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The true Knowledge of Man, consisting of External and Internal Nature, in the Elementary World.
POsteà dixit, faciamus Hominem ad imaginem nostram, secundum similitudinem nostram: qui dominentur in Pisces maris, & in Volucreis
Coeli, & in Pecudes, & in universam Terram; que in omnia reptilia reptantia super Terr•…•… Itaque creavit Deus Hominem, ad imaginem quam Dei creavit eum: marem & foeminam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vit eos.
God said, Let us make Man according t•…•… Image; and God created Man according to his Image: And Moses says, That God made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Clay, meaning, with the Composition the Elementary Powers: for tho' Adam was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first Man, yet we read, that he had his Fall t•…•… he had his longing and eager Desires after m•…•… Fancies, which brought himself to a great M•…•… demeanor: But of this Man Adam, I'll say 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more, and let the first Species alone.
We read in Genesis, that God on the fifth d•…•… created all living Creatures, at one Revoluti•…•… of the Earth: so likewise you may observe•…•… one Revolution more, Adam was made.
Now we will present you with the Opinion of Learned Philosopher, with the Paradisial ••ound and Turning of the Heavens from its •…•…st Primum Mobile, viz. two days after the ☉ •…•…d ☽ were created.
adam in paradice.
Thus Adam was created in that pleasant place •…•…radise, about the year before Christ 4. 002. •…•…z. on April 24. at 12 a Clock, or Midnight. •…•…ow this place Paradise is in Mesopotamia, where •…•…e Pole is elevated 34 deg. 30 min. and the ☉ •…•…eth 4 Hours sooner, than under the elevation the Pole of London: Now our curious Rea∣•…•…r may be inquisitive concerning this matter.
If you will not credit these Reasons laid d•…•… pray read Josephus; there you will see some•…•… of this matter, viz. of the first Primum M•…•… or moving Posture of the World, and plac•…•… Paradise, and Elevation of its Pole. Many •…•…¦troversies have been about the Time and Se•…•… of the Year, therefore I shall not trouble Reader any further with them. Let the S•…•…¦pture be our Guide in this Matter; Let the•…•… (saith the Word) and there was: and also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fifth days Work of the Creation, when the G•…•… hoppers were, and the Trees sprang out; this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 give us to understand, that the Time of Creation must have its beginning in the Spri•…•…
Now for the place or Centre of the Ea•…•… from whence we may observe the Poles, as a•…•…¦mentioned in Mesopotamia, where God pl•…•… Adam: So the Spring is two months soo•…•… there than here with us, under the Elevatio•…•… the Pole at London.
But for the Ages of the World, many h•…•… endeavoured to satisfie; Dr. Butler for one.
The Egg of Generation; or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Centre of Man.
IN the last Chapter, you have an accou•…•… the first Man Adam, of his wonderful C•…•…∣tion
and Situation, who was in himself, Male and Female. But he who made all things by his Word and Power, said, it was not conveni∣ent for him to live alone; so there was a Divi∣sion, a Woman, called Eve, who is the Matrix of the Genetrix, and thus it stands in the Eter∣nal Will; and this is the Centre of Nature un∣der the Elements, Man, Microcosmos, or that little World, as the Compendium of the whole Creation, partake of both these Kinds, consisting of Soul and Body, formed of the Elements; Mo∣ses tells us, of the Dust of the Ground; also he partakes of an immediate Creation, with the cor∣ruptible Creatures, incontroulable in his Soul, breathed of God: therefore, in his Body he is by Nature corruptible, and his Soul immortal.
Now we will proceed on the Words before, the Female taken out of the Male, which is for Procreation, Convocation, and Multiplication; observe the Words of Moses:
Dixerat autem Jehova Deus, non est bonum esse hominem solum: faciam ei Auxilium commo∣dum ipsi.
These Words implie a Unity and Familiari∣ty of Adam with his Female Creature; and this to Posterity. The Philosophers in these our days, are at a stand for the Reason of that Love arising between Male and Female, telling us, it's only a strong Sympathy in Nature. But of this enough. And seeing that the first Man is the first Woman, it may be convenient to de∣monstrate
to you something of the Egg of Mul¦tiplication.
But pray give me leave, before I run on wi•…•… these Demonstrations of the Human Egg of Ge¦neration, to give you a Demonstration touchi•…•… this Matter in Latin, from the wise Philosoph•…•… of Old, that the Reader may not want a suff¦ciency to whet his Understanding on.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. De Generandi, aut Spermaticâ Facultate,
GEnerandi quoque vis, partis est ejus quae •…•…¦tioni non obtemperat: nam sine volunt•…•… nostra in somniis Semen emittimus, & cupidit•…•… Conjunctionis naturalis est; inviti enim ad eam •…•…¦rimur: quanquàm actio sine controversia in n•…•… sita est, & ab anima pendet. Etenim Instrument•…•… quae appetitioni naturali serviunt conficitur, & ab•…•…¦tinere ab appetitione eamque comprimere, in n•…•… est positum. Instrumenta autem seminandi facul¦tate praeditae Venae sunt, & Arteriae; in his eni•…•…¦per conversionem sanguinis primum humidum, qu•…•…¦ad seminis natur a vergit, ut in Mammis Lac, pr•…•…¦creatur. Horum enim vasorum alimentum hi•• humor est, propterea quod à principio è semine pre¦creata sint. Excoquunt igitur Arteriae & Ve•…•… Sanguinem in humidum, quod ad naturam Semi•…•… accedit, ut alatur: atque quod ex earum alimenu•…•…¦relinquitur, Semen fit. Fertur enim primu•…•… quidem multa circuitione in caput, deinde à capi•…•… per binas venas binasque arterias delabitur.
Q••are si quis excidat venas, quae sunt circa aures, & parotides, Animal sterile reddit, & ineptum ad generandum; hae aut em venae & arteriae evadunt illud tort uosum, & quod instar varicum est, invo∣luerum, quod est ad Scrotum, ubi humidum illud quod ad semen accedit labitur in utrumque Testem. Una est arteria, unaque vena plena seminis, in qui∣bus perfectè semen perficitur, & per tortuosum pr∣rastatem, qui secundus testis est, cum flatu depelli∣tur; quoniam & arteria est quae mittit: ferri au∣tem etiam à vena, libidinosa petulantia ostendit. Cum enim diu concubuerint, & id, in quo seminis vis inest & Genitalem humorem, consumpserint, tum etiam per violentam contentionem parum san∣guinis emittit. Mulieres quoque omnes easdem, quas viri verè partes habent, sed intus, non ex∣tra. Aristoteles quidem, & Democritus, nihil vo∣lunt conferre Semen Mulieres ad procreationem Li∣berorum; quod enim mittitur à Mulieribus, sudo∣rem potius Membri, quam semen esse volunt. Ga∣lenus verò damnat Aristotelem, ait Semen emittere Mulieres, & mixtionem utriusque Seminis Foetum efficere; quare etiam concubitum mixtionem dici: non tamen perfectum Semen, ut viri, sed adhuc crudum, & humidius. Cum autem tale sit mulie∣ris Semen, alimentum sit utilis, & ex eo pars quae∣dam coriisive membranae Foetum ambientis, qui ad cornua concrescit, & quod à farciminis forma, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, nominatur; quod reliquiarum cibi Foetus dum in uteri est receptaculum sit: in uno∣quoque autem genere animalis, tum faemina marem admittit, cum potest concipere. Quae ergo semper possunt concipere, semper conjunctionem admittunt,
ut Gailinae, & Columbae, & Homo; sed caetera du•…•…¦gravida sunt, fugiunt conjunctionem, Mulier sempe•…•…¦admittit. Nam Gallinae quidem quod quotidie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pariant, quotidie ferè cum mare congrediuntur Mulieres autem ut in caeteris rebus, voluntate su•…•… libera; ita etiam in concubitu post conceptionen Nam bestiae non à seipsis, sed à natura diriguntu•…•… & modus eis tempusque definitum, Naturae leg•…•… statutum est.
Notwithstanding their high Learning, they are in the Dark, as the Quaker saith; but An•…•…¦stotle in some of his Works, owns, that Wome•…•… have Eggs. No more of this, but I shall proceed in my former Method.
If the method be observed in the knowledg of Generation, we may be confident we have ar¦rived at the Principles themselves; and then will appear out of what first Matter, by wh•…•… Efficient, and what Possession the Plastick Pow•…•… hath its Original; and then also, what progres•…•… Nature makes in this Work: for both the fir•…•… and remote Matter appear the clearer (being stripped naked as it were) by Negation; an•…•… whatsoever is first made in Generation, that as it were the material Cause of that which succeedeth; as for Example, a Man was first Boy (because from a Boy he grew up to a Man before he was a Boy, he was an Infant; and be¦fore an Infant, he was an Embryo.
Now we must search further, what he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Mothers Womb, before he was an Embryo•…•…
Foetus; whether their Bubbles, or some rude and indigested Lump, or a Conception, or Co∣agulation of mixed Seed, or whether any thing else? According to the Opinion of Writers, an Egg or Eggs is the first Centre or Production under the Elements, of the Beginning of Man: so we come all from Eggs, &c. a Description of which, I will demonstrate at large in the follow∣ing Chapter.
A Description of the Human Egg; or, the Matrix of the Centre of Generation.
SEeing the Figures of Human Eggs are exem∣plificated to your View, we will in this Chapter speak something in particular concer∣ning the Body of Man, of his Formation, and some of his Parts.
It's well known, that the Soul's Bodily Union, and Conception in the Soul, is performed, or comes to pass after this manner: beneath in the Matrix, the Woman hath no Seed; but each side of her Womb hath many little Eggs, every one of which hangs by a small Filament: and these are born with her, and are found in all Female Creatures.
Look upon the Figure, and behold the Matria of Conception, or Store-House of Multiplicati∣on; those Eggs appear as they at the Tread of a Cock in the Hens Egg, or as the Spawn of a Fish, in little rude Lumps or Spots.
In the Cohabitation of Man and Wife toge∣ther, after the spiritual Seed being united, or implanted in the Egg, and it hath received them; the said Egg doth, thro' its Ductus or Pipe, slip down, or off, from the said Lump of Eggs, into a certain Cavity, as Nature hath provided, in or∣der to its being further accomplished there; as you may see by the Figures following.
Represents two human Eggs of a differe•••• bigness, being separated from the Egg, Lump, or Centre of Generation: two Eggs represent Twins; but one Egg, one Child.
Represents an Embryo of 6 Days after Con∣ception.
A represents to the Eye, the inward part of the Membranes, Chorion and Amnion, being im∣perfectly formed, and in which there is as yet no appearance of the Hepar Uterinum.
B represents an Embryo, in which may be seen the distinction of the Head from the Body, but no delineation of any other Parts.
Represents an Embryo of 18 Days after Con∣ception.
A, the Hepar Uterinum, with the Veins and Arteries, which are dispersed thro' the Sub∣stance of the Membrane.
BBBB, the Membrane Chorion, dissected.
CCCC, the Membrane Amnion, dissected in like manner.
D, the Navel-String.
E, an Embryo, of 15 or 16 Days, in which the Face begins to appear more distinctly, and the rest of the Members are somewhat formed and distinguished.
Represents to the Eye, a grisly Skeleton of an Embryo, of three Weeks and three Days.
Represents an Embryo of one month four days.
A, the whole grisly Bulk of the Head, shew∣ing the grisly Points of both the upper and ne∣ther Jaw-Bone.
BB, the Clavicula, now all Bone.
CC, the Point of the Ossification of the Shoul∣der Blades.
DD, the wite Strokes defiguring the Ossisica∣tion of the Shoulders.
EE, the white Strokes, shewing the Ossisica∣tion of the Arm-Bone.
FF, these white Points in all the Reds, except the first and last, do denote the Ossification al∣ready begun in them.
GG, the Thigh-bones, representing what is Bone in them.
HH, the greater and lesser Bone of the Leg clearly represented, and already of the Boney-Substance.
Shews an Embryo of two Months, which dif∣fers not from that of three months and 10 days, but only in bigness; and the lesser Bones, as was before hinted, are to be seen here; which in the other, did not as yet appear.
A doth exhibit the inferior Jaw-bone, distin∣guished into 6 little Bones.
Thus far we have shewn you the beginning of Generation, from the Ovum, or Egg, how the Growth and Perfection moves along by degrees; as you may see in the Figure of Human Eggs. And seeing it's not my business here to discourse through the whole Body of Anatomy, therefore (kind Reader) I refer thee to an useful Compen∣dium of Anatomy of mine in Latin, which will give you a full satisfaction of all at large, and in particular of the Eggs in Women, entituled, Compendium Anatomicum, nova Methodo institu∣tum; which may be had of most Book sellers in London.
But because here is not yet a full demonstra∣tion of the Features in the Womb, I will present to your View, from the Beginning of the Skele∣ton or Boney Parts, a Figure of the Infant in the Womb come to Perfection, out of my fore∣said Book; and also its coming into the World, with its After-Birth, &c.
Situationem Foetus in Utero representat.
A Caput deor sum positum, adeo ut Nasus inter genua lateat.
BB Nates, quibus Calces affixi inveniuntur.
CC Brachia.
D Chorda umbilicalis, Cervicem circumligata.
Foetum ex Utero exceptum, sed adhuc Placentae ligatum; uhi Vasa Umbilicalia separantur.
AAA, Abdomen abscissum.
B, Hepar. C, Vesica urinaria.
DD, Intestina: E, Venae umbilicales.
FF, Arteriae umbilicales: C, Urachus.
H, Vasa umbilicalia unita; & communi tu∣nica investita.
L, Funiculus umbilicalis, ad Placentam exten∣dens.
KKKK, Venae & Arteriae per placentam di∣spersa.
LLL, Uteri Placenta.
Embryonem in propria dimensione monstrat.
A, Os latum, cum Lingua.
B, Chorda umbilicalis.
C, Faemora & crura, cum Coccyge.
D, Quasi Caudae aspectum praebens.
Thus I have given you by Figures, the whole Generation, both Bone and Flesh, and some∣thing of Desection of the Infant.
But I must turn back a little again, to the Boney-Part, because I just now call to mind the Sayings of some Philosophers, touching this same Subject concerning Bones, derived from Scripture, That Eve was made out of a Bone or Rib; because the Central Spirit has its resi∣dence in the Bones, they being the first Product or Out-Birth of the said Spirits.
The Query is, Whether it will not follow from
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hence, That the Bones are the first material Be∣ing, which we may call Semen; from which the Flesh, as from a Spring or Fountain, doth continually proceed, and to which it must by Revolution, return again, in order to Perfection?
It is further Queried, what the Word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Tzela, doth properly signify; of which it's said, Gen. 2. That the Woman was made. See∣ing that it hath several Significations, viz. a Bone, Prop or Support; a Rib, a Side, a Foun∣dation, a Building, &c. If you think that it was a Rib-Bone, we would willingly know which it was, and on which Side the Rib was taken, be∣cause the Ribs are fastned to the sides of the Ver∣tebrae of the Back-bone, and most of them are joined together by Cartilages, to the Sternum or Brest-bone; or, forasmuch as the Word also sig∣nifies a Beam, or any thing that is a Supporter or Prop; where if we take it in this sence, it can signify nothing but the whole Back-bone of a Man, which bears up the whole Body in like manner, as Beams support a Building: more∣over, whether, for to reconcile all these several Meanings together, we ought not to enquire, Whether the mid Part or Point, and the very Centre of the whole Back-bone and the Ribs, which are united to it; forasmuch as this Centre is that out of which Eve was made, &c. For we may easily know, that all the rest of the Bones in Man, proceed from this Centre, the Back-bone; because it is ridiculous to think, that an Embryo in the Mothers Womb, doth first begin to have Arms and Legs in 16 days after Con∣ception:
whether I may not say, after a d•…•… weighing of all this, we may conclude, that Eve was made out of the very Centre of the whole Body of Man.
Now many may say, Is the Egg of a Woman in the Form of a Hens Egg? We say, No; but a Resemblance. But the main Reason here, that I present you with an Egg in the Form of a Hens Egg, is, because of that famous Author Fabricius, who saith, That the Contemplation of the Forming of the Foetus out of Eggs, is the largest of all; which appears in this, That the greatest part of Animals are gotten of Eggs.
It's a plain case therefore, that all Animals whatsoever, even Vipers also, nay, Man him∣self, are made of an Egg: and that the first Conception of all living Creatures which bring forth Young, are certain Eggs; just as the first Conception of all Plants, are certain Seeds: but what is common, is not admired. Observe, put the smallest Seed in its own Matrix, or Mother-Earth, and it springs up, and brings forth its own kind.
But O Man! thy place of Conception or In∣crease, is on thy Lump of Female Eggs. Cast thy Eye on the Figure of the Egg, and thou wilt see in the middle, a parcel of rude Lumps or Spots, as it were in the form of the Female Rowe of a Herring, which is the true resemblance of the Lump of Eggs in Women.
The true method of Conception, is thus: That when the Seed of Man is spilt on this rude
Lump, or Eggs in Women, it washeth off, or moves those little Eggs, one from the other: and as Nature has provided, it falls into a small Cavity, or place by it self; the place being open when the Egg falls off, but when it's in, it clo∣seth up again. Thus Nature has its Effects; and in this place, the Foetus grows to perfection, and it's composed round with a Covering, like the Shell of a Hens Egg; the Midwife commonly calls it the After-Birth, when it comes into the World.
Further, look again on the Figure of the Egg, and you will see the Elements round it, viz. the 7 Properties of Nature, with the four Triple States, viz. Fire, Air, Earth, Water; also you have Signs wherein the seven Planets or Proper∣ties of Nature delight in: then you have a de∣scription of the Nature of them. As for Ex∣ample ♀ F, which signifies that Venus is a Female; and then concerning ♂, has the Letter M, which tells you that ♂ is Masculine; and so of the rest.
So the Matrix, or the Ovary Lump and the and the Seed of Man, are all Elements, and under the Power of the 7 Properties.
Be wise, O Reader! and learn the Nature of the Heavenly Bodies, and thou shalt do Won∣ders, without Conjuration. If thou want'st an Heir or Man-Child to inherit thy Land, ob∣serve a time when the Masculine Planets and Signs Ascend, and in full Power and Force, then take thy Female, and cast in thy Seed, and thou shalt have a Man-Child.
Observe the same method with the Female Signs and Planets, for a Daughter, and so on.
It's not my business here to meddle or speak of the Nourishment of the Foetus in the Womb, or the Birth, because my Task is Elementary.
But if you please to read my Compendium Ana∣tomicum, you will have a brief Account of the Oval Nourishment, and Birth of a Child, from the Conception to the Birth; Fabricius concer∣ning his Oviary or Hens Eggs, Dr. Gibson con∣cerning Eggs of Rabbets, Dr. Willis concerning Brutes or Animals.
An Egg is the common Original of all Animals. Aristotle himself calls the very same things Worms in one place, and Eggs in another.
But it is needless to make use of his Reasons in this place, to prove it; seeing we are already convinced, that all Animals have their Original from these Eggs; and by the Experiments of our later Authors in this Particular, it's plain, that Man (tho' chief) was ingendred in, or by them.
Observe the same by Dr. Harvey, Dr. Gibson, &c. they give us an Example of the Eggs of Women by the Rabbets, by dissecting them be∣fore Conception, and at Conception; and so by degrees, to perfection. But my main business is, to shew how the Foetus is governed in the Womb, by the Elementary Power: I will give you the Opinion of Henricus Lindhout, Bruxel∣lensi Medicinae Doctore; ac Philosophorum.
How the Foetus in the Womb is go∣verned, according to the Elemen∣tary Power of the Seven Proper∣ties of Nature, and every one in Order; as first, ♄. &c.
♄ ITaque supremus omnium Planetarum, primo Conceptum dirigit per primum mensem ab hora Conceptionis, materiam coagulat, constringit & exsiccat; sicut enim ipsa altior est caeteris Plane∣tis, & prior, ita ejus Regimen primo Creaturam hu∣manam ambit & gubernat. Si itaque ipse tum benè dispositus fuerit; erit Conceptio benè dispo∣sita & statuta, praesertim partes sive Foetus Ele∣menta Saturno subjecta.
♃ Disponit Conceptum in utero secundo mense; qui movet ventus coagulationis; & dispondit mate∣tiam, ut fiat mollis; dirigitque ventus ejus colo∣rem naturalem & commiscetur cum tali vento ma∣teria, erit{que} quasi Dormiens, qui semper monitur ad vigiliam, nec cessabit moveri donec forma totius accedat & in hunc Mundum Generetur.
♂ Mars, disponit Conceptum tertio mense, qui materiam illam ad sui naturam & colo∣rem mutat, in formam sanguinis deducendo, virtus{que} Jovis tunc latitat & quiescit; hinc fit, quod utero
gerens tunc habeat propter ventus Jovis moventin Matricem cum materia in ea; sed in utero terus ferè mense semper cessat nausea propter Martem, qui tertium ipsum mensem dirigit: si it aque tunc benè fortunatur, eratque sanguis nati purus, & vix ac rarissimè super abundans nisi fortè propter vi∣tam inordinatam. Si vero male ipse disponitur, contrarium accidit.
☉ Oculus Mundi quartum mensem sibi vendicat, qui benigno & salutari suo calore humiditate su∣perfluas siccatis Membra Principalia conformat ca∣lore qua rarificat: illo etenim mense largitur omnium formarum fortitudinem, in Concep∣tum dando animam rationalem. Si igitur in quar∣to mense Sol ascendit ad augem, fuerit{que} in digni∣tatibus suis fortis, significat perfectionem & formo∣siatem vultus, quoniam tunc etiam natus erat magne potentiae eorum quae jam est adeptus.
♀ Disponit quinto mense, illo enim mense ap∣paret forma Membrorum & figuratur sexus, eri∣guntur que capilli, & excrescunt crines; Si ipsa tunc fuerit benè disposita, fortis, in dignitate sui, erit natus formosus, amicabilis, & plenus dulce∣dine, completus in facie & Membris; Si verò fue∣rit descendens, vel in domicilio Saturni, Natus e∣rit deformis & turpis.
☿ Sextum Mensem disponit; sed quia ipse e•…•… Planeta loquentiae & sapientiae, Doctrinae, sensus, ac nutritionis facit discretionem, ut Foetus se nutriat, & extendit Membrum Linguae, & vocalem Ar∣teriam ea ratione; Foetus eo mense validius incipit percutere manibus pedibusque in Matrice, & mo∣tus ejus fortificatur, appetitque exire de tenebris;
sed nondum est tempus. Si ipse fuerit ascendens in Circulo suo, fortis, & benè dispofit us, variis ex∣ornatur donis, secundum varias irradiationes bono∣rum Planetarum, sin vero, contra contraria acci∣dent.
☽ Luna mense septimo; tunc Foetus formam com∣pletum adipiscitur in utero materno, habebit tunc fi∣duciam vitae & gubernationis; si isto mense nascatur puer, erit bona spes de vita nati, propter comple∣mentum significationum Planetarum.
Now to begin again; first to Saturn, then Ju∣piter.
Saturnus secundario Foetum mense octavo diri∣git; cujus virtute ipse infrigidatur in Matrice vis seminum, ita quod vix in ea apparent motus; & si puer eo mense exibit, eo quod siccus & conge∣latus quasi est, sepissimé moritur.
Jupiter sequitur, dirigit{que} Foetus nono in mense; qui facit ventum & motum, & tunc exit puer de tenebris & angustia ventris in hunc Mundum, eri∣git{que} tum Oculos ad lumen Solis, si est de die; vel ad lumen Candelae, si fuerit de nocte; miraturque de non visis, & propter loci angustiam per quem exit: quoniam constringitur & coarctatur. Incipit flere, percipiens miseriam hujus Terrestris Seculi, in quo hic filius universi sit, omiumque miseriarum subictum; ut Xenocrates in libro de morte, Axiocho recte dixerat.—Quid autem de illo (inquit) tibi videtur qui Nascentem jubet miseriam sua vitae lugere?
Atque haec de Mundi Principiis, & Creatione, deque hominis principiis, & vertutibus siderum, acti∣onibusque, in ejus procreatione; longe aliter quam à Paracelso, aut ejusdem farinae Philosophis tradi∣ta sunt, persecuti sumus; in hac itaque via per∣sistentes, ad veriora progrediendum est.
So much for the Creation of the great, and and little Worlds.
But to go gradually along as I have begun, I ought to speak something of the Nature of Man, De Natura Hominis; but I find it's a large Field, insomuch that I shall forbear, and make it a Sub∣ject of it self, which will be ready for the Press very speedily.
Seeing Man by Nature is prone to Am∣bition, and of a lofty Mind, and apt to dive into Knowledge and secret Mysteries; it might be very proper in this place, to give you a word or two, as an Introduction to∣wards my present Task in Hand, viz. We have observed in this our Elementary Life, many certain and true Rules, by which we have foretold Events to come, &c. by the Canopy of Heaven and Stars, according to their Situation.
Now finding many Fools and Self-will'd People, that will not believe what is true or
••ational, or what has been experienced from the beginning of the World.
So I am not willing here to trouble my self about any Vindication of this great Work, but direct you to that fa∣mous Sir Christopher Heydon's Vindication of Astrology, which may be to your con∣••ent.
But for your further satisfaction, I have in the following Chapter, begun from the beginning, by the first Man Adam, down to this Day, very short and brief; shewing you, first, that Adam was the first Man that took notice of the Elements, Power and Signification of the Seven Properties of Nature.
You may see in the next Chapter, how they of Old did observe the Seven Pro∣perties of Nature, in observing the ill Nature of Saturn, and the good Nature of Jupiter, because he was Author of Goodness; the old Hebrews called some of their Children by that Name Jupiter; Ja∣cob's Wife called her Son Gad, which is Ju∣piter, because he is to give a good brisk share of Body, and a good Principle; this was observed in old time, proved by Scri∣pture.
In the third place, we have taken notice of Eleven Particulars, where we find by general Observations, the Changes and Turnings in this Box of Elements, of Pre∣servation and Destruction, &c.
Then fourthly, We prove to you, that the Starry Heavens are Books, and they are to be rolled together, in which you may read your future Hope and Fortune in the World; thereby shewing you also, that the Hebrews and others, read the Hea∣vens in their own Language, making up their Letters by the motion of the Stars.
So the main reason, why I thus trouble my self about the Hebrews, and Old Mat∣ters, is only to convince the Ignorant what the Truth is.
Many there be that will not believe, that they are under the Power of the Canopies of Heaven.
Alas! our Saviour Christ himself, was (as Man) under the Jurisdiction of the Elements: so your Bodies must be under subjection of those Powers.
But if you desire to know how to be a∣bove the Elements in your Mind, Will, and Understanding, strive to be as Saul when he sought his Fathers Asses, Sam.
10. 6. And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt Prophesie with them, and shalt be turned into another Man, viz. above the Elements.
Irruetque super te, ut prophetes cum eis, & muterberis in virum alium.
Adam's Knowledge of the Stars, proved by Seth, and so carried down to the Time of Josephus.
ADam being the first Man, knew well that he was placed under the Elements, and he observed their Powers also.
This is prov'd by Josephus, that Adam and Seth were the first that practised this Science, or Power of the Elements; and that Abraham, when he fled into Egypt, taught it the Egyptians: this Truth hath so much the more force in it, in that it proceedeth from a Man whose Authority is unquestionable; so that we may perceive, that Pliny was much mistaken, when he affirmed, that none but Atlas was the Author of it: Besides, we are very certain, that Astrology was in use long before Atlas. Some say, that B••lus was
the first that invented Astrology, and some as∣sure us, the Phaenicians were the Men. But sup∣pose it be so as others will have it, the Assyrians were the Inventers of it; yet still will it be true, that the Patriarchs were the Men, forasmuch as Abraham was an Assyrian, and his Predecessors were Phaenicians, a Colony of Assyrians having gone into Phoenicia. But if you will believe the Report of the two Pillars, which were erected before the Flood, upon one of which, all the Rules of Astrology was Engraven by Seth, and was preserved down to the very time that Josephus lived in, who assirms himself to be an Eye-wit∣ness of it: and by this we may see, that the first Man had understanding in the Motions of the Heavens. In my foregoing Chapters, I have described to you, what Instruments the ancient Hebrews figured out their Astrology by, and the Table of Atlas discovered.
The Astrology of the Ancients, proved out of the Holy Scripture.
FOR consirmation then of what we have here proposed, we read in Genesis, that Leah, Jacob's Wife called one of her Sons by the name
of the Planet ♃, which is called Gad; under which no doubt, he was born: Et peperit Zilpah, says the Latin, following the Original, ancilla Leah ipsi Jacob filium, & ait Leah, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Bagad, & vocavit nomen ejus Gad; the vulgar Transla∣slation and St. Hierome, instead of Bagad trans∣late Faeliciter, which is the same with, cum bo∣na Fortuna: as it is proved by St. Augustine, who reprehendeth those that collected from the Text, that the Ancients worshipped Fortune; Unde videtur (saith he) non bene intelligentibus dari tanquam illi homines Fortunam, coluerint, &c. And that it may clearly and evidently appear, that the vulgar Translation understands by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Gad, fortuna bona, which is given to the Planet Jupiter; turn to Isaiah 65. 11. Thus you may observe, that in old time the nature of the Pla∣nets was much observed.
Now if it be demanded, why do we not then any where else, meet with the like Example? Jacob Ben Samuel answered, That this was ob∣served chiefly, by reason of the Jealousy that was between the two Sisters Leah and Rachel, Ja∣cob's Wives; for Leah seeing that her Sister had two Children already, which made her so proud, that she began to boast, Comparavit me Deus cum sorore mea: fearing, lest that after she should have given over Child-bearing, her Sister would have the upper-hand of her, and that she should be no longer beloved of her Husband; she gave her Maid unto him, and caused him to go in un∣to her; and as soon as she perceived her to be with Child, she observed so well the time of her
falling in Travel; and seeing her bring forth a Man-Child, and that under the Planet ♃ too, as she had learned from her Husband to speak, she counted her self to be more happy than her Si∣ster, and would have him to be called by that name, Fortuna.
These are the Astrological Observations of these Patriarchs, and which were Holy and Re∣ligious, in that they wrought in these good Men a continual Admiration of the Works of God.
But those that came after them, mixed Super∣stition with this Astrology of their Forefathers; it came in a short time to be corrupted, and to lose its first Purity.
You see in the very Beginning, that there was Enquiry after Fortune and Riches.
An Enquiry what our Forefathers did, to search out Secrets and Wis∣dom in this Elementary Life, and to know Events to come.
First, KNowledge proceeds from Him who first created all things, who appeared in a Bush of Fire, and told us what he was, viz. I am your God, &c.
Secondly, He sends his Angels and bright Spi∣rits, to tell us of things to come in this our Ele∣mentary Life.
Thirdly, We are come now to take notice of the Canopy of Heaven, and the Elements, for our Observation, or Knowledge of Things to come. Here is a question; Whether it's possi∣ble to read any things in the Clouds, and in o∣ther Meteors? Answ. Many ways; first, Read∣ing may be understood by Visible Signs, whe∣ther it be in Letters, Characters, Marks, Ci∣phers, Staves, Torches, Darts, Javelins, Knots, Streaks, Colours, Holes, Points, living Crea∣tures, or any other sensible thing. Now all those Figures or Signs may be represented in the Clouds three manner of ways; first, By Letters, or known Characters; secondly, By Hierogly∣phicks; and lastly, By Signs and Marks.
Fourthly, The most intelligible Signs, Marks, or Characters, that are Figured in the Clouds, are Armed Men, Battels, &c. which appear in order for many Days together, and do give no∣tice to Man of some sensible Event to come, and that to the great astonishment of all those Men that would reduce all things to the Principles of Philosophy. Twenty-four Years before the Birth of our Saviour Christ, there were two Ar∣mies seen to encounter each the other in the Air, miraculous to be seen: the running of their Horses, the voice of Men, and the clashing of their Armour. Soon after was this Vision made known to the World: for Marius and Sylla, by their Factions, making as it were a Shambles of
the Field, were the cause of so much Bloodshed (Joseph. de Bel. Jud. l. 7. c. 12.) The Romans ne∣ver received a greater Blow.
Many such Instances we may speak of ne•…•… home, but I am afraid my Book will swell too big
The Philosopher gives us these Verses to the same effect:
Qui elles se forment, en cet diverse portraicts dont, Les ventes, les transforment En Centaurs, Serpens, Hommes, oyse aux poissons, Et d'une forme, en autre errent en cent Fasons.
Englished thus:
How into several Forms themselves they throw, Which Winds change into Shapes of things below; Birds, Fishes, Serpents, Centaures, Men, and thus Shift, in a round of Figures various.
Fifthly, Observation of Knowledge is from the Air, the Clouds being a Representation of things here below, and consequently purely natural, and are formed by the Providence of God. Of this latter Kind, are those spoken of by the Author of the History of the Maeccabees, where Judas fighting in Heavens Quarrel, had an Apparition sent him, of five Horsemen appea∣ring in the Air, which pursued his Enemies strongly, that above 20000 fell on the place;
besides, this Prodigy happened also in a clear day, when the Air was not darkned with Clouds. So, I may be of the opinion with Car∣dan and Pomponatus; that oftentimes, we may see in the Air or Cloud, as in a Looking-glass.
Sixthly, Now we come to that of Rain, wherein we can make no other use of Reading, but by Hieroglyphicks; and of this kind is the Raining of Blood, or Water of the Colour of Blood, such as fell in Switzerland, Anno 1534. which fell upon Peoples Cloaths in the form of Crosses.
Picus Mirandula hath given a large Copy of Verses; among which, you have the Story of a wonderful Deliverance, as followeth:
Permixtamque crucem rubo spectavimus olim, Nec morum discrimen erat, sacer atque prophanus, Jam conspecta sibi gestabant mystica; Patres Conscripti & pueri, conscriptus sexus utraque, Et Templae, & Vestes, à summa Caesaris aula, Ad tenues vicos, ad dura mapalia ruris, Cernere erit liquidò deductum ex Aethere signum.
The same kind of Rain figured like Crosses, which hapned in the time of Julian the Apo∣state; it signified, the Sufferings of the Church, and the Ignominy of the Cross, as you may see in the Chronicle for several Years, as 747, 783, 959, 1503, 1507. you shall find, the like has been the Forerunner of such Truths. It hath been observed in Germany, that an intollerable Dearth
happened, to despair; they were suddenly com∣forted by a Showre of Wheat, which was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to fall from the Clouds, signifying a great plenty of Corn.
Seventhly, Also Meteors, tho' they are natu∣rally produced, do yet sometimes serve for Sig•…•… which God makes use of when he intendeth t•• communicate unto us some Secrets. As for the Wonders of the Israelites, they were in Hebre•• Letters or Characters; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Vau, very perfectly expressed: and this was the reason, (say they) that the Israelites wondering at this Character 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Vau, saying one to another, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Manh••n, viz. What meaneth this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Vau? and so on to a thousand Mysteries, and raising strange kinds of Significations, Exod. 6. When they saw this Letter, which is numb. 6, signifying, that six days of the Week, they were to gather their Manna.
This 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Vau signifies, the Misery and Sorrow wherewith God threatned them for Murmuring; they say, it's the Hieroglyphick of Labour & Ser∣vitude, appears out of Levit. 25. Exod. 21. and signifies Labour; they were to work six days.
The Meteors or Signs in the Heavens, have produced great things in these our Days; but being frequent, I shall not mention them. But the Observation of the Jews is something pretty.
Eighthly, Snow, Hail and Fro••t, do sometimes bear strange Characters, the Reading whereof we will not neglect: There have been often seen, strange Figures, which have born a Cross,
a Buckler, a Heart, or a Death's Head. It's not many years since those Hieroglyphical Figures were seen in Provence; and soon after a destru∣ction of Beasts: and a little while after that, this miserable Country had their Fields covered with Souldiers, and all their strong Places Be∣sieged and Assaulted, with so much Bloodshed, that the very Memory of it will be always grievous unto them. The Story of these Figures confirms that which Cornelius Gemma hath ob∣observed, in these words, Inventa est saepius Grando cui futurarum rerum manifest ê ut more Clypei, aut Pugnae, aut Crucis insculpta imagines spectarentur. Kepler hath observed, that the Snow is not without its Wonders: but no more of this.
Ninthly, The Rainbow, one of the most No∣ble Meteors that is formed in the Clouds, name∣ly, that the Figure of it (as R. Capel says) repre∣sents the Letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Caph, which the Jews writes in this manner 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which might be the reason why God placed it in the Heavens, to be a sor∣rowful Memorial of the Deluge; for this Letter stands for 20, which is the number of Sorrow. Jacob served in Laban's House 20 Years; Joseph was sold for 20 Pieces of Silver; the flying Roll, wherein was written the Sins of all Men, and was 20 Cubits long; and at 20 years of Age the Is∣raelites began to serve in the Wars.
Helena in Homer, complain'd of her own Misfortune, takes notice of this number 20.
Quatuor hic jam lustra moror, quò tempore nunquam Iratus misera mihi verba indigna dedisti.
Also the Poets, when they expressed any thing of Sorrow, in this Number 20. Thus Ulys∣ses is reported, to have undergone 20 years Misfortune.
Quosque tuli, post tot Terrae Pelagique labores, In patriam veni, jam nunc labentibus annis Vicenis.
Many more of the like nature are produced by Bungus.
Tenthly, Comets are the chiefest, which are in use in the Discovery of such Secrets, which is usually the Death of Princes. Julius Caesar died shortly after the appearance of a Comet; this is no News: But we may take an Example of this present Time, where effects of a Comet is fresh in mind; I saw my self, with many others, a strange Comet but two days before the Duke of Monmouth was taken in the West, and a Bla∣zing Star over all Europe, before the Death of K. Charles II. These are the true Signs, which God is pleased to foretell of great Troubles to come.
I will give you the words of Virgil.
—Non aliàs Coelo toties cecidere sereno Fulgura, nec diri toties arsere Cometae.
They do not only respect Death of Kings and Princes, but also of great and mortal Diseases, Drought, and Barrenness of Fruit, a strange Heat in the Air.
Eleventhly, Here is another sort of Reading, which might be perform'd in the Air; first, it may be taken from the flying of Cranes; of which St. Jerom saith, Grues viam sequuntur ••••dine literato; flying in order, and keeping their Ranks: at an instant that the Wind turns, by this means they defend themselves from Assaults; for on which side the Eagle comes, he encoun∣ters with nothing but Bills; just as a Body of Horse setting upon a Body of Foot, meets with ••othing but Points and Pricks.
Now the Letters and Forms, shews us only the diversity of the Winds, or else their manner of ordering themselves in Battel; the History of Birds and Fowls of the Air, is wonderful in knowledge and Apprehension, too large for ••is Place.
But meeting with a Verse of Ovid, touching this matter, I must go on further. Many call Ovid a Heathen; if so, he was a witty one.
Os Homini sublime dedit, Coelum{que} videre Jussit, & erectos ad sidera tollere Vultus.
God with a lofty Look did Man endue, Commanding him the Heavens and Stars to view.
Observation hath been taken, from the meet∣ing together of the two Superior Properties of Nature, viz. ♄ and ♃, in matters of the Church, Laws and Governments, which may
well be the Alteration of Kings, Princes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Governments, &c. being Seven in number.
Now the Effects or Wonders of them, are, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 First, Under Enoch; his name signifies (Cate∣chised) as, Gen. 14. 14. (Chanikan,) Catechised or Trained up in Religion as well as Warfare•…•… he was taught of God to walk with God; he •…•…∣ved 360 years before his Translation, after good pleasing Life; he was as the Patriar•…•… were, viz. as a chief Bishop in his time; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Labours the Church was preserved in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Age.
This fell in the time of Noah, 1600 years of the World; in which Century the Universe Deluge destroyed the wicked World, whi•…•… then was drowned in Wickedness; before it was
drowned in Water. Noah was in his Ark a who••e year, with all his Provisions, from No∣vember to November again.
Falls in the year of the World 2400, under Moses, when the Church had again another Sab∣bath of Rest, from her long and grievous Slave∣ry in the Brick Bondage of Egypt. Read the Scripture of the place, and you will find, that they were to make Brick without Straw.
Falls in the 3200 years of the World; this Meeting came under Solomon and the King of Israel; according to the famous Tycho Brahe, the Church had a resting time from Trouble, &c. the Scripture tells you so.
Under this, came our Saviour Christ, who is greater than great Solomon, Mat. 12. 42. He is the Prince of Peace: This was a little more than 4000 years of the World.
Falls in the year of the World 4800, that brought in Charles the Great; under whom was the Roman Empire, in the time of Leo III. be∣ing
Pope, who prostituted his Keys to the Em∣peror's Feet: for which the Popish People pull'd out his Eyes, and cut off his Tongue. Read the History, Prideaux's Introduct. p. 96.
There are a parcel of irrational Animals, which speak very scandalously against Predicti∣ons; they say, That we can speak nothing true of things to come, unless told of it before, or when they are past.
Now let the World judge, and speak as they find; in the Year 1682, I then published a Book, Entituled, Speculum Mundi, in which are now to be seen, the very Actions of these great Revo∣lutions. It being then my chief intention, to discover to the World, those great things Pro∣vidence was probably likely to bring to pass, from the Influences of the Meeting of the two great and superiour Beings, the two Rulers of the World, viz. ♄ and ♃, and likewise from the great Eclipses of the ☽, in Anno 1684, such an Eclipse hath not been these hundred Years, and at that present time so many Planets in the House of Religion. Then in pag. 2, you will find, I cryed out with Admiration and Astonish∣ment, with the words of Dionysius Areopagita, who seeing the strange Eclipses of the ☉ and ☽, at the very hour of our Saviour's Passion, saying,
Aut Deus Naturae patitur, aut Mundi machina dissolvitur!
Which is, either the God of Nature suffers, or the Frame of this World is dissolved.
So in pag. 4. I delivered my Judgment, that
here would be great Alterations in most parts of Europe, of Laws, Customs, Constitutions of People in Matters of Religion, and Changing of Kings and Kingly Government.
And is not this all true! Were not the Popish Principles the root or cause of these Mutations and Changes? And did not a Prince come from Holland with a handful of Men comparatively, to that brave Army of K. James's? And when this handful of Men came towards them, they all fled as the Chaff before the Wind; and to Ad∣miration, K. James himself fled to France, when none perswaded him from his three Kingdoms; and then (soon after) the Prince of Orange was Crowned King of England.
O that such things should be done without a drop of Bloodshed! Surely Reader, this is from the Powers above; and the Powers above gave us a foresight of it by the Rulers ♄ and ♃.
This hath been so admirable, that our Athe∣nians have taken notice of in their Book, in ask∣ing a Question, Whether a small irrational Crea∣ture as a Spider, had not a Heart? Because, when Death or Oppression comes, it struggles, and makes a bustle to save its self; intimating, that K. James neither strove nor struggled, to save his three Kingdoms or Credit. This was a Comical Joke on the poor Abdicated K. James.
Observe the following things; After the Death of K. Charles, the Popish Party began to Rule, and quickly after suppress'd, and cut off the Head of the Duke of Monmouth: then the Prince and Princess of Orange was Crowned
King and Queen of England; and not long after Queen Mary dyed, with a long and tedious War of nine Years standing: so this Revoluti∣on is a wonder to human Reason; the Circum∣stances whereof would fill a large Volume.
As for the small Conjunctions, I leave to the Astrologers, which happen once in 20 Years.
The Stars are reckon'd a Form of Let∣ters, according to the Opinion of the Hebrews, and that it's possi∣ble to read there whatsoever is to happen throughout the whole Uni∣verse.
REader, did you never take notice of the Celestial Writing, seeing that the Scri∣pture so plainly speaks of it?
Pray take notice of this curious piece of Anti∣quity: Seeing that the Heavens are Books, and at the last day, they are to be rolled together, as a Book or Rolls; therefore they must have Let∣ters. And I am willing to give you the method of the ways of the Old Hebrews, who searched after the Heavenly Writing for News.
And for confirmation of this, observe a Book,
Entituled, Narratio Joseph, in his time highly in esteem amongst all Men; wherein the Patri∣arch Jacob gave his Blessing to all his Children, telling them, That he had read in the Tables of the Heavens, all that ever was to befall them and their Posterity. Legi (saith he) in Tabulis Coeli quaecunque contingent vobis, & filiis vestris. Where the same Original concludes as well in this Tract, as in this Question, Utrum Stellae a∣liquid Agant? as in his Book, De Facto, chap. 6. That the greatest Mysteries may assuredly be read in the Heavens, by reason that the Stars are disposed and ordered there, in the Form of Characters. Nay, John Damascene says, That they are CLEAR MIRROURS; inti∣mating, that we may see distinctly see there, even as far as to the most secret motions of our Souls, which was the Saying of St. Augustine.
For my part, I shall not question the Truth of it, but proceed to the Practical Part, as the He∣brews did in their Hebrew Characters: This Holy Language being the first in the World, and sometimes there are New Stars, which take their Method thus:
As for Example, in this Word AKE, if one add an L, it will be no longer AKE but LAKE, or if in the middle of a Word, or this Word; as thus an R, it will alter the Word, and make it ARKE; so that we see one Letter, as an L or an R, absolutely change the whole sence; in the same manner is it with the Stars, where the New Stars are added, varieth both in the Writing and Sence.
The Celestial Writing of the Ancients, and how those Hebrew Characters may be understood, and what they portend.
TO perfectly understand this Celestial Wri∣ting, we must observe the Vertical Stars; for, those which are over a Kingdom (saith A∣bindan) do shew whatever is like to befall it, and as the Astrologers observe in this our time.
Now saith the Author of this Celestial Wri∣ting, We know that these Mutations shall hap∣pen on the Earth, because we see they are writ∣ten in the Heavens: And this is the reason, that R. Chomer affirms, that the aforesaid Medusa's Head, or the Stars that compose it, did foretell the lamentable Desolation of Greece; because, that five of the principal Stars did for a good while together, make up this Word:
Which is in the Conjugation Charab Second, signifying, to be Desolate; understanding particularly this of Greece, over which these
Stars did shine; because that the number of its Letters, which are Jod, Vau, Nun, and which being put together, make up 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Javan, that is to say, Greece doth yield the same number that Charab doth; as you may behold in the follow∣ing Example.
2 2 8
••••〈☐〉〈☐〉
Charab.
Destroyed, Desolate.
Sum—12
5 6 1
••••〈☐〉〈☐〉
Javan.
Greece.
Sum—12
According to these Principles, any Man might fore-see by the putting the Stars together of the same Constellation, the destruction that Italy was threatned with.
One Junctin, and Italian Priest, who was a great Astrologer, hath these words:
Illud verò (saith he, speaking of this Medusa's Head,) nunc Apuliae & Neapolitanorum Reg∣no est verticale, moxque Italiam invadet; quibus suam quoque cladem allaturum esse, maximopere est verendum.
Now how long before-hand, these Celestial Letters do fore-shew the Changes that are to happen, you are to take notice of the Hebrew Letters before-mentioned.
In the next place, the method how to be able to understand this Celestial Writing; we must learn to know the true Stars, as Oriental, Occi∣dental, Meridional, and Septentrional; the Quar∣ters of the Heavens are very essential in this way of Reading: For if we desire to know the good Fortune and Prosperity of a Kingdom, or any other Affair, we must read those Letters which are vertical to it, or which want not much of being so, from the West towards the East; and if you would be informed of the ill Fortune, look out, and read from the North towards the West.
This is the way of the Hebrews. Now con∣cerning the Rules laid down; some certain Se∣crets of this Celestial Writing, which are spoken of by R. Rapol, Chomer and Abindan, which are
the Three which have most written on this Sub∣ject. I have before shewn you, how the Stars of the Constellation, called Caput Algol, being ver∣tical to Greece, did foreshew the Destruction of it. The like is to be observed in the rest of the Stars, when they are vertical to any other Kingdom; tho' they are ordered, and are to be understood otherwise.
Some time before the Temple of Jerusalem was burnt and consumed by Nabuzaradan, it was observed, that Eleven of the Stars that were the most vertical to it, composed for a considerable time together, these five Letters:
Also, before the Jews saw their Scepter cast down to the ground, and their Liberty carried Captive unto Babylon, five Stars were for a long time together, observed to compose these three Mystical Letters:
a word, which signifies to break, cast down, and to drive out; and the number of the Letters, which is 505, was the number of years that the Jewish Kingdoms had stood, from Saul to King Zedechias.
Thus the Persians or Assyrians, who were the ruine of the Monarchy of the Jews, saw the Pe∣riod of their own Empire; after that, four of the Vertical Stars had composed these 3 Letters,
that of the Turk, which was observed seven Vertical Stars, which being read from the West to the East, makes up this Word:
Many more such-like Examples we may pre∣sent the Reader with, concerning this Celestial Writing, but this may give an insight of the method and way of reading the Will of God in that Heavenly Book, which is said to be at the last Day rolled together as a Roll of Parchment.
But if these few Examples are not sufficient for your Understanding, pray read my Authors, Ropol, Chomer and Abindan; there you will find it expressed, that it's not every one that can read these Hebrew Letters, or Celestial Writing, but whom God is pleased to give that Gift of Reading; as, none but Daniel, who was a just Man, none but he could interpret those Visions.
Remember still, that the Elementary Life of Man is very Changeable and Transitory; it's na∣tural for all Men to be inquisitive after future Changes and Alterations during their Lives, see∣ing it's as a Bubble, or as a Snip tossing up and down by the Waves of the Sea.