at his setting be mixed with sky-colour or purple expect then immoderate tempests and storms of wind and rain 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 they come from thence will the storm arise and if they come from the South expect then both wind and rain especially if the clouds were fiery red or mixt 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 A Paraphrase HEre with the setting Sun I will end his presages and now behold the Luminary 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 descending the Horizon of any place but not so certain and effectual as his first apparition in the morning because there be more grosse and undigestâ—d vapours raised in the night or fall for want of heaâ— to concoct and dispose of them according to their qualities the reason of all these presages is grounded upon the colour of the vapour or exhalation on which the Sun 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 By the Moon 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 it is a sign of wind and rain But 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 promises fair weather until the Full. 42. If the Moon after the change appear not until her fourth day and the wind blowing West expect then cold and winter-like weather the reason that the fourth day is observed in these is this her fourth time ascending the Horizon 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 â— 8 part of her whole course that is three days and sixteen hours very neer but this cannot be strictly observed the 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 transparent from that part of the Heavens 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 ☽ coming to the Meridian multiply her age by 4 and divide the product by 5 the quotient will be the time required 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 By Rain-bows 46. THere have been Rain-bows in the night-time seen made by the Moon 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 clouds to be very waterish when the reflection of the one can form the impression and figure of another in several clouds as it were in mirrours a Rain-bow broken presages tempests Of the Ignis fatuus 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
Earth are both one for in long continued calms the material cause of winds is detain'd within the bowels of the Earth and there being rarified searches the veins caverns and hollow subterranean places to get a passage but finding readily none and not able to contain it self it forces a way and according to its quantity disturbs the Waters and shakes the Land or breaks forth into a tempest with horrid noises according to the resistance made or which is aptest and most facile to be effected By sensitive Creatures but first by Beasts and Reptiles 99. BEasts eating greedily and more then they use to do prenotes foul weather and all small cattel that seem to rejoyce with playing and sporting themselves foreshews rain 100. Oxen and all kind of Neat if you do at any time observe them to hold up their heads and snuffle in the Air or lick their hooves or their bodies against the hair expect then rainy weather 101. Asses or Mules rubbing often their ears or braying much more then usually they are accustomed presages rain 102. Hogs crying and running unquietly up and down with hay or litter in their mouths foreshews a storm to be neer at hand 103. Dogs tumbling and wallowing themselves much and often upon the earth if their guts rumble and stinke very much are signs of rain or wind for certain 104. Cats coveting the fire more then ordinary or licking their feet and trimming the hair of their heads and mustachios presages rainy weather 105. Moles plying their works in undermining the Earth foreshews rain but if they do forsake their trenches and creep above ground in Sommer time it is a sign of hot weather but when on a fuddain they doe forsake the valleys and low grounds it foreshews a flood neer at hand but their coming into meddows presages fair weather and for certain no floods 106. Spiders creep out of their holes and narrow receptacles against wind or rain Minerva having made them sensible of an approaching storm 107. The Common-wealth of Emmets when busied with their egs and in ordering their State affairs at home it presages a storm at hand or some foul weather but when Nature seems to stupifie their little bodies and disposes them to rest causing them to withdraw into their caverns least their industry should engage them by the inconveniency of the season expect then some foul and winterly weather 108. The little sable beast called a Flea if much thirsting after blood it argues rain 109. The lamentable croaking of Frogs more then ordinary does denote rainy weather 110. Glow-worms Snayles and all such creatures do appear most against fair weather but if Worms comes out of the earth much in the day time it is a presage of wet weather but in the Sommer evenings it foreshews dewy nights and hot days to follow and here ends the prognostications of the weather by Beasts and reptiles By winged Creatures 111. THe vigilant Cock a bird of Mars the good house wives clock and the Switzers alarum if he crows in the day time very much or at Sun setting or when he is at roost at unusual hours as at 9 or 10 expect some change of weather and that suddainly but from fair to foul or the contrary but when the Hen crows good men expect a storm within doors and without if the Hens or Chickings in the morning come late from their roosts as if they were constrained by hunger it presages much rainy weather 112. The offspring or aliance of the Capitolian guard when they do make a gaggling in the Air more then usual or seem to fight being over-greedy at their meat expect then cold and winterly weather 113. Birds that do haunt the Fens if they often wash themselves it presages rain or wind and so in most birds or fowls that do prune their feathers with an oyly substance as a provision of Nature in preparing themselves against a storm 114. Cormorants Gulls Ducks Mallards and all water-fowls when they bathe themselves much prune their feathers and flicker or clap themselves with their wings it is a sign of rain or wind 115. Cormorants and Gulls flying from the Sea and standing lakes presages a storm 116. Cranes soaring aloft and quietly in the Air foreshews fair weather but if they do make much noise as consulting which way to go it foreshews a storm that 's neer at hand 117. Herons in the evening flying up and down as if doubtful where to rest presages some evill approaching weather 118. Ravens and Crows when they do make a hoarse hollow and sorrowful noise as if they sobbed it presages foul weather approaching 119. Crows flocking together in great companies or calling early in the morning with a full and clear voice or at any time of the day gaping against the Sun foreshews hot and dry weather but if at the brinck of ponds they do wet their heads or stalk into the water or cry much towards the evening are signs of rain the Woodpeckers cry denotes wet 120. Jack-daws if they come late home from forraging presages some cold or ill weather neer at hand and likewise when they are seen much alone 121. Buzards or Kites when they do soar very high and much to lessening themselves making many plains to and again foreshews hot weather and that the lower Region of the Air is inflamed which for coolnesse makes them ascend 122. Swallows flying low and touching the water often with their wings presages rain 123. Owls whooping after Sun set and in the night foreshews a fair day to ensue but if she names her self in French Huette expect then fickle and unconstant weather but most usually rain 124. Peacooks crying loud and shrill for their lost Jo does proclaim an approaching storm 125. Sparrows in the morning early chirping and making more noise then ordinary they use to do foretels rain or wind The Titmouse cold if crying Pincher 126. Doves coming later home to their houses then they are acustomed to do presages some evil weather neer approaching 127. Sea-mews early in the morning making a gaggling more then ordinary foretokens stormy and blustering weather 128. Halcyon at the time of breeding which is about 14. days before the Winter Solstice foreshews a quiet and tranquil time as it is observed about the coast of Sicily from whence the Proverb is transported the Halcyon days Pliny 129. Bats or flying Mice coming out of their holes quickly after Sun set and sporting themselves in the open Air premonstrates fair and calm weather 130. Birds in general that do frequent trees and bushes if they do fly often out and make quick returns expect some bad weather to follow soon after 131. Bees in fair weather not wandring far from their hives presages the approach of some stormy weather 132. Wasps Hornets and Gnats biting more eagerly then they use to do is a sign of rainy weather 133. Flies in the Spring or Sommer season if they grow busier or blinder then at other times or that
the Air 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 suddainly to follow rain snow or misty weather as you may judge according to the present temperature of the Air and season of the year considered the cause of either is thin and waterish vapours transparent and interposed between the Stars and our sight and these Meteors moving or carried with the circular motion of the Air upon which the Stars reflecting do cause the apparition of many formed in the clouds by their rays as by multiplying glasses may be demonstrated or in shallow crystal streams of rivers wherein you may behold the Stars by reflection of the water to twincle and many Moons to appear at once 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 by reflection do appear thus unto us yet these in Sommer time or in hot Countrys do often prove but mists and those chased away by the Suns apapproaching the Hemisphere but in Winter especially or in moist weather they do commouly turn to rine-frosts snow rain or very foggy weather 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 impressions like flames do presage winds and from that quarter whence they did arise if they extend far and move down wards expect a tempest for the colour shews the nature of the Meteor to be not and dry forceth to retreat by the frigide moistnesse of the Air. By Thunder and Lightning 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 thunder follow it is a sign in Sommer time of much heat and sometimes rain 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 quarters of the Heavens 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 tumultuous riots amongst the windy exhalations opening a passage for the cataracts of water to issue down By the Sun THe two great Luminaries in prognosticating the weather Virgil and Pliny does prefer before those observations of the Stars 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 ensuing weather 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 themselves some Southward and others Northward expect that day both wind and rain 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 quickly after proves obscured with thick clouds it will rain before his setting 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
time of day when the Sun beams and wind meet it may cause the same effect by vertue of his rays 72. When the clouds seem piled upon heaps like fleeces of wool it presages wet weather and neer at hand 73. If the clouds fly low in Sommer it is a sign of rain and in Winter it prenotes cold weather to ensue quickly after 74. When the clouds seem white and jagged as if rent asunder gathering together in a body their forces united do foretel a storm the nature of the exhalation is apparently turbulent by the form and colour 75. Hollow and murmuring winds do presage stormy weather for it shews the Air is moist and dilated so cannot find an easie passage but is opposed or hindred in the motion by hills trees and hollow places which it gets into and makes a noise 76. The Air being a subtile body infuses it self into the pores of timber boards c. and against rain being converted into water or a moisture which makes boards to swell and is the cause that Wainscot and Joyners work doth crack against wet weather doors will not easily shut or open c. 77. Paper against wet weather will grow weak damp and swell the reason is the same with the last but in writing paper it will sooner be perceived and more certainly predict the weather because it is done over with a thin substance of a gummy nature which with the waterishnesse of the Air dissolves and grows moist giving way for the Incke to soke into the paper which the Gum in dry weather will not permit 78. When the clouds seem overcharged and white withal like towers expect then hail or snow according to the season of the year 79. After a storm of hail expect a frost to follow the next day after 80. When Spiders webs poplare and thistledoune and such light things do fly in the Air up and down as it were to make nature sport or a type of Fortunes favours these are signs of the weathers changing and speedy mutability for these things of lenity are easily moved by the first insurrection of any exhalation precursor of the weathers change and oftentimes wind 81. Mists descending from the tops of hills and settling in the valleys is a sign of a fair day especially in Sommer time and then an argument of heat for they were exhalations raised by the ferver of the Sun and by the Air in the evening which in hot weather is coldest it is converted into mists and dews as a necessary provision of Nature to cool the Earth and refresh her fruits whereby to enable them that they may endure the next days heat White mists are the same but more waterish and inclining to rain and if they do ascend it presages rain and argues the middle Region of the Air not for to be very cold the lowest waterâ—sh and the vapour warm 82. If in calm and serene weather you do observe the rack to ride a pace expect winds from that quarter for it is evident that the exhalation above in the clouds converts into a wind or rain and will descend but if clouds do ascend any day it presages the storm is past But neither this nor some of the other observations are conceived general diversity of climates producing several and various effects and besides the season of the year ought to be considered the weather having peculiar properties in several Countries and places as the nights in Africa are dewy in Winter clouds in Aegypt so heavy as if the Air were unable to support them and in such tumults as if they threatned the world with a deluge yet march all away without any drop of rain Locri and the lake Velinus in Italy have no day but there is a Rain-bow appears in Syracusa and Rhodes no day in all the year so cloudy but that the Sun is seen to those places most hot Countrys neer the torrid Zone have frequent flashes of lightning and in their Winter often without rain with many other observations purposely here omitted By Water and Earth 83. THe water of the Fens and standing pools growing warm without heat of the Sun more then usually is a sign of much rain the Element of water being rarisied as appears by the parts 84. The rain falling in small drops argues those clouds were high from whence it fell and a sign of much wet 85. If the rain be whitish and falling into water riseth up in bubbles it shews the rain will continue and that the water is then full of windy exhalations and if the showre does cease the wind will succeed it 86. The rain falling upon the Earth or floods if soon drunk up are signs of more 87. Linnen or woollen cloth dipped in the water and exposed to the Air if it soon freezes it is a sign of much or violent frost 88. Drops of water after rain falling from the eves of houses slowly one after another is a sign of frost for the Air works easily upon small parcels foreshewing in those parts an inclination of the greater 89. If the Sea at low water within the harbour be calm and yet makes a rumbling noise it presages wind and if so by fits expect both cold weather and rain 90. If the Sea or Sea-bancks in calm weather make much noise or the billows seem to heave and rise up it presages a tempest neer at hand 91. If the Seas be very rough and boisterous the wind not great the waves have been disturbed either with a tempest past or else at one approaching and if the billows do make a noise as with a refracted Air like the murmuring sound of woods the storm is neer at hand 92. When the tops of high hills are clear and free from clouds or mists it is a sign of fair weather 93. If a murmuring sound be heard in valleys or from hollow caves within the Earth or rivers make a rumbling noise more then usual running with troubled streams any of these do presage a storm Presages of Earth quakes 94 The extraordinary swelling and rising up of the Seas when there is neither wind nor flood to cause it foreshews an Earth quake observed by Posidonius 95. When the waters in wells fountains or deep pits are much troubled and have an evil savour and a taste of sulphure that were pleasant before it does argue an Earth-quake 96. A roaring noise under the earth resembling thunder is the forerunner of an Earth-quake 97. When the Air for a long time wants motion and is still that birds can scarcely fly for want of wind it foreshews an Earth-quake 98. Aristotle with some others do say that a black and narrow streak or line right under the Sun stretched out to a great length and remaining or continuing long does presage an Earthquake but this doth rather signifie a great tranquillity of the Air and so a second cause but not the immediate A Paraphrase THe reason of these and the former signs of tempests by Water and
calling the one Winter and the other Sommer but Nature does seem to make four Seasons and those neither beginning nor terminating at any strict time but according to the temperature and disposition of the Air 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 observed many signs in every Climate and particular Country which in England are these and the diseases inherent and common in the 4. quarters Spring 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 seed being a tender grain next does appear the 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 perfuming the Air 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 Sommer THe days being long and the Sun scorching hot the Creatures of the Earth having reared and brought up their young progeny to perfection the fruits grow now to maturity ready to entertain them and cherish their bodies provided for the use of Man 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 Pestilence Feavers Apostumes Jaundise and divers maladies and infirmities proceeding of Melancholy Autumn 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 infused spirit which attracts by vertue of the roots a nutriment from the Earth according to its natural faculty which supply failing in his proper season and time of year the radical humor and sap in the body contracting their leaves must fall and their glories fade an emblem of mortality and transitory beauty the Earth growing white like declining age 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 Spring all evill and inveterate humors in the Spring and Fall do increase and flow which were detained with the heat of Sommer and cold of Winter Winter 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 terminating of this season is observed in Ducks 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 Signs presaging good or bad Years 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 moist it foreshews a plentiful Sommer but if over-hot and moist a fickly year will follow 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 following a wet Winter with many Southern winds causeth often abortives and weak children Gallen 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 especially if it be infected with many fogs and great mists which causeth sterility and corrupteth the Air but much frost with snow presages a wholesome and plentiful year to follow 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 if cut in pieces a 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 indifferent I will leave them and persist here no longer but subscribe the Verses upon the
receive the water which you may thus provide if you would have a red water take Vermilion a green colour is more pleasant and visible which is thus made take Verdigrease and ½ so much Roman vitrial beaten small and put them into the best white Wine vinegar the quantity as you shall see convenient the colour and bignesse of the cestern consider'd these being infus'd and sturr'd together let them stand 2 or 3 days until the water be coloured to your mind if it proves too deep a green pour in a little more Vinegar or strong Water to it This being provided take the circumference of the globe at A with ¼ part more or 4 diameters if you can and place it on the shank with a string equidistant from the head as at the cestern there make two marks and divide that space into what parts you please 15 degrees or equal parts I conceive the best 8 being the Arithmetical medium if the shank be not taper'd write the figures on paper and past them upon the glasse in a continued Arithmetical Progression ascending from 1 to 15 make a Frame that the glasse may stand fast and about the cestern a rock or what you fancy best This done put the water into the Bolts head and holding that in your hand put it into the Frame and Cestern then turn it suddenly the right way and upon the bottome let it rest awhile Observe at what figure the water stands let it at the first be too high then raise up gently the long glasse so that the water may fall down into the cestern and try it for two or three days and when it is at a place that fits the temperature of the Air and Season of the year viz. 1 2 or 3. if it be in the heat of Sommer but at 13 14 or 15. in the cold of Winter if a little frost such as we have in September place it at 9 or 10 but if very temperate weather as between hot and cold the water must stand at 8 a medium having tri'd and fitted it well according to the temperature of the outward Air for it must be kept from fire and accidental heat close it or lute it up at the neck of the cestern leaving onely some cane for a vent as you see at C whereby the Air may passe in or out of the cestern accordingly as the water doth rise or fall for the long glasse must always stand in the water and almost touch the bottome of the receiver or lower vessel as at B if the Air gets into the long glasse anywhere after it is placed according to the weather the work is frustrated A PERPETUAL KALENDER OR Diurnal for the weather with general and particular observations diligently selected and compendiously inserted demonstrating perspicuously in a Glasse the Airs mutability and the weathers vicissitude with the present temper and Season of the year observing the water on serene days at these degrees Viz. 1 2 3 Shews the extreme heat of Sommer 4 5 Is excessive hot and sultry weather 6 7 Is more hot than cold a pleasant season 8 The medium betwixt Sommer Winter 9 10 More cold than hot with gentle frosts 11 12 Is excessive cold and frosty weather 13 14 15 Shews the extreme cold of Winter 1. THe efficient cause why this water riseth and falls is from the condensing or dilating of the outward Air made visible by a sympathetical imitation of the parts here inclos'd upon any alteration of the weather presag'd from hence by experience observing that Cold and Drought do contract Heat and Moisture rarifies 2 The sudden salling of the water foreshews an immediate approaching Storm of Thunder Lightning Rain Hail or Snow 3 If the water falls a degree in 6 hours it will Rain within 12 hours after if not misty close or sultry weather for the Season 4 If the water fals much in the day and riseth but little in the night yet the weather continuing fair expect then excessive heat if not Thunder and Lightning 5 If the water falls never so little between Sun-setting and his rising next day it will Rain or Snow before 12 the following night if the Meteor converts not to what is worse a Calydonian Mist 6 If the water falls not in the time of artificial day it prognosticates northerly winds a cold night to ensue or storms of Hail at hand 7 If the water keeps neer any degree a natural day the weather will continue whether it be fair or foul but if it rises or falls a degree and stands the weather will quickly change to some excess 8 If the water falls no more in the day then it did rise in the night it is a sign that the Air is temperate the heat of the day equally qualifying the coldnesse of the night or else it argues the weather to be at a doubtful stay 9 The often rising and falling of the water shews the outward Air very mutable the temper various and the weather unconstant 10 When the water riseth not in the night-time expect then Mists dark foul and foggy weather the next day if not Thunder and Lightning in Sommer 11 The water rising any day in fair weather presages a frost the following night or cold windy weather for the Season if no immediate storm of Hail invades the earth 12 If the water riseth in foul weather whether it be day or night it prognosticates the storm is nigh past and fair weather will consequently ensue 13 The more that the water riseth or falls at any time the more violent will be the change of weather and of longer continuance whether fair or foul hot or cold as if it ascends 2 degrees in the day or 3 in the night or falls 2 in the night or 3 degrees in the day 14 Observe at what figure or degree the water did rise or fall when the weather chang'd for the Airs temper will continue in the same state until the water returns to that place again excepting the extreams of Winter and Sommer 15 So long as the water shall continue above 10 ascending 't will be frost if it falls below 9 't will break unlesse it rises within 12 hours after if from above 12 it descends a degree or two and stands expect then Snow Sleet cold or slabby weather If the Bolts-head be not prepar'd neer the dimensions given the water will rise and fall as the inclosed air contracts or rarifies but not in proportion to satisfie curious expectation nor exactly ratifie all the 15 prescribed observations Besides Countries particular places houses and rooms according to their situations or accidental causes will change the Airs temper all which with other circumstances I refer to the ingenious and my following Paraphrase to their exposition A Paraphrase upon the Weather GLASSE NAture in all her works abhors a Vacuum so that no sublunary place can be empty or void but is supplyed by one of the four Elements from hence it
be a truth in them it is hard for to discover which it is and being found difficult to follow but whether this admired and stupendious machine of the World be greater or lesser 't is 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 The 7 Planets or wandring Stars with their Characters colour motion period and courses 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 sometimes rising before the ☉ she is called the morning Star and at other times will follow the ☉ and then is called th◠〈◊〉 Stars she seldome goeth 4 degrees from the ☉ and can never exceed two whole Signs or 60 degrees 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 ☽ is the lowest of all the Planets and consequently swiftest in her motion She passeth through the 12 Signs of the Zodiack in 27 days 7 hours 43 minuits and 5 seconds but from one new Moon unto another it is 29 days and odd hours by reason of the ☉ proper motion from the West Eastward in those 27 days The mutual Aspects or positions of the 7 Planets 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 continually their latitudes being sometimes Southward of the Ecliptick as was said before which mutability of their courses you may plainly behold by the Moon who passes by all other Planets in less then 30 days and so do all the other 5 Planets according to their proper motions mutually aspect one another and are conceived by Astronomers to have the more force in their influences upon all sublunary things according to their positions and the powerful effects of their natures are supposed to be hindred or further'd by the interposition of another which in things of this nature ought to be judiciously and circumspectly considered weighing with reason the position of the Planets their natures the Seasons of the year with the temperature of the Signs they are in and the intervening Aspects of the other Stars 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 Zodiack that is 3 Signes being a quadrant or 90 degrees 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 A Table of the 7 Planets aspects The Characters ☌ Conjunction Degrees of the Zodiack 00  ⚹ Sextile  60  □ Quartile  90  △ Trine  120  ☠Opposition  180 The natures and qualities of the four Elements 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 emptiness is avoided which Nature doth abhor and so hath curiously made them as to be the bounds of the connex superficies of one another and consequently to the concaves of their Spheres and are described in order thus Fire 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 extremely hot and dry Air. Next unto the Fire is placed the Element of Air which is also light and is by nature hot and moist Earth and Water 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 To prove the Earth's roundnesse 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 consider the greatness of the terrestrial Globe For Mount Pelion was observed by Dicaearchus whose perpendicular height was sound to be but 12 Stadiums that is but an Italian mile and a half and
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 and these observed without parallaxes in the year of Christianity 1625. towards the latter end of August a bright Star did appear at noon-day to the admiration of the people in the City of Antworpe 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 mid-day the decrees of just Heaven 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 conceives that those clouds which causeth rain to be the bounds unto the middle and lowest Region of the Air 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 observations of able Geometricians 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 't is 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 observe when a cloud breaks over your head the space of time between the flash of lightning and the clap of thunder for to be equal unto the firing of a Cannon 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 Salt-peter 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 conclusions are derived from hence and necessary observations may be selected from humane conceptions although the essential part cannot be comprehended by us And here I will end this Introduction Ecclesiastes 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 usque ad finem The second Part. A brief discourse of Meteors imperfect mixt bodies and their causes 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 simply of themselves but as mixt they doe for if these were pure Elements which here we have the Fire 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 Of the severall divisions and dispositions of the Air. THe Element of Air is divided into three several regions or distinguished in three several parts variously qualified in which are generated many imperfect and mixt bodies and these divisions are thus nominated the Vpper Middle and
Air and out of the inferior part of the lower Region For it is generally conceived the rain that falls from the middle Region descends in little orbs whereby to preserve it self and resist the violence of the Air through which it passeth and becomes small by reason of the distance and time in falling for the Hall does demonstrate both the bignesse and rotundity of the drops which from humide exhalations drawn up unto the middle Region and there converted into water and immediately as the drops do distill down they are contracted into Ice by the Airs coldnesse in that part which is called Hail derived from the high Dutch Hagell opparadventure from the Hebrew Egell which signifies congealed drops In the Winter season it is seldome observed to Hail by reason the cold in the middle Region is more remisse then in warm weather and in Sommer-time it is also rare upon any very hot day because the heat of the lower Region will not permit it for to pass without dissolving of it before it comes unto the Earth but frequently in the Spring and Autumn the heat being then sufficient to elevate the matter and yet not so violent as to dissolve it in the fall yet sometimes it happens that great Hail-stones are precipitated at Mid-Sommer or in very hot seasons and are then the greater if the matter be sufficient by how much the more it is opposed by the lower Region made hot by reflection of the Sun for in all times of the year you may find if observed more and greater storms of Hail to fall in the day time then in the night And some do conceive that there is a fiery nature included in them besides the heat of that subtile vapour which made it to ascend that middle Region for by contraries it is undoubtedly congealed as you may see in Salt which is hot and dry to be made of water whose natural temperature is directly opposite being cold and moist in open weather or by the fire-side or in Sommer-time take a little Salt and mix some Snow with it stir them together till they do incorporate and they will contract themselves into Ice which is done by Antiperistasis or repulsion on every part as the middle Region of the Air is cold and these frigide Meteors are ingenerated there Many other things might be here inserted which for brevity sake are omitted The lower Region of the Air and the effects it produceth THis Region of Air receives all the former qualities by course according to the seasons of the year and by the former means out of waterish places there are exhaled from the Earth moist and crude vapours the grosser part of them being earthly and containing but little heat they are unable to ascend unto the middle Region yet with the help of that heat included in those vapours and the attractive vertue of the celestial Orbs they are raised above the Earth and there often times congealed before they can be dissolved into water and these are called Frosts whereof there be many kinds according to the matter exhaled and the temperature of the season as some times of the year the ground in the mornings will be hoary like the head of Time and the grasse crisped with the Frost at other times rine-frosts or congealed mists hanging like pendants on the trees there be also black or windfrosts which are not so wholsome for they are grosse and earthly vapours exhaled out of more undigested humors and not so easily discovered by the sight as by the sense of feeling There be some vapours exhaled which are called mists the name derived as from the mixture of Air and Water of these there be several sorts as some vapours thin and sterile and have not moisture sufficient to beget water nor the heat in them is not prevalent to elevate the grosse humor and cause them to ascend but they hang upon the earth untill the Sun rises which if he chases away and dissipates by the vertue of his beams it argues a fair day There be besides all these gross mists or fogs which are more earthly then the former composed of crude and undigested vapors drawn from corrupted places as out of fennes and marish grounds these are very unwholsome and very unpleasant to the sense of smelling but are usually the worse according to the places from whence they were extracted or after much calm and moist weather The nature of Dews in general are these DEws are defined for to be liquid vapours extracted from the water or earth these have an affinity unto frost as Rain unto Snow and are alike in the material cause the efficient cause is attributed unto the Stars and the coldnesse of the Air These Dews are conceived to be very earthly and ponderous for they do not ascend high but are converted into a watry substance so soon almost as extracted being observed much more upon low and wet grounds then upon high and dry hills and thicker upon the humble shrub then upon trees or any exalted plant as the lofty Cedar The usual time of these Dews is in the evening the heat of the Sun declining being unable to support the Meteors which he raised and he deserting the Hemisphere those that were more elevated must likewise fall and the hotter the day was the greater are the exhalations and the nights are usually then cooler to convert them into water All Dews are commonly observed the greater the Moon increasing or at the full most of all the season of the year is to be considered and the weather for the hotter the day is the cooler will be the night by reason of the shadow which the terrestrial Globe then makes As for an instance you may see by the shade of trees or any other interposed body which are cooler in Sommer-time then in Winter as in respect of the Air in general for in shadowed places in the heat of Sommer the Air as in opposition to the Heat doth contract it self into a grosser body from whence some conjecture as by the parts that the whole Element of Air is by nature cold The Virgins thread There is a Dew that flies in the Air like small untwisted Silk or Yarn and falling upon the ground or plants it does convert it self into a form like Spiders Webs the matter they consist of is held for to be an earthly and slimy matter or exhalation something dry these are observed for to be both in the Spring Sommer and Autumn but in these Northern Countrys they are most frequent the Sun neer Libra the days being temperately warm the earth not exceeding dry nor yet over-charged with moisture Mell-dews Honey-dews some conjecture for to be earthly exhalations mixed with waterish vapours and many suppose them for to be exhalations from plants and all sorts of flowers and vegetables and this does evidently appear in Sugar-canes and divers kinds of Indian Reeds that have in the morning a Dew hanging upon them in taste resembling honey
which argues by their sweetnesse that they are extracted from thence These Honey-Dews do afford plenty unto the ware-houses of the industrious Bees with quick returns their purveyers are going for to seek provant nor their labourers much trouble to get their loading These Honey-Dews as they are good for Bees so they are as destructive to divers kind of beasts as Sheep Goats c. and in general to all fruits and blooming flowers especially to Hops and Grapes they are also obnoxious to Corn and often blasts it in the blooming For diverting these sad effects Numa one of the Roman Kings superstitiously instituted a Feast called Rubigalia and Floralia in the year from the building of Rome 516. Pliny lib. 18. cap. 29. which Feast was observed upon the 28. day of April 3. Kalend. Moy He was advised so to do by the Oracles of Sybilla This Heathenish Feast the Catholique Church did alter into Ascention Week calling it Rogation from asking a blessing upon the fruits of the Earth The nature of Rain water RAin Water is much more insipide at one time then at another and hath very often a brackish and unpleasant taste yet comfortable to vigetables and by reason of the warmth it does nourish them much better and more natural for them then spring-water or out of wells being cold and too earthly whereas the other participates of the Air which is hot and moist but by reason of this commixture of the Elements it is apt to form divers bodies especially in calm times the Air wanting motion may corrupt and so consequently generates many things according to the undigested matter exhaled from the earth as Frogs falling upon the tops of houses and Churches immediately after a storm and there they will perish in a short time for want of sustenance which argues they were not there produced Corn I have seen that was after a showre found upon the leads of Churches and on the ground in divers places it had the form of Wheat but small and without taste the colour of it pure white both within and without The lowest Meteor in the Air is the burning candle or as some call it Ignis Fatuus This is a hot and moist vapour which striving to ascend is repulsed by the cold and fiered by Antiperistasis movâ—s close by the earth caried along with the vapours that feed it keeping in low or moist places the light is of an exceeding pale colour very unwholsome to meet withal by reason of the evil vapours it attracts unto it which nourishes the pallide flame and will often ascend as those exhalations do and as suddainly fall again from whence the name is derived Thunder and Lightning and the causes from whence they proceed THese are conceived to be vapours hot and moist commixed with exhalations that be hot and dry involved thus within one another they do ascend by vertue of their heat unto the middle region of the Air where the exhalation by Antiperistasis grows inflam'd and strives to get forth of the cloud in which is involved and the upper part of the cloud where the heat would passe by opposition grows the strongest and the exhalation grown over-hot by being constrained with violence breaks forth of the weakest place against the weather that is in the lowest part and by reason of the cold above it the heat and subtilenesse of the exhalation with its own violence in breaking forth it glances down upon the earth without doing any harm if unresisted as consuming a Sword without hurting the Scabbard and many other things of this kind unnecessary and too long for to relate The clap of Thunder is first but the Lightning soonest appears by reason our sense of seeing is much quicker then our hearing As you may perceive at a distance a Man driving a Stake or felling of Timber you may behold him ready to strike again before you hear the former blow and in shooting or discharging of a Gun you may see the fire before the report With the conjunction of these compound vapours and exhalations stones are generated in the Air as other Minerals are in the Earth but more fiery by nature and these are called thunder-bolts in their formes perfect cones like the flame of fire which did generate them out of the terrene exhalation it strikes not above five feet into the earth as some do affirm The remedies against Thunder and Lightning all hard things will preserve whas is soft and liquid as Iron laid upon Vessels will keep the Liquor from sowring by the former alledged reasons besides this it is naturally resisted by a cover made of Seals skins and preserving that on which 't is pâ—aced upon any creature and the like does the Laurell tree which caused many of the Roman Emperors in time of Thunder and Lightning to wear a garment made of Laurel boughs The pale lightning is most unwholsome but the red aptest to burn the best and most assured remedy against these tempests is the protection of Heaven A fulgure tempestate libera nos Domine But note there may be Thunder without Lightning and Lightning without Thunder for when these hot and dry exhalations are inflam'd and the cloud weak in which they are involv'd the incensed exhalation breaks forth without violence in not being restrained but the coldnesse of the middle Region strikes the falshes downwards upon us but not always upon the earth but glittering and reflecting on the watry clouds makes it seem close by as you may see by the Sun beams or any other suddain light falling upon the water will reverberate the lustre and dazle your eyes especially if the water be moved with any wind these coruscations are usual in hot Countries or in the heat of Sommer Thunder without Lightning does happen when these hot and dry exhalations break violently through the clouds in which they are circumvolved but not inflamed yet making a roaring noise in the burst of the cloud which restrained it as you may see little bladders filled with wind will give a crack or report at the suddain and violent breaking of them sometimes Thunder will happen and yet no Lightning appear by reciprocal winds the clouds violently breaking themselves in meeting with one another and this may often happen with insurrections of several mutinous exhalations disturbing the Air with several commotions these usually proceed after much calm weather but are very wholsome to purge the Air lest with too much quietnesse it should corrupt Apparitions in the Air made by reflections of the Sun Moon fixed Stars or Planets upon condensed Clouds Of Circles about the Sun Moon or Stars SUndry apparitions in the Air are made by the Stars reflecting upon waterish exhalations for when they happen uniform in all the parts equally rarified and supposited under the Sun Moon or Stars that their beams cannot penetrate the cloud in any part by which means the rayes are refracted and the cloud being uniform and round the extreams or outward part
and in time it will lose its saltnesse being but accidental As for the ebbing and flowing of the Seas the cause is assigned unto the Moon her influence having power over all waterish bodies and besides the Tides are observed to alter as she does in her course if not hindered or furthered by accidental causes as winds land flouds or the like She coming later every day unto the Meridian by 48. minutes or very neer and those Seas which flows when she is above the Horizon of that place will cause greater Tides then when she is depressed in the opposite Hemisphere and when she hath latitude and declination towards the pole elevated the force of her influence is the greater and the waters will flow the higher and rage the more violently in all indraughts especially at the new Moon or ful which are usually called Spring-Tides but the full Moon and three Tides after are much the greater her power then predominating most over all waterish and phlegmatick bodies and requires time to bring in greater supplies of water into the Land Of Earth-quakes and their causes from whence they do proceed THe causes of these are exhalations hot and dry generated by the vertue of the Sun and Stars inclosed within the concaves and hollow places of the Earth yet they cannot break forth by reason of the vapours grosnesse and the close compactednesse of the Earth which involves them and there increasing till it cannot be contained and not finding a passage out it strives to force one and so violently shakes the Earth that it causes a trembling which often hath swell'd up mountains and overturned others and ruinated many Cities making mens houses their sepulchres and whole Towns involved in a grave overwhelmed with their ruines the continuance of Earth-quakes is uncertain from a minute to a day and a longer time according to the greatnesse of the vapour inclosed and the firmnesse and solidity of the Earth which contained it Here I have shewed you the weak and supposed reasons of men in the wonderful and stupendious frame of Heaven and Earth all which are subjected and do obey the commands of the Immense Creator Eternal God and Author of Nature to whom be all Honour Praise and Glory world without end Amen AN INTRODUCTION TO The Third Part. Predictions of the Weather TO Prognosticate or foretel the alteration of the Weather there hath been in all Ages diligent observers of Nature who have prescribed rules and prenotations of the Airs mutability grounded on judicial signs collected from the Stars and the four Elements the principles of all sublunary bodies Of these Predictions there be several kinds both general and particular established by humane reason some derived meerly from old experience yet many of them true divers observations are ascribed to some particular Place Country Province or lesse proportion of this our habitable world being oftentimes confined within the precincts of a parish as by fogs or mists ascending from some meer or morish grounds or descending from the tops of hills high exalted places and low depressed dales some men do observe domestick and particular beasts as the story of the Herds-man c. But as for all such presages as are not general or warranted by some seeming reason I will quiâ—e reject and leave them at home for to observe the smoak of their own chimneys for it is my real intention at least my desire to direct my serene instructions to the benefit of the tender vigilant or distressed travellers whereby they may avoid the danger or inconvenience of foul and tempestious weather by presaging the Airs alteration and the inundation of the lower Regions menacing the Earth with their over-charged exhalations and vapours in tumults ready to descend to avoid these ensuing storms is the scope of my intentions in this Treatise and the better to enable you to do it I have prostrated to your view The Worlds Eprtomy and the several risings settings apparitions and occultations of the Stars with the natures of those celestrial Orbs the four Elements and all Meteors in general the secondary causes under God of heat cold wet and dry weather from whose excesse proceeds want disâ—â—â—d all corporal distempers and from their â—â—â—cord plenty crowned by the blessing of Hâ—â—ven with health and happinesse That the Stars have their influences upon sublunary bodies it is not denied by any learned men and affirmed undoublably by many of the most famous Philosophers Astronomers and Divines as witnesse Aristotle Ptolomaeus and St. Augustine lib. 13. Cap. 4. de Trin. and multitudes more which I have omitted fearing to incumber this volume with testimonies and approbations of that which seems demonstrated unto reason and confirmed by experience and according to Hippocrates with the consent of many others Thunder Lightning Hail Snow Rain Storms and all alterations of the weather may be predicted by the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the aspects of Planets their natures and qualities considered with the climate region and season of the year The Stars being supposed of several natures and each constellation mixt their influencies may cause diversity of effects as heat cold moisture or drought which are the four qualities of the Element and as for the Planets they do alter according to their aspects which many learned Phisitians do diligently observe in administring Physick and in the time of their Patients falling sick calling the 7. day critical the 14. c. Their reasons are the Moon having dominion over all humors and waterish bodies and in her motion swift doth passe in 7. days and a little more from one sign into another of a contrary nature and quality as from ♎ hot and moist into ♑ cold and dry and the like of others from whence the Doctors do judge of the malignity of the disease with the hopes of life or danger of death and of this you may read in Gallen lib. 3. de diebus Criticis rather then in me And in prognostication of the Weather these judicial days would be observed in the beginning of drought Rain Snow Frost or the like and there would be considered the latitude and aspects of the Planets the nature of the signs they are in passing under the fixed Stars especially where they are mixt with the nature of those Planets Consider the season of the year as Hale or Rain in the Spring or Autumn Thunder and Lightning in Sommer Frost and Snow in Winter Ponder also the rising and setting of the fixed Stars with the Planets the Eclipses Comets and all fiery Meteors and such as these accompanied by nature are justifiable for God hath given man knowledge and understanding in the course of natural things and signs in the Heavens whereby to avoid inconveniencies not with a certain but a conjectural science by the Asterisms or celestial configurations and the four Elements from whence may be presaged distempers of the Air causing contagious diseases sterility and the like as Aristotle writeth of Thaletes
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. Autumn 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. degree of ♠if ♀ be in a watery Sign expect excessive rains with inundations Leupold 3. Winter 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 be hindred by some other Planet of neer affinity to the Sun and the contrary when ♀ is retrograde and Lucifer expect then very much rain in the beginning of this quarter and in the end of Winter but little or none at all 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 observations upon the four Seasons or quarters of the year the Sun entering any of the four Cardinal points as ♈ ♋ ♎ and ♑ Leupold The names of the most tempestuous and remarkable Asterismes and Stars observed in former Ages as at this present 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 Constellations of note in this kind although not so general in their effects being of much more doubtfull and promiscuous qualities but being part of the Astrologers Calender they shall be inserted and according to their Cosmical ascentions for this latitude of 52. degrees beginning at the feast of Christ-mass and so in order with the Suns revolution in his proper course through the 12. Signs as in this manner following 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 observed but not so remarkable which you shall see in the following Predictions of the Weather There are divers other Constellations towards the antartick pole not vifible in our Hemisphere as the Stern of Argonavis with multitudes more whose natures and effects are not known and howsoever not for our observations in prognoflicating the weather and so they are purposely omitted The Cosmical and Acronycal rising and setting of the Stars observed in presaging the Airs Vicissitude as in former Ages by Pliny and at this present time FIrst you are to note that the nature of the fixed Stars and their influences are increased or diminished by the association of the Planets 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 ☽ it presages rain or moist and misty weather 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 Observations of the weather by Ptolomy collected from the ascentions of the fixed Stars with the Sun 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 The observations of Maginus selected from the Ascentions of the Sun and fixed Stars 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 likewise the Hydras heart and head of ♠18. The Cosmical ascention of the shoulder of Pegasus and the tail of ♑ produceth snow cold or cloudy weather 19. The Acronical setting of the Vulture with the Harp predict a moist cold and cloudy time 20. Virgiliae or the Pleiades rising Cosmically foresheweth wet and cloudy weather and suddain storms to ensue 21. The Star Regulus rising Cosmically is a sign of showres with thunder and lightning 22. Sirius rising Cosmically prenoteth hot weather with thunder and lightning the Cosmical setting foresheweth warm weather but inclining to wet 23. The Sun rising with any Star of Jupiters nature and not commixed with ♄ or ♂ argues warm clear and temperate weather with those of ♄ nature cold and cloudy weather and sometimes snow with those of ♀ moist and inclining to rainy weather ascending the Horizon with those of ♂ it argues tempests with thunder and lightning with Stars of his own nature or of ☿ winds with those of the ☽ great flouds and tumultuous billows at Sea and if the Sun doth rise with fixed Stars of mixed natures as ♄ and ♂ it argues in Sommer time a hot and suffocating day these last signs are general according to Maginus Observations of the weather by the influence of the fixed and wandring Stars united and collected by Na. Durret 24. SAturn rising with the head of Medusa prognosticateth for some days cold and moist weather according to the season or time of year 25. ♄ with the Stars of the Whale the tail of ♈ the horn of ♑ and the belly of ♓ causeth a cold cloudy and troubled Air sometimes with rain or snow 26. ♄ with the Pleiades a dark and troubled Air inclining to rain or snow 27. ♄ with the Stars of Orion produceth showres and sometimes cold storms 28. ♄ with the Virgins ear of Corn causeth suddain alterations of the Air with often showres 29. ♄ with Arcturus produceth winds and cold showres 30. ♄ with the Dolphin the Crown or the tail of ♑ produceth moist and cloudy weather and often snow and cold showres 31. ♄ with the Hyades the Asses and the Manger causeth clouds and rain with thunder and lightning sometimes 32. ♄ with Regulus causeth cloudy and unconstant weather in Sommer-time thunder in Winter temperate 33. ♄ with the great Dog causeth rainy and windy weather with tempests of thunder and lightning 34. ♃ ascending the Horizon with Regulus in Winter causeth fair weather and lessens the cold but in Sommer it produceth heat and prone to thunder 35. ♂ rising with the tail of ♑ makes the Air in hot weather temperate in winter snow and so with the heart of ♠causing the same effects 36. ♂ with Arcturus ascending doth produce thunder lightning rain and furious tempests 37. ♂ rising with the Eagle causeth snow in Winter and cold weather and in Sommer rain 38. What hath been said of the ☉ these Planets will effect but ♃ with much more mildnesse and ♂ with more violence and fury and thus ♀ with the Pleiades causeth rain and with the Eagle in Winter snow or cold rain and so likewise ☿ ascending the Horizon with these fired Stars causeth very great alteration of the Air as rising with Orion the Hyades Regulus the great and little Dog the Herp Spica ♠c. All these in their ascentions with ☿ do produce hail snow rain and causeth the Air to be troubled and maketh many alterations and often times produceth thunder and lightning and violent tempests the ☽ with the fixed Stars doth often cause mutations of the Air but those are soon over her motion being so very swift And here note that in all signs of stormy weather the predictions given are most prevalent and do last the longer if they happen at the time of any Eclipse or the ☌ of the two luminaries Prognostications of the winds collected from the observations of Pliny and Maginus THe word Wind is derived from the instability of it and signifies to turn as for their natures and temperatures in general they are hot and dry exhalations got together in multitudes yet do retain part of the qualities from whence they are extracted as from earth cold and dry from water cold and moist vapours some of these are called Anniversary winds as blowing at some certain time or season of the year others are called Provincial winds so termed as from particular Provincies no wind being general in all places by Sea and Land and some caused by great and high mountains in these Countrys others derived from Lakes Rivers Seas c. and denominated often from thence as the Levant or Subsolanus called also the East-wind how they have been anciently divided and nominated See Pliny lib. 2. cap. 47. of his natural History There may be as many winds as there be supposed divisions in the Horizon which the Sea-men to avoid confusion do divide into 32. points represented by the Compass distinguishing those points and parts of the Horizontal circle by several and peculiar names and so also the winds answering to those points whereof in this I will use but eight being sufficient for prognostication and the chiefest that are observed And first the four principal or cardinal points are these North South East West dividing the Horizon into four quadrants or 90. degrees asunder and those equally divided by four points more all the eight being 45. degrees from one another and are these North east and North-west South-east and South-west As for the temperatures of these particular winds they are so uncertain in every Country that I will write nothing of them more but refer you to the second part of this Book for in these Countrys the North-wind is cold and dry the South-winds warm and moist making our bodies generally dull and causeth moist weather and pains in the head whereas in the Southern parts of America and the East-Indies the effects of these winds are quite contrary participating of that nature from whence those exhalations were extracted But the signs presaged by the Stars and derived from the observations of learned men are these following 1. Orions girdle rising Acronycally presageth South-west winds and ofttimes great tempests both by Sea and Land 2. Aselli and Praesepe as Pliny sayes lib. 18. cap. 35. that if in a fair and clear night the Manger be not visible expect some storms or winterly weather 3. If the Northern Ass be observed with any
greatest power in altering the Airs temperature viz. ☌ hath the most force and the effects of longest continuance the next is ☠and then the â–¡ the â–³ and âš¹ much weaker and seldome observed in prognostication of the weather except in ♄ and ♃ or when the others are stationary or else ♀ ☿ ☽ any one of these parting with ♃ to joyn with ♄ or ♂ portends a turbulent air and stormy weather neer at hand also in ☠or ill aspected will effect the same or worse Prognostications of the weather by the mutual Conjunctions and Aspects of the Planets according to Maginus Argoll c. Saturn conjoyned or aspected with Jupiter SAturn and ♃ in ☌ âš¹ â–¡ â–³ or ☠are according to the nature of the 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 interpose 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 conjoyned or aspected with Mars SAturn and ♂ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do produce these effects for some days both before and after especially if ♂ be in his slow motion and properly hail in his â–¡ or ☠rain with lightning and tempests in moist 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 sometimes snow Saturn conjoyned or aspected with the Sun SAturn and ☉ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do cause generally rain hail and cold weather both before and after especially in watry Signs or in â™ 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 conjoyned or aspected with Venus SAturn and ♀ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠begetteth cold showres especially in watery Signs with sometimes hail but not much yet unconstant weather generally 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 conjoyned or aspected with Mercury SAturn and ☿ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do generally produce cold winds in moist 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 conjoyned or aspected with the Moon SAturn and ☽ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠in moist Signs do cause cold and cloudy weather in aiery Signs and in â™ 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 frosts or dark and obscure clouds yet sometimes pleasant quiet and gentle showres but with some cold and withal she does much at these times increase the Tides 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 venemently cold weather especially if either of them be aspected with ☿ Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with Mars JVpiter and ♂ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do properly foreshew thunder lightning flashes of fire and rain in moist 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 whirlewinds in Sommer thunder tempests and combust heat in Winter remisse cold and a temperate Air. Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with the Sun JVpiter and ☉ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do generally produce wholesome winds or gales fair clear warm and temperate weather especially in aiery Signs in watery or moist Signs it begetteth fertile showres in fiery 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 lightning and in Winter remisse cold and a temperate Air. Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with Venus JVpiter and ♀ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do beget a wonderful pleasing tranquile calm and temperate 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 weather in any quarter of the year according to the season Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with Mercury JVpiter and ☿ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do generally generate winds and often great tempests without rain in fiery 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 Jupiter in conjunction or aspected with the Moon JVpiter and ☽ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠doth generally groduce serene weather propitious and favourable winds in ♄ and â™ white clouds spreadeth over the Skyes but in all quarters of the year it affordeth usually fair and temperate weather and very calm Mars in conjunction or aspected with the Sun MArs and ☉ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠do usually cause thunder lightning rain hail with vehemency and hurt especially in Sommer in fiery Signs it begetteth heat and drought in airy Signs a dark Sky and spissious clouds and many diseases it produces especially in the Spring 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 in conjunction or aspected with Venus MArs and ♀ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠in watery 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 in conjunction or aspected with Mercury MArs and ☿ in ☌ â–¡ or ☠in fiery 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 lightning and hail and often violent storms Mars in conjunction or aspected with the Moon MArs and ☽ in ☌ â–¡ or â˜
menacing the subversion of the whole Island all which quickly after came to pass by their own intestine wars and the invasion made by 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 astonishment of the people 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 presum'd to conquer under the disguise of Religion when it was to enlarge their Dominions by enthralling us An Embleme of humane greatness and how imbecile it is a story paralleld by Xerues both in their pride and successe Of these portentions apparitions and direful forewarnings of God's just wrath against the finful World there be many fearful examples over-long to be rehearsed in this Treatise so that all of this kind I will here forbear and conclude with those immediately following the death of Julius 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 presently after followed For seven nights after his death there was heard hideous howling of Dogs and Wolves neer their great Towns fatal Birds screaking in their Cities Beasts did speak the Images in their Temples did sweat Mount Aetna 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 following and of Cesar's slaughter thus writeth Ovid. Metam Lib. 15. Arma ferunt inter nigras crepitantia nubes Terribilesque tubas auditaque cornua coelo Praemonuisse nefas Solis quoque trist is imago Lurida solicitis praebebat lumina terris Of this writeth Virgil. Geor. Lib. 1. and also Tibullus lib. 2. Ele. 5. Of Parelii Lunary Rain-bows and some stupendious Eclipses of the Luminaries also light nights and dark days 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 about this time also many false Prophets did arise 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 easily distinguished from the day but what followed he relates not But this happned about the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour who was the light of the World and did disperse the clouds of errour and idolatry which had a long time infatuated 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 ☽ in the South and the Rain-bow in the North part of the hemisphere 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 't was 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 did appear a 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 darkness having lost their ways mistook their Inns and so fell into their graves shortning their voyages to their journeys end And Sleidanus records the like of this in Germany in the year of Christ 1547 in the moneth of April when the Sun was obscured to their Horizon for