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A third question is, Whether the waters be* 1.1 higher then the earth. Concerning which there be au∣thours on both sides; some affirming, some denying.
That they be higher then the earth, it is thus affirm∣ed.
First, because water is a bodie not so heavie as earth.
Secondly, it is observed by sailers, that their ships flie faster to the shore then from it; whereof no reason can be given, but the height of the water above the land.
Thirdly, to such as stand on the shore, the sea seemeth
to swell into the form of an hill, till it put a bound to their sight.
Fourthly, it is c 1.2 written of Sesostris King of Egypt, and after him of Darius King of Persia, that they would have cut the earth and joyned Nilus and the Red sea together; but finding the Red sea higher then the land of Egypt, they gave over their enterprise, lest the whole countrey should be drowned.
Fifthly, the arising of springs out of the highest moun∣tains doth declare it, because the water cannot be for∣ced higher then the head of the fountain opposite to it. As for example. Like as we see a spring that riseth in an hill, conveyed in lead unto a lower ground, will force his waters to ascend unto the height it beareth at the fountain: even so the waters which stand above the mountains, do force out springs of water, by necessary and naturall cause, out of the highest mountains.
Sixthly, the * 1.3 Psalmist doth witnesse the same, affirm∣ing moreover that God Almighty hath made the waters to stand on an heap, and hath set them a bound which they shall not passe, nor turn again to cover the earth. And Jer. 5. 22. Fear ye not me, saith the Lord? will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetuall decree that it cannot passe it; and though the waves thereof rage, yet can they not prevail? Thus on the one side.
But notwithstanding all this, methinks the other part (yet choose which you will) is most probable.
For first the water indeed is a bodie not so heavie an earth, yet heavie enough to descend, not being of an aspiring nature, but presseth eagerly towards the same centre that a stone or any part of the earth coveteth: It cannot therefore possibly be above the earth, although not so heavie as earth, unlesse there were no hollow pla∣ces in the ground to receive it. But God Almighty, in
gathering them, provided lodgings for them, lest they should turn again and cover the earth: which also is insi∣nuated by the Hebrew word Kava, signifying to congre∣gate or gather together; from whence the Latine word Cavus, hollow, may seem to be derived. Besides, should it be alledged that the hollow places could not be deep enough to receive them, what were this but to curtall the earths Diameter or thicknesse? for suppose the wa∣ters stood above the hills before they were gathered to one place; yet know that even the Semidiameter of the earth is deeper by no few miles then the highest hill. Suppose you could imagine an hill to be above a thou∣sand miles high (which is impossible) yet the earths Se∣midiameter would be two thousand, foure hundred, and above 36 miles deeper then that height. As for example; if the earth be 21600 miles in compasse, then the Dia∣meter will be 6872 8/11 miles; and if the Diameter be 6872 8/11 miles, then the Semidiameter must be half so much, viz. 3436 4/11 miles.
Secondly, suppose it be observed by sailers that their ships fly faster to the shore then from it: this proveth not the sea higher then the land. For know that it is no won∣der to see a ship sail more speedily homewards then out∣wards; because when it approacheth to the shore, it co∣meth with a continued motion which makes it the swifter: but when it goeth from the shore, it doth but begin its motion, and is therefore slower then before. This (if need were) might be proved by many plain and familiar examples.
Thirdly, suppose that the sea seemeth, to such as stand on the shore, to swell higher and higher, till it put a bound to the sight; this rather proveth the sphericall roundnesse of the earth and sea, then any thing else; shewing that both together make one globie bodie. Which, why it is perceived rather in the water then the
land, this may be a reason; namely because the sea, being a plain and liquid element, and spacious enough, doth better shew it then the earth, which hindereth our full view by reason of many woods, trees, and other fixed obstacles which the sight meeteth and encountreth by the way.
Fourthly, although Sesostris K. of Egypt, and after him Darius K. of Persia, dared not to make a cut out of the Red sea into Nilus, for fear of drowning the coun∣trey, because they supposed that the sea lay three cu∣bits higher then the land of Egypt: yet (as some report; how truely, I cannot tell) the Ptolomies, kings of Egypt, effected the work without any danger of inundation. But suppose they had not done it, or suppose it were granted that the Red sea were higher then the plains of Egypt; yet it followeth not (unlesse one swallow can make a summer) that the sea in generall is every where higher then the earth. As for the height of the Red sea above the land neare adjoyning to it, d 1.4 Aristotle seemeth to give a reason, perswading himself that there is such a change in the universe, as that that which hath been sea is sometimes land, and that which hath been land is sometimes sea: and so he thinketh of those low grounds neare the Red sea, that they have been gained from the sea. The like we may also think of many pla∣ces in the Netherlands, and of that small part of sea which is between Dover and Callis; as Verstegan pro∣veth in his restitution of decayed antiquities, cap. 4. pag. 97.
Fifthly, suppose that certain springs arise out of the highest mountains, must the sea therefore needs be high∣er then those mountains? surely I think not. For albeit I be not of Aristotles minde, nor of their opinions who do not derive the rivers from the seas, nor make subscripti∣on unto them who give a sucking and an attractive po∣wer
to the veins of the earth; yet I finde it as a thing possible, although that part of the sea which lieth op∣posite to the head of the fountain, or to the place where the water first breaketh out, be lower then the ground, that the said water may neverthelesse easily ascend, and not break forth untill it finde a place convenient. Now this ascent is caused by the sea, which, seeing it is a vast bodie, is very ponderous and heavie, and cannot be thrust back by the water at the head of the fountain opposite to it, but rather it doth potently and strenuously croud on the said water through the hollow ports and passages of the earth, untill at the last it springeth forth.
Were it so indeed that there were an equall weight of both waters, (I mean of the sea-water driving, and of the spring-water arising) then the ascent of the one could not be higher then the superficies of the other: but seeing the weights are unequall (which e 1.5 Cardan did not well consider) the stronger and heavier must needs drive on the weaker and lighter, causing it sometimes to as∣cend even above it self.
Sixthly and lastly, that which the Psalmist witnesseth concerning the standing of the waters on an heap, I take to be nothing else but the gathering of them to one place, so and in such a manner, that their coming toge∣ther may be called Seas, and their forsaking the land be called Earth: for if one place of Scripture be expound∣ed by another, it will appeare to be even so. First, be∣cause it is said, Ecclesiastes 1. 7. All the rivers go into the sea: but the water hath his naturall course downwards, and cannot be forced up, but by the heavier weight; as hath been shewed. Secondly, because it is said Psal. 107. 23. They go down to the sea in ships: down, as to the low∣er place; and not up, as to the higher. And for that al∣ledged out of Jeremy, viz. Fear ye not me? &c. The Prophet speaks there of no miraculous work against na∣ture,
but of the ordinary providence of God by naturall means, keeping back and bounding the sea; as at the 24. verse is manifest. For there he gives the like instance of the rain; which we know is not wrought by miracle, and yet it sheweth the watchfull providence of God, preser∣ving the world by the naturall course of the creatures.
Judge then if they be not mistaken, who would have the sea higher then the earth.
Quest. 3. Shewing whether the waters be higher then the earth.
Herodot. in •…•…∣terpe, & in lib. se∣quent. Plin. lib. 6. cap. 39.
Psal. 104.
Met. lib. 1. cap. 14.
De subtil lib. 3. pag. 123.