then Diamonds and glasse should doe the like as well as slint but rather from the sulphur and inflamable effluviums contained in them The like saith Jorden we observe in canes and woods that are unctuous and full of oyle which will yeeld â—ire by frication or collision not by kindling the ayre about them but the inflamable oyle with them why the fire goes out without ayre that is because the fuligenous exhalations wanting evaporation recoyle upon the flame and choake it as is evident in cupping glasses and the artifice of charcoals where if the ayre be altogether excluded the 〈◊〉 goes out why some lampes included in close bodies have burned many hundred yeares as that discovered in the sepulchre of Tullia the sister of Cicero and that of Olibius many yeares after neare Padua because what ever was their matter either a preparation gold or Naptha the duration proceeded from the puritie of their oyle which yeelded no fuligenous exhalations to suffocate the fire For if ayre had nourished the â—lame it had not continued many minutes for it would have been spent and wasted by the fire Why a piece of â—laxe will kindle although it touch not the â—lame because the fire extendeth further then indeed it is visible being at some distance from the weeke a pellucide and transparent body and thinner then the ayre it self why mettals in their Equation although they intensly heat the aire above their surface arise not yet into a â—lame nor kindle the aire about them because them sulphur is more fixed and they emit not inflamable exhalations And lastly why a lampe or candle burneth onely in the ayre about it and inâ—lameth not the ayre at a distance from it because the flame extendeth not beyond the inflamable eâ—â—â—uence but closly adheres unto the originall of its inâ—lamation and therefore it onely warmeth not kindleth the aire about it which notwithstanding it will doe if the ambient aire be impregnate with subtile inflamabilities and such as are of quick accension as experiment is made in a close roome upon an evaparation of spirits of wine and Camphir as subterranâ—ous fires doe sometimes happen and as Creâ—sa and Alexâ—anders boy in the bath were set on â—ire by Naptha Lastly the Element of aire is so far from nourishing the bodie that some have questioned the power of water many conceiving it enters not the body in the power of aliment or that from thence there proceeds a substantiall supply For beside that some creatures drinke not at all unto others it performs the common office of ayre and seâ—ves for refrigeration of the heart as unto fishes who receive it and expell it by the gills even unto our selves and more perfect animals though many wayes assistent thereto it performes no substantiall nutrition in sâ—â—ving for refrigeration dilution of solid aliment and its elixation in the stoâ—macke which from thence as a vehicle it conveighs through lesse accessible cavities into the liver from thence into the veines and so in a â—oride substance through the capillarie cavities into every part which having performed it is afterward excluded by urine sweat and serous separations And this opinion surely possessed the Ancients for when they so highly commended that water which is suddenly hot and cold which is without all favour the lightest the thinnest and which will soonest boile Beanes or Pease they had no consideration of nutrition whereunto had they had respect they would have surely commended grosse and turbid streames in whose confusion at the last there might be contained some nutriment and not jejune or limpid water and nearer the simplicity of its Element All which considered severer heads will be apt enough to conceive the opinion of this animal not much unlike unto that of the Astomi or men without mouthes in Pliny sutable unto the relation of the Mares in Spaine and their subventaneous conceptions from the westerne winde and in some way more unreasonable then the figment of Rabican the famous horse in Ariosto which being conceived by flame and wind never tasted grasse or fed on any grosser provender then ayre for this way of nutrition was answerable unto the principles of his generation which being not ayrie but grosse and seminall in the Chameleon unto its conservation there is required a solid pasture and a food congenerous unto the principles of its nature The grounds of this opinion are many The first observed by Theophrastus was the inâ—lation or swelling of the body made in this animal upon inspiration or drawing in its breath which people observing have thought it to feed upon ayre But this effect is rather occasioned upon the greatnes of its lungs which in this animal are very large and by their backward situation afford a more observable dilatation and though their lungs bee lesse the like inflation is also observable in Toads A second is the continuall hiation or holding open its mouth which men observing conceive the intention thereof to receive the aliment of ayre but this is also occasioned by the greatnes of its lungs for repletion whereof not having a sufficient or ready supply by its nostrils it is enforced to dilate and hold open the jawes The third is the paucitie of blood observed in this animal scarce at all to be found but in the eye and about the heart which defect being observed inclined
receive its verticity and be excited proportionably at both extremes now this direction proceeds not primitively from themselves but is derivative and contracted from the magneticall effluxions of the earth which they have winded in their hammering and formation or else by long continuance in one position as wee shall declare hereafter It is likewise true what is delivered of Irons heated in the fire that they contract a verticity in their refrigeration for heated red hot and cooled in the meridian from North to South they presently contract a polary power and being poysed in ayre or water convert that part unto the North which respected that point in its refrigeration so that if they had no sensible verticity before it may be acquired by this way or if they had any it might be exchanged by contrary position in the cooling for by the fire they omit not onely many drossie and scorious parts but whatsoever they had received either from the earth or loadstone and so being naked and despoiled of all verticity the magneticall Atomes invade their bodies with more effect and agility Neither is it onely true what Gilbertus first observed that Irons refrigerated North and South acquire a Directive faculty but if they be cooled upright and perpendicularly they will also obtaine the same that part which is cooled toward the North on this side the Aequator converting it selfe unto the North and attracting the South point of the Needle the other and highest extreme respecting the South and attracting the Northerne according unto the Laws Magneticall for what must be observed contrary poles or faces attract each other as the North the South and the like decline each other as the North the North. Now on this side of the Aequator that extreme which is next the earth is animated unto the North and the contrary unto the South so that in Coition it applyes it selfe quite oppositely the coition or attraction being contrary to the verticity or Direction Contrary if wee speake according unto common use yet alike if we conceave the virtue of the North pole to diffuse it self and open at the South and the South at the North againe This polarity Iron refrigeration upon extremity and in defect of a Loadstone might serve to invigorate and touch a needle any where and this allowing variation is also the truest way at any season to discover the North or South and surely farre more certaine then what is affiâ—med of the graines and circles in trees or the figure in the roote of Ferne. For if we erect a red hot wire untill it coole then hang it up with wax and untwisted silke where the lower end and that which cooled next the earth doth rest that is the Northerne point and this we affirme will still be true whether it be cooled in the ayre or extinguished in water oyle of vitrioll Aqua fortis or Quicksilver And this is also evidenced in culinary utensils and Irons that often feele the force of fire as tongs fireshovels prongs and Andirons all which acquire a magneticall and polary condition and being suspended convert their lower extremes unto the North with the same attracting the Southerne point of the Needle For easier experiment if wee place a Needle touched at the foote of tongues or andirons it will obvert or turne aside its lyllie or North point and conforme its cuspis or South extreme unto the andiron The like verticity though more obscurely is also contracted by brickes and tiles as wee have made triall in some taken out of the backs of chimneys Now to contract this Direction there needs not a totall ignition nor is it necessary the Irons should bee red hot all over For if a wire be heated onely at one end according as that end is cooled upward or downeward it respectively acquires a verticity as we have declared before in wires totally candent Nor is it absolutely requisite they should be exactly cooled perpendicularly or strictly lye in the meridiaâ— for whether they be refrigerated inclinatorily or somewhat Aequinoxially that is toward the Easterne or Westerne points though in a lesser degree they discover some verticity Nor is this onely true in Irons but in the Loadstone it selfe for if a Loadstone be made red hot in the fire it amits the magneticall vigour it had before in it selfe and acquires another from the earth in its refrigeration for that part which cooleth toward the earth will acquire the respect of the North and attract the Southerne point or cuspis of the Needle The experiment hereof we made in a Loadstone of a parallellogram or long square figure wherein only inverting the extremes as it came out of the fire wee altered the poles or faces thereof at pleasure It is also true what is delivered of the Direction and coition of Irons that they contract a verticity by long and continued position that is not onely being placed from North to South and lying in the meridian but respecting the Zenith and perpendicular unto the center of the earth as is most manifest in barres of windowes casements hindges and the like for if we present the Needle unto their lower extremes it wheeles about it and turnes its Southerne point unto them The same condition in long time doe bricks contract which are placed in walls and therefore it may be a fallible way to finde out the meridian by placing the Needle on a wall for some bricks therein which by a long and continued position are often magnetically enabled to distract the polarity of the Needle Lastly Irons doe manifest a verticity not only upon refrigeration and constant situation but what is wonderfull and advanceth the magneticall hypothesis they evidence the same by meer position according as they are inverted and their extreams disposed respectively unto the earth For if an iron or steele not formerly excited be held perpendicularly or inclinatorily unto the needle the lower end thereof will attract the cuspis or southerne point but if the same extream be inverted and held under the needle it will then attract the lilly or northerne point for by inversion it changeth its direction acquired before and receiveth a new and southerne polarity from the earth as being the upper extreame Now if an iron be touched before it varyeth not in this manner for then it admits not this magneticall impression as being already informed by the Loadstone and polarily determined by its prâ—action And from these grounds may we best determine why the Northern pole of the Loadstone attracteth a greater weight then the Southerne on this side the Equator why the stone is best preserved in a naturall and polary situation and why as Gilbertus observeth it respecteth that pole out of the earth which it regarded in its minereall bed and subterraneous position It is likewise true and wonderfull what is delivered of the Inclination or Declination of the Loadstone that is the descent of the needle below the plaine of the Horizon for long
the report then common water as some doe promise I shall not affirme but may assuredly be more conduceable unto the preservation and durance of the powder as Cataneo hath well observed But beside the prevalent report from Salt-peter by some antipathie or incummiscibility therewith upon the approach of fire Sulphur may hold a greater use in the composition and further activitie in the exclusion then is by most conceived for sulphur vive makes better powder then common sulphur which neverthelesse is of as quicke accension as the other for Small-coale Salt-peter and Camphire made into powder will bee of little force wherein notwithstanding there wants not the accending ingredient for Camphire though it â—lâ—me well yet will not flush so lively or deâ—ecate Salt-peter if you inject it thereon like sulphur as in the preparation of Sal prunellae And lastly though many wayes may be found to light this powder yet is there none I know to make a strong and vigorous powder of Salt-peter without the admixion of sulphur Arsenick red and yellow that is Orpement and Sandarach may perhaps doe something as being inflamable and containing sulphur in them but containing also a salt and hydraâ—gyrus mixtion they will be of little effect and white or Cristaline aâ—senick of lesse for that being artficiall and sublimed with salt will not endure flamation And this antipathy or contention between saltpeter and sulphur upon an actuall fire and in their compleat distinct bodies is also manifested in their preparations and bodies which invisibly containe them Thus is the preparation of Crocus Metallorum the matter kindleth and flusheth like Gunpowder wherein notwithstanding there is nothing but Antimony and Saltpeter but this proceedeth from the sulphur of Antimony not enduring the society of saltpeter for after three or foure accensions through a fresh addition of peter the powder will flush no more for the sulphur of the Antimony is quite exhaled Thus Iron in Aqua fortis will fall into ebullition with noise and emication as also a crasse and fumide exhalation which are caused from this combat of the sulphur of Iron with the acide and nitrous spirits of Aqua fortis So is it also in Aurum fulminans or powder of gold dissolved in Aqua Regis and precipitated with oyle of Tartar which will kindle without an actuall fire and afford a report like Gunpowder that is not as Crollius affirmeth from any Antipothy betweene Sal Armoniac and Tartar but rather betweene the nitrous spirits of Aqua Regis commixed per minima with the sulphur of gold as in in his last De consensu chymicorum c. Sennertus hath well observed 6. That Corall which is a Lithophyton or stone plant and groweth at the bottome of the Sea is soft under water but waxeth hard as soone as it arriveth unto the ayre although the assertion of Dioscorides Pliny and consequently Solinus Isidore Rueus and many others and stands believed by most we have some reason to doubt not onely from so sudden a petrifaction and strange induration not easily made out from the qualities of Ayre but because we finde it rejected by experimentall enquirers Johannes Beguinus in his Chapter of the tincture of Corall undertakes to cleere the world of this errour from â—he expresse experiment of Iohn Baptista de Nicole who was Overseer of the gathering of Coral upon the Kingdome of Thunis This Gentleman saith he desirous to finde the nature of Corall and to be resolved how it groweth at the bottome of the Sea caused a man to goe downe no lesse then a hundred fathom into the Sea with expresse to take notice whether it were hard or soâ—t in the place where it groweth who returning brought in each hand a branch of Corall affirming it was as hard at the bottome as in the ayre where he delivered it The same was also confirmed by a triall of his owne handling it a fathome under water before it felt the ayre Beotius de Boote in his accurate Tract De Gemmis is of the same opinion not ascribing its concretion unto the ayre but the coagulating spirits of salt and lapidiâ—icall juyce of the sea which entring the parts of that plant overcomes its vegetability and converts it into a lapideous substance and this saith he doth happen when the plant is ready to decay for all Corall is not hard and in many concreted plants some parts remaine â—â—petriâ—ied that is the quick and livelier parts remaine as wood and were never yet converted Now that plants and ligneous bodies may indurate under water without approachment of ayre we have experiment in Coralline with many Coralloidall concretions and that little stony plant which Mr. Johnson nameth Hippuris coralloides and Gesner foliis mâ—nsu Arenosis we have our selfe found in fresh water which is the lesse concreâ—ive portion of that element We have also with us the visible petrification of wood in many waters whereof so much as if covered with water converteth into stone as much as is above it and in the ayre retaineth the forme of wood and continueth as before 7. We are not thorowly resolved concerning Porcellane or Chyna dishes that according to common beliefe they are made of earth which lyeth in preparation about an hundred yeares under ground for the relations thereof are not onely divers but contrary and Authors agree not herein Guido Pancirollus will have them made of Egge shells Lobster shells and Gypsum layed up in the earth the space of 80. yeeres of the same affirmation is Scaliger and the common opinion of most Ramuzius in his Navigations is of a contrary assertion that they are made out of earth not laid under ground but hardened in the Sunne and winde the space of fourty yeeres But Gonzales de Mendoza a man employed into Chyna and with an honourable present sent from Phillip the second King of Spain hath upon ocular experience delivered a way different from al these For enquiring into the artifice thereof hee found they were made of a Chalky earth which beaten and steeped in water affoordeth a cream or fatnesse on the top and a grosse subsidence at the bottome out of the cream or superfluiâ—ance the finest dishes saith he are made out of the residence thereof the courser which being formed they gild or paint and not after an hundred yeares but presently commit unto the furnace And this saith he is knowne by experience and more probable then what Odoardus Barbosa hath delivered that they are made of shels and buried under earth of hundred yeares And answerable unto all points hereto is the relation of Linschotten a very diligent enquirer in his Orientall Navigations Now if any man enquire why being so commonly made and in so short a time they are become so scarce or not at all to be had the answer is given by these last Relators that under great penalties it is forbidden to carry the first sort out of the Countrey And of those surely the properties must verified
yet is it also found in regions where Ice is seldome seen or soon dissolved as Plinie and Agricola relate of Cyprus Caramania and an Island in the Red-sea it is also found in the veynes of Mineralls in rocks and sometime in common earth But as for Ice it will not concrete but in the approachment of the ayre as we have made tryall in glasses of water covered halfe an inche with oyle which will not easily freeze in the hardest frosts of our climate for water concreteth first in its surface and so conglaciates downward and so will it doe although it be exposed in the coldest mettall of lead which well accordeth with that expression of God Job 38. The waters are hid as with a stone and the face of the deep is frozen They have contrary qualities elementall and uses medicinall for Ice is cold and moyst of the quality of water But Crystall is cold and dry according to the condition of earth the use of Ice is condemned by most Physitians that of Chrystall commended by many For although Dioscorides and Galen have left no mention thereof yet hath Mathiolus Agricola and many other commended it in disenteries and fluxes all for the encrease of milke most Chymistes for the stone and some as Brassavolus and Boetius as an antidote against pâ—oyson Which occult and specificall operations are not expectible from Ice for being but water congealed it can never make good such qualities nor will it reasonably admit of secret proprieties which are the affections of formes and compositions at distance from their elements Having thus declared what Chrystall is not it may afford some satisfaction to manifest what it is To deliver therefore what with the judgement of approved Authors and best reason consisteth It is a minerall body in the difference of stones and reduced by some unto that subdivision which comprehendeth gemmes transparent and resembling glasse or Ice made of a lentous colament of earth drawne from the most pure and limpid juyce thereof owing unto the coldnesse of the earth some concurrence or coadjuvaâ—cy but not its immediate determination and efficiency which are wrought by the hand of its concretive spirit the seeds of petrification and Gorgon within it selfe as we may conceive in stones and gems as Diamonds Beryls Saphires and the like whose generation we cannot with satisfaction confine unto the remote activity of the Sun or the common operation of coldnesse in the earth but may more safely referre it unto a lapidificall â—uccity and congelitive principle which determines prepared materials unto specificall concretions And therefore I feare we commonly consider subterranities not in contemplations sufficiently respective unto the creation For though Moses have left no mention of minerals nor made any other description then sutes unto the apparent and visible creation yet is there unquestionably a very large Classis of creatures in the earth farre above the condition of elementarity And although not in a distinct and indisputable way of vivency or answering in all points the properties or affections of plants yet in inferiour and descending constitutions they do like these containe specificall distinctions and are determined by seminalities that is created and defined seeds committed unto the earth from the beginning Wherein although they attaine not the indubitable requisites of Animation yet have they a neere affinity thereto And though we want a proper name and expressive appellation yet are they not to be closed up in the generall name of concretions or lightly passed over as onely Elementary and Subterraneous mâ—xtions The principle and most gemmary affection is its Tralucency as for irradiancy or sparkling which is found in many gems it is not discoverable in this for it commeth short of their compactnesse and durity and therefore it requireth not the Emeâ—ry as Diamonds or Topaze but will receive impression from steele more easily then the Turchois As for its diaphanity or perspicuity it enjoyeth that most eminently and the reason thereof is its continuity as having its earthly salinous parts so exactly resolved that its body is left imporous and not discreted by atomicall terminations For that continuity of parts is the cause of perspicuity is made perspicuous by two wayes of â—xperiment that is either in effecting transparency in those bodyes which were not so before or at least far short of the additionall degree So snow becomes transparent upon liquation so hornes and bodyes resolveable into continued parts or gelly The like is observable in oyled paper wherein the interstitial divisions being continuated by the accession of oyle it becommeth more transparent and admits the visible rayes with lesse umbrosity Or else by rendring those bodies opacus which were before pellucide and perspicuous So glasse which was before diaphanous being by powder reduced into multiplicity of superficies becomes an opacus body and will not transmit the light and so it is in crystall â—owdered and so it is also evident before for if it be made hot in a câ—usible and presently projected upon water it will grow dim and abate its diaphanity for the water entring the body begets a division of parts and a termination of Atoms united before unto continuity The ground of this opinion might be first the conclusions of some men from experience for as much as Crystall is found sometimes in rockes and in some places not much unlike the stirious or stillicidious dependencies of Ice which notwithstanding may happen either in places which havee been forsaken or left bare by the earth or may be petrifications or Minerall indurations like other gemmes proceeding from percolations of the earth disposed unto such concretions The second and most common ground is from the name Crystallus whereby in Greeke both Ice and Crystall are expressed which many not duly considering have from their community of name conceived a community of nature and what was ascribed unto the one not unsitly appliable unto the other But this is a fallacy of Aequivocation from a society in name inferring an Identity in nature By this fallacy was he deceived that drank Aqua fortis for strong water By this are they deluded who conceive sperma Coeti which is a bituminous superfluitance on the Sea to be the spawne of the Whale Or take sanguis draconis which is the gumme of a tree to be the blood of a Dragon By the same Logick we may inferre the Crystalline humor of the eye or rather the Crystalline heaven above to be of the substance of Crystall below Or that Almighty God sendeth downe Crystall because it is delivered in the vulgar translation Psal. 47. Mittit Crystallum suum sicut Buccellas which translation although it literally expresse the Septuagint yet is there no more meant thereby then what our translation in plaine English expresseth that is hee casteth forth his Ice like morsels or what Tremellius and Junius as clearly deliver Deâ—icit gelu suum sicut frusta coram frigore eius quis consistet which proper and Latine
expressions had they been observed in ancient translations elder Expositers had not beene misguided by the Synonomy nor had they afforded occasion unto Austen the Glosse Lyranus and many others to have taken up the common conceit and spoke of this text conformably unto the opinion rejected CHAP. II. Concerning the Loadstone Of things particularly spoken thereof evidently or probably true Of things generally beleeved or particularly delivered manifestly or probably false In the first of the Magneticall vertue of the earth of the foure motions of the stone that is its Verticity or direction its Attraction or Coition its declination its Variation and also of its Antiquity In the second a rejection of sundry opinions and relations thereof Naturall Medicall Historicall Magicall ANd first we conceive the earth to be a Magneticall body A Magnetical body we term not only that which hath a power attractive but that which seated in a convenient medium naturally disposeth it self to one invariable and fixed situation And such a Magnetical vertue we conceive to be in the Globe of the earth whereby as unto its naturall points and proper terms it disposeth it self unto the poles being so framed constituted ordered unto these points that those parts which are now at the poles would not naturally abide under the Aequator nor Green-land remain in the place of Magellanica and if the whole earth were violently removed yet would it not foâ—goe its primiâ—ive points nor pitch in the East or West but return unto its polary position again For though by compactnesse or graviâ—y it may acquire the lowest place and become the center of the universe yet that it makes good that point not varying at all by the accession of bodyes upon or secession thereof from its surface pertuâ—bing the equilibration of either Hemiâ—pheare whereby the altitude of the starres might vary or that it strictly maintaines the north and southerne points that neither upon the motiâ—ns of the heavens ayre and winds without large eruptions and dâ—vâ—sion of parts within its polar paâ—ts should never incline or veere unto the Aequator whereby the latitude of places should also vary it cannot so well be salved from gravity as a magneticall verticity This is probably that foundation the wisdome of the Creator hâ—th laid unto the earth and in this sense we may more nearly apprehend and sensibly make out the expressions of holy Scripture as that of Ps. 93. 1. Firma vit orbem terrae qui non commovebitur he hath made the round world so sure that it cannot be moved as when it is said by Jâ—b Extendit Aquilonem super vacuo c. Hee stretcheth forth the North upon the empty place and hangeth the earth upon nothing And this is the most probable answer unto that great question Job â—8 whereupon are the foundations of the earth fastened or who laid the corner stone thereof Had they been acquainted with this principle Anaxagoras Socrates and Democritus had better made out the ground of this stabiliâ—y Xenâ—phanes had not been faine to say it had no bottome and â—hâ—les Milesius to make it swim in water Now whether the earth stand still or moveth circularly we may concede this Magneticall stability For although it move in that conversion the poles and center may still remaine the same as is conceived in the Magneticall bodies of heaven especially Jâ—piter and the Sunne which according to Galileus Kepler and Fabrâ—cius are observed to have Dineticall motions and certaine revolutions abouâ— their proper centers and though the one in about the space of ten dayes the other in lesse then one accomplish this revolution yet do they observe a constant habitude unto their poles and firme themselves thereon in their gyration Nor is the vigour of this great body included only in is selfe or circumferenced by its surface but diffused at indeterminate distances through the ayre water and bodyes circumjacent exciting and impregnating magneticall bodyes within it surface or without it and performing in a secret and invisible way what we evidently behold effected by the Loadstone For these effluxions penetrate all bodyes and like the species of visible objects are ever ready in the medium and lay hold on all bodyes proportionate or capable of their action those bodyes likewise being of a congenerous nature doe readily receive the impressions of their motor and if not fettered by their gravity conforme themselves to situations wherein they best unite unto their Animator And this will sufficiently appeare from the observations that are to follow which can no better way bee made out then this wee speake of the magneticall vigour of the earth Now whether these effluviâ—ms do flye by streated Atomes and winding particles as Renatus des Cartes conceaveth or glide by streames attracted from either pole and hemispheare of the earth unto the Aequator as Sir Kenelme Digby excellently declareth it takes not away this vertue of the earth but more distinctly sets downe the gests and progresse thereof and are conceits of eminent use to salve magneticall phenomena's And as in Astronomy those hypotheses though never so strange are best esteemed which best do salve apparencies so surely in Philosophy those principles though seeming monstrous may with advantage be embraced which best confirme experiment and afford the readiest reason of observation And truly the doctrine of effluxions their penetrating natures their invisible paths and insuspected effects are very considerable for besides this magneticall one of the earth severall effusions there may be from divers other bodies which invisibly act their parts at any time and perhaps through any medium a part of Philosophy but yet in discovery and will I feare prove the last leafe to be turned over in the booke of Nature First therefore it is evidently true and confirmable by every experiment that steele and good Iron never excited by the Loadstone discover in themselves a verticity that is a directive or polary faculty whereby conveniently they do septentrionate at one extreme and Australize at another this is manifestible in long and thin plates of steel perforated in the middle and equilibrated or by an easier way in long wires equiponderate with untwisted silke and soft wax for in this manner pendulous they will conforme themselves Meridionally directing one extreame unto the North another to the South The same is also manifest in steele wires thrust through little spheres or globes of Corke and floated on the water or in naked needles gently let fall thereon for so disposed they will not rest untill they have â—ound out the Meridian and as neere as they can lye parallell unto the axis of the earth Sometimes the eye sometimes the point Northward in divers Needles but the same point alwayes in most conforming themselves unto the wholâ— earth in the same manner as they doe unto every Loadstone For if a needle untoucht be hanged above a Loadstone it will convert into a parallel position thereto for in this situation it can best
needles which stood before upon their axis parallell unto the Horizon being vigorously excited incline and bend downeward depressing the North extreame below the Horizon that is the North on this the South on the other side of the Equator and at the very Lyne or middle circle of the Earth stand parallell and deflecteth neither And this is evidenced not only from observations of the needle in severall parts of the earth but sundry experiments in any part thereof as in a long steele wires equilibrated or evenly ballanced in the ayre for excited by a vigorous Loadstone it will somewhat depresse it s animated extreme and interest the horizontall circumference It is also manifest in a needle pierced through a globe of Cork so cut away and pared by degrees that it will swim under water yet sinke not unto the bottome which may be well effected for if the corke bee a thought too light to sinke under the surface the body of the water may be attenuated with spirits of wine if too heavy it may be incrassated with salt and if by chance too much be added it may againe be thinned by a proportionable addition of fresh water if then the needle be taken out actively touched and put in againe it will depresse and bow down its northerne head toward the bottome and advance its southerne extremity toward the brim This way invented by Gilbertus may seem of difficulty the same with lesse labour may be observed in a needled sphere of corke equally contiguous unto the surface of the water for if the needle be not exactly equiponderant that end which is a thought too light if touched becommeth even that needle also which will but just swim under water if forcibly touched will sinke deeper and sometime unto the bottome If likewise that inclinatory vertue be destroyed by a touch from the contrary pole that end which before was elevated will then decline this perhaps might be observed in some scales exactly ballanced and in such needles which for their bulke can hardly be supported by the water For if they be powerfully excited equally let fall they commonly sink down and break the water at that extream wherat they were septentrionally excited by this way it is conceived there may be some fraud in the weighing of precious commodities and such as carry a value in quarter grains by placing a powerfull Loadstone above or below according as we intend to depres or elevate one extrem Now if these magneticall emissions bee only qualities and the gravity of bodyes incline them only unto the earth surely that which moveth other bodyes to descent carryeth not the stroak in this but rather the magneticall alliciency of the earth unto which alacrity it applyeth it selfe and in the very same way unto the whole earth as it doth unto a single Loadstone for if an untouched needle be at a distance suspended over a Loadstone it will not hang parallel but decline at the north extreme and at that part will first salute its Director Again what is also wonderfull this inclination is not invariable for as it is observed just under the line the needle lyeth parallel with the Horizon but sayling north or south it beginneth to incline and increaseth according as it approacheth unto either pole and would at last endeavour to erect it selfe and this is no more then what it doth upon the Loadstone and that more plainly upon the Terrella or sphericall magnet geographically set out with circles of the Globe For at the Aequator thereof the needle will stand rectangularly but approaching northward toward the tropick it will regard the stone obliquely when it attaineth the pole directly and if its bulk be no impediment erect it self and stand perpâ—ndicularly thereon And therefore upon strict observation of this inclination in severall latitudes due records preserved instruments are made whereby without the help of Sun or Star the latitude of the place may be discovered and yet it appears the observations of men have not as yet been so just equall as is desirable for of those tables of declination which I have perused there are not any two that punctually agree though som have been thoght exactly calculated especially that which Ridley received froÌ„ Mr. Brigs in our time Geometry Professor in Oxford It is also probable what is delivered concerning the variation of the compasse that is the cause and ground thereof for the manner as being confirmed by observation we shall not at all dispute The variation of the compasse is an Arch of the Horizon intercepted between the true and magneticall meridian or more plainly a deflexion and siding East and West from the true meridian The true meridian is a major circle passing through the poles of the world and the Zenith or Vertex of any place exactly dividing the East from the West Now on this lyne the needle exactly lyeth not but diverts and varieth its point that is the North point on this side the Aequator the South on the other somtimes unto the East sometime toward the West and in some few places varieth not at all First therfore it is observed that betwixt the shore of Ireland France Spaine Guinie and the Azores the North point varieth toward the East and that in some variety at London it varieth eleven degrees at Antwerpe nine at Rome but five at some parts of the Azores it deslecteth not but lyeth in the true meridian on the other side of the Azores and this side the Equator the north point of the needle wheeleth to the West so that in the latitude of 36. neare the shore the variation is about eleven degrees but on the other side the Equator it is quite otherwise for about Capo Frio in Brasilia the south point varieth twelve degrees unto the West and about the mouth of the Straites of Magellan five or six but elongating from the coast of Brasilia toward the shore of Africa it varyeth Eastward and ariving at Capo de las Agullas it resteth in the Meridian and looketh neither way Now the cause of this variation may be the inequalitie of the earth variously disposed and differently intermixed with the Sea withall the different disposure of its magneticall vigor in the eminencies and stronger parts thereof for the needle naturally endeavours to conforme unto the Meridian but being distracted driveth that way where the greater most powerfuller part of the earth is placed which may be illustrated from what hath been delivered before and may be conceived by any that understands the generalities of Geographie For whereas on this side the Meridian or the Isles of Azores where the first Meridian is placed the needle varieth Eastward it may bee occasioned by that vast Tract of earth that is Europe Asia and Africa seated toward the East and disposing the needle that way For arriving at some part of the Azores or Islands of Saint Michaels which have a middle situation betweene these continents and
acknowledge that nothing proceedeth from gold in the usuall decoction thereof Now the capitall reason that led men unto this opinion was their observation of the inseperable nature of gold it being excluded in the same quantity as it was received without alteration of parts or diminution of its gravity Now herein to deliver somewhat which in a middle way may be entertained we first affirm few I beleeve will deny it that the substance of gold is indeed invincible by the powerfullest action of naturall heat and that not only alimentally in a substantiall mutation but also medicamentally in any corporeall conversion as is very evident not only in the swallowing of golden bullets but in the lesser and foliate divisions thereof passing the stomack and guts even as it doth the throat that is without abatement of weight or consistence so that it entereth not the veynes with those electuaries wherein it is mixed but taketh leave of the permeant parts at the mouthes of the miseraicks and accompanieth the inconvertible portion unto the siege nor is its substantiall conversion expectible in any composition or aliment wherein it is taken And therefore that was truly a starving absurdity which befell the wishes of Midas And little credit there is to be given to the golden Hen related by Wendlerus And so likewise in the extinction of gold we must not conceive it parteth with any of its salt or dissoluble principle thereby as we may affirme of Iron for the parts thereof are fixed beyond division nor will they seperate upon the strongest test of fire And this we affirme of pure gold for that which is currant and passeth in stampe amongst us by reason of its allay which is a proportion of copper mixed therewith it is actually dequantitated by fire and possibly by frequent extinction Secondly although the substance of gold be not sensibly immuted or its gravity at all decreased yet that from thence some vertue may proceed either in substantiall reception or infusion we cannot safely deny For possible it is that bodyes may emit a vertue and operation without abatement of weight as is most evident in the Loadstone whose effluencies are both continuall and communicable without a minoration of gravity And the like is observable in bodies electricall whose emissions are lesse subtile So will a Diamond or Saphire emit an effluvium sufficient to move the needle or a straw without diminution of weight Nor will polished amber although it send forth a grosse and corporall exhalement be found a long time defective upon the exactest scales Thirdly if amulets doe worke by Aporrhoias or emanations from their bodies upon those parts whereunto they are appended and are not yet observed to abate their weight if they produce visible and reall effects by imponderous and invisible emissions it may be unjust to deny all â—fficacie of gold in the non omission of weight or deperdition of any ponderous particles Lâ—stly since Stibium or glasse of Antimony since also its Regulus will manifestly communicate unto water or wine a purging and vomitory operation and yet the body it selfe though after iterated infusions cannot be â—ound to abate either vertue or weight I dare not deny but gold may doe the like that is impart some efâ—luences unto the infusion which carry with them the subtiler nature and separable conditions of its body That therefore this mettall thus received hath any undeniable effect upon the body either from experience in others or my selfe I cannot satisfactorily affirm That possibly it may have I not wil at all deny But from power unto act from a possible unto an actuall operation the inference is not reasonable And therefore since the point is dubious and not yet authentically decided it will be discretion not to depend on disputable remedies but rather in cases of knowne danger to have recourse unto medicines of knowne and approved activity for beside the benefit accruing unto the sicke hereby may be avoyded a grosse and frequent error commonly committed in the use of doubtfull remedies conjoyntly with those which are of approved vertue That is to impute the cure unto the conceited remedy or place it on that whereon they place their opinion whose operation although it be nothing or its concurrence not considerable yet doth it obtaine the name of the whole cure and carryeth often the honour of the capitall energie which had no finger in it 4. That a pot full of ashes will still containe as much water as it would without them although by Aristotle in his problems taken for granted and so received by most is surely very false and not effectible upon the strictest experiment I could ever make For when the ayery intersticies are filled and as much of the salt of the ashes as the water will imbibe is dissolved there remaines a grosse and terreous portion at the bottome which will possesse a space by it selfe according whereto there will remaine a quantity of water not receiveable and so will it come to passe in a pot of salt although decrepitated and so also in a pot of snow For so much it will want in reception as its solution taketh up according unto the bulke whereof there will remaine a portion of water not to be admitted So a glasse stuffed with peeces of spunge will want about a sixt part of what it would receive without it So suger will not dissolve beyond the capacity of the water nor a mettall in Aqua-fortis bee corroded beyond its reception And so a pint of salt of tartar exposed unto a moist aire untill it dissolve will make far more liquor or as some tearm it oyle then the former measure will contain Nor is it only the exclusion of ayre by water or repletion of cavitiâ—s possessed thereby which causeth a pot of ashes to admit so great a quantity of water but also the solution of the salt of the ashes into the body of the dissolvent so a pot of ashes will receive somewhat more of hot water then of cold for as much as the warme water imbibeth more of the salt and a vessell of ashes more then one of pindust or filings of Iron and a glasse full of water will yet drinke in a proportion of salt or suger without overflowing 5. Of white powder and such as is discharged without report there is no small noise in the world but how far agreeable unto truth few I perceive are able to determine Herein therefore to satisfie the doubts of some and amuse the credulity of others We first declare that gun-powder consisteth of three ingredients that is Salt-peter Smal-coale and Brimstone Salt-peter although it be also naturall and found in severall places yet is that of common use an artificiall salt drawn from the infusion of salt earth as that of Stals Stables Dovehouses Cellers and other covered places where the raine can neither dissolve nor the sunne approach to resolve it Brimstone is a Minerall body of fat and inflamable parts and this is
and is therefore called Ravunculus viridis or Arboreus but hereby I understand the aquatile or water Frogge whereof in ditches and standing plashes wee may behold many millions every Spring in England Now these doe not as Pliniâ— conceiveth exclude blacke pieces of flesh which after become Frogges but they let fall their spawne in the water which is of excellent use in Physicke and scarce unknowne unto any in this spawne of a lentous and transparent body are to be discerned many gray specks or little conglobations which in a little time become of deepe blacke a substance more compacted and terrestrious then the other for it riseth not in distillation and affords a powder when the white and aqueous part is exhaled Now of this blacke or duskie substance is the Frogge at last formed as we have beheld including the spawne with water in a glasse and exposing it unto the Sunne for that blacke and round substance in a few dayes began to dilate and grow ovall after a while the head the eyes the taile to be discerneable and at last to become that which the Ancients called Gyrinus wee a Porwigle or Tadpole and this in some weekes after becomes a perfect Frogge the legs growing out before and the tayle wearing away to supply the other behinde as may bee observed in some which have newly forsaken the water for in such some part of the tayle will be seen but curtal'd and short not long and finny as before a part provided them a while to swim and move in the water that is untill such time as nature excluded legs whereby they might be provided not only to swim in the water but move upon the land according to the amphibious and mixt intention of nature that is to live in both And because many affirme and some deliver that in regard it hath lungs and breatheth a Frogge may bee easily drowned though the reason be probable I finde not the experiment answerable for making triall and fastning one about a span under water it lived almost six dayes CHAP. XIV Of the Salamander THat a Salamander is able to live in flames to endure and put out fire is an assertion not only of great Antiquitie but confirmed by frequent and not contemptible testimonie The Aegyptians have drawne it into their Hieroglyphicks Aristotle seemeth to embrace it more plainely Nicander Serenus Sammonicus Aelian and Plinie who assignes the cause of this effect An animall saith he so cold that it extinguisheth the fire like Ice all which notwithstanding there is on the negative Authoritie and experience Sexâ—ius a Physition as Plinie delivereth denied this effect Dioscorides affirmed it a point of folly to beleeve it Galen that it endureth the fire a while but in continuance is consumed therein For experimentall conviction Mathiolus affirmeth he saw a Salamander burnt in a very short time and of the like assertion is Amatus Lusitanus and most plainly Pierius whose words in his Hieroglyphicks are these Whereas it is commonly said that a Salamander extinguisheth fire wee have found by experience that 't is so farre fâ—om quenching hot coales that it dieth immediatly therein As for the contrary assertion of Aâ—istotle it is but by hearesay as common opinion beleeveth Haec enim ut aiunt ignem ingrediens â—um extinguit and therefore there was no absurdity in Galen when as a Septicall medicine he commended the ashes of a Salamander and Magicians in vaine from the power of this tradition at the burning of towns or houses expect a reliefe from Salamanders The ground of this opinion might be some sensible resistance of fire observed in the Salamander which being as Galen determineth cold in the fourth and moist in the third degree and having also a nucous humidity above and under the skinne by vertue thereof may a while endure the flame which being consumed it can resist no more Such an humidity there is observed in Newtes or water-Lizards especially if their skinnes be prickt or perforated Thus will Frogges and Snailes endure the flame thus will whites of egges vitreous or glassey flegme extinguish a coal thus are unguents made which protect a while from the fire and thus beside the Hirpini there are later stories of men that have pass'd untoucht through â—ire and therefore some trueth we allow in the tradition truth according unto Galen that it may for a time resist a flâ—me or as Scaliger avers extinguish or put out a coale for thus much will many humide bodies performe but that it perseveres and lives in that destructive element is a fallacious enlargement nor doe we reasonably conclude because for a time it endureth fire it subdueth and extinguisheth the same because by a cold and aluminous moisture it is able a while to resist it from a peculiarity of nature it subsisteth and liveth in it It hath beene much promoted by Stories of incombustible napkins and textures which endure the fire whose materialls are call'd by the name of Salamanders wooll which many too literally apprehending conceive some investing part or tegument of the Salamander wherein beside that they mistake the condition of this animal which is a kinde of Lizard a quadruped corticated and depilous that is without wooll furre or haire they observe not the method and generall rule of nature whereby all Quadrupeds oviparous as Lizards Froggs Tortois Chameleons Crocodiles are without any haire and have no covering part or hairy investment at all and if they conceive that from the skin of the Salamander these incremable pieces are composed beside the experiments made upon the living that of Brassavolus will step in who in the search of this truth did burne the skin of one dead Nor is this Salamanders wooll desumed from any animal but a Minerall substance Metaphorically so called from this received opinion For beside Germanicus his heart and Pyrrhus his great Toe there are in the number of Mineralls some bodies incombustible more remarkably that which the Ancients named Asbeston and Pancirollus treats of in the chapter of Linum vivum whereof by Art were weaved napkins shirts and coats inconsumable by fire and wherein in ancient times to preserve their ashes pure and without commixture they burnt the bodies of Kings a napkin hereof Plinie reports that Nero had the like saith Paulus Venetus the Emperour of Tartarie sent unto Pope Alexander and affirms that in some parts of Tartarie there were Mines of Iron whose filaments were weaved into incombustible cloth which rare manufacture although delivered for lost by Pancirollus yet Salmuth delivereth in his comment that one Podocaterus a Cyprian had shewed the same at Venice and his materialls were from Cyprus where indeed Dioscorides placeth them the same is also ocularly confirmed by Vives upon Austin and Maiolus in his colloquies and thus in our daies do men practise to make long lasting Snasts or Elychinons parts for lampes out of Alumen plumosum and by the same wee read in Pausanias that there alwayes burnt a Lampe
properly called a Morse and makes not out that shape That which the Ancients named Hippocampus is a little animall about six inches long and not preferred beyond the classis of Insects that they tearmed Hippopotamus an amphibious animall about the River Nile so little resembleth an horse that as Mathiolus observeth in all except the seet it better makes out a swine that which they tearmed a Lion was but a kinde of Lobster and that they called the Beare was but one kinde of Crab and that which they named Bos marinus was not as we conceive a fish resembling an Oxe but a Skaite or Thornbacke so named from its bignesse expressed by the Greek word Bous which is a prefixe of augmentation to many words in that language And therefore although it be not denied that some in the water doe carry a justifiable resemblance to some at the Land yet are the major part which beare their names unlike nor doe they otherwise resemble the creatures on earth then they on earth the constellations which passe under animall names in heaven nor the Dog-fish at sea much more make out the Dog of the land then that his cognominall or name-sake in the heavens Now if from a similitude in some it bee reasonable to infer a correspondency in all we may draw this analogie of animalls upon plants for vegetables there are which carry a neare and allowable similitude unto animals as we elsewhere declare wee might also presume to conclude that animall shapes were generally made out in mineralls for severall stones there are that beare their names in relation to animals parts as Lapis anguinus Conchites Echinites Eucephalites Aegopthalmus and many more as will appeare in the writers of Mineralls and especially in Boetius Moreover if we concede that the animalls of one Element might beare the names of those in the other yet in strict reason the watery productions should have the prenomination and they of the land rather derive their names then nominate those of the sea for the watery plantations were first existent and as they enjoyed a priority in forme had also in nature precedent denominations but falling not under that nomenclature of Adam which unto terrestrious animalls assigned a name appropriate unto their natures from succeeding spectators they received arbitrary appellations and were respectively denominated unto creatures knowne at land which in themselves had independent names and not to bee called after them which were created before them Lastly by this assertion wee restraine the hand of God and abridge the variety of the creation making the creatures of one Element but an acting over those of an other and conjoyning as it were the species of things which stood at distance in the intellect of God and though united in the Chaos had several seeds of their creation for although in that indistinguisht masse all things seemed one yet separated by the voyce of God according to their species they came out in incommunicated varieties and irrelative seminalities as well as divided places and so although we say the world was made in sixe dayes yet was there as it were a world in every one that is a distinct creation of distinguisht creatures a distinction in time of creatures divided in nature and a severall approbation and survey in every one CHAP. XXV Compendiously of sundry Tenents concerning other Animals which examined prove either false or dubious 1. ANd first from times of great Antiquity and before the Melodie of Syrens the Musicall notes of Swans hath been commended and that they sing most sweetly before their death For thus we read in Plato de Legibus that from the opinion of Melempsuchosis or transmigration of the soules of men into the bodies of beasts most sutable unto their humane condition after his death Orpheus the Musician became a Swan Thus was it the bird of Apollo the god of Musicke by the Greekes and a Hieroglyphick of Musick among the Aegyptians from whom the Greeks derived the conception hath been the affirmation of many Latines and hath not wanted assertors almost from every Nation All which notwithstanding we find this relation doubtfully received by Aelian as an hearsay account by Bellonius as a false one by Pliny expresly refuted by Myndius in Athenaeus severely rejected by Scaliger whose words unto Cardan are these De Cygni vero cantu suavis simo quem cum parente mendaciorum Graecia jactare ausus es ad Luciani tribunal apud quem novi aliquid dicas statuo Authors also that countenance it speak not satifactorily of it Some affirming they sing not till they die some that they sing yet die not some speake generally as though this note were in all some but particularly as though it were only in some some in places remote and where we can have no trial of it others in places where every experience can refute it as Aldrovand upon relation delivered concerning the Musicke of the Swans on the river of the Thames neer London Now that which countenanceth and probably confirmeth this opinion is the strange and unusuall conformation of the winde pipe or vocall organ in this animall observed first by Aldrovandus and conceived by some contrived for this intention for in its length it far exceedeth the gullet and hath in the chest a sinuous revolution that is when it ariseth from the lunges it ascendeth not directly unto the throat but ascending first into a capsulary reception of the breast bone by a Serpentine and Trumpet recurvation it ascendeth againe into the neck and so by the length thereof a great quantity of ayre is received and by the figure thereof a musicall modulation effected But to speak indifferently what Aldrovand himself acknowledgeth this formation of the Weazon is not peculiar unto the Swan but common also unto the Platea or Shovelard a bird of no Musicall throat And as himselfe confesseth may thus be contrived in the Swan to contain a larger stock of ayre whereby being to feed on weeds at the bottom they might the longer space detain their heads under water And indeed were this formation peculiar or had they unto this effect an advantage from this part yet have they a knowne and open disadvantage from an other which is not common unto any singing bird wee know that is a flat bill For no Latirostrous animal whereof neverthelesse there are no slender numbers were ever commended for their note or accounted among those animals which have been instructed to speake When therefore we consider the dissention of Authors the falsity of relations the indisposition of the Organs and the immusicall note of all we ever beheld or heard of if generally taken and comprehending all Swans or of all places we cannot assent thereto Surely he that is bit with a Tarantula shall never be cured by this Musicke and with the same hopes we expect to hear the harmony of the Spheres 2. That there is a speciall proprietie in the flesh of Peacocks rost or boiled
to preserve a long time incorrupted hath been the assertion of many stands yet confirmed by Austine De Civitate Dei by Gygas Sempronius in Aldrovand and the same experiment we can confirme our selves in the brawne or fleshy parts of Peacocks so hanged up with thred that they touch no place whereby to contract a moisture and hereof we have made triall both in the summer and winter The reason some I perceive attempt to make out from the siccity and drines of its flesh and some are content to rest in a secret propriety thereof As for the siccity of the flesh it is more remarkable in other animals as Aegles Hawkes and birds of prey And that it is a propriety or agreeable unto none other we cannot with reason admit for the same preservation or rather incorruption we have observed in the flesh of Turkeys Capons Hares Partridge Venison suspended freely in the ayre and after a yeare and a halfe dogs have not refused to eat them As for the other conceit that a Peacocke is ashamed when he lookes on his legges as is commonly held and also delivered by Cardan beside what hath been said against it by Scaliger let them beleeve that hold specificall deformities or that any part can seeme unhansome to their eyes which hath appeared good and beautifull unto their makers The occasion of this conceit might first arise from a common observation that when they are in their pride that is advance their traine if they decline their necke to the ground they presently demit and let fall the same which indeed they cannot otherwise doe for contracting their body and being forced to draw in their foreparts to establish the hinder in the elevation of the traine if the foreparts depart and incline to the ground the hinder grow too weake and suffer the traine to fall And the same in some degree is also observeable in Turkyes 3. That Storkes are to be found and will onely live in Republikes or free States is a pretty conceit to advance the opinion of popular policies and from Antipathies in nature to disparage Monarchicall government But how far agreeable unto truth let them consider who read in Plinie that among the Thessalians who were governed by Kings and much abounded with Serpents it was no lesse then capitall to kill a Storke That the ancient Aegyptians honoured them whose government was from all times Monarchicall That Bellonius affirmeth men make them nests in France And lastly how Jeremy the Prophet delivered himselfe unto his countreymen whose government was at that time Monarchicall Milvus in Coelâ— cognovit tempus suum Turtur Hirundo Ciconia custodierunt tempus adventus sui Wherein to exprobrate their Stupiditie he induceth the providence of Storkes Now if the bird had been unknown the illustration had been obscure and the exprobation but improper 4. That a Bittor maketh that mugient noyse or as we terme it Bumping by putting its bill into a reed as most beleeve or as Bellonius and Aldrovand conceive by putting the same in water or mud and after a while retaining the ayre by suddenly excluding it againe is not so easily made out For my own part though after diligent enquiry I could never behold them in this motion Notwithstanding by others whose observations we have expresly requested we are informed that some have beheld them making this noise on the Shore their bills being far enough removed from reed or water that is first strongly attracting the aire and unto a manifest distention of the neck and presently after with great Contention and violence excluding the same againe As for what others affirme of putting their bill in water or mud it is also hard to make out For what may bee observed from any that walketh the Fenns there is little intermission nor any observable pawse between the drawing in and sending forth of their breath And the expiration or breathing forth doth not onely produce a noise but the inspiration or haling in of the ayre affordeth a sound that may bee heard almost a flight shoot Now the reason of this strange and peculiar noise is well deduced from the conformation of the windepipe which in this birde is different from other volatiles For at the upper extream it hath no Larinx or throttle to qualifie the sound and at the other end by two branches deriveth it selfe into the Lunges Which division consisteth onely of Semicircular fibers and such as attaine but half way round the part By which formation they are dilatable into larger capacities and are able to containe a fuller proportion of ayre which being with violence sent up the weazon and finding no resistance by the Larinx it issueth forth in a sound like that from cavernes and such as sometimes subterraneous eruptions from hollow rocks afford As Aristotle observeth in a Problem of the 25. Section and is observable in pichards bottles and that instrument which Aponensis upon that probleme describeth wherewith in Aristotles time Gardiners affrighted birdes 5. That whelps are blinde nine dayes and then begin to see is the common opinion of all and some will be apt enough to descend unto oathes upon it But this I finde not answerable unto experience for upon a strict observation of many I have not found any that see the ninth day few before the twelfth and the eyes of some will not open before the fourteenth day And this is agreeable unto the determination of Aristotle who computeth the time of their anopsie or invision by that of their gestation for some saith he do go with their yong the sixt part of a yeer a day or two over or under that is about sixty dayes or nine weekes and the whelps of these see not till twelve dayes some goe the fifth part of a yeer that is 71. dayes and these saith he see not before the fourteenth day Others doe goe the fourth part of a yeer that is three whole months and these saith hee are without sight no lesse then seventeen dayes wherein although the accounts be different yet doth the least thereof exceed the terme of nine dayes which is so generally receaved And this compute of Aristotle doth generally overthrow the common cause alleadged for this effect that is a precipitation or over hasty exclusion before the birth be perfect according unto the vulgar Adage Festinans canis coecos parit catulos for herein the whelps of longest gestation are also the latest in vision The manner hereof is this At the first littering their eyes are fastly closed that is by coalition or joyning together of the eyelids and so continue untill about the twefth day at which time they begin to separate and may be easily divelled or parted asunder they open at the inward canthis or greater angle of the eye and so by degrees dilate themselves quite open An effect very strange and the cause of much obscurity wherein as yet mens enquiries are blinde and satisfaction acquirable from no man What ever
one empty and if it containe a quart expressed and emptied it will abate about halfe a graine and we somewhat mistrust the experiment of a pumice-stone taken up by Montanus in his Comment upon Avicenna where declaring how the rarity of parts and numerosity of pores occasioneth a lightnesse in bodies he affirmes that a pumice-stone powâ—â—râ—d is lighter then one entire which is an experiment beyond our satisfaction for beside that abatement can hardly be avoyded in the Tâ—ituration if a bladder of good capacity will scarce include a graine of ayre a pumice of three or foure dragmes cannot be presumed to containe the hundâ—â—th part thereof which will not be sensible upon the exactest beames we use Nor is it to be taken strictly what is delivered by the learned Lord Verulam and referred unto further experiment That a dissolution of Iron in Aquafortis will beare as good weight as their bodies did before notwithstanding a great deale of waste by a thick vapour that issueth during the woâ—king for we cannot finde it to hold neither in Iron nor Copper which is dissolved with lesse â—bullition and hereof we madâ—â—â—iall in Scales of good exactnesse wherein if there be a defect or such as will not turne upon quarter graines there may be frequent mistakes in experiments of this nature but stranger is that and by the favourablest way of triall we cannot make out what is dâ—livered by â—amâ—rus Poppius that Antimony calcin'd or reduced to ashes by a burning glasse although it â—mitte a grosse and ponderous exhalation doth rather exceed then abate its former graviâ—y whose words are these in his Basilica Antimonii Si speculum incensorium soli exponatur ita ut pyramidis luminosae apex Antimonium pulverisatum feriat cum mâ—â—to â—umi profusione ad nivis albedinem calcinabitur quod mirabile est Antimonii pondus post calcinationem auctum potius quam diminutum deprehenditur Mistake may be made in this way of trial when the Antimony is not weighed immediately upon the calcination but permitted the ayre it imbibeth the humidity thereof and so repayreth its gravity CHAP. VIII Of the passage of meaete aâ—d drinke THat there are different passages for meate and drinke the meate or dry aliment descending by the one the drink or moystning vehicle by the other is a popular Tenent in our dayes but was the assertion of learned men of old for the same was affirmed by Plato maintained by Eâ—stathius in Macâ—obius and is deducible from Eratosthenes Eupolis and Euripides now herein men contradict experience not well understanding Anatomy and the use of parts for at the throat there are two cavities or conducting parts the one the Oesophagus or gullet sâ—atâ—d next the spine a part officiall unto nutrition and whereby the aliment both wet and dry is conveyed unto the stomack the other by which t is conceived the drink doth passe is the weazon rough artery or winde-pipe a part inservient to voyce and respiration for thereby the ayre descendeth into the lungs and is communicated unto the heart and therefore all animals that breath or have lungs have also the weazon but many have the gullet or â—eeding channell which have no lungs or winde-pipe as fishes which have gills whereby the heart is refrigerated for such thereof as have lungs and respiration are not without the weazon as Whales and cetaceous animals Againe beside these parts destin'd to divers offices there is a peculiar provision for the winde-pipe that is a cartiliagineous flap upon the opening of the Larinx or throttle which hath an open cavity for the admission of the ayre but lest thereby either meate or drinke should descend Providence hath placed the Epiglottis Ligula or â—lap like an Ivy leafe which alwayes closeth when we swallow or that the meate and drinke passeth over it into the gullet which part although all have not that breathe as all cetaceous and oviparous animals yet is the wâ—azon secured some other way and therefore in Whales that breathe lest the water should get into the lungs an ejection thâ—reof is contrived by a Fistula or spout at the head and therefore also though birds have no Epiglottis yet can thâ—y so contract the rime or chinck of their Larinx as to prevent the admission of wet or dry ingested either whereof getting in occasioneth a cough untill it be ejected and this is the reason why a man cannot drink and breathe at the same time why if we laugh while we drinke the drinke â—lies out at the nostrils why when the water enters the weazon men are suddenly drowned and thus must it be understood when wee reade of one that dyed by the seed of a Grape and another by an hayre in milke Now if any shall still affirme that some truth there is in the assertion upon the experiment of Hippocrates who killing an Hog after a red potion found the tincture thereof in the Larinx if any will urge the same from medicall practise because in affections both of Lungs and weazon Physitians make use of â—yrupes and lambitive medicines we are not averse to acknowledge that some may distill and insinuate into the wind-pipe and medicines may creep downe as well as the rheume before them yet to conclude from hence that ayre and water have both one common passage were to state the question upon the weaker side of the distinction and from a partiall or guttulous irrigation to conclude a full and totall descension CHAP. IX Of Sneezing COncerning Sternutation or Sneezing and the custome of saluting or blessing upon that motion it is pretended and generally beleeved to derive its originall from a disease wherein Sternutation proved morâ—all and such as Sneezed dyed and this may seeme to be proved from Carolus Sigonius who in his History of Italy makes mention of a Pestilence in the time of Gregorie the Great that proved pernitious and deadly to those that Sneezed which notwithstanding will not sufficiently determine the grounds hereof and it will evidently appeare that custome hath an elder Aera then this Chronologie affordeth For although the age of Gregorie extend above a thousand yet is this custome mentioned by Apuleius in the fable of the Fullers wife who lived three hundred yeers before by Pliny likewise in that Probleme of his our Sternutantes salutantur and there are also reports that Tâ—berius the Emperour otherwise a very sowre man would performe this rite most punctually unto others and expect the same from others unto himself Petronius Arbiter who lived before them both and was Proconsul of Bythinia in the raigne of Nero hath mentioned it in these words Gyton collectione spiritus plenus ter continâ—ò ita sternutavit ut grabatum concuteret ad quem motum Eumolpus conversus Salvere Gâ—tona jubet Caelius Rhodiginus hath an example hereof among the Greeks far antienter then these that is in the time of Cyrus the younger when consulting about their retreat it chanced that one among them sneezed at the noyse whereof
satisfaction nor can they relate any story or affixe a probable point to its beginning For some thereof and those of the wisest amongst them are so far from determining its beginning that they opinion and maintaine it never had any at all as the doctrine of Epicurus implyeth and more positively Aristotle in his bookes de Caelo declareth endeavouring to confirme it with arguments of reason and those appearingly demonstrative wherein to speake indifferently his labours are rationall and uncontroulable upon the grounds assumed that is of Physicall generation and a primary or first matter beyond which no other hand was apprehended But herein we remaine sufficiently satisfied from Moses and the doctrine delivered of the Creation that is a production of all things out of nothing a formation not only of matter but of forme and a meteriation even of matter it selfe Others are so far from defining the originall of the world or of mankinde that they have held opinions not only repugnant unto Chronology but Philosophy that is that they had their beginning in the soyle where they inhâ—bitâ—d assuming or receiving appellations conformable unto such conceits So did the Athenians tearm themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Aborigines and in testimony thereof did weare a golden insect on their heads the very same name is also given unto the Inlanders or Midland inhabitants of this Island by Caesar. But this is a conceit answerable unto the generation of the Giants not admittable in Philosophy much lesse in Divinity which distinctly informeth wee are all the seed of Adam that the whole world perished unto eight persons before the â—lood and was after peopled by the Colonies of the sonnes of Noah there was therefore never any Autochthon or man arising from the earth but Adam for the woman being formed out of the rib was once removed from earth and framed from that element under incarnation And so although her production were not by copulation yet was it in a manner seminall For if in every part from whence the seed doth flow there be contained the Idea of the whole there was a seminality and contracted Adam in the rib which by the information of a soule was individuated into Eve And therefore this conceit applyed unto the orginall of man and the beginning of the world is more justly appropriable unto its end for then indeed men shall rise out of the earth the graves shall shoot up their concealed seeds and in that great Auâ—umne men shall spring up and awake from their Chaos againe Others have been so blind in deducing the originall of things or delivering their owne beginnings that when it hath fallen into controversie they have not recurred unto Chronologie or the records of time but betaken themselves unto probabilities and the conjecturalities of Philosophy Thus when the two ancient Nations that is Aegyprians and Scythians contended for antiquity the Aegyptians as Diodorus and Justine relate pleaded their antiquity from the fertility of their soyl inferring that men there first inhabited where they were with most facility sustained and such a land did they conceive was Aegypt The Scythians although a cold and heavier Nation urged more acutely deducing their arguments from the two active elements and principles of all things Fire and Water for if of all things there was first an union and that afterward fire overruled the rest surely that part of earth which was coldest would first get free and afford a place of habitation But if all the earth were first involved in water those parts would surely fiâ—st appeare which were most high and of most elevated situation and such was 〈◊〉 These reasons carried indeed the antiquity from the Aegyptianâ— but confirmed it not in the Scythians for as Herodotus relateth from Pargitants their first King unto Darius they accounted but two thousaâ—â— years As for the Aegyptians they invâ—â—â—ted another way of triall for as the same Author relateth Psamnitichus their King attempted this decision by a new unknown experiment bringing up two Infants with goats and where they never heard the voice of man concluding that to be the ancientest Nation whose language they should first deliver but herein he forgot that speech was by instruction not instinct by imitation nor by nature that men do speak in some kind but like Parrets and as they are instructed that is in simple tearms and words expressing the open notions of things which the second act of reason compoundeth into propositions and the last into syllogisms forms of ratiocination And howsoever the account of Manâ—th the Aegyptian Priest run very high and it be evident that Mizâ—aim peopled that Country whose name with the Hebrews it beareth unto this day and there be many things of great antiquity related in holy Scripture yet was their exact account not very ancient for Pâ—olomy their Countryman beginneth his Astronomicall compute no higher then Nabonasser who is conceived by some the same with Salmanasser As for the argument deduced from the â—â—rtility of the soyl duly enquired it rather overthroweth then promoteth their antiquity for that Country whose fertility they so advance was in eldeâ— and ancient times no firme or open laâ—d but some vast lake or part oâ— the Sea and becâ—me gained ground by the mud and limous matter brought downe by the river Nilus which setled by degrees into a firme land according as is expressed by Strabo and more at large by Herodotus in his Enterpe both from the Aegyptian tradition and probable inducements from reason called therefore fluvii donum an accession of the earth or tract of land acquired by the river Lastly some indeed there are who have kept records of time and that of a considerable duration yet doe the exactest thereof afford no satisfaction concerning the beginning of the world or any way point out the time of its creation The most authentick records and best approved antiquity are those of the Chaldeans yet in the time of Alexander the Great they attained not so high as the â—loud For as Simplicius relateth Aristotle required of Calisthenes who accompainâ—d that Worthy in his expedition that at his arrive at Babylon he would enquire of the antiquity of their Records and those upon compute hee found to amount unto 1903. yeares which account notwithstanding ariseth no higher then 95. yeares after the floud The Arcadians I confesse were esteemed of great Antiquity and it was usually said they were before the Moone according unto that of Seneca Sydus post veteres Arcades editum and that of Ovid Lunâ gens prior illa fuit But this as Censorinus obseâ—veth must not be taken grossely as though they were existent before that Luminary but were so esteemed because they observed a set course of yeare before the Greeks conformed their yeare unto the course and motion of the Moon Thus the heathens affording no satisfaction herein they are most likely to manifest this truth who have been acquainted with holy Scripture and the sacred Chronologie delivered
the word thus used in Scripture by the Septuagint Greeke vocabulaâ—ies thus expound it Suidas on the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 observes it to be that animall whereon the Baptist fed in the desart in this sense the word is used by Aristotle Dioscorides Galen and severall humane Authors And lastly there is no absurdity in this interpretation or any solid reason why we should decline it it being a food permitted unto the Jewes whereof foure kindes are reckoned up among cleane meats Beside not onely the Jewes but many other Nations long before and since have made an usuall food thereof That the Aethiopians Mauritanians and Arabians did commonly â—at them is testified by Diodorus Strabo Solinus Aelian and Plinie that they still feed on them is confirmed by Leo Cadamustus and others John therefore as our Saviour saith came neither eating nor drinking that is farre from the dyet of Jerusalem and other riotous places but faâ—ed coursely and poorely according unto the apparrell he wore that is of Camells haire the place of his abode the wildernesse and the doctrine he preached humilation and repentance CHAP. X. That Iohn the Evangelist should not dye THe conceit of the long living or rather not dying of John the Evangelist is not to be omitted and although it seem inconsiderable and not much weightier then that of Joseph the wandring Jew yet being deduced from Scripture and abetted by Authors of all times it shall not escape our enquiry It is drawne from the speech of our Saviour unto Peter after the prediction of his martyrdome Peter saith unto Jesus Lord and what shall this man do Iesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry untill I come what is that to thee follow thou me then went this saying abroad among the brethren that this disciple should not dye Now the apprehension hereof hath been received either grossely and in the generall that is not distinguishing the manner or particular way of this continuation in which sense probably the grosser and undiscerning party received it or more distinctly apprehending the manner of his immortality that is that Iohn should never properly dye but be translated into Paradise there to remaine with Enoch and Elias untill about the comming of Christ and should be slaine with them under Antichrist according to that of the Apocalyps I will give power unto my two witnesses and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes cloathed in sackcloath and when they shall have finished their Testimony the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomelesse pit shall make warre against them and shall overcome them and kill them Hereof as Baronius observeth within three hundred yeares after Christ Hippolytus the martyr was the first assertor but hath been maintained by many since by Metaphrastes by â—â—â—culphus but especially by Georgius Trapezuntius who hath expresly treated upon this Text and although he lived but in the last Centurie did still affirme that Iohn was not yet dead As for the grosse opinion that he should not dye it is unto my judgement sufficiently refuted by that which first occasioned it that is the Scripture it selfe and no further of then the very subsequent verse yet Iesus said not unto him he should not dye but if I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee and this was written by Iohn himself whom the opinion concerned and as is conceived many yeares after when Peter had suffered and fulfilled the Prophesie of Christ. For the particular conceit the foundation is weake nor can it bee made out from the Text alleadged in the Apocalyps for beside that therein two persons are onely named no mention is made of Iohn a third Actor in this Tragedy the same is overthrowne by History which recordeth not onely the dâ—ath of Iohn but assigneth the place of his buriall that is Ephesus a City in Asia minor whither after hee had beene banished into Patmos by Domitian hee returned in the reigne of Nerva there deceased and was buried in the dayes of Trajan and this is testified by Ierome de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis by Tertullian de Anima by Chrysostome and by Eusebius in whose dayes his Sepulchre was to be seen and by a more ancient Testimony alleadged also by him that is of Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus not many successions after Iohn whose words are these in an Epistle unto Victor Bishop of Rome Iohanâ—es ille qui supra pectus Domini recumbebat Doctor optimus apud Ephesum dormivit many of the like nature are noted by Baronius Jansenius â—stius Lipellous and others Now the maine and primitive ground of this error was a grosse mistake in the words of Christ and a false apprehension of his meaning understanding that positively which was conditionally expressed or receiving that 〈◊〉 which was but concessively delivered for the words of 〈◊〉 Saviour runne in a doubtfull straine rather reprehending then satisfying the cuâ—osity of Peter that is as though he should have said Thou hast thine owne doome why enquirest thou aâ—ter thy brothers what reliefe unto thy affliction will be the society of anothers why pryest thou into the secrets of Gods judgements if he stay untill I come what concerneth it thee who shalt bee sure to suffer before that time and such an answer probably he returned because he foreknew Iohn should not suffer a violent death but goe unto his grave in peace which had Peter assuredly knowne it might have cast some water on his flames and smothered those fires which kindled after unto the honour of his Master Now why among all the rest Iohn only escaped the death of a Martyr the reason is given because all other fled away or withdrew themselves at his death and he alone of the Twelve beheld his passion on the Crosse wherein notwithstanding the affliction that he suffered could not amount unto lesse then Martyrdome for if the naked relation at least the intentive consideration of that passion be able still and at this disadvantage of time to rend the hearts of pious conâ—emplators surely the neare and sensible vision thereof must needs occasion agonies beyond the comprehension of flesh and the trajectioâ—s of such an object more sharpely pierce the martyr'd soule of Iohn then afterward did the nayles the crucified body of Peter Againe they were mistaken in the Emphaticall apprehension placing the consideration upon the words If I will whereas it properly lay in these when I come which had they apprehended as some have since that is not for his ultimate and last returne but his comming in judgement and destruction upon the Iewes or such a comming as it might be said that that generation should not passe before it was fulfilled they needed not much lesse need we suppose such diuturnity for after the death of Peter Iohn lived to behold the same fulfilled by Vespasian nor had he then his Nunc dimittis or went out like unto Simâ—on but old in accomplisht obscurities and having