An astrological discourse with mathematical demonstrations proving the powerful and harmonical influence of the planets and fixed stars upon elementary bodies in justification of the validity of astrology : together with an astrological judgment upon the great conjunction of Saturn & Jupiter, 1603 / written by that worthy, learned gentleman, Sir Christopher Heydon, Knight ; and now published by Nicholas Fiske ...

CHAP. IX.

Cold a positive quality, as well as Heat.

ANd first I demand of Kepler, or any that maintaineth his Opinion, if Cold be ascribed to nothing but priva∣tion of Heat by the Suns long absence, how it cometh to pass, that one VVinter doth far exceed another in extremity of Cold? Will he answer that the Sun is more remote, or longer absent from us, one year then another? It were too ri∣diculous, knowing that the Sun hath his limits prescribed, which he never did transgress, neither can, without violating the Law of Nature. The uniform course of the Sun therefore can be no cause of this variety of one year from ano∣ther: Neither (if it be well considered) can Privation be any cause of Cold at all. For seeing Privation is no nature in Be∣ing, but only an imaginary noncens, how can that which is not have any action as∣cribed unto it? Such a cold therefore could not refrigerate, and so in truth can

be no cold at all. But on the contrary, we see that Cold is such a quality, as actually constringeth Hail, Snow, Frost, and other congealed Meteors; it con∣denseth the flowing Superficies of the Water into a firm glassie Substance; it chilleth the Blood, and benumeth the Sense with the extremity thereof: And to be short, through the real existence of this quality in any Subject, we see it giveth the same denomination of Cold, and that the Sense is able to judg it so: But it were absurd to say we could feel that which is not, and against all Reason and Philosophy to ascribe these effects unto such a thing as resteth only in imaginati∣on but hath no Being in Nature. Where∣fore this Error in this Point is as palpable as the Cold it self. And to add some∣what more unto that which I have alrea∣dy said, I see not how this can be admit∣••ed, except we will further reduce Pha∣••etons world again. For if there be no positive nature to moderate and resist the multiplyed heat of the stars; it can∣not be but in continuance of time all the whole frame of the world must be set on fire. For so long as the stars

shine, they still affirm succeeding heat to descend with their light, whereupon it doth necessarily follow, that if there be no positive nature to refrigerate, all must needs be inflamed. They must therefore first remove the Sun and Stars out of Heaven, before they can establish their vain Cold by absence and privation of Heat. Which were it granted unto them, see further how, whilst they avoyd Scylla, they fall into Charybdis. For as on the one side Privation, being a meer Negative, hath no action, and therefore (as hath been proved) cannot mode∣rate the heat conceived in Summer: So on the other side, suppose Cold once induced into the world by privation of Heat, and it will be as impossible to re∣store Heat again by the return of the Sun, or any other natural means, as to give life to a dead man. For a priva∣tione ad habitum nullus est regressus. As for their simile or example, it will do them small service: For seeing that betwixt twelve and two in the after∣noon the Sun continueth his action still without interruption, their own rea∣son will teach them, that this is not

ad idem. For we speak of the intend∣ed qualities of the Seasons, where, by intercourse of the nights, they must needs confess an intermission of the Suns appearation, which alone (as we read) serveth greatly to qualifie the Suns order to them that dwell under the Aequinoctial. Wherefore to con∣clude this Point also: forasmuch as Cold is the opposite quality to Heat, which of it self is by Kepler and Cardane confessed to have a real existence in Nature: They must also be driven to acknowledge Cold to be more then a meer Negation and Privation, be∣cause it is impossible that that which is not habituall can be actually con∣trary to a particular Nature in Be∣ing.

Notes

• Privation can be no cause of Cold.