Speculum mundi· Or A glasse representing the face of the world shewing both that it did begin, and must also end: the manner how, and time when, being largely examined. Whereunto is joyned an hexameron, or a serious discourse of the causes, continuance, and qualities of things in nature; occasioned as matter pertinent to the work done in the six dayes of the worlds creation.

Object. 1. But perhaps it may be thought that the na∣ture of the place above the Moon doth sufficiently denie the ascent of any terrene Exhalation so high; there be∣ing too great a difference between the one and the other; between the matter ascending, and the matter of that place whither it ascendeth.

Answ. To which I may partly answer as before, in the 4. Chapter and 3. Section, that seeing the out-spread Firmament in the creation was taken from that masse of matter which lay here below, and separated from it rather then created of any newer matter, that therefore (I say) there cannot be so great a difference as to bring in such an Antipathie as will not at all suffer any terrene Exhalation to scale those flammantia moenia mundi, or battlements of heaven; but rather, that without relu∣ctancie, or any great striving, the one may admit of the other, and entertain it as a guest neare of kin unto it self, or unto the nature of that place where the continuing starres have ever had their residence.

For, if I urge it further, it may well be proved even by* 1.1 opticall demonstration, that the great vast space from the earth, as high as the fixed starres themselves, is not of a diverse nature from the Aire; for if it were, then there would be a multitude of Mediums between the sight and

the thing visible: but there is no multitude of Mediums: For where there is a multitude of Mediums, there the beams which come to the sight from the thing visible would beget a multiplicitie of refraction in the said raies or beams; but it is manifest that there is onely one refra∣ction found in the beams of the starres, and that but onely when they are neare to the edge of the Horizon, at which time the ascending vapours are between our sight and them: And therefore there is but one kinde of Me∣dium by which the starres offer themselves to our sight: And being but one Medium, there cannot be such diver∣sitie of natures between the heavens and things com∣pounded of the elements. Whereupon it may be con∣cluded, that an Exhalation may ascend into the territo∣ries of the starry heaven, and so by consequent have a mutuall concurrence with such matter as the hea∣vens do naturally afford towards the generating of supralunary Comets, or new admired starres.

Indeed I must confesse that were I of Pythagoras his opinion, I then would cry out with Auditus in the p 1.2 Co∣medie—Heark, heark, list, list now, &c. What, are you deaf? do you not perceive the wondrous sound and the celestiall musick the heavenly orbs do make with their continuall motion? Or I would imagine firm spheres or solid orbs, and so set an undoubted stoppage, and hinder the passage of any Meteor above the Moon: But seeing that tenent is made the fit subject of laughter, I therefore passe it over.

Notes

• * 1.1

  From the earth to the highest Firmament is nothing but aire.
• p 1.2

  Called Lingua.