Miscellanea philo-theologica, or, God, & man A treatise compendiously describing the nature of God in his attributes, with a lively pourtraiture of his wisedome in ordering, and disposing of the celestiall, and terrestriall bodies. Containing much variety of matter ... and apt applications singular for brevity, and perspicuity. By Henry Church.

[Sect. 2] Secondly, of the progresse of the clouds.

THey have their progresse in the middle region of the aire: the aire hath 3 regions; the highest is very hot, being next to the elemēt of fire, there are generated com∣mets, blazing-starres: the lower region is by reason of the reflexion of the Sunne beames, of a temper somewhat warm* 1.1: here are dewes frosts, ••oare frosts, mists, &c. The middle region there the cold is kept in, and the reflective beams of the Sun reach not to it; there is the place where the clouds have their residence, and walke their circuit.* 1.2

1. As soone as the clouds are produced, they have their progresse, all things are ful of labour; I learne from them not to stand still: Homo ad molestiam editur, ut scintil∣lae prunarum in altum evolant, Iob 5.7. Man is brought for to travaile, as the sparke of the hot coale flyeth up ha∣stily; we are produced, we have a progresse, and shall come to a dissolution like to the Clouds: dust wee are, and

to dust wee shall returne: when our progresse is fini∣shed.

2. The cloudes are carried on the winges of the wind to their places appointed, so am I carried by the provi∣dence of God to those places where I must doe ser∣vice.

3. If the cloudes went to the upper region of the aire, we should never have raine, for the extreame heate would dry it up: and if they should be carried downe to the earth they would be troublesome to man; but are usefull in the middle region their proper place: so if I should meddle in things above my calling, I should waste my selfe and my time unprofitably, if I doe things below my place (uncalled) it is basenesse not humility, but in my owne place and station, I am most prompt and usefull, most seemely and commendable.

Notes

• * 1.1

  By reason the Sun leaves us at night.
• * 1.2

  Consideratiōs