The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2Browne, Thomas, Sir
Religion
The Works of Sir Thomas Browne, Volume 2
Browne, Thomas, Sir
Christianity; Ethics; Religion and medicine
The effects therefore or different productions in several Countries,
which we impute unto the action of the Sun, must surely have nearer and
more immediate causes than that Luminary. And these if we place in the
propriety of clime, or condition of soil wherein they are produced, we
shall more reasonably proceed, than they who ascribe them unto the
activity of the Sun. Whose revolution being regular, it hath no power
nor efficacy peculiar from its orientality, but equally disperseth his
beams unto all, which equally, and in the same restriction, receive his
lustre. And being an universal and indefinite agent, the effects or
productions we behold, receive not their circle from his causality, but
are determined by the principles of the place, or qualities of that
region which admits them. And this is evident not only in gemms,
minerals, and mettals, but observable in plants and animals; whereof
some are common unto many Countries, some peculiar unto one, some not
communicable unto another. [SN: _Whence proceed the different
commodities of several Countries._] For the hand of God that first
created the earth, hath with variety disposed the principles of all
things; wisely contriving them in their proper seminaries, and where
they best maintain the intention of their species; whereof if they have
not a concurrence, and be not lodged in a convenient matrix, they are
not excited by the efficacy of the Sun; or failing in particular causes,
receive a relief or sufficient promotion from the universal. For
although superiour powers co-operate with inferiour activities, and may
(as some conceive) carry a stroke in the plastick and formative draught
of all things, yet do their determinations belong unto particular
agents, and are defined from their proper principles. Thus the Sun which
with us is fruitful in the generation of Frogs, Toads and Serpents, to
this effect proves impotent in our neighbour Island; wherein as in all
other carrying a common aspect, it concurreth but unto predisposed
effects; and only suscitates those forms, whose determinations are
seminal, and proceed from the _Idea_ of themselves.
[Sidenote: _Why Astrological judgments upon Nativities be taken from the
Ascendent._]
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