Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	world_n	year_n	young_a	133	4	6.1113	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B04357	The wonders of the world: or, Choice observations and passages, concerning the beginning, continuation, and endings, of kingdomes and commonwealths. With an exact division of the several ages of the world ... the opinions of divers great emperours and kings ... together with the miserable death that befel Pontius Pilate ... a work very profitable and necessary for all. / Written originally in Spanish, translated into French, and now made English, by that pious and learned gentleman Joshua Baildon.; Silva de varia leción. English	Mexía, Pedro, 1496?-1552?; Baildon, Joshua.	1656 (1656)	Wing M1957; ESTC R215366	95,994	143

impossible or very hard things So it is neverthelesse that this toilsome desire hath not been totally in vain because contemplation and continuall study hath found out things which have seemed impossible and supernatuall to come to the knowledge of men as are the motions of the Heavens the course of the Planets and the Stars with their power and influence and such like things Amongst which is comprehended that which I intend now to treat of which is to know At what time of the year and upon what day the world began Or to speak better When and at what season God created the world when began the time and the year or where was the Sun or where did God first place it when it began its course and likewise the Moon and other Planets Aristotle troubles himself little with these questions no more doth a number of other Philosophers who for want of the light of faith believe that the world was eternal and without beginning yet those that have not been ignorant of these things but have believed this beginning of time are almost divided in two opinions Some amongst them say that at the instant when the world was created the Sun was found in the first point of the sign of the Ram which is in the summer Equinoxial about the eleventh day of the moneth of March. Others say that the world began the Sun being in the first point of Libra which is the winter Equinoxial commonly beginning the thirteenth or fourteenth of September Of this opinion were some Egyptians and Arabians and likewise some Greeks Those that follow that opinion alledge one reason but at the last I will shew how feeble and weak it is For say they then the principal fruits of the earth were ripe and in season And also that it was reason that the earth should present it self at the beginning perfect and to this purpose alledge the authority in Deuteronomie Deut. 12. where it is said God made all things perfect and furnished There have been others which have said that the begining of time and years was the longest day of all the rest which is then when the Sun enters in the sign of Cancer which is the eleventh or twelfth of June Iulius Fermicus an ancient Author and of great authority in Astrologie saith that at the beginning of the world the Sun was at fifteen degrees of the Lion which is the sign in which it hath most Lordship because it is called the house of the Sun and so he saith in discoursing upon other of the Planets But the most reasonable of all these opinions And the most agreeing to truth is That when time and the Heavens began to move the Sun was in the first point of Aries the Ram which is to us in March which is almost the beginning of Summer which is affirmed besides those reasons which we will give by the greatest part of Historiographers as well Christians as Ethnicks amongst which are St. Jerome St. Ambrose St. Basil and others all which place the beginning of the world and of the year in the Equinoxiall of our summer and although there seemeth to be some difference amongst them Because one will have this beginning to be in March and the other will have it in April that may be born with for they both agree that it was in the Equinoxial which now is in March Neverthelesse as we have said heretofore the Equinoxiall is not constant for our Saviour Christ suffered the five and twentieth of March which was then the Equinoxiall and now it is the eleventh And therefore it may be supposed that heretofore it was in April for this cause some have put April for the first moneth and others March and yet they would all say that when the Sun enters into the first point of Aries that is the Equinoxiall and this opinion is founded upon the holy Scripture namely out of the twelfth Chapter of Exodus where it is said that the Moneth Nisan which is our March is the beginning of their year Also Vincent saith that the Hebrews began their year in March. because in that moneth is the Equinoxiall where the world began This opinion is likewise held of divers Heathens as Elpaco in his Treatise of Astrologie where he saith that the Caldeans who were very great Astrologers believed also that the first day in which the world was created the Sun entred into the first point of the sign of Aries which is also maintained by the greatest part of Astrologers as well Ancient as Modern When therefore the Sun joins himself there that is the beginning of the year and from thence comes the beginning or first day For it is very clear that the first day of the world was made the first day of the year seeing that before there was neither time nor year for this cause the sign of Aries is of all accounted the first in the order of the twelve signs And as to judge of the revolution of years and of things to come it is necessary to even the figures by the beginning of the world so is it easie to prove that God placed the Sun in the first point of this sign at the beginning of the world and the creation thereof which may be more easily imagined by that which we have proved in a former Chapter That the Sun was in the same point at the Creation then when the great Sun framed the re-generation of the world suffering death in humane flesh which came to passe as we have said in this Equinoxial of Summer which is an Argument and presupposal that he placed it so then when he created it Again it seems credible that it hath been so placed because those that know any thing in Astrologie and the Sphears will see very well that the Sun entring the degree of this Sign and performing his revolution in the space of one whole day there is no part of the world but seeth it and is illuminated by his light which is not performed in any other part of the Zodiack because in what other part soever it be there is some part of the earth where it is not seen But being in this first point as we have said there is not any place which is not enlightened in making his days course Now it was convenient and fit that the first day that the Sun should run his compasse he should begin in such a place that with his beams he might visit all the parts of the world that this should be rather in the Sign of Aries than Libra appears by that which I have said That the day of the Passion of our Saviour the Sun was in the same place and hath also in that Sign a perticular force Holding then this opinion for the most certain I say the reason alledged by those that say The beginning of the world was in the September Equinoxial is weak Nor doth it help them to say that all fruits were then ripe and in season

against the King though in secret forasmuch as in this case the walls hear and speak and Plutarch saith that the birds carry the words through the air So then we see that for speaking truth and freely men fall into danger What shall we judge then of him that murmurs against great ones The examples that we may bring to this purpose are infinite Amongst which we may read in the Greek and Latine Histories That Antigonus one of the Captains and successors to Alexander the great his Army being in the field he being a bed in his Pavillion one night heard some of his Souldiers without that murmured against him not thinking that he heard them and indeed he made no shew saving in changing his voice as if it had been some other said unto them to hold such a discourse you should draw yourselves further from the Kings Tent least he should hear you Another time this Antigonus causing his Army to march one night through a muddy and a dirty place his souldiers finding themselves weary went murmuring began to speak much evil of him thinking that he had been a great way behind and had not heard them yet being hard by them he understood many of their injurious words and discontents without being known because it was night afterwards relieving with all his power a party of those very men that had spoken evill of him spake unto them changing his voice saying Speak against the King what you please for leading of you into this mirie place but yet you ought to give me thanks and love me that I have brought you out of it again The patience of Pyrrus King of the Epyrotes was no lesse For when he made war against the Romans in Italy he and his people being lodged in the Town of Taraenta there was some of his young souldiers after they had supped together began to speak evill of him at the Table whereof being advertised and warning them before him asked them if it were true that they had spoken such words to which one of them answered boldly yes Sir we have spoken all that you charge us with and assure your self if the wine had held out at table and had not failed us we should have spoken much more willing to shew thereby in excuse of themselves that the wine induced them to speak evill of him Whereat Pyrrus was never a whit angry but fell into laughter sending them away without any reproof or punishment The Emperour Tyberius although he were a great Tyrant amongst other things hath left us to this purpose notable examples For knowing that one had made an infamous Libell against him and that many of his people murmured at his cruelties being perswaded by some to do Justice upon them answered magnanimously That Tongues ought to be free in the Town And being incited again by some of the Senate to seek out for him that was the inventer of the Libell Would not Saying he was not so out of businesse as to trouble himself with that The great mercy of Dennis the Tyrant of Sicily although he were extream cruell was marvellous kind towards an old woman for being advertised that this old woman prayed devoutly to the Gods for his health and prosperity sent out to seek for her to be brought before him and asked her for what cause she prayed so heartily for him seeing that all the rest of his people universally desired rather his death To whom the old woman made answer Know Sir that when I was young we had over us a most cruell Tyrant wherefore I prayed devoutly to God for his death and my prayer was heard After him succeeded another which Tyrannized over this Kingdome more than the former and I likewise desired his death so that by incessant prayers and request to the Gods desired that as they had heard me for the first so they would for this which came to passe and he died In whose place now you are come farre worse than the two former And because that after you I fear another may come worse than all the three I pray the Gods continually that they would maintain you in long life This free and bold answer of the old woman displeased him never a whit but let her go cheerfully and freely When Plato Prince of Philosophers who lived a long time with this Tyrant Dennis asked him leave to return to Athens and had obteined it Dennis asked him what he would say of him in the Accademie amongst the Philosophers at Athens To which Plato with great boldnesse and freedome answered Those which are at Athens are not so idle as to have leisure to speak of you or of your doings Dennis understood well that he reproved him of his evill life and yet neverthelesse bore it patiently I remember two other old women which with no lesse freedome spake to their Kings which was taken patiently One was of Macedonia to King Demetrius son of Antigonus before named and the other a Roman to the Emperour Adrian To whom both made a like answer when demanding justice to be done them It was answered by Demetrius and Adrian that they could not understand them To whom they answered that if they could not understand them they should then leave the Empire and yet neither of them both were angry at their answer but heard them and did them true justice Philip King of Macedon taking farewell of the Ambassadours of Athens and making them fair offers as it is the customes in such cases asked them if they would have him do any thing else for them to whom one of them named Democritus knowing well that Philip extreamly hated the Athenians and could not conceal his mind answered We would have you hang your self by the neck At which answer all the rest of his companions were much troubled And those also that were there present for fear least the King should do them some evill but according to his Clemency or it may be he dissembled made no other shew but turning towards the other Ambassadours said you may tell the Athenians That he that can bear such words is much more modest then the wise Athenians which have not had the discretion to hold their peace Demorates went to see this King Philip at a time when he was angry with his wife and his son Alexander And amongst other discourse Philip asked of their peace and union amongst the Towns in Greece And Demorate knowing well that the King delighted to hear of discord between those Common-wealths answered him indeed too freely considering whom he spake to Truly King because you are at discord in your own house you enquire after the discention of our Towns But if you were at peace with your own it would be more commendable than to enquire of the adversities of others And neverthelesse the King was not angry but seeing that he was justly taxed sought peace with his wife and his son And if we would have examples of Christians That of Pope Sextus

the Sun a hundred and eighty degrees in the other Hemisphere inferiour to the Town of Jerusalem to shew that it was true beyond that which Authors write The Text of holy Scripture proves it for it is certain that they never offered up the Lamb in sacrifice but upon the fourteenth day of the Moon Which Lamb was eaten by Jesus Christ and his disciples the day before his death As it was commanded in Exodus the twelfth Chapter and Leviticus the three and twentieth The next day was the feast of unlevened bread Christ the immaculate Lamb was crucified the Moon of necessity being at ful and opposite to the Sun which could not possibly make an Eclipse neither could any of the other Planets do it therefore it was miraculous and contrary to the order of nature and onely in the power of God who deprived the Sun of its light for that space of time By means whereof St. Denn is the Areopagite being that day in Athens and seeing the Sun so darkned and also knowing as a man learned in Astrologie and the course of the heavens that such an Eclipse must needs be contrary to the rule of nature spake with a loud voice saying Either the world would end or the God of nature suffer For this cause saith one that the Sages of Athens being astonied hereat caused an Alter incontinently to be built to the unknown God since which time St. Paul arriving there declared unto them who was the unknown God which was Christ our Redeemer God and Man which then had suffered by means whereof he converted many to the faith Some have been in doubt to know of this Eclipse and darknesse of the Sun were universal through all the world and grounded their argument upon that which the Evangelists saith over all the earth which is to say by a manner of speaking all the Country round about And Origen was of this opinion But what We see that in Greece even at Athens this tenebrosity was seen which makes me believe that this Eclipse was universal over all our Hemisphere and over all where the Sun might be seen I say so because over all the other Hemesphere where it was then night it could not be seen the sight of the Sun for that time being not there for it cannot illuminate at one instant but one half of the earth because of the shadow it makes Nevertheless we ought to know that the Moon being then at full and having no light but what she hath from the splendor of the Sun and again being in the Hemesphere which is under us she came to be violently eclipsed and darkenned by the onely cause and for default of the light of the Sun and so the darkness was universall over all the world because the Moon and the Stars can give no light unless they receive it first from the Sun CHAP. XXIII Of many passages quoted by divers Authors wh●h have made mention of Christ. I Have divers times heard many learned and curious men which would ask a reason why and whence it proceeds that the Gentiles and Ethnicks have made so little mention in their writings of the life of Jesus Christ and of his miracles which were in so great a number and so publickly manifested even by his Disciples seeing that these Ethnicks have not failed to make mention in their books of other things particularly hapning in their times and yet not of so great importance To which I answer First that it is against truth to say that the prophane Historiographers have not spoken of them For there is an infinite whereof I will bring some examples for those that have no great knowledge in ancient histories My second reason is that we must consider upon this that saving faith and the law of grace given by Christ begun by him and his Apostles to be published through all the world was accepted by some which determined to live and die in it Others obstinate in their vices and sins did not onely refuse it but persecute it There was again others that kept the middle for although this seemed good unto them yet for fear of Tyrants and persecutors and other worldly considerations which made this holy profession disesteemed they would neither embrace it nor accept it The world being thus divided in three opinions those which confessed Christ did notable and marvellous things whereof many bear witnesse of their truth of which number are St. Dennis Tertullian Lactantius Firmian Eusebins and many others too long to recite The other wicked sort which persecuted it as a strange thing and utterly disagreeing to their law did eagerly pursue totally to ruine it and to hide the miracles life and doctrine of Christ For this cause they speak not of them or those among them which did speak any thing of them was but to make them contemned and to cloud them as did the wicked Porfice Iulian Vincent Celsus African Lucian and others such divellish men Against whom Ciprian Origen St. Augustine and others have written learnedly The other which either for fear or worldly considerations refused to be Christians or to love and to know the truth for the same reasons abandoned to speak of it and if some of them have touched any thing it hath been with jests and lies and that succinctly enough And neverthelesse even as when one would hide the truth under the vail of some colorable truth It often happens by a certain hidden propriety in the truth that he which would hide it disguiseth it and palliates it in such sort that by his own drift or discourse he discovereth his lies and the truth is discovered openly and manifestly So it hapned in this sort to these two kind of people For although they strove to put to an end and destroy the miracles and doctrine of Christ yet every time they spake of them they spake something by which they discovered their malice and the sincerity of that doctrine I could speak of many things that the Sibils have said and written but because that which they spake proceeded not from their own proper judgement but from the spirit of prophesie and as God had communicated it to them although they were Heathens I will leave them to come to other authorities The first and most evident testimony though it be the most common is that of our greatest enemies in the number of which is Iosephus by linage and nation a Jew and also by his life and profession He saith these words In these very times lived Jesus a very wise man if it be lawful to call him man because in truth he doth marvellous things and was master and Tutor to them that loved him and sought the truth The Jews and Gentiles assembled unto him and followed him in great troups And he was the Christ And although he were afterwards accused by the principals of our faith and crucified yet was he not cast off by them which had followed him before And three days after his death