Planets in their mean motions with the distance of the four Elements from the Earth's centre THe Firmament or 8. Sphere in which the fixed Stars are placed is affirm'd by Astronomers to be in distance from the Worlds centre the Earths diameter 9327 times from the Terrestial Globes superficies 18653 semi-diameters the distance from us in miles 65285 500 the least Star in this Sphere is conceived greater than the Globe compos'd of Earth and Water and that all the Stars of the first magnitude are 100. times as great in relation to their Cubes Under the starry Firmament there are imagined 7. peculiar Spheres involv'd within one another on these the ancient Astronomers did fancy little circles called Epicycles whose centres were in the superficies of those Orbs in whose circumferences they plac'd the centre of each Planet according to its proper Sphere thereby to solve the irregular motion of each wandring Star in their various courses and excentrick motions that point which is most remote from the centre of the Earth is called Apogaeon the lowest Perigaeon the difference between them is termed the mean motion the Planet being then on the superficies of his own Sphere Saturn the highest of all the Planets in his mean motion is in distance from the superficies of the Earrh 10358 1 10 Semidiameters in proportion to it as 31 to 11. being greater than the Terrestrial Globe 22 3 10 according to cubical numeration and is in distance above us in our Hemisphere 36153318 Miles this later age by Telescopes hath discovered 2 Stars that attend him interposing themselves sometimes betwixt him and us Jupiter in his mean motion is in distance from the Earth 3917 4 10 semi-diametrs and is in proportion to it as 12 to 5. and greater than the Terrestrial Globe according to the Cubes made of their diameters 13 8 10 and in distance from us 13711090 he hath 4 Stars discovered that make a progress with him through the 12 Signes but keep no equal distance and do often interpose themselves and us Mars in his mean motion is above the Earth 1713 2 10 semi-diameters and is in distance from the superficies of the terrestrial Globe 5996200 Miles and according to Tycho Brahe the Cube made of his Diameter is less then that of the Earth 13 times and a little more Sol in his Apogaeon is from the superficies of the Earth 1169 semi-diameters in his Perigaeon 1089 and consequently in his mean motion 1129 and according to his Cube 139 times greater then the cube made of the terrestrial Globes diameter and is in distance from the Earths superficies 3951500 Miles Venus is in proportion unto the terrestrial Globe as 6 to 11. and she is lesser then the globe of Earth 6â— 1 1 times and in her mean motion is in distance from thence so much as the Sun is or very neer Mertury is held less then the terrestrial Globe 19 times very neer and in his mean motion hath the same distance allowed him almost as the Sun hath in his mean motion Luna in her mean motion is in distance from the Earth's superficies 58 9 10 semi-diameters in Miles 206050 and the cube made of the terrestrial Globes diameter will contain that made of the Moon 's 42 8 10 the proportion being as 2 is unto 7 and so much greater is the Globe of Earth then that of the Moon Vnder the Moon 's Sphere is the Element of Fire conceived for to be in thickness 154050 Miles whose concave or neerest distance from the superficies of the Earth and Water is conjectured 52000 Miles and from the center 55500 Miles The upper Region of the Air being next unto the Element of Fire is suppos'd to contain in thickness 51994 Miles and the concave of it in distance from the superficies of the Earth 6 Miles the Middle Region 4 Miles and the lowest two Miles which is the distance from the Earth to the highest watery clouds and this is the Region of Air in which we mortals draw our vital breath in The two lowest Elements do make one Globe consisting of Earth and Water whose Diameter is 7000 Miles and the whole circumference 22000 Miles and according to this proportion 61 1 9 miles upon this Globe will answer unto one degree in the Heavens but expect no exactness in the dimensions Here I could have shown you a great assembly of various opinions but not assisted with any convincing Reasons or grounded upon undeniable demonstrations as in the magnitudes and distances of the Stars most supposing them for to be in a further distance from the Earth and of greater magnitudes in which proportions I have followed Tycho Brahe but not altogether in their heights Some deny these several Spheres and the motions called Accessus and Recessus others will have them moved by Angelical powers and this opinion is assisted by the great Doctor and light of the Catholike Church St. Augustine lib. 83. p. 74. saying Every visible thing in this World is under the charge of an Angelical power And so writeth St. Jerome cap. 28. On Ezech. That there is an Element of Fire some reject others do affir it but deny that either the Fire or the Air have any morion with the Heavens from East to West Aristoile affirms the Air to be naturally of a hot quality the Stoiks and Cardanus do think it cold Turnebius neither but apt for either heat or cold The common received opinion is that the upper Region of the Air is naturally hot and dry the second cold and moist the lowest Region temperate according unto the place and Season of the year but generally the whole Element of Air is thought to be hot and moist Now as for the two lower Elements Earth and Water as united together they do make one Globe and this assertion generally ratified and unanimously consented unto by the ablest men in all Ages yet something in approbation of this shall be said hereafter But as for the greatness of this Globe it is doubted of by many although not with such dissonant and diversity of opinions as for the magnitude and height of the Spheres and the other two Elements for some do seem to prove by Eclypses of the Sun and Moon and voyages at Sea what part or how many leagues or miles upon this Globe will answer unto one degree of the Heavens the common opinion is 20 leagues or 60 miles and by this account the terrestrial Globe is in compass 21600 miles Ptolemaeus accounts 500 Stadiums for 1 degree that is 22500 miles if the Stadium in Egypt did not exceed that in Italy others will have it 66 miles allowed for one degree and in compass then 23760 miles but I have in this allowed for the whole circumference of the Earth 22000 miles Thus numerous are the opinions of learned Philosophers Geometritians Astronomers Geographers Cosmographers and Navigators and their ways so ambiguous seldome agreeing in any thing often crossing one another that if there
this the highest hill that was then known and so writeth Pliny lib. 1. cap. 65. but in the same Chapter he falls into a great absurdity conceiving the Alpes to be 50 miles high Eratosthenes a famous Geometrician found the perpendicular of mount Atlas not to exceed 10 Stadiums a small proportion in respect of the Globes rotundity And that the superficies of the Water is also round it doth evidently appear by every little bubble or drop of water falling from any place or lying upon some dust it will immediately contract into a spherical or round form whereby to preserve it self from drought this naturally and voluntarily doing so argues the roundness and form of the whole Element whose parts they are the ☽ eclipst demonstrates the Earth's rotundity and let this suffice as not requisite in this Treatise conducing to our purpose The concord and disagreement of the four Elements THis Globe composed of Earth and Water is suspended in the center of the Heavens equidistant on every side counterpoised with its own weight circumvolved with the Element of Air and that within the Fire these 4 Elements have naturally a peculiar quality in themselves participating with some and contrary to others as the Fire in hot the Air most the Water cold and the Earth dry in this the Fire and Water be naturally opposite as heat and cold the Air and Earth be in opposition as wet and drought these 4 Elements do also participate of one anothers qualities as thus the Fire is of nature hot and dry the Air hot and moist the Water cold and moist the Earth cold and dry So the Air agrees with the Fire in respect of heat and with the Water in respect of moisture The other medium is the Water in combination with the Air in moisture and in coldness with the Earth the two extreams as Earth with Water in respect of coldness and agreeing with the Fire in dryness By the commixtion of these 4 Elements all bodies are ingendred and by their mutual affininities do subsist and if any one predominates or be defective it turns the other 3 into discord and if not in time united it subverts the frame and destroys for want of concord what it should preserve in peace for if the Fire prevails it burns and turns to Feavers and if defective the heat of the Air being equally opposed with the cold of the Water moisture in them both predominates equalled with the drought of the Earth So that the cold then onely rules with which nothing can live The nature and temperature of the 4 Seasons THe 4 Seasons of the year are compared to the four Ages in every Man and his complexion or constitution unto the four Elements and first the Spring is compared to Infancy being Airy hot and moist 2. Summer to youth as being Fiery hot and dry grown to full perfection of strength and vigour of body every part and member ripe 3. Autumne is likened to elder Age the body and strength in Man declining being Watery cold and moist his beauty withering 4. Winter resembling old and decrepit Age being cold and dry But some do suppose the 4 Seasons of the year to be in opposition one unto another for what one Season does produce the contrary will destroy And so they conceive as the Spring is hot and moist that Autumne is cold and dry and as the Summer is naturally hot and dry so Winter is opposite unto it being cold and moist But these Seasons vary as the Climates doe The Complexions in Man are these 1 Choler like Fire hot and dry 2 Sanguine Air hot and moist 3 Phlegme Water cold and moist 4 Melancholy Earth cold and dry THus one does qualifie and allay the violence of the other but yet you must conceive they are not equally commixt in every Man Beast or vegetable Creature but all differing and every member or part participating much more of one then of another as the vital Spirit of Fare the Flesh of the Air the Humidity of the Water and the Bones in more affinity with the Earth yet these compositions not alike infused as you may see in the diversity of Spirits and conditions of Men by the agility of some Beasts and the slownesse of some others the mildnesse of one creature and the fury of another as the servile Asse dull and slow Horses valiant and nimble Lions indomitable always raging as with a perpetual feaver inflamed with choler And so it is in all other Creatures differing in their temperatures both in their several kinds and species and the like we see in Vegetables and Minerals in their compositions yet participating in all four of the Elements but in some of them more then in others As in Plants the roots are most Earthly their leaves in affinity with the Water their Blossoms do participate of the Air and their seeds of the Fire for without heat nothing can be produc'd all Stones do generally partake most of the Earth yet there be exceptions as Flint-stones and Thunderbolts are of a fiery quality Crystal and Pearls of a Watry and in others the Air and Water most predominates as the Pumice-stone made of the froth of the Sea and flotes upon it being exceedingly light which argues it participates but little of Earth and lesse of Fire from whence the old Adagie is derived To strike fire out of a Pumice-stone is to expect an impossibility in Nature But this discourse here is not in season and so let us return The 4 Seasons EVery one of the four Seasons is conceived to be qualified with the Signs as they are commixt with their several temperatures called the triplicity three Signs being in every Season as we have said already but for your more ease I will place it here again but not intending to induce or perswade any for to believe that which I do not confidently credit my self as that their natural tempâ—ratures are known yet I doubt nor but that the Stars by their aspects and influences are causes of distemperatures and alters the Air and all sublunary bodies Yet by what means it is not certainly demonstrated unto Reason being but extracted from bare effects where doubtful Experience is only Mistris For if it were a truth that the nature and temperature of them were discovered to man we could not egregiously err so often as we doe besides the aspects being general the effects would be so too the Climate considered but this is quite otherwise when the weather will alter in a little space or few miles and there may be at one time in four neer adjacent places Rain Snow Hail and fair weather yet to satisfie some Experience having thus delivered it I will neither approve nor quite reject it but leave it indifferent to every ones judgement as they please to peruse or omit it And here I will subject to your view the Signs Temperatures Complexions and Natures of the four Seasons observed by many The sympathy of the twelve Signs
descension is said of any Star that sets with the ☉ as the little Dog-star the 5. day of June but this is also said of any Star that sets in the night time The Heliacal rising of any Star is to be understood of those that have been obscured with the Sun-beams and the Sun moving according to the succession of the signs the Star begins again to appear at his rising a little before the Sun as you may see in the Latitude of 52. g 0. And on the seventh of August the Lions heart quite obscured and a few days after will be seen to rise before the Sun and the Heliacal setting is any Star that is seen presently after the Sun setting and a few days after will be quite obscured with the glory of his beams as the 28. of August you may behold Spica Virginis in the West and in a few days after offuscated with the resplendent radius of the Sun his proper motion being East-ward This I do desire may satisfie most courteous Reader as an abstract of the world and if further satisfaction be desired vouchsafe to look over my books of Astronomy and for the better recording in your memory the apparition and occultation of the Stars accept of these verses though from a rude Minerva Ascention Cosmicall as Poets say Are Stars that rise with Sol or in the day Those asterismes Acronycall they call That in the night do either rise or fall And those Heliacall Astraea says Whom Phoebus does offuscate with his rays AN INTRODUCTION TO THE Second Part of Meteors AS for the word Meteors it signifies an apparition in the Air as taken in the common or usual sense or high and lifted up but in general there are two sorts one risen from Vapours and Exhalations termed by the Philosophers imperfect mixt bodies by reason they are easily reduced into their first nature or proper Element as Hail or Snow quickly resolving into Water and all those which are accounted perfectly mixt are thunder bolts c. and the reason they do give is because that such as these will not so soon be converted into their first Elements from whence they were extracted or derived the material cause of all are hot and moist vapours or hot and dry exhalations from Water and Earth the efficient cause under God is from the fixed and wandering Stars by vertue of whose beams a light rarifi'd substance is extracted from gross and heavy bodies as vapours from water and exhalations from Earth their qualities are heat and moisture which causeth diversity of effects especially in those lesse perfectly mixt which are the subjects now intended Vapours do consist of the four Elements but the substance water as the steam of a boyling Pot which hangs like a dew upon the lid or cover over it And Exhalations are commonly like smoak of nature hot and dry as you may behold in a Summers day to offuscate the Air or make it seem dusky with the ascending of thin sumes and after this comes usually thunder which shews from whence these exhalations were extracted for out of Fire and Air only no Meteor can consist as wanting matter the Fire of it self as being an Element is so subtile that it cannot be purified whereas all exhalations and vapours must be refined and consequently extracted from some grosser body for the Air if much rarified would turn to Fire as you may see in violent and circular motions of wheels or such like things that are set on fire by rarification of the Air where the matter is dry and combustible and when the Air becomes grosse it turns to Water as you may see by your breath in the winter time or the Air inclosed in vaults or other hollow places will quickly be condensed by opposition of the outward Air or coldnesse of the place especially against rainy weather but lot us now ascend to unmask some other doubtful quaeries The places where Meteors are generated is generally held for to be in all or any Region of the Air which are three viz. the upper from the Element of Fire to the clouds the middle Region containing the clouds the lowest from the clouds unto the Earth but Tycho Brahe with some others do conceive the Element of Air for to be delated up into the Firmament or fixed Stars but that above the Element of Fire to be of a Celestial nature differing from the inferiour Air and their reasons are derived from the height of Comets observed not only above the Element of Fire but with the Planets and some higher then the Sphere of Saturn even with the fixed Stars as the new Star in Cassiopaeia which was seen and the height taken by Ticho himself in the year of the World's Redeemer 1572 without parallax The proof of the altitude of Comets is deduced from their Parallaxes that is the difference between the true and apparant height of any blazing Star being observed from the superficies of the terrestrial Globe and not from the center of the Heavens and this difference is discovered several ways First as by observing some noted and fixed Stars ascending the Horizon with it or presently before or after and if they do keep the same distance or neer unto it that Comet must needs be very high or by several observations made in other Countries for if neer the Firmament those fixed Stars will appear with it in all Hemispheres alike But if the distance between them varies and in a small distance of place or time it argues those blazing Stars are very low And thus the Parallaxis of any thing visible under the Firmament will be found greater or lesser according to the height of it As the Star in Cassiopaeia appearing in the year of Grace 1972. differing but little or nothing in the Parallax or the observations made by divers Astronomers in several Countries in the year of the Virgin 's being a 1585 there was a Comes appeared in the Sphere betwixt Saturn and Jupiter and an other in the year of the Incarnation of the Son of God 1618. between Jupiter and Mars Aristotle with Regiomontanus and many others of his followers do affirm all Comets to be sublunary and this their Schollars do alledge that if the Astronomical hypotheses be true the Star in Cossiopaeia was greater then the fixed Stars of the first magnitude and consequently by their own demonstrations bigger then the whole Globe of Earth and Water above 100. times and a greater body cannot be extracted from a lesse from whence then say they could the matter be drawn or exhaled to feed so great a light for the space of a year and four months but to this Galilaeus answers that the highest Sky under the Firmament hath matter in it for the generation of these blazing Stars Licetus to defend the height of Comets doth argue that the Sky hath hard condensed knots in it made and enlightned by the rays both of the fixed and wandring Stars Gemma Phrysius did diligently observe in
Air and out of the inferior part of the lower Region For it is generally conceived the rain that falls from the middle Region descends in little orbs whereby to preserve it self and resist the violence of the Air through which it passeth and becomes small by reason of the distance and time in falling for the Hall does demonstrate both the bignesse and rotundity of the drops which from humide exhalations drawn up unto the middle Region and there converted into water and immediately as the drops do distill down they are contracted into Ice by the Airs coldnesse in that part which is called Hail derived from the high Dutch Hagell opparadventure from the Hebrew Egell which signifies congealed drops In the Winter season it is seldome observed to Hail by reason the cold in the middle Region is more remisse then in warm weather and in Sommer-time it is also rare upon any very hot day because the heat of the lower Region will not permit it for to pass without dissolving of it before it comes unto the Earth but frequently in the Spring and Autumn the heat being then sufficient to elevate the matter and yet not so violent as to dissolve it in the fall yet sometimes it happens that great Hail-stones are precipitated at Mid-Sommer or in very hot seasons and are then the greater if the matter be sufficient by how much the more it is opposed by the lower Region made hot by reflection of the Sun for in all times of the year you may find if observed more and greater storms of Hail to fall in the day time then in the night And some do conceive that there is a fiery nature included in them besides the heat of that subtile vapour which made it to ascend that middle Region for by contraries it is undoubtedly congealed as you may see in Salt which is hot and dry to be made of water whose natural temperature is directly opposite being cold and moist in open weather or by the fire-side or in sommer-Sommer-time take a little Salt and mix some Snow with it stir them together till they do incorporate and they will contract themselves into Ice which is done by Antiperistasis or repulsion on every part as the middle Region of the Air is cold and these frigide Meteors are ingenerated there Many other things might be here inserted which for brevity sake are omitted The lower Region of the Air and the effects it produceth THis Region of Air receives all the former qualities by course according to the seasons of the year and by the former means out of waterish places there are exhaled from the Earth moist and crude vapours the grosser part of them being earthly and containing but little heat they are unable to ascend unto the middle Region yet with the help of that heat included in those vapours and the attractive vertue of the celestial Orbs they are raised above the Earth and there often times congealed before they can be dissolved into water and these are called Frosts whereof there be many kinds according to the matter exhaled and the temperature of the season as some times of the year the ground in the mornings will be hoary like the head of Time and the grasse crisped with the Frost at other times rine-frosts or congealed mists hanging like pendants on the trees there be also black or windfrosts which are not so wholsome for they are grosse and earthly vapours exhaled out of more undigested humors and not so easily discovered by the sight as by the sense of feeling There be some vapours exhaled which are called mists the name derived as from the mixture of Air and Water of these there be several sorts as some vapours thin and sterile and have not moisture sufficient to beget water nor the heat in them is not prevalent to elevate the grosse humor and cause them to ascend but they hang upon the earth untill the Sun rises which if he chases away and dissipates by the vertue of his beams it argues a fair day There be besides all these gross mists or fogs which are more earthly then the former composed of crude and undigested vapors drawn from corrupted places as out of fennes and marish grounds these are very unwholsome and very unpleasant to the sense of smelling but are usually the worse according to the places from whence they were extracted or after much calm and moist weather The nature of Dews in general are these DEws are defined for to be liquid vapours extracted from the water or earth these have an affinity unto frost as Rain unto Snow and are alike in the material cause the efficient cause is attributed unto the Stars and the coldnesse of the Air These Dews are conceived to be very earthly and ponderous for they do not ascend high but are converted into a watry substance so soon almost as extracted being observed much more upon low and wet grounds then upon high and dry hills and thicker upon the humble shrub then upon trees or any exalted plant as the lofty Cedar The usual time of these Dews is in the evening the heat of the Sun declining being unable to support the Meteors which he raised and he deserting the Hemisphere those that were more elevated must likewise fall and the hotter the day was the greater are the exhalations and the nights are usually then cooler to convert them into water All Dews are commonly observed the greater the Moon increasing or at the full most of all the season of the year is to be considered and the weather for the hotter the day is the cooler will be the night by reason of the shadow which the terrestrial Globe then makes As for an instance you may see by the shade of trees or any other interposed body which are cooler in Sommer-time then in Winter as in respect of the Air in general for in shadowed places in the heat of Sommer the Air as in opposition to the Heat doth contract it self into a grosser body from whence some conjecture as by the parts that the whole Element of Air is by nature cold The Virgins thread There is a Dew that flies in the Air like small untwisted Silk or Yarn and falling upon the ground or plants it does convert it self into a form like Spiders Webs the matter they consist of is held for to be an earthly and slimy matter or exhalation something dry these are observed for to be both in the Spring Sommer and Autumn but in these Northern Countrys they are most frequent the Sun neer Libra the days being temperately warm the earth not exceeding dry nor yet over-charged with moisture Mell-dews Honey-dews some conjecture for to be earthly exhalations mixed with waterish vapours and many suppose them for to be exhalations from plants and all sorts of flowers and vegetables and this does evidently appear in Sugar-canes and divers kinds of Indian Reeds that have in the morning a Dew hanging upon them in taste resembling honey
Brooks and those united making Rivers running along in fruitful Valleys cooling the superficies of the Earth and supplying what the fervour of the Sun exhales this office being performed and living creatures in it nourished by the streams the rest falls into the Ocean and from thence returns into the veins of the Earth again one water still following of another and this is confirmed by the undeniable authority of the sacred Scriptures Eccles cap. 1. Yet many exhalations and vapours are by the Sun extracted from the waters and those converted by the vertue of his rays into several Meteors as moist and windy exhalations which the Air gratefully does repay again unto the waters as in a continual course of amity and inseparable league between them the Air which is included within the pores of the Earth is by nature subtile and gets into all the corners and hollow places whereby to avoid a vacuum which Nature does abhor the Air here with cold that in the Earth does abound is easily condensed and turned into drops of water which falls from their heads into little channels and so discends into the valleys for these sometimes are observed at the bottoms or sides of hills to bubble forth and the bigger mountains do afford the greater Springs and the more plenty of water especially such as are pregnant with Minerals The higher and greater that the mountains be the vaster are their caverns and hollow places in them to receive the Air and as it turns into water it is supplied with more And besides hills being more exposed to the Sun beams must of necessity be fuller of pores then the lower grounds and plain places and yet it does not follow that all high places must have Springs because the soyl may differ and the Earth not pory there will want receptacles for the Air whereby the water should be generated For a demonstration of this you may see in the Winter time or against wet weather the stones do become moist with a Dew hanging upon them and in close and cold rooms drops of water will hang upon the walls observe then but the alterations and fluxibility of the Air the condensed coldnesse of the Earth and this will easily be credited which makes Springs generally lowest in Autumn as from hence and being exhausted with the Sommers heat The wonderful vertues and effects of Waters FOuntains there be which naturally have marvelous qualities of which I will briefly relate some of their strange operations As a Fountain in Baeotia which being drunk of does stupifie the senses and causeth forgetfulnesse And one in Cilicia which quickens the wits as M. Varro writes Ovid. Metam lib. 15. writeth the River Lyncestus will inebriate and the water of the Stygian Lake in Arcadia will cat through any mettal and is held deadly poyson In Dedons the Fountain of Jupiter will extinguish a torch that is lighted and being immediately put in again it will illuminate it So writes S. Augustine of a Well in Aegypt in some waters nothing will easily sinck as Mare mortuum in Judaea Here be waters in England that will turn wood into stone but one of the most remarkable stories is recorded by Albertus Magnus neer Lubeck in Saxony where birds in a nest being touched with a stick taken out of the Sea metamorphosed the young ones into stone There is a River in Hungary that will give Iron a tincture of Copper Theophrastus writeth of waters that will change the colour of birds or beasts if they do drink of it as from black to white The waters of Peutasium as Solinus writes is good and wholesome for men to drink of but deadly poyson to venomous serpents In Libiu there is a Spring that at the Sun rising and setting is temperately warm at noon-day exceeding cold and at midnight excessive hot Some Springs do rise and fall every six hours as the Seas do ebbe and flow As for the taste colour and temperature of waters they are according to the veins and minerals through which they pass whereof some are hot and drying as the Bathes having a taste of Brimstone coming through some sulphurious minerals famous they are for curing of aches in the bones and all cold diseases Those that turn wood into stone or other materials into mettal do participate much of their natures and the mines from whence they run some being hot others cold some salt others fresh some wholesome to drink others hurtful and unpleasant with divers other strange operations retaining more or lesse of the nature and qualities from whence they are derived Yet as we said before all waters are not conceived for to run through the hollow veins of the Earth but some are generated there in the caverns of hills and all hollow subterranian places by the condensed Air and this is not oppugnant to the sacred Scriptures Eccle. cap. 1. ver 7. for that is the general course of all rivers and the other but particular which is demonstrable in man the little world for by learned Physitians it is observed that such bodies as are inclined to a Dropsie or any phlegmatick disease their Urine will be more in quantity and weight then all that they do eat and drink and this observed not only for a few days but many months together and the reason which they give is that not only their meat and drink converts to water by reason of the coldnesse of those phlegmatick stomachs but the very Air in those bodies does turn to water and those parts supplied with more Air as it converts to the other element and such cold causes and waterish effects may be in the Earth and likewise in discolouring of water as by making it black pale green high-coloured or the like but howsoever these are but peculiar and from accidental causes for the general course of waters is from the Springs unto the Sea and so to those heads again Thus wonderful are the works of the Omnipotent God every thing magnifying His Greatnesse Daniel 3. Benedicite fontes Domino Conjectures of the Seas saltnesse with the Ebbs and Flouds THe Seas are conceived to be made salt and brackish by the fervour of the Sun's rays with the permixion of burnt exhalations and chafed with the violent and perpetual motion of the flux and reflux of the waters for by experience we find that liquid things if hot and burnt their tafte will be bitter and with commotion will prove brackish but it is very likely that the Seas were brackish from the creation and by this means continued so but some does object that if the rain-water were exhaled from the Seas and that the Springs did flow from thence the waters would retain a saltnesse in their taste but as for that it appears evidently that the Rain is refined by vertue of the Sun and the spring-Spring-waters by their Meanders in passing through the Earth and this you may try by distilling of salt-Salt-water or putting it into Earth so as it may drain forth
and in time it will lose its saltnesse being but accidental As for the ebbing and flowing of the Seas the cause is assigned unto the Moon her influence having power over all waterish bodies and besides the Tides are observed to alter as she does in her course if not hindered or furthered by accidental causes as winds land flouds or the like She coming later every day unto the Meridian by 48. minutes or very neer and those Seas which flows when she is above the Horizon of that place will cause greater Tides then when she is depressed in the opposite Hemisphere and when she hath latitude and declination towards the pole elevated the force of her influence is the greater and the waters will flow the higher and rage the more violently in all indraughts especially at the new Moon or ful which are usually called Spring-Tides but the full Moon and three Tides after are much the greater her power then predominating most over all waterish and phlegmatick bodies and requires time to bring in greater supplies of water into the Land Of Earth-quakes and their causes from whence they do proceed THe causes of these are exhalations hot and dry generated by the vertue of the Sun and Stars inclosed within the concaves and hollow places of the Earth yet they cannot break forth by reason of the vapours grosnesse and the close compactednesse of the Earth which involves them and there increasing till it cannot be contained and not finding a passage out it strives to force one and so violently shakes the Earth that it causes a trembling which often hath swell'd up mountains and overturned others and ruinated many Cities making mens houses their sepulchres and whole Towns involved in a grave overwhelmed with their ruines the continuance of Earth-quakes is uncertain from a minute to a day and a longer time according to the greatnesse of the vapour inclosed and the firmnesse and solidity of the Earth which contained it Here I have shewed you the weak and supposed reasons of men in the wonderful and stupendious frame of Heaven and Earth all which are subjected and do obey the commands of the Immense Creator Eternal God and Author of Nature to whom be all Honour Praise and Glory world without end Amen AN INTRODUCTION TO The Third Part. Predictions of the Weather TO Prognosticate or foretel the alteration of the Weather there hath been in all Ages diligent observers of Nature who have prescribed rules and prenotations of the Airs mutability grounded on judicial signs collected from the Stars and the four Elements the principles of all sublunary bodies Of these Predictions there be several kinds both general and particular established by humane reason some derived meerly from old experience yet many of them true divers observations are ascribed to some particular Place Country Province or lesse proportion of this our habitable world being oftentimes confined within the precincts of a parish as by fogs or mists ascending from some meer or morish grounds or descending from the tops of hills high exalted places and low depressed dales some men do observe domestick and particular beasts as the story of the Herds-man c. But as for all such presages as are not general or warranted by some seeming reason I will quiâ—e reject and leave them at home for to observe the smoak of their own chimneys for it is my real intention at least my desire to direct my serene instructions to the benefit of the tender vigilant or distressed travellers whereby they may avoid the danger or inconvenience of foul and tempestious weather by presaging the Airs alteration and the inundation of the lower Regions menacing the Earth with their over-charged exhalations and vapours in tumults ready to descend to avoid these ensuing storms is the scope of my intentions in this Treatise and the better to enable you to do it I have prostrated to your view The Worlds Eprtomy and the several risings settings apparitions and occultations of the Stars with the natures of those celestrial Orbs the four Elements and all Meteors in general the secondary causes under God of heat cold wet and dry weather from whose excesse proceeds want disâ—â—â—d all corporal distempers and from their â—â—â—cord plenty crowned by the blessing of Hâ—â—ven with health and happinesse That the Stars have their influences upon sublunary bodies it is not denied by any learned men and affirmed undoublably by many of the most famous Philosophers Astronomers and Divines as witnesse Aristotle Ptolomaeus and St. Augustine lib. 13. Cap. 4. de Trin. and multitudes more which I have omitted fearing to incumber this volume with testimonies and approbations of that which seems demonstrated unto reason and confirmed by experience and according to Hippocrates with the consent of many others Thunder Lightning Hail Snow Rain Storms and all alterations of the weather may be predicted by the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the aspects of Planets their natures and qualities considered with the climate region and season of the year The Stars being supposed of several natures and each constellation mixt their influencies may cause diversity of effects as heat cold moisture or drought which are the four qualities of the Element and as for the Planets they do alter according to their aspects which many learned Phisitians do diligently observe in administring Physick and in the time of their Patients falling sick calling the 7. day critical the 14. c. Their reasons are the Moon having dominion over all humors and waterish bodies and in her motion swift doth passe in 7. days and a little more from one sign into another of a contrary nature and quality as from ♎ hot and moist into ♑ cold and dry and the like of others from whence the Doctors do judge of the malignity of the disease with the hopes of life or danger of death and of this you may read in Gallen lib. 3. de diebus Criticis rather then in me And in prognostication of the Weather these judicial days would be observed in the beginning of drought Rain Snow Frost or the like and there would be considered the latitude and aspects of the Planets the nature of the signs they are in passing under the fixed Stars especially where they are mixt with the nature of those Planets Consider the season of the year as Hale or Rain in the Spring or Autumn Thunder and Lightning in Sommer Frost and Snow in Winter Ponder also the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the Planets the Eclipses Comets and all fiery Meteors and such as these accompanied by nature are justifiable for God hath given man knowledge and understanding in the course of natural things and signs in the Heavens whereby to avoid inconveniencies not with a certain but a conjectural science by the Asterisms or celestial configurations and the four Elements from whence may be presaged distempers of the Air causing contagious diseases sterility and the like as Aristotle writeth of Thaletes
â—6 degree are turbulent their natures being of ♂ and ☿ the Northern parts are hot the Southern moist â™ The former parts of Sagittarius from the 26. unto the 6. degree of ♑ the Stars are moist and colder then in former ages the middle part of â™ from the 6. degree of ♑ unto the 16 the Stars are of the nature of ♃ and ♂ yet temperate inclining to cold the hinder part of â™ from the 16. of ♑ to the 28. fiery the Northern part of this constellation is windy the South part moist and inconstant ♑ The first part of Capricornus from the 28. degree to the 7. of â™’ the Stars do participate of ♂ and ♀ which are hot and hurtful the middle of ♑ from the 7. degree of â™’ unto the 15 more temperate lastly from the 15. degree to the 21. of â™’ is observed rainy weather for the Northern and Southern part of this asterism is generally held moist and also hurtful â™’ The beginning of Aquarius is from the 21. degree unto the end of the same very moist the middle of it unto the 8. degree of ♓ temperate of the nature of ♄ and ♃ the end of this sign in the 15. degree of ♓ windy the Northern part of this constellation is hot the Southern part snow or cold weather ♓ The former parts of Pisces from the 15. degree unto the 30. more cold then in former ages the middle parts from the beginning of ♈ unto the 15. degree moister then formerly and lastly from the 15. degree of ♈ unto the 28. causing a thick and dark air the Northern part windy and the Southern is held waterish which concludes the 12. Signs and the properties of them in particular Aphorismes or selected places out of Cardanus CArdan 7 Aph. 73. does propound these ♓ and ♈ do cause winds and the half of ♉ the other part of ♉ being more aireal participating of ♊ doth produce suddain and fruitful showres ♊ Author of winds ♋ and ♌ produceth great heat and storms of Hail â™ remisse heat and giveth showres ♎ and â™ inequality of Air â™ Snow and Rain ♑ cold weather does produce and â™’ waters especially in the beginning Stadius and the later observers collects these properties of the 12. Signs of the first mover and 8. Sphere conformable to this Age. ♈ OF the Primum mobile lesse subject to Thunder but apter to hail then in the times of Ptolomy ♉ Hot and moderately moist ♊ Temperate inclining to heat and also to drought ♋ Cloudy and not the parent of fair weather in times past ♌ Hot with a scorching drought and suffocating â™ Thunder with moisture but more temperate then in former ages ♎ Various and mutable inclining something unto drought â™ Flery but more remisse then in the time of Ptolomy â™ Windy but moister then formerly ♑ Temperately cold and a little moist â™’ Cold and watery ♓ More cold then in former ages The natures properties and operations of the 7. Planets upon sublunary bodies in causing Meteors ♄ SAturn by nature is more cold then dry especially being East-ward of the ☉ and in earthly signs producing then both clouds and coldnesse of the Air in time of heat it lessens it and in frosty weather it much increases the cold when he passes from one sign into another for many days together he causeth red clouds and fiery apparitions in the Air inundations earth-quakes snow frosts and much cold according to the season of the year and situation of the Country Card. ♃ Jupiter is of nature hot and moist and is accounted the parent of fair weather being temperate both in heat and moisture mittigating the cold of Winter and the heat of Sommer causing gentle winds and a temperate Air with much serenity being East-ward of the ☉ he increaseth heat and West-ward moisture Card. ♂ Mars is hot and dry in excesse and in fiery Signs in Sommer he causeth much heat and in Winter-time remisse mittigating the coldnesse of the weather he is accounted as Lord paramount of tempests violent and suddain storms of Rain Hail Thunder Lightning excessive heat in fiery Signs and much Rain in passing by the Pleiades as is observed by Stadius ☉ Sol is by nature hot and dry but more or lesse according to the Sign he is in or aspected with the other six Planets or assisted by the fixed Stars in his annual revolution his greatest force is in making Hail moderate in Rain little Frosts and Snow the general motive of vapours and exhalations the destributer of light unto the rest of the Stars Monarch of the skies inabling them with his rays and the earth with fruitfulnesse ♀ Venus is temperately cold and moist yet Argol says moderately warm predominating over humors she warmeth little and moistneth much especially when she is the morning Star in Winter she maketh the Air temperate but moist and in Sommer she lessens the drought and causes great Dews and gentle showres but chiefly when she is in the beginning of ♋ Card. ☿ Mercury is by nature mutable and doubtful according to the Sign or nature of the Star he is withal or the Aspect of any other Planet participating of their natures with whom he is associated he is held the father of winds in earthly and watery Signs and causeth Thunder and Lightning often in fiery or airy Signs ☽ Luna the lowest Planet is of nature cold and moist and but little warm she naturally moveth the waters having much force over all phlegmatick bodies and cold humors and increaseth them according to her place in the Zodiack the Aspect with the ☉ and the other Planets her association with the fixed Stars and her latitude from the Ecliptick Astrologers do allow the Moon these temperatures from the ☌ to the first of â–¡ cold and moist from the first â–¡ unto ☠moist and something warm from ☠to the last â–¡ dry and a little warm from the last â–¡ to the ☌ cold and something dry but in general she is held to increase the humors in all bodies from the new unto the full and decreasing for to dry them up or lessen them yet more or lesse according to her place and season of the year and the full ☽ is conceived cold in Sommer and temperate in the Winter season the new ☽ warm in Sommer and produceth the coldest nights in Winter and in general the conjunctions of the Luminaries bringeth the fairest weather and their oppositions the greatest store of Rain Card. And thus far for the particular observations of the Planets properties and natures Proper and peculiar observations of the weather in every one of the four Seasons or Quarters of the Year Spring IN the conjunction or opposition of the Luminaries immediately or the last before the Vernal Equinox if ♂ were in ☌ with either the ☉ or ☽ expect much Thunder and Lightning for to follow if ♀ in March or April be retrograde expect much wet weather to follow Sommer If the 5. Planets be direct
in watery Signs prognosticates rain in fiery Signs drought and scatters over the heavens with red and yellowish clouds causing often times rain and as in Signs that are aireal it makes the weather warm Particularly they cause in the Spring and Autumn showres in Sommer thunder lightning and hail in Winter remisse heat and oftentimes extendeth the celestial bow a premonitor of following rain but usually not much The Sun and Venus in conjunction SOl and ♀ in ☌ do generally prognosticate moist weather especially in watery Signs and particularly in the Spring and Autumn rain in Sommer thunder and showres and in the Winter quarter moist and foggy weather The Sun and Mercury in conjunction SOl and ☿ in ☌ do commonly beget winds in airy Signs with moisture in watery Signs rain in fiery Signs drought warm winds with corruption these two Planets do always accompany the Sun neither of them exceeding 60. degrees in their greatest distances and this not 30. The Sun and Moon in conjunction or aspected SOl and ☽ in ☌ □ or ☠in moist Signs produce rain reddish clouds and great drops of water and in fiery Signs fair weather and altereth the Air according to the season of the year and the present temperature of the time at the new and full she causeth the greatest flux of the Sea and all waterish humors and much the more if aspected with the Hyades or Pleiades at the same time with other circumstances to be considered as the other Planets and what hath been said before Venus and Mercury in conjunction VEnus and ☿ in ☌ do commonly beget in moist Signs showres and generally at all times of the year moist winds and if this conjunction shall happen when the two luminaries are in ☌ □ or ☠or within an hour it will cause an inundation or very much rain if not hindred with other intervening causes Venus in conjunction or aspected with the Moon VEnus and ☽ in ☌ □ or ☠presage generally mild and gentle showres or moist weather with some cold according to the season and much increases the flowing of the Seas causing violent Tides especially with Hyades or Stars of their own natures Particularly in the Spring moist and cloudy time in Sommer remisse heat in Autumn they produce dark clouds and in the Winter season a cold and troubled Air if not snow sleet or rain Mercury in conjunction or aspected with the Moon Mercury and ☽ in ☌ □ or ☠do signifie winds clouds rain with various and unconstant weather and generally in all seasons of the year if it happens in watery Signs rain or moist weather is presaged in airy Signs wind in fiery Signs drought in earthly Signs cold they cause also many times pale uncontinued clouds resembling the colour of smoak but the effects of these are not durarable or of long continuance without the assistance of the higher Planets The fixed and wandring Stars are observed diligently by some in administring Physick Phlebotomy c. which I will omit in prescribing any Rules being out of my element but leave it to the learned Practitioners Others do vigilantly regard the Planets in Agriculture and above all the Moon predominating most over vegetables but this is also out of my rode excepting my Predictions of the Weather and seasons of the year as for other things Experience is the best instructor yet those that will may satisfie themselves with Virgils Georgicks with Pliny lib. 17. 18. and divers others of that kinde but being this you have and those not always at hand peruse these few collections if you please they being held general Observations in Agriculture TO plant or sow the Moon in these Signs is held the best viz. in ♈ ♉ ♊ ♠♎ ♑ ♓ and if the ☽ be aspected with ♀ it is the better as causing the more moisture Plant or graft trees the ☽ increasing in ♉ ♎ and ♒ Sow all seeds after the new ☽ but round seeds neer the opposition ☽ is generally held the best but all moist seeds in wet grounds the ☽ decreasing Gather fruits the ☽ decreasing before the last quarter The Eclipses of the two Luminaries are generally observed prejudicial to this kind of husbandry and the bloming of Corn. Any Planet that is retrograde and in ☌ with the ☽ is accounted hurtful to planting graffing or sowing The wind in the North or in the East is held destructive or hurtful to planting graffing or felling of timber Cut hair and shear sheep the ☽ increasing Presages of the weather by Experience collected from the inflamation of Comets fiery impressions influences and apparitions of the Stars reflecting on sublunary Meteors HItherto I have discovered according to my ability the effects of the fixed and wandring Stars selected from their aspects by the registers of Experience conceived by them the efficient cause under God of Wind Rain Hail Snow c. But all men not being Astronomers and my intentions generall to whom I indeavour the dedication of my discourse therefore I will demonstrate the weathers transactions by signs derived more directly from the immediate dictates of Nature beginning with Comets being generally supposed to be sublunary and so descend unto those more inferiour according to my prescribed order intending to treat of falling Stars Rainbows and all fiery apparitions in the Air and then our terrestrial fires for although they are compounded of the 4. Elements yet I will rank them amongst these because the flames of all combustible matters do naturally of their own accords ascend towards the Element of fire the seat of lenity whereas all heavy and ponderous things do tend downwards pressing toward the seat of gravity and centre of the Earth The effects of Comets 1. ALl fiery impressions and Comets do presage violent tempests of long continuance and also they do denote much heat and inflamation of the Air Pliny lib. 2. cap. 25. 2. Frequent and many Comets do foreshew sterility of the Earth famine plague burning feavers and many other pestiferous diseases by reason they do consume the humidity of vapours and exhalations and so from thence they ingender choler inclining men prone to discentions and civil wars it threatens Princes and great men with death and all such as are of tender or fiery constitutions to this consents Cardanus lib. 1 cap. 1. but the effects of these are the more violent and of longer continuance by how much the greater and permanent they are and the like judge of all unusual fiery Meteors 3. The shooting or glancing of seeming Stars through the Air do presage rain snow or tempestious weather quickly after to ensue and observe what point of the Heavens these Metoors point at from that quarter will the wind proceed if there be many of them falling often and sevaral ways it is a sign the weather will be variable but if they be numerous and all tending one way then expect great winds much snow or rain and probably to continue long for it argues
Meteors seldome seen little observed in prognostication of the weather and so I shall lead you no further until a better discovery of their natures be made and their effects better known which are generally held unwholesome and so let them pasle as Ignes fatui By terrestial fires 49. WHen our common fires do burn with a pale flame they presage foul weather 50 If the fire do make a huzzing noise it is a sign of tempests neer at hand 51. If the flame of a candle lamp or any other fire does wave or wind it self where there is no sensible or visible cause expect some windy weather 52. When candles or lamps will not so readily kindle as at other times it is a sign of wet weather neer at hand 53. When the fire sparkleth very much it is a sign of rain 54. If the ashes on the herth do clodder together of themselves it is a sign of rain 55. When candles or lamps do sparkle and rise up with little fumes or their wicks swell with things on them like mushrums are all signs of ensuing wet weather 56 When pots are newly taken off from the fire if they sparkle the soot upon them being incensed it presages rain 57. When the fire scorcheth and burneth more vehemently then it useth to do it is a sign of frosty weather but if the living coals do shine brighter then commonly at other times expect then rain 58. If wood or any other fuel do crackle and break forth wind more then ordinary it is an evident sign of some tempestuous weather neer at hand the much and suddain falling of soot presages rain A Paraphrase THe natural cause of these as I suppose is this the Air in the lower Region being apt for either heat or cold does alter according to the inclination of the weather whether it be disposed to heat cold rain or wind the Air thus altering when it becomes waterish makes the flaming fire appear pale candles nor lamps apt to light their cotten-wicks to swell with tumors upon them like horse-shooes or mushrums the moist air being got into them which by opposition makes the fire to sparkle or being cold inclining to frost it causes it to scorch the Air which does infuse it self into the pores of the fewel being moist and rarified by the fire turns into wind and so wanting room breaks a passage forth which makes the wood to crackle the flame to wave and sparkles to fly and this in brief is the cause of them so far as I conceive our fewel being commixed of the four Elements and so by opposition or participation these effects are caused and this makes the soot in chimneys for to fall being by nature dry and loosned by the moistnesse of the Air. By Air Winds Clouds and Mists THe Air in which we breath being commixt and no pure Element doth generate several Meteors as was said already in the second part and the presages these if the Air seem dusky hotter then ordinary and unapt to breath in expect then thunder and lightning 60. When the ringing of Bells or other sounds are heard more plain then at other times and if by intervals it shews the Air to be dilated and disturbed which presages either wind or rain if not both 61. A sharp and cold wind after rain foresheweth more to come the exhalation or vapour not being spent in the former showre 62. Winds that do continue long in any one point will cause the weather for to be generally the same whether it be fair or soul but if it shifts often in changing the place it presages rain quickly after to ensue but in times of frost it is a sign that the weather will break 63. Whirlwinds do predict approaching storms usually of rain or hail these you may foresee by raising the dust or any such light materials and and oftentimes these whirlwinds are forerunners of great tempests for it is a windy exhalation driven obliquely upon the horizontal plain and forced down by the coldnesse or moisture of the present Air in the lower Region this repercursion of the Air causeth chimneys to smoak more then usually they do at other times presaging rain or great winds 64. Sometimes these whirlwinds are caused by the meeting of one another and so raising light things as in contention hurling them to and fro at the pleasure of the prevailing party and such as these do usually presage tempests as you see when the clouds are moved several ways at once and from the same cause above as it is below 65. It is probable that there is also many exhalations which do suddenly break out of the Earth and do produce these whirlwinds which are by nature held hot and dry the cause how these do predict storms and tempests is conceived this against rain or any wet weather the pores of the Earth does naturally open and so gives a passage to them they being hot and dry do strive for to ascend and so much the more then the exhalation being opposed by the moistnesse and the coldness of the Air infused into the Earth which changes as the Element does 66. These whirlwinds are precursors of tempests when the Air inclosed in the Earth is apt for to convert it self into these windy exhalations and there increasing so as it cannot be contained yet not so restrained as to cause an Earth-quake but finds an easie passage through the pores of the Earth whereby to evaporate and free it self from restraint into the open Air. 67. These exhalations when they happen for to be frozen in with extream cold weather in winter and venting themselves in waterish places as in the bottome of great ponds meers or rivers where by Antiperistafis or opposition of the cold waters it does congeal the bottome when the outward air cannot freeze the top or superficies of the water by reason of the motion but in the deeps where it is still and quiet these are called anchor or subterranean frosts they are not usual neither will they endure long but when they do happen it is most commonly extream cold weather and little or no snow these are generally held very hurtful unto plants and destructive to the fishes and by freezing up the channels make the rivers overflow 68. When the Air is dilated or rarified it is a sign of much heat or against rain which by your smelling you may know when shoars nasty places or things corrupted are more offensive then at other times 69. When the clouds be dark deep and very spissious it is a sign of rain and sometimes tempestuous weather 70. Many scattering clouds wandering in the Air and moving swiftly argues wind or rain and from the North or South it is the worse but if the racke rides both wayes it foreshews a tempest 71. If the racke in the forenoon rides in the Air from the East westward it argues rain at night but if from the West it does foreshew a cloudy morning if not rain and at any
Lower Region of the Air the first and uppermost is close adjoyning to the Element of Fire and hath a circular motion with it from East to West carried about by the Primum Mobile this Region of Air is perpetually hot and dry by the reason of its violent motion and proximity to the Fire In this Region there are no clouds because of the heat and remotenesse of the Earth from whence they are extracted their matters being grosse and moist but to this place are lifted up exhalations being by nature hot and dry which do easily ascend to that heighth by reason of their heat and levity these imperfect bodies by the heat of the Sun and influence of the Stars are conceived to be exhaled from the Earth or out of lakes rivers seas and other watery places and this Meteor as it does ascend it leaves the grosser part in the lowest and the middle region and as it rarifies it elevates it self unto the upper region like a subtile and thin fume These exhalations having penetrated the middle region and attained unto the height of the Elements and circumvolved with a slimy matter oylie and apt to be inflamed thus having assumed a body is violently carried about with the Air until with the motion and vicinity of the Fire it is inflamed and then nourished with more exhalations continually drawn unto it that it burns and converts it self into divers forms according to the disposition of the matter as resembling Dragons Lances Torches Comets or Blazing Stars c. And some again that seems to fall and slide through the Air the lightest part being consumed extracted or drawn away by some other means or the levity of it unable to support the grosser part lets it descend which gliding through the Air and enlightned appears like a falling Star some conceives that these ascend not so high being of a grosse body yet hot and striving to ascend is repulsed by the coldnesse of the middle Region or the moistnesse of the clouds and so by the reason of its own weight and opposition of the Element it is thrown down again the substance of them is like a gelly transparent and apt to be illuminated Comets and all fiery Meteors are usually moved with the Region they are in and from East to West according to the raptile motion of the Spheres but Seneca affirms that he did see one which moved parallel to the Horizon from the North by the West into the South and so by the East into the North again and the contrary likewise may be so the exhalations moving as the Air and according to the matter which does nourish it as you may see fire in a stubble and others have been seen to remove suddenly from one place to another casting forth sparkles like fire these by some are called Goats and some have seemed as fixt both in respect of their Latitudes and Longitudes They may be also generated in any part of the Heavens and at all times of the year but in cold Countries rarely but in Autumn for then the heat is sufficient to raise up the matter and the temperature of the Air is apt to suffer the exhalation to draw to it a slimy substance which cannot be in the Spring time the heat being not sufficient to elevate them and in the Sommer season the exhalations are not so grosse by reason of the Sun's heat dissipating those vapours and rarifying the Air and if it could be got together the middle Region is so cold that it cannot ascend to the uppers and the Winter quarter is cold and moist oppugnant to all such exhalations and so consequently quite unapt for those generations or any other of that kind as Philosophers affirm though experience proves the contrary many times The middle Region of Air and what is there generated THis Region or middle part of the Air is generally conceived to be vehemently cold and moist by Antiperistasis and the effects do also prove the same and this we see in all things that are oppugnant inclosed and comprehended by their contraries being of greater force doth cause the contrary inclosed not being able to break forth and withall repulsed by its opposite to contract and fortifie it self as by experience you may see in all living and sensitive Creatures that their inward parts are much hotter in Winter then in Sommer and their stomachs apter and abler to digest and the cause is for that the heat is then repulsive to the inward parts by the opposition and coldnesse of the outward air and besides you may see that the fire and all combustible things will burn more violently in Winter then in Sommer and the colder the weather is the more it scorches the reason is the same in these for the fire grows more violent by how much the more it is opposed with the contrary quality of the subdued cold The case is the same in the middle Region of the Air for the upper part is made hot by the violent motion of it and the neernesse unto the Element of fire and the lower Region is made hot by reflection of the Sun-beams and so the cold included between them is the more violent by how much the lower Region is inflamed with the Suns reflection and so by that means is colder in the heat of Sommer then in Winter But these divisions or portions of the Air have no determined bounds nor hath the Water in respect of quantity for by the motion of the celestial bodies cold and moisture getting together the Element of Water will increase and the Air of necessity must then diminish and with the coniunction of heat and moisture the Sphere of the Water will be diminished and the Air as much increased so by this means the Air does more abound in Sommer then in Winter and the Water more in Winter then in Sommer and thus the middle Region is greater at one time then at another By the heat of the Sun-beams and influence of the Stars Meteors are elevated to the middle Region of the Air those which by nature are temperately hot and moist are extracted from wet and waterish places yet have so much heat as is sufficient to elevate them unto the height of the middle Region where by reason of the coldnesse of that place they are condensed and do generate there several kinds of mixt imperfect bodies the clouds thus incorporated are with the cold turned into Snow congealed many times before it does ingender Water And to prove this assertion you may observe that Snow if compacted or beaten together is not so soon dissolved into water as Ice will be by the Sun or any other means which argues had it been water first it would have been the sooner reduced These vapours or thick exhalations drawn up into the middle Region are often digested and turned into water from thence distilling down like mists or in very small drops for the greatest rain is thought not to fall far through the
which argues by their sweetnesse that they are extracted from thence These Honey-Dews do afford plenty unto the ware-houses of the industrious Bees with quick returns their purveyers are going for to seek provant nor their labourers much trouble to get their loading These Honey-Dews as they are good for Bees so they are as destructive to divers kind of beasts as Sheep Goats c. and in general to all fruits and blooming flowers especially to Hops and Grapes they are also obnoxious to Corn and often blasts it in the blooming For diverting these sad effects Numa one of the Roman Kings superstitiously instituted a Feast called Rubigalia and Floralia in the year from the building of Rome 516. Pliny lib. 18. cap. 29. which Feast was observed upon the 28. day of April 3. Kalend. Moy He was advised so to do by the Oracles of Sybilla This Heathenish Feast the Catholique Church did alter into Ascention Week calling it Rogation from asking a blessing upon the fruits of the Earth The nature of Rain water RAin Water is much more insipide at one time then at another and hath very often a brackish and unpleasant taste yet comfortable to vigetables and by reason of the warmth it does nourish them much better and more natural for them then spring-spring-water or out of wells being cold and too earthly whereas the other participates of the Air which is hot and moist but by reason of this commixture of the Elements it is apt to form divers bodies especially in calm times the Air wanting motion may corrupt and so consequently generates many things according to the undigested matter exhaled from the earth as Frogs falling upon the tops of houses and Churches immediately after a storm and there they will perish in a short time for want of sustenance which argues they were not there produced Corn I have seen that was after a showre found upon the leads of Churches and on the ground in divers places it had the form of Wheat but small and without taste the colour of it pure white both within and without The lowest Meteor in the Air is the burning candle or as some call it Ignis Fatuus This is a hot and moist vapour which striving to ascend is repulsed by the cold and fiered by Antiperistasis movâ—s close by the earth caried along with the vapours that feed it keeping in low or moist places the light is of an exceeding pale colour very unwholsome to meet withal by reason of the evil vapours it attracts unto it which nourishes the pallide flame and will often ascend as those exhalations do and as suddainly fall again from whence the name is derived Thunder and Lightning and the causes from whence they proceed THese are conceived to be vapours hot and moist commixed with exhalations that be hot and dry involved thus within one another they do ascend by vertue of their heat unto the middle region of the Air where the exhalation by Antiperistasis grows inflam'd and strives to get forth of the cloud in which is involved and the upper part of the cloud where the heat would passe by opposition grows the strongest and the exhalation grown over-hot by being constrained with violence breaks forth of the weakest place against the weather that is in the lowest part and by reason of the cold above it the heat and subtilenesse of the exhalation with its own violence in breaking forth it glances down upon the earth without doing any harm if unresisted as consuming a Sword without hurting the Scabbard and many other things of this kind unnecessary and too long for to relate The clap of Thunder is first but the Lightning soonest appears by reason our sense of seeing is much quicker then our hearing As you may perceive at a distance a Man driving a Stake or felling of Timber you may behold him ready to strike again before you hear the former blow and in shooting or discharging of a Gun you may see the fire before the report With the conjunction of these compound vapours and exhalations stones are generated in the Air as other Minerals are in the Earth but more fiery by nature and these are called thunder-bolts in their formes perfect cones like the flame of fire which did generate them out of the terrene exhalation it strikes not above five feet into the earth as some do affirm The remedies against Thunder and Lightning all hard things will preserve whas is soft and liquid as Iron laid upon Vessels will keep the Liquor from sowring by the former alledged reasons besides this it is naturally resisted by a cover made of Seals skins and preserving that on which 't is pâ—aced upon any creature and the like does the Laurell tree which caused many of the Roman Emperors in time of Thunder and Lightning to wear a garment made of Laurel boughs The pale lightning is most unwholsome but the red aptest to burn the best and most assured remedy against these tempests is the protection of Heaven A fulgure tempestate libera nos Domine But note there may be Thunder without Lightning and Lightning without Thunder for when these hot and dry exhalations are inflam'd and the cloud weak in which they are involv'd the incensed exhalation breaks forth without violence in not being restrained but the coldnesse of the middle Region strikes the falshes downwards upon us but not always upon the earth but glittering and reflecting on the watry clouds makes it seem close by as you may see by the Sun beams or any other suddain light falling upon the water will reverberate the lustre and dazle your eyes especially if the water be moved with any wind these coruscations are usual in hot Countries or in the heat of Sommer Thunder without Lightning does happen when these hot and dry exhalations break violently through the clouds in which they are circumvolved but not inflamed yet making a roaring noise in the burst of the cloud which restrained it as you may see little bladders filled with wind will give a crack or report at the suddain and violent breaking of them sometimes Thunder will happen and yet no Lightning appear by reciprocal winds the clouds violently breaking themselves in meeting with one another and this may often happen with insurrections of several mutinous exhalations disturbing the Air with several commotions these usually proceed after much calm weather but are very wholsome to purge the Air lest with too much quietnesse it should corrupt Apparitions in the Air made by reflections of the Sun Moon fixed Stars or Planets upon condensed Clouds Of Circles about the Sun Moon or Stars SUndry apparitions in the Air are made by the Stars reflecting upon waterish exhalations for when they happen uniform in all the parts equally rarified and supposited under the Sun Moon or Stars that their beams cannot penetrate the cloud in any part by which means the rayes are refracted and the cloud being uniform and round the extreams or outward part
is inlightned in manner of a misty circle which equally will appear about the Sun Moon or Stars but these are rarely under any of the fixed Stars but common under any of the Planets yet not so usual under the Sun for by reason of his fervour and heat the exhalation cannot so easily get directly under it and being got together it cannot long subsist but the matter will be disperst by vigour of his beams which the Moon cannot effect for want of heat and so the oftner she hath those circles about her they continue longer the same reason it is with the other Stars yet the circles made about them are conceived to be weak and sterile exhalations neither so apt to beget wind or rain as the former are for in thick and waterish exhalations the rays of the Stars are unable to illuminate them but will be observed by those and such like spissous and dark clouds Impressions in the Clouds representing the Sun or Moon THe cause of these apparitions doth proceed from thick clouds regular and uniform as were the former from whence are caused circles about the Sun or Moon yet these exhalations are more condensed then be the others and not situated under the Sun or Moon as be the last but placed obliquely on either side which clouds are apt to be converted into rain and by refraction of the Sun beams it does expresse the form or image of it as you may see in a mirrour of glasse or polished steel these clouds must be condensed for the beams of the Sun to reflection and not under the Sun for then his refracted rays will not be visible unto us and if it be not regular and uniform in all the parts the cloud cannot portrait and expresse the whole and perfect image of it and in this manner there may be represented in clouds the figure of the Moon but those are much more rare to be seen because her rays are weaker and there may be many Suns or Moons appear at once upon these former alledged reasons Of the Rain-Bow and the causes thereof RAin-Bows are generated in waterish clouds ready to be dissolved into rain these are observed to be always directly opposite to the Sun or Moon as if the ☉ be in the South the Rain-bow will be in the North and when the ☉ is in the East the Rain-bow will appear in the West and the contrary so in any part of the Hemisphere and the lower or neerer the Horizon that the Sun is the Rain-bow will appear the greater but never can exceed a semicircle but lesse according to the height of the Sun above in any Sphere which is the reason at noon day we rarely see any especially the ☉ being in the Sommer Solstice or nigh the Tropick of ♋ excepting all places far Northward or toward the pole Antartick where for some weeks there is continual day but the ☉ in Winter neer ♑ may cause a Rain-bow at noon day in these our climates for they are formed by the light rays of the Sun falling upon vapours and waterish exhalations opposite unto him and but little elevated above the earth and by reason of the great distance or remotenesse of the Sun the illuminated beams describe his form after an obscure and imperfect manner portraiting only an arch of a circle adorned usually with three colours viz. Red Green and Purple or inclining unto a Blewish colour the distinction of these proceeds from the Radius of the Sun reflecting upon these vapours for those colours are lightest in it which are neerest to the Sun and those which are remotest do tend more to obscurity As for a demonstration you may behold in the commixture of such like colours and the form of the Rain-bow you may experimentally try by casting water in a circular manner against the Sun when he shines But some doe think the red colour to be only made by his rays the second by reflection and the third by the second all contained within some condensed hollow cloud commixed with Aiery and waterish exhalations for if more Rain-bows do appear then one at any time it is conceived that they are made by reflection of one another but the colours in the second will be weaker then those in the first and the third Rainbow more pallid then the second If there happens to be three which is very seldome seen then the colours in the first will be counterchanged in the second and the third again like the first These arches in the clouds or Rain-bows do continue longer then do the circles about the Sun because the distance in these is so great that his beams cannot so soon dissipate the exhalation which caused them Rain-bows in the night time are exceeding rare because they are made by the Moon whose beams are usually too weak to cause such a reflection upon any cloud at so great a distance and are so rarely seen that I will cease to describe them any further The causes and diversities of Winds WInds by the vertue of the Sun are generated of hot and dry exhalations evaporated from the Earth and striving to ascend are repulsed by the obvious coldnesse of the Air and forced collaterally about and upon the superficies of this terrestrial Globe moving as they are compelled by the cold and do receive names as from whence they blow and are divided into 32. distinct winds according to the divisions or points of the Mariners Compass The four chief are these East and West opposite and so the North and South point which four do divide the Horizon into four equal parts and are compared by some to the nature and temperature of the four seasons But as for these exhalations they are naturally dry resolved into Air by vertue of the Sun as the moist vapours are into rain sometimes these exhalations are mixed with moist vapours which the Sun convers at one time both into rain and wind the more these windy exhalations are restrained by so much they will rage and the more violent they are by how much they are repulsed and stricken down with the coldnesse of the Air which makes them often times rebound upon the Earth which commonly are called whirl-winds from revolving and throwing up all light things that are in the way where they move these are also caused by the meeting of two contraries Winds are the greatest in open weather in Frosts exhalations are inclosed within the pores of the Earth and so likewise by excessive heat The generation of Waters THere is undoubtedly a continual flux and reflux of waters both upon the superficies of the Earth and in the channels within it as you may see by the veins in the bodies of men a Microcosmus in it self for the Earth being by nature extream dry without water would be sterile and quite unapt to produce any vegetables or Minerals within her now pregnant womb and so the waters to supply this defect do continually move as from their Springs to little
the head of Medusa rising Cosmically produceth Snow 14. Libra rising Cosmically causeth rain with some wind 15. The Eye of ♉ or Orion rising Cosmically doth cause rain disturbeth the Air and sometimes produceth thunder and lightning the Acronical setting of these Stars causeth the same effects with suddain showres 16. Andromeda the Whale the head and tail of ♈ the belly of ♓ and Fomahand in ♒ rising Cosmically do all presage moist weather and a turbulent Air. 17. The Sun entering the cloudy Stars of ♌ Orion or ♠causeth lowring weather and likewise the Hydras heart and head of ♠18. The Cosmical ascention of the shoulder of Pegasus and the tail of ♑ produceth snow cold or cloudy weather 19. The Acronical setting of the Vulture with the Harp predict a moist cold and cloudy time 20. Virgiliae or the Pleiades rising Cosmically foresheweth wet and cloudy weather and suddain storms to ensue 21. The Star Regulus rising Cosmically is a sign of showres with thunder and lightning 22. Sirius rising Cosmically prenoteth hot weather with thunder and lightning the Cosmical setting foresheweth warm weather but inclining to wet 23. The Sun rising with any Star of Jupiters nature and not commixed with ♄ or ♂ argues warm clear and temperate weather with those of ♄ nature cold and cloudy weather and sometimes snow with those of ♀ moist and inclining to rainy weather ascending the Horizon with those of ♂ it argues tempests with thunder and lightning with Stars of his own nature or of ☿ winds with those of the ☽ great flouds and tumultuous billows at Sea and if the Sun doth rise with fixed Stars of mixed natures as ♄ and ♂ it argues in Sommer time a hot and suffocating day these last signs are general according to Maginus Observations of the weather by the influence of the fixed and wandring Stars united and collected by Na. Durret 24. SAturn rising with the head of Medusa prognosticateth for some days cold and moist weather according to the season or time of year 25. ♄ with the Stars of the Whale the tail of ♈ the horn of ♑ and the belly of ♓ causeth a cold cloudy and troubled Air sometimes with rain or snow 26. ♄ with the Pleiades a dark and troubled Air inclining to rain or snow 27. ♄ with the Stars of Orion produceth showres and sometimes cold storms 28. ♄ with the Virgins ear of Corn causeth suddain alterations of the Air with often showres 29. ♄ with Arcturus produceth winds and cold showres 30. ♄ with the Dolphin the Crown or the tail of ♑ produceth moist and cloudy weather and often snow and cold showres 31. ♄ with the Hyades the Asses and the Manger causeth clouds and rain with thunder and lightning sometimes 32. ♄ with Regulus causeth cloudy and unconstant weather in Sommer-time thunder in Winter temperate 33. ♄ with the great Dog causeth rainy and windy weather with tempests of thunder and lightning 34. ♃ ascending the Horizon with Regulus in Winter causeth fair weather and lessens the cold but in Sommer it produceth heat and prone to thunder 35. ♂ rising with the tail of ♑ makes the Air in hot weather temperate in winter snow and so with the heart of ♠causing the same effects 36. ♂ with Arcturus ascending doth produce thunder lightning rain and furious tempests 37. ♂ rising with the Eagle causeth snow in Winter and cold weather and in Sommer rain 38. What hath been said of the ☉ these Planets will effect but ♃ with much more mildnesse and ♂ with more violence and fury and thus ♀ with the Pleiades causeth rain and with the Eagle in Winter snow or cold rain and so likewise ☿ ascending the Horizon with these fired Stars causeth very great alteration of the Air as rising with Orion the Hyades Regulus the great and little Dog the Herp Spica ♠c. All these in their ascentions with ☿ do produce hail snow rain and causeth the Air to be troubled and maketh many alterations and often times produceth thunder and lightning and violent tempests the ☽ with the fixed Stars doth often cause mutations of the Air but those are soon over her motion being so very swift And here note that in all signs of stormy weather the predictions given are most prevalent and do last the longer if they happen at the time of any Eclipse or the ☌ of the two luminaries Prognostications of the winds collected from the observations of Pliny and Maginus THe word Wind is derived from the instability of it and signifies to turn as for their natures and temperatures in general they are hot and dry exhalations got together in multitudes yet do retain part of the qualities from whence they are extracted as from earth cold and dry from water cold and moist vapours some of these are called Anniversary winds as blowing at some certain time or season of the year others are called Provincial winds so termed as from particular Provincies no wind being general in all places by Sea and Land and some caused by great and high mountains in these Countrys others derived from Lakes Rivers Seas c. and denominated often from thence as the Levant or Subsolanus called also the East-wind how they have been anciently divided and nominated See Pliny lib. 2. cap. 47. of his natural History There may be as many winds as there be supposed divisions in the Horizon which the Sea-men to avoid confusion do divide into 32. points represented by the Compass distinguishing those points and parts of the Horizontal circle by several and peculiar names and so also the winds answering to those points whereof in this I will use but eight being sufficient for prognostication and the chiefest that are observed And first the four principal or cardinal points are these North South East West dividing the Horizon into four quadrants or 90. degrees asunder and those equally divided by four points more all the eight being 45. degrees from one another and are these North east and North-west South-east and South-west As for the temperatures of these particular winds they are so uncertain in every Country that I will write nothing of them more but refer you to the second part of this Book for in these Countrys the North-wind is cold and dry the South-winds warm and moist making our bodies generally dull and causeth moist weather and pains in the head whereas in the Southern parts of America and the East-Indies the effects of these winds are quite contrary participating of that nature from whence those exhalations were extracted But the signs presaged by the Stars and derived from the observations of learned men are these following 1. Orions girdle rising Acronycally presageth South-west winds and ofttimes great tempests both by Sea and Land 2. Aselli and Praesepe as Pliny sayes lib. 18. cap. 35. that if in a fair and clear night the Manger be not visible expect some storms or winterly weather 3. If the Northern Ass be observed with any
time of day when the Sun beams and wind meet it may cause the same effect by vertue of his rays 72. When the clouds seem piled upon heaps like fleeces of wool it presages wet weather and neer at hand 73. If the clouds fly low in Sommer it is a sign of rain and in Winter it prenotes cold weather to ensue quickly after 74. When the clouds seem white and jagged as if rent asunder gathering together in a body their forces united do foretel a storm the nature of the exhalation is apparently turbulent by the form and colour 75. Hollow and murmuring winds do presage stormy weather for it shews the Air is moist and dilated so cannot find an easie passage but is opposed or hindred in the motion by hills trees and hollow places which it gets into and makes a noise 76. The Air being a subtile body infuses it self into the pores of timber boards c. and against rain being converted into water or a moisture which makes boards to swell and is the cause that Wainscot and Joyners work doth crack against wet weather doors will not easily shut or open c. 77. Paper against wet weather will grow weak damp and swell the reason is the same with the last but in writing paper it will sooner be perceived and more certainly predict the weather because it is done over with a thin substance of a gummy nature which with the waterishnesse of the Air dissolves and grows moist giving way for the Incke to soke into the paper which the Gum in dry weather will not permit 78. When the clouds seem overcharged and white withal like towers expect then hail or snow according to the season of the year 79. After a storm of hail expect a frost to follow the next day after 80. When Spiders webs poplare and thistledoune and such light things do fly in the Air up and down as it were to make nature sport or a type of Fortunes favours these are signs of the weathers changing and speedy mutability for these things of lenity are easily moved by the first insurrection of any exhalation precursor of the weathers change and oftentimes wind 81. Mists descending from the tops of hills and settling in the valleys is a sign of a fair day especially in Sommer time and then an argument of heat for they were exhalations raised by the ferver of the Sun and by the Air in the evening which in hot weather is coldest it is converted into mists and dews as a necessary provision of Nature to cool the Earth and refresh her fruits whereby to enable them that they may endure the next days heat White mists are the same but more waterish and inclining to rain and if they do ascend it presages rain and argues the middle Region of the Air not for to be very cold the lowest waterâ—sh and the vapour warm 82. If in calm and serene weather you do observe the rack to ride a pace expect winds from that quarter for it is evident that the exhalation above in the clouds converts into a wind or rain and will descend but if clouds do ascend any day it presages the storm is past But neither this nor some of the other observations are conceived general diversity of climates producing several and various effects and besides the season of the year ought to be considered the weather having peculiar properties in several Countries and places as the nights in Africa are dewy in Winter clouds in Aegypt so heavy as if the Air were unable to support them and in such tumults as if they threatned the world with a deluge yet march all away without any drop of rain Locri and the lake Velinus in Italy have no day but there is a Rain-bow appears in Syracusa and Rhodes no day in all the year so cloudy but that the Sun is seen to those places most hot Countrys neer the torrid Zone have frequent flashes of lightning and in their Winter often without rain with many other observations purposely here omitted By Water and Earth 83. THe water of the Fens and standing pools growing warm without heat of the Sun more then usually is a sign of much rain the Element of water being rarisied as appears by the parts 84. The rain falling in small drops argues those clouds were high from whence it fell and a sign of much wet 85. If the rain be whitish and falling into water riseth up in bubbles it shews the rain will continue and that the water is then full of windy exhalations and if the showre does cease the wind will succeed it 86. The rain falling upon the Earth or floods if soon drunk up are signs of more 87. Linnen or woollen cloth dipped in the water and exposed to the Air if it soon freezes it is a sign of much or violent frost 88. Drops of water after rain falling from the eves of houses slowly one after another is a sign of frost for the Air works easily upon small parcels foreshewing in those parts an inclination of the greater 89. If the Sea at low water within the harbour be calm and yet makes a rumbling noise it presages wind and if so by fits expect both cold weather and rain 90. If the Sea or Sea-bancks in calm weather make much noise or the billows seem to heave and rise up it presages a tempest neer at hand 91. If the Seas be very rough and boisterous the wind not great the waves have been disturbed either with a tempest past or else at one approaching and if the billows do make a noise as with a refracted Air like the murmuring sound of woods the storm is neer at hand 92. When the tops of high hills are clear and free from clouds or mists it is a sign of fair weather 93. If a murmuring sound be heard in valleys or from hollow caves within the Earth or rivers make a rumbling noise more then usual running with troubled streams any of these do presage a storm Presages of Earth quakes 94 The extraordinary swelling and rising up of the Seas when there is neither wind nor flood to cause it foreshews an Earth quake observed by Posidonius 95. When the waters in wells fountains or deep pits are much troubled and have an evil savour and a taste of sulphure that were pleasant before it does argue an Earth-quake 96. A roaring noise under the earth resembling thunder is the forerunner of an Earth-quake 97. When the Air for a long time wants motion and is still that birds can scarcely fly for want of wind it foreshews an Earth-quake 98. Aristotle with some others do say that a black and narrow streak or line right under the Sun stretched out to a great length and remaining or continuing long does presage an Earthquake but this doth rather signifie a great tranquillity of the Air and so a second cause but not the immediate A Paraphrase THe reason of these and the former signs of tempests by Water and
Earth are both one for in long continued calms the material cause of winds is detain'd within the bowels of the Earth and there being rarified searches the veins caverns and hollow subterranean places to get a passage but finding readily none and not able to contain it self it forces a way and according to its quantity disturbs the Waters and shakes the Land or breaks forth into a tempest with horrid noises according to the resistance made or which is aptest and most facile to be effected By sensitive Creatures but first by Beasts and Reptiles 99. BEasts eating greedily and more then they use to do prenotes foul weather and all small cattel that seem to rejoyce with playing and sporting themselves foreshews rain 100. Oxen and all kind of Neat if you do at any time observe them to hold up their heads and snuffle in the Air or lick their hooves or their bodies against the hair expect then rainy weather 101. Asses or Mules rubbing often their ears or braying much more then usually they are accustomed presages rain 102. Hogs crying and running unquietly up and down with hay or litter in their mouths foreshews a storm to be neer at hand 103. Dogs tumbling and wallowing themselves much and often upon the earth if their guts rumble and stinke very much are signs of rain or wind for certain 104. Cats coveting the fire more then ordinary or licking their feet and trimming the hair of their heads and mustachios presages rainy weather 105. Moles plying their works in undermining the Earth foreshews rain but if they do forsake their trenches and creep above ground in Sommer time it is a sign of hot weather but when on a fuddain they doe forsake the valleys and low grounds it foreshews a flood neer at hand but their coming into meddows presages fair weather and for certain no floods 106. Spiders creep out of their holes and narrow receptacles against wind or rain Minerva having made them sensible of an approaching storm 107. The Common-wealth of Emmets when busied with their egs and in ordering their State affairs at home it presages a storm at hand or some foul weather but when Nature seems to stupifie their little bodies and disposes them to rest causing them to withdraw into their caverns least their industry should engage them by the inconveniency of the season expect then some foul and winterly weather 108. The little sable beast called a Flea if much thirsting after blood it argues rain 109. The lamentable croaking of Frogs more then ordinary does denote rainy weather 110. Glow-worms Snayles and all such creatures do appear most against fair weather but if Worms comes out of the earth much in the day time it is a presage of wet weather but in the Sommer evenings it foreshews dewy nights and hot days to follow and here ends the prognostications of the weather by Beasts and reptiles By winged Creatures 111. THe vigilant Cock a bird of Mars the good house wives clock and the Switzers alarum if he crows in the day time very much or at Sun setting or when he is at roost at unusual hours as at 9 or 10 expect some change of weather and that suddainly but from fair to foul or the contrary but when the Hen crows good men expect a storm within doors and without if the Hens or Chickings in the morning come late from their roosts as if they were constrained by hunger it presages much rainy weather 112. The offspring or aliance of the Capitolian guard when they do make a gaggling in the Air more then usual or seem to fight being over-greedy at their meat expect then cold and winterly weather 113. Birds that do haunt the Fens if they often wash themselves it presages rain or wind and so in most birds or fowls that do prune their feathers with an oyly substance as a provision of Nature in preparing themselves against a storm 114. Cormorants Gulls Ducks Mallards and all water-fowls when they bathe themselves much prune their feathers and flicker or clap themselves with their wings it is a sign of rain or wind 115. Cormorants and Gulls flying from the Sea and standing lakes presages a storm 116. Cranes soaring aloft and quietly in the Air foreshews fair weather but if they do make much noise as consulting which way to go it foreshews a storm that 's neer at hand 117. Herons in the evening flying up and down as if doubtful where to rest presages some evill approaching weather 118. Ravens and Crows when they do make a hoarse hollow and sorrowful noise as if they sobbed it presages foul weather approaching 119. Crows flocking together in great companies or calling early in the morning with a full and clear voice or at any time of the day gaping against the Sun foreshews hot and dry weather but if at the brinck of ponds they do wet their heads or stalk into the water or cry much towards the evening are signs of rain the Woodpeckers cry denotes wet 120. Jack-daws if they come late home from forraging presages some cold or ill weather neer at hand and likewise when they are seen much alone 121. Buzards or Kites when they do soar very high and much to lessening themselves making many plains to and again foreshews hot weather and that the lower Region of the Air is inflamed which for coolnesse makes them ascend 122. Swallows flying low and touching the water often with their wings presages rain 123. Owls whooping after Sun set and in the night foreshews a fair day to ensue but if she names her self in French Huette expect then fickle and unconstant weather but most usually rain 124. Peacooks crying loud and shrill for their lost Jo does proclaim an approaching storm 125. Sparrows in the morning early chirping and making more noise then ordinary they use to do foretels rain or wind The Titmouse cold if crying Pincher 126. Doves coming later home to their houses then they are acustomed to do presages some evil weather neer approaching 127. Sea-mews early in the morning making a gaggling more then ordinary foretokens stormy and blustering weather 128. Halcyon at the time of breeding which is about 14. days before the Winter Solstice foreshews a quiet and tranquil time as it is observed about the coast of Sicily from whence the Proverb is transported the Halcyon days Pliny 129. Bats or flying Mice coming out of their holes quickly after Sun set and sporting themselves in the open Air premonstrates fair and calm weather 130. Birds in general that do frequent trees and bushes if they do fly often out and make quick returns expect some bad weather to follow soon after 131. Bees in fair weather not wandring far from their hives presages the approach of some stormy weather 132. Wasps Hornets and Gnats biting more eagerly then they use to do is a sign of rainy weather 133. Flies in the Spring or Sommer season if they grow busier or blinder then at other times or that
they are observed to shroud themselves in warm places expect then quickly for to follow either Hail told storms of Rain or very much wet weather and if those little creatures are noted early in Autumn to repair unto their Winter quarters it presages frosty mornings cold storms with the approach of hoary Winter 134. Atomes or little flies swarming together and sporting themselves in the Sun beams is a good omen of fair weather And so here I will end the predictions by sensitive creatures upon the Land and turn to the Seas to behold the wonders of the deep By Fishes 135. POrpaises or Sea-Hogs when observed to sport and chase one another about ships expect then some stormy weather 136. Dolphines in fair and calm weather persuing one another as one of their waterish pastimes foreshews wind and from that part whence they fetch their frisks but if they play thus when the Seas are rough and troubled it is a sign of fair and calm weather to ensue 137. Cuttles with their many legs swimming on the top of the water and striving to be above the waves do presage a storm offended with the Meteor and the disturbed waters in the deep 138. Sea Vrchins thrusting themselves into the mud or striving to cover their bodies with sand foreshews a storm for the windy exhalations disturb the lowest waters first in the bottome of the Sea which makes the other fishes rise and trust in their swimming and the Vrchin unapt for that and fearing to be hurried away with the tumultuous waves gets neer the shoare and there stays it self by creeping into the earth 139. Cockles and most shell fish are observed against a tempest to have gravil sticking hard unto their shells as a providence of Nature to stay or poise themselves and to help weigh them down if raised from the bottome by the surges 140. Fishes in general both in salt and fresh waters are observed to sport most and bite more eagerly against rain then at any other time as agreeing best with their flegmatick constitutions many other observations there be of these creatures as concerning winds tides floods and seasons of the year well known unto Fisher-men but not to me By Vegetables 141. Trefoile or Clavergrasse against stormy and tempestuous weather will seem rough and the leaves of it stare and rise up as if it were afraid of an assault 142. Tezils or Fullers Thistle being gathered and hanged up in the house where the Air may come freely to it upon the alteration of cold and windy weather will grow smoother and against rain will close up his prickles 143. Heliotropes and Marigolds do not only presage stormy weather by closing or contracting together their leaves but turn towards the Sun's rays all the day and in the evening shut up shop 144. Pine apples hanging up in the house where they freely may enjoy the Air will close themselves against wet and cold weather and open against hot and dry times 145. The leaves of trees and plants in general will shake and tremble against a tempest more then ordinary 146. All tender buds blossoms and delicate flowers against the incursion of a storm do contract and withdraw themselves within their husks and leaves whereby each may preserve it self from the injury of the weather A Paraphrase IN these vegetables there be certain strings or nerves which by the alteration of the outward Air distilled into them like a thin fume do display or open their leaves or contract them like convulsion fits according to that thin vapours disposition infused into their veins being grateful or oppugnant to the natural temperature of the vegetable c. these vapours do make them smell more fragrantly as forerunners of dew or rain especially all odoriferous flowers to whom such dews are a comfort By Minerals 147. MEttals in general against much wet or rainy weather will seem to have a dew hang upon them and be much apter to sully or foul any thing that is rubbed with the mettal as you may see in Pewter dishes against rain as if they did sweat leaving a smutch upon the table-cloaths with this Pliny concludes as a sign of tempests approaching 148. Stones against rain will have a dew hang upon them but the sweating of stones is from several causes and sometimes are signs of much drought and the reason from hence is derived the inflamation of the Air over-heating the superficies of the Earth attracts vapours from below whereby to cool it according to the nature of all things that are dry and one part still supplies another which makes our wells and fountains low and tides high at or about Michaelmas the Sommer past the Sun having exhausted so many vapours and exhalations from the treasury of the Earth the sign of wet in Mettals as is in stones proceeds from the moistnesse of the outward Air turned into water by the coldnesse of the Earth Mettal or Stone the Air being waterish and apt unto it and this it does most usually presage 149. Glasses of all foots will have a dew upon them in moist weather Glasse windows will also shew a frost by turning the Air that touches them into water and then congealing of it for the Air within the house being warmer then that without is by opposition and the coldnesse of the glasse between them quickly converted from Air into water and so to Ice within-side the outward being predominant by an Antiperistasis 150. Salt extracted out of the Earth Water or any Mineral hath these properties to foreshew the weather for if well kept in fair weather it will be dry and apt to dissolve against wet into its proper Element boards that it hath lain upon and got into the pores of the wood it will be dry in fair and serene weather but when the Air inclines to wet it will dissolve and that you shall see by the board venting his brackish tears and Salt-sellers will have a dew hang upon them and those made of mettal look dim against rainy weather But some here doe question me for deserting my former intended tract and method as in placing Salt with Minerals being imperfectly mixt and composed of fire and water oppugnant to their natural qualities as if I intended for to delude men with words or blind their fights with casting Salt into their eyes or dust raised with a whirl wind against an approaching storm No this was not my intention but being this could not well stand with the first signs of the weather it made me leane or incline to the Chymick Philosophers which make this a Principle both in Vegetables and Minerals and my conclusion whereby to relish all the rest being general in all according to the Adage Sal sapit omnia Natural signs of the four Seasons A Stronomers do divide the year into four quarters or seasons with certain and prefixed times the Sun entering four cardinal points as was said already in the Worlds Epitomy others again do divide it into two parts
receive the water which you may thus provide if you would have a red water take Vermilion a green colour is more pleasant and visible which is thus made take Verdigrease and ½ so much Roman vitrial beaten small and put them into the best white Wine vinegar the quantity as you shall see convenient the colour and bignesse of the cestern consider'd these being infus'd and sturr'd together let them stand 2 or 3 days until the water be coloured to your mind if it proves too deep a green pour in a little more Vinegar or strong Water to it This being provided take the circumference of the globe at A with ¼ part more or 4 diameters if you can and place it on the shank with a string equidistant from the head as at the cestern there make two marks and divide that space into what parts you please 15 degrees or equal parts I conceive the best 8 being the Arithmetical medium if the shank be not taper'd write the figures on paper and past them upon the glasse in a continued Arithmetical Progression ascending from 1 to 15 make a Frame that the glasse may stand fast and about the cestern a rock or what you fancy best This done put the water into the Bolts head and holding that in your hand put it into the Frame and Cestern then turn it suddenly the right way and upon the bottome let it rest awhile Observe at what figure the water stands let it at the first be too high then raise up gently the long glasse so that the water may fall down into the cestern and try it for two or three days and when it is at a place that fits the temperature of the Air and Season of the year viz. 1 2 or 3. if it be in the heat of Sommer but at 13 14 or 15. in the cold of Winter if a little frost such as we have in September place it at 9 or 10 but if very temperate weather as between hot and cold the water must stand at 8 a medium having tri'd and fitted it well according to the temperature of the outward Air for it must be kept from fire and accidental heat close it or lute it up at the neck of the cestern leaving onely some cane for a vent as you see at C whereby the Air may passe in or out of the cestern accordingly as the water doth rise or fall for the long glasse must always stand in the water and almost touch the bottome of the receiver or lower vessel as at B if the Air gets into the long glasse anywhere after it is placed according to the weather the work is frustrated A PERPETUAL KALENDER OR Diurnal for the weather with general and particular observations diligently selected and compendiously inserted demonstrating perspicuously in a Glasse the Airs mutability and the weathers vicissitude with the present temper and Season of the year observing the water on serene days at these degrees Viz. 1 2 3 Shews the extreme heat of Sommer 4 5 Is excessive hot and sultry weather 6 7 Is more hot than cold a pleasant season 8 The medium betwixt Sommer Winter 9 10 More cold than hot with gentle frosts 11 12 Is excessive cold and frosty weather 13 14 15 Shews the extreme cold of Winter 1. THe efficient cause why this water riseth and falls is from the condensing or dilating of the outward Air made visible by a sympathetical imitation of the parts here inclos'd upon any alteration of the weather presag'd from hence by experience observing that Cold and Drought do contract Heat and Moisture rarifies 2 The sudden salling of the water foreshews an immediate approaching Storm of Thunder Lightning Rain Hail or Snow 3 If the water falls a degree in 6 hours it will Rain within 12 hours after if not misty close or sultry weather for the Season 4 If the water fals much in the day and riseth but little in the night yet the weather continuing fair expect then excessive heat if not Thunder and Lightning 5 If the water falls never so little between Sun-setting and his rising next day it will Rain or Snow before 12 the following night if the Meteor converts not to what is worse a Calydonian Mist 6 If the water falls not in the time of artificial day it prognosticates northerly winds a cold night to ensue or storms of Hail at hand 7 If the water keeps neer any degree a natural day the weather will continue whether it be fair or foul but if it rises or falls a degree and stands the weather will quickly change to some excess 8 If the water falls no more in the day then it did rise in the night it is a sign that the Air is temperate the heat of the day equally qualifying the coldnesse of the night or else it argues the weather to be at a doubtful stay 9 The often rising and falling of the water shews the outward Air very mutable the temper various and the weather unconstant 10 When the water riseth not in the night-time expect then Mists dark foul and foggy weather the next day if not Thunder and Lightning in Sommer 11 The water rising any day in fair weather presages a frost the following night or cold windy weather for the Season if no immediate storm of Hail invades the earth 12 If the water riseth in foul weather whether it be day or night it prognosticates the storm is nigh past and fair weather will consequently ensue 13 The more that the water riseth or falls at any time the more violent will be the change of weather and of longer continuance whether fair or foul hot or cold as if it ascends 2 degrees in the day or 3 in the night or falls 2 in the night or 3 degrees in the day 14 Observe at what figure or degree the water did rise or fall when the weather chang'd for the Airs temper will continue in the same state until the water returns to that place again excepting the extreams of Winter and Sommer 15 So long as the water shall continue above 10 ascending 't will be frost if it falls below 9 't will break unlesse it rises within 12 hours after if from above 12 it descends a degree or two and stands expect then Snow Sleet cold or slabby weather If the Bolts-head be not prepar'd neer the dimensions given the water will rise and fall as the inclosed air contracts or rarifies but not in proportion to satisfie curious expectation nor exactly ratifie all the 15 prescribed observations Besides Countries particular places houses and rooms according to their situations or accidental causes will change the Airs temper all which with other circumstances I refer to the ingenious and my following Paraphrase to their exposition A Paraphrase upon the Weather GLASSE NAture in all her works abhors a Vacuum so that no sublunary place can be empty or void but is supplyed by one of the four Elements from hence it
is that the Air in Water-cranes and pumps being sucked out the waters from profound springs are forced to rise contrary to their course and gravity and as the Air is sucked up the Water ascends whereby to avoid a Vacuum so repugnant to Nature the reason is the same in this for the outward Air being condensed with cold that contained in the globe of the glasse must also contract it self being a member or part of the whole Element and so consequently the water in the glasse must ascend to avoid a vacuum which it readily will doe having a vent below to supply the defect of water in the lower vessel This is the sole cause that glasses break in frosty weather being close stopp'd and not full of liquor for the Air contracting and having no pores or passage for a supply of more the vessel of necessity must crack and by rarifaction the same may be effected as common experience proves in glasse Alembicks or other close and concave vessels which are burst by restraint of the rarified inclosed Air and if these bodies could extend themselves like bladders the included air might be dilated unto an irruption at last with a noyse like Meteors swell'd to Tympanies in the wombs of pregnant clouds from rarifaction of Air proceeds this experiment Take a globe or round glasse luted up close and having rarified the confined air by natural or artificial heat you may throw the glasse against a stone 't will bound and not break by any violence that exceeds not the extension of the dilated imprison'd air And here in these small things I have briefly prov'd how active this Element is in avoiding either excess or defect superfluity or a vacuum and in an instant contracts or rarifies as Nature sees aptest or most facile to be effected and thus avoids vacuity in all bodies for if any place be empty 't will be found in some extravagant defendants or in orbicular heads enemies to order emblemes of a Chaos Natures abortives or false conceptions but lest this discourse should be so much dilated for to make some break into choller I will return to the Weather glass my former subject not so fragile as they The falling of this inclosed Water is according to the natural property and course of all ponderous bodies inclining towards the center and seat of gravity if not hindred by some greater force or natural affection to attract them so this tends downwards accordingly as the inclosed Air can dilate it self for the Element rarifying as against rain or hot weather that contained above the water in the glass must imitate it in the same proportion which appears by this for to be â…• or â…™ part more in the extreme heat of Sommer then in the greatest cold of Winter but not to be understood as general for the extreams of heat and cold in the Winter and Sommer-Season in every year nor Country is alike as regions under the Torrid Zone admits of no frost and parts neer either Pole receives but little heat some places enjoy a mean and divers in excess of both extreams The divisions of this glass are intended chiefly for England or such Countries as are neer this temperature of Air yet they may be made for any other Climate but the observations must not be in all points the same for the former reason delivered The temper of your body you may try by laying your hand upon the head of the glass for the hotter you are the more the water will fall and take your hand off the water will presently rise recovering its former place or temper and for a demonstration let this suffice I have presented to your view as in a glass both natural and artificial presages of the weather for all knowledge meerly humane is but as a shadow of Science or a superficial learning reflecting upon mans imagination as objects represented on a mirrour and not substantially comprehending the least thing created so expect not from me the meanest of men infallible predictions but conjectures and most of those collected from the observations of others bound up in this little Volume and order'd in the best form I could devise as for better reasons in these natural causes and effects of Metcors I will refer them unto your calm and serene censure for to paraphrase upon and explain the obscure and hidden mysteries of Natures secrets and yet She not absolute of her self but strictly tyed to the precepts of the Immense Creator to whose Sacred name be all Honour Praise and Glory These and all other being under the command of His Omnipotent word And thus it is recorded in the Regal Psalmist cap. 148.8 Ignis grando nix glacies spiritus procellarum quae faciunt verbum ejus AN INTRODUCTION TO The Fourth PART Shewing The direful effects of some prodigious Meteors Epidemical diseases and Memorable accidents with brief Historical observations of their events and final causes as just motives to the love and fear of God Benevolent Reader THe formal and material cause of Meteors I have compendiously delivered you already according to my ability selected from the ablest Astronomers and Philosophers amongst whom I will not rashly presume to give a verdict in such stupendious conceptions but willingly do attend their Dictates and Hypotheses which in many things do not concur a common vice in humane learning to vary many men having many minds with opinions so oppugnant as not to be reconcil'd Some affirming Comets to be of a Celestial nature other sublunary and extracted from the Elements Some denie their motions to be equal about their center but sometimes high and at other times low according to the matter that feeds them so moving up and down in the Air like an Ignis fatuus And thus by refractions deceive humane sight and frustrate these seeming demonstrations But leaving their ambiguous arguments and dubious opinions of men prone unto errour since the matter and form of them is undoubtedly held natural their effects portentious and observed as the forerunners of great calamities to be inflicted upon whole Kingdoms and parts of the habitable World And thus the Poet Silius Lib. 8. Non unus crine corusco Regnorum eversor rubuit lethale Cometes Pliny in his natural History makes a series or catalogue of these fiery apparitions which he divides into Ten kinds but my intention in this little treatise is to comprehend them under the title of Comets Blazing-Stars or fiery Impressions in general They are the hidden and secret mysteries of Nature portentious in their heights magnitudes courses and periods various and manifold in their colours and form but are generally observed representative lights and figures of Stars and their effects according to the opinion of Philosophers are to purge the Air by consuming those Meteors whether exhaled or ingendred in the Skies But these combustions inflame that Element by which we draw our vital breath and so begetteth Choler and makes us prone unto dissentions and civil broiles if
four continued days these were as Emblems in both places of their rebellion against Heaven and Earth which are the ways of the Divel For he that follows Christ walks not in darknesse The Romans were also thus benighted when the Prince of obscurity was adored by them which Virgil does apply to the death of Julius Cesar and the civil wars Lib. 1. Geor. Sol tibi signa dabit solem quis dicere falsum Audeat ille etiam coecos instare tumultus Saepe mones fraudemque operta tumescere bella Ille etiam extincto miseratus Caesare Romam Cum caput obscurâ nitidum ferrugine texit Impiaque aeternum timuerunt saecula noctem Portentious Stormes of Rain BEfore the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour 766 in the Raign of Rivallus a British King for three days space it rained bloud out of which corruption there ensued multitudes of venemous Flies which killed many men and bred a mortality with desolation almost unto the whole Island This is collected from the British antiquities A little before the death of Nero the Tyrant and Emperour of Rome it rained bloud with many other prodigies as you may read in Livy In the year since the Sacred Virgin was a Mother 1534 about the Feast celebrated for the Resurrection of the Son of God it rained bloud in Germany which falling upon Mens garments did describe the form of red Crosses to put us in mind peradventure of His cruel Passion a Sacrifice for the whole World In the Low Countries neer about this time the skins of men and women were signed in this manner in a shower of bloud In the year of our Redeemer 1571 at a place called Emden in Frisia there fell in the night time a great shower of bloud which discoloured the earth and all it fell upon for the space of 5 or 6 miles in compasse and in such plenty that divers cups were fill'd the next day with it about these times began cruel and bloudy wars by the Sacramentarians In the year 1601 the like of these prodigies began and continued the space of 3 years and then was seconded with a woeful plague Marcus Varro affirms how it rained Frogs in several parts and in divers Towns of Gallia Cardanus reports Anno Domini 1510 how that in Lombardy it rained hard Stones of a sulphurious taste in colour like to rusty Iron one Stone that fell in this Storm was presented to the King of France Avicenna affirms how that in Persia it rained Iron In the time of Augustus Cesar it rained Silver as Dion testifieth In Armenia there fell from the Clouds red Snow as if it had received a tincture of Vermilion And befides these as it is recorded there hath fallen from the Skies Flesh Milk Corn Wool and divers other prodigies over long to be rehearsed because they are doubtful and yet affirmed by Pliny Livy and divers other well approved Authors yet they upon report of others have inscribed many Errours so I will passe them over and proceed Of Deluges and portentious irruptions and courses of the Waters Besides many wonderful flouds in particular Countries there be three held stupendious above the rest the General Deluge in the time of Noah in the year from the Creation of the Stars 1656 this was 15 Cubits above the highest hills in this Deluge all the World perished but what was with Noah in his Arke as you may read in Gen. cap. 6 cap. 7 and cap. 8. The second great inundation is accounted that of Achaia in which floud that Province was submerg'd This Deluge was 540 years after that of Noah and by Computists affirmed to be about the 90 year of Jacob the Patriark Deucalion's was the third in the Country of Thessalia about 100 years after the building of Rome this Deucalion was son to Promethe us Prince of Greece who in a Boat saved himself and his Family from the fury of the floud on mount Parnassus this is that Deluge which Ovid mentions in his Metam Lib. 1. which swallow'd up the Atlantike and divers other parts and great Territories in Europe Yet it is a general received opinion that he had perused the old Testament by relating how the World in time to come should be destroyed with Fire as in these Verses Esse quoque in fatis reminiscitur affore tempus Quo mare quo tellus correptaque regia coeli Ardeat Mundi moles operosa laboret In the last year of Nero Cesar's raign new Rivers did spring out of the Earth and others did alter their courses and former channels as it is recorded by Pliny lib. 2. cap. 103 and about that time some Rivers were observed to run backward as if they would have returned contrary to course into the Earths bowels again or to shew the preposterous courses of the Tyrant that ript open his Mothers womb to see from whence he came Conimbricensis Tract 11. cap. 8. Mete writeth how that in the raign of Emanuel King of Lusitania the waters in the River Tagus did part themselves running with two streams on either side and the middle of the Channel void of water Nilus the famous River of Egypt and wonder of the World upon the Cosmical rising of the Dog-Star does overflow the fruitful valleys enriching the soyl and so producing an annual crop yet some years these floods have proved extraordinary as you may read in Pliny lib. 5. cap. 9. the greatest flood that ever was observed there is recorded to be 15 cubits high in the time of Claudian the Emperour the least that ever was known is reported to be a little before the bloudy and fatal field of Pharsalia between Pompey the great and Cesar the Conquerour In the year of Mans Redemption 1521 the Rivers of Rhine and Maze with some others of lesser note both in Germany and the Low Countrys by the extraordinary Tides and swelling of the Seas forced these Rivers to overflow their banks which inundation overwhelmed 72 villages in which perished above 100,000 people with inumerable multitudes of Cattel of several kinds this I find recorded by Mr. John Stow in his Anuals of Henry the 8. Many strange and portentious births have been produced in all ages not onely to the terrour of Man but to the astonishment even of Nature and these with many other stupendious prodigies for brevity sake I let pass and will conclude with those recorded of the Romans more furious and bloudy then the worst of civil wars and thus Virg. lib. 1. Geor. Vox quoque per lucos vulgo exaudita silentes Ingens simulacra modis pallentia miris Visa sub obscurum noctis pecudesque locutae Infandum sistunt amnes terraeque dehiscunt Of Earth-quakes and their wonderfull effects THe moving of a Coach or Cart will make houses sensibly to shake and tremble according to the motion or Weight of the Carriages more especially in towns where there are many vaults or Cellers and the streets paved in one continuum with
being a Mother 316. Maxentius in the Eastern Countries raised a terrible Persecution putting all Christians to death that he could find and with severall kinds of tortures to force them from their allegiance and service to the Son of God This persecution constrained many to fly their Countries and divers for fear of Maxentius and his unhumane competitours obscured themselves in Caves of beasts in the Desarts where from savage Creatures they found more mercy then from Man But this Christ reveng'd persecuting the Tyrants with Plague and Famine which so consumed many Countrys that they were destitute almost of Men Women or Children until the Emperour had nothing but beasts to rule over and not many of them neither From the Birth of our Lord and Saviour 1346. there happned in that year three great conjunctions of the higher Planets viz. ♄ ♃ and ♂ and these three all in ☌ in ♒ this year produced one of the most universal and destructive Plagues that ever was inflicted upon wretched mortals this pestiferous infection took the original in the East Indies and past over the world no people safe either by Land or Sea the Air being generally contaminated as with a deadly poyson many that year went to Sea hoping by that means to avoid it but in vain for there they were surprised with their whole families this Epidemical disease was so dreadful that it banished all humanity and perverted man from being a sociable creature Friends forsaking their Friends and Alies Parents unnaturally forsook their Children and ungrateful Children their Parents This general disease continued 9. years in several Countreys and was as mortiferous and raging as ever was Plague in any Countrey Some writers affirm how that this Plague began from fiery Exhalations risen out of the Earth whose malignancy infected the Air and from those distempers begot raging Feavers in Men untill the sword made incision of their inflamed veins a remedy worse then the disease Others say this Plague took its sad Exordium from fire that fell from Heaven the most authentick Chronologers record it thus Lamech a City of Arabia now known by the name of Mecha the Metropolitan of the Antichristian Mahumetans superstition in this City it rained Bloud and Snakes the space of three days and nights together the Serpents soon after perished in such multitudes that the stench of their corrupted bodies contaminated the Air in all the adjacent Regions this stupendious storm raz'd Mahumets Temple to the ground and sever'd into many pieces the Sepulchre of that infernal Impostor The next year the Earth denyed her accustomed fruits introducing a Famine more mortiferous then the former these direful calamities not moving man to repentance O incredulous and obdurate hearts but contemning those dreadful judgements were pleased with their enemies fall until they fell themselves Piety expulsed fled into exile while envy and confusion in Arms put the world in an uproar the sword licensed in the hands of Furies making a rude decimation of those who had espaced both Plague and Famine These three last deplorable afflictions were the most universal and destructive that the world ever felt or the Inhabitants groaned under since the general Deluge when in 40. days all living souls were destroyed from off the face of the Earth but what the Ark was fraighted withal whereby to replant the world again and those for many months were wafted over the angry waves that lav'd the Earth polluted with enormous crimes and transgressions of unbelieving licentious men only under the Law of Nature to which brute Beasts subject themselves This Ark represented the figure of Baptism 1 Pet. 3.20 21. And moreover St. Hierome calls it a Type of the Catholike Church the raging storms and tumultuous billows in opposition to one another resemble Herefies and Persecutions the Ark out-lived the fury of the Deluge and so shall the other to the worlds consummation all perished that were not in the first so I need say no more of the last Historiographers conjecture that more Men Women and Children perished in one of these Epidemical diseases then in the universal Flood the World being conceived more populous then in the days of Noah and the continuance much longer many will not believe these being but humane traditions and 't is not strange since they want faith in divine Records whereof some object that if the Deluge were 15. cubits above the highest Hills the superficies of the Waters on which the Ark floated was swell'd up to the middle Region of the Air in which no living creature can subsist besides they make queries from whence should these magazins of Waters be extracted the Fountains of the Earth they conceive not sufficient the Clouds are but thin dilated vapours the Waters mentioned above the Firmament could not descend so low in 100. years without a miracle To their objections I might answer 't was the providence of God which preserved them to whom nothing is impossible being sole Creator and Moderator of the Universe but since an Omnipotent and divine power condescended to make Mans preservation by a humane means humane reasons may be expected for which I refer the over curious unto the learned Expositors of Genesis yet not to leave them in a Sea at last something I will say not positively affirmed but conjecturally intimated only As for their Suppositions the whole Element of Air is held naturally hot and moist and the middle Region cold but by accident which frigid and restringent cause being chang'd the quality must cease and so the Air in general might convert to vapours innumerable and the waters in the Earth peradventure were dilated and so made more fluxible whose Fountains were opened for 40. continued days the Catarracts descending from their overburthned clouds which time to humane apprehension might encrease the inundation to submerge the terrestrial Globe 15. Cubits above the highest hills whereof 't is probable the Armenian mountains were most exalted above the Earths center and as the clouds were exonerated by the waters that fell 't is like this inferiour Air did ascend and assume the middle Regions Sphere and so made apt for all living creatures to breath in The Deluge ebbing Mount Ararat appear'd on whose firm foundation the Ark rested the Waters by an orderly summons retreated some to replenish the Earths entrails and exhausted veins others confin'd to channels of spacious Rivers ample Lakes and Oceans almost unterminated a great part by the influence of Stars might be sublim'd and reconverted to vapours thence rarifying to Air ascend their proper Orbs again the grosser parts sink to their seats of gravity and so will I this being above my Sphere yet pleased in recollecting my preservation past the hope of one in future transports my mind beyond a Deluge the landing Eternity A Compendium of Meteors and Signs observed in former Ages as at this present most prodigious in Nature stupendious to Mortals and portentious in their dismal events THe Symptomes of Natures distempers I have
rendered in a Chronological breviate with their direful effects and sad events in general and as for others more particularly reflecting on England I refer the Reader to my History of Meteors when it shall be produc'd to the publique view In this Epitomy I have recorded some prodigies and what succeeded them yet not presuming to presage what is to come although I have a Solomon for it Eccles c. 1. v. 8 and 9 that being reserved in the Creator's prescience only and I no Expositor Yet generally when the Elements seem distracted from their common course most do conceive they are Admonitions to us of anger and precursing signs of punishment if not remitted by repentance and before the Sword the worst of mischiefs is licens'd in the hands of rude and merciless men these and such like are Alarums to the voluptuous Children of the World lull'd into a Lethargy by sin charm'd by Oblivion Auditors to Vice and deaf to Vertue Behold malignant Planets in the lowest House conjoin presuming to affront the Sun their Prince while Night usurps the Throne of Day illuminated by intervals with Lightning or by some dreadful Comet the drops distill'd from Clouds convert to bloud the Earth denies her accustomed fruits grows sterile or disabled through the discord of the other Elements to nourish them unto maturity from hence corruption and Famine introduces Epidemical diseases the Ar infected for want of motion becomes offensive not cool nor fit to breath in and on a sudden the giddy Winds burst forth in Hericanoes from their obstruse Caves hurrying all things down that hinder their blustering motions until oppos'd with eddie Winds they turn all things topsie turvie the Waters in united streams stand still or divide themselves and at other times they seem to scorn the Confines of their Channels but in imitation of the Seas swell above their Banks as if ambitious to enlarge their Dominions The Earth grows unstable and shaking as with an Ague or labouring with some prodigious birth or from a Dropsie relapses into a burning Feaver Behold the backs of angry Clouds as if bestri'd by Furies hurried along by irrefrenary Tempests sometimes menacing the World as with a Deluge at other times belching forth flames of Fire proclaiming combustions with impetuous Thunder and many times sulphureous Meteors dilated within the obstruse Caverns of the Earth seem to beleagre Nature and by springing of Mines blow her up from the Center the aspiring heads of Rocks by concussion of Meteors have been levell'd with their feet Bulwarks of stone ramm'd up with Mountains made against the proud surges of the Seas have met and others thrown down sunk into valleys permitting the tumultuous billows to enter their breaches and so invade the Land at which disorders Nature seems frighted and in an Agony miscarries producing monstrous and abortive births These and all such prodigies are to humble the Mighty and make the proud and stiff-neck'd Atheists suppresse their thoughts abase their exalted minds bend their irreligious knees and stoop to adore a Deity beholding the Elements in an uprore mutiny and Nature their Mistresse and Idaea fall'n into an Extasie as if in a conflict betwixt Life and Death or disenabled to rule the subjugated Empire of the World the Princes and Potentates of the Earth see themselves impotent men the sulphurious Ingeniers cannot be defended with their Basaliscoes and Granadoes but frighted run to their Mines intended for the Throne of Horror to shroud their fearful heads from the face of incensed Heaven acknowledging their fiery inventions but Squibs and Childish pot-guns These Meteors though the meanest of the Almighties works be pleased to accept them from the meanest of his Servants who truly wishes your prescience of Meteors and preservation from the fury and distemper of the Elements recommending you and all to the Sacred Protection of Heaven remembring Protector in te sperantium Deus sine quo nihil est validum nibil sanctum A CONCLUSION TO This Book of Meteors Impartial Judges and ingenious Jury unto whose candid Verdict I submit hoping my faults are not capital my Accusers not considerable nor my Sentence rigid As for the escapes of the Pen and Presse they stand in this Sheet corrected as for a Pennance yet expect a pardon by course of Law if my Judges be Civilians or at least a Reprieve for another Sessions and in the interim licens'd to go upon their Paroles until exchang'd for better Yet asperge not these sheets with the errors as if adulterated by me but let them escape your censures as they have done the Corrector since I had no Revise nor Proof but by accident my aboad remote from the Printer who is the lesse culpable the Copy being much interlin'd and the Corrector not conversant in the Subject whose faults I hope transcend not the Readers humanity wishing they would behold them as the Optick Science demonstrates contraction of objects through concave Glasses and if your clemency can extend its self to annihilate a few interposed faults I need not doubt your condescention to grant me an Indulgence storm'd with injuries rifled by pretended friends false in their words perfidious in their trusts these reflecting sometimes upon my weaker cogitations represent temporal objects that divert my mind which should direct my pen Yet I am contented upon second and more serious considerations since 't is the permissive will of God who can raise me if he pleases above the assaults of Fortune or reach of malicious mortals and gratiously hath plac'd me above the degrees of Contempt though underneath the lowest Sphere of Envy I wish those that want belief were bound to make me reparations If what hath been truly and positively affirm'd be not a sufficient Plea for mistakes nor yet the Printers Table of Errors satisfactory let those reflect examine and peruse their own to which while they live they never shall subscribe FINIS Manuscripts prepar'd for the Press Inprimis The Scales of Commerce and trade Geometry demonstrated both by Lines and Numbers from thence Astronomy Cosmography and Navigation prov'd and delineated by the doctrine of Plain and Spherical Triangles mention'd in my printed Books of Arithmetick The English Annalls from the invasion made by Julius Caesar continued to these times Historical prescriptions Ecclesiastical and Moral Speculum annorum or an Ephemeris for 19 years to come ready to be publish'd by the Author Thomas Willsford The faults escap't are thus corrected INtro Page 2. line 1â—â— dele they p. 5. l. 6. dele so p. 9. l. 15. read miles p. 10. l. 32. the r. these p. 17. l. 17. r. counterpoysing p. 18. l. 21. r. nor conducing p. 26. l. 14 r. with the ☉ p. 30. l. 21. r. 28 days p. 33. l. 20. r. 1 H. 35 m. p. 40 l. 29. r. 1572. l. 32. r. a Mother p. 43. l. 1. r. Alpes p. 48. l. 26. doth r. do p. 49. l. 3. r. repelled to p. 53. l. 28. dele he p. 55. l. 9. r. not going