An entire body of philosophy according to the principles of the famous Renate Des Cartes in three books, (I) the institution ... (II) the history of nature ... (III) a dissertation of the want of sense and knowledge in brute animals ... / written originally in Latin by the learned Anthony Le Grand ; now carefully translated from the last corrections, alterations, and large additions of the author, never yet published ... by Richard Blome.

The Fifth Part OF THE INSTITUTION OF PHILOSOPHY. VIZ. SPECIAL Natural Philosophy, CONCERNING THE WORLD AND HEAVEN. (Book 5)

CHAP. I. Of the Ʋnity and Perfection of the World.

I. What is meant by Special Physicks. HAving examin'd those things that belong to GENERAL PHY∣SICKS, and thereby consider'd a Body or Matter in General; that is, its Nature, Principles, General Affections and Diffe∣rences; we proceed now to SPECIAL PHYSICKS, or that Part of Natural Philosophy which takes a view of Matter, as distin∣guish'd into Species, and lays open their several Species, Properties, Distinctions, and Mutations, in a more particular manner.

II. The Species of Bodies may be considered two ways. Now the Species of Bodies may be consider'd after a twofold manner, viz. either Jointly or Separately; or, as others express it, Collectively or Distributively. The Species of Bodies are Col∣lectively consider'd, when they are view'd all toge∣ther, as the Parts that constitute one Whole or Entire Being. Distributively, when the chiefest Species of Bodies that compose the World, are in a convenient Order particularly examined.

III. The Defini∣tion of the World. The whole which contains all the Species of Bodies, is called the World; and is the Comprehen∣sion of all Natural Bodies Created of GOD, and for GOD, by the most free Motion of his Will most beautifully Adorned, and most wisely Go∣verned, and powerfully Preserved. And is thus defin'd by ARISTOTLE; The Structure of Heaven and Earth, and of the several Natures comprehended in them. Lib. de Mund. Cap. 2.

IV. The World contains all things. For the WORLD comprehends all and every thing that can fall under our Thought. Whatsoever Rhetorick commends, or Philosophy admires, is a part of it. And therefore the Ancients have told us, That the World consists not only of Animals and Men, but of Gods also; and that accordingly the World is a Kingdom or Commonwealth, com∣pos'd of the Gods, Men, and Animals: Which Saying of theirs is true enough, save only in that it imparts the Name of God to many, which is due to none but One alone.

V. There is but One World, and no more. The WORLD is but One only, neither can a Plurality of Worlds be conceived without a Con∣tradiction; for there can be no more than one Universal comprehension of Bodies, seeing that many Worlds cannot be conceived without Di∣stance, neither can Distance be without Extension, nor that without a Body, which mediating Body would then joyn both Worlds together; for the conjunction of the Parts of the VVorld consists in nothing else but this, that all the Bodies in it touch one another. But to imagin two VVorlds separated by a Vacuum or Imaginary Space, that is,

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Book. 1. Part. 5. Chap. 1.

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two Bodies distanced from each other by Nothing, is meer Folly; because to this distance by Nothing would belong Extension, Divisibility, and Mensu∣rability, and it might be either nearer or farther off.

VI. Plurality of Worlds implies a Contra∣diction. However, if any one should question, whether there may not be another VVorld distinct from this. My Answer in short is, that they who hold a Plurality of VVorlds not to imply a Contradi∣ction, say, that supposing there were a VVorld distinct from this we live in, it might be placed in that Space which we imagine to be beyond the utmost Heavenly Sphere; but it is impossible that any Bodies should be there, seeing it is supposed to be Nothing, or something Imaginary only, and which consequently can have neither Parts nor Effects, and therefore cannot place any thing. For Place being nothing else, according to Ari∣stotle, but the Surface of the ambient Body, how shall we find a place there, where no Bodies, nor Surfaces are to be found?

VII. Many Worlds cannot be united to∣gether. Moreover, if beyond the highest Heaven, there should be another VVorld like to this, either they would touch one another, or be separate. If we suppose them separate, there must be some Medium that may wholly surround them both, and so nei∣ther of these VVorlds would be utmost, as having still something beyond them; and if they touched one another, being Round Bodies, there must be a Vacuum left between those parts, that did not touch; but we have proved a Vacuum to be an Impossibility in Nature, in our General Physiology. Besides, the Space which we imagine to be betwixt these two VVorlds, is not a meer Nothing, but a Body, since nothing but a Body can make a Di∣stance betwixt two Bodies: For we cannot con∣ceive one thing to be distant from another, without some real Medium that separates them, which see∣ing it can be nothing else but a Body, it will joyn both VVorlds together, and so instead of separating these two VVorlds, it will unite and make but one of them.

VIII. Whatsoever we imagin to be Ex∣tended, is a Body. But to put an end to this Dispute, we say that this VVorld hath no Bounds of its Magnitude. For seeing every Space is something extended, and that no Extension can be without a Body, we con∣clude that nothing can be conceived by us beyond the Heavens, but what must be Real; and conse∣quently that there can be no other VVorld besides this. And yet it cannot be inferr'd hence, that the VVorld is Infinite, but only that it is Indefi∣nitely Extended, because we cannot conceive so great an Extension in the VVorld, but we may still imagine Greater, forasmuch as all imaginable Spaces are fill'd with Matter.

IX. The World is not Infi∣nite, but Indefinitely extended. You'l say, If the VVorld be Indefinite, thas is, if we can imagine no Bounds or Ends of its Exten∣sion, it must be Infinite, because Infinite is nothing else, but that which hath no End.

X. The first Answer. I answer, First, All grant that there are Inde∣finite Parts in every Body, so that it is impossible to come to the last of them; and yet no body ever asserted, that therefore a Body was Infinite. So tho' we admit an Extension in the World, the end whereof we cannot imagine, yet is not the World therefore to be reputed Infinite. For I do not see how that which hath Finite Parts can be accounted Infinite; nor how any Mass or Bulk, which GOD can take something away from when he pleaseth, can be called Intermi∣nate.

XI. The second Answer. I answer, Secondly, that there is a great difference betwixt that which is Infinite, and a thing Inde∣finite; for we cannot assert any thing to be Infinite, except we have a Reason whereby we can demon∣strate it is so: Whereas to assert any thing to be Indefinite, it is sufficient, if we have no Argument which proves it to be Finite. Which cannot be proved of the World; for it cannot be un∣derstood, that the Matter of which the World is made should have any Bounds, seeing that what∣soever we imagine beyond the Heavens, we still conceive it as an extended Space, which hath Length, Breadth and Depth, which constitute a Body. Of which we shall speak more fully in the Third Chapter.

XII. The World is Perfect. We cannot doubt of the Perfection of the World, if we consider either the Author of it, who is Infinite, All-wise, All-powerful, &c. or the Har∣mony of the Parts of the World, the Distinction of Natures, and Difference of Bodies that are in it; because we meet with nothing in it which is not Compleat and Perfect.

XIII. The Imper∣fection of Parts, takes not away the Perfe∣ction of the whole. And tho' the World doth not consist of things that are all best in their kind; because all particu∣lar things that are in the VVorld, if considered in themselves, cannot be said to be Perfect, but only with reference to the whole VVorld, whose parts they are. For all things that concur to the con∣stituting of any thing, must not be of one and the same Order. What would become of a Re∣publick, if all the Members of it were Senators? What would the Body of Man be, if it were made of nothing but Eyes? What would Musick be without Discords? So likewise the Beauty of the VVorld consists in the Diversity of Kinds that are in it; and things Imperfect, as well as Perfect, contribute to its orderly and most excellent Consti∣tution.

XIV. The Har∣mony of the World consists in it Variety. Wherefore this admirable Structure of the VVorld would want much of its Beauty, without that Vicissitude and Inconstancy which we find in it. Hence it is that all things made by GOD are subject to Corruption, neither is any Body so firm, which in continuance of Time is not changed. Thus it hath been observed of late, that VVorms are generated not only in Stone, but also in Glass; so that we may well conclude, that there are no Bodies in the VVorld that are altogether exempt from Corruption.

XV. It is no Argument against the Perfection of the World, that some hurt∣ful things are found in it. But you'l say, Why are there so many Excre∣ments of the Earth, Air, &c. in the World? Why were Worms, Flies, Serpents, &c. Created? since these frequently are mischievous; and other Creatures again perish, without having been of any use at all? I answer, that none of these things are Superfluous in the World, seeing that they are Instances of the Power of GOD, and if Men's Industry be not wanting, may be employ'd to many good uses. The very Poison of Venemous Creatures, by preparation and due exhibition, become great Antidotes; neither is there any thing so de∣formed in the World, which doth not add to its lustre and beauty, as Shadows set off a Pi∣cture.

CHAP. II. The Creation of the World proved by Na∣tural Reason.

I. Aristotle supposed the World to be Eter∣nal. THE Authority of ARISTOTLE hath of a long time been so prevalent in the World, that it hath been lookt upon (and is so still by some) as a great Error to depart from his Opinions: Which is more particularly evident in the matter beore us; For he supposed the World to have been from Eternity, and could not conceive how it could be produced, seeing that between Entity and Non-Entity there was an Infinite Distance. Some of his Followers have asserted the same thing, grounding their Opinion on their Masters Founda∣tion, that out of nothing, nothing can be made, and that it was a plain contradiction, to suppose any thing to be made, but from Praeexistent mat∣ter. Wherefore to overthrow this Opinion, so derogatory to the Glory of the Creator, I shall prove that Creation is Naturally Demonstrable, and that it may easily be proved, that all things proceeded from God.

II. What Cre∣ation is. By Creation we understand, that Action where∣by God immediately produceth any thing. And that he hath in this manner produced all Substan∣ces, I prove thus.

III. Everything that exists must have a Cause assigned it. There is nothing in the Universe, whereof we may not enquire whence it Exists; or what is the cause of its Nature, and the efficient of its Exi∣stence. And this may not only be enquired con∣cerning things Created, but likewise of God him∣self; who tho' he be Independent, Infinite and Om∣nipotent, yet it may be said, that his Immensity is the cause or formal Reason, why he needs no cause for his Existence. But forasmuch, as nothing like this is found in all other things, but rather the greatest Limitation and Infirmity, we must con∣clude, that they never proceeded from themselves, but from an outward Principle, and that they de∣rive their whole Essence and Existence from ano∣ther. For it is most evident, that nothing (if I may speak so amongst Philosophers) preceded their Natures, and that they came to be, by the Good∣will of the Creator, which is to be Created, and to proceed without dependence upon any other Cause whatsoever.

IV. Since the World can∣not pre∣serve it self, it did not make it self. The same may be proved from the Preserva∣tion of all things: For it cannot be conceived, how a thing that cannot preserve it self, should pro∣ceed from it self; for if a thing be supposed suffi∣cient to afford it self a Being, we cannot but con∣clude, that it would bestow upon it self, all those Perfections it hath any Idea of; and seeing Con∣servation is one of these, neither would he deny it self this. For it is the sense of Philosophers, that Conservation differs only notionally from Crea∣tion; and that it is the work of the same Agent, to produce an effect at first, and to preserve it by a continual influx. Now it is evident by Experi∣ence, that no Created things can preserve them∣selves, therefore neither can they produce or Crea∣ate themselves.

V. The parts of Time do not depend on them∣selves. This will appear more clearly if we divide Time, by separating the several moments of it from each other: For it is evident, that there is no Union between them, and that each single part of it, hath no dependance at all upon the rest. For it doth not follow, that because I was the last year, therefore I shall be the next year, seeing that I may die, in the very moment that I am writing this. Conclude we therefore that that Being can∣not produce it self, which cannot preserve it self; seeing that Conservation is nothing else, but a kind of continued Production, which is only by our Understanding distinct from Creation.

VI. If the World had not been made, it would be God. All this Discourse is very accommodate to our way of conceiving. For if it be true, that that Exists, which we understand to be without its Causes; then that also will be possible, which is clearly and distinctly known by us to be such: But we clearly and distinctly perceive, that it is possible for the World to have been Created; there∣fore we must conclude, that it was actually Cre∣ated, since nothing is found in the Universe, which is not dependent. For if Independence did belong to the Sun, for Example, or the Earth, the Sun and the Earth would be God, because Independence cannot be without Infinity and Omnipotence. Whence it follows, that either Creation must be ad∣mitted, or we must expose our selves to one of these two Absurdities; either that there is something in the World, that had no Maker; or that in the sub∣ordination of Causes, there may be a procession to Infinity, both which are inconsistent with Reason. It is absurd to admit any thing in Nature, which was neither of it self, nor produced by another. For whatsoever the Mind of Man can conceive, is either of it self, and then it is God, since in the Conception of God all manner of Independence is included: Or is from another; and of that o∣ther we must enquire again, whether it be of ano∣ther, or of nothing; if it be said from another, we must further enquire of that other, until at last we come to that one Principle, which hath brought forth all things.

VII. Things are not so con∣nexed as to have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dependent upon the first pri••∣ple. For we are not to imagin with some Atheists, that the Creatures are joynd together like Links in a Chain, which tho' they be all linked together, yet is there no necessity that the Chain made by them, should be united to another Chain; because the parts of a Chain are not produced of themselves; but only keep some order amongst themselves. Now it is not in the least contradictory, that two distinct things should be united together. We know that all things produced, are caused by another, and that therefore it is necessary, that one thing as to its Existence should be before another; for the Effect is after its Cause, as receiving its Being from it. And thus of necessity we must at last come to one Primary Cause, which produced those effects, or else must proceed to Infinity, which is the great∣est absurdity in Philosophy, seeing that nothing is more evident than that a Determinate effect, must come from a Determinate Cause: But how can this be, if we can never come to the First Efficient Cause, but still a further cause may be assigned, from whence the effect proceeds? Wherefore we must conclude, that there is some Determinate Cause, from which all other things flow and are produced.

VIII. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ation. Cri▪ This Truth was owned by the Antient Philoso∣phers, who clearly perceived that the Mind of Man and Intelligences in their Production, did not depend on any Praeexistent matter, as being alto∣gether different in their Nature from it.

IX. It implies a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that there are more Indepen∣dent Beings than one. Moreover, who sees not that it implies a con∣tradiction, that there should be more than one Be∣ing of and from it self, that is, Infinite, Omnipo∣potent, Immense, &c. For whatsoever Being is of it self, must include all Perfections; and conse∣quently, if all the things we see in the World, were their own Makers, there will be so many Infinite Beings, as we conceive that there are Independent things: Which is contrary to the order of things, and to the Light of Nature. Wherefore ARI∣STOTLE attributes to his Heaven, Immutabi∣lity, the highest Perfection, and Divinity it self: As is evident to him that reads his Book, de Coelo. cap. 2. & 6. Ethic. cap. 7.

X. Many mat∣••••rs of Faith may ••e manifest ••y natural Reason. Neither doth it thwart what hath been said, that the Creation of the World is one of the Articles of our Faith: For Faith is not contradictory to Reason; yea, we may search out many things by Reason, which we embrace with a Firm Faith, from the Divine Revelation.

XI. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sorts of Questi∣ons. And that we may the better distinguish these Points, from those things which are matter of Faith only, we are to observe that there are three ge∣neral Heads of Questions: Some are such as we first assent to by Faith only, such are the Mysteries of the Trinity and Incarnation. Other Questions are such, which tho' they belong to Faith, yet may be searched out by Reason, as the Unity of God, the Creation of the World, the Existence of God, and the Immortality of the Soul Man. And the last sort of Questions are such, as do not at all belong to Faith, but Human Reason: Such as are about Gold to be made by the Art of Chymistry, the Squaring of a Circle, and such like. As to the first sort of Questions, tho' they exceed the reach of Mans understanding, yet we are to believe them to be most true, because revealed to us by the Holy Ghost: Such points as these are indeed above Reason, tho' not contrary to it. Concern∣ing the middle sort of these Questions, Philoso∣phers may enquire, and shew that they are so far from being contrary to Reason, that they may be found out, cleared, and confirmed by it. As ap∣pears in this Question of the Creation of the World, in the handling whereof, I think, I have made it evident that the World could have no other Origi∣nal but that of Creation.

XII Whether the World could have been sooner Created than it was. Some curious person may enquire, why the World was Created just at such a time, and neither sooner nor later?

I answer in the First place, that before the Cre∣ation of the World there was no Time: For seeing Time is the measure of successive Duration, I do not see how possibly it could have any Being, before the Existence of changeable things. And therefore St. Austin Lib. 5. de Genes ad Litt. cap. 5. saith, It is in vain to look for Time before the Creation, as if Time could be before the Creature was. For if there was no motion of any Spiritual or Bodily Creature, by means whereof future things might suc∣ceed to things that are Past, by the present, there would be no Time at all; nor could the Creature be moved before it was. Wherefore Time rather had its Beginning from the Creature, than the Cre∣ature from Time, and both of them from God. Therefore to speak exactly, the World did not be∣gin to be in Time, but had its Beginning with Time: And consequently, they speak very impro∣perly, who say, the World might have been sooner or later produced, because these expressions denote Parts of Time: Now it is apparent that Time pre∣supposeth the World and the Creatures, and is a concomitant of them.

CHAP. III. The World is not Circumscribed by any Fi∣gure or Bounds.

I. Some deny insensible parts in Bodies, be∣cause they cannot see them. THOSE who derive all Knowledge from their Senses, cannot conceive that there should be any sensible parts of matter, of which Bodies are framed, only for this Reason because they cannot see, or perceive them by any of their Senses. For they think it to be an absurd thing, that any thing should be represented to the Mind, which comes not in by the Senses.

II. Some sup∣pose the VVorld to be of a Round Fi∣gure. There are some of these, who after that they have asserted, that all the Bodies in the World con∣sist of three Dimensions, and that none of them can be imagined so small, but that they consist of various Sides and Surfaces, do conclude the World to be of a Round or Spherical Figure, so that all the Lines drawn from its Center to the Circumfer∣ence are equal. The chief ground of this their asser∣tion is, because a Round Figure is the most per∣fect of all, and most conservative of the Body to which it belongs: And that the Universe, as be∣ing the most noble of all Creatures, must needs have the most excellent and useful Figure. And they defend their Opinion by ARISTOTLES Authority, who saith, that nothing is corrupted but by its contrary; and that seeing the Heavenly Bo∣dies, are Ingenerable, and Incorruptible, it was necessary they should have such a Figure whose motion hath no contrary.

III. A Round Figure con∣duceth nothing to the In∣corruptibi∣lity of Bo∣dies. But ARISTOTLES Authority must not be more prevalent with us than Reason; for if a Round Figure were conducive to the everlasting Permanence of things, it would follow, that things of that Figure must be Incorruptible: Yea, it would depend on our Will to make things Incorruptible; since it is in our Power to make Wood, Wax and such like Bodies of a Round Figure. Nay, if this were true, there would be no Bodies in Nature, but what would be Incorruptible, forasmuch as all of them have some kind of Roundnes, because a Cir∣cular Figure lies hid under their Angles; and therefore a Cubical or Square Body, as to its Sphe∣rical Figure would be Incorruptible, whereas its Angles, which cover the said Roundness would at the same time be Corruptible.

IV. A Round Figure is not the best of all other. Neither is a Round, more excellent than any other Figure; for seeing that every Figure, especially those that are Regular, have their Beauty, yea, and that those are lookt upon to be more curious, which have most of variety, why should not a Body of 8, 12 or 20 Sides, be more excellent as to its Figure, than a Globe? Or shall we think a Round Figure to be most beautiful because it is most smooth, and most even? If so, why are not all precious Stones rather formed into a Round Figure? And why is not Man, who is the most excellent of all other Creatures, of the same Shape? Where∣fore I will conclude with VELLEIUS; I Wonder at those who will have the World to be a Living Creature, Immortal, Happy and of a Round Figure, because PLATO denies that any Figure ••s more Beautiful than it; whereas in my Mind, that of a

a Cylinder, or a Square, or a Long Figure, or Pyramid do-exceed it.

V. No Bounds can be as∣signed to the World. But if we consider the Nature of a Body or Matter, we shall be convinced, that no Figure can be ascribed to the World: For the essence of a Body consists in Extension, so that whatsoever hath three Dimensions must be a Body. Which being granted, it will follow, that the whole World cannot be terminated by any Figure, because what∣soever we can imagin without the Bounds of that Figure, must be a Body, neither can it otherwise be conceived by us, than as extended in Length Breadth and Depth: For Nature abhors a Vacu∣um, neither can any space be assigned, which is altogether empty, that is, devoid of any Corpo∣real Substance.

VI. That the World is immense. Wherefore we cannot represent the World so great to us, but that we may still conceive it great∣er; for tho' we may conceive that probably there are many Bodies like the Earth, that may be in∣habited by diverse Animals, yet is it impossible for us to conceive many Worlds, forasmuch as that where∣in we are, takes up more space than we can imagin.

VII. An Objecti∣on fetched from the Termina∣tion of the Parts of the World. Some endeavour to prove the World to be bounded, because it consists of divers Parts, where∣of some one begins its Magnitude, and some other terminates it; and seeing that all the Parts of Matter are bounded, that which results from them must needs be terminated also; because every thing that is Divisible is Finite.

VIII. Answer. This Argument, how much soever they may value themselves upon it, is very inconsiderable, and more thwarts their own sentiment, than ours. For no Philosopher ever denied that Matter was Partible, since Divisibility is its property; yet no body ever acknowledged, that by dividing Matter, we can ever come to its last Particle. Wherefore they infer wrongly, that the World is Finite, be∣cause it hath Parts; for the inference from hence rather ought to be, that the World is Indefinite, seeing that beyond all the Bounds we can possibly assign it, we still find extended spaces, nor can our Imagination ever reach to any last or utmost limit that might bound it.

IX. What we are to un∣derstand by the name of Space. This matter will be further cleared, if we con∣sider what Space is, and how it differs from a Body. By the name of Space we understand all that Ex∣tension, which we conceive as reaching in Length, Breadth and Depth; so that Space properly speak∣ing is nothing else, but Internal Place, whereby the Magnitude, Figure and Situation of Bodies, amongst other Bodies are determin'd. And Space thus described doth not indeed differ from a Body, but according to our way of conceiving; because we conceive the Extension of Space, as something common and Generical; whereas we consider the Extension of a Body, as something Individual and Singular. As for Example, when a Tower is taken away, we imagin that its extension is also taken away, because we conceive the same as Singular, and belonging only to it, and suppose the Exten∣sion of the place, wherein the Tower was con∣tained, to remain the same, tho' another Building be erected in the same place, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other like Body be placed there. Because here Extension is considered in common, and is lookt upon to be the same, whether of a Building, the Air, or any other Body, so it be but of the same Bigness and Figure, and in the same Relation, of Distance or Nearness, to those External Bodies which determin that place.

X. Space and Body are the same. We see then, that it is the same Extension that constitutes the Nature of a Body and Space, and that there is no other difference between these two, but that which there is between a Genus or Spe∣cies and an Individual, that is, between the Na∣ture of a Man considered in General, and that of Anthony or John. And as we say, that a Whole includes all its Parts, and all the Parts uni∣ted together, comprehend the Whole: So tho' Space be said to include a Body, and a Body to be placed in a Space, yet cannot a Space and Body on that account be said to be really distinguisht, seeing that the World, which comprehends all things, is not conceived really distinct, from all the Parts contained in it.

XI. That there are no Bounds be∣yond the World. Forasmuch therefore as we can imagin no end to Extension or Matter, but that beyond it we still conceive further Spaces, we must needs assert this World to be Indefinitely extended, and that it cannot be bounded by any Figure whatsoever. And tho' we will not arrogate so much, as to suppose our Mind to be the measure of Truth; yet we say, that it must be the measure of whatsoever we do affirm or deny. For it is absurd for us to pass our Sentence concerning any thing, whose Nature we know we cannot reach. Wherefore we make no difficulty, to assert the World to be Indefinitely extended, seeing we can conceive no Bounds in it.

CHAP. IV. The matter of Heavenly and Earthly Bo∣dies, it one and same.

I. Aristotles Opinion concerning the matter of Heaven∣ly and sub∣lunary things. IT hath been a frequent Controversy amongst Philosophers, whether the Matter of Heaven were the same with that of Sublunary things. ARISTOTLE supposing the Heavenly Bodies to be Incorruptible, will have their matter to be di∣stinct from ours; so that, according to him, there are two parts in the World, the one Elementary, the other Coelestial. He makes the matter of Heaven to be Ingenerable and Impassible; whereas the Elementary is subject to changes, capable of all forms, and craving those it wants. For if we may believe him, the Heavens never suffered any change, and continue still in the same state where∣in they were Created. Because Generation and corruption are only found amongst contraries; and seeing nothing is contrary to the Heavenly Body, because its motion is such, as to be contrary to none; for one motion, according to him, can only be opposite to another motion; and since motion up∣wards, is contrary to that which is downwards, it is necessary that Circular motion, which is pro∣per to the Heavens, must have no contrary, and therefore that Body which is so moved must be In∣corruptible.

II. Aristotles Argument returnd up∣on him, and confuted. But what if we should grant the Heavenly Bo∣dies to be Ingenerable and Incorruptible, yet would it not follow from thence that they are not subject to any changes, which we may prove by ARI∣STOTLES own Argument. Those things may be generated and corrupted, that have their Con∣traries; but that which is Ingenerable and Incor∣ruptible, is contrary to that which is Generable and Corruptible; therefore the Coelestial Orbs are Cor∣ruptible

and Generable. But to leave these Rea∣sonings, let us see what may be alledged against ARISTOTLES Opinion. For asmuch as the Modern Astronomers, have more exactly viewd the Stars than the Antients, I question not, but that were ARISTOTLE now alive, and made use of our Telescopes, he would be of their Opi∣nion. For they observe that the Sun is frequent∣ly obscured by Spots which obscure its face, and that these at some certain times are so condensed, that the Light of the Sun for some Months toge∣ther, appears much weaker. Now that these are generated, cannot be denied, since almost every day they change their Form; they are sometimes of a Black colour, at other times they seem to have a Dusky appearance of Light; yea sometimes they are of that loose texture, that they exceed the Sun in Brightness. All which could not be without Generation and Alteration.

III. The Planets subject to changes. The changes which happen to the Planets con∣firm the same thing; for what is more instable than these wandring Stars? The Moon almost every day gives a various Representation of her∣self. Saturn seldom appears with the same face. How frequently is Jupiter clouded with Spots, which interrupt its Light from coming to us? Ve∣nus is continually changing, and if we may give credit to the information of the Telescope, we must assert her to have several Faces; since she does not only change her aspect, but also her Bulk and Figure, as Astronomers tell us it happend, in the time of King Ogyges. Moreover, how many Comets and New-Stars, do there appear in the Heavens, as the Star in Cassiopaea, and others that appeared in the Heavens in 1572 and 1604, above the height of the Planets. All which PHAENOMENA may be sufficient to make the followers of ARISTOTLE to reject this foolish Opinion of their Master, and to acknowledge the Corruptibility of the Heavens.

IV. The Mathe∣maticians have des∣cried many new Stars. Neither are we to be moved by what ARISTO∣TLE tells us, that he never perceived any such thing in the Heavens, where he saith; This is like∣wise abundantly confirmed by Sense; seeing that according to the Records of all past time, never any such change hath happened in the whole utmost Heaven, nor in any of its proper parts. Well, let us be so favourable to ARISTOTLE, as to take this to be true; but can it be inferred from hence, that no further observations could be made for time to come? For we read that HIPPAR∣CHUS, 200 years after ARISTOTLE, found out a new Star, by the motion whereof he began to question, whether this might not happen more fre∣quently, and whether the fixt Stars also might not have a motion of their own. We know likewise that TYCHOBRAHE descried the foresaid Star in Cassi∣opaea in the Region of the fixed Stars, above Saturn.

V. Wherein the Essence of Matter doth pre∣cisely con∣sist. But we may put the Point beyond all Contro∣versy, considering wherein the Essence of a Body doth consist, and by removing from it whatsoever is Extraneous to it. Thus in the first place it ap¦pears, that sensible Qualities are no constituents o•• it, since it can be without them, and loseth nothing▪ when they perish. Air, which is soft to the Touch, doth not change its Nature, when by being shut up in a Bladder, it appears hard. A Bean is of con¦siderable Hardness, as long as it abides whole, but when reduced to Flower, it becomes soft. But the Air and the Bean continues Bodies for all that. Neither do Figure, or Motion conduce any thing to the constitution of Matter, since the World which is of no Figure at all, or at least can∣not be conceived by the Mind of Man, under any Bounds, still continues to have the Nature of a Body. And the Heavens, which are considered as immoveable, do not therefore cease to be material. And the same may be said of Heat and Cold, and other like Qualities, which may be absent from a Body, its Nature continuing whole and entire.

VI. The matter of Heaven and Earth consists in Extension. We conclude therefore, that nothing but Exten∣sion constitutes the Essence of Matter, since that alone cannot be separated from it, and is Recipro∣cated with it. For if you take away Extension, the Body is gone, as when you take away the Body, the Extension is no more.

VII. The matter of the Hea∣ven and of Sublunary things is the same. Forasmuch therefore as the Matter of the Heavens in Length, is extended in Length Breadth and Depth, and that no thing but this Extension is included in the Conception of it, we conclude that the matter of Heaven and Earth is one and the same, and consequently that the Matter of the Heavens is as well subject to Corruption and Changes as that of the Earth is.

Objection that the matter of Heaven and Earth is not un∣der the same Forms You'l say, that the Heavenly Matter is not under the same Forms as Sublunary things are, be∣cause it was never known that Heaven was gene∣rated of the Air, or that a Star was changed in∣to an Earthly Body.

IX. There are no Forms but may inform Coelestial Bodies, as well as Terrestrial. If by the name of Forms, in the Objection, be understood those Substantial Principles, which have a different Being from the Matter, and together with it constitute a Natural Compound, I say, that such Forms as these are meer Fictions, and useless to the explaining of Natural Effects. For such Forms must be either Material or Imma∣terial. If Immaterial, of what use can they be to Matter? How can they perfect it, and commu∣nicate to it their Essence, since Matter (according to them) is meer Potentiality, which derives all its Existence from these Substantial Forms. For how can that which hath no Parts, constitute the Essence of a Material thing? But if they sup∣pose these Forms to be Material, then must they of necessity be constituted by Extension, and must be subject to the self same Modes of Variation, which all other Bodies are. For it cannot be con∣ceiv'd that a thing should be extended, without being liable to the change of Figure, Motion, Mag∣nitude, Rest and Situation: And forasmuch as Generation is nothing else but a congruous Adap∣tation of the Insensible or Sensible Parts, accord∣ing to the foresaid Modifications, we must con∣clude, that all Matter is subject to Changes, and consequently, the Elementary Matter doth not differ from the Heavenly.

CHAP. V. What the Form of the World is: Whether it be the Soul, that is, the Spirit of Na∣ture, or the most excellent Disposition of its Parts.

The Opinion of Pytha∣goras and Plato, con∣cerning the Soul of the World. THere is nothing that hath been more contro∣verted amongst the Ancients than this Que∣stion, Whether the World be endued with a Soul, and vivified by an Internal Spirit, diffus'd through∣out all its Parts. Pythagoras and Plato have com∣pared the Universe to Man, and maintain'd it to

be furnish'd not only with Life and Sense, but also with Understanding. For they could not conceive, how that which was devoid of Sense, should pro∣duce Sensible things. And therefore as there is in us a Power whereby we live, are sensible, and move, they thought that so likewise in the World there must be a Principle, from whence all its Operations flow; which the Poet describes thus,

The whole, an Inward Spirit doth maintain, And a great Soul infus'd through ev'ry Vein Th' unweildy Mass doth move.

II. What the Soul of the World is, according to Plato. Tho' Plato suppos'd the Soul of the World to be like that which is in Animals; yet he holds it not to be a simple Substance, but compounded of two Parts; the one purely Intellectual, the other more Impure, tho' Pure, if compared with the Grossness of Bodies; and this he makes a kind of Vehicle of the Immaterial part. So that he makes a di∣stinction between the Mind and the Soul; the Mind being a Substance void of all Matter, which is the Higher part of the Soul of the World; and the Soul being nothing else but the most subtil Aether, by means whereof the Mind is brought and united to the Body.

III. In what sense this Opinion of Plato may be admit∣ted. Tho' this Opinion of Plato at first sight appears strange and absurd; yet in a sound Sense it may be asserted. For if by the Soul of the World he meant nothing else but GOD himself, who holds together the dispersed Parts of the World, ani∣mating, governing and cherishing them, it contains nothing contrary to Faith or Reason: Provided always, that GOD be understood not to be the Informing Soul of the World, that is, a Constitutive part of it; but an Assistant form only, that is, the Ruler and Governour of Nature. For GOD is the M••d••rat••ur of all Things, and is present to all Things, whether Intellectual or Bodily, operating in them, and by them, according to that of the Acts 17. 28. In him we live, move, and have our Being.

IV. A••••••rditi••s consequent to Plato's Opinion. But if Plato's meaning was, That this Universe was endued with a true Soul, and accordingly was a Real Animal, from whence all other Animals are generated, nothing seems more absurd, than to suppose an Animal compounded of an infinite sort of other Animals, which feeds upon it self, and yet is destitute of Sight, Hearing, and the other Senses. What, are the Stars nourished with ter∣rene Exhalations? Or is the Earth supported by Emanations from the Body of the Moon? Who will believe such stuff as this? If the Earth be sensible, what shall we say of those hard Hearted Husbandmen, which do cut and wound it with their Plough-shares? Besides, if we grant the Earth to be Animate, must not Stones, Iron and VVater be so likewise; yea, all other things of the VVorld? But you'l say, Living Creatures are generated out of the VVorld. What then? Must I thence con∣clude that the VVorld is an Animal? Why may not I as well conclude the VVorld to be all Stony, because Stones are generated out of it? Or of Iron, because its Bowels produce Iron? Yea, why may I not with equal ground conclude the VVorld to be a Fidler, or a Mathematician, because such are born in it? For tho' whatsoever hath its Original in the VVorld, doth derive the same from something that is in the VVorld; yet not therefore from the Soul of the VVorld, that is diffused throughout it, seeing that the VVorld contains all manner of things, whether Animate or Inani∣mate.

V. Supposing one common Soul of the World, all Men would feel the same thing. But to urge this with more Philosophical Argu∣ments, I say, that upon this Supposition of a Soul being diffus'd throughout the whole World, it will follow that there can be no Passion of Joy or Sorrow in the World, but what all Men must be sensible of, and that no Body can wound or strike another, without feeling the same himself. For if one Sensitive and Rational Soul governs and ani∣mates the World, there must accordingly be but one Animadversion, that is, one part of it must perceive whatsoever the other parts do. But we experience the contrary to all this, and therefore must conclude, that there is no such common Soul in the World.

VI. And would remember things they never had perceived. For otherwise we should not only apprehend things offer'd to our Mind, but we should also remember those things, which were never com∣mitted to our Memory: For seeing that this Uni∣versal Soul contains all things, and is diffus'd through all, nothing of all the things that are acted any where, could be hid from it; and there∣fore since by it we perceive Objects, and remember them, it must necessarily follow that the Mind must behold those things as present, which it never enquir'd after; that is, it must remember those things, which it never perceived.

VII. Yea, and would re∣member those things as done in one Part of the World, which were done in another. Moreover, if we suppose the World to be whirl'd about its Axis. in 24 Hours time, it will follow, that whatsoever I set about when the Earth is in the Beginning of Aries, I shall re∣member to have done the same when the Earth is in the Beginning of Libra; tho' that Portion of the Soul of the World, which informs my Body at that time, be then as far from me, as the Earth is from the Sun. Which Arguments sufficiently prove, that there cannot be a Soul common to all Men.

VIII. Henry More's Opinion of the Spirit of Nature. Doctor More, tho' he doth not defend Plato's Opinion concerning the Soul of the World, and thinks it absurd, that a Substance endued with Sense and Reason should be mingled with all the Parts of the World; yet he admits of a Spirit of Nature, which penetrates all the Matter whereof the World consists, and exerts its Power in it; which Spirit he describes to be (in his Third Book of the Immortality of the Soul) an Incorporeal Substance, but destitute of Sense and Animadver∣sion, penetrating the whole Matter of the Universe, and exercising a Plastick virtue in the same, ac∣cording to the various disposition of the Parts in which it operates, directing the Parts of Matter, and their Motions, and discovering those Phaeno∣mena in the World, which cannot be resolv'd into meer Mechanical Causes▪

IX. Exp••r••∣ments i•• prove th•• Spirit of Nature. The Arguments that persuaded the Doctor to admit this Spirit of the World, were the Trembling of an Unison String; Sympathetick Cures; the Sympathy there is between Heavenly and Earthly Bodies; Monstrous Birds; the Magnetick Attra∣ction of Iron; and lastly, the Sphaerical Figure of the Sun. For he could not apprehend how the Unison Strings of different Instruments do all of them shake, if One only be touched, without the assistance of this Spirit of the World. How by the Weapon-Sal••e a VVound can be Cured at a

great distance. How the Heavenly Bodies, which are assumed by Magicians and Witches, do com∣municate their Affections to Earthly things; and how it comes to pass, that the same things that hurt those, do mischief to these also. How Mon∣strous Birds come to be generated in a Human Womb. How it comes to pass that Iron is at∣tracted by the Loadstone, and of it self, without any impelling Cause is carried towards it. How the Sun attain'd its Round Figure, except this Spirit of Nature be admitted, permeating all the Matter of the World, into which all these Phae∣nomena may be resolved.

X. Why an Un••••••n S r••ng tre••bles at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o•• an••t••er on a d••••ferent I••str••ment. But I see no necessity of having recourse to a Spirit of the World for the explaining these Phae∣nomena, since it may better be done by Mecha∣nical Principles. For, as to the First, the Trem∣bling of an Unison String, upon the striking of another, whilst all the other Strings remain without any Motion; this is caused by the vibration of the String struck, which moving the Air, the Air reacheth the String that's wound up to the same pitch, and makes it tremble; the Trembling Mo∣tion being easily communicated to a Body disposed for such a Trembling; and therfore no wonder if it give forth the very same Sound. Whereas if the Trembling Air rusheth against a String that is differently wound up, by giving several hits against it, it hinders it from reverberating; so that it is impossible for it to sound as the other doth. Yet we must not imagine, that only those Strings which are tun'd alike do shake, since they do all, or most of them shake; tho' those only do sound, which are in Unison or Diapason, or some other Concord with the String struck.

XI. Whether Wounds are Cured by the Sympathe∣tick Pow∣der. As to the Cure of Wounds by the Sympathetick Ointment, or the Powder of Calcin'd Vitriol, and that at a great distance; this is a thing which may very well be question'd. For what is there in Vitriol to perform this, save only an Adstringent virtue, whereby it is proper to stop Blood, and to bring it to a Scar? But by what means shall the out∣flowing Particles thereof be guided to the Wound, since they only exert themselves to a very small distance? Whence the Doctor concludes, they are directed to the Wound by this Spirit of Nature. But forasmuch as this Spirit is diffus'd throughout all the World, and indifferently present to all Wounds, why doth it rather heal that whence the Blood came, than all the rest, since it is destitute of Sense and Animadversion, and is no more present to that Wound, which it is supposed to Cure, than to any other? Wherefore when a Wound at a great distance happens to be Cur'd this way, the Cure is not to be ascribed to the Powder or Weapon-Salve, which is apply'd to the Instru∣ment that made the wound; but it seems to happen, because the wound is kept clean and wash'd with Urine; as is prescrib'd in this case: For Salt of Urine is very detersive and adstrictive, and there∣fore readily closeth the Mouths of the Veins, con∣solidates the Parts, and skins them over.

XII. There is no sympathy between Heavenly and Earth¦ly Bodies. As to that particular of Mens Souls sometimes quitting their Bodies, and appearing in the shape of a Cat, Dog, &c. and that whatsoever is in∣flicted on these assumed Bodies, doth redound to the hurt of their true Earthly Bodies; this I take to be impossible, and therefore think it in vain to trouble my self about searching out the Reason of it.

XIII. How Mon∣strous Birds are ••ramed in the Wombs of Women. As to those Monstrous Birds and Animals, that sometimes proceed from the Wombs of Women, there seems no necessity to put this drudgery upon this Spirit of Nature, when it may be more com∣modiously explicated by a propension in the Matter apposite to the Forming Power, and the intention of Nature. Thus we find that the Seed of Cole∣worts degenerates into Turneps; and why may not we as well suppose that the Parts of an Animal may be perverted, by manifold defects of the motions and humors of the Womb, discomposing and altering the Seed. And indeed, what wonder is it for a Woman to bring forth a Monster, when we see the Body of Man familiarly to breed Lice, which are dreadful Monsters when beheld with a Microsope. Seeing therefore that Lice and Worms are apt to be generated, especially where the Parts of the Body are ill affected; it will not seem strange that in a depraved state of the Womb Monsters should be generated. But of Monstrous Births, see more in my History of Nature.

XIV 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 The Reason of the Leadstone drawing Iron, shall be treated at large in the Tenth Chapter of the Sixth Part. And so likewise the Cause of the Round Figure of the Sun, and Fix'd Stars, will be handled in the Fourteenth Chapter of this Part; to which I refer the Reader, to avoid Repetitions.

XV The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 World 〈…〉〈…〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most exc••••∣lent Con••••••∣tution of its parts. Forasmuch therefore as the World is not en∣dued with a Soul, or any Spirit of Nature, there being no need of either of them for explaining any Natural Phoenomena, we conclude, that the Form of the World is nothing else, but the fit dis∣position of all its Parts, and their intimate Union. For such is the constitution of the Parts of the World, that tho' they be different, and at a di∣stance from each other; yet they have a mutual Relation and Reference, and are joyned together by a virtue that penetrates them all. But what virtue is this that unites them? I answer, that it is the Subtil or Aethereal Matter, which permeating all Bodies is the cause of this Union and Harmony, as LUCRETIUS seems to hint, Lib. 5.

The Fluids are all differently Light, And therefore reach'd the less or greater height. Then Liquid Aether did the farthest rear, And lies on softest Beds of yielding Air.

CHAP. VI. That GOD, as he is the Efficient and Con∣serving Cause of Matter, so likewise of Motion.

I. Nothing in the World is annihila∣ted. HAving thus explain'd the Nature of the World's Matter, and enquired of the Soul that acts it, it remains now that we consider, whether the same quantity of Matter always re∣mains in the World, or whether it be increased or diminished. Some are so stupid as to imagin, that when Fire is extinguish'd, it wholly perisheth; not considering that GOD is the Creatour of all things, and that the Creatures cannot destroy any thing, which his Omnipotence hath produced. For tho' the subtil particles of Fire, may by a Fan, Bel∣lows, or the blast of ones Breath be dissipated; yet are not they therefore annihilated, but being sepa∣rated

exist in another manner than they did before. For as Division doth not make Matter, so neither can it destroy it: Wherefore, Matter divided lo∣seth nothing of its extension, but only ceaseth to be such a Body, and becomes changed into another It is a great mistake to suppose, that those things which cease to affect our Senses, are altogether de∣stroy'd and annihilated.

II. Matter is neither subject to Generation, nor Cor∣ruption. Matter, according to the Opinion of all Philo∣sophers, is neither subject to Generation, nor Cor∣ruption: Wherefore, we must conclude, that there is always the same quantity of it. For indeed how can any new Matter enter, seeing there is no Va∣cuum, and that the penetration of Bodies implies a Contradiction? For if any one part of the Eyes suppose, should be taken away or annihilated (as they fancy of the Fire, when it goes out) it is certain a Space must be left in the room of it, which forasmuch as it hath length, breadth and depth, we must say that another Body supplies the place of it. For it becomes the Infinite Power of GOD, to act in the most constant and unchang∣able manner, by preserving that which he hath produc'd without increase or diminution.

III. How New Bodies are brought ••orth in the World. But you'l say, That we daily see new Parts of Matter appearing, which were never before: Thus in Spring time many Herbs and Flowers shoot forth from the Earth; and in Autumn, the Trees are l••aden with Fruits, which did not exist before. Wherefore we may conclude, that the Sub∣stance of Matter is increased.

This Difficulty may be easily solved, by distin∣guishing between the First and Second Matter. By the First Matter is understood a Body in its general Notion, as it includes three Dimensions. By the Second Matter is meant a Body, which besides Extension, is endued with Figure and other Modifications, by which it comes to resort under one or other of the General Heads of things. Wherefore a Body in this sense is not to be called Simple Matter, but something compounded of an Extended Substance, and one or more Modifications. Thus a Tulip, for Example, besides Extension, im∣plies such a conformity of Leaves, which at dif∣ferent Seasons rise and perish. And this Second Matter admits some kind of Latitude, and may be multiplied or diminished. But the First Matter is Indivisible, seeing that all Bodies agree in Exten∣sion; the Soft and Insensible, as well as the Hard and Sensible. And such Matter as this, is neither subject to Generation or Corruption, and conse∣quently can neither increase or be diminished, being only capable of admitting different Modifi∣cations, and of assuming divers Forms.

IV. GOD is the Cause of the Motion that is in the World. And the same is the case with Motion, forasmuch as all things proceeding from GOD, depend on him in a peculiar manner, and have nothing of Truth or Goodness, but what they have received of him: And that Independency is the necessary Attribute of a most Perfect Being, as Dependency, as to Being and Conservation is the Attribute of all Creatures. For who can believe that the Motion of the Stars about their several Centers, the Course of Rivers, the daily Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea, and the Earths being poised in the Liquid Air are caused and continued by Chance? It implies a Contradiction to suppose these Regular Effects to be produc'd by any Power, besides that of a most Perfect Being, who not only created Matter, but also imparted Motion and Rest unto it. And since the Conservation of any thing is a continued Crea∣tion, we must conclude, that GOD is the Pre∣server of that Motion, which at the Beginning he imparted to the VVorld.

V. That GOD, as he con∣tinues the same Quantity of Matter in the VVorld, so likewise of Motion. So that as GOD preserves the same Quantity of Matter which he created, so likewise of Motion, and that without increase or decrease; which is a remarkable Proof of GOD's VVisdom and Un∣changableness. And as for Matter, as it could not move it self at first; so it being once put in motion, it never ceaseth from it, but continues in the state wherein it is put. So that if the Motion that is in the VVorld should either be diminished, or cease altogether, this must be from the Divine VVill appointing it so; but no such VVill of GOD appearing, it is certain the same Quantity of Mo∣tion must still continue in the VVorld.

VI. In what sense it is to be un∣derstood, that the same Quantity of Motion is said to continue in the VVorld. When I say, that the same Quantity of Motion is preserv'd in the Universe; this is not so to be understood, as if all Bodies that were first put into motion, continue in the same motion; and that those that were left at Rest, do persevere in the same; but that the same measure of Motion is preserved in the whole Universe, tho' it may be varied and alter'd in the particular Parts of it, with respect to the diverse Bodies, on which it exerciseth its force. Much in the same manner, as we say, that in a certain Kingdom there is such a determinate quantity of Mony, tho' some Men have more of it, and others l••ss, and tho' it be in a continual Relation from one to another. So likewise we must conceive, that the same quantity of Motion is found in the Universe, tho' the same be variously possest by the particular Parts of it.

VII. God makes use of the same Force, in applying Motion to divers Bodies. GOD alone can be the Cause of this so constant Motion in the Universe. For if we consider Mo∣tion, we find nothing by which it should be in∣creased or diminished, for having not produc'd it self, neither can it increase or destroy it self; nor can the thing moved, or matter, conduce any thing this way, because it is meerly Passive, and consists only in Extension. Wherefore, we must conclude GOD to be the Total and Universal Principle of Motion; who at the first instant of the Creation of Matter, put Motion into it, and maintains the same by the same Action wherewith he preserves the Matter it self; that is, he makes use of the same moving Force, without increase or decrease, which removes from one Body to another, according as GOD applies the same to divers parts of the World. For it might seem to be an Argument of Inconstancy in GOD, if he did not maintain the same quantity of Motion in the World, as well as of Matter, and this by one and the same Con∣course. So that the Force whereby Matter is moved, is nothing but GOD himself, who being most Wise and most Powerful, acts in the most stable manner; and therefore on his part, this virtue can neither increase or be diminished, but ever continues the same, tho' in particular Subjects it may be various.

VIII. An Obje∣ction tak•••• from Go••▪•• free Action. But you'l say, GOD is a Free Agent, and that Things that are done in the Universe proceed from his Will. For who knows not, that the Number of Men depends on his good Pleasure, who produceth and preserves more or less of them, as he pleaseth? So that there seems no reason, but that there may be an unequal measure of Motion

in the World, seeing that according to the Free Will of the Creatour, it may be increased or diminished.

IX. The First Answer. To which I Answer, First, That those Things which depend on the alone good Pleasure of GOD, cannot be known but by Divine Revelation; wherefore the Consideration thereof does not be∣long to Natural Philosophy, wherein nothing is to be admitted, but what may be discovered by Reason.

X. The Second Answer. In the Second place I Answer, That as GOD acts freely, so likewise he acts constantly, and im∣mutably preserves whatsoever he hath once pro∣duced. So that we are not only to consider the Liberty of GOD, but the same in conjunction with his other Attributes of Wisdom, Unchang∣ableness, &c. which all together do constitute his one Eternal and Permanent Nature. And as his Liberty appears in the vast Variety of the Things he hath made, so his Unchangableness is demonstrated by his conserving the same Quantity of Motion and Rest in the Universe. For Conser∣vation being a continual Production, it would seem to argue Changableness in GOD, if either any new Motion should arise, or praeexistent Mo∣tion should perish.

XI. There can be no In∣constancy in Motion, neither in respect of GOD, nor of the World. We acknowledge indeed, that such is GOD's absolute Power of all Things, that he can destroy, lessen or increase, whatsoever he hath made, ac∣cording to the pleasure of his Will: But as long as such his Will is not discover'd to us, we cannot assert any thing concerning it. And seeing that with respect to the World, no Reason can be given for the increase or decrease of the Motion that is in it, we must conclude that the same force which at first put the Matter in Motion, doth still continue in it.

XII. Whence so many Mo∣tions arise in the World. It remains now, that we explain how this Mo∣tion, or rather Virtue, that moves the Parts of the Universe, does indivisibly continue the same, when so many New Motions are seen every day: As when Men, and other Animals, that rested in the Night time, are all in motion in the Day; and when Guns are discharged, it is certain that the great Concussion caused thereby, was not before in the World; wherefore, it seems there must needs be more Motion in the World at one time, than at another.

XIII. A Body moved, dashing against another, doth com∣municate some part of its mo∣tion unto it. But this will be easily answered, if we consider that every Body whilst it pusheth on another, doth lose as much of its own motion, as it transfers to that Body it pusheth forwards. As appears in hard Bodies, which by dashing against any soft matter, transmit all their motion to it, and are reduced to Rest. Hence it is, that a Stone falling down from on high to the ground, doth not re∣bound, but lies still, because it communicates all its motion to the Earth. And in like manner, when Men or other Animals are moved, we must not suppose that they produce new Motions in the World, when the agitation of their Spirits is transmitted to their Members; because the more motion the Members receive, the less the Spirits retain.

XIV. The Con∣cussion of the Air by Guns, does not prove a greater Quantity of Motion. Neither can we infer, that the Quantity of Motion is increased by the Concussion of the Air, caused by the discharge of Canon: For tho' there may be more of that motion which we call sound, yet is there no more motion simply taken: For tho' the commotion of the Air be at first made more vehement, because of the narrowness of the Space; yet by degrees afterwards it becomes more remiss, as it spreads into wider Intervals, because the Air, having communicated its motion to the Neighbouring Bodies, doth lose as much agitation as it imparts to them.

CHAP. VII. Of the Action of Bodies, and the Communi∣cation of Motion.

I. There is a manifold Commu∣nication of Motion. FOrasmuch as the Matter of the Universe is divided into innumerable Parts, and every one of them have their proper Motions; it cannot be doubted but that they must frequently run against one another, and by contrary motions be either hindred, retarded, or wholly reduc'd to Rest. Hence, according to the variety of their pushing against each other, the manifold Action of Bodies, and Communication of Motions ariseth: First, When two Bodies by Contrary motions run a∣gainst each other: Secondly, When the Body mo∣ved, runs against a Body that is at Rest: Thirdly, When two Bodies are moved the same way, but with a different degree of Swiftness. For it is impossible that Bodies should push against one another, but that some change of Motion or Rest must follow thereupon.

II. Wherein the Com∣munication of Motion doth consist. The Communication therefore of Motion consists in this, that according to the Will of the First Mover, the Body that doth exceed the Body it meets with in the Force of moving forward, doth carry the same along with it, and loseth as much of its Motion, as the other receiveth: So that the same Quantity of Motion always continues in the World.

III. In the Com∣munication of Motion, an Accident doth not move from one Sub∣ject to another. Neither must we infer from hence, that upon this Supposition an Accident must remove from one Subject to another; because the Body that is at Rest, doth not receive the same Numerical Portion of Motion, from the Body that runs against it: But forasmuch as according to the Will of the First Mover, a like motion only ariseth in that Body, which upon the impulse of another, begins to move (as has been before explain'd, Part IV. Chap. XV.) it cannot be said, that in this case an Accident removes from one Subject into ano∣ther.

IV. In order to the exact Determina∣tion of the Action of Bodies, it is required that they be perfectly hard. This Communication of Motion will be the better apprehended, if we suppose the Bodies that are moved to be perfectly Hard, and so divided from all the rest, that their motion be neither hin∣dred nor promoted by any circumjacent Bodies. For except Bodies were perfectly Hard, they would not be able to act upon one another; and if they were not separate from all others, so as not to be retarded or turned aside by Ambient Bodies, the proportion or difference of Motions would not be discernible.

V. And that the Medium in which they are moved, be no hin∣drance to their Mo∣tions. In the Second place, we are to suppose, that the medium wherein the Bodies move, be such as doth neither hinder nor promote the motion of them. For if the way through which they pass be either soft or fluid, it will hinder their motion, turn it aside, or wholly take it away; and so no exact account could be taken, what the Force of each Body is in acting or resisting.

VI. A Body is not changed but from an Exter∣nal Cause. Thirdly, We are to suppose, that every Body, forasmuch as it is simple and undivided, doth as much as in it lies, continue in the same state; nor is it ever changed, but by some External Cause. These things being thus far setled, we are, first, to enquire, what must happen at the meeting of two Bodies? For every one knows by Experience, that Bodies, whether Moved or Resting, variously change the condition wherein they are, according to the different Nature of the Bodies they meet with. Thus, for Example, a Body moved chang∣eth its state, by meeting a Body that is at Rest, otherwise than it would by meeting with a Body in motion. It also variously changeth its motion, in meeting with a hard or liquid Body. And the Rules, according to which these Changes happen, are properly that which we call in general, the Laws of Motion.

VII. What Di∣rect Motion is Lastly, We are to presuppose, that Direct motion is the Translation of a Body out of the Neigh∣bourhood of one that is consider'd as Resting, into the Neighbourhood of another, by a right line, which is the shortest of all others, and equally stretch'd out between two Points.

VIII. The First Rule. Suppose we therefore the two Bodies A and E to be equal, and to move directly towards one ano∣ther with the same swiftness; when they come to D, they will both rebound back the contrary way, * 1.1A towards the Left, and E towards the Right, with the very same swiftness wherewith they came to D. For these Bodies being supposed altogether equal, must consequently have equal force of Mov∣ing and Resisting. And seeing that Motion is not contrary to Motion, there is no cause that can re∣duce them to Rest: Wherefore we must conclude that they must reflect or rebound with the same swiftness, their Motion continuing whole and entire.

IX. The Second Rule. But if the Body A be somewhat Bigger than E, and both be moved with the same swiftness, A to∣wards the Right hand, and E towards the Left, when they meet together in D, E alone will rebound, and afterwards both of them proceed to move, with the same swiftness towards the Right. The Reason is, because every Body that hath less Force, to proceed in a right line, than the other hath to resist, loseth the Determination of its Motion: And it being supposed that the Body E hath less force to proceed forwards, towards the Left, then A hath to proceed to the Right, it follows that E, must lose its Determination, that is, must rebound; but because A and E, are supposed to move with the same swiftness, and this swiftness cannot be chang∣ed by any External cause, therefore it remains in the same state wherein it was before. And accordingly E, will move towards the Right, with the same swiftness it had at first; and A retaining the same swiftness, without changing its Determination, will move the same way, and follow E, yet without be∣ing able to push it forward.

X. The Third Rule. Again, if these two Bodies A, and E, be supposed equal in Bulk, but that A moves somewhat swifter than E, then not only E will rebound backwards, but A will also communicate to E, the one half of its swiftness, wherein it exceeds E. That is, if before there had been six degrees of swiftness in A, and four only in E, after their meeting, they would both tend to the Right, with five degrees of swift∣ness, and so proceed to move the same way with the same swiftness. For seeing that the Body E, hath less force to resist, than the Body A, against which it pusheth, hath to move it, it is agreeable to Rea∣son, that it should give way and reflect, and suffer something from the Body A, and that so the Body A should immediately follow E. But seeng that A hath more Swiftness, it cannot follow E, and pro∣ceed the same way with it, without pushing it for∣ward, and imparting so much of its motion, which being added to that which was in E before, makes both their motions to be equal. So that if A hath six degrees of Swiftness, and E but four; let the two degrees whereby A exceeds E, be divided into four Parts, and then let one part be communicated to E: But because thus the motion of A is still swifter than that of E, let the second also be com∣municated. And seeing that upon the Communi∣cation of these two Fourths, the motion of the Bo∣dy E, is made as swift as that of the Body A, it will not be able to receive any farther increase from A, and therefore will retain the remaining two Fourths; and so both of them, with the same swiftness, that is, with five degrees of swiftness, will move towards the Right hand.

XI. The Fourth Rule. But if the Body E be wholly at Rest, and some∣what bigger than A, then with whatsoever swift∣ness A may be supposed to move towards E, it will never be able to move it, but will be beaten back by it, still retaining its motion entire. For a Body at Rest doth more resist a greater degree of Swift∣ness than a less, and that according to the degree of the Excess of the one above the other; and consequently there will always be a greater force in E to resist, than in A to push forwards. For a Body at Rest, doth as much as in it lies continue in its Rest, and must by some outward force be driven out of its place, before it can tend any way. Wherefore such a Body doth not only, with all its Parts joyn'd together, resist the motion; but also proportionably to its bulk, whereby it exceeds other Bodies, it is made more strong to withstand others that oppose it. And therefore the Body E, because of its greater Bulk, hath a greater Force to resist, than A hath to move. By which means it comes to pass, that it is not changed by A, but with the same Force continues in Rest, wherewith the whole Body A will be moved, and dash against it.

XII. A Body that is at Rest, doth more resist a greater Swiftness than a less. Now, that a Body at Rest doth more withstand a greater degree of Swiftness, than a less, and that according to the excess of the one above the other, is demonstrable from the most common Law of Nature; that every thing▪ forasmuch as it is simple and undivided, continues (as far as in it lies) al∣ways in the same state, neither is ever changed but by outward Causes. Now the state of the Body E, is Rest, and in the swifter Body A, the state is quite contrary, and that proportionably to the Excess of swiftness. For the slower the motion of A is, the less contrary is it to the state of the Body E, which is at Rest, because slowness of motion partakes of the Nature of Rest. Wherefore, if A with the great∣est degree of swiftness be carried towards E, Rest∣ing, E will also have an absolute power of Resisting; and forasmuch as it resists, it will with a greater force of Action, resist the greater force that pusheth it, than a lesser.

XIII. The Fifth Rule. If the Body at Rest E, be less than A, then tho' A move never so slowly towards E, it will carry it along, and communicate to it such a part of its

motion, as that both of them afterwards may move with the same swiftness. As for Example, If A be as big again as E, it will communicate to E the Third part of its motion, because that one Third part will move E, as swiftly as the Two remain∣ing parts will move A, because it is as big again. And since whatsoever accrues to the one, is the loss of the other, it is necessary that after this meeting A move one Third part slower, than it did at first, that is, in the same time wherein before it run through th•• distance of three Foot, it will only move two Foot.

In like manner, if A were thrice as big as E, it would communicate the Fourth part of its mo∣tion to it. If it were four times bigger, it would impart a Fifth part of its motion; and so on. But if A should only a Third part exceed E, and con∣sequently should have the Relation to it, not of Two to One, but of Three to Two, then two fifth parts of the motion will be transferr'd from A to E, and three Fifths will still continue in A. If E be one Fourth bigger, and have the same Relation to A, as Four to Three, three Seventh parts of its motion will be communicated to E, and so four Seventh parts will remain to A.

This account will be more evident, if we ex∣press the foresaid Fractions by whole Numbers: Saying, if A be to B, as 3 to 2, then of the five degrees, into which its motion may be distinguish'd, two must be communicated, which will have the same proportion to E, as the three remaining to A: And if A be as 4, and E as 3, out of the seven degrees of its motion, three must be communicated, which will have the same proportion to E, as the remaining 4 to A. And if A be to E as 5 to 4, of the 9 degrees into which its motion may be di∣stinguish'd, 4 will be communicated, and will have the same Proportion to E, which the Five re∣maining have to A. And thus we may proceed to Infinity; for tho' the excess of Quantity in A, above that which is consider'd in E, does by this means grow less, yet it will always be something; and since we may always take so many degrees of motion, as there are parts considered in the Body moving and moved, taken together, we find no Reason why A should move E along with it, seeing the difference is of one Sixth▪ Seventh, Eighth, or even of a Hundredth or Thousandth part, and so on.

The account will proceed in the same manner, whether you reckon the Parts of Motion to be so many, as there are consider'd in the Bulk of both Bodies, viz. the Moving and Moved, or whether you attribute two, or three, or four Parts or De∣grees, and so on, of motion, to every one of the Parts of Bodies; because the same Proportion will continue every where between the Motion that is communicated, and that which continues in the Mover. Thus we may say, that if A be one Third bigger than E, of the 10 parts into which its motion may▪ be distinguish'd, 4 will be trans∣mitted to E, the remaining 6 continuing with A: Or, if we suppse 15 parts of Motion, then 6 will be communicated and 9 will remain; if 20, the Body E being a Third part less than A, will receive 8 of them, and A will retain the other 12. For all these Numbers, 12 to 8, 9 to 6, 6 to 4, have the same Proportion together which they ought to have, which is 3 to 2; and therefore it is all one which of them you take, and you may increase them to Infinity. And how slow soever you sup∣pose the motion in A to be, it will still in the same proportion act upon E, that is, will always com∣municate to it only such a part of its metion as shall bear the same proportion to E, as the remain∣ing part hath to A. And thus, if A be as big again, whether it be swiftly or slowly moved, it shall always transfer a Third part of its motion upon E; if thrice as big, only a Fourth, and so on.

XIV. The Sixth Rule. If the Body E, Resting, be exactly equal to the Body A, moved towards it, it will partly be push'd forward by it, and partly beat it back to the oppo∣site side. So that if A should come towards E, with four degrees of Swiftness, it would commu∣nicate to E one degree, and with the three re∣maining parts would rebound to the contrary side.

For seeing that both these Bodies are supposed of equal bigness, they must also have the self same Force of Acting and Resisting: Now this Force to Resist in E, is not only Negative, but Positive, or, if you will, Reactive; because E so admits the motion of the Agent A, as to cause some change in it, to wit, by Reflecting it, and communicating some part of its own Rest unto it. And by this means the Body E obtains the half of its effect. But the Body A, because of its inequality, trans∣fers a part of its motion to E, not the whole; for so it would tend to its own destruction, by losing all its motion. Thus if the Body A should move towards E with four degrees, in meeting with the Body E, it would impart one degree to it, and would rebound back with the three remaining parts. If with eight degrees, it would impart two of them to the Body E, and rebound with the other six. If it mov'd forwards with twenty degrees, it would communicate five of them to E, and fly back with the remaining fifteen, and so both would obtain the half of that effect, the whole of which they would have, if either of them were greater or less.

XV. The Se∣venth Rule. Suppose we now the Bodies A and E, to move the same way, E more slowly, and A following it more swiftly, so as at last to overtake and touch it: Suppose we also E to be greater than A, but A to exceed in degrees of swiftness the Greatness of E; in this case A will communicate so much of its Motion, as that both of them afterwards shall move with an equal degree of swiftness the same way.

That A must overtake E, appears from the Sup∣position of its being mov'd more swiftly than E; and that it must act upon it, and push it on along with it self, is also evident, because upon exami∣ning the proportion of Magnitude and Swiftness that is between them, we find that the Excess of swiftness is greater in A, than the Excess of Great∣ness in E; and therefore by reason of the inequa∣lity of Action and Resistance, it must follow that A, by communicating some part of its motion to E, must push it forwards; and so both of them with the same swiftness move the same way.

XVI. The Eighth Rule. But if the Excess of Swiftness be less in A, than the Excess of Greatness in E, it will rebound back, and retain all its motion. The Reason is, because that which is the stronger in Action and Resistance, must needs obtain its effect. Now seeing

the Body E, by its Greatness or Bulk, exceeds the swiftness of A, and has more force to Act and Resist, it must push forwards the Body A, and make it rebound backwards. But forasmuch as every thing inclines to continue in its state, except it be hindred by an outward Cause, and this Cause is found in E, viz. an Excess of Magnitude, above the Excess of Swiftness in A, which changeth the determination of A, but doth not destroy or diminish the Motion it self, therefore it happens that A, by rebounding, loseth nothing at all of its own motion.

But if the Excess of Bulk be greater in E, than the Excess of Swiftness in A; that is, if E be as big again as A, and yet A be not moved with a double degree of swiftness; then when A comes to dash against E, it will reflect the contrary way, without communicating any thing of its motion. Lastly, if the Body E doth equally exceed A in Bigness, and that it be as big again, which is just as much as A exceeds E in swiftness, and there∣fore hath a motion, that is, as swift again, it will follow that A must communicate some part of that its swifter motion to E, and with the residue rebound back from it.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Ptolomaick, Copernican, and Tycho∣nick Systems of the World.

I. What a System is, and how many there are. A System in Natural Philosophy is that, whereby a thing acts after a certain man∣ner, by virtue of its Composition, and those Dis∣positions which constitute its Nature. Thus we call the System of the World, the Order or Disposi∣tion wherein we conceive, that all we see in the World is performed, by supposing it to be com∣pos'd of certain Parts, the Nature and Connexion whereof is such, that thence results whatsoever is, or is done in it. Amongst the Systems of the World, invented by Astronomers, there are Three more famous than the rest, viz. those of Ptolomy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe, to which all the rest that have been invented by the Ancients may be referr'd.

II. The Ptolo∣maick System. PTOLOMY placeth the Globe of Earth and Water in the Center of the World, and suppo∣seth it destitute of all motion. Next to the Earth, he placeth the Air mingled with Vapours and Exha∣lations, * 1.2which raising it self only a few Miles above the Earth, is called the Atmosphere. Next below the Moon he placeth his Element of Fire; the several Spaces above which he divides into Eleven Spheres, in the first Seven whereof he ranks the Planets: In the first ☽, the Moon; in the second ☿, Mercury; in the third ♀, Venus; in the fourth ☉, the Sun; in the fifth ♂, Mars; in the sixth ♃, Jupiter; in the seventh ♄, Saturn; which he calls Wandring Stars: Not that they wander at Random; but because they are carried with an unequal motion within the Zodiack, so as not to keep the same Distance from one another, if compar'd with the fix'd Stars. In the Eighth Sphere he placeth the Firmament, in which the fix'd Stars are supposed to be fastned.

After these follow two other Spheres, which he calls Crystalline, or the Heavens of Libration and Trepidation; the first Moving from the East to the West, the other from the North to the South. The Eleventh and highest Sphere he calls the Pri∣mum Mobile, or First moved. This Description of the World is by the Common People generally approved and maintain'd; who look upon the Heaven as a Vaulted Roof, equally distant from us, who are as in the Center and suppose all the Stars that appear in it, to be in the said Circumference of the World.

III. The System of Coper∣nicus. NICOLAUS COPERNICUS, a Physician of Thorn, and Canon of Frassenburg, who flourish'd not much above an hundred years since, introduced another System in Imitation of the Pythagoreans, who attributed a motion to the Earth, and plac'd the Sun as the Soul of the * 1.3World, in the Center of it; and consequently assigns the same place to the Earth, which Ptolomy allows the Sun, that is, betwixt the Planets Venus and Mars. The Earth, according to Copernicus, hath two motions; the one Diurnal, which in 24 Hours space is performed about its own Axis, from West to East; which Motion makes Days and Nights, as shall be said hereafter. And this Motion performs the same Service, which the Primum mobile doth in the Ptolomaick System, to wit, by effecting that all the Stars seem to move from East to West; much in the same manner as a Ship, which sailing from the Shoar, or towards it, makes the Shoar it self seem, as if it drew near, or withdrew from the Ship. The other Motion of the Earth, is its Annual motion, by which she is carried about the Sun, from the West also to the East, according to the Succession of the Signs of the Zodiack; by which means, the Sun which stands immovable in the Center of the World, doth seem to run through those Signs, tho' indeed it is the Earth only that truly doth so. And whereas the Space that is between Mars and Venus, is large enough for the Moon to be carried round between them, she accordingly performs there two Motions, the one Monthly, wherewith she is whirl'd about the Center of the Earth, and appears in her several Changes; the other Yearly, whereby (together with the Earth) she goes round the Sun.

Wherefore, according to the Copernican System, the Sun is placed in the Center of the World im∣movable. Tho' this hinders not, but that it may be carried round about its own Axis within the space of 27 days, which that it is, appears by the turning round of its Spots, discovered by the Tele∣scope. Next to the Sun, Mercury is whirl'd about; in the second place, Venus; in the third, the Earth, together with the Moon its Attendant; in the fourth, Mars; in the fifth, Jupiter; and in the last, Saturn. After which follows the Region of the fix'd Stars, so called, not because they are without all motion, but because they do not wander up and down like the Planets, but continue in their own places, and keep the same distance from one another, as will be shewed in the XXth Chapter of this Part.

IV. The System of Ty•••••• Brahe. Besides these two Systems, a Third hath been contrived by TYCHO BRAHE, which par∣takes of both the foregoing Systems. For as to the Digestion of the Parts of the World, it agrees with the Coper••ican, save only in this, that it con∣stitutes * 1.4the Earth to be the Center of the Firma∣ment, and accordingly makes the Moon and Sun to run round it. Thus in explaining the seeming motion of the Heaven, which seems to be performed

in 24 Hours, he follows Ptolomy, and supposeth the Earth to stand immoved in the Center, and the whole Heaven to be carried round it, from East to West, by the Force of the Primum Mobile. But in explaining the Appearances of the Planets, he agrees with Copernicus; making Mercury and Ve∣nus to be carried round nearest to the Sun, as their Center; but Mars, Jupiter and Saturn at a far∣ther distance; and in the middle Space placeth the Earth, with the Moon that is carried round her, in the same time that Copernicus assigns to it. The Tychonick System has this peculiar to it self, that the Planets, which perform their own motions about the Sun, are whirl'd about by it, so as that Mercury and Venue, in their Turnings round about the Sun, do never take in the Earth, as Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn do. So that as Gassendus ob∣serves, If instead of the Sun's whirling about together with Mercury and Venus, who exclude the Earth from the compass they take, and with Mars, Jupiter and Saturn enclosing it, the Earth had been supposed to be whirl'd about with the Moon, comprehending in its compass Venus and Mercury, but comprehended within the compass of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, it would come to the ••••me thing; and Tycho's System would appear to be nothing else but the Copernican invert∣ed.

V. Ptolomy's System re∣jected. Having given this brief Description of these three Systems, we are next to examine which of them appears the Truest. For seeing that they all differ, and that the Structure or Disposition of the Parts of the World is but one only, we must reject two of them as false, and choose the third us the truest. And tho' we should suppose nothing of Contradiction to be found in any of these Thr••e, yet ought we to pitch upon that as the best, which appears the most simple, and supposeth least particulars.

VI. Many ••••••ngs are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in ••••e Ptolo∣maick Sy∣stem, as ••••ing con∣trary to Experience. Wherefore we cannot admit of the Ptolomaick System, as being contrary both to Reason and Expe∣rience: To Experience first, with regard to the appearances of Venus and Mercury, seeing it is evident that these Planets are not always whirl'd about on this side of the Sun, as Ptolomy supposeth, but sometimes appear above, and sometimes be∣neath, yea, and sometimes also side-ways to it; so as that sometimes they are nearer to, and at other times they are further from us than the Sun. For this Cause Copernicus took occasion from the various appearance of Mars, to assign motion to the Earth. For he perceiving that Mars, whilst he is op∣posite to the Sun, appears much greater; and that he grows less, as he nearer approacheth to it, could not attribute this change to any thing better, than to the Circumrotation of the Earth: According to which, it was necessary for Mars to appear biggest, when the Earth moves nearest to him; and least, when the Earth leaves him on the other side of the Sun.

Secondly, Pursuant to this System, no Reason can be given why Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are always in the lower part of their Epicycles, when they are Retrograde. Whence it is that the Moon doth always turn the same part of her Body to∣wards us: Why Saturn appears in a various shape to us, sometimes Oval, and at others Round, when beheld through a Prospective.

Thir••y, This Hypothesis doth not explain the contrary Motions, whereby the Stars at the same time seem to move from East to West, and from West to East.

Fourthly, Neither can the rise of Comets, nor their motions, be solved, as long as we suppose the Heavens to be solid, as he doth.

Fifthly, According to this Hypothesis we cannot give any account, how the Spots about the Sun are generated, and afterwards dissipated; nor how they can perform their Circuits about the Sun.

VII. This Hyo∣thesis is likewise contrary to Reason. This System is also contrary to Reason, by allowing the motions of Trepidation and Libra∣tion to the Crystalline Heavens. For what is more misbecoming a Philosopher, than for the extricating of a lesser Change, to admit a far greater? For a Body that is carried towards one Point, tho' by an uneven motion, questionless doth not undergo so great a Change, as another, which is also carried towards one Point, and suddenly re∣bounds to the opposite Point. To this may be added, that it was in vain that the Ancients had recourse to this motion, for the explaining of the Equal progress of the fix'd Stars; since the most exact Astronomers frequently Experience, that what they deduce thence by their Computations, doth not correspond with the Phaenomena. Besides, the Motion of the Heavenly Orbs will be swifter than can be competent to such vast Bodies, and more especially to the Brittle Crystalline Spheres; for the utmost Sphere of the World must be whirl'd about in 24 Hours. Moreover, what is more im∣probable than that the Primum Mobile should have the force to carry round with it all the Inferiour Orbs, from East to West; and yet that the Earth, which is included in them, should remain un∣mov'd? When yet, according to Ptolomy, the Earth is altogether Passive, and is encompass'd with the subtil Matter. These Absurdities are sufficient to make us reject this Ptolomaick Hypo∣thesis.

VIII. The Tycho∣nick Sy∣stem also hath its Errors. Tho' the Tychonick Hypothesis seem more pro∣bable than the Ptolomaick, forasmuch as it gives an account of the Inequality and Diversity of the Coelestial Appearances, yet is it not without its obscurity and defects. For it seems in a manner to disjoynt the whole System of the World, foras∣much as whilst the Sun (the Center of Five of the Planets) whirls about the Earth in its Annual mo∣tion, this his Annual motion is entangled with the proper motions of the several Planets; for the ex∣plaining whereof he is fain to make use of a Circle, describ'd from the Suns Center with two Epicycles; whereas the structure of the World, is without doubt very far from any intricacy or confusion, and allows every Planet a sufficient Space to run its Course in.

IX. And is to rejected, as well as the Ptolo∣maick. Besides, this System h••th several other Defects for which it is to be rejected, as well as the Ptolo∣maick. For tho' it admits of less Suppositions for explication of the Motion of the Planets, and gives a plausible account of the Appearances of Venus; yet it cannot be deny'd, but that it requireth some∣thing, which the Mind of Man can hardly assent to, in that it supposeth that Motion, whereby the Mass, consisting of the Heavens and Planets, in Twelve Months time, moves towards all parts of the Firmament. For tho' we should admit, that it had been put into such a motion by the Author of Nature, at the beginning of the Creation; yet

withal we must suppose, that according to the Laws of Nature, which GOD himself hath esta∣blished, the said Motion, in success of Time, must be diminished, and at last cease altogether; since (according to the same) it must have been com∣municated to the Heavenly matter, which the foresaid Mass, to which BRAHE assigns this Motion, drives from those Parts to which it tends.

X. The Coper∣nican Sy∣stem is to be preferr'd before the two former. It remains therefore, that we only admit of the Copernican System, as being both more plain and simple than the two foregoing, and solving the Phaenomena of the Heaven the best of the three. But forasmuch as Des Cartes professeth himself to dissent from COPERNICUS and TYCHO as to the Motion of the Earth, which he denies with more Truth than TYCHO, and with more curio∣sity than COPERNICUS, we intend last of all to propound his Scheme, as the only true one.

CHAP. IX. Of the true Systeme of the Ʋniverse.

I. The C ••er∣nico▪Carte∣sian Hypo∣thesis ex∣plained. DES Cartes supposeth that Matter indefinitely extended, and by motion imprest upon it, di∣vided into various Particles, did run together into several Vortexes or Whirl-Pools, whirling about some certain Points with a most swift motion; that the more subtil matter gathered together about the * 1.5Center of these Vortices, constitutes the fixt Star; that the matter which is a degree bigger, makes the Heavens; and that the more solid Bodies (such as is the Earth and the rest of the Planets) hanging poisd in this fluid matter, comply with the motion of the Vortex about the fixt Star, and may over and above this, be whirld about their own Axis; as we often see that Bodies, carried in a fluid Stream, are turn'd round by a motion of their own, that is, proper to themselves, and not derived from the Stream wherein they are carried.

II. The first Heaven. Moreover Des Cartes divides all the Vortexes, that comp••se this World into two Heavens. In the first, he supposeth all the Matter of Heaven in which the Planets move, to run round continual∣ly in manner of a great Vortex, or mass of fluid Matter whirling round, in the Center whereof is the Sun, S, and that those Parts that are nearer to the Sun, move more swiftly, than those that are more remote, and that all the Planets (of whose number also the Earth T is,) have their course continually amidst the Parts of that Caelestial Matter.

III. The second Heaven. The second Heaven comprehends an immense number of other Vortexes, which surround this Vor∣tex or first Heaven A, B, C, which in their Cen∣ters have the several fixt Stars. And because we are uncertain at how great a distance the fixt Stars are from us, and cannot conceive them so remote as to contradict the Phaenomena, we will not con∣tent our selves with placing them above Saturn, but will take the liberty to conceive them much higher; seeing that it is apparent from the Coele∣stial motions, that they are so far distant from us, that Saturn compar'd to them, seems to be very near us. Des Cartes to illustrate the Truth the more about the motion of the Planets, and espe∣cially of the Comets, made no difficulty to assign an immense distance between Saturn and the fixt Stars.

IV. The di∣stance of the fixt Star•• from the Sun. Neither is this in the least contrary to Reason, forasmuch as we know that Mercury is above two hundred Diameters of the Earth distant from the Sun; Venus above Four hundred; Mars Nine hundred or a Thousand; Jupiter above Three thousand, and Saturn Five or Six thousand. And proportionably we may extend the Space between Saturn and the fixt Stars, to any distance how vast soever. For tho the Region of the fixt Stars, be commonly reputed the utmost Bounds of the World, yet its Figure cannot be certainly deter∣mined by us, seeing we can perceive nothing of its Internal nor External Superficies.

V. Saturn is the First of the Planets. The first of the Planets and nearest to the fix'd Stars is Saturn, who sometimes appears as if he had three Bodies, sometimes Long or Tall, some∣times Sphaerical, sometimes Oval, with Ears and Ear-rings. For tho' Saturn like the other Stars, be of a Round Figure, yet is he surrounded with a broad Circle or Ring; standing at an equal di∣stance from him; the proportion of the Semidia∣meter of the Planet, being to the distance of the Ring, as 3 to 5: but the entire Diameter of the Ring, to that of Saturn is about the proportion of 11 to 5. The Ring is thin, but broad, and if continued, would pass through the Center of Sa∣turn. This Planet being most remote from the Sun, the Center of this our World, and being moved in a large Vortex, is almost 30 years in finishing his Circuit in our Heaven ABC.

VI. Saturns three Satel∣lites. Three Satellites or Guards, are observed to move about him, the First whereof is distant from the Center of Saturn, one Diameter of the fore∣said Ring, and performs his Circuit about Saturn in the Space of 4 days, 12 hours and 27 minutes. He is seen through a Telescope of 35 Foot, in his furthest digression from Saturn, but is impercep∣tible when nearer to him. The Second is much more illustrious, and may be descried by any mo∣derate Telescope, and is distant from Saturn four Diameters of the said Ring, and whirls round him in the time of 16 days and 23 hours. The Third is distant from him 10 Diameters of the Ring, and performs his Circumvolution in the Space of about 80 days.

VII. The Second is Jupiter. The next to Saturn is Jupiter, who absolves his Course in almost 12 years. He hath four less Planets, as so many little Moons to be his Com∣panions, to which GALILAEUS gave the name of the Medicaean Stars, because he first discovered them in the Dominions of the Duke of Florence. Their special names are, the Jovial Saturn, Eu∣ropa, Ganymedes, Calisto; whereof the First or remotest wheels about Jupiter in 16 days; the Second in 7 Days; the Third in 85 hours, and the Fourth in 42 hours.

VIII. T•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is Ma••••. The Third Planet Mars is carried about a in greater Vortex than the Earth, and in a less than Jupiter; and finisheth his Revolution in near two years. In the midst of this Planet CAMPA∣NELLA by the help of Prospectives discovered a Black Mountain, higher than the Mountains of the Moon: From whence, as likewise from the Spots, wherewith his Face is sprinkled, CASSINUS gathered, that Mars was whirld about his own Center in the Space of 24 hours and 49 minutes. There is also a round Ring somewhat resembling a Rainbow, but of a Redder Colour, which surrounds the Foot of that Mountain.

IX. The Fourth is the Earth The fourth place is taken up by the Earth, which absolves its Course together with the Moon, (which she carries about in her Vortex) within the Space of a Natural year. All the Matter that reacheth from the Earth to the Moon, is called Elementary Mat∣ter; and because this Matter contains many parts, which are moved more swiftly than the Rest, it follows that they must all of them be unequally determined to recede from the Center of their Mo∣tion, and that those which are more swiftly moved, withdrawing themselves with greater force, do by this means thrust the other parts downwards: Which is the cause of Gravitation, as hath been said before.

X. The Earth is not pla∣ced in the Center of the World. Now that the Earth is not placed in the Center of the World, but rather is as far distant from the Center, as from the Sun, appears from hence; that all the Planets are sometimes nearer, and at other times farther from the Earth; and that with such a vast difference, that Venus when she is far∣thest from us, is at a six-fold greater distance, than when she is nearest; and Mars is eight times farther distant in the one State, than in the other, which could never be, if the Earth were the Center of the World.

XI. The Fifth is Venus. The Fifth is Venus, who runs her course in 224 days. She is carried below the Earth, surrounding the Sun, which may be concluded from the changes of her Figure and appearance, proceeding from the Illumination thereof.

XII. The Sixth is Mercury. Next to Venus is Mercury, finishing his Course about the Sun S in the Space of 80 days, or as others will have it in 87. He very rarely appears, being for the most part obscur'd by the Suns Rayes. Hence GALILAEUS conceives, that Saturn for his slowness, and Mercury, for his almost conti∣nual occultation, ought to be accounted the last of the Planets. Now forasmuch as Mercury doth not appear, but in his farthest Elongation from the Sun, he is seldom seen Round through a Telescope; but sometimes as it were cut in two, as the Moon in her Quarters, sometimes more Gibbous, and at other times hollow; and being nearest unto the Horizon, and obscur'd by Vapours, its Figure or Bulk can scarcely be discovered.

XIII. The Sun is the Center of the whole com∣pass of the Heavenly Matter. In the midst of this great Vortex the Sun is placed, as in the Center of the World unmoved, and like a Prince seated in his Royal Throne, Il∣lustrating all the Bodies about him, both Cherish∣ing, and Quickning them with his Heat. TRIS∣MEGISTUS calls him the Visible God, and SO∣PHOCLES gives him the Epithet of Beholding all things. But notwithstanding what we have said of his being unmoved, he may whirl about his own Axis, in the of Space of 24 days, which Astronomers conclude from the most constant Mo∣tion of its Spots.

XIV. All the Planets are moved from West to East. Tho' all the Planets with regard to their dif∣ferent Degrees of Solidity be unequally distant from the Sun, the Center of our Vortex, A, B, C; yet is this common to them all, that they perform their Periodical Motions after the same manner, viz. from West to East, or from A, through B, towards C, according to the succession of the Signs of the Zodiack. Save only that the Earth is carried with a threefold Motion, and as the chief∣est Star amongst the Planets, hath the Moon for her Attendant: So that the Vortex, which hath the Earth for its Center, carries the Moon about the Earth in a Months Space, the Earth it self being whirld about every day, round its own Axis. Thus in the same time, that the Earth and Moon finish their Common Circle, or Great Orb once, the Earth is 665 times whirld about its own Axis, and the Moon twelve times carried about the Earth.

XV. An Obje∣ction an∣swerd. The Common Objection against this Hypothesis is, that the Horizon in all parts of the World, di∣vides all the great Circles into equal Parts, so that always one half of the Equinoctial is above it, and the other half under it, and consequently al∣ways 6 Signs of the Zodiack above the Horizon and as many under it; whence it must follow, that the Earth is in the Center of the World, and not the Sun.

To which I answer, that this proves indeed, that the Earth is in the midst of all the great Circles of the Sphere, but not that she is in the Center of the World, because it is our Imagination only, that re∣presents these Circles about the Earth. Accord∣ingly it would be a false consequence to say, that the Earth is in the Center of the World, because the Parts and Degrees of the Earth, do corres∣pond proportionably to the Parts and Degrees of Heaven; for on the contrary it follows that these Circles are equally distant and proportional in their Parts, with regard to the Earth, seeing that it is our Imagination which conceives them round its Center.

XVI. The Pla∣nets may more pro∣perly be said to Rest in their Vortex than to be moved. Notwithstanding the Earth and all the other Planets be carried by the Celestial matter that surrounds them from West to East, yet they may more properly be said to Rest than to move. For seeing that Local motion is nothing else but the Translation of one Body, from the Neighbourhood of those Bodies, which immediately touch it, and are considered as immoveable, into the Neighbour∣hood of other Bodies, and that neither the Earth, nor any of the other Planets, are translated from the Neighbourhood of those parts of Heaven that im∣mediately touch it, and are lookt upon as immove∣able, the Earth and Planets acording to the Truth of the thing are not moved, that is, have no mo∣tion properly so called.

XVII. Neither the Diur∣nal nor Annual Motion do properly belong to the Earth. Yea, if we give head to the Definition of motion we shall easily discern, that that which we call the Diurnal motion doth not belong to the Earth, by it self considered, but as it is an Aggregate of Earth, Seas and Air, seeing it is to be lookt upon at al∣together at Rest, whilst it is whirld about by the stream of the Heavenly matter wherein it swims; like as a Man who sleeps in a Ship, is said to Rest, whilst the Ship is carried from one place to another. We shall also perceive, that the Annual motion of the Earth, whereby it is carried about the Sun from West to East, through the Signs of the Zo∣diack, cannot be ascribed to her, but to the Coele∣stial matter, which carries this vast Mass round the Sun.

XVIII. The Orbs of the Pla∣nets are not exactly Circular. Moreover we are to mind that the Circuits the Planets make about the Sun, are not perfectly Cir∣cular: For as we see that in some parts of Rivers, where the Water whirling about, makes a Vortex, and carry many Straws along with it, some of them at the same time are whirld round about their own Centers, and are moved more swiftly as they are nearer to the Center; and tho' they incline to move Circularly, yet do not always describe exact Cir∣cles;

so we may without difficulty imagine all the same things concerning the Planets. As is mani∣••••••t from their nearer and further distances from the Sun, and from their Descent and Ascent in the Zodiack, being sometimes above the Ecliptical 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and at other times under it.

CHAP. X. That the Heavens are Fluid Bodies.

I. It is no 〈…〉〈…〉 m••tter to ••••ow the Nature of the Hea∣vens. IT will not be difficult to have a certain know∣ledge of the Nature of the Heavens, if we con∣sider that the Matter whereof they consist, is the same with that of the Inferiour World, nothing be∣ing to be found in it besides Divisions, Figures, Magnitudes and Motions. Which Modifications, wheresoever they are, still cause the same changes. And therefore we are to Philosophize concerning the Heavens no otherwise, than of our Bodies here below.

II. 〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉. We are therefore to suppose that Bodies are ei∣ther Hard or Fluid. Hard are those whose parts are so joyned, as not to be separable from one ano∣ther without difficulty. Whereas Fluid are such whose Parts do readily give way: But how it comes to pass, that some Bodies do easily give way to others, and that others are not removed from their places without Force and Difficulty, we shall easily apprehend, if we consider, that these things which are moved, do not hinder other Bo∣dies from entring their places; whereas those that are at Rest, are not without some force pusht out of them.

III. The Parts of Hard Bodies are at Rest, and those of Fluid, in motion. Whence it follows, that those Bodies are Fluid whose parts are tossed with various Motions; and those Hard, whose Parts being closely joyned to∣gether are at Rest. And tho' it may be our Sense may not perceive the parts of Fluid Bodies to be moved, yet are not we therefore to deny it; be∣cause we see the Water and Air do corrupt solid B••dies, which cannot be done without Motion.

IV. The Hea∣vens are no Solid or Hard Bo∣dies. We say therefore, that the Heavens are no Hard or Solid Bodies, but Fluid. For if they were Hard, they could not transmit the Light of the Stars: For Hard and Diaphanous Bodies, trans∣mit the Light because their Pores are rang'd in Right Lines, which could never be, if the vast Bulk of the Heavens was Solid like Crystal, or did much infringe the Light, as we see, that when many pieces of the clearest Glass, are laid one upon one another, they become very opake.

V. Supposing 〈…〉〈…〉 were ••olid, the s••p••r••∣er ••••heres, cou••d not carry t••e inferior a∣long w••th ••em. If the Heavens were Hard, we could never ex∣plain how the Lower Heaven should be snatch'd a∣long by the Heaven above it; as the Peripateticks imagin. For how can the Heavenly Orbs, sup∣posed polisht and even, hurry away with their Motion the Spheres that are under them? Yea when the Sun and the rest of the Planets, are whirld about round their Center, as hereafter shall be de∣clared, no reason can be assign'd, why they should not as well be carried in the Liquid Aether. And indeed all the Antient Philosophers, before ARI∣STOTLE, were of Opinion that the Stars moved in the Heavens like Fishes in the Sea. And Astronomers are of the same Mind, who have observed that Mercury and Venus have sometimes got above Mars, and come down again, which could never be if the Heavens they move in were Solid.

VI. The Motion of the Co∣mets and Stars, is a pregnant proof of the Fluidity of the Hea∣vens. The same may be evinced by the Comets which are found to be above the Region of the Moon, and to slide through those Aethereal Spaces, which could not be without those Spaces were filled with a Fluid Body. The Astronomers have also ob∣served, that the Medicaean Stars, do roul about Jupiter, as Venus about the Sun, which likewise proves the Fluidity of the Heavens.

VII. The Fluidi∣ty of the Heaven proved by the Spots of the Sun. Neither only are those Heavens Fluid, which contain Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and our Earth, together with the Moon its Com∣panion, but the Matter of the Sun it self is also Fluid, and is continually whirld about its own Axis, as is evidenced from the Motion of the Spots about the Body of the Sun; for they are not generated in the Air, as some have supposed, but in the very Body of the Sun. For at first they are seen in the midst of the Suns Body, and near to his Ecliptick, and never towards the Poles of the Solar Body. This is confirmed by many Astronomers, who at great distances of Place, have observed the very same Spots, at the same time, and in the same places. Now that the Sun doth not only move these Spots, but also the Planets that are about him, appears from hence, that the nearer any Planet is to the Body of the Sun, the swifter it is turnd about. And the same is to be conceived concerning that vast Space, which is found about every fixt Star.

VIII. How the fixt Stars keep the same dist∣ance from one another. But you'l say first, that the fixt Stars observe the same distance from one another, which could not be if they wanderd in a Fluid Heaven, chang∣ing their places, as is evident concerning the Pla∣nets, who oft enter one anothers Orbs. I an∣swer, that the equal distance the Stars keep, doth not prove the Solidity of the Heavens, but that they possess some determinate Orbs. For the fixt Stars are not placed in the Circumference of one Sphere as some imagin, but every one of them hath its own Space or Orb; and because they observe the same Order and Propotion amongst themselves, therefore are they called Fixed.

IX. Fluid Bo∣dies have the Force to carry Solid Bo∣dies along with them. In the Second place you'l say, If we suppose the Heavens to be Fluid, it cannot be conceived how Solid Bodies can be carried about in them, see∣ing that they have not so much Power, but do rea∣dily give way to Hard Bodies. And indeed what likelyhood is there that, that which is Hard and Solid, should be hurried along by that which is Fluid and Weak? I answer, that it must indeed be confessed, that Fluid Bodies are not of so great force, as those that are Solid, to hinder the motions of other Bodies, for seeing they having a motion themselves, and that motion is not contrary to motion, they do not resist them so much as Solid Bodies. But for all this it cannot be denied, but that the motion of Fluids where determin'd one way, doth carry all Hard Bodies, along with it. As appears in a Stone, which the Water of the River carries along with it, so long as it is not detained by some External Cause. And therefore there is good ground why the Globe of our Earth, re∣sting in the pure Aether, should easily be carried about by its Heaven. In like manner as we see Straws on the surface of the Water carried about by the whirling round of the Watter, whilst some of them whirl at the same time about their own Cen∣ters, being all of them moved the swifter, by how much the nearer they are to the Center of the said VVhirle-pool.

X. A Hard Body, n••w great soe∣ver it is, resting in a Fluid, will be mo∣ved by the least force. The Reason whereof is, because a Hard Body encompass'd with a Fluid, and Resting in it, lies there as in an Equal Poise; and how great soever it may be, will be easily carried away by a little force, whether that Force come from abroad, or that the fluid Body it self, wherein it is contain'd, be wholly carried one way; as the Course of Ri∣vers tends towards the Sea; or as the Air, when the East-Wind blows, is carried towards the West; which whenever it happens, any hard Body that is in that fluid, must of necessity be carried along with it.

XI. The Hea∣ven hin∣ders the Earth from Falling. Hence we may infer, that seeing the Heaven doth on all sides surround the Earth, and drive all the Bodies, that are on the surface of it, towards its Center, it doth by this means keep it from Falling: So that the Earth cannot but be carried along by it, and being thus without any motion of its own, yielding only to that of the Heavens, it may with good reason be said, to be at Rest. And the same may be said of the Sun, who is hin∣dred by the Globuli of the Second Element, which surround him, from flying from the Center; and the lower Globuli, by those above them; and the utmost, by those of the contiguous Vortexes of the fix'd Stars, who by a contrary pressure do keep them within their Bounds.

CHAP. XI. How the Heavens were disposed at first, and of their divers Motions.

I. Three things are to be sup∣pos'd here. IT will not be difficult to demonstrate the first Disposition of the Heavens, or that order which the Heavenly Orbs now observe, and did from the Beginning, by supposing only a few things, which we have proved in the Fourth Part.

II. The First. First, That there is no Vacuum in Nature; for seeing that Space is not distinct from a Body, it must necessarily follow, that wheresoever Space is found, there must be a Body also.

III. The Second. That there can be no penetration of Dimensions; for seeing that the Conception of a Body involves Extension, and by it excludes all other Bodies out of the same place with it, it is evident that many Bodies cannot be contain'd in the same place.

IV. The Third. Whatsoever is moved, is moved in a Circle; for seeing all places are fill'd with Bodies, it is clear, that one Body cannot be removed out of the Neighbourhood of some Bodies, into the Neighbourhood of others, without being mov'd in a Circle. So that when any Body enters into a place, the Body that was there before leaves it, and enters into the place of the next, and so on to the last; which at the same instant of time enters into the place the first Body hath left.

V. What we are to un∣derstand by the words Vortex, Center, Ecliptick, Poles and Axis. It will not be amiss for us also to explain what we intend by the Words, Vortex, Center, Ecliptick, Poles and Axis. By the word VORTEX we understand, a vast number of parts of Matter, which move together about the same Center. By the Center of a Vortex we mean, the point about which all the parts of Matter that constitute the Vortex do move. And because when a Vortex turns round, all the Points of the Surface describe Crooked lines, which resemble Circles, except two that turn about themselves, we call those two Points the POLES; and the Circle, which is equally distant from the two Poles, we call the ECLIPTICK; and the Right line, which reacheth from one Pole to the other, passing through the Center of the Vortex, we call the AXIS.

VI. How the Vortexes came first to be. These things premis'd, we say that the Parts of the Universe, being in the Beginning of the Crea∣tion put into motion, must naturally run themselves into several Vortexes; for these Particles being of different bulk and figure, and unable to move for∣wards in Right lines, because of their various de∣termination, they were forced to move in Circles, and by this means did constitute Vortexes of a stupendous Magnitude, according to the Quantity of the Matter. For it is an unquestion'd Truth amongst Philosophers, that a Body which is dash'd against another, must of necessity rebound back from it, and so be carried in a Circle, that it may continue its motion, which may be proved by many Experiments. For the Vortexes of the Air, or those of the Water, which we see in Rivers, are caused, because the Vapours that make the Wind, and the running Waters, being beat back by occurring Bodies, are hindred from moving strait forwards: and therefore being reflected on one side, must necessarily turn round, because the subsequent Air, or Water, is successively push'd forwards after the same manner as the first, and so must twist in and be carried Circularly.

VII. The Divi∣sibility of Matter being sup∣pos'd, the Vortexes could not but be made this way. That this was the Original of the Vortexes is unquestionable, by those who admit the Matter of the World to have been divided into particles of different Magnitude and Figure; and that they had as much motion from the beginning, as there is now found in the whole Universe. Because these Particles dashing one against another, must needs be carried round about divers Points, and so run together into divers Vortexes. So that all the Par∣ticles that were whirl'd about the Sun S, did con∣stitute the Vortex, terminated by A, YB, M, and * 1.6that others which roul'd about the fix'd Stars L, C, O, K, compos'd other Vortexes.

VIII. That there are but two visible Heavens. We admit only two visible Heavens; the first, that whose Center the Sun S is, in which we live, and wherein Venus, Mercury, the Earth and the rest of the Planets are contained, and in which they are roul'd about with various motions. And the Second Heaven is that which contains innume∣rable Vortexes ZLZ, MCM, YOY, TKT, which have fix'd Stars in their several Centers, and on every side surround the First Heaven S. Whatsoever reacheth beyond these Heavens, does not fall under our Senses, tho' we conceive it Immense, and not confin'd within any Limits, being therefore called an Expansion or Firmament, from its vast and Indefinite Extension.

IX. How the Vortexes came to be divided, and what the Form of them is. The Disposition therefore, and ordering of the several Bodies of this World was made, when the Planets, and all other Bodies that lay confounded together in the Chaos, were separated by the subtil Matter flowing between them, and got into several places, according to the thickness and solidity of the Matter. Whence it is evident, that the Forms of the Vortexes, are the very first and most simple Forms that were ever introduced into the Matter; they are the First, because they are the immediate product of the Laws of Motion; and the most Simple, because they suppose none before them; and because all other Forms depend on them, as on their Principles.

X. How these Vortexes can per∣form their Motions without hindring one ano∣ther. There is one Difficulty seems to arise from the Disposition of these Great Bodies, viz. how these Vortexes could fall into such a motion, as that one should not hinder the other. For it is hard to conceive how Bodies of so great a Bulk should not interfere with one another in their Circumvolution, seeing that according to the Laws of Nature, the motion of one Body is turned aside by the meeting of ano∣ther.

XI. The Diffi∣culty an∣swer'd. This Difficulty may be answer'd by shewing, that these Vortexes may be so placed, that their Motions will rather further than hinder each other; that is, if we conceive them so ranged, that the Ecliptiek of one, (or that part of the Vortex, which whirling about its Axis describes the largest Circle) do correspond to the Poles of the other: For by this means they will so agree together, and move so freely, as not in the least to hinder one ano∣ther.

XII. The Vor∣texes must be so di••∣posed, as that the Poles of one Vortex may touch the Eclip∣tick of anoth••r. Yea, if we examin the matter, we shall find that the Heavenly Vortexes cannot be so, but that the Poles of one must touch the Ecliptick of another. As suppose the first Vortex, whose Center is S, be moved from A, toward Y; another Vortex contiguous to it, whose Center is O, and another whose Center is C, must touch it in those Parts that are most remote from both the Poles A and B, of the Vortex S. For if we should suppose the Poles of two Vortexes to touch one another, they will either by a like determination of motion be carried the same way, and so will run one into another; or they must by a different determination be carried oppositly to one another, and so clashing in their motions, they will never be able to continue them long; and there∣fore to the end their Motions may not interfere together, the Vortexes must be so ranged, that the Pole of one Vortex may not touch that of another, but the Ecliptick, or those parts which are most remote from them; forasmuch as by this means they support and preserve one another.

XIII. Those Parts of a Vor∣tex which are nearest to the Cen∣ter, are most swiftly moved. The First Heaven, in which the Sun S is the Center, and by the force of whose motion the other Planets are wheel'd about, is most swiftly turn'd round by it; for the Sun being with great celerity whirl'd about its own Axis AB, carries the nearest parts along with it, and imparts his motion unto them: So as that the parts nearest to him are more swiftly moved, than those that are more remote, and so on to the Region of Saturn HNQR, where the parts of the Heaven are mo∣ved slowest of all. The Reason whereof is, be∣cause those parts that are nearer to the Center of the Vortex, are less than those further off, and consequently are more swiftly moved. And that the parts towards S, are less than those that are about HNQR, is evident; for that if they were bigger or equal, by being so near the Center of the Sun, they must needs be more swiftly mo∣ved, and by consequence possess themselves of Higher places.

XIV. Those parts of the Vor∣tex which are above the Region of Saturn, are more strongly moved. According to this Proportion therefore, the mo∣tion of the Celestial Matter, grows by degrees more slow to a certain term, beyond the Region of Saturn HNQR, where the highest or utmost parts of this our Vortex begin to be more swiftly moved, not by the Sun, as is apparent enough; but from the Neighbouring Vortexes, which sur∣round the First Heaven; for they being unequal, do variously shake the Surface of the First Heaven, and thereby conduce to the swiftness of those Parts. This great degree of their swiftness, appears from the swift motion of the Comets.

XV. The Motions of the Vor∣texes are Circular. From what hath been said, we may gather these two things: First, That the Vortexes are circularly moved; for being hindred by other Bodies, from proceeding in a Right motion, they are forc'd to change the same into a Circular, and therefore must continually be whir'd round.

XVI. It is not necessary that the Vortexes should be exactly Round. Yet is it not necessary that these Vortexes there∣fore should be exactly Round; for tho' they coun∣terballance one another by their equal Force, yet is not this Force equally dispers'd through all their parts; because those which are about the Ecliptick of one Vortex, are always more strong than those that are towards the Poles of another: Which makes (since the Ecliptick of one Vortex com∣monly meets with the Poles of others) the parts that are about that Ecliptick, to advance more towards the Poles of other Vortexes, than the parts which are about the Poles of other Vortexes, do advance towards this Ecliptick. We see also in the precedent Figure, that the Neighbouring Vortexes make the Vortex S, which is between them, irre∣gular.

XVII. The Hea∣vens are moved continually. Secondly, We may gather from what hath been said, that the Motions of the Vortexes are perpe∣tual, since there is nothing that can be assign'd that should change or diminish their motions. For a Body therefore only ceaseth to move, because by running against another Body, it imparts its motion unto it, which cannot happen to the Heavens, because they have no Bodies at Rest, or slowly Moved, to which they may communicate their Motion, and so come to lose it. For the Law of Nature requires, that every thing, inasmuch as it is single and undivided, should remain in the same state, nor ever be changed, but from External Causes; and since no such Causes are in the Hea∣vens, but all the Vortexes do comply together, we are rather to conclude, that they maintain and pre∣serve one another.

XVIII. A small Vortex may preserve it self, amongst others that are great∣er. As to the Bigness of the Vortexes, we have no reason to think, that all those which were the re∣sult of the First Division of the Matter, were all of them Equal. For as the only Reason we have to believe, that the vast number of Vortexes are not confounded one with another, is, because their Forces are equal and opposite; we may also well imagin, that a Vortex, which is less than those that are about it, will for all that preserve its station amongst them, if we consider that the Defect of its Bulk may easily be made up by its greater degree of Swiftness in motion. This Inequality of the Vortexes is represented to the Eye in this Figure, where the Vortex S, tho' greater, cannot destroy that of O, nor K, tho' lesser than it.

XIX. What Bo∣dies are said to be Heavy. We may gather from what hath been said, why gross and Earthly Bodies, are Heavy about the Centers of the Vortexes; tho' Light, when they are at a distance from them. For seeing these Bo∣dies derive their motion from the subtil Matter wherein they swim; which Matter is actually turn'd Round, and inclin'd to move forwards in strait Lines; it by this means communicates its Circular motion to those thicker Bodies, which it carries along with it; but not the Force it has in proceeding in right Lines, save only so far as that Force accompanies the motion it imparts to them.

But because the subtil Matter, which is about the Center of the Vortex, hath much more agitation than is required to Circular motion, (for every of the Particles, besides the Circular or Common motion, are also variously moved) it so happens that those Bodies which have less motion, have also less force to continue their motion by Right lines, and by this their weaker force, are forc'd to give way to those, which with greater force press on towards Strait lines, and therefore must tend to∣wards the Center of the Vortex, that is, become so much the more heavy, as they are more solid.

XX. What Bo∣dies are said to be light. But when Earthly Bodies are at a great distance from the Center of their Vortex, seeing the Cir∣cular motion of the subtil Matter is very intense, forasmuch as it employs almost all its motion in its Revolution about the Center of the Vortex, they have the more agitation, as they are more solid, because they follow the motion of the subtil Mat∣ter in which they swim; and therefore have more force to continue their motion according to a Right line: so that the grosser Bodies, at a certain di∣stance from the Center of the Vortex, are by so much lighter, as they are more solid. For by the word Lightness, we understand nothing else, but the Endeavour wherewith the Bodies that are moved Round, tend to withdraw from the Center of their motion; as by the word Heaviness we understand that strift, whereby less agitated Bodies, or less solid, are thrust down towards the Center of their motion, by such as have more force than they to withdraw from it.

XXI. The Planets are not Heavy. From hence it is evidently deducible, that the Earth about its Center is very solid, but less to∣wards the Circumference; as also that the Water and Air must continue in that situation wherein we see them, and that consequently they are Heavy. For seeing all these Bodies are more solid than the Matter of the First or Second Element, they cannot avoid being push'd towards the Cen∣ter by it: Whereas the Moon, being at a conside∣rable distance from the Center of the Vortex of the Earth, is not look'd upon as Heavy, tho' it be a solid Body; as neither Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, which cannot fall down towards the Sun.

CHAP. XII. Concerning the Action and Motion of the Heavenly Matter.

I. How Light was made in the First Day of the Creation. HAving thus been inform'd how the Heavens were ranged, and what Order they still keep, we are next to consider how the Heavenly Matter is moved, and what Action it exerts in them. For as soon as the Vortexes began to be formed, it could not be but that some part of the Matter of the First Element, made by the rub∣bing of the divided particles against one another, must be gather'd towards the Center, and from thence propel the surrounding Globuli, which was sufficient to make Light. And thus we may per∣ceive how Moses is to be understood, when he saith, that GOD divided the Light from the Darkness, and that Light was in the First Day of the Crea∣tion: Because the Matter of the First Element, which was about the Center of each Vortex, press'd the Globuli of the Second Element, and so procured the Light. Yea, this was in some mea∣sure effected upon the first Turn of the Vortex, before the subtil Matter run to the Center. For by the name of Light we can understand nothing else, than that pressure of the Globuli in Right lines, which does excite in us the sense thereof. And therefore, when it is said, that GOD com∣manded the Light to be, it must be thus under∣stood, that GOD put the parts of Matter into motion, and gave them an Inclination to continue the same in a strait Line.

II. How the Sun and fix'd Stars were made the Fourth Day. But after that the Matter of the First Element, by the continual rubbing together of the several Bodies was increased, it betook it self in great Quantity to the Centers of the Vortexes SLC KO, and there made the Sun and the fix'd Stars on the Fourth Day. For seeing that all Circular moved Bodies, continually strive to recede from the * 1.7Center of their motion, and that those that are strongest recede farther than such as are weak; it follows, that the Particles of the Second Ele∣ment, that are more strong than those of the First, because they are solid, do more recede from the Center of their Motion, and that in this their recess they push down thither all those Particles of the First Element, that are left after the filling the In∣tervals, which are between the Particles of the Se∣cond Element. Whence it follows, that about the Center of each Vortex, there is a Body only com∣posed of the Matter of the First Element, which cannot but be of a Round Figure that way it turns; that is to say, If one should cut it by a Flat pa∣rallel to the Ecliptick, in what part soever this Section should be made, it would be always a Circle: For otherwise it must be supposed, that some Particles of the Second Element are not so far removed, as they might be, from the Center which they describe, which is impossi∣ble.

III. What we understand by the word Star. Now that Body of the First Element which is formed in the Center of a Vortex, is commonly called a Star; so that by this word STAR, we understand nothing else, but a Body compos'd only of the First Element, which has been driven by that of the Second, towards the Center of each Vortex.

IV. The most subtil Mat∣ter is most strongly mov••d within the Bodies of the Stars. It is evident from what hath been said, that the Matter of the First Element, is not every where moved alike, but more strongly in the Bodies of the Lucid Stars, than without them in the Globuli of the Second Element. For the subtil Matter gather'd together in the Sun or fix'd Stars, hath a greater force, by reason of the Consent of its Parts to all those swift motions, by which it push∣eth forwards the Aethereal Matter, or the Hea∣venly Globuli. But without the Stars, and between the Globuli, its force is diminish'd, and by being divided, is much weaker: So that every one of its Particles are push'd this way and that way, by the Globuli, and thereby are forc'd to comply with their various motions. Hence it is, that the Matter of the First Element, because of the exceeding smalness of its Parts, is forc'd to change its Figure, and to be toss'd with various motions. For as it is tost amongst the Globuli, it hath several motions; first, its own proper Motion, by which it continually changeth the figure of its little particles, to be fit to fill up exactly all the Corners

it passeth through. Next it hath a Circular motion, which is common to all motions that are moved to∣gether. And lastly it hath a Straight motion, whilst by the Circular motion of the Vortex, it is thrust in great abundance towards the Parts that are most remote from the Poles.

V. A motion may be va∣rious, and yet conti∣nue one and the same. And tho' there can be but one Proper motion as∣sign'd to a thing, yet doth not this thwart the Truth of what we have just now said, because tho' this motion hath several names, yet it is still but one and the same, from the Center to the Circum∣ference, by a right Line, tho in its going forth it may undergo several Figures; even as the motion whereby any Liquor is transmitted through a Chan∣nel or Pipe is said to be one, tho' it run to the term to which it is directed, in one place through a square Pipe, in another through a Triangular, in one through a narrower, in another through a wider Pipe.

VI The great Globuli are more strong¦ly moved than the less. We are also to take notice of some difference there is between the Globuli of the second Element, because the Bigger, as being more Solid, are more suited to receive a swift motion from the matter of the first Element, than the Less, and therefore they are more swiftly moved, and withdraw further from their Center.

VII. The matter of the first Element continually passeth from one Vortex to another. Next, we are to consider that the first Ele∣ment, is continually carried towards the Center of each Vortex, from other Neighbouring Vortexes about it, by those Parts which are nearest to the Poles, where there is least resistance, that so they may make up again that which is lost: But that the same matter breaks out of its own Vortex into others, by the Ecliptick or those parts which are furthest from the Poles. For let us sppose AB, to be the Poles, about which the Vortex in which we are, Whirls round, H and Q to be the Eclip∣tick, or Parts most remote from the Poles, where the motion is the Swiftest. Let us also suppose the Vortex to be AYBM, round about which four others Vortexes LCKO rowle, so as to touch O and C, at their Poles, and the other two K and L, in those Parts that are most remote from their Poles; I say, this supposed we may easily guess, that the matter which strives to withdraw from the Axis AB, of our Vortex, doth with greater Force tend towards the Parts Y and M, than towards A and B. The reason is, because the most subtil matter in Y and M, meets with the the Poles of the Vortexes O and C, where there is no great Force of Resistance; whereas in A and B, it meets wi••h those parts of the Vortexes K and L, which are most remote from their Poles, and have a greater Force of moving from L and K, to∣wards S, than the Parts about the Poles of the Vortex S, have to tend towards L and K; and therefore it is manifest, that the most subtil matter which is in K and L, must move on towards the Center of our Vortex S, and that that which is in S, must tend towards the opposit Vortexes C and O. So that as much of this subtil matter, as gets out through Y and M, so much of the same matter enters, from the other Vortexes L and K through the Poles of our Vortex.

VIII. But not the Matter of the second Element. But there is no such passage of the matter of the second Element from one Vortex to another; for being whirld round as well as the subtil matter, it endeavours to preserve its Swiftness, but would certainly lose much of the same, if it should wan∣der out of the limits of its own Vortex, since the motion is so very slow in the Polar Parts of the other Vortexes M and Y, that it cannot meet with any free entrance there. Yea, tho' we should suppose, that the Aethereal Globuli should pass from the Poles of one Vortex, towards the Center of another; and that all the matter both of the first and second Element, contained in the Vortex L, at the very same moment of time, had begun to move, from the middle place between the Cen∣ters S and L, towards S; yet we shall easily un∣derstand, that the said subtil matter will arrive soon∣er at the Center S, than the Globuli of the second Element. Because the Agitation of the first Ele∣ment far surpasseth that of the second, and hath always an open passage, through those little An∣gles, which cannot be fill'd up by the matter of the second Element. To which we may add, that the matter of the first Element, by passing through the narrow spaces left by the Globuli, meets with no impediment, nor loseth any part of its Swift∣ness, seeing that according to the Laws of motion, it always endeavours to recede from the Center, and hath a force to persevere in its Swiftness.

IX. How the matter of the first E∣lement is moved a∣mongst the Stars. Having thus seen how the Matter of the first E∣lement, which is impatient of Rest, breaks forth from one Vortex to another; we are to enquire how the said matter is moved amongst the Stars. Consider we therefore, that a part of the most subtil matter, in the Space d e f g, where we place the Sun, moves from A, by a right line to d, and there meeting with the Globuli of the second E∣lement, beats them back towards B; and that con∣trarily another part of the said matter comes from B to f, and there drives before it the Globuli of the second Element which it meets with, towards A, and that immediately thereupon, as well the mat∣ter about d, as about f becomes reflected towards all the parts of the Ecliptick e g, and doth equally drive before it all the adjoyning Globuli of the se∣cond Element, and lastly gets away into MY, through the materials that separate those Globuli, about the Ecliptick e g.

X. The motion of the mat∣ter of the first Ele∣ment is the cause of the Round∣ness of the Stars. VVhereupon this Space must needs be Sphaeri∣cal, because the matter of the first Element, which is entred into the Body of the Sun by its Poles AB, must equally beat back all the circumjacent Globuli of the second Element, as well those, against which it is only obliquely reflected, as the other against which it pusheth in a direct Line; after the same manner as we see, that a Glass pipe is formed Round, because the Air driven through the Iron pipe, with an equal force spreads it self round, and equally presseth it on all sides.

XI. The motion of the sub∣til matter amongst the Globu∣li is vari∣ous. The matter of the first Element without the Stars, or whilst it wanders between the Globuli of the second Element, hath a various motion. For first it hath a Proper motion, whereby it runs to the filling up of the little Spaces left by the Globuli of the second Element, which the diversity of motion changeth every moment. And it hath also a Cir∣cular motion about the Poles, common to the whole Heaven AMBY; because that which is con∣tained between the little spaces of the Globuli, fol∣lows the motion of them. As VVater contained in a Barrel, follows the motion of it, and accommo∣dates its self to its Figure. It hath also a Sraigh motion, from the Poles AB to the Sun; and liket wise from the Sun to the Ecliptick YM, accord∣ing

to the Law of motion, that things which are circularly moved, always tend to recede in a right Line, from the Center of the Circle they de∣scribe.

XII. The matter of the first Element hath a greater force in the Stars than with∣out them. VVhence it appears that the matter of the first Element, collected in the Center of the Sun and fixt Stars hath a very great Force, because the motion of all its particles do readily agree and con∣spire together, to push forward the Globuli with an equal Force: But this Force grows weaker out of the Body of the Stars, because it spends the great∣est part of its Agitation, in changing the Figures of its little Particles, to the end it may exactly fill all the little Corners through which it passeth.

XIII. Of the Figure of the Strait or Screw∣like Par∣ticles. VVherefore whilst the matter of the first Ele∣ment, passeth through the Triangular intervals 1 and 2 of the Globuli touching one another, it must needs assume a Triangular Figure, and become shaped into striate Particles 3 and 4 bent a con∣trary way. It is not easy to determin the length of those Particles, because this depends on the slenderness or abundance of the matter, whereof they are made: But it is sufficient to conceive them like little Columns, with three Notches round them like a Screw; so that in their whirling round, they may pass through those narrow passages 1 and 2 * 1.8of a Triangular Form. For seeing that they are longish, and with a most swift motion pass between the Globuli of the second Element, which touch one another, whilst the Globuli in the mean time by a different motion are whirld round, about the Poles of the Heavens, we clearly understand, that their Notches must go winding about, like those of Screws, which winding must be more or less ac∣cording as they pass through parts that are more remote from the Axis of the Vortex, or nearer to it, because they move more swiftly in those, than in these.

XIV. The Globu∣li of the second Ele∣ment, have not the same big∣ness every where. As to the Globuli of the second Element, of which the Vortexes consist, they are not all of the same bigness; for those that are nearer to the Star and its Center, are less than those that are farther off, and consequently absolve their Circle in a less time. VVhich inequality of their Magnitude, ex∣tends it self to the Region of Saturn HNQR, * 1.9where the parts of Heaven move most slowly. Yet beyond that Orb it is probable, that the Globuli are all of an equal Magnitude, and that the Higher move more swiftly than the Lower. So as that the Higher must move more swiftly towards M and Y, than the Lower towards H and Q. The reason whereof is amongst other things, that the border∣ing Vortices being unequal, the motion of the sub∣til matter, between those unevennesses of the surface, becomes much accelerated.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Heavenly Sphere and its Circles.

I. What the Sphere is. BY the word Sphere we understand that com∣mon instrument of a round Figure, consi∣sting of several Circles, invented to explain and represent the Heavenly motions, and the Fabrick of the whole VVorld. This Sphere hath a little Ball in the midst or Center of it, with an Axis through it, the Extremities whereof are called Poles, about which the whole Body of the Hea∣vens is supposed to ••urn round in the Space of 24 hours.

II. What an Axis is. The Axis of the World is a right Line, which extending from one Pole to the other, passeth through the Center of the World. By this the Earth is said to be supported: Not that there is in∣deed any such visible Axis in the Globe of the Earth, which is terminated in the Heavens, and whereby the Earth is sustained; but only that such a Line is understood, which passing through the Center of the Heaven and Earth, reacheth to the utmost Heaven, and ends at two points, which are called the Poles of the World.

III. What the Poles are. The Poles therefore are nothing else but the Ex∣tremities of the Axis, or two Points in the highest Heaven, Diametrically opposit, about which the whole bulk of the Heavens is conceived to be whirld about. The one of these Poles is always visible to us, and from its nearness to the constel∣lation of the Bear is called Artick, the other which is always hid from us, being from its opposition to the former called Antarctick.

The Northern Pole is reard in sight on High, The other hid under our Feet doth lie.

IV. The Cir∣cles of the Sphere are eith r greater or less. There are ten Circles in an Artificial Sphere, six whereof are called Greater, whose Diameter passeth through the Center of the World, or which divide the Sphere into two equal Parts, and these are the Horizon and Meridian (between which standing immoveable, the other Circles are turnd round) the Aequator, the Colure of the Solstices, the Colure of the Aequinoxes, the Zodiack or broad Circle, and the middle line thereof, which is cal∣led the Ecliptick. The four lesser Circles are those whose Diameter doth not pass through the Center of the World, or which divide the Sphere into two unequal Parts. They are the Tropick of Cancer, the Tropick of Capricorn, the Arctick and Antarctick Circle, which also with the Aequator are called Parallels, as being at an equal distance from each other.

V. The Equi∣noctial Cir∣cle. The Aequator or Aequinoctial Circle, which is the chiefest of all the rest, is that Circle, which in all its parts is equally distant from the Poles of the World, which it divides into the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. By the Greeks it is called the Even-day Circle, because the Sun twice in a year, that is about the 10 of March, and the 13 of September intersecting the same, makes two Aequinoxes, by rendring the Days and Nights equal, through his equal stay above and under the Hori∣zon, because the Aequotor intersected by the Ho∣rizon, becomes divided into two equal parts, one Superior, and the other Inferior.

VI. The Zodi∣ack. The Zodiack is a greater Circle superinduced over the other moveable Circles, unequally di∣stant from the Poles, and intersecting the Aequi∣noctial at two opposit Points; so that its middle line which is called the Ecliptick, hath one part of it inclining to the North Twenty three degrees, and Twenty eight minutes, according to the An∣tients, and the other part of it as many degrees reaching towards the South. This Circle is con∣ceived Broad, because the Planets which move through it, do not all of them keep the same tract, but whilst the Sun takes it Course through the midst of this they Circle, along the Ecliptick they swerve to the North and South. The Points at which the Zodiack Intersects the Aequator, are called the Aequinoctial Points: because when the

Sun reacheth them, it makes Day and Night of equal length. And the Points by which the Eclip∣tick, declines furthest from the Aequinoctial, are called the Solstitial Points, because when the Sun comes to them he seems to stand still. The Zo∣diack is furnisht with twelve Signs or Constella∣tions of which hereafter.

VII. The Colures of the Sol∣stices and Equinoxes. The Colures are two greater Circles, which in∣tersecting one another in right Angles at the Poles, do intersect all the other moveable Circles, divi∣ding them into four equal Parts. For the Colure of the Solstices passeth through the Poles and the Solstitial Points of Cancer and Capricorn; but the Colure of the Aequinoxes is described through the Poles of the World, and the Aequinoctial Points of the Zodiack, at Aries and Libra. The use of the Colure is to mark out the four Cardinal Points, viz. the beginning of Aries, where whilst the Sun is, the Night is equal with the Day, and the Spring begins; the beginning of Cancer, where the Sun makes the longest Day, and begins Summer; the beginning of Libra, where the Sun makes Day and Night equal, and begins Autumn; and the beginning of Capricorn, where the Sun makes the shortest day, and Winter begins.

By Crab and Capricorn Solstice is made, The Ram and Ballance equal Light with Shade.

VIII. The Hori∣zon. The Horizon is the utmost Circle in a Sphere, encompassing all the rest, and is that Circle which is equidistant from the Vertical Point of every place; and therefore is called by the Greek Horizon, that is to say, Terminator or Finisher, because it bound∣eth our sight. For when standing in a Plain we take a Prospect round about, we see the Heavens every where, as it were touching the Earth; from which Commissure of the Heaven and Earth as the Stars get upwards, they are said to Rise, and when they sink beneath it are said to go down. Tho' the Horizon with regard to every particular place of the Earth be immoveable, yet considered in general it is mutable, forasmuch as whilst we Travel from one place to another, we also pass from one Horizon to another.

IX. The Meri∣dian. The Meridian is a greater Circle which passeth through the Poles, and the two Points, the one directly over our heads, called the Vertical Point, and the other opposit to it, under our Feet called the Nadir. This immoveable Circle, within which the other Circles are moved, is called the Meri∣dian, because when ever the Sun reacheth it, he makes Noon or Midday, by dividing the Day into two equal Parts. Whence it appears, that the Altitude or Elevation of the Pole in every Country, is nothing else but that Arc of the Meridian, which is intercepted betwixt the Horizon and the eleva∣ted Pole, and whose complement to the Zenith or Quadrant of the Circle, is always equal to the Al∣titude of the Aequator.

X. The Tro∣picks of Cancer and Capricorn. The Tropick of Cancer is a less Circle, Parallel to the Equator, passing through the Northen Sol∣stitial Point of the Zodiack. The Tropick of Ca∣pricorn, is a less Circle, Parallel to the Aequator, passing through the Southern Solstitial Point of the Zodiack. They are called Tropicks, that is to say Turn-agains, for that as soon as the Sun in his with∣drawing from the Aequator reacheth them, he be∣gins to return again towards it. Their distance from the Aequator is 23 Degrees and an half; that being the furthest Elongation the Sun ever makes from that Line; wherefore, also it is called the greatest Declination of the Sun.

XI. The Ar∣tick and Antarctik Circles. The Artick or Northern Polar Circle, is a less Circle, Parallel to the Aequator, passing through the Pole of the Zodiack, near the Northern Pole. The Antarctick or Southern is a Circle passing through the other Pole of the Zodiack, near to the Southern Pole. These two Circles are at the same di∣stance from the Poles, as the Tropicks from the Aequator, that is 23 Degrees and an half. They have also this common use with the Tropicks, that they serve to distinguish the Zones, the Torrid be∣ing comprehended within the Tropicks; and the Frigid within the Polar Circles; but the Temperate Zones lie between the Polar Circles and the Tro∣picks.

XII. Whence the Latiude of a Place is taken. All these Circles, the Aequator, Ecliptick, Me∣ridian, with the Tropicks and Polar Circles, are applied to the Terrestrial Globe: For the Earth also hath its Equator, commonly called the Line, corresponding to the Caelestial Aequator; and every place on the Earth hath its own Meridian. And these Circles are exceeding useful to distinguish the vari∣ous Situation of Places, as well as to the Art of Navigation, and to the Knowledge of Geography. For since we may distinguish the Earth as well as the Heaven, in Length and Breadth; the Latitude of any Place is nothing else, but a Portion of the Meridian, intercepted between the Aequator and that Place. Wherefore, those who live under the Aequinoctial have no Latitude; whereas they have the greatest Latitude, who are at the greatest di∣stance from the Aequator under the Poles. The Latitude of a Place, is the same with the Eleva∣tion of the Pole, for they who live under the Line, see both the Poles in their Horizon, but as we withdraw from the Aequator, one of the Poles is Elevated above our Horizon, and the other de∣prest beneath it.

XIII Whence the Longitude is taken. But the Longitude of a Place is taken in the Ae∣quator, and is nothing else but a Part of the Aequi∣noctial Circle intercepted between the Meridian of any particular place (suppose Paris) and the first Meridian appointed by the consent of Men, which Meridian is conceived to pass through the Islands, of Azores.

XIV. What a Right Sphere is. A Sphere is either Right or Oblique. A Right Sphere is that whose Horizon passing through the Poles of the World, cuts the Aequinoctial at Right or Equal Angles.

XV. What an Oblique Sphere. An Oblique Sphere, is that whose Horizon cuts the Aequator at unequal Angles, and doth not pass through the Poles of the World.

They therefore have a Right Sphere, who live under the Aequator, and they an Oblique who live under the Tropicks. Whence it appears that the Sun and the rest of the Stars in a Right Sphere ABCD, to them that live under the Aequator B, * 1.10seem to rise and set in Right Lines, both the Poles lying on the Horizon; whereas in an Oblique Sphere EFGH, (where one of the Poles E, and * 1.11the Axis of the World, is more or less obliquely inclin'd towards either side of the Horizon) they are seen to rise above the Horizon, come to the Meri∣dian, and set beneath the Horizon obliquely. For any one may easily apprehend, that where both the Poles lie on the Horizon, there the Aequator must be Vertical; and seeing it cuts the Hori∣zon

[illustration]

[illustration]

Book. 1. Part. 5. Chap. 14

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Freman 〈◊〉〈◊〉

I. Kip Sculp

To the Right Honourable S^r. Henry Goodrick of Ribston Park in York-Shire K^t. and Baronet, Leivtenant Generall of their Majesties Orde∣nance, and one of the Lords of their most Honourable Privy Councell &c.^a.

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Richard Blome.

at Right Angles, the Stars must needs arise and set in Right Lines; and in like manner, what∣soever else is in the Heaven, forasmuch as all the Circles, which they describe parallel to the Aequa∣tor, will likewise cut the Aequator at Right An∣gles. And on the contrary, those that live between the Aequator and the Elevated Pole, because of the Oblique ascent and descent, have some Stars always in sight, and others ever out of sight.

CHAP. XIV. Of the SƲN.

I. How the Sun was formed at first. FRom what hath been already said of the A∣ction of the Heavenly Matter, we may easily understand how the Sun was formed at first. For whilst the Globuli of the Second Element, be∣ing more solid than the Matter of the First, withdrew from the Center, betaking themselves to the Circumference, the most subtil Matter being increased to too great a quantity (from the conti∣nual rubbing of Bodies against one another) to be contained in their Intervals, rush towards the mid∣dle part, where being tost with different motions, and most swiftly whirl'd about its Center, it con∣stituted the Sun, and the other fix'd Stars. For seeing that our World, in the midst whereof the Sun's Seat is, and which extends it self beyond the Sphere of Saturn, doth constitute one great Vortex, whose fluid and transparent Matter is circularly moved; it must follow that the Globuli of the Second Element will strive to recede from their common Center, and as far as their Figure and Motion will permit, come nearer together, and lye upon one another; which they cannot do, without driving the Matter of the First Element, whereof there is greater store than is needful, to fill their Intervals, towards that place which they have left; so that it cannot be, but that about the Middle of the Vortex, there must be a great concourse of the Matter of the First Element; which we take to constitute the Body of the Sun.

II. What the Sun is. Accordingly we may define the Sun to be a Lucid Body, consisting of the Matter of the First Element, gather'd together in the Center of a Vortex, in the room of the Globuli that recede from it.

III. Why the Sun is Round. From the Account we have here given of the Sun's Formation, we gather first, that the Sun must be of a Round Figure; because the most subtil Matter entring the Sun at either of its Poles, continues its course in a Right line, until it meet with the Globuli of the Second Element, which are about the opposite Pole, and running against them, drives them forward by the force of its motion, and thereupon is immediately reflected, and turns round in all its parts towards the Ecliptick, and so drives forwards the adjacent parts of the Second Element, that are next to the Center of the Star, and by this means makes the Sun to be Round: So that if it should be intersected by a Plain, parallel to the Ecliptick, in whatsoever part the Section be made it will always be a Circle. For otherwise it would follow, that some parts of the Second Element, do not recede so far as they can from the Center of the Circle they describe; but this is impossible, con∣sidering the Fluidity of the Heavens.

IV. Why the Sun is Lucid. In the Second place, we infer from hence that the Sun is Lucid; because the Matter of the First Element, gather'd together in the Center of the Vortex, by pressing every way upon the Heavenly Globuli, (besides the motion they have, as they are a Liquid Body) do communicate to them such a force or impression as is sufficient so to affect our Eyes, as to produce the sense of Seeing.

V. How it comes to pass, that the Sun appears so much greater to us than any of the fix'd Star. The Sun therefore, and the rest of the fix'd Stars, shine with their own Light, which their brisk and lively Rays are an evident Proof of. And the reason why the Sun appears so great to us, in comparison of the fix'd Stars, is, because he is nearer to us, who are in the same Vortex. For which reason also, the Sun doth not only abundantly il∣luminate our Earth, whence he is called in Scrip∣ture, the Greater Light; but also communicates heat and warmth to the same: Whereas the fix'd Stars, tho' visible to us; because of their Re∣moteness can do neither.

VI. The Sun is a Fluid Body. The Sun therefore is no solid Body, neither a burning Stone, nor Ret-hot Plate, as some of the Ancients apprehended, but consisting of a very fluid and movable Matter, which whirls all the Circumjacent parts of Heaven round with it. And thus much is not only confirm'd to us by Reason, but also by Astronomical Observations: For SIMON MARIUS, in Scheinerus his Rosa Ursina, tells us, That he had beheld the Sun thro' an Optick Glass, boyling like molten Gold in a Furnace. ATHANASIUS KIRCHERUS, in his Book entituled, Ars magna Lucis & Umbrae, writes, That he had seen the Sun, like to the Sea, tost and foaming with Waves. And RAPHAEL AVERSA assures us, That he had observ'd the Sun to be a Fluid Body, contain'd in its place, as if it were in a Vessel, and agitated within it self, like a molten Metal. Yea, there are several who have assured me, that the whole Body of the Sun boyls continually, and that they had often observ'd it through a Prospective-Glass, boyling like Water in a Kettle.

VII. The Sun is a true Fire. Whence all Modern Philosophers that are of any Note, take it for granted, that the Sun is no∣thing else but a Fire or Flame. Since we have great reason to conclude that Body, which gives forth Warmth and Light, to be Fire; but we Ex∣perience the Sun to give forth Heat and Light: Therefore we must conclude the Sun to be a Fire. The Minor is manifest, because we are convinced that both these proceed from the Sun by our Feeling and Sight; neither do we find any thing in the Fire, which we may not with equal right attribute to the Sun. Besides, we cannot conceive any Body to have an inborn or connatural Light, by means of which it produceth Heat, except it be of the nature of Fire. Wherefore, seeing the Sun is as communicative of Light and Warmth, as Fire is, and that both of them have the same Properties; for the Sun dries, melts, kindles, and burns, as well as Fire: Therefore we must conclude that the Sun is Fire. For we can have no stronger Argument to prove two things to be the same, than by de∣monstrating, that all the Effects of one of them, do also proceed from the other. For as if any one by Night should meet with a Body that sent forth flames, heated the Bodies that were near it, and enlightned the Air, he would make no scruple to conclude it to be a Fiery Body: In like manner,

seeing the Sun performs all these things, we are not to question but that it is a Fire or Flame.

VIII. Why the Sun's heat is greater in Summer than in Win••er. But against this you will object, First, if the Sun were a Flame, and as such continually diffus'd its heat through the whole World; it would fol∣low from hence, that the Air would never be cold; but this is contrary to Experience: For we fin•• the Air much hotter in Summer; than in Win∣ter.

Some endeavour to solve this Objection, by saying, that the Difference of Heat we feel at di∣vers Seasons, proceeds from the various incidence of the Sun-beams on the Surface of the Earth, which in Summer come down to the Earth more directly, and in Winter more obliquely or slant∣ingly. But this Answer will scarcely satisfie those, who consider that the Surface of the Earth is not polish'd, as a Looking-Glass▪ but rough and very uneven; and that consequently it may receive direct Rays in Winter, as well as Summer. The reason therefore why the Cold is more intense about the Earth in the Winter-season, is, because the Air we breath in, which is ten or twelve Miles high, hath a very smooth and even Surface, as having no Winds to ruffle it; and the Sun-Rays falling very slantingly in the Winter upon this smooth Surface, is the reason why fewer Rays are trans∣mitted to us in Winter, than in other Seasons of the Year. To which may be added, that more Va∣pours and Exhalations at that time proceed from the Earth and Sea, which filling the Air, do allay the Heat of the Sun.

IX. The Sun is fed and maintain'd as our Fires are. In the Second place, you'l object, That our Fire here below stands in need of Fewel, which is no sooner taken away, but it becomes extinct, and vanisheth: But in the Heaven there is no Fewel to feed the Sun's Flame: Therfore it is a great mistake to suppose it a Fire.

X. The Sun's Flame is not weak∣ned by the Bodies that are about it. I Answer in the first place, That the state of the Sun, and our Flames here below, is very diffe∣rent: For our Flames stand in need of Nourish∣ment, because they are compos'd of a Fluid and Moveable Matter, which is easily destroy'd by the Bodies that surround it; and therefore it is needful it should be furnish'd with New Mat∣ter, to supply that which is extinguish'd and vanisheth. But above the Sun there are no such Agents as are able to dissipate its Matter, and there∣therefore it needs no Fewel to preserve it. For so vast a quantity of Fiery Matter is heap'd up in the Sun, that it can neither be exhausted or extin∣guish'd by it self, nor by the Heaven that sur∣rounds it.

XI. The Sun is fed and maintain'd by the Matter of the First Element. I answer in the Second place, That the Matter of the First Element is the Fewel of the Sun's Flame, which is continually convey'd to the Sun, in the room of the like Matter, it loseth at any time. For the Stars entertain such a Communica∣tion among themselves, as to convey food to one another through their Vortexes, bestowing upon others what goes out by their Ecliptick, and re∣ceiving from others what comes in by their Poles. And thus New Matter continually enters into the Sun, by the Poles, and other Matter again flows out from it, in that part which is farthest from the Poles. And accordingly the Sun is always said to be the same, in like manner as a River is supposed the same, notwithstanding that New Matter con∣tinually makes up the defect of that which runs away.

XII. How the Sun makes Twilight. The Sun is not only the Cause of the Light, which in the day time is diffused through the Air; but also of the Twilight, which is perceived in the East before its Rising, and in the West after its Setting; forasmuch as the Rays of the Sun falling obliquely upon the Vapours that are in the Air, are refracted towards the Earth. The Beginning of this Twilight happens, when the Sun is deprest beneath our Horizon, about 18 Degrees, perpen∣dicularly taken from the Vertical Circle. Hence it is, that in those parts of the Earth where the Sun doth not in Summer sink below the Horizon 18 Degrees, there they have a continual Twilight all Night long.

XIII. There are no certain Points of the Sun's Rising and Setting. Whatsoever part of the Earth the Sun salutes with his Rays, there he is said to Rise; and to Set in those Parts which he ceaseth to illuminate. Now forasmuch as there is no part of the Earth in which he may not sometimes Rise, and sometimes Set in this manner, we may assert, contrary to the Vulgar receiv'd Opinion, that there are no certain Points of the Sun's Rising or Setting.

CHAP. XV. Of Light.

I. The Opinion of the Pe∣ripateticks, concerning Light, refuted. THe Peripateticks generally are of Opinion, that Light is a Quality really distinct from Substance; and propagated to the Senses they don't know how. But this Opinion, at present, hath but few Followers:

First, Because it is evident, that Qualities are no Emities really distinct from Substances, but only their Modifications, which neither can remove from the Substances wherein they are, nor do any thing without them.

Secondly, Because the Beams of Light are re∣flected from some Bodies: Now every Reflexion is caus'd by Resistance, and whatsoever meets with Resistance, must be Corporeal; but forasmuch as meer Qualities, abstracted from Substances, include nothing of Corporeity, neither can they be liable to Resistance. Whence we must conclude, that Light which is Reflected, is no pure Quality, separately existing from the Lucid Body.

Thirdly, The Rays of Light are refracted, and by the help of Convex-Glasses are strengthned; which could not be in case the Light were a meer Quality, for then, as being destitute of all Quan∣tity, it would equally penetrate all Bodies. For the better understanding whereof, two things espe∣cially are to be supposed.

II. Two things are to be supposed, in order to the under∣standing of the Nature of Light. First, That all Bodies consider'd in themselves, strive to move in Right lines. For a Stone thrown from you always moves strait forwards towards some part or other; nor ever turns aside, except by other Bodies meeting with it, it be forced to rebound or deflect. Secondly, That whatsoever is Circularly moved, as far as it is able, strives to re∣cede from the Center of its motion; as we may experience in a Leaden Bullet tied to a String, for wee feel that the swifter the Bullet is whirl'd about, the stiffer the String is extended and stretch'd; which cannot be attributed to any other Force, but because it strives to recede from the Center of its motion.

III. What is to be un∣derstood by the word Stri∣ving. When I say, that the Bullet strives to with∣draw from the Center of its motion, it is not so to be understood, as if the Bullet or any other Body had a perceptive inclination to move one way rather than another; but only that it hath such an impulse to motion, that it would move in such a manner, in case it were not hindred of something else.

IV. How Light is produ∣ced. We assert therefore, that Light consists only in this, that the Matter, which is in the Center of every Vortex, by its swift whirling about, doth shake the Luminous Matter, that is dispers'd throughout the whole Heaven, and all Diapha∣nous Bodies, which in Right lines beating against the Nervous Fibres of the Tunica Retina, pro∣duceth that perception, whence Bodies are deno∣minated Lucid: For as a Blind man by the means of his Staff, because of its Resistance only, is able to distinguish betwixt Bodies; tho' no Species be transmitted by the Stick to the Eye: So likewise the Cause of the Perception of Light is nothing else, but that a certain Matter dashing against the Organs of Sight, stirs up the Soul to such an Ani∣madversion.

V. What Light, and the Rays of Light are. Light therefore is a Quality proceeding from the Vibration of the Globuli diffus'd in Right lines, and moving the small fibres of the Optick Nerve, disperst through the Net-like Membran of the Eye. Which is then chiefly, when the Matter of the First Element, contained in the Center of the Sun, or any other Lucid Body, strives to with∣draw from it: For in so doing it presseth the adja∣cent Globuli of the Second Element, and they again those which are above them to the very last. So as that by this means the Light is diffused in a moment, to any distance whatsoever. Which will not be hard for us to conceive, if we consider that the Action of Light doth not so much consist in Motion, as in Pression, or a first disposition to Mo∣tion; and therefore that the Rays of Light are nothing else but so many Lines, by which that quick and lively Action is performed.

VI. The Sun equally ••iffuseth its Light. From whence we conclude, that the Sun doth not more forceably drive forwards the Matter which is towards the Ecliptick, than that which is towards its Poles: For the Sun being of a Round figure, the Matter of the First Element entring into its Center, doth equally drive from it all the Globuli that surround it; so that no greater Force proceeds from one, than from any other Point of its Superficies, by which means infinite Rays are extended to every part of the Body it illumi∣nates.

VII. What is required to the Pro∣duction of Light. To the Production therefore of Light, is re∣quired, First, Matter very swiftly agitated, as is that which is in the Center of every Vortex. Secondly, A certain Matter that is shaken, as is that Matter which is about the Stars, that is, the Globuli. Thirdly, It is requisite that this Matter be shaken or vibrated in Right lines, or such as are equipollent to Right ones: For tho' in all Dia∣phanous Bodies, the Pores are not Mathematically strait; yet are they sufficiently so, for the trans∣mission of the Action of Light. Fourthly, That this Vibration of the Matter be such, that by Moving the Nerves the Soul may be excited to that perception we call Sense; for it is our Soul, and not the Body that is sensible. When therefore either the Organ is unfit to receive this Vibration, or that it be affected by any stronger Vibration, the Sensation will be thereby hindred. And this is the reason, why after the Sun is risen we cannot see the Stars; because the stronger Vibration of the Sun, renders the weaker Vibration of the Stars imperceptible, except it be in case of some very great Eclipse.

VIII. The far∣ther the Beams of Light withdraw from the Luminous Body, the less and weaker they grow. Tho' the Light diffuse it self on every side, and equally drive before it the adjacent Matter; yet is its Action lessen'd according to the Degrees of its elongation from the Luminous Body. The bet∣ter to comprehend this suppose we the Tube ABC here decypher'd, enlarging it self by degrees to contain Water as high as DE; and let afterwards, by means of a Spring, so much new Water be spouted into it by the Hole A, as may be sufficient to fill the Space AFG, which tho' it be of some height, yet it hath but little breadth; it will hence appear, that by the accession of this New Water, the Water contained in the Tube will be sensibly raised a little higher towards HI, but not toward DE. By which Example, the Nature of Light is fitly illustrated: For as, we cannot say, that the Water above DE is not raised higher at all, but only that it is raised very little; so in like manner we must say, that the farther the Beams of Light recede from the Luminous Body, the weaker and less their motion is.

IX. How tho Light must be reflected upon its meeting with some Bodies. As a Body that is in motion upon meeting with another Body that resists it, doth lose its determi∣nation, and is forced to turn aside; as we expe∣rience in a Ball, which being struck against a Wall, rebounds; so we are to conceive, that the Light meeting with some hard Body, is by it re∣verberated. For seeing that Light is nothing else but a pression of the Globuli of the Second Ele∣ment, which tho' in the Pores of Water, Air, Glass, and other such like Bodies, do touch one another in various ranks or rows: Suppose the Globuli that constitute the Row CD, to represent those Parts of the Second Element that constitute one Ray, falling upon the hard Body AB; it is * 1.12necessary that the Action of this Ray, be conti∣nued by the Line DE, towards E, that so the Angle of Reflexion BDE, may be equal to the Angle of Incidence ADC; that is, this Action must be transmitted by the very same Lines, which the Globulus C would describe, in case it were alone, and were moved by the Line CD: For it is manifest, that the Globulus D is disposed to move onwards that way it would really move, if its Power were reduced to act. And because this Globulus, by meeting with the Body AB, would neither tend towards G nor H, but only towards F, it is evident that the Globulus F only is push'd forwards by it, and that that alone receives its Action. This is confirm'd by daily Experience, for we find that the Sun-beams falling upon the Surface of any Compact Body (as Gold, or Steel) are reverberated, and that the Lights Angle of Reflexion, is equal to the Angle of Incidence.

X. Light can∣not be Fire. I know no Body that hath better explained the nature of Light than our Author: And tho' they who mantain Light to be Fire, do support their Opini∣on by strong Arguments, yet they struggle with many difficulties, which are of no force against our Opinion. For according to their Hypothesis two Bodies would be in one place, if Light and Fire were one and the same thing. Again there

are many things that give Light without impart∣ing Heat. Moreover, what shall we say becomes of the Light, when the Sun leaves our Hemis∣phere? shall we suppose that such a vast Body can perish in a moment? And lastly, how can the Light without interruption or disturbance reach our Eyes, when the Air is shaken by Winds, see∣ing one Body always resists another? And other such like difficulties that may be urged against the Light's being Fire.

IX. No incon∣veniences follow upon supposing Light to be Motion. But by constituting the nature of Light, in the Pression of the Subtil matter, we are delivered from the Danger of Penetration of Dimensions: neither are we necessitated to admit that Light, is always in conjunction with Heat; forasmuch as the matter of the first Element, can withdraw from the Center of the Lucid Body, and push forwards the Globuli of the second, which compass it about without producing the effect of Heat, as appears in Glow-worms and Rotten-wood. Neither are we pinched by that Question which demands, what be∣comes of the Light when the Sun withdraws from our Hemisphere, seeing we maintain the Light to be no more than motion, which cannot but cease as soon as the cause vanisheth. Neither needs the objection of the Air tost with Winds to trouble us, forasmuch as the Intervals, which we conceive to be between the Parts of Bodies, are fill'd with the Subtil matter, and are always open for the Glo∣buli of the second Element, so that nothing hinders the Light from coming to us in a Right Line.

XII. How Light is trans∣ferred in a Moment. There is one difficulty only which seems some∣what to affect us, viz. how the Light of the Sun, and fixt Stars can reach our Eyes in a moment; yet even this also will be removed, if we consider, that the nature of Light doth not consist in the Duration of Motion, but that it is only a Subitane∣ous Action, directed to our Eyes, through the Pores of the Air and other Diaphanous Bodies; much after the same manner, as we by night with a Stick can discern and distinguish between Water, Clay, Stones and such like: For we then experience that the same Action, wherewith the end of the Stick toucheth the Body, is at the same instant felt at the Head of the Stick: And which would be the same were the Stick never so long, as might be demon∣strated by many Examples.

XIII. An objecti∣on Answer∣ed. If it be objected, that the matter of the second Element being Fluid, a Range of its little Pellets reaching from the Sun to our Eyes, cannot have the same effect in pushing fowards in a right Line as a Stick would and must have; for the more round and slippery these Pellets are, the more apt they are to slide away, and by this means to make the impulsion of no effect. To this I answer, that tho' the matter of the second Element be the most Fluid of all matters, yet this doth not hinder but that a Rank of them, reaching from the Sun to our Eyes, may be as effectual in pushing, as an inflexible stiff Line: For the World being every where full, every Ray of Light, hath always many others about it, which hinder it from sliding away, and consequently transmits the Action of the Lucid Body, in the self same manner as if it were a stiff Stick.

XIV. In the Transmis∣sion o•• Light there is no Trans∣lation of a Body. You'l say, that no Motion can be made in an instant. We grant it, for in that Motion wherein the Action of Light consists, no Body is transmit∣ted, but the Motion only is transferred from one Body to another. For the Sun, who is the Prin∣ciple and Fountain of Light is not transmitted to our Eyes, but its motion only is continued to our Eyes, by means of the Subtil matter, which fills the Pores of the Air, and other Pellucid Bodies. Nor is it any contradiction that a motion should be transmitted in an instant, tho' no motion can be made in an instant.

XV. How the solar Light might ap∣pear though there were no Sun. From what hath been said, it may be clearly un∣derstood, how that Action, wherein we conceive the nature of Light to consist, spreads and diffu∣seth it self every where from the Body of the Sun and fixt Stars, and how in the least moment of time it extends it self to the farthest distance; and to Right Lines, not only from the Center of the Lucid Body, but as well from any other Points of its Surface: Whence all other Properties of Light may be deduced. And I may add further, which will seem to some a great Paradox, that all these things would happen in the Heavenly matter, tho' there were no force at all in the Sun or any other Star, about which it was whirld: So that if the Body of the Sun, were nothing else but an empty Space, yet should we perceive his Light as well as now we do, (tho' it would not be so strong) at least in that Circle wherein the Heavenly matter is moved.

XVI. How Des Cartes is to be under∣stood, when he saith that Light is only a Propension to motion. Some, it may be, will object that Des Cartes makes Light to be nothing else, but an Aptitude to motion; as when he saith Dioptric. Cap. 1. that Light is nothing else, but the Action of the Coele∣stial matter, or a Propension to motion. Now if it be only a Propension to motion, it is no motion, and therefore the Light, which he saith, is received in the most Subtil matter, that fills the Pores of other Bodies, will never be produc'd, as long as it hath only a Propension to push forwards the same. Whence we must conclude, that if Light be an Action, and that such an one, as tends to the pro∣duction of motion, Light must be before motion; for every cause is before its effect, and therefore Light cannot be motion.

XVII. The distin∣ction of Lux and Lumen, or Light in its Foun∣tain, and Light in the Mea••∣um. This difficulty will be easily cleared, by distin∣guishing betwixt Light in its Fountain or Princi∣ple, such as are Lucid Bodies; and Light in a Me∣dium, that is, any Transparent Bodies. The Pro∣pension to motion, or pression which is in the Lu∣cid Body, as the Fountain, is properly called Lux: But when considered in its progress, that is, in the Heaven, or the matter of the second Element, then it is called Lumen, tho' Authors commonly con∣found both these words, using them promiscuous∣ly; Lux therefore, or Light in its Fountain, is a Propension to motion; or is that Action in Lucid Bodies, which tends to produce some motion in Transparent▪ Bodies, which is Lumen or Light in a Medium. Neither doth it imply any absurdity to say, that Light in the Fountain, preceeds Light in the Medium, since every cause is before its effect. The motion therefore which is in Lucid Bodies, produceth another motion, that is, Light in the Air, and other Pellucid Bodies.

XVIII. The Sun i•• not before the Light. It may be you'l urge, that if Light be that A∣ction or Motion, whereby the Sun or any other Lucid Body pusheth forwards the Subtil matter, which is in Transparent Bodies, then the Sun must be conceived to be before that Action, and by con∣sequent would be destitute of all Light; every cause being before its ectect.

X. The Answer But I answer, that this doth not follow, because the Light it self, or that motion, whereby the Sun doth circularly push fowards the Subtil matter whereof it is composed, is natural to it, and there∣fore it is not necessary, that as an Efficient cause it should be before it. Forasmuch therefore as the Sun is composed of the most Fluid matter, which is wholly whirld about its Center, it is necessary according to the Rules of motion, that it press the matter of which the Heaven is made, that is, the Subtil matter, which from the Stars, reacheth to our Eyes; in which Action, the na∣ture of Light consists.

CHAP. XVI. How Spots come to be Generated about the Sun, and fixt Stars, and how they vanish again.

I. What the Spots of the Sun are and who was the first disco∣v••rer of them. BY the Spots of the Sun, we understand those close or compact Bodies, consisting of gross and slow Particles, mixt with others that are more Thin and Subtil, which since they cannot com∣ply with the motion of a more Sbtil matter, are cast out from it; and by reason of their slower motion, clinging together about the Surface of the Sun, continue there for some time, and follow the Suns motion, according to the course of the Eclip∣tick, till by the Suns force they be dissolved, or suckt in again by it, or wholly expell'd from it. The first Observer and Discoverer of these Spots was GALILAEUS, in the year 1610, when he was Mathematick Professor in the University of Pa∣dua; and asserted them to be contiguous to the Bo∣dy of the Sun, and that they moved round it, or rather were whirld about by the Solar Globe in the Space of 26 or 27 Days.

II. The Colour and Figure of the So∣lar Spots. The Spots of the Sun appear for the most part of a Black-colour, and are commonly surrounded with a Darkish cloud, which in the inside is more Bright than it appears on the outside. They va∣ry their Figures; as appears by that Spot which was first discovered by the Famous CASSINUS in 1672, and which appeared 36 or 37 Days. These Spots are moved more slowly from the Eastern part of the Sun, to the West, and pass from one brim to the other in about 13 Days time. Their motion is found to be more swift near the Center; and they seem to make as great way in that part in 4. Days, as they do in 9 or 10 Days when they are near the Circumference. They appear likewise bigger in the Center, but near the Circumference long and narrow. From this their swifter motion near the Center, it is concluded ei∣ther that they cling to the Sun, or at least are very near to him.

III. How these Spots are formed. Now as to the manner of their Formation we are to note, that the Particles of the first Element are not all of them of the same Bigness and Fi∣gure; and tho' we conceive them to be very Little, yet withal we must conclude some of them to be cornerd, and not so fit for motion, if we consider the Spaces or Intervals of the Globuli through which they pass: For these Spaces being mostly Triangular, they by passing through them get the same Figure, not much unlike the form of a Screw, as hath been before observed: By which means it is, that they cannot move so swiftly as before, but do as it were rest or lye still, with re∣spect to others that are more swiftly moved, and so more easily cling together. For tho' they re∣tain the name of the first Element, as long as they continue between the Globuli of the second Ele∣ment, because then being yet in their swift course, they only fill up the Spaces that are betwixt the Globuli, without composing any grosser Bodies: Yet they obtain the name of the third Element, when they come near to the Body of the Sun, es∣pecially the more gross and slowly moved Parti∣cles; for seeing they cannot comply with the mo∣tion of the rest of the subtil Matter of the first Element, they are cast out from it, and by running together into great Lumps or masses, they obscure and at last wholly hide the Star, from whence they came forth; for by clinging to its Surface, they darken and obstruct the Light proceeding from it, and hinder it from pushing forwards the subtil Mat∣ter in right Lines, wherein the force of Light doth consist.

IV. Spots are of two sorts Some Spots are more Solid, and very compact, as are those which run round the Sun; others are more thin, and therefore dissipable, such as are those which sometimes appear about the Sun, and then vanish again.

V. Spots like a kind of Scum, stick to the Star whence they pro∣ceed. For as we see that Water or Oil boyling in a pot, doth cast off those Particles that are less fit for motion, and raise them up to the Surface, redu∣cing them into Scum: So the Sun, whose matter is agitated with a fervent Heat, doth cast off from it, those grosser and many corner'd Particles, which cannot accommodate themselves to the mo∣tions of others, and these afterwards running toge∣ther, constitute a kind of Scum, and so obstruct the Light. Which then more especially happens, when the Sun darts his Rays more forceably a∣gainst them, for by this means, they are driven more closely together, and become more com∣pact.

VI. The Sun ap∣pears som••∣times more dim and obscure be∣cause of the interpositi∣on of his Spots. By this means it may happen, that a Spot which at first is Soft and very thin, may at last grow to that hardness, as to stop the passage of the Suns Rays. Thus Historians assure us, that the Sun hath been seen for many days together of a Pale colour, not much exceeding the weak and dim Light of the Moon. Neither, in my Judgment, is there any other reason assignable, why some Stars ap∣pear now greater, and at other times less, but be∣cause their Aspect is varied, according to the di∣versity of Spots that surround them: Yea, they may sometimes become so totally cover'd by them, that for many years they may be hid from us. So formerly the Constellation of the Pleiades consi∣sted of 7 Stars, whereas now 6 only can be seen.

VII. How a new Star may suddenly appear. And on the contrary it sometimes happens, that a Star not seen before, all on a sudden appears to the World: Which is when the Vortex wherein the Spot is, by pressing the Neighbouring Vortexes more strongly, than they press it, doth enlarge its Bounds; by which means the Matter of the first Element, rushing in more abundantly, to the ob∣scured Star, diffuseth it self over the Surface of the Spot; as Water is seen sometimes to over-flow the Ice: and then the Star Shines forth as Bright as if it had no Spot at all to darken it. Accord∣ing to this Hypothesis, we may understand how the New Star came to appear in Cassiopeia in the year 1572, which continued for 2 years, but

appeared greatest at first, and afterwards being darkned by Degrees, at last wholly vanished.

VIII. How these Spots are sometimes turned into Torches. It also happens sometimes, that the solar Matter flowing about the Spots wherewith it is coverd, doth rise above or beyond them, which Matter being thus pent up between them, and the Surface of the Neighbouring Heaven, is made to move more swiftly; as a River that is straitned in its passage doth run with more violence. And for this reason it is, that often Torches or bright Flames have been seen where formerly Spots appeared; and so on the contrary, the parts of Spots begin∣ning to appear again, Spots have been seen where formerly Torches appeared.

IX. Why the Spots about the Sun move so slowly. The Spots about the Sun, take up no less time than 26 Days in running round it, notwithstanding they are so near to the Body of it; which slowness of their motion proceeds chiefly from hence, that a kind of Aether is generated, of the Striate Mat∣ter which the Sun continually casts forth, which extending it self a great way towards the Orb of Mercury, doth hinder the motion of the Ma∣culae.

X. The Cause of the Darkness which hap∣ned at the Death of Christ. It doth not appear by Authors, whether the whole Earth was darkned at the Death of Christ, or the Holy Land only: But supposing (as it is most probable) that the whole Earth was obscu∣red (as the Scripture seems to assert, and Dionysius the Areopagite does plainly witness, who was a Spectator of this wonderful Eclipse at Heliopolis in Egypt) the cause of this Obscuration can▪t be attributed to any thing better than to these Spots. Seeing it is possible for one Spot to spread it self over the whole Surface of the Sun, and to con∣tinue there for some time, before it be dispers'd again. And forasmuch as the Body of the Moon is much less than that of the Sun, we must con∣clude, that this total Obscuration could not proceed from the Moon alone, without the assistance of these Solar Maculae, or Spots.

XI. The Moon assisted in the obscu∣ration of the Sun, at our Saviour's Death. I will not deny, but this famous Eclipse might be caused by the intervention of the Moons Body, not∣withstanding that it hapned at the time of the Full Moon. It appeared so to St. DENYS, as he testifies in his Epistle to Polycarpus: Whilst I was (saith he) at Heliopolis in Egypt, I beyond all expectation saw the Moon upon the Body of the Sun. Where∣upon, as being astonished at this Prodigy, he cried out, Either the God of Nature suffers, or the Frame of thus World is dissolving. But then, because the Body of the Moon was not great enough to effect a total obscuration, the Solar Spots came to its assistance, and wholly cover'd the Sun for three Hours together.

XII. How these Spots come to disap∣pear again. As these Spots are generated, so in like manner are they dissolved again and vanish. For as Oil and other Liquors, do after some time suck into themselves again the Scum that hath cover'd their Surface; so likewise the Striate Particles, that cover the face of the Sun, in process of time grow less; and as they at first came from it, so they return to the Sun again. Except the thick∣ness of the Parts, into which they are resolv'd, be such, that they are not able to pass through the Globuli, that are near the Sun; and therefore are forc'd to wander about, and disperse themselves in the adjacent Heaven.

CHAP. XVII. Concerning COMETS.

I. The Nature of Comets. COMETS are certain Bodies appearing a∣mongst the Stars, in the utmost part of our Heaven, and that in various Forms, and in bigness resembling Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn, when they are cover'd with a Mist or little Cloud. They are compos'd of the Parts of the Third Element, and are so solid, that after they have for some time been swiftly carried in our Heaven, they are cast off into some of the Neighbouring Vortexes of the Second Heaven, and so disappear to us. They are sometimes called Hairy Stars, because of Beams like Hair proceeding from them, by which they are distinguish'd from the Planets, which ap∣pear exactly Round.

II. How Co∣mets agree with, and differ from Planets. The Comets therefore agree with the Planets, in that both Planets and Comets are Vast, Round, Opake Bodies, flowing or swimming in the Hea∣ven. And they differ, in that Planets are less solid than Comets, and therefore not capable of so great agitation, as whereby they may be driven out of the Sun's Vortex, into other Neighbouring Vor∣texes; as Comets which have a stronger impulse, by reason of their greater solidity, do continually pass out of one Vortex into another.

III. The Peripa∣ticks sup∣pose Comets to consist of Earthly Exhala∣tions. The Pertpaticks rank Comets amongst Fiery Meteors, and therefore attribute their Generation to Exhalations arising from the Earth, and kindled in the upper Region of the Air; but the Modern Philosophers are of a different Opinion, and that for these following Reasons.

IV. Reasons against the foresaid Opinion. First, Because Comets are in the Heaven, and not in the Air, as being observ'd to have either no Parallax at all, or a very small one, that is, less than the Moon, and consequently must be at a greater distance from us than she is: For the lesser the Parallax of any Star is, the greater is the Di∣stance.

Secondly, Comets cannot consist of Earthly Exha∣lations, because they are bigger than the Earth it self: For their appearing Diameter (their Distance consider'd) is oftentimes greater than the Diameter of any of the Planets. The appearing Diameter is different, according to the Distance of the Body, as being Smaller in a less Distance, and Greater in a greater Distance.

Thirdly, If Comets were kindled Exhalations, no reason could be given why they should not decrease daily, as their fewel decreaseth; whereas we find that they all increase and decrease after one and the same manner: For they are less at the Beginning and End of their appearing, and biggest in the Midst. But because some relate, that Sublunary Comets have at some times appeared, we will distin∣guish Comets into Bastard and True.

V. The di••••in∣ction of Bastard and true Comets. We call those Bastard Comets, which are com∣pos'd of Earthly Exhalations, raised into the upper Region of the Air, and there kindled. But True Comets are such as are above the Moon, and which shine by reflecting of the Sun's Beams, not by being kindled into a Flame. Those of the first kind, if any such be, are Meteors; but the latter are all wandring Stars.

VI. What a Comet is. A Comet t••••refore is a Wandring Star, com∣p s'd of the Matter of the Third Element, which becau•••• of its solidity and great agitation passeth

[illustration]

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Book. 1. Part. 5. Chap. 17

G. Freman. Inv.

I. Kip ••

To the Worship∣full Andrew Lant of Thorp-vnderwood in the County of Northampton Esq.

This Plate is humbly Dedicated by Richard Blome

from one Vortex to another. I take both Comets and Planets to be perpetual Bodies, made in the Beginning of the World, and continually tost be∣tween the Superiour or utmost parts of the Vor∣texes.

VII. The Origi∣nal of Comets. But to the end we may the better understand the Original of Comets (in case we should suppose any of them to be produc'd anew) we are to remember, that the Matter of the First Element, which from other adjacent Vortexes, passeth thro' the Poles into the Center of our Vortex, doth carry along with it many striate Particles, which being unfit to comply with the swift agitation of the subtil Matter, are cast forth; which after∣wards, because of the inequality of their Figures easily cling and stick fast together, and by this means come to constitute great Masses, and being close to the Star from whence they proceed, resist the Action, wherein the Nature of Light consists; and in this respect, are very like those Spots about the Sun, which we have already spoken of.

VIII. How a f••••'d Star becomes changed into a Comet. Now, whenever it happens that a Star is co∣ver'd with so many and thick Spots, as that its Vortex becomes swallow'd up of other adjacent Vortexes: Then if it be so solid, that before it comes to that Term or Limit, where the parts of the Vortex are most slowly moved, it happens to acquire a motion equal to that of those Parts amongst which it is, in this case it descends no lower, but from this Vortex passeth into others, and becomes a Comet. But if it be less solid, and consequently descends beneath that Bound, then it continues there at a certain distance from the Star, which is in the Center of that Vortex, and whirls round about it, and by this means becomes a Planet. For this is the difference betwixt a Comet and a Planet, that a Comet being more solid, is carried from one Vortex into another; whereas a Planet continues fix'd to one Vortex, and is obsequious to its motion.

IX. The Air is not the Place of Comets. Tho' Modern Authors be much of the same mind with one another about the Substance of Comets; yet are they at great Variance about the Place of them. Some will have them generated in the Third Region of the Air, as being of Opinion, that the Exhalations, of which they suppose Comets are made, cannot ascend higher. But this Opi∣nion, as hath already been made out, is not probable; forasmuch as the same Comet, is at the same time perceived in divers very remote Parts of the World, especially that of the Year 1618, which was seen in Europe, and in the East-Indies, which could not have been, had its place been in the Air.

X. They run round the Earth in 24 H••ur••. Besides, Comets commonly compass the whole Earth in 24 Hours time, and are observ'd to make the same stay above, as under the Horizon. All which may easily convince us, that they must be above the Air. For the Earth is not far distant from the Circle of the Air, and compar'd with it, hath a considerable Magnitude; so that if from its Surface we should divide the Air into two Halves, they would not be equal, but the Half hid from our sight, would far exceed the other; and accordingly a Comet would longer continue under, than above the Horizon; which we find not to be so.

XI. The Place o•• the Co∣mets is be∣tween Sa∣turn and the fix'd Stars. Comets therefore are to be placed in that Space, which is between Saturn and the fix'd Stars; as appears by their Excursions, and other of their Appearances. Neither can they be placed amongst the Planets, forasmuch as they are Regular in their Motion about the Sun, and never wander out of their Spheres. And by this means we may easily apprehend, how Comets absolve their Revolution in 24 Hours time, and continue no longer under, than above our Horizon; because the Bigness of the Earth being inconsiderable, with respect to that Space they move in, we may well enough divide the Circle of the Air into two equal Halves.

XII. Why some Astrono∣mers say, that Co∣mets are only above the Moon. And tho' Tycho, and other Astronomers, who have acurately observ'd their Appearances, have only said, that they were above the Moon, towards the Spheres of Venus or Mercury, and not above Saturn, (tho' they might as well have concluded, that from their Calculations;) the Reason whereof was, because they disputed against the Ancients, who took the Comets to be Meteors, and therefore were content to shew that they were in the Hea∣vens, and were loath to attribute to them all the height, which they had found out by their Calcu∣lations, lest they should be disbelieved, by ad∣vancing such incredible Paradoxes.

XIII. Comets that wander out of our Heaven, are no longer s••en by us. But forasmuch as the Space which is between Saturn and the fix'd Stars, is Immense; we say that Comets, how great soever they may be, can∣not be seen by us, if they be far distant from our Heaven; for the Light which they borrow from the Sun is very weak, neither have they force enough, at such a distance, to affect our Sight. Which is the Reason, that when they approach to the fix'd Stars, they disappear; or if their Body appear, yet their Tail is hid. But the fix'd Stars, which are beyond them, easily transmit their Light to us, because they have a Light of their own, which makes them dart their Rays more strongly; whereas Comets that shine only with a borrowed Light, must be in our Heaven, to be seen by us.

XIV. How the Comets are moved. The Comets do all of them seem to move about the Earth from East to West, and in this their Motion they describe Circles almost parallel to the Aequator. But besides this apparent Motion, which is common with them to all the rest of the Stars, they have another that is peculiar and proper to themselves, but very irregular and indetermi∣nate, by which some of them move from East to West, others from West to East, or to other Coasts of the Heavens. Neither can their Course be said to be Regular, but rather various and un∣equal, since some of them pass through a greater Space of Heaven than others. But however Great this Space may be, there are but few of them that ever were perceived to run through above one Half of the Heaven.

XV. What the Beard▪ Tail, and Hair of Comets i••. When a Comet casts its Rays towards that part of the Heaven, whither it is carried by its own M••tion, such Rays are commonly called a Board; but when they tend to that part from whence it tends, then are they called the Comets Tail; and when they are cast forth circularly, we call them Hair, or a Rose.

XVI. The Cause of thes•• Appear∣ances. It will not be difficult to give a Reason of these Phaenom••na, if we call to mind that the Hea∣venly Globuli of the Vortex wherein we live, are by so much less, as they draw nearer to the Center; and by degree•• grow greater and greater until the

Sphere of Saturn, where they are of an equal bigness, and are more swiftly moved. When therefore a Comet, taking its Course beyond the Region of Saturn, transmits the Rays it receives from the Sun to us, it at the same time pushes forwards the Globuli of the Second Element in Right lines to our Eyes, which imparting their active Force to others that are under them, pro∣duce an entire and pure Light, which makes the Head or Body of the Comet to appear to us: Whereas those which fall obliquely upon the little Globuli that are beneath, or on the sides of them, are partly refracted, and so represent a Beard or Tail to us. But those which are disperst round about on all sides, exhibit Hair, or a Rose. For the variety of all these Appearances proceeds only from the Reflexion of the Rays of Light upon the Comet; which having been refracted by pas∣sing through the Heavenly Globuli, are so received into our Eyes, as if they came from those parts, where we think we perceive the Beard, Hair, or Tail of the Comet.

Thus the Globuli of the Second Element, 3, 2, 1, 9, 7, which are extended from the Sun to the * 1.13utmost Bound of the Sphere of Saturn H, C, I, are very small, whereas those that go beyond that Sphere H, F, A, 4, 5, 6, I, do exceed them in Big∣ness; so that each of the greater Globuli, that are in the utmost part of the Sphere of Saturn, may be surrounded by 7 or 8 of the smaller Globuli that are lower. And forasmuch as the greater Globuli, falling perpendicularly upon the Sphere of Saturn, do push upon few of those that are under them, they must necessarily produce only a weak Refraction of Light; whereas on the con∣trary, those that fall obliquely upon it, since they have many little ones on one side of them, must needs make a greater Refraction of weak Rays. As for Example; the Greater Globulus C, falling perpendicularly on the little ones that are under it, hath only 2 Globuli, viz. 1 and 3 on each side, and therefore both ways produceth small Refractions, deflecting from the Perpendicular CB, whereof the one is only directed from C to D, but the other from C to E: But the greater Globuli H and I, falling obliquely on the lesser, do push forwards 6 or 7 of them, viz. those that lye under them; and therefore the greater Glo∣bulus I, produceth a considerable Refraction from I unto B, deflecting from the Perpendicular IK; and so likewise the great Globulus H, makes a great Refraction from H, to B, deflecting from the Per∣pendicular HG.

XVII. How Co∣mets come to appear with Tails, Hair, and like Beams. Hence it appears how Comets come to appear with Tails, Hair, or like Beams. For let us suppose the Sun to be S, and the Sphere through which the Earth is supposed to be carried in 24 Hours time, to be 2, 3, 4, 5; the Term from whence the Heavenly Globuli be∣gin to grow less and less by degrees till they reach the Sun, to be D, E, F, G, H, and C, to be the * 1.14Comet plac'd in our Heaven; it is manifest that the Rays of the Sun are not only reflected from the Comet in the Right lines CF3, CH6, CG4, CE2, and CD7; but that they are also re∣fracted side-ways, and dispersed; so that according to the various Position 2, 3, 4, 5, of the Spe∣ctator upon the Globe of the Earth, the Comet seems either to have a Tail, as in 2 and 4; for by means of the direct Rays C, G4, or C, E, 2, the Body or the Head of the Comet appears to us, and by the help of the refracted and weaker Rays, its Tail or Hair is discovered by us: Or with Hair, as in 3; for its Head is seen by us, by means of the strong and direct Rays C, F, 3; and by the Refracted and weaker on one side of it, C, G, 3, and on the other C, E, 3, we see the Hair of the Comet: Or nothing but its Tail is seen by us in the form of a fiery Beam, as in that part of the Sphere of the Earth 5, by means only of the weaker and refracted Rays C, D, 2, 5, or C, H, 4, 5; because no other Rays can reach the Eye of the Beholder, as long as he is posited in that part of the Terrestrial Orb, marked 5.

XVIII. A Reason given of the various Appear∣ances of Comets. And from what hath been laid down, a Reason may be also given of all the other Phaenomena of Comets. As,

First, Why they appear rarely, and not at set times or seasons.

Secondly, Why they do not move long in our sight.

Thirdly, Why they seem to be less at the Be∣ginning, greatest in the Midst of their Course, and afterwards grow less and less by degrees. Which happens, because at first they are further from us; in the middle of their Course, nearer, and in a fitter condition to reflect their Rays; and towards the end of their Course, again more remote from us.

Fourthly, Why their Motion at the beginning is slower, in the middle swifter, and at the end slowest of all. The Cause whereof is, because the Comet at its first ingress meets with some Resi∣stance, because of the Renitency of the Vortex, from whose Force it afterwards receives power to move more swiftly; and towards the end of its Course it is resisted by the Neighbouring Heaven, towards which it tends.

XX. Why no Hair ap∣pears about Saturn. If any demand, why no Hair appears about Jupiter and Saturn, as well as about the Comets? I answer, That sometime there is a kind of ap∣pearance of short Hair seen about them, in that part which is opposite to the Sun, in places where the Air is very pure and clear. Wherefore, when ARISTOTLE saith, Lib. 10. Meteorologic. cap. 6. that the fix'd Stars have sometimes been seen, with Rays in the manner of Hair about them, I suppose it ought rather to be understood concerning these Planets. But as to that which he relates of the Hair, that appeared about one of the Stars in the Thigh of the Great Dog, it must have proceeded either from some very oblique Refraction in the Air, or rather from some fault or defect in his Eyes: For he adds, That it was less conspicuous when he fix'd his Eyes strongly upon it, than when he beheld it more remisly, and without any earnest intention.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the Nature, Original, and Affections of Planets.

I. What the Planets are. THe Planets are Various, Round, and Opake Bodies, hanging in the Vortex of the Sun, and by it carried about the Sun, as a kind of a common Center of their Motions, receiving its Light, and variously conveying the same to our

Eyes. That they are solid and opake Bodies GALILAEUS shews, who by the help of his Tube hath discover'd no less inequalities in the Moon, than we meet with in our Earth.

II. Their Num∣ber. There be Seven of them, which are counted in this order; Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Earth, the Moon, Venus and Mercury.

III. Whether the Sun be to be reckon'd amongst the Pla∣nets. The SUN is commonly counted to be one of the Planets, but by a mistake; for besides that the Sun is not an Opake, but a Lucid Body, nor hanging in another Vortex, but having its own proper Vor∣tex; neither hath it likewise a wandering Motion, like the Planets, but is continually turn'd round in its own Vortex; and therefore cannot be reckon'd amongst the Planets.

IV. The Pla∣nets are compound∣ed of the Matter of the Third Element. The Planets were formed of the Particles of the Third Element, from the running together whereof they became great Bodies. For no sooner was Motion communicated to the several Parts of the World, but the most subtil Parts (made so by their rubbing against one another) constituted the Sun and fix'd Stars; the Round parts (which Roundness they obtain'd also by their running against each other) made the Heavens; and the thicker and grosser Parts, being by reason of the inequality of their Figure, less fit for motion, formed the Seven Planets; ♄ Saturn, ♃ Jupiter, ♂ Mars, T the Earth, ☽ the Moon, ♀ Venus, and ☿ Mercury. So that the whole Matter of this visible World may aptly be divided into three General Heads of Bodies, viz. such as send forth Light, as the Sun and fix'd Stars; such as transmit Light, as the Heavens; and such as Reflect the Light, as the Earth, with the rest of the Planets.

V. They have no Light of their own. For the Planets being destitute of all Light of their own, shine only with borrowed Rays; and accordingly we find them only to be resplendent on that side which faceth the Sun; whence we conclude, that they only reflect to our Eyes the Rays they receive from the Sun. This we expe∣rience in the Earth, Mercury and Venus, and all the Secondary Planets, which in Eclipses are either wholly or in part obscured, when they come within the Shadows of other Planets; and be∣ing out of the reach of them, do only spread a Conical shadow from their opposite part to the Sun. And we may believe the same of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn; which by how much nearer they are to the Sun, the greater Light do they cast; and so much the weaker, as their distance is farther from it. The same is also manifest from hence, because the Light of all the Planets is more dim, than that which is seen in the Sun and fix'd Stars; as like∣wise, because there is not so vast a distance between them and the Sun, but that he can communicate his Light to them.

VI. The Earth is to be accounted amongst the Pla∣nets. And we are to suppose the same of this Earth we inhabit, which being made up of Opake Bodies, does as strongly reflect the Sun's Rays, as the Moon doth. It is also surrounded with Clouds, which tho' they be less Opake than many other Parts, and therefore do not so strongly reverberate the Light; yet we sometimes see them cover'd with as bright a Whiteness, as the Moon it self ex∣hibits to us, when she is illustrated by the Sun. The same is also confirm'd, for that when the Moon intervenes between the Sun and the Earth, we see that its Face doth reflect a kind of obscure Light, which, as far as we can guess, must proceed from the Earth, which reflects the Beams it receives from the Sun to the Moon. Which obscure Light sensibly decreaseth, as the illuminated part of the Earth turns away from it.

VII. The Pla∣nets are not perfect∣ly Round. Tho' it cannot be doubted, but that the Planets are Spherical Bodies, like the Earth (for if they were of a plain figure, they would in one and the same moment be totally enlightned;) yet are they not so perfectly Round, but that their surface is very rough and uneven. For we find by the help of Telescopes, that they abound with Cavities and Eminences, corresponding to our highest Hills and deepest Valleys, (as GALILAEUS tells us con∣cerning the Moon, System. Cosm. Dial. prim.) many whereof are continued for a Tract of an hundred Miles together; others again are single and com∣priz'd in one Heap. There appear also many steep and solitary Rocks. But the most frequent things to be seen there, are a kind of Bulworks (I call them so, because no fitter word occurs) of consi∣derable Height, which encompass Spaces of diffe∣rent magnitude and figure, the most frequent being Circular. Many whereof have in the midst of them an high Mountain, and others seem to be filled with an obscure Matter, like those great Spots, which we may perceive in the Moon. From all which Particulars we conclude, that the Moon and the rest of the Planets, are altogether like our Earth, which if a Man could behold from the Moon, would appear much as the Moon shews to us, who view it from the Earth.

VIII. The Pla∣nets are not so solid as Comets. We are in the next place to consider how the Planets came to be, and what is the cause of their different Distance from the Sun, and from them∣selves. This will be the more easily cleared, if we consider, that the Planets are less solid than the Comets, and therefore are not tost from one Vortex to another, but continue in that of the Sun; as small Boats are driven about in a Whirlpool, or carried along with the Stream of a River. Whence we may apprehend, that the Planets, as soon as they were got into the Sun's Vortex, began to sink down towards the Center, till they met with those Coelestial Globuli, whose motion was proportion'd with theirs. For seeing that the greater Globuli are more vehemently agitated, and withdraw them∣selves farther from the Center of their Vortex, it could not be, but that by their pushing against the Planets that are less solid, they must drive them towards the Midst; and when the Planets were sunk so low, that they met with those Globuli that were inferiour to them in bigness and force of motion, they run back from the Center, till arri∣ving to that place of the Vortex where they were in equal poise, they neither came nearer to the Sun, nor went farther from it; but hanging there equal∣ly poised between those Heavenly Globuli, whirl'd continually about the Sun.

IX. Of the first Production of Planets. Wherefore we may imagin, that in that Space where we place the great Vortex of our Heaven, there were at the Beginning 14 or more Vortexes, the less whereof, and such as were weakned by reason of their Spots, were swallowed up of the Greater; which at last, together with the Les∣ser, fell into one common Vortex, viz. that of the Sun. So that the Stars, which in the Centers of the four smaller Vortexes, encompass'd Jupiter, betook themselves to that Planet; and those which were in the Centers of other Vortexes near to Saturn,

tended towards Saturn; as Mercury, Venus, the Earth and Mars tended towards the Sun. So that of so many Stars, all shining with their own light, the Sun only remained, whilst all the rest being covered with Spots, did not send forth light, but only reflect it.

X. Why th•• Planets are at farther distance from, or nearer to the Sun. It appears from what hath been said, why the Planets do not equally recede from the Center, and at different distances are carried about the Sun; this being to be imputed to their different solidity. For the Globe of Mercury, by Example, is nearer to the Sun than that of Venus, and the Globe of the Earth nearer than that of Mars, for no other reason but because they are less solid.

XI. What the Solidity of Bodies is. Now Solidity is nothing else, but the proper Quantity of a Body compared with its Bulk and Surface; which is not only estimated from the Closeness and Thickness of its parts, but also by its Figure, and especially from the less extent of its Surface. For Bodies of a less Surface, do more easily pierce other Bodies: and therefore the grea∣ter the quantity of matter is, under a less Bulk and Surface, the more solid that Body is. As ap∣pears in Gold and other Metals, which when once put in motion, have a greater force to continue the same, than more lax and open, or porous Bodies (as Wood and Stone) of the same Bigness and Fi∣gure; and therefore are esteemed more solid, that is, to have in them more matter of the Third Element, and less Pores filled with the First and Second Element. And this is the reason why Mars, tho' less than the Earth, yet is farther from the Sun than it, even because of its greater solidity.

XII. The Planets differ in Solidity a∣mongst themselves. The Planets therefore, as hath been said, ac∣cording to their greater or lesser Solidity, are far∣ther from, or nearer to the Sun. By reason of this greater Solicity, Saturn is most remote from the Sun, whose Motion, if it had been swifter, and his Solidity greater, he would have been forced out of his Vortex, and become a Comet. Next to Saturn is Jupiter, with his four Secondary Planets, which we suppose did fall down into his Neighbourhood, before that Vortex, whose Center Jupiter was, had been swallowed up by the great Vortex of our Hea∣ven. After him follows Mars, who, because of the extension of his Body, that is, his Magnitude and Figure, is more solid than the Earth. Next to him is the Earth, surrounded with its own Vortex, about which the Moon is whirl'd in a Months time. For the Moon tending towards the Earth (as the Jovial Planets towards that Pla∣net) was swallowed up of its Vortex. Venus is nearer the Sun than either the Earth or the Moon, but the nearest of all is Mercury, as being the most solid of them all.

XIII. The Planets are either Primary or Secondary. The Planets are divided into Primary and Se∣condary. Primary Planets are those that perform their Periodical motion only about the Sun, and not about any other Planet. Secondary, are such as are joined with another Planet, and together with it, are carried about the Sun. Thus the Moon is a Secondary Planet with regard to the Earth, the Jovial Stars with regard to Jupiter; and so are those other Stars that attend upon Saturn. By the Astronomers they are commonly called Satelli∣tes, or Guards of those Planets to which they be∣long.

CHAP. XIX. Concerning the Principle of the Planets Mo∣tion, and of their Direction, Station and Retrogradation.

I. Why the Planets are called Won∣dring Stars. SEeing that the Heavens are Fluid, and that the Planets do, as it were, swim in their Orbs, as in so many Rivers, it may be enquir'd what is the Principle of their Motions; as likewise what the cause is of those wandering excursions, whence the name of Wandering Stars hath been gi∣ven them. Which name, we may believe, was there∣fore attributed to them; for that being carried about in the Sun's Vortex, they seem sometimes to approach nearer to, and sometimes to remove far∣ther from one another; sometimes to ascend, and at other times to descend; sometimes to come nearer to the Sun, and at other times to withdraw at a greater distance from him. Whence arise the Conjun∣ctions and Oppositions of the Planets, as likewise their Aberrations in Longitude and Latitude, so of∣ten inculcated by Astronomers. For tho' the Pla∣nets turn round about the Sun, yet do not they keep on their Course in the same direct Line, but do sometimes ascend, and at other times descend, as we see wooden Bowls do that swim in a River. And this their Deflexion is called Aberration in Latitude. Or else they are sometimes nearer the Sun, and sometimes farther from him; which are called Aberrations in Longitude. And this is the Reason, I say, why the Planets are call'd Wandering Stars, because they seem to roam at random, without keeping a steady course.

II. The First Cause of the wande∣ring moti∣on of the Planets. This wandering motion of Planets may be at∣tributed to several Causes. As First, to the Fi∣gure of those Spaces wherein they move; for these, not being perfectly Round, but spreading more in Length than Breadth, it must needs be that the Heavenly Matter, that carries them, must move more swiftly, where it is narrowly pent up, than where it hath a broader space to move in. As we see that the Wind blows with less force in an open Field, than where it is straitned in a narrow Pas∣sage; and as a River runs more swiftly where it is straitned in its course, than where the Channel is wider.

III. The Second Cause. In the second place, for as much as these Spaces do touch one another, the matter of the First Ele∣ment, passing from one space to another, doth ac∣cording to the different degree of its motion, vari∣ously push forwards, and determine the Globuli of the Second Element, to drive the Planets more to∣wards one part of Heaven than another. For the matter of the First Element being more swiftly moved, than the Globuli of the Second, it cannot but by pushing them forwards, move the Planets that are poised in the midst of them.

IV. The Third Cause. Thirdly, This difference in the motion of Pla∣nets, sometimes ariseth from themselves, as when their pores are more fit to receive the particles of the First Element, proceeding from some Neigh∣bouring Body, than others. Which sometimes also happens, when the Pores of Planets are more adapted to admit the striate Particles, which come driving from some certain part of the Heaven: For these particles being entred into the Cavity of the Planets, do variously agitate them, direct∣ing them towards those places to which they did tend. As the Wind turns a Ship to this or that

part, according as it penetrates the pores of the Sails, or other open passages of the Vessel.

V. The Fourth Cause. Fourthly, The same Motion which in the be∣ginning of the World was imprest upon the Pla∣nets, may be preserved to this instant, seeing that every Body continues in the same state, and is ne∣ver changed but by External Causes. Thus a Top that is made to turn round by a Boy, hath a force to continue the same motion for some mo∣ments, notwithstanding the resistance it meets from the Air and the Earth. And accordingly we may believe that a Planet likewise hath a power to pur∣sue the motion imprest upon it at the beginning, without any considerable loss of its swiftness; be∣cause the space of 5 or 6000 years, is a less time, compared with the vast bulk of a Planet, than one minute, compared with the littleness of a Top.

VI. The Fifth Cause. In the last place we may add, That the power of continuing in its motion is more firm and steady in the Planet, than in the Heavenly matter that surrounds it; and in a greater Planet more than in a less. Because the Globuli, which are the parts of a Fluid Body, cannot so well conspire in the same motion, as the Particles of the Third Element do, which constitute the Compact Body of a Planet. Wherefore also it must be less obnoxious to those changes that happen to the motion of the Coelesti∣al Globuli, by how much the greater and compact it is.

VII. The Perio∣dical and Daily Mo∣tion of the Planets. Every Planet hath a twofold Motion; the first Periodical, whereby every one of the Primary Pla∣nets, together with its Attendants, is carried about the Sun: For that they are whirl'd about in their Orbs by the force of the Solar matter, appears from hence, because the nearer they are to the Sun, the sooner they absolve their Circuit: Not to mention now the motion of the Spots in the Sun, which, without doubt, proceeds from the whirling about of the Solar matter.

The other is the Diurnal motion, whereby a Planet seems in the space of 24 hours to move about the Earth from East to West. But this Mo∣tion doth not properly belong to the Planets, but is common to them with the Comets and Fixt Stars, by reason of the Diurnal motion of the Earth, as will appear hereafter.

VIII. How the Planets are carried a∣bout by their An∣nual Moti∣on. A Planet therefore is whirl'd about its Center, much after the same manner, as we see that a Tren∣cher swimming in a large Vessel full of Water, that is swiftly whirl'd about, doth not only follow the circular motion of the water, but besides turns about its own Center. The Famous CASSINUS observed this in 1672. in the Body of Jupiter: for he having observed a Spot at 7½. a clock in the evening in the midst of the Belt, he found at 5 a clock 26 minutes in the morning, that it was re∣turn'd precisely to the same place. And therefore from this and many other observations, he determi∣ned not only the Revolution of the Spot, but also of the Body of Jupiter, which he found to be per∣formed in 9 hours 55 minutes, and 58 seconds; and the same was perceived by him not only in Jupiter, but also in Mars, Venus and Mercury.

IX. The Cause of these two Motions. This twofold motion of the Planets ariseth from hence, because the Coelestial Globuli that sur∣round them, do not only carry them along their Orbs; but also because of the Propension they have, to pursue their motion in Right lines, they do more strongly exert their force upon their Ex¦ternal parts, that are more remote from the Sun, than upon their Inward parts that are nearer to it: by which force they impress that motion up∣on it, which makes it whirl about its own Center.

X. The Planets that are nearest to the Sun are most swift∣ly moved. The Consequence whereof is, that the Inferior Planets, or those that are nearer the Sun, must move more swiftly than the Higher. Because the matter of the First Element, which constitutes the Sun, by being swiftly whirl'd about, doth with a greater force drive along with it, the nearest parts of Heaven, than those which are more remote.

XI. How it comes to pass that Mercury and Venus seem to turn about from East to West in 24 hours. These things presupposed, it will be an easie matter to explain the motions of the several Planets, and how it comes to pass that they seem to be car∣ried from the East to the West. For supposing that the Heavenly matter that surrounds the Sun, is moved round it from West to East, and, with∣out any interruption of its own Revolution, carries along with it the Earth about its Center in 24 hours; we shall easily conceive, that Mercury and Venus must appear to us to move from East to West, and every day to describe a Circle Parallel to the Aequator. And that they must likewise des∣cribe a Circle about the Sun from West to East, as being contained in the same matter, that carries the Earth round.

XII. They must describe a great Cir∣cle. We shall also apprehend that these two Planets, as well as the Earth, must be found under the Zodiack, because it is the greatest Circle, which the Coelestial matter, by which they are carried about, describes. For as much as according to the Law of Nature, every Body that is circularly moved, endeavours to recede from the Center of the Circle it describes.

XIII. How it comes to pass that the Axis of the Earth observes its Parallelism It will also appear how the Axis of the Earth, which by its Annual motion is carried about the Sun, continues always Parallel to it self, or which is the same, how its Poles always respect the same points of the Firmament, viz. If we observe that the Diurnal motion of the Globe of the Earth, Wa∣ter and Air doth determinate the subtil matter, which is in continual motion in the Bowels of the Earth, to go forth to the Plains parallel to the Aequator; and that at the same time, a like quantity of matter, proceeding from the parts of other Vortexes remote from the Poles, must enter into it by the Poles. For this supposed, it will easily be believed, that after the Earth hath once admitted the Subtil matter, coming to it from one part of the Heaven, its pores will there∣by be the more fit to receive the like matter again, than any other proceding from other parts, as be∣ing more accommodate to it. And therefore it is no wonder, if those Pores which we apprehend to be Parallel to the Axis of the Diurnal motion, are so hollowed as to answer one another, and there∣by give free admittance to the subtil matter. Which being granted, it is necessary that the Poles of the Earth, must always answer the same points in the Firmament, and its Axis observe a perpetual Parallelism to it self.

XIV. Mars, Ju∣piter and Saturn are moved like the other Planets. And the same is to be said of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn: For seeing that these three Planets do seem so to run round the Sun, as that the Circles which they describe, do include the Circle of the Earth, we must admit that they are pois'd in the Coelesti∣al matter as well as the Earth, and are at a far greater distance from the Sun, than it is. In like manner we must confess that Mars, Jupiter and

Saturn must seem to run round the Earth from East to West in 24 hours, and to be carried away by the Heavenly matter, in the same manner as Mercury, Venus and the Earth are. Only with this Difference, that seeing their Circles are much greater than that of the Earth, so they employ a greater space of time in running through them. For whereas Mercury is whirl'd about the Sun in 3 Months, Venus in 8 Months, the Earth in a years time, Mars spends 2 years in his Revoluti∣on, Jupiter 12, and Saturn almost 30. For the distance between these three latter, and the Sun being greater, the matter which carries them, re∣quires more time to run over those vastly greater Spaces.

XV. How Pla∣nets come to be Direct, Stationary and Retro∣grade. From these various Courses of the Earth and Planets in their Revolutions about the Sun, it comes to pass that they appear to us on the Earth Direct, Stationary and Retrograde. For tho' their motion be continual, without any stop or Retrogra∣dation, yet doth the motion of the Earth produce these various appearances, as oft as in its Revolu∣tion it intervenes betwixt the Planets and the Sun. Because when the Earth is whirl'd about the same way, swifter than the Planets, we must see them answering to divers parts of the Heaven of fixt Stars, and to be carried opposite to that part, whi∣ther we, together with the Earth, are carried.

XVI. What Pla∣nets are sai•• to be Direct, Sta∣tionary and Retrograde Those Planets therefore are called Direct, which pursue their Course according to the procession of the Coelestial Signs; as from ♈ to ♉, from ♉ to ♊. Planets are said to be Retrograde when they pro∣ceed contrary to the Succession of the Signs; or which having first been moved towards the East, seem now to turn back towards the West: and those are called Stationary, which keep the same place under the fixt Stars for several days together. These Stations of the Planets, are observed before and after their Retrogradations, because the Deter∣mination of the motion of the Earth, doth deflect a little with respect to the Determination of the motion of the Planets, by which means the swift∣ness wherewith we are then snatcht away, doth only serve to advance us, as much as is needful, to behold that Planet which is Stationary, for seve∣ral days together, under one and the same part of the Firmament.

XVII. How Pla∣nets appear direct to us. The thing will be better apprehended by the Figure. Suppose we then the Sun placed in the midst of a Circle, about whom let us place the Circle a d g k, described by the Annual motion of the Earth. The other Higher Circle intersect∣ed by numeral figures, we suppose to be the Orb of some one Planet, viz. of Mars, Jupiter or Sa∣turn, * 1.15and the Circle NGA, to represent the Hea∣ven of Fixt Stars. These things thus laid, let us suppose that the Earth, by its Annual motion is about the Point a, and that Jupiter is in that part of his Circle marked only by 1; then Jupiter will ap∣pear to those that dwell upon the Earth, in the part of the Heaven of fixt Stars, noted A, by the right line, a 1 A. Conceive we afterwards, the Earth to be advanced from a to b, and Jupiter from 1 to 2, at the same time; and Jupiter will appear to us to have moved on directly in the Heaven, accord∣ing to the Order of the Signs from A to B; and when the Earth afterwards is advanced to c; and Jupiter to the part of his Orb 3, Jupiter will be seen advanced from B to C, alway keeping a Di∣rect motion. And when afterwards the Earth is come to d, and Jupiter to 4, Jupiter will ap∣pear to have advanced by a direct motion from C to D. And when the Earth hath reached the Point e, and Jupiter 5, then Jupiter will appear to have moved from D to E, according to the order of the Signs.

XVIII. How they come to ap∣pear Stati∣onary and Retrograde. But when the Earth begins to be more di∣rectly interposed between Jupiter and the Sun, by that time the Earth comes to f, and Jupi∣ter to 6, then will Jupiter appear to have gon back from E to F; and because this interval is very small, therefore he is said to be Stationary, because he appears unmoved and standing still. The Earth afterwards being advanced to the point g, and Jupiter to 7, Jupiter will appear to have moved Retrograde from F to G. Again when the Earth is come to h, and Jupiter to 8, he will appear to have past Retrograde from G to H. And lastly, when the Earth is come to i, and Jupiter to 9, he will seem to have moved Retrograde from H to I, which space being ve∣ry small, Jupiter will again appear Stationary.

XIX. How they come to ap∣pear direct again. Afterwards, when the Earth is advanced to k, and Jupiter to 10, he will seem to have pro∣ceeded directly, according to the Order of the Signs, from I to K. The Earth being come to l, and Jupiter to 11, he will seem to have pur∣sued his Course directly from K to L. And last∣ly, when the Earth hath reached the Point m, and Jupiter 12, Jupiter will appear to have ad∣vanced directly from L to M.

XX. The same may be shewed in like man∣ner concern∣ing Saturn, Mars, Mer∣cury and Venus, but not of the Moon. The same may be demonstrated, not only con∣cerning Saturn and Mars, but also concerning Venus and Mercury; which always appear Statio∣nary, as oft as we remove from the opposite Re∣gion to the same; or from the same to the opposite Region; because the Earth is then so turned about, as to make them to be seen under the same fixt Stars, for some time together. These Planets appear Retrograde, when they are in opposition to the Sun, Direct when in Conjunction, and never so in any other places. But we are to observe, that Retrogradations are more frequently seen in Sa∣turn than in Jupiter, and in him more frequent than in Mars, because of the slowness of Saturn's motion, which makes that the Earth in a shorter time doth overtake him. But on the other hand they are more rare in Mars, his motion being swifter than that of Jupiter, and consequently must spend more time to overtake him. But these Affections are not incident to the Moon, because she, in whatsoever part of the Earth we are, runs about us, as about her Center, her Orb being com∣prehended within the Orb which the Earth moves in.

CHAP. XX. Of the Motion of the Moon, and its various Appearances, or Phases.

I. The Moon is carried about in the same Vortex with the Earth. FOrasmuch as it is manifest from what hath been already said, that the Moon is not only carried about the Sun, but also about the Earth, and that there is only a small space between us and her; we may easily guess her to be contain'd in the same Vortex with the Earth. And conse∣quently since the matter of this Vortex, doth whirl the Earth about its Center from West to East, we

may conclude that it also carries the Moon along with it. But since the Circle which the Moon runs through, is almost 60 times bigger than the Compass of the Earth, we may gather, that if the Earth, by its diurnal motion is whirld about its Center in the space of 24 Hours, the Moon will not be able to finish her Revolution in less than about a Months space.

II. The Moon may appear to move from West to East, or contrarily, within the space of one Month. This long time the Moon spends in her Revo∣lution, is the Cause that she seems to run round the Earth every Day from East to West, whilst in the mean time the Earth turns round from West to East. Tho' this doth not hinder the Moon from appearing to run through all the Signs of our Zodiack from West to East.

III. What the Perigaeum and Apo∣gaeum of the Moon is. The Moon is sometimes nearer to the Earth, and that is her Perigaeum; and at other times fur∣ther from it, which is her Apogaeum. This comes to pass, either because the Peculiar Vortex of the the Earth ABCD, is sometimes bigger, by rea∣son of the Matter of the First Heaven more abundantly crowding into it; and at other times * 1.16becomes less, because of the Expulsion of it again. Or else, because the Moon is more or less push'd on towards the Earth, by the various agitation of the First Heaven.

IV. The Moon advanceth swifter when she is New, than in her Quar∣ters. The Moon seems to move swifter when New and Full, than at the Quarters. The Reason where∣of is, for that her Vortex ABCD, by being press'd upon by the Orbs of Venus and Mars, be∣tween which it is placed, is thereby reduc'd to an Elliptical or Oval Figure. Hence it is that the Coelestial Matter moves more swiftly in the nar∣row Parts B and D, of this Elliptical Heaven, and more slowly in the broader Spaces A and C; and therefore the Moon, in her Conjunction and Opposition, or at the New and Full, must be more swiftly carried about the Earth towards the East; because the Spaces it then runs through are more narrow, and do not suffer it to wander.

V. Why the Moon is not exactly moved un∣der the Aequator. If the whirling about of the small Vortex ABCD, which carries the Moon along with it, did only accord with the Motion of the Earth, then the Moon would appear to move under the Ae∣quator from West to East; and on the contrary, if the motion of the said Matter should only agree with the motion of that great Vortex, which has the Sun for its Center, then it would only be seen under the Ecliptick. But seeing it is to agree with the motion of them both, it follows, that its mo∣tion must neither be under the Aequator, nor under the Ecliptick, but under another Third Circle, which comes nearer to the Aequator, than the Ecliptick; because the Moon is nearer to the Matter of the Sun's Vortex, than to that of the Earth.

VI. Above one half of the Moon is always illustrated by the Sun. The Moon being a Round Body, and receiving its Light from the Sun, it follows, that always one half of it, yea, somewhat more, must be en∣lightned by him. For seeing that the Sun exceeds the Moon in Bigness, and that the bigger Sphere always enlightens above half of a less, it does follow, that above one half of the Body of the Moon must always be illuminated. But seeing that the Moon alters her Position, and in running about the Earth doth variously face the Sun; it must needs be, that according to its various Access to, or Recess of the Sun, less or more of the illuminated Half will appear to us; which Variations of her Appearance, are commonly called her Pha∣ses.

VII. The Con∣junction of the Moon with the Sun, is not to be ac∣counted amongst her Phases. The Philosophers commonly reckon up four Phases of the Moon, according to the Fourfold respect which the Moon hath to the Sun, in diffe∣rent parts of the Zodiack. Whence it receives different Names; for the Moon's meeting with the Sun in the same Degree of the Zodiack, is called the Conjunction or New Moon. Tho' it seems that the Moons Conjunction with the Sun, ought not to be accounted amongst her Phases; because the Moon at that time doth not appear to us at all, its enlightned part being wholly turn'd away from us, and its dark part turn'd towards us.

VIII. The first Phasis of the Moon. The first Phasis therefore of the Moon is, when she being newly come from her Conjunction with the Sun, by moving in her Orb ABCDEFGH, reacheth B, whence she appears to us on the Earth I, Horned (or Crescent-wise) because of * 1.17the Hollowness which is seen in her Illuminated part.

IX. The second Phasis of the Moon. The second Phasis is, when the Moon about the Seventh or Eighth day, being 90 Degrees distant from the Sun, doth represent the full Half of her Enlightned part C, whose Horns or Points are directed to that part of Heaven which is opposite to the Sun, as from whence it receives its Light. and here she appears Bisected, or divided into two Halves.

X. The third Phasis of the Moon. The third Phasis is, when the Moon D, advanc∣ing towards an Opposition with the Sun, exhibits to us more than one half of her Illuminated part, and therefore appears Gibbous or Bunching out on both sides.

XI. The fourth Phasis. The fourth Phasis happens, when the Moon E being 180 Degrees distant from the Sun, and in Opposition to him, turns her whole Enlightned side towards us, who are placed betwixt the Sun and her.

XII. The same Phasis happen to to the Moon, when she is in the Wane. The same Phasis also belong to the Moon in Decrease, according to her various Aspects to the Sun. For when by going back she hath reach'd F, she appears Gibbous; when to G, Half; and at H. Crescent-wise again; till returning to A, her Enlightned part be wholly turn'd away from us towards the Sun.

XIII. The Moon is more illumina∣ted at the New, than at the Full Moon. The Moon is never less Enlightned than when she is at the Full, or in Opposition with the Sun; and never more than at the New, or when she is in Conjunction with the Sun; because when she is Full, only that part towards us is Enlightned: Whereas when New, she is wholly illuminated, that part which is then towards us being Enlight∣ned by the Earth, and the other part that is turn'd from us, by the Sun. For the Moon doth not only borrow her Light from the Sun, but receives also some weak illustration from the Earth: Be∣cause the Earth being an Opake Body, must of necessity reflect part of her received Light; and forasmuch as the Earth is bigger than the Moon, consequently more Light must be deriv'd from the Earth to the Moon, than from the Moon to the Earth. This is confirm'd by Experience, because this Secundary Light; as GALILAEUS calls it, after the first Quarter quite vanisheth, by reason of the Moon being too far distant, and without those Bounds to which the reflected Beams from the Earth reach.

XIV. The Moon is some∣times En∣lightned from the Earth. We know likewise by Experience, that this Light is more perceptible when the Moon is East∣ward from us, than when she is West. The Reason whereof is, because in the former situation, the Light is reflected to her from all the Continent of Asia, and part of Africa, which are more pro∣per to reflect the Sun-beams, than those Seas which are towards the West. So that as the Moon doth at some times Enlighten the Earth; so at other times again, the Earth Enlightens the Moon.

XV. What a Periodical and Syno∣dical Lu∣nar Month is. The Moon performs her Revolution in 27 Days and about 8 Hours; and this time is called the Periodical Lunar Month: And the time that in∣tervenes betwixt the Conjunction of this Planet with the Sun, till the next Conjunction, is called the Synodical Month; which consists of 29 Days, and about 12 Hours. Wherefore, when on a certain Day there is a Conjunction between the Moon and the Sun, the Moon indeed will return to the same Degree of the Zodiack, at the end of 27 Days and near 8 Hours; but she will not meet with the Sun there, who by this time will be advanced 27 Degrees further to the East; so that the Moon will be fain to proceed two Days longer before she can overtake him.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon.

I. What an Eclipse of the Sun is. FOrasmuch as the Earth by its Annual Moti∣tion, turns round about the Sun; and the Moon by her Monthly Revolution, is whirl'd about the Earth, it cannot be but that the Earth, Sun and Moon must sometimes meet, and be oppos'd to one another. Whence, if it so happens, that by the Moons intervening betwixt the Sun and the Earth, the Sun becomes obscured by her shadow, this we call an Eclipse of the Sun, because its Light is hindred from being diffused on the Earth. So that the Eclipse of the Sun, is nothing else, but a Failing of Light in some Region of the World, caused by the Diametrical Interposition of the Moon betwixt the Sun and that Country. Wherefore this Eclipse always happens at the Time of the Moons Conjunction with the Sun.

II. What an Eclipse of the Moon is. But if the Moon come within the verge of the Earths shadow, and by this means be deprived of the Light it borrows of the Sun, this we call an Eclipse of the Moon. And accordingly, an Eclipse of the Moon is a Failure of Light in the Moon, because of the Diametrical Interposition of the Earth between the Sun and the Moon. For then is the Moon obscured by the shadow of the Earth, and it happens always at the Full Moon, or Oppo∣sition: Tho' this Observation be not perceiv'd by all the Inhabitants of the Earth; but by those only that are in that part of the Earth, which is Diametrically interpos'd between the Sun and Moon.

III. An Eclipse of the Moon is either Total or Partial. An Eclipse of the Moon is either Total, or Partial. A Total Eclipse is, when the whole Round of the Moon is cover'd with the Shadow of the Earth: Whereas in a Partial, a part of it only is ob∣scured.

IV. A Solar Eclipse may more pro∣perly be called an Eclipse of the Earth. Betwixt these two Eclipses we are to observe this considerable difference, that the Failure of Light in the Moon, is caused by the Interposition of the Earth, which really keeps off the Sun's Rays from it, hindring it from receiving its wonted splendour. But no such Defect of Light ever happens to the Body of the Sun, whose Light can∣not be the least impair'd, because of the Moons Interposition between him and the Earth. And therefore an Eclipse of the Sun, may with more propriety of Speech be called an Eclipse of the Earth, the Defect of Light being only in Ap∣pearance in the Sun, but really and indeed in the Earth, which is then deprived in a greater or less degree of his Light.

V. What the Head and Tail of the Dragon i••. We are to observe that, as the way of the Sun, or the Ecliptick, doth obliquely intersect the Ae∣quator in the two opposite Aequinoctial Points; so likewise the Orb of the Moon is not directly under the Ecliptick, but cuts the same in two opposite Points at Oblique Angles; and these Points are called the Nodes, or the Dragons Head and Tail. For the clearer conceiving whereof we are to note, that the Ecliptick divides the World into two Parts, whereof that which contains the Nor∣thern Pole, is called the Northern part; as that which contains the opposite Pole, the South part. This supposed, we say that the Dragons Head is one of the Common Sections of the Ecliptick, as well as of the Circle which the Moon describes, when she passeth from the South part of the World to the North; and the other Section, by which the Moon passeth from the North to the South part of the World, is the Tail of the Dragon. The Orb of the Moon therefore, ABCD, doth * 1.18not concur with the Sun's Ecliptick AECF, but intersects the same in two places, at A and C. In or very near which Intersections the Sun and Moon must be, or else no Eclipse can happen. For beyond the Ecliptical Terms GHIK, there are no Eclipses; because every where else the Moon is either too high towards the North B, or too much depress'd towards the South D; so that where there is not a Conjunction, or an Opposition of these three Bodies, the Sun, Moon, and the Earth, at the New or Full of the Moon, neither Solar nor Lunar Eclipse can ever happen.

VI. The Eclipse of the Sun ever hap∣pens at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 New of the Moon. Wherefore we see, that the Eclipse of the Sun can only happen at the New Moon, when the Sun and Moon are in Conjunction. For since the Orb of the Moon only intersects the Ecliptick at two Points or Nodes, she must of necessity be found in one of these before she can cause an Eclipse. And forasmuch as the Sun meets twice only in a Year with the Moon, in or at those Nodes, the Sun can∣not suffer an Eclipse more frequently, than about every sixth Month. The Moons motion also from West to East, being not always exactly under the Ecliptick, but deviating something from it towards the North or South, and consequently not moving directly between the Sun and us, it is apparent that no Eclipse can be, but when the Sun and Moon are together in the Dragons Head or Tail, which, as I said, happens but every sixth Month.

VII. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Moon ••••p∣pens 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tho' not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 every 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Moon. Accordingly the Eclipse of the Moon happens, when the Earth a, being directly interpos'd be∣tween the Moon b or d, and the Sun c, doth by its Conical shadow I h i, hinder the direct Rays of the Sun from reaching any part of the Body of the Moon, as in b and d, or only from illuminating some

* 1.19 part of it, as in e and f. The Eclipses of the Moon are only at the Full Moon, that is, whilst the Sun and the Moon are diametrically oppos'd in the Dragons Head and Tail; because then the Earth comes between them, and by its Shadow does obscure the Moon. Yet it doth not follow from hence, that there must be Lunar Eclipses every Full Moon; because the Moon having some Lati∣tude, she is often at the time of her Opposition to the Sun, at a considerable distance from the Nodes, whence it happens that the Shadow of the Earth does not touch her; there being no possibility of an Eclipse, except the Sun and Moon be in the Head and Tail of the Dragon. And forasmuch as the Sun cannot be there above twice in a Year, it is evident, that we cannot have a Lunar Eclipse every Full Moon.

VIII. The Cause of a Total and Partial Eclipse. A Total, or Partial Eclipse is caused, when the Luminaries are in Opposition, as in the Lunar; or in Conjunction, as in the Solar Eclipse, in or near the Nodes, or else at a little distance from them: For seeing that the Axis of the Earths Shadow is always in the Plain of the Ecliptick, it cannot be otherwise, but that when this Axis coincides with the Nodes, the Moon passing that way, or near to it, must be wholly dipp'd in the Shadow of the Earth; but when more remote, then the Moon must be only in part obscured, as entring only into the verge or brim of the Shadow. And so like∣wise in the same manner, because the Axis of the Lunar Shadow, the Sun being behind it, doth then appear, when the Moon is in the Ecliptick or Node: Therefore it is necessary, that at that time when it doth not appear less than the Sun, it must cover the whole Sun, which otherwise covers only some part of it; viz. when the Axis of that Shadow being somewhat turn'd aside from our Sight, a part of the Moon only comes between us and the Sun.

IX. A Total Eclipse of the Sun happens very rare∣ly, and when it does, lasts only for a Moment. A Total Eclipse of the Sun is a thing seldom seen; for the Moon being much less than the Earth, cannot but rarely be so conjoyn'd with the Sun, as to cover its whole Round, and hinder the Light proceeding from it to reach the Earth; but only so, as to cover some part of it with its Shadow. Besides, forasmuch as the motion of the Sun from West to East is very swift, she makes haste away from under the Sun, and therefore can only obscure it for a very short time. So that tho' we should suppose the Moon to be so conjoyn'd with the Sun, that his Light might appear to be totally inter∣cepted; yet could not the Failure of Light last above a Moment, seeing that in the next following Moment, some of its Light would be diffused from that part of the Sun's Body, which by that time would be got out of the Shadow.

X. Eclipses appear va∣rious in various Parts of the Earth. Thus it often happens, that tho' a Total Eclipse be perceived in some part of the Earth, yet in other parts the same is only Partial, and in other again none at all. This will clearly appear in the Scheme or Figure, where the Moon a, being inter∣pos'd between the Sun b, and the Earth c; it is manifest that the Inhabitants at the Point d will be * 1.20deprived of the whole aspect of the Sun, because of the interposition of the Moon; they who dwell at the Point e, will be depriv'd of the one half of it; whereas no part of the Sun will be obscur'd to them who live at f; and the same is to be under∣stood of all other the Inhabitants of the Earth, from whom the Moon turns away the Sun-beams more or less, according to their several situati∣ons.

This acquaints us with the Reason, why a Lunar Eclipse is perceiv'd in one and the same manner, by all those that are in the same Hemi∣sphere, and have the Moon above their Horizon; but not the Eclipse of the Sun, which appears to some Total, to others Partial, and to others again None at all.

XI. Why the Eclipse of the Sun never ap∣pears Total to all the Inhabi∣tants of the Earth. For the Moon being destitute of all Light of her own, must needs be perceiv'd alike obscur'd by all: Whereas the Sun, being Lucid of it self, cannot appear destitute of all Light, but only so far as it is cover'd by the Globe of the Moon, which inter∣venes between the Sun and the Earth; and foras∣much as the Lunar Globe is less than the Sun, or the Earth, it can no otherwise happen, but that some part of the Earth, to which the Moon ap∣pears equal to the Sun, or greater, must be depriv'd of the whole Light of it; whereas others, to whom it appears otherwise, are but deprived of the Half, or of more or less of its Light, and others again enjoy the whole Light of it.

XII. Eclipses of the Sun are less frequent, than those of the Moon. The Solar Eclipses are not so frequent as the Lunar; for the Body of the Moon, which deprives us of the Sun-beams, being much less than the Earth, which deprives the Moon of Light, it cannot be otherwise, but that the Moon must more frequently meet with the shadow of the Earth, than our Sight meets with the shadow of the Moon. But this is not to be understood of the whole Round of the Earth, but only with respect to some determinate Part of it, as by Example, that place where we live: For otherwise there is no question, that every six Months Solar Eclipses happen in this or the other part of the Earth, and no less frequent than the Lunar Eclipses.

XIII. How long the greatest Eclipse of the Sun lasteth. The Duration of Eclipses is not always the same. If it be enquir'd, what the greatest Duration of a Solar Eclipse is; GASSENDUS in his Astrono∣mical Institution, determines it to be the Space of about 2 Hours. For seeing that the Moon spends a whole Hour from the time that she hath made a beginning of the Eclipse, by touching the Western brim of the Sun, with her Eastern, until the time that the same brim come to the Eastern part of the Sun, and thereby make the midst of the Eclipse; and because then only the Western brim of the Moon, is advanced to the Western brim of the Sun, which soon after it quits wholly: So that as soon as the Incidence ceaseth, the Emersion be∣gins; it necessarily follows, that she must spend another Hour, before the same brim can reach the Oriental part of the Sun again, and wholly quit∣ting it, put an end to the Eclipse.

XIV. Why the Superiour Planets are not subject to be Eclipsed. The Superiour Planets suffer no Eclipses, when the Earth comes between them and the Sun; because the Conical shadow of the Earth cannot reach them. Yet those Planets that have any Assistant Stars, are subject to Eclipses by their Interposition, as is evident from Observations about Jupiter and Saturn.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Fixed Stars.

I. What the Fixt Stars are. THE Fixed Stars are so called, not because they rest without any motion at all, or be∣cause they are fastned to the Heaven, as so many Nails, but because, being seated in the Center of their several Vortexes, they always keep the same situation and distance from one another. So that the Fixt Stars are Lucid Bodies, consisting of the matter of the First Element flowing to the Center of the Vortex, and succeeding in the room of the Globuli that recede from thence, giving forth light from themselves, and much differing in Magni∣tude from each other.

II. The Fixt Stars are higher than the Planets Tho' there seem to be an immense distance be∣tween us and the Planets, yet is the space that reacheth from the Earth to the Fixt Stars, much greater, because the Planets do sometimes hide the Fixt Stars, which they could not do, if they were not interpos'd between us and them, and conse∣quently lower than the Fixt Stars. Moreover, for∣asmuch as the Astronomers have not as yet found out any thing, whereby to measure this vast di∣stance, we may suppose it to be as great as we please.

III. How the Astrono∣mers find out that the Fixt Stars are higher than the Planets. That the Fixt Stars are higher than the Planets, the Astronomers prove from the Parallax or Com∣mutation of our Sight. They conceive two lines, the one drawn from the Center of the Earth, the other from its Surface, or from the Eye of the Spectator, through the Center of a Planet, and reaching to the Firmament beyond it. That which is drawn from the Center of the Earth, will be highest; whereas that which is drawn from the Eye of the Beholder is lower and more deprest, unless when they both end in the same Vertical Point. And forasmuch as the Point, in which the First Line is terminated, is accounted to be the true place of the Planet, and the Point in which the other line ends, the Apparent or seen place of the Planet, it is easily apprehended, what the Pa∣rallax is, viz. the difference or distance that is found betwixt both these places. Forasmuch there∣fore as there is no Planet that hath not some Paral¦lax, the Astronomers infer, that the Region of the Fixt Stars is at a greater distance from the Earth than any of the Planets. For there would be no Parallax or change of the Sight, in case any Pla∣net were as far from the Earth, as the Fixt Stars.

IV. The Sun is the greatest of all the Fixt Stars as to our sight. The Sun is the greatest of all the Fixt Stars as to us, for that by reason of his nearness to us, he doth more strongly move the Luminous matter; for there is no question, but that if the Sun were beheld from the Fixt Stars, it would not appear any greater than they do. Yea, GALILAEUS gathers that the Fixt Stars themselves, have grea∣ter appearing Diameters, their immense distance considered, than agrees with the common Astrono∣mical Calculations, because if we take away their Beams, the Diameters of the Fixt Stars by this means become much less.

V. Some Fixt Stars are higher than others. All the Fixt Stars are not placed in the Circum∣ference of one Sphere, as some have imagined, by giving too much credit to their Senses; but as the Sun hath a space about it, in which no Fixt Star is contained; so likewise every Fixt Star must be supposed to be at a vast distance from any other, and some of them at far greater distance from us and the Sun, than others of them. So that the in∣equality which is discerned to be betwixt the Fixt Stars, will be as much from their greater or less distance, as from the greater or less Bulk of their Bodies. And tho' the Region wherein the Fixt Stars are, appear Spherical to our Eye, yet would it be irrational to undertake to determine any thing concerning the figure of any Body, whose out∣ward and inward Surface cannot be discovered by us.

VI. Why the Fixt Stars appear to be in the same plain. For it is notorious, that Bodies of equal bigness, by reason of their unequal distances, appear to be unequal. Now to suppose all the Fixt Stars to be in one Plane, is not so much as probable, nei∣ther is there any reason to prove it: for tho' they be at vast distances from one another (which we boldly do assert) yet will they seem to be in one and the same Plain, after the same manner as Planets, Fixt Stars and Clouds seem to be in the same Plain, yea, and to touch the very Horizon, because there is nothing interposed between them, and our sight, whereby we may judge of their distance: And I durst lay it down for a general Rule, that all di∣stance vanisheth, where we have no Sense nor Judgment of the intervening Bodies.

VII. The Fixt Stars shine with a Light of their own. The Fixt Stars have a light of their own, as we have shewed in the foregoing part of this Discourse, that the Sun hath, whom we take to be one of the Fixt Stars; there being no other Lucid Body whence he might borrow his Light, in case he had it not in himself. And the same is evident also concerning the rest of the Fixt Stars, from the briskness of their Beams, and their vast distance both from us, and from the Body of the Sun, so that they cannot borrow any part of his Light. For we frequently perceive the Body of the Sun, covered with Spots, which like so many Clouds co∣ver his Face, and by resting the Pressure of the Light, suffer only some languid Beams to pro∣ceed from him to us; and this, as Historians tell us, hath sometimes continued for a whole year to∣gether, and hath made the Sun all that while to ap∣pear with a pale whitish Light, like that of the Moon: And yet the Fixt Stars, during this time, were never found to have lost any thing of their Light; which must have followed in case they had received their Light from the Sun.

VIII. The Fixt Stars are at too great a distance from the Sun to re∣ceive any Light from him. Again, that the Fixt Stars are of a fiery Na∣ture, and like the Sun, shine with their own Light, may be thus proved; because if the Sun should be viewed from the Fixt Stars, it would appear no greater than one of the least of them; and there∣fore if the Sun were removed from us, as far as they are, its bulk would appear so much lessened, as scarcely to be conspicuous. And again, if we should suppose the Dog-Star, to be placed where the Sun now is, it would appear as great and glorious as the Sun now appears to us. Now this vast di∣stance of the Sun from the Fixt Stars, sufficient∣ly proves that it is impossible they should borrow their Light from him. Wherefore we must con∣clude, that the Light of the Fixt Stars, doth not at all differ in nature from that of the Sun, as con∣sisting only, on their part, in the swift agitation of the matter of the First Element; and with respect to the Medium, in the motion they communicate to the Globuli of the Second Element, intervening between those Stars and us.

IX. Why the Fixt Stars twinckle. All the Fixt Stars do seem to Twinckle, the reason whereof is the strength and briskness of their Rays, whereby they strike upon our Eyes. Which appears from hence, that when we look upon them through a Telescope, their Twinckling is much diminished, the strength of their Rays being much weakned, by passing through the small holes thereof. Another cause of their Twinck∣ling is, because their Vortexes, which on every side encompass our Heaven, are not perfectly round, but have irregular Surfaces, as may be seen in Figure 20: whereby it happens, that whirling about their Centers, and acting upon our Heaven, the Rays of the Stars come to fall ob∣liquely upon it, and by that means are refracted; from which Refraction their Scintillation or Twinckling follows. The said Scintillation may also be caused by the agitation of Vapours and Ex∣halations in the Air; as we see little Pebbles that lie without any motion at the bottom of a River, do seem to shake, by reason of the continual flowing of the Water.

X. How it comes to pass that the Stars do not ap∣pear in their own places. For the same reason also it is that the Fixt Stars, are not seen by us in the same places, wherein they are indeed, but as if they were placed in the surface of our Great Vortex, which hath the Sun for its Center. And here they cannot appear in their own places, because the Surfaces are in a man∣ner, never so disposed, that the Rays which pass through them, from these Stars to the Earth, do meet with them at Right Angles; for when they meet with them obliquely, it is necessary, accord∣ing to the Rules of Refraction, that they must bend a little, because they pass more easily, by one of the sides of these surfaces, than by the other.

XI. The Fixt Stars seem to move. Tho' the fixt Stars are contained in their Vor∣texes, and always keep the same distance from one another, yet they seem to move, not only by a Diurnal motion, by reason of the Earths Re∣volution about its own Center; but also by another motion, according to which every Star seems to encrease its Longitude; ever since that time, when HIPPARCHUS 130 years before Christ, observed that the Fixt Stars had a motion like the Planets, from West to East; having ta∣ken occasion for making this Discovery from some observation of TIMOCHARIS and ARISTIL∣LUS. For when TIMOCHARIS, amongst other Stars, had observed, that the Spica Virginis, was almost 8 degrees antecedently distant from the point of the Autumnal Aequinox, He found the same Star to be only removed six degrees from the said point. From which observation he concluded, that they move by this motion about one degree, in the time of 100 years; and consequently that the Fixt Stars also had a motion of their own.

XII. What the cause is of this ap∣pearing motion. In order to the Explication of this appearing motion of the Fixt Stars, we are to suppose, that the Axis of the Diurnal motion of the Earth, doth not accurately keep the same Parallelism in its Annual Revolution which it had before, but somewhat turns aside from the same, after the run∣ning out of a great many years; and tho' this Deflexion from the Axis of the Ecliptick be insen∣sible; yet the Earth, by this Reeling motion, in the space of many thousand years, is the cause that its Poles describe a small Circle from the East to the West. And since that according to this Hypothesis we conceive the Aequator of the Earth to answer to different parts of the Heaven, it fol∣lows that the Coelestial Aequator must also change its place, and cut the Ecliptick at divers Points, from East to West. And because the Longitude of the Fixt Stars is computed from that time, in which these two Circles are intersected, it cannot be, but that the said Longitude must seem to be encreased every hundred years.

XIII. Why the Poles of the Earth are by little and little obliquely turned the contrary way to its Annual motion. This will appear more manifestly, if we suppose that the Declination of the Axis of the Earth from the Perpendicular to the Plain of the Ecliptick, proceeds from the Striate Matter of the First Ele∣ment (as shall be explained more at large in the sixth Part) which coming from that part of the Second Heaven, which is 23 degrees distant from the Poles of the First Heaven, and passing through its Poles, doth incline it to so many degrees. But because that part of the Second Heaven, which is fit and dispos'd, to drive the Striate Matter into the Poles of the Earth, and by this means to sway them obliquely, is insensibly turned round from 1 to 2, and from 5 to 6, and so on, according to the trace of the Polar Circles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, 7, 8, which in this our age, are 23 degrees di∣stant from the Poles of our First Heaven AC; * 1.21whilst, in the mean time, the Earth, together with the rest of the Planets is moved in its Annual motion, according to the Succession of the Signs of the Zodiack from Aries ♈ to Tau∣rus ♉, and from Taurus to Gemini ♊, and so on, by a contrary Motion to that of the Second Heaven, that communicates the Striate Matter to the Earth; by this means it comes to pass that the Poles of the Earth are by little and little turn'd about, respecting those Polar Circles at this time, with an inclination of 23 degrees, contrary to the course of their Annual Motion: So that the Poles of the Earth, which were directed to the parts of the Polar Circles marked NO, are now directed, to those parts of them that are marked LM.

Neither only is that part of the Second Heaven, which sends the Sriate Matter to the Poles of the Earth, and directs or inclines them according to the trace of the Polar Circles 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, 7, 8, swayed about, but it is also lifted up to the Poles AC, of our Heaven, and is again by them, in that wresting about, softly depressed. And this is the Cause, why the Axis of the Poles of the Earth I, doth now decline 23 degrees and 30 mi∣nutes, according to the magnitude, for Example, of the Line LM, or NO, from the Poles AC, of our Heaven, whereas formerly this Declination was of whole 24 degrees.

XIV. The Longi∣tude of the Fixt Stars may be un∣equal. Wherefore altho' the change which happens to the Longitude of one Star, cannot but be like to that which happens to another; yet it is not ne∣cessary, that all the Fixt Stars together, should throughout all Ages obtain the same Longitude, since it is possible that this Reeling of the Earth, may be more sensible in this Age than in another. And therefore the Irregularity of the Apparent mo∣tion of the Fixt Stars, may be easily explained, by supposing, that the Reeling or Titubation of the Earth is not Regular; and that in some Ages it deflects somewhat more, and in others less.

XV. How the Change of the Decli∣nation of the Ecli∣tick is made. We may likewise easily comprehend, that the apparent Ecliptick, must somewhat alter its decli∣nation, provided we conceive, that during this Ti∣tubation

of the Earth, its Axis inclines towards the plain of the Ecliptick, somewhat more at one time than another; for thus the Aequator of the Earth, determines that of the Heaven, in parts that are at such different Distances from the Ecliptick. Now this Reeling motion of the Earth, follows necessarily from its being placed in the Vortex of the Sun: For it would be a great wonder, if being plac'd in the midst of a Liquid matter, as it is, it should continue there many Ages, without admit∣ting any change in its situation.

XVI. Why the Fix'd Stars are not seen in the Day time. The Fix'd Stars are not seen by us in the day time, because the impression of the Sun's Bright∣ness is so strong on our Eyes, that the Light of the fix'd Stars cannot make it self perceptible. The case is the same, as when our Ear being stun'd with some great Noise, cannot perceive any low or weak sound: Or, as a hot Hand cannot distin∣guish the less sensible warmth that is in another Subject. Yet doth not this hinder, but that a Man plac'd at the bottom of a Well, may perceive the Light of the fix'd Stars; because there his Eye is not so strongly affected by the splendour of the Sun; neither doth any thing hinder a Star that is above the Horizon, from freely transmitting his Rays.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Asterisms and Constellations.

I. The Num∣ber of the fix'd Stars. THo' the Fix'd Stars be dispers'd throughout the immense Space of Heaven, and can no more be numbred than the Sand on the Sea-shoar; yet the Astronomers have been pleased to deter∣mine a certain Number of them, which they have discover'd by the help of their Telescopes, as being nearer to us, and more in view. Of these they count 1022; which they have divided into 6 Classes or Ranks.

II. The diffe∣rence of the Mag∣nitude of the Stars. The greatest Stars of all are called, Stars of the First Magnitude; and of these there are 15.

The next to these are called, Stars of the Se∣cond Magnitude, of which there are 45.

After these follow those that are of the Third Magnitude, being 208 in number.

Of the Fourth Magnitude, there are 474.

The fifth Classis of Stars, are those of the Fifth Magnitude; and of these there are 217.

The sixth Rank or Order of Stars contains 49, and are the least of all. To which, for the ma∣king up of the Number, 9 Stars called Obscure, are added, and 5 called Misty or Cloudy, because they can hardly be perceived.

III. All the Stars that belong to one of these Or∣ders, are not equal. It is to be observ'd, that all the Stars that are of one Classis, do not appear to us of the same Bigness and Brightness; but in every one of these Divisions, there are some that are Greater, some Less, and some of a Midling-size, between both. For the Dog-Star is the biggest of them all; and tho' the Lyre or Harp be of a very conspicuous Magnitude, yet can it not be compared with it; and the same may be said of the others Orders or Divisions. For the Eye of the Bull doth far ex∣ceed the Lions-Heart, and the Virgins Ear of Corn.

IV. How the Stars come by their several Names. To the end these Stars might be the better distinguish'd and remembred, the Astronomers have reduc'd them to certain Constellations, and affixed some Signs or Figures to them, according as they imagin'd them to have some resemblance or agreement with such and such Animals or things.

V. The Number and Cha∣racter of the Con∣stellations in the Zodiack. The Astronomers reckon up 48 of these Figures or Constellations, whereof some are in the Zodiack, others without it in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

In the Zodiack are 12 Constellations: Aries, or the Ram, express'd by this Character ♈, as repre∣senting the Head and Horns of a Ram: Taurus, ♉, the Bull, the Head and Horns of an Ox: Gemini, or Twins, ♊, two Bodies, with their Arms and Legs twisted together: Cancer, the Crab, ♋, the Claws of a Crab, with their Retrograde going: Leo, the Lion, ♌, representing a Lion's Tail: Virgo, the Virgin, ♍, resembling a Wing, or the folded Gown of a Damsel: Libra, the Balance, ♎, the Beam of a pair of Scales: Scorpius, the Scor∣pion, ♏, the Body and Tail of a Scorpion: Sagit∣tarius, the Archer, ♐, an Arrow, apply'd to a Bow: Capricornus, ♑, the Head and Horns of a Goat, with the Tail of a Fish: Aquarius, the Water∣man, ♒, the pouring of Water out of a Pitcher: Pisces, the Fishes, ♓, two Fishes tied together with a String.

VI. Each Sign contains 30 Degrees. The Astronomers attribute to each Sign of the Zodiack 30 Degrees, tho' the Asterisms them∣selves be unequal, some of them being shorter, and others longer: For if 360 be divided by 12, the result will be 30.

VII. What are the most conspicuous Stars in every Sign, and first in Aries. In ARIES 3 Stars are most conspicuous, 2 in the left Horn of the fourth Magnitude, and 1 of the third, between the Horns; which Tycho calls the Bright Star in the top of the Rams Head.

VIII. What in Taurus. The most considerable Star in the Sign TAU∣RUS is placed in his left Eye, being a Star of the first Magnitude, and is therefore called the Bulls Eye. Near to it are other 5 Stars, which are called Hyades: And those 6, formerly 7 Stars, that appear on the Back of the Bull, are called Pleiades and Vergiliae, in the midst of which is a Star of the third Magnitude, commonly called the Bright Star of the Pleiades.

IX. What Stars are in Gemini. There are 2 Principal Stars in GEMINI of the second Magnitude, whereof that in the North Head of the Twins, is called Castor; as that in the South, Pollux. There is also another Star of the same Magnitude in the right Foot of Pollux, towards Orion. There is also one of the fourth Magnitude, called Propus, because it is placed near the left Foot of Castor.

X. What in Cancer. In CANCER, scarce any Stars appear, besides one of the third Magnitude, near to the right Claw, and 3 others of the fourth, 2 whereof are most noted, whereof 1 stands towards the North, the other towards the South.

XI. What in Leo. The LION is adorned with divers bright Stars, 2 whereof are of the first Magnitude. That which is seen in his Breast, is called the Lions Heart, or Regulus; and that in his Tail, the Lions Tail. Besides these there are 2 other, the one in his Neck, the other in the utmost part of his Back; to which, if the next Stars in his Loyns be added, they, together with those of the Heart and the Neck, will represent the Figure of a long Square.

XII. What in Virgo. In the VIRGINS left Hand is an Ear of Corn, in which there is a Star of the first Magni∣tude, commonly called, the Virgins Ear of Corn. There are also other Stars of the third Magnitude, disperst all along the Virgins Body.

XIII. What Stars are in the Scorpion. SCORPIUS, besides 2 Stars of the second Magnitude plac'd in the further part of his Claws, and 2 more of the third Magnitude in his Tail, hath another in the midst of his Body, called the Scorpion's Heart, plac'd between 2 Stars of the fourth Magnitude.

XIV. What in Libra. LIBRA consists of 2 very bright Stars, which are called the Scales.

XV. What in Sagittarius. In SAGITTARIUS are 4 Stars more considerable, which being plac'd on his Right shoulder, constitute a Trapezium or Table; besides 3 or 4 that do somewhat resemble a Bow: Beyond the midst of which, there is another of the third Magnitude, which represents the form of an Arrow.

XVI. What in Capricorn. The Chief Stars in CAPRICORN are 4 of the third Magnitude. There are 2 in his Tail that have a greater lustre than the rest; and two other in his Horns, the uppermost whereof hath a small Star joyned to it.

XVII. What in Aquarius. In AQUARIUS, the most conspicuous Stars are some of the third Magnitude about his shoul∣ders, with 4 others about his right Hand; the one whereof is, as it were, plac'd in the midst of a Triangle, constituted by the other 3. And there is another in his right Hand of the third Magni∣tude; besides which there are many other of the fourth Magnitude, and more especially one at the end of the pouring forth of the Water, which is of the first Magnitude.

XVIII. What in Pisces. The Constellation PISCES consists of many small Stars; there being but few amongst them that are as big as those of the fourth Magnitude: And tho' these Fishes are at some distance from each other, the one in the Neighbourhood of Aquarius, under the Neck of Pegasus, and the other near to the Ram or Aries, under the Breast of Andromeda; yet they are tied together with a kind of loose Riband, which is also adorn'd with several Stars of the first Magnitude.

XIX. The Nor∣thern Con∣stellations, without the Zodiack The Constellations without the Zodiack, are either Northern or Southern. The Northern, which appear in our Hemisphere, are 21; the particular account whereof here follows, begin∣ning with that Constellation which is next of all to the Pole.

1 The Little Bear. And this is URSA MINOR, the Lesser Bear; which consists of 7 Stars, 4 whereof repre∣sent a square Figure; whereof the uppermost in the Neck of the Bear, is of the second Magnitude; another lower than it, of the third; a third on the Back, of the fourth; and the last in the Back also, of the fifth. The hindermost and brightest of the other 3, is called the Pole-Star, because it is nearer to the Pole of any other.

2 The Great Bear. URSA MAJOR, the Greater Bear, consists likewise of 7 Stars, whereof the 4 that represent a square, exhibit so many Wheels, and the other 3, the Beam of the Wain, and the Oxen or Horses that draw it; and therefore was called by the Ancients, Plaustrum majus, or the Greater Wain.

3 Bootes. BOOTES, the Herdsman, or rather the Driver of the Oxen, called also Arctophylax, the Bearward, consists of many Stars of the third Magnitude, plac'd in the shoulder, back and knees of this Figure. But one of them is more famous than any of the rest, placed between his Thighs, on the rim or edging of his Coat, being of the first Magnitude, and is called Arcturus.

4 The Dra∣gon. The DRAGON consists of many Stars, but none of them greater than those of the third Mag∣nitude; only there are 2 in the Head of it, that are brighter than the rest.

5 The Crown of Ariadne. The CROWN of ARIADNE, plac'd at the Right shoulder of Bootes, represents a half Circle, compos'd of 5 Stars; whereof 3 are of the fourth Magnitude, one of the fifth, and another of the second, which is called the Bright Star of the Crown.

6 Engonasi. ENGONASI, the Man, according to some Hercules, Kneeling, comprizeth several Stars all of the same Magnitude; of which one especially is more conspicuous in the Head of this Figure, for its being of an equal size, with another Star like it, found in the Head of Ophiuchus.

7 Lyra, or the Harp. LYRA, the Harp, which by some is called the Falling Vultur, hath the most eminent Star of the first Magnitude, next to the Dog-Star; be∣sides which it contains some few other Stars, 2 whereof are of the second Magnitude.

8 The Swan. The SWAN is an illustrious Constellation within the Milky-Way, resembling the Form of a Cross; and hath a very notable Star of the second Magnitude.

9 Cepheus. CEPHEUS hath his Head pointing to the Swan, and his right Foot standing on the Tail of the Little Bear. It contains but few bright Stars, besides 3 of the third Magnitude, one in the Right shoulder, another in his Girdle, and a third in his Right knee.

10 Cassiopeia CASSIOPEIA hath 5 Stars of the third Magnitude, over against the Great Bear, the least being in the midst of them; 3 of these are on the outside, one of them being called the Bright Star of the Chair; another upon her Breast, called Schedir; the third near her Flank; all which repre∣sent the Figure of a Triangle.

11 Perseus. PERSEUS is plac'd between the Feet of Cassiopeia and the Bull, the most bright Star of which Asterism, that on the Back, is of the second Magnitude. It hath also another famous one of the third Magnitude, which being placed in the Head of Medusa in the Left hand of Perseus, is therefore called the Head of Medusa, and the other 4 are call'd Gorgons.

12 Androme∣da. ANDROMEDA is an Asterism under Cas∣siopeia, on the Left-side of Perseus; very remark∣able, because of 3 Stars it hath of the second Mag∣nitude; one whereof is on the Left Foot, above the Triangle, the other in the Girdle, above the Fishes; the last in the Head, which is common to her and Pegasus.

13 Deltoton, or the Tri∣angle. DELTOTON, or the Triangle, consists of 3 Bright Stars of the fourth Magnitude, one whereof is at the top, and the other 2 at the Basis of it, with another Star of the fifth Magnitude, near to it.

14 Auriga. AURIGA, the Wagoner or Wain-Driver, hath a Star of the second Magnitude in the Left Foot, where there is also another of the fourth Magni∣tude. But the most noted of them all is a Star of the first Magnitude very illustrious, on the Left shoulder, called Capra, the Goat.

15 Pegasus. PEGASUS, or the Flying-Horse, is a notable Constellation, by reason of a large square compo∣sed by 4 of its Stars of the second Magnitude. Besides which it contains other 3 of the third Magnitude, the one in the Knee, the other in the

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Neck, and the third in the Opening of the Mouth, which is therefore call'd the Mouth of Pegasus.

16 The Dol∣phin. The DOLPHIN, seen between the Constel∣lation of the Colt and the Eagle, has 10 Stars, whereof 5 are of the fifth Magnitude: The other, except that which is in the Tail, do constitute the Figure of a Lozenge.

17 The Arrow. The ARROW hath 5 Stars, of which, that at the Point is of the fourth Magnitude.

18 Eq••ule••s, or the Colt. The COLT is nothing else, but as it were the shadow of the Head of Pegasus, in which are seen 4 Stars, all of them of the fourth Magnitude.

19 The Eagle. The EAGLE is considerable for 3 Stars, re∣presenting the situation or position of Orions Gir∣dle. The 2 that are at each end, are only of the third Magnitude; as likewise 2 others at the end of his Tail: The Star which is in the middle is of the second Magnitude, and out-shines the rest, being therefore call'd, the Bright Star of the Eagle.

20 Serpenta∣rius. SERPENTARIUS OPHIUCHUS, or the Serpent-Bearer, is a great Asterism; for its Head is near to the Head of Hercules; its Feet rest upon the Scorpion; the Head of the Serpent reacheth to the Northern Crown, and its Tail to the Eagle. Its greatest Star is only of the third Magnitude. Yet there is one of these that is very considerable by the right Ham, between the Scor∣pion and Sagittary, which in the Fourth year of this Century was accounted amongst the Great Stars.

21 The Serpent of Ophiu∣chus. The SERPENT of Ophiuchus, is famous for several Stars of the third and fourth Magnitude, in the middle Joynt of the Neck, next to that Hand in which Hercules holds his Club.

XX. The Sou∣thern Con∣stellations, without the Zodi∣ack. The Southern Signs are 15 in Number, without the Zodiack.

1 The Whale. The first is the WHALE, situate under the Fishes and the Ram, having a vast wide Mouth, in the midst whereof is a Star of the first Magni∣tude, the Bright Star of the Jaw-bone of the Whale; and hath another of the same Magnitude answering to it, in the midst of the Point of his Tail; besides other Stars over his whole Body, of the third and fourth Magnitude.

2 The River Eridanus. ERIDANUS is a long and winding Asterism betwixt Orion and the Whale. The end of which, towards the South, is invisible to us.

3 The Hare. The HARE, besides other of the Stars where∣of it is composed, hath 4 of the first Magnitude, and other 4 smaller ones in his Ears.

4 Orion. ORION is a Constellation, adorned with many bright Stars. Of these, 2 principal ones are in his Shoulders, 3 in his Girdle, which are called Three Kings; 1 in his right Knee, and another in his left Foot, called Rigel.

5 The Great Dog. The GREAT DOG hath not his equal for Brightness, and is commonly call'd Sirius, as being supposed to Dry all things. About his right Feet he hath some Stars of the third Magnitude.

6 The Little Dog. The LITTLE DOG riseth before the Greater, and is, as it were, the Harbinger of his Rising. Besides the Star which is in his Neck, of the third Magnitude, he hath another Bright one in his Thigh of the second Magnitude, called Procyon.

7 The Ship A••go. The Ship ARGO hath but a few Stars that are conspicuous, except it be about the Mast. In its Helm is a very noted Star, called Canopus.

8 Hydra. HYDRA, the Hydre, a Water-Serpent, is a long extended Asterism; for with its Head it toucheth the Claws of the Crab, and its Tail is near to Libra, or the Ballance. It hath a very bright Star in its Breast of the first Magnitude, called the Heart of the Water-Snake.

9 Crater, the Bowl. The BOWL, or Cup, is placed upon the Middle part of the Hydra, having some Stars of the fourth Magnitude, representing an half Round.

10 The Crow. The CROW is very remarkable, by reason of the Table in it, consisting of 4 Stars, whereof 3 are of the third Magnitude, and another of the fourth.

11 The Cen∣taur. The CENTAUR, besides 14 visible Stars, hath others that are not conspicuous to us; where∣of 1 is of the first Magnitude, at the right Fore∣foot of the Horse. In his hind Legs are 4 Stars, which represent a very remarkable Cross. The Uppermost and Lowermost are of the second Mag∣nitude; but the Right and Left of the third.

12 The Wolf. The WOLF, or Wild-Beast, doth with his Head reach the middle part of the Scorpion; it hath no Stars bigger than of the fourth Magni∣tude.

13 The Altar. The ALTAR, or Censer, is for the most part hid from us under the bending of the Scorpions-Tail. It hath no greater Stars, than of the third Magnitude.

14 The Sou∣thern-Crown. The SOUTH-CROWN hath one very notable amongst the rest, of the third Magni∣tude; and is the same which is called by some Ura∣niscus, or the Petty-Heaven.

15 The South-Fish. The SOUTH-FISH contains many Stars, and those of the fourth Magnitude, under the left Leg of Aquarius. In its Mouth it hath a Princi∣pal one of the first Magnitude, called Foma∣hant.

XXI. What those Stars are that are Unformed. Tho' the Constellations of the Zodiack, toge∣ther with the North and South, are reduced to the Number of 48; yet we are to know that the Astronomers could not comprize them all into Figures, but were fain to leave some in the Inter∣vals of them, which they called Unformed, as being comprehended in no Figure or Image.

XXII. What the Galaxy, or Milky∣way, is. The Astronomers also make mention of the Galaxy, or Milky-way, which is nothing else but a vast multitude of thick-set Stars, that by their weak Light represent the appearance of Milk in a clear Sky, as the Telescope hath informed us. Whereby ARISTOTLE is convinc'd of a mani∣fest Error, who suppos'd the Milky-Way to be a Meteor; who yet therein is to be pardoned, because he wanted the Helps that we have to discern it better.

XXIII. How the Sun, or any Planet, is said to be in a Sign. We are to observe, that when that the Sun, or any Planet, is said to be in a Sign: As for Example, in the Ram, or in the Bull; the meaning thereof is, that it is plac'd under it, or that it intervenes, or is intercepted between our Eye and that Sign. For it is certain, that the Zo∣diack, and its Signs, are at a vast distance from the Planets. But this way of speaking hath ob∣tain'd, because the Planets appear to us, as if they were in the Region of the fix'd Stars. For our unassisted Sight cannot discern which of the Stars are farther from, or nearer to us. Hence it is, that because we know that the Planets are nearer to us than the Stars, we understand them

to be so placed, as to be between us and the Signs. But the Stars that are without the Zodiack are said to be in that Constellation, or rather to belong to it, between which and the next Pole of the Zodiack they are placed.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Influence of the Stars, and of Judicial Astrology.

I. The sense o•• the Question stated. IT is a Question frequently handled by the gravest Authors, Whether the Stars act upon these Inferiour Bodies; and whether the Things that happen here on Earth do depend on their Influences. Or to speak more plainly, Whether the Stars be the Cause of those Effects we see in this Sublunary World; or at least, contribute some∣thing to their Production. For the better under∣standing of this Question, it will be necessary to examine the Virtue and Power of the Stars, and thence gather their manner and way of acting.

II. The Sun influenceth this sublu∣nary World. There is no doubt, but that the Sun concurs by a real influx to the Production of Terrestrial Bo∣dies; yea, if we give heed to his Virtue, we shall find him to be the only, or at least the Principal Cause of all things that are generated in the Earth; for the Growing of Plants, the Nourishment of Trees, the Ripening of Fruit, and the Springing of Corn, are all to be referr'd to the Sun, by whose Heat they are cherished, grow, and are brought to perfection.

III. An Obje∣ction a∣gainst the Virtue of the Sun. If you say, That many things happen in the Earth which cannot be imputed to the Sun; as Cold and Moisture, which require a Cause distinct from that of Heat. For how can Heat be con∣ceiv'd to be the Original of Cold? Or, how can the Sun, who is of a fiery Nature, produce Moi∣sture, since the Natural effect of Fire is to dry, and deprive a Body of all Moisture? And there∣fore the Sun can only be said to be the Cause of some particular Effects.

IV. Answer. I Answer, It is true that Cold and Moisture do not proceed from the Sun, as their productive Cause; yet doth not this contradict their pro∣ceeding from the Sun accidentally. For as his presence drives away the Cold, and suffers it not to prevail on the Earth; so his absence suffers it to prevail, and exposeth Terrestrial Bodies to its con∣striction. In like manner, tho' Moisture doth not descend from the Sun; yet because the same abounds in the Earth, and that the Sun doth not always elevate the same into Vapours, therefore he may be said to be an Accidental Cause of it.

V. The Sun is the General Cause of all Effects produced in the Earth. The Sun therefore is to be considered by us as a General or Universal Cause, which every where diffuseth its Beams; yet it happens by Accident, that he illuminates one part of the Earth more than another: As it is accidental to Fire, that this or the other thing comes near to it, to be heated and cherished by it, or not. And hence it is, that all that variety, which we see in Nature, doth not so much proceed from the Sun, as from the various situation and disposition of Bodies. For the reason why in one part of the Earth it is Spring, in ano∣ther Autumn, in a third Summer, doth not proceed from the Sun as a Special Cause, but only as a Ge∣neral, the Sun being always the same, and equally diffusing his Heat. For that it is now, suppose, Summer with us, by the Sun-beams falling more directly upon us; this is owing to that Part of the Earth wherein we live, whose situation is so di∣rected towards the Sun, as to receive his Beams more directly, at the very same time that it is Winter with our Antipodes, to whom the Suns∣beams are obliquely directed.

VI. The Pla∣nets contri∣bute no∣thing to any sublu∣nary Ef∣fects. I know that some Philosophers refer the Cause of this diversity to the Planets, as supposing Saturn to be Cold; Mars, Hot; Venus, moderately Warm∣ing; Mercury, Various; the Moon, Cold and Moist. But these I take to be no more than meer Fictions, since we perceive no Cold from Saturn, nor Heat from Mars; and so from the other Planets: Because it cannot be, that we should feel or perceive any of these Qualities, but that at the same time all the other Inhabitants of the Earth must perceive the same, seeing that they are sen∣sible of these Vicissitudes of Seasons, as well as of the Sun's Heat; and therefore these Changes de∣pend on the various position of the Parts of the Earth. As we see, that the South-Winds, which produce Warm Weather in the midst of Winter; and North-Winds, which cause Cold in Summer, do not arise from the Aspects of the Planets, since the same Aspects are over the whole Earth, and yet we do not find the same Winds every where; so that they proceed only from the various disposi∣tion of the Regions of the Earth.

VII. The Fix'd Stars send down no Influences upon thes•• Inferiour things. Neither do the Fix'd Stars seem to dispense any Influences to us here below, because their vast di∣stance hinder them from producing any Effects here: For tho' by their Light they may put the subtil Matter contain'd in the Pores of the Air into motion, and by means thereof agitate other grosser Matter, which thereby may produce a sen∣sible Effect; yet because we know of no other Virtue that is in them, whereby they might act upon these Inferiours, save only their Light, we cannot attribute to them any Effects, besides those that proceed from Light: And forasmuch as the Light of the Sun is incomparably greater than that of the Fix'd Stars, we are to attribute all Natural Effects to the Light of the Sun, as the General and Pri∣mary Cause of them.

VIII. The Fix'd Stars do not always Rise and Set at the same time; and yet we find that the General Changes of Seasons in the World keep the same time. This Opinion may be further confirmed, if we consider that the Fix'd Stars do not Rise and Set now at the same time as formerly; but because of their turning round from East to West, they Rise now almost a whole Month later than of Old: And yet the Seasons and General Changes that are in the World still observe the same Tenour, and correspond with the Suns Course through the Zo∣diack. For the Dog-Days, by Example, or that great Heat, which in old Times was perceived about the midst of July, still continues about the same term, neither is changed to the midst of Au∣gust, at which time the Dog-star, which they make the Cause of its Heat, doth now Rise. Neither can we suppose, that 6000 years hence, this Heat will be removed to the midst of November, at which time the Dog-star will then Rise. Besides, if the Heat we perceive in Summer be to be ascribed to the Dog-star, how comes it to pass that at the same time the said Star is almost 40 Degrees distant from the Sun? Since it might be rather expected it should display its Heat in the Winter, when it is conjoyn'd with the Sun, viz. about the 29th of October.

IX. The Cause of the great Heat in Summer. The Cause therefore of these great Heats is, because the Sun at that time sends down his Beams more perpendicularly upon us, and continues longer above our Horizon; and forasmuch as this perse∣veres for some Days after the Solstice, during which time new degrees of Heat are still added, it cannot be otherwise, but that the Heat during that time must be increased.

X. The Moon produceth no Effects upon the Earth. Neither doth the Moon, tho' she be so near unto us, produce any Effects here below. I know that several Effects are attributed to her by some; as the Breaking or Splitting of Stones, and the increasing of Oisters, and other shell-Fish, at the Increase of the Moon, and their decreasing at the Wane of the Moon; as likewise that the Bones of Animals, at the Full-Moon, are full of Marrow, whereas at the New they are almost empty.

XI. What is the Cause why Stones are broken. But all these Effects may be with more Truth attributed to other Causes, than to the Moon. For as to the breaking of Stones, the same may with more Reason be attributed to the Sun, than to the Moon; seeing it is certain, that some Stones, after many years lying expos'd to the Sun, have been calcined. And therefore seeing that the Sun's beams reach the Stones, as well as those of the Moon, it seems very reasonable that this Effect should rather be imputed to the stronger, than the weaker Agent.

XII. The increase or decrease of Oysters, doth not proceed from the increase or decrease of the Moon. So likewise it is a Popular Error to imagin, that Oysters and other shell-Fish, are bigger and fuller at some times of the Moon, than at others: For tho' they are sometimes bigger than at other times, yet is not this to be ascribed to the Moon, but rather to Chance, because they have not had sufficient Food, or because the tossing of the Sea hath forced them to some Evacuations. This is apparent in those Fishes which are taken in the same place, and in the same day: For those which are caught in a Net, and immediately taken out thence, are fuller Bodied and better Fed, than those which having been long kept up, have lost much of their flesh by striving to get out. The original therefore of this Error hath been, for that some have taken that to be caused by the Moon, which was meerly for∣tuitous. And accordingly we find, that indiffe∣rently at any time some Oysters are found to be fat and full, and others lean and poor.

XIII. The Cause why more or less Marrow is found in the Bones of Living Creatures. And the same may be said of the Marrow that is found in the Bones of Animals: For several who have examin'd the matter, have found that there is no more Marrow in the said Bones, at any one precise time, than at another; but that the want or defect thereof sometimes is caused, by want of Food, or for that the Beasts have been tired by long Journeys before they were kill'd.

XIV. What Ju∣dicial Astrology is, and of how many ••••rts. Astrology is an Art, which foretells future things from the motion of the Heavenly Bodies, and their Aspects to one another. And is therefore called Judicial, because from these it judgeth of the Events of things. Astrology is twofold; the one is that Art, which from the position of the Stars at the time of Birth, judgeth of the Inclinations and Tempers of Men, whether they will be Passio∣nate, Melancholy, Wise, Venereal, &c. because the Hour of their Nativity was accompanied with such or such Aspects of the Stars, which have a Virtue of causing the Gall, Melancholy, or Spirits to abound. The second kind of Judicial Astrology is that Art, which from observing of the Horo∣scope, judges of Future Events, Children, Manner of Life, Marriage, Honours, Misfortunes, Losses, &c.

XV. Who were the first Professors of it. This Judicial Astrology was first cultivated by the Chaldaean and Babylonian Philosophers, who not only affirmed that they could Foretel Future Events from the Aspects of the Stars; but also boasted that by them they could discover the particular Actions of Men, and the special Events of their Lives. But that both the one and the other of these are vain and false we prove as follows:

Reasons against Judicial Astrology. First, Because the Astrologers had no exact know∣ledge of the Virtues of the Stars, no not of such as were most Notorious. Secondly, Because they were ignorant of the Nature of most Stars, which might variously alter or hinder the operations of those Stars they knew. Thirdly, Because no sufficient Rea∣son can be given, why Schemes for Nativities are erected from the point of Birth, rather than from that of Conception. Fourthly, Because the Astrolo∣gers themselves own, that they have no Principles whereby they might be informed, that the Stars have such Virtues as they assign to them, and that consequently their Predictions are not any deducti∣ons from Premisses, but the Dreams of Idle men.

XVII. Astrologers can have no certain Experience. Besides, how can they be assur'd of the certainty of the Events they pretend to guess at? Not by Experience: For who will conclude that it will lighten, for Example, upon the Kings entring into St. James's Park, because once it hapned so? Or that some King will dye at the Appearance of a Comet; because it hath been found, that upon the Appearing of a Comet some Prince hath died? And much the same Evidence the Astrologers have for their Pre∣dictions, since it is but once in many thousand years, that the Stars are found in the same position.

XVIII. What hap∣pens to one part of the World can∣not be brought as an Argu∣ment to prove that the same will hap∣pen in ano∣ther part. But let us grant the Astrologers, that some Changes have been observ'd to come to pass in certain places of the Earth, under such Constellations; yet can these only be of use to those Countries where they hapned: Seeing it is most certain, that the same Fair weather, or Tempests, do not happen to all parts of the Earth at the same time: For we see it Rain in one part, whilst it is Fair weather in ano∣ther. And thus the Dog-star, which most suppose to be Hot by Nature, and to be the Cause of the greatest Heat when it Riseth in July, is notwith∣standing a sign of Cold to our Antipodes, and to those that live in the South-part of the Earth; because they at the same time that this Constellation Riseth, together with the Sun, and we feel the greatest Heat, experience the greatest Cold: Not∣withstanding that it is then directly over their Heads, and sends down its direct Rays upon their Country.

XIX. The Con∣clusion. Conclude we therefore, according as we have said at the Beginning, that the Sun is the General Cause of all the Effects that happen in this Sublu∣nary World, forasmuch as by his presence he is the Cause of Heat, and by his absence of Cold; and that all the rest of the Stars or Planets, cannot be the Cause of any Alterations in these Sublunary things.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Figure 15.
• * 1.2

  Figure 16.
• * 1.3

  Figure 17.
• * 1.4

  Figure 18.
• * 1.5

  Figure 19.
• * 1.6

  Figure 20.
• * 1.7

  Figure 20.
• * 1.8

  Figure 21.
• * 1.9

  Figure 20.
• * 1.10

  Figure 22.
• * 1.11

  Figure 23.
• * 1.12

  Figure 25.
• * 1.13

  Figure 26.
• * 1.14

  Figure 27.
• * 1.15

  Figure 28.
• * 1.16

  Figure 29▪
• * 1.17

  Figure 30.
• * 1.18

  Figure 31.
• * 1.19

  Figure 32.
• * 1.20

  Figure 33.
• * 1.21

  Figure 34.