¶ Why they be called vnperfectly mixed .

THey are called vnperfectly mixed , because they are very sone chaunged into another thing , and resolued into their proper elementes of whiche they do moste consist , as do all impressious , fyrie , ayrie , watrie , as snowe into water , cloudes into waters . &c.

¶ Why they be called perfectly mixed .

The last sort namely earthly , Meteores are called perfectly mixed , because they wil not easely be chaunged and resolued from that forme which they are in , as be stones , metalles and other mineralles .

According to the qualitie of the matter , they are diuided into moist & drie impressions , consisting either of vapores or exhalations . vapores are called moist , and exhalations drie , whiche termes must be well noted , because they must be much vsed .

¶ Of the general cause of al Meteores and first of the materiall cause .

The mater whereof the moste part of Meteores dooth consiste , The material cause . is either water or earth , for out of the water , proceade vapors , and out of the earth come exhalations .

Vapor as the Philosopher sayeth , What be vapors & what exhalations . is a certain watrie thing , and yet is not water , so exhalation hath a certain earthly nature in it , but yet it is not yearth .

For the better vnderstanding of vapors , vnderstande that they be as it were fumes or smokes , warme & moist , whiche will easely be resolued into water , muche like to the breath that proceadeth out of a mans mouth , or out of a pot of water standing on the fiere . These vapors are drawen vp from the waters and warry places , by the heate of the Sunne , euen vnto the midle region of the ayre , What the midle region is shal be tolde afterward . and there after diuerse maner of meating with coldnes , many kynde of moist Meteors are generated , as sometime cloudes and rayne , sometime snowe and hayle , and that suche vapors are so drawen vp by the Sunne , it is playne by experience : for if there be a plash of water on a smothe and hard stoone , standing in the heate of the sunne , it wyl soone be drye , whiche is none otherwyse , but that the sonne draweth vp the water in thinne vapores , for no man is so fonde to saye , that it can sinke into stoone or metall , and it is as greatfoly to thinke , it is consumed to nothyng : for it is a general rule , A generall rule . that that whiche is once a thing , can not by chaunging become nothyng , wherefore it followeth that the water on the stoone , as also on the earth , is for the moste part drawen vp , when the stoone or earth is dried

Exhalations , What exhalations bee . are as smokes that be hoat and drie , whiche because they be thinne , & lygther then vapors , passe the lowest and midle region of the ayre , and are caried vp euen to the highest region , where for the excessiue heat , by nearenes of the fier , they are kindled , and cause many kinde of impressions . They ar also sometimes viscose ▪ that is to say clammy , by reason wherof , thei cleuing together & not being dispersed , are after diuerse soortes set on fier , and appeare somtims like Dragons , somtim like Goats somtime like candels somtime like speares .

By that which is spoken of vapors & exhalations , it is euident that out of the fier & the ayer no matter wherof meteores shold consist can be drawen , because of their subtiltie & thinnes . For al exhalation is by making a grosser body more thinne , but the fier ( we mean the elemental fier , & not the fire of the kitchen chimney ) is so subtil & thin , that it cannot be made thinner : likewise the ayre is so thin , that if it be made thinner , it is changed into fire , & as the fire if it wer made thicker , wold becom aire , so the aire , being made grosser , wold be turned into water . Wherfor to conclude this part , the great quantitie of matter , that causeth these meteores , is taken out of the earth and the water . As for the aire & the fire , they ar mixed with this matter as with al other things , but not so abundauntly , that they may be sayd the material cause of any Meteore , though without them none can be generated . The efficient cause of all Meteores is that cause , The efficient cause whiche maketh them , euen they are not to nyghe to the direct beames , nor to farre of from them : there is a moderate heate , drawyng out great aboundaunce of matter , so that in those contries , many Meteores of many sortes as generated , as in the farre North partes are few , but watrie impressions . Also in Autumne & Sprynge , are oftener Meteores séen , then in Sommer and Wynter , except it be in such places , where the Sommer and Wynter are of the temper of Spryng and Autunne . Let this be sufficient , for the efficient causes of impressions , as well first and principall , as second and particular . Concerning the formall and finall cause , we haue litle to saye because the one is so secret , that it is knowen of no man , the other so euident that it is playne to all men The essentiall forme of all substaunces , Gods wisdome comprehendeth , the vniuersall chiefe and last end of all thinges , is the glory of God . Mydle endes ( if they may be so called ) of these impressions are manifold profites , to Gods creatures , to make the earth fruitfull , to purge the ayre , to sett forth his power , to threathen his vengeaunce , to punyshe the worlde , to moue to repentaunce : all the which are referde to one end of Gods eternall glory , euer to be praysed . Amen .

¶ Of the places , in whiche they are generated .

THe places in whiche Meteors are caused , be either the ayre or the earth , in the aire be generated rayne , hayle , snow , dew , blasing starres , thonder , lightning &c. In the earth be welles , springs , earthquakes , metalls minerals , &c. made , and as it were in their mothers belly begotten & fashioned . But for the better vnderstanding hereof , such as haue not tasted the principles of Philosophie , must consider the ther be iiij . elements , Earth , water , Ayre , & Fire , one compassing another round about , sauing that the waters by Gods commaundement ar gathered into one place , that the land might apeare . The highest is the spere of the fire , which toucheth the hollownes of the Moones heauen , the next is the ayre , whiche is in the hallownes of the fyer , the ayre within his hollownes , comprehendeth the water and the earth , whiche bothe make but one Spheare or Globe , or as the commen sort may vnderstande it one Bal. So eche element is within another as the skales of a perle , ar on aboue another , or ( to vse a grosse similitude ) as the pieles of an onion , ar one which in another , after the same sort from the highest heuen to the earth , that is lowest , one part that is greater compasseth round about another that is lesser . But for this present purpose it is to be knowen , that the ayer is diuided into thre regions , What the regions of the aire be the hyghest , the midle , and the lowest . The hyghest , because it is next to the region of the fier , is exceading hoate , the lowest beinge next the earth and the waters , is temperat , and by repercussion or striking back of the sunne beames waxeth hoate , and by absence of them is made colde , being subiect to Wynter and Sommer . The midle region of the ayre , is always exceading cold , partly because the sonne beames , can not be cast back so highe , and partly because the cold that is there , betwene the heate aboue and the heate beneath it , is so kept in that it can not get out , so that it must nedes be excessiuely colde . For the water and the earthe being both colde elementes , after the sunnesetting in the nighte season dooe coole the aire , euen to the midle region . But in the morning the sunne rysing warmeth the ayre , so farre as his beames whiche are beaten back from the earth & the water , can extende and reache , whiche is not so highe as the midle region , and by heate on both sides , is inclosed and kept , sauing that a litle thereof falleth downe in the night , which the next day with much more is driuen backe againe . Wherefore this region being so colde , is darke and cloudye , in so much that some doting Diuines haue imagined , purgatorie to be there in the mydle region of the ayre .

In the hyghest region , be generated Cometes or blasing starres , and suche lyke of diuerse sortes .

In the midle region cloudes , rayne , stormes , wyndes . &c. In the lowest region , dewe , frost , horefrost , mistes , bryght rods , candels burning about graues , & gallowses , where ther is store of clamy fatty or oyly substaunce , also lightes and flammyng fiers , séene in fieldes , &c.

¶ And thus muche for the generall causes of all Meteores .

¶ Of the generation of the impression , called burned stoble or sparcles of fire .

THe generation of this Meteore is this , Sparkes of fyre . whan the matter of the Exhalation is in all partes a lyke thynne , but not compacted or knit together , then some parte of it being caried vp into the highest region , by the fiery heate is set on fier before another part , that commeth vp after it , and so being kindled by lytle and lytle , it flyeth abrooode lyke sparkles out of a chymney , in so much that the common people suppose , that an infinit number of starres fal down where as it is nothing els , but the Exhalation that is thinne kindled in many partes , sparkling as when sawe dust or coole dust is cast into the fyre .

¶ Of Torches .

TOrches or fyer brandes , Torches . are thus gen●rated : when the matter of the exhalation is long and not broad , being kyndled at one end therof , in the highest region of the ayre , it burneth lyke a Torche or fyer brande , and so continueth , till all the matter be burned vp , and then goeth out , none otherwyse then a Torche when all the stuffe is spent must nedes burne no longer .

¶ Of dansyng or leaping Goates .

DAnsyng Goates , Daunsing Goates . are caused when the exalation is diuided into twoo partes , as when twoo torches be séen together , & the flame appeareth to leape or daunce from one parte to the other , much lyke as balls of wylde fyer daunce vp and downe in the water .

¶ Of shotyng and falling Starres .

A Flying , shooting , or falling Sarre , Shootinge starres . is when the exhalation being gathered as it were on a round heape , and yet not throughly compacted in the hyghest parte of the lowest region of the ayer , beynge kyndled , by the soden colde of the mydle region is beaten backe , and so appeareth as though a Starre should fall , or slyde from place to place . Sometyme it is generated after another sort , for there is an exhalation long and narrowe , whiche being kyndled at one ende burneth swiftly , the fyer ronning from ende to ende , as when a silke thread is set on fyer at the one end . Some saye it is not so much set on fyer , as that it is direct vnder some Starre in the firmament , and so receiuing light of that starre , semeth to our eyes to be a starre . In deade some times it may be so , but that is not so alwayes , nor yet most commenly , as it may be easely demonstrated . The Epicurians as they are verye grosse in determining the chief goodnes , The Epicurians opinion . so they are very fonde in assigning the cause of this Meteor . For they say , that the starres fall out of the firmament , and that by the fall of them , both thonder and lyghtning are caused : for the lightening ( say they ) is nothyng els but the shyning of that starre that falleth , which falling into a watrie clowde , and being quenched in it , causeth that great thonder , euen as whoat yron maketh a noyce if it be cast into colde water . Psal. 148 But it is euident that the starres of the firmament can not fall , for God hath set them fast for euer , he hath geuen them a commaundement whiche they shal not passe . And though they shold fall into the cloude , yet could they not rest there , but with their weyght being dryuen downe , would couer the whole yearth .

For the least starre that is séen in the firmament , The greatnes of Starres . is greater then all the earth . Here wyl steppe foorth some mery fellow , which of his conscience thinketh them not to bée aboue thrée yardes about , and saye it is a loude lye , for he can sée within the compasse of a bushell more than xx . starres . But if his bushell were on fyre xx . myle of , I demaunde how bygge it would séem vnto him ? He that hath any wyt , A profe of the stars greatnes . wil easely perceiue , that starres being by al mennes confession , so many thousand myles distant from the earth , must neades be very great , that so farre of should be séen in any quantitie .

Thus muche for the shootyng or fallynge Starres .

¶ Of burnyng Candels .

Burning candels . WHen the Exhalation caried vp into the hyghest part of the ayre is in al partes thereof of equall and lyke thynnes , & also long , but not broade , it is set on fyre and blased lyke a candle , vntyll the Exhalation be quite consumed .

¶ Of burning Beames and round Pillers .

Burnynge beames & round pillers . THese are caused , when the Exhalation being long and not very broade , is sett on fyre , all at once and so burneth lyke a great beame or logge . The difference of beames and pyllers is this , for beames are when they séeme to lie in lengthe , in the ayre , but they are called pillers , when they stande right vp , the one end nearer to the earth , then the other .

¶ Of burning Speares .

BUrning spears are generated , Burninge Speares . when a great quantitie of Exhalations , which may be called a drie cloude , is set on fire in the myddest , and because the cloude is not so compacte , that it shoulde sodenly rende , as when thonder is caused , the fyre breaketh out , at the edges of the clowde , kendlyng the thynne Exhalations , which shoot out in great nomber lyke fyry spears , or darts , longe and very small , wherfore they continue not long , but when they fayle , within a short whyle after , more fyre breakynge out , they shoot out as many more in their place , and lykewyse , when they ar gone , other succeade , if the quantitie of the matter wyll suffise , more then a doosen courses . This impression was séen in London , Anno dom. 1560. the thirty daye of Ianuary , at eight of the clocke at night the ayer in all other places beyng very darke , but in the North east where this cloude burned , it was as lyght as when the daye breaketh , towarde the Sunne rysyng , in so much , that playne shadow of thyngs opposite , was séen . The edge of this cloude was in fashion lyke the Raynbowe , but in collour very bryght , and often tymes casting foorth almoste innumerable dartes , of wonderfull length lyke squybbes , that are cast vp into the ayre , sauing that they moued more swiftly then any squybbes .

¶ Of shieldes ▪ Globes or Bowles .

Shieldes Globes or Bowels . THese Meteores also haue their name of their fashion , because they are broad , and appeare to be rounde , otherwyse their generation differeth not from the cause of the lyke impressions before mentioned .

¶ Of Lampes .

THe lampe consisteth of an Exhalation , Lampes . that is broade & thick , but not equally extended , namely smaller at one end then at another , which being kindled about the middest therof , burneth like a lampe . The cause why , as wel this impression , as many other , apeareth round , is not for that alwayes they ar round in déede , but because the great distance causeth them to séem so . For euen square formes , farr of séem to be round . It is written , that a lampe fel down at Rome when Germanicus Cesar , set forth the sight of sword players .

¶ Of flying Dragons or fyre Drakes .

FLying Dragons , or as Englyshmen call them fire drakes , Flyinge Dragons or fyre Drakes . be caused on this maner . When a certen quantity of vapors ar gathered on a heape , being very near compact , & as it wer hard tempered together this lompe of vapors assending to the region of cold , is forcibly beaten backe , whiche violence of mouing , is sufficient to kindle it , ( although som men will haue it to be caused betwene ij . cloudes a whote & a cold ) them the highest part , which was climming vpward , being by reason more subtil & thin , apeareth as the Dragons neck , smoking , for that it was lately in the repuls bowed or made crooked , to represent the dragons bely . The last part by the same repulse , turned vpward , maketh the tayle , both apearing smaller , for that it is farther of , & also , for that the cold bindeth it . This dragon thus being caused , flyeth along in the ayre , & sontime turneth to & fro , if it meat with a cold cloud to beat it back , to the great terror , of them that beholde it , of whom some called it a fyre Drake , some saye it is the Deuill hym selfe , and so make report to other . More then sixtene yeares ago , on May daye , when many younge folke went abroade early in the mornyng , I remember , by sixe of the clocke in the forenoone , there was newes come to London , that the Deuill the same mornynge , was séene flyinge ouer the Temmes : afterward came worde , that he lyghted at Stratforde , and ther was taken and sett in the stockes , and that though he would fayne haue dissembled the matter , by turning hym selfe into the likenes of a man , yet was he knowen welinough by his clouen feet . I knowe some yet alyue , that went to sée hym , & returning affirmed , that he was in déed séen flying in the ayre , but was not taken prysoner . I remember also that som wyshed he had béen shoot at with gons , or shaftes as he flewe ouer the Temmes . Thus do ignorant men iudge of these thynges that they knowe not , as for this Deuill , I suppose it was a flyinge Dragon , wherof we speake , very fearefull to loke vpon , as though he had life , because he moueth , where as he is nothing els but cloudes & smoke , so mightie is God , that he can feare his enemies , with these and suche lyke operations , whereof some examples may be founde in holy scripture .

¶ Of the Pyramidall pyller lyke a spire or broched steeple .

THis sharpe poynted piller , Of spires . is generated in the hyghest region of the ayre , and after this sort . When the Exhalation hath much earthly matter in it , the lighter partes and thinner ( as their nature is ) ascending vpwarde , the grosser , heauier , and thycker , abyde together in the bottome , and so is it of fashion great beneath , and small pointed aboue , and being set on fire it is so séen , and thereof hath his name .

¶ Of Fyre scattered in the ayre .

FYre scattered in the ayre , Fyre scatered . or illuminations , are generated in the lowest region of the ayre , when very drye and whote Exhalations , are drawen vp and méeting with colde cloudes , are sent back agayne , which motions setteth them a fyre , whose partes , being not equally thycke or ioyned together , séeme as though fyer were scattered in the ayre . Yea sometimes , the whole ayre séemeth to burne , as though it would raine fyre from heauen , & so it hath come to passe , burning both cities and townes . Then iudge , how easy it was for God to raine fire vpon Sodome and Gomor , for their sinnes and wickednes .

¶ Of lights that goeth before men , and followeth them abrode in the fields by the night season .

THere is also a kind of light , that is séen in the night season , & séemeth to goe before men , or to followe them , Light that goeth before men and foloweth them in the night . leading them out of their waye vnto waters , & other daungerous places It is also very often séen in the night , of them that sayle in the Sea , & sometyme will cleaue to the mast of the shyp , or other highe partes , somtyme slyde round about the shyppe , and either rest in one part till it go out , or els be quenched in the water . This impression séen on the lande , is called in latin , Ignis fatuus , foolish fyre , that hurteth not , but only feareth foules . That whiche is séen on the Sea , if it be but one , is named Helena , if it be twoo , it is called Castor and Pollux .

The foulishe fyre is an Exhalation kendled by meanes of violent mouing , when by cold of the night , in the lowest region of the ayre , it is beaten downe , & then commonly , if it be light , séeketh to ascende vpward , & is sent down againe , so it danseth vp & downe . Els if it moue not vp and downe , it is a great lompe of glueysh or oyly matter , that by mouing of the heate in it selfe , is enflamed of it selfe , as moyst haye wyll be kyndled of it selfe . In whote and fenny countries , these lyghtes are often séen , and where as is abondaunce of suche vnctuus and fat matter , as about churchyardes wher through the corruption of the bodies ther buried , the earth is ful of suche substance , wherfore in churchyardes , or places of common buriall , oftentimes ar such lightes séen , which ignorant & superstitious fooles , haue thought to be soules tormented in the fyre of purgatorie . In dede the deuill hath vsed these lightes ( although they be naturally caused ) as strong delusions to captiue the myndes of men , which feare of the Popes purgatorie , wherby he did open iniury to the bloud of Christ , which only purgeth vs from al our sinnes and deliuereth vs from al torments , both temporall and eternal , according to the saying of the wyse man , the soules of the ryghteous are in the hands of God , and no torment toucheth them . But to returne to the lightes in whiche , there ar yet twoo thinges to be considered . First , why they leade men out of their waye . And secondly , why they séeme to follow men and go before them . The cause why they leade men out of the waye , is , that men whyle they take hede to such lights , and are also sore afrayde , they forgett their waye , and then being ones but a litle out of their waye , they wander they woote not whether , to waters , pyttes , & other very daungerous places . Which , when at lengthe they happe the waye home , wyll tell a greate tale , how they haue béen lead about by a spirite in the lykenes of fyre . Nowe the cause why they séeme to goe before men , or to followe them , some men haue sayde to be the mouing of the ayer by the goyng of the man , which ayre moued , shold driue them forward if they were before , and drawe them after , if they were behynd . But this is no reason at all , that the fire which is oftentimes , thre or fowre miles distaunt from the man that walketh , shold be moued to and froo by that ayre which is moued through his walkinge , but rather the mouing of the ayre & the mans eyes , causeth the fyre to séeme as though it moued , as the Moone to chyldren séemeth , if they are before it , to run after them : if she be before them , to run before them , that they can not ouertake her , though she séeme to be very neare them . Wherfore these lyghtes rather séeme to moue , then that they be moued in deade .

¶ Of Helena , Castor and Pollux .

WHen the lyke substaunce in the lowest region of the ayre , ouer the Sea by the lyke occasion is set on fyre , if it be one onely , it is called Helena , if ther be two , they ar called Castor and Pollux . Helena , Castor , Pollux . These impressions will oftentimes cleue to the maste & other partes of the ships , by reason of the clammynes and fatnes of the matter . Helena was of the Heathen men , taken as a Goddesse the daughter of Iupiter and Leda ▪ Castor & Pollux , were her brethren . Helena was the occasion that Troy was destroyed , therfore the Mariners by experience tryinge that one flame of fyre apearyng alone , signified tempest at hand , supposed the same flame to be the goddesse Helena , of whom they looked for nothing but destruction . But when two lightes ar séen together , they ar a token of fayre wether , & good luck , the Mariners therfor beleued , that they were Castor and Pollux , whiche saylyng to séeke their syster Helena , beyng caried to Troye by Paris , were neuer séen after , and thought to be translated into the nomber of the Gods that gyue good successe to them that sayle , as we reade in the last chapter of the Actes of the Apostles , that the shyppe wherein S. Paule sayled , had a badge of Castor and Pollux . A natural cause why thei may thus fore shewe either tempest or calmnes , is this . One flame alone may geue warning of a tempest , because that as the matter thereof is compact , and not dissolued , so it is lyke , that the matter of tempeste ( whiche neuer wanteth ) as wynde and cloudes , is styll together , and not dissipated , then is it lyke not long after to aryse . By two flames together , may be gathered , that as this Exhalation whiche is very thycke is diuided , so the thycke matter of tempest is dissolued & scactered abroade by the same cause that this is diuided . Therfore not without a reason , the Mariner to his mates may promyse a prosperous course .

¶ Of flames that apeare vpon the heares of men or beastes .

THere is yet another kynde of fyry impression , which is flames of fire vpon the hears of men and beastes , Flames vpon hears of men & beastes . especially horses . These are somtime clammy Exhalations , scatered abroade in the ayre in small partes , which in the night by resistaunce of the colde , are kendled , cleauyng on horses eares , on mens heades & shoulders that ryde or walke . In that they cleaue vpon heares , it is by the same reason , that the dewe wyll be séen also vpon heares or garmentes , whose woll is hyghe , as fryese mantels and suche lyke . Another sorte of these flames , are caused , when mens or beasts bodies being chaffed , send forth a fat & clammy swet , which is in like maner kindled as the sparkes of fire that ar séen when a black horse is curred . Liuius reporteth of Seruius Tullius , Liuius . Seruius Tullius . the as he lay aslepe , being a childe , his heare séemed to be all on a flame , which for all that did not burne his heare , or hurt him . The lyke historie he reciteth of one Marius , Marius . a Knyght of Rome , that as he made an oration to his Souldiors in Spaine , they sawe his head burning on a lyght fyre , & he hym selfe not ware of it . Thus muche concerning these flames ..

¶ Of Comets or blasing Starres .

A Comete is an Exhalation , Comets or blaesinge starres . whote & drye , of great quantitie , fat and clammye , harde compacte lyke a greate lompe of pitche , which by the heate of the sunne , is drawen out of the earth , into the hyghest region of the ayre , and there by the excessiue heat of the place , is set on fire , apearing lyke a starre with a blasinge tayle , and sometyme is moued after the motion of the ayre , whiche is circuler , but it neuer goeth downe out of the compasse of syght , thought it be not séen in the daye tyme for the bryghtnes of the sunne , but styll burneth vntyll all the matter be consumed . An argument of the greatnes is this , that there was neuer any Comet yet perceyued , but at the lest it endured seuen dayes , but much longer they haue bene séen , namely fowrtye dayes long , yea , lxxx . dayes , and some syxe moneths together . Wherfore , it must neades be a wonderfull deale of matter , that can gyue so much noryshement , for so great and feruent fyre , and for so long a tyme . There are consydered in a Comet , specially the collor & fashion , which both aryse of the disposition of the matter . Their collours , be either whyte , ruddye , or blewe . If the matter be thynne , the collour is whyte . If it be meanly thycke , then is the Comet ruddy , after the collour of our fyre , but when the matter is very thycke , it is blewe , lyke the burning of Brymstone . And as the matter is more and lesse , after this disposition : so is the Comet of collour , more or lesse lyk to these thrée principall collours , some yelowyshe , some duskish , some grenishe , some watchet &c.

In fashion ar noted thrée differences , for eyther they séeme round , which beames round about , or with a beard hangyng downward , or els with a tayle stretched out sydelong , in lengthe . The first fashion , is when the matter is thickest in the myddest , and thinne rounde about the edges . The seconde is , when the Exhation is vpwarde thicke , and in lengthe downewarde also , meanly thycke . The third forme is lyke the seconde , sauynge that the tayle hangeth not downe , but lyeth asyde , & is commonly longer then the beard . The tyme of their generation is oftenest in Autumne or haruest . The temper of the 4. quarters . For in the spring , there is to muche moysture , and to lytle heate , to gather a Comet . In sommer , is to muche heate , whiche will disperse and consume the matter , that it can not be ioyned together . As for wynter , it is cleane contrary to the nature if a Comet , which is whoat & drye , wynter being cold and moist , therfore no tyme so méet as Autumne .

Now for so muche as many learned men , haue gone about to declare the signification of blasing starres , The signification of Comets . we will omit nothing that hath any shadowe of reason , but declare what is wrytten of them .

Such things as are set forth of that betokening of Comets , ar of two sortes : the first is of naturall , the second of ciuile or politike effects . They ar sayd to betoke drought , barynes of the earth & pestilence .

Drought , because a Comet can not be generated without great heat , & muche moisture is consumed in the burning of it .

Barrines , because the fatnes of the earth , is drawen vp , wherof the Comet consisteth .

Pestilence , forsomuch as this kynd of Exhalations , corrupteth the ayre , whiche infecteth the bodies of men & beastes .

The second sort , might wel be omitted , sauing that Aristotle him selfe , Arist. disdayneth not to séeke out causes for some of them . Generally it is noted of all Historiographers , that after the apearing of Comets , moste comenly followed , great & notable calamities . Beside this , they be token ( sayth some ) warres seditions , changes of commen wealths and the death of Princes and noble men .

For what times Comets do shyne , ther be many whote & drie Exhalations in the aire , which in drie men kindle heat , wherby they ar ꝓuoked to anger , of anger commeth brawling , of brawling fighting & war , of warre victory , of victory chaunge of common welths . Then also Princes , liuing more delicatly than other men , ar more subiect to infection , therfor dye sooner than other men . If it wer lawful to reason of this sort , we might enduce them to betoken , not only these few things , but al other things the chanse in the worlde .

Yet these predictions haue a shew of reason though it be nothing necessary : but it is a world to sée how the Astrologians , dote in suche deuises . They ar not ashamed , to an earthly substaunce , to ascribe an heauenly influence , and in order of iudgement to vse them as verye starres , suerly by as good reason as to the celestiall starres , they atribute diuine influences and effectes . But this their fooly , hath béen sufficiently detected by dyuerse godly and learned men , and this place requireth no longe discourse thereof . Wherfore this shall suffice , both for the naturall causes of blasyng starres , and also , for all flames in generall . It followeth therfore that with like breuitie we declare the causes of fyery aperitions .