CHAP. IIII.
LEt vs therefore seeke out what the cause is which moueth the earth from her bottome to the top,* 1.1 that impelleth the waight of so massiue a body, what it is that hath so much force to bee able to lift vp so vnweldie a burthen, whence commeth it that some∣times shee trembleth, and sometimes being loosened sincketh, now renteth her selfe into diuers parts, now appeareth long time open, some∣times closeth her selfe sodainly, presently swalloweth vp great Riuers, anon af∣ter disgorgeth new, discouereth in one place the veines of hot water, in an other cold: vomiteth sometimes fire by a new vent of a Mountaine or Rock: other whiles choaketh and shuteth vp those that had flamed and burned for the space of many yeares. Shee moueth a thousand miracles, produceth diuers changes, transporteth mountaines, maketh mountaines of plaines, swelleth vp the vallies, and raiseth new Islands in the Sea. To know the causes of so many accidents, is a thing worthy to be discussed. But what commoditie saiest thou will there grow hereby? The greatest in this world, which is the knowledge of nature. Although the consideration of this matter bringeth many commodities with it,* 1.2 yet containeth it nothing in it selfe more excellent then this, that the worthi∣nesse thereof wholly possesseth the minde that is fixed thereupon, and it is not the gaine, but the miracle that is obserued therein that maketh it venerable. Let vs consider then what the cause might be, why such things happen, the con∣templation whereof is so pleasing vnto me, that although in times past, during my yonger yeares, I published a Treatise of earthquakes, yet had I a minde to trie and assay, whether age hath added any thing either to my knowledge or diligence.