For they are not of nature like the heauens and planets which haue continuall motions and yet weare not away And therfore as God hath appointed the day for his creatures to trauell in so hath he ordained the night for them to rest in And as waking is proper to trauell so is sleeping peculiar to rest In which sleepe being requisite and sleepe requiring humiditie and freshnes the better to dispose and induce liuing creatures to sleepe the night is much fitter therefore and for rest bicause of the moist and colde nature thereof then is the day which participateth most with heate and drines And bicause all repose is in the night it is also more quiet then the day neither is there so much noise which may hinder sleepe and rest Wherein we haue yet another commoditie of the distinction and exchange of daies and nights whereto we may likewise adde that which Dauid declareth when he saith Psal 104. Hee appointed the moone to distinguish the seasons the sunne knoweth his going downe Thou makest darknes and it is night wherein all the beasts of the forrest creepe foorth The lions roare after their praie and seeke their meate at God When the sunne riseth they retire and couch in their dens Then goeth man forth to his worke and to his labour vntill euening Behold heere goodly considerations how God hath prouided for the preseruation of the life of his creatures by meanes of day and night For because that the wilde beasts which liue by praie are dangerous and cruell he so guideth and gouerneth them by his prouidence that he keepeth them quiet and shut vp all day in their caues and dens in such sort that they seldome come foorth but in the night to seeke their praie euen then when men and domesticall beasts retire themselues and rest out of their dangers Thus haue we verie many commodities by the day and the night And more should be found out by a carefull search For all that which we haue hitherto declared is so euident before the eies of euery one that the most rude and simple amongst men must needs consider and vnderstand it But I thinke it most conuenient that continuing the principall subiect of our discourses we shoulde speake of the excellent instructions which do likewise present themselues in the consideration of the second course and motion of the sunne and moone for the distinction of yeeres moneths and seasons whereof we haue heretofore made mention Then to you AMANA I commit this discourse Of the second course and motion of the Sunne and Moone for the distinction of yeeres moneths and seasons and of the prouidence of God in these things Chap. 34. AMANA THe Sunne as we haue heeretofore heard hath two sundrie courses the one by which he bringeth vnto vs night and day and the other by which he distinguisheth vnto vs yeeres and seasons Now euerie one seeth that the sunne passeth and runneth through the heauens it seemeth to many that the heauen stirreth not though in truth it be otherwise For it is the heauen which turneth and taketh and carieth away the sunne with it so causing him to performe his course So likewise euery one knoweth that the daies nights yeeres and times are diuided and measured by the course of the Sunne but the ignorant and common people vnderstand not how this commeth to passe neither doe they consider of it For these causes then there bee many who cannot so-well acknowledge the excellencie magnificence and diuine glorie which shineth in the heauens as they doe who haue beene conuersant in the studie of Astronomie and Astrologie considering that the celestiall light continually lightneth their vnderstanding And without this guide all science little auaileth for the true knowledge of God It is then from Astronomers that wee learne Of the two courses which the sunne hath how that besides the course which the sunne moone do ordinarily make within the space of fower and twenty howers which is commonly called a naturall day as likewise all the other planets and starres make their course by violence of the course of the highest heauen who comprising all the spheres within the concauitie thereof carrieth them away with him and causeth them to performe the same course which he pursueth like to a great wheele that should draw about other lesser ones that were conioined with it Besides I say this common course of all the heauenly bodies the sunne the moone and the other planets haue another course proper peculiar to euery of their spheres which God hath assigned them according to which the sunne performeth his in 365. daies and sixe howers and certaine minutes as long obseruation and daily experience hath taught those who haue diligently applied themselues to the contemplation of the heauens who likewise haue knowledge of the proper course of the moone and euery one of the starres as hath beene alreadie related in our precedent speeches Of the effects of the second course of the sunne and moone Now as by the first course and motion of the sunne we haue a distinction of the daies and nights so likewise by the second course thereof is giuen vnto vs the difference of their length and shortnes and the distinction of the yeeres and diuers seasons For we take the succession of the yeeres from this second course of the sunne as from the moone we haue the distinction of the moneths according to which she encreaseth decreaseth as we ordinarily behold by reason of the diuers opposition of the sunne from whom she receiueth her light in such quantitie as is sufficient for her to shine vpon the earth Eccles 43. So Ecclesiasticus saith That the Lord hath made the moone to appeere according to her seasons which shoulde be a declaration of the time and for a perpetuall signe that the feasts are appointed according to her her light diminishing to the last end and the moneths take their name of her and that she groweth woonderously in her changing Likewise each one knoweth that the moone declareth the times fit to sowe plant loppe in to do other such like businesses whereof one must iudge according to the state and disposition of her So then these two great lights the Sunne and Moone are most notable before all the world forsomuch as euerie one may see with his eies if he be not altogither depriued of vnderstanding the excellent works which God performeth in them and by them Psal 147 And therefore also the holy scripture doth propose them vnto vs more often and more especially to induce vs to consider of the maiestie of God in his works then any other of the celestiall bodies which are infinite in number Which for this cause none can know particularly nor yet number them nor name them saue God alone as his word teacheth vs by his prophet saying He counteth the number of the starres and calleth them all by their names Whereupon we may affirme that all
the true east and west according as the true place of the sunne declineth more or lesse from the Equinoctiall The arcke then of the Horizon which is betweene the true east and the center of the bodie of the sunne when it is come to the easterne part of the Horizon is called the orientall latitude of the sunne and that which is comprised betweene the direct west and that same center when it is in the west part of the Horizon is called the occidentall latitude of the sunne As also the latitude of the starres is taken from the Zodiacke towards the one or other pole thereof For all stars both fixed and wandring hold their longitude and latitude of the Zodiacke as of the Equinoctiall their declinations ascensions and descensions So that the latitude of the sunne both orientall and occidentall is necessarily northerly one halfe of the yeere and the other halfe it is southerly And likewise the orientall latitude is equall to the occidentall in one day And bicause the variation of each latitude proceedeth of the diuersitie of the sunnes declinations they are therefore such on the septentrionall part as on the meridionall Consequently you must note that in the right sphere the foresaid orientall or occidentall latitude is such without difference as is the declination of the sunne bicause the right Horizon passeth by the poles of the world and sheweth both the one and other But in the oblique sphere those latitudes are greater then the declinations of the sunne and so much the greater and more different as the pole of the world is eleuated aboue the oblique Horizon and the place of the sunne declineth from the Equinoctiall So that the greatest are those of the solstists which doe most decline from the Equinoctiall and besides these there are fower points in the Zodiacke which haue equall latitude both orientall and occidentall that is two on the north side and two on the south side But thus much may suffice concerning this matter for our purpose And that we may not swerue from the substance of our former discourse it will be good for vs to intreate of the daies both naturall and artificiall which are caused by the prime and regular motion of the whole sphere with the nights likewise as you ARAM can manifest vnto vs. Of the naturall and artificiall daies and of the nights of their diuersitie and cause Chap. 23. ARAM. AMongst the most excellent and note-woorthie things which depend vpon the first and vniuersal motion of the whole heauen and vpon that which hath been expounded in our forepassed talke there appeereth next to be handled the vnderstanding of the greatnes and quantitie of the daies and the partes of them called howers as also of the heights of the sunne aboue the Horizon and of the shadowes as well right as oblique Beginning then with the daies you must note that some are called naturall some artificiall daies which with vs are named properly daies though indeede they be but parts of naturall daies and so of nights Of naturall daies Now the naturall day is nothing but the time of the entire reuolution of the bodie of the sunne about the world made by the naturall and proper motion of the vniuersall sphere which reuolution must alwaies begin at the Meridian circle and comprehend the time which is from one noone till the next ensuing But bicause the sunne this while goeth contrarie in his owne peculiar course the point of the Equinoctiall which is vnder the Meridian with the sunne performeth his reuolution sooner then the sunne it selfe Wherefore you must adde to the entire reuolution of the Equinoctiall the ascension being taken in the right sphere from the part of the Zodiacke which the sunne hath passed that while to haue the entire reuolution of the sunne and the true measure of the naturall day For all accidents of ascensions which happen in the right Horizon are common to euery Meridian circle in the right or oblique sphere whereupon ensueth that the true naturall daies are vnequall one to another both bicause of the proper motions of the sunne as also bicause of the said ascensions taken in the right sphere For the sunne by reason of the obliquenes of the Zodiacke declining on either side from the Equinoctiall which onely is the measure of time is irregular in his owne proper motion and performeth not euery naturall day a degree precisely but sometimes a little more sometimes a little lesse And though it should make a degree iust yet would not the ascension in the right sphere be equall For these causes then the true naturall daies are vnequall But this inequalitie is scarcely to be perceiued by vulgar iudgement and sensible obseruation Moreouer it is to be vnderstood that forasmuch as the motions of the planets and the middle coniunctions and oppositions of the sunne moone cannot bee reduced into tables nor calculated but by equall daies and euen reuolutions of times there must be assumed for this cause certaine naturall daies one like alwaies to another which are called middle or meane daies containing each the entire reuolution of 360. degrees of the Equinoctiall and aboue that 59. minutes and almost eight seconds of a degree Which make vp the quantitie of the regular and middle motion of the sunne correspondent to one of the said euen and meane naturall daies according to which daies the tables of the foresaid motions are composed and calculated And by this meanes the proposed terme of an entire yeere is reduced into true natural daies which of Astronomers is called the Equation of the daies Of artificiall daies and nights For the artificiall day thereby is vnderstood that part of the naturall day which the sunne maketh passing from the east by south to the west through the proper and vniuersall motion of the whole world During which time the sunne illuminateth the superior part of the Horizon for which occasion the said part of the naturall day is properly termed day And that which remaineth thereof being comprised betweene the west to the east passage of the sunne is named night during which time the shadow of the earth is aboue the said Horizon in forme of a round Pyramis which doth then depriue that superior part of the light and shining of the sunne whereby the darknes is caused which is called night And also the two twylights that is Of the twylights the cleerenesse which we see before sunne rising and after sunne setting are parts of the night For the true artificiall day beginneth when the sunne is in the east part of the Horizon and endeth when he passeth to the west And these daies and nights are called artificiall bicause that according to the diuers and artificiall situation of the sphere and according to the true place of the sunne in the zodiacke they doe differ in quantitie one from another To vnderstande which varietie you must knowe Of the diuersitie of the daies and nights that in all
artificiall daies of what length soeuer they bee there rise aboue the Horizon sixe signes of the zodiacke beginning at the true place of the sunne and the other sixe signes which begin at the opposite point do rise in the night time bicause that the zodiack and Horizon are great circles of the sphere which do alwaies diuide one another equally And according as with the sixe eleuated signes by day or night any part or quantitie of the Equinoctiall doth arise aboue the Horizon either more or lesse by so much the artificiall daies and nights are of shorter or longer continuance so that the ascension of the eleuated signes by day is the true measure of the artificiall day and the ascension of the other eleuated signes by night is the measure thereof Because then that in the right sphere togither with the moitie or one halfe of the zodiack wheresoeuer it begin the moity of the equinoctial doth precisely rise aboue the Horizon for this cause therefore the artificiall daies are equall to the nights in the said right sphere So that all the reuolutions of naturall daies comprised betweene the two Tropickes are diuided by the right Horizon into two iust halfes and at right angles like the Equinoctiall But in the oblique sphere the daies are neuer equall to the nights but twise a yeere that is when the sunne is in the first point of the signe of Aries and of Libra which points are for this reason called the two Equinoctiall points For in the oblique sphere there are but the two halfes of the Zodiacke comprised betwixt the saide Equinoctial points which may haue equal ascensions because that the two Colures do neuer agree with the Horizon which cannot diuide the zodiacke and Equinoctiall also into two equall parts togither except in the same Equinoctiall points Whereof the one is neuer with the Horizon without the other because the said greater circles are in them diuided into two exact halfes But out of these Equinoctiall points while the sunne is in that halfe of the zodiacke that declineth from the Equinoctiall towards the Pole which is eleuated aboue the Horizon that is from the vernall-Equinoctiall-point by the Sommer-Solstist to the Autumne-Equinoctiall-point the artificiall daies are longer then the nights And during the time that the sunne is in the other part of the said zodiacke which declineth towards the opposite Pole which is depressed vnder the said Horizon the nights are longer then the daies which inequalitie is so much the more by how much the sunne is neerer to the Solstists and the sphere is more obliquely placed in respect of the Horizon So that the artificiall daies encrease from the winter-Solstist by the Vernall-equinoctial-point to the sommer Solstist do decrease from the same by the Autumne-Equinoctial-point to the winter-Solstist I do not heere particularize the diuersitie of daies which commeth to passe all the yeere long from degree to degree being a thing little necessary for the substance of our discourse and which they may easily learne that will studie vpon the Astronomicall sphere But that we may finish this day without going from our sphericall matter let vs speake somewhat concerning the howers of the day and heights of the sunne and of his shadowes the declaration whereof I commit ACHITOB to you Of equall and vnequall temporall and artificiall howers of the heights of the sunne aboue the Horizon and of his right and reuerse shadowes Chapter 24. ACHITOB. HAuing entreated of naturall and artificiall daies it now resteth that we say somewhat concerning the parts of them which are called howers Euen as then there are two principall and great circles in the sphere the zodiacke and the Equinoctiall so likewise are there two maner of howers one sort are equall and naturall taken from the Equinoctiall the other vnequall temporall or artificiall deriued from the zodiacke Of equall howres Equall howers are spaces of time measured by the ascension or reuolution of one halfe signe that is of 15. degrees of the Equinoctiall For time must be diuided according to this circle which is the measure thereof And though the Equinoctiall be first diuided as euerie other circle into twelue equall parts called signes and each of those into thirtie degrees like the zodiacke yet neuertheles because that each signe demaundeth more time to be eleuated aboue the Horizon then the facilitie of distinction and supputation of time requireth therefore is euerie signe diuided into two equall parts And so in the whole reuolution of the Equinoctiall are 24. halfe signes of 15. degrees a peece which make the distinctions and measures of 24. howers diuided by the hower-circles whereof we haue heretofore spoken Which howers we call equall as wel by reason of the equalitie of the 24. halfe signes as also because that one requireth no more time to be eleuated aboue the Horizon then the other And for that the Equinoctiall is the measure of the regular and naturall motion of the whole world and that euerie signe is measured naturally and commonly by the said equall howers they are therefore called naturall and common howers We must know then that the sunne maketh his entire reuolution about the earth betweene one noone and the next following according to the naturall daies in 24. howers and one fifteenth part of an hower because the same reuolution comprehendeth the whole Equinoctiall which is the measure of 24. howers and 59. minutes and 8. seconds besides which are almost one degree which is the fifteenth part of the measure of one equall hower Concerning vnequall howers Of vnequal howers they are referred to the zodiacke being in number 24. that is twelue of the artificiall day and twelue of night And the day-howers begin at sunne-rising and those of night at sunne-set And they be all vnequall one to another whereby they haue their name Which that we may well vnderstand we must note that in all artificiall daies and nights of what quantitie soeuer they be there riseth aboue the Horizon one halfe of the zodiacke comprehending sixe signes which begin in day at that degree where the sun is and at night in that degree which is diametrally opposite And thus there are eleuated by day twelue halfe signes as many by night And as one halfe signe of the Equinoctiall maketh the space of an euen hower so one halfe signe of the zodiacke maketh the space of an vnequall hower Whereby appeereth that in each day and night there are twelue vnequall howers in the day and twelue in the night And that these howers must be vnequall one to another it appeereth in this because that the zodiacke by reason of the obliquenes thereof cannot be the measure of time but the Equinoctiall onely Wherefore it is necessarie that the time of the saide howers should be measured by the arcks of the Equinoctiall coascending aboue the Horizon togither with euerie halfe signe of the zodiack contayning fifteene degrees And for that the arcks of the zodiacke which are
chap. 15 Page 74 Of diuels and euill spirits chap. 16 The third daies worke Page 80 OF the celestiall or sphericall world chap. 17 Page 86 Of the forme and figure of heauen and of the motion thereof as well generall as particular chap. 18 Page 91 Of the circles ingenerall and particularly of the Equinoctiall and Zodiake and of their signes chap. 19 Page 95 Of the two great circles named Colures and of the fower lesse circles and parallels and of the fiue Zones of the world and immooueable circles chap. 20 Page 101 Of the hower-circles and what is done by them in sunne-dials and of the circles which diuide the 12. houses of heauen chap. 21 Page 106 Of the ascensions and descensions of the stars and of the signes and other arkes of the Zodiake and of the orientall and occidentall latitude of the sun or degrees of the zodiacke chap. 22 Page 109 Of the naturall and artificiall daies and of the nights of their diuersitie and cause chap. 23 Page 112 Of equall and vnequall temporall and artificiall howers of the heights of the sunne aboue the Horizon and of his right and reuerse shadowes chap. 24 The fourth daies worke Page 117 OF the substance and nature of heauen and of the celestiall bodies of their continuance change cha 25 Page 121 Of motions ingenerall of their first cause and of their vnion in all nature chap. 26 Page 125 Of the life reason and vnderstanding of the celestiall bodies and of the excellent politicall and militarie order which is amongst them chap. 27 Page 130 Of the influence and effects of the planets and starres in things here below either to good or euill chap. 28 Page 135 Of the truth which is found in prognostications of Astrologers and how the starres are appointed by God for signes and that from their influences no euill proceedeth chap. 29 Page 140 Of the planet Saturne and how it is not euill nor anie other starre chap. 30 Page 144 Of the planets ingenerall and how they worke in man not in constraining but disposing chap. 31 Page 148 Of the true Astronomie which the heauens doe teach vs and especially the sunne in his admirable effects chap. 32 The fift daies worke Page 152 OF the rising and setting of the sunne and of the prouidence of God which shineth in the commodities of daie and night chap. 33 Page 157 Of the second course and motion of the sunne and moone for the distinction of yeeres moneths and seasons and of the prouidence of God in these things chap. 34 Page 161 Of the image of God and of his light which is proposed vnto vs in the sunne with the felicitie of mans life in changing of light and darkenes chap. 35 Page 166 Of the eclipses of the sunne and moone and of the image which we haue therein of the constancie which is in God and of the inconstancie of men and of humane things chap. 36 Page 171 Of the beginning of naturall and corruptible things chap. 37 Page 176 Of the elements and of things to be considered in them in that they are distinguished by the number of fower chap. 38 Page 180 Of the opinion of those who admit but three elements not acknowledging the elementarie fire chap. 39 Page 185 Of the perfect compositions which are in the nature of all things by which the fower elements may be considered chap 40 The sixt daies worke Page 189 OF the agreement betwixt the elements and planets chapter 41 Page 195 Of the fire and of the aire and of the things engendred in them and of their motions and of the windes cha 42 Page 199 Of thunder and lightning chap. 43 Page 203 Of the true Meteors of Christians and of the supernaturall causes of thunder and lightning chap. 44 Page 208 Of snowes mists frosts frosts yce and haile chap. 45 Page 212 Of comets chap. 46 Page 216 Of cloudes and vapours chap. 47 Page 221 Of the waters sustayned and hanged in the aire and of the rainebow chap. 48 The seuenth daies worke Page 226 OF dewes and raine chap. 49 Page 230 Of the fertilitie caused by dewes and raine and of the prouidence of God therein chap. 50 Page 234 Of the windes and of their kindes and names and of the testimonies which we haue in them of the power and maiestie of God chapter 51 Page 239 Of the fowles of the aire and namely of the Manucodiata of the Eagle of the Phenix and of other wilde fowle chap. 52 Page 243 Of singing birdes and chiefly of the Nightingale and of sundrie others and of their wit and industrie chap. 53 Page 247 Of the Estridge of the Peacocke of the Cocke and of other fowles chap. 54 Page 251 Of the earth and of the situation immobilitie figure and qualitie thereof chap. 55 Page 255 Of earth-quakes chap. 56 The eight daies worke Page 261 OF the sea and of the waters and of the diuision and distribution of them throughout the earth chap. 57 Page 265 Of the flowing and ebbing of the sea and of the power that the moone hath ouer it and ouer all other inferior bodies chap. 58 Page 269 Of salt fresh and warme waters and of other diuersities in them chapter 59 Page 274 Of the commodities which men reape of the waters by Nauigation and of the directions which sea-men doe receiue from heauen and from the starres vpon the sea chap. 60 Page 278 Of the diuision of lands and countries amongst men by the waters and of the limits which are appointed them for the bounds of their habitation chap. 61 Page 283 Of the commodities which are incident to men and to all creatures by the course of the waters thorough the earth chap. 62 Page 287 Of diuers kindes of fishes namely of the whale of the dolphin of the sea-calfe and others chap. 63 Page 291 Of the image that we haue of the state of this world and of men in the sea and in the fishes thereof chap. 64 The ninth daies worke Page 295 OF fruits and of the fertilitie of the earth and the causes thereof and of herbes trees and plants chap. 65 Page 299 Of the vertue that herbes and other fruits of the earth haue in phisick and in food and of the true vse of them chap. 66 Page 304 Of the diuersitie of plants and of their difference and naturall growth and of their parts of the most excellent amongst them chapter 67 Page 308 Of trees and especiallie of the pine the fir-tree the cypress tree and the cedar chap. 68 Page 313 Of trees bearing cinnamom cassia franckincense mirrh and cloues chap. 69 Page 318 Of trees and plants that beare nutmegs ginger and pepper chapter 70 Page 321 Of the date-tree of the Baratha or tree of India of the Gehuph and of brasill chap. 71 Page 326 Of the citron-tree limon-tree orange-tree oliue-tree and pomegranate-tree chap. 72 The tenth daies worke Page 331 OF mallowes wilde-mallowes purple-violets betonie ceterach and Saint Iohns-wort
which we began to say concerning the principall differences of the circular motion of the heauens Wherefore the first and vniuersall motion of all the spherick world is that which we see is made round about the earth Of the first and vniuersall motion of heauen from the east by south towards the west alwaies with one and the same orderly celeritie and swiftnes and without any ceasing which performeth his course in a naturall day which is diuided into fower and twenty equall howers as is plainly shewed vnto vs by the ordinarie course of the sunne So that the whole heauen and each of those celestiall spheres doe followe the saide daily motion though it be not proper to them but accidentall in that they are the parts of the vniuersal world For as we shal presently see euery sphere hath an other proper and particular motion But this same whereof we speake doth in such sort by accident agree with all the parts of the world that the most thinne and subtile elements especially fire and the superior region of the aire are in like sort caried away therewith So likewise doth the sea though it enuironeth not the earth round about in some sort follow this motion by ebbing and flowing euery naturall day not performing an entire reuolution Wherefore nothing but the earth remaineth vnmooueable bicause of the waight and insensible quantitie of it in respect of the whole world as being the center thereof The stablenesse whereof is very necessarie that so both the vniuersall and each particular motion may be discerned for otherwise there should be a confusion in stead of harmonie And for this cause many haue supposed that this whole Vniuers generally considered is the first very true moouer of the vniuersall motion and not any heauen or particular orb Now for the second kinde of circular motions Of the second kinde of circular motions it is that which is proper to euery of the eight spheres and celestiall orbs which are the parts of the whole heauen from the firmament to the sphere of the moone For each of these spheres as is euidently perceiued by the starres enchased therein which can haue no motion but according to their heauen performeth his owne naturall and peculiar motion contrarie to the first and vpon other poles and axes to wit from the west by south towards the east And the entire reuolutions of those spheres are done and finished in diuers spaces of time to wit of the greater superior more late of the lesse and inferior being next to the elements more soone For the heauen of fixed stars according to the most likely opinion and apparent obseruation of Astronomers performeth his owne reuolution in thirtie sixe thousand common yeeres without bissext whereof each containeth 365. naturall daies Saturne the highest planet in thirtie yeeres Iupiter which hath his circle much lower in twelue Mars in two the Sunne in 365. naturall daies almost one fourth part of a day which make vp the time and space of a yeere For one shall alwaies finde that number of daies being runne out the shadow of the sunne to be such as if you marke it was the yeere before at the very same instant yea to the difference scarce of a minute Of the bissextile day or leap yeere Whereby it commeth that from fowre yeere to foure yeere is reckoned a bissextile day which serueth to make the yeere answerable to the course of the sunne The reuolution of whom Venus and Mercurie do neere approch vnto and for the Moone she maketh hirs in seuen and twentie naturall daies and almost one third part of a day so that in so small time shee maketh as much way in regard of vs as Saturne doth in thirtie yeeres because he is the farthest from and shee the neerest to the earth which causeth her course to be shorter then any other planet Of distances betweene the spheres And this is the consideration which hath giuen occasion to many to cast the distances and spaces which are betweene the spheres saying that there is nineteene times so much distance betweene the Sunne and Moone as is between the Moone and the earth so of the rest Pythagoras himselfe Plinie in his naturall history lib. 2. a man very ingenious counted by his calculation as Plinie relateth that there were 125000. stades or furlongs betweene the earth and the circle of the Moone and that from the Moone to the Sunne there were the double of them and betweene the sunne and signes of the Zodiacke the triple Now a stade or furlong was measured by the ancients to consist of one hundred fiue and twentie common paces or else of seuen hundreth and fiftie feete But so certainly to determine of the dimensions and distances betweene the spheres shoulde me thinketh be too great an enterprise for the capacitie of our spirits Yet may the curious by some infallible reason of Geometrie or rather by imagined coniectures resolue vpon it And to conclude our discourse concerning the motions of heauen we see that though by the rapiditie violence of the continuall motion of the first moouer all the spheres are caried away with it in the space of fower and twentie howers from east by south towards the west returning by north or midnight towards the east A good cause oâ— the motions of the spheres yet neuerthelesse euery one of them hath his proper and particular motion cleane contrarie to the vniuersall that is from the west towards the east Which is chiefly done because that by the reuerberation of these contrarie motions the aire may bee parted and dispersed which otherwise would heape and gather togither and become immooueable and heauie because of the continuall reuolution of the worlde turning alwaies one way And besides these principall differences of the circular motion of the heauens all the planets haue other motions of farther consideration which are called circuits of the great reuolution and which doe concurre in the great yeere which is taken for the time when all the planets shall fully finish their courses togither But we haue said enough concerning this matter considering the entent of our discourse wherefore we wil prosecute as briefly as we may the other particularities seruing for the knowledge of the spheres euen so much as we shall hold needfull for our present historie of heauen and earth Then you shall discourse to vs ARAM of those circles which shew themselues in the sphere and of the diuersitie and disposition of them Of the circles in generall and particularly of the Equinoctiall and Zodiack and of their signes Chapter 19. ARAM. IN the sphere of the world are two kinds of circles demonstrated whereof some are named greater Of the greater and smaller circles of the sphere and some lesser circles They which haue one selfesame and common center with the whole heauen are called greater circles and are one equall to another and do diuide the globe into two
equall parts But such circles as haue their centers out of that of the sphere are called lesser circles of which those onely that haue their middle points alike distant from that of the whole heauen are equall one to another being by so much the smaller by how much their center is farther from the center of the whole And therefore they which haue their centers vnequally distant from that of the heauen are vnequall and that is greater then the rest whose middle point is neerest to that of the sphere and consequently the one is by so much the more vnequall to the other by how much the center of the one is farther distant from the center of the other And it is to be noted that all circular motion of any heauen and planet whatsoeuer must be considered and measured by meanes of a greater circle to wit that which is directly placed betweene the poles of the same motion and is equally distant from the same because it is a circle of the greatest circuite and swiftnesse that may be designed by the same motion Some circles are mooueable and some are immooueable But wee must vnderstand that among all the circles there is one part mooueable that is incessantly turning therewith and the other fixt and immooueable seruing for to discerne the better the accidents and effects of the sphericall motions and moouing circles First then to entreate of the mooueable circles as likewise to prosecute that which wee haue heard in our precedent discourse that there be two principall motions of heauen whereof one is of the vniuersall world making his reuolution from the east towards the west and the other contrarie from west to east as is proper to the planets we must imagine in the sphere of the world two principall circles to wit the Equinoctiall or Equator seruing for the first of those motions and the Zodiack or Ecliptick for the second The Equinoctiall then is a great circle Of the equinoctiall circle diuiding the totall sphere into two equall parts being placed directly betweene the two poles of the world and equally distant in all parts from them By the which circle is measured and considered the prime and vniuersall motion of the whole world and consequently the time which is nothing else but the measure of the succeeding of the same motion which is alwaies of one selfesame course and quicknes and whereof the said circle is called the Equator Vnder which the sunne directly comming which is twise euery yeere the daies are of equall length with the nights throughout the whole world for which cause likewise the same circle is called the Equinoctiall that is the circle of equall nights And the poles thereof are those of the whole world about which the vniuersall and regular motion is made whereof that which is in the north parts is called by the same name Of the poles of the world either the pole Artick north-pole or septentrionall which is alwaies seene where we inhabite and about which there is a certaine figure of seuen fixed stars turning circularly which is called the great Beare or most coÌ„monly the Waine And the other pole opposite to this is named the pole Antartick south-pole or Meridionall being towards the south is alwaies hid from vs. For the second great and principall circle among those which are mooueable Of the zodiack it is nominated the Zodiack or Eclipticke or else the oblique circle and it is that wherein the twelue signes are placed of diuers names and figures being indeed obliquely placed in respect of the Equinoctiall and poles of the world so that one halfe thereof extendeth towarde the north or pole artick and the other moitie declineth toward the south and pole antarticke And this circle is the very path way of the sunne and rest of the planets all which keepe their peculiar motion in the Zodiack to the end to distribute their influence and vertue vpon the earth for the life and production of all things Now the Zodiack both diuide in the midst the Equinoctiall and is thereby diuided also into two equall halfes Of the equinoctiall pâ—inâ— and solstists And the points of these intersections are called Equinoctiall points because the sunne being in them they daies are vniuersally equall to the nights as also the points of the foresaide Zodiack which are meanes betweene the said Equinoctiall points are named Sunsteads or Tropicks that is to say stations or reuersions of the sunne bicause that it arriuing about those points the meridian altitudes and artificiall daies do long remaine in one estate without any notable variation as also for that comming to the said Sunsteads it returneth towards the Equinoctiall And thus the two Equinoctiall points and the two Sunsteads diuide the Zodiack into fowre parts answerable to the fowre seasons of the yeere which are the Spring Sommer Autumne Of the foure seasons of the yeere and Winter Of which the Spring time beginneth at that Equinoctiall point from which the sunne by his proper motion commeth and enclineth towards the highest point called Verticall Sommer beginneth at the Sunstead next following Autumne at the other Equinoctiall and Winter at the second sunstead so that the said Equinoctiall points are called by the names of the foresaid seasons And because that euery naturall action hath beginning middle and end Diuision of the zodiack into twelue parts called signes therefore each of these said quarters of the Zodiack is diuided into three equall parts and so the whole Zodiack into twelue which parts are named signes because they signifie and designe the most notable and apparant mutations of things heere belowe being chiefly caused by the yeerely course of the Sunne along the Zodiack Euery of the said seasons of the yeere is likewise diuided into three parts and the whole yeere into twelue called moneths that is to say measures of the time wherein the sun passeth the said twelue signes And as the twelue moneths haue beene diuided some into thirty and others into thirtie one naturall daies euen so is euery signe parted into thirtie degrees and the whole Zodiack into 360. Then euery degree into 60. prime minuts and euery prime minute into 60. seconds and so consequently into other subdiuisions so farre as one will Wherein is to be noted that this number of 60. must alwaies be obserued because it may be diuided into more equall parts then any other number vnder 100. Now forasmuch as the sunne according as it is remooued or approcheth neere the highest points called Vertical doth cast foorth his beames more directly 〈◊〉 obliquely vpon the earth for this cause also the heate and proper action of the starres and planets is more forcible or feeble in things here belowe and according as it findeth them prepared causeth diuers effects Which diuersitie is notoriously apparant from signe to signe And therefore the twelue signes of the Zodiack are called by certaine proper names extracted from the nature and
which passeth by the poles of the world and that point of heauen which is directly ouer our heads wheresoeuer we are and diuideth both the Equinoctiall and Horizon at right angles Of the Meridian circle separating also halfe the sphere being east from the halfe that is west The poles whereof are the intersections of the Horizon and of the Equinoctiall And bicause it diuideth the naturall day and the artificiall day wherof we must hereafter intreate into two euen parts it is called the Meridian or midday circle which is as much to say as the noone-tide circle For when soeuer the sunne is come from the east to this circle aboue the Horizon it is high noone when to the opposite point vnder the Horizon it is midnight All places then according as they are more orientall or more occidentall haue their proper Meridian and they which ly alike east or west haue one selfe Meridian though they be not alike distant from the Equinoctiall And you must vnderstand that euery Meridian is a right Horizon to some and euery right Horizon a Meridian Now do I next proceede to the other immooueable circles of the sphere without which no man can vnderstand the making and vse of many instruments especially of the Astrolobe which representeth the sphere reduced into a plaine forme Of these circles some are called verticall some parallels of heights then are there circles of howers those which distinguish the twelue houses of heauen Of verticall circles The verticall are certaine great circles which proceed from the vertical point whereof they are named aboue the Horizon which they diuide into 360. degrees and of the number of those si the Meridian But there is one especially called the verticall circle which in the right sphere is the Equinoctiall it selfe to wit that which diuideth the Meridian at right angles and the Horizon also in the same points where it is separated from the Equinoctiall which circle with the Meridian designeth the fower principall angles of the world that is the exact points of East West North and South diuiding both the Horizon and vpper hemisphere into fower parts one equall to another And the other verticall circles serue for to discerne in what quarter of the Horizon the stars rise and set or in what part of the superior hemisphere the same stars are eleuated aboue the Horizon and how much they are distant from the Meridian or from the foresaid principall verticall circle Of parallel circles Now for the parallels of heights they be circles being euery where alike distant one from another diuided from the Horizon from degree to degree towards the verticall-point whereof the greatest is next the Horizon and the least of all neerest to the said superior point Which parallels doe diuide euery quadrant of the foresaid verticall circles comprehended betweene the verticall point and the Horizon into 90. degrees and are also diuided by the same circles into 360. degrees Moreouer they determine or distinguish the heights of the starres which are aboue the Horizon as well in the east as in the south and west For by the height is to be considered of euery starre you must vnderstand the arch of the verticall circle which passeth by the center thereof comprised betwixt the Horizon and the parallell of the same passing also by the same center Whereupon ensueth that in all verticall circles which are equally distant from the Meridian the stars haue equal heights which commeth to passe in time equally distant or reckoned from noone-tide And the greatest altitude that any starre may haue is when it commeth vnder the Meridian circle at what howersoeuer it be Now must we looke vpon the hower circles and those which diuide the twelue houses of heauen whereof ASER I impose the taske on you to discourse Of the hower-circles and what is done by them in sunne-dials and of the circles which diuide the twelue houses of heauen Chap. 21. ASER. SIth that time is nothing else but the measure of the prime and regular motion of the whole world as we haue heretofore declared and that this motion is measured by the Equinoctiall as out of our precedent speech may be excerped thereupon it is consequent that the Equinoctiall is the measure of time and that the entire reuolution of the same circle comprehendeth the naturall day whereupon ensueth that the diuision of the one must needes be answerable to the parting of the other Diuision of the Equinoctiall Now the Equinoctiall is diuided into twelue signes and each signe into thirtie degrees as is the Zodiacke Therefore parting each signe into two halfes the whole Equinoctiall shal be diuided into 24. equal portions containing each 15. degrees which are the measures of 24. such howers of a naturall day You must therefore imagine by the hower-circles twelue greater circles therein comprising the Meridian which passe through the poles of the world and by the distinctions of the foresaid fower and twentie parts of the Equinoctiall so that each quarter thereof Of the hower circles comprehended betweene the Meridian and the Horizon is diuided by the said circles into six of the foresaid parts making togither the number of foure twenty howerly spaces whereof the saide circles receiue their name Amongst which that which diuideth the Meridian at right angles passeth by the intersections of the Equinoctiall and Horizon and maketh the distinction of sixe howers both before and after noone So that there is no greater circle which may bee deuided into fower and twentie equall parts by the hower-circles but onelie the Equinoctiall except it be conioined therewith Wherefore as well the oblique Horizon as the Verticall circle which cutteth the Meridian at right angles is diuided into fower twenty vnequall parts which are so much the more one differing from the other as the poles of the world are eleuated aboue or vnder fiue and fortie degrees and though these parts are vnequall yet the spaces of the howers are equall in the said circles because they proceed of the equall parts diuisions of the Equinoctiall yet so that the saide equall spaces aswell in the Horizon as in the Verticall circle which are equally distant from the Meridian are equall as well on the one side as on the other and are by so much greater the one then the other by how much they are farther distant from the same Meridian Wherefore those next to the intersections of the Horizon and the foresaid vpper circle are the greatest of all and in the same sort are the fowre quarters of the said circles diuided It is to be noted that euery right Horizon is ioined with the hower-circle of sixe howers without any diuision and the Verticall circle ioined with the Equinoctiall is diuided equally as it is But in the most oblique scituation of the sphere where one of the poles of the world is the superior point or Zenith the Horizon is right with the Equinoctiall and diuided like it by
the said howerly circles which are all of them then called Verticall circles Cause of the diuersitie of dials or quadrants Those dials therefore or quadrants which are made to take the height of the sunne are composed by diuers considerations for some depend vpon sections made by the foresaid hower-circles as those which are grauen on the face of the Equinoctiall and are therefore called Equinoctiall-dials or else vpon the plaine of the Horizon which are named Horizontall or vpon the face of the Verticall-circle which diuideth the Meridian at right angles which are erected towards the south and are nominated Verticall In which three sorts of dials the hower-spaces are noted by straight lines proceeding out of one onely point which representeth the center of the world and the Index or gnomon to shewe those howers representeth the Axis vpon which the heauen maketh his first and vniuersall motion The other sunne-dials depend vpon the coextension or impression of the foresaid hower-circles as those which are described vpon the face of the Meridian circle and are erected towards the east or west being named Laterall and can serue but onely for the forenoone or afternoone or such as are made vpon the face of the sixe howers circle hanging and inclining towards the south by the axtree of the world for this cause named hanging-dials In which two sorts of dials the hower-spaces are designed by parallell lines and the Indexes by the axtrees of the circles or else they are described and erected perpendicularly vpon the face of the said circles And in all the fore-recited dials and such like the hower-spaces are vnequall and haue notable difference one from another except those onely which are drawne vpon the face of the Equinoctial bicause it alone is diuided into euen portions by the hower-circles whereof the proiection in Plano must obserue equall spaces And by consequence it is euident that only Equinoctiall and Horizontall dials serue for all howers of the day at all times of the yeere and the Verticall onelie sixe howers before and sixe howers after noone the hanging-dials ten howers fiue before and fiue after noone and the Laterall from sunne rising till noone or from noone till sunne set Moreouer it is manifest that all these dials except the Equinoctiall dials must be described particularly according to the proper eleuation of the pole aboue euery oblique Horizon bicause the hower-spaces and Indexes are diuers according to the varietie of the said polary-eleuations But the Equinoctiall dials may serue vniuersally in applying them according to the height of the Equinoctiall aboue euery oblique Horizon because those spaces are equall and of one sort But breaking off this talke of dials Of the twelue howses of heauen let vs now entreate of those circles which with the Horizon and Meridian diuide the whole heauen into twelue equall portions which are named the twelue houses of heauen First then is to be noted that as the sunne and the rest of the planets in performing their reuolution by their proper and peculiar motion in the Zodiack according to the radiation of the sunne being notably diuersified from signe to signe and according to the disposition of elementarie substances do imprint their influence and vertue diuersly causing sundry effects vpon the earth so likewise these faire celestiall lights being turned euery day about the earth by the first and vniuersall motion of the whole sphere do make the verie like mutation of their power and influence vpon the terrestriall globe by the variation of their shining as may be marked from signe to signe either mounting aboue or descending vnder the Horizon Circles that deuide the twelue houses of heauen For this cause you must diuide the entire sphere of the world in regard of the Horizon being right or oblique into twelue equall parts or signes which are called houses that is notable mansions of heauen Which is done by the proper Horizon and Meridian with fowre other great circles and particular Horizons passing by the two intersections of the said proper Horizon and Meridian circle and diuiding euery quarter of the principall Verticall circle which maketh right angles with the said Meridian comprehended betweene the said Meridian and the Horizon into three signes which amount togither to the number of twelue And these houses or notable mansions of heauen begin at the east side of the Horizon and the first sixe are distributed vnder it and the other sixe aboue it according to the order of the twelue signes of the Zodiack and the proper motion of the planets which is from the west eastward So that by the Horizon with the Meridian the fower principall angles of the saide houses are distinguished that is the east angle which is named the Horoscope being the beginning of the first house the west angle of the Horizon whereat beginneth the seuenth house and the midde heauen which is the third angle and there beginneth the tenth house and for the fourth the angle vnder earth where beginneth the fourth house by the Meridian Agreeablenes of the twelue houses with the diuers seasons of the yeere Euen so as we haue heard as the colures distinguish the two Equinoctiall points and the two Solstists or sunsteads of the zodiack which are the foure notable points therof agreeing with the fower angles aforesaid For the Horoscope agreeth with the vernal Equinoctial point mid-heauen with the sommer Solstice the west angle with the Autumne Equinoctiall point and the angle vnder the earth with the winter Solstice and so consequently the fowre quarters of the foresaid Vertical circle are correspondent to those of the Zodiack which make the fowre seasons of the yeere and each whereof is diuided into three signes as also euery quarter of the said circle into three houses equall to those signes so that the sixe houses which are aboue the Horizon do accord with the sixe septentrionall signes of the Zodiack and the sixe other houses with the south or Meridionall signes And these twelue houses of heauen are called by diuers names for those fowre which begin at the fowre foresaid angles are named Angularie houses the next fowre following are called Succedent and the rest Cadent Moreouer we must note that in the right sphere each of these houses comprehendeth one signe of the Equinoctiall because this circle is ioyned with the foresaid Verticall and all the circles which distinguish them passe by the poles of the world because they consist in the foresaid sections of the Horizon and Meridian which hath caused many to erre in this point who would make the distinction of the said houses in the Equinoctiall both in the oblique and in the right sphere lightly following the authoritie of Ptolomie not noting how that author had the sphere right to him so that in that respect hee spake well referring the manner how to distinguish the saide houses in the oblique sphere to the iudgement of all good Astronomers Finally it is to be vnderstood
that euery house is diuided into thirtie degrees like the signes of the Zodiack and that by other great circles proceeding from the foresaid intersections of the Meridian and Horizon Moreouer you must note that euery great circle which passeth by the said intersections and by the true place of any starre which is proposed is called the Horizon thereof for all the foresaid circles as already hath beene declared are but oblique Horizons except the Meridian which representeth the right Horizon Then to erect the twelue houses of heauen is nothing else but to finde the twelue principall intersections of the Zodiack and of the foresaid circles which is performed by the ascensions of the arcks of the Zodiack aboue each of the said circles whereof we must presently entreat not regarding which arck of the said Zodiack is contained in each of the said houses Wherefore AMANA let vs heare you discourse concerning the ascensions and descensions both of the starres and of the signes of the Zodiack Of the ascensions and descensions of the starres and of the signes and other arcks of the Zodiack and of the orientall and occidentall latitude of the sunne or degrees of the Zodiack Chapter 22. AMANA VVE should reape small fruite and commoditie of things hitherto by vs entreated of in the sphere if we should be ignorant in the ascensions and descensions both of the starres and signes and other arcks of the Zodiack according to the vse and principall consideration of good Astronomers who marke what hower the starres ascend aboue the Horizon or descend vnder it whether it be day or night and how long time the signes and other arcks of the Zodiack are eleuated aboue the said Horizon or depressed vnder it not respecting the simple apparition or absence of the said starres and signes which diuers do vsually obserue and which the Poets doe commonly mention when they would expresse and describe the seasons and moneths and other parts of the yeere What the ascension descension of any star is To enter then into the substance of our discourse we must vnderstand by the ascension of any starre that we propose the arck of the Equinoctiall comprised according to the order of the twelue signes of the Zodiack betweene the beginning of the said signes and the orientall part of the Horizon then when the center of the said starre attaineth to the same part of the Horizon And consequently the descension of the same starre is the arck of the said Equinoctiall comprehended according to the order of the said signes betweene the beginning of them and the west part of the Horizon when the same Horizon passeth by the center of the saide starre Which consideration is euery whit agreeable in each part of the Zodiack or elsewhere For the stars are in this place taken for points howsoeuer they be of notable greatnes wherefore it is necessarie that their ascensions and descensions should be measured and discerned by the arcks of the Equinoctiall hauing some conuenient beginning common to all Horizons as the vernall Equinoctiall point is the beginning of the signes of the Zodiack And by the same arcks taken as aforesaid and for that the Equinoctial is the measure of time one may know at what hower and minute the starre riseth aboue the Horizon or descendeth vnder it or attaineth to the Meridian circle either aboue or vnder the earth by the first and regular motion of the whole world And you must note that the said ascensions or descensions are called right ones when they are referred to the right Horizon or to the Meridian circle which retaineth such qualities in all obliquenes of the sphere as the right Horizon doth and consequently they are called oblique when they are referred to the oblique Horizon For the ascensions of the signes of the zodiack very necessarie to be vnderstood for to measure and know the quantitie of the artificiall daies nights in all places of the earth as hereafter we may declare it is to be noted Of the ascenâ—ion of signes that the ascension of euery signe is nothing else but the arck of the Equinoctial eleuated togither with the said signe aboue the Horizon as the descension is the arck of the said Equinoctiall which descendeth vnder the Horizon equally with the said signe wherefore according as this arck coascending or descending with any signe is more great or lesse so likewise the time that the said signe shall bee eleuated aboue the Horizon or depressed vnder it shall be longer or shorter And it is to be noted that that signe of the zodiack wherewith is eleuated one signe of the Equinoctiall precisely is said to haue an equall ascension I omit heere to specifie the accidents and differences of the ascensions and descensions of the signes which are particularly considered both in the right and in the oblique sphere which are common to the arcks of the zodiack which arcks are particles of the fower quarters of the said zodiack and do begin at the Equinoctiall points and Solstists for our intent is not particularly to discourse of euery thing that Astronomers teach concerning the sphere and which cannot be vnderstood but by demonstration of the materiall sphere or by the figures placed in their bookes which it is necessary to marke diligently to conceiue this part of the Mathematicks But we will heere summarily and grossely run ouer the most notable points required for our instruction in the vniuersall description of the whole world and of the most noble things which come to passe heere below by reason of the prime and vniuersall motion of heauen Yet may we not steppe out of this matter without considering in the ascensions and discensions of the sunne that is concerning euery degree of his way which is the Zodiacke the orientall and occidentall latitude of him and which he obtaineth from degree to degree in the Zodiacke either in rising aboue or descending vnder the Horizon But for the other planets or fixed starres no mention is made of them concerning this point Of the latitude of the sunne It is then most manifest by that which we haue alreadie heard that the intersections of the right or oblique Horizon with the Equinoctiall verticall circle which diuideth the Meridian at right angles are in the midst equally distant between the intersections of the said Horizon of the Meridian and that they designe the points of the true east west And bicause that the Zodiack declineth from the Equinoctiall partly towards the pole arctick and partly towards the antartick the sun doth not rise in the true point of east nor set in the direct point of west but when it is vpon the Equinoctiall points which are the intersections of the Zodiacke and Equinoctial For while the sunne is in the north part of the Zodiacke he riseth and setteth on the north side and when he is in the south part he riseth and setteth on the south side and that in diuers distances from
equall cannot haue equall ascensions euen in the right sphere it is necessarie that the said twelue howers both of day and night should be vnequall one to another and by so much the more vnequall by how much more the Pole is eleuated aboue the Horizon according to the diuersitie of the artificiall daies and nights whereof they likewise are called artificiall howers They are also named Planetarie and temporall for that they are taken in the way of the planets which is the zodiacke and also because the ancients haue assigned the time of the seuen naturall daies of the weeke to the domination of the seuen planets attributed to the said vnequall howers and haue appointed to the said naturall daies the names of those planets which raigne the first vnequall hower of the artificiall day But leauing this discourse we must now entreat of the altitudes of the sunne and of his shadowes according as hath beene declared in our antecedent speech That we may better then vnderstand the reason of shadowes we must first haue knowledge of the altitudes of the sunne aboue the Horizon bicause that the diuersitie of shadowes proceedeth from the varietie of those heights Of the heights of the sunne Now by the height of the sunne is vnderstood the arck of the verticall circle which passeth by the center of the bodie of the same sunne being comprised betweene the same center and the Horizon and distinguished by the parallell of the same Horizon which passeth togither with the same center as heretofore hath been related So that the height of the sunne increaseth from sunne rising till noone and proportionally decreaseth from noone till sunne set So that the greatest altitude that the sunne may haue in an artificiall day is at the noone hower wherefore it is called the Meridian altitude Which surmounteth the height of the Equinoctiall in the oblique sphere by the quantitie of the declination of the sunne so long time as he is in that part of the zodiacke inclining towards the pole which is eleuated aboue the Horizon and is lesse then the height of the Equinoctiall by the same quantitie when the sunne is in the other moitie of the zodiacke which inclineth towards the opposite pole So that the least altitude that the sunne may haue is vnder the winter solstice and the greatest is when he is in the summer solstice But the sunne being in the Equinoctiall points his Meridian altitude differeth not in the oblique sphere from the height of the Equinoctiall Whereupon ensueth that in all the degrees of the zodiacke which are alike distant from the one or other solstice the sunne hath one selfesame Meridian altitude And thereupon ensueth that in all howers whereof the one is before noone and the other after and equally distant from noone as are ten a clocke in the morning and two a clocke after noone the sunne hath one selfesame altitude which is the cause that in all sunne dials being composed by helpe of the said howers as the old quadrants are the hower-spaces serue indifferently as well for before as after noone And bicause that the altitudes of the sunne varie according to the obliquenes of the sphere the said sunne dials cannot serue generally but onely to that polarie eleuation whereunto the altitudes of the sunne haue been calculated Concerning shadowes they are made by meane of solid-darke bodies exposed against the sunne Of right reuerse shadowe And of those some are called right shadowes and some reuerse shadowes The right shadow is that which is caused by interposition of the shadowing bodie rightly erected vpon the Horizon and the reuerse shadow is that which proceedeth from euery shadowing bodie equally distant from the said Horizon So that the right shadow reacheth out at length vpon the Horizontall superficies and the reuerse shadow is turned ouer perpendicularly aboue the said Horizon Whereby it is manifest that right shadowes are infinite and reuerse none at all either at sunne rising or sunne set Againe right shadowes decrease by little and little from sunne rising till noone and doe proportionally increase from noone till sunne set to which the reuerse shadowes are contrarie So that the least right shadow and the greatest reuerse shadow that can be in any day whatsoeuer is at noonetide And you must note that the sunne being eleuated aboue the Horizon more thē 45. degrees euery shadowing body being directly erected vpon the said Horizon surmounteth his right shadow but euery reuerse shadow surpasseth his shadowing bodie which causeth it And when the sunne is raised lesse then 45. degrees the contrarie commeth for the right shadow exceedeth his shadowing bodie and the shadowing bodie surpasseth the reuerse shadow But if the sunne be precisely 45. degrees high then all shadowing bodies are equall to their shadowes both right and reuerse From which equalitie is extracted the Geometricall square which is set in quadrants or vpon the backe of the astrolobe by which are measured by meanes of the shadowes or visuall lines representing the saide shadowes all lengths heights and depths by reason that the two sides of the said square which meete at right angles in the center of the instrument represent two shadowes one equall to another Yet Geographers doe commonly vse but right Meridian shadowes to know in what part of the world the regions of the earth consist and how farre they decline from the Equinoctiall which shadowes doe varie lesse about the Solstists then about the Equinoctiall points like to the altitudes of the sunne But wee haue said enough concerning this matter and to morrow we will prosecute our first discourse concerning the celestiall world now intreating of the substance and nature of heauen and of the particular effects of the sphericall bodies in things here below whereof you ASER shall begin to discourse The end of the third daies worke THE FOVRTH DAIES WORKE Of the substance and nature of heauen and of the celestiall bodies and of their continuance and change Chap. 25. ASER. BEing this day to intreate of the substance and nature of heauen and of the particular effects of the sphericall bodies in things here below we shall make more easie entrance thereto if we first begin with some briefe consideration concerning all essences First then will we propound this principle that among all creatures in heauen and earth some are spirituall and the rest corporall By the spirituall we meane those that haue no bodie and cannot be perceiued by corporall senses as are angels or diuels and the soules or spirites of men And by the corporall wee meane all other creatures that are visible and sensible to the senses of our bodies Now of these some are without life Diuision of all essences or natures and the rest liue And amongst those which are without life there is a difference in two points One is in that some haue naturall motion and the rest haue not And amongst those which haue this motion some are mutable and corruptible and
by reason the minde may alwaies moderate and correct And taking occasion vpon this matter let vs come to the true Astronomie and Astrologie of Christians which is to contemplate the glorie and greatnes of God by the worke of the heauens as ACHITOB finishing this daies worke you may relate to vs. Of the true Astronomie which the heauens teach vs and especially the sunne in his admirable effects Chap. 32. ACHBTOB IT is not without cause that the prophet saith The heauens declare the glorie of God Psal 19. and the earth sheweth the worke of his hands For thereby he euidently teacheth that the worke of the spheres and their well ordred motion doe demonstrate as with the finger euen to our eies the great and admirable prouidence of God their creator euen as if the heauens should speake to euery one In an other place it is written Eccle. 43. This high ornament this cleere firmament the beautie of the heauen so glorious to behold is a thing full of hough then that the heauens haue neither voice nor speech like men yet when the workmanship of them and the goodly images pourtraied and placed in them do present themselues vnto vs it is as much as if God spake to vs. For sight belongeth to the eies as hearing doth to the eares and that which offereth it selfe to those The heauens are visible words which preach vnto vs God is as the sound is to these Wherefore in very deede we may call not onely the heauens sunne moone and starres but all other creatures also visible words which speake to the eies as those which are in sound and voice doe speake to the eares If likewise we can very well vnderstand dumbe folkes by the signes which they make vs say that they speake by signes why then should we not harken to the language of God speaking by the heauens and by the signes which he hath placed in them For may we not truly say that they speake vnto vs by signes And if we call bookes dumbe teachers bicause they teach by the meanes of writing which they lay before our eies what fairer booke may wee see written in a fairer letter and of more neate impression and printed with goodlier characters then this great booke of the whole vniuers and chiefly of the heauens Againe if it be needefull for vs to seeke out images to represent God that so he might become visible to vs where may we finde them fairer and more liuely and which speake vnto vs a language most easie to be vnderstood if we be not altogether deafe Wherefore it is not without good cause that when God willing to make his greatnes his magnificence and prouidence known to his people saith by Esay Lift vp your eies on high Isay 40. be hold who hath created these things which is he that bringeth out their armies by number and calleth them all by their names By the greatnes of his power and mighty strength nothing faileth This is it in all these considerations that Dauid in the place before alledged after he hath acknowledged that there is no language nor speech where the voice of the heauens is not heard doth further adde that their line is gone foorth through all the earth and their words vnto the ends of the world meaning by this line the magnificent frame and excellent workmanship of them For all is so well made and composed therein by the workmaster that it seemeth to haue been all drawne out by line rule and compasse And when he speaketh of their words he vnderstandeth the marke and impression which is in them by which they preach vnto vs in stead of words And for this cause also he saith before that one day vttereth speech vnto another day and one night teacheth knowledge vnto another night which is as much as if he should say that one day teacheth and preacheth another and the night doth the same bicause that from day to day and from night to night God manifesteth his power and glorie And let vs note Of the excellency of the sunne and true testimonie of the prouidence of God that the prophet proposing vnto vs the heauens thus in generall as true preachers of his diuine prouidence maketh principall and expresse mention of the Sunne bicause it is the most goodly creature the most agreeable most profitable and necessarie for men and for all the rest of the works of God For this cause also euery one giueth more heed vnto it then to all the other celestiall bodies For it is by the course and meanes of the Sunne that we haue ordinarily daies and nights and that they be sometimes longer sometimes shorter and another time equall as hath been already told vs and also that we haue the distinction of yeeres and of the diuers seasons of them as of the spring time summer autumne and winter and of the time fit to sowe plant till the earth and to gather the fruites thereof and generally to performe all other workes necessarie for the life of man And then may very well bee considered the course and compasse of this goodly light which is from the one end of heauen to the other end and how there is nothing that is hid from the heate thereof Shall we let passe in silence the gallant course which euery day it maketh compassing the whole world in the space of fower and twenty howers without being any whit wearie For from the hower that God hath created it it hath neuer desisted from worke day nor night and hath neuer failed one iot neither shal cease so long as the world shal endure And therefore it is also said in Ecclesiasticus The sunne also a maruellous instrument Eccles 43. when it appeereth declareth at his going out the worke of the most high And presently after Great is the Lord that made it by whose commandement it doth runne hastily Then speaking in generall of all the planets and starres It is a campe saith he pitched on high shining in the firmament of heauen the beautie of the heauens are the glorious starres and the ornament that shineth in the high places of the Lord. By the commandement of the holy one they continue in their order and faile not in their watch And who is it except the blinde that beholdeth not this goodly sunne to passe out of his pauilion like a magnificent king that marcheth foorth of his palace Who seeth not the faire countenance that he sheweth to all being as the eie and mirrour of the whole world Who vieweth not his trim locks and the golden haires and yellow beard of his raies by which he spreadeth his light and heate vpon all creatures In such sort that as none can auoide his heate so none can flie from his light For as it is written By the word of the Lord are his works Eccles 42. Eccles 43. The sunne that shineth looketh vpon all things and all the works thereof are full of the
passe on the fifteenth day of the moones age bicause that then she doth oppositely confront the sunne Another time the superior moitie is fully illuminated to wit when she is conioined with the sunne which is ouer hir and then is hir lower part darkened not appeering to vs for two daies which commeth to passe at the ende of the moone and all the rest of the moneth she hath diuers illuminations For from hir coniunction with the sunne the light in the vpper part beginneth to faile and by little and little to come to the lower part towardes vs according as shee mooueth reculing from the sunne and so doth till the fifteenth day wherein all the inferior part towardes the earth is shining and the superiour part is cleane without light After which time the light beginneth to conuey it selfe to the vpper moitie decreasing by little and little towards vs in the lower moitie which at last is left cleane without brightnes and the other which wee see not becommeth all shining And it is to be noted that the hornes of the Moone which hir diuers aspect sheweth vs turne their back-parts towards the sunne and if shee encreaseth they are turned towards the sunne rising if she be in the waine they turne to the sun setting She shineth moreouer adding to each day three quarters and the fower and twentith part of an hower beginning from the second day till the time she make full moone and from that time forwards vsing the like substraction euery day till the time that she appeereth no more at all And when she is within fowerteene degrees of the sunne she is seene no more Whereby it appeereth The moone smaller then the other planets that all the rest of the planets are greater then the moone for none of them is hidde or obscured by the beames of the sunne except it be within seuen degrees thereof But in that they are all of them higher then the moone is they seeme to be lesser so in the same consideration it commeth to passe that the brightnes of the sunne hindreth vs of the sight of the fixed stars in the day time which neuerthelesse shine as well in the day as in the night time as may be perceiued at the eclipses of the sunne as likewise in a very deepe pit if one should descend thereunto in the day time Things to be considered in the shadow of the earth Moreouer all these stars are neuer eclipsed For the shadow of the earth which causeth the moone to loose hir light reacheth not beyond her heauen And the night also is no other thing but the shadow of the earth which shadow is in forme like a pyramis growing still lesse and lesse taperwise towards a point till at last it fadeth For all shadowes waxe lesse and lesse till they be cleane diminished by distance as may euidently bee seene by shadowes of birdes which flie in the aire Now the shadow of the earth finisheth in the aire at the beginning of the region of fire aboue the moone al things are pure wherfore it is not possible that the terrestriall shadow can hinder the brightnes of the stars which are aboue the moone And therefore likewise we behold them in the night time like a candle in a darke place But the shadow of the earth is the very cause that the moone is eclipsed alwaies by night Why the eclipses happen not euery month And it is to be noted in that that the eclipses both of the sunne and moone happen not euery moneth that it is by reason of the obliquenes of the Zodiacke and of the variable motions of the moone which being sometimes north and sometimes south as wee haue heeretofore declared meeteth not alwaies in coniunction or in opposition in the knots of the ecliptick circle which are in the head or in the taile of the dragon We may note also that the consideration of the shadowes and eclipses aforesaid hath taught men to iudge of the greatnes of the sunne of the moone and of the earth How one may â—udg of the greatnes of the sunne the moone and the earth For first it should be impossible that there had been any vniuersall eclipse of the sunne by the diametrall interposition of the moone if the earth were greater then the moone Againe this planet and the shadow of the earth deliuereth vnto vs greater certaintie that the vnmeasurable magnitude of the sunne is much more then their owne Hist nat lib. 2. in such sort that as Plinie saith there need nothing more be required to iudge of the immensitie of the sunne by the eie or by coniectures sith that the trees planted by the way side haue all of them their shadowes proportionably equall though there be much distance of ground betwixt them as if the sunne were in the midst of them and did giue light to all alike And during the time that the sunne is in the Equinoctiall-point ouer the southerne climates and regions he casteth his light downe right without making any shadow and yet in the north regions on this side the solstice-circle the shadowes fall on the north side at noone and toward the west at sunne rising which could not happen if the sunne were not very much greater then the earth But leauing this discourse we must out of our speech learne some point of Christian Astrologie Now we haue heard that the moone hath no light of her selfe at least that can appeere vnto vs but so much as she receiueth from the sunne according to the disposition or opposition of their diuers courses in such sort that the moon neuer persisteth in one estate but changeth incessantly But it is not so with the sunne for he hath alwaies as much light at one time as at another and is not subiect to any change I say then that in him we haue a goodly image of the constant and immutable God who is alwaies one The image of God in the sunne and euer without any variation and who firme in his counsell hath ordained concerning all things for euer according to his endlesse right and iust will Mal. 3. In the moone is an image of the creatures So contrariwise we haue represented to vs in the moone a perfect figure of the creatures by which is demonstrated vnto vs that all things vnder heauen are mutable and subiect to continuall change and also that according as we receiue our saluation in Christ through faith and as we increase therein in such degree are wee made partakers of his diuine light and of all his graces and blessings euen as the moone participateth of the brightnes of the sunne Many woorthy points to consider of in christian Astrology Moreouer we shall haue learned a woorthie point of Christian Astrologie when we shall consider that as these two celestiall planets haue perpetuall alliance and communication togither euen so the coniunction which is betwixt Iesus Christ and his church is eternall And
that the vapors attaine to Reasons of those who say that the cometâ— are scituate in heauen And therefore the comets beeing seene there higher then the place of the vapors it necessarily followeth that they are not there ingendred neither yet in the highest of the pure aire called Aether considering that there is no matter which may be kindled But if any one alledge that the combustible humor is rauished and attracted thither by the power of the stars though that this place be higher then the common place of vapors wee may answere that forsomuch as wee behold many comets to continue more then two months and some three that this their long continuance may bee an impediment thereto because that the totall masse of the earth would not be sufficient for such an inflammation For fire is not perpetually fedde with one onely matter but requireth a new supply And seeing that these comets haue for the most part a beard or a taile and are seated in an higher place then the aire a man cannot iudge them to bee lesse then the Moone And it seemeth impossible that so much matter should be consumed as might maintaine this huge flame for three moneths Moreouer there is a meanes to know whether the comet be in the region of the aire or else be ingeÌ„dred in heauen For if it be quicker in motion from west to east theÌ„ the moone is theÌ„ of necessity must the place of the comet be vnder the lowest sphere but if it be more slow Comets mooued with three motions then without doubt it is bred in heauen Now it is common to all comets to be mooued with three motions namely with the first from east to west in the space of fower twentie houres like all the stars with the second from west to east almost in like space of time with the planet Venus For a comet which appeered the two and twentieth day of September 1532. and ended the third day of December proceeded as Fracastorius writeth in 71. daies from the fift part of Virgo to the eight part of Scorpio Which maketh manifest that it could not be vnder the Moone for then it should haue beene more swiftly mooued then this planet which retrogradeth thirteenth parts of the Zodiacke in fower and twentie howers according to the ordinarie course of the first motion and the comet had proceeded but 63. degrees in 71. daies But for the third motion peculiar to all comets which is considered according to the latitude it is such and so great that if the foresaid Author be not deceiued one is now mooued with incredible speed towards the North and another in an instant towards the South Which commeth to passe when the comets are neere to any of the Poles for then a little varietie of place conferred to the Zodiacke doth greatly change the latitude Besides it is to be noted that the beard of euerie comet doth directly stretch out that way which is opposite to the Sunne and when it setteth the same taile is straight Eastward As the like may be daily seene in the darke part of the Moone Moreouer the comet doth most vsually accompanie the Sunne and appeereth not but at euen-tide at the shutting vp of the day Which giueth vs to vnderstaÌ„d What a comet properlyâ—â— that a comet is a globe placed in heauen which being inlightned by the Sunne doth plainely appeere and when his rayes passe farther they shew like the fashion of a bread or of a tayle Whereupon it appeereth that this flaming globe may be made in the midst of the spheres if the generation thereof be in them or else we must say and that seemeth true that the heauen is full of many stars not verie massie which the aire being drie and attenuated do present themselues to our sight For Venus hirselfe is sometimes seene in broad day which none can say to be newly engendred Of the prodigies which are attributed to comets Then through this drines of the aire it commonly happeneth that the seas are much turmoiled with tempests and that great blustring windes doe follow thereupon and that Monarches great Princes who are most drie through cold watchings or else through abundance of hot and delicate meates and of strong wine do thereupon die So likewise the drie and attenuated aire causeth the waters to diminish fishes to die and scarcitie of victuals which oftentimes stirreth vp seditions and the chaunge of lawes and finally the subuersion of states All which things I say doe seeme in some sort to proceed through the great tenuitie and drines of the aire thereof the comet then appeering may be a signe token but not the cause But if we wil meditate vpoÌ„ these things like christians we will say that what naturall causes soeuer Naturalists and Astrologers can render concerning comets signes and woonders which appeere sometimes in heauen that they should be so often vnto vs like so many trumpets heraulds and fore-runners of the Iustice of God to aduertise men that they remaine not buried in their filth and sinnes but returne to the infinite goodnes of God who reacheth out his hand and calleth to vs through such signes to change our life and leaue our execrable vices to the ende that through his mercie we may obtaine pardon for our faults Of diuers kinds of comets But let vs likewise note that although sundry sorts of comets are seene yet the Greekes call them properly stars that haue a sanguine bush of haire and are bristled at the top And those which haue vnder them a long beard made like haires they call Pogonies Plinie reporteth of sundrie other sorts and saith that the shortest time that euer comet was seene to appeare hath beene seuen daies Hist nat lib. 2. and the longest time eightie He maketh mention also of one which seemed terrible about the clime of Egypt and Ethiopia For it was flaming and wreathed round like a serpent hauing a very hideous and dreadfull aspect so that one would haue said that it had rather beene a knot of fire then a starre Afterward this author concludeth his speech with the opinion that many haue as is abouesaid that comets are perpetuall and that they haue a proper and peculiar motion saying also that none can see them except they be very far distant from the sunne in such sort that they may not be couered with his beames And yet the opinion of Aristotle is cleane contrarie thereto and so are a great number of other philosophers who affirme that comets are composed of a certaine fire and of an humor which it lighteth on by chance for which cause they are subiect to resolution But we will proceede no farther in this argument nor yet concerning the situation of them whether they be vnder the spheres or amongst them but will pursue our purpose concerning things vndoubtedly engendred in the highest elements as namely the cloudes The discourse whereof ARAM I referre to you
euery part from the highest heauen to the lowest center of this terrestriall masse Looke then AMANA what birds you hold most woorthie to haue place in your discourse Of the Estridge of the Peacocke of the Cocke and of other foules Chap. 54. AMANA AS we haue heeretofore heard of a birde that neuer abideth vpon the earth so contrariwise the Estridge doth alwaies staie vpon the earth Of the Estridge neuer mounting aloft to take the aire This is as bigge a birde as any other is common in Africa in Aethiopia It hath a long necke like a camell the beake eies and head like to a goose but that they are much greater their wings taile haue feathers of diuers colours skie-coloured white red blacke and greene and there is no birde which hath such faire plumes of which those fethers are made wherewith men of warre adorne their helmets The Estridges passe horses in swiftnes being herein aided with the wings which Nature hath bestowed vpon them although they fly not at al neither rise from the ground but run with their wings spread They haue clouen feete like an hart with which men say they vse to take vp and cast stones at those which chase them when they flie It is also said that they swallow and digest iron which commeth to passe through the vehement heat and thicknes of their belly Some also haue reported that the Estridge hatcheth her egges with her eies but the truth is that she onely watcheth them because that her yoong ones are brought foorth by the heat of the sunne The manner of taking this birde is verie easie for when he is wearie of running he is of so foolish a nature that he thinketh himselfe closely hidden when he is onely in the shade of some tree or shrub so that it is then easie to approch him so neere as the pursuer will desire Of the peacock But let vs speake of the birde which for the beautie and sense which it hath doth merit the chiefe degree amongst the greater sort of birdes to wit the Peacocke For when he knowes that men esteeme him then turneth he round to shew his colours shining like pretious stones and sets them directly against the sun to giue them a better lustre And he assayeth also to doe so with his taile spreading it round and shewing those colours which seeme fairest in the shade drawing all the eies thereof abroad as if he knew best how to make himselfe most noted Also when he hath lost his taile as he doth euery yeere at the fal of the leafe he hideth himself as if he mourned til the next spring when his taile groweth againe It is maruellous that this part of the peacocke is so filled with eies being so long thick of feathers of sundrie colors so splendāt yet neither the colour of white nor of black this being of it selfe sad and that obscuring all colours are found in the taile of this birde Which bird liueth ordinarily fiue and twentie yeeres and at three yeeres he beginneth to shoote the sundrie colours which he hath in his feathers and knoweth his beautie and seemeth to reioyce that men do maruell at his taile when they see it and therefore he will hold it vp be he neuer so wearie Of the Cock. Next to the proude nature of the peacocke that loftie birde seemeth to resemble a Sentinell which Nature hath appointed to interrupt mens sleepe and call them to worke that is the Cocke For wheresoeuer he is he will be master and commaund all the rest of the foules And if there bee two togither then must this rule remaine to the strongest and he must get it by those weapons which Nature hath placed in his legs wherein they put such trust that the issue of their combate doth oftentimes fall out with the death of the one or other And he which remaineth victor makes signe of his conquest by his crowing sounding himselfe his owne tantaraes and the vanquished runnes and hides himselfe This loftie bird marcheth proudly holding vp his neck stiffe and his combe aloft except he be not well And there is no birde which doth oftner cast his eie towards heauen then this for he alwaies beholdeth it holding his taile vp and yet crooked like a sickle so that arming himselfe after this manner he puts the Lion in feare which is the stoutest of all beasts Moreouer the cocke by a secret instinct of nature knoweth the course of the stars and diuideth the day by his crowing from three howers to three howers They roust at sunne set and neuer let the sunne rise without aduertising men for with their crowing which is accompanied with beating of their wings they giue notice of the day And their voice is heard very farre off yea in the night time a mile or more The Romanes honored so much the maiestie of this bird that they iudged of the good or euill lucke of their Augurations by the countenance which he shewed being either pleasant or not at such time as he fed Hens are of the kinde of domesticall birds Of hens renowmed aboue all for the delicatenes of their flesh and goodnes of their egges beeing much better then all other and which are most vsed in meates and medicines They lay at all times except the two first moneths of winter when they commonly rest themselues So is it the first and last bird that layeth and is so fruitfull that there are some will lay sixtie egges together without missing one day Whereupon wee will note that in all yolkes of egges there is a little drop of bloud in the middest which is holden to be the heart of the bird because this member is esteemed to bee first formed in all liuing creatures And indeed this little drop tasteth very salt and stirreth in the egge And for that which particularly concerneth the chicken it is certaine that the bodie thereof is made of the white of the egge for being formed it is nourished by the yolke And so long as it is in the shell it hath the head bigger then all the bodie and the eies which are shut bigger then the head And when it beginneth to growe the white of the egge retireth to the midst and the yolke disperseth it selfe round about And if at the twentith day one take the egge they may heare the chicken peepe within For from that time forward it beginneth to waxe feathered and to get strength and staieth not long in consuming the whole yolke but presently beginneth to open the shell And it is to be noted that as well this as all other foules come out of their shels with their feete forwardes contrarie to other liuing creatures Moreouer the hen is knowne to be good when hir crest is straight and sometimes double and hir feathers blacke and in some places red as also when the clawes of her foote are faire But aboue all there is nothing more woorthie of great admiration then
Eternall and those great works and woonders which he declareth in the sea and to haue recourse for their deliuerance out of all dangers to the creator and true Lord of the waters and of the windes and of all nature But yet wee must heere consider the obedience that the sea sheweth euen in the greatest furies therof to the commandement which God hath deliuered to it from the first creation thereof For although it be often mooued as we said yet doth it containe it selfe shut vp within the boundes which were appointed vnto it by the ordinance of God as if it were afraide to run out and durst not passe farther as hauing heard and vnderstood that which the creator thereof had commanded and had engrauen it in memorie for euer And therefore we may see that after it hath swollen risen aloft in waues and that it hath menaced the earth as if it would ouerflowe it and couer it againe with the deepe as at the beginning it is neuerthles arrested and beaten backe to returne into the proper gulfes thereof which are assigned for it to lodge in euen by a very little sand onely For what is the sea shore but sand onely which is a kinde of loose earth like the dust and is easily driuen with the winde And yet the word of God which hath giuen commandement to the sea which is so horrible and fearefull a creature being mooued is of such power that this small sand is sufficient to make it keepe within the confines and limits thereof and to breake the furious waues thereof as if he who hath established this ordinance in nature stood in presence vpon the shore side to command it to doe so and that for feare and reuerence of him it returned to hide it selfe in the deepe How much more then should his word and voice mooue the harts of men breaking cleauing and pearsing them thorough if they were not harder then stones and rocks and more senselesse then the waters For this cause the Lord saith by Esaie Isay 66. And to whome shall I haue respect but to him that is afflicted and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my words And Ieremie shewing to the people of Israel the malice and rebellion which was in them Ierem. 5. against the Lord their God doth giue them the sea for a patterne and referreth them to learne to obey their creator after the example thereof Let vs learne then that the sea and other waters do not ouer-passe their bounds and limits but when it pleaseth God that they should ouerflow to chastice men by deluges and flouds as it oftentimes commeth to passe through his iust iudgement But it shal bee your office ACHITOB to speake of this point discoursing vpon the ebbing and flowing of the sea whereupon me thinkes the order of our speech doth require that wee should entreat Of the flowing and ebbing of the sea and of the power that the moone hath ouer it and ouer all other inferior bodies Chap. 58. AMANA IF wee do not refer all things to the heauenly disposition of him who hath framed and compassed all with his hand and doth gouerne all by his prudence and sustaineth all with his power it will be very difficult yea impossible for vs to declare the causes and reasons of his works in an humane discourse which are of such authority that they may put a good spirit out of all scruple and doubt Yea euen in the subiect which wee intend now to entreat of to wit the flowing and ebbing of the sea The searching out of which secret did so trouble a certaine great Philosopher some say Aristotle that beeing vpon the shore of Euboea now called Negropont onely to search out and to behold the naturall cause thereof and not beeing able to enforme himselfe sufficiently therein it did so vex him that chafing at nature himselfe and against the water he cast himselfe into the sea saying to it sith I cannot comprehend thee yet shalt thou haue the honor to comprehend mee and keepe mee within thy gulfs and indeed he was heere swallowed by the deepe And certes this ordinary ebbing and flowing of the ocean according to which it goeth commeth spreadeth it selfe abroade and then doth euery day retire without euer fayling in the order thereof must needes be a most wonderfull thing And that which is most admirable therein is that the flowing and ebbing thereof doe follow the course of the moone Of the ebbing and flowing of the sea To which planet likewise is attributed with most apparant reason the cause of this flowing and ebbing she beeing as the regent of the seas and waters by the appointment of the soueraigne creator as is seene by experience and by the agreeablenes of nature which they haue togither For wee must note that as the moone encreaseth or waineth so is it with the state of the flowing of the sea And therefore although that it happen diuersly yet the principall cause of the motion thereof resideth in his planet For betweene the two times that she riseth which is in fower and twenty howers wherein she compasseth the whole earth the sea doth twise flow doth as oftētimes ebbe And when the moone beginneth to mount in the east then doth the floud rise and the sea swell till such time as this planet doth attaine to our right meridian which is in the mid-heauen and that it begin to decline towardes the west at which time the water ebbeth Yet neuertheles all those six howers wherein the moone maketh hir course towards the line of mid-night opposite to our noone-line the floud returneth and increaseth till after it hath passed that line and then it doth ebbe againe till such time as the said regent thereof the moone returne againe aboue our horizon It is most certaine that the floud doth neuer returne iust at that very hower and instant wherein it flowed the day before But this doth proceede likewise from the course of the moone which seruing for these base and inferiour things and not rising euery day at one selfesame instant she doth draw the course of the sea with hir in such sort that the tide is more late and of shorter continuance at one time then at another and yet doth not the distance of time betweene the tides change one whit for it endureth six howers in ebbe and so long time in flowing But here we meane not all manner of howers as our common howers are according to the different situation of places but we meane equall and equinoctial howers by consideration whereof the ebbing and flowing of the sea will be found alwaies of like time as is abouesaide Moreouer from seuen daies to seuen daies the flowing is found different by the same power of the moone for it is but very small the first quarter thereof and till it be halfe round In the second quarter it alwaies encreaseth till full-moone at which time the sea is at hir greatest height From thence
they come foorth do so gnaw and eate her belly that she liueth not long after And although the viper be verie venimous yet is her flesh verie good for the composition of treacle yea though her venim remaine with her after death Moreouer the biting of the viper is as much or more dangerous then that of the Aspis for they who are hurt die within seuen howers after except they bee well succoured and at farthest within three daies except they be holpen by excellēt remedies of which amongst others this is good cleane a chicken in two and lay the inside of her hot vpon the wound and do oftentimes reiterate this order scarifying the flesh round about the biting applying diuers times cupping glasses thereto After which you must giue the patient of the iuice of ashtree leaues to drinke and lay the same leaues vpon the wound or else cammomill brayed or a plaister made of barley meale honied vineger Some vse bryar taken in drinke with wine or the iuice of baulme leaues drunke also with wine Some say also that the viper being flayed hir taile and head cut off and her intrailes drawen out and cast away afterwards sod like an eele and eaten by him that hath bin bitten doth greatly aide him to obtaine health As treacle also being chiefly made of vipers flesh eaten and applied to is a singular remedie in such accidents I could here discourse of many other kindes of serpents but it is not our intent to represent a perfect historie of liuing things considering that many Authors haue written thereof for our learning Wherefore wee will content our selues onely to adde to that which we haue saide concerning serpents Hist nat lib. ◠c. 14. how that Plinie hath noted that in the Indies there are so great and such prodigious ones that they will swallow an Hart or a bull all whole and that in the daies of Attilius Regulus Generall of the Romaines in time of the wars against the Carthaginians there was seene a serpent in Africa of an hundred and twentie foote long neere to the floud of Bagrada which was assailed with engins of warre and all manner of weapons in such sort as if they had determined to giue assault to some strong citie that in the raigne also of the Emperour Claudius there was a serpent killed named Boa which was founde in mount Vatican that had a childe found whole in her bellie This author doth make mention of a certaine towne in Italy called Amycla Lib. 3 c. 5. which had beene abandoned and left desolate of the inhabitants by reason of serpents that chased them away But this is most admirable which he reporteth Lib. 10 c. 7◠that spiders seeing a serpent laide along vnder a tree where they haue weaued their cobwebs will runne directlie downe by a threed vpon the head of the serpent and will pierce him so to the quicke of the braine that they will constraine the serpent to hisse and gnash his teeth to tumble and torment himselfe without euer being able to get away or breake the spiders threed in such sort that he shall still remaine there Lib. 11. c. 29. He saith also that a Locust will kill a serpent in wringing him hard by the throat will not loosen till such time as he be through dead But who wil not greatly wonder at that which the same author testifieth to haue seen by experience Lib. 16. c. 13. that a serpent enclosed enuironed with ashe leaues on the one side and fire on the other he should rather choose to cast himselfe into the fire then to saue himselfe through the ashe leaues So much is this tree contrarie to serpents that they euen flie the shadowe thereof both at morning and ceuen and indeed to drinke the iuice of the leaues thereof and to lay the same leaues vpon the wound is a soueraigne remedie against all their bitings Whereupon Plinie taketh occasion to note how that nature doth heerein shewe herselfe a verie benigne and prouident mother towards men in that the ash should alwaies budde before serpents should creepe out of the earth and that these trees should still be greene till such time as serpents should haue withdrawne themselues Now let vs speake of the other kinds of Insects chosen by vs as the most excellent to wit Bees and silkewormes concerning which AMANA let vs heare you discourse Of Bees and of their honie and waxe and of Silke-wormes Chap. 82. AMANA MAnie graue authors haue not disdained diligently to search out and curiously to describe the historie of Bees being chiefly mooued therunto through admiration of their cunning in composing two so excellent commodities as are hony waxe we will here then deliuer that which we esteeme to be most woorthie of note in their writings Of Bees First Bees are rusticke and wilde or tame and familiar And the wilde are more illfauored to beholde more fierce and naught Of the tame there are two kindes One kinde are round and short and of diuers colours and these are the best The other are long and like to waspes and the woorst of these are rough and hairie All of them hate stincks and infections and fly from them for which cause they neuer sting such as are perfumed with sweete odors They neuer flie against the light nor vpon any flesh nor to bloud nor to any fat thing but doe onely seek out leaues flowers which haue an odoriferous iuice They delight in harmonious sounds and noises whereby it commeth that being scattered they are assembled togither by the sounde of a bason or of some little bels or by clapping the hands gently togither They vse great policie amongst themselues and there is no swarme but hath a king and captaine which is bigger then all the other Bees and hath short wings straight legs a brauer march then all the rest with a spot in his forehead which serueth as a Diademe or crowne and is in euery part more slick smooth and faire then all the rest When hee goeth any whither the whole troupe followeth encompassing garding him not permitting that hee bee easily seene And whilest all are at worke the king goeth from place to place cheering them and he himselfe doth nothing else He neuer commeth foorth except when the whole troupe goeth into the fieldes which may be knowne certaine daies before by the noise which the Bees make within their hiues attending for some faire day to part in If the king loose a wing the troupe doth not forsake him for alwaies euery one of them desireth to be neere him and to do him seruice And if he be wearie they helpe him on their shoulders if tired they carie him and in what place soeuer he resteth all the swarme encampeth If perhaps they loose him they establish a new king of the race of the former hauing alwaies diuers elected and knowne amongst them to succeed those that faile For the rest of their