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CHAP. XVII. The trembling of the Earth, or Earth-quake. (Book 17)

1. The name of the Moving of the Earth, is improper. 2. The opinion of Copernicus. 3. A shew of the Deed. 4. All Schooles do agree with Aristotle in Causes, for 21 Ages hitherto. 5. The Opinion of the Schooles is de∣monstrated to be unpossible, from a defect of the place. 6. The same thing may after a certain manner be drawn from the force of exhalations. 7. Likewise by the Rules of proportion and motion. 8. The rise or birth of exhalations, their quantity, power, progress, manner of being made, entertainment, and swiftness, are all ridiculous things. 9. All these are demonstrated to be impossible things. 10. The cause of their Birth is want∣ing. 11. It is proved by the Rules of falshood and absurdities. 12. That those trifles being supposed according to the pleasure of the Schooles, the manner is (as yet) impossible. 13. That an exhalation being granted ac∣cording to their wish, yet an Earth-quake from thence is unpossible. 14. Rentings asunder or disruptions for fear of a piercing of Bodies, do differ from that which might happen through the supposed gentleness of exhalations. 15. An impossibility is proved, from the nature of the composition of exhalations. 16. Those things are resisted, which were granted from the connivance of a falshood. 17. Wells and Caves, are all the year, in their depth or bottom, of an equall temperature. 18. That there is no fiery exhalation, as neither a fiery Gas. 19. An exhalation can∣not lift up the Earth with its lightness. 20. A Bladder filled with Air, doth not spring up out of the water efficiently, by reason of its lightness, but occasionally. 21. Weightiness is an active quality; but lightness, see∣ing it hath no weight, doth signifie nothing. 22. Three remarkable things drawn from thence. 23. That the manner of an Earth-quake delivered by the Schooles, is impossible. 24. The ignorance of the Schooles concern∣ing the properties of lightness. 25. A faulty Argument of the Schooles, from ignorance. 26. After what sort the Schooles are deluded in this thing. 27. A new Sophistry by reason of errours. 28. An Earth-quake declareth monstrous tokens. 29. The Earth trembles, being shaken by God. 30. The one onely cause of an Earth-quake. 31. An objection of a cer∣tain one, is resolved. 32. The Earth doth not feel or perceive after an animall manner. 33. What an Earth-quake may properly portend. 34. Sacrifices for the purging of offences, do differ according to sins. 35. The proper inciting cause. 36. What an Earth-quake in the Lords Resurrection, denoted. 37. An answer to a friendly objection.

I Being to speak of the Earth-quake, its Causes, and ends, will first of all, begin with its name. It is wont to be called, a Moving; but it seemes to me, to be a [unspec 1] name too generall, and very improper: For truly, while the Earth, or any other heavy Body doth hasten downwards; it is said to move it self; so that water flow∣ing, moves the Wheel actively: but in an Earth-quake, the motion seemes to be passive, and so by accident, as improper to it.

Nicolas Copernicus, by very many fictions, doth contend, the Earth to be circu∣larly [unspec 2] moved, with the Orbe of the Moon: and seeing that no motion is proper to a Globe, but a Sphericall or round one, and that doth not agree to the Earth, accord∣ing

to the Decree of the Church; therefore I have withdrawn the name of Moving, from the Earth, and have changed it, to wit, that it being rather fearfull, is said to tremble. For truly the Earth being passively smitten, or threatned by a certain huge force, it is as it were jogged or shaken through fear and horrour, but doth not leap or skip for joy; because it seemeth to undergoe some cruel and horrid thing be∣sides the ordinary course of nature.

Therefore the name of Quaking, being first established, next the shew of the deed comes to hand. For truly, there was a night, between the third and fourth day of [unspec 3] the second month called April, in the year 1640, indeed a quarter past the third houre after midnight, the Moon being at full, two dayes after that time, and it being the fourth day of the week called Wednesday, before Easter, when as Mecheline (where I then was by reason of some occasions) notably trembled, and leaped with three re-iterated approaches or fits, and at every onset the trembling endured a little lesse than there might be of the space of repeating the Apostles Creed; but a certain roaring in the Air, went immediately before every fit, and as it were the action of Wheeles whereby great Ordinance are carried thorow the streetes, shooke the Earth. I say the night was fair, clear, void of Windes. For truly, for the cause of the revi∣sall then to be sifted, a little before midnight, I returned home: But I rested nigh Dillie in the Commendatory of Almaine, commonly called Pitzenborch (being re∣ceived through the Courtesie and humanity of the famous man, the Lord Wernher Spies of Bullensheim, of the Teutonick order, he being Provinciall Commendatour of the confluence of Bullensheim, and Commendatour of Pitzenborch, Toparch or President in Elson, Herren-nolhe, &c.) But I was removed for the space of seventy spaces from the streetes: And then, I learned of my friends, that almost at the same moments of time, and with the same three re-iterated turns, seperated by an equall intervall, and the same roaring accompanying them, Bruxells, Antwerp, Lire, Gaudan, the Mountains of Hannonia, Namurc, Camerac, trembled: Afterwards we heard; that the same thing happened in Holland, Zealand, Friesland, Luxemburg and Gilderland; yea, that even Francford upon Menus, no lesse trembled. That at Mentz, some Towers were beaten down, and that new Buildings nigh Theonpolis fell down together: Also that Westphalia; yea Ambiave, and the nearest Coasts of France trembled. Truly all these places trembled at the very same instant of time, although by reason of the roundness of the Sphere, the Dialls, the Messengers of dayes, did necessarily differ. It is a tract of Land, at least of three hundred and sixty Leagues, in every one of the least places of its Circle, the ground every where trembled with an equall fear. For neither was the Watchman in the most vast Tower of the Temple of Mecheline, any otherwise shaken, than any one that lay in a low Cottage: No otherwise, I say, a borderer of Scalds, an Inhabitant of the Islands, and Citizen of the Medows, than they which stayed in the more high Hill. Then was the fortune of all, and every one alike. Lastly, I understood, that the Ships in the Havens of Holland and Zealand were shaken in their Masts and Sails, without Winde. Concerning the immediate Causes of so great an effect, there is much agreement among Writers. The modern or late Writers, I say, supping up the Lessons of Aristotle, have not gone back from [unspec 4] thence, a nails breadth hitherto: Although they have added their own inventions to the Precepts of the Auntients. The Schooles therefore, do teach, that the Earth trembles by reason of Air, Winde, or an exhalation gathered together in the hollow places and pores of the Earth: which seeking, and sometimes making a passage for it self, doth make the Earth to leap or dance. For from hence, it oft-times suddenly breaking out thorow gaps and clefts, hath given a rise to destructive Diseases. This is a Tradition of the Schooles, received throughout the whole World, for one and twenty Ages. Which, if it had seemed to me to be agreeable to the ends of the Di∣vine power, I had desisted from writing. But truly, it hath seemed to me, to be sowen with heavy perplexities, and an unavoidable absurdity; so that it containeth not a little of an old Wives fable. Indeed Man-kinde doth of its own accord so in∣cline to drowsiness, that the hope of Learning being as it were beheaded, it hath commanded all the Treasures of Sciences, being drawn out in one Aristotle, to have been as it were left off from a further diligent search. First therefore, I will shew the impossibility of that Doctrine; and then, I will perfectly teach my own opi∣nion, not stablished by heathenish Dreams, but confirmed by the Doctrine of a higher authority.

For first of all, the Earth is actually distinguished by certain Pavements, Soils or grounds; for truly, the outward Soil of the Earth, is plainly Sandy, Clayie white, else-where clayie-yellow, muddy, grisely or grayie, white, yellow, black, red, &c. sporting with divers varieties. Under which, for the most part is a Sand, and this ve∣ry Sand differenced every where with great variety. But under this Soil, is at length the flinty Mountain (which they call Keyberch) being the Pavement and Originall of Rocks, and first Root of Mineralls. And at length, every where under this Soil, is the living or quick Sand, the boyling Sand, Drif, or Quellem, which is extended even into the Center of the World, being thorowly washed in its un-interrupted joyn∣ing, with waters. And although all the aforesaid Soils, do not every where succeed each other in order; yet the Quellem is every where the last Pavement of the World, although oftentimes, immediately exposed to the Air, and plain to be seen. (As, concerning the Originall of Fountains, in my Book of the Fountains of the Spaw.) This therefore being once supposed, I say, that the place where the exhala∣tion should be, which is believed to be the cause of the Earth-quake, ought to be pla∣ced or appointed in some, or amongst some of the said Soils, seeing that in the Earth, there is not a place out of the aforesaid Pavements. But to the overthrowing of that Doctrine, a demonstration is required, which from a sufficient enumcration of the Pavements, may shew, that such an impossible exhalation cannot be contained, or be raised up in any of the said Soils; or if it should be there stirred up, yet that it hath not the power of forming an Earth-quake. As to the first of the three members, (to wit, that not any exhalation can be contained under the Earth, which may actively cause its trembling) I prove. First of all, not under the outmost, Clayie, or first Soil of the Earth next to the Air, and designed for the habitation of Mortalls: be∣cause so, S. Rumolds Tower, had not trembled, as neither Buildings built immedi∣ately upon the Quellem. As neither had Ships, without the raging of Windes, been removed, in deep Waters, far from the ground of the Sand. For it being granted, that the bottom of the Sea, did tremble, just even as the Earth else-where inhabited; yet the Superficies of the Water could not keep the tenour of the same trembligg Sand, without winde and storm: which thing notwithstanding, is discerned to be false: for flying Birds also, feeling the trembling of the Earth, would not fall down, they being as it were sore smitten or astonished; for a sign, that the Air it self doth tremble. For the Elements shall at sometime melt in the sight of the Judge. There∣fore if the water doth tremble, no lesse than the quiet Earth it self, the cause thereof is signified to be in the Globe, or because the Earth and water do at the same stroak of smiting, together with the Air, feel a fear, or hand of the smiter. Secondly, neither can an exhalation, the cause of an Earth-quake, dwell in any of the Soils of Sands: because then, Fens, Medows, and places wherein the Quellem is immediately pro∣stituted beneath the Clay, had not trembled: VVhich thing is as equally different from the truth of the deed, as the former. Next in the third place, neither can the same exhalation be hidden under the Keyberch: For in the whole Circle, a few pla∣ces excepted, wherein the Earth then trembled, at the same moment of time, the ground Keyberch is not extant. At length, neither could an exhalation arise or be detained between the Quellem, which is sufficient to shake so great an heap with an equall fury: Because the Quellem (that is oft-times next the Air, and conjoyned even into the Center of the Universe by its continuall unity, and thorow mixture of [unspec 6] waters) should easily puffe out such an exhalation, before it could equally lift up so great an heap at once. For it is of an unexcusable necessity; because such an exhala∣lation should break forth, out of the more weak, lesse heavy, and lesse resisting part: that is, in the place that is least ponderous: And so under the position of the granted exhalation, there could not be an alike trembling of all places, which resisteth the thing done. For before that the exhalation should lift up so great weights, through so vast, and various spaces of ground and waters, at once, and at one moment, it had sought, and had found out easie following, and the more weak places, through which it had made a way for it self to break out at. For otherwise, the exhalations should fight against the rules of nature, proportion, and motions, which should lift up equally, and at once, all the parts of the Low-Countries, and a great part of Germany.

Especially where there is not an equall capacity of every place wherein the exha∣lation should be entertained, not an equall fardle of the incumbent burden, or resi∣stance [unspec 7] of weight; as neither is there an equall awakening of that exhalation, possible to be; that at once, and almost at one onely moment, it should alike act thorow so

many Regions: Which is to say, that it is impossible that the exhalation the Mover of the Earth-quake, being granted, there should be an equality in the sameli∣ness of time, and power of motion, through so great a space, through so great a dif∣ference and resistance of the Soil, and of the Heaven, and diversity of weight; seeing such an acting exhalation, meating out its efficacy by the variety of places, diffe∣rence, greatness, activity, swiftness of the Mover, being of necessity unlike, ought also to obey the unlikenesses of places.

Therefore let the quantity, rise, power, entertainment, and swiftness of exhalati∣ons be ridiculous, which should at one and the same moment, after a like manner, [unspec 8] and re-iterated course, shake so many Cities, Mountains, Valleys, Hills, watry pla∣ces, Meadows, Rivers, Islands, and so vast a heap, longly, and largely displaced, and sooner, than it should seek, finde, and make a passage for it self.

But now I coming to the second Member of proving; to wit, that in the afore∣said Pavements of the Earth, the raising up of an exhalation is impossible, which [unspec 9] may be the cause of an Earth-quake: Let every kinde of naturall vapour be deter∣mined and examined by its causes. The exhalation, which may be supposed to be the Mover of the Earth, is not in the first place, a vapour, or watery exhalation; be∣cause that most swiftly returns again into water daily by pressing together, of its own accord, in our Alembicks: but an exhalation according to Aristotle, that is chiefly necessary for these bounds, is a hot and dry flux, or Issue out of Bodies (for the most part also Oylie) lifted up from the dry parts, by a sharp heat into the form of Air, or a rising smoak.

But I could wish, that the Schooles may answer, what therefore at length, shall that actuall, equall, and connexed heat, under the Sea, Rivers, pooles, Meadows, and [unspec 10] under the Quellem, be? For truly, it behoveth heat, and dryth, to be actuall and strong, which may there be sufficient for so notable an effect: but not potentiall, na∣ked, remote, possible, or dreamed qualities. What is that heat, from what and whence is it rowsed in the more deeper cold? what is that heat, so short, so strong, and so interrupted, which after a few rigours or extremities of tremblings, ceaseth; nor which doth shake the Earth a new by trembling? For if the cause of so great motion be in heat, there shall not at leastwise after the motion, be in heat, the cause of so sudden rest. Lastly, what is the dryness connexed to the fire, which may forth∣with kindle under the Earth and Waters (the Waters being all alike dryed up throughout all the Low-Countries) a fire, the Patron of so great exhalations?

But go to, let us feign by sporting, and grant a heat to be actually under the Earth and Water, which is made by kindling: likewise, that great and stubborn heat, and [unspec 11] its unwonted action, which may raise up the exhalations before the dryness of the thing? It is verily an irregular effect, not as yet hitherto seen among the Artists of the fire. Again let us feigne also other absurdities, that actuall fire, violent in the Water, or under watery Bodies, may there be bred without fewel, and be sustained, proceed, and long persist without fodder: but at leastwise, that fire shall not be able to raise up vapours, and much lesse inclosed exhalations, and to detain them in a narrow place, which may not choak that fire, out of hand; and make the suffici∣ency, forces, and successive generation of those exhalations void. For truly in the Burrowes of Mineralls, if the lights are not forth with from above refreshed with a new blast of Air, they are presently extinguished, and the diggers also are deprived of breath and life. But if that the fire, and that the exhalation do subsist untill a sufficient breathing be given: Now, for that very cause, the motive exhalation its off-spring, shall first expire from thence; or if there be not room for a sufficient breathing, the fire verily shall of necessity be stified, nor shall there be place for so great a successive exhalation, or for the repeated onset of an Earth-quake. Let us feign again, not indeed that actuall fire or heat is entertained under the Waters, in the aforesaid Soils of the Earth: but that all the Low-Countries have had some∣thing in all places, like to Gun-powder, which at length, by its own ripeness, or a hidden conspiracy of the Stats, is enflamed at once and every where, and for that cause, doth afford a sudden exhalation, in every place equall.

But neither truly, under so many trifles, should all the Low-Countries then jogge any more than once, and it had gaped in the more slender, and lesse deep, and [unspec 12] weigh y places, and some pieces thereof had leaped forth on high, and a Chimny of that exhaling flame, would there follow. But the Low-Countries, and part of Germany, had not therefore trembled: For once, and at once, the Earth had some

where rose up on the top, where it had gaped; but it had not often trembled, as it were with an aguish rigour. For truly the supposed action of inflaming, should be made onely, that the piercing of Bodies might be hindered,

Therefore as to the third point; To wit, that also a sufficient exhalation being granted to be under the Earth, nevertheless an Earth-quake is impossible; I have [unspec 13] begun indeed, already to prove, by some granted fictions: Otherwise, after what manner soever an exhalation may be taken, and wheresoever that of the Pavements may be supposed, the Earth should not thereby tremble: but, where the least resi∣stances should be, it should rise up into a heap or bunch, untill it had gaped, and the exhalation had made a passage for it self, by expiring thorow a huge Gulf. Which things, seeing they are not found to have happened, the tradition of the Schooles doth in this respect also, go to ruine.

For first of all, that it may more clearly appear, that the action and manner of the action is divers, when as for fear of a piercing of Bodies, a thing leaps forth, and [unspec 14] that nature doth operate after another manner, by reason of the supposed lightness of exhalations striving to break forth: observe a Handicraft-operation: Let there be a Glasse-bottle, spatious, thick and strong; infuse in it four ounces of Aqua fortis, be∣ing prepared of Salt-peter, Alume, and Vitriol, being dryed apart. But cast into that water, one ounce of the Powder of Sal Armoniac, and straightway let the neck of the Glasse be shut by melting it, which is called Hermes Seal: As soon as the voluntary action shall begin, and the Vessel is filled with a plentifull exhalation (yet an invi∣sible one) and however it may be feigned to be stronger than Iron, yet it straight∣way dangerously leapeth asunder into broken pieces, for fear of piercing, but not by reason of the lightness of many exhalations. For truly, although it bursteth, by reason of the multitude, and the pressing together of most light and invisible exhala∣tions; yet the lightness of the same, in this things hath nothing of moment: Because if any of these things should happen for lightness sake, the Glasse Vessel it self, before its bursting, would be lifted up into the Air, and fly upwards: Because it is a thing of lesse labour, to lift up a weight of three or four pounds, than to break asunder a most strong Vessel. Therefore the exhalations which do break the Glasse, should much more powerfully lift up the Glasse, if the Schooles did not beg the vain help of lightness from exhalations, for an Earth-quake. If therefore exhalations are not able by their lightness, to lift up the Vessel wherein they are shut, much lesse so great a quantity of Earth, and vast an heap.

Lastly, seeing that every exhalation is of some body, and every body if it be to be seperated, is divided into Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury; and the Mercuriall part be [unspec 15] the watery part of the body: therefore it must needes be, that every exhalation is of a Salt and Oylie matter: And that, that is first to be raised up before the watery part: Which thing hath not as yet so happened in our Glasses, by the an equall acti∣on of heat. If therefore an exhalation be Salt, it is easily soaked or imbibed into the Earth; which may be seen wholly in all waters and exhalations of what Salts soe∣ver, which in acting upon the Earth, are coagulated in it, and loose all activity. Therefore, if they should be stirred up in the earth, they had failed, before they were, or in the making, had ceased to be. But if the exhalation be oily, surely that being laid, deposited or laid up into the Earth, it retakes the former shape of Oyl, and so growes together: Which thing, seeing it easily comes to passe, it cannot be thought, how an exhalation may by its lightness, make so great a heap of Earth, and of huge weight to stumble, sooner then to consult of coagulating. And upon every event, there should not be room, but for one elevation of the Earth, and one onely settling of the same, after some gaping chap is found; but not of stirring up a quaking trembling. But let these Dreams be in watery places, Meadows, Clayie places, pooles, the Sea, Rivers, &c.

Therefore the absurdities, which I granted before in jest, I will now oppose in ear∣nest. First of all, I demand, what is that so unwonted heat, which from the year [unspec 16] 1580, even unto the year 1640, was not seen at Mecheline? as neither an Earth-quake? wherefore not every year? wherefore in the 2d moneth called April, under a most cold night, when as the day before, it had snowed much? under the conti∣nuall North Winde? and not under the Dog-Star? Is it because the more inward parts of the Earth are then hot? Why therefore not every year in the eleventh moneth called January? But this Argument of the Antients ceaseth, after that the Instrument meating out the Degrees of the encompassing Air, is found.

For Wells and Caves are found, all the year, of an equall heat and cold. Again, why doth so great heat, the stirrer up of exhalations, cease so suddenly? especially where it may stir up an exhalation, the moover of so great an heap? by what fewell it is kindled under the water? by what Fodder doth it live and subsist? by what Law is it not in the same place stif••ed? by what priviledge doth it despise the respects of bodies, places, and weights? at length, by what Prerogative doth it stir up an exhalation of so great a vastness, out of moyst Bodies, without moyst vapours: or if it doth also allure or draw out vapours after the ordi∣nary manner, why do not these mitigate a heat of so great moment? do they extinguish? do they choak together with their Sisters, and forthwith following exhalations? or what is that exhalation, which shaketh the vast Tower of Mecheline, with no greater respect than a low Cottage? nor that respecteth any resistance of a huge weight? or which doth in a like manner operate near at hand, as at a distance? or which doth at once, every where, and a∣like, finde throughout its whole Superficies, the collected power of its own Center, that at once, every where alike, it may operate in one moment, equally and alike strongly? Why through the necessity of naturall causes, is not the thred broken in the weaker part: but all things do at once undergoe, yea and sustain the same law of violence? Surely if these things be rightly considered, there is found in the Earth-quake, a certain operative force, of an in∣finite power, which lifts up Mountains and Towers, without respect of lightness, or weight, as if nothing were able to resist this moving virtue.

But I have proved, that an exhalation, if in any there be an efficient moving cause of an [unspec 18] Earth-quake, is neither of the race of Salts, nor of Sulphurs, as neither of Mercuries (because that this is not an exhalation, but the vapour of the watery parts.) Therefore it remains, that it is not an exhalation: but Gas it self, not an eflux of Bodies stirred up by heat; but rather an effect remaining after the fire: To wit, the Gas of the flame of the fire alone, or of the smoak sprung from this. But neither of these exhalations also, can be the effective cause of an Earth-quake. Therefore if none of these exhalations be the mover of the Earth, there shall be none at all (since another is not found) and by consequence, it is a vain fiction of the Schooles, which they will have themselves to be believed in, in the Earth-quake. But if in∣deed they thinking of an escape, do say, that they do not understand an exhalation raised up by heat, not brought forth by dryness, but an unnamed vapour constituted by its causes: To wit, like as Aristotle writeth, that all Rockie Stones, small stones, Mineralls, and likewise the Salt of the Sea, Comets, although a hundred fold bigger than the Globe of the Earth, and all Windes, do proceed from some irregular and un-explained exhalations, distinguishing the Windes therein, against the Air: This I say, is to be willing to doat with Aristotle, and to re∣main ignorant of naturall Philosophy, with the same Aristotle. Lastly, it is an impertinent thing, for them to have cited Aristotle, and by his authority to be willing to defend their er∣rours. Notwithstanding, I will treat against the Schooles by reason, that seeing they do pub∣lish themselves to be so rationall, they may deliver up their weapons to reason.

I say therefore, that no exhalation can be more light, simple, or subtile, than the Air: be∣cause, [unspec 19] this is the simple body of an Element; but, that is a composed body; and so however it be, it hath in it a weighty body, which the Air wanteth: Yet the Air is not lighter than a Body that is without weight: that is, the Air is not lighter than it self, nor can it lift up any thing besides it self, unless by the motion of a Flatus or blast, or of flowing, that is, by a Blas: Which ceasing, the body which it lifted up, setleth. From whence I conclude, that the Air or Winde, whether it be shut up or free, cannot lift up the Earth, by reason of its lightness alone, unless it be by chance stricken by an externall and violent Mover: but in this case, the force of the exhalation ceaseth, seeing it is a constraining force which moveth, but not the exhalation it self: Because it is that which in such a case, is onely the mean or Instrument of motion, but not the chief motive force. And much lesse is that agreeable to an exhalation; because it is that which is thicker and weightier than the Air, as it containeth water.

I prove it by Handicraft-operation. A Bladder stretched out with Air, springs up out of the water; not primarily; because the Air is lighter than water: but because the water is a [unspec 20] heavy and fluide body; and therefore it suffers not it self to be driven out of its place by a lighter body. For indeed it is the first endeavour of the water, to joyn it self to the water, from whence it was seperated: its secondary endeavour, or that as it were by accident, is to presse out by its falling together, whatsoever is lighter than it self. Therefore weightiness, not lightness, doth operate in this thing, for the reason straightway to be shewed. Let a Blad∣der able to contain three pounds or pints of water, be put in a small trench or ditch, and let it be covered with Earth: Truly it shall not shake off from it, half an ounce of the dust pou∣red upon it: Yea, neither shall the Bladder desire to appear out of the dry more weighty Sand. Let it therefore be ridiculous, that a Bladder weighing half an ounce, doth ever from

any lightness of Air, of its own accord fly up into the Air. If therefore much Air cannot lift up a Bladder; surely, much lesse shall the Air rise up, being pressed down under the huge weight of the low Countries. For indeed the Elements, do in the first place, and onely re∣spect themselves; truly they act all things, for their own sake: And therefore, a Glasse-bottle being filled with Air and buried, can never a whit endeavour to spring up out of the Earth; be∣cause the Air is every where in its own naturall place, as oft as the space of its place is not filled with another body, neither is it carefull for passage. Therefore if there are hollow pla∣ces under the Earth, the Air doth naturally rest in those places, from all locall motion: But in places where Sands fall down as it were a fluide body, there, because the dust fills up the empty place, and falls down through its weight, it also by accident presseth out the air. But that motion of the Earth or Water is not therefore efficiently from the lightness of the Air; or, that the Air, by the proper motion of its own lightness, doth move it self, and climbe up∣wards. But (mark) in this thing, weightiness it self, is the active, primary, and totall efficient cause: seeing weightiness, hath a reall weight, and is an active quality: but on the contrary, [unspec 21] the lightness of the Air is the effecter of nothing; seeing it hath no weight, it of necessity be∣tokeneth nothing, neither can it have any efficacy of acting. From whence it followes,

1. That the lightness of the Air, worketh nothing: nor, that a Bladder, which should be great, and weigh onely six grains, could be of its own accord, lifted up by the inclosed Air, how great soever, otherwise (which is false) the Air should be lighter than that which hath no weight.

2. That the Air doth not appear out of the water, by reason of its lightness, as it were the active, or the moving quality of swimming; but weightiness is the reall quality which ex∣pells the Air.

3. And therefore the position of the Schooles is absurd, wherein Air, or an exhalation is appointed for the efficient cause of an Earth-quake, by reason of its lightness, as if it should shake the Earth by lifting it up. Wherefore, seeing it is now sufficiently proved. 1. That there is not a place in the Pavements or Soils of the Earth, wherein any Aiery Body may be entertained, whether that Body be a Winde, or an Aiery exhalation: but by how much the [unspec 22] deeper that place shall be sought for, by so much the greater difficulties do arise, as well by reason of the greater abundance of water, as the greater fardle of Earth, from above; so that, that is as it were of an infinite power, which should cause a trembling of the Earth. 2. And then, that there can be no fire, heat, driness, or any other stirrer up of an exhalation of so great power: or that which is co-related to it: That there is no possibility of such an exhalation in nature, there to subsist. And at length, thirdly, that no exhalation, by reason of lightness, doth operate any thing, or lift up a heavy body, much lesse, so vast a Country of Earth. Therefore I conclude, that it is an empty fiction of the Schooles, whatsoever hath been hitherto dili∣gently taught concerning an Earth-quake.

Wherefore I will perfectly teach, that the manner of an Earth-quake diligently taught by the Schooles, is altogether impossible. Let us therefore again feigne absurdities, that, as it [unspec 23] were, by the rule of falshood, the errour of the Schooles may be discovered. To wit, let us grant a Bladder to be of a matter that is tractable or easily to be beaten thin, being a thousand times stronger than all Iron, and to be spread (it is unknown in what Soil) throughout all the low Countries and Germany, under the foundation of Mountains, Cities, Seas, and Ri∣vers: But a thousand huge paires of Bellowes, most firmly, and excellently annexed thereto. Therefore that they may be able to lift up all the low Countries at once, it must needes be, that those Bellowes, and the Posts and Axles of these, be so strong, as that they might be suf∣ficient to lift up the weight. And then, a hand should be required, or an Agent of so great strength, that it might be able to lift up all the low Countries with its Palme, or else it could not presse together those Bellowes which are full of winde: But such an Agent is not in the Sublunary nature of things, although the other granted absurdities should be present: there∣fore the vain lightness of the Air or an exhalation, is frivolous, and the inbred desire of their breaking forth. Therefore, I never a whit doubt to deny the naturall cause rendered by the Schooles, invented by the Devill, that my God his own honour may be over-clouded.

Because the Schooles have been hitherto ignorant, that lightness is not an active qua∣lity, and so much lesse should it be an overturner of Mountains: but they have sometimes [unspec 24] considered, that a Mine which was before over-covered, hath straightway after an Earthquake, belched forth a stinking poyson, and made a gap for it self: therefore, they have dared through inconsiderateness and ignorance, to refer this effect of an Earth-quake by accident, into a cause by it self. Which things, that they may more clearly appear, let us again feign the a∣foresaid [unspec 25] Bladder under the low Countries, to be stretched out with an Aiery Body, of its own accord, or by the influence of the Stars (for when reason faileth, those that are ignorant

do alwayes run back to the Stars, and causes afar of, (and for Witnesses not to be cited) and no Bellowes to be, as neither holes round about. Then at leastwise, the Body of all the Low-Countries, laying on it, should so presse the aforesaid Bladder with its weight, that, if it burst not, it should at least, in its weaker; and lesse ponderous part, belch forth that which is con∣tained in it. Which thing being obtained, now indeed the cause of the pressing together of the Bladder, and of the fall of the Low Countries, together with the opening of some gap, is present. But the cause of the lifting up of that Bladder, is not yet to be found, and much lesse, of the repeated succession of trembling and quaking. Lastly, neither is such a Bladder, and its substance possible to be, without which, although there should be room in the Earth, yet it is not fit for nourishing, or receiving that exhalation. Yea the bounds of the aforesaid Bladder being set or supposed, at leastwise, the Air, or exhalation works nothing, that it may lift up the Earth by its lightness; but if the Earth fall down or go to ruine, it findes not a cause for it selfe, as to this thing, in the lightness of the detained Air; seeing it shuts up the whole cause in the Fist of its weightiness; and the pressing out of the Air is to be measured, according to the measure of the weight that layeth on it. Therefore the Bladder being a∣gain supposed, if any Winde or Air should blow from without into the aforesaid Bladder, being pressed together, laying on the ground, and void of every Body: however most strong¦ly it should blow, yet it could not at all blow up the Bladder, because, the low Countries laying on it, should presse it together. But if indeed, a fiery exhalation be sought for, in the place of the Winde, or Air, I have already demonstrated before, that fire to be impossible, and the exhalation of so great an effect throughout all the low Countries, to be fabulous. At length, that continuall Bladder, so strong, and capable to be hammered thin, also faileth, which may sustain, with its back, the low Countries, Seas, Rivers, and far more: For although, I have granted the same, it is not because I think it to be; but because, that Bladder being supposed, so great absurdities may also follow, and the Schooles at length be squeezed to an impossibility.

Mountains, Sulphurous places, and the mansions of Mines, have afforded to Countrey people (whence the Schooles have them) the beginnings of this Dream. Alass! is there [unspec 26] every where a miserable drowsiness, in searching into the causes of effects? The Mountain Soma or Vesuvius, nigh Naples, hath burned now for some Ages, with Sulphur or Brimstone, and fire-Stones. But it hath a gap in its top, large enough, whereby the smoaks and flame might expire or breath out: To wit, perhaps to the largeness of three filed measures or Acres of Land: But a Vault that was next to the flame, as being now sufficiently roasted, and full of chaps, at length, about the sixteenth day of the tenth Moneth or December, of the year 1631, by one sudden fall, fell down into the Gulf of the flame: But it is the property as well of some Metalls, as of bright shining Fire-stones, while they are melting, that if any thing of water shall fall in among them, they all leap asunder: therefore the Sulphurs with the Fire-stones being melted in the bowels of Vesuvius, they did not endure the roasted frag∣ment falling down from the Rocks, without a great deluge, but the flame did vomit out all of whatsoever had slidden down from above, and more. Neither was this sufficient: But moreover, some Fountains were loosed from above, into the Chimney of the fire: But what have the melted Sulphurs, or what the raging tempests of smoakes, common with an Earth-quake? Do Sulphurs thus burn throughout all the low Countries? For an Earth-quake had gone before at Naples, and did accompany that danger of Sodom.

And although they shall happen together, they do not therefore partake of one onely root, the which do obey divers causes: that Earth-quake fore-shewing a wonder, did also inclose [unspec 27] in it a monstrous token, and doth alwayes inclose some such: But the belching out of Me∣tallick Veins, stands by its natural causes. Surely a wretched Sophistry it is, to argue from not the cause, as for the cause: For neither are exhalations to be believed to have been enclo∣sed in that Earth-quake, a Chimney is produced, having long since, a way opened for exhalations.

I would, the Schooles hath hearkened to their Pliny, that oft-times, at the present time or urgency of an Earth-quake, Birds, the winde being still, being as it were sore smitten with fear, do fall down out of the Air: that in a quiet Haven, the Oare Galleys do leap a [unspec 28] little. But what fellowship interposeth between the Air and the Sea, with an exhalation shut up under the Earth? For doth the Air tremble, when the Earth doth? Is so small a trem∣bling of the Air sufficient to cast down Birds, which fly in every winde? For because the Sand of the Sea (and that indeed without gaping) should leap a little, for the depth of half a foot; ought therefore the Superficies of the deep Sea, void of Winde, together with Ships, to tremble? A Manuscript of the Curate of S. Mary beyond Dilca of Mecheline was shewen,

wherein he had written, that in the year 1540, once every day for three dayes space, the Earth trembled, before that lightning inflamed its Sand-Port, and also the Gun-powder con∣tained therein: whence the City, by an un-thought of slaughter, being almost utterly dashed in pieces, went to ruine. Lastly, in the year 1580, the second houre after noon, the fury of the Windes ceasing, the City trembled, two dayes before the English invaded Mecheline, and took it for a prey. But what have those events (happening from a fatall necessity) com∣mon, in the joyning of causes, with a dreamed exhalation under the Earth? For what could a supposed exhalation portend, besides or out of it self? For why should it include a future sig∣nifying of a VVar-like invasion? or Lightning to come, and to kindle the Vessels of Gun-powder there also kept, shaking the Sandy Tower, and throwing down the whole City? For before that the Mountain Vesuvius, belched out its bowels, and covered very many small Towns, with a Minerall Clod, and denyed hope to the Husband-man for the time to come, thick darkness under the Sun went before, in the Air, lamentable howlings, and the Earth trembled, things stirring up the required devotion of the Nation. Truly the Earth trembled, from its own cause, for a fore-knowledge of the future slaughter threatned: But the slaughter it selfe followed by its naturall causes: But the fore-going signes, have never any thing com∣mon, with the event of future fire.

Since therefore now it is certain, that there is no place among the Pavements of the Earth, nor exhalation that layes under them; and if any should be under, yet that it were impossible [unspec 29] to cause an Earth-quake; yet that it is an undoubted truth, that the Earth doth truly and actually tremble, without the dis-continuance of its pavements, or through the opening of some gap, I have considered that trembling to be in the Earth, no otherwise than in Brasse, when as the Clapper hath smote the Bell. For as long as the Bell trembles without a cleft, so long it gives a Tune. The Earth also, while it is shaken with its Super-natural Clapper, sends forth a deaf sound, because its body toucheth together indeed by Sand and VVater, even into its Center; yet it is not holding together by a continuance of unity without intermission. And it may tremble without the dis-continuance of touching together; indeed by so much the more freely, if the Mettall be bended without the renting asunder of that which holds toge∣ther: the Earth also in trembling, hath its inward Clapper more famous than the voice of Thunder. But because the stroak waxeth deaf in the Sand and VVater, therefore it is shaken together with a certain tune or note, while it trembled: yet the roaring which is sometimes heard, is not of the Earth, but a strange one; not proper to the Earth-quake, but an acci∣dentary howling of Spirits, which by the Italians is called Baleno. At length, I weighing the cause of an Earth-quake, do know, that in the first place, there is a motive force in the Air, whereby the Air doth commit to execution, the spurre conceived in the Stars: For the Stars shall be to you, for signes, times or seasons, dayes and years. Moreover, I know, that in the Sea, and deep Lakes, there is their motive force, whereby they suffer a raging heat without windes, whereby, I say, our Ocean is rowled six houres, and else-where, six constant months, with one onely flowing. Lastly I know, that the Earth is at rest, nor that it hath a motive force actively proper to it self. Therefore, I believe, that the Earth doth quake and fear, as [unspec 30] oft as the Angel of the Lord doth smite it. Behold a great Earth-quake was made: for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, Mat. 28. The word (For) among the Hebrewes, doth contain a cause, as if he should say (Because.) For this is the onely cause of an Earth-quake, whereby all things, do without resistance equally tremble together, as it were a light Reed. In the Revelations, the third part of Mortalls, Trees, and Fishes perished at the very time, wherein the Angel powred forth his Viall: For abstracted spirits do work by the divine Power, and nothing can resist them. Evill spirits also, as oft, as it is granted them to act by a free power, they act without the resistance of bodies, or a re-acting of resistance. For matter is the Client of, or dependant on another Monarchy, and it cannot re-act into a spirit, which it by no meanes toucheth, and with no object, affecteth. Even as the Angel useth the pow∣red out liquor of the Viall, unto the aforesaid slaughter; so, for the Earth-quake, he for the most part, makes use of a note or voice. For a wandering note was heard in the Air, no o∣therwise, than as the creaking of Wheeles driven: thereupon, as it were a tempestuous mur∣muring sound succeeded (yet without Winde) and at that very time, the whole tract of so great Provinces trembled at once, with a huge horrour: Which same note, accompanied the trembling of the Earth at every of the three repeated turns. The same thing almost, happens in Lightning: Truly the Lightning burns, and causeth melting: but surely, it smiteth not: According to that saying: The voice of Thunder shall strike the Earth, because it smiteth. For Silk-worms die, Milk is curdled, Ale or Beer waxeth sowre, a slain Oxe hanging up, retains flaggie flesh unfit to take Salt, and that onely by the Thunder-stroak, the Lightning doing no hurt there. Therefore let the voice of Thunder, and the voice of the Earth-quake, be the

note or tone of ministring spirits. But the Stars do not stir up a motive, and alterative force of the Air or Water, through a note: but do act onely by an Aspect, which they call an In∣fluence: And it hath its action and direction in a moment, even as light, sight, &c. For o∣therwise, there should be need of many years, before the audible Species or resemblances that are to be heard, should come down from Saturn to the places of a Meteor. And then, a note or sound, although it be great; yet it faileth by degrees in the way. But that the Earth doth tremble, with a Tempest of Windes, or that the Tempest doth sometimes run succes∣sively thorow Villages, Cities, and as it were thorow street by street in its wheeling about: That is wholly by accident, and according to the will of him, who shaketh the Earth for a monstrous sign. Likewise, that else-where, it doth oft-times tremble; in quick Belgium, ve∣ry seldom: that changeth not the moving cause: For it stands in the free will of him, who en∣closeth the Universe in his Fist, who can shake the Earth at his pleasure, and alone do marvel∣lous things: At the beholding of whom, the Earth shall at sometime smoak, and the Moun∣tains being melted, shall go to ruine. But that in another place, gapings, chaps, after an Earth-quake, have sometimes appeared, and a filthy poyson, and fumes of arsenicall bodies have breathed forth, that is joyned onely to its naturall causes; Nor are they the effects of an Earth-quake, but by accident, but not the causes. But this blindness of causes of the Earth-quake, hath been invented, the Devill being the Authour, whereby mortall men might set apart all fear of the power, and so, might prevent, if not wholly neglect the ends which God hath appointed to himself, for the serious reverencing of the power of his Majesty, that they being mind-full of the faults of their fore-led life, might repent.

Deh! qual possente man conforzze ignote Il terreno a crollar si spesso riede Non e chiuso vapor como altro crede Ne sognato stridente il suol percuote.

Certo la terra si rissente, & scuote, Perche del pe••cator sa aggrava il piede: Et i nostri corpi impatiente chiede, Per riemper se sue spelonche ••uote.

E linquaggio del ciel che l'huom riprende Il turbo, il tuono, il fulmine, il baleno, Hor parla anco la terra in note horrende, Perche l'huom ch' esser vuol tutto terreno, Ne del cielo il parlar straniero intende: Il parlar della terra, intenda al meno.

Behold! with what a mighty, yet unknown A force, the Earthy Body makes a noyse, And with so thick a rushing gives a groan: 'Tis not a vapour hot shut up (they'r toyes) Even as some believe, which beats the ground [Or thumps its entrails] with a whistling sound.

Truly, the Earth it selfe doth feele and quake, Because the sinners foot doth load its back And our impatient [mortall] bodies fall In, to fill up its own deep Vaults withall

The Language of the Heaven which reproves Man, is the Whirle-winde, Thunder, Lightning flash, And sp'ritous howling in the Air [Ecchoes.] Now speaks the earth more-o're, with horride lash

Of signall tokens, 'cause since man which would Be wholly earthly, doth not understand, The Linguo strange of Heaven, yet may or should At least the Earth it's Language apprehend.

These things nothing hindering, there hath not been one wanting, who said, that from a most deep well of the Castle of Lovaine, he by a sure presage foretold, an Earth-quake was [unspec 31] shortly to be, because the water of the same Well, three dayes before, sent forth the stink∣ing savour of Brimstone, and that its contagion, yellowness, together with the turbulency of the water, did bewray it. But let that good man know, that that Well is one hundred and fifteen foot in depth, because they go up to the Castle (from the Street that is next unto it) by ninety three steps: And so, that Well in one part, is not deeper than its Neighbouring Wells, although in the other part where it is co-touching with the Hill of the Castle, it is deep, as I have said. But seeing that a vein of Sulphur is not hidden in the Hill, the water could not breath Sulphur, which was not there: But if it cast the smell of Sulphur, a sign might precede, God admonishing: but it had not Sulphur, which neither is in that place, nor was enflamed: therefore neither could it cause an Earthquake unto all Belgium or the Low Countries. Therefore there is no naturall reason, why the water in that Well, should be more troubled by Sulphur, than in its neighbour-wells, wherein no such thing was seen. Lastly, we must know, that an Earth-quake is not made by the long preparation of causes from three dayes before: Because then the Earth could not be lifted up in one manner, at once: Yea, if any exhalation of Sulphur, had now three dayes before, fore-timely made a passage for it self, at that very time, it had now found a passage for it self, and had sooner breathed forth that way thorow that Well, before it had lifted up so great an heap on every side: yea, a passage being found, it had made the water by its blast, and boyling up, to sound in the boyling, and much more prosperously in the streetes that were so much lower, and the exhalation had broken forth in the more neighbouring pla∣ces, and had burst in sunder the Hill it self more easily, by rising into an heap; but the Earth had not trembled: Therefore I reject the example of the deed, as long as the reasons op∣posed by me against it, from its impossibility, are not overthrown. Therefore the Earth trem∣bleth, not because it feeleth or feareth after the manner of a living Creature: but it denoun∣ceth [unspec 32] unto us, something like it, and doth as it were speak unto us, accusing of the stroak of the Angel, or the hand of an angry God.

But the Earth is smitten, and trembleth by the Command of God, pointing out, that sin hath ascended up to Heaven, crying out for vengeance before his Throne: Indeed the smi∣ting [unspec 33] doth presuppose indignation, and indignation, a heaped up measure of sin: But the end of an Earth-quake, is, that the sinner may amend himself, and that the righteous man may as well beware that he doth not sin, as of the threatned punishment of sin. Therefore an Earth-quake, doth alway threaten punishments. But all particular offences, have chastisements [unspec 34] suitable to themselves: For Luxury, and uncleanness, have Plagues and Diseases, for purging sacrifices and punishments: But Adulteries pay their punishments, by Diseases, imprison∣ment, disgraces, poverties; also barrenness, of off-spring, untimely death, or the like; Accord∣ing to that saying: He that someth in the flesh, shall reap in corruption. But pride of life is punished, by poverties, barrennesses, wars, destructions, sudden death, a miserable losse of friends, &c. At length, covetousness payes its punishments, by deceits, thefts, juggles, dis∣commodities of some member, &c. But if two or three sins do abound at once among a people, then punishments are also co-mingled: to wit, in-clemencies, tyrannies, breakings of a Vow or Oath, juggles or deceits, extorsions, plagues, barrennesses, wars, &c. But if sins are conjoyned in Powers or Princes, as well of the Church, as in Secular ones & Judges, The Prophesies are full, that for the injustice of the same, Kingdoms are translated from Na∣tion to Nation: Which things, if they happen, with the rise of Arch Heresies, scandalls, and subversions of Altars, and especially, where the Poor suffer together with them; it is a signe that these evills do proceed, from filthinesses, in-clemencies, ambition, covetousness, breakings of a Vow, and drunkennesses or gluttonies. For the Prophesies do abound with threatnings, that Jerusalem shall be plowed as a field; the City shall be made as a heap of stones; that the Pestilence, and Enemy shall take away all the prey, and shall lead away the Chief of the Church bound; the holy place shall be defiled, that they may be for a derision among the Nations. But if Wars do not touch Religion, the sins onely of Princes and Judges are taken notice of. But the Earth trembleth, being smitten especially, for the sins of bloud, which cry out for Heaven to be a revenger. Therefore after an Earth-quake, punishments are to be ex∣pected, [unspec 35] which are deservedly due to excess, cruelty, and injustice. The trembling of the

Earth therefore, denotes nought but the judgements of God a Revenger: To wit, a good thing from an evill cause; as it containeth an inflicting of punishment on the impenitent. Therefore from the Lords Resurrection, the Earth trembled, signifying the desolation of the City, and of the Jewish Monarchy, which the Gospel, together with the teares of the Lord foretold, and which Josephus hath written down at large. For no calamities are without the Lords permission, nothing without its cause, neither doth grief or misery spring out of the ground. Job 5. Isai 45. Neither do calamities at any time happen unto us by chance. It was the most rare or un-couth wickedness of men, that slew the guiltless Son of God for his be∣nefits: [unspec 36] wherefore a most rare kinde of purging of the offence, ought also to rain upon that Nation, which had been educated with so great favour, to the killing of the men, and last∣ing destruction of the Common-wealth; As was fore-seen by Daniel, Isaiah and Psal. 10. But when an Earth-quake runs as it were thorow, street by street, a tumult of a City against a Ci∣ty is signified, and the streetes to be desolate or forsaken. For a friend saw this Chapter, it being as yet in Writing; he presently perceived that a naturall cause was wanting, and he con∣sented: [unspec 37] but he was angry, because I had deciphered the manner, and that the Earth should be smitten, not indeed with a Staffe, but by a note, or voice, and he laughed at the conje∣cture. Why hath not God (he said) done those things by Gun-powder, by Winde, an exhalation, and a vapour? wherefore hath not he said it or spoken it, and the Earth was moved? with God there are a thousand wayes, neither is it certain what mean he hath used. First of all, if I have given a reason, why the Earth trembling doth necessarily chap, by the example of a Bell which trembles after the stroak; certainly, he ought not to be angry with me; For, neither intended I, that he that exceedes every manner, doth tie up himself to manner and meanes: But in-as-much as that friend doth inter-ject naturall meanes; as are the winde, a vapour, an exhala∣tion, Gun-powder, laid under the Low-Countries: These things were already sufficiently refuted in my Writings, as to be possible in nature: wherefore, they are again unseasonably alleadged, as if God should have need of those meanes; Because when God makes use of meanes in working miraculously, he also often-times useth naturall things; but he doth not then make use of things which are reckoned as fellow-causes: For those meanes rather are, and do contain mysteries, than the vigour of any causality. Therefore, I have drawn my con∣jecture of the smiting voice or tone (not that I am a conscious or a fellow-knower of, or a searcher into divine Counsel) out of that word. The Voice of Thunder shall strike the Earth. Moses smote the waters of Aegypt, and they were turned into bloud, and the Frogs over∣covered the Land of Aegypt: he smote the Sea with his Rod, and the waters stood still: he smote the Rock, and it brought forth a Fountain. Elisha commanded the King, to smite the Earth, and was wroth with him, because he had not smitten it oftner, because the number of Commissionary smitings, did contain the number of Victories, and repeated turns of the ene∣my as yet to be beaten. Therefore for the keeping of peace with my friend, I have explained my self. I confess (I say) willingly, that I would not search into Divine Mysteries: But the manner and meanes which God useth in the Earth-quake, I have attained onely by conjecture. But neither at length, have I desired to make these things known, nor that I might be taken notice of as a brawler; but that the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, may a∣rise from the trembling of the Earth. D. Streithagen Cannon of Hemsberg, in his Germane Flourish, hath writ down a Chronograph, or Verse of the time of this Earthly trembling, by reason of its unwonted strangeness, and largeness of the places.

Smitten (the 4th of April) was the Earth with tumult wide, From which unwonted slaughter, covered Bodies down do slide.

From the face of the Lord the Earth was moved, from the face of the God of Jacob.