CHAP. VI.
¶ Of the seuen Planets.
BEtweene the earth and heauen there hang in the same spirit or element of aire aboue named, seuen stars, seuered one from another, and distant asunder certaine spaces, which of their variable motion wee call wandring planets, whereas in∣deed none stray and wander lesse than they. In the middest of them the Sun ta∣keth [unspec B] his course, as being the greatest and most puissant of all the rest: the very ruler, not of times and seasons onely, and of the earth, but also of the starres and heauen it selfe. Beleeue we ought, this Sun to be the very life, and (to speake more plainely) the soule of the whole world, yea, and the principall gouernance of nature: and no lesse than a God or diuine power, considering his workes and operations. He it is that giueth light to all things, and riddeth them from darknesse: he hideth the other starres, and sheweth them again: he ordereth the seasons in their alternatiue course: he tempereth the yeare, arising euer fresh and new againe, for the benefit and good of the world. The lowring dimnesse of the skie he di∣spatcheth, yea, and cleareth the darke mists and clowdinesse of mans minde: to other stars like∣wise he lendeth out his owne light. Most excellent, right singular he is, as seeing all, & hearing all. For this, I see, is the opinion of Homer (the prince of learning) as touching him alone. [unspec C]