Speculum Anni. A Solar yeare. Definition. Dimenſion.

Deviation.

A True year is the Suns totall race or revolution through the whole Zodiack, from any one point or degree to the ſame.

It contains three hundred ſixty five naturall dayes, five equinoctiall houres, forty nine minutes, and ſixteen ſeconds or ſections, which are the ſixtieth part of a minute.

Julius Caeſar, Romes Dictator and Emperor, finding their Calender very faulty and variouſly embolized with more or leſſe intercalations, at the ignorant Augurs and Prieſts pleaſures, by advice of S • ſigenes a skilfull Mathematician of Alexandria in AEgypt, conſtituted the year about forty four before Chriſts birth, to be three hundred ſixty five dayes and ſix houres compleat, taking in ten minutes and forty four Seconds too much, which he reputed an inconſiderable Atome; yet in one hundred thirty four years, it makes one entire day lacking one minute and forty four ſeconds: but in lieu of the ſaid ſix hours, he added or allowed one day (Feb. 24. when the Hebdomaticall letter is dupled) every fourth year called Biſſextile, becauſe then are two ſixth days of March Calends. This the whole Empire obſerved, which South-Brittain being a branch therof, hath kept unaltered to this day: ſo ſince his Inſtitution, 1700 years ago, have reſulted about thirteen dayes; which ſhould be ſubſtracted or taken back, to bring the times in their proper ſtations as they were then or at Chriſts birth.

Gregorian Accompt.

To correct this obliquity or aberration, P. Gregory 13. in the Council of Trent, A. 1582 by direction of Aloyſius Lilius a learned Aſtronomer, ſtruck oft ten dayes (which ſhould be two more as Lily adviſed) regulating the reformation according to the times of the firſt Generall Synod at Nice, A. 325. when Sol entred Aries at the Vernal Equinox, March 21. as the Records teſtifie: This alteration was made Oct. 4. and the next day inſcribed Oct. 15. The firſt Reformation is called Julian or Seſigenean, the laſt (which is no new, AEra or Accompt, but a neceſſary Note or Animadverſion on the former) the Gregorian or Lilian: but both Romane (one Imperial, the other Papal) and both ſomewhat erroneous, as is premonſtrated. This latter all Chriſtendome (except England) obſerves, being no point of Religion, but civil computation, which ſome Parliaments have conſulted to do; but becauſe ten or twelve days defalked at once, may breed much alteration in Conrracts, Bonds, and payment of Rents, they refuſed to alter or amend it.

Manner of reforming.

Howbeit an eaſier way will do it without the leaſt inconvenience to any, if all Biſſextil years be barred for forty four together (when we ſhall meet with the Forren Accompt, which will then be eleven dayes before us, by omitting one Leap year, A. 1700.) or fifty two to ſubſtract thirteen dayes, and be two dayes before them, which is righteſt; for what prejudice can accrue, if all years ſo long run equall, ſans adding one day every fourth: The Tridentine Fathers decreed to forbear a Leap year at end of each Century (as A. 1700. 1800. 1900. but none A. 2000) becauſe in one hundred thirty four years reſults one day, which in four hundred makes about three, and this will keep it right in their cue or courſe for ever. The like Proviſo by Act or Edict will do it here, if the State pleaſe, that no Biſſextil or Leap year be kept in England for forty four years next inſuing (which will jump with them) or fifty two (which will fully reform) but afterward to be held every fourth year, except at end of each hundred thirty and fourth year for ever: Or elſe thus, Except at end of every hundred year for three hundred years together, and at end of each four hundred year, to be kept againe as before.