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Omnia videntur formata ratione Numerorum:
ſhadow oft does first appeare,Bookes, and there you'l finde,Him in the Mirrour of his Minde
NATURES SECRETS. OR, The Admirable and wonderfull HISTORY Of the generation of Meteors.
Particularly deſcribing, The temperatures and qualities of the Four Elements, the Heights, Magnitudes, and Influences of the fixt and wandring Stars: the efficient and finall cauſes of Comets, Earthquakes, Deluges, Epidemicall Diſeaſes, and Prodigies of precedent times; Regiſtred by the Students of Nature.
Their Conjecturall preſages of the Weather, from the Planets mutuall Aſpects, and Sublunary bodies: with the proportions and obſervations on the Weather-glaſs, with Philoſophicall paraphraſes rendred explicitely, uſefull at Sea and Land. By the induſtry and obſervations of THOMAS WILLSFORD, Gent.
Venite & videte opera Domini, quae poſuit prodigia ſuper terram,Pſal. 45.v.8.
LONDON, Printed for Nath. Brook at the Angel in Cornhill. 1658.
Family, and the influence of Celeſtiall Graces illuminating the moral vertues you inherit, attracts me and my Meteors, as the Sun does Exhalations and Atomes; although many have been obſerv'd more ilIgnes fatui, the greateſt and higheſt like enflamed Comets, elevated on the wings of Ambition, conſume themHoroſcopes through the Perſpectives of Reaſon; DeParallaxes of their Spheres, and by Experience found that the moſt exalted are but Falling Stars, whoſe coruſcafaeces of the Earth; whereas I look upon your Honour like a benevolent Planet Culminant, which may be eclipſt for ſome time, and alſo ſet, yet will riſe again, recover its for(Serene Lady) a ſmile from you (by vertue of your Rays) will calme the moſt rigid brow, clear the frowns and cloudy aſpects of malignant readers, conEnvy into Pearls, and ſcatter the miſty Exhalations riſen from ſplenitick bodies, to obtenebrate the weaker inſpection of others: but if it be judg'd preſumption to require ſo honourable a Protection in deHonours Feet, whereby your ſhadow may prove as propitious, and tutelary, as the Laurel whoſe ſhade is held a Sanctuary againſt ſtorms of Thunder and Lightning.
I have compendiouſly render'd here (moſt auſpicious Lady) the prognoſtication of Meteors, with
Nature, and in imitation of her dictates, providing beſt for thoſe who are in moſt danger to be damnified by the aſſaults and ſuddain incurſions of angry ſtorms; and this her moSun, while their bloſſoms receive his vivificating beams; and if too hot for their natures, their leaves fan the Air, or their Husks make
Ʋmbrelloes againſt the inflamCreatures endow'd with the uſe of Reaſon (as your Honour with an ample portion forNatures Inſtincts, I compos'd this treatiſe, your tenSexe tranſcendHonour (as the Nobleſt in my eye) that the World may witneſſe my
I Shall preſent you here with a ſmall comGod, and intended for your beHeavens, the Heights, Magnitudes, Periods and Aſpects of the fixt and wandring Stars; the natural qualities and greatneſs of the four Elements; the generation of Meteors, and Prognoſtications of the Weathers variable tranſmutaSenſitive and Vegetable Creatures, in their diſpoſitions and inclinations; a ſubject, into which the Wiſe and Learned (of precedent Ages) have made ſerious and diligent inquiſitions, omitPhiloſophers, from Ariſtotle
Thales (one of the Athenian Wiſe-men) a grand contemplator of Nature, and ſo judiArt, that he ſaid, he could be rich when he would, by prognoſticating Weathers temper in ſucceeding years, from thence preſaging plenty, or ſcarcity of Fruits; after him, divers made obſervations of the Stars aſpects, and thoſe grave Experience ratified as in relation to particular Countries or regions; after a long tract of time, this knowledge was made more univerſal by being contracted into general Rules, and thoſe again much illuſtrated by the induſtry of Ptolomaeus the Alexandrian, whoſe fame ſurvives his Funeral: Since his time very many have writ of this Subject, in a continual ſucceſſion, unto this preſent Age, yet never render'd till now in our vulgar tongue.
And that I may pleaſe all Sexes and Ages, the Ignorant and Learned, diverſity of preHeavens to the Elements, from the lofty Pine to the humble Shrub, and little Vegetables, from Birds and Beaſts and Fiſhes in the deep, down to the Minerals in the Earths pregnant
Woman; ſhould I name her Vertues they would be calm'd, or charm'd by their own Reaſons to ſilence, but 'twill diſpleaſe her Modeſty; ſo I will only intimate, her Favours reflecting upon my mind (as the Sun upon a Cloud which he rais'd) repreſented this Impreſſion, having imprinted in my memory her Nobleneſs indelible, not convenient to be pub
As for the ſubject of this Treatiſe, it apperAſtronomer in part, 'tis true; yet who underſtands the Characters and ASigns and Planets by this, will know them in any Ephemeris, or Annual Kalender, whereby you may judge of the fuWilliam Lillies is the beſt extant; As for apparitions in the Airy Regions, you have here the Obſervations upon them; and for the nature of Vegetables they are more eſſentially obſerv'd, and better known in geStars, or the nature of Meteors are diſcovered to learned Men, eſpecially all tender and redolent
Flowers, that embroyder the Earth, or perFloriſt obſerves as Kalenders of the Weathers mutability: beſides theſe, here's Birds and Beaſts, that are domeſtick Creatures, or famiGlaſſe, not to ſee their features in, but to view the ſtate of the Air, whether Dropſical or Feaveriſh, Hot or Cold, and by a member ſequeſtred from the Element, confin'd within a tranſparent Glaſſe, where behold its contra
The Tables of the Stars natural qualities in their tempers ſeem oppugnant to themſelves; as ♄ cold and dry, with ♃ hot and moiſt, likewiſe in pag. 82, line 28, and 29; and ſuch like ſeeming contradictions in general, but not in particular reſpects: theſe are the obſervations of others, faithfully recollected and transfer'd to your judgements as ModeCoſmical riſing and ſetStars are mention'd here, when as to many Places, and whole Countries, thoſe Aſteriſmes can neither riſe nor ſet: In all ſuch
Horizon of that place, or direct North, the Sun aſcending or deſcending that Hemiſphere at the ſame time. As for terms, Latine words and quotations not explain'd, they are known unto the Lady, for whom this is chiefly intended; and if they do eclipſe or offuſcate the ſubject (as in relation to oHeliotrope from its ſhade to court the Sun) and if they are ſatisfied, I am pleas'd by ſubſcribing
Creator of the
Ʋniverſe, whoſe Fiat alone made this great and ſtupendious Machine of the World, for whoſe excelMan cannot find an attriSupereminent in all beginnings, Eternal, Immenſe, Omnipotent, &c. which we cannot comHeaven and Earth, Gen. 1. cap. 1. And by his omnipotent Word alone, made on the firſt Day Light, which He divided from darkneſſe; whoſe Divine aſſiſtance I now implore, to illuminate my underſtanding, and to diſſipate the clouds of Error involving humane Learning, deviated in diverſity of Tracts, in which obtenebrated ways, we grope for what we ſeek in the bewildred cogitations of others,
Argus, when they are as blind as Moles, Phantaſmes undermining their wilful benighted judgements.
Others there be whoſe ſordid minds are buried deep in Earth, or ſo propenſe on vanities, that they reflect not upon Natures dayly works, much leſſe on the Sacred Deity, from whence ſhe was ordained herſelf; ſhould but any ſtupid man (that hath a glimmering light in the uſe of Reaſon) behold the Heavens, he muſt needs read there an immenſe Creator, if his Reaſon enters into judgement for to examine the cauſe, or contemOrbs, how by an orderly courſe and ſucceſſion they riſe and ſet; diſtinguiſhing Days from Nights, and Seaſons of the Year; contracting their Lights, or diſtributing their Rays impartially to the Peſant as the Prince; they cannot but confeſſe the ProOpificer: Which moved Ovid, though a Heathen, wavering like a weather-cock, turn'd with Air of poetical fictions, yet from them conMetam. lib. 1. deſcribing of the Chaos.
—Quia corpore in unoFrigida pugnabant calidis, humentia ſice is,Mollia cum duris, ſine pondere habentia pondus;Hanc Deus & melior litem Natura diremit.
And a little after,
Ille Opifex rerum mundi melior is origo.
Declining here the Poets and Philoſophers authovegetable or ſenſitive creature, a time there was it had no being, it increaſes to maturity and perfection, at a period declines again, returning unto Earth, from whence extracted, according to the courſe and conception of Nature; which evidently demonſtrates that She and the World had an original, as by their Fruits and off-ſpring, (the ſubjects of mortality) and conſequently muſt have an end: Eccleſ-cap. 3. conſider then the omEternal Creator, by whoſe ſacred Word alone 'twas made, by whoſe Providence it continues, and by whoſe Power it ſhall periſh, all things declaring the Almighty Deity, and ſo apApoſtle of the Gentiles, S. Paul, inſpired by the holy Ghoſt, ad Roma. cap. 1. ver. 20. Inviſibilia enim Dei, à creatione Mundi, per ea quae facta ſunt intellecta conſpiciuntur; ſempiterna quoque ejus virtus & Divinitas, ita ut ſint inexcuſabiles.
Now to return from whence I came, and look back to the Creation; on the ſecond Day, God made the Firmament as the bounds unto this great work; for the Empyreal-Heaven or his bleſſed Seat, is an Orb unlimited, whoſe Centre is everywhere, and the Circumference nowhere; and ſince that Geneſis doth mention the Heavens as the nobler part of this admired Architecture, I deſire here to begin, where I hope for to conclude, having finiſhed my Pilgrimage through this tranſitory Deſart; and in what I ſhall err, may it be aſcrib'd to my weakneſſe and not my will; and that we may always remember our imbecillities, and reflect
Pſalmiſt 75. ver. 1. Confitebimur tibi Deus, confitebimur: & invocabimus nomen tuum, narrabimus Mirabilia tua.
The ſubject of my intended diſcourſe is Meteors, originally deriv'd from the Creation of the 4 Elements, their conceptions extracted from thence by Nature, with a continual ſucceſſion from CorruReaſon aſſiſted with Experience, diſcuſſes their Qualities, and from their material cauſe prognoſticates their effects; the Stars are generally conceiv'd the effiNature imploys to what 'tis apteſt for: thus the wandring Planets and fixed Conſtellations, over-looks their tranſmutations, and by their muMeteors from whence Man does prognoſticate the Weather, either at the preſent, or by calculation of their places, for any time in future; yet the nature of theſe Stars being known but by the effects, depending much upon Experience, on Demonſtration little; this preſciPhiloſophers and Aſtronomers, ſtarted up in oppoſition to what hath been mainKnowledge, which tranſgreſſion made humane Sciences conExperience; yet ſince we are allowed to argue and diſpute upon it, conNature beheld through the Meteoroſcopes
Reaſon, although with miſts before our eyes (the Scouts to our underſtandings) yet ſome are ſharper-ſighted than others, and many think they diſcover more than they doe, and multitudes mag
Empedocles the Philoſopher of Sicilia, a man famous for wit, and endow'd with a profound talent of humane learning, imploying all the faculties of his mind to diſcover the ſecrets of Nature, and the ſubſtance of the Celeſtial orbes (in which the Elements are involv'd) he maintain'd to conſiſt of Water; of this opinion he had many diſciples, which flouriſhed until buried with the Author's, and in this later Age his paradoxes are reviv'd again, unto which Galilaeus doth much incline: others conceive them to be form'd out of a refiElement of Air, and the Stars of Fire: many urges that the arched vaults of Heaven are comNatures Quinteſſence, as it were a ſubElements, yet differing eſſentially in their Qualities, as by being neither Hot nor Cold, Drie nor Moiſt, Ponderous nor Light; to be brief, a body which they fancie, but underſtand it not: Ariſtotle conceiveth the Stars to be a thicker part of their Spheres in which they are infixt, not differing in matter nor Species any more, than knots in a piece of timber, and theſe condenſed Orbes apt to receive light, being void of luſtre in themſelves (like the common people of the Skies) but as they are illuminated by the influence of the Sun, nor have they heat but by
phaenomenons, or appearances of ſundrie coExperience (in peculiar motions) by demonſtraReaſon de
In the Firmament are plac'd all the fixed Stars, accounted in number but 1143, and of thoſe there are 14 rarely viſible, beſides multitudes (without peradventure) that never were or ſhall be ſeen to Mortals, ſince by Perſpectives ſome have been diſPlanets, never obſerv'd before, and by ſeveral mediums undoubtedly have influences on ſublunary bodies; yet by what means 'tis in diſpute: but leaſt my cogitations ſhould wander with thoſe Stars, it ſhall aſcend to the fixed, diſtinguiſhed by their Magnitudes, whoſe differences are 6. as by theſe paradigmas following.
1 The number of Stars of the firſt Magnitude are accounted 15. viz. as the Scorpions and Lions heart, &c.
2 Thoſe of the ſecond Magnitude are reckoned 45. viz. the north Horne of Taurus and the Foot of Gemini, &c.
3 Of the third Magnitude, there are numbred 208 Stars, as the Breaſt and Knees of Caſſiopeia.
4 The fourth Magnitude doth liſt 474. as the Northern and Southern Aſſe, &c.
5 The fifth Magnitude or difference, doth number 217, as the leaſt in the Pleiades and the Ram.
6 Of the ſixth and laſt Magnitude, 49 Stars, as thoſe in the mouth and on the back of Capricornus, &c.
There are accounted beſides all theſe 14 little cloudy, or obſcured Stars that ſeldome do appear, viz. Praeſepe in the breaſt of Cancer, the ſum of theſe is 1022. to which if you add 121 Stars of ſePortugalls, in their voyages to the Eaſt-Indies, the totall will be 1143 in ſeveral Conſtellations, according to Aſtronomers obſervations; but I believe not true, ſince the Sacred Records puts to man this quaery, Who can number the Stars? but theſe are more than we know, or ſhall uſe in our obſervations here, al
The fixed Stars are ſo called for never changing their poſitions or latitudes, and their longitudes not one minuit in a year, as all the Planets daily doe: to diſtinguiſh the fixed, and avoid confuſion, they are contracted into ſeveral Conſtellations or Aſteriſmes, the eaſier to be remembred, the ſooner to be found, and the better for obſervation: theſe Celeſtial Configurations are now numbred 58. repreſenting the formes and names of Men, Beaſts, Birds, Fiſhes, &c. deriving their Pedegrees from Aſtronomers Poetical fictions, or their natural effects; as when the Sun enters the Sign of Aquarius, theſe northern Countries to expect much rain or ſnow: Canis major or Sirius at his Heliacal occultation or ſetting inflames the Air, and makes Dogs apt to run mad, as Pliny teſtifies, lib. 1. cap. 40. the Egyptians call'd their river Nilus Siris, from the Dog-ſtar, obſerving their inundations to hapStar aſcended their Horizon with the Sun, and thoſe floods over-running their valleys, untill his Haliacal
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 circumPlanet 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, interpo
Jupiter in his mean motion is in diſtance from the Earth 3917 4/10 ſemi-diametrs, and is in proStars 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 6Sun 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.
Ʋnder the Moon's Sphere is the Element of Fire conceived for to be in thickneſs 154050 Miles, whoſe concave or neereſt diſtance from the ſuper
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
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 opiChurch St. Auguſtine, lib. 83. p. 74. ſayEvery 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 tempeAir 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 unaniGlobe it is doubted of by many, although not with
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 comPtolemaeus accounts 500 StadiStadium 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 be a truth in them, it is hard for to diſcover which it is, and being found difficult to follow,; but wheWorld, be greater or leſſer 'tis not for me to argue, And thus I will conclude, Pſal. 135. ver. 6. Omnia quaecunque voluit Dominus fecit in Coelo & in Terra, in mari, & in omnibus abyſſis.
FIrſt under the Firmament or Starry Heaven, is plac'd the planet Saturn ♄ who is the higheſt of them; his colour is pale, his courſe is finiſhed through the 12 Signes, in 29 years, 5 moneths, 2 weeks, 1 day and 8 hours.
The next Orbe to this is Jupiter ♃ a fair and bright planet he paſſeth through the 12 Signs of the Zodiack in a 11 years, 11 moneths, 5 days and 17 hours, or very neer.
Mars ♂ appeareth in his proper Sphere, of a red or fiery colour, marching through the 12 Signs in 1 year 11 moneths, 1 week, 6 days and 22 hours or thereabouts.
The Sun ☉ is next being placed in the middle of the planets, the better to diſtribute his light unto the reſt, they being illuminated by him, their bright and glorious Prince, and is called Sol quaſi ſolus: for this Planet is as Monarch of the Skies, all the Stars receiving their luſtre from Him: his progreſs through the Zodiack is finiſhed in a year, conſiſting of 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minuits, and 16 ſeconds almoſt; for the odd hours and minuits, is allowed a day every fourth year.
Venus ♀ is a very bright and clear ſhining Planet, ſhe finiſheth her courſe in a year: ſome
Mercuny ☿ poſting to and fro in the ſixth Sphere; but cannot exceed 30 degrees, or one whole Sign in diſtance at any time from the ☉ and ſo is ſeldome viſible, being obſcured by the Sun beams, and when ſeen, he is not bright, and finiſheth his courſe in ſomething leſſe then the ſpace of a year.
The Moon
THe Planets are called wandring Stars, both for their various courſes, and not keeping any certain diſtance one from another, each of them moving in a proper & peculiar Sphere; the Sun only keeping under the Ecliptick line; but all the other 6 (according to their motions) changing continuStars; of which Aſpects there be many obſerved by Aſtronomers; but thoſe which may concern this Treatiſe are theſe following.
Conjunction of any two Planets, is when they have one Longitude, both of them being under one Sign and degree of the Zodiack.
Sextile aſpect, is when any two Planets are in diſtance one from another (in reſpect of their Longitudes) ⅙ part of the 12 Signs, that is two whole Signs or 60 degrees.
Quartile aſpect, is when the difference of two Planets Longitudes ſhall be ¼ part of the Zodi
Trine, is the aſpect of any two Planets, that differ in Longitude one from another ⅓ part of the Zodiack, that is 4 whole Signs or 120 degrees.
Oppoſition, is the aſpect of two Planets directly oppoſite, differing in Longitude 6 of the 12 Signs that is 180 degrees, and for brevity are charactered thus, according to their Aſpects.
AN Element, is a beginning; out of which all bodies are compos'd, mixed with ſome part, of all the four which are theſe, viz. (1) Fire (2) Air (3) Water and (4) Earth; theſe four do fill up the whole Orbe, from the center of the Heavens to the Moons Sphere, whereby a vacuum or an emptiNature doth abhor, and ſo hath curiouſly made them, as to be the bounds of the connex ſuperficies of one another, and conſe
Under the Moon's Sphere is plac'd the Element of Fire, void of all weight and moſt remote from the center of gravity, this Element is of nature ex
Next unto the Fire is placed the Element of Air: which is alſo light, and is by nature hot and moiſt.
The other two (that is the Water and the Earth) as joyned and commixt together do make one Globe; for the Water is heavy, and by nature cold and moiſt; the Earth extremely cold and dry but heavier then the Water; yet both theſe Elements preſſing to the center of the Spheres.
NAture, in all her admirable works, does aim at that which is moſt convenient, and attains unto the greateſt perfection, which is a ſpherical figure, being moſt capacious, and uniform of all others, one part counterpoſing the other: thus Nature hath made the center of the Heavens, the ſeat of Gravity, to which all heavy things muſt naturally tend unto; and ſo conſequently if it were of any form but round, the fluxible waters would be divorced from the Earth, diſſenting it, to run unto the center. But ſome will object, that it is not round, by reaſon of ſome high exalted hills, ſpacious plains, and deep depreſſed vallies, and do conceive theſe a ſufficient demonſtration; but this Argument will be of no force, if you conGlobe; For
Pelion, was obſerved by Dicaearchus, whoſe perpendicular height was ſound to be but 12 StaPliny, lib. 1. cap. 65. but in the ſame ChapEratoſthenes (a famous Geometrician) found the perpendicular of mount Atlas not to exceed 10 Stadiums, a ſmall propor
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 conEarth's rotundity; and let this ſuffice, as not requiſite in this Treatiſe, conducing to our purpoſe.
THis Globe compoſed of Earth and Water, is ſuſpended in the center of the Heavens equiAir, and that within the Fire; theſe 4 Elements have naturally a peculiar quality in themſelves; partiFire in hot, the Air moſt, the Water cold, and the Earth dry: in this, the Fire and Water be natuAir and Earth be in oppoſition, as wet and drought; theſe 4 EleFire 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 affiniFire 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 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,
Autumne is likened to elder Age, the body and ſtrength in Man declining, being Watery, cold and moiſt, his beauty withering. 4. Winter, reAge, 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.
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 ſlow
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 ThunSea, and flotes upon it, being exTo 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.
EVery one of the four Seaſons is conceived to be qualified with the Signs as they are commixt with their ſeveral temperatures, called the tripliSeaſons obſerved by many,
As for the temperature of the Planet ☿ he is of himſelf inclinable to the condition of the Sign he
Who lives with good, are good we ſee;
And with the bad, perverted be.
A Parallel Sphere is alſo called vertical, having the World's Poles in the Zenith and Nadir, the Aequator in the Horizon; the Meridians and Azimoths are all one; and likewiſe the Parallel circles and Almicanters; in a verticle Sphere there is half a year day, and half a year night; one half of the Heavens never riſeth, and ſo conſe
A right Sphere hath the World's Poles in the Horizon, the Aequinoctial circle paſſeth by the Zenith and Nadir, and by that means it divides the Horizon at right angles; in this Sphere every degree and part of the Aequator, that aſcendeth or deſcendeth the Horizon with the Sun, or any fixed Star, will come to the Meridian with the ☉ or the ſame ⚹ for theſe cauſes it is called a right Sphere; and here the days will be always equal
An Oblique Sphere hath one Pole elevated above the Horizon, and the other as much depreſſed; in any oblique Sphere, the Aequator will paſs by the Horizon obliquely, making an acute, and conſequently an obtuſe angle with it; and that degree or part of the Aequator, which ſhall aſcend the Horizon with the Sun or any Star, will not come unto the Meridian of the place with the ☉ or the ſame
The Altitude, or Poles elevation, is an arch of the Meridian circle, intercepted between the HoriAequator.
The Declination of the Sun, or any Star, or part of the Heavens, is an arch of the Meridian, paſſing through the centre of the ☉ or Aequator and the centre of the ☉,
The Oblique Aſcenſion is the degree or part of the Aequator that aſcendeth the Horizon with the
Sun or any Star in an oblique Sphere, and thoſe degrees reckoned from ♈ and continued to the end of ♓, that is to 360. degrees.
The right Aſcenſion of the Sun or any Star, or part of the Ecliptick, are the degrees of the Aequinoctial circle, that aſcends the Horizon with them, in a right Sphere, or the degrees of the Aequator, that do come unto the Meridian of any place with the ☉, Aries to 360. degrees, in the Aequinectial circle, as were the former oblique Aſcenſions; and this is general in all oblique Spheres whatſoever, and the true degree in the Aequator, that aſcended the Horizon, the ☉, or
The Magnitude of a Star is to be underſtood only of the fixed, which for diſtinction, and the readier finding them in the Sphere, they are divided into ſix ſorts, the firſt being the greateſt, and ſo in order; but as for thoſe of the ſixt MagSun's right Aſcenſion in hours and minutes; for every 15. degrees of the Aequator, is equal to an hour, and ſo each degree is equall to four minutes in time, as was ſaid before.
I have here inſcribed a Table for the Sun's right Aſcenſion every fift day of the year, and two other of the Stars which are obſerved in prognoſtication of the weather, with the right Aſcenſions, DecliGlobe, or without it, when they will be viſible, and when obſcured
Sun, and what time of day or night they will come upon the Meridian; from whence the hour of the night, and many other uſeful propo
THe firſt of theſe, contains the Sun's right AFebruary, which is defective, having but 20 days, undeſs it be Biſſeatile or leap year; and ſome moneths have 31 days, which exceſs or defect is not to be regarded, nor ſuch exactneſſe required, as to a minute, and yet you may allow, in proportion ſome minutes, for any day between theſe, if ſo it be deſired; the head of this table contains the 12 Solar monethe of the year, each in a peculiar column: the firſt hath the days for the fifth day in every moneth, againſt which in each column, ſtands the hours and miSun's right Aſcenſion thoſe days.
The next Table hath 5 columns, the firſt conStars which are uſed in
Stars, that is, the hours and minutes, or degrees of the Equinoctial circle (reckoned from ♈) that comes unto the Meridian with thoſe Stars: the third column doth contain the declinations of thoſe Stars, in degrees and minutes, and thoſe diſtinguiſhed with an S, or an N, to ſignifie whether their DeclinaEquinoctial circle; the fourth, their natures, accorStars: as whether they be of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. magnitude; as their titles in the head of the Table do appear, the uſe of them is as followeth.
ADmit it were required to know the Sun's right Aſcenſion on the 5. day of March; aMarch, I do find 23 hours, 42 minutes for the day required, that is, 42 minutes after 11 at Noon, was ♈ the 6 day upon the Meridian; for from that time 355 degrees, 30 minutes of the Equator had paſt the Meridian, and Aſtronomers do account from one mid-day unto another; and if the ☉ right Aſcenſion were required upon the 5 day of July, it will be found in the Table 7 hours and 38 minutes, and in the ſame manner may the others be known.
LOok for the Star deſired in the firſt Column of either Table; on the head of the Table you will find whether the Star ſought for, hath North or South Latitude: in the ſecond column ſtands the right aſcenſion, in hours and minutes: the third will ſhow the Declination in degrees and minutes; and whether it be Northward or Southward from the Equator; the fourth the temperature according to the Planets: and the laſt will ſhew the magni
Example, the Ram's head is deſired, having north Latitude, whoſe right Aſcenſion is 1 hour, 46 minutes; the Declination 21 degrees, 42 miEquinoctial; The nature participates of both theſe Planets, ♄ & ♂, and is a Star of the third magnitude, and ſo of the reſt; thus are the fixed Conſtellations of a mixt and doubtful nature, according to Durer, whom I follow much in this.
Subſtract the Sun's right Aſcenſion, from the Stars right aſcenſion, the remainder will ſhew the hour and minute of the Stars comming to the Meridian, and whether it be day or night, by beSun's, in all ſuch caſes, add 24 h. unto the Stars right aſcenſion, and from that ſum, ſubſtract the ☉ right aſcenſion, and then the remainder will be the hour and miSun riſing or ſetting, or how long before or after, I will now ſhow, and explain it (God wil
Ʋpon the 10. day of June, it is required at what hour the Star called the little Dog will be upon the Meridian: the Sun's right aſcenſion for that day, I do find to be 5 H. 55 minutes; and the little Dog (a Star of the 2 magnitude) to have for his right aſcenſion 7 h. 20. m from whence ſubſtract the ☉ right Aſcenſion (for the day given) and the reJune, 35 minutes before 2 in the afternoon.
The 25 day of December celebrated for the Nativity of our Bleſſed Saviour, it is required to know when the middle Star in Orions girdle will come unto the Meridian, this is a Star of South Latioude, and of the ſecond magnitude, whoſe Declination, you may ſee is 1 g. 28. min. and the right aſcenſion of this December, is 19 hours, o minutes, which being greater then the given Star; adde 24 hours to it, the ſum will be 29 H. 18 minu. from whence ſub
By Trigonometry you may find the true time of ☉ riſing or ſetting in any Latitude, and for any day in the year; which hour known, and ſubſtraSouth, giveth the time after Sun ſetting; as in the Latitude of 52. g. o.m. where the Artick pole is elevated above the Horizon; the ☉ upon the 25. day of December will deſcend the Horizon, at 3. h. 50 m. which ſubh. 18. m. the remainder will be 6. h. 28. the true time after Sun ſetting, before Orions Girdle comes unto the Meridian.
Bootes (who is alſo called Arcturus) will be full South on the ſame day, at 18. h. 58. m. from whence ſubſtract 12 hours, (for you muſt reckon from noon-day) and there will remain 6. h. 58. m. in the morning, and before ☉ riſing 1. h. 12. m. if it were required when theſe or any other fixed Star will be upon the Axis of the Aequator, ſubſtract 6. h. from their right aſcentions, and the remainder is the thing required; as Orions Girdle was upon the Worlds Axis, at 4. h. 18. m. after mid-day, and Arcturus 58. minutes after midnight, by the right aſcentions of the Stars and the ☉, you may find their apparitions, and occultations to any time of the year, with the hour of the night, &c. The Pleiades, and theſe two laſt conſtellations are menJob 38.31, & cap. 9.9.
THis is to be underſtood in reſpect of the hemiſPrimum Mobile; and in reſpect of the Horizontal circle, to that hemiſphere which they muſt paſſe, both aſcending and deſcending.
But know, that in all oblique Spheres (where either pole is elevated above the Horizon) that thoſe Stars can never ſet to that hemiſphere, whoſe declinations towards the pole elevated are greater then the complement of the poles elevation; and thoſe Stars whoſe declinations are as many deAequators height above that Horizon, then all thoſe Stars (in every natural day)
Poets and Prognoſticators of the weather, in the alteration of the Air: And are theſe,
1. Coſmicall. 2. Acronycall. And 3. Heliacall.
Thoſe Stars are properly ſaid to riſe Coſmical, which do aſcend the Horizon with the ☉; as the DogJuly, and ending in the latter end of Auguſt: But in the largeſt ſenſe any Star is ſaid to riſe Coſ
The Acronycal aſcention is the riſing of any Star when the ☉ ſets; as when the ☉ doth enter into the ſign ♒, and deſcending the Horiſon, the ſign ♌ will riſe at the ſame time, which is proAcronycal, although it be often taken for a Star that aſcends the Horizon at any time of night; the Acronycal 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 underAuguſt, the Lions heart quite obſcured,
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 beSpica 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 ſatisfaMinerva.
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.
AS for the word Meteors, it ſignifies an appaAir (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 wandeStars, by vertue of whoſe beams a light rarifi'd ſubſtance is extracted from groſs and heavy bo
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 refiAir (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 inAir, 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 geAir, which are three, viz. the upper from the EleFire 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
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 beStar (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 FirmaStars 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 unStar in Caſſiopaeia appearing in the year of Grace, 1972. diffeVirgin's being a 1585, there was a Comes appeared in the Sphere betwixt Saturn and Jupiter, and an other in 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 3. or 4. Comets, that their tails did ſtream or extend out directly contrary to the Sun, as if it were by him inlightned. But others do rather conceive from hence, that theſe are Meteors, whoſe matter is drawn together, and ſet on fire by ſome Star or Planet which it follows, and turns unto it by ſome attractive power, and their bodies not round, but dilated according to the matter.
Some do think that theſe Stars were not new, but from the creation, although unviſible to the world before; as that obſerved by Hipparchus, or that in the breſt of the Swan, in the year 1600. or that which appeared in the year 1604. in Sagittarius;
Chriſtianity, 1625. towards the latter end of Auguſt, a bright Star did appear at noonAntworpe; which Star many Aſtronomers did behold, and affirmed that it was the Planet Venus. From the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour, Anno 1630. May the 29. being the birth-day of Prince Charls, there was a bright Star appeared at midHeaven, I dare not preſume for to enter into. So here I will end this diſcourſe of blazing Stars, the cauſe and their effects not being certainly known unto mortal man: And thus writes St. Damaſcene, lib. 2. cap. 7. Fidei Ortho. Cometae Dei imperio certis temporibus conflantur, rurſuſque dilabuntur.
The middle Region of Air contains watry Meteors, as Hail, Snow, and Rain; but ſome conAir; the midlemoſt is thought not to exceed four miles in depth; and that the loweſt is but ſo high as the Sun can reflect from the ſuperficies of the terreſtrial Globe; ſo one of theſe regions muſt decreaſe by the increaſing of the other; and yet the loweſt region when higheſt, not to exceed two miles; and when leaſt, or the loweſt clouds, not above an Italian mile; for there be hills whoſe heads are perpetually covered with Snow, and yet their perpendiculars are found by the obGeometricians, not to exceed a mile and a half, that is, 12. Stadiums, or 1500. Geometrical Paſes, as was ſaid before.
But ſome do urge that Tenariffe is higher then
Pliny fains the Aſpes to be; others do affirm that 'tis viſible at Sea 4. degrees, or 240. miles; from whence Snellius would ſeem to demonſtrate the perpendicular height for to be miles 9½, and others 4. miles. There is a mountain in Pera called Periacqca by the Indians, which hill Joſephus Acoſtae (in his Hiſtory of the Indies) doth advance ſo high in the deſcription of it, as he makes the Aſpes in Italy for to ſeem but like mole-hills unto it; and that the Air was ſo ſubtile on the tops of them, that it was unapt to breath in, and that he had almoſt vomited up his life. And ſome erroneouſly do conceive the heads or tops of theſe mountains for to be exalted above the middle region of Air.
Cradanus in his 17. Book, De Subtilitatibus, affirmeth the higheſt clouds not to exceed two miles, and the loweſt not above half a mile from the ſuperficies of the terreſtrial Globe, being by common experience found to be under the tops of ordinary mountains: Some would ſeem to prove it by thunder and lightning in this manner; obCannon, and the report it gives at a miles diſtance; neither is it heard much further then great Ordnances are, as it hath been often obſerved in great tempeſts both of thunder and lightning, that in 30. or 40. miles diſtance, nothing hath been heard or ſeen, but a fair day, and tranquil Sky.
Some men do think the matter which cauſes this thunder and lightning to have an affinity with Gun-powder, one being compounded by
Nature, and the other imitated by Art, which opinions are various both in Philoſophers and Chymiſts; for Paracelſus and moſt of his diſciples do affirm, that it is cauſed by Sulphur and Saltpeter, commixed with a great contrariety of Mercury unto either, and theſe three they alledge to be the chief cauſes of Meteors. Others do ſay that they are ſulphurious exhalations confuſed in the clouds, and by oppoſition of the vapours and coldneſſe of the place, it gets into a body, where taking fire by antipariſtaſis, it violently forces a paſſage through the condenſed clouds, with a roaring noiſe, to the aſtoniſhment of mortalls: Others do think that tempeſts are cauſed by the wicked condemned ſpirits, and for this cauſe bells are hallowed and rung; probable it is that it may be often times ſo permitted by the Creator; as Pſal. 77. ver. 49. and in the 7. of the Revelation; yet all is in the power of God, as Jer. 10.13. & Pſal. 134.7. Qui producit ventos de theſauris ſuis.
Nothing in this world is certain or permanent; opinions of men have their births, periods, courſees, and revolutions, as you may read in all ages, where the opinions of Philoſophers have been buried, and again revived from their funerals, armed with new demonſtrations, and fortified with arguments, yet beſieged and overthrown at laſt by the offspring of others; which ſhews theſe are but diſputations, nothing being certain but the greatneſſe of the Creator: yet uſeful concluIntroduction.
cap. 3. ver. 11. Cuncta fecit bona in tempore ſuo, & mundum tradidit diſputationi eorum, ut non inveniat homo opus, quod operatus eſt Deus, ab initio uſ
FIrſt you ought to obſerve, that the Fire, Air, Water, and Earth (which here we have for our uſe) cannot be called pure Elements, but rather Elementarie bodies; for Fire and Water, Air and Earth, are oppugnant and irreconcileable one to another, as they are contrary in their own natures, and can neither generate, nor corrupt ſimFire would be immoderate for our uſe; the Air to ſubtile, and not fit for living Creatures to breath in; the Water would be without taſte and not good to drink; the Earth would be ſterile, and could neither bring forth, nor cheriſh; and we being all mixt bodies (compounded of the four Elements) could not be nouriſhed or ſuſtained with Simples.
THe Element of Air, is divided into three ſeve
Ʋpper, Middle and 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, carPrimum 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 ſub
Theſe exhalations having penetrated the middle region, and attained unto the height of the EleAir, until with the motion and vicinity of the Fire it is
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 Re
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 likeAir 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 Lon
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 exhalaSun'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.
THis Region, or middle part of the Air is geAntiperiſtaſis, and the effects do alſo prove the ſame: and this we ſee in all things that are oppugnant, incloſed and compre
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 deterWater 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
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 exhaAir, 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 ſig
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 conAntiperiſtaſis, 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.
THis Region of Air receives all the former quaEarth, 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 morTime, and the graſſe criſped with the Froſt; at other times rine-froſts, or congealed miſts, hanging like pen
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
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.
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 inSommer-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 EleAir is by nature cold.
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 tem
Honey-dews ſome conjecture for to be earthly exhalations, mixed with wateriſh vapours, and many ſuppoſe them for to be exhalations from
Sugar-canes, and divers kinds of Indian Reeds, that have in the morning a Dew hanging upon them, in taſte reſembling honey; which argues by their ſweet
Theſe Honey-Dews do afford plenty unto the ware-houſes of the induſtrious Bees with quick returns: their purveyers are going for to ſeek pro
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.
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
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 Chur
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, mov
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 vio
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 perAir, as other Minerals are in the Earth, but more fiery by nature, and theſe are
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 'tis pLaurell tree, which cauſed many of the Roman Emperors in time of Thunder and LightLaurel 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 LightSun 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 CounSommer.
Thunder without Lightning does happen when theſe hot and dry exhalations break violently through the clouds (in which they are circumAir 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.
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 refraSun, 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, neiStars are unable to illuminate them, but will be obſerved by thoſe and ſuch like ſpiſſous, and dark clouds.
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 conSun 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
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.
RAin-Bows are generated in wateriſh clouds, ready to be diſſolved into rain; theſe are obSun 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 conSun 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 NorthAntartick, 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
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 refleSun, 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;
WInds by the vertue of the Sun, are generaEarth, 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 comMariners 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 exSun 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
Earth, and ſo likewiſe by exceſſive heat.
THere is undoubtedly a continual flux and reEarth, 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 exEarth, 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 ſubvacuum, which Nature
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 gene
FOuntains there be which naturally have marBaeotia, 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 venoLibiu there is a Spring, that at the Sun riſing and ſetting is temperately warm, at noon-day exceeding cold, and at midnight ex
Yet, as we ſaid before, all waters are not conEarth, 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 obEarth: 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 magHis Greatneſſe, Daniel 3. Benedicite fontes Domino.
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-waters by their Meanders, in paſſing through the Earth; and this you may try by diſtilling of 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 eleMoon or ful, which are uſually called Spring-Tides; but the full Moon, and three Tides after are much the greater, her power then predomi
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 compaEarth, that it cauſes a trembling, which often hath ſwell'd up mounEarth-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.
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 princi
But as for all ſuch preſages (as are not general,
Airs alteration, and the inundation of the lower Regions, meThe 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, diſH
) with health and happineſſe.
That the Stars have their influences upon ſubluAriſtotle, 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,
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
Stars, with the Planets, the Eclipſes, Comets and all fiery Meteors, and ſuch as theſe accomAir, cauſing contagious diſeaſes, ſterility and the like; as Ariſtotle writeth of Thaletes, who foretold the ſcarcity of Oyl that would be in the Pliny, lib. 18. cap. 35. of Democritus.
But whether the Stars are of theſe mixt natures, or their temperatures be known, it remains as yet in diſpute, and not for me to argue, but only follow the tracts of other men, and their obſerCreator hath decreed and concealed from us, as unneceſſary to be known; and prohibited by the commands of the Doctors and Councels of the holy Catholike and Apoſtolike Church, to which ſacred Authority I do humbly ſubmit my ſelf.
Saviour unto His Apoſtles, Acts cap. 1. ver. 7. Non eſt veſtrum neſſe tempera vel momenta, quae Pater poſuit in ſua poteſtate.
The affinity of the 12. Zodiacall Signs, with the 7. Planets in their naturall qualities, with their operations on ſublunary bodies, according to the collections, and obſervations of the Wiſe and Learned.
THe ſigns of the Zodiack in the eighth Sphere are removed almoſt 28 degrees from their places, according to the moprimuns Mobile; ſo that the firſt Star in the horn of Aries, is in the 28. degree of ♈, and is continued to the 18 degree of Taurus, the firſt mover, and in like manner are the reſt of the 12 ſigns.
♈ The firſt parts of Aries beginning on the
Stars being of the nature of ♄ and ♂, commixed and aſſiſted with ☿, the middle part of Aries, from the 4. deStars in his hinder foot, in his loins and ham, being of the nature with ♂; from the 10. degree of Aries to his hinder parts (being in the 17. degree of ♉ almoſt) is very hot; his horns and his neck of the nature of ♂ and ☿, but cool by the ſouthern Stars in the Whale being very cold of the nature of ♄.
♉ The former parts of Taurus, from the 17. degree to the 27. of ♉, the Stars are ſomething windy, turbulent, and cloudy, by reaſon of the Pleiades contained within thoſe degrees, and are of the nature of ♂ and Stars in Perſeus, of the nature of ♄ and ♃, from the beginning of ♊ to the Hyades and the horns of Taurus, of the nature of ♂, and by the approach of Orion, cauſeth Thunder and LightPerſeus, the South variable and uncertain, by reaſon of ſome Stars participating of ♂, commixed with others of the nature of ♄, ☿, and
♊ The former part of Gemini from the 26. of ♊ unto the 6. degree of ♋ are ſomething moiſt and hurtful; the middle parts, from the 6. degree of ♋ unto the 14. the Stars do incline to the nature of ♄, as in the arms and knees of ♊, yet tempeStars of the nature of ♂ and ☿, the heads of ♊, of ♂, the North part moveth winds, the South part cauſeth heat and drought.
♋ The former parts of Cancer, from the 24. of ♋ to the firſt degree of ♌, are Stars of mixt and doubtful natures, of ♂, ☿, and Praeſepe, &c. cauſing earth-quakes, or tempeſts; the middle parts of ♋, from the 1. degree of ♌ unto the 7, in which are the little Aſſes of nature ♂, and ☉ more hot and dry then formerly, from the 7. degree of ♌ to the 13. the Stars in ♋ are of nature ♄ & ♂, very dry, but not ſo windy a formerly; both the Northern and SouStars of ♋ are generally hot & ſuffocating.
♌ The former parts of Leo, from the 13. deRegulus is, the Stars are of various natures, part of them commixed with ♄ and ♂, others with ♄ and ♀, and part repleniſhed with ♃ and ♂, peſtilent and ſtifling; the middle parts of ♌, from the 24. degree to the 4. of ♍, temperate, and inclining to moiſture but a little; the Stars of the nature of ♄ and ♀, and others with ♀ and ☿, the hinder parts of ♌ to the 17. degree of ♍, temperately hot and moiſt; the Star in the ♌ tail, of the nature of ♄ and ♀, the North part of this aſteriſm is fiery and unſta
Ʋrſa major, the South part moiſt becauſe of the Hydra, whoſe nature is ♄ and ♀.
♍ The firſt part of Virgo, from the 17. degree unto the end, the Stars being of the nature of ♂ and ☿, are ſomething hot and offenſive, but leſſe then formerly; from the beginning of ♎ to the
Stars of the nature of ♀ and ☿, the end of this conſtellation is from the 18. degree of ♎, unto the 8. degree of ♏, in which is conSpica, ♍, of the nature of ♂ and ♀; and ſome other Stars in the train of her gown, of the nature of ♂ and ☿, yet ſomething wateriſh, and more then formerly participating of the Stars are windy, inclining to ♂ and ☿, the Southern Stars to ♄ and ♃.
♎ The former parts of Libra, from the 8. of ♏ unto the 15. degree, containeth Stars of the nature of ♄ participating with the Southern Ballance, and the Serpent of Aeſculapius, which Stars are temperately cold, and drier then for
♏ The former parts of Scorpio from the 26. degree to the 6. of ♐, do participate of Stars commixed with the nature of ♄ and ♂; and in the 4. degree, as the Star Antares, producing Snow, and more then formerly the middle of ♏, from the 6. degree of ♐ to the 16. degree, the Stars are temperate, by the vicinity of Serpentarius, of the nature of ♃ and ♀, but moiſter then they have been in former ages: the tail or extreams of ♏, from the 16. of ♐ to the
♐ The former parts of Sagittarius, from the 26. unto the 6. degree of ♑ the Stars are moiſt,
Stars are of the nature of ♃ and ♂, yet temperate, inclining to cold; the hinder part of ♐, 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 ♒, the Stars do participate of ♂ and ♀ which are hot and hurtful; the middle of ♑, from the 7. degree of ♒ unto the 15, more temperate; laſtly, from the 15. degree to the 21. of ♒ is obſerved rainy weather, for the Northern and Southern part of this aſteriſm is generally held moiſt, and alſo hurtful.
♒ 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.
CArdan. 7: Aph. 73. does propound theſe ♓, and ♈ do cauſe winds, and the half of ♉, the other part of ♉ being more aireal, partici
♈ OF the Primum mobile leſſe ſubject to ThunPtolomy.
♉ 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 ſuffo
♍ Thunder, with moiſture, but more temperate then in former ages.
♎ Various and mutable, inclining ſomething unto drought.
♏ Flery, but more remiſſe then in the time of Ptolomy.
♐ Windy, but moiſter then formerly.
♑ Temperately cold, and a little moiſt.
♒ Cold and watery.
♓ More cold then in former ages.
♄ SAturn by nature is more cold then dry, eſpeCard.
♃ Jupiter is of nature hot and moiſt, and is accounted the parent of fair weather, being temCard.
♂ 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,
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 exStars, 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 partici
Luna, the loweſt Planet, is of nature cold and moiſt, and but little warm; ſhe naturally moveth the waters, having much force over all phlegmaZodiack, 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 Luminaries bringeth the faireſt weather, and their oppoſitions the greateſt ſtore of Rain. Card. And thus far for the particular obſervations of the Planets proper
IN the conjunction or oppoſition of the Luminaries immediately, or the laſt before the Vernal Equinox, if ♂ were in ☌ with either the ☉ or March or April be retrograde, expect much wet weather to follow.
If the 5. Planets be direct, this ſeaſon will be beautiful and pleaſant; but if theſe 5. be retrograde, then will the Sommer be vehemently hot; for the Planets do heat the Air, when retrograde in their courſes, and when direct they cool; and this is general, except when ♃ is in ☍ to the Sun. Planets in their ſwift motion, do increaſe the heat; but when Stationary, if they be hot, they do inflame the Air; if cold, they cool it; if moiſt, they do beget Rain; and thoſe by nature dry, do cauſe at that time much drought; and Planets combuſt in this Sommer quarter, do cauſe much Thunder and Lightning, Leupold. Tract. 6. cap. 2.
Fiery Planets in this ſeaſon, and in our Northern Countries, do cauſe both cold and moiſture; if in this quarter the 5. Planets be retrograde, there will be much drought in every Country and climate, and when the ☉ enters into the 18. deLeupold. 3.
Fiery Planets in the beginning of this quarter do produce clouds and Southern winds; if that ♀ in his ſeaſon be direct, and the morning Star; in the beginning of Winter ſhe will produce ſome rain, and in the latter end much wet, unleſſe it
Planet of neer affinity to the Sun; and the contrary when ♀ is retrograde, and Lucifer, expect then very much rain in the be
This general concluſion Haly doth propound thus, Cap. 4. part 1. If ♀ be retrograde in this quarter, it doth preſage a moiſt and rainy Winter: one Planet retrograde when in ☌ with ☉ argues drought, eſpecially at the end of this ſeaſon, going out of ♒ into ♓; if there be two Planets retrograde, it prognoſticates temperate but moiſt weather; but if three, an abundant deal of wet; and if four Planets be in their motions retrograde, it will preſage a deluge. And here ends the obSun entering any of the four Cardinal points, as ♈, ♋, ♎, and ♑. Leupold.
THe moſt tempeſtuous Conſtellations are theſe; Orion. Arcturus, and the Northern Crown; the moſt windy are the Goat, and Kids, in Erichtonius; the moſt watery are the Hyades, and the 7. Stars called the Pleiades; the cauſers of violent heat, are Regulus, or the Lions heart, and both the Dog-ſtars, as Sirius and Procyon: Theſe are the chief and principal Aſteriſmes obſerved in preſaging the Airs mutability; yet there be many more ConChriſt-maſs, and ſo in order with the Suns re
The head of Capricornus, Andromeda, Canda, ♑, Piſces, ♓, the Rams head, the Bulls eye, the heads of Gemini; Aſelli, the Aſſes; Praeſepe, or the Cribbe both in ♋ the Lions head; the Hydras heart, Vindemiator, and Spica Virginis, or the ear of Corn, both in ♍, the Vulture with the Harp; the Serpent with Aeſchylapius. Lucida Lancis, or the bright Star in ♎ the Eagle; the Scorpion heart, or Antares, the Dolphin, &c. There are many other Stars obArgonavis, with multitudes more, whoſe natures and effects are not known, and howſoever not for our obſervations, in progno
FIrſt, you are to note that the nature of the fixed Stars, and their influences are increaſed or diPlanets or wandring Stars, either by oppugnant or united qualities; as ♀ approaching any Stars of her own nature, cauſeth cloudy and fickle weather, rain or much moiſture; ☿ uniting his rays with Stars of his unconſtant and ſubtile nature, cauſeth winds, and a great mutability of the weather; ♂ joyned or commixing his rays with Stars of his fiery nature, increaſeth them much more, and inflames the Air, being prone unto all combuſtions, as ♂ with Sirius, and the rage of the Dog-ſtar is mittigated by the approach of ♃ and ♀; the Planet. ♄ alſo leſſeneth the heat, and cauſeth dark weather, and cold ſhowres when his rayes are united with fixed Stars of his own cold and melancholy diſpoſition, and thus judge of the reſt: The influences of the fixed Stars to be more or leſſe effectual, according to the Planets united with them, or aſcending the Horizon of any place together; the time of year and ſign conſidered, and the nature of Meteors pondered in your judgement, with what hath been already ſpecified, and ſo to proceed.
1. The Star Arcturus, when he ſets Acronycally, denotes cold winds, and with the rays of ♂ tempeſts, and conjoyned with ♄, hail, ſnow, winds or cold rain, according to the ſeaſon.
2. Aſelli and Praeſepe, if conjoyned with the rays of ♀ or
3 The Coſmical riſing, and Acrouycal ſetting of the Hyades d notes rain, and if inſtigated by the approach of ♂, expect winds both by Land and Sea.
4 Virgiliae, or the Pleiades ſetting Coſmically, produceth rain and ſtorms, if joyned with ♂, and the Sky at the ſame time be cloudy, it argues a wet Winter, eſpecially if ♀ be with it; and if the Heavens be clear, it foreſhews a ſharp and cold Winter.
5. Sirius with his Coſmycall riſing maketh the Seas rough, and ſtupifie the Fiſhes; in this I have partly followed Pliny.
6. ORions Girdle ſetting Coſmically, cauſeth a turbulent Air, and if Sourtherly winds, then rain will immediately follow after.
7. The Dolphine ſetting Acronycally, cauſeth both Winds and Snow.
8. The Rams head riſing Coſmically Preſigeth hail or cold rain.
9. The Hyades riſing Coſmically prenoteth wet and ſhowry weather; and ſetting Coſmically, froſt, ſnow or cold rain.
10. The Eagle ſetting Coſmically, produceth violent hot weather.
11. Arcturus riſing Coſmically doth predict ſome ſhowres to follow quickly after, within a few days; from hence the Swallows take their leaves, and repairs to their Winter-quarters.
12. THe Aſſes and Praeſepe riſing Coſmically often preſageth a ſuddain alteration of the Air, with thunder, lightning and rain.
13. The Eagle, the tail of ♑, or 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 likeHydras 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 fore
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 ſomeHorizon with thoſe of ♂, it argues tempeſts, with thunder and lightning; with Stars of his own nature, or of ☿ winds; with thoſe of the 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.
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 ſud
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 light
32. ♄, with Regulus cauſeth cloudy and uncon
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
Pleiades cauſeth rain; and with the Eagle in Winter, ſnow, or cold rain; and ſo likeHorizon 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 proStars 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.
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 parSea and Land; and ſome cauſed by
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 ſupHorizon, 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 extraStars, and de
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 miſt, the Southern winds will rage; and if the Southern Aſs be hidden from your ſight, then look for ſtorms and tempeſts from the North or Eaſt.
4. The Dolphin ſetting Acronycally, produceth cold winds.
5. Vindemiatrix riſing Acronically cauſeth cold Northerly winds.
6. The Coſmical Riſing of the Pleiades is a ſign of Weſterly winds; the Acronycal ſetting bringeth Southerly winds.
7. Sirius ſetting Acronycally, cauſeth South weſt winds, and ſometimes tempeſts.
8. The Caniculare days bring the Eaſterly winds; and the Coſmical ſetting Southerly, weather and tempeſts; the Heliacal riſing or apparition of Sirius did begin the Graecian year.
9. The Coſmical ſetting of the Eagle produceth Eaſtern winds.
10. Regulus ſetting Acronycally doth cauſe Weſterly winds, laſting oftentimes for 9. days, but ſeldome very violent.
11. Vindemiatrix riſing Coſmically, produceth North-weſt winds, and white froſts; if the firſt day of September be fair, it betokens a dry Autumn.
12. The Coſmical riſing of the Northern Crown produceth cold winds.
13. Virgiliae ſetting Coſmically, bringeth Nor
14. Arcturus ſetting Acronycally produceth Southerly winds; and much rain to follow, if it rains at his Heliacal ſetting or occultation.
Saturn, ♃, ♂, ☉, & ♀, or any one of theſe riſing or ſetting with the Triangle, with ♒, with the belly of the Southern Fiſh, with the right ſhoulder of Auriga, with the foremoſt head of ♊, with Praeſepe and the two Aſſes, with Orions Girdle or ♍; the Crown Arcturus, with Hereules, or with the Ballance, all theſe produceth winds, and many times violent tempeſts, eſpecially the aforeſaid Planets being ſtationary or retrograde.
16. Mercurius doth produce winds, if he riſeth or ſetteth with the thigh of Pegaſus, with Auriga, with the Triangle; with the Rams head ſharp and cold winds; with the Pleiades wind and rain; with ♊, with Orion tempeſts, and often thunder and lightning; and ſo likewiſe with Praeſepe, either Dog or Regulus; the Hydras heart, Arcturus and Spica, ♍, winds and cloudy weather; and likewiſe riſing or ſetting with the Vulture, the Ballance, the Eagle, or the Dolphin, aſcending or deſcending the Horizon with ☿ cauſeth often winds and cloudy weather, with the cloudy Stars of ♐ lowring weather; but with Acarner clear days, and warm winds; and uſually ſo with moſt Stars of the nature of ♃; and ſo much for this.
THe twelve Signes of the Zodiack doe contain the nature of the four Elements; and theſe twelve Signes (by tranſmutation of their places) are divided into four Trigones, each of them conv.z. ♈ ♌ & ♐ pro
The preſaging of the winds depends upon many cauſes, and are as various as they be inconſtant; and beſides all this, you muſt know the winds are appropriated unto each proper Planet, as the Eaſt to ♄, the North to ♃, the Weſt to ♂, the South to ♀, and ☉ alſo to the Eaſt, and Apogaeon or Perigaeon of the Planets is to be conſidered.
There is never any great mutation of the Air without the ☌ or aſpect either of ♄, ♃ or ♂, by reaſon their motions are ſo ſlow; great ☌ of Planets that are of contrary naures, do cauſe conSigns; the wandring Stars in their ſwift motions do beget drought, and likewiſe if they be direct and Oriental; but if ſlow, retrograde or occidental, they do produce rain, excepting ♂; and ſtationary they do geneAir, and likewiſe many ☌ or Aſpects of the Planets concurring at one time, do pronounce great mutability of the weather, and do uſually very much diſtemper the Element; in this Cardanus is oppugnant to Leupold.
Here we are arrived, having paſt many ambiStars, through which I cannot guide you in a direct line with a thread, but am forced to follow the obſervations of others, and the rules by them preſcribed, and delivered
Aegypt, Italy, Germany, and the like: Theſe ſeveral temperatures of Climates, have cauſed errors in our later obſervations whereas their rules were true perhaps in thoſe Regions where they did inhabite. I have therefore delivered ſome things twice, to ſhew how ſeveral mens opinions do concur; others again I have given you almoſt oppugnant, yet may be in ſome things reconciled; which to do, I refer to your candid Judgement, to chooſe, correct, or reject, as you pleaſe.
I have ſhewn you rules and prognoſtications of the weather, both for days, years, and the ſeveral ſeaſons thereof, as by the fixed Stars and Planets, with the effects of their influences commixt, (acPlanets, only with themMaginus, with ſome diligent collecti
But firſt there ought to be conſidered whether either Planet were retrograde at the time of conAirs temperature, viz. ☌ hath the moſt force, and the effects of longeſt continuance; the next is ☍, and then the
SAturn and ♃ in ☌, ⚹, Signs; as in fiery Signs they generally cauſe drought; in moiſt Signs rain, hail, with winds, and great mutations of the Air, both before and after, if other cauſes do not inter
Particularly cauſing in the Spring a troubled or moiſt Air; in Sommer, hail and thunder; in Autumn winds, or rain; in Winter froſt, or ſnow; a turbulent Air, and durable ſtorms.
SAturn and ♂, in ☌, Signs, cloudy and dark weather corrupteth the Air, and is generally hurtful, but more or leſſe as aſpected with the fixed Stars.
Particularly in the Spring rain or thunder; in Sommer time hail or thunder; in Autumn wind or rain; and in Winter remiſſe cold, yet ſome
SAturn and ☉, in ☌, Signs, or in ♐, and ♑, and is called Apertio portarum, or opening the Cataracts of Heaven.
Particularly their effects in the Spring are cold ſhowres; in Sommer producing much thunder and ſtorms of hail; in Autumn rain and cold; in Winter ſnow, or moiſt, dark, and cloudy weather, and oftentimes froſt.
SAturn and ♀, in ☌, Signs, with ſome
Particularly producing in the Spring cold rains; in the Sommer ſeaſon ſuddain ſhowres; in Autumn cold ſtorms; and in Winter it portends ſnow, ſleet, or rain.
SAturn and ☿, in ☌, Signs rainy and cloudy weather; in dry Signs drought; in aiery Signs great winds; in earthly Signs cold and drought, hurtful to all vegetables.
Particularly in the Spring ſeaſon theſe aſpects do cauſe winds, with ſome rain; in Sommer leſſe wet, but ſome wind; in Autumn it begetteth clouds; and in Winter ſnow, and often violent ſtorms.
SAturn and Signs, do cauſe cold and cloudy weather; in aiery Signs, and in ♐, or in ♑, it increaſes the cold, and often cauſeth hail, eſpecially at the full, and at the new Moon drought; in dry times ſhe cauſeth
Particularly in the Spring theſe conjunctions or aſpects, do cauſe a troubled and moiſt Air; and likewiſe in the Sommer with remiſſe heat, and ſometimes hail; in Autumn cloudy weather, with ſome froſts; in Winter cloudy, and vene
J Ʋpiter and ♂, in ☌, Signs, thunder, corruſcations, and rain; in fiery Signs ſcorching heat, and if riſing with any of the tempeſtuous Stars, it may cauſe hail in Winter, and if otherwiſe, ſtorms and ſnow.
Particularly in the Spring and Autumn whirleAir.
J Ʋpiter and ☉, in ☌, Signs; in watery or moiſt Signs it begetteth fertile
Signs it increaſeth heat, and aſſures us conſtant fair weather, but in earthly Signs leſſe.
Particularly in the Spring and in Autumn winds; in the Sommer ſeaſon, thunder and lightAir.
J Ʋpiter and ♀, in ☌, Air, with grateful fair weather; in watery Signs gentle and wholeſome ſhowres; and in other Signs generally pleaſing gales, and clear weather; much fertility, plenty of fruits; wholeſome wea
J Ʋpiter and ☿, in ☌, Signs, drought and warm winds; in airy Signs fair weather, and pleaſant gales; winds are uſually his effects in every quarter or ſeaſon of the year.
J Ʋpiter and
MArs and ☉, in ☌, Signs, it begetteth heat and drought; in airy Signs a dark Sky, and ſpiſſious clouds, and many di
Particularly in the Spring and Sommer they cauſe whirlewinds and drought, eſpecially if the Signs did participate of both their natures, the effects will be diſeaſes, and cauſe cloudy weather; in Sommer time vehement heat, with thunder, and lightning and in the winter it leſſens the cold.
MArs and ♀, in ☌, Signs cauſeth much rain, opening the floud-gates of Heaven; in other Signs leſſe rain generally.
Particularly in the Spring and Autumn they generate rain; in Sommer often ſhowres; and makes the winter ſeaſon not very cold, but alters the preſent ſtate of the weather.
MArs and ☿, in ☌, Signs do declare heat, and exceſſive drought; in watery Signs rain, and often ſhowres: in airy Signs warm winds, and thoſe uſually violent.
Particularly do generate hail and cloudy winds; in Autumn, in the Spring, and Winter, ſnow; in the Sommer tempeſts of thunder, light
MArs and Signs prognoſticates rain; in fiery Signs drought; and ſcatters over the heavens with red and yelSigns that are aireal, it makes the weather warm.
Particularly they cauſe in the Spring and Au
SOl and ♀, in ☌, do generally prognoſticate moiſt weather, eſpecially in watery Signs, and
SOl and ☿, in ☌, do commonly beget winds in airy Signs; with moiſture, in watery Signs rain; in fiery Signs drought, warm winds, with corrupPlanets do always accompany the Sun, neither of them exceeding 60. degrees in their greateſt diſtances, and this not 30.
SOl and Signs proSigns fair weather, and alterAir 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 ☿, in ☌, do commonly beget in moiſt Signs ſhowres, and generally at all times
VEnus and 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 and 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,
Planets.
The fixed and wandring Stars are obſerved diligently by ſome in adminiſtring Phyſick, PhlePlanets in Agriculture, and above all the Moon, predominating moſt over vegetables; but this is alſo out of my rode, excepting my PreVirgils 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.
TO plant or ſow, the Moon in theſe Signs, is held the beſt, viz. in ♈, ♉, ♊, ♍, ♎, ♑, & ♓, and if the
Plant or graft trees the
Sow all ſeeds after the new
Gather fruits the
The Eclipſes of the two Luminaries are generally
Any Planet that is retrograde, and in ☌ with the
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
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 inNature, 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
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.
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 ſteEarth, 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 temHeavens theſe Metoors point at, from that quarter will the wind proceed; if there be many of them falling often, and ſevaAir to be very moiſt and cold, oppugnant to the Meteor.
4. When you ſhall behold in the ſable night, the Hemiſphere to ſeem more gloriouſly adorned with glittering Stars, then uſually it is in fair and ſerene weather; or thoſe Stars to twinckle, like ſpangles upon a ſable veſtment, expect then ſudAir, and ſeaſon of the year conſiStars and our ſight; and theſe Meteors moving, or carried with the circular motion of the Air, upon which the Stars reflecting do cauſe the apStars (by reflection of the water) to twincle, and many Moons to ap
5. Circles about the Stars (eſpecially the Planets) that are pail and wateriſh do preſage rain or ſnow; but if theſe circles be of a reddiſh colour, expect ſome winds.
6. If the Stars in the night do appear dim, like a ſullied or unpoliſhed diamond, or greater then they uſe to be, or ſeem to hang as if they were ready for to fall, it argues that the lower Region of the Air is full of thick and wateriſh exhalations, which their rays cannot directly penetrate, but
Suns ap
7. When the Stars do appear bright, and on a ſuddain the Hemiſphere ſhall be vailed with ſpiſſious clouds, expect then ſome preſent change of weather, for it ſhews the Sky to be full of vapours, and thoſe by the powerful influence and concurrence of the Stars, are drawn together and digeſted into ſnow or rain, ſo that the Air cannot ſupport them, but they muſt ſuddainly fall.
8. If the Stars do ſeem very low, it argues that the lower Region of the Air is full of wateriſh Meteors, or tranſparent exhalations; for if the Stars do ſeem pail and bright, it denuntiates rain; and if red, windy weather.
9. Red ſtreaks in the Air, and all fiery impreſMeteor to be not and dry, forceth to retreat by the frigide moiſtneſſe of the Air.
10. IF there be more thunder then lightning, it argues a ſtreſſe of wind from that part it thundered, if not rain.
11. When it does lighten, and no clap of thun
12. When it lightens only from the North-weſt, look for rain the next day.
13. Lightning from the North preſages winds, and often times great tempeſts.
14. If from the South or the Weſt it lightens, expect both wind and rain from thoſe parts.
15. Morning-thunder produceth winds, but midday or in the afternoon generally rain.
16. If the lightning appears very pale, it argues the Air to be full of wateriſh Meteors; and if red or fiery, inclining to winds and tempeſts.
17. When the flaſhes of lightning do continue long before they vaniſh, the tempeſt is like to be great, and it argues the Air to be very moiſt.
18. Thunder and lightning in Winter, in hot Countryes is uſual, and hath the ſame effects; but in theſe Northern Climates it is held ominous, portending factions, tumults, and bloody wars, and a thing ſeldome ſeen, according to the old Adigy, Winters thunder, is the Sommers wonder.
19. Generally if it thunders from ſeveral quarHeavens at once, expect then moiſt violent ſtorms immediately to follow.
The effects which theſe Meteors do produce, is evident; for theſe exhalations being fiered and oppoſed by the cold of the middle Region, do violently break forth of the clouds (in which they were involved) and diſſipate them, cauſing tumul
THe two great Luminaries (in prognoſticating the weather) Virgil and Pliny does prefer beStars, which are but apparitions in the clouds, and lower Region of the Air, as the others be; whoſe rays falling upon theſe elevated vapours and exhalations do declare by their colours what regiments they are of; from theſe apparitions of their colours, we do judge the nature of the Meteor, and from thence conclude the prognoſtication of the enſu
20. The Sun riſing clear, and not fiery red, prenotes a fair day; but if pale and warm, it argues ſnow, hail or rain; if purple colour, wind and rain.
21. If the Sun at his riſing appeareth hollow, it argues rain.
22. If before the Sun riſing the clouds be red, intermingled with ſome that are black, expect both wind and rain.
23. If the rays of the Sun be red, both at his riſing and ſetting, there will follow much rain or wind.
24. When the evening in the Weſt appears red, and the morning following free from any clouds at his riſing, it foreſhews fair weather.
25. If the clouds at his riſing do diſperſe them
26. At his riſing or ſetting, if his beams be ſhort, it is a ſign of a ſhewre.
27. At his ſetting if it rains, or if his beams look dark or blew, or many clouds about him like bulwarks, heaped one upon another, great florms and tempeſts will enſue the next day.
28. If his rays ſeem not bright and clear at his riſing, and clouds gather towards him like globes or wool-packs, it argues ſtormy and winterly weather; but if thoſe clouds do retreat towards the Weſt, it may prove a fair day.
29. Red clouds, or of purple colour, appearing in the North or in the Weſt, at the Sun riſing, denotes either wind or rain.
30 If the Sun 1 iſeth pale or wateriſh, and quick
31. When you ſhall ſee at the Sun riſing a circle of clouds invironing him, it is a ſign of rain; if he be incloſed with a double circle, tempeſts; and the neerer theſe circles do circumvent him, the ſtorm will be the greater; and if theſe circles be red or mixt, expect then violent ſtorms both of wind and rain; if this circle breaks, obſerve from what part, for out of that quarter of the Heavens, which the fraction repreſents, the ſtorm will riſe.
32. The Sun riſing, if he appears ſpotted, or caſteth forth rays of ſeveral colours, or part of his body eclipſed with ſpiſſious clouds, it argues rain and tempeſtuous weather.
33. If the body of the Sun (at his ſetting) be mixed with sky-colour or purple, expect then im
34. If the Sun at his riſing ſeem to be as it were affronted with clouds, in tumults moving towards him, obſerve from what quarter of the Heavens
35. If the Sun doth caſt his beams a far of amongſt the clouds at his riſing, and ſome of them ſeem refracted, or the middle void, it preſages rain.
36. If he ſpread his beams before he riſes above the Horizon, expect both wind and water.
37. If at his ſetting there appear a white circle about him, there will be ſome troubleſome weather the enſuing night; but withal, if there be a thick miſt invirons him, the tempeſt may be outragious, both wind and rain.
38. If there be red clouds about the Sun at his riſing, which do become black or dark ſoon after he is up, it preſages rain.
39. If the Sun all day, or before his ſetting an hour or two, appeareth with a purple colour, and coming to the Horizon, deſcending ſeems greater then at other times, it foreſhews both wind and rain.
HEre with the ſetting Sun I will end his preLuminary of the night; for what hath been ſaid of his riſing, is or may be applied (for the moſt part) as rules in preſaging the weather, at the time of his deſcendHorizon of any place; but not ſo certain and effectual as his firſt apparition in the morning, becauſe there be more groſſe and undigeſtSun reflecting doth cauſe theſe fiery and diverſity of apparitions, elevated above the ſuperficies of the Earth, but neer us, interpoſed between the Sun and our ſight, which by the vertue of his rayes, he converts according to their qualities and quantities into ſeveral Mereors: for if they ſeem pale, they are watery; if red, windy; if black and mixt, both: if his rays ſeem refracted, broken or crooked, it is by reflection of one cloud upon another, which argues their number to be many; and if unpenetrable, it ſhews them to be great and groſſe: And ſo much for the Sun.
40. THe Aegyptians (whom Virgil and Pliny follow) did obſerve the fourth day of the Moon (after the Conjunction) to be the ſureſt ſign; for if ſhe does appear after Sun-ſetting pure and bright, it argues fair weather; and if red, wind; if dim or cloudy, ſtorms and wet weather: alſo if the tips of her horns be blunt, it foreſhews foul weather; and if very ſharp pointed, it preſages winds, fair, or froſty weather.
41. If her Northern horn be only ſharp-pointed, it preſages wind from that coaſt; but if her lower or Southern horn be only ſo, the wind will be Southward: and if ſhe hath a red circle about her,
Varra, who maketh theſe obſervations alſo of the weather, ſays, That if the Moon hath a circle or garland about her, and the ſame clear and bright, it pro
42. If the Moon after the change appear not until her fourth day, and the wind blowing Weſt, exHorizon, reckoned from the New Moon incluſive, is but three days compleat, in which time ſhe does recover light, and hath then entered another ſign of a different nature from that at her change. But ſome would have theſe rules obſerved when her age is Moon not being then always viſible above any one Horizon.
43. The Moon increaſing, and riſing with her upper or Northern horn blackiſh, preſageth much rainy weather after the Full; but if the tip of her lowermoſt horn be ſo aſpected, then it will rain before the Full; but if it appears blackiſh between her horns, that is, in the middle of her body, according to Varre, it will be wet weather about the time of her being Full.
44. When the Moon is at the Full, if her body ſeem very fair and bright, it is a ſign of good weather; but if red, it argues wind; if inclining to black, rain; and if a miſt about her, it is a ſign of ſnow, rain or wind; and if two or more of theſe circles, it is the worſe, and preſages ſtorms; and where the circle is brighteſt, or moſt tranſHeavens expect the winds.
45. Laſtly, the eight points or angles which the Moon maketh with the Sun are obſerved by many, and are theſe days, viz. 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27. and the day in which the two great Luminaries do happen in Conjunction.
46. Obſerve what weather it is when the Moon comes to be South any day, if the weather changes not then, it is like to continue that day, whether it be ſair or foul. This would alſo be obſerved in the other Planets, at what time they do come unto the Meridian of any place, ſo well as their riſing and ſetting.
But to find the
Example, admit the Moons age were 5, which multiplied by 4, the product will be 20, and that divided by 5, the quotient will be 4, the hour of her being South that day, and ſo for any time.
46. THere have been Rain-bows in the nightMoon, and as for their effects (being ſeldome known) they ſhall be omitted only as ſigns conceived prodigious; but thoſe of the Sun made by his rays are uſual; and are theſe, a Rain-bow appearing preſently after rain, is held a ſign of fair weather, and that the ſtorm is paſt; but if two or more be ſeen at once, it is a preſage of future rain; for it argues the
48. THeſe pallid fires appear but at ſome times of the year, and that in certain places; and in thoſe parts where they are moſt uſual, they are not commonly ſeen, but as fore-runners of fultry heat in Sommer, and wet in the Winter; they are uſually obſerved to appear in open weather; yet I have ſeen one in a very cold feaſon, both for froſt and ſnow, moving but a little before me, and within a few days after the froſt did break; they are 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 geneIgnes fatui.
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 in
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 pre
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
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 comElements, 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.
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 exhaEarth, 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 exhaAir 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 tem
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 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 per
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 thiſtleAir 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, eſpeSun, 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
Air not for to be very cold, the loweſt water
82. If in calm and ſerene weather you do ob
But neither this, nor ſome of the other obſerAfrica 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 pur
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 pre
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 approachAir, 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,
Earth, or rivers make a rumbling noiſe more then uſual, running with troubled ſtreams, any of theſe do preſage a ſtorm.
94 The extraordinary ſwelling and riſing up of the Seas, when there is neither wind nor flood to cauſe it, foreſhews an Earth quake, obPoſidonius.
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 remainAir, and ſo a ſecond cauſe, but not the immediate.
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.
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 accu
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
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 hun
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
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
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 compaSun, 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 toWoodpeckers 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 themAir, 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.
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 per
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 Ʋrchins 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
Ʋrchin 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 obſerNature 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.
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
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 con
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.
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 tablePliny 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 ſuperEarth, 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
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 in
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) accordAdage, Sal ſapit omnia.
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, calling the one Winter, and the other Sommer; but Nature does ſeem to make four Seaſons, and thoſe neither beAir, leaſt her fruitful womb ſhould produce abortives, or want time for maturity; ſo to avoid theſe inconveniencies, Nature, like a carefull Mother, produces every plant, and all her fruits in due and fit ſeaſons; and leaſt ſenſitive creatures ſhould miſcarry, ſhe delivers them her dictates by inſtinct, or ſome inward motion: There are obEngland are theſe, and the diſeaſes inherent and common in the 4. quarters.
THis a comfortable and pleaſant quarter, every thing beginning for to ſpring and raiſe up their ſpirits from their roots, buried in the Earth, and fiezed upon by the cold of Winter, as by the hand of Death: The firſt bird that brings us tidings of the approaching Spring, is the Wagtail, or Water-Swallow, whom ſome call the Barly-Bird, as obſerved a convenient time to ſow that
Swallow, but one will not make a Sommer, for when they come ſingle, and obſcure themſelves again, expect ſome cold and ſtormy weather; the Woodcock takes her leave, and departs the Land; next comes the Nightingal, making the nights pleaſant with her melodious harmony; and laſtly, the adulterous and ungrateful Cuckow; the plants and vegetables do ſhew the Spring, by adorning the fields with pleaſant and fragrant flowers; as witneſſe the oderiferous Violet, perAir with a grateful ſmell, and divers others.
Diſeaſes incident to this quarter, are, Leproſies, Tooth-ach, Feavers, Puſhes, Great and Small Pox, Falling-ſickneſſe, Ring-worms, Kings-evil, Wens, Squincies, and generally pains in the body and bones, proceeding from old fractures, bruiſes, and inveterate maladies.
THe days being long, and the Sun ſcorching hot; the Creatures of the Earth having reared and brought up their young progeny to perfeMan; Ceres injoying the fruits of her labours; the days all this ſeaſon declining, but affording many ſweet and pleaſant flowers in every Country, as Clove-Gilliflowers, Roſes, &c. Store of Acorns preſages a hard Winter to enſue.
The diſeaſes moſt frequent in this quarter, are, pains about the Breſt, Ribs, and Spleen, Puſhes, and diſeaſes of the face, Leproſies, ſore eyes, Pluriſies, pains of the ſtomach and belly; Peſti
THe Wood-cock comes in with this ſeaſon, and the Swallow departs, taking her young retinue. Vindemiatrix now provides us Wine againſt cold Winter, whereby to drown our cares and labours paſt, and refreſh us to begin anew; the ſap in moſt vegetables returns into their roots under ground, or more rational to humain capacities, the vegetable humor is contracted in their bodies with cold, and heat extenuates or dilates that in
Diſeaſes that reign this quarter are many; as Agues, Aches in the bone, Pains in the back, dimneſſe of Sight, retention of Urine, Fluxes of bloud, infirmities in the Face and Eyes, Cankers, Fiſtulaes, Emrods, Stone, Gravel, pains in the ſecret parts, and all ſuch diſeaſes as attend the
THe flocking of ſmall birds together foreſhews the approach of this Seaſon, with the coming over of Feltiſers, and divers ſorts of other little birds; the days being at ſhorteſt, ſome things do flouriſh, as an herb called Chriſt-worte, for at the time of Chriſtmas it hath conſtantly flowers, if much froſt and ſnow hinders it not; the termiDucks, and divers other water-fowl.
The infirmities ſubject to man in this ſeaſon are moſt uſually theſe, viz. Red ſpots, Puſhes in the face, Fluxes of blood in the inferiour parts, Scabs, Leproſies, Toothach, pains in the Eyes, Palſies, Gouts, and all cold and phlegmatick diſeaſes; of theſe 4. Seaſons thus writeth Ovid. lib. 1. de Rem. Amo.
Poma dat Autumnus; formoſa eſt meſſibus Aeſtas;Ver praebet flores; igne levatur Hyems.
1. AN overmoiſt Spring cauſeth weeds to abound, fruits to be ſcarce and not good; if dry and hot, grain will be good, but no great increaſe; if temperately hot, and moderately
2. The Broom having plenty of bloſſoms, or the Walnut-tree, is a ſign of a fruitful year of Corn, for that temperature of the weather is grateful and nouriſhing unto them alike.
3. All Comets and great eclipſes, at the blooming of fruits, is held generally hurtful unto thoſe which it then happens to.
4. A dry Spring, with Northern winds, followGallen lib. 3. Aphoriſm 3.
5. Great ſtore of Nuts and Almonds, preſage a plentiful year of Corn, eſpecially Filberds.
6. When Roſes and Violets flouriſh in Autumn, it is an evill ſign of an inſuing Plague the year following, or ſome peſtiferous diſeaſe; for much heat in this Seaſon corrupteth the blood.
Winter over-moiſt and warm, is unſeaſonable for this Quarter, prejudicial to the husbandman, and a friend to the Phyſitian and Sexton, eſpeAir; but much froſt, with ſnow, preſages a whole
Many other preſages I could have inſerted, both of the weather and ſeaſons of the year, but ſuch as would incumber the work, trouble the Reader, and perhaps ſuperfluous; as leaves in the wind, or down-floating upon the water, are ſigns of tempeſts; others again doubtful, and not to be credited; as in Autumn (ſome ſay) in the Gall or Oak-apple, one of theſe three things will be found,
Flie denoting want; a Worm plenty; but if a Spider, mortality.
Others obſerve the twelve days of Chriſtmas, to foreſhew the weather in all the twelve ſucceeding moneths reſpectively.
Some again obſerve the 25: day of January, celebrated for the converſion of St. Paul; if fair and clear, plenty; if cloudy or miſty, much cattle will die; if rain or ſnow fall that day, it preſages a dearth; and if windy, wars, as old Wives do dream; and ſince I can find no better authority for theſe, nor any days preſages, as a thing indif
If SaintPaul's day be fair and clear,It does betide a happy year:But if it chance to ſnow or rainThen will be dear all kind of grain:If clouds or miſts do dark the Skie,Great ſtore of birds and beaſts ſhall die:And if the winds do fly aloft,Then wars ſhall vex that Kingdome oft.
SIgns both of the weather, and the ſeaſons I have hewn you, yet have omitted many, but ſuch as are beſt known to thoſe who are ſenſible of them; and of theſe there be ſome who ſuppreſt with the heavy burden of many years, are forced to ſtoop and ſtrike ſail to time, their bodies almoſt worn out with old decrepit age, ſcarcely tenentNature can hardly inable for to keep poſſeſſion, being dayly in danger to be ejected by rigid Death, who admits no bail; ſuch as theſe are ſenſible of the Airs alteration; like an old ruined tenement, that lies open unto the aſſaults of every little ſtorm, and may unhappily know the weather and ſeaſons of the year.
Others there be in the glory and prime of their youth that do know all this, and more certainly then can the dictates of old age deliver it, having in every joynt a Calender that ſhews them the weather, with the Spring and Fall, as a Memorandum of their fond and licentious youth, wherein they have incurred the diſpleaſure of juſt Heaven, and rewarded with the fruits of ſin: Yet in this I do not cenſure all, for ſome knows it through the crimes of others, and many by caſualties, fraNature, incident to frail man, for excepting ſuch like acci
The cauſe why Ideots can ſo well fore-know the weathers alteration, is partly they being defective in their underſtandings (as wanting the uſe of reaſon) Nature does the more aſſiſt them; or they being cold and phlegmatick (as appears by their ſlavering) they are the more ſenſible of the Airs change, as it is agreeable or oppugnant to the temperature and conſtitution of their bodies; whereas Man endowed with the uſe of reaſon and diſcourſe, contemplates of the cauſe and nature of things, which ſo implies the ſenſes, that the Air infuſed into the poars of ſuch bodies, cannot have any powerful operation; and beſides, their conſtitutions are compoſed with a better concord of the 4 Elements, ſo that the Airs alteration canNatures care to provide beſt for thoſe things which are in moſt danger of ſhorteſt life, or can leaſt help or ſhift for themſelves; as to ſome ſhe gives ſtrength in arms, to others ſwiftneſſe of feet or wings, agility of body, and the like; ſome little creatures are made a prey by others, or their lives but ſhort; to theſe ſhe gives a fruitful offspring; as for example, what multiCreator, that all theſe ſeveral kinds do ſubſiſt, and in ſuch Springs or Sommers whoſe temperatures of heat ſhall produce cold Winters;
Nature does commonly provide plenty be
By Natures inſtinct from theſe, Man (as in a Calender) may read the weather, and the ſeaſons of the year, every body having ſmall poars, into which the Air does continually infuſe it ſelf; and as it is rarified or condenſed, it alters the diſAir infuſed into their little members, towards rain (being moiſt, and oppoſite to their natures) ſtupifies their ſenſes, and makes them heavy, and not apt to labour or go abroad.
This is the cauſe that Bees keep in their hives, or will not go far from thence, when the Air grows moiſt; and the weather inclining to rain; from hence is the motive that the laborious Emmots deſire reſt, and withdraw themſelves into the caverns of the earth, carrying their eggs with them, as by a natural inſtinct, whereby to preſerve their progeny; for by the fervour of the Sun, they muſt be diſcloſed, and by a ſtorm of rain they would be chill and periſh; the reaſon is generally the ſame in other ſenſitive creatures, whoſe corps are ſenſible of the Airs change, that alters them according to the natural temperature and diſpoſition of their bodies, ſome creatures
Salamanders love Fire; Birds Air; Fiſhes Water; and Beaſts Earth: So theſe Elements (as they are mixt) and predominating, do offend or pleaſe the naVirgil; Geor. lib. 1.
Haud equidem credo quia ſit divinitus illisJngenium, aut rerum fato prudentia major.Verum, ubi tempeſtas & coeli mobilis humorMutavere vias, & Jupiter humidas auſtrisDenſat, erant quae rara modo; & quae denſa relaxant.Vertuntur ſpecies animorum, & pectora motusNunc alios, alios dum nubila ventus agebatConcipiunt: Hinc ille avium concentus in agris,Et laetae pecudes, & ovantes gutture corvi.
BAirs alteration, as it does condenſe, or rarifie; and Glaſs; the manner how to devide it, and make a water that will not freez, much more beautiful and conſpi
Firſt provide a Bolts head of a cleer tranA, like a Globe, in content to the whole ¾ or ⅘: let the ſhanke be in circumA; then 1 ½ or 1 ¾ of the Globes circle the length unto B, where muſt be a Glaſſe in content about half of the bolts head; as for a ceſtern to receive the water, which you may thus provide; if you would have a red water take Vermilion: a green colour is more pleaVerdigreaſe, 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 coVinegar 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
medium (if the ſhank be not taper'd) write the fi
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.
Viz.
Shews the extreme heat of Sommer.
Is exceſſive hot and ſultry weather.
Is more hot than cold; a pleaſant ſeaſon.
The medium betwixt Sommer & Winter.
More cold than hot, with gentle froſts.
Is exceſſive cold and froſty weather.
Shews the extreme cold of Winter.
1. THe efficient cauſe why this water riſeth and falls, is from the condenſing or dilaCold 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 continu
5 If the water falls never ſo little between SunMeteor 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
11 The water riſing any day in fair weather, preſages a froſt the following night, or cold win
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 'twill be froſt; if it falls below 9 'twill 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 di
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 WaVacuum, ſo repugNature; 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 froAir 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 conMeteors 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, 'twill 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 exvacuum, and in an inſtant contracts or rarifies as Nature ſees apteſt or moſt facile to be effected, and thus avoids vaChaos, 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 pondeElement 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 ⅕ or ⅙ part more in the extreme heat of Sommer then in the greateſt cold of Winter; but not to be unZone, admits of no froſt, and parts neer eiEngland, 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 upMetcors, 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.
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 reconComets to be of a Celeſtial nature, other ſublunary, and extracted from the Elements; Some denie their motions to be eAir, like an Ignis fatuus; And thus by refractions dePoet Silius. Lib. 8.
— Non unus crine coruſcoRegnorum everſor, rubuit lethale Cometes.
Pliny in his natural Hiſtory, makes a ſeries or catalogue of theſe fiery apparitions, which he diComets, Blazing-Stars, or fiery Impreſſions in general: They are the hidden and ſecret myNature, portentious in their heights, magnitudes, courſes and periods, various, and manifold in their colours and form, but are geneAir, by conſuElement by which we draw our vital breath,
Humidum radicale; all this it does preſage and more, the iminent ſcourge of God, as the obſervations of Hiſtoriographers and Poets do abundantly teſtifie, and thus writeth Manil. a heathen,
Nunquam futilibus excanduit ignibus aether
Et nunquam Coelo, ſpectatum impune Cometem.
And although ſuch prodigies do uſually proMajeſty; arming themſelves in vain with fortifications againſt juſt Heaven; and combining together with the aſſoCreator (if he pleaſes) can make, not onely the Elements to deEgyptian plagues, where Nature proPharaoh and draw his people to repentance. And thus ſpeaks Eſdrae 2. cap. 9. Et dediſti ſigna at
The State of Rome at the death of Julius Ceſar was menaced with a dreadful Blazing Star, preMeteors do beget choler, and from thence fury, rage and madneſſe, the PaVirg. lib. 1. Geor.
The effects of Non alias Coelo ceciderunt plura ſereno
Fulgura, nec dir
Comets, or fiery impreſſions in the Air, are not univerſally ſeen to all Countries, nor yet oftentimes to all places within thoſe regions; nor are their influencies obnoxious, to all men where they be viſible, yet motives unto every parRecords Joſhuae, Cap. 24. v. 17. Fecit
Comets do declare the greatneſſe of the Creator, and are as admonitions from Him, who like a Father and a merciful Judge, infinite in his Love, as in his Juſtice, giving us theſe ſigns as warnings, like an indulgent Parent who ſhews us the rod before the Sentence be pronounced; the continuDiety, and motives to make the proudeſt Creature ſtrike Sail, to amaze the wiſeſt and terrifie the moſt valiant. Eccleſ. 3.14, Omnia opera ſua fecerit Deus, ut timeatur.
The un uſual tumults, or diſorder of the Elements, preſages the wrath of God connexed with His Mercy, by his ſtupendious works, to draw us unto Him; if not for Love, yet for fear of puniſhFire and Air do rage, whither ſhall we run to ſave our ſelves? upon the Seas we ſhall ſuffer wrack by the ſtorm, or periſh in the tumultuous waves; if the Earth does prove unſtable, where ſhall we ſet our feet? houſes nor caves cannot defend us, when the baſes of Rocks and Mountains ſhake, and the whole Globe of Earth ſhall tremble; whither ſhall we fly? who can ſecure us? Here I find comfort and hopes of ſafety with St. Auguſtine, In te Domine ſperavi, non confundar in aeternum. And Pſal. 121. ver. 2. Auxilium meum â Domino qui fecit coelum & terram.
Blazing Stars, though unuſualy forerunners of ſorrow, yet oftentimes commixt with joy; of which there be many examples; one is recorded at the death of Nero, the Emperour, a Tyrant, a Parricide a Murderer of Chriſtians, and a profeſſed enemy to Mankind; and at laſt (contrary to the perpetual eſtabliſh'd Laws of Nature) kill'd himChurch, and put to death St. Peter, and St. Paul, Apoſtles; as you may read in St. Chryſoſtom, and in Lactantius, l. 4. c. 21. de vera Sapientia.
God hath given us Signs in the Heavens, both of His wrath and mercy; of which I have ſhewn you here ſome precedents, and do intend to maRain bow which we often ſee, is from a natural cauſe, as the Comets fiery impreſſions and all Meteors are ſupCreator, and their ſignifications oftentimes beyond the knowledge or reach of humane reaſon; the Rainbow given to Noah was a Sign of Peace. Gen. cap. 9. ver. 13. Arcum nieum ponam in nubibus coeli: & erit Signum foederis inter me, & inter terram.
ALl Comets or fiery impreſſions, are generally obſerved ſwifteſt at the firſt, and their influScaliger, who conceives no Comet for to conſiſt of a fiery nature, but a crude and undigeſted vaPlanets or fixed Stars, as are thoſe Meteors, commonly called falling Stars, which are like gellies not enflam'd, but tranſpaSun, which apparitions, are common in the Northern Climates, although held portentions to us; And ſuch as do continue long, where the material cauſe is great, and the
Sun, wanting force to diſſipate them; As for an inſtance; in the year of Grace, 1596. the Hollanders ſayling by Nova Zembla, to ſearch for a N. E. paſſage into China and the Eaſt Indies, there did appear for 17 continued days the perfect effigies of the Sun after the 17. of October; when as the true Sun was depreſſed; the Horizon of that place, being in the latitude of 77 degrees; The like you may read in Captain James ſearchN. W. paſſage into the South Sea. This laſt diſcovery was attempted without ſucCharls the firſt of England.
Some would ſeem to demonſtrate this, by a round glaſs, like a globe; which fill'd with waSun may ſhine in, or upon it: Take a globe glaſs fill'd with fair water, and hold it at the hole, thus perforated; and within the room (by reflection of this) you ſhall ſee many rays, repreſenting the form of a Blazing Star, or fiery impreſſion; and this ſome thinks to be a ſufficient demonſtration, that Comets are but illuminated parts of the darkned Air, or condenſed parts of the enlightned Spheres.
Rothmannus conceives that Comets are really enflamed Meteors, and that they are moved by Angels, as for a terrour unto mortals; but as for this ſuppoſition: God does commonly uſe, and employ natural means, unto natural cauſes; but
Creator, not confined to one, nor the other. Galilaeus doth ſuppoſe theſe CoLodovicus Molina in his 5. diſputation of the Worlds Creation, would ſeem to gather from thence, and out of Geneſis, that the Heavens, both in Species and Matter, do agree with ſublunary things; and Thomas Fiennus inclines to this, as by his writings, concerning the Comet which appeared in the year of Chriſt, 1618: whereby he urges, that there may be matter in the Heavens both to generate and corrupt, and that there is daily permutations in the Spheres, although not viſible to our weak ſights: and this his erroAges, ſince the Creation; as they inſtance (who incline to him) in the Conſtellation called the Pleiades, accounted but 6 Stars, before the Trojan Wars; and ſince, as now commonly known by the name of the ſeven Stars: This ſome Hiſtoriographers do teſtifie; and likewiſe Homer, Pliny; and thus Ovid, lib. 4. Faſt. derived from a falſe conception of the ſight;
After many and great conjunctions of the PlaPleiades incipient humeros revelare pateruos: Quae ſeptem dici, ſex tamen eſſe ſolent.
Sun, they would at ſome time happen of neceſſity to be eclipſed, moving within the conical ſhadow of the Terreſtrial globe; if their motions be cauMeteors change their places ſo much, nor be ſo violently ſwift, as they are obſerved: Some moving paralAzimuths, rather then deſcribing parallels with the Aequator, which the Stars doe: Some fiery Meteors have ſeem'd fixt, and many ſo rapide in their ſtupendious accelerated motions, that they canGrace, 1618. did paſſe from one Tropick to another; that is, from ♑ to ♋ in the ſpace of 10 natural days, which the Antiquity.
SOzomenus writes of a Blazing Star, as it were uſpended in the Air, with one end extending almoſt down unto the Earth; this was viſible oConſtantinople. Some again have been ſeen to fall from the Heavens; of theſe Scaliger affirms one in his time that did deſcend: From the falling of the fiery Meteors, is derived (as ſome conceives) the poetical fiction of Phaeton; but Tertullian otherwiſe; Of theſe fiery preClaudian. lib.
Praeceps ſanguineo delabitur igne Cometes
Prodigiale rubus —Pliny lib. 2. cap. 35. writeth how Licinius Syllanus did ſee a ſparkle, falling from the Heavens, and in its deſcent to encreaſe unto the bigneſſe of the Moon; and this Meteor again drawn up, appeared like a lamp or burning torch.
About the year of Grace, 1450, being 3 years before the barbarous Turks invaded
Ʋrope, and took the famous City of Conſtantinople, there apMoon (then at full) obſcur'd her light; about this time divers Countries under the Patriark of Greece were miſerably infected with the moſt diabolical herefie, againſt the incomprehenſible and Sacred Myſtery of the ever bleſſed Trinity; which errour (ſoon after) put a period to that
Many dreadful apparitions in the Air, are reMachabees, lib. 2. cap. 5. how for 40 days there was ſeen over the City Jevuſalem, horſe-men running in the Air, having golden robes, with ſpears (like armed bands) charging one another in order and manner of a fight, as hand to hand; motions of bucklers, mulJews, perſevering in their diſobediGod, and neglecting his juſt Precepts, until left unto the pleaſure of the inſulting foe. Antiochus giving Commiſſion to his Souldiers to ſlay whomſoever they ſhould meet, ſparing neiTemple, with their profane and polluted hands; and left governours there more barbarous then himTitus Veſpatian) as a fiery ſword hanging over Jeruſalem, the ſpace of a whole year, with many other prodigious viſions; of which you may read in Joſephus.
There happened in the Iſle of Britain many portentious ſigns, preſaging the effuſion of much bloud, and menacing the ſubverſion of the whole
Julius Ceſar, who ſubdued it to the State of Rome, the people ſubjugated to the Tyranny of the enſuing Emperours. As for the forerunning ſigns of calamities this Iſland groaned under, there were ſeen in the Air, globes of fire, and dreadfull ſcreaks and noiſes heard to the aſtoniſh
Anno 1558. began deformed reformation, whoſe infatuated doctrine, was attended with a prodigious and fatal Comet, hanging over their heads, as a meſſenger of God's wrath; In theſe times there fell out of the Air ſuch multitudes of ſtrange and monſtruous proportion'd flies, that for many miles in Germany, they deſtroyed the corn in the fields, and all vegetables, until with want they died; the corruption of whoſe bodies infected the Air, and ſo begot an Epidemical diſeaſe, in teſtimony of the proteſtation made.
In the year of Chriſt, 1588. it is reported by Snellius, how that at Amſterdam (a little before Sun-ſetting) there was beheld in the Air the form of a Seafight, which continued the ſpace of an hour, where the conquered were ſeen to flie: this was little before the Spaniards proud Armado came inſulting into our narrow Seas, who preſuming of their ſtrength to captive England, were by the bleſſing of God, fruſtrated of their deſign, and put to flight, being ſevered with a puffe of wind, and many thrown upon our coaſt, with ſhipwrackt fortunes, craving mercy of us, whom they preReligion, when it was to enlarge their Dominions, by enXerues, both in their pride and ſucceſſe.
Of theſe portentions, apparitions, and direful forewarnings of God's juſt wrath againſt the finJulius Ceſar Dictator, murdered by the Senators in the Senate houſe: at which time there appeared a Blazing Star, with divers other prodigious ſigns of enſuing woe, and effuſion of bloud, which preAetna brake forth with dreadful globes of fire, where ſtones were melted, the Earth gap'd, Rivers ſtood ſtill, the Alpes trembled, armed bands appear'd in the Air, Trumpets were heard to ſound, the Sun pale and wan, and almoſt obſcured for a year folCeſar's ſlaughter thus writeth Ovid. Metam. Lib. 15.
Of this writeth Arma ferunt inter nigras crepitantia nubes
Terribileſ
Praemonuiſſe nefas: Solis quoque triſt is imago
Lurida ſolicitis praebebat lumina terris.
Virgil. Geor. Lib. 1. and alſo Tibullus, lib. 2. Ele. 5.
Before the bloudy conflict between Ceſar and Pompey in the fields of Pharſaelia, where blind Fortune was arbitrator, which of theſe two fond ambitious Men ſhould rule the ſubingated World; at that time there appeared 3 Suns, or 2 Parelii, as if declaring the greatneſſe and glory of theſe two Potentates, who were but as falſe lights, for they both ſoon vaniſh'd.
In the year of Grace, 1525, there appeared 6 Suns or 5 Parelii, all viſible at one time, Gem. Phri. Lib. 1. cap. 8. and quickly after this, was Francis King of France, overthrown in Battall, and of a great Prince made a captive by the Spaniards; a
Pliny Lib. 2. in his natural Hiſtory writes of 3 Suns, or 2 Parelii that were ſeen in Boſphorus, but neither regiſters the age, nor records the event; He mentions alſo 3 when Lu. Plancus, and Marc. Lepidus were Conſuls, and when Claudius Ceſar was Conſul, and when C. Domitius, and Ca. Fannius were Conſuls, there appeared at one time 3 Moons; he affirms alſo, ſome nights ſo light, as that they were not (but in reſpect of time) eaLord and Saviour, who was the light of the World, and did diſperſe the
Heathens, in their benighted underſtandings, and now to be illuminated with the Truth; and this recorded to be ſeen not only in Judaea but in Spain, and other places of Europe.
Ariſtotle lib. 3. cap. 2. Mete. writeth of two Rain-bows, made by the rays of the Moon in the night ſeaſon, theſe were ſeen in his days. Thimon writes of two Rain-bows ſeen in the night, and both in the ſpace of 3 years.
Albertus records one in his time, the Moon not at full in the Sgn of ♑ the Sun in ♉, ready for to enter ♊ the time of year being about the middle of April; the Americus who gave the Weſt Indies its name, writes of one Rain-bow which he did ſee in the north part of the Horizon, about midnight, but very pale.
Gemma Phri. lib. 2. cap. 2. Coſmo. writes of one that was ſeen the 12. of March about midnight, the Air clear and temperate; this Rain-bow, was deſcribed with perfect colours, as thoſe that we ſee in the day; And Daniel Sennertus a famous Phyſitian of Wittenberg reports of one Rain-bow which himſelf did behold (about Midſommer-time in the year of Chriſt, 1599, immediately after a direful Tempeſt of Thunder and Rain; this Rain-bow appeared very beautiful between the North and Eaſt part of the Horizon, by which it ſhould ſeem 'twas after 12 at night.
Snellius lib. de Cometa, 1618 writes, how that in the year of our Lord God, 1617, and in the month of December, the Moon neer the full, there
Rain-bow in the night, and upon the 30. day of December following (going towards the Hague) he did ſee another continuing from 5 to 6 in the evening; theſe were a little before the beginning of the Palatinate wars, fatal unto Germany and hurtful to all Chriſtendome.
Divers portentious Eclipſes, both of Sun and Moon, have happened according to the courſe of Nature; although prodigious: and Egyptian darkneſs too hath benighted us, continuing 3 or 4 days, as John Stow in his Annals teſtifieth, and that ſome days in Holland were not diſtinguiſhed from the nights; and divers men (in the time of artificial day) did miſcarry (by reaſon of darkSleidanus reGermany in the year of Chriſt, 1547, in the moneth of April, when the Sun was obſcured to their Horizon for four contiHeaven 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 falſumAudeat? ille etiam coecos inſtare tumultusSaepe mones, fraudem& operta tumeſcere bella: que Ille etiam extincto miſeratusCaeſare RomamCum caput obſcurâ nitidum ferrugine texit,Impiaaeternum timuerunt ſaecula noctem. que
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 morta
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 MoSon 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 Sa
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
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 raiDion teſtifieth. In Armenia there fell from the Clouds red Snow, as if it had receiPliny, Livy, and divers other well approved Authors; yet they upon report of others have inſcribed many Er
Beſides many wonderful flouds in particular Countries, there be three held ſtupenDeluge in the time of Noah, in the year from the CreaNoah 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 ſubNoah; 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;
In the laſt year of Eſſe quoque in fatis, reminiſcitur affore tempus
Quo mare, quo tellus, correpta
Ardeat & Mundi moles operoſa laboret.
Nero Ceſar's raign, new Rivers did ſpring out of the Earth, and others did alter their courſes and former channels, as it is recordPliny, 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 pre
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 them
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 extraordinaPliny, lib. 5. cap. 9. the greateſt flood that ever was obſerved there, is reClaudian 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 RiRhine and Maze, with ſome others of leſGermany, 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 inuJohn Stow, in his AHenry 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 ſilentesIngens: & ſimulacra modis pallentia mirisViſa ſub obſcurum noctis, pecudeſlocutae que (Infandum) ſiſtunt amnes, terraedehiſcunt. que
THe moving of a Coach or Cart will make houſes ſenſibly to ſhake and tremble, accorcontinuum with the building: For the preſſure or viodividuum, that the Air may vent it ſelf; The poarineſſe of the Earth, and volubility of the Air, is made by this apparent.
In a ſtill Evening, place upon the ground a Drum; to which lay your ear, and you ſhall plainly hear the Air beating upon the Drum, re
Herodotus writes how Egypt was once Sea: Seneca lib. 6. cap. 21. does record how the Iſle Theraſia did riſe out of the Egaeon ſea, the MariThia in the days of Pliny, and now a firm Iſland, one of the Sporades. And in the year of Grace 1538, in the fields of Puteoli, there was a new mountain did riſe neer a mile high, from the foot of the hill; Mountains and lower grounds have been removed from their places, where Nature hath fixed them; as you may read in Pliny, lib. 2. cap. 83. how two mounNero Ceſar, the meaVectius Marcellus were removed over a common high-way, and contrary in their motions, mutually changing their ſeats and ſituations: And in the moneth of April An. Domini 1586, the like happned in Ireland, where the ground was removed with the trees, and all the lower plants growing upon it; This ſhews the Omnipotent Creator, as we read in Job: cap. 9. ver. 6. Qui commovet terram de loco ſuo, & columnae ejus, concutiuntur.
The Cities of Hellice and Buris were buried with an Earth-quake, and nothing remaining of them, but the bare name onely. And if Plato may be believed, Aeon in the Atlantick, was equal unto Aſia, and now all deep under water, the Sea retaining yet the name; and it is very probaNoah, how could America, and divers re
But ſom do object to this; that America might be planted by the North or South parts of the World: Firſt it is doubtful, whether Greenland be part of that continent, or no; beſides it is unlikely they ſhould ſeek for a plantation through ſo cold & unhoſpitable a Countrey, that can afford no relief, nor any thing but hunger and cold. Others do better conjecture the firſt Colonies might paſs by the ſtraights of Magellune, and thither out of Aſia by Java, or into new Guinea; but admit it were ſo; it is not probable they carried ſavage Beaſts, or venemous Serpents with them to a Plantation; but for that beaſts might grow wild with running in Deſart places at their liberties, and ſerpents breed out of the ſlime of the Earth; as Eeles and other living and ſenſitive Animals, produced from corruption, and yet afterwards engender and beget others of their form; But it is generally conceived there hath been many more Lands then there be at this preſent, and divers Iſlands by which at firſt they paſſed and now devoured by the Seas; and ſupFrance; Spain from Aſrica; Sicily from Italy; and Oſſa from Olympia.
Some do inferr, how that God promiſed Noah not to drown the World any more, and that He had put bounds to the waters, which they ſhould not paſſe; 'Tis true, but yet part of it may be ſubmerged, of which I could inſtance you many
Rye, and other places in England under the Seas irrecoverable; their Steeples viſiGod hath placed, 'tis known to Him, and and not to us, nor need we care if we ſerve the Omnipotent Creator. Propterea non timebimus dum turbabitur terra, & transferentur montes, in cor maris, Pſal. 45. ver. 2.
Before the Nativity of our Sacred Redeemer Jeſus Chriſt, 374. Brennus a potent Prince, whoſe territories being over-peopled, raiſed a puiſſant Army, to gain renown, and ſeek new plantations; in which deſign, he was aſſiſted by the then overGauls, through whoſe Country he marGreece with 300,000 Men, as ſome writes: on mount Parnaſſus ſtood the City of Delphos, famous in thoſe days of darkneſs, for the TemApollo, whom thoſe Idolatrous people worGreece, and by Nature fortified; the taking of this City was the ſole ambition of Brennus; partly by reaBrennus ſore hurt, and in deſpair of future good, with his ſword ſlew himſelf, as it is recorded by Juſtine. This ſtory I have related to ſhew the judgement of God upon him for his covetouſneſſe and pride; not done as againſt the worſhippers of the Divel, but as in contempt of a Deity. Proper. lib. 3.
Torrida ſacriligunt teſtantur limina BrennumDumpetit intonſi Pythia regna Dei.
Three years before the Birth of the Worlds Redeemer, when Herod was King of the Jews, there happened an Earth-quake in Judea, by which there priſhed of Men, Women and Children, to the number of 30000. precurſor of the maſſacre and number of Infants, as ſome records do te
In the 15. year of our Lord and Saviour, and in the beginning of Tiberius his Empire, there were 12. Cities in Aſia in one night overwhelmed with the inhabitants; and which is more, all ſwallowed up in the bowels of the Earth. In the 18. year of this Empire, the Son of God (as a ſacrifice for the World) was accuſed by the perfidious Jews, conPontius Pilate (then Preſedent of Judea, under Tiberius Caeſar) and crucified, at whoſe paſſion the World did tremble with an EarthDidymus; Mei Chriſti tempore, non privatus
aliquis terrae motus, ſed tota terra conquaſſut
In the year of grace, 1117. there was in Lombardy and Earth-quake, which continued 40. days, in which time it overthrew many buildings; but the greateſt wonder was, it removed one Town from its ſeat, and ſet it in another place, a good diſtance from the former ſituation, with many of the houſes ſtanding; this ſtory you may read in Floriacenſis: theſe are evident demonſtrations of an Omnipotent power. Job, cap. 9. ver. 5. Qui tranſtulit montes, & neſcierunt hi, quos ſubvertis, in furore ſuo.
In the year of grace, 1509. the City of Conſtantinople was ſhaken with an Earth-quake, in whoſe ruines there was overwhelmed 13000 Men, Women, and Chridren. In the year 1531, the City of Lixborn trembled with an Earth-quake, which ruined 1500. dwelling houſes. Fromondus, lib. 4. Meteo. does affirm how that in the year 1570. Ferraria was miſerably ſhaken with an EarthItaly the ſpace of two years, as ſome Authors do write: and in the year following, being 1571, the Turks preſuming of their ſtrength, and the diviſions of Europe (by reaſon of the Sects and Schiſms) raiſed a mighty Army, intending to invade Europe both by Sea and Land, for which deſign a fleet was rigged: And for the prevention of this general calamiy, it pleaſed God to unite all the Chriſtian Princes (as againſt the common enemy) who provided another, and put to Sea; and upon the 6. day of October the Chriſtians gave the Turks battail, which Sea fight continued that day and the next,
Mahumetans, and multitudes were taken priſoChriſtians were reChriſtian Princes loſt in this fight 8 gallies, and 8000 SoulLepauto.
In the year 1601. there was a general EarthEurope, which made it all to tremHeaven.
In the year of the Worlds Redemption 1638. March the 27. S. N. between 3 and 4 in the afterNaples was violently ſhaken with an Earth-quake, which ſubverted houſes and Caſtles; the City of Necoſia ſtanding by the Sea ſide, was made an Iſland, and five miles divided from the Continent; the Earth finking, Nature brought in the waters, to fill the lower grounds and cover her entrails: there peSpain and France.
Many prodigies I have here omitted, as partly fearing to be prolix: ſome again I have found
Conſtantinople by Mahumet the great from Conſtantine the laſt Chriſtian Emperour of Greece; in ſtorming this City, there happned a direful Tempeſt of ThunAnno Domini 1452, May the 27. which was Whitſunday Eve; Knolls writes 1453, May the 29. which was the Tueſday after Trinity SunMahumet's pleaſure, and thoſe led away into a miſerable captivity; the Tyrant intending this for his Antichriſtian ſeat, called in the Jews to inhabit it. Here you may ſee Heavens juſt revenge againſt a ſtubborn people, perverſly maintaining that diabolical Hereſy aTrinity; at which time & Feaſt the Empire had a fatal period, and the Grecians delivered into the hands of the moſt barbarous enemy; Theſe fatal Meteors are great motives to humble Man, to make him repent his iniquities, and ſoberly remember the moſt dreadful day of Judgement, of which theſe prodiIſaia cap. 24. ver. 1. Ecce Dominus diſſipabit terram, & nudabit eam, & affliget faciem ejus, & diſperget habitatores ejus.
EArth-quakes are often forerunners of Plague and Famine (Heavens direful revenge and juſt runiſhments) proceeding from exceſſe or defect, and preſag'd ſometimes from ſubterranean vaAir (in which we breath) they do breed peAir, and their bloud contaminated, the eating of their fleſh breeds contagious Deſeaſes in Man; and in ſuch times, the greedy Graſier ſends thoſe to the ſlaughter which he thinks to be infected, fearing they ſhould die in his hands, and keeps the ſound
Before the Nativity of Jeſus Chriſt (the Worlds Redeemer) 18Africa, that ſwept away 30000 Romane Souldiers, and of the Natives 1080,000, which depopulated not onely many Towns and Cities, but ſome whole Provinces.
In the year of Chriſt 171. Antoninus Emperour of Rome, it pleaſed God to viſit the World with a Plague, which made whole Countrys like a CharBabylon, but ſpread its infection over a great part of Europe.
In the year of Grace 254. there happned an EChurch of God was perſecuted by the Pagan and Tyrannical Emperours, poſſeRome at theſe times it rained bloud, where this Plague continued three years, while the living in the City were not able to bury the dead.
From the Sacred Virgin's being a Mother 316. Maxentius in the Eaſtern Countries, raiſed a terriChriſtians to death that he could find, and with ſeverall kinds of torSon of God: This perſecution conſtraiMaxentius and his unhumane competiChriſt 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 conjunctiviz. ♄ ♃ and ♂, and
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 authenChronologers 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 togeMahumets 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 moreHierome 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
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 'tis 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, 'twas 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
Armenian mountains were moſt exalted above the Earths center; and as the clouds were exonerated by the waters that fell, 'tis 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
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 reſerCreator's preſcience only, and I no ExElements 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, AuVice, 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 acElements, to nouriſh them unto maturity; from hence corruption and FaAr inWinds burſt forth in Hericanoes from their obtopſie 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 imiEarth grows unſtable, and ſhaking as with an ADropſie relapſes into a burning Feaver! BeWorld as with a DeEarth, 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
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 upNature their Miſtreſſe and Idaea fall'n into an Extaſie, as if in a conflict betwixt Life and Death, or diſenabled to rule the ſubjugaWorld: 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, recomHeaven, remembring; Protector in te ſperantium Deus, ſine quo nihil eſt validum, nibil ſanctum.
Impartial Judges, and ingenious Jury, unto whoſe candid Verdict I ſubmit, hoping my faults are not capital, my Accuſers not conſideSeſſions, 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 beOptick Science demonſtrates contraction of objects through concave Glaſſes; and if your clemency can extend its ſelf to anniGod, 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 ſufficiPlea (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
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, conHiſtorical preſcriptions, Eccleſiaſtical and Moral. Speculum annorum, or an Ephemeris for 19 years to come, ready to be pubThomas Willsford.
INtro. Page 2. line 1dele 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. repelp. 53. l. 28. dele he; p. 55. l. 9. r. not going far to ſeek, & l. 29 r. did abrogate or alter; p. 57. l. 9. r. it is; p. 51. l. 31. as r. thus; p. 60. l. 10. r. and they; p. 58. l. 14. garment r. garland, & l. 32. reflection r reflect on; p. 71. l. 22. r. & riſing from low; p. 73. l. 11. r. Elep. 75. l. 19. 18 r. 28; p. 82. l. 29: r. warm at my time; p 88. l. 15. r. ſtupifies; p. 99. l. 7. r. from ♃; p. 104. l. 5. ♄r♈, & l. 16. Sommer r. Autumn; p. 110. l. 3. r. levity; p. 112. l. 26. r. forced; p. 113. l 27. is r. are, & l. 31. r. diſſipates; p. 114. l. 14. warm, r. wan; p. 126. l. 20. r. lep. 136. l. 7. in, r. to; p. 139. l. 20. to, r. in; p. 140. l. 22. r. This is; p. 147. l. 31. r. without compariſon; p. 149. l. 16. r. humidus; p. 164. l. 28. r. uſually; p. 171. l. 28. r. by Titus; p. 172. l. 20. r. proteſtation; p. 180. l. 30. r. Romans inteſtine tumults predicted; p. 185. l. 23. this r. his; p. 189. l. 4. r. puniſhments
1. TImes Treaſure or Academy for the Gentry, for their accompliſhment in arguments of diſcourſe, habit, faſhion; ſummed up all in a Character of Honour: By R. Brath, Eſq;
2. B. Morton on the Sacrament, in Folio.
3. That excellent Piece of Phyſiognomy and Chiromancy, Metopoſcopy, the Symmetrical ProR. Sanders, Fol.
4. Theatrum Chemicum Britanicum, containing ſeveral Poetical pieces of our famous Engliſh PhiElias Aſhmole, Eſq;
5. Chiromancy: Or, the Art of Divining by the Lines engraven in the hand of Man by Dame NaGeo. Wharton, Eſq;
6. Catholick Hiſtory, collected and gathered out of Scripture, Councils, and ancient Fathers, in anſwer to Dr. Vanes loſt ſheep returned home: By Edward Cheſenbale, Eſq;
7. Tactometrica, or the Geometry of Regulars, after a new manner, in Solids: with uſeful ExpeJohn Wyberd, Dr. in Phyſick.
8. An Aſtrological Diſcourſe, with Mathematical Demonſtrations, proving the influence of the Planets and fixed Stars upon Elementary bodies: By Sir Chr. Heyden, Knight.
9. Magick Aſtrology vindicated by H. Warren.
10. Cataſtrophe magnatum: by N. Culpepper.
11. Ephemerides for the year 1652. by N. Culpepper.
12. Lux Veritates, Judicial Aſtrology vindicated. and Demonology confuted; By W. Ramſey Gent.
13. The Hiſtory of the Golden Aſſe.
14. The painting of the Ancients, the beginning, progreſs, and conſummating of that noble Art.
15. Iſraels Redemption, or the Prophetical HiR. M.
16. An introduction to the Teutonick Philoſophy, being a determination of the original of the Soul: by C. Hothans, Fellow of Peter-houſe in Cambridge.
17. Teratologia: Or, a Diſcovery of God's WonJ.S.
18. Fons Lachrymarum: or, a Fountain of Tears; with an Elegy on Sir Charls Lucas, by J. Quarles.
19. Oedipus: or a Reſolver of Secrets in Nature, & reſolution in amorous, natural Problems; by C. M.
20. The Celeſtial Lamp, enlightning every diT. Fetiſplace.
21. Nocturnal Lucubrations, with Epigrams, and Epitaphs: by R. Chamberlaine.
22. The unfortunate Mother, a Tragedy by T.M.
23. The Rebellion, a Comedy; by T. R.
24. The Tragedy of Meſſalina; by N. Richards.
25. A Treatiſe of Contentation, fit for theſe ſad and troubleſome times; By J. Hall, B. of Norwich.
26. The grand Sacriledge of the Church of
Rome, in taking away the ſacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table; by D. Featley, D. D. 4.
27. The cauſe and cure of Ignorance, Errour, and Prophaneneſs; or a more hopefull way to Grace and Salvation: by R. Young, 8.
28. A Bridle for the Times, tending to ſtill the Murmuring, to ſettle the wavering, to ſtay the wanJ.B. of Yarm.
29. Comforts againſt the fear of Death, wherein are ſeveral evidences of the work of Grace; by J.C.
30. Jacobs Seed; or the excellency of ſeeking God by Prayer; By Jer. Burroughs.
31. The zealous Magiſtrate a Serm. by T. Threſcot.
32. Britanma Rediviva, a Sermon before the Judges, Aug. 1648. By J. Shaw, Miniſter of Hull.
33. The Princeſs Royal, a Sermon before the Judges, March 24. 1650. By J. Shaw, Min. of Hull.
34. New Jeruſalem, in a Sermon for the Society of Aſtrologers, Aug. 1651.
35. Quakers cauſe at ſecond hearing, being a full anſwer to their Tenets.
36. Divinity no enemy to Aſtrology: a Sermon for the Society of Aſtrologers, for the year 1653. by Dr. Th. Swadling.
37. Hiſtorical Relation of the firſt planting of the Engliſh in New England, in the year 1628. to the year 1653. and all the material paſſages hap
38. Select Thoughts: or, Choice Helps for a piJ. Hall, B. of Norwich. A new piece.
39. The holy Order, or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion. To which is added, Songs in the night: or, Chearfulneſs under affliction: by J. Hall, Biſhop of Norwich. A new piece.
40. Hiſtory of Balaam & Jonah, and John the Baptiſt in Verſe; with other Poems; by J. Harvie, Eſq;
41. Re-aſſertion of grace, Vindiciae Evangelii: or, the Vindication of the Goſpel. Or a reply to Mr. Anthony Burgheſs Vindiciae Legis, and to Mr. Rutherford, by Robert Town.
42. All the Works of Aſtrology of Mr. W. Lilly, Gent.
43. Anabaptiſts anatomiz'd and ſilenc'd, or a diſTombs, by M. J. Crag, where all may re
44. The ſum of practical Divinity; or the grounds of Religion in a catechiſtical way; by Mr. Chriſtopher Love, late Min. of the Goſpel: a uſeful piece.
45. The Yorkeſhire Spaw, or the vertue and uſe of thoſe waters in the curing of deſperate diſeaſes, with rules neceſſary to be known by all that repair thither.
46. That compleat piece called, The exact SurIriſh meaſure reduc'd into Engliſh ſtatute meaſure, uſeful for all that either ſel or purchaſe: by J. Eyre.
47. Judgment ſet, & Books open'd, Religion triM. Webſter.
48. Milk for children, or a plain & eaſie method, teaching to Read, & to Write; with brief Rules for School-maſters to inſtruct their Schollars in, and Maſters to inſtruct their families in: by Dr. Thomas.
49. Culpepper's laſt Legacies, left to his Wife, for the publick good, being the choiceſt & moſt profi&c.
50 Culpepper's Semiotica, or his Aſtrological judgement of Diſeaſes, much enlarged from the Decumbiture of the ſick, the way to find out the cauſe, change, and end of the diſeaſe: alſo whether the ſick be likely to live or die, with the ſigns of life and death by the body of the ſick parHippocrates, with a Treatiſe of Urines: by N. Culpepper.
51. Cornelius Agrippa, his fourth book of Occult Philoſophy, or Geomancy; Magical Elements of Peter de Abbona, the nature of Spirits, made EngR. Turner.
52. A Glimpſe of Divine Light, being an ExplicaWhitehall for approbation of publick PreaJoh. Harriſon of Lund. Chap. Lancaſh.
53. The Queens Cloſet opened; Incomparable SeW. M. one of her late ſervants.
54. The Conveyancers of Light, or the compleat Clerk and Scriveners Guide; being an exact draught of all Preſidents and Aſſurances now in uſe, as they were penned and perfected by divers learned Judges, eminent Lawyers, and great conveyanRich. 3. to this preſent.
55. A Satyre againſt Hypocrites; 4.
56. Iron Rod put into the L. Protectors hand, to break in pieces all antichriſt. power; by J. Sanders.
57. Wits Interpreter, the Engliſh Parnaſſus, or a guide to thoſe admirable accompliſhments that compleat our engliſh Gentry in the moſt acceptable
a la mode: by J. C.
58. The Floating Iſland, a Trage-comedy acted before the King, by the Students of Chriſt Church in Oxford: By Dr. Stroude.
59. Paracelſus Occult Philoſophy of the myſte
60. Wit and Drollery, with other Jovial Poems, by Sir I.M.
1. Sym. 5. W.D. Never before printed.
61. Illuſtrious Shepherdeſs, the imperious Bro
62. Monarchy no Monarchy, with the PropheW. Lilly, Student in Aſtrology. With his other Works.
63. Short-hand writing made moſt plain and eaſieſt that ever was, newly publiſhed by J. Rich, Mr. in ſhort-writing.
64. Tectonicon, ſhewing the exact meaſuring all manner of land-ſquares, timber, ſtone, ſteeples, pil&c. fit to be known by all Surveyors, Land-meters, Joyners, Carpenters and Maſons; by L. Diggs.
65. Heaven and Earth ſhaken, a Treatiſe ſhewing how Kings & Princes, and their governments, are turned and changed: by J. Davis, Miniſt. in Dever.
66. The Tears of the Indies, being an Hiſtorical Relation of the cruelties of the Spaniards in the Iſlands of Hiſpaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, &c. in the
Coſaus. B. in Spain, an eye-witneſs.
67. Them is Aurea, the Laws of the Fraternity of the Roſie Croſs, written by Count Mayerus, and now Engliſhed for to inform that honourable SoT. H.
68. Compleat Midwifes practiſe, in the high and weighty concernments of the Birth of Mankind: or perfect Rules derived from the Experiences and Writings, not only of our Engliſh, but the moſt acT. C. and others.
69. Sportive Wit, the Muſes Merriment, a new ſpring of Drollery, Jovial Fancies, &c.
70. J. Tradeſcan's Rarities, publiſhed by himſelf.
71. Moſt approved Medicines & Remedies for the diſeaſes in the body of Man: by A. Read, Dr. in Ph.
72. Art of ſimpling, an introduction to the knowW. C.
73. Willsfords Arithmetick, made plain to the eaſiviz. Natural & Decimal, being moſt uſeful for all Gentlemen, Merchants, Shop-keepers, and all others: by T. Willsford, Gent.
74. Adam in Eden, the paradiſe of Plants, a DeW. Coles, M. D. for the benefit of all Engliſh men.
75. The perfect Cook; a right method of the Art of Cookery, reſtoring the whole practice to a more finer way then ever before extant.
76. Medicina Magica, tamen Phyſica, the method of curing diſeaſes by Sympathy and Antipathy; a work fit to be known by all: by S. Bolton.
77. The Treaſury of the Soul.
78. The expert Doctors Diſpenſatory; the whole Art of Phyſick reſtored to practice. The Apothecaries Shop, and Chyrurgians Cloſet, with all ſafe practiſes are maintained: a uſeful piece.
79. The Hiſtory and Nature of Meteors, with the weathers prediction: by T. Willsford, Gent.
80. The proceeding of the High Court of Juſtice againſt the late King Charls, with his Speech upon the Scaffold, and other proceedings, Jan. 30. 1648.
81. Commentary on the 15. Pſalm; by Mr. Chriſtopher Cartwright, Min. of the Goſpel in York.
82. Sir Kellum Digby's and other Ladies of Ho&c.
83. Cabinet of Jewels; mans miſery, God's mercy, Chriſt's treaſury, &c. in eight Sermons; with an Appendix of the nature of Tythes under the Goſpel; with an Expediency of Marriage in publick Aſſembly: by J. Cragg, Min. of the Goſpel.
84. The myſteries of Love and Eloquence, or the Arts of Wooing and Complementing; in which are diſcovered the pleaſures, recreations of per&c.