Ganivetus and Guido Bonatus have delivered Againe in regard of the measure of time by months and years there will â—e no small difficulty and if we shall strictly consider it many have been and still may bee mistaken for neither the motion of the Moone whereby months are computed nor of the Sunne whereby yeares are accounted consisteth of whole numbers but admits of fractions and broken parts as we have declared of the Moone That of the Sunne consisteth of 365. dayes and almost 6 houres that is wanting eleven minutes which 6 houres omitted or not taken notice of will in processe of time largely deprave the compute and this is the occasion of the Bissextile of leapyeare which was not observed in all times nor punctually in all Common-wealths so that in 63. yeares there may be lost almost 18. dayes omitting the intercalation of one day every fourth yeare allowed for this quadrant or 6 houres supernumerary and though the same were observed yet to speake strictly a man may be somewhat out in the account of his age at 63. for although every fourth yeare we insert one day and so fetch up the quadrant yet those eleven minutes whereby the yeare comes short of perfect 6 houres will in the circuit of those yeares arise unto certaine houres and in a larger progression of time unto certaine dayes whereof at present wee finde experience in the Calender we observe for the Julian yeare of 365. dayes being eleven minutes larger then the annuall revolution of the Sunne there will arise an anticipation in the Aequinoxes and as Junctinus computeth in every 136. yeare they will anticipate almost one day and therefore those ancient men and Nestors of old times which yearly observed their nativities might be mistaken in the day nor that to be construed without a graine of Salt which is delivered by Moses in the Booke of Exodus At the end of foure hundred yeares even the selfe same day all the hoast of Israell went out of the land of Aegypt for in that space of time the Equinoxes had anticipated and the eleven minutes had amounted far above a day and this compute rightly considered will fall fouler on them who cast up the lives of Kingdomes and summe up their duration by particular numbers as Plato first began and some have endeavoured since by perfect and sphericall numbers by the square and cube of 7 and 9 and 12 the great number of Plato wherein indeed Bodine hath attempted a particular enumeration whereby notwithstanding beside the mistakes committible in the solary compute of yeares the difference of Chronologie disturbes the satisfaction and quiet of his computes some adding others detracting and few punctually according in any one yeare whereby indeed such accounts should be made up for the variation in one unity destroyes the totall illation Thirdly the compute may be unjust not only in a strict acception or few dayes or houres but in the latitude also of some yeares and this may happen from the different compute of yeares in divers Nations and even such as did maintaine the most probable way of account their yeare being not only different from one another but the civill and common account disagreeing much from the naturall yeare whereon the consideration is founded Thus from the testimony of Herodotus Censorinus and others the Greeks observed the Lunary yeare that is twelve revolutions of the Moone 354. dayes but the Aegyptians and many others adhered unto the Solary account that is 365. dayes that is eleven dayes longer now hereby the account of the one would very much exceed the other A man in the one would account himselfe 63. when one in the other would thinke himselfe but 61. and so although their nativities were under the same houre yet did they at different yeares believe the verity of that which both esteemed affixed and certaine unto one The like mistake there is in a tradition of our dayes men conceiving a peculiar danger in the beginning dayes of May which are set out as a fatall period unto consumptions and Cronicall diseases wherein notwithstanding wâ— compute by Calenders not only different from our ancestors but one another the compute of the one anticipating that of the other so that while wee are in Aprill others begin May and the danger is past unto one while it beginneth with another Fourthly men were not only out in the number of some dayes the latitude of a few yeares but might be wide by whole Olympiades and divers Decades of yeares for as Censorinus relateth the ancient Arcadians observed a yeare of three months the Carians of six the Iberians of foure and as Diodorus and Xenophon de Aequivocis alleadgeth the ancient Aegyptians have used a yeare of three two and one month so that the Climactericall was not only different unto those Nations but unreasonably distant from ours for 63. will passe in their account before they arive so high as ten in ours Nor if we survey the account of Rome it selfe may we doubt they were mistaken and if they feared climactericall yeares might erre in their numeration for the civill yeare whereof the people took notice did sometime come short and sometimes exceed the naturall for as it appeares by Varro Suetonius and Censorinus their yeare consisted first of ten months which comprehended by 304. dayes that is 61. lesse then ours containeth after by Numa or Tarquine from a superstitious conceit of impariety were added 51. dayes which made 355. one day more then twelve revolutions of the Moone and thus a long time it continued the civill compute exceeding the naturall the correction whereof and the due ordering of the leap-yeare was referred unto the Pontifices who either upon favour or malice that some might continue their offices a longer or shorter time or from the magnitude of the yeare that men might bee advantaged or endamaged in their contracts by arbitrary intercalations they depraved the whole account of this abuse Cicero accused Verres which at last proceeded so farre that when Julius Caesar came unto that office before the redresse hereof he was faine to insert two intercalary months unto November and December when he had already inserted 23. dayes unto February so that that year consisted of 445. dayes a quarter of a year longer then that we observe and though at the last the year was reformed yet in the meane time they might be out wherein notwithstanding they summed up Climactericall observations Lastly one way more there may be of mistake and that not unusuall among us grounded upon a double compute of the yeare the one beginning from the 25. of March the other from the day of our birth unto the same againe which is the naturall account Now hereupon many men doe frequently miscast their dayes for in their age they diduce the account not from the day of their birth but the yeare of our Lord wherein they were borne so a man that was borne in January 1582. if hee live to fall sicke
Grand Signior and most observable in the Moores in Bâ—aâ—ilia which transplanted about an hundred years past continue the tinctures of their fathers unto this day and so likewise faire or white people translated into hotter Countries receive not impressions amounting to this complexion as hath been observed in many Europeans who have lived in the land of Negroes and as Edvardus Lopes testifieth of the Spanish plantations that they retained their native complexions unto his dayes Fourthly if the fervor of the Sunne were the sole cause hereof in Aethiopia or any land of Negroes it were also reasonable that inhabitants of the same latitude subjected unto the same vicinity of the Sunne the same diurnall arch and direction of its rayes should also partake of the same hue and complexion which notwithstanding they do not For the Inhabitants of the same latitude in Asia are of a different complexion as are the Inhabitants of Cambogia and Java insomuch that some conceave the Negroe is properly a native of Africa and that those places in Asia inhabited now by Moores are but the inâ—rusions of Negroes ariving first from Africa as we generally conceave of Madagascar and the adjoyning Islands who retaine the same complexion unto this day But this defect is more remarkable in America which although subjected unto both the Tropicks yet are not the Inhabitants black betweeâ—e or neere or under either neither to the Southward in Brasilia Chili or Peru nor yet to the Northward in Hispaniola Castilia del Oro or Nicaraguava and although in many parts thereof it be confessed there bee at present swarmes of Negroes serving under the Spaniard yet were they all transported from Africa since the discovery of Columbus 〈◊〉 are not indigenous or proper natives of America Fifthly we cannot conclude this complexion in Nations from the vicinity or habitude they hold unto the Sun for even in Africa they be Negroes under the Southerne Tropick but arâ— not all of this huâ— either under or neere the Northerne So the people of Gualata Agaâ—es â—aramantes and of Goaga all within the Northerne Tropicks are not Negroes but on the other side about Capo Negro Cefala and Madagascar they are of a Jetty black Now if to salve this Anomaly wee say the heate of the Sun is more powerfull in the Southerne Tropick because in the signe of Capricorne falls out the Perigeum or lowest place of the Sun in his Excentrick whereby he becomes neerer unto them then unto the other in Cancer wee shall not absolve the doubt And if any insist upon such nicities and will presume a different effect of the Sun from such a difference of place or vicinity we shall ballance the same with the concernment of its motion and time of revolution and say he is more powerfull in the Northerne hemisphere and in the Apogeâ—â— for therein his motion is slower and so his heate respectively unto those habitations as of duration so also of more effect For though he absolve his revolution in 365. dayes odde howres and minutes yet by reason of his Excentricity his motion is unequall and his course farre longer in the Northerne semicircle then in the Southerne for the latter he passeth in 178. dayes but the other takes him 187. that is eleven dayes more so is his presence more continued unto the Northerne Inhabitant and the longest day in Cancer is longer unto us then that in Capricorne unto the Southerne habitator Beside hereby we onely inferre an inequality of heate in different Tropicks but not an equality of effects in other parts subjected to the same For in the same degree and as neere the earth he makes his revolution unto the American whose Inhabitants notwithstanding partake not of the same effect And if herein we seek a reliefe from the Dogstarre we shall introduce an effect proper unto a few from a cause common unto many for upon the same grounds that Starre should have as forcible a power upon America and Asia and although it be not verticall unto any part of Asia but onely passeth by Beach in terra incognita yet is it so unto America and vertically passeth over the habitations of Peru and Brasilia Sixtly and which is very considerable there are Negroes in Africa beyond the Southerne Tropick and some so far removed from it as Geographically the clime is not intemperate that is neere the cape of good Hope in 36. of Southerne Latitude Whereas in the same elevation Northward the Inhabitants of America are faire and they of Europe in Candy Sicily and some parts of Spaine deserve not propâ—rly so low a name as Tawny Lastly whereas the Africans are conceaved to be more pâ—culiarly scorched and torrified from the Sun by addition of drinesse from the soyle from want and defect of water it will not excuse the doubt For the parts which the Negroes possesse are not so void of Rivers and moisture as is herein presumed for on the other side the mountaines of the Moone in that great tract called Zanzibar there are the mighty Rivers of Suama and Spirito Santo on this side the great River Zaire the mighty Nile and Niger which doe not onely moysten and contemperate the ayre by their exhalations but refresh and humâ—ctate the earth by their annuall inundations Beside in that part of Africa which with all disadvantage is most dry that is in site betweene the Tropicks defect of Rivers and inundations as also abundance of sands the people are not esteemed Negroes and that is Lybia which with the Greeks carries the name of all Africa A region so desâ—rt dry and sandy that travellers as Leo reports are faine to carry water on their Camels whereof they finde not a drop sometime in 6. or 7. dayes yet is this Countrey accounted by Geographers no part of terra Nigritarum and Pâ—olomy placeth herein the Leuco Aethiopes or pale and Tawney Moores Now the ground of this opinion might bee the visible quality of Blacknesse observably produced by heate fire and smoake but especially with the Ancients the violent esteeme they held of the heate of the Sun in the hot or torrid Zone conceaving that part unhabitable and therefore that people in the vicinities or frontiers thereof could not escape without this change of their complexions But how farre they were mistaken in this apprehension moderne Geography hath discovered And as wee have declared there are many within this Zone whose complexions descend not so low as blacknesse And if we should strictly insist hereon the possibility might fall into some question that is whether the heate of the Sun whose feâ—vor may swarâ—e a living part and even black a dead or dissolving flâ—sh can yet in animals whose parâ—â— are successive and in continuall flâ—x produce this deepe and perfect glosse of Blacknesse Thus having evinced at least made dubious the Sunne is not the Author of this blacknesse how and when this tincture fiâ—st began iâ— yet a Riddle and positively to determine it surpasseth my presumption Seeing
expressions had they been observed in ancient translations elder Expositers had not beene misguided by the Synonomy nor had they afforded occasion unto Austen the Glosse Lyranus and many others to have taken up the common conceit and spoke of this text conformably unto the opinion rejected CHAP. II. Concerning the Loadstone Of things particularly spoken thereof evidently or probably true Of things generally beleeved or particularly delivered manifestly or probably false In the first of the Magneticall vertue of the earth of the foure motions of the stone that is its Verticity or direction its Attraction or Coition its declination its Variation and also of its Antiquity In the second a rejection of sundry opinions and relations thereof Naturall Medicall Historicall Magicall ANd first we conceive the earth to be a Magneticall body A Magnetical body we term not only that which hath a power attractive but that which seated in a convenient medium naturally disposeth it self to one invariable and fixed situation And such a Magnetical vertue we conceive to be in the Globe of the earth whereby as unto its naturall points and proper terms it disposeth it self unto the poles being so framed constituted ordered unto these points that those parts which are now at the poles would not naturally abide under the Aequator nor Green-land remain in the place of Magellanica and if the whole earth were violently removed yet would it not foâ—goe its primiâ—ive points nor pitch in the East or West but return unto its polary position again For though by compactnesse or graviâ—y it may acquire the lowest place and become the center of the universe yet that it makes good that point not varying at all by the accession of bodyes upon or secession thereof from its surface pertuâ—bing the equilibration of either Hemiâ—pheare whereby the altitude of the starres might vary or that it strictly maintaines the north and southerne points that neither upon the motiâ—ns of the heavens ayre and winds without large eruptions and dâ—vâ—sion of parts within its polar paâ—ts should never incline or veere unto the Aequator whereby the latitude of places should also vary it cannot so well be salved from gravity as a magneticall verticity This is probably that foundation the wisdome of the Creator hâ—th laid unto the earth and in this sense we may more nearly apprehend and sensibly make out the expressions of holy Scripture as that of Ps. 93. 1. Firma vit orbem terrae qui non commovebitur he hath made the round world so sure that it cannot be moved as when it is said by Jâ—b Extendit Aquilonem super vacuo c. Hee stretcheth forth the North upon the empty place and hangeth the earth upon nothing And this is the most probable answer unto that great question Job â—8 whereupon are the foundations of the earth fastened or who laid the corner stone thereof Had they been acquainted with this principle Anaxagoras Socrates and Democritus had better made out the ground of this stabiliâ—y Xenâ—phanes had not been faine to say it had no bottome and â—hâ—les Milesius to make it swim in water Now whether the earth stand still or moveth circularly we may concede this Magneticall stability For although it move in that conversion the poles and center may still remaine the same as is conceived in the Magneticall bodies of heaven especially Jâ—piter and the Sunne which according to Galileus Kepler and Fabrâ—cius are observed to have Dineticall motions and certaine revolutions abouâ— their proper centers and though the one in about the space of ten dayes the other in lesse then one accomplish this revolution yet do they observe a constant habitude unto their poles and firme themselves thereon in their gyration Nor is the vigour of this great body included only in is selfe or circumferenced by its surface but diffused at indeterminate distances through the ayre water and bodyes circumjacent exciting and impregnating magneticall bodyes within it surface or without it and performing in a secret and invisible way what we evidently behold effected by the Loadstone For these effluxions penetrate all bodyes and like the species of visible objects are ever ready in the medium and lay hold on all bodyes proportionate or capable of their action those bodyes likewise being of a congenerous nature doe readily receive the impressions of their motor and if not fettered by their gravity conforme themselves to situations wherein they best unite unto their Animator And this will sufficiently appeare from the observations that are to follow which can no better way bee made out then this wee speake of the magneticall vigour of the earth Now whether these effluviâ—ms do flye by streated Atomes and winding particles as Renatus des Cartes conceaveth or glide by streames attracted from either pole and hemispheare of the earth unto the Aequator as Sir Kenelme Digby excellently declareth it takes not away this vertue of the earth but more distinctly sets downe the gests and progresse thereof and are conceits of eminent use to salve magneticall phenomena's And as in Astronomy those hypotheses though never so strange are best esteemed which best do salve apparencies so surely in Philosophy those principles though seeming monstrous may with advantage be embraced which best confirme experiment and afford the readiest reason of observation And truly the doctrine of effluxions their penetrating natures their invisible paths and insuspected effects are very considerable for besides this magneticall one of the earth severall effusions there may be from divers other bodies which invisibly act their parts at any time and perhaps through any medium a part of Philosophy but yet in discovery and will I feare prove the last leafe to be turned over in the booke of Nature First therefore it is evidently true and confirmable by every experiment that steele and good Iron never excited by the Loadstone discover in themselves a verticity that is a directive or polary faculty whereby conveniently they do septentrionate at one extreme and Australize at another this is manifestible in long and thin plates of steel perforated in the middle and equilibrated or by an easier way in long wires equiponderate with untwisted silke and soft wax for in this manner pendulous they will conforme themselves Meridionally directing one extreame unto the North another to the South The same is also manifest in steele wires thrust through little spheres or globes of Corke and floated on the water or in naked needles gently let fall thereon for so disposed they will not rest untill they have â—ound out the Meridian and as neere as they can lye parallell unto the axis of the earth Sometimes the eye sometimes the point Northward in divers Needles but the same point alwayes in most conforming themselves unto the wholâ— earth in the same manner as they doe unto every Loadstone For if a needle untoucht be hanged above a Loadstone it will convert into a parallel position thereto for in this situation it can best
the orbs we shall find it measured by another number for being performed in four twenty hours it is made up of 4 times 6 and this is the measure and standard of other parts of time of months of years Olympiades Lustres Indictions Cycles Jubilies c. Againe months are not onely Lunary and measured by the Moon but also Solary and determined by the motion of the Sun that is the space wherein the Sun doth passe 30. degrees of the Eccliptick by this month Hippocrates computed the time of the Infants gestation in the wombe for 9. times 30. that is 270. dayes or compleat 9. months make up forty weeks the common compute of women and this is to be understood in his booke De octimestripartu when he saith 2. dayes makes the fifteenth and 3. the tenth part of a month this was the month of the ancient Hebrewes before their departure out of Aegypt and hereby the compute will fall out right and the account concurre when in one place it is said the waters of the flood prevayled an hundred and fifty dayes and in another it is delivered that they prevailed from the seventeenth day of the second month unto the seventeenth day of the seventh and as for weeks although in regard of their Sabboths they were observed by the Hebrewes yet is it not apparent the ancient Greeks or Romans used any but had another division of their months into Ides Nones and Calends Moreover months howsoever taken are not exactly divisible into septuaries or weeks which fully containe seven dayes whereof foure times do make compleatly twenty eight for beside the usuall or Calendary month there are but foure considerable that is the month of Peragration of Apparition of Consecution and the medicall or Decretoriall month whereof some come short others exceed this account A month of Peragration is the time of the Moones revolution from any part of the Zodiack unto the same againe and this containeth but 27. dayes and about 8. howres which commeth short to compleat the septenary account The month of Consecution or as some will terme it of Progression is the space betweene one conjunction of the Moon with the Sun unto another and this containeth 29. dayes and an halfe for the Moone returning unto the same point wherein it was kindled by the Sun and not finding it there againe for in the meane time by its proper motion it hath passed through 2. signes it followeth after and attaines the Sun in the space of 2. dayes and 4. howres more which added unto the account of Peragration makes 29. dayes and an halfe so that this month exceedeth the latitude of Septenaries and the fourth part comprâ—hendeth more then 7. dayes A month of Apparition is the space wherein the Moone appeareth deducting three dayes wherein it commonly disappeareth and being in combustion with the Sun is presumed of lesse activity and this containeth but 26. dayes and 12. howres The Medicall month not much exceedeth this consisting of 26. dayes and 22. howres and it made up out of all the other months for if out of 29. and an halfe the month of Consecution we deduct 3. dayes of disappearance there will remaine the month of Apparition 26. dayes and 12. howres whereto if wee adde 27. dayes and 8. howres the month of Peragration there will arise 53. dayes and 10. howres which divided by 2. makes 26. dayes and 22. howres called by Physitians the medicall month introduced by Galen against Archigenes for the better compute of Decretory or Criticall dayes As for criticall dayes such I meane wherein upon a decertation betweene the disease and nature there ensueth a sensible alteration either to life or death the reasons thereof are rather deduced from Astrology then Arithmetick for accounting from the beginning of the disease and reckoning on unto the seventh day the Moone will be in a Tetragonall or Quadrate aspect that is 4. signes removed from that wherein the disease began in the 14. day it will bee in an opposite aspect and at the end of the third septenary Tetragonall againe as will most graphically appeare in the figures of Astrologers especially Lucas Gauricus De diebus decretoriis Againe beside that computing by the medicall month the first hebdomade or septenary consists of 6. dayes 17. howres and an halfe the second happeth in 13. dayes and eleven howres and the third but in the twentieth naturall day what Galen first and Aben-Ezra since observed in his Tract of Criticall dayes in regard of Eccentricity and the Epicycle or lesser orbe wherein it moveth the motion of the Moone is various and unequall whereby the criticall account must also vary for though its middle motion be equall and of 13. degrees yet in the other it moveth sometimes fifteene sometimes lesse then twelve for moving in the upper part of its orbe it performeth its motion more slowly then in the lower insomuch that being at the height it arriveth at the Tetragonall and opposite signes sooner and the Criticall day will be in 6. and 13. and being at the lowest the criticall account will be out of the latitude of 7. nor happen before the 8. or ninth day which are considerations not to be neglected in the compute of decretory dayes and manifestly declare that other numbers must have a respect here in as well as 7. and fourteene Lastly some things to this intent are deduced from holy Scripture thus is the yeare of Jubilie introduced to magnifie this number as being a yeare made out of 7. times 7. wherein notwithstanding there may be a misapprehension for this ariseth not from 7. times 7. that is 49. but was observed the fiftieth yeare as is expressed Levit. 25. And you shall hallow the fiftieth yeare a Jubilie shall that fiftieth yeare be unto you answerable whereto is the exposition of the Jews themselves as is delivered by Ben-maimon that is the yeare of Jubilie commeth not into the account of the years of 7. but the forty ninth is the Release and the fiftieth the yeare of Jubilie Thus is it also esteemed no small advancement unto this number that the Genealogy of our Saviour is summed up by 14. that is this number doubled according as is expressed Mat. 1. So all the generations from Abraham to David are foureteene generations and from David unto the carrying away into Babylon are foureteene generations and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteene generations which neverthelesse must not be strictly understood as numerall relations require for from David unto Jeconiah are accounted by Matthew but 14. generations whereas according to the exact account in the history of Kings there were at least 17. and 3. in this account that is Ahazias Joas and Amazias are left out for so it is delivered by the Evangelist And Joram begat Ozias whereas in the Regall genealogy there are 3. successions betweene for Ozias or Uzziah was the son of Amazias Amazias of Joas Joas of Azariah and Azariah of Joram so
be catched from the arise of the Dog-starre must we conceave the same a meere effect thereof Nor though Scaliger from hence be willing to inferre the efficacy of this starre are wee induced hereto except because the same Philosopher affiâ—meth that Tunny is fat about the rising of the Pleiades and departs upon Arcturus or that most insects are latent from the setting of the 7. starres except I say he give us also leave to inferre that these particular effects and alterations proceed from those stars which were indeed but designations of such quarters and portions of the yeare wherein the same were observed Now what Pliny affirmeth of the Orix that it seemeth to adore this star and taketh notice thereof by voyce and sternutation untill wee be better assured of its verity wee shall not salve the sympathy Secondly what slender opinion the Ancients held of the efficacy of this starre is declarable from their compute for as Geminus affirmeth and Petavius his learned Comment proveth they began their account from its Heliacall emersion and not its cosmicall ascent The cosmicall ascension of a starre we terme that when it ariseth together with the Sun or the same degree of the Ecliptick wherein the Sun abideth and that the â—eliacall when a starre which before for the vicinity of the Sun was not visible being further removed beginneth to appeare for the annuall motion of the Snn from West to East being far swifâ—er then that of the fixed stars he must of necessity leave them on the East whilst he hastneth forward and obscureth others to the West and so the Moone who performes its motion swifter then the Sun as may be observed in their Conjunctions and Eâ—â—ipses gets Eastward out of his rayes and appeares when the Sun is set if therefore the Dog-star had this effectuall heat which is ascribed unto it it would afford best evidence thereof and the season would be most â—ervent when it ariseth in the probablest place of its activity that is the cosmicall ascent for therein it ariseth with the Sun and is included in the same irradiation but the time observed by the Ancients was long after this ascent and in the Heliacall emersion when it becomes at greatest distance from the Sun neither rising with it nor neere it and therefore had they conceived any more then a bare signality in this Star or ascribed the heat of the season thereunto they would not have computed from its Heliacall ascent which was of inferiour efficacy nor imputed the vehâ—mency of heat unto those points wherein it was more remisse and where with lesse probability they might make out its action Thirdly although we derive the authority of these dayes from observations of the Ancients yet are our computes very different and such as confirme not each other for whereas they observed it Heliacally we observe it Cosmically for before it ariseth Heliacally unto our laâ—itude the Summer is even at an end Againe we compute not onely from different ascents but also from divers starres they from the greater Dog-star we from the lesser they from Orioâ—s we from Cephalus hiâ— dog they from Sâ—irius we from Procyon for the beginning of the Dog-dayes with us is set downe the 19. of July at which time the lesser Dog-star ariseth with the Sun whereas the starre of the greater Dâ—g ascendeth not untill about the 31. of July in the 18. degree of Leo and the joynt compute by both is onely justifiable in the latitude of 30. degrees where both these starres arise together So that their observations confirme not ours nor ours theirs but rather confute each other computing from different foundations and translating at pleasure the effects and power of one starre unto another Fourthly which is the Argument of Gemâ—â—us were there any such effectuall heat in this starre yet could it but weakly evidence the same in Summer it being about 40. degrees distant from the Sun and should rather manifest its warming power in the winter when it remaines conjoyned with the Sun in its Hybernall conversion for about the 29. of October and in the 16. of Scoâ—pius and so againe in January the Sunne performes his revolution in the same parallell with the Dogge-starre Againe if wee should impute the heat of this season unto the cooperation of any starres with the Sunne it seemes more favourable for our times to ascribe the same unto the constellation of Leo where besides that the Sunne is in his proper house it is conjoined with many starres whereof two of the first magnitude and in the 8 th of August is corporally conjoyned with Basiliscus a starre of eminent name in Astrologie and seated in the very Eclipticke Fifthly if all were granted that observation and reason were also for it and were it an undeniable truth that an effectuall seâ—vour proceeded from this starre yet would not the same determine the opinion now in question it necessarily suffering such restrictions as take of generall illations for first in regard of different latitudes unto some the caâ—icular dayes are in the winter as unto such as have no latitude but live in a right Sphere that is under the Aequinoctiall line for unto them it aâ—iseth with the Sunne about the Tropicke of Cancer which seasâ—â— unto them is winter and the Sunne remotest from them nor â—ath the same position in the summer that is in the Aequinoctiall points any advantage from it for in the one point the Sunne is at the Meridian before the Dogge-starre ariseth in the other the starre is at the Meridian before the Sunne ascendeth Some latitudes have no canicular dayes at all as namely all those which have more then 73. degrees of northerne Elevation as the territory of Nova Zembla part of Greenland and Tartarie for unto that habitation the Dogge-starre is invisible and appeareth not above the Horizon Unto such Latitudes as it ariseth it carrieth a various and a very different respect unto some it ascendeth when Summer is over whether we compute Heliacally or Cosmically for though unto Alexandria it ariseth in Cancer it ariseth not unto Biarmia Cosmically before it bee in Virgo and Heliacally about the Autumâ—all aequinox even unto the Latitude of 52. the efficacy thereof is not much considerable whether we consider its ascent Meridian altitude or abode above the Horizon for it ariseth very late in the yeere about the eighteenth of Leo that is the 31. of Iuly Of Meridian Altitude it hath but 23. degrees so that it playes but obliquely upon us and as the Sun doth about the 23. of January and lastly his abode above the Horizon is not great for in the eighteenth of Leo the 31. of Iuly although they arise together yet doth it set above 5. houres before the Sun that is before two of the clock after which time we are more sensible of heat then all the day before Scondly in regard of the variation of the longitude of the starres we are to consider what the Ancients observed not that
the site of the fixed starres is alterable and that since elder times they have suffered a large and considerable variation of their longitudes the longitude of a starre to speake plainly is its distance from the fiâ—st point of numeration toward the East which first point unto the Ancients was the vernall aequinox Now by reason of their motion from West to Eâ—st they have very much varied from this point The first starre of Aries in the time of Meton the Athenian was placed in the very intersection which is now elâ—ngated and removed Eastward 28. degrees insomuch that now the signe of Aries possesseth the place of Taurus and Taurus that of Gemâ—â—i which variation of longitude must very much distract the opinion of the Dogge-starre not onely in our dayes but in times beâ—ore and after for since the world began it hath arisen in Taurus and before it end may have its ascent in Virgo so that wee must place the canicular dayes that is the hottest time of the year in the spring in the first Age and in the Autumne in the ages to come Thirdly the starres have not onely varied their longitudes whereby their ascents have altered but have also changed their declinations whereby their rising at all that is their appearing hath varied The longitude of a starre wee call its shortest distance from the Aequator Now though the poles of the world and the Aequator be immoveable yet because the starres in their proper motions from West to East doe move upon the poles of the Eclipticke distant 23. degrees and an half 〈…〉 poles of the Aequator and describe circles parallel not unto the Aequator but the Eclipticke they must be therfore sometimes nearer â—ometimes removed further from the Aequator All starres that have their distance from â—he Eclipticke Northward not more then 23. degrees aâ—d an halfe which is the greatest distance of the Eclipticke from the Aequator may in progression of time have declination Southward and move beyond the Aequator but if any starre hath just this distance of 23. and an halfe as hath Cappella on the backe of Eâ—icthonius it may hereafter move under the Aequinoctiall and the same will happen respectively unto starres which have declination Southward and therefore many starres may be visible in our Hemisphere which are not so at present and many which are at present shall take leave of our Horizon and appeare unto Southerne habitations and therefore the time may come that the Dogge-starre may not be visible in our Horizon and the time hath beene when it hath not shewed it selfe unto our neighbour latitudes so that canicular dayes there have beene none nor shall be yet certainely in all times some season of the yeare more notable hot then other Lastly wee multiply causes in vaine for the reason hereof wee need not have recourse unto any starre but the Sunne and the continuitie of its action For the Sunne ascending into the Northerne signes begetteth first a temperate heat in the ayre which by his approach unto the solstice he intendeth and by continuation increaseth the same even upon declination for running over the same degrees again that is in Leo which hee hath done in Taurus in July which he did in May he augmenteth the heat in the later which he began in the first and easily intendeth the same by continuation which was well promoted before So is it observed that they which dwell between the Tropicks and the Aequator have their second summer hotter and more maturative of fruits then the former so we observe in the day which is a short yeer the greatest heat about two in the afternoone when the Sunne is past the Meridian which is his diurnall Solstice and the same is evident from the Thermometer or observations of the weather-glasse so are the colds of the night sharper in the summer about two or three after midnight and the frosts in winter stronger about those houres so likewise in the yeare we observe the cold to augment when the dayes begin to increase though the Sunne be then ascensive and returning from the winter Tropick and therefore if wee rest not in this reason for the heat in the declining part of summer we must discover freezing stars that may resolve the latter colds of winter which who ever desires to invent let him studie the starres of Andromeda or the nearer constellation of Pegasus which are about that time ascendent It cannot therefore unto reasonable constructions seeme strange or savour of singularity that we have examined this point since the same hath beene already denyed by some since the authoritie and observations of the Ancients rightly understood doe not confirme it since our present computes are different from those of the Ancients whereon notwithstanding they depend since there is reason against it and if all were granted yet must it be maintained with manifold restraints farre otherwise then is received and lastly since from plaine and naturall principles the doubt may be fairely salved and not clapt up from petitionary foundations and principles unestablished But that which chiefly promoted the consideration of these dayes and medically advanced the same was the doctrine of Hippocrates a Physition of such repute that he received a testimony from a Christian that might have beene given unto Christ The first in his booke de Aeâ—e Aquis locis Sydâ—rum ortus c. That is wee are to observe the rising of Starres especially the Dogge-starre Arcturus and the setting of the Pleiades or seven Starres from whence notwithstanding wee cannot in generall inferre the efficacie of these Stars or coefficacie particular in medications probably expressing no more hereby then if hee should have plainely said especiall notice wee are to take of the hottest time in Summer of the beginning of Autumne and winter for by the rising and setting of those starres were these times and seasons defined and therefore subjoynes this reason Quoniam his temporibus morbi finiuntur because at these times diseases have their ends as Physitions well know and hee else where affirmeth that seasons determine diseases beginning in their contraries as the spring the diseases of Autumne and the summer those of winter now what is very remarkable whereas in the same place he adviseth to observe the times of notable mutations as the Aequinoxes and the Solstices and to decline Medication tenne dayes before and after how precisely soever canicular cautions be considered this is not observed by Physitions nor taken notice of by the people And indeed should we blindly obey the restraints both of Physitions and Astrologers we should contract the liberty of our prescriptions and confine the utility of Physicke unto a very few dayes for observing the Dogdayes and as is expressed some dayes before and likewise tenne dayes before and after the Aequinoctiall and Solsticiall points by this observation alone are exempted above an hundred dayes whereunto if we adde the two Aegyptian dayes in every moneth the interlunary
standing by is famous amongst Christians and upon this description dependeth a solemne story how by this atchieveme he redeemed a Kings daughter which is more especially beleeved by the English whose Protector he is and in which forme and history according to his description in the English Colledge at Rome he is set forth in the Icons or Cuts of Martyrs by Cevallerius Now of what authority soever this piece be among us it is I perceive received with different beliefes for some men beleeve the person and the story some the person but not the story and others deny both That such a person there was we shall not contend the indistinction of many in the community of name or the application of the act of one unto another have made some doubt there was no such man at all For of this name we meet with more then one in history and no lesse then two of Cappadocia the one an Arrian who was slain by the Alexandrians in the time of Julian the other a valiant Souldier and Christian Martyr beheaded in the reigne of Dioclesian And this is the George conceived in this picture who hath his day in the Romane Calender on whom so many fables are delivered whose story is set forth by Metaphrastes and his myracles by Turonensis As for the story depending hereon we cannot make out the verity thereof and conceive the literall acception a meere mistake of the symbolicall exppession apprehending that a veritable history which was but an emblem or peece of Christian posie And this Emblematicall construction hath been received by men who are not forward to extenuate the acts of their Saints as from Baronius Lipellous the Carthusian hath delivered in the life of St. George Picturam illam St. Georgii quâ effingitur eques armatus qui hastae cuspide hostem interficit juxta quam etiam virgo posita manus supplices tendens ejus explorat auxilium Symboli potius quam historiae alicâ—jus censenda expressa Imago consuevit quidem â—t equestris militiae miles equestri imagine referri Now in the picture of this Sâ— and Souldier was implyed the Christian Souldier and true Champion of Christ A horseman armed Cap a pe intimating the Panoplia or compleat armour of a Christian combating with the Dâ—agon that is with the Divell in defence of the Kings daughter that is the Church of God and therefore although the history be not made out it doth not disparage the Knights and noble order of St. George whose cognisance is honourable in the emblem of the Souldier of Christ and is a worthy memoriall to conforme unto its mystery nor were there no such person at all had they more reason to be ashamed then the noble order of Burgundy and Knights of the golden Fleece whose badge is a confessed fable CHAP. XVIII Of the Picture of Ierome THe Picture of Jerome usually described at his study with a Clock hanging by him is not to be omitted for though the meaning bee allowable and probable it is that industrious Father did not let slip his time without account yet must not perhaps that Clocke be set downe to have been his measure thereof For Clocks are Automatous organs and such whereby we now distinguish of time have found no mention in any ancient Writers but are of late invention as Pancirollus observeth and Polydore Virgil discoursing of new inventions whereof the authors are not knowne makes instance in Clocks and Guns now Jerome is no late Writer but one of the ancient Fathers and lived in the fourth Century in the reigne of Theodosius the first It is not to be denyed that before the dayes of Jerome there were Horologies and severall accounts of time for they measured the hours not only by drops of water in glasses called Clepsydrae but also by sand in glasses called Clepsammia there were also from great antiquity Sciotericall or Sun Dialls by the shadow of a stile or gnomon denoting the houres of the day an invention ascribed unto Anaximenes by Pliny hereof a very memorable one there was in Campus Martius from an obelisk erected golden figures placed horizontally about it which was brought out of Aegypt by Augustus and described by Jacobus Laurus And another of great antiquity we meet with in the story of Ezechias for so it is delivered Kings 2. 20. That the Lord brought the shadow backward ten degrees by which it had gone down in the Diall of Ahaz that is say some ten degrees not lines for the houres were denoted by certaine divisions or steps in the Diall which others distinguished by lines according to that of Persius Stertimus indomitâ—m quod despumare Falernum Sufficiat quintâ dum linea tangitur umbrâ That is the line next the Meridian or within an houre of noone Of latter yeares there succeeded new inventions and horologies composed by Trochilick or the artifice of wheeles whereof some are kept in motion by weight others performe without it now as one age instâ—ucts another and time that brings all things to ruine perfects also every thing so are these indeed of more generall and ready use then any that went before them by the water-glasses the account was not regular for from attenuation and condensation whereby that Element is altered the houres were shorter in hot weather then in cold and in Summer then in Winter as for Sciotericall Dialls whether of the Sunne or Moon they are only of use in the actuall radiation of those Luminaries and are of little advantage unto those inhabitants which for many months enjoy not the lustre of the Sun It is I confesse no easie wonder how the horometry of Antiquity discovered not this Artifice how Architas that contrived the moving Dove or rather the Helicoscopie of Archimedes fell not upon this way surely as in many things so in this particular the present age hath farre suâ—passed Antiquity whose ingenuity hath been so bold not only to proceed below the account of minutes but to attempt perpetuall motions and engines whose revolutions could their substance answer the dâ—signe might outlast the examplary mobility and out measure time it selfe for such a one is that mentioned by John Dee whose words are these in his learned Presace unto Euclide By wheeles strange works and incredible are done A wondrous example was seen in my time in a certaine Iaâ—trument which by the Inventer and Aâ—tiâ—icer was sold for twenty talents of Gold and then by chance had received some injury and one Janellus of Cremona did mend the same and presented it unto the Emperour Charles the siâ—t Jeronymus Cardanus can be my witnesse that therein was one wheele that moved in such a rate that in seven thousand yeares onely his owne period should be finished a thing almost incredible but how far I keep within my bounds many men yet alive can tell CHAP. XIX Of the Pictures of Mermaids Vnicornes and some others FEw eyes have escaped the Picture of the Mermaids that is according to Horace
Flax was bolled but the Wheat and the Rye were not smitton for they were not growne up And thus we see the account established upon the arise or descent of the starres can be no reasonable rule unto distant Nations at all and by reason of their retrogression but temporary unto any one nor must these respective expressions be entertained in absolute considerations for so distinct is the relation and so artificiall the habitude of this inferiour globe unto the superiour and even of one thing in each unto the other that generall rules are dangerous and applications most safe that runne with security of circumstance which rightly to effect is beyond the subtilty of sense and requires the artifice of reason CHAP. IV. Of some computation of dayes and diductions of one part of the year unto another FOurthly there are certaine vulgar opinions concerning dayes of the yeare and conclusions popularly deduced from certaine dayes of the month men commonly beleeving the dayes encrease and decrease equally in the whole yeare which notwithstanding is very repugnant unto truth For they encrease in the month of March almost as much as in the two months of January and February and decrease as much in September as they doe in July and August For indeed the dayes encrease or decrease according to the declinaâ—ion of the Sun that is its deviation Northward or Southward from the Aequator Now this digression is not equall but neare the Aequinoxiall intersections it is right and greater neare the Solstices more oblique and lesser So from the eleventh of March the vernall Aequinox unto the eleventh of Aprill the Sun declâ—neth to the North twelve degrees from the eleventh of Aprill unto the eleventh of May but 8 from thence unto the 15 of June or the Summer Solstice but 3 and a halfe all which make 23 degrees and an halfe the greatest declination of the Sun And this inequality in the declination of the Sun in the Zodiacke or line of life is correspondent unto the growth or declination of man for setting out from our infancie we encrease not equally or regularly attaine to our state or perfection nor when we descend from our state and tend unto the earth againe is our declination equall or carryeth us with even paces unto the grave For as Hippocrates affirmeth a man is hottest in the first day of his life and coldest in the last his naturall heate setteth forth most vigorously at first and declineth most sensibly at last And so though the growth of man end not perhaps untill 21. yet in his stature more advanced in the first septeâ—ary then in the second and in the second more then in the third and more indeed in the first seven yeares then in the fourteene succeeding for what stature we attaine unto at seven yeares we do sometimes but double most times come short at one and twenty And so do we decline againe for in the latter age upon the Tropick and first descension from our solstice wee are scarce sensible of declination but declining further our decrement accelerates we set apace and in our last dayes precipitate into our graves And thus are also our progressions in the wombe that is our formation motion our birth or exclusion For our formation is quickly effected our motion appeareth later and our exclusion very long after if that be true which Hippocrates and Avicenna have declared that the time of our motion is double unto that of formation and that of exclusion treble unto that of motion as if the Infant bee formed at 35. dayes it moveth at 70. and is borne the 210. day that is the seventh month or if it receaves not formation before 45. dayes it moveth the 90. day and is excluded in 270. that is the 9. month There are also certaine popular prognosticks drawne from festivals in the Calendar and conceaved opinions of certaine dayes in months so is there a generall tradition in most parts of Europe that inferreth the coldnesse of succeeding winter from the shining of the Sun upon Candlemas day according to the proverbiall distich Si Sol splendescat Mariâ— puriâ—icante Major erit glacies post festum quam fuit ante So is it usuall amongst us to qualifie and conditionate the twelve months of the yeare answerably unto the temper of the twelve dayes in Christmasse and to ascribe unto March certaine borrowed dayes from Aprill all which men seeme to beleeve upon annuall experience of their own and the receaved traditions of their forefathers Now it is manifest and most men likewise know that the Calenders of these computers and the accounts of these dayes are very different the Greeks dissenting from the Latins and the Latins from each other the one observing the Julian or ancient account as great Britaine and part of Germany the other adhering to the Gregorian or new account as Italy France Spaine and the united Provinces of the Netherlands Now this latter account by ten dayes at least anticipateth the other so that before the one beginneth the accout the other is past it yet in these severall calculations the same events seeme true and men with equall opinion of verity expect and confesse a confirmation from them both Whereby is evident the Oraculous authority of tradition and the easie seduction of men neither enquiring into the verity of their substance nor reforming upon repugnance of circumstance And thus may diverse easily be mistaken who superstitiously observe certaine times or set downe unto themselves an observation of unfortunate months or dayes or howres As did the Aegyptians two in every month and the Romans the dayes after the Nones Ides and Calends And thus the Rules of Navigators must often faile setting downe as Rhodiginus observeth suspected and ominous dayes in every month as the fiâ—st and seventh of March the fift and sixâ— of Aprill the sixt the twelfth and fifteenth of February For the accounts hereof in these months are very different in our dayes and were different with severall nations in Ages past and yet how strictly soever the account be made and even by the selfe same Calender yet is it pâ—ssible that Navigators may be out For so were the Hollanders who pâ—ssing Wâ—stward through fretum le Mayre and compassing the Globe upon their returne into their owne Countrey found that they had lost a day For if two men at the same time travell from the same place the one Eâ—stward the other Westward round about the earth and meet in the same place from whenâ—e they first set forth it will so â—all out that he which hath moved Eastward against the diurnall motion of the Sun by anticipating daylie something of its circle with his owne motion will gaine one day but he that travelleth Westward with the motion of the Sun by seconding its revolution shall lose or come short a day and therefore also upon these grounds that Dâ—los was seated in the middle of the earth it was no exact decision because two Eagles let
slyâ— East and West by Jupiter their meeting fell out just in the Island Delos CHAP. V. A Digression of the wisdome of God in the site and motion of the Sun HAving thus beheld the Ignorance of man in some things his error and blindnesse in others that is in the measure of duration both of yeares and seasons let us a while admire the Wisdome of God in this distinguisher of times and visible Deity as some have termed it the Sun which though some from its glory adore and all for its benefits adâ—ire we shall advance from other considerations and such as illustrate the artifice of its Maker nor doe wee thinke we can excuse the duty of our knowledge if we onely bestow the flourish of Poetry hereon or those commendatory conceits which popularly set forth the eminency of this creature except we ascend unto subtiler considerations and such as rightly understood convinsively declare the wisdome of the Creator which since a Spanish Physition hath begun wee will inlarge with our owne deductions and this we shall endeavour from two considerations that is its proper situation and wisely ordered motion And first we cannot passe over his providence in that it moveth at all for had it stood still and were it fixed like the earth there had beene then no distinction of times either of day or yeare of Spring of Autumne of Summer or of Winter for these seasons are defined by the motions of the Sun when that approacheth neerest us wee call it Summer when furthest off Winter when in the middle spaces Spring or Autumne whereas remaining in one place these distinctions had ceased and consequently the generation of all things depending on their vicissiâ—udes making in one hemisphere a perpetuall Summer in the other a deplorable and comfortlesse Winter and thus had it also beene continuall day unto some and perpetuall night unto others for the day is defined by the abode of the Sun above the Horizon and the night by its continuance below so should we have needed another Sun one to illustrate our hemisphere a second to enlighted the other which inconvenience will ensue in what site soever we place it whether in the poles or the Aequator or betweene them both no sphericall body of what bignesse soever illuminating the whole sphere of another although it illuminate something more then halfe of a lesser according unto the doctrine of the Opiticks His wisdome is againe discernable not onely in that it moveth at all and in its bare motion but wonderfull in contriving the line of its revolution which from his artifice is so effected that by a vicissitude in one body and light it sufâ—iceth the whole earth affording thereby a possible or pleasurable habitation in every part thereof and that is the line Eclyptick all which to effect by any other circle it had beene impossible For first if we imagine the Sun to make his course out of the Eclyptick and upon a line without any obliquity let it be conceaved within that Circle that is either on the Aequator or else on either side for if we should place it either in the Meridian or Colures beside the subversion of its course from East to West there would ensue the like incommodities Now if we conceave the Sun to move betweene the obliquity of this Eclyptick in a line upon one side of the Aequator then would the Sunne be visible but unto one pole that is the same which was nearest unto it So that unto the one it would be perpetuall day unto the other perpetuall night the one would be oppressed with constant heate the other with unsufferable cold and so the defect of alternation would utterly impugne the generation of all things which naturally require a vicissitude of heate to their production and no lesse to their encrease and conservation But if we conceive it to move in the Aequator first unto a parallell sphere or such as have the pole for their Zenith it would have made neither perfect day nor night for being in the Aequator it would intersect their Horizon and be halfe above and halfe beneath it or rather it would have made perpeâ—uall night to both for though in regard of the rationall Horizon which bissecteth the Globe into equall parts the Sunne in the Aequator would intersect the Horizon yet in respect of the sensible Horizon which is defined by the eye the Sun would bee visible unto neither For if as ocular witnesses report and some doe also write by reason of the connexity of the Eâ—rth the eye of man under the Aequator cannot discover both the poles neither would the eye under the poleâ— discover the Sunne in the Aequator And thus would there nothing â—ructifie either neare or under them the Sunne being Horizontall to the poles and of no considerable altitude unto parts a reasonable distance from them Again unto a right sphere or such as dwell under the Aequator although it made a difference in day and night yet would it not make any distinction of seasons for unto them it would be constant Summer it being alwayes verticall and never deâ—lecting from them So had there been no fructification at all and the Countries subjected would be as inhabitable as indeed antiquity conceived them Lastly it moving thus upon the Aequator unto what position soever although it had made a day yet could it have made no yeare for it could not have had those two motions now ascribed unto it that is from Eâ—st to West whereby it makes the day and likewise from West to East whereby the yeare is computed for according to Astronomy the poles of the Aequator are the same with those of the Primum Mobile Now it is impossible that on the same circle having the same poles both these motions from opposite termes should be at the same time performed all which is salved if we allow the Sunne an obliquity in his annuall motion and conceive him to move upon the poles of the Zodiack distant from these of the world 23 degrees and an halfe Aâ—d thus may we discerne the necessity of its obliquity and how inconvenient its motion had been upon a circle parallell to the Aequator or upon the Aequator it selfe Now with what providence this obliquity is determined we shall evidently perceive upon the ensuing inconveniences from any deviation for first if its obliquity had been lesse as instead of twenty three degrees twelve or the halfe thereof the vicissitude of seasons appointed for the generation of all things would surely have been too short for different seasons would have hudled upon each other and unto some it had not been much better then if it had moved on the Aequator but had the obliquity been greater then now it is as double or of 40. degrees severall parts of the earth had not been able to endure the disproportionable differences of seasons occasioned by the great recesse and distance of the Sunne for unto some habitations the
that is the Calends for in the Romane account the second day is the fourth of the Nones of June Againe were the day definitive it had prevented the delusion of the Devill nor could he have gained applause by its prediction who notwithstanding as Athanasius in the life of Anthony relateth to magnifie his knowledge in things to come when he perceived the rains to fall in Aethiopia would presage unto the Aegyptians the day of its inundation And this would also make uselesse that naturall experiment observed in earth or sand about the River by the weight whereof as good Authors report they have unto this day a knowledge of its encrease Lastly it is not reasonable from variable and unstable causes to derive a fixed and constant effect and such are the causes of this Inundation which cannot indeed be regular and therefore their effects not prognosticable like Ecclipses for depending upon the clouds and descent of showres in Aethiopia which have their generation from vaporous exhalations they must submit their existence unto contingencies and endure anticipation and recession from the moveable condition of their causes And therefore some yeares there hath been no encrease at all as Seneca and divers relate of the eleventh yeare of Cleopatra nor nine yeares together as is testified by Calisthenes Some yeares it hath also retarded and came far later then usually it was expected as according to Sozomen and Nicephorus it happened in the dayes of Theodosius whereat the people were ready to mutiny because they might not sacrifice unto the River according to the custome of their Predecessors Now this is also an usuall way of mistake and many are deceived who too strictly construe the temporall considerations of things Thus bookes will tell us and we are made to beleeve that the fourteenth yeare males are seminificall and pubescent but he that shall enquire into the generality will rather adhere unto the cautelous assertion of Aristotle that is bis septem annis exactis and then but magna ex parte That Whelps are blinde nine dayes and then begin to see is generally beleeved but as we have elsewhere declared it is exceeding rare nor doe their eye-lids usually open untill the twelfth and sometimes not before the fourteenth day And to speake strictly an hazardable determination it is unto fluctuating and indifferent effects to affixe a positive type or period for in effects of far more regular causalities difficulties doe often arise and even in time it selfe which measureth all things we use allowance in its commensuration Thus while we conceive we have the account of a year in 365 dayes exact enquirers and computists will tell us that we escape 6 houres that is a quarter of a day and so in a day which every one accounts 24 houres or one revolution of the Sunne in strict account we must allow the addition of such a part as the Sunne doth make in his proper motion from West to East whereby in one day he describeth not a perfect circle Fourthly it is affirmed by many and received by most that it never raineth in Aegypt the River supplying that defect and bountifully requiting it in its Inundation but this must also be received in a qualified sense that is that it raines but seldome at any time in the Summer and very rarely in the Winter But that great showres do sometimes fall upon that Region beside the assertion of many Writers we can confirme from honourable and ocular testimony and that not many yeares past it rayned in Grand Cairo 8 or 9 dayes together Beside men hereby forget the relation of holy Scripture as is delivered Ex. 9. Behold I will cause it to raine a very grievous haile such as hath not been in Aegypt since the foundation thereof even untill now wherein God threatning such a raine as had not happened it must be presumed they had been acquainted with some before and were not ignorant of the substance the menace being made in the circumstance Now this mistake ariseth from a misapplication of the bounds or limits of time and an undue transition from one unto another which to avoid we must observe the punctuall differences of time and so reasonably distinguish thereof as not to confound or lose the one in the other For things may come to passe Semper Plerumque Saepè or Nunquam Aliquando Raro that is Alwayes or never for the most part or Sometimes Oftimes or Seldome Now the deception is usuall which is made by the misapplication of these men presently concluding that to happen often which happeneth but sometimes that never which happeneth but seldome and that alway which happeneth for the most part So is it said the Sunne shines every day in Rhodes because for the most part it faileth not So we say and believe that a Camelion never â—ateth but liveth only upon ayre whereas indeed it is seen to eat very seldome but many there are who have beheld it to feed on flyes And so it is said that children borne in the eighth moneth live not that is for the most part but not to be concluded alwayes nor it seems in former ages in all places for it is otherwise recorded by Aristotle concerning the births of Aegypt Lastly it is commonly conceived that divers Princes have attempted to cut the Isthmus or tract of land which parteth the Arabian and Mediterranâ—an Sea but wherâ—in â—pon enquiry I finde some difficulty concerning the place aâ—tempted many with good authority affirming that the intent was not immediatly to unitâ— these Seas but to make a navigable channell betweene the Red Sea and the Nile the markeâ— whereof are extant to this day it was first attemptâ—d by Sersostris after by Dâ—â—iâ—s aâ—d in a feare to drowne the Country deserâ—ed by them both but was long after re-attempted and in some manner effected by Philâ—dâ—lphus and so the Grand Signior who is Lord of the Country conveyeth his Gallyes into the Red Sea by the Nile for he bringeth them downe to Grand Cairo where they are taken in pâ—â—ces caâ—â—yed upon Camels backs and rejoyned together at Suâ—s his port and navall station for that Sea whereby in effect he acts the designe of Cleopatra who after the battell of Actium in a different way would have conveyed her Gallies into the Red Sea And therefore that proverbe to cut an Isthmus that is to take great paines and â—ffect noâ—hing alludeth not unto this attempt but is by Erasmus applyed unto severall other as that undertaking of Câ—idians to cut their Isthmus but especially that of Corinth so unsuccessefully attempted by many Empâ—rors The Cnidians were deterred by the peremptory disswasion of Apollo plainly commanding them to desist for if God had thought it fit hee would have made that Country an Islâ—nd at fiâ—st But this perhaps will not be thought a reasonable discouâ—agâ—ment unto the activity of those spirits which endeavour to advantage nature by Art and upon good grounds to promote any part of the
of Lydia now doth dresse The sent thereof 〈◊〉 in my nostrills hover From brazen pot closed with brazen cover Hereby indâ—ed he acquiâ—ed much wealth and more honour and was reputed by Craesuâ— as a Diety and yet not long after by a vulgar fallacie he deceived his favourite and greatest friend to Oracles into an irrepâ—â—able overthrow by Cyrus And surely the same successe are liâ—ely all to have that 〈◊〉 or depend upon him 't was the first play he practised on mortaliâ—â—y aâ—d as time hath rendred him more perfect in the Art so hath the invâ—teratenesse of his malice more ready in the execution 'T is therefore the soveraigne degree of folly and a crime not onely against God but also our owne reasons to expect a favour from the Divell whose mercies are more cruell then those of Polyphemus for hee devours his favourites first and the nearer a man â—pproacheth the sooner he is scorched by Moloch In briefe his favours 〈◊〉 deceitfull and double headed he doth apparent good for reall and convincing evill after it and exalteth us up to the top of the Temple but to humble us downe from it CHAP. XIII Of the death of Aristotlâ— THat Aristotle drowned himselfe in Euripus as despairing to resolve the cause of its reciprocation or ebbe and flow seven times a day with this determination Si quidem ego non capio te tu capies me was the assertion of Procopius Naziaâ—zen Iustine Martyr and is generally beleeved amongst us wherein because we perceive men have 〈◊〉 an imperfect knowledge some conceiving â—uripus to be a River others not knowing where or in what part to place it wee first advertise it generally signifieth any strait fret or channell of the Sea running betweene two shoares as Julius Pollux hath defined it as wee reade of Euripus Hellespontiacus Pyrrhaeus and this whereof we treat Euripus Euboicus or Chalcidicus that is a narrow passage of Sea deviding Atticâ— and the Island of Eubaeâ— now called Colâ—o de Negroponte from the name of the Island and chiefe City thereof famous in the warres of Antiochus and was taken from the Venetians by Mahomeâ— the great Now that in this Euripe oâ— fret of Negropont and upon the occasion mentioned Aristotle drowned himselfe as many affirme and almost all beleeve we have some roome to doubt For without any mention of this we finde two wayes delivered of his death by Diogenes Laertius who expresly treateth thereof the one from Eumolus and Phavoâ—inus that being accused of impiety for composing an Hymne unto Hermias upon whose Concubine he begat his sonne Nichomachuâ— he withdrew into Chalcis where drinking poyson he dyed the Hymne is extant in Laertius and the fifteenth booke of Athenaeus Another by Apollodorus that he dyed at Chalcis of a naturall death and languishment of stomack in his sixty three or great Climactericall year and answerable hereto is the account of Suidas and Censorinus Againe beside the negative of Authority it is also deniable by reason nor will it be easie to obtrude such desperate attempts unto Aristotle upon a non ability or unsatisfaction of reason who so often acknowledged the imbecility thereof who in matters of difficulty and such which were not without abstrusities conceived it sufficiant to deliver conjecturalities and surely he that could sometimes sit downe with high improbabilities that could content himselfe and thinke to satisfie others that the variegation of Birds was from their living in the Sunne or erection made by deliberation of the Testicles would not have beene dejected unto death with this He that was so well acquainted with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 utrum and An Quia as we observe in the Queries of his Problemes with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fortasse and plerumque as is observable through all his Workes had certainely rested with probabilities and glancing conjectures in this Nor would his resolutions have ever runne into that mortall Antanaclasis and desperate piece of Rhetorick to be compriz'd in that he could not comprehend Nor is it indeed to bee made out he ever endeavoured the particular of Euripus or so much as to resolve the ebbe and flow of the Sea For as Vicomercatus and others observe he hath made no mention hereof in his Workes although the occasion present it selfe in his Meteors wherein hee disputeth the affections of the Sea nor yet in his Problemes although in the twenty third Section there be no lesse then one and 〈◊〉 Qâ—eries of the Sea some mention there is indeed in a Worke 〈◊〉 the propriety of Elements ascribed unto Aristotle which notwithâ—â—anding is not reputed genuine and was perhaps the same whence this was urged by Plutarch De placitis Philoso phorum Lastly the thing it selfe whereon the opinion dependeth that is the variety of the flâ—x and reflux of Euripus or whether the same doe ebbe and flow seven times a day is not incontrovertible and for my own part I remaine unsatisfied therein For though Pomponius Mela and after him Solinus and Pliny have affirmed it yet I observed Thucâ—dides who speaketh often of Eubaea hath omitted it Pausanias an ancient Writer who hath left an exact description of Greece and in as particular a way as Leandro of Italy or Cambden of Great Britaine describing not only the Country Townes and Rivers but hils springs and houses hath left no mention hereof Aeschines in Câ—esiphon onely alludeth unto it and Strabo that accurate Geographer spâ—akes warily of it that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and as men commonly reported And so doth also Maginus Velocis ac varii fluctus est mare ubi quater in die aut septies ut 〈◊〉 dicunt reciprocantur aestus Botero more plainely I l mar cresce e cala con un impeâ—o mirabile quâ—tro volte il di ben che communimente se dica sette volte c. This Sâ—a with wondrous impetuosity ebbeth and floweth foure times a day although it be commonly said seven times and generally opinion'd that Aristotle despairing the reason drowned himselfe therein In which description by foure times a day it exceâ—ds not in number the motion of other Seas taking the words properly that is twice â—bbing and twice flowing in foure and twenty howres and is no more then what Thomaso Porrcacchi affirmeth in his description of famous Islands that twice a day it hath such an impetuous â—loud as is not without wonder Livy speakes more particulaâ—ly Haud facile infestior classistatio est fretum ipsum Euripi non septies die siâ—ut fama fert temporihus certis reciprocat sed temere in modum venti nunc huc nuncjillve verso mari velut monte praecipiti devolutus torrens rapitur There is hardly a worse harbour the fret or channell of Euripus not certainely ebbing or flowing seven times a day according to common report but being uncertainely and in the manner of a winde carried hither and thither is whirled away as