Varieties: or, A surveigh of rare and excellent matters necessary and delectable for all sorts of persons. Wherein the principall heads of diverse sciences are illustrated, rare secrets of naturall things unfoulded, &c. Digested into five bookes, whose severall chapters with their contents are to be seene in the table after the epistle dedicatory. By David Person, of Loghlands in Scotland, Gentleman.

A TABLE OF THE WHOLE BOOKE: Wherein their severall Chapters, with their Sections, and whole Con∣tents are orderly pointed forth.

The Table of the first Booke, Wherein the matter and nature of the Hea∣ven, Sunne, Moone, Starres, Ayre, Sea, and Earth is comprehended.

Sect. 1.

OF the matter whereof the Heavens are composed, with the confutation of various opinions of Philo∣sophers concerning it. Pag. 4

Sect. 2.

Of the Starres, their substance and splendor, where also of the Sunnes place in the Firmament. 8

Sect. 3.

Of the Moone, her light, substance, and power over all sublunary bodies. 10

Sect. 4.

Of the Element of Fire, whether it be an Element or not, and of its place. 12

Sect. 5.

A briefe Discourse of Meteors; of their causes, matter, and differences.

Sect. 6.

That the Earth and Waters make but one Globe, which must bee the Center of the World. Of the Seas saltnesse, deepnesse flux, and reflux; why the Mediter∣rancan and Indian Seas have none: Of Magellanes strait; what maketh so violent tyde there, seeing there is none in the Indian Sea from whence it floweth. Of the Southerne Sea, or Mare del Zur. 18

Sect. 7.

That the mountaines and valleyes dispersed over the earth, hindreth not the compleatnesse of its round∣nes: Of burning mountaines and caves within the Earth. 25

Sect. 8.

Of time, whether it be the producer or consumer of things: Of the wisedome and sagacity of some Horses

Sect. 9.

Of Fishes, if they may be said to breathe, seeing they lack pulmons: Of flying fishes, if such things may be, &c. which are the reasons of their possibility, are deduced, ex∣emplified. 34

Sect. 10.

Of fishes, and their generation: How fowles are gene∣rated in the waters. If gold can be made potable; and of the matter of precious stones. 40

Sect. 11.

Of the Earth, its circumference, thicknesse, and di∣stance from the Sunne. 43

A TABLE OF THE SE∣COND BOOKE.

OF METEORS.

Chapt. 1.

THe definition of Meteors, their matter, substance, place, and cause. 46

Chap. 2.

Where Meteors are composed of Clouds, where they are fashioned, together with the solution of some que∣stions concerning the middle Region. 52

Chapt. 3.

Of falling Starres, Fleakes in the ayre, and other such ••••ery Meteors. 55

Chapt. 4.

Of Comets, their matter, forme, nature, and what way they portend evill to come. 61

Chap. ••.

Of R••ine, Dew, H••are-frost, and their cause. 69

Chap. 6.

Of Snow, its cause, matter, and nature. 73

Chap. 7.

Of Windes, their true cause, matter, and nature, &c. 75

Chap. 8.

Of Earth-quakes, their cause and nature. 79

Chap. 9.

Of Thunder, Lightning, Ha••le, and certaine other se∣crets of Nature, with their solution. 82

Chap. 10.

Of Rivers, Fountaines and Springs, their sources and causes. 88

A TABLE OF THE Third Booke.

OF ARMIES AND BATTELS.

Sect. 1.

THat greatest Armies have not alwayes carried a∣way the victory; the reason of it; two examples of Semiramis, and Xerxes. 97

Sect. 2.

Examples of Greeke, Roman, and Brittish Battels, where the fewer number have overcome the greater. 100

Sect. 3.

Whether it bee requisite, that Princes hazard their Persons in field, or not; of the encouragement that their presence giveth to the Souldiers: When a King should venture to the field; and what Lievtenants are to be de∣puted

Sect. 4.

Of the Romans prudencie and foresight in sending two Commanders abroad with their Armies; and why the Grecians conjoyned two in their Embassies: and of the danger of too strict Commissions. 105

Sect. 5.

Difference betweene Battels and Duels: that Gene∣rals may refuse challenges: with some passages betwixt Hannibal and Scipio in their warres. 108

Sect. 6.

That the exploits of our moderne Warriours have bin every way comparable to those of the Ancient; with some examples to that effect. 111

Sect. 7.

The different betwixt the ancient manner of warfare, and the moderne: how farre the moderne engines of Warre exceede those of the ancient Greekes and Ro∣mans. 113

Sect. 8.

That the Ancients in their warres had greater op∣portunities to try their prowesse in battell, than the mo∣dernes have. 115

Sect. 9.

The manner how the Greekes and Romans ordered

Sect. 10.

A Maxime in Militarie discipline, inferred, to con∣firme Pompeys oversight at the battell of Pharsalia. 119

Sect. 11.

That the French, what within their owne Countrey and abroad, have fought more battels of late times, than any other Nation; and of their successe in them. 120

Sect. 12.

That Emulation amongst the Princes in France, ra∣ther than Religion, was the cause of the many Civill∣warres there. 122

A TREATISE OF DVELS and COMBATS:

Sect. 1.

OF Combats by Champions for cleering of Queenes ho∣nours: Combats betwixt Ladies; betwixt Church∣men; and betwixt Iudges: Combatants, rewarded by Kings their spectators; and S. Almachius kill'd for de∣claiming against Duels, &c.

Sect. 2.

A recitall of two memorable duels, the one in France betwixt Monsieur de Creky, and Don Philippin; the other in Spaine betweene Pedro Torrello, and Ieroni∣mo Anca, both of Arragon, in the presence of Charles the fifth. 129

Sect. 3.

How Combats may be thought permissible: the rela∣tion of a Combat betwixt Iarnacke and Chastigneray, in the presence of King Henry the second of France; ci∣tations of the Canon Law against Combats: Examples of a Combate where the innocent was killed: that the deci∣sion of all such questions whereupon Duels were permit∣ted, ought to be left to God. 133

Sect. 4.

Severall objections for the tolleration of Duels and Combats confuted; Cajetans opinion of Duels, wherein also the lawfulnesse of Battels is allowed. 136

Sect. 5.

Cajetans reason for referring the event of Battels to Monomachie: where also is inserted the story of the Ho∣ratii and Curiatii. 139

Sect. 6.

That Kings and Generals of Armies, for saving of the greater bloud-shed of their Souldiers, have fought single for victories: Examples of both; A quarrell and

Sect. 7.

A discourse of a combate, where thirteene French Knights fought against so many Italians; wherein the French were overcome, and some observations thereup∣on. 144

Sect. 8.

A memorable Polymachie betwixt two kindreds in the High-lands of Scotland, (betwixt whom there had beene a long and mortall enmity) for the totall extirpation of the one of them; fought before Ki••g Robert the second, at Perth in Scotland. 147

Sect. 9.

A combate appointed by two French Barons, the one of Gasconie, the other of Poictou, which was taken up of their own accord in the field: the end of this Title. 149

A TREATISE OF DEATH: And of divers Orders and Cere∣monies of Burials.

Sect. 1.

The remembrance of death requisite in all men: Cere∣monies for the remembrance of it; some documents a∣gainst the feare of it: what death Iulius Caesar wished: of Autocides: of selfe-murtherers, &c. 153

Sect. 2.

That Christians ought not to feare death, as the Eth∣nicks did. All things, save man, keepe their constant course. The uncertainty of mans life. 156

Sect. 3.

In what reverence the interring of the dead was a∣mongst the Ancients: Of Alexander: of Sylla: How the people of Vraba did use their dead: Customes of Fin∣land, Lapland, Greece, and other places, concerning Bu∣rialls. 158

Sect. 4.

Other severall Customes of interring the dead amongst

Sect. 5.

That the Church of Rome reapeth great commodity by their funerall ceremonies, as by their Bels, Cymbals, Torches, Processions of order, and the rest: silent obse∣quies condemned: A story of a woman whose Ghost haun∣ted her Husband and family after death; and the cause thereof. 164

A TREATISE OF Mentall reservation.

Sect. 1.

THe Decree of the Councell of Constance, That no faith is to be kept with Hereticks and enemies, is agi∣tated: the commendation of peace: that a necessary and just warre is to be preferred to it: a story of Augustus Caesar. 167

Sect. 2.

Montall reservation defined. All fraudulencie in ma∣king peace or taking truce, condemned; for which purpose are instanced examples of Grecians, Romans, and o∣thers. 170

Sect. 3.

The integrity of the Ancients commended in making peace, and their other pactions. A story of P. Corn. Scipio to that purpose. Graeca fides, what, and wherefore used: Of the dishonest dealing of Pope Alexander, and his Ne∣phew Caesar Borgia, &c. 172

Sect. 4.

The difference betwixt the ancient and the moderne Romans in uprightnesse of dealing, instanced by a story of Pompey the Great, and Augustus Caesar. 175

Sect. 5.

Of the breach of faith to enemies: treacherie at a siege of Capua: treacherie and cruelty committed by the Spa∣niards at a siege of Genoa: the strictnesse of Generalls over common Souldiers exemplified, &c. 176

A TREATISE OF Laughing and Mourning.

Sect. 1.

THe benefits and content that all men reape by the workes and labours of Writers and Travellers. 181

Sect. 2.

Of sudden deaths that have happened unto men amidst their feasting and other jolli••ies, exemplified with stories both sacred and prophane. 182

Sect. 3.

Stories of severall worthy and brave men, that upon occasions have shed teares: of the sensible griefe of some Horses, Dogges, and Hawkes upon the losse of their Ma∣sters. 184

Sect. 4.

Risus Sardonicus, what and how to be taken: Of the holy teare kept in the Abby Church at Vandesme in France. 187

Sect. 5.

Of weeping for the dead, how to be moderated. The mat∣ter of teares: of laughing and weeping for one and the same thing: moderation in both commended. 188

A TABLE OF THE fourth Booke.

Of Curiosities, &c.

Sect. 1.

THe difference betwixt factions and seditions: a rebel∣lion of the cōmon people of Rome against the Senate

Sect. 2.

How Curiosities have wonderfully disturbed the peace of the Church; a recitall of some impertinent curiosities in Religion; with some also of Subtilis Scotus, and Thomas Aquinas, &c. 179

Sect. 3.

A continuation of some other Theologicall and Me∣taphysicall subtilities and curiosities. 181

Sect. 4.

Of Curiosities in Logick; the relation betwixt the Cre∣ator and the creature: to what Heaven the Prophets E∣noch and Elias were wrapt: what place is said to be A∣brahams Bosome. 182

Sect. 5.

The curiositie of the Millenarii; with many other cu∣riosities more frivolous than necessary. 184

Sect. 6.

That the Planets and other celestiall bodies have not that power over the natures of men and women, that A∣strologers ascribe unto them: that the starres are innu∣merable: Of the number and greatnesse of some in Via lactea: where the center of the earth is; its circumfe∣rence.

Sect. 7.

To search out the secrets of Nature allow able, if men be not too curious in them; Eudoxus wish; Plinius killed on the Mountaine of Vesuvius: Aristotle drowned in Euripus: Too much curiosity is a plague sent down from heaven on men; the Poet Simonides acknowledged his ignorance of God; how the heathenish Gods were pour∣trayed. 190

Sect. 8.

Too great curiosities condemned; and a moderation to be used in them prescribed. 193

Sect. 9.

How God disppointeth the expectations of the most curious; and that the most subtill spirits runne into grea∣ter errours than the meaner doe. 194

Sect. 10.

An inducement to the studie and search of the secrets of Nature: Of the Needle in the Sea compasse: Of the in∣undations of the River of Nilus, and from whence it hath its source and beginning: Of the severall dispositi∣ons of men: Why continuall burning Hils and Moun∣t••ines doe not diminish, &c. 190

Sect. 11.

Of Christopher Columbus his practicall curiosity in his discovery of the new World, or America. 199

Sect. 12.

The conclusion of this Treatise of Curiosity, conteining a singular curiosity of Livia, Tiberius Caesars wife. 203

Of divine Philosophy, and Mans Felicity.

Sect. 1.

THe Sunne and Moone in the Heavens compared to the Vnderstanding and Will of Man Aristotles defi∣nition of happinesse: The distinction in Vnderstanding and Will; and wherein ancient Philosophers placed their chiefe felicity. 205

Sect. 2.

That our felicity consisteth in the actions of our Will, is confuted: Aristotles opinion hereupon. A theologi∣call solution on it, seconded with a Philosophicall; and an agreement of both to solve the difference. 207

Sect. 3.

Which of the three faculties of the soule, Vnder∣standing, Memorie, and Will, is the most excellent. 218

Sect. 4.

Liberty and compulsion defined; that the will is prom∣pted by the understanding, and that the adequate object of it proceedeth from thence: At what the will and un∣derstanding chiefly ayme, proved to bee the glory of God. 219

Sect. 5.

That all Philosophicall precepts have come short to de∣monstrate true felicity; Philosophicall distinctions to know what is good of it selfe in Sciences; yet all weake to illustrate wherein mans true happinesse consisted; which is philosophically agitated. 221

Sect. 6.

That wealth and honour cannot be esteemed to bee our supreame good or felicity, and the reason therefore; Phi∣losophers confuted by their difference of opinions: Opi∣nions of severall Sects of Philosophers concerning feli∣city, instanced to that effect. 223

Sect. 7.

The later Philosophers have aymed neerer the defini∣tion of true felicity, than the more ancient; and their opinions specified: the finall and true scope of mans fe∣licity, is illustrated with an exhortatory conclusion to all men, for endevouring to attaine unto it.

The Consonancie and A∣greement of the ancient Philosophers, with our Christian Professours.

Sect. 1.

THe difference betwixt the Physiologer and Physician, compared to that betwixt the Metaphysician and Divine. Some of Plato's opinions not farre dissonant from our Christian: The multiplicity of Heathenish gods: that Plato came neere the definition of the Trinity. 229

Sect. 2.

Of Gods creating and conserving of all things in an orderly order; Plato's reasons that the world hath a life. Aristotles opinion of God; he is praised, and at his dy∣ing, preferred before many doubtfull Christians. 231

Sect. 3.

Plato's opinion concerning the creation of the world; seconded by Socrates and Antisthenes: Opinions of Plato, Aristotle, and other Philosophers, confirming God onely to be the Creator of all things. 234

Sect. 4.

Opinions of Plato, Aristotle and some Hebrewes,

Sect. 5.

Ancient Philosophers attributed the framing and continuance of all sublunary Creatures (as we Christians doe unto God; with a recapitulation of severall con∣sonancies betwixt us and them. 238

Sect. 6.

Severall other opinions wherein the ancient Heath∣nicks agreed with us Christians, confirmed by the testi∣monies of their Poets. 240

Sect. 7.

Of good and bad spirits; and wherein the opinions of the Heathnicks agree with ours concerning good spi∣rits. 242

Sect. 8.

How neere the Ancients agree with us concerning bad spirits; and in what orders they were divided of old. 243

OF SLEEPE AND DREAMES.

Sect. 1.

THat nothing can subsist without sleepe or rest; exem∣plified in the death of Perseus King of Macedon: The primary and secondary causes of sleepe: that a sound co••science is a great motive to sound sleepe, proved in the example of Thirois and his two Sonnes. 245

Sect. 2.

Examples of Kings and great Commanders, that upon the thoughtfulnesse of some great exploit or encounter, have beene extraordinarily surprized with unusuall sleepe; and the reasons thereof agitated. 248

Sect. 3.

Alexander the great his sound sleeping, when he should have encountred Darius in battell, here excused. Cato's sleeping before his death, whereupon is inferred a dis∣course against selfe-murther. 249

Sect. 4.

Of Dreames both Naturall, Accidentall, Divine, and

Sect. 5.

The Emperour Severus his dreame of Pertinax; which he caused to be molded in Brasse: An admirable dreame of the Emperour Henry the fifth; Cicero's of Octa∣vianus. That beasts dreame, but hard labouring men seldome, and the reason thereof, &c. 254

A Table of the fifth Booke, Wherein the READER must con∣ceive, that the Page begins anew, and doth not follow the former computation.

OF THE NVMBERS THREE and SEVEN.

Sect. 1.

Treating briefly of Numbers in generall. 1

Sect. 2.

Conteining variety of memorable things comprehen∣ded within the Number of Three, as of Heaven, and Hell, and of Poeticall fictions, and some observations a∣mongst the Romans. 2

Sect. 3.

Conteining some Theologicall and Morall precepts and observations, redacted under the number of three. 5

Sect. 4.

Of Politicke Government: Of living Creatures; and of duties belonging to men of severall professions, as Physi∣cians, Iudges, and Lawyers, &c. with some Physicall ob∣servations, all Tripartite. 7

Sect. 5.

Memorable observations comprehended within the Number of Seven, as of the age of the World, and mans generation. 9

Sect. 6.

How the seven Planets are sayd to rule severally over the seven ages in the life of man. 11

Sect. 7.

The opinions of some Fathers of the Church and some Philosophers concerning the number of Seven, what at∣tributes they gave, with some of Hypocrates observati∣ons thereon. 13

Sect. 8.

Of the Seven Wonders of the world. 14

Sect. 9.

A continuation of observations on the number of se∣ven, taken out of holy Scripture. 15

Sect. 10.

Of the seven great Potentates of the world; of criticall

Sect. 11.

Of the Worlds Continuance and Ending. 19

A TREATISE OF Prodigies and Miracles.

Sect. 1.

The definition of Miracles, with their distinction; In what time they were requisite, in what not, &c. 21

Sect. 2.

Of Prodigies, and in what veneration they were amongst the ancient Romans. 23

Sect. 3.

A continuation of prodigies which happened in the time of the second Punick Warre; with many others that were seene under the times of severall Consuls of Rome. 26

Sect. 4.

Of Prodigies that happened during the civill warres

Sect. 5.

Of Prodigies before the death of Galba, before the destruction of Ierusalem, and at the end of the Valeri••n persecution. 29

Sect. 6.

A continuation of other Prodigies, with a conclusion of this Treatise. 31

SALAMANDRA▪ OR The Philosophers Stone.

Sect. 1.

THe History of the life and death of Antonio Bra∣gadino. 33

Sect. 2.

The reason that moved the Author to handle this matter: the different blessings betwixt the Indians and Christians: the definition of the Philosophicall Stone; the generall way and matter whereof it is made. 35

Sect. 3.

The Authors proposition: the reason of its denomina∣tion; opinion of most approved Authors touching it; and of the possibility and factibility of it. 37

Sect. 4.

That the making of the Philosophers Stone is lesse ex∣pensive and laborious than many things we both use and weare; why the makers of it enrich not themselves and others. 39

Sect. 5.

A generall relation of the matters and materials re∣quisite to this Worke; and in what time it may bee per∣fected. 41

Sect. 6.

Of the five degrees whereby the Worke is perfectio∣ned, and first how to bring it to Solution. 43

Sect. 7.

How from Solution to make Coagulation. 44

Sect. 8.

How from Coagulation to produce Fermentation. 45

Sect. 9.

The way to bring the Worke to Fixation. 46

Sect. 10.

From all the former, how to perfectionate Multipli∣cation. 47

Sect. 11.

A short recitall of some other wayes of perfecting it, used by some Filii artis, and why it is called Sala∣mandra. 47

OF THE WORLD.

Sect. 1.

OF the various distractions of Philosophers in their opinions concerning their Gods; and upon how ill grounds they were setled, 94

Sect. 2.

Of the severall sorts of Gods amongst the Heathen; that they imagined them to bee authors of evils; that they were but mortall men: And some opinions of Phi∣losophers concerning the nature, beeing, and power of their Gods. 51

Sect. 3.

Pythagoras opinion concerning the transmigration of

Sect. 4.

The former Heathnick opinions confuted by our Chri∣stian Beliefe; that they differed concerning the time of the soules continuance, and place of its abode; how they thought soules after the separation from the body to bee rewarded for good or ill, &c. 56

Sect. 5.

Philosophicall tenents of plurality of Words confu∣ted; of Gods Creation of male and femall of all living Creatures. 58

Sect. 6.

Severall opinions of severall Philosophers concerning the Worlds Eternity; their naturall reasons for appro∣ving of it; and what the Egyptians thought concer∣ning the antiquity of the World. 60

Sect. 8.

The most approved opinion of all Philosophers con∣cerning the Worlds beginning and matter: the infallible truth of it; and a checke of Augustines against over∣curious inquisitors after those and the like mysteries. 64

Sect. 9.

How Philosophers differ from Christians in the wayes

Sect. 10.

The order of the Elements, with some observations of the Ayre and Water. 70

Sect. 11.

Of the Earth, that it is the lowest of all the Elements; its division, first into three, then into foure parts; and some different opinions concerning them reconciled. 71

Sect. 12.

Of the different professions of Religion in the severall parts of the world: what Countries and Ilands are con∣tained within Europe, and what within Asia. 73

Sect. 13.

With what Religions and Sects all the Easterne and Northerne Countries are possessed, and in what places Christianity is most professed, &c. 75

Sect. 14.

America and the New found-lands briefly descri∣bed; and some opinions about what time of the yeare the world had its beginning. 77

Sect. 15.

Wherein is to bee seene some things concerning the

Sect. 16.

Copernicus his opinion of the Earths moving, confu∣ted: Archimedes opinion of the world: an Induction to the following Section. 81

Sect. 17.

The division of the starrie firmament, in twelve houres; of the Power and efficacie that is attributed to the Tri∣plicities of them over every Country: and the maintai∣ners of these opinions confuted: the divers dispositions of people of severall nations, how attributed to the natu∣rall disposition of the Planets: An observation of Gods Providence. 83

Sect. 18.

The causes of the Changes of severall things as of men, Countries; plots of ground, &c. and that these pro∣ceede not from triplicities as Astrologers would have it. 87

Sect. 19.

How ancient Writers have compared Man and all his parts to the World and all its parts; wherein is recoun∣ted the different dispositions of men of different Coun∣tries; and to what Countries the faculties of the soule are attributed. 88

A generall Introduction and incite∣ment to the study of the METAPHYSICKS.

Sect. 1.

OF the severall titles and appellations that have beene given by Heathnick and Christian Philosophers to Metaphysick; the reasons wherefore every of those names were attributed unto it; and finally whereof it principally treateth. 91

Sect. 2.

The Reasons why Aristotle added Metaphysick to the other parts of Phylosophie; and how it is distinguished from the other Sciences. 93

Sect. 3.

Three Reasons conducing to the praise of Metaphy∣sick, inducing all men to the study of it; and setting downe some principall ends and uses thereof. 95

Sect. 4.

The excellencie and dignity of the knowledge of Meta∣physick; that onely free and sublime mindes, not distracted

Sect. 5.

For three respects the Metaphysick is called the most excellent Science, and the most necessary to be understood by Christians. 99

Sect. 6.

The first respect, for the universality. 101

Sect. 7.

The second Respect, for the dignity. That the conside∣ration of the soule of man belongeth to the Metaphysicks, with severall Reasons for the proofe thereof. 102

Sect. 8.

The third Respect, for the Vsefulnesse. Of the great use of Metaphysick is towards the furthering of all Di∣vines, in Controversies, and other things: A Conclu∣sion. 104