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A58144 The earth twice shaken wonderfully, or, An analogical discourse of earthquakes its natural causes, kinds, and manifold effects : occasioned by the last of these, which happened on the eighth day of September 1692, at two of the clock in the afternoon : divided into philosophical theorems, pick'd out of many famous, modern, and ancient treatises, translated into English : with reference to that unusual one that happened in Queen Elizabeth's reign, on the same day, 8th of September 1601 ... : with an account of many stupendious and wonderful events in Germany, Italy, and other kingdoms ... / by J.D.R., French minister. J. D. R., French minister. 1693 (1693) Wing R37; ESTC R4234 44,661 64

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contrary to Nature Their Consideration is lawful CHAP. I. HOw many sorts of Earthquakes there are and in regard of Natural Causes what sorts of Earthquake this was that we speak of as well in regard of its Circumstances as in regard of its Effects pag. 3. CHAP. II. What was the nearest natural Cause of this Earthquake as in regard of its breadth as in regard of its celerity videl the qualities and dispositions of some fiery and subtil Vapours hidden towards the Center of the Earth To which may be added the various influences of the Celestial Bodies as far as their qualities do prevail or resist pag. 9. CHAP. III. The Earthquake by its Nature hath not an end properly yet the effects thereof are commonly three specially evinced both by Experiences and Observations of Examples to wit Sickness Inundation and Sterility To which some would joyn the Pr●sages of some wonderful and unusual Changes c. pag. 17. CHAP. IV. An examination of the Circumstances wherein these two Earthquakes do agree or differ both in their Form and second Causes in regard of the different Aspects of Planets as well as in their effects p. 30. As a Corollary Ten Problems are set rising Naturally from that Matter 1. Whether that be true which Pliny doth assert that France and Egypt are seldom shaken by reason of the cold of the one and the heat of the other p. 33. 2. Why Rivers decrease by Earthquakes p. 34. 3. Why those places that are either lying upon or encompassed by the Sea or some River be obnoxious to Earthquakes p. 36. 4. What credit may one give to the relation of Plato of the Island Atlantis drowned by an Earthquake p. 39. 5. Whether exteriour wind entring the Eart● from above is able to move it p. 41. 6. Whether Subterraneous Exhaltations are generated by the Sun Beams p. 43. 7. Whether some more sullen times of Earthquakes are to be appointed for any certain reasons p. 44. 8. Why are Birds frighted in an Earthquake p. 45. 9. Whether the Vaults in Houses are safest against Earthquakes Ibid. 10. If i● the late Earthquake is so ended that the sole●● Countries through which it went are secure from its itteration p. 46. THE EARTH Twice Shaken WONDERFULLY THEOREMS AS Rest is contrary to the Nature of Heaven so is Motion against the Nature of the Earth 2. But in this they differ that although no Natural Cause stops the Motion of the Heaven yet it may give some Motion to the Earth 3. The Heaven never rested but once Josh 10.13 since the Creation that we know of and then not totally neither but only in that part which is a Vehicle to the solar Body but the Earth is often moved 4. And altho' the rest of the Heaven be in it self a thing as much to be wondered at as Motion in the Earth yet the later seems to move and terrifie mens minds more 5. For the Earth doth more nearly touch us than Heaven and we are more sensible of danger when the Foundation of the World trembles and is shaken under us as tho' it were falling then if any thing happen above our heads or that which was moved above us move no more 6. Which Events as they do affect mens minds with a singular and as it w●re an amazing Admiration so they excite and stir them up more dil●gently to enquire after the Cause of the which besides our own experience Arist●tle Witnesseth in the 1st Book of his Metaphysickt Cap. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Because of Admiration Men began both now and of old to Philos●phize 7 Seeing therefore that that Earthquake which formerly happened on the 8th of September 1601. between one and two of the Clock at Night struck almost all the Inhabitants of Europe with Admiration I doubt not but that which happened lately on the 8th day of September last excites many to the search of the Cause and Nature of them 8. Neither is this tracing even of wonderful and unaccu●●omed Events by their causes any ways displeasing to God seeing Effects themselves are more clearly understood when the Cause is known and the clearer Knowledge of Divine Works begets clearer notice of God himself and excites in us a greater fear and awe of him for clearness in the Understanding begets efficacy in the Will and Ardour in the Affections 9. Whilst therefore the Learned communicate to the World their Thoughts and Observations of that unusual Earthquake which no small part of the World felt which Observations they gather from the Remarks they make of the different Events that happened here and there especially since that Town in Jamaica was almost swollowed up by an Earthquake I have been likewise prevailed upon to put forth something that might be as an earnest if by chance by the comparing of Opinions the cause of this so stupendious an Event might more truly and plainly appear 10. I shall distribute the whole Matter into Four Chapters The First of which shall be of the Kind and Form of this Earthquake The next of the efficient Causes and the Third of the Effects and of their Signification and Presage at least as ordinary and common Fourth To which shall be joyned an Examination of Unformity or Disparity of one from another both in their Form and in their Causes and Effects CHAP. I. Of the Kind and Form of this Earthquake II. THere are two sorts of Earthquakes Trembling and P●lsation The differences of Earthquakes or their several Kinds may be derived either from the Force of the Spirit issuing out of the Superficies of the Earth or from the sound then made and from other accidents and effects Hence it is that in Lib. de Mun. There are reckon'd eight sorts of Earthquakes Georgius Agricola lib. 2. de ortu subter Makes four sorts of 'em a Trembling when it quivers lateraly Concussion when 't is moved on high and shelving in sublime devexum arietation when contrary blows shake it Lastly inclination when it is rowled like Water and the Waves But the same Author in his fourth Book of those things that proceed out of the Earth pag. 14. more accurately divides Earthquakes into simple and compounded and then subdvides both into their Species Aristotle 2. Metaphys reduces all sorts of Earthquakes to two general Heads to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a trembling and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pulsus which division I thought good to follow in this place 12. A Trembling is a Motion of the Earth according to its Latitude to the right and left side Aristotle in the forecited place says that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. trembling is towards the sides and calls it also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to brandish for the leaping of the Earth is as it were a brandishing And this sort of Earthquke is frequent but Pulsus and Arietation as they call them are more seldom which Aristotle testifieth in his
which was at the suffering of Christ who says Terrae Motus c. Earthquake often happened but those which were before and after Christ were only in some part of the Earth but in the time of my Saviour Jesus Christ it was not some particular Earthquake but the whole Earth was shaken and torn from its Center But I know not what credit one may give to this Opinion of Dydimus The Scripture says the Earth is so founded that he shall never be moved viz. as to its Profundity and Center Psal 104.5 He hath founded the Earth upon its basis that it should not be removed for ever A paralel place to which is in Eccles 1.4 That Earthquake also happened at the Resurrection of Christ is to be referred to those that are purely miraculous Matth. 28.2 as is also that spoken of in the 4th of Acts 31. and that Acts 16.26 and also that which happened a little before the Promulgation of the Divine Law Exod. 19.18 and that opening of the Earth that swallowed up Corah Dathan and Abiram Numb 16.21 And that which is mentioned Amos 1.1 and Zac. 14.5 Yea ye shall flie like as you fled from before the Earthquake in the days of Vzziah King of Judah which Josephus lib. 9. antiq cap. 2. describes 19. A mixt Earthquake is that which hath a Natural cause but extraordinarily as it were increased by God and in some sort enlarged beyond the Power of Nature God often makes use of Natural Causes in the production even of miraculous Events lest the Agents might not be hindered without necessity and that he might shew that the Power of Nature and second Causes are not at all repugnant to the Divine Power but subordinate to it And Lastly That he might shew that he hath the Power of Nature in his own hands and disposal and that he can either augment their force or diminish it 20. And this Earthquake is observed to be twofold 21. One is restrained to some certain Place and included within some tract of Ground so that it hath an unusual vehemency of Spirits under-ground and wonderfully increased from which arises destructive and great hurt Of which sort was that Earthquake which happened in the 20th or as other reckon the 22th year of Christ of which we spoke before whereby 14 Cities of Asia perished Such a one was that also that happened in the Reign of Herod the Great by which many Cities Towns and Villages being demolished in Judea 30000 Jews perished as Josephus says in his 1st Book of the Wars of the Jews chap. 14. So from the year of Christ 1170. to the year 1345. all Germany was four times most grievously shaken as one may see from Funccius Stumpsius Sigonius Cedrenus and others 22. Some Earthquakes are unusual and remarkable in respect of their Latitude and Celerity so that a great part of the World is shaken and that some time quickly as it were in an Hour or in a Moment Which sort of Earthquake History mentions to have happened in the time of Valentinian the Emperor in the year of our Lord 369. by which the whole Earth was moved in so much that many Islands in the East with a great multitude of Men perished by Inundation which is attested by Socrat. lib. 4. Hist Eccles cap. 32. Amianus Marcellinus in the end of his 26 Book Paul Orosius lib. 7. Hist cap. 32 Funccius in Chronol so in the year of our Lord 1117. almost all the World shook many Buildings being demolished every where by it as Stumpsius relates lib. 4. cap. 40. but in the year 1443. an Earthquake shook Poland Hungary and Bohemia King Ladistaus being not long after killed by the Turks with a great overthrow of the Christians 23. To this sort of Earthquakes is referred that wonderful and unusual one which happened in the year 1601. on the 8th of September between one and two of the Clock at Night 24. For ●●s not probable that so great a Tract of this terren Globe as that Earthquake passed through could be moved by the ordinary and accustomed force of Nature which not only our European Hemispl●●e Germany France Italy Hungary Bohemia Thraoe but Asia it self is r●ported to have felt We have not yet heard for certain l●●w ●●r th●t ●arthq●●ke reached into Asia and Africa but this is certain that the gre●t●st part of Europe trembled and that almost 〈◊〉 the same ●●om●nt Some Reports have lately been hatched that 〈◊〉 that two Towns called by the Turks Tartos and Copera were s● allowed up by the gaping of the Earth caused by that Earthquake to the ●r●at Consternation of the Turks who from that time belie●●● th●t si●●istro●s and unlucky Events were pretended t●● their Empire which if true may make it apparent that this Earthquake was not every where a Tremor but in some places a Pulsus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to wit where the Spirits abound or the Ground is porous or gra●●lly as it is about the Euxine Sea and at Constantinople which City if any in Europe is infested with frequent and pernicious Earthquakes In the year of our Lord 1356. it was so grievously shaken that a great part of the Walls where it looks into the Sea fell down with many Towers and Buildings so that 13000 Men perished in the City the Earthquakes lasting incessantly for 18 days Agathias lib. 5. pag. 541. relates a dreadful Earthquake that happened in this City A little while before these thing happened in the time of Justinian the Earth was so dreadfully shaken at Bizantium that almost all the City fell down after which another Earthquake ensued that was so great that I think there never was nor will be the like again 25. There are therefore two things in that Earthquake which make it extraordinary and very miraculous the breadth and that it penetrated those places which are not subject to Earthquakes and the Celerity of it And although the Mischiefs it caused in some Parts may assure us ol●●i●s vehemency yet 't is not so stupendious for its Mischiefs as for its Latitude Celerity and Presage For we read in History of far more dreadful havock and destruction made by some other Earthquakes and moreover we know from Physical Principles that those ●●●●b●i●gs ●hat extend farthest are not so highly distrustful For the force of Subterraneous Spirits the more 't is dissipated the more ●●●gui● it is CHAP. II. Of the Cause 26. VVHether a Natural Cause can be assigned for both effects we must now enquire 27. That there was a Natural Cause although not alone is evident from Observation 28. For the time it self is such at is convenient for a Natural Earthquake to wit Autumn and also near the Equinox for about that time Earthquakes are wont to happen Aristotle 2 Meteor cap. 8. says t●uly Earthquakes happen chiefly in Autumn because those times are most Windy Which Pliny also relates lib. 2. cap. 8. 29. It was also two of the Clock in the Morning which is
especially adapted for Earthquakes So Aristotle in the forecited place says there are more and greater Earthquakes in the Night and adds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 especially in the Morning And Pliny in the forecited place says the Morning and Evening Earthquake are very great but at the approach of day they are frequent for the heat of the day dissolves and dissipates their matter Natural cold contracts and binds it 30. The consequent effects also do Evince that the Power of Nature was present 31. For ●o●ses and fragors issuing out of the Caverns of Earth were heard about that time in the Neighbourhood which is a certain discovery of the Spirits and Winds agitated in the Cavities of the Earth and as it were there striving reciprocally If but a little Wind blows in●o a V●ssel a sound and as it were a bellowing is heard One from whence may conclude what happen in so spacious Caverns as those o● the ●arth Hence it is that Aristole says The Spiritus ma●es a●n●ise under the Earth as the Air being beaten up sou●●s variously for there is no difference between this Spiritus and the Ai●● as to the effect of the sound fo● this Spiritus verberati●g upon every thing is it self verberat●d upon And Pliny lib. 2 cap. 8 says There goes before and accompanies them a terrible noise othe●wise a murmuring like to bellowing or the cry of Men and the sound fragou● of clashing of Arms according to the quality of the Matter receiving it and the form either of Ca●●n or ●uniculus through which it permeates c. 32 〈◊〉 g●●at Win is have ra●●● after an Earthquake when a Ca●● has immediately p●eceded it This is also witnessed by experience and by Ari●●●tle and Pliny in the forecited places that Winds 〈◊〉 after an ●●●thquak●● because those Winds which 〈◊〉 befor● sh●t in the Eart● do brake out of it into the Air. A●d 〈…〉 do assert the same concerning the Calm to wit that it common●y goes before an Earthquake In a Calm towards 〈…〉 ●a●y ●ays Aristotle there happen very many and very great Earthquakes because most of the Matter of the Winds is so restrained in the Caverns of the Earth that it cannot more the Air Yet we must not deny that even sometimes in windy Weather Earthquakes have happened because all the Matter of them doth enter into the Caverns of the Earth together And even at the time of our Earthquake about three hours before it was observed to be somewhat r●en and I will not here make any tedious dispute with Geor. Agric. who says lib 4. de Na●ura eorum que ef●luant●e terra That Aristotle when he mentions the darkness of the Sun the calmness of the Weather cold a thin Cloud extended in length did not intend to discover ●he signs of Earthquakes which Aristotle's Interpreters affirm but prove by those things which sometimes happen that W●●d is the Cause of Earthquakes But both may be asserted without ●bsurdity ●owi● tha● they are signs of Earthquakes to come and also evince that they are occasioned by Wind. But h●●e we do no● only acknowledge Nature but joyn with it a singular force of Divine Power neither ought we to sep●●●te Divine Operations even from those that are usual and often happen seeing t●e very Heathens believed that there was no Earthquake tho never so small but had something Divine in it as it is testified by Gellius lib. 2. cap 28 But ●s often as the Scripture speaks of Earthquakes which is often so often do they divert our minds from the consideration of Nature alone to the acknowledgment of the Omnipotent Power of the Lord as Psal 60 2. Thou had made the Earth to tremble thou had broken it and Psal 77.19 Psal 114 4 and 7. Tremble that Earth at the presence of the Lord at the presence of the God of Ja●●● Also Psal 10.32 He looketh on the Earth and it trembleth he toucheth the Halls and they smoke Job 9.6 Which shaketh the Earth out 〈…〉 place and the Pillars thereof tremble Nah●m 1.5 The 〈…〉 quake at him and the Hills melt 33. But what should be the next Natural Cause of so stupendious Effects to wit so great Latitude and so great Celerity in this Earthquake This I confess is difficulte to Trace but I hope I shall have leave to enquire diligently into it 34. Which that I may do I will first set down some Principles where one may have good assurance for o●e Credit 35 Seeing the Earth is round like a Globe it hath Lines drawn from the Center to the Circumference 36. These Line meet nearer about the Center then at the Circumference where they are farther distant 37. Therefore the nearer any thing is the Center of the Earth the mere closely is it contracted rashing violently from thence to the Circumference 't is extended farther and occupi●● mere r●om 38. The Spirit●●or V●pours are sometime● more deeply hid towards the Center of the Earth but sometimes and that more frequently they are generated in Caverns and Passages meatus near●r the Superficies of the Earth From the general Doctrine of Earthquakes in this place I presuppose the Earth is not otherwise moved then by Winds and Spirits engendred in its Cavitie● thence seeking an Exitus according to the quality of their Natures I know the Ancient Philosophers before Aristotle assigned other Causes of Earthquakes whose different Opinions concerning them are recited by Plutarch lib. 3. De Placitis Philosophorum cap. 2. Seneca lib. 6. Mat. quest Cap 4. Pliny lib. 2. Cap. 79. but especially Aristotle 2 Meteor cap. 7. But amongst modern Authors Joannes Franciseus Picus Mirandula lib. 1. examinis doctinae vanitatis gentium cap. 12. among which we must reckon Nicholaus Cusanu● who lib. 1. de Docta ignorantia is of opinion that the Earth is neither of an Oval form nor altogether Unmovable of it self But no Opinion is more evident from Nature and Experience than Aristotle who asserts that Winds and subterraneous Spirits are the Cause● of Earthquakes for the heaviest Bodies are only to be moved by that which hath the strongest Power to move But among all inferiour Beings the Wind or Spiritus is that which according to the qualifications of its own Nature hath in i● a Power more effective of Motion than any other body 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is expresly testified by Holy Writs when it assimilates Angels to the Winds Heb. 1.7 and many experiments do al●o evince it For with how great a force doth a little G●n-Powd●● diss●lv●d into Spirits by the heat of Fire burst out of the smallest Machines So we see the Spirit of new Wine when seething if the Fu●nell be stoped do penetrate the Vessels that they may break ●orth It is sufficiently known of what Power they are in our Bodies and what great Co●vul●o●● Symp●o●ns and Pains they are the causes of So that Aristotle use h● thi● Example chiefly to confirm his Opinion of the Cause of Earthquake 39.
These Spirits being deep in the Earth and closeley contracted the nearer they arrive a● the Superficies of the Earth the more they are dissipated and scattered and so they ex●end further in length and breadth 40. And they more powerfully endeavour ●o extri●●e themselves and they ●ssu●●on● more s●vis●ly by now much he more they are deeply laid in the Earth and closely contracted Which may be proved by he experiment of Fire which when it is narrowly contracted b●eaks for h●●●e more violently man instant when it hath the opor●u●ity of in A●itu● to co●v●y i● se●f o●t which is apparent in Gun where the ig●●ou force of the Gun-Powder being sh●● in a nerrow room breaks out swifter than one can think or imagin 41. Which Principles being presupposed let us now shew the Cause of the Earthquake which we are treating of which extended so far and was ●o quickly caused 42. It was a Vapour or Spiri● subtilly disposed and bur●ed profundly toward the Center of the Earth or at least the Center of Europe or of those Countries that were shaken whence sallying out in great quantity and number it spread fare and near with wonderful Celerity Trembling in the Earth is nothing else but the Thunder in a Cloud says Pliny lib 2. cap. 79. As therefore some Thunder reache● further and issues out more violently than other both according to the different disposition of the Cloud and also according to the quantity and quality of the Spirit deeply ●●ried in the Cloud or approaching nearer to its Superficies so the greater or lesser Latitude and Celerity of Earthquakes is to be derived from the different disposition and s●ituation of the Spirits And that also which we asserted of the Center is easie to be understood For that which is placed in the middle of a Circle or Globe doth more easily move the whole Globe than that which recedes from the Center towards the side of the Globe which is well known by them who prepare Fireballs and throw them into the Air often to the great Admiration of the Spectators And I call that the Center of Eu●ope which is in the midst of that Circle which is drawn from one Extream o● Eu●ope to the other in that space of the Terrene Goble in which Eu●ope is contained 43. But whence comes it that this Spirit is so deep so subtil and so ●wist Partly from the first and partly from the second Causes 44. The efficacy of Celestical Bodies doth d●s●rvedly claim the first place among second Causes which rises from their different respect to one another or the mixture of their li●ht and rays S●ch is the ●ower of the Subject as is it self seeing therefore Heaven is the first che●●e●t greatest and swiftest of all Bodies its Force and Efficacy must need● be the first greatest and swiftest for Heaven is so closely connexed with inferiour Bodies that its virtue may be tr●ns●us●d into the Earth and communicated to it even in its most abstruse rece●●es Whither he efficacy of the solar Rays doth reach is evident from the generation of Metals and other subterraneous Bodies which i● no ways possible without the Sun and its Rays 45 The efficay and vertue of Saturn this very year was chefiest amongst the Planets whence it happened that Ma●ter and Fuel was afforded for cold Vapours both above and within the Earth 'T is an Astronomical Rule confirmed by experience that the Knowledge of the Earthquake is to b●der●ved from Saturn it being a Planet effective of cold and d●yne●s And the first matter of Vapours is cold and dry which being gathered together at first by the intervention of other Causes ●ro●●s hot an● is rar●fied To which may be added the Qu●●rate Aspect of Jupiter and Mars in July whereby cold Vapours are made hot and disposed for windy Temperament 'T is an old Opinion confirmed by Reasons drawn from the Nature and Pro●ert● of Planets and also from experience that the Power of the three Super our Planets Saturn Jupiter and Mars ●s most eminent in producing Earthquakes the first by his light doth ●ncrease cold Vapours which are made hot by the third and so tempered by the second that the heat being neither able to subdue nor b● subdued there are necessarily generated flatuous Vapours whereof we shall speak hereafter 47 And when the Earthquake happened the Sun was in the Sign of Virgo which is it self very much ad●pted for Earthquake 48. There happened in the foregoing Month of July two Eclipses the Moon on 〈…〉 th●●un's on the Nineteenth and no wonder 〈◊〉 that ●●me divers ●●po●●s were coll●●●ed within the ●arth so 〈…〉 R●ys of the 〈…〉 being weakned by their being 〈…〉 a●●sing from ram could not be 〈…〉 all which the m●eting of two Eclip●●s i● one Month ●s a pre●●ging Ev●nt That 〈…〉 by the Eclipses of the Sun and the Moo● is the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 2 M●t●or c●p 8 and of Pliny 〈…〉 which is confirmed by ex●●●ience●●o● only 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 r●c●ss●s b●●n ●●ene rat●d ●y the heat 〈…〉 R●●●s ●es by a certain Spi●it are purged fro● th●● r●d n●●●● 〈◊〉 is which can●ot be when those l●●●ts are ●i●cl●p●d For 〈◊〉 s●p●● f●uot●s ●umouts abound and a●so the po●●s of th●●a●th wh●ch th● 〈◊〉 would otherwise op●n ar● shut up so that he Vap●u●s cannot regularly and convenientl● exhale So says Aris●otle 〈◊〉 M●t●or cap S. ●●●thqu●kes happen abo●t the time of ●clipses for 〈◊〉 the defect of ●i●ht ●n cessa●●●y ●n●u●s the d●se●● of ●eat which i● cau●ed by the Sun or 〈◊〉 on throughout the Air. Ne●●her do●h that A●●●● 〈◊〉 Rul● want its Found●t●on many ●●conv●mencies ensue to the Wo●ld upon the Obscu●atio● of b●th the ●um●●aries of Heaven in the 〈◊〉 M●nth I don't sp●ake h●re of that eff●●t of ●clip●es which is in Potentia and hath its reg●rd to futurities b●t of that which is in Actu and accompanies an ●clipse con●dered in it self 49. To which may be added that which is a ●earer Cause to wit 〈◊〉 Constitut●on of the Air which in the p●●c din● Summer was 〈…〉 ●●●apted for the ●en●ration of flatuo●s Vapours 50. Abou● th● beginning of Summer there was very hot Weather by which the Faith was prep●red and disposed to engender and receive Vapou●s 51. Which was foll●wed in the midst of Summer by continual 〈◊〉 by which the Earth being opened b●fore by the pr●c●ding 〈◊〉 ●as 〈◊〉 deeply w●tted that abundance of Humours must ne●●ssarily have b●●n ●●ored up Which c●n 〈◊〉 the R●●n is attested by A●istotle in the afor●said place 2. M●te●r 〈◊〉 says he happen in Spring and 〈◊〉 but ●sp●ci●●●● i●●●iny Weather because then th●re is a 〈◊〉 E●haltation which being in●●rcepted in the nar●o● passages of the E●●th is there th●t in because the Ca●ties of the Earth are full but when the Wind in contr●cted w●●hin a narrow place it 〈…〉 eff●●●ive of Mot●●n And there is a remark●ble place in the beginning of the Chapter where he says that the Earth is of it self dry yet but reason
the Oriental F●iezla●d We have been eye Witnesses of th●●●●su●●●●creasing of the River Neker which overflowed in December and J●●m●●y with a considerable damage How the Rome hath oversloved the Inhabitants know to their own forrow and loss where ●●at unus●a● Inundation proceeding from the River and Rivulets in December between Strab●ang and Sp●re● as it was fard to several persons so among the rest 〈◊〉 the head of an Ancient Family 65. Lastly Barrenness is the consequent of an Earthquake because of the envenomed Vapoars which while they p●rm●ace the pores of the ●●arth leave behind them their Venemou● Footsteps and 〈…〉 Qualiti●● both on the Earth it self and also 〈…〉 the enlivening Power sit for the production of Corn is 〈…〉 Wonderful and different were the Sentiments of the co●m●● 〈◊〉 People after the late Earthquake a● is usual and Husband 〈…〉 every where heard interpreting this Earthquake as a Joyful O●n●●n●● a singular future Fertili●y But this Conjecture is easily ●esuted by the consideration of Natural Causes especially since History 〈…〉 the contrary For in the Year 315. from the building of Rome so great a Scarcity and Barrenness so lowed an Earthquake th●● Li●y mentions it as remarkable that many threw themselves into Tiber where they made at one another to devour themselves In the Year of our Lord 542 an universal and most grievous Famine ensu●d upon an Earthquake that was it self almost universal as 〈◊〉 Paul Diaco●● lib. 16. The same happened in the Year 1326. and again●●n 〈◊〉 But as Plagu● and Inundation do not follow a● Earthquake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so neither do B●●renu●●s and Fam●ne For as the Subterrancous Spirit● are not alway equally disposed so sometimes they are les● en●●omed ●nd destruct●u● and more subtil that they ethale sooner neither do they so easily imprint on the Ground any quality no 〈◊〉 to the Fr●it wh●en that we may experience in this Earthquake the next Harvest let him a●one who is able to crown the Year with his B●●ssing gram 66. And a this Earthquake was not only natural but or kind to a miraculous one so also see us to contain in it the Presages and Porten a of some wonderful and extraordinary Change among Mankind I said before that God add●d a Supernatural for●● and degres o the Natural Causes of this Earthquake And God doth nothing in vain but direct all to some certain end and s●op● so that 't is necessary something should be in this Earthquake more than could proceed from the power of Nature alone 67. But as Co●nets do not o● themselves and their own nature cause or denounce any Change in Kingdoms and any other Hamane A●fai●● so neither do Earthquakes but such events hap●●a in these wonderful and secret Works of Nature from the disp●●●d and Ordinations of God partly exciting Me●s Minds and p●om ●ng them partly terrifying them with those sear of Fu●uriti●s The Rainbow of its own Nature can neither be a surety for nor confirm the Grace and Covenant of God to the World that there shall be no more an universal Flood but it doth engage for and confirm it by a supernatural Revelation which the gracious Counsel of God imposed on this work of Nature The same must be determined of Earthquakes Comets Chasins and other wonderful Meteors in Nature 68. But what change in Europe doth this Earthquake presage This neither I nor any body else can easily tell He alone knows who endowed the Earthquake with the signification of Futurities who encreased and augmented the Power of Nature and lastly who hath at his own dispose both the Causes and their Effects 69. The Scripture as far I could observe speaks of Earthquakes after a three fold manner 70. Sometimes as of the Sign and Symbol of the present Grace of God already held forth As was that Earthquake by which the Apostles and other Members of the Primitive Church were confirmed against the intermediate As●aults of their Enemies by the hearing and the presence of God from Heaven of which Acts 4. v. 31. But when they had prayed says Luke the place in which they were Assenbl●d was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost To which is to be referred that Earthquake that happened at the Resurrection of Christ the Angel of the Lord descending from Heaven and Rowling away the Stone from the mouth of the Sepulchre of which Matt. cap. 98. vers 2. makes mention To the number of these Earthquakes doth also belong that which is mentioned Acts 16. ve●s ●6 But in the middle of the night Paul and Sil●s were Fraying and Singing of Psalm● when on a sudden there was a great Earthquake so that the Foundations of the Prison were shaken and the Doors were oppened and all their bonds were ●●●sed 71. But as such Earthquakes are soldom so they are meerly Mira●●o●● and such Examples are not easily to be found either in the E●●tory of our own or former Times For the Sins of Men dese●ve o●h●rwise 72. But the Scripture often speaks of an Earthquake as of the Messenger and Witness of the Divine Wrath and the presage of Punishment to certain Kingdoms and Provinces for the Publick and Private Sins of the eminent Ones The Scripture scarcely over speaks more frequently of any presage of the Wrath of God and in pending Punishments than of an Earthquake as the 2d of Sam. 22. vers 8. Psalm 18. vers 8. The Earth is shaken and m●ved because his Wrath is Kindled Job 9. vers 5 6. Who remove● Mountains so as he is not observed who overturns them in his Wrath who moves the Earth out of its place So that the Pillars thereof shake So Eccles 39 32. There are Winds created for punishment in the consummated time they pour out the strength and fury of him that made them And the like places in Joel 2.1 Na. 1.5 Amos 1. 1. Zac. 14. Numb 10.21 And God was pleased to promulgate his Laws by an Earthquake Exod. 19.18 That he might testifie that that punishment was ready for the breakers of them To which must be referr'd that Earthquake which happened whilst Christ suffered Matt. 27.51 The Earth says he was moved and the Rocks were split which was also a Testimony of Christ's Innocence John in the Revela denouncing the Wrath of God and the punishments which are to be poured forth on the later days makes often mention of an Earthquake cap. 6.12 Cap. 8.6 cap. 2.13 There was says he in that hour a great Earthquake and the tenth part of the World fell and there were kill'd in the Earthquake 7000 men and the rest was terrified and gave Glory to the God of Heaven cap. 16.18 There was a great Earthquake such as never was since Men were on the Earth an Earthquake says he so great Which sayings although they have an Allegorical interpretation yet they may be taken properly or at least they will lead us to this that the Scripture doth commonly
deepest that the bottom thereof shewed it self and did not recover it self in October which is accounted by the Inhabitants as a Wonder About the time of the late Earthquake there was observed a remarkable decrease in the River Necker which the great Rain that fell before in June July and August could not prevent And remarkable is that which Albertus Magnus lib. 3. Met. tract 2. writes That Necker River in Sweedland was swallowed up by an Earthquake so that for one day it appeared not for a Mile together So we read in that Earthquake which happened under The●d●sius in the year 400. that were going to pass the Sea were seen standing on dry Land And in the year 1536. about Joppa in the Government of Judea the Sea retired from the Shoar for 3 Miles and the bottom of it remained dry 3 days and the River Jordan 2 days but after it came to the Shoar again the River ebbed again with a full Channel and the Waters of both of them were bloody as is related by G●or Agricol lib. 4. de natura eorum quae effluant è terra pag. 140. There may be a threefold Cause assigned for this according to the several sorts of Earthquakes for either the Fountains or Springs are obstructed by the Trembling and by the heap of Earth thrown upon them whereby the Fountain being stopt there the Vein of Water springs up in another place as Geor. Agricol relate of that Earthquake that shook the City of Scalpra which we spoke of before that a Sulphurous Fountain broke out of a Neighbouring Mountain And Theophrastus attests that new Fountains discover●d themselves whilst the Mountain of Aucto was shaken by an Earthquake And an Earthquake did cause Lados a River of Arcadia to spring up And in the Mithridatick War not only Lakes and Marshes but new Fountains and Rivers sprang up by Apamea a City of Phrygia the old ones having been swallowed up by the Earthquake See G●or Agri● lib. de nat rer efflu è terra pag. 151. Also while the Vapours burst out of the Earth with great force they so dilate and loosen the porous and sandy bottoms and sides of the Channels that the Water of the River is sucked within the Earth or lastly the Channels of the Rivers being elevated by the Pulsus turn the Waters b●ck again so that they are received into the Gaverns of the Earth That which is asserted of the stopping of Earthquakes by the tract of Rivers is not usual in any places where the Bottoms and Banks of Rivers are very porous and gravelly when there is no Vapour stirring but that which is very near the Superficies of the Earth so that being rep●lled by the hardest parts of the Earth which it could not penetrate 't is carried to the River-banks which by reason of their porosity yielding a Passage it sooner exhales But when the Channels of Rivers are more solid and rocky and when the Wind that moves is deeper within the Earth and lastly when the coldness of the Water is an hindrance to the exhaling of the Vapours Earthquakes stop not at Rivers but gather strength and impetuously rage under the Earth which is noted by Pliny lib. 2. cap 8. where he says That those who sail in a Calm easily guess when there is an Earthquake by the sudden swelling or s●aking of the Wave and those things that are in the Ships shake as much as in Houses and declare it by the noise they make neither can the Birds sit without shaking and fear Which was lately experienced and attested by those who were upon the Necker and the Rhine the 8th of September especially by the Fishermen whose Boats were strongly assailed by the Vapours falling out of the bottom of the River and Bubbles arose on the top of the Water which is a certain Indication of the Combat of the Water with the Vapours at the bottom of the River and the viol●nt propulsion of the Rivers in the manner of a Wave sometimes to this Bank sometimes to the other discovered the Trembling and Viba●ion of the bottom So 't was observed in that grievous Earthquake which shook Ferrara in the year 1570. that the River Po was much troubled by the leaping of Bubbles into the Air which much con●irms me in the Op●nion 〈◊〉 propounded before of the deepness of the Vapours that caused the late Earthquake's great extension and velocity for the Vapours that is but shallow quickly exhales through the Channels of Riv●rs so that neither rages nor is perceptible there as is in like manner argued by the renowned B. Aretius Prob. 172. where he thus writes On the 6th of April 1569. an Earthquake happened in many places for 't is apparent 't was at the same time at Bern at Thunn at Strati●burg and many interjacent places and that which is worthy of our admiration is it shook both the Banks of the River when at other time● it hath been observed Ear●hquakes used to end at Rivers Whence it may be gathered its ris● was very deep 3. Why are those places that are either lying upon or encompassed by the Sea or some River obnoxious to Earthquakes as Aristotle says lib. 2. Metor cap. 8. Earthquakes are most violent in those places that the Sea runs by where the Country is loose and hollow as about the Hellespont Achaia Eubaea Sicily for the Sea seems to run under the Ground through the Straits about those places Neither is that place at the end of the same Chapter contradictory to this for says he there are no Earthquakes in the Isles of Pontus for so is the Word to be rendred and not in the Marine Islands or very rarely He only insinuate there that there are not so violent ones as in other Islands by reason of the cold of the Sea verging to the North by which the Vapours are thickned and made lumpish Pliny follows Aris●otle who took most of what he hath of Earthquakes out of him cap. 8. de ortu Subter pag. 29. where he says The Mountainous and Marine places are more especially infested with Earthquakes because they abound w●th Veins and Caverns made by the Subterraneous Rivulets that secretly disburthen themselves into the Sea or Lakes that are under the Mountains And experience teaches us that Cyprus Sicily Eubaea Mollucca and those other Islands called Teritae are often grievously shaken by Earthquakes which Bernardin Scalantus and others relate of the Islands China And the reason is manifest because those cav●rnous and porous places intercept the Humours in their Cavities of which Vapours are engendred which when they endeavour to sally out are obstructed by the Waves of the Sea and so ●hey are again hid in the Bowels of the Earth the cold on every side enclosing them and hindring their evaporation so that being agita●ed by this confl●●t that is heated and attenuated they must necessarily sh●ke the Earth Neither are Islands only but the Continent also obnoxiou● to Earthquakes though not in Campaign places
which are seldom shaken because they commonly have Caverns as i● observed in Germany and France as Georg. Agricol lib. 4. de effluentibus ●●terra observes But Constantinople and Basill in that part that borders on the S●a or a great River are examples of this the one of which of all the European and the other of all the German Cities is most infested with Earthquakes as we shewed before of Constantinople out of Agathias's History but Procopious plainly attests that Constantino●le shook for forty days together in the year 554. and in the year 740. it was shaken twelve months together beginning on the 7th of November as is noted among others by Funccius But in later Ages evea in our own and Fathers memory we have heard of frequent Earthquakes in that City which was felt by A. Gilpin Busbequiu● among others and writ by him in the Epistles of his Turkish Embassy And Stumpsius and others have writ how often and grievously Basill hath been shaken Benedictus Arretius in the aforesaid Problem reckons up ten times that Basill was sh●ken with great danger and loss in the space of 800 Years In the Years 801 824 829 1021. when the whole City was almost destroyed the Chu●ch with many Houses being thrown into the Rhine And again in the Year 1062 when a grievous Plague ensued upon the Earthquakes again in the Year 1356 on the 18th of October it shook ten times about Evening so that the Church Walls Towers and a great part of the City being destroyed by it there were a 100 Men killed Stumpsius says Liv. 12. cap. 28. That the Earthquake continued all that year and that Basill shook ten times in an hour In the following Year 1357. there happened another also in the Year 1444. as likewise in the Year 1456. it shook again but in the Year 1533. most terribly as we read in Munster not without great Commotion of Mind The la●e Ear●hquake was not a little perceived at Basill And Mentz hath sometimes been d●ngerously shaken by Earthquakes and that thrice between the Year 855 and 880. and the first time the Walls and the Church of Vrban fell down Constance also by the Lake of the Rhine trembled nineteen times the same day in the Year 1295. The People of Strasburg often ran to their Tents out of the City by reason of the danger they were under from an Earthquake especially in the Year 1357. But I think there is no City upon the Rhine or in Germany that is more frequently or dangerously shaken than Basill the reason whereof a Traveller seriously thought when he was viewing its Scituation than which a more pleasant one he never had seen nor was like to see and he thus considered with himself that the Cause of so great and so many Earthquake in that place was partly common with other Cities seated by Rivers and partly proper and peculiar to that place The common Cause is that the River passing by the City makes the Earth chinky and then pours in Water into those Caverns it hath made which deeply penetrating the Earth engenders Vapours which being obstructed by the cold of the Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cannot evaporate but being kept within the Earth longer time and varicusly agitated are turned into blasts and winds adapted for Earthquakes but the peculiar and proper Cause of Earthquakes in that City is first because the Rhine is there narrower and more contracted and being thus imprisonned seeing it cannot overflow the Banks it is carried more impetuously the force of the Water being contracted within it self and as it were by undermining it makes the deepest places of the Channel and Banks hollow and more cavernous than in other places so that more Vapours are apt to be generated and tarry there where they sind a receptacle being also enclosed and shut in by the cold of the Water or River Another Cause is the many Dens and Caverns that are in a high Hill by the Rhine adapted for the reception of Vapours the Passage of which is easie and plain through the Pores of the Earth leading to the Rhine To which may be added that this Hill scituate on the Rhine whereon a great part of the City is built hath every where a solid Superficies which is stony so that many Vapours being engendred by the River flowing by and imprisonned within the porous and cavernous Earth cannot conveniently exhale through those ways which they naturally seek but being denied a passage and collected and coarcted by their stri●e and reciprocation and so gathering strength by their heat and ●a●ity they impetuously invade and shake that which hinders them from above Lastly 'T is probable there is much Subterraneous fire where Basill stands or not far from thence as there is at Baden which is distant but one days Journey from Basill where there are many and great B●ths as is usual in such places Exhaltations sallying out of the Earth even under the Waters of Limage that flows by it which grows hot at the bottom by the Subterraneous Exhalations as is often selft by those that go naked into that River Moreover reason it self discovers and the examples of flames often breaking out in an Earthquake testifie what great power Subterraneous fires have to move the Earth if they be shut up within the Earth So that Geor. Agricol truly says lib. 2. de ortu cau Subter pag. 27. That hot places and where there are many hot Vapours are obnoxious to Earthquakes because Subterraneous fire is apt to beget a quantity of smoaky Exhalations sooner than a little heat Yet Baden that hath so much Subterraneous fire is seldom shaken which is because the Exhalations there break out in great quantity through the looser and thinner Superficies of the Earth in regular Ways and convenient to their Nature And if the Superficies of the Earth were so dispos'd at Basill that the hot Water which are perhaps in the Earth could have a passage and s●lly into the open Air their Vapours would exhale in a suitable way and would be a certain remedy against frequent and dangerous Earthquakes Which since nature hath denied perhaps it might be effected by Art by every where digging and opening Caves towards the City which might exhale the preconceived Spiritus which is observed in some Towns which are seldom shaken having some Caves digged to make a passage for the Water which remedy Pliny prescribes lib. 2. cap. 82. But I hope God who hath vouchsafed to commit the heavenly Doctrine and Academy as a precious pledge and gage to it will hereafter preserve that remarkable City from those grievous Concusions whereby Cities use to be destroyed 4. What credit may one give to the Relation of Plato of the Island Atlantis drowned by an Earthquake Pliny lib. 2. cap. 9. where he says an Earthquake took away all the Ground where Atlantick Sea is if we credit Plato Which relation of Plato's that Pliny hints at is extant in Timeus where