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.

Artic. 2. Of Rain.

FRom clouds I proceed to speak of rain. And rain is nothing else but as it were the melting of a cloud turned into water. Or, according to Aristotle, it is the flux of a fertill cloud resolved by the heat of the sunne into distilling drops of water, which being depressed with their own weight, fall down to the earth. For when the matter of the cloud, being a cold vapour, and earthly humour, is drawn from the earth and waters, in∣to the middle Region of the aire, and there thickened through the cold, dwelling in the confines of that place, it is at the last dissolved, and cannot therefore but fall down in drops: which drops, if they be great, are caused,

either by the quick resolution of the cloud, or else by the little distance of it from the earth. But if they be small∣er, then either the a great distance or slow resolution ma∣keth them of no ample quantitie.

The first of these is named nimbus; the other is called imber.

And note that the dissolution (as hath been said) pro∣ceedeth out of heat; which is not onely of the sunne, but of windes also of an hot temper: as is seen in the sou∣thern winde, which bloweth up rain sooner then any other winde. And as for rains which come from cold coasts, and at cold times of the yeare, if the cloud be not at such times (as some may think) dissolved through the heat of any winde, it dissolveth it self through its own weight, (being a little holpen by the sunne) for it conti∣nueth in the aire even whilest it can stay no longer. And at these times also, if we consider all aright, we shall finde that the winde somewhat helpeth, although not so speedily as from hotter coasts: for naturally there is a kinde of heat in every winde, (because it is an Exhala∣tion hot and drie) although by accident (as from the na∣ture of the place over which it passeth) it may be altered: of which I shall speak more afterwards. And besides all this, the secret influence of the Planets worketh greatly towards the dissolution of the foresaid vapours.

But I proceed. And now it followeth that I divide all sorts of rain into two kindes: First, such as are ordina∣ry; secondly, such as be extraordinary.

I call those ordinary when nothing but water falleth. And I call those extraordinary which others call prodi∣gious rains: as when worms, frogs, fish, wheat, milk, flesh, bloud, wooll, stones, iron, earth, &c. fall from the clouds. Plinie makes mention of many such prodigies as these, in the 56 chapter of his second book; setting down the times when they happened.

Concerning all which, next under God (the causer of the causes causing them) these or the like reasons may be urged to shew how it is possible they should be pro∣cured, and upon what causes they naturally depend.

1. And first for the raining of worms; it may be thought that the putrefaction of some dead carcasses or other hath been drawn up into the aire as fumes and vapours are, where it breedeth such worms as use to breed out of the like matter here below.

2. The like may be said of frogs, when the vapour is exhaled out of marish grounds at such times as they en∣gender.

3. So also of fishes; excepting that (as is supposed) the force of windes may suddenly sweep away little frey out of ponds upon montanous places: and so also little young frogs, with many the like things, may be taken up. Some write of a whole calf falling from the clouds; and have been thereupon perswaded that it is possible, of Vapours and Exhalations, with the power of heaven∣ly bodies concurring, a calf may be made in the aire. But this is idle. It was therefore (as others write) taken up in some storm of whirl winde, and so let fall again.

4. As for wheat and other grain, it hath been observed that their raining down hath often come in case of ex∣tremitie, to the great preservation and refreshment of the distressed: in which regard it may be supposed that it was an immediate work of God, wrought without the rule of nature: so, that were all the wits in the world prest into one, yet were they all too weak to shew a true cause of such a prodigie. Which made Du Bartas write concerning such;

Let them declare what cause could yerst beget Amid the aire those drizzling showres of wheat, Which in Carinthia twice were seen to shed; Whereof that people made them store of bread.

To speak therefore as I think, I will not boldly affirm how this was caused, but onely touch at the possibilitie of it; namely, that it might be effected like unto other strange rains, first drawn from the earth into the aire, and then sent down again. For (as I have b already said) in shewing probable reasons for such things as are strange, we do also include God the chief and best cause of all things. And so also we reade, that when the Red sea was bayed up with a double wall, to give the children of Israel safe and free passage through it, God sent a strong East-winde all that night, &c. by which the wa∣ters were divided. Exod. 14. 21. And again, when the Quails came and filled their tents, being as it were rained round about them; they were brought from the sea with a winde, and let fall a dayes journey on this side, and a dayes journey on that side, even round about their camp. Numb. 11. 31.

He that hath seen (saith c one) an egge-shell full of dew drawn up by the sunne into the aire, in a May morning, will not think it incredible, that wheat and other grain should be drawn up in much hotter coun∣treys then ours is, much rather the meal or flower which is lighter.

5. By the like reason also it sometimes raineth milk: for when the intensissimus solis calor, the vehement heat of the sunne, shall either draw milk from the udders of cattell, and shall mix it with the other parts of the cloud; or shall so throughly trie, purifie, digest or con∣coct the vapour, that it may look something white, then will the drops look as if it rained milk.

6. As for the raining of flesh, it is supposed to be after this manner, namely through the drawing up of bloud from places where much bloud hath been shed, which being clottered together seemeth as if it were flesh.

7. And so also it may rain bloud; namely when it is

not clottered together, but thinner, &c. In the yeare of Christ 480 was such a rain. As also in the yeare 864, neare unto Brixia in Italie, was the like. Yea and before either of these times, our own d chronicles tell us that in the dayes of Rivallo King of the Britains, we also had bloud rained; upon which ensued great mortalitie of peo∣ple. Histories make mention of the like wonders at other times.

But, say some, there is often great store of bloud spilt, and yet no prodigie appeareth.

To which is answered, that it is not the ordinarie ex∣haling vertue which resteth in the starres and Planets that can draw up such bloudy vapours, although much bloud be spilt; but then onely when there is a more un∣usuall concurrence of causes: for sometimes they are disposed to one thing, sometimes to another. And for the working of any strange thing, it must be when there is a strange kinde of combination amongst them. To which purpose we know (although we cannot alwayes directly see and demonstrate how they are mixed and combined) that they principally intend and cause at the same time other changes, of which the visible prodigie is but the proclaimer or fore-runner: as, if you look but a little before concerning Comets, you may see, and so rest satisfied.

And unto this also adde, that there may be drops like unto bloud, and yet no bloud drawn up: And this may be, either when the Sunne draweth vapours out of pu∣trified watery places, in which (as I have often seen) in a drought resteth much slimie and red-coloured corrupted water; or else when the Sunnes immensive heat doth so boyl the water in the cloud, that like unto the urine which a man maketh in a burning fever, it looketh red when it falleth. The like cause I gave before unto the water of a white colour: but know that it must then

be of another qualitie, the matter of the vapour I mean: for there are some kinde of waters, as is well known, which being boyled turn to white salt, &c. And as for a red colour, the ordinarie rain sheweth that it is possible: for we see that ordinary rain-water looketh alwayes more brown then spring or river-water, being as if a more powerfull operation would turn it into red.

8. The raining of wooll or hair, is when a certain mossinesse like wooll, such as is upon quinces, willows, and other young fruits and trees, is drawn up by the Sunne among Vapours and Exhalations, which being clottered together falleth down like locks of wooll, or hair.

9. Concerning stones, they proceed from earthly matter gathered into the clouds, as before was shewed concerning the Thunder-stone, &c.

Plinie, in the 58 chapter of his second book, writeth of a strange stone which fell out of the heavens; the fall whereof was foretold by Anaxagoras in the second yeare of the 78 Olympiad.

10. Iron may also drop out of the clouds, when the ge∣nerall matter of all metalls, which is quicksilver and brimstone, with the speciall matter of mixtion making iron, are all drawn up together, and there concocted into metall: Or (as one saith) Quando vapores metallici aut sulphurei in aëre indurantur, vehementi siderum caliditate; When metallick vapours, or vapours of a sulfurous na∣ture, are hardened in the aire by the vehement heat of the starres.

11. And as for earth, chalk, dirt, and the like, it is drawn up in thin dust at the first with the vapour: Or else, by force of some winde blowing from caverns, or holes of the ground, it is carried up; and being conglo∣merated, or as it were glued together, falleth down again.

12. But beside all these, there have sometimes been red drops, which falling upon mens garments have made a stain like unto a crosse. Such drops as these fell up∣on the e clothes of the Jews, when in the dayes of the Apostata Iulian they went about to restore their citie and temple. For when the said Iulian raged with impi∣etie and devilish fury against the Christians, he gave the Jews licence to build their temple, that they might restore again their ancient sacrifices, and the like things that they longed for: at which time Cyril was Bishop of Ierusalem; and he (to animate the Christians) shewed that it was impossible for the Jews to finish that work which they had begun: alledging the prophet Da∣niel in his ninth chap. at the 27 verse; and also that say∣ing of our Saviour in the 24 of Matthew: by both which places it did appeare, that their house was left unto them desolate, and that there must not be one stone upon another; but that their desolations must be perpetuall.

Thus it happened to the Jews. But this surely was a thing altogether miraculous. For their red crosses came not alone, but were accompanied with other pro∣digies. As first of all an Earth-quake, which overthrew and tumbled down their building which they had raised upon the old foundation. Then came forth a fire which consumed all their engines and instruments. And last of all fell these drops, imprinting upon their clothes, crosses with so deep a stain, as they were not able to wash them out: And both the f same night, and night after, was also a bright signe of the crosse seen int he skie, as Theodoret in his Ecclesiasticall historie reporteth: adding herewith∣all, that when the Jews saw this, they fled and returned home, being perplexed through fear of a divine scourge; confessing that he, whom their forefathers had nailed to a crosse, was God indeed.

This was both the prodigie, and the issue of it: of

which, being so plainly miraculous, I know not what to say.

But I finde that other times have in a manner afforded the like. Wherefore (although I speak nothing at all of these at this time thus miraculous) concerning them some reasons may be given.

And not to go farre, Magirus, in the g Comment up∣on his Physicks, telleth us, that in Suevia a Province in Germanie, in the yeare of our Lord 1534, the aire distil∣led certain red drops, which falling upon linen gar∣ments, made such an impression or stain as was like unto a crosse. Which impression (as he alledgeth out of Car∣dan his sixteenth book De subtilitate) might be procured thus; viz. because a certain kinde of extraordinarie dry dust sticked to those garments; which, by the piercing or through-washing drops falling upon it, was so miracu∣lously divided into parts, that there seemed a figure as of a crosse. Or thus, because the woven threads in them∣selves had such a form. Or else (which is most probable) because the humour in the middle part lay on high, whereas the sides were but thin, and fashioned according to the dashing of the drop. For when a drop falleth upon any thing with a kinde of force, we see that most of the humour resteth in the midst, whilest certain sparkling raies are dashed about the sides: And thus he thinketh it might be then, in the fall of those staining drops; which why they stain, hath relation to that which I said before concerning the raining of bloud.

I will therefore now conclude; adding in the last place, that the devil, by Gods permission, both often hath and also doth produce many such prodigies as these that I have spoken of, with sundry other like unto them; especially amongst the Heathen, Pagan, and super∣stitious nations. For he is quovis homine scientior, more subtill then any man; his knowledge and skill whereby

he worketh wonders, arising, First, from his spirituall nature, which proclaimeth a large measure of cunning and wisdome in him: for we know that there is a great∣er measure of knowledge in man, then is in a brute beast, by reason of that nature which God hath given unto man above beasts: and where there is a nature and a sub∣stance beyond either, there must also be knowledge above either. Secondly, God created him a good Angel; and although, like man, he lost much by his fall, yet thirdly by his long observations, and continuall experi∣ence, he hath as it were made up the breach, or want of his created knowledge, by acquired skill: and therefore, when he hath commission, he can upon occasion work strange wonders. As for example, nothing more familiar or common in h Lapland, Lituania, and all over Scandia, as also in Tartaria, then to sell windes to mariners, and cause tempests; which the witches and sorcerers there procure by the help and power of the devil: wherein he sheweth himself, according to his title, Prince of the aire.

Wherefore (as I said) I do not doubt, but that many such as the former strange prodigies, especially long ago in heathen times, and amongst heathen people, were procured by his power. For what did the magicians in the sight of Pharaoh, but as it were rain frogs, and turn the waters into bloud, although Moses and Aaron were by?

Besides, it is apparent that in the little world, I mean when parties are possessed, the devil can cause them to vomit strange things out of their mouthes and stomacks; as crooked pins, iron, coals, nails, brimstone, needles, lead, wax, hair, straw, live eels, and the like; of which many have been eye-witnesses, confirming the same for truth. All which, he can as well and easily perform in the greater world; causing the aire to spit, and the clouds to

vomit (for his own advantage) most strange and prodi∣gious things.

Zanchius his opinion was not much differing: for, speaking of strange rains, i he confessed (concerning some of them) that they were produced by such causes, or the like, as I before alledged; concluding for the rest which were more occult, that they were truely prodigi∣ous; and caused, either by the power of God, as porten∣ders of his wrath; or else by the sleights of the devil, through Gods permission.

Notes

• a

  This may be seen if any will but assay to poure water from an high place.
• Ordinary and ex∣traordinary rains.
• Prodigious rain.
• Worms.
• Frogs▪
• Fishes▪
• Wheat.
• b

  Paragraph •…•…. art. 3. and else∣where.
• c

  Fulk, in his Meteors.
• Milk▪
• Which may the sooner be done in sum∣mer, and in hot countreys.
• Flesh.
• Bloud.
• d

  Lanquet▪ •…•…tow, &c.
• Object.
• Answ.
• Wooll.
• Stones.
• Iron.
• Earth.
• Red crosses.
• e

  Ru•…•…finus, Histor. Eccles. lib. 1. cap. 39
• f

  Theod. Histor. Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 20.▪
• Reasons concern∣ing Red crosses at other times.
• g

  Lib. 4. cap. 6.
• So also in West∣phalia, ann. 1543. at Lovane, 1568. ipso Pentecostes die. And in the yeare 1571 in duione Embdensi, in Frisus Orientalibus. See Fromond. Me∣teor. Lib. 5. cap. 6. art. 3.
• The devil many times worketh in the Aire.
• Psal. 78. 49.
• How it comes to passe that the devi•…•…s know∣ledge is farre beyond mans.
• Matth. 8. 31. Job 1. 12.
• h

  Saxo Grammat. Olaus magnus.
• Ephes. 2. 2.
• Exod. cap. 7▪ & 8.
• i

  Sentio (inquit) tales 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is ver•…•… prodigio•…•…as esse, & fieri 〈◊〉〈◊〉 solâ Dei potentiâ, eoque i∣ram Dei portendere; qualis fuit 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 pluit sulphure & igne supra Sodo∣mam, & alias ur∣bes: aut etiam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 praestigi•…•…, Deo permit ten•…•…e fie∣ri. Zanch. Tom. 3. lib. 3. cap. 5. qu•…•…st. 6. Thes. 3.