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.

Of Meteors.

1. Of the names of Meteors.

2. Of the matter whereof they are produced.

3. Of the time when they doe appeare.

4. Of the various formes and shapes of them.

5. Of the place where they are.

[Sect. 1] First, of the names of Meteors.

A Meteor is taken more largely, or more strictly. Largely, all vapours, exhalations, clouds, windes, tempests, haile, snow, are Meteors: Meteora is, first, things ingendred. Secondly, in the aire. Thirdly, unper∣fect things ingendred imperfectly in the aire: strictly, it is either from vapours arising from the water, or exha∣lations from the earth, or both; so growing hard and clammy, are called Meteors in the aire.

[Sect. 2] Secondly, of the matter of them.

FIrst negatively, of what they are not. Secondly, affirmatively, of what they be.

Negatively.

They are not of fire, nor of aire, and so are of unper∣fect mixture: for the perfect bodies are either simple, compounded of the foure elements. The Meteors are not of fire, for the fire consumes them, and doth not pro∣duce them: the fire, (I meane the elementary fire) is so thinne, it cannot be altered and made thinner: if the fire

were thicker, it would become hot aire: neither are Me∣teors made of aire: for if aire were made thinner, it would turne to fire: the exhalation then is not from aire nor fire.

Affirmatively.

Meteors have their production from the Waters and Earth: from the waters do arise moyst vapors, from the Earth arise exhalations more hot and dry, and are more thin, and pierce the Ayre, ascending up more free then Vapors to the place where they are fired and consumed, and tis probable that Meteors are rather exhalations then Vapors. As there be seene some at Sea: it may be they arise from vapors, or from some Isles of the Sea; or exhalations may be drawne from Fleetes of ships, and great Navies, this is but conjectures, wee must leave many causes in nature, to the God of Nature, who onely knowes them.

[Sect. 3] Thirdly, the time when Meteors appeare.

NOt in the heate of Summer, for then the Sunne is strong on the earth in his heate, and consumes the matter whereof the Meteors are formed. Not in the deepe of Winter, for then the Sunne is so farre distant, that tis not so operative to raise the exhalations up into the Ayre. But the Spring and Autumne is the ordinary time. As for the Star that did lead to Christ in the deep of winter, it may be the Countrey is temperate, or it was an extraordinary Meteor or Starre for speciall use. God can throw the reines on natures necke, yet keepes the bridle in his mouth; hee can worke by secondary meanes, and without them.

[Sect. 4] Fourthly, of the various formes and shapes.

THe formes of Meteors are according to the quantity or quality: if the quantity be very great, it is not

carried up to the upper Region of the Ayre, when the grossenes and heavinesse is the quality of it; but if the quantity be great, and the quality be thin and light, it goes to the upper Region, and there is fired. And to proove that great quantity is exhaled up in the Meteor, it appeares in some Comets or blazing Stars, which con∣tinue many dayes after they be fired, before they be con∣sumed, which argues there was a great quantity that lasted so long.

[Sect. 5] Fifthly, of the place of Meteors.

THe place is to be considered two wayes. First, the place of their production. Secondly, whither they ascend.

1. The place of their production is not farre North, for that is too cold: nor yet in the South, for there the Sun beames are too hot; but that part of the earth which is like the Spring and Autumne, all the yeare there are most Meteors: Vnder the Equinoctial line are none, nor in the two extreames, but in the temperate Climat there they arise.

2. The place whither they ascend, tis to the upper Region, for the middle Region wanting the reflexion of the Sunne beames, is extreame cold. In the lower Region is Frosts and Mists, in the middle Region, Clouds and raine, in the upper Region Comets and blazing stars.

Conclusions applicatory.

An Hypocrite is like unto a Meteor. First, a Meteor is raysed from the Earth, yet is not earth: So an Hypo∣crite is raysed in the Church, yet is not of the Church: They went out from vs, saith St. Iohn, but are not of us; he is not of the true Church of Christs mysticall body.

2. A Meteor hath an ascent, yet is not heavenly; so an Hypocrite may be advanced, yet not of an heauenly disposition.

3. An Hypocrite may make more shew than a true Christian: as a meteor may blaze more for a time, than a fixed starre.

4. A Meteor is after his advancement burned; so is an Hypocrite his end is to be burned.

5. A Meteor rises not under the Equinoctiall line, nor in the hot south; nor in the cold north: nor doth an Hy∣pocrite grow where is the feeling of Gods presence, nor where is the heat of true zeale and fervent devotion, nor yet in the cold, among Pagens, Heathens, and In∣fidels.

6. There be divers formes of Meteors, some round, some streaming, like Piramides: so some Hypocrites goe round like the Mill-horse, still the same, and are as the spider still in their cicular motion; some are strea∣ming, like Iehu and Demas: so long as the clammy matter of worldly hopes last and then goe out; some are great below and narrow above, large toward the world, and little toward heaven; like to Pira∣mides.

7. Some Meteors are thinne, and are soone fired and consumed, some more full of matter, and endure lon∣ger, some are fearefull to behold: so some Hypocrites are soone discovered; some are longer in their professi∣ons: others are terrible in their deaths. So much of Me∣teors.