divide the Waters from the Waters In the Hebrew an Expansion Either word is properly taken since it was a Space unpassable for its vastnesse and expansion and by consequence fixed and fixing the division of the Waters 7. But those words in the midst of the waters are to be noted which teach that no Substance was made a new but only between the waters and the waters which is evident too from the word Heaven which name he gave the Firmament by which very word 't is express'd that before God created the Heaven The Etymology also of the word is to be noted which both in the Hebrew and Greek Idiom signifies as much as whence the waters or whence or where it drops that it may be evidenc'd even from the name that the Aire it self is the Firmament CHAP. V. A Philosophicall discourse of the vvorks of the other four days 1. FArther by the operation of this vast Fire not only the Water but much of the Earth too with the Water must needs have been rais'd up For Chymists know that the intense heat of fire can raise up and carry away crasse Oyls and Oyntments nay even Salts and very Gold it self Since therefore the Earth before the operation of Light was dissolv'd in minutest parts and Dust as void of all Moisture it must needs be that the Heat mix'd every where the Water with Earth and thus all muddy carry'd it up into the Aire but most of all about those parts over which the Fire perpendicularly hung 2. Whence 't is plain two Effects must needs have risen one that the Earth in that Circle should become more hollowed and low then in the rest of its Superficies the other that the Water from the remoter places should flow into these hollownesses whether by the attraction of the Fire or by naturall connection or by some power of Gravity which through the operation of the Fire by little and little attain'd a force 3. 'T is plain therefore that since the motion of the Earth was of necessity by the greatest Circle the Earth by the course of the foresaid causes must be drain'd and dry'd first about the Poles of that Circle and the waters gathered together in the empty hollownesse under that Circle 4. I said by the course of the foresaid causes for if we consider what was likely to be done by accident this consequence will not be universally necessary For 't is clear that the Earth by the boyling of the water being unequally mixt and remixt with continuall agitation must according to the law of contingency have produc'd by the meeting of different parts as many kinds and species of Earths as we see diversities of Fossils which we divide generally into four kinds Stones Metalls Mold and concrete Iuyces 5. And since from the varieties also of those great parts of that masse now tempered with water a notable variety must needs follow the Earth yet cover'd with Waters may easily here and there have boyl'd up into Excrescencies as Islands have often grown up in the Sea By this irregularity therefore some Mountains growing may have appear'd before the Polar Regions of the Earth 6. From the same principles it follows that the Earth did not appear wholly squallid and desart but already impregnated with the Seeds of all things nor with Seeds only but with Plants too those especially which either require or can endure more moisture the rest by little and little as the dryer Earth grew more apt and fitly dispos'd for their birth they too sprung out 7. And because an Animal is nothing but a more-compounded Plant by the same reason the Earth then most aptly tempered and dispos'd brought forth perfect Animals as it now being barrener of its own accord produces such as we call insecta as Mice and Frogs and sometimes new fashion'd Animals 8. But because the waters must needs have been very muddy even They before the Earth must have sprung into Animals fit to inhabit them viz. Fishes small and great as also into certain middle Animals which might fly up to the higher parts of the Earth that is Birds as even now we see all kind of Birds that are bred of Putrefaction by the Sea shores and Lake's sides grow out of the rottennesse of wood tempered with water 9. 'T was necessary too that by the force of that mighty Flame parts of Earth and Water of a vast bulk carry'd up above the Aire should by naturall attraction and the power of the baking Fire coagulate into many vast Bodies whereof some should more abound with fiery vertue and therefore both conceive and belch out abundance of Flames so that being entirely lucid they should be apt to enlighten other bodies too within a fit distance and that others lesse abounding with fiery parts should be fit in a congruous order and method to be concocted and enlightened by Them and themselves too be able to reflect light from the former to the rest 10. Wherefore were they set moved in a convenient site to the Earth now inhabited they might alwaies more or lesse enlighten it nor would there be any longer need of that vast light made by the Angels And this formation of things the Aegyptians Aethiopians Empedocles and other naturall Philosophers as it were by the conduct of Nature out of the very steps and order of Generation which they still observ'd in nature have emulated and attempted though not throughly attain'd CHAP. VI. An Explication of Genesis concerning the same 1. THe sacred Commentaries concerning these things tell us thus And God said let the Waters which are under the Heaven be gathered together into one place and let the dry Land appear Here is the first mention made of gravity whose effect is said to be to congregate into one place that we may see Gravity is not a motion towards any particular Site but towards the unity of a body and that it was made out of the Order of the Universe now establisht after that between the acting Light and the Earth upon which it acted a great distance full of Aire was interpos'd wherein the motion of things ascending and descending might be free 2. Iob 38. 't is said that the Sea flow'd as it were out of a womb whence 't is understood that the Earth throughly moistned with Water sweat out on all sides into the lower Vaults and increas'd the Water where by the extreme force of the light it had been too much suck'd out and so left the Earth in its due temperament Whence ther 's evidenc'd another cause too besides what we have explicated of the Earths appearing viz. because by the permixtion of hot water it swel'd into a far greater bulk 3. It follows and God call'd the dry Land and the gathering together of the waters he call'd Seas For it was not Earth in the same sense wherein at the beginning 't was said God created the Heaven and the Earth for there the Element of Earth was call'd Earth but
the visible world but where there is any one Element there Aristotle acknowledges the rest too and indeed with the same Eyes we discern an opake body reflecting the light 6. 'T is objected Animals cannot live in the Moon not Men particularly because in it there is not a variety of Earth and Waters nor rains nor clouds Adde to this a most vehement heat the Sun shining continually upon the same part for fifteen whole days together and never receding in latitude above ten degrees from the part illuminated 7. 'T is answer'd If there be a kind of grosser Aire as 't is observ'd there will of necessity be Water for these grosse vapours are made out of Earth and have the nature of water before though perhaps the Clouds are not so big as to be taken notice of Besides the Almains have observ'd something like a vast cloud in the Moon The extreme heat is moderated by the height of the Mountains the lownesse of the Vallies the abundance of water and woods as we see by experience under the Aequator from which the Sun is at farthest about twenty three degrees distant and but about ten only for half the year from the middle between the Aequator and the Tropick yet this hinders not but those are most happy regions LESSON III. Of the parts of the Planetary World and especially those of the Earth 1. THe greatest part of the world which we have some kind of knowledge of consists of the Sun and six great bodies illuminated by it and some lesser ones which are in a manner members cut off from the greater 2. The bigger bodies are counted by Astronomers Saturn Iupiter Mars the Earth Mercury Venus which 't is certain of the rest by evident experiments of Mars and Saturn by their parity to the rest are opake bodies illuminated by the Sun 3. Mercury is believ'd to have appear'd like a spot under the Sun Venus appears horned like the Moon Iupiter suffers from the Stars accompanying him and they reciprocally from him The Sun alone shines of it self 4. Moreover since light is Fire the fountain of light is the fountain of Fire too The SUN therefore is a vast body consisting of Mountains and Plains which belch out fire and as Aetna Lipara and Hecla are never without flames and especially the Vulcanian Mountains of the new world so much lesse is the Sun 5. Both the clouds of ashes vapour'd out in vast abundance and other bodies mix'd with them which make the Spots in the Sun and the fountains of flames observ'd sometimes more fiercely sometimes more remissely to blaze out witnesse this to be the nature of the Sun 6. The whole body therefore of the Sun or at least as deep as is necessary must needs consist of some matter resembling to bitumen or Sulphur and be intended by nature for nothing but an Esca and food of flames serviceable to other bodies 7. And since we have the same Actour upon the other six Bodies the effects too must needs be analogous upon an analogous matter as we have already prov'd that of all other bodies must be amongst these the Earth by which we are nourisht is the best known to us 8. This our very senses tell us is divided into three parts A solid Substance which we call Earth a liquid but crasse one which we call Water and aninvisible one which we call Aire 9. The Earth is not a Loadstone first because it hangs not on any other for the Stars of the Eighth Sphear are at too great a distance to look for any Magneticall action from them secondly because that vertue in it which attracts the loadstone is not diffus'd through the whole body of the Earth but rests only in the bark of it as it were thirdly because if it were a loadstone it would joyn to some other body as the loadstone does to Iron nor would it be carry'd about in any place or with any Motion of its own but proceed to joyn it self with that other The parts of the Earth are Mountains Valleys Caverns Plains 10. And since we know Fire will make water boil and swell and dilate whatever other bodies are mixt with the water we see too that the Earth both within in its bowells and in its superficies is furnisht with heat to concoct Metals and juyces as in our bodies when the heat abounds with moisture above the just proportion in any part it breeds warts and wens and blisters so hills and mountains must of necessity rise out of the body of this great Mother 11. This is evidenc'd both by ancient and modern Experiments which tell us of Islands cast up in the Sea we hear of cinders belcht out of Aetna and Vesuvius for the most part falling upon and encreasing the Mountains but sometimes too raising fields into Mountains and hence it is that Mountains for the most part ingender Metalls and are full of wholesome hearbs as is generally observ'd 12. Hollow places whether upon the Superficies of the Earth which we call Vallies or Caverns within its bowells proceed from two proper causes the sinking and settling of the Earth into those places which the matter for the Mountains left vacant and the washing away of that matter which by rains and torrents is carry'd otherwhere especially into the Sea Thus the Channells of Rivers are made thus between vast and very high Mountains the Channells of the Valleys are deeper Hence in one place the Earth is hollow'd away in another rais'd LESSON IV. Of the Sea and its Accidents 1. THe parts of water are Sea Lakes Pools Rivers Fountains The Sea is but one since all those parts whereof every one is call'd a Sea communicate among themselves either openly or by hidden Channells as the Caspian discharges it self into the Euxine for otherwise t would overflow with the constant tribute of such great Rivers 2. That the Main does not overflow is because of the amplitude and vastnesse of its surface whence it comes to passe that as much is lick'd up by the Sun into clouds and winds as is pour'd in by so many Rivers as will be evident to one that shall observe how much the Sun in one day draws up out of a little Plash 3. Hence proceeds its saltnesse for since the salt which flows in out of the Rivers makes not them so much as brackish neither could they infect the sea were it not that the sun sucking up the lighter parts the salt remains in the rest 4. Moreover the salt which the sun must necessarily make upon the top out of the concoction of the land-floods which fatten the River-water does not sink down to the bottom both by reason of the motion of the sea continually mingling it together as also because the deeper the water the salter and heavier it is unlesse some speciall cause interpose as perhaps in the mouths of Rivers 5. From the abundance of salt the sea gets both density and gravity moreover that it will not
here a certain mixt body consisting of infinite variety And for the same cause he call'd the Firmament Heaven for at the beginning Heaven signifi'd Aire and Water in the purity of their natures but here a mixt body made of the Elevation of the Waters with the Aire 4. We understand farther because the waters are commanded to be congregated into one place and yet the effect is call'd Seas the waters which from that mighty celestiall fire had contracted Saltnesse though to appearance they possesse severall places yet have a communion between themselves truly constitute one place though outwardly interrupted as 't is evident of most of them out of Cosmographicall History 5. It follows And God said let the Earth bring forth the green herbs and which produces Seed c. Whence 't is understood that the generation of Plants proceeded from the very springing fecundity of the Earth through the activity of so much heat without any extraordinary and miraculous concourse of God For if in fifteen daies Plants ripen under the Equator which with us require a three moneths space for their generation what doubt but much more copiously and sooner they started out of the womb of the Earth justly tempered by the operation of Angels 6. Nor need we believe because the Plants were perfect therefore Oaks and such like Trees must have been at the full strength which they attain not under an intire Age for it suffices that the barren Trees yielded Shade and the fruitfull their Fruits against the sixth Day 6. The Text goes on Let there be Lights in the Firmament of Heaven and let them divide the day and the night And even from hence 't is evident that the office of Light created the first day was to dry the Earth which being done there was no longer need of so mighty a Fire and therefore the Angels ceas'd from that operation 8. There appears again the difference between that Light and the Sun for the Sun is not call'd light but a light'ner as a Candle or a Torch wherein one part is flame and another fuel of the flame or that yields the light It appears therefore that the SUN is a concrete of combustible matter and a certain Vulcanian Globe all over full of pits vomiting flames and that it receiv'd the office of the former light which was to divide between the day and the night 9. But in that 't is said in the firmament of Heaven the Originall expression has it in the expansion of Heaven or of that whence the waters 't is evident these lights were plac'd in the Aire and that ther 's no difference of nature between the Firmament wherein the Stars and that wherein the Clouds and Birds are and consequently that neither are there any Sphears in which the Fixed Stars should be but they are mov'd as Fishes in the water 10. Upon which grounds 't will not be hard to believe them made of Waters rais'd up out of the Earth as the 103 or 104 Psalm clearly teaches For where our text has it who covers with waters its upper parts viz. of Heaven the Hebrew has who framest its chambers of waters Chambers are lodgings or abiding places aloft the Stars therefore if indeed there are any People in them are elegantly call'd the chambers of Heaven and they are said to be fram'd of water that is built and compacted the watry parts commixt with which the terrestriall were rais'd up partly being drain'd into the concavities as we said concerning our Sea partly keeping a consistency about the globes to thicken the Aire partly remaining in them for a due mixtion sake according to the variety of the parts of the Globes 11. But that the Angels which before kindled the Light were divided amongst the Stars especially the Suns whereof 't is evident there are many Iob shews by those words when ask'd where wast thou when the morning Stars marched triumphantly or exulted alike or together and all the sons of God sounded their trumpets that is when the morning stars began to be mov'd as in the Psalm 't is said of the Sun he rouz'd up himself as a Giant to run his course that is stars making morning or light to which conjoining the sons of God he teaches that each of them had its Angel to excite their first motion as it were sounding the Alarm and giving the sign for motion or making the start and first impression And this interpretation is best accommodated both to the Hebrew words and to the matter whereof He spake and the word together shews that in one day they all began their motion 12. The holy Authour adds the End of these Lights that they might be eminent day and night for so the originall propriety has it where our text saies to rule over that is that they might be very conspicuous And for Signs or according to the force of the originall word Miracles or Prodigies that is that they might make men admire whence by little and little they might be elevated from terrestriall things to know God and his works and worship him 13. Lastly for days and years Whence 't is deduc'd that the Earth had been hitherto mov'd only about its own Centre but from thenceforward began to be mov'd under the Ecliptick viz. Because the motion made by the first fire was so violent that the waters were only drawn towards the light or if any mov'd any other way they were so few that they were in no measure able to alter the course towards the light But the force of the Sun being far lesse did so make the Waters move about the Earth that yet the impulse of the returning Waters was notable whence the Earth was mov'd about the Sun in a line mixt in a manner of a Circular and a right CHAP. VII Some Animadversions about the Text of the first Chapter of Genesis 1. FRom the whole Story 't is evident that our Earth is situated in the very middle of the Universe For since all the rest of the World was form'd by evaporation from the Globe whereof our Earth was the Centre this by Fire intermediate between the Earth the other parts of the World 't is evident that the rest of the world is with a certain equality remote from it and consequently that it is plac'd in the midst 2. Which I would not have so understood as if the Centre of the Earth were the very middle point but that the Great Orbe that is all that Orbe which the Earth makes with its circle about the Sun has the notion of a Centre for that it scarce makes a visible Magnitude in respect of the rest of the world Astronomers find by experience 3. Adde to this a conjecture from the Phaenomena's For the Zodiack is fuller of great and conspicuous Stars then the other parts of the Heavens as it must of necessity have happened if the World began after the manner we have explicated Besides of all those Stars which are
extinguish flames very readily as also by a multiply'd reflection of light to sparkle and flame as it were when 't is stirr'd 6. The same too is no little cause of Sea-sicknesse besides the very tossing which of it self is a cause as appears in those who are sick with riding in a Coach for the stomack being offended with the saltnesse strives to cast it up as appears by that salt humour we oft are sensible of in colds 7. Hence too comes it that the sea is not frozen the mixture of salt hindring the freezing wind 's entrance For where the sea is congeal'd 't is not the sea-sea-water but the snow falling on it which makes the sea seem frozen as our Countrey-men that go Northern voyages witnesse Yet others report that near the shoars a sharp wind will freez the sea in some ev'n hotter Countreys 8. But when vast Rivers flow into narrow Bayes they must needs overflow into larger seas whence of necessity there must needs be a kind of perpetuall flux of some seas into others as of the Euxine into the Propontis of this into the Mediterranean of the Mediterranean into the Ocean The reason is because the lesser sea with the same quantity of water is more swell'd and consequently has a higher levell of water Again the power of the sun drinks more out of a larger sea then out of a narrower whence 't is more easily sunk low to receive the adventitious waters 9. Out of the sea the sun like fire out of a boyling pot extracts continuall vapours which either in Rains or Winds it disperses over all the Earth for all those Winds which we feel cool from the Ocean in the Summer though we perceive it not yet both their extraction makes us confesse they are moist and their density and softnesse savouring a similitude of and derivation from Water 10. The Earth therefore heated by the Sun being sprinkled with these whether in Rain or Wind for the Earth being once hot a great while retains it dissolves it self into Vapours and so by little and little they are rais'd to the higher parts of the Earth where if they feel the cold of the Aire without or by any other cause are coagulated into bigger parts they become Water and by degrees break themselves a passage through and flow down upon the lower grounds LESSON V. Of Fountains Rivers and Lakes 1. ANd because the causes of evaporations are continuall Fountains too continually flow which joyning together make Brooks and Rivers and when they have watered the whole surface of the Earth restore to the Sea the superfluous moisture to repair again the Earth with a new distillation 2. Let him that thinks not the Rain-water sufficient for this imagine the Mountains out of their innate heat are more pory then the rest of the Earth and hollow as we have said wherein there may be receptacles of water out of which the heat that is every where mingled often draws vapours which it transmits to the top of Mountains covered with Rocks whence afterwards water starts as it were out of bare Rocks 3. That this is the generation of Fountains the stones and earth at a Fountain-head all deaw'd like the cover of a boiling pot are an argument also the thinnesse subtilty of the vapours so rais'd through the Earth certain herbs too nourisht by such like vapours by observing all which the Water-finders search for Well-springs 4. Of Fountains the famousest are Baths that is hot ones The Authour of the Demonstrative Physick ripping up some fountains both learnt himself and convinc'd others by the very course of nature and by experiments Masterly made that cold Water full of a salt which he calls hermeticall with a mixture of Sulphur will grow hot 5. The same may be seen in watred lime and in Tartar with the spirit of Vitriol infus'd in it The cause of all these is the same viz. The fiery parts fetter'd as it were in dry bodies being set at liberty by the mixture of a liquid body dissipate into vapours that liquour it consisting of parts easily dissolvable 6. Hence it appears why cold fountains sometimes of the same favour are next neighbours to hot ones viz. because they passe not through the same salt 7. Why some are more some lesse hot viz. either through the abundance of this salt or through its nearnesse to the mouth of the Fountain 8. The same Authour evidenc'd the constant lastingnesse of the heat to proceed from the naturall reparation and recruit of the same salt when extracting the salt he found the remaining mud season'd again within three dayes not by the raining of salt down out of the Aire as that Authour thinks but by the nature of the Earth's being such that mixt with Aire it turn'd into salt or salt was made of the moist Aire and that Mud. 9. It appears again why some Fountains have wonderful vertues either in benefit or prejudice of our bodies why others convert Iron into Copper others petrifie sticks and whatever is thrown into them why some yield gold others silver 10. Namely because flowing through severall sorts of Earth they rub off along with them little particles and dust so minute sometimes that they are not discernable from the very body of the water and then the water is reputed to have such a vertue sometimes they are visible and then the water is said to carry some such thing in it 11. Of Fountains flowing out Brooks and Rivers are made whose running they say requires the declivity of one foot in a Mile Their reason is because a line touching the Earth at a Miles end is rais'd nine inches Artificers therefore adde three inches more that it may conveniently run whence the fountains of Nilus should be almost a mile and half higher then the Port of Alexandria but erroneously for when ever the water running behind is so encreased that it be able to raise it self above the water before this rule of declivity changes 12. Among Rivers 't is strange one should swim upon and as it were run over another as Titaresus upon Peneus Boristhenes upon Hypanis The reason is the gravity of the one and the lightnesse of the other or they will not mix out of some other cause as if one of them be oily 13. The overflowing of Rivers in Summer proceeds either from the melting of Snow shut up in Vallies or from an abundance of Rain falling in a far-distant Climate and therefore not suspected by us as is evident in Nilus Niger and some others of no name and scarce any better then Brooks 14. Fountains if they emerge into a hollow place of the Earth beget a Lake and if this cavity happen in any elevated Superficies of the Earth whether in a Mountain or a high Plain it comes to passe that sometimes great Rivers flow out of Lakes And sometimes vast eruptions of waters without any appearing cause when a Lake emprison'd in the bowells of a Mountain suddenly overflows
and opens it self a way LESSON VI. Of the Aire those things vvhich are done in it near the Earth 1. THe Aire is evidently divided into two parts that which is habitable by Animals and that above this last has no limits we can know of that first is contain'd in the Sphear of Vapours which ascend with a sensible heat out of the Earth that is as much as the Sun cherishes with its heat and renders fit for the life of Animals This therefore is comparatively hot the rest comparatively cold which the Snows and cold winds about the highest Mountains testifie A third which they use to call the Middle Region there 's none since the place of Meteors is very uncertain some residing near the Earth others above the Moon 2. Out of the Globe of Earth and Sea by the power of the Sun little bodies are rais'd up of the minutest bulk which the Sun deserting them sometimes fall down upon the Earth like drops and are call'd Deaw some drop from hard by others from a great height for all night long vapours descend and the higher more slowly both because they are higher and because every drop is lesse Hence 't is that Chymists rather chuse the Deaw that falls last as also the summer Deaw these being the purest and subtilest 3. From this Deaw 't is that the night grows cooler towards day-break though the first Drops breaking and diffusing themselves intends the same cold by the expiration of their cold parts 4. The drops of Deaw especially the least are perfectly round the cause whereof is because the water of Deaw is very tender and encompass'd in and bound together with a skin as it were by the more viscous Aire about it 5. As we see therefore Bladders blown-up become round because in that figure they are capable of most Aire so every fluid body when 't is straightned must of necessity mould it self into a round form And this seems the cause why Quicksilver so easily runs into little sphears for since the least fire will vapour it away the least cold too must needs compresse it 6. Some Deaws are sweeter then the rest especially in the hotter Regions whence a kind of Hony may be lick'd from the leafs of Trees and the Bees are believ'd to make their hony out of Deaw also the Manna in Calabria and Arabia and other hot Regions is a kind of Deaw Cloves too and Nutmeggs are thought to derive their sweetnesse from a kind of Deaw which falls in the Molucco Islands Now sweetnesse proceeds from a concocting and digestion of Moysture into a certain oily softnesse and equability of parts 7. Frost is congealed Deaw A Fogg or Mist properly is the expiration of the Earth or Water out of a certain Vent made by their native heat For we sensibly perceive Foggs rising out of moist Valleys Lakes Rivers and the Sea they presently fill all our Horizon then for the most part they rise either in the Morning or Evening seldome when the Sun shines hot they rise too in great abundance out of some certain place All which agree not to Vapours extracted by the Sun 8. And because they expire out of putrid water they stink and beget a Cough But that which uses to rest upon Mountains and in Woods especially when it rains is another thing for those are really Clouds not Fogs which either fall or are sustain'd by the leafs of Trees whence in certain Islands we read there 's no other water then what is so gather'd and distill'd from Trees Some Mists are purely watry others have a kind of slimy muddynesse withall deriv'd out of the quality of that body whence they are sublimated 9. The Nets we see in trees hedges as also those thrids that fly up down sometimes are made by the parts of the Fog growing together or of little bodies too rais'd up by the Sun minutest humid bodies gluing together other minutest dry ones that we may learn out of these rude principles how Silk-worms and Spiders Webs and even Flesh it self is woven LESSON VII Of Clouds Rain Snovv and Hail 1. HItherto we have kept near the Earth But if the Sun drives the vapours higher they are gather'd into Clouds Now a Cloud is a swarm or heap of minutest bodies elevated by the Sun of such a crassitude thickness that like a solid body it either reflects or deads the Light 2. That 't is no solid body is plain both from the tops of high Mountains upon which it appears like a Mist and does not much wet those that goe into it as also from its generation and rising up in minutest bodies 3. And the reason is plain why they hang above namely because of the littlenesse of their parts as we see Dust thrown up staies a great while in the Aire Besides the motion of the Aire hinders their descending wherefore in a high wind we fear not the Rain which as soon as the wind is down presently falls 4. Now that which makes it fall is the forcing those little bodies into a straight place and therefore wind brings Rain because it thrusts the little drops one against another and makes them bigger 5. Besides the wind it self is often incorporated with the Vapour and by sticking to them makes those particles which before were too little now to be big enough and fit for descending as when a warm wind rushes against a cold vapour or contrariwise and therefore cold winds in the Summer and warm ones in the Winter chiefly bring Rain 6. But because those things that are rais'd out of the Earth ascend not onely from the Superficies but out of its very Bowells too through the pores nay they are expell'd and thrust out from the bottome of the Sea and the Earth under it the Sea-water forcing whatever is dissolved in the bottome lighter then it self to ascend And because there is a perpetuall vicissitude of Vapours bandy'd from the Poles to the Aequator and from the Aequator back again to the Poles these Consequents follow 7. That little particles are drawn up into the Aire and Clouds of all kinds of Earth clayey stony nitrous bituminous metallick whatever other sorts there are again of all sorts of Plants Trees Roots Animals all which being hurry'd up and down in the Clouds from one part to another are scattered and if any where they come to find a convenient receptacle and nourishment there such things or creatures are produc'd 8. But because some are apt to be form'd suddenly as Froggs easily grow out of Mud and 't is told by a man of credit that a certain Chymist in a quarter of an hour brought certain seeds to grow it happens sometimes such as these too rain out of the Clouds 9. So it rain'd Wheat some yeares since in the West of England or rather something like Wheat and the same I believe those other miraculous rains are to be accounted viz. that it rain'd not bloud but a red water something
still yielding and flying before it self it must needs turn again by the Shore-side drawing along with it the Vapours it finds yet not so constantly as under the Aequator because of the Shore-winds 3. Moreover eye-witnesses affirm that East-winds range for 27 degrees of Latitude from the Aequator on each side and West-winds the next ten and of Longitude in the Pacifick and Indian Sea about eleven thousand Italian miles and in the Ocean which leads to the new world from the Canaries to the Bay of Mexico about 70 degrees that is some four thousand more such miles so that if we allow the Aequator twenty one thousand miles these winds possesse thus almost three quarters on 't 4. Since therefore notwithstanding its calmnesse this wind carryes great ships eight miles an hour it must of necessity drive the waters themselves in the middle with great violence towards the West whence they must needs overflow upon the shores and return again from the shores to the middle and where they meet any shores withstanding their course to the West be reflected towards the East as also they must rush into all the Bayes and after a determinate time return again according to the winding of the shores the account of which time must be taken from the common Channell 5. We have found therefore an apparent cause why the Sea should fill the shores with its motion towards the East and West and empty them again with a constant course which we call the Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea That this proceeds from an extrinsecall cause not because the water moves lesse that is slowlyer then the Earth appears from hence that the Ebbing and flowing is discover'd in some places not very deep to extend not above six fathoms all the rest of the water is calm and like a Lake whereas if the Ebbing Flowing follow'd from the motion of the Earth it must alwayes be mov'd ununiformly from the bottō upwards without any sensible beginning of the contest of the Waters 6. Hence the reason may be given why the Flux proceeds from East to West back again in the open Sea why no swelling should be perceivable in the Mid-sea but only at the Shores The reason is because there are no marks by which we might take the height of the Sea for 't is found to swell there too if any Island occurre how far soever from any other Shore 7. Moreover why there should be a continuall Flux of the Sea observ'd towards the West viz. because this wind in the middle of the Sea perpetually drives the waves towards the West 8. Why too the Flux should be more vehement in one part then in another viz. from the abundance of waters flowing in and directed by other causes the same way as by Rivers or the repercussion of the Shores beating the greatest part of the floud together against some one shore 9. Also why there should be six hours Flood and as many Ebbe for since the wind proceeds from the Sun and the Sun enforces its activity upon one part for six hours and remit's it as many there must needs be the same generall Periods of its effects that is of the Sea's Motion 10. But since the Moon too may suffice to encrease the wind and the nearer 't is the Sun the more its power is conjoyned with the Sun 's the farther 't is from the Sun the larger and stronger its force is upon the Ocean who can doubt but the Flux must be encreased twice a Moneth 11. In like manner since the Sun is twice a year in the Aequator in which place as just in the middle it most vigorously rayses the wind every six moneths too the Flux must be more eminent but especially about Autumn because between the Tropick of Capricorn and the Aequator it rains mightily night and day for three moneths together after the Summer Solstice 12. But that the Flux returns every day about an hour later still 't is from hence because the Flux and reflux proceed from opposite causes whole forces before the victory must needs be but equall and by reason of their equality require a convenient time Whence allowing six hours for the flux and as many for the reflux each must be allowed its intervall which in the Thames if I well remember is little more then a quarter of an hour This space therefore thus four times repeated in one day makes somewhat more then an hour 13. Sometimes too the winds stop the Flood insomuch that without a Miracle the Flood has three times advanced and been beaten back in the Thames by the force of an opposite wind Lastly it appears why in some Seas there 's no mention of Flux as in the Red the Euxine the Meotis the Caspian and Baltick Seas ther 's the same reason for them all that they are but little Seas and have but narrow entrances that vast Rivers running into them their superficies is higher then the Ocean's that their current into the Ocean is so strong that the Sea especially the Mediterranean whose Flux is not very high upon the Grecian Shore is not able to repell it LESSON XIV Of the Motion of the Earth and the Causes of it 1. SInce therefore the upper part of the water is continually mov'd towards the West and as because the water in the middle runs one way that by the Shore-side must needs run backwards so also because the superiour water is hurry'd towards the West that which is next under it must needs be driven back to the East and whatever so adheres to it that there is no cause of separation that is which will easilyer be driven towards the East then be separated from the lower water 2. But one part of the lower water is not separable from another unlesse it either ascends into the place of that above it which another part supervening prevents and hinders or else unlesse it repells that which is Easternly to it and that again another and in the end the last the Shore that 's oppos'd against it which is incredible and impossible The whole body therefore with the Earth adhering to it must needs be driven towards the East unlesse there be some resistance stronger then the impulse 3. Whereof ther 's none in its gravity because that motion is not contrary to the motion of gravity and its bignesse even much facilitates the motion The Earth therefore will be mov'd in a Circle and turn round about its own Centre because this impulse is made in a Circle 4. Again because 't is almost impossible this impulse should be equall on all sides and cause a pure rotation about the Centre there will of necessity a Progressive motion be mixt with it 5. And since as a body cannot be but in one place so neither can it move but in one line all the motions which Astronomers assign the Earth must of necessity compose one line and if the lashing or impulse of the under-water advance the
Earth in that line 't will be an adequate cause of the motion of the Earth 6. Now Astronomers teach that the Earth continually turning about its own Centre runs under the Zodiack its Axis retaining a certain inclination to the Axis of the Zodiack wherefore when we have found out a line in which the Earth being thrust on will observe this motion the Flux must be imagin'd to move the Earth according to that 7. Astronomers prove these motions of the Earth because otherwise greater motions of greater bodies must be suppos'd and those neither themselves constant nor proportion'd to the bodies and besides more entangled both in the Stars and in the Sun it self as is apparent by its Spots Which if you say make not up a perfect Astronomicall Demonstration that Maxime must be renounc'd upon which all Astronomy depends viz. that the Phenomena or appearances are to be solv'd the best way we can 8. Again because there follows a variety in the fixed stars from the diversity of the Earth's position in its Orbis Magnus when there 's once found out a Telescope of such perfection as to be able to distinguish that variety we may expect a Geometricall Demonstration and because for the same reason there must needs be a variety of reflection from Mars and Iupiter when the laws rules of light shall be better known there will not want a Physicall Demonstration LESSON XV. Of the Oppositions against the Motion of the Earth and of its effects 1. AStronomers object that this annuall transferring of the Earth would cause a diversity of elevation in those Stars which are near the Poles and a variety in the appearing bignesse of those in the Zodiack which since we see not follow neither is there any such thing as this Annuall motion of the Earth 2. 'T is answer'd The vast remoteness of the Fixed Stars renders such variations imperceptible and that their distance from us is sufficient to produce this effect may be collected from the effect it has upon a Telescope which though it amplifies so much the Planets and even Saturn himself yet adds nothing or an insensible matter to the Fixed Stars 3. Out of this motion of the Earth rises First the reason of Night and Day for since in a determinate time 't is roul'd about its Centre suppose in about 24 hours the things that are in the Heavens must needs appear sometimes and otherwhile disappear to a determin'd place of the Earth and such a variety in respect of the Sun makes Day and Night in respect of the other Stars a variety not own'd by any common name 4. Again by its motion under the Zodiack it attains various conjunctions with the other Planets 5. Lastly in that it carries its Axis turning still towards the same parts of the Heavens it comes to passe that the part of the Earth enlightned by the Sun possesses sometimes greater sometimes lesser parts of the Parallells according to which the Diurnall motion proceeds and consequently that the dayes are longer and shorter 6. Thence too is it that the Sun becomes more perpendicular at one time then another whence the natures of Winter and Summer are deduc'd and the varieties of Declinations Descensions and Twilights 7. But that the Winter is shorter then the Summer proceeds from this that the Motion through the inequality of the bodies rais'd up in the Winter time is swifter then in the Summer 8. An effect too of the Motion of the Earth is the carrying of the water about with it but not the Tyde First because if the Earth should stand still the water would stand still withall since as we have said above ther 's no impetus but from the gravity and such there would be none in the present case 9. Again ther 's no cause of the unequall motion of the water since ther 's the same quality continually in the movable and not by skips 10. Again if the whole water of the Sea were so mov'd 't would drown the Mountains Lastly the periods of the Earth's motion do not agree with those of the Tyde 's 11. But that the Flux depends on an extrinsecall Agent which impells only the Superficies of the Sea is most evident by the experiment of a late Diver that discovers ther 's no Flux in the bottom of the Sea LESSON XVI Of the Motion of the Aire vvith the Earth and its effects 1. OUt of what has been said 't is manifestly inferr'd that the Aire which clings to the Earth is roul'd in the same manner about or rather with the Earth For since both by the nature of Quantity and the weight of its gravity it presses towards the Earth and sticks to and incorporates with it it cannot without some greater force interposing be separated from it Since therefore in it ther 's no resistance against Motion and onely a resistance against being torn away from the Aire next it which takes another course and this resistance is not greater then that against being torn off from the Aire below and perhaps not so great since Aire is so much the lighter the higher it is T is evident it will follow the Earth Wherefore to the very confines of the emanations of some Star that has a different Motion the whole Aire will be roul'd about with the Earth 2. And experience also proves it for else the twilight vapours Comets and Birds above the highest Mountains would seem hurryed extream swiftly towards the West Again 't is plain those Clouds of dust which we call the Sun's spots fly along with the Sun and that the same way as appears because the bright parts are burned still the same way notwithstanding they are judged to be a hundred miles distant from the Sun The vapours too of the Moon are found to be carried about with the Moon 3. From this Motion of the Aire it follows that bodies in the Aire it self are so moved in respect to the parts of the Aire and the Earth as if there were no Motion at all in neither they being carried still along together with the Aire it self as one in a Ship under saile with a constant wind exercises the same Motions and with the same facility in the Ship as he could do if she stood still 4. Wherefore Arrows shot just upright will fall in the very same place or shot towards the East they 'l fly no farther then if shot towards the West The Motion of the Earth will raise no wind c. This too will be certain that the Aire cannot be carry'd lesse then the Earth as one that sits in a Coach cannot rid lesse ground then the Coach it self 5. Nor can all these be made good by an impetus conceiv'd upon the Earth and remaining in the Movable after its separation from the Earth for neither could Birds retain that impetus for many hours together at least without any notable diminution and lesse could little bodies for many dayes nor could that impetus carry an
illuminated from our Sun the Earth alone is carry'd under the Ecliptick that is through the middle of the very Zodiack to whose course the rest seem to yield and give place 4. In the middle between the generation of Plants and Animals the Celestiall bodies are reck'ned because they are compacted of the crassest evaporations and therefore ought not to be counted 'till the Earth had already shew'd it self wherewith the generation of Plants was conjoyn'd but before Animals because they are not animated themselves but are only for animated things And because they are adventitious to the Earth as helps before that Animals were created but especially Man for whom the Earth was chiefly made who yet is but a kind of Animal and therefore ought to be generated together with the rest 't was necessary a habitation should be prepar'd and consequently furnisht with lights 5. From the same order 't is deduc'd that Plants are not said to be animated or living in the same sense as Animals Since Animals have in themselves the principle of their encreasing but Plants are fill'd from without from the order of the Universe 6. Now three things are to be remark'd concerning the explicated Texts First that God saw all things good besides the Firmament and Man the reason whereof is for the Firmament that it had only the notion of a Place and the Stars not being yet created remain'd imperfect whereas the name of good signifies perfection but Man was the complement of all and therefore not in any speciall regard but looking upon the whole he 's comprehended in this that all things were very good 7. The second is Why God of all others should name Day and Night the Firmament the Land and Seas and lastly Man but none of the rest The reason is because of those things that are made some belong to the Universe as formall parts that is without which 't is no longer a Vniverse others as materiall parts which may be chang'd without the destruction of the Universe the first God nam'd that is fixt and establisht their nature the rest he omitted as mutable 8. The third is Why God bless'd only the Fishes Birds and Man and not the Plants nor Animals The reason is because the blessing was to fill the Earth and the Sea and if he had commanded the Trees or Animals to fill the Earth there had been no room for Man These therefore were to encrease to such a degree only whence otherwhere God said to his People that by little and little he would destroy their Enemies least the Beasts should be multiply'd against them and 't is a saying too amongst us concerning domestick Animals that 'T is a good land which nourishes more Men then Beasts But because the Sea was not the habitation of Men 't was said to Fishes that they should multiply without any other measure then that of the Sea it self and the same reason is of Birds in the Aire 9. Farther we have the reason why the Creation of the World was distinguisht by Days For since all these works were perfected by means of fire or the Sun's heat and that not in one Quarter only but over the whole globe of the Earth by consequence the whole Orbe of the Earth was intirely turn'd to the Light whilst every thing was made now we call a Day an entire conversion of the Earth to the Sun 10. It appears too that these days were unequall For since the Globe which was to be turn'd at the beginning was vast for Water and Earth were created of such a bulk that all the Stars might be made out of them 't is plain it was a mighty Masse and not to be entirely converted to the light under a long time 11. The first three days therefore were very long and the following still shorter then the former but the later three were shorter and like ours or little longer so that an Animal at least in three of those days might be brought to a congruous bignesse a Fish in two but the Plants even before the Earth was altogether dry'd already sprung up 12. But 't was necessary that those things which could not be produc'd at the same time and together should be made in severall days wherefore three days were assign'd for constituting the orbe other three for its adorning and for establishing the Firmament viz. that vehement sucking out and elevating of the vapours the second day the first having been spent in acquiring as it were velocity but the third day finisht the work that we might look upon these three days as it were the beginning middle and end 13. In like manner because some space was to be allow'd for breeding the Fish the first day is assign'd to the Stars in which whatever was to be wrought at least in respect to us requir'd nothing but their being show'n in the Firmament which is perfected in once turning about And because the procreation of the Water is more abundant and quick then that of the Earth the generation of Fishes is plac'd between that of the Stars and Animals And thus the necessity of twice three days is resolv'd CHAP. VIII A naturall Discourse of the Creation of MAN 1. BUt because all these things consisted in Motion nor could sustain the proper notion of an end 't was necessary a Creature should be made which should so transcend and grow above Motion as that yet its beginning should be in motion which because according to its form it exceeded Motion and Matter a pure and as it were casuall heap of Physicall indivisibles and a Mixtion otherwise then particularly artificiall could not frame 2. A Body therefore by Angelicall hands was form'd which God alone beyond the power of Angels could effectively Animate and so by their joynt-labour MAN was made with that capacity of Body and particularly of Brain which should be most fit to polish his life conformably to Nature according to the conditions of the Time wherein he was set 3. In a little while therefore beholding all kind of Plants as also of Animals and Birds he learnt the nature of things but when he would have told his thoughts in words there was nothing among them all which could apprehend or answer him Falling asleep therefore with much sollicitude God made a WOMAN to spring out of his side To whom at first sight the Man joynd himself with extreme love and taught her which fruits were wholesome which noxious and unwholesome 4. She believing her Husband but not knowing her self as he did being overcome with the deliciousnesse of a certain fruit provocative to Lust both eat her self gave it to her too-uxorious husband Whereupon being out of countenance with the swelling of their naturall parts rais'd without their consent they sought for coverings 5. Mean time by the command of God the Sun raising the Wind and the Flux of the Sea turn'd the Earth aside which before had its Axes direct and even with those of the Ecliptick and spoil'd
whereof largely above Consisting therefore is refer'd to both though it be construed with the later 3. It saies then that the old world was overflow'd by these two waters whence 't is evident those are distinct waters which are here call'd the Cataracts of heaven from those call'd the fountains of the great abysse Now we find no more about Heaven after the Fourth Day but that a vapour ascended from the Earth to water the universall face of the Earth and that the Earth was cover'd with a Mist and as much concerning the Sea Iob speaking in the person of God when I put it on a Cloud for its vestment wrapt it in darknesse as in the cloaths of Infancy For these signifie that the Aire was thick and misty there sweating by the Suns force as it were a perpetuall watry humour out of the Earth whose thinner parts were of necessity continually rais'd up into Clouds which could not fall for a time whilst the Aire quite up to them was thick and as heavy as they but after the Earth being dry'd the Aire between the Earth and the Clouds became it self too more dry and subtile the terrestriall humidity being spent then at length with a mighty vehemence the long-treasur'd-up waters in the clouds descended in such abundance that the Fountains which broke out from the more eminent parts of the Earth were so over-charg'd they slit their channels and with open Torrents roul'd into the Rivers and they oreflowing their banks all at once into the Sea Thus therefore by the waters whereof the former Heavens consisted that is the midst between the Earth and the Stars and by which the Earth consisted viz. which lay hid in its bowels the whole Earth was o'reflow'd in the time of Noe. 4. And the History tells that the waters rose fifteen Cubits above the tops of the Mountains now 't is not incredible that some Men were so tall so that this quantity of water was altogether necessary nay if there had been strong Trees upon the highest Mountains which could have resisted the water this proportion of water had been lesse then needed 5. For since after the Deluge Og may seem to have been nine Cubits high before the Deluge 't is credible enough there were some near fifteen Though to perswade one's self there were ever Men of that vastness which is attributed to the Cyclops and certain Reliques found in the New World there needs a great faith for these stories depend on uncertain memories or on conjectures of Men talking according to likely-hood of old Bones 6. But to return to the abundance of the waters The severer Mathematicians now adaies do not believe any Mountain to be higher perpendicularly then one Italian mile nor need we believe the Mountains before the Floud were so high as they are now the vallies are hollowed deeper with continuall Rains If therefore fifteen Cubits be abated from the highest Mountains make account the water rose a Mile perpendicular about the Earth 7. Whence 't will be deduc'd that about an equall proportion of water out of the Clouds and out of the bowels of the Earth concurr'd to the Deluge for if a Pail set in the open Aire in a very violent rain will be fill'd a cubits height in an hour in fourty daies and fourty nights a continuall and vehement rain from all parts of the Heavens would o'reflow the whole Earth little lesse then a thousand Cubits high as much therefore or more water was to be strein'd out of the Earth that the Floud might rise to a thousand Paces high 8. Which to render credible reflect upon the artifice of Husbandmen not unusuall amongst us by which they draw some feets depth of water over their barrener grounds with the weight whereof the superficies of the Earth being loaded is press'd down constipated with the lower Earth so fills those hollownesses into which the Air 's entrance caus'd the barrennesse whereupon they are rendred fruitfull From which experiment 't is evident that a huge weight of water brought upon the Earth must compresse it strein out the water which was hid in it and represse its swelling and consequently constipate the Earth and force it into a lesser Circle Since therefore the power of the Deluge may easily be believ'd to have extended it self three miles perpendicular within the Earth for the Sea is judg'd so deep now in the deepest parts let the Earth but have contracted it self one sixth part of those three miles and you have water press'd out of its own bowels to cover it five hundred paces round about We have therefore a fit proportion of water for so great an effect if we can contrive whence so much water may have ascended into the Clouds 9. But if the little lesse then two thousand years space be reflected on in which the Sun rais'd up perpetuall vapours to the very Sphear of the Moon and perhaps higher and kept them there by reason of the continuall thicknesse of that Aire between the Earth and Heaven It will be easily credible that there were Clouds amass'd together enough to pour down fourty daies and nights violent Rain which we have said is sufficient for the effect CHAP. XVII Of the Cessation of the Deluge out of the same 1 THe inspired Writer prosecutes the abatement of the water which he divides into four parts to the resting of the Ark upon the mountains of Armenia a hundred and ten daies thence 'till the appearing of the mountains tops about seventy daies from those to the time when the superficies of the Earth shew'd it self and from thence to the intire drynesse almost as many daies as in he first part divided almost equally 2. The causes of so unequall decrease are two deduc'd from the letter a Wind which God rais'd and a motion of the water proceeding from the Wind. As for the Wind 't is clear when the Sun began now to shine bright the Clouds being dispers'd and there was nothing but water upon which it might act there could no other wind be rais'd then such as even now we experience in that vast Clime of the Pacifick and Atlantick Seas though we must needs think 't was far more both vehement and ample when there were no Shores at all whence Contrary winds might blow and contract its bounds 3. The first part therefore of the abatement was made by this Wind through the mediation of the Sun which turn'd the Waters into Wind and the Wind now dry'd dry'd the waters by adhesion as we see it does Linnen cloaths by carrying away with it the watry parts 4. And the Ark is believed to have rested upon the highest Mountain in those parts The Hebrews say that it sunk twelve Cubits into the water still therefore by this account the water was twelve Cubits above the neighbouring Mountains but these Cubits by reason of the former contraction of the Sphear of the waters were lesse in proportion then those whereof there were fifteen
before above the highest Mountains as also then those which the water had abated from the top of the highest Mountain to the top of that upon which the Ark rested wherefore to these Cubits about seventy daies are assign'd 5. From the discovery of the Mountain-tops to the appearing of the Earths superficies about fifty five daies more are counted both because every day the Sphear became more contracted and the Sun more ardent through the reflection from the higher parts of the Earth as also because the motion of the water now concurr'd whereof the divine Book says nothing but and the waters return'd from the Earth going and coming and again but the waters went and decreased There can be no doubt but this motion of the waters since it proceeded from the Wind which rose from the Sun follow'd principally Its course that is was from East to West and consequently that the water is said to have gone and come because the water which was mov'd under the Aequator farther off from the Aequator return'd by the force of gravity because the water was lower in those parts out of which it had been expuls'd by the Wind And this 'till the mountain tops appear'd was regular but afterwards by incountring the mountains and higher parts of the Earth this course of the water at least in those parts was interrupted 6. Whence ther 's no farther mention of it though its effect towards drying up the water began then to be greatest For by this flux of the water the Earth by degrees was heap'd up towards the mountains and there was a more ample Channell dig'd for the waters especially in that part which was to remain cover'd with them Whence the fourth book of Esdras witnesses that at the Creation of the World there remain'd only a seventh part cover'd with waters but now Cosmographers will have the Superficies to be half Sea 7. Moreover by this agitation if any Cave remain'd empty within the Earth there was a passage opened to it for the waters Whence it appears what became of such a mighty bulk of water for no little part of it was consum'd by the Sun in Wind and to condense the upper Aire to that proportion which was convenient for the nature of things another part was swallow'd up into the cavities of the Earth the rest having dig'd it self a vast Channell remain'd in that part of the Earth which we now call Sea 8. But I must not passe over this place without advising that the Cause of the flux and reflux of the Sea is clearly taught to proceed from the Wind as 't is explicated in Physicks the Scripture straight adding and the waters return'd from the Earth going and coming immediately after the bringing the Spirit upon the Earth But some may object that during the fourty daies rain there was no such wind and consequently no Flux of the Sea neither and because the Diurnall motion follows from that neither can there have been Daies and Nights 9. 'T is answer'd Such vast Clouds and Rain could not happen without Tempests and consequently since this Rain was regular a regular Wind too accompany'd it and this according to the course of the Sun since the greatest heat is not to be expected but under the Sun The Wind therefore was more vehement those fourty daies to roul about such a Masse of waters whence the equality of daies and nights may have been preserv'd either wholly or very near 'T is a sign too of a Wind that the Ark is said to be carry'd upon the waters and to have rested upon a Mountain whereas 't was made in a Vally 10. The sacred Historian seems to add two other causes of the decrease of the waters viz. the shutting up of the Fountains of the Abysse and of the Cataracts of Heaven or the prohibition of Rain from Heaven But this later cause is clearly an effect of the wind 's being calm'd and of the Clouds being all spent as already fallen down upon the Earth And the former is an effect of the drying of the Mountains for because the Mountains were dry'd vapours began to ascend into their tops which flow'd out in little channells and rivulets as before the Deluge whence it appears that their reading too who interpret it the fountains of the Abysse were reveal'd comes to the same thing CHAP. XVIII Of the Covenant made vvith NOE after the Floud out of the same 1. AT length Noe and his family being gone out of the Ark God made a Covenant with them that he would overwhelm the Earth no more with waters and plac'd for a sign of the Covenant His Bow in the Clouds And that the Rainbow is indeed a sign there shall be no Deluge at that time is evident from hence that unlesse the Sun shine otherwhere there appears no Rainbow 't is clear therefore that there is not enough Rain in the Clouds to o'rewhelm the Earth 2. But since these words were said to Noe who had already liv'd six hundred years if he had beheld the Rainbow so many years and afterwards experienc'd the Floud he could not but have wondred it should import such a signification We must say therefore that without doubt the Rainbow was never us'd to be seen before the Floud nor is it hard to render a reason on 't out of what has been said 3. For since Naturalists tell us a Rainbow is made out of a double or triple reflection or refraction of light in every drop of a light show'ry cloud whence proceeds this variety of colours and light so weak and scattered or the foresaid colours cannot reach our Eyes at such a distance unlesse the Aire be very clear and pure and through the humidity of the Earth joyn'd with heat a thick Aire inveloped the Earth all that time 'T was absolutely impossible a Rainbow should be seen 4. Besides it seems that for all the later years a great masse of Clouds must needs have so cover'd the face of the Heavens that the Sun was rather felt then seen as we find 't is for whole weeks sometimes together in Winter in those Northern Countries which yet are not excessively cold No wonder therefore the Rainbow had not shew'd it self before the Floud 5. Next 't is to be observ'd how God contracted the Age of men and with what he requited it Now 't is evident that the Earth by means of the Deluge became far colder and dryer That 't was colder after such a Masse of waters so long not only covering and compressing it but penetrating into its very bowells any one will believe 6. But that water should dry will perhaps hardlyer rellish but if we consider that sodden things are rendred dry through the extraction of their naturall moisture when they are too much boil'd if we reflect that Trees are thrown by Timber-men into water least their native moisture should exuberate into rottennesse and worms and after a convenient time they are taken out again dryer then at first