Speculum mundi· Or A glasse representing the face of the world shewing both that it did begin, and must also end: the manner how, and time when, being largely examined. Whereunto is joyned an hexameron, or a serious discourse of the causes, continuance, and qualities of things in nature; occasioned as matter pertinent to the work done in the six dayes of the worlds creation.

Title

Speculum mundi· Or A glasse representing the face of the world shewing both that it did begin, and must also end: the manner how, and time when, being largely examined. Whereunto is joyned an hexameron, or a serious discourse of the causes, continuance, and qualities of things in nature; occasioned as matter pertinent to the work done in the six dayes of the worlds creation.

Author

Swan, John, d. 1671.

Publication

[Cambridge] :: Printed by [Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel,] the printers to the Vniversitie of Cambridge,

1635.

Rights/Permissions

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Subject terms

Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works.

Link to this Item

https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A13217.0001.001 content_copy

Cite this Item

"Speculum mundi· Or A glasse representing the face of the world shewing both that it did begin, and must also end: the manner how, and time when, being largely examined. Whereunto is joyned an hexameron, or a serious discourse of the causes, continuance, and qualities of things in nature; occasioned as matter pertinent to the work done in the six dayes of the worlds creation." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A13217.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 30, 2024. content_copy

Contents

• title page
• TO THE MOST NOBLE AND ILLUSTRIOUS JAMES Duke of Lenox, Earl of March, Baron of Se∣trington, Darnley, Terbanten, and Methven, Lord great Chamberlain and Admirall of Scotland, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, and one of his Majesties most honourable Privie-Councel in both Kingdomes.
• To the Reader.
• To his friend the Authour.
• poem
• A table of the contents in the severall Chapters, Sections, Paragraphs, Articles, and Questi∣ons, which are contained in this book.
• text
  • CHAP. I. Wherein is shewed that the world neither was from eternitie, nor yet shall be extended to eternitie; but that it had both a beginning, and shall also have an ending: wherein also is considerable how that ending shall be; as also the time when is largely examined.
    • Sect. 1. That the world began, and must also end.
    • Sect. 2.
    • Sect. 3.
  • CHAP. II. Shewing, in what part of the yeare the world was created.
    • Sect. 1. Of three opinions concerning the time of the worlds be∣ginning, with a confutation of the first.
    • Sect. 2.
    • Sect. 3.
    • Sect. 4.
    • Sect. 5.
    • Sect. 6.
      • subsection
      • subsection
    • Sect. 7.
      • subsection
  • CHAP. III. Containing a discourse of such things as are pertinent to the first dayes work.
    • Sect. 1. Of God the Architect of all, and of the first part of the first dayes work.
      • subsection
    • Sect. 2. The creation of the Light.
      • subsection
    • Sect. 3. Of the intercourse between day and night.
  • CHAP. IIII. Of the second day; and of such things as are pertinent to the work done in it.
    • Sect. 1. Of the Expansum, or stretching out of the Heavens.
    • Sect. 2. Of the waters above the Heavens.
      • subsection
      • subsection
      • subsection
    • Sect. 3. An objection answered concerning the nature of the Heavens, examining whether they be of a Quint-essence.
  • CHAP. V. How to understand the word Heavens; and of the severall Regions of the aire, together with a consideration of such appearances as we use to see there.
    • Sect. 1.
    • Sect. 2.
      • Parag. 1. Of the Aire and the severall Regions in it.
    • Sect. 2.
      • Parag. 2. Of Meteors, first in generall, then how they are▪ di∣vided in particular.
    • Sect. 2.
      • Parag. 3. Of such fierie Meteors as are pure and not mixt.
        • article - 1
        • article - 2
        • article - 3
        • article - 4
        • article - 5
        • article - 6
        • article - 7
        • article - 8
        • article - 9
        • article - 10
        • article - 11
        • article - 12
          • division
          • division
        • article - 13
    • Sect. 2.
      • Parag. 4. Of such fierie Meteors as are impurely mixt.
        • Article 1. Of Comets.
        • Artic. 2. Of New starres, and especially of that which was in the Constellation of Cassiopea, Anno Dom. 1572.
          • division
          • division
        • Article 3. Of Thunder and Lightnings.
    • Sect. 2.
      • Parag. 5▪ Of such Meteors as are fiery onely in appearance.
        • Artic. 1. The Galaxia is no Meteor.
        • Artic. 2. Of colours in the clouds.
        • Artic. 3. Of many Sunnes and Moons.
        • Artic. 4. Of Beams or Streams of light.
        • Artic. 5. Of Circles or Crowns.
        • Artic. 6. Of the Rain-bow.
        • Artic. 7. Of chaps or gapings in the skie.
    • Sect. 2.
      • Parag. 6. Of watery Meteors and their severall kindes.
        • Artic. I. Of Clouds.
        • Artic. 2. Of Rain.
          • division
          • division
        • Artic. 3. Of Dew.
        • Artic. 4. Of white hoar-frosts.
        • Artic. 5. Of Snow.
        • Artic. 6. Of Hail.
        • Artic. 7. Of Mists.
        • Artic. 8. Of our Ladies threads, or those things which fly up and down the aire like spiders webs.
    • Sect. 2.
      • Parag. 7. Of Aiery Meteors; wherein is shewed the na∣turall cause of windes.
        • Artic. 1. Of the divers opinions concerning winde.
        • Artic. 2. What winde is; upon what causes it dependeth; and how it is moved.
        • Artic. 3. Of the division of windes, and of their names and number.
        • Artic. 4. The nature and qualitie of the windes.
        • Artic. 5. Of whirlwindes, storm-windes, and fired whirlwindes.
    • The conclusion of this dayes work.
  • CHAP. VI. Wherein is contained a survey of the third dayes work; together with such things as are perti∣nent to it.
    • Sect. 1. Shewing into how many main parts the businesse of this day may be distinguished.
    • Sect. 2. Of the gathering together of the waters, which God called Seas.
      • subsection
      • subsection
        • part
      • subsection
      • subsection
      • subsection
      • subsection
      • subsection
    • An Appendix to the former Section, wherein the properties and vertues of certain strange ri∣vers, wells, and fountains, are declared.
    • Sect. 3. Of the drie-land appearing after the gathering of the waters.
    • Sect. 4. Concerning the sprouting, springing, and fructification of the earth.
      • Herbs hot and moist.
      • The herbs following are hot and dry.
      • These herbs following are cold and moist.
      • These herbs following are cold and dry.
      • These herbs which follow, are herbs of more then ordinarie properties.
    • An Appendix to the two former Sections; discoursing somewhat concerning Me∣talls, and such like things as are under ground.
  • CHAP. VII. Concerning the fourth day; together with such things as are pertinent to the work done in it.
    • Sect. 1. Being as it were a kinde of entrance into this dayes work, which treateth of the starres and lights.
    • Sect. 2. Of the Matter, Place, and Motion of the Starres; with other like things which are also pertinent.
      • subsection
        • Artic. 1. That they consist most of a fierie matter, and are cherished by the waters above the heavens.
        • Artic. 2. Of their order and place in the skie: and how it comes to passe that one starre is higher then another.
    • Sect. 3. Of the offices given to the Sunne, Moon, and Starres, in the day of their creation.
      • Paragr. 1. Shewing that their first office is to shine upon the earth, to rule over the day and night, &c.
        • Artic. 1. Of light, what it is: and whether the Sunne be the onely fountain of light.
        • Artic. 2. Of the twinkling of starres, or vibration of their light.
      • Parag. 2. Of that other office which was given to the starres; viz. that they should be for signes, &c.
        • Artic. 1. That the starres are signes of future events; and that by their naturall qualities, they work upon the infe∣riour world, and all the parts of the same.
        • Artic. 2. Whether it be not a derogation from the perfection of things created, to grant that the starres have any kinde of power over the actions of men.
        • Artic. 3. Of predictions, or whether the signes of heaven may be understood or searcht into.
      • Parag. 3. Of that other office given to the starres; viz. that they were appointed to be heavenly clocks, and remark∣able measurers of time and the parts thereof. This office is laid down in these words, And let them be for seasons, and for dayes, and yeares.
        • Artic. 1. Of Seasons.
        • Artic. 2. Of Dayes.
        • Artic. 3. Of Yeares.
  • CHAP. VIII. Concerning the creatures created in the Fifth day of the world: and they were Fishes, and Fowls.
    • Sect. 1. Of Fishes, their kindes, properties, &c.
    • Sect. 2. Containing the second part of this fifth day, which is of Birds, or Fowl, flying in the open firmament of heaven.
  • CHAP. IX. This ninth chapter concerneth the creatures made in the sixth and last day; namely crea∣tures living neither in the aire, nor water, but upon the earth: and these be of two sorts, the brute beasts, and Man.
    • Sect. 1. Wherein is both a division and entrance into this dayes work; as also a discourse of the first part of it, con∣cerning the brute beasts, whose creation was in the first part of the day.
    • Sect. 2. The creation of Man, being created male and female, and made according to the image of God: together with the institution of Marriage, and blessing gi∣ven to that estate.
• A Table of the principall and most remarkable matters contained in this book.