'i^ry 
 
 
 THE 
 
 
 
 WILLIAM R. PERKINS 
 
 ' 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 
 OF 
 
 
 DUKE UNIVERSITY 
 
 
 y^toTl^v 
 
 
 _ Rare Books 
 r 
 
 ^ 
 
 WESLEYANA 
 
 
 AND 
 
 BRITISH METHODISM 
 
PieuHocloxia Epicicmica: 
 
 E N (Tu"l R I E S 
 
 IN "T O A ' 
 
 Very many Kcceivcd ynC J^ 
 
 T E N E N T S> ^'^'^^.% 
 
 And common'y Prefumcd //JOT^ 
 
 T II LI r H S. ^ 
 
 By 'Thomas Crowm Dr. of Phyfick. 
 
 i3 ' 77j<? Fo'ifth Edition. - 
 
 Wit.h Marmal Obfcrvacions, andaTable Alpiiabetical. 
 
 w-^eye'inti a^e now dd lei tr^a.:VifcoH f/s 
 
 The one of URN-B^.-Rl A L, or Squ chrall Uns, lately 
 
 iounirA^jy O RFO t'k. 
 
 THe-oto.of 'tti^G A;RDEN'^f CYRUS , or Network 
 ;PIant4tt6ias ot cfo- AncLms. 
 
 BstJr ]Sf:'jitlj . the fime A ill o/^ 
 
 Kl ■':?;/ ipf-innn cognitio^'^r < tpfis e.h Jul. Scai-i^;. 
 
 L 0:aXD O iV, 
 
 Printed for . . ancf arc to be fou'dby Andrew Crco^ 
 
 ir_ \cen X>/\igm m Pails Ci.iirc..-y.ud. 
 
 I'd ^ 8. * / S ^ ^ 
 
 f ^< -m 
 

m\mmmmwmmmmm\m - 
 
 TO THE READER. 
 
 ^Ould Truth difpcnfe, wc could be content, 
 vNith 'P/4fo that Knowledge were but Re- 
 membrance^ that IntellcSual acquifition 
 were but reminifcential evocation, and new 
 Imprefsions but thecolourifhing of old ftamps which 
 flood pale in the foul before. For what isworfe, 
 knowledge is made by obhvion, and to purchafea 
 clear and warrantable body of Truth, we muft forget 
 and part with much we know. Our tender Enquiries 
 taking up Learning at large, and together with true 
 and aifured notions, receiving many, wherein our re- 
 viewing judgements do find no fatisfaftion. And 
 therefore in this Encyclopedie and round of Knowledg, 
 like the great and exemplary wheels of Heaven, we 
 muft obferve two Circles : that while we are daily car- 
 ried about, and whirled on by the fvvirig and rapt of 
 the one, we may maintain a natural and proper courfe, 
 in the (low and fober wheel of the other. And this we 
 fj-iall more readily perform, if we timely furvey our 
 knowledge ^ impa- tially fingling out thofe encroach- 
 m nts, which junior compliance and poplilar creduli- y 
 ty hath admitted. Whereof at prefcnt vje have en- 
 deavoured a long and ferious adVtfo prqpofing not 
 only a large and copious Lift, buc from experience 
 and reafon attempting theit deciiions. \ 
 
 And jfii ft we crave exceedmg pardon in thi audacity 
 
 £ a 2 ] 1 of 
 
 "^^WYs: 
 
70 TBE READER. 
 
 of the Attempt ^humbly acknowledging awoik of 
 fuch concernment unto truth, and diffiailry in it IcU, 
 did well dci'crvr the con)unftion ot many head . And 
 furcly moicadvantigcou'^^ had it been unto Truih, to 
 have iallen into the endcavoars ot iome i o-o^ c aring 
 advancers, that might have peifo mcd it to the lite, 
 and added authority thereto^ which the piva^icof. 
 oar condition, and unequal abilities cannot ex j eft. 
 Whereby notv^ ithflanding we have not been divert' d; 
 nor have o:ir foliray attempts been fo dif^ouragcd^ 
 as to defpair the favorable look of I. earnmg upon our 
 fingleand ur.iupported endeavour?. 
 
 Nor have we let iaUour Pen, upon difcourage- 
 ment of ContraJi^ion, Unbelet aid Ciffioul-y of 
 diiTwafjon from radicaed beliefs, and points oi high 
 prefcription, slthough we are very ienflble, how 
 laidly teaching years do learn, what roots oldagecon- 
 badeth ur to errors, ard how iuch as arc bu: acorns 
 
 I in our younger brow s; grow Oaks in our i Idcr heads, 
 and become inflexible unto the powcrtulleft arm of 
 reafon. Although we have alfo beheld, wh:Jtcoldrc- 
 
 I quitals otlic.3 have found ia their feveral redanption? 
 pt Truth ; and how their ingenuous Fnquirics have 
 b en difmiiud with cenfure, avd obloquie oi fingula- 
 rities. 
 
 Some con fid oration wehopc 'rom the ecu r 11- of 
 our Pio'eision, which thouQ;h 't lead, th u.^ into n^any 
 truths that pals undilcerned by otl er?^, yet doth 'r d'-- 
 fi: irb their CommunicarioMs and n-nch irrerrupt the 
 ofKceolo'ir fens in their v el' ine; ecd Tia/iiini<si- 
 cn?. Andt!e:.fjrefare!y aithisAciik Aitcmpr v- 11 
 
 exceed 
 
TO THF READIER. 
 
 cx.^ceJ performances ^ it ba'ing compi>fcd by fnatchcs 
 
 ot tiuc, AS me iical vacicion^, a id the iruitleis impor- , r n- 
 
 ' r r ■ U • All ^ ^ 1 riifpeaioii 
 
 t JiMty c't urojcopte would permit us. And there.ore a^- of mni-. 
 fo, p(rha^)sic hachnoc iound that regular ar>dcor- 
 ftanr riile, thofeinhllible txperiinenrs,and [holcaf- 
 fiircd dccern^in-ttiors, wbicli the iub)c£l romttime rc- 
 qiiircib, arid mig')t be cxpec cd from others, whofe 
 quicr doors ar.d unmo]eiled hours affo.d nofuchJi- 
 ftr^ctions. Although whoever ftidl indifferently pc - 
 pcndthe exceeding difficuky, which either theob- 
 leu ricy of the jubiect, or ui ■avoidable paradoxoloeie 
 muft often put upon tic Artenipcor, will cafily di- ; . 
 fcein, a work t)f this nature is i or to be per!ormtd 
 uppnonelegg; and (liould fmcl oi oyl, iiduly a:;d 
 d.'iervrdly handled, j ...,, .^•. 
 
 Oar fi;ftintcntit«nsc6rifidenn-: the common it tcr- 
 efl: ofTiuth, refolvedto pr ^pofe ic unt > (h? Latinc 
 republiqneand eq-jal Judi^esof Europe^ but owing 
 itUhe iii^ftplac^this fervire unto our Coantrevj and 
 iherc'in efpecially unto irs inger uouf Gentry, we have 
 declared our ielt in alangii'ge belt conqeived. Al- 
 though I conkfs the q lal'ty ot the lubjeci^i^ill lomr^ 
 times carry us ipto ( xpr( Gions beyond Ki^re Enuliih 
 apprehenfions. And indeed, it ele^^ancie ftiil pro- 
 ceeJedi, and Eneli.li Pen*^ ma'nta'n {hat ftieanij w: 
 baveo'i l.'te obfervcdt.) flovv loiiimany ,1 we fh/ill 
 wich'm :ew yea s be hjn ro learn i arinc to um^e ftand 
 En' I'fn, and a work will p oyeof (qdull be liry in 
 cith-r. Nor have 'AeadJ eiTeiour ptn or^ile unto 
 the pe. I'l \ (^\\ho:n Books cji not J'tdrrfs^ ard are 
 t^lis -rv^y incj^able^j jc^tjjcti.c?'?;) 'but uctoili: know,. 
 
70 THE READtK. 
 
 ing and leading part of Learning. As weH UndcftanJ. 
 ing ( at leaft probably hoping ) except they be wa- 
 te.edfrom higher regions, and fructifying meteors 
 of Knowledge, thefe weeds mii ft lofe their ahmental 
 fap, and wither of themfelves. Whofeconfervingin- 
 fljcnce, could our endeavours prevent; we fhould 
 triift the reft unto the fythe oilime^ and hopefull do- 
 minion of Truth. 
 
 We hope it will not be unconfidereJ, that we find 
 no open traS:, orconftant manuduction in this La- 
 byrinth , but are oft-times tain to wander in ihe^- 
 wmc4 and untravclled parts of Frurh. For though not 
 many years paft, Dr. Trimr of e\\2ii\\ made a learned 
 and full Difcourfe of vulgar Errors in Phyfick, yet 
 have we difcuffed buc two or three thereof. Scipio 
 Mecurii hath alfo left an excellent tract in Italian, cou- 
 cernir.g popular Errors ; buc confining; himfclf only 
 unto thole in Pbyfiekjie hath little conduced unto the 
 generality of our doctrii^.e, Laurentm Joubertus by the 
 fime Tide led our expectation into thoughts of great 
 relief; whereby notwithftanding we reaped no ad-> 
 vantage; itanfwering fcarfcatall thepromifeof the 
 infcripcion. Nor perhaps (if it were yet extant ) 
 ,r«eJ Ttfi' Tft- {hould we find any farther Afsiftancefrom tnatanci- 
 ArhawT'' ent piece of y^wciV^^/, pretending the fame Title. And 
 lib, 7. therefore we^are often canftrained to ftand alone a- 
 gainft the ftrcngth of opinion, and to meet the GoU- 
 ^^andGahrof Authority, with contemptible pib- 
 bles, and leeble argument*^, drawn Irom the fciip 
 and flendcr ftock ot our felves. Nor hive we indeed 
 fcarcc named any Author whofe name we do not ho- 
 nour 
 
TV rmS READER, 
 
 nour; and if detraction could invite us, difcrction 
 furtly would contain us from any derogatory inren- 
 tior, where highcft Pens and fricndieft eJoqiencc 
 niuft fail in commendarion. 
 
 And thercftf)^ alio we cann®t but hr^pethcequi- 
 t .Me conild'/rarions and Ccindoiir of rcalbnabV mir.d?. 
 Wc caror expect the frown of Theoh^ie here in j nor 
 c^n they wh;cii b hold the prefcr.t ft^tc of thing?, and 
 cpntrov r(K*of po'nts fo long receive i in 1 divinity, 
 cend^mn our I'ob.T Fnquiries \n the do ib:full 3ppcr- 
 t nancies of Aits,and Receprarics of Pliiloiophy. Sure- 
 ly Phi^ologers and Crit'cal DiiLOuricr.% who look 
 bevond the fhtll and obvious exteiioursoi things, 
 will not be an5tZ,ry with our larroAcr explorations. 
 And we cannot doubt, our Brothers in Phvfick (^ 
 whole knowkdg in Naturals wi'l lead them into a 
 nearer a pprehenfion of many things delivc'cd } will 
 friendly accept, if not counterance our endeavours. 
 Nor can we conceive it n av be nnv\elcorne unto 
 thof: honoured Worthies, who endeavour th? advar^- 
 ceracnt of Learr>ing: as being likely to find a clearer 
 progreGiop, when fo minv rubs are leveled, and 
 many untruths taken off, which pafsing as orinci- 
 pUs with common bcli fs. d'ftarb the tra: qiiility of 
 Ax!om< , which orherwrf;:^ mii>ht be Tailed. And' 
 wife men c nnot but know, thac arts a d learning 
 VI ant ihis exjurgarion : and it the eourle of truth be 
 pern ttcd uj to its fclf j ^hke lihat of time and uncor- 
 ft crcd compuraions, it can? oc tfcape many errors, 
 which d'i>ation ftill e: Jar^eih. 
 
 Lal.ly, \\ea.c not Magi flu ial in opinions, nor 
 
 have 
 
havewc Dictaror l,ke obrrud.d our o-^nceptior.?, 
 but in the humility of Enquiries or difquilirions 
 have only propoicd them unto inore pcul<»r diftcr- 
 iier . And therctore opinions ar^ tree, arid open it is 
 io any ro chink or declae rhc coiitiary, Andv\e 
 fliall I.) tar encouia^e contradiction, as to promife 
 ro diflu bancc, or re-^pp(^fc any Fen, that (hall 
 FalljciouTv or captiouflv refute U'^ ^ ih^t lliall only- 
 lav h;>kl of our lapfcs, fi igle o it Cigrcfsion?^ Co- 
 ro'Uri s, or Ornamental conceptioi s, to evidence 
 his o';vn in as ilKlitF^^r« nt truths. And flia'l oulv t?ke 
 ronceofiiih, whofe cxpeiimental and juii^ious 
 kno*vleJg- lliall folemnly Kx^k upol it ^ not only to 
 deftrov of OMrs bjt to eftibliHiof his owne ^ rot 
 to traJuje oi ext nuate, but to t x. lain and diUKidaiC 
 to adi ard ampliare, according ro the la jda ble cft- 
 om ot the Anctcucs in their lober j romotions ot 
 Learning. Unto whmi notwitl-ftmding, we fliall 
 not contcnt-O'iOy rejoin, or only tO')ufi",fij our own, 
 but to applajd or cor.firm his matuier -alic'tions , 
 and (li^ll conter wh.^t b in us unto his name a .d ho- 
 nour ^ Ready to be Tva allowed in any wot thy enlarg- 
 cr : a^ having rcqtii'cd our end, it ar y way, or iir- 
 der any name we may obtain a work, fo much dc fi- 
 red^ and yet deliderated ot Truth. 
 
 Thomas Bro \y"N. 
 
A Table of the Contents. 
 
 THE FIRST BOOK, 
 
 Containing the General part. 
 
 OF the fir (I Caufe of common Errors^ the common infirmity of humane 
 nature. Chapter i. 
 
 A further illuftration of the fame chap. 2. 
 
 of the fecond caufe of poplar Error s^ the erroueous difpofition of the 
 p.'ople. chap. 3. 
 
 Of the nearer caufes of common errors both in thewifer and common forty 
 mifapprehenfton^ fallacy or falfededuCiiono credulity^fupinity^ adhe- 
 rence unto Antiquity^ 'tradition and Authority^ contained in the 
 following Chapters. 
 
 Of mijiakf, mifapprehenfon^ fallacy or falfe dedudion. chap. 4. 
 
 Of credulity and Supinity. chap. 5. 
 
 Of ohjlinate adherence unto antiquity, chap. 6. 
 
 Vnto Authority. * chap. 7. 
 
 Of Authors who hav e moji promoted popular conceits. chap. 8. 
 
 Of others indire&ly effecting the fame. chap. 9. 
 
 Of the lafi and great promoter of falfe opinions^ the endeavours of Sa- 
 tan, chap. lOj II, 
 
 THE SECOND BOO K, 
 
 Begining the particular part concerning Mineral and 
 Vegetable bodies. 
 
 TH E common tenent that Chryfiall is nothing elfe but Ice Hrongly 
 congealed. Chapter i. 
 
 Concerning the Loadjhne^ of things particularly fpokjn thereof evidently 
 or probably true : of things generally believed or particularly deli- 
 vered evidently or probably falfe. Of the magnetical vertue of the 
 earth. Of the four motions oftheflone-, that if^ its verticity or di- 
 recrion, its coition or attraCfion^ its declination^ variation^, and alfo 
 of its Antiquity. chap. 2. 
 
 A rejection of fundry opinions and relations thereof) Natural^ Medical^ 
 Hifiorica'li Magical. ' chap. 3* 
 
 Of bodies Ele^rical in general. 
 
 [i] Of 
 
AtaH'eottheConttm^/ 
 
 Oj J^t uni Jinher in partf.-uhr, that they atrraH atllight Udies ex* 
 cept Bafil and b-idiei eyled. chap.4, 
 
 CoyHpcndioufly of fever al ether T'enents* 
 
 'that a Diamond is wadefofty orhroi^^ by the hioodof a Goat^ 
 
 'That gtajiM poifoHy and of malleable glaji. 
 
 Of the cordial quality of Gold infubjiance or deco&ion*. 
 
 7hat a pot full ajhes Will contain as much water oi it would i»ith9iii_ 
 them. 
 
 Of white powder that kjlh without report. 
 
 Ihat Coral if foft under water;, but hardneth in the ajr. 
 %hat Porceliane or China difljes lit under the earth an hundred years lit 
 
 preparation. chap. 5. 
 
 Ihat a carbuncle gives a light in the darhjj Of the JEgleJlone : Oj Fai'- 
 
 rie-jionesy wi th fonie others. ibid. 
 
 Of fimdj y Tenents cojicernini; Vegetables. 
 
 That the root of Mandrakes refembleth the jh ape of a man. 
 
 That thn naturally grow under gallows^ and places of execution.. 
 
 That the root gives a (hreek^upon eradication.. 
 
 That it is fatal or dangerous to dig them up.. 
 
 7 hit Cinamon^ Ginger;^ Cloves, Mace, are but the parti or fruits of 
 thd" fame tree. 
 
 7 bat Miffeltse is bred upon trees^from feeds which birds let fall thereon. 
 
 Of the Kofe of Jericho tly.it flowreth every year upon Chrijhmas Eve^ 
 
 That Sferra Cavallo hath a power to breaks or loofen Iron. 
 
 That Bajes preferve from the mifchief of Lightning and Thunder. 
 That bitter Almonds are prefervatives againji Ebriety. chap. 6. 
 
 Of the prefage of the year from the infers inoak^ Apples. 
 
 Of the feed of feme plants. . 
 
 Of the running of the fap to the root. 
 That Camphire caufeth impotency unto venerjiWitb many others, chap.7;. 
 
 Of Kos foli4 and others* 
 
 T H E T H I R D B O O K. 
 
 Of popular and received Tenents concernintj Anlnjals. 
 
 T Hat an Elephant hath no joints.. chapter.!, 
 
 Jhat an horfe hath no Gail. chap.2i 
 
 That afigeoH buthno Gall. chap.j. 
 
 That a Bever to efcape the hunter bites of^his tedicles or (}ones. chap.4, 
 Jhat a Badger bath the legs of on'' fide (horter tk^n of ihe other, chap. 5. 
 Jhat a B.'ar brings forth her cubs injormous or u/tjhap.d chap.6. 
 
 Of the Bafilisk: chap.7. 
 
 That a Woo If fir(i feeing a man begets adumbnejs it him. chap.8. 
 
 Of the long life of D-'er. chap. 57. 
 
 That a Ringifijh.r hanged by the billjheweth where the wind if. chap. 10. 
 
 Of 
 
i\ I awe 01 tnc v^^ontcms* 
 
 OfCryphiHs, chap. 1 1.. 
 
 OftheFhdenix. ' ' chap.12. 
 
 Of the Rifling o^todd.iy of the fione in their head^ (tti^ of the genemtion of 
 
 ' Frogs'. ' chap. 1 3. 
 
 That it Salamander lives in the fire- chap. 14. 
 
 Of theAmpkisbena^ orferpent with to heads moving cither ■B'<ry.chap.i5. 
 
 *tbaty9iiKg Vipers force their way through the bowels of their dttn. c.i6. 
 
 That Hares are both wale and female, chap.17.' 
 
 That Moles are blind and have no ejes* chap. 18. 
 
 Tha t Lampri ss ha ve many eyes. chap. if?. 
 
 That Snayls have two eyes^ and at the ends of th&ir horns. chap.20» 
 
 That the Chamelion lives onely by ayr. chap.21. 
 
 That the 0;iridge digfjieth Iron, chap.22. 
 
 Of the Vnicorns hrn?, chap.23. 
 
 That all Animals in the Land are in their kjnd in the Sea. chap. 24. 
 
 Concerning the common courfe of diet in makjng choycc of feme Anivtalsy 
 
 itnd abjiainingfrom eating others. chap.25. 
 
 Of fpermaceti and the fpermaceti whale. chap. 26. 
 
 Compcndioufly of fome others. 
 
 Of the mnfjcall note of Swans before their death. 
 
 Ihat theflejh of Peacockj corrupteth not 
 
 That Storkj will cnly live in Republickj and free (iates. s 
 
 Of the mife of a Bittern by putting the bill in a Reed. 
 
 That Whelps are blind nine dayes, and then begin to fee. 
 
 Of the Antipathy between a Toad and a Spider^ a Lion and a CocJ^. 
 
 That an Earwig hath no wings. 
 
 Of Worms. 
 
 Ihat Flies mal{e that hummirig noife by their mouths or wings* 
 
 Of the Taina or fmaU red Spider. 
 
 Oj^ the Glow-worm. 
 the providence of Tifmires in biting off the ends of Corn. chap.27. 
 • That the Chic\en 14 made out ofthsyol'i^ofthe egg. 
 
 That Sna}^esjHng^,with many others. chap.28. 
 
 THE FOURTH BOOK. 
 Of many popular and received Tenents concerning Man. 
 
 TUat man hath only an erecf figure^ and that to look^ up to heaven. 
 Chapter j. 
 Ihat the heart of man is feated on the left fide. - chap.2. 
 
 That plurifies are only on the left fide. chap. 3. 
 
 'Of th'fo'rth finger of our left hand whereon we wear our Kings, chap.4. 
 Of th' right and left hand. chap. 5. 
 
 Of [wimmingj that fome men fwim naturally:, that men drowned do float 
 ' lb 2^ th.' 
 
^ i » 1i» 
 
 A Table of the tfontenST 
 
 >»f »/;fti& ^^/t? w'^'^ ^^"^"^ gallbreah^ethi mmen prone and mn fnplne 
 or upon their bac\s. chap. 6, 
 
 That men weigh heavier dead then alive^and before meat then after, cj. 
 
 'that there are fever al paffages for meat and drink^ chap.8. 
 
 Of the cujlom offaluting or blefing uponfneezing. chap.9. 
 
 "that Jews fiinl{. chap. 10. 
 
 Of Pygmies, . chap. 11. 
 
 Of the great clima^ericalyearythat is 6^^ chap. 12. 
 
 Of the canicular or jDog-dajes» chap. 13. 
 
 THE FIFTH BO OK. 
 
 Of many, things queftionable as they are de^fcribed in plftiires. 
 
 Of the picture of the Pelican. Chapter i^ 
 
 Of the piciure of Dolphins, chap. 2. 
 
 0/ the piSiure of a Grafsbopper, • ch ap. 5, 
 
 0/ the pidure of the Serpent tempting Eve. chap.^j. 
 
 Of the pictures of Adam and Eve with Navils. chap. 5. 
 0/ the pi^ures of the lews and Eajiern Nations at their feafis, and our 
 
 Saviour at the pafsover, chap.5^ 
 
 0/ the piSiure of our Saviour with Icng hair. chap.7. 
 
 Of thepiCmre of Abraham Sacrificing Jfaac, chap.g, 
 
 0/ the picture ofMofes with horns, chap.^. 
 
 0/ the Scutcheons of the twelve tribes oflfrael, chap. 10. 
 
 0/ 1^1? pictures of the Sybils. chap. 1 1 . 
 
 0/ the pi&ure defcrihing the death of Cleopatra. chap. 1 2. 
 
 Of the pictures of the nine worthies. chap. 1 5. 
 
 0/ the pi&ure oflephtah fa crificing his daughter. chap. i a. 
 
 Of the piciure oflohn the BaptiJ in a Camels skjn* chap. 1 5, 
 
 Of the pi&ure of the Chriflopher. chap. 15. 
 
 Of the pidure of S.George. chap. 17. 
 
 Of the piTrure of ]eiom. chap. 18. 
 
 Of the pidures of Mermaids^, Vnicorns and many others. chap, i p. 
 
 Ofthe Hieroglyj>hical pictures of the JEgyptiam. chap.20. 
 Compendioufly of many popular Cuftonis, Opinions, 
 Piftures^ Praftifes and Obfervations. 
 
 Of an Hare crofsingthe high way. 
 
 Of the omineuf appearing of Owls and Ravens, 
 
 Ofthe falling of Salt. ' 
 
 Ofbreakjnz, the Egg-JheU. 
 ■ Ofthe true lovers kjtot. 
 
 Ofthe cheek^burning or ear tingling. 
 
 Offpeakjng under the Rofe. " . 
 
 Of fmoak^following the fair. 
 
 Of 
 
'ATable of the Contenrtl - 
 
 of fitting crofsk^d* 
 
 Of hair upon MoHs, 
 
 Ofthefet time ofpajring of nails. 
 
 Of Lions heads upon fpouts and cijierns. 
 
 Of the faying^ Vngirt tmhleft. 
 
 Of the picmre of God the Father, 
 
 Of the picture of Sun, Moon, and the IVinds. 
 
 Ofthti Sun daincing or Eajier da v. 
 
 Of the Sillj-How or covering about fome childrens heads. 
 
 Of being drunh^ once a moneth. 
 Of the appearing of the devil with a ciovenhoof. chap.2i}. 
 
 Of the prediction of the year, enfuing from the infects in Oak^ applei^^ 
 
 J hat Children would naturally fpeak^Hebrew. v 
 
 Of refraining to kill Swallows. . 
 
 Of lights burning dimm at the apparition offpiritS' 
 
 Of the wearing of Coral. 
 
 O/Mofcs hif Rod in the difcovery of Mines. 
 Of difcovering of doutfuU matters by book, orjlaff. chap. 22, 
 
 THE SIXTH BOOK, 
 
 Concerning fiindiy Tenenrs Geographical and Hiftorical. 
 
 •' ' 'A ' ,' 
 
 Concerning the beginning of the world,' that the time'thereof ii not 
 precifely kjtown, as commonly it if pre fumed. Chapter.i . 
 
 Of mens enquiries in what feafon or point of the Zodiack^it began, that as 
 they are generally made they are in vain, and its particularly incer- 
 tain. chap.2. 
 
 Of the divifions of thefeafons, and four quarters of the year, according 
 unto Alronomen and, Fhyfttiam, that the common compute of the Anci- 
 ents, and which is jiiH retained by fome, if very quejiionable. chap. 3. 
 
 Of fome computation of dayes, and didi&ions of one part of the year unto 
 another. chap.:|. 
 
 A Vigrcfsion ofths wifdom of God in the f.te and motion of the Sun. c.^. 
 
 Concerning the vulgar opinion, that the earth was flenderly peopled before 
 the flood. chap.6. 
 
 OfEaii and Weft, and properties refpedively afcnbed unto Countries.cy. 
 
 Of the feven heads of Nile. chap.8. 
 
 Of the greatnefs of Nile. 
 Of its inundation, aud certain time thereof, 
 
 Ihat it never raineth in JCgypt, &c. ' '>' \' ■• chap.Sj 
 
 Of the Red Sea. chap. 9. 
 
 Of the klackjtefs of Negroes. , chap. 10. 
 
 Of the fame. cbap.ii* 
 
 A digrefsionofBlacknefs. chap. 12. 
 
 Or 
 
Ojfome othtrs, . chap. 14, 
 
 THESE V E N TH BOOK, 
 
 Conccnjiigniai'j Hilloiial Tenents, generally received, and fome 
 
 d.^diiced from the Hiftory of holy Scripture. 
 
 Tl^at thef&\'h'rtd':)t fruit w.a ttn Jpple. Chapter.i. 
 
 7.h')t a Miiit hath one Kih lefs then a JVontan. chap.2. 
 
 Ibathfetbui'duh muji ne^dsie tke4Gngeii livi'V of-aUthe pofieritj of A" 
 
 dd};\ .ifj*\v."i chap. 3. 
 
 T'hat there rcM no Rainhow before the flood. chap-.^. 
 
 OfSeWyHinnandJapber. chap. 5. 
 
 T^hat th.' Tower ofBibelrvas erecred againj a fecond Deluge^. riiap.6. 
 Of th<> M^ndral^es of Leah, chap.7. 
 
 Of the three Kings of Coil: in. chap.g. 
 
 Of the fofid of John the T,api{t in the wilder nefs. chap.^i. 
 
 Of the conceit that John the Evange!ijiJJ:ould mt die. chap. 10, 
 
 Of fome others ynore hrieflj, chap.i t. 
 
 Of the c flat ion ofOracl.'s. cliap. 12. 
 
 Of th'tdeatb of Arijistle. ch-ap.ij. 
 
 Of the wifh oj Philoxeniis to have the nech^ of a Crane. cliap.14. 
 
 Of the lak^e Afphaltites, or the dead Sea: chap.15. 
 
 Of divers other Relations. 
 Of the woman that conceived in a Bath. Of Craffus that never laughed 
 
 hut once. That our Saviour never laughed. Of Sergius the fecand^ 
 
 or Bacca de Porco. 7 hat Tamerlane w.is a Scjthianjhepherd.clrd-^. 16. 
 Of divers others. 
 
 O f the po verty ofBelifariuf. 
 
 OfJI'irnf Decumanm-i or the tenth wave. 
 
 OfParifitif that pojfoned Statira by one fide of a kjtife. 
 
 Of the yvontan fed with poyfon thatfjould have poyfoned Alexander. 
 
 Of the wan'Jrtng Jew. 
 
 Of Pope Joan. 
 
 Of frier Bacons Brafenhead'that fpok/^ 
 Of I'picurm. chap. 17. 
 
 More breifly. 
 Thji the Ar^ny of Xerxes drank^whole Kivers dry. That Hanihaltat 
 
 thro'yrh the Alps with Vinegur. Of Archimedes hpt burning the Ships 
 
 ef Marcellm. Of the Fahii that , were all flain. Of the death of ALf- 
 
 ehylm. Of the Cities of Tarfm^ ani, Anchiale imlt in one day. Of 
 
 the grea t Shijp Syracufta or Alexandr ia. Of the Spartan boy'es. c. 18. 
 Offomeijihers. s chap. 19. 
 
 Oj fome Kelationswhofe truth we fear. chap. 20. 
 
 Mai::inal 
 
Mat^JinalllHuftrattons omitted, or to be added to the Difcourfcs 
 ° of Uin'3uridj and of the Giirdenof CjmS^ 
 
 PV<»c 5. O Atfolom, Ahfolom^ Ahfolom.Szm. 2. 18. 
 P. 9. Double Sepulture of Abraham, Vet mihi f^eluftcam dupH- 
 
 cent. Gen. 23. 
 
 P. 16. Vyyrhus his Toe which could nor be buinr. Lamp ok Gal* 
 vaHus ' to which refers the note out o( Licetmin whom it is to be 
 feen aiid defcribcd. 
 
 P. 18 .GaricJj : that part in the Skeleton of an Horfe, which is 
 mad'c^ by the hanch-boucS. Negro's skulls : for their extraordinary 
 thickneiie. 
 
 P. 21. Four or five dayes ; at Icali by fonie difference from 
 
 living Eyes. 
 
 P. 22. Of the Mafailine gender : in Uomer^ -^^j^n ^^Ceu^ T«pi^ice» 
 ffAHT'Jpsi/ ix"^' ^^^ Afphodells : in Lucian. 
 
 P. 27. Of the Mummies which mm ftiow in feveral Countries, 
 giving chcin what Names they pkafej and unto fome the Names 
 of the old Egyptian Kings out of Herodotus. 
 
 P. 27. Firft llorie before the flood Vagnns could doubt. Euripides, 
 Light in Arties. According to the cuftome of the Jewes, who place 
 a lighted wax-candle in a pot of aflx's by the Corps. Leo. 
 
 P! 29. Wood, Pitch, a Mourner, and an Urne : according to tlie 
 Epitaph of KvJM and BeronicamGr titer m^ 
 
 — Nee ex. 
 Eorum bonis plus invention ejl^quam 
 ^od pifficeret ad emendam pyram 
 Et picem quihui corpora crentarentur^ 
 Et pr£fica c&nd»^a & olla empta. 
 
 P. 29, The Epitaph oiGordiamit in Greek, Latlne, Hebrew, /£- 
 gyptian, Arabick, defaced by Liciniits the Emperour. 
 
 P. 41. Medallions : the largvf fort of Medals. Be armis fcacca- 
 tif^ t^As rcfersto ^dgc^i. ztUcrdilds. 
 
 P. 42. Reticulum jecorif^ in Leviticus. 
 
 P. 43. In E«,f^t/j/;(^ his Comment upon Haw^r. . 
 
 P. 44. The like foundation : Obelisks being erefted upon a 
 fquare bafe. 
 
 P. 45. Fathers of their Mother, 'E^/i^ ifi^v hetyotttv fxtni^f ^'//^ 
 
 P. 45. Solitarie Magot : there being a fingle Maggot found al- 
 moa 1/1 every h.^ad. 
 
 p. 4?. Upon Pollards : upoii pollard Oaks and Thorns. 
 
 p. 51. VVhile the JnIus : Thefe and more to b.; found upon otut 
 Oaks ; HOC well dcfcribed by any till, the. Edition Qi^heairum Ba- 
 tuH'Cui:-*, 
 
 P. 52. Number of Swallows e^^s^ which exceed not five. 
 
i P.S5. Hiinded crofTes: crucei anfuu^ b:lng held by a finger in 
 the circle.: . 
 
 P. 56. No lefs theit four : (nyihtu koi\U, KiK^vipAKof i;^/'Mf, 'Vvrpiy. 
 AriH. nia^n!4f venter ^^ Keticulmn^ omirfus, abomafiis. Gaza. 
 "^^ P. 57. thcftalk : below. 
 
 . P. 58. The iiifTet Neck : to be obfervcd in white young Lambs^ 
 'which afterward vanifheth. 
 
 P. SS.Vecujfavit eunu iyjctftv ivroy \v 7$ to-vt}. 
 
 P. 69. In many, asHerns, Bitterns^and long claw'dFowl?, 
 
 P. 70. Neftar of the life Planet. 
 
 ' ■ O.fculaquaVenus 
 
 ^inta parte fui Neclaris imhuit. 
 
 ERTLATA in the Enquirie?. 
 
 PAge II. line'), read SaltLnibancos./?.57. 7.33. r. fluor. p. 5p. Z.^^. 
 r. icecles. p. 60. I. 2. r. containing. /. 5. r. in the. p, 88. /. 39. 
 '^.V^and. p. 102. /. S. r. Fioravanti. p. 113. ^f/d-inthat. />. 114. dele 
 front the to fo. /'.115./.27. r, that Gamphyre eunuchate's.^.i3y. l.i$, 
 fnarg, r. yhvu a yoyix angulus. p. 211. /. 2. r. Owl. p. 215. /. ^. r. 
 fetid, p. 216. r, fuavis odor lucri. p. 224. /. 15. dele feeing, p. 293. /. 
 Jilt, r. Right hand. ;». 397. 7.3 1. r. difcover that. /. penult, for fulphur 
 r. colour, p. ^^^. /. 24^ r. cold. p. 400. /. 40. r. motion, p. 403. /. 2. 
 r. inquinatioiis. p. 406'. 7.2. r. of them. J) . 413,7.37. r. falarie. 7>. 414. 
 /. 15. r. humble us. p. 426. /. 36. r. altitude.;^. -453. /. 13, r. Ovation. 
 In the Vifcourfes annexed, 
 
 P\ge ult. Epift. 2^. /. II. r. inflowen. in the figures of the Urnes 
 a full point at onttf. p. 1. 1. 4. r. Kake. l.ii. r. thoufands of years, 
 p. 3. 1. 40. r. burned, p. 6. 1. 6. r.ln. 1. penult, r. Trafutagus. p.7. 1. 15. 
 wunkjiown. 1. 31. dele with. p. 8. 1. 22. r. havemade. p.ii.1.2. r. Anf- 
 garim. \. 36. r. great per fons. p. 12. 1. ip. r. and. p. 13. 1. ult. r. Kufl, 
 p. 1.6. r. Lamp. Galvanus. a full point, Marlianus. p. 18.I. 5.1-. gnawd, 
 p. 22, 1. 24. r. Vlato. 1. 36. r. well. p. 23. 1. 42. dele and. p. 25. 1. 15. r. 
 fironger. p. 27. 1. 29. after riwf, thefe words to come in, [without the 
 flavour of th." everlajiingregijhr.'^^. 2S. r. j-o/^m. p. 29. I. 18; r.fiage. 
 I. ult. t.pajfed. p. 37. }. 14. r. doubled, v. kvyurm. 1. 19. r. Recfangular. 
 "p- ^S-. 1. ig:i\ Tenupha. p. 39. I. ly.Y. Sons, p.' 42. I. 5. r. Chapiters, 
 p. 43. I. 13. for and r. which, p. 44. r. nurfes. 1. 24. y.firjiranck^. P45. 
 I. 18. r. Angles. \.29.forfive r.feven. p.46. 1. 14. for neck^v. head. 1. 33. 
 r. pi/7^/7. p. 47. r. T'eazel. p. 49. \.2i. roots, ad and fprouts. p. 50. 1. 15. 
 r. powers. 1. 25. dele fecond and. p. 5 1. 1.4. after trf^j, addej^/?/ /j /^^^^ 
 acccption it confprifeth all vegetables^ for the frutex and fufrutex are 
 vnder the progr'ejjion of trees.']\.ii. r.pill. p.52. 1. 16. r. dofmg. p.53. 1.6. 
 i. fifth touch.^\. 21. r. bramble. I.27. Delphinium, p. 54. 1. 17. r. pliant'. 
 \>. ')7.r. Aiain. p. 58. 1. 10. r. flars. p. 59. 1. penult, t. gentrality. 
 p. 61.1. 13. Y.pot. p. 63. 1. 32 8c ^^.r.four. dele ineverj one. p.64. l.i. 
 y.jiand vot.-^. 66. i.-2i. r. Pluto, p. 68. 1. I2. r. which was. ' 
 
 .1 
 
THE FIRST BOOK: 
 
 O R 
 
 GENERAL PART. 
 
 CHAP, I. 
 Of the Catifes of Common Errori 
 
 gf^d^j© HE firft and fethcr caufe of common Error, Is the com- J^«Jn'f«3 : 
 fK.<9-i i-x^ nion infirmity of humane Nature 5 of whofe decepti- ^"^"°"' 
 ble condition, although perhaps there fliould not need 
 amy other eviftion, then the frequent errors we (hall 
 om fclves commit, even in the exprefs declarenient 
 hereof: Yet (hall we ilhiftratc the fame from more 
 infaUible conllitutions, and perfons prefumed as far from us in con- 
 dition, as time, that is our (irft and ingenerated fore-fathers. From 
 whom as we derive our being, and rhe feverall wounds of conftituti- 
 on i fo may we in fome manner excufe our infirmities in the depravi- 
 ty of thofe parts, whofe traduftions were pure in them, and their 
 originals but once removed from God. Who notwithftanding f if 3/atccr bf 
 po(lerity may take leave to judge of the faft, as they are aflured to great difputc 
 fufrerinthepuni(hmenc)were grofly deceived in their perfefbionj ^015^^ 
 and fo weakly deluded in the clarity of their underf^anding, that it be fo deed, 
 hath left no fmall obfcurity in ours, how error (hould gain upon ved, 
 them. 
 
 For firlt. They were decived by Sataiii and that not in an invifi- 
 t)le infinuation, but an open and difcoverable apparition, that is, in 
 the forni of a Serpentj whereby although there were many occalions 
 offufpition, and fuch as could not ealily cfcape a weaker circupi- 
 fpeftion, yet did the unwary appreheniion oiEve take no advantage 
 thereof. It hath therefore feesned flrange unto fome^ (he (hould be 
 I 1 r*^u-^^ a Scrpenc, or fubjeft her reafon to abeail, which God 
 had fubjefted imto hers. It hath empuz^eled the enquiries of others 
 to apprehend, and enforced them unto ftrange conceptions, to make 
 
 B ovvt 
 
^ Enpirifi into mga/ BOOK: I* 
 
 outj how without fear or doubt fhe could difcourfe with fuch a 
 creature, or hear a Serpent fpeak, without fufpirion of impoilure. 
 The wits of others have been To bold as to accufe her limplicity in 
 receiving his temptation fo coldl/i and when fuch fpccious effefts of 
 the fruit were promifedj as to make them like gods, not to defirc, 
 at leaft not to wonder he purfued not that benefit himlelf And had 
 : it been their own cafe would perhaps have leplied. If the taftc of this 
 fruit maketh the eaccrs like gods, why remainft thou a beaftMf it 
 ' makethus but like gods, we are fo already. If thereby our eyes 
 (hall be opened hereafter, they are at prefent quick enough to difco- 
 ver thy deceit, andwedefire them no opener to behold our own 
 ihame. If to know good and evil be our advantage, although we have 
 free will unto both, we delire to perform but one^ we know 'tis good 
 to obey the Commandment of God, but evil if we tranfgrefs it. 
 
 They were deceived by one another, and in the greateil: difadvan- 
 tage of deluijon, that is, thf ftroager by the weaker: For Eve prefent- 
 ed the fruit, and Adam received it from her. Thn^ the Serpent vfzs 
 cunning enough to begin the deceit in the weaker and the weaker of 
 ftrength fufficient to confummate rhe fraud in the ftronger. A.rt and 
 fallacy was ufed unto her,a naked offer proved fufficient unto hira:So 
 his fuperilruftion was his ruine,a!id thefertility of his fleep, an iifue 
 of death unto him. And although the condition of fex and pofterio- 
 Adam Tuppo- rity of creation might fomewhat extenuate the error of the woman: 
 ltd by (omc Yet was it very ftrange and inexcufable in the man i efpecially, if as 
 the wlrcf"iin ^^^^ affirni,he was the wife!} of all men fincejor if as others have con- 
 tli»c ever was. ccived, he was not ignorant of the fall of the Angels, and had there- 
 by example andpuni/hmenttodecer him. 
 
 They were deceived from themfelves , and their own appreheiifi- 
 ons ; for Eve either miftook or traduced the Commandment of God. 
 Of every tree of the garden thou mayeft freely ear5but of the tree of 
 knowledge of good and evil thou (halt not eat, for in the day thou 
 eatert thereof, thou (hall furely die. Now Eve upon the q^ie(Hon of 
 the Serpei^t returned the precept in different terms: You (hall not eac 
 of ir, neither (hall you touch it,left perhaps you die. In which deli- 
 very,there were no lefs then two miftakesjOr rather additional men- 
 dacities i for the Commandment forbad not the touch oF the fruit, 
 and p'olitively faid ye (hall furely die \ but (he extenuaiing, replied, 
 ne forte worawimj left perhaps ye die.For Co in the vulgar trantladon 
 it runneth, and fo is it expre(J;^d in the T'bar^um or Paraphafe ot Jo- 
 nathan. And therefore although it be faid, and that very trulj, that 
 the Devil vva^ a liar from the beginning, yet was the womati herein 
 the firft exprefs beginner : and falliried twice before the reply of Sa- 
 tan.And therefore alfo to fpeak f^riftiy, thelin of the fruit was nod 
 the firft offence :They Bri\ tranfgr-eTed the rule of their own reafoi^ 
 and after, the Commandment of God. ., 
 
 They 
 
BOOKL '^ Common tmOKS, " 3 
 
 They were deceived through the conduft of their fenfes, «nd AdmindEvi 
 by temptations from the obje£i: it felf } whereby although their ^^*' the/ fell, 
 iiitelleftuals had not failed in the theory of truth , yet did the 
 infervient and brutal faculties controle the fuggeftion of rcafon : 
 Pleafure and profit already overfwaying the iuHrruftions of ho- 
 nefty and^ fenfuality perturbing the reafonable commands of ver j 
 tue 5 For fo is it delivered in the text : That when the woman 
 faw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleafant unto the 
 £ye, and a tree to be defired to make one wife, ftie took of the fruit 
 thereof and did eat. Now hereby it appearech, that Eve before the 
 feUjWas by the fame and beaten way of allurements inveigled^where- 
 by her pofterity hath been deluded ever lince^ that is, thofe three de- 
 livered by Saint JohHy the lull of the flefli, the luft of the eye, and the 
 pride of life; Wherein indeed they feemed as weakly to fail, as their 
 debilitated pofterity, ever after. Whereof notwithftanding fome in 
 their imperfeftions, have reiifted more powerfull temptacionsj and 
 iu many moralities condemned the facility of their feduftions. Mam whence 
 
 Again, Th ey might for ought we know, be ftill deceived in the (probably) in* 
 unbelief of their mortality, even after they had eat of the fruit,For <lu«**t°cat. 
 Eve obferving no immediate execution of the ciufe,ftie delivered 
 the fruit nmo Adam who after the tafte thereof, perceiving himfelf 
 ftill to live,might yet remain in doubt, whether he. had incunei 
 death 5 which perhaps he did not indubitably believe, uniill he was 
 after corivifted in the vilible example of Jhe/. For he that would not 
 believe the menace of God at firft,it may be doubted whether before 
 an ocular example, he believed the curfe at laft. And therefore they Whether Cam 
 are not without all reafon, who have difputed the faft of C<zi«, that L^Sr^lw*^^ 
 is, although he purpofed to mifchief, whether he intended to mur- * 
 ther his brotherjor deligned that, whereof he had not beheld an 
 example in his own kind. There might be fomewhat in it that he 
 w<mld not have done, or deiired undone, when he brake forth as def- 
 perately, as before he had done uncivillyj Mjiniquitj is greater then 
 can be for git en me. 
 
 Some niceties I confefs there are which extenuate, but many mors 
 that aggravate this delufionj which exceeding the bounds of this 
 Difcourle, and perhaps our fatisfaftion, we fhall at prefent pafs 
 over. And therefore whether the fin of our firft parents were the 
 great eft of any fince, whether the tranfgreflion oiEve feduci ng, did 
 not exceed that of ^^^w feduceds or wliether the reliftibility of his 
 reafon did not equivalence the facility of her feduftion. We ftiall 
 refer it imto the Schoolman. Whether there was not in Eve as great 
 injuftice in deceiving her husband, as imprudence in being deceived 
 her felf, cfpccially if foretafting the fruit, her eyes were opened be- 
 fore hisj and ftie knew the eifeft of it, before he tafted of it we leave 
 it unto the Moralift. Whether the ^holc relation be not Allegorical 
 
 B 2 that 
 
4 Enquiries Into VuigAf BOOK L, 
 
 Ther/;a//««. that is, wlictlicr the temptation of the man by the woman, be not 
 ii^i Allcgo- ti^e fediiftion of the rational, and fiigher parts, by the inferiour and 
 H fto"r'''i!f ^- fen^inine faculties : or whether the tree in the midft of the garden^ 
 rf7w°andEvf'i w^re not that part in the center of the body, on which was after- 
 fall, ward the appointment of circumcifioii in males, we leave it unto 
 the thaltnud'iii. whether there were any policy in the devil to tempt 
 them before the conjunftion, or whether the ifllie before tentation 
 might in juftice have fiifFered with thofe after, we leave it unto the 
 Lawyer. Whether y^^^zw foreknew the advent of Chrift, ortherepa^ 
 ration of his error by his Saviourj how the execution of the curfe 
 ihould have been ordered, if after Eve had eaten, Adam had yet re- 
 fufed. Whether if they Iiad tafted the tree of life before that of good 
 and evil, they had yet fuffered the curfe of mortality^ or whether 
 the efficacy of the one had not over-powered the penalty of the 
 other, we leave it unto God. For he alone can truly determine thefe 
 and all things elfe j Who as he hath propofed the world unto our 
 difputation, fo hath he referved many things imto his own refolu- 
 tiouj whofe determinations we cannot hope from flefh; but muft 
 with reverence fufpend unto that great day, whofe jufticefhall ei- 
 ther condcnm our ciirioiities, or refolve our difquiiitions. 
 
 Laftly, Man was not only deceiveable in his integrity, but the 
 Angels of light' in all their clarity. He that faid he would be like the 
 higheft, did err, if in fome way he conceived not himfelf fo already; 
 but in attempting fo high an effeft from himfelf, he mif-underftood 
 the nature of God, and held a falfe apprehenfion of his own^ where- 
 by vainly attempting not only infolencies,but impoffibilities, he 
 deceived himfelf as low as hell. In brief, there is nothing infallible 
 but Godj who cannot poHibly err. For things are really true as they 
 cprrefpond unto his conception^ and have fomuch verity as they 
 hold of conformity unto that intelleft, in whofe Idea they had their, 
 firft determinations. And therefore being the rule, he cannot be 
 irjegularj nor being thith it felf^conceav eably admit the impoflible 
 focicty of error. 
 
 CHAP. IL 
 
 lr4 further iliujiration of the fame. 
 
 BElng thus deluded before the fall, it is no wonder if their conce- 
 ptions were deceitfull, and could fcarce fpeak without an error 
 ac'tCr. For what is very remarkable (" and no man I know hath yet 
 obferved ) in the relation of Scripture before the flood, there is but 
 one fpeech delivered by nianp wherein there is not an erronions con- 
 ception j 
 
BOOK t. . "d^jJ Comnm ERR0R5. 
 
 ception; and ftrlAIy examined, moft hainouflj irtjiirious unto truth. 
 The pen of Mofes is brief in the account before theflood, and the 
 fpeeches recorded are lix. The firft is that of Adam, when upon die- 
 cxpoflulation of God^ he replied^ I heard thy voice in the garden, 
 andbecaufe I was naked, Ihidniyfelf. In which reply, there was 
 included a very grofs raiftake, and if with pertinacity maintained, 
 a high and capital error. For thinking by this retirement to obfcure 
 hinifelf from God , he infringed the omnifciency and eiTential ubi- 
 quity of his Maker.Whoas he createdcall things,fo is he beyond and 
 iji them all,not only in power, as under his fubje£i:ion,oj- in his pre- 
 fence, as being in his cognition, but in his very Eflence , as being 
 the foul of their caufalities, and the eflential caufe of their exiften- 
 .cies.CertainIy,his pofterity at this diftance and after fo perpetuated 
 an impairment, cannot but condemn the poverty of his conception, 
 that thought to obfcure hinifelf from his Creator in the (hade of the 
 garden, who had beheld him before in the darknefs of his Chaos, 
 and the great obfcurity of nochingj That thought to fiie from God, 
 which could not flie hinifelf, or imagined that one tree fhoulc^ con- 
 ceal hisnakednefsfiom Gods eye, as another had revealed it unto 
 his own. Thofe tormented fpirits that wiOi the mountains to cover 
 them, have fallen upon de/ires of minor abfurdity, and chofen waies 
 of lefs improbable concealment. Though thisbealfo as ridiculous 
 unto reafon, as fruitlefs unto their delires; for he that laid the foun- 
 dations of the earth, cannot be excluded the fecrecy of the moun- 
 tains; nor can there anything efcape the perfpicacity of thofe eyes 
 which were before light, and in whofe opticks there is no opacity. 
 This is the confolation of all good men, unto whom his ubiquity 
 afFordeth continual comfort and fecurity : And this is the aftliftion 
 of hell, imto whom it affordeth defpair, remedilefs calamity. For 
 thofe reftlefs fpirits that flie the face of the Almighty, being depri- 
 ved the fruition of his eye, would alfo avoid the extent of his handj 
 which being impoflible, their fufferings are defperate, and their 
 affUftions without evaliouj untill they can get out of Tri/w^gi/fw his 
 circle, that is, to extend their wings above the univerfe,. and pitch 
 beyond ubiquity. 
 
 The fecond is that fpeech of Adam unto God ; The woman whom 
 thou gaveft me to be with nie,{he gave me of the Tree, and I did eat. 
 This indeed was an unfatisfaftory reply, and therein was involved 
 a vccy impious error, as implying God the Author of fin, and ac- 
 culing his Maker of his trantgreifion. As if he had faid,lf thou hadfl 
 nor given me a woman I had not been deceived : Thou promifedfl to 
 make her a help,bur fhe hath proved deflruftion unto me : Had 1 re- 
 mained alone 1 had not finned, but thou gavefl me a confoit, and fo 
 I became feduced. This was a bold and open acaifation of God, 
 making the foiuitaihof good the contriver of eviljand the foi bidder 
 
^ :Enpmei into rulgAr . BOOK". I. 
 
 of the crime an abetter of the faft prohibited.Surely his mercy was 
 great that did not revenge the impeachment of his jnllice; And his 
 goodnefs to be admired, that it refuted not his argument in the 
 punifbment of his excufation, or only puifuedthe firft traiifgrdlion 
 without a penalty of this the fecond. 
 
 i . The third was. that of y.'vv. The Serpent beguiled me, and I did 
 eat. In which reply there was} not.only a very feeble excufe, but an 
 erroneous trauflaiing her own oifence upon another. Extenuating 
 her fin from that which was an aggravation, that is to excufe the 
 fa'£t at all, much more upon the luggeftion of a beaft, which was 
 before in the ftri£feeft terms prohibited by her God, For although we 
 now do hope the mercies of God will confider our degenerated in- 
 tegrities unto Tome minoration of our oifences, yet had nor the 
 lincerity of our firft parents, fo colourable expeftations, unto whom 
 the commandment vvas but iingle, and their integrities beft able to 
 reliftthe motions of its tranfgreilion. And therefore fo heinous con» 
 ceptions have rifen hereof,that fome have feemed more angry there- 
 with, then God himfelf: Being fo exafperated with the offence, as to 
 call in queftion their falvation,and lo difpute the eternal punifhmenc 
 of their Maker. Airurediy with better reafon may porter ity accufe 
 them then they the Serpent, or one anotherj and the difpleafure of 
 the Pf/<rgi/?;fr muft needs be irreconcilable, who peremptorily main- 
 t-aining they can fulfill the wliole Law, will infatisfadorily con- 
 demn the non-obfervation of one. 
 
 The fourth was that fpeech of Cain upon the demand of God, 
 Vl'^here is thy brother .? and he faid, I know not. In which ne- 
 gation, belide the open impudence, there was implied a notable 
 eiTor ? for returning a lie unto his Maker, and pre fuming in this 
 manner to put off tiie fearcher of hearts, he denied the omni- 
 fciency of God,whereunto there is nothing concealable. The an- 
 fwerof Satan in the cafe of Job^ had more of truth, wifdom and 
 reverence, then this ■•, Whence comeft thou Satan ? and he faid, 
 from compafling of the Earth. For though an enemy of God, and 
 hater of all Truth, his wifdom will hardly permit him to falfi- 
 fie with the All-mighty. For well underftanding the omnifciencc 
 of his nature, he is not fo ready to deceive himfelf, as to falfi- 
 fic unto him whofe cognition is no way deludable. And there- 
 fore when in the tentation of Chrift he played upon the fallacy, 
 and thought to decieve the Author of Truth , the n»ethod of this 
 ThedevU proceeding arofe- from the uncertainty of his Divinity 3 whereof 
 knc* not our 1^^^ |^e remained affured, he had continued lilent i nor would 
 God°"tvbe \c ^^^ difcretion attempt fo unfucceedable a temptation. And fo 
 lemptcd hki.^ again at the I aft day, when our offences (hall be drawn into ac- 
 compt, the fubtilty of that Inquifitor fliall not prefent unto God 
 «. bundle of cahimnies or confutable acciUations 3 but will difcreet- 
 
BOOK. L and Commn bRRORS. 7 
 
 ly oifer w^ unto his Omnifciency, a cme and undeniable lift of our 
 tranfgrellions. 
 
 The fifth is another reply of Cam upon the denouncement of his 
 cuife. My iniquity is greater then can be forgiven : For fo is ic 
 expreired in fonie Tranflations. The affertion was not oncly df-f- 
 perate, Ltit the conceit erroneous , overthrowing that glorious 
 Attribute of God, his Mercy, and conceiving the fin of muider 
 unpardonable. VVhich h ow great foever, is not above the repen- 
 tance of man, but far below the uKrcies of God, and was fas fome 
 conceive) expiated inthat punifhmenthe fufFered temporally for it. 
 There are but two examples of this eiror in holy Sciipture, and 
 they both for murder, and both as it were of the fame perfoui 
 for Chrill: vv as myftically flain in Abel^ and therefore Cain had fome 
 int^uenceon his death as well ik^ Judas i but the fin had a different 
 effect on Ctf/«, from that it had on Judas; and nioft that fince 
 have fallen into it j for they like j^//c/^defi re death, and not un- 
 frequently purfue it : Cain on the contrary grew afraid thereof, 
 and obtained a fecurement from it. Afliiredly if his difpair continu- 
 ed, there was puni/hment enough in lift, and Juftice fufticient in 
 the mercy of his proteftion. For the life of the defperare equals 
 the anxieties of deaih J who in unce/Tanr inquietudes but aft the 
 life of the damned , and anticipate the defolations of hell. 'Tis in. 
 deed a fin in man, bur a punifhment only in Devils, who offend not 
 Godbutaftiiftthemfelves, in the appointed dffpair of his mercie?. 
 And as to be without all hope is the affdftion of the damned, fo is 
 itthehappinefie of the blefled ; who haveing their expeftacions 
 prtfent, are not dif^rafted with futurities. So is it aifo their felici- 
 ty to have no Faith ; for enjoying the beatifical vifion, there is no>. 
 tiiing unto them inevident;and in the fruition of die objeft of F-aith_, 
 thev have received the full evacuation of it. 
 
 The laft fpeech was that of L^wcc^, I have (lain a man to my 
 wound, and a young nia!i to my hurt : liCain be avenged feven fold, 
 truly Lay>ifch ievenry and feven fold. Now herein there feems to be 
 a very erroneous Illation > from the indulgence of God unto Crfi«, 
 concluding an immunity unio himfelf j that is, a regular proteftlon 
 from a.ingleexamplej/Jnd an exemption from piminiment in a fiift 
 that naturally delerved it. The Error of this ofFendor was contra- 
 17. to that of Ctf/>, whom the Rabkins conceive that Latnecb at this 
 time killed. He defpaired of Gods mercy in the fame Fad, where t^'Z'^. at 
 this prefumtd of ip j heby adecollacion of all hope annihilated his ^'^r . ^^^^^'"s 
 
 operate to their con verfions ; So is it alio of no lefs Mnj to a^ri- m 
 his juftice will not exaaa.cccunt of iinuers, or punilh fuch as con- 
 tinue m tneir rrafgreiiions. Ill us 
 
Enqumei into VulgAr BOOK.l. 
 
 Thus 'may we perceive, how weakly our fathers did err before 
 the Floudi how continually and upon common difcourfe they fell 
 upon errors after^k is therefore no wonder we have been erroneous 
 cverfince; And being now at greateft diftance from the beginning 
 of error, are almoft loft in its dilTeminationj whofe waies are boun- 
 lefs, and confeflTe no circumfcription. 
 
 Hi 
 
 CHAP. Ill 
 
 of the fecondcaufe of Popular Errors ; the erroneum 
 dif^ofition of tie people. 
 
 Aving thus declared the fallible nature of man even from hij 
 ,firft produftion, we have beheld the general caufe of error. But 
 as for popular errors, they are more neerly founded upon an erro- 
 neous inclination of the people j as being the moi\ deceptable part 
 of mankind, and ready wich open arnis to receive the encroach- 
 ments of error. Which condition of theirs akhough dediiceable 
 from many grounds, yet fliall we evidence it but from a few, and 
 fuch as moft neerly and undeniable declare their natures. 
 
 How unequal difcerners of truth they are, and openly expofed 
 unto error, will firft appear from their unqualified intelieftuals, 
 unable to umpire the difficulty of its diflentions. For error, to 
 fpeak largely, is afalfe judgement of things, or an a/Tent unto fal- 
 iity. Now whether the objeft whereunto they deliver up their af- 
 fent be true or falfe, they are incompetent judges. 
 
 For the afTured truth of things is derived from the principles of 
 knowledge, and caufes which detemiine their verities. Where- 
 of their uncultivated underftandings , fcarce holding any theory, 
 they are but bad difcerners of verity ; and in the numerous track of 
 error, but cafual ly do hit the point and unity of truth. 
 
 Their underftanding is fo feeble in the difcernment of falfities, 
 and averting the errors of reafon, that it fubmitteth unto the falla- 
 cies of fenfe,and is unable to reftifie the error of its fenfations. Thus 
 -. .. ^^^ greater part of mankind having but one eye of fenCe and 
 
 reafon, coiiceive the earth far bigger then the Sun, the fixed Stars 
 lefler then the Moon, their figures plain, and their fpaces from 
 earth equidiftant. For thus their fenfe informeth them, andhere- 
 Arguments of jn their reafon cannot reftifie them j and therefore hopelefly conti- 
 fcnfitivc quali- j^uingiu miftakes, tiiey live and die in their abfurdities -, palling their 
 vaUme u V dayes in perverted apprehenfions, and conceptions of the world, de- 
 on vulgar rogatory unto God and the wifdoni of the creation, 
 cflpac ticj. Again being fo illiterate in the point of intel left, and their fenfe 
 
 of 
 
1Book''I. iW Common Errori, $ 
 
 To incorrefted, they are fartlier indifpofed ever to artain an- Argumentt of 
 to truth, as commonly proceeding in thofewaycs, which have moil jcnhcivc q«a- 
 j-cfercnceiintofenle, and wherein there lycth moft notable and po- y],-'ii^ JI^^ 
 pular delillion. vulgar ctfaci< 
 
 For being unable to weild the incelleftual arms of reafon, they lici. 
 are fain to betake themfelves unto wallers and the blunter weapons 
 of truth i atFefting tlie grofs and feiilible v/aies of doctrine, and fuch 
 us will not coiilift with Itritt and fubtile reafon. Thus unto them 
 a piece of Rhetorick is a fufticient argument of Logick, an Apologue Fable. 
 o^ JEfopi beyond a Syllogifm in Barbara-^ parables then propofitions, 
 and proverbs more powerful tlven demonilrations. And there- 
 foie are they led rather by example 3 then precept; receiving per- 
 fwalions from viiible inducements , before cleftual inftruftions. 
 And therefore alfo they judge of humane aftions by tlie eventj 
 for being uncapable of operable circumftances , or right- 
 ly to judge the prudentiality of affairs, they onely gaze upon 
 the viiible fuccefs , and thereafter condemn or cry up the whole 
 progrellion. And fo from this groimd in the Lefture of holy 
 Scripture, their apprehenfions are commonly Confined unco the 
 literal fenfe of the Text j from whence have enfued the grofs and 
 duller fort of Hereiies. For not attaining the deuterofcopy , and 
 feccnd intention of the words, they are fain to omit their Su- 
 perconfequencies. Coherencies, Figures, or Tropologies ; and arc 
 not fometime perfwaded by fire beyond their literalities. And 
 therefore alfo things inviiible , but unto intelleftual difcernments, 
 ro humour the grofsnefs of their comprehenlions, have been 
 degraded from their proper forms, and God himfelf diihonoured 
 into manual expreffions. And fo likewife being unprovided , or 
 unfufficient for higher fpeculations,they will aiwayes betake theni- 
 felves unto fenfible reprefencations , and can hardly be reftranied 
 the dulnefs of Idolatry. A lin or folly not only derogatory unto 
 God, h\\t men ; overthrowing tiieir reafon , as well as his divinity. 
 In brief, a reciprocation , or rather an Inveriion of the Creation; 
 making God one way, as he made us another ; that is, after our 
 Image, as he made us after his own. 
 
 Moreover, their underftanding thus weak in it felf, and pervert- 
 ed by feniible deluiions, is yet farther impaired by the dominion of 
 their appetite; that is , the irrational and brutal part of the foul, 
 which lording it over the foveraign faculty , interrupts the anions 
 of tliac noblepart,and choaks thofe tender fparksjwiiich Adam hath 
 lef-t them of reafon. And therefore they do not onely fwarm with 
 errors , but vices depending thereon. Thus they commonly atfctft 
 no man any further then he deferts his reafon, or complios 
 ^vith their aberrancies. Hence they imbracenot vercuefor it felf, 
 but its reward ; and the argimient from pleafurc or uti- 
 
 G liry 
 
-»i© E^uiries into Vu!g4r ^ook. I. 
 
 lity is far morerpowerfullj then that from vertuous honefty : which 
 Mahomet ^iid liis conrrivers well iiiiderftoodj when he fet out the fe- 
 Uciry of his heaven, by the contentments of flefh, and rhe delights 
 of fenfe ^flic^htly paiiin^ over the accomplifhnient of the foul, and 
 the btaritiideof that part which earth andviiibilities too weakly af- 
 ftft. Bnt the wifdoni of our Saviour, and the limplicity of his truth 
 proceeded another way^ defying the popular provifions of happinelTe 
 from fenhble expectations ■■, placing his felicity in things remov- 
 Jalirtn, ^^ from fenfe, and the intelleftual enjoyment of God. And there- 
 fore the doftrine of the one was never afraid of llniveriitiesjor 
 endeavoured the baniOiment of learning like the other. And 
 though Galen doth fometime nibble at Mofes^ and beiide the A- 
 poxlate Chrftian, fome Heathens have queftioned his Philofophi- 
 cal part or treaty of the Creation : Yet is there furely no rea- 
 fonable Tagan^ that will not admire the rationall and well groun- 
 '•ed precepts of Ch rift i whofe life^ as it was conformable unto 
 his doftrine, fo was that unto the higheft rules of reafon 5 and muil 
 therefore flourifh in the advancement of learning, and the perfe- 
 ftion of parts beft able to compi'ehend it. 
 
 Again, Their individual imperfeftions being great, they are 
 moreover enlarged by their aggregation j and being enoneous in 
 their (ingle numbers once hudled together, they will be error it 
 felf. For being a confufion of knaves and fools, and a farragi- 
 nous concurrence of all conditions, tempers, fex, an ages , it 
 r'n but natural if their determinations be monftrous, and many 
 vvaies inconliftent with truth. And therefore wife men have al- 
 waies applauded their own judgement, in the contradiftion of 
 that of the people ; and their fobereft adverfaries, have ever 
 afforded them the liile of fools and mad men ; and to fpeak 
 impartially, their aftions have often made good thefe Epithites. 
 •j(q« fani ejle Had Orejies been Judge, he would not have acquitted that Lyjirian 
 h^mi^ts, w#/i rabble of madnefle, who upon a vilible miracle, falling into fo 
 fain^ \uratO' j^jgj^ ^ conceit of Vaid and Bumahasy that they termed the one 
 ujtei. Jtipiter^ the other Mercuriiis j that they brought oxen and gar- 
 
 lands, and were hardly retrained from facrihcing unto them ; 
 did notwithftanding fuddenly after fall upon Fau! ^ and having 
 ftoned 'Jiim drew him for dead out of the city. It ipiight 
 have hazarded the fides of Vemocritus ^ had he been prefent at 
 that tumUjlt of Demetrius j when the people flocking together 
 in great numbers , fome cryed one thing , and fome another^ 
 and the aflembly was confufed , and the moft part knew not 
 wherefore they were come together } notwithftanding,, all with 
 one voice for the fpace of two hours cried out, great is Diana 
 of the Ephefians. It had overcome the patience of Jo^ as it did the 
 meekneUe of Mofes^ and would furely have maftered any , but 
 
 the 
 
Book. I. . and Common Errors^ H 
 
 the longaiiiniity and lafting fufferance of God ; Had they beheld 
 the mutinie in the wildeme/Te , when after ten great miracles in 
 JEg^pt i and fonie in the fame place, they melted down their 
 lloln ear-rings into a calf, and monftroufly cryed out : Thefe are 
 thy gods O Ifrael 3 that brought thee out of the land of JEgypt, 
 It much accufeth the impatience of Peter ^ who could not endure 
 the ftaves of the multitude, and is the grcateft example of lenity 
 in our Saviour, when he deiired of God forgivenelfe unto thofe, 
 who having one day brought him into the City in triun;ph, did 
 prefently after, aft all di(honour upon him, and nothing coul3 be 
 heardbutCn'C/;%^ in their courts. Certainly he that coniiderech 
 thefe things in Gods peculiar people,will ealily difcern how little of 
 truth there is in the wayes of the njiultitude ^ and though fome- 
 times they are flattered with that ^^^or;y>?/, will hardly believe the 
 \'oice of the people to be the voice of God. 
 
 Laffly, Being thus divided from truth in themfelves, they 
 are yet farther removed by advenient deception. For true it is 
 (and I hope I /hall not offend their vulgarities, J if I fay they are 
 daily mocked into error by fubtkr devifors , and have been ex- 
 prefly deluded by all profeflions and ages* Thus the Priefts of* 
 Elder tinie, have put upon them many incredible conceits, not 
 only deluding their apprehenfiohs with AriolatiOn, South-fay- 
 ing and ftich oblique Idolatries , but winning their credulities 
 unto the literal and down-right adorement of Cats, Lizzards: and 
 Beetles. And thus alfo in fonie Chriftian Churches, wherein is 
 prefumed an irreprovable truth, if all be true that is fufpefted, 
 or half what is related, there have not wanted many ftrange de- 
 ceptions^ and fome thereof are ftill confeffed by the name of pious " 
 frauds. Thus Theudai an Impoftor was able to lead away four 
 thoufand into the wildernefTc, and the deluiions of Mahomet al- 
 moft the fourth part of niankinde-. Thus all hercfies, howgrofs 
 foever, have found a welcome with the people. For thus, many 
 of the Jews were wrought into belief that Herod was the Mef' 
 fuK; and "David George of Leyden and Arden ^ were not without 
 a party amongft the peopl-e, who maintained the fame opinion of 
 themfelves almoft in our dayes. 
 
 Phylitians (many at leaft that make profefHon thereof) bcfide 
 divers lefs difcoverable waies of fraud, have made them believe, 
 there is the book of fate, or the power of Aarom- brcfl^plate in Jg^jj;"^J*°^ 
 Urines* And therefore hereunto they have recourfe, as unto the j^^ ,gjfj, 
 Oracle of life, the gi^at determinator of virginity, conception, by Urine- 
 fertility, and the infcnitable infirmities of the whok body. For 
 as though thftewere a feminality m Urine, or that like the feed 
 it carried with it the Idea of every part, they foolifhly conceive, 
 W€ Yiiibly behold therein trlie Anatomy of every particle, afid" cail 
 
 C 2 thereby 
 
12 E/ipiries into Vulgojr Book. I. 
 
 thertby iucrigitate their diftafes : And running into any demands, 
 cxpcft from\is a fudJcn refolution in things, wJicreon the Devil of 
 Vc/phos would demurriand we know hath taken refpite of foms daycs 
 roanfwer ealicrqucftions. 
 
 Siiltimbalcoei^ ^tickjitilvers , and Charlatans:, deceive them in 
 Pbccs in I'e- lower degrees. Were ^/o/> alive, the Piazza und Pont-Neuf coi]\(i 
 *^"=*"'^^''"^' not but i'peak their fallacies^ mean while there are too many, 
 ubanlc"play' ^vhofe cries caiuiot conceal their mifchief. For their impoftures 
 ihtlr i^ranks. are fuU of cruelty, and worfe then any other i deluding not on- 
 ly unto pecuniary defraudations, but the irreparable deceit of 
 death. 
 
 Aflrologers, whicli pretend to be of Cabala with the ftars (fuch 
 I mean as abufe that worthy Enquiry ; have not been wanting in 
 their deceptions ; who having won their belief unto principles 
 whereof they make great doubt themfelves, have made tliem be- 
 lieve that arbitrary events below, have neceflary caufes, above; 
 whereupon their credulities afTent unto any prognolHcks 5 and 
 daily fwallow the prediftions of men, which conlidering tlie inde- 
 pendencie of their caiifes, and contingencie in their events , are 
 only in the prefcience of Goti. 
 
 Fortune-tellers, Juglers, Geomancers, and the like incantatory 
 impoilors, though conmionly men of inferiour lank , and from 
 whom without illumination they can expeft no more then from 
 themfelves, do daily and profeiFedly delude them. Unto whom 
 (what is deplorable in men and Chriftians) too many applying 
 themfelves •■> betwixt jeft and earneft, betray the caufe of truth, 
 and infeniibly make up the legionary body of error. 
 
 StatifU and Politicians ^ unto whom Kagione di Stato , is the 
 firft conliderable , as though it were their bulinefTe to deceive 
 the people^ as a maxime, do hold, that truth is to be concealed 
 from tlum i ui to whom although they reveal the viiible deligne, 
 yet do they commonly conceal the capitalL intention. And there- 
 tore have they ever been the inftruments of great deijgnes, yec 
 feldom undcdiood the true intention of any i accomplishing the 
 drifts of wifej heads, as in animate and ignorant Agents, the ge- 
 neral defigne of the world j who though in fome latitude of feiifc,, 
 and in a natura^ cognition perform their proper aftions, yet do 
 they unknowingly concur unto higher ends, and^bfnidiy advance 
 the great intention of nature. Now how far rhcy may be kept 
 
 The people of jj^ ianorance a great example there is in the people of Koma wha 
 . XoiBc why nc- ° 1 1 \ r u • /^- tt 
 
 Ycr fuffcicd to"^^^^' knew the true and proper name of their own City, for 
 
 kno*»ihciiftht bclide that common appellation recived by the Citizens, it had 
 
 name of jhcir a proper and fecret name CQiicealed from them: Cifj^s altcrum 
 
 C «/• mnten die ere fecret is Ceremoni arum ne fas habetur, faith.. P/7«if ; left 
 
 the name thereof being difcoYcred luito their enemies, their P^- 
 
 natts 
 
Book. I. IP^^ and Common Errors. '] ff 
 
 Mates and Patronal Gods, might be called fordi by charms and 
 incantations. For according nnto tlie tradition of Mtgitians, the 
 tutelary ft)irit.s will not remove at common appellations, but at 
 the proper names oF things whereunto they art.- proreftors. 
 
 Thus having been deceived by thcmfelvcs. and continually de- 
 luded by others, they mult needs be ftiifred with errors, and even 
 over-run with thefe inferiour faUities j whereunto whofoever fhall 
 refign their reafons, either from the root of deceit in themfelves, 
 or inability to relirt fuch trivial ingamiations from others , al- 
 though their condition and fortunes may place them many Spheres 
 above the nmltitude 5 yet are they ftill within the line of vulgarity, 
 and Democratical enemies of truth. 
 
 C HAP. IV. 
 
 Of the hearer and more ftnmeci/ ate Ca.'ffes of popular errors^ loth m 
 the wifer and common fort^ Mifipprehe/ifion^ Fal/'acj^ or falp de- ■ 
 duHicn^ Credulity Stipimtj^ adherence unto ^ntiquitjy Tradition 
 and Authoritie. 
 
 THefirilis a miftake,ora mifconception of thnigs, either in their 
 firft apprehenlions, or fecondary rclacions. So Eve miftook the, 
 Conmiandment , either from the immediate injimftion of God, 
 or from the fecondary narration of her husband. So might the 
 Difciples miftake onr Saviour, in his aufwer unto Feter concern- 
 ing thcjdeath of Jo^>/, as is delivesred, ^oibw ii.Teter {tc'm^ Johrt^ 
 faith unto Je[m:> Lord , and what fhall this man do YJeJuf faith, 
 )f 1 will, that he tarry till I come, whar is that unto thee j Theiv 
 went this laying abroad among the brethren, that that Difciple' 
 ftiould not die. Thus began the conceit and opinionof the Cf/i- rhc belief o? 
 taures 'ths^t is, in the miftake of the firft behoiderS5as is declared {7Mra«,(j. 
 hyS^rvius ■-, when feme young The/laliati5 on horfeback were be^ whence occa- 
 held afar off, while their horfes watered, that is,while their heads, "^'l* 
 were deprelTed, they were conceived by the firft Speftators, to be 
 but oi^e animal 5 and aufwerable hereunto have rheir pictures been 
 dr^vn ever lince. 
 
 And as fimple miftakes commonly beget fallacies, fo men reft 
 not in falfe apprelienlinouSi without abfurd and inconfequent de- 
 ductions ; from fallacious foundations, and mifapprehended medi-' 
 um:, erefting conclioions. no way inferrible from their premiUs^ 
 Now the fallacies whereby men deceive others, and are deceive.! 
 themfelves,rhe Antients have divided into Verball and ft call. Of the 
 V'€ibali,and.futh as conclude froni aiiftakes of the word^ akhongk 
 
 theru 
 
Enquiries irAoVulur Book, I.~ 
 
 . tijerebeno Itl.s then iix, yet are tlieie but two thereof worthy our 
 iiotatioiiiaiid unto wiwc:?. the itk may bti rererred ; tha: is the falla- 
 cy of Equivocation and Amphibologie 5 which 'conchide from the 
 itHi!\'oc«cion' ambiguity of foqie. one word, or tihe ambiguous lytiTaxis of niauy. 
 and Ampiii. put' together. Fr<x>m tiiiv fallacy arofc chac calamitous error of the 
 ^h'^^lrr^'""* jews rtiJiappreheuding the Prdplieiies of their MeHias, and ex- 
 c> ' ^^' po'iinding them ahvaic; unto literal and temporal expeftations. By 
 Tyihagcras his ti)isv/ay.iiiany errors crept iu and perveited the doftrine of Pytha- 
 Ailegotical gi^i^/j:^;^whil!il:<meu!irecei-ved his.precept«S' in a different fenfe- frOm his' 
 precepts *mo- intention i converting Metaphors into piopriff ties, and receiving as" 
 laljzed. literal eiprduousy obfcui-e'andiiivolved tiiith?.- Thais when he eii- 
 
 joyned his Difciples, an abiiinence from bean>3 many conceived 
 they were with feverity debarred the ufe of that pulfe j which not- 
 withllanding could not be his meaning ; for as Ariiloxenm who 
 wrote his life, averreth, he deliqhpedj much in that kind of food 
 himfelf. But herein as Plutarch obrerveth, he hadnoother intenti* 
 on, then to difTwacie men from Magiftracy, or undertaking the pub- 
 like oftices of ftate; for by bsans were the Magiftrates elected in 
 fome parts' of Greece 5 and after his dales, we read in T^hucydidesy 
 '!«■*'' Z"'^'' of tb€ <Z-ounfel of the bean in Athens, The fame word^lfo iu 
 «^*y-'*"'^ *'^°* Greek doth lignitie aTefticle, and hath been thought by fome an 
 /:**i*5 i>^«ff0« injunftion only of continency , as Aid. GclUus hath expounded^ 
 and as Empedocles may alfo be interpreted : that is T'ejHcu/is mi" 
 feri dextras fubducite ; and might be the original intention of Pj- 
 th'agar.tsy as having a notable hint hereof in Beans, from the natural 
 iiguatLlre of the venereal organs of both Sexes. Agaiui his injun-. 
 ftioii is, not to harbour Swallows in our houfes iWhoCe advice 
 iiotwithftanding we, do, Uot contemn, who daily admit and che- 
 ri/h thenlrFOr herein a caution, isl only implied, not to entertain 
 ungratefull and tlianklefs perfons, which like the Swallow are no 
 way commodious unCQ us 5 but having made ufe of our habitati- 
 ons, and ferved their own turns, forfake us. So he commands to de-> 
 fiice the print of a cauldron in the afhes , after it hath boiled. 
 Which ftriitly to obferve were condemnable fuperftition : -For here- 
 by he covertly advifeth us nor to perrevde in auger 5 but after our 
 choler hath boyled,to retain no impreHion thereof. In the like feiife 
 are to be received^whenhe advifeth his Difciples togive the right 
 hand but to few, to put no viands in a chamber-pot,, not to pafs 
 over a balance, not to rake up fire with afword, Oivpifs againlt the 
 . Sun. .Which enigmatical deliveries comprehend ufe|riU verities, but 
 being ihiila''^cn by literal Expoiitors at the firft,.they have been mif- 
 imderftood by moil: fince, and may be oecaiion of »error to verbal 
 capacities foi ever. : : . . 
 
 This fidlacy in the firft delnfion Satan put upon Eve^ and. his 
 ■whole tencation miEht be the fame continued i, fo when: he faid. Ye 
 
 fhall 
 
Book. I. md Common Errors, xj 
 
 iliall not die, that was in his equivocation, ye /hall not incur a pre- 
 fent death, or a deftniftionimmediatly fenfiting your tranfgreflron. 
 Your eyes fhali be opened j that is^ not to the enlargement of 
 your knowledge, but difcoveryof your fhanie and proper" confii- 
 lion i You fliall know good and evih that is , you fhall have 
 knowledge of good by it its privation, bat cognifance of evil 
 by fenfe and viiible experience. And the fame fallacy or way 
 of deceit fo well fucceeding i-n Paradife , he continued in his 
 Oracles through all the world. Which had not men more 
 warily underftood, they might have performed many acls in- 
 confilient with his intention. Brutits might have made haft with 
 tarqvine to have ki.<Ted his own Mother. The Athenians migh'c 
 have built them wooden walls , or doubled the AUar at Dcl- 
 
 The circle of this fallacy is very large; and herein may be 
 comprifed all Ironical miftakes, for intended expreHions receiv- 
 ing inverted fignincations j all deduftions from Metaphors, Pa- 
 rables, Allegories, unto real and rigid interpretations^ Where- 
 by have lifen not only popular erros in Philofophy, but viilgar 
 and fenflefs Herelies in Divinity ; as will be evideilt unto -any that 
 fhall examine their foundations^ as they ftaiidrelatfedby Epi;?/(?/r)^i- Dcbrnput, 
 m:,A'4iiH:iOV Vrateohis. ^ , • 
 
 Other waies there are of deceit ; which conuft not in falfe ap- 
 prehenfion of words, that is5 verbal exprellions or fentelitial iigni- 
 Hcations g but fraudulent deduftions;, or iiiconfeqi{ent ilhtions 
 from a falfe conception of things. Ofthefe ek'tradiftionary and 
 real fallacies, Arfjiotle md Logicians make, in number fix, but we 
 obferve that men are moft commonly deceived by four thereof : 
 thofe are Petitio principii- A diirofecimdmt guid ad diif/mfimplici^ 
 ter. K noncaufa fro caiifa: htidfhllacia con]eqTfefi.tis.' : \ ' 
 
 The firft is, Petitio principi. Whith ftillucie is comntii;ed, Vvlieii 
 a queftion is m^e a medittiii, or we adimiea medium a/ g'rahted, 
 whereof we remain as iinPatisfied of the queftioil.' B'nefly, wher^ 
 that is aHiimedasa principle, to prove another thing, which is 
 not conceded as true it felf. By this fallacie was Et/d* deceived^ 
 when fhe took for granted, the falfe affertioii. of the Devil; ye 
 fhall not furely die, for God dotlv kno*^ th^'i^ithe dity ye fhall 
 eat thereof, your eyes lha)l be opened, and you fii*all be as God-'. 
 Which was but a bare affirmation of S'at^n, vvit1iout'pri6t)f or pro- 
 bable indiicement, contrary' unto the' conimand of God and for- 
 mer belief of her felf. And this was the'Logitk of thejews when 
 tlteyaccufed bur S-aviOiir unto Pilafe^ whbdenidndiirga reafonable 
 impeachment. Or the allegation of Tome crime wortiiy t>f coiidem^ 
 -hartion; they only replied, "if he had nor 'b&en worth )^6f death, wfc 
 would not-liave brought him before thee. Wherein there was nei- 
 ther 
 
j^ EftqutrieS into Vulgdr BpoIcL 
 
 tiier acciifation of the pcjTon, nor fatisfaf^ion of fife Judge; Who 
 v«,ell undsilTOod a bait: accufacion was no prefiiajption of guilty and 
 the clamours of the people no acciifation at all. The fame fallacie 
 is fomtrime iifed in the difpiite, between Job and his friends ; they 
 cfreti taknig tliac for granted wliich afterward he difpioveth. 
 
 The fecond is A diClo fecundum quid ad diUum fiynf letter^ wheli 
 from that which is but true in a qualiHcd fenfcjan inconditional and 
 abfolute verity is inferred ; transferring the fpecial confideration of 
 things unco their general acceptions, or concluding from their fhiXt 
 acception, unto that witiiout all limitation. This fallacie men com- 
 mit when they argue froni a particular to a general ; as when we 
 conclude the vices or qualities of a few upon a whole Nation . Or 
 from a part unto the whole . Thus the Devil argued with our Sa- 
 viour, and by this he ivould perfwade him he might be fecure, if he 
 cafthimfelf from the Pinacle : For faid he^, it is written, he (hall 
 give his Angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they 
 Ihall beare thee up, leaft at any time thou dafh thy foot againft a 
 ftone . But this illation was fallacious, leaving out part of the text , 
 rp/. 91. He (halj keep thee in all thy waies j that is, in the waici of righte- 
 oufnefs, and not of rafh attempts : fo he urged a part for che whole, 
 iind inferred more in the conclufion, then was contained in the 
 premifes . By the fame fallacie we proceed, when we conclude from 
 the ligniinto the thing lignilied. By this incroachment Idolatry firft 
 crept in> men converting the fymbolical ufe of Idols into their 
 proper worlhip, and receiving the reprcfcnration of things as the 
 iubltanceand thing it felf. So the flatue of ^^-Zw acfirft erefted in 
 his memory, was in after times adored as a Divinity. Andfoalfo 
 in the Sacrament of the Eucharift, the bread and wine which were 
 rhc Original but the fignals or vifible iigns, were made the things llgnified, and 
 ef Idolatry, worfhipped as the body of Ch rift. And hereby generally men are 
 deceived that take things fpoken in fome latitude without any at 
 all. Hereby the J.ews were deceived concerning the commandment 
 of the Sabbath, accuiing our Saviour for healing the lick, and his 
 Difciples for plucking the ears of corn upon that day. And by this 
 deplorable miltake they were deceived unto dcftruftion, upon the af- 
 fault ofPompey the great made upon that d3y,by whofe fujierftitious 
 obfervation they could not defend themfelvcs, or perform any la- 
 ^Thc M:6ran bour whatever. 
 
 cndurci nci- The thirdis A /«)>f capfa. pro cavfa^ when that4s pretended for a 
 tlicr wine i^cr ^ji^ifg ^^jch is not, or not in that fenfe which is inferred. Upon 
 ctliiivcrUuci. ^j^-j^. (-onfcquencc die law of Mahowet fobirds the ufe of wine, and 
 his fucceflors abolilhed Univerlities. By thisalfo many Chriftians 
 have gondemned literature, mifiuideritanding the counfel of Saint 
 Paule, who advifeth no furtiier then to beware of philofophy. On 
 tius t^oundauo J were built the coiicliilions of ^outhf^yers in their 
 
 Augurial 
 
Book I. dnd Common- Errors* 17 
 
 Auguriall, and Trlpudiary divinations 5 collefting prefages fr^pi 
 voice or food of birds, and conjoyning events unto caiifes of no 
 connexion. Hereupon alfo are grounded the grofs miilakcsj in 
 rhecureof many difeafes ; not onclyfroni the laft medicine, and 
 fympathetical Receipts, but amulets,' charms, and all incantatory ' 
 applications j deriving effefts not only from inconcurring caufes, 
 but things devoid of all efficiency whatever. 
 
 The fourth is the fallaeie of the coiifequcnt j which if ftriftly 
 taken, may be a fallacious illation in reference unto antecedencie, 
 or confequencie -> as to conclude from the pofitionof the antece- 
 dent, unto the polition of the confequent, or frortl the remotioii 
 of the confequent to the remotion of the antecedent. This is ufually 
 committed, when in connexed propoiitions the terms adhere con- 
 tingently. This is frequent in Oratorie illations ; and thus the 
 Pharifeesj becaufe he converfed with Publicans and Sinners , accu- 
 fcd the holinefsof Chrift. But if this fallacie be largely taken, it 
 is committed in any vicious illation, offending the rules of good 
 confequence ; and fo it may be very large, and comprehend all 
 falfe illations againft the fetled laws of Logick. But the moft ufual 
 inconfequencies are from particulars, from negatives, and from 
 affirmative conclufions in the fecond figure, wherein indeed offences 
 are mofl frequentp and their difcoveries not difficult. 
 
 C H A P. V. 
 
 of CreduUtj and Suptnkj, 
 
 A Third caufe of common Errors is the Credulity ofmen, thiac 
 is, anealie afTent, to what is obtruded, or a believing at firft 
 ear what is delivered by others. Tliisisa weaknefs intheunder- 
 ftanding, withoutexamination affenting untothnigs, which fr5m 
 their natures and caufes do carry no perfwafion ; whereby men 
 often fwallow fallities for truths , dubiolicies for certainties , fe«- 
 libilities for polfibilicies , and things impollible as pol?ibilities 
 themfelves. Which, though a weaknefle of the Intellect, and 
 moft difcoverable in vnlgar heads, yet hath it fometime falieii 
 upon wifer brains, and gieat advancers of Truth. Thus many 
 wife Athenians fo far forgot their Philofophy, and the natuiv of 
 humane ppoduftion, that thy defcended unco beliefs, the origi- 
 jiall of their Nation was from the Earth , and had no other 
 beginning then the feminalitie and wombe of thtir great Mo- 
 ther. Thus- is it not without wonder, how thofe learned Ara- 
 bicks fo tamely delivered up their belief unto the abfurdictes 
 
 D of 
 
^g tfiplrtes im VulgAf Book, 1, 
 
 of (he Akorii/i. How the uoble Geber , Avicemta , and Alj^anz.or^ 
 fhouMreft fatis.led in the nature and caifesoF earthquakes , deli- 
 vered from the doftiinc of their Frophet s that is , from the motion 
 of a ^reat Bull, upon whofe horns all the earth is poifed. How their 
 faiths could decline fo low , as-to concede their generations in hea- 
 ven^to be made by the fmell of a Citron,or that the felicity of their 
 Paradile fhoiild conlirt in a Jubile of copulation , that is^ a coitioii) 
 of one aft prolonged unto fifty years. Thus is it ahnoil beyond won- 
 der^ how the belief of reafoiiable creatures, fhould ever fubmit luito 
 Idolatry : And the credulity of thofe men fcarce credible f witliout 
 prefumption of a fecond fall) who could believe a Deity in the work 
 of their own hands.For although in that ancient and diffiifed ado.ati 
 on of Idols, unto the Priejis and fubtiler heads j the wor/hip perhaps 
 might be fymbolical 5 and as thofe Images fome way related unto 
 their Deities i y^t Was the Idolatry direct anddown-right in the 
 people i whofe credulity is illimitable j who may be made believe 
 that any thing is God i and may be made believe there is no God ac 
 ail. . 
 
 And as credulity is thecaufe of Error, fo incredidity oftentimes 
 
 of not enjoying truth ; and that not onely an obftinate incredulity, 
 
 Obftinate and whereby we will not acknowledge aflent unto what is reafonably in- 
 
 iriaiionsl ferred, but any Academical refervation in matters of eaiie truth , or 
 
 Sccpricifm rather fceptical infidelity againft the evidence of reafon and fenfe. 
 
 jiiflly ccnfu- YoT thefe are conceptions befalling wife men , as abfurd as the ap- 
 
 ' prehenlions of fools , and the credulity of the people which promif- 
 
 cuoiiily fwallow any thing. For this is not onely derogatory unto 
 
 the wifdomof God J who hath propofed the world unto our know 
 
 ledge 5 and thereby the notion of himfelf j but alfo detraftoiy unro 
 
 the i'ntel left , and fenfe of man exprefledly difpofed for that inquili- 
 
 tion. And therefore, hoctantunifcioy quod nihil fcio ^ is not to be 
 
 received in an abfolute fenfe, but is comparatively exprefTed untO 
 
 the number of things wherectf our knowledge is ignorant. Nor 
 
 will it aquit the infatisfaftion of thofe which quarrel with all 
 
 things, or difpute of matters , concerning whofe verities we have 
 
 conviftionfroia reafon, or decilion from the inerrable and requilite 
 
 cohpi tit ions oF fenfe*- And therefore if any aftirm the earth dotli 
 
 \novei and will not believe with us, it ftandeth ftillj becaufe he hath 
 
 pr6bable reafons for it, and I no infallible fenfe, nor reafon againft 
 
 it , I will not quarrel with his aflertion. But if like Zsno he ihall 
 
 walk about, and yet deny there is 7A\y motion in nature; furely that 
 
 man was conilituted for Anticera. , and were a fit companion for 
 
 thofe, who having a conceit they are dead , camiot be convifted 
 
 into the fociery of the living. 
 
 Tiie fourth is a fupinity or negleft of enquiry , even of matters 
 wlaeieof we doubcj racher believing, then going to fee^ or doubting 
 
 with 
 
Book. I. and Common Ermi, 1 ^ 
 
 with eaCe and gratis , then believing with ditficiilt/ or piirchafe. 
 Wheibyjcither from a temperamental in afti vityaWe are iinready to 
 put in execution the fuggeiHons or diftates of reafon ; or by a con- 
 tent and acquiefcenfe in every fpecics of truth , we embrace the 
 Shadow thereof 5 or fo much as may palliate-its juft and fubftancial 
 acquiremeius. Had our fore-Fathers fat down in thefe refolutions, 
 or Ijiad their curiolities been fedentary, who purfued the knowledge 
 of things through all the coiners of nature, rheface of truth had 
 been obfcure unco us, whofe luftre in fome part their induftries have 
 revealed. 
 
 Certainly the fweat of their Labours was not fait unto t^iem^ and 
 they took delight nuhe duft of their endeavours. Forqueftion- 
 lefs in knowledge there is nofleiider diiKculty, and truth whic^ 
 v^ife men fay doth lye in a well , is not recoverable but by exantla- 
 tion. It were fome extenuation of the curfe , xiinfudore viiltus tut 
 werecontinable unto corporal exercitations, and there ftill remained 
 aParadife or luithorny place of knowledge. But now our imder- 
 ftandings being eclipfed^ as well as our tempers infirmsd^ we nmft be- 
 take our felves to wayes of reparation, and depend upon the illumi- 
 nation of our endeavours. For thus we may in fome meafure re- 
 pair our primary mines , and build our felves "men again. And 
 though the attenipts of fome have been precipitous , and their en- 
 quiries fo audacious as to come within command of the flaming 
 fwordsj and lofl: themfelves in attempts above humanity i yet have 
 the enquiries of moft dcfefted by the way , and tired within the fo- 
 ber circumference of knowledge. 
 
 And this is the reafon why fome have tranfcrlbed any thing , ami 
 although they cannot but doitbt thereof, yet neitlicr make experi- 
 ment by fenfe , or enquiry by reafon j but live in doubts of things 
 whofe fatisfaftion is in their own powers whicli is indeed the inexcu- 
 fable part of our ignorance , and may perhaps fill up the charge of 
 the lall day. For not obeying the diftates of reafon, and neglcft- 
 ingthe cries of truth , we fail notouely in the trull: of our luider- 
 -takings, but in the intention of man it felf. Which alrhougli more 
 venial inordinary conftitutions, andfuch as are not framed beyond 
 the capacity of beaten notions , yet will it inexciifably condemn 
 fome men, who having received excellent endowments, have yet fat 
 down by the way, and fruftrated the intention of their h;;bilities. 
 For certainly as lome men have finned in the principles of huriia- 
 iury,andmurt anfwer, for noc being men, fo others oifend if they be 
 not more r Magis extra vitia , q::ani cum virtutibusy would conmiend 
 thofe : Thefe are not excufable without an Excellency. For great 
 conftitutions, and fuch as are conilellated unto knowledge , do no- 
 thing till they out-do alU they come Ihort of themfelves if rliey go 
 not beyond others3 and muft not frt down under the degree of wor- 
 
 D 2 thie?. 
 
ao 
 
 Uaivcr/Jries, 
 why many 
 
 U;llC-> full of 
 
 Sc!iolarf,an(l 
 
 empty of 
 Learning. 
 
 The natural 
 genius or in- 
 clination) how 
 reuch to be rc- 
 girdcd in the 
 choife of a 
 profilTion. 
 
 Enpiries into VulgAr Book. f. 
 
 tlries. God expefts no liiftre fiomtlieminorftarSa but if the Sun 
 fhould not ilhiminare nil, it were a fin in Natiiie. Vlthtius honor unty 
 will not cxciife every man , nor is it fiifficient for all to hoM the 
 common level ; Mens names fliould not onely diftingui/h them : A 
 man fhould be fomethiug, that men are not, and individual in fome- 
 what belide his proper nature. Thus while it exceed* not the 
 bounds of reafon and modefty, we cannot condemn fingulatity. Nos 
 numiYus finnusy is the motto of the multitude, and for that reafon are 
 they fools. For things as they recede from unity, the more they 
 approach to imperfeftion , and deformity i for they hold their per- 
 fection in their limplicities , and as they neareft approach unto 
 God. 
 
 Now as there are many great wits to be condemned , who have 
 neglefted the increment of Arts, and the fedulous purfuit of know- 
 ledge ; fo are there not a few very much tobc pittied, whofein- 
 duftry being not attended with natural parts , they have fweat to 
 little purpofe, and rolled the ftone in vain. Which chiefly pro- 
 ceedeth from natural incapacity, and genial indifpofition, at leaft 
 fothofe particulars whereunto they apply their endeavours. And 
 this is one reafon why, though Univerlities be full of men, they are 
 oftentimes empty of learning. Why as there are fome which do 
 much without learning, fo others but little with it, and few that 
 attain to any meafure of it. For many heads that undertake it, were 
 never fquared nor timbred for it. There are not onely particular 
 men, but whole nations indifpofed for learning j whereunto is re- 
 qmred not onely education , but a pregnant Minerva^ and teeming 
 conftitution. For the wifdomofGod hath divided the Genius of 
 men according to the different affairs of the world : And varied 
 their inclinations according to the variety of Aftions to be perform- 
 ed therein. Which they who confider not j rudely rufhing upon 
 profeiTions and waies of life unequal to their natures j dilhonour 
 nor only theriifelves and their funftions , but pervert the harmony 
 of the whpie world. For if the world went on as God hath ordained 
 itj and-'were every one implied in points concordant to their Na- 
 tures-, Profeflions, Arts, and Common-wealths would rife up of 
 thenifclvcs ; nor needed we a Lanthron to find a man in Athens. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
5oo k . ' L ^^'^ Common Errors, ^ ^• 
 
 TTtT 
 
 . f-. ' . '\ : ' ~i: 
 
 CHAP, VI. 
 
 of adherence unto jfftti^mty. 
 
 BUc the mortalleft enemy unto kuQwledge, and that which Immoderate 
 hath do!ie the ereateft execution upon truth, harh been a per- rt^^^Ct to 
 
 C 
 
 .mptory adhefion unto Authority, and more efjpecially the cfta- /^"^yy^^^'^r^ 
 blilhing of our belief upon the diftates of Antiquity. For (as of. Error, 
 every capacity may obferve) moil men of Ages prefent, fo fu- 
 perftitioully do look on Ages paft, that the 'Authorities of the 
 one, exceed the reafons of the other Whofe perfons indeed be^ 
 in^^ far removed from our times, their works, which feldom with 
 us pafs uncontrouled , either by contemporaries or immediate 
 fiicceflbrs, are now become out of the diftance of envies : And 
 tlie fiirther removed from prefent times, are conceived to ap-^ 
 pro^ch the nearer unto truth ic felf. Now hereby x\\z thinks 
 we manifeftly dehide our felves, and widely walk out of the track 
 of Truth. 
 
 For firft. Men hereby impofe a thraldom on their times, which 
 the ingenuity of no age (hould endure , or indeed the prefum- 
 ption of any did ever yet enjoin. Thus Hippocrates about 2000. 
 year ago, conceived it no injuftice, either to examine or refute 
 the doftrines of his predeceflbrs : Galett* the like, and Ari(iotle 
 moft of any. Yet did not any of thefe conceive themfelves in- 
 fallible, or Cec down their diftates as verifies irrefragable j but 
 when they either deliver their own inventions, or rejeft other mens 
 Opinion?, they proceed with Judgement and Ingenuiry j eftabliffi- 
 ing their aflertion, not only with great foUdity, but fubmitting 
 them alfo unto the correction of future difcovery. 
 
 Secondly, Men that adore rimes paft, confider not that thofe 
 times were once prefent : that is, as our own are at this inftant, 
 and we our felves unto thofe to come, as they unco us at pre- 
 fent •, as we relye on them, even fo will thofe on us, and ma- 
 gnifie us hereafter, who at prefent condemn our felves. Which 
 very abfurdicy is daily committed amongft us even in the cileen^ 
 and cenfure of our own times. Arid to fpeak impartially , old 
 men from whoiiv we fhoiild expeft the greateiV example of wif- 
 dom, do moft exceed hi this point of folly 5 comnit^ndhig the daics 
 of their youth, they fcarce remenber,at ieaft well underiloa;! jio.:j 
 extolling thofe times their ymmger years have heard their Fachcr.^ 
 ■condemn, and condemnino; thofe times the [^gray heads of their 
 
 ^oilerity 
 
pofterity fliall commend. And thus is it th^ humour of many heads 
 to extoi tiie dates of theti* f^Hefacher?, aiKl dsclaini againrt the Wick- 
 ednefs, of times prefent. Which nocwichftanding they cannot hand- 
 fomly do, without the ixjrrovred help and fa tyres of times paftj 
 condemning the vices of their times^ by the expre/Hons of vices in 
 times which they commend j which cannot but argue the comnui- 
 nicy of vice in both. Horace therefore, JuvenaU and Ferfeus were 
 no Prophets, although their lines did feem to indigitate and point 
 at our times. There is a certain lift of vices comitted ni all ages, 
 and declaimed againft by all Authors, which will'laft as long as hu- 
 mane nature ; or digefted into common places may ferve for any 
 . theme, and never be out of date luitiil Dooms-day. 
 
 Thirdly, The teftimonies of Antiquity and fuch as pafs oracu- 
 loufly amongft us, were not if we coniider them alwaics fo exa£^t 
 as to exan^ine the doftrine they delivered. For fome, and thofe 
 the acuteft of them, have left unto us many things of f.iliity, 
 • controulable, not only by critical and collective reafon, but com- 
 
 mon and coimtrey obfervation. Hereof there want not many ex- 
 amples in y4rz/fof/f,th rough all his book of animalsj we fliall inftance 
 only in three of his Problemes, and all contained under one Se- 
 ftion. The firft enquirtth why a Man doth cough, but not aft 
 Oxe or Cow j whereas notwithftanding the contrary is ofcen ob- 
 ferved by Husband-men, and Hands confirmed by thofe who have 
 exprefly treated de re rujHca^ and have alfo delivered divers re- 
 medies for it. Why Juments, as Horfes, Oxen^ and AiTes j have 
 no eruftation or belching, whereas indeed tiie contrary is ofcen 
 obferved, and alfo delivered by Collumella, And thirdly j why 
 man alone hath gray hairs ? whereas it cannot efcape the cyesj, 
 and ordinary obfervation of all men, that Horfes, Dogs, and Fc- 
 xe-s, wax gray with age in our Countries j and in the colder Re- 
 gions many other animals without ir. And though favourable 
 conftruftions may fomewhat extenuate the rigor of thefe con- 
 celTions , yet will fcarce any palliate that in the fourth of his 
 Meteors, that fait is eafieft difolvible in cold water : Nor that 
 o( Vinfcoridesy that Quickfilver is beft preferved in veflels of 
 Tin and Lead. 
 
 Other Authors write ofcen dubioufly, even in matters wherein 
 is expefted a ftrift and definitive truth ; extenuating their affir- 
 mations, with aiunt, ferunty fortajje : xAs Viafcorides, Galefty J^ 
 rilhtle, and many nioi'C. Others by h car-fay i taking upon truft 
 i"^ nioft tliey have delivered, whofe volumes are nicer colleftionsj 
 
 drawn from the mouthes oi leaves of other Authors 5 as may 
 be obferved in ?//«/>, Mlian^ Atbenxuiy and many more. Not 
 a few tranfcriptively, fubfcribing their Names unto other mens 
 eiideavoursjand mcerly tranfcribing almoft all they have written. 
 
 The 
 
^ook. I. And Common Errors, ' 23 
 
 The Latines tranfcriblng the Greekj , the Creekj , and Latlnes ^ 
 each other. Thus hath Jujiine borrowed all from trogiti Tom- 
 veiiiS) md Julim Solinus i in a maimer n-anfcribed PUnie. Thus 
 have Lucian and Ap^uleim lerved Lvcim Vtatenfis •■, men both living The Antiq«i- 
 \\\ the fame timCj and both tranfcribing the fame Author, in^y* >"<* .^^oic 
 thofe famous Books, Entituled Lr^c/w by the one, and Aureus ^_«o^='*^^<= '"- 
 finus by the Other. In the fame meafure hath Simocrates in his pu^Jianifm 
 Traft dv Nile.} dealt with ViodoYM Sicfiluf^ as may be obferved, that U , of* 
 in that ■work artnexed unto' Rerodotns^ and tranflated by y«f/- tranfcribing 
 germaHHUS. Thus EratoJlbeHe's wholly tranflated 'timdtheus dn In- o"" ^'chlng 
 fulls i not referving the very, Preface. The fame doth ^frrt/;o ^"'"^"' 
 report of Eudoras, and At^/Jion in a Treatife Entituled de Nilo. 
 Clevtens Alexandr.inui hath obferved many examples hereof among 
 the Greeks 3 and 'l*/;^^ fpeakech very plainly in his Preface, th^c 
 conferring ins Authors, and comparing their ivorks together , 
 lie generally found thofe that v,-ent befoi-e vnbatim tranfcribcd, 
 l^y thofe that followed after, and their originals. never fo much 
 as mentioned. To omit how nuich the wittieil piece of Ovid 
 is beholding unto Tanhenim Chins ; ^vcn the magniiied Firgil 
 l.ath borrowed almoft in all his works : in Iiis Eclogues from The- 
 ocritus his Gecrgichj from Hefiod and Aratus ^ his Mneads from. 
 Ho^ir •, flie fecond Book whereof containing the exploit of Si- 
 iien and the 'Trcjan horfe Cas M^rcroHas obfervethj he hath verla- 
 iitrt derived from Pifander. Our own piofeilion is not excufable 
 herein. Thus Oribafius , ^tius , and ALgineta have in a manner 
 tranfcribed Gule>u '^wt ,}/Urcellui EfUpericus^ who hath left a fa- 
 mous work de Medicanientko hath word for word, tranfcribed -all 
 Scrtlonim Largiis, de compofnione medicnnieniorum y and not left 
 our his very peroration. Thus may we perceive the Ancients 
 were but men, even like our felvcs The praftice of tranfcripti- 
 on in our dales was no monfter in theirs : Plaginrie had not 
 its nativity with priuring 5 but begiui in times when thefts 
 were diliicult, and the paucity of books fcarce wanted that in- 
 veution. 
 
 Fourthly, While we fo eagerly adhere amto Antiquity, and the 
 accoimtsof elder times, we are to conlider the fabulous conditi- 
 on thereof. And that we (hall not deny, if we call to mind the, 
 liiendacity of Greece^ from whom we have received mpft relati- 
 ons, and that a conliderable part of Ancient times, was by the An nncijfnc 
 Greeks themfelves termed (xvdiKer? that is, made up or ftutfed Otit ^^^^^"^^ who 
 with fables. And furely the fabulous inclination of thofe dales, "'^'J''^*?' 
 was greater then any iince ; which fw armed fo with fables, and J'^'^^^' y * 
 from fuch flender grounds, took hints for fiftions,,uoyfoning the .f., ^'^Zu e' 
 world ever afteri wherem, how tar they exceeded, maybe ex- f,,,^^ p:,rc is 
 amplified fioni Pale^hatus^ in his book of7 fabulous narrations, yet exunr. 
 
 That 
 
^ Enquiries into Vulgdr Book.!. 
 
 T.,c fiblc of Tli^t ''fable of Orpheus^ vf ho by the melodic of his nmlick made 
 Uffhiui his woOyls and rjiees,tP foUoiw. l^pi , was rai fed upon a (lender fouii- 
 Harp. d'-c. datioivj for. thierp were a ^ci:ew of. mad women, retired into a 
 fioiicd. moiincain, rrom whence beuig pacihea by ms MulKjiCi they de- 
 
 freiicit'd with boughs in their hands , which unto the fabuloficy 
 of thofe times, proved a fufficient ground to celebrate unto all 
 poilerity the Magick 0;f Orpheus Harp, and its pqyfer to accraft 
 the fenflefle, trees aboiir ir. That iVW^<r the famous SorccrelTe 
 ■■ ' ^puld renew youth, and make old men young again, was no- 
 thing elfe, but that from the -knowledge of fimjples flie had a Re- 
 ceit to make white hair black , and reduce old heads into the 
 tincture of youth again. The fable of Gerion and Cerberus with 
 three heads was thi^ :, Gerion was of the City 'Trkarinia , that 
 is, pf three 'Jieads., and Cerberus of the fame place was one of 
 - his_ dogs , which nmning iiito a cave upon purfuit of his mafters 
 
 Oxen, f/frc///f.f perforce .drew him out of that places from 
 whence the conceits of thofe dayes affirmed no lefTe , then that 
 Hercules defcended into hell , and brought up Cerberus .into the 
 Irabitation of the living. .Upon the like grounds was raifed the 
 figmcm o( Briar eus y who dwelling in a Citie called Hecatonchi- 
 ria , the fancies of thofe times a.Iigned him an lumdred hands. 
 'Twas ground enough to fancy wings unto Dxdalui , in that he 
 ftole out of a window from Minos^ and failed away with his fon 
 Icarus') who fleering his courfe wifely, efcapedj but his fon car- 
 rying to high a fail was, drowned. That Niobe weeping over 
 her children was turned into a ftone, was nothing elfe, but that 
 during her life fhe erefted over their fepultures, a Marble Tomb 
 of her own. When Acieon had undone himfelf with dogs , and 
 • the prodigal attendants of hunting , they made a folcnin florid 
 F ' ff of how lie was devoured by his Hounds. And upon the like grounds 
 iWansflcfli. ^^'^'^ raifed the Anthropophagie o^ Diomedes his Horfes. Upon 
 a flender foundation was built" the fable of the Mi'notaure j ft>r 
 one Taurus a fervant of Minos gat his Miftrefs Pafipbae with 
 childei from whence the infant was namtd Minotaurus, Now 
 ' this unto the fabulofi ty of thofe times was thought fufficlent to 
 acrufe Pafiphae of Eeftiality or admitting conjunction with a Bull 5 
 and in fucceeding ages gave a hint of depravity imto Domitian 
 to. aft the fable into reality. In like manner, as Viodorus plain- 
 ly dellvereth, the famous fable of Charon had its nativity j who 
 benig no oJier but the conunon Ferryman of JEgypt^ that waft- 
 ed over die dead bodies from Mi? w^5'«'> was made by the Greeks 
 to be tlie Ferryman of Hell , and folenin flories raifed iafcer of 
 Inm. Laftly, we fliall not need to enlarge , if that be true which 
 groimded the generation of Cajhr and Helena, cut of an Egg, 
 becaufe they were born anci brought up in an upper room, ac- 
 cording 
 
Book I. and Common Errors. 25 
 
 cording lUito the word *Siav 3 which with the Lacedxntiniani had 
 alfo chat iignificatioii. 
 
 Fifthly, We applaud many things delivered by the Ancients, 
 which are in themfelves buc ordinary, and come fhort of piijr 
 own conceptions. Thiis we ufually exioll, and our Orations can- 
 liot efcape the fayings of the wife men of Greece. Nofce teipfum 
 qf'thaies : Nofce tenipitf of Pittac/a : Nihil nimii oi Cleobulm ; which 
 notwithflanding to fpeak indi,^erently, are but vulgar precepts 
 in Moralityj carrying with them nothing above the line, or be- 
 yond the extemporary fententiolity of common conceits with us. 
 Thus we magniHe the Apothegms, or reputed replies of wifdom^ 
 whereof n7any are to be feen in Lnertius , more in Lycojihenes^ 
 not a few in the fecond book oi MacroHusy in the faks of Ci- 
 cero, Aiigi/fi'iS:> and the comical wits of thofe times : in moit where- 
 of there is not much to admire j and are me thinks exceeded not 
 
 -only in the replies of wife men, bur the paflages of fociety and 
 urbanities of our times. And thus we extoll their Adages or Pro- 
 verbs, and Erafmushath taken great pains to make colleftions of 
 them ; whereof notwithftanding the greater part will I believe, unto 
 inditferent judges be elleemed no extraordinaries i and may be 
 paralelled, if not exceeded, by thofe of more unlearned nations, 
 and many of our own. 
 
 Sixtly, We urge Authorities, in points that need not, and in- 
 troduce the teftimony of ancient Writers, to confirm things evi- 
 dently believed, and whereto no reafoiiable hearer but would af- 
 fent without them i fuch as are, Nemo mortalium omnibus horis fa- p^ nthnuc^\ 
 
 ■ fit. Virtute nil fr£jlanttvsy nil fulchtim. 'Omnia, vincit amor. Tr£- vanity, to 
 clarum quiddam Veritas. All which, although things known and quote Authors 
 
 vulgar, are frequently urged by many men, and though trivial '" "'^"^"^^-r 
 
 ?. . ^ 1; J c T,/ r^ J ^- common fen fc 
 
 verities in our mouths, yet no*:ea troni PlatO) Ovid, or Cicero, ^^ ^^ familjar 
 
 they become reputed elegancies. For many hundred, to inftancc jc'^nowledge- 
 bur in one weiuect; with while we are wricing. Antonius Gifevara ment. 
 that Elegant Spaniard, in his book entituled. The Vial' of Frin^ 
 'C«,beginneth his Epiftle thus. Apolonii^s Thyan: m d\[^\itn\g ^ith 
 the Scholars of Hiarchas, faid, that among all the aileftions of 
 nature, -noching was more nacurall , then the deiire all have to 
 preferve life. Which being "a confeifed Truth, and a verity ac- 
 knowledged by all, it was afuperfluous arFeftacioii to derive ic^ 
 Autho'ritie from Apolfinius , or feek a coniirmation thereof as far 
 as India, and the learned Scholars of Hiarchas. Which, Avhe- - 
 ther it be not all one to ftrengtlien common Dignities and 
 principles known by themfelves, vvich the Authoritie of M;v 
 thematicians 3 or think a man (hould believe the whole \% 
 greater then its parts, rather upon the. Authoritie of £'v- 
 clide ,, then if it were propounded alone ; I l-jave un^j 
 
 E the 
 
2^' ^n'juiries Into Vulgar Book. I. 
 
 ffce fecond imd wifer cogitatrons of all men. *Tis fur^ a pr;i-- 
 ftice rhat favouis much of Pedanterv ■■, a refcrvc of I^iierility we 
 have not (hakenoflP from School •, wnere being feafoiied wit'i Mi- 
 nor feiitences 5 by aneglcft of higher enquiries, they prefcribe 
 Upon our riper ears/and are never worn Our but with our memo rie?. 
 Laftly, While we fo devoutly adhere unto Andquiry in fom; 
 things, we do not conlider we have deferred them in feveral o- 
 thei-s. For they indeed have not only been imperfeftj in the con- 
 ceit of fome things, biit either ignorant or erroneous in many 
 more. They underftood not the motion of the eighth fpcar from 
 Some remark- \^^^ ^^ g^^^ .^^j f^^ Conceived the longitude of the ftars inva- 
 amore'thc^ riable. They conceived the torrid Zone unhabitable, and fo made 
 Ancients. fruftrate the gooJlieft part of the Earth. But we now know 'tis 
 Very well enpeopled, and the habitation thereof efteemed fo hap- 
 py, that fame have made it the proper feat of Paradife -, and been 
 fb far from judging it unhabitable, that they have made it the 
 firft habitation of all. Many of the Ancients denied the Aati- 
 pdes^ and fome unto the penality of contrary affirmations; but 
 the experience of our enlarged navigations, can now afl'ert them 
 beyond all dubrtation.Having thus totally relinquifht them in fome 
 things, it may not be prefumptuous, to examine them in orhersj 
 but furely moil unreafonable to adhere to them in all, as though 
 they were infallible, or could not err in any. 
 
 n; 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Of Ai^thoritj, 
 
 Or is only a refolved proftration unto Antiquity a power- 
 full enemy unto knowledge, but any confident adhejence un- 
 to Authority, or refignation of our judgements upon the telbmo- 
 ny of Age or Author whatfocver. 
 
 For firft. To fpeak generally an argument from Authority to 
 wifer examinations, is but a weaker kind of proof 5 it being but 
 Authority a topical probation , and as we term it, an inartificial argu- 
 (fimply) but a nient, depending upon a naked alfeveration : wherein neitlier de- 
 mcan arRU- claring the caufes, afFeftion?. or adjunfts of what we believe, it 
 k CKt c pi I f-aj i^ieth not with it the reafonable inducements of knowledge. 
 And therefore Contra negantern principia^ Jpfe dixit '^ or Oportet 
 difcentem credere^ although Pofhiliates very accomodable unto Ju- 
 nior indoftrinations ; yet are their Authorities but temporary^ 
 and ilot to be imbraced beyond the minority of our intelle£i;tials. 
 for our advanced beliefs are not to be biUlt upon di6\iatfs ,' ^ut 
 
 having 
 
Book. I. ^^^ Common Errors, 27 
 
 having received the probable inducements of truth, we become e- 
 inancipated from teftinionial engagements, and are to ereit upon 
 the furer bafc of reafon. 
 
 Secondly, Unto reafonable perpenfions ic hath no place in 
 f6me Sciences, fraall in others , and fuffereth many reltriftions, 
 even where IS it moft admited. It is of no validity in the Ma- Inthc Mathc- 
 thematicks, efpecially the mother part thereof 3 Artithmetick "^*"'^ ' 
 and Geometry. For thefe Sciences concluding from dignities 
 * and prmciples known by thenifelves : receive not • fatisfaftiou 
 from probable reafons, mudi lefs from bare and peremptory af- 
 feverations. And therefore if all Atbetts (hould decree, that in 
 every Triangle , two iides, which foever be taken, are greater 
 then the fide remaining , or that in retangle triangles the 
 fquare which is made of the fide that fubtendeth tiie right an-t 
 gle , is equal to the fquares which are made of the fides contain- 
 ing the right angle : Although there be a cettain truth there- 
 in, Geometricians notwithihnding would nor receive fatisfafti- 
 on without demonftratioii thereof: 'Tis true, by the vulgari- 
 ty of Philofophers , there are many points believed without pro- 
 bation -y nor if a man affirm from Vtolomy , that the Sun is big- 
 ger then the Earth , fhall he probably meet with any contra- 
 di£lic«i ? whereunto notwithftanding Aftronomers will not af- 
 fent without fome convincing argument or demonftrative proof 
 thereof. And therefore certainly of all men a Philofopher 
 fliould be no fwearer : for an oath which is the end of con-* 
 troveriies in Law, cannot determine any here j nor are the 
 deepeft Sacraments or defperate imprecations of any force to 
 perfwadf , where reafon only , and neceflary mediums muft in- 
 duce. 
 
 In natural Philofophy more generally purfued amongft us, it And Fbyfick, 
 carrieth but flender conlideration ; for that alfo proceeding from 
 Ceded Principles , tberein is expefted a fatisfaftion from fcien- 
 tibcall pi ogrefljons , and fuch as beget a fure rational belief. 
 For if Authority might have made out the affertions of Phi- 
 lofophy, we might have held, that fnow was black, that the 
 Sea wai but the fweat of the Earth, and many of the like abfur- 
 ditie-. Then was Arijiot/e injurious to fall upon Melifjh , to 
 re)e£t the afierttons of Anaxagoras , Anaxiwander , and Empe- 
 docles-j then were we a!fo ungratefull unto himfetf 5 from whont 
 cur Jknior endeavours embracing many things on his autho- 
 rity, our mature and fecondary enquiries , arc forced to quit 
 thofe leccptions, and to adhere imto the nearer account of 
 Reafon. And although it be not imufual, even in Philofophical' 
 Traftates to make enumeration of Authors, yet are there reafons- 
 ufually introduced,and to ingenuous Readers do carry the ftroak in 
 
 E 2 chq 
 
2? Enpirics into Vulgdr Book. I. 
 
 the pcrfwalfCM; " A ticl finely if \ve accottnt'it reaftuiable anioiiij 
 €nir felves. aitd not injurious iiiitoi-atibnal 'Authors, no farther' to 
 abec their opinions then as they are fuppo"rteJ by (bliti Pveafons : 
 certainly with more excufable refervatidn may we ftirink at their 
 bare tcliimonies 5 whofe argument is but precarious^ and fubfifts 
 upon the charity of our aTencmenrs. -^ 
 
 In Morality, Rherorick, Law and Hiftory, there is I confefe a 
 frequent and allowable \\{t of teftimony j aitd yet herein I p^r- 
 ccive^ it i.s- not unlimitable, but admitteth-many reftriftioir. 
 Thus jn Law both Civill and Divine : that is only efteemcd a 
 le£;aJ rc/Jimony, which receives comprobation from the mouths 
 of at Jtad two witneffes 5 and that not only for prevention of ca- 
 Jumny, but afliirance againft millake'i whereas notwithftariding the 
 folid reafon of one man^ is as fufficient as the clamor of a ivhole 
 Nation j and with imprejudi<:ate apprehenfions begets as firm' ii 
 belief as the authority or aggregated teftimony of many hun- 
 dreds. For reafon being the very root of our natures, and the 
 principles thereof common unto all, what is againft the Laws of 
 true reafon 5 or the unerring underftanding of any one, if ri'ght- 
 ly apprehended 5 muft be difclaimed by all Nations, aild rejefted 
 even by mankind. . ' 
 
 Again, A teftimony is of fmall validity if deduced from mert 
 out of their own profejiion 5 fo if La^antius affirm the figure of 
 the earth is plain, or Aufiin himfelf deny there are Anufodes -t 
 though venerable Fathers of the Church, and ever to be-'hoiiou- 
 red, yet will not their Authorities prove fufficient to ground a be- 
 lief theron. Whereas notwithftanding folid reafon oi- confirmed 
 experience of any man, is very approvable in what profodien fo- 
 ever. So Kajmund Sehimd, a Phylitian of T'holouzf ^ belides his 
 learned Diologues de natura humana^ hath written a natural The- 
 ologie J demonftrating therein the Attributes of God, and attem- 
 pting the like in moft points of Religion. So Hugo Grotim a 
 Civilian, did write an excellent Traft of the verity of Chirftian 
 Religion. Wherein moft rationally dc;livering themfelves, their 
 works will be embraced by moft that underftand them, and their 
 icafons enforce belief even from prejudicate Readers. Neither 
 indeed have the Authorities of men been ever fo awfull j but that 
 by fome they have been rejefted, even in their own profeftlons,- 
 Thus Arijhtle affirming the birth of the Infant ortime of its g^^ 
 iiarion, extendeth fometimes unto the eleventh Monerh, butHif- 
 pcratesj averring that it exceeiled not the tenth : Adrian the Em- 
 perour in a folemn procefs, determined for Arijhtle ; hwt J a ft in} an 
 TOany years after,, took in with Hippocrates and reverfed the De- 
 dec of the other. Thus have Coimcils , not only 'condemned 
 private men, but the: Decrees and A^s'o^ione anorhei*i So 0alen 
 
 after 
 
Book. 1. ^^ Common Errort, ^9 
 
 aifte»iall H^'\€i\i{in(m'Mi}^fp(>ci^tesj in fonie things hath fallen 
 ^fom^rinu Avtceiv iiiMaiany 'from Gahn ; *nd others fiicceeding 
 .fromhint.- Ami although th«e [mg\\\^niy oi Parac.elfu.s be incol- 
 ■Icrabkj.'whQ Sparing oiiiy:Hip/'ocr>7r<'.^ hath reviled not only the 
 Authors, but al^noft jill -the learning that went before him ^ yet is 
 irnot much leffe injurious unco knowledge obliinately and incon- 
 «i!ftcedly!to IjdH.with > ajly^onfii: cVVhidi humor unhappily poflef- 
 iing'inany 5 they ^ave:!byj fifejii^iir;vvithdrav?n themfclves into 
 paccies, aiad conteuinuig the foverargnty otTruth, ;(editioufly abet- 
 ted tiie private: divilions'of erior.^ : . : ' ■• ■■ ■"■ 1 
 
 Moreover a teiliniony in points Hiftoricill, and where it is of 
 iinayoidabk'-ufoj is of iuo iilacion in the negative, nor is it of 
 confeqAience that Heradottfs wr\tijig npthiug of Kme,^ there was 
 tlierclbre no £uch._City 'in his\ime-5 ov\kc2i\.^Q Vic f^or ides hath 
 mad^tio.inention of Unicorns hojii, there is-therefbren6fuch thing 
 in Nature. V Indeed j intending iiii accurate enumeratioii of Medi- 
 cal! materials, the omilfion hereof affords foiue probability, it 
 was. not tiifed by the Ancients j but will not conclude the non- 
 exiitence thereof. For fo may we annihilate many iimples mw 
 khoVviL toi his, enquiiies ,• as Setmay'Rabarbe'^ B^^oar ^ A^nbregris 
 and diVera odiers. Whereas indeed the reafon * oif' man hath 
 not fuGJi reftraint:5 concluding not one ly affirniitively but nega- 
 tively ; notoucly affirming there is no magnitude beyond the 
 lafl: heavens , but aifo denying there is any vacuity vvithin them. 
 Aith©ugh>dr.iie confelfed,; the ; a!Srhiative hath the preroga- 
 tive iUntiwi^ and B^ritif^ 'ciigi^offetliiiTrfie-powsr^ulI dem^n- 
 ftration. ... .'.x '. . ■•'.:'.:• .-^h ••:■' isb . r-; ."A...: i> ir^^' 
 
 vLartlyy the ftrahge relations nradei by Authors n'lajf fiifflcieut- 
 ly. difcourage our adlicrelice unto Authoritie, and which if we 
 bt^lieve we mull: be apt to^ fwallow any thing. Thus Bufil will^ 
 fecU us the ferpent went er eft like man, and that 'that Beaft 
 could fpeake. before the ;fall. . -"^ojiatm would make lis believe thae 
 Niliis encreafeth every New moon. Leonardo Fioravanti an Ita- 
 lian Phylitianybeirde many dttier fecrets', afliimeth unto Lim-' 
 fclf the difcovery of one conceruing Pellitpry of the wall, that 
 is, that it never growedi m the {in^CL^ oP'the North ftar. T>oue 
 ft poJJ'a. vedere la. jiella T'ramontana , wherejn how wide he is 
 from truth, is ealily 'dj^fcpverabh unto; every one, who ha:h 
 but Aftronomie enough to know that ftar. Francifcus SanClius 
 in ai -laudable Couirasntii^j'on Jlci/its Emblemes , affirmeth, and '^ 
 
 that, from, experience, g- Nightingale hath no tongue. Avc>>: 
 V-bilomelam liupa curare 'fro ccrto . wfirmare pijfum ^ nifi nte ocul: 
 f^luitt^^ ' .^^l^cjl ifii, an^f:. nian for a while /hall believe up- 
 ^*:L!¥'^'':^?i?§i"'ei>c§i k& ijiiay at.;his leafiure refmt it by his 
 <^SH''jxWJ?ft?;o^€»?U;;.«iljnpflj.AVQul4 .kkeye,, at leaft, what-vfife 
 
 < i mail 
 
^<? Efiquhies itito P'ulgoir Book, 
 
 man would relle upon tfcat Antidote delivered by Tierius in bis 
 Hi^^rogiyphicksagaii^ tlie,fving of a Scorpion? that is^to (it upon aft 
 ATs with ones face toward bis tail ; for fo.the Pain ieavech.the mail, 
 and paflith into the Beart. ^ It were me thinks but an luicoiifoitabic 
 rfc:c;;ic for an Quartane Ague (and yet as good perhaps as many 
 others ufed) to have recourfe unto the Rfc;p» oi Sammonicusi 
 that is 5 to lay th<j fourtk book of Homers. W'lSLd under. ones 
 head J according to the precept qf, rliat Phyiitian and Poet, 
 Mxonie I/iados quarlurn fuppone trementi. There are furely fcvT 
 An cycmcdc' ^^^^^ ^^^^^ belief to fvva How, or hope enough to experiment the Gol- 
 cine. lyriuni of Albertm ■■, which promileth a ftrange effeft , and fiich as 
 
 Thieves would count ineftimabie , that is, to make one fee iii 
 the dark : yet thus much ^ according unto his receit. Will 
 the right eye of an Hedge-hog boyled in oyt,. and preferred 
 in a brazen veffel effed. As (Irange it is, and unto vicious in-* 
 clinations were worth a nights lodging with L***- , what is de- 
 Ten thoufand Uvered in Kiranides ; that the left llcMie of a Weefel , wrapt up 
 drachracj. jj^ j.|^g ^\^^^ ^f ^ ^g Mule , is able to fecurc incontinency from con- 
 ception* .. i: 
 
 Thefe with fwarms. of others have mem delivered in their 
 writings, whofe verities are onety fupported by thei^ Authori-< 
 ties : But being neither coufbnant imto reafon, nor correfpondenc 
 unto experiment, their affirmations are unto us no Axiomesr 
 We cfteem thereof as things unfaid, and account them bat in 
 the lift of nothing. I wifti liercin the Cbjmijb had been more 
 fparing : who over-magnifying: .'tiieir. prep-aiations y inveigle the 
 curioiity of many, and delude the fecurity of moft. For if 
 experiments would anfwer: theiir encomiums , the ftone andquar- 
 tane Agues, were not opprobrious unto Phylitians ; we might con- 
 tenmthat firft, and moft uncomfortable A phorifm of Hippocrates^ 
 ><ri/o/;g<:w« for furely that Art werefooaattabied, that hath fo general rem&- 
 ■tnvit, dies 5 Mid life could not befti©rt j were there fuch co prolong it. 
 
 ■ ; ■'.■'■ k. : ■ ■ ■■• - . . - .■ ' J ' ' - ' 
 
 ■< I ' ■. I . ■ ■ , ' - .. ^r-: — , '■ ■ ! ■ ■ IM' F 'i ' I ' M ' ^ 
 
 ■-•!:fl ^i;^'.i: Ul . ! ■■-■■ ■ ■ ^ '''*^- . ■'' • 
 
 CHAP. VHI. 
 
 Ahrlef enumeration of -Authors^ 
 
 NOw for as much as we have difcourfed of Authority ,• and there 
 IS fcarce any tradition or popular error but ftands alfo deli- 
 vered by fome good Authors we Diallendeavouralhortdifcovery 
 of fuch, as for the major part have given authority hereto : who 
 though excellent and ufeful Authors , yet bei*>g either tran- 
 fcriptivcj or following common relations ^ their aCGoiirits are not 
 
 to 
 
]^Qok. I. *^^^ Common Errort. ■{ c 
 
 t3 be fwallowed at largc^ or entertained without a prudent clrCuni- 
 fpeftion. In whom the 77»/> dixit ^ although it be no powerful 
 ar^un^ent in any, is yet lefs authentick then in rtianj other, be- 
 caiife they deliver not their own experiences \ but others 
 affirmations , and write from others , r^ later pens from 
 
 1/ Thefirftinorder, asalfointime fliallbeH£'r5i(?t//^ofH<7/i- T'^e A^'^^'* 
 carftajjtif. An excellent and very eleeant Hiftorianj whofe books i"^|^'=^J'^^^J^^°' 
 ofHirtory were fo well received in his own dayes, that at their ^j^^^^^P "^^^c 
 rehearfal in the Olympick games ^ they obtained the names of the eminent Au- 
 iiine MvXes •, and continued in fuch efteem unto defcending ihors. 
 A^'es, that O'cfro termed him 5 Hijloriarum parens. And Dion ifrni 
 his Countrcy-man;,inan Epiftle to Pompey^ after an exprefs con»pari- 
 fon, affords him the better o( Thucydcii all which notwith-- 
 ilanding , he hath received from fome , the ftile of Mendnciorum pa.- 
 ter. His authority was much nifringed by P/wf<?rt;[> i who being of- 
 fended with him 3 as folyhim had been with P/ji/tfjv/y«r , for fpeak- 
 ing too coldly ofhisCountrey-nien, hath left a particular Traft, 
 X><r maligytitate Uerodoti. But in this latter Century , Came- 
 rarius and Stejphmus hnye ftcpped in , and by their witty A- 
 pologies, effeauaM)^ endea^mU'^d to frufli-ate the Arguments of 
 Tint arch , or any other. Now in this Author , as may be obferved 
 in our enfuing difcoiirfe , and is better difcernable in the per- 
 lifai of htmfelf , there arc . many things fabuloufly deli- 
 vered,, and not to bie accepted as truth? : .whereby neverthe- 
 lefs if any man b^ deceived 3 the'Anthof, is 'not fo culpable as , 
 the Believer. . Foi' he mdeed' inutan'i>g Ihe father Poet, 
 \vbofe life he hath alfo written ,, ^nd' its ^yi/cjdides ofeferveth, 
 as well intending the delight* as benefit of his Reader, hath 
 befprinkled his work with many fabillofities ; whereby if 
 any man be led into error, he niillaketh the mtention of 
 the Author ', who plainly confefifeth he Writeth many things 
 by hear-fay , and forgettttii , a v*'ery coiiiiderable caution 
 of his, that is, Egff qvx fa^d'i cd^ovi , . (xp^mefe ttfirratione 
 ruea. deleo omnia. : credere (HheM'eJfe'verli^ qmkia ^ non de- 
 
 beO' ' • ' ' ' " " 
 
 2. In the fecond place hCteftas die Gnidian, Phyfitian unto 
 Artaxerxes K\r\g of ferfia : His books are often, cited by ancient 
 Writers : and by the induftry of Steph'anm and Kodomanm , there 
 are extant fome fragments thereof In our dayes j he wrote the 
 B'ldovy o^Perfi a y and many niirr^tions of India. In thefirft, as 
 having a fair opportunity to know the -truth, and as Diodorus 
 affirmeth thepenifal of Pfr/:<f«'RecOrds, his teftitripny is accepta- 
 ble. liyh\^ Indi'in Rektiotis , wherein are contained Rrange and 
 incredible actOiuitS 3 -"-he i^' fiirdy ' fo' Be' read with fufpen^on. 
 
 Thefe 
 
2 2 Enpmes^tntp Vulgar Book.!; 
 
 Thefe were they which weakned his authority with former ages; 
 for ai wq may oKerve , li,c is feldom meiuloned, without a dei'oga- 
 tory Pareutheils^iji any Afi^i^r. Arifioih belides the frequent unJtr- 
 vahiing of his auchpiity > in hi^ books of Animals gives hinj the lie 
 no lefi then twice, concerning the feed of Elephants. .Strabo in his 
 eievendi book hath lefc a harder cenfure of him. Equidem facilms 
 Hep.odo & Homero j aliquis fidem adhibuerit^ • it em^ue "tragic is Toetisy 
 quavt Cteft£, HerodotOy HdUnicO) & corum fimilibhs. But Lucian hath 
 fppken more plainly than any. Scripfit Ctefi^ de Indorum regione, 
 deque lis qu£apud ilos funt. ea qn£ nee ipfe viditjueque ex ullius fermone 
 audivit. Yet were his relations taken up by fome fuccceding Wriiers, 
 and many thereof revived ty our Coiuitrey-man , Sir John Mande- 
 vil'y Knight and Doftor in Phyfick , who after thirty years peregri- 
 nation died at Lf/gf, and was there honourably interred. He lefc a 
 book of his Travelsj, which hath been honoured with thetranflation 
 of many languages;, and now continued above three hundred ycarsi 
 herein he often atteiieth the fabulous relations -o£Ctejias^ and fcems, 
 to confirm the refuted accounts of Antiquity. All which may ftill be 
 received in fome acceptions of morality , and to a pregnant inven- 
 tion, inay afford commendable my thologie j but in a natural and 
 .proper expoiition , it coij^tainetf^ i^ipc^^iU^ides'^ things incpfir 
 
 iiilent with truth. r ^.r-/ ;.;•• y- / .;•>:'':•"'■:: ■ > . ' • ^'\ 
 There is a Book t)e mirandis Auiitionibm^ alcribed unto Arifiotle-y 
 another De mirahilihus narratiouihits ^ written long after by Antis^O' 
 mHy anoth eralfo of the fame title by P/f^<?« Trallianusy tranllated by 
 Xilander^^mvi with th^ AnnoiatioiK of Mi?/^r//;«-jall wherof make good 
 the promife of their tjtjes, and r^iay be read with caution. Which if 
 ■iauy man fhiall iikewife obfeu^ve in theJLeftureof FJifilojiratus -^ con- 
 cerning the life ofApolIoniui, and even in fome palTages of the fober 
 and learned P/«t/?rc/(?«f j ornot onely in ancient Writers , but (hall 
 carry a wary eye,, on Paj^lus Vey^etus^ Joviuf, Olaus Magnus, Nierem- 
 bergiufi and.many other : I think his circumfpe£tion is laudable, and 
 he may thereby decline occalion of Error. 
 
 4. "Diofcorides Anazarheifs :, lie wrote many books in Phyfick, 
 but fix thereof ^d- Materia Medic a y have found the greateft efteem j 
 lie is an Author of good Antiquity and ufe^ preferred by Galetty 
 before Cratevas ,. P aniphi Iiif ^.^nd all that attempted the iike 
 defcription •before him; yet all he delivereth therein is not to 
 be concaved Oraculou:^. For befide , that following the 
 vs'ars under Antbonj, the courfe of ixis life would not- permit a 
 punctual Exakcn \n all^ T/iere are uiany things concerning the 
 nature of fimples , traditionally delivered,, and to. which I believe 
 he gave no'aflent himfetf. Ithad been an excellent deceit? and 
 in his time when Sadies were fcarce in fafhio« qf very great 
 . ufe, if that were true 3 which ^ic. .^liyers, ti^tj^i^^x ^ 61' Jgnt^ 
 " ' ' ' " ■ - ^ ' X'^P^ 
 
Book I. ^ml Common Errort. Z 3 
 
 Cafim held onely in the hand, preferveth the rider from gal- Alikeopinioti 
 liiig. It were a ftrange effeft, and whores would forfakethe ex- '^j'J^^" "°'* "' 
 periment of Savine^ if tlaac were a truth which he deliverech 
 of Brake or female Fearn 5 that ouely treading over it, itcaufeth 
 a fudden abortion. It were to be wilhedtrue , and women would ' 
 Idolize him 3 could that be made out which he recorded of Phyllort:, 
 Mercury , and other vegetables , that the juice of the Made plane 
 drunkj oi the leaves but applied unto the genitals , determines their 
 conceptions unto males. In thtfe relations although he be more 
 fparing , his predeceflbrs were very nimierous i and Ga/e^t 
 hereof moft fharply accufeth Fantphilns. Many of the like na- 
 ture We meet fometimes ii\ Or ibafms :, JiLtius ^ Tralliamtf y Se~ 
 ration , Evax and Marcellm j wiiereof fonie containing no colour 
 of verity, we may at iirft light re«)ed them j others which feen\ to 
 carry fome face of truth , we may reduce unto experiment. 
 And herein we ftiall rather perform good oflices unto truth -, then 
 any fervice unto their relators, who have well deferved of fuccecd- 
 ing Ages-, from whom having received the conceptions of former 
 times, we have the readier hint of their conformity with ours , and 
 may accordingly explore and lift their verities. 
 
 5. Vliniw fecimdmoi Verona --y a man of great Eloquence^ andin- 
 diiihy indefatigable, as may appear by his writings, efpecially 
 thofe now extant , and which are never like to perifh , but even 
 with learning it felf^ that is, his natural Hiftory. He v^ras the 
 greateft Colleftor or Rhapfodiftof the Latines , and 2iS Suetonius 
 obferveth , he coUeded this piece out of two thoufand La- 
 tine and Greek Authors. Now, what is very ftrange, there is p/r««j natura* 
 fcarce a popular error paflant in our dayesj which is not ei- Hiftory col- 
 ther direftly exprefled, or MiduCtively contained in this work ; l^aied out of 
 which being in the' hands of moft men , hath proved a powerful V^^P^^^^"- 
 occafion of their propogation. Wherein notwithftanding the 
 credulity of the Reader , is more condenmable then the curioii- 
 ty ^ the Author. For commonly ive nameth the Authors , 
 frO0i whom he received thofe accounts ; and writes but as he 
 rei|ds , as in his Preface to Vefj>dfian he acknowledgeth. 
 
 ^. Claudius JElianui h who fioiirifhed not long after in the reign 
 of Xr<rj<?«}Unto whom he dedicated his Tafticks, an elegant and mif- 
 iCqUjiyieous Author v be .hath.kfc two.books which are in the hands 
 , of every one, his Hiftory of Anin}?ils,and his Var 14 hifhria. Wherein 
 . are Contained many things fufpicious> not. a few falfe, fonre impo.li- 
 • blej he is much beholden nnw Cteftas , and in many uncertainties 
 . writes more confidently then P/i«>'. 
 
 7. j^M/iw5o/i«M53 who lived alfo about his time : He left: a work 
 entituled Po/j:^/jbr , containing great variety of niatter , and is with 
 moft in good requeft at this day. . Buttofpeaklreely what cannot 
 
 F be ' 
 
.^ Enfnries into t^ulgar Book. L 
 
 be concealed, it is but Pliny varied^ or a tfaiifcriptionoFhis natural 
 Hiftory-, nor is it without all wonder it hath continued fo long, buc 
 is now likely, and deferves indeed to live for ever 5 not one- 
 !y for the elegancy of the Text, but the excellency of the Comnienr, 
 lately performed by Salmafms , under the name of PUnian Exerci- 
 tations. 
 
 8. Athen£i'A ^ a delegable, Author, very various, and jufi^Iy 
 failed hyCafaiihone ^ Grxcoriim Plinm. There is extant of his, a 
 famous piece under the name of Velpmfophilia , Or cccna fapi^ntutB) 
 containing the difcourfe of many learned m-u , at a feaft provided 
 by Laureyitius. It is a laborious colleftion out of many Authors, 
 atid fome whereof are mentioned no where elfe. If containeth 
 ftrange and lingular relations, not without fome fpice or fprinkling 
 of all learning. The Author was probably a better Gramma- 
 rian then Philofopher, dealing but hardly with An'iotle znd Plato ^ 
 and betrayeth himfelf much in his Chapter de curiofitate Arijhtelt', 
 h\ brief, he is an Author of excellent ufe, and may with difcretion 
 be read unto great advantage : and hath therefore well deferved 
 the Comments of Cafaubon and Dalcampim. But being mifcella- 
 neous in many things, he is to be received with fufpition , for fuch 
 as amafs all relations, niuft err in fome, and may witliout offence be 
 unbelieved in many. 
 
 9. We will not omit the works of N:c under , a Poet of good 
 Antiquity : that is, his T'heriacay^nd Alexipharmaca, tranflated and 
 commented by Gorraus^ for therein are contained feveral traditions, 
 and popular conceits , of venemous beafts j which onely dedufted, 
 
 » the work is to be embraced, as containing the iirlt defcription of 
 
 poyfons and their Antidotes, vfhereofI>iofcorides,PlinjandGaleni 
 have made efpecial uCe in elder times j and Ardojnus ^ Grevinm-t 
 and others, in times more neer our own. We might perhaps let pafs 
 Oppianua^ that famous Cilician Poet. There are extant of his 
 in Greek , four books of Cynegeticks or Venation, five of Halieu- 
 ticks or Pifcation , conmiented and publifhed by Kitterhuftim 
 wherein defcribing beafts of vcnery and fiAes , he hath indeed 
 but fparingly inferted the vulgar conceptions thereof. So that 
 abaing the annual mutation of Sexes in the Hyena , the iingle 
 Sex of the Hhinoceros ^ the Antipathy between two Drums, of 
 a Lamb and a Wolfs skin 5 the inforraicyof Cubs, the venation of 
 Ceatai^res , the copulation of the M'tnna and the Viper, with 
 fome few others , he may be read with great delight and pro- 
 fit. It is not without iome wonder liis Elegant lines are 
 fo neglefted. Surely hereby we rejeft one of the beft Epick 
 
 That write Poets,and much condemn the j udgement of Antoninus^ whofe appre- 
 
 Hcxonictcrs, heniioiis fo honoured his Poem, that as fome report, for every verfc, 
 
 or long Ycrfcs. he aJfigned him a Stater of Gold. 
 
 10. More 
 
Book. I. ^^^ Common Erroru J 5 
 
 10. More warily are we to receive the relations o( Philes ^ vrho 
 in Greek Jambick^s delivered the proprieties of Animals , for herein 
 he had aniafled the vulgar accounts recorded by the Ancients, 
 and hath therein efpecially followed ^lian. And likewife Johannes 
 1zetz.es :t a Grammarianj whobciidesa Comment upon HeCmdind 
 Homer, hath left us Chiliads de Van a Hilhria ; wherein delivering 
 theaccountsof Cr^yi^f 5 Herodotnf ^ and moft of the Ancients, he 
 is to be embraced with caution , and as a tranfciiptive re- 
 lator. 
 
 11. We cannot without partiality omit all caution even of ho- 
 ly Writers, and fuch whofe names are venerable unto all pofterity : 
 not to meddle atall with miraculous Authors, or any Legendary 
 relators, we are not without circumfpe£tion to receive fome 
 books even of Authentick and renowned Fathers. So are we 
 to read the leaves of B^^/ and ^w^ro/> , in their books , entituled 
 Uexameron , or 'the defcription of the Creation; Wherein deliver- 
 ing particular accounts of all the Creatures , they have left us rela- 
 tions futable to thofe of ^/i/7>x, P/inie and other natural Writersi 
 whofe authorities herein they followed , and from whom moft pro- 
 bably they defumed their Narrations. And the like hath been 
 committed by Epiphanius , in his Phyiiologie : that is, a book he 
 hath left concerning the nature of Animals. With no lefs caution 
 muft we look on Ifidor , Bifhop of Sevil; who having left in twenty- 
 books, an acurate work de Originibus ^ hath to the Etymologic of 
 words, fuperadded their recived natures, wherein moft generally he 
 confents with common opinions and Authors which have delivered 
 them. 
 
 12. Albcrt'us Bi(hop oi Katisbone •■, for his great learning and lati- 
 tude of knowledge lirnamed Magnus, Befides Divinity,he hath writ- 
 ten many Trafts in Philofophyi what we are chiefly to receive with 
 caution, are his natural traftates, more efpecially thofe of Minerals; 
 Vegetables and animals, which are indeed chiefly Colle6:ions out of 
 Ari\htle.iJiLlian^2ind P/i«j,anJ refpe^tively contain many of our po- 
 pular Errors. A man who hath much advanced thefe opinions by the 
 authority of his Nanie,and delivered moft conceits,with ftrift enqui- 
 ry into few.In the fame Clajfis^ may well be placed Vincentiuf^ Bellua- 
 cenfis-, or rather he from whom he collefted his Speculum naturakythait 
 \Sy Gull elm as de Conchif '-, zwdzKo Hort in Sanitatis-, -.ind BartholotneU'S 
 Glanv ill ^di'mm&d Anglicuf:,who wiice de proprietatibus renmi. Hither 
 alfo may be referred Kiranides j which is a colledtion out of Harpo- 
 cration the Greekjand fundry Arabick Writers^ delivering not onely 
 the Natural but Magical propriety of thingsj a work asfull of vani- 
 ty as variety^ containing many relations, whofe invention is as diffi- 
 cult as their beliefs , and their experiments fometime as haraas ei- 
 ther. 
 
 F 2 ly Why 
 
3^ ^npiries into Vulgdr Book. I. 
 
 13. We had almoft iov got J eronimm Cardan;^ that faraous Phy- 
 iicivm oF hlilan^ a great enquirer of truth, but roo greedy a re- 
 ceiver of it. He hath left many excellent difcourfes. Medical, Na- 
 tural, and Aftrological •, the mo^ fupicious are thofe two he wrote 
 by admonition in a dream, that is, Ve fubtilitate & varietate re- 
 rum. Afliu'cdly this learned man hath taken many thnigs upon 
 tniil-j and although examined Tome,, hath let (lip many others. 
 He is of lingular ufe unto a prudent Pleader 5 but unto him 
 that onely deiireth Hocies , or to repleniih his head with va-; 
 rities ; like many others before related , either in the Ori- 
 ginal or coufirmacion , he may become no fmall occa;ion of 
 Error. 
 
 14. Laftly, Authors are alfo fufpicious, not greedily to be fwal- 
 loweilj wiio pretend to write of fccrets , to deliver AntipachicSj 
 
 !Synipathies , and the occult obftruiities of things i in the lift 
 whereof may be accounted. Alexia Fedmontaniis , Antonirts Mi- 
 z,jtldi{S:> 'trinum Magicunii and many other. Not omitting that 
 famous Philofopher of Naples, Baptifia V^orta i in whofe works, al- 
 though there be contained many excellene things, and verified 
 upon his own experience 5 yet are there many alfo receptary, and 
 fuch as will not endure the teft. Who although he hath delive- 
 red maray flrangc relations in his Phytognoraia, and his Villa j yec 
 hath he more remarkably exprefTed himfelf in his Natutal Magick, 
 and the miraculous efFefts of Nature. Which containing various 
 and dt lettable fubjefts,wi)hall promiling wondrous and eajie eifeft-, 
 they are entertained by Readers at all hands, whereof the major 
 part lit down in his authority, and thereby omit not only the 
 Cfrtainty of truth, but the pleafure of its experimenr. 
 
 Thus have vfc made a brief enumeration of thefe learned men^ 
 
 not willing any to decline their Works f without which it is not 
 
 eafie to attain any racafure of general knowledge,) but to-apply 
 
 themftlves with caution thereunto. And feeing the lapfes of 
 
 thcfc worthy pens, to caft a wary eye on thofe diminutive, and 
 
 pamphlet Treaties daily publifhed amongft us. Pieces maintaining 
 
 rather Typography then verity •, Authors prefiimably vvricing by 
 
 common places, wherein for many years promifciioufly amalHng 
 
 all that makes for fubjeft, they breal( froth at laft in trite and 
 
 fri^iiUefs Khapfodies j doing thereby not. only open injury unto 
 
 ieariling, but committing a fecret treachery upon truth. Fortiicir 
 
 relations falling upon credulous Readers, they msec with prepared 
 
 beliefs 5 whofe fupinities had rather aflent unto allj then^adevnture 
 
 the triall of any. 
 
 Thus, I fay,muft thefe Authors be read, and thus muft we be read 
 curfclves; for difcourling of matters dubious, and many contro- 
 vertible truths ', we cannot wiciiout arrogancy entreat a credulity, 
 ., ; • or 
 
Book. I. ^^^ Common Errort, 37 
 
 or implore any farther aflent^ then the probability of our Rea- 
 fonsa and verity of experiments induce. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 of the fame. 
 
 THere are bciide thefe Autiiors and fuch as have pofitively pro- 
 moted errors, divers other which are in fome way acceifory 5 
 whofe verities although they do not direftly afTert, yet do they 
 obliquely conciu' unto their beliefs In which account are many 
 holy Writers, PreacherSjMoralifts, Rhetoricians, Orators and Poets; 
 for they depending upon invention, deduce their mediums from 
 all things wliacfosver j and playing much upon the limile, or illu- 
 ftrative argumentation : to induce their Enthymemes unto the peo- 
 ple, they take up popular conceits, and from traditions unjuftifia- 
 ble or really falfe, illuftrate matters of undeniable truth. VVherein 
 al'tliougli their intention be lincere, and that courfe not much con- 
 demnable -■, yet doth it notorioufly ftrengthen common errors, and 
 authorife opinions injurious unto truth. 
 
 Thus have fome Divines drawn into argument die Fable of the 
 Thxni:<3 made ufe of the Salamander^, Pelican 3 Bafilis^p and divers 
 relations of P/i;y ; deducing from thence moil worthy morals,and 
 even upon our Saviour. Now although this be no: prejudicial un- 
 to wifer judgements, who are but v^eakly moved with fuch argu- 
 ment?, yet it is ofc times occaiion of Error unto vulgar heads, 
 who expeft in the Fable as equal a truth as m the Moralj and con- 
 ceive that infallible Philofophy, which is in any fenf.' delivered 
 by Divinity. But wifer difcerners do well underiiand, char every 
 Art hath its own circle j that the effects of things are beil exami- 
 ned, by fcienccs wherein are delivered their caufej j thac ilrift Evprcfllons'of 
 and definitive expreHions, are alway required in Philofophy, but a holy Scripture 
 loofe and popular delivery will ferve ofcennmes in Divinity. As fitted rcany 
 may be obferved even in holy Scripture ^ which often omittcth t''"^^» rather ; 
 the exaft account of things i defcribing them rather to our ap- ^o PoP" ="" 
 
 , r I 1 • J 1 • 1 -1 I • 3"a common 
 
 prehenhons , then leaving doubts in vulgar minds, upon their apprtiicnfion. 
 
 unknown and Philofophical dcfcriptions. Thus it, termeth the tlicn to the ' 
 
 Sun and the Moon, the t\vo great lights of Heaven. Now if exnct ratuie 
 
 any fhall froni hence conchide, the Moon is fecond inmagni- *^^ things. 
 
 tude unto the Sun, he muft excufe my belief j atid i think it 
 
 cannot be taken for hereiic, if herein 1 rather adhere unto 
 
 the demonftration of Etoio'»ji than the popular dcfcription of 
 
 Mofes. Thus is it i^id ^ CbronkUs 2. 4.. Tiiat Solonijn made 
 
 a ' 
 
tucrna. 
 
 _,g Enqulrki into VulgAr Book. 
 
 -K nK>lceii Sea of ten Cubits, from brim to brim round in compafs, 
 and five Cubits the height thereof, and a line of thirty Cubits did 
 compafs it ro.ind about. Now in this defcripcion, the circumfe- 
 rence is made juft treble unto the Diameter: that i,^, as lo. to 
 30. or 7. to 21. But Archinsi^s demonftrates, thac the proportion 
 . of the Diameter, unco the circumference, is as 7. unto alaio.1: 22. 
 I"-„!l ^^''' which will occaliou a fenlible difference, that is almoft a Cubit. 
 Now if herem I adhere unto Archimedes who fpeaketh exaftly, ra- 
 ther then the facred Texc which fpeakech largely 5 I hope I ihall 
 not offend Divinity : I am fare I ffiall have reafon and experience 
 of every circle to fupport me. 
 
 Thus Moral Writers, Rhetoricians and Orators make ufe offe- 
 verall relations which will not confift with verity. Arijiotle in his 
 Ethicks takes up the conceit of the Bever, and the divulhon of his 
 Tefticles. The tradition of the Bear, the Viper, and divers others 
 are frequent amongft Orators. All which although unto the il- 
 literate and undifcerning hearers may feem a confirmation of their 
 realities; yet is this no reafonable eftablifhmentmito others, who 
 will not depend hereon otherwife then common Apologues : which 
 being of impojTible falfities, do notwithftanding include wholfome 
 moralities, and fuch as expiate the trcfpafs of their abfurdities. 
 
 The Hieroglyphical do^iine of the y^gyptians f which in their 
 four hundred years cohabitation fome conjecture they learned 
 from the Hebrews) hath much advanced many popular conceits. 
 For ufing an Alpbabet of things, and not of words, though the Im- 
 age and piftures thereof, they endeavoured to fpeak their hidden 
 conceit, in the letters and language of nature. In purfuit whereof, 
 although in many things, they exceeded not their true and real 
 appreheniions j yet in fome other they either framing the ftory, or 
 taking up the tradition, conduceable unto their attentions, obli- 
 quely, confirmed nwny faliities --, which as authentick and conceded 
 truths did after pafs unto the Greeks 5 from them unto other Na- 
 tions, are ftill retained by fymbolical Writers, Emblematifts, He- 
 raldes, and others. Whereof fome are ftriftly mantained for truths, 
 as naturally making' good their artificial reprefentarions ; others 
 fymbollically intended, are literally received, and fwallowed in 
 the firlt fenie, without all guft of the fecond. Whereby we pervert 
 the profound and myiterious knowledge of ^gypt ; containing the 
 Arcana's of Greek Antiquities ; the Key of many obfcurities, and 
 ancient learning extant. Famous herein in former age^ were Hera- 
 ifcHS:, Cherenton^ Efiust efpecially Orits Apollo Niliacm : who lived in 
 the reign of 7beodofins) and in ^Egyptian language hft two books 
 of Hieroglyphicks ; tranflated into Greek by Phi/i^pus, and a large 
 colleftion ot all made after hyPieriuf, But no man is likely to pro- 
 fomdthe ocean of thatDoftrinejbeyond thac eminent exaniple of 
 ■^nduftrioiis LearningjKirc^ir^. !« nters 
 
Book. L ^/^« CommnErrors. ,9 
 
 painters who are die vifible reprefenters of things, and fuch as 
 by the learned fenfe of the eye endeavour to inform the under- 
 ftandmg, are not inculpable herein^who either defcribing naturals 
 as they are, or anions as they have been, have oftentimes erred in 
 their delineations. Which being the books that all can read, are 
 fiiiicfull advancers of thefe conceptions, efpecially in common and 
 popular apprchenlions . who being unable for farther enquiry, 
 niuft left in the text, and letter of their defcriptions. 
 
 LaiHyj Poets and Poetical Writers have in this point exceeded 
 others, trimly advancing the Egyptian notions of Harfies^^ fbx- 
 nixjGrjphins^ and many more. Now however to make life of fifti- 
 cns. Apologues, and fables be not unwarrantable, and the intent 
 cf thele invnitions might point at laudable ends: Yet do they af- 
 ford our junior capacities a frequent occalion of error, fetling im- 
 jrcflions in our tender memories, which our advanced judgements 
 gencfially ncgleft to expunge. This way the vain and idle fiftions 
 rf the Gentiles didfirft infinuate into the heads of Chriftans ; and 
 thus are they continued even unto our dales. Our firil: and litera- 
 ry apprchenlions being commonly inftnifted in Authors which 
 i andle nothing elfe i wherewith our memories being fluffed, oiir 
 inventions become pcdantick, and cannot avoid their allufions ; dri- 
 ving at thefe as at the higheft elegancies, which are but the fri^^i- 
 dities of wit, and become not the genius of manly ingenuities. It 
 were therefore no lofs like that o^ Galens ftudy, if thefe had found 
 the fame fate •■, and would in fome way requite the negle£t of folid 
 Aithors, if they were lefs purfued. For were a pregnant wit 
 edwatel in ignorance hereof, receiving only impreillons from 
 realiiies; upon fuch folid foundations, it muft fiirely raife more 
 fiibftantial fuperftruftions , and fall upon very many excellent 
 Itrains, which have been jufled off by their intrulions. 
 
 C H A P. X. 
 
 Oj the lafi and common frcvioter of falfe Opinions^ the endcA- 
 fours of Satan* 
 
 BVt befide the infmiities of humane natitre, the feed of error 
 within our felves, and the feveral waics of delulion from each 
 other, there is an invi; ble Agent, and fecret pronjoter without 
 ifs, whofe aftiviry is undifcerned, and plaies in the dark upon us j 
 and that is the ifirft contriver of Error, and profeffed oppofer of 
 Truth,- the devil. For though permitted unto his proper principles^^ 
 Adam perhaps would have iinned without the fuggeftion of Saran: 
 
 aud 
 
Enptriei into Vulgdr Book.L 
 
 and from the tranfgrciTive infirmities of hitiuVlt might have er- 
 red alone, as well as the Angels before him : And although alfo 
 there were no devil at all, yet is there now in our natures a con- 
 feHcd futficiency unto corruption , and the frailty of our own 
 Oecoiioniif, were able to betray us out of truth, yet wants there 
 not another Agent, who taking advantage heieof proceederh to 
 obfcure the diviner part, and efface all traft of its craduftion. 
 The 'devils Jo attempt a particular of all his wiles, is too bold an Arithme- 
 T'^'°ttfne *^*^^^ ^^^*' "'^" * "^^^^^ "*^^ coniiderably concerneth his popular and 
 cr°or'fn The piaftifed waies of deluiion, he firft deceiveth mankind in live main 
 world. points concerning God and himfelf. 
 
 And liril: his endeavoius have ever been, and they ceafe not 
 yet to inftill a belief in the mind of man,- There is no God at 
 all. And this he principally endeavours to eflabli(h in a direft 
 and literal apprehenlion i that is, that there is no fuch reality ex- 
 illenr, that the neceillty of his entity dependeth upon ours, and is 
 but a Political Chymera j That the natural truth of God is an ar- 
 tificial ereftion of man, and the Creator himfelf but a fubtile in- 
 vention of the Creature. Where he fucceeds not thus high, he la- 
 bours to introduce a fecondary and deduftive Atheifm ; that al- 
 though, men concede there is a God, ytt^ /hould they deny his pro- 
 vidence. And therefore alTertions have flown about, that he in- 
 teuieth only the care of fpecies or common natures, but letteth 
 loofe the guard of individuals,' and fingle exiitencies rherein : 
 That he looks nor below the Moon;)but hath deligned the regiment 
 of fublunary affairs imro inferiour deputations. To promote which 
 v-appreheniions , or empuzzel their due conceptions, he caileth iii 
 notions of fate, deltiny, fortune, chance, and necelTity •, terms com- 
 monly niifconceived by vulgar heads,and their propriety fometime 
 perverted by the wifeil. Whereby extinguilhing in minds the 
 compenfation of vertue and vice, the hope and fear of heaven or 
 hell ; they comply in their aftions unto the drift of his delulions, 
 and live like creatures without the capacity of cither. 
 
 No\v hereby he not [only imdermineth the Bafe of religion, 
 and deffroyeth the principle preambulous unto all belief j but puts 
 upon us the remoteft error from truth. For Atheifm is the 
 greatefl fallity, and to aftirm there is no God, the higheft lie in 
 Natiu'c. And therefore ihiftly taken, fonie men will fay his 
 labotir is in vain i For many there are, who cannot conceive there 
 was ever any abfolute Atheiji ■■> or fuch as could determine there 
 xvas no God, without aJl check from himfelf, or contradiction 
 from his other opinions. And therefore rhofe few fo called by 
 elder times, might be the bell of Pagans •, fuffering that name ra- 
 ther, in relation to the gods of the Gentiles, then the true Crea- 
 tor of all. A conceit thac cannot befall Jiis greate/l enemy, or 
 
 him 
 
Book I. 7nd]Common Errors, 41 
 
 him that would Induce the fame in us ; who hath a fenfible appre- 
 
 henfion hereof 3 for he believeth with trembling. To fpfeakyet 
 
 more ftriftly and conformably unto fome opinions , no creamre can 
 
 wifh thus much; nor can the will which hath a power to run into 
 
 velleities, and wifhes of impolTibilities^ have any utinam of this. For 
 
 to defire there were no God, were plainly to unwi/h their own ^ 
 
 being j which muft needs be annihilated in thefubftraftionof that 
 
 eflfence, which fubftantially fupported them, and reftrains them from 
 
 regreflion into nothing. And if as fome contend , no creature can 
 
 deiire his own annihilation, that Nothing is not appetible, and not 
 
 to be at all, is worfe then to be in the miferableft condition of fome- 
 
 thing •, the devil himfelf could not embrace that motion, nor would 
 
 the enemy of God be freed by fuch a Redemption. 
 
 But coldly thriving in this dciign,as being repulfed by the princi- 
 ples of humanity, and the Diftates of that produftion, which cannot 
 deny its original , he fetcheth a wider circle; and when he cannot 
 make men conceive there is no God at all, he endeavours to make 
 thcmbelieve, there is not one, but many : wherein he hath been fo 
 fuccesful with common heads , that he had led their belief thorow 
 all the works of Nature. 
 
 Now in this latter attempt , the fubtilty of his circumvention, 
 hath indirectly obtained the former. For although to opinion there 
 be many gods, may feem an accefs in Religion , and fuch as cannot 
 at all confift with Atheifm 3 yet doth it diduftively and upon in- 
 ference include the fame, for unity is the infeparable and effential 
 attribute of Deity ; And if there be more then one God , it is no Areopsguj the 
 Atheifm to fay there is no God at all. And herein though So- fevcie Court 
 crates onely fuffered , yec were Tlato and ArOiotle guilty of the °^_^**^"'{, 
 fame truth-, who demonftratively underflanding the fimplicity of .^^'"°" '^*' 
 perfeftion , and the indivifible condition of the firft caufator, it was 
 not in the power of earth, or Areopagy of hell to work them from 
 it. For holding an * Apodiftical knowled'g, and affured fcience of its 
 verity , to perfwade their appreheniions unto a plurality of gods 
 in the world, were to make Euclide believe there. Were more 
 then one Center in a Circle , or one right Angle in a Trianglej 
 which were indeed a fruitlefs attempt, and inferreth abfurdi- 
 ties beyond the evaiionof hell. For though Mechanick and vulgar 
 heads afcend not imto fuch comprehenfions, who live not Common- 
 ly unto half the advantage of their principles ; yet did they not 
 efcape the eye of wifer Minervas, and fuch as made good the ge- 
 nealogies of Jupiters brains; who although they had divers ftyles 
 for God, yet under many appellations acknowledged one divinity : 
 rather conceiving thereby the evidence or afts of his power in fever- 
 all wayes and places, then a multiplication of Eflence, or real diftra- 
 ftion of unity in any one. 
 
 G A gain. 
 
.z En^uirtef into VulgM" Book !• 
 
 Again, To render our errors more monftrou? ("and what unto 
 miracle fets forth the patience of God, ) he hath endeavoured to 
 maketlie world believe, that he was Godiiimfelf; and failing of 
 r his hi ft attempt to hz but like the higheft iu heaven, he hath obtain- 
 ed with men to be the fame on eaith. And hath according- 
 ly alTunted the aimexes of Divinity, and the prerogatives of the 
 Creator , drawing into praftice the operation of miracles , and the 
 prefcience of things to come. Thus hath he in a fpecious way 
 wrouglit cures upon the fick : played over the wondrous afts of 
 Prophets, and counterfeited many miracles of Chrift and his A- 
 poftle?. Thus hath he openly condended with God j and to this 
 ciiefthis infolency was not aftiamed to play a folenin prize with. 
 Mofcs', wherein although his performance were very fpecious and 
 beyond the conmion apprehenlion of any power below a Deity, 
 yet was it not fuch as could make good his Omnipotency. For 
 he was wholly confounded in the converiion of duft into lice. 
 An aft Phylofophy can fcarce deny to be above the power 
 of Nature , nor upon a requilite predifpo!ition beyond the effi- 
 cacy of the Sun. Wherein notwithftanding the head of the old 
 Serpent was confe/Tedly too weak for Mo/f^ hand , and the arm of 
 his Magicians too fhort for the finger of God. 
 
 Thus hath he alfo made men believe that he can raife the dead; 
 that he hath the key of life and death , and a prerogative above 
 that principle which makes no regrelliOJi from privations. The 
 Stoicks that opinioned the fouls of wife men dwelt about the 
 Moon, and thofe of fools wandred about the earth, advantaged the 
 conceit o^this. effeft j wherein the Epicureans, who hit^Id tliac death 
 was nothing, , nor nothiirg after death , muft contradift their prin- 
 ciples to be deceived. Nor could the Pythagorian or fuch as 
 maintained the tranfniigratioii of fouls give eaiie admittance here- 
 to : for holding that feparated. fouls, fucceiiively fupplied other 
 bodies i they could, hardly allow the raifing of fouls from other 
 worlds, vyhich at the fame time p they conceived conjoyned.unto 
 bodies in 4)is. More incon(iftent with thefe opinions, is the er- 
 The Authors ror of Ghriftians , who holding the dead do reft in the Lord, do ye: 
 opinion, believe they are at the lure of the Devil j that he who is in bonds 
 loiichlngNc himfelf commandeth the fetters of the dead, and dwelling in the 
 croniancy a"'j.|,^of(-Qnilefs lake , the I efled from ^Abrahams bofonie , that canbe- 
 thc fpiritrof Heve the real refurrection oi Samuel: or tipt there is any thing but 
 men drpartcd. delufionj ill the praftife of -^ Necromancy and popular conception of 
 ♦ Divination GhoftF. 
 
 by the dead. pjg j^^th moreover endeavoured the opinion of Deity, by the 
 dclufion ofdreams J and the difcovery of things to come in lleep, 
 above t|ie pref''- '^nce of our waked fenfes. In this expeftatlon he per- 
 fwaded the credulity of elder times to take up their lodging before 
 
 his 
 
Book. I. W Common ErrOrf, 4? 
 
 his temple , In skinS of their own facrifices : till his refervedncfs had 
 contrived anfwers, vvhofe accomplirtiments were in his power, or not 
 beyond his prefagement. Which way, although it hath pleafed Al- 
 iiu"hty God, fometimestoreveal himfelf, yet was the proceeding 
 very different. For the revelations of heaven are conveied by new ^®*T ^*?'. *^^*'^ 
 inipreliions, and the immediate illumination of the foul, whereas the J^° j^jj rgj'/i^" 
 deceiving fpirit,by concitation of humours, produceth his conceited pons or prc^ 
 phantafms , or by compounding the fpecies already reiiding, doth diftiom. 
 make up words which mentally fpeak his intentions. ' 
 
 But above all hemoft advanced his Deity in the folenmpraftife 
 of Oracles, wherein in feveral parts of the world, he publikely pro- 
 fefTed his divhiityi but how ftiort they flew of that ft^irit, whofe om- 7)emo/ihcnct. 
 nifcience they would refemble, their weaknefs fumciently declared. 
 What jugling there was therein, the Orator plainly confefTed, who 
 being good at the fame game hintfelf j could fay that Pjthia Philip- 
 pifed. Who can but laugh at the carriage o( Jmmon luito Alexan- 
 der, who addrefling unto him as God, was made to believe, he was a 
 god himfelf ? How openly did he betray his Indivinity unto Cr^fut^ 
 whobeing ruined by his Amphibology , and expoftulating with him 
 for fo migrateful a deceits received no higher anfwer,then the excufe 
 of his impotency upon the contradiftion of fate , and the fetled law 
 of powers beyond his power to controle ! What more then fublu- 
 nary direftions, or fuch as might proceed from the oracle of humane 
 reafon , was in his advice unto the Spartans in the time of a great 
 plague:»when for the ceflation thereof,he wiftit them to have recourfe 
 unto a Fawn,th'at is in open terms, unto one Nebnts^z good Phyfitian 
 ofthofe dayes? From no diviner a fpirit came his reply wntoCarit- ^ '^f'' '" 
 cal/a^vflio requiring a remedy for his gout, received 110 other coimfel p^^^^ ' 
 then to refrain cold drink ; which was but a dietetical caution, and 
 fuch as without a journey unto JEfculapius , culinary prefcription 
 and kitchin Aphorifms might have afforded at home. Nor furely if 
 any tnith there were therein, of more then natural aftiviry was 
 hiscounfel unto Deniocratufi when for the falling ficknefs he com- 
 mended the Maggot in a Goats head. For many things fecretare 
 true; fympathies and antipathies arefafely auchentick unto us, who 
 ignorant of their canfes may yet acknowledge their efFefts. Belide 
 being a natural Magician he may perform many a£ts in wayes above 
 our knowledge, though not tranfcending our natuial power , when 
 our knowledge (hall direft it. Part hereof hath been difcovered by 
 liimfelf,and fome by humane indagation: which though magnified as 
 frefli inventions unco us,are ftale unto his cognition.l hardly believe 
 he hath from elder times imknown the verticity of the load-floue ■■, 
 furely his perfpicacity difcerned it to refpeft the North , wheft 
 ours beheld it indeterminately^. Many fecrets there are in Na~' 
 ture of difticult difcov^ry itnto-man, of eaiie knowledi^e untoSa-^ 
 • • G 2 / tani 
 
^/j, Enplrlei into Vulgdr Book, I. 
 
 taiii wherein fome his vain glory cannot concealjOthers his envy will 
 not difcover. 
 
 Again , fuch is the myfterie of his del»fion , that although he 
 labour to make us believe that he is God , and fupremeft nature 
 whatfoever, yet would he alfoperfwade our beliefs 3 thatheislefs 
 then Angels or Men •■, and his condition not onely fubjeft^d un- 
 to rational powers, but t^ie aftions of things which have no. 
 efficacy on our felves. Thus hath he inveigled no fmall pare 
 of the world into a credulity of artificial Magick : That there is 
 an Art J which without conipaft commandeth the powers of Hell ; 
 whence fome have delivered the polity of fpirit*, and left an ac- 
 count even to their Provincial Dominions : that they ftand in 
 aweofcharmSj fpels, and conjurations j that he is affraid of letters 
 and charafters , of notes and dafties , which fet together do figni- 
 fie nothing 5 and not onely in the diftionary of Man, butchefub- 
 tiler vocabulary of Satan. That there is any power in Bitumeny 
 pitch or brimftone , to purifie the air from his uncieaunefsi that 
 S. ^oJ^wi Wort, any vertue there is ni Hipericon to make good the mmzoi fuga 
 So called by T>£ntonls 5 any fuch Magick as is afcribed unto the Root Baaras by 
 Magicians 3 JofepJm ^ or Cjno^ajiiis by jEUaHia , it is not ea.le to believe; 
 tcSeaedand ^^^^ ^^ ^^ naturally made out what is delivered of Tohhs y^ that 
 midc of five 1^7 the fume of a fi/hes liver, he put to flight Jfmodeus. That 
 lines. they are afraid of the pentangle of Solomon , though fo itt forth 
 
 Implying le- with the body of man, as to touch and point out the five places 
 H b ** ^^^^hereinour Saviour was wounded, I know not how to afTent. If 
 confiftethof perhaps he hath fled from holy Water , if he car^s not to hear the 
 four letters, found of ^ tetragammaton, if his eye delight nor in the fign 
 of the Crofs, and that fometiraes he will feem to be charmed with 
 words of holy Scripture , and to fly from the letter and dead verba- 
 licy, who miiil onely flart at the life and animated interiors thereof; 
 Jl maybefearM they are but P<zrr^i<7« flights , ^w/'.'^yi'/z^:/^ retreats, 
 and cl.ufojy tergiverfations : Whereby to confirm, our cre- 
 dulties , he will comply with the opinion of fuch powers,, 
 which in themfelves have no aftlvities. Whereof having once 
 begot in our minds an afliued dependence , he makes us 
 rely on powers which he but precarioufly obeyes j and to 
 defert thole true and onely charms which Hell cannot with- 
 ftand. 
 
 Laftly, To lead us farther into darknefs , and quite to lofe us in 
 this maze of Error , he would make men believe there is no fuch 
 creature as himfelf : and that he is not onely fubjeft unto inftri- 
 our creatJu'e.s , but in the rank of nothing. Infinuating into mens 
 minds there is no Devil at all , and contriveth accoidingly, many 
 wayes to conceal or indubitate his exiftency. Wherein beiide that 
 he annihilates theblefled Angels and fpirits in the ranks ofhis. crea- 
 4 tionj 
 
Book. I. and Common Errors, '45 
 
 tioiij hebegetsa fecurity of hinifelf, and a carelefs eye unto the 
 lall remuneration?. And therefore hereto he inveigleth^ not onely 
 Sadduces and fuch as retain unto the Church of God : but is alfo 
 content that Eptcurits , Deniocritus , or any Heathen fhoii Id hold the 
 fame. And to this effeft he maketh men believe that apparitions, 
 and fuch as confirm his exiftence are either deceptions of light, 
 •or melancholly depravements of phancy. Thus when he Iiadnot 
 onely appeared but fpake imw Brutus; Cajjiu^ the Epicurian was rea- 
 dy at hand to perfwade him , it was but a niiftake in his weary 
 imaf^inatioUj and that indeed there were no fuch realities in na- 
 ture? Thus he endeavours to propagate the unbelief of witches, 
 whofe concelTion infers his co-exiftency 5 by this means alfo he ad- 
 vaneeth the opinion of toial death, and ftaggereth the inimortalicy 
 of rlie foul : for, fuch as deny there are fpirits fublifteiK: without bo- 
 dies will^ with more difficulty affirm the feparated exillence of their 
 
 own. 
 
 Now to induce and bring about thefe fain ties 5 he hath laboured 
 to deilroy the evidence of Truth , that is the reavealed vci icy and 
 written Word of God. To which intent he hath obtained widi fome 
 to repudiate the Books o^Mofes , others thofe of the Prophets , and 
 fome both : to deny tiic Gofpel and aurhentick Hi/lories of Chriil; to 
 rejeft that of Jo.^>i,and receive that o?Jud.ts;to difallow ail^and erc£t 
 another. of 't^ow^. And when neither tlieir corruption by Valentinm 
 and Arr'iUSylh^^y mutilation by MarcionyManeSyUnd Ebion could fatif- 
 iie his deiign , he attempted the ruin and total deftrufti on thereof? 
 as he feduloufly endeavoured , by the power and fubtilty of Julian^ 
 Maxiwinm^ndVioclefiaM. 
 
 But the longevity of that piece , which hath fo long efcaped the 
 common fate , and the providence of that Spirit which ever waketh 
 over it, may at laft difcourage fuch attempcsi and if not make doubt- 
 ful its -Mortality , at leaft indubitably declare j this is aftoue too 
 bi<» for Saturns mouth , and a bit indeed Oblivion cannot fwal- 
 
 low. 
 
 Andthushowftrangely he poffefTech us with Errors may clearly 
 be obferved; deluding us into contradiftory and inconiiftent faliicies; 
 whileft he would make us believe, Thac there is no God. That there 
 are many. That he himfelf is God. That he ia lefs then Angels or 
 Men, That he is nothing at all. 
 
 Nor hath he only by thefe wiles depraved the conception of the 
 Creator, but with fuch Riddles hath alfo entangled ihe Nature of 
 our Redeemer. Some denying his Humanity , and that he was otie 
 of the Angels , as Ebion i that the Father and Son were but one 
 perfon, as SatelHus. That his body was phantaftical, as Ma- 
 nes, Bafilides y frifciHian^ Jovhuanm ; ihi^t ha owAy palfei 
 through Marj as Vtjchei and VaUntinui. Some denying his 
 
 Divinicy j 
 
j,^ lEnpirtes into VulgAr .Book.L 
 
 .Divinity *, that he was begotten of humane principles, and the fe- 
 minalSon oi Jo^efb j as Cnr^ocr.^i^ Symwachns, ?kotini«. That he 
 was Seih the (on of Adaw^ as the Sethiam. That be was lefs then 
 Angels as Chermihm. That he was inferiour unto Melchifedecby a»s 
 TheodoUif. That he was not God, but God dwelt in him, as Ni- 
 colaw. And fome embroiling them both. So did they which 
 converted the Trinity nitpa quaternity, and affirmed two perfons 
 inChriftj as Taidm Samofatenm j that held he was man without a 
 foul, and that the word performed that office in him, as Apdl/inarif. 
 That he was both Son and Father, as Montanm. That Jefm fuffcr- 
 ed, but Chrift remained impatible, as Cherinthus. Thus he endea- 
 vours to entangle Truths : And when he cannot polTibly deftroy 
 its fubftance, he cunningly confounds its apprehenfions j that from 
 the inconfiftent and contrary determinations thcreof,confe£tary ini- 
 pieties,and hopeful concluiions may arife,there's no fuch thing at all. 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 ■A further lUn^ration, 
 
 NOw although thefe waies of delufions, moft Chriftians have 
 efcaped, yet are there many other whereimto we are daily 
 betrayed, and thefe we meet with in obvious occur rents of the 
 world, wherein he induceth us, to afcribe effefts unto caufes of no 
 cognario!! j and diftorting the order and theory of caufes perpen- 
 dicular to their effefts, he draws them alide unco things whereto 
 they run parallel, and in their proper motions would neves^ meet 
 together. 
 
 Thus doth he fonietime delude us in the conceits of Stars and 
 Meteors, beiide their allowable aftions afcribing effefts thereunto 
 of independent caufations. Thus hath he alfo made the ignorant 
 fort believe that natural efFe£\is immediately and commonly pro- 
 ceed from fupematural powers : and thefe he ufually drives from 
 Heaven, his own principality the air, and meteors therein; which 
 being of themfelves, the effefts of natural and ci-eated caufes, and 
 fuch as upon a due conjunftion of aftives and pallives, without a 
 miracle nmfl: arife unto what they appear ; are alwaies looked on 
 by ignorant fpeftators as fiipernaturalifpeftacles, and made the 
 caufes or iigns of moft fuceeding contingencies. To behold a 
 Rain-bow in the night, is no prodigy imto a Philofopher. Then 
 Eclipfesof Sun or Mc n, nochin.^ is more natiual. Yet with what 
 fuperflirion they have been hcheld iince the Tragedy of Nicm 
 and his A nny^ »:jQny example:! declare. 
 
 True 
 
Book. I. ^^^ Common Errors, ^j 
 
 " True it iSj and vve wilJ not den75that although thefe being natu- 
 ral produftions from fecond and Tetledcaufes 3 we need notalway 
 look upon them as the immediate hand of God , or of his miniftring 
 Spirits; yet do they fometimes admit a refpeft therein; and 
 even in their naturals , the imliiferency of their exilkncies coii- 
 tetnporifed unto our actions , admits a fart'ier conlidera- 
 
 tion. , ^ 
 
 That two or three Suns or Moons appear in any mans life or 
 reign , it is not worth the wonder. But that the fame (hould fall 
 out a remarkable time , or point of fome decilive aftion ; that the 
 contingency of the appearance fhould be confined unco that time; 
 that tbofe whofhouldbut make one line in the Book of Fate, and 
 Ibnd together in the great Ephemsrides of God; beiide the Philofo- 
 p.lucal allignmenc of the caule, it may admit a Chriftian apprehenii- 
 onintheiignality. 
 
 But above all he deceiveth us when we afcribe the effeft of things 
 unto evident and feeming caufalities , which arife from the fecrec 
 and undifcerned aftion of himfelf. Thus hath he deluded mwwf Na- 
 tions in his Augurial and Extifpicious inventions ; from cafaal and 
 imcontrived contingencies divining events lucceeding.Which T^'-.fcan 
 fiiperiVitiou fealing upon Row^jharh fuice pofTefTed all Europe. VV hen 
 Afg^'fiifs found two gals m his facrificejthe credulity of the City con- 
 cluded a hope of ^tacc VI ith Anthony, and the conjunftion of per- 
 fons in choler with each other. Becaufe JBr«f/^ and Cajjiufmcfd 
 Blackmore, znd Fompey had on a dark or fad coloured garment at 
 Tharfalia'i thefe wereprefages of their overthrow. Which not with- 
 ftandingai'efcarce Rhetorical fequels; concluding Metaphors from 
 realitieSjahd from conceptions metaphorical inferrnig'realities agair. 
 
 Now th^fe divinations concerning events ^ being in his power to 
 force 3 contrive, prevent or further, they muft generally fall out 
 conformably unto his prediftion?. When Graceus was flain, the fame 
 day the Chickens rcfufe to come out of the coop : and Claudius 
 fulcher underwent the like fucceffefs , when he contem- 
 ned the Tripudiary Augurations : They died not becaufe the 
 Pullets would not feed : but becaufe the devil forefavv their death, 
 he contrived that abftinence in them. So was there no natural 
 dependence of the event upon the lign, but an artificial contri- 
 vance of the lign unto the event. An unexpected way of 
 delufioii 5 and whereby he more eaiily led away the incircum- 
 fpeftion of their belief Which fallacy he might excellently 
 have a£ted before the deatb of Saul ; for that being within his 
 power to foretell, was not beyond his ability to forelTiew : and 
 might have contrived figns thereof through all the creatures , which 
 \iljbly confirmed by the event, had proved authencick unto thofe 
 times 5 and advanced the Art ever after. 
 
 He 
 
g Enpirles into Vulgd/ Book.I. 
 
 The danger Ke deludeth US alfo by Philters, Ligatures, Cliarms, ungrouiicP 
 
 andd-lui»on ed Amulets, Characters, and many fuperltitious waies in the cure 
 that is in cures ^^ common difeafes : fecoudlng herein the expectation of men 
 by charms, ^.^j^ evnits of his own contriving. VVliich while fome unwilling to 
 ^^ayiucs'c'iu- fall derectly upon Magick, impute unto the power of imagination, 
 uct'ciiVc or the efficacy of hidden cauics, he obtains a bloody advantage : 
 for thereby de begets not otily a falfe opinion, but fuch as lead- 
 ech the open w«y of deihuftion. In maladies admitting natural 
 reliefs, making men rely on remedies, neither of real operati- 
 on in themfelves, nor more then feeming efficacy in his con- 
 currence. Which whenfoever he pleafeth to withdraw, theyftand 
 naked unto the mifchief of their difeafes j and revenge the con- 
 tempt of the medicines of the Earth which God hath created for 
 them. And therefore when neither miracle is expefted, nor con- 
 nexion of caufe unto effeft from natural grounds concluded; 
 however it be fometime fuccefsfull, it cannot be fafe to rely on 
 fuch pradifes, and defert the known and authentick provilions 
 of God. In which ink of remedies, if nothing in our knowledge 
 or their proper power be able to relieve us, we nuift with patience 
 fiibmitunto that rtftraint, and expeft the will of the Reftrainer-* 
 
 Npwinthefe effects although he feem oft times to imitate, ytt 
 doth he concur unto ;:heir produftions in a different way from 
 that fpirit which fomt rime in natural means produceth eifefts a- 
 bove Nature. For whether he worketh by caufes which have rela- 
 tion or none unto the effeft, he maketh it out by fecret and 
 undifcerned waies of Nature. So when Cuius the blind, in the 
 reign of Antomnuh was commanded to pafs from the right fide 
 of the Alt^r unto the left, to lay dve fingers of one hand thereon, 
 and five of the other upon his eyes j although the cure fucceeded 
 and all the people wondered, there was not any thing in the afti- 
 on which did produce it, nor any thing in his power that could 
 enable it thereunto. So for tht fame infirmity, when Aper was 
 counfelled by him to make a colly riiim or ocular medecine with 
 the blood of a white Cock, and honey, andapp^lyit to his eyes for 
 three dayes : When Julian for his fpicting of blood, was cured by 
 honey, and pine Nuts taken from his Altars When Luciuf for the 
 pain in his fide, applied thereto the Affies from his Altar with wine : 
 although the remedies were fomewhat rational, andnot without a 
 naturaly vertue imto fucii intentions, yet need we not believt' 
 that by their proper faculties they produced thefe effefts. * 
 
 But the effects of powers divine flow from ano-ther operation 9 
 who either proceeding by vifible means or not, unto vilible eiFeftSj 
 is able to conjoin them by his co-operation. And therefore thofe 
 fenfible wayes wl icU feem of indiiferenc natures, are not idle cere- 
 monies, but miy be caufes by his commaadj and arife unto pro- 
 ductions 
 
Book, t W Common ttnn, '4^ 
 
 ^iftions beyond their regular aftivities. If Rahaman the Syrian 
 had wafhcd in Jordan without the command of the Prophet, I be- 
 
 believe he had been cleanfed by them no more then by the waters of 
 T)amii[cui' 1 doubt if any belide E'lifha had caft in fait , the waters' 
 of Jericho had not been n\ade wholefoni. I know that a deco- 
 ftion of 'wild gourd or Colocynthis (though fomewhat quali- 
 fied ) will not from every hand be dulcified unto aliment by 
 an addition of flower or meal. There was fome natural vertue 
 in the Plaifter of figs applied wwto Ezechioi '■> we find that gall is very 
 nnmdificative , and was a proper medicine to clear the eyes of 'Tobit : 
 which carrying in themfelves fome aftion of their own , they were 
 additionally promoted by that powers which can extend their 
 natures unto the production of effefts beyond thejr created efti- 
 ciences. And thus may he operate alfo from caufes of no power un- 
 to their vifible effefts; for he that hath determined their aftions unto 
 certain effefts, hatli not fo emptied his own , but that he can make 
 them efteftual unto any otlier. 
 
 Again, Although his dehifions run higheft in points of praftice, 
 whofe errors draw on offenfive or penal enormities, yet doth he alfo 
 deal in points of fpeculation , and things whofe knowledge termi- 
 nates in themfelves. Whofe cognition although it feems indifferent, 
 and therefore its aberration direftly to condemn no man ; yet doth 
 he hereby preparatively difpofe us unto errors, and deduftively 
 dejeft us into deftruftive conclufions. 
 
 That the Sun, Moon and Stars are living creatures, endued with 
 foul and life , feems an innocent Error , and an harmlefs digreflion 
 from truth j yet hereby he confirmed their Idolatry , and made it 
 more plaufibly embraced. For wifely niiftrufting that rcafonable 
 fpirits would never firmly be loft in the adorement of things inani- 
 mate, and in the loweft form of Nature j he begat an opini- 
 on that they were living creatures , and could not decay for 
 ever. 
 
 That fpirits are corporeal, feems at firft view a conceit derogative 
 unto himfelf, and fiich as he Oiould rather labour to overthrow ; yet 
 hereby he eftablifheth the Doftrine of Luftrations, Amulets and 
 Charms, as we have declareii before. 
 
 That there arc two principles of all thing?, one good, and ano- ' 
 
 therevili from the one proceeding vertue , love, light and unity, 
 from the other divifion, difcord, darknefs and deformity, was the 
 fpeculation of P)/t^<r^or<7^ , Evfpedcc/es ^ and many ancient Philofo 
 phers, and was no more then Oromafdes , and Arhnanm o^Zorajier, 
 Yet liereby he obtained the advantage ofAdoiarion, and as the 
 terrible principle became more dreadful then his Maker 5 and there^ 
 fore not willing ro let it fall , he furthered the conceit in fiiccf eding 
 Ages, and i^'iCedthc&idiionoi' Manes to maincainir. 
 
 H That 
 
^o Enptries Into Vulgar Book.L 
 
 That the feminine fex have no generative emlffion, affording^ 
 no feminal Principles of conception, was ^W/fot/w opinion of old, 
 maintained ftillbyfome, and will be countenanced by him for e- 
 ver. For hereby he difparageth the fruit of the Virgin^ fruftrat- 
 ech the fundamental Prophelie, nor can the feed of the woman 
 then break the head of the Serpent. 
 
 Nor doth he only fport in fpeculative Errors, which are of 
 confequent impieties j but the unquietnefs of his malice hunts 
 after iimple lapfes, and fuch whofe falfities do only condemn oirr 
 underfianding?. Thus if Xenophanes will fay there is another world 
 in the Moon ; If Heraclitus with his adherents will hold the Sun 
 is no bigger then it appeareth i \i Anaxagor as z.^vn\t\\?it Snow 
 is black ; If any other opinion there are no Antipodes^ or that 
 Stars do fall, he fhall not want herein the applaufe oi advocacy 
 of Satan. For maUgning the tranquility of truth, he delighteth 
 to trouble its ftreams; and being a profelTed enemy unto God 
 ( who is truth it felf ) he promoteth any Error as derogatory 
 to his nature j and revengeth himfelf in every diiTormity from 
 truth. If therefore at any time he fpeak or praftife truth, it is 
 upon dcCigw^ and a fubtile inverfion of the precept of God, to 
 do good that evil may come of it. And therefore fometimes we 
 meet with wholfome doftrines from Hell ; Nofce teipfum, the Motto 
 of Ve/phoSi was a good precept in morality : That a juft man is 
 beloved of the gods, an uncontroulable verity. 'Twas a good 
 deed, though not well done, which he wrought by Vefpafian, 
 when by the touch of his foot he reftored a lame man, and by 
 the ftroak of his hand another that was blind, but the intention 
 hereof drived at his own advantage ; for hereby he not only con- 
 firmed the opinion of his power with the people, but his inte- 
 grity with Princes; in whofe power he knew it lay to overthrow 
 his Oracles, and filence the practice of his dehiiions. 
 
 But of fuch a ilifrufed nature, and fo large is the Empire of 
 Truth, that it hath Place within the walls of Hell, and the devils 
 themfelvcs are daily forced to pradife it 5* not only as being true 
 themfelves in a Metaphyseal verity, that is, a?s having their ef- 
 How fp'rlcs fence conformable unto the Intellect of their Maker, but making 
 Hndcrnand ^f^ ofMoral and Logical verities ; that is, whither ni the con-- 
 fornijty of word; unto things, or things unto their own concepti- 
 ons, tliey praftife truth in common among themfelves. For al- 
 though without fpeech they intuitively conceive each other, yet 
 do their appreheulions proceed through realities; and they con- 
 ceive each other by fpecies, which carry the true and proper 
 notions of things conceived. And fo alfo in Moral verities, al- 
 though they deceive us, they lie unto each other ; as well un- 
 derllanding that all conimunity is continued by Truth, and that 
 of Hell canno: conlili wiciiouc it. To 
 
 one another. 
 
Book L ^and' Common Errors, 5 1 
 
 To come yet rearer the point, and draw into a ftiarper angle ; 
 They do not only fpeak and praftife triithj but may be faid well- 
 vviftiers hereunto, and in fome feiifedo really deiire its enlargement. 
 For many things which in themfelves are falfe, they do defire were 
 truej He cannot but wifli he were as he profefleth j that he had 
 the knowledge of future events ; were it in his power , the Jews 
 ftiould be in the right, and the Meffias yet to come. Could 
 his del'ires efFeft it, the opinion of Arijiotle ftiould be true, the 
 world ftiould have no end, but be as immortal as himfelf. For there- 
 by he might evade the accomplifhment of thofe affliftions he now 
 but gradually endureth ; for comparatively unto thofe flames, he is 
 but yet in Balneo, then begins his Ignis Rot£3 and terrible fire, which 
 will determine his difputed fubtilty , and hazard his immortality. 
 
 But to fpeak ftriftly, he is in thefe wiflies no promoter of verity, 
 but if conlidercd fome waies injurious unto Truth, for ( belides 
 that if things were true which now are falfe , it were but an ex- 
 change of their natures, and things muft then be falfe, which now 
 are true ) the fetled and determined order of the world would 
 be perverted, and that courfe of things difturbed, which feemed 
 beft unto the immutible contriver. For whileft they murmur againft 
 the prefent difpofure of things, regulating determinated realities 
 unto thir private optations , they reft not in their eftabliflied na- 
 tures j but unwifliing their unalterable verities, do tacitly deiire in 
 them a difformity from the primitive rule, and the Idea of that 
 minde that formed all things beft. And thus he offended truth even 
 in his firft attempt •, For not content with his created nature, and ^'J'" *^^ ^^- 
 thinking it too low, to be the higheft Creature of God he offended ^' ^ ^ * 
 the Ordainer, not only in the attempt, but in the wifti and fimple 
 volition thereof. 
 
 H 2 THE 
 
53 
 
 THE SECOND BOOK: 
 
 Of ftindrj popular Tenets concerning Mineral , and vegetable bodies^ 
 generally held for truth':, which examned ^ prove either falfe ^ or 
 dubious. 
 
 ♦^"^'^♦^^ 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Of Chrypl 
 
 i^ rr 4<$» Ereof the common opinion hath been, and ftill remain- 
 4i4-> IJ. ^^ cth amongft iis , that Chiyftal is noriiing elfe , but Ice 
 ^i^<^^<(bti>4 or Snow concreted;, and by duration of time, congealed 
 beyond liquation. Of which affertion, if prefcnptioii 
 of time, and niimeroiity of x^flertorsjwere afufficient demonftration, 
 we might fit down herein 3 as an unqueftionable Truth j nor fhould 
 there nccd.j4lterior difquifition. For few opinions there are, whicli 
 have fonnd fo many friends, or been fo popularly received, through 
 all profellions and ages. Pliny is politive in tliis opinion : CrjjiaUusfit 
 gelu vebeyytentm concreto : the fanve is followed by Seneca. Elegantly 
 defcribed by Claudiayty not denied hy Scaliger^ fome way affirmed by 
 Alhertuf^ JBrtfpt;o/«(f, and direftly by many others. The venerable 
 Fathers of the Church have alfo aflented hereto •, As Bafil in his 
 liexameron^ Ifidore in his Etymologies, and not onely ^.v/h'« a Latin 
 Father, but Gregory the great, and Jerom upon occalion of th-ac term 
 cxprefled in the iirft of Ezekjel. 
 
 All which notwithftandin§,upon a ftrift enquiry, we find the mat- That Chry. 
 ter contix>vertible, and with much more reafon denied then is as yet "*' 's'^^' ^ '^^ 
 affirmed. For though many have paffed it over with ealie affirma- g^jigj^ *^" 
 tivesj yet are there alfo many Authors that deny it, and the exatteft 
 Mineralogifts have rejefted it. Diodorm in his eleventh Book de- 
 nieth itj (if Chryftal be there taken in its proper acception, as Kho' 
 diginm hath ufed it , and not for a Diamond , as Salmarm hach ex- 
 pounded It) foi' in that place he affirmeth j Chrjftallum (j[e lapidem ex 
 aquapwr-aconcretimi^nontamen frigore fed divini calorkvi. Solium 
 wiiotranfcribedp/iwj, and therefore in almoftall fubfciibed unto 
 him, hath in this point diflented from him. Putant quidam glacitni 
 coire^& in Chrjiialumcorporarijfedfrulira. Maihiolus in his Commune 
 ttpon Viofcorides , hath with confidence rejt fted ir. The fame hach 
 been performed by AgricoU de natwa fojjili'm; by Cardan^ Bxtm ds 
 Boct^£fm Bernarditf^Sennertusydwdsix^ny moi€. ' 
 
 Now 
 
^4 ^njHirlet mio t^ulgAr Book. I. 
 
 Now tciides Authority againft it , there may be many reafons 
 deduced from their feveialditfereiices ^ which feem ro overthrow 
 jr. And lirft 5 a difference is probable in their concretion. For if 
 Chryftal be a ilone (as in the number thereof it is confefledjy re- 
 ceived ) it is not immediatly concreted by the efficacy of cold , but 
 rather by a Mineral fpirit, and lapidifical principles of its own, 
 and therefore while it lay in folutis prtnipiis , and i-ttiiained 
 in a fluid body, it was a fubjeft very unapt for proper can- 
 glaciation j for Mineral fpirits do generally refift and fcaix:e 
 fubmit thereta So we obferve that many waters and fprings 
 will never freez 5 and many parts in Rivers and Lakes, where are 
 Mineral eruptions , will ftill perfift without congelations, as we alfo 
 obferve in Aqj^a. fortisyCr any Mineral foluti on, either of Vitriol, A- 
 lum, Salt-peter, Ammoniac or Tartar i which although to fome dc- 
 nree exhalcd,and placed in cold confervatories, wil Chryftallize and 
 Ihoot into white and glacious bodies j yet is not this a congelation 
 prinrarily effected by coid, but an intrinfecal induration from 
 themfelves -, and a retreat into their proper folidities , which were 
 abfoibed by die liquor, and loft in a full imbibition thereof before. 
 And fo alfo when wood and many other bodies do petrifie , either 
 by the fea, other waters, or earths aboiuiding in fuch fpirits; we do 
 not ufually afcribe their induration to cold, but rather imto fali- 
 nous fpirits , concretive juices, and caufes circumjacent, which 
 do aiiimilate all bodies not indifpofed for their impreiTi- 
 on?. 
 
 But Ice is water congealed by the frigidity of the air j where- 
 by it acquireth no new form, but rather a confiltence or determina- 
 tion of Its diftiuency , and amitteth not its effence, but condition of 
 fluidity. Neither doth there any thing properly conglaciace but 
 water, or watery humidity j for the determination of quick-filver 
 is properly fixation, that of milk coagulation, and that of oyl and 
 luidious bodies,onely incraflation j Ai^d therefore Ariiiotle makes a 
 trial of the fertility of humane feed, from the experiment of conge- 
 lation j for That , faith he , which is not watery and improlifical 
 will not conglaciatej which perhaps muft not be taken ftriftly, but in 
 the germ and fpirited particles : for Eggs I obferve will freez, in the 
 albuginous part thereof. And upon this groimd Taracelfm in 
 his Archidoxis, extrafteth the magiftery of wine; after four moneths 
 digeftion in horfe-dung, expofing it unto the extremity of cold j 
 whereby the aqueous parts will freez , but the Spirit retire and be 
 found imcongealed in the Center. 
 
 But whether this congelation be fimply made by cold , or alfo 
 by co-operation of any nitrous coagulura , or fpirit of fait the prin- 
 ciple of concretion ; whereby we obferve that Ice may be made 
 with Salt and Snow by the iire-iidej as is alfo obfervable from 
 
 Ice 
 
Book. I. And Common IrrorU 15 
 
 Ice made by Salt-peter and water duly mixed and ftrongly agi- 
 tated at any tim<: of the year ; were a very confiderable en- How to make 
 quiry. For thereby we might cleer the generation ofl""'"^ 
 Snow 5 hail , and hoary frofts , the piercing qualities of fome ^j, ° 
 winds , the coldnefs of Caverns and fome Cells. We might 
 more fenfibly conceive how Salt-peter fixeth the flying 
 fpirits of Minerals in Chymical preparations j and how by 
 this congealing quality it becomes an ufeful medicine in Fe- 
 vers. 
 
 Again, The difference of their concretion is collectible from their 
 diflblution •-, which being many wayes performable in Ice , is few 
 wayeseffefted in Chryftal. Now the caufes of liquation are con- 
 trary to thofe of concretion; and as the Atoms and indiviiible 
 parcels are united , fo are they in an oppoiite way disjoyned. 
 That which is concreted by exliccation or expreffion of humidity, 
 will be refolved by humeftation , as earth, dirt and clay; that 
 which is coagulated by a iicry iiccity , will fufFer colliquacion from 
 an aqueous hiunidity, as fait and fugar, which are ealily difToluble 
 in water, but not without difficulty in oyl ; and well reftified fpirits 
 of wine. That which is concreted by cold, will di/Tolve by a moift 
 heat, 'if it coniift of watery parts, as Gums, Arabick, Tragacanth, 
 Ammoniack andochers;in an airieheat or oyl ,35 all reiinous bo- 
 dies. Turpentine, Pitch and Frankincenfe; in both, as gummy reii- 
 nous bodies, MalHck,Camphire and Storax ; in neither, as neutrals ' 
 and bodies anamalous hereto , as Bdellium , Myrrhe and others. 
 Some by a violent dry heat, as Mettals; which although corrodible 
 by waters, yet will they not fuffer a liquation from the powerfulleft 
 heat, communicable unto that element. Some will diflblve by this 
 heat although their ingredients be earthy, asGlafs, whofe materials 
 are fine S and, and the afties of Chali or fearn ; and fo will Salt run 
 with fire , although it be concreted by heat. And this way 
 may be effefted a liquation in Chryftal , but not without fome diffi- 
 culty ; that is , calcination or reducing it by Art into a • • i 
 fubtle powder; by which way and a vitreous conmiixmre , j *^^ ^j^J^^"^ ^f 
 GlaiTes are fometime made hereof , and it becomes the Gi^f;, 
 chiefeft ground for artificial and faftitious gemms. But the 
 lame way of folution is conmion alfo unto many Stones ; 
 and not onely Berylls and Cornelians, but Flints and Peb- 
 bles , are fubjeft unto fufion , and will run like Glafs in 
 iire. 
 
 But Ice will dilTolve in any way of heat; for it will dif- 
 folve v/ith fire; it will coUiquate in water, or warm oyi; nor 
 doth it onely fubmit \\\V[^ an aftual heat , but not endure 
 the potential caVidity pf. many watei^s)^' For it will prc- 
 fcnrLy diiTolve iil colli Aq'fia fort^ :, f}). of Vitrioll, Sale, or 
 
 • Tartar, 
 
Enpiriei into VulgAr Book.II, 
 
 Tartar , ncfr will it long continue its fixation in fpirits of Wine, 
 as may be oblerved in Ice injcfted therein. 
 
 Again, the concretion of Ice will not endure a dq^ attrition with- 
 out liquaiion; for it it be rubbed long with a cloch, it melteth. But 
 C^yftal will calelie unto cleftricity ; that is 5 a power to attraft 
 •iiraws or light bodies, and convert the needle freely placed. Which 
 is a declartment of very ditfercnt parts : wherein we fhall not in- 
 large5as having difcourfed concerning fuch bodies in the Chap, of 
 Eleftricks. 
 
 They are differenced by fupematation or floating upon watery for 
 Chryftal will link in water 3 as carrying in its own bulk a greater 
 ponderolity, then the fpacein any water it doth occupy j and will 
 therefore onely fwim in molten niettal and quickiilver. But Ice 
 vfillfwim in water of what thinnefs fo£ver j and though it fink in 
 oyl, will float in fpirits of wine or Aquavits, And therefore it 
 may fwini in water , not onely as being water it fcif, and in its pro- 
 per place, but perhaps as weighing foniewhat lefsthen the water it 
 poflefTeth. And therefore as it will not fink unto the bottom , fo 
 will it neither float above like lighter bodies, but being near in 
 weight, lie fuperficially or almoft horrizontally unto it. And 
 therefore alfo an Ice or congelation of Salt or Sugar, although it 
 defcend not unto the bottom, yet will it abate, and decline below 
 the furface in thin water, but very fenlible in fpirits of wine. For 
 Ice although it feemeth as tranfparent and compaft as Chryftal, .yet 
 is it fiiort in either^for its attonaes are not concreted into continuity, 
 which doth diniinifh it tranflucency 3 it is alfo full of fpuniesaiid 
 bubbles, which may abate its gravity. And therefore watersfro- 
 zen in pans , and open glafies , after their diflblution do com- 
 monly leave a froth and fpume upon them; which arecaufedby 
 rhe airy parts diffused in the congeleable mixture : which uniting 
 then\feives and finding no paflage at the furface , do elevate 
 the mafs , and make the liquor take up a greater place then 
 before : as may be obferved in glalfes filled with water, 
 which being frozen, will feem to fwell above the brim. So that 
 if in this condenfatioii any one affirmeth there is alfo fome rarefa- 
 ction, experience may afl^ert it. 
 
 They are difiinguifiied in fubfiance of parts and the accidents 
 thereof, that is, in colour and figure ; for Ice is a fimilary body, and 
 homogeneous concretion, whofe material is properly water, and 
 but accidentally exceeding the finiplicity of that element. But the 
 body of Chryfial is mixed ; its ingredients many, and feniibly con- 
 taineth thofe principles into which mixt bodies are reduced. For 
 befide the fpivit and mercurial principk' it containeth a fulpher 
 or infiamable part, and that in no fmall quantity,-, for befides i:s E- 
 kjftrick artradion, whici) is made, by a i fiiii'bureoiLs eftiuviiimj. 
 
 ic 
 
Book II. And Common Errors, 5 7 
 
 ic will ihike fire upon perciLHion like many other ftoiies ; and upon 
 coUiiioii with fteel aftively fend fortli its fparksjiiot much inferiour- 
 ly unto a flint. Now fiicli bodies as iirike tire have fulphureoiis or 
 ignitible parts within them, and thofe ftrike beft, which abound 
 nioft in them. For thefe fcintillations are not the accenfion of the 
 ayr, upon the collihon of two hard bodies, but rather the infla- 
 nwble efflucncies difcharged from the bodres collided. For Dia- 
 monds, Marbles, Heliotropes and Agaths, though hard bodies, will 
 not readily llrike fire with a fteel, much lefTe with one another : Nor 
 a flint fo readily with a fteel, if they both be very wet, for then the 
 fparks are fometimes quenched in their eniption. 
 
 It contained! alfo a fait, and that in fome plenty, which may oc- 
 cafion its fragility, as is alfo obfervabie in Corall. This by the art 
 ofChymiftry is feparable, unto the operations whereof it is liable, 
 with other concretions, as calcination, reverberation, fublimation, 
 dliTillation : And in the preparation of Chryftal, Faracelfus hath Paracdfus dc 
 made a rule for that of Genmis. Briefly, it confifteth of parts fo far P^^^^P^ratiom. 
 from an Icie diflblution, that powerfid menftruums are made for its 
 ^moUition ; wereby it may receive the tinfture of minerals, and fo 
 refemble Gemms,as Bottius hath declared in the diftillation of Urine, 
 fpirits of wine and turpentine; and is not only tritiuablcjand reduce- 
 able into powder, by contrition, but will fubiift in a violent fire, and 
 endure a vitiiMcation. Whereby are teftified its earthy and fixed parts. 
 For vitrificacion is the laft work of fire, andafuhonof the fait and 
 earth ; which are the fixed elements cf the compofition; wherein the 
 fufible fait draws the earth and infufible part into one continiuim 5 
 and therefore afhes will not riui from whence the fait is drawn, as ^'^*v^"yj^^5*^ 
 bone allies prepared for the Tert of Metals. Common fufion i" quac^^^or'' 
 ■JVletals is alio made by a violent heat, afting upon the volatile and melting of 
 lixed, the dry and humid parts of thofe bodies ; which notwith- McttalsjCH. 
 ilanding are fo imited, that upon attenuation from heat, the 
 humid parts will not flie away, but draw the fixed one into 
 flour with them. Ordinary li^|iiation in wax and oily bodies is 
 imade by a gentler hear, where the oyl and fait, the fixed and 
 •fluid principles will not eafily feparate. All which , whe^- 
 ther by vitrifications fufion or liquation, being forced into 
 fluent Gonliikncies , do naturally regreiTe into their for- 
 mer folidities. Whereas the melting of Ice is a frmple refo- 
 lution, or return from folid to fluid parts, wherein it natu- 
 rally refteth. 
 
 As for colour, although Chryftall in his pellucid body feetns 
 to have none at all, yet m its reduftion into powdery ax. hath a vail 
 and fiiadow of blew 5 and in its courfer peeces, is of a fadder hue 
 then the powder of Venice glafle ^ and tliis complexion it will 
 maintain although it long endure the fire. Which notwithdandijig 
 
 I needs 
 
-3 Enpirtei Hnto Fulmar Book. 11. 
 
 needs not move us unto wonder ; for vitrified and pellucid bo- 
 dies, are of a clearer complexion in their continuities, then in 
 their powders and Atomical divifions. So Stibium or glafs of 
 Antimony^ appears fomewhat red in glafs, but in its powder yel- 
 iow_ ; fo painted glafs of a fanguine red will not afcend in powder 
 above a nuirrej. 
 
 As for the figure of Chryftal fwhich is very flange, iand forced 
 T/inie to defpair of refolucion ) it is for the molt part hexagonal or 
 fix cornered ; behig built upon a confufed matter, from whence as 
 it were from a root angular Hgures arife, even as in the Amethyft 
 and Bafaltes. Which regular liguration hath made fomc opinion, 
 it hath not its determination from circumfcription , or as con- 
 forming unto contiguities, but rather from a feniiiial root, and 
 formative principle of its own, even as we obferve in feveral o- 
 ther concretions. So the ftones which are fomecinie found in the 
 gall of a man are moll: triangular, and pyramidal, although the 
 figure of thacpart feems-not to cooperate thereto. So the Aierin 
 or lapis fiellaris hath on it the figure of a Star, fo Lapis J'/daicus 
 hath circular lines in length all down itrs bodie, and equidiilant, as 
 though they had been turned by Art. So that we call a t'ajrie 
 In ftonc p*ifj, ftone, and is often found in gravel pits amongft us, being of ^n 
 and chalk liemifpherical figure, hath five double lines ariinig from the center 
 mines. of its balis, which if no accretion dilrraft them, do commonly con- 
 
 cur and meet in the pole thereof. The figures arc jegular in many 
 other flones, as inthe Belemnites, Lapis anguinus^ Cormi Ammonisy 
 and many more, as by thofe which have not experience hereof -may 
 \Vhich fc^m- beobferved in their figures expreffed by Mineralogifts. BijrTce re- 
 njtes*decima '' ^eiveth its figure according unto the furface wherein it concreteth, 
 Aldrovandi. or the circumanibiency which conformeth it. So it is plain upon the 
 Mti('ei Metal' lurface of water, but round in Hayl (which is alfo a glaciation, ) 
 licl. lib. 4. auci fiaured in its ijuttulous defcent from the ayr, and fo sjrovving 
 
 ttatner tcni- greater orleffer according unto the accretion or pluvious aggela- 
 bcT^refemb. *^^°" about the TOodier and fundamental Atomeo thereof 5 which 
 ling the Ech"- feems to be fome feathery particle of Snow j although Snow it 
 notnetra found felf be fexaugular , or at leall of a Itarry and many-pointed fi- 
 coiiimonly on gure, 
 
 our lea more. Xhey are alfo dififerenced in the places of their generation, for 
 
 though Chryftal be found in cold countries, and where Ice re- 
 
 maineth long, and the ayr exceed^th in cold, yet is it alfo fovmd 
 
 in regions, where Ice is feldoin feen or foon diflblved ; as Vlinie 
 
 and Agricola relate oi Ciprus :, Caramania ^ and an Ifland in the 
 
 Red fea ■■, It hath been alfo found in the veins of Minerals, fome- 
 
 Whcrein the times agglutinated unto lead, fonietimes in Pvocks, opacous ftone^, 
 
 a'^ic?^ u"f ^""^ ^^^ '"^'*^^^ ^^^^ ^^ Oaavius Duke of Parma, It hath alfo 
 
 Chryttali.^"'^^ coiuftaiit veins j as befide others j. that of mount Salvino about 
 
 the 
 
Book. H. and Common Emrf. 59 
 
 the Tertory of Bergamo ', from whence if part be taken, ui no 
 long traft of time out of the fame place, as from its mineral ma- 
 trix, others areobfervcd to aiifc. Which made the learned Cer /z- Mu« Olcco; 
 tus to conclude, Vide ant hi an fitglacies^ an vero corpus fojjtle. It lar. 
 isalfo found in the veins of Minerals, in rocks, and fomerime in 
 conmion earth. But as for Ice, it will not readily concrete but 
 in the approachment of the ayr, as we have made trial in glafTes 
 of water, covered an inch with oyl, which will not eafily frepz 
 in hard frofts of our climate. For water commonly concrcteth 
 firft in its furface, and fo conglaciaces downwards 5 and fo will 
 it do although it be expofedin thecoldeft mettal of lead j which 
 well accordeth with that expreflion of Job-y The waters are hid Chap. 3?. 
 as with a ftone, and the face of the deep is frozen. But whether 
 water which hath been boiled or heated doth fooner receive this 
 congelation, as commonly is delivered, we reft in experiment 
 of Cabevs 5 who hath rejcfted the fame in his excellent difcourfe 
 of Meteors. 
 
 They have contrary qualities elemental, and ufes medicinal; 
 for Ice is cold and moift of the quality of water: but Chryftal is 
 cold and dry, according to the condition of earth. The ufeoflce 
 is condemned by moft Phyiicians; that of Chryftal commended 
 by many. For although Viofcorides and G a len^ have left no men- 
 tion thereof; yethzthMathiolus, Agricola. and many commend- 
 ed it in dyfenteries and fluxes ; all for the increafe of milk i moft 
 Chymifts for the ftone, and fome, as Brajfavolus and Bxtiusy as 
 an antidote againft poifon. Which occult and fpecilical operations 
 are not expeftible from Ice \ for being but water congealed, it 
 can never make good fuch qualities; nor willit reafonably ad- 
 mit of fecret proprieties, which are the afFed:ions of forms, and 
 compofitions at diftance from their elements. 
 
 Having thus declared what Chryftal is not, it may afford fome WhatChnfttl 
 fatiifaftion to manifeft what it is. To deliver therefore what with *^* 
 the judgement of approved Authors, and beft reafon conlifteth. 
 It is a mineral body in the difference of ftones, and reduced by 
 fome unto that fubdiviiion, which coniprehendeth gemms, tranf- 
 parent and refembling glafs or Ice, made of a lentous percolation 
 of earth, drawn from moft pure and limpid juics thereof, owing 
 unto thecoldnefs of the earth fome concurrence or c oadjuvancy, 
 but not immediate determination and efficiency, which are wrought 
 by the hand of its concretive fpirit , the feeds of peti iijcatiou 
 and Gorgon of it felf. As fenfible Phylofophers conceive of 
 the generation of Diamonds, Iris, Berih. Not making them 
 of frozen icecle , or fiom meer aqueous and glaciable fubllances, 
 ^ondeniing them by frofts into folidities , vainly to be expefted 
 even from Pokiry congelations : from thin and Hrieft earths, fo 
 
 I 2 well 
 
6Q Enquiriei inio Vulgar Book. II. 
 
 well contenipered and refolved, that traiifparencj is not hin- 
 dred j and continuing lapidifical fpiiitSj able to make good their 
 folidities, againft the oppolition and aftivity of outward contra- 
 ries j and fo leave a fenlible difference between the bonds ofgla- 
 ciation, which if the mountains of Ice, about the Northern Seas, 
 are ealily dilTolved by an ordinary heat of the Sun; and the finer 
 legaturesof petrification, whereby not only the harder concreti- 
 ons of Diamonds and Saphirs j but the fofter veins of Chryilal rc- 
 mainj indifToivable in fcorchingterritories^ and the Nes;ro land of 
 Congo!', 
 
 And therefore I fear we commonly confider fubterranitiesj no: 
 in contemplations futiiciently refpeftive vmto the creation. For 
 though Mojes have left no mention of minerals, nor made any 
 other difcripdon then futes unto the apparent and vilible creation^ 
 yet is there unqueflionably, a very large Clafis of creatures in 
 the earth, far abovethe condition of elementarity. And although^ 
 not in adiilinft and indifputable way of vivcncy, or anfwering in 
 all points the properties or ariPeftions of plants, yet in inferiour 
 and defcending conflituons, they do like thefe contain fpccilical 
 diflinft.ons, ajid are determined by feminalities, that is, created 
 anddefjued feeds committed unto the earth fiom the beginning. 
 VVheveln although they attain not the indubitable requiiites of A- 
 nimation, yet have they a neer affinity thereto. And though we want 
 a proper name and exprellive appellation, yet are they not to be 
 clofed up in the general name of concretions ; or lightly paiTed over 
 as only Elementary and Subterraneous mixtions. 
 
 The principle an J moik gcmmary afFeftionis its Tralucency : as 
 for irradiancy or fparkling which is found in many gems, Jtis not 
 difcoverable in this j for it cometh fhort of their compaftnefTe and 
 durity, and therefore requireth not the Emery, as the Saphir, Gra- 
 nate and TopaZj but will receive imprefhonfrom fteel, in a manner 
 like the Turchois As for its diaphanity or perfpicuity, it en- 
 joyeth that moft emuiently j and the reafon thereof is its conti- 
 nuity; as having its earthy and falinous parts fo exaftiy re- 
 ^"V^"^'' foJved, that its body is left imporous and not difcreted by 
 a caufc or" i^tomical terminations. For that continuity of parts is the caufe 
 transparency ^ perfpicujty, it is made perfpicuous by two wales of experi- 
 in things; and mcnt. That is, either in efFefting tranfparency in thofe bodies 
 ^^1' which were not fo before, or at leafl far fhort of the additional 
 
 degree : So Snow becomes tranfparent upon liquation ; fo horns 
 and bodies rcfolvable into continued parts or gelly. "'The like 
 is obfervable in oyled paper , wherein the interflltlall divilions 
 being continuated by the accelllon of oyl, it becometh more 
 traniparent , and admits the vilible rayes with lefs umbrolity. 
 Or clfe the fame is efFcfted by rendring thofe bodies opacoiiSa 
 
 which 
 
Book. U, -tf«^ Common Errors, ^^ 
 
 ■^vhich were before pellucid and perfpiciious. So glaflTe which wa^ 
 
 before diaphanous, being by powder reduced into nuilriplicicy of 
 
 fuperficiesj becomes an o^acous body;, and will not tranfmic the 
 
 ligl-HT. So it is in the Chryftal powdered, and fo it is alfo before; 
 
 for if it be made hot in a crulible, and prefently projefted upon 
 
 water, it will grow dim, and abate its diaphanity j for the water, 
 
 entring the body, begets a diviilon of parts, and a termination oF 
 
 Atonies liiHted before unco continuity. 
 
 The ground of this opinion might be, firft the concluUons of fome 
 men from experience*, for as much as Chryli^al is found fometitnes 
 in rocks, and in fome places not much imlike the ftirrious or liillici- 
 dious dependencies of Ice. Which norwithllanding may happen 
 either in places which have been forfaken or left bare by the 
 earth; or may be petriticacions , or Mineral indurations, like 
 other gcmms proc^etling from percolations of the earth difpoud 
 iinro fuch concretions. 
 
 The fecond and mod: common ground is from the name Chr\~ 
 iial'uiy whereby in Greek, both Ice and Chryfral are exprelled ; 
 which many not duly conildeiing, have from their community of 
 name, conceived a conununity of nature ; and what was afcribed 
 imro the one, not unfitly appliable unto the other. But this is a 
 fallacy of i^i^qui vocation, from a fociety in nanu- inferring an Iden- 
 tity in nature. By this fallacy was he deceived that drank Aorfo. 
 fcrtis for ftrong water : By this are they deluded, who conceive 
 jperma. Cceti which is found about the head, to be the fpawn of the 
 Whale ; Or take fanguis draconis (which is the gumme of a tree,) 
 to be the blood of a Dragon. By the fame Logick we may infer,the 
 Chryftalline humour of the eye, or rather the Chryftalline heaven 
 above,tobeof the fubftance of Chryftal here below; Oi- that God 
 fcndeth downChryftal, becaufe it is delivered in the vulgar tran- 
 llation, Pfal. 47. Mittit Chryi}aUv.ni fiium ficat B"ccellm. Which 
 tranflation although it literally exprelTe the Sepniaginc; yet is 
 there no more meant thereby, then what our tranflation in plain 
 EngliQi exprefleth, that is, he cafteth forth his Ice like morfels, Ql? 
 what TrenieUhii ^.nd Junius as clearly deliver, Pejicit ge/'4 pyw.u Oct 
 fr^lh) cerant jrigore ij:u quls conftkt ? winch proper and latiiie ex- 
 prtdions, had they b^en obferved in anciL'nc tranllations, elder Agrpcmpne 
 expofitors had not been mifguided by the Synononiy, nor had in name, 
 they afforded occafion unto .^ /L>/, the Glofs, L>n/«w and mrn/ 
 others, to have taken np the common conceit^ and fpoke of this texc 
 conformajbly uiKo the opinion rejeftcd* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
6^ 
 
 Enjuines into Vul^^r Book. I^^ 
 
 CHAP. IL 
 
 Concerning the Load- fl one. 
 
 Of thingt particularly fpoken thereof evidently or probably true. Of 
 things generally believed ^ or particularly delivered ^ tnanifeftlyor 
 prolablyfalfe. In the fir fl of the Magnecical vertue of the earthy 
 of the four motions of the fl one , that i^j its Verticity or DireBionj its 
 AttraBton or Coition ., its Declination ^ its Variation^ andalfoofits 
 Antiquity. In the fecond a rejeBion of fandry opinions and rela- 
 tions thereof^ Natural^ Medical^ Hifloricaly Magical, 
 
 Hovftbeearih a N D firft we conceive the earth to be a Magnetical body. A 
 is a Magacci- jT^ Magiietical bodj , we perm not onely that which hath a power 
 cal bo y» attraftive i but that which feated in a convenient medium , natural- 
 ly difpofeth it felf to one invariable and fixed fituation. And fuch a 
 Magnetical vertue we conceive to be in the Globe of the earth ; 
 whereby as unto its natural points and proper terms , it difpofeth 
 ic felFuntothe poles j being fo framed^ conftituted and ordered un- 
 to thefe points, that thofe parts which are now at the poles , would 
 not naturally abide imder the j^quator j nor Green-land remain in 
 the place of Magellanica. And if the whole earth were violent- 
 ly removed, yet would it not forgo its pirmitive points, nor pitch in 
 • theEaftor VV^eft, but return imto its polary polition again. For 
 though by compaftnefs or gravity it may acquire the lowed place, 
 and become the center of the univerfe , yet that it makes good that 
 poiiitj not varying at all by the acce'Iion of bodies upon ^ or fece.Iion 
 thereof, from its furface , perturbing the equilibration of either He- 
 mifphere ( whereby the altitude of the ftars might varyj or that ic 
 ftriftly maintains the North and Southern pointsi that neither upon 
 the motions of the heavens, air and winds without, large eruptions 
 divilions of parts within , its polary parts ihould never incline or 
 veer unto the Equator (whereby the latitude of places fhouldalfo 
 ... v^ry J it cannot fo well be falved from gravity as a Magnctical vtr- 
 on ofth" "*" ticity. This is probably that foundation the wifdome of the Crea- 
 earcUs ftabii:- tor hath laid unto the earth j in this fenfe we may more nearly ap- 
 ly. prehe.nd, and fenfibly make out the expreilions of holy Scripture, as 
 
 t'irniavit orhemtcrrx qui noncotirriovehiiiiry lie hath iiiade tlie round 
 pral. 93. world fb fure that it cannot be moved : as when it is faidby jFo^, 
 lixtendit Jqinlonsm fipsr vacuo , &s:. He ilretchech forth the 
 
 North- 
 
Book. n. And Common Errors, ^3 
 
 North upon the empty place , and haii^ech the earth upon no- Job 5 g. 
 thing. And this is the moil: probable anfwer unto that great quelTi- 
 on. Whereupon are the foundations of the earth faftened, or who 
 laid the corner ftone thereof .«* Had they been acquainted with this 
 principle. Anaxagorof, Socrates, and Democritus had better made out 
 the groimd of this {lability : Xenophanes had not been fain to fay the 
 eaith had no bottoms and thales Milefius to make it fwim in wa- 
 ter. 
 
 Kor is the vigour of this great body included onely in its felf, j^g M^gntu. 
 or ciircumferenced by its furface , but diffufed at indeterminate cal vcrt-e of 
 diflances through the air, water and all bodies circi'.mjaccnt. the earth dif- 
 Exciting and impregnating Magnetical bodies within its furface or ^"^'^'^ ^^''''^ ^ 
 wiihout it 1 and performing in a ferret and iuviiible way what we^'. *^j'""'bo- 
 > evidtntly behold effefted by the Load-ftone. For thefe eflludions ^jjg, ajjaccnt. 
 penetrate all bodies, and lilce the fpecies of vilibleobjefts are ever 
 ready in the medium, and lay hold on al] bodies proportionate or 
 capable of their action i, thofe bodies likewife being of a congenerous 
 nature^ do readily receive the iniprelfions of their mocori and if not 
 fettered by their gravity, conform thenifelves to lituations, where- 
 th they btil miite unto their Animator. And this will futiiciently 
 appear from the obfervations that are to follow, which cannobct- 
 (t-er way be made out then by tliis we fpeak of, the Magnetical vigour 
 of the earth. Now whether thefe eftluviums doflye by ftriated A- 
 tomes and winding ^?i\-i\c\es ^.s Kenatus des Cartes conceivethj or 
 glide by ftreams attracted from either Pole and Hemifphereofthe 
 earth unto the Equator, as Sir Kenelm Vighy excellently declareth, 
 it takes not away this vertue of the earth j but more diftinftly fets 
 down the gefts and progrefs thereof and are conceits of eminent ufe 
 to falve Magnetical phenoniena''s. And as in Aftronomy thofe 
 hypothefes though never fo ftrange are beft efteemed which beft do ^ ^ . 
 falve apparencies; fo furely in Phylofophy thofe principles ("though obicrvauonj. 
 feeming monftrous ) may with advantage be embraced , which beft 
 confirm experiment , and afford the readieft reafon of obfervation. 
 And truly the doftrine of effluxions, their penetrating natures, 
 their invilible paths , and infufpefted effefts , are very confidera- f},^ jj^^j^l^g 
 ble; for befides this Magnetical one of the earth 5 feveral effulions of effluxions 
 there may be £iom divers others bodies , which inviiibly aft their acknowledge! 
 paits at any time, and perhaps through any medium ^ a part ''yl*^ Auihor. 
 of Phylofophy but yet in difcovery , and will I fear 
 prove the laft leaf to be turned over in the book of Na- 
 ture. 
 
 Firft, Therefore true it is , and confirmable by every experiment, 
 that Steel and good Iron never excited by the Load-itone, dilcover 
 inthemfelves a vcrticity^that iSja direftiveor polary facultiewherc- 
 by,cGnvenkntly placed, they do feptentriOiiace at one extream, and 
 
 Auilralize 
 
^A E-^pirleS Into VulgAr Book. II. 
 
 , Auftralize at^aiiother. This is maiiifeftl^ole in long and thin places 
 NonV of Sceel peiforaced in the middle and equilibeiated •, or by an eaiier 
 
 I'cinttothc ^^'^y i'l long wires equiponderate with mitwifted iilk and fofc wax; 
 Souch. for ill this maimer pendulous, they will conform themfelves Meri- 
 
 dional lyjdirefting one exrcani unto the Norch^another to theSouth. 
 The fame is alfo manifell in fteel wires thruft through lictle 
 fphears or globes of cork & floated on the water j or in naked Need- 
 les gently let fall thereon i for fo difpofed they will not reft, until 
 they have found out the Meridian; and as neer as they can ly pa- 
 rallel unto the Axis of the Earth : Sometimes the eye, fometimes 
 the point Northward in divers Needles , but the fame point alwayes 
 in moil : Conforming themfelves unto the whole earth, in the fame 
 manner as they do unto every Load-ftone. For if a Needle un- 
 toucht be hanged above aLoad-ilone , it will convert into a parallel 
 pofition thereto ; for in this (ituation it can beft receive its verti- 
 city and be excited proportionably atboth extreams. Now this 
 direftion proceeds not primitively from themfelves , but is deriva- 
 tive and contrafted from the Magneticaleffluftion^ of the Earchj 
 which they have vviiided in their hammering and forma ioni or elfe 
 by long continuance in one poiition, as we fliali declare herc^ 
 after. 
 
 It is likewife true what is delivered of Irons heated iii the fire, 
 that they contract a verticicy in their refrigeration ; for heated re<l 
 hot and cooled in the Meridian from North to South, they prefent- 
 ly contraft a polary power , and being poyfed in air or water convert 
 that part unto the North wliicn rei'pefted that point in its refrigera- 
 tion, fo that if they had no fenlible verticicy before , icipaybe 
 acquired by this way j or if they had any, it might be exchanged 
 by contrary poiition in the cooling. For by the fire they omit 
 not onely many droHie and fcorious parts, but whatfoever 
 they had received from the Earth or Loadftone j and io 
 being naked and defpoiled of all verticity , the Magne- 
 tical Atonies invade their bodies with more effeft and agili- 
 ty. 
 
 Neither is it onely true what Gtlhertm firft obferved , that Irons 
 refrigerated North and South acquire a Direftive faculty; but if 
 they be cooled upright and perpendicularly , they will alfo obtain 
 the fame. That part which io cooled toward the North on this 
 lide the Equator , converting it felf unto the North, and attracting 
 the South point of the Needle : the other and higheit extreani 
 refpefting the South, and attrafting the Northern , according unto 
 laws Magnetical : For (^ what muft be obferved J contrary Poles or 
 faces attiaft each other, as the North the South ; and the like de- 
 cline each other, as the North the North. Now on this iideof 
 the Equator j that extieam which is next to the Earth .is 
 
 animated 
 
Book II. And Common J^rrors, 6y 
 
 alii mated unto the North , and the contrary unto the South ; fn 
 that in Coition it applies it felf quite oppofitely, the Coi- 
 tion or Attraftion being contrary to the Verticity or Dire- 
 ftion. Contrary , if we fpeak according unto common ufe , yet 
 alike 5 if we conceive the vertue of the North Pole to diffufc 
 it felf and open at the South , and the S®uth at the North 
 again. 
 
 This polarity from refrigeration upon extremity and in de- 
 feat of a Load-ftone might ferve to invigorate and touch a gome conceive 
 Needle any where; and this , allowing variation, is alfo the that the figure 
 readied way at any feafon to difcover the North or South j of rhe tree oc 
 and furelyfar more certain then what is affirmed of the grains and fr"^"<i "g^^ 
 
 , . '' I r -1 rr- r^ -r n. in the root ol 
 
 cuclesni trees , or the hgure ni the root ot t crii. t or it we erect a q^^^^c or fern 
 red hot wire until it cool , then hang it up with wax and untwifted ftjnds North 
 lilk 5 where the lower end , and that which cooled next the and Southjbuc 
 earth doth reft, that is the Northern point ; and this we affirm will no^ "'^^y- 
 ftill be tnie, whether it be cooled in the air or extinguished in water, 
 oyl ofVirriol, ^(///rf /orf^^jor Qiiick-filver. And this is alfo evi- 
 denced in culinary utenfils and Irons tliat often feel the force of 
 fire, as tongs, fire-fhovels, prongs and andirons •, all which acquire a 
 Magnetical and polary condition , and being fufpended , convci t 
 their lower extrcam unto the North ; with the fame attracting the 
 Southern point of the Needle. For eafier experiment, if we place a 
 Needle touched at the foot of tongs or andirons , it will obvert or 
 turn aiide its lillie or North point, and conform its cufpis or South 
 extream unto the andiron. The like verticity though more 
 obfcurely is alfo contracted by bricks and tiles , as we have made 
 triall in fome taken out of the backs of chimneys. Now to con- 
 traft thisDireftion, there needs not a total ignition , nor isitne- 
 ceflTary the Irons fliould be red hot all over. I' or if a wire be heated 
 bnely at one end, according as that end is cooled upward or down- 
 ward, it refpeftively acquires a verticity j as we hawdeclared in 
 wires totally candent. Nor is it abfohicely requilite • they 
 fhoiild be cooled perpendicularly , or flriCtly lye in the Meri- 
 dian y for whether they be refrigerated ijiciinatorily or fome- 
 w hat Equinox ially, that is toward the Ealkrn or VVeiUrii 
 points ', though in a leller degree , they difcover fonvj verti- 
 city. 
 
 Nor is this onely true in Irons, but in the Load-ftone it felf. For 
 if a Load-ftone be made red hot , it lofeth the magnetical vigour ic 
 had before in ic felf, and acquires another from the Earth in its re- 
 frigeration ', for that part which cooleth toward die Earth will 
 acquire the refpeft of the North , and attraCt the Southern point 
 or cufpis of the Needle. The experiment iiereof we made iij a 
 Load-ltone of a parallelogram or long fquare hgurci wherein ondy 
 
 K iijvertin:^ 
 
\ 
 
 6^ Fnplrlei into Vulgar BdoIc.-H. 
 
 jiiwrtingtlicextreamsj as it cams one of the fire, we altered the 
 poles or faces thereof at pleafure. 
 
 •It is alfo true what is delivered of the direftloii and coition of 
 Irons that they contraft a verticity by long and conrinued position : 
 that is , not onely being placed from North to South , and lying in 
 the Meridian, but refpefting the Zenith and perpendicular unto the 
 Center of the Earth j as 'm nioft manifeft in bars of windows , ciiic' 
 nients , hinges and the like. For if we prefent the Needle unto their 
 lower excreams J it wheels about and turns its Southern point unro 
 them. The fame condition in long time do. bricks contract which 
 are placed in walls, and it may be a fallible way to finde out the 
 Meridian by placing the Needle on a wall; for fome bricks therein 
 by a long and continued polition, are ofcen magnetically enabled 
 to diilraft the polarity of the Needle. And therefore thofe 
 irons , which are faid to have been converted into Load- 
 ftones, whether they were real converiions, or onely actraftive 
 augmentations, might be much promoted by this polition : a5th: 
 Iron crofs of an himdred weight upon the Church ot Sc. John in An- 
 viinuni^ or that Load-fton'dlroii oi C£[ar hUderatm^ fetdownby 
 Dctrincr../;.!. AUrovandi:^. ^ _r .": uvo' 
 
 Laftly , Irons do manifeil a verticity -not o:iely upon re- 
 frigeration ajid conrtant ficua:ion , but- (^ what is wonderful 
 and advanceth the magnctical hypothecs ^ they evidence the 
 fame by meet poiicion according as they arc inverted , and their 
 - extreams difpofed refpeftively unto the Earth. For if an Iron 
 or '^tt^i not /irmly excired , be held perpendicularly or in- 
 clinatoriiy un:o the Needle; the lower end thereof will aitraft 
 t^ie cvjpis'or Southern point; but if the fame extream be in- 
 verted and held under the Needle , it will then attraft the Lilly 
 or Northern point ; for by inverlion it changeth its dire- 
 ction acquir^ before, and receiveth a new and Southern po- 
 larity from^we Earth, as being the upper eJ^Cream. Now if an Iron 
 l*.e touched before, it varieth not in thjti manner; fbi- then ic 
 ;idmits not this n,ragnetical imprelTion , as being already in- 
 formed by the Load-ltone , and polarily deteiniiiied by its preafti- 
 cn. 
 
 And from thefe grounds may we bell determine why the Nor- 
 thern Pole of the Load-ftone attraft::th a greater weight then the 
 Sourhcru on this lide the /Eqmtovj why the iione is beft preferved in 
 a natural and polary (it lation ; ani whyasG/7/'.''rtj^obfervedi , it 
 refpefterh that pole out of the Earth, which it regarded in its mine- 
 ral bed and fubrerraneous polition. 
 
 Ic is likewife tiue and wonderful what is delivered of rheljiclinari- 
 
 on or Declination of the Load-ftonCjthat is5the defcent of the Needle 
 
 below the plain of the Hprizoii, For long Needles which flood 
 
 - -' befo.e 
 
Book. II. li^d Gomnon Errdis. 
 
 before upon their axisyparallel unto the Horizrti, being vigorloiifly 
 excited, incline and bend downward ; depreiling the North extieani 
 below the Horizon. That is the North cfv\ this, the South on the 
 orher lide of the Equator ■■, and at the very Line or middle circle 
 fland without defleftion. And this is evidenced not onely from ob- 
 fervations of the Needle in feveiall parts of the earth, but fundry 
 experiments in any part thereof i as in a long Steel wire, equili- 
 brated or evenly ballanced in the ayr i for excited by a vigorous 
 Loadilone it will fomewhat deprefTe its animated extreara, andin- 
 terfeft the horizontal! circumference. It is alfo manifeft in a 
 Needle pierced through a Globe of Cork fo cut away and pared 
 by degrees, that ic will fwim under water, yet fink no: unto the 
 bottom, which may be well effected j for if the Cotkbe a thought 
 too light to link under the furface, the body of the water may be 
 a tenuated with fpirlts of wine ; if too heavy, it may be incraiTa- 
 ted with faltj and if by chance too much be added, it may again 
 be thinned by a proportionable addition of freih water. If then the 
 Needle be taken out, actively touched and put in again, it will 
 deprefie and bow down its Northern head toward the bottom, -And 
 advance its Southern extremity toward the brim. This way invent- 
 'ed by Gilbertm may feem of difficulty 3 the fame with leife labour 
 may be obferved in a needled fphere of Cork equally contiguous im- 
 to the {wv^niiCG^ of the water-for if the Needle be not exactly equipon- 
 derant, that end which is a thought too light, if touched becometh 
 even 5 that Needle alfo which will bat juft fwim under water, if 
 forcibly touched will fink deeper, and fometime unto tlve bottom. 
 I£ likewife that inclinatory vercue be deftroyed by a touch fiom the 
 contrary Pole-, that end which before was elevated will then decline, 
 knd this perhaps might be obferved in fome fcales exaftly ballanced, 
 ;andinruch Needles which for their bulk can hardly be fnpported 
 by- the water. For if they be powerfdlly excited and equally lee 
 fall, they commonly fink down and bi^ak the water at that extream 
 whereat they were feptentnonally excited : and by this way it is 
 conceived there rtay be fon»e fraud in the weighing of pretious com- 
 modities, and fuch as carry a value in quarter-grains = by placing a 
 powerfull Loadftone above or below, kccording as we iiicenJ to de- 
 {wefle or elevate one extream. . r , - 
 
 Now if thefe Magnetkal emillions be ot^tf qtialitie^i) - and' tlire 
 f^ravicy of bodies ■ anclint; them oiifly unto' the earth i furely 
 that which aloRC movetlt other bodies to defcent, carrieth rioc 
 the ftroke in this, but rather the Magr.etical-alliciency of the 
 Earth h unto which with alacrity it applyech it felf, and in the 
 Very fame way unto the 'whole Earth, as it doth imto a lingle* 
 Loadftone. V6v if th\- imtbucfeed' ;N eedle be at^ a 'diiHtnce fufpend* ' 
 ded ovier a Eoac^oiie,* It'^sir-tiec'Jiang paralkl, but dec'iiiie -at 
 
 K 2 chs 
 
^8 Enpirles into Vulgar Book. II. 
 
 the North extreAm, and at that part will firll falute its Di- 
 reftor. Again, what is alfo wonderfiiU, this inciinacioii is not 
 invariable ^ for juft under the line the NeeJle lyeth parallel 
 wich the Horizon, but failing North or South it beginneth to 
 incline, and cncreafeth according as it approacherh unco either 
 Pole i and would at lafl: endeavour to ereft it felf. And this no 
 more then what it doth upon the Loadllone, and that more plain- 
 ly upon the Terrella or fpherical magnet Cofmographically fet 
 out wich circles of the Globe. For at the Equacor ciiereof, the 
 Needle will (land rectangularly j but approaching Norchvvard co- 
 ward the tropick it will regard the ftone obliquely j and when it 
 aciainech the Pole, direftly ; and if its bulk be no impediment) 
 ere£l: it felf and ftand perpendicularly thereon. And therefore 
 upon ftrift obfeivation of this inclination in feveiall latitudes and 
 due records prefervetl, inftruments are made whereby wichout tlie 
 help of Sun or Star, the latitude of the place may be difcovered, 
 and yet it. appears the obfervations of men have not as yet 
 been fo juft and equall as is deiirable ; for of thofc Tables of 
 declination which 1 liave perufed, there are not any two that pun- 
 (dually agree } though fome have been exactly calculated, efpecially 
 rlut which Ridley received from Mr. Br/gs^ in our time Geomeuy 
 ProfefTor in Oxford, 
 
 . It is alfo probable what is delivered concerning the variation 
 of the compafre that is the caufe and ground thereof, for the man- 
 ner as being condrmed by obfervacion we fliall not at all difpute. 
 what the va- yj^g variation of the compafTe is an Arch of the Horizon incer- 
 riation o t c ^epted between the true and Magneticall Meridian j or more plain- 
 ly, a deflexion and fiding Eaft and Weft from the true Meridian. 
 The true Meridian is a major Circle palling through the Poles of 
 the world, and the Zenith or Vertex of any place, exaftly dividini; 
 the Eaft from thii Weft, Now on this Line the Needle exaftly ly- 
 eth not, but diverts and varietli its points, that is, the Notch point 
 v)n this fide of the Equator, the South on the ocher \ foiuetimes 
 unto the Eaft, fometime toward the Weft, and iii fome few places 
 yarieth not at all. Firft, therefore it is obferved that betwixt the 
 fijore of JrelttndiFranceiSyai/t^Ouinyyind the Jzores, the North point 
 varieth toward the Eaft, and that in fome variec/ -, at London ic 
 variech eleven degrees, at Antwerp nine, at Rome but five : 
 at fome parts of the Azores it defleftech not, but lyeth in 
 the true Meridian, on the other fide of the Azores, and this 
 fide of the Equators the North point of the Needle wheel- 
 eth to the Weft » To that in the latitude of 36. near the 
 iJjore the variation is about eleven degrees i but pn the 
 other fide the Equator, it is quite otherwife ; for about Capo 
 i-rfQ in BrafiUa) tlK South pome varieth twelve degrees unto 
 
 the 
 
 ' coinpaife is. 
 
Book. 11. and Common Errors, ^) 
 
 the Weftj^: about the mouth of the Straits of Afrgf ///?>/ five or fixjbut 
 elongating from the coaft of Br/r/?//<z toward the /hore of ^i^ric/r it 
 varieth Eaftward , and arriving at Cap de las Jgulias , it refteth in 
 the Meridian5looketh neither way. 
 
 Now the caufeof this variation may be the inequality of the 
 Earth, varioufly difpofed, and differently intermixed wicli the 
 Sea : withal the different difpofure of its Magnetical vigor in 
 the eminencies and ftronger parts thereof. For the Needle na- 
 turally 'endeavours to conform unto the Meridian, but being 
 dilhafted, driveth that way where the greater and powcrfu-ller 
 part of the Earth is placed.. Which may be illuftrated from 
 what hath been delivered and may be conceived by any, 
 that iniderffands t!is, generalities of Geography. For where- 
 as on this fide the Meridian 3 or the lllesof ^2;'/rf.f , where the hrft 
 Meridian is placed , the Needle varieth Eaflward •■, it may beocca- 
 Ijoned by that vaft Tract of Earth , that is, of E'^rope^ Afui ^nd 
 Africa, feared toward the Eaft, and difpo-ing the Needle that 
 way. For arriving ac foine part of the Azores , or Illands of Sainc 
 Michael-, which have a middle lituacion between thefe conti- 
 n;:nts, and that vaft and almoft anfweiable TmCt of America y ic 
 feemeth equally diftrafted by bo: h i and diverting unto neither, 
 doth parallel and place it felf upon the true Meridian. But fayU 
 ing farther it veers its Lilly to the Wert, and regardeth that quar- 
 ter wherein the Land is nearer or greater^ and in the fame latitude 
 as it approacheth the fhore Augmenteth its variation. And 
 therefore as fome obferve , if Coluntbm or whofoever firit difcovered 
 America, had apprehended the caufe of this variation j having 
 pafled more then half the way , he might have been confirmed in 
 the difcovery 3 and afTuredly fore-told there lay a vail and mighty 
 continent toward the Weft. The reafon I confefs and inference is 
 good, but the inftance perhaps not fo. For Columbus knew 
 not the variation of the compafs, whereof Seba.\ii an Cabot firft took 
 notice, who after made difcovery in the Northern parts of that 
 continent. And it happened indeed that part of America was 
 lirft difcovered:)Which was on this lide fartheft diftant,chat is, J<zw<7i- 
 c</j Cuba^ and the Ifles in the Bay of Mexico, And from this variation 
 do fome new difcoverers deduce a probability, in the attempts of 
 the Northern paflage toward the Indies, 
 
 Now becaufe where the greater continents ^^^ )<>>;" ^d, the ^1^^^^^^^^^^ 
 aftion and etfluence is alfo greater ; therefore thofe Needles the varisiier* 
 do fiiffer the greacell variation which are in countries which of the corn^ 
 nioft do feel that a£tion. And therefore hacb Rome far lefs varia- pafj. 
 tion then London 3 for on the Weft lide of Rome, are feated the 
 great continents of France , Spain, Germany, which take off the 
 cxuperanccj and in fome way ballance the vigor of the Eaftein parti'-. 
 
 But 
 
E/2pklei Into Vulgar Book. II. 
 
 Euc unto England there is almoft noearch Weft, put the whole 
 extent of Europe and 'Xfia, lieth Eaftvvard; and therefore at Lon- 
 don it varieth eleven degrees, that is almoft one Khomh, Thusalfo 
 by reufon of thegreat continent of Braiiliaj Peru and Chili, the 
 needle defleftcih toward the land twelve degrees i but at the ftraits 
 of Magellan whet e tlie land is nai row ed^ and thefea on the ocher 
 fide, it varieth but five orlix. And folikwife, becaufe the Cape 
 de las Agulhis hath fea on boch fides near it, and other land re- 
 mote, and as it were sfquidiftant from it, therefore . at that poinc 
 the needle conforms unco the true Meridian, and is not diftra^ted 
 by the vicinity of Adjacencies, This is the general and great cauCe 
 of variation. But if in certain creeks and valleys the needle prove 
 irregular, and vary beyond expcftation •, it may be imputed unto 
 fome vigorous part of the earth, or Magnetical eminence not far 
 difl-ant. And this was the invention of D. Gilbert^ not many years 
 paft, a phyiiiiau4n London. And therefore although fonis alfunie 
 the invention of its direftion, and ochers have had the glory of 
 the Card J yet in the experiments, grounds, and caufes thereof, 
 England produced the Fadier phylofoplier> and difcovered more 
 in it, then Columhm or Amcrkus did ever by it. 
 
 Unto this hi great part true the reafon of Kircherus may be 
 added: That this variation proceedech not only from jter reft ri- 
 Qus eminences, and magnetical veins of earth, laterally refpefting 
 the needle, but the diiferent coagmencation of the earth difpofed 
 luito the poles, lying under the Sea and waters j which ag^eft 
 the needle with great or lefler variation, according to the vi- 
 gour or imbecility of thefe fubterraneous lines : or the entire or 
 broken compagination of the magneticall fabiick un«ler it. .As 
 is obfervable from feveral Loadftones placed ac the bottom of a- 
 ny water : for a Loadftone or needle upon the furface will vari- 
 oufly conform it felf, according to the vigour or faintneife of the 
 Loadftones under it. ., 
 
 Thus alfoa reafon may be alledged for tlie variation of the va- 
 riation, andv^hy, according to obfervation, tlie variation of the 
 needle hatli after fome years been found to vary in fome placer. 
 For this may proceed from mutations of the earth by, fubterrane- 
 ous fires, fumes, mineral fpirits, or orherwife ■■, which altering the 
 coaftitution of the magnetical parts, i;i procefs of time doth vary 
 the variation over the place. 
 
 It is aifo probable what is conceived of its antiquity, that the 
 kjiowlcdgc of its polary power and direftion unto the« North 
 was unknown unto the Ancients j and though Levvv.s Lemnm^ 
 and Cxliiis Ca/cagimtfy are of another belief, is juftly pl3£ed with 
 new inventions by Tancirollm. Tor theii- Achill : s ^luiikowgc^ 
 argument is an, expteHion in flautus:, a veiy ..ancient Au-? 
 
 thor. 
 
 4 
 
Book. IL And Common Errors, 7^ 
 
 til or 5 a'l'^ contemporary unto Emiius. Hie vcnti.:s jam Cc-n^ 
 dus ejty cape ntodo verforianr. Now this vcrforiam they conftnie to 
 be thfe compafs •, which notwithila'idiiig according iniico Pineda, 
 who hath dilciifled the point, Tumebm^ Caheiis and divers others, 
 is better interpreted the rope that helps to tnrn the flMp; or as 
 we fay doth make it tack about ; tlie Compafs declaring rather 
 the Ihip is tiuned, then conferring unto its converllon. As for 
 tlie long expeditions anil fundry voyages of. eider times, which 
 mighc connim the Antiquity of this invention, it is not impro- 
 bable they were performed by the he)p of ftars ; and fo mighc 
 tiie Ph^niciaii navigators, and alfo Vlijjes fail about the Medi-. 
 t<'rrar(eaii. By the ilight of bird-;, or keeping neer the ftiore i 
 and fo U)ighc Ha-dm coaft about Africa ; or by the help of oars, 
 a is expreiled in the voyage of Jonah. And whereas it is con- 
 tended that this verticiry was nor unknown unto Salomon^xn whom 
 is piefumed an luiiveri'aiicy of knowledge s it will as forcibly 
 follow he knew the Arc of Typography, powder and gun>, or 
 had the Philofophers flone, yet fent imco O'phir for gold. It is 
 not to be denied, that belide his Poliricall wifdom j his know- 
 X-cX^fi in Philofophy was very large ; and perhaps from liis work*? 
 thcreijij the ancient Philofophers, efpecially Ariirot/e, who had 
 the ajiilance of Jlrxanders acquirements, collefted great obfei- 
 vablts. Yet if he knew the ufe of the Compafs, his (hips vvere 
 furely very fiwv, that made a three years voyage fiom Ezion- 
 geber in the red Sea imto Ophir j which is fuppofed to be Tfapro- 
 Lana ovMalaca 'n\t\\t Indies, not many Moneths fail; and fince in 
 the fameorlefler iimt^Drakf and Candijh performed their voyage 
 about the earth. 
 
 And as ^the knowledge of its verticity is not fo old as^ fome 
 conceive, fo is it more ancient then moft believe ; nor. had its 
 difcovery with guns, printing, or as many think, fome years be- 
 fore the difcovery of America. For it was not unknown unto ?e- 
 trus Veregrinus a Frenchman, who two hiuidred years laice left 
 a Traft of the Magnet , and a perpetuall motion to be made 
 thereby, preferved by Co^'trm. Fau.lm Venetm, and about live 
 hundred years paft Albertus Magma make mention hereof, anid 
 quote for it a book of Ariliotle de lapide ; which book although 
 we finde in the Catalogue of Laertius , yet with Cabefu do rather 
 judge it to be the work of foni;^ Arabick^ Writer, not many years 
 before the daies of Albertus. 
 
 Lailly , It is likewife true what fonij have dc^livered of Crocts 
 Marti s i that is, fteel corrodi^i with vineger, fulphur or cthei- 
 wife, and after reverberated by fire. For the Loadito le will not 
 -at all attraft it, noi- will it adhere, but lie therein like (-and. 
 -This to be underftood of Crocm M.irtis well rcverberaicd,; aiul 
 
 iato 
 
into a Aiolet colour : for coinnion chalyL'«; pr£parati^Sy or corroded 
 smd powdered Heel, the Loadftone atrrafts like ordinary filings of 
 iroH i and many timesmoft of that which pafTeth for Croifs Murtis. 
 So th'Jt this way may fcrve as a tefl: of ics preparation ; after 
 which it becomtth a veiy good medicine in fluxes. The like 
 may be aftiimed of Flakes of iron that are rufty and begin to tend 
 Mnto earth ; for their cognation then expireth^ and the Loadltonc 
 will not regard them. 
 
 And therefore this may fcrve as a tryal of good fteel. The Load- 
 ftone taking up a greater mafs of that which is moft pure ■■, it 
 may alfo decide the converiion of wood into iron, as is pretend- 
 ed from Ibnie waters: and the common con verfion of iron into Cop- 
 per by the mediation of blew Coperofe j for the Loadftone will 
 not atti^£t it. Although it may be queftioned, whether in this 
 operadon, the Iron or Coperofe be tranfnuited-, as may be doubt- 
 ed from the cognation of Coperofe with Copper; and the quan- 
 tity of lion, remaining after the converiion. And the fam:: may 
 be ufeful to fome difcovery concerning Vitriol or Coperofe of 
 Mars, by fome called Sale of Steel, made by the fpirits of Vitriol 
 or Sulphur. For the corroded powder of Steel, will after ablu- 
 tion be aftively attracted by the Loadftone ; and alfo remaineth 
 in little diminiflied quantity* And therefore whether thofe (hoot- 
 ing Salts partake but little of fteel, and be not rather the vitri- 
 olous fpirits fixed into Salt by the eftiiivium or odor of Steely is 
 not without good queftion. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Concerning the Loadfione^ therein of fimdr^^ common opinions^ and re- 
 ceived relations : Natural^ Hijtorical^ Medical^ Magic aL 
 
 ANd firft not onclyafimple Heterodox, but a very hard Para- 
 dox, it will feem, and of great abfurdity unto obftinate 
 ears, if we fay attraftion is unjuftly appropriated unto the Load- 
 ftone, and that perhaps we fpeak not properly, when we fay vul- 
 garly and appropriatiy the Loadftone draweth Iron; and yet here- , 
 in we ftiould not want experiment and great Authority. The words 
 of Renatus des Cartes in his Principles of Pliilofophy are very plain* 
 yr£terea magnes trahit ferrum, five potius magnes & ferrum ad invi- 
 cem accedunt) ncque enim vlUx ihi tradio eji. The fanie is fokmnly 
 determined by Cabem. Nee wagnes trahit proprie ferrum , nee fer- 
 rum ad fe magnetem provocate fed awbo pari conatu ad invicem conflu- 
 unt , Concordant hereto is the aftercion of Doctor Ridiej , Phy- 
 
 frtiaii 
 
Book II. and Common Error f, " 7; 
 
 iitian unto the Emperoui of Rr^Jpa In his Trtrct of Magtietlcalljo- 
 dodies, defining Magnetical attraction to be a natural incitatiort • 
 and difpolitioix conforming, unto contiguity ; an union of one" 
 Magnetical body with another, and no violent haling of the 
 weak unto the ftronger. And this isaU'othe Doctrine of Gilher" 
 Lertus; by whom this motion is termed Coition, and that not 
 made by any faculty attractive of one, but a Cyndrome and con- 
 courfe of each ; a Coition alvvify of their vigours, and alfo of their 
 bodies, if bulk or impediment prevent not. And therefore chofe 
 centra! y actions which fiow from oppoiite Poles or Faces, are not 
 fa properly expulfion and attractioe, as Sequela and F/zg;*?, a mu- 
 trtial flight and followinsj. Confonant whereto are alfo the deter- 
 minations of Heln:ontim-i Kircherus^ and Licet ms. 
 
 The fame is alfo confirmed by experiment j for if a piece of Attraction re- 
 Iron be faftened in the fide of a bowl orbafon of water, a Load- ciprocal be- 
 ftone fwimming freely in a boat of Cork, will prefently make unto '^"'""^ ^^^ 
 it. So if a Steel or knife untouched be offered toward the Nee- Loadnone 
 die that is touched, the Needle nimbly moveth toward it ; and * 
 confoimeth unto union with the Steel that moveth not. Again, 
 If a Loadftone be finely filed, the Atomes or duft thereof will ad- 
 here unto Iron that was never touched, even as the powder of 
 Iron doth alfo unto the Loadftone. And laftly, if in two gkitFs 
 of Cork, a Loadftone and Steel be placed within the Orb of their 
 aftivities, the one doth not move the other landing ftill, but 
 both hoife fayl and fteer wnto each other. So that if the Load- 
 ftoneattraft, the Steel hath alfo its attraftion j for in this jiftion 
 the Alliciency is reciprocal •, which jointly felt, they mutually ap- 
 proach and run into each others arm;^. 
 
 And therefore furely more moderate expreiuons become this 
 a£tionj then what the Antients have ufed , which fome have de- 
 livered iu the moft violent terms of their language-, fo A-'iiin 
 cals it, Mirahilem ferri rapton,n : Hippocrates., k'i^Q- tri -f ^{/jifsr 
 «t{<T*'^« Lapk qui ferri/m rapit. G/den difputing againft Epicurus 
 lifeth the term, t\%nv , but this is alfo too violent : among the 
 Antients Arihtle fpake mod warily, m'^Q' o^n r c'lH^tv Kivi^:, Lapis 
 qui ferrum wovet : and in fome toUerable acception do run the 
 exprciT?ons of Aqj'inoij Sc.iliger nndCj:fan'!s. 
 
 Many relations are made, aiid great expeftacions are raifed 
 fx-oni the MagMfs Camens, or a LoadRone, that hath a faculty 
 to attract fiot only iron but fielh ; but this upon enquiry » and; s 
 Cahem hath alfo obferved, is nothing elfe but a weak, an inani- 
 mate kind of Loadi]-one, veined here and there with a few, Magne- 
 tical andferre-^is lines jbut chiefly conliiHng of a bolary and clam- 
 my fubflance 5 whereby it adheres WkeLl teniatites, or Terra, Lf^winra^ 
 unto the Lips. And this is that frone which is to be underf!:Qo45>yhe.a 
 
 L Phvliciaas 
 
74 lS,nptrpei into VulgM' Book* II. 
 
 Phyficians joyn it with Mtites or the Eagle {[ont^ and promife there<- 
 in a vermc againft abortion, ,,.,,,. 
 
 There is fometinis a niiftake concerning ithc variation of the corii*- 
 pafs 5 aiidtherein one point is taken for another. For beyond the 
 Eqnacor fcnie men account i/LS variation by the diverfion of the 
 Northern point, whereas beyond that Circle the Southern 
 point is foveraign , and the North fubmits his preheminency. For 
 in the Southern coall either of ^werictf or Africa./^ the Southern 
 point dcflefts and varieth toward the Land > as being difpofed and 
 spirited that way by the meridional and proper Hemifphere. Antt 
 therefore on that lide of the Earth the varying point is bed ao- 
 counted by the South. And therefore alfo the writings of fome, and 
 Maps of ocherSjare to be enquired, that make the Needle decline un- 
 to the Eaft twelve ilegrees at Cap Frio j and fix at the ftraits o^ Ma- 
 gellan 5 accounting hereby cMie point for another ^ and pre- 
 ferring the North in the Liberties and Province of tlie 
 South. 
 ThatGatl ck But certainly falfe it is what is commonly affirmed and believed, 
 hinders not ^\^^^ Garlick doth hinder the attraftion of the Load-ftone i which 
 of thcTo3d°" is notwithlbnding delivered by grave and worthy Writers , by Tli- 
 flonc. ^yy ^oUnuf:, Ttolomy^ P/utarch, Alhertus, Mathioluf, Rueitf, Langim^ 
 
 and niany more. An effeft as ftrange as that of Homers MgIj^ ^ and 
 the Garlick chat M^rcwr/V bellowed upon Vljjfts. But that it is evi- 
 dently falfe 3 many experiments declare. For an Iron wire heated 
 red hot and quenched in the juyce of Garlick, doth notwithftanding 
 contraft a verticicity from the Earth , and attrafteth the Southern 
 point of the Needle. If alfo the tooth of a Load-ftone be 
 covered or ftuck in Garlick, it will notwithftanding attraftj 
 and Needles excited and fixed in Garlick until they be- 
 gin to riift 3 do yet retain their attraftive and polary re- 
 fpeft?. 
 
 Of the fame ftanip is that which is obtruded upon us by 
 Nor yet the Authors ancient and modern , that an Adamant or Dia- 
 Adamant or niond prevents or fufpends the attraftion of the Load-ftone.: 
 j>ianioiid. j^g jg j,j opgj^ terms delivered by Pliny. Jdam,is dijfidn cum 
 Magnate lapide^ ut juxta pofitm ferrum non patiatur ahjirahii 
 aut fi admotus ntagnes apprehenierit , rapiat atque auferat. 
 For if a Diamond be placed between a Needle and a Load*- 
 ftone, there will neverrhelefs enfue a Coition even^over the bo- 
 dy of the Diamond. And an eafie matter it is to touch or 
 excite a Needle through a Diamond, by placing it at the tooth 
 of a Load-ftone ; and therefore the relation is falfe, or our eftimati- 
 on of thefe gems untrue ; nor arc they Diamonds which carry that 
 nanje amongft us^ 
 
 if 
 
^okll. and Common Er/orS. 75 
 
 It is 110!: fudcienly to be received what Taracdfiu affirmetlij that D< 5«<r«t«4< 
 if a Loadi!one be anointed with Mercurial oy\, 01* onely put iiitp *'^'*'**- 
 Qiiick-lilver, it oniitteth its attraftion for ever. For we have 
 found that Loadftones and touched Needles which have laid long 
 time in Quick-filver have not amitted their attraftion. And we 
 alfo finde that red hot Needles or wires extinguiftied in Quick- 
 silver, doe yet acquire a verticity according to the Laws of 
 pofitior. in excinftion. \ Of greater repugnancy unto reafon is 
 that which he delivers concerning its graduation, that heated in 
 fii-e, and often extinguiflied in oyl of Mars or Iron, it acquires an 
 ability to extraft or draw forth a nail faftencd in a wall j for, 
 as we have declared before^ the vigor of the Loadftone is de- 
 ftroycd by fire , nor will it be re-inipregnated by any other 
 Magnete then the Earth. 
 
 Nor is it to be made out what feenieth very plaufible, and for- 
 merly hath deceived us, that a Loadftone will not attraft an Iron or 
 -Steel red hot. The faliity haeof difcovered firft by Kircberusy 
 
 'vfe can confirm by iterated experiment i very fenfibly in armed 
 Loadftones, and obfcurely in any other. 
 
 " ^- True it is, that belides fire fome other waies there are of its 
 deftruftion, as iVge, Ruft 5 and what is leaft dreamt on, an un- 
 naturall or contrary fituatioii. For being impolarily adjoyned 
 unto a more vigorous Loadftone, it will in a fhort time exchange 
 its Poles; or l)eing kept in undue poiition> that is, not lying 
 on the Meridian, or elfe with its poles inverted, it receives in longer 
 time impair in aftiviry, exchange of Faces j and is more power- 
 fiilly preferved by polition then by the daft of Steel. But the fud- 
 <len and fmeft way is iire -, that is, fire not onely aftuall but po- 
 tential! 5 the onefurely andfuddenly, the other ilowly and iniper- 
 feftly i the one changing, the other deftroying the figure. For if 
 diftilled Vinegar or Agua fortU be poured upon the powder of Loafd- 
 ftorte, the fubfiding powder dryed, retains fome Magnetical vertue, 
 -and will be attracted by the Loadftone : but if the menlhuum or 
 diftblvent be evaporated to a connftence, and afterward doth flioot 
 into Icycles or Chryftals, tiie Loadftojie hath no power upon 
 them -J and if in a full diflblution of Steel a reparation of 
 piircji be made by precipitarion or exhalation, the exficcated 
 powder hath loft its wings, and afcends not unto the Loadftone. 
 And though a Loadftone fired doth prefently omit its proper vertue, 
 arid accoidiug to -the poiition in cooling contracts a iiew verti^ 
 c ty from the Earth •, yet if the fame be laid a while in Jcjua. 
 forth- or other con Oil ve water, and taken out before a con'ide- 
 rable corroiion ; it ftill referves its attraftion, and will convert the 
 Needle according to foi mer polarity. And tliat duly preferved from 
 violent cono.ion, or the nacurai difeafe of rui>, it may long confervc 
 
 L 2 Ats 
 
j£ Enpirles into VulgAir Book. II, 
 
 its vertue, befide the Magnetical vertiie of the Earth, which liach 
 
 lafted fiuce the Creatvon, a great example we have from the ob- 
 
 In his learned favation of our learned friend Mr. Graves^ in an Egyptian Idol 
 
 Ty amido^ra- cut out of Loadfo ic, and found among the Mummies i which ftill 
 
 f^''^- ret. ins its attradion, though probably taken out of the Mine about 
 
 thousand years ago. 
 
 . It is improbable what Tliny aiTBrmeth concerning the objeft of Its 
 attraftion, that it atcrafts not onely ferreous bodies, but alfo /i- 
 qi'.orem vitri ■■, for in the body of Glafs there is no ferreous or Ma- 
 gnetical narure which might occafion attraftion. Fof of the Glafs 
 we ufc;, thepureft is made of the tineft fand' and the afhes of Cha- 
 li or Clai't:vvort , and the courfer or green fort of the aihes of 
 Brake or o::her planrs. True it is that in the making of Glaf^, 
 . it hath been an ancient practice to caft in pieces of Loadilone ; 
 conceiviiig it carried away all ferreous and earthy parts, from the 
 pure and running portion of Glafs , which the Loadlfone would 
 i|OC re())e£t ; and therefore if that attraftion were not rather 
 Eleftrlcal' tlien Magnetical , it was a wondrous eifeft wliat Hel- 
 viont deliverech cojicerning a Glafs wherein the Magilkry of .Load- 
 iione was prepared 3 which after retained an attractive quality. 
 
 But whether the Magnete actrafteth more then common Ircyi> 
 may be tried in other bodies. It fcems to attract the Smyris 
 or Emery in powder j It drav\reth the fhinlng or glalje powder 
 brought from the Indies^ and ufually implied in vfricing df^l. Th^re 
 is alio.inSniiths cinder? by fome adheiion of iioij, whereby, ,^|^ey 
 appear asit were glazed, fometime to be foimd a Magnetical ppera- 
 tion i for fome thereof applied liave power to move the'Ntedje. 
 But whether the aflies of vegetables which grow over Iron-Mines 
 contraft a Magnetical quality, as containing fome mineral parti- 
 cles,,, w.hich by fublimacion afcend unto their Roorsj> iaiul are at- 
 tracted together with their nourifhment j according as fom;; ^thvm 
 from die like obfervations upon the Mines of Silver , ' Q^ick-iilver 
 and Gold -, we nnift refer unto further experiment. 
 
 It is alfo improbable and fomething lingular what fome con- 
 ceive, and Ei-.fehih'Sj Niercmherghn^ a learned Jefuit of Syain deli- 
 vers, that the body of man is Magnetical, and being placed in 
 4 boat 3 the veiTel will never reft until the head refpeSteth the 
 North. If this be true, the bodies of Chriftians do lye uimatural- 
 ly in their graves. King Cheop in his Tomb, and the J'tws in 
 their beds have fallen upon the natural poiition : v;ho reverenti- 
 ally declining the lituation of their Temple, nor willing to lye 
 as that ftood •, do place their beds from North to South, and dellgiit 
 toOcep Meridionaily. This opinion confirmed would miich ad- 
 vance the Microcofmical conceit, and commend the Geography of 
 Paracelfm ; who according to"'the Cardinal poiiits' df'the world 
 
 divide th 
 
Hotte fubfM' 
 
 Book. n. ami Common Errors, 77 
 
 divideth the body of man ; and therefore working upon humanr 
 ordure , and hy long preparation rendring it odiferous, he terms- 
 it Ziheta Occidentalism Weftern Civet j making the face the Eafl, but 
 the pofteriors the America or Weftern pare of his Microcofni. 
 The verity hereof, might eafily be tryed in JVales^ wliere thci-e 
 are portable boats, and made of Leather , which would convert 
 upo;i the inipuliion of any verticityi and Teem to btf the fame 
 whereof in his defcription of Brittain-Cjefar hach left fomt:, men- 
 tion. 
 
 Another kind of verticity, is that wiiich Angeh's doce tuihi j s^ Amgramnia- 
 alias Mii'hatl SimdevQgis^ \mTrjidide fulphure^ difcoverech in S/'e- tically. 
 getable?, from iHcks lee fall or depreffed under warer ■■, which e(]ua_l- 
 lyfpnied and; p:;rmitted unto fhemfelves, will afcend ac the uppet 
 end, or that which was vertical ni its vetigation ; wherein notwith- 
 ftanding, as yet, we have' not found fatisfaftion. Although' p^i^ ' 
 haps poo^grecdy of Magiialicies, \ye are apt to make bui: favourable 
 experiments concerning welcome truths, and fuch de/ifed veH- 
 
 It i^ a!fo wohdiOLis ftKange what''i!;jef//7/i ^ifcida'ft^^\-^ih\ that 
 if unto ten ounces of Loadftone one of Ironbb ifdyfedjit elicreafbth 
 HOtuntoeieven, but weighs ten ounCes ftill. ' A relation iiiexdufa- 
 bl.e hi a work of Itafurable hours : the txaniinacion being as rda- x,^. 
 dy a the relaion, and' the faliity tryed as eafily as delivered. Nor 
 is.it to be omitted what is taken up by Cdi^ws Bernard'/s a late Mi- 
 i)eralogift, andpriginally confirnvea by jPor'f^ , that Needles tou- 
 ched with a Viamond contract a veiticity, eVai^^s they do' with a 
 Lo^ftone vwhich will not confift wii:h expei inienr. ' Aitd th^refdrfej 
 as Cilhertvs obferveth, he might be deceived, in touching' fiidi 
 Needles with Pi<rwow(^5, which had a verticity before, as we have 
 declared moft Needles to have j and fo had he touched them with 
 Gold or lilycrs. hp P^isht have cofidiided a' iMa^netical verttie 
 
 th^ein, .; ^;/ !:v^l•^^::^:•;: :' V'l :;:u ■: •.:"';:''■■•' 
 
 In tlie faL-jefori^i mayVe pface fracaftdfitls hk ht^iB^iOri of l{\- 
 ver, Philoirat;:shisVanrartes\'JpoLo'loiriiS-di\d'Beda his 'rdatiOii of 
 the LoadiWe that actrafted onely in tiie liight. But moll in ex- 
 cuiable is ^^ancifcr.s Kf^ei^s, a man ot our own profeifion •, who in 
 his.difcoiirre of Gems menCi^ned in the' Apoc-^lfpSi, undertakes a 
 Chfapter of the irqadftdne. '\Vherdn fubitairially iihd upon dxt»e- 
 riment heXcarQe.delive'reth any thhig ; makn'i^ Ipiig'eiuimeracron 
 of its traditional qualities, wcreof he fdeiftebh'fo Believe miiny, 
 and feme ^bpve conviftiid by experience, he is fc'in to falve as 
 impoflures of the devil. Eui Bjet7i{6 de B^or Phylitian untoil(^r^//■' 
 p£^w the fecond, hath recompenced this defeft i and in his Tr;^ft, 
 de Lafidjbui & Gemmii y fpcaks very macerially hereof j and his 
 D if coiirfe is cohforiahc unto experience and Reafon. ' '■ " 
 
 As 
 
3 Enpmei tnto Vulgar i5ook.il, 
 
 l^s for relati.Qns Hiftprical, though many there be of Icfs ac- 
 vcpimc, yec two alone iddferve coniiaerationj Thdfirft concerileth 
 M^gnetjcal Roc|cs , and attractive mountains iiifeveral parts of thfe 
 Earth. The other the Tomb of M^ibowet and bodies fufpendded 
 inthea\r. Of^Rocks Magnctical there are likewife two reiatioh^i 
 for fome are delivered to be in the Ii/r/zw, and feme in the extre- 
 mity of the North , and about the very Pole. The Northern ac- 
 .coil^t^is co.mqionly afcribed unco Olaui Magnus Arch-Billiop of 
 Vpfale, who out of his Predeceffbr Jo/zwwfj, jS'^;c(3 and others, com- 
 piled a Hiftory of fome Northern Nations ; but this aflercion we 
 have not difcovered in that work of his wTiich commonly pafTech 
 .^mongusj and Hiould believe his Geography herein no more then 
 that inthe firft line of his book; when he aftirmeth that Biarmia. 
 jfw.hich is not fevency degrees in latitude J hath the Pole for its 
 icnith, and Equinoftial for the Horizon. 
 
 Now upon this foundation, how uncertain foever men have 
 €refted mighty illations , afcribing thereto the caufe of the Needles 
 direftion, and conceiving the etfluft ions from thefe mountains arid 
 rocks invite the Lilly toward the North. Which conceit though 
 .countenanced by learned men, is not made out either by experience 
 .or reafon ; for no man hath ytt attained or given a fenlible ac- 
 count of the Pole by fome degrees. It is alfo obferved the 
 Needle doth, very much vary as it approacheth the Pole 3 where- 
 . as were there fuch dirie&ion froni the rocks, upon a nearer ap- 
 . proachmenc it would more direftly refpeft them. Belide , Were 
 j,ther^ CticIxM/agnetical Rocks under the Pole, yet being fofaffe- 
 4»i(?ved they would produce no fuch eifeft. For they that f^yl 
 X>y die, Ifle of Una now called Elha iti the Tufcah Sea ^hicli 
 abounds in veins pfLoad-ftone, obferve no variation or incliriatibii 
 of tlie Needle J .much lefs may they expeft a direftion from 
 Rocks i at the end of the l^arth, A»^d laftlyj men that afcribe 
 thus much unto Rocks of the North , muft prefume or difcover'^^he 
 _; like Magnetic^ls at the South : For in the Southern Seas and far 
 •^ ibxjyond theEquacor, variations are large^ and declinations as con- 
 llant as in the Northern Ocean, 
 
 The orher relation of Load-ftone Mines and Rocks in the 
 fhoi e of I;;^i^ is delivered of old by P/iny y wherein faith he , tKcy 
 are fo placed both in abundaiice and vigor , r that it proves an adven- 
 ture of hazard to pals chpfe coafts in a Ship with Iron naile?. 
 Serapicn the Moor, an Antho] ofgoodefteem and reafonable An- 
 tiquiiy conhrmtth the fame wnofe expreflion in the word magnes 
 is this. The Mine of thi.s f^>me is in the fea-coaft oi' India; whereto 
 I when j^hips approach, there \y no Iron in tii-.m which tlies not like a 
 
 bird imto the mountains ; and therfo' e tht?r Ships aije fjaftened not 
 wittilron but wood , for odiciwifc ihty would be torn ko pieces. 
 
Eook. U. ^^ Common Errors, 79 
 
 But this aflertion, howpofitive foevei-j is contradifted by ^11 N^'vi" (^rohxhly) 
 gators that pafs that way, which are now many, and of our own »l»cr«bcno 
 Nation; and might furely have been controuled by Nearchus tJ'^ ^^^JJ'"*" 
 Admirall o( Alexander j who not knowing the conipafs, was faiil 
 to coaft that fliore. 
 
 For the relation concerning Mahomety it is generally believed 
 his Tomb ^t Medina TaUabiy in Arabia^ withoUt any vifible flip- j^ahmtts 
 porters hangeth in the ayr Between two Loadftories artificially con* tomb of ftonc, 
 trived borh above arid below ^ which conceit is fabulous and evi- and built up- 
 dently falfe from the teftiriiony of Ocular Teftarors , who affirm «" f he ground 
 his Tomb is made of ftone, and lyeth upon the ground h as be- 
 fides Others the learned VoJJim oBferveth from Gabriel SiDnitay 
 and Joannes Hefronita f two Maronite's in their relations hereof. 
 Of fuch intentions and attempt by Mahometans '^o. r'ead in ferns 
 Relators i aiid that might be the occafion of the fable ; which by 
 tradition of time arid diftance of place enlarged into the ftorit 
 of being accomplifhed. And this hath been promoted by attempts 
 of the like nature j For we read in Vlinj that one Vinocrates be- 
 gan to Arch the Temple of Arfuioe in Alexandria with Load- 
 itone, that fo her ftatue might be fufpended in the ayr t6 die 
 amazement of the beholders. And to lead on our ci'ediility here- 
 iii, conhrmation may be drawn from Hiftory and Writers of gootl 
 authority. So is it jeported by Kuffinus , that in the Temple of 
 Serapis tliere was an iron chariot fufpended by Loadftones in the 
 ^yr i which ftones removed the Chariot fell and daflied into pieces. 
 The like dorh Beda report of Bellerdphons horfe, Which frzimed of 
 L on, was placed between two Loadftories, With 'Wings expanfed, 
 pendulous m the ayr. ' 
 
 The verity of thefeftories we fliall not further difpute, their pof- 
 fibility we may in fome way determine -, if we icOriceiVej what no 
 man will deny, that bodies fufpended in the ayr have this fufpen- 
 fion from one or many Loadftones placed both above and below 
 it 5 or elfe by one or mariy placed pnely above ir. Likewife the 
 body to be fuipended in refpeft of the Loadftone above , is either 
 placed firft at a pendulous diflance in th^ medium, or elfe attracted 
 Hntothat lite by the vigor of the Loadrtone. Andfowe firft affirm 
 that polTible it is a body may'be fufpended between two Loadftbnes j 
 that is, it being fo equally attrafted unto both , that it dtter- 
 mineth it felf unto neither. But furely tiiis pofition will be 
 of no duration: for if die ayr bs agicaced or the bodic waved 
 cither way ; ic omits the equilibration, and difpofeth it felf unco 
 the neareit attraStor. Again, it is not im^ofible (though hardly 
 feilible^ by a lingle Loadftone to fufpend an iron in the ayr, the 
 Iron being artificially placed and at a diftance guided toward 
 the Hone, until it findthe neutral pouit wherein its gravity jiilt 
 
 e pials 
 
go EmjtdrleS into Vuhar- Book. II. 
 
 ec^uals:then)agni.'ticai quality,; the one exaftly .extolling as much 
 
 a> fr:eo^hcv:d£.i^»eirpLh. And laftly^ imponrbje icistbatif anjroii 
 
 ieftupA)n chtgiound, and aLoatWbne be placed overita it /hoiikl 
 
 ' €vei- ib arife ab to hang in the way or medium ^ for that vigor 
 
 whicli at a diflance is able to overcome the reiiftanceof its gravity 
 
 and to lift up it from the earth, will asit approacheth nearer'be 
 
 , / ilill, mqri^ able, to. artra*^ it h never remaining in the middle that " 
 
 ^ JnTjl*/' £<^'id' not -abide iu the ex Now the way of Baptjilci porta. 
 
 -^u ifi-.cf bt.i that by,a iJ^A:f,t\j.ffift?iieth. a Needle to a table, and then fo guides 
 
 • ' and orders tlVefame, that by the attraftion of the Loadftoneira- 
 
 bjdeth in the ayr, infringed! not this reafpui for this is a violent 
 
 retention jaiia,if the thrcd be' loofened,' the Needle afcends and 
 
 ^^^heres ijinto^th^ Aptrjaccpr. ',,.,,' 
 
 ., ,,T;he third confi4pi;a,t^I6n ,^6iicerncth Medical relations 5 wl^e;;e- 
 ^nw'hat^v'er rftectsjare delivei^ed, they are either derived from I'cs 
 mineral and^ferreous condition, or elfe magnitical operation. Unto 
 t|ie ferreous and miiieral quality pertaineth what Diofcorides an 
 ancient Writer and Souldier under Anthonj and Cleopatra, afHrm- 
 Powdcr cf ofli^ tliat iialf adramof Loadflone given with honey and water, 
 Loadftonej.ofj^jj.^yj^g ^P^^j.g.jj-'j^y^ jj^g^^^^^ ^^^d evacuatcth grofs humors. But 
 
 w^acopcrati- ^^:^^^^— quality of great incertaintyj for omitciiig the vehicle of 
 water and hony, which is of a laxative power it felf, the powder 
 of fome Loadfrones in this' dofe doth rather conftipate and bind, ^J 
 then purge -and lofen the belly. And if fometimes itcaufeany .1 
 laxity, it is probably inthefame wa^vvith Iron and Steel unpre- I 
 paji'ed; whichwiU difturb fome bodies, andvvorke by purge and 
 (V.onjit. And therefore, whereas it is delivered in a booic afcribed 
 ^{uiioGaleHi that it is a good medicihe in dropfies, and evacuates 
 the waters of pei'^ons fo aifected : It maylconfefs by ficcity and 
 ailriction afford a conlirmation unto parts relaxed, and fuch as be 
 Jjiydropically difpofedj and by thefe qualities it maybe ufefuU 
 ' -jiilierrtias or Ruptures, and for thefe it is comm nded by^fiw, 
 /jfEgiffetamid^OriSatiusyvthoonfy affirm that it contains thever- 
 tiic, o^' H^niatite;, iand being burnt was fometimes vended for it. 
 Wherein notwithllanding there is an higher vertue : and in the 
 fa*ne prepared, or in rich veins thereof, though crude, we hav€ 
 obferved the effects of Chalybeat medicines i and tlie benefits of 
 Iron and Steel in ftrong obiti-uccions. And therefore that was pro- 
 bably a diffei-eiit vein of Loa'dtlone i orinfefted with other mine- 
 ral mixture, which the ancients commended for a purgative me- 
 dicine, and ranked the fame with the violent eft kines thereof: 
 7>c maihis In- vvith Hippophae, Cneoron, and "thynieUa, as we Hnde \tn\ hippo- 
 itrnis, crates y and might be fomewhat doubtful, whether bythemagne- 
 
 j fian flone, heunderftood the Loadftone; did not AcbHles Stativi 
 4efine the fam^, the ftone tiiat loveth Iron. 
 
 To 
 
Book-il. and Commoft Errors, Si 
 
 To this mineral condition belongeth what is delivered by ComCy 
 that wounds which are made with weapons excited by the Load- 
 ftone, contraft a malignity, and become of more diiiicult cm-e ; 
 which neverthelefs is not to be found in the inciifon ofChyrurgi- 
 ons with knives and lancets touched ^ which leave no fuch effeft 
 behind them. Hither we alfo refer that aBirmacive, which faies 
 the LoadiVone is poifon \ and therefore in the lifts of poifons we 
 find it in many Authors. But this our experience cannot contirm, 
 and the practice of the King of Zeiitin cjearly contradifteth j who as 
 Carcias ab /E^orrojPhyiitian unto the Spanijh Vicejoy delivereth, hath 
 all his meatferved up in diflies of Loadftone^ and conceives thereby 
 he preferveth the vigour of youth. 
 
 But furely from a magnetical aftivity muft be made out what 
 is let fall by JEtiusj that a Loadftone held in the hand of one that 
 is podagrical, doth either cure or give great eafe intheGour. Or 
 whatM^r6f//w Ewpencus aftirmeth, that as an amulet, icalfocur- 
 eththehead-ach; which are but additions unto its proper nature, 
 and hopefuU enlargements of its allowed attraftion. For perceiv- 
 ing its fecret power to draw magnetical bodies, men have invented 
 anew attra£i:ion, to draw out the dolour and pain of any part. And 
 from fuch grounds it furely became a philter, and was conceived 
 a medicine of fome venereal attraftion ; and therefore upon this 
 ftone they graved the Image of Venusy according unto that of Clau- 
 dian^ Venereyn magnete gemma, figurar. Hither muitwe alfo refer 
 wliat is delivered concerning its power to draw out of the body bul- 
 lets and heads of arrows, and for the like intention is mixed up in 
 plaifttrs. Which courfe, although as vain and ineffeftual it be re- 
 jedicd by many good Authors, yet is it not me thinkes fo readily 
 to be denied, nor the^raftice of many Phyiitians which have thus 
 compounded plaifters, thus fiiddenly to be condemned, as may 
 be obferved in the Entplalinwt divinutn Nicolae^ the Empliijinmi 
 nigrum of Augfpurg, the Opodeldoch and Attraclium of Paracelfus, 
 with feveral more in the Difpenfatory of JVeckeri and praftice of 
 Sennertin, The cure alfo of Herneas-, or Ruptures in Parens : and ^'^ ^^"'^ '^"^'^ 
 the method alfo of curation lately delivered by Daniel Beckjyerusy "^^Ig"' 
 and approved by the profefTors of Lejden^ that is, of a young man 
 oi Spruce land that cafually fwallowed a knife about ten inciies long, The cure of 
 which was cutout of his ftoniach, and the wound healed up. In the Pruuian 
 which cure to attraft the knife to a convenient lituation, there ''"i'^* 
 was applied a plaifter made up with the powder of Loadftone. 
 Now this kind of praftice Ubavius:, Gilhertus:, and lately Swick- In h\s Ars 
 ardus condemn^ as vain, and altogether unufefull-, becaufe a Load- Aia^?;ef/tf«. 
 ftone in powder hath no attractive power j for in that form it 
 omits his pokry refpects, and lofeth thofe parts which are the rule 
 of attraction. 
 
 M Wherein 
 
8^ 
 
 Enpirles into Vulgar Book. H. 
 
 Whereiiv to fpeak compendioufly, if experiment hath not de- 
 ceived us, we lirft aftirni, that aLoadftone in powder omits not 
 allartraftion. For if the powder of a rich vein be in a reafonable 
 quantity preftnted toward the. Needle freely placed, it will not 
 appear to be void of all activity, but will be able to ftir it. Nor 
 hath it only a power to move the Needle in powder and by it fclf, 
 but this will it alfo do, if incorporated and mixed with plailters ; 
 a> we have made trial in the Eniplalirum de Minioh with half an 
 ounce of the mafs, mixing a dram of Loadftone. For applying 
 magdaleon or. roal unco the Needle it would both ilirand accraft 
 itj not equally in all parts, but more vigoroufly in fome, ac- 
 cording unto the mine of the ftone more plentifully dif- 
 perfed in theniafi'. And laftly, in the Loadftone powdered, the 
 polary lefpecti are not wholly deftroyed. For thofe diminutive 
 particles are not atomical or mserly indivifible, but conlift of 
 aimenfions fuliicient for their operations, though in obfcure ef- 
 fects. Thus if unto the powder of Loadftone or Iron we ad- 
 move the North Pole of the Loadllone, the powders orfmall di- 
 viUons wil ereft and conform themfelves thereto : but if the 
 South pole approach, they will fublide, and inverting then- bo- 
 dies, refpect the Lcadftcne with the other extrcam. And this 
 will happen noiT only in a body of powder together, but in 
 any particle or duft divided from it. 
 
 , Now though we difavow not thefe plail-iers, yet fhall we 
 not omit cwo cautions in their uCc 5 that therein the ftone be 
 not too fubcilly powdered ; for it will better manifeft its at- 
 traftion in a more feniible dimeniion. That where is de/ired 
 a fpeedy eifedC;, it miy be conlidered whether ic were nor bet- 
 ter to relinqifiili the powdered plaifters, and to apply an entire 
 Loadftone unco the part; : And though the other be not wholly 
 inejfe£hiall,whecherthis way benot more powerful 1, and To might 
 have been in tie cure of the young man delivered by Beck^eru^. 
 
 The lafl confideration, concerning Magical relations i in which 
 account we comprehend ciFefts derived and fathered r.pon hid- 
 den qualicies, fpecifical forms. Antipathies and Sympadiies, where- 
 of from received groi.nds of Art, no reafons are derived. Here- 
 in relations arc ftiaiige and numerous 5 men being apt in all 
 ages to multiply wonders , and Philosophers dealing with 
 admirable bodies, as Hiilorians have done with excellent n^.j 
 upon the ftrength of their great .atchievements, afcribing ^s 
 unto them not only falfe, but impoJible ; and exceeding truth 
 as much in their relations, as they have others in their aftions. Here- 
 of we fhall biieliy mendoa fome delivered by Authors of good 
 efteem : whereby we may difcovev the tabujous invcniions 
 of fom-* , the credulous fupinity of others, and the great 
 
 differ vice 
 
Book. n. And Cmkon Errorf. ^3 
 
 diflervice unto truth By both : rijultlplyiiig obfcui ities xw nature, 
 and authori7,ing hidden qualities that are falfe : whereas wife 
 men are afhamed there are fo many true. 
 
 And firft V/ofcorides puts a fhrewd quality upon it, and fuch as 
 m.n are apt enough to experiment, who therewith difcovers the 
 incontinency of a wife, by placing the Loadftone under her pil- 
 low : whereupon (he will not be able to remain in bed with her 
 husband. The fariie he alfo makes a help unto theevery. For 
 theeves faith he, having a defigne upon a houfe, do make a fire 
 ac the four corners thereof, and caft therein the fragments of 
 Loadftone : whence ai ifeth a fume that fo diilui'beth the inhabi- 
 tants , that they forfake the houfe and leave it to the fpoil of 
 the robbers. This relation how ridiculous fosver, hath Albertus 
 taken up above a thoufand years after, zwdi Murkodeas the French- 
 man hadi continued it the fame in Latine verfe : which wichthe 
 notes of Vicioriui is currant unto our daies. As ftrange rauft be 
 the Lithomancy or divination from this ftone, whereby as Izet- 
 2i« delivers Hdenm the Prophet foretold thedeftru(Stiou of Troy' 
 and the Magick thereof not fafely to be believed, which was 
 delivered by Orpheus :, that fprinkled with water it will upon a 
 queftion emit a voice not nuich unlike an Infant. But furely 
 the Loadftone of Laiirentius Guafcm the Phylitian is never to be 
 matched j wherewith as Cardan delivereth , whatfoever needles 
 or bodies were touched, the wounds and punftures made there- 
 by, were never felt at all. And yet. as ftrange is that delivered 
 by fome , that a Loadftone ^^prefcrved in the fait of a, Remora^ 
 acquires a power to attraft gold out of the dtepeft vicWs. Cer- 
 tainly a ftudied abfurditie', not cafually call: out, but plotted for 
 perpetuity : for the ftrangeneffe of thie elfeft ever to be admireil, 
 and the difticulty of the tryal never to be convifted. 
 
 Thefe conceits are of that monfcrohry that they refute them- 
 felves in their recitement?. • There is another of better notice, 
 and whifpered thprow the world with fome attention; credu-^ 
 lous and vulgar auditors readily believing^ it, and more jvidiciousr 
 and difiinftive head?, not altogether rejecting ir. The conceit is 
 e-xcellciit , and if the effeft 'wcxuld follow fome what divine r 
 whereby we might communicate like fpirits, and confer on eardi 
 with Meriippm in the Moon. Aud this, ;isi pretended from the 
 fymprfthy of two n'eedlei; touched with ;:he ("auie Ijoadilonc, and 
 placed in' the center oP'two Abecedary circles, or,,: rings with 
 lecters defcHbed round 'about them, one fjiend keeping cue, and 
 another the other , and agreeing, upon hour wherein they will 
 communicate. For then, faith tradition, at what dillance ot place 
 foever, when one needle ft] all b^ removed unto any Letter, tsiie o- 
 ther by a wondcrfull fympathy will move imco the Hmic; But 
 
 M 2 herein 
 
>?^ Enqtiiriei into VulgAr Book.IL 
 
 herein 1 confefs my experience can finde no truth ; for having ex- 
 prefly fi-amcd two circles of wood, and according to the number 
 of the Latine letters divided each into twenty three parts j placing 
 therein two iHlesor needles compofed of the fame fteel, touched 
 with the fame Loadftone, and at the fame point ; of thefetwo, 
 whcnfoever I removed the one , although but at the diftance of 
 half a fpan, the other would ftand like Hercules pillars, and if the 
 earth Hand ftill, have furely no motion at all. Now as it is not 
 pofllble that any body fhould have no boundaries , or Spliear of 
 its aftivity, (b it is improbable it fhould effect that at diftiuice , 
 which nearer hand it cannot at all perform. 
 
 Again, The conceit is ill contrived, and one effe& inferred, 
 whereas the contrary will enfue. For if the removing of one 
 of the needles from ^ to B, Hiould' have any aftion or influ- 
 ence on the other J it would intice it from ^ to B3 but repell it 
 from ^ to Z : for needles excited by the fame point of thellione, 
 do not attrad, but avoid each other, even as thefe ahb do, when 
 their invigorated extreams approach unto one other. 
 
 Laftly, Were this conceit aifuredly true, yet were it not a con- 
 clu(:on at every diftance to be tried by every head : it being 
 no ordinary or Almanack buiinefs, but prbbleme Matiiematical, 
 to finde out the difference of hours in different places i nor do 
 thewifeft exaftly fatisfie themfeWes in all. For the hours of fe- 
 veral places anticipate each other, according unto their Longi- 
 tudes y which are not exat^Iy difcovered of every place ; and 
 therefore the tryal hereof at a conJiderable interval, is bell per- 
 formed at the diftance of the Ant-£oi •■, that i^^, fuch habitations 
 as have the fame Meridian and equal parallel, on different, lides 
 of the i^quatorj or more plainly the fame Longitude and the 
 fame Latitude unto the South, which we have in the North. For 
 tmro fuch Situations it is noon and midnight at the very fame 
 time. 
 
 And therefore the Sympathy of thefe Needles is much of the 
 fame mould with that intelligence which is pretended from the 
 flefh of one body tranfmuted by inlition into another. For if 
 by the Art of Taliacotiofy a permutation of flelh, or tranfmuta- 
 tion be made from one mans body into another , as if a piece 
 of flefti be exchanged from tlie bicipital mufcle of either parties 
 arm, and about them both, an Alphabet circumfcribed 3 upon a 
 time apointed as fome conceptions affirm, they may communi- 
 cate at what dilknce foever. For if one fhall prick iiimfelf in 
 y^, the other at the fame time, will have a fenfe thereof in the 
 Pecu'-toYum fiJnie part : and upon infpeftion of his ar'm perceive what letters 
 Lh)rurgia. the ochers poiiits out in his. Which is a way of intelligence ve- 
 ry ftrtnge : and would requite the lolt Aft of Tjtbagoras.'; who 
 could read a revcrfe in the Moon. ^' '''^ ' Now 
 
Book. II. And Common tnoru S5 
 
 Now this Magnetical conceit how ftrange foever, might have 
 fonie original in Reafonj for men obferving no folid bod/, what- 
 foever did interrupt its aftion , might be induced to believe no 
 ' diftance would terminate the fame j and nioft conceiving it poin- 
 ted unto the Pole of Heaven , might alfo opinion that nothing 
 between could retrain it. VVhofoever was the Author, the lE')- 
 hus that blew it about, Vi2i% famiamis 5'rr/r^/z, that Elegant Jefu- 
 it in his Rhetorical prohifions, who chofe out this fubjefttoex- 
 prefs the ftile of Lucretius. But neither BipHlhi Porta , dc furt'i- 
 vls liter arimi mtis; Trithemius in his Steganography , Selenuf m 
 his Cryptography, or Nuyici^s inaniniatus nnkt any conlid-ration ^_ . . 
 hereof : although they dehver many waies to conuiiunicate ^^^^^ ^ ^_ 
 thoughts at diihnce. And this we will not deny may in fome „„ g,j],(jpof 
 mdnner be effefted by the Loadftone : that i>j from one room K-cicfotd. 
 into another j by placing a table in the wall common unto both, 
 and writing thereon the fame letters one.againtt another : for 
 upon the approach of a vigorous Lcaditone unto a letter on this 
 ir.ie, the Ntedle will move unto the fame on the other. But thi^ 
 is a very ditFerent way from ours at prefenti and hereof there 
 are many waies delivered , and more may be difcovered which 
 contradict not the rule of its operations. 
 
 As for Vnguenti.m Armarium ^ called alfo Ma^nettcunt^ it be- 
 longs not to this difcourfe, it neither having the Loadftone for 
 its ingredient, nor any one of its aftions : but fuppofech other 
 principles, as common and univerfal fpirits, which convey the 
 aftion of the remedy unto the part , and conjoin*; the yertue of 
 bodies far disjoined. But perhaps the cures it doth, are not worth 
 fo mighty principles j it commonly healing but Umple wounds, 
 and fuch as mundified and kept clean , do need no other hand 
 then that of Nature, and the Balfamof the proper parr. Unto 
 which effeft there being fields of Medicmes, it may be a ha- 
 zardous curiofity to rely on this i and becaufe men fay the ef- 
 feft doth generally follow , it might be worth the experiment 
 to try, whether the fame will not enfue, upon the fame. Method 
 of cure, by ordinary Balfams, or common vulnerary plaifters. 
 
 Many other Magnetifms may be pretended, and the like at- 
 tradions through all the creatures of Naciu'e. Whether the fame 
 be verified in the aftion of the Sun upon iiiferiour bodies, whether 
 there be jEolian Magnets, whether the flux and reflux of the 
 Sea be caufed by any Magnetifm from the Moon , whether the 
 like be really made out, or rather Metaphorically verified in the 
 fympathies of Plants and Animals, n^ht aflord a large difpute ; 
 and Kircherm in his Catena Magnetica hath, excellently difcufTed 
 the famei which work cams late unto our haiid,. but might have 
 much advantaged this Difcourfe. 
 
 Other 
 
Hi 
 
 S^ Enphiei into rJ^dr Book. It. 
 
 Other Difcoiirfc^ there might be maie of tiie Loadilone : a> 
 Moral, Myfticalj Theological ; and fome have handfomly done 
 thenii ^sAtfftrofey Auitine^ GuHehms Parifimfisf and many more-, 
 but thefe fall under no Rule, and are as boundlefs as mens inven- 
 rion?. And though honeft minds doglorifie God hereby^ yet do 
 they nioft powerfully niagnifie him, and are to be looked on with a- 
 nother eye, who denionlhatively fet forth its Magnalitics ; who 
 not from poftulated or precarious inferences, entreat a courteous 
 a/Tent ; but from experiments and undenible effects, enforce the 
 wonder of its Maker. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 0[ Bodies EleBricd, 
 
 'Aving thus fpoken of the Loadftone and Bodies Magnetical, 
 .1 (hall in the next place deliver fomewhac of Eleftrical, and 
 Bodies Elect i-^"*^'^ ^^ "^^^ feem to have attraftion like the other. Hereof we 
 cal. What ? ^'^^^ ^^^^ deliver what particularly fpoken or nfot generally known 
 is manifeftly or probably true, what generally believed is alfo 
 falfe or dubious. Now by Eleftrical bodies , I underftand not 
 fucli as are Metallical , mentioned by Tliny^ and theAntients; 
 for their Ek£trum was a mixture made of Gold, wich the addi- 
 tion of a fifth part of iilver i a fubftance now as unknown , as 
 true Anrkhalcwn or Corinthian Br^k) and fee down among things 
 loft by Tancirohus. Nor by Eleftrick Boiliss do T conceive fuch 
 onely as take up (havings, ftraws, and light Lolies, in which 
 number the Ancients onely placed Jn and Amt?r-^ but fuch as 
 conveniently placed unto their objects attraft all bodies palpable 
 whatfoever. I fay conveniently placed, that is, in regard of 
 the object, that it be nor two ponderous, or any way afixed ^ in 
 regard of the Agent, that it be not foul or fullied, but wiped, rub- 
 bed and excitatedj in regard of both, that they be conveniently 
 diftant, and no impediment interpofed. I fay, all bodies palpa- 
 ble, thereby excluding fire, which indeed it will not attraft, nor 
 jct draw thiough it j for fire confumes its etHtixions by Virhich it 
 ifhould attract. 
 
 Now although in this rank but two were commonly mentioned 
 by the Ancients, GilbertuS} difcovereth many more •■> as Viamondsy 
 Saphjrsy Carbuncles , Irii , Opals , Amethijh , BeriL', Chtj^itly Bri- 
 Jiof-jtones) Sulphur:, Mafiick^-, hard IVax^ hard Kojin^, Arfemc^, Sal- 
 gemmy Koch-Atlum^ common-Glafs, Stibium , or Glafs of Antimo- 
 
 rty 
 
Book. IL And Common Errors. 87 
 
 Kj. Unto thefe Caheus addeth white IFaxy Gum Elimii Gum Guai^ 
 ciy Fix Hifpanica, and Gipftim. And unto thefc we add Gum A- 
 fiime^ BenjamiH} T'a/cum^ Chyna-dilheSy Snndaraca^ Turpentine^ Sty^ 
 rax Liquida, and Caranna dried into a hard conliftence. And the 
 fame ac.raftion we finde, not onely in fimple bodies, but fuch as 
 are ni.ich compounded i as the Oxjcroceum Plailkr, and obfcurely 
 that ad Herdtam, and Gratia Dei ; all which fniooth and rightly 
 prepared, willdifcover afufficiem: power to ftir the Needle, fet- 
 led freely upon a well-pointed pin ; and Co as the Elecaick may be 
 applyed unro ic, without all difadvantage. 
 
 But tht; aciraction of thefe Elcccriks we obfcrve to be very dif- 
 ferent. RCiinous or unctuous bodies, and fuch as will ilame, at- 
 tract nioft vigoroufly, and moft thereof wichout fricacion; as ^- 
 «/Wf, Beiijtnfin^ and mofl powerfully "good hard Wax , which will 
 convert the Needle almoft as aftively as the Loadllone. And we 
 believe that all or nioft of this fubftance if reduced to hardnefs, 
 tralucency or clcarnefs, would have fome attractive quality. But 
 juicei concrete, or Gums ealily difiblvuig in water, draw not at 
 ail .• as. Aloe, Opium, Sanguis Draconic, Lacca^ Callamr-nj Sagapc~ 
 n".m. Many ftones alfo both precious and vulgar, although ter fe 
 ar.d fmooth, liave not this power attractive : as Emeralds;^ Pearly 
 Jafp-^Sr, Corneleans:) Jgath, Heliotropes, Mirlle, Al.dlalhr, Tom:- 
 jtQHeo Flint, and Bezoar. Glafs attracts but weakly, though clear ^ 
 fome llicklloncs and thick GlaiTes indifferently : Arfenic but weakly, 
 folikewife Glafs of Antimony ^ hi\t Crocus M^taHorum not at all. 
 Salts generally but weakly : as Sal gemma, AUum and alfo Talkj, 
 nor very difcoverably by any frication : but if gently warmed 
 at the fire, and wiped with a dry cloth, they will better difcover 
 their Electrities. 
 
 No Mettal attracts, nor Animal concretion we know, although 
 polite and fniooth •-, as we have made trial in Elkj-Uooh, H^wkj- 
 Talons, the fword of 2iSword-fi(h, Tortoyf-Jhels, Sea-horfe ^nd Ele- 
 phants Teeth, in bones, in Harts-horn, and what is ufually con- 
 ceived 1/'i«if(jr«i-6.r«. No wood though never fo hard and polifli- 
 ed, although out of fome thereof Elecrrick bodies proceed : as 
 Eionjj Box, Lignum vit£. Cedar, &l\ And although Jet and Am- 
 her be reckoned among Bitumens, yet neither do we rinde Afphal- 
 tus, that is. Bitumen of Judea, nor Sea-cole, nor Camphire , nor 
 Mtmmia to attract j although we have tryed m large and polifhed 
 pieces. Now this attraction have we tryed in ftraws and pakoas 
 bodies, in Needles of Iron equilibrated -, Powders of Wood and 
 Iron, in Cold and lilver foliate. And not onelyuifolid but flu- 
 ent and liquid bodies, as oyls made both by exprelfion and dilhl- 
 lation ; in wa;:er, in fpirits ©f Wine, Vitriol and Aqua fort is. 
 But how this attradion is made, is not fo eaiily decerniined j 
 
 til at * 
 
cinck. 
 
 g3 Enluirtei into VuigAr Book, II. 
 
 tlwit 'tis performed by eftiiiviums is plain, and granted hy moIl» 
 for derrick will noc commonly auiraft, except they grow hot 
 or become perfpirable. For if they become foul or obnubilated, 
 it hinders their efftuxion^ nor if they be covered, though but 
 with Linen or Sarfenet, or if a body be incerpofed j for that in- 
 tercepts the efpAivium. If alfo a powerfuU and broad Eleftiick 
 of Wax or Anime be held over fine powder ; the Atonies or fniall 
 particks will afcend moft numeroulJy unto it j and if the Ele- 
 ftrick be held unto the light , it may be obferved that many 
 thereof will liy, and be as it were difcharged from the Eieftrick 
 to the diflance fometime of two or three inches. Which moti- 
 on is performed by the breath of the effluvium ifliiing with a- 
 gility i for as the Eleftrick cooleth^ the projeftion of the A- 
 tomes ceafeth. 
 c.lcus his The manner hereof Cabeus wittily attempteth, affirming that 
 
 way tor at- ^\^\^ tftiuvium attenuateth and impellech the neighbour ayr, whicii 
 y^?'^\l"' returning home in a gyration, carrieth widi it the obvious bo- 
 dies imto the Eledrick. And this he labours to conHrni by ex- 
 periments ; for if the ftraws be raifed by a vigorous EJedtrick, 
 they do appear to wave and turn in their afcents. If likewife 
 the Eleftiick be broad, and the ftraws light and chaffy, and 
 held at a reafonable diftance, they will not arife unto the mid- 
 dle, but rather adhere toward die verge or borders thereof. 
 And daftly if many ftraws be laid together , aiid a nimble E- 
 lectrick approaLu, they will not allarifeunto it, but fome will 
 commonly ftart aiide, and be whirled a reafonable diftance from 
 it. Now that the air impelled returns unto it:^ place in a gy- 
 ration or whirling, is evident from the Atonij or motes in the 
 Sun. For when the Sun fo enters a hole or window, that by 
 its illumination the Atomes or Moats become perceptible, if then 
 by our breath the ayr be gently impelled, it may be perceived, 
 that they will circularly return and in a gyration unto their 
 places again. 
 The way of Another way of their attraction is alfo delivered ; that is, by 
 
 Sit i^evelm ^ tenuous emanation or continued effluvium, which after fomc 
 '^ ^' diftance retracteth into it felf j as is obfervable in drops of Sy- 
 
 rups, oyl and feminal vifcofities, which fpun at 4ength retire in- 
 to their former dimenlions. Now thefe eflluviums advancing from 
 the bodie of the Electrick, and in their return do carry back 
 the bodies whereon they have laid hold within the fphear or 
 Circle of their continuities 5 and thefe they do not only at- 
 tract, but with their vifcous arms hold faft a good while af- 
 ter. And if any {hall wonder why thefe effluviums iflTuing forth 
 impell and protrude not the ftraw before they can bring it back ; 
 it IS beiaule the eftiuviiini palfing out in a ftualler thred and 
 
 more 
 
Bbokll. i«W Common Brrorf, ' 8. 
 
 more enlengthcned filament, it ftirreth not the bodies iiiteipofedj 
 but returning unco its originall , falls into a clofer fubftanee, 
 and carrieth them back unto it felf. And this way of at'aafti- 
 on is beft received, embraced by Sir Kenclm Digby \i\ his exct*!- 
 lent Treaty of bodies, allowed by Des Cartes in his principles of 
 Philofopliy 5 as far as concerneth fat and refinous bxjdies , and 
 with exception of Glafs, whofe attraftion he alfo derive:h from 
 the recefs of its eftluftion. And this in fonie manner the words 
 of Gilbert :4S will bear. Effluvia, ilia tenuiora conci^iunt & am- 
 ■ple^untNY corpora^ quibtts iiniuntnr^ & EleSris tanquam extenfis bra- 
 chiii-, & ad fontem proyinquitate invalefcentibus effluviisy dedvcuntur. 
 And if the ground were true, that the earth were an Eleftrick 
 body, and the ayr but the effluvium thereof j we might perhaps be- 
 lieve that from this attraction, and by this effluxion bodies tended 
 to the Earth, and could not remain above it. 
 
 Our other difcourfe of Electricks concerneth a general opinion 
 'touching Jet and Amber, that they actraft all light bodies, except 
 Ocjmum or Bafil, and fuch as be dipped in oyl or oyled j and 
 this is urged as high as T'heophrailui : but Scaliger acquitceth him; 
 And had this been his aflertion, Flinj would probably have ta- 
 ken it up, who herein ftands out, and delivereth no more but 
 what is vulgarly known. But Plutarch fpeaks pofitively in his 
 Sjmpofiackji that Amber attrafteth all bodies, excepting Balll and 
 oyled fubftances. With Plutarch confent many Authors both An- 
 cient and Modern, but the moft in inexcufable are Lemmus and 
 Rueusy whereof the one delivering the nature of Minerals men- 
 tioned in Scripture, the infallible fountain of Truth, confirm- 
 ech their vertues with erroneous traditions ; the other under- 
 taking the occult and hidden miracles of Nature, acceptech this for 
 ^e i and endeavoureth to alleadge a reafon of that which is more 
 then occult, fhat is, not exiftent. 
 
 Now herein , omitting the authority of others , as the Do- 
 dii'me of experiment hath enformed us, we firft affirm. That ^»/- 
 ber attrafts not Bafil, is wholly repugnant unto truth. For if 
 the leaves thereof or dryed (talks be ftripped into fmall ftraws, 
 they arife unto Amber, IJ^ax, and other Eleftries, no otherwife 
 then thofe of Wheat and Rye : nor is there any peculiar fatnefs 
 or fingular vifcofity in that plant that might caufe adheiion, 
 and fo prevent its afceniion. But that Jet and Anther attraft 
 not ftraws oyled, is in part true and falfe. For if the ftraws be 
 much wet or drenched in oyl , true it is that Amber draweth 
 them not ; for then the oyl makes the ftraw to adhere unco 
 the part whereon they are placed, fo that they cannot rife un- 
 to the Atcraftor j and this is true , not only if they be foaked 
 in oyl, but fpirits of wine or water. But if we fpeak of ftraws or 
 
 N feftucous 
 
o Lnpiriet Into VulgAr Book. II. 
 
 Mucous diviiloiis lightly drawn over with oyl, and fo that it 
 caufeth no adhefion -, or if we conceive an Antipathy between 
 Oyl and Anther^ the Doftrine is not true. For Amber will at- 
 tract ftraws thus oylcd-, it will convert the Needles of Dials 
 made either of Brafs or Iron, although they be much oyled^ for 
 in thefe Needles confifting free upon their Center, there can be 
 no adhelion. It will likewife attraft oyl it felf and if it approach- 
 erh unto a drop thereof, it becometh conical , and arifeth up 
 unto it 5 for oyl taketh not away his attraftiori, although it be 
 nibbed over it. For if you touch a piece of Wax already ex- 
 citated, with common oyl, it will notwithftanding attraft, though 
 not fo vigoroufly as before. But if you moiften the fame with 
 any chyniical oyl, water or fpirits of wine, or onely breach up- 
 on it, it quite omits its attraction j for either ics effiuencies can- 
 not get through, or will not mingle with thofe fubftances. 
 
 It is likewife probable the Ancients were nitftaken concerning 
 its fubftance and generation j they conceiving it a vegetable con- 
 cretion made of the gums of trees , efpecially Tine and TofUr 
 falling into the water, and after indurated or hardened j where- 
 unto accordeth the fable of Thaetons fifters : but furely the con- 
 cretion is Mineral^ according as is dilivered by Bxtim. For either it 
 is found in Mountains and niediterraneous parts i and fo ic is a 
 fat and unftuous fublimation in the Earth, concreted and fixed by 
 fait and nitrous fpirits wherewith it meeteth. Or elfe , which 
 is moft ufual, it is collected upon the Sea-ftiorci and fo it is a 
 fat and bituminous juice coagulated by the faltnefs of the Sea. 
 Now that fait fpirits have a power to congele and coagulate un- 
 ctuous bodies, is evident in Chymical operations; in "the diftil- 
 lations o^ . Arfenick^^ fublimate and Antinoviy j in the mixture of 
 oyl of Juniper^ with the fait and acide fpirit oi Sulphury fo# 
 theieupon enfueth a concretion unto the confiftence of Birdlime j 
 as alfo in fpirits of fait, or A<]ua. fortify poured upon oyl of 
 Olive, or more plainly in the manufacture of Sope. And ma- 
 ny bodies will coagulate upon commixture, whofe feperated na- 
 tures 'J)rcHiufe no concretion. Thus upon a folution of Ttn by 
 Aqua fortify there will enfue a coagulation, like that of whites 
 of Eggs. Thus the volatile fak of Urine will coagulate Agi^a 
 vit£^ or fpirits of Wine j and thus perhaps Cas Helmont excel- 
 leiuly declareth^ the ftones or calculous concretions in Kidney 
 Haw the ^ ^^. gj^t^cJej. ^n^y l^e produced : the fpirits or volatile fait of 
 in the kidney Urine conjoyning with the Aqua viU potentially lying therein; 
 or bladder., as he illuftrateth from the diftillation of fermented Krine. From 
 whence arifeth -dn Aqua vit£ or fpirit, which the volatile fak of 
 tlu: fame Urine v^ill congele ; and finding an earthy concurrence, 
 Ih ike into lapideous fubftance. 
 
 Laftly, 
 
Book. n. And Commm Errors, ■ <^ \ 
 
 Laftly, We will not omit what Bellabonm upon his o^vn experi- 
 ment writ from Dantzich unto MeUichim ^ as he hath left re- Of a Bee and 
 corded in bis Chapter, J)e fuccino y that the bodies of Flies^ Pif- a Viper invol- 
 triires and the like, which are faid oftimes to be included in ved in Amber. 
 Jniber^ are not real but reprefentative, as he difcovcred in fe- ^^'''^*' ^* 
 veral pieces broke for that purpofe. Jf fo, the two famous Epi- 
 grams hereof in Martial are but Poetical, the Pifmire of Brajfa- 
 volm Imaginary, ^nd- Cardans Moufo/eim for a flye, a raeer phan- 
 cy. But hereunto we know not how to aflent, as having met with 
 fome whofe reals made good their reprefentments. 
 
 CHAP. \. 
 
 Compendm/ly of fundrj other common Tenents^ concerning Mine^ 
 ral and Terreom bodies^ which examined^ prove either falfe or 
 dubious, 
 
 1. A Nd firft we hear it in every mouth, and in many good 
 jr\, Authors read it, That a Diamond ^ which is the hardeft 
 of ftones, not yielding unto Steely Emery^ or any thing, but its 
 own powder, is yet made foft, or broke by the blood of a Goat. 
 Thus much is athtmed by Plinj , Solinus , A/bertus, Cyprian^ Au- 
 ftin, Ifidore , and many Chriftian Writers i alluding herein unto 
 the heart of man and the precious bloud of our Saviour ; who 
 was typified by the Goat that was flain, and the fcape Goat in 
 the Wildernefsj and at the effuiion of whofe blood, not onely 
 the hard hearts of his enemies relented, but the ftony rocks and 
 ■vail of the Tenlple were fhattered. But this I perceive is eafier 
 affirmed then proved. For Lapidaries ^ and fuch as profefs the 
 art of cutting this ftone, do generally deny it 5 and they that 
 feem to countenance it , have in their deliveries fo qualixled it, 
 that little from thence of moment can be inferred for it. For 
 firft, the holy Fathers, without a fiirther enquiry did take it for 
 granted, and refted upon the authority of the firft deliverers. 
 As for Alhertusy he promifeth this effeft, but conditionally, not 
 except the Goat drink wine, and be fed with^Siler niontanumype- 
 trofelinunii and fuch herbs as are conceived of power to break 
 the ftone in the bladder. But the words of P/inj^ fron» whom 
 nioft likely the reft at firft derived it, if ftriftly conlidered, do ra- 
 ther overthrow, then any way advantage this effeft. His woids are 
 thefe : Hircino rumpituT fangidne, nee aliter quam recentiy calideque 
 vnacerata^ & fic quoque multis iftibuf^ tunc etiant prater quam eximi" 
 us incudes vtalleofque ferreos frangem. That is, it is broken with 
 
 N 2 Goats. 
 
E/iplrtes into Vulgar Book.lI. 
 
 Goats bloodj but not except it be fredi and warm, and that not 
 without many blows j and then alfo it will break the beft Anvils 
 and hammers of Iron. And anfwerable heretOj, is the aflertion 
 of l(iJore and Solinm. By which account, a Diamond fteeped in 
 Goacs blood, rather increafeth in hardnefs, then acquireth any 
 • fofcncfs by the infuljon-, for the beft we have are cominuible without 
 it; and are fo far from breaking hammers, that they fubmi tun- 
 to piftillation, and reiift no- an ordinary peftle. 
 
 Upon this conceit arofe perhaps the difcovery of anorhers'that 
 7fl/x'« r iJ&o«» that the blood of a 'Oat, was fovereign for the Stone, as it 
 tiif^icus. ftands commended by many good Writers , and brings up the 
 
 commpoKtion in the powder of NichoJa^'s^ and the Eleftuary of 
 theQije-n of Col'^in. Or rather beeaufe it was found an excel- 
 lent medicine for the Stone, and ics ability commended by fome 
 todifTolve the hardeft thereof i it might be conceived by ampli- 
 fying appreh-nnon^ , to be able to break a Viamond j and fo it 
 came to be ordered that the Goat fbould be fed with faxifra- 
 gous heibs , and fuch as are conceived of power to break the 
 ftone. However it were as the eifeft is falfe in the one, fo is it 
 fur ly very doubtful in the other. For although inwardly re- 
 ceived ic may be very diuretick, and expalfe the ftone in the 
 kidneys yet how it ftiould difiblve or break that in the bladder, 
 will require a further difpute; and perhaps would be more rea- 
 Ibnably tryed by a waim in eftion thereof, then as it is common- 
 ly ufed. Wherein notwithftanding,. we ftiould rather rely upon 
 the urine in a Caftiings bladder •, a refolution of Crabs eyes ; 
 or the fecond diftillation of mine, as Hdmont hath commen- 
 ded, or rather f if any fuch might be found) a Chilifaftory 
 menftruum or digeftive preparation drawn fronj fpecies or in- 
 dividuals 3 whofe ftomacks peculiarly diffolve lapideous bo- 
 dies. 
 
 2. "that Glafs is poy forty according imtoconmion conceit;, Jkicnow 
 not how CO gi ant. Not onely from the innocency of its ingre- 
 dients, that is, fine fand, and the a/hes of glafs-wort of fearn, 
 which in themfelves are harmlefs and ufeful : or beeaufe 1 find 
 it by many commend d for the Stone i but alfo from experi- 
 ence, as having given mito dogs above a dram thereof, fubtiily 
 powdered in burter or pafte, without any vi;ible difturbance. 
 The conceit is furely grounded upon the viable mifchief of 
 VVhvGlafsis Glafs groily or courfly powdered-, for that indeed is mortally 
 cimmofily noxiiis, and etteftually \\(td by fome lo deftroy Mice and Rats; 
 held to be for by reafon of its acutentfs and angularity, it commonly ex- 
 poyfonous. coriaces the parts through which it pafleth , and folliclts them 
 unto a continual expul ion. Whereup'Mi t'lere er.fties fearful fym- 
 ptomes, not much unlike thofe whicu attend the aftion of poilon. 
 
 From 
 
Book. II. ^W Common JErrorf, ^3 
 
 From whence notwithflandiiig, we cannot with propriety inipofe 
 upon it that name, either by occult or elementary quality; which 
 he that concedeth will much enlarge the catalogue or lilts of poi- 
 fons. For many things, neither deleterious by fubftance or qua- 
 lity, are yet deftruftive by figure, or fonie occaiional aftivicy. 
 So are Leeches deftruftive, and by fome accounted poifon 5 not 
 properly, that is by temperamental contrariety, occr.lt foini, or 
 fo much a> elemental repugnancy; but becaufe b:'ing invvaidiy 
 taken*"they faften upon the veins, andoccalionancxiuiion of blov^d, 
 wliich cannot be ealily ilanched. So a fponge is mifchievous j 
 not in it felf, for in its powder it is harnilefs : bur bica.ife be- 
 ing received into the ftomack it fwellerh, and occaaoning a cou- 
 tiiuial difteuiion, induceth a f^rangulation. So pins, needle^-, ears 
 oF Rye or Barley, maybe poilon. So Daniel deftroyed the Dra- 
 gon by a compoiition of three things, whereof nei;h?r was pol- 
 ibn alone, nor properly all together, that is, pitch, fat, and hair i 
 accordijig as is expreiled inthe hiftory. Then Daniel took pi:cli, 
 and fat, and hair, and did feethc them together, and made lumps 
 thereof, thefe he put in the Dragons mouth , and fo he burft 
 afunder. That is, the far and piich being cleaving bodies, and 
 the hair contiually extimulating the parts : by the aftion of the 
 one,, nature was provoked to expejl, but by the tenacity of the 
 ocher forced to retain : fo that there being left no pafTage in 
 or out, the Dragon brake in peeces. It muft therefore be ta- 
 ken of gi ofly-powdered Glafs, what is delivered by Grevinus : 
 and from the fame muft that Mortal dyfentery proceed which is 
 related by SanUorim. And in the fSime fenfe (hall we only al- 
 low a Diamond to be poifon ; and whereby as fome relate Yara-- 
 ■celfus himfelf was .poifoned. So even the precious fragments and 
 cordial gems which are of frequent ufe in Phyiick, and in them- 
 felves confe^ed of ufeful faculties j received in grofs and angu- 
 lar powders, may fo offend the bowels, as to procure defperate ' 
 languors, or caufe moft dangerous fluxes. ! 
 
 That Glafs may be rendered malleable and pliable unto the 
 hammer, many conceive, and fome make little doubt ; when 
 they read inD/o, Tliny ^nd Petronius 3 that one unhappily efFefted 
 it for Tiheriuf. Which notwithftanding muft needs, feem ftrange> 
 unto fuch as conjder, that bodies are duftile from a tenacious 
 humidity, which fo holdeth the parts together -, that though 
 they dilace or extend, they parr not from each others. That 
 bodies run in:o glafs, when the volatile parts are exhaled, and the 
 continua.inghnmourfeparaced: the fait and earth, that is, the fi- 
 xed parts remaining. And therefore vitrificadon maketh bodies 
 brittle : as deftroying the vHcous humours which hinder the 
 difruption of parts. Which may be verified even in the bodies 
 
 of 
 
Jlfy;::'yki into Vulgar Book. II. 
 
 of Mettals. For glafs of Lead or Tin isfra^^ilcy when that ghici- 
 ndus fulphiir harh been hred one, which made their bodies duftile. 
 
 He that would moft probably attempt it, mull experiment up- 
 on gold. Whofe iixed and flying parts are fo co-joyned , whole 
 fulpluir and concinuating principle is fo united unto the fait, that 
 fome may be hoped to remain to hinder fragility after vitrifi- 
 cation. But how to proceed > though after frequent corrolion, as ' 
 that upon the agency of tire , it lliould not revive into its pro- 
 per body, before ic comes to v'ltrihe, will prove noeafiedifcovery. 
 
 3. That Gold inwardly taken, either in fubftance, infuiion, de- 
 coftion or extinftion , is a cordial of great efficacy , in fundry 
 Medical ufes, although a praftife much uftd, is alfo much que- 
 liioned, and by no man detcrnnned bfyond difpute. There are 
 hereof I perceive two extream opinions ; fome exceilively magni- 
 fying it, and probably beyond its defertsj others extreamly vili- 
 fying it , and perhaps below its demerits. Some affirming it a 
 powerful Medecine in many difeafe^, others averring that fo u- 
 fed, it is eiTeftual in: none ■■, and in this number are very eminent 
 Phylicians j Eraiiusy Vureim licndeletmi Brajjavolm and many o- 
 ther j who befide the ilrigments and fudorous adhelions from mens 
 bands, acknowledge that nothing proceeded! from gold in the ufual 
 decoftion thereof. Now the capital reafonthat led men unto this 
 opinion, was their obfervation of the infeparable nature of gold ; 
 it being excluded in the fame quantity as it was received, without 
 alteration of parts, or diminution of its gravity. 
 
 Now herein to deliver fomewhat which in a middle way maybe 
 entertained j we firft affirm, that the Uibftance of Gold is invii> 
 cible by the powerfulleft aftion of natural heat i and that not- 
 only alimentally in a fubiUntial nmtation, but alfo medicamental- 
 ly in any corporeal converjion. As is very evident , not only 
 in the fwallowing of golden bullets , but in the lefTer and fo- 
 liate diviiions thereof : palling the ftomack and guts even as it 
 doth the throat , that is, without abatement of weight or con- 
 fiftence. So that it entreth not the veins with thofe eleftua- 
 lies wherein it is mixed : but taketh leave of the permeant parts, 
 at the mouthes of the Meferakkj , and accompanieth t he incon- 
 vertible portion unto the liege. Nor is its fubilantial converiioii 
 cxpeftible in any compolition or aliment wherein it is taken. And 
 therefore that was truly a ftarving abfurdity , which befell the 
 wiflies of Midas. And little credit there is to be given to the gold- 
 en Hen, related by IFendlerm. So in the extinftion of gold, we 
 muft not conceive it parteth with any of its fait or diflbluble 
 principle thereby, as we may affirm of Iron ; for the parts thereof are 
 hxcd beyond diviiion : nor vyill they feparate upon the ftrongeft teft 
 of /ire. This we affirm of pure gold : for that which is currant and 
 
 pafTeth 
 
Book. IL . ml Common lError^. p^ 
 
 pafTeth in flamp atiiongft Ui^ by reafoii of its allay, which is a 
 proportion of filver or copper mixed therewith : is aftually dt- 
 quantitated by fij-e, and poUibly by frequent extinftion. 
 
 Secondly, Although the fubftance of gold be not inimuted or 
 its gravity fenfibly decreafed, yet that from thence fonie vertue 
 may proceed either in fubftantial reception or infufion wc can- 
 not fafely deny. For poflible it is that bodies may emit ver- 
 tue and operation without abatement o^weight 5 as is mof]: e- 
 vident in the Loadftone, whofe eflluencies are continual, and 
 communicable without a minoration of gravity. And the like 
 is obfervable in bodies eleftrical, whofe eniilllons are lefs fub- 
 tile. So wiJl a Diamond or Saphire emit an effluvium fufficient 
 to move the needle or a ftraw , without diminution of weight. 
 Nor will polifhed i\mber although it fend forth a grofs and corpo- 
 ral exhalement, be found along time defective upon the exafteft 
 fcales. Which ismoreealily conceivable in a contmued and tenaci- 
 ous effluvium, whereof a great part retreats into its body. 
 
 Thirdly, If amulets do work by emanations from their bo- 
 dies 5 upon thofe parts whereunto they are appended, and are 
 not yet obferved to abate their weighty if they produce viii- 
 ble and real effefts by imponderous and invilible emiffions j it 
 may be uniuft to deny the polTible efficacy of gold, in the non-omlf- 
 iion of weight j or deperdition of any ponderous particles. 
 
 Laftly, Since Stibium or glafs of Antinionji iince alfo its P^e- 
 gulus will manifeftly communicate unto water or wine, a purg- 
 ing and vomitory operation 5 and yet the body it felf, though 
 after iterated infufions, cannot be found to abate either vertue 
 or weight j we fhall not deny but gold may do the like i that is, 
 impart fome effluences unto the infufion, which carry with them the 
 feparable fubtilties thereof. ♦ 
 
 That therefore this mettal thus received, hath any undenia- 
 ble effeft, we /hall not imperioiifly determine j although beiide 
 the former experiments, many more may induce us to believe it. 
 But fince the point is dubious and not yet authentically decided, 
 it will be no difcretion to depend on difputable remedies ; but 
 rather in cafes of known danger, to have recourfe unto me- 
 dicines of known and aproved aftivity. For, beiide the be- 
 nefit accruing unto tire fick, hereby may be avoided a grofs 
 and frequent error j commonly commited in the ufe of doubt- 
 full remedies, conjointly with thofe which are of approved vertues •■, 
 that is, to impute the cure luito the conceited remedy, or place it 
 on thar. v/ hereon they place their opinion. Whofe operation al- ^ 
 
 though it be nothing, or its concurrence not conllderable : yet 
 doth it obtain the name of the whole cure: and carrieth often the 
 honour of the capital energie, which had no finger in it. 
 
 Herein 
 
p5 Enpiries tnto Vulgiir 'Book.Il. 
 
 Heiein exaft and critical trial Ihoulti be made by pubjike eu- 
 joinnient : whereby deterniiiiation might be ierled beyond de- 
 bare : for fince thereby, not only the bodies of men, but great 
 Treafiires might be prefeiVed, it is not only an error of Phyfick, 
 but folly of State, to doubt thereof any longer. 
 
 4. That a pot full of afhes, will ftill contain as much water 
 as it would without them, although by Arijiotle in his problc- 
 mcs taken for granted, and fo received by moft, is not effefti- 
 ble upon the ftriftell experiment I could ever make. For when 
 , the aiery interfticies are filled, and as nnich of the fait of the afhes 
 as the water will imbibe is diiffblved ; there remains a grofsand 
 terreous portion at the bottom ; which will pofTefs a fpace by 
 it felf; according whereto there will remain a quantity of wa- 
 ter not receivable ; fo will it come to pafs in a pot of fait, al- 
 though decrepitated 5 and fo alfo in a pot of fnow. For fo much 
 it will want in reception, as its folution taketh up ; according unto 
 the bulk whereof, there will remain a portion of water not to be 
 admited. So a glafs fluffed with pieces of fpunge will want a- 
 bout a fixt part of what it would receive without it. So Sugar 
 will not diflblve beyond the capacity of the watery nor a met- 
 tal in aqua, fortis be corroded beyond its reception. And fo a 
 pint of fait of tartar expofed unto a moift ayr luitill it diflblve, will 
 make far more liquor, or as fome term it oy 1, then the former raea- 
 fure will contain. 
 
 Nor is it oply the exclufion of ayr by water, or repletion 
 of cavities pofleifed thereby, which caufeth a pot of afhes to ad- 
 mit fo great a quantity of water, but alfo the folution of the 
 fait of the afhes into the body of the difTolvent. So a pot of 
 afhes will receive fomewhat more of hot water then of cold; for 
 the warm water imbibeth more of the fait and a glafs veflell of 
 afhes more then of pin-dufl or fillings of Iron 5 and a glas fult 
 of water, will yet drink in a proportion of fait orfugar without 
 over-flowing. 
 
 Neverthelefs to make the experiment with moft advantage ; 
 and in which fence it approacheth neareft the truth, it miift be 
 made in afhes throughly burnt, and well reverberated by fire, 
 after the fait thereof hath been drawn out by iterated decofti- 
 ons. For then the body being reduced nearer unto earth, ai^ 
 emptied of all other principles, which had former ingreffion lui- 
 to it, becometh more porous, and greedily drinketh in water.^ 
 He that hath beheld what quantity of lead the teft of faltlefs afhes 
 Will imbibe, upon the refining of Silver, hath encouragement to 
 think it will do very much more in water. 
 
 5. Of white powder and fuch as is difcharged without report, there 
 is no fmal noile in the world . but how far agreeable unto truth, few 
 
 I 
 
Book. II. and Common Err ort, >7 ^ 
 
 I perceive are able to determine. Herein therefore to fatlsfie the T^eingtcdi- 
 doubcs of fome, and anmfe the credulity of others. We firft «"^ts ot Gun-, 
 declare i that Gunpowder confifteth of three ingredients, Salt-^*** ^^* 
 peter, Smal-coal, and Brimftone. Salt-peter, although it be alfo na- 
 tural and found in feveral places j yet is that of common ufe an arti- 
 ficial Salt, drawn from the infiifion of Salt earth, as that of Stales, 
 Stables, Dove-houfes, Cellers, and other covered places; where 
 the rain can neither difTolye, nor the Sun approach to refolveit^ 
 Brimftone is a Mineral body of fat and inflamable parts, and this 
 IS either ufed crude, and called fulphurvive, and is of a fadder 
 colour -J or after depuration, fuch as we have in magdeleons or rols, 
 of a lighter yellow. Smal-coal is known unto all, and for this 
 iifeismade of5ii//oKPj Willow^ Alder, Hafelly and the like; which 
 three proportionably mixed, tempered, and formed into granulary 
 bodies, do make up that powder which is in uff for Guns. 
 
 IVFow all thefe, although they bear a (hare in the difcharge, yet 
 have they diftinft intentions, and different offices in the compo- 
 fition. From Brimftone proceedeth the piercing and powerful firing: 
 For Smal-coal and Peter together will onely fpit, nor vigorouf- 
 ly continue the ignition.^ From Smal-coal enfueth the blak colour 
 and quick accenfion i for neither Brimftone nor Peter, although 
 in powder, will take fire like Smal-coal 5 nor will they eaiily 
 kindle upon thefparksof aflint i as neither vi'iW Camphire^ a bo- 
 dy very inflamable : but Smal-coal is equivolent to tinder, and 
 ferveth to light the Sulphur. It may alfo ferve to diffufe the ig- 
 nition through every part of the mixture j and being of more grofs 
 and fixed parts, may feem to moderate the aftivity of Salt-peter, 
 and prevent too hally rarefa^ion. From Salt-peter proceedeth 
 the force and the report ; for fulphiire and Smal-coal mixed will 
 not take fire with noife, or cxilition; and powder which is made 
 of impure and greafie Peter, hath but a weak emiiHon, andgiveth 
 a famt report. And therefore in the thiceeferts.of powder , the 
 flrongeft containeth moft Salt-peter, ,^n,d the -proportioii thereof is 
 about ten parts of Peter, unto one of Goal and Sulphur.;; ^ 
 
 But the immediate caufe of the Report, is the vehement com- 
 motion of the ayr upon the fudden and violent eruption of the 
 Powder i for that being fuddenly fired, and almoft altogether 5 
 upon this high rarefaftion, requireth by mauy degreesa greater 
 fpace then before its body occupied ;. but ifinding'reliftance, it 
 actively forceth h|s way, and by cpncuftion of .the ayr, occaiioneth 
 the Report, Npw with what violence it forceth; upon the ayr, 
 may ealily Ipe conceived, if we admit what Cardan aftirmeth, that 
 the powder fired doth occupy an hundred times a greater 
 fpace then its own bulk ; or rather what ^«f//i/^i more exactly 
 <accouiitjech 5 th.sit it e?;ce.edeth its former fp<ic€ no left then izooov 
 ■•'"'■" ■ ■ ■' O' ■ and 
 
5$ Etipmes into Vulgar Book. II. 
 
 TKe caufe of and $oo tinics. And this is the reafoii not onely of this flil- 
 Thtto4fr. minaring report of Guns , but may refolve the caufe of thofe terri- 
 ble cracks, and affrighting noyfes of Heaven; that is, the nitrous 
 and fulphurous exhalations, fee on fire in the clouds j whereupon 
 requiring a larger place, they force out their way, not onely with 
 the breaking of the cloud , but the laceration of the air about ir. 
 When if the matter be fpirituous , and the cloud compaft, the 
 noyfe is great and terrible ; If the cloud be thin, and the Materials 
 weak , the eruption is languid , ending in coritfcations and flafhes 
 without noife , although but at the diftance of two Miles ; which 
 is efteenied the renioteft diftance of clouds. And therefore fuch 
 Thcgrcatcft lightnings do feldom any harm. And theiefbi^e alfoit isproiigi- 
 diftance of die oils to have thunder in a clear sky, as is obfervably recorded in fome 
 Clouds. Hiftories. 
 
 ^ f From the like caufe may alfo proceed fnbteraneous Thunders 
 p h-"u k and Earthquakes i when fulphureous and nitrous veins being fired 
 * upon rarefaftion, do force their way through bodies that reiift chem. 
 VVhere if the kindled matter be plentiful , and the Mine clofe and 
 firm about it, fubvenion of Hils and Towns do fonietimes follow : 
 If fcanty , weak , and the Earth hollow or porous •, there onely en- 
 fueth fome fault concuflion or tremulous and quaking Moti- 
 on. Surely , a main Reafon wliy the Ancients were fo iniper- 
 feft in the Doitrine of Meteors , was their ignorance of Gun- 
 powder and Fire-works, which beft difcover the caufes of many 
 thereof. 
 
 Now therefore he that would dcftroy the report of Powder, 
 nmft work upcMi the Peter; he that would exchange the colour, 
 muft think how to alter the Smal-cioal. For the one, that i<s^ to 
 In thli Pvro- "^^^^ white powder 5 it is furely many wayes feafible : The beft I 
 tcchnia. know is by the Powder of rotten Willows; Spimk, or Touch-wood 
 
 prepared, might perhaps make ir Ruifet : and fome, as Beringuccio 
 aftirmeth : have promifedto make it Red. All'Cfhfch norwithftand- 
 ing doth little concern the Report ; for that, as we have ftiewed, de- 
 pends on anodier Ingredient. And therefore alfo under the co^ 
 lour of black, this principle is very variable ; for it is made not one- 
 ly hy. Wiliow^ AUer^ Hazel ^ &c. But fome above all com- 
 mend the coals of Flax and Kujhes ; and fome alfo contend, 
 the fame may be effe<Jted with Tinder. 
 
 As for the other , that is, todefti'oy the Report, it is reafonably 
 attempted but two wayes ; either by quite leaving out, or elfeby 
 fikncing the Salt-peter. How to abate the vigor thereof , or fi- 
 filcnce its bombulation , a way is promifed by Pornz, not onely in 
 general tcrnjs by fome fat bodies , but in particular by Borax and 
 butter mixed in a due propoi-tioh ; which faith he, will fO 
 go off as fcarce to be heard by the difch^rger ; and indeed 
 
 plentifully 
 
Book. II. "ind Common Emril 99 
 
 plentifully mixed , it will almoft take off the Report, and alfo 
 
 the force of the charge. That it may be thus made without 
 
 Salt-peter , I have met with but one example , that is , of Al- 
 
 phonfus Duke of Ferrara, who in the relation of Brajfavolus and D< ear^wae 
 
 Cardan y invented fuch a Powder, as would difcharge a bullet ^^W*"*- 
 
 without Report. 
 
 That therefore white powder there may be, there is no ab- 
 furdity ', that alfo fuch a one as may give no Report, wc will 
 not deny a poffibilityi But this however, contrived either with 
 or without Salt-peter, will furely be of little force, and the ef- 
 fects thereof no way to be feared : For as it omits of Report, 
 fo will it of etfeftual exclufion -, and fo the charge be of little 
 force which is excluded. For thus much is reported of that 
 famous powder of Alphonfus^ which was not of force enough 
 to kill a Ckicken, according to the delivery of Brajfavoluf* Jam- 
 que pdvU inventus eji qui glandem. fine bombo projicit , nee tamcn 
 ■vehenienter ut vel puUum interficere pojjit. 
 
 Ig is not to be denyed, there'are waies to difcharge a bullet, 
 not onely with powder that makes no noife , but without any 
 powder at all ; as is done by water and Wind-guns j but thefe af- 
 ford no fulminating Report, and depend on fingle principles. 
 And even in ordinary powder there are pretended other waies, 
 to alter the noife and ftrength of the difcharge j and the beft, 
 if not onely way, coniifts in the quality of the Nitre ; for as for 
 other waies which make either additions or alterations in the Pow- 
 der, or charge, 1 find therein noeffeft. That unto every pound of 
 Sulphur, an adjeftion of one ounce of Qajck-iilver , or unto 
 every pound of Peter, one ounce of Sal Armoniac will much in- 
 tend the force and confequently the Report, as Beringuccio hath 
 delivered, I find no fuccefs therein. That a piece of Opi/^wz will 
 dead the force, and blow^ as fome have promifed. I find here- 
 in no fuch peculiarity, no more then in any Gum or vifcofe 
 body : and as much effeft there is to be found from Scammonj. 
 That a Bullet dipped in ojl by preventing the tranfpiration of 
 ayr, vvill carry farther, and pierce deeper, a? Porta affirmeth, 
 my experience cannot difcern. That Qliick-iiJver is more de- 
 ftruftive then fhot, is fureiy not to be made outi, for it will 
 fcarce make any penetraticn, and difcharged frora a Piftol, will 
 hardly pierce through a parchment. That Vinegar, fpiiics of 
 
 Wine, or the diftilled water of Oran<je-pils, -wherewich the now- ^ 
 
 J ■ ^ , jtcvi^Id u Cat. avmi' 
 
 der is tempered, are more ettectual unto the Report then com- ^j,^^- j^j^.,„^ 
 
 mon water, as fome do proniife, I (hall not affirm 5 but may af- ^ ya v,o}>.bxf 
 
 furedly more conduce unto the prefervation and durance of the dicTQ\ 
 
 powder, as C/zttfMftf hath well obferved. 
 
 That the heads of arrows and bullets have been difcharged with 
 
 O 2 that 
 
jioo Enpiries into Vulvar Book.lL 
 
 that force, as to nick or grow red hot in their flight, though 
 commonly received, and taken up hy /irijiotle in his Meteors, is 
 not foeaiily allowa'ble by any, who fhall confider, that a Bullet 
 of Wax will mifchief withour melting-, that an Arrow or Bullet 
 difcharged againft linnen or paper do nor fet them onfire^ and hard- 
 ly apprehend how an Iron fhould grow red hot, fincc the fwiftefl 
 motion at hand will nor keep one red that hath been made red by 
 fire; as may be obferved in fwinging a red hot Iron about, or 
 fafteningic into a wheel; which under that motion will fooner 
 gi ow cold then without it. That a bullet alfo mounts upward upon 
 the horizontal or point blank difcharge, many Artifts do not allow: 
 who contend that it defcribeth a parabolical and bowing line, by 
 reafon of its natural gravity inclining it alwaies downward. 
 
 But, Beiide the prevalence from Salt-peter, as Mafter-ingredi- 
 entinthe mixture; Sulphur may hold a greater ufe in the coni- 
 pofition and further aftivity in the exclulion , then is by moll 
 conceived. For Sulphur vive makes better powder then common 
 Sulphur, which neverthelefs is of a quick accenlion. For fmal- 
 coal. Salt-peter and Caniphire made into powder will be of lit- 
 tle force, wherein notwithftanding there wants not the accen- 
 ding ingredient. And Caniphire though it flame well, yet will 
 not fluQi fo lively, or defecate Salt-peter, if you injeft it there- 
 on, like Sulphur, as in the preparation of Sal p-mtelU. And 
 laftly, though many waies may be found to light this powder, 
 yet is there none I know to make a ftrong and vigorous powder 
 of Salt-perer ; without the admixtion Sulphur. Arfenk red and 
 yallow, that is Orpement and Sandarach may perhaps do fome- 
 thing, as being inflamable and containing Sulphiu' in them ; but 
 containing alfo a fait , and Mercurial mixtion, they will be of 
 little eifeft; and white or Chrillaline Arfenk of lefs; for that 
 being artificial , and fublimed with fait, will not indure fia- 
 niation. 
 
 This Antipathy or contention between Salt-peter and Sulphur 
 upon an aftual tire in their compleat a!id diltinft bodies, is al- 
 fo manifefted in their preparations, and bodies which invi;ibly 
 contain them. 'J'hus is the preparation of Crocm Metallorurn } 
 the matter kindleth and flufheth like Gun-powder ; wherein not- 
 withllanding, there is nothing but y^/^rzwo;/) «i'^d Salt-peter. But 
 this pioceedeth from the Sulphur of Antimony^ not enduring the 
 focietyof Salt-peter; for after three or four acceniions, through 
 a frefli addidon of peter, the powder will fluOi no more ; for the 
 Sulphur of the Antimony is quite exhaled. Thus Iron in Aqua 
 for [if will fall into ebullition, with noife and emicacion, as alfo a 
 crafs and fumid exhalation; which are caufed from this combat of 
 the Sulphiu: of Iron,with theacideandnicrous fi^ints o^ Aqua fort is. 
 
 So 
 
Book. II; W Common Error f» lo^ 
 
 So is it alfo in Aurnm fulntiHans y or powder of Gold dliTolvediii 
 AquaKegi^i andprecipitaced with oyl of T'^rrrtfr, which will kindle 
 Without an aftiial fire, and afford a report like Gun-povvder3 that is, 
 not as Croi'iwf affirmech from any Antipathy between Sal Armoniac Vtconft/ifu 
 and tartar , but rather between the nitrous fpirits of Aqua Reglfy Chymiionm, 
 coniniixed^fr »/i«iw/r with the Sulphur of Gold, as Sennertm hatlv^^* 
 well obferved. 
 
 6. ThatCo?»<r/(which is aLit^o/'^j'f(?;« orftone-plant, andgrowN 
 cth at thebocroni of the Sea) is foft under water, but waxeth hard 
 in the air , although the airertioii of Diofcorides , Pliny , and confe- 
 quently Solinm-, Iftdore^Kuemi and many others, and ftands believed 
 by molt , we have fome reafon to doubt j efpeclally if we conceive 
 with common believers , a total foftnefs at the bottom j and this in- 
 duration ro be.llngly made by the air , not onely from fofuddjn 
 a petrifaftlon and ilrange induration , not eafily made out from 
 the qualities of air»i but becaufe we find it rejected by experimeutal 
 enqi'.iries. Johannes Beguinm in his Chapter of the Tin£t.ire of 
 Coraly. undertakes to clear the world of this error , from the exprefs 
 experiment of John Baptijia 4e Nrco/e :, who was Overfe^r of the in the Frcpch 
 gathering of Coral upon the Kingdom of Thu.nis. This Gentlemen, Copy. 
 laithhe, defirous to find the nature of Ci^r^/, and to be refolved 
 how it groweth at the bottom of the Sea j caufed a man to go down 
 no Icfs then a hundred fathom, with exprefs to take notice, 
 whether it were hard or foft in the place where it growech. Who 
 returning j brought in each hand a branch of Coral , affirming 
 it was as hard at the bottom , as in the air where he delivered 
 it. The fame was alfo confirmed by atrial of his own, handling 
 it a fathom under water before it felt the air. Boetm in his How Coral of 
 actuate Traft De GemmU ^ is of the fame opinion; not afcribing a plant be- 
 its concretion unto the air , but the coagulating fpirits of fait, and conies a ftonc. 
 ladipifical juyce of the Sea, which entring the parts of that plant, 
 overcomes its vegetabilityjand converts it into a lapideous fubllancc. 
 And this, faith he, doth happen when the plant is ready to decayj 
 for all Cor/r/ is not hard, and in many concreted parts fome parts 
 remain unpetrified , that is, the quick and livelier parts remain 
 as wood, and were never yet converted. Now that plants and 
 ligneous bodies may endurace underwater without approachmcnt 
 of air, we have eKPeriment in Coralline^ with many Coralloidal coii- 
 cretionsjand that little ftony plant which Mr. Johnfon nameth, Hi^ 
 ' furii Caroloides i 2i\\<iGefner fol lis manfu Arena fts ^ v^Q. have found in 
 frefti water i which is the lefs concretive portion of that Ele- 
 ment. We have alfo with us the vilible petrification of wood in 
 many»vvaters j whereof fo much as is covered with water converteth 
 into ftonci as much as is above ic and in the air^retaineth the form of 
 wood, and continueth as before.] 
 
 Now 
 
j©2 Expiries into Vulgar Book. H. 
 
 Now tliough in a middle way we might concede , that fomc 
 are foft and others hard; yec whether all Coral were firft of a 
 woody fubllanct and afterward converted •, or rather fome there- 
 of- were never fuch , but from the fprouting fpirit of fait, were 
 
 Gaw Hiuor. ■ ^i^j^ ^.^^^^ jj^ ^j^^-^ ilony natures to raniifie and fend forth branches ; 
 
 as is obfervable in fome ftones, in filver and Metall jcall bodies, is 
 not without fome queftion. And fuch at leaft might fome of thofe 
 be, which Fiarouniti obferved to grow upon bricks at the bottom 
 of the Sea, upon the coaft of Barbaric. 
 
 7. We are not throughly refolved concerning Porcf//<r;f^ or China 
 difhes, that according to common belief they are made of Earth, 
 which lyeth in preparation about an hundred years under ground 4 
 for the relations thereof are not only divers, but contrary •, and 
 Authors agree not herein. Guido TanciroUus will have them made 
 of Egg- (hells, Lobftcr-Zhells, and Gjpfum laid up in the Earth the 
 fpace of eighty years : of the fame aftirmation is Scaliger ^ and 
 the common opinion of moft. Ramuzius in his Navigations is of 
 a conti ary aflertion •■, that they are made out of Earth, not laid 
 under ground, but hardened in the Sun and winde, the fpace 
 of fourty years. But Conzales de Mendoza, a man imployed in- 
 Of what mat- to China from PhiL'ip the fecond King of Spai>i3 upon enquiry and 
 rer the China ocular experience delivered a way different from all thefe. For 
 ^ ^" ^ ^' enquiring into the ArtiHce thereof, he found they were made of 
 a Chalky Earth ; which beaten and fteeped in water, affordeth a 
 cream or fatneffe on the top, and a grofs fubfidence at the bot- 
 tom i out of the cream or fuperfluitance, the finell difhes, faith 
 he, are made, out of the refidence thereof the courfer; which be- 
 ing formed, they gild or paint, and not after an hundred years, but 
 prefentJy commit unto the furnace. This, faith he, is known by 
 experience, and more probable then what Odoardus Barbofa hath 
 delivered ; that they are made of flieJs, and buried under earth an 
 hundred years. And anfwerable in all points hereto, is the re- 
 lation of LinfchottCHi a diligent enquirer, in his Oriental Navigati- 
 ows. Later confirmation may be had from Alvarez the Jefuit, who 
 lived long in thofe parts, in his relations oi China. That Porcel- 
 lane Ve/Tels were made but in one Town of the Province of Ckiamfi : 
 That the Earth was brought out of other Provinces, but for the 
 advantage of water which makes them -more polite and perfpicu- 
 ou«, they were only made in this. That they were wrought and 
 fafhioned like thofe of other Countries, whereof fonii were tin- 
 fted blew, fome red, others yellpw, of which colour only they pre- 
 fented unto the King. 
 
 . Now if any enquire, why being fo conmionly made, and in fo 
 fhort a time, they are become fo fcarce, or not at all to be had? 
 Theanfvvcrisgivenby rhcfe iaft Pvelators, that under great penal- 
 ties 
 
Book. IL And Common 'Errors, 105 
 
 'ics it is forbidden to carry the firft fort out of the CoiintrCf. 'j 
 And of thofe finely the properties hiuft be verefied ^ which by 
 Scaliger and others are afcribed to China-difhes ; That they admit 
 no poyfon. That they ftrike firCjThatf they will grow hot no higher 
 then the liqueur in them arifeth. For fuch as paife anlongft us, and 
 under the name of the fineft, will only ftrike rire, but not difcover 
 Aconite^ Mercury^ or Arfenick, j but niay be ufeful in dyfenceries and 
 fluxes beyond the other. - 
 
 8. Whether a Carbuncle ( which is efteenied the beft and biggeft 
 of Rubies J doth flame in the dark, or fhiiie like a coal 'in the 
 nightj though generally agreed on by common believers, is very 
 much queftioned by many. By MtUim j who accmmts it a vulgar 
 Error : By the leavned Bxtim 5 who could not finde it verefied ui 
 that famous one of Koduiphrtf 3 which was as big as an Egg, and 
 efteemed the beft in Europe'. Wherefore although we difpute no: 
 the poilibility, whether Irerein there be not too high an apprehen- 
 iion, and above its natural radiancy, is not without juft doubt : 
 however it be granted a very fplendid Gem, and whofefparks may 
 fomewhat refemble the glaiices of fire ■■, and Metaphorically defervc 
 that name. And therefore when it is conceived by fome, that this 
 ftone in the Breftplate of Aaron rcfpeiS^ed the Tribe of Pan, who 
 bunit the City of Laifh •, and Sampfon of the fame tribe, who fired 
 the Corn of the Pkilijihims ; in fonie fenfe it may be admitted, and 
 is no intolerable conception. 
 
 As for that Indiin Stone, that fhlned fo brightly iti the Night, iicude qua- 
 and pretended to have been fhewn to many in the Cmu't of France^fit. pLt Epi^O' 
 ^s Andrew Chioccus h^th declared out of Thaamts ; it proved but an ^a^' 
 inipofture, as that eminent Philofopher Licetus hath difcorered ; 
 and therefore in the revifed Editions of thuanufy it is not to be 
 found. And for the Fhofphoruf or Bononian Stone, which cyi]^o{cAVeet.dtlapU« 
 ttiito the Sun, and then clofely fhiit up, will afteiward afrord a Bonomnp. 
 Kght in the dark ; it is of imlike eonii deration, for that requl- 
 reth calcination, or rcdu&iwi into a dry powder by fire ; where- 
 by it imbibeth the light in the vaporous humidity of the ayr about 
 it 5 and therefore maintaineth its light not long, but goes out when 
 the vaporous vehicle is confimied. 
 
 9. Whether the Mtites or iEg/f-ftone hath that eminent proper- " 
 «y to promote delivery or reftrain abovtioii, refpeftively apply ed 
 to lower or upward parts of the body, we /hall not difcourage 
 common praftice by otu' queftion ; but whether they anfv/er the 
 account thereof, as to be taken out of jEgles-n^^s, co-operaciiig 
 hi- women imto luch effeftsj as they are conceived toward the young 
 Mgifi : oi' whether the lingle fignature of one i}one included in the 
 Matrix and belly of another, werenocfufticient at firft to derive this 
 vertue of the pregnane Stone, upon others in impregnacion, may 
 
 y^ec 
 
104 
 
 rkecdoius ^9" 
 Vdi^'ntiYtUltt 
 
 Agalnft poi; 
 
 fon. 
 
 Provoking 
 
 Urine. 
 
 Againd the 
 
 Calling tick- 
 
 ncfs. 
 
 Enquiries tnto VulgAr 'Book.IL 
 
 yet be forth er coniidered. Many forts there arc of this ratling 
 Stone, befide theG^o^fij containing a fofterfubliajice in it. Divert 
 sw-e, found in £x^//7/fi;^3 and one we met with on the Sea-ihore, l>uC. 
 becaufe many of eminent life are pretended to be brought from 
 Ifiand wherein are divers ayries o^ JEgles^ we cannot omit to deli- 
 ver what we received from a iCHrned perfon in that Country, JfL-^ 
 titas an in nidis Aquilarnm aliquando fuerit repertusyMefcio, Nojtra certe 
 fneriwriay etiam iriquirentihus mn contigit invenijp , quare in fahu-^ 
 lis habendum. 
 
 10. Terrible apprehenfions and anfwerable mito their names, are 
 raifed of Fayrie itones, and Elves fpurs found commonly with us, in 
 Stone,Chalk,and Marl-pits,which notvTithftanding are no more then 
 Echinometrites and Belemnites^ theSea-Hedg-hogjand the D/jrr-ftone, 
 arifing from fome IiiiceousR.oots, and fofter then that of Flint, the 
 Mafter-ftone, lying more regularly in courfes, and ariling from the 
 primary andftrongeft fpirit of the Mine. Of the Echinitesituch as arc 
 found in Chalk-pits are white, glaiTy, andbuilt upon a Chalky in- 
 lide i fome of an hard and flinty fubftance, are found in Stone-pits 
 and elf- where. Common opinion commendeth them for theftoncj 
 but are moft practically ufed againft Films in Horfes eyes. 
 
 11. Laftly, He mull have more heads then Kowe had Hills, that 
 makes out half of thofe vertues afcribed unto ftones, and their not 
 only Medical, but Magical proprieties, which are to be found in 
 Authors of great Name. In I'ftlluSy Serapian^ Evax^ Albertws^ Also,- 
 zar^ Marbodeus ; in Maiol't^^ Kueusy Mjliusy and many more. 
 
 That Lapis La full hath in it a purgative faculty we know 5 that 
 Bfzo^r is Antidotal, Lapis J udaicus diuretical. Coral Antepileptical, 
 wewillnotdeny^ Th^t Come liansy Jafpisy Heliotropesy and Blood-, 
 ftones, may be of vertue to thofe intentions they are implyed, ex- 
 perience and vilible effects will make us grant. But that an Amethjjl 
 prevents inebriation j that an£wfr^/<a^ will break if worn in copu-, h 
 lation. That a Diamond laid under the pillow, will betray the meon-; ^ 
 tinency of a wife. That ^ Saphire is pi;efervative againft inchant- 
 nients j that the fume of an Agath will avert a tempeli, or the wear- 
 ihg of a Cryfoprafe make one out of love with Gold i as fome have 
 delivered, we are yet, I confefs, to believe, and in tliat iniideUty. 
 are likely to end our dayes. And therefore they, which in the. ex- 
 plication of the two Beryls upon the Ephod, or the twelve ftones ip, 
 the Rational or Breaftplate o( Aarony or thofq twelve vvhich gar- 
 nifhed the wall of the holy City in the Apocalyps, have drawn t.heir, 
 fignifications fromfuch asthefe; or declared their fymbolical ve- 
 rities from fuch traditional faliities j have furely corrupted the fin- 
 ceritie of their Analogies, or mifunderftood the myfterie of their 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book. II. i^nd Common Enirs. lo^ 
 
 C tt A P. VI. 
 
 Of fundrj Tenents concerning vegetables or PlantSy which examined 
 prove either falfe or dubious. 
 
 I. IV/f'^'^y Mola"'s.and falfe conceptions there are of Man- 
 ^^ draj^es^ the firft from great Antiquity, conceiveth the 
 pLOot thereof refembleth the ftiape of Man ; whicli is a conceit 
 not to be made out by ordinary infpeftion, or any other eyes, then 
 fiich as regarding the Clouds, behold them inftiapes conformable 
 to pre-apprehenfions. 
 
 Now what ever encouraged the firft invention , there have not 
 been wanting many waies of its promotion. The firft aCata- 
 chrefticall and far derived fimilitude, it holds with Man 5 that 
 is, in a bifurcation or divifion of the Root into two pares, which 
 fome are content to call Thighs ', whereas norwithftanding they arc 
 oft-times three, and when but two, commonly fo complicated and 
 crofled, that men for this deceit, arc fain to effeft tlieir de ign in 
 other plants J And as fair a relemblance is often found in Car- 
 ror.f, ParfnipSy Brhnyy afid many others. There are, I confefs, di- 
 vers plants which carry about them, rot onely the ftiape of partSj but 
 aifo of whole Animals, but furcly not all thereof, unto whom this 
 conformity is imputed. Whoever fhall perufe the fisjnatures of 
 CnUiusy or rather the Phytognomy of Porta, and ftriftly obferve 
 how vegetable Realities are commonly forced into Animil Rc- 
 preftnuaions, may eafily perceive in very many, the femblance is 
 but poftulatory j and muft have a more alTmiiUting phancy then mine 
 to uiake good many thereof. 
 
 Illiterate heades have been lead on by the name 5 which in 
 the f rft fylliblc expreffeth its Reprefentation ^ but others have ^ 
 better obferved the Laws of Etiynologj, and deduced it from a ^'*'''^?*> 
 vvo:d of the fame language, becaufe it delighteth to grow in ^^^ * 
 oblcure and fliady places j which derivation, although we /ball not 
 ftand to mainrain,'yet the orher feemeth anfwerablc unto the Etimo- 
 log'-es of matiy Author?, who often confoimd fuch nominal No- 
 taciom. Not to -:nquire beyond our own prof e. Hon, the Latine In the old 
 Phylitians which moft adhered unto the Arabii\ way, have Edicioa. 
 often failed herein ; particularly Vale feus de Tarrant a, a re- 
 ceived Phyiitian, in whofe p^/7';«iw>»/ or Medical praftice thefemay 
 be obferved i Viarbea, fairh he, ^ia pfuries venit in die. He- 
 rifepela^ quaf. kxrenspilif. 'Eworrbois , ah emachfangvis & wQrrhoi<: 
 quod eji cadere.Litbargja a Lt^os quod eji ohiivio & Targus worluSySco' 
 tontia a ScoXusq'^od e^ videre, & niias mufca. Opthalmia ah opus Grdcce 
 quod eft fuccus, & Salmon quod eft occvlm, Paralifts^ quafi Ufio ptrtis* 
 
 P tuiuU 
 
jo^ Enquiries into, Vulgar Book.IL, 
 
 Fibula a foi fonvs^ & liolon qvod eji emiffid, qua ft emijjio font vel vo- 
 cis-. Which are derivations as ftrange indeed as the other, and 
 hardly to be paralleld elfcwhere ; confirming not only the words 
 of one language with another , but creating fuch as were never 
 yet in any. 
 
 The received diftinftion and common notation by Sexes, hath 
 alfo promoted the conceit-, for true it is, that H^rbalijh from anci- 
 cnt times have thus diftinguiflied them ; naming thar the Male, 
 whofe leaves are lighter, and fruit and Apples rounder j but this 
 2> tl tis *^ properly no generative divifion, but rather fonie note of ftiftin- 
 ^ - tion in colour, figure or operation. For though Empedocles affirm, 
 there is a mixt and undevided Sex in Vegetables ■■, and Sc'aUger 
 upon Arifiotle^ doth favourably explain that opinion j yet will it 
 not conlift with the common and ordinary accepdon, nor yet with 
 Arijhotles definition. For if that be Male which generates in an- 
 orher, that Femak which procreates in it feif j if it be under- 
 ftood of Sexes conjoyned, all plafits are Feuiale j auid if of dif- 
 joyned and congreilive generation, there is no Male or Female in 
 them at all. 
 
 But the Atlas or main Axis which fupported this opinion, was 
 The impo- daily experience, and the viiible teftimony of fenfe. For many 
 flurcs touch- there are in feveral parts of E'lrop^^ who carry about Roots and 
 "J^^^^^^°^ fell them unto ignorant people , which handfomly make out the 
 o Mandraifc ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ or Woman. But thefe are not proJuftions of Na- 
 ture, but contrivances of Art, as divers have noted, and Miihio" 
 Im plainly detefted, who learned this way of Trumpejy from a 
 vagabond cheater lying under his cure for the French difcafe. His 
 words are thefe, and may determine the point, Sed prof^^o vanunt 
 & fahulofum-i^cQ.* But this is vain and fabulous , which ignorant 
 people, and iimple women believe j for the roots which are car- 
 ried about by impoftors to deceive imfruitfuU women, are n»ade of 
 the roots of Canes, Bryony and other plants: for in thefe yet 
 frefh and virent, they carve out the figiues of men and women, 
 firft flicking- therein the grains of barley or millet , where they 
 intend the hair fhould growj then bury them in fand, until the 
 grains flioot forth their roots, wjilch at the longeft will happen 
 in twenty daiesi afterward clip and trim thofe tender ihings in 
 the falhion of beards and other hairy teguments. AH which like 
 / other impoftures once difcovered is eafily eifeftedj an J in the rooc 
 of white Briony may be praftifed every fpring. 
 
 What is therefore delivered in favour thereof, by Authors an- 
 cient or mo lern, uuift have its root in tradition , impoihire , far 
 derived limilitude, or cafuall and rare con:ingency. So may we 
 admit of the Epithet of Pythagorji^ who calls it Anth^opomo<p'yM', 
 an.i that oi ColumeUa^ who terms \tSemihont3 3 more app liable unro 
 
 the 
 
Book. II. 'and Common trroW, ^'ld7 
 
 the ^2.\\-0rchis^ whofe flower reprefents a mati. Thus is Alkrlm O'this Antlro- 
 to be received when he affirnieth that Mandrak^i rc^i-z^tnt man- f"'^?'"^'^*' ^'' 
 kindc with the diftinftion of either fex. Under thefe reftriftions \]fcri'' Maoii 
 may thofe Authors be admitted, which for this opinion are iiitro- par.ifiatica. 
 diiced by Vrufius ; nor Hiall we need to queftion the nionftrous root D> mavdri- 
 of Briony defcribed in Aldrovnndu^. P^'^- . 
 
 Thefecond aflertion concerneth its produftlon, That it natu- ^* '^''"'"'"* 
 rally grov^eth under gallowfes and places of execution, arifing 
 from fat or mine that drops from the body of the dead ■■, a ftory 
 fomewhac agrcable unto the fable of the Serpents teeth fowed 
 in the earth by Cadmus •■, or rather the birth of Orion from the 
 lirine of Jupiter^ Mercury^ and Neptune, Now this opinion feems 
 grounded on the former, that is, a conceived fimilitude it hath 
 with man 5 and therefore from him in fome way they would make 
 out its produftion : Which conceit is not only erroneous in the 
 foundation, but injurious vmto Philofophy in the fupcrftrufti- 
 on. Making putrifaftive generations , correfpondent unto femi- 
 nal productions , and conceiving in equivocal efFefts an vmivocal 
 conformity unto the efficient. Which is fo far from being vere- 
 iied of animals in their corruptive mutations into plants, that they 
 niaintain not this fimilitude in their nearer tranflation into ani- 
 mals. So when the Oxe corrupteth into Bees, or the Horfe into 
 Hornets, they come not forth in the image of their original?. 
 So the corrupt and excrementous humours in man are animated 
 
 into Lice ; and we may obferve, that Hogs,Sheep5Goats,Hawks,Hens Generations 
 
 J I 1 I- J I • J r ■ equivocal, arC 
 
 €Ti-i others, have one peculiar and proper kinde of vernunci uot ygj coaimcnly 
 
 refembling themfelves according to feminal conditions, yet carry- regularjand of 
 ing a fetled and confined habitude unto their corruptive originals, n determinacc 
 And therefore come not forth in generations erratical,'or diiferent ^°^^ °^ rpcqei 
 from each others but feem fpecitically and in regular fhapes to 
 attend the corruption of their bodies, as do more perfect concepti- 
 ons, the rule of feminal production?. 
 
 The third affirmeth the roots of Mandrakes do make a noife, or 
 give a (hreek upon eradication : which is indeed ridiculous, and 
 fdlCc below confute-, ariling perliaps from a fmall and ftridulous 
 noife^ which beeing firmly rooted^ it maketh upon divullion of parts, 
 A fl.nder foundation for fiich a vaft conception : for fuch a noife 
 we fometime obferve in other planes, inParfenip:-, Li<]uoriih, E- 
 ringiiim. Flags ai^i others. 
 
 The lafi: concerneth the danger enfuing,^ That tliere follows an 
 hazard of life to them that pull it up, that fome evil fate purfiies 
 them, and they live not very long after. Therefore the artempt 
 hereot aiiiong the Ancients was not in ordinary way, but as Pit- 
 ny informeth, when they intended to take up the root of this 
 plant, they took the winde thereof, and with a Avoid dcfciibing 
 
 P 2 three 
 
loS ErK^ulrles into Vulgar Book. II, 
 
 three dries abovit it, they digged it up, looking toward the IFeff, 
 A conctic not only injiuious unto truth, and confutable by daily 
 cx^ eri jnce, but fomewhat dero:;arory unto the Providence of God ; 
 that is not only to impofe fo dellruftive a quality on any plant, 
 but conceive a vegitable, whofe parts are ufefuU unto many, fhould 
 in the only taking up prove niortall unto any. To think he fuf- 
 fi^rcth the poifon oi Nubia, to be gathered, Na^eUui^ Aconi'e and Tho- 
 ra to be eradicated , yet this not to be moved. That he per- 
 mitteth Afenick and mineral poifons to be forced from the bow- 
 els of the earth , yet not this from the furface thereof. This 
 were to introduce a fecond foi bidden fruit, and inhance the firt 
 malediftion ; making it not only mortal for Adam to tafte the 
 one, but capitall unco his pofterity to eradicate or dig up the 
 other. 
 
 Now what begot, ac leaft promoted fo ftrange conceptions, 
 might be the magical opinion hereof •> this being conceived the 
 plant fo much in life with Circe^ and therefore named Circeay as 
 Di'^fcorides and T^f<//?W/f75 have delivered i which being the emi- 
 nent Sorcerefs of elder llory , and by the Magick of fimples be- 
 lieved to have wrought many wonders : fome men were apt to in- 
 vent, others to believe any tradition or magical promife thereof. 
 
 Analogous relations concerning other plants, and fuch as aj-e of 
 near aftiniry unco this have made its currant fm)oth , and pafs 
 more caiily among xv?. For the fame effe£t is alfo delivered by 
 Jofephufj concerning the root Btnras ■, by JElian of Cymfpba^us', 
 and we read in Homer the very fame opinion concerning Moly. 
 
 'iTie Gods it Moiy call, whofe root to dig away. 
 Is dangerous unto Man ; but Gods they all things may. 
 
 Now paralels or like relations alternately relieve each other j 
 when neither will pafs afunder, yet are they piaulible together ; their 
 mutual concurrences fupporting their folicary inftabilities. 
 
 Signaturirfs have fomewhat advanced if, who feldom omitting 
 what Ancients delivered ^ drawing into iufcrerences received di- 
 ftinftions of fex, not willing ro examine its humane refemblance; 
 and placing it in the form of ftrange and magical limples, have made 
 men (ufpeft ihere was more thereui then ordinary praftife allowed ; 
 and fo became apt to embrace whatever they heard or read con- 
 formable imco fuch conceptions. 
 
 Lafdy, The conceit promoceth it felf : for concerning an ef- 
 feft whofe tryal muft coll fodear, it fortifies it felf in that in- 
 vention j and few there are whofe expei iment it need to fear. 
 For ( what is moft contemptible} akhough not only the reafon of 
 
 any 
 
BooJc. II. mi Common Error t, ^^9 
 
 any heaH, but experitnce of eveiy haiidilMay well conviA itj yet 
 will it not by clivers be rejefted-, for prepofTdfed heads will ever 
 doubt it, and timorous beliefs will never dare to rry ir. So thcfs 
 traditions how low and ridiculous foevet, will finde fufpition in 
 fome, doubt in others, and fcrve as refts or tryals of Melancholly, 
 and fiipeiftirious tempers for ever. 
 
 2. ThatCniamon, Ginger, Clove, Mace and Nutmeg , are but That Cliu- 
 the feverai parts, and fniits of the fame tree, is the common b::lief "^'S Gir>fer, 
 of thofe which daily ufej^hem. Wheieof to Qieak diftinftly i Gin- Cl'^ve, ef^-c 
 ger is the Roo: of neither tree nor fhrub, but of an h^rbafeous ^^^^ ^^^^ 
 plant, rercnibling the Warcr-fiower-De-luce, a> Grrcijs Hrft defcri- 
 bed i or ruicher ths common Pvecd, a; Loheli.u lince afhrmed. Vsvy 
 common in many pares o^ Indian growing either from Root or 'tQ^d-y 
 whidi in I>ec€mb.'r and Jan^'ary they take up, and gtnt\y dryed^ role 
 ir up in earth •, whertby occluding the poies, they confervetlie na- 
 tural humidify, and fo prevent corruption* 
 
 Cinamonis the inward baikof a Cinamontree, whereof the beft 
 is bro: g t from ZeiLm\ this freed from the outward bark, and expo- 
 fed unto die SuUj contrafti into thofe folds wherein we commonly 
 receive it. If it have not a fufticienc infolation it looketh pale, and 
 attains not its laudable colour 5 if it be funned too long, it fuifereth 
 a torrefaftion, and defcendeth fomewhat below ir. 
 
 Clove fcems to be either the rudiment of a fruit, or the fruit fclf 
 growing upon the Clove-tree j to be found but in few countiies. 
 The moft commendable is that of the Ifles of Molvcca-^ it is firft white, 
 afterward green, which beaten down and dried in the Sun, becometK 
 black, and in the complexion we receive it. 
 
 Nutmeg is the fruit of a tree differing from all thefe, and as Grfr- 
 cijj' defer ibeth it, fomewhat like a Peach j growing in divers places, 
 but fruftifying in the \i[& oi Banda . The fruit hereof conlifteth of 
 four parts ; the firft or outward part is a thick and carnous covering 
 like that of a Walnut. The fecond a dry and flofculous coat, com- 
 monly called Mace. The third a harder tegument or fhelU which ly- 
 eth under the Mace. The fourth a kernel included in the /hell, which 
 is the fame we call Nutmeg. All which both in their parts and order 
 of difpofuie are ealily difcerned in thofe fruits, which are brought 
 in preferves unto us. 
 
 Now if becaufe Mace and Nutmegs proceed from one tree, the 
 reft muft bear them company ; or becaufe they are all from the Eaft- 
 Indiesy they are all from one plant : the Inference is precipirous j 
 nor will there fuch a plant be found in the Herbal of Natiue. 
 
 3. That Vifcoiis Ai boreus or Mifleitoc is bred upon trees,from feeds 
 which birds- efpecially Thrufhcs and Ring-doves let fall thereon, was 
 the Creed of the Ancients, and is ftill believed among us ; is the ac- ' 
 count of its produftion,fet dowaby P/i«j,delivered by rirg/7,and fubr 
 
 fcribed 
 
II© tnptrtet tnto Vulgar Book. II. 
 
 fcnbed by m^ny movc^J^ To, fomereafon miift be affigned, why it 
 grovveth orici > iipoii certain tiees^and not upon many whereon thefe 
 birds do light. Fox as Exotick obfervcrs deliver, itgroweth upon 
 Alniond-trees, Chefniit, 'Apples, Oaks, and Pine-trees, Asweob- 
 fei\c ill Englirnd) very commonly upon Apple, Crabs, and White- 
 thorn i fometimes upon Sallow, Hazel and Oak: rarely upon Afh 
 and Maple ; never, that I could obferve, upon Holly, Elm, and ma- 
 ny more. Why it groweth not in all Countries and places 
 where thefe birds are found j for fo Braffavolus affirmeth, it is 
 not to be found in the Territory of Ferrara ; and was fain to 
 fupply hinifclf from other parts of Zt/z/y Why if itarifeth from a 
 feed, if fown it will not grow again, as Tlhiy affirmeth, and as j 
 by fetting the Berries thereof, we have in vain attempted its 
 production j why if it cometh from feed that faileth upon the 
 tree, it groweth often down-wards, and puts forth under the 
 bough, where feed can neither fall nor yet remain. Hereofbe- 
 (ide fome others, the Lord Verulam hath taken notice. And 
 V'har the Mtf- ^^^^y furely fpeak probably who make it an arboreous excref- 
 felcoc in feme cenfe, or rather fuper-plant, bred of a vifcoiis and fuperfluous 
 ticcsis. fap which the tree it felf cannot alVmiilate. And therefore 
 
 fprouteth not forth in boughs and furcles of the fame fhape, 
 and fimilary unto the tree that beareth it •, but in a different 
 form, and fecondary unto its fpeciricall intention j wherein once 
 failing, another form fuccedeth : and in the hrft place that of MiiJel- 
 toe, in plaints and trees difpofed to its produftion. Aud there- 
 fore alfo where ever it groweth, it is of conftantfhape, and main- 
 tains a regular figure 5 like other fupercrefcenfcs, and fuch as 
 living upon the ftock of others , are termed parafirical plants^ 
 as Polypody , Mofs , the fnialler Capillaries , and many more : 
 So that feveral regions produce fcveral Mifleltoes > India, one, 
 America, another, according to the law and rule of their degene- 
 rations. 
 
 Now what begot this conceit, might be the enlargnient of 
 fome part of truth contained in its ftory. For certain it is, 
 that fome birds do feed upon the berries' of this vegetable, and 
 we meet in 'Ariihtle with one kind of Trufh called the Miffel 
 ]^aCofQ-. Trulh or feeder upon MilTekoe. But that which hath moftpro- 
 moutd it, is a received proverb, Ti/rdus fihi n^lum cacat j Ap- 
 pliable luito fuch men as are Authors of their own misfortune. For . 
 according unto Ancient tradition and Tlinies relation, the bird 
 not able to digeii the fruit whereon flie fecdeth i from her in- . 
 converted Muring, arifeth this plant of the berries whereof 
 birdlime is made wherewith fhe is after entangled. But although 
 proverbs be popular principles, ySt is not: all true that is prover- 
 bial 3 and in many thereof, there being one thing delivered, and 
 
 another 
 
Book. II. ^^^ Common Errors, Hi 
 
 another intended ; tlioiigli the verbal expreilion be falfe, the pro- 
 verb is true enough in the verity of its intention. 
 
 As for the Magicall vertues in this plant, and conceived efficacy 
 unto veneficial intentions, it feemeth a pagan relique derived Paganirtjfu- 
 from the 'ancient Druides^ the great admirers of the Oak, eipe- perftuiona- 
 cially theMifleltoe that grew thereon; which according unto the ^^"^ ^^'*'j|' 
 particular of THny:> they garheied with great folemnity. For ^^^ ' 
 after (acrifice the prieft in a white garment afcended the tree, 
 cut down the MiiTeltoe with a golden iiook, and received it in 
 a white coaci the vertue whereof was to rdift all poyfonSj and 
 make friiicfull any that ufed if. Vertues noc expefted fromCiaf- 
 fical praftice •, And did they anfwer their promife which are Co 
 commended, in Epileptical intentions; we would abate thefc qua- 
 lities. Countre^ praftice hath added another; to provoke the af- 
 terbirth, and in that cafe thedecoftion is given unto Cows. That 
 the berries arc poy Ton- as Tome conceive, wearefo far from aver- 
 ring, that we have fafely given :hem inwardly ; and can conSrm the 
 cxpeiiment of Bn;jff<i:'j/w, that they have foms purgative quality. 
 
 ^. The Fvofe of Jericho^ that flourifhes cwQvy year juil about 
 Chriftmas Eve, is famous in Chriftian reports, which notvyith- 
 flatidiug we have fome reafon to doubt; and are plainly inform- 
 ed by B€lIonh:Sy it is but a Monaftical impo:hue ; as he hath de- 
 livered in his obfervations, concerning the plants in Jericho. That ^ 
 which promoted the conceit , or perhaps begot its continu- 
 ance , was a propriety ia this plant, i- or though it be dx^^ 
 yet will it upon imbibition of moifture dilate its leaves, and 
 explicate its flowers contrafted, and feemingly dried up. ^nd 
 this is to be effeftcd not OJily in the plant yet growing , but 
 in fome manner alfo in that which is brought exuccous and dry unto 
 u*. Which quality being obferved, thefubtiky of contrivers did 
 commonly play this (hew upon the Eve of our Saviours Nati- 
 vity ; when by frying the plant again, it clofed the next day, 
 and fo pretended a double myiterie : referring unto the opening and 
 doling of the womb of M^O* 
 
 There wanted not a fpecious confirmation from a text in E- 
 clefiajiicusy ^j^afi palma exaltata [urn in Cades^ & quafi plantatio . 
 Kofe in Jericho: 1 was exalted like a Palm tree in Engaddiy and ^P**''* 
 as a Rofe in Jericho. The found whereof in common ears, begat an 
 extraordinary opinion of the Rofe of that denomination. But here- ftir* n p*/* 
 in there feemeth a miftake ; for by the Rofe in the text, is implied 
 .the true and proper Rofe.: as firft the Greek, and ours accord- 
 ingly rendereth it. But that which pafTeth under this name , 
 and by u*. is commonly called the Koicof Jericho , is properly no 
 Role, but a fmall thorny (hrub or kind of hearh, bearing little wliice 
 flowers, fai' differing from the K.ofe ; whereof Belloni'^s. a very 
 
 inquilicive 
 
jjj Enquiries into f^ulgar Bdox. 11* 
 
 inquifitWe H^rhaUfi-i could noc find any in his travels thoiovv 
 Jericho. A plant fo unlike a Rofe, ic harh been milkkeu by 
 ibnie good Simplijl for Amoynum ; which trii!^ underftood is fo 
 unlike a Rofe, tha: as D/ofcorides delivers, the flowers there- 
 of are like the white violet , and its leaves refemble Brjo^ 
 nie. 
 
 Siitable unto this relation almoft in all points is that of the 
 thorn at GUff'enbury^ and peihaps the daughter thereof j herein 
 our endeavours as yet have not attained fatisfaftion, and can- 
 not therefore enlarge. Thus much in general we may obfeive 
 that ftrange effefts, are naturally taken for Miracles by wea- 
 ker heads i and artihcially improved to that appreheniion by \Yifer. 
 Such t 'horn Qgj-fjj^^jy many precocious trees, and fuch as fpring in the win- 
 ^Ytrhm ' Patk *^^'"' "^*y ^" foiHid in mod parts of Europe:, and divers alfo iu 
 in slf/Wife, and England. For moft trees do begin to fproiit in the fall of the 
 ctic where. leaf or Autumn , and if not kept back by cold and outward 
 caufes, would leaf about the Solftice. Now if it happen, that any 
 be fo ftrongly couftituted , as to make this good againft the 
 power of winter , thsy may produce their leaves or blofToms 
 in that feafon. And perform that in fome lingles, which is 
 obfervable in whole kinr's ; as in Jt/j, which blofjbras and bears at 
 leaft twice a year, and once in the winter j as aifo in Furze 
 which flowereth in that feafon. 
 
 5. That ferrum EijfJinum, or Sferra Cavello hath a vertue at- 
 tractive of iron, a power to break locks, and draw o-f tlie (hooes 
 of a horfe that paffeth over iti whether you taiie it for one kind 
 ofSecuridaca, or will alfo take in Lunaria^ we know ic be falfe ; 
 And cannot but w6nder at Mnhiolui:, who upon a parallel in 
 Tliny was daggered into fufpeniion. No:wi:hftaiiding in the im- 
 puted vertue to open things, clofe and ihut up, could laugh himfeif 
 at that promife from the herb JEthiopis or JLtbiopia-t mullenv 
 and condemn the judgement o^Scipio^ who having fuch a pick- 
 lock, would fpend fo many years in battering the Gates oFC^>- 
 thage. Which ftrange and Magical conceir, feems to have no 
 deeper root in reafon, then the figure of its feed; for therein in- 
 dcei it fomewhat refemble's a horfeHioo ; winch notwithrtanding Bu- 
 tiita porta. Iiath thought too low a fignation, and raifed the fameunto 
 a Lunary reprefenration. 
 
 6. That Bj^'^ will proteft from the niifchief of lightning and 
 thunder, is a quallitj afcribed thereto, common with the fig- 
 tree, .^i^gle, and skin of a Seal. ' Agaiiiil fo famous a quality, 
 l'icom:rcatt4S pi oduceth experiment of a bay tree blafted in I- 
 
 ■ ta/j. And therefore although T/Tifr/.vj for this intent, did wear a 
 laurel u^ on his Temples j yet did Aug't'ivs take a more probable 
 courfe, \\\\o iled under arclics aud holbw vaults for proceftion. 
 
 And 
 
Book. II. Mil Comm Krrorf, \ 1 5 
 
 And though forta conceive, becaufe in a ftreperous eniptio!!, it 
 rifeth againft'firCj it doth therefore refift lightning, yet is that no 
 emboldning Illation. And if we confider the threefold efFeft 
 t)f Jupten Trifulk, to burn, diflcufs and terebrate ; and if that 
 be true which is commonly delivered, that it will melt the blade, 
 yet pafs the fcabbard, kill the childe, yet fpare the mother, dry 
 Hp the wine, yet leave the hogfhead intire j though it favour 
 jthe amulet, it may not fpare us; it will be unfure to relye on 
 any prefervative ; 'tis no lecurity to be dipped in StyiL^ or clad 
 ii\ the armour of Cenevs. Now that beer , wine and other li- ^i^^ ^^^ j,nd 
 quors, are fpoiled with lightning and thunder, we conceive it pro- wine come la 
 ceedsnot only from noife and concuffionofthe ayr, but alfo noxi- be fpoiled by 
 ous fpirits, which mingle therewith, and draw them to corruption ; I'ghming, 
 whereby they become not only dead themfelves, but fometime dead- 
 ly unto others, as that which Seneca mentioneth; whereof whofo- 
 cver drank, either loft his life, or elf<e his wits upon it. 
 
 7, It hath much deceived the hopes of good fellows, what is 
 commonly expefted of bitter Almonds^ and though in Tlutarch 
 confirmed from the practice oi Claudius his Phyacian, that An- 
 tidote againft ebriety hath commonly failed. Surely men much 
 verft in the practice do err in the theory of inebriation ; con- 
 ceiving in difturbance the brain doth only luffer from exha- 
 lations and vaporous afcentions from the ftomake, which fat 
 and oylie fubftances may fupprefs. "Whereas the prevalent intoxi- 
 cation is from the fpirits drink of difperfed ijito the veins and arte- !^°^. *^'^'"'^' 
 ries j whence by common conveyace they creep into the brain, inli- Jj"^^er*cmc *** 
 nUate into its ventricles, and beget thofc vertigoes, accompany- ^^^^ 
 ing that perverfion. And therefore the fame effeft may be pro- 
 duced by a Glifter jthe head may be intoxicated by a medecine at the 
 heel. So the poyfonous bites of Serpents, although on parts at di- 
 Ilance from the head, yet having entered the veins, difturb the 
 animal faculties, and produce the effefts of drink, ov poyfon 
 fwallowed. And fo as the head may be difturbed by rhe skni, it 
 may the fame way be relieved^ as is obfervable in balneati- 
 ons, wafhings , and fomentations; either of the whole body, ov 
 ofthat part alone-. 
 
 <X C H A P^. 
 
j^ Eftquirles into VulgAf Book. H. 
 
 CHAP. V//. 
 Of fome InfeBt^ and the properties of fever d Plants, 
 
 i.^TpHe prefage of the year fucceeding which is commonly made 
 J. fiom Infefts or little Animals in Oak-apples, according to 
 the kinds thereof, either Maggot, Fly or Spider ; that is3 of Fa- 
 mine, War or Peftilence i whether we mean that woody excrefceiice, 
 which fhooteth from the branch about May^ or that round and Ap- 
 ple-like accretion, which groweth under the leaf, about the latter 
 end of Summer^ is 1 doubt too diftinft, nor verifiable from event. 
 
 For F lyes and Maggots are found every year j very feldom Spi- 
 ders : And Helmont afiirmeth he could never find the Spider and 
 the Fly upon the fame trees, that is, the dgwts of War and PefJi- 
 lence, which often go together : Befide, That the Flies found were 
 atfirft Maggots, experience hath informed us; for keeping .thefe 
 excrefcencies, we have obferved their converfions j beholding in 
 Magnifying Glafles the daily progreHion thereof. As may be alfo 
 obferved \n other Vegetable excretions 5 whofe Maggots do termi- 
 nate in Flies of conftant fhapes j as in the Nurgals of the Outlan- 
 dilli Oak, and the Molie tuft of the wild Briar j which having ga- 
 thered in November, we have found the little Maggots which lodg- 
 ed in wooden Gels all Winter, to turn into Flies in June. 
 
 We confefs the opinion may hold fome verity in the Analogy, or 
 Emblematical phancy. For Peftilence is properly lignified by the 
 Spider, whereof fome kinds are of a very venemous Nature. Fa* 
 inine by Maggots , which deftroy the fruits of the Earth. And 
 War not improperly by the Fly ; if we reft in the phancy of Homer ^ 
 who compares the valiant Grecian nnto a Fly. 
 
 Some verity it may alfo have in it felf, as truly declaring the cor- 
 rupti\e conftitution in the prefent fap and nutrimental juyce of the 
 tree; and may confequently difcover the difpoiicion of that year, 
 according to the plenty or kinds of thefe prcduftions. For if tlie 
 putrifyingjuycCi of bodies, bring forth plenty of Flies and Mag- 
 gots, they give teftimony of common corruption, and declare that 
 the Elements are full of the feeds of putrifaftion; as the great num- 
 Abundance cf ber of Caterpillars, Gnats and ordinary Infefts do alfo declare. If 
 Flic, Maggori, ^y^^^ j,^,jj -^^^^^ Spiders they give figns of higher pucrefaftion, as 
 ih«ynatutaUy plt:nty of Vipers and Scorpions are confeffed todoi theputrtfafti- 
 fignific, ^"5 ^^ plenty Vipers and Scorpions are confcfled to do ; the putre- 
 
 fying Materials producing Animals of higher Mifchiefs, according 
 to the advance and higher ftrain of corruption. 
 
 2. Whether all planes have feed, were more eafily determinable, 
 if we could conclude conceining Harts-tongue, Fern , the Ca-^ 
 
 piliaries 
 
Book. II. ^ ^/^^ Common Errors] i j 5 
 
 pillariesand fome others. But whether tliofe little diifly paitlclesj 
 
 upon the lower fide of the leaves, be feeds and femiual parts j or 
 
 rather, as it is commonly conceived, excremsntal fepararions ; we 
 
 have not been able to determine by any germinaaon or univocal 
 
 produftion from them.* Thus much we obferve, that they feem to 
 
 renew yearly, and come not fully out till the plant be iiriis vigour : 
 
 and by the help of Magnifying GlafTes we find thefe dufly Atonies 
 
 to be round at firft, and fully reprefenting feeds j out of which 
 
 proceed little Mites almoft invifible-, fo that fuch as are old ftand 
 
 open, as being emptied of fome bodies formerly inckuled ^ which 
 
 though dlfcernable in Harts-tongue, is more notorioufly difcover- 
 
 ablc in fome differencies of Brake or Fern. 
 
 3. Whether the fap of trees runs down to the Roots in ^i^t^r, 
 whereby they become naked and grow not i or whether they do 
 not ceale to draw any more, and refervc fo much as fufficeth for con- 
 fervation, is not a point indubitable. For we obferve, that moil 
 trees, as though they would be perpetually green, do bud at the 
 fall of the leaf 5 although they fprout not much forward untill the 
 Springt and warmer weather approacheth, and many trees maintain 
 their leaves all Winter^, although they feem to receive very fmal 
 advantage in their growth. But that the fap doth powerfully rife 
 in the Springs to repair that moillure whereby they barely fiib- 
 liftedin the fainter, and alfo to put the plane in capacity of frufti- 
 fication-, he that hath beheld how many gallons of water may in 
 afmall time be drawn from a birch-tree in the Sj^ringy hath flender 
 reafon to doubt. 
 
 4. That Camphtre or Eunuchates, begets in Men an impotency un- 
 to venery, observation will hardly conijrm 5 and we have found it to 
 fail in Cocks and Hens, though given for many daies ; which was 
 a more favourable triall then that of Scaligery when he gave it un- 
 to a Bitch that was proud. For the inftant turgefcence is not to be 
 taken off, but by Medicines of higher Natures, and with any cer- 
 tainty but one way that wc know ■■> whicli notwithftanding, by fup- 
 preffingthat natural evacuation, may incline untoMadnefs, if taken 
 in the Summer. 
 
 5. In the Hiftory of Prodigies we meet with many Hiowers of 
 Wheat; how true oi- probable, we have not room to debate. On- 
 ly thus much we fhall not omit to inform j That what was this year 
 found in many places, and almoft preached for Wheat rained from 
 the clouds j was but the feed of Ivy-berries, which foiiiewhat re- 
 prefentit j and though it were found in Steeples and high places, 
 might be conveighed thither , or Muted out by birds : for many 
 
 . feed thereon, and in the crops of fome we have found no lefs then 
 ■ three ounces. ' 
 
 6. That every plant might receive a Name according unto the 
 
 Q^ 2 difeafs 
 
jj5 Enqi^ries into Vulgar Book. II, 
 
 difeafe it clircth, was the wifh of Paracelfuf, A way more likely to 
 multiply Enipericks then Herbaliftsj yet what is praftifedby many 
 is advantagioiis unto neither ; that is , relinquifhing their proper 
 appellations, to re-baptize them by the name of Saints, Apoftles, Pa- 
 triarchs and Martyrs i to call this the herb of j^ofe« , that of P^ter, 
 this of James or Jofeph^ that of Mary or Barbara. For hereby appre- 
 henfions are made additional unto their proper Natures j whereon 
 fuperrtitious pradifes.enfuei andftories are framed accordingly to 
 make good their foundations. 
 
 7. We cannot omit to declare the grofs mlftake of nwny in the 
 Nominal apprehenfion of plants ; to inftance but in few. An herb 
 there is commonly called BetonicaPauly , or Pauls Betony j hereof 
 the people, have fome conceit in reference to St. ?/?///•, whereas in- 
 deed that name is derived from Paulus JEgineta , an ancient Phyfi- 
 tian of JEgina^ and is no more then Speed-well, or Fluellen. The like 
 expeftations are raifed from H^ri<t 7r/»irtft^-i which notwithftand- 
 ing obtaineth that name from the figure of its leaves, and is one 
 kind of Liverwort or Hepatic.a. h\ Milium Soils ^ the Epithete of 
 the Sun hath enlarged its opinion j which hach indeed no re- 
 ference tiiereunto , it being no more then Litkofpermon 3 or Gruw- 
 >Mf/,or rather Milium Solen which, as Serapion from Aben Juliet hath 
 taught us , becaufe it grew plentifully in the Mountains of Soler:, 
 received that appellation. In Jews-ears fomething is conceived 
 extraordinary from the Name, which is in propriety but Fumgm 
 fambucinus:, or an excrefcence about the Roots of Elder, and concern- 
 Why the Jcwj eth not the Nation of the Jews^, but JudM Ifcariot^u^on a conceit,lie 
 car 1$ ufcd for f, ^^geJ on this tree ; and is become a famous Medicine in Qninfies, 
 ore i roiti. ^^^^ Throats, and ftrangulations ever fince. And fo are they de- 
 ceived in the name of Horfe-Raddifh, Horfe-Mint , BuU-riifh , and 
 niany more : conceiving therein fome prenominal confideration ; 
 whereas indeed that exprelfion is but a Grecifm ; by the prefix of 
 Hippos a^d Bous^tlvdt is,Horfe and Bull,intending no more then great. 
 According whereto the great dock is called Hippoilapathum ; a-.id he 
 that calls the Horfe of Alexander^ Great-head^ exprelTeth the fame 
 which the Greekj do in Bucephalus, 
 
 8. Laftly , Many things are delivered and believed of other 
 plants, wherein at leaft we cannot but fufpend. That there is pro- 
 perty mBajil to propogate Scorpions, and that by the fmell there- 
 of they are bred in the brains of men, is much advanced by Hoi/^ri- 
 M , who fomid this infeft in the brains of a man that delighted 
 much ill this fmell. Wherein bclide that we find no way to con- 
 join the effeft unto the caufe afljgned ; herein the Moderns 
 fpi^ak but tinicroufly , and fome of the Ancients quite con- 
 irarily. For, according unto Qribafim y Phylitian unco Ju- 
 lian ; The Africans , Men beft experienced in poifons , aihrm, 
 
 whofoever 
 
Book. JJif ^ Common £nors, n? 
 
 whofover hath eaten Bafify aithoiigti he be ftung with a ScorpiojT, 
 (hall feel no pain thereby ; whc'i is a very different effeft, and 
 rather antidotal ly deftroying, then feniinally promoting itsproJu- 
 
 ftion. 
 
 That the leaves of Cataputia or fpurge being plucked upward or 
 downward refpeftively perform their operations by Purge or Vomit, 
 as fome have written, and old wives ftill do preach, is a ftrange con- 
 ceit, afcribing unto plants pofitional operations, and after the 'man- 
 ner of the Loadftone j upon the Pole whereof if a knife be drawn 
 from the handle unto the point, it will take up a Needle i butif 
 drawn again from the point to the handle, it will attract it no more. 
 That Cucumbers are no commendable fruits, that being very wa- 
 terilh, they fill tht: veins with crude and windy feroiities ; that con- 
 taining little fait or fpirit, they may alfo debiliate the vital acidity, 
 and fer mental faculty of the ftomack, we readily concede. But that 
 they ihould be fo cold, as to be almoft poifon by that quality, it will ^ 
 be hard to allow,withOut the contradiftion o( GaleH'.vtho accounteth '"his >*«<»«*.. 
 them cold but in the fecond degree, and in that Ckilis have moil ** * ^ 
 phylitians placed them. 
 
 That Elder-berries are poifon, as we are taught by tradition, ex- 
 perience will unteach us. And befide the promifes of Blochw'itiiK^thc 
 healthful erf^edts thereof daily obfa-ved will convi£tus. 
 
 That an Ivy Cup will feperate wine from water,if rilled with bo:h, 
 the wine foaking through, but the water ftill remaining, as after Fli- 
 ny many have averred, we know not how to aftirm j who making trial 
 thereof,found both the liquors to foak indiftinftly through the bowl. 
 That ftieep do often get the Rot, by feeding in boggy grounds 
 where Ros-folis groweth, feems beyond difpute. That this herb is 
 the caufe thereo^Shepherds affirm and denyj whether it hath a cor- 
 dial vertue by fudden refeftion, feniible experinjent doth hardly 
 confirm, but that it may have a Balfamical and refumptive Vertue, 
 whereby it becomes a good Medicine in C^rt^rrk-i and Confumptive 
 difpolitions, praftife and Rcafon conclude. That the lentous drops 
 upon it are not extraneous,and rather an exudation from it felf, then 
 a rorid concretion from without : befide other grounds, we have 
 reafon to conceive ; for having kept the Roots moift and earthed in 
 clofe chambers, they have, though in lefler plenty, fent out thefe 
 drops as before. 
 
 That Ylos Affrkanm is poifon> and deftroieth dogs, in two expe- 
 riments we have not found. 
 
 That Yew and the berries thereof are harmleifs, we know. 
 That a Snake will not endure the (hade of an Aih, we can deny. tib. r. obfer- 
 Nor is it inconfiderable what is aftiimed by Bel'onJM h for if his afTer- vat. 
 tion be true, our apprehenfion is ofcentimes wide in ordinary 
 fimples, and in common ufe we raiftake one for another. We know 
 
 not 
 
1% Enpmei into Vulgar JfookTir. 
 
 not the true Thyme \ the Savx>ry in our Gardens, Is uoflRac com- 
 mended of old j and that kind of Hyfop the Ancients iifed^ is un- 
 known unto us^ who make great ufe of another. 
 
 We omit to recite the many Vertuesj and endlcfs faculties a- 
 fci ibed unto Plants, which fometime occur in grave and ferious Au- 
 thors j and we ftiall make a bad tranfaftion for truth to concede a 
 verity in half. To reckon up all, it were iniployment for Archime- 
 des^ who imdertook to write the number of the Sands. Swarms 
 of others there are, fome whereof our future endeavours may dif- 
 cover^ common reafon I hope will fave us a labour in many : 
 Whofe abfurdites ftand naked unto every eyci Errors not able to de- 
 ceive the Embleme of Juftice, and need no Argus to defcry them. 
 Herein there furely wants expurgatory animadvertions, whereby 
 -'. we might Itrike out great numbers of hidden qualities j and ha- 
 ' ving once a ferious and conceded lift, we might with niore encoii- 
 .. xagement and fafety, attempt their Reafons. 
 
 TH^E 
 
m 
 
 THE THIRD BOOK: 
 
 Of divers popular and received Tenets concerning Animals , which 
 examined , prove either falfe or dubiou/. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 Of the Elephant. 
 
 ^^^^^ HE firfl fhall be of the Elephant 5 whereof there ge- 
 '^ iierally palTeth an opinion it hath no joynts-, and 
 this abfurdity is feconded with another , that being 
 unable to lie down d it fleepeth againft a Tree j which 
 t he "Hunters obfervingj do faw alnioft afunder 5 where- 
 on the beaft relying^, by the fall of the Tree : falls alfo 
 down it felf 3 and is able to rife 110 more. Which conceit is not the 
 daughter of lacer times, but an old and gray-headed error, even in 
 the dayes of ArifiotleyZ^ he deliverech in his book, de incejfu anima- 
 Hum, and ftands fucceiTively related by feveral ocher Authors : by 
 PiodorusSiculi'!Sy Strabo, Anthrofe) CaJfiodoreySo/inin, and many more. 
 Now herein me thinks men much forget themfelves , not well con- 
 iidering the abfitrdity of fuch aiTertions. 
 
 For firft, they affirrh it hath no joynt, and yet concede it walks 
 and moves about 5 whereby they conceive there may be a pi ogrelll- 
 on or advancement made in Motion without inflexion of parts. ""!!'. P*^?' 
 Now all progrellion or Animal locomotion being (as Arijhtle teach- ^aje^ 
 eth)performed traSu & pidCu 5 that is, by drawing on, or impelling mals. 
 forward fome part which was before in ftacion, or at quiet ; where 
 there are no joynts or flexures, neither can there be chefe aftions. 
 And this is true, not onely in Quadrupedes , Volatils and Fifhefj 
 which havediftinft and prominent Organs of Mo ion, Legs, Wings? 
 and Fins; but in fuch alfo a,, perform their progreiiion by the Trunk, 
 as Serpents, Worms and Leeches. Whereof though fome want bones, 
 and all extended articulations, yet have they arthncicai Ana- 
 
 logiesi 
 
 e in am* 
 
ig(^ EnpirteS mo Vulgar Book. If. 
 
 logiesi and by the Motion of fibrous andMufculous parts, are abK 
 
 Joynt-likc to niakeprogreilton. VVHich to conceive in bodies inflexible , and 
 
 parts. without all protrufion of parts , were to expeft a Race from 
 
 Hercules his pillars j or hope to behold the effefts of Or- 
 
 fheus his Harpj when trees found joynts 3 and danced after his 
 
 Miilick., 
 
 Afifain, While men conceive cfiey never lie down , and enjoy not 
 the pofition of reft , ordained unto all pedeftrious Animals, hereby 
 they imagine, (what reafon cannot conceive , that an animal of the 
 vafteft dimenfion and long eft duration, fhould live in a continual 
 motion, without that alternity and viciffkude of reft whereby all 
 others continue; andyetmuft thus much come to pafs, if we opini- 
 Evtenfivc or on they lie not down and enjoy no decumbence at all. For fta- 
 '^■"""wlT**'? ^'on is properly no reft, but one kind of motion, relating unto 
 * ' that wDfich Phylitians ( from Galen ) do name extenfive or to- 
 
 nical j that is, an extenfion of the mufcles or organs of motion main- 
 taining the body at length or in its proper figure. Wherein al- 
 though it feem to be immoved , it is not without aU motion 5 for 
 in this pofition tlie mufcles are fenfibly extended , and labour to 
 fupport the body •, which permitted unto its proper gravity, would 
 fuddenly fiiblideand fall unto tlie earth , as it happeneth in deep, 
 difeafes and death. From which occult aftion and invifible mo- 
 tion of the mufcles in ftation ( as Galen declareth ) proceed more 
 ofFenfive lalTitudes then from ambulation. And therefore the ty- 
 ranny of fome have tormented men , with long and enforced fta- 
 tion •, and though Ixion and Sifiphmvfhich alwayes moved, do feem 
 tohavethehardeft meafure 5 yet was not TVri/tf favoured , that lay 
 extended upon Caucafus i and Tantalus fuffered fome what more 
 then thirft, that ftood perpetually in hell. Thus Mercurials in his 
 Gymnafticks juftly makes ftanding one kind of exercife j and Galen 
 when we lie down, commends unto us middle figuresj that is, not 
 to lie direftly , or at length, but fomewliat inflefted, that the muf^ 
 cles may be at reft; forfuch as he termeth Hjpololemaioi or fi- 
 gures of excefs , either fhrinking up or ftretching out , are weari- 
 ibme pofitions, and fuch as perturb the quiet of thofe parts. Now 
 various parts do varioufly difcover thefe indolent and quiet pofi- 
 tions, fome in right lines , as the wriftsj fome at right angles^ 
 as the cubit : others at oblique angles^ as the fingers and the 
 knees : all refting fatisfied in poftures of moderation, 
 and none enduring the extremity of flexure or extcnfi-- 
 on. 
 
 Moreover men herein do ftrangely forget the obvious rela- 
 tions of hiftcry, affirming they have no j oynts , whereas they daily 
 •read of feveral aftions v.'iich are not ptrformable without them. 
 They forget what is delivered by X/^hili.iH^j and alfo by Suetonm^ 
 
 in 
 
Book. III. ^f>^ Common Errors', 137 
 
 Galba^ that Elephants have been inftrufted to walk on ropes, in 
 piiblike (hews before the people. Which is not eafily performed by- 
 man i and requireth not only a broad foot, but a pliable flexure 
 of joints, and commandible difpofure of all parts of progreflion. 
 They pafs by that memorable place in C«rr/>^, concerning the Ele- 
 phant of King ToruSi Indus qui Eltfphantem regebat^, defcendere eum 
 ratifSy more foiita procumbere jujfit in genua, Cditeri quoqiie ( ita e- 
 nim hijlituti erant ) demifere corpora, in terram. They remember 
 not the exprelTion of OfgriuSi when he fpeaks of the Elephant . ., 
 prefented to Leo the tenth, Pontificem ter genibusflexis, & demiy-'^ rbut ge[lii 
 fo corporis habitu venerahundus falutavit. But above all , they 
 call not to mind that memorable Ihew of Germanicus, wherein 
 twelve Elephants danced unto the found of mulick ; and after 
 laid them down in the Tricliniums , or places of feftival Reaim- 
 
 bency. : 
 
 They forget the Etimologie of the knee, approved by fome Gram- 
 marian?. They difturb the polition of the yoimg ones in the Womb : 
 which upon exteniion of legs is not eaiily conceivable ; and contrary 
 unto the general contrivance of nature. J>Jor do they coniider 
 the impoHible exclufion thereof, upon extenfion and rigour of 
 the leg?. . 
 
 Laftly, They forget or confult not experience ; whereof not 
 many years pail, we havp had the advantage in England, by an 
 Elephant fbevvn in many parts thereof j not only in the poRure 
 of {landing, but kneeling and lying down. Whereby although 
 the opinion at prefent be well fuppred'ed, yet from fome ftiings 
 of tradition, and fruitfull recurrence of error, it is not. impro- 
 bable, it may revive in the next generation again. This being 
 A^ not the firft that hath been feen in England;, i'or f bolides fome 
 other llnce ) as Volidore Virgil relateth, Lewis the French King 
 fent one to Henry the third j and Eman-ic'l of Pjrt'/gal another 
 toL^'othe tench ii tolftf/j'i where nonvithllanding the error is ftill 
 alive and epidemical, as wirhu?. ^ • 
 
 The hint and giound of this opinion might be the grofsaixl 
 fomewhat Cylindricall compofure of the. leg^^ the equality and 
 Ufs percepf'Wle difpofure of the joints^ efpecially in the former legs 
 of this Animal •, they apearing when he /-andeth, like pillars of 
 fxefh, without any evidence of articulacior. The d'tTerenc fle- 
 xure and Older of the joints might alfo countenaice the fume ; 
 being not difpofcd in the Elephant, as they aie in other qua- 
 drupedes, but carry a nearer conformity inro thofeof man*, that: 
 is, the bought of the fore-legs, not directly backward, but la- 
 terally and fomtwhac inward > but the hough orfuffraginousti:.- 
 xure bchinde rather outward. Somewliat difftrenc unto many 
 other qi':.adiuptdes3 asKorfcs, Camels, Dter, Sheep and Dogs i foi? 
 
 R their 
 
13$ Bm^uirles im VulgAt Book. IIL 
 
 til eir fore-legs bend like our legs, and then' hinder legs lifceoiir 
 arms, when we niovc them to our £hoiikiers. But quadrupedes 
 oviparous, as Frogs^ Lizards, Crocadilcs, have their joynts and 
 motive fiexures more analogoufly framed unto ours: and fome a- 
 mong viviparous, that is, fuch thereof as can bring their forp- 
 fect aiKl meat therein unto their mouths, as moft can do that 
 have the clavicles or coller-bones : whereby their breafts are 
 broader., and their flioulders more afunder , as the Ape, the 
 Monkey, the Squirrel aikl fome others. If therefore jany fhall 
 affirm the joynts of Elephants arc differently framed from moil: of' 
 ctlur quadrupedes, and more obfeurcly and grofly alnioll then 
 any, he doth herein no injury unto truth. But rfrf dicio Secun- 
 dum quid ad di&um Jini^liciter, he affirmeth alfo they have no 
 articulations at all, he iwCurs the controidment of reafon, and can? 
 not avoid tlie contadi6tion alfp of fenfe. 
 
 As for the manner of their venation, if we confnlt hiftorical ex- 
 perience, we fliall find" rt be otherwife then as is commonly pre- 
 1 unied, by fawing away of trees. The accoimts whereof are to 
 be feen at large, in JohanH^^ Hugo, Edwardns Lopez, Garci.a ah hor^ 
 to, Cadamujtui^ and many more. 
 
 Other concernments there are*''of the Elephant, whidi might 
 admit of difcotnfe : and if we fhould queftion the teeth of Ele- 
 phants, that is, whether they be properly fo termed, or might 
 rather be called horns : it were no new enquiry of mine, but 
 Qgtmt. hh. 2. ^ paradox as old as Opjiams. Whether as Phny and divers fince 
 affirm, that Elephants are terrified, and make away upon the grunt- 
 ing of fwine, Gareioi ab Horto may decide, who affirmeth upon 
 experience, they enter their ftalls, and live promifcuoufly in the 
 woods of Muhivar, That the fituation of the genitals is averfe, 
 and their copulation like that of Camels, as Tliny hath alfo deli- 
 vered, IS nor to be received j for we have beheld that part in a 
 different poikion j and their coicion is made by fuperfalie ncy, like 
 that of horfes ; as we are informed by fome who have beheld them 
 in that aft. That fome Elephants have not only written whole 
 fentences, as JElian ocularly teftifieth , but have alfo fpoken, as 
 OppianHf delivereth, and Chrijhpherus a Cofla particularly relateth 5 
 although it found like that of /4c^i/.'« Horfe in Homer, we do not 
 ^cmc Brutes conceive impoHible. Nor befide the affinity of reafon in this Ani- 
 tollcrably well mal any fuch intollerable incapacity in the organs of divers qua- 
 organiz'j for ^Impedes, whereby they might not be taught to fpeak , or be- 
 proach-* e ^^' co^^*^ imitators of fpeech like birds. Strange it is how the cu- 
 Kafou. ° riofity of men that have been aftive in the iriftruftion of beaiis, 
 have never fallen upon this artifice i and among thofe^ many pa- 
 radoxical and unheard of .^ifetibns, (hould not attempt to 
 make one f[)eak. The Serpent that fpake ti^.to Eve, the Dogs 
 
 and 
 
Book.IlL ani'Oammm Eyrsrsl 139 
 
 and Cats that II fiially fpeak unto Wirclies might- afford fcmie eu- 
 conrageuient. And liiice a broad and thick chops are required in 
 biids tliat fpeak, iince lips and teeth are alfo organs oF fpeech j 
 fromthefe there is alfo an advantage in quadrupedes^ and a pro- 
 ximity of reafon in Elephants and Apes above them all. Since 
 alfo an Echo will fpeak without any mouth at all articulately 
 returning the voice of man, by only ordering the vocal fpirit in 
 concave and hollow places ; whether the mufculous and motive 
 parts about the hollow mouthes of beads, may not difpofe the 
 ■palfing fpirit into fonie articulate notes , feems a queiie of no 
 
 great doubt. 
 
 chAp;' tL 
 
 of the Horfe. 
 
 TH E fecond Affertion , that an horfe hath nb gall , is very 
 general, nor only fwallowed by the people and common Far- 
 riers , bwt alfo rjeceived by gooft Veterrinarians, and fome who 
 have laudably difcourfed upon Horfes. It feemeth alfo very an- j/(teffintriani 
 cient; for it is plainly fee down by Arijhtle ^ an horfe and all or Farriew, ' 
 folidimgulous or whole hoofed animals have no gall 5 and the 
 fame is alfo delivered by Pliny i which notwithftanding we iindc 
 repugnant unto experience and reafoii. For firft, it calls in que- 
 fiion the providence or wife proviiion of nature •, who not aboun- 
 ding in fuperfluities , is iifither deficient in necertities. Wherein 
 neverthelefs there would be amain defeft, and her improviiloft 
 juftly accufable i if fuch a feeding Animal, and fo fubjeft unto 
 difeafes from bilious caufes, (hould want a proper conveyance for 
 choler > or have no other receptacle for that 4iHmour, then the 
 veins, and general mafs of blood. i: . .. v-- ' 
 
 It is again controulable by experience ; for'W^ hafeiha^yifbirie 
 fearch aud enquiry herein •-, encoin'aged by AbCyrtuf a Greek Au- 
 thor, in t\\tt\mtoiConjlantme\ who in his Hi^piatrics, obfcure- 
 ly;dfligneth the gall a place in the liver ; but more efpecially by . 
 
 Carlo. Rwiwithe -BonmmH, whoiin hi^^AHatomia tlel Cdvah^ hath' '^^'^*''''*'' 
 mor€ plainly defcrib€d it, and in a ^ mawner as I found it. Fof^'^'""* * 
 in the parti cicular enquiry intb tfeat p*rt, m the concave or fi- 
 nious part of the livei*, whereabout the gall is ufually feated in 
 quadrupedes , I difcover an hollow , long and membranous fub- 
 ftance, of a pale coulour without, and lined with chol^i- and gall 
 within:; vi>iiich part is by branches diffufed into the lobes and 
 feveral parcels of the liver j from whence receiving the ikry fun 
 
 R 2 fluity 
 
14*^ inquiries into Vulgar Book. III. 
 
 perfluity, or cholerick remainder, upon the fccond concoftion and 
 the general mafs of blood j by a manifeft and open pafTagcit con- 
 veyech it into the duodenum or itpper gut, thence into the lower 
 bowels i which is the manner of its derivation in man and o:her 
 animals. And therefore although there be no eminent and cir- 
 cular follicle, no round bag or veficle which long contain- 
 ctli this humour : yet is thferc a manifeft receptacle and paf- 
 fage of choler from, the liver into the guts : which being not fo 
 fiiut up, qr at leaf^ not fo long detained, as it! is in ozher ani- 
 mals : procures tliat frequent excretion, and occaflons the Horfe 
 to dung more often then many other, which cotifidcriug the plenti- 
 fuU feeding the largenefs of the guts, and their various circum- 
 Tolution, was prudently contrived by providence in this animal. 
 For choler is tiie natiuall glifter^ or one excretion whereby na- 
 ture excludeth another J Which dt^cending daily into the bowels, 
 Choler the cxtinnilates thofe parts, and excites them unto expuliion. And 
 ratjralglifter. therefore when this humalir aboundeth or corrupteth, there fuc- 
 ceeds oft-times a cholerka paffio j that is, a fudden and vehement 
 Purgation upward and downward : and when the padage of gall 
 becomes obftruftcd, tlie body grows coftive, and the excrements 
 of the belly white i as it happeneth oft-times in the jaundice.^ . 
 
 if any therefore affirm an Horfe hath 'no gall, that-is, no" re- 
 ceptacle, or part ordained for the feparation of cholery or not 
 that humour at all j he harh both fenfe ind reafoii tooppofe him. 
 But if he faith it hath no bladder of Gall, and fuch^ i^ ob- 
 feryed in many other Animals, we fhall oppofc our fenfe if we 
 gaiiifay him. Thus nuift Arijiot/e be made out when he denicth 
 this part ; by this diftinftion we may relieve PliJtj. of a contra- 
 diftionj who in one place affirming an Horfe hath no gall, deii- 
 verech yet in another, that the gall of an Horfe was accounted 
 Pfi*ft. poifon i and therefore at the facrifices of Horfes m Rome, it was 
 
 imUwfull for the Flamen to touch it. Euit with more difficulty, 
 or hardly ac all is that reconcileable which is delivered by our 
 Country-man, and received Veterinarian i whofe. words in his 
 Mafter-piecc, and Cliapter of difeafes from the Gall, are fome- 
 vvhat too ftrift, and fcarce admit a Reconciliation. The fallacy 
 therefore of this conceit is not unlike the former ; j4 di&o /<?- 
 ctrnduni quid ad dictum fimfliciter^. Betaufe tk^y have not a blad- 
 der of gall, like thofe wej^fuaily obierVe in others, they have 
 no giill at all. VViiich jv.a Paraiogifm not adnnttib.le, , a fallacy 
 that dwells not in a cloud, and needs not the Sun to fcatter it. 
 
 C HA P. 
 
Book. in. md Common ^rroru 14 1 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 Of the Dove, 
 
 THe third affertion is fomcvvhat like the fecondj, that a Dove 
 or Pige(7ti hath no gall i which is aihrnied from \ery great 
 Antiquity •, for as Pierm obfervedi from this confideration the 
 Egypua-rts did make it the Hieroglyphick of Meeknefs. It hath been 
 averred by many holy Writers : commonly delivered by PcliiUers 
 and Comnientflton i who from the frequent mention of the Dove 
 in the Cantklesj the precept of our Saviour, to be wife as Se\-- 
 penfSj and infiocent as Doves : and efpecially the appearance of 
 the Holy Gholt in the fimiiicude of this Animal; have taken oc- 
 calion to fee down many affections of the Dove, and what dorh 
 moft commend it, is, that ic hath no gall. And hereof have made 
 life not Oiiely Minor Divines , but Cyprian, Aujlin, Ifidore, Beda, 
 Kupertusj Janfeni^y and many more. 
 
 Whereto nocwichftanding we know not how to afTentjit being re- 
 pugnant unto the Authority and poiitive determinacion of an- 
 cient Philofophy. The affirmative of Ariilotle in his hiflory of 
 Animals is very plain, Fel aliis ventriy alils jntejiin) y.ngitnr : 
 Some have the gall adjoyned to the guts, as the Crow the Swallow, 
 the Sparrow and the Dove ^ the fame is alfo attefted by Tlmj ; 
 and not without fome pallion by Galen, who in his book de Atra 
 bile accoimts him ridiculous that denies it. 
 
 It is not agreeable to the conftitution of this Animal, nor can 
 we fo reafonably conceive there wants a Gall : that is the hoc 
 and fiery humour in a body fo hot of temper i which Flegm or 
 Melancholly could not effeft. Now of what complexion it is, 
 fultus Alexandrinus dechrech, when he affirmeth that fome upon s.Mrimp: 
 the ufe thereof, have fallen into Feavers and Quinfies. The tem- 
 per of their Dung and inteftinal Excretions do alfo confirm the 
 lame ; which Topically applyed become a Th^nigmus or Rubify- 
 ing Medecine j and are of fuch fiery parts, that as we read in 
 Galen, they have of themfelves conceived fire, aud burnt a houfe 
 about them. And therefore when in the famine of Samaria 
 (wherein the fourth part of a Cab of Pigeons Dung was fold 
 for five pieces offilver,^ it is delivered by Jofefhus-, that men 
 made ufe hereof inftead of conmion fait i although the expoiiri- 
 on fecm flrange, it is more probable then many other. For 
 that it containeth very much falti as beiide the eiTefts before 
 cxprefTed, is defcernabie by tafte, and the earth of Columbaries 
 or Dovehoufes, fo mucti deiir.ed in the artilice of falc-peter. And 
 
 to 
 
14- 
 
 Whence the 
 irafcible, 
 whence ihe 
 concupifcible 
 pifstons do 
 cnoft aiifc. 
 
 Doves, the 
 birds of ye- 
 «tti, why. 
 
 tnpinei i/fto Fulgar ;Book. IH', 
 
 to fpeak generaliyj the excrement oF birds which wane both blad- 
 der and kidiiiesj hath more of fak and acrimony , then that of 
 other animalsj who belide the giits have alfo thofe conveyances j 
 for whereas in thefc, the fait and iixivated ferocity with fori;^ 
 portion of choler, is divided between tiie guts and bladder^ it re- 
 mains iindevided in birds j and hath but a lingle deCceiity by the 
 guts, with the exclulions of the belly. Now if bccaufe the Dove 
 is of a miide and gentle nature, we cannot conceive it fhould be 
 of an hot temper j our appreheniions are not diiHnft in the mea- 
 fure of conftitutions, and the feveral parts which evidence fuch 
 condition?. For the Irafcible pallions do follow the temper of the 
 heart, but the concupifcible dilhaftions the crafis of the liver. 
 Now many have hot livers, which have but cool and temperate 
 hearts ; and this was probably the temper of Park j a contrary 
 conftitution to that of Jjax ; and both but fhort of Medea, who 
 ftemed to exceed in either. 
 
 Laftly, it is repugnant to experience : for Anatomical enqui- 
 ry difcovereth in them a gall : and that according to thedeter-» 
 mination of Ariftotle , not annexed unto the liver, but adhering 
 unto the guts : nor is the humour contained in fmaller veins, 
 orobfcurer capillations, bnt in a vefciclc or little bladder, though 
 fome affirm it hath no bag at all. And therefore the Hie- 
 roglyphick of the j^^gyptians, though allowable in the fenfe, 
 is weak in the foundation : who expreiling meeknefs and lenity 
 by the portraft of a Dove with a tail erefted, affirmed it had no 
 gall in the inward parts , but only in the mmp, and as it wei'C 
 out of the body. And therefore if they conceived their gods 
 were pleafed with the facrifice of this animal, as being without 
 gall , the ancient heathens were furely niiRaken in the reafon, 
 and in the very oblation. Whereas in the holocauft or burnt 
 offering of Mojes, the gall was caft away : for as Ben Mainion in- 
 ftrufteth, the inwards whereto the gall adhereth were taken out 
 with the crop, according unto the Law : Which the Prieft did 
 not burn, but caft unto the E^/r, that is, behind his back, and 
 readieft place to be carried out of the Sanftuary. And if they alfo 
 conceived that for this reafon, they were the birds of Ff««^, and 
 wanting the fui'ious and difcording part, were more acceptable 
 unto the Deity of Love : they furely added unto the conceit r 
 which was at firft venereal : and in this animal may be fufticient- 
 ly made out fiom that conception. 
 
 The ground of this conceit is partly like the fomier ; the ob- 
 fcure fituationof the gall, and out of the liver, werein it is com- 
 monly enquired. But this is a very injuft illation, not wellconr 
 iidering with what variety this part is feated in birds. In 
 fome bo:h at the ftomack and liver , aa in the Capriceps ; in 
 a fome 
 
Book. lU. a/?d Common Errori, I43 
 
 fomeatthe liver onely 5 as in Cocks, Tiirke/s and Phcfiants; in 
 
 others :it the guts and' Liver , as in Haiwks and Kites, in feme at tiie 
 
 guts alone, as Crows, Doves , and many more. And thefe perhaps 
 
 may take up all the wayes of fittiation, not onely in birds, butalfo 
 
 other animalsj for what is faid of the Anchovy, that anfwerable un- hniti^i^hQ' 
 
 to its name,it carricth the gall in the head, is further to be enquired. 
 
 And though the difcoloured particles in the skin of an Heron , be 
 
 con\monVy termed Galls , yet is not this animal deficient in that 
 
 part, but Gontaineth it in the Liver. And thus when it is conceived 
 
 that the eyes of "Toti.K were cured by the gall of the fifh Callyoni-r 
 
 mus , or Scorpiiif wtiriH/ff) commended tothaceff"e(^by D/oyi'^r/^/fj; 
 
 although that part were not in the Liver-, yet there were no reafoii 
 
 to doubt that probability. And whatfoever animal it was, it may 
 
 he received wichonc exception, when its delivered, the married 
 
 couple as a reftimony of future concord, did cafl the gall of the fa- 
 
 crihce behind the Altar. 
 
 A ftrift and iiceral acccption of a loofe and tropical expreJlion 
 was a fecond groimd hereof. For while fome aftirmed it had no 
 gall , iiuending onely thereby no evidence of anger or fury j others 
 have couitrued it aiiatomically,and denied that part at all. By which 
 illation we may infer, and that from facred Text, a Pigeon hath no 
 heart ; according to that expreffion, Facins ef} Ephraini jjcui Colnmba Hofea 7. 
 fedu&ii nonhnhensCor. And fo from the letter of Scripture we may 
 conclude it is no mild i but a fiery and fiirious animal, according to 
 that of Jeremy , Facia eff terra in defolationeni a facie irx Columhji : Cap.i^. 
 and again , Kevertamur ad terram nativitatis noffr£ a facie gladii Cc~ ^"^f- ^^' 
 limthr. Where notwithftanding the Dove is not literally intended-, 
 but thereby are implyed the B^r^y^o^/i^^^ , whofe Qaeen Semlranti'S 
 Was called by that name j and whofe fuccefTors did bear the Dove 
 in their ftandard. So is it proverbially faid , Formic<e fua bills ineji^ 
 hahet & mufcafplenent ; whereas we know Philophy denieth thefe 
 parts, noi' hath Anatomy difcovered them in infeft?. 
 
 If therefore afiy affirm a Pigeon hath no gall , implying no more 
 thereby then the lenity of this animal, we fhall not controvert his 
 affirmation. Thus may we make out the affercions of ancient Wri- 
 • ters 3 and fafely receive the exprelfions of Divines and worthy Fa- 
 thers. But if by a tranfition fromPthetorick toLogick , he (hall 
 contend, it hath no fuch part or humovu' j he comniitteth an 
 open fallacy, and fuch as was probably firft committed concerning 
 Spanifh Miire^-y whofe fwifcnefs tropically expreffed from their ge- 
 . neration by the windi might after be grofly taken, and a real truth 
 conceived in that conception. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
1^^ Enplrtei hto ^ulgay ^ Book, lH. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 Of the Bever, 
 
 THat a Bever to efcape the Hunter, bites of his tefticles or 
 fiones, is a Tenent very ancient i and hath had thereby ad- 
 'C^T oi^^' '^^'^^2ge of propagation. For the fame vv^e find in the Hiero-^ 
 ^vhaTanciqai- S^ypfiicks of the jUgjptians in the Apologue oi JEfop^ an Author^ 
 tj. of great Antiquity, who lived in the beginning of the Perfian Monar- 
 
 chy, andinthe timeof C>*w i the fame is touched by Arifhtleiw 
 his Ethicks, but ferioufly delivered by ^//>«, Pliny^ ^nd So Hhks ; 
 with the fame we meet with in Juvena/l^ who by an handfome 
 and Metricall expreiiloii more welcomly engrafts it in our juni- 
 or Memories 
 
 imitatus Caftoray qui fe 
 'EuHuchiim ipfe facit^ cupiens evadere damm 
 'Tejlkulorum^ adeo medic atunt intclligit inguen^ 
 
 it hath been propagated by Emblems; andfome have been io 
 bad Grammarians, as to be deceived by the Name, deriving 
 Ca\hr a Cafirando j whereas, the proper Latine word is Fiber ^ 
 and Ca(ior but borrowed from the Greek, fo called quafi ya.Titfy 
 that is. Animal ventricoprniy from his fwaggy and prominent belly. 
 Herein therefore to fpeake compcndioufly, we firtl prefume 
 to affiim, that from a ftrift enquiry, we cannot maintam the c- 
 vulfion or biting otf any parts •■, and this is declarable from the 
 teft aixl moft profefled VVriters : for though fome have made 
 life hereof in a Moral or Tropical way, yet have the profelfed 
 Difcourfers by iilence dcferted, or by experience rejedtd this afTer- 
 tion. Thus was it in ancient times difcovered, and experimental- 
 ly refuted by one Sijii'-s^ Pbyiltranj as it flands related by?/:- 
 ny h hy Viofcoridesj who plainly affirms that this rraiition isfalfe; 
 by the difcoveries of Modern Authors, who liave exprefly dif- 
 courfed hereon, as A'drovandi.'Sy Mathiohs^ Gcften:'!:, Bellonius ; 
 by Ola's Magnrs^ Peter Martyr and others 5 who have dcfcribed 
 the manner of their Venations m America; they generally omit- 
 ting this way of their efcape, and have delivered feverall other, by 
 which they are daily taken.. 
 
 The originall of the conceit was probably Hieroglyphical ; 
 which ?.fcer became yydiological unto the Greek?, and fofet down 
 by Aifop \ and by proccfs of tradition, ftole into a total verity, which 
 wasbjjc \ ariially true, tha-c is in its covert fenfe and Morality. Now 
 
 why 
 
Book. HI. ind Common Errors] 14 
 
 why they placed this invention upon the Bever f befide the Mcdi- 
 call and Merchantable commodity of Cajioreum^ or parts conceived 
 to be bitten awayj might be the fagacity and wifdom of that Ani- 
 mal j which from the works it performSj and efpecially its Arti- 
 fice in building is very ftrange j and furely not to be matched by * 
 any other. Omitted by Plutarch de folertin animalium^ but might 
 have much advantaged the drift of that Difcourfe. 
 
 If therefore any affirm a wife man ftiould demean himfelf like the 
 Bever, who to efcape with his life, contenmeth the lofs of his geni- 
 tals J that is, in cafe of extremity, not ftriftly to endeavour the 
 prefervationof all, but to fit down in the enjoyment of the greater 
 good, though with the detriment and hazard of the tefier ^ we may 
 hereby apprehend a real and ufeful Triitli. In this latitude of be- 
 lief, we are -content to receive the Fable o^ Hif^omanes^ who re- 
 deemed his life with the lofle of a Golden ball j and whether true 
 or falfe, we rejeft not the Tragedy of Abfyrtui:, and the difperiioii 
 of his members by Medea^ to perplex the purfuit of her Father. 
 But if he (hall pofitively affirm this aft, and cannot believe the 
 Mor^l, unlefs he alfo credit the fable ; he is furely greedy of de- 
 Uilion, and will hardly avoid deception in theories of this Nature. 
 The error therefore and Alogy in this opinion , is worfe then 
 4a the laft j that is not to receive figures for realities, but ex- 
 peft a verity in Apologues; and believe, as ferious affirmationSj 
 confefTed and Ihidied Fable?. 
 
 Again, if this were true, and that the Bever in chafe makes fome 
 divuliion of parts, as that which we call Caftoreum •■, yet are not 
 the fame to be termed Tefticles or ftones j for thefe Cods or 
 Follicles are found in both Sexes, though fomewhat more pro- 
 tuberant in the Male. There is hereto no derivation of the fc- 
 minal parts, nor any pafTage from hence , luito the VefTels of 
 Ejaculation : fome perforations only in the part it felf, through 
 which the humour included doth exudate : as may bevobferved 
 in fuch as are frefh, and not much dried with age. And lailly. 
 The Tefticles properly fo called, are of a lefler Magnitude, and 
 feated imvardly upon the loins ; and therefore it were not only 
 a fruirlefs attempt, but impollible aft, to Eunuchare or caftrate 
 themfelves : and might be an hazardous praftife of Art , if ac 
 all attempted by others. 
 
 Now all this is confirmed from the experimental Teftimony of 
 'five very memorable Authors : BeHonim-i G^fnerus^ Amatiis^ Ronde- 
 letiWy and Matkiolus : who receiving the hint hereof from Kon^ 
 deletim in the Anatomy of two Bevers , did finde all true that 
 had been delivered by him, whofe words are thefe in his learn- 
 ed Book de pifci-hus : Fibri in ingninibus gemiMos tumores habent^ 
 ulrinque unicum^ ovi Adferini wagnitudine ^ inter, bos eji mentida 
 
 S in 
 
^6 Enpiries tnto VulgAr Book. III. 
 
 iti marihus , in fxminis pudendum , hi tumores tejles non funt , fed 
 joUicidi tnemhramt contedi y in quorum medio finguli funt nteatm e 
 q.iibm exudat liquor pinguts & cerofus^ quern ipfe Cirjior fxpe admo~ 
 to ore lamkit & exugit , pofiea velnti oleo y corporis partes ohlinify 
 Jios tumores tejies uon effe bine maxime colligitur, quod ab iJlU nulla 
 efi ad mentulam via neque ducfm quo hutnor in ntenii^U megtum de~ 
 rivetuYy & for.ts emittatur j praterea quod tejhs intus reperiuntur^ 
 eofdem tumores Mofcho o-nimali ineffe putOy e quibiis odoratum illud 
 pm ewanat. Then which words there can be none plainer, nor 
 more evidently difcover the impropriety of this appellation. Thac 
 which is included in the cod or vilible bag about the groin, be- 
 ing not the Tefticle, or any fperniatical part '■, but rather a col- 
 ledion of fome fuperfluous nwtter deflowing from the body, e- 
 fpecially the parts of nutrition as imto their proper emunftories 5 
 and as it doth in n.iisk and Civet cats , though in a differ- 
 ent and ofFenlivc odoiu' ; proceeding partly from its food, that 
 being efpecially fifti ; whereof this humour nny b? a garous ex- 
 cietion and olidous feparation. 
 
 Moft therefore of the Moderns before Kondeletius, and all the 
 -Ancients' excepting Sejiins , have mifunderftood this part , con- 
 ceiving Cajtoreunt the Tefticles of the Beverj as DiofcoridesyGa- 
 leuy Ai^ginetUy JEtius y and others have pleafed to name. .it. The 
 Egyptians alfo failed in the ground of their Hieroglyphick, when 
 they exprelTed the puniflimenr of adultery by the Bever depri- 
 ving himfelf of his TelHcles, which was amongft them the pe- 
 nalty of fuch incontinency. Nor is jEtius perhaps, too ftriftly 
 to be obferved, when he prefcribeth the rtones of the Otter, or 
 Pviyer-dog as fuccedaiieous unto Cajhreum. But moft inexcufable 
 of all is Flinj ; who having before him in one place the experi- 
 ment of Seliim againft it , fees down in another , that the Be- 
 vers of Pontus bite off their tefticles , and in the fame place af- 
 firmeth the like of the Hyena. Which was indeed wdl joined 
 Ci''ttUus de~ ^^^'■'^ ^^^^ Bever, as having alfo a bag in thofe parts j if there- 
 H,Ma odji- ^y ^^^ underrtand the Hyeua odorata, or Civet cat, as is deli- 
 Jaa. vered and graphically defcribed by Canellm. 
 
 ' Now the ground of this millake might be the refemblance and 
 lituation of thefe tumors about thofe parts, wherein we obferve 
 the tedicles in other animals. Which notwithftanding is no well 
 founded illation j for the tefticles are defined by their ofhce, sind 
 not determined by place or ficuation i they having one office in 
 all, but dilferent fears in many. For beiide that no fcrpent or 
 iilhes oviparous have any ftones at all i that neither biped nor 
 cjuadruped oviparous have any exteriorly, or prominent in the 
 groin s fome alfo that are viviparous contain thefe part within, 
 its be/ide this animal, the Elephanr, and the Hedge-Iiog. 
 
 If 
 
Book. 111. md Common Errovi. ^47 
 
 If any thfrefore (hall term thefe tefticles, intending Metaplio- 
 lically and in no ftrift acception ; his langnage is tolerable, and 
 offends our ears no more then the Tropical names of plants : 
 when we read in Hcrbals^ of Dogs, Fox, and Goat-ftones. But 
 if he infifteth thereon, and maintaineth a propriety in this lan- 
 guage : our difcourfe hath overthrown his afTertion, nor will 
 Logick permit his illation 5 That is, from things alike, to con- 
 clude a thing the fames and from an accidental convenience, that 
 is a limilitude in place or figure, to infer a fpecifical congruity 
 or fubftantial concurrence in nature. 
 
 C H A P. V. 
 
 Of the Badger, 
 
 THat a Brock or Badger hath the legs of one fide fhorter 
 then of the other, though an opinion perhaps not very an- 
 cient, is yet very generall ; received not only by Theorifts and 
 imcxpcrienced believers, but affented unto by moft who have the 
 opportunity to behold and hunt them daily. Which notwith- 
 ftanding upon enquiry I findc repugnant unto the three Deter- 
 minators of truth. Authority, Senfe and Reafon. For firft, Al- 
 bertm Magnus fpeaks dubioufly confefling he could not confirm 
 the verity hereof j but Aldrovandm plainly affirmeth , there can 
 be no fuch inequality cbferved. And for my own part , upon 
 indifferent enquirie, I cannot difcover this difference, although 
 the rcgardible lide be defined, and the brevity by moft imputed 
 unto the left. 
 
 Again, It feems no eafie affront unto Reafon, and generally 
 repugnant unto the courfe of Nature i for if we furvey the to- 
 tall fet of Animals, we may in their legs, or Organs of progreifion^ 
 obferve an equality of length, and parity of Numeration j that 
 is, not any to have an odd leg, or the fupporters and Movers of one 
 fide not exactly anfwered by the other. Although the hinder may 
 be unequal unto the fore and middle legs, as in Frogs, Locults 
 and Graflioppersj or both unto the middle, as in fome Beetles 
 and Spiders, as is determined by Arijiotle de incejfu animalium. ^t ineeffu Anv 
 Perfeft and viviparous quadrupeds, fo fianding in their pofition fnJium. 
 of pronenefs , that the oppofite joynts of neighbour-legs cow- 
 iiilinthe fame plane; and a line defcending from their Navel in- 
 terfeftsat right angles the axis of the Earth. It happcneth ofcen 
 I confefs that a Lobfter hath the Chely or great claw of one fide 
 longer then the othej- ; but this is not propei-ly their leg, but a 
 
 S 2 pav<: 
 
i48 En^utrles into VulgAr Book. IIL 
 
 part of apprehenfion, and whereby they hpld or feii upon their 
 prey ^ for the legs and proper parts of progreflion are inverted back-; 
 ward, and ftand in a polition oppolite unto thefe. 
 
 Laftlyj The Monftrofity is ill contrived, and with fome difadvan- 
 
 *DinimAn, a tage ^ the Ihortnefs being affixed unto the legs of one fide, which 
 
 line drawn might have been more tolerably placed upon the thwart or Dia- 
 
 from the crofs gonial Movers. F'or the progreffion of quadrupeds being performed 
 
 >n|lci. ^Y Diamctrunip that is the crofs legs moving or refting together, 
 
 fo that two are alwayes in Motion, and two in ftationat thefams 
 
 time i the brevity had been more tolerable in the crofs legs. For 
 
 then the motion and ftation had been performed by equal legs ; 
 
 whereas herein they are both performed by uncquall Organs, and 
 
 the imperfeft'ion becomes difcoverablc at every hand. 
 
 C H.A P. VI. 
 
 Of the Bear, 
 
 THat a Bear brings forth her young informous and unfhapen, 
 which (he fartiioneth after by licking them over, is ati opi- 
 nion not only vulgar, and common with us at prefent : but hath 
 been of old delivered by Ancient Writers. Upon this foundati- 
 on it was an Hieroglyphick with the JLgyJ^tians ; Arijhtle feems to 
 coimtenance it : Solinus, Flinji and Milan direftly affirm it, and 
 Ovid fmoodi ly delivereth it 
 
 Nee catulu^ partu quern reddidit urfa. recenti 
 
 Sed male viva caro f/?, lamhendo mater in artus 
 
 Ducit^ & in formam qualem cufit ipfa reducit. 
 
 Which opinion notwithftanding is not only repugnant unto the 
 fenfe of every one that fliall enquire into it, but the exa£t and 
 d<;liberate experiment of three Authentick Philofophers. The firft 
 of Mathiolus in his comment on Viofcorides , whofe words are to 
 this etfeft. Inthe valley of ^«««i<z about Trent^ in a Bear which 
 the Hunters eventerated or opened, I beheld the yoiuig ones with 
 all their parts diftinft : and not without fhape, as many conceive: 
 giving more credit unto Ariftotle and P/zV/j, then experience and 
 their proper fenfes. Of the fame affluance was Julius Scaliger 
 in his exercitations, Vrfam f£tus informes potiui ejicere^ quam pw 
 rere^ ft vera dicunt, quos pojlea linEiu effingat : ^id' hujufce fabuU 
 author ibm fidei hahndum ex hac hijioria cognofces j In noftris Alp - 
 
 biis 
 
Beok. HI. And Common Enori, 1^9 
 
 bus venatorehf^etam urfam cepere , diJpCra ea fdtw plane formatiii. intm 
 inventus efi : Anci laftly, Aldrovandiis who from the teftimony of his 
 own eyes aftirniech , that in the Cabinet of the Senate of £o«o«i<i, 
 there was preferved in a Glafs aCubdifTeftcdoutot aBearper- 
 feftly formed, and conipleat in every part. 
 
 Ic is moreover iniurious unto reafon, and much impugn eth the 
 courfe and providence of Nature, to conceive a birth (hou id be or- 
 dained before there is a formation. For the conformation of parts is 
 necefTarily rei]uired, not onely unto the pre-requitices and previous 
 conditions of birth, as Motion and Animation : but alfounto the 
 parturition or very birth itfelf : Wherein not onely the Dam, but 
 the younglings play their parts ; and the caufeandaftof exciuiion 
 proceedeth from them both, f'orthe excluiion of Animals is not 
 meerly palllve like that of Eggs , nor the total aftion of delivery to 
 be imputed unto the Mother : but the firft attempt beginneth from 
 the Infant ; which at the , accompliflied period attempteth to 
 change his Manlion : and ftrugling to come forth , dilace- 
 rates and breaks thofe parts which reftrained him be- 
 fore. 
 
 Bellde (what few take notice of} Men hereby do in an high mea- 
 furevilitie the works of God , imputing that unto the tongue of a 
 Beaft, which is theftrangeft Artifice in all the afts of Nature; that is ^{J"^'^^^"^" '? 
 the formation of the Infant in the Womb: not onely in Mankind, jj^j^^'ij^jjI^'^* 
 but all viviparous Animals. Wherein the plaftick or forma- work of Na- 
 tive faculty , from matter appearing Homogeneous, and of a iimila- turc. " 
 ry fubftance, erefteth Bones, Membranes, Veins and Arteries : and 
 out of thefc contrived! every part in number , place and figure, ac- 
 cording to the law of its fpecies. Which is fo far from being 
 fafhioned by any outward agent , that once omitted or perverted 
 by a flip of the inward Phidias ^ it is not reducible by any other 
 whatfoever. And therefore Mire me pUfmaveruntmaniu tuje^ though 
 it originally refpefted the generation of man , yet is it applia- 
 ble unto that of other Animals; who entring the Womb in 
 diftinft and limple materials, return with diftinftion of parts, 
 and the pcrfcft breath of life. He that ftiall confidcr thefe 
 alterations without, mull needs conceive there have beenftrange 
 operations within; which to behold it, were a fpeftacle alnjoft 
 worth ones being ; a fight beyond all ; except that man had 
 been created firft, and might have feen the fhevv of five dayes 
 after. 
 
 Now as the opinion is repugnant both unto fenfe and Reafon , fo 
 hath it probably ijeen occalioned from fome flight ground in ei* 
 ther. Thus in«kgard the Cub conies forth involved in the C hori- 
 on, a thick and:|ough Membrane obfcuring the formation, and 
 which the Dam" doth after bite and tear afundef ; the beholder 
 
 ac- 
 
at firft fight conceives it a rude and informoiis lump of flefli^ and im- 
 putes the enluing ihape unco the Mouthing of the Damj which ad- 
 deth nothing tliereunto 3 but onely draws the curtain, and. takes 
 away that Vail which concealed the piece before. And thus have 
 fome endeavoured to enforce the fAme from reafon j that is , the 
 I'mali and flender time of the Bears geftation , or going with her 
 youngj which laftingbucfew dayes(a Month fome fay) the exclufi- 
 on becomes precipitous , and the young ones confequently infor- 
 mousj according to that of SoHhm^ T'rigefiwtis dies uterum liber at itrfdt^ 
 vnde evenit utprjecipitata fecund iUk informes creet partus. But this 
 will overthrow the general Method of Nature,!!! the works of gene- 
 ration. For therein the conformation is not onely antecedent, 
 but proportional unto the exclufion i and if the period of the birth 
 befhort, the term of confirmation will be as fudden alfo. There 
 may I confefs from this narrow time of geftation enfue a Minority 
 or fmalnefs in the exclufion ; but this however inferrech no iufor- 
 mity, anditftill receiveth the Name of a natural and legitimate 
 birth 5 whereas if we affirm a total informity , it cannot admit fo 
 forward a term as an Abortmeut ; for that fuppofeth confirmation. 
 So we muft call this conftanc and intended aft of : Nature, a flip or 
 *iiiivffii' effluxion, that is an exclufion before conformation : before the birth 
 can bear the name of the Parent, or be fo much as properly called 
 '^iiEmbryon. 
 
 CHAP. VIL 
 
 Of the BafiUsL 
 
 "Any opinions are paffant concerning the Bafilisk or little King 
 of Serpents, commonly called the Cockatrice : fome afiirming, 
 -others denying , moftdoubcing the relations made hereof. What 
 therefore inthefe incertainties we may more furcly determine : that 
 -fuch an Animal there is, if we evade not the tefhmony of Scripture^ 
 and humane Writers, we cannot fafely deny. So is it faid, Pfalm 9u. 
 Super a^idem & Bafi/ifcum arnbnlalis^'Viu^vtin the vulgar Tranflation 
 retajneth the Word of the Septuagint , ufing in other places the 
 Latine expreiHon Jlfgw/«f, as Proverbs 23. M^rdebit ut coluber j&ficut 
 ^egulus venena diffundet , and Jersmy 8. Ecce ego ntittam vobk fer- 
 fentes Kegulos^&c That isjas ours tranflate it,Behold I will fend Ser- 
 pents, Cockatrices among you which will not be charmed, and they 
 ihall bite you. And as for humane Authors , or fuch as 
 
 have 
 
Book. HI. ^^^^ Common Errors, "151 
 
 have difcoiu'fed of Animalsj orPoifons, icis tobe found almoll m 
 
 all : in Diofcorides , Gal^n^ ^li^J^ Solinus^ Mllan^ ALtius^ Avicen^ 
 Ardoynuh Grevinus^ and many more. In Arijiotle I confefs we 
 find no mention thereofj but Scaliger in his Comment and e- 
 numeration of Serpents, hath made fupply ; and in his Exer- 
 citationsdelivereththat a Baliliskvvas found in il^wf, inthedaies 
 of Leo the fourth. The like is reported by Sigonius; and fome 
 are fo far from denying one, that they have made feveral kind>; 
 thereof 5 for fuch is the Catoblepas oiFliny^ conceived byfome j 
 and the Dryinus of JEriw by others. 
 
 But alchough we deny not the exiftenceof theBafiliskj yet whe- 
 ther we do not commonly niiftake in tlie conception hereof, and call 
 that a Baiiiisk which is none at all, is fiirely to be queftioned. For 
 certainly that which from the conceit of its generation we vulgar- 
 ly call \ Cockatrice; and wherein ( but under a different name ) vv c 
 intend a formal identity and adequate conception with the Bafilisk ; 
 is not the Bail lisk of the i^ncients, whereof fuch wonders are deli- 
 vei'ed. For this of ours is generally defcribed witli legs, wings, a 
 ferpent'uie and winding tail, and a crift or comb fome what like a 
 Cock. But the Baiiliks of elder times was a proper kind of Serpent, 
 not above tliree palms long, as fome account ; and differenced from 
 other Serpents by advancing his head,atid fome white marks or coro- 
 nary fpots upon the Crown^as all authentickWriters have delivered. 
 Nor is this Cockatrice only unlike the Bafilisk, but of no real 
 (hape in nature ^ and rather an Hieroglyphical phancy , to ex- 
 prefs different intencions, fet forth in different fashions. Some- 
 times with the head of a man, fometimcs with the head of an 
 Hawk, as Vierius hath delivered 3 and as with addition of legs 
 the Heralds and Painters ftill defcribe it. Nor was it only 
 of old a Cymbollical and allowable invention, but is now be- 
 come a manual contrivance of Art, and artihcial impofture ; 
 
 'whereof beiides others , Scaliger hath taken notice : BafiUfci 
 formam mentiti funt vulgo Gallinaceo fimilem , & pcdihm binis j 
 neque enim abfintiles funt C£teris ferpentihus, nifi macula quafiin vertice 
 Candida^ unde illi mmeyi Regium ; that is, men conmionly counter- 
 feit the form of a Bafilisk, with another like a Cock, and with two 
 feet i whereas they differ not from other Serpents, but in a white 
 fpeck upon their crown. Now although in fome mamier it might 
 be counterfeited in Indian Cocks, and flying Serpents j yet is 
 it commonly contrived out of the skins of Thornbacks, Scaitsor 
 Maids, as Aldrovandhath obferved 5 and alfo graphically defcribed By way of fi- 
 in his excellent book of fifhes. gu^c. 
 
 ' Nor is only the exiftency of this animal confidei able, but many 
 
 ■ things delivered thereof, particularly its poyfon and its generation. 
 
 ' Concerning! the tirft, according to the doftrine of the Ancients, men 
 
 mil 
 
J 2 Enquiries into VulgAr Book. HI. 
 
 ftill affirm, that ic killeth at a diftance, that it polfonethby the eye, 
 and by priority of viiion. Now that deliterioiis it may be at forne 
 diftaiice and diftruftivc without corporal contraftion^ what uncer- 
 tainty foever there be in the etfeft^ there is no high improbability 
 in the relation. For if plagues or peftilential Atomes have been con- 
 veyed in the air from different Regionsjif men at a diftaiice have in- 
 fefted each otherjif the (hadows of feme trees be noxious^if 'torpedoes 
 deliver their opium at a diftance, and ftupitie beyond themfelves ; we 
 cannot rcafonably deny, that ( beiide our grofs and reftrained poi- 
 fons requiring contiguity luito their aftions ) there may proceed 
 from fubti Her feeds, more agile emanations; which contemn thofe 
 Laws, and invade at diftance unexpected. 
 
 That this venenation ftiooteth from the eye, and that this way 
 a Bafilisk may empoifon, although thus much be not agreed 
 upon by Authors, fome imputing it unto the breath, 'others 
 Effluxion of unto the bite, it is not a thing impollible. For eyes receive of- 
 carporeal 'pe- fcnlive imprelHons, from their objects, and may have influences 
 cics. dcftruftive to each other. For the viiible fpecies of things ftrick 
 
 not our fenfes immaterially ; but ftreaming in corporal raies, 
 do carry with them the qualities of the object from whence 
 they flow, and the medium through which they pafs. Thus 
 through a green or red glafs all things we behold appear of the fame 
 I e R f c^'^'^^^'^^ J ^hus fore eyes affeft thofe which are found j and themfelves 
 Ibk^kil^s ac ^' ^^^° ^y ^"^^'^'^io'M as will happen to i an -inflamed eye that beholds 
 diftance. it fe If long in a glafs j thus is fafcination made out; and thus 
 
 alfo it is not impoliible, what is affirms J of this animal; the 
 viiible raies of their eies carrying forth tne fubtileft portion of 
 their poifon ; which received by the eye of man, or beaft, in- 
 fefteth firft the brain, and is from thencr coiimunicatcdunto the 
 heart. But laftly. That this deftruftiou lliO'iidbe theeffeft of the 
 firft beholder, or depend upon priority of afpeftioii, is a point not 
 ealily to be granted j and very hardly to be made out upon the prin- 
 ciples of Arifiotle^ Alhazen^ Vitello^ and others ; who hold that 
 light is made by reception, and not by extramiifion j by receiv- 
 ing the raics of thecbjeft into the eye, and not by fending any out 
 For hereby although he behold a man firft, the Balilisk fliould rather. 
 be delhoyed, in regard he firft receivech the raies of his An- 
 tipathy, and venemous emiilions which objectively move his 
 fenfe; but how powerfuU foever his own poifon be, it invadeth 
 not the fenfe of man, in regard he beholJet^i him not. And 
 therefore this conceit was probably begot by fuch as held the opini- 
 on of light by extramiflion ; as did Pithagoras, Flato^ Empedoclesy 
 HipptirchuS} Galerty Mncrohim^ Procluf, Siwp/iciiifi with moftofthe 
 Ancients, and is the poftulateof £.vc/i</f in his Opticksj but now 
 fufficienrly convifted Irom obfcrvations of the dark chamber. 
 
 As 
 
Ba»lv.lU« ' And Common Errors] x«j^ 
 
 As for the generation of the Ealilisk, that ic pioceedetli from 
 „ rf\cV^ paCT hatched under a Toad or Serpent, it is a tonceit^^^ J*^?^^*^'* 
 
 a L^OCftS cgj, "-"^ A ■ r \c TT -r /I II ,_ on of the 
 
 as monftrous as the brood ic felh For if we should grant that ^^^.j^^.^gg^ 
 Gocks throwing oldjand unable for emiffionjamafs within themfelves 
 fomefeminal matter, which may after conglobate into the form of 
 an e*T<^5 yet will this fubftance be unfruitftill. As wanting one prin- 
 ciple '^of veneration, andfl comixture of the feed of both fexes, 
 which is^'required unto produftion, as may be obfcrved in the 
 e"£!S of Hens not trodden 5 and as we have made tVial in Tome 
 which are termed Cocks eggs* Ic is not indeed- inipo.TibL" that 
 from the fperm of a Cock, Hen, or other animal being once in pu- Oyum Ccnu- 
 trefcence, either from incubation, or otherwife. Tome generation *'^''^' ^^w^t 
 may enfue ; not univocal and of the fame fpecies, butfome imper- j^^^ ytfyVt'le 
 fcft or monrtrous produftion j even «s in the body of man from pu- one. 
 trid humours ; and peculiar waiesof coruption-, there havefUcceed- 
 ed ftianne and unfeconded fliapes of wormsj whereof we have beheld 
 fohie our felves, and read of others in medical obfervations. And 
 fomay ftrange and venemous Serpents be feveral waies engendered > 
 but that this generation (hould be regular,aiid alway produce a Ba- 
 filisk, is beyond our aftirmation, and we have good rea(on to doubt. 
 
 A^ain It is umcalonable to afcribe the equivocacy of this 
 fornrunto the hatching of a Toad, t>r imagine that diverHScsthe 
 produftion. For Incubation alters not the fpecies j nor if wc 
 obferve it, fo much as concurs eitber to the Tex or colour : 
 as appears in the eggs of Ducks or Partridges hardied under a Hen : ' 
 there being required unto their exclufion, onlyngeiitle ai^d con- 
 tinued heat: and that not particular or confijied unto the fpe- 
 cies, or parent. So have,! knowii the feed of Silk- worms tiatcli- 
 ed' oil the bodies of vromen : and TUny reports that Livi'i the 
 wife of /^I/g^;(t/w hatched an egg in her bofome. Nor is only an 
 animal heat required hereto, but an elemental and artificial warmth 
 willfuffice : for as Vjodoriif delivereth, the i^igyptians Were wont to 
 l.atdi their eggs inovens, - and many eye-witneifes' confirm thac 
 praftice unto this day. And therefore this generation oT'the 
 J^afilisk, feems like that of Cajhr and Helena : he that can 
 credit the one may eafily believe the other : that is, that thefe two 
 were hatched out of the egg,which Ji^pter.'m the form of a fwa!i,be- 
 gat on his Miftres heda. 
 
 The occalion of r])is conceit might be an ^gyprifln tradition 
 concerning rhe bnrd His : whicli after became transferred unta 
 • Cocks. For an opinion it wa^ of that Nation, that Ibis feed- 
 ing upon Serpents, that venemous food fo inquinated their o- 
 •vall conceptions, or eggs within their bodies, that they fome- 
 times came forth in Serpeiitine fhapes ; and therefore they alwaies 
 brske their ^^^'^^ I'Or would they endure the bird toL't upon them* 
 
 T Eut 
 
J 54 ^rqmnet into VulgAr Book. III. 
 
 Bat how caufclefs their fear was herein, the daily incubation of 
 Ducks, Peahens, and many other teftifie ; and the ftork might 
 have informed them j which bird they honoured and cherifljedj 
 to deftroy their Serpent?. 
 
 Tliat which much promoted if, was a mifapprehenfion in holy 
 Scripture upon the Latine tranflation in Efa^ <,i. Ova. ajpidumru- 
 jperunt 3 & tehis Aranearum texuerunt, <p(i comedent de ovis eorum 
 worietur^ & quod confotum ejl crumpet in Kegulum. From whence 
 notwithftanding , befide the generation of Serpents from eggs , 
 there can be nothing conckided-, and what kinde of Serpents are 
 meant, not ealie to be determined j for tranflations are very dif- 
 ferent: Tremellius rendring the Afp Htmorrhous, and the Regu- 
 lus or Bafilisk a Viper, and our tranflation for the Afp fets down 
 a Cockatrice in the text, and an Adder in the margin. 
 
 Another place of Efaj doth alfo feem to countenance it, Chap. 
 14. Ne Uteris FbiiijUa quoniam diminuta eji virga pcrci/Jforis tui, 
 de radice entnt coluhri egredietur Regulm ^ & few en ejus abforbnts 
 volucrem , which ours fomewhat favourably rendereth y Out of 
 the Serpents Root fliall come forth a Cockatrice, and his fruit 
 Ihall be a fiery flying Serpent. But Tremellius e radice Serpentis 
 prodit H^ynorrhoWi & jruclus iUiusprjijier volans-, wherein the words 
 are diiferent, but the fenfc is ftiU the fame ; for therein are fi- 
 guratively intended Vzziah and Ezechias j for though the Phili- 
 ftines had efcaped the minor Serpent Vzziahj yet from his ftock, 
 a fiercer Snake ftiould arife, that would more terribly fting them, 
 and that was Ezecbias. 
 
 But the greateft promotion it hath received from a mifunder- 
 ftanding of the Hieroglyphical intention. For being conceived, 
 to be the Lord and King of Serpents to awe all others, nor to 
 be deftroyed by any j the i^gyptians hereby implyed Eternity, 
 and the awfuU power of the fupreme Di?itie : and therefore de- 
 fcribed a crowned Afp or Bafilisk upon the heads of their God?, 
 . As may be obferved m the Bembiue tsble^ and oth^r Egypti- 
 an Monuments. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book, in, and Common Wiorf. x 5 !> 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 of the Wolfe, 
 
 SUch a ftory as the Bafilisk is that of the Wolfe concerning pri- 
 ority of viiion, that a man becomes hoarfe or dumb, if a Wolfe 
 have the advantage firft to eye him. And this is in plain lan- 
 guage affirmed by Pliny : In Italia nt cteditur^Litprum vifus efi noxiufy 
 vocemque homini , quern frius contemplatur adimere ; fo is it made 
 out what is delivered by Theocrituf 3 and after him by Virgil 
 
 Vex qiioque Moerim 
 
 Jam fugit.ipfay Luft Mxrim videre ^riores. 
 
 Thus is the Proverb to be underftood , when during the dif- 
 courfe if the party or fubjeft interveneth , and there enfueth a 
 ludden filence, it is ufually faid, Lufus eji in Fabula. Which con- 
 ceit being already convifted, not only by Scali^er^ Kiolanitfy and 
 others 5 but daily confutable almoft everywhere outo^ England i 
 we iliali not further refute. 
 
 The ground or occafional original hereof, was probably the 
 amazement and fudden iilence the luiexpefted appearance of Wolves 
 do often put upon Travellers*: not by a fuppofed vapour, or ve- 
 nemous emanation, but a vehement fear which naturally produ- 
 ceth obmutefcence 3 and fometimes irrecoverable lilcnce. Thus 
 birds are filent inprefence of an Hawk, and Flinj faith that dogs 
 are mute in the fhadow of an Hiaena. But thus could not die 
 mouths of worthy Martyrs be filenced ; who being expofed not 
 only unto the eyes, but the mercilefs teeth of Wolves, gave loud 
 expreifions of their faith ; and their holy clamours were heard 
 ^s high as Heaven. 
 
 That which much promoted it befide the common Proverb, 
 was an expreflion in Iheocrym:, a very ancient Poet, i ^9i>|ij KvKat 
 iiitUiEdere non poteris vocemy Lycus ejl tibi vifm--, vfhichLycm was 
 Rival unto another; and fuddenly appearing flopped the mouth 
 of his Corrival ; now Lyciti lignifying alfo a Wolfe, occalioned 
 this apprehcniion -, men taking that appellacivcly, which was to 
 be underftood properly, and tranflating the genuine acception. 
 Which is a fallacy of Equivocation, and in fome opinions begac 
 the like conceit concerning Romulus and Remm^y that they were fo- 
 fteredby a Wolf; the name of the Nurfe being L//^^ ; and foun- 
 ded the fable of -Europa, and her carriage over fea by a Bull, be-» 
 caufe the Ship or pilats name was Tauritf:, and thus have fome 
 been ftartled at the Proverb, B9S in Lingua; confufedly apprebefti* 
 
 T ^ ^^^^ 
 
^5^ ^n^utrtei Into Vulgar Book. IH. 
 
 ding how a mail fhould be faid to have an Oxc in his tongue, 
 that woiUd not fpeak his minde ; which was no more then tliat 
 a piece of money had filenced h\m : for by the Oxe was only 
 implied a piece of coin ftamped with that figure , firil curranc 
 with the Athenians^ and after amoMg the Romans. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 Of Deer. 
 
 THe comnR)n opinion coiKerning the long life of Animalls, i? 
 very ancientj efpeclally of Crows, Choughs and Deer^ in 
 moderate accounts exceeding the Age of Man ; m fome the 
 daies of Nejior^ and in others furmountihg the years of Anephlufy 
 or Methi^alah. From whence Antiquity hath raifed proverbiali 
 expreifions, and the real conception of their duration, hath been 
 the Hyperbolical exprelTlon of many others. From all the reft 
 we fl^all iingle. out the Deer j upon concejlion a bng-Uv'd A.- 
 nimal, and in longcBvity by many conceived to attain unto hun- 
 dreds i wherein permitting every man his own belief^ vve fi.all 
 our fclves crave liberty to doubt 5 and our reafons are thefe en 
 fui ng. 
 
 Tiic firft is that of Arijhtk , drawn from the^ increment and 
 geiUtion of this Animal, that is, its fudden arrivance unto growth 
 and Maturity^ and the fmall time of its remainder in the Womb. 
 His words in the tranflation of Scaliger are thefe ; T>e ejus vit£ 
 longitudine jahv.lantur j neque enlrn aut gefiatio aut incrementum 
 hinnulorum ejufmodi fimt^^ ut pr£'ient argumentmn long£vi animalis ; 
 that is, Fables are raifed concerning the vivacity of Deer; for 
 neither are their geftation or increment, fuch as may afford an 
 argument of long life. And thefe faith Scaliger^ are good Me- 
 diums conjunftively taken, that is, not one without the orher. 
 For of Animals viviparous fuch as live long, go long with young, 
 and attain but flowly to their Maturity and Mature. So the 
 Horfe that liveth about thirty, arriveth unto his Mature about 
 hx years, and remaineth above ten Moneths in the Womb-, fo 
 the Camell that liveth unto fifty, goeth with young no lefle 
 then ten moneths, and ceafeth not to grow before Mtn ; and 
 fo the Elephant that liveth an hundred, bearetli its young above a 
 year, and arriveth unto perfection at twenty. On the contrary, the 
 Sheep and Goat, which live but eight or ten years, go but five nr> 
 !ieths,and attain to their perfeftion at two years:and the Hkepropor- 
 tjon is.obfervable in Cats, Hares and Conies. And fo the Deer that 
 cnc|i,ir.^h the womb but eight moneths, and is compleat at iix years, 
 '■ '" from 
 
Book. Ul. and Common Errors, * 1 5 7 
 
 from the conrfc of nacnre, we cannot expert to live an hiin Jredj nor 
 ia any proportional allowance nmch more then thirty. As havin" 
 already palfcd two general mocfons obfervable in all animation^*, 
 that is, its beginning and encreafe j atid having but two more to run 
 thoroWjthat isjits^ftate and declination^ which are proportionally fee 
 out by nature in every kind : and naturally proceeding admit of in- 
 ference from each other. 
 
 The other ground that brings its long lifelntoqucftion , is tiie 
 immoderate fallacity/and almoft unparalleld excefs of veneryjwhlcU 
 f very September may be obferved in this Animal : and is fuppofed to 
 iliorten the lives of Cocks^Patridges and Sparrow<r. Certainly a cout 
 fefied and undeniable enemy unro long.^vicy : and that not only a< a 
 iign in the complexionaldeiire and impetuolity : but alfo as a caufe 
 in the frequent aft, or iterated performance thereof. For though 
 we confenc not with that Philofopherjwho thinks a fpermatical emif- 
 llon unto the weight of one drachm, is equivalent unto the elfuiion 
 of lixty ounces of blood , yet conlidering the exolution and languor 
 nifuing that aft in fomc , the exteniiarion and marcour in other?, 
 and the viiible acceleration it makes ofageinmoft : we cannot but 
 think it much abridgeth oiu'dayes. Although we alfo concede that 
 this exclulion is natural , that nature it felf will find a way hereto 
 without either aft or objeft : And although it be placed among the 
 lix non-naturals, that is, fuch as neitherTiaturally conlHtutive, nor 
 ineerly deftruftive , do prefervc or deftroy according unto circum- 
 ftance , yet do we feniibly obferve an impotency or total pri- 
 vation thereof, prolong<;th life : and they live longeft in every kind 
 that exercife it not at all. And this is true not onely in Eunuchcs 
 by namre, but Spadoes by Art : for caftrated animals in every fpe- 
 cies are longer lived then they which retained their virilities. For 
 the generation of bodies is not effeftedas forae conceive, of fouls, 
 that is, by irradiation, or anfwerable unto the propagation of light, Eunuches and 
 without its proper diminution : but therein a tranfmilfion is made %^^'^'^ cx^^- 
 materially from forae parts , and Ideally from every one ; and the Jy^iongcT*^^^ * 
 propagation of one , is in a ftrift acception, fome minoration of liycd. 
 another. And therefore alfo that axiome in Philofophy , that the 
 -generation of one thing , is the corruption of another : al- 
 though it be fubftantially true concerning the form and ^f°™ ^^^* 
 matter , is alfo difpofitively verified in the efficient or pro-* ^ " 
 ducer. 
 
 Asfbr more fenfible arguments , and fuch as relate iinto experi- 
 ment : from thefe we have alfo reafon to doubt its age , and pre- 
 fumed vivacity : for where long life is i^atural , the marks of age 
 .are late : and when they appear, the journey unto death cannot be 
 long. Now the age of Deer ( as Arijhtle long ago obft rved ) 
 is beft conjeftured, by view of the horns and teeth. Frcm 
 
 the 
 
ijS Enquiries tntoFulgAr Book.Uf, 
 
 the horns there is a paiticular and annual account unto fix years : 
 they ariling firil plain^and fo fucceillvely branching: after which the 
 judgement of their yedrs by particular marks becomes uncertain. 
 But when they grow old, they grow lefs branclied, and firft do lofc 
 their itui/vljifif , or propi^gnacuia : that is, their brow Antlers, or 
 loweft furcations next the head : which Arijlotle faith the young 
 ones ufe in fight : and the old as needlefsjhave them not at all. The 
 fame may be alfo collefted from the lofs of their Teeth , whereof 
 in old age they have few or none before in either jaw. Now thefe 
 are infallible marks of age^ and when they appear, we mult confefs a 
 declination : which notwithftandnig (as men inform us in England^ 
 where obfervations may well be made,J will happen between twen- 
 ty and thirty. As for the bone or rather induration of the Roots 
 of the arterial vein, and great artery, which is thought to be found 
 onely hi the heart of an old Deer, and therefore becomes more 
 precious in its Rarity; it is often found in Deer, much under thirty; 
 & we have known fome affirm they havefoiuid it in one of half that 
 age. And therefore in that account of P/i«j, of a Deer with achoUar 
 about his neck , put on by Alexander the Great, and taken alive an 
 himdred years after, with other relations of this nature, we much 
 fufpeftimpoftureor mirtake. And if we grant their verity , they 
 are but lingle relations, , and very rare contingencies in individuals, 
 not affording a regular diquftion upon the fpecies. For though V^ 
 lijfes his Dog lived unto twenty , and the Athenian Mule imto four- 
 fcore J yet do we not meafure their dayes by thofe years ; orufu- 
 ally fay , they live thus long. Nor can the three hundred years of 
 John of times, or Nefi&r, overthrow the aiTertion o(Mofes:y or afford a 
 reafonable encouragement beyond his feptuagenary determinati- 
 
 Tfalinpol on. 
 
 The ground and authority of this conceit was firft Hieroglyphi- 
 cal , the JLgyptians exprelling longevity by this Animal ; but upon 
 what uncertainties , and alfo convinciblefallities they often erefted 
 
 ui^er'.animMl. {iich Emblemes , we have elfewhcre delivered. And if that were 
 
 iib.J. true which Arijiotle delivers of his time, and F/iny was not affraid to 
 
 take up long after, t\\^ Egyptians could make but weak obferva- 
 tions herein; for though it be faid that ^«f»w feafted his followers 
 with Venilbn, yet Anjiotle affirms that neither Deer nor Boar wer6 
 tobeiound in Africa. And how far they mifcounted the lives 
 and duration of Animals, is evident from their conceit of the Crow> 
 wliich they prefume to live five hundred years; and from th« lives c^ 
 Hawks, which (as Julian delivereth)che Egyptians do reckonno lefs 
 then at feven hundred. 
 
 The fecond which Jed the concat unto the Grecians^ ^nd proba- 
 bly defcended front the jEgyptians^vias Poetical ; and that was a paf- 
 fa^e of Hefiodythixi rendred by Aufonim^ 
 
 ter 
 
Book. III. am Comnm Errort] 15^ 
 
 'Xer hims deciefque novem fitfer exit in annoSi 
 
 Jtfta fenefcentum quos intp/et vita virormn. 
 
 Hos novies fuperat vivendo garrula cormx^ 
 
 Et quater egreditur cornicts fecitla cervus^ 
 
 Alipedem cervum ter vincit cervus. — 
 
 To ninryfix the life of man afceiidethj 
 
 Nine times as long that of the Chough extendeth. 
 
 Four times beyond the life of Deer doth go;, 
 
 And thrice is that furpaiTed by the Crow. 
 
 So that according to this account, allowing ninty fixfor the age of 
 Man, the life of a Deer amounts unto three thoufand , four hun- 
 hundred fifry fix. A conceit fo hard to be made outjthat many have 
 deferred the common and literal conllruftion. So Jheon in Aratm 
 would have the number of nine not taken ftriftly, but for many 
 years. In other opinions the compute fo far cxceedech truth, that 
 they have thought it more probable to take the word Genea:, that is, 
 a generation confifting of many years, but for one year, or a fingle 
 revolution of the Sun^ which is the reniarkable meafureof tim2,and 
 within the compafs whereof we receive our perfeftion in the Womb. 
 So that by thisconftruftion,the years of a Deer fhouldbebut thirty 
 fix,as is difcourfed at large in that Traft of P//<^t;rr.lijConcerning the 
 ceffation of Oracle*; ; and \vhereto in his difcourfe of the Crow, Al- 
 drovandus alfo incUneth. Others not able to make it out , have re- 
 jefted the whole account,as may be obferved from the words oF?//«yj 
 Hefiodus qui -primus aiiquid de hng<tvitate vitxprodidit^fabulofe (reor) 
 fnulta de hominum £vo refer ens , comic i novem nofiras attrihuit £tatesy 
 quadruplum ejui cervii ^ idtripHcatum corvis , & reliqua fabidofius de 
 Thoenice & njmphis. And this how flender fo-ver, was p robably the 
 ftrongeft ground Antiquity had for this longoevity of Animals j thac 
 made Thcophra(iuf expoftulate with Nature concerning the long life 
 ofCrows:that begat thac Epithete of Deer in Oppianw^^i\<X that cx- 
 preffion oi Juvenal 
 
 l^mga &' cervina fene&uf. a»7f*itB- 
 
 The third ground was Philofophical, aijd foimded upon a proba- pfly^* 
 ble Reafon in Nature,that isjthe defcft of a Gall, which part (in the 
 opinioii of ^ri/?c;t/e and P//»ji^this Animal warited,and was conceived 
 a caufe and reafon of their long life : according Cfay they) as it baj;>- 
 peneth unto fome few men, who have not thii pare at all. But tliis 
 affertion is firft defeftive in the verity concerning the Animal al- 
 leadged : for though it be true, a Deer hath no Gall in the Liver 
 like many other Animals, yet hath it thac pare in the guts, as is 
 difcoverable by tafte and colour : and therefore pUnj doth well cor- 
 reft himfelf 5 when having affirmed before it had no Gall , he afcer 
 
 faicb. 
 
i/D E/squtnei into Vulgar Book. m. 
 
 fa'ichj fome hold it to be in the gutsi and chat for their bitternefs, 
 dogs will vefiife to cat them. It is alfo deficient in tiie verity of the In- 
 duftionor conniinierationof other Animals conjojned herewith, as 
 having alfo no Gall-,that is,as Tliny accoimteth5E»jf'//3Mv//3t>*c-.Horfes, 
 Mules. Afl^es, DeerjGoacSj Boars, Caniels, Dolphins, havenoGaH. 
 Concerning Horfes what truth there is herein we have declared be 
 fore ', as for Goats we find- not them without itj what Gall the Camel 
 hach, Ariilotle declaretli : that Hogs alfo have it, we can affirm j and 
 that not in any obfcure placejbut in the Liver, even as it is feated in 
 man. 
 
 That therefore the Deer is no fhort-liv'd Animal, we will ac- 
 knowledge: that comparatively, and in fome fenfe long-liv'dwe 
 will concede ; and thus nuich we fhall grant if we comnionly account 
 Its dayes by thirty fix or forty : for tiiereby it w ill exceed all other 
 cornigerous Anioiah. But that itattaineth under hundreds, or the 
 ye?u"S delivered by Antliorsi fince we have no authcntick experience 
 for it, fince we havereafon and common experience againft it, fince 
 the grounds are falfe and fabulous which do eftabliiTi it : we know no 
 ground to aflent. 
 
 Concerniiig Deer there alfo pafleth another opinion, that the 
 Males thereof do yearly lofe their pizzel. For men obfervijig the 
 decidence of their horns , do fall upon the like conceit of this part, 
 • that it annually rotteth away,and fucceilively reneweth again. Now 
 the groimd hereof, vvas furely the obfervation of this part in Deer 
 after immoderate vcnery, and about the end of theu'Fvutt, which 
 fometimes becomes fo relaxed and pendulous, it cannot be quite re- 
 tra&ed,and being often befet with fliesjit is conceived to roc, and. at 
 laft to fall from the body. But herein experience will contradict us: 
 for Deer which either die or are killed' at that time, or any ©ther,are 
 alwayes found to have that part entire. And reafonalfo will correft 
 us: for f^iermatical parts,or fuch as are framed from the feniinal prin- 
 ciples of parents, although homogeneous or finulary , will not ad- 
 mit a Puegenerationjmuch lefs will they^ receive an integral reltaui-a- 
 tion , which being organical and inftrumental Members , confift of 
 manyofthofe. Now this part, or Animal oi Plato y contifteth not 
 onely of fanguincous and reparable particles : but is made, up of 
 veins, nerves, arteries, and in fome Animals, of bones : whofe repa- 
 ration is beyond itsown fertilityjand a fruit not to be ejcpcfted fiom 
 th.e fruftifying part it felf. Which faculty were it communicated 
 inito Animals, whofc originals are double, as well as vmto plants, 
 vvhofe feed is within themfelves : we might abate the aixoiTaliaco- 
 tiuip^nd the new in^arching of Nofes. And therefore the fancies of 
 Poets have been fo niodeft , as not to fet down fuch renova- 
 tions, even from the powers of tiieir deities : for the mutilated 
 JlliouKfcrcfi'f'/6'/>*was pieced out with Ivory : and that the limbs of 
 
 Wppolititi 
 
Book.IIL a/td Cotnmon Errors, 
 
 Hippo/ituf were fee together^ not regenerated by JEfcuiaPm is the 
 utmoftaflertion of Poetry. 
 
 l6i 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Of the King-fifher, 
 
 ^T^Hat a King^£flier hanged by the bill , flieweth in what quarter 
 X the wind is, by an occult andfecret propriety , converting the 
 breart to that point of the Horizon from whence the wind doth blow, 
 is a received opinion, and very ftrange ; introducing natural Wea- 
 ther-cocks, and extending Magnetical pofitions as far as Animal 
 Natures. A conceit fupported cheifly by prefent praftice, yet not 
 made out by reafon or experience. 
 
 Unto Reafon it feemeth very repugnant, that a carcafsor bo- 
 dy difani mated, fhould be fo affeftf d with every wind, as to car- 
 ry a conformable refpeft andconft^it habitude thereto. For al- 
 though in fundry Animals, we deny not a kind of natural Meteoro- 
 logy or innate prefention both of wind and weather, yet that pro- 
 ceeding from fenfe receiving impreflions from the firjft mutation of 
 the ayr, they cannot in reafon retain that apprehenfion after death 5 twhence It it" 
 as being affeftions which depend on lifejand depart upon difanimati- that fomc 
 on. And therefore with more favourable Keafon may we draw crcaturc$ pre- 
 the Amie effe£t or fympathy upon the Hedgliog; whofe prefen- *^* *"* *'^*' 
 tionof winds isfoexaft, thatic ftoppechthe North or Southern-* "' 
 hole of its Neft, according to prenorion ofthefe winds enfuing 5 
 which fomeiiien obfervingjhave been able to make prediftions which 
 way the wind would turn, and been efteemed hereby wife men 
 in point of weather. Now this proceeding from fenfe in the 
 creature alive, it were not reafotiable to hang up an Hedg-hog 
 dead, and to expeft a conformable Motion unto its living co!iveriioii. 
 And though in fundry plants their vermes do live after death and 
 we know that Scammony,Rhubard and Senna will purge without a- 
 ny vital afliftance j yet in Animals and fenfible creatures, many 
 actions are mixt, and' depend upon their living form, as well as 
 that of miiiion i and though they wholly feem to retain unto 
 the body? depart upon difunion. Thus Glow-woinis alive, project 
 aluilure inihedark ; which viiigo'.ii- notwithf^anding ceafech after 
 death i and thus the Tropedo which being alive ftiipihes at a di- 
 ftance, applied after deatli, produccth no fuch effeft i which had 
 they retaned, in places where they abound, they might have fup* 
 plied Opium, and fei-ved as fi onta! in Phreij^ies. 
 
 V As 
 
J ^2 'T.nqmriei hto VulgAr Book. lU. 
 
 As for cxpenment 5 we cannot make.it out by any we have at- 
 
 temptcdi for if a lingle King-ft(hei- be hanged up withuncwifted lilk 
 
 in an open room, and where the air is free, it obferves not a 
 
 conftant refpeft unco the month of the wind, but varioufly convert- 
 
 \\\<y 3 doth feldom brcaft it right. If two be fufpended ni the fame 
 
 room, they will noc regukirly conform their bieafts, but oft-times 
 
 refpeft the oppoiite points of heaven. And if we conceive that for 
 
 exaft exploration , they fliould be fufpended where tlie air is quiet 
 
 and immoved, tliat clear of impediments , they may more freely 
 
 convert upon their natural verticityi we have alfo made this way 
 
 of inquiiltion, fufpending thim in large and capacious glalTes clofe- 
 
 ly flopped-, wherein neverchelefs we obferve a cafual Ifacion , and 
 
 that they refted irregidarly upon convc^iion. Wherefoever they 
 
 reftedj remaining inconverted •, and poSTeiTing one point of the 
 
 Compafs 3 whilft the wind perhaps had palTed the two and thir- 
 
 ^y- . ... 
 
 Commonly The groimd of this popular praftice might be the common opinion 
 mnaken foe concerning the vertueprognoliickofthcfe birds; the natural regard 
 cton'"^ucs\'e they have unto the winds, and they unto them again j more efps- 
 rg v'athcr the cially remarkable in tlie time of their nidulation, and bringing foith 
 Ifpida. their young. For at that time, which happeneth about the brumal 
 
 SolRice, it hath been obferved even unco a pioverb , that the fea is 
 calm, and the winds do ceafe, till the young ones are excluded, and 
 forfake their ncft, which tioaterh upon the fea, and by the roughnefs 
 of winds might otherwife be overwhelmed. But how far hereby 
 to magnifie their prediftion we have no certain rule j for whether 
 out of any particular prenorion they chufe to fit at this time, or 
 whether it be thus contrived by concurrence of caufes, and provi- 
 dence of Nature, fecuring every fpecies in their produ£bion , is not 
 yet determined. Surely many things fall out by the deilgn of the 
 general mo'or , and undreamt of contrivance of Nature, which are 
 not imputable unco the intention or knowledge of the particular 
 Aftor. So though the feminality of Ivybe almoft in every earth, 
 yet that it arifeth and groweth not, but where it may be fupportedj 
 we camiot afcribe the fame unto the dilHnftion or the feed -, or con- 
 ceive any fcience therein which fufpends and condiiionates its 
 eruption. So if , as ?//«;• and PA^t^rrc/^ Report, the Crocodiles of 
 JE^jpty fo aptly lay their Eggs, that the Natives thereby are able to 
 know how high the flood will attain-, it will be hard to make out, 
 how they fhould divine the extent of the in-undacion, depending on 
 caufes fo many miles remote; that is,thc mea(ure of fhowers in JEthi' 
 opia, and whereof, ^^ Ath an. ifius in the Wfc of A nibjnj! dtilvers, the 
 devil himfelf upon d:^mand could make no clear prediftion. So arc 
 there likewife many things in Nature, which are the fore-runners ol- 
 iigus of future cffefts , whereto they neither concur in caufality 
 
 or 
 
Book. in. and Common trYort, 
 
 or prenorioii ; but are fecretly ordered by tlje 'providence 
 of cauCes, and concurrence of aftions collateral to their liguad- 
 ons. 
 
 It was alfo a cuftome of old ro keep thefe birds in cheftsj upon opi- 
 nion that they prevented Moths ; whether ic were not firft hatig'd 
 up HI Rooms to fuch efFefts , is not beyond all doubt. Or whether 
 wemiftake notthepoflure or fufpeniion, hanging it by the bill, 
 whereas we fliould do it by the back \ that by the bill it might poinc 
 out the quarters of the wind i for fo hati Kirch^rm defcribed the 
 Orbis and tne 5'ea Swallow. But the eldeft ciiftome of hanging up 
 thefe birds was founded upon a tradition that they would renew 
 dVeir feathers every year as though they were alive : In expefta- 
 tioH whereof four hundred years ago Alhertm Magnm was de- 
 ceiVcd. 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 of Grijfins, 
 
 THat there are Griffins in Nature, that is a mixt and dubious A- 
 nimal , in the fore-part refembiing an Eagle , and behind, the 
 Ihape of a Lioiijwith directed ears, four feet, and a long tail, many 
 affiim andmort,! perceive,deny not. The fame is averred hy Mining 
 Solm.tfy Mela and Herodotus^ countenanced by the Nanic fomctimcs 
 found in Scripture, and was an Hieroglyphick of the JEgy^^i" 
 ans, 
 
 Notwithftanding we find mofl: diligent enquirers to be.of a con- 
 trary ailcrtion. For beiide thac Albertus and Pliny have difailowed 
 irjthe learned Aidrovandus hath in a large difcourfe rejected if, Ma" 
 tbui Michovius who writ of thofe Northern parts wherein men pbce 
 thefe Griffinsjhath politively concluded againft it i and if examined 
 by the Doftrine of Animals,the invention is MonilrousjUor much in- 
 feriour umo the figment of Sphynx , Chinivra and Harpies, for 
 though there be fome flying Animals of mixed and participating 
 Natures, thac is, between bii-d and quadruped ^ yec.a e their wings 
 and legs fo fet together , that they -feem to make each other 5 there 
 being a commixticai of both j sather tiien adaptation or cement of 
 prominent parts unto each other s as is obfervable in the Bat, whofe 
 wings and fore- legs are contrived in each, other. For though fome 
 fpecies there be of middle and participariiig Natures, that isjof bii^d 
 and beaft J ■ as Bats. and fome few others *-. y^t are their parts fo coiir 
 fpi'med and fet together, that we cannot define the beginning 
 
 V 2 ov 
 
 ti?3 
 
1^4 Enquiries into Vulgar Book. III. 
 
 or cud of either; there behig a comraixtion of both In the whole, 
 rather then an adaptation or cement of the one unto the other. 
 
 Now for the word^fj-^or Grypi fometimeg mentioned in Scri- 
 pture, and frequently in humane Authors, properly Ufiderftood> 
 it lignifies fonic kinde of Eagle or Vulture i from whence the E- 
 pirhcte Grjjw for an hooked or Aquiline Nofe. Thus when the 
 Sepnuaginc makes ufe of this word , T^remel'ius and our Tranfla- 
 Llvu.^ji. ^-^^j^ |^j^j.|^ i-^utii^eJ j{- f[^e Ollifrage j which is one kindc of Eagle. 
 
 And although the Vulgar Tranflation, and that annexed unto the 
 Septuagint retain the word Grji/j;, which in ordinary and fchool- 
 conftruftion is commonly rendred a Griffin j yet cannot the La- 
 tine aflimie any ocher fenfe then the Greek, from whence it is bor- 
 rowed. And though, the Lacine Gryphes be altered fomewhat by 
 the addition of an h, or afpiration of the letter «•, yet is not this 
 unufuall j fo what the Greeks call TfSirct/oj'jthe Latines will call Trc 
 J>h£um, and that pcrfon which in the Gofpel is named KKiora, the 
 Latines will render Cleophjs. \iid therefore the quarrel ofOrigen was 
 injuft 3 and his concepcion erroneous, when he conceived rhe food 
 of Griffins forbidden Ijy the Law of Mofes : that is. Poetical Ani- 
 nials, and things of no exiftence. And therefore when in the He- 
 catoms and mighty oblations of the Gentiles^ it is delivered they 
 facriiiced Gryphes or Griffins j hereby we may imderftand fome 
 ftronger fort of Eagles. And therefore alfo when it is faid in" Vir- 
 gil of an improper Match , or Mopftts marrying 'Nyfa , Jungentur 
 jam grjfhes equii, we need not hunt after other fenfe, then that 
 itrange unions fhall be made, and diiferent natures be conjoined 
 together. 
 
 As for the teflimonies of ancient Writers, they are but deriva- 
 tive, and ternunate all in one Arijleuf a Poer of Troconefm ; who 
 affirmed that ncer the Ariniujfi:, or one-eyed Nation, Griffins de- 
 fended the Mines of Gold. But this as Herodotus dcliveieth, he 
 wrote by hearfay ; and Michovius who hath exprefly written of 
 thofe parts, plainly affirmeth, there is neither Gold nor Griffins in 
 that councrcy, nor any fuch animal extant i for fo doth he con- 
 clude, Ego vero contra leteres autkores^ Grjphei nee in ilia. Septen- 
 trionk^ nee in a/iis Brkis partibm inveniri affirmarim. 
 
 LalHy , Concerning the Hieroglyphical Authority , although it 
 jieereft approacheth the truth, it it doch not infer its exiftency. 
 The conceit of the Griffin properly taken being but fymbolical 
 phancy ^ in fo intollerable a ihape including allowable morality. 
 So doth it well make out the properties of a Guardian, or any 
 perfon entrufted j the ears implying attention, the wings celerity 
 of execution, the Lion-like (hape, courage and audacity, the hooked 
 bill refervance and tenacity. It is alfo an Embleme of valour, and 
 magnanimity, as being compoimded of the Eagle and Lion, the 
 
 ■ ■ _ nobleft 
 
Book. in. snd Common Errors, 1^5 
 
 uobleft animals in their kindes i and fo is it applyablc unto Princes, 
 Prefidents, Generals, and all heroiek Conimauders j and fo it is alfo 
 born in the Coat-arms of many noble Families of Europe. 
 
 But the original invention (eenis to be Hieroglyphieal , derive^I 
 from the JEgjptians^ and of an higher iignihcation. By the mylKi- 
 cal conjmidipn of Hawk and Lyon, implying either the Genial 
 or the fyderous fun, the great celerity thereof, and the ftrength 
 and vigour in its operations. And tlierefore under fuch Hiero- 
 glyphicks , 0[yris wa* defcribcd i and in ancient Coins, we meet 
 with Gryphiiis conjointly with ApoUo^S:, "Tripodes and Charioc 
 wheels, and the marble Gryphins at St. Peters in Rome^ as learned 
 men conjecture, were iiril tranllated from the Temple of Apollo. 
 Whether hereby were not alfo myftically implyed the aftivity 
 of the Sun in Leo, the power of God in the Sun, or the influence 
 of the Cal.elHal OjQt^j by Moptha the Genius of A^/7w might a'fo 
 be coniidejed. And then the learned Kircherui no man were likely 
 to be a better Oedipiif. 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 of the Phosmx, 
 
 THat'thert is but one Phoenix in the world, which after many 
 hundred years burneth it felf , and from the afiies thereof a- 
 rifcth up another , is a conceit not new or altogether popular, 
 but of great Antiquity ; not only delivered by humane Authors, 
 but frequently exprelTed by holy Writers j by Cjril^ Epiphanius 
 and others, by Ambrofe in his Hexameron, and Tertullian in his 
 Poem de Judicio Vomini^ but more agreeably unto the prefent 
 Cent fenfe, in his excellent Traft, de KefurreHione carnU. lUimt 
 dico alitem Orient^ peculiarem^ de fingularitate famofunty de pojie- 
 ritate tttonjiruofum ; qui fentetipfum libenter funerans renovaty natali 
 fine decedensy atque fuccedens iterum Thjenix. Vbi jam nemo^ ite- 
 rum ipfe ; qvia Hon jam^ alius idem. The Scripture alfo feems to 
 favour it , particularly that of Job 21. In the interpretation of 
 Beda^ Dicebam in nidulo nteo moriar^ & ficut Vhxnix multipiicabo » 
 
 did : and Pp/. 3 1. J'UeuQ- H^Tif (poiv4 «tV9>)o-«, vir jujiui ut Vhxnix flar 
 rebity as Tert«i'i/r« renders it, and fo alfo expounds it in his Book 
 before alleadged. 
 
 All Avhich notwithftanding, we cannot prefume the exiftenceof y^^^- « 
 T:his Animal ; nor dare we affirm there is any Phoenix in Nature. For, ftory"o{ the 
 firft there wants herein thedeKnitive confirmator and teft of things Phanix- 
 
 iincer- 
 
j^. Enpirhs intoVutgdr Book. Ill, 
 
 tiitCemui, that W, the fenfe of man. For though many Writers have 
 nuicfe enlarged hereon, yec is there noc any ocular deicriber ^ or 
 fucli as prcfumeth ro confirm it upon afpbftion. And rfvcre&)re Hero- 
 dov-i that led the ftory unto the Grff^y, plainly faith he never at- 
 tain"d the fight of any bur only in the pifture. 
 
 Again, Primitive Authors, and from whom the ftr earn of relati- 
 ons is derivative, deli\^cr themfelves very dubioufly 5 and cithei by 
 a doubtful parentheiis, or a timcrous concluiion overthrow the whole 
 relation. Thus Herodoms \\\ his Euterpe, delivering the ftory hereof, 
 p efently interpofeth , «(^oi ijXv » tis-« hiyovjn > trhat is, which ac- 
 count (eems to mc improuaDle. 2acitus in his annals affordeth a 
 larger ftory, how the Phoenix was (irft feen at Heliopolis in the reign 
 of Sefofirif, then in the reign of Amaf-s^ after in the dayes of Ptolewj, 
 the third of the Macedonian race, but at the laft thus deterraineth, 
 Sed antiquitas obfeura '-, & nonnuUl falfum ejfe hmic fhccnicem^ neque A- 
 rahim e terris credidcre. Vlinj makes yet a fairer ftorie- that the 
 phoenix flew into Mgypt in the Coufulfhip ot ^intus Planciuf, that 
 it was brought to Rome inche Cenforfliip of C/audim, in the eight 
 hundred year of the City,and teftified alfo in their records j buc after 
 all conckideth,^^;?/^^^ falfa nemo dubitabityzs we read it in the fair Sc 
 ancient imprellion of Brefciai as Aldrovandits hach quoted it, and as 
 it is found in the manufcript Copy,as Dalechampim hath alfo noted. 
 Moreover, Such as have naturally difcourfed hereon , have fodi- 
 verfly, contrarily, or contradiftorily delivered themfelve.^, that no 
 aftirmative from thence can reafonably be deduced. F^r moft have 
 pOlitivdy denied it, and they which afiirni and believe \y a^Iign cliis 
 name unto many^ and miftake two or three in one. So hath chac bird 
 been taken for the Phoenix which liveth '\r\ Arabia^ and buildeth its 
 nelf with Cinnamon ; by Herodotus^ called Cinnamulgm, and by A^'i- 
 ftotky Cinnamomuii and as a fabulous conceit is cenfured by Scaliger. 
 Some have conceived that' bird to be the Phoenix, which by a Verf^n 
 nUme With the Greekj is called Khiniacr-,h\{: how they made this good 
 ivel^nde occaiion of doubt', wliirit wc read m the life of AnaxerxeSy 
 that^thls is a little bird brought often to their tables, and where-o 
 \vit:HT</r<7j[i'r)y^ cunningly poifoned the Qjjeen. The Mmucodiata or 
 biVd oif Paradife, hath had the honour of this name, and their fea- 
 thers brought fi 6m the Molucca''s do pafs for thofe of the Phanix. 
 WiUch though promoted by rarity with us, the Eaitern travellers 
 ** \\;]11 haMly admit 3 who kaov^.'Hiey are coiumon in- thofe pa^ts, and 
 
 'the Ordinary plume of Janissaries among tticjTvrJ^j. And laftly, the 
 \)\vd Senjenda hath fouiid the fanie a'ppellatVoii, for fo hath Scaliger 
 obferved and refuted i nor will the folitude of, the Phoenix allow this 
 . denOminacion i for many there are of that fp.ecies, and whofe tri- 
 filluUry bill and cranv'we have' beheld ou|>felye.-:. f)Jpx arf men only 
 tt vai-i;!iic'e ill regarilof the Phanix it feff/ but' very difagreeing in 
 
• Book.llX. <<«^ Common Errort, l66 
 
 tht acaeidents afcribtd thereto : for fonie affirm it Ilvetli three Tiuii- 
 dredjtbme five,ochers fix/onie a thoufandjochers no lefs then fifteen 
 hiindft-d years i fome fay it livcch \n Mthiopia ^ others iwArabiay 
 fome mJEgJpt-.) others in JW/<?3 and fome in 'Z^fo/'i/r, for fuch mult 
 that be which is defcribedby Laaantim ; that is, which neither was 
 iinqed in the combuiVion of Ph.tetoniOr overvvlielmed by the inun- 
 dation of Deucalion. 
 
 Lailly, Many Authors who have - difcourfed hereof, have fo deli- 
 vered themfelves, and with fitch intentions, we cannot from thence 
 de.!u:e a confirmation. For fome have written Poscicallyjas Ovid-, 
 Miiiituaytf LacfantiiMi Clnffdian.^ and others : Some have written 
 Myfticiiliyj asP<ir/?cY//7«-in his book de Azoth, or de /igno & linea vi" 
 t£; and as feveral Hermctical PhilGro^)hers , involving therein 
 the fccret of thtfir Elixir, and enigmacicaHy eiq")re;rmg th:: nature of 
 their i^reat work. Some have written Rhetorically , and conceiTi- 
 vely 5 not controverting but alTuming the queflion , which taken as 
 granted5advantaged the illation. So have holy men made life here- 
 of as far as thereby to confirm theFvefiirreftion i for difcourlnig 
 with Heathens who granted the i\ovy of the Phoznix , they induced 
 the Refurreftion from prniciples of rhcir own,and poikioiiS received 
 among themfelves. Others have fpoken Emblemacically and Hie- 
 roglyphically ■■, and fo did the Mgjftians , tinto whom the Phccnix 
 was the Hieroglyphick of the Sun. And tliis was probably the 
 ground of the whole Relation ■-, fucceedini^ ag^s adding fabulous ac- 
 counts, which laid together built up thislingularity , which every 
 pen proclaimeth. > > -• 
 
 As for the T^xts bf Scripture, whith (htti\ t® cq/ifirm the conceit, 
 duly perpended , they add not diei'cunto:-' For wherea^ in that of 
 Job , acording to the Septuagint or Gre'ek Tranllation we find the 
 word phoenix, yet can it have no Animal fanftihcation j for therein 
 it i^ not exprefled <poivi^ but rusx©" •P°^*"''^© , ^^^^, trunk of the Palm- 
 tree, which is alfo caj led Phoenix i and therefore the coriftruftipii 
 tvill be very hard , if not applied imtb fom^' vegetable nature. Nor 
 can vve fafely infift upon the Greekexpre^libti at all ; for though the 
 Vulgar tranflates it Talma ^ and fome retain the word Phoenix, 
 others do render it by a word of a different fenfe v for fo hath Tr?- 
 wellius delivered it : T>tcebam qmd apud nidunt meum expirabo , & 
 fia/t arena, muhiflkaho dirs i fo hath the Geneva and oui'S 
 rranflated it , I faid I (hall die in my Neft , arid (hall multiply 
 my dayes, as the (and. As for that in the book of Pfalm^ , Vir 
 j-i^iuf ut Th'tnix fiorebit ^ as Epipbaniuf and T'ertv.Uian render it, 
 it was onely a miilake upon the Homonymy of the Greek 
 word Phaiiix , which fignifies aifo a Palm-tree. Which is 
 a fallacy of equivocation, from a community in name i'^fei"- Confent o£ 
 ring a common natures and whereby we may as firmly conclude,that n»mcs 
 
 Dia- 
 
i^g B^uirlei tnto Vulgdr Book. IE. 
 
 Diaphoemcon a purging Eleftaary hacli fonie part of the Phoe- 
 nix for it^ ingredient •, which receivech that name from Dates, or 
 the fruit ot the Palm-tree, from whence, as P//«y delivers, the Phoe- 
 nix had its name. 
 
 Nor do we onely arraign the exiftence of this Animal, but 
 many things are qiieftionable which are afcribed thereto, efpeci- 
 ally its unity, long life, and generation. As for its unity or con- 
 zJ\t their fhould be but one in nature it feenicth not onely re- 
 pugnant unto Philofophy, but alfo holy Scripture i which plain- 
 ly a'iirms, there went of every fort two at leaft into the Arke of iVo- 
 
 Qem. ^^> according to the text. Every fowl after his kind, every bird of 
 
 every fort, they went into the Ark, two and two of all flefh, where- 
 in there is the breath of life, and they that went in, went in both 
 Male and female of all flefti.Tt infringeth the Benediftion of God con- 
 cerning Multiplication. God bleffed them, faying be fruitful and 
 
 Gen. I. multiply, and till the waters in the feas, and let fowl multiply in the 
 
 earth i And again. Bring forth with thee, every living-thing, that 
 they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful and 
 multiply upon the earth i which terms are nor appliable unco the 
 
 Cjap. 8. Phoenix , wheireof there is but one in the world, and no more 
 
 ]:o v living then at the iirft benediction. For the produt^ion of one, 
 being the deftruftion of another , although they produce and gene- 
 rate, they increafe not ; and nuift not be faid to multiply, who do _ 
 not tranfcend an unity. 
 
 As for longevity, that it liveth a thoufands years or more; 
 tefides that from imperfeft obfervations and rarity of appear- 
 ance, no Gouiirmation can be made j, there may be probably a 
 niiftake in the compute.' For the tradition being very ancient 
 and probably i?]gyptian, the Greeks who difperfed the fable, 
 might fum up the account by their ov/n numeration of years; , 
 whereas the conceit might have its original in times of Ihorter 
 compute. For if we fuppofe oiir prefenc calculation, the Phoe- 
 nix now in nature will be,thf %tijrom the Creationjbut in the mid- 
 dle of its years ; and if the Kahbines prophecy fucceed, (hall conclude 
 
 ''''^V. ^^n M itsdaies, not in its own, butthelaft and general flames, without 
 
 world fliould ,, , cr> cl- 
 
 lift but fix allhopeof Revividtion. 
 
 thoufand Concerning its generation, that without all conjunftion ii; 
 
 yc«rs. b°5;cti and refeminates it felf, hereby we introduce a vegitable prp-i 
 
 duftion in Animals, and unto feulible, natures, transfer the pro- 
 priety of plants i that is to multiply, within themfelves,; ac- 
 cording to the Law of the Creation, Let the earth bring forth grafs> 
 the heib yielding feed, and the tree yielding fruit, whole feed is in it 
 
 G<H. I . fcIf. Which is indeed the natural way of plants , who havingno di- 
 
 frindion of fex,and the power of the fpeties, contained in every 'mdi- • 
 vidkUKi beget and propagate themfelve^vyithout cojiimi.xtk>'ii,i /and .; 
 
 therefore 
 
Book. III. ttnd Common Errors] 169 
 
 therefore their fruits proceeding from fimpler roots, are not fo un- 
 like, or diftinguifhablc from each other^as are the ofF-fprings of fen- 
 lible creatures and prolifications defcending from double original'. 
 But Animal generation is accompli/hed by more; and the concur- 
 rence of two fexes is required to the conftitution of one. Aud there- 
 fore fuch as have no diftinftion of fexjengender not at all,as Arilhtle 
 conceives of Eels, and teftaceous Animals. And though plant-ani- 
 mals do multiply, they doit not by copulation, but in a way a- 
 ualogous unto plants. So Hermaphrodites although they include 
 the parts of both fexes, and may be fufficiently potent in either ; 
 yet unto a conception requu-e a feperated fex, and cannot impreg- 
 nate rhemfelves. And fo alfo though Adam included all humane na- 
 tiue, or was ( as fome opinion ) an Hermaphrodite, yet had he 
 no power to propagate himfelf ; and therefore God faid. It is 
 not good that man fiiould be alone, let us make him an help 
 meet for him: that is, an help unto generation i for as for any 
 other help, it had been fitter to have made another man. 
 . Now whereas fome atiirm that from onePhanix there doth not 
 immediady proceed another, but thefirft corrupteth intoa worm, 
 which after becometh a Phoenix, it will not make probable this pro- 
 du-ftioii. For hereby they confound the generation of pcrfeft ani- 
 mals with imperfeft, fanguineous with exanguious, vermiparous 
 with oviparous, and ereft Anomalies, diflurbing the laws of Nature. Irregularities; 
 Nor will this corruptive produftionbe ealily made out inmoftim- 
 perfeft generations j for althongh we deny not that many •Animals 
 are vermiparous, begetting thentfelves at a diftance, and as it were 
 at the fecond hand ( as generally fnfefts, and more remarkably 
 Butterflies and Silk-worms ) yet proceeds not this generation from 
 a corruption of themfelves, but rather a fpccifical and feminal dif- 
 falion, retaining ftill the Idea of the»ifelves, though it aft that 
 part a while in other (hapes. And this will alfo hold in gene- 
 rations equivocal, and fuch as are not begotten from parents like 
 themfelves ; fo from Frogs corrupting, proceed not Frogs again 5 
 fo if there be anatiferous trees, whofe corruption breaks forth into 
 Bernacles, yet if they corrupt, they degenerate into Maggots, 
 which produce not them again. For this were a confufion of cor- 
 ruptive and feminal produftion, and a fruftration of that feminal 
 power committed to animals at the creation. The probleme might 
 have been fpared. Why we love not our Lice as well as our hil- 
 dii^n .'' Noahs Ark had been needlefs : the graves of animals would 
 be the fruitfulleft wombs i for death would not deftroy, but em- 
 people the world again. 
 
 Since therefore we have fo (lender grounds to confirm the exift- 
 cnce of he Phcenixifince there is no ocular witneflTe of ic h imce a:> we 
 have deciaicd, by Authoi s from whom the ftory is d-i ivtd, it rather 
 
 X Itauds 
 
1 70 tnpmft into Vulgar Book. TIL 
 
 {lands rejcftcd^ fi nee they who have ferloufly difcoiirfed hereof, 
 have delivered themfelves negatively, diverOya or contarily j (jnce 
 mauy others cannot be di-awn into ari,'unientj as writing Poetically, 
 Rhetorically, Enigmatically, Hieroglyphically •, lince holy Scri- 
 pture alleadged for it duly perpended, doth not advantage it j 
 and laftly, lince fo ftrange a generation, unity and long life, hath 
 neither experience nor reafon to contirni itj how far to rely on 
 this tradition, vve refer unto confideration. 
 
 But iurely they were not well-wirtiers unto parable Phyiick, or 
 remedies eanly acquired, who derived medecines from the Phoc- 
 it/ypp/rrt. YixY. i as fome have done, and are juftly condennied by fliny ■■, Irri- 
 dere eji , vitji rerncdia , poji millefimum annum redd itur a monllrare-'y 
 It i> a foliy to finde out remedies that are not recoverable un- 
 der a thoufand years v or propofe the prolonging of life by that 
 which the twentieth generation may never behold. More veniia- 
 ble is a dependance upon the Philofophers ftone, potable Gold, 
 or any of thofe Arcana's, whereby Paracelfus that died himfelf at 
 forty feven, gldried that he could make other men immortal. 
 Which, although extreamly difficult, and tantiwi non infgible, yec 
 are they not impOilible ; nor do they f rightly imderftood ) im- 
 pofe any violence on Nature. And therefore if ftriicly taken for 
 the Phoenix, very ftrange is that which is delivered by flutarch^ 
 That the brain thereof is a pleafant bit, but that it caufeth the 
 ib'^fdniaae tu-^^^^^-^^^^' Which notwithftanding the luxurious Emperour could 
 enda. never talk j though he had at his Table many a Phanicopter.is, yec 
 
 Hdkfgabalus. |iad he not one Phoenixifor though he expefted and attempted it,we 
 read not in Lampridiuf that he performed it j and con(idering the 
 unity thereof, it was a vaindefigne, that is, to deftroy anyfpccies, 
 or Mutilate the great accomplilhnient of lix day es. And although 
 fome conceive, and it may feem true, that there is in man a natu- 
 ral poffjbility to deftroy the world in one generation, that is, by a 
 general confpire to know no woman themfelves, and dlfable all o- 
 thers alfo ; yet will this never be effected. And therefore Cain 
 after he had killed Ahe/;, were there no other woman living, could 
 not have alfo deftroyed Eve : which although he had a natural 
 power to effeft, yet the execution thereof the Providence of God 
 would have relifted ; for that would have impofed another crea- 
 tion upon him^ and to have animated a fecoud Rib of Adam* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book.lir. 7nd[Common Efrdrt, 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 of Frogs ^ loads 3 and Toad-^one, 
 
 COncenilng the venemous urine of Toads, of the ftonc in the 
 Toads head, and of the generation of Frogs, conceptions arc 
 entertained which require confideration. And firft that a Toad 
 piffeth, and this way difFufeth its venome, is generally received, 
 not only with irs, but alfo in other parts j for fo hath Scaliger 
 oL*ferved in hisCon"»nient5 Averfum urinam reddere ob oculos perfe- 
 cut-rif fcrnicio^am rurkolii perfuafum ejij and Mdthiolm hath alfo 
 a paffagc, that a Toad communic^ttes it venom, not only by urine, 
 but by the humidity and flaver of its mouth : which notwith- 
 ftanding ftriftly underftood, will not confiil witli truth. For to 
 fpeak properly a Toad piiTeth noc : nor do they contain thofe 
 urinary parts which are found in other Animals, to avoid that 
 ferous exaetion : for though not only birds, but oviparous qua- 
 drupeds and Serpents have kidneys and Ureters, and fome fiflies 
 a.fo bladders : yet for the moift and dry excretion they have one 
 vent and common place of exclulion : and with die fame propriety 
 of language, we may afcribe that aftion unto Crows and Kite?. 
 And this is not only verefied in Frogs and Toads, but may be 
 enquired in Tortoyfes : whether that be ftriftly true , or to be 
 taken for a diftinft and feparace miftion, when Arilhtle affirmeth, 
 that no oviparous Animal, that is, which either fpawneth or layeth 
 Eggs, doch Urine, except the Tortoyfe. 
 
 The ground or occafion of this expreffion might from hence 
 •arife, that Toads are fometimes obferved to exclude or fpirt out 
 a dark and liquid matter behinde ; which we have obferved to be 
 true, and a venemous condition there may be perhaps therein, but 
 it cannot be called their Urine: not becaufe it is emitted aveifly 
 or backward, by both Sexes, but becaufe it is confounded with the 
 inteltinal excretions, and Egeilic«is of the belly. 
 
 As for the ftone commonly called a Toad-ilone, which is pre* 
 fumed to be found in the head of that Animal, ivt: hrll: conceive 
 ic not a thing impolTible : nor is there any Cifbftantial reafon, vvh) 
 in a Toad there may not be found firdi hard and lapideous con- 
 cretions. For the like we daily obferve in the heads of FiJhe'^, 
 as Cods, Carps, and Pcarches : the like alfo in Snails, a fofc and ex- 
 oflcous Animal, whereof in the naked and greater fort, as though 
 flie would requite t;he defe^ of a (hell on tlieirback, Nature, neer 
 the head hath placed a Hat viU'ite ftone, or rather teftaceous coii- 
 Ci'ttion. Which though Aldrovandm aftirms that after diifeftion 
 
 X 2 of 
 
i72 Enquiries tdo Vulg^ Book. Ill; 
 
 of matiy, he found but in feme few: yet of the great gray Snails , I 
 have not met with any that wanted it : and the fame indeed fo pal- 
 pable, that without difleftion it is difcoverable by the hand. 
 
 Again , though it be not impolTible , yet it is furely very rare: 
 as we are induced to believe from feme enquiry of our own : from 
 the trial of many who have been deceived^ and the fruftrated fearch 
 of Porta 5 who upon the explorement of many , could fcarce finde 
 one. Nor is it onely of rarity , but may be doubted whether it 
 be of exigency, or really any fuch fione inthehead ofaToad atall. 
 For although L^r/'/V^znc^ and queftuary enquirers a^rm it , yet the 
 Writers of minerals and natural fpeciilators , are of another belief : 
 conceiving the fiones which bear this name, to be a Mineral concre- 
 tion : not to be found in animals, but in fields. And therefore Br- 
 tius refers it to Aleria or fome kind of Laps (iellarlf. and plainly con- 
 cludech, reperiu)ttur in agrU i quo s t amen alii in annofuj ac qui diuin 
 Arundinet>sy irtttr ruhos f'/ttefque delituerunt, bpfonis capitihus gemrari 
 pertinaciter affirmant. 
 
 Laftly, If any fuch thing there be,yet muft it no! for ought I fee, 
 be taken as we receive it, for a loofe and moveable ftone, but rather 
 a concretion or induration of the crany it felfj for b-iiig of an ear- 
 thy temper , living in tlie earth , and as fome fay feeding thereon^ 
 fuch indurations may fometimes happen. Thus when Brajfavoliis 
 after a long fearch had difcovered one , he afttims it was rather 
 the forehead bone petrified , then a Hone within the crany \ and of 
 this belief was Gejncr. Which is alfo much confirmed fiom 
 what is delivered in Aldrovandm , upon experiment of very many 
 Toads i whofe cranies or skuls in time grew hard, and almoft 
 of af^ony fubftance. All which conl^dered, we nuift with circum- 
 fpeftion receive thofe ftones , which commonly bear this name, 
 much lefs believe the traditions , that in envy to mankind they are 
 caft out, or fwallowed down by the Toad •-, which canno: coniift with 
 Anatomj, and with the reft, enforced this cenfurefroni Bctiusj Ah eo 
 tempore pro nugis hahii quod ds B'lfonio lapide , ejufqne origine tradi- 
 U:r. 
 
 What therefore btft reconcileth thefe divided determinations, 
 
 maybe a middle opinion j that of thefe ftones fome- are mineral 
 
 and to be found in the earth; fome animal, to be met with in Toads, 
 
 at leaft by the induration of their cranies. The firft are many and 
 
 manifold, to be found in Germanj and other parts; the laft are fewer 
 
 , in number, and in fiibftance not unlike tl^.e ftones in Carps heads. 
 
 lb A ' This is agreeable unto the determinarion of Aldrovandus ^ and is 
 
 Muf'xi Calcee- alfo tlie judgemement of kanicd Spigeliuf in his Epiftle unto Pigno- 
 
 l^riiini.Secl.i.riuf. .- 
 
 Concerning the generation of Frogs, we fliall briefly deliver that 
 accoiuit which obfervation hath taught us. JBy Frogs I unde;ftand 
 
 not 
 
Book. III. A»d Commofi Errors , 173 
 
 not fiich as aiifing from putrefaftion , are bred without copulation, 
 and becaufe they fublift not long , are called TemforarU, nor do I 
 mean the little Frog of an excellent Parrat-green , that ufually lits 
 on Trees and Bufliesj and is therefore called Ranunculm viridis , or 
 arborim but hereby I iinderftand the aquatile or Water-Frog, where- 
 of in ditches and landing pla/hes we may behold many millions 
 every S^i'nigm England. Now thefe do not as Pliny ccnceivech, 
 exclude black pieces of flefh , vvhich after become Frogs ; but they 
 let fall their fpawn in the water , of excellent ufe in Phyiick^ and 
 and fcarce unknown unto any. In this fpawn of a lencoui and 
 tranfparcnt body, are to be difcerned many fpecks, or littk conglo- 
 bations, which in a fmall time become of deep black j a (ubliancc 
 more compared and terreftrious then the other ; for it rifcth no: in 
 dilUllation, and affords a powder, when the white and aqueous pare 
 is exhaled. Now of this black or duskie fubftance is the Frog at laft 
 formed j as we have beheld , including the fpawn with water in a 
 glafs 3 and expoling it unco the Sun. For that black and round 
 fubftancc, in a few dayes began to dilate and grow longer , after a 
 while the head, the eyeSjthe tail to be difcernable, and at laft to be- 
 come that which the Ancients called Gyrinm^ we a Porwigle or Tad- 
 pole. This in fonie weeks after 3 becomes aperfeftFrog, the legs 
 growing out before, and the tail wearing away, to fupply the other 
 behind^ as may be obferved in fome, which have iKwly forfaken the 
 waterj for in fuch,fome part of the tail will be feen, bur curtailed and 
 liiort, not long andfinny as before. A part provided theoi a vvhile 
 to.fwim and move in the water, that is, until fuch time as natiu'e ex- 
 cluded legs , whereby they might be piovided not oncly to fwim in 
 the water , but move upon the land j according to the amphibious 
 and mixt iiKention ofnature, that is, to live in both. So cliat who-, 
 ever obferveth the firft progrellion of the feed before morion, or 
 fhall take notice of the ftrange indiftinftion of parts hi the Tadpole, 
 even when it moveth about , and how fuccelfively the inward parts 
 dofeem to difcover themfelves,until their laft perfeftiom may eafily 
 difcern the high curiofity ofnature in thefc iiiferiour animals , and 
 what a long line is run to make a Frog. 
 
 And becaufe many affirm,and fome deliver, that in rfgar4 it hatli 
 lungs and breatheth , a Frog may be eaiily drowned; though the 
 reafonbe probable, I find not the experiment aufwcrable^ for faft- 
 ning one about a fpan under water, it lived almoft ux dayes. Nor Amphibionj 
 is it hard todeftroy one in water , but difficult alfo at land : for it ^'^ly^ in both 
 will live long after the lungs and heart be out-, how long it will live deracntiof 
 in the feed, or whether the fpawn of this year being prefervcd, wii Imd tni wa- 
 noc arife into Frogs in the next^ might alfo be enquired : and we are tcr. 
 |>repared to trie. 
 
 C H A p. 
 
1 7^4 EMplrtei imo fu IgAt Book. IH 
 
 CHAP. VI X. 
 
 Of the Sdamnnder. 
 
 THat a Salmander is able to live in flames, to endure and put out 
 fire, is an affertion, not onely of great iVntiquity, but confirmed 
 by frequentjand not contemptible teftiniony. The ^Egyptians have 
 drawn it into~ their Hieroglyphicks ; Ariftotle feemeth to embrace it; 
 more ' plainly Nicander ^ Sarenw Sammonicnf , Milan and fhnyy 
 who alligns the caufe of this effeft : An Animal f faich iie J 
 fo cold that it extinguiflieth the fire like ice. All which not- 
 withftanding , there is on the negative , Authority and experience; 
 Sextim aPhyfitian, as P/i;y» deliverethj denied this effeftj Diofcorides 
 affirmed it a point of folly to believe it : Galen thzt it endureth 
 the fiie a while, but in continuance is confumed therein. For 
 experimental conviftion, Miithiolits affirmeth : he faw a Salamander 
 burnt in a very fliort time; and of the like afTertion is Amatits Lufita- 
 nm and moft plainly Pier/u^y vvhofe words in his Hieroglypliicks are 
 thefc; Whereas it is commonly faidjthat a Salamander extinguifheth 
 fire, we have found by experience, that its fo far from quenching hot 
 coals , that it dieth immediately therein. As for the contrary af- 
 fertion of y^ri/fot/(? , it is but byhearfay, as common opinion be- 
 lieveth , H£cenim (in aiunt) ignem ingrediens , emt exthiguit ; and 
 therefore there was no abfitrdity in Galen , tvhen as a Septical me- 
 A corruptive ^iicine he commended the afhes of a Salamander ; and Magicians in 
 Medicine de- ^.^-^^ ^^.^^^^ ^j^^ power of this tradition, at the burning of towns or 
 
 parts' like Ar- ^^^^^^"^^ ^^P^^ ^ ^"^^^^^^^^"^ ^^^^"^^"^^^^^' 
 
 fcnike. The ground of this opinion , might be fonie fenfible reliftance of 
 
 iire obferved in the Salamander: vVhich being, zsGiflcn determinfeth, 
 cold in the fourth, and moiil in the thiixl degree, and having alfo a 
 mucous humidity ab'ove and imdei* the skin , by vertue thereof 
 it may a while endure the flame : which being confumed, it can 
 reiift no fUore. Such an humidity thtfr'e is obfei'i'ed in N^vtes, 
 or water-Lizards , efpecially ff their skins be pciforated or pricked. 
 Thus will Frogs and Snails endure the llame: thus will whites of 
 eggs, vitreous or glallie flegm extinguifh a coal : dnis ar^ unguents 
 made which proteft awhile from the fire : im'clthus belide the Hir^ 
 J>ini there are later ftories of men that have pafs'd untouchc 
 through fire. And thcrefoi-e feme t'ruth we allow in the tradi- 
 tion : truth according unto G/?/f« , that it may for a tinieiTiift a 
 flame,or as Scaliger avers,extinguifli or put out a coalrfbr thus much . 
 will many humid bodies perform : but that it perfereres and live* 
 I in 
 
Book. 111. ^M Cofmtofi Brrorf, 175 
 
 in that deftriiftive clement, is a fallacious enlargement. KTordo 
 we reafonably conclude , b€ca«fe for a time it indureth fire, ic 
 fubducrh and extinguflierh the fame, becaiife by a cold and a- 
 Imiiinoiis moifture, it isablea while to refift it: from a peculiaiitjr 
 of natme it fublifteth and liveth in it. 
 
 It hath been much promoted by Stores of incumbiiftible nap- 
 kin-> and textures which indure the fire, whofe materials are 
 caird by the name of Salamander? wool. VVhicli many too literal- 
 ly apprehending, conceive fome invefting part, or tegument of the 
 Salamander : wherein beside that they miftake the condition of 
 this Aninial f wiiich is a kind of Lizard, a quadruped corticated 
 and depilous, that is, without wool, fur or hair ) they obferVe 
 not the method aud general rule of nature : whereby all Qua- 
 drupeds oviparous, as Lizards, Frogs, Tortois, Chamellons, Cro- 
 codiles, are without hare, and have no covering part or hairy in- 
 veftuient ac all. And if they conceive that from the skin of 
 the Salamander, thefe incremable pieces are compofedj beiidethe 
 experiments made upon the living, xh^tofBraJfavolus will ftep in, 
 who in the fearch of this truth, did burn the skin o( one dead. 
 
 Nor is this Salamanders wool defumcd from any Animal, -but 
 a minerall fubliance Metaphorically Co called from this received 
 opinion. For befide Germanicus his heart, and Tjrrhus his great 
 Toe, which would not burn with the reft of their bodies. There 
 are in the number of Minerals, fome bodies incumbuftible j more 
 remarkabfy that which the Ancients named Asbejion^^ and Tan- 
 cirollus treats of in the chapter of Lmum vivum. Whereof by p^^j^^fl^,. 
 Art were weaved napkins, fliirts and coats inconfumable by fiire j smtonhS' 
 and wherein in Ancient times to preferve their allies pure, and 
 without commixture, they burnt the bodies of Kings. A nap- 
 kin hereof Tliny reports that Nero had, and the like faith ?au- 
 Im Venetusi the Emperour of Tartarie fcnt nnto Pope Alexander ; 
 and alfo affirms that in fome part of Tjirtark, there were Mines 
 of Iron whofe filaments were weaved into incumbuftible cloth. 
 Which rare manufafture, although delivered for loft by Tancirol- 
 iuf) yet Salmuth his comnienratoi' affirmeth, that one Vodocaterus a 
 Cyprian, had fliewed the fame at Venice > and his materials were 
 from Cyprus^ where indeed Diofcorides placeth them j the fame is 
 alfo ocularly confirmed by Fiz/« upon Aujii^} s^nd Ma to liis m his 
 colloquies. And thus in our daies do men praftife to make long- 
 lafting Snafts for lampcs, out of A lumen plimiofum 5 and by the 
 fame we read in l?aufanias , that there alwaies burnt a Lamp be- 
 foie the Image of Minerva. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
17^ ttuiuirki iMo Vulgar Book. in. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 Of the Ambish<em» 
 
 THat the Aniphisb-rnaj that is, a fmaller kind of Scrpeiit, which 
 moveth forward and backward, hath two heads, or oiie at 
 either extrcam, was affirmed firft by Nicander, and after by ma- 
 ny others, by the Author of the book de Th^riaca ad Pifonew^ 
 afcribed unto Galen, more plainly '?/i«j/, Geminum habet caput ^ 
 taitquam parum ejfet uno ore effundi venenum: but ^///r« moftcon- 
 fidently,who referring the conceit oi Chimera and Hydra unco fables, 
 hath fet down this as an undeniable truth. 
 
 Whereunto while men afTcnt, and can belive a bicipitous Gon- 
 formacion in any continued fpecies, they admit a gemination of 
 principle parts, not naturally difcovercd in any Animal. True 
 it is that other parts in Animals arc not equal; for fome make 
 their progreiHon with many legs, even to the number of an hun- 
 dred, TL^Jvli^i Scolopendr£i orfuch as are termed Cfxti/Ji^^^^ ; fome 
 fly with two wings, as birds and many infefts, fome wichfour, 
 as all farinaceous or mealy-winged animals, as Butter-flies, and 
 Moths : all vaginipennous or ftieath winged infefts, as Beetles and 
 Dorrs. Some have three Tefticles, as Arifidtle fpeake<^ of the 
 Buzzard; and fome have four ftomacks, as horned and rumina- 
 ting animals: but for the principle parts, the Liver, heart, and 
 efpecially the brain ; regularly they are but one in any kind or fpe- 
 cies whatfoever. 
 
 And were there any fuch fpecies or naturall kind of animall, 
 it would be hard to make good thofe fix portions of body, which 
 according to the three dimenlions are afcribed unto every ani- 
 mall: that is, infra:, fi/pr ay ante^ retro, dextrofitnt) finijirofum : for 
 iff as it is determined ) that be the anterior and upper part, 
 wherein the fenfes are placed, and that the pofterior and low- 
 er part which is oppofite thereunto ; there is no inferiour or 
 former part in this animall : for the fenfes being placed at both 
 cxtreams, do make both ends anterior, which is impoifible: the 
 terms being Relative, which mutually fublili and are not with- 
 out each other. And therefore this duplicity was ill contrived 
 to place one head at both cxtreames*, and had been more tole- 
 rable to have fctled three or four at one. And therefore alfo 
 Poets have been more reafonable then PhilofopherSj and Geryou 
 or Cerberous Icfs nionftrous then Amphisb.ina, 
 
 Again 
 
Bouk. 5 'md Commm Srrours, 177 
 
 Again, If any fuch thing rherfe were, it were not to be obtruded by the 
 name of ^iy^niphisbdna , or as an animal of one denomination ; for 
 properly the animal is not one, but multiplicious or many , which hath 
 a duplicity or gemination of principal parts. And this doth Ar'ijhtle 
 define , when he aftirmeth a Monfkr is to be efieemed one or many, 
 according to its principle, which he conceived the heart , whence he 
 derived the original of Nerves , and thereto afcribed many ads vvhidi 
 . Phyfitians alTivn unto the brain: and therefore if it cannot be caH,;d 
 one , which hath a duplicity of hearts in- his fenfe , it cannot receive 
 that appellation with a plurality of heads in ours. And this the pra- 
 ctice of ChrilUans hath acknowledged, who have baptized rhefegetni- 
 nous births, and double connafc^rxies with feveral jaam.es ; as conceiving 
 in them a diftin6tion of fouls, upon the divided execution of their fun- 
 dions ; that is, while one wept, the other laughing, while one was H- 
 lent, the other {i:'eaking, while one awaked, the other fleeping; as h 
 declared by three remarkable exam.ples in P^fr^rr/:',^'^/W.77/-/W and the 
 Scottijh hiliory of bvchw. 
 
 It is not denied there have been bicipitous Serpents with the head at 
 each extream , for an example hereof we tinde in Arlfiotls , and of the- 
 like form in Alirovandtts we meet with the Icon of a Lizza.d ; anci of 
 this kind perhaps might that .■'i? f',:i6h(tKa\it the pidure whereof r..j/J7- 
 tiMHs FHitus- ih^wcd unto the learned Fab.r, Which double for na- 
 tions do often happen unto mvAii^^xoMS generations, ^ more'e{]-eciaHy 
 that of Serpents, whofe produ6lions bein numerous , and their Egos 
 in chains or links together ( which fometime conjoyn and inoculate in- 
 to e^ch other) they may unite into various lliapes, and come out in 
 mixed formations. But thefe are m.onrtrous produilions befide the in- 
 tention of Nature, and the flatutes ^i generation ^ neither begotten of 
 like parents, nor begetting the like agam, but irregularly pro. 'uced, do 
 fland as Anomalies in the general book of Nature. Which being fhifts. 
 and forced pieces, rather then renuine and proper efteds, they afford 
 us no illation ; nor is it reafonable to conclude , from a m.onftr^li- 
 ty unto a fpecies, o: from accidental efteds, unto the regular wo: ks of 
 Nature. 
 
 LafllY,the ground of the conceit was the figure of this animal,and mo- 
 tion oft tim.e, "both wayes ; for defcribedit is to be like a worm, ancl 
 fo equally fram.ed at both extreams , that at an ordinary diOance it is 
 no eafie matter to determine which is the head; and therefore fome 
 obferving them to move both wayes , have given the appellation of 
 heads imto both extreims , which is no proper and warrantable deno- 
 mination ; for many Animals with one head:, do ordinarily perform 
 borh ditferem and contrary m.oaons ; Crabs move hdelin^, Lobrters . 
 will fwim. fvviftly backward , NA'ormes an I Leeches will ^move both 
 \Vayes ; and fo will moR of thofe i^nimals, whofe bodies cojifiif of rounq 
 and annulary fibers, and move by undulation, that is, Ukethej^vave^ xi|^ 
 
 A a - * tne 
 
^^8 lEn^uiriestntc Vulvar Bock.j. 
 
 the iea, the one portruding the other, by inver/ion whereof they make 
 a backward motion. 
 
 Upon the fame ground hath arifen the fame miftake concerning the 
 ' Scolopendra or hundred-footed Infe£t , as is delivered by Khodialnns 
 from the Scholiaft of Nicdndtr : DlcltHr a Nicandro , A\K<^i)ia. «f, ^idefl 
 dlcefhalus aHtbicefsfiBumverOyi^uomdm rttrerfum ( Ht fcrlhlt zyirl- 
 Hottles ) arreplty obfcrved by z/ildrovandus^ but moft plainly by Mnf- 
 fetus-, who thus concludeth upon the Text of Nlcander : l amen face 
 tantl anthoris di^erim-, untcum illl dumaxat cMfut I'ldro alufc^ue imtoftt- 
 i^dtibltox that is, under favour of fo great an Author, the Scolopen* 
 dra hath but one head, although with equal facility it moveth forward 
 and backward , which I fufpeil deceived Nicander and others. 
 
 CHAP, XVI. 
 Of the Vl-per, 
 
 TPHat the young Vipers force their way through' the bowels of then- 
 Dam, or tiiat the female Viper in the ail of generation bites off 
 the head of the male , in revenge whereof the young ones eat throui,h 
 ' the womb and belly of the female, is a very ancient tradition. In 
 this fenfe entertained in theHieroglyphicks of. the <y£ajtptiansy z^vm- 
 tdby HerodotfiSy N'icahdery Tilft^y^Platarchy (t^Iia-/i^ Jerome^ BafiUy 
 JJidore ^ fee ms countenanced by Arijfotle^ and his Scholar T/'«^o'/'Ar<«- 
 fiui : from hence is commonly affif^ned the reafon. why the %omans pu- 
 nilhed T^?-r;V/Ww by drowning them in a fack with a Viper; and fo 
 ;perhapsupon the fame opinion the men of CMelitu when they faw a 
 Viper upon the hand of Paul^ faid prefently without conceit of any o- 
 iher fin , No cjoubt this man is a murtherer -, who though he have e- 
 fcaped the Sea , yet vengeance fuffereth him not to live. That is , he 
 is now paid in his own wiy, the parricidous Animal and punii"hment of 
 'murtherers is upon him. And though the tradition were currant among 
 the Greeks, toconfirm the fame the Latins nime is introduced, Dpf- 
 racfttafiv'ifarlaty Thit pafTa:;e alfoin the Gofpel ; O ye generation 
 of Vipers, hath found expositions which countenmce this conceit. 
 Notwirhftan ing which authorities , t.anfcribed relation? and conje- 
 ctures, upon enquiry we find the fame repugnant unto experience and 
 te^fon. 
 
 And firft, it feems not only injurious unto the providence of Nature, 
 tot ordam a way of production which fhould deftroy the producer, or ■ 
 ' " ' coBtrivp'v 
 
Book. 3. a^d ConmpnErrours, -fj^ 
 
 contrive thexontinuatioii of the fpecies by the deftmiUon of the 'Con- 
 tinuator; but it overchrcvves and fruftrates the great. benedidion of. 
 God, vyhich is exprefl'ed, Cod blefled them , faying, Be fruitful and mul- 
 tiply. Now if it be fo ordained that fome mult regularly periiK by q^„, ,; 
 multiplication , and thefe be the fruits of frui.ifying in the Viper; it 
 cannot be faid that God did blefs, but curfe this animal ; upon thy bel- 
 ly (halt thou go , and duft llialt thou eat all thy life , was not fo great a 
 puniiliment unto the Serpent after the fall , as encreafe, befruitful and 
 multiply , was before. This were to confound the maledi6Uons of, 
 .God, and tranflate the curfe of the Woman upon the Serpent : that is, 
 if} do/ore paries, in forrow fhalt thou bring forth; which being proper 
 untothe Woman, is verified beft in the Viper, whofe delivery is not 
 only accompanied with pain, but alfo with death it feif. And laiUy, ic 
 overthrowes the careful cQiirfe,and parental provifion of nature,where- 
 by the young ones newly excluded are fuftained by the Dam ; and prp^ 
 teded until they grow up unto a fufficiency for themfelv^es. All which, 
 is perverted in this eruptive generation : for the Dam being deftroyed, 
 the younglings are left to their own prote6lion : which is not conceive^ 
 able they can at all perform , and whereof they afford us a remarkable 
 confirmance many dayes after birth. For the young ones fuppofed to, 
 break through the belly of the Dam , will upon any fright for prote6li- 
 on run into it; for th^n the old one receives them in at her mouth, 
 which way the fri^hc being paft, they will return again, which is a pecu- 
 liar way of refu ;e ; and although it feem ftrange, is avowed by frequent 
 experience and undeniable telUmony. 
 
 As for the experiment, although we have thrice attempted it , it hath 
 not well fucceeded ; for though we fed them with milk, bran, cheefe, 
 &c. the females alwayes died before the young ones were mature for 
 this eruption ; but reft fufliciently confirmed in the experim.ents of wor- 
 thy enquire rs. \\ herein to omit the ancient convi6lion of Apollottim^ 
 we llnal 1 fet down fom.e few of modern Writers. The firft , of Amatm j, ^. 
 Lnjifmus in his Comment npon Diofcond-s, Vldmus kos viper 04 pr<£^- exclude their 
 ttaKles lyicl;ifiUptxid,ihHsparere, <jute inde ex portu nee mortud , uec vifce- young ones by 
 r'lhti^ perforata rfjunfernm. The fecond is that of Scali^er , V-tpera^ ab, an ordinary 
 ImpaHe-fitihHS moftsfict'ib is mimerolJJJin. is mr-npl ntqae incerire f.ilfam ejfe X^^^i,^* as 
 fcimus. q7tl4^f^if:c.n:u C^Mcrini cirai/alt;rk> /i(r.>7c\f. theca vidimus-, ena- °' crvipa- 
 tM vipri-clla4yparar.tejalva. Tiie lalt and molt plain of Frir^nctjcm B^^- 
 st^ntnminHs , ?i Spani\hV\\)^\lunoi ylicaladc Hen arcs -, whofe? words 
 in his third ^f Amnia/.tibMs Scnptftra , arethefe : Cufp vera per' we &■ 
 per alios hue ipfa. difcjHifijfenx fcrvata Viper tyjj^. prog nie^&c. that is, 
 when by my felf and others I h.id enquired the truth hereof, iiicluding 
 Vipers in a glafs , and feeding them with <lheefe and bran ; I undoubt- 
 e"ly found th.u the. Viper was not delivered by the tearing of her bow- 
 els, but I beheld them excluded by the paflai-;e of Lenerarion , near the 
 ^i'^c^ of there;i%«5» ;\'yh?ii^o wcjinighc alfo -add t[-Kocu^ir.tpijfe^^aT 
 
 A a 2 tion 
 
iSo Enquiries into Vulgar Book. 3. 
 
 tion of Lactira upon Diofcorldes , FerdinattdHs Iwp;rattis , and th.tt 
 learned Phyfitun oi Naples y tiAurel'ms Sever iKm. 
 
 Now although the Tradition be untrue , there wanted not many 
 grounds which made it plaufibly received. The firft was a favourable 
 indulgence and fpecitil contrivance of nature ; vvhirh was the conceit of 
 Hcrod'>tHs^ who thus dflivereth himfel f. Fearful Animals, an < fuch as 
 ferve for food , nature huh made more fruitful; but upon the offen- 
 iive and noxious kind, fhe hath not conferred fertility. So the Hare that 
 bccou>eth a prey unto m.an , unto beafts, and fowls of the ayr , is fruit- 
 ful even to fuperfcetation ; but the Lyon a fierce and ferocious Animal, 
 hath young ones but feldome, and alfo but one at a tim.e ; Vipers in- 
 deed , althou^ h deftruilive , are fruitful ; but left th^iir rjirifber fhould 
 encreafe , providence hath contrived another way to abate it: for in 
 copulation the female bites off the head of the male, and the youn^ 
 ones deftroy the m. other. But this will not confill with reafon , as we 
 have declared before. And.if we m.ore nearly confider the condition 
 of Vipers and noxious animals, we ilialldilcover an higher provifion 
 of nature : how although in their paucity Hie hath not abridged their 
 malignity : yet hath \\-\q. noto.ioully eft'edted it by their feceffion or lati- 
 tancy. For not onely oftenfive infeils, as Koi mts , Waf*.^s , and the 
 like i but fanzuineous corticated Anim.als , as Serpents , Toais and 
 Lizzards , do lye hid and betake themfelves to cove.ts in the \\ inter. 
 V> hereby moft Countryes enjoyning the immuniry of Ireland and 
 Candicy there arifeth a tem.poral feciirity from their veno nes ; and an 
 intermilfion of their mifchiefs , mercifully requiting the cime of their 
 activities. 
 
 A fecond ground of this effe6l, was conceived the JuQice of Nature, 
 whereby llie compenCues the death of the-father by the m.atriti'de or 
 murder of the mother ; and thir was the exprelTion of Nicandcr. ,But 
 the caufe hereof is as improbable as the etfeil ; and were indeed an i n- 
 prc^i^Ient revenue in the yo- n;; ones, whereby in confequence , and 
 upon defeat of provii on they mJuft deftroy them.felves. And whereas 
 he expreiVeth this decollation of the male oy fo full a term as </>«;t-.aVc, 
 that i^ to cut or lop oflf , the acl is hardly conceiveable ; for the fem.ale 
 viper h.ith but four conf.derable teeth , and thofe fo c'ifpofed , fo flen- 
 der and needle pointed, that they are apter for pun£lure then any ait of 
 inci'on. And if .my like adlion there be, it may be only fo ne fjft re- 
 tention or furlden co npreifion in the O^^/ ««• or fury of their luft? 
 according as ihn exprelTion of Horace is conftrued concerning Z./^/^* 
 g^nd le/ephw. 
 
 ■Sivepu^rffir€»s, 
 
 Jmfrejfit memorem dtnte labris notam,. 
 
 Others aA.ribc this eflfedl vinto the numeroiis conception of the Viper? 
 
 and 
 
Book. 3 • and Common Errours, l^i 
 
 and this was the opinion of Theoplrafias. Who though he denierh cfis 
 evefion or forcing, throui^h the Belly , conceiveth neverthelefs that up- 
 on Ji full and plentiful impletion there may perh.ips fucceed a difruption 
 of thi matrix, as it happeneth foinetiaies in the long and (lender fiHv Needle fi/hj 
 ^c/u. Nowal.hou^hinhot Countryes, and very numerous concep- found fonie- 
 lions, in the Viper or other Animals, there may fometimej enfue a "rarsupontbe 
 dilaceration of the genital parts, yet is this a rare and contin^^ent etfe6l, ?J. V/""* 
 and not a natural and conftantway of exclufion. For the wife Creator I'jneJ^ynto J^c 
 hath-forined the organs of Animah unto their operations, and in whom yent, and fix 
 he ordaineth a numerous conception ^ in them he bath prepared conve- from thence 
 nient receptacles, and a futable way of exclufion.- ""^° 'fa* *'«**^- 
 
 Others do ground this difruption upon their continued' or protra6lcd 
 time of deli ety, prefumed to laft twenty dayes, whereat, excluding but 
 one a day,the latter brood impatient, by a forcible proruption anticipate . 
 their period of exclufion ; and this was theafl'ertionof P///?7> Cateri tAr- 
 d.itatisimp(itientes'frorummntlatera^opc'ifafarente\ which was occafi- 
 oned upon a miftake of the Greek text in ylrlFtotle , t'ikth S'l iv fti* «- 
 t/fcgst K«9' w'lTucTw cTs 'TThH'a » iiMoiv^ which ate Iitterally thus tranflatcd^ 
 Parit apfttm uyia die fecunditm unum ^ faritaHt<ni plurcs cjuam vigwtiy 
 and m.ay be thus EngliHied , She bringerh forth in one day, one by one, 
 and fometimes more then twenty ; and fo hath Scaliaer rendred ic, 
 Sr/^illatim f^^.rit ^ abfolvitPtfjadie^ inerdumplHres qt'.am vi^tnti'. But 
 Pliyry whom. Gaz,a followerh, huh differently tranflated it, Slngulos dL 
 {bits fugptlis parity nHmcroferev'igiml', whereby he extends the exclu- - 
 f.on unto twenty dayes, which in the textuary feme is fully accomplilh- - 
 ed-ini one. 
 
 But what hath m.oft advanced it, is a miftake in another text o£ Ari^^ 
 fiatle^ which feemerh c ire6lly to c'etermine this difruption, tIktw (JMfd 
 
 Tcii^ifyjreti : \\hith Gaati bath thus tranfluted , Parit cuhhIos abvol'/t9s^ 
 men.hranis , quA rertiodie rumfuntur^ €v§nit interdum ut qm trmtero ad- 
 htic ffr,it abrojh mcif/hraicispro H.n.fant^ Now herein-very probably P//- 
 ny , and m.any fn. e have been millaken; for the cifruption of the mem- 
 branes or skins, whi^h in lude the youn , ones, conceivinga dilacerati- 
 on of the matrix ana belly of the Viper: and concluding froaj a cafuaL 
 dilacer.uion, a re i lar and conflant difruption. - 
 
 As for the Litm word r/'/p^r.? , which m the Etym.ology oil(idore.^io^ 
 moterh this conceit i more properly it may imrly i/Zt/'p^-r^. For where- 
 as other Sepents lay ecgs,the Vi. er excludeth livin^^ anim.als,and though 
 zYtCeraflt be . Ifo \ iviperous, r-nd - we have foknd formed.Snakes in the 
 belly cf the ''ic 7V; or flow- worm ; yet may the Vif erem.phatically bear 
 the name. For the Notntion of Erymoloc:y is not of nece(Tty ade- 
 . quate unto tht name ; and therefore fhou-,h animal be educed from a- 
 nlma^ yet are there mnny animations befidc , and plants will tballengQ 
 a r i^bt th^xein as well a§ feniible creatures. 
 
 Aa3. , y^% 
 
\Aj5,t<>uchiag the Text of Scripture, and compel (ation of the Tha- 
 ri{e€i-i by Generation of Vipers ; although conrtru6lions be made here- 
 of . conform^ible to this Tradition ; and it may be plaulibly expounded, 
 that out of a viperous condition they confpired againft their Prophets, 
 and deftroyed thiir fpiritual parents; yet (as J^nfenipu obferveth) 
 Gregory and fsro^e-, do make another conftruition ; apprehending 
 thereby what is ufually implyed by that Proverb, Mallcorvl mal<^m o- 
 vHm ; that is, of evil parents, an evil generation ; a pofteriry not un- 
 like their majority ; of miTchievous progenitors, a venomous and de- 
 ftru6live progeny. 
 
 And lalHy, concerning the Hieroglyphical account , according to the 
 
 vulgar tx)nception fet down by Orns A folio , the Authority thereof is 
 
 only Emblematical ; for were the conception true or falfe, to their ap- 
 
 prehenfions, it exprelfed filial impiety. Which ftrii\:Iy taken , and to- 
 
 . tally received for truth, might perhaps begin, but furely promote this 
 
 i-conception. 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 Of Hard, 
 
 THc double fex, of fingle Hares, or -that every Hare is both male and 
 female, befide the vulgar opinion , was the affirmative of Arche- 
 laus-, oi Plmarch-, P/?;7«»/r^r»/, and many more. Of the fame belief 
 have been the Jewilli '^(r^^'^^ : The fame islikewiie confirmed from 
 the Hebrew word ; which, as though there were no fingle males of that 
 kind , hath only obtained a name of the feminine gender. A^ alfo from- 
 tbe fymbolical foundation of its prohibition in the Law, and what vices 
 therein it figured , that is, not only pufillanimity and timidity from its 
 temper, feneration or ufury from its fecundity and fuperfetation ; but 
 from this mixture of fexes, unnatural venery and degenerous effemi- 
 •nvition. Nor are there hardly any who either treat of mutation or m.ix- 
 tionof fexe?, who have not left fome m.encion of this point; fome 
 fpeaking pofirively, others dubiouOy, and moft refigning it imto the en- 
 quiry of the Reader. Now hereof to fpeak diitindly,they m.urt be male 
 andfem^ale by mutation, and fucceffion of fexes ; or elfe by compofiti- 
 ■On, mixture or union thereof. 
 
 As for the mutation of fexes , or tran(ition into one .mother, we 
 cannotdeny it inHares, it being obfervable in man. For hereof be- 
 fide Enipedoclcs or Tirefoi , • xhztf ate not a few examples : and though 
 ■ - ' " ' *■ ~ ven' 
 
 Kttvit. ir. 
 
Book. 3 • and Common Eirrom, iSz 
 
 very few , or rather 'none which have emafculatfed or rurned Women , 
 yet very many who from in efteem or reality of being Women have in- Tranfmutati- 
 faliibly proved Men. Some'at the M point of their menftruouserup- J" ° ^ Womea 
 tions, fome in the day of their marriage, others many years after; which huo 
 
 into men, 
 
 occafiOneddifputesatLaw, and conteftations concerning a reftore of gwmcd. 
 the dow.y. And that not only mankind, but many other Animals^ may 
 fuffer this tranfexion, we Will not deny, or hold it at all impoflfible ; al- 
 thou -h I ccnfv^ls by reafon of the poftick and backward pofitbn of the 
 fexinine parts in quadrupedes, they can: hnrdly admit the fubftttution of 
 a protru(ion,,effeiliial unto mafculine generation-; except it be in Re- 
 rromin^ents,awd fuch as couple backward. . 
 
 Nor lliall we only concede the fucceflfion of- fexeiin fome , but fliall 
 not difpute the tranfition of reputed fpecies in others, that is, atranf- 
 mutation, or ( as Parac< Iftans term, it ) Tranfplanration of one into a- 
 nother. Hereof in perfedl Animah of a con^-'^enerous feed, or near af- 
 finity of natures, examples are in im.perfeil kinds , and fuch where the 
 difcrimination of lexes is obfcure, thefe transformations are m.ore - 
 com.mon : and in fome within themfdves without commixtion, as par- 
 ticularly in Caterpillers or Silk-worm.s , wherein there is a vifible and ^ 
 triple transfiguration. But in plants, wherein there is no diftini^ion of 
 fex, thefe tranfpjantations are conceived more obvious then any : as 
 that of Barley into Oats , of VJ heat into Darnel ; and thofe graines s 
 y^\d\ generally arifeam.ong Corn, as Cockle, Aracus, iEgilops, and 0-- 
 ther degenerations; which com^e up in unexpedcd fhapes, when they 
 want the fupport and maintenance of the primary and mafierrfoxmes. . 
 And the fame do fom.e affirm concemmg other, plants- in lefs Analogy , 
 of figures ; asthe mutation of Mint into Creffes, Bafil into Serpoil, and 
 Turneps into Radifhes. In all which, as Sever imu conceiveth , there 
 may be equivocal feeds and Hermaphroditical principles, which contain 
 the racicality and power of different forms ; thus in the feed of Wheat 
 there lieth obfcurely the feminality of Darnel , althoi^h in a fecondary 
 * or inferiour way , and at fome diftanee of production ; which never- 
 thelefs if it-meet with convenient promotion, or a conflux and eonfpi- 
 ration ofcaufes more powerful then the other; it then beginneth to e- 
 difie in chief, and contemning the fuperintendent form, produceth the 
 fignatures of its felf. 
 
 Now therefore although We deny not thefe-feveral mutations-, and do 
 allow thc?t Kares may exchange their fex,yet this we conceive doth come 
 to pafs but fometimes, and not in that viciiTituee or annual alternation 
 as is prefumed. That is, f om imperfe6tion to perfeilion , from perfe- 
 ■ 6lion to imperfedion • from female unto male, from male to female a- 
 gain , and fo in a circle to both without a permanPon in either. For be- 
 fide the inconceivable mutation of temper, which ihould yearly alter- 
 nate the fex ; this is injurious unto the order of nuure , whofe operati- 
 ons do refl in the perfection of theii: intents ; which having once at- 
 
 taiaed^ 
 
1 84 ' Enqttlries wto fuli^dir Book. 3 
 
 tained, they maintain th^ir accompliilifed ends, and relapfe not again in- 
 to th^ir pro^reflional imperfdilions. So if in tlie minority of Natural 
 vigor, the parts of feminality take pJace ; when upon the encrcafe or 
 growth thereof the mnfculine appear , riie firil dcfi^n of Nature isat- 
 Ihicved , and thofe parts a-e after maintained. 
 
 But furely it much impeachech this iterated tranfeilion of Hares , if 
 thatbetruewhiciiCV^^^^andoiher Phyfuians affirm, Thit rnnfmu- 
 tationoffexisonlyfoin opinion; and th.it thefe tranfeminated per- 
 sons were really men at firft ; althou:,h fucceeding years produced the 
 manifelio or evidence of their virilities. Which alrhoui^h intended 
 and formed, was not atfiril excluded; and that the examples hereof 
 have undergone no real or new tranf^xion, but we e Andro^^ynally 
 born, and under fome kinde of Ilerm^^phrodltes. For though 6'*.A« do 
 favour the opinion , that the diftinclive parts of fexes are onejy dirfc- 
 rcnt in Pofition, that is, inversion or prorrufion ; yet will this hardly be 
 made out from the Anatomy of thofe parts. The terticles bein^ fo 
 feared in the female, that they adm.it not of protrufion ; and the neck of 
 the matrix wanting thofe parts which are difcoverable in the organ of vi- 
 rility. 
 
 The fecond and moft received acception , is, that Hares are male and 
 
 , female by conjun6lion of both fexes ; and fuch as are found in mankind, 
 Poetically called Hermaphroaites ; fuppofed to be form.ed f om the e- 
 quality, or non vlEiorie of either feed ; carrying about them zht parts of 
 Man and Woman ; akhout^Ji with ^reat variety in perfection, fite and a- 
 
 !.bility ; nor only as ArijvotU conceived , with a conftant impotency in 
 
 • one; but as latter Obfecvers affirm, fometimes with ability of either 
 venery. And therefore the providence of fome Lavvshave thou ht 
 good, that at the years of maturity they ihouldeleilonefex, and the 
 
 . errors in the other il.ould fuffer a feverer f unillim.ent. W hereby endea- 
 vouring to prevent i;icomim'>:cy , they unawares en;oyned perpetual cha- 
 .ftity, for being, executive in both part.s, and confined unto one, they re- 
 ftrained a Natural power , and ordained-a partial virginity. Phito and 
 fome of the Rabbins proceedel higher ; who conceived the firft Man an 
 Hermaphrodite ; and Marcus L(?i.the learned J^^^^ in fome fenfe hath 
 
 -r.llowedit; nftirmiing that Adam in one fuppofitum vvithoutdiviiion, 
 contained both m.ale and fem.ile. And therefore whereas it isfaid in 
 
 .thejexf, That Cod created m.an in his own Image , in the Image of 
 Cod created he him. , male and female created he rhem : applying the 
 f.n :ular an \ plural unro Adam-, it ir:i_ht denote, that in one fubfbnce, 
 and in himifclf be in.hideth both fe.xes , which was after divi*'ed ^ and 
 thefem.ale called Woman. The opinion of ArijhtU exten.kth fur- 
 ther , from whofe afiertion all men lliould be Hem.aphroJites ; for af- 
 hrm.ingthat wom.endonot foerm.atize, and confer a place or recepta- 
 cle rather then efi'ential principles r^l g-'^mra^lon^ he deduf lively includes 
 
 . i)oth .'exes in mankmd ; for from the father proceed not only males and 
 
 fep.iales, 
 
Book. 3 tmd Common Srrours] 18^ 
 
 fettiales , but from him alfo muft Hermaphrodital and mafculo-femi- 
 nine generations be derived, and a commixtion of both ^txzs arife 
 from, the feed of one. But the Schoolmen have dealt with that fex 
 more hardly then any other , who though they have not muth difputed 
 their generation, yet they have controverted their RefurroJIhn, and 
 raifen a query, whether ^y at the laft day {liould arife in thWiSof wo- 
 men; as may oe obferved in the Supplement of AqmnM. 
 
 Now as we muft acknowledge this Androgynal condition in Mim , fo Confiftingof 
 can we not deny the like doth happen in betfts. Thus do we read in mmandvro- 
 Pliny^ that Neroes Chariot was drawn by four Hermaph oditical mares, ""'"^ 
 and Cardan affirms he alfo beheld one at Antwerp. And thus m.ay we 
 alfo concede, that Hares have been of both fexes, and fome have ocu- 
 larly confirmed it ; but that the whole fpecies or kind fliould be bifex- 
 ous or double-fexed , we cannot affirm, who have found the parts of 
 male and female rcfpe6\ively diftin6t and fingle in any wherein we have 
 enquired : And the like fuccefs had Bacchinw in fuch as he difl"e6ted. 
 And whereas it is conceived, that being anharmlefs Animal and dele- BicchMHttn 
 ^able food unto man, nature hath made them with double fexes , that f^fbrtiitit, 
 a^lively and paffively performing they m.i^ht more numeroufly encreafe; . 
 vve forget an hij^her providence of nature whereby llie efpecially pro- 
 motes the multiplication of Hares, which is by fuperfetation ; that is, 
 a conception upon a conception, or an improvement of a fecond fruk 
 before the firft be excluded; preventing hereby theufual rntermilTion 
 and vacant time of generation ; which is very comm.on and frequently 
 obfervable in Hares, mentioned long ago by Arifiotle^HerodotuiyZnd 
 *?llny\ and we have often obferved, that after the firft caft, there re- 
 main fucceflive conceptions, and other younglings very immature, and 
 far from their term of excUiiion. 
 
 Nor need any man to queftion this in Hares, for the fame we obferve 
 doth fometime happen in Women ; foralrhou:hit be true, that upon ^"E?i|'[*'?'^°"\ 
 conception the inward orifice of the matrix exadly ciofeth , fo that it men and"hat^ 
 commonly admitteth nothing after ; yet falleth it out fomefime , that umoaperfcft 
 in the aft of coition , the avidity of that part dilateth it felf, and re- birth, 
 ceiveth a fecond burden ; which if it happen tobcnearintim.e unto 
 the firft, they commonly do both proceed unto perfeftion , Snd have ' 
 legitimate exclufions, periodically fucceeding each other. But if the 
 fuperfetation be made with confiderable inteimJirion , the latter moft 
 comm.only proves abortive; for the firft being confirmed, engrofleth the 
 aliment from the other. However therefore thepro;e6tof J«//^ feem 
 very plaufible, and that way infallible, wiien {he received not her paf- 
 fengcrsjbcfore (lie had taken iniier lading,yet was there afallibility ther- 
 in, nor indeed any abfolute fecirrity irithc policy of adultery after con.- 
 ception.For the Matrix(which feme have called another Animal within 
 us, and which is not fubjefted unto the law of our will)after reception of 
 its proper Tenant,may yet receive a ftrange and fpurious inmate. A^iis 
 
 Bb con- 
 
1^^ * En^iries^i^tto Vulvar Book.3, 
 
 confirmable by many examples in Plin)f ; by Larijfaain Hippocrates; 
 and that merry one in PUmus ur^ed alfo by AnftotL- : that is , of Iphi- 
 cles and Hercules , the one begat by J tplter^ the other by Afnphltryon 
 on Alemana ; as alfo in thofe fuper-conceptions , where one child was 
 like th^iH||er, the other like the adultere-r , the one favoured the fer- 
 vant^^^JjpPier refembled the mailer. 
 
 Now the groLJids that begat, or much promoted the opinion of a 
 doibU fcx in Hares, mii.ht be fome little bags or tumours, at firlt 
 glcincererrelcntingllonesofTefticles, robefoundin both fexes about 
 the p.^ rr^ of generation ; which m.en obferving in either fex, were indu- 
 ced to \)c\'\c\ e a m.afculine fex in both. But to fpeak properly, rhefe are 
 no Tei icks or parts ofticial unto generation , but glandulous fub/knces 
 that feem to held the nature of Emunilories. For herein may be per- 
 ceived flcnuer perforations, at which may be exprefled a black andfx- 
 culent matter. If therefore fom thefe wefhall conceive a mixtion of 
 fexes in Hares, with fairer reafon we may conclude it in Bevers, where- 
 of both iexes contain a double bag orTum.our in the groin, commonly 
 called the Cod of O^fior^ as we have delivered before. 
 
 Another t,round v/ere certain holes or cavities obfervable about the 
 fiedge; which being perceived in m.ales, made fome conceive there 
 mi^ht be alfo a fem.inine nature in them. And upon this very ground, 
 the fame opinion hathpafled upon rheHyarna , and is declared by Arl- 
 ftotle , and thus tranflated by Scaliger ; Qmd amem alunt utrlufque 
 f.xHS habere gemtalla^ falfnm efi^ qpiodvideinr cJfcfcemtneHmfHb cattda 
 efi ftmile ftgara focmlnino^ verttm p^rvm-i'i non ef; ; and thus is it alfo in 
 Hares, in whom thefe holes, although they feem to make a deep cavity, 
 yet do they not perforate the skin; nor hold a community with any 
 part of generation i but were (as T//«7 delivereth ) efteemed-the 
 marks of their age , the number of thofe deciding their number of years. 
 In which opinion what truth there is wc fhall not contend ; for if in o- 
 iher Animals there be authentick notations, if the vhara6lers of years 
 be found in the horns of Covves, or in the Antlers of Deer, if we conje- 
 cture the a^ e of Horfes from joynts in their docks, an \ undeniably pre- 
 fume It from their teeth ; we cannot affirm, there u in ihis conceit, any 
 afF ont unro nature ; although, who ever enquirech lliali lind no aflU- 
 rance therein. 
 
 The hrt foundation was Retromin'^,ency or piilin?, backward ; for 
 men obletvin^ both fexes to urine backward , or averfly between their 
 i^^% they mi ht conceive there wh a feminine part in both ; where- 
 inthey are dec^;ived by the iynorance of the uft and pro-'er iiteof the 
 Pizel , or partdefi ,ned unto the Exc etion of urine ; whi-h in the Hare 
 holds not the common pofition , but is averily feated, an.l in its diften- 
 tionencline? unto the CoccixOi.- Scut. Novv fron the njture of this 
 polition ,. there enfueth * neccXity of Retrocopulation, which alfo 
 pro.noudvchd conceic; focfonac obferving them to cou{)le without 
 
 i, mine- 
 
Book. $. AtMCow^onErrours, tg^ 
 
 afcenfion ; have not been able to judge of male orfemale , or to deter- 
 mine the proper fcx in either. And to fpeak generally , this way of 
 copulation is not appropriate unto Hares, nor is there one, but many 
 wayes of coition : according to divers fhapes and different conformati- 
 on-;. For fome couple laterally or fide-wife, as Worms : fome circu- 
 larly or by complication , as Serpents: fome pronely, that is by con- 
 ta6lionof the ventral parts in both, as Apes, Porcupines, Hedgehogs, 
 and fuch as are termed Mollia, *as the Duttle-fiHi and the Purple i fome 
 mixtly, that is, the male afcending the female , or by application of the 
 ventral parts of the one , unto the podick parts of the other , as mbfl 
 Qiiadrupedsj Some averfly, as all Cruftaceous Animals, Lobfters, 
 Shrimps, and Crevifes, and alfo Retromingents , as Panthers, Tygers> 
 and Hares. This is the conftant Law of their Coition, this they ooferve 
 andtranfgrefsnot: onely the vitiofity of man hath a6led the varieties 
 hereof; no r content with a digrefTion from fex or fpecies, hath in his 
 own kind thorow the Anom.alics of venery ; and been fo bold, not on- 
 ly to ail, but reprefent to view , the irregular waycs of luft. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 Of Moles, 
 
 THat Moles are blind and have no eyes, thouph a common opinion> 
 is received with much variety ; fome affirming only they have no 
 fight, as Opplaf'Uj, the Proverb Ta/pa Cc^clor^ ana the word (ar^Ax}*y 
 or Talplta^^ which in Hefychim is made the fame with Gttcltas : fome 
 that they have eyes, but no fight , as the text oiArifiotle feems to im- 
 ply; fom.e neither eyes nor fight, as -^//'f>^f«j,P//«r, and the vulgar o- 
 pinion ; fom.e both eyes and fight , as Scalig r, AldrovandH^s^-indiomQ 
 others. Of which opinions the laft with fome reflridlion, is moft con- 
 fonant unto truth ; for that they have eyes in their head is manifeft unto 
 any that wants them not in his own ; and are difcoverable, not only in 
 old ones , but as we have obferved in young and naked conceptions', 
 t.iken out of the belly of the Dam. And he thitexailly enquires, into 
 the cavity of their cranies, may perhaps difcover fome propagation of 
 nerves communicated unto thefe parts. But that the humours roize- 
 ther with their coats are alfo diftinit ( though Galen feem xo affirm id) 
 tranfcendeth our difcovery ; for feparating thefe little Orbs -, and in- 
 cluding them in Magnifying Glafles , we difcerned no more thzr^Ari- 
 y?<j//(? mentions , ^ h-^a^fi^ iAkaiva, thatis, a black humour, nor any 
 tii^it if ^they be br<^n; 'That therefore they have eyesvve mtift 6f it'e- 
 
 Bb2 cclfity 
 
i8S Enquiries into Vulgt^ Book. 3. 
 
 ceflity affirm ; but that they be comparatively incompleat we need not to 
 deny : So. (j^/^» affirms the parts of generation in women are imperfe«ft, 
 in refpeil: of tfaofc of men, as the eyes of Moles in regard of other Ani- 
 mals:. So ^r//?or/d'term.srhem'^"p»P«»'KS vvhich C(iz.a tranflates O^/c- 
 jos , and Scil'geY\ys a word of imperfection inchoatos. 
 
 Now as chat they have eyes is manifcft unto fenfe, fo that they have 
 fight not incongruous unto reafon ; if we call not in queftion the pro- 
 vic'ence of this provihon, th.icis, to afifign the Organs , and yet deny 
 the Office, to grant them eyes and withhold all manner of viiion. For 
 as the inference is fair, affirmatively deduced from the adion to the or- 
 gan, that they have eyes becaufe they I'ee ; fo is. it alfo fro'.v. the organ 
 to the aAion , thatthey have eyes, therefore fome fight clefigned ; if we 
 take the intention of Nature in every fpecies, and except the cafual im- 
 pediments , or morbofities in inaividvals. But as their eyes are more 
 / Jmperfedl then others, fo do vve conceive of their fight or ad of vifion; 
 for they vvill run againil things, and hudling forwards fall from high pla- 
 ces. So that they are not blind, nor yet dillinilly fee i there is in them 
 no Cecity , yet more then a Cecutiency ; they have fight enough to dif- 
 cern the li^ht y though not perhaps to diiiinguilli of objects or colours ; 
 fo are they not exaitly blind, for light is one objeft of vifion. And this 
 ( as Scaligcr obferveth ) might be as fulla fight as Nature firfl intended; 
 for living in darknefs under the earth , they had no further need of eyes 
 then to avoid the light; and to be fenfible when ever they loft that 
 darknefs of earth, vvhich was their natural confinenient. And therefore 
 however Tranflators do render the word of Arlftotk or Galm , that is, 
 imferfeHos^ obUfus or mchoatos , it is not much c<^n':c)erable ; for their 
 eyes are Sufficiently begun to finifh this adlion, and competently pcrfeft 
 for this imperfedl: Vifion. 
 
 And laftly, although they had neither eyes nor fight , yet could they 
 not be termed blind. For blindnefs being a privative term unto fight, 
 this appellation is nor admittible in propriety of fpeech, and will o- 
 verthrow the doftrine of privations ; which prefuppofe pofitive forms 
 or habits, and are not indefinite negations, denying in all ubieils, but 
 fiich alone wherein the pofitive habits are in their proper Nature , and 
 placed without repu-,n-incy. So do we improperly fay a Mole is blind, if 
 we deny it the Organs or a capacity of vifion from its created Nature ; 
 fowhen the text of 'John had faid, that perfon was blind from his Nati- 
 vity, whofe cecity our Sa\ iour cured,it was not warrantable in ATo^'/zw to 
 fey he had no eyes at .'II, as in the judgement of Hcmfiw , he defcribeth 
 inhisparaphrife ; and.as fome ancient Fathers affirm, that by this Mira- 
 cle they wenp created in him. And fo though the.fenfe may be ^ccf^i'i.^y 
 thac Proverb muil be candidly interpreted, which maketh Filhesmute ; 
 aad.calkthcm filent which have no voice in Nature. 
 
 Now this conceit is erected upon a mifapprehenfion or mifhke in the 
 fymtoo^esof vifioav mencotDfouDdingaboJiifhmienc, diminution and 
 
 deprave- 
 
Book.3» ami Common Errours, 1^9 
 
 depravement , and namir^ tKat an abolition oi^jg , which indeed is- 
 but an abatement. For if Vifion be abolilliedURs called cacit^y x>r, 
 blindnefs ; if depraved and receive its objects erroneoufly, Hallucinati-' 
 on ; if diminillied, hebtmdo vifasy ca/i^atio, or dimnefs. Now inftcad 
 of a diminution or imperfeik vilion in th^ Mole, we affirm an abolition 
 or total privation , infteadof a caligation or dimnefs , we conclude a 
 cecity or blindnef^-. \Vhich hath been frequently inferred concerning 
 other Ani?nals ; fo fom.e affirm the. Water- Rat is blind, fo Sammomcm . 
 and Nlcafider do call the Muf-Arancus the fhrew or Ranny, blind '■ And 
 becaufe darknefs was before li^ht, the iy£gyftians worlliipped the fame. 
 Soare Slow-worm.s accounted blind, and the like we affirm proverbially , 
 of the Beetle ; although their eyes be evident, and they will flye againll 
 lights, like many other Infects ; and though alfo Arlftotle determines,, 
 that the eyes are apparent in all flying Infects , though other fenfes be 
 obfcure, and not preceptible at all. And if from a diminution we may 
 infer a toral privation, or affirm that other anim.als are blind which do. 
 not acutely fee , or comparatively unto others, wefliall condem.n unto, 
 blindnefs many not fo elkemed j for fuch as have corneous or homey 
 eyes, as Loblters and cruftaceous anim.als , are generally dim-iighted; 
 all Infedls that have antennx^ or long horns tofeel out .their way, as But- 
 tcx-fiyes and Locufts, or their fore-legs fo difpofed , that they much ad- 
 vance before their heads , as may be obferved in Spiders ; and if the 
 Eagle were Judge, we might be blind our felves. 1 be expreflion there- 
 fore of Scripture in the^ftory of ^acob is furely with circumfpeilion ;, 
 And it came to pafs when Jacob was old, and his eyes were dim, quando, 
 caligarunt ocali^ (dSxh Jerome zXidTremell'iHS^ which.areexpreffions of. 
 ciiiainution , and not of abfolute privation. 
 
 CHAP, XIX. 
 
 Of, Lampries^ 
 
 WHether Lampries have nine eyes, as is received, we durflr refer it 
 unto Tolyphemw^ who had but one to judge it. An error con-r 
 cerning eyes, occafioned by the error of eyes , deduced from the ap- 
 pear.ince of divers cavities or holes on either fide , which fome call 
 eyes that carelefly behoi<l them, and is not only refutable by experience, 
 h\ix alfo repagnant unto reafon. . For befide the monftrofiry they faftcn 
 unto nature,in contrivii^ many eyes,who hath mr^de but two untoany ar 
 nimal, that is, one of each fide , according to the divifion of the brain-; 
 
 Bh3 tip* 
 
1^0 
 
 XowhatuTe 
 she nine eyes 
 
 V in a Lanaprie 
 
 ddo fei ve. 
 
 Snqulries intoVulgAr Book. 3 / 
 
 ic \ferc a fuperfiuouMjkl imrtificial a^lto place and fettle fo mafiyin 
 one plane ; for the^^ extreams would fufticientfy perform the office 
 of fight without the help of the inter mediate eyes,and behold as much 
 as all feven joyned together. For the vifible bafe of the objeft would 
 be defined by tnefe two ; and the middle eyes, although they behold the 
 fame thing, yet could they not behold fo much thereof as thefe ; [o 
 were it no advantage unto m.an to hav\i a third eye between thofe two 
 he hath already; ."^and thefi6^ion of aArgw feems morereafonab/e 
 then this, for though he had many eyes, yet were they placed in cir- 
 cum.ference andpofitions of advantage. 
 
 Again, thefe cavities which men call eyes are feated outofche head, 
 and where the Gils of other fifh are placed ; containing no Organs of 
 fight, nor haying any Communication wuh the brain. Now all fenfe 
 proceedhi^ fr6m the brain, and that being placed (as Gakyj obfi;rveth)for 
 the fi^er ' lituation of the eyes, and conseniency required unto fight ; 
 it is not reafonable to imagine that they are any where z\^z^ br deler\^e 
 that name which are feated in other parts. And therefore we relinquifli 
 as fabulous what is delivered of Starmpthalmi^ or men with eyes in 
 their breaft ; and when it is inhySohv^oji^ A vcife mans eyes are in 
 his /^f^^jitistobetcikenihafecondfenfe, and affordeth no objection. 
 True it is that the eyes of Animal^ are feated with fom.e difference, but 
 all whatfoever in the head, and that more torward then theeareor 
 hole' of hearing. In quadrupedes, in regard of the figure of their head<T, 
 ■they are placed at fomediftance; in latircdrous and fiat-bill'd birds 
 they are more laterally feated ; and therefore when they look intently 
 they turn one eye upon the obje6^, and cm convert their heads to fee 
 before and behinde, and to behold two oppofite points at once. But at 
 a more eafie diftance are they fituatedinman, and inthe f^m.e cir- 
 cum.ference with the ear ; for if one foot of the Compaffe be placed 
 upon the Crown, a Circle defcribed thereby will interfe6l, or pafle over 
 both the eares. ^ . . 
 
 The errour in this conceit confifts in the ignorance of thefe cavi- 
 ties, and their proper ufe in nature; for this is a particular difpofure 
 of parts, and a peculiar confirmation whereby thefe holes and fluc<:!s fup- 
 ply thedefe6l of Gils, and are alTilkd by the conduit in the head ; . fo: 
 like cetaceous Animals and Whales, the Lamprie hath a fiftula, fpouc 
 or pipe at the back part of the head, whereat it fourts out watet. Nor 
 is ir onlyfingular in this formatioh, bift alfo in many otiier ; as in defeat: 
 ofbbne^s,' A\^e'-eof it h'Ath not one ; iihd fot the fpine or back bone, 
 a c'artilkirious ftiMiincc wirhotit any 'fpondylcs, procefies or protube- 
 rance whatfoever. As alfo in rhe provifion vvhich Nature hath made 
 fortheheirr,' which in this Aiiimal is very firan<;c!y fecured, and lies 
 im.muredin.a (^arr^^•t:■e o- <rTifily.fub(^ance. And Inftly, in the colour 
 of theliViir ; ^^^ic•h is jiiVhe riirrk of ah excellent graife-green; but of a 
 d^pet tiBloSi^' ih-^'tl F6Wi^ie-,'a'riJiVili comirMnicate af^efl^ and durable 
 Verdure. CHAP. 
 
Bpok.5. AndComwonBrrours, xpj 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 of Snails, . 
 
 T Hat Snails have two eyes, and ac the end of their Homes, befide 
 tha aflertion of the people, is the. opinion of fome learned men. 
 Which notvvirhftanding Scaligir tenr.s bur imitation of eyes; 
 \vhich^P//V)' contradidls, and Arlfiotle upon confequence denies,vvhen 
 he affirms that leftaceous Animals have no eyes at all. And for my 
 owngart after much enquiry, I am not fatished that th^fe are eyes, or 
 that thofe black and atramentous fpots which feem to reprefent 
 them are any ocular realities. For if any objecl be prefented unto 
 them, they will fometime feem to clecline it, and fometime run a- 
 oainfUt. If alfothefe. black extrem.ities, orprefumed eyes be clipped 
 off, they mW notwirhftandin^ m.ake ufe of thefe protrufions or horns, 
 and poke out their way as before. A^2ain, if they >vere eyes orinftru- 
 menrs of yifion, they would- hive their originals in the head,and from 
 thence dqi\% .tbeir, motive and optick organs ; but theit roots and firfi 
 extremities are feared .low upon ihe fides of the back, as may be per- 
 ceived in the whiter fo;t, of Snails when they retract them., Andlalt- 
 ly,. if we concede they have two eyes, we rnlitl alfo grant they have no. 
 lefie then foure ; for not only the two greater extenfispjus above, have 
 thefe imitations of eyes, but alfo the two leiicr below ; antiiftbeybe 
 dextroufly difle6led, there will be found on eiiher fide . two black fila- 
 ments or membranous ftrings, which extend into the Ipng and lliott- 
 er carni'.le upon ^ rotrufion.And therefore if they have two eyes, they 
 have aliO foute^r which will be monilrous and beyond the aflij^mation . 
 of any. . .... 
 
 Now the reafon why yve name thefe black ft; ings, eyes, is, beqatjlie All fenic I* • 
 we know not wh it to call them elfe, and unde ft^nd not the proper ufe fj^oai the bmiu 
 of that part ; which indeed is very obfeure, and not delivered by anyj . 
 but may probably b- fud toaifift the protrufion and retraviiion (if 
 their . homes ; which being a weak and hollow bo'dy , required . fome in- 
 ward eiiabliilim.ent, to conhrm the; length of their advancement; 
 which we obierve they cannot extend without the concutrence here- 
 of. For ifwiihyourhnji,eryouapprehend' the,to/of the home, and 
 d^'aw out this black and m-emb aijous eaiidibn, - the horn will be ex- 
 ' eluded no more ; but if you clip off the extremity, or only findgc the 
 tOj^ thereof with ^i<7«<« /or/^id-, or othercoToiive water, leaving a con- 
 fiderable part behinde ; they will neverthelefle exclude their horns,and 
 therewith explo:ate rheir way as before. And indeed the exaet fenfe 
 ©f thek extremities is very remarkable ; fo; if you dip a pen in e/^- 
 ^Ha fortify oyl of Vitriol or Turpentine, andprefent it towards thefe 
 
 points^ , 
 
igi Enquiries into P^ul^ar Book. 3 
 
 points> they will at a reafonable diftance, decline the acrimony thereof, 
 retiring ordiitorting them to avoid it ; and this they will nimbly per- 
 form if ob;e6led to th^ extreams, but (lowly or not at all , if approach- 
 ed unto their roots. 
 
 What hath been therefore delivered concerning the plurality, pau- 
 city, or anomalous fituation of eyes, is either monltrous , fabulous, or 
 under thini^s never feen includes good fenfe or m.eaning. Andfo may 
 we receive the figm.ent of <iArgtu , who was an Hieroglyphick of hea- 
 ven , in thofe centuries of c/es exprelfmg the ftars ; and their alternate 
 wakings, the viciflitude of day and night. Which ftrid^y taken cannot 
 be admitted , for the fubjefl of deep is not the eye, but the common 
 fenfe, which once afleep, all eyes mull be at reft. And therefore^ vvhac 
 is delivered as an Embleme of vi^ilancy, that the Hare and Lion do fleep 
 ' with one eye open , doth not evince they areany mere awake then if 
 
 ( they were both clofed. For the open eye beholds in fleep no more then 
 
 •that which is clofed ; and no more one eye in them then two in other 
 .Animals that fleep with both open ; as fpmeby difeafe, and others natu- 
 rally which have no eye-lids at all. 
 
 As for 'Polyphemus ■i although the flory be fabulous, the monftrofity is 
 not impoflible. For theailofVifionmaybe performed with one eye, 
 and in the deception and fallacy of fight , hath this advantage of two, 
 iHowthings that it beholds not objeflsdouole, or fees two things for one. For this 
 happen to be doth happen when the axis of the vilive cones , diflfufed from the ob- 
 kin as double, j^o^ ^ f^jj ^^^ ^p^j^ [|,e (j^n^e plane , but that which is conveyed into 
 one eye, is more dcprefled or elevated then that which enters the o- 
 -ther. SoifbeholcingaDandle, we protrude either upward or domi- 
 ward the pupil of one eye, the object will appear double ; but if we lliut 
 the other eye, and behold it with one, it will then appear but fingle ; 
 .wd if we abduce the eye unto either corner, the objeil will not dupli- 
 cate ; for in that pohtion the axis of the cone^ remain in the fame 
 plane, as isdemonftrated in the opticks, and delivered by Galen , in his 
 -tenth Dc ufu partmnj. 
 
 RdatioHsalfo there are of men that could make themfelves inviii- 
 "iJle, which belongs not to this difcourfe , but mayferve as notable ex- 
 preflions of wife and p'rudent men , who fo contrive their affairs , that 
 although their actions be manifeft, thv^ir defigns arc not difcoverable. 
 In this acception there is nothing Mi of doubt, and ^jiges Ring remain- 
 eth fiill amongft us : for vuhar eyes behold no more of wife rhen then 
 doth the Sun : they may dii'cover their exteriour and outward wayes, but 
 theirinteriour and inward pieces he onely fees, that fees i«to thek 
 
 beings. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book. 3 dnd Common Srroftrs, f>| 
 
 CHAP. XXI. 
 
 JUi 
 
 Of the Cameleon. ^ 
 
 4 
 
 Concerning the Cameleon there generally pa(&th an opinion that ic 
 liveth only upon ayr, and is fuitaincd 1:^ no other aliment : Thus 
 much in plain terms affirmed by SoUnHs^ Vl'iny^ and others , and by this 
 periphrafis is the fame defcribed by OviA, All ivhich notwithflandin^, 
 upon enquiry I End the aflertion mainly controvertible, and very mucii 
 to fail in the three inducements of bdief. ' 
 
 :. And flirt for its verity, although aflertedby fom.e , and traditionally 
 delivered by others , yet is it very queflionable. For befide c/£//<r«, 
 who is fcldome defective in thefe accounts, nArifloth diftin6lly treat- 
 in^^ hereof, hath made no mention of this remarkable propriety : which 
 either fufpciiing its verity, or prefuming-its falfity, he furely omitted : 
 for that he rem.ained ignorant of this account it is not eafily conceivea- 
 ble: it being the com. m. on opinion, and generally received by all m.en. 
 Some have pofitively denied it, as Atigufiinus Niphasj Stobdm^ 'Z).*/^- 
 chanifms^FortmiiiSy Lic::iUi^ ss\ih. m.any more: or hers have experi- 
 mentally refuted it, as namely, 7i//?<2;7»a Land'im-, who in the relation 
 oiSccliil^er^ obferved a Cameleon to lick up a fly from his breaft : But 
 Belloniu-s hath been more fatisfac-iorily experimental, not only affirming 
 they feed on fiies, caterpillars, beetles and other Infci^s, but uponexen';- Commenr. in 
 teration he found thefe animals in their bellies : whereto we mi2,ht alfo 0«11. Lmmh, 
 add theexperim^ental decihonsof the worthy Poire fc him and learned £- 
 nianuel V"iz.z.e.n'w ^ in that Cam.eleon which had be^n obferved to d ink 
 ware r, and deii;-hc to feed on Meal-worms. And although we have not 
 had the advantage of our own obfervation, yet h^ive .\Yerecieive<3 the like 
 confirmation from many ocular fpcftarors. i ^^ r: : • 
 
 As touching the verihmility or probable truth of this relation, feve^- 
 r.ilre^fonsthereare which feem to overthrow it. For firft, there ar.i 
 found in this anim.al, the guts, the flomack, and ether parts official unto 
 nutrition; which were its aliment the empty recepti6n of ayr, rlieir 
 provif.ons had been fuperf.uous. Now the wifcomc of nature, abH<ir-* 
 ring fupcffTuicies, and efteiling nothing in vain, unto the inrentioi? of 
 thefe operations rcfpeJlively contriverh the organs^■^nd therefore where 
 we f nd fuch inftrumcnts,we may with ftritlnefs expedl their afli6n<;,arKl; 
 where we difcover them not, we may with fofety conclude the non-in-/ 
 tention of their operations. So when we obferve that ov iperous animaH,^' 
 asLizards, Frogs, Bi'. (is, and mo;tFii^l-)5es have neithe; bladder nor'-iicP^ 
 ntys, \\« may wich reafob infer;chey do noti'Urine .propc^ ly.'&tt-v^te^d^'-'' 
 
 Cc in 
 
*I4 
 
 Nature pro- 
 vides no part 
 without ics 
 proper fundi 
 oil or office. 
 
 Enquiries iiAo Vul^/w Book. ^ , 
 
 in the fame kind we difcover thefe parts in the Tortoife,we cannot deny 
 he exercifeth that excretion ; nor was there any abfurdtty in T/;»;,when 
 for medicin^il ufes he coinnjendcd the Urine of a Tortoife, So when 
 we perceive that Bats have teats , ic is not unreafonable to infer they 
 fuckle their younglings with milk ; bur whereas no other fiyinj Animal 
 hath thefe parts, we cannot, from them expect a viviparous excl ufion ; 
 but either a generation of e^gs, or fome vermiparous feparation , whofe 
 navel is within it felf at firft, and its nutrition after not connexedly de- 
 .priding of; iis ior^inal. ; ^ ; . . . • : . 
 
 Again, Nature is fo far from 1 caving any one part wirhout its proper 
 a4^iQi|i, xhat Ihe oft times impofv^ch two or three labours upon one , fo 
 the l?i^el'in Animals,i§ both ofHcial unco Urine and to generation, bur 
 '^f iirft and primary life ip ^enei;a{:ion, fo: many creatures enjoy that 
 part w"hich urine not, as fillie?, birds, and quadrupeds oviparou^J. But 
 upc on the contrary, for the Secundary ailion fubiifteth not alone but 
 hut in co^icomitancy with the other. So the nofirils are ufeful both for 
 jefpiration and fmeiling , but the principal ufe is fmelling ; for many 
 have no/trils which have no lungs, as fiilics , but none have lungs or re- 
 ff irAtion, which have not fome fhew, or fome analogy of noftrils. Thus 
 we perceive rhe pfpvidenceof Nature, that is, the wifdomeofGod, 
 whichidifpofethof nopartinvain, and fome parts unto two or three 
 ufes, will not provide any without the execution of its proper office, 
 nor where there is no digeliion to be made, make any parts infervient 
 CO that intention. 
 
 Befide the remarkable teeth, the tongue of. this animal is a fecond ar- 
 gument to overthrow this z\zy nutrication : an.i that not only in its 
 proper nature; but alfo it« peculiar figure. For of this part properly ta- 
 ken there are two ends ; that is, the formation of the voice, and the 
 execution of tafle ; for the voice, it can have no office in Cameleons, 
 for they are mute animals ; as befide fifhes, are mrrft other forts of Li- 
 lards. As for their tafte, if their nutriment be ayr, neirher can it be an 
 ififljrument thereof j for the body of that element is inguftible, void of 
 all fapiuity, :md without any adion of the tonpiie , i:; by the roujh arce- 
 j^ or weazon conducted into the lun^s. . And therefore Pliny much for- 
 gets the ftri^inefs of his aflertion , when he allovvetb excrements unto 
 that animal , that feederh only upon ayr , which norwithdanding with 
 the urine of an Afs, he com.mends as a magical meuicine upon our ene- 
 mies. 
 
 The figure of the tongue feems alfo to overthrow the prefumption of 
 this aliment, which according to exail delineation, is in this Animal 
 peculiar, and feemeth contrived for prey. For. in fo little a creamte k 
 is;at thelcaft a palm lang, and being ic felf very flow in motion, hath in- 
 this part a very great agility ; wirhiil ics food b.iing, ftyes and fuch as fud- 
 denly efcape, k hath in the tongue a mucous and flimy extremity ,where- 
 bj upon a fudden emilBon it iaviicates and taagkjh thofe Infedis. Andr 
 
ook- ^ And Cortmon Erraun^ . ^ Mfifi^ 
 
 therefoEc feme have-fhougk its n7im!i'n<X{xn()AtM^^a^^'i^ 
 
 thenomumipninCfeeltis a litcle Lioit , not ft> much for ffe^ Peftm-' 
 
 blance of fliape, as affinity of concUtion ; that is for vigilartcy ii^^ts prfty, 
 
 and fudden rapacity thereof, which it performeth not like th^ Lyon with 
 
 its teerh , but a fudden and unexpe^ed ejaculation of the tongue. Thij " 
 
 expofition is favoured by fome, efpecially the old glofs upon Let/It tens ^. i 
 
 whereby in the tranflation of feronu and the Scptuagint) W^ A^rfrsl fe ^ 
 
 forbidden ; whatever it be, it feems a* rcafonable as thaeof //?<^>1'-»wfi» 
 
 derives this name OrCameh & Leott^^ as prefuanin^ herein refemblanee ,,.,-/,iv :•: 
 
 vvirba Camel. ' :■•■ • -^ - -^ ■- ' 
 
 As for the poflT.bility hereof, kis not alfo unquefiion^fefe ; ahd wii'e 
 men are of opinion, the bodies of Animals ca^noc•Feceive'-apr^pe^: jt* 
 liment from ayr ; for bcfidetbat tiii being (as t^AnfiitU cennsit ) a^ 
 kindof toucb; ic is required the aliment ihould be tangible, and fall 
 under the palpable aflre(3ions of touch ; befide alfo that there isfbme fa-. . 
 por in all aliments, as bcin^ to be diftinguiJlied and judged by the guft", 
 which cartno't be admitted in ayr ; Betide thefe, I fay, if we conlider the 
 nature of alim.ent, and the properufe of ayr in refpiration, invilfvcry 
 hardly fall undetthe name hereof, -or- |)«operty, attain the -a^oPJiUtri- 
 catioJi.; '■ '■' ;..oi ;'-X>7Ut;i.7.diY^::^jp:;ri/;'3o,:^ii:; !u yhaci'.-: :i 
 
 And firft conceihing its nature, to make a perfefV nutrition into the' R^q"'rit«» unJ 
 bodynourifhed', there is requiceda tranfmutation of the nuirimenc, toNii'"»on. 
 now wher^ this converfion bf aggen^rarion is made, the;re is alfo requi- 
 red in the" alimaira familiarity of miatrer, and fucha community orvi^' 
 dnity unto a liuing nature , as by onea(^ ot the foulimay be conv^i'tdi''' 
 into thebody of the living, and enjo)' one common f€(ul;— Wftiek^iijjtii*^ 
 nacbeetfefledbyayr , it concurring only wkh Obrf'Se^in^f^^rft^oH- 
 prmcipJcs, vvbich are at the: Largeft diliatice from life, and^^cdrfirrr*^ 
 nnto inanim.ated conflicutions. Andthereforewben it'isfaidby.PV«'- 
 /fW, and aflertcd by divers others, thacwe are only nourifhedWiivihg^ 
 
 bodies, and fuch as ^p«. fome wafproceeidirtg from thertt<=that^'W j.^hd' " "' 
 
 fruits, effeas, parts, or feeds thereof; tta?y4wv'fe> la^(^t ad^' ofi;€^ Vefy^ 
 agreeable umouttlrhulation j for thefe indeed^e fTt^io^Fefeeiv^'a -itek 
 and immediate cohverfion, as holding fome coiTvm unity' wrth^du^felyis*,/' 
 and 'conr^iniR.^ approximate difpofitions unto ankiiiftlttn:''/ -/J ''" -^ '" ^-;- 
 
 Secondly, (as i$^ar^ued'by'>^i^/^ef/-'a^ainft the Pytha:g6riai)&-)''ivhadi 
 feeve't ppopeply nouri(1-ierhbef«reitsa{miiilatiOff, Syrhe ai^^eH of li^^ 
 rural heat it recei^'ett^a corpiiiency oc incriflation-pfogre^oiiai^ittoic^^ 
 cmv^aiCioh ;r:wbi6b^not\^ith0andite('^nnd«blc<«i6led^^ ^^^^ jdnrjiV; 
 
 the aaion'of ' hekidoth Wot condbnie bat>lr.^g^ithic bod\s'9h4-''*^'^tt^^ -, .T.rV.u-^ v -jji 
 nuation raiher thsn for nutrition, difpordth ipffeip t^^uliw>n. '-'^' ■ ' ^ ■ ^' \ h nid: r >l no 
 
 Thirdly, (^ A/iihkh k tht itv^inricnt o£ fJif^^^l'}^^^ •■' 
 
 ceivpd inDoEh3feody,iimuft-'bethQr^i!n^a confiderable'fpace r£*a^^^ 
 i>ot imbiedititely esptitteijii i •-. Mo^yl^yp but momemally remaliiiWg:'' itibh.^ ^ 
 bodifi$ii^iliDifa«t»:iid'iprop<mka*iblt ^ak:e'f«^.'kfe^cioftvaj«fif)fl f^i^^'^k^ 
 
 Cc 2 length 
 
10 Enffumesinto Vtd^of Bpok^j. 
 
 ,\. ./•, -! ^ krigtb enough to refrigerate the heart j which having once perform" 
 ed, left bc;ing it felf heated again, it ihould fuffocate tnat part, ic ma- 
 keth no Qay, but hafteth back the fame way it pafled in. 
 
 'Fourtnly, the proper ufe ©: aire attrailed by the lungs, and without 
 which there is no durable continuation in life, is not the nutrition of 
 parts ) but the contemperation cf that fervour in [he heart, and the ven- 
 tilation of thatiirealwaye? maintamed in the forge of life> whe%by 
 ajthou^h in iou^e nlanner k ^-oncuireth unto nutrition, yet can it no:- 
 receive: the proper name of nutriment. And therefore by ///^/(trr^- 
 * *wj<«p. ^^^ -J. -g terjTiefj Al'imcnwm r.on yU'tmc»ttimy a nouriilim.ent: and no nou- 
 rishment. That is, in a large acception, but not in propri.:ity of lan- 
 guage, ^onferving the bpdy, . not nourilHi^ the lame ;. not repairing 
 i^by aflimulation, but preferving it by ventilation ; for thereby the 
 nfiitqral-^ram.elis-preferved: fromextinition,and fo the indi: iduum fup- • 
 ported infomc way like nut.ition. So when it is faid by the fime Au- 
 thor, Th/ma cofitrarium corpori alimemtimtrahit^ relicjua-Qmnlo idem^ 
 it; is not to be taken in a Ikidl: and proper fenfe ; but the qfuality in 
 tlje one, the fub;lance is meant in. the other.. For aire in regard of 
 our natural heatis ; cold, and in that quality contrary unro ic; but what 
 is properly aliment, of what quality foever, is potencially the fame,and in. 
 
 a/abltandial identity unto ic. V-f "- 
 
 Again, fomearefofar from affirming the. «re to aft'bcd any nutri- 
 ment, that they plainly deny it to be any Elem.enc, or that it entreth. 
 intp mixt bodies, as any principle in their compohtion?, but perform- 
 efh.qther ofScGsin the Univerfe ; as .to hll all vacuities about the 
 earth or Ibeneathic, to convey the heat of the Sun, to maintain fires 
 apd flakmesjfjto'f^rvefbr the flight of volmis, refpiration of bieathrn^ 
 Wherein va- Animals, and refrigeration of otners. And although we receive itr ayarn 
 pour is com- Elem.ent, yet fmce the tranfmut ation of Llem.ents and fimpk bodie.^ 
 monly Bii- ^ ^ not beyond great queRion, lince alfok is no eafie matter to demon-' 
 iiakco for air. jj^^^^g ^^^^ ^^^^ j^ fp much as convertible into water; how cranfmucable 
 i^is. into llerhy may be of deeper doubt. - 
 
 And although the aite attrati^ed may be conceived tt nouriili the in- 
 vifible flame of life, in as much as common and culinary flames are 
 nouriflied by the aire about them ; ' we make fome doubr whether air is 
 tbepabulous fupply of fire, much leife that flame is properly aire kind- 
 led. And the fame before us, hath been denied by the liord of F<rrM^: 
 lam , in his Tca^ of life and Death, and alfo by Dr. Jerden in his book.- 
 of ;Hineral{>vate's. For that which fubftonn;(llymaintaineth thefire^ is 
 ttr^c*!!"*'" ^t^*^Pii^^t»^^JbIe"^3^t.'C'" in the kindled body, : and not the ambient aire, 
 or Kucbin'fi:7 ^^^ich nffordeth exhaJajtion tto its fuliginou*; atom.es ; nor that which 
 il^ ' caufeththe flame prop^ij^^o be. termed aire, but rather as he exprefleth 
 
 it,the accenfloi^ of fuliginous exhalations, which contain an un^tuofiry in 
 ihem,and ajif«? from the matter of fuel, which opinion-is very probable, 
 it^yvil falye many, doubts, whcfof the comonconceit ^foideth no folution. 
 
 from 
 
Book. 3. and Common Errours. ifj 
 
 Ms firft, how fire is ftricken out of flintspthat is, not by kindling the a;c 
 from the coUifion of twe hard bodies; for then Diamonds iliould do the 
 like better then flincs,but rather from the fulphur and inflamable effluvi- 
 ums contained in them. The like, faith Jorden^ we obferve in canes and 
 .\Yoods,that are uni^uoi.»s and full of oile,vvhii;h will yield fire by frication 
 or collihon, not by kindling the air about thein, bur the inflairiable oile 
 v^iihin chem. Why the fire goes out without air? that is,bec.uife the fu - 
 liginous exhaluions w.^nting evaporation, recoil upon the flame and Why ntc goes - 
 cboak it, as is evident in cupping-;;Ufle<; and the artifice of charcoals, oaj commonly 
 where if the aire be alto^etlKr excluded, the fire "oes out* Why fome " ^""^^7 "^^ • 
 lamps include(i in clofc bodies have burned many hundred years, as that t^^er condnu- 
 difcovered in the Sepulchre of Tk///'^ the fiftex oi Cicero^ and that of O//- ed many ages ia 
 bins many years afrer, near Padna ? l^caufe whatever vva» their matter, flame withooc - 
 either a preparation gold, odA^^/>/^/?, the duration proceeded from the fuel, 
 purity of their oik, whicbyielded nofuliginous exhalations to fuffocate. 
 the hre; for if air had no.uriilied. the flame, it had not continued many 
 minutesjfo; it would have been fpenc and wafled by the fire.Why a piece, 
 of flax will kindle, althouv,h it touch not the flame? becaufe the fire ex- 
 tenderh further, then indeed it is vilible, being at fome diflance from the 
 week, a pellu^de and tranfparent body, and thinner then the air it felfe. 
 W hy mettals in their liquation, although they intenfly heat the air above 
 their furface, acife not yet into a flame, nor kindle the air about them ; 
 becaufe theirfulphur is more fixed, and they emit not irifla.mable exha- 
 Lations.And la(ily, why a lamp or candle burneth only in the aii about it,, 
 aiid enflameth not the air at a diftance from it? becaufe the flame extend- 
 ethinot beyond the inflamabk effluence,but clofely adheres unto the^ori- 
 [jaalofitsinflamation? and therefore it only warmeth, not kindletk 
 the air about it. W hich notwithltanding it will do, if the ambient air bo, 
 impre;^nate with fubtile inflam.abilities, and fuch as are of quick accenfi- 
 €ffii as ej^eriment is trade in a clofe room,upon an evaporation of fpi- 
 rits of wiiie and Cam.phire; as fubterraneous fires do fometimes happen;,, 
 ajad as Cre'-ftt and Alexand' rs boy in the bath were fee on fireby Na^tha^ 
 
 Laftly,£he Element of air is fo£ar from nouriiliing the body^hat fome 
 kive queflioneu the power of wate^ many conceiving it cntei:^ not the 
 body in the power of aliment, or that from thence there proceeds a 
 fubflantial fupply. Fo: befides that (om.e creatu'-es drink notatall>un- 
 to others k performs the common office.of -air, and ferves for refrigera- 
 tion of the heart, as unto-fiiliesjwho receive it, and expel it by the -Gils., 
 even unto our felves, and more perfefl Animalsy though -many ways af- 
 fluent thereto, it performs ho fubftant-ial nutrition-, ferving,for refrigera- 
 tion, dilution of Colid alimenr,and its elix4tion in the ftomack;whichrrom 
 thence as a vehicle it conveysthr ough lefle acceflibla cavities into the \y- . 
 ver,from thence into the veins,^nd fo in a rorid tibftanc^ through the ca- 
 pillary cavities into every part; whkh having performed, it is afterward^ 
 excluded by urine, fweat and feroMsfeparations. And this opinion furel)^, 
 
 Ccj peffeffed;. 
 
£j?8 Snqmries into Vulgar Book»j, 
 
 pofleflfed the Ancients , for when they fo highly commended that wa- 
 ter Vehich is fuddenly hot and cold, which is without all Civour. the li^hc- 
 -eft, the thinneft, and which vvill foonefl boil Beans or Peafe, they had no 
 confide ration of mtritlon ; whereunto had they had refpeil, they would 
 have furely commended grofs and turbid ftreams, in whofe confufion ac 
 leaft, there mi^ht be contained fome Nutriment, and not jejune or lim.- 
 pid water, nearer the frnplicicy of its Elenent. Although Iconfefs, 
 'ACec4of our cleareft waters, and fuch as feemfimple unto fenfe; are much com- 
 , pl«nisand«m- pounded unto reafon , as may beobfervedin the evaporation of large 
 S j!.?!!*!!?" quantities of water ; wherein befide a terreoas refidence fome fait is al- 
 ter. fo found, as IS alfoobrervablem rain water, which appenrmg pure and 
 
 iZi'bavius torn, empty, is full of feminil principles, and carrieth vital atomesof plants 
 ^,Ql^m. and Anim.als in it , which have not pcrillied in the great ci culation of 
 Nature ; as may be difcovered f om feveral Infeils gene:ated in rain wa- 
 iter, from the prevalent fuilification of plants thereby -, and (befide the 
 real plant of C/?y«c'r/«f) from ve^^-sLable figurations, upon the fides of 
 glafles, fo rarely delineated in fro'b. - 
 
 • AH which considered, feverer heads will be apt enough to conceive 
 the opinion of this Animal, nor much unlike that of the Aftomi , or 
 men. vvirhout mouths in ?//«7 ; futable unto the relationl^f the Mares 
 in Stain ^ and their fubventaiTeous conceptions , from the Weftern 
 wind, and in fome way mo"e unreafonable then the figment of "^,4^/- 
 <ir4» the fam.ous horfe in Arlofio^ which being conceived by flame and 
 wind, never tatted grafs, or fed on any grofl'er provender then ayr ; for 
 rhiis way of Nutrition was anfwerable unto the principles of his gene* 
 ration. Which being not airy, but grofs and feminal in the Chamele- 
 on , unto its confervation there is required a folid paliurc ; and a food 
 congenerous unco the principles of its Nature. l 
 
 Thegrounds of this ofimon are many, the firtt obferved by Theo^hr^- 
 fiw •, was the inflation or fweliinr, of the body , m.ade in this Animal 
 upoti infpiration or drawing in its breath ; which people obferving, have 
 'thought it to feed upon ayr. But this effeil: is rather occafioned upoii 
 tbe greatnefs of its lungs, which in this Animal are very large , and by 
 their backward fituation, afford a more obfervable dilatation; and though 
 their lungs be lefs, the like inflation is alfo obfervable in Toad>. 
 ' Afeconi is the conrimied hiation or holding open its mouth, which, 
 mefn obfirvinjy conceive the inref>ticn thereof to receive th© alimenti 
 of ayr ; but this is alfp occafioned by the greitnef^ of itslungs ; for rc-^: 
 pletion whereof not having a fuflicientor ready fupply by i£ino(toilJi:^ic> 
 is enforced to dilate and ho Id open the jaws. ' - : : f- - ' . 
 
 ' The third-is the paucity of blood obferved in this Ammat , fcbrce at 
 :aMto-1be foL'ndbut in tlie eye; and about the heart ; which -defet^ be- 
 ing obferved, inclinedfome into thoughts, that the ayr v\!%is a; fufBcient 
 miintenanctffotthefeexeinguio'ifs 'J^artss; -But this defe<jl-^JfatberpIu-^ 
 'cify ^of ■ Wdod'^ ^j^'iliib^greeftbie- unco ni«Hy oehoF' A'nvffiM*^^ , wbolJb fan. 
 
Book. 5 . ^d. Common Brtrhirs, j^ 
 
 lid Nutriment we do not controvert ; as may be obferved in other forts 
 of Lizards, in Frogs and divers tiHies ; and therefore an Horfe-Ieech 
 will not readily faften upon every fifh ; and we do not read of much 
 blood that was drawn from Frc^s by I^lice , in that famous battel of 
 Hom:r. 
 
 The laft and moft common groiuid which begat or pro -noted this o- 
 pinion , is the long continuation hereof without any vihble food; which 
 fome obfervmg7 precipitoufly conclude they eat not any at alJ. It can- 
 not be denied it is (if not .the moft of any) a very abliemious animal, 
 and fuch as by r<;afon of its frigidity , paucity of blood, and iatitancy ia 
 the winter (about which time the obfervations are often made ) will 
 lonj fnbrill without a vifible fuftentation. But a like condition may be 
 alfo^obferved in majiy other animals, for Lizards and Leeches , as we 
 have made tryal, will live fome moneths without fuftenance ; and we 
 have included Snails in glafles all winter, which have returned to feed 
 again in the fpring. Now theie notwithttanding, are not conceived to 
 pafs all their lives without food ; for fo to argue is fallacious , and is 
 moreover fufficiently convi£led by experience. And therefore proba« 
 bly other relations are of the fame verity , which are of the like affini- 
 ty; as is the conceit of the Rhint^ce'm Pcrjia^ thtCanls Ltvis oi A- 
 rn r'lca^ and the M^.mcodiata or bird of Paradife in India. 
 
 To aflfign a reafonof this abliinence in Animals', or declare hov^- 
 without a fupply there enfueth no deftrudtive exhauftion , exceedeth the 
 limits and intention of m.y dilcourfe. lortunms Licetus in his excel- 
 lent Trail, dc his qm diH v iv urn fme aliment o ^ hath very ingenioufly 
 attempted it; deducing the caufe hereof from an equal conformity of 
 natural heat and moiflure, at leaft no confide rableexuperancy in ei- 
 ther; which concurring in an luiaftive proportion , the natural heat 
 confumeth not the moifture ( whereby enfueth no exhauftion ) aixl the 
 condition of natural moifture is able torefifttheflenderadlionof heat 
 ( whereby it needeth no reparation ) and this is evident in Snakes , Li- 
 zards, Sniils, and divers othet Infei"ls latitantmanym.onethsinthe 
 year ; which being cold creatures, containing a weak heat in a crafs or 
 copious hum.idity , do long fubfift without nutrition.- For the adliviry • 
 of the agent, being not able to over-mafter the refifta nee of .the pati- 
 ent, there will enfue no deperdition. And upon the like grounds it is, 
 that cold and phlegm.atickbodyes, and (as Hippocrates determineth) 
 that old men will beft endure fafting; Now the fame bar m.ony and tta- 
 tionaryconftitution) as it happeneth in many fpecies, fo doth it fall 
 outfcmetime in, Individuals. Fo**we read of many who have lived 
 lon^ time without aliment J and befide deceits and impoftures, there 
 may be veritable relations of fome, whowithout a miracle , and by pe- 
 culiarity of temper , have far out-fafted E/ias. VV hich nocwitbftand- 
 ing doth not take off the miracle ; for that may be miraculoufly eflfedV - 
 edinojie, which is naturally caufable in another. Som.e naturally li- 
 
 vi^U 
 
xoo Enqairteunto Vu\qfir Book. 5 
 
 ving unto an hundred ; unto which age, others nocvvichftanjinj could 
 not attain without a miracle. 
 
 CHAP. XXII. 
 Of the Oflrc'Uae, 
 
 'TTHc common opinion of the Oeftridge, Struthiocamelus or Sparrow- 
 Camel conceives that icdigelkth ion, and thi> is confirriied by the 
 affirmations of many, befide (warms of others, Rhodi^hiM in his pre- 
 ledlions taketh it for granted , Johames LaMgins in his Epiflles pleidech 
 experiment for it ; the comm.on pidture alfo confirmeth it , which ufu- 
 ally defcribeth this Animal with an horfhoein its mouth. Notwithftand- 
 ing upon enqui.y we find it very queltionable, and the Negative feems 
 mott reafonaoly entertained , whofe verity indeed we do the rather de- 
 Jire, becaufe hereby we fhall relieve our ignorance of one occult quali- 
 ty ; for in the lift thereof it is accounted, and in that notion imperioufly 
 obtruded upon us. For my own part, although I have had the fight of 
 this animal, I have not had theoppo.timiry of its experiment, but 
 have received great; occafion of doubt, from learned difcourfes there- 
 on. 
 
 For Artftotle and Oppi^ms , who have particularly treated hereof are 
 fUent in this fingelarity ; either omitting it as dubious, or as the Com- 
 • mcnt faith, rejecting if as fabulous. PZ/Ky i";?eakerh generally , affirm- 
 •ijig only, the digeftion is wonderful in this Animal ; cy£ /."/?« delivereth, 
 that it digefleth flones, without any mention of iron ; Leo Afric^nns^ 
 who livedin thofe Countryes wherein they moll abound, fpeakcth c-i- 
 niinutively , and but halfway into this afl'ertion ; Surdum ac fa-npLx .:- 
 mmale^^ cjuicciHid mvtriH^ abfcju-i dclttia-, ufqae nd fcrrum dcvor.ir : 
 ■FerMclitu in his fecond De ahd'tns rt'rum amjis^ extenuates it, and 'RJe- 
 lamif in his Comm.cnt thereof poiltively denies it. Some have expei i- 
 m.cntally refuted it, xa zAlbtrtKs M^xvrnm \ and moit plainly ZhjJ.s 
 Aldrovandm , whofe words arc thefe ; Ego ferrifrnjhn dcvorarc^ dmn 
 Tridcnti ejf-.m^ohftrvdzii^ ftd^i4^Ji 'nicot}artirjus e.\cerncret ^ that is^, at 
 my being at Trent, I obferved the Oeltridgc to fwallow Iron, but yet to 
 exclude it undigeiled again. 
 
 Now l^iide experiment, it is in vain to attempt againft it by Philofo- 
 How (poffi- phical argument J it bein^ an ocx:ult quality , which contemns the Law 
 bly)ihefto- of Reafon , anddefeni';>itfelf by admitting no reafon at Al. As for 
 Odli ic! e mj ^^^ pofTibiUty we lliall not at prefenc difpute ; nor will we affirm tliar 1- 
 aiier lion ^ ^^" ingefted, receiveth ui th^ ftomack of the Ocftrid^e no aicenttlon a 
 
 all 
 
Book* 3 And Common Srr ours, zot 
 
 all j but if any fuchthe;e be , we fufpeft this effe<a rather from fome 
 way of cor. ofion , then any of digefUon ; not any liquid redu6lion or 
 tendance to chilification by the power of natural heat , but rather fofne 
 attrition from an acide and vitriolous humidity in the i^omack, which 
 may abfterfe and lliave the fcorious parts thereof. So rufty Iron cram- 
 m.ed down the throat of a Cock, will become terfe and clear again in 
 irs gizzard: So the Counter which according to the relation of v^w^/'?^ 
 rem.ained a whole year in the body of a youth , and came out much 
 confum.ed at lall ; mii ,ht fuffer this diminution, rather from fliarp and 
 acide humours, then the ftrength of natural heat, as he fuppofeth. So 
 filver Iwallowed and retained fome tim.e in the body, will turn black, a^ 
 if it had been dipped in oAmafortu!^ or fome corrofive water, but lead 
 will remain unaltered, fortnat m.ettal containerh in it afweetfaltoc 
 fi!gar, whereby it re{ilieth ordinary corrofion , and will not eafily dif- 
 folve even in Aqnafortis. So when for m.edical ufes, we take down 
 the filings of Iron or Steel, we mufl nor conceive it palferh unaltered 
 from us ; for though the grofler parts be excluded again , yet are the ctif- 
 foluble parts extra6led , whereby it becomes effe6tual in deopilations ; 
 and therefore for fpeedier operation we make extinctions, infulions, and 
 the like, whereby we extract the fair and active parts of the m.edicine ; 
 which being in foiucion, more eafily enter the veins. And this is that ^, , ^^ 
 the Chymills mainly drive at in the attempt of their fsAurHrn Potabile ; .7," Jj^ ^^'i* 
 thati^, to reduce that indigettible fubftance intofucha form, as may not have bv their 
 be ejeftedby fiege, but enter the cavities, and lefs accelTible parts of the /turuni Fitdbile 
 body, without corrofion. -I { o'l*;. 
 
 The ground of this conceit is its fwallowing down fragments of iron," 
 which men obfer\ ini;, by a froward illation, have therefore conceived it 
 digefteththem ; which is an inference not t6 be admitted, as being a 
 fallacy of the confequent, that is, concluding apofitionof the confe- 
 quent , from, the poiition of the antecedent. For many things are 
 Iwallowed by Animals, rather for condiment, guft or Medicament^rhfin 
 any fubftantial nutriment. So Poultrey, and elpecially the Turkey, do 
 of themfelves take down ftones ; and we have found at one time in the 
 gizzard of a Turkey no lefs then feven hundred. Now thefe rather con- 
 cur unto ci^eflion , then are themfelves digefted; for we have found 
 them alfo in the ^uts and excrements; but their defcent is very flow, 
 for we have given them ftones and fm.all pieces, of iron, which eighteen 
 dayes after we have found remaining in the Gizzard. And therefore the 
 experiment of Langim and others mitht be miflaken , whilft after the 
 taking they cxpeil:ed it fhould comedown within a day or two after, i 
 Thus alfowefwallow Cher, y-ftones, but void them^ unconcofted,-cartd kowCfimy- 
 we ufually fay they preferve us from furfeit ; for being hard bodies they ftones may be 
 conceive a ftrongand durable heat in the ftomack, and fo prevent the *ou§|it «» pre- 
 crudities of their fruit ; And upon the like reafondo culinary opera- yp"on"jt[ng 
 tors obferve, that fleil^ boils belt , when the bones are boilvJd with icv x:berri<s. 
 . " Dd Thu> 
 
aoi EnqmriesintoVulgAf Book.j; 
 
 Thus dogs will eat graft, which they clkeft not; Thus Camels ro make 
 the water fapid , do raife the mud with their feet : Thus horfes will kna- 
 ble at walls, Pid^eons delight in fait (tones. Rats will gnaw iron , and 
 ^r'lfiotli faith tne Elephant fvvalloweth ftones. And thus may alfo 
 the Oeftridge fwallow iron ; not as his proper aliment, burfor the ends 
 above exprdfed , and even as we obferve the like in other Animals. 
 
 And whether thefe fragments of Iron and hard fubftancesfwal lowed 
 by the Oeftrid-c , have not alio that ufe in their fto^ma€ks , which ihey 
 ^ivz m other birds ; that is, in fome way to fupply the ufe of teeth , by 
 commolition, grinding and comprelfion of their proper alixenr, upon 
 the a6lion of the ftrongly conformed mufcles of the Itomack ; as the 
 honor'd Dv.Harvej difcourfeth, may alfo be confidered. 
 
 what eflfedl therefore may be expected from the (lomack of an Oe- 
 ftridge by application alone to further digeftion in ours, befide the expe- 
 rime'ntal refute of G^/f/r, we refer it unto confiderations above alledg- 
 ed ; Or whether there be any more credit to be given unto the medi- 
 cine of t/£//^», who affirms the ftones they fwallow have a peculiar 
 vertue for the eyes, then that of Hi'r^olay.s and P/i»ji dvAwn from the 
 urine of this animal ; let rhcm determine who can fwallow fo ftrange a 
 traniiP-iffion of qualities, or believe that any Bird or flying Animal doth 
 feparately anddiftinclly i rine befidc the Bat. 
 
 That therefore an Oeiiridge will fwallow and take down iron, iseafily 
 to be granted : that oftentimes they pafs entire avvny, if we admit of o- 
 cular teftimony not to be denied. And thou, h Com- experiment may 
 alfo plead, that fometim.es they are fo altered , as not to be found or 
 excluded in any difcernable parts : yet whether ibis be not effeiled by 
 fome way of corrDiion,from iliarp and diiiolving humilities, rather then 
 any proper digeftion; chilifadivc mutation, or alimental converfion , is 
 with goodreafon doubted. 
 
 CHAP, xxiir. 
 
 Of Vmcorns horn. 
 
 GRe« accaint and much profit is made of Unicorns horn , at leaft 
 of that which beireth the name thereof; wherein notwithftand- 
 in?„ mmylpercei/efufpeitanlmpofture , and fome conceive there 
 isnofiichAnimleKtinc. Herein therefore to draw up our determi- 
 nation^ ; beijde the fe^^eral places of Scripture mentioning this Animal 
 (which fgr^ij^e may w<U com^Dd t<> be only meant of the Rhinoceros ) 
 
 we 
 
Book. 3. and Common Brrcursl tt^j 
 
 we are fo far from denying tiiere is any Unicom at ilU, that we affirtne 
 there, are many kinds thereof. In the number of Quadrupedes, we will Some doubt 
 concede no iefs then five ; that is, the Indian Qx^y the IndUn Afs, Rhi- '" be made 
 noceros, the Oryx, and that which is more eminently termed O^o^oce- ^^^.^^1 
 rosy or Vnicornps. Some in the lift of fifhes, as that dcfcribed by OUm , g^J ^^l^^. "* 
 J.lbertns and others : and iome Unicorns we will allow even among In- 
 fects; as thofe four kinds of nafcornous Beetles defcribedby CMnfe^ 
 
 Secondly, Although we concede there be many Unicorns , yet are we 
 ftilltofeek; for whereunto to affix this horn in queftion, or to deter- 
 mine from which thereof we receive this magnified medicine, we have 
 noaflurance, or any fatisfailory decifion. For although wefingle out 
 one, and eminently thereto aiiign the name of the Unicorn; yet can 
 we can be fecure what creature is meant thereby ; what conftant iliapc 
 it holdeth, or in what number to be received. For as far as our endea- 
 vours difcover, this Animal is not uniformly defcribed, but differently 
 fet forth by thofb that undertake it. Tllny affirmeth it is a fierce and 
 terrible creature ; Vartornanntu a tam.e and m^anfuete Animal: thofe 
 which G"<2rc'^f^^^ Hor^odecribeth about the cape of good hope, w-re ThcU ilcofii 
 beheld with heads like horfes; \\ioi^\y\i\.<:\\ l^^.nomannm behel:1,hede- ["^"^^Jb" ' 
 fcribed with the head of a Deer ; Flmy^ '^EllanySoliumy and after thefe Authors, 
 from ocular aflurance, Fmlas Fenetns aflfirmeth the feet of the Unicorn 
 are unaivided , and like the Elephants : But thofe tvw which Vartoman-' 
 tJHs beheld at M cha^ were as he defcribeth , footed like a Goat. As 
 c/£//^z?dercribeth, it is in the bi ^nefs of an horfe, as Vartomannns , of 
 a Colt ; that which i hzwt ff eaketh of was not fo big as an Heifer ; buc 
 PohIhs Venetm aftirmeth, they are but little Iefs then Elephants. Which 
 are difcriminations very material , and plainly declare, that under the 
 fame nam.e Authors defcribe not th^ fime Animal; fo that the Uni- 
 corns horn of one, is not that of another, although we proclaim an equal 
 vertueinall. /; < :1 ^ 
 
 Thirdly, Although we were agreed what Animkl this was, or differed 
 not in its defcription , yet would this alfo afford but little fatisfadlicn ; 
 for-the horn we commonly extol, is not the fame with that of the An- 
 cients. For that in the defcription of c^//^/? and '^I'mj was black : this 
 which is fhewed amongft us is commonly white , none black ; and of 
 thofe five which ^c^Z/^^fr beheld, though one fpadiceou?, or of a light 
 red, and two enclining to red, yet was there not any of this complexion 
 among them. 
 
 Fourthly, What horns foever they be which pafs amongft us, they are 
 not furely the horns of any one kind of Animal, but muft proceed from 
 feveral forts of Unicorns. Foribnae are wreathed, ibme-fi6tt That fA-^ 
 mous one which is pref^tved at Sc Dennii, near 7it>ts , hath wrejithy 
 fpiresy and choclesiiry turnings about ic, which agreeth with the de- 
 fcription of the Unicorns horii in c/£/iW ; Thofe two in thtJ Tr^aftff* 
 
 D d 2 of 
 
404 Enqmrtes into Vulgdr Book. J. ^ 
 
 of St. Mark.^x^ plain, and bed accord with thofc of the Indian Aire,or 
 the defcriptions of other Vnicorns; Albertus Magnw defcribeth one 
 ten foot loa^, and at the bale about thirreen inches eompafs : And that 
 c,iAntwerf\\\\\c\iGorof!HiBi:canHs6.tUn\)tt\i^ is not much inferiour 
 unto it ; which heft agree i nto thedefcriptions of the Sea-Vnicorns; for 
 ihefc, as OUns affirmeth, are of that ftren^th and bignefs, as able to pe- 
 netrate the ribs of diips. The fame is more probable, in that it was 
 brought from Ifland, from, whence, as Becamts affirmeth, three other 
 were broiicht in his dayes : And we have heard ©f fome which have 
 been found by the Sea-fide, and b.ought unto us from Amir'ica. So that 
 while we commend the Vnicorns home, and conceive it peculi.ir but 
 unto one Animal ; under apprehenfion of the fime verme, we ufe very 
 many; and com.mendthat effedlfrom all, which every one conffnech 
 unto fome one he hach either feen or defcribed. 
 
 Fifthly, although there be m.any Vnicorns, and confequently many 
 horns, yet many there are which bear that name, and currenrly palle 
 among us, which are no homes at all. Such are thol*e fragm.encs and 
 pieces of Laps ceratites^ common[y ttvmcdCornH foj/iiej\yht:e.o£ Ba:' 
 tiHihxdnoiti^tihzn twenry feveral forts prefented him for Vnicoms 
 horn.Hereof in fubterraneous cavities, an3 under the earth there are ma- 
 ny to be found in feveral parts o^ Germany ;\\hich are but the Lapidefcen- 
 cies and pecrifa6tive m.utations of hard bodies ; fometim.c of home, of 
 ^eeth, of bones, and branches of trees, whereof there are fom.efoim- 
 perfeilly converted, as to retain the odor and qualities of their origi- 
 nals ; as he relateth of pieces of Afli and Walnut. Again, in riio7}, 
 if not all which pafle amongft us, andare extolled for precious homes, 
 we difcover not an affection common unto other horns ; that is, they 
 m.ollifie not wii^ fire, they foften not upon decoition or infufion, nor 
 will they afford a gelly, or mucilaginous concretion in either; which 
 notwithitending we may effeit in Goats horns, Sheeps, Cows and 
 Fhrts-horn, in the hornofthe -^/3;W<fr<?/, the horn ofthePriftis or 
 Swojd-fifh. Nor do thev become friable or eafily powderable by Phi- 
 lofophical calcinition, tnat is, from the vapour or {kam. of water, buc 
 fplit and rift contrary to other horns. Briefly, that which is com.mon- 
 ly received, and whereof there be fo m.any fragments preferved in En?--, 
 land ; is not only no horn, but a fubihnce harder then a bone,that is,the 
 Unicorns horn tooth of a-Morfe or Sea-horfe ? in the midft of the folider part contain- 
 commonly ufed jng a curdled grain, which is not to be found in ivory. This in Northern 
 In'Engknii Rei ion- is of frequent ufe for hafts of knives, or hilts of fvvords,and be- 
 iihat it IS. jj^^, burnrbecomes a good remedy for fluxes : but Antidotally ufcd, and 
 expofed for Vnicorns horn, it is an infufferable delufion ; and Wnh 
 more v^eniable deceit, it might have been praf^ifed in Harts-horn. 
 
 The like deceit may be pradifed in the teeth of other Sea-ariim^Is;in 
 the teeth alfo of the Hippopotamtts, or great animal which frecjuenteth 
 the River A^ilm ; For we reade that theVame was anciently ufed in ftead 
 
 of 
 
Book. 3. and Common Errours', i05 
 
 of Ivory or Elephants tooth. Nor is it to be omitted what hath been 
 formerly fufpe^led, but now confirmed by O/ans }Vorm'ms^ and Thomas 
 Banhol'ifiHs, that thofe long horns preferved as precious rarities in ma-^ 
 ny places, are but the teeth ofNarh whales, to be found about //Z^«^, 
 6V<r'-»/W, and other Nortliern regions ; of many feet long, commonly 
 wreathed, very deeply faflened in the upper jaw, and ftanding cireit- 
 lyforwardy graphically defcribed in ^<»rf /><?// W, according unto one j>gj^;,/^;,„- 
 jfencfromaBiiliop oflfland, not feparated from the crany. Hereof 
 AlercMorhnh taken notice in his defcription of Ifland : fome rehti- 
 ons hereof th:re feemtobein 'P«rc'/>^, who alfodeHvereth that ths- 
 hoin^iPy-'ifidfo-r^ was in his feccnd voyage brought hither by Fr(?^//^<?r. . 
 Tbefe before the Northern difcoveries, as unknown rarities^ were carri-. 
 ea by Merchants into all parts oi Europe, and thou-:,h found on the Sea- 
 iliore, were fold at very high rates ; but are now become more com.- 
 mon, and probably in tim.r will prove of little etleem ; and tha bar- 
 gain of JW/«/ the third, be accounted a very hard one,, whottucknot 
 CO give many thouflind crowns for one. 
 
 Nor is it threat wonder we may befo deceived in this, being daily 
 galled in the brother Aiitidore Bezoar : 'whereof though many be falfe,. 
 yet one there paifeth amougrt us of more intolerable delufion ; f jme-- 
 VMhat paler then the tfiertone, and given by women in the extremity 
 rrcat difeafesjwhich notwithfbnding is no ftone,but feems to be the (to - . 
 ny feed of fomeLithofpermum or greaterGrumwel;or theLobus Echina- 
 tus of C/«/;«,called alfo the Bezoar Nut ; for being broken, it difcover- 
 eth a kernel of a legum.inous fa-^ell and tafte,bittet like a Lupine,and will 
 fwell and fprout if fet in the ground, and therefore more fejviceabk fon 
 iilues, then dangerous and virulent difeafes. ■ ■ 
 
 Sixthly, although we were fatisfed we had the Vnicorns home, ycD 
 were it" no in ury unto reafon to queftion the efficacy thereof ,or whether 
 thofe vertues.pretended do properly belong unto it^For what we obferve^ 
 (and it efcapednot the obfervation of 7^^/w, J(?z/;w' many years paft) 
 none of the Ancients afcribed any m.edicimi or antidotal vertue unto ^ 
 
 the Vnicorns horn ; and that which (^lian extolleth whovvas tke firft 
 and only m.an of the Ancients who fpake.of the medical'vertue of any 
 Vnicorn, wasthehornofthe /W/W« Affe; whereof, faith he, the Pria- 
 ces of thofe parts m.ake bowls and di ink therein, as prefervatives a- 
 gainft poifon, Convulfions, and the falling (ickneffe. Now the de- 
 fcription of that horn is not agreeable unto that we comm.end; for that 
 (faiih he)is red above, white below, and black in the m.iddlejwhich is ve- 
 ry different from ours,or nny to be feen amon.,ft us. And thus,though the 
 defcription of the Vnicorn be very nncient,yet was there of old no ver- 
 tue afcribed unto it, and although this amon:,{l us receive the opinion of 
 the f.>me vertue,yet is it noc the fame horn whereunto theAntiencs afcri- 
 bed it. 
 
 Laftly, although we allow, it an antidotal efficacy, and fuch as 
 • Dd3 the i 
 
106 €npm€S into Vulgar Book. 3. 
 
 the Ancients commended , yet are there feme vertues afcribed thereto 
 by Moderns not eafily to be received ; and it hath furely fain out in this, 
 as other magnified medicines , whofe operations eftedual in fome dif- 
 eal'es, are prefently extended unto ail. That fome Antidotal quality it 
 may have, we have no reafon to deny ; for fince Elks hoofs and horns 
 are magnified for Epilepfies, fince not only the bone in the heart, but 
 Eitpulfi«rc of '■^^ ^'^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^ '^ Alexipharmacal, and ingredient into the confe<5li- 
 Poiionj. Gil of Hyacinth, and the Eleduary of Maximilian ; we cannot without 
 
 prejudice except againft the efficacy of this. But when we affirm it is 
 not only Antidotal to proper venoms, and fubftances deftrudive by 
 qualities we cannot exprefs ; but that it refifteth alio Sublimate, Arfe- 
 nick, and poyfons which kill by fecond qualities , that is, by corrofion 
 of parts ; I doubt we exceed the properties of iw nature , and the pro- 
 mifea of experiment will not fectire the adventure. And therefore in 
 fuch extremities, whether there be not more probable relief from fat 
 and oyly fubftances, which are the open tyrants over file and corrofive 
 bodyes, then precious and cordial medicines which operate by fecret 
 and difputable proprieties , or whether he that fwallovved Lime, and 
 - (Jrank down Mercury water , did not m.orc reafonably place his cure in 
 milk, butter or oyl, then if he had recurred anto Pearl and Bezoar, com.- 
 mon reafon at all times, and necelTity in the like cafe would eafily deter- 
 mine. 
 
 Since therefore there be many Unicorns ; fince that whereto we ap- 
 propriate a horn is fo varioufly defcribed, that it feemeth either never to 
 have been feen by two perfons, or not to have been one animal ; Since 
 though they agreed mrhe defcription of the animal , yet is not the horn 
 we extol the fame with that of the Ancients ; Since what horns foever 
 they bethatpafsam.oni,us, they are not the horns of one, butfeveral 
 animals : Since many in common ufe andhi^^h efteem are no horns at 
 all : Since if they were true horns, yet might their vettues be queftion- 
 ed: Since though we allowed fome vertues , yetwcrenotothersto be 
 .J, received ; with what fecurity a man may rely on tliis rcm.edy, the mi- 
 
 jftrefg of fools bath already inftru^ted fome, and to vvifdome (wnich is nc- 
 'ver too wife to learn ) it is not toolarc to confider. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book.}.^ And Common Brrowrs, ao- 
 
 CHAP. XXIV. 
 That aU^»if»^^^ of the Land , are In their kjnd i>tthe Sen, 
 
 THac all Animals of the Land, are in th;;ir kin-i in the Sea , n/- 
 thoiith received as a principle, ii a ceneni: very queftion.ible, and 
 will admic of rertrainc. For fome in the Sea arc not ro be matclit 
 by any enquiry at Land, and hold thofe fhapes which terrefirious' forms 
 approach net; as may be obferved in the Moon-fifli , or Orthragorif- 
 cus, the feveral forts of Raia's, Torpedo's, Oyfters, and many more; ^^^"^^^ 
 and fome there are in the Land which were never maintained to be in * 
 
 the S^a, asPaiithers, Hyana's, Camels-, Sheep, Moles, and others, which 
 carry no nam.e in I6lhyology, nor are to be found in the exait dcfcripti- 
 onsof Royidclet'msy '^je[ner^oi Aldrovandm. 
 
 Again, Though many there be which make out their nominations, as 
 the Hedge-hog, Sea-ferpents and others ; yet are there alfo very m.any 
 that bear the name of animals at Land , which hold no refemblance iri 
 corporal configuration ; in which account we com.pure Vtilfecnla^ C^" 
 nisy Rana, Tajfer, Cu^^a/us, JifllpiSy Turdus^ Lcpns, &c. Wiierein 
 while fome are called the Fox, the Dog, the Sparrow or Frog-fifh, and 
 are known by comm.on names with thole at Land; as their defcriberi 
 attert, they receive not thefe appellations from a total fimilitude in fi- 
 gure , but any concurrence in commion accidents, in colour , conditi- 
 on or any (ingle conformation. As for Sea-horfes which much confirm, 
 this aflertion ; in their common defcriptions , they are but Crotefco 
 deliniations which fill up empty fpaces in Maps , and meer pidlorial in— 
 venticns, not any "Phyfical lliapes ; futable unto thofe which ( as Pliny 
 delivereth) Tmxiteies long ago fee out in the Temple of Domitliii. 
 For that which is commonly called a Sca-horfe, is properly called a 
 Morfe , and m.akes not out that fhape. That which the Ancients nar 
 med HlpfocamfHi is a little animal about fix inches long, and not pre- 
 ferred beyond the claffis of Inleds. That which they tef med Hlptofo- 
 tamm an amphibious animal , about the River Nile , lo little refemoleth 
 an horfe> that as Mathlolns obferN'eth, in .W except the feet , it better 
 makes out a fwine. That which rhey term.ed a Lion, was but a kind of 
 Lobfler : and that they called the Bear, wr, but one kind of Crab : and ■ 
 that which they named Bos marlmts, was not as we conceive a fifh re- - 
 fembling an Oxe , butaSkaireor Thornback , fo named from its big- - 
 nefs, exprefled by the Greek word Boh^^ which is a prefix of augmeata- 
 t!©n to many words in that h n ;uage. 
 
 And therefore, although it b^ not denied that fome in the water do • 
 carry a juftifiable refemblance to fome at Land, yet are the major part 
 which bear their names unlike; nor do they otherwifc refemblc the 
 creatines on earth, then they on earth the conftellations which pafs un- 
 der 4 
 
2.0% Enquiriei into Vulvar Book^ 
 
 der animal name sin heaven : nor the Dog-tilli at Sea much more m.ake 
 out the Dog of the Land , then that his cognominal or name-fake in 
 the heavens. Now if from a fimilitude infome, it be reafonable to 
 infer a correfpondency in all ; we may draw this analogy of animals up- 
 on plants; for vegetables there are whichcarry a near and allowable 
 limilitude unto animals. We might alfo conclude that animal iliapes 
 Fab. Column ^^ere generally made out in minerals : for feveral ftones there are thic 
 deflirjf. rario^ bear their names in relation to animals or their parts , as Lapis a>:am- 
 ribus, orchis, riHs^ Conchites^ Echwites^ Enapha/itcsy <t/£gopth^ln7Hs-y and many more; 
 cerceptthcco- ^^ ^^jj j appear in the Writers of Minerals, and efpecially in Batlm and 
 tophvTi, AldrovandHS. 
 
 Moreover if we concede, that the animals of one Elem.ent, mi^ht 
 bear the nam.es -of thofe in the other, yet in {tri6\ reafon the watery pro- 
 duilions fliould have the prenom.ination : and they of the land rather 
 derive their names , then nominate thofe of the Sea. For the watery 
 plantations were firrt exiftent , and as they enjoyed a priority in form, 
 had alfo in nature precedent denom.inations : but falling not under that 
 Nomenclature of zAdam , which unto terreftrious animals affigned a 
 uam.e appropriate unto their natures ; from fuceeeding fpedators they 
 received arbitrary appellations, and were refpedively denominated 
 unto creatures known at Land ■> who in themfelves had independent 
 names, and not to be called after them, which were created before 
 them. 
 
 Lailly, By this aflertion we reftrain the hand of God , and abridge 
 tlie variety of the Creation ; making the creatures of one Element,but 
 an a6ling over thofe of another , andconjoyning as it were the fpccies 
 of things which ikod at diftance in the intelledl of God ; and though 
 united in the Chaos, had feveral feeds of their Creation. For alrhouih 
 in that indiftinguillit Mafs, allthin^^s feemedone, yet feparated by 
 the voice of God , according to their fpecies , they came out in in- 
 comm.unicated varieties, and irrelative feminaltie.', as well as divided 
 places ; and fo although we fay the world was made in fix dayes, yet was 
 there as it were a World in every one ; that is, a diftinil Creation of di- 
 ftinguiflit creatures ; a diftindiion in time of creatures divided in nature, 
 and a feveral approbation and fun^ey in every one. 
 
 CHAI^ 
 
 iai fijil: 
 
B<H>k. 5 And Common Srrours. 20^ 
 
 CHAP. XXV. 
 
 Concerning the common caurfe of Diet , in makjng choice »f fome 
 Animals , and. abfiaining from eati/tg others. 
 
 T 7 T 7Hy we confine our food unto certain animals, and totally re- 
 V V je6t fome others ; iiow thefe diftin^ions crept into feveral 
 Nations ; and whether this prailice be built upon folid reafon, or chief- 
 ly fupporced by cuftome or opinion , may admit confideration. 
 
 For firft there is no abfolute necelTity to feed on any ; and if we re(ift ' 
 
 not the ftream of Authority , and feveral didu6tions from holy Scri- 
 pture : there was no Sarcophagie before the flood ; and without the 
 eating of flcfh, ourfathersfrom vegitable aliments, preferved them- Rating of ficfli 
 felves unto longer lives, then their pofterity by any other. For where- Gen. j. i^. 
 as it is plainly faid , I have given you every nerb which u upon the face ^^^ M^ural 
 of all tfte earth, and every tree, to you it ihall be for meat ; prefently af- j^^^y^"* °mfi, 
 tcr the delu=;e, when the fame had deftroyed or infirmed the nature of cd by ihc dc"^' 
 vegetable^;, by an exprelTion of enlargem.ent, it is again delivered : Eve- luge, 
 ry moving thing that liveth, Aiallbem.eat for you, even as the green Gtn.^.s. 
 herb, have I given you all things. 
 
 And therefore although ic be faid that Ahelw^s a Shepherd, and it be 
 not readily conceived » the firft men would keep fheep , except they 
 made food thereof; "teat Expofitors will tell us, that it was partly for 
 their skins, wherewith they were cloathed, partly for their milk, wnere- 
 by they were fuftained ; and partly for Sacrifices, which they alfo offered. 
 
 And though it may feem irtprobable, that they offered fleili , ytz eat 
 not thereof; and^^^/canhirdlybe faid to offer the firftlings of his 
 flock, and the fat or acceptable part, if menufednot totaftthe fame, 
 whereby to raife fuch diftinilions : fome will confine the eating of flefh 
 unto the line of C^in , who extended their luxury , and confined not 
 unto the rule of Gcd. That if at any time the line of Seth eat Belli, it 
 was extraodinary, and only at their facrifices ; or elfe (as Grotins hint- 
 eth ) if any fuch pradice there were, it was not from the beginning, but 
 from, that time when the wayes of men were corrupted, and whereof it Eating of fltfli 
 is £ud, that the wickednefs of man^; heart was great ; the more righte- Tprobably) not 
 ous part of mankind probably conforming unto the diet prefcribed in b° (o*i '"'h^°'* 
 Paradife,-and the ftate of innocency. And yet however the practice of, flood, 
 men conformed, this was the injundtion of God, and mi^ht be therefore 
 fufticient, without the food of fleili. • 
 
 That they fed not on fleHi, at leaft the faithful pa^ty before the flood, 
 may become more probable, becaufe they refrained the fame for fome 
 time after. For fo was it generally delivered of the golden age and; 
 raign of Saturn ; which is conceived the time of Noah, before the 
 building of BabeL And he that confidereth how agreeable this is unto 
 
 Ee ' the 
 
ttid EnplrieSittioVul^t Book. 3 ^ 
 
 the<raditionsr>f tht Gentiles ; that that age was of one tongue : that 
 Saturn devoured all his fonsbiit three ; that be was the fon of Oceaniu 
 and Thctii ; that a Ship was his Symbole, that he caught the culture of 
 vineyards, and the art o? husbandry, and was therefore defcribed with 
 a fickle ; may well conceive, thefe traditions h.id their origin.il in Noah. 
 Nor did this prailice terminate in him , but was continued at kaft in 
 many after ; as ( befide the ^^yth^gorians of old, and B amy am now in 
 India , who upon fingle opinions refrain the food of flclli ) ancient 
 Records do hint or plainly deliver. Although we defcend not fo low, 
 as that of ^yEfclcfiades delivered by TorphyriKs^ that men began to feed 
 flfsf < amf^ti(» ^^^ g^^ j^ ^^^ ^^.^^ ^^ ^ygmaleoy/ brother o^Dldo^ who invented fevc- 
 
 ral torments, to punilli the eaters of flelli. 
 
 Nor did men only refrain from, the flelTi of beafls at firft, but as fome 
 win have it, beafts from one another. And if we fliould believe very 
 grave conjeilures, carnivorous animals now, were not flelli de\^ourers 
 then, accor.'ing to the exprelTion of the divine provifion io: them. To 
 every beaft of the earth, and to every fowl of the ayr , I have given e- 
 g'«». 1. 30. y^j.y gj-een herb for meat, and it was fo. As is al£o colleiled from the- 
 fiore laid up in the Ark ; wherein there feems , to. have been no flefhy 
 provifion for carnivorous animals. For of every kind of unclean bealt 
 there wenr but two into the Ark ; and therefore no fiock of fiefli to-fu- 
 ftain them many dayes, much lefs almoft a year. 
 
 But when ever it be acknowledged that men began- to feed on flefh, 
 
 yet how they betook themfelves after to particular kinds thereof, with 
 
 rejection of many others, is a point not clearly determined. As for 
 
 the diftin6tion of clean and unclean hearts, the original is obfcure, and 
 
 falveth not our practice. For no Animal is natu-ally unclean, or hath 
 
 H MP ^^^^ chara6ler in nature ; and therefore whether in thi^ diHinilion 
 
 nyght diftTn- there were not fom.e myftical intention ; whether Mofss after the ci- 
 
 guifh beafts rtin6lion made of unclean beafts, did not nam.e thefe fo before the flood 
 
 into c'can and by anticipation : Whether this difiini^ion before the flood , were not 
 
 T^fl'^i"^^"'^^ only in regard of facrifices, as thcit delivered after was in regard of 
 
 ■^ '' food ; ( for p* • ';' were clean for food, which were unclean for facrificc) 
 
 or whether thC denomination were but com.parative, and of beafts lefs 
 
 commodious for food, although not fim.ply bad, is not yet refolved* 
 
 And as.for the fame dirtin&on in the time of Mops, long after the 
 Flood) from, thence we hold no reftrt6tion, as being no rule unto Nati- 
 ons befides the Jnves in dietetical confideration , or natural choice of 
 diet, they being enjoyned o r prohibited certain foods upon remote and 
 - fccret intentions. Efpecially thereby to avoid community with the 
 Gentiks upon promifcuous commenfiliry : or to divert them from the 
 Idolatry of c^^gypt whence they came , they were enjoyned to eat the 
 Gods of cyf^yp/^inthefoodof Sheep and Oxen. Withal in this di- 
 ftinftion of Animals the confideration was hieroglyphical ; in the bo- 
 fi^oie and inward fenfc implying an abftiaence from certain vices fymbo-* 
 
 Ikally 
 
Book. 3. dnd Common Errours. m 
 
 lically intimated from the nature of thofe animals; as maybe^vell 
 made out in the prohibited meat of Swine, Cony, Oyl, and many more. 
 
 At leaft the intention was not medical > or fuch as might oblige unto 
 conformity or imitation ; For fome we refrain which that Law allow - 
 eth, as Locufts and many others; and fome it prohibiterh, which are t^ 
 
 accounted good meat in ftri6t and medical cenfure : as belide m.any 
 fiAies whicti have not fins and fcales, the Swine, Cony and Hare, a dain- 
 ty diili with the Ancients ; as is delivered by GaUn^ certified by Marti- j^^^^ eutdm- 
 aly as the popular opinion implyed> that men grew fair by the flefh pedctmsttja ' 
 thereof: by the diet of C^ro , that is Hare and Cabbage; and the f»i primLepHt. 
 fiigrnm or Black broach of the Spartans y which was made with the blood 
 and bowels of an Hare. 
 
 And if we take a view of other Nations, we fhall difcover that they 
 refrained many m.eats upon like confide rations. For in fome the ab- 
 itinence was fymbolical , fo Pythagoras enjoyned abftinence from filli; 
 th at is, luxurious and dainty difries: So according to Herodotus ^ fome 
 c/£ff;j7r/W refrained fwines ftefh , as an im.pure and fordid animal: 
 which whoever but touched, was fain to wafli himfelf. 
 
 Some abrtained fuperftitioufly or upon religious confideration : SO' 
 the Syrians: refrained Fiili and Pigeons ; the <j£gyptlans of old, Dogs, 
 Eels and Crocodiles ; though Leo Afrlcar.m delivers , that many of 
 late, do eat them with good guft ; and HeroAotus alfo affirmeth , that 
 the o^gyptians of Elephant i»a ( unto whom they were not facred ) did 
 eat thereof in elder times ; and Writers teftifie, that they are eaten at 
 this day in Iftdia and America. And lb, as C<efar reporxs, unto the an- 
 cient Brit aim it was piaculous to taft a Goofe, which difh at prefent no ^^^- ^' iO^^^ 
 table is without. ^*^' 
 
 Unto fome Nation? the abfiinence was political and for fome civil 
 advantage: So the T'/jf;//^/;^;^^ refrained Storks , becaufe theydertroy- 
 ed their Serpents ; and the like in fundry animals is obfervable in other 
 Nations. 
 
 And under all the fe confide rations were fome animals refrained : fo 
 the Je-!ves abftained from fwine at firft fym.bolically, .1° .-,v-\ Embleme of 
 impurity ; and not for fear of the Leprofie, as Tacitus '\ij«lould pur up- 
 on them. The Cretians luperrtitioufly, upon tradition that Jnpiter was 
 fuckled in that Countreyby a Sow. Some zAigyftiayis politically, be- 
 caufe they fupplyed the labour of plowing by rooting up the grounl 
 And upon like confiderarions perhap.; the Phmlciam and Syrians fed 
 not on this Animal ; and as So/ims reports, the Arabians alfo and /»- 
 dia-ns. A great part of mankind refraining one of the bell foods, and 
 fuch as Pythagoras him.felf would eat ; who, as Arijioxcnni records refu- a^I.G<M.\^x^\ 
 fed not to feed on Pigs. 
 
 Moreover while we finale out feveral dillies and rejeit others, the 
 feleftion feems but arbitrary , or upon opinion; for m.any are com- 
 mended and cryed. up in one j^e, which are decried -and naufeated in 
 
 E e 2 another. 
 
;2I2 Enquiries into Vulgar Book. 3. 
 
 another. Thus in the dales of Aiecenas-, no fleih was preferred before 
 
 Ceriaindiflics young AlVes ; which norwithftanding became abominable unto fucceed- . 
 
 «vith"ihe *Anci ^ ^Z appetices. At the Table of Heliogabalus^ the co nbs of Cocks were 
 
 ents.notfo an eftcemed fervice ; Tvhich country ftomacks will not admit at ours. 
 
 much cfleemcd The Sumen or belly and dugs of fwine with Pi:, and fometimes beaten 
 
 ^^^•^ and bruifed unto death : the Womb of the fame'Animal, efpeaally that 
 
 was barren, or elfe had calt her youn^ ones, though a tough awd mein- 
 
 branouspart, was magnified by Roman Pallats ; whereunto neverche- 
 
 iefs we cannot perfwade our ilom.ack^. . How A Uc^ Mnrla and Garum, 
 
 would humour our guft I know not ; but furely few there are that could 
 
 delight in their Cyceon ; that is, the comm.on draught of honey, cheefe, 
 
 parcht barley-flower, oyl and wine ; which notwithrtanding was a com- 
 
 n^cnded mixture, and in high efteem among them. We m.orrifie our 
 
 felves wiih the diet of fiili , and think we fare courfly if we refrain from 
 
 the flefh of other animals. But antiquity held another opinion hereof: 
 
 when Pythagoras in prevention of luxury advifed, not fo much as to taft 
 
 onfilli. Since, the Khodlam were wont to call them, clowns that eat 
 
 flelli: and fince P/^fo to evidence the temperance of the noble Greckj 
 
 beforeTriyy, obferved, thatit wasnotfoimd they fed on fil"h , though 
 
 they lay fo long near.the Jfc/lsfponty and was only obferved in the com- 
 
 Od /r.40. panions of Me-^slaus^ that bsing almoil ftarved, they betook rhem.felves 
 
 to filliing about P/?<«roy. 
 
 Nor will I fear ) the atteft or prefcript of Phylofophers and Phyliti- 
 ans, be a fufticient ground to confirm o: warrant com.m.on practice , as 
 is.deducible f rom ancient Write s , £r:oni Nippocrares ^ Galtn^ Simeon 
 » ;'i^."^ '■ A Stthi'. 2Jid the latter traces oi Nomas and CaJhllaKits. So Arifiotlc and 
 !AC«« derfdbi' Alhertpis commend the fle(h of young Hawk^ : Gulo: the flclli of Foxes 
 ''"• about Autumn when they feed on Grapes : but condem.neth Quails, and 
 
 ^rHum "' J^^^keth Geefe but with Oeftriges : which notwithf landing, prefent pra- 
 
 Gat.'tAlim.fac. t^ice and every table extolleth. Men think they have fared hardly, if 
 lib.^. in tinges of extrem.ity they have defcended fo lowasDo:;s: but Ga/in 
 
 G'<j/.5';»if'./<<f. (ielivereth, that yoiuig, fat, and gelded, they were the food of many 
 H-*^^ ,. Nations; and ///f/^o^rr^rf j ranketh the flefh of Whelps with that of 
 ^^iuptrfit ^ Birds: who alfo com m.ends them againft the Spleen, and to promote 
 conception. The opinion in (7^/<;«j time , which Plinj alfofolloweth, 
 deeply condemned Ho: fe-flelli, and conceived the very blood thereof 
 deftru(5^ive; but no diet is m.ore comm.on among the Tanars^ who alfo- 
 drink their blood. And though this may only feem an adventure oiNor- 
 ihr n ftomacks, yet as Herodotus tells us, in the hotter clime of Perfia^ 
 the fame was a convival diljh, and folemnly eaten at the feafts of their 
 nativities : whereat they dreffed whole Horfes, Camels and AfTes ; con- 
 temning the poverty of Grecian feafls, as unfurniflh 'd of diilies fufficienc 
 to fill x\\t bellies of their guefls. 
 
 Again^ While we confine our diet in feveral places, all things almoft 
 are eaten, ii' wet^ksin, the whole e^rth ; for that which is.refufed in 
 
 one 
 
Book. 3 . and Common Errours, 213 
 
 one counrrsy u ^cczozzi in another , and in the coUedive judgement 
 or the world, particular diftin^5;Uons .ire overthrown. Thus were ic not 
 h.ird to lliew, thxU Tygers, Elephants, Camels, Mice, Bats and others, 
 ^:iz the food of feveral countryes , and Lerim with others delivers, that 
 fo.ne ^w^'/c^^z-^eatofall kinds, net refraining Toads and Serpents: 
 and fome have run fo hi^h, as not tofpare th^ fleili of man : a pradice- 
 inexcufabl9> nor to be drawn into exampjgj^ a diet beyond the rule and 
 IrgelHndulgenceofGod. 
 
 As for the objeilion againft beafts and birds of prey, it acquitteth not 
 ourprail:ice,who obfervenotthii difiinilion in fillies; nor regard the 
 fam.e in our diet of Pikes, Perches and Eels ; nor are we excufed herein, 
 if we examine the ftomacks of Mackerels, Cods and Whitmgs. Nor is^ 
 the foulnefs of feed fufficient to juftifie our choice ; for (befide that their 
 natural heat is able to convert: the fame into laudible aliment ) we re^* - 
 fufe not m.any whofe diet is more impure then fome which we rejevil -, 
 as may be coniidercd in hogs, ducks, puets, and many more. 
 
 Thus we perceive the practice of diet doth hold no certain courfe,, . 
 nor folid rule of feleilion or confinement ; fome-in an indilHnc;t vora- 
 city eating almoll any, others out of a timerous pre-opinion, refraining 
 very many. W herein indeed necelfity, reafon and Phyfick, are the belt- ' 
 determinators. Surely m.any animals may be fed on, like many plants,- 
 thou^-hncr inalim.ental, yet medical confiderations : Whereas having 
 raifed Antipathies by prejudgement or education , w-e often naufeate 
 proper m.eats, and aohor that diet which difeafe or temper requireth. 
 
 Now whether it were not beft to conform unto the fim.ple diet of oun A Problem,' 
 forefathers, whether pure and fimple waters were not m.ore healthful 
 then fcrm.ented liquors ; whether there be not an ample futficiency^ 
 without all flelh, in the food of honey, oyl, and the feveral parts of- 
 milk : in the varieties of grains, pulfes, and all forts of fruits ; fince ei- 
 ther b"eid or beverage may be made almoftof ail? Whether Nations 
 have rightly confined unto feveral m.eats ? Or whether the comm.on 
 food-of one countrey be not m.ore agreeable unto another? howindi- ^ 
 funclly all tempers apply unto the fame, and how the diet of youth and 
 old age is confounded : were confiderations much concerning healthy , 
 and mi^ht prolong our dayes, but muft not this difcourfe. 
 
 E e\3 CHAPi^ 
 
-2 f 4 Enquiries into Vulgar Book . 3 . 
 
 CHAP. XXVI. 
 
 Of Sferma-Citl^ aijdthe Sperma-Ceti fvjjale. 
 
 \7 \J Hat Sperma-Ceti is, men mi. ht juftly doubt, fince the learn- 
 Ve miicmtri' 7 * ^^ Hofwamus in hi*4vork of Thirty years, faith plainly, N^j- 
 tiso^iin. " CIO quid fit. And therefore rtSed not wonder at the variety of opini- 
 ons ; while fome conceived it to htflos marls, ond many, a bituminous 
 fubllance floating upon the fea. 
 
 That it was not the fpawn of the Whale, according to vulgar conceit, 
 or nominal appellation, Phylofophers have alwayes doubted ; noteafi- 
 lyconceiTing the Seminal humour of Animals, fhould be inflamablc; 
 • , or of a floating nature. 
 
 That it proceedeth from the Whale, befide the relation of CUJins 
 
 and other learned obfervers , was indubitably determined , not m.any 
 
 yeai-s f.nce by a Spenna-Ceii Whale, caft on our Coall: of No;fAk^. 
 
 ' ^. Which , to lead on further enquiry, we cannot omit to inform. It con- 
 
 ^**^ ^ ^^ rained no lefs then fixty foot in length , the head fomewhat peculiar, 
 
 with a large prominency over the mouth ; teeth only in the lower jaw, 
 
 received into flel"hy fockets in the upper. The wei;:hc of the largest a- 
 
 houx. two pound : No griiUy fubHances in the m.outh, commonly called 
 
 Whale-bones ; only two fhort fins feated forwardly on the back ; the 
 
 NearH««/fj»- eyes but fm.all, the pizel large, and prom.inimt. AleflerWhale of this 
 
 '"»• kind about twenty years ago, was call up on the fam.e fhorc. 
 
 The defcription o! this Whale feems omitted by Gefm'r^ RondeUtlns, 
 and the fird Editions cf ^'y/iro-t/^,W/f J- , but defcribed in the Latin im- 
 prelTionof P^.rem, in the Exoticks of C/afptiy and the natural hiilory 
 of Nir€»:beriiHs j but m.ore am.ply in the Icons and figures of Johr.~ 
 (lonm. 
 ^^ Mariners (who are not the beft Nomenclators ) called it a fahartas, 
 ®* or rather Glbhartdi. Of the fame appellation we m.eet with one in 
 "A^f'dcietifis, called by the Fr; »r/?Gibbar< fom. its round and gibbous 
 back. The name G!kl>i^:rtn we find alfb given unco one kind of Green- 
 Und \\ hales : But this of ours Teemed not to anfwer th * V\ hale of that 
 denomination; but more agreeable unto the 7 >7/;?;/».2 or Sperma-Ceti 
 Wh.ile : according unto the account of out Gremhwd defcribers in ?nr- 
 chai. And m.aketh the third among the ei.^ht remarkable Whales of that 
 Caift. ' :. ^ 
 
 Out of the head of this Whale , having been dead divers daies, nnd 
 unier putrifadion, flowed dreams of oyl nnd Sperma-Ceti ; which was 
 carefully taken up end preferved by tlie Co.i{l:rs. But u';:on breaking up, 
 the Magnzin of Sperma-Ceti, was found in the head lying in foulds nnd 
 co'urfes, in the bignefs of goofe e 'gs , encompafl'ed with large flaky fub- 
 llanccs, as large as a iXi\\\i head, in form of hony-combs, very white and 
 full ofovl. ^ " Some 
 
Book. 5 . and Common Brrom. 2 1 < 
 
 Some refemblance or trace hereof there feetns to be in the Vhyfiter 
 or Capidolioo^ %pndeletiHSy while he delivers, 'that afatnefsmore li- 
 quid then oyl, runs from the brain of that animal ,• which being our, the 
 Reliquesare like theskales of Sardines prefled into a mafs j which melt- 
 ing with heat, are ai;ain concreted by cold. And this many conceive to 
 have been the fiili which rwallowed /<?»/«. Akhoiii.h for tb; lar'cnef? 
 of the mouth, and frequency in rhofe feas, m.ay poifibly be the Lam'n'.. 
 
 Som.e part of the Sperma-Ceti found on the lliore was pure, and need- 
 ed little depuration ; a great part m.Lxed withfelid oyl, needing good 
 preparation , and frequent exprelHon , *to bring it to a flaky coniiften- 
 cy. And not only the head, but other parts contained it. For the car— 
 nous parts being roafted , the oyl dropped our, an axun^^ious and thicker 
 parr fubfiding ; the ovl it felf contained alfo much in 'it, and flill after 
 many years lome is obtained from ir. 
 
 Grecnh-rd Enquirers feldome meet with a Whale of this kinde : and 
 therefore it is but a contingent com.modity, nor reparable from any o-' 
 thtr. It flameth white and candent like Champ hire , but diflblveth not 
 in^^'^^/orr/j, likeit. Som.e lumps containing about two ounces, kept 
 ever f^nce in water, afford a frefh, and flofculous fmell. Well prepared . 
 and feparated from the oyl , it is of a-fubftancc unlikely to decay , and 
 m.ay out-Iall the oyl required in the compofition oiMathiolm. 
 
 Of the large quantity of oyl, what firft came fo th by exprelTion from 
 thzSper??:a Ceti y grew very white and clear , like that of Almonds or 
 Ben. what cam.c by deco6lion was red. It was found to fpend much in . 
 the vefl'els which contained it: It freezeth or coagulateth quickly with 
 cold, and the newer fooneft. It fee ms different from the oyl of any 
 other anim.al , and very miuch fruftratcd the expe6lation of our foap- 
 boilers, as not incorporating or mingling with their lyes. But it m.ix- 
 eth well with painting colours, though hardly drieth at all. Combers of 
 wool I made ufe hereof, and Country people for cuts, aches and hard tu- 
 rn, ours. It may prove of good m.edical ule , and fer\x for a ground in 
 com.pounded oyls and balfomes. Diftilled, it affords a Itrong oyl, with a ^ 
 quick and piercing water . Upon Evaporation it gives a balfame, which is 
 rctter performed with Turpentine diflilled with Sperma-Ceti. 
 
 Hnd the abomJnable fcent permitted , enquiry had been made into ■- 
 that flrangc compofure of the head, and hillock of fledi about it. Since 
 the workmen .iflfirm.ed, they m.et with Sperma-Ceti before they came tc 
 the bone , and the head yet preferved, feems to confirm the fame. The 
 fphinilers infer\'ing I'Jito the Fiftula or fpouc , mi^ht have been examin- 
 ed, fince they are fo notably contrived in other cetaceous Animals j as 
 alfo the Larynx or Throtle , whether anfwerable unto th.it of Dolphins 
 and Porpofes in the ftrange compofure and figure which it maketh. 
 what figure the flomack mairitained in thl? animal of one jaw o^ teeth, 
 fince in Porpofes which abound in both, the ventricle is trebly divided, 
 and fince in that formerly tal^n nothing was found but vv^eds and a Lo- 
 
 ligo. . 
 
,2j^ Enquiries into ^d^ar Book. 5 
 
 ligo. The heart, lungs, and kidneys, had not efcaped ; wherein are re- 
 markable differences from animals of rhe land, likewife what humor the 
 bladder contained, but efpecialiy thefeminal parts, which mii^ht have 
 determined the difference of that humour , from this which beareth its 
 name. 
 
 In vain it was to rake for Ambergreece in the panch of this Levla- 
 
 thany zs Greenland di^cowt^tii y and attefte of experience dii^ate , that 
 
 they fometimesfwallow great lumps thereof inthefea; infufferable fe- 
 
 tour denying th.it enquiry. And yet if, as Tar^celfUs encourageth, Or- 
 
 Cui dutcis odor ^^^^ n^akes the bell Musk , and from the moft felid fubftanccs may be 
 
 tu ri ex re drawn the moft odoriferous Eflences ; all that h;id not FcfpafMns Nofe, 
 
 ■quiUbet. might boldly fwear, here was a fubjecl fit for fuch extradions. 
 
 CHAP. XXVII. 
 
 ConiJ^endloHjly of fttndry Tenents coKcern'wg other ey^nima/s, which 
 examined , frov: ehhcr falfe or dHbiottt. 
 
 A 
 
 Nd firft from great Antiquity , and before the Melody of 5)- 
 , rens^ the Mufical note or Swans hath been commended , and 
 that they fmg moft fweetly before their deith. For thus we read in Pla- 
 to, that from the opinion of M:teniffnchofis -, or tranfmigrationof the 
 fouls of men into the bodies of beafts moft futableunto their humane 
 condition, after his death, Or/?/?: «i the Mufician became a Swan. Thus 
 \Yas-it the bird of ^fr-llo the god of Mufick by the greeks ; and an Hie- 
 roglyphickof mufick among the c/£^^)'/?r/^»^, from whom the Greeks 
 derived the conception : hath been the affirmation of many Latines,and 
 hath not wanted aflertors alm.oft from every Nation. 
 
 All whiirh notwithftanding, we find this relation doubtfulty received 
 
 Of S«2nj,'ind by cyEHan, as an hear- fay account by Bellonim, as a falfe one by Plinyy 
 
 their fingin^i expreOy refuted hyA'fyndlus in Athen^^nsy and feverely rejefled by Sca- 
 
 beforc ceath. Hger-^ whofe words unto C*:r^*T« are thefe. 1)e Cygnl vrro ca-atH fna- 
 
 V'jjitr auem cum '^ arent e mendac lorum Grecciaja^iare anfus cs, ad Lucl- 
 
 ani tr'ihtsnal, afudqum jjovi clu^uid d'lcai , Jtatiio, Authors alTo that 
 
 foimtenance it, fpeak not fuisl\i6"io.iIy of it. Some affirm.ing they fing 
 
 not till ihey die, fome that they fing, yet die not. Som.e fpeak gene ral- 
 
 -ly, as though this note were in all ; Tome biit particularly , as though it 
 
 were only.in fome -, fome in places remote, an.i where we can have no 
 
 trial of it ;. others in place;? where eve-y experience can refute it; as Al- 
 
 drovandm upon ; elation, delivered, concerning the Mufick of the Swans 
 
 Tlie figuration on the river of Thames near Londov. 
 
 •to be found in jsJow that which countcn-mceth, and probably c onfirmerh this opini- 
 Eiks, ar.d nx ^,^^ j^ ^j^^ fttange and unufual conformation of the wind pipe , or vocal 
 in corrraion (,j.£an iii this animal : obferved firft by Aldrovandm, an:! conceived by 
 
 fome 
 
3ogk« 3 And Common €rr&urg. ^ty 
 
 fome contrived for this imention. For in itsleirgtb it-farexcccdeth 
 , the gullet; add hath m the cheft a finuous revolution, tbjt isi when it art- 
 fah from the Iungs,tt afeendeth out direiily unto therhrciat,but <kfcend- 
 ingfiriUnto a capfulary reception of the bteaft boncjbya Serpentine and 
 Trumpet recurvation it afeendeth again into the neckj- and fo by length 
 thereof a great quantity of ayr is received; and by the figure thereof 
 a Mufical modulation effefle'd. But to fpeak indinerently, this formati- 
 on of the Weazon , isnot peculiar unto the Swan , but common alfo 
 unto the Platca or Shovelard, a bird of no mufical throat ; And as Jli- 
 drovandtis confefferh , may thus be contrived in- the Swaij to contain a 
 larger Hock of ayr , whereby bein^ to feed on weeds at the bottom, they 
 mi^lit the longer fpace detain theit heads under water. But were this 
 formation peculiar, or had they unto this effe<Sl an advantage from this 
 part : yet have they a. "known and open difadvantage from another ; that 
 is, a flat-bill. For no Latiroilrous animal (whereof neverthelefs thete are 
 no {lender num.bers) were ever commended for their note, or account- 
 ed among thofe animals which havi been inftrufled to fpeak. ' 
 
 "When therefore we confider the dilfention of Authors, the falfity of 
 relatiom, the indifpofition of the Organs , and the imm.ufical note of 
 all we ever beheld or heard of; if generally taken- and comprehending 
 all Swans, or of all places, we cannot aflenc thereto. Surely he that 
 is bit with a Tarantula, fl^all neve; be cured by this tnuficic 5 ahd witfe«h$ 
 fime hopes we expe6l to hear theharm.ony of the Spheres. ' nirn^ 
 
 2. That there is a fpecial propriety in the flelli of Peacocks , roaft «!• Ofthc Pv««' 
 boiled, to preferve a long time incorrupted, hath been the affertion of *^°^ * 
 m.any; ftandsyet confirmed by v^;<y?/» , De Civhate Deii^^hy'.GfgAf 
 Scmfronws-^ m AldrovaiidHs ; and the fame txperihient we can. obfififm 
 our felves, in the brawn or flefhy parts of Peacocks fo Ranged up with , . , 
 thred, that they touch no place whereby to contrail a moyfture : and 
 hereof we have made tryal both in fummer and winter. The reaibn , 
 fome, I perceive, attempt to. make out from the ficcityanddrinefsof its 
 fleili , and fome are content to reft in a.fecret propriety thereof. 1 As for' 
 the ficcity of the flelli, it is m.ore remarkable in other' animals,' asrBat> 
 gles, Hawks, and birds 6f prey ; That it is apropfiety or agreeable unaiv 
 none other, we cannot with reafon admit : for the fame prefervatiofl,' 
 or rather incorruption we have obferved in the flellt of Turkeys,Capons,' , 
 Hares, Partridge, Vcnifon, fufpended freely in the ayr, and afecpa year 
 and a half, dogs, have not refufed to ear them. , • I : ^ • ; '. < j - • 
 
 As for the other conceit, that a PeacacWis alliamed when :he tofiite iofi^ 
 his legs, as is commonly held , and aifo' delH^er^d by Cdrda/(V^^<^ 
 what hath been faid againft it hy Scaligeri kt them believe thbt hofcf 
 fpecial deformities ; or that any < part can f^em uolMndrbme ro their 
 eyes, which hath appeared go<?i and beautiful uflto their 'makers. Thfr 
 
 '^ Ff occafion 
 
ttiS * Enquiries ii^o Vuloar Book. 5, 
 
 bccifionof this conceit, might firft arifc from a common obfervari- 
 on, that when they are in their pride, ihat is, advance their train, it 
 ;b€y decline their neck to the ground^ they prefently demit, and kt 
 \fy\\ the (iime : .which indeed they cannot othervvife do ; for con- 
 ftra<ftino their body, and being forced to draw in their forepart!^ to 
 e(^abiitn , the hinder in the elevation of thitriin.; if the foreparts de- 
 part and incline to. the ground, the hinder gcovv too weak, andfufl-er 
 rthe fame to iaUij ^d, cheifame iiLfome de§iiee is alfo obfervable in 
 -Turkeys.-. ' , : ■. ■ , . > ' ■ ■ 
 
 01 h <; Ir 3.TharSforksaretobefound,and will only live in Republikeso: Free 
 °^ * States, is a pretty conceit to advance the opinion of popular policie?, 
 and from Antipathies in nature, to difparage Monarchical Govern- 
 ment. But how far agreeable unto truth, let them confider who 
 reade inTZ/yy, th.it among the Thejfallafis who were governed by 
 Kings, and much abounded with Serpents, it was no Icfle then capital 
 to kill a Stork. That the ancient Egyptians honoured them, whofe 
 Government was from all times Monarchical. That Bellomm aflfirmerh 
 men make them nefls vafrfiyice. That relations make them comm.on in 
 *TtrJta^ and the dominions of the g^eat Turk^ And laftiy, how Jeremy 
 the Prophet delivered hin:felf unto his country-men, whofe governm.ent 
 
 Jer.8,7, walsatitbat time Monarchical, The Stork in heaven knoweth her ap- 
 poiated times, the Turtle, Crane and Swallow obfer\^e the time of their 
 coming, but my people know not the judgment of the Lord. V\ herein 
 to exprobate their ftupidity, he tnduceth the providence of Storks. Now 
 if the bird had been unknown, the illuftratian had been 0bfcu.re.4nd the 
 cxprobation not fop roper. .Kvdb- n-.ii • 
 
 4. That a Bittor maketh that muti.enc noyre,or as we term it tumping-, 
 
 r\c .1.. tj-.» . by puttinp, its bill into a reed as moft believe, or as BelloKtm and Aldro- 
 vnndHi conceive, by putting the fame in water or m.ud, and after a whi4c 
 retaining the ayr by fuddedly excluding' it again , is not fo eafily made 
 out. For my own part, though after diligent enquiry , I could never be- 
 hold them in this motion ; Notwith(bnding by others whofe' obfervati- 
 ons we have exprcfly requefted, we are informed, that fome have boheld 
 ihem making this noife on the (liore, their bills being far enough remo- 
 ved from reed or water ; that is, firft ftron^ly attrading tb^ ayr, and un- 
 to a manifert diftenrion of the neck, and prefently after with great con- 
 tention and violence excluding the fame again. As for what others af- 
 firm of putting thei: bill in water or mud > it is alfo hird to make our. 
 For what may be obfervedfrom any that walketh the Fens, thete is little 
 intermiirion,nor any obfervable pawfe,between the drawing in and fend- 
 ing forth of their breath. And the expiration o breathing forth doth not 
 only produce a noife, but the infpiration or hailing in of the ayr , afford- 
 <ib ^ found th^c may be \&n^ aigfioH a fU^bc-ihoc^ 
 
 Now. 
 
Book. ,5, mdComiO'^ErrQurs, 3, u.*J# 
 
 Now the reafon of this i|range*and peculiar nolTe, -iscfcdMjefi^'from 
 the conformation of the wind-pipe , which in this bird is diftereniC from 
 other volatiles. For at the upper, extream it harh no fit Larinx;,- or throt- 
 tle to qualifiethe found, and at the other end, by two branches deriveth 
 it felf into the lungs. Which divifion conlifteth only of Semicircular fi- 
 bers, and fuch as attain but lialf way round the part ; by which formation; 
 they are dilatable into larger capacities ^_zti<\ are able to contain a fuller 
 proportion of ayr ; which being with violence fent up the weazon, and 
 finding no refiftance by the Larinx , it iffucth forth in a found like that 
 from caverns, and fuch as fometim.es fubterraneouseruptions,from hol- 
 low rocks afford. As -^/-/y?(?r//'obferveth in ,^. Problem, and is obfervable g^^ j^^- 
 in pitchers, bottles, and that ipftrument which A^e^enfa upon that Pro- ' * ^ 
 blem defcribeth , vyherevvirf? in J^rifiotle^s,t\r(yQ,G^i^zs_ affrighted 
 birds. '• ' , ; . ' ' - 
 
 Whether the large perfora^tioiis of the extren^ities of the weazon, in 
 the abdomen^ adm.itting large quantify of ayr within the cavity of its 
 memhrans, as It doth in fro^s ; may not much: affift this- magiency or 
 boation, may alfobe con(idered,j|ior fuch as bwe behei4 them making 
 tVis noyfe out of the v\ater,',obfery^;a largeidi^n^n,jU^tbei|:;i^ 
 their o Qinary note is but like that of a 'Ravea. ,,; .jfj or'v/ . |'.i;-^fKN.) no' 
 5. That whelps are blind nine days, and then begin Do fee. Is' the com- 
 mon opinion of all, and fome will be apt enough to defcend unto oaths, ^^ Whelpii 
 upon it. But this I find not aiifwerable unto experience; for upon a* 
 ftiicl obfervation of many j 1 have fear ce found any that fee- -the niiieth; 
 day , few before the twelfth , and the eyes of fome not open before the. ^^ 
 
 fourteenth day. And this is agreeable unto the determiiiation of Ari- ■ ^-0 
 
 flotle : who computeth th? time of their anopfie or noi)-vifion ^hy thac 
 of their geCbtion. For fome, faith lie, do go with their ypui^g the fikc 
 part of a year, twodayes over or under, that is, about fixty -daies or nint 
 weeks ; mi the whelps of thefe fee not_tilVtwelv5:.dayes. !§cime goithc' 
 fift part of.a year^ that is, feventy onedaie?, andYtbefe, faith.bv, iee ti^cs 
 before the fou teenty day. Others do go the fourth part of ayear , tbar. 
 is, three whole^ m.o^eths, and thefe, faith he,, are without fight no >lefs\ 
 thenfeventaei>^ayes.Wherein althoiigh the accoujits be differeiM:^ yd: 
 doth the leaftcherepf exceed ^Ip.v term pf nine d^yes,\ which is fo genC)-* 
 rally^receivedw^ An<i!l^i^r;C<^^5>P*^ ^^' \4'^A^^'^^i^. 4^}h .§ejae?aily over-^: 
 thro\\{ tlie comjQ^pi-^ caufe, allediged foir tpis eff^^l:, that ii,.a'!^e<;ipitattoni 
 or ovcr-hafty excljilloi) -before the birthJ^e .p;>?rfet> ,r aefetording ' untd thei 
 vulgar adage, pefii^mj ca^i^;C£casf>ar{t c^fff/o/-; ft)r herein;|:be whelps of^ 
 lonsjeft geftafipniare ^alfoth^.latel^in v^ilioj?' Th^rmSiniiivr hereof is this. 
 At,;^he firft-lijttering, their eyesore faftly clpf^d, ,Ehat U^ by co.iiition ot 
 loy^airrgvtpgetll^r DCt:he^e,^lids„ and fo,'fi$^ptinue unpl about the wetftk 
 
 ' Ff2 .ffisduioj-jfia-Eted 
 
 1. itiC 
 
tftio Enquiriet into VulgAi^ Book,^. 
 
 parted ttAtftcict J they open at rhe inward canthis or greater angle of the 
 eye , and fo by degrees dilate rhemfclves quire open. An effci^ very 
 ftrange , and the caufe of much obfcuf ity , wherein as yet mens enqui- 
 ries are blind, and fatisfa(ftiou acquirable from no man. What ever it 
 be,thuij mijih w^ may'obi^rve,thofe animals are.only exclucled without, 
 fight, Whicl!iai:«'mukiparou^nndmukifidous> th.it is, vyhtch h.n'^ ma- 
 ny4ta Irtter,* and hive alfo their feetoivided into many pbrtrcn?. For 
 the Swine, althoujih multipa-ous, yet biting bifulcous , and only clovcu 
 hoofvid, is not ej^tiiided in this manner, but farrowed wich open eyes , as 
 other bifulcous animals. . ; ■; /" . 
 
 O: aToM ^i. 6. The Antipathy betweeh^ k To.id ^ i ^ider , and that they poi- 
 a S i ia<r. fottoufiy deftroy^ach other , is very iam.oiis ,' ' and folemn ftories have 
 been vVritren of their combats ; wherein moft co.iimoiily the vi£tory is. 
 given unto the Spider. Of what Toads and Spiders it is to be underftood 
 would be confidered. For the Phalangium and deadly Spiders, are dif- 
 ferent from thofe we generally behold in England. However the ve- 
 rity hereof, as alfo of many others, we cannot but defire ; for here- 
 by we mi^ht be flirely provided of pfoper Antidotes in cafes which 
 ftf^uit^ rh^rti ; btrt' vv^st we have -obfervedhereii), we cannotin rea- 
 fon conceal J who having in a glaite mcluded a Toad with feveral Spi- 
 ders, we beheld the Spiders witFout , refiftance to fit upon his head and 
 ■" ' paflc GN-er all his body, which at laft upon advantage he fwallowed 
 down,; and that in few houres, unto the nmnber of feven. And in 
 tiie like ' iJj^ianner will Tbads alto firye Bees, - and ate accounted etie-r 
 mios^mo their- Hives.-' '-' ' ■', ■^'•' ''';'••■' -'i '^ 
 P^" ^''"? 7.A'3i)cfft^^ a Lion be alfo afraid' of a Cock, as is related by many, 
 
 anaaC>c . an:; bei.jJe'i ed by m.ofi:, were very eafie in fome places to make trial. 
 AlrhoiK-h how- far they ftand in fear of th-at Animal, we may fuffici- 
 emiiptundc'ftand, from.whAtis delivered by f-^^wr/^r/;*;, whofe words. 
 in! ' hi«M 1 ymbol s are thefe ; Nojhls tem^orih-^s tn AHlaftr:mffiml Prin - 
 cjfis B ku^r'vJty H-mu ex L^rith^ts mrrts fai'tibm iHv'tcwatn c 'j'lfdam da- 
 ii>Hi:areapi,f:ftdimlJit^Hbl ^alfi»acior*ew canhim aitt cU'^'ores nihil re- 
 fcrtnvdam^ 'i^ftsui-'A.ttm^l'-r'mU galllnisdevor^vlt. That is, in our 
 rime in the Court of the Prince of Bavarld] ohk of the Lions leaped 
 down into a net hbours yard, where nothing regarding the crowing or 
 naifc of the Cocks, he eat them up with many other Hens.An; there- 
 fore avei'y unfafe defeniati-.e it is ^:p.'mi\ the Itity di this Animal (and 
 furely nobLtterthen Vi"v:inityo btood-royal) which T'/iA/y doth place 
 r^factificUi in Cock-broth: Fo- herev\iih, fiith he, whoever is anointed (efpc- 
 trmiffa. ^j^jly j£ iTj-grlick be boiled therein} no Lion or Panther will touch him. 
 But of an higher nature it wefe, and more exalted Antipathy, if fb:c 
 wcDe certain \\\^chProfiits delivers, that I'ojary Diemattf^ and liich as 
 appear in the iliape of Lion, willdifappear aod vaniih, if a Cock be pr^- 
 fcnced upon chcm. 
 
 8, It 
 
Book. 3. dndCommon Errom, 221 
 
 8. It is generally conceived, an earvvig hath no wings, and is 
 reckoned amon^ft impennous infeds by many ; but he that fhall 
 narrowly obferve them, orrtiallwith a needle put afide the fliort 
 and ihearhie cafes on their back, may extend and draw forth two 
 win^s 6f a proportion tble length for fii^hr, and larger then in many 
 fli^sT The experimeutof *P.W/« isyet moreperfej^, who with a 
 ruili or briftie fo pricked them a.^ to make them flie. 
 
 9. That worms are exanguious Animals, and fuch as have no o/Wurmes 
 blood at all, is the determination of Phylofophy, the general o- 
 
 pinion of Scholars, and I know not well to diffenc from thence m.y 
 h;lfe. If fo, furely we want a proper terme whereby to exprefle 
 that humour in them, which fo flri£lly refembleth blood: and we 
 rd;er it unto the clifcernmenc of others what to determine of that red 
 and fanguineous humour, found m.ore plentifully about the Torquis 
 or carneous circle cf great worms in theSprin3,aftording in linnen or 
 paper an indifcernable tiniliire from bloo i. Or wherein that differeth 
 from'a vein,\Yhich in an apparent blew runneth along the body, and if 
 dexterioufly pricked with a lancet, emitteth a red drop, which prick- 
 ed on either fide it will not readily afford. 
 
 In the upper parts ol worms, there are likewife found certain > 
 wliite and oval olandulofities, which Authors terme egges, and in 
 m.agnifying piaffes they alfo reprefent them ; how properly, m.ay 
 alfo be enquired, fince if in them there be diftinitron of Sexes, thefe " 
 egge^ are to be found in both. For in that which is prefUmed to 
 b^ their coition, th.t is, their uiual complication, or lateral adhe- 
 fion above the ground, * dixidin.- fuddenty with two knives the adhe- 
 ring parts of both. I have founirhefe egges in.either. 
 
 10. ThatFlies, Bees, &c.do make thit noife o" humming found by 
 their mouth, or,as m.any believe,wiih their v\ in .,s only, would be more 
 warily afferted^ if we confulted the determination of Ariflotl:, who, 
 as mlundry other pl.t ces, {rimorecxpreflyin his book of refpiration, 
 affirmcth thi^ foi.nd :o be made b) the illi.on of an inward fpirit upon 
 a pellicle or little membrane about the precinil: or perioral divifion 
 of their body. Jf we alfo confi^'er that a Bee or Flie, fo it be able to 
 move the boJy, will buz, though its head be off; that it will do the 
 like if deprived of wings, refcning the head, whereby the body may 
 be the better moved. An • thar fome alfo which are big and live- 
 ly will hum without either headorwing* 
 
 Nor is it only the beating upon ;his little membrane, by the in- 
 ward and connatural fplit, as Ariftotle detjermines, or the outward 
 air, as Scaliger convciveth, which affordeth this humming noife, 
 bttC mojft of the oth^r parts may alfo concurre hereto ; as will 
 
 be 
 
2 2:1 €n(luiri€S into Vulgar Book. 3. 
 
 be manifcft, if while chey hum we hy our finder on the back or other 
 parts, for chereupon will be felc a ferrous or jarrinj motion, like 
 that which happenech while we blow on che teeth of a conbe 
 through paper ; andfo if the head or oiher parts of the trunk be 
 touched with oyle, the found will be much empaired, if not deftroy-. 
 ed ; for thofe being alfo dry and m.embranous parts, by attricion' 
 of the fpirit do help to advance the noife ; And therefore alfo the 
 found is ftron^eft in dry weather, and very weak in raiuy feafon, 
 and toward Winter ; for then the air is moifl, and the inward fpirit 
 growing weak , makes a languid and dumb allifion upon the 
 parts. . . - .:- 
 
 II. There is found in the Sum.mer a kinde of Spider", called >" 
 Tain6l, of a red colour, and fo little of "body that ten of the largeft' 
 Nvill hardly out wei^h a grain ; rhisby Countrey-people is accounted 
 a deadly poifon unto Cows and Horfes ; who if they fuddenly die, 
 andfvvell thereon, afcribe their death hereto, and will commonly 
 fay, they have licked a Taindl;. Now to fatisfi© the doubts of men, 
 , we have called this Tradition unto experiment; we have given here- 
 of unto Dogs, Chickens, Calves and Horfes, arid not in the lingular * 
 number ; yet never could finde the leaft difturbance enfue. "fliere 
 muft be therefore other cauies enquired of the fudden death and 
 fwellingof cattel ; and perhaps this infecl is miftaken, andunjuftly 
 accufed for fome orher. For fome there are which from elder times 
 have been obferved pernicious unto cartel, as the Bupreftis or Burft- 
 cow, the Pityocamp orEruca Pinuum, hy Dl of cor ides ^ G^/t'^, antj 
 c>£fif«, theStaphilinus defcribed by Arlfietle and others, or thcfc 
 red Phalangious Spiders like Canthirides mentioned by OMtijfetfu-. 
 Now although the Animal may be miftaken, and the opinion alfo 
 falfe, yet in the ground or reafon which m.akes m.en moll: ro doubt 
 the verity hereof, there may be truth enough, that is, the in- 
 conlideraole quantity of this infed. For that a poifon cannot 
 deftroy in fo Analla bulk, we have no reafon to affirm.. For if 
 as Lto zAfncanui repotteth, the tenth pai-t of a grain of the poi- 
 fon of Nhbia will difpatcha man in two houres; if the bite of 
 a Viper and fting of a Scorpion, is not conceived to impart 
 fo much; if the bice of lan Afp , will kill wirhin an houre^ 
 yet the imprelfion feared ' >inbie, .and the poifon conmum- 
 cated not ponderable ;^ 'we. cannot as impolTible rejetl thi^ 
 way of dellruilion ; or deny the ^power of death in lb narrow a 
 circumfcription. 
 
 12. Wondrous 'things are promifed from the GIow-w;6i:m; 
 ih-ereof perpetual Ji_,hts are preteijded, a;ii: waters. ftM "to ^- 
 
 aTmned 
 
Book. 3 . and Common Enmrs, 
 
 diftilled which afford a luftre in the night ; and this is aficrted by 
 Cardan^ Alhrtus, (jdHdentinus^ Miz>a/dm, and many more. But 
 hereto we cannot withreafon alient ; for the lii^ht made by tliis 
 AnimAl- (depends upon a living i]-irir, and leems'by fome vital rr- 
 racistion to be ai'tuated into this lufire. For wh>:in they are dead 
 they lluiienor, nor alwayes v^hile they live, but are obfcure,or 
 li^ht, according to the ditfufion of this fpirir, andtheprotrufion'cf 
 their luminous part>, as obfervationwill inftruci u^, For this flam- 
 mcousii^hr is not over all the body, but only vilible on the inward 
 -fir'e ; in"a fmallvvhite part near the tail. When this is full and 
 feemcrli protruded, there arifeth a Fame of a citcular figure and 
 Emerald green colour; which is difcernable in any dark place 
 then day ; .but when it falleth and feemeth contw^'ledy the lioht 
 diiappeareth, and the colour of that part only remainech. Now 
 this liiht, as it appearcth and difappeareth in their life, fodoth 
 it go quite out at their death. As we have obfcrved in fome 
 which preiervcd in frdK grafle have lived and fhined eighteen 
 dayes ; bur as they declined, their light grew languid, and at laft 
 went out with their lives. Thus alfo xhtToi'pjdo^ which alive hath 
 a power to ftupifie at adittance, bath, none upon conca6lion beinc 
 dead, as Galen and Rondeletlus jparticularly experiir.ented. And 
 this hathaUb difappoimed the mifchief of thofe incendons, which- 
 ftudy the advancement of poifons ; and flmcie dcftruttive. com.po- 
 ilrionsfrom Afps orVipe-s teeth, from Scorpions oi Horner ttin^s. 
 For thefe omit their elEcacy inthe death of the individu.U, and a6l 
 butdependantly on their formis. And thus far alio thofe Philofo- 
 phersconcut with us, which held the Sun and Starres were livin^ 
 creatures, fob they conceived their luftre depended oa their livesi; 
 but if they ever died, their light muft alfo pcriili. 
 
 And whether the light of Animah, which do not occafionally 
 l>iine from contingent caufes, be not of itin unco the light of hea- 
 ven; whether the invihble flame of life received in a convenient 
 matter, may not become viiibie, and the diffiifed aetherial li^ht make 
 little Hars by con^lobation in idoneous parts ©f the compofitum; 
 whether alfo it may not have fome original irt the feed and fpirit a- 
 nalOpOusunto the Element of Starres, whereoffom.eglimpfeis oH- 
 fervable in the littk refulgent humour at the firft attempts of for- 
 mation ; Philofophy may yet enquire. 
 
 True it is, th t a Clow worm will aftbrd a feint light, almofta 
 dayesfpacewhen many will conceive it dead; ^ but this isamiftake 
 inthe com.pute of death, and term cf difanimation ; for indeed,it is 
 i¥)t thea dead, bur if itbe diftcnded will flowiy contra^ it felf again, . 
 
 which » 
 
 223 
 
324 
 
 Book. 5 
 
 Enqdriei into f^ulj^ar 
 
 which when it cannot do, it cctifcth to flriine any more. And to 
 fpeak Ikidly, it is no eafie matter to determine the point of 
 death in infe^ls and crearures who h.ive not their vitaJicies radi- 
 cally confined unto one part ; for they are not dead when they 
 ceale to move or afford the viable evidences of life ; as may be 
 obfer\'edin flies, who when they appear even ciefperite and quite 
 forfaken of their formes; by vertue of the Sunne or war me 
 aihes will be revoked unto life, and perform its functions a- 
 gam. 
 
 Now whether this luftre, a while remaining .ifter death, depend- 
 eth not (Uil upon thefirftimpreffion, and light communicated or 
 raifedfrom an inward ffirir, lubhliing a while in a moift and apt re- 
 cipient, nor long con inuing in this, or the more remarkable /;?- 
 dian Glow-wo.m or whether it be of another nature, and 
 proceederh from, different caufes of illumination ; yet feeing fince 
 it confefledly fubnlkth fo little a while after their lives, how to 
 make perpetual lights, and fublunary m.oons thereof as is pretend- 
 ed, we rationally doubt, though not fo fharply deny, with Scallger 
 and MnffetHi. 
 
 1 1. The wifdom of the Pifmire is magnified by all, and in the 
 Panegyricks of their Providence we alwayes meet with this, that 
 to prevent the growth of corne which they (lore np, they bite 
 off the end thereof: And fome have conceived that from hence 
 they have their name in Hebrew : From whence arifcrh a con- 
 ceit that corn will not grow if the exrreams be cut or broken. 
 But herein wefinde no fecurity to prevent its germination ; as ha- 
 ving made trial in grains, whofe ends cut oft have notwithrtanding 
 fuddenly fprouted, and according to the Law of their kinds; 
 that is, the roots ofbarley and oats at contrary ends, of wheat 
 and rye at the fame. And therefore fome have delivered that 
 after rainy weather they dry rhefe grains in the Sun ; which if 
 efteilml, we muft conceive to be m-idein a high de.;ree and above 
 the progrefTion of Malt ; fo: that Male will grow, this year hath for- 
 med us,and that unto a pe;feil: ear. nine 
 
 And if that be true which is delivered by Inauy, and we fhall further 
 experiment, that a deco^liion of Toad-ffools if poured upon earth, 
 will produce the fam.e again : If Sow-thiftles will abound in places 
 gcnera'.ion in manured with dung of Hogs vyhich feed much upon that plant: 
 Homogcnc- jf horfe-dung ■ reproduceth oats ;' if v>indes and raines will tranfpo t 
 thefeminils of plants; irvvillnot'beeafie to determine where the 
 power of generation ceafeth. The forms of things m.ay be deeper- then 
 we conceive them ; feminal principles may not be dead in the di- 
 vided 
 
 NamiUircum 
 eidit. 
 
 A natural vi 
 cifficude of 
 
 uus thing'' 
 
Book 5. andcommonErroru 255 
 
 vided atoms of plants; but wandering iiuhe ocean ofnature, when they ^ 
 hit upon proportionable materials, may unite, and return to their vifible 
 felvcs again. 
 
 But the prudence of this animal is by Knawingjpeircinp, or otherwifc, 
 to deftroy the litlc nebbe or principal of germination. Which notwith- 
 ftanding is not cafily difcoverable;it being no ready bufinefs to meet with 
 fiich grains in Anthills; and he muft dig deep,that will Tcck them in the 
 Winter. 
 
 Chap. XXVIII. 
 of Jome others, 
 
 THat a Chicken is formed out of the yelk of the egg, was the opinion of the Chick- 
 offome ancient Philofophers. Whether it be not the nutriment ens. 
 of the Pullei, may alfo be confidered : Since umbilical veffels are ca- 
 ried unto it : Since much of the yelk rcmaineth after the Chicken is form- 
 cd:Since in a Chicken newly hatchcd,the ftomack is tinfted yellow, and 
 the belly full of yelk, which is drawn in at the navel or umbilical veflels 
 toward the vent,as may be difcerned in Chickens,within a day or two bc» 
 fore exclufion. 
 
 Whether the Chicken be made cut of the white, or that be not alfo its 
 aliment,is likewife very queftionablcrSince an umbilical veffelis derived 
 unto it: Since after the formation and perf eft (hape of the Chicken, 
 much of the white remaineth. j^ 
 
 Whether it be not made out of the grando, gallature, germ or 
 tred of the egg, A?, Aqnapendente and ftrifter enquiery informeth us, 
 doth fecm of lefTer doubt : for at theblunter end it is not difcovered af- 
 ter the Chicken is formed; by this alfo the yelk and white are con« 
 tinued, whereby it may conveniently receive its nutriment from them 
 both. 
 
 Now that from fuch (lender materials, nature (hould effeft this pro- 
 duftion, it is no more then is obferved in other animals •, and even in 
 grains and kernels, the greatefl partis but the nutriment of that genera- 
 tive particle, fo difproportionable unto k. . 
 
 A greater difficulty in the doftrine of eggs, is, how the fperm of the ^^* 
 Cock prolificates and makes the oval conception fruitful, or how it at- 
 taineth unto every egg, fince the vitellary or place of the yelk is ver/ 
 highrSince the ovary or part where the white involveth it , is in the fe- 
 cond region of the matrix, which is fomewhat long and inverced ; Since 
 alio a Cock will in one day fertilitate the whole recemation or ciuftcr of 
 eggSjWhich are not excluded in many weeks after. 
 
 Butthsfe at laft, and how in the Cicatricula or little pale circle 
 formation firft beginncih, how the Grando or tre-dle , are but the poles 
 
 G g and 
 
226 Enquiries into Vulgar Book. 6. 
 
 and eftabiiiliing particles of the tender mcmbrans, firmly confcrving 
 the floating parts, in their proper places, with many other obferva- 
 bks, that occular Philofopher, and fingular difclofcr of truth, Dr. 
 Harvey hath difcoveredj in that excellent difcourfeof Generation ; So 
 (Irongly erefted upon the two great pillars of truth,expcrience and lolid 
 rcafon. 
 
 That the fex it difcemable from the figure of eggs, or that Cocks or 
 Hens proceed from long or round one?, as many contend, experiment 
 will eafily fruftrate. 
 
 The Egyptians observed a better way to hatch their eggs in ovens, 
 then the 'Babylonians to roaft them at the bottom of a fling, by Twinging 
 tliem round abour,tiIl heat from motion had concofted ihcm j for that 
 confufeth all parts without any fuch effeft. 
 
 Though flight diftinftion be made between boiled and roafted eggs^yet 
 is there no flender difference, for the one is much drier then the other : 
 the egg expiring lefs in the elixation or boiling 5 whereas in the 
 aflfation or roafling, i: will fometimes abate a dragm , that is, 
 threefcore grains io weight. So a new laid egg will not fo eafily be boil- 
 ed hard, becaufe it contains a greater ftock of humid parts; which muft 
 be evaporated, before the heat can bring the inexhalable parts into con- 
 iiftence. 
 
 Why the Hen hatcheth not the egg in her belIy,or makcth not atleaft 
 forac rudiment thereof within her felf, by the natural beat of inward 
 parts, lince the fame is performed by incubation from an outward 
 warmth after 3 Why the egg is thinner at one extream ? Why there is 
 lomc cavity or empiinefs at the blunter end 1 Why wc open them at 
 that part ^ Why the greater end is firft excluded t Why fomc eggs are all 
 red, as the Keftrils; feme only red atone end, as thofe of Kites and Buz- 
 zards / Why fome eggs are not ovall but round , as thofe of fifh- 
 cs^ d^c. Are problems, whofe decifions would too much enlarge this 
 Qec y^^ difcourfe". 
 
 ^^ ' '' That Snakes and Vipers do fling or tranfmit their mifchiefby the 
 
 tail, is a common cxprefHon not eafily to be jufiified ; and a determinati- 
 on of their venoms unto a partjwherein we could never find it;thepoy« 
 fon lying about the teeth, and communicated by bite, in fuch ar* 
 deflruftive. And therefore when biting Serpents arc mentioned in 
 the Scripture, they are not differentially fet down from fuch as 
 mifchief by flings ; nor can condufions be made conformable to 
 this opinion, becaufe when the rod of Mofes was turned into a 
 Serpenr, God determiaatcly commanded him to take up the fame by 
 the uil. 
 
 Nor are all Snakes of fu\:hempoironing qualities, as common opinion 
 prefuroeth •-, as is confirmable from the ordinary green Snake with us, 
 from (everalhiftories ot^ dom.eflick Snakes,from Ophiophagous nations, 
 and fuch as feed upon Serpent?. 
 
 Surely 
 
Bo6k* 6. dnd Common Errors * 2^7 
 
 Surely thd deftru^ive dcludon of Satan in this (hapr, hath much en- 
 larged the opinion of their mifchief. Which notwithftanding was not 
 fo high with the heathens,in whom the Devil had wrought a better opi- 
 nion bf this animal, being facrcdunto the Mgyptians^ Greeks and Re- 
 ihanSi and the common fymbole of fanlty. In the (hape whereof 
 M]culafm the God of health appeared unto the Kotnans , ac- 
 companied their EmbafTadoiirs to Rome from Epidaurm -, and 
 the fame did ftand in the Tibtrine Ifle upon the Temple of Mjcw 
 
 Some doubt many have of the Tkralttula, or poifonous Spider of 
 Calabria , and that magical cure of the bite thereof by Mufick. 
 But fince we obRrve that many atteft it irom experience : Since 
 the learned Kircberius hath poflitively averred it , and iet 
 down the fongs and tunes folcmnly ufed for it ; Since fomc 
 aUo affirm the Tarantula it felf will dance upon certain ftroaks,where- 
 by they fet their inftruments againft its poifon j we ftiall not at all queft i- 
 onic. 
 
 Much wonder is made of the Boramez, that (Irange plant-animal 
 or vegetable Lamb of Tartary^ which Wolves delight to feed on, 
 which hath the ftiape of a Lamb, affordeth a bloody juyce upon 
 breaking, and liveth while the plants be confumed abouLit. And 
 yet if all this be no more, then the (hape of a Lamb in thrower or 
 feed, upon the top of the ftalk,as we meet with the forms of Bees, Flics 
 and Dogs in fome other? ; he hath feen nothing that (hall much wonder 
 at it. 
 
 It may feem too hard to quellion the (wiftncfs of Tigers, which hath 
 therefore given names unto horfes,Ships and Rivers, nor can we deny 
 what all have thus affirmed •, yet cannot but obferve, that Jacobus Bmti" 
 «ilatePhy(itianat7<^z''2intheEaft Indies^ as an occular and frequent 
 witnefs is not afraid to deney it ; to condemn Vliny who affirmcth lt,and 
 that indeed it is but a (low and tardigradous animal, preying upon ad- 
 vantage, and otherwife maybe efcaped. 
 
 Many more there are whofe ferious enquiries we muft requeft of o- 
 thers, and (hall onely awake confiderations, Whether that common opi- 
 pinion that Snakes do breed out of the back or (pinal marrow of man, 
 doth build upon any conftant root or feed in nature ; or did not ari(e 
 from contingent generation, in fome (ingle bodies remembred by Fliny 
 orothers,and might be paralleld (ince in living corruptions of the guts 
 and others partsj which regularly proceed not to putrifadions of that na- 
 ture. 
 
 Whether the ftory of the Remora be not unreafonably amplifiedjwhe* 
 ther that of Bernacles and Goof-trees be not too much enlarged j whe- 
 ther the common hiftory of Bees will hold, as large accounts have deli- 
 vered ; whether the brains of Cats be attended with fuch dcftruftive ma« 
 lignities, as Biofcerides and others put upon them. 
 
 Gg 2 Whc- 
 
2 2 8^ Unquirki into Vulgar Book a. 
 
 Whether the fafting fpittle of man be poyfon unto Snakes and 
 
 Vipers, as experience hath made us doubt? Whether the Nightin- 
 
 gals retting with her breaft againd a thorn, be any more then that 
 
 file placeth fome prickels on the outfide of her neft, or rooftetb in 
 
 thorny and prickly places, where Serpents may leaft approach her > 
 
 Whether Mice may be bred by putrifaftion as well as univocal pro- 
 
 i/e/m. Tmago duftion, as may be eafily believed, if that receit to make Mice out of 
 
 fement'uirc, wheat will hold, which Helmont hath delivered. Whether Qyails 
 
 from any idiofyncracy or peculiarity of conftitution, do innocu- 
 
 oLifly feed upon Hellebore, or rather ibmctime but medically ufe the 
 
 fame; becaufc we perceive that Stares, which arc commonly faid 
 
 harmlcfly to (ced on Hemlock, do not make good the tradition; 
 
 and he that obferves what vertigoes, cramps and convulfions follow 
 
 thereon in thefc animal Sj will be of our belief. 
 
 '-V 
 
 THE 
 
22p 
 
 THE 
 
 FOURTH BOOK: 
 
 Of manj popular and recehed Temnts concern- 
 ing Man , 'which examined ^ prove either 
 falfe or dubious . 
 
 C H A p. I. 
 
 Of the ErtUmfs of Man. 
 
 Hatonely Man hathancreft figure, and for to behold 
 and look up toward heaven, according to that of the 
 Poet, 
 
 Promque cum fpeiiant anmalia utera terraWi 
 Os homini fuhiime dedit, cslumque tueri 
 Juffit, & ereGos adfydera uUere vultusy 
 is a double aflerdonj whofe firft part may be true; 
 if we take ercftnefs ftriftly, and fo as Galen hath defined it 5 for 
 they onely, faith he, have an crcft figure, whofe fpinc and thigh- wfiat figore ia 
 bone are carried in right lines ; and fo indeed ot any we yet know antmals is pro- 
 Man onely is trcft. For the thi^hcs of other animals do ftand at aneks P^"^ *^""' 
 with their fpine, and have reftangular pofitions in birds, and pcrfeft 
 Quadruped?. Nor doth the Frog, though ftretched out, or fwirpmin?, 
 attain the rcftitudc of man, or carry its thigh without all angulai'ty; 
 
 Gg 5 . And 
 
33<5 
 
 What fcianc 
 or fitting. 
 
 Ifir^pAlw;* 
 
 Obfcrvealfo 
 the Vria* Bel- 
 lonii and Mer^ 
 gui major. 
 
 Defcribers of 
 Animals. 
 
 Etjqmrks into Vulgar Book 6. 
 
 And thus is it alfo true, that man only fittcthj if \^c define fitting to be 
 
 a firmationof the body upon the Ifchias : wherein if the pofition be 
 
 juft and natural, the thigh-bone lyeth at right angles to the fpine, and 
 
 the leg bone or tibia to the thigh. For others when ihcy feem to fit, as 
 
 Dogs, Cats, or Lions, do make unto their fpine acute angles with their 
 
 thigh, and acute to the thigh with their (hank. Thus is it likewife true, 
 
 what ArijiotU alledgeth in that Problem ; why man alone fuffereth 
 
 pollutions in the night "i becaufe man only lyeth upon his back ; if we 
 
 define not the fome by every fupirte pofition, but when the fpine is in 
 
 reftitude with the thigh,and both with the arms lie parallel to the Hori- 
 
 2on:fo that aline through their nivell will pafs through the Zenith and 
 
 centre of the earth. And fo cannot other animals lie upon their backs ; 
 
 for though the fpine lie parallel with the Horizon, yet will their legs 
 
 incline, and lie at angles Unto it. And upon theffi three divers pofitiohs 
 
 in man, whet-cin the fpine can only be at right lines with the thigh, arife 
 
 thofe remarkable poftures, prone, fupineand ereft ; which are but diffe* 
 
 fenced in fituation, or in angular poftures upon the back, the belly and 
 
 the feet. 
 
 But if ereftncfi^e be popularly taken* and as it is largely oppofed urlto 
 proncnelTe, or the pofture of animals lookiAg downwards, carrying 
 their venters or oppofite p^rt to the fpine, direftly tol^ards the earth, 
 it may admit of quefliOn. ForthdUgh in Serpents and Lizards we may 
 truly allow a pronenefTe, yet Galen acknowledgeth that pcrfeft Qua- 
 drupeds, as Horfe?, Oxen and Camels, are but partly prone, and have 
 fome part of ereftnefTe. And birds or flying animals, are fo far from 
 this kind of pronenefle, that they are almoft ereft f advancing the head 
 and breafl in their progreftion, and only prone in the Aft of volitation. 
 And if that be true which is delivered of the Pengin or Aftfer Magellanic 
 ' €i{Si often defcribcd in Maps about thofe Straits, that they go ereft like 
 • men, and with their brcaft and belly do make one line perpendicular 
 unto the axis of the earth ; it will make up the exaft ereftnefTe of man. 
 Nor will that infeft come very fliort which we have often beheld, that 
 is, one kind of Locuft which flands nos prone, or a little inclining up' 
 ward, but in a large ereftnefTe, elevating alwayes the two fore legs, and 
 fijftaining it felfe in the middle of the other four $ by Zoographers cjllkd 
 wantisy and by the common people of Province, frega^ T>io, the Prophet 
 and praying Locufl ; as being generally found in the pofture of fup- 
 plication, or fuch as refembletb ours, when we lift up our hands to 
 heaven. 
 
 As for the end of this creftion, to look up toward heaven ; though 
 confirmed by feveral teftimonies, and the Grffi^Etymologieof man, it 
 is not fo readily to be admitted ; and as a popular and vain eohceit 
 was anciently rejefted by Galen 5 who in his third, I>e ufu partiuni, 
 determines that man is ereft, becaufe he was made with hands, and was 
 therewith to exercifs all Afts, which in any other figtire he could not 
 
 • have 
 
Book 6. and Common Errors* 231 
 
 have performed 5 as he excellently dfclarah in that place, where he 
 alfo proves that man could have been made neither Quadruped nor 
 Centaur. 
 
 And for the accoroplifhment of this intention, that i?, to look up and 
 behold the heavensa man hath a notable difadvantangc in the eye- lid ; 
 whereof the upper is far greater then the lower, which abridgeih the ^ 
 fight upwards j contrary to thofe of birds, who herein have the advan- 
 tage of man : Infomucb that the learned Flentfm is bold to affirm, ^^f'"/'- ^P^' 
 that it he had had the formation of the eye-lids, he would havecontri- ^*«'"V''/*^«- 
 ved them quite otherwise. 
 
 The ground and occafion of this conceit was a literal apprehcnfion 
 of a figurative cxprelTion in F/ato, as Galen thus delivers ; To opinion 
 that man is ereft to look up and behold the heavens, is a conceit only 
 fit for thofe that never faw the fiOi Uranofcopu?, that is, the Beholder of 
 heaven; which hath its eyes fo placed, that it looks up dircftly to 
 heaven ; which man doth not, except he recline, or bend his head back- 
 ward : and thus to look up to heaven, agreeth not only unto Men, buc 
 Aflcs j to omit birds with long necks, which look not only upwards, 
 but round about at pleafure. And therefore men of this opinion under- 
 ftood not Tlato when he faid that man doth Surfum afpicere j for there- 
 by was not meant to gape, or look upward with the eye, but to have his 
 thoughts fublirac ; and not only to behold, but (peculate their nature, 
 with the eye of the undcrftanding. 
 
 Now although Galen in this place makes inflance but in one, yet are 
 there other fifhcs, whofe eyes regard the heavens, as Plane, andcattila* 
 gineous fifhcs j as peftinals, or fuch as have their bones made laterally 
 like a comb; for when they apply thcmf elves to flecporrcft upon the 
 white fide, their eyes on the other fide look upward toward heaven. For 
 birds, they generally carry their heads ereftly like man, and have advan- 
 tage in their upper eye-lid; and many that have long neckf,and bear their 
 heads fomsvvhat backward, behold far more of the heavens, and fecm 
 to look above the xquinoxial circle. And foalfo in many Quadruped?, 
 although their progrcflion be partly prone, yet is the fight of their eye 
 direft, not refpefting the earth but heaven ; and makes an higher arch 
 ofaltiti'de then our own. The pifition of a Prog with his head above 
 water jxceedeth thefc ; for therein he feems to behold a large part of 
 the heavens, and the acies of his eye to afcend as high as the Tropick ; ^®'"^ of hei.' 
 but he that hath beheld the pofture of a Bittor, will not deny that it be- S^" ^^^ 
 holds almoft the very Zenith. 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 Of the Heart. How 
 
 a mans 
 
 'HjttheHcartofManis feated in the left fide, is an affeveraiion, ^^"> P'^" 
 which ftriaiy taken, is refutable by iufpcftion; whereby it ap- body.'" 
 
 pears 
 
2^2 Ettquiries jtito VulgdY Book 3. 
 
 pears the bafe and centre thereof is in the midft of the cheft 5 true it is, 
 that the Macro or point thereof inclineth unto the left j for by this pofi- 
 tion it giveth way unto the afcen/ion of the midriff, and by reafon of 
 the hollow vein could not commodioufly defleft unto the right. From 
 ■which diver/ion,nevcrtheIefs we cannot fo properly fay tis placed in the 
 leftjas that itconfifteth in the middlcjthat isjwherc its centre refleth ; for 
 fo do we ufually fay a Gnomen or needle is in the middle of a dial, al- 
 though the extrcams may rcfpeft the North or South^ and approach the 
 circumference thereof. 
 
 The ground of this miflake is a general obfervation from the pulfeor 
 motion of the heart, which is more fenfiblc on this fide; but the r,cafon 
 hereof is not to be drawn from the fitu^ition of the heart, but the flte of 
 the left ventricle wherein the vital fpirits are laboured; and alPo the 
 great Artery that convey eth them out; both which are iituated on the 
 left. Upon this reafon Epithcms or cordial applications are jufily ap- 
 plied unto the left breaft; and the wounds under the fifth rib may be 
 more fuddenly deflruftiveif made on thefiniffer fide; and the fpear 
 of the fouldier that pierced our Saviour, is not improperly defcribcd, 
 when Painters direft it a little towards the left. 
 
 The other ground is more particularly and upon infpeftion ; for in 
 dead bodies efpecially lying upon the fpine, the heart doth feem to in- 
 cline unto the left. Which happeneth not from its proper fite;but bcfidcs 
 its finiflrous gravity,is drawn that way by the great artery, which then 
 iubfideth and haleth the heart unto it. And therefore ff riftly taken, the 
 heart is feated in the middle of the chefl ; but after a carelefs and incon* 
 liderateafpeftation, or according to the readieflfenfe of pulfation, we 
 (hall not quarrel, if any affirm it is feated toward the left. And in 
 thefe confiderations muft Arjiotlehe falved, when he affirmeth the heart 
 of man is placed in the left fide ; and thus in a popular acception may 
 
 . l^y^jn we receive theperiphrafis of Terfimh when hetakcth the part under the 
 
 i^rte mamilU. lett pap for the heart ; and if rightly apprehended, it concerneth not 
 this controvcrfie, when it is faid in Ecclejiajifs', The heart of a wife man 
 is in the right fide, but that of a fool in the left, for thereby may be im- 
 plied, that the heart c^a wife man delighteth in the right way, or in 
 the path of vertue; thatof a foolin the left, or road of vice ; accor* 
 dine to the miflery of the letter of Pythagoras, orthat expreflion in Jq- 
 ftah concerning lixfcorethoufand, that could not difccrn between their 
 right hand and their left, or knew not good from evil. 
 
 That affertion alfo that man proportionally hath the largeft brain, 
 I did I confefs fomewhat doubt ; and conceived it might have failed 
 in birds, efpecially fuch as having little bodies, have yet large 
 cr4nies,and feem to contain much brain,asSnipes,VVoodcocks,dfc.But 
 upon trial I find it very true. The brains of a man, Archangetus and 
 BauhiKusohCcrve^ to weigh four pound,and fometinK five and an hall. If 
 
 thcre< 
 
Book 4. and common Error f* 235 
 
 therefore a man v/eigh one hundred and fourty pounds, and his 
 brain but five, his weight is 27. times as much as his brain, de. 
 dufting the weight of that five pound which is allowed for it, . 
 Now in a Snipe which weighed four ounces two dragms, I finde 
 the brains to weigh but half a dragm ; fo that the weight of the 
 body (allowing for the brain ) exceeded the weight of the brain, 
 fixty {even times and an half. 
 
 More controvertible it fcemeth in the brains of fparrows, 
 whofe cranies are rounder, and Co of larger capacity : and moft 
 of all in the heads oi birds, upon the firft formation in the egge, 
 wherein the head feems larger then all the body, and the very 
 eyes almoft as big as either. A fparrow in the total we found to 
 weigh feven dragms and four and twenty grains; whereof the 
 head a dragm, but the brain not fifteen grains ; which anfwereth 
 not fully the proportion of the brain of man. And therefore it is 
 to be taken of the whole head with the brains, when Scaliger ob- fjiflouAmml. 
 jefteth that theheadof a man is the fifteenth part of his body;that ^^^'^* 
 a Sparrowjfcarce the fift. 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 of Vleurijiss, 
 
 THatPleurifies are onely on the left fide, is a popular Tenent, 
 not only abfurd but dangerous. From the mifapprehenfion 
 hereof, men omitting the opportunity of remedies, which other- what aPIcip 
 wife they would not negleft. ChicHy occafioned by the igno- ^'fi^ is, 
 ranee of Anatomy and the extent of the part afTefted; which in an 
 exquifite Pleurilie is determined to be the skin or membrane 
 which invefteth the ribs, for fo it is defined, Inflammatio membro' 
 n£ cojlas [uccingeHtis •■) An Inflammation, either fimple, confifting 
 only of an hot Scfanguineous aftiuxionior elfedenominable from o« 
 ther humors according to the predominancy of raclancholyjflegm, 
 or choler.The vcfTcls whereby the morbifieal matter is derived un- 
 to this membrane, are either the afcending branches of the hoN 
 low vein, which difperfe themfelves into the four upper ribs ; or 
 clfe the Azygos or vena fine -pari ^ whofe furcles are difpofed unto 
 the other lower. The membrane thus inflamed, is properly called 
 Fleura'j from whence the dileafe hath its name 5 and this inve- 
 fteth not onely one fide, but over fpreadeth the cavity of the chefi-, 
 and afTordeth a common coat unto the parts contained therein, 
 
 Hh Now 
 
>34 Eftquiries intoVnlgat Book, 4.^ 
 
 Now therefore the Vleura. beine^ common unto both fides, h is 
 not reafonablc to confine the inflimmation unto one, nor ftrift- 
 ly to determine it is alwayes in the fide ; but (ometimes before 
 and behinde, that is, inclininej to the fpine or breaft-bone, for 
 thither this coat extmdeth *, and therefore with equal propriety 
 we may affirm, that ulcers of the lungs, or Apoff cmb of the br.»in 
 do happen oncly in the left fide; or that Ruptures arc confina- 
 ble unto one fide, whereas the peritoneum or rim of the belly 
 may be broke, or its perforations relaxed in either. 
 
 j^. __ 
 
 Ghap. IV. 
 Of the Ring-finger, 
 
 AN opinion there is, which magnifies the fourth finger of 
 thclefthand; prcfuming therein a corc^ial relation, thai a 
 particular vefTel, nerve, vein or artery is conferred thereto from 
 the heart, and therefore that efpecially hath the honour to bear 
 our rings. Whichwasnotonely theChritfianpraftice in Nup- 
 tial conrrafts, but obferved by heathens, as Alexander ab Alexan* 
 droy Hellm^MacrohiM and Pierius have dclivercvl, as Levinus Lent' 
 mus hath confirmed, who affirms this peculiar veflel to be 
 an artery, and not a nerve, as antiquity hath conceived it; ad- 
 , ding moreover that rings hereon peculiarly afFeft the heart; that 
 in Lipothymies or f woundings he ufcd the fricatiun oi this fin- 
 ger with faffron and gold ; that the ancient Phyficians mixed up 
 their Medicines herewith; that this is feldom or laff of all affe- 
 fted with the Gout, and when ihat becometh nodou;, men con- 
 tinue not long after. Notwithltanding all which we remain un- 
 fatisfied, nor can we think the reiiforis alleadged fufficiently e- 
 ftablifh the preheniintncy of this finger, 
 
 Forfirf}, Concerning the prafticeof antiquity, the cuflom was 
 not general to wear their rinfs either on th'S hand cr finger; ^or 
 it is faid, and that emphatically in Jeremiah^ Si fuerit Jecomiss 
 filiu! Joachim regit Judx annulus in manu dextra mea^ inde evellam 
 eum : Though Comab the fun ct Joachim Ki g of Judah were the 
 lignet on my rif'^t hcnJ, yet would I pluck thee thence. So is 
 itobierved by f/i«y,that in the ]:oi traits 01 their Gods, the rings 
 were worn on the finger next the thumb; that the Ronjans wore 
 them alio upon their litcL finger,asNfro is dcfcribed in i^etroniusi 
 fome wore them on the middle finger, as the ancient (j/w//<'i and 
 
 Bntans'^ 
 
Book. 4. md Common Eryori^ 235 
 
 Britans i and fome upon the fore-finger, as deducable f rotfi Julius 
 Foliux : who names that ring Corionos. 
 
 Again, That the praftceot the ancients had any fuch refpeft of Rings ancicnr- 
 cordiality or reference unto the heart, will much be doubted if ly of Iron- 
 we confider their rings were made of Iron; fuch was that ot Pro- 
 melhius who is conceived the firft that brought them in ufe. So 
 as ?Uny affirmeth, for many years the Senators of Kome did not 
 wear any rings of Gold; but the flavcsworc generally Iron rings 
 until their manumiflion or preferment to fomc dignity. That the 
 Lacedemonians continued their Iron rings unto his daies, Tliny al- 
 fo delivereth ; and furely they u{ed few of Gold ; forbefide that 
 Lycurgus prohibited that mettal,we read in ^^^f«^«f,that having a 
 AcfiTi to guild the face of Apollo.,xhty enquired of the Oracle where 
 they might purchafsfomuch gold ; and weredirefted unto Cr^fus 
 King of L)dia. 
 
 Moreover whether the Ancients had any fuch intention, the 
 grounds which they conceived in vein, nerve or artery, arc not to 
 be jufttfied, nor will infpeftion confirm a peculiar vcflel in this 
 finger. For as Anatomy informeth the Bafilica vein dividing into 
 two branches below the cubit, the outward lendeth two furcles 
 unto the thumb, two unto the fore-finger, and one unto the mid- 
 dle finger in the inward iide; the other branch of theBililica fend- 
 eth one circle unto the outfidcof the middle finger, two unto the 
 ring, and as many unto the little fingers ; fo that they all proceed 
 from the; Bciiilica,and are in equal numbers derived unto every one. 
 In che fam^ manner are the branches of the axillary artery diffri- 
 buted into the hand; for below the cubit it divideth into two parts 
 the one running along the Kadius, and pafling by the wreft or place 
 of the pulfe, is at the fingers (ubdivided into three branches ; 
 whereot the firft conveyeth two furcles unto the thumb, the fecond 
 as many to the forefinger, and the third one unto the middle fin«» 
 ger 5 the other or lower divifion of the artery defccndcth by the Ul- 
 na, and furnilhcth che other fingers ; that is the middle with one 
 furcle, and the ring and little fingers with two. As for the nerves, 
 they are difpofed much after the fame mannerjand have their ori- 
 ginal from the brain, and not the heart, as many of the Ancients 
 conceived ; which is fo far from affording nerves unto other parts whence the 
 that it receiveth very few it fclf from the iixt conjugation, or pair nerves pro« 
 of nerves in the brain. cecd. 
 
 Laftly,Thefe propagations being communicated unto both hands, 
 we have no greater rcafon to wear our rings on the left, then on the 
 right ; nor are there cordial confiderarions in the one, more then 
 the other. And therefore when iorejius or the ftanching of 
 blood mak ;s ufe of Medical applications unco the fourth finger, he 
 confines not that praftiee unto the lejft, but varicih the fide af- 
 
 Hh 2 cording 
 
1^6 Enquiries into Vulgar Boolt 4. 
 
 according to the noflril bleeding. So in Fcivers, where the heart 
 primarily fuffereih, we apply medicines unto the wrcfts of either 
 arm 5 io we touch the pujle of both, and judge of the afftdionsof 
 the heart by the cne as well as the other. And ahhough in indif- 
 pofiticns of liver or fplcenj confiderations are made in Tblebotomy 
 relpcftively to their fituation -, yet when the heart IsafTe^^cd, men 
 havethought itas efleftiialtobleed on therightas theleftj and 
 although alfoitmay be thought a nearer refpeft is to be had of 
 the left, becaufe the great artery proceeds from the left ventricle, 
 and fo is nearer that arm 5 it admits not that confideration. For 
 Vnder the channel bones the artery divideth into two greatbran- 
 chesjfrom which trunk or point of divifionjthe diflanceunto either 
 hand is equal, and the confideration alio anf wcrable. 
 
 And therefore Macrobius difculling the point, hath alleadgcd 
 another reafon 5 affirming that the geflation of rings upon this 
 hand and finger, might rather be ufed for their conveniency and 
 prefervation, then any cordial relation. For at firfl f faith he^ it 
 was both free and ufual to wear rings on either hand ; but after 
 that luxury encreafed, when prctious gems and rich infculptures 
 were added, the cuftom of wearing them on the right hand was 
 tranflated unto the left; for that hand being lefs imploycd, there* 
 by they wcrebefl preferved. And for the famereafon they placed 
 them on this finger ;for the thumb was too aftive a finger, and is 
 commonly imployed with either of the reft : the Index or fore- 
 finger was too naked whereto to commit their pretiofitics, and 
 hath the tuition of the thumb fcarce unto the fecond joint: the 
 middle and little finger they rejefted as extreams, and too big or 
 too little for their rings, and of all chofe out the fourth, a* being 
 leaft ufed of any,as being guarded on either fide,& having in moft 
 thispeculiar condition, that it cannot be extended alone and by 
 it felf, but will be accompanied by fome finger on either fide. And 
 to this opinion afTenteth Alexander ah Akxandro, Annulum nuptia' 
 lent prior £tas in finiftra ferebat^ crediderimne attererettir. 
 
 Now that which begat or promoted the common opinion, was 
 the common conceit that the hear t was feated on the left fide ; but 
 how far this is verified, we have before declared. The ^Egyptian 
 praftlce hath much advanced the fame, who unto this finger deri* 
 ved a nerve from the heart 5 and therefore the Prieft anointed the 
 fame with precious oyls before the Altar. But how weak Anato- 
 mijis they were, which were fo good Embalmcrs, we have already 
 fhcwed.And though this reafon took moft place, yet had they ano- 
 ther which more commended that praftice: and that was the num- 
 ber whereof this finger was an Hieroglyphick. For by holding 
 doivn the fourth finger of the left hand, while the reft were e;{ten« 
 
Book 4* andCemmoHlfrors* 237 
 
 ded 5 they fignificd the perfeft and magnified number of fix. 
 For as Vierius hath graphically declared , Antiquity exprcfTed 
 numbers by the fingers of either hand : on the left they ac- 
 counted their digits and articulate numbers unto an hundred } 
 on the right hand hundredsand thousands 5 the deprefling this 
 finger, which in the left hand implied but fix, in the right indi- 
 gitated fix hundred. In this way of numeration, may we con* 
 ftrue that of Juvenal concerning Nefior, 
 
 * "•'U'^i pertotf^culaniortem 
 Vijhliti atqj'fuos jam dextra compitat annes. 
 
 And however it were intended, in this fenre it will be very ele- 
 gant what is delivered of Wifdom, Trov. 3. Length of dales is in 
 her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. 
 
 As lor the obfervation of L^w«/7<^ an eminent Phyfitian, con- 
 cerning the gout; however it happened inhis Country, we may 
 obferye it otherwife in oursi that is, that chiragrical perfons do 
 fuffer in this finger as well as in the reft, and fometimes firft of all, Hand-gouty 
 and fometimes no where elfe. And for the mixing up medicines perfons. 
 herewith, it is rather an argument of opinion, then anyconfide- 
 rable eflfcft; and tveas highly conceive of the praftice in Viafalmay 
 that is, in the making of that plaiftcr, to ftir it with the (tick of 
 a Palm. 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 Of the right and left hand, 
 
 IT is alfo fufpicious, and not with that certainty to be received, 
 what is generally believed concerning the right and left hand' 
 that men naturally make ufe of the right, and that the ufe of the 
 other is a digreflion or aberration from that way which nature 
 generally intendeth.Wc do not-deny that almoft all Nations have 
 ufed this hand, and afcribed a prcheminence thereto: hereof are- 
 markable pafTage there is, Gen. 48. And Joje^h took them both, £- 
 ■phraim in his right hand towards Ijraeh left hand, and Manages in 
 his left hand towards 7/r/?f A right hand, and 7/r/?fiftretchcd out 
 his right hand and laid it upon Ephraiws head, who was the 
 younger, and his left hand upon Manages head, guiding his hands 
 ' wittingly , for Manaffes was the firff.born 5 and when Jofepb 
 
 Hh 3 faw 
 
238 Eftquimi into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 faW tl^at hig father laid his right hand upon the head of Epbram^ 
 itdifpleafcdhim, and hchdd up his fathers hand to remove it 
 from Ephraims head unto Manaffes head, and Jofeph faid, Not fo 
 my father, for this is the firft-born, put thy right hand upon his 
 head : The like appeareth from the ordinance of Mofes in the 
 confecration of their Priefts, Then (halt thou kill the Ram, and 
 take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of yia' 
 roMy and upon the tip of the right ear of his fons, and upon the 
 thumb of the right hand , and upon the great toe of the righu 
 foot, and fprinklethe blood on the Alcar round about : That the 
 Perfjam were wont herewith to plight their faith, is tcffified by 
 ViodoYus : That the Greekj and Romans made ufc hereof, belide the 
 teflimony of divers Authors, is evident from their culfom of dif- 
 cumbency at their meals, which was upon their left fide, for (o 
 their right hand was free, and ready for alHcrvicc. Nor was this 
 onely in ufe with divers Nations of men, but was the cuftom of 
 whole Nations of women ; as is deduceable from the Amazones in 
 the amputation of their right breaftjwhereby they had the freer ufe 
 of their bow. All which do (ecm to declare a natural preferment of 
 the one unto motion before the other; wherein notwithftanding in 
 fubmiffion to future information, we are unfatisfied unto great du- 
 bitation. 
 
 Forfirft, if there were a determinate prepotency in the right, 
 and fuch as arifeth from a conftant root in nature, we might ex- 
 peft the fame in other animals, whofc parts are alfo differenced 
 by dextrality ; wherein notwithftanding we cannot difcover a di» 
 ftinft and complying account ; for we find not that Horfes, Bulls, 
 or Mules, are generally ftronger on this lide. As for animals whofe 
 forelegs more fcnfibly fupply the ufe of arms, they hold, if not an 
 equality in both, a pre valency oft-times in the other , as Squirrels, 
 Apes, and Monkies ; the fame is alfo difcernable in Parrets ; and 
 menobfervethattheeyeof a Tumbler is biggeft, not ccnflantly 
 in one, but in the bearing fide. 
 
 That there is alfo in men a natural prepotency in the right, we 
 cannot with conftancy affirm, if wc make obfcrvation in children; 
 who permitted the freedom of both, do oft-times confine unto 
 the left, and arc not without greaf difficulty refirained from it.And 
 therefore this prevalency is either uncertainly placed in t'lc latera- 
 lity, or cuffom determines Irs indifferency. Which is the refolu- 
 tion of Arijhrie in that Problem , which enquires why the right 
 fide being better then the left| is equal in thefenfes? becaufe, 
 faith he, the right and left do differ by ufe and cuffom, which 
 have no place in the ienfes. For right and left as parts infervient 
 unto the motive faculty, are differenced by degrees from ufe and 
 
 afliiefaftion. 
 
Book 4* Ana common nrrws, 259 
 
 aflliefaftion, according whereto the one grows ftronger, and oft- 
 times bigger then the other. But in the fenfes it isothcrwife 5 ior ^^icnje the 
 they acquire not their perfeftion byufeorcuftom, but atthcjirft ^f^y^n ^^ 
 v?e equally hear and fee with one eye, as well as with another, proceeds. 
 And therefore, werethis indifferency permitted, or did not infti- 
 tution, buc nature determine dextrality* there would be many 
 more Scevolaes then are delivered in ftory; nor needed we to 
 draw examples of the left, from the Tons of the right hand; as we 
 rcadof (even thoufandinthe Armyof the B^MJtfwirf^. Trueit is,^- . . 
 thatalthoughtherebcan indifferency in cither, or a prevalency ^s'dextr!!/ 
 indifferent in one, yet is it moft reafonable for uniformity, and 
 fundry refpeftive ufcs, that men (hould apply themfelves to the 
 conftant ufe of one ; for there will otherwile arifc anomalous di« 
 fturbances in manual aftions, not onely in civil and artificial, but 
 alfo in Military afiairs, and the feveral aftions of war. 
 
 Secondly, The grounds and reafons alleadged for the right, are 
 notfatistaftory, and afford no reft in their dw'cifion. Scaliger fin- 
 ding a defeft in the reafon of Ariflotle, introduceth one of no lefs 
 deficiency himfelf; Katio ntaterialh (S^iithhd) fangutMi* crapiudo 
 fimul & tnuhitudo ; that is, the reafon of the vigour of this lide, is 
 the crafljtude and plenty of blood, but this is not fufficient ; for 
 the craffitude or thicknefs of blood, affordeth no reafon why one 
 arm (hould be enabled before the other, and ci^ plenty thereof, 
 why both not enabled equally. Fahfiusis of no other conceit, de- 
 ducing the reafon from the Azygos or vofa fine pari, a large and 
 confiderable vain arifmg out of the cava or holiow vein, before it 
 enters the right ventricle of the heart, and placed onely in the 
 right fide. But neither is 'his perfwafory ; for the Azygos commu- 
 nicates no branches unto the arms or legs on either fide, but dif- 
 perfeth intotheribs onbo'h, and in its defcent doth furnifii the 
 left Emulgent with one vein, an.i the firft vein of the loins on the 
 right iide with another; which manner of derivation doth not 
 confer a peculiar addition unto either. C£lius Kodigintts underta- 
 king tOv^ive a reafon of AmbidexterSjSc left- handed men,delivcr- 
 eth a third opinion : Men, faiih he,ate Ambidexter?, and ufe both 
 hands alike,when the heat of the heart doth plentifully difperfe in- 
 to the left fide,and that of the Liver into the right,and the (pleen be 
 alfo much dilated; but men are left-handed when ever it happeneth 
 that the heart and Liver arefcat'd on the left-fide ; or when the 
 Liver is on the right i\6.e^ yet fo obdufted and covered with thick 
 skin?, that itcannot difiufe its virtue into tf c right. Which rea- 
 fons are noway (atisfaftory ; for herein the fi^leen is if juffly in- 
 troduced to invigorat;: the finifter fide, which beirg dilated it 
 would rather infirm and dibilitate. As for any tunicles or skins 
 
 which 
 
240 Enqmries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 which (liould hinder the Liver from enabling the dextral parts j wc 
 muftnot conceive it diffufech its vcrtiic by meer irradiatioHj but 
 by its veins and proper vefTcIs, which common sl?ins and tegu- 
 ments cannot impede. And for the feat of the heart and Liver in 
 one fide, whereby men become left.handed, it happeneth too 
 rarely to countenance an effeft fo common ; for the feat of the Li- 
 ver on the left fide is very monftrous, and rarely to be met with in 
 the obfcrvaiions of the Phylicrans. Otherwife not confiderin" 
 ambidextrous and left handed menjdo totally fubmlt unto the ef- 
 ficacy of the Liver ; which though (eated on the right fide, y ec by 
 the fubclavian divifion doth equidiftantly communicate its aftivii 
 ty unto either arm ; nor will it falve the doubts of obfervationj for 
 many are right-handed whofe Livers are weakly conftituted, and 
 many uf e the left,in whom that part is ftrongefl 5 and we obferve in 
 Apes,and other animalsjwhofe Liver is in the right,no regular pre- 
 valence therein. 
 
 And therefore the brain, efpecially the fpinal marrow , which 
 is but the brain prolonged, hath a fairer plea hereto -, tor thefe are 
 the principles of motion, wherein dextrality confifts ; and arc di- 
 vided within and without the Crany. By which divifion tranf- 
 mitting nerves refpeftively unto either fide j according to the in* 
 differency, or original and nativity prepotency, there arifeth an e- 
 qaality in both*" prevalency in either fide. And fo may it be 
 made out,what many may wonder ar,why fome moff aftively ufe 
 the contrary arm and leg ; for the vigour of the one dependcth up- 
 on the upper part of the fpine,but the other upon the lower. 
 
 And therfore many things are Philofophically delivered concer- 
 ning right and left, which admit of fome fufpenfion.That a woman 
 upon a mafculine conception advanceth her right leg, will not be 
 found to anfwer flrift obfervation. Th«t males are conceived in 
 the right fide of the womb, females in the left, though generally 
 delivered, and fupporred by ancient teftiraony, will make no in- 
 fallible account-, it happening oft-times that males and females do 
 lie upon both fides, and Hermaphrodites for ought we know on 
 either. It is alio fufpitious what is delivered concerning ihe 
 right and hft tefticle, that males are begotten from the onejand fe- 
 males from the other^ For though the left feminal vein proceed- 
 £th from the emulgenti and is therefore conceived to carry down 
 aferiousand feminine matterjyet the feminal Arteries which fend 
 forth the aftive miterials, are both derived from the great Artery. 
 Bcfide,tbis original oftheleft vein was thus contrived, to avoid the 
 pulfation of the great artery, over which it muft have pafled to at- 
 tain unto the tefticle. Nor can we eafily infer fuch diffcirent cffc(^s 
 from the divers fituation of parts which have one end and officej 
 for in the kidneys which have one office, the right is feated lower 
 
 then 
 
Book 4. And common Errofs, 24 j 
 
 then the left, whereby it lieth free, mi givcth way unto the Liver. 
 And therefore alfo that way which is delivered for mafculine ge- 
 neration, to mike a ftrait ligature about the left tefticle, thereby to 
 intercept the evacuition of that part, deferveth conlideration. For 
 one fnraceth unto generationjES hath beenobferved in femicaftrati" 
 on,and oft-times in carnpjs ruptures. Befide, the feminal ejaeu« 
 lation proceeds not immediately from thetefticle,but from the fper- 
 matick glandules 5 and therefore Ariftotie affirms (and reafon can- 
 not deny ) that although there be nothing difFufed from the tefii- 
 cles, an Horfe or Bull may generate after caflration ; that is, from ^ 
 
 the flock and remainder of feminal matter, already prepared and or°Bu?mar ^ 
 ilored up in the Proflates or glandules of generation. generate after 
 
 Thirdly,Although we fhould concede a right and left in Na- they be gelt. 
 ture,yct in this common and received account we may err from the 
 proper acccption;niiftaking one ficie for another; calling that in 
 man and other animals the right which is the left, and that the left 
 which is the right, and that in fome things right and left which is 
 not properly either. 
 
 Forfirft the right and Ieft,are not defined by Philofophers accor- 
 ding to common acception, that is, refpeAively from one man unto 
 anothcr,orany conflantfitein cach;asthoughthatfhould be the right 
 in onCjwhich upon confront or facing^ftands a thwart or diagonial- 
 ly unto the other ; but were diftinguilhed according to the aftivity 
 and predominant locomotion upon either fide. Thus Arijiotie in his 
 excellentTraft de incejfu animaliuMy^Ccnhcth fix pofitions unto ani- 
 mals,an(wering the three dimenfionsjwhich he determincth not by 
 fite or pofition unto the hcavens,but by their faculties and fun^ions; 
 and thcfe are Imum ^ummumiAnte Ketro^ Vextra & Sini^ra : that 
 is, the fuperiour part, where the aliment is received, that the lower 
 extream, where it is lafl expelled ; (o he termcth a man a plant in. 
 verted s for he fuppofcth the root of a tree the head or upper part 
 thereof, whereby it receiveth its aliment, although therewith it re- 
 fpefts the Center of the earth, but with the other the Zenith ; and 
 this pofition is anfwerable unto longitude. Thofe parts are ante- 
 riour and meafurc profundity ,where the fcnfcs, cfpecially the eyes 
 are placedjand thofe pofterior which are oppofite hereunto. The 
 dextrous and finifjrous parts of the body, make up the latitude;and 
 arc not certain and inalterable like the other 5 for that, faith he, is 
 the right fide, from whence the motion of the body beginnethjthat 
 is, theaftiveor moving fide j but that the fmifler which is the 
 weaker or more quiefccnc part. Of the fame determination 
 were the Flatonkks and Pythagorians before him ; who con- 
 ceiving the heavens an animated body , named the JE/z/?, 
 the right or dextrous part, from whence began their mo» 
 
 I i tion ; 
 
242 
 
 Apt for con- 
 tencion« 
 
 Strongly or 
 6« for corpo- 
 ral cxercife. 
 
 Ettqmries itito Vulgar Book. 4. 
 
 motion : and thus the Greeks j itrom whence the tames havebof* 
 rowed their appellation, have named this hand ^^/«. denomiiyating 
 imot irom the (ite, tut office, form J^x*i^t capiOf that is, the 
 band which receivcth,or is ufually implied in thataftion. 
 
 Now upon thefe grounds we are moft commonly miftaken, dcm 
 fining that by fituation which they detirmined by motion 5 and 
 giving the term of right hand to that which doth not properly 
 admit it. Forfirft, Many in their Infancy are finiftroufly difpofcd, 
 and divers continue all their life Afisig?/, that is, lelt-handcd, and 
 have but weak and impcrfcft u(e o\ Uie right ; now unto thefe,thac 
 hand is properly the rightjEc not the other efteemtd (o by fituation. 
 Thus may Arifiotle be made out, when he affirmeth the right claw 
 of Crabsand Lobfters is biggeft, if we take the right for the moft 
 vigorous fide, and not regard the relative fuuation: for the one 
 is generally bigger then the other, yet not alwayes i pon the fame 
 fide. So may it be verified what is delivtred by Scaliger in his 
 Comment, that Palfies do ofteneft happen upon the Ictt lide, if 
 undcrftood in thisfenfe; the moft vigorous part prottfting it felf, 
 and protruding the matter upon the weaker and lefs refill ive fide. 
 And thus the Law of Common-weals, that cut off the right hand 
 of Malefaftors, if Pbilofophically executed, is impartial j other- 
 wife the amputation not equally punifheth all. 
 
 Some are Afi^iAfJ/M that is, ambidexerous or right handed on 
 both fides ; which happeneth onely untoflrong and Athletical bo- 
 dies, whofehcajand fpirits arc. able to afford an ability unto 
 both. And iherchr^ Hippocrates faith, that women are not ambi- 
 dexterous, that is, not fo oitcn as men ; for fome are found, which 
 indifferently make ufc of both. And fo may Arifiotle (ay, that 
 onely men arc ambidexterous ; of thisconftitution was AJierop£us 
 in Homer, and Partbenopeus the 'thehan Captain in Statins : and of 
 the fame, do fome conceive our Father Adam to have been as 
 being perfeftly framed, and in aconftitution admitting leaft de- 
 feft. Now in thefe men the right hand is on both fides, and that 
 is not the left which isoppofite unto the right, according 10 com' 
 men acccption. 
 
 Again, Some are AfJLwtvtefh as Galenhith cxpreffedithat is«Am* 
 bilevous or left-handed 01. both fides 5 (uch as with agility and vi» 
 gour have not the ufeof either; who arenotgymnaftically com- 
 pofed ; nor aftively ufc thofe parts. Ntw in thefe there is no right 
 hand : of thisconftitution arc many wcmenj and fome men, who 
 though they accuftom themfelvcs unto either hand, do dexterouf- 
 ly make ufc of neither. And therefore although the Political ad- 
 vice of Arifiotle be very good, that men (hould accuftom them, 
 felves to the command of either hand: yet cannot the execution 
 
 or 
 
Book. 4. and Common Errors* 245 
 
 Or performance thereof be general : for though there be many 
 founJ that can ufc both, yet will there divers remain that can ftrc- 
 nuoufly make ufe of neither. 
 
 Laftly, Thefe lateralities in man arc not onely fallible, if rela- 
 tively determined unfio each other, but made in reference unto the 
 heavens and quarters of the Globe : forthofe parts are not capa- 
 ble of thefe conditions in thcmfelves, nor with any certainty re- 
 fpeftively derived from us, nor from them tons again. And firft 
 in regard of their proper nature, the heavens admit not thefc fi- 
 niffcr and dexter refpefts ; there being in them no diverfity or dif- 
 ference, buta fimplicity of parts, and cquiformity in motion coii» 
 tinually fucceeding each other ; To that from what point foevcr 
 we compute, the account will be common unto the whole circula- 
 rity. And therefore though it be phulible, it is not of confequencc 
 h.rcto what is delivered by Solinus, That man was therefore a Mi- 
 crocofm or little world, becaufc the dimenlions of his pofitioi^ 
 wereanfwerable unto the greater.for as in the heavens the diftance 
 of the Narth ind Southern pole, which arc eff eemed the fuperiour 
 and inferiour points, is cquall unto the fpace between the Eaft and 
 Weft, accounted the dextrous and finiftrous parts thereof j fo is it 
 alfo in man : for the extent of his fathome or diftance betwixt 
 thcextremity of the fingers ol either hand upon expanfion, is e* 
 quail unto the fpace between the fole of the foot and the crown. 
 But this doth but petionarily infer a dextrality in the heavens, 
 and we may as reafonably conclude a right and left laterality in 
 the Ark or naval edifice of Noah. For the length thereof was thirty 
 cubits, the breadth fifty, and the height or profundity thirty 5 
 which well agreeth unto the proportion of man ; whofc length, 
 that is, a perpendicular from the vertex unto the fole of the toot 
 is fextuple unto his breadth, or a right line drawn from the ribs 
 of one iide to another ■■, and decuble unto his profundity; thatis^ 
 a direft line between the breaft bone and the fpine. 
 
 Again, They receive not thefe conditions with any afTurance 
 orff ability from our felves.Forthe relative foundations and points 
 of denomination, are not fixed and certain, but varioufly defigo- 
 ed according to imagination. The Philofbpher accounts thatEafl 
 from whence the heavens begin their- motion. The Aftronomer 
 regarding the South and Meridian Sut)>ca]ls that the dextrou?part 
 of heaven which refpefteth his right hand 5 and that is the Weft. 
 Poets refpefting the Weft, affignche name of right unto the North, 
 which regardeth their right han(f ; and (o muft that of Ovid be Declarable 
 exphir\':dutq', du£ dextra zon£ todidemq-, finijira. But Augurs or "'P'" f**^ ori- 
 Souch»fayers turning their face to the Eaft, did make the right in ^o„*^ ^ ^'^ ' 
 the South 3 which was alfo obferved by the Hebrews and Chalda • rfalm. 8^. rg. 
 
 I i 1 am 
 
244 Enquiries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 Now if we mme the quarters of heaven re/pt£llvely untoour fides, 
 it will be no certain or invariable denomination. For if we call 
 that the right fideot heaven which is fcatcd Eafterly unto u?, when 
 we regard the Meridian Sun •■> the inhabitants beyond the JEquator 
 and Southern Tropick when they face us, regarding the Meridian, 
 will contrarily define it j for unto themjthe oppofite part of heaven 
 will refpcft the lef tjand the Sun arife to their right. 
 
 And thus have we at large declared that although the right be 
 moft commonly ufed ; yet hath it no regular or certain root in na- 
 ture. Since it is not confirmable from other animals : Since in 
 Children it feems cither indifferent or more favourable in the other 
 but more reafonable for uniformity in aftion, that men accuftom 
 unto one: Since the grounds and reafons urged for if, do noway' 
 fupport it : Since if there be a right and ftronger fide in nature,yet 
 may we miftake in its denomination ; calling that the right which 
 is the left, and the left which is the right. Since fome have one 
 right, (ome both, fome neither. And laftly. Since thefe affefti- 
 ons in man are not oncly fallible in relation unto one another, but 
 made alfoin reference unto the heavens i they being not capable of 
 thefe conditions in themlelvcsjnor with any certainty from usjnor 
 wc from them again. 
 
 And therefore what admiflion we ow unto many conceptions 
 concerning right and left, requircth circumfpeftion. That is, 
 how far we ought to rely upon the remedy in Kiranides ^ihat is, the 
 lefc eye of an Hedgehog fried in oyl to procure fleep, and the right 
 foot of a frog in a Deers skin for the gout, or that to dream of 
 thelofs of ri^t or left tooth, prefageih the death of male or fe- 
 male kindred, according to the doftrine of Artefnidorus. What 
 verity there is in that numeral conceit in the lateral divifion of 
 manby evenandodd,afcribingtheodd unto the right fide, and 
 even unto the left ; and foby parity or imparity of letters in mens 
 names to determine misfortunes on either fide of their bodies, by 
 which account in Greek numtvdiUOD^Hefhdjius orFuicaHwzs lame 
 io the right foot, and Anibal loft his right eye. And laftly, what 
 fubftance there is in that Aufpicial principle, and fundamental do- 
 ftrineof Ariolation, that the left hand is ominous, and that good 
 things do.pafsfiniftroufly upon U5,becaufethe left hand of manre- 
 lpeftedtherighthandof theGods, which handed their favours 
 unto us. 
 
 Chap. 
 
Book 4* anA Common Errors* 245 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 Of Swimming* 
 
 THat men fwim naturally, if not diiiuibed by fear 5 that men 
 being drowned and funk, do float the ninth day when their 
 gall breaketh ; that women drowned Iwim prone, but men fupine, 
 or upon their backs j are popular affirmation?, whereto we cannot 
 aflent. And firft, that man fhould fwim naturally, becaufe weob- 
 fcfve it is no kffcn unto other aniniaJs, we cantict well concludej 
 for other animals fwim in the fame manner as they go, and need 
 no other way of motion lor natation in the waier, then for pro- 
 grcflicn upon the land. And this is true whether they move;er 
 Uterai that ifj two legs of one Iide togcther,which is Tolluiation 
 or ambling', or/Jfr ^/rtWftrwWjlifting one foot before, and the crofs 
 foot behind 9 which is fuccuffaticn or trotting^ crwhctherffr 
 fiontetn or quadratumj^s Scaliger terms it, upon a (quare bafe, tlie 
 legs of both fides moving together, as Frogs and faliant animal?, 
 which is properly called leaping. For by thefe motions they are 
 able to fupport and impell themfclves in the water, without alte- 
 ration in the (iroak of their legSjOr pofition of their bodies. 
 
 But with man it is perfoimcd oiherwife: for in regard of iite 
 he alters his natural poftureand fwimeth prone; whereas he wal- 
 kethertft. Again, in progrcflion the arms move parallel to the 
 legs, and the arms and legs unto each other ; but in natation they 
 interfeft and make all forts of Angles. And laftly,in progrelfive 
 motion, the arms and legs do move fucctffively, tut in natation 
 both together 5 all which aptly to perform, and foasto fupport 
 and advance the body, is a point cf Art, and fuch as fome in their 
 young and docile years could never attain. But although it be 
 acquired by art, yet is there fcmtwhat more of nature in it then 
 wecbferve in ether habits, nor will it firiftly fall i ndtr that de- 
 finition ; for once obtained, it is not to be removed; nor is there 
 any who fron) difufe did ever yet forget it. 
 
 Secondly, That perfons drowned arifc and float the ninth day 
 when thfir gall breaketh, is a quefuonable determination both in 
 the time ard caufe. For the time of floating, ir is uncertain accor- 
 ding to the time of putrefaftion, which fhall retard or accelerate 
 according to the fubjeft and feafon cf the year ; for as we obfer- 
 ved, cats and mice will arife unequally, and at different time?, 
 though drowned at the fame. Such as are fat do commonly float 
 fconefi, for their bodies foonefl ferment, and that fubflance ap« 
 proacheth nearefl unto ayr : and this is one ofy4ri/?ot/« reafons 
 why dead Eels will not float, becaufe faith he, they have but (len- 
 der bellies and little far. 
 
 As for the caufe, it is not (b reafonably imputed unto the break- 
 
 I i 3 ing 
 
ttrae. 
 
 246 Etiquirks into Vulgar Book 4, 
 
 why drown- Jngof tbc gall aS the patrefaftion or corruptive firmentation of the 
 ed bodies body, whereby the unnatural heat prevailing, the putrify ing parts 
 after a ^^ ^^^^^ ^ turgefcencc and inflation, and becoming aery and fpu«i 
 inous affeft to approach the ayr,and afcend unto the furfaceotthc 
 water. Andthis is alfo evidenced in eggs, whereof the found ones 
 fink, andfuch as are addled fwim* as do alfo thofe which are 
 termed hypenemia or wind-eggs ; and this is alfo a way to fcpa- 
 rate feeds, whereof fuch as are corrupted and fteril, fwim; and 
 this agreeth not onely unto the feed of plants lockt up and capfmla- 
 ted in their husk?,but aUo unto the fperm and fenunal humour of 
 man ; for fuch a paflage hath Arijiotie upon the Inquifition and tcft 
 of its tertilicy. 
 
 That the breaking of the gall is not the caufe hereof, experience 
 hath informed us. For opening the abdomen^ and taking out the 
 gall in cats and mice, they did notwithftanding arife. And be- 
 caufe we had read in Rhodiginus of a Tyrant, who to prevent the 
 emergency of murdered bodies, did ufe to cut off their lungs, and 
 found mens minds poffeflTed with this reafon; we coraiKitted fome 
 unto the water without lungs,which notwithftanding floated with 
 the others. And tocompleatthe experiment, although we took 
 out the guts and bladder, and alfo perforated the Cranium, yet 
 would they ari{e,though in a longer time. From thefe obfervations 
 in other animals, it may not be unrealonabic to conclude the fame 
 in man,who is too noble a fubjeft on whom to make them expre(- 
 ly, and the calual opportunity too rare almofi to make any. Now 
 if any ihall ground this effeft from gall or choler^ becaufc it is the 
 higheft humour and will be above the reft ; or being the fisry hu- 
 mour will readied furmount the water, we muft confefs in the 
 common putrefcence it may promote elevation^ which the breaking 
 of the bladder of gall, fo fmall a part in man, cannot confiderably 
 advantage. 
 
 Laftly, That women drowned float prcme,that is,with their bel- 
 lies downwardjbut men fiipine or upward, is an aiTertion wherein 
 the hoti or point it felf is dubious -,, and were it true, the reafon al- 
 leadged for it, is of no validity. The reafon yet currant was firfl 
 exprefTed by Piinyi velutifudori defunSlorunt tarcenu natura, nature 
 modeflly ordaining this pofition to conceal thefhameof the dead 
 which hath been taken up by »S'o/>;?«j, Rhodiginus, and many more. 
 This indeed ( as Scaliger termcth it J is ratio civilis mn fhilojopbica^ 
 ftrong enough for morality or Rhetoricks, not for Philofophy or 
 Phyficks. For firfl, in nature the concealment of fecret parts is 
 the fame in both fexes, and the (hame of their reveal equal : fo ^- 
 dam upon the tafle of the fruit was alhamed of his nakednefs as well 
 as Eve.Snd fo likewife in America and countries unacquainted with 
 habitsjwlicre modefly conceals thefe parts in one (ex, it doth it alfo 
 
 in the 
 
Book 4* and Common Errors* 247 
 
 in the other ; and therefore had this been the intention of nature, 
 not only women but men alio had fwimed downwardsjthe poftuf e 
 in reafon being comon unto both,where the intent is aifo conion. 
 Again, While herein we commend the modcftyjwe condemn the 
 wildom of nature : for that prone pofition we make her contiive 
 unto the woman, were beft agreeable unto the man in whom the 
 fecret parts are very anteriour and more di(coverabIe in a fupine 
 and upward pofture. And therefore Scaliger declining this rea- 
 fon, hath recurred unto another from the difference of parts in both 
 fcxes } ^od ventre vajio funt ntulieres flenoque mteJiinU, itaque mi^ 
 nitf ivnpUtur & fubfidet, inanior maribm quibiis nates preponderant : 
 If fo, then men with great bellits will float downward, and onely 
 CaUi^yga, and women largely compofed behind, upward. But 
 Anatontijh obferve, that to make the larger cavity for the Infant, 
 the hanch bones in women, and confcquently the parts appendant 
 are more protuberant then they are In men. They who afcribe 
 the caufe unto the breafls of womenj take not away the doubt ; lor 
 thtfy refolve not why children float downward, who are included 
 in that fex, though not in the reafon allcadged. But hereof we 
 ceafe to difcourfe, left we undertake to afford a reafon of the gol- 'f- of the caufe 
 den tooth, that is, to invent or affign a caufe^when wc remain un«» whereof much 
 fatisfied or unafTurcd of the effeft. difpute was 
 
 That a Mare will fooncr drown then a Horfe,though common- j^ft^^ ovcd ^^ 
 ly opinion'djis not 1 fear experienced : nor is the fame obf erved, in impofture. ^" 
 the drowning of whelps and kitlins. But that a man cannot (hut 
 or open his eyes under water, eafie experiment may convift. Whe- 
 ther Cripples and mutilated perfons, who have lofl thegreatefl 
 part of their thighs, will not fink but float, their lungs being abler 
 to waft up their bodies^ which are in others overpoyfed by the 
 hinder legs ; we have not made experiment. Thus much we oU 
 ferve, that animals drown downwards, and the fame is obferva- 
 ble in Frogs, when the hinder legs are cut off. But in the ay r 
 moft feem to perifh headlong from high places $ however Vulcan 
 thrown^from heaven, be made to fall on his feet. 
 
 Chap. VII. 
 Concerning Weight* 
 
 Hat men weigh heavier dead then alivc,if experiment hath not 
 
 failed U8,we cannot reafonably grant. For though the tryall 
 
 hereof cannot fo well be made on the body cf man, nor will the 
 difference be fenfible in the abate ot fcruplcs or dragms,yet can we 
 not confirm the fame inleffer animals, from whence the inference 
 
 is 
 
 T 
 
248 Enquirks into Vulgar Book 4, 
 
 is good s and the affirmative of Pliny faich,that it is true in all. For 
 exaftly weighing and ftrangling a Chicken in the Scales ; upon 
 an immediate ponderation,we could difcover no fenfible difference 
 in weight 5 but (ufFering it to lie eight or ten hours, until it grew 
 perfeftly cold,it weighed mod fcnfibly lighter ; the like we at- 
 tempted,and verified in Mice,and performed their trials in Scales, 
 that would turn upon the eighth or tenth part of a grain. 
 
 Now whereas fome alleadge that fpirits are lighter fubftance?, 
 and naturally afcendingjcio elevate and waft the body upward, 
 whereofdead bodies being deftitute, contraft a greater gravity; 
 although we concede that fpirits arc light comparatively unto tHe 
 body,yct that they are abfolutely fo, or have no weight at all, we 
 caanot readily allow. For ^\nci Philofophy affirmeth,that (pirits 
 are middle fubftances between the loul and body, they muft admit 
 of fome corporiety,which (uppofeth weight or gravity. Befide, in 
 carcafles warmjand bodies newly difanimated,while tranfpiration 
 remainethjthere do exhale and breath out vaporous and fluid parts, 
 which carry away fome power of gravitation. Which though we 
 allow, we do not make anlwerable unto living expiration; and 
 therefore the Chicken or Mice were not To light being dead,as they 
 would have been after ten hours kept alive ; for in that fpace a 
 man abateth many ounces. Nor if it had (lept, for in that fpace 
 of {leep,a man will fometimes abate fourty ounces; nor if it had 
 bQzn in the middle of Summer, for then a man weigheth fome 
 pounds lefsjthen in the height ofwinter; according to experience, 
 and the ftatick Aphori fms of San^or'm* 
 
 Again,Whereas men affirm they perceive an addition of ponde- 
 roHty in dead bodies,comparing them ufually unto blocks Scftones, 
 whenfoever they lift or caf ry them; this acceflional preponderancy 
 is rather in appearance then reality.For being deftitute of any mo- 
 tion,they confer no relief unto the Agents, or Elevators • which 
 makes us meet with the fame complaints of gravity in animated & 
 living bodiesjwherethe nerves fubfide, and the faculty locomotive 
 feems abolifhedjas may be obferved in the lifting or fupporting of 
 persons inebriated, Apopleftical,or in Lypothimies and foundings. 
 
 Many are alfo of opinion,and fome learned men maintain, that 
 men are lighter after meals then before, and that by a fupply and 
 addition of fpirits oSfcuring the grofs pond crofity of the aliment 
 ingefled j but the contrary hereof we have found in the trial of fun- 
 dry perfons in different fex and ages. And we conceive men may 
 miftake if they diftinguifh not the fence of levity unto them- 
 fclves, and in regard of the fcale or decKfion of trutination. For 
 after a draught of wine, a man may fecm lighter in himfelf from 
 fudden ref e6kion,although he be heavier in the balance,from a cor- 
 poral and ponderous addition ; but a man in the morning is 
 
 lighter 
 
Book. 4. and Common Errors, 249 
 
 lighter in the fcale, becaufe in fleepfome pounds have perfpircd 5 and 
 is alfo lighter unto himfcir, bccaufe he is refcfted. 
 
 And to fpsak ftriftly, a man that holds his breath is weightier while 
 his lungs are full, then upon expiration. For a bladder blown is weigh- 
 tier then one empty, and if it contain a quart, exprefled, and emptied 
 it will abate about a quarter of a grain. And we fomewhat miftruft the 
 experiment of a pumice-ftone taken up by MontanuSi in his Com* 
 ment upon i4wc^««<j', were declaring howtherarity of parts, and nu- 
 merofity of pores, occafioneth a lightnefs In bodies, he affirms that a 
 pumice-flone powdered, is lighter then one intire 5 which is an expe» 
 riment beyond our fatisfaftion ; for be(ide that abatement can hardly 
 be avoided In the Trituration ; if a bladder of good capacity will fcarce 
 include a grain of ayr, a pumice of three or four dragms, cannot be pre- 
 fumedto contain the hundred part thereof j which will not be fenfibic 
 upon the exafteft beams we ufe. Nor isit to be taken ftriftly what is de- 
 livered by the learned Lord Ferulant, and referred unto further experi- 
 ment i That a dilToIution of Iron in agua fortify will bear as good weight 
 as their bodies did before , notwichftanding a great deal of wafte by a 
 thick vapour that ifliieth during the workings for we cannot find it to 
 hold neither in Iron nor Copper,which is diflblved with lefs ebullition ; 
 and hereof we made trial in Scales of good exaftnefs : wherein if there 
 be a defeft, or fuch as will not turn upon quarter grain?, there may be 
 frequent mlftakes in experiments of this nature. But ftranger is that, and 
 by the favorabkft way of trial, will hardly be made out what is deli- 
 vered by Hamerus Poppus, that Antimony calcin'd or reduced to affi:s by 
 a burning glafs, although it emit a grofs and ponderous exhalation , B'^i'^f^'* ^fl^^' 
 doth rather exceed then abate its former gravity. N^verthelefs, flrange ""'""• 
 it is j how very little and almofl infeniible abatement there will be 
 fometimes in fuch operations, or rather fome encreafc, as in the refin- 
 ing of metals, in the teft of bone afhes, according to experience: and in 
 a burnt brick^as Monfieur de Calve affirmeth.Vtiftake may be made in this ^« Fierra,' 
 way of trial, when the Anmmony is not weighed immediately upon the 
 calcination ; but permitted the ayr, it imbibeth the humidity thcreof,and 
 fo repaireth its gravity. 
 
 Chap. VIII. 
 Ofthepajjage of Meat and Drinkr 
 
 THat there are different paflages for Meat and Drink, theMeator 
 dryalimentdefcendingbytheone, the drink or moiftning vehicle 
 by the other, is a popular Tenent in our dales, bur was the affcrtion of 
 learned men of old. For the famcwas affirmed by P//zfo,miintained by 
 EuJiathiM in Macrobiuf^ and is dedadbk irom EratoJiheneSf Eupo/it and 
 
 K k Euripides* 
 
 n 
 
250 Etiqttirks into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 Euripides. Mow herein men contradift experience, not well underftand- 
 ing Anatomy^ and the ufe of parts. For at the throat there arc two ca- 
 vities or conducing parts j the one the Oefophagus or gullet, feated 
 next the fpinf,a part official unto niuritionjand whereby the aliment both 
 wet and dry is conveyed unto the flomack j the other Cby which tis con- 
 ceived the drink doth pafs ) is the weazon, rough artery, or wind-pipe 
 apart infervient to voice and refpiration ; for thereby theayr defend- 
 eth into the lungs, and is communicated unto the hsart.And therefore 
 all animals that breath or hays lungs, havealfo the weazon; but many 
 have the gullet or feeding channel, which have no longs or wind-pipe 5 
 as fifhfs which havegils, whereby the heart is refrigerated ; for fuch 
 thereof as have lungs and refpiration, are not without the weazon 
 as Whales, and cetaceous animals. 
 
 Again, Befide thefe pans deftin'd to divers offices, there is a pecu- 
 liar provifion for the wind-pipe, that is, a cartilagineous flap upon the 
 opening of the Larinx or throttle, which hath an open cavity for the ad- 
 miflionof the air; but left thereby either meat or drink fhould de- 
 fcend. Providence hath placed tht Epiglottis, LiguU^or flap likd an 
 Ivy leaf, which alwa^yes clofeth when we (wallow, or when the meat 
 and drink pafleth over it into the gullet. Which part although ^11 (lave 
 not that breath,as all cetaceous and oviparous animalsjyec is the weazon 
 fecured fome other way ; and therefore in Whales that breath left the 
 water ftiould get into the lungs, an ej;ftion thereof is contrived by a 
 Fiftula or fpout at the head. And therefore alfo though birds have no 
 
 whyamaYi Epiglottis, yet canthey focontraft the rimor chinckof their Larinv 
 cannot drink ^° ^ ^ , j 'tr c . J- /ij"7 ti*^ii Larinx, 
 
 and breath at ^^ to prevent the adminion of wet or dry ingefted ; either whereof g,et,- 
 once. ting in, occafioneth a cough, until it be ejefted. And this is the reafdn 
 
 -- un- 
 dcrftood, when we read of one that died by the feed of a Grape, and 
 another by an hair in ntilk,^ 
 
 Now if any (hallftill affirni, that fome truth there is in the afTertion 
 upon the experiment of Hippocrates, who killing an Hog after a red 
 potion, found the tinfture thereof in the Larinx; ifany will urge the 
 fame from medical praftice, becaufe in affeftions both of Lungs and 
 weazon, Phyfitians make ufe 0/ fyrupes, and lambitive medicines* we 
 are not averfe to acknowledge, that (ome may diiiill and inlinuate in- 
 to the wind-pipe, and medicines may creep downjas well as the rheum 
 before them; yet to conclude from hence, that air and water have 
 both one common pafTage, wereto ftatethe qusflion upon the weaker 
 file of thediftinftion, arrd from a partial or guttulous irrigation, to 
 conclude a total defceniion, 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Bo6k4» and Common Erroff* 251 
 
 Chap. IX. 
 
 Of Sneezing. 
 
 •Oncerning Sternutation or Sneezing, and the cuftome of (alutiDg 
 rorbleffing upon that motion, it is pretended, and generally btlie- 
 ved to derive its original from a difeafe, wherein Sternutation proved 
 liiortal, and fuch as Sneezed, died . And this may feem to be proved 
 from Carolm Rigonm, who in his Hiftory of Italj^ makes mention of a 
 Peftilcnce in the time of Gregory the Great, that proved pernitiousand 
 deadlyto thole that Sneezed. Which notwithftanding will not fuffici- 
 ently determine the grounds hereof : that cuflome having an elder 
 Mra, then this Chronology affordeth. 
 
 For although the age of Gregory extend above a thoufand, yet is 
 this cuftome mentioned by Apuleius, m the fable of the Fullers wife, 
 who lived three hundred years before; by FHhj in that Problem of 
 his, Cur St ernut antes falutantur i and there are alfo reports thatT^^e- 
 rius the Emperor, otherwife a very fower man, would perform this rite 
 jnoft punftuallyunroothers,and expeft the fame from others,unto him- 
 {ehPetronius ^ri'iffrjwho lived before them both,and was Proconful of 
 Bythinia in the raign of Nero, hath mentioned it in thefe words, Gy- 
 ton colleSiione ffintus plenus , ter continuo ita flernutavit ut grahatum 
 concuteret, ad quern motum Euniolpus converfus^ Salvere Gytona jubet. C<e- 
 Uus Khodiginus hath ati example hereof among the Gree\sy far antienter 
 then thelcjthat is, in the time of Cyrus the younger; when confulting 
 about their retreat , it chanced that one among them Sneezed ; at the 
 noife whereof, the reft of the Souldiers called upon Jupiter Soter. A CoIIeaios 
 There is alfo in the Greek Anthology, a remarkable mention hereof in of GreekEp- 
 an Epigram upon one Vroclus ; the Latine whereof we (hall deliver, as P^^'j? ^'j^^* 
 we find it often tranflated. " ''^ "^* 
 
 Nonpotis ef} Troclus diqitis emuffgere nafutn, 
 
 Natnq:) eHpro nafi molepuftlla tnanus ; 
 No« vocatille Jovemflernutansyquippenec audit 
 
 Sternutamentumi tarn procul aure fonat, 
 Troclus with his hand his nofe can never wipe, 
 
 His hand too little is his noie to gripe. 
 He Sneezing calls not Jove, for why ? he hears 
 Himself not Sneez , the found'§ fo far from's ears. 
 Nor was this onely an antient cuftom among the Greeks rndKowans^ Ve rebus Ab (- 
 and is flill iniorcewith us, but is received at this day in the remcrefty^„g^^,„^ '^^' 
 V^n%oi Ajrka. For fo we read in Co i/7^««i 5 that upon a Sneez of the 
 Emperor ot Adonomotapa, there pafTed acclamations fucccflively thrcu4h 
 the City. And as remarkable an example there is of the fame cufton^, in 
 
 Kk 2 . the 
 
252 Enquiries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 the remoteft parts of the Eaft, recorded in the travels of Tinto. 
 
 But the hiftory will run much higher, If we (hould take in the Kah- 
 
 i>/«ictf/ account hereof; that fncezing was a mortal fign even from the 
 
 firftman; undl it was taken off by the fpecial fuppliation of Jactb, 
 
 From whence, as a thankful acknowledgement, this falutaiion firft be- 
 
 Buxt. Lex. 8^" » ^"*^ was after continued by the expreffion of Tobim Chatim^ or 
 
 ChiUi. vitahna, by ftandcrs by, upon all occafion of fneezing. 
 
 Now the ground of this ancient cuftom was probably the opinion 
 the ancients held of fternutation, which they generally conceived to be 
 a good fign or a bad, and fo upon this motion accordingly ufed, a 
 Salve or zry cufp as a gratulation for the one, and a deprecation from 
 the other. Now of the wayes whereby they enquired and determined 
 itsfignality i the firft was natural, arifing from Phyfical caufes, and 
 confcquences oftentimes naturally fucceeding this motion; andfoic 
 whence Stcr- "^^^^^ ^^ ^"^^^ effecmed a good fign. For fneezing being properly a 
 nutation or niotion of the brain, fuddenly expelling through the noftJIs what is 
 Sncezir<g pro- offenfiveuntoit, it cannot but afford fome evidence of its vigour; and 
 ceeds. therefore faith /ir//Jot/l?, they that hear it, we'wuwi^// «/ '/sg^^ honour it 
 
 Problem Scft. ^s fomewhat facred, and a fign of Sanity in the diviner part ; and this 
 ^^* he iliuflrates from the praftice of PhyfitiansjWho in perfons near death, 
 
 In what f do ufe Sternutatories, or fuch medicines as provote unto fneezing; 
 a fign of ^ when if the faculty arife, 'and Sternutation enfueth , they conceive 
 good. hopes of life, and with gratulation receive the figns of fafety. And 
 
 ioisitalfoof good fignality, according to that of Hippocrates^ that 
 fneezing cureth the hickct, and is profitable unto women in hard la- 
 bour ; and fo is it good in Lethargies, Apoplexes, Catalepfies and Co- 
 t KiDg.4.-35. ma's. And in this natural way it is lometimc likewife of bad effefts 
 InwhatofbadoF fignes, and may give hints of deprecation, as in difeafes of the 
 cheff : ;|or therein Hippocrates condemneth it as too much exagita- 
 ting : in the beginning of Catarrh( according unto Avicen>ta, as hin- 
 dering concoft4on, in new and tender conception8(as Plinj obfervcth) 
 for then it endangers abortion. 
 
 , The fecond way was luperfiitious and Augurial, ^C£lius Kodigims 
 "bath illuftrated in tefiimonies, as ancient as theocritus and Homer : 
 as appears from the Aihenian m.iftir, who would haveretired, becaufe 
 a boat-man fneczed ; and the teftimonyof AujHn^ that the Ancients 
 were wont to go to bed again if they fneezed while they put on their 
 ^'fiioe. Aiid in this way it was alfo of good and bad fignification ; fo 
 Arijiotle hath a Problem, why fneezing from noon unto midnight was 
 goods but from night to noon unlucky ? So Eujiathius upon Homer ob- 
 fervcs, that fneezing to the left hand was unlucky, but profpcrcus unto 
 the right ; fo, as Piutarcb relateth, when Ihemijhcles facrificed in his 
 galley before the battle oi Xerxes^ and one of the ^fliftants upon the right 
 hand Sneezed; Euphramides the Southfayer, prefaced the viftoryof 
 the Greek^i and the overthrow of the Perfiam. 
 
 Thus 
 
Book 4. andCommon'Errots, " 353 
 
 Thus wc may perceive the cuftora is more ancient then commonly 
 conceived j and thefe opinions hereof in all ages, not any onedifeafeto 
 have been the occafion of this falutc and deprecation. Arifing at firft 
 from this vehement & affrighting motion of thebra'in,inevitableobferv" 
 able unto theftanders by j from whence fome finding dependent effeSs 
 to^enfuejothcrs afcribing hereto as a caule what perhaps but cafually or 
 inconncxedly fucceeded^hey might proceed unto forms of fpeeches, 
 felicitating the good, orMeprecating tl^vil to follow. 
 
 C H A ^4"X. 
 
 Of tht Jew^, 
 
 THat TeUffi ftink naturallyjth at is, that in their race and nation there 
 is an evil favour , is a received opinion we know not how to ad- 
 mit: although concede many queftionable points, and difpute not 
 the verity ot fundry opinions which are of affinity hereto. We will 
 acknowledge that certaine odours attend on animals^ no lefs then cer^ 
 tain colours; that ][4'^afent (mels are not confined unto vcgitables, but 
 found in divers aninajUand fome more richly then in plants.And though 
 the Problem of i^ri/^(wenquire why none fmels fweet belidethe Parde i 
 yet later difcoveries add divers forts o{ Monkeys, the Givet Cat and 
 Gazela , from whicfc our Musk proceedeth. Wc confefs that befide 
 the fmell of the fpices, there may be individual odour*, and every man 
 may have a proper and peculiar (avour ; which although not pcrccpti* 
 ble unto man, who hath this fenfe, but weak,yct fenfible unto Dogs,who 
 hereby can fingle out their Matters in the dark. We will not deny that 
 particular men have fern forth a pleatant favour, as Ti&«/'fcr/xr«f and P/«- 
 tarch reportof Alexander the great, and Jzetzesand Cardan do tcA'ifK 
 ofthemfelves. That fome may alfo emit an unfavery odour,we have no 
 reafon to deny 5 for this may happen from the quality of what they 
 have taken • the Factor whereof may difcover it felf by fwcatand urine, 
 as being unmafterablc by the natural heat of man, not to be dulcified 
 by ccncoftion beyond an unfavory condition : the like may come to 
 pafs from putrid humours, as is often difcoverable in putrid and malig- 
 nant fevers. And fome-time alfb in grofs and humid bodies even in the 
 latitude of fanity ; the natural heatof the parts being infufficient for a 
 perfeft and through digeftion,and the errors of one concoftion not refti- 
 fiablc by another. But that an unfavory odour is gen'ftlitious or national 
 unto the Jews^ if rightly und^ood, wc cannot well concede j nor will 
 the information ot reafon6«»te induce it. 
 
 For firft, Uponconfult of r^^ there ^will be found noeafieafTurancc 
 to faften a material or tcmperath^tal propriety upon any nation ; there 
 being fcarce any condition (but what depends upon clime) which isnot 
 
 Kk 3. cxhauftcd 
 
254 Ettquiriet into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 exhauftcd or obfcured from the commixture of introven'ient nations 
 either by commerce or conqiieft; much more will it be difficult to make 
 out this affeftion in the Jewer^ whofe race however pretended to be 
 pure, muft needs have fuffered infeparable commixtures with nations 
 of all forts 5 not onely in regard of their profelytes, but their univer- 
 fal difpertion ; (omc being ported from (everal parts of the earth, o- 
 thers. quite loft, and fwollow«;dup in thofe nnionswhcreth^y plan- 
 ted. For the tribes of JlfK/»m, Gad^ pan oiManaJJes and Haphtbali^ 
 \yhich were taken by AJfur,2ind the reft at the lacking oi Samaria^which 
 were led away by S^aLmnaJJerinto Aj^jria^ and after a year and half 
 arrived at Arjereth, as is delivered in E/^/^^jjihefe I fay never return- 
 ed, and are by the Jeypes as vainly expefted as their Mejjas. Of thofe 
 * of the trlbsoijuda and Betfjaw^n, v^hich were led captive into Babylon 
 by Nehucbadnezzer^ many returned unto Zorobabelj the reft remained, 
 and from thence long after upon invafion of the Saracens^ fled as faras 
 India. ; where yet they are Taid to remain,but with little difference frcfen 
 
 The tribes that returned to Judea'^ were afterward widely difperfed 5 
 forbefide fixteen thoufancf which 7it((s fent to Kom€ unto the triumph 
 of his father rf/jp/z/wff, he fold no lefs then an hundred thoufand for 
 flavcsi Not many yetres after tAdrian the Empcrour, who ruined the 
 whole Countrey,tranfplantedmany thoufands into ^/?/M«,from whence 
 they difperfed into divers Countreys, as into France and England^ but 
 were baniftied after froiii both. From Spain they difperfed into Africa^ 
 Italj) Connantimple^ and the Dominions of theTi^r^. where they re- 
 main as yet in very great numbers. And if ( according to good relati* 
 ens ) where they may freely fpeak it, they forbear not to boaft that 
 there are at prefcnt many thoufand Jews in Spain^ France and England^ 
 andforaedifpenfed withall, even to the degree of Priefthood ^ it is a 
 matter very conliderablC) and could they be (melledout, would much 
 advantage, not oncIy the Church of Qhrift, but alfo the coders of 
 Princes- ;! > - .; r: " 
 
 •, Now having thus lived in feveral Countriesjand alwayes in fubjefti- 
 Gnj they muft needs hav€ fuffered 'many commixtures } and we arc furc 
 they are not exempted fromthecoramon contagion of Venery contraft- 
 ed firft from Chriftians. Nor are fornications unfrequent between them 
 both 5 there commonly palling opinions of invitement, that their Wo- 
 men defire copulation with them, rather then their own Nation, andaf- 
 feft Chriftian carnality above circumcifedvenery. It being therefore 
 acknowls'Jg Jdj that fome are loft!, evident that others are mixed, and 
 . notalTured that any are diftinft, it willbehard toeftiblifh this quali- 
 ty u)ponihQ J ewesy unlefswealfo transfer the fame unco thofe whofe 
 generations are mixed, whofe genealogies are Jewifi^and naturally de- 
 rived from them. 
 
 Aeain, If we concede a National unfavourinefs in any people, yet 
 
 fhall 
 
Book 4. and common Errors, 255 
 
 (hall we find the Je^es lefs fubj -ft hereto then any,and that in thofe re- 
 gards which mod powerinlly concur to (uch efFefts,that is, their diet and 
 j^eneration. As for their diet, whether in obedience unto the precepts of 
 reafonjorthe injuiiftionsof pariimonyjtherein they arc very temperate.; The /efwrge- 
 feldom offending in ebriety or excels of drink, nor erring in gulofity nerallwery 
 or (iiperfluiry of meats ; whereby they prevent indigcftion and crudities, ^^'"P^'^^^^' 
 and confcquently puvrefcence of humours. They have in abominati- 
 on allflcfh maimed, or the inwards any way vitiated 5 and therefore 
 cat no meat but of their own killing. They obferve noc onciy fafts at 
 certain times, but are retrained unto very few difhcs at all times ; fo 
 few, that whereas Saint Fftfrifheet will hardly cover our* tables, their 
 law doth icarfe permit them to fet forth a Lordly feaft ; no any way to 
 anfwer the luxury of our times, or thofe 6f our forefathers. For of 
 flcfti their Law reftrairis them many forts, and luch as compleat otir 
 feafts; That animal, Propter convivia natum, they touch hot, nor any « 
 of its preparations, or parts fo much in refpeft at Koman tables ; nor ad- 
 mit they unto their board;, Kai-e?, Conies, Herons, Plovers or fwans. 
 Of fifhes they onelytafl of fuch as have both fins and fcales ; which are^dn// eflguk 
 comparatively but few in number, fuch onelyyiiaith Arijiotlcy whofe ?"f /'^'^oroj- 
 ejKg or fpawn is arenactous;whereby are excluded all cetaceous and car-^'""^^^'■^^•' ^" 
 tilagienous fifhes; many peftinaljWhofe ribs are reftilineahmany coftal, "J^'JJ'^^'^^^^^'^J^- 
 which have theirribsembov/ed; all fpina', or fuch as have no ribs, 
 btitohely a back boneiferfome what analogous thereto, as Eels,Congers, 
 Lamppiesj all that arc tcftaceoos, asOyfterp, Codes, Wilks, Schollops, 
 Mul'cles; and likewife all cruftaceous, as Crabs, Shrimps and Lob- 
 (lers. So that obferving a fpare and fimple diet,whercby they prevent 
 the generation of crudities h and fafting often whereby they might alfo 
 di^eft them i they muft be lefs inclinable unto this infirmity then any 
 other Nationjwhofe proceedings are not fo reafonable to avoid it. 
 
 As for their generations and conceptions ( which are the purer from 
 good diet, J they become more pure and perfeft by the ftrift obfervati- 
 on of their Law 5 upon the injunftions wherecE, they feverely obferve 
 the times of Purificationjand avoid all copulatlMi,either in the unclean- 
 nefsof themfelves , Or impurity of their women. A Rule, Ifear, not 
 fowell obfervedby Ghriftiansj whereby not onely conceptions are pre- 
 vented, but if they proceed, fo vitiated and,dcfiled}th«t duYabfc^nqQi^ 
 nation?, remain upon the birth. Which,when the conception meets with 
 thefe impurities,muft needs be very potentj fince in the purefl and n^o^^Tfte original 
 fairconccptions,learned men derive the canfeof Pox and Mea2els,from or matcridl 
 principles of that nature 5 that is, the tnenftruous impurities in the mo- caufescf fhe 
 thers bloodjand virulent tinftures contrafted by the Infant, in the nutri- I'oxandMea- 
 mentofthewomb. -'j ...:i /.,. ^^'s* 
 
 Laftly, Experience will convift it ; forthis offenfiveodor is no way 
 difcoverable in their Synagogues where many are, and by reafon of 
 their number could not be concealed: nor is thefamedifcernablein 
 
 commerce 
 
2 5 5 Enqutrii into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 commerce or converfadon with fuch as are cleanly in apparel, and dc* 
 cent in their Houfes. Surely the Viziars and Turkjfh Bama'sarc not of 
 this oppinionjwhoas Sr. Henry B/««tinformeth, do generally keep a 
 Jewoi their private Counfel.And were this true, t\iz Jews themfelves 
 do not ftriftly malce out the intention of their Law, for in vain do they 
 Icruplc to approach the dead, wholivingly are cadaverous, or fear a- 
 ny outward pollution, whofe temper pollutes themfelves. And laftly, 
 were this true, our opinion is not impartial ; for unto converted Jewes 
 who are of the fame {eed, no man imputcth this unfavoury odor ; as 
 though Aromatized by their converfion, they loft their fcent with their 
 Religionjand fmclt no longer then they favoured of the Jew, 
 
 Now the ground that begat or propagated this afTertion, might be 
 the diftafteful averfnefs of the Chriftian from the Jew, upon the villa- 
 ny of that faft, which made them abominable and ftink in the noftrils 
 Cr^n. 34. ofallmen. VVhich real praftife, and metaphorical exprcflion, did af- 
 ter proceed into a literal conftruftion; but was a fraudulent illationjfor 
 ftich an evill favour their father. J^co^ acknowledged inhimfelf, when 
 hefaid, his fons had made him ftink in the land, that is, to be abomi- 
 nable unto the inhabitants thereof- Now how dangerous it is in fen- 
 cible things 10 ufe metaphorical cxpreffions unto the people, and what 
 abfurd conceits they will fwallow in their literals ; an impatient ex- 
 ample we have in our own profeflion; who having called an eating 
 Ulcer by the name of a Wolf, common apprehenfion conceives a rea-" 
 lity therein ; and againft our (elves, ocular affirmations arc pretended 
 CO confirm ir. 
 
 The naftinefs of that Nation, and fluttifti courfe of life hath much 
 promoted the opinion, occafioned by their fcrvile condition at firft,and 
 inferiour wayes of perfimony ever fince 5 as is delivered by Mr. Sandys^ 
 They are generally fat, faith he, and rank of the favours which attend 
 upon fluti^ifli corpulency. The Epithetes afligned them by ancient times, 
 havealfo advanced the (amesfor Ammianus Marcellinm defcribeth them 
 in fuch languagejand Martial more ancient,in fuch a relative expreiHon 
 fetj forth unfavoury Baffa. 
 
 ^odjejunia Sabbatarhrum 
 
 Mallaniy quam quod oies, olere Baffa. 
 
 From whence notwithftanding we cannot infer an inward Imperfeftion 
 
 in the temper of that Nation ; it being but an efFeft in the breath from 
 
 Niff«Vc'oC«iK, outward obfervation, in their ftrift and tedious faftinfiji and was acorn* 
 
 lejMRJa olerc, mon efFeft in the breaths of other Nations,became a Proverb among the 
 
 Greeks, and the reafonthereof begot a Problem in Arijiot/e. 
 
 Deflcrilitate Laftly, If all were true, and were this favour conceded, yet are the 
 
 ^"J* reafons allcadgedforitnowayfatisfaftory. H«c^fr/w, and after him 
 
 ' • ^P'^fl. Alfariui Cr«ci«;,imputes this cffcft unto their abftinence from fait or fait 
 
 meats ; which how to make good in the prefcnt diet of the Jews, we 
 
 know not > nor (hall we conceive it was obferved of old, if we confider 
 
 they 
 
Book. 4. 4Lnd Common. Errors* 257 w 
 
 they feafoned every Sacrifice, and all oblations whatfocvcr; whereof 
 we cannot deny a great part was eiten by the Priefts. And if the offer- 
 ins were of flefti, it was falted no lefs then thrice, that is, once in the 
 common chamber of fait, at the footftep of the Altar, and upon the top 
 thereof, as is at large delivered by Maimonides. Nor if they refrain- 
 ed all fait, is the illation very urgent ; for many there are not noted for 
 ill odours, which eat no fait at all 5 as all carnivorous Amimals, moft 
 Children, many whole Nations, and probably our fathers after the 
 Creation ; there being indeed in every thing we cat, a natural and con- 
 cealed (alt, which is feparated by digeftions, as doth appear in our 
 tears, fwcat and urinesj although we refrain all fait or what doth feem 
 to contain it. 
 
 Another caufe is urged by Campegiusy and much received by Chrifti* 
 ans ', that this ill favour is a curfe derived upon them by Chrift , and 
 ftands as a bag or brand of a generation that crucified their Satvator. But 
 this is a conceit without all warrant 5 and an eafy way to take oii di- 
 ipute in what point of obfcurity (oever. A method of many Writers, 
 which much depreciates the efteem and value of miracles j that is, there- 
 with to falve not onely real verities, but alfo non-exiftencies. Thus have 
 elder times not onely afcribed the immunity of Irelandfrom any vene- 
 mous beaft, unto the ftaff or rod of Tatrick j but tb e long tayles of Kent^ 
 untothe malediftionof ;^«/}2Af. 
 
 Thus therefore, although we concede that many opinions are true 
 which hold fome conformity unto this, yet in afTenting hereto, many 
 difficulties muft arife ; it being a dangerous point to annex a conftant 
 property unto anyNation,and much more this unto the Jf wjiince its not ' 
 vcrifiible by obfervation -, fince the grounds are feeble that fhould efla- 
 blifh it, and laflly, fince if all were true , yet are the reafons alleadged 
 for it, of no fufficiency to maintain it. 
 
 C H A p. Xt. 
 
 Of Pigmies. 
 
 BY Pigmies we underfVand a dwarfifh race of people, or loweft di- 
 minution of mankind,comprehended in one cubit, or as fomewill 
 have itjintwo foot or three fpans; not taking ihem fingle,but nationally 
 confideringihem,and as they make up an aggregated habitation. Where* 
 of although affirmations be many,andteftimonies more freq lent then in 
 any other point which wife men have caff into the lift of fables j yet that 
 there is, or ever was fuch a race or nation,upon exa£t and confirmed te- 
 ftimonies, our ffriftcft enquiry receives no fatisfaftion. 
 
 I fay,exaft teftimonies,firftj In regard of the Authors, from whom we 
 derive the account j for though we meet herewith in Herodotus , 
 
 LI Vbilo^ 
 
258 Ew^nims into Vulgar Book 4* 
 
 Fhilojlratusy Meloy Ftiny^ iS'&^*«.^ and ni^ny more; yet were they dcrU 
 vative Relators, and the prlmativc Author was Homr \ who ufing often 
 (imilies, as well to delight the ear, as to illuftratc his matter, in the 
 third ot his Iliads, compareth the 7'i'o;<?>fi unto Cranes, when they de- 
 fcendagainft the Pigmies j which was more largely fet out- by Opparty 
 Jinjenal, hlantuany and many Poets finee, and being onely a pleafant 
 hgment in the fountain, became a folemn ftory in the ftrearo, and cur- 
 rent ftill among us. 
 
 Again^ Many Profcfled enquirers have rejefted it ; Strabo an exaft and 
 Judicious Geographer,hath largely condemned it as a fabulous ftory in 
 lib. I. Julius Scaliger a diligent enquirer, accounts thereof, but as a- 
 Poetical fiftion j Vlyffes Aldrovandus a moll exaft Zoographer in an ex- 
 prefs difcourfc hereon, concludes jhe ftory, fabulous, andaPoetital 
 account o^Homer^ and the fame was formerly conceived by Eujiathiusy 
 his excellent Commentator. Albertus Magnus a man o^.times too 
 credulou8,herein wasmorethen dubious; for heaffirmeth, if any fuch 
 dwarfs were ever extant,they were furely fome kind of Apes : which is 
 a conceit allowed by C4r^<7%andnotefteemed improbable by many o- 
 thers. 
 
 There; are I confefs two teftimonies, which from their authority ad* 
 Hift. animal, mitof confideration. The firft of -^ri/^ot/e, whofe words are thc/l'f Is*, 
 lib.8, j^ 5 TlTT^'i &c. That is. Hie locus eff qutm incolum Fygmaif mnenim idfam 
 
 bula eji, fed puftlluM gew/Si ut aiunt. Wherein indeed Arijiotleplsncsthc 
 jiriftotle^hit is,the wary and evading aflcrcor ; For though with mHeji 
 fabula^ hefeem at firft to confirm it, yet at the laft he claps in, Sciunt 
 aiuntp, and (hakes the beU.ef he put before upon it. And therefore I pb^« 
 ferve Sca/iger hath not tranfiated the firft ; perhaps fuppofing it furi'eptir 
 tious or unworthy fo great an afTerior. And truly for thofe bocks of a- 
 niraals, or work of eight hundred talents, as Atkeneus terms it, although 
 ever to be admired, and contain moft excellenttruths; yet are many 
 tWngs-therein delivered upon rehtron, and (ome repugnant unto the 
 hiftory of our fenfes i as we are able to make out in feme, znd Scaliger 
 hath obfcrved in many more,as he hath freely declared in his Comment 
 upon that piece. 
 i^^ekf x?. 1 3. ^^^ f econd teftimony is deduced from holy Scripture ; thus rendred 
 in the vulgar tranflation, Sed & Pjgmai, qui eroJtt inturribus tuis,pha» 
 retra^ fuas fufpenderunt in muris tuis per gyrunt: from whence notwith* 
 ftanding w.e cannot inter thisafTertion, tor firft the Tranflators accord 
 nor, and the, Hebrew word Gammadiam is very varioufly rendred, 
 Thoi)^,h Aquillji Fatablus and Lyra will have it Pygwaiy yet in the Sep* 
 tuagint, it is no more then Watchmen i and lo in the Arabicl{_znd high 
 Dutch' \n t\\Q Chalde Cappaetotiam^ i\y Syymnacbui Medes^ and in the 
 French-i thofe of Gamad^ But in th.' Calde^ Cappadocians ; in Symmacus^ 
 Medes. Jheddotio)! of old, and Iremelius of late, have retained the 
 Textuary word ; and lo have the Italian, Low Dutch and Englijh 
 
 TranOa*'' 
 
Book 4. dnd Common Errors* 259 
 
 Tranflators, that is, the men of Arvad were upon thy walls rounda- 
 bout, and the <5;«w>«/?</iwf were in thy towers. 
 
 Nor do men onely dificntin the Tranflation of the word, fcut in- the 
 Expofition of the fenfe and meaning thereof j for fome by G'ammadms 
 underfland a people of Syria., (o called from the City GamaU ; feme 
 hereby undcrftand the Cd:;?/>/«^o«d»^, many the Medes' and hereof Fd- ^^<^ ^r.f M//er; 
 r^iwhath a fmgular Expofition, conceiving the Watchmen o'^T)^^ cdptlon^ofA'- 
 might well becalledPigmies, the Towers of that City being fo high, /e^,„f, 
 that unto men belo w,they appeared in ai citbital ftature*. Others expoun- 
 ded it quite contrary to comon acception,that isnot men of theleafi-jbut 
 of thelargeft lize; fo doth Cornelius conftrue Tygniai or viri cubitalesythsLt 
 is, not men of a cubit high, but of the largeflltature, whole height like 
 that of GiantSjis rather to be taken by thecubitthen the foot 5 in which 
 phrafc we read the meafure of Coliah whofe height u Qiid to. be fix cu- 
 bits and a fpan. Of affinity hereto is alfo the Expofition of JeronVy not 
 taking Pigmies for dwarfs, but ftout and valiant champions 5 not tak- 
 ing the fenfe of wb^fx**, which fignifies the cubit meafure,but that which 
 exprefTeth Pugils ; that is, men fit for combate and thi exercife of 
 thcfift. Thus can there be no fatisfying illation from this T^xt, the 
 dlverfity or rather contrariety of Expofitions and interpretation Sj idi? 
 ftra6\:ing more then confirming the truth of the ftory. 
 
 Again, I fay, exaditeftimonies-, in reference unto circumflantial re- 
 lations fo diverfly or contrarily delivered. Thus the relation of Ari4 
 j^ot/tf placeth them above iE^/'t towards the head oi: Nyk in Africa-^ 
 P hi^^r atus af^rms they are about Ganges in Afia^ and Pliny m a third 
 place, that is, Cerama in Scythia : fome write they fight with Cranes, 
 huiMenecles inAtheneus affirms they fight with Partridges,fomc (ay they 
 ride on partridges, and fome on the backs of Rams. 
 
 Laftly, 1 (ay, confirmeS tcflimonies ; for though Paulus Jovius deli- 
 vers there are Pigmies beyond ^tf^'flx; Pigafeta, about the Molluccas; 
 and Olaus Magnus placeth them in Greenland j yet wanting frequent 
 confirmation in a matter fo confirmable, their affirmation carrietii but ^ xhe ftory 
 flow perfwafion ; * and wife men may think there is as much reality of Pigmies 
 inthe jj Pigmies of Paracelfus ; that is, bis non- Adamicai men, or mid* rejefted. 
 die natures betwixt men and f^pirits.. \\ By Pigmies 
 
 There being thus no fufficient confirmaticm of their vcrity/ome doubt intending Fai* 
 may arife conc<;rning their pofTibility, wherein, fince it is not defined J.'«and other 
 in what dimeniions the foul may exercife her f aculties,we (hall not con- the ear'JSy 
 elude impoffibilityj or that there might not be a race of Pigmies, as there Nymphs and 
 is fometime* of Giants. So may we take jri the opinion oiAu^in, and Salamanders, 
 his Comment Ludovicus 5 but to believe they fhould be in the flature of ^P'''*^^ ^^ ^^ 
 a foot or fpan requires the preafpcftion of fuch a one as PhiletM the Po- vepkmak 
 et m Atken£us ; who was fain to faflen lead unto his feet left the winde 2V>;Ik, ^c. 
 Ihoiild blow him away. Or that other in the fame Authour, who was 
 fo little ut ad ohUm aceederet-:,^9iot^ fo ftrange,that we might herein ex- 
 
 IjI 2 cufe 
 
26o inquiries mto Vulgar Book 4, 
 
 cufe'thc Printer, did not the account oi Mlian accord unto.it, as 
 Caufabonehith obferved in his learned An i mad vcrlions. 
 
 Laftlyjifany {uch Nation there were, yet is it ridiculous what racn 
 have delivered of them 5 that they fight with Cranes upon the backs of 
 Rams or Partridges ; or what is delivered by Ctefias, that they are iVr- 
 groes in the middeft of Jndia; whereof the King of that Countrey, enter- 
 taincth three thouland Archers for his guard. Which is a relation below 
 the tale oiOberon; nor cculd they better defend him, then the Emblem 
 faith, they offended Hercules whilft he flcpt, that is, to wound him no 
 deeper, then to awake him. 
 
 Chap. XII. 
 
 Of the great CUmaQericalyear^ that is^ Sixty three, 
 
 'Ertainly the cyesof theunderftanding, and thofc of the fence are 
 'differently deceived in their greateft objefts ; the fcnfc apprehend- 
 ing them in lefler magnitudes then their demenfions require ; fo itbe- 
 holdeth the Sun, the Stars, and the Earth it felf. But the undcrftanding 
 quite otherwife : for that afcribeth unto many things far larger horizons 
 then their due circumfcriptions require : and receiveth them with ampli- 
 fications which their reality will not admit. Thus hath it fared with 
 many Heroes & moft worthy perfons, who being fufficiently commenda- 
 ble from true and unqueff ionable mcrits,have received advancement from 
 falftiood and the fruitful flock of fables. Thus hath it happened unto the 
 Stars, and Luminaries of heaven: who being fufficicntly admirable in 
 themfelveSjhave been fet out by effefts, no way dependant on their effici- 
 ences, & advanced by amplifications to the queflioning of their true en» 
 dowments^ Thus is it not improbable it hath alfo fared with number, 
 which though wonderful in it felf, and fufficiently magnifiable from its 
 dcmonflrable afFcftions,hath yet received adjeflions from the multiplying 
 conceits of men, and ftands laden with additions, which its equity will 
 not admit. 
 
 And fo parhaps hath it happened unto thenumber,7 and 9,which muf- 
 
 tiplied into themf elves do make up Sixty three,commonly cffeemed the 
 
 great Climafterical of our lives. For the dayes of men are ufually caff up 
 
 ty Septenaries,and every (eventh year conceived to carry fome altering 
 
 charafter with it,either in the temper of body,mind,or both. But among 
 
 all other, three are mofl remarkable, that is, 7 times 7 or fourty nine, 
 
 9 times p or eighty one, and 7 times 9 or the year of Sixty three; which 
 
 is conceived to carry with it the moft confiderable fatality ; and con- 
 
 The great filling of both the other numbers was apprehended to comprife the vcr- 
 
 Climafterical, tue of either: is therefore expefted and entertained with fear,& effecmed 
 
 RcTfuch dan- * ^^^^^^ of fate topafs it over. Which notwithftanding many fufpeft to 
 
 flcrous year, be but a Panick tcrrour, and men to fear they jyflly know not what : and 
 
Book 4. find Common Erf or s* 261 
 
 tofpeak indifferently, I find no {atisfaftion : nor any fufficicncy in the 
 received grounds to eftablifli a rational fear. 
 
 Now herein to omit Aftrologicalconfiderations ( whic.h arc but rare- 
 ly introduced)the popular foundation whereby it hath continued,! sfirft, 
 the extraordinary power and fecret vertue conceived to attend thcfe 
 numbers : whereof we muft confefs there have nor wanted not onely e# 
 fpecial commendationSj butveryftngular conceptions. Among Philo- 
 fophers, Pythagoras ieems to have played the leading part 5 which was 
 long after continued by his difciples, and the Italick^ School. The Philo- 
 (bphy of Flato^ and moft of the Fiatoniffs abounds in numeral confidera* 
 tions:alx)ve all^Thilo the learned Jew^hnth aded this part even to fupcr- 
 ftition : bellowing divers pages in {umming up every thingjwhich might 
 advantage this number. Which notwithftanding, when aferious Reader 
 (hall perpendjhe will. hardly find any thingthat may convince his judgc- 
 mcnt,or any further pcrfwade, then the lenity of hisbeUef> or prejudge- 
 ment of reafon inclineth. 
 
 For firfti Not only the number of 7 and 9 from confiderations abftrufej 
 have been extolled by moft, but all or moft of the other digits have been 
 as myfticaUy applauded. For the number of One and Three have not 
 been onely admired by the Heathens, but from adorable grounds, the 
 unity of God, and myfterieof the Trinity admired by many Chriftians. 
 The number of four (lands much admired,not onely in the quaternity of 
 the Elements,which are the principles of bodies,but in the letters oi the 
 Name of God, which in the Greek^. Arabian, TerfmUyHebrew and ^gyf^ 
 tiau, confiftethof that numbcrj and was fo venerable among the Pytha^- 
 goriansy that they fwore,by the number four. That of (ix hath found ma» 
 ny leaves in its favour > not onely for the dayes of the Creation, but its 
 natural conjideration, as being a perfeft number, and the (irft that is 
 compleated by its partsjthat is, the iixt, the half, and the third, i> 2. 3. 
 Which drawn into a fum, make fix. The number of ten hath 
 been as highly extolled, as containing even, odd, long, plain,quadrate 
 and cubical numbers h and Arijhtle obferved with admiration, that Bar* 
 harians as well as Greek^s^ did u(e a numeration unto Ten ; which being 
 lo general, was not to be judged cafualjbut to have a foundation in na- 
 ture.So that not onely 7 and 9, but all the reft have had their EIogie3,as 
 maybe obferved at large in Rhodigiuufy^ and in (everal Writers: fince 
 every one extolling number, according to his fubjcft, and as it advanta* 
 gedthc prcfent difcourfein hand. 
 
 ^ Again, They have been commended not onely from pretended grounds 
 in nature, but from artificial, cafual or fabulous foundations : fohave 
 fome endeavoured to advance their admiratlonjfrom the 9 Mufes, from 
 the 7 Wondersof the World,from the 7 Gat^sof T&f^« : in that 7 Cities 
 contended for Horner^ in that there are 7 Stars in Vrfa tKJmr^ and 7 in 
 Charles wayn,;or Plauftrum of I^r/4 wajor. Wherein indeed although 
 the ground be natural, yet either from confiellations or their re» 
 
 LI 3 markable 
 
2^2 Ettquhries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 markabk parts, there is the like occafion to commend any ot her number^ 
 the number 5 from the ftars in Sagitta^ 3, from the girdle of Orion^ and 
 4 from Equkulusy Crujero^ or the feet of the Centaur : yet are fuch 
 as thefe dapt in by very good Authors, and fome not omitted 
 by Fhilo^ 
 
 Nor are they onely extolled from Arbitrary and Poetical grounds,but 
 from foundations and principle?, falfe, or dubious. That Women arc 
 menftruant, and Men pubefccnt at the year of twice (feven, is accounted 
 a punftual truth ; which period nevertheless we dare not precifely de- 
 termine, as havingobferved a variation and latitude inmoft; agree- 
 ably unto the heat of clime or temper ; men ariling varicufly unto vi- 
 rility, according to the aftivity of caufes that promote it. Sanguis men' 
 firuofuf ad idem, ut plurimmi fepwmm durat^ hkh Philo. Which notwith- 
 ftanding is repugnant unto experience, and the dodirincoi Hippocrates, 
 who in hisbook, de di£ta, plainly affirmeth,itis thus but with few wo- 
 men, and onely fuch as abound with pituitious and watery humours. 
 
 It is further conceived to receive addition, in that there arc 7 heads 
 of Nyleyhut we have made manifeft elfewhere, that by the difcription of 
 Geographers, they have been fomctime more,and are at prefent fewer. 
 
 In that there were 7 Wife men oi Greece-, which though generally rc» 
 ceived, yet having enquired into the verity thcreo*, we cannot fo readi- 
 ly determine it 5 for in the life ofThales^ who was accounted in that 
 number, Viogines Laenius plainly faith, Magna deeorum mintero difcordia 
 eji', fome holding but four, fome ten, others twelve, and none agree- 
 ing in their names, though according to their number. 
 i^«ncz«/ S)ide- jj^ ^^^^ jj^gj,g are juft y planets or errant Scars in the lower orbs of hea- 
 ven ; but it is now dcmonftrablc unto fenfe, that there are many more ; 
 as Galileo hath declared, that is, two more in the orb of Saturn, and no 
 lefs then four more in the fpherc of Jupiter. And the like may be faid 
 of theFleiades or 7 Stars,which are alfo introduced to mignifie this num. 
 bcrifor whereas fcarce decerning fixjwe account them 7,by this rlcation, 
 there are no lefs then fourty, 
 
 ' That the heavens are encompafled with 7 circles, is alfo the al- 
 legation ot Tbilo ', which are in his account, the Artick, Antartick, the 
 Summer and Winter Tropicks, the Equator, Zodiack, and the Milky 
 circle ; whereas by Aftronomersthey are received in greater number. For 
 though we leave out the Laftcous circle (which Aratus^Geminus^ and Fro* 
 clusy out of him hath numbred among the reftj yet are there more by four 
 then Phtio mentions ; that is, the Horizon, Meridian and both the Co- 
 lures; circles very confiderabic, and generally delivered, not onely 
 by Ptolomie, and the Aftronomers fincc his time , but fuch as flourish- 
 ed long before, as Hipparchus and Eudoxus. So that tor ought I 
 know, il it make for our purpofe, or advance the theme in hand, with 
 equal liberty^ we may affirm rhere were 7 Sybils, or but 7 figns in the 
 Zodiack circle of heaven. 
 
 That 
 
 reus. 
 
Book 4. afid commdn Errors* 263 
 
 That verfc in Virgil tratiflated out of Homer. terqtte^ quaterf, beati ; 
 that is as men will have it, 7 times happy, hath much advanced this 3!^'''^f ''*'{** 
 number in critical apprchenfions ; yetisnotthis conftruftion fo indu- ^g**^''^^ 
 bitable to be received, as not at all to be queftioned : for though RhoM- 
 oinuiiBeroaldus and othen from the authority of Macrobius Co inter* 
 pret it, yttServius his ancient commentator conceives no more thereby 
 then a finite number for indefinite , and that no more is implied then 
 often happy, ^rr^^o the ancienteftof them all, conceives no more by 
 this in Homerj then a full and excciTive expre(Tion j whereas in com- ... 
 moil phrafe and received language, he fticuld have termed them ' *'°' 
 thrice happy; herein exceeding that number.he called them four times 
 happy, that is, more then thrice. And this he illi»ftrates by the like 
 e<preflion of Horner^ in the fpeech of Circe j who to exprcfs the dread 
 and terrcKir of the Ocean, flicks not unto the common form of fpeech 
 in the ftrift account of itsreciprocations^ but largely fpeakine, faith, 
 it ebbs and flows no lefs then thrice a day, terque dierevontit fludus^ 
 iterumqu9 roforbet. And fo when tis faid by Horace, J£lices ter & 
 ampltus , the expcficion is fufficient , \i we conceive no more then 
 the letter fairly beareth, that i-,. four times , or indifinitely more 
 then thrice. 
 
 But the main confiderations'which moft fet off this number, areob- 
 fervations drawn from the motions of the Moon, fuppofed to bemea- 
 fured by fevens j and the critical or decretory dales dependant on that 
 number. As for the motion oF the Moon, though we grant it to be mea- 
 fured by fevens, yet will not this advance the fame before its fellow 
 numbers; for hereby the motion of other Stars are not meafured, the 
 fixed Stars by many thoufand years, the Sun by 3^5 daie?, the fiiperi- 
 our Planets by more, the inferiour by fomewhat lets. And if we confi- 
 der the revolution of the firft Movable, and the daily motion from Eaft 
 to Weftjcommon unto all the Orbs^; we fhall find it meafured by another 
 number, for bein^ performed in four and twenty hours, it ismadeup 
 of 4 times 6 : and this is the meafure and ftandard of other parts of 
 time, of moneths, ofycars,01ympiade5, Luftres, Indiftions, of Cycles 
 Jabilies, ^c. , ^. 
 
 Again, Moneths are not onely Lunary,and meafured by the Moon,but,„Qn*g(J j° ^'^^ 
 alfo Solary,and determined by the motion of the Sun ; that is, the f pace 
 wherein the Sun doth pafs 30 degrees of theEcliptick. By thismoneth DeoHomeflri 
 Hi/'/>ocr<zr«jcompated the time of the Infants geftation in the womb ; p'^'^fw. 
 for 9 times 3,0, that is, 270'daies, or compleat 9 moneths^ make up four- 
 ty weeks,the common compute of women. And this is to beunderftood, 
 when he faith, 2 daies makes the fifteenth, and 3 the tenth part of a 
 moneth. This wasthemoneth of the ancient Hf^r^jvi before their de- 
 parture out oijE^yp: and hereby the compute will fall out right,and the 
 account concur, when in one place it is faid,the waters of the flood pre- 
 vailed an hundred and fifty daycs, and in another it is delivered that 
 
 they 
 
264 • Enquires into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 they prevailed from the feventeenth day of the Tecond moneth, unto 
 the feventeenth day of the fcventh. As for hebdomadal periods or 
 weeks, although in regard of their Sabbaths, they were obfervcd by 
 t\\zHehre)»s^ yet it is not apparent, the ancient Gr^^i^f or Romanes u« 
 fed any : but had another diviiion of their moneths into Ides, Nones 
 and Calends. 
 
 Moreover,M6neths howfoever takenjarenot exaftly divifiblc into fe- 
 ptenariesor weeks, which fully contain (even days: whereof four times 
 do make compleatly twenty eight. For, befidethe ufual or Calendar/ 
 monethjthere are but four confiderable i the moneth of Peragration, of 
 Apparition,of Conrecution,& the medical or Decretorial moneth^whcr- 
 of fome comcfhort, others exceed this account. A moneth of Peragra- 
 tioUjis the time of the Moons revolution from any part of the Zodiack, 
 unto the fame again : and this containeth but 27 dayes, and about 8. 
 hours: which cometh (hort to compleat the feptenary account. The 
 moneth of Confecution, or as fome will term ir, of progrefllon, is the 
 fpace between one con junftion of the Moon with the Sun, unto ano- 
 ther : and this containeth 29 dayes and an half : for the Moon retur- 
 ning unto the fame point wherein it was kindled by the Sun, and 
 not finding it there again ffor in the meantime, by its proper motion 
 it hath pafTed through 2 fignes) it followeth after, and attains the 
 Sun in the Ipace of 2 daic?, and 4 hours more, which added unto the 
 account of Peragration, makes 29 dales and an half : fo that this 
 moneth exceedeth the latitude of Septenaries, and the fourth 
 part comprehendeth more then 7 dales. A moneth of Apparition, is 
 the fpace wherein the Moon appearcth ( dedufting three dales wherein 
 k commonly difappeareth ; and being in combuftian with the Sun, is 
 prefumed of lefs aftivity, ) and this containeth but 26 dayes and 12 
 hours. The medical moneth not much exceedeth this, conlifting of 26 
 dayes and 22 houres, and is made up out of all the other moneths. For 
 if out of 29 and an half, the moneth of Confecution, we deduft 3 daies 
 of difappearance, there will remain the moneth of Apparition 26 daies 
 and 12 hours : whereto if we add 27 dayes and 8 hours,the moneth of 
 Peragration, there willarire$3 dayes 2nd 10 hours, which divided by 
 2, tnakes 26 dayes and 22 hours, called by Phyficians the medical 
 moneth : introduced by Gden againft Archigenesy for the better com* 
 pute of Decretory or Critical dayes. 
 What a cri ti' As for the Critical dayes ( luch 1 mean wherein upon a defertation 
 caldayis. between the difeafe and nature, there enfueth a feniible alteration, 
 either to life or death _) the reafons thereof are rather deduced from 
 Aftrology,ihen Arithmetick : for accounting from the beginning of the 
 direafe,and reckoning on unto the (eventh day,the Moon wil be in a Te- 
 tragonal or Quadrate afpeftjthat is, 4figns removed from that wherein 
 the difeafe began:in the fourteenth day it will be in an oppolite afpeft: 
 and at the end of the third (epcenary,Tetragonal agdin:as wil moft gra- 
 phical'/ 
 
Book. 4. and Common Errors,. 265 
 
 phically appear in the figures of Aftrologers 5 efpscially Lucas G anr kits y 
 J)e diehus decretorm. 
 
 Again, CB.'liie that computing by the Medical moneth, the firft hcb- 
 domadeor feptenarycoiififts of 6dayes, feventeen hours and an hal^, 
 the fecond happeneth in 13 daies and eleven hours, and the third but in 
 the twentieth natural day ) what Galen firft, and Aben^Ezra lince ob- 
 ferved in his traft of critical day es, in regard of Eccentricity and the 
 £picicleor lelTer orb wherein it moveth, the motion of the Moon is va- 
 rious and unequal ; whereby the Critical account muft alfo vary* For 
 though its middle motion be equal, and of 13 degrees, yet in theocher 
 it moveth (omstimes fifteen, fom:timelefs then twelve. For moving 
 in the upper part of its orb, it pcrlormeth its motion more flowly then 
 in the lower j infomuch that being at the height, it ariveth at the Te- 
 tragonal and oppofite figns (boner, and the Critical day will be in 6 
 and 13 •, and being at thjlowell^, the Critical account will be out of the 
 latitude of 7, nor happen before- the 8 or ninth day. Which are confi- 
 derations not to be neglefted in the compute of decretory dayes, and 
 manitelily declare that other numbers muft have a refpeft herein as well 
 as 7 and fourteen. 
 
 Laftly, Some things to this intent are deduced from holy Scripture ; 
 thus is the year of Jubile introduced to magnifie this number, as being 
 a year made out ot 7 times 7; wherein notwithif andingthere may be a 
 mifapprehenfion; for this arif.-th not from 7 times 7,that is, 49 ; but was 
 obferved the fiftieth year, as is exprefTed, and you (hall hallow 
 the fiftieth year, a Jubile (hsM that fiftieth year be unto you. An- 
 fwerable whereto is th,;Expofition of the Jen>s tbemfelves, as isde'Levh2r. 
 livered by Ben-Maimon ; that is, the year of Jubile, cometh not into the 
 account of the years of 7,butthe fourty ninth is the releafe,and the fifti- 
 eth, the yczvoi Jubile. Thus is it alio cflcemed no fmall advancement 
 unto this number, that the Genealogy of our Savi'^ur is fiimmed up by AUt. i. 
 1 4, that is, thisnumber doubled ^ according as is exprefred. So all the 
 generations from Abraham to David urs fourteen generations, and from 
 Vavid unto the carrying away into Babylon, are fourteen generations ; 
 and from the carrying away into B/^^j/o^ unto Chrift are fourteen ge- 
 nerations. Which neverthelcfs muft not be (friftly underffood as nu- 
 meral relations require ; for from David unto Jeconiah are accounted by 
 Matthew but 14 generations j whereas according to the exaft account in 
 the hilforyof Kings, there were at leaft 17; and 3 in thisaccount^ that 
 is, Ahazioi) Joas and Amaziof areleft out. For fo it is delivered by 
 the Evcngelill ; and Joram begat Ozias : whereas in the Regal 
 Genealogy thtre are three fucceiruns between : forO^'^ior Vzziab 
 was the (on of Amazias, Amazias o{Joas,Joai oi Azariah and Azariab 
 of Joram : fo that in (irift account, Joram was the Abavus or grand- 
 father twice removed and not the father of Ozias. And thefe fecond 
 omitted defcents made a very confidtrable mea^fiire of time in the Roy- 
 
 Mm al 
 
266 EnquirietintoP^Hlgar Book 4. 
 
 al chronology of Judab : for though Azariah reigned but one year, 
 yet Joas reigned fourty, and ty^'tnazias no Uifz then nine and twenty. 
 However therefore thefe vvcre delivered by the Evangelift, and carry 
 (no doubtj an incontroulable conformity unto the intention.of his de- 
 livery : yet are they not appliable untoprecifenumerality,nor ftriftly to 
 be drawn unto the rigid teft ot numbers. 
 
 Laftly, Though many things have been delivered by Authors con- 
 cerning number, and they transferred unto the advantage of their na» 
 ture, yet are they off times otherwife to be underftood, then as d^ey are 
 vulgirly received in aftive and cafual c on fj derations , they being many 
 times delivered Hieroglyphically, Metaphorically, lliuftrativcly, and 
 not with reference unto aftion or caufality. Ti uc it is,that God made, 
 all things in number, weight and meafure, yet nothing by them or ^ 
 through the efBcacy of either. Indeed our dales, anions and motions 
 being meafured by time C which is but motion meafured) whatever 
 isobfervable in any, fats under theaccountof fomenumberj which 
 notwithftanding cannot be denominated the caufe of thofe events. So 
 do we inJLiftly alfign the power of Aftion even unto time ie felf ; nor do 
 they fpeak f ropcrly who fay that Time confumcth all things; for Time 
 is not effeftive, nor are bodies dcftroycd by it, but from the af^ion and 
 paffion of their Elements in it ; whofe account it oaely afibrdeth ; and 
 meafuring out their motion, informs us in the Periods and terms 
 of their duration j rather then effefteth or phyfically produceth the 
 
 waOcrkis. De A fecond confideration which promoteth this opinion, areconfirma- 
 
 eccultis natuia tions drawn from Writers, who have made obfervatrons, or fet down 
 
 miracHlis^ favourable rcafons for this Climaftcrical year ; (o have Henrkus Ran" 
 
 zovim^ Bapijia Codronchus, and Levimts Lemnm much confirmed the 
 
 Bel, Lib. y. fame ; but above all, that memorable Letter of ^«g«/?«i fent unto his 
 
 Nephtvf Caiui, wherein he encourageth him to celebrate his nativity, 
 
 for he had now efcaped Sixty three, the great Clima6^erical and 
 
 dangerous year unto man : which notwithftanding rightly perpended^ 
 
 it can be no (ingularicy to qucftion it, nor any new Paradox to deny it. 
 
 For firft^It is implicicelyjand upon confeqaence denied by Ati^9tle in 
 his Politicks, inthatdifcourfe againft P//zfo, who meafured the vicif^ 
 fitude and mutation of States, by a periodical fatality of number. Pro- 
 loraiex\\2X famous Mathematician plainly faith, he will not deliver his 
 doftrines by parts and numbers which arc ineffeftual, and have not the 
 nature of caufes ; now by thefe numbers faith Kodiginus and Mirandula, 
 he impliethClimafterical years, that is, feptenaries, andnovenaries fet 
 down by thebareobfervation of numbers. C^n[orinus 2in Author of 
 great authorityj and (ufScientantiauicy, fpcakesyet more amply in his 
 hookVe die Natali, wherein exprefly treating of ClimaAcrical dayes, 
 he thus delivcreth himfclf. Some maintain tliat 7 times 7, that is,four- 
 ty nine, ismo0 dangerous ol any other,, and thisit the nioft general o- 
 
 ginion 
 
Book 4. and common Errors, 26y 
 
 pinion; others unto 7 times 7, add 9 times 9, that is, the year of eighty 
 onCjbothwhich confifting of fqiure and quadrate nnmbers^wcre thought 
 by Tiato and others to be of great conlideration i as for this year of fix - 
 ty three or 7 times 9, though (ome efteem itof moft danger, yet do I 
 conceive it lefs dangerous then the other -, tor though it containeth both 
 numbers above named, that is, 7 and 9, yet neither of them fqiarsor 
 quadrate j and a s it is different from them both, fo is it not potent in ei- 
 ther. Nor is this year remarkable in the death of many famous men. I 
 find indeed i\\ditArijmle died thisyearjbut he by the vigour of his mind, 
 alongtimefnflained a natural infirmity of flomackj fo that it was a 
 greater wonder he attained unto fixty three, then that he lived no lon- 
 ger. The Pfalm of Mfr/<?i hath mentioned a year of danger differing from 
 allthefe : and that iscen times 7 or fevcnty ; for fo it is faid, the dayes 
 of man are threef core and ten. And the very fame is affirmed by So/oh, 
 as Herodotus relates in a fpcech of his unto Cr£jusjEgo annis feptuagiftta 
 human£ vit£ mcdum definio. and furely that year muli be of greateft dan- 
 ger, which is the Period of all the reft-, and feweft fafely pafs thorow 
 that, which is fet as a bound for few or none to pal?. And therefore 
 the confent of elder times, fetUng their conceits upon Climafters not 
 onely diffcTing from this of ours but one another ; though feveral Nati- 
 ons and Ages do fancy unto themfelves difierent years of danger, 
 yet every one cxpe^ls the fame event, and conftant vcricy in 
 each. 
 
 Again, Though Vano divided the dayes of man into five portions, 
 Hjppocrites into 7, and Solon into ten; yet probably their divilions 
 were to be received with latitude, and their confiderations not flriftly 
 to be confined onro their lafl unities. So when Farro cxtcndetli Fuer- 
 tia unto 1 5 . Adolefcenti a unto 30. Juvent m unto 3 5 . Th ere i s a la» 
 titude between the terms of Periods of compute, and the verity holds 
 good in the accidents of any years between them. So when Hjppocra- 
 tes divideth our life into 7 degrees or images, and maketh the end of the 
 iirfl 7. Of the fecond 14, Of the third 28. Of the fourth 35. Of the 
 fifth 47. Of the fixt 55. And oi the feventh,die laft year when ever it 
 happencth; herein we may obferve, he maketh not his divifions pre- 
 cilely by 7 and nine, and emits the great Ciimafterical ; befide there 
 is between every one at leaff the latitudeof 7 years,in which fpacc or in- 
 terval, that is either in the third or fourth year, what ever falleth out 
 is equally vercfied in the whole degree, as though it had happened in 
 the fcvcntb. Soion divided it into ten Septenaries, becaufc in every 
 one thereof J a man received fome fenfible mutation , in tfrc firfl is De«. 
 dentition or falling of teeth : in the fecond Pubefcence; in the third the 
 beard groweih : in the fourth flrengch prevailes : in the fifth maturity 
 foriffuejin the fixtTOoderation of appetite J in the feventh prudence, 
 &c^ Now herein there is a tolerable latitude, and though the divifion 
 proceed by 7, yet is not the total verity tobereflraincdunto the laft 
 
 Mm 2 year; 
 
268 Enqniries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 year; nor conftantly tobe expiftedchebearclfhoulcibscompIeatat2i. 
 or wifdom acquired juft in 49, and thus aUo though 7 times 9, contain 
 one of thofe f cptenaries, and doth aI(o happen in our declining years $ 
 yet might the events thereof be imputed unto the whole fcptcnary ; and 
 be more reafonably entertained with fome latitude, then ftriftly reduced 
 unto the laft number, or all the accidents from 56 impatcd unto63. 
 
 ThirdIy,Although this opinion may (eem confirmed by obfervation, 
 and men may fay it hath been To obfcrvedjyet we fpcak alfo upon expe- 
 rience, and do believe that men from obfervaiion will colkftnofa- 
 tisfaftion. That other years may be taken againft it, efpecially if they 
 have the advantage to precede it 5 as fixty againft fixty three, and fixty 
 three againft 66. For fewer attain to the latter then the former; and fo 
 furely in thefirft Septenary do moft die, and probably alfo in the very 
 firft year ^ for all that ever lived were in the account of that year.; be- 
 lide, the infirmities that attend it are fo many,and the body that receives 
 them fo confirmed,we fcarce count any alive that is not paft it. 
 
 Fabritius Paduanius diicour-iing of the great Cliraafterical, attempts a 
 De catena tern- numeration of eminent men, who died in that year ; but in fo fmall a 
 poTii, number, as not fufScient to make a confiderable induftion. He mention 
 
 ncth but four, Viogines Cynicus^ Vionyfius HeracUotkus, Xemcrates tUt 
 tonicus^ and Fluto, As for Viony[ms, as Cenforinus witneflTeth, he famifhed 
 himf elf in the 82 year of his life ; Xmocfates by the teftimony of Laer- 
 tius fell into a cauldron, and died the fame year : and Viogines the €y 
 nick.^ by the fame teftimony lived almoft unto ninety. The date of fU- 
 teos death is not exiftly agreed on,l: ut all diffent from this which he de« 
 termineth : Neanthes in Laertius extendeth his daies unto 84. Sjadas un- 
 to 82. Butfferwi^;7«j definethhisdeath inSi. And this account fccm« 
 eth nioft exaS ; for if, as he delivereth, PUto was born in the 88 Olym* 
 piade, and died in the lirft year of the 108, the account will not furpafs 
 the year of 81, and fo in his death he verified the opinion of his life,and 
 of the life of man, whofe period, as Cenforinus recordeth, he placeth in 
 the Quadrate of 9 or 9 times 9, that is, eighty one : and therefore as Se^ 
 neca delivereth, the AJ/zgici/rwi at Athens did facrifice unto bim, as de- 
 claring in his death fomewhat above humanity ; becaufe he died in the 
 day of his nativity, and without deduction juftly accompli fhed the year 
 of eighty one. Bo ji»e I confefs, delivers a larger lift of men that died 
 Method Hiff. *" ^^'^^ Y^^^'j Adoriuntuf innnmerahiles anno fexagefivio tertio, Ariftoteles^ 
 Chryfippiitf Bocatiusy Bernardus, Erafmusy Lutherus, Melandhon, Sylvius^ 
 Alexander, Jacobus Suirmius^ Nicolaus.Oijanus^ Ihamas Linacer^ eodem 
 anno Cicero caf Its eji. Wherein btfide, that it were not difficult to 
 make a larger Catalogue of memorable perfons that died in other yearr, 
 we cannot but doubt the verity of his induftion. As (or Sylvius and A» 
 lexAnder, which of thatnamehemeaneth I know not; but iot Chry^ 
 Jippus, by the teftimony of Laertius, he died in the 73 year, Bocatiusia 
 the 62 , LiftaceniiQ 64, ^ndErafmus exceeded 70^ . 2islau/us- Jovius hath 
 
 de« 
 
Book 4. aftd Common Enon, 26^ 
 
 delivered in his Elogyoflearned men. And as for Cicero^ as Vlutarcb' 
 in hislifeaffirmethjhevvasflain in the year of 645 and therefore /ure 
 the queftion is hard (et, and we have no eafie reafon to doubtjwhen great 
 andentire Authors fhall introduce in judifiable examples, and autho- 
 rize their affertions by what is not authentical. 
 
 Fourthly, They which proceed upon ftrift numeration?, and will by 
 {iich regular and determined wayesmeafure out the lives ot men, and 
 periodically define the alterations of their temper-, , conceive a regula- 
 rity in mutations, with an equality in conftitutions, and forget that va- 
 riety, which Phyfitians therein difcover. For feeing we affirm that wo- Cholerick 
 men do naturally grow old before men, that the cholerick fall (hort in rncncoinmen- 
 longaevity o( the fanguine, that there is /?;;;«>« tf«te/^;if^«tfw, and ma* L °"" '' 
 ny grow old before they arrive at age, we cannot affix unto them all 
 one common point of clanger,but fihould rather aflign a refpeftive fata- 
 lity unto each. Which is concordant unto the doftrine of the numerifts, 
 .and fucb as maintain this opinion : for they affirm that one number re- 
 fpefteth men, another women, as Bo^i«, explaining that of Seneca, Sep- 
 timus qiiifq'y annus <etati Jignum imprmit, fubjoins Hoc de maribus diCmm^ 
 oportuit) hoc primum intuerilket^ perfedum numermny id eji^ fextum fcemi" 
 ftas feptenarium mares immutare, 
 
 fifthly, Since we cfteem this opinion to have fbme ground in na- 
 turej and that nine times feven revolutions of the Sun, imprint a dan- 
 gerous Charafter on (uch as arrive unto it ; it will leave fome doubt be- 
 hind, in what fubjcftion hereunto were the lives ofour forefathers pre- 
 fently after the flood, and more efpecially belore^itj who attaining 
 unto 8 or 900 years, had not their Climafters computable by digits, or 
 as we do account them 5 for the great Climaftcrical was paft unto them 
 before they begat children, or gave any Tcftimony of theirvirility; for 
 we read not that any begat children before the age of fixty five. And 
 this may aUo afford a hint to enquire, what are the Clima(3:ers of other 
 animated creaturesjwhereof the lives of fome attain not fo far as this 
 of ours, and that of others extend a conliderable fpacc beyond. 
 
 Laflly, The imperfcft accounts that men have kept of time, and the 
 difference thereof both in the fame and divers Commonwealths, will 
 much diflraft the certainty of this affertion. For though there Wv^e a 
 fatality in this year, yet divers were, and others might be out in their 
 account, aberring feveral wayes from the true and juft compute, and 
 ciHing that one year, which perhaps might be another. 
 
 For firfl. They might be cut in the commencement or beginning of 
 their account ; for every man is many moneths elder then he compu- 
 teth. For although we begin.the fame from our nativity* and con- 
 ceive that no arbitrary, but natural term of compute, yet for the dura- 
 tion of life pr exiftence, we participate in the womb the ulualdi. 
 ftin£tions of time; and are not to be exempted from the account 
 ©i age and life, where, we are fubjeft todifeafes, and often fufferdcath. 
 
 M m 3 And < 
 
2-70 Enquirks into Vulgar Book 4* 
 
 And therefore fythrgoras, Hipp9cratesJ)iocle.t, Avicenna and others,have 
 {et upon us numeral rehttonsand temporal contiderations in the womb; 
 notonely affirming the birth of the feventh moneth to be vital, that of 
 the eighth mortal, but the progreflion thereto to be nr^afurcd by rule, 
 andtohold a proportion unto motion and formadon. As what recei- 
 vsth motion in the fcventhj to be pcrfcftj^d in the Triplidtiv.'s; thuC is, 
 thetimeof conformation unto motion is double, and that from moti- 
 on unto the birth, treble 5 So what is formed the 35 day, is moved ihe 
 feventy, andbom^he2ioday. And therefore if any invifiblecaurali- 
 ty there be, that aft^r fo many years doth evidence it felf at Sixty three, 
 it will be queftionable whether its aftivity onely ftt out at our nati- 
 vity, and begin not rather in the wopib,. wherein we place the like 
 confiderations. Which doth not onely"ente^!e this afTcTtion, but hath 
 already entfcroiled the endeavours of AWtjIbgy in the ercftion of 
 Schemes, and the judgement of death or d^lfips^ for being notin- 
 controulably determined, at what time to begm^^.^ether at concepti- 
 on, animation or cxclufion (it being indifferent untO the influence of 
 heaven to beein at either) they have invented another way, that i?, to 
 begin ab Hora qu^fiioms^ as Halj^ MeffahaUachy GanivetuSy and Guido Bo- 
 flatus have delivered. 
 
 Agiin, In regard of the meadire of time by moneths and years, there 
 will be no fmall difficulty; and if we fhallfh-iftly conlider it, many 
 have been and ftill may be miflaken, For neither the motion of the 
 Moon, whereby moneths are coniputed ; nor of the Sun, whereby years 
 are accounted, confiftcih of whole numbers, but admits of fraftions, and 
 broken parts,3S we have already declared concerning the Moon. That of 
 the Sun confifteth of 565 daie8,and almoff 6 hours, that is,wanting ele- 
 ven minutes; which fix hours omitted.or not taken notice of, will in 
 procefle of time largely deprave the compute ; and this is the occafion 
 of the BifTextile or leap-year, which was not obfervcd in all times, nor 
 punftually in all Common-Wealths ; fo that in Sixty three years 
 there may be lofl almoft 18 dayes, omitting the intercalation of one 
 day every fourth year, allowed for this quadrant, or 6 hours fupcr- 
 iiumerary. And though the fame were obfervcd, yet to fpeak ifriftly a 
 man may be fbmewhatout in the account of his age at Sixty three, for 
 although every fourth year we infcrt one day, and fo fetch up the 
 quadrant, yet thofe eleven minutes whereby the year comes fhort of 
 perfeft 6 hourSj will in the circuit of thofe years arife unto certain 
 hours ; and in a larger progrefTion of time unto certain dayes. Wfiere- 
 of at prefcnt we finde experience in the Calender we obferve. For 
 the Julian year of 365 dayes being eleven minutes larger then the 
 annual revolution of theSuni there will arife an anticipation in the 
 eminent in * -^^i^no^ves ; and as JuH^'mus computethjin every 136 year they will an. 
 spherawlob^ ticipatc almoft one day. And therefore thofe ancient men and Ncfiors 
 de S'acro bofco. of old times, which yearly obfervcd their nativicies^might be miff aken 
 
Book 4* and Common Errors* 271 
 
 in the dayj nor that to be conftrued withouta grain of Salc,which is de- 
 livered by Aiofes ; Ac the end of lour hundred years,evcn the fclf fame 
 day, all the hoftof I frael went out of the land of JEgypU For in that 
 fpace of time the j^quinoxes had anticipated and the eleven minutes 
 had amounted far above a day. And this compute rightly confidered 
 will fall fowler on them who caft up the lives of Kingdoms, and (uin 
 up their duration by particular numbers : as ?Uto firft began, and (ome 
 have endeavoured linceby psrfcft and fpherical numbers, by thcfquare 
 and cube of 7 and 9 and 1 2, the great number o( Plato. Wherein indeed 
 Bodine hath attempted a particular enumerationjbut ( befidcs the mi- ^ ' "^"'^^' 
 ftakes commitdblcin the folary compute of years ^ the difference of 
 Chronologic difturbs the fatisfaftion and quiet ot his computesjlome ad- 
 ding, ethers detrafting, and, few punftually according in any one year; 
 whereby indeed (uch accounts fliould be made up j for the variation in 
 an unite dcftroycs the total illation. 
 
 Thirdly, The compute may beunjuft not onely in a ftrift acception, 
 of few dales or hours, but in the latitude alfo of fome years ; and this 
 may happen from the different compute of years in divers Nations, and 
 , even (uch as did maintain the molt probable way of account : their year 
 being not onely different from one another, but the civil and com- 
 mon account difagreeing much from the -natural year, whereon the 
 confideration is founded. Thus for the teftimony of Herodotus, Cenfo- tj^^ Lunary 
 rinus and others, the Gr^^i^j obferved the Lunary year, that is, twelve year what, 
 revolutions of the Moon, 354dayesj but thQ JEgyftians^ and many 
 others adhered unto the Solary account,that is, 36$ dayes,that is,eleven The Solary 
 dayes longer. Now hereby the account of the one would very much year what. 
 'exceed the other : A mm in the one would account himfelf 63, when 
 one in the other would-think himfelf but 61 j and fo although their na» 
 tivities were under the fame hour, yet did they at different years be- 
 lieve the verily of that which both cftecmed affixed and certain unto 
 one. The like miftake there is in a tradition of our dayes ; men con- 
 ceiving a peculiar danger in thebegimiing dayesofMay, fctout as a 
 fatal period unto confumptions and Chronical difeafes ; wherein 
 notwithftanding we compute by Calender?, not onely different from 
 our AnceftorSjbut one another; the compute of the one anticipating that 
 ot the other ; fo that while we are in ApriljOthers begin May, and the 
 danger is part unto one, while itbeginneth with another. 
 
 Fourthly, Men were not only out in the number of fome dayes,the Ia« 
 titude ot a few y^ars, but might be wide by whole Olynipiades and di- 
 vers D:cades of years. For as Cenforimts relateth,the ancient Arcadians ^^p jj^f - 
 obferveda year of three moneths, thQCariarts of fix, the Ueriatts ot ^ccomt^ qT^ 
 four; and as Bhdorus and Xemphon de jEquivocis, allcadgeth, the an- meafureof a 
 cicnt JE^pians have ufed a year of three, two, and one moneth : fo year, 
 that the Climafterical was not onely different unto thofc Nations, but 
 but unreafonably diftant from ours; for Sixty three will pafle in 
 
 their 
 
272 Enquiriei into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 their account, before they arrive fo High as ten in our?,- 
 > Nor if we fiirvey the account of Kome it felf, may we doubt they were 
 inJitaken Tand if they feared Climafterical years , might err in their 
 numeration. For the civil year whereof the people took notice, did 
 {ometinies come (ho^^, and fometimes exceed the natural For accord- 
 m2;K.o Varro, Suetonims and 5'<r«/c?r/««^j their year Cvinlifted firftof ten 
 moneths ^ which comprehended but 304 daiwS, that is, 61 lefs then ours 
 containethjafter by Numa or Tarquine from a fuperftitious conceit of im- 
 parity were added 5 1 daies, which made 35'5, one day more then twelve 
 revolutions of the Moon. And thus a long time it continued, the civil 
 compute exceeding the natural j the correftion whereof, and the due 
 ordering of the Leap-year was referred unto the Pontifices j who either 
 upon favour or malicejthat fome might continue their offices a longer or 
 (horter times or from the magnitude of the year that men might be ad- 
 vantaged, or endamaged in their contrafts, by arbitrary intercalations 
 depraved the whole account. Of this abufe Cicero accufed Ferr^j, which 
 at laft proceeded fofar, that when Julius C£far came unto that office, 
 before the redrefs hereof he was fain to infert two intercalary moneths 
 unto November and December, when he had already inferted 25 daies < 
 unto February j fo tha(;that year confifted of 445 daies j a quarter ot a 
 year longer then that weobferve; and though at the hft the year was 
 reformed, yet in the mean time they might be out wherein they fummed 
 lip Climafterical observations. 
 
 Laftly, Oneway more there may be of miflake, and that not unufual 
 among us, grounded upon a double compute of the yearj the one begin- 
 ing from the 25 of March, the other from the day of our birth, unto the 
 fame again, which is the natural account. Now hereupon many men 
 frequently mifcaft their daies 5 for in their age they deduce the account 
 not from the day of their birth, but the year of our Lord wherein they 
 were born. So a man that was born in januiry 1582, if helive tofall 
 fick in the latter end of March 1645, willfumup his age, and fay lam 
 now Sixty three, and in my Climafterical and dangerous year ; for I 
 was borne in the year 1 582, and now it is 1645, whereas indeed he 
 wanteih ftiany moneths of that year, confidering the true and natural 
 account unto his birth; and accounteth two moneths for a year . and 
 though the length of time and accumulation of years do render the mif- 
 take infenfible ; yet is it all one, asif one born in January 1^443 (hould 
 be accounted a year old the 25 of March 1645. 
 
 All Vk'hich perpended, it may be eafily perceived with what infecuri- 
 ty of truth we adhere unto this opinion; afcribing notonely effefts 
 depending on the natural period of time unto arbitrary calculations, and 
 fuch as vary at pleafure ; but confirming our tenets by the un- 
 certain account of others and our felves. There being nopofitivc 
 or indifputable ground where to begin our compute ; that if there 
 
 were 
 
 / 
 
Book. 4- and Common Errors, 273 
 
 ware, men hive been fcveral wayes m'ftaken ; the beft in fome latitude, 
 others in greater, according to the different compute cf divers ftates, 
 the (hort and irreconcilable years of fome,the exceeding error in the na- 
 tural frame of others, and the lapfcs and falfe deduftions of ordina- 
 ty accounts in moft. 
 
 Which duly con (idered, together with a ftritt account and critical 
 examcn of reafon, will alfo diftraft the witty determinations of 
 Aftrology. That Saturn the enemy of life, comes almoft every fc- 
 vcnth year, unto the quadrate or malevolent place, unto that where 
 it begun : thatas the Moon about every feventh day arrivcth unto 
 a contrary fign^fo Saturn, which remaineth about as many years,as the 
 moon doth dayes inonelign, and holdcththefameconfideration in 
 years as the Moon in dayesjdoth caufethefepericulous Period?. Which 
 together with other Planets,and prof eftion of the Horofcopr, unto the ^ 
 thefevcnth houfe, oroppofite iignes every feventh year ; opprcfleth li- 
 ving natures, and caufcth obfervablc mutations,in theftate of fubluna- 
 
 ^ Further (atisfaaion may yet be had from the learned difcourfeof Sal- ^^^fciT' 
 mafiw lately pablilhed, if any defirc to be informed how different the 
 prefcnt obfervations are from thofe of the ancientsi how every one hath 
 different Climaftericalsj with many other obfervables, impugning the 
 prefent opinion. 
 
 Chap. XIH. 
 Of the Canicular or Dog^dayes. 
 
 W Hereof to fpeak diftinftly : among the Southern conftellations 
 two there are which bear the name of the Dogjthc one in 1 6 de- 
 grees of latitude, containing on the left thigh a Star of the firft mag- 
 nitude, ufually called Procyon or Anticanis, becaufe fay fome it Jm Pmjm fur 
 rifeth before the other; which if truly underftood, muft be reftrain- '"'^^^^'''^ 
 ed unto thofe habitations, who have elevation of Pole above thirty ^^"'^"' """• 
 two degrees. Mention thereof there is in Horace^ who feems to 
 miftake or confound the one with the other 5 and after him in Ga* 
 leriy who is willing, the remarkableft Star of the other (hould be 
 called by this name ; becaufe it is the firft that arifeth in the con- 
 ftellation ; which notwithflanding, to fpeak flriftly, it is nocjun- 
 Icfs we except one of the third magnitude in the right paw in his 
 own and our elevation, and two more on his head in and beyond 
 the degree of fixty. A fecond and more confiderable one tfierei?, 
 and neighbour unto the othcr,in 40 degrees of latitude,containing 18 . . "^ 
 StarSjwhereof that in his mouth of the MTm^mtudc,the Greekj callugg^^j.^^ 
 S«e«®*, the LatinesCanit major ^ and we emphatically the Dog^Star. 
 
 N n Now 
 
274 Enqniries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 Now from the rifing of this Star, net .cormically, t^at is^ with the 
 Sun, but Heliacally, that is, its emerfion from theraics of the Sun, the 
 Ancients computed their canicular (iaies;conc^rning which there gene- 
 rally paffeth an opinion, that during thofe daies, all medication or ufe 
 of Phyfick is to be declined, and the cure commited unto nature. And 
 therefore as though there were any feriation in nature, or juftitiums ima- 
 ginable in profcfiions, whofe fubjeft is natural, and under no imer- 
 miflive, but conilant way of mutation -, dus feafon is commonly term« 
 ed the Phyfitians vacation, and ftands (o received by mofl men. Which 
 conceit however general, is notonely crroneus, but unnatural, and fub- 
 lifling upon foundations either falfe, uncertain, miffaken,or mifappled, 
 defepveSjHot of mankind that indubitable affent it findeth. 
 
 For firff, which feems to be the ground of this affertion, and not td" 
 be drawn into queftion, that is, the magnified q.iality of this Star con- 
 ceived tocaufe, or intend the heat of this feafon, whereby thefe dayefi 
 become more obfervable then the reft ; we find that wifcr Antiquity was 
 not of this opinion. For, feventeen hundred years ago it was as a vul- 
 gar error rcjefteci by G^wm/tf, a learned Mathcpiaticlan in his Elements 
 ofAftronDmy; wherein he plainly afhrmeth, that common opinion, 
 made that a caufe, which was at firfl obferved but as a fign. The rifmg 
 and Ccttingboth oft1ii«Star and others being obfcrved by the Ancients, 
 to denote and teflifie certain points of mutation, rather then conceived 
 to induce or effeft the fame. Forour fore-father<,(aith he, obferving the 
 courleof rheSun, and marking certain mutations to happen in his pro- 
 grefs, through particular parts of the Zodiack, theyregiflred and fee 
 them down in their Parapegmes , or Aftionomical Canons; and being 
 notable to defignc thefe times by daie^, montths or years ( the com- 
 pute thereof, and the beginingof the year being different ,according un- 
 to different Nations ) they tliought beft tp fettle a general account unto 
 all j and to determine thefe alterations by fome known and invariable 
 figns ; and fuch did they conceive the riling and fetting of the fixed Stars; 
 not afcribing thereto any part of caufaliiy, but notice and Hgnification. 
 And thus much feems implied in that exprcflion qfitfow^r,whenfpeaking 
 of the tl^e Dog-Star,hc concludeth — — ^xi»iflf rfS^Kst ritpKn^.A^ a/unt au* 
 tey»figmmejijThchmc.aii?ettivius obferveth, is implied in the word 
 of Ftolomj , and the Ancients, «%; Vk7tfy.»7ttff , that is, of the fignifiration 
 of Stars. The term of Scripture alio favours it, as that of If ai ah, Nolite 
 Ximere afignis c«li ; and that in Geuefis, Vt Jint in figna & tewfora: Let 
 there be lights in^ the firmament^ and let them be for iigns and for 
 ^afons. 
 
 I The Primitive and leading magnifiers of this Star were thcjEgjip* 
 
 tiansj the great admirers of dogs in earth an heaven. Wherein they wor» 
 
 ^'myfiusPe' fl^^PP^^ Aftubk or Menuriufi the Scribe of Saturn, and Counfellcr of O- 
 
 riegeft. fy^^h the great inventor of their religous rit?, and Promoter of good 
 
 unto Mgyp* Who was therefore tranflated into this Star ; by tlie 
 
 . ( M^pians 
 
Book 4. and common Errors » 275 
 
 ,J£,gypti(ins called Sothi^ ^and Sir is by the JEthioplans j from whence that 
 <S<ri^tf or the Dogs ftar had its name, is by (omeconjeftured. 
 
 And this they looked upon, not with reference unto heat, but 
 cocleftial influence upon the faculties of man, in order to religion and 
 allfagacious invention; and from hence derived the abundance and 
 great fertility of ^gypt^ the overflow of Nyjus happening about the 
 afcent hereof. And therefore in Hieroglyphical monuments, Muiis 
 is defcribed with a Dogs»head, with a Crocodile between his legs, 
 with a fphere in his hand, with two ftars, and a water pot ftanding 
 by him; implying thereby, the rifmg and fetting of the Dogs- 
 ftar, and the inundation if the River Njlus. 
 
 But if all were filent, Galen hath explained this point unto the 
 life; who expounding; the reafon why Hyppocrates. declared the af- 
 feftions of the year by the riling and fetting of Stars ; it was faith 
 he, becaufe he would proceed on figns and principles bcft known 
 unto all Nations. And upon his words in the firftof theEpidemick<', 
 Ih thafo Autnmmo circa Eqninoxhm & fub virgilm pluvia erant ntultJi^ he 
 thus enlargeth. Iff faith he J the fame compute of times and moncths 
 were obfervcdby all Nations, HippocrateshdiA never made any mention 
 either ot A^^^urus, Pleiladesor the Dog»Star5 but would have plainly 
 faid, in Mfl'Cf^<?«/rf, in themonethDion, thus orthus was theayr di{^ 
 pofed. But for as much as the moneth Dion is onely known unto the 
 Macedonians^ but obfcurc unco the Athenians and other Nations ; he 
 found more general diftin6tions of time , and inftead of naming 
 moneths, would ufually fay, at the ^quinox,the rifing of the Pleiades, 
 or the Dog -Star: And by this way did the Ancients divide the f eafons 
 oftheyearj the Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer. By the ^^^firigHowthe An- 
 ofthe Pleiades, denoting the beginning of Summer, and by that tients divided 
 ofthe Dog-ftar, the declination thereof. By this wny Ariiiotle through the feafons of 
 all his books of Animals, dillinguifheth their times of generation, fhe year, 
 latitancy, migration, (anity and venatiom And this were an allaw- 
 able,way of compute,and ftill to be retained, were the lite of the Stars as 
 inalterable, andtheirafcentsas invariable asprimative Aftronomy con- 
 ceived them. And therefore though Arijiot/e frequently m entioneth this 
 Star,and particularly affirmetb thatFlhes in the Bofphorus are beft catch- 
 ed from the arife of the Dog.ftar, we mull not conceive the fame 
 a meer eflfeft- thereof. Nor though Scaliger from hence be wil» 
 ling to infer the efficacy of this Star, are we induced hereto; ex- 
 cept becaufe the fame Philofopher affirmeth ; that Tunny is fat 
 about the riling of the Pleiades, and departs upon Arfturus ^^ or 
 that mofl infers are latent , from the fetting of the 7 Srars; 
 except, I fay, he gives us alfo leave to infer that thefe particu- 
 lar efFe£ls and alterations proceed from thofe Stars ; which were 
 indeed but defignations of (uch quarters and portions of the yoar, 
 wherein the fanie were obferved. Now whac Piinj affirmeth pi' 
 
 N n 2 the 
 
27^ Enquiries ifttoVHlgar Book 4* 
 
 the Ofix, that it feemeth to adore this Star, and taketh notice thereof, 
 by voice and fternutation; untill wc be better aflured of its verity we* 
 ihall not falve the fympathy. 
 
 Secondly, What (lender opinion the Ancients held of the efficacy 
 
 of this Star, is declarable from their compute. For as G^w/««j affir- 
 
 mcth, and Petavius his learned Commentator proveth, they began 
 
 their account from its Heliacal cmerfion, and not itscofmical afccnt. 
 
 what the T^hc cofmical afcention of a Star we term that, when it arifeth together 
 
 Cofmical. with the Sun, or the fame degree ot the Ecliptick wherein the Sun abi- 
 
 dcth.-and that theHelaicaljWhen a Star which before for the vicinity of 
 
 what the He- the Sun was not vilible,being further removed,beginneth to appcar.For 
 
 Uacal afcent the annual motion of the Sun from Weft to Eaft being far fwifter then 
 
 ot Stirs IS. jhat of the fixed Stas, he muft of necclTity leave them on the Eaa whilft 
 
 he hafteneth forward,andobfcurcth others to the Weft:and fo the Moon 
 
 who performs its motion fwifter then the Sun fas may be obferved in 
 
 their Con janftions and Eclipfes^ gets Eiftwardoutot his rayes , and 
 
 appears when the Sun is Ctt. If therefore the Dog.ftar had this effcftuall 
 
 heat which is afcribed unto itjit would afford beft evidence thercof,and 
 
 the feafon would be moft fervent, when it arifeth in thcprobableft place 
 
 of itsaftivity, that is, the cofmical afcentjfor therein it arifeth with the 
 
 Sun, and is included in the fame irradiation. Bjt the time obferved by 
 
 the Ancients was long after this afcent, and in the Helaical cmerfion ; 
 
 when it becomes atgreateft diftance from the Sun, neither rifing with 
 
 it nor near it. And therfore,had they conceived any more then abarefig- 
 
 nality in this Star, or afcribed the heat of the feafon thereunto j they 
 
 I ' w6uld not have computed from its Heliacal afcent, which was of inferi<- 
 
 our efficacyjnor imputed the vehemcncy of heat unto thofe points wherin 
 
 i it was more remifs, and where with lefs probability they might make 
 
 » out itsaftion. 
 
 ThirdIy,Although we derive the authority of thefe dayes from ob» 
 Nervations of the Ancient?,yet are our computes very differenr,and fuch 
 as confirm not each other. For whereas they obferved it Hcliacally, ws 
 feem to obferve it Cofmlcally, for before it arifeth Heliically unto our 
 latitudcjthe Summer is even at an end. Again, we compute not oncly 
 from different alccnts, but alf o from divers StarSi they from the greater 
 Djg-ftar, we from the kffer ; they from Orions, we from Cephalus his 
 Dogjthey from Seirius,we from Procyon; for the beginning of the Dog- 
 daies withusisfct down the 19 of July, about which time the Icflei? 
 Dog-ftar arifeth with the Sun: whereas the ftar of the greater Dog afccn* 
 dcth not until after that moneth. And this mitlake will yet be larger, if 
 Bahb, CAmcn-xhc compute be made flrlfter, and as X>r.Bainhrigge late Profcflbr of A» 
 ^w» flronomy in Ox/br<i,hath fet it down. Who in the year 1629 computed, 
 
 that in the Horizon of Ox/or^,the Dog-ftar arofe not before the J 5. day of 
 Auguftiwhen incur Almanack accounts, thofe daies arc almoft ended. 
 So that the common and received time not anfwcring the true com-r 
 
 pu 
 
Book 4. 4nd Common Errors* 277 
 
 pute, it fruftratcs theobfervations of our felves. And being alfo difTei 
 rent from the calculations of the Ancients, their obfcrvations confirm 
 not ours,nor ours theirs,but rather confute each other. 
 
 Nor will the computes of the Ancients be fo Autheiitick unto thofe, 
 who (hall take noticcjhow commonly they applieH the celeftial defcrip- 
 tions of other climes unto their own ; wherein the learned Bainhrigius 
 juftly reprchendeth Manilius^ who transferred the Mgyftian dcfcripti- 
 ons unto the Kewtf» account j confounding the obfervatioiioftheGrffi^ 
 and B<iv^/iyic^ Spheres* 
 
 Fourthly, Cwhich is the ArgumentofC?^w/;/«i) were there any fuch ef- 
 feftual heat in this ftar , yet could ic but weakly evidence the fame in 
 Sammerjit bemg about 4c degrees diftant from the Sun 5 and fhould ra- 
 ther manifeft its warming power in the Winter, when it remains con« 
 joyned with the A^un in its Hybernal converlion. For about the 29 of 
 Ofto.and in the 16 of Scorpius, and fo again in January, the -S'un per,! 
 forms his revolution in the fame parallel with the Dog- ftar. Again, If 
 we ftiould impute the heat of this feafon, unto the co-operation of any 
 ftars with the Sun,it feems more favourable for our times, toafcribe the 
 fame unto the conftellaiion of Leo, Where beiidcs that the Sun is in his 
 proper houfe.it is con joyned with many ftars ; whereof two of the firft 
 magnitud'5& in the 8of Auguft is corporally con joyned with Bafilifcus; 
 a ftar of eminent name in Aftrologyjand feated almoft in the Ecliptick. 
 
 Fifthly, If all were granted, that obfervation and reafon were alfp 
 for itj'and were it an undeniable truth,that an effeftual fervour piocee- ' 
 ded from this ftar , yet would not the fame determine the opinion now 
 in queftion ; it necefTarily fuffering fuch reftriftionsas take off general! 
 illations. For firft, in regard of different latitudes, unto fome the ca* 
 nicular dales arc in the Winterjas unto fuclias have no latitude, but live 
 in a right fphere, that is, under the Equinoftial line 5 for unto thenr 
 it arifeth when the-^un is about the Tropick in Cancer 5 which feafon • 
 unto them is \^■ inter, and the ^^un remoteft from them. Nor hath the 
 fame pofition in the Summer, that is, in the Equinoftial points, any 
 advantage from it •-, for in the one point the S^r\ is at the Meridian, be- 
 fore the Dog-ftar arifeth j in the other the ftar is at the Meridian,before 
 the Sii'a afcendcth. • / 
 
 Some latitudes have no canicular daycs at all; as namely all thofe what lati' 
 which have more then 7 3 degrees of Northern Elevation j as the Ter- ted" have no 
 ritory oi Nova Zembla^ part of Greenland And Tartary y for unto ^®S da»« at 
 that habitation the Dog-ftar is inyiiible, and appcareth not above the ^ ' 
 Horizon. 
 
 Unto fuch latitudes as it arifeth, it carrieth a various and a very dif. 
 ferent rcfpeft j unto fome it afcendeth when Summer is over , whe- 
 ther we compute Heliacally or Cofmicallyj for though unto e^/^x- 
 audria it arifeth in Cancer, yet it arifeth not unto Biarmia Cofmi* 
 cally before ic be in Virgo,and Heliaeally about the Autumnal Equinox. 
 
 N n 3 Evstt • 
 
2yQ Euqmries into Vulgar Book 4« 
 
 Even unto the larAtudc of 52, the efficacy thereof is not much confidcra* 
 ble, whether we conlider its afccnt, Meridian, altitude or abode above 
 the Horizon. For it arifeth very late in the year, about the eigh- 
 teenth of Leo, that is, the 3 1 of July* Of M-ridian Altitude it hath 
 but23 degreeSjfo that itpUies but obliquely upon us,and as the Sun doth 
 about the 23 of January. And laftly, his abode above the Horizon is not 
 great ; for in the eighteenth of Leo, the 31 of July, although theyarife 
 together 5 yet doth it (et above $ hours before the Sun, that is, before 
 two of the clock,afcer which time we are more fenfible of heat, then all 
 the day before. 
 
 Secondly, In regard of the variation of the longitude of the Stars, 
 we are to confider ( what the Antients obferved not^ that the fite of the 
 fixed Stars is alterable, and that (ince elder times they have fuffered 
 ^^^} ^^V*^"^' ^ ^^""^^ ^"^ confiderable variation of their longitudes. The longitude 
 Itar is ° ^ ^^^ ^^''' ^° Tpeak plainly, is its diftance from the firft point of nume- 
 ration toward the Eaft ; which firft point unto the Ancients was the ver- 
 nal ^Kquinox. Now by reafon of their motion from Weft to Eaft, they 
 have very much varied from this point:the firft Star of Aries in the time 
 o^Metoni\\c Athenian wis placed in the very interfeSion, which is now 
 elongated and removed Eaftward 28 degrees ; infomuch that now the 
 iign of AfiespofTcflith the place of Taurus, and Taurus that oi Gemi* 
 ni. Which variation of longitude muft very much diftraft the opini* 
 on of the Dog-ftar, not onely in our day es, but in times before and af- 
 ter i for fince the world began it hath arifen in Taurus, and if the 
 world laft, may have its afcent in Virgojfo that we muft place the cani- 
 cular dayeFjthat is, the hotteft time of the year in the Spring in the firft 
 Age, and in the Autumn in Ages to come. 
 
 Thirdly,The Stars have not onely varied their longitudes, whereby 
 what the de- their afcents have alterdy; buthavealfo changed their declinations, 
 cli nation of a whereby their riftng at all, that is^j their appearing bath varied. The 
 Star is. declination of a Star we call its (hortcft diftance from the Equator. Now 
 
 though the poles of the world and theEquator be immovable,yet becqufc 
 the Stars in their proper motions from Weft to Eaft, do move upon the 
 Poles of the Ecliptick,diftant 23 degrees and an half from the Poles of 
 the Eqjator, and defcribe circles parallel not »nto the Equator, but the 
 Ecliptick;they muft be therefore fometimes nearer, fometimes removed 
 further from theEquator. All ftars that have their diftance from the 
 Ecliptick Northward not more then 23;d^reesand an half C which 
 is the greateft diftance of the Ecliptick from theEquator J may 
 in progreflion of time have declination Southward , and move 
 beyond the Equator; but if any Star hath juft this diftanceof 
 twenty three and an half (as hathCapcUaonthe back of Erifthonius^ 
 it may hereafter move under the Equinoftial; and the lame will happen 
 rcfpeftively utito ftars which have declination South ward.x^nd therforc 
 many ftars may be vilible in our Hemifphcrc,which are not fo at prefentj 
 
 and 
 
Book 4' and Common Errors, "^J^ 
 
 and many which are at prefenf, (hall take leave of cur Horizon^ and 
 appear unto Southern habitations. And therefore the time may come 
 that the Dog liar may not be vifible in our Horizon, and the timf: 
 hath beenjWhen it hath not fliewed it felf unto ourntighbour latitudes. 
 So that canicular dayes there have been none, nor (hall be 5 yet cer- 
 tainly in all times fome feafon of the year more notably hot then 
 other. 
 
 Laftly, We multiply caufes in vain j and for the reafon hereof, we 
 need not have recourfe unto any Star but the Sun, and continuity of 
 itsaftion. For the Sun a(eending into the Northern figns, begttteih 
 firft a temperate heat in the ayr ; which by his approach unto the fol- 
 ftice he intendeth 5 and by continuation increafcth the fame even upon . . ^ 
 declination. For running over the fame degrees again, that is, in Leo, alveVbe^fo^^ 
 which he hath done inTauru?, in July which he did in May j he aug- hct. 
 menreth the heat in the later which he began in the firft j and ealily 
 intendeth the fame by continuation which was well promoted before. 
 So is it oblerved, that they which dwell between theTropicks and the 
 Equator, have their fecond fummer hotter and morematurative of fruits 
 then the former. So we obferve in the day (which is a (hort year) the 
 greateft heat about two in the afternoon, when the Sun is pa(t the Me* 
 ridian Cwhich is his diurnal folftice) and the fame is evident from the, 
 TKer^Tiometer or obfervations of the wetherglafTs. So are the colds of 
 the night (harper in the Summer about two or three after midnight,and 
 the frofts in Winter ftronger about thcfe hours. Solikewiie intheye^r 
 'We obferve the cold to augment, when the dayes begin to increafe, 
 though the Sun be then afcennve,& returning from the Winter Tropick. 
 And therefore if we red not in this realon for the heat in the declining 
 part of Summer, we muft difcover freezing (tars that may refolve the 
 latter colds of Winter; which whoever defires to invent, kthim ftudy 
 the Stars of Andromeda^ or the nearer conftellation of Pfg<?/«s,which are 
 about that time afcendent. 
 
 It cannot therfore feem ftrange,or favor oC fingularity that we have cx» 
 amined this point.Since the fame hath bin already denied by fomejltncc 
 the authority and obfervations of the Ancients rightly underftood, do 
 not confirm itjfinceour prefent computes are different from thofe of the 
 AncientSjWhereon notwithflanding they depend*, iince there isreafon a- 
 gainft it, and if all were granted, yet muftit be maintained with mani- 
 fold reftraints, far other wife then is received. And laftly, iince from 
 plain and natural principle?, the doubt may be fairly lalved , and 
 notclapt up from petitionary foundations and principles uneftabli* 
 fhed. 
 
 But that which chiefly promoted the confideration of thefe dayes, 
 and medically advanced the fame» was the doftrine of Bjppocrates'j 
 a Phyfician of fuch repute, that he received a ttftiniony from a Chri- 
 ftian , that might havig been given unto Chriit. Tiie firli ia his 
 
 book. 
 
 lU 
 c 
 
28o Enqtiirks into Vulgar Book 4* 
 
 hooV^de AereiAquis^&locis.Syderum ort«ij&c.Thatis,we are to observe the 
 Qui nee jailers fifing of Stars, cfpecially the Dog-ftar, ArfturuSj and the fetting of the 
 poteji necfdli* pjei^des or feven Stars.From whence notwithftanding we cannot infer 
 the general efficacy of thefc Stars, or co-efficacy particular in medica- 
 tions.Probably expreffing no more hereby then if he fliould have plainly 
 faid, efpscial notice v;c are to take of the hottefl timein Summcrjof thg 
 Difcafes com- beginning of Autumn and Wiiiter 5 for by the riling and fetting of thofe 
 "'*°" d ^h^' S^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ""'"^ *"^ feafons defined. And therefore lubjoynes this 
 wbMfcafons. reiiion, ^uoniam his temporihus morbi finiuntur, bccaufe at thefe times 
 difeales have their ends j as Phyfitians well know, and he clfewhere 
 affirmethjthat feafons determine defeafes,beginning in their contraries; 
 as the fpring the difeafes of Autumn, and the Summer thofe of Winter. 
 Now C what is very remarkable) whereas in/ the fame place he advif- 
 cth to obferve the times of notable mutations,asihe Equinoxesj and the 
 Solftices, and to decline Medication ten day es before and after ; how 
 precifely foever canicular cautions be confidercd, this isnotobferved by 
 Phyfitians, nor taken noticeofby the people. And indeed fhould we 
 blindly obey the reflraints both of Phyfitians and Aflrologers,we fhould 
 contraft the liberty of our prefcriptions, and confine the utility of Phy- 
 fick unto a very few dayes. For obferv ing the Pog-daies, and as is ex- 
 prelTed, fomeldaies before, likewifc ten dales before and after 
 the Equinoftial and Solfticial points j by this obfervation alone 
 are exempted an hundred dales. Whereunto if we add the two 
 Egyptian dales in every moneth, the interlunary and plenilu- 
 nary exemptions', Eclipfes of Sun and Moon , conjuSions 
 ^ and oppolitions Planctical , the houfes of Planets , and the fite of 
 the Luminaries under the fignes (wherein fome would induce a reflrainc 
 of Purgation or Phlebotomy) there would arife above an hundred 
 more 5 fo that of the whole year the ufe of Phyfick would not be fecurc 
 much above a quarter. Now as we do not flriftly obferve thefe daics , 
 fo need we not the other ; and although conlideration be made hereof, 
 yet mufl we prefer the nearer indication, before thofe which are drawn 
 from the time of the year -, or other coelcftial relations. 
 
 The fecond Tcflimony is taken out of the laft piece of his Age, and 
 after the experience ( as fome think ) of no lefs then an hundred years, 
 thatisjhis book ofAphorifms, or fhort and definitive determinations 
 in Phyfick. The Aphorifm alleadged is this. Sub cam & ante Caftem 
 dif[icilei funt ptirgationes. Sub Caw & Anticane^ fay fomr, including 
 both the Dog liars; but that cannotconfifl with the Greek: tWwir«»^ 
 og/wrJf^ nor had that Critifcifm been ever omited by Galen, 
 Now how true this fentence was in the moneth of Hippocrates^ and 
 with what reflraint it mufl be underftood by us , will already 
 appear from the difference between us both, in circumftantial rela- 
 tions. 
 And firfljConcerning his time and Chronology ; he lived in the 
 
 reign 
 
Book4» and Common Errorf, 281 
 
 rcign o^Artaxerxes Longmani/s, about the 82 Olympiadc, 450 years when Hippu 
 before Chrift ; and from our times above two thoufand. Now iince *"*^" '^' 
 that time ( as wj have already declared J thcStarshave varied their 
 longitudesjandhavingmadelargeprogreflionsfrom Weft to Eift, the 
 time of the Do^-i>ars afcenc muft alfb very much alter. For it 
 arifeth later now in the year, then it formerly did in the (araclatitudej 
 and far later unto us who have a greater elevation 5 for in the dayes of 
 Hippocrates this Star afcended in Cancer which now arifeth in Leojand 
 will in pro^relllon of time arife in Virgo. And therefore in regard ol the 
 time wherein he livedjthe Aphorifm was more confiderablc in his days 
 then in ours, and in times farpaft then prefent, and in his Country 
 then ours. 
 
 The place of his nativity was Coos, an Ifland in the Mjirtoan Sea, not 
 far from Khodes, defcribed in Maps by the name of Lango, and called 
 by the 'turhv!i\\o are Mafters thereof, Stancora \ according unto Ttobmy 
 of Northerii latiiude 36 degree?. That he lived and writ in thcfe partJ 
 is not improbably coUefted from the Epiftlcs that paffed betwixi him 
 zwA dnaxerxes ., as alfo between the Citizens of Abdera, and Cow, in 
 the behalf oWemocritm. Which place being (eated from our latitude 
 of 5 ^» 1 6 degrees Southward, there will arife a different conitderationj 
 and we may much deceive our felvesif we conform the afccnt of Stars 
 in one place unto another, or conceive they arife the fanfc day of the 
 moneth in Coos and in England. For 3.S Petavius computes in the firft 
 Julian year, at tAlexandria of latitude 31, the Star arofe cofmically in 
 the twelfth degree of Cancer, Heliacally the 26, by the compute of G^- 
 minuf about this time at ilW^^ of latitude 37, it afcended cofmically 
 the 16 of Cancer, Heliacally the firfl of Leo j and about that lime at 
 ilowe of latitude 42, cofmically the 22 of Cancer, and Heliacally the 
 firft of Leo. For uiuo places of greater latitude it arifeth ever later j fo 
 that in fofne latitudes the cofmical afcent happeiieth not before the 
 twentieth degree or Virgo^ten daies before the Autumnal Equinoxjand 
 if they compute Heliacally, after it, in Libra. 
 
 Again, Should wc allow al!,and onely compute unto the latitude of 
 Coos^ytt would it not impofc a total omiffion of Phyiick. For if in the 
 hottcft feafon of that climejall Phylick were to be declined, then furely 
 in many other none w^' r- to be ufed at any time whatfosver ; for unto 
 many partSjnot onsly in the Spring and Autumn,but alfo in the Winter 
 the Sun is nearer^then unto the clime of Coos in the Summer. 
 
 The third confiJeration concerneth purging medicines, which are 
 at prefent far diffjrent from thofe implied in this Aphorifni, and fuch three degrees 
 as were commonly ufed by Hippocrates. For three degrees we mike of of pnrg^tions. 
 purgative medicines: Tne fiiil thereof is very benign, nor far re- 
 moved from tb.e nanire of Aliment, into which, upon d-feft of 
 working, it i<; oft-times converted ^ and in this form do we account 
 Manna^ CjJJjiZj 'tamarindesy and many more ; whereof wc find no 
 
 O o mention 
 
282 Enquiries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 mention in Hjippocrates. The lecond is alfo gentle, having a familia- 
 rity with Come humor, into which it is but con verted if it fail of its o- 
 peraiion : ofthis fortare Aloe, Rhabarb^ Senna, &c. Whereof alfo few 
 or none were known unto Hippocrates. The third is of a violent and 
 venemous quality, which (ruftrate ot its aftion, aflumes as it were the 
 nature of poyfon ; fuch as are Scammoneum, Colocynthis, Elate- 
 rium, Euphorbium, Tithymallus, Laureola, Peplum, &c. Of this 
 lortit is manifcft Hippocrates mzdc ufc, even in Fevers, Pleurifies 
 and Quinfies i and that compofition is very remarkabh which is 
 afcribed, unto Piogenes in Mtim ; that is of Pepper , Sal Armo- 
 Tetrablib.i:' niac, Euphorbium, of each an ounce, the Dofis whereof four 
 Sem. 5, fcruples and an half 5 which whofoever (hould take, would fin4 
 
 in his bowels more then a canicular heat, though in the depth 
 of winter ; many of the like nature may be oblerved in Mtiusy or in 
 the bookPf Vinamidiisj^Ccnbcd unto Galen^which is the fame verbatim 
 with the other. 
 
 Now in regard of the fecond, and efpccially the firft degree of Pur- 
 gatives, the Aphorifm is not of force j but we may fafely ufe them, they 
 being benign and of innoxious qualities. And therefore Lucas Gauri^ 
 ' en's, who hath endeavoured with many tcftimonies to advance this con? 
 lidcration, at length concedeth that lenitive Phyfick may be ufed, efe- 
 cially when the Moon is wellafifcfted in Cancer or in the watery figns. 
 But in regard of the third degree the Aphorifm is confiderable : purga- 
 tions may be dangerous 5 and a memorable example there is in the mc* 
 dical Epiftles oiCrucm, of a K.ow<z« Prince that died upon an ounce of 
 Diaphaenicon, taken in this fcafon. From the ufe whereof we refrain 
 riot onely in hot feafons, but warily exhibit it at all times in hot difejtf- 
 C3. Which when neccflky requires, we can perform more fafely then 
 the Ancicnts,as having better wayesof preparation and correftion j that 
 iSjnot onely by addition of oiherbodies,but feperaticn ot noxious parts 
 from their own. 
 
 Butbefide the fe differences between Hippocrates imd us^ thePhyfici- 
 
 ans of thefe times and chofe of Antiquity; the condition of the diicdle, 
 
 and the intention of the Phyfitian, hold a main conlideraiion in what 
 
 time and place foever. For Phylick is either curative or preventive; 
 
 Preventive we call that which by purging noxious humors, and the 
 
 caufes of difeafes, preventeth ficknefs in the healthy, or the re- 
 
 courfe thereof in the valetudinary ; this is of common ufe at the 
 
 fpring and fall, and we commend not the fame at this feafon. 
 
 Difeafes Chrc-'^^**"?"'^^^ or curative Phyfick, W;; term that, which reftoreth 
 
 nicalandA- the Patient unto Sanity, and taketh away difeafes aftually afftfting. 
 
 cutewhat Nowof difeafes fome ^re chronical and of long duration, as quartan e 
 
 they be. Agues, fcurvy, c^c. Wherein b scan fe they admit of delay we defer 
 
 the cure to more advantagious feafons ; Others we term accute, 
 
 that is, of fhort duration and danger, as Fevers, Pleuriilcf, &c. 
 
 In. 
 
Book 4. attdcommon'ErYOYs, q^3 
 
 In which, becaufe delay is dangerous, and they arifc unto their ^&x.t 
 before the Do^-dayes determine j we apply prefent remedies according 
 unto Indications; refpefthig rather the acutensHe of t\\t difeafe, and 
 precipitancy of occafion, then the rifing or fetting of i'tirs; the cff;fts 
 of the one being difputible, of the other afljred and inevitable. 
 
 And althotich Aftrology may here put in, and plead the fecrct in^ Sfrong purga- 
 flucnce of this .Tar ; ynGtrlen in his Comment, makes no fuch conli* JJ°J]^ fven^'^in 
 deration ; confirming the truth of the Aphorifm from the heat of the J[jg|4'acof' 
 year ; and the operation of Medicines ejehibited. In regard that bodies fumraer, and 
 being heated by the (iimmer, cannot fo well thdure the acrimony of ^hy. 
 purging Medicines 5 and becaufe upon purgations contrary motions en- 
 itiej the heat of theayr attrafting the humours outward, and the aftion 
 of Medicine retrafting the fame inward- But thefe are readily falved 
 in the diftin£lions before alleadged 5 and particularly in the conftitution 
 ofour climate and divers others, wherein the ayr makes no fuch ex- 
 hauliion of fpirits. And in the benignity ot our Medicines ; whereof 
 (bmein their own natures, others well prcpared,agitate not the humors? 
 or make a fenlible perturbation. 
 
 Nor do we hereby rejeft or condemn a fober &: regulated Aftrology; we 
 hold there is more truth therein then in Aftrologers; in fome more then 
 many alIow,yet in none fo much as fome pretend. We deny Qpt the in- . « • » 
 fluence of the ftars, but often fufpeft the due application thereof j for ° ^™' 
 though we fhould affirm that all things were in all things ; that heaven 
 were but earth celelfified, and earth but heaven terreilrified, or that 
 each part above had influence upon its divided affinity below ; yet how 
 to (ingle out thefe relations, and duly to apply their aftions, is a work 
 oft-times to be effected by fome revelation, and Cabda from a- 
 bove, rather then any Philofbphy, or fpeculaticn here below. What 
 power fcever they have upon our bodies, it is not requlfite they 
 fliould deftroy our Reafons,that isjto make us rely on the ilrengtb of N*-- 
 ture, when (he is leaft able to relieve us , and when we conceive the hea- 
 ven againft us, to ref ufe the afliftance of the earth created for us. This 
 were to fuffer from the mouth of the Dog above, what others do from 
 the teeth of Dogs b'elowjthat is,to be afraid of their proper remedy, 8c re- 
 fufe to approach any water, though that hath often proved a cure unto 
 their difeafe. There is in wife men a power beyond the 5tars 5 and Jfjeofa mad 
 Vtolomy enconrageth us,that by fore-knowledgejwe may evade their a* dog there en- 
 ftions j for, being but univerfal caufcs, they are determined by par' fues an hidro- 
 ticular agents ; which being inclined, not conftrained, contain with* pf^°hia or fear 
 in themfelves the cafting aft, and a power to command the con- °^^^^^'"' 
 clulion. 
 
 Laflly, If all be conceded, and were there in this Aphorifm an 
 unreflrained truth, yet were it not reafonable to infer from a caution 
 a non-ufance or abolition, from a thing to be ufed with difcretion, 
 not to be ufed at all. Becaufe the Apoftic bids us beware of Philofo- 
 
 Oo 2 pfcy, 
 
284. Eftquiries into Vulgar Book 4. 
 
 phy, heads o^ extreamity will have none at all 5 an ufual fallacy in 
 Tulgar and Icffe diftinftivc brains, who having cncc ovcrfliotthe mean, 
 run violently on, and find no reft but in the extrearas. 
 
 Now hereon we have the longer infifted, becaufe the errour is mate- 
 rial, and concerns oft-times the life of man ; an errour to be taken no- 
 tice of by State, and provided againft by Princes, who are of the opX, 
 n'lon of Solomou, that their riches confift in the multitude of their iuhm. 
 jefts. An errour worfe then fome reputed Herefiesy and of greater dan- 
 A Phyfuian. g^^ to the body, then they unto the foul, which whofoever is able to 
 /^or Themijon reclaim, he fliall fave more in one fummcr then Ihemifon deftroyed in 
 agras Mxumra any Autumn: he (hall introduce a new way of cure, prefervingby 
 tccidmt HM, Theory, as well as praftice, and men not onely from death, but from 
 Juvenal. dcHroying themfclvcs. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 FIFTH BOOK 
 
 285 
 
 Of many things queflionableas they an common' 
 ly dejcrthed in TtUures. 
 
 Chap. I. 
 Of the Ti^nre of the Pekcan. 
 
 Nd fifft in every place we meet with the pifturc of the 
 Pelican, opening hcrbreaft with her billjand feeding 
 her young ones with the blood diftilling from her. 
 Thus is it fet forth not onely in common iigns, but in 
 thcCreltand Schucheon of many Noble families; 
 bath been aflferted by many holy Writers, and was an 
 Hierogliphick of piety and pitty among the Egypti- 
 ans 5 on which confideration, thfey fpared them at their tables. 
 
 Notwithftanding upon enquiry wc find no mention hereof in Ancient 
 Zodiographcrs,and fuch as have particularly difcourfcd upon Animals, 
 as AriJiotteyElianj Tliny^Solimts and many more;who feldom forget pro- 
 prieties of fuch a nature,and have been very pun6tual in lefs coniiderable 
 Rccords.Some ground hereof 1 confefs wc may allow, nor need we deny 
 a remarkable afieftion in Pclecans toward their young; iorEiian di(« 
 courfing of Storks,and their afFeftion toward their brood;} whom they 
 infttufttoflic, and unto whom they re-dclJTer up the provifion of their 
 bellies, coneludeth at lafl, that Herons and Pelecans do the like. 
 
 As for the teftimoniesof Ancient Fathers, and Ecclefiaffical Writers, 
 we may more fafely conceive therein fome Emblematicall then any 
 real Story .* fo doth Eucbmus confefs it to be the Emblem of 
 
 Oo 3 " Chrift. 
 
The blgnefs 
 of a Pclecan 
 
 j86 Etjqnmes into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 Chrift. And wc are unwilling literally to receive that account oijcm 
 rom^ that perceiving her young ones deftroycd by Serpents, ihc 
 openethher fide with her bill, by the blood whereof they revive and 
 return unto life again. By which relation they might indeed illuftrate 
 the deftruftion of man by the old Serpent, and his reftorement by 
 the blood of Chrifl : and in this Icnfe we ftiall not difputethe like 
 relations of Aujime^Ifielore, Albertm^ and many more .-and under an Em- 
 blematical intention, we accept it in coat-armour. 
 
 As for the Hieroglyphick, of the Egypians^ they erefted the fame 
 upon another conlideration, which was parentall afFeftion j manifcft^d 
 in the proteftion of her young ones, when her neft was fct on fire. For 
 as for letting out her blood, it was not the aflertion oH\\q Egyptians^ 
 but fcems rranflatcd unto tfie Pelecan from the Vulture, as Fierius 
 hath plainly delivered. SedqttodPelicaMu/nC^ut etiamalih pier ifque per- 
 fuajumell) rojiropedus diffecantem pingunt^ ita lit [uo [anguine filios alat^ 
 ab JEg)ptiorum hijioria valde alienum eji , illi enim vulturem tantum id 
 facere tradiderunt» v* -^ ->,•••,-. r '. i .\ ' ' ^; 
 
 Andlaftly, As concerning the pi(^ure, if iiatufalfy examined, and 
 not Hicrogliphycally conccivccf j it coutaincth nJany imprOprietiesj 
 difagreeing almofl: in all things from the true and proper defcription. 
 For, whereas it is commonly fet forth green or yellow, in its proper co- 
 lour, it is inclining to white j excepting the extremities or tops of the 
 wing f eatherSj which are black. Itli defcribedin thebignefsof a Hen, 
 whereas it approachcch and fometimcs exce^^kth the magnitude of a 
 Swan. It is commonly painted with a fhort bill; whereas that of the 
 Pelican attiineth fomciimes the length of two fpans. The bill is 
 made acute or pointed at the end ; whereas it is flat and broad, 
 and fomewhat inverted at the extream. It is defcribed like, fiff}- 
 pcdes, or birds which have dieir feet or claws divided; whereas it 
 is palraipedous, or fin-fcotedlii^e Swans and Gcefej according to the 
 Method of natuce, in tatiroftrous or fiat-bild birds ; which bciflg ge- 
 nerally fwimmer8,tlie organ is wifely contrived unto the aftion, and 
 they are framed with fins or oars uptBtheif feet; and th€r6f€)pe they 
 Of her Crop, neither light, nor build on trees, ifweesccept Cormoranjts, who tiiake 
 their nefls like Herons. Lafily, There is one part omitted more remark- 
 able then any other, ifaat is, the chowle or crop adhering unto the low* 
 cr fide of the bill, and fodefccnding by tlie throat ; a bag or fachel 
 very obi crvable, and o< a capacity almofl beyond credit; which not* 
 withflanding, this animal could not want; for therein it receiveth Oy- 
 fter?, Cochels, Scollops, ^nd oih^r teij^ceous animals j whkh being noc 
 able to break, it retains them until they open, and vomiting thefti op, 
 taTces out the meat contained. This is chat part pre krved for a rarity, 
 and wherein f a« SarMius delivers) in onedefcfitedj a Negr9 child was 
 found* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Books* dffdCfim^etiBrr^tSf 287 
 
 Chap. U. 
 Of the Figure of Dolphins, 
 
 T Hat Dolphins are crooked, isnotonely affirmed by the hand of 
 the Painter, but comrooaly conceived their natural and proper 
 figure; which is not onely the opinion of our times, but feems the 
 belief of elder time« before ug* For, bedde thecxpreflions of Ovid und 
 Timy, their Pourtraifts in fome ancient Coyns are framed in this figure, 
 as will appear in fomc thereof in Gefner^ others in Geltfxusy and Loivi^ 
 nus Hul fills in his difcriptidn oi Coyns, from Julim C£far unto Kho- 
 dulphus the Ucond, 
 
 Notwithftanding, %3 fpealc ftriftlyin their natural figure they are 
 ftreight,^nor have their fpine convexed, or more confiderably embow- 
 ed, then Sharks, Porpofes, Whales, and other Cetaceous animals, as 
 Scdiger pisdnly affirmeth : Corpus hahet mn ntagis curvum quant reliqid 
 pifces. As ocular enquiry infornieth ; and as unco fuch as have not had 
 the opportunity to behold them, their proper pourtraifts will difcovcr 
 in Kho»deletiusy Gefnery and Aldrovandus. And as indeed is deducibis 
 from pictures themfelves ; for though they be dravrn repandous, or 
 eonvexcdly crooked in one piece, yet the l3olphin that carrieth Arion 
 is concavoufly inverted, and hath its, (pine deprefled in another. And 
 anfwerably hereto may we behold them differently bowed in medalls, 
 and the Dolphins of Tarus^indFuIius do make another iiexure from 
 that of Conimo dus und Agrippa. 
 
 And therefore what is delivered of their Incurvity, miifl either be 
 taken Emphatically, thatis, not really but in appearance ; which hap- 
 pfineth, when they leap above water, and fuddenly (hoot down again 5 
 which is a fallacy in vifion, whereby ftraight bodies in a fudden mo- 
 tion protruded obliquely downward, appear unto the eye crooked ; and 
 thisistheconftruftionof BeUouius. Or if it be taken reallyj it rauft 
 notuniverfally andpcipetually; that is, not when they (wim and re- 
 main in their proper figures, but onely when they leap, orimpetuouily 
 whirl their bodies any way ; and this is the opinion of Gejnerus* 
 Of laftlyjt muft be taken neither really nor emphatically, but onely 
 Emblematically ; for being the Hieroglyphick of celerity, and Iwifter 
 then other animals, men beft exprefTed their velocity by incurvityjand 
 under fome figure of a bow : and in this fenle probably do Heralds 
 alfo receive it, v/hen from a Dolphin extended, they diftinguifli a Dol* 
 phinembowed. 
 
 And thus alfo muft that pifture be taken of a Dolphin clapfing an 
 Anchor : that is, not really, as is by nioft conceived out of affeftion un- 
 to man, conveighing the Anchor unto the ground ; but embleraatically> 
 
 acca'» 
 
288 Enqniries into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 according as Vierm hath cxpreffed it, The fwifccft animal conjoyned 
 with that heavy body, implying that common mofdl, Fejima lente : and 
 that celerity ftiould alwayes be contcmpered with cunftation. 
 
 T 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 Ofthe Figure of a Grajj30ppet\ 
 
 Here IS alfo among us a common dcfcription and pi£lure of a 
 Graftiopper, as may be obfcrvcd in the piftures o^ EmblematiftSjin 
 the coats of feveral famiTies,and as the word Cicada, is ufually tranfla- 
 ted in Diftionaries. Wherein tofpeak ftriftly,if by this word Grafhop- 
 pcr, we undcrfland that «nimal which is implkd by t^tti^ with the 
 Greeks, and by Cicada with t\\QLatinei\ we may with fatety affirm the 
 pifture is widely miftaken, and that for ought enquiry can inform, 
 there ig no fuch infeft in 'England. Which how paradoxical foever^upon 
 a (trift enquiry, will prove undeniabletruth. 
 
 For firftjThat animal which xh^French term SautereHe.vje a Grafliop- 
 per, and which underthis name is commonly dcfcribcd by uf» is na* 
 mcd AKfi( by the Greek^i by the Latines Locujtaj and by our (elves in 
 Frov. 30. proper l\ e xh a Locuft ; as in the diet of John Baptiji, and in our tran- 
 flation,thel.oc«/h have no Kingjyet go they forth all of them by bands. 
 Again, Between the Cicada and that we call a Grafhopper, the differen- 
 ces are very many, as may be obferved in themfelves, or their defcriptt* 
 ons in Mattbiolusy /Hdrovandus and Aifuffetus. For firft, They are dilFe* 
 rendy cucullated or capuched upon the head and back, and in the Ci- 
 cada the eyes are more prominent : the Locufls have Antenna or long 
 horns before, with a long falcation or forcipated tail "behindj and 
 being ordained for faltation, their hinder legs do far exceed the 
 other. The Locufl or our Grafliopper hath teeth , the Cicada ncne 
 at all; nor any mouth according unto ^ro/?ot/f; the Cicada is moft 
 upon trees ; and laftly, the fritinnitus or proper note thereof, is far 
 more (hrill then that of the Locuft ; and its life fo fhort in Summer, 
 that forprovifion it needs not have rccourfe unto the providence of 
 the Pifmire in Winter. 
 
 And therefore where the Cicada muflbe underftood, the pid^ures of 
 Heralds and Emblematifts are not exaft,nor is it fafe to adhere unto the 
 intcrj relation of Diftionaries i and wemuft with candour make out 
 cur own Tranflaticns: for in the plague of Egypt) Exodus 10. The 
 word knfK is tranflated a Locuft, but in the fame fenfe and fubjcft. 
 Wisdom 16. It is tranflated a Grafhopper; for them the bitings of 
 Grafhoppers and flies killed : whereas we have declared before, the 
 Cicada hath no teeth, but is conceived to live upon dew j and the poffi* 
 bility of its fubfiftence is difputcdby Lim«y,Hereof 1 perceive Miifetus 
 
 haih 
 
Book 5» and Common l^rors. 28^ 
 
 hath taken notice, difTenting from Langiut and Lyco^enes, while they 
 deliver,the Cicadas deftroyed the fruits in Germany^ where that infeft 
 is not found; and therefore concludeth, T/zw ipjos quam alios decep* 
 t9s fuiffe autumo , dum locujias cicadas effe vulgari errore crederent. 
 
 And hereby there may be fome miftakc in the due difpenfation of 
 Medicines defumed from this animal j particularly of Diatettigon com- 
 mended by JEtius. in the affeftions of the kidneys. It muft be like- 
 wife underftood with fome rcftriftion what hath been affirmed by Ifim 
 dorci and yet delivered by many, that Cicades are bred out of Cue- 
 cow fpittle or Woodfear ; that is, thatfpumou?, frothy dew or exuda- 
 tion, or both, found upon Plant?, efpecially about the joynts of La- 
 vinder and Rofemary, obfervable with us about the latter end of May. 
 For here the true Cicada is not bred , but certain !c Is, that out of 
 this, fome kind of Locuft doth proceed; for herein may be difco- 
 vered a little infeft of a feftucine or pale green, referabiing in all 
 parts a Locurt, or what we call a Graftiopper. 
 
 Laftly, The word it fe!f is improper, and the term of Grafhopper 
 not appliable unto the Cicada ; for therein the organs of motion are not 
 contrived for faltation, nor are the hinder legs of fuch extenfion, as is 
 obfervable in falient animals, and fuch as move by leaping. Whereto 
 the Locuft is very well conformed ; for therein the legs behind are 
 longer then all the body, and make at the feeond joynt acute angles, at 
 a con fiderable advancement above their backs. 
 
 The miftake therefore with us might have its original from a defeft 
 in our language ; for having not the infeft with us, we have not fallen 
 upon its proper name, and fo make ufe of a term common unto 
 it and the Locuft ; whereas other countreys have proper expreflions 
 for it: So the Italian calls it Cicada^ the Spainard Cigana, and the 
 French Cigale ; all which appellations conform unto the Original, and 
 properly exprefTc this animal. 
 
 C H A p. I V. 
 Of the fi&ure of the Serpent tempting Eve. 
 
 IN the Pifture of Paradife, and deluflon of our firft Parents, the 
 Serpent is often defcribed with humane vifage; not unlike un- 
 to Cadmus or his wife, in the a^ of their Metamorphofis. Which 
 is not a meer piftorial contrivance or invention of the Pifturer, but an 
 ancient tradition and conceived reality, as it ftands delivered by Be- 
 da and Authours of fome antiquity ; that is, that S.ithan appeared 
 not unto Eve in the naked form of a Serpent, but with a Virgins 
 head,_,th at thereby hejmight become more acceptable , and his temp- 
 
 P p cation 
 
290 En^pimes into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 tebiptation find the eaGer entertainment. Which nevcrthelefs, isa'coii- 
 ceit not to be admitted, and the plain and received Hgare, is with bet- 
 ter reafon embraced. 
 
 For firft, as Tierius Obfervcth from Barcephas^ the afllimption of 
 humane fhape had proved a difadvantage unto Sathan^ affording 
 notonely a fufpicious amazement in Ez/f, before the faft, in beholding 
 a third humanity belide her felf and Adam 5 but leaving (ome ex- 
 cufe unto the woman , which afterward the man took up with 
 leflfer reafon ; that is, to have been deceived by another like 
 her felf. 
 
 Again, There was no inconvenience in -the fhape- afTumed j or 
 any confiderable impediment that might difiurb that performance 
 in the common form of a Serpent. For whereas it is conceived the 
 woman muil needs be afraid thereof, and rather flie then approach it; 
 it was not agreeable unto the condition of Paradife and ftate of inno# 
 ccncy therein; if as in that place as mofl determine, no creature was hurt- 
 ful or terrible unto man, and thofe dellrudive effefts they now dif- 
 cover fucceeded the curfe, and came in with thorns and briars. And 
 therefore Eugubitius ( who affirmeth this Serpent was a Bafilisk ) 
 incurreth no abfurdity , nor need we infer that Eve fhould be de- 
 ftroyedimmediatly upon that Vifion. For noxius animals could offend 
 them no more in the Garden, than ISIotih in the Ark ^ as they 
 peaceably received rheirnimes, fothey friendly pofTefTsd their natures ; 
 and were their conditions deflruftive unto each other, they were not fo 
 unto man, whofe conffitutions then were antidotes, and needed not 
 fear poiions. i\nd if ( as mofl conceive ) there were but two cre-^ 
 ated of every kind , they could not at that time deflroy either 
 man orthemfdv«; for this had fruflrated the command of multipli- 
 cation, deftroyed a fpecies, and imperfefted the Creation. And there- 
 fore alfo if Cain were the liril man born, with him entered not onely 
 the aft,butthefirft power of murther; tor before that time neither could 
 the Serpent nor Adam deftroy Sve>, nor Adam and Etfg each other; for 
 that had overthrown the intention of the world, and put its Creator to 
 aft the fixt day over again. 
 
 Moreover, Whereas in regard of fpeech, and vocall conference 
 with Eve , it may be thought he would rather affume an humane 
 ftiape and organs , then the improper form of a Serpent; it implies 
 no material impediment. Nor need we to wonder how he contrived 
 a voice out of the mouth of a Serpent, who hath done the like out of 
 die belly of a Pythoniifa, and the trunk of an Oke 3 as he did for 
 many years at Vodma. 
 
 Laftly, Whereas it might be conceived that an humane fliape was lit-» 
 ter for this enterprife; it being more then probable flie would be 
 amazed to hear a Serpent fpeak i fortie conceive fhe might not yet be 
 certain that only man was priviledged with fpeechjand being in the no^ 
 
 vity 
 
Book 5. and common Errors* 291 
 
 vity of the Creation, and in experience of all things, might not ^^^JJ^Jj^jj^ 
 be affrighted to hear a ferpent fpeak. Belide (he might be igno- at the Ser- 
 rant of theirnature?, who was not verfed in their names, as being pent sfpeak«» 
 notprcfent at the genaral furvey of Animals, when Adam adignedi^S* 
 unto every one a name concordant unco its nature. Nor is this on- 
 ly my opinion, but the determination of Lombard and 7cjiatus 5 and 
 alfo the reply of Cyr;// unto theobjeftion of Julian, who compaced 
 this ftory unto the^ables of the Greekj. 
 
 — ■ ■ ■ ' . .'. "I . > \ ■ ."I f 
 
 C H A p. V. • 
 
 Of the Pi&ure ^/Adam and Eve mth Navels, 
 
 ANothcr miftake there may be in the Picture of our.firft Parents, 
 who after the manner ot their pofterity are both delineated with 
 a Navel. And this is obferveable not on ly in ordinary and ftained 
 pieces, but in the Authentick draughts of V.rbin Angela and others: 
 Which notwithftanding cannot be allowed, except we impute that un- 
 to the firft caufe, which we impofe not on the fecond ; or what we 
 deny unto nature, we impute unto Naturity it felf ; that is, that in the 
 firtt and moft accompliflied piMg,the Creator afiefted fuperfluities, or 
 ordained parts without ufe or office. 
 
 For the ufe of the Navel is to continue the Infant unto the Mother, 
 and by the vefTels thereof to convey its aliment and fuftentation. The what the Na- 
 veflels whereof it conlifteth, are the umbilical vein, which is a branch ^hat ufe. 
 of the Porta, and implanted in the Liver of the Infant; two Arteries 
 likewife ariling from the lliacall branches, by which the Infant recei« 
 veth the purer portion of blood and fpirits from the mother; and laft' 
 ly, the Urachos or ligamental paflage derived from the bottom of the 
 bladder, whereby it difchargeth the waterifh and urinary^ part of its 
 aliment. Now upon the birth, when the Infant forfaketh the womb, 
 alchougb it dilacerate, and break the involving mentbrancs, yet do 
 the(e vcffels hold, and by the mediation thereof the Infant is con- 
 nefted unto the womb, not onely before, but a while alfo after the 
 birth. Thefe therefore the midwife cuttcth off, contriving them into 
 a knot clofeunto the body of the Infant; from whence enfueth that 
 tortuofity or iconiplicated nodofity we ufually call the Navel ; occa* 
 fionedby the colligation of veffels before mentioned. Now the Na- 
 vel bcirtgap*rt, not precedent, but (ubfequent unto generation, r^^^'ThttAdm 
 tivity orparturition, it cannot be well imagined at the Creation or ex and £vehad 
 traordinary formation o{ Adam^ who immediately iffjed from the Ar- no Navels, 
 tifice of God; nor alfo that ol 'Eve\ who was not folemnly begotteft, 
 but fuddenly. framed, and anomaloufly proceeded kom Adam. 
 ^ And if we be led into conclufionsthat Adam had alfo this part, bc- 
 
 Pp 2 caufe 
 
2Q2 Efiquiries into P'ulgar Book 5. 
 
 caufe we behold the fame in our felvcs, the inference is not reafonable; 
 
 for it we conceive the way of his formation, or of the firft animals, did 
 
 carry in all points a ftrift conformity unto fucceeding produftion?, wc 
 
 might fall into imaginations that Adam was made without Tecth,or that 
 
 he ran through thofc notable alterations in the veflels of the heart, 
 
 which the Infant (uffereth after birth : we need not difpute whether 
 
 the egg or bird were firft ; and might conceive that Dogs were created 
 
 blind, becaufe we obfervc they arc litcred fo with i|s. Which to afhrm, 
 
 is to confound, at leaft to regulate creation unto generation, the firft 
 
 Afts of God, unto the fecond of Nature ; which were determined 
 
 in that general indulgence, Encreafe and Multiply, produce orpropa* 
 
 gate each other ; that is, not anfwerably in all points, but inapro^ 
 
 longed method according to leminall progreflion. For the formation of 
 
 things at firft was different from their generation after j and although it 
 
 had nothing to precede it, was aptly contrived for that which fliould 
 
 fucceed it. And therefore though Adam were framed without this part, 
 
 . as having no other womb then that of his proper principles^ yet was not 
 
 his pofterity without the fame: for the feminalityof his fabrick con« 
 
 tained the power thereofjand was endued with the f cicncc of thofe parts 
 
 whofe predeftinations upon fucceffion it did accomplifh. 
 
 All the Navel therefore and conjunftive part we can fuppofe in 
 AdamyVJ2i'& his dependency on his Wfaker, and the connexion he muft 
 needs have unto heaven, who was the son of God. For holding no de- 
 pendence on any preceding efficient but God; in the aft of his pro- 
 duftion there may be conceived fome connexion, and Adam to have 
 been in a momcntal Navel with his Maker. And although from his car- 
 nality and corporal exiftence, the conjunftion feemeth no nearer 
 then of causality and efieft ; yet in his immortal and diviner part he 
 feemed to hold a nearer coherence, and an umbilicaliiy even with 
 God himfelf. And fo indeed although the propriety of this part be 
 found but in fome animals, and many fpecies there are which have 
 no Navel at all ; yet is there one link and common connexion, one ge- 
 neral ligament, and neceffary obligation of all whatever unto God. 
 Whereby although they aft themfelves at diftance, and fecm to be at 
 loofe; yet do they hold a continuity with their Maker. Which cate- 
 nation or conferving union when ever his pleafure (hall divide, let go, 
 or feparate ; they (hall fall from their exiftance, eflence, and operations: 
 in brief, they muft retire unto their primative nothing, and (brink into 
 their Chaos again. 
 
 They who hold the egg was before the Bird, prevent this doubt in 
 many otl^er animals^ which alfo extendeth unto them; For birds are 
 nourifhed by umbilical veffels, and the Navelisraanifcftfometimesa 
 day or two after cxclulion. The fame is probable in alt-oviparous 
 cxclufions, if the leflcr part of eggs muft ferve for the formation, 
 
 , the 
 
Book. 5. AtidHommm Errors, 299 
 
 the greater part for nutriment. The fame is made out in the eggs of 
 Snakesi and is not improbable in the generation of Porwiggles or Tad- 
 poles, and may be alfotrue in fome vermiparous exclufions : although 
 ( as wc have obferved the daily progrefs thereof ) the whole Maggot is 
 little enough to make a Fly, without any part remaining. 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 of the TiUures of Eafiern Nations^ and the Jews at their 
 feafis efpeciallji our Saviour at the Fajfeover* 
 
 Concerning the Piftures of the j'f»'^5 and Eaftern Nations at their 
 Feafts, concerning the gefture otour Saviour at the PafTeoverjwho 
 is ufually defcribed fitting upon a ftool or bench at a fquare table, in the 
 middeft of the twelve, many make great doubt; and (though they con- 
 cede a tablc-gefture ) will hardly allow this ufual way of Seflion. 
 
 Wherin reftrainingno mans enquiry, it will appear that accubation, 
 or lying down at meals was a geftufe ufed by very many Nations, That 
 the Pfr//4«i ufed it, befidc the teftimony of humane Writers, is de-^^^^^ 
 ducible from that pafTage in Efiher. That when the King returned 
 into the place of the banquet of wine , Haman was fallen upon 
 the bed whereon Efiher was. That the Varthians ufed ir, is evi' 
 6.tnx. kom Athemus^ who deHvereth outofPojj?J^o»i«^5 that their King 
 lay down at meals, on an higher bed then others. That Cleopatra thus 
 entertained ^^^t^o^y, the fame Author manifefteth when he faith, rtie 
 prepared twelve Tricliniams. That it was in ufc among the C5r^fi^J,the 
 word Triclinium implieth, and the fame is alfb declarable from many 
 places in the Sy mpofiacks of Plutarch. That is was not out of Fafliion 
 in the day«s of Arifiotle^ he declarcth in his politicks 5 when among the 
 Inftitutionary rules of youth, he advifeth they naight not be permitted to 
 hearlambicksandTragediesbefore they were admitted unto difcum- 
 bency or lying along with others at their meals. That the Romans 
 ufed this gefture at repaft, befidc many more, is evident from Lypfiuf^ 
 Mercurialis^Salntafiut andCiaconius^ who have cxprefly and diftinftly 
 treated hereof. 
 
 Now of their accumbing place?, .the one was called Stibadion and 
 Sigma,carrying the figure of an halt Moon,and of an uncertain capacity, 
 whereafter it received the name of Hexaclinon, Oftoclinon, according 
 unto thatofM/znio/j 
 
 Accipe Lunata Jcriptum tejiudine Sigma : 
 0^0 capita veniat quifquis amicus erit. 
 
 Hereat in ieveral ages the left & right hour were the principal places, 
 
 Pp 3 and 
 
2QA EttqmYtes into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 and the mod honourable perfon, if he were not Mafter of the feaft, pof- 
 feffed one of thofe rooms. The other was termed Triclinium, that 
 is, Three beds encompaflingatable, as may be feen in the figures there- 
 of, and particularly in the Khamnufian Triclinium,(et down by Mercu' 
 Merc. De Aitc rialis. The cuftomary ufe hereof was probably deduced from tae fre- 
 Oyma^jiica. quent ufe of bathing,after which they commonly retired to bed, and re- 
 fected themfelves with rspaft ; and fo that cuftom by degrees changed 
 their cubiculary beds into difcubitory, and introduced afaftiion to go 
 from the baths unto thefe. 
 Theancient Asfor theirgefture or pofiticn, the men lay down leaning oh their 
 gefture or po- left elbow,their back being advanced by fome pillow or fott lubftance : 
 iition of the the fecond lay fo with his back towards the firit, that his head at- 
 body at feafts. tained about his bofom ; and the reft in the fame order. For women, 
 they fat fometimcs diftinftly with their (ex, fometimes promifcuouf- 
 ly with men, according toaffeftion or favour, as is delivered by Ju- 
 venal, 
 
 GreMiojacuitmvanuptameriti. 
 And by Siietomm of Caligula, that at his feafts he placed his fifters, 
 with whom he had been incontinent, fuceffively in order below him. 
 
 Again, As th<;ir beds were threes fo the guefts did not ufually exceed 
 that number in everyone 5 according to the ancient Laws,and proverbi- 
 al obfervatlons to begin with the Graces, and make up their feafts with 
 the Mufes. And therefore it was remarkable in the Emperour Lucias 
 Fm«,thathe lay down with tweWe : which was faith Julius Capitolinusy 
 frjiterexampUmaprwft:, not accovd'ingto the cadom of his Predecef- 
 fors, except it wereat publick and nuptial fuppers. The regular num- 
 ber was alfo exceeded in this laft fupper, whereat there were nofefs 
 then thirteeoj and in no place fewer then ten, for, as Jofephus deliver- 
 eth, it was not lawful to celebrate the Pafleover with fewer then that 
 number. 
 
 Laftly, For the difpofing and ordering of theperfons : The firft and 
 
 middle beds were for tfte gucfts, the third and Icweft for the Mafter of 
 
 thehoufeand his family; he alwayes lying in the firft place of the laft 
 
 bedjthat is next the middle bed; but if the wife or children were abfent, 
 
 who the Um- their rooms were fupplied by the Umbrae, or hangers on, according to 
 
 brxwercac that oi Juvenal -^ Locus eji & plurihus Vmhris, Forthegueftg, 
 
 Banquets. thehonourableft place in every bed was the firft excepting the middle 
 
 or lecond bed ; wherein the moft honourable Gueft of the feaft was pla- 
 
 lu'.Scalig fa- ced in the laft place, becaufe by that pofition he might be next the 
 
 SiSmTrc".^^^"' of the feaft. For the Mafter lying in the firft of the 
 
 b!ewa i. laft bed, and the principal gueftin the laft place of the fecond, they 
 
 muft needs be next each other; as this figure doth plainly declarf, and 
 
 whereby we may apprehend the feaft of Verperma made unto Seriorius, 
 
 defcribcd be SalujUuii whofe words we fhall thus read with Salma* 
 
 fins : Jgituir difcubiiere , ' Sertoriafs inferior in medio lecto , fupra 
 
 Fabim ; 
 
Book 5» and Common Errors* 
 
 Fdbius', Antonm in [ummo-. Infra Scrib a Serf oriiVerfius', alter- fcriba 
 M£cenas in Imo , ntedius inter tarquitium & Vominum Terpen- 
 
 nam 
 
 'paJui 
 sntuiffiiVA 
 
 2' 
 
 oj h* 
 
 
 •" ft 
 
 Si"- 
 
 smpij^ 
 
 pudng 
 stmtuns snooj 
 
 
 ^5 
 
 
 
 03 
 
 
 
 295 
 
 At this feaft there were but feven ; the middle places of the higheft 
 and middle bed being vacant; and hereac ^vas ^'tmor/'wf the General 
 and principal gueft (lain. And fo may we make out what is delivered 
 by Plutarcif in his lifcj that lying on his back, and railing himfelf up, 
 ferpenna caft himfelf upon his ftomack ; which he might very well do, 
 being Matter of the feaft,and lying next unto him. And thus alfo from 
 this Tricliniciry difpofure, we may illuftrate that obfcure expreffion of 
 Seneca •, That the Northwind was in the middle, the North Eaft on the 
 higher fide, ahd the North Weft on the lower. For as appeareth in 
 the circle of the winds, the North Eaft will answer the bed of Antmiusy 
 and the North Weft that of Terpenna. 
 
 That the cuftom of feafting upon beds was in ufe among the He- 
 hrewsiin^iny deduce from Ezekjel. Thou fatteft upon a ftately bed, and ^^ ^' 
 a tabic prtpared before it. The cuftom of Difcalccation or putting off 
 their (hoes at mealsjis conceived to confirm the famCjas by that means 
 keeping their beds clean, and therefore they had a peculiar charc:;e 
 toeatthepafsover with their fhoes on; which Injunftion were needlef]^, 
 if they ufed not to put them off. However it were in times of high 
 antiquity, probable it is that in after ages they conformed unto the 
 
 lafhions 
 
2^6 
 
 Lukf 7. 
 Matth. 2». 
 
 Exod. 12. 
 
 m^hmuw "' 
 
 Matth 26. 
 fohii i3« 
 
 E^qumef into Vulgar Book 5 • 
 
 fafh Ions of th e Ajjyrians and Eaftern Nations, and laftly of the Romans, 
 being reduced by Pompey unto a Provincial fubjeftion. 
 
 Thatthis difcumbency at meals was in ufc in the daies of our Savi- 
 our, is conceived probable from feveral speeches of his exprcffed in that 
 phra(e scven unto common Auditors, asLw^^ i4'G«w invitatus fuerit 
 adnuptias, mndifcumbas in primo /oco, and bsCides many more, Matthew 
 23. When reprehending the ^cr/i^i and F harifeesy he Cdihby Awant pro* 
 toc/ifias 5 id ejf, priwos recubitus in C£ms, & protocatkedms^ fivcy primus 
 cathedraSy in Synagogis : wherein the terms arc very diftinft, and by 
 an Antithefis do plainly diftinguifti the pofture of fittingj from this 
 of lyingonbeds.The confentof the Jevpsviith the Romans in other cere* 
 monies and rites of feaffiiig, makes probable their conformity in this. 
 The Romans waftied, were anointed, and wore a cenatory garment : and 
 that the fame was praftifed by thejews^ is deduceable from that expo- 
 flulation of our Saviour with Siwony that he waftied not his feet, nor 
 anointed his head withoyl; the common civilities at feftival enter- 
 tainments : and that exprtflionof his concerning the cenatory or wed- 
 ding garment, and as fome conceive of the linnen garment of the young 
 man or St. John, which might be the fame he wore the night before at 
 the laft Supper. 
 
 That they ufed this jeflure at the PafTover, is more then probable 
 from the teftimony of Je»7i/^ Writers, and particularly of 5i«-w/7iwo« 
 recorded by Scaliger Ve emendatione temporum. After the fecond cup 
 according to the Inftitution. The fun asketh what meaneth of this fer- 
 vice ? Then he that maketh the declaration , faith, How different 
 is this night from all other nights > for all other nights we wafh but once 
 but this night twice j all other we cat leavened or unleavened bread, 
 but this onely leavened 5 all other we eat fletti roafted, boyled or 
 baked, but this onely roafted, all other nights we eat together lying 
 or fitting, but this only lying along. And this pofture they ufed as a 
 token of reft and fecurity which they enjoyed, far different from that, at 
 the eating of the PafTover in Mgypt. 
 
 Thatthis gefture was ufed when our Saviour eat thePaflbver, is not 
 conceived improbable from the words whereby the Evangelifts exprcfs 
 the fame, that isj dvcc^riTrvMy^avuHii^zuy K5!i«iKrf.3K^,«i*i'etw.««9»i<su, which terms 
 do properly fignifie, this gefture in Arijtotle, Athen£us, Euripides^ Sopho- 
 clesy and all humane Authors ; and the like we meet with in the para- 
 phraftical expreftion of Nonnus. 
 
 Laftly, if it be not fully conceded, that this gefture was ufedatthe 
 PafTover^ yet that it wasobferved at the laft (upper, feems almoft in- 
 controvertible, for at this feaft or cenatory convention, learned men 
 make more then one fupper, or at leaft many parts thereof. The 
 firft was that Legal one of the PafTeover, cr eating of the Pafchall 
 Lamb with bitter herbs, and ceremonies defcribed by Mofes. Of 
 this it is faid, then when the even was come he (at down with 
 
 the 
 
Book5» and Common Errors* 2i^y 
 
 the twelve. This is fuppofed when it is faid, that the Supper being cnt 
 ded, our Saviour arofe, took a towell and waflied the Difciples feet; 
 The fecond was common and Domefticall, confiftingof ordinary and 
 and undclined provifions j of this it may be (aid , that our Saviour 
 took his garment, and fat down again, after he had wafhcd the Difci- 
 ples feet, and performed the preparative civilities of fuppers ; at this 
 tis conceived the fop was given unto Judas^ the Originall word im- 
 plying (omebroath or decoftion, not ufcd at the Paflbvcr. The third ot 
 latter pirt was Eucharifticall* which began at the breaking and blefling 
 oi the bread, according to that of MatihrtVy and as they were eating, 
 Jefus took bread and blefled it. 
 
 Now although at the Paflbver or firft fuppcr, many have doubted 
 this Reclining pofture, and fomehave affirmed that our Saviour flood ; p^ veter\im 
 yet that he lay down at the other, the fame men have acknowledged, as fitibut, 
 ChryfoJiomy7heophylaQ,Aulim,md many more. Andif the tradition will 
 hold, the pofition is unqucftionable -, for the very Triclinium is to be 
 feen at Romet brought thither by Vcf^afiauy and graphically (et forth 
 by Cafalius, 
 
 Thus may 5c properly be made out ; what is delivered, John 1 5. Erat 
 recumhm anus ex Vifcipu/is ejus injiwi Jefu quern diligebat j Now there 
 was leaning on Jefus bofomoneof his Difciples whom Jsfus'lovedj 
 which gcfture will not (b well agree unto the pofition of fitting, but is 
 naturall, and cannot be avoided in the Laws of accubation. And the 
 very fame expreffion is to be found in fUny^ concerning the Emperour 
 Nerva and Veiento whom he favoured ; Cxnabat NervK cum faucis^ 
 Veitnto rccumhebat preprm atque etiam in finu ; and from this cuftomc 
 arofe the word •w/r4fl<©', that is, a near and bofom friend* And there- 
 fore Cmfabon juftly rejefteth Theopkyla^l ; who not confidcring the an- 
 cient manner of decumbency, imputed this gefture of the beloved Difci- Not in Evan, 
 pie unto Rufticity, or an aft of incivility. And thus alfo have fome 
 conceived, it may be more plainly made out what is delivered of Mary Luks 7' 
 Magdalen. That (he flood at Chrifts feet behind him weeping, and be* 
 gan to wafh his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her 
 head. Which aftions, if our Saviour fate, fhe could not perform {lan- 
 ding, and had rather flood behind his back, then at his feet. And there- 
 fore it is not allowable, what is obfervablc in many pieces, and even of 
 Raphael Vrbin; wherein Mary Magdalen ispifturcd before our Saviour, 
 wafhing his feet on her knees ; which will not coniift with the ftrift de« 
 fcription and letter of the Text. I 
 
 Now whereas this polition may feem to be di (countenanced by oar 
 TranQation, which ufually renders it fitting, it cannot have that illati- 
 on } for the French and Italian Tranflitions cxprdfing neither poiition 
 of fefllon or recubation, doe onely (ay that he placed himfelfe at the 
 table } and when ours expreffsth the fame by fitting, it is in relation 
 unto our cuftom, time, and apprehenfion. The like u;oi occafion 
 
 CLS is 
 
2^8 Eft^umes wto Vnlgar Book 5. 
 
 18 not itnufual ; Co when it is (aid, Luk^ 4. «7/|«tf <toC,C\'itVj and the Vul- 
 gar renders it, Cum -phcafet libruMy ours iranflatethit, hefhutor clofed 
 die book; which is an cxpredion proper unto the paginal books of our 
 times, but not (o agreeable unto volumes or rolling books in u(e among 
 What Venari- the Jerps^ not oncly in elder times, but even unto this day. So when 
 «^,or «^e pen- jj; js faicjj the 5<?w/irir/r« delivered unto the holi two pence for the pro« 
 GofpVl is vifion oi the Levite 5 and when our Saviour agreed with the Labourers 
 for a penny a day ; in ftrift tranflition it (hould be (even pence 
 half penny ; and is not to be conceived our common penny, the 
 fixtieth part of an ounce. For the word in the Original is S'mdtUi, in la« 
 tine, Denarius^ and with the Ilow<?«5 did value the eight part of an 
 ounce, which after five (hillings the ounce amounteth unto feven pencq 
 half penny of our money. 
 
 Laftly, Whereas it might be conceived that they cat the Pafleovcr 
 {landing rather then fitin^,or lying down, according to the Inftitution, 
 ^i'Sye^l- ^^0^' **• Thus fliall you eat, wirh your loins girded, your (hoocs on 
 over omitted, your feet, aad your ftaff in your hand ■■> xhejews themielves reply^ this 
 was not required of (ucceeding generations, and was not obferved, but 
 in the polTeover of Egypt% And fo alfo many other in junftions were af- 
 terward omitted, as the taking up of the Pafchal Lamb,from the tenth 
 day, the eating of it in their houfes difpcrf ed j the ftriking of the blood 
 on the door pofls , and the eating thereof in hafte. Solemnities 
 and Ceremonies primatively enjoyned, afterward omitted ; as was 
 alfo this of ftation, for the occalion ceaiing, and being in fecurity, 
 they applyed themfelevs unto geftures in ufe among them. 
 
 Now in what order of recumbency Chrift and the Difciples were 
 difpoled, is not Co eafily determined. Cajalius from the Latcran 
 Triclinium will tell us, that there being thirtcen,five lay down in the 
 firft bedjfivc in the la{l,and three in the middle bcd;and that our Saviour 
 polTeflTcd the upper place thereof. That John lay in the fame bed 
 fecms plain, becaufe he leaned on our Saviours bofom. That 
 Veter made the third in that bed, conjefture is made, becaufe he 
 beekened unto John^ as being next him, to ask of Clirifl, who it 
 was that ftiould betray him. That Judas was not far off feems 
 probable , not onely becaufe he dipped in the fame difh , but 
 becaufe he was fo near, that our Saviour could hand the fop unto 
 him, 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book 5. and common Errors- 
 
 295 
 
 Chap. Vll. 
 Of the ViBure of our Saviour with long hair. 
 
 ANother Piftiire there is of our Saviour defcribed with long 
 hair, according to the cuftom of the Jews, and his defcription 
 lent by Lentuluf unto the Senate. 'Wherein indeed the hand of the 
 Painter is not accufable, but the judgement of the common Spefta- 
 tour; conceiving heobferved this faftiion of his hair,becaufe he was a 
 A7<iz/znt^, and confounding a N<z^<irire by vow, with thofe by birth or 
 education. 
 
 The Nazarite by vow is declared. Numb. 6. And was to refrain three 
 things, drinking ot Wine, cutting the hair, and approaching unto the 
 dead ; and (uch a one was Sampfon. Now that our Saviour was a Na^ 
 zarite after this kind, w^ have no reafon to determine j for he drank 
 Wide, and was therefore called by the Pharifeesy a Wine-bibber i he ap- 
 proached alfo the dead, as when he raifed from death Lazarus^ and the 
 daughter of J aims. 
 
 The other Nazarite was a Topical appclletion, and appliable unto 
 fuch as were born in Nazareth, a City o{ Galilee^ and in the tribe of 
 Naphtali. Neither if ilriftly taken was our Saviour in this fenfe a Na- 
 zarite ; for he was born in Bethlehem in the tribe of Judah ; but might 
 receive that name, becaufe he abode in that City} and was not onely 
 conceived therein, but there alfo paflTed the filent part of his life, after 
 his return from Mgyph as is delivered by Matthew, And he came and 
 dwelt in a City called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was 
 (poken by the Prophet, He (hall be called a Nazarene. Both which ^^.''f'J^oncer. 
 kinds of Nazarites, as they are diftinguifliable by Zain, and tfade in f^ ^*<»^«^* 
 the Hebrew lo in the Greek, by Alpha and Omega -, for as Janfenius 
 obferveth, where the votary N^z/zr/fe is mentioned, it>is written, N«- 
 C*«^4l©- as Levit.6. and Lament. 4. Where it is fpoken of our Saviour, 
 we read it, N«2«fH®', as in Matthew, Luk^ and John\ only Mark^ who 
 writ his Gofpel at Kome, did Latinize, and wrote it Nrt{'«<^V 
 
 — — • — ■ ^rwr ' — ' — 
 
 Chap. VIII. 
 Ofthepi&ure of Ahrsiham fa crijicing Ifaac 
 
 IN the Pifture of the Immolation of Jfaai, or Abraham (aerificing 
 his fon, Ifaac is defcribed as a little boy, which notwitbftanding is 
 not conlencaneous unto the authority of Expofitors, or the circum- 
 ftance of the Text. For therein it is delivered that Ifaac carried on 
 
 Oil 2 his 
 
^QO Eftquiries into T'ulgar Book 5. 
 
 his back the wood for the racrifice;which being an holocauft or burnt of- 
 fering to be confumed unto aftie?, we can not well conceive a burthen 
 for a boy ; but fuch a one unto Ifaac, as that which it typified was un- 
 to Chrift, that is, the wood or crofs whereon he fufFcredjwhich was too 
 heavy a load for his (boulders, and was fain to be relieved therein 
 by SintoHoi Cyrene. 
 
 Again, He was fo far from a boy, that he was a man grown, and at 
 his full ftaturejif we believe ^^/^/'^w^jwhoplaceth him in the laft o{Adole» 
 jcetfcji and makes him twenty five years old. And whereas in the 
 Vulgar Tranflation he is termed puer^ it muft not be ftriftly apprehend- 
 ed (for that age properly endeth in pubertyiand extendech but unto four- 
 teen)but refpeftively umoAbraham;vfho was at that time above iix fcorc. 
 And therefore alfo herein he was not unlike unto him, who was after 
 Men ofemi-"" jgj dumb unto the flaughter , and commanded by others who had Ic- 
 nent f^"|^^"° gions at command 5 that is, in mecknefs and humble fubmiffion. For 
 prowc 5 . j^^ J j^g refifted, it had not been in the power of his aged parent to have 
 cnforcedi and many at his years have performed fuch afts,as few befides 
 at any. Vavid was too ftrong for a Lion and a Bear; Fontpey 
 had defervcd the name of Great ; Alexander of the fame cog- 
 nomination was GeneralijJiMo of Greece ; and Ambal but one year 
 after, fuccceded ^/<ir«itf^ in that memorable War againft the Romans. 
 
 Chap. I X. 
 
 Ofth Ti&ure of Mofes mth horns. 
 
 r 
 
 N many pieces, and fomc of ancient Bibles, Mofei is dcfcribed with 
 __ horns. The fame defcription we find in a (ilver Medal 5 that i supon 
 one fide A/o/« horned, and on thereverfc the commandment againft 
 fculptilc Images. Which is conceived to be a coynage of forae Jivps^m 
 derifion of ChrifWans, who firft began that Pourtraft. 
 
 The ground of this abfurdity, was (urcly a mfflake of the Hebrew 
 Textjinthe hiffory of M?/«when hedefcendcd from the Mount •■, upon 
 the affinity of Karen and Karan, that is, an horn, and to (hine, which 
 £xerf. 34.25. is one quality of*horn ; the Vulgar Tranflation conforming unto the 
 ^5. former. Igmrabat quod cornuta effet fades ejus, ^i videbant faciem 
 
 Mofes effe cornutam. But the Chaldee piraphnCe, tranflated by P^w/ai 
 Fagiuf, hath otherwife cxprefTed it. Mofes nefciebat quod rnuhus ejfet 
 fp/endor glorU vultus ejtts, Et vidermtfilit Israel quod mult a eJfet clarity 
 gbrU faciei ndofes. The expreflionofthefeptuagint is as large, Mi^mmi 
 i •"^it n ^mf(gr@' <A<9&ffi^9yGiorificatus eji afpedus cutis, feu coioris far 
 ciei. 
 
 And this pafTage of the Old Teftament is well explained by another 
 of the New ; wherein icis delivered, that they could not ftedfaftly be- 
 hold 
 
Book* 5. andCommon Errcrs. 3^' 
 
 hold the face of Mo[es, M ♦•*»/•?«» 'H^gc^u that is,forthe gWy of his 
 countenance. And furcly the expofition of one Text is bcft perfor- 
 med by another ; men vainly interpofing their conftruftions, where the 
 Scripture decidcth the controver fie. And therefore fome have feemed What kind of 
 too aaivc in their expofitions, who in the ftory of il^i&4^ the harlot, "»fjoi "'^ ^« 
 have given notice that the word alfo fignifieth an Hoftefs ; for ,„ the^";|f.;^''*^' 
 Epiftle to the Hebrews Jiht is plainly termed »<?m, which signifies not an 
 Hoflefs, but a pecuniary and proftituting Harlot; a term applied unto 
 Lais by the Grf^i^/,and diftinguifhed from Jwa^* or arnica as may appear 
 in the thirteenth of Athtn^us, 
 
 Andtherefore more allowable is thetranflation oitrentelius^ ^od 
 fplendida fad a ejfet cutis faciei ejus 5 or as 'Efiim hath interpreted it,/^« 
 cies ejus erat radiofa, his face was radiant, and difperfing beams like 
 many horns and cones about his head 5 which is alfo confonant unto 
 ihc original fignification, and yet obf erved in the pieces of our Savi- 
 -ourand the Virgin Maryy who are commonly drawn with fcintillati* 
 ons, or radient Halo's about their head ; which after the Fr^wc^ expref- 
 ' fion arc ufually termed, the Glory. 
 
 Now if befides this occafional miftake, any man (hall contend 
 a propriety in this Pifture, and that no injury is done unto Truth 
 by this difcription, bccaufean horn is the Hicroglyphick of authority, 
 power and dignity, and in this Metaphor is often ufed in Scrip- 
 ture; the piece I confefs in this acception isharmlefi and agreeable un- 
 to Mofes : and under fuch emblematical conftruftions, we find that 
 Alexander the Great, and Attila King of Humes^ in ancient Medals 
 are defcribed with horns. But if from the common miftake, or 
 any folary coniideration we perfift in this defcription 5 we vilifie 
 the myfteryof the irradiation, and authorize a dangerous piece con- 
 formable unto that of Jupiter Hammon 5 which was the Sun and 
 therefore defcribed with horns; as is delivered by Macrohius i Ham* 
 monem quern Veuw Jolem occidentem Lyhies exiJiiraaHt, arietinis corni- 
 hitsfingunt^quihtts id ammal valet, ficut radiis foLY/e herein alfo intimate 
 the Pifture of Pan, and PagaM emblem of Nature, And if ( as Ma- ^ . ^ , g^^^ 
 crobiuf and very good Authors concede) Bacchus (who is alfo ^^'chusiappokd 
 fcribcd with horns) be the fame Deity with the Sun; and ifCastobethefame 
 Vo^us well contendeth) Mofes and Bacchus were the fame p£rfon;perfon,Dferi- 
 their defcriptions muft be relative, or the Tauricornous pi&ure of*'"*''^*''''""''' 
 one, perhaps the fame with the other. 
 
 aq 5 CHAP. 
 
202 
 
 Ettquiries into Vnlgar Book 5. 
 
 'Chap. X. 
 of the Scutcheons of the Tribes of ifiael. 
 
 T TT 7E will not pafs over the Scutcheons of the Tribes of Ifrael^ 
 V V as they are nfually defcribedl in the Maps of Canaan 2^ndi 
 fevcral other pieces; generally conceived to be the proper coats, and 
 diftinftlve badges of their feveral Tribes. So Reuben is conceived to bear 
 three Bars wave, Judah a Lyon Rampant, Dana. Serpent nowed, Simeon 
 a fwordinpale the point erefted, &c. The ground whereof is the laft 
 Oen. i9' Bencdiftion of Jacob, wherein he rcfpeftivcly draweth compariions 
 from things here reprefented. 
 
 Now herein although we allow a confidcrable meafure of truth, yet 
 whether as they are ufnally defcribed,thcfc were the proper cognizance?, 
 and coat-arms of the Tribes 5 whether in this manner applyed, and up- 
 on the grounds prefumed material doubts remain. 
 
 Forfirft, They are not ftriftlymade out, from the Prophetical blef- 
 fingof Jacob', {ov Simeon and Levi have diftinft coats, that is, a Sword, 
 and the two Tables, yet are they by Jacob included in one Prophefie, 
 Simeon and Levi are brethren, Inftruments of cruelties are in their habi- 
 tations. So Jojeph beareth an Ox, whereof notwithfianding there is 
 no mention in this Prophefie ; for therein it is faid Jofeph is a fruitful 
 bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; by which repetition are in- 
 timated the two Tribes defcending from him, Ephraim and Ma^ 
 Dett.-iz ftajjes; whereof notwiihftanding Ephraim onely beareth an Ox:True it i?, 
 
 ' that many years after in the benediftion of Mo[es^\t is Caldiofjofeph, His 
 
 glory is like the firftlings of his Bullock % and fo we may concede, what 
 ro/TF^^- learnedly declareth, that the ^^^ti/z:«^ reprefented Jojeph in 
 the Symbole of an Ox ; for thereby was belt implied the dream of 
 fharaoh, which he interpreted, the benefit by Agriculture, and 
 provident provifion of corn which he performed ; and therefore did 
 Serapis bear a bufliel upon his head. 
 
 Again, If we take thefe two ben?diftions together, the refemblan- 
 ces are not appropriates and A^ofes therein conforms not unto Jacob-, 
 for that which in tlie Prophefie of Jacob is appropriated unto one, is in 
 thebleflingof A/o/«made common unto others. So whereas Judah Is 
 conjpared unto a Lion by Jacob, Judah is a Lions whelp, the fame is 
 applied unto Van by Mofes, Van is a Lions whelp, he (hall leap from 
 Bajhan, and alfo unto Gad, he dwelleth as a Lion. 
 ' Thirdly, It a Lion were the proper coat of Judah, yet were it not 
 probably a Lion Pvampant, as it is commonly defcribed, bur rather 
 couchant ordcrmaur,as fome Heralds and K^r^i'i^ do dettrmineiaccord- 
 ing to the letter of thcTeyn, Kecumbens dormijiiut Leo j Hecoucheiasa 
 Lion,and asayoang Lion, who fhallroufe him? 
 
 Laftly, 
 
Books* and Common Errors* 305 
 
 Laftlyj when it is faid, Every man oF the Children oi Ifrael {hall 
 nitch by his own ftandard with the Eniign of their fathers houfe ; upon ^'*^' *• 
 enquiry whatthefe ftandards and Enfigncs were there is no {mall inccr- 
 taiuty j and men conform not unto the Prophelieof y^'c-jj^. Chriliian 
 ExpoGtors are fain herein to rely upon the KaUins, who not withif and^ 
 ing are various in their traditionf, and confirm not thefe common de- 
 fcriptions. For as for infcriour cnfigns, either of particular bands or 
 houfcs, they determine nothing at all 5 and of the foure principal or 
 Legionary ftandards, that is, oi Judah-iKeubetty Ephrami, and Van ( un- ^he like alio 
 der every one whereof marched three Tribes J they explain them very p. Fagiusu^p- 
 varioufly. Jonathan who compiled the Thargum concdves the colours on the Thap 
 of thefe banners toanfwer the precious (tones, in thebrefl-plate, and |"™°j^^^*?'^'^ 
 upon which the names oi the Tribes were engraven^ So the ftandard for ^^^^It^. , 
 the Camp of J«^^ was of three colours, according unto the ftones, jv^m. i. 
 Chalcedony, Siphir, and Sardonix ; and therein were exprefled the 
 names of the three Tribes Judah Iffachar^ and Zabulon^ and in the 
 middeft thereof was written,R.i{e up LordjEt let thy enemies bs fcatterci ', 
 and let them that hate thee flee before thee ; in it was alfo the pourtrait ^'""* '°' 
 of a Lion. The ftandard of Rfw^t/z was alfo of three colours, Sardine, 
 Topaz, and Amethyft 5 therein were exprefTed thenzmtsoiKeubeniSi- 
 meoH,!indGadf in the middeft was written, Hear O Ifrael, The Lord 
 our God, the Lord is one; Therein was alfo the pourtraiture ofapg^f, 5. 
 Hart. But Abenezra and others, befide the colours of [the field, 
 do fet down other charges, in Rfubem the form of a man or man- 
 drakcj in that oi Judah a Lion, in Ephraims an Ox, in Dan's the fi- 
 gure ofaniEgle. 
 
 And thus indeed the four figures in the banners of the pincipal 
 {quadrons of Ifrael are anfwerable unto the Chcrubins in the vifion E^ekft. 
 oi Ezekieli every one carrying the form of all thefe. As for the I ike- 
 ncfs of their faces , they four had the likenefs of the face of a Man, 
 and the face of a Lion on the right fide, and they four had the face of The common 
 an Ox on the left fide, they four had alfo the face of an Mi^le. And ^^f " ^"'^ • 
 conformable her unto the pictures of the Evangelefts (whcfeGofpelsjjj^g'^^pj^"^'/ 
 
 are the Chriftian banners^ are fet forth with the adition of a man or ted. 
 Angel, an Ox, a Lion, and a jEgle. And thefe fymbolicaHy repre- 
 (ent the Office of Angels, and Minifters of Gods will ; in whom is 
 required underftanding as in a man,courage and vivacity as in the Lion, 
 icrvice and Minifterial officioufncfs as in the Ox, expedition or celerity 
 of execution, as in the J^gle. 
 
 From hence therefore me may obfervc thatthefe de{criptions,the molt 
 authentick of any, are neither agreeable unto one another, not- unto the 
 Scutcheons in queflion. For though they agree in Ephraint and Judah^ 
 that is, the Ox and the Lion, yet do they differ in thefe of Dan^ 
 and KeubeHf as far as an j^gle is. different from a Serpent, and the 
 
 figure 
 
\ ' 304 Enquirki into Vulgar Book. 5« 
 
 figure of a Man, Hare, or Mandrake, from three Bars wave. Wherein 
 notwithftanding vve rather declare the incertainty of Arms in this par- 
 ticular, then any way queftion their antiquityifor hereof more ancient 
 examples there are,thcn the Scutcheons of the Tribes, ifOfjrU, Mizra* 
 im or Jupiter the Juft, were the Son of C^^/w ; for of his two Sons, as 
 ThcAntiqui- "Oiodorm delivereth, the one for his Device gave a Dog, the other a 
 g of bearing ^^if. And, befide the fhield o{ AchiUisy and many ancient Gr^fi^^ : if 
 Scutcheons. ^^ receive the conjefture of Vojfiusy that the Crow upon Corvinus his 
 head, was but the figure of that Animal upon his helmet, it is an ex- 
 ample of Antiquity among the Romans, 
 
 But more widely muft we walk, if we follow the doftrine of the 
 
 Cabalijisy who in each of the four banners infcribe a letter of the Te- 
 
 . , tragrammaton, orquadriliteralnameofGod; and myfterizing their 
 
 fcir^gricH/fK- *"^8nes, do makethe particular ones of the twelve Tribes, accommo- 
 
 u, lib. 4. dable unto the twelve fignes in the Zodiack, and twelve moneths in the 
 
 year : But the Tetrarchical or general banners, of JudahiReuben,Ephra» 
 
 im^ and Van^ unto the fignes of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capri- 
 
 cornus : that is, the four cardinal parts of the Zodiack, and feafons 
 
 of the year. 
 
 Chap. XI. 
 Of the PiBurei of the Sibyls. 
 
 THe Piftures of the Sibyls arc very common, and for their Pro- 
 phefiesofChrifl in high efteem with Chriflians; defcribed com- 
 monly with youthful faces, and in a defined number. Common pieces 
 making twelve, and many precifely ten ; obferving therein the account 
 of learned Varro ; that is, Sibylla "Deiphica, Erythrda^ Santiay Cuntana^ 
 Cumda^ or Cimmerian Hellefpontiacay Lybica^ Phrygian 'Xiburtina^ Per* 
 fica. In which enumeration! perceive learned men are not fatisficd, 
 and many conclude an irreconcilable incertainty i fome making more, 
 others fewer, and not this certain number. For Suidaiy though he af- 
 firm that in divers ages there were ten, yet the fame denomination he 
 affordeth unto more; Beyjardus in hisTraft of Divination hath Cet 
 forth the Icons of thefe Ten, yet addeth two others, Epireticay and 
 JEgyptia; and fome affirm that Prophefying women were generally 
 named Sibjls. 
 
 Others make them fewer 1 M<irfw««j CapelU two; Pliny znd Solinus 
 three; JE^ian iour^ and Salmatius in e&h hut fevent For drfcour* 
 fing hereof in his Plinian Exercitations, he thus determinetli ; Kidere 
 licet hodierms PiCtores^ qui tabulas proponunt Cumanx Cumex , & Ery 
 thr££y quafi trium diverfarum Sibyllaruttt ; cunt una eademque fuerit 
 Cumana^ Cum^a^ & Erjthr^a^ ex plurijtm & dodijjimorum Auiborum 
 
 [ententia 
 
Books* and Common ErforS' 305 
 
 fententia. Boyfardm gives us leave to opinion there was no more then 
 one ; for fo doth he conclude, In tanta Scriptorum varietate liberum 
 relinquunm LeUori credere^anuna & eadem in diver fts regionibus peregrina- 
 tay cognomen forth a ftt ah in loc'n ubi oracuia reddidi(fe comperitur^ an ^ lures 
 extiterint : And therefore not difcovering a refolution of their number 
 Irompensof thebeft Writers, we have no reafon to determine the fame 
 from the hand and pencil of Painter?. 
 
 As toiir^hing their age, that they are generally defcribed as young 
 women, Hiftory will not allow i for the Sibyl whereof Tirgi/ fpeaketli 
 is termed by htm long£va facerdosy and Servius in his Comment ampli- 
 fieth the fame. The other that fold the books unto Tarquitt, and whofe 
 Hiftory is plainer then any, by Livie and Gellius is termed Anus iAnut, quift 
 that is, properly no woman of ordinary age, but full of years, ^nd Avitjme men- 
 in the dayes of dota^re, according to the Etymologie of Fejius ; and^^- 
 confonant unto the Hiftory ; wherein it is faid, that Tarquin though 
 fhe dored with old age. Which duly perpended, the Licentia pidoria. 
 is very large j with the fame reafon they may delineate old Nejhr like 
 AdonU) Hecuba with Helens face, and Time with Abfolons head. Buc 
 this abfurdity that eminent Artift Michael Angela hath avoided, in the 
 Pifturcs of the Cutnean and Perfian Sibyls, as they (land defcribed from 
 the printed fculptures of Adam Mantuanus. 
 
 Chap. XII. 
 of the Pi&ure defcribmg the death'ofCleop2LtY^» 
 
 THe Pifture concerning the death of Cleopatra with two Afps or 
 venemous Serpents unto her arms, or breaftsj or both, requires 
 confideration ; for therein ( befide that this variety is not excufable) 
 the thing it fclfe is qaeftionable; nor is it indifputably certain what 
 manner of death fhe dyed. Plutarch in the life of ^^ro»j?^ plainly deli- 
 vereth, that no man knew the manner of her death ; for fomc affirmed 
 (heperifhed by poyfon, which fhealwayes carried in a little hollovv 
 comb, and wore it in her hair. Befide, there were never any Afps dif- 
 covered in the place of her death, although two of her Maids periftied 
 alfo with her ; only it was faid, two fmall and almoft infenfiblepricks 
 were found upon her arm ; which was all the ground that C£far had to 
 prefiime the maimer of her death. Galen who was contemporary unto 
 Plutarch^ dellvereth two wayes of her death : that fhe killed her felfe 
 by the bite of an Afp, or bit an hole in her arm, and poured poyfon 
 therein, ^fr^^athat lived before them both hath alfo twj opinions; 
 that fli^ dyed by the bite of an Afp, or elfe a poifonous ointment. 
 
 We nii'^ht queftion the length of" the A(ps, which arc fomctimes 
 defcribed exceeding fliort j whereas the Cherfiea or land-Afp v;hich 
 
 R r nioft 
 
3o6 Enqnmes into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 moft conceive (he ufed, is above four cubits long. Their nuo^ber is not 
 imqaeftionable 5 for whereas there are generally two dcfcribedj Aw 
 guflus QzsFlutarcb relateth J did carry in his triumph the Image of 
 Cleopatra buc with one Afp unto her arm. As for the two pricks, or 
 little fpots in her arm, they rather infer the fex, then plurality : for 
 like the Viper, the female Afp hath four, but the male two 
 teeth; whereby it left this in^preflion, or double punfture be- 
 hind it. 
 
 And laftly, Wc might queftion the place; for fomc apply them 
 unto her breft, which notwithftanding will not conlift with the Hiilo- 
 ry 5 and Petrus ViClorim hath well obferved the fame. But herein the 
 mjftake was eafie,it being the cuftom in capital malefaftors to apply 
 them unto the breafl:,as thcAuthor Pe Iheriaca adPifoftem an eye witnefs 
 hcrsoi m Alexandria) where C/fo/?tftrtf died, determineth : I beheld, 
 faith he, m Alexandria, hovi fuddenly thefe Serpents bereave a man 
 of life; for when any one is condemned to this kind of death, 
 if they intend to ufc him favourably , that is , to difpatch him 
 fuddenly, they fatten an Afp unto his breft ; and bidding him walk a- 
 bout, he prefcntly pcrifheth thereby. 
 
 Chap. XIIl. /*• 
 Of the Pi&ures of the nine Worthies, 
 
 THe Piftures of the nine Worthies are not unqueftioftable, and to 
 critical fpeftators may feem to contain fundryimproprieties.Some 
 will enquire why Alepunder the Great is defcribed upon an Elephant .* 
 for,we donot'finde he ufed that animal in his ArmieSjmuch Icffe in hig 
 ownperfon; but hisHorfc is famous in Hiftory, and its name alive to 
 this day. Befidc, he fought but one remarkable battel, wherein 
 there were any Elephants , and that was with Forus King of !«• 
 dia J in which notwithftanding , as Curtius ArrianttSy and Flutarch 
 report , he was on Horfcback himfclf. And if bccaufe he fought 
 againft Elephants, he is with propriety fet upon their backs : with no 
 Inf Undore ^^^^ '^^ greater reafon is the fame defcription agreeable unto Judas Mac 
 wbis Antiquii cabeus, as may be obferved from the hiftory of ths Maccabees ', andal- 
 To xmio Julim C£[ar, whofe triumph was honoured with captive Ele- 
 phants, as may be obferved in the order thereof, let forth by Jacobus 
 Laurus-hxidi if alfo we (hould admit this defcription upon an Elephant, 
 yet were not the manner thereof unqusftlonable, thatis, in his ruling 
 the beaft alone , for bcfide the Champion upon their back , there 
 wasalTo a euid or ruler, which fat niore forward to command or guide 
 the beaft. Thus did King Per^/i ride when he was overthrown by e^/ifx. 
 W^r; and thus are alfo the towrcd Elephants defcribed, Maccab.2- 6. 
 
 Upon 
 
Book 5. and common EirtH>rs, 3C7 
 
 Upon the bcafts there were ftrong towers of woo(?, which covered eve- 
 ry one of them, and were girt faft unto them by devices : there were 
 alio upon everyone of thenuhirty two ftrong men, belide the Indian 
 that ruled them. 
 
 Others will demand, not onely why Alexander upon an Elephant, 
 but Hf(f/or upon an Horfe : whereas his manner of figh ting, or pre/cnt- 
 |inghim(elt in battel, was in a Chariot, as did the other noble Jnjansy 
 who iS Pliny affirmeth were the firft invcnters thereof. The fame way 
 of fightistcftificdby Z?iWor»^, and thus delivered by Sr. f^aherRartf* 
 leigh. Oi the vulgar little reckoning was made, for they fought all 
 on (oot, flightly armed, and commonly followed the fuccefs of their 
 Captains ; who rode not upon Horfes, but in Chariots drawn by two or 
 *hr e Horfes. And this Wis alfothe ancient way of fight among the Bri4 
 tains^ as is delivered by Dio/!&r«f, C£far, andj^acitus ', and there want 
 notfomv who have taken advantage hereof,and made it one argument of 
 their original from Jroy. 
 
 Laftly, By any man verfed in Antiquity, the queftion can hardly be 
 avoided, why the Horfes of thefe Worthies, clpecially o{C£far, are 
 defcribed with t le turnitureof great laddies, and ftirrops ; for faddfes 
 largely t^ken, though fome defence there may be, yet that they had 
 aot the ufe of ftirrops, fccmeth of lefler doubt 5 as TanciroUm hath ob- 
 ferved, as Volydore Virgil, znd Fetrus ViHorius have confirmed, exprefly De inventisna 
 difcourling hereon 5 as is obferv^ble from Pliny, and cannot efcape our f^rum^vaTt* 
 eyes in the ancient monuments, medals and Triumphant arches of the ^J^'^^*' - 
 Ramans. Nor is there any ancient claflical word in Latine to exprefs (1^^005^ net 
 them. For Staphia, Stapes or Stafeda is not to be fouind in Authors of ancient, 
 this Antiquity. And divers words which may be urged of this fignifii 
 cation, are either later, or fignified not thus much in the time of C^ jar* 
 And therefore as Li;?/^«f obferveth, left a thing of common ufe ftiould 
 want a common word, Francifcus Philelphus named their Stapedasy and 
 Bodims Subicus, Pedaneos. And whereas the name might promife fomc 
 Antiquityjbecaufe among the three fmall bones in the Auditory Organ 
 by Phyfitians termed Incus, Malleus ^nd iiapes, one thereof from (omc 
 refemblance doth bear this name ; thefe bones were not obferved,much 
 lefs named by Hyppocrates, Galen, or any ancient Phyfitian. But as 
 Laurentius ohlervcth, concerning the invention oftheftapes orftirrop 
 bone, there is fome contention between Columbus and IngraJJius; the 
 one of Scicilia, the other o( Cremona, and both within the compafs of 
 this Century: 
 
 The famcisalfodeduceable from very approved Authors : Poljbius 
 fpeakingof the way which Antbat marched into Italy, uleth the word 
 CiCtifiATiFctu, that is, fsLithPtlrus Vi&orius, it was ftored with devices 
 for men to get upon their horfe?, which afcents were termed Bentata, 
 SLod in the life of Caius Cracchus, Plutarch expreffrth as much. For 
 endeavouring to ingratiate himlelf with the people befides the pla- 
 
 R r 2 cing 
 
2o8 Eftquiries ifrto Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 cing of ftoncs at every miles end ; he made at nearer diftanccs certain 
 elevated place? , and Scalary afcents, that by the help thereof they 
 might with better cafealcend or mount their horfe?. Now^if we de- 
 mand how Cavaliers then defiitute of ftorrops did ufually mount their 
 horfcs j as Liffius informeth,the unable and fofter fore of men had their 
 titiUx»fSy or Stratores , which helped them up on horfe back, as in 
 the paftifeof Crajfus in Plutarch, and Caracalia in Spartiams^ and the 
 latter example of Valentinianusy who becaufe his horfe rifcd before that 
 he could not be fetled on his back, cut off the right hand of his Strator. 
 ... But how the aftive and hardy perfons mounted, Vegetius refolves 
 VereMn. ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^1^ ^j. j^^p ^p^ ^^^ therefore they had 
 
 wooden horfes in their houfes and abroad : that thereby young 
 men might enable themfelves in this aftion : wherein by inftuftion 
 and praftifc ihey grew fo perfcft, that they could vault upon the 
 right or left « and that with their fword in hand , acording to 
 that of Virgil 
 
 Pofcit equos atque armafintul, faltuque fuperhus 
 Enticat% And again ; 
 
 lHfr£nant alii currus &corforafaltu 
 Jnjiciuntin equos. 
 
 So Julius Pollux advileth to teach horfcs to incline, dimit and bow 
 down their bodies, that their riders may wiih better eafeafcend 
 them. And thus may it more caufally be made out, what Hippocrates 
 affirmeth of the Scythians , that ufing continual riding, they were 
 generally molefted with the Sciatica or hip-gout. Or what SuetO' 
 nius delivereth of Germanicus^ that he had (lender legs, but 
 encreafed them by riding after meals; that is, the humours de- 
 fccnding upon their pendulofity, they having no fupport or (uppc- 
 daneoua (lability. 
 
 Nowif any (hall fay that thefc are petty errors and minor lapfes j 
 not ccnfidcrably injurious unto truth , yet is it neither reafonable 
 nor fafc to contemn inf eriour fa'ficies ; but rather as between falfliood 
 and truth , there is no medium , fb (hould they be maintained in 
 their diftances : nor the contagion of the one, approach the linceri«* 
 ty of the other. 
 
 ClTAP. XIV. 
 
 Ofth\i fjdfttre tf/Jephthah facrificing his daughter. 
 
 THe hand of the Painter confidently fetteth forth the Pifture of 
 Jepbthah in the pofture of Ahraham^ facrificing hisoneJy daughter : 
 
 Thus 
 
Book. 5. and Common Erroru 309 
 
 Thus is it commonly received, and hath had the atteft of many wor- %. ui h 
 thy Writers. Notwithftanding upon enquiry wc find the matter JJ*^ -^jj^.j 
 doubtful, and many upon probable grounds to havebesn of another his danghter. 
 opinion conceiving in tHis oblation not a natural but a civil kitid/w^/g. ii. 3p. 
 of death, and a reparation onely unto the Lord. For that he purfued 
 not his vow unto a literal oblation, there want not arguments both 
 from the Text and reafon. 
 
 For firft, it is evident that (he deplored her Virginity, and not her 
 death *, Let me go up and down the mountaines, and bewail my Virgi- 
 nity, 1 and my fellows. 
 
 Secondly, When it is faid,that Jephtbah did unto her according un- 
 to his vow, it is immediately fubjoyned, Etnon cognovit virunty and fhe 
 knew no man; which as immediate in words, was probably moft near in 
 fcnfe unto the vow. 
 
 Thirdly, It is faid in the Text, that the daughter of Ifraei went year* 
 ly to talk with the daughterJf/>^t^/7^ four dales in the year; which liad 
 (he been (acrificed, they could not have done: For whereas the word 
 is fometime tranflatcd to lament, yet doth it alfo fignifie to talk or have 
 conference with onf^ind by Tr^ /«* //i«i,who was well able to Judge of the 
 Original, it is in this ferife tranflated : Ibant filii Ifrae/itaruttjy 
 ad csnfabulandum cuttt fi/iajephthaci, quatuor diehus quotannis i And fo 
 it isaUo fet down in the marginal notes of our Tranllation. And 
 from this annual conccurfc of the daughters of Ifrael, it is not im- 
 probable in future Ages, the daughter of Jephthahcamc to be wor- 
 fhipped as a Deity ; and had by the Samaritans an annual feftivity ob- 
 fcrved unto her honour, 2isEphiphamush2ith left recorded inthcHereiie 
 of the Mdchidecians. 
 
 It is alfo repugnant unto reafon ; for the offering of mankind was 
 ag^nft the Law of God, who fo abhorred humane facrifice, that he 
 admitted^ot the oblation of unclean beafts, and confined his Altars but 
 unto few kinds of Animals, the Ox, the Goat^ the Sheep, the Pigeon 
 and its kinds : In thecleanlingof the Leper, there is I confeffe, mention 
 made of the Sparrow ; but great difpute may be made whether it be 
 properly rendrcd. And therefore the Scripture with indignation 
 oft-times makes mention of humane facrifice among the Gen^ 
 tiles 5 whofe oblations fcarce made fcruple of any Animil ; facrificing 
 not onely Mm, but Horfes, Lions, iEgles ; and though they come 
 not into holocaufts, yet do we read the Syrians did make oblations 
 of filhes unto the goddefs VercetoAt being therefore a facrifice To abo- 
 minable unto God, although he had purfued it, it is not probable the 
 Ptielis and Wifdome of Ifrael would have permitted it ; and that not 
 onely in regard of the fubjeft or (acrifice it felt, but alfo the facrifi-* 
 cator, which the Piftare makes to be Jephthah ; who was neither 
 Prieft, nor capable of that Office', for he was a Gileaditey and as 
 the Text affirmcth, the fon alfo of an harlot. And how hardly the 
 
 Rr3 Prieft- 
 
5 1« Enquims intd Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 Pricfthood would endure encroachment upon their funftion, a notable 
 example there is in the ftory ot Ozias. 
 
 Secondly, The offering up of his dawghter was not onely unlawful, 
 and entrenched upon his R-cligion, buthadbcenacour(cthathad much 
 condemned his difcretion ; that is, to have punifhed himfelfe in the 
 ftriftcftoblcrranceofhis vow, when as the Law of God had allowed 
 an evafion ; that is, by way of commutation or redemption, according 
 as is determined, LevU. 27. Whereby if (he were between the age of 
 five and twenty, (he was to be eftimarcd but at ten fiiekeh, and if between 
 twenty and fixty, not above thirty ; A (urn that could never dif courage 
 an indulgent Parent; it being but the value of fervant flain 5 the in- 
 confiderable Salary of Judas -, and will make no greater noifc then 
 three pound fifteen fhillings with us. And therefore tlieir conceit is not 
 to be exploded, who fay chat from the ftory of Jephtbah facrificing his 
 own daughter, might ipring the fable of ^g<rw^»i«o/2, delivering pnto 
 facrifice his daughter Iphigenia^ who was alio contemporary unto 
 Jephthah : wherein to anfwer the ground chat hinted it, Iphigema was 
 not (acrificed her felfe, but redeemed with an Harr, which hiana ac- 
 cepted for her. , :^. .. 
 
 Laflly> Although his vow run generally for the words, Whatfoevcr 
 (hall come forth, &i:. Yet might it be reftrained in the fence, for whai- 
 ioever was facrificable, and juftly fubjed: to lawfuH immolation ; and 
 fo would not have facriBccd either Horfe or Dog, if they had come out 
 upon him. Nor was he obliged by oath unto a-ftri£l: obfer vation of that 
 which proroifTorily was unlawfull ; or could he be qii.dified by vow to 
 commit afaft which naturally was abominable. Which do^rine had 
 Herod undcrftood, it might have faved John BapUjis hcsid } when he 
 promifed by oath to give unto Herodias whatfoevcr fhe would ask ; 
 that is, if it were in the compafTe of things, which he could lawfully 
 grant* For his oath made not that lawfull which was Illegal before; 
 and if it were unjufl to murthcr Jobx, the fupervenicnt Oath did not 
 extenuate the faft, or oblige the Juror unto it. 
 
 Noyv the ground at leaft which much promoted the opinion, might 
 be the dubious words of the text, which contain the fence o^ his vow $ 
 rooil men adhering unto their common and obvious acception. What* 
 ioever fhall come forth of the doors of my houfe fhall Turely be the 
 Lords, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. Now whereas it is 
 faidj Erit Jehov£y & oferam illud holocaujium^ The word fignifieth both 
 & and aut, it may be taken disjunftively ; aut offer aw^ that is, it fhali 
 cither be the Lords by feparation, or elfe, an holocauft by common 
 oblation j even as our marginal tranflationadvertifcth; and as Treme" 
 Urn rendreth it , Erit inquam Jehovdi , aut offer am iUud holocai4jium ; 
 and for the vulgar tranflition, it ufeth often &^ where aut mart be 
 prefumed, as Exsd, 21. Si quis fercufferit patnm & ntatretn, that 
 is, not both 5 but cither. There being therefore two wayes 
 
 to 
 
Book 5 • and Common Errofs, gii 
 
 to difpofe of her, either to feparatc her unto the Lord, or offer her as a fa- ^"f"' 2- 
 erificcj it is of no neceflity the latter fhould be neceflary; and furcly lefs 
 derogatory unto the facred text and hiflory of the people of God, mufl 
 be the former. 
 
 I ' i Jl < 1 1 iH 
 
 Chap.' XV. 
 
 Of the P0Hn of John the Baptifh 
 
 THe Pifture o( John the Baptift, in a Camels skin is very queftiona- 
 ble, and many I perceive have condemned it. The ground or 
 occafion of this defcription are; the words of the holy Scripture, efpeci* 
 ally of Matthew and Mark^ for !«% and John are filent herein 5 by them 
 it is delivered, his garment was of Camels hair, and had a lea- 
 thern girdle about his loins. Now here it feeros the Camels hair is 
 taken by Painters for the skin or pelt with the hair upon it 
 But this Expofition will not fo well conlift with the ftrift accepta* 
 tionofthe words ; for MarK i. It is faid, he if as, if <f\i^t^^ rfif^H 
 ifg^H, and Matthew, 3. nx* •»' hlviM^M f««x«»' JW»^<^»> that is, as 
 the vulgar tranflation, that ot Biza^ that ofSmtus ^iutut, and Clement 
 the eighth hath rendered it j veHimentum babe^at e filii camelinis % 
 which is as ours tranflateth it, a garment of Camels hair 5 that is, made 
 of (ome texture of that hair, a courfe garment % a cilicious or fack* 
 cloth habit : futable to the aufterity of his Ufe ; the feverity of his Do* 
 ftrine, Repentance j and the place thereof, the wildernefs, his food 
 and diet, locufts and wildc hony. Agreeable unto the example of £/i- 
 rfi, who is faid to be virplofus^ that is, as Junius and Tremelius inter- a Kings i, li 
 prec , Vefie viHoJo cin^us^ anfwerable unto the habit of the ancient Pro. 
 pjicts, according to that of Z<tt:W>. In that day the Prophets (hall be 
 afbamed, neither (hall they wear a rough garment to deceive ^ and fu- ^'*'^*- ^ 5* 1 
 table to the Cilicious and hairy Vefis of the ftrifteft Orders of Friers, 
 who derive the inliitutioii of their Monafiick life from the example of 
 JobnandElias. , -••.;""•, 
 
 As for the wearing of skins, whc^e that is properly intended, the 
 cxpreffionof the Scripture is plain; fois it (aid, Heb. 11. They wan- 
 dred about '„ ityn'tit /«f<«tff«/ j that is, in Goats skins j and fo it is faid 
 of ourfirft PdrcncSjGf« 5. that Go4 made ihenj ;j^«T«Mt«.A|i^rt9rjp«» Vefie f- 
 peJlJceas^^ or coats of skins j which though a natural habit unto all , be- 
 fore the invention of Texture,was foftiething more unto Jdam^vjho had 
 newly learned to die j for unto him a garment from the dead, was but a 
 diftate of dcath,and an habit of mortality. 
 
 Now it any man will fay this habit of Johny was neither of Ca- 
 mels skin, nor any courfe Texture oi ^tshair, but rather feme finer 
 
 Weave 
 
5 12 EnijHims into Vulgar Book. 5. 
 
 Weave of CamcIotaGrograin or the like, in as much as thefc fluffs arc 
 fuppofedto be made of the hair of that Animal, or becaufe t\\2i^^Mlunt 
 affirmeth, that Camels hair ot Verfiay is as fine as Milefmn wool, where- 
 with the great ones ot that place were cloathed, they have difcovered 
 an habit, not onely unfutable unto his leathern cinfturejand the courp. 
 nefsot his life ; but not conliftcnt with the words of our Saviour, when 
 reafoning with the people concerning 7ofe>«, he faith, What went you 
 out into the wildernefs to fee ? a man clothed in foft raiment? Behold, 
 they that wear foft raiment, are in Kings houfes. 
 
 np] 
 
 Chap. XVI. 
 
 Of the Figure of St, Chriftopher. 
 
 *He Figure of St. Cferi/?''/'^^'', that is, a man of a Giantlike ftature, 
 bearing upon his fhouldiers our Saviour Chrift, and with a ftaff 
 in his hand, wading thorow the water, is known unto Children,com- 
 mon over all Europe^not onely as a fign unto houfes, but is defcribed in 
 many Churcbesjand i^nndsColojfus like In the enterance ot NoJircVame 
 in Parif. 
 
 Now from hence, common eyes conceive an hiftory (utable unto this 
 defcription, that he carried our Saviour in his Minority over fome ri- 
 ver or water : which notwithftanding we cannot at all make out. For 
 we read not thus much in any good Author ; nor of any remarkable 
 Chrijiopher, before the reign of Vecm'.vjho lived 250 years after ChrifV. 
 This man indeed according unto Hiflory fufFered as a Martyr in the fe- 
 cond year of that Emperour, and in the Roman Calender takes up the 21 
 of July. 
 
 The ground that begat or promoted this opinion, was, firft the fabu- 
 lous ad jcfticns of fucceeding agesjunto the veritable afts of this Martyr, 
 who in the moft probable accounts was remarkable for hisftaff, and a 
 man of a good feature. v i .,- 
 
 Thefccondmightbe amiftakeor mifapprchenfion of the Pifture, 
 moft men conceiving that an Hiftory which was contrived" at firft but as 
 an Emblem or Symbolicall fancy : as from the Annotations of Baronius 
 upon the Rowan Martyrology, LipeJlous in the life of Saint Chriffopher 
 hath obferved in thefe words j ABa Saint Chriftopher i a multis depra» 
 vatainveniuntur : qaod quidem non aliunde or iginemf urn ffiffe certUm ejii 
 Lin Bev't's ^^^^ '7^°'^ fymbolicas figuras iwperiti ad veritatent fuccejju temporis 
 Sanihjum. tranftulerint : itaque cuntia ilia de fan&o Chryfiophero pingi confueta^ 
 fymbola potius, quant hiftori<e alicujus exiftimandum ell ejje expreffam 
 imaginem 5 that is , The Afts of Saint Chriftopher are depraved 
 by many ; which furely began from no other ground, then, that 
 in procefs of time, unskilful men tranflated fymbolical figures unto real 
 
 verities : 
 
Book 5« and Common Erroff* 515 
 
 verities : and therefore what is ufually defcribed in the Pifturc of St. 
 Chniiopher^ is rather to be received as an Emblem, or Symbolical de- 
 fcription, then any real Hiftory. Now what Emblem this wasjor what 
 its lignificition, conj^fturts are many ',PJerm hath fet dovvn on*?, that 
 is>ot thcD.lciple of Ohrift ; forhf had that will carry Chrift upon his 
 (hoLilders* mutt rely upon the ftaff of his dircftion , whereon if he 
 firmeth himlclf, he miv be able toovercome the billowes of rcliildnce, 
 and in the vertu: of this ItafF, Wkztliditoi J aco by paisoverthe waters of 
 Jordan. Of otherwifethus j He that will fuSmit his (houMers u to 
 Chrift, (hill by the concurrence of his power encrea/e into the ftrc igth 
 of a Giant 5 and being lupported by the If-tfTof his holy Spirir5fhall not 
 be overwhelmed by the waves ct the world, but wade thorow all refi- 
 nance. \ 
 Add alfo the myftical reafons of this pourtraft alleadgel by Vida and 
 Xerifanusi and the recor.lcd (lory oiChnjiopher^ that before his Marcyr» ^nton. GaJfeU 
 dom he requcfted oiGod, that where ever his body were, the places /fo/14:/ 4nfi^«/- 
 fliould be treed from peftil-.nce and ml L hiefs, from infeftion. And tates Medio:** 
 therefore his pifture or pourtract, was ufually placed in publick wayes, nenfes% 
 and at the entrance of Towns and Churches, according to the received 
 Diftick 
 
 Cbrijiophorum videofy pojtea tutus eris. 
 
 Chap. XVII. 
 OftheViHure of St. George. 
 
 THe Piftureof St. Gwrg^ killing the Dragon, and as raoft ancient 
 draughts do run, with the daughter of a King (landing by, is fa* 
 mous amongft Chriftians.And upon this dcfcription dependeth a folemn 
 ftory,how by this aichievemcnt he redeemed a Kings daughter: which is 
 more efpecially believed by the E«g/i/^, who fe Protestor he is : and in 
 which form and hiftory,according to his defcripcion in the Eu^^UJh C jI-] 
 ledge at Komcy he is fet forth in the Icons or Cuts of Martyrs 
 hy Cevalerm: and all this according to the Hijioria Ltmbardka, orj 
 golden legend of Jacobus de Voraign. Now of what authority foever this 
 piece be amongft us, it is 1 perceive received with different beliefs j for 
 lome believe the person and the ftoryjfonie the perfon, b ut not the ftory 5 
 and others deny both. 
 
 Thatfuch a perfon there was, wefhall not ontend ; forbefideso- 
 thers, Dc. Heilin hath clearly affsrted it inhisH=ftjry of St. Ge^rgff, 
 Theindiftinftion of many ii the community o( nime or the mifap- 
 plication of th.- aft s o'. on; uato another, hath made Tone doubt there- 
 of. For of this nam; we m:et with more then one in Hiftory, 
 
 S f and 
 
^14 Eftquirks into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 and no lefle then two conceived of Ca^padocia, The one an tArrian 
 who was flain by the Alexandrians in the time of Julian-, the other a va- 
 liant Souldier andChriftian Martyrjbehcadcd in the reign of Viocltfian. 
 This is the George conceived in this Pifturejwho hath his day in the Ho- 
 man Calender, on whom fo many fables are dcHvcrcd,whole ftory is (ct 
 forth by Metaphmjies, and his miracles by Turonehfts, 
 
 As for the ftory depending hereon, (ome conceive as lightly thereof, 
 as of that of Perfeus and Andronteda;cotty dmring the one to be the father 
 of the other ; and feme too highly aiTcrt it. Others with better mode- 
 ration 5 do either entertain the lame as a lahulous addition unto the 
 true and authentick ftory of Saint George ', or elfe conceive the li- 
 teral acception to be a mifconftruftion of the Symbolical ex*. 
 predion, apprehending a veritable Hiftory, in an Emblem or 
 piece of Chriftian Poefie. And this Emblematical conftruftion hath been 
 received by men not forward to extenuate the afts of Saints ; as from 
 BaroniuSiLipellous the Carthufian hath delivered in the Life of St. George^ 
 figurant illam Saint Georgii qua effingitur eques armatusy qui haji£ cufpi* 
 de hojieyH interficit, juxta quant etiam vtrgo pofita vnanus fupylices tendens, 
 ejus explorat auxiliunt^SymboIi potim quam hiHorix alicujus cenfettda ex" 
 prejja imago. Confuevit quidem ut equejiris mliti£ ntUies equejiri imagine 
 ye/(frri : that is, ThePiftureof Saint George^ wherein he is described 
 like a Carafficr or horfeman compleatly armed, &c. Is rather a fymbo- 
 lic^l image, then any proper figure. 
 
 Now in chePiftureof this Saint and Souldier, might be implied the 
 Chriftian Souldier and true Champion of Chrift. A horfeman armed 
 Cap ape, intimating the Ptfw/'/w or complcat armour of a Chriftian; 
 combating with the Dragon, that is, with the Devil, in defence of the 
 Kings daughter, that is> the Church of God. And therefore although 
 the Hiftory be not made out,it doth not difparage the Knights and No* 
 bleorder of Saint GMrgfiwhofe cognifance is honourable in the Em« 
 blcm of the Souldier of Clirift, and is a worthy memorial to con- 
 form unto its myftery. Nor, were there no fuch perfcn at all, 
 had they more rcafon to be aftiamed, then the Noble order of Burgun- 
 dy j and Knights of the Golden Fleecej whofe badge is a conf efled fable.- 
 
 Chap. XVIII. 
 Of the PiCfure <?/Jerom. 
 
 THePi£i:ureof jFfrowufually dcfcribedathisftudy, with a Clock 
 hanging by, is not to be omitted, for thous,h the meaning be al- 
 lowable, and probable it is that induftrious f'athcr did not Itt flip.. 
 his time without account 3 yet muft not perhaps that Clock befetdown 
 to have been his meafure thereof, ror Clocks or Automatous organs, 
 
 wh ereby 
 
Book 5. and common Errors, 31 5 
 
 dydore Virgil 
 not known, makes inftancc in Clocks and Guns. Now Jerom is no late 
 Writer, but one of th^ ancient Fathers, and lived in the fourth Century, 
 in the reign of 'theodofiut thefirft. 
 
 It is not to be denied that before the daies of Jerom there were Horo- 
 logies, and fevcral accounts of time; for they meafured the hours not 
 onlvby drops of water in glafTes called Clepfydrae, but alfo-by fan-! im 
 gbir^s callsd Clepfammia'. There were alfo from great antiq (ity, 
 Scioterical or Sun Dials, by the (hadow of a ftile or gnomon denoting 
 the hours of the day : an invention aferibed unto Anaximhies by Fliny* 
 Hereof a memorable ore there was m Campus Martiut, from an obe- 
 lisk erefted, and golden figures placed horozontairy about it ; which 
 was brought out of JEgypt hy Ai4guflus^ and Adcv'ihtd by Jacobus Law- 
 rus. And another oi great antiquity we meet with in the Itory of £«<?" a peculiar 
 chias h for {o it is delivered in King. 2. 20. That the Lord brought thedefcripnon 
 ftiadow bickward ten degrees; by which it had gone down in the a"d particular 
 Dial of Ahaz. That is, fay fome, ten degrees, not lines ^ for the hours conftruftion 
 were denoted by certain divifions or fleps in the Dial, which others di- R^chamr ^^ 
 ftinguiflied by lines, according to that of Ferfius ■ fee down Cu- 
 
 ries de Cafi- 
 Stertimui indowitum quod difpumare Falernum, ^^^* ^"P • 9' 
 
 St^ciatf quinta dum linea. tangitur umbra. 
 
 That iSjthe line next the Meridian, or within an hour of noon. circular moti- 
 
 Oi later years there fuccceded new inventions, and horologies com* tiojjs. 
 pofed byTrochilick or the artifice of wheels; whereof fome are kept 
 in motion by weight, others perform without it. Now as one age in- 
 ftruQ-sanothcrjand time that brings all things to ruine perfefts alfo eve- 
 ry thing; fo are thefe indeed of more general and ready ufe then any 
 that went before them. By the Water-glalTes the account was not regu- 
 lar :for from attenuation and condenfation, whereby that Element is 
 altered, the hours were fhorter in hot weather then in cold, and in Sum- 
 mer then in Winter. As ifor Scioterical Dials, whether of the Sun or 
 Moon,they are onely of ufe in the aftual radiation of thofeLumiBaries; 
 and are of little advantage unto thofe inhabitants, which for many 
 moncths enjoy rK)t the Luftre of the Sun. 
 
 It is I confefs no eafie wonder how the horometry of Andquity dif- 
 covered not this Artifice j how Architas that contrived the moving 
 Dove, or rather thcHelicofoiphieoi Archiwedes, fell not upon this way. 
 Surely as in many things, fo in this particular, the prcfent age hath 
 far (urpafTcd Antiquity ; whofe ingenuity hath been (o bold not only 
 to proceed below the account of minutes ; but to attempt per- 
 pctuall motions , and engines whofe revolutions ( could their lub- 
 
 S f 2 ftancc 
 
njS Efjqmr J es into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 fiance anfwfr the defign ) might out^Jifft the cxemilary mobility, and 
 out-meafure time it felf. For fucha one is thatmintiuncd by John Vee, 
 , whofe wcrdsarethefe in his learned Preface unto Euclide : By Wheels 
 flrange works andincrtdiblcare done : A wondrous example was Iccn 
 in my time in a certain Inflrumcnt, whicli by the Inventor and Artificft' 
 was fold for twenty talents of gold ; and then by chance had received 
 fome injury, and one Janel'us of Cretfiona d]i\ mcndtl t Tame, and prc- 
 lented it unto the Empcrour Charls the fitt. Jeronmui Cardanus^ can be 
 my witnefs, that therein was one Wheel that moved in (uch a ratr,thaC 
 in fevsnthouland years only his own period fbould be finillied ; a thing 
 almoft incredible, but how far I keep within my bounds, many mca 
 ytt alive can tell. 
 
 Chap. XIX. 
 
 Of the Pi&ures t^/MermaidSjUnicorns, and fame others. 
 
 E 
 
 'Ew eyes have efcaped the Pifturc of Mermaids 5 that is, according 
 {.oHoracehi^ Monfter,\vith womanshead above, andfifhy extremity 
 below j and thefe are conceived to anfwcc the (hapc of the ancient -9/- 
 r^w^ that attempted M^onVlyffes. Which notwithflanding were of an- 
 other defcriptioa, containing no fifliy compofure,but made up of Man & 
 Bird i the humane mediety varionfly placed not only abovfjbut bwlow ; 
 , according wnio ^lian^Suidjs^Servius^Boccatius & Aldrovandus.vv\\o)[izth. 
 referred their deicriptionunto the fiory of fabulous Birc-fs; according to 
 thedefcfiption of 02//(^, and the account thereof in Hjgiww^, thatthey 
 were the daughters of Me/powf"«e, and metamorphofed into the (hape of 
 man and bird by Ceres^ 
 T>Agon\\\c\' ' And therefore thefe pieces fo common among as, do rather derive 
 doi,ofwhac their ori^inal^ or ar^ indeed the very drfcriptions of V agon:, which 
 form. was made with humane figure above, and fi(hy fhape below; whofe 
 
 ftump^or as Zremellius and oiir margen renders it, wliofe flcfliy-part on- 
 I Sm- 5" ly remained, when the hands and upper part fell before the Ark Of 
 th^{\\Z'^Qoi Artergntes, or Ptrcfto with the Phxnitians', in wbofe fifhy 
 and feminine mixtur", as f-me conceive, were implyed the Moon 
 and the Sea, 01 the Deity of the wateis ; and therefore, in tbt^ir lacri- 
 fices, they made oblations of fiiher. From whence were probably occaii-^ 
 onedthePiftiH'eso-iV<fr«Vi?f and Triio^ij among the Grecians^ and fi'ch 
 a^ we read in Macrohius^ to have been placed on the top of the Tcmf Ic 
 of Saturn* . '. ^','. :,,. . v . . 
 
 We are unwilling to '<jueftion "the Ptoyal Supporters of ,E;^g/<w/<^, 
 that is, the approved defcriptions of the Lion and the Unicorn. Al- 
 though.if in the Lion,thepofition of the pizelb' prcperjand that the na- 
 tural muationiit will be hard to make out theiii rctrox:cpulation,or their 
 
 coupling 
 
Book. 5. andCommonlErrorsi 317 
 
 coupling and pifsing backward,, according to the determination of 
 Arifiotle . AH that urine backward do copulate 'jrvyn^* dunatim^ ov{ a^ 
 verfly, as Lion^, Hares, Linxes. 
 
 As tor th.'. Unicorn, if ithave the headof aDeer, .ind the tail of 
 a Boar, ^%Vartomanms dc^cnhah it, how agreeable ic isi,i this pi- 
 ftuic eveiy tycniay dilccrn. If it be made bifulcous or cloven tooted, 
 itagrecth unio thf delcription o\ V artommanus ^ butfcaicc of any o- 
 ther j and Artfiotle fuf pofcth that futh as divide the hoof, do al.o 
 double the horn i they being both of the fame nature, and admitting 
 divJlion together. And ladly, if the horn have this fituation, and be 
 fotorwardly affixed, as is defcribed, it will net be eafily conceived, 
 how it can teed from the ground ; and therefore we cbferve, that Na« 
 tureinother cornigerous animals, hath placedihe horns higherand 
 reclining, as in Bucks 5 in fome inverted upwards, as in tht Rhinoce- 
 ros, the Indian his, and Unicornous Beetles 5 and thus have fome affir* 
 meditis featedin this animal. 
 
 We cannot but obfcrve that in the Pifture of Jonah and others. 
 Whales are defcribed with two prominent {pouts on their heads; 
 whereas indeed they have but one in the forehead, and terminating 
 over the Wind pipe. Nor can we overlook the Piftureof Elephants 
 with Catlles on their backs, made in the form of land Calilcs, 
 or ftationary fortifications, and anfwerable unto the Arms ot Caji He, 
 or Sr. John Old Cafklc, whereas the towers they bore, were made of 
 wood, and girt unto their bodies 5 as is delivered in the books of Mac- 
 cabeeS) and as they were appointed in the Army of Antiochus. 
 -.'i We will not dilpute the Pifturesof Retiary Spiders, and their pofi- 
 tionin theweb, which is commonly made lateral, and regardingthe 
 Horizon j although it be obferved, we (hall commonly finditdcwn- 
 Wird, and their heads refpefting the CenterWe will not controvert the 
 Pifture of the feven Stars ; although if thereby be meant the Phiades, 
 or fubconftellation upon the back of Taurus, with what congruity they where the fe. 
 are deicribed, either in fiteor magnitude, in a clear night an ordinary yen i'caubc 
 eye maydiicover, from } ly unto April. We will not q^cftion theficuaccd. 
 tongues of A Iders and Vipers, defcribed like an Anchor; nor the Pic- 
 ture ot the Flower de Luce: though how- far they agree unto their na- 
 tural draughts, let every Spcftator determine. 
 
 Whether the Cherubims about the Ark be rightly defcribed in the 
 common Pifture, that is, onely inhumane heads, with two wings 3 or 
 rather in the Chape of Angels or youne men, or fomewhat at leaft with , ^^^^^ 
 fetr, as the Scripture teemsto imply. Whetherthe Crofs feen intheair 
 hy Conffantiiiey were of that fi^i^ure wherein we rcprelent it; or r.* 
 thcr made out of X and P, the two firft httcrs of 3cf*roV W.le. 
 ther the Grofs^ of Chrifl did anfwer ths common hgure ; wlie- 
 ther fo far advanced above his-head; whether the feet were (6 
 difpofed, tW is, on^ upon another, or (cparately nailed, srfome 
 
 S r 3 vrich . 
 
 3.13. 
 
5i8 Enqmries wto Vulgat Books. 
 
 with reafon defer ibe it:wefhall not at all contend. Muchlcfs whether 
 
 — Dolin ti^g houfe ok Viogeneivicrc a Tub framed of wood, mid after the man- 
 
 dmc""^''^' n*rof our«, or rather made of earth, as learned men conceive, andfo 
 
 ^c. ■^"^"' more clearly make out that cxpreflion of Juvenal, We fhould be too 
 
 critical to qaeftion the letter Y, or bicoinous eUmcm oi Tythagoras, 
 
 thati-S the making; ot the horns equal : orthe\»ilt lefsthen the ri}j;ht, 
 
 and io dcftroying the Symbolical intent of the figure ; confounding the 
 
 narrow line of vcrtue, with the larger road oi vice; anfwcriblcunto 
 
 F X' *^^ narrow door ot heaven, and the ample gates of hell, expreflcd 
 
 vfuTTv ifc ^y ^^^j. Saviour, and not forgotten by Homer ^ in that Epithetc of 
 
 Pluto's houfc. 
 
 Many more there are whereof our pen {h.dl take no notice, nor 
 (hall we urge their enquiry ; we (hall not cnhrge with what in- 
 congruity, and how difTenting from the pieces of Antiquity, the Pi- 
 ftures of their gods and goddeffes are dcfcribed, and how hereby their 
 fymbolical fenfe is loft ■■> although herein it were not hard to be infor- 
 Phnnutdi Tncdicom Phornutuf,Fulgentm, and Albricm. Whether H^rc«/« be 
 mtura deorutn. ^^VQ properly defcribcd ftrangling then tearing the Lion, as ViCiorius 
 Fulg. mjthQh- hdith difputed, nor how the charafters and figures of the Signs and 
 git. Planets ije now perverted, as Sdmafius hath learnedly dctlared. W« 
 
 7l/6ricde ^eo-^m (jifpet^ce with Bsars with long tails, fuch as are defcribed in the 
 rummagim. ^^yres of heavens we (hall tolerate flying Horfes, black Swans, Hy. 
 dra'ij Gcntmr's, Harpies and Satyrs ; forthcfe are monftrofities, ra- 
 rities, or clfe Poetical fancies, whofe fhadowcd moralities requite 
 their fubftantial fallities. Wherein indeed we muft not deny a liberty; 
 nor is the hand of the Painter more rcftrainable, then the pen of the 
 Poet. But where the real works of Nature, or veritable afts of ftory 
 are to be dcfcribed, digrefllons are abberrations ; and Art being but the 
 Imitator or fecondary reprefentor, it muft: not vary from the verity of 
 the example; or defcribe things otherwife then they truly are or have 
 been. For hereby introducing falfe Ideas of things, itpcrverts and de- 
 forms the face and fymmetry of truths 
 
 Chap. XX. 
 
 of the Hieragljphical Pi&nres of the -Egyptians. 
 
 CErtainly of all men that fuflfered from the confuilon of Babel, the 
 Egyptians ^ound the beft cvafion •, for, though words were con- 
 founded, they iny^ntcd a language of things, and fpake unto each 
 other by cooimon notions in Nature. Whereby they difcourfed in 
 filcnce, and were intuitively underftood from the theory of their 
 Exprcffcs. For they alTumed the fliapes of animals common unto all 
 eyes ; and by their conjunftions and compofitions were able to com- 
 
 mu- 
 
Book 5 . dnd Common Errors • 319 
 
 raunlcate their conceptions, unto any that co-3pprehendcd the Synta- 
 xis of their nature s.Th is many conceive to have been thcprimative way 
 of writing, and of greater antiquUy then letters; and this indeed 
 might Adam well have fpofcen,v;houndcrftanding the nature of things, 
 had the advantage of natural exprcffions. Which the JEgjpiam but 
 , taking upon truft, upon their own or common opinion ; from conceded 
 miftakes they authentically promoted errors} defcribingin their Hie- 
 roglyphicks creatures of their own invention; or from known and 
 conceded animals, erefting fignifications not inferrible from their 
 natures. 
 
 And firftj Although there were more things in nature then words 
 which did exprefs them; yet even in thefe mute and filent dif- 
 courfes, to exprefs complexcd fignifications, they took a liberty to 
 compound and piece together creatures of allowable forms into 
 mixtures incxiftent. Thus began ths defcriptions of Griphins , 
 Bifilisks, Phoenix , and many more ; which Emblematifts and Heralds 
 have entertained with fignifications anlwering their inifitutions ; Hie- 
 roglyphically adding Martegres, Wiverns, Lion fifhes, with divers o- 
 thers. Pieces of good and allowable invention untoche prudent Spefta- 
 tor , but arc lookt on by vulgar eyes as literal truths , or abfurd 
 impofsibilities, whereas indeed they are commendable inventions,and 
 of laudable fignifications. 
 
 Again, Befidc thefe pieces fiftitioully fet down, and having no Copy 
 in nature i they had many unqueflionably drawn, of inconfequentfig- 
 nification , nor naturally verifying their intention. We Ihili in- 
 ftance but in few, as they ftand recorded by Orus. The male fex 
 they expreffed by a Vulture, becaufe of Vultures all are females, 
 and impregnated by the wind; which authentically tranfmitted hath 
 pafTed many pens, and became the affertion of Mlian^ Amb^afey Ba- 
 fil,^ Iftdore,Tzetzesy Fbilesyind others. Wherein notivithffanding what 
 injury is offered unto the Creation in this confinement ot fcxjand what 
 difturbance unto Philofophy in the conccfsion of windy concepti- 
 ons , we (hall not here declare. By two dragms they thought it 
 fufficicnt to (ignifie an heart; becaufe the heart at one yearweigh- 
 cth two dragms, that is, a quarter of an ounce, and unto fi ty 
 years annually encreafeth the weight of one dragm, after which in j^ his phi!«- 
 the fame proportion ic yearly decreafeth; fo that the life of a man/ofhU liArla- 
 doth not naturally extend above an hundred. And this was not onely rica, 
 a popular conceit, but confcntancous unto their Phyflcal principle?, as 
 Heurmm hath accounted it. 
 
 A woman that hath but one child, they exprefs by a Lionefs ; 
 for that conceiveth but once. PVcundity they fet forth by a Goar, 
 becaufe but feven dales old , it beginneth to ofe coition. The 
 abortion of a woman they difcribe by an Horfe kicking a Wolf; 
 becaufe a Marc will cafl her foal if fhc tread in the track of that animal, 
 
 Dcfor- 
 
520 Enquiries ittto Vulgar Bock. 5. 
 
 Dw'formity they fignifie by aBarj andanunftablelnanbyanHyaena, 
 becaufc that animal yearly exchani^cth its (ex. A woman delivered of 
 a female child, they imply by a Ball lo king; over his \dt flioulder ; 
 becaufc if in coition a Bull part from a Go w on that fide, the Calf will 
 prove a female. 
 
 All which, with many more, how far they eonfent wiih truth, we 
 (hall not difparage our Pweader to Jirpute,ard though (ome way allow- 
 able unto wj fee conceits, who could diftinftly receive their lignifica- 
 tions: yet carrying the mijefty ot Hieroglyphicks, and fo tranfmlt- 
 ted by Authors : they crept into a belief with many, and favourable 
 doubt with moft. And thus, 1 fear, it hath fared with the Hiero- 
 glyphical Symboles ot Scripture: which exceilmtly inc^nded in the 
 fpecies of things facrificedjin the prohibited meats,in the dreams ofpfe/j. 
 raoh^Jofepb, and many other p.iiTiges : are oft-times wrackt beyond 
 their fymbolizations, and inlarged into con(tru6lions di(paraging their 
 true intentions. 
 
 '•i: 
 
 Chap. XXI. 
 
 Compendioufly of many quefiionable Cujiomf^ O pinions ^piBures, 
 practijes, andpopular Ohfervations, 
 
 F an Hare crofs the high«way,therc are Tew above threefcorc years 
 .that are not perplexed thereat ; which notwithftanding is but an 
 Augurial terror, according to that received expreffion, In Aujficatum 
 dat iter ohlatus Lepus. And the ground of the conceit was probably no 
 greater then this, that a fearful animal palfing by us, portended unto 
 us fomething to h: feared : as upon the like conlideration, the meeting 
 of a Fox prefaged foms future impofture, which was a fuperftitious 
 obfervation prohibited unto the Jeips^ as is exprefled in the Idolatry 
 of Maimonidesy and is referred unto the iin of an obferver of Fortunes, 
 or th^t abufeth events unto good or bad Agns, forbidden by the Law 
 
 The gronnd of °^ Mofes ', which notwithftanding fometimes fucceeding, according 
 
 many vain ob- to fears or dcjir s i have left imprcfsions and timerous cxpeftations in 
 
 fervations. credulous minds (or ever. 
 
 Deht.i8. 2. That Owls and P«.avens arc ominous appearers, and prcligni- 
 
 fying unlucky events, as Chriftians yet conceit, was alfo an Augurial 
 conception, Becajfe many Ravens were (een when Alexander cntrcd 
 54^yo«, they were thought to pre-ominite his death; and becaufc an 
 Owl appeared before the battel, it prefaged the ruine of CraJJus* 
 Which though decrepitc luperititions, and fuch as had their nativity in 
 times beyond all Hiftory, arefrefhin the obfervation oi many heads, 
 and by the credulous and feminine party (lill in fome Majcfty among 
 
 us. 
 
Book 5. And Common Errors* 321 
 
 us. And thcreforcthc Emblem of Superftition was well let out by Kipa, w mblem 
 
 in the Piftiireof an Owl, an Hare, and an old woman. And it no way ^^^^ ^^,tiQ„ 
 
 confirmech the Augurial conlideration, that an Owl is a forbidden food iconoiogkde 
 
 in the Law of Mo[es; or that Jfrw/iz/fw was threatened by the Raven C(j?/4re Ar;»4. 
 
 and the Owl, in that expreffion of If a. 94. That it (hould be a coart for 
 
 OwIS) that the Cormorant and the Bittern (hould poiTefs it, and the 
 
 Owl and the Raven dwell in it. For thereby was onely implied 
 
 their enfuing defolation, as is expounded in the words fucceeding •> 
 
 He (hall draw upon it the line of confulion, and the ftones of eni- 
 
 ptinefs. 
 
 3. The falling of Salt is an authentick prefagement of ill luck, nor 
 can every temper contemn itjfrom whence notwithfjanding nothing 
 can be naturally feared ; nor was the fame a general prognoftick of fu- 
 ture evil among the Ancients, but a particular omination concern' 
 ing the breach of friend(hip. For Salt as incornipiible, was the Sym- 
 bole of friendftiipj and before the other fervice was offered unto their 
 gueftsj which it it cafually fell, was accounted ominousj and their 
 amity of no duration. But whether Salt were not onely a Symbole of 
 f ricndlhip with man, but alfo a figure of amity and reconciliation with 
 God, and was therefore obferved in facrifices 5 is an higher fpecula- 
 tion. 
 
 4. To break the egg- (hell after the meat is out, we are taught in our 
 cbild-hood,and pra^^ife it all our lives; which neverthelefs is but a fuper- 
 ftitious relift ; according to the judgcmsnt of Vlinyi Hue pertixet ovorunty 
 ut exrobuerit quifque, calices pminus frangi^ aut eofdem codearibus per' 
 forari j and the intent hereof was to prevent witchcraft -, for left 
 witches fhould draw or prick their names therein, and venefieiouf- 
 ly mifchief their perfons, they broke the ihell, as Palecantpm hath 
 obferved. 
 
 5. The true Lovers knot is very much magnified, and ftill retained 
 in prefents of Love among us ; which though in all points it doth not 
 make out, had perhaps its original from Nodus Herculaniu^ or that 
 which was called Hercules his knot, refembling the (naky complicati- 
 on in the caduceus or rod oi Hermes ; and in which form the Zone or 
 woollen girdle of the Bride was faftened, as 'turmbus obferveth in his 
 Adverfaria. 
 
 6. When our cheek biirn^th or ear tingleth,we ufually fay that fome 
 body is talking; of u?,which is an ancient conccit,and rank-d among fu* 
 perflitioiis opinions by Pliny. Abfemes tinnitu auriunt pdjentire 
 [ermines defe rtce^tum ej^ according to that dilHck noted by Valecam* 
 pus, 
 
 Garrula quid tot is rejon^H mihl noCiibus mris .<* 
 tiefciQ quern dicis nunc meminiffe mei, 
 
 W.iic'i is a conceit hardly to be mad ^ outfwicho:ic the] coucelDon 
 
 Tt of 
 
522 , Enquiries into Vulgdr Book $* 
 
 of a fignifying Genius, or univerfal Mercury ; conducing founds unto 
 their diftant fubjefts, and teaching us to hear by touch. 
 
 7. When we defire to confine our words, we commonly fay thev arc 
 The Original fpoken under the Rofe ; which cxprtftion is commendable, if the Rofc 
 S)^J^'T°R*^V^ from any natural property maybe the Symbole of lilencc , ^^Nazian- 
 beitl'^t ^^^ ^^^'"* toiniply in thefetranflatcd vcrfcs : 
 
 Vtque latet Kofa Verna fuo putamine claufa. 
 Sic OS vincla feraty va/idtfqueartteturhabems^ 
 Indicatque fut's -prolix a filentia la bris : 
 
 And is alfo tolerable, if by defiring a fccrecy to words fpoke under 
 the Rofe, we onely mean in focicty and compotation, from the anci- 
 ent cuftom in Sympofrack meetings, to wear chaplcts of Rofes about 
 thtir heads '.and fo we condemn not the Germane cuflora, which over 
 the Table defcribeth a Rofe in the feeling. Bjt more confiderableit 
 is, if the original were fuch af? Lewmuf, and others have recordedj that 
 the Rofc was the flower of Fenusy which Cupid confecrated unto Har' 
 /'ocr^r^jthcGodof filence, and was therefore an Emblem thcreoti to 
 conceal the pranks of Venery ; as is declared in this Tetraftick, 
 
 Eft Rojaflos vetferisi cujus quo fail a later enu 
 Harpocrati matrix ^ dona dicavit Amor ; 
 
 Inde Kofam menfis hofpes fufpendit Amicis^ 
 Convivia ut fub ea dido, tacenda fciant. 
 
 8. That fmoak doth follow the fairefl, is an ufual faying with us,and 
 in many parts of Europe; whereof although there feem no natural 
 ground, yet is it the continuation of a very ancient opinion, as Tetrus 
 Viiiorius and Caujabon have obferved from a pafTage in AtheH£us : 
 wherein a F^r^/iftf thus defcribeth himfelf; 
 
 To every table fir ft I come. 
 Whence Torridge lam card by feme 
 ACapatieus at flares I awy 
 To enter any Room a Ram ; 
 Like rpbips and thongs to alii ply, 
 Lik^ fmokj unto the fair J fly . 
 
 9. To fit crofs Icg'd or with our fingers pcftinatcd or (but toge- 
 ther is accounted badjand friends wil 1 perfwade us from it. The fame 
 conceit religioufly poflfffcd the Ancient?, as is obfervable from Pliny. 
 Toplites alternis genibus imponere nejas olim\ and alfo from Athenxm^ihzt 
 it was an old vencficious prafticc, and Jwwo is made in this pofture to 
 hinder th delivery of Alcm£na i And therefore, as Pierius obferv- 
 th , in the Medal of Julia Pia , the right hand of Venus was 
 
 made 
 
Book 5. and common Errors » 323 
 
 mad^ extended with the infcription ot Venus Genetrix $ for the com- 
 plication or peftinatioii of the fingures was an Hieroglyphick of im- 
 pediment, as in that place he declareth. 
 
 10. The (et and ftatary times of pairing oi nails , and cutting of 
 hair, is thous^hc by many a point oi confidsration ; which is perhaps 
 but the continuation of an ancient fuperftition. For piaculous it 
 was unto the Romanes to pare their nails upon the Nu'idinae, obfer- 
 ved every ninth day; and was alfo feared by others in certain dales " 
 of the weeki according to that of Anfonm, Vngues Ader curio ^ 
 Barbam Jove^ Cypride Crines i and was one part of the wlckednefs , 
 that filled up the meafure of Manajjes , when 'cis delivered that he ^ ''"''^' 
 obferved times. 
 
 11. A common faftiion it istonourifli hair upon the mouls of the 
 face; which is the perpetuation of a very ancient cuftom ; and though 
 innocently praftifed among us, may have a fuperftitious original, ac- 
 cording to thai of Flinj^ N^vos in facie tondere religiofuw habent nunc 
 tttulti. From the like might proceed the fears of poling Elvclocks ot 
 complicated hairs of the head, and alfo of locks longer then the 
 other hair; they being votary at firft, and dedicated upon occafion ; 
 preferred with great care, and accordingly cffcemed by others, 
 as appears by that oi Apukiusy Adjuro -per dulcem capilii tuinoduium, 
 
 12. A cuftom there is in moft parts of Europe to adorn Aque- 
 dufts, fpouts, and Citterns with Lions heads: which though noil- 
 laudable ornament, is of an jEgyptian gsneolo^ie, who praftifed the 
 fame under a fymbolical illation. For becaufethe Sun being in Leo, the 
 flood of Nitui was at the full, and water became conveyed into 
 every part , they made the fpouts of their Aqucdufts through the 
 head of a Lion. And upon fome cceleftial refpefts it is not im- 
 probable the great Moguli or Indian King doth bear for his Arms 
 a Lion and the Sun. 
 
 J 5. Many conceive there is fomewhat amifs, and that as we u- Symbolical 
 fually fay, they are unbleff unlill they put on their girdle. Where- fignifications 
 in ( although mofi know not what they fay J there are involved of ^^^ girdle. 
 unknown conhderations. For by a girdle or cinfture are fymboli* 
 cally implied Truth, Refolution, and readinefs unto aftion, which are 
 parts and venues reqjjred in the ferviceof God. According where* 
 to we find that the Ifraelites did eat the Pafchal Lamb with their loins 
 girded ; and the Almighty challenging jFoi, bids him gird up his loins 
 like a man. So runneth the expreflion of P^r^r, Gird up the loins 
 of your minds, be fober and hope to the end: fo the high Prieff 7/^. jr. 
 was girt with the girdle of fine linnen : fo is it part of the ho' 
 ly habit to have our loins girt about with truth; and fo is it al- 
 fo faid concerning our Saviour, Righteoufnefs (hall be the girdle of 
 •his loins, and faithfolnefs the girdle of his reins. 
 
 Moreover by the girdle, the heart and parts which God rcq iires 
 
 T 2 are 
 
§34 ^ttquirks into Vulgar Book 5. 
 
 are divided from the infcriour and epithiimetical organs ; imp\yi;ig 
 Concupifcen- thereby a memento unto purification and cleanncfs of heart, which 
 *'^^' is commonly defiled from the concupifence and affeftion of thofc 
 
 parts', and therefore unto this day the Jevos do blefs themfelvcs 
 when they put on their zone or cinfture. And thus may we make 
 out the doftrlne of Pythagoras, to offer facrifice with our feet na- 
 ked, that is, that our infcriour parts and fariheft removed from rea- 
 fon might be free, and of no impediment unto us.Thus ^c/bz/('«,though 
 dipped in Styx, yet having his heel untouched by that water 5 although 
 he were fortified clfewhere,he was flain in thn part, as only vulnerable 
 in the inferiour and brutal part of Man. This is that part ofEvesLnd 
 her pofterity the devil ftill doth bruife^ that is , that part of the foul 
 which adhcreth unto earth, and walks in the paths thereof. And 
 in this fecondary and fyrobolical fenfe it may be alfo underftood, 
 when the Priefts in the Law wafhed their feet before the (acrifice 3 
 when our Saviour wafhed the feet of his Difciples, and faid unto Ff 
 ter, If I wafh not thy feet thou hafl no part in mc. And thus is it Sym- 
 bol ically explainable, and imply cth purification and cleannefs, when 
 in the burnt offerings the Prieft is commanded to wafh the inwards 
 and legs thereof in water ; and in the peace and fin- offerings, to 
 burn the two kidneys, the fat which is about the flanks, and as we 
 translate it, the Caul above the Liver. But whether the /tfTP^ when they 
 Jer.iii blefled themfelves, had any eye unto the words of Jeremy, wherein 
 
 God makes them his Girdle j or had therein any reference unto the 
 Girdlejwhich the prophet was commanded to hide in the hole of the 
 jTOckof Euphrates, and which was the type of their captivity, wc 
 leave unto higher conjsfture. 
 Certain Hert- i4« The Pifture of the Creator, or God the Father in the fhape of 
 ticii; who af- an old Man, is a dangerous piece, and in this Fecundity of fefts may 
 cri'jed humane revive the Anthropomorphites. Which although maintained from the 
 figure unto expreflion of Darnel, I beheld where the Antient of dales did fit, whofe 
 which they hair of his head was like the pure wool; yet may it be alfo dcriva- 
 conceivedhe tive from the Hieroglyphical dcfcription of the £gypians', who to 
 created roan exprefs their Encph, or Creator of the world, defcribed an old man 
 inhislikenefs-j^al^jgy^^n^^^fjg^ with an egge in his mouth; which was the Era* 
 blemof the world. Surely thofe Heathens, that notwithflanding the 
 exemplary advantage in heaven, would endure no piftures of Sun or 
 Moon, as being vifible unto all the world, and needing no reprefentati- 
 on, do cvidentl) accufe thcprafticeof thofe pencils, that will defcribe 
 inviiibles. And he that challenged the boldeft hand unto the pidurc 
 of anEcho, muft laugh at this attempt, not onely in thedefcription of 
 iiivifibility, but circumfcriptionof Ubiquity, and fetching underlines 
 incomprehenlible circularity. 
 
 The piftures of the JEi(j/'/w»^ were more tolerable, and in their fa- 
 cred letters more vtmably cxprcfTed the apprehenlion of Divirvity. 
 
 For 
 
Book. 5. and Common Errors, 325 
 
 For though they implied the fame by an eye upon a Scepter, by" an 
 ^4^shcad, a Crocodile, and the like: yet did thefe manual defcrip*. 
 tions pretend no corporal rtprefentations j nor could the people mi f- 
 conceive the fame unto reall correfpondencics. So though the Cherub 
 carried fome apprehenfion ot Divinity, yet was it not conceived to be 
 the (hape therof.-and fo perhaps becaufe it is metaphorically predicated 
 of God, that he is a confuming fire, he may be harmkfly defcribed by 
 a flaming reprefentation ; Yet if, as fome will have it, all mediocri- 
 ty of folly is foolifti, and becaufe an unrequitable evil may enfue, an 
 indifferent convenience muft be omitted ; we (hall not urge fuch repre* 
 fentments ; we could (pare the holy Lamb for the pifture of our Sa- 
 viour, and the Dove or fiery Tongues to reprcfcnt the holy Ghoft. 
 
 15. The Sun and Moon are ufually defcribed with humane fafces ; 
 whether herein there be not a Tagan imitation, and thore vifages at firft 
 implied AfoUo and Viana^ we may make fome doubt, and we find the 
 ftatuaof the Sun was framed with nies about the head, which were the, 
 indiciduous and unfhaven locks of Apollo. We (hould b; too Iconomi-^'' ^"^""^1- 
 calto queftion the piftureg of the winds, as commonly drawn in hu-§^jl^'j||^'' 
 mane heads, and with their cheeks diftcnded, which notwithftanding£^.7.a. a^p^. 
 we find condemned by MinuUMi as anfwering poetical fancies, zvAlicar,^^ Fet. 
 the gentle defcription oi EolttSyBoreasyznd the feigned Deities of winds. Hainoujn 
 
 16 We (hall not, I hope, difparagethe refurreftion of our redeem-""'^ '^•^'"'^^* 
 cr, If we fay the Sun doth not dance on Eafter day. And though we 
 would willingly alTent unto any fympathetical exultation, yet cannot 
 conceive therein any more then a Tropical expreflion. Whether any 
 inch motion there were in that day wherein Chrift arifed, Scripture 
 hath not revealed, which hath been punftuall in other records con- 
 cerning folary miracles: and the Areopagite that was amazed at the 
 Eclipfe, took no notice of this. And if metaphorical expreflions go 
 fofar, we may be bold to affirm, not onely that one Sun danced, but 
 two arofe that day : That light appeared at his nativity, and darknefs 
 at his death, and yet a light at bothi for even that darknefs was a light 
 unto the Gentiles^ illuminated by that obfcurity. Thai 'twas the firfl 
 time the Sun fet above the Horizon $ that although there were darknefs 
 above the earth, there was light beneath it, nor dare we fay that hell 
 was dark if he were in it. 
 
 ly^ Great conceits areraifed.of the involution of membranous co- 
 vering, commonly called the Silly 'how, that fometimes is found about 
 the heads of children upon their birth, and is therefore preferved with 
 great care, not onely as medical in di^eafcs, but effeftuai in fucceO, 
 concerning the Infant and others 5 which is furely no more then a con- 
 tinued fuperftition. For hereof we read in the life of Antonius Aduer- 
 ed by 5f<?rti<?«w, that children are born fometimes with this natural 
 capjwhich Mid* wives were wont to fell unto credulous Liwyers, who 
 had an opinion it advantaged their promotion. 
 
 T t 3 Biit : 
 
^26 Enquirtesmto Vulgar - Book 5. 
 
 But to rpeak ftrif^ly, the effcft is natural, and thus to be conceived 5 
 Animal conceptions have three teeuments, or membranous films which 
 cover^em in the womb, that is, the Corion, Amnio?, and Aliantois ; 
 the Corioni^the outward membrane wherein are implanted the Veins, 
 Arteries and umVilical veffcl?, wh(*r.^by its nouri(hment is conveyed : 
 the Allanrois a thin coat fcated under the Corion, wherein are recei- 
 ved the watery reparations conveyed by thf llrachu«:,that the acrimony 
 thereot fiiould not offend the skin. Th- Amnios is a general in veft- 
 mcnt 5 containing the fudorous or thin ferofity pcrfplrable through the 
 Be formito skin. Now about the time when the Infant breaketh thefc coverings, 
 f<itu. it fometime carriech with it about the head \ part of the Amnios or 
 
 neareft coit ; which faith Spieaelimy e-ther proceedjth from the tough- 
 nefsof themembrane or weaKnefs of the Infant that cannot get clear 
 thereof. And therefore herein (ignifications are naturall and conclu- 
 ding upon the Infantj but not to be extended unto magical fignalities, 
 or any other perfon. 
 
 18 That tisgoodto bedru' k oncea monerh, is a common flat- 
 tery of fenfuality, fupportingit felf upon Phyfick, and the healthf^ul 
 efFefts ot inebriation. This indeed feems plainly affirmed by Avicenna 
 aPhyfitian of great authority, and whofe religion prohibiting Wine, 
 could lefs extenuate ebriety. But Avenoes a man of his own faith wa s 
 ot another belief 5 reftraining his ebriety unto hilarity, and in effcft 
 making no more thereof then Seneca commtndiahy and was allowable 
 inCato', that is, a fober incalefcencc and regulated aeftuation from 
 wine 5 or what may be conceived between Jojefh and his brethren, 
 when the text exprefl!eth they were merry, or drank largely; and 
 whereby indeed the commodities (et down by Avicenna^ that is, alle- 
 viation of ipirits, refolution of fuperfluities, provocation of (weat and 
 urine may alfo enfue. But as for dementation; fopition of reafonjand 
 the diviner particle from drink, though American religion approve, 
 and Tagan piety of old hath praftifed it, even at their (acrifices, Chri- 
 ftian morality and the doftrine of Chritt will not allow. And fure- 
 ly that religion which excufcth the faft of Noahy in the aged furprizal 
 of fix hundred years, and unexpefted inebriation from the unknown 
 efFefts of wine, will neither acq lit cbriofity, nor ebriety in their known 
 and intended pervcrfions. 
 
 And indeed, although fometimes effefts (ucceed which may relieve 
 the body, yet if they carry mifchief or peril unto the foul, wc are there- 
 in reftrainable by Divinity, which circumfcribeth Phyfick, and cir- 
 cumftantially determines the life thereof. From natural confidera- 
 tions, Phyfick commendeth the ufe of venery; and happily, inccfi, 
 adultery, or ftupration may prove as Phyfically advantagious, as con- 
 jugal copulation, which notwithftanding muft not be drawn into pra- 
 ftife.And truly cfl^s, con fequents, or events which we commend, arife 
 
 ott. 
 
Book 5* and Common Errors. 327 
 
 oft'times from wayes which we all condemn. Thus from the faft of 
 Lof, we derive the generation of Kmh^ and bleffed Nativity of our 
 Saviour ; which nctwithftanding did not extinuate the incefiuous 
 ebriery oi the {generator. And if, as is comnionly r.raed, we think to 
 extenuate ebriety from the benefit of vomit oft fuccedine, Egyptian fo- 
 briety will condemn us, who purged both wayes twice a moneth, with- 
 out this perturbation : and we fooliftily contemn the liberal hand 
 of God, and ample field of medicines which Toberly produce that 
 aftion. 
 
 19. A conceit there is, that the Devil commonly appeareth with 
 a cloven hoof, wherein although it fecm exceffively ridiculous, ^here^^jJj^Q^^^^Q^' 
 may be fomewhat of truth ; and the ground thereof at firf} might ly faidtoap- 
 be his frequent appearing in the fliape of a Goat, which anfwers that pear with a 
 defcriptiop. This was the opinion of ancient Chriftians concerning cloven foot, 
 the apparition of Panite«, Fauns and Satyrs } and in this form we read 
 of one that appeared unto Antony in the wildcrnefTe. The fame is 
 aUo confirmed from expofitions^ of holy Scripture ; for whereas it is 
 faid. Thou Ihalt nos offer unto D^vills, the Originall word is Segh' 
 mrinty that is, rough and hairy Goats, becaufc in that fhapethe De- Levit. 17. 
 vill moll often appeared ; as is expounded by the Rabbint, as Ire- 
 weBw hath alfo explained; and as the word Afcimah^ the rod oi 
 Entath is by fome conceived. Nor did he only afTums this fhape in 
 elder tira::s, but commonly in latter dayes, efpecially in the place of his 
 worfhip : If there be any truth in the confefHon of Witches, and as in 
 many (fories it ftands confirmed by Bodinus. Andthereforea Goat is not In his Dmo' 
 improperly made the Hieroglyphick of the devil, as Tierius hath expref- nmania. 
 fed it. So might it be the Emblem of fin, as it was in the lin offering 5 
 and fo likewifc of wicked and linfull men, according to the expreffion of 
 Scripture in the method of the laft dirtribuiion ; when our Saviour !hall 
 fcparate the Sheep from the Goats, that is, the fons of the Lamb from 
 the children of the devil. . 
 
 Chap. XXII. 
 Of fome others. 
 
 1; ^TpHat temperamcntall dignotions, and conjefture of prevalent 
 X humours, may be collefted from (pots in our nails, we are not 
 averfe to concede.. But yet not ready to admit fundry divinations, vul- 
 garly raifed upon them. Nor do wc ofjferve it verified in others, v;hat ^^ '^'^'^'^eme 
 Cardan difcovered as a property in bimfelfe ; fo have found there- '^^'^'""' 
 in fome fignsof moft events that ever happened unto him. Or that 
 there is much confiderable in that doftrine of Cheiromancy, that 
 fpots in the top of the nails do iignifi3 things paft ; in the middle, 
 
 things 
 
328 Enquiriei into Vulgar Bock. 5 • 
 
 things present ; and at the bottom, events to come. That white fpecks 
 prefage our fclicityj bkw ones our misfortunes. That thofe in the nail 
 ot the thumb have fignifications of honour, thofe in the forefingerj of 
 riches, and fo refpedively in other fingers, (according to Planetical ret 
 Jations, from whence they receive their names) as Trka(fM hath taken 
 up, and ficcioluf well rejcftetb. 
 
 -We (hall not proceed to querie, what truth there is inPalmiftrie, 
 or divination from thofe lines in our hands, of high denomination. 
 Although if any thing be therein, it feems not confinable unto man •, 
 but other creatures are zXCo confiderable; as is the fore- foot of the 
 Mool , and efpecially of the Monkey i wherein we have obferved the 
 table line, that of life, and of the liver. 
 
 2 That Children committed unto the fchool of Nature, without 
 inftitution would naturally fpeak the primitive language of the world, 
 was the opinion of ancient heathens, and continued fince by Chriftians : 
 who will have it our Hebrew tongue, as being the language of Adam, 
 That this were true, were much to be de(ire«f, not only for the eafie 
 attaintment of that ufefull tongue, but to determine the true and primi- 
 tive Hebrew. For whether the prefent Hebrew, be the unconfounded 
 language of Babel^ and that which remaining in Heber was continued 
 by Abraham and his pofterity, or rather the language of Pkanicia and 
 Canaan^ wherein he lived, fome learned men I perceive do yet remain 
 unfatisficd. Although I confefTe probability flands faireft for the for^ 
 mer .* nor are they without all reafon, who think that at the confu- 
 fion of tongues, there was no conftitution o^ a new fpeech in every 
 family : but a variation and permutation of the old, out of one com- 
 How Abraham mon language raifing fcverall Dialefts 5 the primitive tongue remai- 
 might under- nmg ftjU intire. Which they who retained might make a fhift to un- 
 T^ ^ofk^' ^^^^^^^ "^°^ °^ ^^^ ^^^* ^y vertue whereof in thofe primitive times 
 fal^Nations! ' and greener contuiions, Abraham of the family of Heber was able to 
 convcrfe with the Chaldeans^ to underftand Mefopotamians^ ChananiteSf 
 FhiliJiifiSf and Egyptians : whofe feveral Dialefts he could reduce unto 
 the Original and primitive tongue, and foto be able to underftand 
 them. 
 
 3. Though ufelefT: unto us, and rather of moleftation, we com- 
 The fame is! monly refrain from killing Swallows, and effeem it unlucky to deftroy 
 «^h'*"f i?/^^ them : whether herein there be not a Pagan reliqat.*, we have fome 
 
 ^' ' '^''*' reafon to doubt. For we read in Elian, that thefe birds were facred 
 unto the Penates or houfhold gods of the ancients, and therefore were 
 prefcrved. The fame they alfo honoured as the nuncio's of the fpr ing $ 
 and we find the Khodians had a folemn fong to welcome in the 
 Swallow. 
 
 4. That Candles and Lights burn dim and blew at the apparition 
 ot fpirits, may be true, ifthe ambient ayr be full of fulphurioiisfpirits, 
 as it happeneth oft-times in mines i where dampsand acide exhalations 
 
 are 
 
Book^* and Common Errors^ 929 
 
 arc able to extinguifli them. And may be alfo vcrcficd, when fpirits ^J tum^^^* 
 do makethemfelves vifible by bodies of fuch effluvjums. But of lower ^l^,^ before 
 conlideration is the common foretelling of ftrangers, from the fungous the apparition 
 parcels about the wicks of Candles; which onely fignifieth a moift and of a fpirit. 
 pluvious ayr about them, hindering the avolation of the light and fa- 
 villous particles : whereupon they arc forced to fettle upon the Snaft. 
 
 5. Though Coral doth properly preferreand faften the Teeth in men, 
 yet is it ufed in Children to make an eaiier paffage for them : and for 
 that intent is worn about their necks. But whether this cuftom were 
 not fuperfticiouny founded, as prefumed an amulet or dcfenfative a- 
 gainft fafcination, is not beyond all doubt. For the fame is delivered 
 by fltny. Aruf pices religiofum Coral! i gefiamen amoliendis periculii arbi' Lib, 52, 
 trantur 5 &lwrculi infantU aliigatiy tutelam habere crtduntur. 
 
 6. Aftrangekind of exploration and peculiar way of Rhabdomancy 
 is that which is ufed in mineral difcovcriesj that is, with a forked ha- 
 zel, commonly called Mo[ei his Rod, which freely held forth, will ftir 
 and play if *any mine be under it. And though many there arc who 
 have attempted to make it good, yet untill better information, wc are 
 of opinion with AgricoUi that in it felf it is a fruitlefs exploration, 
 ftrongly fcenting of Pagan derivation, and the virgula divina proverbi- 
 
 ally magnified of old. The ground whereof were the Magical rods in P^ ''*' meulhcs^ 
 Poets thatof F^tf^if in Hormr that of Mercury that charmed %Argusy and * * 
 that of Circe which transformed the followers of Vlyjfes. Too boldly 
 ufurping the name of Mofes rod, from which notwithffanding, and that ^ 
 
 of Aaron, were probably occafioned the fabels of all the reft. For that 
 o^Mofes muft needs be famous unto the Egyptians ; and that of Aaron 
 unto many other Nations, as being preferved in the Ark, until the de- 
 ftruftionotthe Temple built by Solomon, 
 
 7. Apraftifc there is among us to determine doubtful matters,by the 
 opening of a book, and letting fall a ftaff 5 which notwithftanding are 
 ancient fragments of Pagan divinations. The firft an imitation of Sors 
 tes Homeric£y or Virgilian^, drawing determinations from verfes cafu- 
 ally occurring. The fame was praftifed by Severm, who entertained o- 
 minous hopes of the Empire, from that verfc in Virgil, Tu regere im» 
 perio populos Romane memento; and Cordianut who reigned but few daiff 
 was dilcouraged by another, that is, 0>ienduniurrishunc tantumfata, 
 nee ultra effefxnunu Nor was thisonely pcrformedin heathen Author?, 
 but upon the facred Text of Scripture, asGregorius Turonenfis hath lelt 
 forae account and as the praftifeof the Emperor HeracUus , before his 
 expedition into i4/ij wwor, is delivered by Ctf^rf««f. . ^ 
 
 As for the Divination or decifion from the flaff; it is an Augurial f e- '" ^' 
 lique, and the praftife thereof is accufed by Godhimfelt; My people 
 ask counfel of their (locks, and their ftaifdeclarnh unto them. Of 
 this kind of Rhabdomancy was that praftifed by Nabuchad:nofirin that 
 Caldean mifcellany, delivered by Ezel{fel -, The King of Baby/on 
 
 Vv ftood 
 
530 Enquiries into Vulgar Book $• 
 
 F-xeK- 24". ftood at the parting of the way, at the head of two wayes to ufe divi- 
 nation, he made his arrows bright, he confulted with Images, he look- 
 ed in the Livrj at the right hand were the divinations o^ Jerufakm, 
 That ip, as EjHiu expounded it, the left way leading unto Kabbah^ the 
 chief City ot the Ammonites, and the right unto Jerufalem, he conful- 
 ted Zi^oA and entrails, he threw up a bundle of arrows to fee which 
 way they would light ; and falling on the riglit hand he marchec^ to- 
 wards Jerufalem. A like way of Belomancy or Divination by Arrow* 
 hath been in requeft with Scythians, AUnes^ Germans, with the Afri- 
 cans and "tur^s oi Algier. But of another nature was that which waspra- 
 
 2 Kini ^'l.\<y9.^^^^^^y^^^^'^i when by an Arrow fliot from an Eaftern window^ h& 
 pre-fignifisd the deftruv^ion of Syria', or when according unto \\y^ 
 three ftroafcs of Joajh, with an Arrow upon the ground, he foretold 
 the number of his viftories. For thereby the fpirit of God particu* » 
 lar'd the famcj and determined the ftroaks of the King, unto three, 
 which the hopes of the Prophet expefted in twice that number. 
 
 We are unwilling to enlarge concerning many other; onely re- 
 fcring unto Chriftian confiderations, what natural effefts can reafbna- 
 bly be expefted, when to prevent the Ephialtes or night-Mare we hang 
 up an hollow ftone in our ftables ; when for amulets againft Agues we 
 ufe the chips of Gallows and places of execution. When for Warts, 
 we rub our hands before the Moon, or commit any maculated part un- 
 to the touch of the dead. Swarms hereof our learned Selden and cri- 
 tical Philologers might illuftrate ; whofe abler performances our ad^ 
 ventures do but lolicite. Mean while I hops they will plaufibly receive 
 our attempts, or candidely correft our mifconjeftures. 
 
 8. We cannot omit to obferve, the tenacity of ancient cuftoms, in 
 the nominal obfervation of the feveral dayes of the week, according to 
 
 fjl^^^^''"'^' Gentile and Fagan appdlitions: for the Original isveryhic^h, and as 
 ' ' old as the ancient Egyptians , who named the fame according to the 
 
 leven Planets, the admired ftars of heaven, and reputed Deities among 
 them. Unto every one afligning a feveral day j not according to their 
 coeleftal order, or as they are difpofed in heaven ; but after a diatefTe- 
 ron or mulical fourth. Fcr beginning Saturday wich Saturn, the (u- 
 premeft Planer, they accounted by Jupiter and Mars unro Sol, making 
 Sunday, From Sol in like manner by Venus and Mercury unto Luna, 
 making Mundayi and fo through all the reft. And the fame order they, 
 confirmed by numbering the hours of the day unto twenty four,accord«» 
 ing to the natural order of the Planets. For beginning to account from 
 Satur-p, Jupiter, Mars, and Co about unto twenty four, the next day will 
 fall unto Sol, whence accounting twenty four, the next will happen un- 
 to Luna, making Munday. And fo with the rcff, according to the ac- 
 count and order obfervcd ftiH among us. 
 The Jews themfelves in their Aftrologlcal confideration?, concerning 
 
 Nativities,, 
 
Book 5. and common Enrorf. 551 
 
 Nativities, and planitary hours, obfcrvc the fame order upon as witty 
 foundations. B ;caufc by an equal interval, they mafce feven triangles' 
 the bafes whereof are the fevenlides of a (ejjtilateral figure, defcribed 
 within a circle. That i?. If a figure of fevea fides be defcribed in a cir- 
 cle, and at the angles thereof the nimesof the Planets be placed, in 
 their natural order on it : if we begin with Saturn, and fucceffively 
 draw lines from angle to angle, until fcven cquicrural triangles be Cujusicona- 
 defcribed, whofe bales are the (even fides of the feptilateral figure; puddoil. hf. 
 the triangles will be made by this order. The firft being made by Sa- f'^reUhap. i r. 
 turn, Soi and Luna, that is, Saturday, Sunday, and Mundayj and fo ^' ^^Wf -P*, 
 the reft In theorder ftill retained. *"""'"""• 
 
 But thus much is obfervable, that however in cceleftial confiderati* 
 ens ihey embraced the received order ofthe Planets, yet did they not 
 retain either charafters, or names in common ufe among us ; but decli- 
 ning humane denominations, they afligned them names from fome re- 
 markable qualities ; as is very obfervable in their red and fplendent ^^ u"^' 
 Planets, that is, of Mars and Venus. But the change of their names '^^ ' 
 difparaged not the confiderationof their natures j nor did they thereby 
 rejeft all memory of thcfe remarkable Stars i which God himfelf ad- 
 mitted in his TaDemacle, if conjcfture will hold concerning the Gol- 
 den Candlcftick j whofe fhaft refembled the Sun, and fix branches the 
 Planets about ir. 
 
 Vifcffy fed ira cadat »afo^ rugofaque fannaf 
 Dum veteresavias tibi de^uimone revello. 
 
 Vv2 THE 
 

 SIXTHS O O K: 
 
 Ofjundry common opinions Qoftno^aphicall 
 andHifloricall. 
 
 The firft Difcourfe comprehended in feveral Chapters. 
 
 Chap. I. 
 Cofjcerftwg the beginning of the Worlds that the time thereof is 
 notprecifely to be kpown^ as men generally fuppofe: Of mens 
 enquiries in whatfeafon or point of the Zodiackjt began*That 
 as they are generally made they are in vain^andas particularly 
 applied uncertain. Of the divijion of the feafons and four 
 quarters of the year ^ according to Jlftronomers andfhy^ 
 Jitians, That the common compute of the Ancients^ and 
 rvhich is yet retained by moft^ is unreafonable and erronious* 
 ^ffome Divinations and ridiculous didu&ions from one 
 part of the year to another. And of the Vrovidettce andWif 
 of Cod in the fit e and motion of the Sun. 
 
 iOncerning the World and its temporal circumfcriiptionf, 
 whoever Qiall ftriftly examine both cxtreams,- will eafily The age of "• 
 perceive there is not only oblcurity in its end, but its be ^^c world not 
 ginning; that as its period is infcrutable, ^o isitsna-j^YiSiMblef" 
 ^- ^^^.^ tivity indeterminable : That as it is prefumption to cn- 
 qiiircafter theone,fo is thereno reft or fatisfaftory dccifion inthc other: 
 and hereunto we (hal more readily aflent,if we examine thcinformaiions, 
 
 V V 3 and 
 
334 Enquiries into Vulgar Book 5, 
 
 and take a vicwot the feveral difficulties in this point; which wc 
 ftiiU more eafily do, if we confider the different conceits of men, and 
 duly perpend the imperfeftions of their difcoveries. 
 
 And firft, Thehittories of the GentiUi afford us (lender fatisfaftion, 
 nor can they relate any ftory, or affix a probiblc point to its beginning. 
 For feme thereof (and thole of the wifeft amongft them^ are fo fac 
 from determining its beginning, that they opinion and maintain it ne- 
 ver had any at all ^ as the doftrine oji Epicurus implieth, and more 
 ipoCithoiy Arifiotle in hishooksVt Casta declareth. Endeavouring to 
 confirm it with arguments of reafon> and thofe appearingly demon - 
 flrative; whercinhis labours are rational, and uncontroulabie upon the 
 grounds aflfiimcd, that is, of Phyficil generation, and a Primary or 
 firft matter, beyond which no other hand was apprehended. But here- 
 in we remain futficiendy fatisfied fromAib/«, and the doftrine deli- 
 vered oi the Creation ; thatis, apcoduftionof all things out of no* 
 thing, a^ formation not onely of matter, but of form, and a matcria- 
 tion even of matter it felf. 
 
 Others are fo far from defining the Original of the World or of 
 mankind, that they have held opinions not onely repugnant unto 
 Chronology, but Philofophy ; that is,that they had their beginning in 
 the foil where they inhabited ; adumtngor receiving appellations con* 
 why the/4t6e-formable unto fiich conceits. So did the Athemam term them(elves 
 a golden rn.**^ *'*'^*^*'" °'' ^^^^^^^^^^ i andintcftimony thereof did wear a golden 
 fed upon * Infedt on their heads ; the fame name is alfo given unto the Inlanders, 
 their head, or Mli^</«i inhabitants of this Ifland by CUjar, But this is a con- 
 ceit anfwcrable unto the generation of the Giants ; not admittable in 
 Philofophy, much lefs in Divinity, which diftinftly infor'meth we 
 are all the feed of t/fdanti that the whole world pei-iffied unto eight 
 perfons before the flood, and was after peopled by the Colonies of 
 the ions of NMh. Therewas therefore never any Autochthon y or 
 man arifing from the earth but ^i/»zj» ; for the woman being formed 
 out of the rib, was once removed from earth, and framed from that 
 Element under incarnation. And fo although her produft ion were 
 not by copulation, yet was it in. a manner feminal : For if in every 
 part' from ivhence the feed, doth flow, there be contained the 1- 
 dea of the whole j there was a fcminality and contracted Adam 
 in the rib, which by the information of a foul, was individua- 
 ted into Eff. And therefore this conceit applyed unto the Oci* 
 ginal of man , and the beginning of the world , is more juftly 
 appropriiible unto its end. For then indeed men (hall rife out of 
 .the earth: the graves lliall (hoot up their concealed feeds, and 
 in that, great Autumn, men (hall fpring pp, anci awake from their 
 Chaos again. 
 
 Others 
 
5oo]k ^ Md Common Brorf* ^ 3 f 
 
 Others have been fo blind in dcdtiGing the Original of things, 
 gr delivering their own bcginmngs, that when it hath faHen in* 
 ^o controvcrlie , they have not recurred unto Chronologie or the 
 Records of time: but betaken themfclvcs unto probabilities » and 
 the conjeflturalities of Fhilofbphy. Thus when the two ancient 
 Nition$5 Mg^ftf^ns and Scjthiam contended for Antiquity , the , 
 
 Egyptians pleaded their Antiquity from the fertility of their foil, j£^'' 
 interring that men there firft inhabited, where they were with 
 nioft facility fuftai.ned 5 and fuch a land did they conceive was 
 JE,gyp» 
 
 The *?cj^t^/Vw> although a cold and heavier Nation urged more a- 
 cutely, deducing, their Arguments from the two aftive Elements and 
 Principles of all thiog^s, fire and water. Forif of all things there was 
 ftrft an union, andith|*tfice over. ruled thereft ; fucely that part of earth 
 which was coldeft, would firft get free, and afford a place of habita- 
 tion. But if all the earth were firft involved in water, thofepirts would 
 furely firft appiar, which were moft high, and of moft elevated fitua- 
 lion, and fiich was theirs- Thefe reafons carried indeed the Antiquity 
 ivom t\\Q Mgyp^itns^ bis: confirmed it not in the Scytbiam: for as 
 H^ro^fw relateth from P/zrgiuw, their firft King xxnio^Vams ^ they 
 accounted but two thou fan i years. 
 
 As for the JEgyptians they invented anothir way of tryal ; for That men 
 as the fame Author relateth 5 Pjammitidms their King attempted this^P^^^ y?^^y 
 decifion by a new and unknoivn experiment, bringing up two In-ftJJft b"t"bv 
 fants with Goals, and where they n3ver heard the voice of man iinftruaion 
 concluding that to be the ancicnteft Nation, whofe language they and indication, 
 fhould firft deliver. But herein he forgot that fpecch was by in- 
 ftruftion not inftinftjby imitation, not by nature, th^t m;n do 
 fpeak in feme kind but like Parrets, and as they are inftrufted, that 
 is,infimple terms and words, exprefling the open notions of things; 
 which the lecond aft ot Realon compoundeth into propofitions, and 
 the laft into Sylogifms and forms of ratiocination. And howfoever 
 the account of Manethon the ^Egyptian Prieft run very high, and it 
 be evident that Mizraim peopled that Country fwhofe name with 
 thcHebnws'n beareth uoto this day) and there* be many things of 
 great Antiquity related in Holy Scripture, yet was their exaft ac- 
 countnot very ancient ; for Pto/(»«y their Country-man beginncth his 
 Aftronomical compute no higher then Nabonaffery who is conceived 
 by fome the fame with Salmannff'er. As for the Argument dedu- 
 ced from the fertility of the fod , duly enquired , ic rather over- 
 throweth then promoteth their antiquity 5 tor that Country whofe 
 fertility they fo advance, was in ancient times no firm or open 
 land, but fome vaft lake or part of the Sea, and became a gained 
 ground by the mud and limous mauer brought down by the River 
 
536 Enquiries intoVnlgaf Book.^. 
 
 Wusy which fctlcd by degrees into a firm land. According as is cxprc(i 
 UdhyStraboy and more at large by H^rc^otwx, both from the JEgypi* 
 an tradition and probable inducements from reafon, called there- 
 fotcfluvii dorntm, an acceflion of earth, or trad of land acquired by 
 the R-iver. 
 
 LalMy, Some indeed there are, who have kept Records of time, 
 and of a confiderablc duration, yet do the exafteft thereof afford no 
 fatisfaftion concerning the beginning of the world , or any way 
 point out the time of its creation. The moft Authaitick records 
 and beft approved Antiquity are thofe of the Chaldeans ; yet in the 
 time of Alexander the Great , they attained not (b high as the 
 flood. For as Sintplkins rehtcth ^ Arifiotle required of Caltjihenesy 
 wha accompanied that Worthy in his expedition, that at his ar- 
 rive.' at Babylon^ he would enquire of the Antiquity of their Re- 
 cords; and thofe upon compute he found to amount unto 1903 years; 
 which account notwithilanding arifeth no higher then 95 years af- 
 ter the flood. The Arcadians 1 confefs , were cftcemed of great 
 Antiquity, and it was ufually faid they were before the Moon , 
 according unto that of Seneca, Sydus pojiveteres Arcades editunt; and 
 that of Ovidy Luna gens prior ilia fuit. But this as Cenfmnus ob- 
 f erveth, muil not be taken grofly, as though they were exiflent be- 
 fore that Luminary ; but were (o efteemed, becaufethey obfervedafct 
 courfeof year,before the Gr^^^i conformed their year unto the courfc 
 and Motion of the Moon. 
 
 Thus the Heathens affording no fatisfaftion herein , they are 
 . moft likely to manifcfl this truth, who have been acquainted with 
 holy Scripture, and the facrcd Chronology delivered by Mofes , 
 who diftinftly fets down this account^ computing by certain inter- 
 vals, by memorable ^r<ri, Epoches^ or terms of time. As from the 
 Creation unto the flood, from thence unto Abraham^ from Abraham 
 unto the departure from JEgyp, &c: Now in this number have 
 onely hicti Samaritans, Jews and Chrifiians. For the Jews they a- 
 Different ac4 gree not in their accounts , as Bodine in his method of Hiftory 
 countsjpcwi^ hath obferved out of Baal Seder, Kahbi Na(Jom, Gerfom, and other? j 
 cen»ng'^t1ie°"' ^" whofe compute the age of the world is not yet $400 years. 
 Age of the The fame is more evidently obfcrvable from two mofl learned 
 World. Jf^h ^^'^ and J^fephus', who very much differ in the accounts of 
 
 time, and varioufly fum up thefe intervals afTented unto by all. 
 Thus Fhih from the departure out of Mgypt unto the building of 
 cho Temple, accounts but 920 years, but Jofephtu fets down 1062. 
 Vhih from the building of the Temple to its dcftruftion 440. Jo' 
 fephus 470 : Philo . from the Creation to the deftniftion of the 
 Temple 3573, but jofephus 351^. Philo from the Deluge to the 
 deftruftionof the Temple I7i8> but Jofephus 1913. In which com» 
 
 putes 
 
Book 6. and Comwou Errors, 557 
 
 putea there are manifcft difparities, and fuch as much divide the con» 
 cordance and harmony of times. 
 
 for the Samaritans', their acco\int is different from thefe or any 
 others; for they account from the creation to the deluge, but 1302 
 years; which comesh to pafsupon the difFcrent account of the ages 
 of the Patriarks fet down when they begat children. For whereas 
 the Hebrew Greek and Latinc texts account Jared 1 62 when he bet 
 gat Enoch, they account but 62, and fo in others. Now the Sama- 
 ritans were no incompetent judges of times and the Chronology 
 thereof i for they embraced the five books of Afofes, and as it feern- 
 «h, preferved the Text with far more integrity then the Jews 5 who 
 zs tcrtuiiany Chr^foftom, and others obferve, did feveral way es cor- 
 rupt the fame, cfpecialiy in paffages concerning the prophefies of 
 Chrifti So that us Jtrome profefTeth , in his tranflation he was 
 fain fometime to relieve himfcH by the Samaritane Pentateuch •-, 
 as amongft others in that Text, Veutrinomy 27. MaUdi^ius omnis qui 
 non prritanfent in omnihuf qu£ fcripta funt in libra Legit, From ^^^' 5» 
 hence Saint Vaul interreth there is no juftification by the Law, and 
 urgeth the Text according to the Septuagint . Now the Jewes to af- 
 ford a latitude unto themf elves , in their copies expunged 
 the word ^3 or Syncategorcmatical term ontnis : wherein licth 
 the ftrength of the Law, and of the Apoftles argument : but the 
 Samiritan Bible retained it right,and anfwerable unto what the Apo» 
 {lie had urged. 
 
 As for Chriftians from whom we fliould expcft the exaftefl and 
 moll concurring account, there is atfo in them a manifeft difagree* 
 ment, and fuch as is not eaiily reconciled. For firft. The Latines 
 accord not in their account ; to omit the calculation of the Ancient?, 
 of Atiftin^ Bede, and others, the Chronology of the Moderns doth 
 maniteftly diffent. Jofepkus Scalliger , whom Hdvicus feems to 
 follow, accounts the Creation in 765 of the Julian period ; and 
 from thence unto the. Nativity of our Saviour alio weth 3947 
 years; But Vionyfiits Vetavius a learned Chronologer diflenteth 
 from this compute almofl 40 years ; placing the Creation in the 
 730 of the J«/i<i« period, and from the nee unto the Incarnation ac- 
 counteth 3983 years. 
 
 For the Greeks ; their accounts are mor'e anomalous ; for if we re- 
 cur unto ancient computes, we (hall find that Clemens Alexandrinus, 
 an anciant Father and Preceptor unto Origen, accounted from the 
 Creation unto our S iviour, 56^4 years; for inthcfirftof his Stro- 
 miticks, he coUeftsth tlie time from Adam unto the death of 
 Commidus to b^ 5858 years ; now the death of Commodus he 
 placeth in the year after Chrift 194, which number dedufted 
 from the former, there remainerh 5664. "theopbilus Bifhop of 
 
 X X Antioch 
 
vcar 
 
 558 Enquiries into Vulgar Book 6. 
 
 Antioch ^cco^mttlh. unto the Nativity of Chrift ^515, dcdutcablc 
 from the like wa) of compute, for ih h.\s ^v^ hook ad Antol;^chum^ 
 he accounteth from Adam unto'^//m/7/f F^t/^hj y6j^5 years j now 
 that Emperor died in the year of our Lord 180, which dcdufted 
 fronj the former fiimme, there femaineth '^'^ly Julim Africanus 
 an ancient Chronologer, accounteth lomewhatlefs, that 18,5500. 
 Eufebius, Orofms and others diflent not much from this , but all 
 exceed five thou fand. '. ' ', ' ' 
 
 'The latter compute of the Greeksfiks PeMks obfefvith^atH been 
 i*educed unto two or three accounts. The firftaccOLints untjo our'Sa- 
 viour 5501, and this hath been obferved by Nicephorusy 7heofhanesy 
 By what ac- ^""^ Maximus. The other accounts 5509 i and this of all at prefent is 
 count the generally received by the Church of Confiantinople^ obferved alfo by-. 
 world hath the Mofcovitej aslhave feert in the date of the Emperors letters 5 
 lafted7X54 wherein this year of ours 1645, is from the year of the world 
 >■"'"?. 7154, %hich doth exatftly a^Vee unto thrs laft account 550^, for if 
 
 unto that funlnle be added 1845, theproduft will be 7154, by this 
 Chronology are many Greek Authors to be underftood; and thus 
 is Martims Crujius to be madeout, when in hii Turcograecian hi- 
 ftory he deliverSjthe City of CpHJiantimple was taken by the Turks in 
 the year «^^S«,that is,i^6i. Now according unto iliefeChrbnologlfts, 
 the Prophecy of Wik the Rabbin, fo much in requeft With the jewSf 
 and in feme credit alfo with Chrifiians, that the world fnould 
 laft but fix thouf and years, unto thefelfay, it hath been long and 
 cut of memory difproved , for the Sabbatical and 7000 year 
 wherein the World (holild end (as did the Creation on the fe- 
 venth day) unto them is long ago expired; they are proceeding 
 in the eight thoufand year, and numbers exceeding thofe 
 dayes which men have m'ade the types and fhadows of thefe. 
 But certainly what Marcus Leo the Jew conceiveth of the end 
 of the heavens, exceedeth the account of all that ever (hall be j 
 for though he conceiveth the Elemental frame fhall end in the 
 Seventh or Sabbatical Millenary} yet cann6t he opinion the hea- 
 vens and more durable part of the Creation (hall perifh before fevcrt 
 times feven, or 49,that i?, the quadrant of the other feven, andper- 
 f eft Jubilee of thoufands. 
 
 Thus may we obferve the difference and wide difTent of mens 
 opinions, and thereby the great inc^rtainty in this eftablifhment. 
 The Hebrews notoncly diflenting from the Samaritans, the La* 
 tines from the Greeks, but every one from another. Infomuch that 
 all can be in the right it isimpoffible ;that any one is ft?, not with 
 a(rurance determinable. And therefore as Tetavius confcfTeth, toeffeft 
 the fame exaftly without infpiration it is impoilible, and beyond 
 ihe Arithmatick of any but God himfclf. And therefore alfo 
 
 what 
 
a^^ 
 
 Book 6^ af$4 common Err&rst 
 
 what latlsfaftlonmay be obtained froip thofe violent dlfputes, and 
 ^agcr enqjircrsin what day ot the moneth the world began, ci* 
 thcrof Mirchor03[obcr J likewife in whit face or poficion of the 
 Moon, whether at the prime or full, or foon after, let our fecond 
 and feriousconliderations determine. 
 
 N^w the reafon and ground of this diiTeot, is the unhappy diff> Thecaufcc 
 nee between the Greek apd Hebrew Ejitions of the Bible, for unto ^° ^'^ercnt 
 
 of 
 
 rence 
 
 thefc twoLmguages have all Tranfluions conformedj the holy Scri- about"he e 
 
 pture being firft delivered in HcbreWjand firft tranflited into Greek, of the wIm- 
 
 For the Hebrew i it is incontrovertibly the primitive and fureft text 
 
 to rely on, and to prcferve the fame entire and uncorrupt,there hath 
 
 been ufed the higheft caution humanity could invent. ForasiL. Bf«. 
 
 Maimn hath declared, if in the copying thereof one letter were 
 
 written tj^^ice, or if one letter but touched another, that copy was 
 
 not admitted into their Synagogues, but onely allowable to be 
 
 cead in Schools and private families. Neither were they care- 
 
 tull pnsly in the exaft number of their Seftions of the Law, 
 
 but had alfo the curiolity to number every word, and affixed the ac- ^^'^''^P^'on 
 
 cpuntuntp their teveraiboojks. Notwithftandin^ all which, divers Hebrelv'^Texc 
 
 corruptions en fusd, and feveral depravations flipt in, arifing from of the Bible 
 
 mmy and ^nnifeft ground?p as hath been exaftly noted by Morinus 
 
 in his preface unto the Septuagint. 
 
 As for the Septaagint, it is the firft and moft ancient Tranflation % 
 and of greater Antiquity then the Chaldee veriion ; occafioned by 
 the requeft of Ftoiomeus VhiUdelfhus kirjig of Egypt, for the orna- 
 ment of his memorable Library i unto whom thp high Prieft a3- 
 dreflT^d lix Jews out pf cvcrj? Tribe, which amounteth unto 72 ; and 
 bythefe was effefted that Tranflation we ufually term the Septua- 
 gintjor Tranflation of feventy .Which name,however it obtain from 
 the number of their perfons, yet in refpeft of one common Spirit,it ^he C A' 
 was th? Tranflation but as it were of one.man. For as the ftory rcia* of the Sepr'ua- 
 tetbj althotigh they were fet apart and fevered from eachpther, yet g'nctranna- 
 wcre their Tranflations found to agree in every point, according as ^'°P- 
 is related by F^i/o and 7opp6wr although we find not the fame in ^l^,^'^^ '^^ 
 Anji^^sy who hath expr;fly treated thereof. ^ dciTZlZ. 
 
 Tfiis Tranflation in ancient times was of great authority, by tibut. 
 -t^is nianyiof the Heathens received fome notioasof the Creation 
 and the mighty works of Gpd i Thisin exprefs terms is often follow- 
 ed by the Evangelifts, by the Apoftles, and by our Saviour him- 
 felf in theqjQtations oi the oldTeftament. This for many years 
 was ufed by the Jem tbemfelves, that is, fuch as did Hellenize and 
 difperfedly dweltpatof Paleftine with the Greeks j and rhis aUo 
 the fucceeding Chriflians and ancient Fathers obferved ; although 
 4^f£Ci(^cceec^d .jQiih?!; Gr?ck yerfions,that is, of Aqmla, Iheodofius^ 
 feaci;;.: Xx 2 and 
 
' 240 Efj^ijrks into Vulgar Book 6* 
 
 and Symmachui ; for the Latitie tranflation of Jenm called now 
 
 the Vulgar, was about 800 years after the Septuagint ; althougfi 
 
 fiAfnt.inPA' ti^pre y,as alfo a Latinc tranflation before, called theltalick ver- 
 
 uj^om. Pjqj^ Which was after loft upon the general reception of the 
 
 tranflation of Saint Jerom. "Which notwithflanding (as he him- 
 
 felf acknoivledgcth) had been needlefs , if the Septuagint copies 
 
 had remained pure, and as they were firft tranflated. But, (bc- 
 
 fide that different copies were uled , that Alexandria and i^gyft 
 
 followed the copy of Hefychm , Antioch and CoHJiantinopie that 
 
 of Lucian the Martyr, and others that of Origen) the Septuagint 
 
 was much depraved, not onely from the errors of Scribes, and 
 
 the emergent corruptions of time , but malicious contrivance 
 
 of the Jewes j as Jujiin Martyr hath declared , in his learned 
 
 r ^ ^^tfxr^ dialogue with tryphon and Morinm hath learnedly ftiewn from ma- 
 
 fctr'iwe, ^ ny confirmations. 
 
 Whatfocver interpretations there have been fince, have been cfpe- 
 cially effeded with reference unto thefe, that is, the Greek and He- 
 brew text, the Tranflators fometimes folbwing the one, fometimes 
 adhering unto the other, according as they found them confonant 
 unto truth, or moft correfpon dent unto the rules of faith.Now how* 
 ever it cometh to paffjthcf e two are very different in the enumeration 
 of Genealogies, and particular accounts of time ; for in the Tccond 
 interval, that is, between the flood and Ahrahanty there is by the Sep* 
 tU3gint introduced one Cainanto be the fon of Arphaxad and father 
 oi Salahi whereas in the Hebrew there is no mention of fiieh a 
 perfon, but Arpbaxad is fet down to be the father of Salah, 
 But in the firft interval, that is, from the Creation unto the flood, 
 their difagreement is more confiderable ; for therein the Greek 
 exceedeth the Hebrew, and common account almoft 600 years. And 
 'tis indeed a thing not very ftrange, to beat the difference of a third 
 parti in fo large and colleftive an accounr, if we confidcr how 
 differently they are fet forth in minor andlefs miftakable num* 
 bers. So in the Prophefce of lonah, both in the Hebrew and La« 
 tine Text, it is faid. Yet forty dayes and Ninevy (hall be over- 
 thrown : But the Septuagint faith plainly, and that in letters at 
 length, Tfmtntug^, that is, yet three dayes and Niwvj' fhall bedc- 
 ftroycd. Which is a difference not newly crept in, but an ob*« 
 icrvation very ancient, difcufl^cd by Aujiin , and Jbeodoret , and 
 was conceived an error committed by the fciibe. Men there- 
 fore have rai fed different computes of time, according as ' they 
 have followed tfieir diflerent Texts ; and fo have left the 
 hiftory of times far more perplexed then Chronology, hath re- 
 duced. '- 
 Againj However the Texti wercplain^ and mlghj in their nume- 
 rations : 
 
Book. 6, AftdCommon Err&rsy 
 
 rations agree, yet were there no fmall difficulty to fct down a deter- 
 minable Chronology, or eftablifli from hence any fixed point of 
 time. For the doubts concerning the time of the Judges are in- 
 explicable j that of the Reigns and (uccefljon of Kings is as per- 
 plexed } it being uncertain whether the years both of their lives and 
 reigns ought to be taken as compleat, or in their beginning and but 
 currant accounts. Nor is it unreafonable to make forae doubt whe- 
 ther in the firft ages, and long lives of our fathers, Mofes doth not 
 iometime account by full and round numbers, whereas ilri£):ly taken 
 they might be foroe few years above or under ; as in the age of Noah^ 
 it is delivered to be juft five hundred when he begat itJ^wiwheraspcr* 
 haps he might be feme what above or below that round and compleat 
 number. For the fame way offfpeeeh is ufual in divers other ev 
 prefllons; Thus do we fay the Septuagint, and ufing the full and 
 articulate number, do write theTranflation of Seventy} whereas 
 we have (hewn before, theprccife number was feventy two. So Is 
 itfaidthat Chrift was three dayes in the grave ; according to that 
 of Mattherfi , as Jonas was three dayes and three nights in the 
 Whales belly Co (hall the Son o{ man be three dayes and three 
 nights in the heart of the earth: which notwithftanding mu(lbe 
 taKenSynecdochically j or byunderftandingapart for an whole day; 
 forhe remained but two nights in the graven for he was buried in 
 the aifternoon of the firft day, and arofe very early in the morning 
 on the third ; that is, he was interred in the eve of the Sabbath, and 
 arofe the morning after it. 
 
 Moreover, although the number of years be determined and 
 lightly underftood, and there be without doubt a certain truth here- 
 in ; yetthcTextfpeakingobfcurcIyordubioufly, there is oft-times 
 no flcnder difficulty at what point to begin or terminate the account. 
 So when it is laid Exod. 12. the fojourning ol the children of Jfrad 
 who dwelt in Egypt was 430 years, ic cannot be taken ftriftly, and 
 from their firft arrival into Egypt , for their habitation in that land 
 was far lefs ; but the account muft begin from the Covenant of God 
 with Abraham^ and muft alfo comprehend their fojourn in the land 
 oi Canaan, according as is expreifed, G/J!/.3. The Covenant that 
 was confirmed before of God in Chrift, the Law which was 43.0 
 years after cannot difannul. Thus hath it alfo happened in theac* 
 count of theyoyearsof their captivity, according to thzt of Jere* 
 My, chap. 20. This whole land fhall be a defolation, and thefc 
 Nations (hall ferve the King of Babylon 70 years- Now where 
 to begin or end this compute, arifeth no fmall difficulty; 
 for there were three remarkable captivities and deportations of 
 4he Jews. The firft was in the third or fourth year of Joa* 
 cbiiiti and &tAoi Nabuehodauozcry -when Daniel was carried away 5 
 
 Xx 3 the 
 
 34» 
 
Chap. i'i». 
 
 The difficul- 
 ties oiDAJiie's 
 76 Weeks. 
 
 oA^ Bttquirks into Vulgar ^ Book ^. 
 
 the fccond in the reign of Jeconiah^ and the eighth year of the 
 fame King ; the third and molt deplorable in the reign of Zedechi- 
 a^y and in the nintccnth ye^r oi N^buchododozor, whereat both the 
 Temple and City wire burned. Now fiich is the different con- 
 ceit of thefe times, that men have computed from all ; but the 
 probibleft account and moft concordant unto the intention o^ Je- 
 remy, isfromthcfirft of Ntthuchodomzonxmothe M of King Cyriif 
 over B/r^yo« 5 although the Prophet Zachary accounteth trom the 
 laft. O Lord of hofts, How long! Wilt thou not have mercy oa 
 Jerufalem^ againft which thou hift had indignation thefe threercore 
 and ten years ? for he maketh this expoftulation in the fecond year 
 of Varhtf Hifiafpes j wherein he prophelied> which is about eighteen 
 years in account after the other. 
 
 Thus alfo although there be a certain truth therein, yet is there no 
 cafte doubt concerning the feventy weeks, or feventy times feven 
 years of Vaniel : whether they have reference unto the nativity or 
 paflion of our Saviour, and efpecially from whence, or what point of 
 time they are to be computed. For thus is it delivered by the Angel 
 Gabriel : Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people ; and a- 
 gain in the following verfe ; Know therefore and underftand^ 
 that from the going forth of the Commandment to reftorc and 
 to build J^fr«/<r/fw» unto the Medias the Prince, (hall be feven weeks, 
 and threefcorc and two weeks, the ftrcet ftiali be built again, and 
 thewallcven in troublefomc times; and after threefcore and two 
 weeks fhall Mefliah be cut off. Now the going out of the Command- 
 ment to build the City, being the point from whence to compute, 
 there is no (lender controveriie when to begin. For there- are no left 
 then four feveral Edifts to this effeft ; the one in the firft of Cyrus^ 
 the other in the fecond of V arm jthc third and fourth in the (evcnth, 
 and in the twentieth of Artaxerxes Longtmamts ; although as F<r- 
 trfz/iwf accounteth, it bfft accordeth unto the twentieth year of Ar- 
 taxerxesy from whence Nehemiah deriveth his Commillion. Now 
 that computes are made uncertainly with reference unto Chrifl, 
 it is no wonder J fince I perceive the time of his Nativity is in 
 controverfie, and no lefs his age at his Paflion : For ClemenU and 
 TertuJlian conceive he fuffered at thirty ; but Iren£us a Father neerer 
 his time, is further off in his account, rijatis, between forty and 
 
 fifty, ::3 \' l\.Av 
 
 LongoMomanm a late Aftrohomer, endeavours to difcover this 
 fecret from Aftronomical grounds, that is, the Apogeum of the 
 S^in conceiving the Excentricity invariable, and the Apogeum 
 yearly to move one fcruple, two (econds, fifty thirds,C^c. Where- 
 fore if in the time of Hi/^f/zrcfewy, that is in the year of the Juliim 
 period 4557 it was in the fifth degree of Gemini^ and in the dayes of 
 
 tycha 
 
 Of our B. Sa- 
 viours age ar 
 his Faflfjon. 
 
Book 6. ; and Common Error f* 543 
 
 'Xycko Brake t that is in the year of our Lord 15S8, or of the world 
 55^4; the fame was removed unto the fift degree of Camera by the 
 proportion of its motion, it was at the Creation firft in the be- 
 ginning of Aries^ and the Pcrigcum or neareft point in Libra, But 
 this conceit how ingeniogs Or fubtile (oever, is not of fatisfaftion; « « « • 
 it being not determinable , or yet agreed in what time precifcly tewpoTum"t 4- 
 the Apogeum abfolvedi gne degree, as Petavius hath alfo deli- * ' * 
 
 vcred. - . 
 
 Laftly, However thcfc or other difficulties intervene , and that 
 we cannot fatrsfie our felves in the exaft compute of tlme,yet may 
 we fit down with the common and ufuall account; nor are thefe 
 differences derogatory unto the Advent or paffion of Ghrift , unto 
 which indeed they all do fecm to point j for the Prophecies con^* 
 ccrning our Saviour were indefinitely delivered before that of D^- 
 nk/j (o was that pronounced unto Eve in Paradife, that after Ba- 
 laaWi thole of Ifaiah and the Prophets , and that memorable one 
 of Jacobs the Scepter ihall not depart from Ifrael until Shilo come; 
 which time notwithftanding it did not define at all. In what 
 year ttierefore foevcr, either from the deftruftion of the Temple, 
 from the re»edifying thereof, from the fk)od, or from the Creati- 
 on he appeared, certain it is, that in the fulnefTe of time he came. 
 When he therefore came is not fo confiderable, as that he is come : 
 in the one there is confolation, in the other no fatisfaftion. The 
 greater Qucrc i?, when he will come again 5 and yet indeed it is 
 no Qtiere at all ; for that is never to be known , and therefore 
 vainly enquired : 'tis a profclTed and authentick obfcurity, un- 
 known to all but to the omnifcicncc of the Almighty. Certainly 
 the ends of things are wrapt up in the hands of God, hee that 
 undertakes the knowledge thereof, forgets his own beginning, and 
 difclaims his principles of earth. No man knows the end of the 
 world, nor afTuredly of any thing in it : God fees it, becaufe unto 
 his Eternity it is prefent ; he knoweth the ends of us, but not of him- 
 felf: and becaufe he knows not this, he knoweth all things, and his 
 knowledge is endlefTe, even in the objcft of himfelf. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
344 BneiHhks into Vulgar Bock. 6, 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 Of mttjs Efiquirkf in what feafon or Point of the T.odi-* 
 ack. it began;, that as they are generally made 
 they are invain^ and as particularly^ 
 uncertain. 
 
 Concerning the Scafons, that is, the quarters of the year; 
 (omc arc ready to enquire, others to dctermins, in what fea- 
 fon, whether in the Autumn, Spring, Winter or Summer the World, 
 had its beginning. Wherein we affirm, that as the qucftion is gc- 
 nnrally, and in refpcft of the whole earth propofed, it is with ma- 
 nifeft injury unto reafon in any particular determined ; becaufc 
 when ever the World had its beginning it was created in all the(c 
 The world fom-. For, as we have elfewhere delivered, whatfoever figne the 
 began in all ^ g^^^ poflefl^th ( whofe receflfe or vicinity dcfineth the quarters of 
 ters o??h"' '^^ 7^*"^ ) ^^^^ ^^^^ feafons were aftually exiftent ; it being the na- 
 ycar. turc of that Luminary to diftingui(h the feveral feafons of the year; 
 
 all which it makcth at one time in the whole earth, and fuccclTively 
 in any part thereof. Thus if we fuppofc the Sun created in Libra, 
 in which fign unto fome it maketh Autumn ; at the fame time it had 
 been Winter unto the North cm* pole, for unto them at that time the 
 Sun beginncth to be invifibic, and to (hew it felf again unto the pole 
 of the South. Unto the pofition of a right Sphere, or direftly un- 
 der the Equator, it had been Summer } for unto that fcituation the 
 Sun is at that time vertical. LTnto the latitude of Capricorn, or 
 the Winter Solftice ic had been Spring j for unto that pofition it had 
 been in a middle point, and that of afcent, or approximation ; but 
 unto the latitude of Cancer or the Summer Solftice it had been Au- 
 tumn $ for then had it been placed in a middle point, and that of dc« 
 fccnt, or elongation. 
 
 And if we fhall take it literally what Mo^es defcribed popular* 
 ly, this was alfo the conftitution of the firft day. For when it was 
 evening unto one longitude, it was morning unto another ; when 
 night unto one, day unto another. And therefore that qucftion, 
 whether our Saviour ftiiU come again in the twilight fas is concei- 
 ved he arofe ) or whether he fliall corns upon us in the night, accor- 
 ding to the comparifon of a thief, or the J emjh tradition, that he 
 
 will 
 
Book. 6, And Common Errors* 545 
 
 will come about the time of their departure out of JEgyptj when 
 they eat the Palsover, and the Angel pafT^d by the doors of their 
 houfesi thisQiicre I fay needeth not further difpute. For if the 
 earth be almoft every where inhabited, and his comming f as 
 divinity affirmeth) muft needs bee unto all; then nuift the 
 time of his appearance be both in the day and night. For 
 U unto Jerufalenty or what part of the world foever he ftiall ap- 
 pear in the night, at the fame time unto the Antipodes, it muft 
 be day i if twilight unto^ them , broad day unto the 
 Indians j if noon unto themjyet night unto the Americatis'j^nd Co with 
 variety according unto various habitations, or difFwrent pofitions of 
 the Sphere, a?? will be safily conceived by thofe who underftand the 
 affeftions of different habitations, and the conditions of /4«r<eci, Pe- 
 rieciy and Antipodes. And fo although he appear in the night , yet 
 may the dayof jjdgement or Doomf-day well retain thatnamej for 
 that implieth one revolution of the Sun, which maketh the day and Kux^ifJi-tpr. 
 night, and that one natural day. And yet to fpeak f^riftly, if f as 
 the Apolile affirmeth ) wefliall be changed in the twinckling of an 
 eye f and as the Schools determine ) the deftruftion of the world 
 fhall not be fuccelfive but in an inflant ; we cannot properly apply 
 thereto the ufual diftin£\:ions of timejcalling that twelve hours, which 
 admits not the parts thereof, or ufc at all the name of time, when the 
 nature thereof (hall perifti. 
 
 But if the enquiry be made unto a particular place, and the 
 qu^ftion determined unto fomc certain Meridian 5 as namely, 
 unto Mefopotamia wherein the feat of Farad ifc is prcfumed, the 
 Qyery becomes more reafonable, and is indeed in nature alfo 
 determinable. Yet pofitively to define that feafon, there is no 
 flender difficulty; for fome contend that it began in the Spring 5 
 as ( befidc Eufebius, Amhrofe, Bede, and Iheodoret ) fbme few years 
 pafi Henrico Philippi in his Chronologic of theScripture.others are al- 
 together for Autumn •, and from hence do our Chronologers com » 
 mence their compute ; as may beobferved in BeivicHs, Jof.Scaligerj 
 Calvifiusy and PetaviM, 
 
 CHAP. 
 
S^6 
 
 Etiquiries into Vulgar 
 
 Book 6. 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 Between the 
 Tropicks two 
 ^unmiersina 
 year. 
 
 Of the Divijions of thefeafons and four garters of the par ^ 
 according unto jflronomers and Phj/Jtt/ans : that 
 the common compute of the Ancients^ 
 and which is Jiill retained by 
 foments very quefiionable* 
 
 AS for the divifions of the year, j^nd the quartering out this re- 
 markable ftandard of time, there have pafled efpccially two 
 diftindions ; the firft in frequent ufe with Aftronomer?, according 
 to the cardinal interfeftlons of the Zodiack, that is, the two ^- 
 quinoftlals and both the Solftitial points j defining that time to be 
 the Spring of the year, wherein the Sun doth pa^e from the ^qui- 
 no3;c of Aries unto the Solftice oi Cancer j the time between the 
 Solfticeand the ^qainox of |.ibra, Summer : fro^i thence unto the 
 Solftice of Capricornus, Autumn j and from thence unto the iEqui* 
 nox of Aries again. Winter. Now this diviiion although it be regu- 
 lar and equall, is not univerfal; for it includ^^th not thofe latitudes 
 v^hich h^ve the feafons of the year double; as have the inhabitants 
 under the J^quator, or clfe between the Tropicks. For unto them 
 the Son is vertical twice a year,mak'ng two diftin^: Summers in the 
 different points of vercicality. So unto thofe which live under the 
 Equator, when the Sun is in the Equinox it is Sunimecj in which 
 points it maketh Spring or Autumn unto ua; zn<^ unto them it is 
 aifo Winter when the Sun is in cither Tropic I^ ; \vi\ereas unto ui 
 it n?aketh ajwayes Summer in the one. And the like will hap- 
 pen unto thoie habitations, which are bctw.?ea ^ Ti:opicJlj;Sj and 
 the Equator. 
 
 A fccond and more {enfible divifion there is obferved by Hipp^cram 
 Ust and moft of the ancient Greekj^ according to the rifing and fet- 
 ting of divers flars 5 dividing the year, and eftablirtiing the account 
 of feafons from ufual alterations , and (enfible mutations In the 
 ay, difcQvered upon the rifing and fetting of thofe ftars, accoun- 
 tin.5 the Spring from the ^quinoxial F^'nt of Aries ; from the ri- 
 fing of the Piciadef, or the fcveral ftars on the back of Tauru?, 
 Summer; from the rifing of Arfturus, a (lar between the thighs 
 of Bootes, Autumn i and from the fitting of the Pleiades, Win- 
 ter, 
 
Book 6, and common Errors, t^^j 
 
 Winter. Of tiicfc diviiions bscaufc they w^re iinsq ill, they'w:r3 
 fain to (ubdlvile the two larger portionsj that is of the SuTm.r and 
 Winter qiarters ; the firft part of the Summer they named ^ietu the 
 fecond unto the rifin* of the Dog-ftar, "Vi from fhence unto the 
 (ecting of ArftaniSj 5ot»*©j. The Winter they divided alfo into three 
 parts; the firft part, or that of feed time they named ^•^V*"*'. ths 
 middle or proper Winter, >*f<**^ the laft, which was their plant- 
 ing or grafting time fvvitiia. This way of divilion was in former 
 ages received, is very often mentioned in Poets, tratiflated from one 
 Nation to another $ from the Greeh unto the Latines, as is received 
 by good Author 5^; and delivered by Phylicians, even unto our time?. 
 
 Now of thefe two, although tiie firft in fome latitude may be re- 
 tained, yet is not the other In any to bi admitted. For in regard of 
 time ("as we declare in the Chap, of canicular ^ayesj the ftars do 
 vtry their longitude?} and confequently the limes of their afcenfiori 
 aiid defcerilion. That ftar w^iich is the term of numeration, or point 
 from whence we commence the accoiinf^, altering his fite and longi- 
 tude in procefs of time, and removing from Weft to Eaft, almoft one 
 degree in the fpacc of 72 years, fo that the fame ftar, (Ince the age of 
 Hippocrates who ufcd this account, is removed in confequentia abou« 
 27 dcgre€?s. Which difference of their longitudes, dotli much diver- 
 firic the times of their afcents, and rcndcrcth the account unftable 
 which (hall proceed thereby. 
 
 Again, In regard of different latitudes, this cannot be a fcriett 
 rul?,j or reafonably applyed unto many Nations. For whereas the 
 letting of the Pleiades ot feven ftars, is defigned the term of Autumrt, 
 and the beginning ok Winter ; unto fome latitudes thefe ftars do ne- 
 ver fet, as unto all beyond 67 degrees. And if in feveral and far 
 diftant latitudes we obferve tlie fame ftar as a common term of ac- 
 count unto both, we (hail fall upon an uncxpefted, but an unfufFerable 
 abturdicy i and by the fame account it will be Summer unto us in the 
 North, before it be fo unto thofe, which unto us are Southward, and 
 many degrees approaching nearer the Sun. For if we confult the 
 Doftrine of the fphere, and obferve the afcenfion of the Pleiades, 
 which makcth the beginning of Summtr, we (hall difcoverthat in 
 the latitude of 40, Thefe ftars arife in the 16 degree of Taurus ;» 
 but in the latitude of 50, they afcend in the elevcth degree of the 
 fame fign, that is, 5 dayes fooner j (o (hall it be Summer unto LoH' 
 douy before it be untoTo/tf^, and begin to (corch in England, before 
 it grow hot in Spain. 
 
 This is therefore no general way of compute, nor reafonable ro 
 be derived from one Nation unto another ; the defeft of which ccnfi- 
 deration hath caufed divers errors in Latine Poets, tranflating thefe 
 cxprcllions from the Greek^^ ; and many difficulties even in the Greeks 
 
 Yy2 them* 
 
348 Enquirkf into Vulgar Book. ^. 
 
 thenifelves ; which living in divers latitudeSjyet obfcrved the iame 
 compute. So that to make them outjwe are fain to u(e diftinftions ; 
 fometime computing coimically what they intended heliacally '■> and 
 fometime in the fame exprefsion the rifing heliacally > the letting 
 cofmically.Othcrwifc it will be hardly made out, what is delivered 
 by approved Authors ; and is an obfervation very confiderable unto 
 thote which meet with fuch exprcffions j as they are very fre- 
 quent in the Poets of elder times, efpecially Hf^o^, Aratus^ Virgil, 
 Ovid , Munillius ', and Authors Geoponical , or which have 
 treated de re rufiica, as Confiantine, Marcus CatOy Columella^ PaUadius 
 and Varro. 
 
 Laftly, The abfurdity in making common unto many Nations 
 thofe confiderations, whofe verity is but particular unto fome, will 
 more evidently appcar^if we examine the Rules and Prcctpts of fomc 
 one climate, and fall upon confideration with what incongruity they 
 are transferrible unto others j Thus is it advifed by Heftod. 
 
 F/eiadihuf ^tlante natis orientibus 
 Incite mejjemj Arationem vero occidentihus. 
 
 Implying hereby the Heliacal afcent and Cofmical defcent of 
 thofe ftars. Now herein he feiteth down a rule to begin harveft at the 
 arife of the Pleiades ; which in his time was in the beginning of 
 May, This indeed was confonant unto the clime wherein he lived, 
 and their harveft began about that feafon ; but is not appliable unto 
 our own,for therein we are fo far from expefting an harveft, that our 
 Barley-feed is not ended. Again, correfpondcnt unto the rule of 
 Hefiody Virgil affordcth another, 
 
 Ante tihi %0£ Atlantides ah[condanturi 
 "Debita ^uamfulcii committas femina, \ 
 
 Underftanding hereby their cofmical defcent , or their fetting: 
 when the Sun ari(cth , and not their Heliacal obfcuration , ortheir 
 inclufion in the luftre of the Sun ^ as Strvius upon this place would 
 itaveici for at that time thefe ftars are many figns removed from 
 that luminary. Now herein heftriftly advileth , not to begin to 
 fow before the fetting of thefe ftars i which notwithftanding without 
 injury to agriculture , cannot be obferved in England ; for they fct 
 unto us about the 12 of November, when our Seed-time is almoft 
 cndtd. 
 
 And this diveriity of clime and cceleftial obfervations , precifcly 
 obferved unto certain ftars andmoneths, hath not only overthrown 
 the deduftions of one Nation to another^ but hath perturbed the 
 
 obfervation 
 
Book 6» and Common Errors » 349 
 
 obfervation of feftivities and ftatary Solemnities, even with the Jevpi 
 thcnifclves. For unto them it was commanded that at their entrance 
 into the land of Ctf«tftf«, in the fourteenth of thefirft moneth (that 
 is Abib or Nifan which is Spring with us ) they (hould obferve the 
 celebration of rhe PafTeovcr ; and on the morrow after, which is the 
 fifteenth day, the feafl of unleavened bread; and in thefixteenth of 
 the fame moneth, that they (hould offer the firll (heaf of the harveft. 
 Now all this was f eafible and of an eafie poflibijity in the land of Ca- 
 naan^or latitude oi J erufalent; {or fo it is obferved by fcveral Authors 
 in latter times; and is alfoteffified by holy Scripture in times very 
 far before. For when the Children of Jfrael paiTed the river Jordan, , ^ 
 it is delivered by way of Parenthefis, that the river overHowcth •* 
 its banks in the time of harvcfl ; which is conceived the time 
 wherein they pafTed ; and it is after delivered, that in in the four* 
 tecnth day they celebrated the PafTeovcr: which according to the ^ _ 
 Law of Mo{es was to be obferved in the firft moneth, or moneth of -' 
 Abib. 
 
 And therefore it is no wonder, what is related" by L»V, that the 
 Difciples upon the Veuteroprotooi as they paiTed by, plucked the ears 
 of Corn. For the Veuterofroton or fecond firft Sabbath, was the what the 
 firftSibbathaftertheDeuteraorfccondofthePafTeover, which was Sabbaton 
 the fixteenth of Nifan or Abib, And this is alfo evidenced from the fQ^^llk^l°' 
 receivedconftruftionof thefirft and latter rain. I will give you ^as* 
 the rain of your land in his due feafon, thefirft rain and the latter Deut. n. 
 rain. For the firft rain fell upon the feed-time about Oftober, and 
 was to make the feed to root, the latter was to fill the ear, and fell in 
 oAbib or March, the firft moneth : according as is exprcfTed* 
 iCnd he will caufe to come down for you the rain, the former Joel 2. 
 rain and the latter rain in the firft moneth; that is the moneth 
 of ^bib wherein the PafTeover was obferved. This was the Law 
 o{ Mofesy and this in the land oi Canaan was well obferved, ac- 
 cording to the firft inftitution : but fince their difpertion and ha- 
 bitation in Countries, whof c conftitutions admit not fuch tempefti- 
 vity ot harvefts; and many not before the latter end of Summer ; 
 notwithftanding the advantage of their Lunary account, and inter- 
 calary moneth Veader affixed unto the beginning of the year, there 
 will be found a^reat difparity in their obfervation; nor can they 
 Ih-iaiy and at the fame Icafon with their forefathers obferve the com- 
 mands of God. 
 
 To add yet further, thofe Gcoponical rules and precepts of Agri- 
 culture which are delivered by divers Authors, arc not to be 
 generally received; but refpeftivelyunderftood unto climes wh<:re- 
 to they are determined. For whereas one advifeth to fow th's 
 •or that at one feafon^a fecond to fet this or that at another, ic mult 
 
 Z 2 be 
 
;5o 
 
 Ettqukhi into Vulgar Book 6. 
 
 bccoaceived rdjuivcly5& every Nation muft have its Country Farm; 
 For herein wc may obfervc a mamfeft and vifible difference, not 
 «nely in the feafons of harveftj but in the grains themfelve?. 
 For with us Barley-harveft is made after Wheat-harveft, but with 
 the Ifraelitds and Mgyptians it was otherwise ; (o is it cxpreflTed 
 by way of priority, Ruth the 2. So Kuthkcpt fail by the maidens of 
 Boan to glean unto the end of Barley- harvcft and oi Wheat-harvcft; 
 which in thcplaguc of hayl in Mgyp is more plainly delivered^ 
 "ExoA^, And the Flax and the Barley were (mitten, for the Barley 
 was in the ear, and the Flax was boiled, but the Wheat and the Rye 
 were not fmitten, for they were not grown up. 
 
 And thus we fee the account eftabli(hed upon the arife or defccrtt 
 of the ftars can be no realonablc rule unto diftant Nations at allj 
 and by reafon of their retrogreHion but temporary unto anyone. 
 Nor muft thcfe refpeftive exprcllionsbeentertiined in abfolutccon- 
 fiderations, for fo diftinfl: is the relation, andfo artiricial the habi- 
 tude of this inferiour globe unto the (uperiour, and even of one 
 thing in eachuntdthe other : that general rules arc dangerous 5 and 
 applications moft fafc that run with fccurity of circumftance. Which 
 rightly to effcft,. is beyond the fubteley of fenfe, and requires' the 
 ajrtificeof reafon. 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
 Of fame compitatimofdayes and diduSfiffrts of one part' 0^ 
 the year unto another. 
 
 f: 
 
 'Ourthly> There are cert^n vulgar opinions concerning dayes 
 
 of the year, and conclufions popularly deduced from certain 
 
 dayes of thcmoiieth ; mencommonly belicvingthe days increafc 
 
 ^nd-decreafc equally in the whole year : which notwithftanding 13 
 
 That the days ^^"^y* ""^P^^^^nt unto truth.For they incrcafe in the month of March, 
 
 incr.-afe and almoft as much as in the two moneths ot January and February :and 
 
 dccreafc une- decreafe as much in September, as they do in July & Auguft. For the 
 
 qually. dayes ipcreafe or decreafe accordmg to the declination of the Sun, 
 
 that is, its deviation Northward or Southward from the ^Equator* 
 
 Now^his iligrefliDn is not cqua^uic near the -/Equinoxial interfefti- 
 
 ons,ic is right and greatcr,near the Solftices more oblique and lefler. 
 
 So from the eleventh of March the vernal Equinox, unto the eleventh 
 
 of April the Sun decUneth to the North twelve degrees, from 
 
 the eleventh xxf April unto the eleventh of May but eight, from 
 
 thcnee 
 
Book 6 . aftd Cdfihtion Err&rs* 251 
 
 thcpce unto the fifteenth of June, or the Summer Solilice bat three 
 and a hal< : all which make twenty two degrees and an half, the 
 grcatcftdccUnationof theSun. 
 
 And this inequality in thedediAation of the Sun in the Zodiack 
 or line of life, is correfpondent unco the growth or declination of • 
 man. For fettingout from infancy we increafe not cqually,or regulir- 
 ly attain to our ftateor perf eftion : nor when we defccnd from our 
 ftate, is our declination equallt or carrieth us with even paces un- 
 to the grave. For, as Hi/'Pccrrfrfi a^Srmeth, a man is hotteft in the 
 firftd^yof hislifci and toldeft in the laft : his naturai hcgtfciteth 
 forth mod vigoroufly a|#^9 and dcclineth moft (enlibly at hit. And The natural 
 fo though the growth offnan end not perhaps untihwnty one, ytt Pr^poition of 
 is his ftature more advanced in the firft feptenary then in the i'ecor»d, gJ'oTtT &c 
 and in the fecond, more then in the third,and more indeed in the firft m theVorld 
 fevcu yearfi, then in the fourteen fucceeding j«for, what ftature we 
 attain unto at fevcn years, we do fometimcs but double, nioft times 
 comes (hort of at one and twenty. And fo do we decline again : 
 Forin the latter age upon the Tropick and firft defccnfion iroTiour 
 foiftice, we are fcarce feniible of declination : but declining 
 further, our decrement accelerates, we fet apace, and in our laft dayei 
 precipitate into our graves. And thus are alfo our progrefllons in . , . 
 the womb, that is, our formation>motion, our birth or exclafion. For yj^^^^ ^^^ 
 our formation is quickly cffcfted, our motion appeareth later, and 
 our exclufion very long after : if that be true which Hifpecrates and 
 Avicennn have declared, that the time of our motion is double unto 
 that of formation, and that of exclufion treble unto that of motion. 
 As if the Infant be formed at thirty five dayes,it movtth atfeventy, 
 and is born the two hundred and tenth day, thac is, the feventh 
 monethjorif it receive* not formation before forty five daycs, it 
 m jveth the ninetieth day, and is excluded in the two hundred and 
 leventy, thatis, thenineth moncth. 
 
 There arc alfo certain popular prognofticfcs drawn from fcftivaliJ 
 in the Calender, and conceived opinions of certain days in monethsj 
 fo is there a general tradition in moft parts of Europe, that inferreth 
 the coKinefsof fuccecdinj? winter from the flaining of the Sun upon 
 CandlemM day, or the Purification of the Virgin Mary^ according to 
 the proverbial difticb, 
 
 Si Sdfphndefcat Maria -pur i fie am e, 
 MixjoK erit glacies pojifejiunt-gue^mjjttt aftte- 
 
 So is it ufual amongft us to qualifie and conditionate the twelve 
 moneths oi ths year anfwcrably unto the temper oi the twelve days 
 in Chriftma? 5 and toafcribe unto March certain boj rowed dayes 
 
 Z 2 2 from 
 
2^2 Eftqumes into Vulgar Book 6. 
 
 from April j all which men fcem to believe upon annual experience of 
 their own, and the received traditions of their fore-fathcrs. 
 
 Now it is raanifeil, and moft men likewife know, that the Calen- 
 ders of thefc computers, and the accounts of thefe dayes are very 
 • different ; the Greeks difTcnting from the Latines , and the Latinei 
 from each other ; the one obfcrving the Julian or ancient account, 
 as great Brittain and part of Germany ■■> the other adhering to the 
 Gregorian or new account, as Italy^ France^ Spain^ and the United 
 Provinces ot the Netherlands. Now this later account by ten days 
 at leaft anticipateth the other 5 fo that bef^e the one beginncth the 
 accountjthe other is paft it ; yet in the fevgarf calculations, the fame 
 events isem trues and men with equal opinion of verity, expcft and 
 confefs a confirmation from them all. Whereby is evident the Ora- 
 culous authority of tradition, and the eafie feduftion of men, nei- 
 ther enquiring into tlve verity of the fubftance, nor reforming upon 
 repugnance of circumftancc. 
 
 And thus may divers cafily be miftaken, who fuperftitioufly ob* 
 f erve certain times, or fct down unto themfdves an obfervation of 
 unfortunate moneths, or dayes, or hours ; As did the Mgyptians, 
 two in every moneth, and the Romans, the dayes after the Nones, 
 Ides and Calend?, And thus the Rules of Navigators niufl often 
 fail, fetting down, as KWi^i««i obferveth, fufpefted and ominous 
 dayes in every moneth, as the firft and feventli of March, the fift 
 andlTxt of April, the fixt, thetwclfth and fifteenth of February. For 
 the accounts hereof in thefe moneths are very different in our days, 
 and were different with feveral Nations in Ages pafi 5 and how flrift- 
 ly foever the account be made, and even by thefelf-fame Calender, 
 yet is it poffible that Navigators may be out. For fo were the HoU 
 landers, who paffing Well ward through /m«>«/^A///;rtf, and com- 
 pafsing the Globe, upon their return into their own Countrcy,found 
 that they hadlofl a day. For if two men at the fame time travel from 
 the {ameplace,the one Ea(tward,the other Weflward round about the 
 Cirth,and meet in the fame place from whence the firfl fetforihiit will 
 fo fall out, that he which hath moved Eaftward againft the diurnal 
 motion of the Sun, by anticipating daily fomething of its circle with 
 his own motion, will gain one dayj but be that travelleth Weflward, 
 with the motion of the Sun,by feconding its revolution, Qiall lofe or 
 comc&ortaday. And therefore alfb upon thefe grounds that D^/w 
 was feated in the middle of the- earth, it was no exaft decifion, be- 
 caufe two eagles let fly Eaft and Wefi by Jufiter^ their meeting fell 
 out juft in the Ifland Velos. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Book 6, ^d common Errofs, 353 
 
 Chap; V. 
 
 A Digjrejjion of the mfdom of God in the fite and motion of 
 the Sun, 
 
 HAving thus beheld the ignorance of man in fome things, his 
 error and blindnefs in others, that is, in the roeafure of durati* 
 on both of years and feafons, let us a while admire the Wifdom of 
 Cod in this diftinguiflier of times, and vifiblc D;ity ( as fome have 
 termed ic) the Sun; which though fome from ics glory adore, and 
 all for its benefits admire, we (hall advance from other confide- 
 rations, and fuch as illuftrate the artifice of its malcer. Nor do 
 we think we can CKcafe the duty of our knowledge, if we onely be* 
 flow the flourifh of Poetry hereon, or thofe commendatory conceits V<ilef\mit 
 which popularly fet forth the cminency of this crcatuit ; except ^^M' Sacr. 
 we afcend unto fubtilcr confiderations, and fuch as rightly un- 
 dcrftood , convincingly declare the wifdom of the Creator. 
 Which fince a Spanifh Ph yfitian hath begun, we will enlarge with 
 our dedudionsjandthiswefhall endeavour from two confiderations 
 its proper fituation, and wifely ordered motion. 
 
 Ancf firfl we cannot pafs over his providence, in that it mo- 
 veth at all ; for had it flood fHlI, and were it fixed like the 
 earth, there had been then no diflinftion of times, either of 
 day or year, of Spring, of Autumn, of Summer, or of Winter : 
 for thefe feafons are denned by the motions of the Sun ; when that 
 approacheth nearefl our Zenith or vertical point, we call it Sum- 
 mer, when furthefl off, Winter, when in the middle fpaccs, Spring 
 or Autumn, whereas remaining in one place thefe diftin6\:ions had 
 ceafcd, and confequently the generation of all things depending on 
 their viciffitudes 5 making in one hemifphere a perpetual Summer, 
 in the other a deplorable and comfortlcfs Winter. And thus had it ^j, . l 
 K alfo been continual day unto fome, and perpetual night unto others i turaf dayl "' 
 (|s^ for the day is defined by the abode of the Sun above the Horizon,and 
 the night by its continuance below ; fb fhould we have needed ano« 
 ther Sun, one to illuflratc our Hc'mifphere, a fecond to enlighten the 
 other 5 which inconvenience will cnfus in what fite focver we place 
 it, whether in the Poles,or the JE^ lator, or between them both ; no 
 fpherical body of what bi2;nefs (o^vrr illuminating the whole fpherc 
 of another, although ir illumin its ijmcthing more then half of a 
 leffer, according unto the doftrinc of the Opiicks. 
 
 A a a His ' 
 
2 54 Ettqnirkf into Vulgar Book 6. 
 
 His wifdom is again difccrnable, notoncly in that it moveth at 
 all, and in its bare motion, but wonderful! in contriving the line of 
 its revolution ; which is (o prudently effefted, that by a viciditudc ill 
 tvcry pare of one body and light it fufficeth the whole earth, affording thereby a 
 the earth is poffiblc or pleafurable habitation in every part thereof j and that is 
 IiabitabJe; ^^^^ jj^^ Ecliptick ; all which to cff'eft by any other circle it had been 
 impoflible. For firft, if wc imagine the Sun to make his courfc 
 ouL of the Ecliptick, and upon a line without any obliquity, let it be 
 conceived within that Circle, that is cither on the Equator, or el(e 
 on either fide : (for if we fliould place it cither in the Meridian or 
 Colure?, bcfidc the fubverfion of its courfe from Eaft to Weft, there 
 would enfue the like inconimodities.) Now if we conceive the Siin 
 to move between the oWiquity of this Eclipiiek in a line upon onf. 
 fide of the Equator, then would the Sun be viflible but unto one pole, 
 that is the fame which was ncarcfl unto it. So that unto the one 
 it would be perpetual day, unto the other perpetual night; the 
 one would be opprcfTed with conftant heat, the other with In^ 
 fufferable cold; and fo the dcfcft of alternation would utterly fm- 
 pugn the generation of all things ; which naturally requirS a vicifli* 
 tude of heat to their production, and no leffe to their increafe and 
 confcrvation. , . 
 
 But if we conceive it to move in the Equator j firft unto a pa- 
 rallel fphere, or fuch as have the pole for their Zenith, it would have 
 made neither perfcft day nor night* For being in the ^uator it 
 would interfeft their Horizon, and be halfe above andhalfe beneath 
 it : or rather it would have made perpetual night to both ; for though 
 in regard of the rational Horizon, which bifefteth the Globe into 
 equall parts, the Sun in the Equator would intcrfcft the Horifon : 
 yet in refpeft of the fenfible Horifon (which is defined by the eye ) 
 the Sun would be vifiblc unto neither. For if as ocular witneffes re- 
 port, and fome alfo write, by rcafon of the convexity of the Earthy 
 the eye of man under the Equator cannot difcoverboth the poles |^ 
 neither would the eye under the poles difcovcr the Sun in the^quat^ 
 tor. Thus would there nothing fruftifie either near or under them : 
 The Sun being.Hori2ontal to the poles, & of no confidcrable altitude 
 unto parts a reafonable diftance from them. Again, unto a right 
 fphere, or fuch as dwell under the Equator, although it made a diffe- 
 rence in day and night, yet would it not make any diftinftion of 
 feafons .* for unto them it would be conftant Summer , it being 
 always vertical, and never deflefting from them : So had 
 there been no fruftification at all , and the Countries fub- 
 jefted would be as unhabitable , as indeed antiquity conceived 
 them. 
 Laftly , It moving thus upon the Equator, unto what pofitiod 
 
 fosver 
 
Book 6, dnd Common Errors, 
 
 foever, although it had made a day, yet could it have made no year i 
 for it could not have had thofe two motions now afcribcd unto it, 
 that IT, from Eaft to Weft, whereby it makes the day, and likewire 
 from Weft to Eaft, whereby the year is computed. For according to 
 Aftronomy, the poles of, the Equator are the fame with thofe of 
 the Frinmnt Mobile. Now, it is impoffible that on the fame circle, 
 having t(ie fame poles, both thefe motions from oppofite terms, 
 (hould be at the , fame time performed i all which is (alved, if we 
 allow the Sun an obliquity in his annuall motion, and conceive him 
 to move upon the Poles of the Zodiack, diftant from thefe of the 
 world 23 degrees arid aii halfc. Thus may wedifccrn the neceflity of 
 its obliquity, and hpw-incohveni^ntits motion had beeaupon a. circle 
 paraleii^o ttic-^Equatpr, or upon the^quator it (elie, ,. J .] ; ,> 
 Now with what Providence this obliquity is determined, we fhall 
 perceive upon the cnfuing inconveniences from any deviation. For 
 firft, if its obliquity had been leffc (as inftead of twenty three degrees, 
 twelve or the half thereof J the vicifljtude of fcafons appointed for 
 the generation of all things, would furely have been too (hort j for 
 diiSerent feafons would have hudled upon each other; and unto 
 {bme it had not been much better then if it had moved on the ^qua* 
 cor. But had the obliquity been greater then now it is, as double, or 
 of 40 degrees ; feverall parts of the earth had not been able to en- 
 dure the difproportionable differences of feafons, occafioned by the 
 great receffe, and diftance of the Sun. For unto fome habitations the 
 Summer would have been extream hot, and the Winter excreani 
 cold j likewife the Summer temperate unto fome, but exceffive and 
 in extremity unto others, as unto thofe who (hould dwell under the 
 Tropick of Cancer, as then would do lomc part of Spain, or ten 
 degrees beyond, as Germany^ and fome part of England', who would 
 have Summers as now the Moors of Africa, For the Sun would fome- 
 time be vertical unto them : but they would have Winters like thofe 
 beyond the Artick Circle ; for in that feafon the Sun would be re* 
 moved above 80 degrees from them. Again, it would be temperate 
 to fome habitations in the Summer, but very extream in the Winter : 
 temperate to thofe in two or three degrees beyond the Artick Circle, 
 as now it is unto us; for they would be equidiftant from thatTrof 
 piQk, even as we are from this at prefent.. But the Winter would be 
 extream, the Sun being removed above an hundred degrees, and fo 
 confequently would not be viflble in t^cir Horizon, no pofition of 
 fphere difcovering any ftar diftant above 90 degrees, which is the 
 diftance of every Zenith from the Horizon. And thus if the obliquity 
 of this Circle had been IcfTe, the viciflitude of ieafons had been fo 
 fmall as not to be diftinguiftied 5 if greater, fo large and difproporti- 
 onable as not to be endured. 
 
 Now 
 
 355 
 
'^" j.-^ Enquiries into Vulgar Book^. 
 
 Now for its fituationjalthough it held this Ecliptick line, yet had 
 it been fcated in any other Orb, inconveniences would enfue of con- 
 dition like the former ; for had it been placed in the lowcft fpherc 
 of the Moon, the year would have confifted but of one moncth *, for 
 A competent '" ^^^^ ^P*^^ ^^ ^^^^ '^ would have paffed through every oart of the 
 diftinftion of Ecliptick : fo would there have been no reafonable diftinftion of 
 (eafons ncccf- (eafons required for the generation and fruftifying of all things ; 
 fary^and why. contrary fcafons which deftroy the effcfts of one another Co fudden* 
 ly fucceedirtg. Befides by this vicinity unto the earth, its heat had 
 ' been intollerablc ; for if (as many affirmj there is a different (enfe 
 of heat from the different points of its proper Orb,^nd that in the A- 
 pogeum or htgheft point (which happcncth in Cancer) it is not fo 
 hot under that Tropick, on.thi« fide the iBquator, as unto the other 
 fide In the Perigeum or loweft •,. art of the eccentrick (which happen* 
 cth inCapricomusJ furely being placed in an Orb far lower, its 
 heat would be unfufferable, nor needed w£ a (able to fet the world 
 on fire. 
 
 But had'it been placed in the highcfl Orb, or that of the eighth 
 fphere, there had been none but ftatoes year, and a far leffi diftin- 
 ftion of feafbne .* for one year had then been many, and according' 
 unto the flow revolution of that Orb which abfolveth not his courfc 
 in many choufand years, no man had lived to attain the account 
 thereof. Thcfe are the inconvcniencies enfuing upon its fituation 
 in the extreamqrbs, and had it been placed in the middle orbs of 
 the Planets, there would have enfued abfurditics of a middle nature 
 unto them; 
 
 Now whether wc adhere unto the hypothcfis of Copernicm^ affirm^ 
 ingthe earth to jnove^ and the Sun to ftand (iill$ or whether we 
 hold, as fomeof late have concluded, from the fpots in the Sun, 
 which appearand difappear again; thatbefides the revolution it 
 aiakeeh with its Orbs, it hath alfo a dinetical motion, and rowls 
 upon its own poles : whether I fay we affirm thefc or no, the illati- 
 tions before mentioned are not thereby infringed. We therefore 
 conclude this contemplation, and are not affraid to believe, it may 
 be literally iaid of the wlfdom ot God, what men will have figura- 
 tively fpoken of the works ofChrift. that if the wonders thereof 
 were duly defcribcd, the whole world, that is, all within the laft 
 circomfercnce, would not contain them.For ashis Wikdom isin- 
 finite,focannot the due cxprcJTions thereof be finitCaand if the World 
 comprife him nol, neither can it comprehend the fiery of him. 
 
 C9urt€0us Kzader^ Stumble not Ht the dif agreeing numbers of the fa' 
 gesi ffr the difcourfe is intirelj continuid^ and the numbers of the 
 pages only a cafual mijtaf^^ 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
Book, 6, and Common Brrour si — 5f^ 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Oncerning thf Vulgar opimon^ that the Earth was fiexderly peopled 
 
 before the Floods 
 
 Eiide the {lender confidie ration men of< latter times do hold of the 
 I firft Ages, it is commonly opinioned, and at firft thought generally 
 imagined, thafthe earth was thinly inhabited, at leaft not rem.otely 
 planted before the flood ; fo that fome conceiving it needlelfe to be 
 imiverfal, have made the deluge particular, and about thofe parts 
 where iVe/r^ built his Ark. Which opinion, becaufe it is not only inju- 
 rious to the Text, humane hirtory, and comm.on reafon, but alfo dero- 
 gatory unto that great Work of God, the univerfal inundation ; we 
 lliallnot pafle over without ftri6t inquiiition. And (although prede- 
 termined by opinion) whether many might not fuffer in the firft flood, 
 as they iTiall in the laft Flame, that is, who knew not Adam nor his 
 offence ; and m.any periih in the deluge, who never heird of Noah 
 or the Ark of his prefervation. 
 
 Now for the crue enquiry thereof, them.eans are obfcure as the m.at- 
 ter, which bsing naturally to be explored by Hiftory, Hum.ane or Divine, 
 receiveth thereby no fmall addition of obfcurity. For as for Humane- 
 rebtions, they are fo fabulous in -D^//f^/«o»j flood, that they are of little 
 credit about Ogjges and Noabs. For the Heathens (as Varro accounteth) 
 make three diiiinclions of tim.e : the firft from, th^ beginning of the world 
 unco the general Deluge oiO<iyges-, they terme Adelon, that is, a time not 
 m.uch unlike that which was before tim.e, imm.anifeft and unknown ; be- 
 caufe thereof there is ahnoft nothing or very obfcurely delivered: for 
 though divers Authors have m.ade tome m.ention of the Deluge, as ^J^a- 
 nethon the Egyptian Prieft-, Xenofhon de <i^e[t{ivociiy Fa^ius T'lcior de Au- 
 reofeculo^ Mar. Cato de Originibt^, znd Arc bilochn* the Greek, whoin>- 
 troduceth alfo the Teftim.ony of Mofes in his fragment de tempmbns- : yet 
 have they delivered no account of whit preceded or went before, fo- 
 fefhm^ I confefle, in his difcourfe againft Affion induced the antiquity of 
 the J ewes unto the flood, and before from, the Teftim.ony of Humane 
 W'riters? injRing efpecially upou^-^/^/V^of D^«?<«/c«/, pronimm ny^^ 
 gyptitis^ and Berofm i and confirm.ing the long duration of their lives, 
 nor, only from thefe, but the authority of Befiod^ Erathim, BelUnktfs, 
 ^nd AgeJiUfu. "BerofHsi\\tCbaldeanVne.9c^ writes moft plainly, m.eii- 
 tionin:; the City of £«(;/, thenam.e ofiVc/^A and his Tons, thebuildngctf 
 the Ark, and alfo the plac:e of its landing. And IHodorm SicMlm hath 
 in his third book, apaflage, which exam.ined, advanceth as high as A- 
 ddm J for the ChaidfOnsy. faith he, derive theOriginal of their Aftrono- 
 
 Bbb m.ie 
 
 ^, 
 
— jyo^ Enquiries mto Vulgar Book.^. 
 
 mie and letters fourry three thoufand years before the Monarchy oi Alex- 
 ander the Great: now theyeares whereby rhey computed the Antiqui- 
 ty of their letters, being, as A'f»9j»^fl» interprets to be, accounted Luna- 
 ry : the compute will arife unco the time of Adam. For fourty three 
 thoufand Lunary yeares make about three thoufand fix hundred thirty 
 foure yearesj vvnich anfwereth the Chronology of rim.efrom the begin- 
 ning of the world unto the reign of Alexander, as Annim oiViterbo com- 
 puteth in his Comment upon Berofm. 
 
 The fecond fpace or interval of time is accounted from the flood 
 unto the firB Olympiad, that is, the year of the World 3174. which 
 extendeth unto the dayes of IfAtah the Prophet, and fome twenty years 
 before the foundation of iJow^: this they term Mythicon or fabulous, 
 becaufethe account thereof, efpeciallyof thefirftpart, is fabuloufly or 
 im.perfe£lly delivered. Hereof fome things have been briefly related by 
 the Authors above-mentioned : more particularly by Bares Phrygitu, 
 X>iSlys:Creteyifts^ Herodotus, Diodorus Siculuj^ zndTrogfis Pompius ; the 
 m.ofl famous Greeky OQ.ts lived alfo in this Interval, as Orpheus, LiriHs, 
 MufAHs, Homer, Hefiod; and herein are comprehended the grounds 
 and fi reinventions of Poetical fables, which were alfo taken up by 
 hiftorical Writers, perturbing the Chaldean and <i/£gypian Records with 
 fabulous additions ; and confounding their names and ftories, with their 
 own inventions^ 
 
 The third tim.e fucceeding until their prefent Ages, they term Hi- 
 fioricon, that is, fuch wherein matters have been more truly hiftorified, 
 and may therefore be believed. Of thefe tim.es alfo have been written 
 Herodotus^ Thucydides,Xenophon,Diodorus -^ and both of thefe and the 
 other preceding fuch as have delivered univerfal Hiftories or Chrono- 
 logies ; as (to omit Philo, whofe Narrations concern the Hebrevps,)Eu' 
 fehius,fulius Africanus, Qrofius , * ^j do oi Vienna, Afarianns Scotm, Hi' 
 fioria tripartita, Vfpergenfis, Carion, Tineda, Salian, and with us Sir 
 Walter Rawleigh. 
 
 Now from thefirft hereof that mofl: concerneth us, we have little 
 or noafliftance? the fragm.ents and broken records hereof enforcing 
 not atall ourpurpofe. And although fome things not ufually obfer- 
 ved, may be from thence colleiled, yet do they not advantage our dii^ 
 courfe, nor anyway m.ake evident the point in hand. For the fe- 
 cond, though it diredlly concern us not, yet in regard of our laft Me- 
 dium and fome illu/lrations therin,we fl-all be confirained to make fome 
 ufe thereof. As for the laft, itconcernes us not at all ; for treating 
 of times far below us, it can no way advantage us. , And though di- 
 vers in this laft Age have alfo written of the firft, as all that have deli- 
 vered the general Accounts of tim.e, yet aretheirTra6l:ates little Aux- 
 iliary unto ours,nor -afford us any light to detenebrate. aud clear the 
 Truth. 
 
 As for holy Scripture and divine relation, chere may alfo feem 
 
 ' "'" ' therein 
 
Book.^. AndCommonBrrmsl '^f^'^Cc 
 
 therein but {lender information, there being only left a brief narration * '' 
 
 hereof by Mofes^ and fuch as affords no determination. For the Text 
 
 deiivereth but two Genealogies, thatis, ofO/ffandi'ef^ intheiins of 
 
 Seth there are onlv ten defcents, in that of Cain but fevqn, and thofe 
 
 in a right line with mention of father and fon ; excepting that of La- 
 
 mech^ where is alfo m.ention of wives, fons, and a daughter. Notwith- 
 
 ilanding if we ferioufiy confider what is delivered therein, and what is alfo 
 
 deducible, it will be probably declared what i> by us intended, that is, 
 
 the populous and ample habitation of the earth before the flood.Which 
 
 we fhall labour to induce not from poftulates and entreated Maximes, 
 
 but undeniable principles declared in holy Scripture ? that is, the length T(,atthe etrth 
 
 of m.ens lives before the flood, and the large extent of time from Crea- was generally 
 
 lion thereunto. peopled before 
 
 WelLall only firft crave notice, that although in the rehtion oiMofes the tlood. 
 there be very few perfons m.entioned, yet are there many m.ore to be 
 prefum.ed ; nor when the Scripture in the line of Set h nominates but ten 
 perfons, are they to be conceived all that were of this generation ; The 
 Scripture lingly delivering the holy line, wherein the world was to be 
 preferved, firli in Noah, and afterward in our Saviour. For in this 
 line it is maniteit there were m.any m.ore born then are named; for it is 
 faidofthemail, th'tihey begat Tons and daughters. And whereas it is 
 very late before it i^ Lid they begat thofe perfons which are named in 
 the Scripture, thefooneil at ($. k mult not be iinderftood that they 
 h>id none before; but not any in whom it pleafed God the holy line 
 fliould be continued. And although the expreflion that they begat fons 
 and daughters be not determined to be before or after the m.ention of 
 thefe, yet muR it be before in fome ; for before it is faid that ^dam he- 
 gat Set'h at ihe 130. year, it is plainly affirmed that Cam knew his wife, 
 andh.idafon; v^hich m.utt be one of the daughters of Adam., one of 
 thofe whereof it is after faid, he begat fons and daughters. And fo for 
 ought can be dif roved there m.ight be more perfons upon earth then 
 are comar.only fupi" ofed, when Cain flew Abel ; nor the fad fo hainoufly 
 to be aggravated in the circumfiance of the fourth perfon living. And 
 v^hereas ic is fud upon the Nativity of Seth. God hath 'appointed me 
 another feed in (lead of /ibel^ it doth not imply he had no other all this 
 while ; but not any of that expectation, or appointed (as his nam.e im- 
 plies) to m.ake aprogrelTion in the holy line; in whom the world was 
 to be faved, and from^whom he lliould be borne, that was myftically flam 
 in Abel. 
 
 Now our firft ground to induce the num-erofity of people before the 
 flood, is the long duration of their lives, beyond 7. S. and 9. hundred 
 years. Which how it conduceth unto populol^ty we fhall make buc 
 little doubt, if we conuder there .ire tvvo main caufes of num.ero- 
 fityin anykinde orfpecies, that is, a frequent and m.ultiparous way of 
 breeding, whereby they filUhe world \s\i\y others, though they 
 
 Bbb 2 " exill 
 
f,^^ 372' Bn^mrieS into Vulgar Book. 5. 
 
 e>d(l: not longthemfelves? of a long duration and fubfiflence, where- 
 by they do not only replenifh the world with a new annumeration of 
 others, but alfo^ maintain the former account in themfelves. From 
 the firft caufe TVe m.ay obferve exam.ples hi creatures oviparou?, as 
 Birds and FifHty'; in verm.iparou?, as Flies, Locurts, and Gnats; ina- 
 nim.als alfo viviparous, as Swine and Conie^. Of the firrt there is a great 
 example in the herd of Swine in Galilee^ although an unclean beafl:^ and 
 forbidden unto the fews. Of the other a remarkabh one in Jthemusy 
 lt\ the Ifle Jfiipalea, one of the Cyckdes now called Stampalia^wh^T- 
 in from two that were imported, the number fo increafed, that the In- 
 habitants were conftrainedto h.ive recourfe unto the Oncle of Df/- 
 fhosy for an invention how to deftroy them.. 
 
 Others there are which make good the paucity of their breed with 
 the length and duration of their dayes, whereof there want not ex- 
 amples in anim.als uniparous ; Firft, in bifulcous or cloven-hoof't, as 
 A Million of Camxls and Beeves, whereof there is above a m.illion annually flaine 
 Beeves yearly in England. It is alfo faid of Job^ that he had a thoufind yoke of Oxen, 
 killed in £»g- ^^^ ^^ thoufand Cam.eh, and of the children of Ifrael pafTing into the 
 **" * hnd of Canaan, thatthey took from, the Midianites threefcore and ten 
 
 thoufand Beeves ; and ot the Arm.y ofSemiramii, that there were therein 
 one hundred thoufand Cam.els. For Solipeds or firm.-hoofed anim.als, 
 asHorfes, Afles, Mules, &c. they are alfo in m.ighty number, fo is it 
 delivered that Job had a thoufand ihe-Afles : that the Midianites loft fix- 
 ry one thoufand Aftes. For Horfes it is affirmed by Diodorus, that Ni~ 
 7iHi brought againft the BaBrians two hundred eighty thoufand Korfes ; 
 after him i'fw*>^»?ij five hundred thoufand Horfes, and Chariots one 
 hundred thoufand. Even in creatures ft6ril and fuch as do nor generate, 
 the length of life conduceth m.uch unto the m.ultiplicity of the fpecies ; 
 for the num,ber of Mules which live far longer then thiir Dam.s or Sires, 
 in countreys where they are bred, is very rem.arkable, and far m. ore 
 common then Horfes. 
 
 For Anim.als multifidoos, or fuch as are digitated or havefeveral di- 
 yifions in their feet ; there are but two that are uniparous, that is, Men 
 and Elephants, who though their produ<Stions be but f^ngle, are not- 
 withftanding very num.erous. The Elephant (as Ariftotle afhrmedi) 
 carrieththe young two yeares, and conceiv^eth not again (as Sdvardus 
 Lopez ^^tm^th) in many after, yet doth their Age requite thisdifad- 
 vantage ; they living com.m. only one huncfred, fometi.m.e two hundred 
 years. Now although they be rare . with us in Europe, and altogether un- 
 known unto America, yet in the two other parts of the world they are 
 in great abundance,as evidently appears by the relation of Cordis ab Hor- 
 to, Phyfician to the Viceroy at Goat, who relates that at on 2 venation the 
 King of Stan took four thoufand ; and is of opinion they are in other 
 parts in greater" number then herds of Beeves in Europe. And 
 though this delivered fro:n a Spaniard^ unacquainted with our Northern 
 
 droves 
 
Book . 6. &nd Common trrours, - - ^ / 
 
 droves may feem very f.u* to exceed ; yer muft we conceive them very 
 miT.erous, if we coniider the number of teeth tranfported from one 
 Counr«ey to another ; th^y having only two great teeth, and thofe not 
 fallingorrenevMn?. 
 
 As for man, the difadvantage in his-fingle ilTue is the fam.e with thefe, 
 andinthe lateneile of his generation fom.ewh.it greater then any; yet 
 in the connnual and not interrupted tim.e thereof, and the extent of his 
 dayes, he becomes atprefent, if not then any other ffecies, atleaft 
 more numerous then thefe befcre-m.entioned. Now bein^ thus nu- 
 merous atprefent, and in the m.eafiTrii of threefcore, fourfcore, or an 
 hundred years, if th-^ir dayes extended unto tlx, feven, or eight hundred, 
 their generations would be proportion Jibly m.ultiplied; their timiesof 
 generation being not only multiplied, but their fubfiftence continued. 
 For though the great Grand-childe went on, ih^ Petrucifis znd firft O- The term for 
 riginal would fubfift and m.ake one of the world ; though he out -lived thatperion 
 all the term.es of confanguinity, and becam.e a granger unto his proper ^''^']? ^^?°^ 
 pro'^eny. So by compute of Scripture K^dam lived unto the ninth <=°"^^"S"'"f2l 
 generation, into the dayes of Lantech thetatheroF NoAh; MethufeUh accoumd,asin 
 unto the year of the Hood; and Noah was contemporary unto all from. x\xi.Ahorci- 
 Enoch \xm.o Abrahdm. So that although fomedied, the father behold- "y^""* 
 ing fo m,any defcents, the number of Survivors m.ult ftill be very great ; 
 for if half the m.en were now alive, which lived in the laliCentury, aviikur aitrtrat' 
 the earth would fcarcexrontain their num.be r. Whereas inoursbridg- dicriaujjliit 
 ed and Septuagefmial Ages, it is very rare, and deferves aDiilick to ^<^* 
 behold the fourth ganeraiion. Xerxes com^hini rtill remaining ; and 
 what he lamented in his Army, being almoll deplorable in the whole 
 world; m.en felcoin arrivin?, unto thofe years whereby Mnhtifelah ex- 
 ceecednine hundred, and wh-it Adam Qim.e iliort of a thoufand, was defi- 
 ned icng ago to be the age of man. 
 
 Now although the length of dayes conduceth m.ainly unto the num.e- 
 roiity of mankind, and it be manifeft fro.m Scripture they lived very 
 long", yet is not the period of their lives deter.minable, and fom^e might 
 be longer livers, then we account that any were. For(to om.it that con- 
 ceit of fome, thir Ad^^m was the oldeft man, in as much as he is con- 
 ceived to be created in the maturity of mankind, that is, at <o. (for in 
 that age it is ^zi down they begat children) fo that adding this num.ber 
 unto hi? (; 3 o. he was 2 1 . years older then any of his pofterity) that even 
 Methtifelah was the longefl liver of all the children of Adam^ w-e need 
 not grant; nor is it definitively fet down by Mofes. Indeed of thofe 
 ten m.entioned in Scripture, with their feveral Ages it m.uft be true ; but 
 whether thofe feven of the line of Cain^ and'their progeny, ox any of the 
 fons or daughters pofierity after them out-lived thofe, is not expreffed 
 .in holy Scripture ; and it will feem m.ore probable, that of the line of 
 •C^/;;, feme were lonser lived then any o^Seth ; if we concede, that fe- 
 ven generations of the one lived as long as nine of the other. As for 
 
 B b b 3 what 
 
374 lEnquirieUnto Vulgar JBook.^. 
 
 what is commonly alledged, that God would not permit the life of a- 
 jiy unto a thoufand, becaufe (alluding unto that of David) no man fhould 
 live one day in the fight of the Lord ; although it be urged by divers, 
 yet is it methinks an inference fomewhat Rabbinical ; and not of pow- 
 er to perfwade a ferious Examinator. 
 
 Havmg thus declared how powerfully ihe lenj^th of lives conduced 
 unto popuIoEty of thofe times, it will yet be eafier acknowledged if we 
 defcend to particularities, and confider how many in feven hundred 
 years m.i^ht defcend from one m.an ; wherein coniidering the length 
 of their dayes, we m.ay conceive the ^reateft number to have been alive 
 together. And this that no reafonable fpirit may contraditl, we will 
 declare with manifeft difidvantage ; for whereas the duration of the 
 world unto the flood was above i^oo. years, we will make our com- 
 pute in lefle then half that time. Nor will we begin with the firil m.an, 
 but allow the earth to be provided of women fit for marriage the fecond 
 or third firft Centuries ; and uill only take as granted, that they might 
 beget children at fixty, and at jin hundred years have twenty, allowing 
 for that num.berfourtyyeares. Nor will we herein 1 ingle out ^f /■)[;»- 
 feJahj or account from the longeil: livers, but make choice of the fhorteft 
 of any we finde recorded in the text, exceptin-, Enoch -^ who after he had 
 lived as .'nany yeirs as there be dayes in the year, was tranflated at 365, 
 And thus from one /lock of feven hundred years , multiplying flill by 
 twenty, we /hil] mid thepro ;u6l robe one thoi.frnd , three hundred 
 forty feven m.illions , three hundred fixtyei^ht thoufand, four hundred 
 and twenty. 
 
 I 2 
 
 io. 
 
 400. 
 
 8000. 
 
 Century <^ 4 ^i'5o,ooo. 
 
 15 I ^,200,000. 
 6 1 46,000,000. 
 I 7 I 1,286,000,000. 
 
 » — — • — — . \ 
 
 The ProducSl '| { i,g»7.,^68,»i8 J 
 
 Confiinmople ^^^^ ^'^^'^ ^'^^ computed by Methufelah^tht fumme had exceeded five hun- 
 ihe greaicftcity xired thoufind m.illions. As large a number from, one ilock as m.ay be 
 oi Europe, conceived in Europe ? efpecially'if in (^ortfiantlnople ^ the greateftCity 
 thereof, there be no more then Setero accounteth? feven hundred thou- 
 fand foivls. Which duly confidered, we fhall rather adm.ire how the earth 
 contained irsinhibitants, then doubt its inhabitation ? and might con- 
 ceive thedclu'.e nor fim.ply penall, but in fome way alfonecelTary, as m.a- 
 ny have conceived of tranflations,if ^tiam had not finned,and the race of 
 mm had remained upo^i earth imm.ortal. 
 
 Now 
 
Book.^ and Common Srrourf, 375 s^^^j 
 
 Now whereas fome to make good their longevity, have imagined 
 
 that the year:^ of their compute were Lunnry; unto thefe we murt re- 
 \ ly : That if by a Lunary year they underftand twelve revolutions of the 
 JV:'oon, ih.it is :5=r4dayes, eleven fewer then in the Solaryyear; there, 
 will be no great c'irference ; at kart not fufficient to convince or extenu- ' 
 ate the qv.elUon. But if by a Lunary year they mean one revolution of 
 the Moon, th^tis^a moneth, theyhril introduce a year never ufed by 
 the Hebrews, in their Civ il accompts ; and what is delivered before of 
 the Chalce n years , ( as Xenofhcn giv^es a caution ) was only received in 
 the Chronology of their art>. Secondly, they contradict the Scripture, 
 which makes a'^plain enumeration of m.any moneths in the account of 
 the Deluge ; for fo it is exprefled in the Te>t. In the tenth m.oneth, in 
 the frit day of the moneth were the tops of the mountains feen : Con- 
 cordant whereunto is the relation of hum.ane Authors , Jnundationes 
 f lures ftiere^ prima novimeflris inundatio terrarum fnb prifco Ogjge* Me- ^^"Pj^^^^- ': 
 nfwi^e hec loco par ffi foji priwum diluvium Ogygitemporibii^ notatuw^ cum sotinut ''^' 
 mvem & ampliw wenftbui diem continua tjcx inumbrajjei , 1)tlcn ante cm- 
 yjfs terras radiiifoUs illuminatum fortiturr.ejue ex eo mmen. And laiily, rhey 
 fall upon an abfurdity , for they make Enoch to beget children about fix 
 years of aje. Forwhereasitis faidhebegat cJ5ffr/7///"f/<i^ at 6^^ if v^e '> 
 
 fhall account every m.oneth a year, he was at that time fome fix years 
 and an half, for fo many moneths are contained in that fpace of 
 time. 
 
 Having thusdecLired how much the length of m.ens lives conduced 
 unto thepopulofity of their kind, our fecond foundation m.uft be the 
 large extent of tim.e , from, the Creation unto the Deluge, that is (ac- 
 corring unto received com.putesaboiit 165 <j years) a longer time then 
 hath palled fince the Nativity of our Saviour: and this we cannot but 
 conceive fufficient for a very large encreafe, if we do but affirm, what 
 reafonable enquirers will not deny : Th.it the earth m.ight be as popu- 
 lous in that number of years before the Flood , as we can manifeft it 
 was in the fam.e num.ber after. And whereas there may be conceived 
 fome difadvanta :e , in-regard that at the Creation the original of m.an- 
 kind was in two perron> , but after the Flood their propagation ifliied an 
 leaft from fix; againft this we might very well fet the length of their 
 lives before the Flood, which were abbreviated after, and in half this 
 fpace contrailed into hundreds rrtd threefcores. Notwithftancing to 
 equalize accounts , we will allow three hundred years, andfo long a 
 tim.easwe canm.inifelt from the Scripture, There were four m.en at 
 leaft that begat children , Adam, C^in^ Seth, and €ms ; fo iTnall we fair- 
 ly and favourably proceed , if we affirm the world to have been as po- 
 pulous in fixteen hundred and fifty years before the Flood , as it was in 
 thirteen hundred after: Now how populous and largely inhibited it wag 
 within this period of tim.e , we fhall declare from probabilities , and fe- 
 veralteflimonies of Scripture and humane Authorj. 
 
 And 
 
^^ 37^ ^/;^Wm^ /»^o r/!z/^<tj^ Book. ^. 
 
 And firft , To manifeft the fame neer thofe parts of the earth where 
 the Ark is prefumed to have refted , we have the relation of holy Scri- 
 pture accounting the genealogy of fafhn, Cham, and Sem, and in this 
 lart, four defcents unto the divifion of the earth in the dayes of Pf/f/, 
 which time although it vveri not upon comm.on compute much above an 
 hundred years , yet were they at this time mightily encre.ifed. Nor can 
 we wfll conceive it otherwife , if we confider that they began already to 
 wander from their firdh-ibitation, and were able to attempt fo mighty 
 a work as the building ot a City and a Tower , w hofe top llould reach 
 unto the heavens. \\ hereunto there was required no flender num.ber 
 of perfons, if we confider the m.agnitude thereof, expreiiedby fome, 
 and conceived to be Turris BcU in HerodctHs ; and the m.ultitudes of 
 people recorded at the ere^^ing of the like or inferioar Structures : for 
 at the building of Solomons Tem.ple there were threefcore and ten thou- 
 fand that carried burden?, andfourfcorethoufand hewers inthem.oun- 
 tains , befice the chief of his Officers three thoufand and three hun- 
 dred ; and at the eredin^ of the Fyra.'nids in the Rei-n of King Cheops, 
 as Herodotus reports , there were decern myrUdes , that is an hundred 
 thoufuid m.en. And though it be faid of the .'Egyptians , . Vorrum & 
 ^uvetti!' cafe mfa6 vioUre & fra?}9cre worffi -^ yet r'id the fums ex} ended in Gar- 
 
 lick and Onyon>, amounr to no iefs rhsn one thoufand (ix hundred Ta- 
 lents. 
 
 The firft Monarchy or Kingdome of Babylon is m.entioned in Scri- 
 pture under the foun-iation or Nimrod , which i-; alfo Recorded in Hu- 
 V/ho Himfoi niane Hiflory ; as befide Beroftu , in Diodorus and Jaftine , for Nimrod 
 ani Affur of the Scriptures is Btlw of the Gentiles , and AJ^nr the Him.e with 
 were. JVi»^ his Succeflor. There is aUb m.ention of divers Cities , pa- tiiu- 
 
 larlyof Nineveh and RefenexpreUed em.phatically in the Text to be a 
 great City. 
 
 That other Countryes round about were alfo peopled, appears by the 
 Warr of the jVonarchs of AiVyria with the Ba5trians, Indians, Scythians, 
 j£thiopians, h rm^nians, Kyrcanians, Parthians, Periian -, Suf:an> ; they 
 vanquilHng (asI)/Wor/« relatedi) jEgypt , Syria, and all Afia Minor, 
 even from. Bofphorus unto Tanais. And it is faid, th.u Semiramis in her 
 expedition .igainif the Indian '. broui^ht along with her the King of Ara- 
 bia. About'the lame time of the Aflyri m Monarchy, do Authors place 
 that of the Sycionians in Greece, aitd foon after that of theArL,ives, 
 and not very Ion j after, that of the Athenian^ under Cecrops, and with- 
 in our period aflum.ed are hilloriiied many m.em.orable adions of the 
 Greek;, as the expedition of the Argonautes, with the m.o.T: fam.ous wars 
 of Thebes and Troy. 
 
 ThatCanardi alfo and ^gypt were well peopled far within this peri- 
 od, befides their pl.intation by Canaan andMifraim, appeareth from 
 rhcHifioiyof Abraham , who in Iefs then 400 years after the Flood,- 
 journeyed from. Mefopotamia unto Canaan and itgypt , both which be 
 
 found 
 
 1 
 
BoQk, 6. and Common ^rrouril '3^7 ^^^ 
 
 found well peopled and policied into Kingdomes: wherein alfo in 456 
 years, from threcfcore and ten perfoiis which came with Jacsb into iE* 
 ijypt, he became a mighty Nation ; for it is faid, at their departure, 
 there journeyed from Rhamefis to Succoth about fix hundred thoufand 
 on foot, that were men, befides children. Now how populous the 
 Land from whence they cam.e was, may be collected not only from their . 
 ability in commanding fuchfubje^ons and mighty powers under thefn^ 
 but from the feveral accounts of that Kin^dome delivered by Herodotus. 
 And how foon it was peopled , is evidenced from the pillar of their 
 King Ohris , with this Infer iption in T)iodoriu j Mihi pater eft SMurnns 
 deorttm junior, fum veroOfjris nx qui totHm peragravi cf bem Kfe[\ ad In-^ 
 dicrum fints^ ad los efKoq\ [nm project hs qui Jepentricysi fubjacutt ujq; <<« 
 Ifiri femes, C^a/ia^ partes ttfo- udOceanttm. Now a<xoroing unto the 
 belt determinations Ofjri^ was Aifruim, and Sutumut Sgjftiui the fam.e Vv'ho Ofnis 
 with Cham ; after whofe name -^tgy^^t is not only called in Scri^^ture the ^"^-^ ^nur^m , 
 Land of Ham, but thus m.uvh is c^llo tefti.ie.i by Fhtarch-^ for in his ^ft//"""* were. - 
 Treatife de Ofjride , he deUvereth th t Xg) pt v^as calleri Chawia a Cha- 
 wo Ncefilio , that is from. Cham the Son of Noi^h. And if according to 
 the confent of ancient Fathers, eAdam was buried in the fame place 
 where Chrift was crucified, that is, Mount Calvarj, the fird man ran- 
 ged far before ch^ Flood,and laid his bones m.any miles from that place, 
 where its prefumed he received them. And this migration was the 
 greater, if as the text exprefleth, he was c^O: out of thcJEait-fide of Pa- 
 ra dife to till the ground, rjid as the Pofition of the Ch:irubi?fi.^ iMMy- 
 eth, who were placed atiheEaft-endofthe Garden to keip tairn^ from 
 the Tree o. life. 'i-- c::'oL- ; 1 1 ' 
 
 Th.ittheextre.nn and rem.ote parts of the earth were "in'thts^TrWe 
 inh.ihiteci is pLo in kicible from the like teftimonies; for (omitting 
 the ni'ineration of fofphfts, and the genealogies of the Tons o( Nsah) 
 that Jtaly was inhabited, appeareth from the Records of Liifie, and Dio- 
 njftHs, HalicarnajffMs^ the {lory of <ty£neas, Evander, and Janitf^ 
 \^\\^\n Anneus olVittrbo, and the Choro^raphers oi Tt'klf do, make to' 
 be the iame with No Ah. Th.tt *$*/>///> was a Ifo peopled, ism.ade out 
 from, the frequent mention thereof in Horner ^ the Records of 'T^^Wurz/j' 
 and others j butefpeciallyfroma rem.arkable palfee touched by Are" 
 tius Tend Ran^aantts Bill op of LucerHtm, but fully explained by Thomas 
 Faz..elli in his accurate Hiilory o^Sicilie; that is,- from an ancient infcri- 
 ptionin a done at <Ptiw>'Wo, exprefled by him. iri'its proper characters, 
 and by a iyrlan thu5 tranflated, iVo» eFi ai-ns Vetis prater umm Deum, non 
 efi alius potenspYteter eptndem Deum,tjef^efi alius viBcr prater euTtdem quern 
 colimus BeHm'.Bti'jns tttrris pr^fe^us efl- Sapha^/m/Eliphar,^//* Elau/r/f- 
 tris jacobj?/iiIfaacJ?///Abraham.:#' turri qmdem ipjinomen efi B^ychyfed 
 tttrri hmcproxima nomen efl Pharath.The Antiquity of the inhabiraciorj- of 
 Spain is alfo confirmablie j not only fro.m B^rofas in tjie plantation oiTff^'- 
 balj^ aCity continuing yet in bisnamejbut the {lory ofG'rr/w,the'rrar^Ig 
 
 C c c of 
 
^ 378 ErKluirlesinto Vul^i^ Book.^. 
 
 of HercHles and hU pilLirs, and efpecially a pwiflage in Straboy which 
 advanceth unto the time of Nlr.m^ thus delivered in his fourth Book. 
 Jht Spaf7iards (faith he) affirm thitthey have hid Lavves and Letters- 
 above fix thoufand yeares. Now the bpanUrdi or Ibcnam oWlcrvin^ 
 (as A^wo^/jo;? hath celivered) (^yinnn tjuadrimeftrcm^ foure i^oneth{ 
 , unto a year, thi> compute will make up 2000, fol-iry ye.irc?, \vhlch is a- 
 bout the fpace of time from Straho^ who lived in the dayes of Atign- 
 fltify into the rei^n of CMinm. 
 
 That Aiiitiritan'm and the Coaft of zAfricA were peopled ve^y foon, 
 is the conjcilure of many wife men, and that by the T/;ri:;?;V;W, who 
 left their Countrey upon the invafionof Canaan by the Ifradites.^ot 
 befide the conformity of the Pmicl^or Carthaginian Lin^uage with th.it 
 o^Phxnicia, there is a pregnant and very remarkable tefUmony hereof 
 m Procopiufy who in his (Qcond d:; be//ovandaiicoy recordeth, that in a 
 town of C^iauritania Tingitana^ zhtVQ was to be feen upon two white 
 Columns in the Phaniclan language thefe enfuing words ; Nos CMau- 
 ncifumm CfHifuginiHS a facie Uhofchuctfiln JVuni^ prxdatoris. The 
 fortunate Ifiands or Canaries were not unknown ? for fo doth Straho 
 interpret that fpeech in Ilo/n. r of P rot cm unto CMer.eL-us. 
 
 Sed te qua terrdt fojiremus terminus extat-, 
 Elyfium in C(.wpHm cocLftia numlna ducHnt. 
 
 The like mi hr we affirm from credible hiflories both of France phJ 
 G rm.ny^ and probably .>lfo out of our own Countrey. For omitting 
 the fabulous and lr')cin original delivered by jeofrejf of Monn.'omlXf 
 and the exprefle text of Scripture ; that the nc^oijafh.t did people 
 thelfles of the Gentiles ; the Britiijh Original was fo obfcure in 
 Cafars timCy that he affirmeth thelnhnd inhabitants were ^^^ origi- 
 n , that is, fuch as reported that they had their beginning in the Jfland. 
 Thic/r /^^<^ourneighbotir-Ifl.uid was not long time without iiihabi- 
 tants, maybe, made probable by fundry accounts; although we abate 
 the l.rac ition of Bartlolartt^ the Scythian^ who arrived there three 
 hundred years after the flood, or the relation of (j/r<?/<^/// ; thacOy^:- 
 ria the daughter of yV»^/) dwelt there before. 
 
 Nowfhould we call in the learned account of -S(?c/)4/^^y.s deducing 
 the ancient names of Countreysfrom T/;d;/?iV/^/»f, who by their plan- 
 tations, difcoveries, and fea-ne ;otiations, have left unto very many 
 ^chm.(3toi<. Countreys, /^/M'WiV/^^j-dene'T.inations , the enquiry would be much 
 " '•*^*"'** fhorter, and if 6/j^/'« in the /*/'a?>/V/^;. -Origin il bebut the region of fc-- 
 »/Vf, Lnfitania^ or/^or///^^/ the Countrey of Almonds, xlBrittanicx 
 were at lirtt Baratanaca^ or the Land of Tinj and l hernia, or he'andy 
 were but ikmaey or the fa rrheil h 'bituion ; anJ thefe names impofed 
 and diffrerfed by Phxa'c'. n Colonies in rheir feveral navi ation^' i the 
 Antiquity ofhabicationsmi^htbemore clearly advanced. 
 
 Thus 
 
Book.^. and Common Errours, 37^ 
 
 Thus though vve have decJared how largely the world was inhabited 
 within thefpace ofi:?oo. years, yetmufticbe conceived more popu- 
 lous then can be clearly evinced ; for a greater part of the earth hath 
 ever been peopled, then hath been known or defcribed by Geographers, 
 as will appear by the difcoveries of all Ages. For neither in HerodotM 
 or ThucydUes do we finde any mention of Romcy nor in Ptolomy oivciZr- 
 ny p^rts oi Europe^ Afiaoi Africa, And becaufe many places we 
 have declared of long plantation, of whofe populofity notvvithdinding 
 or memorable aftion* we have no ancient ftory ; if we may conjedure 
 of thefe by what we finde related of others, we lliall not need many 
 words, nor aflbme the half of I ^00. years. And this we mi3ht illu- 
 firate from the mighty a^ of the Ajfyrians performed not long after 
 the flood ; recorded by Jufilne and DioAnMS^ who makes relation of ex- 
 peuitions by Armies more numerous then have been ever fince. For 
 N'mus King of AJfyria brought againfl: the Bacirtans 700000. foot, 
 2ooooo.horfe, lodoo.Chariors. Semiramu his Succeffor led againft the 
 Indians 1 500000. foot, 500000. horfe, 100000. Chariots, an3 as many 
 upon Camels; And it is faid, Stanrobat s the /»^/V» King met her 
 with greater forces then Hie brought againft him. All which was perform- 
 ed within lefle then foure hundred years after the flood. 
 
 New if any imagine the unity of their hnguagc did hinder their 
 difperfion oefore the flood , wc confefle it fome hindrance 
 acfirftjbut not much afterward. For though it mi-^ht reftrain their dif- 
 perfion, it could not their populofity; which neccflfarilie requireth tranf- 
 migration andemiifion of Colonies, as we reade of Ro varjs^Gretkj.Pha- 
 «/V/^^j in ages paft, and have beheld examples thereof in our dayes. 
 We may alfo obferve that after the flooi before the confufion of 
 Ton:^uesmenbeg.in todifperfe: fcr it is faid, they -ourneyed towirds 
 the Eaft ,* and the Scri^^ture it f-lf exprefl'eth a neceffity conceived of 
 th-ir cifperfion, fot the intent of ere^inj. the Tower is fo delivered in 
 the text, Left we be fcattered abroad upon ih^ f ice of the earth. 
 
 Again, ifnnYimaj.ine the plantation of the earth more eafic in re- 
 gard of Kavi.ation and Shipj-ing discovered fince the flood,whercby the 
 Iflands and divic'ed parts of the eatth are now inhabited; ^^ 'l^"^ *''^^" Whether an 
 fider that whether there were Iflands or no before th- flood, i^ not yet iflmds before 
 determined, and is with probability denied by very learned Au- the Fiood. 
 thots. 
 
 Lafily, if we fliall lall into apprehenfioh that it was lefle inhabited, 
 becaufe it is faid in Gen. 6. about a 120. years before the fiood, and it 
 came to pafle that when men began to mulrirly upon the ficeof the 
 earth. Befide that this m.ay be only meant of the race of Caln^ it will noc 
 import they were not multiplied before, but that they were at that time 
 plentifully encreafedrfor fo is the fame word ufed in other parts oi Scri- 
 pture. And fo is ic afterward in the gJChaper faid, that No..h began to be 
 aa husbandman, that is,he was fo;Or earneflly performed the aits therof: 
 
 C c c a To 
 
^S6 Bnquiriei intd Vulgar Book.^, 
 
 fo itis faidof our Saviour, that he began ro caft them out rhac boi^ht 
 and fold in the Temple, that is, he aitually caft them out, or v^ith ala- 
 crity effeeled ir. 
 
 Thus have I declared my private and probable conception.' m the 
 enquiry of this truth, but the certainty hereof let the Arithmetickof 
 the laft day determine ; and therefore expCvft no further belief then pro- 
 bability and reafon induce. Onlydefire men would not fwallow du- 
 bioficiesfor certainties, and receive as* principles points mainly con- 
 trovertible ; for we are to adhere unto things doubtful in a dubious 
 and opinative way. It being reafonable for every man to vary his opi- 
 nion according to the variance of his reafon, and to affirm one day 
 what he denied another. Wherein although at laft we mifl'e of truth ; 
 vve die notwithlianding in harmlefle and inoffenfive errors, becaufe we 
 adhere unto that, whereunto the examen of our reafon 5, and honeft 
 enquiries induce us. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 OfEafandiVeJf. 
 
 THe next fkail be of Eaft and Weft ; that is,the proprieties and con- 
 ditions afcribed unto Regions refpectively unto thofe htuations,' 
 which hath been the obvious conception of Phiiofophers and Geo- 
 graphers, magnity'ing the condition of India^ and the Eaftem Coun- 
 treys, above the fetring and occidental Climates, fome afcr&ing 
 hereto the generation of gold, precious ftones and fpices, others the 
 civility and naturalendovvm.entsofmen ; conceiving the bodies of this 
 fiojation to receive a fpecial im.preflion from the firft Salutes of the 
 Sun, and fom.e appropriate influence from his afcendent and oriental 
 radiations. But thefe proprieties affixed unto bodies, upon coniidera- 
 tions deduced from Eaft, Weft, or thofe obfervable points of the Sphere, 
 howfpecious and plaufible foever, will not upon enquiry bejuftified 
 from fuch foundations. 
 
 For tafpeak ftri£tly, there is no Eaft and VV^eft in niture,nor are thofe 
 abfolute and invariable,but refpe^live and mutable points,according un- 
 t© different longitudes, or diftant parts of habitation, whereby they fuffer 
 miany and confiderable variations. For firft, unto fom.e the fam.e pare 
 will be Eaft or Weft in refpe6t of one another, that is, unto fuch as in- 
 habit the fame parallel, or differently dwell from Eaft to Weft. Thus 
 as unto Spaif?y Itnly lieth Eaft, unto Italy Grccc , unto Gre c- Terfia, 
 and unto Perjta China ; fo again unto the Countrey of Chwa^ perjia li- 
 eth Weft, unto Terfia Greece ^ unto Greece Italy ^ and unto Italy Spain. 
 So that the fame Councrey is fometimes Eaft and fometimes Wtft ; ^^^ 
 ^rfm though Eaft unto Greice^ yet i? ic Weft unto China, Vnrc 
 
Book.^. andCommntrrours: ^.gj p'^iV 
 
 Unto other hibirations the fame poinc will bebwh Eaft^tnd Weft ; / 
 
 as uiito thofe that are Antipodes, or feited in points of the Globe dia- 
 metrically oppofed. So the Americans are Antipodal unto the Indians, 
 and fome part of Incia is both Eafl and Weft i>rtto America , according 
 as it il-iall be re^-arded from one fide or ths other , to the right or to the 
 kfr ; and fetting out from any middle point , either by Eaft or Weft , 
 the diftance unto the place intended is equal , iitdin the fame fpace of 
 time in nature alfoperformable. . rr-j ,. 
 
 To a third chat have the Poles for their vertejc , or dvVell in the por- 
 tion of a parallel fphere , there will be neither Eaft flor Weft , at leaft 
 the greateft parr of the year, For if ( as the name Oriental implyeth ) 
 they llall account that part to be Eaft where ever the Sun arifetb, or 
 that Weft where the Sun is occidental or fetteth ; almoft- half the^-eaif 
 they have n^^ither the one nor thfe other. For half- the year it is. below 
 their Horizon , and the other half it is continually above it , and cir- 
 cling round about them. interfe6leth not th^ Horizon , nor leaveth any 
 part^ for this com.pute. And if (which will feem very reafonable ) that 
 parr 11 ould be term.ed the Eaftern point., where the Sun at jEquinox, 
 and but once in the year arifeth , yet will ttiis ,alfo difturb the cardinal 
 accounts, nor will it with profiriety admit that appellation. For that 
 fiirely cannot be occoujited Eaft , which hath the South on both fides j 
 which ftotwithftanding this pofition m.uft have. For if unto fuch as live 
 under the Pole , that be only North which is above them. , that m.uft b^ 
 Southerly which is belowthem ; which is all the other portibn of th^ 
 Globe i befide that part poilefled by them. And thus thefe points of Eatft 
 andAA'eft being not abfolute in any,refpeaive in fom.,and not at all real- 
 ting into othe'rsiwe ranot hereon eftabliOi fo general conriderations,nor 
 reasonably ere£l fuch im.utable afl'ertions, upon fo unftable foundations. 
 Now the ground that begat or promoted this conceit , was fintami- 
 ftake in the apprehenfion of Eaft and V/eft , confidering thereof as of 
 the North and South , and computing by thefe as invariably as by the o* 
 ther; but herein, upon fecond thoi^hts there is a great diiparity. For 
 the North and Southern Pole , are the invariable terms of that Axis 
 whereon the heavens do move ; and are therefore incommunicable and Wbattiit 
 fixed points; whereof the one is not apprehenhble intheothdr. But Northern and 
 with Eaft and Weft it is quite otherwife ; for the revolution of the Orbs ^°"'>*»"»^ole9: 
 being made upon the Poles of North and South , all other points about 
 the Axis are mutable ; and wherefoever therein the Eaft point be de- 
 termined ; by fuccelTion of parts in one revolution every point becomi- 
 eih Eaft. And fo if where the Sun a;ifeth,that part be termed Eaft, every 
 habitation differing in longitude, will have this pbiriC alfo different; in as 
 much as the Sun fucceflively arifeth unto every one. 
 
 The fetond ground , although it depend upon the former , approach* 
 eth nearer the effect ; and that is the efficacy of the Sun , fet out and 
 divided according to priority of afcent; whereby his influence is con^ 
 
 Cccj, ceived 
 
'7' 
 
 >, 382 Enquiries irjto Vulvar Book.^. 
 
 ceiv«d more favourabk unto one Country then another, aiid to felici- 
 tate India more tl>en .my after. But hereby we cannot avoid abAirdities, 
 and fuch as infer effe^ls concrouble by our fenfes. For firft, by the fa-nc 
 reafcn that we affirm the /i»<^/4;< richer then the American^ the yfwf/'*- 
 crf« will a ho be more plentiful then i^t Indian, and England or Sfnin 
 mere fruitful then Ht/pajjia/a , or golden Caftle ; in as much as the Sun 
 arifeth unto the one looner then the other : and fo accountably unto a- 
 'ny Nation fubjedled unto the fime parallel , or with a confiderable di- 
 v-erfity of longitude from each other. 
 
 Secondly, an unfuft'erableabfurdity will enfue: for thereby a Coun- 
 try may be more fruitful then it felf: For India ig more fertiie then 
 SfAin^ becaufe more Eail, and that the Sun arifeth firft unto it : Spain 
 likewife by the ftm.e reafon more fruitful then America , and tAmericn 
 tiien India : fo that Sfain is lefs fruitful then thit Country , which a lefs 
 fertile Country then it felf excelleth. 
 
 Laftly, If we conceive the Sun h.ith any advantage by priority of a- 
 fcent, or makes thereby one Country more hippy^then another , we 
 introduce in^uditiable determinations , and impofe a natural partiality 
 on that Luminiry , which bein^ equidift mt from the earth , and equal- 
 SSegemmit ^X removed in ihe Eaft as in the Weft , hi 5 Power and Efficacy in both 
 exerciut. places muft be equal , as Boeti^u hith taken notice, and Scaiiger h^Lih 
 graphicjlly. declared. Some have therefore forfaken this refuge of 
 the Sun , and to falve the effect h.we recurred unto the ini-uence 
 of the Stars , making their activities Nationil , and appropriating 
 their Powers unto particular Re2,ions. So Cardan conceivcth the 
 tail of Vrfa Major peculiarly refpei^eth En'ope : whereas indeej once 
 in 24 houres it aJfo abfoJveth its courfe over AJia and America. And 
 therefore it will not be eafie to apprehend thofe Stars peculiarly 
 glance on us , who muft of neceffity carry a co nm.on eye and regard 
 unto all Countryes , unto whom their revolution and verticityis aho 
 common. 
 
 The effedls therefore or different produl- ion > in fever,^ Countryes, 
 which we impute unto the adion of the Sun, muft furely have nearer 
 and more immediate caufes then that Lum.in.iry. r^nd thefc if we 
 i place in the propriety of cli me , or ccnlition of fo'l wherein they are 
 
 t produced, we lliall m.ore reifon.ibly proceed, then they wh'>aicribe 
 
 themuntotheadliviry of the Sun. Whofe revolution bein^ re_ul'r, 
 it hath no power nor efficacy peculiar from, its orientality , but equil- 
 Jy difperfeth his beams , unto all which equally , and in the fvm.e reftri- 
 dtion , receive his luftre. And being an imiverfal and indefinite a^^ent, 
 tlie^ffeils or productions we behol i , receiv: not thdr circle from his 
 caufality , but are determ.ined by the principles of the place , or quali- 
 ties of that Region which adm.its them. And this is evident not only 
 JKgem.s, m.inerals, and miett^ils, butobfervableinpljntsandanim.als; 
 jvhpreof fome ,are common unto many Countfycs , fome peculiar 
 
 unto 
 
Book.^ A»d Common Srrours. 3 S3 J/^Jf 
 
 •unto one, fom^ not communicable unto another. For the hand of ^ 
 
 God that Hrft created the earth, hirh with variety difpofed the princi- ^^^^*^°g 
 pies of all f bin- s ; wifely contrivin.^ the-.n in their proper feminaries, "nt commode 
 and where they beft maintain the intention of their fpeties, whereof tics of fevcral 
 if iheyhcivenota concurrence, rnd be not lodged in a convenient Countrycs. 
 fr.atiix, they are not ext iced by the efficacy of the Sun; or failinj in 
 particular c'ufes , receive a relief or futfitient promotion from the 
 univerial. For although fuperiour powers co-operate with inferiour 
 JClivities , snd !riay (as lome conceive) carry a ftroke in the pis' 
 1-Iickandf:;rm?.ave dnnight of all things, yet do their determinati- 
 ons belong unto particular agents, and are defined froir. their proper 
 printiples. 1 hiis the Sun which with us is fruitful in the generation 
 of Fro; s, To.-ds2ixl Serpents , to this effeil proves impotent in our 
 neighbour IflanJ ; wherein as in all other carrying a comm«^n afpec^, ic' 
 concurrerh but inro [ reciifpofed efels; and only fufciwtes thofe forms, 
 vvhofe determinations are feir.inal, and proceed from the Idea of them- 
 felves. 
 
 Novvvvhereas there be m.any obfer\'ations concerning Eaft, and di- 
 vers conhderations dt Art which feeni to extol the quality of that' 
 point, ii' rightly unaeriiood they do not really prom.ote it. That the 
 ^ftrelrgtr takes account of Nativities from the Afcendent , that is , 
 the firfthoufe of the heavens, whofe beginning is toward the Fall, ic y^^, 
 doth not advantage the conceit. For ,• heeflabliihetb not his Judge- gicafjui) . 
 mentupon the oriaitality thereof, but confidereth therein his hrft ments rpon 
 afcent above the P.orizon ; at which time its efficacy becomes obferva- Nativitksbe 
 ble, and is conceived to have the I'lgniHcation of life , and to refpetl: the* "J?*" f">*n the 
 condition of all things, v\hich at the fame tim.e arile from their cau- " ^^"''•^'^f- 
 it'-i ^ andafcend to the Horizon with it. Now this afcenfion indeed 
 falls out refpeilivel) in the Eaft : but as we have delivered before , iii 
 fome r options there is no Ealkrn pointfrom. whence to ccm.pute thefe 
 afcentions. ^'oisit in a parallel fj-b. re : for unto them fix houfes are 
 continuallvdeprefled, and fix never elevated : and the planets them- 
 felves , wnofe revolutions are of more fpeed , and influences 6i high- 
 er confideration, m.uft find in that place a very im.perfeift regard; for- 
 half their peric&d they abfolve. above , an<i halt' beneath the Horizon. 
 And I'o for fix years , no man can have the hap^ inefs to be born under 
 fupiter : sndfor ijfteento^etherall mutt efcape the afcendent ciomini- 
 onot'Saturit.y \ci '■. -.'.i^i ' , . i. ' • 
 
 That Arijlotle in his Politicks , commends the fituation of a City 
 which is open towards the Eaft, and admitteththe rayes of the rihng" 
 Sun, thereby id implied no m.ore particular efficacy then in the Weft: 
 But that f ofition is comTr. enc'ed , in regr'rd the damps and vaparous 
 exhalations ingendred in the abfence of the Sun, are by his returning 
 rayes the fooner difpelled ; and men thereby the m.ore early en;oy a 
 clear and healthy habitation. Upon the like consideration it is , , 
 
 th«r 
 
771, 3^4 f^pirifS iKtorulgay Boo)t, ^, 
 
 ' »'■ th^C i'^/JiWJ* r^rro comm^ndeth the fai^ fituation , and expofeth hi* 
 
 P<W W'*^* F^r-m unto the i£quinoxial afcent of the Sun , and that PAlladim advi- 
 ' feth the Front of his Edifice llioqid fo refpci\ the South , that in the 
 firlt angle it receive the rifing rayes of the winter Stinne , and de- 
 cline a little from the winter letting thereof. And concordant hereun- 
 to is the inftruiUon of Cohmelhy De fofitme vi[U '. which he contri- 
 veth into Sunimer and winter habitations, ordering thit thi \A inter 
 lodgings regard the \\ inter afcent of the Sun , that is South-Eaft ; and 
 the rooms of repaft at Supper , the ^Equinoxial fetting thereof, that is 
 the Wert : th.u the Summer lodgings regard the iEquinoxial Meridian: 
 but the rooms of cxnation in the Summer , he obverts unto the Win- 
 ter afcent , that is, South-Eall ; and the Balnearies or bathing places, 
 th^t they may remain under the Sun until evening , he expofeth unto 
 the Summer fetting, that i>, North-Wefl , in all which, although the 
 Cardinal points be mtroquced , yet is the confideration Solary , and 
 onely determined unto the afpeil or vifible reception of the 
 Sun. 
 
 Jewes and Mahometans in the.fe and our neighbour parts are obfer- 
 vfid jto ufe fome gellures towards the Eaft , as at their benediilion , and 
 ti^e.ikilting of tbyir meat; . And though iB^ny ignorant fpe6^ators, and 
 •170^ a few of th<; actors conceive fome-Magick or m.yftery therein , yet 
 is the Ceremony only Topical, and in a mem.orial relation unto a place 
 they honour. So the jewes do carry a refreil and cijft an eye upon Je- 
 rufalem : foj: which pratlice they are not without the example of their 
 Forefathers, and the encouragement of thrir wife King; Forfeit is 
 
 pin, ^. fiiid that I}anfl went into his houfe , and his vvindowes being o^^ened 
 
 towards, ^frtilfkm , he kneeled upon his knees three times a day , and 
 prayed. So is it exprefl'ed in the prayer of Solomon , W hat prayer or 
 fupplicationfoeverhem.adebyany man, which lliall fpread forth his 
 hands towards this houfe : if thj? people go out to battel , and ihall 
 gray unto tha Lord toward^ the City which thou haft chofen , and c6f • 
 ward; the hou^ which I have chofln to build for thy Name , then hear* 
 tbou in heaven their prayer and their fuppiication , and maintain their 
 caufe. Now the obferva-tion hereof, unto the Jewe^ that are dif^^erfed 
 VVi^ftward, and.fuchasmort converfe withus), diredeth their regard 
 
 ^ unto the Eaft : But the words cf Solomon are appliable unto all quar- 
 
 ters of Heaven : and by the Jev\:es of the Eafl andLSouth muft be re- 
 garded in a contrary polition. So Dariiel in Babylcn looking toward ^e- 
 r^/<«^»f,, h^dhis face toward theWefJ;. Sa! the Jewes in their own 
 land looked upon if from all quarters. For the Tribe of Judah beheld 
 it to the North : Manaffes, Zfihulon , and Nepthali unco the South : 
 iim^f» and <v^ unto the VVeft ; only the Tribe oi Dan regarded it di- 
 
 Itt^eii. xe^Uy or to the due Eaft. So when it is,'£Tid, when you fee a Cloud 
 rife out of the We(l , you fay there cometh a lliower^ and.fo it-is ; the- 
 .o^f^rvatiott was refpeitiye unco jndM : nor. is this ^ reafonableillation 
 
 in 
 
mail Qtte Nations wh^tfpev^ : For tb^ Sea ky Wtft ontatfajt Counr 
 $iy> mUI the winds brought rain from liiat quarwr; But this confides, 
 ration cannot be transferred \mto India oi China ^ which have a, vail 
 SeaEaflward, and a vafter Continent toward the Weft. Solikewife 
 when it is faid in the vulgar Tranflation , Gold comcth out of the ^'^^* 
 North , it is no reafonable inducement unto us and many other Coun- 
 tryes , from fome particular mines feptentrional unto his (ituaticn , 
 to fearch after that mettalincoldand'Northern Re^ons, which we 
 moft plentifully difcover in hot and Southern habirations. 
 
 For the Mahoraetans,as they partake with all Religions in fomeching^ 
 fo they imitate the Jew in this. For in their obferved ^eftures , they 
 hold a regard unto Mecha ^nd Medina Talnabi , two Cities in Arabia 
 fdiix i wheEe their Prophet was horn and buried ; whither they peD- 
 f Qi:m their pilgrimages : and from whence they exped he tliould' return 
 again. And therefore they direct; their foces unco thefe part* ; vvbicb 
 untothe. Mahometans of ^4r^^7 and -E^7;>t lie Eaft, and are ili fome 
 p<>int thereof unto many other parts of Turky. Wherein notwithftand' 
 ingjhere u no Oriental refpeiV; for with the fame devotion on the or- 
 ther fide they regard thefe pares toward the- Weft;, and. fo with variety 
 wherefoever they are feated^ co»forming -unto the ground of their con- 
 ception. 
 
 Fourthly, Whereas in the ordering of the Camp of //rae/, the Baft 
 quarter is appointed unto the Nobleft Tribe , that is the Tribe of' fft^Mh, 
 according to the command of God , In the Eaft-fide toward the lifing 
 of the Sun, lliall the Standard of the Tribe of yw^i^ipitch : if doth' not Num.%, 
 peculiarly extol that point. For herein the Eaft- is not to be taken 
 ftridly,butasirrit:nineth or implyeth the foremoft.phce; for ^i/^^ 
 had the Van , and many Count ryes through which they pafled were featt- 
 ed Eafterly unro them . Thus much is implyed by the Original , and e^i. 
 prefled by Tranflations which ftriitly confonn thereto : So TrwteliMt 
 Andfaniju, CafirahabenttHtnabtinteriere^arteOrieyitem vtrftti ^ ixxih 
 lumef^o cajirorum Jtide-^ fo hath R. Sobtacnjatichi&cgormd^iz^x^t 
 foremoft, or before, u the Eaft quarter ,andi the VVeft is called be- 
 hinde. And upon this interpretation may all be Gilved that is alledgi^ 
 ble againft it. For if the Tribe of Jftdah were to pitch' b^fisre the • Ta* 
 bernacle at the Ea(l , and yet to march firft , as is commanded , ^umiK 
 ic. there muft enfue a diforder in the Camp V nor couid ^ they conveni- 
 ently obferve the execution thereof; For when^ they fete oat; fro!ft 
 ./I/«»«f J/;74 6 where the Command was dehvered , they m^ide-b^Ki*- 
 ward unto Rithmah ; from Rijfah unco Ezicftgaber , abouc fourtfeeft fti- 
 tions they marched South: From Almon DUlatk'airt^ itito\.\A\ ihit 
 Mountains of Tabarim and plains of Moab towards fordan the fa':e 
 of their march was Weft : So that if fftdah were ftriclly to pitch 
 iAl-tht-Eaft of the Tabernacle, every nif.ht he encamped in the 
 Rear : And if ( as fome conceive ) the whole Camp could not be 
 
 Ddd Jefs 
 
^/y-f gStf Enquiries into Vul^sr Book.tf* 
 
 lefs then twelve miles long, it had been prcpofterous for him to hive 
 
 marched foremoft ; or fet out firft who was moft remote from the place 
 
 to be approached. 
 
 Fifthly , That Learning, Civility and Art^ hid their beginning in the 
 
 Eaft , it is not imputable either to the ailion of the Sun , or its Orien- 
 Whefe the %i\\X}j , but the firft plantation of man in thofe parts , which unco Ett^ 
 f^'^'^if^k*' r^'f? do carry the refpea of Eaft. For on the mountains of Ararat ^ 
 lomc thinic. ^^^^ ^^ p^^ ^^ ^^^ j^-j j j-^^^^ ^ between the Eaft-Indies and Scjrthh, as 
 
 Sir W. Raleigh accounts it , the Ark of Noah refted ; from the taft rhey 
 travelled that built the Tower of BAbel : from thence they were difber- 
 fed and fucceflfively enlarged, and Learning good Arts , and all Civility 
 communicated. The progreflion \^hereof was very fenfible ; and if we 
 confider the diftance of time between the confuficn of Babel , and the 
 Civility of many parts now eminent therein , it traveUed late and flow- 
 
 I iy into our quarters. For notwithftanding the learning of Bardes and 
 
 •. ^ U Druidejof elder times, he that fhall perufe that work of Tacittu de mo- 
 
 ' ribni Germanorum , may eafily difcern how little Civility two thoufand 
 
 years had wrought upon that Nation : the like he may observe concern^ 
 jng our felves from the fame Author in the life of ^gricola , and more 
 ^ diredtly from i'/r4^o , whorothec]illionourofourPrf<;/rfr/fcr/, and the 
 difparagement of thofe that glory in the antiquity of their Anceftors, 
 affirm the Britains were fo fimple , that though they abounded in Milk, 
 they had nor the Artifice of Cheefe. 
 
 LaftJy, That the Globe it felf is by Cofmographers divided into Eaft 
 and Weft, accountingfrom the firft Meridian, itdoth not eftablifli this 
 conceit. For that divifioais not naturally founded, but artificially fet 
 down, and by agreement; as the apteft terms to define orcommenfu- 
 rate the longitude of places. Thus the ancient Cofmographers do place 
 the divifion of the Eaft and WefternKemifphere, that is the firft term 
 of longitude in the Canary or fortunate Iflands ; conceiving thefe parts 
 the extreameft habitations Weft ward : But the Moderns have altered 
 that term , and trimfl.ited it unto the Azores or Iflands of Saint Michael^ 
 and that upon a plaui.ble conceit of the fmali or infenhble variation of 
 the Compafs in thofe parts , wherein neverthelefs , and thoueh upon 
 fecond invention , they proceed upon acomm.on nndno appropriate 
 foundation; for even in that Meridian farther North or South the Com.- 
 pafs obfervably varieth ; and there are alfo other places wherein it va- 
 riefh not , as Alphonfo and Rodoriges de Lagn will have it jbout Gapo de la* 
 ^Agttll asm Africa^ as^-/<ro/»c»jaftirmethin the (horcof Pelcponne- 
 /w in Europe: and as (y»7^f r/w averreth , in the midft of great Regions, 
 in moft parts of the earth. 
 
 CHAp^ 
 
Book.^. mdCommfi Err0ttru i^f jpr 
 
 CHAP. VIIL 
 
 Of the %iver Nilm, 
 
 HEreof uncontroulably and under general confent many opinions 
 are paflant , which notvvithftanding upon due examination, do ad- 
 mit of doubt or reftri6lion. It is generally efteemed, and by m.oft unto 
 our dayes received , that the River Nllui nath feven oltiaries ; that is, 
 by feven Channels disburdneth it felf into the Sea. Wherein notwith- 
 fbnding, befide that we find no concurrent determination of agespaft, 
 and a pofitive and undeniable refute of thefe prefent ; the affirmative is 
 mutable, and m.uft not be received without all limitation. 
 
 For fome , from whom, we receive the greateft illuftrations of Anti-^ 
 tjuity, have made no mention hereof ; So//a»frhath given no nuni-" 
 per of its Channels, nor fo m.uch as the name thereof in ufe with all 
 Hiftorians. Sratoflenes in his defcription of <^gyft hath likewife pafled 
 them over. Arlflotle is fo indiftintl in their names and numbers, that 
 in the firft of Meteors he plainly affirmeth the Region of zy£g/pt (which ^^^^ ^^ 
 we efte'em the ancienteft Nation in the world)wa?a meer gained ground, (^^ ^ became 
 and that by the fetling of mud and limous matter brought down by the dry laad. 
 Rfiver A//«i, that which was at firlt a continued fea, was raifed at laft 
 into a firm' and habitable Countrey. The like opinion he held of Meo- 
 rts Talut^ that by the floods of Tanals and earth brought down thereby 
 it orew obfervably fhallower in his dayes, and would In procefs of time 
 b^piife a firm land. And though his conjefture be not as yeefulfilled, 
 yeif is the like obfervable in the River Gil on-, a branch of Euphrates 
 and Oliver of Paradife , which having in former Ages difchatged it felf 
 into the Perfian Sea , doth at prefent fall fliort ; bein^ loft in the Lakes 
 oi CI: aided., and hath left betvveen the Sea, a large and confiderable part 
 of dry land. ;■; ' >.'.';''' 
 
 Others exprefly treating ^h^reof, have diverfly delivered them.felves; 
 J^erodotm in his Euterpe makes m.ention of feven ; but carelefly of 
 two thereof; that is BaiiinKum, and Bucolicnmy for thefe, faith he, 
 were not the natural currents, but made by Art for fome occafional con- 
 venience. Strr.ho in his Geo?japhy naming but two , Teleufiacttm and 
 r^A?«;?/f?/w V plainly afh"mieth\here were many more then feven; In- 
 t(rha'callaqmtjejuey&c.'\\\txt ZTQ. {{^\xh\\^) m.any remarkable towns ..■/> 
 
 within the currents of Njlc ,. efpecially fuch which have gi^***n the' 
 nam.es unto the Oftiaries thereof, not unto all, for they are eleven, ahd 
 ^ur belides , but unto feven and m.oft confiderable : that is CanoficMmy 
 Bo/i^itimm y Se/efifjeticum ■, SebenKet'ia^my 'VharHnictim ^ Mendejttitni' 
 TanklcHm mdi Teltijiumx wherein to make up the num.be r , one 
 of the artificial channels o^Heri\dom is accouiired. Ttobmj an ^A-gyf-^ 
 
 Ddd'« ' f/^'^j 
 
^74 t^8 Enfthies tHHVul^ Bo6k, 5V 
 
 tian^ and born at the Tf /«/*/«« mouth oi Nile , in his Geography ma- 
 kethnine: and in the third Mi]|>56f^//«*t, ha^h unto their mouths pre- 
 fixed their feveral Names; Heracieoticnm , Bolbiiinum ^ SebenneticHm, 
 'Plrjepmm-, Diolcos-, ^^athm trvftrnf ^eftdejinm-, Tanlt'icam , Teleujia- 
 cnm : wherein notwithftanding there are no lefs then three different 
 names from thofe delivered by T//«7. All which comidered , we may 
 eafily difcern that Authors accord iiot either in name or rium1?er f and 
 muft needs confirm the Judgemeht of Maglmfs , deOfiiorum NilinHr 
 mero nomhtilfHs ■) valde ahtt^uifcriptoresdifcordant. 
 
 Modern Geographers and travellers do much abate of this number, 
 for as vi/^//W and others obferve, there are now biit three or four 
 moneths thereof; as 6'«//V//»«^ T^r/W long ago , and Bellon-ui fince, 
 both occular e^jnirers with others have attefted, For below C^/Vi?, the 
 River divides itfelf into foiir branches , whereof two make the chief 
 and navigable ftreams, the oiie runnmg to Tf/A^/T/^w of the Ancients, 
 and nOYfDamiata-y the other unto ^<?w/>/W , and now i^c^/c.-rr^ ; th^ 
 
 tf*i<<.R<lation other two, faith Mr>, Sandys , do run betweeii thefe ; but poor in wa- 
 ter.-. Of thofe feven mentioned by Herodotpu , and thofe nine by Tr a* 
 iomy t thefe are all X "could either fee or, hear of. Which much confirm- 
 etih the teftimony of the Billiop olTyre , a diligent and occular ^nqnl- 
 rer\ who in his holy war doth thus defiver hiihfelf. We wonder much 
 at the Ancients, wno affigned feven mouths unto Nilm : which we c^ 
 no otherwife falve, then tnat by procefs of tim.e, the face of places is al- 
 tered, and the River hath loft his channels ;^ or that our fore-fathers did 
 never obtain a true account thereof. :-,.;.,,. . 'r\^n'^- ,\i 
 
 And therefor^ when it is faid in holy yrr//>/«rf , The torS^ih^f /^ 
 terly deftroy the tongue of the J^gyplan i^^ ^ and with his rhi^^ 
 
 J|a.i|. X Ji If. ^^^ y^ ^^jj ^^^ j^-^ y^^^^ ^^gj. j.j^ Riyej. .^ >ind fliall fmite it in the fe- 
 ven ftreams , and make men go over dry-fhod. If this expreffion coh^ 
 cerneth the River Nllm-iit muft only refpeit the feven principal ftreams. 
 But the place is very obfcure , and whether thereby be nor m.eapt the 
 River Sufhrates , is not without good controverlie , as is colledibfc 
 ff om the fubfequent word? ; And there ftiall be an highway for the remr 
 nant of his people, tbat fhall be left from y4^r/<« , and from the bare. 
 
 gf^H9Ui* name^/Wr, emphatically ftgnifying Sn^hrMes^ and thereby the di- 
 
 eST\ X ^^°" ^^ f h^ Ajfyrian Stnplre into many fra6lions , which might faci- 
 Ij, litafe their rff^«r«: as Grotlm hath obferved ; and is more plainly made 
 
 Vf|«i»i6.ix. ' out, if the ^p<?crr/'/'«« of ^_f^r^, and that of the ^f<7c^/;'// have any rer 
 ladonhejeta 
 
 LaftV^', whatever was or is their num.ber , the contrivers pf . C'^rJs 
 and Maps afford us no afl'urance or conftant defcription therein. For 
 whereas Ttolomy hath fet forth nine , Hondlm in his Map of Afrlcat 
 makes but eight, and in that of Europe ten. Ortelim in the Map of the 
 Turkjfh S^jHpre , fetteth downeight , in that oi^yfg^ypt eleven ; and 
 M^gtnw in his Map of that Gonntrey hath obferved the fame number. 
 . . And 
 
Mid If" we^iiift fafthcfy wflihailithderffe fimtftllvcffllty ^'d aifto^g 
 
 rri cHversOtReir^. - ■ '"■■ c' •' ■ hj : m'; ;; i/.-- - .:u;' :: •.■ r: :. ;; -. - ..: 
 Thas may \\-fe pfe r<iet<'fe that this a^t'buntita'srferentlyreiitecl byth^ 
 Ancient ^^ that k is wickhiably re jelled bytthe M<^derrt*y and rhuit be 
 fVciHIy received by any. For if we receive them all into account, they 
 Wel^e more then fev;:ti, if Grtlythdnaturil^UceSj they wefe fewer; and 
 hovverer we fe«^^ive*h'em, there Ys no a^reiable 'iiid cortft^nt defcri- 
 ptibn thivecf. And- therefore hbW teafonable'if is to draW cohtinit- 
 aland durable t^edu^lions from alterable ^nd tthd^tfaih Foundational 
 let theih confid^r who make the gates of T/^(r^f!r, and the rnouths bf 
 this Rivei: a confianr and continued periphrafis for this number, and in 
 tbeir Poetical expreflions do giVe ihe' 'Rivef^ihat Epithite utitio^ cft2^ 
 i^. ' - ■■■'■ ■!■'■• ^:-' ■ - \ --^^^ 
 
 The fame River is alfo acc<&\inted rhle! ' greaiteft df the feafth, baH^ 
 thtvtliotQFlHvidrH7» Pater.)''3Lnd 7 otitis Or^ts Jt^'A'xijKm^ \yyOrt<^iitt) : if 
 this b6 ti-ue, many Maps ffiuft^be corrected, or the relations of di\rer$ 
 gbpfl^ATufhor^ reiiouncecl-// .^-..^ •/, . laiii r; '. r-^ >..:. 
 
 Fof firft, in the delincatiftift t<f Ifiiny Maps of J^frica, the RIt*? 
 iVr^Vcrexcecdeth it about ten degrtesifi length, that'4^j flo Ifefleth^ 
 ilk mm^fed Wileis. For arifing beyond thb ^Cquatot ic maketh Nbft^ 
 mrd^il'rhoft i ^.' degf ees, ' and deHetog afte t We{ilward,' \vitHou^ 'WA 
 ^riWers, c'dntinueth ^teit courfe ^boiit 40: degiree^j and at length Avich 
 hfiny ^reat Cutfelits ' dlsbtirdeiieth'itT^lf inf thfe Occidental Ocean. A- 
 gain,' if we credit the defcriptions of go6d Authors, other Rivers excel 
 it^irtlength;6rbreadth,orboth. ' yirrihrtiss 'in4i{| hiffery o? '^ iexdt^etef'^ 
 iiTigf^aV the^firft place «iht6 fhe Rivfet X^J/iges \ VVliichJ^tryyjtfeedfaihg 
 afltb latter rfelakrori'^, if hfet inleftg-th, ^etin breadth^ndde^^ti'nl£y.%i 
 grai?fed •fo'^kcelit. T6r the magnitude of 'N'tlvi^ tioftdfteth in th^ 
 Amenfiondf lt)r{gitude,afldis inconfiderable in the o^r ; vvhat-ftr^ftl 
 it maintaineth beyond ^/f;?^ or ^f>^a-). and fo forward unto its- ori^i^ 
 nafi, iel^i'tioris ate Ve'tyim^ffea; butbefbvv the'fe jplaeei, addftfther 
 relrfoved fr6m theh^d,' the cutreiitis but lYai^rbw, afici wer^a^i^eiH 
 the HiSory of the 7'^ri(>', the-"r^rf^r horfemen\df'5f7^»,li, fftani 
 over tl^A^/Vf from Ckiro^ to meet the ioitt^o^Tbrionibiiii. B'a^tifia penitura(y 
 5f<?rf /■/? expi^fly treating hereof,' preferreth the River 6fP/^rfin ^i *«<'«'«<«<' N»: - 
 /we-r/V^; for that zsMajfem hath delivered, falleth into the Ocean in '" 
 the I^itu^e^^bf fourty leagues 5 and with that four ce and plenty that 
 merr'atfe^'db' tafte frefh'VvaPteri before they approafch-fo near as'ib 
 oifcoi^er' th6"' laiid. So is it exceedefd by that Which by Ctrrdav is teriii'ed 
 th^^f^afeft' in the world, j:hat is the Rjiver Ore^ liana iri the fame Coit- 
 tinent;, which, ^sMaglm^s delivereth, hath been' navii^ated dooo. 
 miles ';^ a'ild bj>ens in a chaiinel of ninety leagues broadi fo that, as ayf- - 
 ro/?^ an ocular vvitrtefle, recordeih, they that faik in the middle, caxii 
 iteait^ no HridoFeithcrflde. . 
 
 ' Now the ground ofmisMertionwas furely the magnifying effeem 
 
 Pdds. of: 
 
(^-"i '. 
 
 The greatcft 
 Cities cf the 
 
 World. 
 
 The higheft 
 
 Hills. 
 
 toaim9. 
 
 J^o Enquiries into Vulvar Book.^. 
 
 of ,^hptAnci€tit5j arifmg from the indifcovery of its head For as 
 things unknown feem greater then they are, and are ufually received 
 with amplifications above their nature; fa might it a I fo be with this 
 River, whcfe head being unknown, and drawn to a proverbial obfcurity, 
 the opinion thereof became wichout bounds; and men mult needs con* 
 ceit a large extent, of that to which the difcovery of no man had fee ^ 
 period. And this an ufiial way to give tjie fuperlatiye unto things of en 
 minency inany^kind; aiid when a thijlg is very great, prefently to de- 
 fine it tobe-thegreateftofall. "VShercas indeed Superlatives are dif- 
 ficult ; whereof there being but one in every kinde, their determinations 
 are dangerous, and m.uft not be made without great circumfpeilion. So 
 the City of Ao«,f ismagnihed by the Latlms to be the^reatelt of the 
 earth ; but time and Geo^ raphy inform us, that Cairo is bigger, and 
 ^ififujfinChiftahr exceedeth.both. So isQlymfm extolled by the 
 Gre kj) as aa hill attaining unto heaven ; bur the enlarged Geography 
 of aftet-times m.akes fjght account thereof, when they difconrfe of -^«- 
 des in Pi^ru^ o: Tcfieriffn'mihtC^.rty.ries. So have all Ages conceived, 
 and nioft; are Hill ready to fwear, the Wren is rhe leaft of Birds ; yet uhe 
 l^iGoveries of <>^rn^T^(^At «»ndeven of our own plantations havefliew* 
 ed us one far kflfe ; sth.-,t:y, ihfe Htvmbitd,- not niuch exceeding a Beetl^.; 
 K^d truly,- ^f^r the-le^rt ?ndgre-a4;eft, th§ hii^heft and the loweJi of every, 
 kinde, as it is very difificultjo define JthemiA>!iiibl& things u^iio is iti^ 
 und«?rftandin things tnvjk-ible/'This is no .<*afie kj^f^n: tq >-oinprehend the 
 firft matter, and the afel:ipns of thai ,vvhich isney.tnoi^hbouf unto 
 nothing, but irr^olli?!^ truly .fOvCprnpreh^^nd^Godj who in^Jee^ if 
 all thii^gs.u;^ppri 4i;i;>gs as they ariijj unto ',p^^^ and approach- 
 
 untoGod»;.of defcend. to im|verft:6i*Gn, -and drayv . nearer unto nor, 
 thing, fall both imperfe611y into our apprehenlions, the one being 
 too weak for- oiiTrrconccption, our conception too weak for the 
 other.^ Q-iiii iyii:raoi <h^:a^- 
 
 Thirdly, diy^^ cpnff^tions there arc <pncernin; its iiicrem^nt or iiirr 
 ^n^atipn. Xhefir(^unyv*irily opinions^ that this encreaieorannual or 
 veriptowing is proper umo Jv^//^, and not agreeable unto, any orher R^ 
 ver ; which notwithdandiii::; is common unto many currents of -(<(fr/c^,. 
 For about the fame ytinie the River N/t>^fr ;^i\^ Zaire do overiflovvi 
 and fo do the Rivers beyond the MountainS'.of the Moon, as Suaftja, 
 and Spirlro Snu: o. And not only the fe in^y^fnca, bur feme aUb in £/^, 
 rop and v^/?W, .for fo.it is re^pprt^dof ^'^<'«?»«M?'/.^'*^ ^^4 ^^ dothr^^c- 
 tfro report of Djiiyia in Lii^oni^ f.iind ch^fii^^^H'^lfo obferA^ablc.in th^ 
 Jofti.3 River Jordan in ''udea. ; for fo i$ , it delivfCfedi, ti\-i^.jprJ{a»- .oyerfiowefh 
 
 allhisbanksin tl^fimcofharvdK . - A r of • ■ -i - 
 
 Theeffeil indeed iswondejrful inalL' anfl'thecaufesfurelybeii re- 
 folvabJe from obfervarioii> ma^e in phe!Go>mtreys_themfylv^s, the parts 
 through which they pafle, or whence they t.ike their Q;ri^n.il, ,, That of 
 A^/7w hath b,;en attempted by many,, i^nd by fomc to that defpair 
 
 of 
 
Book.tf A»d Common Srrot4rl, 3pi JJ^f 
 
 of refolution, that they have 6nly referred it untdth? Pfoyidcncc of 
 God, and his fecrct iiYanuduftion of all thmgs unto their ^ends. But T * '""/' °' 
 clivers have attained the truth, and the caufcs alledgedbyD<«^or«*,5f- ingofNi?iiN 
 »<T<?, .5"/ r^^«7, and others, is aUovvable; that the inundation of 7V/7wiir ' 
 
 Egjpt proceeded from the rains in <.y£thiopia\ and the mighty fourcc 
 of waters falling towards the fountains thereof. For _ this ^inundatioih 
 ci)to I he Effjr^ti^.m happeneth when it is \^ irire^littto- the. • Ethii^'tms^ 
 which h^ibiiations, although they have no cold Visiter, (the ^uri^tefirop 
 no farther removed from them in Cancer, tlieii unt6us in Taut usy 
 yet is ihe .fervour of the aire fo well remitted,, as it admits a Sufficient* 
 j.eneration of vapours, and plenty ofi'fhr'ovvresenfiiift^thcreupdn. This 
 Theory of the Ancients is finee eoiifirined by 'expefrience of the Mo- 
 derns ; by Frmcifcus /I'harez,^ v^ho &^'^ l<5n^ in thofe- parts, 'ind left 
 adefcriptiopofc/£t/:t&/>/^; •afiifmrrtg-chat froW ^-rtiiddk bf fuKi? 
 unto Sejitr/jthtr, there (qW in his;time continual faines. As alfb- 
 j4montHs Ferd'wandm^ who in an, EpiWd written from thence, and' 
 noted by Codlgms , affirmeth, that dii'ririg the " Winter, in thofe Coun-- 
 treys titfrepafled no day without rain. , j- !;:._., ..A ... 
 
 Now this is alfo ufuai, to tranflate a rem.arkable quality into a-^ropri- 
 ery, and where we adm.ire an effeft in one,' toopiriibn there is not the 
 rilce in any other. W ith thefe conceits do common apprehenfions en- 
 tertain the antidotal and- wondrous condition of Ireland -, conceiving 
 only in that land an immunity from venomous creatures: but unto 
 him. that fhall further enquire, the fame will be affirmed of Cvetay 
 memorable in ancient ftories, even unto fabulous caufes, arid benedi- 
 ction from the birth of ■jHpiter. The' fame is alfo found m-'Ehujw 
 or Evifa, an Ifland near ii/< j<>rc<« upon the Coaft of Spaik. With" 
 thefe apprehennons do the eyes of neighbour-Spectators behold e/4E:r«^^ 
 the flaming mountain in Sic ilia ; but Navuators tell us there is a burn- 
 ing mountain in Illmd , a more rem.arkable one in Ten riffa of the 
 Cf.narics^ and m.any Vulc:no's or fery Bills elfewhere. Thus Croco- 
 diles were thought to be peculiar unto Nile^ and the opinion fofpfifefled' 
 Alexander^ that when he had aifcovered fome in Gano^ es, he fell upon 
 conceit he h^d found the head of Nilas ; but later dtfcoveries affirm,- 
 that they a; e not only in Afta and Africa^ but very frequent in fome. 
 riversof -^»-'? c^. 
 
 Another opinion confineth its Inundation, and positively affirm- h 
 
 eth, it conftantly encreafeth the feventeenth day of un. ; where- 
 in perhaps a larger form.e of fpeech were fafer, then that which 
 pun6t.ua Uy prefxerh a conftant day thereto. For this exprcflion is 
 different from that of the Ancients, as Herodotus, DiodormySenecuy 
 &c. delivering only vhat it happeneth about the entrance of the Sun in- 
 to Cancer; wherein they warily deliver them.felves, and referve a reafon- 
 abfc Jatitude.So when Hippocrates faith,iS»^ Cane & ante Canem dijjicilef 
 fmt pHrgattQnes I There is a latitude ofdayes comprifed therein;. 
 
 ioi 
 
' ■ , ^ ^ . deliv^^ tbief affi^tipjis io€ hmm^i with, che • *var^ terjnps of C/Vc rf., (^ 
 ,M,iH! §' mfign^fx^f^fe: ,*n<ft »i)en llypodorm tr^nflateth that pare of his, 
 
 ,^\|i^»f^^f »yc-^/^^<'rcf^r ^iflfyrdlm'^U. rienders ic J^'nittjit'io ; becaufe th^; 
 e5^P0feQ*v^ffp4:de(ikftbe! i^k.wii of • cisv^r? 4%l^ ^ po^ . ^ftirmin^ i; 
 "^Pg^)^^hb<fjfjarevihe;l!^^,ofie^; he altoue^h but one day, thafiis, the 
 Cajcnds J foip iAthe(f^<'W'«^jA|;cok#c,. tfe^fecon^day isthe fpurtfa^of 
 
 r.;^«aif^ we^e'the day^efinitivpi it hag^iprenfeiited the delufioh of ihi 
 d^vili. i)OT,cp4ld.h^have,gain^diappI^uf<?%( its prediilioi^^j yvho.nqt;- 
 
 ^^!^bi^tid^X^^-<^^^^-'^^J^^^i^^-jfh'^:>d^-'^^ -^'P^A^^i- relateth^'to mag^ 
 niSe i?«i kftawlpifeft »fi*hing;^l^,' ftOir^ii whe n, hi percdved:theraines 
 JiqifaJjUfi t^ff^t^/jirfj^r-WfiiuCpref^S^iUntOijlm E-g/ptiaKf the day of its 
 inujpcatipn. ^nd tbisvypuid al/o fnakj^ ufvleffe that nacijral expeii;" 
 m^iK obfery^d. in earth, or fandabputiithe Rjiver ; by the weight wk^- 
 of(as good Authors report) they ^yg uj^i^fi,ti^sday,a knovykd^f, of i^s ; 
 ei^tieafei >:r 't:r.;,p,:.L- ■. ,-1-: r_ ^'.r -• - » , : . : ^;,-, ,•' 
 
 . iajQifyj in imot C^ftfojuble, A<^ fvpri?J>I^ and unftabk caufes, - to d^,. 
 riys a .iixftdMcid. co^i^a'nt cfe\, and fu^h' are thsi caufes of, this inunda- 
 tif«i,>whi^h fahnpt indeed be regular, and therefore their eflfe^ noc 
 J3«:<f»gnp.ftkabk Ji.k?^ £clig>resH .. iB^r . d?pei-jding upo^ rl^e clouds an4 
 cjefcent of iTipvyer^ in: <:^thiop/ii^ vvhith h jye their ^enetfition fronfi va-« 
 pprpuS(e^haJai^ion>'i^ they.muftftibmip/thei^rex^nce ufjto conclngeti'v 
 ci^, and.iiidur-etiaAtitipaupft'pnri receiCpn froin th^ movable cqndiiii^, 
 pftLOf thw caufes. , . And th^rdforej fom,e yearsrthyri?, hack bc>;n iio tv^ 
 crea/e ac aU, a^ f<{>aae: conceive in the yeai;s ot/ainine wider I'tjaraoh^ as 
 StneQky. and. diyefs;rdate of .the eleventh year of r/t«>/».tf/-<z ; nor 
 nine >)^ars together, as.i-J. teflihedrbvC^/(/?/'f«c-?. Som.e years ith-ichj 
 alib' reoardtd, aad.catse Ar later tXnen uiijally it was expected, as 3.C-, 
 coi:<^%' toSi^^pp^yi^Xifi JVtcephrjii i<: hnippened.'uvthedayesof Theo- 
 <^./^<.; i Avhereat the people vyeterecidy to mutiny, becaufe they mi^t 
 not facriiioe . unto the Ri . er, according to the cuf ionie of rheir Prede- 
 
 Now this is alfo .in ufual way of miftake, and many are deceived whor 
 too ftiidVty confkue the tecaporal confideratio^l of thiii^s. Thus bpoks 
 wilLteli us, and Yv:e are made .tp.beUeve; th..ic. rlie fourteenth ye^r males 
 aiciftrr-inificai ^nd pubficejit ; but hg thit^iliaHenquire into thegpner^ 
 lity, will rati}iiriidher^ unto the cautelous aflertion of cArifior/e^ that 
 IS, his fepiem a»w'i (^■4S^s^U1d fhcnhv/i.rjafU^Ax parte. That Whvlps 
 arel:^indenineday^?,andBhen begin to fet;:, is generally believed, but as, 
 wehave elfe\vheredeclaj4d, irisejceading;rjire.i nor .da their eye-,-lids ur 
 fually oj?en until-the tvvelftJi^ flrtdio^lte.ti'i^es not bftfof;^ th^-fpurreei^^; 
 cJ|iyU Ahd.jto ipeakiiiaiUyi aja bawfdai^k «tecmnpuioii.iAis unto flur 
 
 duatm^ 
 
Book.^. md Common ErtMru '3^1 y^/ 
 
 6kuating and indifferent efifc^ls, to affix apofitivc type or period. For 
 in dfefts of far more regular cafualicics, difficulties do often arifc, 
 and even in time it felf, which meafureth all things, we ufc tallowance 
 in its commenfuration. Thus while we conceive we have the account 
 of a year in 565. dayes, exa6^ Enquirers and Computifts will tell 
 us, that we efcape 6. houres, that is a ijuarter of a day. And fo in a 
 day which every one accounts 24. houres, or one revolution of the Sun; 
 in ftriit account we muft allow the addition of fuch a part as the Sun 
 doth make in his proper motion, from Weft to Ea(t, whereby in one 
 day hedcfcribeth not a perfeft Circle. 
 
 Fourthly, it is affirmed by many> and received by mofl, that it never 
 raineth in Egpt^ the river fupplyin^ that defeat, and bountifully re- ] 
 
 quiting it in its inundatittti ; but this muft alfo be received in a quali- 
 fied fenfc, that is, that it raines but feldomc at any time in the Summer, 
 and very rarely in the Winter. But that great (howres do fomerimes 
 fall upon that Region, belide the Aflertion of many Writers, we can 
 confirm from hononrable and ocular teftimony, and that not many That Eg)ft 
 years palt, it rained in Grand Cairo divers dayes together. ^^^ '^•i'V 
 
 The fame is alfo attefted concerning other parts of Egyft^ by Pro- Sj^J^'^"'* 
 ffer Alfwpts^ who lived long in that Countrey, and hath left an accu- Baromt. 
 rate Treaty of the medical practice thereof. Cayrl raro decldnnt plt^ 
 vi€-f AlexanAriAy ^cltifnqm & in omnibus locis marl adjacent! bw^ 
 p/nit iar a IJJtm.'&f ape; thMiiSy it Tzm^th feldcm at C^/r(7, but at ^- 
 lexojidria, Damlata^ and places near the fea, it raineth plentifully and 
 often. W hereby we might adde the latter teftimony of Learned Mr. 
 Greaves^ in his accurate defcription of the T^r^iw/^f. 
 
 Befide, Men hereby forget the relation of holy Scripture, Behald I 
 wlllcaufe it to rain a very great hail^ f^ich as hath not been in Egypt "*<'^'* 
 fine: the foundation thereof ^ even until noiv. Wherein God threatning 
 fuch a rain as had nothapned, it muft he prefumed they had been ac- 
 quainted with fome before, and were not ignotant of the fubftance, 
 the menace being made m the circumflance. The fame concerning 
 hail is inferrible from Profper f^lpimu-, Rari£lme nix-, grando^ 
 it feidome fnovveth or haileth. Whereby we muft concede that 
 fnow and hiile ^q fometimes fall, becaufe they happen fei- 
 dome. 
 
 Now this miflake arifeth from a mifapplication of the bounds or li- 
 mits of time, and an undue tranfition from one unto another ; which 
 to avoid, vve muftobferve the punctual differen<res of time, and fodi- 
 fiingiiilli thereof, as not to confound or lofe the one in rhe other. 
 For things m.ay come to pa{re,5c wper, PlerunKjHey Sdpe-, aut NnnqHam^ 
 Aliciuandoy Raro ; that is, Always,or Never, for the moft parr, or Some- 
 timcs> Ofrtimes, or Seldom. Now the deception is ufuaj which is made 
 by the mif-application of thefe;men prefently concluding that to happen 
 Dfcen,which happenech but fometimes : that never,which happeneth but 
 
 Ecc feldom, 
 
^y^- 3^4 Eifquiriff into Vulgar Book. ^. 
 
 feldom; and that alway, which happeneth for the moft part. So is 
 it faid, the Sun fhines every day in Rhodes, becaufe for the mort part 
 it faileth not. So we fay andoelieve that a Camelion never e.ueth, 
 but liveth only upon aire, whereas indeed it is feen to eat very fel- 
 dom : but many there are who have beheld it to feed on flies. And fo 
 iris faid that children borne in the eighth moneth live not, that is, for 
 the m.oft part, but not to be concluded alvvayes ; nor it feems in fotmer 
 ages in all places : for it is otherwife recorded by Arifiotle concerning 
 the births of Egypt. 
 - Laftly, it is commonly conceived that divers Princes have attempted 
 Jj2>y«i//'* to cut thelfthmus ortra(ft of land which parteth the Arabian and 
 Ifa.11.s5' Mediterranean 'k.x'.- but upon enquiry I finde fome difficulty concern- 
 ing the place attempted; many with good authority affirming, that the 
 intent was not immediately to unite thefe Seas, but to make a navi- 
 gable channel between the Red fea and the Nile, the m.arks whereof- 
 are extant to this day ■■> it was firft attempted by Sefoflris, after by Dat 
 rinsy and in a fear to drown the Countrey, deferred by them born ; bu 
 was long after re-attempted, and in fome manner effeiled by Phlia- 
 delphui. Andfo the Grand Signior, who is Lord of the Countrey, 
 conveyeth his Gallies into the Red Sea by the Nile -, for he brin7,erh 
 them down to Grand Cairo, where they are taken in pieces, carried 
 ■ upon Camels backs, and rejoyned together at Sues, his port and Na- 
 val ftation for that fea, whereby in efe^l he a6ls the defign ot'C/eopatray 
 who after the battel of A^lu^/ in a different way would have conveyed 
 her Galleys into the Red Sea. 
 Ifihmum ptrfo- And therefore that proverb to cut an IfihmM,'thAt is, to take great 
 ^trc, pains, and effe(5t nothing, alludeth not unto this attempt ; but is by 
 
 Erafmm applied unto feveral other, as that undertaking of Cnidians 
 to cut their Ifthmus, but efpecially that oiCorlmh fo unfucceflefully at- 
 tempted by many Emperours. The Cnidians were deterred by the 
 peremptory diflwadon oi Apollo, plainly com.manding them to defift ; 
 for if God had thought it fit, he would have made that Countrey an I- 
 fland at firft. But this perhaps will not be thoughr a reafonable difcou- 
 ragement unto the adlivity ofthofefpirits which endeavour to advan- 
 tage Nature by Art, and upon good grounds to promote any part of the 
 Vniverfe ; nor will the ill fucceffe of fome be made a fufficient deter- 
 ment unto others, who know that many learned m.en affirm, that I- 
 flands were not from the beginning : that many have been made 
 fince by Art, that fomelfthmes have been eat through by the fea, and 
 others cut by the Spade ; And if policie would permit, that of Pa- 
 nama in America were moft worthy the attempt : it being but few miles 
 oyer, and would open a Shorter cut unco the Eaft-'Ifdia and China, 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Book.V. and Common Errours* 355 J7J. 
 
 CHAP. IX, 
 
 Of the Red Sea, 
 
 Contrary apprehenfions are made of the Erythrajan or Red Sea ; 
 mofl apprehending a material rednelfe therein, f;orn whence they 
 derive its common denomination ; and fome fo lightly couceiving 
 hereof, asifithadnorednefTeat all, are fain to recur unco ot he i- ori- 
 ginals of its appellation, wherein to deliver a diilind- account, we vv^jj ti,g ^^ 
 tirttobferve that without conlideration of colour it is nam.ed the ^ra- Sj^j,, 
 i?ian Gulph : The Hebrews who had bett reafon to remember it ; do 
 call it Zfiph, or the weedy fea, becaufe it was full of fedge, or they 
 found it fo in their paffage ; the Mahom:tam who are now Lords 
 thereof do know it by no other name then che Gulph of Mecha 
 a City of Arabia. 
 
 Thettream of Antiquity derivcth its name from YimgErythrmy 
 fo fleightly conceixing of the nominal deduction from rednefle, that 
 they plainly deny there is anyfuch accident in it. The words of C«r- 
 tiftsnYQ plain beyond evafion, Ab Erythro rege indltHw efi r,o^en^ 
 proper qmd igMari rnbcn aqnas crtdmt : Of no m.ore obfcurity are 
 the words of Phibfiramsy and of later times, Sabelllcm ; Smite 
 p rfuaf'Am eft 'vulgo xnbras alicttbi jfe marls aq^oi-, cjma, ab Erythro 
 r:ge nomcnpelugo Inditum. Of this opinion was A/idr£a4 Cor [alius >t 
 Pimy^Soiinpti^ DloCaJftm^ who although they denied not all rednelfe, 
 yet did they reheupon the Original from King £r///7r^/. 
 
 Others have fallen upon ch^ lik^, or perhaps the fame conceit un- 
 der another appelluion ; deducing its name not from King fryf/^rr^f, 
 but Efvi or Edoryj^ whofe habitation was upon the coafts thereof. Now 
 Edom is as much as Erythrm^ and the Red Sea no m.ore then the /- 
 dumeani fom whence the pofterity of Edom removing towards the Moreexaftly^ 
 Mediterranean coaft; according to their former nomination by the hereof Bo bar. 
 GreeRs were called i^/:7<«^A'V/W or red men: and from a plantation and '«f and Mr, ' 
 colony of theirs,, an Ifland near Spain^ wasbycheGreek-defcribers c^'Hw/*". 
 term.ed £r/V/7r^, as is dech^tdhy Strabo^ndSoliftus. 
 
 Very many omitting the nom.inal derivation, do reft in the grofle ' . 
 and literal conception thereof, apprehending a real rednefle and con- 
 ftant colour of parrs. Of which opinion are alfo they which hold the 
 fea receiyeth a red^nd m.inious tin£lure from fprings, wells,and currents 
 that fall into it;and of the fim.e belief are probably many Chriftians, who 
 conceiving thepaflage of rhe Jfraclltcs through this fea to have l>een 
 the type of Baptifm,'' according to that of the Apoftle,All werebaptiied ^ cor.io.x 
 
 E e e 2 imro 
 
7/^ 3^^ J?;^^/Vi/Wtf y'ulf^ar Book. 6 
 
 unto (J^ofes in the cloud, and in the Sea : for the better refemblance 
 
 of the blood of Chrift, they willingly received it in the apprehenfion of 
 
 rednefle, and a colour a^re«able unto its myftery : according to that of 
 
 Aug.infohin' yif*/}i^-> Slgmficdt trar: tUudruhrHm B^.p-ifmnm Chrlfil', unde nobis 
 
 utm, Baftifnjpu Chrlfil nlfi fayigtttrt: Chrlfil conf.cratm} 
 
 But divers Moderns hoc confidering thefe conceptions ; and appeal- 
 ing unto the Teftimony of fenfe, have at hft determined the point 
 concluding a rednefle herein, but not in the fenfe received. Sir f-Va!-: 
 ter Raivleigh £:om his own and Tormgal obfervauons, doth place the 
 rednefle of the Sea, in the refledion from red Iflands, and the rednefle 
 of the earth at the bortome ; wherein Coral grows very plentifully, and 
 from whence in great abundance is is tfanfported into Ettrope.. The 
 oblcrvations of Alberciuer^ue^ and Stepha'ipu de GarKa(3Li£rcil[l Johax- 
 nes de Barros^ Fernandins de Cordova relateth) derive this rednelle from 
 the colour of the fand and argillous earth at the bottom ; for b^in^ 
 a Ihallow fea, while ic rowletn to and fro, there appeareth a rednefle 
 upon the water ; which is moft difcernable in funny and windy weather. 
 But that this is no more then a feeming rednefle, he confirmeth by an 
 experiment ; for in the reddeft part taking up a veflel of water, ic dif- 
 fered not from the complexion of other Sea^. Nor is this colour dif- 
 coverable in every place of that Sea, for as he alfo obferveth, infome 
 places it is very green, in others white and yellow, according to the 
 colour of the earth or fand at the bottome. And fo may PhUo- 
 firatHs be made out, when he faith, this Sea is blew; or Bello^lHsdQ- 
 nying this rednefle, becaufe he beheld not that colour about Sues ; 
 or when Corfalizs at the mouth thereof could not difcover the 
 fame. 
 
 Now although we have enquired the ground of rednefle in this Sea, 
 yet are we not fully fatisfied : for what is forgot by many, and known 
 oy few, there is another ^ Red Sea, whofc name we pretend not to 
 make out from thcfe principles i that is, the Pf r/<?» Gulph or Bay, 
 which divideth the ^Arabian and Perfian jQbore, as Pliny hath defcribed 
 it, LM^re rHhrumin duos dividitur finwy is ^niah Qrtente efi Perji" 
 CHS appelUtftr ; or as Sollnm cxprefleth it, Qtii ah Orlente efi Perficm 
 appellatHTy ex adverfo nude ^Arabia ifi-, ArabicHS ; whereto aflenteth 
 Smdas-i Orte/tus, and many more. And therefore there is no abfur- 
 dity mStraboy when he delivereth that Tifns ixid Euphrates do fall 
 into the Red Sea, inid Fermndltts de Cordova^ jufily defendeth his 
 Countrcyman Seneea in that expsefliou^. 
 
 Et ejni retfatunt prorfus exclpier/s diew, 
 Tepidnm Rubfrni Tigrln Intmifcetfr. to. 
 
 Noi »hath- only the Perfian 4ca received the fame name with the 
 Araytany hvi whdt is ftrange and much confounds the t^in^iony 
 
 the. 
 
Book.^ And Common SrrourS, 3P7 jf/^ 
 
 the name thereof is alfo derivettfrom the King Srj/thrw j who was con- 
 ceived to be buried in an Ifland of this Sea , as Dionyjius', ^fer^ Otrti- 
 tis^ and Suidiu do deliver. W hich vv^re of no lei's probability then the 
 other , if ( as with the fame Authors Stroh» aflirmeth ) he was buried 
 neer Ca^amania bordering upon the Terfian Gulph. And if his Tomb 
 was fecn by Nea-.chw -, it was nor fc likely to be in the Arabtan Gulph; 
 lor we read that from the River IrJ.us he came unto Altxandcr at Ba- 
 hloft > fome few dayes before his c'e.uh. Now Babylot, was feated upon 
 the River £nj)hra!es^ which runs into the l^erjicn Gulph. And there- 
 fore however the Latins exprefleth k in Strabo , th.it Nearchus fuffered 
 iTiUchinthe ^r*.^/^«5/W , yet is the QriginaL''oA.T»f:i%fa-/xj5f , that is^ 
 the Gulf/ of Perjr^. 
 
 That therefore the Red Sea or Arabian Gulpb received its name 
 from perfcnal derivation, thoUi,h probable, is but uncertain; that 
 both the Seas of one name lliould have one com.mon denominator y 
 lefs probable ; that there is a grofs and material redncfs in either , noc 
 to be aflBrmed : that there is an emphaticil or appearing rednefs in one,, 
 not well to be denied. And this is fuflicient to m.ake good the Allego- 
 ry of the Chriftians : and in this diftin6tion may we julUfie the name of 
 the Black Sea, given unto 7^o«rw, Euxinm : the name cAXamhui , od 
 the yellow River of Pl.rygia; and the name of Mar Vermelo , or the 
 Red Sea in America. 
 
 €HAP. X. 
 
 Of the 'B\Ac](ne\s of Negroes, 
 
 I'T is evident not onely ia the general. frame of Nature , that things 
 moft m.anifeli unto fenfe , have proved obfcure unto the underftand-> 
 ing : But even m proper and appropriate objeils, wherein we affitm the 
 fenfe cannot erre , the faculties of reafon moft often fail us. Thus of 
 colours in general, under whofe glofsandrVerniifhall things are feeny 
 no man hath yet beheld the true nature ; or pofitively fet down their in^ 
 controulable cauies. Which while fome afcribe unto the mixture of the 
 Elements , others to the graduality of Opacity and light ; they have 
 left our endeavours to grope them out by twi-light , and by darknefs al-: 
 mofttodifcover whofe exiftence is evidenced by Light. The C^^ymlfls The Pr jneJ-i 
 have laudably reduced their caufes unto Sal, Sulphur, and Mercury ; and P^' of Coloafci 
 had they made it out fo well in this, as in the ob;e£ls of fmell anci tafte, JJj /i,.Jf«^ 
 their endeavours had been more acceptable: For whereas they refer '^' 
 
 Sapor unto Salt , and Odor unto Sulphur, they vary much concerning 
 Sulphur; fome reducing it unto Mercury, fome to Sulphur; others 
 uiito Salt, Wherein indeed the laft conceit doth not opprefs the for* 
 
 Eeej mei^ 
 
//^ A9S Sn^mrles intoVulgAr Book^tf.- 
 
 mer ; and though Sulphur feem to carry the mailer-ftroak, yet Salt may 
 have a ftrong co-operation.'^ Forbefide the fixed and terreltrious Salt , 
 there is in natural bodies a Sahiter, referring unto Sulphur ; there is al- 
 fo a volatile or Armoniack Salt , retaining unto Mercury ; by which 
 Salts the colours of bodies are fenfibly qualified , and receive degrees 
 of lulhre or obfcurity , fuperficiality or profundity , fixation or volati- 
 
 Their general or firtt Natures being thus obfcure, there will be great- 
 er dilficulties in their particular difcoveries ; for being farther removed 
 from their fim.plicities, they fall into more complexed confiderations ; 
 and fo require a fubtiler act of reafon to diflinguiili and call forth their 
 natures. Thus although a man underfiood the general nature of co- 
 lours , yet were it no eafie Problenie to refolve , \Vhy Grafs is green ? 
 "Why Garlick, Molyes and Porrets have white roots, deep green leaves, 
 and black feeds ? W hy feveral Docks and forts of Rhubarb with yellow 
 roots, fend forth purple flowers ? V^ hy alfo from Latlary or milky 
 plants which have a white and lacleous juice difperfed throuoh every 
 part, there arife flowers bkw and yellow ? Moreover, befide the fp^ci- 
 fical and firftdii^reflions ordained from the Creation, which mi^ht be 
 urged to falve the variety in every fpecies ; Why lliall the marvail of 
 Peru pro luce its flowers of different colours,'and that not once, or con- 
 ftantly, but every i-!y, and varioufly? WhyTidipsof one colour pro- 
 I duce fonie of anorher , and running through ahnolt all , ilioul ' iHll e- 
 
 fcapeatlew? An ! laflly, \A/by fome men, yea and they a mihry and 
 confiderable part of mankind , iliould firll acquire and hill retain the 
 glofs and tintlure of blicknefs ? Which whoever ilrictly enquires, ihall 
 iincl no lefs of darknefs in the caufe , then blacknefs in the efte:^! k felf ; 
 there arifing unto examination no fuch fmsf;:i6tory and unquarreliable 
 reaions , as may confirm the caufesfienerally received; which are but 
 -two in num.ber. The heat and f cor chef • the Sun ; or the curfe of God 
 ■on f /^^a'w/an'i hi.poltenty. k« ■ -j/; .1 , otr:^: 
 
 The firft was i.ene rally received by the Ancients , who in obfcurities 
 hid no hi; her recourfv^ then imto Nature , as. may appear by a ifcoiirfe 
 conceriiing this point in S:rabo. By .-irip<^:/i it ieems to be implied in 
 thofe Problemes whi<--h enquire why the Sun makes men black , anc] not 
 the fire? Whyit whirensvvax^ yet blacks the skin? By the word c/£- 
 thiops k felf, applied to the mem.orableit Nations of Nctjroes > that \\ 
 ofa burnt and torrid Countenance. Thcifmcy of the fible infers alfo 
 the Antiquity of the 'opinion; which: deriveth the complexion from 
 the deviation of the Sun , and th?. conflagr-irion of all thijigs under Pha- 
 eton. But this opinion though generally im.braced., was I perceive ^^•' 
 je6l€dbyv^r/!/?tf^«/«ja very ancient Geographer.; as is difcovered by 
 StrSe-. It hath been c'oubtedby'fevero^L modern Writers, particularly 
 by 6rietiitfi ; \Ad ampJv and fati^faito>rily rifcufled as we know by no 
 Jii^.^' \V6- fti'ili di-ireiiDje endeavour a full delivery hej«o;, declarijft^ 
 
 the 
 
Book.^. and Common Errours, X99 j^^y 
 
 the grounds of doubt , and reafons of denial, which rightly underftood, 
 may, if not overthrow, yet flirowdly fhakethe fecurity of this Afler- 
 tion. 
 
 And firft, Many which countenance the opinion in this reafon , do 
 tacitly and upon confequence overthrow it in anorher. For whilft they 
 make the River Scr/aga to divide and bound the Moors , fo that on the 
 South-li' e they a.e black , on the other only tawny ; they imply a fe- 
 cret caufality Heiein from, the air, place or river ; and feem not to de- 
 rive it f:om the Sun. The efteds of \yhofe adUvity are not precipitoufly 
 abrupted, but gradually proceed to their ceOations. 
 
 Secondly, if we nffirm. that this effect proceeded , or as we will not be 
 backvva; d to concede, it may be advanced andfom^ented from the fer- 
 vour of the Sun ; yet do we not hereby difcover a principle fufficient to ■ 
 decide the queflion concerning other anim.als ; nor doth he that affirm- 
 eth the heat makes m. an black, afford a reafon why other anim.als in the 
 fam.e habitations maintain a conftant and agreeable hue unto thofe in o- 
 ther parts , as Lyons, Elephants, Camels, Swans, Tygers, Eftriges. 
 \'Vhichthoughin 8^f/»/('/)/^, in the difadvantage of two Summers, and 
 perpendicular Rayes of the Sun , do yet make <ood the complexion of 
 their fpecies, and hold a colourable correfpondence unto thofe in mild- 
 er Regions.. Now did this complexion proceed fiom heat in man, the 
 fam.e would be com.m.unicated unto other anim.als which equally parti- 
 cipate the influence of the common Agent. For thus it is in the efFe6ts 
 of gold, in Regions far removed from the Stm -, for therein m.en are not 
 only of fair complexions, ^ray-eyed , and of light hair , but m.any crea- 
 tures expofed to the air, defied in extremity from^ their natural colours ; 
 from b.own, ruflet and black , receiving the complexion of Winter, and 
 turning perfed white. J\\\isOloHs Alagmsxthtzs^ that after the Au- - 
 tum.nal Equinox, Foxes begin to grow white ; thus Mlchovms report- • 
 eth , and we want not ocular confirmation , that Hares and Partridges 
 tun white in the Winter ; and thus a white Crow, a proverbial rarity 
 with us, is none unto them ; but that infeparable accident of l^orfhyrie 
 is feparated in .m.any hiuidreds. 
 
 Thirdly, if the fervour of the Sun, or intem.perate heat of clime did 
 folely occafion this complexion , furely a migration or change thc-eof 
 m.ight caufe a fenfible, if not a total mutation ; which notwithftanding 
 experience will not adm.it. For Negroes tranfplanted , although into ■■■ 
 cold and fiegmatick habitations, continue their hue both in them.felvei', 
 and alfo their generations ; except they mix with diffeent complexions; 
 whereby notwithftanding there only fucceeds a rem.iflion of their tin- 
 ^ures ; there remaining unto many defcents a ftrong fhadow of their O 
 riginals ; and if they preferve their coppulations entire, they ftill main- 
 tain their complexions. As is very remarkable in the dom.inions of the 
 Grand Signior , and moft cbfervaole in the Moors in Bra/i/ia , which 
 tranfplanted about an hundred years paft, continue the tinctures of their 
 
 fathers . 
 
400 Enquiries into Vulgar Boole. ^. 
 
 fathers unto this day. And fo Ukewife fair or white people cranflatcd in- 
 to hotter Counrryes, receive not imprefTiens amounting to this com- 
 plexion , as hath been obferved in many SHrofeir^ns who have lived in 
 rhe land of Negroes : and as Edvardw L'^pes teftifieth of the Sfamjh 
 Plantations , that they retained their native complexions unto his daycs. 
 
 Fourthly , If rhe tervour of the Sun were the fole caufc hereof in 
 9j^thiof'tayoi^ny\M^doi Negroes^ it were alfo rcafonable that Inha- 
 bitants of the fame latitude , fubjc^fled unto the fame vicinity of the 
 Sun , the fame diurnal arch , and diredion of its rayes , fliould alfo 
 partake of the fame hue and complexion, which notwidiilanding they 
 do not. For the Inhabitants of the fame latitude in ^fia are of a dift'e- 
 rcnt complexion , asare the Inhabitants of ^^^5^'^ and Java^ info- 
 much that fome conceive the Negro is properly a native of Africa, and 
 that thofe places in y^/^ inhabited now by ^^j'^r/, are but the mtruli- 
 cms of Negroi-s arrinng firft from Africa , as we generally conceive 
 of Madagafcar , and the adjoyning Iflands, who retain the fame com- 
 plexion unto this day. But this defetl: is more remarkable in Am. rica^ 
 which akhouoh fubje6tcd unto both the Tropicks, yer are not the Inha- 
 bitants black between, or near, or under either ; neither to the South- 
 ward in Brajilia'y fh'^h or l^eru ; nor yet to the Northward in Hifpa- 
 uiola^ Cafiiiia-t del Orot ox Nicaragua. And although in many parts 
 -therof there l^e at prefent fwarms o£ Negroes ferying under the Spaniard^ 
 yet were they all tranfportcd from Africa, fince the difcove ry of Co- 
 inmbm ; and arc not indigenous or proper natives of An',erica. 
 
 Fifthly , We cannot conclude this complexion in Nations from the 
 vicinity or habitude they hold unto the Sun ; for even in Africa chey be 
 Negroes under the Southern Tropick, but are not at all of this hue ei- 
 ■ther under or near the Northern. So the people of Gualata^Agadst 
 Garama»tes,2nd of Goaga, a'll within the Northern Tropicks are not 
 Negrors ; but on the other fide about C^po Negro, Cf^^^y a^d Mada- 
 gafcar, they are of a jetty black. 
 
 Now if to fah e this Anomaly we fay the heat of the Sun is more 
 powerful in the Southern Tropick -, becaufe in the fign of Capricorn 
 hWs out the Perigcum , or loweft place of the Sun in his Excentrick , 
 whereby he becom.cs nearer unto them then unto the other in Cancer, 
 we lliallnotobfolve the doubt. And if any infill upon fuch niceties, 
 and will preftime a different effeit of the Sun , from fuch a difference 
 of place or vicinity ; we l"hall baliance the fimc with the concernment 
 of its motion, and time of revolution , and fay he is more powerful in 
 ■the Northern Hemifphere, andl in rhe Apogeum ; for therein his m.ora- 
 -tion is flower,and fo bis heat refpe6livcly unto thofe habitations,as of du- 
 ration, fo alfo of m.ore effedt. For, though he abfolve his revolution in 
 ^6'yd':\yts, odd hours and minutes, y^tbyreafon of Excentricity , his 
 motion is unequal , and hi-; courfe far lon^^er in the Northern Semicir- 
 cle , then in the Southern ; for the latter he pafleth in a 178, that is:, 
 
 eleven 
 
Book, 15. andCmmn^m^^^ . 40X J'^< 
 
 eleven ckyesmore., So is his prefcpce moire continued untd che Nor- 
 thern Inhabitants ; and the longe/t day in Cancer is longer unto us> 
 rhen that in Capricorn unto the Southern Habitator. Befide, hereby, 
 we only infer an inequality of heat in different Tropicks , but not an' 
 equality of effetls in other parts fubjeiled to the fame. For , in the 
 fiime degree, and as near the earth he makes his revolution unto the ^- 
 mer'ican-, vvhofe Inhabitants notvvithftanding partake not of theiaine 
 effevit. And if herein we feek a relief from the Dog-ftar , we Ihall in- 
 troduce an effeil proper unto a few , fromacaufe com.mon unto ma- 
 ny ; for upon the fam.e grounds that Star iTiould have as forcible a power 
 upon Anr.r'cd and A fix ; and although it be not vertical unto any part 
 of Afid-^ but only palleth by Bcach-y in terra wcogpita ; yet is it fo unto 
 Araerlca , and vertically palTeth over the habitations of Tern and Brn- 
 filia. 
 , Sixthly, And which is very confide rable , there are Negroesm Africa 
 beyon J the Southern Tropick , and fome fo far removed from it , as 
 C^eographically the clim.e is not intemperate , that is, near the Cape of 
 good hope , in 36 of the South^ern Latitude. Whereas in the fame ele- 
 vation Northward , the Inhabitants of Amertck are fair; and they of 
 £ui ope in Caj^dy-i Sicily ■, and fome parts of Sfain , deferve not properly 
 fo low a name as Tawny. ; 
 
 Laftly, whereas the Africans are conceived to be more peculiarfy 
 fcorchedand torrihed from the Sun , by addition of drinefs from the 
 foil, fro r. want an \ dcfed of water ; it will not excufQ the doubt. For 
 djti parts whiv^h th^ Negroes poiiefs, are not fo void of Rivers and moi- 
 fture, as is prefumed j tor on the other fide the mountains of the Moon^ 
 in that great trac\ tallvid Zanz^ibar-, there are the mighty Rivers oi Ska-> 
 f^a^^hd Spiri'o San:o 'y on this fide the great river Zaire, the mii^hty 
 Nj/e and Ni. er ; whi- h do not only naoiften and ccntemperate the air 
 by th-ir e>haJ.uiGn J, hut refreOi andhumedate the earth by th^ir annu- 
 al. InundatJotJ<;.. Bei'4de,inth;itpartof Aifriea^-, which with aildiiadf- 
 vantage is mcjft'dry , that is, in fituation between the Tropicks , defe6t 
 of rivers and inunda Lions, as alfo abundance of fands, the people are 
 notefkemed /\^<^ <» ■ ; and that is Lybid , which with the Greekj car- • " ,\ ' 
 ties the name of,aII^/r/<j-^, A Region fo defert, dryandfandy, that Toe«ineft«f 
 Travellers {m Ltoxt^om) &m f^in.ico carjriy/wwe? on their Camels ; * 
 whereof they find not adrop fometime in fix oj feven daye$. Yet is. 
 this Coimtry accomited by Geographers no part of tirra Nigrltarttmy 
 and Pioiomy placeth herein the Lettc9 cy^thifpes , or piile and Tawny 
 Moors. . ...... \ /: \ ■ . ' 
 
 Now the ground of this opinion might be jhe vifible quality of black- 
 nefs cbfervably pro^iuced by heat , fire and fmoak ; . but efpecially witla 7 
 
 the Ai;cienti>, iiifc vjol^m e(ken} the)Thdd of the heat of theSun/, i in , ^ J 
 
 the hoc or toirid Z,one ; conceiviiig that part unhabitable ,, andthetO^ ' ' -^^ -'*'^ ^ 
 fiMeithatpecpk'in the vicaflitids or fr<jnti«j:5; thereof ^ could nOCjdbape 
 : . Fff ' vvith^ 
 
yfi> 40a JSnquiries into Vu\g» Book.^ 
 
 without this change of 'heir complexions. But how far they were mi- 
 ftaken in this apprehenfion , modern Geography hath difcovered ; And 
 as we hive declared , there are many wirhm this Zone whofe complexi- 
 ons defcend not fo low as unto blacknefs. And if we fhould ftridly in- 
 fift h>;reon, the poiTibility might fall into queftion; that i'?, whether the 
 heat of the Sun , whofe fervour may fwart a livin;^ part , and even black 
 a dead or diliolving flelli ; can yet in animals, vvhofe parts are fuccef- 
 five, and in continual flux, produce this deep and perfect glofs of Black- 
 nefs. 
 _.. . . Thus having evinced, at leaft made dubious, the Sun is not the Author 
 cau!«*of*the" ®^ this Blackiiefs ; how, and when this tiniturefirft be^^an is yet a Rid- 
 Htimi black, die, and pofitively to determine, it furpafleth my prefumption. Seeing 
 nefs prcbibly, therefore we cannot difcover what did eflfe^l it, it may afford fome 
 piece of fatisfadion to know what mi^ht procure it. It may be there- 
 fore considered , whether the inward ufe of certain waters or fountains 
 of peculiar operations, might not at firft produce the effe6t inqueftion. 
 For, of the like we have records in Arlfiotle^Strabo^ and Tllny, who 
 hath made a coUedion hereof, as of two fountains in Boeotia , the one 
 making fheep white , the other black ; of the water of Slberis which 
 made Oxen black, and the like effecl it had alfo upon men, dying not on- 
 ly the skin, but making their hairs black and curled. This was the conceit 
 oi ArifiobnlHs^ who received fo little fadsfa^lion from the other, or 
 that it mi-ht be caufed by heat, or any kind of fire, that he conceived it 
 as reafonable to impute the effeil unto water. 
 
 Secondly, It may be perpended whether it might not fall out the fame 
 way that lacohf cattel became fpeckjed , fpotted and ring-ftfaked, that 
 is, Dy the Power and Efficacy of Imar^ination ; which produceth effeils 
 in the conception correfpondent unto the phoney of the A«ents in ge- 
 neration ; and fometimes aflimilates the Idea of the Generator into a 
 reality in the thing ingendred. For, hereof there pafs for current many 
 indifputed examples ; fo in f^Z/'/'ofr^fff we read of one , tb:.tfrom the 
 view and intention of a Picture conceived a Negro ; And in the Hi- 
 ftory of Hdiodorc of a Moorilli Queen , who upon afpe6tion of the 
 ndeptmapui pi£^ureof Andromeda^ conceived and brou hc forth a fair one. And 
 tt-^nhuii!m^ ^^^'^^^'^^^^^'^^^^^^ fay it w.isthebeghming of this complexion; 
 
 ^inationis. ' induced firft by imagination , which having once impregnated the feed, 
 found afterward conn jrent cooperations, which were coniinued by 
 Clhnes, w hofe coniiitition advantaged thi f.vi\ im.preiron. Thus PIo- 
 tinui conc.iv~th white Peacocks firft came in : Thus many o inion that 
 from afpeilion of the Snow, which lyeth long in Norchern Regions, 
 and hi;^h mount nns. Hawks, Kites, Bears, and other creatures becom.e 
 Why Bears, white ; And by this way Anfi 'n conceiveth the devil provided, they ne- 
 !»me tUr* *" ^^"^ wanted a white f^ o:ted Oxe in ^^^^t j for fuch n one they wor- 
 ?!»ct"cei. fl,ippe^,,nd ailed ^f/r. 
 
 Thirdly, It is not indifpuiabk whether it might not proceed from 
 
Book,^. mtdC.oMmQjt. EvrourS, koj j ^ 
 
 Aich a caufe and the like foundation of Tin6iure, as dotfa the black Jaun- "A 
 
 dies, which meeting with congenerous caufes mi^t fettle durable in- ' 
 
 clinations, and advance their generations unto that hue, which were na- 
 turally before but a degree or two below it. And this tranfmiUlon we 
 fliall the eafier admit in colour, if we remember the like hath been ef-^ 
 felled in organical parts and figure; the Symmetry whereof being ca- 
 fually or purpofely perverted ; their morbofities have vigoroufly de- 
 fcended to their pofterities, and that in durable deformities. This was 
 the beginning of Macrocefhall ^ or people vvirhlong heads, whereof 
 Ji iff aerates hath clearly delivered himfelf : ^w frlmttm editus eft In- 
 farst caput cjfu ten. Unm fnanibHS efjiMgHnt ^ C? in loMgltudine adolefcere ^* •'f *^«i <•? «* 
 coaunt 'y hoc luftltHtHMf r'lmum huj'i [modi y naturA dedhvit'iHm-, fuccef- ^"^*'' 
 /« ver» temporwln ^aturam ablity ut frolnde inftituto nlhU ampllpu opm 
 ejfct ; [emeu enim gemtale ex ommhm corporis part'ibpts provemt , ex fa- 
 ms qmdem [annm -i exmorbofismorhofunt. Si tghnr ex calvis catv'iy ex 
 cttcins cacti y (y* ex diflortis y utpltirtmum y dlftortt gignuntHr y eadem- 
 ^ in c Aieris formii valet ratio y <jHid prohihet cur nonex macrocsphalU 
 macrocephali gigyiantur ? Thus as Ariftotle obferveth , the Deers of 
 Arglnufa had their ears divided ; occafioned at firft by flitting the cares 
 of Deer. Thus have the Qnnefes little feet, moft Negroes great Hps 
 and fiat Nofes ; And thus many Spaniards y diwd Mediterranean Inha- 
 bitants, which are of the Race of Bardary Moors (although after 
 frequent commixture ) have not worn out thzCamojs Ncfe unto this pi^j nofe. 
 day. 
 
 Artificial Ne^roesy or Gypfies acquire their complexion by annointmg 
 their bodies \^ith Bacon und fat fubrtances, and l o expofing them to the 
 Sun. In Guinie Moors and others, it hath been obferved, that they fre- 
 quently moyften their skins with fat and oyly materials, to temper the 
 irkfome drinefs thereof from the parching rayes of the Sun. \A/hether 
 this pra6life at firlt had not fome efficacy toward this complexion , may 
 alfo be confidered. 
 
 Laftly, If we flill be urged to particularities , and fuch as declare 
 how, and when the feed of Adarti did firft receive this tinfture ; we may 
 fay that men became blAck in the fame manner that fom.e Foxes, Squir- 
 rels, Lyons, firft turned of this complexion, whereof there are a con- 
 ftant fort iji divers Countryes; that fo.me Chau^hs came to have red 
 legs nnd bills, that Crowes became pyed ; All which m.utations however 
 they began , depend on durable foundations ; and fuch as may continue 
 for ever. A nd if as yet we mult fa rther define the caufe and manner of 
 this mutation, we muft confefie, in m.atters of Antiquity, and 
 futh as are decided by Hiftory , if their Originals and firft begin- 
 nings efcape ^ d^vs. relation , tliey fall into great obfcurities , and fuch 
 as future Age=; feldom.e re:*uce unto a refolution. Thus if you dedu£t 
 the adminidration of Angela, and that they difperfed the creatures into 
 all purts after the flpod , as they had congregated them into Nouios Ark 
 
 Fffz before; 
 
■x^' 
 
 ^0 A E^Htrhi ifffo V$AgAr Book. 6, 
 
 before , it will be no eafiequeftion to refolve, how feveral forts of ani- 
 How fundry ^^^ ^^^^ ^j-^^ difperfed into Iflands, and almoft how any into America * 
 *""ucome^io ' How the venereal contagion began in that part of the earth , fince Hi- 
 bcVoundin ftory is filent, isnoteafily refolved by Fhilofophy. For whereas it ij 
 liands. imputed unto Anthropophagy , or the eating of mans flefh; rh.it caufe 
 
 hath been common unro many other Countryes , and there have been 
 Canibals or Men-eaters in the three other parts of the world , if we cre- 
 dit the relations of Ttohn^y^ Straho and T^l'my. And thus if the favour- 
 E/i<JJ cum ve- bale pen of A^ofes had not revealed the confufion of tongues, and pofi- 
 ^erit folvet tiyely declared their divifion at Bai^e/^ our difputes concerning their be- 
 iukium, ginning had been without end i and I fear we muft have left the hopes 
 
 of that decifion unto Eiioi. 
 
 And if any will yet infift, and urge the queflion farther ftill upon me. 
 I fhall be enforced unto divers of the like nature, wherein perhaps I 
 fhall receive no greater fatisfadion. I iliall demand how the Camels of 
 BaBria came to have two bunches on their backs , whereas the Cam.els 
 o^Arabla in all relations have but one > How Oxen in fome Countryes 
 began and continue gibbous or bunch-back'd ? what way thofe 
 many different fhapes, colours, hairs, and natures of Dogs came in > 
 howtheyoffom.e Countryes became depilous, and without any hair at 
 • all, whereas fome forts in excefs abound therewith? How the Indian 
 Hare came to have a long tail , whereas that part in others attains no 
 higher then a fcut ? How the Hogs of Illyria which Arifloth fpeaks of, 
 becam.e folipcdes or whole-hoofed , whereas in other parts they are bi- 
 fuicous, and defcribed cloven-hoofed by Cod himfelf? All which with 
 many others muft needs feem ftrange unto thofe that hold there were 
 but two of the unclean fort in the Ark ; and are forced to reduce thefe 
 varieties to unknown original fince. 
 How the com- However therefore this complexion was firft acquired , it is evidently 
 flexion of the maintained by generation , and by the tinfture of the slfin as a fperma- 
 Mfgms may tical part traduced from father unto Son ; fo that they which are (iran- 
 be propagated, gers contraft it not, and the Natives which tranfmigrate , omit it not 
 without commixture , and that after divers generations. And this afte- 
 6lion (if the ftory were true) miight wonderfully be confir.ned, by 
 what ^^^/W and others relate of the Emperour o£ cy£th opU, or 
 Trefier John^ who derived from Solomon is, not yet defcended into the 
 hue of his Country, but rem.ains a Aiulatto-^ that '\^^ of a Mongril com-- 
 .plexion unto this day. Now although we conceive this blacknefs to be 
 fem.inal, yet are we not of Herodotm conctxi^ that their feed is black. 
 An opinion long ago rejected by Art fiat le^ and fince by fenfe and en- 
 quiry. His affertion againft the Hiftorian was probable, that all feed was 
 white ; that is without great controverfie in viviporous Aftimals,and fuch 
 as have Tefticles, or preparing veflels wherein it receives a manifeit de- 
 albatioh. And not only in them, but (for ought I know) in Fiflies not a- 
 batingtbe feed of Plants, whereof though the skin and covering be black. 
 
Book. 6. and Common trrours, . 
 
 jtoiis the feed andfruilifying parr notfo: as may be obferved in the 
 feeds oiOnioKs^ Fjaxie, snd Baji/. Moft controvertible it feems in 
 the fpavvn cf Fro.^s, and Lobfters,, whereof ■notvvirhttanding at the ve- 
 ry inr-Ct the fpavVn 19 white, contradling by .degrees a black«e(le, arii 
 fvverable in the one iintai:he colour of the fliej], in the other unto the 
 Porwigk or Tadpole; that is thai Animal which firit pro<?eedeth 
 from it. And thus may it alfo be in the generation and ff erm of Ne- 
 gfQes, thAt being firft and in its naturals white, but upon fepitration of 
 parts, accidents before invifible become, apparent; there ariHng i 
 lliadow or dark etfiorefcence in the out-fide; whereby not only their 
 legitimate and tim.ely births, but their abortions are alfo dusky, before 
 they have felt the fcorch and fervour of the Sun. .. .".^f.-i. .ii.!> 
 
 , . ,::.:..,. a.; ni .■!' . .,;. ^v ;: . .:..., ^r-.../ 
 
 ■>^ tn I- - i i ; i- i »nn' t ' i' i 'i ' rt.-> - r- H ^ ^'■"^; ' ,' ? ' ' /Hi ,, <'i rii 'u.iii '< r i. . 
 
 ■-'••' f ■ ' - . I . .- ,y . . -> -J - j 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 Of the [(tme, 
 
 A Second opinion there is, that this, complexion was firft a cur0' 
 of G od derived unto them, from €han^, , upon whom ' it was ixh 
 fii(^ed for difcoyering the nakedneffe o( Np^h. W hich notwif jiliandr 
 ing is fooner affirmed then proved, and ca rrieth with itfundry im- 
 probabilities. For firft, if we derive the curfe on Cham^ or in general 
 upon his poflerity, we fliall denigrate a greater part .of the earth-then 
 was ever fo conceived ; and not only paint the Ethiopians and reputed 
 fons of C«/fc, but the people alfo of jE^^/if, Arabia^ Ajjfp-U, and. 
 ChaUta. i for by this race were ihefe Countreys alfo peopled. And 
 if concordantly unto i^^ro/w, the fragment oi Cato de OriglK'i{>Hs^{oTQ.t 
 things of Haiicarfiajfem^ Macroblm^ and out of them of jLf^;?^r<? and 
 Annipti^ we (hall conceive of the zuwqU o( C hamefe oiChamt, we 
 may introduce a generation of A/f^^rorj as high as Italy '^ which parr 
 was never culpable of deformitie, but hath produced the magnified ex- 
 amples of beauty. 
 
 Secondly, the curfe mentioned in Scripture was not denounced up- 
 on C/r^w, hi\t Canaan his youngeft fon, and^thereafons thereof are 
 divers. The firft, from the Jewiflb Tradition, whereby it is conceived, 
 that Canaan made thedifcovety of the nakednefle of Noah^ and noti- 
 fied it unto Cham. Secondly, to have curfed Cham had been to curfe 
 all his poftericy, whereof but one was guilty of the fad. And lafily, 
 he fpared Cham^ becaufe he had bleffed him before. Now if we con- 
 fine this curfe unto Canaan^ and think the fame fulfilled in his pofle- 
 rity ; then do we induce this complexion on the Sidonians ; then 
 .was the promifed land a rra6l of Negroes. For from Canaan were 
 de cended t\\^Canaanltest 'iehnjitcs-, Amorltesy Gergez^'nes^ and ///- 
 -r./W, which were poflefled of that land, Fif 3 ^ Third- 
 
 4^5 ^oj?^^ 
 
40^ E»qumes into Vul^Ait Book.^. 
 
 Thirdly, alAough we (liould place the original of this curfe upon 
 one of the Tons o£ Chanty yet were it not known from which or them 
 CO derive it. For the particularity of their defcents is imperfectly fee 
 down by Accountants, nor i^ it diftindliie determineable from whom 
 thereof the Ethiofiafis are proceeded. For whereas thefe of Africa 
 are generally efteemedto be theiflUe ofChis^ the elder fon of Chawy 
 it is not fo ealily made out. For the land of Chusy which the Septu- 
 agint tranflates cyfr/j/i?^/.-?, makes no part of^/r/V.?, nor is it the 
 habitation of Blackmores, but the Countrey of v^r^'<?, efpecially the 
 Happy and Stony poflefTions and colonies of all the fons of Chus^ ex- 
 cepting Nlmrod and HaviUh ; poflefled and planted wholly by the 
 children of r/);«, that is, hy Sahah z\\d K^amahy S^hachay and the 
 hns o( Kaawahy Dedafjy and Shi^hay according unto whofe names the 
 Nations of thofe parts have received their denominations, as may be 
 colleiled from Pliny and PtoUmy ; ajid as we are informed by credible 
 Authors, they hold a faire An.ilogy in their names, even unto our 
 dayes. So the wife of UMofes translated in Scripture an EthicpiaK^znd 
 fo confirmed by the fabulous relation of ]ofe-bhuy was none of the 
 daughters of Africa^ nor any Negroeof c^f«/o/>/<?, but the daughter 
 of lethr&y Prince t^ndVnd} oF Madla^-^ which was a part of cy^rahla 
 the ftony, bordering upon the Red Sea. So the Queen of SMa 
 came nor unto Solomm out of cyErhiopia. but from Arahiay and 
 tharp?,rtthereof which bore the nam,e of the flrft planter, the fon of 
 Chus. So whether the Eunuch which Thllip the Deacon baptized, 
 were fervant unto Candace Queen of rhe Africayi ^yErhiopia (al- 
 though Dam'tanm a Goes Cod.iantiSy and the Ethio^ick relations averr) 
 is yet by many, and with ftrong fufpitions doubted. So that Army of 
 a million, which Zir<?/jKing ofc/£fA/V;».''^isf.;idto bring againft A^ 
 /rf, was drawn out of Arahi^ty^ni the plantations of Clmsi nor our of 
 fySthlopiay and the remote habitations of the Moors. Fot it is faid 
 that A fa purfuin^ his victory, took from him the City Gerar ; now Ge- 
 rar\yis no City in or near i^thiopiay but a place between Cadefh :ind 
 Zur-, where Abraham formerly fo/ourned. Since therefore thefe 
 African Et hi op i^.M '^rt not convinced by the com.m.on acceptionto be 
 the fons of Chusy whether they be not tne pofteririe oF Phut or Mlzra- 
 iwyov both, it it not afl'uredly determined, For (J^'/Vr^/»^?, he poflcf- 
 Ftd Egypt y and the Eaft parts of Africa. From Lubym his Ton came 
 x\\zLyblansy and perhaps from them the Ehloplnyis. Phut poflefled 
 Mauritanlay andtheWeftern parts of y/frrV/^, and from thefe per- 
 haps <lefcended the Moors of the Well, o: Mr.ndlngay Melem tte and 
 Gtilnte, But from Canaany upon whom the curfe was pronounGed,none 
 of thefe had their original, for he was reftrained unto Canaan and 
 ■Syria ; although in afrer-Ages many Colonies c'ifoerfed, and fome 
 tliereofuponthecoaflsof-4^r/V^, and prepoflelTions of his elder bro- 
 thers. 
 
 Fourdily, 
 
Book, 6 snd Common Strourf, 407* 
 
 Fourthly, to take away all doubt or any probable divarication, the 
 curfe is plainly fpecified in the Text, nor need we difpute it, like the 
 mark oiCfiw ; Scrvta frvornm eritfratribHsfnis^ Curfed be C«»»<«rf«, a 
 fer\'ant of fervants fiball he be unto his brethren; which was after ful- 
 f.lledinthe Conqueftofr<e«<?^«^, fubdued by rhe //r^//V<?j-, the po^eri^ 
 ty of Si»}. \\ hich Profhecie Abrahani weM underftanding, took arr 
 oath of hisfervantnotto take a wife for his fon JfaacoMt of the 
 dui^hrersof rher^»<i*r»/ff/ ; and the like was performed by Ifaac'm 
 the behalf of his fon ■Vc(7^. As for Cham and his other fons, thi^ curfe 
 attained them not ; for Nlmrod the fon oiCi:Hs fet up his Kin^^domc 
 in Bahylvn^ andere6led the firll great Empire ; A<fiz,rai'm and his po-- 
 iktity grew mighty Monarch? in £g/pt ', and the Empire of the Ethlo^ 
 pifi.ni huh been as lar£,e as cither. Nor did the curfe defcend. in general- 
 upon the pofterity oi Canaan: for iho. Sldonlans^ Arkjtes^ Hamathitesy 
 Smites^ Arvadites^ and Zewerites feem exempted. But v\hy there 
 being eleven fons, five only were condemned, and fix efcaped the ma- 
 ledi(fticn, is a fecret beyond difcovery. 
 
 Laftly, Whereas men affirm this colour was a Curfe, I cannor make 
 odt the propriety of that name, it neither feem.in_^ fo to them, nor rea- 
 fon.ibly unco us, for they rake fo m.uch concent therein, that they e- 
 rteem deformity by other colours, defcribing the devil, and terrible ob- 
 j'eils, white. And if we feriouOy ccnfulc the definitions of beauty, and 
 exa6lly perpend what wife men determine thereof, we ftiall not appre- 
 hend a curfe, oj any deformity therein. For firft, fome place the ef- 
 fence thereof in the proportion of parts, conceiving it toconfiftin a 
 comely comm.enfurability of the whole unto the parts, and the parts be j- 
 tween themfelves : which is the determination of the beft and learned 
 Writers. Now hereby the Moors are not excluded from beauty : there 
 being in this defcription no conlideration of colours, but an apt con- 
 nexion and fram.e of parts and the whole. Others there be, and thofe 
 moft in number, which place it not only in proportion of parts, but al- 
 fo in grace of colour. But to mike Colour efiential unto Beauty ,there 
 will arife no (lender difficulty ; Fot zArlfiotle m two definitions of 
 pulchritude, and Gal'n in one, have made no m.ention of colour, 
 Neirlier will it agree unto the beauty of Animal!?^ wherein notwith- 
 ftanding there is an approved pulchritude. Thus horfes are hand- 
 fome un<^er any colour, ?nd the fymmetry of parts obfcures the 
 con'.ide ration of complexions. Thus in concolour Animals and 
 fuch as are confined into one colour, we meafure not their 
 Beauty thecby; for if a Cow or Black-birde grow white, 
 we generally account it more pretty ; And in almof^ a monftro- 
 fity c'efceiKJ to oi-inion of deformity. By this way likewife the 
 Moores efcape the curfe of deformity : there concurring bO' 
 ftaiionary colour, and fometimes not any unto Beauty. 
 
 The 
 
':^X ^o^ ^qmhii^toVttl^Ar Book. ^^ 
 
 "^ ^ ' -The PUtonitk cf!n|:ciinplators rej<<9: both thefe defcriptions found- 
 
 ed upon parts and colours, or either ; as M. Leo the Jew hath excel- 
 lently difcoMEfed in his Genealogy of love ; defining beaury a ibrmai 
 grace, which delights and moves them to love which comprehend ir. 
 This grace, fay they, difcoverable outwardly, is the Refplendor and Ray 
 ^ Come int^ripur aiid iriv liable Beauty, and proceedeth from the 
 formw of . compoHnons amiable. Vvhofe faculties if they can 
 aptly Ci)ntrive the matter, they beget in the fubje6t an agreeable 
 andpleafing beauty; if over-ruled thereby, they evidence not their per- 
 .fe^iions, but run into deformity. For feeing that out of the fame m.a- 
 tetials, Thfrfitesznd.Pcris^ Beauty and Monflrofity may be contrived; 
 the form^$ and operative faculties introduce and determ.ine their perfe- 
 4li,on8. Which in nacuraibodies receive exa6i:nefl'e in every kinde, ac- 
 cording to the firll /<a^f^ of tbe Creator, and in contrived bodies the - 
 fancie of the Artificer. ..And byjhis confideration of Beauty ,the Moors 
 alfo are not excluded, but hold a common lliare therein with all Man- 
 kinde. ^.j,, r.. r ; 
 
 'J^aftlyi inwhacfo?\«eriE3T^«'6;t)' confiiteth, or if in the generai> we 
 ailQv\(t'he, common conceit of fymmetry, and of colour*, yet todefcend 
 intp finguli^rities, or determine in what fymmetiry and colour it coxju- 
 {ifted., were a flippery defignation. For Beauty; [j^deterniin^ by opijii- 
 pn, and fcems to have no efien<:e that holds on notion withal ; that 
 .feemi^g beauteous uncaonv, whi-h haihno fivour wijih another ; and 
 Th^t"Uli|.^!qveryrQne^ a(-coreii|ig as Cuftfjmw hatl?,ii)ado- it i%uucal, of f){pi'- 
 FaJiy^Mv0'-9f9frmityi 9i . Vindss/liaM mike it; fcein a;,fee.ibk, ' , Thus 
 ikt;N€)-^§r6;eRi cot?>tLly r^^HO tbe'.M.poifi an Aqi.iline or h.iyvked one 
 yrjte the W-fK/^'^fVy.:. a iarg;e and frpmin-mt no^ v..nf Q .he ^ontjitt ; but 
 Dpng :of •A^14f'th^fe<ire a*.ceptable in o^ropiii^nriT-hi^farne think it 
 mpft oi;i>amencai to v\ear t&ir- jbratekts oi^ 4^k V^'tiils, others fT,y. it 
 i>,bSEt|£;f.r,to:bavet(ticm,a|>^^^ th[cir;y^gfjies,i' feme think icmoft'Cj^niely 
 tCr.v\i^r;|hejr,(J%|f-;?n<jvj^y/el^ri^l t^ ^a;;,- :orJiy!jf,>vi;l:i have them^v^ 
 bpirt:tt^k-l^wit^^3!:(a:tbir^,.VYijl:nP^^ ^ir^k thpy arecompleat, -exq^gi^ 
 they : t|at>g thej)i intheir Ji^;/s, cheeks or nofes; ' Thus Humer ro fei^ 
 . ^(M^pm^At. • cjiktl^hcr. >^^-^ »¥b ^^^^ i^i tr^^y or li-ht blevy-eyed.;,- 
 novy . thi^ »4ilEOiU^; fegn^^s fa,? lelfe amiable then the black. Thus we th^ 
 a;i;^^oif Gont};4,Ty(-<fj:>mple>;ions ^cci^.fe the bhckne-fie of ti^.MjC^.ors .a,s ugj) 
 I^i) .^i)t the §f!©yfe4n \)iS^Ca,mi^Us\p\<;^i'i\\\:X)^^ ^onfiek, invthat<^f} 
 fq-fiption: (^f'herrt ,; J^jia .biacjk^ b^f co'.nel-y) • : And, howioeyex (^,^rber^^ 
 aixd-iihe; furies !$>£ hell \i^ defcri^e-d by the Fc>j:ts under this complexi,on^ 
 yet ji^ ^he-,|V;^autie ^ ot" oiiti-^fvio^r bi^cjjnefje is, ce^nmended, when it is 
 f^id,. his lock>j ^re'buO?ie,; and bjt^ck as a ^laveg» Sp that to infer this 
 a^ a <;i\i;ie, ,qr to reafoft it as a de f'^f mity ^ is np^ >Y^'^y . reafo^iable ; rh? two, 
 %ndft|^i^^,-of Be,My, Sy:in^ii5^:ry,-^d i^nijjlejdoijj. /ec(|iv,in§ fuf h v^U'i'r 
 ous apprel\e-of^pj>,j i;jfhaj;r;io4dv vuipi) >>ift. h^;i5j\po\f;i^!^l/oT)iyibf^,^ 
 eurfe or undeniable deformity, without a manifeft and confefied degree 
 ; Ot'mondionr)'. Laltly, 
 
Book.^. 
 
 and Common Errours. 
 
 Laftly, itis a very injurious method unto Philofophy, and a per- 
 petual promotion of ignorance, in points of oblcurity, nor open unto 
 eafie confide ations, to fall upon aprefenc refuge unto Miracles; or 
 recur unto i'limediate contrivance from the unfea chable hands of 
 God. Thus in the conceit of the evil odor of the Jews, Ch ifUans 
 without a farther refearch into the verity of the thing, o" enquiry into 
 the caufe, draw up a jud-,ement upon them from the palTion of their 
 Saviour. Thus in the wondrous efteils of the-ciine of /r/^/;^, and 
 the freedom from all venomous creatures, the credulity of common 
 conceit imputes this immunity upon the beneai^lion of S. Patrlci^^ as 
 BidanndGyraiJui have left ecorded. Thus the Aiie hivinj a peculi- 
 ar mark of a crolfe mace by a black lift down his back, and another a- 
 thwart, o at rij^hr angels aown his il-oulders ; common opinion af- 
 cribes this figure unro a peculiar li n ^tion ; UncQ that beaft had the ho- 
 nour tobear our Sasiouronhisback. Ce.Dinly this is a courfe more 
 defperate then Antipathies, Sympathies, or occult qualities, wherein 
 by a final and fatisfailive difcernnient of faith, we lay the laft and par- 
 ticular effedls upon thehrll and _eneral caufe of all tnings, whereas in 
 the other, we do but palliate our determinations; until our advanced 
 endeavours do totally rejed , or partially falve. their evali- 
 ons. 
 
 ^9^:?' 
 
 ^ 
 
 GAAP. XII. 
 
 A Digrefjion concerning Blacknejfe, 
 
 T Here being therefore two opinions repugnant unto each other, it 
 m.ay not be prefumptive or skeptical to doubt of both. And be- 
 caufeweremiinimpefe6^in the general Theory of colours, we fhall 
 deliver at prefent a (ho:t difcovery of blacknefle ; wherein although 
 perhaps we afford no greater fatisfailion then others, yet ll)all our at- 
 tempts exceed any ; for we fhall Emperically and fenfiblie difcourfe 
 hereof ; deducing the caufes of Blacknefle pom fuch Originals in nature, 
 as we do generally obferve things are denigrated by Art. And herein I 
 hope our pro:,relinon will not be th6ught unreafonable ; for Art being 
 the imitation of Nature, or Nature" at the fecond hand; it is but a 
 fenf.ble expreffion of effe^s dependant on the fame, though more re- 
 moved caufes : and therefore the works of the one may fetve to difco- 
 ver the other. 
 
 Andfiril, Things becom.e black by a footy and fuliginous matter pro- 
 ceeding from the Sulphur of bodies torrified ; not takingf«//V^ ftria- 
 ly, but in oppofition unto driMi^ that is, any kinde of vapo ous or ma- 
 defying excretion ; and comprehending «tv«4^vtM'«W(,that is,as Artfiote 
 
 Qact dennes 
 
'^Y'^-^to Enquiries into Vulgar Book. 6, 
 
 ' defines itj a reparation of moift and dry parts made by the action of 
 
 heat or fire, and cblourmg bodies objeffed: Hereof in his Meteors, 
 from the qualities of thefubje^he raifeth three kindes ; the exhahtr- 
 ons f om ligneous and lean bodies, as bones, hair, and the like, he cal- 
 l^ih M^f©-, fuptw J frorti fat bodies, andfuch as have not their fitnefs 
 confpicuous or feparatcd he termeth f^iyw<^ fr^'go^ as wax, rofin, 
 pitch, or turpentine ; that from unfituous bodies, and fuch whofe oyli- 
 nefle is evident, he nameth uvikia or ttidor. New every one of thefe 
 i do black bodies objcftedunco them, and are to be conceived in the 
 
 • footy and fuliginous matter exprefied. 
 
 J I fay, proceeding from the fulphur of bodies torrified, that is the 
 
 oylie fat, and unctuous parts wherein confift the principles of flamma- 
 biliry. Not pure and refined fulphur, as in the fpirits of wine often re- 
 ctified ; but containing terreftriouS parts, and carrying with it the vo- 
 latile fait of the body, and fuch as is difUnguiHiable by tafte in foot, nor 
 vulgar and ufpal fulphur; for that leaves none or very lit- 
 tle blackneffe, except a metalline body receive the exhala- 
 
 ooh. ■/'•'■.: 
 
 I fay,' torrified, fiiidged, Or fuff-ring fom.e impreflfion fi-om fire ; thus 
 ar^ bodies cafually or artificially denigrated, which in their naturals 
 are of another complexion: thus are Charcoils made black by an infe- 
 ction of their own fuffitus, fo is it true what is affirmed of combuftible 
 bodies. Adufianlgra^teri^fiaalha', black at firft from the fulidnous 
 tin6ture, which being exnaled they become white, as is percepcibie in 
 allies. And fo doth fire cleanfe and purine bodies, becaufe it confumes 
 the fulphureous parts, which before did make them foul : and therefore 
 refines thofe bodies which will never be m.undified by water. Thus 
 Camphire of a white fubftance, by its fnligo affordeth a deep black. 
 So is pitch black, althou^^h it proceed from the fame tree with Roiin, 
 the one diftilling forth, the other forced by fire. So of the fuffitus of 
 a torch, do Painters make a velvet black : fo is Lam.p-black made : fo 
 of burnt Harts-horne a fable : fo is Bacon denigrated in Chimneys ; fo 
 in Feavers and hot diftempers from cholSr aduft is caufed a blacknefs 
 in our tongues, teeth and excretions ; fo are uflilago, brant corn and 
 trees black by blading ; fo part > cauterized, gangrenated, fiderated 
 and mortified become black, the, radical m.oifture, or vital fulphur fuf- 
 fering an excinition, and fmothered in the part affeited. So not only 
 actual but potential fire : not burning fire, but alfo corroding water 
 will induce a blacknefle. So are Cfiimneys and Furnaces generally 
 black, except they receive a clear and m.anifed fulphur : for the fmok^ 
 of fulphur will not black a paper, and is commonly ufed by vvo- 
 men to whiten Tiffinie?, which it performeth by an acide vitrio- 
 Wliythcfmoke Jqus^ and penetrating fpirit afcending from it, by reafon whereof 
 phorbfacbnf*'. ^^ ^ ^^^ ^?^ ^° kindle any thing : nor'will it eafily light a Candle, un- 
 F^^ — ' til that fpirit be fpent, and the flame apprcacheth the match. This 
 
 is 
 
Book. 6* aȣi CmfnonEmurs, ^H \/9^ 
 
 is that acide and piercing fpirif which with fticha^lvity arid coinpuniStion *• 
 
 invadech the brains and noftrils of thofe that receive it. Arid thus when 
 i^t-//-?;?/** affirmeth that Charcoals made out of the wood of Oxy cedar 
 are white , Dr. Jordan in his judicious difcourfe of mineral waters yeeld- 
 eth the reafon , becaufe their vapours are rather fulphureous then of any 
 other combuftible fubftance. So we fee that Ttnh coals vviJl not black 
 limien being hanged in the fmoak thereof, but ratlrer whiten it, by rea- 
 fon of the drying and penetrating quality bf fulphur ^ which will make 
 red Rofes white. And therefore to conceive a general blackiiefs in hefl^ 
 and yer therein»*lhe pure and refined flames of Sulphur , is no Philofo- 
 phical conception , nor will it well coniift with the real efie<fts. of ics 
 nature. ll:, :i ^^■' vii il^iiiw iait.fiitvb AOi;'oii^ 
 
 Th^fe are the advenient and iartificial Wa^^es of denipjiatibn , alnrwcr- 
 ably whereto m.ay be the n.ituralpro^efs. Thefe are the wayes vvhere-» 
 by culinary and common fires do operate , and correfpondent hereunto 
 may be the effv;6ls of fire elemental. So may Bitumen , Coales , Jet, 
 Black-lead, and clivers mineral earths become black ; being either fuligi- 
 nous concretions in the earth , or iuflrering a feorch from denigrating 
 Principles in their formation. So men and other animals receive dif»- 
 ferent tindlures from conftitutiori and camplexional dflorefcences, and 
 defcend fUll lower, as they partake of the fuliginous and 'denigrating hu* 
 Inour; Andfo may the;e/£«/?/'^f/<rffj or jV^r«/if/ become coal-black, 
 from fuliginous etfiorefcences and complexional tinftures arifing from 
 fuchprobabiliti-2s, as wehwedechredbefore. : ;. 
 
 The fecond vvny >\ hereby Wiies become black , is .an Atraoitncoufe 
 cx>nJitibn'.or ir.i .ture , th :.t i • a vitriolace or cop^eToferquaHty corijoynt- 
 in'^! witfa iTfterreRrious and ailiingent humidity; for fo is A>ira}vientma 
 Sc:iptormm y or wri? in^ Ink commonly made by copperofe caft. upon a 
 decoiilion or infufion of'iialls. I fay a vitriolous or copperous quality ; 
 for vitriol i> the adli/c oc chi-f iiv^redtent in Ink, and no other fait dnat 
 I know will 'Irika riie>' colour vVirhiialls ; neithei Alom , Sairgena, Ni- w^u . 't.; -~ 
 tre; norAr^uoniAck. ISrowartificialGOpperDfe, andfuchaswexom* n,on Coppe*-' 
 monlyufe, risa rou:h rndacritrioniQuskindof -fak-dr'awn out of fer* rofeis. 
 reous anderu-^inous e rths , pnrraking chiefly of Iron aud Coffer ; the 
 blew of Copper, the . reen moii of Iron : NorisitunufualcodifTolve 
 fra jnenrs of lion in th.- liquor 'thereof , for advarnca^e in the concre- 
 tion. I fa^v a teticefkious 6r aftringent humidity; for witthout this 
 there will enfue .no dn^l;ure ; for Copperofe in a decoction rif Letrnce 
 or Mallows afford no bbck,. which Vvithanafiringenc mixture it will 
 do, though it be made up with oyle ,^ as in priniin^i; and: painting Ink. 
 But whereas in this compofition we ufe onelj/ ^^it-galls , thnt- is an ex- 
 crefcence from the Oak, therein vve follow and beat up the old receir; 
 for .7ny plant of :auftere-and.ftiptick pares will flifiici , as I have ejcpeii- 
 mented in Br.ijlsrti y Mrrvhalans , Myrt^^A' Brahmtica ,. BaiMtftium 
 and Red-Rofes.' And indeed , moft decoiHons of aflrin^ent' plants > 
 
 GgS2 of 
 
^13 Er^qHmesinto f^ul^ar Book.^ 
 
 . of what colour foever, do leave in che Liguor a deep and Mufcidine 
 red : vyhich by addition of vitriol deCcends into a black : And fo Diof- 
 cor Ides in his receitot Ink, leaves out gall, and with copperofe makes ufe 
 of foot. 
 
 Now if we enquire in what part of vitriol this Atramental and deni- 
 grating condition lodoeth, it will feem efpecially to lye in the more fix - 
 ed fait thereof; For the phlegm or aqueous evaporation will not deni- 
 grate; nor yet fpirits of vitriol , which carry wi^h them volatile and 
 nimbler Salt : For if upon a decoilion of Copperofe and Gall, be pou- 
 red the fpirits or oyl of vitriol, the liquor will relinqui^ his blacknefs ; 
 the gall and parts of the copperofe precipitate unto the bottom , and the 
 Ink grow clear again ; which indeed it will not fo eafily do in common 
 Ink , becaufe that gum is diflolved therein, which hindereth the fepara- 
 tion; But Golcothar or vitriol burnt , though unto a rednefs containing 
 che fixed fait, will make good Ink ; and fo will the Lixivium., or Lye 
 made thereof with warm water ; but the Terra or Infipid earth re- 
 maining, affords no black at all , but ferves in many things foragroft 
 and ufeful red. And though Spirits of vitriol, projected upon a decodi- 
 on of galls, will not raife a black, yet if rhefe fpi:its be any way fixed , or 
 return into vitriol again , the fame will not a6t their form.erparts and 
 denigrate as before. 
 
 Ajid if we yet make a m.ore exafl enquiry, by what this fait of vit iol 
 more peculiarly gives this colour, we lliall f nd it to be f om a metalline 
 condition , and efpecially an Iron Property or ferreous participation. 
 For blew Copperofe which deeply partakes of the copper will do it but 
 weakly , Verdigrife which is made of Copper will not do it at all ; Buc 
 the filings of Iron infufed in vinegar, will wirh a dec oilion, rof ga Ik 
 make good Ink, without any Copperofe at all ; and fo will infufion of 
 Load-fione, which is of affinity with Iron. And though more confpi- 
 cuoufly in Iron , yetfucha Calcanrhous or Atramentoiis quality, we 
 will not wholly rejefl in other m.ettals, whereby we often obferve black 
 tindures in their folutions. Thus a Lemmon, Quince, or rt^arp Apple 
 cut wiih a knife becom.es immediately bl.5ck: And from the like cau:e. 
 Artichokes ; fo fubiimate beat up with whites of eggs, if touched with 
 a knife, becom.es incontinently black. So yJ^uafo'tij -^ uhofe ingre- 
 dient is vitriol, will make white bodies black. So Leather drefled with 
 the bark of Oak, is eafily made black by a bare folution of Copperofe. 
 So divers Miner^il waters and fuch as participate of Iron, upon an infu- 
 iion of galls, become of a dark colour; and entering upon black. So 
 fteel infufed, makes not only the liquor dusky, but in bodies whe-^ein it 
 concurs with propO tionable tindlures m.ikcsalfo the excretions black.! 
 ' And lo alfo from this vitiiolous quality ylfercHnus du/cu- ^ and vitriol- 
 vbm.itive occafion bla<;k e fections. But whether thi:; denigrating quali- 
 ty in Copperofe p.oeeedeth from an I on pa' ticipation , or rather in I- 
 lon from'* vitrioloiis communication ; or whether black tiuilwes from 
 
 metal-. 
 
Book.^ and Common Srrours* ^^"i-^ju^ 
 
 metallical bodies be not Froni vitriolous' paTs contained in their fulphur, 
 f:nce coT.mcn fulyhiir cont^iineth alfo much virrici, m<iy adn^.ic conlide*- 
 r.uion. However in this way of tiniliire, it feemerh plain, that Iron and 
 Vitriol are the powefijl Deni^yarors. 
 
 Sichacon irionthere is naturally in foine living creatures. Thus 
 that black humour by Ar'ijhrl' mined -^^^^ . and commonly tranflated 
 Atrar/fcrtuv:^ maybe occafioned in the Cuttle. Such a condition there 
 ii natural l!y in fom.e PKints, a.v Black-berries , Walnut-'-in 'es, BlAck- 
 cheries ; whereby they extinguilli inflam.niation^,- cor obo-ate the fto- 
 mack , and are efteemed fpecifical in the tpileplie. Such .•;n At am.en- * 
 
 tous condition there is to be found foinetime in the blood, when that 
 which fom.e call Acetum^ oiht's F'itrioi'^-n, concurs with part^ prepa- 
 red for this tin,Ll:ure. And fo from thefc conditions the yldoors mi^hc 
 polT.bly become Negroes ^ receiving Afam.entous imprefl:ctfis in/om.e of 
 thofe vvayes, whofe poilibility is by us declared. 
 
 Nor is it ftran^e that we aftirm. there are vitriolous parts,qualities, and How a vitrio" 
 even nt fome diifance Vitriol it felt in living bodies ; for tliere is a fowr lous quality 
 ftip.ick fait diiiiifed through the Earth, which paiTing a concoilion in "^>ybe inli- 
 pKints, beeometh miLlcr and more agreeable unto the fence , and this ^*"S bodies, 
 is that ve .itable vit.riol , whereby cive s pLints contain a grateful Jliarp- 
 nefs, a; Lemm.onSjPom.egranats, Cher.ies, or an auftee and incon- 
 co6ledrou:hnefs, as Sloes, Medlars and Chinees. And that not only 
 viniol is a caufe of blacknefs, but that the lalts of. natural bodies do car- 
 ry a powerfnUhoke in the tin^ure and vernilli of all things, we fhall 
 not c'eny, if we contradi<il: not experience , and the vihble art of Dyars, 
 who advance ond graduate their colours wirh Salts. Fo: the decodUon- ., 
 
 ofiim.ples which bear the vifible colours of bodyes decoded, are dead 
 and ev^nid , without the conmixion of Alum, Argol, and the like. And ; 
 
 this is <^lfo apparent in Chymicr.l preparations. So Cin.ibar becom.es. 
 redby the acide exhalation of fulphur, which otherwife prefentsa pure: 
 and niveous white. So fpirits of Salt upon a blew paper make an orient 
 red. So Tartar o: Vitriol upon an infuiion of Vrolets affords a delight- o 
 
 fiil crim.fon. Thus it is wonderfuhvhat variety of colours the fpirits of 
 Saltpeter, j>n ^ elpediliy, if they be kept in a gl.ifs while they pierce the. 
 fides thereof; I fay, whn Orient greens thiy will projeil : f^om. the like 
 fpirits in the earth the plmts the-eof perhaps acquire their verdure. And ^^ 
 from, fuch folary irraciations m.ay thofe wondrous varieties aiife , which colours^ ^f ^ 
 are obfevable in Animals, as Mallards heads, and Peacocks feathers, plants, &<v. 
 receivin.; intention or alteration acrording as they are p"efented unto- may arifc. 
 the li^ht. Thus Saltpeter, Am.moniack and Mineral fpirits emicdele- 
 <L^,-!ble 3nd various colours ; and common Acjucforns will in fome green 
 and narovv m.outhed glaffes, about the verges the.reof, fend forth a deep 
 and Gentianella blew. 
 
 Thus have we r-t lilt drawn our con;e6>ures unto a period; whereinv 
 iCour contem.pktions afford no fatisfacftion unto othe rs, I hope our at- 
 
 Ggg3 te-T-pts: 
 
t€^ 
 
 414 $nqu'mes into Vulgar Book. ^. 
 
 tempts will bring no condemnation on our felves, ( for befides that ad- 
 ventures in knowledge are laudable, and the aflayes of weaker heads af- 
 ford oftentimes improveable hints unto better ) although in this long 
 journey we mifs the intended end ; yet are there many things of truth 
 difclofed by the way ; and the collateral verity, may unto realbnable i^z- 
 culations, requite the capital indifcovery. 
 
 y\ 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Of gypfies. 
 
 Uch wonder it is not we are to feek in the original of z^thibpars 
 and natu:'al Nt^rois , being alfo at a lofs concerning the Original 
 of Gypfies and covnterfeit ^<9(7r/, obfervable in many parts oi Enro^e^ 
 liyi.jid-i and tAfrica. 
 
 Com.mon opinion deriveth them from tyEgyp , and from thence 
 
 they derive ihenifelves, according to their own account hereof, as 
 
 -4<f?/»/?^rdifcoverediii the letters and pafs which they obtained from 
 
 Sigifmmid the Emperour, that they firft cam.e out of lefler <t/£^;/>r, that 
 
 having defe6led from the Chriltian rule , and relapfe ^' unto Pa^an rices, 
 
 fome of every family were en oyned this penmce to wander aoout the 
 
 Opinions con- world; or as Av.n.h.m delivereth, they pretend for this vagabond 
 
 '5^^^"S .^^*<^'' courfe, a judgement of God upon their Forefathers, who refufed 
 
 Gypfiej° ^^ entertain the Virgin Mary and Jefus , when llie fled into their Coun- 
 
 which account notwithflandmg is of little probibility : for the ge- 
 neral ftream of writers , who enqui e into thc^ir original, infift not upon 
 rerrdvd de ^^^^ ' ^ndare fo little fatishedin rheir /efcencfrom <L/£gypt^ that they 
 ^cordui djdaf' de:iuce them, from feveral other Naiions F:/l;Uo:-e rir^j/ accounting, 
 tal.multipl. themorii^,inaily SyriMy:s^ Thll':fppis Bergoma^ fetcheth them from ( hul- 
 <j/ ^, o/^"w^ iSy/t^/Wrf from fome part of Tartary ^ B I'o^ins no further 
 then f^'aUchia aad Bulgaria^ no^ Auentiy:Hs then the confines of Utat-^ 
 gar'ia. ' 
 
 tfhfcrvit.Li. That they are no e^^<ryj!?r/^»/ , B Ihn'ms makerh evi;!ent; who met 
 nreat r roves of Cjypfies in c^gypt-, about Grand Cairo , Matatea, and 
 the villages on the b.mks oi Nilnsy who norwirhlbnnin^; were account- 
 ed ftrangers unro that Nation, and wanders from forreign parts, even as 
 they are e(leemed with us. 
 Gypfies fr ft That they came not out of cy£gvp: is alfo-probable, becaufe their firft 
 knownin^cr- appearance vvasin (jt^rw^jwyjfince the year 1400. nor were they obfer- 
 miny, ved before in other parts of Ettrop?^ as is deducible from Mftf^fiiry Gene- 
 
 hrard,C'f~afitffM,^ndOrte/ius. ■ " vi ;,. ' [ ■ ■. -■ , 
 
 But chat they firit lei out not far from. Germany y is alfo probable from 
 
 their 
 
Book.^. andCoimiontrrowrs, ^^^ ^^^ 
 
 thiiir language , which was the Sclavonian tongue j and when they wan- 
 dred afterward into Frar,ce ^ they were commonly called Bohmlans^ 
 which name is ftill retained for Gypfies. And therefore when Cra/itfm 
 delivercth, thsy hrft appeared about the Balcick Sea, when Bdlomm de- 
 riveth them, from Bulgaria and JVaUchla^ and others from about Hu»- 
 ffariii-, they fceak nor'repucnantly hereto : for the language of thofe Na- 
 tions was SclavoniAn; at ieaft fom.e dialeil thereof. 
 - But of what Nation foever they were the firft, they are now almoft of 
 all; aifociating unto them fomeofeverycountrey where they w^mderj 
 when they will be loft 7 or whether at all again, is not without fome 
 doubt : for unfetled Nations have out-lafted others of fixed habitations: BeUen. ohfef' 
 and though Gypfies have been Kinifhicd by moftChrifiian Princes, yet vat l.z. 
 have ihey found fome countenance from the Great Turk, whofuffereth ^^"jc!* ^^^ 
 ihem to live and maintain publike Stews near the Im.perial City in Ti- mateth '^^"'"^ 
 rat ofwhom he often maketh a politick advantage, imploying them as Gypfies. 
 Spyes into other Nations,under which title they were baniilied by Charls 
 the Fifr. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 Of fome others* 
 
 WE comm.only accufe the £mcies of elder times in the improper 
 figures of heaven alTigned unto Conftellations j which do not 
 feem to have been com.monly committed by Geographers and Hiftori- 
 ans, in the figural refemblances of feveral Regions on earth ; \\ hile by 
 Livjsnd]M/\ts Ruftictif the Iflandof Britain is m.ade to refemble a 
 long diili or two-edged axe ; Italy by Numaiamts to belike anOak-^**^/'' ''*?'•''* 
 leaf: and Spain an Ox-hide ; while the phancy of Strabo m.akes the ha- ^"''* ^^''"' 
 bit^ted earth like a cloak , and Dieny'-m Jftr will have it like a fling : 
 with many others obfervable in good writers, yet not m.ade out from 
 the letter or fignihcation ; acquitting Aftronom.y in their figures of the . 
 
 Zodiack : wherein they are nor juftified unto ftrid refemblances, but ra- ijeSMloboU 
 ther made out from the effeils of Sun or Moon in thefe feveral portions « cap. z, 
 ofheaven, or from peculiar influences of thofe conftellations , which 
 fome way make good their names. 
 
 Which notwithftanding being now authentick by p refer iption , may 
 be retained in their naked acceptions , and names tranflated from fub- 
 flances known on earth. And therefore the learned Heveliui in his ac- 
 curate Selenogrophy , or defcription of the Moon, hath well tranflated 
 the known appellations of Regions, Seas and Mountains, unto the parrs 
 of that Lumjnary : arid rather then ufe invented names or humane de- 
 nomination', with witty congruity hath placed Aiomt Sinai -, Taurns-, 
 M&otis ^alm^ the Mediterranean Sea, Mattritania^ Sicily and A fa mi- 
 nor in the Moon, More 
 
41^ Encfuiries into Vulvar Book.^.. 
 
 More hardly can we findthe Hebrew letters in tht heavens, iiutle ouc 
 
 ?h^?*'* ofthe greater andleflerSr .us, which put together do makeup words, 
 
 "** wherein CabalilHcal Speculators conceive they read rhe events of future 
 
 Gnffircl out ^^^^i^ 3 ^nd how fro'.n the Scars in the head oiMednfay to make out the 
 
 of.R. Cbomcr, vvovdCharah ; and thereby defolation prefi^nified unto Grjtc^'or ja. 
 
 vaf7, numeraliy characterized in that word, requireth no ri^id Reader. 
 
 It is not ea!:e to reconcile the different accounts of longitude, while 
 in modern tables the hundred and ei.,hty c egree, is more then thirty de- 
 AthM.T!iirMr gtees beyond that part > where iVs/^??/}' pl.iceth an i8o. Nor will the 
 i» proxmio. Avider and more Wcflern term of Longitude, from whence the Moderns 
 begin their comm.enfuration , fuificiently falve the difference. The an- 
 cients began the meafuve of Longitude from the fortunate IllanJs or Ca- 
 naries, the MoJernsfrom the A?ores or Iflands of S. Michael; but 
 fince the Azores a-e but fifteen dei^rees more Weft , why the Moderns 
 flici'ld reckon i^o- where 'Pfr/^^;?>'accounteth above 220. or though 
 WLoheriris Huts ^^^7 ^'^^^ ""^ ' ? c'egrees at the Weft ; they iliould reckon 30 at rhe Eaft, 
 d'tjibis. beyond the Ome menfure, is yet to be determined ; nor would it be 
 much adv.mta^ed, if we ft-.ould conceive rhit the compute ot 'Vtolomy 
 ^vere not fo agreeable unto rhe Canaries, as the Hefpericies or Ifiands of 
 Cabo Vcrd\ 
 
 Whether the coT.pute of m.oneths from the firft appearance of rhe 
 
 Moon , which divers Nations [iv efollowed , be not a more perturbed 
 
 way , then that which accounts fi-om the con unction , may fcem of 
 
 is I reafonable doubt , not only from the uncertainty of its appearance in 
 
 <^.\. ^ ^^^'' ^"^ cloudy wenther, but unequal time in any, that is fooner or lat- 
 
 When the ter, according as the Moon fl-iail b^ in rhe ligns of long defcenfion , as 
 
 Moon will be l-'ifc s^ Ar'tes^ 7 aurtt!^ in the Peri ,eum or fwiftcft motion , and in the 
 
 c*ft ?" ' f* hP ^"^''^hern Latitude : wher by fometim.es it m.ay be feen the very day of 
 
 fcrftdayo t the change, as will obfer\'ably happen 1 (5^4. in th^ moneths of zy^prll 
 
 Wby^the Sun and May ? or whether alfo the compute of the day be exactly made f 1 om 
 
 is ken after it -the vihble arifing or fetting of the Sun, becaufe the Sun is fometip.es na- 
 
 isfflt, or natu- turally fet, and under the Horizon, when vifibly it is nbove it ; from, the 
 
 rally under caufes of refraction, ?nd fuch as .m.ake iis I ehold a piece of filver in a ba- 
 
 i e Horjun. ^^^^ v\'hen water is put upon it, which we could not difcover before , as 
 
 iinder the 'erje thereof. 
 
 W hither the Globe of rhe earth be but a point, in refpeit of the flats 
 an':' firm.ament, or h':^\v if the rayes thereof do fall upon a point, they are 
 receive:^ in fuch variery of Angels, appearing greater or lefler from c if- 
 ferences of refradtion ? 
 
 V\ hither if the motion of rhe Heavens ftiould ceafe awhile, all things 
 To whit thc^Yo: Id infl-'ntly perilli ? and whether this aflertion doth not make the 
 motion of the p^j.^.^ of fubluntry thin-;s, to hold too loofe a c'epcndencv upon the firft 
 
 Heavens fer- , ^ • r -, , 1 n • ~. l i • cA 
 
 ntb.^Mci Lib. •'^"- conferving canle ? at leifl umpute too much unto the motion of the 
 heaven^-, vxhofeem.inent a6tivitiesareby heat, li^htrnd influence, the 
 motion it felf being barren, or chiefly ferving tor the due application 
 
 of 
 
Book. 7. and Common Errours. 417 J^Z 
 
 of celeftial virtues unto fublunary bodies, as Oii^.fti hath learnedly ob- •'** 
 
 ferved. 
 
 Whether CoTiets or Blazing Stars be generally of fuch terrible efels, 
 as elder times have conceived them; for^Jince it is foimd that many, 
 from whence thsfe prediitions are drawn , hive b^en above the Moon; 
 why they m.ay not be qualified from their pofitions , and afpe6b vvhirh 
 they hold with ftars of favourable natures; or why lincethey may be 
 conceived to arife from the effluviums of other Stars, they may not re- 
 tain the benignity of their Originals ; or iince the natures of the fixed 
 Stars, are AlUoIogically differenced by the Planets , and are efteemed 
 Martial or Jovial, according to the colours whereby they anfvver thefe 
 Planets ; why although the Red Com.ets do carry the portenfions of 
 Mars , the bri£;htly-white iliould not be of the Influence of Jupiter or 
 Venus,anfwerably unto Cor Scorpii and Arflurus; is not abfurd to doubt. 
 
 Hhh THE 
 
.0 
 
io6fe f: 
 
 andC(ff'tfl0nBmttri» 
 
 Mi ^^ 
 
 THE 
 
 SEVENTH BOOK = 
 
 Concerning many Hiftorical Tenents generally 
 receiuedy andfome deduced from the Hifiory 
 of Holy Scripure. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 of the Forbidden Fruit. 
 
 'Hat the Forbidc^en Fruit of Paradife was an Apple, is 
 commonly believed, confirmed by Tradition, perpetu- 
 ated by \\ ritings, Verfes, Piilures ; and fome have 
 been lo bad Profodlans^ as from thence to derive the 
 Jj Latineword^^/^w/, becaufethat fruit was the fitftoc- 
 ca/ion of evil ; wherein notvvithftanding determinati- Opinions, of 
 ons are prefumptuous, and many ,1 pcrceive,are of an- wh« kinde the 
 other belief. For fome have conceived it a Vine -, in the myftery of '*^t)i(i<i«aMc 
 whofe fruit lay the expiation of the tranf^relTion : Gvrofim Btcwpu 
 reviving the conceit o^ Barccph^,:^ peremptorily concluderh it to be the 
 IndUn^i<^-UQty and by a witty Allegory labours to confirm" the ft^md 
 Again, fome fruits pafle Under the name of ^dams ^ppi^^, which^ft . >, 
 
 common acception admit not that appellation ; the one defcribed by 
 <M^,thiotm under -the name of ^omn n ■Ad.imly a very far fruit, atla 
 Wot unlike a Citron, but fom.ewhat ibur^ier, chopt . and cranied, • '\ntJ- 
 garly conceived the m arks of Adam\'^ttti\\. Another, the fruit '6fWt 
 plant 'vvliich 'Serd^lm 'f ek3il€;tl> Mnfa^ 'hixt rhe ' E^leril ChrifUans- eom- 
 
 H h h 2 monJy 
 
^^ 
 
 420 Sn^mrUs itAo yulgiir Book. 7 
 
 monly the Apples of Paradife ; not refembling an Apple in figure, and 
 in tafte a Melon or Cucumber. Which fruits a I chough rhey have re- 
 ceived appellation? fuicjble unco the Tra( ition, yet can we nor from 
 thence infer thsy were this fruir in queftion : No rr.or^ then zArbor 
 vittty fo. commonly c Ailed to obtain its name from thi Tree of life in 
 Paradife, or yirbor juda, 'to be the fame which fupplied the gibbet un- 
 to Judoi. 
 
 Again, there is no determination in the Text ; wherein is only par- 
 liculared that it was the fruit of a Tree good for foovi, and pleafmc un- 
 to the eye, in which regards many excel the Apple; and therefore 
 learned men do wifely conceive it inexplicable ; and Thllo puts deter- 
 mination unto defpair, when he affirmeth the fam.e kinde of fruit was 
 never pro uced fince. Surely were it not requihte to have bpen con- 
 cealed, it had not paffed unfpecitied ; nor rhe tree revealed which con- 
 cealed their nakednefle, and that concealed which revealed it ; for 
 in the fame chapter mention is made of Fig-leaves. And the like 
 particulats, although they feem uncircumftantial, are oft fet down in 
 holy Scripture ; fo is it fpecined that LtUs fate under a Juniper-tree, 
 uihfalom handed by an Oak, and ZachcM got up into a Sy co- 
 more. 
 
 And although to condemn fuch Indererminables unto him thct dc^ 
 manded on what hand Fenns was wounded, the Philofopher thought 
 it a fuflRcient refolution to re-enquire upon what leg King Philip halD- 
 ^tfi/ScUtict, ed ; and the /<'»'-f notijidoubte ly refolvedof the Sciatica-fide of Ja^ 
 ^MGen.;i.t5* coh^ do cauteloufly in their ciet abUain from, the finews of borh : yet 
 ^^'^^ are there many nice particulars which may be authentically determined. 
 ThatP-t'-r Cut off rhe ri.ht care of cJ^^?/f /:;//, is beyond all doubt. 
 That our Saviour eate thePafleover in an upper room., we miay deter- 
 mine, from the Text. And fome we may concede which the Scripture 
 plainly def.nes not. That the Dyal of ^haz. was \'hctd upon the 
 Weft-lide of the Temple, we will not deny, or conrradiil tbedefcri- 
 fiionoi yidilcomipti. Th^x. Abrahams Tervant put hi h nd under his 
 ric^htthigh^ wefhallnot queftion; and that the Thief en the right 
 h.'ind was U\Z(iy and the other on the left reprobated^ to make good 
 the Method of the laft judicial difm.iir.on, we are ready to adndr. But 
 f^isceifus tfl furely in vain we enquire of what woo J \\xsM/f > rod, or the tree 
 truntuscuprcf that fvveetned the waters. Or thourh Tradition or humane HiRory 
 fut. olivd fii mvj\i afford fome li hr, whether the Crown of chornes was made of Pa^ 
 P^^^*'"*P'f''f'"ii\iuTiis; whwth.r the Crofle of Chriil were ma.^e of thofe foure woods 
 %"rte ftiV i« ^" ^^^ ^^^''*'"^ ^' D;i;vr>zrff, or only of Oak, atcorcin^ unto L/p wand 
 tme lignum. O'orop.'tic, we i ,bour not to determine. For though hereof p.udenc 
 Symbols .iridpous Allegories be m.aJebywifer Coneeivers ; yet com- 
 mon he -ids will fiie unto fuperftitious apflicatious, and barclly avoid 
 miraculous or mai ical expeditions. 
 Now the ground of reafon. thac occafioned this exprefTion by an 
 
 Apple,, 
 
Book. 7 oftd Common Brrours, 44 j A/?. 
 
 Apple, mLjht be the community of this fruit, and which is often taken 
 for any other. So the GoddefTe of Gardens is termed Pon.ona ;. fo the 
 Proverb expreflerh it to give apples unto ty^lc'mow, fo the fruit which 
 ^ar'is dtcidzd was called an Apple ; fo in the Garden of Hcfferidesy 
 (which many conceive a fi^lion drawn from Paraciife) we reade of ' 
 golden Apples guarded by the Dragon. And tofpeak ftritlilyin this 
 appellation, they placed it more fafely then any other ; for belide the 
 crear variety of Apples, the word in Greek comprehenderh Orenges, 
 Lem.m.on=;, Citrons, Quinces ; :ind as Rue l/iw defineth, fuch fruiLs as ^^ ] j a- - 
 have no rtone within, md a foft covering without; excepting the Pom.e- ttm\'itur»^ 
 granite. And will extend m.uch farther in the acceprion of Sp'getiHs^ tfigogein um 
 who comprehenderh all round fruits under the name of Apples, not ex- Herbirim. 
 '-luding Nuts and Plumbs. 
 
 It hath been promoted in fome conftrudlions from a paffaje in the 
 C^/itic/es, as it runs in the vulgar Tranflation, Sulr arbor: ma.h [nfclta- Cjin.?. 
 vi tCy ihi comtpta ffi maier tn^^ tbi vi'data efi gemxrixtHa. Which 
 w-ords notwithftanding parabolieally intended, admit no literal infe- 
 rence, and are of little force in our Tranflation, I raifedthee under 
 an Apple-tree, there thy mother brought thee forth,, there fhe brouL,hc 
 thee forth that bare thee. So when from abisket of Summer-fruits or 
 Apples, as the Vulgar rendreth them. Ciod, by .-/w^// foretolu the de- 
 ftrudlion of his people, we cannot fay they had any reterence-unto the 
 fruit of Paradife, which was the deflrudtion of m.m ; but ihereby was 
 declared the propinquity of their defolation ; and that their tranquilli- 
 ty was of no lon;^;er duration then thofe horary or foon decaying fruits 
 of Summer. Nor whjn it is faid in the fam.e Tranflation, l^oma, defi- pruStat Hirmi 
 dcrii anirnA tux difcejlcrtint a te^ the apples that thy foul lurted after 
 are departed from thee, is there any aljufion therein unto the fruit of 
 paradi e. But thereby is threatned unto Bah^lo^i^ihaz the pleafures and 
 delights of their Palate fnould forfake them. And we reade in PlerifUy 
 that an Apple was the Hiero^lyphick of love, and that the 5f^r«^ of 
 ^c;.;^ was made with one in her hand. Sothelutle Cupids in. the fir 
 gures of P/?//fl/?r^/^«^ do play with Apples in a Garden ; and there want phiioflf-j.^ 
 not fom.e who have fymbolized the Apple of Paradife unto fuch con^ j?gHr.6.Dc i»; 
 llruftions. moiibus. 
 
 Since therefore after this fruit, curiofity fruitlefly enquireth, and 
 confidence blindly determineth, we Hiall furceafe our Inquifition; ra- 
 ther troubled that it was tafled, then troubhn.j our felves in its deci- 
 fion ; this only we obferee, when thin :;? are left uncertain, m.en will 
 afllirethem bydetermin-tion. V hich is not only verified concerning 
 the fruit, but the Serpent that^perfwaded j many defining the kind or fpe- 
 cies thereof. So ij'tf«*?':;:v7/«rf and ro;w:_/?<?r affirm, it was a Dragon, E/r-^.. . 
 gnhir.Hs a Bafilisk, Delrlo a Viper :^nd others a conm.onfnake. Wherein wjjjt ikuicibe^. 
 men ftill continue thedeluHon cf the Serpent, who having deceived Scrpcnc was^ 
 £.ve iiithe_maui> fets herpofterityon worktomiftake in the circum- &<^- 
 
 Hhh.3 ibncey, 
 
i^K ^i'i thi^metrmm^ Book. 7 
 
 rfaiice, and end^yourS to propagdt6 errors at ^y hand. And thofe 
 tie ^utdy moft defireth which concern either God or hitnfelf j for th?y 
 cfiflionour God who is abfolute truth and goodnefle ; but for himfelf, 
 who is cxtreamly evil, and the worft (he can conceive, by aberration of 
 conceit they extenuate his depravitie, and afcribe fome goodnefle un- 
 to hun. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 That a CHafthath one %ib leffethen a Woman. 
 
 'Hat t Man hath one Rib leffe then a Woman, is a common con- 
 ceit derived from theHiftory of Vjf-wfJ^j, wherein it ftands deliver- 
 ed, that Eve was framed out of a Rib of Adam ; whence it is conclu- 
 ded the fexe of m.an flill wants that Rib Oiir Father loft m Ev:. And 
 this is not only palTant with themanj/, but was urged againft ^o/«w^w 
 in ain Anatom.ie of Ms at Pip^ where having prepared the Scheleton of 
 a \Y6man thit ch.mced to nave thirteen ribs on obe fide, therearofea 
 party that cried him down, and even uiito oaths aftirmed, that this was 
 Osexofibus the rib wherein a woman exceeded. Were this true, it would ocu- 
 wi». Urly filerice that difpute out of which fide Eve vvas framed ; it would de- 
 
 termihe the opinion of 0/;'<?/?:r, that /he Was made out of the ribs of 
 both fid^Sj "oriiicha^ from "the exprefl^on 0/ the Text maintain there 
 i' \yas aplurahty of ribs reqiiir'ed, Yndrtli^ht indeed decry the paraboli- 
 
 cal expbfition of Origeh^ C'^j tdy?^ and luth as fearing to concede a 
 plohrtrofity, or mutilate the integrity of ^^^w. preventively con- 
 ceive the Creation of thirteen ribs. 
 How many But this will not c6nli(} wiih re^fon O" infpedion. For if we fur- 
 ribs commonly vey the Scheleton of both Sexes, arid theriin the compare of bones, 
 in men and we /Kali readily dif'cover th t m.en an i wo nen have foure and twenty 
 women. ^^^^ that is, twelve on eaib ide- leven i^reat^r annexed unto theSter- 
 
 ribh,'and five letfcr vvHich come lliort thereof, wherein if it fome- 
 times happen that either Sex exceed, the conformation is irregular, de- 
 fle£ling from the common rafe or number, and no mote inferiible 
 upon inahKinde, "then 'the moniltolity of the fonof Rdfl-a^ or the 
 yltiolis exceiTe in the number of fingers and tOes. And althou^i 
 fooie' difference there be in f.,fjirt\, "and the fem'ale os inominatum h^ 
 ibmewhit oio're protubei'aht, to'nVAle a faffcr cAVity for the Infiht ; the 
 coccyx fom.etime more rj^fle^'ef^t'o give the'eafier delivery, and the ribs 
 
 ich 
 
 orally 
 
 of 
 
 firf^Aatomy. " ' ' ' Again, 
 
llQpk.j. andCo^mnErrom. ^^ j ^^^ 
 
 Agaui, pU-hough we concede there vvanted one rib In the Scheleton 
 of oy^darK, yetAvere it Jre^ugiiant L^k6' k^foriati^ totrdnoh obrervaci- 
 on ihat'fiis Fonerity moulc^VVahtrheftfflV/ ^ l?of tv^ "6bl^rve that muri- 
 lations are not rranfmitted from father unto fon ; the blinde begetting 
 fucK as can fee, meh^Yithpnd eye'/hiM^ and cripples mu^ 
 tilite in their own peribns do conifer piii P^ffe*^ iii their generanoris. 
 'For the {?itd' conve'yeth witF/irnt^t oiiry thee^^ fin^^le Idea bf 
 "^yery part, whereby "it rrarifmits ifheif perfe'dliphs'ahd 'infirmities ; but 
 '^c^uVle and oyer agaiii; ' viberetiy ft>frfetim6sit muftiplicioufly delineates 
 the tame, as in TvVihs, in mixed ^n^ numerous generations. " ' And' 50 That every 
 Tpeak iriore ftri6lly, parts of thefeed'dofeem'jto contain tbe Idea and pare of the feed 
 povyer of the whole; fo Parents deprived of handsjbeget manualiillies, contains the I- 
 ^nd the de'fe^^ of thofe parts is fuppHed by the Idea of others. So" hi '^^ ?^ 1^^. , 
 'one grain of come '%earmgfkirary and' ihf^^^^^^ v»hoieAniraat« . 
 
 minatipn, there lieth dormant th6 vertuality 6ii{imy other, ' md from 
 "whence fometimes .proceed above an hunared ears. And thbs 
 'may )3t fiiade out the caiife of niultiparous productions ; for though 
 !ine feminal 'materials difpeffe and feparate in the Matrix, the formative 
 ^ppeKitor vyiil hot delineate a part, but endeavour the formation of the 
 yi^fe; 'effe£ling the Tamers far asth^'matterwill pefrmit, and from 
 "<fividirig materials, attempt entire formation. And therefore, though 
 ,>yondrous ft range, it may not be impoflible what is coiiHrmed ztLaaf- 
 ^<^«» concerning .the Countefle of Hqlla^ici, nor what .AlhertHs reports « 
 ,of the bir^h of an hundred and $fty; ' And if we'confi'der the maghaH- 
 Jtjes Qf ^^ner^tion in fdilie i^hmgsy we fliall not c<pntfovert its p6/5b|Iipes 
 in ^thers : nor eafily dueftidn that gr^ac \y6rk", vvhofe vvdnders are cnly 
 ' fecpiid unto thpfe of th^ Creation, and a clofe a^pfehenfioii oftbe one, 
 : might pephaps' afford a gliiiimefijig %bt, ahd'crei>urciiIous' glance of t|ie 
 'o^ber.'" ■'■ ■' ■' ■ ■ ' ' ■■' '■' ■ ^' ■' ' ' " ■" ''-"^ 
 
 [\ ' i.j ! ..;i . * :!' ■ lUoriv Y 
 
 Of Methufdah. 
 
 'Hat hath bee« every where opinioned by all men, and in all 
 times, is more then paradoxical to difpure , afnd fo that yI</fr/;«- 
 feUh wa$ the longeft liver of all the pofterity oiAdam^ \\k. qui^fetly be- 
 leeve j. butthat he mult needs be fo, is perhaps tfeldw Paralovy to dtny. 
 tor hereof there is no determination from the Textj wherein it i§ only 
 . particulated he was the Ic^igeft Liver of all the Patriarks vvhofe age is 
 there expref[ed,but thathe out-lived all other^,\ye tarinor weircohcludc. 
 For of thofe nine whofe death is mentioned before the flood,the text ex- 
 prelfeth -that £»5<:/> was the fhorteft Liver; who faw but ^^^5. 
 
 'years. 
 
 Hi 
 
y/.-^ 424 'Enqutriet into Vulgar Book. 7. 
 
 ' _ydars. But'to afiirm from hence, none cf the reft, vvhofe age i^ not ex- 
 prefled, did dye before that time, is furely an illation whereto vve cannot 
 aflent. 
 
 Again, Many pcrfons there were in thofe dayes of longevity, of whofe 
 •age notwithftanding there is no account in Scripture ; as of thi race of 
 Cyin^ the Wives of the nine Patriarchs, with all the fons and daugh- 
 ters that every one begat ? whereof perhaps fome perfons mighi: out-live 
 Metk'^fe/ah ; the Text intending only the mafculine line of Seth , con- 
 duceable unto the Genealogy of our Saviour , and the antediluvian 
 Chronology. And therefore we muft not contrail the lives of thoi^ 
 which are left in lilence by Mofe^ ; for neither is the age of aAbel ex- 
 prefled in the Scripture , yet is he conceived far elder then commonly 
 opinipned ; and if we allow the coricluiion of his Epitaph as made by 
 Adam , and fo fetdownby SaHan , Tofmt ntdtnr.s p.iter , cki a fji'o 
 j ifUti^ fojlitimfo'-et , AJino ab ortH rer*im 130. Ah AbAc nctb 129. "VVc 
 ihall not need to doubt. . Which notwithftanding Cf.jet.w and others 
 confirm, nor idt fiiiprobable", if we conceive, that >4^f/ was born ifi 
 the fecond year of Ad.^,my and Scth a year after the death of Abel : for 
 , fo it being faid, th.it <iAdam was an hundred and thirty years old "wheh 
 he begat 5'<//? , -/i?^.7muft,perifti the year before, which was'one hun- 
 dred twenty niiie.' '/.\," 
 
 And ifthcaccountdfr^/« extend unto the Deluge, it may not be 
 improbable that fome thereof exceeded any of Seth. Nor is it' unlikely 
 in life, riches, power and temporal blefifings, they, might furpafs th^iii 
 in this world, whofe. lives related unto the next. For 10 when the feed 
 o^Jrcob was under "aAiii^ion and captivity , that ^ of Jfrnad d.nd ^fa,H 
 flourin-idd andgrevv mi<,hty, there proceeding fom the one twelve Prin- 
 ces, from the other no lef;'theh fourteen Dukes and eight Kings. And 
 whereas the age of C/^;«andhis pofteriry is not delivered in the Text, 
 fome do falve It from the fecret method of Scripture , which fometime 
 wliolly omits, but feldome or never delivers the entire dufatioii oi' wick- 
 ed and faichlefs perfons, as is obfervable inthehiftory of £/?«, and 
 Jth thouibt the Kings of //r Wand JW/?/?. And therefore when m.ention is made 
 by Tome to be that Ijhm^: I lived i ^ 7 years/oirie coriceivehe adhered luito the faith of 
 of the race of Abraham ; for fo did others who were not defcenied from Jacob ; for 
 *'■"'• Jft^isthoughttobeah /i^«»?>^,»7, nndofthefeedof£/"«. 
 
 Laftly ("although we relye not thereon ) we will nor omit irhat con- 
 xtit ur ed by learned men , that /<//fi^/7^ Avas ejdej then ^feti-Mfelch-^ in- 
 afmuchasht\vas<;r-ea,tedintheperfei1ageofi!^an, which vyas in thofe 
 dayeg 5c or.^oy^ar? ,, for about that timewe read chit they begat chil- 
 dren; ib that if unto 9 rp we add 60 ye ITS, he will tKcztdMethnfchh. 
 Andthercforeif not in length rtfdaye^, atleiftinold age he furpaffed 
 •others ; he was ol'^er then all, .\-\ ho was never fo young as atty.. For 
 though he knevy old sge, lie was nevpr acquainted with puberty' , youth 
 -or Infancy ; and fo in a ilrut account lie be^at children at one year old. 
 - And 
 
Book, 7* and CnmnoftSrmrf^ %*X^y»7 
 
 And if the ufuai compute will hold, thar men are of the feme age which 
 are born within compafs of the fame year ; Sve was as old as her huC 
 band and Parent Adam-, and ^/» their fon coepanous unto both. 
 
 Now that conception, that no man did ever attain unto a thoufond 
 years, -becaufe none fhould ever be one day old in the fight of the Lord^ 
 unto whom according to that of David , A thoufand years are but one 
 day ? doth not advantage MethnfeUh, And being deduced from a po^ 
 pular expreflion , which will not ftand a Metajyfhyfcal and ftriil exami- 
 nation , is not the force to diuert a ferious enquirer. For unto God jl 
 thoufand years are no more then one moment, and in his fight M thn- 
 felai: lived no nearer one day then A he I , for all parts of time are alike 
 unto him> i nco whoin none are referrible ; and all things prefent, unto 
 whom nochin^, i.> part or to come. And therefore, although we bemea- 
 fured by the Zone of time, and the flowing and continued inftants there- 
 of, do weave at laft a line and circle about the eldeft : yet can we not 
 thus commenfurate the fphere of Triffrtev^tjlf^^ or fum up the unfuccel^ 
 five and ftable duration of God. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 That there wM no %^in.hoJ9 before the Flood, 
 
 THat there fhall no Rain-bow appear fourty years before the cud of 
 the World , and that the preceding drought unto that great flame 
 OiaU exhaufithe materials of this Meteor, was an aflertion grounded 
 upon no folid reafon : but that there was not any in fixreen hundred 
 years , that is, before the flood , leems deduceable from holy Scripture, 
 G€». g, I do fet my bow in the clouds , and it fliall be for a token of .a 
 Covenant between me and the earth. From whence notwithflandtng 
 we cannot conclude the non-exiftenc^ of the Rain-bow ; nor is: that 
 Chronology naturally eftablijlied, which computeth the antiquity of 
 effe6ls arifing from phyfical and fetled caufes, by additional impoiitions 
 from voluntary determinators. Now by the decree of reafon and Phi- 
 lofophy , the Rain-bow hath its ground in nature , and caufed by the 
 layes of the Sun , falling upon a roride and oppofite cloud: whereof 
 fome reflected, others refrajdted, beget that ferrii-circnlar v^iery vvegei 
 nerally call the Rain-bow; which mufl fucceed upon concurrence of 
 caufes and fubjedts aptly predifpofed. And therefore, to conceive there 
 was no Rain-bow bsiore, becaufe God chofe this out as a token of the 
 Covenant, is to conclude the exiftence ct£ things from their fignalities, • 
 orofwharis objected unto the fenfe, aco-exiftence with that whichis 
 internally prefented" unto th« underftandin^. With equal reafon wt 
 
 1 1 i may 
 
r j^^^ Enquiries into FulgAr Book. 7 
 
 may infer there was no water before the iniUtution of Baptifm,nor bread 
 and wine before the holy Eucharift. loVrfo; 
 
 Again, while men deny the antiquity of one Rain-bow, they ancientr 
 
 Thit there it ly concede another. For, befide the folary Iris which God llievved unto 
 
 » lUin bow of Ntah , there is another Lunary, whofe efficient is the Moon , vifibJe 
 
 the.Mpon. Qi^jy ijj the night, moft commonly at full Moon , and fome degrees a- 
 
 bove the Horizon. Now the exilknce hereof men do not controvert, 
 
 although effe£led by a different Luminary in the fame way with the o- 
 
 ther. ^And probably appeared later , as being of rare appearance and 
 
 rarer obfervation , and many there are which think there is no fuch thing 
 
 in Nature. And therefore by cafual fpe£tators they are.Jookt upon like 
 
 prodigies, and fignifications made, not figniiied by their natures. 
 
 Laftly , ' We Ihall not need to conceive God made the Rain-bow at 
 this time ,- if we confider that in its created and predifpofed nature , ic 
 was n)Qre proper for this fignification then any other Meteor or celefli- 
 al appearancy whatfoever. Thunder and Lightning had too much ter- 
 rour to have been tokens of mercy ; Comets or Blazing Stars appear too 
 feldome to put us in mind of a Covenant to be remembred often : and 
 might rather fignifie the world ilould be once deftroyed by fire, then ne- 
 ver again by water. The Galaxia or milky Circle had been more pro- 
 bable; for ( befide that unto the latitude of thirty , it becomes their 
 Horizon twice in four and twenty hours , and unto fuch as dive under 
 the Equator , in that fpace the whole Circle appeareth ) part thereof 
 is vifible unto any fituation ; but being only difcoverable in the ni^ht, 
 and when the ayr is clear, it becomes^of imfrequent and comfortlefs fig- 
 nification. A ^ed Star had not been vifible unto all the Globe, and fo 
 of too narrow a fignality in a Covenant concerning all. But Rain-bows 
 ' are feeri unto all the world, and every pofition of fphere. Unto our 
 own elevati6n they m.ay appear in the morning, while the Sun harh at- 
 tained abofit fourey five degeees above the Horizon ( which is concei- 
 ved the lar^eftfem.idiameter of any Iris ) and fo in the afternoon when 
 it hath declined unto that altitude again; which height the Sun not at- 
 taining in winter, Rain-bowes may happen with us at noon or at any 
 • time. Unto a ri^ht pofition of fphere tncy may appear three hours af- 
 ter the rifing of the Sun, and three before its fetting ; for the Sun af- 
 cending fifteen degrees an hour , in three attainethfourty five of a lati- 
 tude. Even unto a parallel fphere, and fuch as live under the pole , for 
 half a year fome fegments may appear at any. time an<i under any quar- 
 ter, the Sun not fetting, but walking round about them. :>i; :>!«■-. : 
 But the propriety of its Election moft pro{rerly appeareth in the na- 
 Tbe natural tural fignification and pro..;nofiick of i^ felf ; as containing a mixt 'fis- 
 fignjfioMonof nality of rain and fair wCather: For being in aroride cloud and ready 
 f^ JUin-lKw. .to drop , it declareth a pluviotis c^ifpofure in thfe ayr , but becaufe when 
 it appears the Sun muft alio fh.ine, there can be no univerfiHliowres, 
 aft^coniequentJy no Deluge, , Thus whgo- the windowes of the great 
 
Book.7. andCmmon£yrours,\ 427^. A<; 
 
 deep were open, in vain men lookt for the Rain-bow '■ for at that time 
 it could not be feen, which after appeared umo N'oah. It was there- 
 fore exiitent before the flood , and had in nature fome ground of its ad- 
 dition. Unco that of nature God fuperadded an affurance of his Pro- 
 mife, that is, never to hinder its appearance, or fo to replenilli the hea- 
 vens again, as that we fhould behold it no more. And thus without' 
 difparaging rhe promife, it mi^hc rain at the fame time when Godihew* 
 ed it unto Noah ; thus was there more therein then the Heathens un- 
 derftood, when they called it the NuncU of the gods , and the laugh of 
 weeping Heaven ; and thus may it be elegantly faid ; I put my bow, not 
 my arrow in the clouds, that isj in the menace of rain the mercy oiffair.^'/*' ?'«*'«'* 
 weather^ . ot \ ua « 7ni ^Jiwjqa.d -fii Jl c: : T.>rAv ^d: Xii\>A .crjrbsid : /j^^'W'* 
 
 Cabaliflicahhsads, whro fconli that^rcffion mEfay'ydo make a book j/i. 5 4 . 4. 
 of heaven , and read therein the great concernments of earth, dolitte- 
 rally play on this, and from its femicircular figure , refembling the He- 
 brew letter 3 Caph , whereby is fignified the imcomfortable nwnber of 
 twenty-y at which ] of ph was fold , which Jacoif lived under Laha»^ and 
 at whidh men were to go to war : do note a propriety in its fignification; 
 as chereby declaring the difmal time of the Deluge. AndChriftian 
 conceits do feem to drain as high, while from the irradiation of the Sun 
 upon a cloud they apprehend the myftery of the Son of Righteoufnefle 
 in the obfcurity of flefb, by the colours green and red , the two deftru- 
 6tionsof the world by fire and water ; or by the colours of blood and 
 water, chemyneries of Baptifm, and the holy Eucharift. 
 
 Lauddble tnerefore is the cuftome of the "jevptsy who upon the appei* 
 ranee of the Rain-bow, do magnifie the fidelity of God in the m.emory 
 of his Covenant ; according to that of Syracldes^ look upon the Rain- . ' ' 
 
 bow, and praife him. that made it. And though fome pious and Chrifti- 
 an pens have only fym.bolized the fame from the myftery of its colours, 
 yet are there other affe6lit)ns which might admit of Theological allufi?- 
 ons. NorAvould he find a more improper fub;e(ii, that fhould confidet. 
 rbat the colours are made by refraction of Light, and the.fhadows that ■ 
 limit that lij^ht ; that the Center of the Sun, the Rain-bow, and the eye 
 of the Beholder muft be in one ri^hrline, that the Spei"tator muft bs 
 between the Sun and the Rain-bow, that fometime three appear, fc^pie*- 
 time one reverfed. With many others, confiderable in Met'iorological 
 Di\ inity , which would more fenfibly make out the Epitbite of tbe Hea- ^biunrnciis^ 
 thens ; and the exprelTion of the fon of Syrach. Very beautiful is the 
 Rain-bow, it compafleth the heaven about with a glorious circle , and 
 the hands of the moft Hi5h ha\'e bended it. 
 
 Ini CHAP.^ 
 
('/^e 4*^ E/iefmriesuao Vulgar Book.7. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 P/Sem, Ham, ^nd Japhet. 
 
 Ci^Oncermiig the three fons of iVTc^/;, Sewy Ham-, and Ja^ht, that 
 ^theorder of their nativity was according to that of numeration, and 
 Jafhet xhe youngeft fon, as moft believe, as Anfiin and others account, 
 tbcfonsof J<«;?^^f , and £«^:o/i<?^«/ need not grant: nor will it fo well 
 concord unto the letter of the Text, and its readieft Interpretations. 
 Forfoisitfaidirt our TranfladQn,5f«w the father of al thefonsof //f^^r, 
 the brother of lathet the elder : fo by the Septuagint , and fo by that of 
 Tremslius. And therefore when die Vulvar rea<£ it, Fratre Japhet ma- 
 jors , the miftake,as Jti»ius obferveth, might be committed by the neg- 
 le&t of the Hebrew accent ; which occafioned Jerom fo to render it, and 
 many after to believe it. Noristhat Argument contemptible which is 
 deduced from their Chronology ; for probable it is that A^o^i^h^d none 
 of them before , and begat them from that year when it isfaid he was 
 five hundred years old , and begat Sem, Ham, and Japhet. Again it is 
 faid he was fix hundred years old at the flood, and that two years after 
 5^iwwasbut an hundred; therefore 6'fw muft be born when N^ah was 
 five hundred and two, and fome other before in the year of five hundred 
 and one. >, 
 
 Now whereas the Scripture afifordeth the priority of order unto Semy 
 
 we cannot ftom thence infer his primogeniture. For in •Sf'/* the holy 
 
 line was continued : and therefore however born , his genealogy was 
 
 Gauu* moft remarkable. So is it not unufual in holy Scripture to nominate the 
 
 ^^ *•• younger before the elder : fo is it faid , That Tarah begat zyihaha^y 
 
 Nach'or and Haram ; whereas Haram was the eldeft. So Rebecca ^ 
 
 termed the mother of J^ro^and Sfau. Nor is it ftrange the younger 
 
 {hould be firft in nomination, who have commonly had the-prjoriry in 
 
 2a divine be. the bleflings of God, and been firft in his benedidion. So^^f/wasac-:. 
 
 nediftionsthe^ cepted before Caw , Jfaac the younger preferred before I(hmael the el- 
 
 ISdut ^^^ J*^'^^^ before £/^?/, Jofeph was the youngeft of twelve , and David 
 
 the eleventh fon and minour cadet of /f/^. 
 
 Laftly; though /^/'/'^t were not elder then 5f»;, yetmuftwenotafr: 
 firm that he was younger then Cham ; for it is plainly delivered, that af- 
 ter ^^w and /^/'/'^^ had covered iV^t?^/?, he awaked, and knew what his 
 youngeft fon had done unto him viU 5 j^ewnp®-, is the exprertion of the 
 Septuagint, F l litis minor o£ I eront^ zndimimmHs oiTremelim, And up- 
 on thefe grounds perhaps lofephus doth vary from the Scripture enume- 
 ration, and nameth them., 5fw, /^p^^A, and Chaw, \y\iich. is alfo ob- 
 ferved by the Annian Berojpu ; J^oah cum trihus filils , Semo , JapetOy 
 Chem. -And therefore although in the priority of Sem ajid laphety there 
 , may befom« difficulty, though Cyrils Epiphamui, and Aftfiin have ac- 
 
 ' counted . 
 
^19 //i^ 
 
 Book. 7. and Common Errours. 
 
 couiired Scm the elder, and Salian the Annalifl^ and Tetavltu the Chro- 
 nologift contend for the fame ; yet C^i^.m is more plainly and confefled- 
 ly named the youngefl in the Text. 
 
 And this is more conformable unto the Pagan Hiftory and Gentile ac- 
 count hereof, unto whom Noah was Saturn , whofe fymbol was a Ship "^f"' ^^'^^ *»1 
 as relatmg unto the Ark , and who is faid to have divided the world be- ^^^P "'^^ 
 tween his three fons. Ham is conceived to be /«^;Vfr , who was the fon G n'*'^» ■ 
 youngeiKon; worlliipped by the name of f/^yw<>/7, which was the ^y£- Reiding'^«-* 
 gypiamvtA African name for lupter , who is faid to have cut off the "^od^^ abfci-* 
 genitals of his father, derived from the hiftory of Ham^ who beheld '''"''fcr^wfl; 
 the nakednefs of his, and by no hard miftake might be confirmed from ^'■'^^ ««»"> 
 the Text, as Bocharrw hath well obferved. 7cVclpiMx 
 
 [acta. 
 
 CHAP. vl. 
 
 llDOt the Tmer o/Babcl vpM ereHed 4^ajnfi a fecond *I>elnge, 
 
 A N Opinion there is of fome generality, that our Fathers after the 
 flood attempted the Tower of Bahel to fecure themfelvcs againft 
 a fecond Deluge. Which however affirmed by lofephm and others, hath 
 feemed improbable unto many who have difcourfed hereon. For ( be- 
 'fide that they could not be ionorant of the prom.ife of God never to 
 drown the world again , and had the Rain-bow before their eyes to pu t 
 them in m.ind thereof) it is improbable from the nature of the De-' 
 luge ; which being not poflibly caufablefrom natural fliowres above, or 
 watery eruptions below, but requiring a fupernatural hand, and fuch as 
 all acknowledge irrefiflible ; we muft difparage their knowledge and 
 judgement in fo fucccflefs attempts. 
 
 Again, They mult probably hear, and fome might know, that the wa- 
 ters of the flood afcended fifteen cubits above the higheft mountains. 
 Now, if as fome define, the perpendicular altitude of the higheft moun- 
 tains be four miles ; or as others, but fifteen furlongs , it is not eafily 
 . conceived how fuch a ttru6lure could be effected. Although we allow- 
 ed the defcription of Herodotus concerning the Tower of Belns , whofe 
 loweft Story was in heighth and bredth one furlong-, and feven more 
 built upon it; abating that of the Annian .8 <?ro/^ , the traditional re- 
 lation oilerom , and fabulous account of the Jewes. Probable it is that 
 what they attempted was feafible , otherwife they had been amply fool- 
 ed in fruitlefs fuccefs of their labours, nor needed God to have hindred 
 them, faying, Nothmg will be reftrained from them, which they begirt 
 to do. 
 
 It v\ as improbable from the place, that is a plain in the land of Shl- 
 
 ftar, Axidii"therituadQnof Bahyhn were fuchatfr^asicwas in the 
 
 " ' I i i 3 " dayes 
 
43^ ^^^iries into Vul^M Book. 7, 
 
 dayes of Herodotus ; it was rather a feac of amenity and pleafure , then 
 conducing unto this- intention. It being in a very great plain , and fo 
 impropera place to provide againft a general Deluge by Towers and e- 
 minenc ftruilures, that they were Fain to make provifions againft parti- 
 cular and annual inundations by ditches and trenches, after the manner 
 of <!y£ayft. And therefore ^I'^WaLer Raleigh accordingly objeileth : 
 tHtftory of the ^^ ^^^ Nations which followed "A'/W^^i, flill doubted the furpriXe of a 
 \World, fecondf^ood, according to the' opinions of the antient Hebrewes ^ it 
 
 foundeth ill to the ear of Re^fon , that they.wouldhave foent many 
 years in that low and overflown valley of Mtfofotamia-, And therefor^; 
 in this fituation , they chofe a place more likely to have fecured them 
 from the worlds deli'u6^ion by fire, then another Deluge of water: 
 and as Pierlw obferverh ) fome have conceived that this was their in- 
 tention. 
 
 Laflly, Tht reafon is delivered in the Text. Let us build us a City 
 ^rnd a Tower , whofe top may reach unto heaven , and let us make us a 
 •name, left we be fcattered abroid upon the whole earth j as we have 
 already began to wander over apart. Thefe -were the open ends pro- 
 pofed unco the people ; but the fecret defign of Nlmrod^ was to fettle 
 onto himfeif a place of dominion and rule over his Brethren, as it after 
 fucceeded , according to the delivery of the Text, the beginning of his 
 Kin i^dome was Babel. 
 
 "^ 
 
 CHAP, VII. 
 •0/ the Mandrakes of Leah, 
 
 WE Hiall not omit the Mandrakes of Leah , according to the hi- 
 ftory of Geriefis. And Reuben went out in the dayes of Wheat- 
 :harveft, and found Mandrakes in the fiel 1, and brought them, unto hi> 
 Mother L(f^/); l\\zx^.%Achel\^\^^^^x\x.o L-ah^ ave me, I pray thee, of 
 thy fons Mandrakes : niidfhe faid unto her, is it a fmall matter that 
 thou haft taken m.y husband, and wouldeft thou take my foi^s Mandrakes 
 p.Iio? And /^<sr/;i?/ faid. Therefore he iliall Jye with tliJc this m^.ht for ^ 
 thy fcMis Mandrakes. Prom whence hath arifen a common conccicj. 
 that Rachel requefted thefe plants as a medicine of fecim.-aiion , or 
 whereby ftie n:i ht become fruitful. \\ hich notwiLhftanGin:^ is very 
 C[ueftionabJe, and of incertain truth. 
 
 For firft from the compatifon of one Text with another, wherh^r the 
 Mandrakes here m.entioned , be the fame plant which holds that name 
 with us, thereisibme caufeto doubt. The word i.^ ufed in another 
 place of Scripture, when the Church inriting h;r beloved into the 
 i^dds, among the deli, htful fruits .of Grapes andPonie^ranates, it is 
 faid, The Mandrakes give a fmelj , and at our gates' are all manner ot 
 
 plea- 
 
Book. 7 and Common Srrours, 42 ^^ ^j 
 
 fleafam fruits. Now infteadcf a fmell of Delighr, our Mandrakes afi ' 
 
 ford a papaverous and unpleafant odor , whether in the Jeaf or app'Je,. 
 as is difcoverable in their fimplicity or mixture. The fame is aJfo dubi- 
 ous from the cifterent interpretations : for though the Septuaginc and 
 Irfefhni do render it the Apples of Mandrakes in this Text , yet in the 
 other of the Canticles ^ ihe Chaldy Paraphrafe termeth ic Balfame, 
 R. Solomon^ as Drnfta obferveth , conceives it to be that plant the A^ 
 rabit;!Ks named Jefepiin. O leafier-, and Geor^lns Venaust the Lilly, and 
 thatihe word Dudaim-, may comprehend "any plant that hath a good 
 fmeJl , rcfembkthawomans breft, and flourillieth in wheat harveft* 
 /uninrand 'rnmclim interpret the fame for any amiable fiowers of a 
 pleafanc and delightful odour: but the Geneva Tranflators have been 
 m.ore wary then any: for although they ret.iin the word Mandrake in 
 the Text, they in eftei^retrail it in the Margin : wherein is fee down: 
 the word in the Original is DW^/Vw , which is a kind of fruiter flower 
 urknown.v 
 
 Ko ■ lliall w- wonder at the diflent of expblition, and difficulty of de-* 
 iinition concerning this Text , if we perpend how varioufly the vegefa>- ^6 u\ 
 
 bles of Scripture are expounded , and how hard it is in many places to in H.^Soripru" 
 m.ake out the/j? c/rj dererm.ined. Ihusare we at variance concerning how varioufly, 
 the plant that covered lonat ; which though the Septuag,int doth render expoimded. . 
 Colocynthus, the Spanljk Calabaca, and ours accordingly a Gourd : yet 
 the vulgar trantlates it Hedera or Ivy ; and as Grotim obferveth , lerom 
 thus tranlVited it , not as the fam.e plant, but beft apprehended thereby.. 
 The Italian of D/Wrf//, and that of T^vwe-Z/W have named it Rici/iufy 
 B. fo hath ours in the Mar^in,fo: pal?^ia Cbrifil is the fam.e with Reclntu^ . 
 The Ge-rjcva Tranflators have herein been alfo circumfpe6>,for they have 
 retained the o iginal word Kikaion , and. ouis hath alfo aflixedthe fame 
 unto the Margin. 
 
 Nor are they inc^eed alwayes the fame plants which arc. delivered 
 under the fame name , and appellations commonly received amongll 
 us. So when it is laid of SoIotkou^ that he w it of plants from the Ce^ 
 darof Ltbanm^ unto the Hyfop that groweth upon the wall, th:it is, 
 fromthegreateft unto the fm.aliefl, it cannot be well conceived our 
 common Hyfop ; for neither is that the ieaft of vegetables, nor obfer- 
 vedtogrowupon walls, but rather as Lem-nms well conceiveth , fome 
 kind of the Capillaries, which are ver)' fm.all plants, and only grow 
 upon walh and flony places. Nor are the four fpecies in the holy oynt- 
 ment, Cinnamon, Myrrhe,Calam.us and Calfia , nor the other in the 
 holy perfume, Frankincenfe, Stail:e . Onycha, and Galbanum , fo agreer 
 ably e\ pounded unto thofci Rule with us, as not to leave confiderable 
 doubts behind them. Nor mufl: that perhaps be taken for a fimple un* 
 guent, which Matthew oftly term.eth a precious oynrment ; but rather • 
 a compofition , as cJW^rj^an'i/(7A« imply by piiUckAW^, that is faith- y;atta$bi$li''. 
 fully difpenfed, and as may be that famous composition defcribed \>y nfifi:, . 
 
 DiofcoridfSy , 
 
^ ' JDw/coriiw, madeof oylof Ben,rMalabathrum, JuncusOdoratoSjCo- 
 
 flus^ Amomum, Myrrhe, Balfam and Nard ; which (J/«/^;? affirmeth to 
 have been in ufewitn the delicate Dames of %ome\ and that the beft 
 thereof was made at LaodlccA-, from whence by Merchants it was con- 
 veyed unto other parts. But how to make out that Tranflation con- 
 cerning the Tythe of Mint, Anife and Cumin, we are (till to feek; 
 for we find not a word in the Text that can properly be rendred Anife , 
 "the Greek being *»'«'^4»'» which the Latines call Anethum^ and is pro- 
 perly Englillied Dill. LafHy, What Meteor that was that fed the Ifra- 
 »€lites fo many years, they muft rife again to inform us. Nof do they 
 V7)o^iJfimum make it out, who will have it the fame with our Manna , nor will any 
 cbry(<^fton. one kind thereof, or hardly all kinds we read of, be able to anfwer the 
 Mtgnenumde qualities thereof, delivered in the Scripture; that is, to fall upon the 
 Ddimt, ground, to breed worms, to melt with the Sun , to talt like fre{h oylc, 
 
 to be grounded in mills, to be like Coriander feed , and of the colour of 
 Bdellium.. 
 
 Again, It is not deducible from the Text o: concurrent fentence of 
 Comments, that Rach. I had any fuch intention, and m.oft do reft in the 
 determination of ^«//« , that ilie r'eiired them for rarity , pulcritude 
 •or fuavity. Nor is ic probable fhe woL.ld have rehgned her bed unto 
 X?^/?, when at the fane timeline had obtained a m.edicine to fuiStiHe 
 berfelf. And thetefore Drnfu- who hath exprefly and f.ivourably 
 treated hereof, is fo far from conce: in^ this intention', that he plain- 
 ly concluderh,//«>c quo modo illis .'» mentem vsnerh co'j:ctr neqii€o\ 
 ^owthis conceit fell into mens minds, it cmnot fall into mine; for 
 <he Scripture delivereth it not , no: can it be clearly deduced from the 
 Text. 
 
 Thirdly, If ^^tc/jf/ had any fuch intention, yet had they no fuch ef- 
 fect , for rtie conceiv ed not m.any years after of J)[efh ; whereas in the 
 mean time /.e^/;had three children , Ifachar^ Zabuhn^^nd Dinah. 
 
 Laftly, Although at thit time they failed of this efteft, yet is ii main- 
 ly queftionable wfiether they had any fuch vertue either in the opinions 
 ofthcfetim.es, or in their proper nature. That the opinion was po* 
 pular in the Lmd of Canaan^ it is improbable, and had Leah under- 
 ftood thus much , Die would not furely have parted with fruits of fuch 
 a faculty, efpecially unto k^icl <?/, who was no friend unto her. As for 
 its proper nature, the Ancients have gene ally efteem.ed it Narcotick or 
 '{lupefaiHve , andisto befounJ in the Lift of Poyfons , fet down by 
 Dhfcorldes^, Galert^ cy£n'Hf^ z/Egineta^ andfeveral Antidotes delivered 
 by them againft it. It vvaslconfef^ from, good Antiquity, and in the 
 dayes of T7c<ophr^Jf-^sa.ccoimxtd3. Philtre, or plant that conciliates af- 
 fedion ; pn ' lb -^elivefcd by Dlofcorides. And this intent might feem 
 rnof^ p obablc, had they not been the Wives of hoIy7^«'^* had Ra- 
 ch /prefented the.m. unto hi-n, an 4 not rec^uefted them for her felf. 
 Now \y\m^Dmf tor Ides aifirm«th in favour of this tj^tk , that the 
 
 grams 
 
Book. 7. and Common Erf our fm 435 ^ ^ y 
 
 grains of the apples cf Mandrakes muiidifie the Matrix , and applied 
 with Sulphur, ftop the fluxes of vvomen, he overthrowes again by qua- 
 lities deftruitive unto conception ; affirming alfo that the juice thereof 
 purgeth upward like Hellebore, and applied in peflaries provokes the 
 menftruous flowes, and procures abortion. Petrns Alfpanus ^ or Pope 
 7^/-» the twentieth fpeaks more dire6lly in his Thefaurnspaftpcrftm: 
 wherein among the teceits of fecundation , he experimentally com- 
 mendeth the wine of Mandrakes given wirh^ Trip her a magna^ But the 
 foul of the medicine may lie in Triphera magna-, an excellent compofi- 
 tion , and for this effed"^ commended by Nicolam, And whereas Le- 
 viriHs Ltmr.'tHs that eminent Phyfitian doth alfo concede this effeft, it '\s 
 from manifeft caufesand qualities elem.ental occafionally producing the 
 fame. For he imputerh the fame unto the coldnefs of that fimple , and 
 is of opinion that in hot climates, and where the uterine parts exceed in 
 hear , by the coldnefs hereof they may be reduced into a conceptive 
 conditution , and Crafis accommodable unto generation ; -whereby in- 
 deed we will not deny the due and frequent ufe may proceed unto fome 
 effeil , from whence notwithftanding we cannot infer a fertilitating 
 conditioner property of fecundation. For in this way all vegetables 
 do make fruitful according unto the complexion of the Matrix ; if that 
 excel in heat, plants exceeding in cold do reilifie it ; if it be cold, fim- 
 ples that are hot reduce it ; if dry,moift, if moift,dry corred^ it ; in which 
 divilion all plants are comprehended. But ro diihnguiiTi thus much is a 
 point of Art , and beyond the Method of %/;chels cr feminine Phy- 
 fick. Again, Whereas it may be thought that Mandrakes may fecun- 
 date , fmce Poppy hath obtained the Epithite of fruitful, and that fertili- 
 ty was Hieroglyphically defcribed by Ve^m with an head of "Voppy in her 
 hand; the reafon hereof was the multitude of feed within it fe If , and 
 no fuch m.ultiplying in humane generation. And laftly, whereas- they 
 may feem to have this quality, fmce Opium it felf is conceived to cxti- 
 mulatc unto venery, and for that intent is fometimes ufed by Turkjy 
 Terfmn.'^ and moll oirental Nations ; although w'mchrtis doth feem ro 
 favour the conceit, yet Ama-ms Lnfitanns^ and %pdertcHs a Cojtro are a- 
 gainft it ; Caret as ab horto refutes it from experiment ; and they fpeak 
 probably who affirm the intent and cffe£^ of eating Opium , \z not -fo 
 much ro invi_'orate themfelves in coition, as to prolongtheaift, and 
 fpin otit the motions of carnality. 
 
 Kkk CHAP. 
 
^>i^ 434 Enquiries into yd^ar . Book. 7 
 
 A 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 Cf the three Kings of CoUem, 
 
 Common conceit che e is of the three Kings of Colle'm , concv^i- 
 ,vedto bw the wife men that travelled unto ou: Sa\ iour by the di- 
 redion of the Scar, wherein ( omitting the lar^e difcourfes of Baro/ii- 
 «/, Piwda-, and MontcxHtiHs ) tliat they might te Kinos, befidd the an- 
 cient Tradition and authority of many fathers , the Scripture aUb impli- 
 eth. The Gentiles fhall come to thy light, and Kings to the brit^htnefs 
 of thy rifing. The Kings of Thurfis and the Ifles, the Kings of Arabm 
 and ^^^^ihallofter gifts, which places moft Chriftians and many Rah^ 
 bins interpret of the Mejfiah. Not that they are to be conceived po- 
 Thc Magi or tent Monarchs , or mighty Kings , but Toparks , Kings of Cities or 
 wife men. narrow Territories.; fuch as were the Kings of Sodom ^nd Gomorrah^ 
 WbaTmanner ^^^ Kings of Jericko and <iy^i , the one and thirty which Jojhuah 
 of Kings they fubdued, and fuch as fome conceive the friends of job to have 
 were. - been. 
 
 But although we grant they were Kings , yet can we not be aflured 
 there were three, Fo: the Scripture maketh no mention of any num- 
 ber , and the number of their prefents, Gold, Myrrhe , and Frankin- 
 cenfe, concludeth not the number of their perfons, for thefe were 
 the commodities of their Country , and fuch as probably the Queen of 
 Sheba in one perfon had brought before unto Solomok. So did nor the. 
 •' - -'^ Tons of J^fj?/' divide the prefent unto Jo/>/)/7, but are conceived to car- 
 ry one for them all, according to the expreflion of their father ; Take, 
 of the beft fruits of the land in your veflels, and carry down the man 
 aprefent. And therefore their number being uncertam, what credit is. 
 ^/>'«' r"'' j-Q be given unto their names. Gaffer^ Mekhior^ B^Mhai^ar^ what to the 
 ^ '* charm thereof againft the falling ficknefs , or what unto their habits, 
 comiplexions,.and corporal accidents, we muft re lye on their uncertain 
 ftory, and received pou:traits of Collcln. 
 
 Laftly, Although we grant them. Kings, andth'ce in number, yet 
 could we not conceive that they were Kings of Co//.';«. For though 
 0//f/« were the chief City of the Vbll^ t\\t\\ci[\tdVb,opolis ^ and af- 
 terwards Agripplfja , yet will no hiflory inform us there were three 
 Kin^^s thereof. Bef.de, thefe being Rulers in their Countryes , and re- 
 turning home , would have probably converted their fub;e*5ls : but ac- 
 cording unto MHnficr, their converfion was not wrought until feventy 
 years after by Materms a Difciple of Teter. And laftly, it is faid that 
 the wife men came from the Eaft, but fe^/Z^/^ is feared Weit-ward from 
 Jerufuhm , for ColUlri hath of longitude thirty four degrees, but lemfa- . 
 /fw feventy two., , ^ - j^^ 
 
Book.r. andCommon Errours, 435 -^v^- 
 
 The ground of all this was. Thefe wife men,or Kings, were probably 
 of Arabia , and defcended from Abraham by Keturah , who appre- ^"^ ^^^ ®^ 
 hen'in^ the myftery of this Star, either by the Spirit of God , the pro- ""* 
 phefie of BalaAtn , the prophefie which 'Snetonlm mention? , received 
 an J confbntly believed through all the Eaft, that out of Ju-y one ihould 
 com.e that fhould rule the whole world : or the divulged expectancy of 
 the Jevves from the expiring predi(ilion of Daniel ^ were by the fame 
 conJu6led unto J«^f^ , returned into their Country, anJ were after 
 baptized by Tho.i-.'as. From whence about three hundred years after, 
 by Helna the Emprefs their bodies were tranflated to Cenfiantinople , 
 from whence by Enfiatitu unto MiUne , and at laft by Rcnatus the Bi- 
 fKop unto ColL in : where they are believed at prefent to remain , their 
 monuments lliewn unto fttan^ers, and having loft their Arabian titles, 
 are crowned Kings of ^c?//^^. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 Of the food 0/ John Bapiift^ Locufs and Wild-honey, 
 
 C"^ Oncerning the food of John Baptlfi in the Wildernefs, Locufts and 
 ^Vvilde-honey, left popular opiniatrity fhould arife, we will deli- 
 ver the chief opinions. The firft conceiveth the Locufts here mention- 
 ed to be that fruit the Greeks nam.e X'^pciTlov^ mentioned by Lnkj in the 
 ciet of the prodigal fon, the Lirines Siii(]tta-, and fome Pann SanEll 
 Johannis \ included in a broad Cod, and indeed.of tafte almoft as plea- 
 i^mt as honey. But this opinion dorh not fo truly iinpugne that of the 
 Locufts : and m.ight rather call into controverhe the meaning of Wild- 
 honey. 
 
 The fecond aftirmeth they were the tops or tender crops of trees : for opinions con," 
 To Loctifta alfo ft^nifieth : whith conceit is plauGble in Latine , but cerning *xf/- 
 vvillnotholdin Greeks, wherein the word is <*V<r», except for <t«p««^, J'u, or the 
 we re>id <t^poJ^pv*, or a.^i^Qvii^ which fignifie the extremities of trees , of ^°l^^ °^-a^' 
 which belief have divers been : m.ore confidently Ifidore Peleufota-, who J"^'**^?""* 
 in his Epiilles plainly aftirmeth they think luilearnedly who are of ano- 
 ther belief. And this fo wroucjit upon Baronins^ that he concludeth in 
 neutrality : Hac enmfcribat IJidonu defniendtim nobis non efl •, & tottim 
 relinejHimHS leSiorls arbitrio ; nam conft-at Gr-tcam- dittion.^m *JtpiJ^£f ^ 0* 
 & Loc flam , infeUi genus , & arborum fnmmitates f^nificare. Sed 
 fall'tur^ foich Montacurius, nam conffat comrarium^ Ax.pl<^e6 a^ud nuL 
 lnmaHthorcinclafsicHm^^''^^^vAftamficarc. But above z\\T*arace4fn5 
 vvith m.oft animofity promoteth this opinion , andin his book de mellcy 
 fpareth not his friend Erafmus. Hoc a mnnullis ita exflicatttr Htdicam 
 LocuBas aut cicadai lohannipro cibofaijfe.i fed hi finhitiam di^i/nH- 
 
 kkki hri 
 
i /ll/ Al^ £»^«/r«!5 into p4ilgar Book,7. 
 
 - • '"• lartmn poffwit-^ velutl Jeronlmusy Er^fmui',<f^ alii Prophet a Neotericl i» 
 
 Lattmtati iwmortdi. 
 A third aftirmeth that they were properly Locufts : that is , a /heath- 
 T he more pro- winged and fix-footed infedt, fuch as is our Grafhopper. And rhis opi- 
 bable wbar. nionfeems more probable then the Other. For befide the authority of 
 Ot^tgen-iJ^omtChryfo^ome^HlUarytrndAmhrofe to confirm it; thij 
 is t(ie proper fignification of the word , thu^- ufed in Scripture by rh^ 
 Septuagint, Greek vocabularies thus expound it. Snidai on the word 
 A*f ^ obferves it to be that animal whereon the Baptift fed in the defert ; 
 in this fenfe the word is ufedhy ArlHotte^ Diofcorides, Galen , and fe- 
 veral humane Authors. And lalHy , there is no abfurdity in this inter- 
 pretation, or any folid reafon why we (hould decline ir, it being a food 
 permitted unto the Jewes, whereof four kinds are reckoned up among 
 clean meats. Befide , not onely the Jewes, but many other Nations 
 long before and fince, have made an ufual food thereof. That the c/£- 
 thioflans-i MaHrhanians-, and <iy4rablans , did commonly eat them. , i> 
 teftified by Dlodoms-, Strabo-, Sol'mus-t <i>^l\an and Pliny : that they liill 
 feed on them is confirmed by Xf^, Gadamuflus , and others. John 
 therefore as our Saviour faith , came neither eating nor drinking : that 
 is, far from the diet of Jer^/^/^w, and other riotous places : but fared 
 courfly and poorly according unto the apparel he wore , th.it is of Ca- 
 mels hair : the place of his abode , the WilderneTs ; and the doilrine 
 he preached, humiliation and repentance. 
 
 T 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 That John the Evangelifi [honld not die. 
 
 He conceit of the long-living, or rather not dying of John the E- 
 vangelift, although it feem inconfiderable, and not much weigh- 
 tier then that of Jofefh the wandring Jew : yet being deduced from 
 Scripture, and abetted by Authors of all times , itiliallnot efcapeour 
 - . . enquiry. It is drawn from the fpeech of our Saviour unto Teter after 
 •'^- " *'• the prediilion of his Martyrdome ? Tetrr faith unto Jefus -, Lord, and 
 what fhall this man do ? Jefus faith unto him. If I will that he tarry un- 
 tillcome, what is that to thee? Follow thou m.e ; Then went this 
 faying abroad among the Brethren , that this Difciple lliculd not 
 
 die. 
 
 Now the apprehenfion hereof hath been received either grofly and 
 in the general, that is not diilinguiiliing the manner or particular way 
 ot this continuation , in which fenfe probably the grolTer and undif- 
 cerning party received it. Or m.ore dillindly appreh<;nciing the m.nn- 
 ner of his immortality ; that is, that Join. Lho. Id never properly die, 
 l^^ butbetranflatedintoParadife, there to remain mi\i£.rtoch-ii^d EHm 
 
 uncil 
 
BooL7» mdCmmaErrom, ^^jZzc 
 
 until about ihe coining of Ch^ift ; and lliould bs flain with thetn imclcr 
 Antichriii, nccordin^to that of the Apocalyps. I will give power 
 unto my two witnefles, and they iT:\all prophciiea thoufand two hun- 
 dred and threefcoredayes cloathedin rickcloth, and when they iTiall 
 havKfiniihed th^ir telii'iiony, theBeaft ihic afcendeth out of the boc- 
 tomlelsfit, il.aLI make war agamtt the ai, and il-iaJI o\'e^coine them, 
 and kill tliem. Hereof,as Baro'^ias obfocvech , within three hundred 
 years after Chitlt , HijrpoJytns the Martyr was the hrtt aflertor , but 
 hath been maintained by many fmce; by LMnaplra/l.s,by Frecu/phm^ 
 but efpecially by Georgim 7rapezH»titis, who hath exprelly created upon 
 this Text , and although he lived but in the laft Century, did ftill affirm 
 that 7tf/:« was not yet dead. 
 
 As for the grofs opinionthat heiliould not die , it isfuflficienrly refu- 
 ted by that wliith firlt ccc afioned it , that is the Scriptu'.e it felf, and no 
 further off, thenthe very fubfequentverfe: Yet Jefus faid unto him, 
 be fhould not die , but if J will th^t be tarry till I come, \\ hat is that to 
 rhee? And this was written by y«'/:'» iiimfelf, whom the opinion con- 
 cerned ; and is conceived many years after, when 'P^f . r had fuflfered and 
 fulfilled the prophecy of Chrili 
 
 For the particular conceit,the foundation is weak^ nor can it be made 
 out from the Text alledged in the Apocalyps : for befide that therein 
 two perfons are only named, no mention is made of fohfz, a third A- 
 i\or in this tragedy. The fame is overthrown by Hi/lory, which record- 
 €th not only tfie death of foh/i , but afligneth the place of his burial., y. , . , 
 thjt is Ephefi s,, a City in ^//^ minor , vvhither after he had been banitli- Ir :iji Eyan^ 
 ed into Tafnas by Domitlan, he returned in the reign oi Nerva^ there gcijft^, where ' 
 c^.ceafed , and was buried in the dayes of Trc)an, And this i?, tefUfied and when. 
 by f rom-i by TertHllian^hy C hryfofiom^nd EnfebiHs^ in whofe dayes his 2Jc Scriptor^ 
 ■Sepulchre Was to be feen ; and by a more ancient Teftimony alledged ^<^f^^fi''ft* ^^ 
 alfoby him., thatisof P«)/;rr^f^jBilliopof£/»/?f/«/, not m.any fucceflfi- '''''^''* 
 ons after fd^ \ whofe words are thefe in an Epiftle unto VlUor Bifhop 
 oi%l/me; Johannes llleqmfHprafeEiusDomir.i rectimb.bat ^ Do^or of- 
 t'lntus-^ apud Ephcfttm dormivlt \ many of the like nature are noted by 
 BarmiuS', JaKfenli^s-^ Sfiius-, Llpellons-, and others. 
 
 Now the miain and primitive ground of this error, was a grofs miftake 
 in the words of Chrift, andafalfe apprehenfion of his meaning; un- 
 derftanding th.Tt pofitively which was but conditionally expreiled , or re- 
 ceiving that affirmatively which was but concefTively delivered. For the 
 words of our Saviour run in a doubtful ftrain , rather reprehending then 
 Satisfying the cuioiity of Teter ; as though he lliouId have faid , Thou 
 ••hall thy own doom. , v\hy enquired thou^^after thy Brothers? What] re- 
 lief into thy afi.iition , will be the fociety of anothers ? Why pryett 
 thou into the fecrets of Gods Judgments ? If he rtay until I come, what 
 concerneth it thee , whofhalt befureto fuffer before that time? And 
 fuch.an anfwer probably he returned , becaufe he fore-knew John fhould 
 
 Kkk.3 not 
 
, ^ 438 Enqdiries into^d^Af Bc)ok.7 .' 
 
 iiotfuffcr ji. v;ioIent' Jeath , buc'^'gd funco hu grave in peace. Which 
 had Peter afluredly known, ic mi^hc have caft: fone water on his 
 flames, and fmothered thofe fires which kindled after un:o the honour 
 of his Mafter. 
 Of all the A- Now why amon^^all the reft John only efcaped the death ofa Martyr, 
 ptftles, Sjohn the reafon is given ; becaue all others fled away or withdrew themfelvej 
 onlyisthoughc at his death, and he alone of the Twelve beheld his pallion on the 
 eda*n«ur^"' ^^^^^' "VV'herein notwichf landing, the alTiilion that he fuffered could 
 death: And "^^ a mount unto lefi then Marty rdo.ne : for if the naked relation , at 
 why? leaft the intentive conhderation of thit palfion, be able Hill, and at this 
 
 cifadvamae.e of time, to rend the hearts of pious Contemplators; fure- 
 ly the near and fenfiblevifion thereof muft needs occahon agonies be- 
 yond the comprehenfion of flePn ; and the trajeilions of fuch an cbjeil 
 more fharply pierce the Martyred foul of johi^ then afterward did the 
 nails the cruzified body of Tetcr. 
 
 Again, They were miftaken in the Emphatical apprehen/;on> .placing 
 the confideration upon the words, If I will: whereas it properly la'y 
 linthefe,\\henIcomc. Which had they apprehended, as fome have 
 fince, that is, not for his ultimate and laft rerurn , but his coming in 
 judgement and deflru6tion upon the Jewes; or fuoh a coming, as ic 
 •might be faid, thatthitgin^rationlliouldnoc pafs before it was fulfil- 
 led : they needed not, m.uch Icfy nsed we fuppofe fuch diuturnity. . For 
 -after the death of iK-ter., John lived to behold the fam.e fulfilled by f^e- 
 fpaJiaK : nor had he then his //;///<:<;/ 'W/;;^- , or went out like unco 5/- 
 -?»i?*A/,butoldinaccomplii'htobfcuriti^s aiid having feeu the expire of 
 X>*r;2/V/..predi6Vion, as fome conceive, .he accomplrfhed his RcveIa.tion. 
 But befides this original an J prim iry foundation, divers others have 
 made impreitons according unto different age^andperfons by whom 
 they were received. For fome e.' ablillied the conceit in the Difcipks 
 -and: Brethren, which were c:ontem,porjry unto him , or lived about the 
 •fame time wirh him. ; and this was firl> the extraordinary affedion our 
 Sa\ iour bare un:o his Difcipie', who hadi the honour to be calkd the 
 Bif^ir le.vvhom JellsJoved; Nowfrom hence they mi^ht be apt to be- 
 lieve their Malier wo-ld difpenfe with hi-; r'euh , or furfer him to live 
 t-bfechim return in fdory, who was the only ApoHle that birheld him 
 to riie in 'ijy.onoi'-r. /norher was the beUef ,md o;.. inion of thoe ti ne?, 
 that Chriihvould fiidr.'enly come ; for they held not; en orally the fame 
 opinion with their fucceflors, o:- ak defcencin4 ages after fo riany Cen- 
 turies ; buL conceived his coT.ing would not b>! lon^ after his palfion, 
 according, unco feveral expreifions of our Saviour grofly underilood, 
 Thcf. 2. ^y^A ^^ ^.^ u-j^,^ |.[^^ ^^,^,^ opinion net long after reprehended by St. ?<■ tti : 
 and thus > onceiving h'u coxing would not be lon;Z, they might be in '-n- 
 <:edto beiie\e his favourite lliould live unto it. LaiUy , the long life 
 of 7 <?/?>' mi ht much advantage this opinion ; for he fui^ived the o^ 
 ther tvyclve, hcAvas aged 22 years when he vv-ij' cailedby /Chrili,. and 
 
Book. 7 and Common Srrours, 43^ -^j£^ 
 
 25 that is theageof Piiefthoodat his death, and lived pj years, that 
 is i>8 after his Saviour, and died not before the fecond year of Ir^jun, ^sim ^ohn, 
 Now having out-lived all his fv;IlovYS,ihe World was confirmed he mi^hc JitTn 0"^ k"^" 
 live ftill', and euen unto the coT.in^ of his Ma(le^ Sav?<fu°"'^ 
 
 - The ^,rounds which proxcced ic in fucceedin j a^es , were ef.-^edal ly 
 two. Ine hrit his elcape of martyrdoiP-e ; for whereas all the relt flitter- 
 ed foT.e kind of forcible death, we have no hiltory that he fuffered any ; 
 and men ini^hc think he was not capable thereof^ For as HiRory ia-. 
 fonr.eth, by the coir.mand of Domiti^.n he was cajiUriro a Caldron of( 
 burning oyl, and came out again unfinged. Now future ages apprehend- 
 ing he futtered no violent death, and finding alfo the means th.u tended 
 thereto could take no place , they miuht be, confirmed in their opiniony 
 that death had no power over him,that he m.i^hc live alvvayes who could 
 not be deftroyedby fire, and was able to refift the fury of .that elemcqC' 
 whi.h nothing llnall rehft. The fecond was a cocrupti.on crept into the. 
 Latine Text, reading for 5/, 5/V £•/-/»? MJ<««frf ^(j/9 ; whereby the anfwer 
 of Qur Saviour becomeih pofitive, or that he will h.ive ic fo ; which way • 
 of reading was m.uch received in former ages , and is Rill retained in 
 the vt-Lar Trandation ; but in the Greek and original the word is ^«tK, 
 fignifying Si or if, which is very different from «-?», and cannot be tran- 
 flated for it: and anfwerable hereunto is the tranflation of/'W«j and 
 lremeiiy.sy and that alfo annexed untQ the .Greek by the authority of 
 S'.xtus (^'fiintw. 
 
 The third confirmed ic in ages farther defcending, and proved a pow- 
 erful argument unto all others following ; becaufe in his Tomb at E~ 
 f.hf^s there was no corps or relique thereof to be found ; whereupon a- 
 rifed divers doubts, and m.any fufpitious conceptions j fome bellevino- 
 he was not buritid, fome th't he was buried but rifen again,, others 
 that he defcenied alive into his Tomb, and from thence, departed after. . 
 But all thefe proceeded upon unveritable grounds, as HaroKius hath ob- 
 ferved, whoalledgethaletterofff/f/z/^^BiiTiop of T\o:ne^ unto the 
 Council of if/j/f/w/, wherein he declareth.the reliques oi John \sziq 
 highly honoured by that City ; arid a paffage alfo of Chryfoftome in the t 
 Hom.iliesofthe ApoRIes, That 7 <?/>;? being dead, did cures in Ephfus, v ' 
 
 as though he were ftill alive. And fo I obfer\'-e that £y?/>/;^jdifcuirin^ this 
 point, concludeth hereupon, i^tiod corpus eyts nur.qHamrepcriatur^ hoc 
 noK diccrent JiveterHmfcripta diLgcntur perl'tflrajfent. 
 
 Now that the firft ages after Chrift, thofe fucceeding , or any other, 
 fliould proceed into opinions fofir divided from reafon, as to think of 
 immortality after the fall of ^^<?-*», o: conceit a man in. thefe latter 
 tim.es ll\ould out-live our fathers- in the firft; although it feem very 
 flran^e , yet is it not incredible. FcJ the credulity of men hath been 
 deluded into the like conceits ; and as IrcKem and 7 'er:ull'ia» mention, 
 one i^/f»^«i/fr a 5<t;;2^r;V^w obtained belief in this very point; whofe 
 JC|0(9triAe ic was, that death fliould have no power on his Difciples, 
 
 and,i 
 
/^^^4^ €nqumes.TntoVulgitr Baok.7. 
 
 and fuchasrcceivedhisB-Tftifm (ihould receive iaimoTDiJ icy therewith. 
 'Tvvas furely an apprehenfion very fh-ange ; nor ufually falling either fro.Ti 
 the abfardities of melancholy or vanities c£ ambition. Some indeed have 
 been fo affeiledly vain , as to counterfeit immortalrry , and have ftoln 
 their death, in a nope to be efkemed immortal ; and others have concei- 
 vved themfelves dead ; but furely few or none have fallen upon fo bold 
 an errour^ as^ not to think that they could die at all. The reafon of thof- 
 mighty ones, wbofe ambition could furfer them to be called gods, would 
 nwerbe flattered into immortality : but ths proudeft thereof have by 
 the daily didlares of corruption convinced the impropriety of that appel- 
 lation. And furely, although del ufion may run high, andpolTible it is 
 chat for a while a man may forget bis nature, yet cannot this be durable. 
 For the inconcealable imperfeitions of ourfelves, or their daily exam^ 
 ^Icsinothers, will hourly prompt U9 our corruption, and loudly tell us 
 wd are-thefong of earth. '•■''■ 
 
 M 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 More carKfendiOHJly of fomeotherJ^ 
 --'- ■ • '• ■- .. ' . . .\\y ::«•/,■.. 
 Any others there are vvbich we refigjj unto Divinity, and per- 
 haps defcrve not controveriie. Whether Z>.i'z//^ were punilhed 
 only for pride of heart in numbering the people, as moftdohold, or 
 whether as fvfphus ^nd many maintain , he fiiffered alfo for not per- 
 forming the Gommandment of God concerning capitation ; that whw'n 
 the people were numbred, for every head they iliouldpay unto God a 
 E«od. 'o. lliekel, we iliall not here contend. Surely , if it were not the occalion 
 * * * of this plague , we muft acknowledge the omilfion thereof was threatned 
 with that puniiTiment, according to the words of the Law. When thou 
 takeft the fum of the children r>£/fr^e/, then fhall they give every man a 
 ranfomc for his foul unto the Lord, that there be no plague amongft 
 them. Now how deeply hereby Cod w%is defrauded in the time of D^- 
 vld, and opulent State of Ifrael, will eafily appear by the fums of former 
 _ . g luflrations. Forin the firfl, the filver of them that were num.bred was 
 ^'^ '^ ' an hundred Talents, and a thoufand fevcn hund-ed threefcore and fifteen 
 fhekels ; a Bekah for every man, that is, hilf a lliekel, after the i"hekel of 
 theSaniluarvi fo^ every one from twenty years old and upwards, fo: 
 Gx hundred tnoufmd, and three thoufand and five hundred and fifty m.en. 
 Anfwe -able whereto we read in fofcph-As^ l^effaQ-^n ordered that every 
 Whnthe At- manof the Jewesiliould bring into the Capitol two dragms ; which a- 
 tick dragm i-. m.ounts unto fifteen pence, or a quarter of an ounce oftilvervvith us, and 
 What the di is equivalent unto a Bekah , orhahf afliekcl of the Sar^ftuary. For an 
 diachmurr. and A-tct-ck dragm is feven pence half-^penny or aquarter of a iliekel, and a di- 
 Mif* T"'i7. d.^ichjiitmordouble dragm, ische word ufedfor Tribute money, or half^ 
 
 a 
 
Book. 7^ a>^C&mfHm£rm}rs^ W^4X^ 
 
 a rhekel ; and a ftater the mcney found in the fiflics mouth vvas two Di- 
 drachmums,oranwholeiliekcI, and tribute fuflBcient for our Saviour 
 and for Tettr, . /; ' > 
 
 Wc will not queilion the Mctamorphofis of Lots wife, or whether flic 
 were transformed into, a real Statua of Salt ; though fome conceive that 
 cxprefiion Metaphoiical , and no more thereby then a laflin^ and dura- 
 ble column , according to the! natare oi SaJt , which admittcCh no cc^-* 
 ruption : in which fenfcthe Gdvenant of God is termed a Coycnanc bf 
 Salt; anditisalfofaid,GodgavcthcKingdome unto I>^i//^, for ever, 
 or by a Covenant of Salt; '■■ : - ^^ 'f!.-;.; ;. i (•:/i.» ri^.-ioi •f.u..; ;:.,■; jj.iIw } 
 
 That 4 hfahm was hanged by tHe hair of the headi. and not caught npi - 
 by the neck, as/^'/^pAw ^onceivetb, and the common argament againil. 
 long hair affirmeth, we'are not ready to deny. Although I confefs;^*^ 
 great anddiearned party there are of another opinion ; although if he ha3> 
 his Motion or Helmet on , I could not well conceive it i although the 
 iranflatjon of Jerom or. Tremdim do notipborc it , and ouPown fecms ra-" 
 ihertooyerthiowit. v , .:-i u, > ;■ . .- .: 
 
 • That Jnd^s h.inged.himfelf, m*ichinorc', tiiat he 'pecitlied thereby, ws 
 fliall not raife a doubt. . Although f.anfeaius difcourfing the point , pro-, 
 duceth the teftimony of Theofkyla^ and Smhymimy that he diedi:iidc 
 by the Gallows,, but under a cart wheel ; and Baronius alfo deliveteth> 
 this was the opinion of the Greekj , and derived as high as 'Tapoi-t one 
 of the Difciples of fohn. Although how hardly the exprcflton of Mat" 
 thew isrecOncilr-bleirnrothaF of '35*e-f£'r , and that he plainly hanged 
 himfelf, wirh that, thatfalling head-long he burft'afundcr . in the midtt, , 
 
 with ■many other, the learned iG"r<?r/«.f plainly doth acknowledge. And 
 Jaftly, Alinouih as he alfo urgeth, the word i.'Trny^ATo'm. i^iatthewy doch How ^uim 
 not only {ignifiefufpenfion or pendulous illaqueation , as the common n*'5''t<**«»' 
 pidture defcribeth it , but alfo fuffocation , ftrangulation or intercepti- 
 pflfof breath , which may acife from grief, defpair, and deep deje(ftion. 
 fif -fpif it , in whicii fenfe itisufed in the Kiftbry of Tokk concerning 
 i'rtni , \h\im^r\ <r?»^£jf tm dir^ylA^xu, Itatrrfiata eft m flritngnlmQite'^^^f^ff '*" 
 fnmerety,ry irnhjumus \ and fo might it happen from the faorroiirxif* "^"^ ^"''' 
 mind unto Ji^das. So do many of the Hebrewes affirm , that Achito- 
 phe/ Wis alfo ftrangled, that is, not from the rope, but paflion. For the 
 Heb:evv and Arabick word in the Text, not only fign^fiesvfijfpenfion; but 
 inQi^,nation, as Grot'ms hath alfo obferved. . o-.i -ivvt^.tr; <:-vi^ u .Vv 
 
 Many more there are of indifferent truths , whofe dubious expofiti- 
 ons, worthy Divines and Preachers do often draw into wholefome and 
 fober ufes, whereof we fliall not fpeak ; with induftry we decline fuch 
 Paradoxes, .^nd peaceably fvA)mit unto their received acceptions. 
 
 oijulcis) y 
 
 -fttt^i^ 01 Hc5d >Tm%*jM -vj: i\ \ ! j' -r ^sf bno^gl^^p^ 
 
• 1 { !;^ c'lv;b/il5ioriwnii 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 Of thrCrJfaticat ofOrdtlcs. 
 
 THat Oracles csdfed orgrcw mncc at the coming of Chriil,is beft un- 
 dcrftood in a qualified fenfe, and nocvvic&out all hticude, as 
 thoi^h precifely there were none after , nor any decay before. For 
 ( what we muft confefs unto relations of Antiquity ) fome pre-decay is 
 ebfervahle from that of Ctrtfrtf,iirged by Bar*mus ; Cur ifio modo y^m 
 orMuU Delphid fi^n edutnur-t^/tu nmdo Mofira 4itatt\^ pdj^tftdiu^ ut mhit 
 fojfit efe contentftim. That during his life they were not altogether 
 diflnb, is dedudcabJe £rom Suetoniut iuthe life of Ti^£riw,\\ho atrempt- 
 ij^tofnbverc the Grades adjoyning unto "J^^wr, was deterred by the 
 Lots or Chances which were idelivered at >*r^»f/?<'. After hisdeath we 
 meet with many ; SuetomHs reports, that the Oracle of tAntittm fore- 
 warned C'/i^it/ato bermK o£ C/t/jS*uiy who was one that confpirejliis 
 death. 'Plutahh enqmiing why the Oracles of Greece ceafed , except- 
 etfa that of Lehadia : and in thefame place Demrtrins affirmeth rlie O- 
 racles c£ Mopfus and Amphilcchm were much frequented in bis dayes. 
 In brief, Hiftories aire frc<yicnt inea^ampies , and there want not fome 
 even to the reign of J«/iW. i ^ 
 
 VJbat therefore may conlift with faiftory, by ceffation of Oracles with 
 MontacHtim wcmay underftand their interciilon, not abfcilfion or con- 
 &mmatc defolation ; their rare dclix'ery, not total dereliAion, and-yet 
 iaa regard of divers Oracles , we may fpeak ftri^y, and fay there was a 
 proper ceflation. Thus may we reconcile the accounts <k times, and 
 allow thofe few and broken divinations , whereof we read in ftory and 
 undeniable Authors. For that they received this bl ow from Chrift, and 
 no other caufcsaUec^ed by the heathens y &om' braculous confiiffion 
 they cannot deny, vvhereofupon record there are fome very remarka- 
 We. The firft that Oracle pf-D^//>iw/ dclivercdunto nAMiufiw, 
 
 LMefuer He ham Vivos Deufipfegtt^rnojis 
 Cedirefedejnbet^ trifiermj^ redirefhh or cum ; 
 uiris ergodehlfjc tachttsdifcedlto nojhris. 
 
 An Hebrew Childe, a God all gods excelling. 
 To hell again commands me from this dvveliing. 
 Our Altars leave infilence, and no more 
 A Refolution e're from hence implore. 
 
 A fecond recorded by Plmarchy of a voice that was heard to cry un* 
 fjoMarincrsattheSea, Great Pan is d^ady which is a relation very re- 
 
 mackiblC) 
 
Book, t* ^^^ Cufifwun ErtMru \ ^ 44I ^J/ 
 
 markiWe, atid may be read in his defe<!jt of Of acks; A third reported 
 by Ettftbitts in the life of his magnified OHfiattritte^ that about that time 
 ^pffi^cr mourned , declaring his Oracles were falfe, and that thorighce' 
 ous upon earth did hinder h»m from fpeaking truth. . And a fourth rela- 
 ted by r/?etfii<7rfr, and delivered by ^f^^^* Daphnew unto lutian upon 
 his P^r/-^/? expedition, that he ll:iould remove the bodies about him be- 
 fore he could return an anfvver ; and not long after- his Temple was 
 burnt with Lightning. . ' 
 
 All which were evident and convincing aeknowledgcmcnts of that 
 Power which iTiut his lips, and reitrained that delufion which had reign- 
 ed fo many Centuries. , But as- his malice is vigilant, and the fins ef 
 men do ftill continue a toleration of his mifchiefs> he rcfteth not , nor 
 will he ever ceafe to circumvent the fons of the firft deceived. And- 
 therefore, expelled from Oracles and folcmn Temples of delufion, he TfeccJevHs i^ 
 runs into corners, exercifing minor trumperies, andatting hk deceits vn ^^ ^'^^ImTo*' ' 
 Witches, Magicians, Diviners, and fuch inferiour feducers. And yet Jf^,^* * ^*^ 
 ( what is deplorable ) while we apply our felves thereto , andaflfirming 
 that God hath left to fpeak by his Prophets, exped in doubtful matters 
 a refolutionfrom fuch fpirits , while we lay the devil is mute, yet con- 
 fefs that thefe can fpeak, while we deny the fubftance , yet pra^^life the 
 effeil and in the denied folemnity maintain the equivalent eflBcacy , in 
 vain we cry that Oracles are down ; A folios Altar ftill doth fmpak ; not 
 irthe fire of -D^/f'/'<?j out unto this day,. ^ .*_.'? v.;:. «. .\i .1^ ^x:;' ; ' 
 
 Impertinent it is unco our intention, to Ipeak ifl geberd'of Oracles, 
 and many have well performed it. The plaineft of others was that re- 
 corded by HerodotH:^ and delivered unto p'ceftu , who as a cryal of his 
 omnifcience fent unto diftant Oracles ; and fo contmed.with the mef* 
 fengers, that though ki fevenal places^ yec at the f^ecime they ^iould 
 demand what O'ocffa was then a doing. Among all others the Oracle 
 of Delphos only hit it , returning anfvver, he was boyling a Lamb with a 
 Tortoife, in a brazen veffel, with a cover of the fame metal. The ftile 
 is haughty in Greek, though fom€what^k)werk^l4tiaei--;- • v 
 
 S^iorii efifpattttm '& rtHmtTHS wihi>ioti4i Artna^ 
 AlutHmpirctpio , fantts nihil audlovoam, 
 P'r»it ad i^osfrnffts nidoruflndinn acris^ 
 QHitJernela^mnacoqn\tHr ctimcAtnelahete^ 
 A^re infra ftratOy& Jiratum€HldcfHper4sefi, liio 
 
 -;:: vv , :, rtijm -.oi jd-.cf: oiu ooi e:!.c"i:.viti tiYj ^^yi^lhd^li an': ,. 
 1 kliow "tfiet^ade^^Sed,tfee' fiamteff-<if ||i«-'fe«<},- • ' '^ ' -■ "■'-'- ' '-^^'^ 
 I hear the filenr, mute I underftand, i'* • ^ : - n / 
 
 A tender LJkmb joyned with Tortoift flefli, 
 Thy Mafter,King of LyixW, nowdoth drefs. 
 The fcent thereof <ldth' in my^nofiHlsboV^ri ^rjtlv 
 Froib brazeJi^bt clofed with brazes cover. "Vi ' ^ - 1 , 
 
 L 1 1 1 Hereby 
 
' '\J'S' -444 £n^Himt into Vd^At ^ ^* Book. 7 
 
 Hereby indeed he acquired much vvealrh and more honour, and was 
 reputed by Crcefm as ^ Deity : und yet not lon^ after, by a vulgar fal- 
 lacy he deceived hisFavourice andgreatcft fri.ini of Oracles into an 
 irreparable overthrow \yjCyrui. And furely, th2 fame fuccefle are 
 Jikelyall to have that rciie or depend uponnm. Twi? the firft play 
 hepraiWed on mortality; and as tine hith rendred him more per- 
 fe^intheArt, fo hath tneinveceratencife of hi > malice more ready in 
 the execution. 'Tis therefore the foverai^n degree of folly, and a 
 crime not only againft God, but alfo our own reafonS) to exped a fa- 
 vour from the devil ; whofe mercies are more cruel tfcen thofe of /*c- 
 tjffhemns ; for he devoures his Favourites firft, and the nearer a man 
 approacheth, the foonerheis koidxt^hy Moloch. In brief, hij fa- 
 vours are deceitful and double -headed, he doth apparent good, for real 
 and convincing evil after it ; and cxalteth us up to the top of theTemple; 
 but to tumble us down from it. 
 
 GBAP* XIV. 
 
 Of the. DB^h'ofkMoxXt', 
 
 *T*Hat^r//?(7f/^ drowned himfelf in £«nf«/, asdefpairin^ to refolvc; 
 
 the caufe of its reciprocation, or ebb and flowfcven times a day, 
 
 with this determination, Si qnidem cgomncaplet , tticaftes me^ was 
 
 the Afl'ertion oi Procopw^ Naz^lan^i^ejt^ Jf*fiJ"^ Mnrtjry and is generally 
 
 believed amongft us. Wherein, becaufc we peirceive men have but an 
 
 ^, -, . imperfed*^ knowledge,: fome conceiving £«r/))«=f to be a River, others 
 
 J« Jf^enf "'''' "o'^ knowing where or in what part to plice it , we firft advertife, it 
 
 rally. generally lignihetb any ftrait, fret, or channel of the Sea, running be- 
 
 " meen: two.fhores, as;7"»//W>Ptf//^.v hithdefinedit ; as we reade of 
 
 Eur If m Hellefponuachm-, fjxrhAm j and thiis wliereof we treat, £«r/- 
 
 tm Etiholcm or Chalcidlcus^ that is, a narrow pafTage of Sea diviuing 
 
 e>^rf/V^, andthejilandof £«^<«4, now called G'^/^i? Ae I<fegrofon:€^ 
 
 from the name of the liland and chief City thereof; famous in the wars 
 
 oi Ant'iochm-, and taken frpm the Ven2uamhjM4hQ-v^t'^?kQi^^^' 
 
 Now that in this £«n;)f or fret oiNegrofonty^vi^ upon the occafi- 
 
 on mentioned, ^r/y?<?f/^ drowned himfelf, as many affirm, andalmoft 
 
 Tfouehingtbe all believe, we have fomc room to doubt. For without avy mention 
 
 death of ^Ari- of this, we finde tvyo wayes delivered of hi? death by Diogenes L tertl- 
 
 ^^*^'' ^Sy who exprefly treateth thereof; the one from Eumolus and Phavo- 
 
 ri»ftsy that being accuied of impiety for compofing an Hymn unpp He7- 
 
 w;w(upon whofe Concubine he begat his fan NlchonAcus) he withdrew 
 
 into ^^/f/if, where drinking poifon he died;, the Hymne is extant in 
 
 ^^mlwy and the fifteemb took of AthcH'tm. . Another by 4pollodo- 
 
 YHi- 
 
Book. 7^ omI Common Srirours. 445f-i\f 
 
 rus^ that he died at Chalets of a natural death and I-'in^uillinent of fto- 
 
 mack, in his fixty three, or great CliinaclericaJ year, and anfwerablc 
 hereto is the account of SmdHs and CcK[orly:iu. An J if that were 
 clearly- made our, which Rahbibc)»Jofph affirmeth, he found in an 
 Egyftt:aihoQk of Jibraham Sapiens Per lz.ol y that y^rZ/^^^f/f acknow- 
 ledged all that \va> wrictenintheLavvof Aff^/i-^, and became at lait a Lic«tus it 
 Frofelyre; it would alio make improbable thi> received way of his death, f «<•/»«> <?. 
 
 Again, befide the negative of Authority j it is alio deniable by rei- 
 fon; nor will it be eafie to obtrude fuch def^erate attempts iiponv^- 
 ri(}otle, from unfcitisfa<5lion of reafon, who fo often acknowledged 
 the iir.becilUty thereof. Who in matters of difficulty, and fuch which 
 were not without abftrufities, concei/editiufncient to deliver conje- 
 tturaliiies. Andfurely, he that could fomerimes fit down with hi^h im- 
 probabilities, that could content himfelf, and think to fatisfie others, 
 that the varie3ation of birds was fron'theirjiving in the Sun, or ere^^i. 
 on made by deliberation of the Tefii cles; would not have been de;e6lcd 
 unto death with this.He was fo well acquainted with » o",and '^anfOy h^ 
 trum^ ^nlAnQulfl^ aswe obfervein the Queries of his Problems: 
 which Vot-jj and cottb' ?n>^y, fortaJfc^^ndpUram^He^ as is obfeivable 
 through all his Works ; had certainly re{ied with probabilities, and 
 glancing conjeilures in this : Nor would his refolutions have ever 
 run into that mortal Antanaclafis, and defperate piece of Rhecorick, 
 to be compriz'd in that he could not comprehend. Nor is it indeed ta 
 be made oat he ever endeavoured the particular oi EuripHs, orfor 
 much as to refolve the ebbe andflow of the Sea. For, asrico-ner-- 
 catm and others obferve, he hath m.ade no mention hereof in his 
 Worlfs, aUhv^Utih theoccafion prefent ic felt in his Meteois : whereinr 
 he difouteth the'^afFeflions of the Sea ; nor yet in his Problem.s, akhought 
 in the twenty third See^ion, there be no leUe then one and fourty Que— 
 ties of the Sea. Some mention there is indeed in a work of the propriety 
 of Elements, afcribed unto Arifiorl , which notwithftandin^ is not repu-^ 
 tedgenuine,and was perhaps the fame whence this was urged by P/«r^r(r/j. TJepUcitju^bh' 
 
 Laftly, the thing it felf whereon the opinion dependeth, that is, the ifrphorum,.. 
 variety of the fiux and the reflux of EtiripHs, or whether the fame do 
 ebbe and flow feven times a day, i>no:incon:rovertibk ; For though 
 PoMpovius Aiela-t and after him Solm-As^tn^ /'//;?;' have affirmed it, 
 yet I obferve Tlncydldes-^ who {peaketh often of £^^^4;^, had omitted *' 
 
 it. Paufanitts ^n ancient Writer, who hath left an €xa6l:defcriptioi> 
 oi Greece-, and in as particular a way as L''andr.o oiltaly., o: C^mbden of 
 great Br'.tiw., defcribing not only theCountrey, Town3» and Rivers, 
 butHilis, Springs, aridHoufes, hath; left no mention hereof. cy£/- 
 chlnes in Ctefiplwn only alludeth unto ic ; zvAStrabo that accurate Ge^ 
 ographer fpeaks warily of ic,that is, «'? ?>i'«n, and as men commonly re- 
 ported.And fo doth ^MoMaginns yVeloclsac varu fiuStfis ej} mare Hbicjua- 
 ter in dky^Ht fiptieSfH). ati-i dicHHt^reciprocaKtiir afiHs.BffUromoTS plainljj 
 
 Lllr 7// 
 
4/ J^ 44^ BnqmrUs into Vitl^r- Book. 7. . 
 
 "■ 5 ft mar t refers cala con tin impeto mirahile ejuatra volte ll dly hen che com- 
 
 rmtnimente fidicafettevolte^ &c. ThisSeavvich wondrous impetuofi- 
 ty ebbeth and floweth four times a day , although it be commonly faid 
 feven times , and generally ©pinioned, that Arlfiotb defpairinj the 
 reaibn, drowned himi'elf therein. In which defcription by four times a 
 day, it exceeds not in number the motion of other Seas, taking the 
 words properly,that is,twice ebbing and twice flowing in four and twen- 
 ty hours, Andisnomofe thenwhit T^pw^/tf 'Porrchacci z^m\t\h in 
 
 * his defcription of famous Iflands, that twice a day it hath fuch an impe- 
 tuous flood, as is not without wonder , Llvy fpeaks mo e particularly, 
 Hand facile ififeftior cU^jjl ftatio cH & frettim iffum Euripi , f/on fpties 
 die (ficHtfamaferr) tempor thus certis reciprocat ^ fed t mere inmodum 
 'venti, nuKc huc^ntiKc illucverfnmari^ velut monte prAcipitidevolHtm tor- 
 rens rapimr. There is hardly a worfe harbour , the fret or channel of 
 Enripta not certainly ebbing or flowing feven times a day, according to 
 common report ; butbeinguncertainly, andin them.annerof a winde 
 carried hither and thither , is whirled away as a torrent down a hill. But 
 the experimental teflim.cny of Gilltw is moft confiderable of any \ who 
 hiving beheld the courfe theeof, and made enquiry of Millers thic 
 dwelt upon its fli ore, received anfwer, that it ebbed and flowed four 
 tiaies a day, tiiat is, every fix houre;?, accorcUng'to the Law of the Ocean; 
 but that indeed fometimes it obferved not that certain courfe. And 
 this irregularity, thoui.,h feliiom.e happening , together with its unruly 
 and tumKltuous motion , m.ij.ht afford a beginning unto the comm.on o- 
 pinion. Thus may the exprellion in Ctefphon be made out ; And by 
 this m.ay uiriflotle oe interpreted , when in hi,s Problems he feem.s to 
 borrow a Metaphor (vo'Tl Ettripuj : while in the fi\'C and twentieth Se- 
 (^ion he enquireth, why in the upper parts of houfes the ayr doth Euri-.; 
 pize, that is, is whirled hither and thither. 
 
 Now thAt which gave life luito die afi'ertion,mi^ht be his death at Cha/-r, 
 fw,rhe chiefCity oi Enh^a-U feated upou ^;<r/)jw,where 'tis confefled by] 
 ail he ended his days.That he emaciated & pined aw.iy in the too anxiou? . 
 enquiry of its reciprccations,altho.igh not drowned therein,as/^/?cW/V/W« 
 relateth, fome conceived , was a half confelFion th;:reof not juttiiiable, 
 from Antiqi.ity. Surely the Philofo}:hy of flux and reflux was very i:n- 
 perfc^l of old amon^ the Greeks; and Latines; nor could they hold a 
 
 • fufticient Theory thereof, who onely obferved the Mediterranean,, 
 which in fome piace> hath no ebb, and not m.uch in any part. Nor can 
 wfe nfiirm. our knowledge i-; at the height, who have now the Theory of, 
 the Ocean and nirrnvv feas beHde. V\ hile we refer ic unto the Moon, 
 we j.!ve fome firisf;?6lion for the Ocean, but no general falve for 
 Greeks V and Sea<; which know no flool; nor refohewhy it flowe^ 
 three or four foot at l^mice in the bortom of the Gulf, yet fcarce at all. 
 .It Ancorio^ Dnra^-zM^ or Corcyra-, which lie but by the way. ^ And there-; 
 MfeoId-abj^iHiitre^.hvU^ caufed new inventions j^nd- feme from the. 
 
 Hypothefls 
 
Boot/i andCommnErrours. 447 |.>y 
 
 H)'po;^cfis of CvpertiJCHs , OX the Diurnal and annual motion of tlic 
 
 carcb, endeavour to falve the flowcs and motions of chcfe feas, illiiftra*^ 
 
 ting thji fame by w.uerin aboal, that riling or falling to either fide, 
 
 according to the motion of the vefrel ,• the conceit is ingenuous, falves 
 
 fome doubts, and is difcovered at l.irge by Cja/lUo. 
 
 But whether the received principle and undeni.ible aftion of the jr.f bjc doOin 
 Moon may not be dill retained, although in fome difference of appli- Cibcut !Ma!i: 
 ^ cation, is yet to be perpended ; chat is, not by a fimple operation- upon H w the Mooii 
 'the furphace or Rif eriour pares, but excitation of the nicro-fulphureous ""J c«"<c the 
 fpiriis, andpartsdilpofedtointum.efcencyatrhe bottom; not by at- '^^'"S*"'' 
 teniutionofihe upper pa t of the Sea, (whereby Ships wodd draw wryRivLf^''*' 
 m. ore water at the flow then at the ebb ) but inrutgefcencies caufedfirit andi.akesebb. 
 at the bottom, andcarr)'ing the upper part before them: fublidjn^ and andfijwnot. 
 failing again, according to the motioa of rbe Moon from the Meridian, Why lomcScar, 
 and languor of the exciting caufe :. and therefore Rivers am Lakes who ^^"^ ^^^^^ 
 mnt thefe fetmenting parts at the bottom, are not excited imto a^u^- ^Xuc lonTtri 
 lions, and therefore fome Seas flow higher then others, according to Whence the vi- 
 the plenty of thefe fpirits, in their fubmarine conftitutions. And olent flows pro* 
 therefore aifo the periods of flux and reflux are various, nor their en- "cd in fome 
 creafe or decreafe equal :. according to the temper of the terreous parts ^?"*"" "ni* 
 «t the bottom : who as they are more hardly or eafily moved ^ do vari- '^"''' 
 oufly bey n, comhiue or end their intum.efcencies. 
 - From the peculiar difpolition of the earth at the bottom , wherdU' 
 cjuick excitations are made., m.ay arife thofe Agars and impetuous flovvs 
 in fome. arftuaries and Rivers, as is obfervable about Trjm an i Hnmb:r 
 mEtiglandy which may alfo have fome erfeil: in the boifkrous tides of 
 EttrifHs ^ not only from ebullitions at the bottom, butalfo from the. 
 iides and lateral parts, driving the ftreams from either fide , which arife, 
 or fall according to the motion in thofe parts, and the intent or remifs; 
 operation of the firfl: exciting caufes, which maintain their activities a- 
 iove and below the Horizon : even- as they do in the bodies of plants 
 and animals, and in the comm.otion o^Catarrhes. 
 
 However therofore J ri Hot kdi^dt what was his end, oruponwhac 
 ■occafion , althou-,h it be not altogether aflured j yet that his memory 
 and worthy name fliall live, no man will deny, nor grateful Scholar 
 tioubt : and if according to the Elegy of ^o/^z?, a man may be onely 
 faid to be happy after he is dead , and ceafeth to be in the vifible capaci- 
 ty of beatitude , or if according unto his own Ethicks, fenfe is nor eP- 
 fential unto felicity , but a man may be happy without the apprehenfioni 
 thereof; furely in that fenfe he is pyramidally happy ; no: can he ever 
 perilTi bur in the Euripe of Ignorance, or till the To;rent orBarbarifiii: 
 overwhelm all. 
 
 ^ Alike conceit' the re pafleth of Melijigen?s al'iMUom^r ^ the Father- 
 poet , that he pined away upon the Riddle of the Firhcrmen. But: 
 JferoMttis who wrote his life hjtth cleared this point ; delivering , that 
 
 EalTlng. 
 
4 <J 4 • 'M^ Enquiries into Vul^M' ' Book .fi" 
 
 ' palTinofrom Samosunto Athens , he went fick afhorc upon thq Ifland 
 
 Josy vwere he died , and was folemnly interrcdupon the Sea fide ;.' and fo 
 
 decidingly condudeth, Ex hoc agritHdlne (xtremnm diem clanJit^Home^ 
 
 Homtrt Death, rttsinfo-, noH-^ m arhitr^.ntHr aliqul -^ ^yEuigmitatts pcrplcAttate ew^Hs, 
 
 fedmorho. 
 
 rj, ; 
 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 Of* ^^jv/]^*/ Fhiloxenu^. 
 
 ". 'T'Hat relation of ti/iriftotle^ and conceit generally receiv'^d conceVh- 
 
 \w2,?hiloxenm^ who wiilieth the neck of a Crane , that thereby he 
 mii^ht take more pleafure in his meat, although it pafs without excepti- 
 on , upon enquiry I find not only doubtful in the ftory, but abfurd in the 
 
 ^^ ^ defire or rcafon alledged for it. For though his wilh were fuch asiis de- 
 
 Jivered , yet had it not perhaps that end, to delight his guft in eating, but 
 
 ^^' ' rather to obtain advantage thereby in finding , as is declared by Mlrar.- 
 
 dttU. Arlilotle ( faith he ) in his Ithicks and Problems, accufeth 'P/>;- 
 loxcKHi of fenfi.ality , for the greater pleafure of guft defiring the neck 
 of a Crane ; which defire of hi., aflenting unto Anftotle^ I have former- 
 Jy condemned : But fince I perceive that ArifiotU for this accnfation 
 hath been accufed by divers Writer?. For Thlloxerm was an excellent 
 >lulician, and defired the neck of a Crane, not fo: any pleafure at meat, 
 -but fancying thereby an advantage in finging or warbling , and dividing 
 -the notes in m.ufick. And many Write s there are which mention a 
 yufician of that nam.e , as Tlutarclj in his book againrt Ufury , and A' 
 risictle him.felf in the eighth of his Politicks, fpeaks of on^l^ hlUxems 
 ;aHiifician,th2t went off from the Dorick Dytherambicks unto the Phry- 
 gian Harmony. 
 
 Again, be the flory true or falfe, J i; htly appljed or not, the intention 
 •is -not re^fonable, and that pehaps neiiherbne way no: the other. For 
 ■it' we rightly confider the ori;an of tafte , we fhall find the length of th^ 
 neck to conduce but little i,n:o it. Fo: the ton :,ue being the inftrument 
 of tafte, and the tip thereof the moft exail-diHinguillier, it will not ad* 
 4'antage thii guft CO have the neck extended; wherein the Gullet ansl 
 conve)ingparts are only feated , which partake not of the nerves of 
 guftation , or appertaining unto f^por , but receive them only from the 
 fixth pair ; whereas the nerves of taHe defcend from the third and fou tij 
 propagations , and fo ciffi.fe themfelves into the tonrue. And therefore 
 Cranes, Hems and Swans have no advantage in tafte beyond Hawk-', 
 iCitesj.and others of iTiorterneck^, -' 
 
 : JS'or, if we confider it, liad Nature refpcfit unto the ti{k in the diffe- 
 rent 
 
Book, 7. andC^mmmErrMri. 44^ ^-iJ^ 
 
 rent contrivmce of nefeks, but rather unto rfiepitt?<:-ontAin«d, the 
 compofure of the rert of the body , and the manner v\4iereby they feed. 
 Thus animals of lon;4 legs, h.we generally long necks-; th.ic i:i, for the 
 conveniency of feeding as hiving a neceflity to apply their mouths unto 
 the earth. So have Hordes, Camels, Dromedaries long necks, and all 
 tall animalb', except the Elephant , who indefe6^ thereof is furnished 
 with a Trunk, wichout which he could not attain the ground. So have 
 , Cranes, Herns, Storks and Shovelards long necks : and fo even in m.an, 
 vvhofc figure is erctSl, the length of the neck followeth the proportion of 
 other parts : and fuch as have round faces or broad chefts and fhoulders, 
 have very feldome long necks. For, the length of the face twice ex- 
 ceedeth that of the neck, and the fpace betwixt the throat-pic and the 
 navel, is equal unto the- circumference thereof. Again, anim.als are 
 franied with long necks, according unto the courfe of their life or feed- 
 ing: fomany with iliort legs have long necks, becaufe they feed in the 
 water, as Swans, Geefe, Pelicans, and other fin-footed anim.als. But 
 KaA'ks and birds of prey have ibort necks and trulTed legs ; for that which 
 is Ion: is weak and flexible , and a fhorter figure is bett accom.modated 
 unto that intention. Lai^ly, the necks of animals do vary, arcor^iing ta 
 the partes that are contained in them^ , which are the weazon and.the -\xU 
 let. Such as have no weazon and breath not , have fcarce any neck, as 
 moft forts of fiilies; and feme none at all, as all fots of peilinals, 
 Soals, Thornback, Flotinders ; and all cruftaceous animals,,as Cr?vife{;» 
 Crabs and Lobiiers. ' .;.:..:. ^r:..f 
 
 All which conliJered, the V\\(h of 1 hJuxems vAWhithy -tq-nm. 
 with reafon. More excuHble had ic been to have wilbed hiijifelf arj 
 Ape, which if com.mon conceit f e:.k true , i'^ exaiier in tall ph^n any. 
 Rather fome kind of granivoroas bird then a Crane , for in this fenfc 
 they are fo exquihte , that up-on the firft perk of their bill , they can di- 
 ftin^uilb the qualities of hird bo::ies ; whiv-h the fenfe of m.an difcerns 
 notWithout martication. Rather fome ruminating animal , that he 
 mi^ht have eat his m.eat twice over, or rather* as 7 heoph'i/ys dbferved in 
 .Ath KAKSf hisdefire had been m.ore reafon^ble, hadhevyil'Hed him.feff 
 an Elephant, or an Horfe ; for in thefe animals the appetite is m.ore ve- 
 hement, rnd they receive their viands in large and plenteous .manner. 
 And this indeed had been m.ore fuitable , if this were the fam.e Thilox- 
 <r/?«j 'whereof PUtarci fpeakeih , who was fo uncivilly greedy, thaf to 
 €n_roffethem.€^, he would preventiv-efy deliver his.no/kils in, the 
 ci4n. \ ■:[ ■'; :: : ■ ' ' . ' ■■ " "; ; • ' t 
 
 A;; for the mufical advantage , alrhouch it feem m.ore i^afoijable, yx!t 
 dowe nor obferve thitCr-'nesandbirdsof longnecks have any mufi- 
 cal., but harlb anil claniousthro.its. But birds that are canorous, and 
 whofe notes we-m.oft commend, are of little throats and I'Kort necks, as; 
 K'-?Jhtingak?,FiriL4}<ts,lLinnets, Canary birds ai^d Lad's; AW tmiy,^ 
 altfhoji«h'che weazon , throtle and rdiiguebe the infinnnent^'af \6iti^ 
 ■ Mm m and 
 
<7 •^ / 45 ^ Enquiries into Vulvar Book . 7 . 
 
 andly th«ir agitations do chiefly concur unto thefe delightful moduli- 
 tions, yetcannorvve afTi^n the caufe unto any parti cuhr foroiatioa ; 
 and I perceive the beft thereof,the Nighcirvgale, h.uh fome dif^idvamage 
 in the tongue, which is not accuminate and pointed as in the reft , bit 
 feemeth as it were cut off, which perhaps might give the hint unto the 
 fable of Thllomela^ and the cutting olf her tongue by Terepu. 
 
 c 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 Of the Lak^ Afplialtltes. 
 
 Oncerning the Lake Afphahites-, the Lake of Sodom , or the dead 
 ■ Sea , that heavy bodies caft therein fink not , but by reaion of a 
 fait and bituminous thicknefs in.the water float and fwira above , narra- 
 tions already made are of that vanety , we can hardly from thence 
 deduce a fatisfa6lory determination ; and that not only in the iflory it 
 felf, but in the caufe alkdged. As for the ftory, m.en deliver it 
 varioufly ; fome 1 fear too largely ; as ^Hlny^ who atTirmeth that bricks 
 will fwim therein, Mandevil goeth further, that iron fwimmeth, and 
 feathers fink. Mnnfler in his Cofmography hath another relation > aK 
 though perhaps derived from the Poem of Tertnllian y that a candle 
 burning fwimm.eth, but if extinguillied finketh. Some m.ore mode- 
 rately , as Jofephm , and many other : affirming onely that living 
 bodies float , nor peremptorily averring they cannot fink , but that 
 indeed they do not eafily defcend. Moft traditionally , as 9^/f», 
 J'/ivjf , SoiiJiHi and Strabo , who feems to m.i^take the Lake Serbonls 
 for it. Few experimentally, moft contenting themfelves in the ex- 
 periment of refpajlan , by whofe command fome captives bound were 
 caft therein, and found to float as though they could have fwimmed : di- 
 vers contraditlo ily , or rontrarily , quite overthrowing the point. 
 Arifio' /.: inthe fecon' I of his Meteors fpeaks lightly thereof, ^^^^ l^^ 
 Biddulfhi iti' ^oX6y^zl which word is varioufly rendred, by fome as a fabulous ac- 
 ncrsrittm ^»' count , by fome as a common talk. -B/^^wZ/j^^^ divideth the comrTK)n 
 * "'^ ■ accounts of udea into three parts , the one , faith he , are apparent 
 
 truths, the feconJ apparent falilioods , the third are dubious or between 
 both ; in which form he rjnketh the relation of this L^ke. But yi»- 
 drejv Thevec in hisCofmo^jra. hy doth ocularly overthrow it ; for he af- 
 firmeth,, he faw an Afs withhi^ Saddle caft therein and drowned. No>v 
 ©f , thefe relation > fo different. or contr.uy unto each other , the fecon d 
 is moft moderate and fafeft to be embraced, which faith, tbu living 
 bodies fvvim therein , thit is, they do not eafily fink: and this, untij 
 exa^l experiment further determine , may be allowed , as beft conr 
 ^ flftent. 
 
Book. 7. and ComtnonB^ours, 
 
 fiftent with this quality, and the reafons alledged for it. 
 
 As for the caufe of this effeil , cornirion opinion conceives it to be 
 the fait and bituminous thicknefs of the water. This indeed is proba- 
 ble, and may be admitted as far as the fecond opinion concedeth. For 
 certain it is that folt water will fupport a Greater burden dien frefh ; and 
 we fee an egg will defcend in fait water, wnich will fwim in brine. But 
 that iron fhould float therein, from this caufe is hardly granted ; for hea- 
 vy bodies will only fwim in that liquor , wherein tne wd^hc of their 
 ' bulk exccederh not the weight of fo much water as ic occupieth or ta- 
 keth up. But furely no water is he avy enough to anfwer the ponderofi- 
 ty of iron , and therefore that mettal vvill fink in any kind thereof , and 
 it was a perfe6t Miracle which was wrought this way by Elifl;a, Thus we 
 perceive that bodies do fwim or fink in different liquors, accordin;^ un- 
 to the tenuity or gravity of tfaofe liquors which are to fupport them. S6 
 (alt warerbeareth that weight which will fink in vine^er, vineger that 
 which will fall in frelTi water , frclli water that which will fink in fpi- 
 tits of Wine, and that will fwim in fpii its of Wine which will fink in 
 clear oyl ; as we m.ade experiment in Globes of wax pierced with lij.ht 
 flicks to fupport them. So that although it be conceived an hard mat- 
 ter to fink in oyl, I believe a man iliould find it very difficult, and next 
 to flying, to fwim therein. And thus will Gold fink in Quick-filver, 
 whereiii iron and other metals fwim; for the bulk of Gold is onely 
 heavier then th.it fpace of Quick-filver which it containeth : and thus 
 alfoinafoluiionof one ounce of Quick-filver in two oi A^nafonts^ 
 the liquor will bear Amber, Horn, and the fofter kinds of flones, as we 
 have made tryal in each. . " ", 
 
 But a private opinion there is which crofltth the common codceirj 
 m.aintained by fome of late, and alkdged of old by Strabo -, that the 
 floating ofbodies in this Lake proceeds not from the thicknefs of the 
 water , but a bituminous ebullition frona the bottom , whereby it wafts 
 up bodies injected , and fuftereth them not eafilytofmk. The verity 
 thereof would be enquired by ocular exploration, for this way is alfo 
 probable. So we obferve , it is hard to wade deep in baths where 
 fprin^s arife ; and thus fometime are bails made to play upon a fpouting 
 flream. 
 
 And therefore, until judicious and ocular experiirent confirm or di- 
 flinguilli the aifettion, that bodies do not fink herein at all , we do not 
 yet believe; that they not eafiJy , or with more difficulty defcehd in 
 this then other watej , we fhall readily aflent. But to conclude an im- 
 polfibility from a difficulty, or affirm .vhereas things not cafily fink, they ' 
 do not drown at all ; befide the ftllacy , is a frequent addition in hu- 
 mane exprelTion , and an amplification not unufual as well in opini- 
 ons as relations ;• which oftentim.es give indilirndl: accounts of prox- 
 imities , and without' refirainc tranfcend from one another, ' 
 Tlnrs , forafmuchas the toirid Zone was conceived exceeding hot , arid 
 'J A Mm m 2 of 
 
 45* 9^:^ 
 
^4*45' 
 
 Enqttkiei ixio VuI^at Baok.7. 
 
 of difficult hAbication , the opiniong of men fo advanced its conftituci- 
 on , as to conceive the fame unhabical)le , and beyond poITibility for 
 man to live the cin. Thus, becaufe there are no y^^ohits'iw Englandi 
 nor have been obferved for divers generations , coinmon people have 
 proceeded into opinions , and fome wife men into affirmations , thsy 
 will not live therein, although brou:.ht from other Countryes. Thus 
 mojft men affirm, and fevv here vvill believe the contrary , ih.it there bi: 
 110 Spiders in IrsU^d ; buc we luve beheld fome in that Countrey; and 
 though but few , fome Gob-wcbs we behold in Irilli \y ood in £»o^Uftit. 
 Thui^the Crocodile from an egg growing up to an exceeding magnitude, 
 common conceit, and <iSvers Writers deliver , it hath no period of en- 
 creafe, but groweth as lon^ as it Uveth. And thus in brief , in mofl ap- 
 prehenfions the conceits of men extend the conhderations of things, and 
 pilate their notionsbeyond the propriety of their nitures. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 0/ dh. rs other H^Utlo/is. 
 
 Xi, •TPHe relation of-^z/i'rr(Tf/, and now common in every mouth, of 
 
 X the woman that conceived in a bath, bv attraikin^ the fperm or 
 
 jfeminal effluxion of a man admitted to bath in fome vicmity unto her, 
 
 i have fcarce faith to believe ; and had I been of the Jury , iliould have 
 
 hardly thought I bad found thef.uher in the perion that Rood by her. 
 
 ^is a new and unfeconded way in Hiftory to fornicate at a diihnce, and 
 
 much offendeth the rules of Phyfick , wnich fjy, there is no generation 
 
 without a joyntem.iffion, nor only a vinual, but corporal and carnal 
 
 contagion. And al th ough v^n'.^a:/* and his adherents be cur off the 
 
 one, who conceive no effectual ejaculation in women, yet in defence <rf 
 
 the other they cannot be introduced. For, if as be delivererh, the inoE-^ 
 
 dinate longitude of the organ, thou.,h in its proper recipient, maybe 
 
 a means to improlificate the feed ; furely the diltance of place, with rlie 
 
 commixrure of an aqueous body , muft prove an effeitual impediment, 
 
 and utterly prevent the fuccefs of a conception. And the efore thit 
 
 conceit concerning the daughters of Lo:^ that they were impregnated 
 
 • by theibf fleeping father, or conceivea by feminal pollution received at 
 
 diihnce from him, will ha-rdly be admitted. And therefore what is rc- 
 
 Ccneraiionj by lated of devih , and the contrived del ufions of fpirits, that they fteal 
 
 ihc devil very the feminil e millions of man , and tranf^nit rhem into their votaries 
 
 Iflaprobibi?. i^ coition, is much to be fufpefted , and altor^ether to be denied , that 
 
 thee.enfueconceptionuhereupon ; however husbanded by Art, and 
 
 thw.wifeil ijianagery of that moftfi^bdie i.iipo*ier. And therefore alfo . 
 
 . ■ thac 
 
Book.7* andConmonnirours'. ^ ^^fj^^- 
 
 ihat ourmagnlfiecl^fr/;>wasii>us beg©tren by the devil, h aground- 
 
 lefie conception ; and as vain to think from thenee to give the reqlon 
 
 of his prophetical fpiiit. For if a generation could fucceed, yet iliould 
 
 not the iflue inheiit the faculties of the devij, who is but an Auxiliary, 
 
 and no univocal Ador ; no: will bis niture fubftamially concur to fuch 
 
 produ6^-ions. 
 
 Anda^khouah ic feemsnot impo(Tibl6, th.it impregnation may fuc- 
 ceedfiom feminaifpirits, and vaporous irradiations containing the 
 active principle, vvitlwut m.aterialandgrofleemiiTion?; as it happenetH 
 fometimes in imperforated perfons, and rare conceptions offom.e m.uclji 
 under puberty or fourteen. Asmaybealfo con;ei^ured in the coition 
 of fome infects, wherein the female m.akes inrrufion into the male ; and 
 as fome would have it, from the contintied oecafion in H^ns, from one 
 fingle tvead of a Cock, and little flock laid up near the vent, fufticient 
 for durable prolification ; ^j-etwiUnot thefamefuffice tofupport the 
 Itory in quellion, wherein no coipulent emiffion is acknowledged, an- 
 fvverable uuto the fable of the i a/mndifis, in the ftory of Bt»ur^y 
 begotten in the fame m^nnar on the daughter of the Prophet. Jc- 
 remi'e. ■'■'■'. '. - ' y '""'■'. ■ 
 
 7, The Relation oi Luclll'm-, and novv become common, concern^ 
 ing C?ajf^s the Grandfarher of Mcrcm the wealthy Romane^ that he ne- • 
 vet lau5hcdbuD once in all his life, and th.u was at an Ajfe e.uinc^ 
 thiftle^, is fomethingHrange. For, ifaninifferent and unridiculpus 
 objet\ coiild draw his habitual aullerenefle unto a finile ; it will be 
 hard to believe he could with perpetuity refift the proper motives 
 thereof. For the Ad of Laughter which is a fweet ccntrailion of the Laughter, 
 mufclesof theface, and apleafant aoiEadon of the vocal Organs, is what kind of- 
 not meekly voluntary, or totally within the j.urifdidion of our felves r Paflionitis. 
 but asicm.ay be condrained by corporal contadtion in any, and hath 
 been enforced in fome even in their death, fo the new unufual o; unex-- 
 f eiled jwcult'^ities, which piCfent ihem.felves- to any man in his iife, . 
 atfomb Ei\Tle o-ouh£r.,villhave3itivityeiK>ughto- excitate the earrhieft 
 foul, and-raifeaiiriiefrom moft compofed terr>pers. Certainly the 
 fifiids we-edullwiienthefe thin_s hapned, and the wits of thofe A- 
 gesfliotof thefe of ours; when men could m.aintain fuch imm.utable 
 faces, PS to remain like ftatues i*ndef the flatteries of wit,and perfift un- 
 akeiable at all efforts .of Jccularrty. The- fpi.its in hell,, and Pluto 
 himfelf,. whom- Lucian Aakes to .lau^h at paltages upon earth-, will 
 plainly condemn 'thefe Siturnines,- aild make ridiculous the m.agnificd 
 Hen^ctlttts^ who weptprepofteroufly, and made a hell on earth ; for 
 rej:6t:ing theconiblations of Life, he palfed his dayes in teares, and the! 
 uncomi"ortable attentlm.ents of bell. >'i >_ r 
 
 ->,. Thefame conceit there pafleth concerning bt^r blelTed Siviour, 
 and is fometimes uf^ed^s- nn high exam.ple of gravity. And thisis q- • 
 pinioned, becaufe in holy Scripture it is recoided he fometimes wept, . 
 
 M m m 3 hut . 
 
^jVtt 454 * Bn^uiries'mtoP^ulgar Book.7. 
 
 "^ " but never that he laughed. Which howfoever granted, it will be hard 
 
 to conceive how he pafled his younger years and childhood without a 
 fmile, it as Divinity affirmeth, for the afliirance of his humanity unto 
 men, and the concealment of his Divinity from the devil,hepafled this 
 age like other children, and fo proceeded until he evidenced the fame. 
 And I'urely herein no danger there is to aiffirm the a<^ or performance 
 of that, whereof we acknowledge the power and eflential property; and 
 wbeiby indeed he moft nearly convinced the doubt of his humanity.Nor 
 need we b.: afraid to afcribe that unto the incarnate Son^which fomtime? 
 is attributed unto the uncarnate Father; of wh«>m ir is fliid. He that dwel- 
 tcth in the Heavens fV.aJl lauc3h the wicked to Icorn. For a liugh there is 
 of contempt o: indi5nation, as well as of mirth or Jocolity; And that our 
 Saviour wa? not exem.pted from the ground hereof, that is, the paifion of 
 anger, re£,ulated and riduly ordered by Rearon,the fchools do not deny: 
 and'beiides the experience of the money-changers and Dove-fellers in 
 AZeXui dmut the Temple, is teftified by St. Joh^, when he faith , the fpeech of David 
 ttf^ coMc<i/> ^. r. ^Yas fulfilled in our Saviour. 
 
 Now the Alogie of this opinion confifterh in the iIIation;it being not 
 reafonable to conclude from Scripture negatively in points which are 
 not ijiatters of faith,and pertaining unto falvation.And rherfofe although 
 inthedefcription of the creation th^re be no mention of fiire, Chtiliian 
 .Philofof hy did not think it reafonable prcfently to annihilate that eie- 
 jnent, or pofitively to decree there was no fuch tiring at all. Thus where- 
 as in the brief Narration oi Mofcs there i; no record of wine before the 
 ilood, we cannot fati;;fa<ftorily conclude tlut Noah was the firft that ever 
 Only in ihc raiied-therof.And thus bec.uiie the word Brain js fcarce m.enrioned once, 
 vujgar Litinc. but Heart above an hundred times in holy Scripture; Phyficians that dif- 
 ;?«^' 9' yi pure the principality cf parts arc not trom hence induced to bereave the 
 animal Organ of its priority .Wherefore the Scriptures being ferious,and 
 commonly omitting ^uch•PaJler^^ies, it will be unreafonable from hence 
 ro fpondem.n all la^u^cer, and from.con iderations, .inconiderable codif- 
 cipline a m.an ourof ihi,s nature. For th.ii i> by a, fulHcal feveriry, to banilli 
 aU:urbanity;wiiofe harmlevand coniined.condition,as itilanis cominienr 
 dtQ by morality.fo i»^it fonliftent with Reli^ionjand do: h not oftend Di- 
 vinity. •■ ': . -■■--.r^ir-- r ; • -•-.■'•I! .'! V j'v;') i' :..- . ,_■ • <- 
 
 4.The cuftom ki,s<^P6pes ro ch^mgeitheir inline at .their creation:ani 
 the Author thereof is commonlj' faidito be /^'>rf-t-.^'/p£»rc«,or fwinesface? 
 v4i9 therefvj>re alVum.ed the flije of ^tgii^i the fecond, .as being ailumed 
 fq;itV)ul a,4ia?iiie ;lliould<iil}ionouc the jChair;ofi£f/-/r.j; wherein notwith- 
 ftandingjfrom A^ontacHtiits :tn i others. J fin J there m.ay be'f^m.e miftake. 
 For Adajfoniw who wFit the lives of Popes, acknowlediieth he was not 
 the firft that changed his name in that Sea.; nor ns T.Iari»a aftirmeth, 
 have all hisSucceflbrs preciiely cpncinuedthat.cuftom; for ^^drian. the 
 rixth,an,d Affircell/fs the fecoiKl,':-id ftill^r^nijii tiwirBaptifmal denomina- 
 tions. Npi, i»;;iC;pr^yeii-,(gr prQij-ifele, ifiiw:j!if%m dian^ di- natne of 
 ■•! ' ' m" Borca 
 
Book.7' f ArdtorYminnrmrf, 4$f ^^ 
 
 i?tfrf rf<^; Porf ^) f or tWs was his firname oroemilitious appellation: nof- 
 was it th<? cuftom to alter that with the other; but he commuted his Chri- 
 iUan name Feter for Ssrg-it4s, becjufe hz would feem to decline the 
 name of Petey tht recond.Afcrupk, I confefre,not tiiou^Jit confider.iblc 
 in oibe r Seas, whofe Originals and firft Patriarchs h ne been lefle difpu- 
 ted; nor yet perhaps of that reality as to prevail in points of the fame na- 
 ture. For the names of the ApoOles, Patriarch's and Prophets have been 
 all limed even to affectation; the Name of jefus hath not been appropri- 
 ate, butlbm.e in precedent ages have born that name, and m.anyfince 
 have not rcfiifedthe Chrillianncnne oi Snjarmel. Thus are there few 
 names more frequent then Mofes and Abraham amcng the Jews; The 
 Twri^f without fcruple affedl the name of yI//?A'(7w^f, and with oladneffe 
 receive fo honourable cognomination. 
 
 And truly in humane occurrences there ever have been m.any well 
 diretled intentions, whofe rationalities will r ever bear a ridd exami- 
 nation, and ihourih in fome way they do command their Authors,an'd 
 fuch as firlt began them, yet have they proved infufficient to perpetuate 
 imitation in fuch as have fucceeded them.. Thus was it a worthy refo- 
 luticn oi Godfrey ^ and moft ChiiRians have applauded it, That he refu- 
 fed to wear a Grown of gold,where his Saviour had worne one of thorns. 
 Yet did not his Succefiors durably inherit that fcruple^but fome were an- 
 ointed, and folemnly accepted the Diadem, of regality.Thus J«//w,^^- 
 gufiw^ and 7 iberitts, withgreat humility or popularity refufed the name 
 'oil moratory but their Succefiors have challenged that title, aud retain 
 the fame even in its titularity. And thus to com.e nearer our fub;eft, the 
 humility of Gregory the Great,would by no means adrrut the ftile of uni^ 
 verfal Bil"hop, but the am.bition of iioi/yVrci? made no fcruple thereof, 
 nor of more quealie refolutions have been their Succefiors ever 
 Ijnce. 
 
 5. That Tamer lane^\% a Scyr him Shepherd, from Mr. KnoUs- and o-- TurlCi^YEy- 
 thers, (lom Aiha3:,(ftz\Qn:ncd Arahianwho wrote his life^ and was ftory. . 
 5pei:laror of m.any of his explon:s,we have reafons to deny. Not only for 
 his birth, for he was of the blood of the Tartarian Em.perours, whofe fa- 
 ther Og had for his poftefiion the Countrey of Sagathy \ which was no 
 flender Territory, but comprehended all that rraft wherein were con- 
 tained Bi^itiriwa^ SogdiAnayMargiana-, and the Nation of the Maffage- 
 tes^ whofe capital City was. Sawarcand ; a place though now decaid, of 
 great efteem and trade in former ages. But fiom his regal Inauguration, 
 for it is faid, that being about the age ofiifteen, his old father refigned ■ 
 the Kingdom, and m.en of War unto him.Andalfo from his education, , 
 for as the ftory fpeaks it^ he was inftruited in the Arabian learning, and ■ 
 afterwardexercifedhimfelfe therein. Now >^r^^//«« learning was in a • 
 manner all the liberal Sciences, efpecially the Mathematicks, and! 11a- - - 
 caral rhilofophy,wherin not many Ages before him there flouritlied^- 
 vi:ennayAverroesyAveMX:OAryGebery^lmanz^rjZndAihaz.e»yC02.Xiomm&l 
 
 un£0 < 
 
uivto him that wrote his Hiilory ^ vvhofe Chronclo^^ indeed , aUhoug h 
 ic l^e obfcuro, yet in the opinion of his Co'niijencator^ he. was ci-^Mide ^i- 
 powy \xwio Av'icsr.r,.t^ii'Ci'\]\\i\\\^it fixteen books. ot'OpUf^ks^ Qi' great 
 elkem with ci^^es paft, and texuary unto our days, .-i >•; .:' r .Jv*" '^ 
 
 Nowthegroundofthismilbke was furely that which theTurkilli hi- 
 ftoiiui declareth. Some, yCaich he, of our hirtorians will needs have 7"^- 
 medfine to be the foji. of, a Shepherd. JJut this they have faid , not 
 knowing at all the cul:k)tP-e of their Countrey ; : wherein -the principal 
 revcnewsof the Knii* <ind Nobkij cohiiiteth in cartel; who dei^^ifing 
 ^old and filyer, abound mall forts thereof.- And this was the occalxon 
 that fome men call them Shepherds,andaIfo affirm this Prince descend- 
 ed from them. .Now, if it be reafonable, that great men whofe poflef- 
 fion ; are chiefly in cartel, Tnouid bear the nam.e of Shepherds , and fall 
 juppn fo low denominatioi'is •; then may we fay that Ahmhamvas a 
 . Shepherd, although too powerful for. four Kir)gs : that ,7<^. vvas of that 
 'condition, who beiide Camels and Oxen had feven thouifand flieep : and 
 jet is faid to be the greacefi man in the Eail. Thus was A'icjha Kin^ of 
 Moab a Shepherd, who annually }'aid unto the Crown of J{rae[ , an 
 hundred thoufmd lam.bs , and as many Ra:m.s. Surely it is no dillionor- 
 ablecourieof life which -'^'^''{/V:f and. '^Trgr^ have made exem.plary : 'tis a 
 profelfron fupporced upon^the natural way of acquifition , and though 
 .contem.nedbythe ti/± ff^/if/^w , much counren.inced by the Hebrews, 
 Avhofe fa-crihces required plenty of Sheep and Lambs. And certainly 
 they were very mui'icrous, for, at the confecration of the Temple , be- 
 •iide two and twenty thoufand Oxen, King Solomon lacri^ced *in hundred 
 .iind twenty thoufcind d^eep ; and the '[^m^ is ob.ervable from the, daily 
 provilionof hishoufe : which was ten fat Oxen,rwcnry.<)xen out of the 
 paftures, and an hundred Sheep, bc^'ide rovvibuck, f.illovv I>eer, ^tndfat- 
 Dcfc ip;ion o{ ted Fowls. Wherein notwithllanding (if a punctual relation thereof 
 the Tuikifh do rightly inform, us ) the Grand Seignior doth exceed: the daily , pro- 
 Scr:^ho, fince y^^^^j, of yvhofe SeragUoin the Reign aiAckmet^ belule Beeves, con- 
 5'iily pr'ovifion f^^'^^'^sd two hundred ihecp, lambs and kids when they were in feafon oi^e 
 . cf the Sciaglio. buix}r«d, ca.lves ten, gc>:;fe hfcV:, Jiens^ two hundied ,' chickens one hun- 
 dred, -pidgeons an hundred paiciniol") 'j^a r. ^--Ml^ ? • f ■. 
 
 And therefore this m.ifhke.cont^erniig the Noble TrtmerLvie ^ was 
 lilie that concerning DcwofihrKcs , who is- faid to be the Son of a Black- 
 fmith, according to common .conceit, and that vhandfome exprelTion of 
 
 Qficm p^rtfr ardsfj.'is yrza/fx fuHflfje lifptUy 
 A carh/ii' & foKc'i^iifjis-, gladjof^-purame 
 iKcndty & luteo V'Hicnno tid %})etoramif:, 
 
 Bitc i'J^/x/if^r/jiwho wriDhi^life hath cleared t his-concait , {ilainiy af- 
 fciinglje)vvas mall nobly .defceade^i,' and chat this- report was raifed, 
 
 becaufe 
 
Book.7. f and Common ErrMrf I ^iT'4'4Xy 
 
 becaufe his father had many flaves that wrought Smiths work, a«d 
 brought the profit unto him. 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Of fame others. 
 
 I. \XJ E are fad when we reade the flory of BellfariHi tkat worthy 
 VV Chieftain of J»ii^/W^», who, after the vitlories of Vandals, 
 Goths, Perfians, and his Trophies in three parts of the worid, had at 
 lalt his eyes put out by the Emperour, and was reduced to that diftrefs, 
 that he begged relief on the high way, in that uncomfortable petition, 
 Date obolnm Be/if arlff. And this we do not only hear in Difcourfes> 
 Orations and Themes, but finde it alfo in the leaves of Trf r^ Cr/V/;>w, 
 V»lAterrams^ andother worthy Writers. 
 
 But, what m.ay fome what confolate all men that honour vertue, tve 
 do not difcover the latter Scene of his mifery in Authors of Antiqui- 
 ty, or fuch as have exprefly delivered the ftory of thofe times. For, 
 Snidasis filent herein, C edr ems and Zo^arHSy two grave andpundual 
 Authors, delivering only the confifcation of his goods, omit thehifto- 
 ry of his mendication. Paulus Dlacoms goeth farther, not only pafluig 
 over this ad, but affirming his goods and dignities were reftored. A^ 
 gathim who lived at the fame time, dcclareth he fuffered m.uch from 
 theenvieof the Court: but that hedefcended thus deep into atfiiili- 'ArcxATSjor 
 on, is not to be gathered from his pen. The fame is alfo omitted Atcam hifi«. « 
 hy Procopius a contemporary and profefled enemy unto J«//^/^«and 
 Be/if^rius , who hath left an approbricus book againft them 
 both. 
 
 And in this opinion and hopes we are not fingle, but Andrcat Al- 
 ciatpts the Civilian in his Parergt^.^ and FranclfcHs de Cordua in his D/- 
 dafcalia^ have both declaratorily confirmed the fam.e, which is alfo a- 
 greeable unto the judgement of Nlcolaus Alemannur^ in his notes upon 
 that bitter hiftory of ProcopHs. Certainly fad and tragical ftories are 
 fcldome drawn within the circle of their verities ; but as their Relators 
 do either intend the hatred or picy of the perfons, fo are they fet forth 
 with additional amplifications. Thus have fome fufpe£led it hath hap- 
 ned unto the ftory of Oedipus ; and thus dd we conceive it hath fared 
 with that of T^^/^/, who hiving finned beycn i aggravation, and com- 
 mitted one vilhny which cannot be exarperited by all other; is yet 
 charged with the murther of his reputed b other, parricide of his fa- 
 ther, andinceft with hi& own inother, as Fbrilegns or Mi^ttheat of 
 Wefiminfii r hath at lacge related. And thus hath it perhaps befaikn the 
 
 N n n noble 
 
2 4"^^ * 4:S?^ £/?^«/V/W into Fulmar Book.7,. 
 
 liable Beitfar'iM, who, upon iniligation of the EiTlprefle, havin^* con- 
 trived the exile, and very hardly treated Pope Serverim ; Latine^pens, 
 as a judgement of God upon thisfadl, have fet forth his future fuffer- 
 ings: and omitting nothing of amplification, they have alfo delivered" 
 this: which notvvi'thftanding J(?^^»;?f/ the Greek, makes doubtful, as 
 may appear from his lambicks in >5^rd?«/«/, and might be a miftake or 
 , . mifapplicaiion: tranflating th? affiiilionof one man upon another, for 
 VtrRc'i ' ^^^ ^^^^ ht(d unto Johannes C^ppadox^ contem.porary unto Belifarinsy 
 "Afrh » o$o- ^"d in great favour with Jufiini^n ; who being afterward banillv ed 
 ^heuTti^tu, into Ezypt-, was faine to beg relief on the high way.. 
 
 2. That /?«^«j Decttmanm^ or the tenth wave is greater and m.ore 
 dangerous then any other, fome no doubt will be]offended if we deny ; 
 and hereby we fhall feem to contradiil Antiquity ; for, anfwerable 
 unto the literal and common acception, the fame is averred by many' 
 Writers, and plainly defcribed by OW^. 
 
 QhI venit hicfiu^Hi^ fin^tu fupereminet om^sSy . 
 Pofieriornonoeft^ undccimoiiH? prior. 
 
 "Which notwlthftanding is evidently falfe ; nor can it be made out by 
 obfervation, either upon the fho re or the Ocean, as we have with dili- 
 gence explored in both. And furely in vain we exped a regularity in 
 tht waves of the fea, orin the particular m.otions thereof, as we may 
 in its general reciprocations, whofe caufes are conftant ; and effefts 
 therefore correfpondent. Whereas its fluctuations are but motions fub- 
 fervient ; which windes> ftorm.es, fhores, fhelves, and every interja- 
 ccncy irregulates. Which femblable reafon we might expeit a re- 
 gularity in thewindes; whereof though fome be ftatary, fome anni- 
 verfary, and the reft do tend to determ.inate points of heaven,yet do th^ 
 blafts and undulary breaths thereof maintain no certainty in their courfer 
 nor are they numeral ly feared by Navigators. 
 
 Of affinity hereto is th2it conceit o£ O^/um Dicumamm, fo called, 
 becaufe the tenth egge is bigger then any other, according unto the rea- 
 fon alledged by f^/fw, DecHmanaova d'lCHnmr^ cjuiaovHmdeclmHm 
 TuaJHs nafchur. For the honour we bear unto the Clergy, we cannot 
 but wifh this true ; but herein will hz found no more of verity then 
 in the other : and furely few will aflent hereto without an implicite 
 credulity, or Pythagorical fubmilTion unto every conception of num- 
 ber. 
 
 For, furely the conceit is numeral, and though not in the fenfe ap-i 
 prehended, relateth unto the num.ber of ten, as Vrancifcni Sylvitu 
 Jbath moft probably declared.For,whereas amongft Timple numbers or di^ 
 gits, the number of ten is the greateft : therefore whatfoever was the 
 greateft in every kinde,might in fome fenfe be named from this number; 
 Nowj becaufe alfo that vvhich was the greateft, was metaphorically by 
 
 fome: 
 
Book. 7. and Common Brroun, Ca^^f 
 
 fome at firft called t)ccHmanHi ; therefore whatfoever paffed under 
 this name, was literally conceived by',others to refpcd and make good 
 this number. 
 
 The conceit is alfo Latine ; for the Greeks to expreflc the greatcft 
 wave, doufe the number of three, that is, the word 'rp'w^'*, which is 
 a concurrence of three waves in one, whence arofe the proverb 
 t^twia'A KdKay, orarriflu6\uationofevils, \yhich Erafmus doth render 
 MAlorHmfiti^Hs DecHmanHi. And thus, although the termes be ve-, 
 ry different, yet are they made to fignifie thefelf-fame thing ; the num- 
 ber of ten to explain the num.ber of three, and the (ingle number of 
 one wave, the colleflive concurrence of more. 
 
 3. The poiion of Paryfatis^ reported from Oejiasby Plutarch in the 
 life of zArtaxerxeSf whereby anointing a knife on the one fide, and 
 therewith dividing a bird ; with the one half fbe poifoned Statira, and 
 fafely fed her felfe on the other, was certainly a very fubtile one, and 
 fuch as our ignorance is well content it knows not. But furely wc 
 had discovered a poifon that would not endure Tandoraes box , could 
 we be Satisfied in that for which its coldnefle nothing could contain 
 but an Afies hoof, and wherewith fome report that Alexander the 
 great was poifoned. Had men derived fo (Irangean cffe^^ from fome 
 occult or hidden qualities, they m.ight have filenced contradiilion \ but 
 afcnbing it unto the manifeft and open qualities of cold, they mujft 
 pardon our belief;who perceive the coldeft and moft Stygian waters may 
 be included in glaffes j andby^r//?of/f who faith, that glaffe is the per- 
 fedleft work of Art, we underhand they were not then to be invented. 
 
 And thoi^h it be faid that poifon will break a Venice-glaffe, yet have 
 wc not met with any of that nature. Were there a truth herein, it 
 were the beft Prefervative for Princes and Perfons exalted unto fuch 
 fears; and furely farbctter then divers now inufe. And though the 
 beft of China dillies, and fuch as the Emperour doth ufe, be thought by 
 fome of infallible vertue unto thiseffeft; yet will they not, I fear, be 
 able to elude the mifchief of fuch intentions. And though alfo it 
 be true, that God made all things double, and that if we look upon the 
 works of the moft High, there are two and two, one againft another j ^^ what kvSi 
 that one contrary hath another, and poifon is not without a poifon un- God Almighty 
 to it felf; yet hath the curfe fo far prevailed, or elfe our induftry de- tbinE^'doublt.' 
 feiled, that poifons are better known then their Antidotes, and fome 
 thereof do fcarce admit of any. And laftly, although unto every 
 poifon men have delivered many Antidotes, and in every one is pro- 
 mifed an equaliry onto its adversary, yet do we often finde they faile 
 in their eft^edls : Moly will not refift a weaker Cup then that of Circe; a ^^^^ VAdittx. 
 man may be poifoned in a Lem.nian dilli ; without the miracle of hhtt^ 
 there Is no confidence in the earth of Pml ; and if it be meant that no 
 poifon could work upon him,we doubt the ftory,and expeit no fuchfuc- - 
 cefle from the diet of Mh hrikates, r ■ \' v /.• 
 
 Nnn 2 A 
 
^4f ^^^ tn^irieunto yu{qar Book. 7 
 
 A ftory there paffeth of an Indian King, that fcht unto Alexander a 
 fair woman fed with Aconites and other poyfons, with this intent, ei- 
 ther by convcrfe or copulation coinplexionally to deftroy him. For my 
 part, although the delign were true, I lliouid have doubted the fuccefs. 
 For, though it be poflible that poyfons m.ay meet with tempers whereto 
 rhey may become Aliments , and weobi'erve from fowls th.it feed on 
 fiAies , and others fed with garlick and onyons, that fimple aliments are 
 not alvvayes concoited beyond their vegetable qualities ; and therefore 
 that even after carnal converiion , poyfons may yet retain fome porti- 
 on of their natures j. yet are they fo refrailed , cicurated and fubdued, 
 as not to make good their firft aiid deftruilive malignities. And there- 
 fore the Stork that eateth Snakes, and the Stare that feedeth upon Hem- 
 lock, though no commendable aliments, are not dertruitive poyfons. 
 For, animals that can innoxioufly digeft chefe poyfons, become antido- 
 tal uato the poyfon digefted. And therefore whether their breath be 
 artra^led, or their flefh ingefted, the poyfonous reliques go ftill along 
 with their antidote , whofe fociety will not permit their m.alice to be 
 , deftru^live. And therefore alfo animals that are not mifchieved by 
 poyfons which deftroy us , may be drawn into Antidote againft them ; 
 the blood or flcfh of Storks againft the venom of Serpents , the Quail 
 yen^ck. againft Hellebore , and the diet of Starlings againft the drou«/ht of So- 
 grates. Upon like grounds are fome parts of Animals Alexipharm.acall 
 unto others ; and fome veins of the earth, and alfo whole regions , not 
 only deftroy the life of venomous creatures, but alfo prevent their pro- 
 ductions. For though perhaps they contain the feminals of Spiders anJ 
 Scorpions, and fuch as in other earths by fufcitiarion of the Sun m.ay a- 
 rife unto aiiim.ation ; yfet lying under command of their Antidote, with- 
 out hope of emergency they are poyfoned in their m.atrix by powers ea-- 
 lily hindrine the advance of their originals, whofe confirm.ed forms they 
 are able to deftroy. 
 
 V. The ftory of the Wandring Jew is very ftrange , and will hardly 
 obtain belief; yet is there a formal account thereof fet down by Mat- 
 thew Trfr/ir,from the report of an Armenian Biiliopjwho came into thi.'j 
 Kiiigdome about four hundred years ago , and had often entertained this 
 V} anderer at his Table. That he was then alive , was firft called C'trta- 
 - . ., phi/ftSy was Keeper of the Judgement Hall , whence thrufting out our 
 Ttrt flu %i Saviour with expoftulation for his ftay, was condwnned to ftay until his 
 df.timmm return ; was after baptized by <iAnanlai •> and by the name of Jofeph-, 
 m/n^>rti$nec was thirty years old in the dayes of our Saviour , remembred the Saints 
 VW9' that arifed wirh him , the making of the Apoftles Creed, and their fe- 
 
 vcral peregrinations. Surely were this true, he might be an happy ar- 
 bitrator in many Chriftian controverfies ; but muft impardonably con- . 
 • demn the obftinacy of the Jewes , who can contemn the Rhero- 
 
 rick of fuch miracles, and blindly behold fo living and lafting con- 
 v^rfionso 
 
 6. Ckarec 
 
Book. 7 and Common Srrours, 4^1/ ^ /^i 
 
 6. Clearer confirmations muft be drawn for the hiftory of Pope ^c?^;/, 
 who fucceeded. Lfi> the fourth , and preceded /^r;?f^/<5/ the thi.d , th^n 
 iv.any we yet difcover. And fince it is delivered with aiKnt cTiid fcrtim 
 by many; fmce the learned jLf»^//^n/« hath difcovcred , that ancient co-ifuutio fji 
 cofi^s oC Man i f'!is Fo/o>7M , who is chiefly urged for it, had not this buladejoMnn. 
 {lory in it ; fince Jiot only the fkeam of Latine Hifloriins have oinirted i^Jf 'jP o*"^ 
 it, but ?/ji>^/w ih>i Patriarch, ^J^^etropha^^s Smyr^amy^indibz Qx^Cpt:a-- ^fbu^o» 
 ted Greeks have made no mention of it, but conceded ^f;7:^^/c7 the. 
 third Succc'flbr unto Leo the fourth , he wants not grounds that doubts 
 It. 
 
 Many things hillorical whicii feem of clear conceflion , want not af- 
 firmations and negations, according to divided pens : as is notorioufly 
 obfervable in the (tory of Hildebrand or Gregory the fevcnih , repug- 
 nantly delivered by the Im.perial and Papal party. In fuch divided re- 
 cords partiality hath much depraved hiltory, wherein if the equity of the 
 Reader do not corred the iniquity of the Writer, he will be much, 
 confounded with repugnancies , and often finde in the fame perfon, 
 Numa and Nero. In thin5S of tliis nature m.oderation muft intercede^ 
 and fo charity may hope, that Roman Readers will conftrue many pafla- Of Luther i 
 ges in Bo/fecJh Fayiu, ScUHJfelhrrg , and CochUtu. ^*^'^^> ^'^^• 
 
 7. Every year is filled with the flory of Fryer Bacoyj , that made a bra- iR.og. Ba on 
 2en head to Ipeak thefe words, 7 Ime is , Which thoup,h there want not mimriu. ox< 
 the like relations, is furely too litterally received , and was but a myfti- 2"^^^' ^"^ 
 cal fable concerning the Philofophers great work, wherein he em.inenr- «<'^'/"""'^ 
 lylaboLireJ. Implying no more by the copper head, then the veflei 
 wherein it wa:; wrought , and by the words it fpake, then the opportuni- 
 ty to be watched , about the Temfm ortm^ or birth of the myftical child^, 
 or Philofophical King of Lullius : the riling of the Terra follata o^Ar— 
 mldus-, when the earth fufficientiy im.pregnated widi the water , afcend- 
 eth white and fplendent. Which not obferved, the work is irrecoverably 
 \oi\', according to that of 7Vfr»j ^<?«i^j-. Ibiefioperls-perfellloant an- ^^ . 
 nlhllittlo ; cj'ion'iam ipfa die^ tmmo hora^ ormntHr elenientafimplicl^ depti- prctfofa, 
 rata-, cjua. e^ent fiatim compofitione^ antcquam volem ab Igne. 
 
 Now letting flip this critical opportunity , he m.ifled the intended 
 treafure. W'hich had he obtained , he mignt have made out the tra- 
 dition of making a brazen wall about England. That is, the moft pow- 
 erful defence , and flrongeft fortification which Gold could have ef- 
 feiled. 
 
 8. Who can but pitty the vertuous Epicurus-, who is commonly 
 conceived to have placed his chief felicity in pleafure and fenfual de- 
 lights, and hath therefore left an infamous name behind him ? How • 
 true, let them determine who read that he lived feventy years,and wrote 
 more books then any Phylofopher but Chryfipptu^ and no lefs then three 
 hundred , without borrowing from any Author. That he was content- 
 ed with bread and water. , and when he would dine with Jove^ and pre-- 
 
 Nn;a3 tend:i 
 
J- J Ait En^mrteunto Vulgar Book./. 
 
 * • tend\intoepulauon> he defired no other addition then a piece of C/t^r- 
 
 r'ldiftn cheele. That fhall condder the words of Seneca^ Nondico^ qmi 
 
 veri(]', nofi/orHW^feElam Epicnri fiagltwrum mag'ifirHm ejfexfed lllud di~ 
 
 CO male andit inf amis €fi^& Immerlta. Or fhall read his life,his Epijftles, 
 
 ^ his Teftament in Laertitt^, who plainly names them Calumnies , which 
 
 ' are commonly faid againft them. 
 
 The ground hereof feems a mifapprehenfion of his opinion, who 
 placed his felicity not in the pleafures of the body, but the mind, and 
 tranquility thcreof,obtained by wifdom and vertue,as is moft clearly de- 
 termined in his Epiftle unto Maneceus. Now how this opinion was 
 ^lu'Ep1cu?r ^^^ traduced by the Stoickj , how it afterwards became a common be- 
 ^ ' licf,and fo taken up by Authours of all uges,by Clcero^PltitarchyClememy 
 Ambrofe and others ; the learned Pen ofGaJje^dui hath difccvered. 
 
 CHAP. XVill. 
 Afere briefly of fame others. 
 
 OTher relations there are, and thofe in very good Authours , which 
 though we do notpofitively deny, yet have they not been unquc- 
 fiioned by fome , and at leaft as improbable ttuths have been re- 
 ceived by others. Unt® fome it hath feemed incredible what Hero- 
 dotHs reporteth of the great Army of X^r.v^j ,that drank whole rivers dry. 
 And unto the Authour himfelf it appeared wrondrous ftrange, that they 
 cxhaufted not the provifion of the Countrcy , rather then the waters 
 thereof. For as he maketh the account , and Budeus de Ajfv corre6ling 
 the mif-computeof/^/ziif<^,deliverethit; if every man ofthe Army had 
 had a chenix of Corn a day , that is, a fextary and half; or about two 
 pints and a quarter, the Army had daily expended ten hundred thouflind 
 and fourty Medimna's , or meafures containing (ix Builiel^-. Which 
 rightly confidered, the <iAbd"rites had reafon to blefle the Heavens,that 
 Jffnvaeatbut one meal a day; and Vythlus his noble Hoft, mi^ht 
 with lefle charge and poflible provifion entertain both him and his Ar- 
 my. And yet may all be falved,if we take it heperbolically , as wife men 
 recei' e that exprelTion in Job^ concerning B.hemuih the Elephant ; Be- 
 hold, he drinkethup a river and haiteth not.he trufteth that he can draw 
 up J(?n//«;« into his m-outh. 
 
 2. That y5?wi/'^,?/ eat or brake through the Alpeswith Vinegar, may 
 b,e too grofly takcn,and the Author of his life annexed unco Plntarch 
 affirmeth oncly , he ufed thi^ artiHce upon the tops of fome of the 
 highell m.ountainss. For as it is vulgarly underllcod, that he cut a paflage 
 for his Army through thofe mighty^nQuntviins^-it may feeme incredible , 
 
 not 
 
Boofc.7« ^andCommonBrroursl A.St"4 
 
 not only in the greatneffe of the efte£l,but the quantity of the eflficient: 
 and fuch as behold them, may think an Ocean of Vinegar too little for 
 that efteft. 'Twas a work indeed rather to be expelled from eathquakes 
 and inundations, then any corrofive waters, and much condem.neth the- 
 Judgement of Xf r.va, that wrought through Mount i^thos with Mac- 
 tocks. 
 
 :;. That Archimedes burnt theiliips ofMarcellns^ with'fpeculums of 
 parabolical figures, at three furlongs,or asfomewill haveit , at the di- 
 ihnce of three miles, founds hard unto reafon, and arificial experiencer 
 and therefore jufily jqueftioned by Ktrchtrns , who after long enquiry 
 coMXd'rwidthyix. ont iVAdth^ Manfredns Scf tabus that fired at fifteen p^ ^ .^. 
 paces. And therefore m.ore probable it is, that the fhips were nearer „;ajri. 
 the jliore, or about fome thirty paces : at which diflance notwithftand- 
 ing the effeil was very great. But whereas m.en conceive the /hips were 
 m.ore eafily fei on flame, by reafon of the pitch about them, it feem.eth 
 no advantage. Since burning glaffes will melt pitch or make it boy I, not- 
 eafiiy let iuDn fire. 
 
 4. The flory of tge f^^//, whereof three hundred and fix marching a- 
 cainrt the p^elcmes^ were all flaine,and one child alone to fupport the fa- 
 mily rem.ained; is furely not to be paralleld,nor eafie to be conceived, 
 except we can imagine, that of three hundred and fix, but one had chil- - 
 drenbelowthe.ferviceofwar ; that the reft were all unmiarried , or the: 
 wife but of one im.pregnated. 
 
 ^. The received ftory oiMlh^ssho by daily lifting a Calf, attained an? 
 ability to carry it being a Bull,is a witty conceit,and handfomly fets fortb 
 the efiicacy of Afruefa6lion. But furely the account had been more rea- 
 fonably placed upon fome perfon not much exceeding in ftrength , and 
 fuch a one as without the affiftancc of cuftom.e, could neve: have per- 
 form.ed that ait; which fome may prefume that AZ/Vo without precedent: 
 artifice or any other preparative, had ftrength enough to perform. For 
 as relations declare, he was the-molipancratical man of Greece , and as 
 G alien reporteth, and MercurlalU in nis Gymnafticks reprefenteth , he 
 was able to perfift ere6l upon an oyled plank , and nor to be removed 
 by the force or prorrufion of three men. And if that be true which 
 Athinius reporteth, he was little beholdiug to cuftome for this abi- 
 lity. For in the Olympick games, for the fpace of a furlong , 
 he carried an • Oxe of foure yeares upon his Ihoulders ; and 
 the fame day he carried it in his belly: for as it is there delivered he 
 eat it up himfelf.Surely he had been a proper gueft at Grandgoufiers feaft, ^« ^htUh. 
 and might have m.atcht his throat that eat fix pilgrims for a Salad. 
 
 6. It much difadvantageth the Panegyrick of Synefms^ and is no fmaH vvho writ jn \ 
 cifparagemenr unto baldnefle, if it be true what is related by ^^llan the praifcoC: 
 concerningc/£/(r/;//«j, whofe bald-pate was miftaken for a rock, arid '>*^'^'^clle. . 
 fo was brained by a Tortoife which an Eagle let fall upon it. Certainr 
 ly^ ic-. was very great miftake . in the perfpicacy of that AnimaK 
 
^<»^ 4^4 En^utrlei'mto VuI^ay ^ Book.7.' 
 
 An argument Some men critically difpofed , would from hence confute the opinion 
 
 or initancc a- ^f Copernicus, never conceiving how the motion of the earth below, 
 
 • ^ono/l'^''"^' iliouid not wave from a knock perpendicularly direded from, a body in 
 
 ■ canb. f he ayr above. 
 
 7. Ic crofleth the Proverb , and Rome miu;ht well be built in a.day ; if 
 that were true which is traditionally related by Stnzbo-, that the^reat Q\- 
 iiZ'i AKchinlcM-i^Tarfiu , were built by 5^r<^<^/9^/>^/w both in one day, 
 according to the infcription of his m.onument , Sardanapalas Anmcyn- 
 daraxisjiliHs-, yinchialcnO' I'arfumHna, dn edificavif 'THaute7n hofpes 
 Ede,Lude,Bibjy&c. which if Ilrii'tly taken, that is, for thefiniiliing 
 thereof, and not only for the beginning; for an artificial or natural 
 day, and not one of Daniels weeks, that is, feven whole years ; furely 
 thiir hands were very heavy that watted thirteen yeares in the private 
 houfe of Solomon : it m.ay be wondred how fourty years were fpent in 
 the ereilion of the Temple o^Jerufalcm , and no lefs- then an hundred 
 in that tam.ous one of Ephcfm. Certainly it was the greateft Architc- 
 6lure of one day, fince that great one of fix ; an Art quire lolt with our 
 Mechanicks,aworknottobemadeout, but like the walls o^ Thek's, 
 aiidfuch an Artificer as Ar,jfh'irr7, 
 The Syracufia 8. It had been a fight only fecond unto the Ark , to have beheld the 
 or King Hk» great Syramfia , or mighty lliip of Hiero, defcribed in Athsnem \ and 
 ^" h*^B°Ur ^^^^^ h'^^*^ thought ic a very large one , wherein were to be found ten 
 w at u . ^:t^^|3|^<5 fQj- hQ,-;^es, eight Towers, befides Fifh-ponds, Gardens, Triclini- 
 um.s, and many fair rooms paved with Agarh, and precious f tones. But 
 nothing was impolTible unto ^?-c/;/WrfW, the learned Contriver there- 
 of; nor iliall we queilion his removing the earth, when he finds an im- 
 moveable bafe to place his Engine upon it. 
 
 9. The relation of Plutarch of a youth of Sparta , thit fuffered a 
 Fox concealed under his robe to tear out bis bowels, before he would ei- 
 
 -"A Lift of ^ ther by voice or couiitenance betray hi^ theft; and the other of the 
 ^^me hiftorical sp^j-can Lad , that with the (lime refolution fufte -ed a coal from the Al- 
 ibis and"\hc ^'^^ ^^ '^"^" h^^ ''*^^^^-' ^li^hcugh defendtdby the Author that writes his life, 
 following sc- islpe:-ceivemiftri'ftedby menof Judge-v.ent , and the Author with an 
 ■^ions.. ainnt, is m.ade to flilve himlelf. Alfu;ec'ly ir was a Noble Nation that 
 
 could afiord an hint to fuch inventions of patience, and upon whom , if 
 ■not fuch verities, at leall fuch verifimiliiies of fortitude were placed. 
 AVcre the Xlory true, they would have m.ade the only Difciples for Z<^ko, 
 and the 5^ t?/V /<_,(• ,and m.i^ht perhaps have been perfwaded to laugh in Pha- 
 /cT/j his Bull. 
 
 10. Ifany man n-iall content his belief with the fpeech of Balaams 
 Afs, without abelief of that of Mahom'.'ts Q^:{\^\ ^ or Livis Oxe : if 
 any man make a doubt of Gi<ies ring in ^ (flmns , or conceives he muft 
 be a Jiw that believes the Sabbatical river in fofephus. If any m.an will 
 fiy he doth not apprehend how the tail of an African Weather out- 
 *\eigheth the body of a good Calf, that i-;, an hundred pound , accord- 
 
 , ins: 
 
Book. 7 / ' 'md Common Brrottrs, ^^^ ^ J J 
 
 ing unco Leo Afrlcavtu^ or defires before belief, to behold fiich a crea- 
 ture as is the Ruck in VuhIhs Venems , for my pare I lliall not be angry . 
 nvith his incredulity. : , 
 
 11. If anyone lliall receive asftretchcor fabulous accounts what is 
 delivered of C<^clesy Scavola and Curtinsy the fpherc oiArchlmedesy the 
 ilory of the Antivconsy tlie taking of the City of Babylon^ not known to 
 
 fome therein in three dayes after ; that the Nation was deaf which dwelt p^^/i^^,,,- ni*, 
 atthefallof A^///^ , the laughing and weeping humour of HeracUtm fi^i^j^ 
 and DentocrltH.'y \\ith many more , he fliall not want fome reafon and 
 the authority of Lancehtti. 
 
 12. If any man doubt of the ftrange Antiquities delivered by Hiftori- 
 ans, as of the wonderful corps of Am aim untom.bed a thoufand years af- 
 ter his death by Sertorlm. ' Whether there were no deceit in thofe frag- , 
 ments of the Ark fo common ro be feen in the dayes oiBerofHs ; whe- 
 ther the Pillar which J'^/^P^^^ beheld long ago , TcrtHllUn long after, 
 and Banl-olomotis de Sil'ignlaco , and Borchardtts long fincc , be the , 
 lame with that of Lots W ife ; whether this were the hand of Paul , or 
 that which is comm.only lliewn the head of Peter , if any doubt, I ihall^ 
 not m.uchdifpute with their fufpitions. If any man lliall not believe 
 the Turpentine betwixt 7- r»/<?/.7« and Bethiem -, under which the Vir- 
 gin fuckled cur Saviour, as fhe palled between thofe- Cities; orthc 
 figtreeofBethanylTievvedtothis day, whereon Zachen^ afcended to J°..'^?'"P'^ 
 behold our Saviour ; I cannot tell how to enforce his belief, nor do I fomewhatcon'. 
 think it requifite to attempt it. For, as it is no reafonable proceeding trary lo reafon. 
 to compel a Religion , or think to enforce our own belief upon ano- 
 
 .rher, who cannot wichouc the concurrence of Godsfpirit, have any in- 
 dubitable evidence of things that are obtruded. So is italfo in matters 
 of comm.on belief, whereunto neither can we indubitably affent , with* 
 out the co-operation of our fenfe and reafon, wherein conlills the prin- 
 ciples of perfwalion. For, as the habit of Faith in Divinity is an argu- 
 ment of things unfeen, and a {table affentunto things inevident, upon 
 authority of the Divine Revealer , So the belief of man which depends* 
 upon hum.ane teftim.ony , is but a ftaggering aflent unto the aftirmative,., 
 not without fome fear of the negative. And as there is required the 
 Wofd of God, or infufed inclination unto the> one , fo m.uft the a<ftual 
 fenfation of our fenfes, at leaft the non-oppofition of our reafons pro- 
 cure our aflent a-nd acquiefcence in the other. So when Snfebkis ^v\ 
 holy Writer aftirm.eth, there grew a ftrange and unknown plant jaear the 
 ftature of Chrift, eretledby his Hem.arroidal patient in the Gofpel,whicl^ 
 attaining unto the hem. of his vefture, acquired a fudden faculty to cure/ • 
 all difcafes. Although he faith he favv the Statua in his dayes, hath ic 
 found in m.any m.en fo m.uch as humane belief ? Som.e believing, others, 
 opinioning, a third fufpe6ling it m.i^ht be ocherwife. For indeed , in., 
 matters of belief the underftanding aifentiiig unto the relation, either 
 fo: the autlioricy of; theperfon, or the probability of the objeit, although. 
 
 Ooo there 
 
Enqttlrles into fulmar Book,^. 
 
 there may be a confidence of the one, yet if there be not a fatisfaclion 
 in the crher, there will arifefufpenfions i nor can we properly believe 
 until fQinearFumentQfr£;afon, or of our proper fenfe convince cr de- 
 termine our dubitations. 
 
 And thus it is alfo in matters of certain and experimented truth : for 
 ifunto one th,u never heard thereof , a man fhould undertake to per- 
 fvvade the affections of the Load-ftonc, or that Jet and Aniber atrra6l- 
 eth ftravYS and lij,ht bodies, there would be lirtle Rbetorick in the au- 
 thority ciArlftotle^ Pllnj^ or any other. Thus although it be true that 
 theftringofa Lute or Viol will ftir uponrheftroakof an l.nifon or 
 Diapazon in another of the fame kind ; that Alcanna being green, will 
 fuddenly infeil the nails and other parts with a durable red ; chat a can- 
 dle put of a Musket will pierce through an Inch-board, or an urinal 
 force a naij through a tMank ; yet can few or none believe thus much 
 without a vifible experiment. VVhich nocwithftanding falls out more 
 happily for knowledge j for thefe relations leaving unfatistadion in the 
 Hearers, do lUr up ingenuous dubiofities uiito experiment, and by an 
 explprapon of all, jrevenc dejufion in any. 
 
 I. 
 
 fJ l U-O Li .1 1 .1 i ' i'j-C'^jJ'. ' li 
 
 L 
 
 CHAP. XIX, 
 
 Of fame ReUttons wk/jfe truth we fear ^ 
 
 h^Jt As there are many Relations whereto we can affent , and 
 -make doubt thereof, fo tnere are divers others whofe verities we 
 fear, and heartily wiili there were no truth therein. 
 
 \, It is an Hnfufferable affront unto fili>il piety, and a deep difcourage- 
 ment unto the expe6lation of ail aged Parents, whoHiall but read the 
 ftoryof that barbaroi« Queen; who after fhe bad beheld her Royal 
 parents ruine, Ity yet in the arm.s of his aflaffme, and caroafed with him 
 in the skull of her Father. For my pare , I ibould have doubted the o- 
 perationof Antimony, where fuch a potion would not work ; 'twas an 
 aft merhinks beyond Anthropophagy , and a cup fit to be ferved up on- 
 ly at the table of v^f r<?w. 
 
 2. "\A bile we laugh at the ftory of Pygmaleort^ and receive as a fable 
 
 tii.1t he Cell in love with a Sutue ; we cannot but fear it may be true, 
 
 vyhar is delivered by //fro^orrw concerning thQcyEgyptian PoUindlors, 
 
 Of fucb as annointed the dead ; that fome thereof we re found in the ad 
 
 of carnality with them. From wits that fay 'tis more then incontinen- 
 
 Who tjtd cy for Hy/oi to fport with Hecul^a^zn^ youth to flam.e in the frozen em. - 
 
 ' ^ r1 braces of ^ge, we require a name for this: wherein Tetrr/jiw o: Alar- 
 
 lugtihiu '" ^'^ cannoi relieve t\s^ Ttie tyranny oiMcK^mm did never equal the 
 
 * ' vitiofity 
 
Book.7. /"^ an4 Common Errours. 4^-/ r/ 
 
 vidofityof this /w»^»« ,' that could embrace corruption, and mate a 
 Miftreis of che grave ; that could not refift the dead provocations of 
 beauty , whofe quick invitements fcarce excufe fubmiftion. Surely , it 
 luch depravities rhere be yet alive, deformity need not defpair ; nor will 
 iht eldelt hopes be ever fuperannuated, fince death kith fpurs , and car-*' 
 cafles have been courted. 
 
 3. lamhejrtilyforry, andvvilTiitwerenoctiue, what to the ditlio* 
 hour of ChrilUanicy is affirmed by the Italian ; who after he had invei^ 
 cied his enemy to difclaim. his faith for the redemption oC his life , did 
 prefently poyniird him., to prevent repentance, and aflifl'e his eternal 
 death. Thcvillanyof this Chriftian exceeded the perfecution of Hea- Lodg-haKde^ 
 thens, whofe m.a lice was never fo Lon^im.inous as to reach the foul of 
 their enemies J or to extend unco the exile, of their EljfiHms. And 
 though the blinc'nefs of fom.e ferities have favaged on the bodies of the 
 dead, and been lb injurious unto worms, as todifenter the bodies of the 
 deceal'ed ; yet had they therein no de/i^n upon the foul ; and have been 
 fo far from the deftruction of that, or dehres of a perpetual death, that 
 for the fatisfailion of their revenge they wiilit them many fouls , and • 
 were it in their power would have reduced them, unto life again. It is a 
 great depravity in our natures, and furely an affedlion that fomewhat fa- 
 voureth of hell, to dedre the fociety, or comfort our felves in the fel- 
 Jowfhip of others thar fuflfer with us ; but to procure the m.iferies of o- 
 thers in thofe extrem.ities , wherein we hold an hope to have no fociety , 
 our felves, is methinks a ftrain above Lucifer^ and a prajecl beyond the 
 primary fedudion of hell. 
 
 4. 1 hope it is not true, and fome indeed bave probably denied, what 
 is recorded of the Monk that poyfoned Henry the Emperour , m. a 
 draught of the holy Eucharift. 'Twas a fcandalous wound unto Chri- 
 fiian R,eli^icn,and I hope all Pagans will forgive it, when they lliall read 
 that a Chriflian was poyfoned in a cup of Chrift, and received his bane in- 
 a draught of his falvation. Had he believed Tranfubftantiation , he . 
 would have doubted the efte6l ; and furely the fin it felf received an ag- 
 gravation in that opinion. It much com.mendeth the innocency of our 
 Forefathers, and the (im.plicity of thofe times, whofe Laws could never 
 dream fo hi^h a crim.e as parricide : whereas this at the leaft m.ay feem 
 to out-reach that fail, and to exceed the regular diilinilions of murder. 
 I will not fay what fm it was to ?6t it : yet may it feem a kind of mar- 
 tyrdom.etofufferby it. For, a It h ou ; h unknowingly, he died for Chrift 
 hi^ fake , and loft his life in the ordained teUimony of his death. Cer- 
 tainly, had they known it , fome noble zeals would fcarcely have re- 
 fufed it ? rather adventi.iinj^ their cw» death, then refufing the m.em.ori^ - 
 al of his. 
 
 Many other accounts like thefe we meet fometimes in hiftory , fcan-* • 
 dalous unto ChriPaanity , and even unto hum.anity ; whofe verities not Hu]'^ fo^h^i. 
 oniy, but \^ hpfe relations honeft minds do deprecate. For of Cns hete- JJ^'lp"^^^' 
 
 roditalj. , 
 
if' ' 
 
 / c/ 4^8 Ert^uiries mto yd^ar ' \ Book.7 
 
 rocUcal, and ^ch as wane either name or prefidcnt , there Is oft times a 
 fm even in their hiftories. We defirc no records of fuch enormicie.>, (ins 
 fiiouldbe accounted new > that fo they may be efteemed monftrons. 
 They omit of monftrofiry as they fall from their rarity ; for, men count 
 itvenialtoerre with their forefathers, and foolillily conceive they di- 
 vide a fin in its fociety. The pens of m.en may fufficiently expatiate 
 without thefefingularities of villany ; For, as they encreafe rh^ hatred 
 of vice in fome, fo do they enlarge the Theory of wickediiefs in all. And 
 this is one thing that may make latter ages wo:fe then were rhe former ; 
 For, the viciffus exam.ples of ages paft, poyfon the curiofity of thefe prc- 
 fent, affording a hint of fin unto feduceable fpirits , and foliciting thofe 
 unto the imitation of them , whofe heads were never fo perverfly prin- 
 cipled as to invent them. In this kind we comm.end the wifdome and 
 goodnefs of Galen , who would not leave unto the world too fubtile a 
 Theory of poyfons ; unarming thereby the malice of venomous fpirits, 
 whofe ignorance muft be conrented with Sublimate and Arfenick. For, 
 furely there are fubciler venen.itions , fuch as will invifibly deftroy , and 
 like the Bafilisks of heaven. In things of this nature filence commend- 
 Who writ DC eth hiftory : 'tis the veniable part of things loft ; wherein the re m.uft ne- 
 Antiquu de- y^j. j.[[q ^ Pancirollus, nor remain any Regifter but that of hell, 
 invcmionj ° ^^ yet,if as fome Stoicks opinion, and Si nee a himfelf difputeth,thefe 
 hit. unruly afte^blions that m.ake us lin fuch prodigies , and even fins them- 
 
 felvesbeanim.als ; there is anhiUory oi Africa and fto.y of Snakes in 
 thefe. And if the tranfanimation of Tythiigorm or m.cthod thereof 
 were true, th.it the fouls of m.en tranHTiiirated into fpecies anfwering 
 their form.er natures : fome men m.uft furely live ©verm.any Serpents, 
 and cannot efcape that very brood whofe fire Satan entered. And though 
 the ob;e5lion of Vlato lliould take place, that bodies fubjeiled unto cor* 
 ruption, m.uft fail at laft before the period of all things, and growing 
 fewer in number, muft leave fom.e fouls apart unto them.feh^es ; the fpi- 
 rits of m.any long before that time will find but naked habitations : and 
 meeting no aiTimilables wherin to re-act their natures, m«ft certainly an- 
 - cicipate fuch natural defolations. 
 
 LACTANT. 
 
 Trmiis faplcntid gradm ejr-,falf>i inte.'ligcre, 
 
 FINIS. 
 
•>i' 
 
 
 An Alphabetical Table 
 
 A A 
 
 #4>444>^^^9 his Epitaph, and age ac 
 
 ±A± f^f^^'- P-424 
 
 AAA A? AbihtiesjCfcientifical efpe- 
 ciall/j ) ought to be im- 
 proved. 20 
 Abraham. 328, 406 
 Abfolonij how hanged. 4,^1.1 
 Abftinence from mea: how f poTbly ) 
 prolonged in fonis Animaiv. 201 
 Abundar.ce of flyes , mai^ocs, wl.at 
 theylignifie. 113 
 A.ccubaaon , the ancient gellure ac 
 
 UKaK • 2p3, 2p4 
 
 Achirophel how he might dw. ^.1 
 Adym. 2, 3, i6p, 1S4, 2 ,.25292.334,^73 
 Adams Mav~ ;l. 2iy2. How cidci then 
 . MechuCelah. 244 
 
 Adiian the JLra^eroir-, 28 
 
 iEg}pr5 how piim ively ic Irecanie 
 til ni land. 331. How caikd ancient- 
 ly. 376. iM^b eft roiain. 3p2 
 i^g> i* '^'^^ 33 V T^'-eii' anciqniry. 336 
 .Egyptian Po.lln6tors,or anointersof 
 the dead, their piodigious carnali- 
 ty. • 466 
 .^.ian, his Character. 22,33 
 -^Iqnacor. 35^}, 
 --Equinoxes their Anticipation. 270 
 Aquivocacion. i^, 
 -(^ichylus his death. 463 
 Etna's, or li cry hills. 391 
 Age of our B. Saviour. 342 
 Age of the world. 332 
 Agriculture. 3493 35 o 
 Advent of thrift. 342 
 
 Air. i^f 
 
 Albertus Magnus his Charafter. 3$ 
 Aldrovandusjhis diligence commend* 
 ed. 258 
 
 Alexander, 307 
 
 Allegorical precepts of Pythagoras. 14 
 AlnicnJs not good againft: drunken- 
 nef?. 1 1 3 
 
 Aljhonfus Duke of Fcrrara, his pow- 
 der. 99 
 Alvarez a Tefuir. 102 
 Amber how engendred. 91 
 Ambodexcers. 239,242 
 America. 70 
 Ahi^jhibologie. 14 
 Amphi^bna. 177 
 Anvil t . 95 
 Amulets aga'nfl A gvc<t. 330 
 Analogic, or con efpondence betwixc 
 the globc;s caieiUai and terreflrial. 
 
 Anchovy, 143 
 
 And s, a hill in Peru. 390 
 
 Animals tie tranfmutation of their 
 
 Sex and Species. 183 
 
 Anibal, his eating through the Alps 
 
 with vinegar. 462 
 
 Ant? ci, who they be. ^4 
 
 Antropomorphices, v^hat they were 
 
 324 
 Antidotes. 4^0, Commonly had from 
 
 Animals nourillied by poifonous a- 
 
 liments. ibid. 
 
 Antimony. 249 
 
 Antipathies. 220 
 
Antipodes. 
 
 Antiquity. 21. Primitively how fiabu- 
 lon=^. 23 
 
 Antoiiiiis Mizaldiis. 36 
 
 Anus5Etyniologically what. 305 
 
 Ape^ of cxqiiitite talk. 4^9 
 
 Apis? the i^gyptian Idol. 402 
 
 Apstite fcnfual. 9 
 
 Apuieius. 23 
 
 ' ^■jn.a fortii. 412 
 
 Aqiieduftsj why commonly adorned 
 with Lyons heads'. 323 
 
 Arabian IcarnMig what, 455 
 
 Arcadians, ther anciqnity. 336. hi 
 what fence elder then the Moon. ib. 
 Archimedes his burning glaffes, 463 
 His removing the eartb. 464 
 
 Areopagus what. 42 
 
 Argus. 192 
 
 Ariilocles errors 15, 22. His arguing 
 for the eternity of the world. 334. 
 Never difputed the ebbing and 
 flowing of the Sea. 445. His Ma- 
 ximc touching felicity. 311 
 
 Ariftorle, a Profelyte of Mofes Law. 
 444. His death, ibid. Where he di- 
 ed, ibid. 
 Art. 409 
 Alhes what proportion of water they 
 will contain. ^6. Why they are 
 white. 409 
 Afcendent in the Aftrologicall 
 SchemCj what. 383 
 Afp the Serpent. 305 
 AfphakideSjOr the lake of Sodom.4'51 
 VVhy bodies fink not ealily therein. 
 
 ibid. 
 Afs, the Animal of that kind. 409 
 Aftomi or Plinies men without mouths 
 
 19^ 
 Aftrologers. 12,270 
 
 An Ajj}hdetical TdU, 
 26, 381 Athenian?. 
 
 Al<rologie. 
 
 283 
 
 Atiieifm rejected. 40. Whether any 
 
 AtheiiL ib. 
 
 Atheiv€iis his Charafter. 22, 34 
 
 334 
 Attraaion Flefl:r!cal. Sd., ^j^ 88,89 
 
 Attraftion magnccical. y? 
 
 Aiirum potabile* 201 
 
 Authority. 27, 28, 29 
 
 Azoresj or Iflands of S.Michael. 3S6 
 
 B 
 
 Abel tower, why attempted to be 
 
 429 
 397 
 147 
 
 3^ 
 183 
 
 43? 
 
 D built. 
 
 Babylon, where fcituated. 
 Badger, the Animal. 
 Babtifta Porta^ his Charaftei 
 Barley. 
 Baronius. 
 
 Baill, the herb : whether it propagate 
 
 Scorpions. n^ 
 
 BafilsHexameron. 35 
 
 Balilisk the Serpent. 150, i5i,i52,*i53 
 
 154 
 Bayes, whether good againfl thunder. 
 
 112 
 Bear, the Animal. i48yi49 
 
 Beafts clean and unclean. 2 1 o 
 
 Beauty, what it is. 407,408. Determi- 
 ned chiefly by opinion, or the feve- 
 ral appreheniions of people ibid. 
 Bees. 221 
 
 Beeves of England, A Million of them 
 killed yearly. 372 
 
 Beginning of the world. 344534«; 
 
 Belifarius his glories, and fuppofeci 
 misfortunes ac lall:.457. His haid u- 
 fage of Pope SyWenus. 458 
 
 Bellonius, his diligence commended. 
 
 Ill 
 Belomancy, or divination by Arrows. 
 
 330 
 Belus 16,429 
 
 Belus and Nimrod, Gen. 10. the fame 
 perfon 374 
 
 Bemata,anciently what they werc.307 
 Berofus. 369 
 
 Bernacles, or the Goofe 'trees. 227 
 Bcver the Anfmal. 144, 145, 140 
 
 bezoar 
 
' <^\ 
 
 "An AlphdeticAl TdW, 
 
 Bezoar, comnionlj xtTt^ctmtd. 205 
 
 Bible corrupted by the Jews. 337. De- 
 pravations in the original text. 339. 
 Hebrew and Greek copies difcordanc 
 
 ibid. 340 
 
 Birth. 149. Birth of the eighth moneth. 
 270. Admirable Births. 42 3 
 
 Bittor. 218 
 
 BlacknefSjthe caufes thereof probably. 
 
 41034113 412 
 
 Blindneff. 187, 188 
 
 Boats portable. 77 
 
 Eochartiis his Geegrafia Sacra:) com- 
 mended. 37S 
 
 Bodies incombuftible. 175 
 
 Bodies drowned why they float after 
 a time. 246. Heavy bodies, in what 
 quantity of liquor commonly they 
 fwim. 451 
 
 Boetius de Boot commended. 77 
 
 Bos in lingua, 1 55, 156 
 
 Eoramezj a Plant animalljOr the lamb 
 
 Canaries or the forajiiafc Iflande. 386 
 Candle, one difcharged out of a Mus- 
 ket through an inch board. 466 
 Candlemas day. 351 
 
 Candles burning blue. 328 
 
 Canibals. ^04, 
 
 Carbuncle whether it fliine in the dark. 
 
 Cardans chara£ler. 
 Ves Cartes, 
 
 Caufes of com- 
 mon errours 
 
 Centaur es. 
 
 of Tartary. 
 Brain of man. 
 Eriareus. 
 Brimftone. 
 Brittains their fimplicity of old. 
 
 Brutes fome of them were organi^-'d 
 
 for fpeech. 
 Brums andCaiTius, 
 
 4165427 
 71^88 
 
 103 
 
 36 
 89 
 
 1. VVeakncfTe of hu- 
 mane nature. 8 
 
 2. Erroneous difpo- 
 fition in man. 9 
 
 3. Mifapprehenlion. 
 ibid. 
 
 4. Painters. 39 
 
 13 
 
 Cham the fon of Noah^ he and Jupi- 
 ter the fame perfon. ^2^ 
 Cham's progenie how extended. 405, 
 
 406 
 
 Chaldeans, their Recordshow antient 
 
 336. By what years they compute 
 
 the antiquity of their lecters. 370 
 
 Charcoal how 'cis made black. 410 
 
 Charon the ferry- man of hell, who he 
 
 was 24 
 
 ^_, Cheek-burning. -,21 
 
 ^7 Chiromancy or divination by infpefti- 
 
 on of the hand. 227 228 
 
 Cherry-ftones. ^or 
 
 Black-Cherries. ^^j^ 
 
 China dilhes of what matter. 102 
 
 Their fuppofed vertue againftpoy- 
 
 fons. 
 
 Chicken. 
 
 227 
 
 233 
 
 24 
 
 97 
 
 ;r6 
 
 139 
 
 CAbala of the Stars. 
 Cabeus. 
 Cain whether he intended to kill Abel 
 
 3, 37 13 425 lUU^. ^.^^ 
 
 ^aira 390 Chicken. 225 
 
 Cambden his defcription of great Brit- Choler. j.q 
 
 ^^1": 445 Cholerick men Shorter liv'd. 269- 
 
 Cameliom 1935 1945 i^S ChrilHan religion. 10 
 
 Cornel. . 15^^404 Chriilian Chronology how uncertain. 
 
 Campofthelfraclitc?. 385 227 
 
 Camphries operation. 115, 410 Chus, his i/Tue how difperfed. 406 
 
 Canaan the fon, why curfcd for the Cinnamon what it is how made. 109 
 
 faft of Cham his father. Gen, 9. 405 
 
 Clemens Alexandrinus. 
 Ppp 2 
 
 C leopacia 
 
Cleopatra dyin^. 
 
 Ciimafterical year. 260. The opinion 
 thereof ■whence ('probably,} pro 
 
 280 
 
 348 
 
 109 
 151 
 
 153 
 ih6 
 
 moted. 
 Climates. 
 
 Clocks no ancient invention. 
 Cloiidsj how far from the earth. 
 Clove w h at t h ey be. 
 Cockarric". 150, 
 
 Cocks-tgg. 
 
 Cot' on. 18), 
 
 Colours. 152,413. The prirciples of 
 
 colour. 307. Colours whether eilen- 
 
 tial to beauty. 407 
 
 Columbus. 70 
 
 Conjets. 417 
 
 Conception^ 186,255. Conception in a 
 
 Each. 452 
 
 Congelation or freezing. 54, 58 
 
 Coniesjtheir immsrous multiplication. 
 
 Conflantinople. 374 
 
 CopperofCj what it is. 411 
 
 Coi al whether foft under' water : loi 
 
 how of a plant it becomes a ftone.z^. 
 
 Why worn about Chilldrens necks. 
 
 329 
 Cofmographers,why they divide their 
 
 Globe into Eaft and Weft. 386 
 
 Coftivenefs. 140 
 
 Countrej^s, their peculiar rarities, 
 
 whence proceedin::^. 383 
 
 Creatures, generally-' all of them meat 
 
 for fome people. 212. Their depend- 
 
 ance upon God. 292. Creatures pre- 
 
 faging VVeather.i6i. Creatures fub- 
 
 [A/t A\^hdetted Tahle* 
 
 305 Chrocodile, fidt proper only to Milni 
 391. Why reported to have i\o dKun 
 
 45 a 
 
 terraneous. 
 Credulity, w^at. 
 Crefles. 
 Critical day, what it is. 
 
 ( not ice. 
 
 J not ft 
 Cryftall > what it is. 
 
 y feverall ditferenceF. 
 
 lied. 
 
 60 
 
 17 
 183 
 
 264 
 
 53 
 ib. 
 
 59 
 
 56 
 
 or period of growth. 
 Crocus Martis. 
 Crows, in fome places white. 
 Ctelias Cnidius, hisCharafter. 
 Cucumbers whecher obnoxiusj 
 Cure oFrhePru'Han knif:. 
 Cues Supcrftitious or Magical. 
 Qi t^urriu'. 
 
 Cu^ou-- fnper/l^tousj c^*'^*- 320,321 
 C ft^ le- iaaa.<ibiv bc^liu not alwaies 
 
 71 
 
 399 
 
 31 
 117 
 
 81 
 
 48 
 .137 
 
 nLceflarih folium cl 
 
 CiUtk-fifli. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 /^dalus and Icarus 
 
 413 
 
 24 
 
 common'y axco.neied. 58 
 
 agon the Idol, of what figure or 
 ftape. 31^ 
 
 Daniels feventy weeks. 542 
 
 David, what his ii'n was in numbering 
 the people. 4^0 
 
 David George. jj 
 
 Day natural what. 3^^ 
 
 C of the week, how anciently 
 S namedfrom the Planets. 330 
 Daies^ of the year, how they cnci eafc 
 \ and decrcafe. j^q 
 
 S anciently held to be ominous 
 t or unfortunate. 0,^2 
 
 Declination of the Sun. • 3505351 
 
 Deer. 155^ ^^^ 
 
 Deformities fpecifical not to be grant- 
 ed. 217 
 Delos the Ifle, whyfaidto be in the 
 midft of the earth, 2-50 
 Deluge, whether univcrfal. 369. Men- 
 tioned by heathen Authors, ibid. At 
 what age of the world i. was.364,3^5 
 The Deity. ' ^.j 
 Demollhenes, why faid to be the foii 
 o: a Black-fmich. 456 
 Denariu.-, or the penny in the Gofp.l, 
 
 what 
 
'■siAn Mj)hdettcd Tahk. 
 
 what. " 298 
 
 Devils illu^on.l^that there is no god. 
 41. 2'y. that there are many ib. 3'y 
 that himfelf is god 42. 4'y tliac he 
 is lefs then angels^ or men. 44. 5'y 
 that he is nothing ac all. ib.. 6'y 
 by Dieamsjftars and n»eteors.42.7'y 
 by augure^.47.8iy by Philcers^Liga- 
 nuncs and charms. 48 
 
 Devil painred white, by whom. 407 
 Dex-rai a£tivify, whence iris. 239 
 riair.ond whether broken in goats 
 bio 'd. pi 
 
 Didiachminij whaf. ' 441 
 
 E iiFerences of hours. 84 
 
 DiodoiusSiculus. 370 
 
 Diogenes Cynicii?. 268. Diogenes his 
 Tub. 318 
 
 Dioniedes his horfes. ~ 24 
 
 Dionyiius Heracleoncus. 268 
 
 Dioniiiiis Petavius. 337 
 
 Diofcorides, his Charafter. 32 
 
 Difeafes determined by feafons. 280 
 Difeafes Chronical and acute. 282 
 Diflblution of bodies concrete. 55 
 Divinations. 4733293333 
 
 Divine providence. 40 
 
 DogSjhow they iingl^ o'-it their mailers 
 in the dark.253.The variety of their 
 (hape and colours. 404 
 
 Dog-lkr. 27452755276;28o340i 
 
 Dog-days 273. why fo hoc. 279 
 
 Dolphins:. 287 
 
 . Dooms-day. 345 
 
 Dove. 14I5I42; 143 
 
 Diachnia what. 440 
 
 Dragon, how deftroyed by Daniel. 93 
 D^eanl'^. 42343 
 
 Drowning. . . • 246,247 
 
 Drunkennefs (latary, orto.be tipled 
 oncea moheth5Vvhecher it be health- 
 full. 32.'', how cauied. 113 
 I Dyarstheir AiT. . 413 
 Dyetofthe Ancients 212 Of the Tar- 
 tars, ibid. 
 
 EAr tinglings. 521 
 
 I Earthquakes, how they are caufed. 
 
 198 
 The Earth, how 'tis a Magnetical bo- 
 dy.. 62 
 Earth habitable in all the parts of it. 
 3 '54. Hovv peopled before the flood. 
 369,370^371. Earths motion, onein- 
 ilanceagaiiifVif. ^ 463 
 Eaft and Weft in nature. 380, 381 
 Gefticulations towards theEaft.384, 
 
 Education. 39 
 
 Eftiuxions' corporeal. 63 
 
 ^■^g'- 226,246 
 
 Egg-fiiell , why it muft be broken, 
 w-htn the meat is out. 321 
 
 Electiiral bodies, w!)a^ 86. difference 
 in atcrafting. ibid, how performed, 
 
 87 
 Elderburies whether poyfon or no.i 17 
 Elephant. 135513651375156,307 
 
 Elephants, their docility. 1385 139. 
 Their age commonly. 372. Their 
 trunk for what it ferves chem. 449 
 Elias the Rabbin. 333 
 
 Elve-lockf. 323 
 
 Embleniesof a Guardian. 164. Of Fe- 
 cundity. 319. Of Abortion, ibid. Of 
 Deformity. , ibid. 
 
 Emblem of Superftition. 321 
 
 Ephialtes, or the nighc-mare. 330 
 Epicur/ ans. 42 
 
 Epicurus, his life and manners. 4t>r 
 His doftrine of felicity. 462 
 
 Epiphauius. 15 
 
 Errors in $ fpeeohesin fcriprure be- 
 fore the deluge. 6,7 
 13 Errors nbout Chrift. 45^46 
 Ercrnity. 25^3 
 Etymologies ridicui0.i>. 105 
 Eye I, 2, 291. Why (he wondred no^ ac 
 ! the Serpencb fpeaking. . 290, 291 
 
 Eunucli>. 
 
rirurtis. . 157 Ganges ti[V(^«:.7er. ^^^ 
 
 I/ti'.-ipuH, V. hat ic \', 4/,7. Whether that Genfalogics, thofe in H.Scnptiire dif- 
 oi'i'ubea or A^egioijonccj ebbs and ferentiy leckonsd. 05^ 
 
 llowi as is pi eccnded. 
 F 
 
 444 
 
 F 
 
 \bii ofRome their ftoryjwhat may- 
 be tl) ought of ir. 
 I- ables Poetical, explicated. 
 Fallacies in words and deeds. 
 Fan-.ianus Strada a Jeiiiir. 
 Fafcination. 
 Failing. 
 
 Faiihj Theological what it is. 
 Fear I'y'^.Hjdrophobia or Fear of Water 
 
 upon bicing of a mad dog. 283 
 
 Figure of man ereftjVvhac. 225'. What 
 
 Seiante or fitting. ibid. 
 
 Figures of things v/hence 
 Fire Culinary ^qr of the kitchin. 199. 
 
 Striking tire. ib. 
 
 463 
 
 24 
 13, 14 
 
 152 
 
 199 
 465 
 
 Generanon. i575 1^8, 4<2 
 
 Gejieracion, by gelded Animals. 2I1 
 Generation by the devil noc probab^. 
 
 452 
 Generations scquivocalj yet regular. 
 
 107 
 Genius, or the natural inclination of 
 mcuy where efpeciailj to be regard- 
 Geographers, not any complear, or 
 dtrfcribing all the habitable parts of 
 oftheearch. ^yg 
 
 Geryon and Cerberus. 24 
 
 Gihon che river. Gen. 2. how loft. 387 
 Dr. Cilbert commended. yo 
 
 Ginger what ic is, and how made. 109 
 Girdle, its fymboiical figniiication. 
 
 323 
 321 
 
 Brides-Girdle, 
 
 Fledi not commonly eaten before the Glafs. 55, 92. Glafs what made of. 76. 
 
 flood. 209 
 
 Flies. 221,224 
 
 FluCtUi decumanKSy or the tenth wavc» 
 
 458 
 Food, po.Tibly fufficient without eac- 
 ing Hefh. 209 
 
 Forbidden fruit. 419 
 
 Formation in the matrix or womb. 149 
 Fra;icifcus Sanctius. . 29 
 
 Frogs.^ 17 1 5 172 
 
 Frier Bacon, the myfterie of his bra- 
 zen head. 4^1 
 F/z/igflapi-'operly what. 409 
 F/^jwwwhat. 410 
 
 GAlen. 10, 28 
 
 Galcns honefl: intentions in his 
 difcoiirfesofpoitons. 468 
 
 Galil^us, his Syjiema mundi. 447 
 
 Gallofbeafts. 13? 
 
 Wic of Giafs anciently. 459. Ve- 
 nice Glafs not broken by poyfon. 
 ibid, whether ic be poyfon. 92.whe- 
 ther malleable. 93 
 
 Glow-worm. 222, 223 
 
 Goat. 15633193327 
 
 Goats blood. 91 
 
 Gold, whether a cordiall. 94. Its 
 fwiming in CIijickiilver.451. Gold 
 potable. 17b 
 
 Goropius Becanu?. 204 
 
 Gr£cia M^ndax. 23 
 
 Grafhopper. ^ 288, 289 
 
 Mr. Greaves, his defcription of the 
 Pyramids!. 393 
 
 Gregorian Account. 352 
 
 Griffins. 163,164 
 
 Gunpowder its ingredients. 97. its 
 Rarefaction in Gunns to what pro- ^ 
 portion, ibid. Gunpowder which 
 makes no report, whether polTible. 
 
 703 98 
 Gyplies, 
 
^'fff Al^hdeticAl Tdk, 
 
 G/pficSjtheir original 4i-^.?irft known 
 
 in Germany. ibid. 
 
 EmiiTaiiesor Spies of the Grand Sig- 
 
 luor. 
 
 415 
 
 H 
 
 237,238 
 237 
 
 H^nd, right and left. 
 Hand-gout. 
 Haies i823i83.Hare and Cabbage, Ca- 
 
 to's diet. 2 1 i.The Indian Hare. 404 
 Heart of man, how placed. 2313232 
 Hebjew language. 328 
 
 Heftor. 307 
 
 Dr. Heilins hiflory of S'. George. 313 
 Henry the Eniperour, probably not 
 
 poyfoned in the Chalice. 467 
 
 HeracUcus his folly. 453 
 
 Hercules. ■ ^ 318 
 
 Hcreiles touching our B.Savlour.45j46 
 Hermaphrodites. 169, 185 
 
 Herod. 11 
 
 Herodotus HalicarnaQIcus , his Cha- 
 
 after. 3 1^ 
 
 Hevelius, his Selenography or de- 
 
 fcription of the Moon. 416 
 
 Hieroglyphicks, wliofe Invention. 38. 
 
 Hieroglyphicks of the Deity.325.Of 
 
 Love.42i.OfFertility.423.Authors 
 
 Hieroglyphical. 38 
 
 HippocratwS 2i3279.His Aphoiiifms.380 
 Hollanders. 352 
 
 Homers death. 448 
 
 Horn, what it iignifies Hierogliphical- 
 
 ly. 301 
 
 Horizon rational and fenfible. 354,355 
 Horfe.139. Horfe kicking a wol . 319 
 Horfes 280000 brought into field by 
 
 Ninus, 500000, by Semiramis, 
 
 Hugo 'or r 
 
 Grotius commended. 
 Hiim-bud in America, a bird 
 
 bigger then a beetle. 
 Hyfop on the wall. 
 
 372 
 
 28 
 
 little 
 
 300 
 
 J Anus and Noah,byfomc taken for 
 the fame perfon. 377 
 
 I ce to be made at any ti me 5 5 
 
 Idolatry 10, ii, 16 
 
 Jepchah ( Jud. 11. J killed not hi;; 
 daughter. 309 
 
 Jcronymus Cardanus his Charafter.36 
 [ews-ear. 116 
 
 Jews. 253. How difperfed 254. Some of 
 their Tribes quite loft. ibid. Uncer- 
 tain in their Chronologic, or ac- 
 count of times.336. Why prefcribed 
 in their dyec. 211. Not generally of 
 any ill favour. 253, 254. Commonly 
 ofcoiinfell to the Turks great OtH- 
 cers, or Baiha-. ibid.Their Captivi- 
 ties.34i.Tijeir Intercalary moneth. 
 349.Their fedulity to preferve their 
 Bible encire.339.Their Malignity a- 
 gainft the Sepcuaginc. 340. Wan- 
 dring ]ew;i his ftory. 460 
 
 Imagination the power thereof. 402 
 Impoftors. 12 
 
 Improlihcation orEarremiefs in Vv'o- 
 men one caufe of ic. 452 
 
 Ink how mad:. 411,412 
 
 Infeft^ 114,222,223 
 
 Intercalation of dayes. 272 
 
 IntDxicaioii. 113 
 
 Joannes Tzetzes his Charafifcr. 35 
 Job, an Iduma an or of the race ofE- 
 
 fan. 424 ' 
 
 Sr.John ?vfandevil, his Character. 32 
 
 Sr. John Eaptift, his dyet what. 435 
 
 St. John the Evangelift,his dcath.437. 
 
 - Why natural, ajid not by maiyrdom 
 
 438.Whcn he wrote his Revelation. 
 
 ib. How long he furvived our B. iS'a- 
 
 viour. 439. Cart into a caldron of' 
 
 burning oyl. ib. Coinming outiin- 
 
 tcuchr. lb. His Reliqucs at EpheiTus 
 
 doing cur ei>. ibicU 
 
 Jonahs 
 
Jonah's gourd. 43 1 
 
 Jofephus. 359 
 
 oviiis, his Char-ft^er. . 32 
 
 Ireland. 409. Spiders obferved in Ire- 
 land. ■ 452 
 Iron, i:'s verticity."' 65, 66, 202 
 Ifaac, at what age he fhould have been 
 facnticc''d. 300 
 Ifhniael. 424 
 Ilidorus Hifpalenfis. 35 
 Iflaiids, whether any before the flood 
 379. Sundry Iflandsfree of Vene- 
 iiious creature-;. 591. How Iflands 
 canie to be ftor'd with Animals. 404 
 I Ihniunt perfodere. 394 
 Icaly, 465 
 Judas whether he hang'd himfeif. 441 
 
 4^7 
 Judgements by urin. 
 Julia. 
 
 Julian account. 
 Julian the Apoftate. 
 Julius Solinus his Charafter. 
 Ivy cup its pioperry. 
 
 K 
 
 Sr. 
 
 K' 
 
 Enelm Digby commended. 
 S8,89 
 King ot Serpents. 15^ 
 
 Kings of Coilein. 434 
 
 Kings-fiflbe?^ 161 
 
 Kiranides, his Charafter. 3O5 35 
 
 Kircherus commended. 7°5 ^5 
 
 Knowledge intuitivejor that of Spirits 
 
 50 
 
 '^fi Mphdeticd Tdle^p ^ 
 
 ther oiu' fe^'Saviour never Laughed, 
 
 ibid. 
 
 Lead. ^ 201 
 
 Lcandro his defcrlption of Italy. 445 
 Learning and arts primitively froui 
 whence. 286 
 
 Leeches. 95 
 
 Lcvinus Lemniu.f, 70j433 
 
 Licetus commended. 103 „ 
 
 Lightning without Thunder why. 98 '~ 
 Linimon. 412 
 
 Li«ie Ecliptick. 354 
 
 Liquation or melting. 57 
 
 Livia. 153 
 
 Li ie's Ox. 464 
 
 Loadftone its verticity. 66, 67.' not 
 known to antiquity. 68 its inclina- 
 tion. 67. Declinacion tni variati- 
 on. 6S, caufcs of this variecy.^f.rhc 
 change of thi.^ \a iety. ib. its atti a- 
 €i\on not hindr.d by garlick or a 
 dianiond.7^. whether ic a.tiafts any 
 thing but Iron. 7c5. how to pre- 
 ff rve ir.'b. how defii oyed.-b. erroi s 
 of atri aftion in LoaJltone?. 77. whe- 
 t er it can fifp;.nla body in the 
 ayr.80. Loadftone powder what o- 
 peradoh. ib. whether it cures the 
 gone. 81 
 
 Longevity of Animal?, how colltft 'd. 
 
 LongomontanuT. 3-r2 
 
 Lots wife, her transformation. 441 
 
 Lubim. 4^^ 
 
 Lucian. 23 
 
 L'^es venerea^ where ic firft began. 404 
 
 L pus eli infabi: la. 1 5 5 
 
 Lybia, its dnnciii, 4^^ 
 
 II 
 185 
 
 10 
 
 23j 33 
 117 
 
 LAmech. 7 
 
 Lamp. ^91 
 
 Lampries. • ^89 
 
 Laughter, what kind of paHion. 453 
 the kinds of Laughter. 454- Whe- 
 
 M 
 
 MAce, that it is the skin of a 
 nutmeg. 1^9 
 
 Macroccphali, or people with long 
 
 heads 
 
V 
 
 M Alphdetlcal tdlr] 
 heads. -'^' 403 
 
 Macrofcelirm or flender legs, how hol- 
 pcn. 308 
 
 ATahomet. 1O5II51651SJ3S. Mahomets 
 Camel, 4^4. Mahomets Tomb hangs 
 nocintheayr. 7P 
 
 MahumetanSj partaking of all religi- 
 ons. 
 
 Mechiifelah^ in what year he died. 373 
 
 VVhether the longeft iiv'd. ibid. 
 
 Milo, liisPancratie or mighty fti engch 
 
 Minerall fpirits. - 55 
 
 Minotaure. 24 
 
 Mint. 18; 
 
 what manner of Kings they might 
 
 be. 434 
 
 Magnes carneus. 73 
 
 r body what. 62 
 
 J effefts, how wrought. 
 
 Mageticall. ' 
 
 S 63 conquerts. 
 
 ^ rocrcs, whether Magne- Moneth Solary, what 
 ^^c^\^ 79 Moneths of Peragration, 
 
 384 Mif-apprehenfion. 13 
 
 Magi, or the Wife men f Matth. 2. j Miaetoc, or vifofs arhortus what it rs. 
 
 no 
 
 Mizraim. 407 
 
 Molls 187 
 
 Monarch, the firft that ever was 376. 
 
 Aflyrian Monarchs, their wars and 
 
 37^> 379 
 
 ApparatioHj 
 
 Confecuiion, medical, or Decreto- 
 
 rial moneths, what they be. 2^4 
 
 Moon, uncertainty of its appearance. 
 
 416 
 
 Moriniis, his Exercitationes Biblicxy 
 
 commended. 304 
 
 ib. Mofes why piftur'd with horns, 300- 
 
 His Chronologic, 33(^3341. The dif- 
 
 f ciilries of it. ibid. His defcription 
 
 ofthe Creation popular. 344. Mo- 
 
 -fesand Bacchus the fame perfon. 
 
 301 
 Motion Tonical or extenfive, what. 
 136. Motions retrograde, 177. Mo- 
 tion of the heavens, to what effeft 
 it ferveth, 416, Motions Artificial. 
 
 Mountaines, their higheft altitude. 
 
 429 
 
 Mules, where they are bred, more 
 
 numerous then Horfes. 372 
 
 Magots 
 
 Magnetifnus pretended. 83,84,85 
 
 Man, his growth and decrement, how 
 proportioned, 351. whether Mans 
 body be Magneticall. jj 
 
 Mandrake, impoftures about the root. 
 I oi. how produced, 107. whether it 
 indangereth life to pull it up. 
 
 turne into fiyes. 114 
 
 Manna. ^ 432 
 
 Marcellus Empericus, a Plagiarie. 23 
 Marcus Leo the Jew. 338 
 
 St. Mark, where he wrote his Gofpel. 
 
 29P 
 
 Marrow Spinal, what it is. 386 
 
 Mauritania and the coaft of Africkjby 
 
 whom peopled at Hrf}. 378 
 
 Meats, peculiar to fome Nations, 
 
 through cullom or fuperilicion.2 1 1, 
 
 212,213. 
 Meazels. 255 
 
 Medea. 24 
 
 Medication upon the Paffion. 438 
 
 Men, lighter after fleep, then before j 
 dead, then alive j in Summer then in 
 Winter. 248 
 
 Mercurialis, his Gymnafika. commend- 
 ed. 136,293 
 Tlie Meridian. ^8 
 
 N 
 
 NAyles, how to be niade red. 466 
 Nayl-fpocs, whether fignifica- 
 tire. 327 
 
uin Jlphdetical Tmei^^ 
 
 tiardm t'idicM, Mar. 14. cr the oint- Noicherii pV?>Ǥe to the Indies. (,q 
 
 mentintheGofpflj of what com- Nofes, theMorillij the Perlianj the 
 
 politioii. 431 Roman. 408 
 
 Names ridiculoiifly derived. 105,116 Numbers, their myfterious or fuper- 
 
 Names caiife of error?. 61 iVitlous conlideration. 260,261 
 
 I^arions5geiicrHllynow mixtbyCom- Nutmeg. loa 
 
 nifrctor Conqueft. 254 NutritioH, of what qualities the ali- 
 
 Nativities, why taken from the A- ment muft be. 
 
 fcendent. ' 383 
 
 Naviil, r/hat it is, and for what \\(e. 
 
 2^1. Navil of Bi) ds, of Snakes, of 
 
 Porwiggle?, &:. ' 293 
 
 195 
 
 o 
 
 Nazarite, by birth, or by vow. 441 
 
 Neck of Animals, how contrived by 
 
 Nature, and for w'har. 448 
 
 Negroes, their blacknefs. 397, 398, 
 
 399, The particular caufes thereof^ 
 
 402', 405. Negroes in America, not 
 
 OAte?. 183 
 
 Objeft, why fometimes appear- 
 
 192 
 
 ing double. 
 
 Obfervations fuperfiitious. 321, 322, 
 
 323 
 Oeftridge, how it eats Iron, 200 
 
 J//i^/go/x, or Natives of that Coun- Olaus Magii=. 78,399 
 
 trey. 399 Olympiads, in what year of the world 
 
 they began. 
 
 Ophir, what place. 
 
 Opium, its etteft in venery. 
 
 Ncrves,whence they fpring. 2355Ner- 
 
 vesof taftc. 448 
 
 Nicander, his Charafter. 34 
 
 Nidor, properly whar. 409 
 
 Nierenibergius ajefuit, his conceit 
 
 of man. 76 
 
 Niger, a river in Africa. 389 
 
 Nigromancy in raj fing fpirits, fouls 
 
 &c. rcjefted. 42 
 
 Nightingale, the tongue how fafhion- 
 
 ed. 450, Why faid to iit with its 
 
 breall alwayes againft a Thorn. 
 
 228 
 
 Nilus the river, its Olliaries, or feve- 
 
 rall fallings into the fea. 387, 388. 
 
 What cauferh its overflowing. 162, 
 
 391. Some years it overflows not. 
 
 392 
 
 Ninus, and AiTur mentioned. Gen. 10. 
 
 thefilmeperfon, 376 
 
 Noah's Ark, where it fi^'ft refted. 386 
 
 Ncah, whether he knew the e^eft of 
 
 wine, before he was overtakyn.3265 
 
 454. Nodh and Saturne^ held (.0 be 
 
 the fame perfon, 429 
 
 370 
 71 
 
 433 
 34- 
 
 353 
 
 Oppan, his Chara£t?r. 
 Opcicks, a Maxime in them. 
 Oracles. 15. Their ccaiing. 442. The 
 acknowledged caufe thereof, ibid. 
 
 ' 443 
 Oracle of Praenefle, of Antiuni^ of 
 
 Delphos. 442 
 
 Oreglian, a river ill America. 389 
 Oreihs. i o 
 
 Organs, in the intention of Nature 
 
 infer tlieaftion pro^i'r for them. 
 
 188,193 
 Organ of tafte. 448 
 
 Orgafmm^ whar. 180 
 
 Oribaiius, Phyiitian to Julian. 116. A 
 
 PJagiarie^or Tranfcriber of Galen. 
 
 23 
 Orpheus, his Harp. 24 
 
 Oforius. 137 
 
 Ofyris,and Mizralm mentioned, Gen. 
 
 10. the fame perlbn. 377 
 
 Ovid, a plagiarie of whom. 23 
 
 Ovum 
 
wV' 
 
 ^An Alphdetica! TdUl 
 
 OvufHdecumaHum^ thc^ rcafon of the 
 
 proverb. 
 Owl, an ominous bird. 
 
 458 
 320 
 
 327 
 
 PAlmeftrie. 
 Pallies, on which fidenioft com- 
 monly they happen. 242 
 Panama, an Ifthmus in Ameiica. 394 
 PanciroHus. 70 
 Paracelfus-jhis Charafter. 29. At what 
 age he died.i7o..pretending a poili- 
 biiity of making men immortal. 
 
 ibid. 
 Parricide, its punifhment. 178 
 
 Paryfatis, hei^poyfonM knife. 459 
 Pallages of meat and drink. 249, 250 
 Pafsover.. 349 
 
 Palfion, Irafcible, Concupifcible, 
 whence they rife. 1^2 
 
 Paufanias, his defcripticn ofGr.i^ce. 
 
 445 
 Peacock. 217 
 
 pedant ifm. 25 
 
 Pedamontanus. 36 
 
 pelican. 285,286 
 
 People ofPx.ome. 12 
 
 St. Peter crucified. 438 
 
 Pe r cius, whacit iignifieth. 373 
 
 Fhacnicians, their feveral plantations 
 
 • or Colonies. 378. Whence defcend- 
 
 ed. 395 
 
 Photnix, the bird. 165, 166 
 
 Pl.ilcs, hisCharafter. 35 
 
 ofthe four Evangc- 
 lifts. 303 
 
 of the Sibyls. 304 
 ofCleopacra. 305 
 of the nine Worthies. 
 Piftilres, viz^ 306 
 
 of Jeptha. 308 
 
 of. S.John Baptifl:.3 1 1 
 of.S.Chriftopher. 312 
 of. S. George. 313 
 ofS. Hierom. 314 
 of Mermaids, Uni- 
 corne, &c. ^16 
 Pigmies, no fuch people. 257, 258 ' 
 Pineda. ' .71 
 
 Pifmire. 224 
 
 Pitch, why black, and Rofin not fo. 
 
 410 
 Plagiarifm, or tranfcribing of Au- 
 thors. 23 
 A lift of Plagiaries. ibid. 
 Planets. 330, 331 
 Planets, or wandring ftars, more then 
 feven. 262 
 Plants, whence probably, they receive 
 theircolours.413. whether all have 
 feed. , 114 
 Plate, a river in America. 3S9 
 Plato. 184, 268. his obje£tion againft 
 the Pythagorean MetempfychOiis, 
 
 368 
 Pleiades, more then feven, 
 Plenriiies. 
 
 Pliny, his Charafter. 
 Poets, 
 poifons. 
 
 262 
 
 233 
 
 33 
 
 39 
 
 152 
 
 Phloropiiers 5fone, not impoHIble to JCp poifons, but hath its Antidote iu 
 
 be procur^. ' ' ' y-^ 1 Nature. ' : - ?45iJ 
 
 Phjloie^ntis Ins wi(h. 44^. Hjs Incivi^- ^oifonous Animals^ why nocfoun;! iri 
 
 ty. •''"'■' '■"449 ■ 'Tome COtfnt^fie/.'i X^-^'' *■: c',. j'.js^ 
 
 ■Phltbotomie, or letting blibod. ' 236 
 
 Phyiick, better pr|Sparecl,jToW, then 
 
 anciently. ' . * 282 
 
 Pifture, oiour B. Saviour, with long 
 hair. 229 
 
 Pole, Northern and Southern, what 
 
 they be. I'. _ 381 
 
 Polytheifm or multiplicity of God?. 
 
 •41 
 
 Pomney. 16 
 
 Q,qq 2 Popes, 
 
^An Mphahetical TdUy^r 
 
 popes, why commonly they change Rahab,whetn?r an harlot in the Worft 
 
 their names at their creation. 454 fenfe. 
 
 Pope Joan, a fufpefted ftorie. 461 
 
 Story of HiUitbrand, or Pope Grego- 
 ry 7 1*! partially reported. ibid. 
 
 popular iniperfeftions taxed 8, p, 19. 
 popular error, from difficulties to 
 conclude impoflibilities. 451 
 
 Porwiggles. 173 
 
 Pofitions of the body., 176 
 
 Pox. i55 
 
 Prateolu?;. 15 
 
 Pndlftlons Augurial, &c, whence 
 they came. 47 
 
 Prefages, from Spiders, Magots, de- 
 ceitful!. 114 
 
 301 
 
 Rainbow, how produced. 42$. The 
 
 Lunary Rainbow. 426. Rainbow, 
 
 how proper for the fignification ic 
 
 beareth. ibid.Colours of the Pvain- 
 
 bow. ^27 
 
 Rain-water. ip8. Wheat. 115 
 
 Raven, an oniinious bird. ^20 
 
 Ragmund Sebund, his Theologia. naXit- 
 
 ralii commended. 28 
 
 Reafon. 3? 27 
 
 R.ed-fea, what, and why fo called.3p5 
 
 396 
 
 Religion, not to be compelled. 46$ 
 
 Rcmora a fi/h. 227 
 
 FergaVio:, or the praying Locuft of Revenge, how prodigioufly aftedby 
 
 province. 230 an Italian. a^(,j 
 
 Priefts, why they wafli'd their feet Reward of vertue and vice. 40 
 
 commonly before Sacrifice. 324 Ribs how many commonly in men 
 
 Prefterjohn, or theEmperourof iE- and women. 422 
 
 thiopia. 404 Ridiculous receipts in PhyJick. 3 o 
 
 Procopius, his 'A»'U//7«, or Arcana Rings. 
 
 hijioria^ an inveftive againft Jufti- 
 
 nian. 457 
 
 Progrefllonof /Cnimals. 135 
 
 Proportion betwixt theface and neck. 
 
 Providence of Nature. 194 
 
 Ptolomy, where he was born. 388 
 
 234 
 Rings, Bracelets, Jewels. &-c. how 
 
 diverfly worn. 408 
 
 Gyges His Ring. 464 
 
 Ring- finger. 234 
 
 Rivers and fftuaries, why fubjeft to 
 
 fuch violent flows. 447 
 
 Rofe of Jericho. 112 
 
 Pythagoras, his allegoricall precepts Romss proper name unknown why. 12 
 moiailizM. 14. His precepts con- Vnder the Rofe^^bLQ. the reafon of the 
 
 211 Proverb. 322 
 
 cerniug Fifh. 
 
 CL 
 
 QUailes. 228 
 
 ^giiince. 412 
 
 Qiiiiuayj a City in C hina.. 390 
 
 R 
 
 R 
 
 Abbin?. 
 Radifhes. 
 
 7, i68, 184 
 183 
 
 SAbbaton Deuteroproton, Luke. d. 
 what Sabbath it was. 349 
 
 Salamander. 174, 175 
 
 Salmalius commended. 273 
 
 Salomon. 7 
 
 Salt. 257. The falling of Salt . 221 
 Salt-peter, how made, its effefts. 97 
 
 Salts. .397 
 
 Spirits 
 
'»'^ '' 
 
 ^n Alphdetical Tahiti 
 
 Spirirs of Salr. ^ 545413 
 
 Salt waters bearing nrore weight thtii 
 
 f reffi. 45 1 
 
 Samaritans, their care to preferve the 
 
 Pentateuchj or five books of Mofes. 
 
 637 
 Samaritan Chronology. ibid 
 
 Saninioniciis. 30 
 
 5"ap of trees, how it nourifheth. 1 15 
 Satauj his praftires. 6315540,41542543 
 
 45?5 2 90,443 
 How he fell. 51 
 
 Saturnius itgyptius and Cham, Gen. 
 lo^he fame perf. on 377 
 
 Savours unpieafant in feme men, 
 whence polilbly arifnig. 253 
 
 Scaliger. 239 
 
 Scepticifm cenfured. 18 
 
 Schoolmen, a query among them con- 
 cerning the refurreftion of women. 
 
 185 
 
 H. Scripture. 37546. Tranflation of 
 
 H. Scripture. 339 
 
 Scutcheons of the twelve Tribes. 302 
 
 Antiquity of bearing Scutcheons. 
 
 304 
 Scythians. 335 
 
 Why conimonly fubjeft to the Scicia- 
 ciii or hip-gout. 308 
 
 Seafonsof the year, how made and 
 diilingufhcd. 353. Neceffary for the 
 produftion of things. ® 354 
 
 Sea, its ebbing and flowing. 446. How 
 pollibly caufed by the iVoon. ibid. 
 How unequal in lome feas. 447 
 
 Seballion Cabot. 69 
 
 Seed, an Id/^aof the whole Animal 
 contained in every part of it. 423 
 
 Sem, whether the eidell fori of Noah. 
 
 ■ ; 42S 
 
 Semiramis, fier army againft the Indi- 
 ans. 379 
 Senaga^ a rivjer., 399 
 Seuft; fi cm the brain. 1 90 
 Sepcuagiut tVanflatidn tf the Bible. 
 
 339. Its primitive authority and 
 
 cred't. ibid, ^ince impared. ibid. 
 
 Seraglio, the daily provilion thereof. 
 
 ^ 456 
 
 Serapis'. 202 
 
 Serprnc tempting Eve. 289,421 
 
 Serpents bicipirous. 177 
 
 Servius Conmientary upon Virgil 
 commended. 263 
 
 SferraCavalloy its pretended proper- 
 ties. 112 
 Shekel, thatoftheSanftuary. 440 
 iS'ibyls. 304 
 Side, right and left in man. 240 
 Sight. 152 
 Silly-how, what it is. 325 
 Sin of the fruit, not hrft fin. 2 
 Sitting crofs-leg'd. 322 
 Smal coal, how made, of what ufe in 
 Gun powder. . 97 
 Smoak. 322 
 Smoak of Sulphur. 410 
 Snakes. 226 
 Snayls. 1913199 
 Sneezing. 25 i.Cuftoms obferved upcn 
 Sneezing. 252 
 Snow. 58 
 Spaniards, their Nation hov/ ancient. 
 
 3775 378 
 
 Speech, not by any natural inftinft, 
 
 but by iniitation,orinftruftion.335 
 
 Spermatical parts. 16O 
 
 Sp der. 220 
 
 Spigelius commended. 172 
 
 Spirits, thofe in Animals, what m n- 
 
 ner of fubitance they be. 248 
 
 5ponge. 93 
 
 Standing at the pafsover. 208 
 
 Stars,fheir Afcenc Heliacal, and Cof- 
 
 mical, what they be. 276. Their 
 
 Longitude; what it is. 278. Their 
 
 DcCiinacion, w. ac. ibid. Thcfcvni 
 
 Srars. 3 17. Fixed Siar^. 417 
 
 Stai:er,MaLth. i7.whac pi :ce of money 
 
 it was. .|^^i 
 
 Staiils 
 
^^n Alphdetlcd Tdl/t - 
 
 Statifis- id 
 
 Steel. 63, 64 
 
 Sti rropg, their ufe not ancient. 307 
 
 42 
 176 
 
 55 
 how 
 
 90 
 
 .S'toick^. 
 
 Stomack. 
 
 Stones fuuble. 
 
 Stroneinthe kiJneysoi blader, 
 
 bred. 
 Stones retaining light in darkners.103 
 Eagle Stone, of what vcrtne. ib. 
 Stork. ' 218 
 
 of Codes, ? 
 
 of Sevola, C 
 
 ofCurtius, V 
 
 of Archimedes hisy. - 
 ^ fphere, ^ 
 
 Stories fHr-<( of the AmazonS/^463 
 pe£ted ^ upon the taking* 464 
 oFBabjIpn. 
 of the Cafadupp, 
 of Democritus and 
 ^ HeracliruSjd^r. 
 Stories indifcreetly tranfinitced^what 
 niifchicf thej do to polkrity. 468 
 Suetonius. 136 
 
 Sugar. - 96 
 
 Sunj, its fite and motion, how admira- 
 bly -accommidated by God^to the 
 heceiljties and ilate oFthe inferiour 
 vvorldj 353, 354, 355. By what mo- 
 tion it makes the day, by what the 
 year. ibid. Its Veneticail motion, 
 vvhar.ibid.Its moiion unequaU^and 
 how. 400. How feen fomtimes after 
 it is fet. .- 416 
 
 Superfoctation what. 185. PoHlblein 
 women, unto a perfeft birth, ibid 
 i^iipinity taxed. - , ij 
 
 Swallows. 32? 
 
 Swans. 
 
 216;, 217 
 
 Swimming, the faculty not to be loit 
 by difufe. 245 
 
 Siraculia, or the Galleon of King Hi- Turneps 
 ero. 464 
 
 TAinft, an Infeft, whether fo dan- 
 gerous to cattell as' 'tis thought 
 
 ... * 222 
 
 Tahacotms, his art. 84,160 
 
 Talmudifts. . 
 
 Tamerlane how dcfcended. 455. 
 Whence faidto be the fon of a /hep- 
 heard, ibid. 
 Tarantula, what. 227 
 Temperancy,of the modern Jews.255 
 Temple at Ephefus how long in build- 
 
 ^"^s-. * . '. V "464 
 
 Tenariffa, an hill of the Canaries.35jo 
 
 Tertullian. j^^ 
 
 Thargum. 2 
 
 Thomas Fazelli, his defcription of 
 
 Sicilie commended. onj 
 
 Throat, the pafTages thereof. 250 
 
 Thunder, how caufed. 98 
 
 The thorne ac GlafTenbury. 112 
 
 Time. 3^5 
 
 Time, wha: it is. 166. Anciently how 
 
 meaCured. 315. The three grtjat di- 
 
 ftuiftions oi time /jnce the crieation. 
 
 Adelon:, Mjth'i'cO/i^ Hiftoricon^ wHat 
 
 they import. 369,370 
 
 Toads. ' 171,220 
 
 Torp#do. 223 
 
 Torrid Zone. 26 
 
 Tranfparency of bodies whence. 60 
 
 Ti'icliniuni, or the Table on which 
 
 our B. Saviour inftitute?! the Eucha- 
 
 rift, reported to be at Rome. 297 
 
 Trinum Magicum. 36 
 
 Trppicks. 246, 401 
 
 Truths in things, what. -•' • . ^ 
 
 TnlipSj-never bearing a blew. 398 
 
 Tiunebus. 71,32^ 
 
 18^ 
 
 Tyger the Animall, nothing fo fwifc 
 
 *b hath b^en thoui:h"t: ' ''^'V ' '227 
 
T«c-tzeSj his Charader. 
 
 V 
 
 35 
 
 VA nation of the compafs, what i: 
 i?. 68. Thepaticular caufes of 
 
 the Variadon. ibid. 693 75. In fomc 
 
 places none at all. 386 
 
 ULiluity ofGoJ. 5 
 
 Veneiy. 157 
 
 Verdigreefe. 412 
 
 Vefpalian. 50 
 
 Vegetables^ their vertive impaired by 
 
 the flood. ^ 209 
 
 Vices epileinicall, or a general fuc- 
 
 celhon of them in all a^^es. 2 1 
 
 Vincentius BclluacenliSj hisCharaft- 
 
 er. 3"? 
 
 Violl-ftrir.g moved upon the touch of 
 
 another. ^66 
 
 Viper. 1783 306 
 
 Virgilj aPlagiarie of whom. 23 
 
 Viiion Beatirical. 7 
 
 Vitriol. 41134123413 
 
 Vynhr£ at feafts, who they were. 294 
 Unguentum armarium. 85 
 
 Unicorn. 202, 203 
 
 Unicorns-horn, that commonly us'd 
 
 in England, what. 264 
 
 Univeriitics. 20 
 
 Voilius. 301 
 
 111 iiial, its forcing a nail through a 
 
 plank. 466 
 
 VultureSjwhether all females, as hath 
 
 been reported. 319 
 
 w 
 
 w 
 
 Atcr, and watry h.miidjty on- 
 ly freezeth. 54 
 
 Weight. 247 
 
 Weight of men. 248 
 
 Whelps. , 219 
 
 White-powder. 99 
 
 Wine, how fpoiledby Thunder. 113 
 Whether good to be drnnke once a 
 nioneth. 326 
 
 Witches. 45 
 
 Wolf, a difeafe. ' 256 
 
 Wolf the Animal. 155 
 
 Wolves, why faid to live in England. 
 
 452 
 Women, changed into men. 183, 184 
 Wormes. 153, 221 
 
 Wood, petrifying, or turning into 
 
 ftone. 
 Writing, the more ancient way. 
 
 54 
 319 
 
 X 
 
 Ji\^ Xerxes his Army, how probably 
 
 T^Enocrates Platonicus. 
 T^ Xerxes his Army, he 
 faid to drink up rivers. 
 
 Y 
 
 268 
 
 462 
 
 YEar Solary. 
 
 271 
 
 _ YearLunary. ibid 
 
 Year differently meafured. 271. How 
 
 divided. 346 
 
 Enith, what. 68. Its certain di- 
 ftance from the Horizon. 355 
 Zeno his paradox. 18 
 
 Zodiack, the line of life. 351 
 
 Zone, the Torrid Zone whence con- 
 ceived to be inhabitable. 45 ij 452 
 
 FINI S. 
 
HYDRIOT A.PHIA 
 
 OR, 
 
 A Difcourfc of the Sepulchrall Urnes 
 lately found in 
 
 NORFOLK 
 
 Together with the 
 
 OR THE 
 
 QuinGunGiall Lozenge, or Net-work Plan^ 
 
 tations of the Ancients, Artificially, Natu- 
 rally, Myftically Confidered j 
 
 With Sundry Obfervation^. 
 
 By Thomas Browne D.of Phyfick* 
 
 L O 2^7) N, 
 Printed for He».Bro>'^e at the Signeof the 
 
i i'y.Ci iiV/xtc'iS 'ct.v.'.o'i i* V li 
 
TO MY 
 Worthy and Honoured Friend 
 
 THOMAS Le g%0 S 
 
 of Croftrvick^ Efquire, 
 
 Hen tbe Funerall pyre was out, and the laft 
 valedidion Over, men took a lading adieu of 
 their interred Friends, little expeding the cu- Kpo«,p,;o, 
 riofity of future ages (bould comment upon J"^*""-^- 
 their afhes, and having no old experience oi^j^^fflj^ 
 the duration of their Rcliques, held no opinion of fuch a f- ^/«witm-tf 
 ter-confidferations. ^'un^T 
 
 But who knows the fate of his bones, or how often he is rca'jy^ but' 
 to be buried ? who hath the Oracle of his aOics, or whether Sea be- 
 they «rc to be fcattered ^ The Rcliques of many lie like the £^"€"3?"^ 
 rvm^ioi ^ Vompeys,\n all parts of the earth; And vjhtn Greenland. 
 they arrive at your hands, thefe may feem to have wan- * ^^^"g'^t 
 drcd farre, who in a direft ^ and Meridian Travcll, have c?mo«. piu- 
 but few miks. of known Earth between your felfe and the tsrch. 
 
 Pole. -:vv'' V '*Urt\fu'' 
 
 That the bones. of T/&^/^<» fliould be feen again ^ in A- the mppa- 
 thens^ was not beyondconjedure, and hopeful expe^arion 3 ^'''""'^' 
 but that thefe fhould arife fo opportunely to f^rve your leli, ccWeH to 
 was an hit of fate and honour beyond prjcdi^ion. ^ .: TtrfouniJ the 
 
 We cannot but wi(h thefe Urnes might have the cfitdoPj'J^"°Jj.. 
 "Theatrical velTels^ add great d Hip'podrameJiJ.xia&k 19 .Rf^^^ their (howi 
 
 5'^3 ' ; ■; ■ to '■■ 
 
The Uptjtle Ueatcatqry. 
 
 to refound the acclamations and honour due unto you.But 
 thcfe arc fad and fepulcbral Pitchers, which have no joyful! 
 voices 5 filently cxpr effing old mortality, thcruines of for- 
 gotten times , and can only fpcak with life, how long in this 
 corruptible frame, fome parts may be uncorruptcd ^ yet 
 • worthily able to out-laft bones long unborn, and nobleft pyle ^ a- 
 
 pofleffed .^„«„,,« 
 by that UlongUS, 
 
 troe Geu- Wc prcfent not thefe as any ftrange fight or fpcaade un- 
 tiemanSir ^nowD to your cycs, who havc beheld thebeftof Urnes, 
 S^'e«d and nobleft variety of AQies 5 Who are your felf no 
 niyhono- {lender m after of Antiquities, and can daily command the 
 redFriend. ^j^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^ Imperial! faces 5 Which raifeth your 
 thoughts unto old things, aodxionfidcrationof times before 
 you, when even living men were Antiquities 5 when the living 
 might exceed the dead, and to depart this v«7orld, could not 
 (Abiitad be properly faid, to go unto the ^greater number. Andfo 
 pinres. run up your thoughts upon the ancient of dayes, the Anti- 
 quaries trueft objcftjunto whom the eldeft parcels are young, 
 i which and earth it felf an Infant ; and without 8 ^Egyptian account 
 "*'*idfo*^ makes but fmallnoife in thoufands. 
 
 many years We were hinted by the occafion, not catched the opporru* , 
 ^^' nity to write of old things, or intrude upon the Antiquary, 
 
 We are coldly drawn unto difcourfes of Antiquities, who 
 have fcarce time before us to comprehend new things, or 
 make out learned Novelties* But feeing they arofeasthey lay, 
 almoftin filence among us, at leaft in (hort account fuddenly 
 paflcd over 5 we were very unwilling they fliould die again^ 
 add be buried twice among us. 
 
 Befidc, to preferve the living, and make the dead to live, 
 to keep men out of their limes, and difcourfe of humane 
 fragments in them, is not impertinent unto our profcffion 5 
 whofe ftudy is life anddeath, who daily behold examples 
 MyS"eOfmortality,andofall men leaft need artificial «fWf»?tfV, or 
 hath exce!- coffins by our bed fide^ to minde us of our graves, 
 kntiy well ' jjg jjjjjg fQ obfervc Occurrences, and let nothing remark- 
 ed, ^anr'' able efcape us 5 The Supinity of elder dayes hath left To much 
 worthyto in filcncc, ortime hath fo martyred the Records, that the 
 n!nced"by ^^0^ ^' induftrious heads do find^ no e^Cie work to ereft a aew 
 i^igennous Bfka^ma, 
 
 mf"t^* Tis opportune to look back upon old times, and conteni-- 
 ^^ °"^* [plate . 
 
Ilfc'e Epi^le Dedicatory. 
 
 plate our Forefathers. Great examples grow thin, add to be 
 fetched from the paffed world. Simplicity flies away, and 
 iniquity comes at long ftrides upon us. We have enough to 
 do to make up our felves from prefent and pafled times, and 
 the whole ftage of things fcarce fervcth for our inftruftion. A 
 compleat peece of vertue muft be made up from the c^»/^/of 
 all ages, as all the beauties of Greece could make but one 
 handfome P^dvus, 
 
 When the bones of King Arthur were digged up ', the old 'In thethne 
 Race might think, they beheld therein fomc Originals o^oUimy 
 themfclves 5 Unto thefe of our Urnes none here can pretend Q^Mn. ' 
 relation, and can only behold the Reliques of thofe perfons, 
 who in their life giving the Laws unto their predeceflbrs, after 
 long obicurity, now lye at their mercies. But remembring 
 the early civility they brought upon thefe Countreys, and 
 forgetting long palled mifchiefs 5 We mercifully preferve 
 their bones, and pifle not upon their alhes. 
 
 In the offier of thefe Antiquities we drive not at ancient 
 Families, fo long out-lafled by them 3 We are farre from e« 
 Tcfting your worth upon the pillars of your Fore-fathers , 
 whofe merits you illuftraie. We honour your old Virtues ^ 
 conformable unto times before you, which are the Nobleft 
 Armoury. And having long experience of your friendly con- 
 verfation, void of empty Formality, full of freedome, con^ 
 flant and Generous Honefty, I look upon you as a Gemme t^ Adams de 
 of the k Old Rock, and muft profefTe my fclf even toUme mpeytien 
 andAfhcs, ^^;"''^" 
 
 May I. 
 
 Your ever faithfull Friend, 
 and Servant, 
 
 Thontfu ^roKpne. 
 
 TO 
 
'„■ '<rr 
 
 TO MY 
 
 Worthy and Honoured Friend 
 ^/ CffOLAS 'B ACQ ^ 
 
 of Qillingham Efquire. 
 
 Cabem^ fee. v>> 
 b D.Haryy. '^ 
 « Be fieri 
 Hortus Ey- 
 /Itttitfis. 
 <* Biuhini 
 theatrum 
 
 le/id I not ohferved that a Parhlwde men have 
 
 difcourfed well of fight ^ and fome ^ wthout iffue^ 
 
 (Xcellently of Generation j / that was never maHer 
 
 S of any confiderahU garden , had not attempted 
 
 ^" tlm SfibjeCf. But the Earth is tbf Garden of T<J a- 
 
 ture , and each fruitfdl Comtrey a Paradi/e^ Diofcorides 
 
 Boftfwt;«m,r ^^^^ ^^ j^ Qj^^l^ Obfervatims in hU march about tPith Antoni- 
 
 and Theophraftus ratfed his generalities chiefly from the 
 
 &c 
 
 • My wor 
 
 US 
 
 thy fritind y^^/^^ 
 
 an ancient Be fide, we Write no Herb all ^ nor can this Volume deceive yon^ 
 and learned vcho have handled the ^ maffiefl thereof \ vcho kjfetP that three 
 flsTnLon. ^ ^oljo^f are yet toQ little^ andhsvp New Herb a Is fly from A- 
 rfonand di- mcrica u^on m^ from perjeverin^ Enquirers^ and e ddinthofe 
 vers parts, (ingdltrities^ we expeBfuch Defer iptiom. wherein^ England id 
 nmction novpfs exaB^ that it yeehdf not to Other CouHtreys. '/ 
 
 none,ltft Wepretendnot to multiply vegetjihle divifions by Qitincuncial 
 ^^^■V^^J^ and Reticulate plants i,or ereci a new Phytohzi^ The Field 
 of knowledge hath been fo traced it is hard to jpHng any thing 
 new. Of old things rvervr'tte feme thing new, if truth may re- 
 cei^ifCiddition^ or envy will have anything new^J^nce the Ancients 
 
 k^ev» 
 
 oaiitany. 
 
 \ 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory) 
 f^evfiihiUteAnAtom$cdlldifc9veries^ and Hippociraies tkcif^ 
 
 Tou hdve been fo long cut of trite learnings that 'tUhard to 
 finie A (iib'jcU proper for yott'^ And if you have met with a, Sheet 
 upon t his ^vpe hAve miffed our intenttdn, In thk mnhipUcity of 
 vi>riting^ bye and barren Themes are befi fitted for invention 5 
 SubjeSs fo o^ten difrourfed confine the Imagination^ andfixonr 
 conceptions unto the notions of fore-vpr iters. Be fide ^ fuch Xif- 
 cottr(es allow excurfions y and veniaUy admit of coliater all truths ^ 
 though 4t fome dtfl&nce from th'ir prineipals. Wherein if r»e ^^'npoaata 
 fometimes take wide liberty^ we are not ftngle-^ but erre by great % tnill'JdT 
 example, denrnme. 
 
 He that wiU tUu/irate the excellency of this order, may efily fail 
 ftPonfoJpruceaSubje5fyWherei/2we have not affrighted the com« 
 mon %.eader with any other Diagramms, then of it felf-^ and 
 have indufifioufiy decUned illujirAtions from rare andunk»cwn 
 plants. 
 
 Tour difcerning judgement fo well acquainted vpith that fludy, 
 mil expe& herein no mathematical truths^ as well nnderfiand' 
 tnghow few generalities and h \ i\mx.2LS there are in nature, HtfWhRui<.s 
 Scaljger hath found exceptions in mofl Vniverfals of Ax\9ioi\cand without cx- 
 Theophraftus. Bow Botanieall Maximes mufl have fair allow- options. 
 ance^ and are tolerably currant^ if not intolerably over^ballanced by 
 exceptions. 
 
 You have wifely ordered your vegetable delights ^ beyond the 
 reach of exception, The Turks who pafft their dayes tn gardens here^ 
 "will have Oardens alfo hereafter ^ and deltghttng in Flowers en 
 earthy mufi have Lillies and Rofes in Heuv^n, In Garden Dr- 
 Itghts "ti^ not eafie to hold a Mediocrity 5 that in'iKuating pleafu^ e is 
 feldome without fome extremity. The Antients vt maUy delight' 
 edinflouripjtng Gardens:^ Many were Fhrifts that knew not the 
 true ufe of a flower j And in Plinie?. dayes none had aire^ly trea- 
 ted ofthatfubjeU, Some commend ably ^ff Bed Plantations of ve- 
 nemou3 Vegetables^ feme cohfined their dr lights unro (mf^r^le plant Sy 
 and Cato feemed to dote upon Cahbadgf ; Whde the Ingenuous 
 delight of Tuliptflsjfiands falutedwith hard language.^ even by.^^^j. 
 thci'rown i Profefors. ' iw'iJaX 
 
 That tn this Garden Difcourfe^ we range into extrtneom things^ au»d,Lati- 
 and many parts of Art and T{jture^ we foHow * (tew the exam'-'^f^^il'.'in 
 pie of old and new PlantaUotts, where m noble J^itfts contented rot fi^.'.Eclg. 
 
The Eplftle Dedicatory. 
 
 themf elves with Trees ^ hut hy the attendance of AvUrks^ijli, 
 
 Ponds^and a.fl variety ofAtJimAls^ ihsy nrtdc their gardens ths Efi^ 
 tomiofthe earth^Andfofne refembinnce of the fecular [hows of old. 
 
 That vpecdftjoyn thefe parts of differ :fit Subje5is^ or that this 
 pjould Jucceed the other \ Tour judgement xc ill admit withotit 
 impute of incongruity , Since the delight f nil pyorld comes after 
 deith^ and Faradifefucceeds the Grave, Since the vsrdint jlate 
 of things is the Symbole of the "F^efitrre&fon^ and tofioariJJj in the 
 Jiate of ^lory^ we mujifirji befiwn in corruption, Befide the anci- 
 ent fra^ife of lighle Perfonsy to conclude in Garden-Graves^ and 
 Vrnes them fe Ives ofold^ to be rorapt up flowers and garlands^ 
 
 Nullamfinevcnia pIacuifle'eloquium,»'w^y<?j^»^^/y under- 
 flood by writers ^ then by Readers ; nor well apprehended by either^ 
 till rvcrh^s have hanged out //y^tfApellcs hfsPi&ures-j wherein e- 
 ven common eyes will finde fomething for emendation. 
 
 To wifh all Readers of your abilities^ were unreafinably to multi- 
 ply the number of SchoUrs beyond the temper of thefe times. But 
 unto this til' judging age^ vpi charitably dejire a portion of your e- 
 quity^judgementj candour^ and ingenuity ; wherein you arefo rich^ 
 k of h ^^ "^^ ^^ ^^fi ^^ diffufion. And being a fiouri(hing brar^ch of th^t 
 moftwor- ^ Noble Family^ unto which voe owefo much obfervancCy you are 
 thy S' Ed- fiQt new fety but long rooted in fuch perfeBion-^ whereof hiving had 
 ^f"^^^i" f^laliing confirmation in your worthy converfation-i conliant amity ^ 
 ronet, my and expreffion j and knowing you aferious Student in the highefl 
 true and gjcana's ofNiture ; with much excufe we bring thefe low delights ^ 
 Friend. andpQor maniples to your Treafure. 
 
 KormchUiy i» 
 
 Teur afe^ionate friend 
 
 and Servant y 
 
 Thomas Browne. 
 
 ^••v 
 
 *• * 
 
HYDRIOTAPHIA 
 
 Urnc-Burial. 
 
 OR, 
 
 A brief Difcourfe of the Sepulchrall 
 Urnes lately found in 
 
 ^0 \F L K^ . 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 sN the deep difcovcry of the Subterranean world, a 
 (hallow part would fatisfiefome enquirers; who, if 
 two or three yards were open about the furface, 
 would not care to wrack the bowels of Poro/, a a xhe rich 
 and regions towards the Centre. Nature hath fur- mountain 
 niflied one part of the Earth, and man another. ^^^*''"' 
 
 Thetreafuresof time lie high, in Urnes, Coynes, 
 
 and Monuments, fcarce below the roots of fome vegitables.Time hath 
 endleffe rarities, and (howes of all varieties ; which reveals old 
 thing s in heaven, makes new difcoveries in earth, and even earth it 
 klf a difcovcry .That great antiquity America lay buried for a thoufand 
 years ; and a large pact of the earth is ftill in the Urne unto us. 
 
 Though {(Adam were made out of an extradof the earth, all parts 
 might challenge a reftitation, yet few have returned their bones far 
 lower then they might receive them; not afFefting the graves of Giants 
 under hilly and heavy coverings, but content with lefle then their own 
 depth, have wilhed their bones might lie foft, and the earth be light 
 upon them ; Even fuch as hope to rife again, would not be content with 
 centralintcrrment,orfoderpcrately to place their reliques as toliebc- 
 
 5 A yound 
 
yond difcovcry,andinnowaytobefeen again- which happy tohtri- 
 vance hath made communication with our forefathers, and left unto 
 our view fomc parrs, which they never beheld thcmfelves. 
 
 Though earth hath ingrofled the name yetwaterhaih proved the 
 fmarteft grave; which in fourty dayes fwallowed almoft niiaakindc, and 
 the living creation ; Fifties not wholly efcaping, except the fait Ocean 
 were handfomly contcmpcrcd by a mixture of the freih Ele» 
 mcnt. \ ^ 
 
 Many have taken voluminous pains to determine the ft ate of the 
 foul upon difunion j but men have been mofl- phantaftical in the fingu- 
 lar contrivances of their corporall diflfolution : whileftthefobereft Na- 
 tions have refted in two wayes, of fionple inhumation and burn- 
 ing. 
 
 That carnal int^rrment or burying, was ofthe elder date, the old ex- 
 amples oi Abraham and the Patriarches are fufficient to illuftrate; And 
 were without competiton, if it could be made out, that Ad.im was bu- 
 ried near Damafcasy or Mount Calvary, according to fome Tradition^ 
 God himfelf that buried but one, was pleafed to make choice of this 
 way, collcftible from iycripture-expreffion, and the hot conteft be- 
 tween 5atan and the Arch- Angel, about dif covering the body of Mo- 
 fes. But the pradicc of burning was j^lfo of great Antiquity, and of no 
 flender extent. For (not to derive the fame from Hercules jnobk def- 
 criptionsthere are hereof in the Grecian Funcrale of Homer ^ In the 
 formal Obfequies of PatreclHs, and Achilles-^ and fomcwhat elder in 
 the Iheban war, and folemn combuftion of Mcnecem^ and (tArchemo- 
 r;/j, contemporary unto J? <««V the Eighth Judge of Jfrael. Confirma- 
 b!e alfo among the the Trojans^ from the Funeral Pyre of HeEior, 
 SQS^hhv burnt before the gates of Troy, and the (b) burning oiPe/jthiflea the 
 3ib. I . Armz^omm ^een'. and long continuance of that pradicc in the inward 
 ^Amnnia- Countries, of y^/^ ; while- as low asthe Reign of y;if/;Vi», wefindeihat 
 rinus,Gura- ^he King ofChtoma (c) buret tlie body of his Son, and interred the 
 Bratcs Kingaflies inafilver Urne. 
 
 oichionia ; The fame pradicc extended alio far Weft *,^ndhcCidesHeruIm!s^ 
 a Countrey (^^(g^^^nd Thracians^viwn \x{Q.mi\\ mo^oll\\t Celt£,SarmAtia»sJ3er' 
 "^ Arnoldis' ^^^^i Gauls. Danes, Swedes^ Norwegians; not to omit feme ufe thereof 
 Montanis among Cartlhiginians and- Americans : Ok greater antiquity among 
 rot in c4' the iSwM^i then mofl: opinion, or Tliny fcems to allow. For ("befide 
 LTc^raV- theold TaWe Law^ of burning {d) or burying within the City, of mak- 
 dcs. Kkk' ing the Funeral firC'Wi5hpLT>i^l3iwoQd,or quenching the fire with; wine- 
 mannus. XAanlius th^ CoofijihiffUt the body of his fon : Numa by fpecialdaulc 
 diiTabul. of his will, was not burnt but buried; And Renins was folemnly bu» 
 P'^JJ^^j.^Q tied, according to the defcriptfon o^G-yf^C?). 
 
 Hominem 
 
 aiortuum in urbe nc fcpclito, neve i^rito, torn a-itogum afci^rjcpolitp. tq.;4/ilte»l>v.igen«ri An« 
 notcat la Leyium,& Alex ab Alex, cuffi Ti.raqpellp Ror<;iuu^m.d£n[iJ|ft^O»!i!{Ulti»Haprobta' 
 iuMta flamma rogo, DeFaft-, Ub, 4. cunft Cari Neapoianagtj'x^^^ 
 
Cor»f AW 5;//^ was not the [firft whofc body was burned in Rome^ 
 but of the Come lianV^mWy, which being indifferently, not frequently 
 tifed before; from that time fprcad and becamd the prevalent pradice. 
 Not totally . purfucd in the highpfl: run of Cremation; For when even 
 feows were funerally burnt, Pofpaa the wife of Nero found a peculiar 
 grave enterment. NowasallcuftOms were founded upon fome bottom 
 ofReafon, fo there wanted not grounds for this ; according to feveral 
 apprchcnfions of the moft rational diffolution. 5ome being of the o- 
 pinionofT/j^/^j, that Water was the original of all things, thought it 
 mod equal to lubmit unto the principle of putrifaftion, and conclude 
 in a moid relentment. Others conceived it moft natural to end in fire, 
 as due unto the mafter principle in the compofition, according to the 
 doftrincofHcr4r//f«j. And therefore heaped up large piles, morea- 
 ftively to waft them toward that Element, whereby they alfo declined 
 a vifible degeneration into worms, and left a lafting parcel of their 
 compofition. 
 
 Some apprehended a purifying virtue in fire, refining thegroflet' 
 commixture, and firing out the iEihcreal particles fo deeply immerfed 
 in it. And luch as by tradition or rational con jefturc held any hint of 
 the final pyre of all things ; or that this Element at laft muft be too hard 
 for all the reft; might conceive moft naturally of the fiery diffoluti- 
 on. Others pretending no natural grounds, politickly declined the ma-« 
 lice of enemies upon their buried bodies. Which confideration led 
 iJ;//^ unto this pradifej who having thus ferved the body of /l</^2rw, 
 could not but fear a retaliation upon his own;entertained after in the Ci- 
 vil wars, and revengeful contentions of /?(?«;£•. 
 
 But as many Nations embraced, and many left it indifferent, fo o- 
 thers too much affedted, or ftridly declined this praftice. The Indian 
 Brachmans fcemed too great friends unto fire, who burnt themfelves a- 
 livc, and thought it thenobleft way to end their dayes in fire; ac- 
 cording to the exprefTion of the Indian, burning hirafelf at Athens {f)^ 
 in his laft words upon the pyre unto the amazed fpcftators, Thns I l^'^f ^ 
 make my [elf immoruL the'^nfcri- 
 
 But the CW^<f^»j the great Idolaters of fire, abhorred the burning ption of his 
 ofthcircarcafTeSjasapolution ofthat Deity. The ?<fr/?,^» ^^1/^^* decli- ^^"^^ ^" 
 ned it upon the like fcruple,and being only folicitous about their bones, ^^^f- ^S" 
 cxpofed their flefh to the prey of Birds and Dogs. And the Perfees now ^L ^Dmaf. 
 in /»</;<i, which expofe their bodies unto Vultures, and endure notfo 
 much as f^r^^r^ or Beers of Wood; the proper Fuell of fire, are led on 
 with fuch nicities. But whether the ancient GermAns who buried their 
 dead, held any fuch fear to pollute their Deity ofHerthas^or the earth, 
 we have no Authcntick con/edure. 
 The ^Egyptians were afraid of fire^not as a Deity,but a devouring Ele- 
 ment, mercilcfly confuming their bodies, and leaving too little of them; 
 ancl therefore by precious Embalments, depofiturc in dry earths, 6r 
 
 5 Ai ^ hand- 
 
4 tJjdnotapmay Urne-BuriAil 
 
 handle me indofurc in glafles* contrived the notablcft wayes of inte- 
 grail confervation. And from fuch ^Egyptian fcruples imbibed by 
 FythagoTMy it may be conjcftured that Nnrnx and the Pythagorical 
 Seft firft waved the fiery folution. 
 
 The 5; J;;^Mj who fwore by winde and fword, that is, by life and 
 death, were To far from burnmg their bodies, that they declined all 
 inccrrmenc, and made their grave in the ayr: And the Ichthyophagi 
 or filh-eating Nations about vEgypt, affeded the Sea for their graven 
 Thereby declining vifible corruption, and reftoring the debt of their 
 bodies. Whereas the old Heroes in Horner^ dreaded nothing more 
 than water or drowning ; probably upon the old opinion of the fiery 
 fubflance of the foul,onely extinguifhable by that Element ; And ther^ 
 , . . fore the Poet emphatically implicch the total deftrudion in this kinde 
 %ti\iit of death, which happened to Ajax Oilem {g). 
 
 reads The old * B^lear$a»s had a peculiar mode, for they ufcd great Urnes 
 
 i^cLTziKetxt and much wood, but no fire in their barials; while they brulfed the 
 'f^piodorut ^gQ^ jj^j bones of the dead, crowded them into Urnes, and laid heaps of 
 * Ramufiui wood Upon them. And the * Chmois without cremation or urnal in- 
 in iVawgar. terrment of their bodies, make ufeof trees and much burning, while 
 they plant a Pine-tree by their grave, and burn great numbers of prin- 
 ted draughts of flavesand horfes over it, civilly content with theic 
 companies in effigie,, which barbarous Nations exad unto rea- 
 lity* 
 
 Chriftians abhorred this way of obfequics, and though they ftick 
 not to give their bodies to be burnt in their lives, detcfted that mode 
 after death ; affedingrathera depofiture than abfumption, and pro- 
 perly fubmitting unto the fcntence of God, to return not unto afties 
 but unto duft again, conformable unto the pradiccofthe Patriarches^ 
 the interrment of our Saviour, of Peter ^ Paul, and the ancient Mar* 
 Marcialis tyrs. And fo far at laft declining promifcuous enterrment with Pagans,, 
 the Bifhop. that fomc have fuflferedEGclefiaflical ccnlures,for making no fcruplc 
 Cjfriap. thereof. 
 
 The Mnfeima-'ibilcev crs wiH never admit this fiery rcfoiution. For 
 they hold a prefent trial (ivm their black and white Angels in the 
 grave; which they mud have made fo holloW) that they may rife upon 
 their knees. 
 
 The Jewi(h Nation, though they entertained the old- wayofinhu- 
 mation, yet (omctimes admitted tliis pradice. For the men of Jabtjh 
 burnt the body of i*.?*/. And by no prohibited pradice to avoid con- 
 tagion, or pollution, in time of peftilencc, burnt the bodies of their 
 b Amos 6. friends (/?). And when they burnt not their dead bodie8,yet foractimes 
 «p. ufcd great burnings near and about them.dcducible from theexprefiions 
 '^jj."*?"^*"* concerning J^Aor^w, Se dech/ as -^znd the fumptuous pyre of ^Ja : And 
 Caf! were io little averfe from (») Pagan burning, that the Jews lamenting 
 
 the death ofC^farthiit friend, and revenger on Pompej, frequented 
 
 the 
 
HydmtAyhay Urne-Buridh " 5 
 
 the place where his body was burnt for many nights together. And 
 as they raifed noble Monuments and ManfoUums for their own Nati- 
 on (k.) , fo they were not fcrupulous in ereding Tome for others, ac- /^ /^s thae 
 cording to the pradifc of D4»/>/, wholeftthat lafting fcpulcbralpyle magnifi. 
 in Echbatana^\ovtht Median ^nA PerfianKings(l), ^h"'i m^"'" 
 
 But evcQ in times of fubjedion and hotteft ufe, they conformed not numcnt°c- 
 unto the /f<7»?«»^ pradice of burning ; whereby the Prophecy, was fe- reded by 
 cured concerning the body ofChrift,that itftiould not fee corrupti- Simon, 
 on, or a bone (hall not be broken ; which we bcleeve was aifo pto-^^^^-^-^^ 
 videntially prevented, from the Souldiers fpear and nailcs tha* paft by a.^!^^'^\ 
 the little bones both in his hands and feet : Not of ordinary contri- n^a/wf tts- 
 vancc, that it {hould not corrupt on the crofle, according to the Law '»^o''*'/«^'«'oj'» 
 oiRomane Crucifixion, or an hair of his head perifli,, though obferva- "t^^^f^ *' 
 bic in Je wifii cuftomes, to cue the haire»of Malefadors. P^ i^^ h,jj 
 
 Nor in their long co-habitation with the ^Egyptians, crept into a alwayes the 
 cuftoaie of their exad embalming,wherein deeply flalhing the mufcles, cuftody 
 and taking out the braincs and entrails, they hadbroken the fubjed ot"^J°j^^^' 
 fo entire a Relurredion, nor fully anfwered thetipes of Enochs E/iah^ daycs.* Jd(]. 
 or fonah^ which yet to prevent orreflfore, was of equall facility unto Lib. 10. ' 
 that rifiug power, able to break the fafciations and bands of death, toAntiq. 
 get clear out ofthe Cere- cloth, and an hundred pounds ofoyntmcnt, 
 and out ofthe Sepulchre before the ftonewas rolled from it. 
 
 But though they embraced not this pradice of burning, yet enter- 
 tained they many ceremonies agreeable unto Greek^ and Romane ob- 
 fcquies, And he that obferveth their funeral Feafts, their lamentations 
 at the grave, their muftck and weeping mourners ; how they clofed 
 the eyes of their friends, how they waflied, anointed, and Icifledihe 
 dead; mayeafily conclude thefe were not meer Pagan-Civilities. But 
 whether that mournful burthen , and treble calling out after ^^/^/<3»j^ 
 had any reference to thelaftconclamation, and triple valedidion,u(ed: 
 by other nations, we hold but a wavering conjedure* 
 
 (^iviliaKS make fepulture but ofthe La w of nations, others do natu- 
 rally found it and difcover it alfo in animals* They that are fo thick 
 skinned as ftill to credit the ftory ofthe Phanix^ may lay fomcthing 
 for animal burning : More ferious con/edures finde fomc examples of 
 fepulture in Elephants, Cranes, the Sepulchral Cells of Pifmircs and 
 pradice of Becs; which civil fociety caririeth out their dead,, and hath? 
 exec^uies; ifnotinterrmcnis,. 
 
 CHAP- 
 
HjdrkUfhUy Ume-Sarial, 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 *HE Solemnities, Ccremouies, Ritesof their Cremation or enterr- 
 raent,fo folemnly delivered by Authours,we (hall not difparage our 
 Reader to repeat. Only the laft: and lafting part in their Urns, colleftcd 
 bones and A(hcs, we cannot wholly omit, or decline that Subjed, 
 which occafion lately prefented, in fome difcovered among us. 
 
 I a Field of old JV^ilfingham, not many months paft, were digged 
 up between fourty and fifty Urnes, dcpofited in a dry and fandy folic, 
 not a yard deep, not far from one another: Not all ftridly of one 
 figure, but moft anfwering thefe dcfcribed ; fome contaning two 
 pounds of bones, diftinguiftable in skulls, ribs, jawes, thigh bones, 
 and teeth, with frefli impreflionsof their corabuflion. Befides the ex- 
 traneous fubftances, like peeces of fmall boxes, or combs handfomely 
 ^ wrought, handles of fmall braffc inftruraents, brazen nippers, and in 
 
 fen? m/by °"«= ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^P'^^' '*• 
 
 my worthy Near the fame plot of ground, for about fix yards compaffe w.erc 
 friend digged up coals and incinerated fubftances, which begat conjedure 
 Vtjfbmat tiiac ^]^\^ was the Vftrirtaox place of burning their bodies, or fome 
 oimiftn. Sacrificing place unto the Mmes^ which was properly below the fur- 
 gftam, ' face of the ground, as the >^rrf and >4/t4rJ unto the gods and //i?rofi 
 above it. 
 
 That thefe were the Urnes of %^ma}ics from the common euftome 
 and place where they were found, is no obfcure conjefture,notfar 
 from a 'jRj'w.tw^? Garrifon, and but five m.ile from Br^.ncAficr^iktdoyNn 
 ' by ancient Record under the name of Brarwodmum. And where 
 the adjoyning Town, containing feven Pariflies, in no very different 
 found, but Saxon termination, ftiil retsines the Name of Bumham, 
 which being an early ftation,ic is not improbable the neighbour parts 
 were filled with habitations, either of ivo/w^^f/ themfelves, or 5mM/»i 
 Romanifed, which obferved the Roma»e cuftomes. 
 Nor is it improbable that the Romanes early poflefled this Country ;for 
 though wc meet not with fuchftrid: particulars of thcfc paits, before 
 the new Inftitution of C^»/?^«f/«^, and military charge of .the Count 
 of the Saxon fhore, and that about the Saxon Invafions, the DalmatiaM 
 Horferaen were in the Garrifon of Brancbafier'. Yet in the time ofClau- 
 diHss Vefpafian^.md Severm^t finde nolelfe then three Legions difper- 
 fed through the Province of -Sr/Vf.?/;?. And as high as the Reign of CUu- 
 i^/wj- agreat overthrow was given unto the/cf«/,by the ^owrf;^# Lieute- 
 nant Ofioritis,Kot long after the Country was fo molefted, thatin hope 
 ofa better ftate Praflaagus bequeathed his Kingdom unio Nero and his 
 Daughters; and BoMice^ihia Queen foughr the laft decifivc Battle 
 
 with 
 
 vj 
 
with Taulimts, After whicn time and Conqucft of ylr/ke/a ti.e 
 Licutcmnt of P^efpa fa, probsfble it is they wholly poflefled this Goun- 
 trey, ordering it into Garrifons or Habitations, bell futablc with their 
 fecutities. And fo fome Romane habitations, not improbible. in thefe 
 parts, as high as the time o^ Vespafian^ where ihc Saxons a^cx feat- 
 cd, in whofe thin-fill'd Mappcs we yet findc the Name offVal/i»- 
 gham. Now if the Icerti were but Gammadims , Anconians, or men 
 that lived in an Angle wedge or Elbow of Bnttainy according to the 
 Original EtymologiCjthiscountrey will challenge the Emphatical ap- 
 pellation! as moft properly making the Elbow or Iken of Icenix, 
 
 That Britain was notably populous is undeniable, from that ex- ? ^f'^'^^w 
 prefiion of Oy^r (m) That the Rom^tnes themfelves were early in "S'J^,'' ' 
 no fmall number?. Seventy Thouland with their aflbciats flain by Bo- crtberim- 
 adicea, affords a fure account i And though tmny 'R^man habitations ^"^ '''^'jf^'* 
 arenow known, yet fome by old works, RaDn piers, Coy ne?j and Urnes^^''^^ ^5% 
 do teftifie their poffeffiors. Some llrnes have been found at Caflor^]fa!Su'e 
 fome alfo about Southcreeke and not many years pafl, no leffe then ten bello Qd. 
 in a field at Bt4Xtone{n^ not neer any recorded Garrifon. Nor is it ^•5* 
 ftrangetofinde %omane Coynes of Copper and Silver among us; of ° q^^JJ^^c 
 Vefpajian ^Trajan^ Adrian,Q.ommodHSy(i/intomMtis^ SivemSy Sec. But my worthy 
 the greater number of Diode f an ^ Conflamine^ Confians, Va/efts, with Friend 
 many ofVi^orinns FofihumiHs^ Tetricus^ and the thirty Tyrants in the ^f' 7'^°" 
 Reigneof Gallienfts; 2ind fome as high a5 Adrianushsivc been fcrind j^^q'^^'^^" 
 SkhoutThetford, or Sttomagusj mentioned in the itinerary oi Antoninus^ things con- 
 as the way from Venta or ^afior unto London (o). But the molt frequent taincd were 
 difcovcry is made at the two C^fters by Norwich and TarmomhU) at P'^^u'^^^** 
 Burghc.file and Br.ncfler (^) . JoX"^^ 
 
 Wtlliam Pa- 
 jffonB'. •FromCaftortoThtftford the Romans accounted thirty two miles, and from thence 
 obfervcd not cor common road to London, but pafled by Combretonium ad Apftm, ^anonium, 
 C4*romagMs, &c. by Bretenham, Ogge^tll.ChelmeJord, Burntwoodi'-Sic. f MofistCajitr by 
 Tarmouth^ found in a place called Eajitloudy-burgh furlong, belongm'g to M» Thomat Wood, a per- 
 fon of civility, induftry and knowledge in this way, who hath made obfcrvation of remarkabic- 
 things about him, and from whom we hare received divers Silver and Copper Coynes. i Be- 
 longing to that Noble Gentleman, and true example of worth Sir Ka}fh Wiu Baronct,my honou- 
 Kd Friend . 
 
 BcfideSjthe Norman^Saxon and Danijh peeces ofCuthred^ (^ar.tiws^ ^ A peece 
 milt Am Matilda {a) y and others, fome Brictifh Coynes of gold have *^ "^^"^'^^ 
 been difperfedly found ; And no fmall number of filver peeces neer Nor- ^^^H ^^ 
 rvich; with a rude head upon the obverfe, with and an ill formed found in 
 horfc on the reverfe, with infcriptions IcBuroT. whether im- i3nci»H/»;zn7 
 plying Jceni, Dftroriges^ Tffcia, ot Trinobantes, we leave to higher ^^.'^^^ w't/» 
 conjedure. Vulgar Cronology will have NorwichCzikXtzi old as Jnli- pition"£//r 
 usC^fer ; buthisdiftance from thefe parts, and its Gothick form oin'atlU. 
 flrufture, abridgeth fuch Antiquity. The Briti'.lj Coyns afford con^^ Atth<}rr 
 jefture of earty habitation in thefe parts, thoi'.gh the-CityofAVw^ci^' 
 
 aroic 
 
trofc from the ruincs oiVenta, and though perhaps not without fomc 
 habitation before, was enlarged) buildcd, and nominated by the Sa^- 
 CMS. In what bulk or populcfity it flood in the old Eaft-angle Mo- 
 narchy, tradition and hiftory are filent. Confiderable it was in the 
 Brmpron D4^i/h Eruptions^ when Saenoburnt Thetford and Norwich (c), and 
 
 Abbas Jonr- zjif^tel the Govcrnour thereof was able to make fome refiltance, 
 
 tulltnftsy g^^ g^j^j, endeavoured to burn the Danifh^sivy . 
 
 How the Romaf7es\ck fo many Coynes in countries of their Con- 
 quefts, fcemes of hard refolution, except we confider how they bu- 
 ried them underground, when upon barbarous invafions they were 
 fain to defert their habitations in mofl: part of their Empire, and the 
 flridnefleof their lawsforbiding to transferthem to any other ufes; 
 Wherein the (<5fj5p.^rf.t«/ were fingalar^who to make their copper rao- 
 
 ?fPIat./« ney ufeleffc, contempercdit with vinegar. That the Britaws left any, 
 
 vtitLjcurg. fomc wonder ; fince their money was iron, and iron rings before Ca- 
 far; and thofe ofafterftampby permilTion, and but fmall in bulk and 
 bignefle; that fo few of the Saxons remain, becaulc overcome by 
 fucceeding Conquerours upon the place? their coyns by degrees paf- 
 fed into other (lamps, and the marks of after ages. 
 
 Then the time of thefe Urnes depofited, or pecife Antiquity of 
 thefe Relicks, nothing ofmore uncertainty For fince the Lieutenant 
 of ClapidiMs lemes to have the firft progrefle into thefe parts, fince 
 JB(j^^;c?.t was overthrown by the Forces of A''^r<?, and u^gncolapwt a 
 full end to thefe Conquefls ; it is not probable the Country was fully 
 garrifoned or planted before; and therefore however thefe Urnes might 
 be of later date, not likely of higher Antiquity* 
 
 And the fucceeding £mpei ours defifVed not from their ronqiicfls 
 in thefe and other parts; asteftified by hifloryand medal infcription 
 yet extant. The Province of Britain in fo divided a dillance from 
 Rome^ beholding the faces of many imperial perfons, and in large ac- 
 count no fewer then Caftr^ Clapidim Bnt/imiicus, Vefpa/ia»y TitHSj A^ 
 etriarif Sever us, Commodns^ 6'^i'<?,and CaracaRa. 
 A great obfcurity herein, becaufe.no medall or ^mperours coyne 
 Siewf/Sur- cnclofed,wh'ch might denote the dates of their cnterrments. Obfer- 
 
 vey ofLon- vable in many Urnes, and found in thofe of Spittle Fields by /-(?«- 
 don^ which contained the coy[\eso^C/audif*s,VefpaJia*i;Cemmodus, Ak' 
 to»:fj}fSy attended with Licry matorie^, Lamps, Bottles of Liquor, and 
 other appurtenances of affedionate fuperflition, which in thefe rurall 
 interrments were wanting. 
 
 Some uncertainty there is from the period or term of burning, or 
 the ceffationofthat praAifc, M4crobttis affirmeth it was difufed in 
 hisdayss. But moft agree, though without authentick record, that it 
 coafed with the Antorini. Mofi fafcly to be underflood afler the 
 . 'Reigne of thofe Emperours, which afTumed the name o( Antoninus^ ex- 
 itending unto HdlogahdHs. Not ftriftly after Marcus ; For about fifty 
 
 years 
 
years later we finde the raa]|nificcnt burning, and confccration of 5^- 
 verHs; and if we fo fix this period or ceffation, thcfc Urncs will chal- 
 lenge above thirteen hundred yeers. 
 
 But whether this praftife was oncly then left by Emperors and great 
 perfons , or generally about Rowe , and not in other Provinces, wc 
 feold no authencick account, for after Tenullta», in the dayesof Aft- 
 nftciui it was obvioufly objeded upon Chriftians , that they condem- 
 ned the praftife of burning (e). And wc finde a paflage in Stdomns (/), ^f*"T"^ 
 which affcrceth that pradile in France unto a lower account. And per- ^^f^ntmig- 
 haps not fully difufed till Chriftianity fully cftabliftied , which givtmumfepul. 
 the final cxtindion to thefe Sepulchral Bonefires. '«'''""• Win. 
 
 Whether they were the bones of men or women or children , no au ^J^?' . 
 thentick decifion from ancient cuftome in diftinft places of burial. ^^-piUrtHrit, 
 though not imprebably conjcdured, that the double Sepulture or bury- 
 ing place of Abrahim , had in it fach intenfion. But from exility of 
 bones, thinnefs of skuls, fmallnefsof teeth, ribbes, and thigh-bones; 
 not improbable that many thereof were perfons of minor zgt, or wo- 
 men. Confirmable alfo from things contained in them ; In mod were 
 found fubftancesrefemblingGombes, Plates hkc Boxes, faftened with 
 Iron pins, and handfomely overwrought like the necks or Bridges of 
 Mufical Inftruments , long brafs plates overwrought like the handles of 
 neat implements, brazen nippers to pull away hair, and in one a kinde of 
 C?p<?/^ yet maintaining a blewifh colour* 
 
 Now that they accuftomed to burn or bury with them,things where- 
 in they excelled, delighted, or which were dear unto them , either as 
 farewells unto all plcafure , or vain apprchenfion that they might ufc 
 them in the other world, istertified by all Antiquity. Obfervable from 
 the Gemme OF Beril Ring upon the finger of Cjnthia, the Mittrcfs of 
 'Tro'perti/iSj^ when after her Funeral Pyre her Ghoft appeared unto him. 
 And notably illuftrated from the Contents of that Roman Urne prefer- 
 yed by Cardinai Farnefe f^ j,wherein befides great number of Gemmes « Viientfi 
 with heads of Gods and Goddeffes , were found an Ape of Agath , a ^?"oN »" 4» 
 Graihopper, an Elephant of Ambre, a Cry ftal Ball, three glaffes, two^'*' 
 Spoons, and fix Nuts of Cryftal. And beyond the content of Urncs, in 
 the Monument of Childrtck, the firft (h) , and fourth King from Phara- ^ 
 mond , cafually diJcovered three years paft at Tetfrnay , reftoring unto ^^J^" ^^ 
 the world much gold richly adorning his Sword , two hundred Rabies, chMtr. 
 many hnndrcd Imperial Coyns, three hundred Golden Bees, the bones 
 and horfefliooofhis horfe enterred with him , according to the bar- 
 barous magnificence of thofe day es in their fepulchral Obfequies, Al- 
 though if we fteer by the conjefture of many and Septuagint exprefli- 
 on i fomc trace thereof may be found even with the ancient Hebrews^ 
 not oncly from the Sepulcraltreafureof Z)aW, but the circumcifion 
 knives which Jofnah alfo buried* 
 
 Same men confidering the contents of thefc Urnes , lading pecces 
 
 5B and 
 
and toyes included in them, and the cuitonire of hurtling with many o- 
 ther Nations, might fomewhat doubt whether ail Urnes found amon^ 
 us, were properly %j)mane Reliqucs , or feme not belonging unto oat 
 Brittifh^ Saxon^ or D*<»//^ Forefathers. 
 
 In the form of Burial among the ancient Brittaim , the large Dif- 
 courfcs 0^ Cafar-,TadtHs jSind Siraho are filent; For th€ difcovery where- 
 of , with other particulars , we much deplore the lofs of that Letter 
 which Cicero expcdcd or received from his Brothir ^i>ittts^ as a re- 
 folutionof Britttpj cuflomes; or theaciount which might have been 
 madcby .ycr/^o^z/V^L/er^w/chcPhyficrin, accompanying the Emperor 
 
 • Dm ', fx.^^'*^'^^^ * ^^° might have alfodifcovcred thai frugal Bit (^ of the 
 
 cerptaptr Old Brittains , which in the bignefs of a Bean could fatisiie their thirft 
 
 Xiphilin. and hunger. 
 
 inStvm,:. But that the Druids i^d ruling Priefts ufed to burn and bury , is ex- 
 preffed by Fomfonins ; That Bellmus the Brother of Brenms^md King 
 oi Brittains was burnt, is acknowledged by Polydortts ^ as alfo by 
 ytmaftdftsZierexenfs in Hifioria^ and PtnedainhisVuiverfa hifloria. 
 Spanifh. That they held that pradile in(74//M, C^e/^^rexprefly deliver- 
 cth. Whether the Brittains (probably defcended from them , of like 
 Religion, Language and Manners) did notfometimes make ufe of burn- 
 ing J or whether at leaftfuch as were after civilized unto the RDmang 
 life and manners, conformed not imto this pradife , we have no 
 hiftorical aflertion or denial. But fmce from the tiQcoxmt o{ Tacitus 
 the ;R(?»M»f/ early wrought fo much civility upon the Brittifh ftock , . 
 that they brought them to build Temples , to wear the Gown , and 
 ftudy the %^omcim Laws and Language , that they conformed alfo un- 
 
 Haz/oW, fo t^cir Religious rites and cuftomcs in burials , feems no improbable 
 
 Brendetiide. conjedure. 
 
 lid tjdt. That burning the dead was ufed mSarmatiay is affirmed by Gagttixus, 
 
 that xhtSueoKs and G oth Under snitd to burn their Princes and great- 
 perfons, is delivered by Saxe and Olaus ; that this was the old (germane 
 pradife , is alfo afferted by Tacitus. And though we are bare in hifto- 
 rical particulars of fuch obfequies in this Ifland , or that the Saxons , 
 fntes, ^ad Angles burnt their dead, yet came they from parts wrhere 
 'twas of ancient praftife; the Gervtar.es ufing it, from whom they 
 were defcended. And even in Jmland and Sleftvkk. in nAngliaCjm'- 
 hrica^ Urnes with bones were found not many years beforeasw 
 
 But the HAnifh and iVorthern Nations have raifed an t^ra or point 
 of compute from their Cuflome ofburningtheirdead : Some deriving 
 jt from VnguinnS) fomc from Frotho the great ; who ordained by Law, 
 that Princes and Chief Commanders fhould be committed unto the 
 fire, though the common fort had the fomoion grave enterrment. So 
 Starkatterus that old He-ce was burnt, and Bi^g^ royally burnt the ho 
 dyotHarald the K'M\g (lain by him. 
 
 What time, this cuflome generally expired in that Nariotr^ WC difcern 
 
HjdridtAphiay Urne-Bttrial, 11 
 
 no affured period ; whctfet it ceafcd before Cbriftianity,or apon their 
 Converfion, by AufgHrins the Gaul in the time of Ludovkus Pim the 
 Son of C^«<r/fJ the Great, according to good computes ; or whether 
 it might not be ufed by fome perfons , while for a hundred and eighty 
 years Paganifme and Chriftianity were promifcuoufly embraced among 
 then), there is no affured conclufion. About which times the Djhcs 
 were bufie in England^ and particularly infcfted this Countrey i Where 
 many Caltles and ftrong holds, weie built by them, or againft them,and 
 a great number of names and Families ftill derived from them. But fince 
 thiscuftome was probably difufed before their Invafion or Conqueft , 
 and the Romanes confefledly pradifed the fame, fince their poffeflion of 
 this Ifland, the moft affured account will fall upon the Romanes^ otBrit- 
 t^ins Romanized' 
 
 However certainit is, th at Urnes conceived of no RontaMe Original, i^/^fpjr^^ 
 are often digged up both in Norway and Denmark^, handfomely defcri- miimnu- 
 bed, and graphically reprefented by the Learned Phyfician fVorntius (/), menu if 
 And in fome parts of Dennmrhjn no ordinary number , 'as ftands de- ^"W'?*'^*'- 
 livered by Authors cxadly defcribing thofe Countrey sfx^). And they « Adolphm 
 contained notonely bones,butmany other fubftancesin them,as Knives, Qprmin 
 peeces of Iron , Brals and Wood, and one of Norway a brafs guilded ^nnt^' Skf. 
 Jewesharp. Tijia^un- 
 
 Nor were they confufcd or carelefs in difpofing the nobleft fort,whiIe daUt coUir, 
 they placed large ftones in circle about the Urnes, or bodies which they &c. 
 interred: Somewhat anfwerable unto the Monument of Rollrichi{onis*^^^^J^' 
 in EngUt7d{n)^ or fepulcral Monument probably ereded by R^^lo ,^^^\^^\ 
 who after conquered Normandy. Where *is not improbable fome- « in che^ 
 what might be difcovered. Mean while to what Nation or per- fhire, twi- 
 fon belonged that large Urne found at iA(hhHry{0), containing mighty "*j'.'''r^^ 
 bones, and a Buckler ; what thofe large Urnes found at little Maying- p j*' ^1^' 
 ham (p),or why the Anglefea times are placed with their mouths down- folk, Hoi- 
 ward, remains yet undifcovered. Unread. 
 
 € H A P. Ill, 
 
 PLayftered and whited Sepulchres, were anciently affedlcd ia cadave- 
 four, and corruptive Burials; And the rigid Jews were wont to 
 garnifli the Sepulchres of the {a) righteous; Vlyjfes in Hecuba (J?) cared * Mat.2?. 
 not how meanly he lived, lo he might finde a noble Tomb after death. - ^tr^'dex. 
 Great Princes affeded great Monuments, and the fair and larger Urnes 
 contained no vulgar aflies, which makes that dilparity in thofe which 
 time difcovereth among us. The prefent Urnes were not of one capa- 
 city, the largeft containing above a gallon , Some not much above half 
 that meafure ; nor ail of one figure, wherein there is no ftrid confor- 
 mity , in the fame or different Countreys 5 Obfervablc from thofe re- 
 prefented by Cafalifu , Bofio , and others , though all found in Italy : 
 
 5 B i While 
 
While many have handles , cars , and lon§ necks, but moft imitate*^ 
 circular figure, in a fpherical and round compofurej whether from any 
 myftery, heft duration or capacity, were but a conjedure. But the 
 common form with necks was a proper figure, making our laft bed likc- 
 our firft ; nor much unlike the Urnes of our Nativity, while we lay in 
 jPfa.dg. ^^^ nether part of the earth (r), and inward vault of our Microcolrne. 
 Many Urnes are red, thefebutof a black colour, (omewhat fmooth , 
 and dully founding , which begat fome doubt , whether they were^ 
 burnt, or oncly baked in Oven or Sun : According to the ancient way, 
 in many Bricks, Tiles, Pots, and teftaeeous works • and as the word 
 te^ais properly to be taken, when occurring without addition .• And 
 chiefly intended by T/w, when he commendetb Bricks and Tiles of 
 two years old, and to make them in the fpring. Nor onely thcfe con- . 
 cealed peeces, but the open magnificence of Antiquity,ranmuch in the 
 Artificeof Clay. Hereof the houfe of LManfolns was built , thus old 
 Jfipiter flood in the Capitol, and the Stdtua of Hercules made in the 
 Reign of Tarquinim Prtfctis^ was extant in P limes dayes. And fuch as 
 declined burning or Funeral Urnes, aScfted Coffins of Clay,according > 
 to the mode of PythhgorAS , a way preferred by Varro> But the fpiric - 
 of great ones was above thefe circumscriptions, affeding Copper, Sil- 
 ver, Gold, and Tijr/j^jrr^? Urnes, wherein i'i?t;<?^/f/ lay, after a ferious 
 ^ XapM«if view and fcntence on that which fhould contain him(^). Some of thefe 
 TTov'^o^T, ^^^^^ were thought to have been (ilvered over , from fparklings in fe- 
 eix8/«VH »it yeral pots , with fmall Tinfel parcels j uncertain -whether from the 
 wx^ftinv, earth, or the firft mixture in them. 
 
 ^if^' Among thele Urnes we could obtain no good account of their cover-- 
 
 ings ; onely one feemed arched over with fome kinde of brickwork. Ot ' 
 ihofefound at ^«A'^o« fome were covered with flints, fome in other 
 parts with Tiles , thofe zxTarmoHth Cafler^ were clofed with Romane 
 bricks. And fome have proper earthen covers adapted and fitted to 
 them. But in thd Homericai Urne of Patroclus, w-hatever was the foiid^ 
 Tegument, we finde the immediate covering to be a purple peece of 
 filk ; And fuch as had no covers might have the earth clofcly preffed 
 into them, after which difpofurc were probably fome of thefe,where- 
 in we found the bones and aflies half mortercd unto the fand and fides oF 
 the Urne ; and fome long roots of Quich, orDogs-grals wreathed a- 
 bout tRe bones^; 
 
 No Lamps, included Liquors, Lachrymqtories , or Tear-Bottles at- ^ 
 
 ended thefe rural Urnes, eitheras (acred unto the(JI/^»<?/, or pafii'- 
 
 oaateexpreflions of their furviving friends. While with rich flames, . 
 
 and hired tears they folemoized their Obfcquies , and in the mofrla- 
 
 *QHmU*. mentcd Monuments made one part of^their lofcriptions (?). Some 
 
 crymtpo' finde fepulchral VefTels containing liquors, which time hath incraffated' 
 
 I**'/^ intogcllies« For befide thefe lachrymacories, notable LaDTps-, with' 
 
 VcjOCels of Oyles and Aromadcal Liquors attended cobteOffukTiw^ 
 
And fomc yet retaining a * v^noficy and fpirit in them, which ifany *i^^«'.' . 
 bavctafted they havcfar exceeded the Palats of Antiqaity. Liquors not 
 to be computed by years of annual Magiftrates, but by great conjunfti- 
 ons and the fatal periods of Kingdoms (f). The praughts of Confulary f About fire 
 date.wcre but crude unto thefe: and OvimUn (f) Wine but in the muftc *i"n<iff<} 
 untotncm. iVimm 0- 
 
 In fundry graves and Sepulchres, we meet withRings,Coyncs, and pimmamtm 
 Chalices ; Ancient frugality was fo fevcre, that they allowed no gold annorum 
 to attend the Corps, but ondy that which fervcd to faften their JJ""""* 
 teeth (h). Whether the Opaline ftone in this Urne were burnt upon h ,2°ra3«/. 
 the finger of thedead, or caft into the fire by fome affedionatc friend, l.yx.dt Jh- 
 it will confid with either cuftome. But other incinerable fubftances u facro. 
 were found fofrefli, that they could feel no findge from fire. Thele^^/'""'^'" 
 upon view were judged to be wood, but finking in water and tried by ^qwliuro 
 the fire, we found them to be bone or Ivory. In their hirdneffe and dtntesviw 
 yellow colour they moft refcmblcd Boxi which in Gldexpreflions^'"'«n»j 
 found theEpithete (/) ofEte.nal, and perhaps in fuch confervato- r^'^r'"'/? 
 lies might have pafled uncorrupted. wtrllfe 
 
 That Bay- leaves were found greeivin the Tomb of S. Hnmbert {k^,fraude tfto. 
 after an hundred and fifty yeers, was looked upon as miraculous. Re- * Pl'n-^-5f^*'' 
 markable it waj unto old Spedators, that the Cyprelfe of the Temple ^"j^^~''„^'! 
 ofDiana^ laftcd fomany hundred years : The wood of the Ark and mtrafihto' 
 Olive Rod q{ dartn wereolder at the Captivity. But the Cypreflfe ofphraftw. 
 the Ark of Noah, was the greateft vegetable Antiquity, i£JofephHs ^Surim^ 
 werenor deceived, by fome fragments of it in his day es. To omit the 
 Moore-logs, and Firre-tree& found under-ground in many parts of 
 England ; the undated ruines of winds> flouds or earthquakes ; and 
 which in Fl'knders ftili fhew from what quarter they, fell, as generally^ 
 lying in the North- Eaft pofi-cion'(/}. iGorcp. Bf 
 
 But though we found not thefe peeces to be wood, according to firft canusinNi- 
 apprehenfion, yet we miffed not altogether of fome woody Tub- '^•'^'''^'*'' 
 fhmce; for the bones were not fo clearly pickt, but fome coals were 
 found araongft them j A way to make wood perpetual, and a fit affo- 
 ciatfor metal, whereon was l?id the foundation of the great Ephejian 
 Tenjpic, and which were made the lafting tcfls of old boundaries, and 
 Landmarks J Whilcft we look on thefe we admire not oblervations 
 of Coals found frefh, after four hundred years (w). In along defer- «>»of Beriw 
 tc4 habitation (« j, even Eggc-fhels have been found fre(h, not tend- g*cciontilar 
 ing t^^orruption. n-^At^S^- 
 
 In the Monument of King Childerick^^ the iron Reliques were found j^^„^. 
 all rufly and crumbling into pcecees. But our little iron pins which 
 fafbened the ivory works, held well together, and loft nof- 
 tbeir Magneticall quality, though wantir^ a tenacious moifturefot ■■■ 
 tbefirmer union of parts, although it be hardly drawn intofufion, 
 ydtdktQKUiXoQiirttboiitteth onto reft.:aad diilolutk^ 
 
 Kan 
 
:*en pccces we admired noc the duration feat the freedom from ruft, 
 and illiavour; upon the hardeft attrition, but now cxpofed unto the 
 piercing Atomcs of aire ; in the fpace of a few moneths, they begin 
 to f pot and betray their green entrals. W c conceive not thefe Urns 
 to have defccndcd thus naked as they appear, or to have ehtrcd their 
 graves without the old habit of flowers. The Urne oi PhiUpAmen 
 *.^JJ[J"fJ was fo laden with flowers and ribbons, that it afforded no fight of it 
 "in 'AmphU f'^'f ^ ^c rigid Lycnrgus allowed Olive and Myrtle. The Athnians 
 htairofe- might faifcly except againft the praftife of DemocritHs to be buried 
 miufiHian- up in honey ja« fearing to embezzle a great commodity of their Goun- 
 'caftuT^' ^"^y ' *"^ ^^^ beftof that kinde in Europe. But Plato fcemed too fru- 
 •» 'sittton. in gaJ^Y politick, who allowed no larger monument then would contain 
 maDmi- four Heroick verfes, anddefigned the mod barren grouod for fepul- 
 fwn. juf^ . Though we cannot commend the good nefle of chat fepulchral 
 
 moft learn- S"*^""^' whicii was fet at no higher rate then the mean (alary of Ju4au 
 cd and ' Though the earth had confounded the aflies of thefe Offuarics, yet the 
 worthy bones were fo fmartly burnt,that fome thin plates of braffe were found 
 WM.Ct- haU melted among them : whereby we apprehended they were not of 
 Antlninuf^ the meaneft carcaffes, perfundorily fired as fometimes in military, and 
 dsjc trimut commonly in peftilence, burnings; or after the manner of abjed corps, 
 cunaiyicc. hudled forth and carelcfly burnt, without the Efquiline Port at Rome; 
 Ergo dum which was an affront continued upon Tiberitts, while they but half 
 'timw'" ^'* ^""^"^ ^'^ ^^^y *» ^^^ '" ^^^ Amphitheater, a<icording to the cu- 
 •'AfXwVMif ftome in notable Malefadors ; wherea? ATfrofecmednot fo much to 
 Tcii^Hv. A fear his deaths as that his head {hould be cut off and his body not 
 barbarous burnt entire. 
 
 FcaftT ^^ ^^^^ finding many fragments of fculs in thefe Urnes, fufpeded a 
 when men mixture of bones ; In none we fearched was there caufe ot fueh con- 
 ftood upon jedurc, though fometimes they declined not that pradife; Thea(hes 
 a rolling of (^) !)»«*»?»<«» were mingled with thofe o( Jt*lia,oi Achilles with 
 S^n^cks ^^°^*^ ofP^frsf/^i : All Urnes contained not finglc afhesj Without 
 in a Rope, confufcd burnings they affedionately compounded their bones j pa(^ 
 and a knife fionately endeavouring to continue their living Unions. And when di- 
 in their ftance of death denied fuch conjundions,uniatisfied affections conceiv- 
 ^v^t^' ^".' ed fome fatisfadion to be neighbours in the grave.to iycUrne by Urne, 
 when the ' **^^ touch but in their names. And many were fo curious to continue 
 Aoncwas their living relations, that they contrived large, and family Urnes, 
 rolled a- wherein the Aihes of their neareft friends and kindred might fuc- 
 !'''*y'^Jj''"^'cefiivcly be received (c), at leaft fome parcels thereof, while their coi- 
 failed^ tliey ^^^^''*' memorials lay in mtn»r vefTels about them, 
 loft their Antiquity held too light thoughts from Objeds of mortality, while 
 Jives to the fome drew provocatives of mirth from Anatomies (d), and Juglers 
 hiughter of fl,g^g^ tricks with Skeletons. When Fidlers made not fo pleafant 
 fta^tors'^*^' mirth as Fencers, and men could (it with quiet ftomacks while hang- 
 Athtnsus^ ing was plaid before them. Old confiderations made itwmiment»s 
 
 by 
 
by fculs and bones upon therf monuments. In the i£gyptlan Obelisks 
 and Hieroglyphical figures, icisnoteafie to meet with bones. The 
 fepukhrai Lamps fpeak nothing Icffe then fcpulturej and in their lite- 
 ral draughts prove often obiccne and antick peeces: where we finde 
 D. M, (f) it is obvious to meet with facrificing patera's, and veffels f D/7/ m<wn-«- 
 of libation, upon old fcpulchral monuments. In the Jcwifli HjpcgA- ^"^' 
 tm{g) and fubterranium Cell at %?me,vj2LS little obfervable befide*^^^** 
 the variety of Lamps^ and frequent draughts of the holy Candleflick. 
 In autbentick draughts oitAnthtyij and Jerome^ we meet with thigh- 
 bones and deaths heads; but the cemiterial Cels of ancient Chriftians 
 and Martyrs, were filled with draughts of Scripture ^^toriesjnot de- 
 clining the ffourifhes of Cyprefle, Palms, and Olive] and the myftical 
 Figures of Peacocks, Doves and Cocks. But iterately affefting the 
 pourtraits of £»<>*/?, LaTj^rns^ Jonas^ and the vifion of Ezechiel^^it 
 bopefol draughts, and hinting imagery of the Refurredionj which is 
 the life of the grave, and fweetens our habitations in the Land of 
 Affiles Md Pifmires. 
 
 Gentile infcriptiom precifely delivered the extent of mens lives, fel- 
 domeihemanner of their deaths, which hiftory it felffo often leaves 
 obfcure in the records of memorable perfons. There is fcarce any Phi- 
 lopher but dies twice or thrice in Laertius ; Nor almoft any life with- 
 out two or three deaths in Plutarch; which makes the tragical ends 
 of noble perfons more favourably refented by compaflionate 
 Readers^ who findc fomc relief in the Eledion of fuch diffe- 
 rences* 
 
 The certainty of death is attended with uncertainties, in time, man- 
 ner,places. The variety of Monuments hath often obfcured true graves: 
 and C<««o^/«p/?/ confounded i'epulchres. For bcfide their real Tombs, . 
 many have found honorary and empty fepukhres, The variety of//*- - 
 mers Monuments made him of various Countrcys. Emifides (h) had 1, •paufan h ■•• 
 his Tomb in Africa, but his kpulture in Macedoma, And Severus Aukis, ' 
 (J) found his real 5epulcbre in Rome , but his empty grave in » Lsmprld. 
 GalUa. invitAlex^ 
 
 He that lay in a golden Urne (kS) eminently above the earth,was not ^'"^■^^'^^^^' 
 like to findc the quiet of thefe bones. Many ofthefe Urnes were broke l^T'^'^*""*' 
 by a vulgar difcoverer in hopeofiDck)fedtreafurc. The aflics of Afar- jpjJJ'^ -^ ^ 
 ftllus (/) were loft above ground, upon the hke account. Where pro- vit.Mdrctin c 
 fit hath prompted, no age hath wanted fueh miners. For which the The Com- 
 moft barbarous £xpilators found the rooft civil Rhetorick. Gold once "T^'^g"?^' 
 out of the earth is no more dueimtoit; What was unrcafonably ccm^ {(}„- 2^^^ 
 mittcd to the ground is reafonably refumed fi-em it: Let Monuments deric for- 
 and rich Fabricks, not Riches adorn mens aflies, the commerce of the finding ow - 
 living is not to be transferrediinto the dead; It is not in juftice to take ^*P"khntt.fc 
 thatwhkh none coroplaines talofciand bo man isi wronged where no caffiZor. 
 Hian si poffelTor,; . Var. I4I, 
 
 What.. 
 
Tt^ 'Tljdriotaphia^ Urne-i^uriAtt, 
 
 What virtue yet fleeps in this f^rr/« damnAta and aged ciaders^ Were 
 i 2miimA petty magick to experiment ; Thefe crumbling reliques and long-fipcd 
 hodittm particles (uperannatc fuch expedations ■ Bones, hairs, nails, and teeth oi. 
 kbm tm'u the dead, were the creafurcs of okl iorcercrs. Jn vain we revive fuch 
 certmniis^ pradices ; Prefent fuperftition coo vifibly perpetuates the folly of our 
 Mt dediffe forc-fathers,whcrcin unto old Obfcrvation this Ifland was fo cosiplear, 
 
 rh!m^'' ^^^^ ^^ "^'§^^ ^^^^ inftrudcd Perfa. 
 
 Plm.Lzp. 'Tt'i^o's hiftorian of the other world, lies twelve daycs incorrupted , 
 
 while his foul was viewing the large ftations ot the dead. How to 
 
 keep the corps feven daycs from corruption by anointing and washing, 
 
 without exenteration, were an hazardable peecc of art, in our choifefl: 
 
 pradife. How they made diftind feparation of bones and alhes from 
 
 fiery admixture, hath found no hiftorical folution. Though they 
 
 fcemed to make a diftind collcdion , and overlooked not Pyrrhus his 
 
 toe. Some provilion they might make by fidilc Veffels, Coverings, 
 
 Tiles, or flat (tones, upon and about the body. And in the fame Field, 
 
 b Topo^^tf. not far from thefe Urnes, many ftones were found under ground, as al- 
 
 phuRoma fo by careful feparation of extraneous matter , compofing and raking 
 
 ex Mania- up the burnt bones with forks , obfervable in chat notable lump of 
 
 ano. Eut GalmttHi C^tmianm (Jf), who had the fight of the Vas Vftrinam, or 
 
 %rlmm veffcl wherein they burnt the dead , found in the Efquiline Field at 
 
 appeliatum Rome, might have afforded clearer folution. But their infatisfadion 
 
 quod into herein begat that remarkable invention in the Funeral Pyres of fomc 
 
 cadaver A pj-jnces, by incombuftiblc (heets made with a ttiLtmtoi Asbejios ^ in- 
 
 J^yCap'df/ cremable flax, or Salamanders wool, which preferved their bones and 
 
 Camp Ef a(hes(rj incommixed. 
 
 qutiino. How the bulk of a man (hould fink into fo few pounds of bones and 
 
 !.^®.^*^.^afhes, may fcem ftrange unto any who confiders not its conftitution, 
 c" rff "re- and how flcnder a mafs will remain upon an open and urging fire of the 
 conditis carnal compofition. Even bones therafelves reduced into afhes , do a- 
 vtumm bate a notable proportion. And confilting much of a volatile fait, 
 
 •"oL^bonc? ^^^" ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^"^ » ^^^^ * '^S^t ^'"'^ of cinders. Although their 
 
 according hulk be difproportionable to their weight , when the heavy principle of 
 
 to Lyftrus. Salt is fired out, and the Earth almoft onely remaineth ; Obfervable in 
 
 Thofeof (allow, which makes more Aflics then Oake; and difcoversthecom- 
 
 pcrfons not "™^" ^"^^"^ ^^ felling Afhes by meafure, and not by ponderatian. 
 
 taM nor fat Some bones make bed Skeletons (n) , fome bodies quick and fpeedi- 
 
 according efl aOies : Who would exped a quick flame from Hydropicai Heracli' 
 
 toColuirMtj,^j ? The poifoned Soaldier when his Belly brake , put out two pyres 
 
 GtIcc'* in P/«^<«rfi» (^). But in the plague of ^//>f»j (c) , one private pyre 
 
 'Thucydidtsjc^ved two or three Intruders ; and the SaraecKshurnt in large heaps, 
 
 .T* Lamm, by the King of Cajitle (d) , fhcwcd how little Fuel fufHceth. Though 
 
 ^fp** „, the Funeral pyre of Patrodus tookup an hundred foot (?) , a peece of 
 
 'mJ^ou%vU^'^^^^^ boat burnt Ponsfey-^ And if the burthen of Jfanc were fofficicat 
 
 n-M*. for an hulocaul^, a man may carry his own pyre. 
 
 From 
 
Hpriotaphiay Urne-BuriaL 17 
 
 From animals are drawn good burning lighrs, and good medicines 
 (/) againft burning J Though the feminal humor feems of a contrary f S'pran. 
 nature to fire, yet the body compleated proves a combuftible lump, A/^Oi/or. 
 wherein fire findes flame even from bones, and feme fuel almofl; from 
 all parts. Though the {£) Metropolis of humidity fecms leaft difpofed ethe braifi. 
 unto it, which might render the (culls of thefeUrncs lefs burned then^Wo''"'""* 
 other bones. But all flies or finks before fire almoft in all bodies: When 
 the common ligament is difToIved, the attenuable parts afcend, thcrelt 
 fubfide in coal, calx or aflics. 
 
 To burn the bones of the King of (d) Edom for Lyme • feems no ir- «Amos 2.1. 
 rational ferity ; But to drink of the afties of dead relations (e) , a paf- 
 fionate prodigality. He that hath the afhes of his friend, hath an ever- ' ^} ^^l'' 
 lafting treafure : where fire takcth leave, corruption flowly enters ; In h^r hus* 
 bones well burnt, fire makes a wall againft it felf , experimented in co- hand Miu^ 
 pels, and tefts of metals, which confift of fuch ingredients. What the/'^'"- 
 Sun compoundetb, fire analyfeth , not tranfmutcth. I hat devourmg 
 agent leaves almoft alwayes a morfel for the Earth , whereof all things 
 are but a colony ; and which, if time permits, [the mother Element will 
 have in their primitive niafs again . 
 
 He that looks for ll-nes and old fepulchral reliques , muft not feek 
 them in the ruines of Temples : where no Religcon anciently placed 
 them. Thefe were found in a Field, according to ancient cuftome, in 
 noble or private burial; the oldpradifeof the ('anaanite! ^ the Family 
 of AbrahAtn , and the burying place oi fofna , in the borders of his 
 poflTefiions ; and alfo at^reeable unto %om,iMe prad'cc to bury by high- 
 way es, whereby their Monumeats were under eye -.Memorials of chcm- 
 felves, 3Lr\^memeKto*s oi mortality into living paffengers ; whom the 
 Epitaphs of great ones were fain to beg to ftay and look upon them. A 
 language though fometimes ufed , not (o proper in Ghurch-Infcripti- * Sijfe vU^ 
 ens (<«). The (cnfible Rhecorick of the dead, to exemplarity of good '<"■» 
 life , firft admitted the bones of pious men,and Martyrs within Church- 
 wals ; which in fucceeding ages crept into promifcuous praftife. 
 While C onfiantine was peculiarly favoured to be admitted unto the 
 Church Porch ; and the firft thus buried in England was in the dayes of 
 Cuthred. 
 
 Chriftians difpute how their bodies fliould lye in the grave. In ur- Khck: 
 nal cnterrmcnt they clearly efcaped thisControverfie: Though wedc- minnusde 
 dine the Religious confidcration, yet in cemiterial and narrower bury- •''*"" • 
 ing places , to avoid confufion and crofs pofition , a certain pofture 
 were to be admitted ; which even Pagan civility obferved, The Tfr/;- 
 ^»j lay North and South, IhtMegarinKs and Phoemcians placed their 
 heads to the Eaft: The Atheni^s^iomQ thinlc,towardsthe Weft,which 
 Chriftians ftill retain. And Beda will have it to be the pofture of our 
 Saviour, That he was crucified with his face towards the Weft, we will 
 not contend with tradition and probable account; But we applaud noc 
 
 5 C ttc 
 
1 3 H^driotd^Uy Uyne-Buruf, 
 
 the hand of theT*aintcr, in exalting his Crols fo high above thoTe on 
 cither fide ; fincc hereof we finde no authentick account in hiftory,and 
 *Ofthmat even the croiks found by H^f/r;;^ pretend no fuch diftindion from lon- 
 d-^Xr? gicudeordiraenfion. 
 
 whofc bo- To be knav'd out of our graves, to have our fculs made drinking- 
 dy being bowls,and our bones turned into Pipcs,to delight and fportour Enemies, 
 buried aie Tragical abominations, efcaped in burning Burials. 
 '^^1*^^^ Urnal enterrmcnts, and burnt Reliques lye not in fear of worms, or 
 on the to be an heritage for Ji'erpcnts; In carnal fepulturc, corruptions feem 
 cutting o- peculiarunto psrts, and Ibraefpeak of fnakesoutof the fpinal marrow, 
 pen of the But while wc luppofe common wormcs in graves, 'tis not eafie to findc 
 Cerecloth ^^y there ; few in Church-yards above a foot deep , fewer or none in 
 feft and^*^' C^""^^^^'* though in frefli decayed bodies. Teeth, bones,andhair, 
 nothing give the moft lading defiance to corruption. In anHydropical body ten 
 corraprcd, years buried in a Church yard, we met with a fat concretion, where 
 the flcfh ji^g j^jj^-e q( jj^g Earth, and the fait and lixivious liquor of the body , 
 dened. but ^^'^ coagulated large lumps of fat, into the confiltence of the hardeft 
 in colour, Caftle-foap; whereof pare remaineth with us. Atter a battle with the 
 proporti- Terfians^ the %^mane Corps decayed in few dayes, while the FerJ!dtt 
 f "f ^"ffr bodies remained dry and uncorrupted. Bodies in the lame ground do 
 like an not uniformly dilfolve , nor bones equally moulder ; whereof in the 
 ordinary opprobiousdi!"eafe wc exped no long duration. The body of the Mar- 
 corps new quefsof Do fet fecmcd found and handfomcly cereclothed, that after 
 t d B*"' f^venty eight years was found uncorruptcd (r). Common Tombs pre- 
 tonsAt' ^erve not beyond powder : A firmer confidence and compage of parts 
 fcript. of might be cxpcded from Arcfadion, deep burial or Charcoal. The 
 Leicefier- gtcatefl: Antiquities of mortal bodies may remain in petrified bones , 
 •j?.'''^'' ^" , whereof, though we take not in the pillar of Lof.' wifp, or Metamor- 
 Rujjii,^ ° phofisof OrteliHs (d) , feme may be older then Pyramids,in the pecri- 
 « The Poet fied Reliquescif the general inundation. When AlsxAnder o^^nt^i the 
 Drfnffinhis Tomb of C/r^/.;, the remaining bones difcovered his proportion, whcre- 
 P^^at r *^^ ^^^^'^ fragments afford but a bad conjedure, and have this difad- 
 found glut- vantage of grave enterrments, that they leave us ignorant of snon- per- 
 rons To fonaldifcovcrics. For fince bones afford not only reClieude and ftabilicy, 
 meagre, but figure unto the body; It is no impolTib'e Phyfiognomy tocon- 
 nuatedThat 1^^"^^ ^^ fledily sppendencies ; and after what fhape the mufcles and 
 te concei- carnous parrs might hang in their full confidences. A full fprcad (/a" 
 ted them to ;7(7/<« (hews a well-fliaped horfe behindc>h2ndfome formed fculls, give 
 have been fome analogy of flcdi refemblance. A critical view of bones maktrs a 
 o! Vfrvfa?^ good did!!\dionof fexes. Even colour is not heyvond con]edure,fince 
 Itm, and it •« hard to be deceived 'v^ the diftinftion oi Ncgrss fculls. {e) Dantes 
 that it was Charadersare to be found in fculls as well as faces. Hercules is not onc- 
 eafitcohave 
 
 dilcovcrcd Homa or Oma in their faces : M being made by the two lines of their cbcekf, arching 
 over the Eyebrows to t^e a^it, and their funk eyes making O O which n:akes up Omo. Partan 
 tocch'me anellafciK.* utmt.t che nel vifo dt gU hHomini Itgie bitomo Btnhauria qxim conofciuto /' etnme. 
 
 "y 
 
ffj/drioUphtay Urne-BuriaK J 9 
 
 ly known by his foot. Other parts make out their comproportlons, and 
 inferences upon whole,or parts. And fince the dimenfions of the head 
 meafure the whole body , and the figure thereof gives con jedure of 
 the principal faculties ; Phyfiognomy out-lives our felves , and ends 
 not in our graves. 
 
 Severe contemplators obferving thefe lafting reliques,may think them 
 good monuments of perfons paft, little advantage to future beings, And 
 confidering that power which fubdueth all things unto it felf, that can 
 refurae the fcattered Atomes, or identifie out oTany thing, conceive it 
 fuperfluous to cxped: a refurre(Sion out of Reliques. But the loul fub- 
 fifting, other matter clothed with due accidents , may falve the indivi- 
 duality .- Yet the Saints weobferve arofe from graves and monuments, 
 about the holy City. Some think the ancient Patriarchs focarncftly 
 dcfired to lay their bones in Canaan , as hoping to make a part of that 
 Refurredion , and though thirty miles from Mount (^alvary^ atleaft to 
 lie in that Region, which (hould produce the firft-fruits of the dead. 
 And if according to learned conjedlurc, the bodies of men ftiall rife 
 where their greatert Reliques remain, many arc not like to errc in the 
 Topography of their Refurredion, though their bones or bodies be af- Tmw. in 
 tcr tranflated by Angels into the field oiEz,echiels vifion , or asfome Ezck. 
 will order it, into the Valley of Judgement, ovjehojafhat. 
 
 G H A P. IV. 
 
 CHriftians have handfomely glofled the deformity of death,by cjJre- 
 ful confideration o f the body, and civil rites which take oft brutal 
 terminations. And though they conceived all reparable by a rcfurred^i- ' ^'^««^<? 
 on, cart not off all care of enterrment. And fince the afhes cf Sacri- %^aTGm' 
 fices burnt upon the Altar of God, were carefully carried out by the /«o^c/o**' 
 Priefts, and depofed in a clean field -, fince they acknowledged their txtquiarum, 
 bodies to be the lodging of Chrift, and temples of the holy Ghoft, they '' ^'^^.^" 
 devolved not all upon the fufficiency of foul exigence ; and therefore ^'r^omit^Y^' 
 with long fervices and full fohmnities concluded their laft Exequies , ^mmno J-' 
 wherein {a) to all diftindions the Greek devotion feems moft patheti- «»''»/, ?«' 
 cally ceremonious. non revixh 
 
 Chriftian invention hath chiefly driven at Rites,which (peak hopes of JJ^^/^^'^1' 
 another life, and hints of a Refurredion. And if the ancient Gentiles Sl<rtz<i 
 held not the immortality of their better part , and fome fubfiftence af- e^-y ittrari 
 ter death ; in ieveral rites, cuftomes, adions and expreffions, they con- '^"'»'" """'- 
 tradided their own opinions : wherein J><?7wom/«j went high, even '^' ^hn\. 
 to the thought of a refurredion (^), as fcoffingly recorded by Tlmy, <K^Tdxtt 
 What can be more exprefs than theexprefiion oi P hocy Hides (c)} OrfUyJini 
 who would expefl from Lmretius {d) afentenceof Ecclefafles? Be- ^'^'"^"i"-*' ' 
 
 5 C z fore 
 
 e«K x«4*»' d'TQi yj>(Aivciv» &deinceps, iCtditenm r^tro dt tmk quodfiiit ante Inttmrn, 
 Eec. Lucrer. 
 
20 HydrJotaphiay t/me-JBurUIl. 
 
 fore Piato could fpeak , the foul had wings in Homer , which fell hot , 
 but flew out of the body into the raanfions of the dead j who alfo ob- 
 ferved that handfome diftinftion of Demos and Sema , for the body 
 conjoyned to the foul and body feparated from it. Lucian fpoke much 
 truth in jcfl:,when he faid, that ^ino( Hercules which proceeded from 
 • Plato'in ■^^^^^^'^^ periflied, that from Jupiter remained immortal. Thus {d) So- 
 Pb^d. crates w3is content that his iriends (hould bury his body, fo they would 
 not think they buried Socrates^ and regarding onely his immortal part , 
 was indifferent to be burnt or buried. From fuch Confiderations Di- 
 ogenes might contemn Sepulture* And being fatisfied that the foul 
 could not perifh , grew carelefsof corporal enterrment. T he Stokks 
 who thought the fouls of wife mcnhad their habitation about the Moon^ 
 might make flight account of fubterraneous depofition ; whereas the 
 Pythagortans and tranfcorporating Philolophers, who were to be often 
 buried^ held great care of their enterrment. And the Platonicks re- 
 jcded not a due care of the grave, though they put their afiies to m\^ 
 reafonable expectations, in their tedious term ef return and long fet re- 
 volution. 
 
 Men have loft their reafon in nothing fo much as their Relfgicn, 
 wherein ftones and clouts make Martyrs; and fince the Religion of 
 one feems madnefs unto another, to afford an account or rational of old 
 Rites, requires no rigid Reader ; That they kindled the pyre averfly , 
 or turning their face from it , was an handfome Symbole of unwilling 
 miniftration ; That they wafted their bones with wine and milk^ that 
 the mother wrapt them in Linnen, and dryed them in her bofome, the 
 firft fottering part, and place of their nourifhment ; That they opened 
 their eyes towards heaven , before they kindled the fire, as the place of 
 their hopes or original , were no improper Ceremonies. Their lafb 
 fVak,vAitj valediftion (/) thrice uttered by the attendants was alfo very folemn 
 n$i tt ordine ^'^^ fomewhat anfwercd by Chriftians , who thought it too little, if 
 quoKatura they threw Hot the earth thrice upon the enterred body. Thatinftrew- 
 ptrmittet jng their Tombs the %pm(!Kesiffsd:cd the Rofe , the Greeks Am^iran- 
 jequmur. ^^^ ^^^ myrtle ; that i he Funeral pyre confifted of fweet fucljCyprcfs^ 
 Firre, LariXjYevve, and frees perpetually verdant, lay filent exprefli- 
 ons of their furvMving hopes : Wherein Chriftians which deck theic 
 Coffins with Bays have found a mere elegant Emblemc. For that tree 
 feeming dead, will rcftore it felf from the root, and its dry and exuc- 
 cous leaves refume their verdure again ; which if we miflakc not, wc 
 have alfo obferved in Furze. Whether the planting of Yewe in Church- 
 yards , hold not its original from ancient Funeral Rites , or as an Em- 
 blemeofRefurredion from its perpetual verdure, may alfo admit con- 
 jedure. 
 
 They made ufe of Mufick to excite or quiet the affcdions of their 
 friends, according to different harmonics. But the fecrct and fymbo- 
 lical hint was the hormonical nature of the foul ; which delivered from 
 
 the 
 
the body went again to enjoy theprimitivcharmony of heaven, from 
 whence it firfl; defcended ; which according to its progrefle traced by 
 antiquity, came down by Cancer , and afcendcd by Cafricoy 
 
 KHS. 
 
 They burnt not children before their teeth appeared, as apprehend- 
 ing their bodies too tender a morlcl for fire,and that their griftly bones 
 would fcarce leave feparable relicks after the pyralcombuftiou. That 
 they kindled not fire in iheir houfcs for feme dayes after, wasaftridl 
 mctnorial of the late affliding fire. And mourning without hope, 
 they had an happy fraud againft exceffive lamentation, by a common ^ ^^ ^^^^^ 
 opinion that deep forrowsdillurbed their ghodsC^). „, /^^, 
 
 That they buried thcirdesd on their h^clc^, oi in a fupine pofition, rree/. 
 feems agreeable unto profound fleep, an J common pf»rture of dying; 
 contrary to the moft natural way ot birih;N(r unlike our pendulous 
 poflure, in the doubtful ftate oi fhc woa;b. D.ogenes was fingular, 
 who preferred a prone fituation in the grave, and fome Chriftians (^} &co 
 likeneither, who declined the figure otrcftj and make choice of an e- 
 red: poflure. 
 
 That they carried them out of the world with their feet forward; 
 not inconfonant unto reafon .- As contrary unto the native pofture 
 of man, and his produftion firfl: into it. And alfo agreeable unto their 
 opinions, while they bid adieu unto the world,not to look again upon 
 it; whereas Mahometans vj]\o think to rerurntoa delightful life again, 
 are carried forth with their heads forward, and looking towards their 
 houfes. 
 
 They clofed. their eyes as parts which firfl die or firft difcover the 
 fad effects of death. But their iterated clamations to cxcitate their dy- 
 ing or dead friends, or revoke them unto life again, was a vanity of af^ 
 fedion ; as not prefumably ignorant of the critical tefts of death, by 
 appofition of feathers, glaffes, and reflexion of figures, which dead 
 eyes represent nor, which however notftridly verifiable in frefh and 
 warm cadaver s, could hardly elude thetefl", in corps of four or five. 
 dayes. 
 
 That they fucked in the lafl breath of their expiring friends, was 
 forely a pradice of no medical inftitution, but a loofe opinion that the 
 foul pafled out that way, and a fondnelTc of aflfedion from fomc^ Py- * Frantcjcc^ 
 thagorical foundation, that the fpirit of one body paffcd into another; pJJ^p^/iw 
 which they wiflied might be^heir own. ntbri. 
 
 That they powred oyle upon the pyre, was a tolerable pradife, while 
 the intention refted in facilitating the acccnfion; But to place good 0- 
 7»f«j in the quick and fpeedy burning, to facrifice unto the winds for 
 adifpatch in this office, was a low form of fuperflirion. 
 ; The Archimime 01 Jefter attending the Funeral trains and imitating 
 ^cfpceches, gefture, and manaers of the dccealijd, was too light for 
 
 J^': 
 
22 Hjdmtaphidy Urm-'BuYhU 
 
 fucb folcmnitics, contradiding their funeral Orations, ahd doleful rites 
 of the grave. 
 
 That they buried a peece of money with them as a Fee of the Slj. 
 JiattFerriman, wasapraftife full of folly. But the ancient cuftome of 
 placing coynesin confidcrable Urncs, and the prefent praAife of bury- 
 ing medals in the Noble Foandacions of Europe^ are laadable wayes 
 of hiftorical difcoverics,in aAioni, perfons.Chronologies; and poftcrity 
 will applaud them. 
 
 We examine not the old Laws of Sepulture, exempting certain per- 
 lofls from burial or burning. But hereby we apprehend tiut thefc 
 were not the bones of perfons Planet-ftruck or burnt with fire from 
 Heaven : No Relicks of Traitors to their countrey,5eIf. killers, or Sa- 
 crilegious Malefadors; Perfons in old apprehcnfion unworthy of the 
 earth ; condemned unto the Tartarus of Hell, and bottomlefle pit of 
 PlHt9, from whence there was no redemption- 
 
 Nor were onely many cuflomes queftionable in order to their Ob- 
 lequies, but alfofundry praftifes, fidions, and conceptions, difcor- 
 danc or obfcure, oftheirftateand future beings; whether unto eight 
 or ten bodies of men to adde one of a woman, as being more inflamma- 
 ble, and unduoufly conftituted for the better pyrall com bufl:ion, were 
 any rational practife: Or whether the complaint of Fen. mders Wife 
 be tolerable, that wanting her funeral burning (he fuffered intolera- 
 ble cold in Hell, according to the conftitution of the infernal houfe 
 of Pluto, wherein cold makes a great part of their tortures ^ it can- 
 not pafle without feme queftion. 
 
 Why the Female Ghofts appear unto Vlylfes, before the Heroes and 
 malculine fpirits ? why the Pfychff or foul of Tirejtas is of the mafcu- 
 line gender 5 who being blinde on earth fees more then all the reft in 
 hell ; Why the Funeral .^uppers conlifted of Egges, Beans, ^mallage, 
 and Lettuce, fince the dead arc made to eat /^yo/Wf/j about the £/;'- 
 x,tj«medows? Why fince there is no Sacrifice acceptable, nor any 
 propitiation for the Covenant of the grave; men fet up the Deity of 
 Mertay and fruitlcfly adored Divinities without cars? it cannot ef- 
 cape fome doubt. 
 
 The dead feem all alive in the humane Hades ofHomer^ yet cannot 
 we fpeak, prophefie, or know the living) jexcepc they drink blood, 
 wherein is the life of man. And therefore the foules of Pemlope*s Para- 
 mours conducted by Mercury chiripcd like bats, and thofc which fol- 
 lowed H(?rc»/fjmadeanoire butUkea flock of birds. 
 
 The departed fpirits know things pafi and to come, yet are ignorant 
 of things pefeiK. Agememnon fortelswhat fhocld happen unto Vljf- 
 fes^ yet ignorantly enquires what is become oi his own Son. The ghofts 
 are afraid of fword sin //tfw^r, yet Sybilla tells <t/£»eas\n yir/il, the 
 thin habit of fpirits was beyond the force of weapons. The fpirits puc 
 offtheir malice with their bodies, and Cafar and Pom^ey accord in La- 
 tine 
 
 I 
 
Hy droit apl) lay Urne-BuriAl, * %'^ 
 
 tine Hell, yet A ax in H$mef cn^lures not a conference with VljfisX 
 And VeiphobHs appears all mangled in Vergih Ghofts, yet wc meet wich 
 perfeA (hadows among the wounded ghofts of Homer. 
 
 Since CharoM in Luc/an applauds his condition among the dead, 
 whether it be handsomely faid of Achilles^ that hvmg contemner of 
 death, that he bad rather be a plowmansfervant then Emperour of the 
 dead? HowHrra/Ze-jhisfoulis in bell, and yet in heaven, and JuIim 
 his foul in a Star, yet feen by (v£«^<«/ in heil, except the Ghofts were 
 but images and ftiadoves of the foul, received in higher manfions, ac- 
 cording to the ancient divifion of body, louj, and image or fmuU- 
 chrhmoilh^m both. The particulars of future beings muft needs be 
 dark unto ancient Theories, which Chriftian Phiiofophy yet deter- 
 mines but in a Clcud of Opinions. A Dialogue between two Infants 
 in the womb concerning the ftate of this world, might handfomlyil- 
 luftrate our ignorance of the next, whereof methinks we yet dif- 
 courfe in PUtoes den, and are but Embryon Philofophers. 
 
 Pythagoras efcapcs in the fabulculs hell of Vante (a), among that 
 fwarm of Philofophers, wherein whileft we meet with PUto and Socra- * ^*'^''/""- 
 tes, Cato'is to be found in no lower place then purgatory. Among all " ' 
 all the kt^Epicurfts is moft confiderable, whom men make honeft 
 without an £/;i/;/w, who contemned life without encouragement of 
 immortality, and making nothing after death, yet made nothing of the 
 Kingof terrours. 
 
 VVer€ the happincffe of next world as clofely apprehended as the 
 felicities of this, itwereamartyrdome*to live; and unto fuch as con- 
 fidcrnone hereafter, it muft be more then death to die, which makes 
 us amazed at thole audacities, thatdurft be nothing,and return into 
 their Chaos again. Certainly fuch fpirits as could contemn death, when 
 they expeded no better being after, would have fcorned to live had 
 they known any. And therefore we applaud not the judgement of Ma* 
 chiavely that Chriftianity makes men cowards , or that with the confi- 
 dence of but half dying, the difpifedvertues of patience& humility ,havc 
 abafcd the fpirits of men, which Pagan principles exalted, but rather 
 regulated the wildneKfe of audacities, in the attempts, grounds, and c- 
 ternal fequels of death, wherein men of the boldeft fpirits are often 
 prodigioufly temerarious. Nor can we extenuate valour of ancient 
 Martyrs, who contemned death in the uncomfortable fcene of their 
 lives, and in their decrepit Martyrdomes did probably lofe not many 
 moneths of their dayes, or parted with life when it was fcarce worth 
 the living. For (befide that longtime paft holds noconfidcfation un- 
 to a flendertime tocomej they had no fmall difadvantage from the 
 conftitution of old, age, which naturally makes men fearful; And com- 
 plexionally fuperannuatcd from the bold and couragious thoughts of 
 youth and fervent years. But the contempt of death from corporal a- 
 nimofity, promotethnot our klkity. They may let in the Orchefira^ 
 
 and 
 
^^ Jlydriotaphia^ Urne-BuridU 
 
 atid tiobleft Scats of Heaven, who have held up fliaking hands in the 
 fire, and humanely contended for glory. 
 
 Mean while Spicftrus lies deep in Dante*s hell, wherin wc meet 
 with Tombs endofing fouls which denied their immortalities. But whe- 
 ther the virtuoushcathcn, who lived better then he (pake, or erring 
 in the princif^esofhimfelf, yet lived above Philolophers of more Spe- 
 cious Maximes, lie fo deepas he is placed j at leaft fo low as not to 
 rife againft Chriftians, who beleeving or knowing that truth, have lall- 
 ingly denied it in their pradife and couverfation, were a quarry too fad 
 to infill on. 
 
 But allormoftapprehenfionsrefted in Opinions of foaie future be- 
 ing, which ignorantly or coldly beleeved, beget thofe perverted con- 
 ceptions. Ceremonies, Sayings, which Chriftians pity or laugh at. 
 Happy are they, which live not in that diladvancage of time, when 
 men could fay little for futurity, but from reafon. Whereby the 
 nobleft mindesfcll often upon doubful deaths, and melancholly Dif- 
 folutions ; Withthefe hopes Socrates warmed his doubtful fpirits, a- 
 gainft that cold potion, and ^<a;^o before he durfl give the fatal ftroak, 
 Tpentpart of thenight in reading the immortality oi Plato ^ there- 
 by confirming his wavering hand unto the animofity of that at- 
 tempt. 
 
 It is the heavleft ftone that melancholy can throw at a man, to tell 
 him he is at the end of bis nature; or that there is no further ftate to 
 come,unto which this feemcs progreflional,and otherwife made in vain; 
 Without this accompliOiment ttte natural expedation and dcfirc of fuch 
 a ftate, were but a fallacy in nature, unfatisfied Confidcrators; would 
 quarrel the; uftice ofcheir conlHcucions, and relt content that Adam 
 had fallen lower, whereby by knowing no other Original, and deeper 
 ignorance of themfdves, they might have enjoyed the happineffe of 
 inferiour Creatures who in tranquillity poffefs their conflitutions, as 
 having not the apprehenfion to deplore their own natures, And being 
 franica below the circumference of thefe hopes, or cognition of better 
 being, the wifdom of God hath necellitated their contentment: But 
 the fupericur ingredient and obfcured part of our felves, whereunto 
 all prefent felicities afford norefting contentment, will be able at laft to 
 tell us we are more then our prelent felves ; and evacuate luch hopes in 
 the fruition of their own accomplifhments. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
ffjdrt'aifhi4i Uriu-Suntti, gr 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 NOw (ince chefe dead bones have already ont-Iafted the living ones 
 of.M'r/).'/f/«<^,andinayard under ground, and thin walls of clay, 
 out worn all the ftrong and fpecious buildings above it; and quietly 
 refted under the drums and tramplings of three conquefts; What Prince 
 can promife fuch diuturnity unto his Reliquesi or might not gladly 
 iay, 
 
 * Sic eg» cowpofii verfus if) ojfa veii/^, * Tibul-. 
 
 Time which antiqaates Antiquities, and hath an art to make dud of 
 of all things,hath yet fpared thele ;»/«0r monuments. In vain we hope 
 to be known by open and vifible confcrvatories, when to be unknown « OracuU 
 was the means of their continuation and obfcurity their protcdion : ^*'»'^*^'''f 
 If they dyed byvipfenthands, and were thruft into their Urnes,thefe ^/"^^/^^'" 
 bones become confidcrable, and fome old Philofophers would honour /htthms. 
 (4) them, whofe foulcs they conceived moft pure, which were thus b/w Amy- 
 fnatched from their bodies; and to retain a ftranger propenfion unto 7»r <mfM 
 them : whereas they weariedly left a languiihing corps, and with fiint 'i^'^^n^' 
 defires of re-union. If they fell by long and aged decay, yet wrapt j^/^o^J]^^*'* 
 up in the bundle of time, they fell into indiftindion, and make but one relinqxtn- 
 blot with infants. If we begin to die when we live, and long life be but "«'" ""Jf^ 
 a prolongation of death; our life is a fad compofition; we live with f'""^/^'** 
 death, and die not in a moment. How many pulfes made upthelifcof p^j"^g*^Q£ 
 MethnfeUh^vjcvQ woriifor Archimedes'. Common (Counters {\xmuip Afefet. 
 the life olM'fes his name Qf). Our dayes become confiderable hke pet- ' Accord- 
 ty lumsby minute accunnilations; where numerous fraftiojis make up '"8 5°'*"* 
 but fmall round numbers j and our dayes of a fpan long make not rithmerick 
 one little finger (f). of the hind 
 
 If the nearneffc of our lafl neceffity, brought a nearer conformi- wherein 
 ty unto it, there were a happineffe in hoary hairs, and no calamity inl"^^'"^* 
 half (enfes. But the long habit of living indifpofcth us for dying ; thc^"-^t 
 When Avarice makes us the fport of death ; When Vnind. grew po bandcon- 
 litickly cruel ; lud Solomon q.o\M hardly be faid to be the wifeft of tra<ficd,fig- 
 men. But many arc to early old, and before the date of age. Adver jJ'^^^^^J 
 fity ftretcheth our dayes, mifcry makes* z/flcmenas nights, and time ^^"^-^^ -^ 
 hath no wings unto it. But the moft tc3iou$ being is that which c^t) Hieroglyph. 
 nn wifh it felf, content to be nothing, or never to have been, which was * One 
 beyond the w<«/f- content of Jc^, whocurfed not the day of his life, but J"ghf« 
 his nativity; Content to have fo far been, as to have a title tofu- jj"|^" 
 ture being ; Although he had lived here but in an hidden ilate of life, 
 and as it were an abortion. 
 
 5 P Wh^ 
 
 / 
 
2 6 Hjdrtotaphla^ Uyne-Buriaf, 
 
 What Song the Sjrens fang, or what name Achilles aflumed when 
 jjjjqugfti.hchici himfclf among women, though puzhng queftions are not be- 
 onsofTi- yond all conjefture. What time the persons of thefe Offuarics eq- 
 bcrm unto creel the faiflous Nations of the dead, and flept with Princes and Coub- 
 ^''"""Jj/ , fellors, might admit a wide folution. But who were the proprietaries 
 ctL Dsnatus of thefc 6oncs, or what bodies tbcfe aflies made up, were a queftion a- 
 inSuct. bove Anciquarifm. Not to be refolved by man, nor ealily perhaps by 
 Kkv]aU^ fpirits,excepc we confult the Provincial Guardians^ or tutelary ob- 
 'Jl'"'-''f*''lervators. Had they made as good provifion for their names, as they 
 a°^* have done for their Rcliques, they had not fo grofly erred m the arc 
 of perpetuation. Bu! to lubfift in bones, and be but Pyramidally extant^ 
 is a fallacy in duration. Vain aflies, which m the oblivion of names,per- 
 fons, times, and fexes,have found unto themfeives, a fruitlefle continu- 
 ation, and onely arife unto late pofterity, as Emblemes ot mortal vani- 
 ties i Antidotes againd pride, vamglory, and madding vices. Paj^ara. 
 vainglories which thought the world might lad for ever, had encou- 
 ragement for ambition, and finding on Atropos unto the itrimortality 
 of their nimes, were never dampt with the nccefilty of oblivion E- 
 ven old ambitions had thcadvantage of ours, in the attempts "f their 
 vain-gloiies, who ading early, and before the probable Meiidianof 
 time, have by this time found great accomplithraerrt of their defignes, 
 whereby the ancient Heroes have already ou'.laifed their Monuments,, 
 and Mechanical prefervations. But in this latter Scene of time we can- 
 * M^'^'^^ not exped fuch Mummies unto our memor es, when ambition may 
 Ia?/biic^1ix ^^^^ ^^^ Prophecy of EUas f(?), and Charles the lift cannevcr hopeto 
 thoufani live within two (Jl'Cethnfeli'f o\ Heot0r(f), 
 
 years. And therefore reftleffe inquietude for the diuturnity of our memories. 
 
 JHeftors urito prelent confiderations,. ftemes a vanitv almoff out of date, and 
 famclalt- fupgrannuated peece of folly. We cannot hope to live foiong in our 
 two lives of names, as fome have done in their perfons. one face of fmns holds no 
 Methufilab^ proportion to the other. 'I'u to lace to be ambitious. The great mu- 
 beforc that tations of the world are aded, or time may be too (tort for our de- 
 
 ^mous firtnes. To extend our memories by Monuments, whofe death wc- 
 Princ* was ,o , . , % r \ • u -u > • 
 
 ftxiant. dayly pray for, and whofe duration we cannot nope, without injury to 
 
 ourexpeftacions, in thcadvent of ihelalt day, were a contradi<5tion to- 
 
 our beliefs. We wh()fe getierations are ordained in this fetting part of 
 
 time, arc providentially taken off trom fueb imaginations. And being 
 
 necfTitated to eye the remaining particle of futurity, are naturally con- 
 
 Bituted unto thoughts ofthenext world and cannot excufably decline 
 
 the confidcration of that duration, which raaketh Pyramids pillars of 
 
 fnow, and all that's palf a moment. 
 
 Circles and right lines limit and clofc all bodics,and the mortal right- 
 
 » The lined'Circle {g) muff conclu:ie and (hut up all. There is no antidote a- 
 
 chjraftcr gainft the Opium of time, which temporally co^fidereth all things. 
 
 ofdwh. Our fathers findc their graves in our fhort memories, and fadly tell 
 
 us 
 
Hy^riotaphldy Urne-Burtal, 77 
 
 ttshowwemay be buried in our Survivors. Grave- (lones teH truth 
 fcarce fourty ycersC^).Gcnerations palTc while (bme trees ftand.andjold * ^Jj* °J" 
 I^amilies laft not three Oakes. To be read by bare infcriptions like ma- ken"up,and 
 n^'\wGrHter{i),x.oho\^^ for Eternity by itnigmaticai Epithetes, or other bo- 
 firft letters of our names,tobeftudied by Antiquaries, who we were, die* laid 
 and have new Names given us like ra'any of the Mummies, are cold "q'J^[,|^/JII 
 confolations unto the Students of perpetuity, even by everlaftingy-,,Jp,//„„ " 
 jLanguages. Antima. 
 
 To be content that times to come fliould onely know there was fuch 
 a man, not caring whether they knew more of him, was a frigid am- 
 bicionin C^rd^n(kS) •• dilparaging hishorofcopalindination and judge- ^Oiptrem 
 mentot himfelf, who cares to inh£\^\\\s.t Hrppcrates Patients, or J.notumeHc 
 c&///^j horles in Wow^r, under naked nocninations, without deferts and ^^"^^^^^^^ ^ 
 noble ads, which arc the balfameof our memories, the Entelechi^ and fc"am qua- 
 foul of our fubfiftences. To he nameleffc in worthy deeds exceeds a W;/ fm. 
 infamous hiftory. The Camanitt/h womanlives more happily without Cird.wvwd 
 a name, then Herodiss with one. And who had not rathtr have been ^'''^''^''* 
 the good theef, then Ptl^te ? 
 
 But the iniquity cf obivion blindly fcattereth her poppy, and deals 
 with the memory of men without diftindion to merit of perpetuity. 
 Who caa but pity the founder of the Pyramids ? Herofiratus lives cliac 
 burnt the Temple of Diana^ he is almoft loft that built it; Time hath 
 fpared the Epitaph of v^^r/-^«j horfe, confounded that of hirofelf. In 
 vain we compute or felicities by the advantage of our good names, 
 fince bad have equal durations J and Therfites is \\kt to live as long as 
 Agamemnon^ without the fav^our of the everlafting Regifter : 
 Who knows whether thebeft of men be known ? or whether there be 
 not more remarkable perfons forgot, then any that fland remembi;cd 
 in the known account of time ? the firfV man had been as unknowrt 
 as the laft, and Af^j/j^/f/^mlcng life had been his only Chronicle. 
 
 Oblivion is not to be hired: The greater part muft be content to 
 be as though they had not been, to be found in the regifter of God^not 
 in the record of man. Twenty feven names make up the firft ftory, 
 and the recorded names ever fince contain not one living Century. 
 The number of the de^d long exceedeth all that (hall live. The night 
 of time far furpafteth the day,and who knows when was the Equinox? 
 Every houre addes unto that current Arithmetique, which fcarce ftands 
 one moment. And fince death rauft be the Lucina of life, and even 
 Pagans could doubt whether thus to live, were to die. Since our lon- 
 geft S\m fetsat right defcenfions, and m^lies but winter arches, and 
 thereforeitcannot belong before we lie down in darknefTe, and have 
 our light in afties. Since the brother of death daily haunts us with dy- 
 ing memento* sy and time that grows old it felf, bids us hope no long du- 
 ration- Diuturnity is a dream and folly of expedation. 
 
 DarknefTe and light divide the coutfe of time, and oblivion ihares 
 
 5 D2 with 
 
2 3 Hydriotaphia^ Urne'BurUll 
 
 with memory, a great part even of our living beings; we flightly re- 
 member our felicicics, and the fmarteft ftroaks of affliftion leave but 
 ftiort fnnartupon us. Senfe endureth no extremities, and forrowsde- 
 ftroy us or themfelves. To weep into flones are fables. Afflidions 
 induce calofities, miferiesarc flippery, orfall likefnow upon us, vnrhich 
 notwithftanding is no ftnpidicy . To be ignorant of evils to come, and 
 forgetful of evils paft, is mercifiil provifion in nature, whereby we 
 digeft the mixture ofour few and evil dayes, and our delivered lenfcs 
 not relapfing into cutting remembrances, our forrows are not kept 
 raw by the edge of repetitions. A great part of Antiquity contented 
 their hopes of lubfiftency with a tranfmigration of their fouls. A good 
 way ta continue their memories, while having the advantage of plural 
 fucceflions, they could not but aft fomething remarkable in fuch va- 
 riety of beings, and enjoyning the fame of their paffed felves, make 
 acGumullation of glory unto their laft durations, others rather then be 
 loft in the uncomfortable night of nothing, were content to recede in- 
 to the common being, and make one particle of the publick foul of all 
 things, which was no more then to return into their unknown and di- 
 vine Original again. Egyptian ingenuity was more unfatisfied, con- 
 triving their bodies in fweet confiftences, to attend the return of their 
 * OffWM w- fouls. But all was vanity, feeding * the winde, and folly. The iEypti- 
 B;t«^j4- jj^ Mummies, which Ow^//"^/ or time hathfpared, avarice nowconfu- 
 vniJiMAvi- ni^th. Mummie is^ become Merchaiidife, i^/x.r4;>w cures wounds, and 
 fiif, iSoo-jcH* Tharaoh is fold for balfams. 
 
 af «t oUm In vain do individuals hope for immortality, or any patent from o- 
 AqHila& blivion, in prefervations below the Moon: Men have been deceived 
 V. Druf. * even in their flatteries above the Sun, and fludicd conceits to perpe- 
 Eccltf. tuatc their names in heaven. The various Cofmography of that part 
 hath already varied the names of contrived conflellations ; Nintrod is 
 loft inOr/o^, and Oj/r?/ in the Doggc-ftar. Whili we look for incor- 
 ruptioa in the heavens, we finde they are but like the Earth; Durable 
 in their main bodies, alterable in their parts .• whereof tcfide Comets 
 and new Stars, pcrfpeftives begin to tell tales. And the fpots th^t wan- 
 der about the Sun, with Fbaetons favour, would make dear con- 
 viftion. 
 
 There is nothing ftri^ly immortal, but immortality ; whatever hath 
 no beginning may be confident of no end. All others have a depen- 
 dent bting, and within the reach of deftruftion, which is the peculiar 
 of that neccflary effence that cannot deftroy it felf j And thehigheft 
 firain ofomnipotency to be fopowerfuiy conllituted, as not to fuffer 
 even from the power ofit felf. But the fufficicncy of Chriftian Immor- 
 tality fruftrates all earthly glory, and the quality of either ftate after 
 death makes a folly ofpoithumous memory. God who can onely de- 
 ftroy our fouls, and hath afTured our refurrcftion, cither of our bodies 
 ornames hath direflly promifcd no duration. Wherein there is fo 
 
 much 
 
JTydmtaphia, Urne-Bur 'all, a ^ 
 
 much ofchaticc that theboldeft cxpeftants have found unhappy frufi-a- 
 ricn; and to hold long fubfiftenccjlcems but a fcape in oblivion. But 
 man is a noble Animal, fplendid in aflies, and pompous in the grave, 
 iblemnizing Nativities and Deaths with equal luftre, nor oraittft)g 
 Ceremonies of bravery, in the infamy of his nature. 
 
 Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invifible Sun within us. A 
 fmall fire fufficcth for life, great flames feemed too little after deatH, 
 while men vainly aflfedcd precious pyres, and burn like Sarda»apalftf, 
 but the wifdom of funeral Laws found the folly of prodigal blazes, and 
 reduced undoing fires, unto the rule of fobcr obfequics, wherein few 
 could be fo mean as not to provide wood, pitch, a mourner, and an 
 llrnc. 
 
 Five Languages fecured not the Epitaph of Gordianits ; The man of 
 God lives longer without a Tomb then any by one, invifibly interred 
 by Angels, and adjudged to obfcurity, though not without forae 
 marks direding humane difcovcry. Enoch and Elias without either 
 tomb or burial, in an anomalous (late of being.are the great examples 
 of perpetuity, in their long and living memory, in ftrift account being 
 ftill on this Hde death, and having a late part yet to zd: upon this {^ay 
 of earth. If in the decretory term of the world we (hall not ail die but 
 be changed, according to received tranflation 5 thelaft day will make 
 but few graves; at leaft quick Refurreiflions will ancicipatc lafling Se*- 
 pultures ; i'ome graves will be opened before they be quire clofed, and 
 Laz^arnshtnovion^tT. When many that feared to die (hall groan that 
 they can die but once, the dilmal (late is the fecond and liv ing death, 
 when life puts defpair on the damned ; when men (hall wi(h the cover- 
 ings of Mountains, not of Monuments,^ and annihilation (hall be cour- 
 ted. 
 
 While forae have (ludied Monuments, others have ftudiouHy de- 
 clined them ; and f^rne have been fo vainly boifterousj'^that they darft 
 not acknowledge their Graves;wherein(^) Alaricftsictms moft fubtle? 
 who hada Rever turned to hide his bonesat thebottome.|Even5;//^ ''J^rAwn^tr 
 that thought himfelf fafe in his Ur-nc, could not prevent revenging ^5 r**"' ^'' 
 tongaes , and (tones thrown at his Monument* Happy are they"**' 
 whom privacy makes innocent, v;ho deal (o with men in this world, 
 that they are not afraid to meet them in the next, who when they die, 
 make no commctlon among the dead,and are not toucht with that poe- 
 ticall taunt ot ;/rf«Vi^(c). 
 
 P)ramidsj Arches^ Obellsl^, were but the irregularities of vain^glory, ^**^ ' 
 and wiide enormities of ancient magnanimity. But the moft magnani- 
 mous refolution rcfrs in the Chriftian Religion, which trampleth upon 
 piide, and fetson the neck of ambition, humbly puriuing that infallible <j Argulugt 
 perperuity,unto which all others muftdimini(h their diameters and bQ cmingen* 
 poorly feen in Angles of contcngenty (d), • '''^' ^^c 
 
 Pious fpirits who pa(re their dayeiiin raptures of futurity, made little aLicj ' 
 
 more ' ' 
 
3[0» 
 
 HjdnotaphlAy Urne-Bariah 
 
 more of this world, then the world that was before it, while they fay 
 obfcure in the Chaos of preordinacion, and night of the ir fore- beings. 
 And if any have been fo happy as trucly to underftand Chriftian anni- 
 hilation, extafis, exolution, liquefadion, trans foroiation, the kiffe of 
 the ^poule, guftation of God, and ingreffion into the divine ibadow, 
 they have already had an handfome anticipation of heaven j the 
 glory of the world is fiireiy over, and the earth in aflhcs unto 
 them. 
 
 To fubfift in lading Monuments, to live in their produftions, to ex- 
 ift'in their names,and praedicamemt of Chimera s, was large fatisfadion 
 unto old expedations and made one part of their Ely z,iftms. But all this 
 is nothing in the Metaphyficks of true behef. To live indeed is to be 
 again our felves, which being not onely an hope but an evidence in no- 
 ble beleevers ; 'lis all one to lie in St. Innocents ff) Church yard, as in 
 the Sands of zy£j^7pt : Ready to be any thing, in the extafie of being c- 
 vcr, and as content with fixioot as the Mokso£ Ad ianus (/). 
 
 f A ftately 
 
 Maufoleum or fcpulchral pylc built by Admms in Komtt where now ftandcth the Caftlc of 
 
 I In Paris 
 where bo- 
 dies foon 
 confome. 
 
 Lucan 
 
 — ..JTahesne cadavera folvfit 
 c/4» rogpis hmd refert, . » 
 
 THE 
 
/ 
 
-QuiX QuJTLcun.cejyectofius,autjift. 
 c^cmt cvna<^ yartevijhe.ctcuieris, 
 
 re-c-ttus eft .- QjuntiUaJV: // 
 
THE 
 
 GARDEN 
 
 OF 
 
 C Y R U S. 
 
 OR THE 
 
 QillNCUNCIAL LOZENGE, 
 
 OR 
 
 Nct« work Plamtations of the Ancients, Artificially 
 
 Naturally, Myftically Confidered. 
 
 ' By Thomas "Brown D. ofPhyfiek. 
 
 Printed in the YearJ nJjS* 
 
n 
 
<r% 
 
 31 
 
 »1 
 
 THE GARDEN OF Cyrus 
 
 OR, 
 
 The Qiiincuncial, Loicnge, or Net- work Planta- 
 
 tations of the Ancients, Artificially, Naturally, Myfti- 
 callyconfjdered. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 HAT Vnlcan gave arrows unto Apollo and Dian^ the 
 fourth day after their Nativities, according to Gen -. 
 I tile Theology, may paffe for no blindc apprebenfi- 
 on of the Creation of the Sun and Moon, in the 
 work of the fourth day ; When the diffufed 
 light contrafted into Orbes, and (hooting rayes, 
 of thofe luminaries. Plainer Defcriptions there are 
 from Pagan pens, of the creatures of the fourth day j While the (a) 
 divine Philofopher unhappily omitteth the nobleft part of the thirdiand ' ^/''^^ '*« 
 Ovid (whom many conceive to have borrowed his defcription from^'"'**'- 
 Mofes) coldly deferting the remarkable account of the text, in three 
 words ^, defcribeth this work of the third day ; the vegetable creation, ^JH] ''*' 
 and firft ornamental Scene of nature ; the primitive foodof animals,and « j^oLsimiy 
 fif il ftory of Phyfick, in Dietetical confervation. in opening 
 
 For though Phyfick may pleade high, from the medicall ad of God, ^}f ?^*- 
 incaftingfodc^epafleep upon our firft Parent; And Chirurgery (c) \^'^^^^J' 
 findeits whole art, in that one paffage concerning the Rib of ^^^w, out the rib. 
 yet is there no rivality with Garden contrivance and Harbery Forifovv^&JCT* in 
 Paradife were planted the third day of the Creation^ as wifer divinity ^Jofing up 
 concludcth, the Nativity thereof was too early for Horofcopic ; ' ^^^ ^ 
 Gardens were before Gardiners, and but fome hours after the earth* a For feme 
 
 Of deeper doubt is its Topography, and locall defignation, yet be- thfrc i$ 
 ingthe primitive garden, and without much {d) controvcrfie feared in ^'"^jj. '^5 
 the Ea{t ; itis more then probable the firft curiofity, and cultivation of ^^^^^]^ 
 plants, moft flouriftied in thofe quarters. And fincethe Ark of Noah Mjf^fdem, 
 firft toacbt uponfome mountains of ^rmeniay the planting art arofe whether d^ 
 again in th^ Eaft,and found its revolution not far fioni the place of o'^^!*.*>^^ 
 
 5 E:> 
 
 i« 
 
 pmcijlto. 
 
5^ CyraS-gardenyOtthe^if^ufOC^, 
 
 its Nativicy, about the pUines oi chofe Regions. And ii Zofdajfer vidit 
 either Cham, Chns, or Mtz^ram, they were early ^oficients therein, 
 who left fas Pltny deh7creth)a work of Agriculture. 
 
 However the account of the Penfil or hanging gardens of B^.^yhfr, 
 if made by SemirAmisythe third or fourth from Nr.mod^ is of no (len- 
 der antiquity ; which being not framed upon ordinary Jcvel of ground, 
 but raifed upon pillars admitting under-paflages, we cannot accept as 
 the firft B,iby Ionian Gardens; butaoicie eminent progrefsand ad- 
 vancement in that art, then any that went before it : Somewhat an- 
 fwering or hinting the old Opinion concerning Paradife it felf, with 
 many conceptions elevated above the plane of the Earth. 
 
 iV^-^^rWc^/^^flrjWhorafomewilUave to be the famous Syrian ^ing 
 of Z)w^(?r«j, beautifully repaired that c^yjandfo magnificently built 
 his(^) hanging gardens; that from fucceeding writers he had* the ho- 
 nour of the firft. From whence over-looking Babylony and all the Re- 
 Ijojephus. gion about it, he found no circumlcription to the eye of his ambition, 
 till over delighted with ihe bravery of this Paradife; in his melancholy 
 metamorpholis, he found the folly of that delight,and a proper punifh- 
 ment, in the contrary habitation, in wilde pUiitations and wandrings 
 of the fields. 
 
 The Terfian Gallants who deftroyed this Monarchy,maintained their 
 Botanical! bravery. Unto whom we owe the very name of Paradife : 
 wherewith we meet not in Scripture before the time of Solome», and 
 conceived originally Per pan. The word for that difputcd Garden, cx- 
 prefling in rbe Hebrew no more then a Field endofed, which from 
 the fame root is content co derive a garden and a Buckler. 
 
 ^;Kr»x the elder brought up in woods and Mountain?, when time and 
 
 power enabled, puifiied the diftate of his education, and brought 
 
 the treafiires of the field into rule and circnm-fcription, So nobly 
 
 beautifying the hanging Gardens oiBabjton, that he wasalfo thought 
 
 to be the author thereof. 
 
 Ahajuertis ( whom many conceive to have been ArtAxerxes Longi' 
 
 . mnnHs) in the (h) Countrey and City of Flowers, and in an open Gar- 
 
 \ZT. '"den, entertained his Princes and people, while Vafthi more modeftly 
 
 plmmh treated the Ladies within the Palace thereof. 
 
 in the life But if vas fome opinion) King Ahitftterur were Artdxerxes <J^Tnemon» 
 ofArtax- that found a life and reign anfwerable unto his great memory ,our mag- 
 erxM. nified (r;r»/ was his (econd brother .• who gave the occafion of that 
 memorable work, and almoft mirtculous retrait ofXemphoK. A perfon 
 ofhigh fpiritand honour, naturally a King, though fatally prevented 
 by the harmlefle chance of /?«»/?-genirurc i Not onely a Lord of Gardens, 
 but a manual planter thereof • difpofing his trees like his armies in re- 
 gular ordinaliiwi. So that whik old L^ertas hath found a name in 
 Homer for pruning hedges, and clearing away thorns and briars; 
 while King AttalHsiiv^blot his poyfonous plantations of /^f<»»»w, Hen- 
 
bane, Hellebore, and plants hardly admiccedwi chin the wals of Para- 
 dife I While many of the Ancients do poorly live in the fingic names 
 of Vegetables • All (lories do look upon Cyrus, as th e fplcndid and re- 
 gular planter. ^M .Vtii *' . '.i , . 
 
 According whereto T<?»t«|>^^j< defcribeth his gallant plantation at JRrnfl;ft«« /« 
 SArdfs,\.\ms rendered by Strehitns. (ej Arbores pari tntervallo fitaSfOtconomkoi: 
 reSlos ordirteSy & omnia per^ulchre in ^uincuncem diretta* Which we "y a^*/ « 
 (hall take for granted as being accord! ^gly rendered by themoft t\t- srirv J^7«e 
 gant ofthef/) Latines ^and bynomade term, but in ufe before by 7rE^u7su^- 
 Varro* That is, the rowes and orders fo handlomcly difpofed; or five ^'*' "/ ^"^ ^ 
 trees fo feet together, that a regular angularity, and through profped, ^ ~^^*^" 
 was left on every fide 0*ving this name not onely unto the quintuple j^fav,iv^ 
 number of Trees, but the figure declaring that number, which being -^^vj* A 
 doubted at the angle, makes up the Letter x , that is the Emphatical "^J^"' '^' 
 decuflation, Of fundamental figure. ^cicero ia 
 
 Now though in (ome ancient and modern pradice the area or de- c*t. Mdjor. 
 cuflated plot,might be a perfed fquare,3nfwerable to a Tufcan Pedefialy 
 and the ^^;;?^«e^'w<7 or Cinque-point of a die; wherein by Diagonal 
 lines the interfedion was reguUr;accommodable unto Plantations of 
 large growing Trees; and we muft not denic our felves the advan- 
 tage of this order; yet (hall we chiefly mfift upon that of {£) Cur- zBentdiS 
 tifts ind Tort a, in their brief delcription hereof. Wherein the ^«<r«//;/ Qurms de 
 is made within a longilateral fquate, with opofite angels acute and ob- ^onis-Bap. 
 tufe at theintcrfedion ;and foupon progreffion making RhombHS or ^JJ/zJ*" 
 Lozenge figuration, which feeraeth very agreeable unto the Original 
 figure; Anfwerable whereunto we obferve the decuflfated cha- 
 radersin many confulary coynes,and even in thofe of Conflatttine and 
 his Sons , which pretend their pattern in the Sky ; the crucigerousEn- 
 figne carried this figure, not tranfverfly or redangularly interfeded, 
 but in a decuffation, after the form of an Andrem or BnrgHndian crofs, 
 which anfw'cth this defcription. 
 
 Whereby the way we (hall decline the old Theme, fo traced by an- 
 tiquity of trofles and crucifixion; Whereof (ome being right,and of one 
 finglepeece without traverfion ortranfome, do little advantage our 
 fubjed. iVor (hall we take in the myftical T^^w, or the CrofTe of our 
 blcffe i Saviour, w hich having in fome defcriptions an Empedon or 
 crofiing foot ftay, made not one fingle tranfverfion. And fince the 
 Learned Lip ft hs huh made fome doubt even of the cro(re oi St. Andrew ^ 
 fince fome Martyrological Hiftories deliver his death by the general 
 Name of a croffe, and HippsUtus w'\\\ have him fufftr by thefword; 
 we (hould have enough to make out the received erode of that Mar- 
 tyr. Nor (hall we urge the labariimtznd famous Standard of ^^'^^'*^" tof .w '• 
 tiMe^ or make further u(e thereof, then as the firft letters in the Name ,^^ Alesuti' 
 of our Saviour Chrift, in ufe among Chriftians,before the daycs of Cow- (icr,B^oma 
 ftanmcy to be obferved in {a) Sepulchral Monuments of Martyrs,in the SmemnfM, 
 
 Reign 
 
5^ CjTuS^GArden^ ortheQuincutMl 
 
 Relgb of Adrian, and AntoninHs ; and to be found in the Alitiqui'ties 
 oftheGentiIes,before the advent of Chrift, as in the Medal of King 
 ftohmj^ (igned with the fame charaders, and might be the beginning 
 of fome word or name^which Antiquacies have not hit on. 
 
 We will not revive the myftcriouscrofles of t/dE/^^f, with circles on 
 
 their heads, in the breaft ofSerapisy and the hands of their Genial Ipi- 
 
 rits, not unlike the charadier of FefiHs,iad looked on by ancient Chrifti- 
 
 ans, with relation unto Chrift. Since however they firft began, the 
 
 i£gyptians thereby expreffcd theprocefle and motion of the fpiritof 
 
 the world, and the diflufion thereof upon the Celeftiai and elemental 
 
 nature ; implyed by a circle and nght-iincd interfedion. A fecret in 
 
 their Tclelmes and magical CharaAcrs among them. Though he that 
 
 confidercth the (h) plain croflc upon the head of the Owl in the Late- 
 
 ^e^ow« " ^*"' Obelisk, or the (c) croflc erc^ed upon a pitcher diffufing ftreams 
 
 part' is of water into to bafins, with fprinkling branches in them, and all de- 
 
 fftpaewhat fcribed upon a two footed Altar, as in the Hieroglyphicks of the brafen 
 
 longer, at Table of Bembns : will hardly decline all thought of Chriftian fignalitv 
 
 ^^J^^^^'yinthem. ^ 
 
 fiudiomiti' We fliall not call in the Hebrew Teuapha, or ceremony of their Ob- 
 
 taritinijo^ lations, waved by the prieft unto the four quarters of the world, after 
 
 *4nwi rf« the form of a crols ; as in the peace-offerings. And if it were clearly 
 
 cm cm"* '"^^^^ °"^ ^^*^ '^ remarkably delivered from the Traditions of the Rab- 
 
 mnt.cUriff.^^^^'i that as the Oyle was powrcd coronallyor circularly upon the 
 
 i^ doSiff. head of Kings, fo the High-Pr left was anointed decuffatively or in the 
 
 ^iS^y form of aX J though it could notefcapea typical thought of Chrift, 
 
 *iCtii from myftical confiderators; yet being the conceit is Hebrew, we 
 
 Bo/fo»fJ74 ft»ould rather expc(^ its. verification from Analogy in that language, 
 
 trionfante then to confine the fame unto the unconcerned Letters, of GreeccyQr 
 
 erne. make it out by the charaders oi Cadmus or Palamedes. 
 
 *hfi^cHn^ Of. this Quincancial Ordination the Aqcicnts pi:aAifed,muchdif- 
 
 Smic|»rr«-CO"rfcd Uttle; and the Moderns have nothing enlarged; which he 
 
 msMmcm- that more nearly confidereth^ in the form of its fquare RhombHs^ and 
 
 fftUHmpr^T decuffation, with the feveral commodities, myfteries, paralielirmc{,,and 
 
 Af^'lJ^U refemblances, both in attaiid Nature, fhall eafily difcern,the elegancy 
 
 * ' * of this order. 
 
 Thatthiswasinforaewayes of praftice indiverfc and diftant Nati- 
 ons) hints or deliveries there are from no flender Antiquity. In the 
 banging Gardens oi Btuhylonjtom A'ojdennSy Ettfehius, and others, {d) 
 ,« p Curtim defcribeth this rule of decpfifation. In the memorable Garden 
 
 J'/^'^Ij^^ofyf /<•»>#/</ anciently conceived an original phancy,frora Paradife,men- 
 x«r,^7wK tion there is of well contrived order; For lo hath Didymt^s and Eh- 
 pVf,n i?<ic/(K/*/expounded the emphatical word. V iomed^s dtkvibmg the Ru- 
 *^* '^^'' rail polfions of bjs Father, gives account in the fame Language of Trees 
 Pha^o/inus orderly planted. And V.ij/lfes' being a boy was prom i fed by his father 
 ffl^iloxcimsfourty Fig-,trees,andiifty(Orows of vines producing all kind of .grap?s. 
 
 Thar- 
 
Cjrut-Carden w the Qjancun^] 3 ^ 
 
 That the Eaftcrn Inhabitants of InAia, made ufe of fuch' order,' even 
 in open Plantations, isdeducibie from Thecphrafiits ; who defcribing 
 the trees whereof they made their garments , plainly dclivereth that 
 they were planted mC\' o^X^j , and in fuch order that at a diftance men 
 would miftalic them for Vineyards. The fame feems confirmed in 
 Creece komz Angular expreffion in (/) yfr//?^//^ concerning the order '"/f^^Af 
 of Vints, delivered by a military term reprefenting the orders of Soul- *^P^»''« 
 diers, which alfo confirmeth the antiquity of this form yet ufcd in vi- " ''*^* 
 neal plantations. 
 
 That the fame was ufed in Latine plantations is plainly confirmed 
 from the commending pen oiFanot ^ttintiliaKt and handfome Defcri- 
 ption of 1.'^) Virgil. . J. 
 
 That the firft Plantations not long after the Floud were difpofcd af- rfiSf'nw 
 ter this manner, the generality and antiquity of this order obierved in ficm mni$ 
 Vineyards, and Wine Plantations , afFordeth fome conjefture. And ^ «/^««ii 
 fince from judicious enquiry , Sat/t)»e who divided the world between ^]?J"?2 
 bis three (lones, who bcareth a Sickle in his hand, who taught the^^-g^-ff" 
 Plantations of Vines, thefetting, grafting of trees , and the beft part ^M^frrt. 
 pf Agriculture, isdilcovered to hcNoah^ whether this early dilperfed Georg.i. 
 Husbandry in Vineyards , had not its Original in that Patriarch , is no 
 fuch Paralogical doubt. .v,\'r 
 
 And if it were clear that this was ufed by iV7o4i& after the Floud, I 
 cou!d eafily believe it was in ufe before it ; Not willing to fix fuch anci- 
 ent inventions no higher original then Noah ; Nor readily conceiving 
 thofe aged Heroes, whofe diet was vegetable, and onely , or chiefly 
 confifted in the fruits of the eartb, were much deficient in their fplendid 
 cultivations ; or after the experience of fifteen hundred years , left 
 much for future difcovery in Botanical Agriculture. Nor fully per- 
 fwaded that Wine was the invention of Noah, that fermented Liquors, 
 which often make themfclves, fo long cfcaped their Luxury or expe- 
 rience; that the firft fin of the new world was no fin of the ojd. 
 That Cain and j4l>el were the firft that offered Sacrifice V '6'r bci-; 
 caufe the 5ctipcarc is filent that Adam or Ifaac offered none iat 
 all- .. , ... 
 
 Whether e/fhahamhrou^t up in the firft pla^ting,C.ountrey,.ob- 
 ferved not fc^mc rule hereof, when he planted a grove at Beer-jheba ; or 
 whetheratleaftalike ordination were not in the Garden of Solomon, 
 probability may conteft . Anfwer ably unto . the wifdom of that cmi-. 
 nentBotan61ogcr,ahd orderly difpofer Of alt his other. works. Efpcci- 
 ^llyXmcetl^is was one pecce of Gallantry jwhercin he purfued the fpc- 
 cious part of felicity, according tohisowndefcription. I made me£^g.jjf. 
 Gardens and Orchards, and planted Trees in them of all kindes of 
 fruit. 1 made me Pools of water, to water therev*/ith the wop^ that 
 bungcth f6!th Trees, vO'hjch was rio'ordinary plant4tidri, if acc6r4|0jg 
 CO the Tar^umy otthaldee' ParMrafe^ it containcdillkindcs of Plaints, 
 
 mR- 
 
46 C;jruUGarder>i Or The Ssff^cms Arti^ciall) Confidered, 
 
 and fomc fetched as far as 7«</»^ ; And the extent thereof were from 
 the wall of 7^r«pi/^;» unto the water ofSiioah* 
 
 And iUordan were but Jmt EdeM^thtt is,thc River o^Sden^ Genefar 
 but Ganfar or the prince of Gardens jand it could be made out, thit the 
 Plain ofjordaMwcrc waterednot comparativeIy,but caufally,and becaufe 
 ^f^fi.ytftM- it was the Paradife of @od, as the learned (a) aAbramas hinteth, he 
 meiiti Ph4* yf^^ not far from the Prototype and originall of Plantations. And fincc 
 ^^'^^ even in Paradife it fclf, the tree of knowledge was placed in the mid- 
 
 dle ofthe Garden, what ever was the ambient figure; there wanted 
 not a centre and rule of deculTation. Whether the groves and facred 
 Plantations of Antiquity, were not thus orderly placed, either by <]ua» 
 ternio's^ or quintuple ordinations, may favourably be doubted. For 
 fince they werefo methodical in the conftitutions of their temples, as 
 to obf^rve the due fcituation, afped, manner, form, and order in Ar- 
 chitedonical relations, whether they were not as diftind in their groves 
 and Plantations about them, inform and /pedes refpedively unto their 
 Deities, is not without probability of conjedure. And in their groves 
 d which* of the »yun this was a fit number, by multiplication to denote the 
 Kingi9uiHg dayes of the year ; and might Hieroglyphically fpeik as much, as the 
 fet up with rtipiichl Statua of(d) JdnHs in the Language of his fingers. And fincc 
 fo^difpofed ^^^y were fo critical in the number of his horfes, the firings of his 
 that they Harp, and rayes about his head, denoting the orbes of heaven, the 5ea- 
 numerical- fons and Moncth* of the Ycarcj witty Idolatry would hardly be flat 
 ly denoted in other appropriations. 
 
 *;'^fr l ~'t " : * fi •:rt-;-.riftA»«t-. — . — «" » -' ■ . . 
 
 C H A P. II. 
 
 NOr was this only a form of pradife in Plantations, 'feat found 
 imitation from high Antiquity, in fundry artificial contrivances 
 and manual opevattons. For to omit the pofition of fquarcd flones, cw 
 neatmot weagmfe in the walls of "^^ow^j* and Gothicl^ buildings j and' 
 the lithofiata or figured pavements of the ancients, which confifted not 
 all of fquare ftorreSj'but were divided into triquetrous fegmeiit5,honey- 
 combsjand lexangular figures,accordipg to F'itriivifisjXhc fquared flones 
 anj bricks fn ancient fabri^ks, were placed; after tDi5^pr4^r;,And twp 
 al)6ve or below conjoync<l by a middle |il6rie ^or;. Tf.intht*sx bireijvable 
 in the ruincs-!oifF^y^»». iSTf rz/^, the MAuftleum of A%^/».y the I^yra- 
 midoftf/?'/«/, and the (cul^turc- draughts of the larger Pyrarhidsof 
 ' ' jEgvpt- And therefore in the drasghts of eminent fabfiiks, Paintersdo 
 commonly imitate ^his order . it^ the iroes of their defcri^tion.. . 
 ^In, c^e taureac (ir^u||^ts of fci^Jf^'l^ure.aud.'plftijt^, thq ,k;w.es^pd foliafa 
 ifc^ki/Me'cpaimpniv thus cQntrivVt whleli'is put in imitation gf the 
 ^ftilvi^anafind aiiclent piItow-wt)rk,cb/erva6ieia /owt^P^cces, about 
 
 columns, 
 
CjYm-Carden or the QuincuMi jirtifimlly Confidered, 4 1 
 
 columtis, temples and altars. To omit other analogies, in ArchiteAo- *• of aflru. 
 nical draughts, which art it felf is founded upon (^) fives, as having its ^"^* ^^^ 
 fubjcft, and xnoft graceful pceces divided by this number. Vmmmm* 
 
 fvtuY£y Comfurt'im, uHum, Leo. Alberti. Five Columcs, Ti//c<i», Dorick^f lonicki CoTimbian^ 
 Cmpomd. Fire different intcrcolumniations, F;cn»fij/los, dyftylos^Sy^yksj Artsfijilosj Eujl^ks 
 Vitru. 
 
 The Triumphal Oval, and Civicall Crowns of Laurel, Oake, and 
 Myrtle, when fully made, were pleated after this order. And to o- 
 mit the Croffed Crowns of Chriftian Princes; what figure that was 
 which (»/^«^/-!tf/«/dercribed upon the head of I'fo the third ; or who 
 firft brought in the Arched Crownj That of Charles the great, f which 
 feeras the firft remarkably clofed Crown, ) was framed afcer this 
 fc) manner ; with an interfeftion in the middle from the main croflirg '*^" ^"^ 
 barres, and the mterfpaces. unto the frontal circle, continued by hand-^^^^^/ '^ 
 fome network-plates, much after this order. Whereon we (hall notchiffltt, in 
 infift, becaufe from greater Antiquity, and pradice of confecration, '« E. R. 
 we meet with the radiated, and ftarry Crown, upon the head of ^^^ ^/''*'^^'»^ 
 gfiflusy and many fucceeding Emperors. Since the Armenians and Par- str'ad*. 
 thians had a peculiar royall Capp ; And the Grecians from Alexar,^ 
 /^^r another kinde of diadem. And even Diadems themfelvcs' were 
 butfafciations, and handfome ligatures, about the heads of Princes ^ 
 nor wholly omitted in the mitrall Crown, which common pidure 
 feems to fet too upright and forward upon the head oi Aaron : Worne 
 fometimes fingly, or doubly by Princes, according to their King- Macc.i.ir 
 domes; and nomoreto beexpededfrom two Crowns at once, upon Dc tfrmi/ 
 the head of Ptbmy. And fo eafily made out when hiftorians tell us, Scaccatis, 
 fome bound up wounds, fome hanged themfelvcs with diadems. mafcuUtis, 
 
 The beds of the antients were corded fomewhat after this fafhion.- ^fuflutis - 
 That is not diredly, as ours at prefent, but obliquely, from fide to vide spebn. 
 fide, and after the manner of network ; whereby they ftrengthened -^fpHos- & 
 thefpondae orbedfides, and fpent lefscord in the work : as is demon- ^'^^J *^'"" 
 RrsitQdhy {e) Blancaffra. 'siiLeo' 
 
 And as they lay in crofTed beds, fo they fat upon feeming crofle- e Arijiot, 
 legg'd feats .- in which form thenoblefl thereof were framed ; Obfer- Mtchan, 
 vable in the triumphall feats , the fel/a cnruHs^ or z/Eijle Chajres^ in ^*^' 
 thecoynsof Cefims^S J I la, sitid J a fi^s. That they fat alfo crofTe legg'd 
 many noble draughts declare; and in this figure the fitting gods and 
 goddeffes are drawn in medalls and medallions. And befi dc this kinde 
 of work in Reciarie and hanging tedures, in embroderies, and emi- 
 nent needle-works ; the like is obvious unto every eye in glafs- win- 
 dows. Nor onely in glallie contrivances, but alfo in Lattice and 
 Stone-work, conceived in the Temple of Solomon ; wherein the"win- 
 dows are tQimcd fcfjefira reticnlataj or lights framed like nets. And «^^'v«'«' 
 
 5 F agreeable 
 
43 CjrUi'(j Arden^Ot The ^ineunii. Artificially Confidered, 
 
 agreeable unto the Greek exprelfion concerning Chrift in the(w) Cayiti- 
 fflant.2. c/^j,looking through the nets, which ours hath rcndered,he looketh 
 forth at the windows, (hewing himfelfe through the laiteflfe ; that is, 
 partly fecn and unfeen, according to the vifible and invifible fide of 
 his nature. To omit the noble reticulate work, in the chapters of the 
 pillars of Solomon , with Lillies, and Pomegranats upon a network 
 ground ; and the CraucnU or grate through which the allies fell in the 
 altar of burnt offerings. 
 
 That the networks and nets of antiquity were little different in the 
 
 form from ours at prefent, is confirmable from the nets in the hands of 
 
 the Retiarie gladiators, the proper combatants with the fecutores. 
 
 To omit the ancient Conopeion or gnatnet of the Egyptians, the in- 
 
 ;, ventors of that Artifice : the rufliy labyrinths of Theocritm ; the 
 
 nofegaynets, which hung froai the head under the noftrils of Princes ; 
 
 and that uncafie metaphor of ReticulHm Jecoris, which fome expound 
 
 the lobe, wethecaule above the liver. As for that famous network 
 
 o^ Vulean^ which indokd Mars ^nd Venus, and caufed thatunextin- 
 
 ^Aff^ipf^ guifhable laugh in heaven ; fince the gods themfelves could not difcern 
 
 J^'rt^ erap- it, we fliall not prie|intoit ; although why Vulcan bound them, 
 
 Hm!^^^* 7V>pf««f loofed them, and v^^(7//tf (hould firft difcover them, might 
 
 afford no vulgar my thologie. Heralds have not omitted this order or 
 
 imitation thereof, whiles they 5ymbolIically adorn their Scuchions 
 
 with MafclcSjFufils and Saltyrs, and while they dHpofed the figures of 
 
 Ermins, and varied coats in this Quincuncial method. 
 
 The fame is not forgot by Lapidaries while they cut their gemms 
 pyramidally, or by aequicrural triangles. Perfpedive piftures, in 
 their Bafe, horifofi, and lines of diftanccs,cannoi cfcape thefe Rhom- 
 boidall decuffations. Sculptors in their ftrongeftfliadows, after this 
 order doe draw their double Haches. And the very Americans do na- 
 turally fall upon it, in their neat and curious textures, which is alfo 
 obferved in the elegant artifices o^ Europe. But this is no law unto 
 the wool of the neat %/tUrie Spider, which feems to weave without 
 tranfverfion, and by the union of right lines to make out a continued 
 furface, which is beyond the common art of Tcxtury, and may flili 
 nettle ^(Jl'tinerva the goddeffe of that myftery. And he that fhall 
 As in tbejiatch the little feeds, cither found in fmall webs, or white round 
 contention Eggcs, carried under the bellies of fome Spiders, and behold how at 
 Mnerva their firfl produdiott in boxes, they will prefently fill the fame with 
 KidArdcb- their webbs, may obferve the early, and untaught finger of nature, 
 "*• and how they are natively provided with a ftock, fufficient for fuch 
 
 Texture. 
 
 The Rurall charm againfl Vodder, Tetter^ and flrangling weeds, 
 was contrived after this order, while they placed a chalked file at the 
 
 four 
 
CjruS-Gtirden , Or The Quincunx Artificiall) Confidered, 4 ^ 
 
 foar corners, and one in the middle of their fields, which though ridi- 
 culous in the intention) was rational in the contrivance, and a good 
 way to ditfafe the magick through all parts of the Area 
 
 Somewhat after this manner they ordered the little ftones in the old 
 game of Tentaltthifmus, or calling up five itoncs to catch them on the 
 back of their hand. And with fome relcmblance hcreoG the Prod or 
 Prodigal Paramours difpofed their men, when they played(^) Penelope, b j^ EuS»)t 
 For being themfclves an hundred and eight, they fetfifty four ftones onchius, 
 cither fide, and one in the middle, which they called Pf^^/cipf, which 
 he that hit was Mafter of the game. 
 
 In Chefre-boards and Tables we yet finde Pyramids and Squares, I 
 wi(h we had their true and ancient defcription, far difierent from ours,. 
 ortheC^e?«i.z^of the Pfr//<?«j-, and might continue fome elegant re- 
 markables, as being an invention as High as Hermes the ^-ecrerary of O- ^^'^^°' 
 fyrisi figuring the whole world,the motion of the Planets, with Eclipfes ^ in the 
 of Sun and Moon. difpcfure 
 
 Phyficians are not without the ufe ofthisdeculfation in Tevcral ope- gjons^^in the 
 rations, in ligatures and union of diffolved cqntinuities. Mechanicks wars of 
 make ufe hereof in forcipal Organs, and Inftruments of incifion;where the Repub- 
 inwhocanbutmagnifiethe power ofdecuflation, infervienc to con- ''.'^^'f?*;f'?''^ 
 trary ends , folution and confolidation, union, and divifion, iiluftra- ^J,^ ^^''^'j^^J 
 blefrom Ariftotle'm\.\\Q old Nucifragium or Nutcraker, and the In- Legion in- 
 ftruments of Evulfion, comprcifion or incifion; which confiftingoftoten Co- 
 two /^t?^« or armes, converted towards each other, theinnitency and ^Z*""" by 
 ftreffe being made upon the hjpomochlion or fulciment in the decuffa- L^quJ^" 
 tion, the greater compreflion is made by the union of two impul- ^j/^^y 'i„ 
 fors. his Epi- 
 
 The RomAtte (h) Bataiia was ordered after this manner, whereof as ^^ a 
 fufficiently known Firgt/ hnh Icfc but an hint, and obfcure intimation ^^^^^^^^ 
 For thus were the maniples and cohorts of the Haftiti^ Principes and de & Rc 
 Triarti^hLZtA in their bodies, wherein confifted the ftrength of the miiitari Ro. 
 
 manonim. 
 
 ^ .1 I I I [ I I — I i: 
 
 r- I 1 i I 
 
 Tr. 
 
 UII2 Ezz: 
 
 RomAae battel, ''By this Ordination they readily fell into each otherjthe 
 
 Haftati being prefled, handfomely retired into the intervals ofthc 
 
 frincipes, thefe into that of the Jriarii^ which making as it were a 
 
 " ~ J Fa ' . new 
 
!? Agtthius 
 Ammiamsi 
 
 44 CpuUGAfden^ or theQuincunic Arti^ciallj Considered, 
 
 new body, might joyntly renew the battle, wherein confifted thefecref 
 cPoljbtui of their fuccefies. And therefore it was remarkably Cc) fingularinthe 
 Afp'mus. battle of^fhca^ that Sapio fearing a rout from the Elephants of the E- 
 nemy,left not the Primifesm their alternate diftances,whereby the E- 
 lephants pailing the vacuities of the H^/iF^f/,tnighchave run upon them, 
 but drew his battle into right order, and leaving the paffages bare, de- 
 feated the mifchief intended by the Elephants. Out of this figure were 
 made two remarkable forms of Battle, the C^ntus and Forceps^ or the 
 i"hcare and wedge Battles, each made of half a Rb-orftbus^ and but diffe* 
 fenced by pofition.The wedge invented to break or worke into a body, 
 xht forceps to environ and defeat uhe power thereof oompofed ^ouc 
 of feledeft Souldery and dilpofed into the form of an V, 
 wherein receiving the wedge, it indofediton both fides. After this 
 form the famous {d) Najfes ordered his battle againfl the Franks, and ' 
 by this figure the Almans were enclofcdjand cut in peeces. 
 
 The %hombHs or Lozenge figure fo vifible in this order, was alfo a re- 
 markable form of battle in the Cyrrc/^;? («•) Cavalry, oblerved by the 
 Thejfa/Uns, SLud Phi lip King of Maeedon^ and frequently by iht'Tar- 
 thians, as being moft ready to turn every way, andbeft to be com- 
 manded, as having its duftors,or Commanders at each Angle. 
 
 IhtLMacedmiitn PhdaHx{z\ong time thought invincible) confifted 
 ofalongfquarc For though they might be fixreen in rank and file, 
 yet when they (hut clofe, fo that the fixt pike advanced before the 
 iirftj though the number might bcfquare, the figure was oblong, an- 
 fwerable unto the Quincuncial quadrate ci Cvrtius. According to 
 this fquarcThncjdides delivers, the Athenians difpofcd their battle a- 
 gainft the Lacedeme>tlaMs{f) brickwife, and by the fame word the 
 Learned C?/^f///;^; expound eth the quadrat of ('^) ^y^//, after the form 
 of a brick or tile. 
 
 Andasthe firftftatlon and pofition of trees, fo was the firft habi- 
 tation of men, not in round Cities, as of later foundation 5 Forthe- 
 form of Babylon the firft City was fquare, and ^o fhall alfo be the laft, 
 according to the defcriprion of the holy City in the Apocalyps. Thc^ 
 famous pillarsofi^fAfaeforethe flood, had alio the like foundation, if' 
 they were hut arAidili^vUn Obelis^, and fuch as C^-^"^ and his Egyp- 
 tian race, imitated after the F!oud« 
 ^C7W. Sic. But "N^m^/f// which Auchours acknowledge to have exceeded Balfy. 
 Ion, wasofa(/')longiIateral figure,ninery five Furlongs broad, and an 
 hundred and fifty tcng,and fo making about fixty miles in circuit,which 
 isthemeafurc cfthrceday.es journey, according unto military marches, 
 or caftrenfial manfioas. 5o that xi'^on.ii cntred at the narrower fide, he 
 found enough for one dayes walk to actainthe heart oftheCity.to 
 make his Proclamation, And if we imagine aCity extending from w'^re. 
 to London, the cxpreflion will be moderate of fix fcote thoufand In- 
 fants, although we allow, vacuities; fields, and- intervais of 'habitation,. 
 
 as 
 
 cia. 
 
 s Stirs via 
 iimUe qua' 
 dret. com. 
 in<nt. i"i 
 Virgil, 
 
Cj/kS' CAYden or the Quincun^c Artifi daily Conpdered, 4 j 
 
 8S there necdes muft 6e when the monument oiNiyius took up no \t^z 
 then ten furlongs. 
 
 And though none of the feven wonders, yet a noble pccce of Anti- 
 quity, and made by a Copy exceeding all the red, had its principal parts 
 difpofed after this manner, that is the Labyrinth of i rete^ built upon a 
 long quadrate, containing five large fquares, communicating by right 
 inflections, terminating in the centie of the middle fquare, and lodging ^ Anxomo 
 of the Minotaur i\i we confornt unto the defcription of the elegant rac- ^^^ii^^°a. 
 dal thereof in (») Agofiitio. And though in many accounts we reckon /;>^ 
 grofly by the fquare,yet is that very often to be accepted as a long-fidcd 
 quadrate which was the figure of the Ark of the Covenant, the ta- 
 ble of the «$hew-bread, and the ftone wherein the names of the twelve 
 Ttibes were engraved, that is, three in a row, naturally making a longi-^ 
 lateral Figure, the perfed quadrate being made by nine. 
 
 What figure the flones themfelves maintained, tradition and Scrip- 
 ture are filent,yet Lapidaries in precious ftones affed a Table or long 
 fquare, and in fuch proportion, that the two lateral,and alfo the three 
 inferiour Tables are equal unto the fuperiour, and the angels of the la- 
 teral Tables, contain and conftitut<? the bjpthentifA^ or broder fides fub- 
 tending. 
 
 That the Tables of the Law were of this figure, generall imritation 
 and tradition hath confirmed ; yet are we unwilling to load the fhoul- 
 ders oiMofes with fuch maflie (tones, as fome pidures lay upon them, 
 lince'tis plainly delivered that he came down with them in his hand j • 
 fince the word ftricf^ly taken implies no fuch mafiie hewing, but cutting, 
 andfafliioningof them into fhape andfurface; fincefome will have^ 
 them Emralds, and if they were made of the materials of MountS'/^^, 
 notimprobable that they were marble: fince the words were not ma^ 
 ny, the letters fliort of five hundred, and the Tables written on both ^ 
 fides required no fuch capacity. 
 
 The beds of the Ancients were different fronj ours at prefent, which 
 arc almoft fquare , being framed ob-long, and about a double unto their a Ariflou. 
 breadth; not much unlike the ^rf<?, or bed of this Quincuncial qua- ^WaAan,: 
 drate. Thefinglebcdsof 5''''?^ were (^) fix foot, and a little more in 
 length, three inbreadch; the Giant-like bed of 0^, which had four 
 cubits ofbreadthj nine and a half in length, varied not much from this 
 proportion. The Funeral bed of King C^eops^ in the greater Pyramid, 
 which holds feven in length, and four foot in bredth, had no greac de- 
 formity from this meafurej And whatfoevcr were the bredth, the length 
 could hardly be Iefle,of the tyranical bed of Procruftcstdnce in a fhortcr ^ pj^^^ ^.^ , 
 meafurehehad not be en fitted with perfons for his cruelty of extenfion. vitjbef. 
 But the old fepulchralbed, or -<47»^io»;^» (/^) Tomb in the market- 
 place ofMegura, was in the form of a Lozenge; readily made out by 
 the compofure of the body. For thearmesnot lying fafciatedor wrapt 
 up after the ^r^cwwmannerbut ina middle diftcntion, the: including, 
 lines^will ftridly make out that figure. C H A P» 
 
^6 CjruS-Gtrden, Ot The Qmncunx NaturaUy Confidered, 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Capjtuk 
 
 fquammata 
 
 Sluercum 
 
 whereof , 
 though he 
 faith perra- 
 ro reperiun- 
 tttr bis tan' 
 turn invent- 
 miu, yet 
 wefindc 
 them com- 
 monly with 
 us and in 
 ?reat num- 
 ber!. 
 
 NOw although this elegant ordinaiion of vegetables, hath found 
 coincidence or imitation in fwidry works of Art, yet is it not alfo 
 deftitute of natural examples, and though overlooked by all, was ele- 
 gantly obfervable, in feverail works of nature. 
 
 Could wefatisfic ourfelves in the pofition of the lights above, or 
 difcovcr thewifdom of that order lo invariably maintained in the 
 fixed Stars of heaven ; Could we have any light, why the fteilary part 
 ofthefirft mafie, feparated into this order, that the Girdle oi Orion 
 fhould ever maintain its line, and the two Stars in Charle's Wain ne- 
 ver leave pointing at the Pole-Star, we might abate the Tyth.xgoricHl 
 Mufick ofthe Spheres, the (evenfold Pipe of Fan ; and the ftrange 
 Cryptography ofGajfarelin his Starry Book of Heaven. 
 
 But not to look fo high as Heaven or the fingle Quincunx ofthe H)- 
 ades upon the neck of Taurus^ the Triangle, and remarkable Crufero a- 
 boutthefootofthe(rf«?.i':jr; obfervable rudiments there are hereof- 
 in fubterrancous concretions, and bodies in the earth ; in the GyffHtn 
 on TaleHm%h$mboidesy m the Favaginites or honey comb-ftone, ia 
 tht A slerta2in& Afiroites^ and in the crucigerous ftone of S. Ugooi 
 Gallicia. 
 
 The fame is obfervably effeAed in the Julus Catkj»s, or pendulous 
 cxcrelccnciesoffeveral Trees,of Wailnuts, Alders, and Hazels, which 
 hanging all the Winter, and maintaining their Net-work clofe, by 
 the expanfion thereof are the early foretellers of the fpring, difcove- 
 rable alfo in long ^epp^r, and elegantly in the Jufifs of Calamus 
 AromAticHs^ fo piencifully growing with us in the firfl: palcns of Wil- 
 lows, and in ih .' flowers of Sycamore, Pctafites, Afphodelu8,and BUt- 
 taria, before explication. After fuch order ftand the flowry branches 
 ifi our beft fpread Verbafcnm, and the feeds about the fpicous head or 
 torch of Tapf^ Barbatas^ in as fair a regularity as the circular and 
 wrecthed order will admit, which advanceth one (ide ofthe fquarc, 
 and makes the fame Rhomboidal. 
 
 lu the fquamous heads of Scabious Knapweed* and the elegant facea 
 Pniafi^ind in the Scaly compofurc of the Oak-Rofe, which fomc years 
 moii: aboundeth. After this order hath nature planted the leaves in the 
 head ofthe common and prickled Artichoak ; wherein the black and 
 iliining flies do (helter themlelves, when they retire from the pur- 
 ple Flower about it ; the fame is alfo found in the pricks, fockets, and 
 imp elTions ofthe feeds, in the pulp or bottom thereof; wherein do ele- 
 gantly,ftick the Fathers of their mother. To omit the Quincunci- 
 all Specks on the top ol the Mi^de- berry, efpecially that which grows 
 
 upon 
 
Cjyus-g a/de/i Or Tlje Qutncunx'Niituy.d':) conjidned, 47 
 
 npoti the TilU or Lirae-Tree. And the remarkable difpoftire of chofe Antbe.Gnc 
 yellow fringes about the purple Peftill of Aaron^ and elegant clufters ''""' ^^'- ' 
 of Dragons, fo peculiarly fecured by nature, with an HmhelU or skreen- ?J^^^'^ 
 ing Leaf about them. hj^v ifxjSv 
 
 The Spongy leaves of fome Sea-wracks, Fucus, oaks, in their feveral fi«Tf 3? 
 kindes, found about the (hoar, with ejcftments of the Sea, are over- J'*>*''''*j^, 
 wrought with Net- work elegantly containing this order, vv^hich plain- ^nJt\l\\T 
 lydeclareth the naturality of this texture; And how the needle the ;)or«i 
 of nature delighteth to work, even in low and doubtful vegetaii- f""^'""* 
 
 ons. Impertu, 
 
 The ^r^»/?^r«w or Thicket on the head ofthe Teareli, may ^^ oh- Jj^l^^^^^ 
 ferved in this order : And he that confidcreth that fabrrck fo regular- ivupaif. 
 ly palifadoed, and ftemm'd with flowers of the royal colour j in the Bauhinu 
 houfe ofthe folitary maggot, may finde the Seraglio of Solomon. And 
 contemplating the cahcular fhafts,anduncous difpofure of their extre- 
 mities, fo accommodable unto the office of abfterfion, not con- 
 demn as wholly improbable theconceit ofthofc who accept it, for the 
 herb (d) Borith, Where by the way, we could with much inquiry ne- *Icr, 2^2* 
 ver difcover any transfiguration, in this abftemious infed, although 
 we have kept them long in their proper houfes, and boxes. Where fome 
 wrapt up in their webbs, have lived upon their own bowels, from Sef- 
 tember unto July. 
 
 In fuchagrovedo walk the little creepers about the head ofthe 
 burre. And fuch an order is obferved in the aculeous prickly plantation, 
 upon the heads of feveral common thiftlcs, remarkably in the notable 
 palifadoes about the flower pf the milk thiftle; Andhethatinquircth 
 into the little bottom of the globe thiftlc, may finde that gallant bufli 
 arife from a fcalpe of like difpofure. 
 
 The white umbrella or medicall bu(h of Elder, is an Epitome of this 
 order : arifing from five main ftemms Quincuncially dilpofcd, and to- 
 lerably maintained in their fubdivilions. To omit the lower 
 obfervations in the feminal fpikc of Mercuric weld , and Plan* 
 tane. 
 
 Thus bath nature ranged the flowers of ^antfoyne, and French 
 honey fuckle; and fomewhat after this manner hath ordered thebufh 
 in J»/>zVfrj beard, or houfe-leek ; v/hich old fuperftition fet on the 
 tops of houfes, as a dcfenfative againft lightning and thunder. The 
 like in Fenny Seagreen or the water (f)Souldier; which, though a 5 S(r«t»/«^ 
 military mame from Greece, makes out the Roman order. 
 
 A like ordination there is in the favaginous Sockets, and Lozen- 
 ge feeds of the noble flower of the Sunne. Wherein in Lozenge 
 figured boxes nature (huts up the feeds, and balfame which is about 
 them. 
 
 But the Firre and Pinctree from their fruits clo natv -"?■ 
 
 this pofition. The Rhomboidalprotub'^':'- itKsjjpk' 
 
48 Cj^ut-CArden^ or the Qu'mcu^ Naturall) Confidered, 
 
 this Quincuncial order unto each other, and each Rhombus in it fdf. 
 Thus are alfo difpofed the triangular foliations, in the conicall fruit of 
 the firre tree, orderly (hadowing and protefting the winged feeds be- 
 low them* 
 
 The like fo often occurreth to the curiofity of obfervers, efpecialiy 
 inlpicated feeds and flowers, that we fhall not need to take in the 
 fingle Quincunx of Fuchfius in the grouthof themafle fearn, the fce- 
 dydifpofureofiSramenirchemon, and thetrunckor neat Reticulate 
 work in the coddeoftheSachell palm. 
 
 For even in very many round (hllc plants, the leaves are fet after 
 a Quintuple ordination, the firft leaf anfwering the fift, in lateral dif- 
 pofition. Wherein the leaves fucceflively rounding the ftalk, in four 
 at the furtheft the compafs is abfolved, and the fifth leafe or fprout, 
 returns to the pofition of the other fife before it ; as in accounting up- 
 ward is often obfervablc in furrepillitorry, Ragweed, the fproutcsof 
 Oaks, and thorns upon pollards , and very rereiarkably in the 
 regular difpolure of the rugged excrefcencies in the yearly (hoots of the 
 pine. 
 
 But in fquareflalkcd plants, the leaves ftand refpe^lively unto each 
 other, cither in croffe or decuffation to thofe above or below thera> a- 
 rifing atcrofft pofitions ; whereby they fliadow not each other, and 
 tetter refift the force of windesj which in a parallel fituation, and up- 
 on fquare ftalkcs would more forcibly bear upon them. 
 
 And to omit, how leaves and fprouts which eompaffe nottheflalk, 
 ^re often fet in a Rhomboidcs, and making long and fhort Diagonals, 
 do (land like the leggs of Quadrupeds when they go : Nor to urge the 
 thwart enclofure and furdling of flowers, and Blofifomes, be- 
 fore explication, as in the multiplied leaves of Pionic ; And 
 the Chiafmus in five leaved flowers, while one lies wrapt about 
 theftaminous beards, the other four obliquely (hutting and clofing 
 upon each other ; and how even flowers which confift of four leaves, 
 ftand not ordinarily in three and one, but two, and two croffe wife 
 unto the Stilus; even theAutumnal buds, which await the return of the 
 Sun, do after the winter folrtice multiply their calicular leaves, making 
 little Rhombufes, and network figures, as in the Sycamore and Li- 
 lac. 
 
 The likeisdifcoverableinihc original prodaftionof plants which 
 firfl putting forth two leaves, thofe which fucceed, bear net over each 
 other, but (hoot, oblliqady or croffewife, untill theftalk appeareth; 
 which fendeth not forth its firft leaves without all order unto them; 
 and he that from hence can difcover in what pofition the twofirfl 
 leaves did arife, is no ordinary obfervator* 
 
 Whereby the way, he that obferveth the rudimental fpring of feeds, 
 ihallfinde ftrift rule, although not after this order, How httle is re- 
 quired unco efife^ual generation, and in what deminutives the plafl:ick 
 
 prin- 
 
Cjrnt' Garden or the Quincunx JN'ataralty Co/jfide/ed. 4^ 
 
 principle lodgcth, is exemplified io feeds, wherein the greater ma(s af- 
 fords fo little comprodudion. In beans the icaf and root fprout from 
 the Gcrmen, the main fides fpilt, and lie by, and in fome pull'd up 
 near the time of blooming, we have found the pulpous fides intire or 
 little wafted. In Acorns the nebb dilating fplitteth the two fides, which 
 foraetimes lie whole, when the Oak is fprouted two hand fuls. In Lu- 
 pins thele pulpy fides do fometimes arife with theftalk in a refemblancc 
 of two lat leaves. Wheat and Rye will grow up, if after they have 
 {hot fome tender roofs, the adhering pulp be taken from them. Beans 
 will profper though a part be cut away, and fo much fet as fijifieeth 
 to contain and keep the Germenclofe. From this luperfluous pulp in 
 unkindly, and wet years, miy arife that multiplicity of little inleds, 
 which infcft the Roots and fprouts of tender Graines and pul- 
 (cs. 
 
 In the little nebbe or frudifying principle, the motion is regular, 
 and not tranfvertible, as to make that ever the leaf, which nature in- 
 tendcth the root ; obfervable from their converfion, until they attain 
 their right pofiuon. if feeds be fet inverfedly. 
 
 In vain we exped the produdion of plants from different parts of 
 the feed, from the fame ftfrc«//<w or little original proceed both ger- 
 minations; and in the power of this flender particle lie many Roots, 
 that though the fame be pull*d away, the generative particle will re- 
 new them again, and proceed to a perfcd plant ; And malt may be ob- 
 fcived to grow, though the Cummes be fallen from it. 
 
 The feminal nebbe hath a defined and fingle place, and not extended 
 unto both extremes. And therefore many too vulgarly conceive that 
 Barley and Oats grow at both ends j For they arife from one prtnSli- 
 iio or generative nebbe, and the Speare Hiding under the husk, firfl 
 •ppeareth nigh the top. But in Wheat and Rye being bare the fprouts 
 are feen together. If Barley unhulled would grow, both would ap- 
 pear at once. But in this and Oat-meal the nebbe is broken away, which 
 makes them the milder food, and IcfTeapt toraife fermentation in Dq- 
 codions. 
 
 Men taking notice ofwhat is outwardly vifible, conceive a fenfible 
 priority in the root. But as they begin from one part, fo they 
 feem to flartand fet out upon one fignal of nature- In Beans yet foft, 
 in Pcafc while they adhere unto the Cod, the rudimental Lcafe and 
 Root arc difcoverable. In the Seeds of Rocket and Muftard, fprout- 
 ing in Glafles of water,when the one is manifeft the other is alfo percep- 
 tible In muddy waters apt to breed DHckj'^cced^ and Periwinkles, if 
 the firft and rudimentall ftroaks of D^ck:weed be obfcrved,the Leaves 
 and Root anticipate not each other. But in the Date itone the firft 
 fprout is neither root nor leaf diftindly, but both together; For the 
 Germination being to pafTe through the narrow navel a id hole about 
 the midft of the Itone, the generative germ is lain to enUngthen it felf, 
 
 5 ^ and 
 
jQ cjruS'^MdenyOiThe ^incmx Naturdly Confiderect, 
 
 and ihooting out about an inch, at that diftance divideth into the af- 
 ccnding and defcending portion. 
 
 And chough it be generally thought that Seeds will root at that end, 
 where they adhere to their Originals, and obfervable it is that the 
 nebbe fets moft often next the ftalk, as in Grains, Pulfcs, andmoft 
 Imall feeds, yetisit hardly made out in many greater plants. For in A- 
 cornes, Almonds, Piftachios, Wallnuts, and acuminated fhells, the 
 germ puts forth at the remotell part of the pulp. And therefore to fet 
 Seeds 111 that pofture, wherein the Leaf and Roots may flioot right 
 without contortion, or forced circumvolution, which might render 
 themftronply rooted, and ftraighter, wereaCriticiftne in Agricul- 
 ture. And nature feems to have made feme provifion hereof in many 
 from their figure, that as they fall from the Tree they may (ye in Po- 
 fitions r;grceable to fuch advantages. 
 
 Befide the open and vifibleTefticles of plants, thefeminall pores He 
 in great part invifiblc, while the Sun findes polypody in ftone- wals, the 
 little ftinging Nettle, and nightfliade in barren fandy High-waycs, 
 . Scurvy- graffe in Greene-land^ and unknown plants in earth brought from 
 
 remote Countreys. Befidetheknownlongevityoffome Trees, what 
 is the mort lafting herb, or feed, leems not eafily determinable. Man- 
 drakes upon known account have lived near an hundred years. Seeds 
 found in Wilde-Fowls Gizards have fproi'ted in the earth. The Seeds 
 of Marjorane and 5fr^;??o«;«f;? carelefly kept, have grown after feven 
 years. Evenin Garden-plots long falow, and digged up, the feeds of 
 £lattaria2ind yellow henbane, and after twelve years buriall have pro- 
 duced themlelves again. ^ 
 That bodies are firll fpirits Taracelfm could affii m, which in the raa- 
 IK met. turation oi Seeds and Fruits, feems ob(curcly implied by ^riflttle^ 
 iMmCabt^. when he dclivcrecb, that the fpirituous parts arc converted into water, 
 and the water into earth, and artefted by obfervation in the maturative 
 progrcffe of Seeds, whereinatfirftmay be dilcerned a flatuoiis diften« 
 tion of the husk, afterwards a thin liquor, which longer time digeft- 
 eth into a pulp or kcrncU obfervable in Almondsand large Nuts. An^i 
 fome way anfwered in the progreflionall perfedion of animall femina-^^ 
 tion, in its fperraaticall maturation, from crude pubefcency unto per-: 
 fedion. And even thatfeeeds themfelves in their rudimentall difcove- 
 riei, appear in foliaceousfurcles, or fprouts within their coverings, in a 
 diaphanous gcUie, before deeper incraffation, is alfovilibly verified in 
 Cherries, Acorns, Plums* 
 
 From (eminallconfidcrations, cither in reference unto one another, 
 or diftindion from animall produdicn, the holy Scripture defcribeth 
 the vegetable creation ; And while it divideth plants but into Herl^ 
 and Tree, though it (eemcth to make but an accidcntaildivifion, from 
 magnitude, it tacitcly containcth the naturalldiftin(5lion of vegetable?^ 
 •obkrved by Herbari&s, and comprehending the four kindcs. For 
 
 fiKCC 
 
Cjrui'GArden , O r The Qu'tHCunx • N'aturally Confidered, 5 1 
 
 fince the moft naturall diftindion is made from the produdionof leaf 
 orftalk, and plants after the two firlKeminail leaves, do either pro- 
 treed to fend forth more leave.^, or a ftilk, and the folious and ftalky 
 emilfion diftinguilliechheibs and trees, and ftand Authentically diffe- 
 renced, but from the accidents of the ftallc. 
 
 The i^quivocal pioduftion oi things under undifcerned principles, 
 makes a large part oF generation, though they feem to hold a wide uni- 
 vocacy in theii fet and certain Originals, while almofl every plant 
 breeds its peculiar infed, mod a Butterfly, moth or fly, wherein the 
 Oakfeems to conr-un thelargefl: fcminality, while the Julus, Oak, ap- 
 ple, dill, »voolly tuft, foraminous roundles upon the leaf, and grapes 
 under grounj make a Fly with fome difference. The great variety of 
 Flyes lyes in the variety of their Originals, in the Seeds of Catc pil- 
 lars or Cankers there lyeth not only a Butterfly or Moth, but if they 
 be fterill or untimely caft^ their prodidion'isofcena Fly, which we 
 have alio obfervcd from corrupted and mouldred Egges, both of Hens 
 and Fiflies ; To omit the generation of Bees out of the bodies of dead 
 Heifers, or what is ftrange yet well a tefted? the produdion of £eles sch&ne- ■ 
 -in the backs ot living Cods and Perches. veldw cU 
 
 The exiguity and lmal!ncfl"e of fome Seeds extending to large pro- P'fi' 
 duftions is one of the magna 1 -.ties of nature, fomewhatillullratingthe 
 worK of the Creatiofj- and vaft produ<5lion from nothing. The true 
 ;(^)feedsofCyprcffcaiidRarapions are indiftinguifhahlc by old eyes.' DoHiJpm, 
 Of the feeds ot Tobacco a thoufand make not one grain. The difpuced ^^'""^*'»*«''S 
 feeds of Harts tongue, and Maidenhair, require a greater number. 
 (From fuch undifccrna- le (eminalittes arife fpontaneous productions. 
 He that would dikern the rudimentall ffroak of a plant, may behold it 
 in the Origin all of Duckweed, at the bsgn ffe of a piiis point, from 
 convenient waiter in gUlfc-i, wherein awatchfull eye may allodifcover 
 the pundicular Origmals of Periwmi les and Gnats. ^ 
 
 That 5ceds of fome Plants are lefTc then any animals, feems of no 
 clear deciflon ; That the biggcit of Vegetables e^iceedeth the biggefl: 
 of Animals, in full bulk, and aildiracnfions, admits exception in the 
 Whale, which in length and ab©ve gtound mealure, will aUo con- ••The long 
 tend with tall Oaks. That the ncheU odour of plants luipaffeth that ^"'^ '^^^*^ 
 of Animals, may feem ot lome doubt, fince aniTuall musk, feems ^^^fy^gy,,^^ 
 <xceU the vegetable, and we finde fo noble a kent in the Tulip- i ly ,anu jjrciy 
 (^ J) Goat- Beetle. fuund^we 
 
 Now whether feminall nebbes hold any fure prop rtionunto feminal cculdi.cvcr 
 enclofures, why the form of the gcrmc doth not anfwer the figure cjijjy^^j*" 
 theendofing pulp, why the nebbe is feated upon the lolid, and not 
 •the channcld fide of the feed as in grains, why fincc we often meet with 
 two yolks in one (hell, andfumetimesonc Egge within another, we do 
 not cftener meet with two nebbes in one diffind feed : why fince the 
 Egges pf a Hen laid at one courie, do commonfy out- weigh the bird, 
 
 5 G 2 and 
 
ja {"yrus-Gardeiriy or the Qu'mcum Naturally Confidered^ 
 
 and fume moths coming out of their cafes, without afliftance of food, 
 will lay fo many Egges as to outweigh their bodies, trees rarely bear 
 their fruit, in that gravity or proportion .• Whether in the germina- 
 tion of feeds according to H/p^tfcT^f^/, the lighter part afcendeth, and 
 maketh the fprout, the heavieft tending downward frameth the root ; 
 Since we obferve that the firftflioot of feeds in water, will fink or bow 
 down at the upper and leafing end -. Whether it be not more rational 
 Epicurifme to contrive whole difhes out of the nebbes and spirited par- 
 ticles of plants, then from theGallatures and treddlesofEggesj fince 
 that part is found to hold nofcminall (hare in Oval Generation, arc 
 Queries which might enlarge but muft conclude this digref- 
 (ion* 
 
 And though not in this order, yet how nature dellghteth in this 
 number, and what confcnt and coordination there is in the leaves and 
 parts of flowers, it cannot efcapc our obfervation in no fmall number 
 of plants. For the calicular or fupporting and doling leaves, do an- 
 fwer the number of the flowers, efpecially in fuch as exceed not the 
 number of Swallows Egges ; as in Violets, Stichwort, BlofTomes, and 
 Flowers of one leaf have often five divifions, anfwercd by a like num- 
 ber of calicular leaves; as Gef;tiAf}elUyCoKv»lvHif4iyBc\\-{[owers.ln many 
 the flowers, blades, or (laminous (hoots and leaves are all equally five, 
 as in cockle, muWcimnd.Blattaria; Wherein the flowers before ex- 
 plication are pentagonally wrapped up, with fome refcmblance of the 
 Ihtta or moth from whence it hath its name ; But the contrivance of 
 nature is lingular in the opening and (hutting of Bindcweeds, perform- 
 ed by five inflexurcs,dillinguifhable by pyramidicall figures, and alfo 
 different colours. 
 
 Th3 rofe at firft is thought to have been of five leaves, as it yet 
 groweth wilde among us; but in the moft luxuriant, the calicular 
 leaves do ftill maintain that number. But nothing is more admired then 
 the five Brethren of the Rofe, and the ftrange difpofure of the Appen- 
 dices or Beards, in the calicular leaves thereof, which in defpair of re- 
 lolution is tolerably falved from this contrivance, beft ordered and fuic- 
 cd for the free elofure of them before explication. For ihofc two which 
 are f mooth, and of no beardare contrived to lye undermoft,as without 
 prominent parts, and fit to be fmooihly covered , the other two which 
 are belct with Beardson either fide, fiand outward and unGovered,but 
 the fifth or half-beardedleafis covered on the bare fide but on the open 
 (idc ftands free, and bearded like the other, 
 
 Bcfides a la»-ge number of leaves have five divifions, and may becir- 
 cumfcribed by a PcKtagon or figure of five Angles, made by right lines 
 from the extremity of their leaves, as in Maple, Vine, Figge-Trec .• 
 ^ut firc-lcaved flowers are commonly difpofed circularly about the 
 S(jlm\ according to the higher Geometry ofnature, dividing a cir- 
 ^^ by five %.AAii^ whidi concurre not to nijike Diameters, as in 
 
 Qua-- 
 
Cyrus- Garden or the Quincu?7k I^aturally Confidered^ y3 
 
 Quadrilaterall and fcxangular IntcrfcAions. 
 
 Now the number of five is remarkable in every Circle, not only as 
 the firft fhaerical Number, but the meafure of fphaerica! motion. For 
 fphscrical bodies move by fives, and every globular Figure placed upon 
 a planCj in direft volutation, returns to the firft point of contaftion 
 in thefirfl: touch, accounting by the Axes of the Diameters or CarJi- 
 nall points of the four quarters thereof. And before it arriveth unto 
 the fame point again, itmaketh five circles equall unto it fdf, in each 
 progrcflc from thofe quarters, abfolving an equal circle. 
 
 By the fame number doth nature divide the circle of the i'ca-flarre, 
 and in that order and number difpofeth thofe elegant Scmi-circles, or 
 dentailfockets and eggcs in the Sea Hcdge-hogge. And no mean Ob- 
 fervations hereof there is in the Mathemaiicks of the neatefl: Retiary 
 Spider, which concluding in fourty four Circles, from five Semidia- 
 meters beginncth that elegant texture. 
 
 And after this manner doth lay the foundation of the Circular bran» £/j^ \^, 
 ches of the Oak, which being five-cornered, ii the tender annuali 
 fprouts, and manifefling upon incifion the fignaturs of a Staire, is 
 after made circular, and fwel'd into a round body : Which praftice of 
 nature is become a point of art, and makes two Problcmes in Enclide, 
 But the Bryar which fends forth fhoots and prickles from its angles, 
 maintains its pentagonall figure, and the unobferved fignature of a 
 handfome porch wichin it. To omit the five fmall buttons dividing the 
 Circle of the Ivy- berry, and the five charadcrs in the Winter flalk.of 
 thcWallnut, with many other Obfervables, which cannot cfcape the 
 eyes of (ignal difcerners ; Such as know where to findc A]ax his name, 
 in GaUtnicunti or ayfrons Mitre in Henbane. 
 
 .. Quioconcial forms and Ordinations are alfo obfervable in animall fi- 
 gurations. For to omit the hioidcs or throat-bone of aniraals,the/«r- 
 cuU or werrj'theugk in hiids; which fupportcth the fcjpnU^ afford- 
 ing a pafTage for the winde-pipe and the gullet, the wings of Flyes, and 
 difpofureoUhcirlegs in their firf^ formation from maggots,and the po* 
 fition of their horns, wings and legs, in their jiH^elUn cafes and fwad- 
 Jing clouts : The back of the Cimex e/^r^o-tf«y,found often upon Trees 
 and ielfer plants, dcih elegantly difcover the Bttrgmdian decuffation ; 
 And the like is obfervable in the belly of the A^^^/osje^ew, or water-Bee- 
 tle, which fwimmeth on its back, and the handfome RhorabufTes of 
 the Sea-poult, or Werrell, on either fide the Spine, 
 
 The iexangularCek in the Honey-combs of Bees aredifpofed after 
 this order, much there is not of wonder in the confufcd Houles of Pif- 
 mires; though much in their bufie life and a<5lions, n>ore in the edificiil 
 Palaces of Bees and Monarchical fpirits; who make ih3ir combs fix- 
 corner'd, declining a circle, whereof many ftand not clofe together, 
 and conr pleatly fill the area of the place ; But rather affeding a fix-flded 
 ilgure> whereby every cell aflfotds a common fide unto fix more, and 
 
 alfo. 
 
 \^!- 
 
54 Cjrui-GArden^ Or The Quincunii Naturalt) Conftdered, 
 
 alfoa lit receptacle for the Bee it felf, which gathering into a CyHn- 
 drical Figure, aptly enters its fexangalar houfc,more needy approching 
 a circular figure, then cither doth the Square or Triangle* And the 
 Combes rhemfelves fo regularly contrived, that their mutual interfedi- 
 ons make three Lozenges at the bottom of every Ceili which fcve- 
 raily regarded make three Rows of neat Rhomboidal Figures, conned- 
 edat the angles, and fo contiuue three fcveral chaines throughout the 
 whole comb. 
 
 As for the F^f^ff* found comraonly on the 5ea-fhoar, though na- 
 med frora an honeycomb, it but rudely makes out the refemblance, 
 and better agrees with the round Cels of humble Bees. He that would 
 exadlydKcern the fliop of a Bees mouth, need obferving ey«, and 
 good augmenting glaffes; wherein is difcoverable one of the neateft 
 pecces in nature, and muft have a more piercing eye then mine; who 
 findes out the (hape of buls heads, in the i^ut5x:)f drones prefled out be- 
 Gom. de liJocie, according to the experiment of Gomefiffs; wherein notwith- 
 Salt. ftanding there feemeth foraewhat which might incline a plain fancy, to 
 credulity otfimilitude. -^ 
 
 A relembhnce hereof there is in the orderly and rarely difpofed Cels, 
 madeby Flyes and Infcds, which we have often found faltened>abouc 
 fmall <prigs^ and in thofe cottonary and wooly pillows? whkh fomc- 
 timcs we meet with fattened unto Leaves, there is included an elegant 
 Net-work Texture , ©ut of which come many fmall Flies. And,loa± 
 reimblance there is of this order in the Eggev of iome Butterflies and 
 moths, as they ftick upon leaves, and other fubrtances ; which being 
 dropped from bebinde, nor direfted by the eye, doth neatly declare 
 how nature Geometriztth, and otferveth order in all chings. 
 
 A like correfpondency in figure is found in the skins and lOutward 
 teguments of animals, whereof a regardable part arc beautiful by this 
 texture. As the backs of feveral Snakes, and Serpents, elegantly rcr- 
 markable in the ^^fpis, and the Dart-fnake , in the Chiafmus, and 
 larger decuffations upon the back of the Rattle- fnake, : and in the 
 clofc and finer texture of the Mater jormkaramy or fnake that de- 
 lights in Anthils; whereby upon approach! of outward injuries, they 
 can raife a thicker Phalanx on their backs, and handfomcly contrive 
 thenifclves into all kindes of flexures: Whereas their bellies are com- 
 monly covered with fmooth femicircular divifions, as bell accom- 
 modableunto their quick and gliding -raotioh.v': '/ . 
 
 This way is followed by nature in rhe peculiar aiid rcraarisab'le tail of 
 the Bever, whei^cinthefca'y particles are difpoled, fomcwbac after thii; 
 order,which is the plainfelt rtfolurion of the wonder of Bi;lhnifis>y\N\\M' 
 be faith, vi^ith inc-edible Artifkchath Nature framrd the cayl<)r Oar 
 of the Bever : where hy the Way we cannot \i\3X. j^ifh a model of their 
 houfes, fo muvh extolled' by fjme Defcriicrs: whenein fince they are 
 fo boldas to vooture uporfithfcc'ibgpa^e might miniqe.cl»i>: i^V^t- 
 
 in 
 
^jYUi'^ArdenOt 7he Quincunx Naturally confidered, ^^ 
 
 in the contignations, the rule_and order in the compartitions • or 
 whether that magnified ftruflure be any more then ^ rude redan- 
 gular pyle or meer hovel-building. 
 
 Thus works the hand of nature in the feathery plantation about birds. 
 Obfervabie in the skins of the * breaft, legs and Pinions of Turkies* Elegantly 
 Gecfe, and Ducks, and the Oars or finny feet of Water^Fowl: and fuch confpicu- 
 a natural net as the fcaly covering of nfhes, of Mullets, Carps, Ten- ?"i°" ?* 
 cheSjd'c. eveninfuchas areexcoriableand confiftof fmaller fcales, as j^g ^^jp. 
 Bretts; Seals, and Flounders. The like Reticulate grain is obfer- pcd skins 
 vablcin iomt %ujfia, Leather. To omit the ruder Figures of the o- ofDive- 
 ftracion, the triangular or cunnyfifli, or the pricks of the 5ea-Por-^°^'^j.^^^ 
 cupine. rancGof- 
 
 The fame is alfo obfervabie in fome part of the skin of man, in habits of bonder , 
 neat texture,and therefore not unaptly compared unto a net : Wefhall weafdl, 
 not affirm that from fuch grounds, the iEgyptianEmbalmers imitated °°"»^*^' 
 this texture,yet in their Hnnen foldsthefameis ftill obfervabie among 
 their neatefl: Mummies, in the figures of ///and O/^m, and the Tute- 
 lary fpirits in the Bembine Table. Nor is it to be over-looked how O- 
 rnSy the Hieroglyphick of the world is defcribed in a Net-work cover- 
 ing, from the ftioulder to the foot. And (not to enlarge upon the cru- 
 ciated Chara^'er of Trifmegifl-ns^ or handed crfifles, lo often occur- 
 ring in the Needles of ?/;.^r4o/7, and Obeliskspf Antiquity) the i'f4f/f<c 
 //?<^«-rf, Teraphims, and little Idols, found about the Mummies, do 
 make a dccuflation ox lacobs Crofle, with their armes, like that on the 
 head o(Ephrair» and CHdifaffes^, attd this decujfis is alfo graphically 
 defcribed between them. 
 
 This Reticulate or Net-work was alfo confiderable in the inward 
 parts of man, not onely from the dtHfuhtegmef^ or warp of his forma- 
 tion, but inthenetty fibres o^ths veines and veflels of life; whereia 
 according to common Anatomy the right and tuAnCverfc fibres are de- 
 cuflated, by the obVickfihes-j and fo muft frame a Reticulate and Quin* 
 cuncial Fgnre by their Obliquations, Emphatically extending that Ele- 
 gant cxpreflion of Scripture. Thou haft curioufly embroydered mej 
 thou hafl- wrought me up after the finefl way of texture, and as it 
 were with a Needle. 
 
 Nor is the fame obfervabie onely in fome parts, but in the whole bo- 
 dy of man , which upon the extenfion of arms and legges, doth make 
 outafquare, whofeinterfedion is at the genitals. To omit the phan- 
 taftical Quincunx, in P/ato of the firft Hermaphrodite or double man^ 
 united at the Loynes, which Jupiter after divided. 
 
 A rudimental refcmblance hereof there is in the cruciated and rug- 
 ged folds of the ReticHlftm, or Net like Ventricle of ruminating horned 
 animals, which is the fecond in order,culinarily called the Honey-comb. 
 For many divfions there are in the ftomack of fevcral animals; what , 
 number they maintain in the ^carm and ruminating Fifh, common dc- 
 
 fcription 
 
5^ CjruUGardeh^ or theQutncun>: Naturally Confidered, 
 
 {criptionj or our own experiment hath made no dilcovery . But in the 
 Ventricle of Porptifes there are three divifions. In many Birds a crop, 
 Gizard, and little receptacle before it ; but in Cornigcrous animals, 
 which chew the cudd,thcre are no leffe then four of diftind pofition and 
 office. 
 
 The Tl^^/V/^/^w by thefe croflfed Ccls, makes a further digeftion, in 
 the dry and exuccous part of the Aliment received from the firft Ven- 
 tricle. For at the bottome of the gullet there is a double Orifice ; 
 What is firft received at the mouth defcendeth into the firft and great- 
 er ftomack, from whence it is returned into the mouth again ; and after 
 a fuller raaftication, and falivoHs mixture, what part thereof defcend- 
 eth again, in a moift and fucculent body, it Aides down the foftcr and 
 * more permeable Orifice, into the Omafus or third flomack ; and from 
 thence conveyed into the fourth, receives its laft digeflion. The other 
 dry and exuccous part after rumination by the larger and ftronger Ori- 
 fice bcareth into the firflfloenack, from thence into the Retica/tinf, 
 and foprogreiTively into the other divifions. And therefore in Calves 
 newly calved, there is little or no ufe of the two firft Ventricles,for the 
 milk and liquid aliment flippcth down the fofter Orifice, into the third 
 ftomack ; where making little or no Itay; it paffelh into the fourth, the 
 feat of the Coa^aium, or Runnet, or that divifion of ftomack which 
 feemsto bear the name of the whole, in the Greek tranflation of the 
 Priefts Fee, in the Sacrifice of Peace-offerings. 
 
 As for thofe Rhomboidal Figures made by the Cartilagineous parts 
 of the Wezcn, in the Lungs of great Fifhes, and other animals, as 
 %ondeletiu^ dUcovcrcd, we have not found themfo to anfwer our Fi- 
 gure as to be drawn intoilluftration , Something we expedcdin the 
 more difcernable texture of the lungs of frogs, which notwithftanding 
 being but two curious bladders not weighing above a grain, we found 
 interwoven with veins, not obferving any juft order. More orderly 
 (ituated are thofe cretaceous and chalky concretions found foaietimes 
 in the bignefTc of a fmall fech on either fide their fpine j which being 
 not agreeable unto our order, noryetobfervedby any, we (hall not 
 bercdifcourfeon* 
 
 But had we found a better account and tolerable Anatomy of that 
 Pi6i2. de- prominent jowle of the (a) Sperma Ceti Whale, then queftuary opera- 
 fcribed in tion, or the ftench of the laft caft upon ourfhoar,permittcd, we might 
 ouTFjeHdo. have perhaps difcovered fomc handfome order in thole Net- like fea- 
 E^iicm. fgj andfockets, made like Honey-combs, containing that medicall 
 "*^* matter, 
 
 iaftly, The inceflion or locall motion of animals is made with ana- 
 logy unto this Figure, by decuflativediametrals, Quincunciall Lines 
 and angles. For to omit the enquiry how Butterflies and breezes move 
 their four wings, how birds and fifties in ayre and water move by 
 joynt ftroaks ot oppofitc wings and Finnes, and how faiient animals in 
 
 jumping 
 
Cynt- Cxr^n or the Quincmx N'aturally Confidered, 5^ 
 
 Jumping forward feem to arife and fall upon a fquare bafe ; As the (la* 
 tion ot moft Quadrupeds,is made upon a long fquare,(o in their motion 
 tfaeymakcaRhomboides ; their common progreffion being perform- 
 ed Diametrally, by decuflation andcrofle advancement of their Icggcs, 
 whichnocobfervedbegotthatremarkableabfurdity in the pofition of 
 thcleggesof (^afi or s hoik m theCapltoll. The .Snake which moveth 
 circularly makes his fpires in like order, the convex and concave fpirals 
 anfwering each other at alcernate diftances ; In the motion of man the 
 armes and leggcs obferve this thwarting poficion, but the legges alone 
 do move Quincuncialiy by fingie Angles with fome refemblance of an 
 V meafured by fucccfli ve advancement from each foot, and the angle 
 of indenture greater leffe, according to the extent or brevity of the 
 ftride. 
 
 5tudious Obfervators may difcovcr more analogies in the orderly 
 book of nature, and cannot cfcape the Elegancy of her hand in other 
 correfpondencies. The Figures of nails and crucifying appurtenances, 
 are but precarioufly made out in the GranadtlU or flower of Chrifts 
 paffion ; And we dcfpair to behold inthefe parts that handforae draught 
 of crucifixion in the fruit of the Barhado Pine. The fcminal fpike of 
 PhaUrt^^ or great (baking graffe, more nearly anfwers the tayl of a 
 Rattle-Snake, then many refemblances in Porta : And if the man 
 (i) Orchis of Colnmnx be well made out, it excelleth all analogies. In b Orchis An^ 
 young Wallnuts cut athwart, it is not hard to apprehend ftrange t\i2i* throp^hout 
 radcrs; and in thofeof fomcwhat elder growth, handfome ornamen- ^**" *'•' 
 tal draughts about a plain crofTe. In the root of Ofntond or Water-fern, "**' 
 every eye may difcern the form of a half Moon, Rain-botv, or half 
 the character of Pifcei. Some finde Hebrew, Arabick, Greek, and 
 LatineCharaftersin Plants J In a common one among us we feem to 
 reade Acai^^Viviu, Lilt I. 
 
 Right lines and circles make out the bulk of plants j In the parts 
 thereof we fiode Helicall or fpirall rouadles, voluta's, conicall Seftions, 
 circular Pyramids, andfruftums o^ Archtmedesy And cannot over- 
 look the orderly hand of nature, in the alternate fucceffion of the flat 
 and narrower fides in the tender fhoots of the Afhe, or the regular in- 
 equality of bignefle in the five leaved flowers of Henbane, andfome- 
 thing like in the calicular leaves of Tutfdn, How the fpots of Perfiearia 
 do manifert thcmfelves between the fixth and tenth ribbe. How the 
 triangular capp in the flemme or fiylm of Tulips doth conftantly point 
 at three outward leaves. That fpicated flowers do open firfl at the 
 ftalk. That white flowers have yellow thrums or knops. That th& 
 nebbeof Beans and Peafe do all look downward, and fo prefTe not 
 upon each other ; And how the feeds of many pappous or downy 
 flowers lockt up in fotkets after a gomphofis or «»(7rf ^-articulation, dif- 
 fofe themfelves circularly into branches of rare order, obfcrvable in 
 I'raioviAn or Goats-beard, conformable to the Spiders web, and the 
 
 *^ $H %Mti 
 
5^ Cjrui'(jardenyOtThe ^inamx Naturally Confident, 
 
 %adii in like manner telarely inter-woven. 
 
 And how in animall natures, even colours hold correfpondencies, and 
 mutuall correlations. That the colour of the Caterpillar will (hew a- 
 gain in the Butterfly, with fome latitude is allowable. Though the re- 
 gular fpotsin their wings fccm but a mealic adhefion, and fuch as may 
 be wiped away, yet fince they come in this variety, out ot their cafes, 
 there mufl: be regular pores in thofe pares and mciubrancs.defining fuch 
 Exudations, 
 fc Suet, in That (i>) Augujim bad native notes on his body and belly, after the 
 vit, Aug. order and number in the Starre of ^W/irj reaytie^ will notfeem ftrangc 
 unto aftrall Phyfiognomy, which accordingly confidereth moles in the 
 body of man, or Phyficall Obfervator*, who from the pofition-of moles 
 io the face, reduce them to rule and correfpondency in other parts. 
 Whether after the like method medicall conjefture may not be raifed, 
 upon parts inwardly affeded; fince parts about the lips are the critical! 
 feats of Puftules difcharged in Agues ; And fcrophuloHs tumours about 
 the neck do fo often fpeak the like about the Mefcntety, may alfo be 
 confidercd. 
 
 1 heruflet neck in young Lambs fecms but adventitious, and may 
 owe its tindure to fome ccntadion in the womb j But that if (heep 
 have any black or deep rufTct in their faces they want not the fame 
 about their legges and feet ; Thatblack Hounds have mealy mourhs 
 and feet ; That bUck Cows which have any white in their tayls, (hould 
 not miffeoffooae in their bellies ; andif all white in their bodies, yet 
 if black -mouth'd, their ears and feet maintain the fairc colour, are cor- 
 refpondent tinftares not ordinaaily failing in nature, which eafily u- 
 mtesthe accidents ofextremities, fince in fome generations (he tran(* 
 n^utes the parts tfaemfelves, while in the Aarelian CMetaworfhofis the 
 head of the canker becomes the Taylof the Butterfly. Which is in 
 lome way not beyond the contrivance of Art^ in fubmerfions and In- 
 lays, inverting the extremes of the plant, and fetching the root from 
 the top, and alfo imitated in handfome columnary work, in the inver- 
 fion oftheextremfis; wherein the Capitel, and the Bafe, hold fuch near 
 correfpondency. 
 
 In the motive parts of animals may be difcovcred mutuall proporti- 
 ons ; not only in thole of Quadrupeds, but in the thigh-bone, legge, 
 foot-bone, and da ws of Birds, The legs of Spiders arc made after a lef- 
 quitertian proportion, and the long legs of fome focufts, double unto 
 fome others. But the internodial parts of Vegetables, or fpaces be- 
 tween the joynts, are contrived with more uncertainty ; though 
 the joy nts them felves in many Plants, maintain a regular Nuii>- 
 ber. 
 
 In vegetable compofure, the unition of prominent parts feems moft 
 to anfwcr the Apofhyfes or proceflTesof Animall bones, whereof they 
 are the produced parts or prominent cxplantatiom. And. though in 
 
 the 
 
Cjfut-Girden , Or The Q^incun^ > JSfaturally Confidered, 5 ^ 
 
 tl»e parts of plants which are not ordained for motion, we do not ex- 
 pcft correfpondent Articulations ; yet in the fetting on of fome flow- 
 ers, and feeds in their fockets, andthe lineallcommifluie of the palp 
 oi feverall feeds, may be obferved fome (hadow of the Harmonyjfomc 
 fliow of the (^vmphojtsor i»(?rr ^^-articulation. 
 
 As for theZ)i^rr^/oy;j or motive Articulation, there is expeded lit- 
 tle Analogy, though long-ftalked leaves doc move by long lines, and 
 have obfeivable motions, yet are they made by outward impulfion,likc 
 the motion of pendulous bodies, while the parts themlelves arc united 
 by fome kinde oiffwfhyp unto the ftock. 
 
 But (landing Vegetables, void of motive- Articulations, are not 
 without many motions. For befide the motion of vegetation upward. 
 and of radiation unto all quarters, that ofcontiacJlion, dilatation, in- 
 clination, and contortion, is difcoverable in many plants. To omit 
 the rofe o{ Jericho, the car of Rye, which moves with change of wea- 
 ther, and the Magical (pit, made oi no rare plants,whicb windcs before 
 the fire, andrcfis the bird without turning. 
 
 Even Animals near the ClafHs of plants, feem to have the mod reft- ' Fdund 
 leffc motions. The Summer worm of Ponds and plalhes makes a long ?^""r '" 
 waving motion; the hair worm feldomc lies ftill. He that would behold ©T^cdmlJ 
 a^ery anomalous motion, may obferve it in the Tortile and tiring gotlnthe 
 ftroaks of (a) Gnatworms. ftanding 
 
 waters of 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 waters ot 
 €iftefns m 
 the Sum- 
 mer. 
 
 AS for the delights, commodities , myfteries, with other con- 
 ccrnments of this order, we are unwilling to fly them over, in 
 the (hort deliveries oiVtrgily ^^tc, or others, and fliall therefore en- 
 large with additional! ampliations. 
 
 By this pofition they had a juft proportion of Earth, to fupply an e- 
 quality of nourifhment. The diftance being ordered, thick or thin, ac- 
 cording to the magnitude or vigorous attraftion of the plant,thcgood- 
 ne(re, leannefle, or propriety of thefoyl, and therefore the rule of So' 
 /o», concerning the territory of (s/^r/:*;7j, not extendible unto all; al- 
 lowing the diftance of fix foot unto common Trees, and nine for the 
 Fig and Olive. 
 
 They had a due diffufion of their roots on all or both fides, where- 
 by they maintained fome proportion to their height, in Trees of large *U>f^^ntm 
 radication. For that they ftridlv make good their profundar or depth ""^"^ ^'^ 
 unto their height, accordmg to common conceit, and that exprefiion ^,j!„y,,, 
 of {a) yirgil^ though confirmable from the plane Tree in Pltnj^ and tantumra. 
 lome few examples, is not to beexpeded from the generation of Trees <^'f^ ''Z- 
 almoft in any Kinde, either of fide-fpreading or tap-roots ; Except we ^"^^ ^^'"'^* 
 
 5 H2 • we 
 
6o Cyrat'CArden^ or the Quincum MyflicAll) Confidered, 
 
 wc raeafurethem by lateral and oppofite diffufions j nor commonly to 
 be found in minor ot hearby plants; If we except Sea-holly, Liquorilh, 
 Sea-rufli, and fomc others. 
 
 They had a commodious radiation in their growth j and a due ex- 
 panfion of their branches, for (hadow or delight. For trees thickly 
 planted, do run up in height and branch with no expanfion, (hooting 
 unequally or fhort, and thinneupon the neighbouring fide. And there- 
 fore Trees are inwardly bare, and fpring,and leaf from the outward and 
 Sunny fide of their branches. 
 
 Whereby they alfo avoided the pcrillof (TuvoAeSfio-^s" or one tree 
 perifliing with another, as it happeneth ofttimcs from the fick effluvi- 
 urns or entanglemeats of the roots, falling foul with each other. Ob- 
 {^rvable in Elmes fct in hedges, where if one dicth the neighbouring 
 Tree profpereth not long after. 
 
 In thisfituation divided into many intervals and open untoUx paf- 
 fages, they had the advantage of a fair perflation from windes, bruih- 
 ing and cleanfing their furfaces; relaxing and clofing their pores unto due 
 perfpiration. For that they afford large effluviums perceptible from o- 
 dours, difiufed at great diftances, is obfervable from Onyons out of 
 the Earth; which though dry, and kept until the fpring, as they 
 ihoocforch large and many leaves, do notably abate of their weight. 
 And mint growing in glafles of water , until it arriveth unto the 
 weight of an ounce, in a fhady place, will fometimes exhauft a pound 
 of water. 
 
 And as ihcy fend forth much, fomay they receive fomcwhat in: 
 For befide the common way and road of reception by the root, there 
 may be a refedion and imbibition from without ; For gentle {howra 
 refrefh plants, though they enter not their roots ; And the good and 
 bad effluviums of Vegetables, promote or debilitate each other. So 
 EfithymHm and Dodder^ rootlefle and out of the ground, maintaio 
 themfelves upon Thyme, Jftivory, and plants, whereon they hang. And 
 Jvy divided from the root, we haveobferved to live fomc years, by the 
 cirrous parts commonly conceived but astenaclcsand hold-fafts unto it. 
 The ftalks of mint cropt from the root ftripped from the leaves, and fct 
 in glajfes with the root end upward, and out of the water , we 
 haveobferved to fend forth fprouts and leaves without the aid of roots, 
 AXuifcordiMm to grow in like manner, the leaves fet downward in water. 
 Toomitfeverall Sea- plants, which grow onfinglc roots from ftones, 
 although in very many there are fid e- (Hoots and ^^r^j, befide the fa- 
 ftening root. 
 
 By this open pofition they were fairly cxpofed unto the rayes of 
 Moon and Sunne, fo confiderable in the growth of Vegetables. For 
 though Poplars, Willows, and feverall Trees be made to grow about 
 the brinks of A^haron, and dark habitdtions oi the dead ; Though fome 
 plants are content to grow in obfcurc Welsj wherein aUfoold Elm^ 
 
 pumps.; 
 
CyruS'CArdenortheQuincurjx Myftically Confidered^ ^t 
 
 pnmpsaflFordforactimes long bufljy fprouts, not obfervable in any a- 
 boveg ound: And large fields of Vegetables are able to maintain their 
 verdure at the botcome andfliady part of the Sea; yet thegreateft 
 nnmber are not content, without the adual rayes of the Sun, but bend, 
 incline, and follow them • as large lifts offolifequious and ^mi-fol- 
 lowing plants. And fomeobfcrve the method of its motion in their 
 own growth and converfion twining towards the Weft by the South, 
 as Bryony, Hops, Woodbine, and levcral kindes of Bindeweed, which 
 we fliall more admire; when any can tell us, they obferve another mo- 
 tion and Twi'ft by the North at the Antipodes. The fame plants rooted 
 againft an ered Narth-wall full of holes, will finde a way through 
 them to look upon the Sun. And in tender plants from muftard feed, 
 fown in the winter, and in a plot of earth placed inwardly againft a 
 Soflth-window, the tender ftalks of two leaves arofe not ered, but 
 bending towards the window, nor looking much higher then the Me- 
 ridian Sua. And if the pot were turned they would work themfelves in- 
 to their former declinations, making their converfion by the £aft. That 
 the Leaves ofthe Olive and fome othe trees folftitially turn, and pre- 
 cifely tell us, when the Sun isentred Cancer, is fcarce expedable in a- 
 ny Climate; and Theophrafias warily obfcrves it ; Yet fomtwhat 
 thereof is obfervable in our own , in the leaves of Willows and Sal- 
 lows, fome weeks after the Solftice. But the great ConvolvaUu or 
 white flowred Zf/Ww^^^ obferves both motions of the Sun> while the 
 floure twifts i£quinodionally from the left hand to the right, accord- 
 ing to the dayly revolution ; The ftalk twineth cclipti^ally from the . 
 right to the left, according to the annual converfion. 
 Some commend the expofure of thefe orders unto the Weftcrngales,as 
 the moft generative and frudifying breath of heaven, Buc we 
 applaud the Husbandry of 5fl/<?wo;;, whereto agreeth the dodrineof 
 Theofbrafins. Arife G North- windc. and blow thou South upon my 
 garden, that the fpices thereof may flow out ; For the North- winde 
 clofing the pores-, and (hutting up the efflnvtums^ when the South doth 
 after open and relax them ; the Aromaticalgummes do drop,and fweet 
 odours fly adivcly from them.And if his garden had the fame fituation, 
 which mapps,and charts afford it, on the eaft fide of jernfakw,and ha- 
 viog the wall on the Weitj thefe were the winds^unto which ic was well 
 expofed. 
 
 By this way of plantation ihey encreafed the tlumber of their trees, . 
 which they loft in ^^terma's, and Iquare-orders, which is a commo- 
 dity infiftedoflby ^rf^'rfl, and one great intent of nature, in thispo- 
 fition of flowers and feeds in t^c elegant formation of plants, and the ■ 
 former Rules obferved in natural and artificial! Figurations. 
 Whether in this order and one tree in fome meafurc breaking the cold, , 
 and pinching^ufts of windes from cbeother, trees will not better main* 
 lain their ioward circles, andeirher efcapeor moderate their excen- 
 triciucs, may alfo be cocfidered. For the circles in Trees are natural- 
 ly 
 
<5a Cyrui'Gardeny Or Th Q^incuh^ MijiiiAlly Confidertd, 
 
 lyconcencricall) parallel unto the bark, and unco each other, till 
 irolt and piercing windescontrad and dofe them on the weatherfidc, 
 the oppofite femicircle widely enlarging, and at a comely diftancc, 
 which hindcreth oftentimes the beauty and roundnede of trees, and 
 makestfhc Timber lefie ferviccable ; whiles the afcending juyce not rea- 
 dily parting, fettles m knots and inequalities. And therefore it is no 
 new courle of Agriculture, toobferve the nativ6 pofition of treesj ac- 
 cording CO North and South in their tranfplantations. 
 
 The fame is alio obfcrvable underground in the circinations and fpbae- 
 rical rounds of Onyons, wherein the circles ot the O'besare ot'ttimcs 
 larger, and the meridional lines (land wider upon one fide then the 
 other. And where the largcnefle will make up the number of planeti- 
 cal Orbcs, thatot L,t/«<»,and the lower planets exceed ftie dimenfions 
 of5<^«»r»r,and the higher : Whether the like be not verified in the 
 Circles of the large roots of Briony and Mandrakes, or why in the 
 knotts of Deal or Firre the Circles are often eccentrical, although 
 not ma plane, but verticalland right pofition, deferves a further en- 
 quiry. 
 
 Whether there be not fome irregularity of roundneffe in mofl: pUnts 
 according to their pofition? Whether fomefmall compreffion of pores 
 be not perceptible in parts which ftandagainft the current of waters, as 
 in Reeds, Ball-ruflies, and other vegetables toward the ftreaming quar- 
 ter, may alfo be obferved, and therefore fuch as are long and weak, are 
 commonly contrived into a roundneffe of figure, whereby the water 
 prefTeth Icfle, and fleepech more (moothly from them, and even in 
 flags or flat-figured leaves, the grcatcrpart obverc their (harper fides 
 unto the current in ditches. 
 
 But whether plants which float upon the farface of the water, be 
 for the mofl^ part of cooling qualities, thofe which (hoot above it of 
 heating vertues, and why? whether Sargafo formany miles floating 
 upon the Weftern Ocean , or Sea-lettuce, and Phafganium at the bot- 
 tomeof our Seas, make good the like quahtics? Why Fenny waters 
 afford the hottcft and iwceteft plants, as Calamus, Cyperus, and 
 Crowfoot, and mudd cafl: out of dittches moft naturally produceth 
 Aifmart.? Why plants fo greedy oi water fo little regard oyl ? Why 
 fince many feeds contain much oyl within them, they endure it not 
 well without, either in their growth or produdion Why fince Seeds 
 (hoot commonly under giound, and out of the aire,thofe which are 
 let tall in fliallow glaffes, upon the furfacc of the water, will fooner 
 fprout then thofe at the bottom ? And if the water be covered with 
 oyle, thofe at the bottome will hardly fprout at all, we have not room 
 to conjdure. 
 
 Whether Ivy would not lefTo offend the Trees in this clean ordi- 
 nation, and well-kept paths, might perhaps dcferve the qucftion. But 
 this were a quaery onely unto fome habitations, and little concerning 
 
 Cjrfts 
 
CjruS'.g aircle/2 Or TheQuincunxMjficdljconpderei^, S^ 
 
 Cyrus or the Babylonian territory ; wherein by no induftry Harp.t' 
 ^/ could make Ivy grow : And Alexander hardly found it about thofc 
 parts to imitate the pomp of Bacchus, And though in thefe Northern 
 Regions we are tooxmuch acquainted with one Ivy, we know too little 
 of a nother, whereby Vc apprehend not the expreilionsof Antiquity, » GaUn. dt 
 thef.r) Splenerick medicine ofGalen^ and the Emphafis of the Poet, in ""^- /"'cMa* 
 the(^)beauty'of the white Ivy. tmlra 
 
 The like concerning the growth of Miffcltoe, which dependeth not formofm 
 on\y of the fpecte Si or kinde of Tree, but much alfo of the Soil. And alba. 
 therefore commoa in feme places, not readily found in others, fre- 
 quent in France, not fo common in Spam, and fcarce at all in the Ter- 
 ritory oiFerrara : Nor eafily to be found where it is moft required upon 
 Oakcs, lefle on trees continually verdant. Although in fome phces the 
 Gliveefcapeth it not, requiting its detriment, in the delightful view 
 of its read Berries ; as C U uji us ohfcrvcd in Sfain^ and Bellonms about 
 Hierufalem. But this Parafitical plant fuffers nothing to grow upon it, 
 by any way of art ; nor could we ever make it g^ow where nature ; 
 had not planted it ? as we have in vain attemped by inocculation and 
 incifion, upon its native or forrcign ftock. and though there f^em 
 nothing improbable in the feed, it hath not fucceeded by fation in any LinfchoUn, 
 manerof ground, wherein we had no reafon to defpair fince we 
 read of vegetable horus , and how Rams horns will root about 
 
 But befidcs thefe rural commodities, it cannot be meanl delegable 
 in the variety of Figures, which thefe orders open, and doled do make. 
 Whilcft every inclofure makes a ■2<j7(7w^»i', the figures obliquely taken 
 aRhomboides, the intervals bounded with parallel lines, and each in- 
 terfeftion built upon afquare, affording two Triangles or Pyramids 
 verticallyconjoyned; which in the find Quincuncial order dooppo- 
 fitely make acute and blunt Angles. 
 
 And though therein we meet not with right angles, yet every Rhom- 
 bus containing four Angles equal unto two right, it virtually contains 
 two right in every one.Nor is this flrangc unto Itich as obferve the na- 
 tural lines of Trees, and parts difpofed ia them.. For neither in the 
 j'oot doth nature affeftthis angle, which (hooting 'downward for the 
 liability of the plant, doth beft effeft the fame by Figures of inclinati- 
 on ; Nor in the Branches and ftalky leaves, which grow moft at acute 
 angles; as declining from their head the root, and dimmifhing their 
 Angles with their altitude : Verified alfo in lefler Plant*, whereby they 
 better fupport themfelves, and bear not fo heavily upon the ftalk : So 
 that while near the root they of ten make an Angle of fevcnty paTts,the 
 Iprouts near the top will often come (hort of thirty. Even in the nerves 
 and mafter veins of ihe leaves the acute angle ruleth ; the obtufe but J 
 
 leldome found, and in the backward part ^f the leaf ; reflefting and ^ 
 
 arching about the ftalk. But why ' ofttknes one fide:^^ of the leaf is un- 
 equal unto the other, as in Hazell ' and Oaks, why on eithes fide the - " 
 
 Mafter..: 
 
^4 C jr uUG AT den^ or the Quincunx MjflicaUj'Coiffidered, 
 
 matter vein the lefler and derivative channels not directly oppofit,nor 
 at equalangles, refpcdivcly unto the adverle fidg, but thofe ofone 
 part do often exceed the other, as the Wailnutand many more, dc- 
 ferves another enquiry. 
 
 Now. if for this order we aflfcA coniferous and tapering Trees, par- 
 ticularly the Cyprefle, which grows in a conical figure; we have found 
 a tree not only of great Ornament, but in its Eflentiali of affinity un- 
 to this order. A iolid Rhombus being made by the ccnverfion of two 
 Equicrural Cones, as Archimedes hath defined. And thcfe were the 
 common Trees about Babylon^ and the Eaft, whereof the Ark was 
 made;and Alexander found no Trees fo accommodable to build his Na- 
 vy ; And this we rather think to be the tree mentioned in the 
 Canticles.which drifter Botanology will hardly allow to be Camphir. 
 
 And if delight or ornamcntall view invite a comely difpolure by 
 circular amputations, as is elegantly performed in Hawthorns; then 
 will they anfwer the figures made by the converfion of Rhombus, 
 which maketh two concentrical Circles ; the greater circumference 
 being made by the lefTer angles, the lefler by the greater. 
 
 The Cylindrical figure of trees is virtually contained and latent in 
 this order. A Cylinder or long round being made by the converfion 
 or turnmg of a Parallelogram, and moft handfomely by a long fquarc^ 
 which makes an equal, flrong, and lading figure in trees, agreeable 
 unto the body and motive parts of animals, the greatefl: number df 
 Plants, and almod all roots, though theirftalksbeangular, and of ma- 
 ny corners, which fcem not to follow the figure of their Seeds j 
 Since many angular Seeds fend forth round (talks, and fphaericall feeds 
 arifc from angular Ipindlcs, and many rather conform unto their roots, 
 as the round ftalks of bulbous roots, and in tuberous routs ftemmes of 
 like figure* But why fince the largeft number of Plants maintain a 
 circular Figure, there are fo few with teretous or long-round leaves* 
 why coniferous Trees arc tenuifolious or narrow leafed , why plants 
 of few or nojoynts have commonly round ftalks, why the greatcft 
 number of hollow ftalks are round ftalks or why in this variety of an- 
 gular ftalks the quadrangular moftexceedcth, were too long a fpecti* 
 lation ; mean while obvious experience may finde,that in plants ofdiv:* 
 ded leaves above, nature often beginneth circularly in the two firft 
 leaves below,wliilc in the Angular plant of Ivy,(hc exercifeth a contrary 
 Geometry, and beginning with angular leaves below, rounds them in 
 the upper bra nches. 
 
 Nor tan the rows in this order want delight, as carrying an afped 
 anfwerable unto the dipteros hypaahros, or double order of columns o- 
 pen above j the pppofite ranks of trees ftanding like pillars in the (^a- 
 %>ed:a of the Courts of famous building5,and Porttco*soi the TempUfub' 
 dialtaofold-^ Somewhat imitating the Periftylia or Cloyftcr buildings, 
 and the Exedr* of the Ancients, wherein men difcourfed, walked and 
 
 ezercifed 
 
Cyrus-gardeft Or theQtuncunXMyflicall;i confidered, 55 
 
 icKcrcifcd; For that they derived the rule of Columns from trees, c(- 
 pcciaHy in their proportional diminutions, is iliuftrated by f^Uruvitts 
 from the fhafts of Firre and Pine. And though the inter-arboration 
 do imitate the Areoft^yhs^ or thin order, not ftridly anfwcring the 
 proportion oHntercoIumnittions J yet in many trees they will not cx« 
 cecdthe intermiflionofthe Columnes in the court of the Tabernacle; 
 which being an hundred cubits long, and made up by twenty pillars, 
 will afford no lede then intervals of five cubits. 
 
 Befide.in this kindc of afped the fight being not diffufed but circum- 
 fcribed between long parallels and the i7r«rK/a(r/U09 and adumbration 
 from the branches, itframetha Penthouleover the eye, and maketh 
 a quiet vifion : and therefore in diffufed and open afpeds, aien hollow 
 their hand above their eye, and make an artificiall brow, whereby 
 they diredl the difperfei rayes of fight, and by this fbade p'-eferve a 
 a moderate light in the chamber ef the eye ; keeping the pufilU plump 
 and fair, and not contraded or (hrunk as in light and vagrant vi- 
 iion. 
 
 And therefore providence ha th arched and paved the great houfe of 
 the world) with colours of mediocrity, that is, biew and green, above 
 and below the fight, anoderacely terminating the acies of the eye. 
 For moft plants, though ^een above-ground, maintain their original 
 white below it, according to the candour of their ieminal pulp, and 
 the rudimental leaves do firft appear in that colour; obfervable in 
 5eeds fprouting in water upon the^r firfl foliation. Green feeming to be 
 the firfl fupervenient, or above-ground complexion of Vegetables, fe^ 
 parable in many upon ligature or inhumation , as Succory, 
 Endive, Artichoaks, and which is alfo lofl upon fading in tke Au- 
 tumn. 
 
 And this is aifo agreeable unto water it feif, the alimental vehicle of 
 f>lants, which firlt altereth into this colour ; And containing many ve- 
 getable feminalities, revealeth their Seeds by greenneffe ; and there- 
 fore foonefl expeded in rain or ftanding water, not eafily found in ' 
 diflilledor water tkongly boiled ; wheremthc feeds are extinguifhed 
 by fireanddeco(^ion, and therefore lafl long and pure without fucb 
 alteration, affording neither uliginous coats, gnacworms, Acari, hair- 
 worms, like crude and cotnouon water ; And therefore mofl fit foe 
 wholfome beverage, and with malt makes Ale and Beer without 
 boyling* What large water-drinkers fomc Plants are, the Canary-tree 
 and Birches in fome Northern Countries, drenching the fields about 
 them do (ufHcientlydemonflrate.How water it felfis ib/e to maintain 
 the growth of Vegetables, and without extinAion of their generative 
 or medicall ve tues ; Befide the experiment of Helments tree, we have 
 found in fome which have lived fix years in glaffes. The feeds ofScur. 
 vy-graffe growing in water-pots, have been fruitfiil in the Land; and 
 Afarum after a y^ars fpace, and once cafUng its leaves in water in 
 
 y I the 
 
dd Cf^^^-^^^^^^-i ^^ ^^^^ Quincmx My fie All j Confidereel, 
 
 the fccond kavesj hath handlomely performed ics vomiting opera- 
 tion. 
 
 Nor are only dark and green colours, but (hades and (hadows c ontri- 
 ved through the great Volume of nature, and trees ordained not onely 
 to protedl and (hadow others.but by their fhades and (hadowing parts, 
 to prereveandchenflithemfelves. The whole radiation or branchings 
 (hadowing the ftock and the roor^^he leaves,the branches and fruk,too 
 much cxpolcdto tlie windes and korcliing Sun. The calicular leaves 
 ^ inclofc ihc tender flowers, and the flowers themfelves lie wrapt about 
 the feeds, in their rudiment and firft formations, which being advan- 
 ced the flowers fall away ; and are therefore contrived in variety of 
 ^Figures, belt fatisfying the intention ; Handfomely obfervable in 
 hooded and gaping flowers, and the Butterfly bloomes of leguminous 
 pUnt , the lower leat clolely involving the rudimental Cod, and the ala- 
 x^' or wingy divifions embracing or hanging over it. 
 
 But feeds themUlves do Uq in perpetual ihades, either under the 
 
 leaf, orfhutup in coverings- and fuch as he bareft have their husks, 
 
 skins^and pulps about thctn, wherein the nebbc and generative particle 
 
 Ueth moift and fecurcd from the injury of Aire and Sun. Darkneffe and 
 
 light hold irtferchangctble do minions, and alternately rule the feaiinal 
 
 ftste of things. Light unto (rt) FUto is darknefle unto J/^/>*r*r.Legions 
 
 \enebil^l!- ^^ ^*"^'"*^ Ua^Cs jje in their fecond Chaos and Orcm of Htpptcrai^es; till 
 
 vi!tenebra Pitting 00 the habits of their forms, they fhew thcmfelve?} upon the 
 
 orcoj lux. ftageof the world, and open dominion of Jove, They that held the 
 
 7ovi. Hip- stars^ofbeavenwerebutrayes andflafhingglimpfcs of the Empyreal 
 
 d\it Jig^> through holes and perforations of the upper heaven, tookofBhe 
 
 5. Heve- naturaifliadows of ftars, while according to better difcovery the poor 
 
 /// Seleno' Inhabitants of the Moon have but a polary life, and muft paflc half theii 
 
 iraphia, dayes in the (hadow of that Luminary. 
 
 Light that makes things fecn, makes fomc things invifiUe, were i« 
 not for darknefle and the ftiadow of the earth, the nobkft ptrt of the 
 Creation had reuiained unfcen, andthe^tars in heavcoas invifibleas 
 on the fourth day, when they were created above the HorizpfHwitfa.the 
 Sun^ or there was n{)tan eye to behold them; The greatciVmyftery of 
 Religion is exprcfled by adumbration, and in the noblcft parts of 
 Jewi(h Types, we finde the ( hicrnbims flwdouiog the Mercy-feat : life 
 it felf isbut the fhadow of death, andtoulscieparted bttcnhefiaadows 
 of the living ; all things fall under ebisi>ame. The Suii itTetf is but fhc 
 dack fmHla<-hyum»axi<Xh.gi.n buttheihadovvof Gofd- . 
 •,i laftly* It isnowooder tbac this Quintuwiall ©rder wai fitfl and 
 ftijl affeded as gtitefull untotbt.^ye.: Fo.f »I1 tO-tng» sre fcta Qina- 
 cuncialiy, Forattheeye the Pyrara dtl rayes irt m the ob):(!l,. receive 
 adecuflationj and fottrikeafcco^d bh'e Upon ihc'A^fimt or bin'*er 
 coat, the proper oi;^an of Villon;. Wherein- the p«S:ure« friMn(;hj<Aff 
 are .repcefgnted, aalwertbie to the ptpei', or, wait ia . the:dack. chaa»be«> 
 
 after:- 
 
Cjrns- GArden or the Qmncanx TTaiufaily Con^red, 6y 
 
 »ftcr the decullation of the ftyes ac the hole of the horne/coat, and 
 their refraction upon the Chryftalline humour, Anfwctin^ tht f&ramett 
 of the window, and the convex or buPtiing-glaflfes, which rcfra<ft the 
 rayes that enter it. And if Ancient Anatomy would hold, a like dif* 
 pofurc there tvas ot the optick or vifual nerves in the brain, whereirt 
 antiquity conceived a concurrence by dccuflation. And this not onely 
 obfervablc in the Lawsof dired Vifion, but in fome part aUo verified 
 in the reflcded rayes of light- For making the angle of incidence 
 equal tothat of reflexion, the vifual ray r^tnmeth QaificUnciaUy, andf 
 after the form of an V,8nd the line of reflexion, being concnued unto- 
 the place of vifion, there arifeth a feml-deeulTation which makes the 
 objed fcea in a perpendicular urico it felf, and as far below the r^- 
 fledent, as it is from it above, obfervablc in the Sun aod Moon beheld 
 in water. 
 
 And this is alfo the law of reflexion in moved bodies and founds, 
 which though not made by decutfacion, observe the rule of equality 
 between incidence and rcflexion;wher€by whifpering places are framed 
 by Elliptical arches laid fide-wife ; where the voice being delivered ae 
 the focfts of one extremity, oMerving an equality unto the angle of 
 incidence, it will refleft unto tht focus of the other end, and lo efcape 
 the ears of the ftanders in the middle. 
 
 A like rule is obferved in the reflexion of the vocall and fonorotw 
 line in Ecchoes, which cannot therefore be heard in all ftacions. Bot 
 hapning in woody plantations, by waters, and able to return (ome 
 words; ifreachtby apleafant and well-diviaing voice, there may be 
 heard the fofteft notes in nature* 
 
 And this not onely verified in the way of fenfe, but in animall and 
 intelledual receptions. Things cntring upon the intell. d by a Pyra- 
 mid JroHi without.and thence into the memory by another from with- 
 in the common decuffation being in the underftanding as is deUvered 
 by (a) Bovillfts. Whether the intelledual and phancaftical lines be * Car. Bo- 
 not thus rightly difpofed, but magnified, diminidied, diftorted, and y^f^J' 
 ill placed in the Machematicks of fome brains, whereby they have ir-""' "* 
 regular app'ehenfions of things, perverted notions, conceptions, and 
 incurable hallucinations, were no unplcafant Ipeculation. 
 
 And if Egyptian Philofophy may obtain the fcalc ofinfluences wj^s 
 thus diipofed, and the genial fpirits of both worlds, do trace their way 
 in aicending and defcendmg Pyramids, myftically apprehended in the 
 Letter X, and the open bill and ftradling Legges of a Stork, which was 
 imitated by that Charader. 
 
 Of this Figure Plato made choice to illuftrate the motion of the 
 foul, both of the world and man ; while he delivered that God divi- 
 ded the whole conjundion length- wife, according to figure of a Greek 
 X, and thentu'ning it about reflfded it into a circe; By the circle 
 implying the uniform motion of the firft Orb, and by the right lines, 
 
 5 la the 
 
<55 Cjrui'CArdeny Or The Quincum Mj/ftuall) ton^dtnd, 
 
 the planetical and various motions within it. And this alfo with ap« 
 plication unto the foul of man, which hath a double afpcdl, one right, 
 whereby it bcholdeth the body, and objefts without ; another circa- 
 lar and reciprocal, whereby it bcholdeth it fclf. The circle declaring 
 the motion of the indivifible foul, fimple, according to the divinity of 
 itsnature, and returning into it felf; the right lines refpeding the mo- 
 tion pertaining unto fenfe, and vegitation, and the central dccuflation, 
 the wonderous connexion of the feverall faculties conjointly in one 
 iubftance. And fo con joyned the unity and duality of the ioul, and 
 made out the three fubftances fo much considered by him ; That is, 
 the indivifible or divine, the divifible or corporeal, and that third, 
 was the Syj^ajis or harmony of thofc two,in the myftical decuffatioa. 
 
 And if that were clearly made out which Jufirin tJ^Artyr took for 
 granted, this figure hath had the honour to charaderize and notiiie our* 
 bleffed <S'avioar, as he delivcreth in that borrowed expreffion from 
 Viatel DecHJfavit eum in univerfo, the hint whereof he would have 
 ^lato derive from the figure of the brazen Serpent, and to have mi- 
 ftaken the Letter X for T, whereas it is not improbable, he iearned> 
 thefe and other myfticalexpreflions in his learned obfervations of iE- 
 gypt, where he might obvioufly behold the Mercurial charadcrs, the 
 handed crofTesjand other my fteries not throughly underftood in thefa- 
 cred Letter X, which being derivative from the Stork, one of the ten 
 facredanimab, might be originally ^gypcianjand brought into Creesa-. 
 by C<i^«;»/ of that Coufltry* 
 
 c HA p. 
 
CyuUGXfden , Or the Qulncmx Mfjlieellj ConJldereJ. i) 
 
 GHAP. V. 
 
 TO enlarge this contemplation unto all themyfteriesandfecrccs, 
 accommodible unto this number,wcre inexcufablcPythagorirme, 
 yet cannot omit the ancient conceit of five furnamed the number of 
 (<») juftice; asjuftiy dividing between the digits, and hanging in the a Sim. 
 Centre of Nine, defcribed by (quare numeration, which angularly di- • . » 
 v-ided will make the decuflated Number; and fo agreeable unto the , , , 
 Quincunciall Ordination, and rowes divided by Equality, and juft <5^f- 
 f»r»w, in the whole coraplantation j And might be the Originail of 
 that'common game among us, wherein the filth place is 5overaign, 
 and carrieth the chief intention. The Ancients wifely inftrudting 
 youth, even in their recreations unto virtue, that is,early to drive at 
 the middle point and Central Seat of juttice. , AercTeoy 
 
 Nor can we omit how agreeable unto this dumber an handfomedi- ©a'^^t^/ 
 vifionismade in Trees and Plants, fincc Plmarch and the Ancients *pt;>*t or, 
 have named it the divifive number, juftly dividing the Entities of ^'o«.,Arbort 
 the world, many remarkable things in it, and alfo comprehending the i*^"''^'^^"*^^ 
 f 4 )generalldivifion of Vegetables. And he that confiders how moft bajnd that 
 bloflbmes of Trees, and greateft number of Flowers, confift of five fifth which 
 Leaves; and therein doth reft the fetled Pvule of Nature ; So that in ?°'"P^1' 
 thofe which exceed there is often found, or eafily made a variety ; J^c ^X • 
 may readily dilcovcr how nature rcfts in this number, which is indeed and Sra 
 the firft reft and paufe of numeration in the fingers, the natural Or- whether to 
 gans thereof. Nor in the divifion of the feet of perfed animals doth b^ rnwed 
 nature exceed this account. And even in the joynts of feet, which ^fX'ovot 
 in Birds are moft multiplyed, furpafleth not this number ; So progref- JiXprc'. 
 fionally making them out in many, that from five in the fore-daw (he hending al- 
 deicendeth unto two in the hindemoft ; And io in four feet makes up f° conftrvA 
 the number of joynts, in the five fingers or toes of man. ^ndlslf^"* 
 
 Not to omit the Quintuple Sedion of a (a) Cone, of handfome cords, offo 
 praftife in Ornamental! Garden-plots, and in fome way difcoverable many yards 
 infomany works of Nature; In the leaves, fruits, and feeds of Vege- J^^'g^'^; 
 tables, and fcales of fome Fifties, fo much confideraWc in glalTes, and LfSf'* 
 the optick doArine; wherein the learned may confidcr the Cryftaliine Hyperbole, 
 humour of the eye in the cuttle- fifh and Lbligo. cir cuius. 
 
 He that forgets noc bow Antiquity named this the Conjugall or ^^'^'"'i"^''''*' 
 wedding Number, and madeittheEmblemc of the mofV remarkable 
 coniundion, will conce've it duclyappliable unto this handiome Oe- 
 conomy, and vegetable combination; May hence apprehend the ^ftc- 
 
 goricail 
 
70 cyr uuG or deny or the Quincunx MjpcAll'j Considered, 
 
 *''K'iiJ.^'](tf goricall fence of that obtcure exprciUonof {a) Hifai, and afford no 
 ideji nupti- improbable reafon why Plato admitted lus Nupdall guefts by fives, m 
 BhTdtr t^^ kindred of the [h) married couple. 
 
 b ?\itode And though a fliarper raydery might be implied in the Number of 
 hg, 6. the five wile and foolifh Virgin?, which were to meet the Bridegroom, 
 yet was the fame agreeable unco the Conjugall Njmber, which anci- 
 ent Numerifls made out by two and three, the firl^ parity and impari- 
 ty, the aftive and pailivc digits, the materiall and formal! principles in 
 generative Societies- And not dilcordant even from the ouitomcs ef 
 c PlMtireb the Rowans, who admitted but (c) five lorches in their Nuptiall So- 
 probltm. Ijpanicies, Whtthcr there were any myitery or not implied , the 
 ''^""'** moft generative animals were created on this ds^y, and had according- 
 thclargeft benediiflion ; And under a Qaintuple confideration, wan- 
 ton Antiquity confidered the CircumftanceJ of generation, while by 
 this numb€r of five they natuiaJly divided the Ncdar of the fifth 
 Planet. 
 
 The fame Number in the Hebrew Myfleries and Cabaliflicall Ac- 
 d A/chani. counts was the (^)Charafter of Generation j declared by the Letter 
 dogXabil. Be^ the fifth in their Alphabet ; According to that Cabaliflical £>o|^- 
 wa. U Abram had not had this Letter added unto his Name, be had 
 remained fruitleffe, and without the power of Generation : Not oncly 
 becaufe hereby the number of his Name attained two hundred fonrty 
 eight, the number of the affirmative precepts, but becaufe asincrea- 
 ted natures there is a male and female, fo in divine and intelligent pro- 
 duftions, the mother of Life and Fountain of fouls in Gabaliliicali 
 Technology is called Binah j wboU Seal and Charad^cr was He. So 
 that being fteril before, he received the power of generation from that 
 meafiire atid manfion in the Archetype ; and was made conformable 
 eJodxMo unto Bmah. Anduponfuch involved confiderations, the (e) ten of 
 Ht, Sarai was exchanged into five. If any flaall look upon this as a itable 
 
 number, and fitly appropriable unto frees, as Bodiesof Rcfland Jta* 
 tion, he hath herein a great Foundation in nature, whoobferviug much 
 variety in legges and motive Orgaos of Animals, as two, four, fix, 
 eight, twelve, fourteen, and more, bath paffed over five and ten, and 
 affigned them unto none, or very few, as the PhaUngitmtmonJirofum 
 B afl'anutn.C lufi & J AC de Last. Cur foFier,4meric(ey Defcnpt. If per- 
 fedly defc ibed. And for the Ikbiaty of this Number, he (hall not 
 wmtthc fphericityof itsnarure, which multiplied in it felf, will re- 
 turn into its own denomination, and bring up the rear oKhe account. 
 Which is alo one of the Numbers that makes up the myflicall Name 
 of God, which confining of Lett^s denoting all the fphaericall Num- 
 ber*, ten, five, and fix : Empiiaticatly fets forth the Notion of . rU- 
 megi]Hi, and chat iiiCdligible Sphear, which is the Nature of 
 God. 
 
 Many 
 
CjvuS'Ga/cien or the Quincunx jidy^i cully Confidcred^ "fX 
 
 Many ExpreJliODS by this Number occurre in Holy 5criptufe, per- 
 haps unjuftly laden with myfticall Expofitions, and little concerning 
 Gur order. That the //r^f^rpj were forbidden to eat the fruit of thetr 
 new planted Trees, before the fifth yeare, was very agreeable vinto 
 the naturail Rules of Husbandry; Fruits beingunwhoirome,and lalTi, 
 befqrc the fourth, or fifth Yeare. In the fecond day or Feminine part 
 of five, there was added no approbation. For in the third or martul;ne 
 day» the fame is twice repeated ; and a double benedidion indofcd 
 both Creations, whereof the one in fome part was but an accomplilTi- 
 mentof the other. ThattheTrefpafTer wasco pay a fifth part above 
 the head or principall, makes no fecret in this Number, and implied no 
 more then one part above the principall ; which being confidered in 
 four parts, the addicionali forfeit muft bear the Name ofa fifth. The 
 five golden mice had plainly their determination frem the niimber of 
 the Princes; That five (houldpnt to flight an hundred might have 
 nothing myftically implyed j confidcring a rank of SouJdters could 
 fcarce cenfift of a lefler number. Saint- P<i«/ had rather fpeak five 
 wordsin a known then ten thoufand in an unknown tongue : That is 
 as little as could well be fpoken. A fimple propofition confiding 
 of three words , and a coinplexcd one, not ordinarily fhort of 
 five« 
 
 More confideiaWe there are in this myfticall account, which we 
 muft notbfifton. And therefore why the radicall Letters in the Pen- 
 tateuch rtiouldequall the number of the Souldiery of the Tribes ; Why 
 our Saviour in the Wilderncfle fed five thoufand perfons with five 
 Barley Loaves, and again, but four thonfand with no leffe then fcvcn . 
 of Wheat? Why Jofefh defigncd five changes of Rayment unto Ben" 
 ]4mi» ? and David took juft five pibbics out of the Brook againft the 
 lagan Champion ? We leave it unto Arithmetical! Divinity, and The- ■nf<m^^. 
 ological explanation. ^n'd ^^" o 
 
 Yet if any delight in new Problemes, or think it worth the enquiry, fiyg. scalis.-:. 
 whether the Phyficiao hath rightly rightly hit the nominal notation cff 
 Qainque; W^hy tfac Ancients mixed five or three but not four parts 
 of water unto their Wine .• And Hipf cerates obferved a fifth proporti- 
 on in the mixture of water with milk, as in Dyfemeries and bloudy flux- 
 es. Under what a blirufe foundation Aftrologers do figure the good 
 oc had Fate ix^m our Children, in ia) good Fortune, or the fifth houfe a 'Aj^Q^ 
 of thcit Celeftial ^chflmes. Whether the ^Egyptians defcribed a Starre Tvyju or 
 by a Figure of five pcMfdtj,'with refcrenoe unto the {b) five Capitall af- borcifmmA 
 pe<5ls, whereby they tranfmit their Influences, or abftrufer Confide- ^f t'f,t"fifth 
 rations ? Why the Cafaaliftieall DoAors, who conceive the wh ole Se- honfe. 
 /?,fcjVtf/^, or divine Emanations fo have guided the ten-ftringed Harp of '' Conjur^, 
 Z? W, whertby.he pacified the evil {^it\t oiSatily in ftri<ft numeration oppcfire, ^ 
 d^^bcgJa with the Penbypate Mefon^ or fiffe-ut, and (o place the Tiphe- gJJJal^'te"*- 
 
 rclh tragonal. 
 
72 C^uS'tj arden^Ot the Sulnctm^ Afyflually Cenftdered, 
 
 reth anfwcring C fol faut; upon the fifth firing; Or whether this 
 number be ofcner applied unto bad things and ends, then good in holy 
 Scripture, and why I He may meet with abftrufities of no ready re- 
 fohition. 
 
 If any (hall queft ion th? rationality of that Magick, in the cure of 
 the blindc man by Serapu, commanded to place five fing^r^ on his Al- 
 tar, and then his band on his Eyes? Whyfincethe whole Comedy 
 cne^1*!^«, is primarily and naturally corapiifcd in vr) four parts; and Antiquity 
 i-m-mffKy permitted not foraany perfons to (peak in one Scene, yet would not 
 '^;*^'"Jt^ comprehend the fame in more or leffethcn five ads? Whyamongft' 
 ^^ ' Sea-ftarres nature chiefly dclightcch in five points? And fince there 
 are found fome of no fewer then twelve, and fome of fcven and nine, 
 there are few or none difcoverf d of fix or eight ? If any fliall enquire 
 why the Flowers of Rue properly confift of four Leaves, the firft and 
 i V 'fol' ^^''■^ Flower have five ? Why fince many Flowers have one leaf or (d) 
 urn mlli' none, as Scaliger will have it, diverfc three, and the greateft number 
 folium. confirt of five divided fromjtheir bottomes ; there are yet fo few of 
 two : or why nature generally beginning or fetting out with two oppo- 
 fite leaves at the Root, doth Co feldome conclude with that order and 
 number at the Flower? he Aiall not paife his hours in vulgar fpecula- 
 tions. 
 
 If any (hall further quaery why magneticall Philofophy excludeth de- 
 cuCfations, and needles tranfverfly placed do naturally diflrad their 
 verticities? Why Geomancers do imitate the Quintuple Figure, in 
 their Mother CharaAersof Acquifition and Amifrion,&c. fomewhat 
 anfwering the Figures in the Lady or fpeckled Beetle ? With what 
 Equity, Chiromanticall conjcdurers decry thefe decuflations in the 
 Lines and Mounts of the hand ? What that dccuffated Figure iitendeth 
 inthemedallof y^/f.vWfrthe Great? Why the Goddeflcs fit com- 
 monly crofie-Iegged in ancient draughts, Since Jttno is defcnbed in 
 the fame as a veneficall pofture to hinder the birth of Hercules ? If a- 
 ny (hall doubt why at the Amphidromicall Feafts, on the fifth day after 
 the Childe was born, prefents were fent from friends, of TolypHJfesy 
 and Cuttle Filhcs ? Why five mud i>e only left in that Symbolical mu- 
 tiny among the men of C^ww ? V/hy Proteusin Homer the ^ymbole 
 of the firft matter,before he fetled himfelf in the midfl of his Sca-Mon- 
 fters, doth place them out by fives ? Why the fifth years Oxe was ac- 
 ceptable 5acrifice unto lupiter ? Or why the Noble Antoninw in fome 
 fenc<e doth call the foul it (elf a Rhombus ? He (hall not fall on trice or 
 trivialldifquifitions. And thefe we invent and propofe unto acuter 
 enquirerS) naufeating crambe verities and queitions over-queried. Flat 
 and flexible truths are beat out by every hammer ; But Vnlcan and 
 his whole forge fweat to woik out ^rib;//^^ bis armour. A large field 
 is yet left unco iharper difccfocrs to enlarge upon this order^to fearch 
 
 out 
 
Cjrus-gardtnOt The Quincunx M)fiicallj cmftdend, 73 
 
 out the ^« !rfr»wV and figured draughts of this nature, and modera- 
 ting the ftudy of names, and meer nomenclature of plants, to ercft ge- 
 neralities, difelofc unobfervcd proprieties, not only in the vegetable 
 ftiop, but the whole volume of nature ; affording delightfuU Truths, 
 confirmablc by fenfe and ocular Obfervation, which feemstome the 
 fureft path, to trace the Labyrinth of truth. For though difcarfi ve en- 
 quiry and rationall conjecture, may leave handforae gaflies and flefli- 
 wounds 5 yet without conjunftion of this exped no niortal or difpatch- 
 ing blows unto crrour. 
 
 But the {a) Quincunx of Heaven runs low, and *tis time to clofe « Hyadti 
 the five ports of knowledge j We are unwilling to fpin out our awa- "">; ^^^ 
 king thoughts into the phantafmes of fleep, which often continueth jjout^jj. 
 praecogitationsj making Cables of Cobwebbcs and Wildernefles ofnjght, at 
 handfome ©roves. Bcfidc (^) H/^;?«?c?-<«f(?/ hath fpoke fo little and the that time. 
 {c) Oneirocriticall Maftcrs, have left luch frigid Interpretations from ** P ' ''l/^'"' 
 pUnts,that there is little encouragement to dream of Paradife it ^^^^'^^'AittmodQ- 
 Nor will the fweeteft delight of Gardens afford much comfort in fleepj rw, 6* A- 
 wherein the dulnefie of that fenfe (hakes hands with delegable odours; pomarjir, 
 and though in the (d) Bed of Cleopatra^ can hardly with any delight ** Strc'*'«<* ' 
 raifeuptheghoftofaRofc. m^xok,. 
 
 Night, which Pagan Theology could make the daughter of C^^os^ 
 affords no advantage to the defcription of order : Although no lower 
 then that Maflecan we derive its Genealogy. All things began in or- 
 der, fo (hall they end, and fo (hall they begin again ; according to the 
 ordainefof order and myflical Mathematicks of the Sity of heaven. 
 
 Though Somnm in Homer be fent to rowfe up Agamemnon^ I finde 
 no fuch cffedsin thefedrowfie approaches of fleep. To keep our eyes 
 open longer were but to ad our Antipodes, The Huntfmen are up in A^ 
 mericay and they arc already pafl: their firft fleep in Perfia, But who 
 can be drowfie at that howr which fireed us from everlafting fleep f or 
 have fluRibring thoughts at that time, when fleep ic felfmufl end, 
 and as fQme conjedure all fliali awake again ? 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 J K r/ic 
 
####l^#####^##*#########€^#i 
 
 ^he Stationer to the ^ader. 
 
 I Cannot omit to advertife, that a Book was 
 publiflied not long fince , Eutitulcd, "Natures 
 Cabinet Z^nlockty bearing the Name of this Au- 
 thour . If any man have been benefited thereby 
 this Authour is not fo ambitious as to challenge 
 the honour thereof, as having no hand in that 
 Work. To diftinguifli of true and fpurious Pec- 
 ces was the Oiiginall Criticifme, and fomewere 
 fo handfomely counterfeited, that the Entitled 
 A uthours needed not to difclaime them. But 
 fince it isfo, that erther he muft write himfelf, 
 or Others v^ ill write for him, I know no better 
 Prevention then to afl: his own part with leflc in- 
 termiffion of his Pen. 
 
 — — Books 
 
Books Printed for Hen, Brome at the Gun 
 in I'vy'Lane, 
 
 The Souls Cottflt^^ Being Eight Sermons, fix whereof were 
 
 preached at Oxford, 
 The ^eem Exchange^ A Comedy, By RichardBrome, 
 Two Ejfays ef Love and iJUarriage, 
 The Grand Impofior Examined^ Or, the Life and Tmllof James 
 
 Naylcr. 
 The Souls Tcurnkey^ Being a Gonference betwixt MSHnrum 
 
 and M"" Tuke Moderator of gr* CoS. in London, 
 
 Boo \s now in the Prefe which willfljortly be extant. 
 
 The Affinity of facred Liturgies^ By Hamon L'Eflrange^ Efq. 
 Five New Comedies which were never before publifhr? By 
 
 Richard Bronse, 
 A Learned and much deftred Comment arj on the whole Epiftle 
 
 to the Philippians^ By Natk Tucker Late Preacher of the 
 
 Gofpel at Tortfmoitth, 
 
t 
 
 I 
 
^*F^P^ 
 
 :tjA. 
 

 •T!Jg^l^^