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 I lll ll l ll l illl l lllllllii ! ' 
 
 J:iili:llllillilill!llliiillilll!liiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiil III, 
 
^t^^^ 
 
 THE 
 
 Mathematical and J^hilofophical 
 
 WORKS 
 
 Of the Right Reverend 
 
 J^OHN WILKINS, 
 
 Late Lord BiOiop oUHESTE % 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 I. The Difcovery of a New World : Or, a Difcourfe tend- 
 ing to prove, that 'tis probable there may be another 
 Habitable World in the Moon. With a Difcourle of 
 the Poflibility of a PaiTage thither. 
 
 II. That 'tis probable our Earth is One of the Planets. 
 
 '^Sk Mercury : Or, T':^e Secret and Swift Mejfettger. Shewing 
 " how a Man may with Privacy and Speed communicate 
 his Thoughts to a Friend at any Diftaace. 
 
 IV. Mathematical Magtck : Or the Wonders that may be 
 performed by Mechaitical Geometry. 
 
 V. An Abftraft of his EfTay towards a RcalCharaBer^ and 
 a Philofophical Language. 
 
 To which is prefix d the A U T H O R's 
 LIFE, and an Account of his Works. 
 
 L O N D N: 
 
 Printed for J. Nicbolfan, at the Klngs-JrmT in Little Britain ; 
 ui. Bell, at the Crofs-Keys in Cornhill; B. Tooke, at the MiJ- 
 (ile'Temple-Gate in Flectjlrcet ; and R Smith under the Piaz.- 
 za's of the Royal-Exchange. M DCC Vlll. • 
 
THE IA/6S4M 
 
 LIFE of the AUTHOR: 
 
 AND AN 
 Account of his WRITINGS. 
 
 £ -was Son to Walter Wilkins, Citiz^en anX 
 Goldfmith of Oxford; was horn at Fawlfly, 
 we^r Daventry, in Northamptonlhire , in 
 
 ^_^_ the Heufe of the Re'verend and well known 
 
 Mr. John Dod, who wrote upon the Commandments^ he 
 heino- his Grandfather hythe Mother s fide. He was taught 
 hts Latin and Greek hy Edward Sylvefter, ^/oudGxt- 
 cian who kept a Pri'v ate School in the Panjh of All baints 
 in Oxford : H*f Troficiency was fuch, that at Thirteen Tears 
 ofAze he entred a Student ^» New-Inn, r» Eafter-Term, 
 1627 He made no long fiay there, hut was removed to 
 Maedalen-Hall, undertheTuition of Mr. John Tombes, 
 and there he took h^ Degrees in Arts. He f^^r^^rds en- 
 tred into Orders, and v; as fir H Chaplain to V^iWi^m Lord 
 Say, and then to Charles Count Palatine of the Rhine, 
 and Prince EleBor of the Empire, with whom he continue 
 
 ed for feme time. 1 ■ . » 1 ■ r 
 
 Upon the hreaking out of the Civil War, he join d with 
 theParliament, and took f^e Solemn League and Cove- 
 nant. He was afterwards made Warden of Wadham CoU 
 lege hy the Committee of Parliament appointed for Reform- 
 ingtheUni'verfity; and being created Batchelor ofDrvinity, 
 April 12. 1648. was the Day following put tn pojjejfion of 
 hts Wardenfliip. Next Tear he was created DoBor of Di- 
 -vinlty, and about that time roo^ ;i>c Engagement the^en- 
 joind by the Powers in being. ^ t. 
 
 In 1656. he w^nie^ Robina, the WtdoW of Peter 
 Vv^nch, formerly Canon o/Chrift-Church, Sifter to O- 
 liver, then Lord Prote^or. In 16^9- ^^e washy Richard 
 the ProteBor madeHeadof Tnmty College in C^mbndgs, 
 the beH Prefmnmt in that Univerfuy, 
 
 ¥1 
 
The LIFE of tVie Author. 
 
 /fter King Charles the \\6's Reft oration^ he ivas ej'ecl" 
 €il from thence, and became Preacher to the Honourable 
 Society (//Grays-Inn,<.WA///7//?e'r<7/5f. Lawrence Jury, 
 London, in the rccm of Dr. Ward. About this Time he 
 became a Member of the Royal Society, Tvaschofen one of 
 their Cauncil^ and pro'v'J one of their mo (i Eminent Mem- 
 bers, and Chief Benefit! or s. Scon after this he was made 
 Dean of Rippon, and by the intereft of the late Duke of 
 Buckingham, he tvas created Bijhop of Chefter, andcon- 
 fecratedin theChappelofEiy-Houfe iwHolbourn, theiph 
 tff November, 1668. by Dr. Cofin, Bijlwp of Durham j 
 Dr. Laney, Bijlwp ofE\y; and Dr. ^2irdy Bijhop ofSalif- 
 bury ; on which Occafion Dr.Tillotfon, afterwards Arch- 
 bJfjQp of G-dMtThuvy , preach' d an Excellent Sermon. 
 ^, He 'ii'as a Terfcn of great Natural Endowments, and by 
 his Indefatigable Studf attain d to anJJni'uerfalln fight intjO 
 all, or at leaft moft Farts ofUfeful Learning. He was a 
 great Mathe7naticia7t, and "vay much advanced the Study 
 o/'Aftronomy, both while he was Warden of Wadham 
 College in Oxford, and at London, when he was a Mem- 
 her of the Royal Society, He was as well feenin Mecha^ 
 nicks and Experimental P hilofophy as any Alan in his Time, 
 and was a great Promoter of them. In Divinity, which 
 was his main Bufinefs, he excelled, and was a 'very Able 
 Critick^ his Talent of Preaching was admirable, and more 
 fuited to profit than to pleafe his Hearers', he affeBed an Apt 
 and Plain Way of Speech, and exprefsd his Conceptions in 
 a Natural Style, In his Writings he was yudicious and 
 Tlain, and valued not Circumftances fo much as the Sub- 
 fiance. This appear d evident in whatever Subjebl he un- 
 dertook, which be ahvays made eafier for thofe that came 
 after him. 
 
 He treated fometimes on Matters that did not properly 
 helong to his Profeffwn ', but always with a Defign to make 
 Men wifer and better ; which was his chief End in promo- 
 tijig Univerfal Knowledge , und one of the main Reafons 
 for his entring into the Royal Society. H^ Virtues and 
 Graces were very uncommon j at leafi as to that Degree of 
 
 them 
 
The L I F E of the Author. 
 
 them to which he attain d : His Trudeuce was 'very remark^ 
 able, and feldom faiVd him ; but he was fo Openheartei 
 and Sincere himfelf, that be was ready (except he hiew 
 fome Caufe to the contrary ) to think other Men to he fo 
 too 'j by which he was fometimes imposed on. 
 
 H/<s Greatnefs of Mind was evident to all that knew 
 any thing of him , nor was the Depth of his Judgment 
 lefs difcernible. He nenjer was eager in Vurfuit of Dig- 
 nities ; but was advanced to them by his Merit, He con- 
 temn d Riches as much as others admird them ^ and fpent 
 his Ecclefiaftical Revenues in the Service of the Church 
 from which he received them • and being fecurd againji 
 Want, he would often fay. That he would be no Richer : 
 And his Conducl made it evident that he was as good as 
 his word. 
 
 He was a Stranger to Revenge , and yet not unfenfihle 
 of Verfonal Injuries , efpecially fuch as reflected on his 
 Good Name , if they proceeded from fuch as had a good 
 Reputation of their own. the Reproaches of others he de- 
 fpis'd ; but fre^iuently wifl/d he had been better under food 
 by the former : He bore it, however, patiently, as his Mif" 
 fortune ,* never retjuited them with the like meafure ; hut 
 always mention d them with RefpeB, and laid hold on all 
 Opportunities to oblige and do them good. 
 
 His Converfation was profitable and pleafant ; and his 
 Difcourfe was commonly of ufeful Things ; without cccaji- 
 oning Trouble or JVearinefs in thofe that converfed with 
 him. He cultivated that mof nectfjary ( hut too much 
 negleBed^ Part of Friendfoip, To give feafonable Reproof, 
 and wholfome M^dvice, upon Occafion. This he did with 
 a great deal of Freedom j hut with fo much Calmncfs and 
 Prudence, that it feldom gave Offence. 
 
 He was particularly careful of the Reputation of his 
 Friends j and would fuffer no Blot to lye upon the Good 
 Name or Memory of any of them, if he could help it. 
 
 His Enemies, who were Strangers to Moderation them- 
 felves, made that Virtue in which he excelled, the chi<if 
 Subje^ of their Reproaches, as if he had been a Verfon of 
 
 unfteddy 
 
vi The LIFE of the Author. 
 
 unfied^y Frinciplesy and not fixed in Matters of Religion j 
 this dreiv fcvere Cenfures upon him from Arcbhijijop Shel- 
 don, Bifhop'FQWy and Archbifljop Dolhtn, &c. with- 
 out confidering that he could not but ha've a great deal of 
 Charity for Dljfmters^ by reafon of his Education under Mr, 
 John Dod hss Grandfather, a truly Pious and Learned 
 Man • "who dljjtnted in many Things from the Church of 
 England long before the Separation which afterwards fol' 
 lowd upon Arcbbifjop Laud'j Se'verities and new Impofi^ 
 tions. 
 
 And as his [aid Grandfather never approvdof the Ex" 
 tremities on the other Side, but continud Loyal to the lafi^ 
 and advis'd others to continue in their Allegiance ; in like 
 manner Dot} or V^\\V\ns, (tho h^ b^d Clearnefs when tha 
 Government was dijjolv'd, to fuhmit to the Towers then in 
 Being, by which he procurd an Interefi and a Share in the 
 Government of both Univerfties ; ) 7vas always a Friend 
 to thofe who were Loyal, and continud weH ajfe^ed to the 
 Church of England, and prote^ed feveral of 'cm by the 
 Interefi he had in the then Government. 
 
 After the Refer ation be conformed himfelf to the Church 
 of England, and flood up for her Government and Litur- 
 gy • but dfliJtd Vehemence in little and unnecejjary Things ^^ 
 and freely cenfurd it as Fanatacifm on both fides. 
 
 Having thus conform' d to the Church himfelf , he was 
 very willing to bring over others : In which he was not 
 without Succe/s, efpeciaUy in his own Diocefe ^ where the 
 Extremes on both Sides were as remarkable, as in mofi 
 Tarts cf the Nation. Being a Verfon of Exten/ive Cha- 
 rity himftlf, he was for an Indulgence ana a Comprehen- 
 fion, in order to have brought our Divifions in Matters of 
 Religion to a Conclufion ^ which drew upon him the Hatred 
 and Ohlocjuy of tboje who were for contrary Meafures. 
 
 His indefatigable Tains in Study brought the Stone up* 
 on hi7n • which prcv'd ijtatrable. He had for many days 
 a PrO'^pcB of Death ^ which he view'd in its Approaches^ 
 and gradual Advances upon him : And a few days before 
 his DlfJoUition , hs frequently faid , That he found a Sen- 
 tence 
 
The L I F E of the Author^ vii 
 
 tence of- Death ivithin himfelf. But in the height of his 
 Tain and ^pprehenjions of Death, he jliaved no Difmay 
 or Surpriz>ey nor was ever heard to utter a Word unbeco- 
 ming a Wife Man, or a true Chrifiian. And thus he con- 
 cluded his Days ivith Confiancy of Mind, Contempt of the 
 World, and chearful Hopes of a BleJJcd Eternity , through 
 Faith in our Lord Jefus Chrifi. He died in the Houfe of 
 his Friend Dr. Tillotfon, in Chancery-lane in London, 
 en the i^th of November, 1672. and -was huried on the 
 J2.th of DeccmhQT following , under the North Wall of 
 the Chancel of the Church of St. Lawrence Jewry , 
 •where he had formerly been Minifier. His Funeral Ser- 
 mon was preached by Dr. William Lloyd, then Dean of 
 Bangor, (now Lord Biflwp of Wotcq^qv) at the Guild- 
 hall-Chappel in London ; by which, thofe who are Cu- 
 rious may be fatisfy'd, that every Fart of the Character 
 here given him, may be jufiifyd to Advantage. 
 
 As a further Vroof of it , and particularly cf his un- 
 wearied Endeavours to promote XJniverfal Knowledge , *tis 
 proper to fubjoin a Catalogue of his Works. 
 
 1. The fir (l was entitled , The Difcovery of a New 
 World ^ or , A Difcourfe tending to prove. That 
 ('tis probable) there may be another Habitable World 
 in the Moon. Printed at London in 4to. 1635. and 
 had Four Editions, the lafi in 1684. 
 
 2. Difcourfe concerning the Poffibility of a Paf- 
 fage to the World in the Moon. Printed with the 
 Difcovery. 
 
 3. Difcourfe concerning a New Planet ', tending 
 to prove , That ('tis probable) our Earth is one of 
 the Planets. London, 1640, in 8vo. 
 
 The Author s Name is put to none of the Three ; hut 
 they ivere fo well known to be his , that Langrenus, in 
 his Map of the Moon, {Dedicated to the King of Spain ) 
 calls one of the Spots of his Selenographick Map after his 
 Name. 
 
 4. Mercury • or. The Secret Meflenger ; Shewing 
 how a Man may with Privacy an4 Speed communi- 
 cate 
 
viii The LIFE of the Author. 
 
 cate his Thoughts to his Friend at any Diftance." 
 London, 1 64 1. The Publication of this was occajiond by 
 the writing of a little thing y <:<?//V Nuncius Inanima- 
 tus_, by Francis Goodwin. 
 
 5". Mathematical Magick ; or. The Wonders that 
 
 may be perform'd by Mechanical Geometry. In I 
 
 Two Books. Printed at London, in 1643. and 1680. j 
 
 in 8vo. I 
 
 All thefe Five are entire in this Volume ; Printed from the 
 
 befl: Editions Correfted by the Author's own Hand. 
 
 6. Ecckfia^es ; or , A Difcourfe of the Gift of 
 preaching, as it falls under the Rules of Art. Lon- 
 don, 1646, 47, 5-1, f5, and y^. 8vro. 
 
 7. Difcourfe concerning the Beauty of Provi- 
 dence, in all the rugged PafTages of it. London^ 49. 
 in izo i and in 77. the Fifth Edition, in 8vo. 
 
 8. Difcourfe concerning the Gift of Prayer ; 
 fhewing what it is ; wherein it confifts ,• and how 
 far it is attainable by Induftry, &c. London, 165" 5, 
 and 1674. 8vo. 
 
 9. Of the Principles and Duties of Natural Reli- 
 gion. Two Books. London, 1675^. 8vo. Publijljed 
 by John Tillotfon, D. D. 
 
 10. Sermons preach'd upon feveral Gccafions; 
 London, 1682. 8vo. They are in number Fifteen, pub' 
 hflied by Dr. Tillotfon. 
 
 11. Effay towards a Real Chara(3:er , and a Phi- 
 lofophical Language. London, 1668. Fol. 
 
 An Alphabetical Dictionary ; Wherein all EngliJI) 
 Words, according to their various Significations, are 
 either referred to their Places in the Philofophical 
 Tables , or explain'd by fuch Words as are in thofe 
 Tables. This is frinied with the Eflay. 
 
 This Book is mentioned in the laB place , tho* it be not 
 the lafi in Order of Time j becaufe the Dejrgn being extra- 
 crdinary and very curiom , and printed by Order of the 
 Royal Society, ^twas thought proper to give a-i} Abftrac^ 
 of it at the End of this Vclttrmi 
 
 THE 
 
The F I R S T B O O K 
 
 discoVery 
 
 NEW WORLD. 
 
 O R, 
 
 A Difcourfe tending to prove , That ( 'tis 
 probable ) there may he another Habitable 
 World in the Moon, 
 
 With a Difcourfe concerning the Poffibillty 
 of a Paflage thither. 
 
 The Fifth ImpreJJien j CorreBed and Enlarged. 
 
 §luid tibi inquis iJiap'odertiHt ? Si?tihil aliud, hoc certe,fciam om- 
 nia hi c anguji a ejfe. Seneca PrxE ad i. Lib. Nat. Quxll. 
 
 By the Right Reverend Father in God , 
 JOHN W I L K I N S, late Lord 
 Bifliop of CHESTER. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for John Nkholfon at the Kings-Arms in 
 Little Britain ; Benj. Tooke at the Middle Temple 
 Gate in Fleet fir eet ^ And. Bell at the CrofsKeys and 
 Bible in Cornhill ; and Ralph Smith under the 
 Tiaz>za of thQ Royal-Exchange. MDCCVII. 
 
 ■•tinifi%^i^C» i 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 IF among^ thy Leifure Hours, thou canfi fpate arty for 
 the Perufal of this Difcourfe , and doH look to find 
 fomeivhat in it "which may feriJe for thy Information and 
 Benefit ^ let me then ad'vife thee to come unto it Tvith an 
 etjual Mind, not fivayed by "Prejudice , hut indifferently 
 refolved to affent unto that Truth which upon delihera" 
 tion fljall feem mofi probable Unto thy Reafon ^ and then I 
 doubt not, but either thou wilt agree with me in this Af^ 
 fertion , or at leaf: 7jot think it to be as far from Truth , 
 as it is from common Opinion. 
 
 Two Cautions there are, which I would willingly ad-' 
 monijh thee of in the Beginning : 
 
 1, That thou jljouldji not here look to find an exaB 
 accurate Treat ife ; fince this Difcourfe was but the Fruit 
 of fame lighter Studies, and thofe too huddled up in ajhort 
 time ; being firfi thought of and finiflied in the [pace of 
 fome fe'iV Weeks j and therefore you cannot in reafojj eX' 
 peB that it jhould be fo poliJJj'd, as perhaps the SubjeB 
 would recjuire, or the Leifure of the Author might have 
 done it. 
 
 2. To reritensher that I promife only probable ArgU" 
 inents for the Proof of this Opinion ^ and therefore you 
 mu(i not look that every Confecjuence {loould be of an un- 
 deniable Dependance j or that the Truth of each Argu- 
 ment jhould be meafured by its Neceffity. I grant , that 
 fome /jftronomical Appearances may poffbly be folved other-= 
 wife than here they are : But the thing I ai?n at is thM ; 
 that probably they may fo be jolved , as I have here fet 
 them down. Which, if it be granted ( as I think it, 
 v^-ufi ) then I doubt not , but the indifferent Reader will 
 find Jome Satisfatiion in the Main Thing that if to be 
 f>rovedc 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 Many anclmt Thilofcphers of the better Note , have 
 formerly defended this /ifrtion which I ha-ue here laid 
 down i and it were to be wiJJ,ed, that fome of us would 
 more apply our Endea-uours unto the Examination of thefe 
 old Opinions ; which, tho they have for a long time lien 
 nege^ed by others, yet in them may you find many Truths 
 WtU worthy your Tains and Obfervation. 'Tis a falfe 
 Conceit, for m to think that amongfi the ancient Variety 
 and Search of Opinions , the beji hath HiU prevailed. 
 Time (Jatth the Learned Verulam; feems to be of the 
 nature of a River or Stream -, which carrieth down to us 
 that which is light, or blown uf, but fmketh that which 
 ts 7v eighty and j olid. 
 
 It IS my de fire , that by the Occafion of this Difcourfe, 
 I mayraife up fome more aHive Spirit to a Search after ^ 
 other hidden and unknown Truths : Since it mufi needs be \ 
 a great Impediment unto the Growth of Sciences, for Men i 
 (hlljo to plod on upon beaten Principles, as to be afraid of ! 
 entertaining any thing that may feem to contradicl thew. 
 An Unwillmgnefs to take fuch things into Examination, 
 ts one of thoje Errors of Learning, in thefe Times obfer^ 
 ved by the Judicious Verulam. ^lefiionlefs there are , 
 manjjicret Truths ivhich the Ancients have pajjed over ' 
 that are yet left to make fome of our Age famous for tb^ir ' 
 Dijcoverj. "^ 
 
 If by this Occafion I may provoke any Reader to an At- 
 
 Farewell. 
 
 ttw 
 
The Propofitions that are proved 
 in this Difcourfe. 
 
 Propofition I. 
 
 THat the Strangenefs of this Opinion is no fujjiclent 
 Reafon why it jhouU be reje^ed ; becaufe other cer- 
 tain Truths have been formerly e(teemed ridiculous , and 
 great Abfurdities entertai72ed by common Confent. By 
 way of Preface. 
 
 Prop. II. 
 
 That a Tlurality of Worlds does not contradiB any 
 Trincipk of Reafon or Faiths, 
 
 Prop. III. 
 
 , That the Heavens do not confjl- of any fuch pure Mat- 
 ter -which can privilege them from the like Change and 
 Corruption, as thefe Inferior Bodies are liable unto. 
 
 Prop. IV. 
 
 That the Moon is a Solid , Compared , Opaccus 
 Body. 
 
 Prop, V. 
 
 That the Moon hath not any Light of her ownl 
 
 Prop. VI. 
 
 That there is a World in the Moon , hath been the «//- 
 re^ Opinion of many ancient ^ "with fome modern Adathe- 
 maticians ; and may probably be deduced from the Tenents 
 of others. 
 
 Prop. 
 
Prop. VII. 
 That thofe Spots and brighter Parts ] •which by our 
 Sight may be difiinguijlied in the Moon, dojJjew the Dif- 
 ference bet-wixt the Sea and Land in that othr World, 
 
 Prop. vm. 
 
 That the Spots reprefent the Sea, and the brighter Tarts 
 the Land, 
 
 Prop. IX. 
 
 Tljat there are High Mountains, Deep VaUies, a?id 
 Spacious Flai7js in the Body of the Moon, 
 
 Prop. X. 
 
 That there is an /itmo-Sphara] or an Orb of grofs 
 'Vaporous Atr , immediately encompafmg the Body of the 
 
 ._ ^ Prop. XL 
 
 That as their World is o^,ir Moon, fo our World is thdr 
 Moon, 
 
 ^ Prop. XII. 
 
 That 'tis probable there may be fuch Meteors belonging 
 to ttjat World tn the Moon, as there are with us, 
 
 , Prop. XIII. 
 
 That tts probable there may be Inhabitants in this other 
 World ; but of what kind they are, is uncertain, 
 
 ^r » ^^°P- XIV, 
 
 . That tts popjefor fome of cur Vofierlty to find out 
 a Conveyance to this other World; and, if there be In-- 
 Habitants there, to have Commerce with them. 
 
 The? 
 
The Firft Book. 
 
 That the Moon may be a World, 
 
 The firft Propofition, by way of Preface. 
 
 That the Strangenefs of this Opinion is no fuffici- 
 ent Reafon why it fhould he reje^ed ; hecaufe o- 
 ther certain truths have heen formerly efieemd 
 ridiculous^ and great Ahfurdities entertain d hy 
 common Confent, 
 
 TH E R E is an Earneftnefs and Hungering 
 after Novelty, which doth flill adhere unto 
 all our Natures ; and it is part of that Pri- 
 mi:ive Image, that wide Extent and infinite Capa- 
 city at firft created in the Heart of Man. For this, 
 fince its Depravation in Adam, perceiving it felf al- 
 together emptied of any good, doth now catch after 
 every new thing, conceiving that poffibly it may 
 find Satisfadion among fome of its Fellow Creatures. 
 But our Enemy the Devil (who drives flill to per- 
 vert our Gifts, and beat us with our own Weapons ) 
 hath fo contrived it, that any Truth doth now feem 
 diftaftf-ful for that very reafon, for which Error is 
 entertain'd ; Novelty. For let but fome upftart He- 
 refie be fet abroach, and prefently there are fome 
 out of a curious Humour ; others, as if they watch- 
 ed an occafion of Singularity, will take it up for 
 Canonical, and make it part of their Creed and 
 Profeflion j whereas folitary Truth cannot any 
 
 B 4 where 
 
That the Moon may le a World, 
 
 where find fo ready Entertainment ; but the fame 
 Kovelty which is efteemeo the Commendation of 
 Error, and makes that acceptable ; is counted the 
 Fault of Truth, and caufc:- that to be rejecacd. 
 
 How did the incredu\ us World gaze at Cclufti- 
 bus, when he promifcd to difcover another Part of 
 the Earth ? And he could not for a long time, by his 
 Confidence or Arguments, induce any of the Chri- 
 ilian Princes, either to alfent unto his Opinion , or 
 go to the Charges of an Experiment. Now if he, 
 who had fuch good Grounds for his Aflertion, could 
 find no better Entertainment among the wifei Sort , 
 and upper End of the World ,• 'tis not likely then 
 that this Opinion which I now deliver, fhall receive 
 ^ny thing from the Men of thefe Days ; efpeciaiiy 
 cur Vulgar Wits , but Misbelief or Derifi- 
 on. 
 
 It hath always been the Unhappinefs of new Truths 
 in Philofophy, to be derided by thofe that are igno- 
 rant of the Caules of Things ; and rejeded by o- 
 theis, whofe Perverfencfs ties them to the contrary 
 Opinion ,• Men whofe envious Pride will not allows 
 any new Thing for Truth, which they themfelves 
 were not the firft Inventors of. So that I may juftly 
 exped to be accufed of a pragmatical Ignorance, 
 -«ind bold Oilentarion ,• efpeciaiiy, (incc for this O- 
 pinion Xincphams , a Man whofe Authority was a- 
 ble to add Ibme Credit to his Aflertion , could not 
 efcape the Ir.eCenfure from others. For Nat ^les 
 Comes ipcak'mg of that Philofopher, and this his 
 Opinion, faith thus ,• Nonmdli ne nihil fcijjevideantur, 
 aiicjita ncoa monftra in Vhilofo'phiam introducunt, ut ali~ 
 cujus ret in-Vintores ju'jje appreant. " Some there are 
 *^ who left they might leem to know nothing , will 
 ^^ bring up monlbons Abfurdities in Philofophy, 
 ^ iha: jr afterward they may be famed for the Ift- 
 ' vendon cf fbmewhat. " The fame Author doth 
 ^iio in another Place 2,(:qm{q ^^naxcgoras of Folly for 
 
 the 
 
Tl?at the Moon may he a World. j 
 
 the fame Opinion. EJl enlm non ignohlUs gradus fiul-r 
 titiiBy 'vel Ji nefcias (^uid dicas, tamen "velle de rebus pro- 
 tofitis banc ^uel iUam 'partem fiahilire. *^ 'Tis none of 
 *•"' the worft kinds of Folly, boldly to affirm one 
 " fide or other, when a Man knows not what to lay. 
 If thefe Men were thus cenfur'd, I may juftly 
 then expert to be derided by moft, and to be be- 
 lieved by few or none , efpecially fmce this Opini- 
 on feems to carry in it fo much Strangenefs, and 
 Contradiction to the General Confent of others. 
 But however, I am refolv'd that this fhall not be a- 
 ny Difcouragement, fince I know that it is not com- 
 mon Opinion that can either add or detrad from 
 the Truth. For, 
 
 1. Other Truths have been formerly efteemed al- 
 together as ridiculous as this can be. 
 
 2. Grofs Abfurdities have been entertained by ge- 
 neral Opinion. 
 
 I fhall give an Inftance of esch, that fo I may 
 the better prepare the Reader to confider Things 
 without a Prejudice ; when he fhall fee that the com- 
 mon Oppoiition againft this which I afiirm , cannot 
 any way derogate from its Truth. 
 
 I. Other Truths have been formerly accounted 
 as ridiculous as this. I fhall fpecify that of the Jn- 
 tipodesy which have been denied, and laught at by 
 many wife Men and great Scholars ^ fuch as were 
 Herodotus, Cbryfofiom, Aufiin, LaBantius, the venera- 
 ble 5e^/<?, Lucretius t\\Q ^OQt, Frocopius, and thevolu- yij -j^r^p 
 minous Ah ulenjts J together with ail thofe Fathers or jcofia.di 
 other Authors who denied the Roundnefs of the nat. mm 
 Heavens. Herodotus counted it fo horrible sn Ab- <"*'^'^> ^- '• 
 furdity, that he could not forbear laughing to think '^'^^' '' 
 
 of it. TsAiyQ h^uv yni '■^^oJ^ai y^.-^aMTci{,7n,».i( ii/t< )y ijivetvoov 
 yhui' 'ivcmv xi/xAo TSfSfit 6>( arrmipw. *' J cannot 
 
 *' chufe but laugh , ( faith he ) to fee fo ma- 
 *' ny Men venture to defcribe the Earths Compafs, 
 
 '' lela- 
 
That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 " relating thofe things that are without all Senfe ^ 
 " as that the Sea flows about the World, and that the 
 '^ Earth it felf is round as an Orb. " But this great 
 Ignorance is not fo much to be admired in him , as 
 in thofe learneder Men of later Times,when all Sci- 
 ences began to flourifh in the World. Such were 
 St. Chryfoftom, who in his 14th Homily upon the Epi- 
 ille to the Hebrews^ does make a Challenge to any 
 Man that fhall dare to defend that the Heavens are 
 round, and not rather as a Tent. Thus likewife St. 
 j/iufiin, who ccnfures that Relation of the Antipodes 
 to be an incredible Fable ; and with him agrees the 
 lEAoquentLa^antius.^uid illi qui eJJ'e contraries vefligiis no- 
 fir is Antipodes put ant } nuniali(juidloquu7itur} atitefi i^uifpi' 
 am tarn inept us, eftti credat ejfe bomineSyquorum 'vefiigia Junf 
 fuperiora (^jUam capita ? aut ibi qua a pud nos jacent in'verfa 
 pendete }fruges d^ ar bores deorfum verfus crejcere.plwvias d^ 
 viveSyO'grandinemfurfum'verfuscadereinterram ? d^ mi- 
 rat ur aliquis bortos penjiles inter feptem mira nrrrariy quum 
 Tbilofophiyd^ agros d^maria,d^urbes d^ msntes pejijilesfaci- 
 untjd^c." What(faith he)are they that think there are 
 '^Antipodesjfuch as walk with theirFeet againft ours? 
 *' do they fpeak any likelihood ; or is there any one 
 *■' fo foolifh as to believe that there are Men whofe 
 *•' Heels are higher than their Heads ? that things 
 '' which v/ith us do lie en the Ground, do hang 
 '•" there ^ that the Plants and Trees grow dovv^n- 
 ^' wards, that the Hail, and Rain, and Snow fall up- 
 " wards to the Earth ? and do we admire the hang- 
 " ing Orchards amongft the Seven Wonders, where- 
 " as here the Philofophers have made the Fields and 
 "^ Seas, the Cities and Mountains hanging ^ " What 
 fliall we chink (faith he in P/«f.) that Men do cling to 
 that Place likeWorms.or hang by their Claws asCats? 
 or if we fuppofe a Man a little beyond the Center, 
 to be digging wicha Spade, is it likely (as itmuftbe 
 according to this Opinion) that the Earth which 
 
 he 
 
Tl^at the Moon may he a Worlds j 
 
 he loofened, ihould of it felf afcend upwards ? Or 
 dfe fuppofe two Men with their Middles about the 
 Center, the Feet of the one being placed where the 
 Head of the other is, and fo two other Men crofs 
 them ; yet all thefe Men thus fituated, according to 
 this Opinion Ihould ftand upright,* and many other 
 fuch grofs Confequences would follow ( faith he ) 
 which a falfe Imagination is not able to fancy as 
 poflible. Upon which Confiderations, £f^^alfo de- 
 nies the Being of any Antipodes, NetVue enim Antl-- ^^ r^tiont 
 fodarum uUatenus efi Fabulis accommodandus ajjenfus, *"^P°^^^> 
 *' Nor ftiould we any longer affent to the Fable of ^^*^^' 
 ^' Antipodes. " So alfo Lucretius the Poet fpeaking 
 of^the fame Subjed, fays, 
 
 Sed vantis pclidis hac omnia finxerit error. ^^ ^^^- ^^' 
 
 That feme idle Fancy feigned thefe for Fools to ^«'"^'^-'- 
 believe. Of this Opinion was Trocofius Gaz>ceus ; Comment. 
 but he was perfuaded to it by another kind of Rea- ^J^^^^" ^*^' 
 fon i for he thought that all the Earth under us was 
 funk in the Water, according to the Saying of the 
 Tfalmifi, He bat b founded the Earth upon the Seas y and Pral.t4. 2. 
 therefore he accounted it not inhabited by any. 
 Nay, Tofiatusy a Man of later Years and general 
 Learning, doth alfo confidence deny that there are 
 any fuch Antipodes, though the Reafon which he 
 urges for it be not fo abfurd as the former ; for the 
 Apoftles, faith he, travelled through the whole ha- comment. 
 bitable World, but they never palTed the Equinodi- ^'« ^ G«»e/. 
 al : And if you anfwer, that they are faid to go 
 through all the Earth, becaufe they went through 
 all the known World ; he replies. That this is not 
 fufficient, fince Chrift would have all Men to be 
 faved, and come to the knowledge of his Truth, iTlm.2.4; 
 and therefore 'tis requifite that they fhould have tra- 
 velled thither alfo, if there had been any Inhabi- 
 tants ; efpecially fmce he did expredy command ^ 
 them to go and teach all Nations, and preach the 
 Gufpel through the whck World ; And therefore he 
 
 thinks. 
 
/r? vita 
 Paul ^- 
 Tiiil. 
 
 Mctam. 
 Lib. 4. 
 
 Tl^at the Moon may he a World, 
 
 thinks, that as there are no Men, fo neither are 
 there Seas, or Rivers, or any other Conveniency 
 for Habitation. 'Tis commonly related of one Vir^ 
 gilfus, that he was Excommunicated and Condemn- 
 ed for a Heretick by Zacharj Bifliop of Rowcj be- 
 caufe he was not of the fame Opinion, But Baronh 
 us fays, it was becaufe he thought there was ano- 
 ther Habitable World within ours. However, you 
 may well enough difcern in thefe Examples, how 
 confident many of thefe great Scholars were in fb 
 grofs an Error; how unlikely, what an incredible 
 thing it feemed to them, that there fiiould be any 
 Antipodes j and yet now this Truth is as certain an(J 
 plain, as Senfe or Demonftration can make it. 
 This then which I now deliver, is not to be re- 
 jeded, though it may feem to contradid the com- 
 mon Opinion, 
 
 2. Grofs Abfurdities have been entertained by ge- 
 neral Confent. I might inftance in many remarka- 
 ble Examples, but I will only fpeak of the fuppofed 
 Labour of the Moci in her Eclipfes, becaufe this is 
 nearell to the chief Matter in Hand, and was re- 
 ceived as a common Opinion amongft many of the 
 Ancients ^ infomuch, that from hence they ftiled 
 Eclipfes by the Name of m^>« Ti^JJions, or in the 
 Phrafe of the Poets, 
 
 SoUs lunacfy lahores. 
 And therefore P/«f^rc^fpeaking of a Lunary Eclipfe,' 
 relates, that at fuch times 'twas a Cultom amongft 
 the Romiuis^ ( the molt Civil and Learned People in 
 the World ) to found Brafs Inftruments, and hold 
 great Torches toward theHeaven. Tw;/ 3 Pft)^a/wC«Vc^P 
 
 77V p^ T0M«.' ab.\oli }C^ JtCOyh AVl'yAVTWV 'ST^t'liv i^JtVOV. por by 
 
 this means they fuppofed the Moon was much eafed in 
 her Labours ; and therefore Ovid calls fuch loud In- 
 ftruments, the Auxilaries or Helps of the Moon, 
 Cumfrufira refonan^ ara catxiUaria Luna, 
 
 And 
 
Tl?at the Moon may he a World, / 
 
 And therefore the Satyrift too, defcribing a loud 
 Scold, fays, She was able to make Noife enough to 
 deliver the Labouring Moon. 
 
 Una labor anti poterit fuccurrere Luna* Juven. 
 
 Now the reafon of all this their Ceremony, wa^, 5*^- ^' 
 becaufe they feared the World would fall afleep, 
 when one of its Eyes began to wink, and therefore 
 they would do what they could by loud Sounds to 
 rouze it from its Drowfinefs, and keep it awake ,• by 
 bright Torches, to beftow that Light upon it which 
 it began to lofe. 
 
 Some of them thought hereby to keep the Moon 
 in her Orb, whereas otherwife fhe would have fallen 
 down upon the Earth, and the World would have 
 loft one of its Lights ; for the credulous People be- 
 lieved that Inchanters and Witches could bring the 
 Moon down ; which made Virgil fay, 
 
 Cantus d^ e ccelo pojjunt deducere hunam. 
 And thofe Wizards knovving the times of her Eclip- 
 fes, would then threaten to fliew their Skill, by pul- 
 ling her out of her Orb. So that when the filly 
 Multitude faw that fhe began to look red, they 
 prefently feared they fhould lofe the Benefit of her 
 Light, and therefore made a great noife that fiie 
 might not hear the found of thofe Charms, which 
 would otherwife bring her down • and this is ren- 
 dred for a Reafon of this Cuftom by Vliny and Vro- 
 ^ertius : ^^'- ^'^; 
 
 Cantus df ^ curru lunam deducere tint ant , 
 
 Et facerentf Ji ncn ara repulfa fonent. 
 
 Tlutarch gives another Reafon of it j and he fays, 
 *tis becaufe they would haflen the Moon out of the 
 dark Shade wherein fhe was involv'd, that fo fhe 
 might bring away the Souls of thofe Saints that in- 
 habit within her, which cry out by reafon they are 
 then deprived of their wonted Happinefs, and can- 
 not hear the Mufick of the Spheres • but are forced 
 to behold the Torments and Waitings of thofe Damn- 
 
8- Tlmt the Moon may he a World. 
 
 ed Souls which are reprefented to them as they are 
 tortured in the Region of the Air. But whether 
 this, or whatever elfe was the meaning of this Su- 
 perftition, yet certainly 'twas a very ridiculous Cu- 
 ftom, and bewniyed a great Ignorance of thofe an- 
 cient Times ,• efpecially fince it was not only re- 
 ceived by the Vulgar, fuch as were Men of lefs 
 Note and Learning, but believed alfo by the more 
 Famous and -Vifer Sort ,• fuch as were thofe great | 
 Poets, Stefichorus and Vindar : And not only amongft j 
 the more fotcifh Heathens, who might account that j 
 Planet to be one of their Gods, but the Primitive j 
 Chriftians alfo were in this kind guilty ,- which made 
 St. Amhrofe ^ fo tartly to rebuke thofe of his time^ 
 when he faid. Turn turbatur carminibus Globus Luna^ 
 ciuando calicibui turbantur d^ eculi. *' When yout 
 Heads are troubled vvith Cups, then you think 
 *^ the Moon to be troubled with Charms. '* 
 Tw-nicnf. And for this Reafon alfo did Maxhms a Bifliop^ 
 Pi<=' wrice a Homily againft it, wherein he fhewed the 
 Abfurdity of that foolifh Superftition. I remember 
 that LuJo'vicus Vivcs relates a more ridiculous Story 
 of a People that imprifon'd an Afs for drinking up 
 the Moon, whofe Image appearing in the Water, 
 tvas covered with a Cloud as the Afs was drinking ^ 
 for which the poor Beall was afterward brought to 
 the Bar, to receive a Sentence according to his De- 
 ferts J where the grave Senate being fet to examine 
 the Mstter, one of the Counfel (perhaps wifer than 
 the reit) rifes up, and out of his deep Judgment, 
 thinks it not fit that their Town (hould lofeitsMoon, 
 but that rather the Afs fhould be cut up, and that 
 taken out of him ; which Sentence being approved 
 \>y the reft of ^hofe Politicians, as the fubtileft way 
 for the conclufion of the Matter, was accordingly 
 • performed. But Vv^hether this Tale were true or no, 
 1 will not queftiorl j hov/ever, there is Abfurdity e- 
 iiough in that former Guftom of the Ancients, that 
 
 may 
 
That the Moon may he a World, p 
 
 may confirm the Truth to be proved, and plainly 
 declare the Infufficiency of common Opinion to 
 add true Worth or Eftimation unto any thing. So 
 that from that which I have faid, may be gathered 
 thus much. 
 
 1. That a new Truth may feem abfurd and im- 
 poflible, not only to the Vulgar, but to thofe alfo 
 who are otherwife wife Men and excellent Scholars : 
 And hence it will follow, that every new thing 
 which feems to oppofe common Principles, is not 
 prefently to be rejeded, but rather to be pry'd into 
 with a diligent Enquiry, fmce there are many things 
 which are yet hid from us, and referv'd for future 
 Difcovery. 
 
 2. That it is not the Commonnefs of an Opinion 
 that can privilege it for a Truth ,• the wrong way 
 is fometimes a well-beaten Path, whereas the right 
 way (efpecially to hidden Truths) may be lefs trod- 
 den and more obfcure. 
 
 True indeed, the ftrangenefs of this Opinion will 
 detrad much from its Credit ; but yet we fhould 
 know that nothing is in it felf flrange, fmce every 
 Natural EiFed has an equal dependance upon its 
 Caufe, and with the like neceffity doth follow from 
 it ; fo that 'tis our Ignorance which makes things 
 appear fo : And hence it comes to pafs, that maiiy 
 more evident Truths feem incredible, to fuch who 
 know not the caufes of Things. You may as foon 
 perfuade fome Country Peafants that the Moon is 
 made of Green Cheefe, (as we fay) as that 'cis big- 
 ger than his Cart-wheel, fince both feem equally to 
 contradid his fight, and he has not Reafon enough 
 to lead him farther than his Senfes. Nay, fuppofe 
 (faith Plutarch) a Philofopher fhould be educated in 
 fuch a fecret Place, where he might not fee either 
 Sea or River, and afterwards fhould be brought out 
 where one might fhew him the great Ocean, teU 
 ling him the Quality of chat Water, that it is brack- 
 
 ifli. 
 
1 o That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 ifih, fait, and not potable, and yet there were many 
 vafl Creatures of all Forms living in it, which make 
 ufe of the Water as we do of the Air ,• queftionlefs 
 he would laugh at all this, as being monftrous Lyes 
 and Fables, without any Colour of Truth. Juft fo 
 will this Truth which I now deliver appear unto o* 
 thers , becaufe we never dreamt of any fuch Mat- 
 ter as a World in the Moon ; becaufe the State of 
 that Place hath as yet been vailed from our know- 
 ledge, therefore we can fcarcely aflent to any fuch 
 Matter. Things are very hardly received, which 
 are altogether ftrange to our Thoughts and our Sen- 
 fes. The Soul may with lefs difficulty be brought to 
 believe any Abfurdlty, when as it has formerly been 
 acquainted with fome Colours and Probabilities for 
 it ,• but when a new, and an unheard-of Truth fiiall 
 come before it, though it have good Grounds and 
 Reafons, yet the Underllanding is afraid of it as a 
 Stranger, and dares not admit it into his Belief, 
 without a great deal of Relu(5lancy and Trial. 
 And befides, things that are not manifefted to the 
 Senfes, are not alTented unto without fome Labour 
 of Mind , fome Travel and Difcourfe of the Un- 
 derllanding ; and many lazy Souls had rather qui- 
 etly repofe themfelves in an eafy Error, than take 
 pains to fearch out the Truth. The Itrangenefs then 
 of this Opinion which I now deliver, willbe a great 
 hindrance to its Belief^ but this is not to be refped- 
 ed , by reafon it cannot be helped. I have Itood 
 the longer in the Preface, becaufe that Prejudice 
 which the meer Title of the Book may beget, can- 
 not eafily be removed without a great deal of Pre- 
 paration ; and I could not tell otherwife how to 
 redify the Thoughts of the Reader, for an iitipar- 
 tial Survey of the following Difcourfe. 
 
 I muft needs confefs, though I had often thought 
 U'irh my felf that it was poffible there might be a 
 World in the Moon, yet it feemed fuch an uncouth 
 
 Opin^ 
 
That tie Moon may he a World if 
 
 Opifiionj that I never durft difcover it, for fear of 
 being counted lingular and ridiculous ,• but after- 
 ward, having read Plutarch^ Galileus, KeflaVy with 
 fome others, and finding many of mine own 
 Thoughts confirmed by fuch ftrong Authority,! then 
 concluded that it was not only poffible there might 
 be, but .probable that there was another Habitable. 
 World in that Planet. In the profecuting of this 
 AlTertion, I fhall firft endeavour to clear the v^ay 
 from fuch Doubts as may hinder the fpeed or eafe 
 of farther Progrefs. And becaufe the Suppofitions 
 imply'd in this Opinion, may feeni to contradidl the 
 Principles of Reafon or Faith, it will be requifire 
 that I firft remove this Scruple, ihewing the Con- 
 formity of them to both thefe, and proving, thofe 
 Truths that may make way for the reft j which I 
 fhall labour to perform in the fecond, third, fourth, 
 and fifth Chapters, and then proceed to confirm 
 fuch Propofitions which do more diredly belong to 
 the main Point in hand. ^ • 
 
 PROP. ir. 
 
 That a Plurality of Worlds rioth yfot contradi^ any 
 Vrinciple of Reafon or Faith. 
 
 TI S reported of Arifiotk, that when he faw the 
 ^ Books of Mofesj he commended them for fuch 
 a MajelHck Stile as might become a God ; buc vv^ich- 
 al, he cenfured that manner of Writing to be very 
 unfitting for a Phiiofopher ,• becaufe there was no- 
 thing proved in them, but Matters were delivered as 
 if they would rather command than pcrfuade Belief. 
 And 'tis obferved, that he fetsdown nothing himfelf, 
 but he eoD.firms it by the ftrongeft Reafons that may 
 
 C ^@ 
 
1 1 That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 • be found, there being fcarce an Argument of force 
 for any Subjed in Phiiofophy, which may not be 
 picked out of his Writings j and therefore 'tis likely 
 if there were in Pveafon a nece/Hty of one only 
 World, that he would have found out fome fuch ne- 
 celfary Proof as might confirm it • efpecially fince 
 belabours for it fo much in two whole Chapters. 
 But now all the Arguments which he himfelf urges 
 in this Subject, are very weak, and far enough from 
 having in them any convincing Povv'er. Therefore: 
 'tis likely that a Plurality of Worlds doth not con-' 
 tradidl any Piinciple of Reafon. However, I will 
 fet down the two chief of his Arguments from his. 
 own Works, and f;om them you may guefs the force ^ 
 of the other. 
 &id. The Firlt is this : Since every heavy Body doth 
 
 naturally tend downwards, and every light Body up- 
 wards, what a huddling and confulion muit theie be, 
 if there were two Places for Gravity, and two Pla- 
 ces for Lightnels ? for it is probable that the Earth 
 of that other World would fall down to this Center, 
 and fo mutually the Air and Fire here afcend to 
 thofe Regions in the other • which muft needs much 
 derogate from the Providence of Nature, and caufe 
 a great Diforder in his Works. But ratio hac eH mi- 
 vimc firma, (faith Zanchy. ) And if you well confi- 
 der the Nature of Gravity, you will plainly fee there 
 is no Ground to fear any luch Confufion j for Hea- 
 vinefs is nothing elfe but fuch a Quality as caufes a 
 Propenlion in its Subjed to tend downwards towards 
 Its own Centre : So that for fome of that Earth to 
 come hither, would not be faid a Fall, but an Afcen- 
 fion, fmce it is moved from its own Place • and this 
 would beimpodible (faith Ruvio ) becauie againft 
 Nature, and therefore no more to be feared than 
 the tallmg of the Heavens. 
 
 If 
 
l%at the Moon may he a World, i j 
 
 If you reply, that then according to this, there 
 muft be more Centres of Gravity than ode ,• I an-- 
 fwer, Tis very probable there are ,• nor can we well 
 conceive what any piece of the Moon would do, be- 
 ing fevered from the reft in the fiee and open Air, 
 but only return unto it again. 
 
 Another Argument he had from his Mafter Plato, MetAf. 
 That there is but one World, becaufe there is but /. 12. c.$, 
 one firft Mover, God. Diog. La^ 
 
 hfrrna etiam ef hac ratio (faith Zatichy); and V/e '''^' ^'^'^' 
 may juftly deny the Confequence, fince a Plurality 
 of Worlds doth not take away the unity of the firft 
 Mover, Ut enlm forma [ubHantialii, fie fr'imum effuievs 
 (iparentein falummodo multipllcitatem indu'it per figncitam 
 materiam (faith a Countryman of ours.) As thefub- Nic.m.di 
 ftantial Form, fo the efficient Caufe hath only an P^'^'f^P^ 
 appearing Multiplicity from its particular Matter. f-^'''JT 
 You may fee this I>oint more largely handled, and ' ' 
 thele Arguments more fully anfwereJ by Plutarch in 
 his Book, mjjf Oracles are Silent, and Jacob Carten- 
 tarius in his Comment on Alcinous. 
 
 But our Oppofites, the Interpreters themfelves, 
 ( who too often do jurare in ^erba magifiri ) wil! 
 grant that there is not any ftrength in thefe Confe- 
 quences ,• and certainly then fuch weak Arguments 
 could not convince that wife Philcfopher, who iri 
 his other Opinions was wont to be fwayed by the 
 itrength and power of Reafon -, wherefore I fhould 
 rather think that he had fome by-refped, which 
 made him firft aftent to this Opinion, and afterwards 
 Itrive to prove it. Perhaps it was becaufe he feared 
 to dilpleafe his Scholar Alexander j of wham 'tis re- Plutarch. 
 lated, that he wept to hear a Difputation of another ^^ ''"'^"3'' 
 World fince he had not then attained the Monar- *"'''^' 
 chy of this ; his reftlefs wide Heart would have e- 
 Iteemed this Globe of Earth not big enough for him, 
 if there had been another ,• which made the Satyrift 
 lay of him^ 
 
>4 That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 ''"'"^' « ^."^^V^"^^ "'/«^^"^' '^'^g^o Umite mimii. 
 
 ^^ That he did vex himfelf, and fweat in his Defires, 
 ^^ as being pennd up in a narrow Room, when he 
 was confin d but to one World. " Before, he 
 thought to feat himfelf next the Gods, but now, 
 when he had done his beft, he muft be content with 
 loine equal, or perhaps fuperior Kings. 
 
 It may be, that Arlftotk was moved to this Opini- 
 on, that he might thereby take from Alexander the 
 occafion ot this Fear and Difcontent ,• or elfe, per- 
 haps, Jirlflotle himfelf was as loth to hold the Poffi- 
 bnity of a World which he could not difcover, as 
 ^>ex,nder was to hear of one which he could not 
 conquer. 'Tis likely that fome fuch by-refpea mo- 
 ved him to this Opinion, fince the Arguments he ur- 
 ges for It are confefs'd by his zealous Followers and 
 Commentators, to be very flight and frivolous : and 
 they themfelves grant, what I am now to prove, 
 that there is not any Evidence in the Light of Natu- 
 ral Realon, which canfufficiently manifell that there 
 IS but cne World. 
 
 ^ Eut however, fome may objed. Would it not be 
 inconvenient and dangerous to admit of fuch Opi- 
 nions tnat do deftroy thofe Principles oi Ari(iotle 
 which all the World hath fo long followed > 
 
 This Queftion is much controverted by fome of 
 xh^Koml^n Divines : Ccim^amlla hath writ a Treatife 
 in l^efencc of it, in whom you may fee many thines 
 wortn the Reading and Notice. 
 
 Toitlanfwer, That this Pofition in Philofophy 
 
 doth not bring any Inconveniency to the reft hnce 
 
 ns not AriHctle, but Truth, that fiiould be the Rule 
 
 ot our Opinions ,• and if they be not both found to^ 
 
 gether, we may fay to him, 'as he faid to his Mafter" 
 
 I. tlato, 
 
 '' Though Vlato were his Friend, yet he would ra- 
 ._ ther adhere to Truth than him. 
 
 I muft 
 
That the Moon 7nay he a World. \ j 
 
 I muft needs grant, that we are all much be- 
 holden to the Induftry of the ancient PhilofopherSj 
 and more efpecially to Aristotle, for the greater part 
 of our Learning ; but yet 'tis not Ingratitude to 
 fpeak againfthim, when he oppofeth Truth,- for then 
 many of the Fathers would be very guilty, efpeci- 
 ally Jufi'pty who hath writ a Treatife purpofely a- 
 gainft him. But fuppofe this Opinion were falle, 
 yet 'tis not againft the Faith, and fo it may ferve 
 for the better Confirmation of that which is true ; 
 the Sparks of Error being forc'd out by oppolition, 
 as the Sparks of Fire by the llriking of the Flint and 
 Steel. But fuppofe too that it were Heretical, and 
 againft the Faith, yet may it be admitted with the 
 fame Privilege as Arlfiotky from whom many more 
 dangerous Opinions have proceeded : As that the 
 World is Eternal ; that God cannot have- while to 
 look after thefe inferior Things,- that after Death 
 there is no Reward or Punifiiment, and fuch like 
 Blafphemies ,• which flrike dire6lly at the Funda- 
 mentals of our Religion. 
 
 - So that it is juftly to be wonder'd, why fome fhould 
 be fo fuperftitious in thefe Days, as to ftick clofer 
 unto him, than unto Scripture, as if his Philofophy 
 were the only Foundation of all Divine Truths. 
 
 Upon thefe Grounds, both St. Vincentim and Sera- 
 finus de Firmo ( as I have feen them quoted ) think 
 that Arifiotle was the Viol of God's Wrath, which 
 was poured out upon the Waters of Wifdom by the Rev. 164. 
 third Angel : But for my part, I think the World is 
 much beholden to him for all his Sciences. But yet 
 'twere a fliame for thefe later Ages, to reft our fclves 
 meerly upon the Labours of our Fore fathers, as if 
 they had informed us of all things to be known j 
 and when we are fetupcn their Shoulders, not to fee 
 further than they themfelves did. 'Twere a fuper- 
 ftitious, a lazy Opinion, to think Arifiotle s Works 
 the Bounds and Limits of all Human Lnvention, be- 
 
 C 5 yond 
 
fart t. ^ 
 
 }9 That the Moon 9nay he a World. 
 
 yond which there could be no poffibility of reach- 
 ing- Certainly there are yet many things left to 
 Dilcoyery, and it cannot be any Inconveniency for 
 ns to maintain a new Truth , or redifie an ancient 
 Jbrror. 
 
 But the Pofition ( fay fome ) is diredly againft 
 bcnpture • for, ^ 
 
 I. Mofes tells us but of one World, and his Hifto- 
 ry ot the Creation had been very imperfea, if God 
 had made another. 
 
 2 St. John fpeaking of God^s Works, fays, he 
 made the World, in the lingular Number, and there- 
 fore there IS but one. "lis the Argument of ^^«i- 
 f7as, and he thinks that none will oppofe it, but fuch 
 who with Democriius efteem fome blind Chance, and 
 not any uife Providence, to be the Framer of all 
 i hings. 
 
 ;. The Opinion of more Worlds has in ancient 
 J.imes been accounted a Herelie • and £^r.«/«, af- 
 ^-"]^- D^/""' ^''^^ ^^'y ^^'^^-^ P'lrgilius was caft out 
 ot his Bifhopnck, and Excommunicated from the 
 Church. 
 
 4. A fourth Argument there is urged by Aquinas : 
 If there be more Worlds than one, then they muft 
 either be of the fame, or of a diverfe Nature • buc 
 they are not of the lame kind • for this were need- 
 ij.ls, and would argue an Improvidence, fince one 
 xt'ould have no more perfedion than the other : Not 
 
 "" M !7T A?^'.' ^""^ '^^" °"^ «f fhem could not be 
 called the World or Univerfe, fince it did not con- 
 ram univerfal Perfedion. I have cited this Argu- 
 
 z, P. cTl rf " '' ^? "^""^^ ^°^^ "P^" by Julius 
 
 pePhencm. CparU Gulla,^ One that has purpofely writ a Trea- 
 tile againft this Opinion which I now deliver : but 
 tne Dilemma IS fo blunt, that it cannot cut on either 
 tide, and tneConfequencesfo weak, that Idare truft 
 ^em Without an Anfwer : And (by the way) you 
 niay fee this later Author in that place, where he 
 
 endea- 
 
 Jtftnal. 
 748. 
 
 /^/^ 
 
 
That the Moon mcty he n World. 1/ 
 
 endeavours to prove a Necefliry of cne Worii!, doth 
 leave the chief Matter in hand, and take much need- 
 lefs Pains to difpute againft Dew^mV?.'/, who thought 
 that the World was made by the cafual Concourfe of 
 ^toms in a gre-n J''acnuv?. It fhould feem dm either 
 his Caufe or his Skill was weak, or dk he would have 
 ventured upon a ftronger Adverfary. Thefe Argu- 
 ments which I have fet down are the chiefefl which 
 Ihave met with againft this Subjed ^ and yet the 
 bed of thefe hath not force enough to endanger the 
 Truth that I have delivered. 
 
 Unto the two firft it may be anfwered, that the 
 negative Authority of Scnpmre is not prevalent in 
 thofe things which are not the Fundamentals of Re- 
 ligion. 
 
 But you'll reply, though it do nnt necelTarily con- 
 clude, yet 'tis probable if there had been another 
 World, we fhould have had fome noiice of it in 
 Scripture. 
 
 I anfwer, 'tis as probable that the Scripture fhould 
 have informed us of the Planets, they being very 
 remarkable Parts of the Creation ,• and vet neither 
 Mnfcs, nor Jch , nor the Ffdms ( the Places moil 
 frequent in Agronomical Obfervations) nor any o- 
 ther Scripture mention any of them but the Sun and 
 Moon. Becacfe the Difference betwixt them and 
 the other Stars, was known only to thofe who were 
 learned Men, and had Skill in ^/r^wwy. As for jj?^ 3^^ 
 that ExprelTion in Jcb'^p:^ ^^ZXH the Stars of the p^'^l^^J^' 
 Mornings it is in the Plural Number, and therefore yejfat.i- 
 cannot properly be applied to Fevus. And for that ca}. a. 
 in If:i!ab b'7\"i, 'tis confeffed to be a Word of obfcure So a Reg. 
 Interpretation, and therefore is but by guefs tranfla- p^i^^j^ 
 ted in that Senfe. It being a true and common Rule, which « 
 that Hebr<ei rd fiderciUs m'lnime curufi calefliunt nom'munt inrcrpre- 
 fenurik laborant. The Jeu^s being but little skilled ift |jd ^^^th 
 Aftronomv, their Language does want proper Ex- ^l^ut^^Si 
 preffions for the Heavenly Bodies j and therefore they ^rrhe n 
 
 C 4 are Signs. 
 
1 8 That the Moon may ie a World, 
 
 are fain fometimes to attribute the flitne Name unto 
 divers Conftellations. 
 
 Now if the Holy Ghoft had intended to reveal un- 
 to us any natural Secrets^ certainly he would never 
 Keplar. in- ^^^^'^ omitted the mention of the Planets, J^toruw mo^ 
 troduB. in tii nihil ejf cfuod de Conditoris fafientia tefir.ttir e'videntius 
 Mart. i^^ud eos qui cafiunt.' Which do fo evidently fet forth 
 the Wifdom of the Creator. And therefore you muft 
 know that 'tis befides the Scope of the Old Teftament 
 or the New, to difcover any thing unto us concern- 
 ing the Secrets of Philofophy. 'Tis not his intent in 
 the Nevi7 Teilament, fince we cannot conceive how 
 it might any way belong either to theHiftorical^ Ex- 
 egctical, or Prophetical Parts of it : Nor is it his 
 intent in the Old Teftament, as is well obferved by 
 , ^ .„ , our Country-man Matter Wr'tcrht. Ncn Mofis ant Prc- 
 Gllk^rt. 'f'^ctarum wjtitutttm fii'jje 'Videtur Matbematicas aliquas 
 aiit Vhijicas fubtikafes promulgare fed ad 'vulgi c^ptum C^ 
 l.quendi morera^ c^mm.-.dmodum nutrices irijuntul'ts joUnty 
 j(je accommcduYs. " "Tis not the Endeavour of Mofes 
 *' or the Prophets to difcover any Mathematical or 
 " Phiiolbphic;jlSi:btilries ^ but rather to accommodate 
 ^^ themfelves to Vulgar Capacities , and ordinary 
 *' Speech^ i^s Nui fes are wont to ufc their Infants. '* 
 True indeed, yV/70- is there to handle the Hiftory of 
 Kdyinin the Creation. But 'tis certain ffaith C^/t;/») that his 
 ^^iii. Purpofe is to treat only of the vifible Form of the 
 World, and thofe Parts cf it which might be mofl 
 ealily under (lood by the ignorant and ruder Sort of 
 People, and therefore we are not thence to exped: 
 the Cifcovery of any natural Secret. Ancs ruondltai 
 aliunde dijcat qui I'olet ; hicjpirittis Dei omnes Jim id fine 
 ' ixasvtione dacere -voluiT. As for more hidden Arts, they 
 mult be looked for elfewhere ^ the Holy Gholt did 
 here intend to initrud all without Exception. And 
 therefore 'tis obferved, that Alofes does not any 
 where meddle with fuch Jvlatters as were very hard 
 ro be conceived , for being to inform the common 
 
 Peo- 
 
That the Moon ynay he a World. 19 
 
 People as well as others, he does it after a Vulgar 
 Way, as it is commonly noted, declaring the Origi- 
 nal chiefly of thofe things which are obvious to the 
 Senfe ^ and being filent of other things which then 
 could not well be apprehended. And therefore Ve- com in 
 rm«j propofing the Queftion, why the Creation oi i.Gin.n. 
 Plants and Herbs is mentioned, but not of Metals 
 and Minerals ? 
 
 Anfwers : ^uia ijiarum rerum generatio eft vulgo oc- 
 culta & Ignotai Becaufe thefe things are not fo com- 
 monly known as the other ; and he adds , Mofts nm 
 omnia y fed 7na7%ifejla omnibus enarranda fufcefit. Mofes 
 did not intend to relate unto us the Beginnings of all 
 things, but thofe only which were molt evident un- 
 to ail Men. And therefore too, ^^/^/Vmj obferves, Parti.§i^ 
 that he writes nothing of the Air ^ becaufe that be- ^S.yfrf.j. 
 ing invifible, the People knew not whether there 
 were any fuch Body or no. And for this very rea- 
 fon St. Jerom alfo thinks that there is nothing expreft Epifi- 139- 
 concerning the Creation of Angels ; becaufe the J^^//^^'. 
 rude and ignorant Vulgar were not fo capable of ^^, -^'/^^w, 
 apprehending their Natures. And yet notwithftand- 
 ing, thefe are as remarkable Parts of the Creation, 
 and 2s fit to be known as another World. And there- 
 fore the Holy Ghoft too, ufes fuch vulgar Expreffi- 
 ons , which fet things forth rather as they appear 
 than as they are, as when he calls the Moon one of ^en.r.i5. 
 the greener Lights , whereas 'tis the leaft that we can ^^^ 
 fee in the whole Heavens. So afterwards fpeaking m^^"', "j. 
 of the great Rain which drovi^ned the Worlds he 
 fays. The Windows of Heaven were opened, ^ be- 
 caufe it feemed to come with that Violence, as if it 
 were poured out from Windows in the Firma- j^llY^^^ 
 ment. _ ^ ^ Seft. 6. 
 
 Apd in reference to this, a Drowth is defcribed in *Deut.ii. 
 fundry other '*• Places by the Heavens being flmt up. So i7- 
 that the Phrafes which the Holy Ghoft ufes concern- J ^^S- 3- 
 ing thefe things, are not to be underftocd in a literal Luk.4.jj. 
 
 Senfe j 
 
20 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 Senfe ; but rather as vulgar Expreflions ; and this 
 Rule is fet down by St. Au/^w, where fpeaking con- 
 Pfa'i^66. ce''"^"S that in the Tfum, v/:o firetded the earth 
 ' ' upon the wnters, he notes, that when the Words of 
 Scripture fhall feem to contradiA commcn Senfe 
 or Experience, there are they to be underftood in a 
 qualified Senfe, and not according to the Letter. 
 And 'tis obferved, that for want of this Rule, fome 
 Htxa7»ir of tj^e Ancients have faften'd ftrange Abfurditiesup- 
 Jtem^BaJtl. °" ^^^ VVords of the Scripture. So St. Amhrcfe 
 Horn 3. in efleemed it a Herefy to think that the Sun and Stars 
 Gencf. were not very hot, as being againft the Words of 
 Wild 2.4. Scripture, Pfalm 19. 6. where the ?/",/w//? fays, that 
 Ecclus. 'h^''^ ^^ nothing that is hid from the Heat of the Sun. 
 43.3,4. So others there are that would prove the Heavens 
 Com. in c. not to be round, out of that Place, Tfd, 104. 2. He 
 i.GiH. first ched cut the h^a-vms like a curtain. So Frccopius al- 
 fo was of Opinion, that the Earth was founded up- 
 on the Waters,- nay, he made it part of his Faith, 
 proving it out of '■VfJ. 24. 2. He hdth founded the 
 earth uf^-n the \eas, and efitihliped it ■ upon the floods. 
 Thcfe and fuch like Abfurdities have followed, when 
 Men look for the Grounds of Philofophy in the 
 Words of Scripture So that,frcm what hath been faid, 
 I may conclude th;;t the Silence of Scripture concern- 
 ing any other World, is not fufficient Argument to 
 prove that there is none.Thus for the 2 firft Arguments. 
 CJntotiie third, I m.iy anfwer, that this very Ex- 
 ample is quoted by others, to fhew the Ignorance of 
 thofe Primitive Times, who did fometimes condemn 
 what they did not underhand j and have often cen- 
 fur'd the lawful and undoubted Parts of Mathema- 
 ticks for Heretical, becaufe they themfelves could 
 not perceive a Reafon of it. And therefore their 
 Practice in this particular is no fufficient Tefl'mo^ 
 ny againft us. 
 
 But laftly, I anfwer to all the above-named Ob- 
 jsdions; that the Term {World) may be taken in a 
 
 double 
 
Tlyat the Moon may he a World, 2 I 
 
 double Senfe , more generally for the whole Uni- 
 verfe, as it implies in it the Elementary and i^the- 
 real Bodies^ the Stars and the Earth. Secondly, 
 more particularly for an inferior World, confifting of 
 Elements. 
 
 Now the main drift of all thefe Arguments, is to 
 confute a Plurality of Worlds in the firft Senfe ,• and 
 if there were any fuch, it might (perhaps ) feem 
 ftrange, that Alofes or St. John fhould either not 
 know, or not mention its Creation. And Virqi^illm 
 was condemned for this Opinion, becaufe he held 
 ejuod fit alius mundus fuh terr/i, aliuj^ue Sol d^ Luna, 
 (as Baronius) that within our Globe of Earth, there 
 was another World, another Sun and Moon, and fo 
 he might feem to exclude this from the Number of 
 the other Creatures. 
 
 But now, there is no fuch danger in this Opinion, 
 which is here delivered ,* fince this World is faid to 
 be in the Moon, whofe Creation is particularly ex- 
 prefs'd. 
 
 So that in the firfl Senfe , I yield that there is but . 
 one World , which is all that the Arguments do 
 prove ; but underftand it in the fecond Senfe , and 
 fo I affirm there may be more, nor do any of the 
 above-named Objedions prove the contrary. 
 
 Neither can this Opinion derogate from the Divine 
 Wifdom ( as Aquinas thinks) but rather advance it, 
 fhewing a compendium of Providence, that could 
 make the fame Body a World, and a Moon ; a World 
 for Habitation, and a Moon for the ufe of others, and 
 the Ornament of the whole Frame of Nature. For 
 as the Members of the Body ferve not only for the 
 Prefervation of themfelves , but for the U^t and 
 Conveniency of the whole, as the Hand proteAs Cuf,nius ds 
 the Head as well as favcs it felf ^ fo is it in the Parts ^<^^- 'P'or. 
 of the Univerfe, where each one may ferve as well *-^-''- "• 
 for the Confervation of that which is within it , as 
 the Help of others without ic. 
 
 Mar* 
 
tl 
 
 That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 Merfennus a latejefuit, propofing the QueHion 
 whether or no the Opinion of more Worlds than one, 
 be heretical and againft the Faith? He anfwers it ne- 
 gatively ,• becaufe it does not contradid any Exprefs 
 Place of Scripture, or Determination of the Church 
 And though (faith he) it feems to be a rafii Opini- 
 on, as being againft the Confent of the Fathers • yet 
 if this Controverfy be chiefly Philofophical, then 
 their Authorities are not of fuch Weight. Unto 
 this it may be added, that the Confent of the Fathers 
 is prevalent only in fuch Points as were firft con- 
 troverted amongft them, and then generally decided 
 one way, and not in fuch other Particulars as never 
 fell under their Examination and Difpute. 
 
 I have now in fome meafure, fiiewed that a Plu- 
 rality of Worlds does not contradia: any Principle 
 of Reafon or Place of Scripture ,• and fo cleared the 
 firft part of that Suppofition which is implied in the 
 Opinion. 
 
 It may next be enquired, whether 'tis poflible 
 there may be a Globe of Elements in that which we 
 call the ^Ethereal Parts of the Univerfe ,• for if this 
 (as it is according to the common Opinion) be pri- 
 vileged from any Change or Corruption, it will be 
 in vain then to imagine any Element there ,♦ and if 
 we will have another World, we muft then feek out 
 fome other Place for its Situation. The Third Pro- 
 pofition therefore (hall be this. 
 
 PROP. 
 
That the Moon may he a World. 1 5 
 
 PROP. III. 
 
 that the Heavens do not confifl of any fuch pure 
 Matter^ which can privilege them from the like 
 Change and Corruption as thefe Inferior Bodies 
 are liahle unto, 
 
 IT hath been often queftioned amongfl: the ancient 
 Fathers and PhilofopherSj what kind of Matter 
 that fiiould be of which the Heavens are framed. 
 Some think that they confift of a fifih Subftance di- 
 ftind from the four Elements, as Arijlotk holds, and De CmU 
 with him fome of the late Schoolmen ; whofe fabtil li^i-cfl?"-' 
 Brains could not be content to attribute to thofe vaft 
 Glorious Bodies, but common Materials, and there- 
 fore they themfelves had rather take pains to prefer 
 them to fome extraordinary Nature ; whereas not- 
 withftanding, all the Arguments they could invent, 
 were not able to convince a Neceffity of any fuch 
 Matter, as is confefs'd by their own * fide. It were * Coaeg, 
 much to bedefired, that thefe Men had not in other ^;>""'"'^- 
 Cafes, as well as this, multiplied things without Ne- "J/-^, q.e' 
 ceflity ; and, as if there had not been enough to be art. 3 
 known in the Secrets of Nature, have fpun out new 
 Subjects from their own Brains, to find more Work 
 for future Ages. Ifliall not mention .heir Arguments, 
 fince *tis already confefs'd, that they are none of them 
 of any necelTary Confequence ; and befides, you may 
 fee them fet down in any of the Books de Cj^Io. 
 
 But it is the general Confent of the Fathers, and 
 [the Opinion of Lombard^ that the Heavens confift of 
 !the fame Matter with thefe Sublunary Bodies. St. Am- in Uexam. 
 >hrofe is fo confident of it, that he ellteems the contrary //^. 4.. 
 ja Herefie. True indeed, they differ much among 
 j themfelves, fome thinking them to be made of Fire, 
 i others of Water, and others of botn; But herein they 
 
 generally 
 
' 4 That the Moon may he a Worll 
 
 %-:'■'"■ from th.u PlacVi^'^Vrfctt"^^"''^^^ 
 mentioned in their CreaMn. J- ■ / heavens are 
 
 made of any new MaTe^ To h^n "°V^^ ''f "^ 
 
 Uufe,hevte°f'a™ rtTf^»;'^°'°^^-' 
 concerning this, you n,ay fee Ldrv I^r."""r"- *'" 
 
 /,.^,,,.«. divers others. The Venerable «!7,f "'.*''«'*'• «'"'' 
 ^'W to confilt of all the fonr pi '''""^^t the Planets 
 
 -'*"'• 5- thattheotherPartof it.r??'"A'" ^""^ "^ "kely 
 /-, m. * as will be (hewedTfierwlrd H '" ^'^'""^ S"''ft^"=«. 
 ^''f' ftand to recite the CTir^l, f "'*'f ' ' «""»' no** 
 ""■^"- urged thefe AmhorhiJ tr. °' ""^^ ' ' ''^^e ""l^ 
 
 of their CorruptibiJity ^^ ^"^^ ^ Proof 
 
 =p«.3...thei^.^hrbfoT:'^s:°Sbi^t:if:-\«'te- 
 pu.r:utordoi;r>'^'^ '^ ^odfrih- VrS:^^ 
 
 aw^y^^iTd't^Vworfi" 'f '°"f^ '""^ "'^^ "-'-^ -ear 
 ByDoftor have been l!tTn" '/'"'n™'" ""^ '"'^h fear they 
 «L»/a Mbf^ nf f ^?'""'^8^''- Cut whether they areca- 
 
 -^^"■"^- o; Woldt'liable^Zr"' ''"'"'"''"' ''^ ^''•^ '"f-i- 
 from the o°her thatT; uLTJ'^^ ^oing fo far 
 
 the Elements bv whJrh .^ 7 ^^oun/Iinient from 
 This .s fathered on /W.«./followed by thatgrea't , 
 
7hat the Moon may be a World. 1 5 
 
 Nateralift Tlinyy and in general attributed to all the P^ufarcb 
 Stoicks. You may fee Seneca exprefly to this purpofe p//*/'; , 
 in thefe Words. Ex iUa t^linHti ommbus animalihusy ^ ,- ' 
 omnibus fattj, omnibus fiellts dividuntur , hmc frefertur Nat. Hifi. 
 quo fu(iineantur tot Sidera tarn exercitata^ tarn avda, fev '• 2. f , 9. 
 diem, M^cm^ue^ ut in opera, i\a in pa/u. Speaking of ^^' ^"''■^* 
 the Earth, he fays, from thence it is that Nouriih- ' * 
 ment is divided to all the Living Creatures, the Pla- 
 nets and the Stars ; hence were fuftained fo many 
 Coiiftellations, fo laborious, (^o greedy, both Day 
 and Night, as well in their Feeding as Working. 
 Thus alfo Lucan fings, 
 
 Necnon Oceano pafct Fhcebuwjue pofumrjue CreJtmus. 
 
 Unto thefe, ?tolomy alfo, that Learned E^yptiany i-^popl. 
 feemed to agree, when he afRrms that the Body of 
 the Moon is moifter and cooler than any of the other 
 Planets, by reafon of the Earthly Vapours that are 
 exhaled unto it. You fee thefe Ancients thought the 
 Heavens to be fo far from this imagined Incorrupti- 
 bility, that rather like the weakelt bodies they Itood 
 in need of fome continual Nourifhment, without 
 which they could not fubfift. 
 
 But Arijhtle and his Followers were fo far from ^^ ^^^^ 
 this, that they thought tho(e Glorious Bodies could /.i. f. 3. 
 not contain in them any fuch Principles as might make 
 them liable to the leaft Change or Corruption ; and 
 their chief Reafon was, becaufe we could not in fo 
 long a fpace difcern any Alteration amongft them. 
 Bat unto this I anfwer : 
 
 1. Suppofing we could not, yet would it not hence 
 follow that there were none, as he himfelf in efFed 
 doth confefs in another place ; for fpeaking concern' 
 ing our Knowledge of the Heavens, he fays, 'Tis ve- ^ecalola. 
 ry imperfed and difficult, by reafon of the vaft di- cap.s.' 
 ftance of thofe Bodies from us, and becaufe the Chan- 
 ges which may happen unto them, are not either big 
 enough, or frequent enough to fall within the Appre- 
 henlion and Obfervation of our Senfes j no wonder 
 
 then^ 
 
i6 That the Moon may he a WorUL 
 
 then, if he himfelf be deceived in his AlTertions con- 
 cerning thefe Particulars. But yet, in this he implies, 
 that if a Man were nearer to thefe Heavenly Bodies, 
 he would be a fitter Judge to decide this Controverfie 
 than himfelf Now it is our Advantage, that by the 
 help of Galileu/s Glafs, we are advanced nearer unto 
 them, and the Heavens are made more prefent to us 
 than they were before. However, as ic is with us, 
 where there be many Viciilicudes and Succeflions of 
 Things, though the Earth abideth for ever ; fo likewife 
 may ic be amongft the Planets ; in which, though 
 there fhould be divers Alterations, yet they themfelves 
 may ftill continue of the fame Quantity and Light. 
 
 7., Though we could not by our Senfes fee fuch Al- 
 terations, yet our Reafon might perhaps fufficiendy 
 convince us of them. Nor can we well conceive how 
 the Sun Ihould refled againft the Moon, and yet not 
 produce Tome Alteration of Hear. Diogenes the Philo- 
 fopher was hence perfuadcd, that thofe fcorching 
 Meats had burnt the Moon into the form of a Pumice- 
 iione. 
 
 ;. I anfwer. That there have been fome Alterati- 
 ons obferved there ; wicnefs thofe Comets which have 
 been feen above the Moon ; as alfo thofe Spots or 
 Clouds that encompafs the Body of the Sun ; amongft 
 which, there is a frequent Succeffion by a Corruption 
 of the old, and a Generation of new. So that tho' 
 Arijiotles Confequence were fufficient, when he pro- 
 ved that theHeavens were notCorrup:ib!e,becaufe there 
 have not any Changes been difcovered in it j yet this 
 by the fame Reafon muft be as prevalent, that the 
 Heavens are Corruptible, bscaufe there have been fo 
 many Alterations obferved there. Bur of thefe to- 
 gether with a farther Confirmation of this Propofici^ 
 on, I ftiall have occafion to fpeak aftcrwaids : Jn the 
 mean fpace, I will refer the Reader to that Work of 
 Schemer a lace Jefuit, which he Titles his Roja Urfma^ 
 Where he may lee this Point conccrr^Jng the Corrupti- 
 bility 
 
That the Moon jnay he a World. xf 
 
 billtv of the Heavens largely handled, and fufficiently 
 confirmed. 
 
 There are fome other things on which I might 
 here take an occafion to enlarge my felf ; but becaufe 
 they are diredtly handled by many ochers, and do noc 
 immediately belong to the chief Matter in hand, I 
 rtiall therefore refer the Reader to their Authors, and 
 omit any large Proof of them my felf, as defiring all 
 poflible Brevity, 
 
 I. The firft is this : That thete are no folid Orbs, 
 If there be a Habitable World in the Moon, ( which 
 I now affirm ) it mufl: follow, that her Orb is not fo- 
 lid, as Ari(iotle fuppofed ; and if not hers, why any of 
 the other f I rather think that they are all of a fluid 
 (perhaps aereous) ^-ubftance. St. Ambrofe and St. Bafil ^^^- ^^'Si 
 did endeavour to prove this out of that Place in Ifatah^ Ant. m. 
 where they are compared to Smoak, as they are both ^' '• ^'^' 
 quoted by Rbodigmus, Eufebius Nierembergm doth like- Hift. nat. 
 wife from that place, confute the Solidity and Incor- ^' =*• ^- "' 
 ruptibility of the Heavens, and cites for the fame In- '^' 
 terpretation the Authority cf Eullachius of Ant web ; 
 and St. Aujlin, I am fure, in one Place feems to af- /„ m-fup- 
 lent unto this Opinion, though he does often in his Qcn.adlip- 
 other Works contradia it. 
 
 If you efieem the Tefiiwony of the Ancient FatherSj 
 to be of any great Force or Confequence in a Philofo- 
 phical Difpure, you may fee them to this purpofe in 
 Sixtus Senetifis, Lib. 5-. Biblioth. Annot, 14. The chief 
 Reafons that are commonly urged for the Gonfirmati* 
 on of it, are briefly thefe Three. 
 
 r. From the Altitude of divers Comers, which have i- 
 been obferved to be above the Planets j through whofe 
 Orbs ( if they had been folid ) there would"not have 
 been any PalTage. To thefe may be added thofe lef- 
 ler Planets lately difcovercd about Juvtter and Sa^ 
 tarn, for which Afffonomers had not yet framed 
 atiy Orbs. 
 
 ^ 2. Fronfi 
 
2 8 That the Mom may he a World. 
 
 2. 2, From that uncertainty of all Agronomical Ob- 
 
 feivations, which will follow upon the Suppofuion oC 
 iuch fond Spheres. For then we (hould never difcern 
 any Star, but by a Multitude of Refraaions, and lb 
 conf^quently we could not poflibly find their true Si- 
 tuations, either in refped of us, or in regard of one 
 another ; Since whatever the Eye difcerns by a refra- 
 jfted Beam, it apprehends to be in fome other Place 
 than wherein it is. But now this would be fuch an ■ 
 Inconvenience, as would quite fubvert the Grounds 
 and whole Art of Aflronomy, and therefore is by no 
 Means to be admitted. 
 
 Unto this it is commonly anfwered, That all thofe 
 Orbs are equally Diaphanous, though not of a conti-' 
 nued Quantity. We reply , That fuppofing they 
 were, yet this cannot hinder them from being the 
 Caufes of Refraction, which is produced as well by 
 the Diverfity of Superficies, as the different Perfpicui- 
 ty of Bodies. Two Glaffes put together, will caufe 
 a diverfe Refradion from another fingle one, that is 
 but of equal Thicknefs and Perfpicuity 
 J. ;. From the different height of the fame Planet at 
 
 feveral times. For, if according to the ufual H;po- 
 thefu, there (hould be fuch diflind:, folid Orbs, then it 
 would be impodible that the Planets ihould intrench 
 upon one another's Orbs, or that two of them at feve- 
 ral times fhculd be above one another, which notwith- 
 ffanding hath been proved to befo by later Experience. 
 Jychohzih obferved, that Venm is fometimes nearer to 
 us than the Sun or Mercury ^ and fometimes farther off 
 than both : Which Appearances Regiomontanm himfelf 
 does acknowledge, and withal, does confefs that they 
 cannot be reconciled to the common H/pothcf7s. 
 
 But for your better fatisfadion herein, I fliall refer 
 
 Lib.^.p.ii. you to the above-named Scheiner, in his Rofa Urjina, in 
 
 a.c. 7. 25. ftrhom you may fee both Authorities and Reafon very 
 
 ^^' largely and diftinetlyfet down for ihis Opinion. For 
 
 the better Confirmation of which, he adjoins alfo 
 
 •' - fome 
 
That the Moon jf7ay t>e a World. ' 2 a 
 
 fome Authentic-il Epiftles of Frcdericm C^im Lynceus, 
 a Noble Prince, writfen to Bellarmwe, containing di- 
 vers Reafons to the fame purpofe. You may alfo fee 
 the fame Truth fet down by Johannes Fenaj in his Pre- 
 face to Euclid\ Opttcks, and Chrifioph. Rot bm annus, both 
 who thought the Firmament co be only Air ; and tho* 
 the noble Tjcbo do difpute againfl them, yet he him- DefieU. i. 
 felf holds, QuoJ propius ad'vcritatis penetralia accedit huec iJ>72./.3. 
 vptvAo, quam Arifiotelica vulgartter approbata, qua caelum ^' ^' 
 plnrt'uMs reahbus atqtse tmityviis orhibm citra rem replcvit. 
 ^'' That this Opinion comes nearer to the Truth, than 
 *' that common one of Arifiotk, which hath to no 
 " purpofe filled the Heavens with fuch real and im- 
 " pervious Orb?. 
 
 2. There is no Element of Fire, which muft be 
 held with this Opinion here delivered ; for if we fup- 
 pofe a World in the Moon, then it will follow, that 
 the Sphere of Fire either is not there, where 'tis ufu- 
 ally placed in the Concavity of his Orb, or eife that 
 there is no fuch thing at all ; which is molt probable, 
 lince there are not any fuch folid Orbs, that fay their 
 fwift Motion might heat and enkindle the adjoining 
 Air, which is imagined to be the reafon of, that Ele- 
 ment. The Arguments that are commonly urged to 
 this purpofe, are chefe. 
 
 I. That which was before alledged concerning the t 
 Refradions which will be caufed by a different Me- 
 dium. For if the Matter of the Heavens be of one 
 thicknefs, and the Element of Fire another, and the 
 upper Region of Air diftindt from both t\^dt, and the 
 lower Region feveral ^:om all the red ; there will 
 then^be fuch a Mukipiicity of frefradtions, as muf! 
 neceiiarily defiroy the Certainty of all Adronomical 
 Oolervation?. Ail which Inconveniences nnght be a- 
 voided, by (lippofing (as we do) th^c thereof; only 
 one Orb of Vaporous Air which encompaffes our 
 Earth, all the reit being ^y<Ethereal, and of the fame 
 Perfpicuity. 
 
 I> 2 ^, The 
 
JO Tl)at the \ff;on may be a World. 
 
 2. 2. The Situ;ition of this Element does no way a- 
 
 gree with ^rt,fmlt's own Principles, cr that common 
 Providence of N<^ture, which we mav difcern in or- 
 dinary Matter?. For if the Heavens' be without all 
 Elementary Qualities, as is ufually fuppofed, then it 
 would be a very incongruous thing for the Element of 
 Fire to be; placed immediately next unto it; fince the 
 heat of this is the roof} powerful and vigorous Quali- 
 ty that is among all the reft : And Nature in her 
 Works, does not join Extremes, but by fomething 
 of a middle Difpofltion. So in the very Frame of 
 our Bcdies, the Bones which are of a hard Subfhnce, 
 and the Flefh of a fofc, are not Joined together but by 
 the Interceffion of Membranes and Grilles, fuch as be- 
 ing of a nnddle Nature may fidy come betwixt. 
 
 3* 3- l^i^ not conceiveable for what Ufe or Benefit 
 
 there fhould be any fuch Element in that pbce ; and 
 certain it is, that Nature doss not do any thing in 
 vain. 
 
 4. 4. Betwixt two Extreams there can be but one Me- 
 
 dium ; and therefore between thofe two oppoflre Ele- 
 ments of Earth and Wate-, it may feem more conve 
 nient to place only the Air, which fhall partake of 
 middle Q^ualities different frcm both. 
 ^^ ^. Fire does not feem fo properly and diredly to be 
 
 oppoftd to any thing as Ice; and if the one bs not 
 an Element, why fhculd the other ^ 
 
 U you objed, that the Fire which we commonly 
 ufe does always tend upwards ; I anfwer, This cannot 
 prove that there is a Natural Place for (uch an.Ele- 
 ment, fince our Adverfaries themfelves do grant, that 
 Cuht.ary and Ekrr.entary Fire are of different kinds. 
 The one does burn, ihine, and corrupt its Subjea ; 
 the other difagrees from it in all (hefe Refpeds. And 
 therefore from the Afcent of the one, we cannot 
 properly infer the Being or Situation of the other. 
 
 Bat for your farther Satisfadion herein, you may 
 perufs Qardmy Johannes Peva, that Learned French- 
 
 man 
 
That the Moon may he a WorhL ^ I 
 
 Plan the Noble Tycho, with divers others who have 
 purpofely handled this Propofition. 
 
 3. I might add a T\\ d,'c.'^. That there is no Mu- 5, 
 fick o'i the Spheres ; for if they be not folid, how 
 can their Motion caufe any fuch Sound as is concei- 
 ved? I do the rather meddle with this, becacfe Vlu- 
 tarch fpeaks as iF a Man might very conveniently hear 
 that Harmony, if he were an Inhabitant in the 
 Moon. But 1 guefs that he faid this out of Incogi- 
 tancy, and did not well confider thofe neceffary Con- 
 fequences which depend upon his Opinion. H^ovvever, 
 the World would have no great lofs ift being depriv'd 
 of this Mufjck, unlefs at forne times we had the privi- 
 lege to hear it : Then indeed Fht!o the J^w thinks k i)^ro,^/fV. 
 would fave us the Charges of Diet, and we might 
 live at an eafy rate by feeding at the Ear only, and 
 receiving no other Nourilhrnent; and for this very 
 Reafon (fays he) was M'jjes enabled to tarry Forty 
 Days and Forty Nights in the Mounr without eating 
 any thing, becaufe he there heard the Melody oi the 
 
 Heavens. • i\//«»2 uneatts, I know this Muiick 
 
 hath had great Patrons, both Sjcred and Prophage 
 Authors, fuch as Ambrofe, BeJe, Boetuss^ dnj&lm^ FIa- 
 tOy Cicero^ and others j but becaufe it is not now, I 
 thinkj affirmed by any, I (hall not therefore beftow 
 cither Pains or Time in arguing agiinft it. 
 
 It may fuffice that I have only named ihefe three 
 laft, and for the two more necsOary, have referred 
 the Reader to others for fatisfadlion. I ftiall in the 
 next place proceed to the Nature of the Moon's Body, 
 to know whether that be capable of any fuch Condi- 
 tions, as may make it poflible to be inhabited, ani 
 what thofe Qualities are wherein it more nearly agrees 
 wi th our Earth. 
 
 D? PROP, 
 
3^ Tl^at the Moon may he a World, 
 
 PROP. IV. 
 
 That the Moon is a SflUd^ Compa^^d ^ Op acorn 
 
 Body. 
 
 I 
 
 Shall not need to ftand long in the proof of ti;i5 
 Prcpclifion, fince it is a Truth alreadv agreed on 
 by the £;eneial Cciifcnt of the mo(i and the beftPhi- 
 lofophers. 
 I, I. It is foiid, in oppontion to fluid, as is the Air ; 
 
 for how oiherwife could it beat back the Light which 
 it receives from the Sun ? 
 
 But here it may be que{iion*d, whether or no the 
 
 Moon befiow her Light upon us by the Refledion of 
 
 the Sun beams from the Superficies of her Body, or 
 
 elfe by hec own liluminaiion ? Some there ate who 
 
 " Dccaelo affii HI ihis latter Pari:. So * Jverrocs^ ■\ Calms Rfjodigi' 
 
 lz.com. ^^. rjus, '.' Julius Cafar, &c. And their Reafon is, be- 
 
 \jnt.lc. caiife 
 
 thofc Bodies which give Light byReflexion, can there 
 
 „. , caufe this Lii^ht is difcerned in many Places, whereas 
 
 ■:Depha- onl> be perceived where the Angle of Reflexion is 
 nom.Lun<e. equal to the Angle of Incidence, and this is only in 
 *• '^' one Place ; as in a Looking-glafs, thofe Beams v^hich 
 are refledled from it, cannot be perceived in every 
 Place where you may fee the Glafs, but only there 
 where your Eye is placed on the fame Line whereon 
 the Beams are refiedl-ed. 
 
 But to this I anfwer, That the Argument will not 
 bold of fuch Bodies whofe Superficies is full of une- 
 qual Parts and Gibbofities, as the Moon is. Where- 
 fore ic is as well the ir.cre probable as the more com- 
 mon Opinion, that her Light proceeds from both 
 thcfe Caufes, from Reflexion and illumination ; nor 
 dorh ic herein differ from our Earth, fince that alfo 
 hath feme Light by Illumination : For how other- 
 wife 
 
That the Moon may he a World. j 5 
 
 wife would the Parts aboat us in a Sun-diine Day ap- 
 pear To bright, when as the Rays of Reflexion cannot 
 enter into our Eye ? 
 
 For the better illuftration of this, we may confidsr 
 the feveral ways whereby diversBodies are enlightned. 
 Either as Water by admitting the Beams into its Sub* 
 llance ; or as Air and Thin Clouds, by tranfmicting 
 the Rays quite thorough their Bodies ; or as thole 
 things that are of an opacous Nature, and fmooth Su- 
 perficies, which refled the Light only in one place -, 
 or elfe as thofe things which are of an opacous Na- 
 ture, and rugged Superficies, which by a kind of 
 circumfluous Refle(5lion, are at the fame time diC- 
 cernible in many Places , as our Earth ancf the 
 Moon. 
 
 2. Itiscompad, and not a fpungy and porous 2. 
 Subflance. But this is denied by ^ Diogenes, t rtttUio, 
 and '.• Reimldus, and fome others, who held the ^ F^"'^'rff 
 Moon to be of the fame kind of Nature as a Pur.iice- ^ ^^ ' ' 
 ftone ; and this, fay they, is the Reafon why in the ^o;)?./. 4. 
 Sun's Eclipfes , there appears within her a Duskilh •/ C(??w, 
 Ruddy Colour , becaufe the Sun-Beams being Pur^^cA 
 refracted in paffing through the Pores of her Bo- "^t^"' ^' 
 dy, muft neceli'arily be reprefented under fuch a ^ 
 Colour. 
 
 But I reply, if this be the caufe of her Rsdnefs, 
 then why doth (he not appear under the fame Form 
 when fhe is about a Sextile AfpecS, and the darkned 
 part of her Body is difcernible? for then alfo do the 
 fame Rays pafs through her, and therefore in all like- 
 lihood ihould produce the fame EfFed; and notwith- 
 ftanding thofe Beams are then diverted from us, that 
 they cannot enter into our Eyes by a (Iraight Line, 
 yet muft the Colour ftill remain vifible in her Body. 
 And befides, according to this Opinion , the Spots 
 would not always be the fame, but diverfe as the 
 various diftance of the Sun requires. Again, if the So'*^''s^'' 
 Sun-beams did pafs through her, why then hath fhe ^'^^''"^• 
 
 D 4 not 
 
 80. Se^f. 
 13- 
 
34 
 
 (.37- 
 
 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 not a Tail (faith Scdiger) as the Comets ? Why doth 
 fhe appear infuch an ■i\-\^'i Roifid ? tid not rather 
 attended with a long Flame, fjtice it ii meerly this 
 Penetration of the Sun-beams chat is ufually 
 attributed to be the caufe of Beards irs Blazing 
 Stars. 
 
 3. Itisopacous, not tranfparent or diaphanous 
 like Chry/ial or Glafs, as Empedccles thought, v.-ho 
 held the Moon to be a Globe of pure con^e.^*":d 
 Air, like Hail enclofed in a Sphere of Fire j for 
 then, 
 
 1. Why does fhe not always appear in the 
 Full ? fince the Light is difpcrfed through all hci 
 Body ? 
 
 2. How can the Interpofition of her Bcdy fo daik- 
 cn the Sun, or caufe fuch great Ecliplcs as havt- Turn- 
 ed Day into Ni^'^ht ; that have difcover'd the Stars, 
 and f tghfed 'He Puds with fuch a fudden Daiknefs, 
 that they fell down upon the Earth ? as it is related in 
 divf-rs HiMoiies. And cheref:)re Herodotus telling of 
 an Fch:.- - whic'i fell in A'tT.\vj*s Time, defcribi"^ ic 
 
 thu; ', 6 j'lA/O- l-KhiTniv 7)V C.K 7^ ^^.v'i f /'fDJ' ciipAvrii Ui), The 
 
 Sun leaving Lis wonted Seat in the Heavens, vanifh*d 
 away : All which argues fuch a great Darknefs as 
 cruld not liave becii. if her Body had been perfpicu- 
 ous. Yet f ime there are who interpret all thefe Re- 
 lations to be Hyperbolical Expreflions j and the no- 
 ble Tycho thinks it naturally iaipofliole that anyEciipfe 
 fi-.ould caufe fuch Darknefs^ becaufe the Body of the 
 Moon can never f.otally cover the Sun- However , 
 in this he is lingular, all other Aitronomers (if I may 
 believe Kepiar) being on the contrary Opinion, by 
 reafon the Diameter of the Moon does for the 
 rr.olf pait appear bigger to us than the Diameter of 
 ihe Sun. 
 
 But here Julius Cafar once more puts in to hinder 
 our PafTage. The Moon (faith he) is not altogether 
 opacous, becaufe ^tis flill of the fame Nature with 
 
 the 
 
That the Moon may he a WorhL J j 
 
 the Heavens, whkh are incapable of total Opacity : 
 And his Reafon is, becaufe Perfpicuity is an infepa- 
 rahle Accident of thofe purer Bodies ,• and this he 
 thinks mud necefllirily be granted; for he ik)ps 
 there, and proves no further ^ but to this I fliall defer 
 an Anfwer till he hath made up his Argument. 
 
 We may frequently fee, that her Body does Co 
 eclipfe theSun, as our Earth doth the Moon. And 
 befides, the Mountains that are obferved there, do 
 call a darkShadovif behind them , as fhall be flicvved Prop. 9. 
 afterwards. Since then the like Interpofition of them 
 both, doth produce the like Eifedl, they muit necef- 
 i.iii'y be of the like Natures, ch^t is, alike opacous, 
 ■A iiich is the thing to be (hewed ; and this was the 
 K-afDn (as the Interpreters guefs ) why AriltotU af- /„ / ^^ 
 hrnied the Moon to be of the Earth's Nature, be- animalib. 
 caufe of their Agreement in Opacity ; whereas all 
 [the other Elements, fave that, are in fome meafure 
 jPerfpicuous, 
 
 But the greateft Difference which may feem to 
 make our Earth altogether unlike the Moon , is, be- 
 caufe the one is a bright Body, and hath Light of its 
 own, and the other a grofs dark Body which cannot 
 fhine at all. 'Tis requifite therefore that in the next 
 Place- 1 clear this doubt, and fhew that the Moon 
 hath no more Light of her own than our Earch. 
 
 P R O P. V. 
 
 That the Moon bath not any Light of her own. 
 
 >*T^Was the Fancy of fome of th^Javs^ and more 
 
 1 efpecially of Rabbi Simeon, that the Moon YgcT ''' 
 was nothing elfe but a contraded Sun ; and that Hyeron. de 
 both thofe Planets at their firft Creation, were equal SanBafide 
 both in Lighc and Quantity. For, becaufe God did ^<^^i^'^ 
 
 then 
 
 4- 
 
3 6 That the Moon may he a World 
 
 then call them both great LightSj therefore they in- 
 ferred that they mult be both equal in Bignefs. Bui 
 a while after (as the Tradition goes ) the ambitiou; 
 Moon put up her Complaint to God againft the Sun^ 
 iliewing that it was not fit there (hould be Two fuch 
 great Lights in the Heavens j a Monarchy would befl 
 become the Place of Order and Harmony. Upon 
 this, God commanded her to contrad: her felf into 
 a narrower Compafs ; but fhe being much difcon- 
 tented hereat, replies. What ! becaufe I have fpoken 
 that which is Reafon and Equity , mult I therefore 
 be diminifhed ? This Sentence could not chufe but 
 much trouble her ; and for this reafon was fhe in 
 great Dillrefs and Grief for a long Space ,• but that 
 her Sorrow might be fome way pacified, God bid 
 her be of good Cheer, becaufe her Privileges and 
 Charter fhould be greater than the Sun's,* he fhould 
 appear in the day time only, (he both in the Day 
 and Night ; but her Melancholy being not fatisfied 
 with this, (he replied again , That that alas was no 
 Benefit j for in the day time fhe fhould be either not 
 Teen, or not noted. Wherefore, God to comfort 
 her up, promifed, that his People \hQlfraelites{hou\d 
 celebrate all their Feafts and Holidays by a Com-, 
 putation of her Months ,• but this being not able to 
 content her, flie has looked very melancholy ever 
 ilnce ,• however, fhe hath ftill referved much Light 
 of her own. 
 
 Others there were, that did think the Moon to be 
 a round Globe ,• the one half of whofe Body was of 
 a Bright Subltance, the other half being dark j and 
 the divers Converfions of thofe fides towards our 
 Eyes, caufed the Variety of her Appearances. Of 
 this Opinion was Berofus, as he is cited by * Fitruvi^ 
 us i and t St. Anfi'm thought it was probable enough. 
 But this Fancy is almolt equally abfurd with the 
 former, and both of them found rather like Fables , 
 
 thaa 
 
Tl?at the Moon may he a World, 5 7 ^ 
 
 than Philofophical Truths. You may commonly fee 
 how this latter docs contradid frequent and eafie Ex- 
 perience i for 'tis obferved , rhat that Spot which is 
 perceived about her middle when fhe is in the In- 
 creafe, may be difcern d in the fame Place when 
 fhe is in the Full : Whence it mufi: follow, that the 
 fame part which was before darkned,i5 after enlight-. 
 ened, and that the one part is not always dark , and 
 die other light of it felf But enough of tliis,* 1 
 would be loth to make an Enemy, that I may al^ 
 terwards overcome him, or beftow time in proving 
 that which is already granted ; I iuppofe now, that 
 neither of them hath any Patrons, and theiefore 
 need no Confutation. 
 
 _'Tis agreed upon by all fides, that this Planet re- 
 ceives moft of her Light from the Sun ; but the chief 
 Controverfy is, whether or no /he hath any of her 
 own? The greater Multitude affirm this. Cardanz- d^ suhtH 
 mongft thereft, is very confident of it ,• and he /. 3. 
 thinks that if any of us were in the Moon at the 
 time of her greatelt Eclipfe, Ltmam ^ijplceremus non 
 Cecils ac imjumcrls cereis ffkrJidijjimis accenfis^ at^jue in 
 eas ocuVis dcfixls cacutlremus ,• '^^ We fhould perceive io 
 " great a Brightnefs of her own, that would blind 
 us with the meer Sight, and when flieis enlighten- 
 ed by the Sun, then no Eagles Eye (if there vv'ere 
 any there) is able to look upon her. " Tin's Car- 
 da7i fays, and he doth but fay it , without bringing 
 any Proof for its Confirmation. However, I will fet 
 do'vvn the Arguments that are ufually urged for this 
 Opinion, and they are taken either from Scripture or 
 Reafon^ froni Scripture is urged that Place, i Cor.iy. 
 where it is faid, Jljere is one glory of the Suny aful ano- 
 ther glory of the Moon. Ulyffes Albergetttis urges that ia 
 Matth. 24. 29. »' cnXhjJV v Meet to i^iiyy^ outTh, The 
 
 Moon jh.tll not give her light : Therefore (fays he j file 
 hath lome of her own. 
 
 But 
 
J ^ That the Moon may be a World, 
 
 But to thefe we may eafily finfwer, that the Glo- 
 ry and Light there fpoken of"^ may be faid to be hers, 
 though it be derived, as you may lee in many other 
 Inftances. 
 
 The Arguments from Reafon are taken either, 
 
 1. From that Light which is di^:^"rned in her, 
 wlien there is a total Eclipfe of her own Body , or 
 of the Sun. 
 
 2. From the Light which is difcerned in the darker 
 Part of her Body, when (he is but a little diftant 
 from the Sun. 
 
 1. For when there are any total Eclipfes , there 
 . appears in her Body a great Rednefs, and many times 
 
 Light enough to caufe a remarkable Shade, as com- 
 mon Experience doth fufficienrly manifeft : But this 
 canno: come from the Sun, lince at fuch times either 
 the Earth or her own Body fhades her from the Sun- 
 beams j therefore it mutt proceed from her own 
 Light. 
 
 2. Two or three Days afcer the New Moon, we 
 may perceive Light in her whole Body, whereas the 
 Rays of the Sun refled but upon a fmall part of that 
 wliich is vifible ; therefore 'tis likely that there is 
 Tome Light of her own. 
 
 In aiifwering to theie Objecaions, I fhall firft fhew, 
 that this Light cannot be her own,- and then declare 
 that which is the true Rea'bn of it. 
 That it is not her own, appears, 
 1. Becaufe then (he would always retain it,- but 
 file has been fomecimes altogether invifible, when as 
 KepLir ep. notvvichihnding feme of the fixed Stars of the fourth 
 ^[irL.cop'. or ^}'^^ Magnitude might eafily have been difcerned 
 I. 6.p 5. clofe by her : As it was in the Year 1620. 
 ^-''^- -7 2. This may appear likewife from the Variety of 
 
 it at divers times • for 'cis commonly obferved that 
 fometimes 'tis of a brighter, fometimes of a darker 
 Appearance j now redder, and ac another time of a 
 
 more 
 
That the Moon may he a World, j 9 
 
 more duskifh Colour. The Obfervation of this Va- 
 riety in divers Eclipfes, you may fee fet down by 
 Keplar and many others. But now this could not be, ^^^^^; ^' 
 if that Light were her own , that being conftantly „l^[ ^* 
 the fame/ and without any reafon of fuch an Alte- 
 teration : So that thus I may argue. 
 
 If there were any Light proper to the Moon, then 
 would that Planet appear brighteft when (lie is 
 eclipfed in her Perige, being neareft to the Earth; and 
 fo confequently more obfcure and duskifh when flie 
 is in her Jpoge or fartheft from it ; the reafon is, 
 bccaufe the nearer any enlightned Body comes to 
 the Sight, by fo much the more ftrong are the Spe- 
 cles,and the better perceived.ThisSequel is granted by 
 fome of our Adverfaries, and they are the very- 
 Words of noh\eTycho j Si Luna ge?iu'mo gaiideret Ittmlne, 
 utic^ue cum in umbra terra ejjet, illud non amitteret, fed De nov/t 
 eo e'videntius exenret j omne C7iim lumen In tenebrisy plus fi^^^-'- '• 
 fplendet cum alio majore fulgore non pr^epeditur. If the 
 Moon had any Light of her own, then would (he 
 net lofe it in the Earth's Shadow, bur rather fhine 
 more clearly ; fince every Light appears greater in 
 the dark, when it is not hindered by a more perfpicu- 
 ous Brightnefs. 
 
 But now the Event falls out clean contrary, (as 
 Obfervation doth manifeit , and ourOppolices them- 
 felves do grant) the Moon appearing with a more 
 reddifli and clear Light when fhe is eclipfed , being 
 iji her Jpoge or fartheft Didance, and a more 
 blackifli Iron Colour when fhe is in her Perige or 
 oeareft to us, therefore fhe hath not any Light of 
 her own. Nor may we think that the Earth's Sha- Relnoli 
 dow can cloud the proper Lieht of the A4oon from ^'>■^"'■''^^^^ 
 appearing, or take away any thmg trcm her mhe- j;^^g,. 
 rent Brightnefs ; for this were to think a Shadow to 15^. 
 be a Body, an Opinion altogether misbecoming a 
 Philofopher, as Tjcho grants in the fore-cired Place^ 
 Nee umbra tara ccrpcnum quid e/?, aut de?ifa aljqu.i 
 
 Jut- 
 
4^^ That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 ■ EzrL'T//'"'" '^'""" "'f' ""''■ Nor is tb.c 
 Itance, ch.« it can cloud the Moon's Briehtnefs or 
 take .tavyaytrom our Sight ; but ft is a mcer PHv" 
 
 Z fu^^'^'V ^'^^' by --eafon of the interpofiti 
 on ot the Earth's Opacous Body tcrponti 
 
 ',;,f . "'5 ™,^ any. Light of her own , then that 
 wou.d ,n K fclf be either fuch a ruddy Brightnef 
 
 1 li^if r" '," '■'" ^^''P'"" ' ">' ^'f^ f"<^h a Leaden 
 du.k.(h Ljghc as <ve fee in the darker Parrs of her 
 
 S > '"..^ '' ' ""'"= P-'''* 'he Con,u,?Aion 
 tl-T ••" " T' a' °"= °^ '^'^^ ' "'»y follow from 
 th. oppofite Arguments;) but it is neither of 
 cnefe, therefore fte hath none of her own 
 
 clUks , or then why can we not fee the like Red- 
 IheMoon? "^^ ""■" '"'"''"" '''^ °''''""'"'' ^'^'^ °^ 
 You will fay perhaps. That then the Nearnefs 
 of t.iat greater Light takes awav tiiat Appearance. 
 a/ a.'>'' • f '^^""°'^ l"^- Eor then, why does 
 ^..v ftine wuh his wonted Rednefs , vlhen he i 
 ne r tlie Moon ? Or why cannot her greater Brigh - 
 "eis make lum- appear white , as the other PlanSts ? 
 }^J"\^Y'J'^f'}y l^^^fo" given, why that 
 Sue Col^S '"^''^"' "^^ ^°^y ""''^^ » 
 
 f.'inTh"'r/""''V"^"''''^^'=-'"'=" Light, as we 
 1^^ in the darker Part of her Body , when (he is 
 about a textile Afped di.lant from' 'the Sun for 
 hen, why does fiie appear red in the Eclipfes • 
 hnce mere Shaae cannot caufe fuch a Variety > 
 1-or tis the Nature of Darknefs, by its Oppofition 
 rather to make Things appear of a more white and 
 c.ear bnghtnefs, than thev are in themfelves Or 
 It i: t>8 the ihads, yet thols Parts of ths Moon arj 
 
That the Moon may he a World, 4 1 
 
 then in the Shade of her Body , and therefore in 
 reafon fhould have the like Rednefs. Since, then, 
 neither of thefe Lights are hers'^; it follows , that 
 file hath none of her own. Nor is this a fingular 
 Opinion, but it hath had many Learned Patrons :^^^^ 
 ^ Such was Macrohius , who being tor this quoted or j^ ^ ^ ^o. 
 I Rhodiginm , he calls him, Vir recondltiffima Scientia:^ LeEi.antiq. 
 I a Man who knew more than ordinary Philofo- i- i.c.i^, 
 phers ^ thus commending the Opinion in the Cre- 
 dit of the Author. To him alTents the Venerable 
 Bede, upon whom the Glofs hath this Comparifon : 
 As the Looking-Glafs reprefents not any Image ^» l^^- dt 
 within it felf, unlefs it receive fome from without j »^'^■''^''• 
 fo the Moon hath not any Light , but what is be- ^ 
 flowed by the Sun. To thefe agreed "^ Alkrtus ^^'f^-^' 
 Magnus, { Scailger, \\M^fin, Kcplar, and more ef- ^^^n.'^ 
 pecially .'. Mulapertius ; whofe Words are more pat fExcrdt. 
 to the purpofe than others , and therefore I (hall ^j^- 
 fet them down as you may find them in his Preface 'SfT 
 to his Treatile concernmg the Au(vnaca bydera : ^ ^ 
 Luna, Venm, & Mercurms, terrejires & humlda Jmtt .'.Efit.A^ 
 Suh^antice • ideo^ue de fuo non luare , Jicut mc Terra, firon.Coi^. 
 The Moon, Vmm, '^nd Mercury, (faith he) are of |-^?^'"*' '■ 
 an earthly and moiit Subttance ; and therefore 
 have no more Light of their own, than the Earth . 
 
 hath. Nay, fome there are who think, ftho' with- 
 out ground ) that all the other Stars do receive that 
 Light whereby they appear vifible to us, from the ^ ^^.^^^ 
 Sun. So Ttolomy , ^ JjHore Hifp. Infu , f Alhertus j /'j%^ 
 Magnus, Sind\\Bcde: Much more then, mud the iDeCtth, 
 Moon fhine with a borrowed Light |- 2. 
 
 But enough of this. I have now fufficiently (hew- W^^ ^^^t^' 
 ed what at the firft I promifed -, That this Light is "^^^^""f- 
 not proper to the Moon. It remains in the next item PUn. 
 place, that I tell you the true Reafon of it. And / i. c. 6. 
 here, I think 'tis probable , that the Light which fl^^'/^\., 
 appears in the Moon at the Eclipfes, is nothing elfe ^^^^^ 
 but the fecond Species of the Suns Rays, which ^nnot.in 
 
 pafs dn. 6. 
 
4 1 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 pafs through the Shadow unto her Body : And fronl 
 a Mixture of this fecond Light with the Shadow, 
 arifes that Rednefs which at fuch times appears un- 
 to us. I may call it Lumen Cr nufculinum^ the Auro^ 
 ra of the Moon, or fuch a kind of blufhing Light 
 that the Sun caufes when he is near his Rifing , 
 when he bellows fome fmall Light upon the thicker 
 Vapours. Thus we fee commonly the Sun being 
 in the Horizon , and the Refledion growing weak^ 
 how his Beams make the Waters appear very 
 red. 
 a King. 3. The Moahltes, in yehor^m's time^ when they rofe 
 22. early in the Morning, and beheld the Waters afar 
 
 i.^£j}. Qff^ miftook them for Blood. Et caufa hujus efi, 
 ^' o^u'ia rad'iui folaris in Aurora contrahit quondam rubedi- 
 neWj proper Va^ores combujtos manentes circa fuierficiem. 
 terra J per tjuos radii tranfeunt ^ c^ ideo cum repercuti- 
 antur in aqua ad oculos nofirosj trahunt fecum eundem 
 ruhorem^ & faciunt apparcrc locum aquarum , in quo efi 
 repercujjioy ejje ruhrum ; faith Tofiatus, The Reafon 
 is, becaufe of his Rays j which being in the lower 
 Vapours , thofe do convey an imperfed mixed 
 Light upon the Waters. Thus the Moon being in 
 the Earth's Shadow, and the Sun-beams which are 
 round about it not being able to come dire«AIy unto 
 her Body ^ yet fome fecond Rays there are, which 
 pafling through the Shadow , make her appear in 
 th'U ruddy Colour : So that fhe mud appear bright- 
 eft, when fhe isecUpfed, being mhtv Apoge or 
 greateit Diftance frorh us ^ becaufe then the Cone 
 of the Earth's Shadow is Icfs , and the Refradion 
 is made through a narrower Medium. So on the 
 contrary , (he mud be reprefented under a more 
 dark and obfcure Form when fhe is eclipfed , being 
 in her Terige , or neareft to the Earth ; becaufe 
 then (he is involved in a greater Shadow, or bigger 
 part of the Cone ^ and fo the Refradion palling 
 through a greater Medium , the Light miift needs 
 
 m 
 
That the Moon may be a World. aj 
 
 be weaker which doth proceed from ic. If yon 
 ask now. What the Rea(bn may be of that Light 
 which we difcern in the darker Part of the New 
 Moon ? I anfwer ; 'Tis refleded from our Earth j 
 which returns as great a Brightnefs to that Planet^ 
 as it receives from it. This 1 fhall have occafion to 
 prove aftervVard. 
 
 I have now done with thefe Propofitions , which 
 were fet down to clear the PalTage , and confirm 
 the Suppofitions implied in the Opinion. I (hall in 
 the next place proceed to a more dired Treating 
 of the chief Matter in hand. 
 
 PROP. VI. 
 
 That there is a World in the Mooft^ hafh heen the 
 diret} Opinion of many Ancient^ with fome Mo- 
 dern Mathematicians ; and may prohdhk he de- 
 duced from the Tenents of others. 
 
 Ince this Opinion may be fufpe^cd of Singula- 
 rity , I fhall therefore firil confirm ic by.ium- 
 cient Authority of divers Autiiors , both ancient 
 and modern ^ that {o I may the better clijai^ ic 
 from the Prejudice either of an upftart Fancv, or 
 an obfolete Error. This is by fbme attributed to 
 Or-phcMi, one of the moft ancient Gnck Poets. Who 
 fpeaking of the Moon , /ays thus ^ " ^c;a' I'ps^ '^'x«» phcphn 
 Torx'^^x, 'TTojKct. ^cK-x^ccf., That it hath many Mcun- Li.c"il. 
 Tains, and Cities, and Houfes in it. To him af- 
 i^^nttd AnaXi^gorr.Sj Dtmocritus , and HeracIiJiS ; all ihui.e.zK. 
 who thought it to have firm folid Ground, like to 
 our Earth ^ containing in ic many large Fields, 
 Champion Grounds, and divers Inhabitanrs. a'/fj^& 
 
 Of this Opinion likewife was Xenophnnes , as he /. j?. 
 is cited for ir by LaUnntins ,• tho' that F..uher (oer- -^-'^- ^".'?- 
 
44 Tl'^f the Moon may be a World. 
 
 haps) did miftake his Meaning, whilft he relates it 
 thus : Dixit Xenophanes^ intra concaTum Luna ejj'e ali- 
 am terram^ C^ ibi aliud garus hor/ilnum, finuli TKodo vi- 
 'uere Jtcut nos in hac terra, &c. As if he had concei- 
 ved the «Moon to be a great hollow Body , in the 
 mid 11 of whofe Concavity, there fhould be another 
 Globe of Sea and Land, inhabited by Men, as our 
 Earth is ; Whereas, it Teems to be more likely by 
 the Relation of others, that this Philofopher's Opi- 
 nion is to be underftood in the fame Senfe as it is 
 here to be proved. True indeed, the Father con- 
 demns this Aflertion, as an equal Abfurdity to that 
 of /inaxajrorasj who affirmed the Snow to be black .• 
 But no wonder ; for in the very next Chapter it is, 
 that he does io much deride the Opinion of thofe 
 who thought there v/ere Antipodes. So that his Ig- 
 norance in that particular, may perhaps difable him 
 from being a competent Judge in any other the 
 like Point of Philofophy. Unto thefe agreed Ty- 
 tkagorasj who thought that our Earth was but one 
 of the Planets which moved round about the Sun, 
 (as Arifiotle relates it of him ,-.) and thePjthagoreans 
 De Ca.'lo, ^ j^^ general did affirm that the Moon alfo was Terre- 
 ' ■ " ^' ftrial, and that ffie was inhabited as this lower World : 
 That thofe living Creatures and Plants which are in 
 her, exceed any of the like kind with us in the fame 
 Proportion, as their Days are longer than ours 
 >/.' AW' ^'''^^' ^y Fifteen Times. This Fythagoras was 
 cap.' 10.' eUeemed by all, of a mod: Divine Wit, as appears 
 efpecialiy by his Valuation amongfl the Remans 
 who being commanded by the Oracle to ered: a 
 />/■„ ^,^t. Statue to the Wifeit Grecian, the Senate determined 
 H/. /. 34, Tythjgoras co be meant; preferring him in their 
 tap. 6. Judgments before the Divine Socrates, whom their 
 .Gods pron6unc'd the Wifef!:. Some think him a 
 Jew by Birth ; but moft agree that he Vv'as much 
 converfant amongft the learncdcr Sort and Priefis 
 cf that NanoH; by whom he was informed of ma- 
 ny 
 
Tjlyat the Moon rnay be a World. 4 j 
 
 ny Secrets; and (perhaps) this Opinion which hd 
 vented afterwards in Greece^ where he was much op- 
 pofed by Ari(iotle in fome worded Dlfputations, but 
 never confuted by any folid Reafon. 
 
 To this Opinion of Pythagoras did Vlato alfo afldnt, 
 when heconfidered that there was the likeEcIipfe made 
 by the Earth; and this, that it had no Light of its 
 own, that it was fo full of Spots. And therefore we Plat, ds 
 may often read in him and his Followers^ of an a' convivUf. 
 tberea terra, and lunares popult, an i^thereal Earth, and ^^'^^''^'. 
 Inhabiters in the Moon ; but afterwards this was /"^^ "f' 
 mixed with many ridiculous Fancies : For fome of 
 them confidering the Myfteries implied in the Num- 
 ber Three, concluded that there muft necelTariiy be 
 a Trinity of Worlds, whereof the firft is this of ours; 
 the fecond in the Moon , whofe Element of Water 
 is reprefented by the Sphere of Mercury , the Air by 
 Venus, and the Fire by the Sun. And that the whole 
 Univerfe might the better end in Earth as it began ; 
 they have contrived it, that Mars fiiali be a Sphere of 
 the Fire, Jupiter of Air, Saturn of Water ; and a- 
 bove allthefe, the Elyfian Fields, fpaciousand pleafant 
 Places appointed for the Habitation of thofc unfpot- 
 ted Souls , that either never were imprifoned in, or 
 elfe now have freed themfelves from any Commerce 
 with the Body. Scaliger fpeaking of this Platonick Exm. Cu 
 Fancy, ^ua in tres trtentes fntmdum e^ttcji ajjem divifit^ 
 thinks *ci5 Confutation enough, to fay, 'cis VUtos, 
 However, for the firft part of this Affertion, it was 
 alTented unto by many others, and by reafon of the 
 Grofsnefs and Inequality of this Phnet, 'cwas fre- 
 quently called ^«^/z terra cxUftzs, as being efteemed the ^ r.^- 
 Sediment and more imperfed Part oi" thofe purer x,,!^^"' 
 Bodies ; you may fee this proved by ?liearcl\ in that 
 delightful Work which he properly made for the injUt.nd 
 Confirmation of this particular. With him agreed ^if^'pp^^f^ 
 ^IcinoHs and VhtinnSi later Writers. ^fJ'^^^^' 
 
 E :i Thus , 
 
4^ Tlhit the Moon may be a World. 
 
 Thus Lucian 3,Ko in his Difcourf- of a Journey to 
 the Moon, where though he does fpeak many things 
 out of Muth and in a jelling Manner ; yet in the 
 Beginning of it he does intimate that it did contain 
 fnrrie fcrious Truths concerning the real Frame of the 
 Urr.veris. 
 
 ^o(tJ/l '^^? Card'nal C«/^»«i and Jornandus Brums , held 
 
 \.cap. 12. a Pa':"cu.ir World in every Star ; and therefore one 
 
 of t!.cm defining our Earth, he fays , it is ft eUa qua- 
 
 dcitn nohuts, qna lunmn & cahrem & infimntiam habet 
 
 aliam^ & divcrfam ah owmbas altts ftcUu J "^ a noble 
 
 '' Star, having a di/lind Light, Heat, and Influence 
 
 philofE^i^ * ^^^^ ^'J.^^^ '■eft- Unto this NichoUs mi, a Coun- 
 
 cur.par. tr\ man of our«, was inclined , when he faid /ifirea 
 
 434- ter:^ na'tiva probabilis efi ; <=' That *tis probable the 
 
 " Earth hath a ft^arry Nature. 
 *inThe[l. ^"^ ^^^ Opinion which I have here delivered, was 
 hus. more diredtiy proved by * Mafli^^ f Keplar, and •.' 
 
 \ Diferta. G^l-^-^fs '^ cach of them late Writers, and famous 
 t^cum Men for their fingular Skill in Aflronomy. Kevlar 
 /.]^U-«. ""/^^''^^'^^^y^^^Nameof i:.^;^;;/^, from the 
 Syderem. ^'"'''^ ^'cfd HioV vi^hich fignifies the Moon, and 
 Somn.jp. pur Earth by the Name of Volva.a -volvendo ; becaufe 
 it does by reafon of its diurnal Revolution ap;. ear un- 
 to them conltantly to turn round ; and therefore 
 he ftiles thofe A^ho live in that Hcmifph^ere which is 
 towards us, by the Title of Suhvolvani, becaufe they 
 . enjoy the Sight of rhis Earth ; and the others Vrivol- 
 •vaniy qtaajurnpn-vact cGf^fptBtt volv^y becaufe they 
 are deprived of thi^ Priviledge. But Juutis ^afar^ 
 whon I have above quoted, fpeaking of their x'efti- 
 Deph^iom. *^^/^y whom I cite for this Opinion, 'viz.. KepUr and 
 Lu-r„e.c.^. (■iahJ^f/s, affiims that to his Knowledge they did but 
 }^iT in thofe things which they write conterniijg this; 
 and as for any fuch World, he affuredly knows they 
 nevec fcmuch as dreamt of it. But I had rather 
 believe their own v/ords, thin bis pretended Know- 
 ledge. 
 
 'Tis 
 
TImt the Moon ymy be a WorUm 47 
 
 'Tis true indeed, in fome things they do but trifle, 
 but for the main Scope of thofc Difcourfes, Vis as 
 manifeft they ferioufly meant it , as any indifferent 
 Reader may eafily difcern : As for GaltUuSy 'th evi- 
 dent that he did fct down hib own Judgment and O- 
 pinion in thefe Things ; otherwife fare Car^pzncll.t (a. 
 Man as well acquainted with his Opinion, and per- 
 haps his Perfonjas Cafar was^ would never have writ 
 an Apology for him. And befides, \is very likely if 
 it had been but a Jeft, Galifam would never have 
 fufFered fo much for it, as Report faith afterwards he 
 did. 
 
 And as for Keflar^ I will only refer the Reader to 
 his own Words, as they are fet down in the Preface 
 to the Fourth Book of his Epitom ; where his Pur- 
 pofe is to make an Apology for the Scraigenefs of 
 thofeTruths that he was there to deliver,amongft which 
 there are divers things to this Purpofe concerning the 
 Nature of the Moon. He profeiTes that he did not 
 publifh them either out of a Humour of Contradidi- 
 on, or a Defire of Vain-glory, or in a jefting Way 
 to make himfelf or otners merry, but after a confi- 
 derate and folemn Manner for the Difcovery of the 
 Truth. 
 
 Now is for the Knowledge which Cafar pretends 
 to the contrary, you may guefs what it was by his 
 ftrange Confidence in other Affertions , and his 
 Boldnefs in thern may well derogate from liis Credit ^^' ^' 
 in this. For fpeaking of Pro/fwj^'s H/porhe/iSy he p. O' 
 nounces this Verdid:, ImpoJJlbile e(i excentncorum C^ e~ 
 f'tc/clorurn po/itto, nvc aliijuii efi ex AI .thematicis adto 
 ultus (jui 'veram illam exi/^intet. " The Pofition of 
 Excentrtcks and Epicycles is altogether impoflible,nor 
 is there any Mathematician fuch a Fool as to think 
 it t:ue ' I ihould guefs he could not have Know- 
 ledge enough to maintain any other Hypothefuy who 
 was fo ignorant in Machematicks as to deny that 
 any good Author held this. For I would fain know 
 
 E 3 whe- 
 
 i 
 
 it 
 
4 8 That the Moon rnay he a WoruL 
 
 whether there were never any that thought ?'^ Hea- 
 vens to he Hid Bodies , and that there wt:- fuch 
 kinds of M ,rton as is by thofefainedOrbs iup oljed • 
 
 A /r^' '^'^^^'' ^'^ ^''^'^' ^^^ "^"^^ iP.iftaken. I think his 
 Aliertions are equally true, that 6^/;/^;./ ard AV./^r 
 did nor hold this ,• and that there were noi,e which 
 ever held that other. Thui» much fcr the Temmony 
 ol tholo who were dirritly of this OpmU 
 
 But, in rny following Difcomfe, I fhall moft ii.lfr 
 on theOblervation of G^//.W., the Ln venter of rhat 
 laaious Pcrfpeaive, whereby we n^ay difcern the Hea- 
 vens haid by us J whereby thofe .hings which ethers 
 havefornierlygucfs'dat. aremanifefted to the Eye, 
 and plaimy difcove/ed beyond Exception o: Doubt ; 
 
 , ^'h;cn admirable Invention, thefe !.> er Aces of 
 the ^Vorld may juftly boaf>, and fortht. exped to be 
 celebrated by Pofterity. ^Tis related of Eudoxs^s, that 
 he wilhed hirnielf burnt with Vbmm, fo he mi^ht 
 
 tand over the Sun to contemplate its Nature ; had 
 he lived in thefe. Days, he might have enjoyed his 
 VVdh at ^a eafier Rate ; and fcaling the Heavens by 
 this Glals, might plainly have difcerned what he 
 lo much deHred. Kefhr confidering thofe ftranse 
 Difcovenes which this Perfpeaive had made, could 
 not cliule but cry cut in a '^^ffo^oTrda. and Rapture of 
 Admiration, O wulujcwm & qucvts fceptro prenoftus 
 perjviculum ! an qui u dextrk tenet, tile mn dotninus con- 
 
 ^^7fr ^'^''^'T'^f-^'' -.^"^ '^'^'''"'' Fahriaus^^n elegant 
 ^-foloh^r. Writer, fpenking of the fame Glafs, and for (this In- 
 vention preferring our Age before thofe former times 
 ot greater ignorance, fays thus : Meo fuwus fupenores 
 ysteruusj ut <^iif.m tlU carmims magici fronmciatu demif- 
 lum r(p-ejent^Jj.f patantur, ms mn tantum tmiocenttr demit- 
 tamns, Jed etuim fawiliari ^twdam intuttn eim quaftcondi^ 
 tr.nem tntuean.ur. « So much are weabove the Anci- 
 ents, that whereas they were fain by their Magical 
 !i unarrps cp reprefenc the Moon's Approach , we 
 
 €4n- 
 
7hat the Moon vmj he a World. A9 
 
 '^ cannot only bring her lower wich a srearer Inno 
 • -ence, buc may alfo with a more famihar Vie.v 
 behold her Condition. ' And becaufe yoo ihall 
 have no occanon to ,uHHon the uuth of .ho . E.pe^ 
 rimentswhiehl WJ afc.r wards urge trom u. Ivvil 
 [hercfore fet down the Teftimony. of at. Lnemy , 
 and fuch a VVitnefs hath al-^ays been sccoanced pr^- 
 val-nt • You may fee it in the above-narned C^h^ /^ 
 r^i- whofe Words are thefe. Mac.r.., caJuce.^ De^^^ 
 
 -vum Jo-uts iJerpretewrelefcopiocaJHceo WjMum Sjdaa 
 apcrt^i, & veterum Fhthjopboruv^ mane^ ^^ ["'[I^.'r 'T^ 
 carefohrs nofira ^Us 'Videt & adyntratur. ; ^' V\^": 
 " tiquity fabled Mercury carrying a Rod in his hand 
 " ro rebte News from Heaven, and caii back t..e 
 « Souls of the Dead ; but it hath been the Happsnels 
 - of our induftrious Age to foe ana admire G./;^^. 
 « (the pew Ambaffador of the Gods) furmfbed with 
 «^ his Perfpeaive to unfold the Nature of tne Stars, 
 « and awlken the Ghofts of the ancient Philoro- 
 *' phers." So worthily and highly did thefe Men e- 
 ftcem of this excellent Invention. . ^ . , . „ 
 Now if you would know what might be done by 
 this Glafs, in the fight of fuch things as were nearer 
 at h.nd, the fame Author will tell you, v^^en he fays. 
 That by it thofe things which could fcarce at all be dil- ^-^- - 
 cerned by the Eye, at the difiance ot a Mile and a 
 half, might plainly and dii^indly be perceived tor 16 
 jM/.:,« Miles, and that as they were real y in them- 
 felves, without any Tranfpofmon or FalUfying at alh 
 So that what the ancient Poets were fain to pmm a 
 Fable, our more happy Age hath found out in a 
 Truth : and we may difcern as far with thefe Eyes 
 which G^///^'/5 hath beRowed upon us, as Lyncem could 
 with thofe which the Poets attributed unto him. l3ut 
 if you yet doubt whether all thefe Obiervations were 
 true, the fame Author may confirm you, when hs 
 
 E 4 *^y^ 
 
That the Moon may he a World 
 
 f^ys they were iliewed, Non uni nut aheri, fed ^it.mplu- 
 riwis, necj; gregarus hommihm, fed pracifu^s atcy^ c^ijciflU 
 Tiu orytr.:t,t,s, mcmn MaihemattQts ^ Opticis pr^cet^j, otti- 
 r»e in (trutiis kdula ac ddi^^mti injpcaic^e. '' Not to one 
 
 i^ vf ^^^: ^'''^ ^"^ "'^""y "^"^"y^ ^^^ ^^°^e noc.ordinary 
 .. Men, ,>ut to thofe who were well vers'd in Mathe- 
 ^^ niaticks and Opticb j and that not with a meer 
 ^^ Glance, but with a fcdclous and diligent Infpedl- 
 on And left any Scruple might remain unan- 
 iwerc;d. cr you might think the .Men who beheld all 
 th)5, though they might be skilful, yet they came 
 \yuh crediMous iMinds, and fo were more eafie to be 
 (.eluded : ^IJe ^dds that it was (Iiewed, Fcris out ad ex. 
 primenta BacccvtradtctrJt ammo acccjjrrant. "' To fuch 
 '' as were come with a great deaf of Prejudice, and 
 ; iin intent of ContradicTion. " Thus you may fee 
 \t)c Cerramty of thofe Experiments which were taken 
 by this GUfs. ^ I have fpoken the more concerning it, 
 becsub i iiiall borrow many things in my further Dif- 
 couie, from thofe Difcoveries which were made 
 by If. 
 
 I have now cited fuch Authors both Ancient and 
 
 A'iOGc rn, vil.o have direaiy maintained the fame O- 
 
 pi.-ncn. I told ycu likewife in the Proporition, that 
 
 It nnghc probably be deduced from tl]e Tenents of c- 
 
 tners: Such were ^W/Z^-rr/;^, Ihtlolaus^ and Cotcrmcu! 
 
 wirh many other larer Wuters, who affented to their 
 
 Hypcthefis, ; fo jt'^ J:-. RbeUcus, David Onga^us Lanf 
 
 ffogws, GuiLGdhert ; and, ( if 1 may believe C^»;;^- 
 
 mlla ) hnuty^tri alii Avgli &- Qah ; Very many o- 
 
 fhers, both Er.ghid^ and French, all who affirmed our 
 
 Eauh to be one of the Planets, and the Sun to be the 
 
 Cenier of all, about which the Heave.:,y Bodies di^ 
 
 rr.ove. And how horrid foever this may feem at the 
 
 tir<t, yet is it hkely enough to be true, nor is there any 
 
 P.j.iX!morCbrcivation ii^Opicks (faith Vina) that can 
 
 Cilprove it. 
 
 Now 
 
That the Moon ynay he a World, 5 i 
 
 Now if cur Earth were ono of the Planers (as it is 
 according to them ) then why rnay not another of the 
 Planets be an Earth ? 
 
 Thus have I (hewed you the Truth of this Propofi- 
 tlon. Before I proceed farther, 'tis requifice that 1 in- 
 form the Reader what Method I fliall follow in the 
 proving of this chief AlTertion, "That there ts a World 
 w toe Moon, 
 
 The Order by which I (hall be guided, will be that 
 V hich Arifictk ufes in his Book De Mumlo ( if that 
 Book vJXTt hi-.; 
 
 Fir(t, 1^ ^^ ^ «^'7H, of thofe chief Parts which 
 are in it ; not the Elementary and ^Ethereal (as he 
 doth there) (ince this does not belong to the prefenc 
 Quefiion, but of the Sea and Land, &c. Secondly, 
 rfti clotLo ttx^v ^ of thofs things which are Extrinfi- 
 cal to it, as the Seafons, Meteor?, and Inhabitants. 
 
 PROP. VII. 
 
 "that thofe Spots and hrighter Parts, which hy our 
 Sight may he difiinguijhed in the Moon, do Jhew 
 the Difference betwixt the Sea and Land in that 
 other World. 
 
 FO R the clear Proof of this Propolinon, I fLall 
 (irft reckon up and refute the Opinions of others 
 concerning the Matter and Form of thofs Spots, and 
 then (hew the greater Probability of this prefent Af- 
 feition, and how agreeable it is to that Truth which 
 is mofl commonly received. As for the Opinions of 
 others concerning thefe, thev have been very many : 
 I will only reckon up thofe which are common and 
 remarkable. 
 
 Some there are that think thofe Spots do not arife 
 from any Deformity of the Parts^ but ^ Deceit of the 
 
 Eye, 
 
$1 That the Moon may he a World 
 
 Eye, which cannot at fjch a Diftance difcern an equal 
 Light in that Planet : But thefe do but only fay it, 
 and fliew not any Reafoii for the Proof of their Opi- 
 nion. Others think that there are fome Bodies be« 
 SoBedem ^^ixt the Sun and Vloon, which keeping ofT ' ° he 
 l.deMund. in forr^c P.'cj, do by their Shadow produce i ts 
 
 €onjii;, which we there difcern. 
 
 Others would have thein to be the Figure c«i me 
 Seas or iVIountains here below, reprefented there as in 
 a Looking-Glafs. But none of fhofc Fancies can be 
 true, becaufe the Spots are (till the fame, and hoc va- 
 ried according to the difference of Places ; and be=. 
 DeftibtH. fjdes, Cardan thinks it is impoffible that any Imsge 
 W. 3. fliould be conveyed fo far, as there to bs rcprefcnted 
 unto us at fuch a diibnce. But 'tis conjmoniy related 
 of Fytbagoras, that he by writing what he pleafed in a 
 Glafs, by the Reflexion of the fame Species would 
 make thofe Letters to appear in the Circle of the Moon, 
 where they ihould be legible by any other, who might 
 * osctdta at that time be fome Miles diftant from him. * A- 
 philof.l.i. (rrippa affirms this to be poffible, and the way of per- 
 £S9. 6. forming it not unknown to himfelf, with fome others 
 in his lime. It may be, that Biftiop Godwin did by 
 the like Means perform thofe ftrange Conclufions, 
 which he profeffes in his Nuncius Inanimatus ; where 
 he pretends, that he can inform his Friends of what 
 he pleafxis, though they be an hundred Miles difiant, 
 forte etiaw, 'vtl vjiUtare mUltJimumy ( they are his own 
 Words) and perhaps a thoufand ; and all this in a 
 little fpace, quicker than the Sun can move. 
 
 Now, what Conveyance there fhould be for fo 
 fpeedy a PalTage, I cannot conceive, unlefs it be car- 
 ried vyich the Light, than which we know not any 
 thing quicker. But of this only by the way. How- 
 ever" whether thofe Images can be reprefented fo or 
 not, yet certain it is, thofe Spots are not fuch Repre- 
 fentations. Som£ think that when God had at firft 
 created too much Earth to make a peifecS Globe^ noc 
 
 know- 
 
Tl?at the Moon may he a Worlds c -» 
 
 knowing well where to Befto w the reft, he placed it 
 in (he Mcon, wh-ch evr.r ftnce harb fo -l^irkned it in 
 fome i^arts : Bar rie Impiety of this is fufficient Con- 
 futaricn, fine- ic lo much detradls frooi the Divine 
 l-cwer and WiidotUc 
 
 The ^ Stoicks held chat Planet to be mixed of Fire * Piut.de 
 and Airj and in their Opinion^, the Variety of its pladr.ph/i. 
 Compotuion caufed her Spots.- Being not afliimed to ^•'- '^^-^' 
 lliie che Gme Body a Goddefs, calling it Diana, Mi- 
 TifTVii, Ike -nd yet afTrm it to be an impure Mixture 
 i'i F'anie ;md imoak, and ftiiiginous Air. — But this 
 PUnet cannot confift of Fire/ faith PLr^nh, becaufe 
 there h not any Fewel t ) maintain ic. And the Po- 
 ets have therefore fained !^ijcan to be Lame, hecaufe 
 he can no more fubfifi- ^vithout Wood or ocher f ewel 
 than a Lame Man vviihout a Sr^fr ' 
 
 Af:c^xaguAs thoughi ail ihe Scars to be of an Earthly 
 Nature, mixed with feme Fire; and as for the Sun, 
 he afp.: .T;cd k to be nothing elfc but a fiery Scone ' 
 For wh'ch latter Opinion, the ^ri,.«;^„, fentenc'd him H^phu: 
 to Dea'.:-. ^ chole zealous Idolaters counting it a great '■ ^- f""- ' 
 Elafpherr-y to make their God a Stone ; whereas not- ^^^- ^''■' 
 VvithfUndlng. they were fo fer-fdefs in their Adorati- tf n f ' 
 on oi Idols, as to make a Stone their God. This I i8. /L 
 yivaxagoras zihcm^A the M-on to be more TeneOrial 
 thin the other Planers, but of a greater Parity r!ian 
 any ihmg here beiow ; and the Scots he thought 
 were nothing eife but fon^e Cloudy Parts interming- 
 led with the Light which belonged to that Planet; 
 but I have above deflroyed the Suppofition on which 
 th.stancy IS grounded. /V,.^ thinks they arife from v.. f-- 
 fome DrofTv Srutr, mixed with that Moiflure which ff .?.' 
 the Moon actrads unto her felf j but he was of their 
 Ov:mon who thought the Stars were nouril]i,d by 
 fome Earthly Vapours; which you may coaimonly 
 lee refuted in the Commimatcn on the Bocks I 
 Cala, - ». 
 
 Fitill.9 
 
54 
 
 Opt. Ih. 9, 
 Com>n''Ht. 
 in Purk 
 f. 164. 
 
 Ex qua 
 farte lu?m 
 eft trajifpi- 
 €ua no?i fo- 
 lur/7 fecnn- 
 dum fiipcr- 
 ficicm, fed 
 ttiam fe- 
 €iindiim 
 fnojlatiti' 
 
 I'l^ra, ex 
 c[ua autcm 
 farte opaca 
 est, eaietiiis 
 ohfcuya V:'- 
 detuy. Dj 
 Ph£no>i:. 
 cap. 1 1 . 
 
 filbert. 
 tnag. d; 
 Coisvrs, 
 
 21. CoUeg. 
 Con. 
 
 D:Samniii. 
 
 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 ViteHio and B^eimldus affirm the Spots to be the thick- 
 er Parts of die Moon, into which the Sun cannot in- 
 fufe much Light; and this ffay they) is the Reafon 
 why in the Sun's Edipfe: the Spots and brighter Parts 
 are fiill in fome meafure dilHnguiflied, becaufe the- 
 Sun-Beams are not able fo well to penetrate through 
 thofe thicker, as they may through the thinner Parts 
 of that Planet. Of this Opinion alfo was Cafar la 
 GaUa, whofe Words are thefe ; '' The Moon doth 
 " thsre appear cleareft, where (he is tranfpicuous, not 
 '' only through the Supeificias, but the Suhftance al- 
 " fc; and there (he feems fpotted, where her Body is 
 *^ moft opacous." The Ground of this his AlTertioa 
 was, becaufe he thought the Moon did receive and 
 bsflow her Light by Illumination only, and not at all 
 by Reflexion ; but this, together with the fuppofed 
 penetration of the Sun«beams, and the perfpicuity of 
 the Moon's Body I have above anfwered and refu- 
 ted. 
 
 The more common and general Opinion is, that 
 the Spots are the thinner parts of the Moon, which 
 are lefb able to reficd the Beams that they receive 
 from the Sun, and this is moft agreeable to Reafon ; 
 for if the Scars are therefore brighteft, becaufe they 
 are thicker and more folid.than their Orbs, then it 
 u';!l tb'.Iovv, that thofe Parts of the Moon which 
 have leSs Light, have aifo lefs thicknefs. It was the 
 Provir^ence of Nature rfay fomc) that fo contrived 
 thAt Pianet to have thefe Spots within it ; for fince 
 that is neareft to thofe Lower Bodies which are fo foil 
 of Deformity, 'cis requifire that it ihould in fome 
 meafure agree with them ; and as in this Inferior 
 World, the higher Bodies are the moft complear, fo 
 alio in the Heavens, Perfection is afcended unto by 
 d£grci;s. and the Moon being the lowed, muft be 
 the lea(} pure ; and therefore Philo the Jew inter- 
 pretinj^^ Jjcr.h's Dream concerning the Ladder, doth 
 in an Ali^sory (liew how that in the Fabrick of the 
 
 World, 
 
i/ That the Moon may he a World. j j 
 
 World, all things grow perfedier as they grow high- 
 er ; and this is the Reafon (faith he) why the Moon 
 doth not confift of any pure fimple Matter, but is 
 mix'd with Air, which fliews fo darkly within her 
 Body. 
 
 But this cannot be a fufficient Reafon ; for tho' 
 it were true thatNature did frame every thing perfe<fJ- 
 er as it was higher, yet is it as true that Nature 
 frames every thing fully perfect for that Office to 
 which (he intends it. Now had flie intended the 
 Moon meerly to refled the Sun-beams , and give 
 Light, the Spots then had not fo much argued her 
 Providence, as her unskilfulnefs and overfight, as if 
 in the haft of her Work (he could not tell how to scdif. ex- 
 make that Body exadly fit for that Office to which ercit',6z. 
 (he intended it. 
 
 'Tis likely then that (he had fome other end which 
 moved her to produce this Variety; and this, in all 
 probability, was her intent, to make it a fit Body for 
 habitation, with the fame Conveniences of Sea and 
 Land, as this Inferior World doth partake of. For 
 fince the Moon is fi-oh a vaft, fuch a folid and opa- 
 cous Body, like our Earth (as was abo^e prove«3 ) why 
 may it not be probable that thofe thinner ^nd thicker 
 Parts appearing in her, do (hew fhe difference be- 
 twixt the Sea and Lsnd in tha* oi'e" World ? And 
 Galtlaus doubts not, but that if our Earth v^ere vifi- 
 ble at the fame diltance, there would be the like ap- 
 pearance of ir. 
 
 If we confider the Moon as another habitable 
 Earth, then the Appearances of it wiJ! be altogether 
 exad and beautiful, ynd mayareue unto us th;it it is 
 fully accomplilh'd for all thofe Ends to which Provi- 
 dence did appoint it. But confider it barely as a Star 
 or Ligiit, and then there will apper-r in it much im- 
 psrfe<5tion and dt^fo micy, as being of an impure 
 dirk Subftance, and lb unfit for the Office of that 
 Nature, 
 
 As 
 
y ^ TIpat the Moon 7nay he a World. 
 
 As for the Form of thofe Spots, fome of the Vulgaf 
 think they reprefent a Man, and the Poets guefs 'tis 
 ^L^ ^^ E^-^^www, whofe Company fiie loves fo well, 
 that fhe carries him with her ; Others will have ic 
 only to be the Face of a Man, as the Moon is ufual- 
 lypiaured ; but Albertus th'mki rather, that it repre- 
 fenis a Lyon with his Tail towards the Eaft, and his 
 
 *Eureh!m ^^t^ ^'^® ^'^ ' ^"^ * ^^^^ ^f^^rs have thought it 
 
 Uicremb. f° ^^ "'^''y "^"ch like a Foxjand certainly 'tis as much 
 
 Hifi. Nat. "Ke a Lyon as that in the Zodtack, or as Urfa Major is 
 
 /. 8. CIS. like a Bear. -^ 
 
 I ihould guefs that itreprefents one of thefe as well 
 as another, and any thing elfe as well as any of 
 thefe, nnce 'tis but a ftrong Imagination which fan- 
 cies fuch Images , as School-Boys ufually do in the 
 Marks of a Wall, whereas there \s not any fuch Si- 
 militude in the Spots themfelves, which rather like 
 our Sea, in refpedt of the Land, appears under a rug- 
 ged and confuled Figure, and doth not reprefent any 
 diftina Image : So that both in refpeA of the Mat- 
 ter and the Form, it may be probable enough that 
 thofe Spots and brighter Parts may /hew the di- 
 /^indioii betwixt the Sea and Land in that other 
 World. 
 
 PROP. VIII. 
 
 The Spots reprefent the Sea , and the Brighter 
 Parts the Land. 
 
 WHEN I firft compared the Nature of our Earth 
 and Wacer v/ith thofe Appearances in the 
 Moon, I concluded contrary to thePropofition, that 
 the Brighter Parts reprefented the Water, and the 
 Spots the Land. Of this Opinion likewife was Kep- 
 lar at the firft. But my Second Thoughts, and the 
 
 reading 
 
Jhat the Moon may he a World, 57 
 
 reading of others, have now convinced tne f'as after 
 he was) of the Truth of thatPropofition which I have 
 now fet down. Befoic I come to the confirmation 
 of it, I fiiall mention thofe Scruples which at firft 
 made me doubt the truth of this Opinion. 
 
 r. It may be objeded, 'tis probable, if there be 
 any fuch Sea and Land as ours, that it bears fome 
 proportion and fimilitude with ours: But now this 
 Propofition takes away all likenefs betwixt them. For 
 whereas the Superficies of our Earth is but the third 
 part of the whole Surface in the Globe, two parts 
 being overfpread with the Water (as Scaliger obferves ) ^^^>'*^'f. 
 yet here, according to this Opinion, the Sea fhould ^ ' 
 be lefs than the Land, fince there is not fo much of 
 the Befpotted as there is of the Enlightned Parts ; 
 wherefore 'tis probable that there is no fuch 
 Thing at all , or elfe that the Brighter Parts are 
 the Sea. i 
 
 2. The Water, by reafon of the fmoothnefs of its 
 Superficies, feems better able to refled the Sun-beams 
 than the Earth, which in moft pbces is fo full of ; 
 
 ruggednefsjof Grafs and Trees, and fuch like Impe- i 
 
 dimcnts of Reflexion ; and bcfides. Common Expe- ] 
 
 rience fnews that the Wster fhines with a greater and ? 
 
 more glorious Brightnefs than the Earfh ; therefore it I 
 
 fhculd Teem that the Spots, are the Earth, and r,he < 
 
 brighter Parts the Water. But to the firft it may 
 be anfwered. 
 
 1. There is no great probability in this Confe- 
 quence, that becaufe 'tis fo with us, therefore it muft 
 be fo with the Parts of the Moon ; for fince there is 
 fuch a difi^erence betwixt them in divers other re- 
 fpecls, they may not perhaps agree in this. 
 
 2. That AlTertion of Scaliger is not by all granted DeMctco- 
 for a Truth. Frowo'/jJus with others think that the ris,l. s- 
 Superficies of the Sea and Land, in fo much of the fi-^'"''- 
 World as is already difcover'd, is equal and of the 
 
 fame extenfion. 
 
 ;. The 
 
5 8 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 %. The Orb of Thick and Vaporous Air which en- 
 compnffes the Moon, makes the brighter Parts of 
 that Planet appear bigger than in themfelves they are; 
 AS I (hall Ihe.v afterwards. 
 
 To the Second it may be anfwered, That though 
 the Water be of a fmooth Superficies, and foniay 
 feem moft fie to reverberate the Light, yet becaufe 
 "ds of a perfpicuous Narare, therefore the Beams 
 muft fink into it, and cannoc fo ftrongly and clearly 
 be refie(5led. Strut in fpeculo ubi -plumbum abrafum fuertty 
 (faith Cardan') as in Looldng Glalfes, where part of 
 the Lead is razed off, and nothing lefc behind to re- 
 verberate the Image, the Species muft there pafs 
 through, and not back again : So it is where the 
 Beams penetrate and fink into the fabftance of the 
 Body, there cannot be fuch an immediate and ftrong 
 Reflexion, as when they are beat back from the Su- 
 perficies ; and therefore the Sun caufes a greater heat 
 by far upon the Land, than upon the Water. Now 
 as for that Experiment, vvhere it is Tiid, That the 
 Waters have a greater Brighrnefs than the Land ; I 
 arsfvver, Tis true only there where they reprefent the 
 Image of the Sun, or fome biight Cloud, and not in 
 other Places ; efpeciaily if we look upon them at any 
 great diitance, as is very plain by common Obfer- 
 vation. 
 
 And 'tis certain jthat from any high Mountain the 
 Land does appear a great deal brighitr than any Lake 
 or River. 
 
 This may yet be farther illuftrated by the Simili- 
 tude of a Locking- Glafs hanging upon a Wall in the 
 San (hine; where, if the E)e be not placed in the 
 jail Line of Reilexicn from the Glafs, 'tis manifeft 
 that the Wall will be of a brighter Appearance than 
 the Glafs. True indecJ, in the L:ne of Reflexion, 
 the Light of the Glafs is equal almoft unto that wiiich 
 comes immediately from the Sun itfetf; but now 
 this is only in one panicular Place, and fo is not like 
 
 thas 
 
That the Moon may be a WorhL 5p 
 
 that Brightnefs which we difcern in the Moon ; be- 
 caufe this does appear equally in feyeral Situations, 
 like that of the Wall, which does feem brij^ht as well 
 from every Place, as from any one. And therefore 
 the roughnefs of theWall,or (as it is in the Objedion) 
 the ruggednefs of oar Earth, is fo far from being an 
 hindrance of fuch a Refiexion as there is from the 
 Moon, that it is rather required as a neceilary Con- 
 dition unto it. We may conceive that in every rough 
 Body, there are, as it were, innumerable Superficies, 
 difpoled unto an innumerable Diverfity of Inclinati- 
 ons. It a ut nuUus fit locus, ad e^uem non fertitjgavt fluri- GaliUus 
 mi radii reflcxi a plurimis ft^perjicicculis , per omnem corporis ^yfl^^'^- 
 fcahri radiis lumincfi percujjl fuperficiam difperjis. "So " • '• 
 *' that there is not any Place unto which there are 
 " not fome Beams refle(5led from thefe diverfe Super- 
 " ficies, in the feveral Parts of fuch a rugged Body. " 
 But yet faslfaid before) the Earth does receive a 
 great part of its Light by Illuminationj as well as by 
 Reflexion. 
 
 So that notwithflanding thofe Doubts, yet this Pro- 
 pofition may remain true^ That the Spots may be the 
 Sea, and the brighter Parts the Land. OF this Opi- De facie 
 nion was Plutarch : Unto him afTented Keplar and Ga- Lv.n. 
 
 Ii!ar4s, whofe Words are thefe : Si ams 'vererum Vytha- ^i-^'^'^^!'", 
 r .• r- VI t 1 n- " ISunc, Sya. 
 
 goreorum jententiam exujcitare 'velttf ltwaf» Ictiicct ejje qu jjJ 
 
 teUurem alteram ejus pars lucidior terrenam fttperficicrriy ob- 
 
 fcurior vcrq aqueam iTiagis congrae repra[(ntet. Mibt au- 
 
 tem dubium fuit nunquam t err c fir is giobi it longe conlfecHy 
 
 atque ti radiis jolaribus perfif/iy terream fitperficlem clario- 
 
 rem, obfcHriore?n zfero aqueatn [tfe in confpeclum daturar)?. 
 
 If any Man have a mind to renew the Opinion of 
 
 the Fythagoreansy That the Moon is another Earth 5 
 
 then her brighter Parts may firlv repreftint the 
 
 *' Earth's Superficies, and the darker part the Water : 
 
 " And for my part, I never doubted but that ou^- 
 
 *^ Earthly Globe being fhined upon by the Sun, 
 
 " and bsheld at 3 great diitance, the Land wouM 
 
 F ^' appear 
 
 cc 
 ti 
 
 (C 
 
6o That the Moon may be a World, 
 
 " appear brightefl, and the Sea more obfcurely. " 
 The Reafons may be, 
 
 I. That which I urged about the foregoing Chap- 
 ter ; becaufe the Water is the thinner part, and there- 
 fore muft give hfs Light. 
 
 Since the Scars and Planets, by reafon of their 
 Brightntfs, are ufually concluded to be the thicker . 
 Pares of their Orb. 
 ^ilib de 2, Water is in ic ff^lf of a blacker Colour (faith A- 
 ""''' ^- rifotle) and therefore more remote from Light than 
 the Earth. Any Part of the Ground being moiftned 
 with Rain, does look much more darkly than when it 
 is dry ? 
 
 5. 'Tis obferved that the Secondary Light of the 
 Moon (which afterwards is proved to proceed from 
 oar Ep.rth) is fenfibly brighter unto us^ for two or 
 three Days before the Conjundion, in the Morning 
 vvlicn (he appears Eaftward, than about the fame time 
 after (he Conjundicn, when Ihe is feen in the IVeft, 
 The Reafon cf which muft be this, becaufe that part 
 of the Earth which is oppofite to the Moon in the 
 E'ifi, has more Land in it than Sea. Whereas on the 
 contrary, the Moon when fhe is in the Wt^, is (hined 
 upon by that part of our Earth where there is more 
 Sea than Land ; from whence it will follow wfith good 
 probability, tliat the Earth does caft a greater Light 
 thp.n the Water. 
 
 4. Becaufe Obfervation tells us, that tjbe Spotted 
 Pares are always fmooth and equal , having every 
 where an equality of Light when once they -are en- 
 lightned by the Sun ; whereas the brighter parts are 
 full of rugged Gibbofities and Mountains ,, having 
 many Shades in chem, as I fiiall (hew more at large af- 
 .terwardf. 
 
 That in this Planet there muft be Seas, CawpamUa 
 endeavours to prove out of Scripture, interpreting 
 the IP'aters abo'ue the Firmayiie7it^ fpoken in Genefis, to be 
 
 meant of the Sea in this World, For (faith he) 'tis 
 
 not 
 
That thc' Moon may oe a W 
 
 oria. 
 
 6i 
 
 not likely that there are any fuch Waters above the 
 Orbs to moderate that Heat which they receive from 
 their fwift Motion (as fome of the Fathers think). 
 Nor did Mojes mean the Angels , which may ' be 
 caird Spiritual Waters , as Origen and Aufiin would 
 have it, for both thefe are rejected by the General 
 Confent : Nor could he mean any Waters in the Se- 
 cond Region, as moft Commentators interpret it. 
 For fit ft there is nothiiig but Vapours, which though 
 they are afterwards turned into Water, yet while they 
 remain there , they are only the Matter of that Ele- 
 ment, which may as well be Fire, or Earth, or Air. 
 2. Thofe Vapours are not above the Expanfum, but 
 in it. So that he thinks there is no other way to falve 
 all, but by making the Planets feveral Worlds with 
 Sea and Land, with fuch Rivers and Springs as we 
 have here"below : Efpecially fince Efdras fpeaks of the 
 Springs above the Firmament. But I cannot agree 
 with him in this, nor do I think that any fuch thing 
 can be proved out of Scripture. 
 
 Before I proceed to the next Pofition, I (hall firft 
 anfwer fome Doubts which might be made againft 
 the generality of this Truth, v/hereby it may feem 
 impoflible that there fhould be either Sea or Land in 
 the Moon : For fince (he moves fo fwifciy as APrro- 
 nomers obferve , why then does there nothing fall 
 from her, or why doth fhe not Hiake fomething ouc 
 by the celerity of her Revolution ? I anfwer, You 
 muft know that the inclination of every heavy Body 
 to its proper Center, doth fufficiently tye it unto its 
 place; fo that fuppofe any thing were feparated, yet 
 muft it neceftarily return again. And there is no 
 more danger of their falling into our World , thail 
 there is fear of cur falling into the Moon. 
 
 .But yet there are many Fabulous Relations of fuch 
 Things as have dropped thence. There is a Tale of 
 the Nemem Lyon that Herctiles'^Qw, which firft ru(h~ 
 hg among the Herds -out of his unknown Den in 
 
 F z the 
 
 Vide le?in> 
 Epiji. ad 
 Pamma^ 
 chiiim. 
 CanfeJJtofi, 
 /.13. c. 32.' 
 Retraced 
 lib.2. Rar- 
 
 2 Efdr. 
 
 4-7. 
 
 F/Wt' Guli. 
 isulrigsnj, 
 {ic rebus 
 
^1 Tl?at the Moon may b'e a World. 
 
 the Mountain of Cytheron in Boeotia, the Credulous 
 People thought he was fent from their Goddefs the 
 Moon. And if a Whirlwind did chance to (hatch 
 any thing up, and afcerwards rain it down again, the 
 ignorant Multitude were apt to believe that it dropt 
 frorri Heaven. Thus Avicenna relates the Story of a 
 Olf which fell down in a Storm , the Beholders 
 thinking it a Moon-Calf, and that it fell thence. So 
 Cardan travelling Upon the A^ennrm Mountains, afud- 
 den Blad took off his Hat, which if it had been 
 carried far, he thinks the Peafants, who had percei- 
 ved it to fall, would have fworn it had rained Hats. 
 After feme fuch manner many of our Prodigies come 
 to pafs, and the People are willing to believe any 
 thing which they may relate to others as a very 
 ftrange and wonderful Event. I doubt not but the 
 Trojan Fa-Jadium ^ the Koman Minerva, and our Lady's 
 Cliurch at Loretto, with many Sacred Relicks preferv'd 
 by the I'api^^s, might drop from the Moon as well as 
 anyofthefe. 
 
 But it may be again objeded, Suppofe there were a 
 Eu!lvt (hot up in that World, would not the Moon 
 run away from it before it could fall down, fince the 
 Aiction of her Body (being every Day round our 
 Earrh) is farfwiftej- than the other, and fo the Bullet 
 mufi be left behind, and at length fall down to us ? 
 To this I anfwer, 
 
 1. 1{ a Bullet could be /hot fo far till it came to the 
 Circumfeience of thofe Things which belong to our 
 Center, then it would fall down to us. 
 
 2. Though there were fome heavy Body a great 
 Heivhc in that Air , yet would the Motion of that 
 Magnetical Globe to which it did belong, by an at- 
 tractive Virtue Itiil hold it within its convenient di- 
 ftance , To that whether their Earth moved or ftood 
 ftili, yet would the fame Violence caft a Body from it 
 equally far. That I nfsy the plainer exprefs my Mean- 
 ing, I will fet down this Diagram. 
 
 Suppofe 
 
That the Moon may be a WorUU 
 
 63 
 
 mG 
 
 H 
 
 Suppofe this Earth were A, which was to move in 
 the Gi'rcle C, D, and let the Bullet be fuppc/ed at B, 
 within its proper Verge ; I fay, whether this Earth did 
 ftand ftill, or move fwiftly towards D, yet the Ballet 
 would ftlll keep at the famedidance, by reafon of chat 
 Magnetick Virtue of the Center (if J may To fpeak) 
 whereby all Things within its Sphere are attracted 
 with it. So that the violence to the Bullet , being 
 nothing elfe but that whereby 'tis removed from its 
 Center, therefore an equal Violence can carry a Body 
 from its proper Place but at an equal diflance, whe- 
 tlier or no this Earth where its Center is, does ftand 
 ftill or move. 
 
 The Impartial Reader may find fufficlent fatisfadJi- 
 on for this and fuch other Arguments as may be 
 urged againft the Motion of that Earth, in the Wri- 
 tings of Copernicus and his Followers ; unto whom, for 
 brevity fake, I will refer them. 
 
 Fj 
 
 PROP. 
 
T^^at the Moon 7nay he a Worli. 
 
 P R O P. IX. 
 
 That there are High Mountains , Deep rallies , 
 and Spacious Flains in the Body of the 
 Moon. • -^ ^ 
 
 TiHough there are fome who think Mountains to 
 ^ be adeformity to the Earth, as if they were ew 
 tncr beat up by the Flood, or e!fe caft up Hke lo many 
 Heaps of Rubbifti left at the Creation ; yet if weli 
 conlloered, they will be found as much to conduce to. 
 the Beauty and Conveniency of the Univerfe, as any 
 oi Che other Part?, Nature (faith Vlmy) purpofely 
 tramed them for many excellent ufes ; partly to tame 
 the Violence of greater Rivers, to f^rengthen certain 
 Joints within the Veins and Bowels of the Earth, to 
 break the Force of the Seas Inundation, and for the 
 ^i^^^ ^^^^ Earth's Inhabitants^ whether Beafts or 
 Men. That they make much for the protedion of 
 Bealis, the Pfalmift teftifies; Ihe btgbefi Htlh area re- 
 fuge for the Wild Goats, and the Rocks for Conies, The 
 Kingly Prophet had likewifs learned the fafety of 
 ihde by his own experience, when he alfo was fain 
 so make a Mountain his Refuge from the Fury of his 
 Maiter Saul , who perfecuted him in the Wilder- 
 nelj\ 
 
 True indeed, fuch Places as thefe keep their Neigh- 
 bours poor, as being moft barren, but yet they pre- 
 lerve them fafe, as being moft (irong : witnefs our 
 unconquered IFales and Scotland, whofe greateft Pro 
 tedion hath been the natural Strength of their Coan- 
 Jrcy; lo fortify 'd with Mountains, that thefe have 
 always been unto them fure Retreats from the Vio- 
 Jence md Oppreffion of others. Wherefore a good 
 Author doth rjghtly call them Nature's Bulwarks, caft 
 
 ap 
 
That the Moon may he a World. 05 
 
 up at God Almighty's own Charges, the Scorns and 
 Curbs of Viaorious Armies. Which made the Barbari- 
 ans m Curum fo confident of their ovvn Safety, when 
 they were once retired to an inacceffible Mountam , 
 that when Alexanders Legate had brought them to a 
 Parley, and perfwading them to yield, told ihem ot 
 his Mafter's Viftories, what Seas and Wildsrneffes he 
 had paired ; They replied, that all that might be but 
 could Alexander fly too ? Over the Seas he m^ght have 
 ^^ Ships, and over the Land Horfes , but be mu ft have 
 Wings before he could get up thither. Such Safety 
 did thofe barbarous Nations conceive in the Mountams 
 whereunto they were retired. Certainly then lucti 
 ufeful Parts were not the Effed of Man s Sin, or pro- 
 duced by the World's Curfe, the Flood ; but rather at 
 the ftrft created by the Goodnefs and Providence ot 
 
 the Almighty. , r j u 
 
 This Truth is ufually concluded from thele and the 
 
 like Arguments. ^ ^ , „ ^ . . 
 
 I Becaufe the Scripture it felf , m the Defcripuon 
 of that general Deluge, tells us, it overflowed the 
 
 higheft Mountains. , r^, j j 
 
 2. Becaufe Mojes who writ long after the Flood, does 
 yet give the fame Defcriptian of Places and Rivers, as 
 they had before ; which could not well have been it 
 this had mads fo ftrange an Alteration. 
 
 2. Tis evident that the Trees did (land as before. 
 For otherwife, Noah could not fo well have concluded, 
 that the Waters were abated, from this Realon, be- 
 caufe the Dove brought an Olive Leaf in her Mouth , 
 when (he was fent forth the Second Time : Whereas 
 had the Trees been rooted up, (he might have taken it 
 the Firft Time, from one of them as it was floating 
 on the Top of the Waters. Now if the Motion ot 
 the Water was not fo violent as to fubvert the Trees, 
 much lefs was it able to caft up fuch vaft Heaps as the 
 
 Mountains- ^ r • »u^ 
 
 4. When the Scripture doth fet forth unto us the 
 ^ p ^ Power 
 
66 That the Moon 7nay be a World. 
 
 Power and Immenfity of God by the Variety or Ufe- 
 fulnefs of the Creatures which he hath made • amongft 
 the rePr it doth often mention the Mountains. Hial. 
 104. 8. item, 148. 9. Ifa. 40. 12. And therefore 
 'cis probable they were created at the firft. Unto 
 this I might add that in other Places, Divine Wifdom 
 in {hewing of its own Antiquity, faith that he was 
 fro??3 tJjs btgmmng, before the earth or the mount aivs -were 
 brought forth. 
 
 ■'■'■. s If we may truft the Relations of Antiquity, 
 '^t'-h t'u;re were many Moaunjenrs left undera-ed after the 
 Mood. 
 
 So thst if I intend to prove that the Moon is fuch 
 a r>abitabie World as this is ; 'tis requilite that I fhew 
 i 'o have the fime Conveniences of Habitation as 
 tl.is hith. And here if fonie Rabbi or Chymick were 
 to handle the Point, they would Ur[\ prove it out of 
 Scripture, from that Place in Mo'es his Blefling, where 
 he Ipesks of the Ancient Mountains and lading Hills, 
 Deut, ;;, Ob^yn'yjjl t>-^p^n-^n for having im- 
 mediately before mentioned thofe Bleffings which 
 fhoi'!d happen unto Jnft'ph by the Influence of the 
 Moon, he does pref^ntly exegeiically iterate them, in 
 biefiing him with the chief things of the ancient 
 Mounr.:ins and lafling Hills ; you msy alfo fee the 
 49. fame E>; predion ufed in Jacob's Bleffing of Jo- 
 Jepb. 
 
 But however we may deal pronv con in Philofophy, 
 yet we muft not be too bold with Divine Truths, or 
 bring Scriprure to patronize any Fancy of our own; 
 rhoughj (perhaps) it be a Truth. I am not of their 
 Mind, who think k a good Courfe to confirm Philo- 
 fophical Secrets from the Letter of the Scripture, or 
 by abufmg fome obfcure Text in it. Methinks it fa- 
 vours too much of that Melancholly Humor of the 
 Chymicks, who, aiming in all their Studies at the 
 making ot Gold, do perfuade themfelves, that the 
 moft Learned and Subtile of the Ancient Authors, in 
 
 all 
 
That the Moon may he a World* (>7 
 
 all their obfcure Places do mean fome fuch Senfe as 
 may make to their Purpofe. And hence it is that 
 they derive fuch ftrange Myderies from the Fables of 
 the Poets ; and can tell you what great Seciet it was, 
 that Antiquity did hide under the Fidion of Jupiter hQ- 
 ing turned into a Shower of Gold : Of Mi^rcurfs be- 
 ing made the Interpreter of the Gods : Of the Moetj's 
 defcending to the Earth for the Love of Endjmion-: 
 Wich fuch ridiculous Interpretations of thefe and the 
 like Fables, which any reafonable confidering Man 
 cannot conceive to proceed from any but fuch as are 
 dilirsded. No lefs fantaflical in this kind are the 
 Jeivifij Rabbles ; amongft whom, is not any Opinion, 
 whether in Nature or Policy, whether true or falfe, 
 but fome of them, by a CaballRical Interpretation can 
 father it upon a dark Place of Scripture, or (if need 
 be) upon a Text that is clean contrary. There be- 
 ing not any Abfurdity fo grofs snd incredible, for which 
 thefe Abufers of the Text, will not find out an Argu- 
 ment. Whereas, 'tis the more natural Way, and 
 (hould be obferved in all Controverfies, to apply unto 
 every thing the proper Proofs of it j and when we 
 deal with Philofophical Truths, to keep our felves 
 within the Bounds of Human Reafon and Aatho- . 
 rity. 
 
 But this by the way. For the better Proof of this 
 Propofition, I might here cite theTeftimony of D'todo- 
 rm/ who thought the Moon to be lull of rugged Pla- 
 ces, 'uelut terrelh:bus tumults {uverciliofam ; but he erred 
 much in fome Circumftances of this Opinion, cfpeci- 
 ally where he fays, there is an liUnd araongft the Hy- 
 ferbortans^ wherein thofe Hills may to the Eye be plain- 
 ly difcovered ; and for this reafon ^ Caltsts calls him a 
 fabulous Writer. Bur you may fee more exprefs Au- 
 thority for the Proof of this in the Opinions oi Anaxa- p^^^ ^^ 
 gor.is and Demccritus , who held that this Planet was piacA.i.c. 
 lull of champion Grounds^ Mountains and Vallies. aj- 
 Aad this feemcd likcwife probable unto Ju^u.^tNm Nt- -^^ ^^^"^ ^ 
 
 I. c. 15. 
 
68 That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 fuj, whofe Words are thefe : Forfitan non efiremotum di- 
 cer e lume partes ejje diver fas, velutifmt partes t err ay qua» 
 rum alia [tint 'valhfaj alia montofa^ ex e^uarum differentia 
 tffici potej} fades ilia luna , nee eft rationt diffonum, nam lu- 
 na eft corpus imperfeEle Spharicum, cum fit corpus ah ultimo 
 €6elo elongatum, ut fupra dixit Arifioteles. " Perhaps, it 
 " would not be amifs to fay • that the Parts of the 
 *^ Moon were divers, as the Parts of this Earth, where- 
 " of fome are Vallies, and fome Mountains; from the 
 *' Difference of which/omeSpocs in the Moon may pro- 
 ** cced ; nor is this againft Reafon ; for that Planet 
 " cannot be perfeully Spherical, fince 'tis fo remote a 
 " Body from thefirft Orb,as Ariflotk had faid before. " 
 You may fee this Truth aflfented unto by Elaticanus the 
 Jefuit, and by him confirmed vnih divers Reafons. 
 Kepiar hath obferved in the Moon's Eclipfes, that the 
 Divifion of her enlightned Part from the Ihaded, was 
 made by a crooked unequal Line, of which there can- 
 not be any probable Caufe conceived, unlefs it did ap « 
 rife from the Rug^ednefs of that Planet -, for it can* ■, 
 not at all be produced from the Shade of any Moun- 
 tains here upon Earth ; becaufe thefe would be fo lef- 
 fened before they could reach fo high in a conical Sha- 
 dow, that they would not be at all fenfible unto us 
 (as might eafily be demonft rated); nor can it be con- 
 ceived what reafon of this Difference there fhould be 
 In the Sun. Wherefore there being no other Body that 
 h;ith any thing to do in Eclipfes, we muft neceffarily 
 conclude, that it is caufed by a Variety of parts in the 
 Moon it felfjand what can thefe be but its Gibbollties ? 
 Now if you (hould ask a Reafon why there ihould be 
 ftich a Malcitade of thefe in that Planet, the fame 
 A"c/>/dr fhall je(i you out an Anfvver. Suppofing (faith 
 he) that thofe Inhabitants are bigger than any of us, 
 in the fame Proportion as their Days are longer than 
 ours, VIZ., by Fifte-en Times; it may be , for want of 
 Stones to Qtzdt fuch vad Houfes as were requillte for 
 dieir Bodies, they are fain to dig great and round Hol- 
 lows 
 
That the Moon may be a Worlds 6p 
 
 lows in the Earth , where they may both procure Wa- Kep.appett- 
 ter for their Thirft, and turning about with the Shade, Sf/«io^^. 
 may avoid thofe great Heats which otherwife they 
 would be liable unto. Or if you v/ill give C^far hGal- 
 /^ leave to guefs in the fame Manner, he would rather 
 think that thofe thirfty Nations caft up fo many and fo 
 great Heaps of Earth in digging of their Wine Cellars; 
 but this only by the Way. 
 
 I (hall next produce the Eye witnefs of Galilizm^ ^tincixi 
 on which I moft of all depend for the Proof of this sjdo^is- 
 Propofition ; when he beheld the New Moon through 
 his Perfpedive, it appeared to him under a rugged and 
 fpotted Figure, feeming to have the darker and enlight- 
 ned Parts divided by a tortuous Line, having fome 
 Parcels of Light at a good Diftance from the other ; 
 and this Difference is fo remarkable, that yoia may 
 eafily perceive it through one of thofe ordinary Per- 
 fpe<Sives, which are commonly fold amongft as ^ hue 
 for your better apprehending of what I deliver^ I 
 will fet down the Figure as I find ic in Galil:^m^ 
 
 Sup- 
 
70 
 
 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 Suppofe ABCp to reprefent the Appearance of the 
 Moons Body being m a S.xnle, you may fee fome 
 brighter Parts feparated at a pretty Diilance from the 
 other, which can be nothing elfe but a Refleaion of 
 the Sun-beams upon fome parts that are higher than 
 the reft; and thofe, obfcure Gibbofities which ftand 
 out towards the enlightened Parts, muft be. fuch hollow 
 and deep Places whereto the Rays cannot reach But 
 when tne Moon is got farther off from the Sun, and 
 come to chat Fulnefs as this Line B D doth rep efent ' 
 her under ; then do thefe Parrs alfo receive an equ" 
 Light excepting only that Difference which doth an- 
 pear betwixt their Sea and Land, And if you do con- 
 fider how any rugged Body would appear bdng en- 
 l|ghrned,5.'ou would eaflly conceive that it muftneceffa- 
 nly feem under feme fuch gibbous unequal Formfa; 
 
 the 
 
That the Moon may he a World. 7 1 
 
 the Moon is here reprefented. Now for the Infallibi- 
 lity of thefe Appearances, I (hall refer the Reader to 
 that which hath been faid in the Sixth Propofition. 
 
 But Cisfar la Galla affirms, that all thefe Appearan- 
 ces may confift with a plain Superficies, if we fuppofe 
 the Parts of the Body to be fome of them Dlaphanortf, 
 and fome Opacout ; and if yoa objed that the Light 
 which is convey'd to any Diaphanous Part in a plain 
 Superficies, mufl be by a continued Line; whereas here 
 there appear many brighter Parts among the obfcure 
 at fome Diiiance from the reft : To this he anfwers, 
 it may rife from fome fecret Conveyances and Chan- 
 nels within her Body, that do confift of a more Dia- 
 phanous Matter; which being covered over with an 
 Opacous Superficies, the Light paffing through them 
 may break out a great way off; whereas the other 
 Parts betwixt, may fiill remain dark. Juft as the Ri- 
 ver Aretheufa in Sicily, which runs under Ground for 
 a great way, and afterwards breaks out again. Bur, 
 becaufe this is one of thechiefeft Fancies, whereby he 
 thinks he hath fully anfwered the Argument of this 
 Opinion , I will therefore fet down his Anfwer in his 
 own Words , left the Reader might fufped more m ^ 
 them than I have expreffed. Non e^ impo(fihile ccecos "' '^ 
 duBfts diaphani C^ ptrfp:cut corportg, fed opaca fuperficie pro- 
 tendij uf(jue in diaphanam altcjuam ex profunda tn ftdpe-^'fici- 
 em emergent em partem, per quos du^us lumen longo pojlmo' 
 dum inter^itio erumpat, &c. But I reply , if the Super- 
 ficies betwixt thefe two enlightened Parts remain dark 
 becaufe of its Opacity ; then would it always be dark, 
 and the Sun could not make it partake of Light more 
 than it could of Perfpicuity. But this contradicts all 
 Experience, as you may fee in GaliU.^s , who affirms 
 that when the Sun comes nearer to his Oppofition, then 
 that which is betwixt them both, is enlightened as well 
 as either. Nay, this oppofes his own Eye-witnefs; for 
 he confeffes hin;felf that he faw this by the Glafs. He 
 had faid before, that he C2nie to ite ihcft fircrge 
 
 S'?,ht? 
 
^ ^ 77;^^ (he Mwn may be a World, 
 
 Sights di fcovered by GaUU.s his Glafs, with an intenE 
 
 t .^?^v V T \ ?.^ ^^'li "'^y ^^^^ ^hat confirmed 
 in the Wcaknefs of diis A.ifwer, which rather bewrays 
 anobfiinare than a per fwaded Will ; for otherwife 
 Jure he wpuld never have undertook to have deftroyed 
 iudi certain Proof with fo groundlefs a Fancy 
 tyfi^.c^d. ^ y'^tlnaanceof Gd^U^^s, would have been a better 
 €,IL I. i::-vahon h.^d this Author been acquainted with it ; who 
 might then have compared the Moon to chat which we 
 ca! Mother of Pearl, which though it be moft exadly 
 pohfted in the Superficies of it; yet will Teem unto 
 the Eye as if there were divers fwellings and rifings in 
 usfevera! Parts. But yet, this neither would not well 
 have fhifcea the Experiment of the Perfpedive. For 
 theie rugged Parts do not only appear upon one fide 
 ot the Moon, but as the Sun does turn about in divers 
 Places, fo do they alfo caft their Shadow. When the 
 Moon 15 m her increafe, then do they caft their Sha- 
 dows to the Eafi, When fiie is in the Decreafe,and the 
 bun on the other fide of her, then likewife may we 
 cilcover tnefe brighter parts cafting their Shadows 
 /r./W Whereas m the full Moon there are none 
 or, all thde to be feen. 
 
 But it may be objeded, that /tis almoft impoffible, 
 and altogether unlikely, that in the Moon there fhould 
 be any Mountains fo high as thofe Obfervations make 
 itiem. For do but fuppofe according to the common 
 Pnnaples^ that the Moon's Diameter unto theEarth's 
 is very near to the Proportion of Two to Seven. Supl 
 pofe wichal that the Earth's Diameter contains about 
 7COO Italian Miles, and the Moon's 2000 (as is com- 
 monly granred.) Now G.?///^^ hath obferved, that 
 ^me parts have been enlighrned, when they were the 
 TwennethParcof the Diameter diftant from the com- 
 mon Term of Illumination. From whence it muft 
 occefianly follow, that there may be fome Mountains 
 ia cheMoon fo h'gh , that chey are able to caft a Sha- 
 dow 
 
HiB. 1 1, 
 
 Jhat the Moon may be a World, 7 
 
 dow a Hundred Miles off. An Opinion that founds 
 like a Prodigy or a Fidion ; wherefore 'tis likely that , 
 either thole Appearances are caufed by fomewhat elfe 
 befides Mountains, or elfe thofe are fallible Obfervati- 
 ons ; from whence may follow fuch improbable, in- 
 conceiveable Confequences. 
 But to this I anfwer ; 
 
 1. You muft confider the height of the Mountains 
 is but very litde, if you compare them to the length 
 of their Shadows. Sir IValter Ra-wleigh obferve that 
 the Mount Atbos y now called i^jf^j, cafts itsSha- j^^' /j^ 
 dow 300 Furlongs, which is above ;7 Miles ; and 
 
 yet that Mount is none of the higheft. Nay SoUkus 
 (whom I fhould rather believe in this kind J affirms Poly.mfi, 
 rhat this Mountain gives his Shadow quite over the '^' ^^' 
 Sea, from Macedon to the Ifle of Lemnos , which is 
 700 Furlongs, or 84 Miles , and yet according to the 
 common reckoning it doth fcarce reach 4 Miles up- 
 wards in its perpendicular height. 
 
 2. I affirm that there are very high Mountains in 
 the Moon. Keplar and GaliUus think that they are 
 higher than any which are upon our Earth. But I 
 am not of their Opinion in this, becaufe I fuppofe 
 they go upon a falfe Ground , whilft they conceive 
 that the higheft Mountain upon the Earth is not above 
 a Mile perpendicular. 
 
 Whereas 'tis the Common Opinion, and found true 
 enough by obfervation , that Oljwpus, Atlasy Taurus 
 and EmuSf With many others , are much above this 
 height. Tevanjfa in the Canary Iflands, is commonly 
 related to be above 8 Miles perpendicular, and about 
 this height (fay fome) is the Mount Pcrjacaca in A' 
 werica. ^ Sir Walter Rawkigb feems to think that the ^ uijij.i 
 higheft of thefe is near 50 Miles upright : Nay Anfio- c. i-feB. 
 tie fpeaking of Caucafus inAfia, affirms it to be vifible n-Meteor. 
 for 5-60 Miles, as fome Interpreters find by computa- '• ^- '"■ ^^' 
 tion J from which it will follow, that it was 78 Miles 
 perpendicularly high j as you may Lq confirmed by 
 
 '^aai'iii 
 
^4 
 
 Com par a-' 
 tio Arijl. 
 cum. Plato-' 
 ne,fecl: 3. 
 f. 5. 
 
 ExpoJ}. in 
 he. Math, 
 ytrls loc. 
 148. 
 
 Ihat the Moon may be a World. 
 
 Jacohifi MazonJus , and out of him in Blancams the 
 Jeluif. But this deviates from the Truth more in 
 excefs than the other doth in defed. However, 
 though thefe in the Moon are not fo high as 
 fome amongft us; yet certain it is they are of a 
 great height, and fome of them at the leaft four 
 Miles perpendicular. This I fiiall prove from the 
 obfervation of GaWaus , whofe Glafs can (hew to 
 the Senfes, a Proof beyond exception ; and cer- 
 tainly that Man muft needs be of a mofi timo- 
 rous Faithj who dares not believe his own Eye. 
 
 By that Perfpedive >ou may plainly difcern fome 
 enlightned Parts ('which are the Mountains) to be 
 diftant from the other about the twentieth part of the 
 Diameter. From whence it will follow, that thofe 
 Mountains muft nsceffarily be at the leaft four Icalian 
 Miles in height. 
 
 For let B D E F be the Body of the Moon, A BC 
 will be a Ray or Beam of the Sun, which enlightens 
 a Mountamat A, and B is the Point of Contingen- 
 cy ; the diftance betwixt A and B muft be fuppofed 
 to be the twentieth part of the Diameter, which is an 
 ICO Miles„ for fo far are fome enlightened Parts fe- 
 
 vered frgnj the 
 
 coniHion Term of Illumination. 
 
 Now 
 
That the Moon may he a World. 7 j 
 
 Now the Aggregate of the Quadrate from A B a hun- 
 dred, and BG 1000 will be loioooo j unto which 
 the Quadrate arifing from A G muft be equal ; ac- 
 cording to the 47thPropofition in theFirft Book of E- 
 lements. Therefore the whole Line A G is fome- 
 what more than 104', and the diflance betwixt H A 
 muft be above 4 Miles, which was the Thing to be 
 proved. 
 
 But it may be again objecS-ed, If there be fuch rug- 
 ged Parts , and fo high Mountain?, why then cannot 
 we difcern them at this diftance? Why doth the Moon 
 appear unto us fo exadly round, and not rather as a 
 Wheel with Teeth? 
 
 I anfwer, by reafon of too great a diftance ; for 
 if the whole Body appear to our Eye fo little, then 
 thofe Parts which bear fo fmall a proportion to the 
 whole, will not at all be fenfible. 
 
 But it may be reply 'd, if there were any fuch re- 
 markable Hills, why does not the Limb of the Moon 
 appear like a Wheel with Teeth, to thofe who look 
 upon it through the great Perfpedive, on whofe Wit- 
 nefs you fo much depend ? Or what Reafon is there 
 that {he appears as exa(3:ly round through it, as ftie 
 doth to the bare Eye ? Certainly then either there is 
 no fuch thing as you imagine, or elfe the Glafs fails 
 much in this Difcovery. 
 
 To this I fhall anfwer out of Galila^s. 
 
 I. You muft know, that there is not meerlv on-3 
 Rank of Mountains above the edge of the Moon^, 
 but divers Orders , one Mountain behind another , 
 and fo there is fomewhat to hinder thofe void fpaces 
 which otherwife, perhaps, might appear. 
 
 Now, where there be many Hills , the Ground 
 feems even to a Man that can fee the tops of all. Thus 
 when the Sea rages, and many vaft Waves are lifted 
 up. yet all may appear plain enough to one that f^ands 
 at the Shore. So where there are fo many Hills, the 
 
 G inequality 
 
y(} 7hat the Moon may he a World. 
 
 inequality will be lefs remarkable, if it be difcerned 
 at a diftance. 
 
 2. Though there be Mountains in that Part which 
 appears unto us to be the Limb of the Moon, as 
 well as in any other Place, yet the bright Vapours 
 hide their appearance; For there is an Orb of thick 
 vaporous Air that doth immediately compali the 
 Body of the Moon ; which though it have not fo 
 great opacity, as to terminate the Sight , yet being 
 once enlightned by the Sun , it doth reprefent 
 the Body of the Moon under a greater Form , 
 and hinders our Sight from a diftind View of 
 her true Cireumference. But of this in the next 
 Chapter. 
 Sown. Mr. %' Keplar hath obferved , That in the Solary 
 vot.ioj. Eclipfes, when the Rays may pafs through this Va- 
 porous Air , there are fome Gibbofities to be difcern- 
 ed in the Limb of the Moon. 
 
 I have now fufficiently proved , that there are 
 Hills in the Moon ; and hence it may feem like- 
 ly that fthere is alfo a World : For fince Provi- 
 dence hath Ibme fpecial End in all its Works , cer- 
 tainly then thefe Mountains were not produced in 
 vain ; and what more probable Meaning can we con- 
 ceive there ftiould be, than to make that Place con- 
 venient for habitation. 
 
 P R O P. X. 
 
 That there is an Atmo-fph(Bray or an Orh of Grofs , 
 Faporom Air immediately encompajfmg the Body 
 of the Moon. 
 
 AS that Part of cur Air which is neareft to the 
 Earth is of a thicker Subftance than the other, 
 by reafon'tis always mixed with fome Vapours which 
 
 arc 
 
That the Moon may be a World. 77 
 
 are continually exhaled into it : So is it equally re- 
 quifite, that if there be a World in the Moon, that 
 the Air about that (hould be alike qualify 'd with ours. 
 Now that there is fuch an Orb of Grofs Air, was firft 
 of all ffor ought lean read) obferved by Meflin, af VideEu- 
 terwards affented unto by Ke^lar and Galilaus^ and feb.NUrem. 
 fince by Baftifta CittacHs, Scheiner, with others, all of ^^.J^^^' 
 them confirming it by the fame Arguments- which I f'j,/* *' 
 fhall only cite, and then leave this Propofition. 
 
 I. 'Tis not improbable that there (hould be a Sphere 
 of Groffer Air about the Moon ; becaufe 'tis obferv'd 
 that there are fuch kind of Evaporations which pro- 
 ceed from the Sun it felf. For there are difcovered di- 
 vers moveable Spots,Uike Clouds, that do encompafs 
 his Body ; which thofe Authors who have been nioft 
 frequently verfed in thefe kind of Experiments and 
 Studies, do conclude to be nothing elfe but Evapora- 
 tions from it. The probability and truth of which 
 Obfervations may alfo be inferred from fome other 
 Appearances. As, 
 
 I. It hath been obferved that the Sun hath fome- 
 times for the fpace of four Days together, appear'd as So A. D. 
 di^ll and ruddy almoft as the Moon in her Eclipfes; ^547- 
 inibmuch that the Stars have been feen at Mid-day. ^^^'1^% 
 Nay, he hath been conftantly darkned for almoU a ^° * * 
 whole Year , and never fhined but with a kind of 
 heavy and duskifh Light, fo that there was fcarce 
 Heat enough to ripen the Fruits. As it was about 
 the Time when dejar was killed. Which was record- 
 ed by fome of the Poets. Thus Ftrgil, fpeaking of the 
 Sun. 
 
 Be etiam extinBo miferatus Cafare Romanff , f^'rgi!, 
 
 Cum caput objcura nitidum ferrugine texit, Getrg, I. f , 
 
 1mpia<^l aternam timuerunt facnla NoShm. 
 
 He fitying Rome -when as Great Casfar d)J, 
 His Head withm a Mourmvg Vail did bide. 
 
 G 2 Md 
 
78 71? jt the Moon may he a World, 
 
 y>r>dthf4s the Wicled Gu'tlty World dtd frioh 
 T^rtih dtuhtful Fears of an Ettrnal J><iokr 
 
 •^.A 
 
 OvU like wife fpeaking of his Death, 
 
 \tetam.lih. ~'rn'^'' '"''''''"' ^"'^^"^ ''"''^' 
 
 J J, Lutda [ill. cuts pnebzbat lumma tciris. 
 
 — The Sunt fad Image then 
 
 Did yield a Lwrmg Light to fearful Men, 
 
 Now thefe Appearances could not arife from any 
 lower Vapour : For then, i. They would not have 
 been fo univerfai as thty were, being feen through 
 all rtiYvpe: Or eife, 2. That Vapour muft have co- 
 vered the Srars a?, vvell as the Sun, which yet notwith- 
 flanding were then plainly difcerned in the Day time. 
 You may fee this Argument ijludrated in another the 
 like Cafi , Chap. 12. Hence then it will follow, that 
 this fuliginous Matter, which did thus obfcure the 
 Sun, mult needs be very near his Body; and if fo, 
 then what can we more probably guefs it to be than 
 Evaporations from it ? 
 
 2. 'lis obfcived , that in the Sun's total Eclipfes, 
 when theie is do pare of his Body difcernible, yet 
 there doe? rot always follow fo great a Darknefs as 
 might be expecl.d from his total abfence. Now 'tis 
 probable that the Reafon i?, becaufe thefe thicker 
 Vapouis being enlightened by his Beams, do convey 
 fome Light unto us, nocwichfianding the interpo- 
 fition of the Moon betwixt his Body and our 
 Eanh. 
 
 ;. This like wife is by feme guefs'd to be the 
 reafon of tiiC aepujculum, or that Light which we 
 have before the Sun's rifing. 
 
 Now if there be fuch Evaporations from the Sun, 
 much more then from the Moon^ which does confift 
 of a nore grofs and impure fubflance. The other 
 
That the M-jon may he a JVjiIJ, y(^ 
 
 [Arguments are taken from ieveral Obfcrvatlons in the 
 |Moon her felf, and do more diredly tend co the proof 
 of this Propofitior. 
 
 2. *Tis cblerved, thst fo much cT the Mo^n as ii 
 enlightened, is alwavs p^it of a bi^'ger Circle than 
 that which is dasker. The frequent Experience of 
 others hath provei tJiis, and asi eafy Oofirvation may 
 quickly confirm it. Bur no-v th's cannot proceed 
 from any other Caafe fj> probable as frOiU this Oib ok* 
 Air \ tf^e^ially whence co^ifiJer how that l-ia net flii- 
 ning wi.h a borro-ved L'giu-. do:h net fend fordi any 
 fuch Rays as may make her Appearan;;e bigger than 
 her Body. 
 
 ;. When the Moon being half enlightened, be- 
 gins to cover any Scar, if the Star be towards the ob- 
 fcurer Part, then may ic by th^ pe.f^ecc v^ be difceai- 
 ed to be nearer u;uo th.:i Center of the Mooa tiiaa 
 the outyvard Circumference of the eniighcr.ed pare. 
 But the Moon being in the Fuii, tntfi does ic fetm to 
 receive thefe Srars without its Limb. 
 
 4. Though the Moo.-i do fomctime appear ihe firfl ' 
 Day of her Change, when \o niuch as appears enliglu- 
 ntd cannot be above the Sodipart of her di.iri:erci,)€C 
 then will the Horns fe^.-m at leaf! to be of a finiicrs 
 bre^addi in extenuon ; which could noc be, uniefs the 
 Air about ic vere il!aniinattd. 
 
 5". 'Tis cbfe V:;d in the SoUry Eclipfcs, tl.at there is 
 fometimes a- great trcpiddcion about the Body o? ihe 
 Moon, from which we may likewife .uguean Atmo- 
 fphsra^fmce we cannct well con^ei/e whac fo prob^bie 
 a Caufe there Ihou'd be of fuch an appearance as this, Schemer. 
 Qj'od rad'r. SoLns <l v.iporibzts Lunam ,imhi3ntibits fiurmr ^°J-^'''J-^ 
 /Tj/e-c/y'T, that the Sun-beam-^ were broken and refracled ^ '^i^zjl 
 by the Vapours chat encompalT^^d ilie Moo<). 
 
 6. I may add the like Argument taken from ano- 
 ther O^feivarion which ^iil lie eaiily try 'J and grant- 
 ed. When the Sun is ccli ;^fed, v.e difccrn th^ Mooa 
 as ihe is iq her own natural bignels j but then Hic ap-' . 
 
 G 3 pw'ars 
 
8o That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 pears fomewhat lefs than when (he is in the Full, tho* i 
 ihe be in the fame place of her fuppofed Excentrick 
 and Epicycle ; and therefore Tycho hath calculated a 
 Table for the Diameter of the divers New Moons. 
 But now there is no reafon fo probable to folve this 
 Appearance, as to place an Orb of thicker Air near 
 the Body of that Planet, which may be cnlightned 
 by the refle<aed Beams, and through which the dired 
 Rays may eafily penetrate. 
 
 But fome may object , That this will not confift 
 with that which was before delivered, where I faid, 
 that the ihinneft parts had leaft Light. 
 
 If this were true, how comes it to pafs then that 
 this Air (hould be as light as any of the other Parts , 
 when as 'tis the thinneft of all? 
 
 I anfwer, If the Light be received by Reflexion 
 only, then the thickeit Body hach molt, becaufe it is 
 belt able to beat back the Rays ; but if the Light be 
 received by Illumination (efpecially if there be an O- 
 pacous Body behind, which may double the Beams 
 by refiexion) as it is here, then 1 deny not but a thin 
 Body may retain much Light ; and perhaps fome of 
 ihofe Appearances which we take for Fiery Comets, 
 are nothing elfe but a Bright Cloud enlightned ; fo 
 that probable it is there may be fuch Air without the 
 Moon : And hence it comes to pafs, that the greater 
 Spots are only vifible towards her middle Parts, and 
 none near the Circumference ; not but that there are 
 fome as well in thofe Parts as elfewhere, but they are 
 not there perceivable, by reafon of thofe brighter Va- 
 pours which hide th':^m. 
 
 9 
 
 PROP. 
 
That^the Moon may he a World. 8 l 
 
 P R O P. XI. 
 
 That as their World is our Moon , fo our World is 
 their Moon, 
 
 I 
 
 Have alreadly handled the firft thing that I pro- 
 - mifed, according to the Method which Anflotk 
 ufes in his Book De Mmdo ; and fhew'd you the necef- 
 fary Parts that belong to this World in the Moon. In 
 the next Place 'tis requifite that I proceed to thofe 
 things which are extrinfical unto it, as the Sealons, the 
 Meteors, and the Inhabitants. 
 
 I. Of the Seafons ; . 
 
 And if there be fuchaWorld in theMoon, lis requifite 
 then that their Seafons (Kould be fome way correfpon- 
 dent unto ours, that they fliould have Winter and 
 Summer, Night and Day, as we have. 
 
 Now that in this Planet there is fome Similitude ot 
 Winter and Summer, is affirmed by Arfotle himfdf j J^-^^^ 
 fince there is one Hemifphere that hath always Heat 
 and Light, and the other that hathDarknefs and Cold. 
 True indeed, their Days and Years are always of one 
 and the fame Length 5 (unlefs we make one of their Golden 
 Years to be 19 of ours, in which Space all the Stars ^^^^'^f- 
 do arife after the fame Order.) But 'tis fo with us al- 
 founder the Poles, and therefore that great ditkrence 
 is not fufficient to make it alcogether unlike ours ; nor 
 can weexped that every thing theve fliould be in the 
 fame Manner as it is here below, as if Nature had no 
 way but one to bring about her purpofes. We have 
 no Reafon then to think it neceffary that both thefe 
 Worlds fliould be altogether alike ; but it may fuffice 
 if they be correfpondent in fomething only. Howe- 
 ver, it may be queftioned whether it doth not feem to 
 be againft the Wifdom of Providence, to make the 
 Night of fo great a Length, when they have fuch a 
 
 G4 long^ 
 
82 That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 long time unfit for Work? I anfwer, no ; fince 'tis fo, 
 and more with us alfo under the Poles ; and befides, 
 the general Length of their Night is fomewhat abated 
 in the Bignefs of their Moon, which is our Earth. For 
 this returns as great a Light unto that Planer, as it re- 
 ceives from it. But for the better Proof of this , I 
 (hall firft free the Way from fuch Opinions as might 
 otherwife hinder the Speed of a clearer Progrefs. 
 
 Plutarch one of the chief Patrons of this World in 
 theiVloon, doth diredly contradict this Propofition ; 
 affirming, that thofe who live there, may difcern our 
 World, as the Dregs and Sediment of all other Crea- 
 tures ; appearing to them through Clouds and foggy 
 Mifts, and that altogether devoid of Light, being bale 
 and unmoveable; fo that they might well imaginethe 
 dark Place of Dimnarion to be here fituare, ani that 
 I hey only v/ere the Inhabiters of the Woild, as being 
 in the midft becwixc Heaven and Hell. 
 
 To this I may anfA/er, 'tis probable that Plutarch 
 fpake this inconfjierately, and without a Reafon ; 
 v.'hich mikes him likewife fall into another Abfurdity, 
 when he fays our Eirrh would appear immoveable ; 
 whereas quefiionlefs, though it did nor, yet would it 
 feem to move, and theirs to (land ftill, as the Land 
 doth CO a Man in a Ship ; according to that of the Po- 
 et : 
 
 Trovehlmur fortVy terraque^ urhrfque recedunt. 
 And I doubt rot but that Ingenious Author would 
 cafily haverecantei,ifhe had been but acquainted with 
 thofe Experiences whichMen of later Times have found 
 our^ for the Confirmation of this Truth. 
 
 2. Unto him alTents Macrohimy whofe Words are 
 thefe J Terra acce^to {0I14 lumine clarefcit tantummodo, von 
 relucet, ^' The Earth is by the Sun-beams made bright, 
 ^' but not able to enlighten any thing fo far. " And 
 his Reafon is, becaufe this being of a thick and grofs 
 Matter, the Light is terminated in its Superficies, and 
 cannor penetrate into the Subftance ; whereas the 
 
 Moon 
 
Tl^at the Moon may be a World. 2 3 
 
 Moon doth therefore feem fo bright to us, becaufe it 
 receives the Beams within it felf. But the Weakneisot 
 this AOercion, may be eafilv manifert by a common 
 Experience ; for polilhed Steel ( whofe Opacity will 
 not give any Admittance to the Rays j rciieets a liron- 
 ger Heat than Glafs, and To confiqaendy a greater 
 
 2. 'Tis the general Confent of Philofophers , th.ic 
 the Refleaion of the Sun-beams froni the Earth dotfi 
 not reach much above half a Mile high, where they 
 terminate the ftrft Region ; fo that to atHrm.they might 
 afcend to the Moon, were to fay, there were but one 
 Region of Air, which contradids the proved and re- 
 ceived Opinion. 
 
 Unto this it may be anfwered : 
 
 That it is indeed the common Confent, that the 
 Reflexion of the Sun-beams reach only to the fecond 
 Region; but yet fome there are, and thofe too, Phi- 
 lofophers of good Note , who thought otherwife. ^^^ ^ ^^ 
 Thus Flotinusxs cited by C^.W, Si cohcifias te m fublime ^"^- ^'^^ 
 auoptam wuv^t loro, unde ocults Juhjictartir ttrra moles at:^uii 
 circumfufa, & (o!:s (yderunsqHe radiis i'luff^rata^ ron fiUam 
 pro^eBo vifatn tri prohnbile efl , ejuam eju^lis rmrU wfatur 
 lunarisglobKpictei. " If you conceive your felf to be 
 " in fome fuch high Place, where you might difcern 
 *' the whole Globe of the Earth and V/ater , when ic 
 *' was enlightned by the Suns Rays, 'cis probable ic 
 ** would then appear to you in the fame (hipe as the 
 ** Moon doth nov unro us." So Faului fOj^carinur. imp nl 
 Ttrra nihil aliu.i efi qu^rn altera Lum, 'vdSrcHa, tahjcjuc Sebadpn . 
 r.ohts appareref, Ji ex convenientt elongatiom eminm ccnjptci tonum. 
 retur, in ivfai^ui obftrvan potent eadem afpeBuutn yarieta- 
 tet, c^u^ in Luni apparent. " The Earth is nothing elfe 
 " but anorher Moon or Star, and would appear fo un- 
 " to us if it were beheld at a convenient dirtance with 
 " the fame Changes and Varieties as there are in the 
 *' Moon. " Thus alfo Carolus Mabptrttus, whofe Words 
 are thefe : Terra bac nofira, ft in tuna confiituti ejjcmui, 
 
 Jplen- 
 
8 4 That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 Prafat. ad fplendida prorfus c[ua(t non ignobilii pUnetaj nobis appareret, 
 ^tipiaca «< If vve were placed in .the Moon, and from thence 
 ^^ ' " beheld this our Earth, it would appear unto us very 
 
 " bright, like one of the nobler Planets. " Unto 
 Meteor 1 1. th.t^Q doth FroKicnhu afCent, when he fays, Credo ecfui' 
 r. 2. art. 2. dan quod ft oculus quifpiam in or hi lunari foret, globum ter- 
 ra & aqua inftar ingentis fyderis a fole illu(irem confpiceret. 
 *' I believe that this Globe of Earth and Water would 
 " appear like fome great Star to any one , who fliould 
 " look upon it from the Moon. " Now this could 
 not be, nor could it ihine fo remarkably, unlefs the 
 Beams of Light were refleded from it. And therefore 
 ihe fame Fromondus exprefly holds, that the firtt Region 
 of Air is there terminated, where the Heat caufed by 
 Reflexion begins to languifli, whereas the Beams them- 
 felves do pafs a great way further. The chief Argu- 
 ment which doth moft plainly manifeft this Truth, is 
 taken from a common Obfervation which may be ea- 
 filv tried. 
 
 If you behold the Moon a little before or after the 
 Conjun(5lion,when Ihe is in a SextUe with the Sun, you 
 may difcern not only the part which is enlightned,buc 
 the reft alfo to have in it a kind of a duskilh Light ; 
 bat if you chufe out fuch a Situation , where fome 
 Houfe or Chimney ( being fome Seventy or Eighty 
 Paces diftant from you) may hide from your Eye the 
 enlightned Horns, you may then difcern a greater 
 and more remarkable (hining in thofc parts unto which 
 the Sun-beams cannot reach j nay, there is fo great 
 a Light, that by the Help of a good Perfpedive you 
 may difcern its Spots. In fo much that Blancanui the 
 Demundi j^|-^j^ fpeaking of it, fays, Hac experuntia it a me alt- 
 c %' ^' qtt::vdofeftllit, ut m huncfulgorem caff* ac repente incidetis, 
 ext(^imarim novo quodam rniraculo tempore adolefcentis luna 
 faBum eJJ'e pleniJmiut»." This Experiment did once fo de- 
 *• ceive me, that happening upon the Sight of this 
 *' Brightnefs upon a fudden , I thought that by fome- 
 " New Miracle the Moon had been got into her Full 
 »*a little afcer her Change But 
 
That the Moon may be a Worlds 8 5 
 
 But now this Light is not proper to the Moon; it 
 doth not proceed from the Rays of the Sun which doth 
 penetrate her Body, nor is it caufed by any other of 
 the Planets and Stars. Therefore it muft neceiTarily 
 follow, that it comes from the Earth. The two firft 
 of thefe I have already proved, and as for the laft, ic 
 is confidently affirmed by Cahus, Quod ft in Jifquifuio- 
 uem evocet ^atSy an lunanjydert Incem fo^nermt plaveta i- 
 ttm aliiy aJJ'tverantur a[lrmiiclum non fanerare. " If any 
 " (hould ask whether the other Pbnets lend any Light -^«f- l- 
 " to the Moon ? I anfwer, they do not. '* True in- ^- ^°- '• ^' 
 ded, the Noble Tycbo difcuffing the Reafon of this 
 Light, attributes it to the Planet Venus ; and I grant 
 that this may convey fome Light to the p^.^^,,^ 
 Moon ; but that it is not the Caufe of this whereof "^^ 
 we now difcourfe, is of it felf fufficientiy plain ; be- 
 caule Venus is (bmetimes over the Moon, Vv/hen as (he 
 cannot convey any Light to that part which is turned 
 from her. 
 
 It doth not proceed from the fixed Stars ; for then 
 it would retain the fame Light in Eciipfes, whereas 
 the Light at fuch times is more ruddy and dull. Then 
 alfo the Light of the Moon would not be greater or 
 lelTer, according to its diiiance from the Edge of the 
 Earth's Shadow, fince it did at all times equally parti- 
 cipate this Light of the Stars. 
 
 In brief, this is neither proper to the Moon , nor 
 does it proceed from any Penetration of the Sun's 
 Rays, or the (hining of Vemts, or the other Planets, or 
 the fixed Srars. Now becaufe there' is no other Body 
 in the whole Univerfe, fave the Earth ; it remains 
 that this Light muft neceffarily be caufed by that, which 
 with a ju(l Gratitude repays to the Moon fuch Illumi- 
 nation as it receives from her. 
 
 And as loving Friends equally participate of the 
 fame Joy and Grief, fo do thefe mutually partake of 
 the fame Light from the Sun, and the fame Darknefs 
 
 from 
 
8^ That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 from the Eclipfes, being alfo feverally helped by one 
 another in their greateft Wants : For when the Moon 
 is in Conjundion with the Sun, and her upper part 
 receives all the Light, then her lower Hemifphere 
 (which would otherwife be altogether dark) is enlighten- 
 ed by the Reflexion of the Sun* beams from the Earth. 
 When thefe two Planets are in OppofKion , then that 
 part of the Earth which could not receive any Light 
 from the Sun-beams, is moft enlightened by the Moon, 
 being then in her Full ; anJ as Ihe doth moft il'uni- 
 nate the Earth when the San-beams cannot^ fo the 
 grateful Earth returns to her as great ( nay greater j 
 Light when (he moft wants it ; fo that always that via- 
 ble part of the Moon which receives nothing from the 
 Sun, is enlightened by the Earth, as is proved by G«- 
 liU-ti-, with many more Arguments, in that Treatife 
 which he calls Sy^erna MmM. True indved, when 
 the Moon comes to a ^^m/^, then you can neither 
 difcern this Light ; nor yet the darker part of her Bo- 
 dy J and that for a double Reafon ; 
 
 1. Becaufe the nearer it comes to the Full, the lefs 
 Light does ic receive from the Earth, whofe Illumina- 
 tion does always decreafe in the fame Proportion as 
 the Moon does increafe. 
 
 2. Becaufe of the Exuberancy of the Light in the 
 Scal.exerc Other p.irts. Ojjippe jUuflratiim r/iedium l^eciemrec'ipit nji- 
 62. lentiortWy the clearer Brightntfs involves the weaker- it 
 
 being with the Species of Sighr, as it is with thofe of 
 Sound ; and as the gr^.iter Noife drowns the lefs^ fo 
 the brighter Objed: hides that which is more obicure. 
 But as they do always in their mutual Vicidicudes par- 
 ticipate of one anothers Light ; fo alfo do they partake 
 of the fame Dsfedis and i3arknings ; for when our 
 Moon is eclipfed, then is their Sun darkncd ; and 
 when our Sun is eclipfed, then is their Moon deprived 
 of its Light, as you may fee affirmed by M'JUn. Quod 
 Epit. Ajir. ^ tcrrjtn nobis sx alto lice^et intueri. qaeinadmodum iltfici- 
 en'em Ihna/n ex lo.'^p^fi^ue Jpectare ^ojjumt^ij vidcrtmiu tem" 
 
 fore 
 
That the Moon may he a World. 87 
 
 fore ecJip/is folis terra aliquam partem lumine fo^ 
 lis deficere , eodem flane wodo ficut ex oppofito 
 luna deficit. '* If we might behold this Globe of Earth 
 " at the fame diftance as we do the Moon in her De- 
 " h&., we might difcern fome part of it darkned in 
 " the Sun's Eclipfes, juft fo as the Moon is in hers. '* 
 For as our Moon is eclipfed by the Interpofition of our 
 Earth, fo is their Moon eclipfed by the Interpofition 
 of theirs. The manner of this mutual Illumination 
 betwixt thefe two you may plainly difcern in this Fi- 
 gure following. 
 
 Where 
 
u 
 
 That the Moon inay he a World, 
 
 Where ^reprefents the Sun, B the Earth , and C 
 the Moon : Now fuppofe the Moon C to be in a Sex- 
 tile of Increafe, when there is only one fmall part of 
 her Body enlightened, then the Earth B will have fuch 
 
 a part 
 
^hat the Moon may be a World. 89 
 
 a part of its vifible Hemifphere darkned, as is propor- 
 tionable to that part of the Moon which is enlightned^ 
 and as for fo much of the Moon, as the Sun-beams 
 cannot reach unto, it receives Light from a proportio- 
 nal part of the Earth which ihines upon it, as you may 
 plainly perceive by the Figure. 
 
 You fee then that Agreement and Similitude which 
 there is betwixt our Earth and the Moon. Now the 
 greateft difference which makes them unlike, is this, 
 that the Moon enlightens our Earth round about, 
 whereas our Earth gives Light only to that Hemifphere 
 of the Moon which is vifible unto us ; as may be cer- 
 tainly gathered from the conftant Appearance of the 
 fame Spots, which could not thus come to pafs, if the 
 Moon had fuch a diurnal Motion about its own Axis 
 as perhaps our Earth hath. And though (bme fuppofe 
 her to move in an Epicycle, yet this doth not fo turn 
 her Body round,that we may difcern both Hemifpheres ; 
 for according to that Hypothcfis (fay they) the Moti- 
 on of her Eccentrick doth turn her Face towards us, 
 as much as the other doth from us. 
 
 But now, if any queftion what they do for a 
 Moon, who live in the upper part of her Body ^ I 
 anfwer. The folving of this, is the moft uncertain 
 and difficult thing that I know of, concerning this 
 whole Matter. But yet unto me this feems a proba- 
 ble Conjedure. 
 
 That the upper Hemifphere of the Moon doth re- 
 ceive a fufficient Light from thofe Planets about it ; 
 and amongft thefe, Vems (it may bs) beftows a more 
 efpecial brightnefs, fince GaliUus hath plainly difcern - 
 ed that (he fuffers the fame Increafes and Decreafes, as 
 the Moon hath ; and 'tis probable that this may be 
 perceived there, without the help of a Glafs, becaufe 
 they are far nearer it than we. When yems ( faith 
 Keplar ) lies down in the Perige or lower part of 
 her fuppofed Epicycle, then is fhe in Conjun(aion 
 with her Husband the Sun ; from whom, after fiie 
 
 hath 
 
jjo That the Mo 071 may be a World, 
 
 hath depjrtcd for the fpaca of ten Months, fhe gets 
 fUvum uttrum^ and is in the Full. 
 
 But \ouH reply, Though i,'',t!m may beftow fome 
 Light when (he i« over the Moon, and in Conjuncti- 
 on, yet being in Oppr-Hrion, flie is not vifible to them, 
 and what fh^U they ti en do for Light ? 
 
 I aniwcT ,* Then thev have none ; nor doth this 
 make fo great a difference betwixt ihofe two Hemi- 
 fpheres, as there is with us bt;twixt the Places under 
 the Poles and the Line. And hefides, 'tis confidera- 
 ble that there are two kind of Planets. 
 
 1. Primary j fuch whofe proper Circle do encom- 
 pafs the Body of the Sun, whereof there are fix j Sa- 
 tttrn^ Jupt'.er, Ma^Sy Ceres, or ths Earth , Vemts, Mercury, 
 Ai. in the Frontifpiece. 
 
 2. Secondary ; fuch whofe proper Circles are not 
 about the Sun, but fome of the other primary Pla- 
 nets. Thus are there two about Saturn, four about 
 Jupiter^ and thus Jikewife does the Moon encompafs 
 our Earth. Now 'tis prob.ible that thefe lelTer fe- 
 condary Planets, are not fo accommodated with all 
 Cooveniencies of Habitation, as the others that are 
 more p;iacipal. 
 
 Bat it may feem a very difficult thing to conceive, 
 hbw To grofs and dark a Body as our Earth, Ihould 
 yield fuch a clear. Light as proceeds from the Moon ; • 
 Dt-if^.ig. ^nd therefore the Cardinal dt Cufa ( who thinks every : 
 /. 2. f.iz. Star to be a feveral World ) is of Opinion, that the i 
 Light of the Sun is no!: able to make them appear fo : 
 bright ; bat the reafon of their Ihining is, becaufe we 
 bviiold them at a great diftance through their Regions 
 of Fire, which do fee a Ihining Luftre upon thofe 
 Bodies that of themfelves are daik. Unde fi quis ejfet 
 ex'.ru Ytgtonem ignis^ terra i^a in circumferentia (u^e regtO' 
 fiu p'.r medium tgnts luctda ffePa appartret, *^ So that if 
 a Man were teyond the Region of Fire, this Earth 
 *•' would appear through that as a bright Star. '' But 
 if this were !he only Reafon, then would the Moon 
 
 be 
 
That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 be freed from fuch Increafes and Decreafes, as flie is 
 now liable unto. 
 
 Ke^laY thinks that our Earth receives that Light 
 whereby it (hines, from the Sun ; hut this (faith he) 
 is not fuch an intended clear Brightnefs as the Moon 
 is capable of, and therefore he guelTes that the Earth 
 there is of a more choaky Soil, like the Iflc of Crete, 
 and fo is better able to refle<a a ftronger Light ; where- 
 as our Earth muft fupply this Intention with the 
 quantity of its Body. But this I conceive to be a 
 needlefs Conjec3:ure, fince our Earth ( if ail things 
 were well confider'd) will be found able enough to re- 
 fiedl as great a Light. For, 
 
 1. Confider its Opacity ; if you mark thefe Sublu- 
 nary things, you fhall perceive that amongft them, 
 thofe that are moft perfpicuous, are not fo well able 
 to reverberate the Sun- Beams, as the thicker Bodies. 
 The Rays pafs fingly through a Diaphanous Matter^ 
 but in an Opacous Subftance they are doubled in their 
 return, and multiplied by Reflexion. Now if the 
 Moon and the other Planets can fhine fo clearly by 
 beating back the Sun-Beams, why may not the Eirth 
 alfo mine as well, which agrees with them in the 
 caufe of this Brightnefs, their Opacity t 
 
 2. Confider what a clear Light we may difcern re* 
 fleded from the Earth in the midft of Summer ; and 
 withal, conceive how much greater that muft: be 
 which is under the Line, where the Rays are mora 
 dire6Hy and ftrongly reverberated. 
 
 3. 'Tis confiderable, that though the Moon does i;i 
 the Night-time feem to be of fo clear a Brightne(s, 
 yet when we look upon it in the Day, it appears like 
 fome little whitiOi Cloud : Not but that at bothtime5, 
 (he is of an equal Light in her felf The reafon of 
 this Difference is, becaufe in the Night vv^e look upon 
 it through a dark and obfcure Medium^ there being no 
 other enlighccn'd Body, whofe Brightnefs may abate 
 from this ; Wh?r?asin the Day-dme, the whole Hea- 
 
 H vcns 
 
ji That the Moon may be a World. 
 
 ] 
 
 vens round about it are of an equal Clearnefs, and fo 
 
 make it to appear with a weaker Light. Now be- 
 
 caufe we cannot fee how the enlightened Parts of our 
 
 Earth do look in the Night, therefore in comparing 
 
 it with the Moon, we muft not confider her, as (he 
 
 is beheld through the advantage of a dark MediuM, 
 
 but as (he feems in the Day time. Now, in any clear 
 
 Sun«fl»ine Day, our Earth does appear as bright as the 
 
 Moon, which at the fame time does feem like fome 
 
 duikiih Cloud ( as any little Obf^rvation may eafily 
 
 manifef}. ) Therefore we need not doubt but that the 
 
 Earth is as well able to give Light, as the Moon. To 
 
 this it may be added, that thofe very Clouds, which 
 
 in the Day-time feem to be of an equal Light to the 
 
 Moon, do in the Evening become as dark as our 
 
 Earth ; and as for thofe of them which are looked 
 
 upon at any great diftance, they are often miftaken 
 
 for the Mountains. 
 
 4. 'Tis confiderable, that though the Moon feem to 
 be of fo great a Erightnefs in the Night, by reafon of 
 its nearnefs unto thofe feveral Shadows which it cafts, 
 yet is it of it felf weaker than that part of Twilight, 
 which ufually we have for half an Hour after Sun-fet, 
 becaufe we cannot till after that time difcern any 
 Shadow to be made by it. 
 
 ). ConHder the great diftance at which we behold 
 the Planets, for this mu(x needs add much to their 
 Shining ; and therefore Cufanus ( in the above-cited 
 Place) thinks that if a Man were in the Sun, that 
 Planet would not appear fo bright to him, as now it | 
 doth to us^ becaufe then his Eye could difcern but ; 
 little J whereas here, we may comprehend the Beams j 
 as they are contraded in a narrow Body. Keplar be- 
 holding the Earth from a high Mountain, when it i 
 was enlightened by the Sun, confelTes that it appeared | 
 unto hira of an incredible Brightnefs, whereas then ^ 
 he could only fee fbms fmall parts of it ; but how ) 
 much brighter would it have appeared, if he might ! 
 
 in t 
 
That the Moon may, be a World, p 5 
 
 in a diredl Line behold the whole Globe of Earch and 
 thefe Rays gathered together ? So that if we confider 
 that great Light which the Earth receives from the 
 Sun in the Summer, and then fuppofe we were in the 
 Moon, where we might fee the whole Earth hanging 
 in thofe vaft Spaces, where there is nothing to termi- 
 nate the Sight, but thofe Beams which are there con- 
 tracted into a little compafs ; I fay, if we do well 
 confider this, we may eafily conceive that our Earth 
 appears as bright to thofe other Inhabitants in the 
 Moon, as theirs doth to us. 
 
 But here it may he objedied, that with us for many 
 Days in the Year, the Heavens are fo over-clouded, 
 that we cannot fee the Sun at all ; and for the moH: 
 part, in our brighteft Days, there are many fcattered 
 Clouds which (hade the Earth in fundry Places ; So 
 that in this refped:, it muft needs be unlike the Moon, 
 and will not be able to yield fo clear, unint^rmittsd 
 a Light, as it receives from that Planet. 
 
 To this I Anfwer. 
 
 1. As for thofe lefTer brighter Clouds, which for 
 the moft part are fcattered up and down in the cieir- 
 eft Days, thefe can be no Reafon why our Eirsh 
 fliould be of a darker Appearance, becaufe thefe 
 Clouds being near unto the Earth, and fo no: diltin- 
 guifliableat fo great a diftance from it ; and likevvile 
 being illuminated on their back Parts by the Sun that 
 fhines upon them, muft feem as bright to thofe in the 
 Moon, as if the Beams were immediately, reficded 
 from our Earth, 
 
 2. When thefe Clouds that, are interpofed, are of 
 any large Extenfion, or great Opacity, as it is in ex- 
 traordinary lalHng and great Rains, then there muft 
 be fome difcernible Alteration in the Light of our 
 Earth : But yet this does not make it to differ from 
 the Moon, iince it is fo alfo with that Planet, as i$ 
 &ewed in the latter psrt of the next Chapter. 
 
 H z PROP- 
 
94 '^^^^ ^^^^ yoon may he a World, 
 
 PROP. XII. 
 
 Tkit 'tis prohalle there may he fuch Meteors he- 
 longing to that World in the Moon, as there are 
 ivith us. 
 
 p 
 
 Ltttarch difcufliDg on this Point, affirms rhat it is 
 
 not necefTary there fhould be the fame Means of 
 
 (Jrowth and Fructifying in both thefe Worlds, fince 
 Nature might in her Policy find out more ways than 
 one how to bring about the fame EfTed. But how- 
 ever, he thinks it is probable that the Moon her felf 
 fendeth forth warm Winds ^ and by the fwiftnefs of 
 her Motion, there fhould breathe out a fweet and 
 comfortable Air, pleafant Dews, and gentle Moifture, 
 which might ferve for Refrefning and Nourifhment of 
 the Inhabitants and Plants in that other World. 
 
 But fince they have all things alike with us, as Sea 
 and Land, and vaporous Air encompafling both ; I 
 (hould rather therefore think, that Nature there (hould ' 
 ufe the fame way of producing Meteors as (he doth 
 with us ; and not by a Motion, (as P/«?^rc^ fuppofes ) ; 
 becaufe ftie doth not love to vary from her ufual O- 
 peraticns without fome extraordinary Impediment, i 
 but [lill keeps her beaten Path, unlefs fhe be driven j 
 thence. | 
 
 One Argument whereby I (hall manifeft this Truth, | 
 may be taken from thofe new Stars which have ap- j 
 peared in divers Ages of the World, and by their Pa- i 
 ral.-'x have been difcemed to have been above the j 
 Moon ; fuch as was that in Cafiofeia, that in Sjgittari- i 
 us, with many others betwixt the Planets. Hipparcbui i 
 i/;«. Nat. in his time took cfpecial notice of fuch as thefe, and 
 Hij}. / 2. therefore fancied out fuch Conftellations in which to 
 '^' place the Stars, Hjewing how many there were in eve- 
 ry Aderifm; that fo afterwards, Pofierity might know j 
 
 whether 
 
That the Moon may he a WorhL 9 j 
 
 whether there were any new Star produced, or any 
 old one miffing Now the Nature of thefe Comets 
 may probably Tnanifeft, that in this other World there 
 are other Meteors alfo ; for ihefein all likelihood, are 
 nothing elfe but fuch Evaporations caufed by rhe Sun 
 from the Bodies of the Planets. I (hall prove this by 
 /hewing the improbabilities and Inconveniences of 
 any other Opinion. 
 
 For the better purfuit of this,* 'tis in the firft place 
 requifite, that I deal with oar chief Adverlary, Cafar 
 laGalla, who doth.moft diredly oppofe that Truth 
 which is here to be proved. He endeavouring to con- 
 firm the Incorruptibility of the Heavens, and being 
 there to fatisfie the Argument which is taken from 
 thefe Comets ; He anfwers it thus : Aut argumen'um 
 dsfumptum ex farahixi, non eji efficaxy aut Ji e(i e-fficax, 
 eorum w/lruwentorum ufum decipere, vel rat tone aftri, Vtl 
 medti, vel Mfianti^a, aut ergo erat in fuprema parte aeris, 
 aut Ji in ct^elo, turn for fan faiium erat ex refle^fione radiorum 
 Saturni d^ Jovis, qui tunc m conjunBione fuerant^ " Ei- 
 *' ther the Argument from the Paralax is not efficaci- 
 ** ous, or if it be, yet the ufe of the Inftruments 
 " might deceive, either in regard of the Star, or the 
 ^* Medium, or the Diftance, and fo this Comet might 
 " be in the upper Regions of the Air ; or if it were in 
 *^ the Heavens, there it might be produced by theRe- 
 " flexion of the Rays from Saturn and Jupiter, who 
 " were then in Conjundion. " You fee what Shifts 
 he is driven to, how he runs up and down to many 
 lUrting Holes that he may find fome Shelter ; and in- 
 ftead of the ftrength of Reafon, he anfwers with a 
 Multitude of Words, thinking (as the Proverb is) that 
 he may ufe Hail when he hath no Thunder. Nihil * Epijf.^s- 
 turpim f faith * Seneca) dubio d^ incerto, pedem modo refe- 
 rente, modo producente, '^ What can there be more 
 *' unfeemly in one that fliould be a fair Difputant, 
 ** than to be now here, now there, and fo uncertain, 
 f * that one cannot tell where to find him ? He thinks 
 
 H 3 that 
 
9 6 Tlodt the Moo7i may he a World. 
 
 that there are not Comets in the Heavens, becaufe 
 
 there may be many other Reafons of fuch Appearan- 
 
 Vide Gdli- ces ; but what, he knows not : Perhaps ("hefaysj that 
 
 ^""mdi^coi- A'"8'JJ'"^"t ^roni the Paralax is not fufficient ; or if it 
 
 loq. 3. " ^'^i ^^^^ ihtvQ may be fome Deceit in the Obfervati- 
 
 on. To this I may fafely fay, That he may juftly be 
 
 accounted a weak Mathematician, who miftrufts the 
 
 ftrength of this Argument ; nor can he know much 
 
 in Aftronomy, who underftands not the Paralax, 
 
 which is a Foundation of that Science : And I am 
 
 fure that he is a timsrous Man, who dares not believe 
 
 the frequent Experience of his Senfes, or truft to a 
 
 Demonltration. 
 
 True indeedj I grant 'cis pofiib'e that the Eye, the 
 MeJiur/!^ and the Difiance, may all deceive the Be- 
 holder •, but I would have him (hew which of all 
 thefe was likely to caufe an Error in this Obfervation ? 
 Meerly to fay they might be deceived, is no fufficient 
 Anfwer ; for by this I might confute the Pofitions of 
 all Aftronomers, and affirm the Stars are hard by us, 
 becaufe 'tis poffible they might be deceived in their 
 obferving Diliance. But I forbear any further Re- 
 ply : My Opinion is of that Treatife, That either it 
 was fet forth purpofely to tempt a Confutation, that 
 he might fee the Opinion of GaltUm confirmed by 
 others ; or elfe it was Invented with as much hafte 
 and negligence as it was Printed, there being in it al- 
 moft as many Faults as Lines. 
 
 Others think that thefe are not any new Comets, 
 but fome ancient Stars that were there before, which 
 now (hine with that unufual Brightnefs, by reafon of 
 the Jnterpofition of fuch Vapours, which do multiply 
 their Light 5 and fo the Alterarion will be here only, 
 and not in the Heavens. Thus Arifiotk thought the 
 Appearance of the Milky Way was produced : For 
 he held that there were many little Stars, which by 
 their inHuencedid conftantly attrad fuch a Vapour to- 
 wards tha: place of Heaven, fo that it always ap- 
 peared 
 
That the Moon may he a World, 
 
 peared white. Now by the fame Reafon may a 
 brighter Vapour be the caufe of thefe Appeal ances. 
 
 But how probable foever this Opinion may leem, 
 yet if well confidered, you (hall find it to be altogether 
 abfurd and impoffible : For, , , r a 
 
 I Thefe Stars were never feen there betore; and 
 'tis not likely that a Vapour being hard by us, can lo 
 multiply that Light which could not before be at all 
 
 ' T^This fuppofed Vapour cannot be either contra^ed 
 into a narrow compafs, or dilated into a broad, i. It 
 could not be within a little fpace, for .then that Mar 
 would not appear with the fame multiplied Light to 
 thofe in other Climates. 2. It cannot be ^ dilated 
 Vapour, for then other Stars which were dilcerned 
 through the fame Vapour, would feem as big as^tnat. 
 This Argument is the fame in effea: with that ot tne 
 Paralax, as you may fee in this Figure. 
 
 97 
 
 Suppofe ABtohQS. Hemifphere of one Earth, C D 
 to be the upper part of the higheft Region, in which 
 there might be either a contraded Vapour, as G, or 
 elfe a dilated one, as H L Suppofe E F likewife to 
 reprefent half the Heavens, wherein was this appear- 
 
 ^ H 4 »"S 
 
5)8 That the Moon may be a World. 
 
 ing Comet at K. Now^ I fay, that a contracted Va« 
 pour, as G, could not caufe this Appearance, becaufc 
 an Inhabitant at M could not difcern the fame Star 
 with this brightncfs, but perhaps another at L, betwixt 
 which the Vapour is diredly interpofed. Nor could it 
 be caufed by a dilated Vapour, as H I, becaufe then 
 all the Stars that were difcerncd through it, would be 
 perceived with the fame brightnefs. 
 
 Tis necelTary therefore that the Caufe of this Ap- 
 pearance Ihould be in the Heavens. And this is 
 granted by the moft and beft Aftronomers. But, fay 
 fome, this doth not argue any Natural Alteration in 
 ;hofe purer Bodies , fince 'tis probable that the Con- 
 courft;; of many llrtle Vagabond Stars^ by the union of 
 their Beams may caufe fo great a Light. Of this O- 
 pinion were Anjixagoras and Zeno amongft the Anci- 
 ent , and B-ifttJla, Cifatrts , Blancanus , with Others 
 amongft cur Modern Aftronomers. For, fay they, 
 when there happens to be a Concourfe of feme few 
 Stars, then do many other fly unto them from all the 
 parts of Heaven like fo many^J^ees unto their King. 
 But i.'Tisnot likely that amongft thofe which we 
 count the fix^d-'Scars, there ilioijld be any fuch uncer- 
 tain Motions, that they can wander from all parts of 
 the Heavens , as if Nature had negleded them, or 
 forgot ,fo appoint th^m a determinate Courfe. 2. If 
 there be fuch a Conflux of thefe , as of Bees to their 
 Kingf, then what Reafon is there that they 4o not ftill 
 tarry' with ic, that fo the Comet may notbediflblv'd? 
 ' But enough of this. -^ You may commonly fee it con- 
 futed by many other Arguments. Others there are, 
 who affirm thefe to be fome new created Stars,. pro- 
 clet-vitif ly duced by an extraordinary Supernatural Power. I 
 f^h^ram. ^nfwer, True indeed, 'tis poflible they might be fo, 
 but however 'cis not likely they were fo, fince fuch 
 Appearances may be foived fome other way ; where- 
 fore to fly unto a, Miracle for fuch things^ were a great 
 it^jury to Nature, and to derogate from her Skill j an 
 
 Indignity 
 
That the Moon may he a World. c?^ 
 
 Indignity much misbecoming a Man who profefles 
 himfelf to be a Philofopher. Miraculam (Taith one^ 
 efi' ignorantiis Afylum ; a Miracle often ferves for the 
 Receptacle of a lazy Ignorance ; which any Induftri- 
 ous Spirit would be afham'd of ; it being but an idle 
 way to (hift off the Labour of any further fearch. 
 But here's the mifery of it, we firfi: tye our felves un- 
 to An^otles Principles, and then conclude that no- 
 thing could contradid; them but a Miracle ; whereas 
 'twould be much better for the Commonwealth of 
 Learning, if we would ground our Principles rather 
 upon the frequent Experiences of our own, than the 
 bare Auihrity of others. 
 
 Some there are who think that thefe Comets are TychoPro- 
 nothing elfe but Exhalations from our Earth, carry 'd gym. /. 
 up into the higher parts of the Heaven. So ?enOj Roth- ^- 9- 
 mannm and GaliUus. But this is not poffible, fince by 
 computation 'tis found_, that one of them is above 
 300 times bigger than the whole Globe of Land and 
 Water. Others therefore have thought that they did 
 proceed from the Body of the Sun, and that that Pla- 
 net only is Comet arum officmay unde tanquam emijfcirii d^ 
 exploratores emitterentur , brevi ad foltm rediturt : The 
 Shop or Forge of Comets, from whence they were 
 fent, like fo many Spies, that they might in fome 
 (hort fpace return again. But this cannot be^ fince if 
 fo much Matter had proceeded from him alone, ic 
 would have made a fenfible diminution in his Body. 
 The Noble T'^cho therefore thinks that they ccnfift of 
 fome fuch fluider parts of the Heaven, as the Milky 
 Way is framed of, which being condensed together, 
 yet not attaining to the confifiency of a Star, is in 
 fome fpace of time ratify 'd again into its wonted 
 Nature. But this is not likely, becaufe the appear- 
 ance of the Milky Way does not arife from fome flu- 
 ider parts of the Heaven (as he fuppofes) but from 
 the Light of many lefler Stars which are thereabouts, ^"/""'f 
 And therefore it is ufually thus defcribed; Ha la^ea c.s!ZV,\'. 
 
 nihil 
 
lOo Tfyat the Moon may be a World. 
 
 Item Fejfa nihil aliud eft ejuam innumirabtles ^ellarum fixarum gregtt 
 
 traci. 5. ^^j confufo &■ pallenti lumme traBum ilium inaWant, The 
 
 ''■^ Milky V/ay is nothing elfe but the pale and confufed 
 
 Light of many leiTer Stars, whereby forne parts of 
 
 the Heaven are made to appear white. 
 
 And befide^ what likely caufe can we conceive of 
 this condentation , unlefs there be fuch Qualities 
 there as ch^re are in our Air, and then why may not 
 the Planets have the like Qualities as our Earth ? And 
 if fo, then \is more probable that they are made by , 
 the D'-dinary way of Nature, as they are with us, and 
 confift of fuch Exhalations from the Bodies of the Pla- 
 nets, as being very much rarified, may be drawn up > 
 throtigh the Orb of Grofs Vaporous Air that encom- 
 paiTirs^them. Nor is this a lingular Opinion ; but it 
 De Comet, feemed moft likely to CamiUits Gloriofus , ^ Th, Campa- 
 I. S.C.J,, nelli, Fromondus^ withfome others. But if you ask,, 
 ^?''''/'-'' whirhet fhall all thefe Exhalations return ? I anfwer,' 
 lienor i-t .every Qrie into his own Planet. If it be again objea- 
 c. 2. Jri.6. ed, that then rhere will be fo many Centers of Gra- 
 vky,- and each feveral Planet will be adiltind World: 
 1 reply, vve have not like probability concerning the 
 reft ; but yet perhips all of them are fo, except the 
 Sari, though Cufaritef and fome others^ think there is , 
 L^r^a^it. one'alfb ; °and later times have difcorered fome leffer 
 inj}. 1. 3. Clouds moving round about him. But as for Saturn, 
 ^ '^ he hath t^o Modn* dh feach fide. Japtter hatb four, 
 
 that encircle him with their Motion; which are like- 
 wifi ecHpfed by the iriterpofition of his Body, as the 
 M:)on is bv our Earc+i. r^rius is obferved to increafe 
 and decreafe as the Moon. And this perhaps hath 
 bse.i noted by former Ages, as may be guefs'd by 
 cha: Relation of St. Jttfltn out of Varro. Mars, and 
 De'^i all ths reit, derive their Light from the Sun. Con- 
 c-rrilrig Tf rra^S there hath been little or nooblerv^- 
 tion, becaufcforthe moft part, he lies hid utider the 
 Sun-beam^, and feidom appears by hmifelh But 
 u'.-!i he does, ve: the Compafi of his Body isloUt- 
 
 tle. 
 
 s. 
 
That the Moon may he a World, \ o i 
 
 tie, and his Light of fo clear a brightnefs, by reafon 
 of his hearnefs to the Sun, that the Perfpedive can- 
 not make the fame difcoveries upon him, as from the 
 reft. 
 
 So that if you confider their Quantity, their Opacity, 
 or thefe others Difcoveries, you fhall iind it probable 
 enough, that each of chem may be a feveral World. 
 Efpecially fince every one of them is allotted to a fe- 
 veral Orb, and not altogether in one, as the fixed 
 Stars feem to be. But this would be too much for to 
 vent at the fir(i : The chief thing at w/hich I now aim 
 in this Difcourfe, is to prove tnat there may be one 
 in the Moon. 
 
 It hath been before confirmed , that there was a 
 Sphere of Thick Vaporous Air encompaffing the 
 Moon, as the firft and fecond Regions do this Earth. 
 I have now iliew'd, that thence fuch Exhalations may 
 proceed as do produce the Comets : Now from hence 
 it mav probably follow, that there may be Wind alfo 
 and Rain, with fuch other Meteors as are common 
 amongft us. This confequence is fo dependant, that 
 Fromondus dares nor deny it, though he would (as he 
 confelTes himfelf ; ) for if the Sun be able to exhale 
 from them fuch Fumes as may caufe Comets, why jrt.6. 
 not then fuch as may caufe Winds, and why not fuch 
 alfo as may caufe Rain, fince I have above (hewed, 
 that there is Sea and Land, as with us? Now Rain 
 feems to be more efpecially requifite for them, fince 
 it may allay the Heat and Scorchings of the Sun when 
 he is over their Heads. And Nature hath thus provi- 
 ded for thofe in Fern, with the other Inhabitants un- 
 der the Line. 
 
 But if there be fuch great and frequent Alterations 
 ^in the Heavens, why cannot we difcern them ? 
 
 I anfwer : 
 
 I. There may be fuch, and we not able to perceive 
 them, becaufe of the weaknefs of our Eye, and the 
 diftance of thofe Places from us ; they are the Words 
 
 of 
 
 De Meteor. 
 I. 
 
102 
 
 Dijfert. 2. 
 £um 7iunc. 
 Gain. 
 item Sotnn. 
 
 not a- ulti- 
 ma. 
 
 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 of Fiems (as they are quoted by Fromon^us in the 
 above-cited PlaceJ Fojjum maxima permutatiozes in coelo 
 fierif etiamf a ncbjis non cotifpiciantur ; hoc vtfus noftri de^ 
 blUtas & immenfa call (h(iantia factunU And unto him 
 aflents FrowoWwxhimfelf, when a little after he fays, 
 Si in Jpbaris Planet arum dtgeremus^ plu.rima for/an ccslefii" 
 urn nebularum 'veJJera toio aibtre p^ijjim dejperfa 'videremus, j 
 quorum [pedes jam evanefcit nimut /pant intercapedtne. ** If i 
 we did live in the Spheres of the Planets, we might { 
 " there perhaps difcern many great Clouds difperfed i 
 " through the whole Heavens, which are not now ! 
 " viiible by reafon of this great difhnce. ' 
 
 2. M<e(lin and Keplar affirm, That they have feen 
 fome of thijfe Alterations. The Words of Majlin are 
 thefe (as I find them cited.) In eclipfi Lunari vefpere 
 Dominica Talmarum Anni 1 60 j". In corpore Luva verfus 
 Boream, nigricans quondam macula confpeEla futt^ ohfcurior 
 camera toto corpore, quod c undent is ferri figuram reprafcnta^ 
 b.:t ; dixijj'es nuhda in rnuUam regiovem extenfa plwviid & 
 temp-ftucfii imbrthus gravida, cnjuf'modi ah ex^eljcrum mon- 
 tium jagis in bumiliora convalUum loca vidtre non raro con- 
 tingit, " In that Lunary Eclipfe which happened in 
 " the Even of Palm-Sunday, in the Year 160 j, there 
 wasa certain blackilh Spot difcernedin the Norther- 
 ly part of the Moon, being darker than any other 
 " place of her Body, and reprefenting the Colour of 
 " red hot Iron ; you might conjsiiure that it was 
 ** fome dilated Cloud, being pregnant with ShDwers ; 
 *' for thus do fuch lower Clouds appear fiom the tops 
 ** of high Mountains. 
 
 And a little before this PafTage, the fame Author 
 fpeaking of that Vaporous Air about the Moon, tells 
 us J Quod circurnflttus tRe fplendor diver fi s tempor thus appa- 
 ret limpidior plus minufve. That it does at divers times 
 appear of a different clearnefs, fometimes more, and 
 rometimes lefs ; which he gueffes to arife from the 
 Clouds and Vapours that are in ir. 
 
 «, 
 
 Unto 
 
! That the Moon may he a World. i d j 
 
 Unto this I may add another Teftimony of Bapt. 
 Cifatusy as he is quoted by Nieremhergius , grounded 
 upon an Obfervation taken 23 Years after this of 
 Majlmy and writ to this ^u{eh. Nifrewher^. in a Let- 
 ter by that diligent and judicious Aftronomer. The Hipr.nat. 
 Words of it run thus ; Et quidem iti Eclip/i nupera folari ^- 2. «■• "• 
 qua fuit iffo die natali Cbrijii^ cbftrvkvi dare in luna Joli 
 fuppofita , quidpiam quod valde frobat id ipjum quod Co^ 
 met a qucq^ df macula fchres urgent, nempe ccelum «o» cj[e 
 a. tenuttate d^ 'variationibus acrts exemptum ; nam circa 
 lunam ad-verti eJJ'e fpharam feu orbem quendam vaporofum, 
 von [ecus atque circum terram, adeoq^ ficut ex terra in alt- 
 quam ufque jpharam vapores & exbalatioKes expirant , ita 
 quoque ex luna. " In that late Solary Eclipfe which 
 " happen'd on Cbriftmas-day, when the Moon was 
 " jult under the Sun, I plainly difcerned that in her 
 '* which may clearly confirm what the Comet's and 
 ** Sun's Spots do feem to prove, viz,. That the Hea- 
 *' vens are not fo folid, nor freed from thofe Changes 
 ** which our Air is liable unto ; for about the Moon 
 '* I perceived fuch an Orb, or Vaporous Air as that 
 *' is which doth encompafs our Earth; and as Vapours 
 *' and Exhalations are raifed from our Earth into this 
 " Air, fo are they alfo from the Moon. 
 
 You fee what probable Grounds , and plain Te- 
 ftimonies I have brought for the confirmation of 
 this Propofition : Many other Things in this be- 
 half might be fpoken, which for brevity fake I now 
 omit, and pafs unto the next. 
 
 PROP, 
 
J 04 TImt the Moon may be a World. 
 
 PROP. XIII. 
 
 TJjat 'tis prohaUe there may he Inhalitants in thit 
 other World ; lut of what kind they cire^ is uncer-.i 
 tain. \ 
 
 I Have already handled the Seafons, and Meteors be- . 
 longing to this New World : 'Tis requifite that in 
 the next Place I (Iiould come unto the third Thing 
 which I promifed, and fay fomewhat of the Inhabi- 
 tants : Concerning whom there might be many difficult 
 Queftions raifed ; as^whether thatPlace be more incon- 
 venient for Habitation than our World (as Kef.ar thinks;) 
 whether they are the Seed olAdam'y whether they are 
 there in a Bkfled Eftate, or elfe what means there 
 may be for their Salvation ? With many other fuch 
 uncertain Enquiries , which I fiiall willingly omit ; 
 Leaving it to tlifiir Examination who have more Lei- 
 fure and Learning for the Search of fuch particu- 
 lars. 
 
 Being for mine one Part content only to fet down 
 fach Notes belonging untothefe, which I haveobferved 
 in other Writers. Cumtota tUa regio vobMignotaft^ re^ 
 manent inhabitatores tilt igmti femtus ( faith Cttfatius ; ) 
 fince we know not the Regions of that Place, we 
 aiud be altogether ignorant of the Inhabitants. There 
 hath not yet been any fuch Difcovery concerning thefe, 
 upon which we may build a Certainty, or good Pro- 
 bability : Well may we guefs' at them , and that too 
 very doubrfully, but we can know nothing ; for, if 
 Wi Jo hardly guefs aright at thwgs ivbich be upon Earth, if 
 -ii/itb labour we do fnd the things that are at hand, hotv 
 then cc/v wefearch out thofe things that are inHea'ven ? What 
 a iitde is that which we know, in refped of thofe ma- 
 ny Matters contained within this great Univerfe ? This 
 whole Globe of Euth and Water, though it feem to 
 
 U5 
 
 i 2. 
 
T^hat the Moon 7nay he a World. 
 
 105 
 
 21. 
 
 us to be of a large extent, yet it bears not fo great a 
 Proportion unto the whole Frame of Nature,as a fmall 
 Sand doth unto it ; and what can fuch little Creatures 
 as we difcern , who are tied to this point of Earth ? 
 or what can they in the Moon know of us ? If we »«- ^ ^^ 
 derP^and any thing (faith EfJras^ 'tis nothing but that 
 Tvhich is upon the earth ; and he that dwclleth above in the 
 heavens^ may only under(tand the things that are above in 
 the height of the heavens. 
 
 So that 'twere a very needlefs thing for us to fearch 
 after any particulars ; however, v^e may guefs in the 
 general that there are fome Inhabitants in that Planet: 
 For why elfe did Providence furnifli that Place with 
 all fuch Conveniences of Habitation as have been a- 
 bove declared ? 
 
 But you will fay, perhaps, is there not too great 
 and intolerable a heat, fince the Sun is in their Zemth 
 every Month, and doth tarry there fo long before he 
 leaves it ? 
 
 I anfwer, i. This may, perhaps, be remedied ( as 
 it is under the Line) by the Frequency of mid-day. 
 Showers, which may cloud their Sun, and cool their 
 Earth. 
 
 2. The equality of their Nights doth much temper 
 the fcorching of the Day ; and the extremeCold that 
 comes from the one, require^ fome fpace before it can 
 be difpelled by the other; (o that the Heat fpending a 
 great while before it can have the Vidtory, hath not 
 afterwards much time to rage in. Wherefore notwith- 
 ftanding this doubt, yet that Place may remain habita- 
 ble. And this was the Opinion of the Cardif?al de Cu- 
 fa. When fpeaking of this Planer, he fays, Hie locus 
 Mundi efl hahitatio hominum d^ aniir.alium at<^ue v^getabt* 
 hum. "This part of the World is inhabited by 'Men, S'^i^ 
 " and Beafts, and Plants. " To him affented Cam^a- 
 mlla ; but he cannot determine whether they were 
 Men or rather fome other kind of Creatures. If they 
 were Men, then he thinks they could not be infe^ed 
 
 viich 
 
 De aoc}. 
 
Col. 1. 20. 
 
 106 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 with Adam\ Sin ; yet perhaps, they had fome of their 
 own, which might make them liable to the fame mife- 
 ry with us ; out of which, it may be, they were de- 
 livered by the fame means as we, the Death of 
 Chrift; and thus he thinks that Place of the Epbeftans 
 may be interpreted, where the Apoftle fays, God ga- 
 thered all things together m Chnfi, both which are in earthy 
 and which are tn the heavens : So alfo that of the fame 
 Apoftle to the Colo/funs^ where he fays , that tt pleajed 
 the Father to reconcile all things unto bimfelf by Cbrifiy whe- 
 ther they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 
 
 But I dare not jeft with Divine Truths, or apply 
 thefe Places according as Fancy direfts. As I think 
 this Opinion doth not any where contradict Scripture ; 
 fo I think likewife, that it cannot be proved from it. 
 Wherefore Campanellas fecond Conje<fture may be 
 more probable, that the Inhabitants of that World are 
 not Men as we are ; but fome other kind of Creatures 
 which bear fome Proportion and Likcnefs to our Na- 
 tures. Or it may be, they are of a quite different 
 Nature from any thing here below, fuch as no Imagi- 
 nation can defcribe ; our Underftandings being capa- 
 ble only of fuch things a? have entered by our Sen- 
 fesjor elfe fuch mixadNatures as may be compofed from 
 them. Now, there may be many other Species of Crea- 
 tures befide chofe that are already known in theWorld; 
 there is a great Chafm betwixt the Nature of Men 
 and Angels : It may be the Inhabitants of the Planets 
 are of a middle Nature between both thefe. 'Tis not 
 improbable that God might create fome of all kinds, 
 that fo he might more compleatly glorify himfelf in 
 the Works of his Power and Wifdom. 
 
 Ciifam/s too, thinks they differ from us in many 
 Refpeds ; I will fet down his Words as they may be 
 found in the above-cited Place, Sufpcamur m regtonefo* 
 lis magis ejj'efolares^ claros & illuminatos intelleBuales ha- 
 hitatoresy fpiriiualiores etiam quam in luna, ubi magts Ima" 
 tiei, & in terra magts materiala & craffi, ut Hit mtelle^u- 
 
 al$s 
 
That the Moon may he a World. \ o; 
 
 alls natural folares fint multum in aBu <d^ ^arum in fotentia^ 
 terrem vera rnagis in potentia, d^ parn^n in aHu^ luncires in 
 medio fli^tuantei. Hoc quidem opinamur ex influmtia ignili 
 [oils J a(juatica jlmid C^ a^aea litna^ d^ gravedtne materiali 
 terray &" conjimihter de aliis flellarum regionibt4s , fufpican- 
 tes nullam habit at iorahui carere., quaji tot fir.t partes particular 
 res tnundiales untus uni'ver/i^ quot junt jidliS cjuarum non efi 
 fiumertiSy vifi apud eumefui omnia in 7iujmro creavit. 
 
 " We may conje(5lure ( faith he ) the Inhabiratants 
 " of the Sun are like to the Nature of that Planer, 
 " more dear and bright, more intelleftual than thcfe 
 ^^ in the .Moon where they are nearer to the Nature of 
 " that duller Planet, and thofe of the Earth being 
 " more grofs and material than either j fo that thefe 
 *^* intelledual Natures in the Sun, are more Form than 
 ** Matter, thofe in the Earth more Matter than Form, 
 " and thofe in the Moon betwixt both. This we may 
 ** guefs from the Hery Infiuence of the Sun, the wate- 
 " ry and aereous Influence of the Moon^ as alfo the 
 '* material Heavinefs of the Earth. In fome i^-cich 
 " manner likewife is it with the Regions of the other 
 '* Stars ; for we conje<5lure that none of them are 
 *' without InhabitantSjbut that there are fo many parti^^ 
 ** cular Worlds and Parts of this one Univerfe. as 
 " there are Stai'V, which are innumerable, unlefa ic be 
 " to him who created all things in Number. 
 
 For he held that the Stars were not all in one equal 
 Orb as we commonly fuppofe; but that forrie were 
 far higher than others, which madethsm :\ri^Q:it Isfs $ 
 and that many others were fo far above any of thefe^ 
 that they were altogether invifible unto us. An Opi- 
 nion which Cas I conceive) hath not any great Pro- 
 bability for it, nor Certainty againft it. 
 
 The Prieft of Saturn relating to Vlutarch (as he feigns 
 h) the Nature of thefe Sehmtes^ told him they were 
 of divers Difpofitions, fome defiring to live in the 
 lower Parts of the Moon, where they might look 
 ^ievyfJw^rds upon us, while ochsrs were more furely 
 
 I mounted 
 
to 8 TImI the Moon nidy he a World. 
 
 mounted aloft, all of them fhining like the Rays of the 
 Son, and as being Vi(5lorious, are crowned with Gar- 
 lands made with the Wings of Euftatbia or Conlian- 
 
 It hath been the Opinion amongft fome of the An- 
 cients, that their Heavens and Elyfian Fields were in 
 at. Com. the Moon, where the Air is moft quiet and pure. Thus 
 ^''^^- Socrateiy thus Flat o, with his Followers^ did efteem 
 this to be the Place where thofe purer Souls inhabit, 
 who are freed from the Sepulchre , and Contagion of 
 the Body. And by the Fable of Ceres, continually 
 wandiing in Search of her Daughter Troferfina, is 
 meant nothing elfe but the longing Defire of Men, 
 vjho live upon Cert'j, Earth, to attain a Place in Trofer- 
 pina, the Moon or Heaven. 
 
 Vlutarch alfo feems to affent unto this ; but he thinks 
 moreover, that there are two Places of Happinefs 
 anfwerable to two parts which he fancies to remain of 
 a Man when he is dead, the Soul and the Underftand- 
 ing ; the Soul he thinks is made of the Moon ; and as 
 our Bodies do fo proceed from the Duft of this Earth, 
 that they (hall return to it hereafter ; fo our Souls were 
 generated out of that Planet, and (hall be refolved in- 
 to it again ; whereas the Underflanding (hall afeend 
 unto the Sun, out of which it was made ; where it 
 fftall poffefs an Eternity of Well-being, and far greater 
 Happinefs than that which is enjoyed in the Moon. 
 So that when a Man dies, if his Soul be much polluted, 
 then mult it wander up and down in the middle Regi- 
 on of the Air where Hell is, and there fuifer unfpeak- 
 able Torments for thofe Sins whereof it is guilty. 
 Whereas the Souls of better Men, when they have in 
 (ome Space of Time been purged from that Impurity 
 which they did derive from the Body, then do they 
 retii!-n into the Moon, where they are poffeft with 
 fuch Joy, as thofe Men feel who profefs Holy My Se- 
 ries ; from which Place ( faith he ) fome are fenc 
 down to have the Sunerintendance of Oracles, being 
 
 dill- 
 
That the Moon may he a World. I op 
 
 diligent either in the Prefervacion of the Good, either 
 from, or in, all Perils, and the Prevention or Punish- 
 ment of all wicked Adions ; but if in thefe Employ- 
 ments they mif-behave themfelves, then are they again 
 to be imprifoned in a Body, oiherwife they remain 
 in the Moon, till their Souls be refolved into it , and 
 the Underftanding being cleared from all Impediments, 
 afcends to the Sun which is its propar place. But this 
 requires a diverfe Space of Time , according to the 
 divers AfFedions of the Soul. As for thofe who have 
 been retired and honeft, addiding themfelves to a ftu- 
 dious and quiet Life, thefe are quickly preferred to a 
 higher Happinefs. But as for fuch who have bufied 
 themfelves in many Broils, or have been vehement in 
 the Profecution of any Luft, as the ambitious, the a- 
 morous,the wrathful Man, thefe ftili retain the Glimpfes 
 and Dreams of fuch things as they have performed in 
 their Bodies, which make them either altogether un- 
 fit to remain there, where they are, or elfe keeps them 
 long ere they can put off their Souls. Thus you fee 
 Tlutarcb's Opinion concerning the Inhabicants and 
 Neighbours of the Moon, which ( according to the 
 Manner of the Academicks ) he delivers in a third 
 Perfon ; you fee he makes that Planet an inferior kinti 
 of Heaven ; and though he differs in many Circum- 
 ftances, yet doth he defcribe it to be fome fuch Place, 
 as we fuppofe Paradife to be. You fee likewife his O- 
 pinion concerning the Place of the Damned Spirits, 
 that it is in the middle Region of the Air ; and in 
 neither of thefe is he fingular, but fome more bee and 
 Orthodox Writers have agreed with him. As 
 for the Place of Hell , many think it may 
 be in the Air , as well as any where 
 clfe. 
 
 True indeed, St. ^«/?/» affirms that this Place can- ^^ ^.^.^^ 
 not be difcovered ; but others there are who can fhew £)^//. ^jl 
 the Situation of it out of Scripture; fome holding it c. i6. 
 CO be in another World without this, becaufe our Sa- 
 
 I z ^iouc 
 
H- 
 
 1 1 o Tlyat the Moon may he a World. 
 
 ■?- viour calls ir crwr©- ef JT^^fi', outward Darknefs. But 
 the moll will have it placed towards the Center of out 
 Earth, bccaufe 'tis faid, Chrift defccnded into the 
 lower Parrs of the Eajih : And fome of thefe are fo 
 confident that this is its Situation, that they can de- 
 {(.ribe you its Bignefs alfo, and of what Capacity it is. 
 Frarc^s Rihera in bis Comment on the Revelatiovs^ 
 Rev. 14. fpeaking of thofe Words, where 'tis faid, That the blood 
 *~^' went out of the F/fne-prefsy even unto the Horfes Bridles, 
 
 by the [face (f ore thoufand and fix hundred Furlongs^ in- 
 terprets them fo be meant of Hell, and that that Num- 
 ber expreffes the Diameter of its Concavity^ which is 
 
 d^Tn ^"° ■^^''^''^'' ^'^^'^'" -^"^ ^'■^'^^ ^^'"^^ ^^'^^ ^^^^ Opinion 
 gives the.r too much room in Hell, and therefore he 
 
 guelTef that 'lis not fo wide ; for, faith he, the Dia- 
 meter ri one League being cubically multiplied, will 
 mako a Sphere capable of 800000 Millions of Dam- 
 ned fjodies, allowing to each fix Foot in the fquare ; 
 wie-eas, fays he, tis certain, that there ihall not be 
 Ont hundred thoufand Millions in all that ftiall be 
 Damned. You fee the bold Jefuit was careful that 
 eve y one (hould have but room enough in Hell; and 
 b\ the llrangenefs of the Conjed^ure, you may gucfs 
 (hat he had rather be abfurd, than feem either uncha- 
 ritable or ignorant. I remember there is a Relation 
 in Plmy^ how that Dionyfiodorm a Mathematician being 
 dead, did fend a Letter from this Place to fome of his 
 Friends upon Earth, to certifie them what diftance 
 there was betwixt the Center and Superficies : He 
 might have done well to have prevented this Contro- 
 verfie, and informed them the utmoft Capacity of that 
 Place. However, certain it is, that that Number can- 
 not be known ,• and probable it is, that the Place is 
 not yet determined, but that Hell is there where 
 there is any Tormented Soul, which may be in the 
 Regions of the Air^ as well as in the Center ; and 
 therefore perhaps it is, that the Devil is ftiled the 
 Prince of the Air. But of this only occafionally, and 
 
 by 
 
IJjat the Moon may he a World* i 1 1 
 
 by reafon of Plutarcf/s Opinion concerning thofe that 
 are round about the Moon. As for the Moon ic feif, 
 he efteems it to be a lower kind oF Heaven ; and 
 therefore in another place he calls it a Terreftri^l Star, 
 and an Olympian or Casleftial Earth; anfwerable^ as Curftknt 
 I conceive, to the Paradife of the Schoolmen. And, oraada. 
 that Paradife was either in, or near the Moon, is [he 
 Opinion of fome later Writers, who deri\'ed ir (in all 
 likelihood) from the Affertion of Tlato., and perhaps, 
 this of Tlutarch^ Tofiatm lays this Opinion upon ](io- 
 dor, Hiffalenfisy and the venerable BeJe, and Pere^m, sir if. 
 •fathers it upon Strahts and Rahanus his^MaHer. Some Ri^rc. l. r. 
 would have it to be fituated in fuch a place as could '■i-f'^-7- 
 not be difcovered ; which caufed the Penman of Ef ^" ^^"'^' 
 dras to make it a harder Matter to know the our-goi^gs of 
 Taradije^ than to "weigh the ueifht of the Fire^ or meafwe lEfd-r.^.j. 
 the blafis of Wind, or call again a Day that is fa^. But 
 notwithftandingthis, there be Tome others, who think 
 that it is on the top of fome high Mountain under 
 the Line ; and thefe interpreted the Torrid Zone to 
 be the Flaming Sword whereby Paradife was guarded. 
 Tis the Confent of divers others, that Paradife is fi- 
 tuated in fome high and eminent Place. So Tojfatm : 
 Eft etiam Varadijus fitu alttjjima^ Jupra omncm terra altl- jn Gc7ief. 
 tudinem. *' Paradife is fituated in fome high place a- 
 " bove the Earth. " And therefore in his Comment 
 upon the 49th. of Genefis, he underflands the Bleffing 
 of Jacob concerning :he Everlafting Hills, to be meant 
 of Paradife, and the Bleffing it fclf to be nothing elfe 
 but a Promife of Chrift's Coming, by whofe Pailion 
 the Gates of Paradife (hould be opened. Unto him 
 aflented2?«/)er/«;, Scotus, and moft of the other School- 
 men, as I find thera cited by Vererius, and out of him Qoynmmt 
 in Sir Walter Rawleigh. Their Reafon was this : Be mz.Gcn. 
 caufe in probability, this Place was not overflowed by 'v. s. 
 the Flood, fince there were no Sinners there, which l.i.c.^. 
 might draw that Curfe upon it. Nay, To^fatus thinks ^^''^^ ^' ^* 
 that the Body of Enoch was kept there j and fome of 
 
 I 3 the 
 
1 1 2 Tl:at the Moon may he a World, 
 
 the Fathers, as TertuUian and Auflin, have affirmed. 
 That the Blefled Souls were referved in that Place till 
 the Day of Judgment ; and therefore 'tis likely that 
 it was not overflowed by the Flood. It were eafie to 
 produce the unanimous Confent of the Fathers, to 
 prove that Paradife is yet really exiftent» Any dili- 
 gent Perufer of them, may eafily obferve how they 
 2 Cor. 1 2.4. do generally interpret the Paradife whereto St. Vaul 
 Vike ^i: ^^s wrapt, and that wherein our Saviour promifed 
 '^^^' the Thiet fhould be with him, to be locally the fame 
 
 from whence our fiift Parents were banilhed. Now 
 there cannot be any Place on Earth deligned where 
 this ihould be ; and therefore it is not altogether im- 
 probable that it was in this other World. 
 
 And befides, fince all Men ftiould have went Naked 
 if Adam had not fell, 'tis requifite therefore that it 
 fhould be lituated in fome iuch Place where it might 
 be privileged from the Extremities of Heat and Cold. 
 But now this could not be (they thoughtj fo conveni- 
 ently in any lower, as it might in fome higher Air. 
 For thefe and fuch like Confiderations, have fo many 
 affirmed that Paradife was in a high elevated Place : 
 Which fome have conceived could be no where but in 
 the Moon ; For it could not be in the top of any 
 Mountain ; nor can we think of any other Body fe- 
 parated from this Earth, which can be a more conve- 
 nient Place for Habitation than this Planet ; therefore 
 they concluded that it was there. 
 
 It could not be on the top of any Mountain : 
 G(r«.7. 19. 1. Becaufe we have exprefs Scripture, that the 
 higheft of them was overflowed. 
 
 2. Becaufe it muft be of a greater Extenfion, and 
 not fome fmall Patch of Ground, fince 'tis likely all 
 Men Hiould have lived there, if Adam had not fell. 
 But for a fatisfadion of the Arguments, together with 
 3 farther Difcourfe of Paradife, I (hall refer you to 
 thofe who have written purpofely upon this Subjed-. 
 Being content for my own part to have fpoken fo 
 
 much 
 
That the Moon may he a World, 1 1 J 
 
 much of it, as may conduce to fhew the Opinion of 
 others concerning the Inhabitants of the Moon ; I 
 dare not my felf affirm any thing of thefe SeUmties, 
 becaule I know not any Ground whereon to build 
 any probable Opinion. But I think that future Ages 
 will difcover more ; and our Pofterity, perhaps, may 
 invent fome Means for our better Acquaintance with 
 thefe Inhabitants. 
 
 PROP. XIV. 
 
 that 'tispojfihle for fome of of4r Tojlerity, to find 
 out a Conveyance to this other World ; and if 
 there he Inhabitants there, to have Commerce 
 with them. 
 
 AL L that hath been faid concerning the People 
 of the new World, is but Conjectural, and full 
 of Uncertainties ; nor can we ever look for any evi- 
 dent or more probable Difcoveries in this kind, unlefs 
 there be fome hopes of inventing Means for our Con- 
 veyance thither. The poffibility of which, fhail be 
 the Subj^d of our Enquiry in this laft Propofition. ^ 
 
 And, if we do but confider by what Steps and Lei- 
 fure, all Arts do ufually rife to their growth, we Ihall 
 have no caufe to doubt why this alfo may not hereaf- 
 ter be found out amongft other Secrets. It hath con- 
 ftantly yet been the Method of Providence, not pre- 
 fently to Ihew us all, but to lead us on by degrees, 
 from the knowledge of one thing to another. 
 
 'Twas a great while e'er the Planets were dif^in- 
 guiihed from the fixed Stars ; and fome time after that, 
 e'er the Morning and Evening Star were found to be 
 the fame j and in greater fpace (I doubt not) but this 
 alfo, and other as excellent Myfteries will be difco- 
 vered. Time, who hath always been the Father of 
 
 1 4 new 
 
1 14 
 
 Nat. S^i. 
 1.7' c. 25. 
 
 Sen. Med. 
 af}. I, 
 yide Horn. 
 Od. 3. 
 jftiTuenaL 
 fat. 1 2 . 
 Claud -fr it f. 
 ad I. lih.de 
 "ji^. Profcr. 
 
 That^^ Moon may he a World, 
 
 new Truths, and hath revealed unto us many things 
 which our Anceflors wereignorant of, will alfomani- 
 feO' to our Pofterity that which we now defire> buc 
 cannot know. rci:tet tempus ; faich Seneca) cfuo tfta c^ua 
 ■nunc latevr^ tn lucem dies extraher, (j^ longtorts <£vi dtli- 
 getitta. Time will come, when the Endeavours of Af- 
 ter-Ages ihall bring fuch things to Light, as now He 
 hid in Obfcuriry. Arts are not yet come to their Sol- 
 fHce ; but the Induftry of future Times^ aflided with 
 the Labours of their Forefathers,, aiay reach that height 
 which we could not attain to. l^efmt rewpm ^uo fojtert 
 lufiii nos taw aperta r.tjciJJ'c TKinntur. As we now won- 
 der at the Blindnefi of our Anceflors, who were not 
 able to difcern fuch things as feem plain and obvious 
 unto us ; fo will our Poflerity r^mire our Ignorance, 
 in as perfpicuous Matters. 
 
 In the firft Af.^s of the World, the Inlanders thought 
 themfelves either to be the only Dwellers upon Earth, 
 or elfc if there were any other, they could not pofii- 
 bly conceive how they might have any Commerce 
 with them, being fevered by the deep and broad Sea. 
 But After-times found out the Invention of Ships ; 
 in which notwithllanding, none but fome bold daring 
 Men durft venture, according to that of the Tra- 
 gcedian. 
 
 Audax nimium efui freta frimut 
 Rate tam fragili ferjida rupit. 
 
 Too hold "ivai be J who in a Shtp fo frail ^ 
 Firfl 'ventur'd on the treacherous Waves to Sail. 
 
 And yet now, hov/ eafie a thing is this even to a 
 timorous and cowardly Nature? And queftionlefs, the 
 Invention of fome other Means for our Conveyance 
 to the Moon, cannot Teem more incredible to us, than 
 this did at fifft to them ,• and therefore we have no 
 juft reafon to be difcouraged in our hopes of the like 
 Succefs, Yea^ 
 
Diferta, 
 cimi Nun. 
 
 That the Moon may he a World. i i j 
 
 Yea, but C you will fay ) there can be no Sailing 
 thither, unlefs that were true which the Poet does 
 but feign , That flie made her Bed in the Sea. We 
 have not now any Drake, or Cnlumbm, to undertake 
 this Voyage, or any Dadalus to invent a Conveyance 
 through the Air. 
 
 I anfwer. Though we have not, yet why may not 
 fucceeding Times raife up fome Spirits as eminent for 
 new Attempts , and ftrangs Inventions, as any that 
 were before them ? 'Tis the Opinion of KepUr, That 
 as foon as the Art of Flying is found our, fome of their 
 Nation will make one of the firfi: Colonies that fhall Syder 
 iranfplant into that other V/orld, I fuppofe his ap- 
 propriating this Preheminence to his own Countrey- 
 men, may arife from an over-partial aifedion to 
 them. But yet thus far I agree with him , That. 
 whenever that Art is invented, or any other, where- 
 by a Man may be convey 'd fome twenty. Miles high, 
 or thereabouts, ihen 'tis not altogether improbable 
 that fome or other may be faccefsful in this Ac- 
 tempt. 
 
 Forthebetter clearing of which I fhall firftlay down, 
 and then anfwer thofe Doubts that may make ic feem 
 utterly impoffible. 
 
 Thefe are chiefly Three. 
 
 The Firft, taken from the natural heavinefs of a 
 Man's Body, whereby it is made unfit for the Motion 
 of Afcent, together with thevait difiance of that Place 
 from us. 
 
 2. From the extreme Coldnefs of the /Ethereal 
 Air. 
 
 3. The extreme Thinnefs of it.> 
 Both which muft needs make it impaflible, though 
 
 it were but as many fingle Miles thither as ic is thou- 
 fands. 
 
 For the firf}. Tliough it were fuppofed that a 
 Man could fly, yet we may well think he would be 
 very flow in ic , fince he ha th fo heavy a Body, and 
 
 fuch 
 
I ' ^ Tt)at the Moon may he a, World, 
 
 fach a one too, as Nature did noc principally intend 
 for chat kind of Motion* Tis ufually obferved, that 
 amongft the variety of Birds, thofe which do moft 
 converfe upon the Earth, and are fwifteft in their run- 
 ring, as a Pheafant, Partridge, &c. together with all 
 Domeflical Fowl, are lefs able for flight than others 
 which are for the moft part upon the Wing, as a Swal- 
 low, Swift, &c. And therefore we may well think, 
 that Man being not naturally endowed with any fuch 
 Condition as may enable him for this Motion; and be- 
 ing neceffarily tied to a more efpecial Refidence on the 
 Earth, muft needs be flower than anv Fowl, or lefs 
 able to hold out. Thus it is alfo in Swimming; which 
 Art though it be grown to a good eminence, yet he 
 that is belt skilled in it, is not able either for continu- 
 ance, or fwiftnefs to equal a Fifh; becaufe he is not 
 naturally appointed to it. So that though a Man could 
 fly, yet he would be fo flow in it, and fo quickly wea- 
 ry, that he could never think to reach fo great a Jour- 
 ney as it is to the Moon. 
 
 But fuppofe withal that he could fly as faft and long 
 as the fwifteft Bird , yet it cannot poflibly be concei- 
 ved how he fliould ever be able to pafs through fo vaft 
 a diftance as there is betwixt theMoon and our Earth. 
 For this Planer, according to the common Grounds, 
 is ufually granted to be at the leaft 5-2 S^niidiameters 
 of the Earth from us; reckoning for eachSemidiame- 
 ter 34^6 Erjgitjh Miles, of which the whole Space will 
 be about 179712. 
 
 So that though a Man could conftantly keep on in 
 his Journey thither by a ftrait Line, though he could fly 
 a Thoufand Miles in a Day, yet he would not arrive 
 thither under 180 Days , or half a Year. 
 
 And how were it poffible for any to tarry fo long 
 without Diet or Sleep ? 
 
 I. For Diet. I fuppofe there could be no trufting 
 ''°^' 5* to that Fancy of Fhtio the Jeii/ (mentioned before,) 
 
 who 
 
7hat the Moon may he a World, 117 
 
 who thinks that the Mufick of the Spheres fiiould fup- 
 ply the ftrength of Food. 
 
 Nor can we well conceive how a Man fliould 
 be able to carry fo much Luggage with him , as 
 might ferve for his Viaticum in fo tedious a Jour- 
 ney. 
 
 2. But if he could, yet he mud have fome time to 
 reft and fleep in. And I believe he {hall fcarce find 
 any Lodgings by the way. No Inns to entertain Paf- 
 fengers, nor any Caftles in the Air (unlefs they be en- 
 chanted ones ) to receive Poor Pilgrims, or Errant 
 Knights. And fo confequently he cannot have any 
 poffible hopes of reaching thither. 
 
 Notwithftanding all which Doubts^ I (hall lay down 
 this Pofition. 
 
 That fuppofing a Man could fly, or by any other 
 means raife himfelf twenty Miles upwards , or 
 thereabouts , it were poffible for him to come unto 
 the Moon. 
 
 As for thofe Arguments of the firft kind, that feeni , 
 to overthrow the truth of this, they proceed upon a 
 wrong ground , whilft they fuppofe that a condenfed 
 Body, in any place of the Air, would always retain in 
 it a ftrong Inclination of tending downwards towards 
 the Center of this Earth. Whereas 'tis more proba- 
 ble, that if it were but fomewhat above this Orb of 
 Vaporous Air, it might there reft immovable, and 
 would not have in it any propenfion to this Motion of 
 Defcent. 
 
 For the better illuftration of this, you muft know, ^l'^^ "jj 
 that the heavinefs of a Body^ or fas Ari(}otle defines 
 \t) the pronenefs of it to'tend down unto fome Cen- 
 ter, is not any abfolute Quality intrinfical unto it, as 
 if where-ever the Body did retain its Effence, it mult 
 alfo retain this Quality : Or as if Nature had implant- 
 ed in every condenfed Body Ap^etttionem antri, & fw 
 gam extremitatis. Such a Love to the Center, and Ha- 
 tred 10 the Extremities. Becaufe one of thefe being 
 
 lefs 
 
1 1 8 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 kfs than a Qaanticy, and the other no more, cannot 
 have any Power of attradlion or depulfion in them. 
 According to that common Principle, Quant it at is nulla 
 efi efficacia. 
 
 But now the true nature of Gravity is this. 'Tis 
 fuch a refpedtive mutual defire of union, whereby con- 
 denfed Bodies, when they come within the Sphere of 
 their own Vigour,do naturally apply themfelves one to 
 another by attradion or coition. But being both with- 
 out the reach of cither's Virtue , they then ceafe to 
 move, and though they have general aptitude, yec 
 they have not any prefent inclination or pronenefs to 
 one another. And fo confcquently cannot be ftyl'd 
 heavy. 
 
 The meaning of this will be more clearly iiluftratcd 
 by a Similitude. As any light Body (luppofe the 
 Sun) does fend forth its Beams in an Orbicular Form; 
 fo like wife anyMagnetical Body, for inftance a Round 
 Loadftone does caft abroad his Magnetical Vigour in a 
 Sphere. Thus. 
 
 c# 
 
 Where fuppofe the inward Circle at A to reprefent 
 the Loadftone, and the outward one betwixt 5, C, the 
 Ofb that does determinate its Virtue. 
 
 Now 
 
That the Moon may he a WdrU* 1 1 o 
 
 Now any other Body that is like afTeded coming 
 within this Sphere, as iS, will prefently defcend to- 
 wards the Center of it, and in that refped may be 
 ftyled heavy. But place it without this Sphere as C, 
 and then the defire of union ceafeth, and fo confe- 
 quently the Motion alfo. 
 
 To apply then what hath been faid. This greac 
 Globe of Earth and Water hath been proved by ma- 
 ny Obfervations, to participate of Magnetical Proper- 
 ties. And as the Loadftone does caft forth its own 
 Vigour round about its Body, in a Magnetical Con> 
 pafs, fo likewife does our Earth. The difference is, 
 that it is another kind of Affedion which caufes the 
 Union betwixt the Iron and Loaddone, from that 
 which makes Bodies move unto the Earth. The for- 
 mer is fome kind of nearnefs and fimilitude in their Na- 
 tures, for which Philofcphy, as yet , has not found a 
 particular Name. The latter does arife from that pe- 
 culiar Quality whereby the Earth is properly diftia^. 
 guifti'd from the other Elements^ which is its Conden- 
 fity. Of which the more any thing does participate, 
 by fo much the ftronger will be the defire of union to 
 it. So Gold and other Metals which are mofl clofe 
 in their Compofition, are likewife moft fwift in their 
 Motion of Defcent. 
 
 And though this may feem to be contradided by 
 the inftance of Metals which are of the fame weighty 
 when they are melted, and when they are hard : As 
 alfo of Water, which does not differ in refpe(5l. of 
 Gravity, when it is frozen, and when it is fluid : Ye£ 
 wemufl know that Metals are not rarify'd by melting, 
 but moilify'd. And fo too for Frozen Waters, they 
 are not properly condenfed, but congealed into a har- 
 der Subftance, the Parts being not contraded clofer 
 together, but flill poffefling the fame Extenfion. But 
 yet ( 1 fay) 'tis very probable diat there is fuch a 
 Sphere about the Earth, which does terminate its Pow- 
 er of attruCiirg other things unto ir. So that fuppofe 
 
 a Body 
 
I 2 o That the Moon 7nay be a World. 
 
 a Body to be placed within the Limits of this Sphere, 
 and then ic muft needs tend downwards towards the 
 Center of ir. But on the contrary, if it be beyond 
 this Compafsj then there can be no fuch mutual at- 
 tra6^ion ; and fo confequently it muft reft immovable 
 from any fuch Motion/ 
 
 For the farther confirmation of this, I (hall propole 
 two Pertinent Obfervations. 
 
 The firft taken in the prefence of many Phyficians, 
 and related by an Eminent Man in that Profeflion, 
 Hieron. Fracaflorm. There being divers Needles pro- 
 vided of feveral kinds, like thofe in a Mariner's Chart ; 
 they found that there was an attrat^ive Power not on- 
 ly in the Magnet , but that Iron alfo, and Steel, and 
 Silver did each of them draw its own Metal. Whence 
 he concludes, Omne trabit qmd fibi fimik eft. And as 
 thefe peculiar LikenelTes have fuch a mutual efficacy , 
 fo 'tis probable that this more general Qualification of 
 Condenfity may be the caufe why things fo affeded 
 defire union to the Earth. And though 'tis likely that 
 this would appear betwixt two lefler Condewfed Bo- 
 dies, (as fuppofe two Pieces of Earth) if they were 
 both placed at liberty in the .Ethereal Air, yet being 
 near the Earth, the ftronger Species of this great Globe 
 does, as it were, drown the lefs. 
 
 'TIs a common Experiment, that fuch a Lump of 
 Ore or Stone, as being on the Ground, cannot be mo- 
 ved by lefs than Six Men, being in the bottom of a 
 deep Mine, may be ftirred by two. The Reafon is> 
 becaufe then 'tis compafled with attradive Beams, 
 there being many ahove it as well as below it. 
 Whence we may probably infer (faith the Learned 
 Verulam)^ "^ That the Nature of Gravity docs work but 
 " weakly alfo far from the Earth ; becaufe the Appe- 
 *' tite of Union in Denfe Bodies muft be more dull ia 
 " refpscl of diftance. " As we may alfo conclude 
 from the Motion of Birds^ which rife from the Ground 
 bnc heavily, though wich much Labour j whereas be- 
 ing 
 
Tl)at the Moon may he a World, \ 2 i 
 
 ing on high, they can keep themfelves up, and foar 
 about by the meer extenfion of their Wings. Now 
 the Reafon of this difference, is not (as fome falfly 
 conceive) the depth of Air under them. For a Bird 
 is not heavier when there is but a Foot of Air under 
 him, than when there is a Furlong. As appears by a 
 Ship in the Water, fan Inftance of the fame nature^ 
 which does not (ink deeper, and fo confequently is 
 not heavier , when it has but five Fathom depth, 
 than when it has fifty. But the true Reafon is, the 
 weaknefs of the Defire of Union in Denfe Bodies at a 
 diftance. 
 
 So that from hence, there might be juft occafion to 
 tax Ariftotk and his Followers, for teaching that Hea- 
 vinefs is an abfolute Quality of it felf, and really di- 
 ftind from Condenfity : Whereas it is only a Modifi- 
 cation of it, or rather another Name given to a con- 
 denfed Body in reference to its Motion. 
 
 For if it were abfolute, then it (hould always be in- 
 herent in its Subjed, and not have its ElTence depend 
 upon the Bodies being here or there. But it is not fo. 
 For, 
 
 1. Nothing is heavy in its proper Place, according 
 to his own Principle, Nth'tl grave efi in .fuo loco. And 
 then, 
 
 2. Nothing is heavy, which is fo far diftant from 
 that proper Orb to which it does belong, that it is not 
 within the reach of its Virtue. As was before con- 
 firmed. 
 
 But unto this it may be objected ; though a Body 
 being fo placed, be not heavy tn a^u fecundo ; yet it 
 is tn a^u pimo : Becaufe it retains in it an inward 
 Pronenefs to movedownwards,bcing once fevered from 
 its proper Place. And this were Reafon enough why 
 the Quality of Heavinefs ihould have an abfolute Be- 
 ing- 
 
 I anfwer, this Difiindion is only appliable to fuch 
 natural Powers as can fufpend their kti.s j and will 
 
 nor 
 
12 2 Tlat the Moon may be a World. 
 
 not hold in Elementary Qualities, whofe very ElTence 
 c^oes necelTarily require an Exercife of the fecond Ad, 
 as you may eafily difcern by an Indudion of all the 
 reft. I cannot fay, that Body has in it the Quality of 
 Heat, Coldnefs, Drinefs, Moifture , Hardnefs, Soft- 
 nefs, &c. which for the prefent has not the fecond 
 i\(ft of thefe Qualities. And if you mean by the 
 ElTence of thera, a Power unto them : Why, there 
 is not any natural Body but has a Power to them 
 all. 
 
 From that which hath been faid concerning the 
 Nature of Gravity, ic will follow, That if a Man 
 were above the Sphere of this Magnetical Virtue 
 which proceeds from the Earth, he might there ftand 
 as firmly in the open Air, as he can now upon the 
 Ground: And not only fo, but he may alfo move 
 with a far greater Swiftnefs, than any living Creatures 
 here below ; becaufe then he is wichout ail Gravity, 
 being not attraded any way ; and fo confequently 
 will not be liable to fuch Impediments as may in the 
 leaft manner refift that kind of Motion which he Ihall 
 apply himfelf unto. 
 
 If you yet enquire, how we may conceive it pofli- 
 b!e, that a condenfed Body fhould not be heavy in fuch 
 a Place ? 
 
 I anfwer, by the fame Reafon as a Body is not hea- 
 vy in its proper Place. Of this I will fet down two 
 Inftdnces. 
 
 I. When a Man is in the iBottom of a deep River> 
 though he have over him a Multitude of heavy Waters, 
 3/et he is not burden'd with the Weight of themi . 
 And though another Body, that fhould be but of an 
 equal Gravity with thefe Waters, when they are taken 
 out, would be heavy enough to prefs him to Death | 
 yet notwithftanding whillt they are in the Channel^ 
 they do not in the leaft manner crufli him with their 
 Load. TheReaionis, becaufe they are bochJn their 
 right Places ; and ^tis proper for the Man^ being thd 
 
I'hat the Mqoh may he a World. i 2 J 
 
 njore condsnfed Body, to be lower ih\n ths WAters. 
 Or rather thus, Bscaufe the Body of the '>Ain does 
 more nearly agree with the Earth, in this Alfedtion, 
 which is the Ground of its Attradion, and therefore 
 doththat more (hongly accrad it, thin the Waters that 
 are over it. Now, as in fuch a Cafe, a Body may 
 !ofe the Operation of its Gravity, which is, to move, 
 or to prefs downwards : So may it likewife , when it 
 is fo far out of its Place, that this attradive Power can- 
 not reach unto it. 
 
 'Tis a pretty Notion to this Purpofe, mentioned by * Phyf.l.^i 
 ^ Albertus de Saxoma, and out of him by t Francis Ma:- 9^art.-i-.6„ 
 Joca; That the Air is in fome part of it Navigable, i Pindar, 
 And that upon this Statick Principle,any Brafs or Iron • 4i"'''^- 
 VefTel {'fuppofe a Kettle) whofs Subliance is much i^i'^^^rcL 
 heavier than that of the Water ; yet being filled with /. de infi-^ 
 rhe lighter Air, it will fwim upon ic, and not fink, So dentibus 
 fuppofe a Cup, or Wooden VeiTel, upon the outward "''^^'^* 
 Borders of this Elementary Air, the Cavity of ic be- 
 ing filled with Fire, or rather Ethereal Air, it muft 
 neceffarily upon the fame Ground remain fwimniing 
 there, and of ic felf can no more fall , thaa ati 
 empty Ship can fmk. 
 
 2. Tis commonly granted, that if there were a 
 Hole quite through the Centre of the Earth, though 
 any heavy Body fas fuppofe a Milftone) were let fall 
 into it ; yet when it came unto the Place of the Cen- 
 tre, it would there reii immoveable in the Air. Now, 
 as in this Cafe, its own Condenfuy cannot hinder , but 
 that it may reft in the open Air, when there is no o- 
 jher Place to which it fliould be attracted ; fo neithei: 
 could it be any Impediment unto it, if ic were placed 
 without the Sphere of the Earth*s Magnetical Vigor, 
 where there ftiould be no Attradion at all. 
 
 From hence then (I fay) you may conceive, that 
 it a Man were beyond' this Sphere, he might tnerc 
 ftand as firmly in the open Air, as now upon the 
 Eiub^ And if he might ftand there^ why might he 
 
 K not. 
 
1 2 4 T/;jf the Moon may he a World, 
 
 not aKo go there ? And if fo ; then there is a Poflibi- 
 lity Hkcwifeof having other Conveniences for Travel- 
 ling. 
 
 And here 'tis confiderable, that fince our Bodies 
 will then be devoid of Gravity, and other Impediments 
 of Mp'iion ; welhall not at all fpend oar felves in a- 
 ny Labour, and fo confequently not much need the 
 Reparation of Diet.- But may perhaps live altogether 
 without it, as thofe Creatures have done, who by rea- 
 lon of their Sleeping for many Days together , have 
 notfpent any Spirits, and fo not wanted any Food : 
 Which is commonly related of S:rpent=, Crocodiles, 
 Bears, Cuckoes, Swallows, and fach like. To this 
 purpofe, ■* AlcrJoca reckons up divers llrange Relations. 
 As that of Epimeniiles, who is ftoried to have flept 75" 
 Years. And another of a Ruftick in Gertrany , who 
 being accidentally covered with a Hay-rick flept there 
 for all Autumn, and the Winter following, without 
 any Nouiilhment. 
 
 Or, if this will not ferve ; yet why may not a Pa- 
 pilt fad fo long, as well as Jgnatim or Xaverim ? Or if 
 the:e be fuch a lira nge Efficacy in the Bread of the 
 Tiuchariii, as their miraculous Relations do attribute to 
 it : Why then, that may ferve well enough, for their 
 
 Oif it we muft needs feed upon fomething elfe, 
 * Dif.-cie ^T^jYiy may not Smells noarifii us ? * Plutarch and t ^It^y 
 ^iNat'wd ^"^ divers other Ancients, tell us of a Nation in India 
 I.t'.c.z th^t lived only upon pleafing Odors. And *cis the 
 common Opinion of PhyficianSj that thefe do (irange- 
 ly both Drengthen and repair the Spirics. Hence was 
 Dicg.Laer. ic that VcTr^ccnJiis wzs able for divers Days together, to 
 /. i.c.cj. fg^^ himfelf with the meer Smell 0* hot Bread. 
 
 Or if ic be neceflary that our Stomachs muft receive 
 
 the Food: Why then 'tis not impcflible that the Pu- 
 
 ' rity of the /Ethereal Air, bein^^ not mixed with any 
 
 improper Yapcarf, may be fo agreeable to our Bodies, 
 
 as 
 
TJ^at the Moon may he a World. \ 2 j 
 
 as to yield us fufficientNonrifhment ; acoording to that 
 of the Poet ; 
 
 » •■ ■ — . Vcfcitur aura f^irgtl. 
 
 fy^therea ■ 
 
 *Twas an old Flatomck Principle, that there is in foma 
 part of the World fuch a Place where Men might be 
 plentifully nourifhed by the Air they breathe : Which 
 cannot more properly be afligned to any one particu- 
 lar, than to the yEthereal Air above this. 
 
 I know 'tis the common Opinion,that noEkmentc^n jrifl. de 
 prove Aliment y becaufe 'tis not proportionate to the Bo- sevf.c.^. 
 dies of living Creatures which are compounded. 
 But, 
 
 1. This ^Ethereal Air is not an Element ,• and tho* 
 it be purer, yet*tis perhaps of a greater Agreeablenefs 
 to Man's Nature and Conftitution. 
 
 2. If we confult Experience and the credible Relati- 
 ons of others, we fiiall find it probable enough that 
 many things receive Nourilhment from meet Elements. 
 
 Firft, for the Earth ; * Arifiotle and f Vlmif , thcfe Theeartfi 
 two great Naturalifts, tell us of fome Creatures, that *fii(ijni'' 
 are fed only with this. And it was the Gurf: cf the rnal. I. 8. 
 Serpent, Gen. 5. 14. Upon thy belly ^mk thou go^ and cap. y. 
 dujipjak thou eat all the days of thy life. THiJi.l.io. 
 
 So likewife for the Water. V Albertus Magnm fpe^ks ^he^Wa- 
 of a Man who lived Seven Weeks together by the mecr ter. 
 Drinking of Water. * Rondoletitis (to whofe Diligence •-• DeAnl^ 
 thefe larer Times are much beholden for fundry Ob- ^"^-^^ '}• 
 fervations concerning the Mature of A.quatils ; ) af- ^ f ^/fj 
 firms that his Wife did keep a Fifh in a Giafs of Wa- 
 ter, without any other Food for three Years : In 
 which Space it vj^ir^ conftantly augmented, till at firft 
 it could not come out of the Place at which ic was put 
 an, ,-'nd at length was too big for the Glafs it felf, 
 though that were of a hrge Capacity. Cardan tells us Sukil.l.g' 
 of fome Worms, that are bred and nourillisd by 
 the Snowi from which being once feparared , they 
 4if. 
 
 K z Thus 
 
n6 TJjiit the Moon may he a World. 
 
 rhe Air. jhus alfo is it with the Air, which we may well con- 
 ceive does chiefly concur to the nourifhing of all Ve- 
 getables. For if their Food were all fucked out from 
 the Earth, there muft needs be then fome fenfible 
 Decay in the Ground by them ; efpecially fince they 
 do every Year renew their Leaves and Fruits : Which 
 being fo many, and fo often, could not be produced 
 without Abundance of Nourifliment. To this pur- 
 pofe is the Experiment of Trees cut down which will 
 of themfelves put forth Sprouts. As alfo that of Oni- 
 ons, and the Semper-vive, which will ftrangely ihoot 
 
 mji.l. 8. forth, and grow as they hang in the open Air. Thus 
 likewife is it with fome fenfible Creatures ; the Came- 
 lion (faith * Pliny and t Solmus ) meerly nouriHied by 
 this : And fo are the Birds of Paradife, treated of by 
 many .*. , which refide conftantly in the Air, Nature 
 having not beftowed upon them any Legs, and there- 
 fore ihey are never feen upon the Ground but being 
 dead. If you ask how they multiply ^ Tis anfwered, 
 they lay their Eggs on the Backs of one another, up- 
 on which they fit till their young Ones be fledg'd. 
 * Rhondoletisis from the Hiftory of Hsrmolaus Earbarm, 
 telli us of a Priett ( of whom one of the Popes had 
 theCuftody) that lived Forty Years upon meer Air, 
 As alfo of a Maid in France^ and another in Ger- 
 many , that for divers Years together did feed on no- 
 thing but this : Nay, he affirms that he himfelf had 
 feen one , who lived tHl ten Years of Age without a- 
 ny other Nourifliment. You may find moft of thefe, 
 and fome other Examples to this purpofe, gathered to- 
 gether by Mendoca Vtridar, Lib. 4. Prob. 23, 24. Now, 
 if this Elementary Air, which is mixed with fuch im- 
 proper Vapours, may accidentally nourifh fome Per- 
 fons ; perhaps then , that pure yEthereal Air may of 
 it felf be more natural to our Tempers. 
 
 But if none of thefe Conjectures may fatisfy ; yet 
 there may haply be fome poflible Means for the Con- 
 veyance of otlicr Food, as Ihail be (hewed afterwards. 
 
 Again, 
 
That the Moon may he a World. ' i 27 
 
 Again, feeing we do not then (pend our felres in 
 any Labour, we fhall not, it may be, need the P.efredi- 
 ment of Sleep. But if we do, we cannot "dtTiie a 
 fofter Bed than the Air, where weV inay repofe our 
 felves firmly and fafely as in our Chambers. 
 
 But here you may ask, whether there be any means 
 for us to know, how far this Sphere of the Earth's 
 Virtue does extend it fe!f ? 
 
 I anfwer, 'tis probable that it does not reach much 
 farther than that Orb of thick vaporous Air, that e,i- 
 compalTeth the Earth ; becaufe 'tis likely the Sun may 
 exhale fome earthly Vapours , near unto the utmolt 
 Bounds of the Sphere allotted to them. 
 
 Now there are divers ways ufed by Aftronomers_, to 
 take the Altitude of this vaporous Air. As, 
 
 1. By obferving the^Height of that Air wh'ch 
 cauleth the Crefufctilumy or Twilight ; for the finding 
 of which, the Ancients ufed this Means : As foon as 
 ever they could difcern the Air in the Eafi to be altered 
 with the leall Light, they would by the Situation of 
 the Stars find out how many Degrees the Sun was be- 
 low the Horizon^ which was ufually about Eighteen. 
 From whence they would eafily conclude , how high 
 that Air muft be above us, which the Sun could fiiine 
 upon, when he was i8 Degrees below us. And from 
 this Obfervation, it was coficluded to be about 5-2 
 Miles high. 
 
 But in this Conclufion, the Ancients were much de- 
 ceived, becaufe they proceeded upon a wrong ground, 
 whilft they fuppofed that the Shining of the Sun's di- 
 red Rays upon the Air, was the only Reafon of the 
 Crepufctilum ; wKereas 'tis certain that there are many Keplar.i 
 other things which may alfo concur to the caufing of coper. i. 
 it. As, p^rn- 
 
 I. Sam2 bright Clouds below the Horizon, vvhicji 
 being illuminated by the Sun, rnay be the Means qf 
 conveying fbme Lignt to our Air , before the dired 
 liays can touch it. > 
 
 K 3 2. The 
 
1 
 
 128 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 2. The often Refraiftion of the Rays, which fuf- 
 fer a frequent Reper|lffion from the Cavity of 
 this SpiCls « may likewife yield us (bme 
 
 ;. And fo may'TheJO^b' of enlightncd Air compaf-*^- 
 fingtheSun, part of which muft rile before liis Bo- 
 dy. 
 
 2. The fecond way whereby we may more furely 
 find the Altitude of this grofler Air, is by taking the 
 Heighth of the highefl^ Cloud : Which may be done, 
 I Either as they ufe to meafure the Altitude of things 
 that cannot be approached unto, viz,, by two Stations, 
 when two Perfons ftall at the fame time, in feveral 
 Places, obferve the Declination of any Cloud from 
 the vertical Point. Or^, 2. which is the more eafie 
 way, when a Man fhall chufe fuch a Station, where 
 he _ may at fome difl:ance difcern the Place on 
 which the Cloud doss caft its Shadow, and withal 
 does obferve, how much both the Cloud and the Sun 
 decline from the vertical Point. From which he may 
 eafily conclude the true Altitude of it, as you may 
 more plainly conceive by this following Diagram. 
 
 Where ^5.15 a perpindicular from the Cloud, C\ 
 the Station of him that meafures, D the Place where 
 (he Shadow of the Cloud doesfall. 
 
 I 
 
That the Moon may he a World. 1^9 
 
 The Inftrument being direaed from the S^uion C, 
 to the Cloud at A,, the Perpendicular wiil Ihevv the 
 Anale B A C. Then letting the Sun ftme through tne 
 iiPhtsof your Inftrumenc , the Perpendicular of it 
 wmgive the Angle B A D. Afcerward^ having meafured Pitifi. 
 the Diftance C />by Paces, you. m^y according to the ir^s"^- 
 common Rules, fiad the Heii^hth ;'? A.^ 
 
 But if without niaking the ObTervanon you would 
 know of what AUitude the highed of .theCe are .ound 
 by Obfbrvadon ; * C^^rn anfo^ers not above tv70 
 Miles ', t Keplar not ah^ve 16000 Paces or therea- ^-7^7- 
 
 °r'Another way to find % Height of this vaporous ^'■^■^^ 
 Air* is, by knowing the D|fcrence of Altitude -which 
 At caulbth in refrading tli^" learns of any Star near the 
 Horizon. And frcrr. aii^i'O'Jfcrvation alio, k is u-uaiiy 
 concluded to be aboul two or three Miles high. 
 
 But now you tnufi not conceive, as it toe Uib ot 
 Masnetical Vigor Nvcce bounded in an ex# Superh- 
 ciesf or as if it di4 equally hold out jufl: to fuch a de- 
 terminate Line, ar^d no farther. But.asic hath been laid 
 of the firft Regi&r^ which is there terminated where 
 the Heat of Reflexion does begin to languilh ; lo 
 likewife is it probable, that this Magnetical Vigor does 
 remit of its Degrees proportionally toitsDiUance trom 
 the Earth, which is the Caufe of it :^ And therefore 
 though the thicker Clouds may be elevated no higher, 
 yet this Orb may be continued in weaker Degrees a 
 little beyond them. We will fuppofe it (vyhich m all 
 likelihood is the moftj to be about twenty Miles high. 
 So that you fee the former Thefis remains Probable ; 
 that if a Man could but fly, or by any other Means 
 get twenty Miles upwards, it werepoilible tor him to 
 
 reach unto the Moon. , ^, .1, »u% 
 
 But it may be again obieded ; Though all this 
 were true ; though there were fuch an Orb ot Air 
 which did terminate the Earth's Vigor : And though - 
 the Heavihefs of our Bodies could not hmder our Pal- 
 
 K4 i^ge, 
 
1 3 o That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 fage through the vaft Spaces of the /Ethereal Air ; 
 yet thofe two other Impediments may feem to deny 
 the Pcflibihiy of any fuch Voyage. 
 
 1. 7'i.e extream Ccl.it7e[s of that Air. If fome of 
 our higher Mountains for this reafon be not habita- 
 ble, much more then will thofe Places be fo, which 
 are farther from any caufe of Heat. 
 
 2. The extream thinnefs of it, which may make it 
 unfit for Expiration. For, if in fome Mountains ( as 
 /irifiofle tells us of Olfwpta^ and out of him * Sf. Au- 
 fitv) the Air be lb thin^ that Men cannot draw their 
 Breath, unlefs it were through fome itioiftned Spun'^- 
 gcs ; much more then rnufi that Air be thin, which 
 is more remotely Htuared from the Caufes of Impuri- 
 ty and Mixture. And then befjde, the Refrad^iori 
 that is made by the vaporous Air encompaffing our 
 Earth, may fuSlciendy prove that there is a great dif- 
 ference betwixt the i^thereal Air and this, in refpedi 
 of Rarity. 
 
 To the firft of thefe I anfwer. That though the fe- 
 coad Region be naturally endowed with fo much 
 Coldnefs, as msy make it fit for the produdion of 
 Meteors ; yet it will not hence follow, that all that Air 
 above it which is not appointed for the like purpofe^, 
 fiiould paftake of the fa ire Condition : But it may 
 feem mere probable, that this i^lthereal Air is freed 
 from having any Quality in the Extreams. And this 
 may be confirmed from thofe common Arguments, 
 which are ufually brought to prove the. Warmnefs of 
 
 lih.T.ca.i. the third Region ; as you may fee in * Frornundus, and 
 
 art. I. others who treat of that Subjedr. 
 
 com7mnt. ""Tis the Alfertlon of Perenui, that the fecond Re- 
 
 inCcn i.s. gioH is not cold n;cerly for this Reafon, becaufe it is 
 diOant from the ordinary Csufes of Heat, but be- 
 caufe it was actually made fo at the firfi-, for the ccn- 
 denfing of the Clouds, and the produdion of other 
 Meteors that were there to be generated ; which (as i 
 conciive,,) might be fufficienrly confirmed from that 
 
 Order 
 
 Mctesr. 
 
That the Moon may be a World i 5 I 
 
 Order of the Creation obferved by Mofes, who tells 
 us that the Waters above the Firmament (by which, 
 in the greateft probability, we are to underftand the 
 Clouds in thelecond Region) v/ere made the fecond 
 Day, Gen. i. 7, 8. whereas the Sun it felf (whofe 
 Refle(5^ion is the caufe of Heat) was not created till 
 tiie fourth Day, ver, 16, 19. 
 
 To the other Objedion I anfwer, That though the 
 Air in the fecond Region ^whereby reafonof its Cold- 
 nefs there are many thick Vapours j do caufe a great 
 Refraction j yet 'tis probable that the Air which is 
 next the Earth, is fometimeSj and in fome places, of 
 a far greater thinnefs ; nay, as thin as the y^thereal 
 Air it felf; Hnce fometimes there is fuch a fpecial heat 
 of the San, as may rarifie it in an eminent degree : 
 And in fome dry places, there are no grofs impure Ex- 
 halations to mix with it. 
 
 But here it may be objeAed : If the Air in the fe- 
 cond Region were more condenfed and heavy than 
 vNvherein we breathe, then that muft neceffarily 
 fuownwards, and polTefs the lower place. 
 
 this fome anfwer. That the hanging of the 
 is in the open Air» is no lefs than a Miracle, 
 fare the words of Fltnj: Q^utd TKirahilnts a^uis in Hi ft I.y< 
 \antibus ? What more wonderful thing is there, f^f- i- 
 )hat the Waters fiiould ftand in the Heavens ? 
 Jrs prove this from the Derivation of the word 
 p from TWD fiupe/cere and CQ atjua ; becaufe the 
 filters do hang there after fuch a ftupendious incon- 
 ceivable Manner : Which feems likewife to be favou- 
 red by Scripture, where 'tis mentioned as a great Ar- 
 gument of God's Omnipotency, that he holds up the 
 Clouds from falling. He bmdi up the TVaten in his thick joh i5. t. 
 Clouds, and the Cloud is not rent under them. 
 
 But that which unto me feems full Satisfadion a- 
 gainft this Doubt, is this Confideration ; That the 
 natural Vigour whereby the Earth does attract denfe 
 Bodies unto it, is lefs efficacious at a diftance j and 
 
 there- 
 
1 3 1 That the Moon may he a World. 
 
 therefore a Body of lefs Denfity, which is near unto 
 it as fuppofe this thin Air wherein we breathe, may 
 naturally be lower in its Situation, than another of a 
 greater Condenfity that is farther off ; as fuppofe the 
 Clouds in the fecond Region. And though the one 
 be abfolutely, and in it felf niore fit for this Motion 
 of Defcent ; yet by reafonof its diftance, the Earth's 
 Magnetical Vertue cannot fo powerfully work up- 
 on it. ^ , .r . 
 
 As for that Relation of Anfiotk, if it were true, 
 
 yet it does not prove this Air to be altogether impaf- 
 fible, fince moift.ied Spunges might help us againft its 
 thinnefs : But 'tis more likely that he took it upon 
 truft, as he did fome other Relations concerning the 
 height of the Mountains, wherein 'tis evident that he 
 Meteor. was grofly miftaken : As where he tells us of Cauca- 
 l.i.c.ii. fif,^ that it cafts its Shadow ^60 Miles. And this Re- 
 lation being of the fame Nature, we cannot fafely 
 truft unto him for the truth of it. 
 
 If it be here enquired, what Means there may be 
 conjedured, for our afcending beyond the Sphere of 
 the Earth's Magnetical Vigour. ^ ^ 
 
 1 anfwcr. i. 'Tis not perhaps impoHibie that 4 
 Man may be able to Fly, by the application of Wings 
 to his own Body : As Angels are pi^ured, as Mercury 
 and Dadalus are feigned, and as hath been attempted 
 by divers ; particularly by a Turk in Conjiantmople, as 
 Bushequitti relates. , , r 
 
 2 If there be fuch a great Ruck in Madagascar, as 
 * Mircus Polus the Fenenan mentions, the Feathers in 
 whofe Wings are twelve Foot long, which can foop 
 up a Horfe and his Rider, or an Elephant, as our j 
 Kites do a Moufe ; why then 'tis but teaching one of i 
 thefe to carry a Man, and he may ride up thither, as j 
 G^«ywc^e does upon an Eagle. xr x < 
 
 ;. Or if neither of thefe Ways will ferve : YetJ J 
 do ferioufly, and upon good Grounds affirm it poffi- 
 ble to make a Flying-Chariot ; in which a Man may 
 
 lit, 
 
nat the Moon may he a Worlds 12^ 
 
 Ht, and give fuch a Motion unto it, as fiiall convey 
 him through the Air. And this perhaps might be 
 made large enough to carry divers Men at the fame 
 time, together with Food for their Fhticum, and 
 Commodities for Traffick. It is not the bignefs of 
 any thing in this kind, that can hinder its Motion, if 
 the motive Faculty be anfwerable thereunto. WeVee 
 a great Ship fwims as well as a fmall Cork, and an 
 Eagle flies in the Air as well as a little Gnat. 
 
 This Engine may be contrived from the fame Prin- 
 ciples by which Archytas made a Wooden Dove, and 
 Regiomontanus a Wooden Eagle. 
 
 I conceive it were no difficult Matter fif a Man had 
 leifurej to (hew more particularly the Means of Com- 
 pofing it. 
 
 The perfedling of fuch an Invention, would be of 
 fuch excellent Ufe, that it were enough, not only to 
 make a Man Famous, but the Age alfo wherein he 
 lives. For befides the ftrange Difcoveries that it might 
 occafion in this other World, it would be alfo of in- 
 conceivable Advantage for Travelling, above any other 
 Conveyance that is now in ufe. 
 
 So that notwithftanding all thefe feeming Impoffi- 
 bilities, Vis likely enough, that there may be a Means 
 invented of Journying to the Moon ; and how happy 
 ihall they be, that are firft fuccefsful in this Attempt ? 
 
 ■ " Felkefq* anima^ quas vuhila fupra^ 
 Et tttrpes fuMOf, flenum^y 'vaporibus orbenty 
 Inferuit calo fanhi [ctntiUa Tromethei. 
 
 Having thus finifiied this Difcourfe, I chanced up- 
 on a late Fancy to this purpofe, under the feigned 
 Name of Domingo Gonfales, written by a late Reve- 
 rend and Learned Bifhop : In which f befides fundry 
 Particulars wherein this latter Chapter did unwitting- 
 ly agree with it ; there is delivered a very pleafant 
 
 and 
 
134 T7;4f the Moon may he a World. 
 
 and well-contrived Fancy concerning a Voyage to 
 this other World. 
 
 He fuppofeth that there is a natural and ufual Paf- 
 fage for many Creatures betwixt our Earth and this 
 Planet. Thus he fays, thofe great \dultitudes of Lo* 
 cufts, wherewith divers Countries have been deftroy- 
 edj do proceed from thence. And if we perufe the 
 Authors who treat of them, we (hall find that many 
 times they fiy in numberlefs Troops, or Swarms, and 
 for fundry Days together before they fall, are feen 
 over thofe Places in great high Clouds, fuch as com- 
 ing nearer, are of extenfion enough to obfcure the 
 Day, and hinder the Light of the Sun. From which, 
 together with divers other fuch Rehtions, he Con- 
 cludes that 'tis not altogether improbable they fliould 
 proceed from the Moon. Thus likewife he fuppofeth ! 
 the Swallows, Cuckoes, Nightingales, with divers o- 1 
 ther Fowl, which are with us only half the Year, toi 
 fly up thither, when they go from us. Amongft 
 which kind, there is a Wild-Swan in the Ea,f ■ lndies,\ 
 whic^ at certain Seafons of the Year do conftantly; 
 take their Flight thither. Now this Bird being of 
 great ftrength, able to continue for a long Flight, as 
 a!fo going ufually in Flocks, like our Wild-Geefe ; he 
 fuppofeth that many of them together, might be 
 icaught to carry the weight of a Man ; efpecially if an 
 Engine were fo contrived (as he thinks it might) that 
 each of them fliould bear an equal fliare in the Bur- 
 den. So that by this means 'tis eafily conceivable, 
 how once every Year a Man might finiOi fuch a Voy- 
 age ; going along with thefe Birds at the beginning 
 of Winter, and again returning with them at the 
 Spring. 
 
 And here, one that had a firong Fancy, were bet- 
 ter able to fet forth the great Benefit and Pleafure to 
 be had by fuch a Journey. And that whether you 
 confider the Itrangenels of the Perfons, Language, 
 
 Arts, 
 
That the Moojt may he a World. i ^ j 
 
 Arts, Policy, Religion of thofe Inhabitants, together 
 with the new Traffick that might be brought thence. 
 In brief, do but confider the Pleafure and Profit of 
 thofe later Difcoveries in America, and we muft needs 
 conclude this to be inconceivably beyond it. 
 
 But fuch Imaginations as thefe, I (hall leave to the 
 Fancy of the Reader. 
 
 Sic itur ad ajlra. 
 
 Reptet bumi ^uicun^'y velit' 
 
 Cxlo re^at iter, ccelo tentahimm ire» 
 
 THE 
 
TheSECOND BOOK. 
 
 — - — — ' ^ ' r- 
 
 A 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
 Concerning A 
 
 NEW PLANET. 
 
 Tending to prove, That ('tis probable) 
 our Earth is one of the Planets. 
 
 Digna res efi Contemplatione, tit f damns in quo rerum Jiatufci' 
 mta : Pigerimarn fortiti, an njelocijjimam fedem : Circa nos 
 Deus omnia, an nos agat. Sqxx. Nac. Quaeft. Lib. 7. Cap. 2. 
 
 The Fifth InfpreJJiofj. 
 
 By the Right Reverend Father in God , 
 JOHN W I L K I N S, late Lord 
 Bifliop of C H E S T E R. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 Printed for John Nicholfon at the Kings-Arr/fs in 
 
 Little Britain ,• Be7tj. Tooke at the Middle Ter/ifk 
 
 Gate in Fleet (ir eet -^ And. Bell at the CrofsKeys and 
 
 Bible in Cornhill ; and Ralph Sinith under the 
 
 .■Fiaz,za of the Rojal-Exchange. MDCCVII, 
 
M? 
 
 To the READER. 
 
 NOT to trouble you with an InveBive againft 
 thofe multitudes of Pamphlets which are every 
 Day prefs^d into the World ; or an /Apology , why this 
 was publiih'd amongft the reft (the ufual Matter for 
 fuch kind of Epiiiles : ) Let me in brief premo- 
 nifli you fomething concerning the 
 
 Chief Scope 1 
 
 And > of this following Difcourfe. 
 Manner j 
 
 i. ^Tis not the Purpofe of it to fet down an Exact 
 Treatife of this kind of A(^ronomy>, but rather to re- 
 move thofe Common Prejudices which ufually deter 
 Men from taking any Argument, tending this //ay, 
 into their Confiderations. For we may obferve, thac 
 in thofe Points which are cry'd down by the more Ge- 
 neral Opinion, Men do for the moft part reft them- 
 felves in the Superficial Knowledge of Things, as they 
 feem at their firft Appearances, thinking thsy can fay 
 enough to any Paradox, againft which they can urge 
 the moft Obvious and Eafy Objedions; and therefore 
 feldom or never fearch into the depth of thefe Points, 
 or enter into any Serious Impartial Examination of 
 thofe Grounds on which they are bottomed. Which 
 as it muft needs be a great hindrance to the Proficiency 
 of all kind of Learning, fo more efpecially is ic in 
 this Particular. We might difcern a greater Cornclinefs 
 and Order in this great Fabrick of the World, and 
 more eafily underftand the Appearances in A(ironomyy 
 if we could with IndifFerency attend to what mighc 
 be iM for that Opinion of Copernicus, which is here 
 defended. L z- Far 
 
140 7o the ^ader. 
 
 2. For the Manner. It is not maintained with fuch 
 Heat and Religion, as if every one that reads it were 
 prefently bound to yield up his Affent: But as it is in 
 other Wars where FtBory cannot be had, Men muft be 
 content with Peace : So likewire is it in this, and 
 diould be in all other Philofophical Contentions, If 
 there be nothing able to convince and fatisfy the In- 
 diiferent Reader, he may ftiil enjoy his own Opini- 
 on. All Men have not the fame way of apprehend- 
 ing things ; but according to the Variety of their 
 Temper^ Cuftcm, and Abilities, their Underftand- 
 ingsare feverally fafhicned to different Ailents: Which 
 had it been but well confider'd by fome of our Hot 
 * Fromond. ^ Adverfaries^ they v.'culd not have (hewed more Vio- 
 M.Rojf. ^g^^^ jjj oppoling the ?erjons againft whom they write, 
 than StrcKgib in confuting the Cnufe. 
 
 'Tis an Excellent Rule to be obferved in all Difputes, 
 Thai: Men fhould give Sof( fVonls and Hard Arffuments j 
 that they would not To much Itrive to fex, as to con' 
 ^ince an Enemy. If this were but diligently pradifed 
 in all Cafes, and on all fides, we might in a good mea- 
 fure be freed from thofe Vexations in the fearch of 
 Truth, which the Wife Solomon , by his own Experi- 
 ence did fo much complain of, Ecclefj^ifies i. 18. In 
 much IVtjdotn tbers is much Griefs and he that increefeth 
 Ktioipled^e^ ificreajeth Sjrro'W. 
 
 To conclude : Though there fliould be nothing in 
 thisDifcourfe conducible to your Information and Be- 
 nefit ; yet it may ferve in the Ferufal, as it did in the 
 Cd7?:pofure, for the Recreation of fuch Leifure Hours as 
 may conveniently be fpared from more weighty Em- 
 ploy mcnts. 
 
 Farewell* 
 
 THE 
 
»4l 
 
 THE 
 
 PROPOSITI 
 
 That are infifled on in this D i s c o u r s eJ 
 
 P R O P. I. 
 
 THAT the feeming Novdty and Singularity of thk 
 Opinion can be no fufficient Reafon to prove it erro» 
 veorn* ' 
 
 P R O R IL 
 
 That the Places of Scripture which feem to intimate tk 
 Diurnal Motion of the Sun or Heavens:, are fairly capo- 
 ble of another Interpretation, 
 
 PROP, ill 
 
 That the Holy Ghofl in many Tlaces of Scripture does plain^ 
 ly conform his Expreffions to the Error of our Conceits , 
 and does not (peak of fmdry Things m they an in them-^ 
 Jehes, bat m they appear unto m, 
 
 P R O R IV. 
 
 that^ divers Learned Men have fallen into great Ahfurdi^ 
 ties ^ whilfi they haiit looked for the Gromds of Fhi^ 
 •'W^/ f^^*^ ^^« ^^rds of Scriptm, 
 
 ti PROP, 
 
141 The CONTENTS?. 
 
 PROP. V. 
 
 7l?at the Words of Scripture in their Troper ami StriSi 
 Conftru^ion , do not any where affirm the Immobility of 
 the Earth* 
 
 PROP. VI. 
 
 7%at there is not any Aygument from the Words of Scri' 
 pure, Vrinciples of Nature^ or Oh fcr vat tons in AftrO- 
 nomy, which can fufficiently evidence the Earth fo hs 
 in the Center of tb^ Univerfii 
 
 PROP. VII. 
 
 '/«■ frohahk that the Sun is in the Centre of the P^erldl 
 
 PROP. yiiL 
 
 7hjit there it not any fufficient Reafon to prove the Earth 
 incapable of thofe Motions which Copernicus aferibes 
 unto it, 
 
 PROP. IXi 
 
 7iat it is more probable the Earth does move, than the 
 Heaven /, 
 
 PROP. X, 
 
 That this Hypoth^fis is exu^ly flgrseabk to Common 
 JppearancfSA 
 
 THAT 
 
M3 
 
 That the Earth may be a Planet. 
 
 PROP. I. 
 
 That the Seeming Novelty and Singularity of this 
 Opinion^ can he no Juficient Reafon to prove it 
 erroneous, 
 
 IN the fearch ofTheological Truths, it is the fafeft 
 Method, firft of all to look unto Divine Amho- 
 rity ; becaufe that carries with it as clear an Evi- 
 dence to our Faith, as any thing elfe can be to 
 our Reafon. But on the contrary,, in the examination 
 of Philofophical Points, it were a prepofterous Courfe 
 to begin at the Teftimony and Opinion of others, and 
 then afterwards to defcend upto the Reafons that may 
 be drawn from the Nature and EiTence of the things 
 themfelves : Becaufe thefe Inartificial Arguments (as 
 the Logicians call them j do not carry with them any 
 clear and convincing Evidence j and therefore (hould 
 come after thofe that are of more necelTary depen- 
 dance, as ferving rather to confirm^ than refolve the 
 Judgment. 
 
 But yet, fo it is, that in thofe Points which are be- 
 fldes the Common Opinion, Men are carried away at 
 the firft by the general Cry, and feldom or never 
 cqme fo far, as to examine the Reafons that may be 
 urged for them^ And therefore, fince it is the Pur- 
 pofe of this Difcourfe, to remove thofe Prejudices 
 which may hinder our Judgment in the like Cafe, 'tis 
 requifite that in the firit place there be fome fatisfa6ii- 
 
 L 3 Oil 
 
144 ^^'^^ the Earth may he a planet, 
 
 on given to thofe Arguments that may be taken from 
 the Ai)th,cricy of others. 
 
 Which Arguments are infffled on by our Adverfa- 
 riiS w/ith much Heat and Violence. 
 
 What ffay they) (hall an upjlart Novelty thruft 
 cut fuch a Truch as hath pafTed by Succeffive Traditi- 
 on through all Ages of the W^ord ; and hath been 
 generally entertain'd, not only in th? Opinion of the 
 Vu'gar^ but alfo o? the greatell Phiiofophers, and 
 molt Learned Men ? * Shall we think thatamrngO the 
 multitude oi thofe who in feveral Times have been 
 eminent for NeA/ Inventions, and Strange Difcove- 
 ries, therii was none able to find out fuch a Secret as 
 this, befjdes fome Fabulous Pytb-^goream, and of late 
 Copirfiiem ? Is it probahle that the World (hould laft 
 for ahove Five Thoufard Years together, and yet the 
 Inhabirants of it be fo dull and fuipid , as to be un~ 
 acquainted with its Motion? Nay, fhall we think that 
 ihcie Excellent Men whom the Holy Gholl: made ufe 
 cf in the Penning of Scripture, who were extraordi- 
 narily infpired with Supernatural Truths, fhould notr 
 wirljfi-anding he fo groflv ignorant of fo common a 
 Matter as (his? Can we believe, if there were any 
 fuch thing, that JofJjua, and job, and David^ and So- 
 lcn;o}], &c. ftiould know nothing of \tl Certainly it 
 muft needs argue a ftrong Affeciacion of Singularity, 
 for a Man to take up any groundlefs Fancy againft 
 iuch Ancient and General Authority. 
 
 I anfwer : As we ^ould not be fo Fondly conceited 
 of our felvesj and the extraordinary Abilities of thefe 
 prefent Ages, as to think every thing that is ancient 
 to be obfoiete : Or, as if it niufr needs be with Opi- 
 nions as it is with Cloaths, where the Neweft is for 
 the mod part bell. So neither ihould \vc be fo fuper- 
 Ititioufly dcivoted to Antiquity, as to take up every 
 thing for Canonical, which drops from the Pen of a 
 Father; or was approved by the Confent of the Anci- 
 ents 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, 
 
 ents. 'Tis an Excellent Saying , * Ah khd^^.i^iov Vt) -ni 
 yvtlim ToV yJhAovTa. (fnhcxrotpiiy, Ic behoves eve;f -, one in the 
 learch of Truth, always to preferve a Philofophical 
 Liberty ; not to be fo enflav'd to the Opinion ot any 
 Man, as to think whatever he fays to be infallibie. 
 We mud labour to find out what things are in them- 
 felves, by our own Experience, and a thoroughExanii- 
 nation of their Matures, not what another fays of 
 them. And if in fuch an Impartial Enquiry, we 
 chance to light upon a New Way, and t) at which is 
 befides the Common Road, this is neither our Fault, 
 nor our Unhappinefs. 
 
 Not our Fault, becaufe it did not arife from Singu- 
 larity or AfFe(51:ation. Not our Unhappinefs, becaufe 
 it is rather a Privilege to be the firft in finding out fuQh 
 Truths as are not difcernible to every Common Eyp. 
 If Novelty fhould always be rejeiSted, neither would 
 Arts have arrived to that Perfednon wherein now we 
 enjoy them, nor could we ever hope for any future 
 Reformation : Though all Truth be in it felf eternal, 
 yet in refpe<5b of Mens Opinions, there is fcarce any 
 fo ancient but had a beginning, and was once count- 
 ed a Novelty; and if for this Reafon it had been con- 
 demned as an Error, what a general Darknefs and Ig- 
 norance would then have been in the Vv'^orld, in com- 
 p^ifon of that Light which now abounds ; according 
 to that of the Poet : 
 
 145 
 
 * Qjiod fi tarn Antic^uis Novitas invifa fuijjtt^ 
 Quam nobis , quid nunc eJJ'e veim aut quid haherety 
 i^od legeret tareretque viritim fublicus ujui ? 
 
 If our Forefahers bad hut hated thm. 
 All that "were neiv ; what had been old to us ? 
 Or , bow might any thing confirmed be. 
 For publick fffe by its Antiquity ? 
 
 * Horat. 
 lib.z.e^.T. 
 
 L4 
 
 But 
 
1 4<5 71? at the Earth may he a planet. 
 
 But for more full fatisfadlion of all thofe Scruples 
 that may arife from the feeming Novelty or Singu- 
 larity of this Opinion, I {hall propofe thefe following 
 Co-nllderition?. 
 Confid. I. Suppofe it were a Novelty, yet 'tis in Philofophy, 
 and that is made up of nothing elfe; but receives ad- 
 dition from everyjDay's Experiment. True indeed, 
 for Divinity we have an Infallible Rule that does 
 plainly inform us of all neceiTary Truths ; and there- 
 fore the Primitive Times are of greater Authority, be- 
 caufe they were nearer to thofe Holy Men who were' 
 the Penmen of Scripture. But now for Philofophy, 
 there is no fuch Reafon : Whatever the Schoolmen 
 may talk, yet /-.rilhtle^ Works are not neceffarily true, 
 and he himfelf hath by fufficient Arguments proved 
 himfelf to be liable unto Error. Now in this Cafe, if 
 we ftiould fpeak properly , Antiquity does confift in 
 the Old Age of the World, not in the Youth of it. 
 In fuch Learning as may be increafed by frefh Experi- 
 ments and new Difcoveries; *tis we are the Fathers, 
 and of more Authority than former Ages ; becaufe 
 we have the ad/antage of more Time than they had, 
 and Truth ('we lay) is the Daughter of Time. How- 
 ever^ there is nothing in this Opinion fo magifterially 
 propofed, bu: the Reader may ufe his own liberty ; 
 and if all the Reafons confidered together do qot 
 fcem convincing unto him, he may freely rejed: it. 
 
 In thofe Natural Points which carry with them 
 any Doubt or Obfcurity, it is the fafvft way to fu- 
 fp^'nd our Affents ; and though we may difpute fro 
 or con , yet not to fettle our Opinion on either 
 Side. 
 Conftd, 2. jn weighing the Authority of others, 'tis not their 
 Muhitude that fhouid prevail, or tlieir Skill in fome 
 things that ihould make them of credit in every thing; 
 bur we (hould examine what particular infight and 
 ex^erisnce they had in thofe Things for which they 
 are cited. Now 'tis plain, that Common People judge 
 
 by 
 
That the Earth may he a planet. 147 
 
 by their Senfes, and therefore their Voices are alto- 
 gether unfit to decide any Philo(bphical Doubt, which 
 caunoc well be examined or explained without Dif- 
 courfe andReafon. And as for the Ancient Far hers, 
 though they were Men very eminent for their Holy 
 Lives , and extraordinary Skill in Divinity, yet they 
 were moft of them very ignorant in thi;t part of Learn- 
 ing wvhich concerns this Opinion ; as appears by ma- 
 ny of their grofs Miftakes in this kind ; as that coii- 
 cerning the Antipdes,&c. And therefore it is not their 
 Opinion neither, in this Biifinefs, that to an indiffe- 
 rent Seeker of Truth will be of any ftrong Autho- 
 
 "^But againft this it is * objeded. That the Tnflance "^f^^- ^ 
 of the Antipodes does not argue any fpeciai Ignorance f/^'^^s.' 
 in thefs Learned Men ; or that they had lefs skiil in 
 fuch Human Arts th>»n others ; fince Anfiotk himfelf, 
 and Vlmy, did deny this as well as they. 
 I anfwer : 
 
 1. If they did, yet this does make more to the pre- 
 fent purpofe : For if fuch great Scholars, who were fo 
 eminent for their Knowledge in Natural Things, 
 might yet notwitfiftanding be groflv miftaken in fuch 
 Matters as are now evident and certain, why then we 
 have nokeaCon to depend upon their Affertions or 
 Authorities, as if they were infallible. 
 
 2. Though thefe great Natur.ili'is, forwent of Come 
 Experience , were miftaken in that Opinion, whilft 
 they thought no Place was habitable but the Tempe- 
 rate Zones : Yet it cannot be from hence inferr'd that 
 they denied the poffibility of Antipod s ; fince thefe are 
 fuch Inhabitants as live oppofite unto us in the other 
 Temperate Zone : And 'twere an abfurd thing to ima- 
 gine that thofe who liv'd in different Zofies, can be 
 Anttfcdes to one another ; and argues that a Man did 
 nor underftand, or elfe had forgotten that Common 
 Diftinaion in Geography , wherein the Relation of the 
 World's Inhabitants' unto one another are reckoned 
 
 up 
 
148 Tl)at the Earth may he a Planet, 
 
 ,up under thefe three Heads ; Antaciy Periaci, and Anti-\ 
 foJis. But to let this pafs : 'Tis certain, that fome of 
 the Fathers did deny the Being cf any fuch, upon o- 
 ther mofeabfurd Grounds. Now if fuch as Cbryfo(totn,\ 
 LaBantius^ &c. who Were noted for great Scholars; 
 and fuch too as fiourifhed in thefe later times , when 
 all ha -nan Learning was more generally profefs'd,(hould \ 
 nocwichdanding he fo much mif^aken in fo obvious a j 
 Matter; Why then may we not think that thofe Pri- 
 mitive Saints, who were the Penmen of Scripture, 
 and eminent above others in their Time for Holinefs 
 and KnovVledge ; might yet be utterly ignorant of ma- 
 ny Phi'ofophical Truths., which are commonly known 
 in thefe Days ? 'Tis probable, that the Holy Ghofl; 
 did inform them only with theKnowledge of thofe things 
 whereof chey were to be the Penmen , and that they 
 vyerenot better skilkd inPointsofPhilofophy than others. 
 There were indeed fome of them who were fupsrna*- 
 turally endowed with human Learning ; yet this was, 
 becaufe they might thereby be fitted for fome particU' 
 lar Ends, which all the red: were not appointed unto : 
 Thus Solomon was firangely gifted «vith all kind of 
 Knowledge, in a great mcafure ; bec.iufe he was to 
 '• ^-^S' teach us by his own Experience the extream. Vanity of 
 it, that we might not fo fectie our Defires upon it, as 
 if it were able to yield us Gonrentment. So toD the 
 Apoftles WQXQ extraordinarily infpired with the Know- I 
 ledge of Languages, becaufe they were to Preach un- 
 to all Nations. But it will not hence follow, that 
 therefore the other Holy Penmen were greater Scho- 
 lars than others. Tis likely that Job'hzA as much hu- 
 man Learning as mofl of them , becanfe his Book is ' 
 more efpecially remarkable for lofty Expreffions, an 
 Difcoarfes of Nature ; and yet 'tis not likely that he 
 was acquainted with all thofe Myfteries which later ' 
 Ages have difcovered ; becaufe when God would con- 
 vince him of his own Folly and Ignorance , he pro- 
 pofc^ to him fuch Qaeftions, as being altogether unan- 1 
 
 fwerable; I 
 
TInitthe Earth may he a Planet. 1451 
 
 fwerable ,- which nocwithftanding, any ordinary Phi- 
 lofophei* in thefe Days might have refolved. As you 
 may fee at large in the thirty eighth Chapter of that 
 Book. 
 
 The Occafion was this : Joh having * before defired *cap.i-i.i> 
 that he might difpute with the Almighty concerning 
 the Uprightnefs of his own Wavs, and the Unreafo- 
 nablenefs of thofeAfflidions which he under went,ctoes 
 at length obtain his Defire in this kind ; and God 
 voir:h(afes in this thirty eighth Chapter, to argue the 
 Cafe with hini. Where he does (hew Joh how unfit 
 he v/as to judge of the Ways of Providence^in difpofing 
 of Bleilings and Afflictions ; when as he was fo igno- 
 rant in ordinary Matters, being notable to difcernthe 
 Reafon of natural and common Events. As * why *F.8, 10, 
 the Sea fhould be fo bounded from overflowing the ^ ^ * 
 Land ? What is the f Breadth of the Earth ? What is 
 the * Reafon of the Snow or Hail ? What was the t t ^'^; '/; 
 Caufe of the Rain or Dew, of Ice and Froft. and the -j- F^r. Is, 
 like. By which Quefnons, It fee*!!?, 7"^ Wr^s'fo utterly 29. 
 puzzled, that he is fain afterwards co humble himfelf in 
 this Acknowiedgmer>t : "<• I ha've utterred that I undir- * c^fr 42 
 fi-ood not, tbtnvs too ivonclerful for me, which I kntw not. 'ver.-i, c'. 
 Whereiore I abhor my [elf , and repent in dufi and a&es. 
 
 So that 'tis likely thefe holy Men had not thefe hu- 
 man Arts by any fpecial Infpiracion, but by Inftrudi- 
 on and Study, and other ordinary Means j" and there- 
 fore Mofti his Skill in this kind is called the Learning ^^^ 
 of the Egyptians. Now, becaufe in thofe times all Sci- '^^ ^' 
 ences were taught only in a rude and iraperfed Man- 
 ner ; therefore 'cis likely that they alfo had but a dark 
 and confufed Apprehenfion of Things, and were liable 
 to the common Errors. And for this Reafon is it 
 why * Toftatus (fpeaking of 7c//Wsbiddir)g the Moon . 
 liand (iill as well as the Sunj fays. Quod forte erat impe *y'>P''^-^°' 
 Titus circa Afirorum doHrinam, Jtntiens tit I'ulgares Qnti- ^'^■P' '^• 
 unt : That perhaps he was unskilful in AUrononiy, ha- 
 ving the famegrofs Conceit of the Heavens, as the 
 
 Vul- 
 
} 5 P That the Earth may he a Planet] 
 
 Vulgar had. From a!I which it may be inferred, that; 
 the Ignorance of fach good Men and great Scholars 
 concernin,'? fhefe Philofophica! Points, cm be no fuffi- 
 cient Reaion, why after Examination welhould dt^ny 
 them, or Joabt of their Truth. 
 c^nfid.i. 'Tis conriderable, that in the Rudiments and firft 
 Begmnings of Aftronomy, and fo in fe.veral Ages af- 
 ter, thi5 Opinion hach found many Patrons, and thofa 
 too Men of eminent Note and Learning, Such wa3 
 niore elpecully Fythagoras, who was p,enerally and 
 highly efieemed for his Divine V/k, and 'rare Inver - 
 ons ; under whofe myflvrious Sayings, there be mauv 
 ri^xRof ^^^^'"^"^ Truths to be difcovered. j 
 
 /^.'^V/- _ B-^f againft his Tcftimony, itis again*objeaed ; If 
 '•'"' ' Ij-,^.^''' ^^^^e of this Opinion, yet his Authority 
 ihouldnot be of any Credit, becaufe he was the Au- 
 thor of nuny o:her moniirous Abfurdities. 
 
 To this I anfwer ; If a Man's Error in fome parti-' 
 culars Ihould take away his Credit (or every thing elfe, 
 this would abolilTi the Force of all human Authority ; 
 for humanum efi errau. Secondly, 'tis probable that 
 many of Vythngoras's Sayings which feem fo abfurd, 
 are not to be underftood according to their Letter, but 
 vn a myftical Senfe. 
 
 2. But he objedi again. That Vytba^oras was not of 
 thisOpmion ; and that for two Reafons ; Firft, be-i 
 caule no ancient Author that he had read afcribes it i 
 unto him. Secondly, it is contradidlory to his other I 
 Opmions, concerning the Harmony that was made by ^ 
 the Motion of the Heavens; which could not confiit 
 with this other of the Earth's Motion, 
 
 To the /irft I anfwer ; The Objedor could notchufe' 
 but know that this Affertion is by many ancient Au- 
 thors afcri bed to thatSed whereof Pythagoras Was the 
 Chief. He might have i^tn n exprefly in *"Anihok him- ] 
 
 ^ DeCaU. Iclf O,^ rii;&t;/.„o/ >\y,^v olii (^ -7^ ^-^ y^^ ^^ ^^; ] 
 '• 2. c. 13. v^. yjjj tv ri^/J ctT^y ^my Kunhff? r^t^fi^^M Tiipt f«'w, vvktz -n x5 ;1 
 
 In 'I 
 
That tie Earth vuy he a flanet. 1 5 i' 
 
 In which the Philofopher does compendioufly rec- ■ 
 kon up the three chief Particulars implyed in the Opi- 
 nion of the Pythagoreans. Firft, the Sun's being in thS 
 Centre of the World. Secondly, the Earth's Annual 
 Motion about it, as being one of the Planets. Third- 
 ly , its diurnal Revolutionj whereby it cau fed Day and 
 
 Night. 
 
 To his Second Reafon I atifwer ; Firft, that Pj/thj- 
 goras thought the Earth to be one of the Planets ( as 
 appears by Anjhtlts Teftimony concerning him ; ) 
 and to move amongft the reft. So that his Opinion 
 concerning the Motion of the Heavens, is not incon- 
 fiftent with that of the Earth. Secondly, but as for 
 the Celeftial Harmony , he might perhaps under this 
 Myftical Expreffion, according to his ufual Cudom, 
 Ihadow forth unto us that mutual Proportion and Har- 
 monical Confent, which he did conceive in the feve- 
 ral Bignefs, Diftance, Motions of the Orb?. So thac 
 notwithftanding thefe Objeaions, it is evident thac 
 Vythagoras was of this Opinion, and that his Authori- 
 ty may add fomewhat for the Confirmation of it. Un- 
 to him affented ^ Arijiarchtii Samiusy who flourilhed a- 
 bout 280 Years before the Birth of our Saviour ; and *^rchime^ 
 was by reafon of this Opinion, arraigned for Pro- ,/J„^^'*^^. 
 phanenefs and Sacrilege by the Arecpagites ; becaufe he 
 had blafphemed the Deity of Fe^a, affirming the 
 Earth to move. To them agreed Vhilolat4s, HeraclUes, 
 TonttuSf Ntcetof, Syracufavm^ EcphantuSy Lucippus, and 
 Tlato himfelf (as fome think.) So likewife Numa Pom^ 
 ftlius , as Plutarch relates it in his Life ; who in refe- 
 rence to this Opinion, built the Temple of Vefla 
 round, like the Univerie ; in the middle of it was 
 placed the perpetual Veftal Fire ; by which he did re- 
 prefent the Sun in the Centre of the World. All 
 thefe Men were in their feveral Times of fpecial 
 Note, as well for their extraordinary Learning, as for 
 this Opinion, 
 
1 5 i T-'^l'^nt the Earth may be a Planet. 
 
 4. confui. 'Xis confiderahle, that fince this Science of Aftrono-^ 
 my hath been raifed to any PerfeAion, there have 
 been many of the bed Skill in it, that have affented 
 unto that AfTertion which is here defended. Amongft > 
 whom was the Cardinal Cufanusy but more efpecially : 
 Lf!" . ^^^'*"Jf«^^.who was a Man very exad and diligent in ' 
 (%. iz. " 7"*^ Studies tor above Thirty Years together, from 
 the Year ipo to 1^50, and upwards ; and fince him, 
 moil: of the beft Aftronomers have been of this fide. 
 So that now there is fcarce any of Note and Skill,* 
 who are not Cope^mcus his Followers ; and if we 
 lliould go to moft Voices, this O^jinion would carry 
 ic from any other. It would be too tedious to reckon 
 up thi Names of thofe that may be cited for it ; I will 
 only mention fome of the chief: Such were Joacbi- 
 vus Rbeticus^ an elegant Writer ; Chrjfiflpbents Rothman; 
 M4iin, a Man very eminent for his fingular Skill in 
 this Sclexice ; who though at the firft he were a Fol- 
 lower of VtoltK^y^ yet upon his fecond and more exadt 
 Thoughts, he concluded Copernicus to be in the right ; 
 * Pr^f. ad and that the ufual Hypotbe/is, * prafcnptione potius ejuam 
 Narrav. r^t'ONe vdkt, docs prevail more by Prefcription than 
 kbetici. Reafon. So iikewife Erafmus Reimldus, who was the 
 Man that calculated the Prutenical Tables from Coper^ 
 r/icus his Obfervations, and did intend to write a Com- 
 mentary upon his other Works, but that he was taken 
 our of this Life before he could finilh thofe Refolutions. 
 'Xhi.i. Unto thefe alfo I might add the Names of Gilbert, Kep-. 
 Ur, GahUiis, with fundry others, who have much 
 beautified and confirmed this Hypotbefis, with their 
 new Invention?. Nay I may fafely affirm, that a- 
 moagft the Vadety of thofe Opinions that are in Aftro- 
 nomy, there are more (of thofe which have skill in 
 it) that are of this Opinion, not only than any other 
 fide, but than all the reit put together. So that now 
 it is a greater Argumcxit of Singularity to oppofc 
 
Ti)at the Earth may he a planet. i 5 ? 
 
 ^Tis probable, that many other of th^ Ancients 5 conjid. 
 would have afiented unto this Opinion, if they had 
 been acquainted with thofe EsJperiments which later 
 Times have found out for the Confirmation of it : And 
 therefore * Rhetkus and t Keplar do fo often wiih that * /« ^^^, 
 Jnfiotle wtro now alive again. Qaeflionlefs he was ^^-^_ 
 fo rational and ingenious a Man, fnot half fo obfti- t^^^f/^ 
 nate as matiy of his Followers ; that upon iuch Pro- j.^„^ ^,^y: 
 babilities as thefe, he would quickly have renounced ad^J.jjir. 
 his own Principles, and have come over to this fide : co^em. 
 For in one place, having propofed feme Queflioas a- 
 bout the Heavens, which were not eafie to be relol- DcCcei.i.z, 
 ved, hefets down this Rule; That in Difficulties, a c. 12, 
 Man may take a liberty to fpeak that which feems 
 moft likely to him ; and in fuch Cafes, an aptnels to 
 guefs at fome Refolution, for the fatisfying of our 
 Philofophical Thirft, does deferve rather to be Itijed 
 by the Name of Modeliy, than Boldnefs. And m a- 
 nocher place, he refers the Reader to the different O- ^et 
 pinions of Aftronomers, advifing him to examine '""P- 
 their feveral Tenents, as well Euclcxus as CaUppus ; and 
 to entertain that (not which is moft ancient, but) 
 which is moft exadl and agreeable to Reafon. And as ^imJ. rj. 
 ifor Ttolomy, 'tis his Counfel, that we fliculd endeavour ^^i*- -^ 
 ito frame fuch Suppofitions of the Heavens^ as might 
 ibe more fimple, being void of all Superfluities : And 
 I he ccnfeffes, that his H\pothefis had many Implications 
 m it, together with fundry intricate and unlikely 
 I Turnings ; and therefore in the fame place, he feems 
 to admoniih us, that we Ihould not be too confident 
 the Heavens were really in the fame Form wherein 
 ^Aftronomers did fuppofe them. So that 'tis likely, 
 i'cwas his chief intent to propofe unto us fuch a Frame 
 iof the Geleftial Bodies, from which we might, iii 
 fome meafure, conceive of their, different Appearan- 
 ices ; and according to v;hich, we Height be able to 
 I calculate their Motions. Buc r.cw m Coperr.kus )[{n 
 (endeavour, to propound unto us [he true natural Cau- 
 
 Met.hh.xi. 
 
J 4 That the Earth may Be a Tlajiet. 
 
 fes of thef^ feveral Motions and Appearances : It was 
 the intent of the one, to fettle the Imagination ; and 
 of the other, to fatisfie the Judgment. So that we 
 have no reafon to doubt of his Aflent unto this Opi- 
 nion, if he had but clearly underftood all the Grounds , 
 of it. 
 
 'Tis reported of Clavius, that when lying upon his 
 Death- Bed, he heard the ftrft News of chofe Difco- 
 veries which were made by GaliUui's Glafs, he brake 
 forth into thefe Words : Fi^ere /^^ronorr.Ds, quo paBo 
 covfiituendi funt orbes C<£lefies, ut hac Vhammena Jalvari : 
 fnffint ; That it did behove Aftronomers to confider of; 
 fome other H)pothefis, befide that of Vtolomy^ whereby 
 they might folve all thofe new Appearances. Intima- 
 ting that this old one, which formerly he had defend- 
 ed, would not now ferve the turn : And doubtlefs, 
 if he had been informed how congruous all thefe might 
 have been unto the Opinion of Copernicus^ he would 
 quickly have turned on that fide. 'Tis confiderable, i 
 that amongft the Followers of Copernicus^ there are ' 
 fcarce any who were not formerly againft him ; and ' 
 fucb, as at firft had been throughly feafoned with the 
 Principles of Ariflotk ; in which, for the moft part, 
 they have no lefs skill than thofe who are fo violent in 
 the defence of them. Whereas on the contrary, there 
 are very few to be found amongft the Followers of 
 Art[iotle and Ftolof?2j, that have read any thing in Cc-^ 
 fermcmy or do fully underftand the Grounds of his O- 
 pinion ; and I think, not any, who having been once 
 fettled with any ftrcng AlTent on this fide, that have 
 afterwards revolted from it. Now if we do but feri* 
 oufly weigh with our felves, that fo many ingenious, 
 confidering Men, ihould reje6: that Opinion which 
 they were nurfed up in, and which is generally ap- 
 proved as the Truth ,• and that for the embracing of 
 fuch a Faraclox as is condemned in Schools, and com- 
 monly cryed down, as being abfurd and ridiculous : 
 I fay^ if a Man do but well confider all chis^ he muft 
 
 oeeds 
 
That the Earth ?nay he a Tlamt, l y J 
 
 needs conclude, that there is f;3me ftrong Evidence 
 for it to be found out by Examination ; and that in 
 all probability, this is the righter fide. 
 
 Tis probable, that moft of thofe Authors who nave 7 Conjid, 
 oppofed this Opinion, fince it hath been confirmed by 
 new Difcoveries, were (tirred up chereunto by fome 
 of thefe Three infufficient Grounds. 
 
 1. An over-fond and partial Conceit oF their pro- 
 per Inventions. Every Man is naturally more affecS-- 
 ed to his own Brood, than to that of which another 
 is the Author ; though perhaps it may be more agreea- 
 ble to Reafon. 'Tis very difficalc for any one, intha 
 fearch of Truth, to find in himfelf fuch an Indifferen- 
 cy, as chat his Judgment is not at all fwayed by an 
 over-weaning AfFeiftion unto that which is proper un- 
 to himfelf. And this perhaps might be the firfl: Reafon 
 that moved the noble Tycbo wich fo much heat to op- 
 pofe Cop'irniati f that fo he might the better make way 
 for the fpreading of that Hypthefis which was of his 
 own Invention. To this I might likewife refer that 
 Opinion of On^anus and Mr. Carpenter, who attribute 
 to the Earth only a Diurnal Revolution. It does more 
 efpecially concern thofe Men that are Leaders of feveral 
 Sides, to beat down any that (hould oppofe them. 
 
 2. A fervile and fuperftitious. fear of Derogating 
 from the Authority of the Ancients, or oppoling thdc 
 Meaning of Scripture-Phrafes » wherein ci^e fjppoGd 
 Infallible Church hath for a long time underdood 
 thena. 'Tis made part of the new Creed, fet forth by 
 Tii4s the Fourth, i ^64. That no Man (hould 2i{^int. un- 
 to any Interpretation of Scripture, which is nor appro- 
 ved of by the Authority of the Fathers. And this is 
 the reafon why che Jefuits^ who are otherwife the 
 greatest Affeciors of thofe Opinions which feem to * serrarltt^ 
 be nev^^ and fubtil, do yet forbear to fay any thing in commenJit 
 defends of this ; but rather take all Occafions to in- ^•^Jlf^l\°\ 
 veigh againft it, * One of them does exprefly con- 5^*'^i,>/rS 
 ^cmoi U iat a Herefie. And fiaGe hiiu, it hath been phyyotu. 
 
 M sailed 
 
1^6 TlhU the Earth may he aTlanet. 
 
 called in by ^ two Seffions of the Cardinals, as being 
 an Opinion both abfurd and dangerous. And there- 
 fore likewife do they punifli it, by calling the Defen- 
 ders of it into the Pope's true(t Purgatory, the Inqui- 
 (ition : But yet neither thefe Councils , nor any ( that 
 I know of) fmce them, have proceeded to fuch a pe- 
 remptory Cenfure of it, as to conclude it a Herefie ; 
 fearing perhaps, left a more exa«a Examination, and 
 the Diicovery of fucuie Times, finding it to be an un- 
 deniable Truth, it might redound to the prejudice of 
 their Church, and its Infillibility. And therefore he 
 that is moft bitter againft it, in the heat and violence 
 of Oppofition, will not call it a Herefie : The worft 
 that he dares fay of it, is, That it is cplnio teweraria 
 qua: alterojaltem pde intravtt boar epos limen : A rafh Opi-* 
 nion, and bordering upon Herefie. Though unto this 
 likewife he was incited by the eagerncfs of Dlfputati- 
 on, and a defire of Vidory ; for it feems many emi- 
 nent Men of that Church before him, were a great 
 deal more mild and moderate in their Cenfures of it. 
 
 Vaul the Third was not fo much offended at Co^er- 
 fiicm, when he Dedicated his Work unto him. 
 
 The Cardinal of Cuja doss exprefly maintain this 
 Opinion. 
 
 Sc hub erg! us, the Cardinal of Capua, did with much 
 Importunity and great Approbation, beg of Copernicus 
 the Ccmmentaries that he writ in this kind ; And it 
 iccms the Fathers of the Council of Trentf were not 
 fiich confident Defenders of Pioiom/s Hypotbefis againft 
 Copernicus, as many now are. For, fpeaking of thofe 
 intricate Subtilties which the Fancies of Men had 
 framed to maintain the Pradice of the Church, they 
 compared them to Aftronomers, who, fay they, do 
 feign Excenirtcks and Epicicles , and fuch Engines of 
 Orbs, to fave the Pbanomsna ; though they know 
 there are no fuch things. But now, becaufe this Opi- 
 nion of Copervictts in later Times hach been fo ftridtly 
 forbidden and punilhed, ic will concern thofe of that 
 
 Religion, 
 
That the Earth may he a l?lanet. i jpr 
 
 ketigion, to take heed of meddling in the defence of 
 it, but rather to fubmit the liberty of their Reafon 
 unto the Command of their Superiors, and fwhich 
 is very abfurd) even in Natural Queftions, not ro at 
 fent unto any thing but what Authority (hall al!ow 
 of. 
 
 3 A judging of things by Senfe rather phan by Dif- 
 courfe and Reafon: A tying of the Meaning of Scrip- 
 ture to the Letter of it , and from thence concluding 
 Philofophical Points, together with an ignorance of 
 all thofe Grounds and Probabilities in Alirommj. upon 
 which this Opinion is bottomed. And this, in all like- 
 lihood, is the Reafon why fome Men , who in other 
 things perhaps are able Scholars, do write fo vehe- 
 mently againft it ; and why the Common People in 
 general do cry it down^ as being abfurd and ridicu- 
 lous. Under this Head I might refer the Oppofitiort 
 of Mr. Fulkvy AL Rof. &c. 
 
 But now, no Prejudice that may arife from the bare 
 Authority of fuch Enemies as thefc, will be liable to 
 fway the Judgment of an indifferent confidering Man; 
 and I doubt not but that he who will throughly weigh 
 with himfelf thefe Particulars that are here propound- « 
 
 ed, may find fome fatisfacftion for thefe Arguments, 
 which are taken from the feeming Novelty and Singu- 
 kricy of Ehis O^^iniom 
 
 A% i^ROP, 
 
1 5 8 That the Earth may he a Tlanei, 
 
 PROP. 11. 
 
 That there is not any Place in Scriptures^ from 
 which Qheing rightly underftood^ we may in- 
 fer the Diurnal Motion of the Sun or Hea- 
 'vens. 
 
 I 
 
 T were happy for us, if we coul^ exempt Scripture 
 
 from Philofophical Controverfies : If we could be 
 
 content to let it be perfed for that end unto which it 
 was intended, for a Rule of our Faith and Obedience; 
 and not ftretch it alfo to be a Judge of fuch Natural 
 Truths as are to be found out by our own Induftry 
 and Experience: Though the Holy Ghoff could eafi- 
 ly have given us a full Refolution of all fuch Particu- 
 lars \ yet he hath left this Travel to the Softs of Men to he 
 exercifed therewith : Mundum relie^uit difputationihfts homi* 
 fjum ;^ That being bufied for the moft part in an In- 
 quifition after the Creatures, we might find the lefs 
 leifure to wait upon our Lufts, or ferve our more fin- 
 fu! Inclinations. 
 
 But however, becaufe our Adverfaries generally do 
 fo much infult in thofc Arguments thai may be drawn 
 from hence ^ and more efpecially, becaufe Vtneda doth 
 for this Reafon with fo many bitter and empty Re- 
 proaches, revile our Learned Countryman, Dr. Gilbert^ 
 in that renewing of this Opinion, he omitted an An- 
 fwer to the Scripture Expreffions . Therefore 'tis re- 
 quifite, that in the profecution of this Difcourfe, we 
 fhould lay down fuch fatisfa(aion as may clear all 
 Doubts that may be taken thence : E^ecially fince the 
 Prejudice that may arife from the mifapprehenfion.of 
 thofe Scripture Phrafes, may much difable the Reader 
 from looking on any other Argument with an equal 
 and indiiferent Mind. 
 
 The 
 
That the Earth may he a Timet. if? 
 
 The Places that feem to oppofe this, are of two 
 kinds. Firft, Such as imply a Motion in the Heavens : 
 Or, Secondly, fuch as feem to exprefs a Reil and Im- 
 mobility in the Earth. . . * u 
 
 Thofe of the fiift kind feem to bear in them the 
 clearel^ Evidence, and therefore are more infixed on 
 by our Adverfaries. They may be referred unto thefe 
 
 Three Heads. ... 
 
 1. Al thofe Scriptures where there is any men- 
 tion made of the riling or fetiing of the Sun or 
 
 2 That Story in Jofbua, where the Sun (landing 
 ftiU is reckoned for a Miracle. ^ ., , - , 
 
 2 Thar other Wonder in the Days dt H^z^ektab, 
 when the Son went back Ten Degrees in the Dial 
 of Maz,: A.II which Places do feem to con- 
 clude , That the Diurnal Motion is caufed by the 
 
 Heavens. 
 
 To this I anfwer in general; 
 
 That the Holy Ghoft in thefe Scripture Expreffions^ 
 IS pleafed to accommodate himfelf unto the Conceit 
 of the Vulgar , and the ufual Opinion : WhereaSj 
 if in the more proper Phrafe it had been faid , That 
 the Earth did rife and fet ; or, that the Earth ftood 
 ftill, &c, chePeople who had been unacquainted with 
 that Secretin Philofophy, would not have underftood 
 the Meaning of it ; and therefore it was conveni- 
 ent that they ftiould be fpoken unto in their own 
 Language. 
 
 Ay, but you will reply, It fiiould feem morelikely, 
 if there had been any fuch thing, that the Holy Ghoft 
 {hould ufe the trueft Expreflions : For then he would 
 at the fame time have informed them of the Thing, 
 and reformed them in an Error : Since his Authority 
 tlone had been fufficient to have reftiiied the Mi- 
 ftake. 
 
 Ms J An- 
 
J^O That the Earth may be a flanet. 
 
 I Anfwer : 
 
 1. Though it were, yet 'tis befide the chief Scope 
 of thofe Places, to inftruft os in any Philofophical 
 Points, as hath been proved in the former Book ; efpe- 
 cially when thefeThings are neither necelTary in chem- 
 felves, nor do neceflarily induce to a more full under- 
 ftandJDg of that which is the main bufinefs of thofe 
 Scriptures. But now the People might better conceive 
 the Meaning of the Holy Ghoft, when he does con- 
 form himfelt unto their Capacities and Opinions, than 
 when he talks exadly of Things, in fuch a proper Phrafe 
 as is beyond their reach .- And therefore 'cis faid in 
 Jfaiahy I am the Lord which teacbeth thee utilia , frofita" 
 hie Thhgs : Where the Glofs has it, nm /nhttlia , noe 
 fuch Curiofities of Nature as are not eafily appre- 
 hended. 
 
 2. 'Tis not only befidesthat which is the chief pur- 
 pofe of thofe Places, but it might happen alfo to be 
 fomewhat oppofite unto it. For Men being naturally 
 unapt to believe any thing that feems contrary to their 
 Senfes, might upon this begin to queftion the Auiho- 
 nty of that Book which affirmed it, or at leait to 
 retch Scripture fome wrong way, to force it to fome 
 other Senfe, which might be more agreeable to their 
 own Falfe Imagination, f Tertullun tells us of fome 
 
 py^cript. Hereticks, who when they were plainly confuted out 
 ^7- of any Scripture, would orefently accuft thofe Texts 
 
 Or. Books to be fallible, and of no Authoruy ; and ra> 
 ther yield Scripture to be erroneous, than forgo thofe 
 Tenets for which they thought there was fo good 
 Reafon. So likevvife might it have been in thefe 
 Points which fccm to bear in them fo much Contra- 
 didion to the Senfes and Common Opinion : And 
 f/' therefore 'tis Excellent Advice fet down by St. f Att- 
 fitn. Quod mbil fredcre de re obfcura tenure dehemw, ns 
 forte (J nod foft^a Veritas patifecertt^ quamvis Uhris fanBis 
 five te(lamsn:i veteruy five ?iovi, 'rntUo modo ejje pffit ad- 
 *v(rfsim , tamen propter amor em nofiri irroris oderimm : 
 
 That 
 
That the Earth may he a flariet, l^i 
 
 Thatwelhould not haftily fettls our Opinions con- 
 cern ngany obfcare Matcer. left afterwards the Truth 
 being difcover'd Cwnich however it may fee.n can- 
 not be repugnanc to any thing in Scripture) we fhould 
 hate that, out of l.ve to the Error that we have b^ 
 fore ente tained. A little reading may inform us how 
 thofe Texts have been abufed to ftrange and unmeant 
 Allegories, which have mentioned any natural 1 ruth 
 Z fuch a manner as w.s not ag.eeabl. co M uns Con- 
 curs And bef.des, if the Holy Ghoft had propound- 
 ed unto us any Secrets in Philofophy, we (hould have 
 been apt to be fo bufied about them as to negkdj 
 other Matters of greater imporcance And therefore 
 St. Auf^m propofing the Qaeltion, What «^^ou!d be the 
 Reafon , why the Scripture does not clearly fet down 
 any thine concerning the Nature, Figure, Magmtude 
 and sAoLn of the Heavenly Orbs ; he anfwers it 
 thus: The Holy Ghoft being to ^e iver more necdla- 
 ry Truths, would not infert thefe, left Men according 
 to the Pravity of their Difpofitiom , fljould negled 
 the more weighty Matters, and beftow their Ihoughrs 
 about the fpecubtive natural Points, which were lefs 
 needful. So that it might feem more convenient that 
 the Scripture (liould not meddle with the revealing ol 
 thefe unlikely Secrets, efpecially when it is to deliver 
 unto us many other Myfteries of greater neceflity , 
 which feem to be diredly oppofite to our Senfe and 
 Reafon. And therefore, I fay, the Holy Ghoft might 
 purpofely omit the treating of thefe Philofophical Se- 
 crets, till Time and future Difcovery might with »ei- 
 fure fettle them in the Opinion of others: As he is 
 pleafed in other Things of a higher kind, to apply 
 himlelf unto the Infirmity of our Apprehenfions, by 
 being reprefented, as if he were a Human Nature. 
 with the Parts and Paffions of a Man. So m thele 
 Things likewife, that he might defcend to ourCapaci- 
 ties, does he vouchfate to conform his Exprellions un- 
 to the Error and Miftake of our Judgments, 
 
 M 4 ^"t 
 
i6i 7hat the Earth may he a Vianet. 
 
 But before we come to a further Illuftratiofi ] let 
 us a lirrle examine thofe particular Scriptures which 
 are commonlv urged to prove the Motion or the Sun 
 or Heavens. TwA't (as was faidj might be diftribu- 
 ted undf r thefe Three Heads. 
 
 I. Thofe Places which mention the rifing or fetting 
 of the Sun; as that in the * Ffalm, The Sun like a hnde' 
 grcom co?7:€ih out of kis Chamber, and rejmctth as a Giant 
 to run his Race ; His go'tvg forth ts from the end of Heaven^ 
 and his circuit unto the end of it, and there is nothing htd 
 frow the heat thereof. And that in Ecchfia/les, The Sun 
 artjethj and the Stm goeth down, &c. 
 
 In which Scriptures we rKay obferve divers Phrafes 
 that are evider.tly fpoken in reference to the appear- 
 ance of Things , and the Falfe Opinion of the Vul- 
 gar. And therefore 'tis nor altogether unlikelv, That 
 thif, which they feem to affitir. concernirg the Moti- 
 on of the Heavens, fhould alfo be underltood in the 
 fame Senfe. 
 
 7he Sun like a Bridegroom cometh out of his Chamher 5 
 Alluding perhaps unto the Conceit of Ignorant Peo- 
 ple : As if it took reft all tlie while it was abfent 
 from us, and came out of its Chamber when it 
 arofe. 
 
 /l/id rejoiceth as a Giant to run his Race^ becaiTe in 
 the Morning it appears bigger than at other Times; 
 and therefore in reference to this Appeaxance, may 
 then be compared unto a Giant. 
 
 His goirg forth is from the end if Heaven , and his 
 Circuit unto the er,ds of it. Alluding again unto theO- 
 pinion of the Vulgar: Who not apprehending the 
 Roundnefs of the Heavens , do conceive it to have 
 two Ends, one whets the Sun rifeth, the other where 
 it fetteth. 
 
 And there is mthhg hid from the Heat thereof ^ (peak- 
 ing ftill in reference to the common Miftake, as if the 
 Sun were actually hot in it felf ; and as if the Heat 
 of the Weather were not generated by refiedion , 
 
That the Earth may he a flanet. 1(5 j 
 
 but did immediately proceed from the Body of the 
 
 Sun. , i . r'js 
 
 So likewife, for that in Ecclefiafies, where tis laid. 
 The Sun rijetb, and the Sun goeth Jou'w,&;c. which 
 Phrafcs being properly underftood, do import that he 
 is ibmetimes in a higher place than at others : Where- 
 as, in a Circumference, there is no Place higher or 
 lowetj each part being at the fame diftance from the 
 Centre, which is the Bottom. But now underfiand 
 the Phrafe in reference to the Sun's appearance, and 
 then we gr nt that he does feem fometimes to rife, 
 and fonietimes to go down, becaufe in reference to 
 the Horiz^on, C which Common People apprehend to be 
 the Bottom, and in the utmolt Bounds of it to join 
 with the Heavens,) the Sun does appear in the Morn- 
 ing to rife up from it, and in the Evening to go down 
 unto it. Now, I fay, becaufe the Holy Ghoft, in the 
 manner of thefe Expreffions, does fo plainly allude 
 unto Vulgar Errors , and the Falfe Appearance of 
 Things -, therefore 'tis not without probabillity, that 
 he (hould be interpreted in the fame Senfe , when 
 he feems to imply a Motion in the Sun or Hea- 
 vens. 
 
 2. The Second Place was that Relation In Jojhua ; 
 where 'tis mention'd as a Miracle, That the Sun did 
 ftand ftill. And Jojliua {aid^ Sun (tatid thou (I ill upon Jof.xo.jz'. 
 Gibeon, and thou Mem in the Valley of Ajalon. So the M-G^///^- 
 Sun (ioorl fttUtnthe mt^fi of Heaven, and hajied not to go l[\^^t\\Q 
 down about a whole Day. And there was no Day Itke thaty Literal 
 before it, or after tt. In which Place likewife there aie Senic of 
 divers Phrafes wherein theHolyGhoft doss nottxprefs ^'^'sPiace, 
 Things according to their true Nature, and as they Jh^endof 
 are in ihemftlves ; but according to their Appear- that Trea- 
 ances, and as they are conceived in Common Opi- tife.which 
 nion. As, ^^"J^^» 
 
 I. When he fays. Sun fiand that ft til upon Giheon^ or f°'^'p I'' 
 over Giheon. Now the whole Earth being fo little in dodrhia. 
 coraparifon to the Body of the Sun, and but as a Point, 
 
 in 
 
22. 
 
 1 64 That th Earth may he a Planet. 
 
 in refpeift of rhat Orb wherein the Sun is fuppofed to 
 move- J- and Gibton being, as ic were, but a Point of 
 this Globe of Earth ^ therefore the Words cannot be 
 underftood properly , buc according to appearance. 
 'Tis probable that Jolh^^a was then at Az^ecoa, a. Jitcle 
 Eaft from Gtbeor, and the Sun being fomewhat beyond 
 locHm"'^ the Meridian, did feem uato him as he was in that 
 hiix^. \6, Place, to be over againft G^^ec?; ; and in reference to 
 17- this Appearance, and Vulgir Conceit, does he cora- 
 
 fmur"'" mand it to (land ftill upon that Place. 
 bcim. ^' -^"^ ^^ fecondly for that other Eirpreilion ; And 
 
 thou M)ofj m the Galley of Ajalon. This Planec.was now 
 a lictle Eaft from the Sun, it being about three or four 
 \Tojlat.ih' ^"lys old (as t Commentators guc(s.) Ajakn was 
 ^a^i?. 1 8- three Miles from Gibeon Eiftward , and Jojhi^a com- 
 Serrarius manded the Moon to ftand ftill there ; becaufe unto 
 '^«W^-^° him it did then feem to be over-againft that Valley ; 
 "^ whereas, 'tis certain, if he had been there himfelf, ic 
 
 would ftill have feemed to be as much diftant from 
 him. Juft as men commonly fpeak in lljewing another 
 the Stars : We point to a Star over fuch a Chimney, 
 or fuch a Tree, becaufe to us it appears fo ; whereas 
 the Star in it felf is not fenfibly more over them, than 
 it is over us. So that in this Phrafe likewife the Ho- 
 ly Ghoft doth conform himfelf unto the appearance of 
 things, and our grofler Conceit. 
 
 5. And the Sun flood (itll tn the rKiJ/f of Heaz-ev. Now 
 to fpeak properly, and as the Thing is in it felf, Hea- 
 ven has no midft but the Centre ; and therefore this 
 alfo muft beintepret::d in reference to the Opinion of 
 the Vulgar^ and by the midft of Heaven, we are to un- 
 derhand fuch a Place as was not very near to either of 
 the Ends, the Eaft or Weft. 
 
 4. And the-e was no Day like tbaty before it, or after 
 it : Which Words are not to be underftood abfolute- 
 ly, for there are always longer Days under the Poles; 
 but in refpeii to the Opinion of the Vulgar ; that is, 
 there was never any Day fo long which thefe ignorant 
 People knew of. 3* As 
 
That the Earth may he a fUnet', i (J^ 
 
 %, As for this laft Place concerning the Sun's re- 
 turning Ten Degrees in the Dial of Abaz. : I think it ^King^o 
 may probably be affirmed. That it is to be under(lood '*• 
 only concerning the Shadow: Which though itdo ne- ^^^' 3^' ^• 
 ceflariiy happen in all Horizontal Dials, for any JLati- 
 tude betwixt the Tropicks : And fo confequendy in 
 all declining Dials, the Elevation of whofe Poleislefs 
 than the Sun's greateft Declination ; as Clavius de Ho- 
 rol. cap. 21. obferves r Yet the Circumftances of this 
 Relation in Scripture, make fhe Event ro differ from 
 that other which is common and nacuri^I .- Which a- 
 gain/1 its Nature did feem to go backwards, when as 
 the Sun it felf was not in the leaft manner altered from 
 its iifual Courfe. Of this Opinion were Akirbmel, A- 
 rim Montanui, Burgenfts, V icab.as San^ius, Scc. 
 
 The Rcafons for it may be thefe ; 
 
 i^ Thv Miracle is propofed only concerning the 
 Shadow ; mk thou that the Shadow fha^l a.and or rrrttm 
 by 7tn Decrees : There being not in che Offer of this 
 VVonder, any the lealt mention made concerning the 
 Sun s goi.g backwards. 
 
 2. 'Tis likwiy we fliould have had fome Intimation 
 concernmp the extraordinary Length of the Day as it 
 Mm that oi Jojhua; but in this Relation, the chief 
 Matter that the Story takes notice of, is the Alteration 
 oi the Shadow. 
 
 ;. Had it been by the fuppofcd return of the Sun's 
 Uody, this had been a greater Miracle than thofe which 
 were performed upon more folemn Occafions : it had 
 been more wonderful than its feeming Reft in Jofhuas 
 Tmie • than the fupernatural Eclipfe at our Saviour's 
 Death, when the Moon was in the Full. And then 
 It 15 not hkely that the Holy Ghoft in relating of this 
 Miracle, fhould chiefly infift in expreffing how the 
 Shadow returned, and that only in the Dial of ^- 
 iaz. 
 
 4- This Sign did not appear h the Sun it felf • be- 
 cauremthe2. Chrc^, 32 5^. yi^f^id^ Thzxthl Am. 
 
 haf- 
 
1^6 That the Earth may he a Tlanei, 
 
 hajfa^vrs o^ the King of Babylon did come unio Hezekiah^ 
 to enquire of the wonder that was done tn the Land ; and 
 therefore it feems the iMiracIe did not confift in any 
 Change of the Heavens. 
 
 y. If it had been in the Sun, it would have been as 
 well difcerned in other parrs of the World, as in the 
 Land of Judea, And rhca, 
 
 1. What need the King of Babylon fend thithcjr tp 
 enquire after it? If you reply, becaufe it was occa- 
 Ijioned by Hezekiah's Recovery ; I anfwer. 'tis noc 
 likely thst the Heathens would ever believe fo great a 
 IMiricle fhould be wrought lueerly for a Sign of ons 
 Man's Recovery from a Difeafe : But would rathef 
 be apt to think that it was done for fome more reiiiar-. 
 kable Purpofe, and that by fome of their own Gods, 
 unto whom they attributed a far greater Power than 
 unto any other. 'Tis more probable, they might hear 
 fome flying Rumor of a Miracle that was feen in Jti- 
 deal Which becaufe it happened only in tfezektah'i 
 Houfe and Dial , and that too upon his Recovery 
 from a dangerous Sicknefs, they might be mori^ apt to 
 believe that it was a Sign of it. 
 
 2. Why have we no mention made of it in the 
 Writings of the Ancients ^^ It is no way likely , that 
 fo great a Miracle as this was (if it were in the Sun J 
 fhould have been pafled over in Silence ; efpecially, 
 fmce it happened in thofe later times, when there 
 were many Heathen W iters that flourifhed in th;^ 
 World ; HeJiodyArcbdochus^ Symontdes ; and not long af- 
 ter, Homer^ with divers others; and yet none of them 
 have the leaft mention of any fuch Prodigy. We 
 have many Relations of Matters that were lets obfer- 
 vablcj which were done about that time ; the Hifto- 
 ry of Numa PompiliuSf Gyges j the Fight betwixt the 
 three Brethren , with divers fuch Stories. And 'ti§ 
 fcarce credible, that this ihould have been omitted a- 
 mongft the reli. 
 
 Nay, 
 
C. 21. 
 
 Lib. a. 
 
 That the Earth may Be a Planet. 16/ 
 
 Nay, we have ( as many guefs ) fome Hints from 
 Prophane Antiquity, of the Miracle wrought by 
 Jojhua, Unto which, 'tis thought the Ancients did . 
 allude inihe Fable of Pbaetcn ; when the Sun was fa 
 irregular in his Courfe, that he burnt fome part of the 
 World. And queftionlefs then, this which happened 
 in later times , would not have been fo wholly 
 forgotten. Tis an Argument urged by ^Origen, That * xra^at 
 the Eclipfe at our Saviour's Pa (lion was not univerfal, ■^s-inMak 
 becaufe no Prophane Author of thofe times mentions 
 it. Which Gonfequence is the very fame with that 
 which is urged in this other cafe ; but by the way, 
 his Antecedent was falfe, fmce f lertulUan affirms, ^ ^pohget. 
 That it was recorded amongft the Roman An- 
 nals. 
 
 Now as for that Story in Herodotus, where after he 
 had related the Flight of Senacherib, he tells us, how 
 the Sun did Four Times in the Space of 10340 Years 
 invert his Courfe, and rife in the Wefi ; which would 
 feem fo unto other Nations, if he had only returned, 
 as many conclude, from this Scripture: As for this 
 Story, rifay) it cannot wtll be urged as pertinent to 
 the prefent Bufinefs, becaufe it feems to have Reference 
 unco times that never were. 
 
 So that all thefe things being well confidered^ we 
 ftall find it more probable, that this Miracle doth con- 
 fift in the Return of the Shadow. 
 
 If youobjeA, That the Scripture does exprefly i/a.^s.S. 
 fav, the Sun tt J elf rsturmd ten Jpgrees ; I anfwer, "'tis 
 a frequent Manner of Speech in Scripture, to put the 
 Caufe for the Effed: ; as that in Jonas, where 'tis faid, 
 That the Sun did beat upon the head of Jonai • that is r « 
 
 the Beams of the Sun. So that of the Pfaimift, Th) l%Ti2il 
 Sun fhali r.ot Jmtte thee by day, that is, the Heat which 6. 
 proceeds from the Sun's Reflexion. In the fameSenfe 
 may the Phrafe be underltood m this Place ; and the 
 Sun maybe (aid to return back, becauie the Light, 
 Which is theE'fftd of it, did feem to do fo ,- or ra- 
 
 ther, 
 
1 68 That the Farth may he a flanet. 
 
 ^her.becaufe the Shadows, which is the Effe^ of that 
 did change itsCourle. 
 
 This later Scripture then , will not at all make to 
 the prefent Purpofe: As for thofe of the two former 
 kinds I have already anfwered. That they are fpoken 
 m reference to the Appearance of Things, and vulgar 
 Opinion, For the further Illuftration of which, I 
 Jhall endeavour to confirm thefe two Particulars. 
 
 I. That the Holy Ghoft in many other Places of 
 Scripture, does accommodate his Expreflions unto the 
 Error of our Conceits : And doss not fpeak of divers 
 Thmgs as they are in themfelves, but as they appear 
 unto us. Thereforc'tis not unlikely, that thefe Phra- 
 les alio may be liable unto the fame Interpretation. 
 ^ 2. That divers Men have fallen into great Abfurdi- 
 ties, whilft they have looked for the Grounds of Phi- 
 lofophy from the Words of Scripture ; and therefore 
 It may be dangerous in this Point alfo, to adhere fo 
 clofely unto the Letter of the Text. 
 
 PROP. IIL 
 
 That the Holy Ghofl, in many Places of Scri- 
 pture, does plainly conform his Exprejfwns unto 
 the Errors of our Conceits ; and does not fpeak 
 of divers Things as they are in themfelves^ hut 
 as they appear unto us. 
 
 'T^Here is not any particular by which Philofophy 
 
 X hath been more endamaged, than the ignorane 
 
 Superftitionof fomeMen: Who in ftating the Con- 
 
 troverfies of it, do fo clofely adhere unto the meec 
 
 Words of Scripture. Quam plurima occmrunt in Uhis 
 
 Pro^m. i^p^ ^^ naturam fertinentia, &c. Thev are the Words 
 
 dphii. ot tmef^ff. ^'Thsrg are fundry things in Holy 
 
That the Earth may he a Tlanet. 1 6^ 
 
 " Writ concerning natural Points, which moft Men 
 " think are not fo to be underftood, as if the Holy 
 " Ghoft did intend to unfold unto us any thing in that 
 *' kind : But referring all to the Salvation of our 
 ''Souls, does fpeak of other Matters according to 
 " common Opinion. '* And a little after, Ego^ div't- 
 i^a hac elo/juta, &c. " I for my part am perfaaded, 
 ** that thefe Divine Treatifes were not written by the 
 ** Holy and Infpired Penmen, for the Interpretation 
 *' of Philofophy, becaufe God left fuch things to be 
 *^ found out by Men's Labour and Induflry. But yet 
 '^ whatfoever is in them concerning Nature is moft 
 " true : As proceeding from the God of Nature, from 
 ** whom nothing could be hid. *' And queftionlefs , all 
 thofe things which the Scripture does deliver concern- 
 ing any natural Point, cannot be but certain and infal- 
 lible, being underftood in that Senfe, wherein they 
 v/ere firft intended ; but now that it does fpeak 
 fometimes according to common Opinion, rather than 
 the true Nature of the things themfelves, was intima- 
 ted before ; wherefore ( by the way ) * Fromovdtis his * Veft. 
 Triumph upon the latter Part of this Quotation, is but ^'''*^^- 3' 
 vain, and to no purpofe. 'Tis a good Rule fet down + 5],„^- 
 by a learned t Commentator, to be obferved in the ^ i/a. j^^ 
 Interpretation of Scripture: Soiptura Sacra [ape non tam $. item in 
 ad 'verita[erKip[am^ qitam ad komxnum opivionemy fermonem ^'^^^^>'« 
 accommodat ; that it does many times accommodate its ' ^' ^' '^^' 
 Expreffions, not fo much to the Truch it felf, as to 
 Men's Opinions. And in this Ssnfe is that Speech of 
 Gregory concerning Images and Pidures, attributed by "Comment. 
 * Cahin unto the Hiftory of the Creation ; viz,, Li- "i^en.c.u 
 brum eJJ'e ideotarumy that it is a Book for the fimpler and 
 ignorant People. For it being written to inform them, 
 as well as others, 'tis requifite that it (hould ufe the 
 moft plain and eafie Expreffions. To this purpofe 
 like wife is that of f McrieKnuSj Mdle juni Scriptura loca, +^«Gf».ff. 
 &c. "There are very many Places of Scripture, ^^/V„°' 
 •' which are not to be mcerpreted accoidicg to the Let- 
 
 !* ler 5 
 
\yo That the Earth may he a Tla^et. 
 
 Vid.Hiero, " tcr ; and that for this Reafon, becaufe Gad would 
 m jer. j8. tc apply himfelF unto our Capacity and Senfe: Prefer' 
 ^ob i6 f ^' ^^ ^^^ qua ad res natu^ales , ocuiijejue Jubj eras pertt- 
 Tient J more efpecially in thofe things which concern 
 Nature, and are fubjedt to our Eyes. And therefore 1 
 in the very fame Place, though he be eager enough a- i 
 gainfl Copernicus j yet he concludes that.Opinion not to/ 
 be a Ikrefy 5 becaufe ( faith he ) thofe Scriptures 
 which feem to oppofe it, are not fo evident, but that 
 they may be capable of another Interpretation ; Inti- 
 mating, that it was not unlikely they (hould be undsr- 
 ftood in reference to outward Appearance and com- 
 mon Opinion : And that this manner of Speech is 
 frequently ufed in many other Places of Scripture, 
 may be eafily manifeft from thefe following Exam- 
 ples. 
 
 Thus though the Moon may be proved by infallible 
 
 Obfervation, to be lefs than any of the vifible Stars ; 
 
 yet becaufe of its Appearance, and vulgar Opinion, 
 
 therefore doth the Scripture in conparifon to them, 
 
 call it one of th? great Lights. Of which Place, 
 
 Gtw r.i(^. faith C'^/z//?*, M^yf^-^s po:^u!ariter Icnoft'y not potim refpexit 
 
 pfal. 136, quam Sydtra. M)fes did not fo much regard the Na-" 
 
 7- cure of the thing, as our Capacity ; and therefore 
 
 ufes a popular Phrafe : Sd a? ordinary People without 
 
 the Help of Arts and Learning, might eafily under- 
 
 ftand him ; and in another Place, Nm fuk Spirifui 
 
 Comincnt. Santti conctimm Al^rologiam docae : "It was not the 
 
 jM Pfd. " purpofe of the Holy Ghoft to teach us Aftronomy : 
 
 ^3*^- " But being to propound a Doftrine that concerns 
 
 " the moft ru;3e and fimple People, he do2s ( both by 
 
 " Moferand the Prophets) conform himfelf unto their 
 
 *^ Phrafes and Conceits : Left any ihould think to ex-» 
 
 " cufe his own Ignorance with the Pretence of Diffi- 
 
 " culty : As Men comaionly da in thofe things which 
 
 " are delivered ifce: a iearned and fublime Manner. '* 
 
 + De oper. Thus Za^cby f likewife, M'f;s majirem rationtitn babuif 
 
 D^^par.-x. ffifiri bm».4niijiti judicit, dcc^ [* ^^hm Mofes calls %he 
 
 ' '^ ' ' • "* *" Moo?3 
 
 6. c, I. 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, \ 7 1 
 
 *^ Moon a great Light , he had a more efpecial Refe- 
 ** rence to Men's Opinions of it, than to to the Truth 
 *^ of the thing it felf ; becaufe he was to deal with 
 " fuch, who do ufuaUy judge rather by their Senfe 
 " than by their Reafon. " Nor will that Diftindion 
 of Frcmond.us and Others avoid this Interpretation, 
 when he tells us of m.^ignum Materiale , which refers 
 to the Bulk and Quantity of the Body ; and mjgnum 
 Formale, which imports the Greatnefs of its Light. For 
 we grant, that it is really unto us a greater Light than 
 any of the Stars, or than all of them together : Yet 
 thete is not one of them, but is in its felf a bigger 
 Light than this : And therefore when we Cay this 
 Speech is to be underftood according to its Appearance, 
 we do not oppofe this - to Reality : But 'cis implied, 
 ' that this Reality is ciot abfolute, and in the Nature of 
 the thing it felf ; but only relative, ' and in reference 
 to us. I may fay a Candle is a bigger Light than a 
 Star, or the Moon, becaufe it is really fo to me. How- 
 ever any one will think this to be fpoken, only in re- 
 lation to* its Appearance, and not to be underftood as 
 if the thing were fo in it fslf. But ( by the way ) it — 
 
 does conc&vnFromondus to maintain the Scripture's Au* / ^ ^^^''^' 
 thority,in revealing of natural Secrets ; becaufe, from_ nrt. ?. 
 thence it is that he fetches the chiet Argument for ^ 
 that ftrangeAiTertion of his,concerning theHeavinefs of . 
 the V/ind ; Where^o^ fays,that God makes tbev^s:gbt for 'Jo^ ^8.25,' 
 the wind. Thus likewife, becaufe the common Pec-' 
 pie ufually think the Rain to proceed from fome Wa- 
 ters in the Expanfam, therefore doth Mofes in refe- 
 rence to this erroneous Conceit , tell us oi^ 
 Waters above, the Firmament, and the Windows cf 
 Heaven : Of which {AXihCalvin, Nifms fewtltt'er hrrr.-e 
 fe mf^ringunty &c. *' Such Men too fer vilely tie them- 
 " felves unto the Letter of the Text, who hence con- 
 ''' elude, that there is a Sea in the Heavens : When as 
 *' we know that Mofes and the Prophets, to accommo- 
 " date thsmfplves unto the Capacity of ruder Peopfe, 
 
l/i Tl:at the Earth may he a Planet, 
 
 '* do ufe a vulgar Expreflion ; and therefore it would 
 *' be a prepofierous Courfe, to reduce their Phrafes un- 
 *^ to the exjid Rules of Philofophy. '* Let me add, 
 that from this Mitiake, 'tis likely did arife that ground- 
 lefsObfeivation of the arcient yeu^s, who would not 
 admit any to read the beginning of GenefiSy till he 
 was arrived to Thirty Years of Age. The true Rea- 
 fon of which was this : Not becaufe that Book was 
 harder than any other, but becaufe Mofes conforming 
 Hs Expreflion to vulgar Conceits, and they examining 
 of them by n)ore exacT: Rules of Philofophy, were 
 fain to fcrce upon them many iirange Allegories, and 
 unnatural Myfteries. 
 
 Thus alfo, becaufe for the mod part we conceive 
 the Srar? to be innumerable, therefore doth the Holy 
 Ghoff often fpeak of them in reference to this Opini- 
 
 '.35.22. on. So jtremyy As ibs Hoji of H.avin cannot be nufr^^ 
 hred, neithtr the Sapd cf the Sea meajurcdy Jo will I multi- 
 fly the Seed of Davtd, So likewife, when God would 
 comfort Abraham with the Promife of a numberlefs Po- 
 
 n. 15. 5. fierity, he bids him look up to Heaven, and tells him, 
 that his Seed fhould be like thofe Stars for Number ; 
 which, faiih "^ ClaviuSj lnteliigmdur,7 eft feiundum com- 
 mtimm fer.tenttam I'lilgi, exi(iimantis infinitam ejje multuw 
 divivi ft t liar urn y dum easnoBe [erena confuje intuetur, is lo 
 be underflood according to the common Opinion of 
 the Vulgar, who think the Stars to be of an infinite 
 Mokitude, whilft they behold them all (as they feem 
 ccnfufed ) in a clear Night. And though many of our 
 Divines do ccmmcnly interpret this Speech to be a 
 hyperbole^ yet being well confidered, we fliallfind that 
 Ahraharns Pofterity, in fome few Generations, were 
 far more than there are vifible Stars in the Firmament ; 
 and of fuch only does God fpeak, becaufe he bids 
 Ahrabam look up to the Heavens. 
 
 Now all ihefe, even unto fiK Differences of Magni- 
 tude, are reckoned to be but 1022. True indeed, at 
 clie firft viewing of ths Heavens, it may feem an in- 
 credible 
 
That the Earth may he aTlanet. i;r j 
 
 credible thing that they Hiould be of no greater a 
 Number ; but the reafon of this is, becaufe they ap- 
 pear fcattercd and confufed, fo that the Eye cannot 
 place them in any fuch order, as to reckon them up, 
 or take any diftind Survey of them. Now 'tis a 
 linown Truth, Quod fortufs operator flurahtas partiuff7j S'u-F>:Baci 
 uhtordo abeti • nam inducit fimilitudinem infiniti^ ^ impe- Table of 
 Ait cor/jprcbzr>fionem ; That a plurality of Parts without Colours, 
 prderj has a more ftrong Operation, becaufe it has a ^'*^' ^' 
 kind of feeming Infinity, and fo hinders Comprehen- 
 fion. And then befides, there are more Appearances 
 of Stars many times, than there are Bodies of them : 
 For the Eye, by reafon of its weaknefs and difability 
 to difcern any thing at fo great a diftance j as alfo, 
 becaufe of thofe Beams which proceed from fuch re- 
 mote Bodies in a twinkling and wavering manner, 
 and fo mix and confound themfelves at their entrance 
 into that Organ ; it muft needs receive more Repre- 
 fentations than there are true Bodies. But now, if a 
 Man do but ieifurely and diftindtly cohipare th^ Stars 
 of the Heaven with thofe of this Number that arc 
 noted in a Coeleftial Globe, he (hall fcarce find any 
 in the Sky which are not marked with the Globe ; 
 nay, he may obferve many in the Globe, which he 
 can fcarce at all difcern in the Heavens. 
 
 Now this Number of the Scars is commonly diflri- 
 buied into 48 Conftellations ; in each of which, 
 though we (hould fuppofe Ten thoufand Stars, ('which 
 can fcarce be conceived j yet would not all this^ Num- 
 ber equal that of the Children of Ifrael. Nay, 'tis 
 the Aliertion of ClaviuSf that Abrahams Pofterity in lnpr;m.c»l 
 fome few Generations were far more than there •^i'W^ 
 could be Stars in the Firmament, though they ftuck 
 fo clofe that they touched one another. And he 
 proves it thus : A» great Circle in the Firmament does 
 contain the Diameter of a Star of the firft Mignituds 
 14960 times. In the Diameter of the Firmament, 
 chejs are containsd 4760 Diameters of fuch a Star % 
 
 N z l:lQ'ff 
 
174 T^l^^^^ ^''■'^ S^^'^'-^ maybe (L^laneL 
 
 Now if we multiply this Circumference by this Dia- 
 meter, the Produc]: will be 71209600, which is the 
 full Number of Stars, that the eighth Sphere ( accord- 
 ing to Ptolefn/s Grounds ) would contain, if they 
 ftood fo clofe that they touched one another, 
 mm.i.^6. The Children of T/'njf/ were reckoned at their go- 
 ing out of Egypt 6ojf)0, of fuch as were One and 
 Twenty Years eld and upwards, and wc:re able to go 
 to War ; befides Cluldren, and Women, and Y-ouths, 
 and old Men, and the Levires ; which in probability, 
 did always treble the other Number. Now if they 
 were fo many at one time, we may well conceive 
 that in all thofe feverai Generations, both before and 
 llnce, the Number was much augmented ; and long 
 before this time, did far exceed this fuppofed Multi- 
 tude of the Stars. From all which, we may infer. 
 That the Scripture- Expreffions in this kind, are to 
 be underfiood according to Appearance and com- 
 mon Opinion. 
 
 Another Place ufually cited for the fame purpofe, 
 to fKew that the Holy Ghoft does not fpeak exadly 
 I Kinr.']. concerning Natural Secrets^ is that in the Kings arid 
 23-^ Chro ichsy whirh relates unto us the Meafure of SoU- 
 
 zC,:,-.^.2. ^^^>^ Brazen Sea, whofe Diameter was ten Cubits, 
 and its Circun)ference thirty j whereas to fpeak Geo- 
 metrically, the more exa^ proportion betwixt the 
 Diameter and the Circumference^, is not as Ten to 
 Thirty, but rather as Seven to Twenty two. 
 *Rof.l.i. But againft this 'tis * objeded by our Adverfaries, 
 fe^. i.f.8. J -pj^ijg 3q^ ^ygg j^Qf perfedly round, but rather in- 
 t jintiq. dining to a Semicircular Form, as t Jofephm affirms. 
 
 ??/°!'^" ^' ^ ^^P^y • ^^ '^^ ^''^^^ ^^' y^^ ^'^^5 ^^ ^o much from 
 helping the Matter, that it makes it much worfe ; 
 
 for then the Difproportion will be far greater. 
 
 But Secondly^ Scripture, which is tg be believed be- 
 fore Jojepbm, does tell us in exprefs Terms^ that it 
 was round all about, i Kings 7. 23. 
 
 2. The 
 
 cap. 
 
4' 
 
 That the Earth may he a planet. 175 
 
 2. The Proportion of the Diameter to the Circum- B.o£.ibid, 
 ference, is not exactly the fAme as Seven to Two 
 and twenty, but racher !efs. I arifvver, rhougli it be, 
 yec 'tis nearer unto that, than any other Number. 
 
 5. The Scripture does but according to its ufua! Cu- ^^''^• 
 ftom, fupprefs the lefs Number, and mention only that 
 which is bigger and more full. So in fome * Places, * ^^'"'^'^' 
 Abrahams Pofrerity is faid to remain in the Land of ^^' ^'^' 
 Egyft for Four hundred Years; when as notwichfland- 
 ing, t other Scriptures tell us, that they tarried there "l*^^*"^- ^-• 
 thirty Years longer. Thus likewife in one '^ Place, %ai.-^.ij. 
 the Number of Jacob\ Houfe v^ho came into Egypy is * cen. 46. 
 reckoned to be Seventy ; whereas *,* elfewhsre, they ^7- 
 are faid to be Seventy five. \' ^^^ '^' 
 
 I an^^ver ; All this is fo far from deflroying the 
 force of the prefent Argument, that it does rather 
 confirm it, and more clearly evidence unto us, that 
 the Scripture does not only, not (peak exadlv in thefe 
 fubtle and more fecret Points of Philofophy ; but alfo, 
 in the ordinary obvious numbring of things, does con- 
 form Unto common Cuflom, and often ufe the round 
 Number for the whole. 
 
 4. 'Tis yet objecfled by * another Adverfary^ That 
 we have no reafon to expe<5l the Holy Ghofi^ fhould 
 reveal unto us this Secret in Nature ; becaufe neither 
 Archimedesy nor any Other, had then found it out. I re- 
 ply, and why then ftiould we think that the Scripcurq 
 niuft needs inform us of the Earth's Motion ; when aq 
 neither Pythagoras, nor Copernicus., nor any elfe, had 
 then difcovered it ? 
 
 5". In taking the compafs of this Veflel, they mea- ihid. 
 lured fomewhat below the Brim, where it was nar- 
 rower than at the Top, and fo the Circumference 
 there might be exadly but Thirty Cubits ; whereof 
 its Diameter was Ten. 
 
 I anfwer : 'Tis evident this is a mecr Shift, there 
 being not the le-ift Ground for it in the Text. And 
 Chen befid€s, why might not we affirm^ That the Dia- 
 
 N I • meter 
 
}7(> That the Earth may he a planet. 
 
 meter was meafured From that place, as well as the 
 Circumference ? fince 'tis very probable that the Ho- 
 ly Ghod did rpeak a4 tdem, and not tell us the breadth 
 of one place, and the compafs of another. So that 
 all our Adverfaries Evafions cannot well avoid the 
 force of the Argument that is taken from this Scd- 
 pture. 
 
 A^ain, common People ufually conceive the Earrh 
 to be fuch a Plain, as in its utmoft Parts is termina- 
 ted bv the Heavenfj fo thnt if a Man were in the far- 
 thermo/i Coafts of it, he might touch the Sky. And 
 hence alfo, they think that the Reafon why fome 
 Countries are hotter than others, is, becaufe they lie 
 rearer unto the Sun. Nay, Srrabo tells us of fome 
 Pbilofophers too, who in this Point havs groily erred ; 
 affirming, that there was a Place towards the utmoft 
 Coaiis of Lttfitama^ where a Man might hear the noife 
 that the Sun made, as he quench'd his Beams in his 
 defcent to the Ocean ; which, though it be an abfurd 
 Miflake, yet we may note, that the Holy Ghoft in 
 the Expreffion of thefe things, is pleafed to conform 
 himfelf unto fuch kind of vulgar and falfe Conceits ; 
 *pfa.ig.6. and therefore often fpeaks of the * enJs of Heaven, and 
 'Mat. 24. (J-J2 -j- ^^jj ^f: fijg WorU. In this fcnfe, they that come 
 
 tphas.i?, ^^^^ 3"y f^*" Country, are faid to come from theewi 
 
 &:c. ' of Heavffjf Ifaiah 15. 5". And in another Place, 
 
 From the (ide of the Hcavivs, Deyt. 4. 52. All which 
 
 Phrafes do plainly allude unto the Error of vulgar Ca- 
 
 Commcnt. pacities (faith SantliHi) which hereby is better iniirudl- 
 
 tnifa. 13. £(3^ [\^2iVi it would be by more proper Expreffions. 
 
 ^' Thus likcwire, becaufe ignorant People cannot well 
 
 apprehend how fo great a Weight as the Sea and Land 
 
 (hould hang alone in the open Air, without being 
 
 founded upon fome Bajn to uphold it ; therefore in 
 
 this refpect alfo does Scripture apply it felf unto their 
 
 'joh 38' 4. Conceitrs where it often mentions the Foundations of 
 
 ?f». joa. ^^.^. Ear'.h, Which Phrafe, in the Letter of it, does 
 
 ^' manifeilly allude unto Men's Imaginations in this 
 
 kind. Thus 
 
That the Earth may he a flanet. 177 
 
 Thus alfo the Common People ufually conceiv^e the 
 ^arth to be upon the Water ; becaufe, when they have 
 travelled any way as far as they can, they are at length 
 ftopped by the Sea. Therefore doth Scripture m re- 
 ference to this, affirm, That God ftretched the Earth up' J^ ' '^ 
 on the Waters, founded the Earth upon the SeaSy andefla- p'fali^.z. 
 klt(l)ed it upon- the Floods. Of which Places faith O/- 
 vin, Non difptitat Philofopbicc David, de terra fitu ; fed 
 fopulariter locjuens, ad rudium captum fe acco^modat : 
 'Twas not David's inrent to fpeak Philorophically con- 
 cerning the Earth's Situation ; but rather by uHng a 
 popular Phrafe, to accommodate his Speech unto the 
 Capacities of the ruder People. 
 
 In this fenfe likewife, are we to underftand all thofe 
 Places of Scripture, wherein the Co.jfts of Heaven 
 are denominated from the Relations of Before, Behind, 
 the right Hand, or the left. Which do not imply, 
 faith Scaliger ^ SiViy abfolute difFtrence in fuch Places, ^tfhtil.T.x^ 
 but are fpoken meerly in reference to Men's Eftimati- ^'*"'" '^' 
 ens, and the common Opinion of thofe People for 
 whom the Scriptures were firft penned. Thus becaufe 
 it was the Opinion of the Jeijnjlj Ra!?bie5, that Man 
 was created with his Face to the Eaft, therefore the 
 Hebrew word CDip fignihes Ante, or the Eaft ; "llr^ 
 Tefi, or the Weft ; \iy Dextra, or the South, ^^C^ 
 Binifra, or the North. You may fee all of them put 
 together in that Place of Job : Behold I go forward, Jo^22.8,g, 
 and be is not there, and hackivard, but I cznnot perceive 
 him ; on the left hand, "ivhere he doth ivorky but 1 cannot 
 behold him. He hidcth hirnfelf on the right hand, that I 
 cannot fee him. Which Expreffions, are by fome Inter- 
 preters referred unto the Four Coafts of Heaven, ac- 
 cording to the common ufe of thofe Original Words. 
 From hence it is, that many of the Ancients have 
 concluded Hell to be in the North, which is fignified 
 by the Left Hand : Unto which fide our Saviour tells 
 us, that the Goats Hiall be divided. Which Opinion ^^^- 25. 
 likevyife feems to be favoured by that Place in Job, 35* 
 
 N 4 . where 
 
178 TIjat the Earth may he a flanet. 
 
 Job 35. where 'tis faid, Ihll is naked before God, and deftruEiion 
 ^''^' hath no cover wg. And prefently 'tis added, He jirstched 
 out the North over the empty place. 
 
 Upon thefe groundsjSt.Jcrow interprets that Speech 
 
 cf the Preacher^ Ecdef. 11. ;. If the tree falls towards 
 
 the Southy or towards the Norths in the place where the 
 
 tree faiUth, there (J}all it be. Concerning thofe who 
 
 ^i;..ll go cither to Heaven or Hell. And in this Senfe 
 
 aUo do fome expound that of Zacbary, 14. 4. Where 
 
 'tis faid, That the rnomt cf Olives jh.?ll cleave m the midfl ; 
 
 half cf it jiiallrcTKCve towr,rds the North, and half of it 
 
 tcwr.rds thi'Scntk. By which is intimated, that amongft 
 
 thofs; GcntiUs who jhall take upon theni the Profeffion 
 
 of ChrKt, there aie two Sorts ; fome tliat go to the 
 
 Ncrth^ that is, to Hell ; and others to the South, that is 
 
 * jer, 1. ^" Heaven. And therefore it is (fay they) that God 
 
 14, 15. ^o * often threatens Evil out of the North ; and upon 
 
 Item cap. this ground it is (faith t Befoldus) that there is no Re* 
 
 thd^ '^ ligion that worihips that way. We read of the Mahu- 
 
 pop c."l^.' ^'^■^^-', that they ad'^re towards thQ Son- h; the Jews 
 
 towards the Ifcfr • Chriftians towards the Eafi, but 
 
 none to the North. 
 
 But of this only by the way. However, certain it 
 is that the Holy Ghofi does frequently in Scripture fee 
 forth the fever al CoaOs of Heaven, by thole relative 
 Terms of Right Hand and Left Hand, &c. which 
 Expredions do not denote any real intrinfica! Diffe- 
 rence bsjcwixc thofe Places, but are rather fitted for the 
 Apprehenfion of ih?fe Men, from whofe Fancy it is 
 De Cxi. thnt they have fuch Denomination?. And though A" 
 l.z.c. z. njlet'e concludes thefe feveral Pofitions to be natural un- 
 to the Heavens • yet his Authority in this particular 
 is net available, becaufe he delivers it upon a wrong 
 ground, fupposlng the 0:bs to be living Creatures, 
 and afliiled with Intelligences. We may obferve, that 
 the meaning of thefe CoaOs by iheRelations of Right 
 Hand and LeFc Hand, &c. is fo far from having any 
 ground in the Nature of thofe feveral Places, that 
 
 thefe 
 
That the Earth may he a planet, i^p 
 
 thefe Relations are not only varioufly applied unea 
 them by divers Religions (as was faid before,) but al- 
 fo by divers Arcs and Profeffions. Thus becaufe AdrO- 
 iiomers make their Obfervations toward the South parts 
 of the Honzof), where there be moft Stars that rife and 
 fet ; therefore do they account the tVe/i to be at their 
 Right Hand, and the £^y? at their Left. The C ofmo- 
 ^rtfp/ierj in taking the Latitude of Places, and reckon- 
 ing their feveral Climates muft look towards the Norih 
 Pole; and therefore in their Phrafs, by the Right 
 Hand is meant the Eajt ; and by the Left Hand, the 
 IVef^ : And thus (faith Pluutrch.zie, ^ we to underftand 
 thefe Exprffions in P^/j^-^^^v^j, Plato, Ariftotle. The ^ Oepiae. 
 Poets count the Soutb to be towards the Left , and the f/'^"-^* ^•~' 
 North the Right Hand. Thus f Lucan fpeaking f lzL -*. 
 of the Arabians coming unto Thejjaly, fays : 
 Jgrtotum vohis Atabei 'venifiis in orbem : 
 XJmbras mtrati vemoruryj^ non ire fintfiras. 
 
 The Augurs taking their Obfervations at the Ea(r, 
 count the Scuth to be at their Right Hand, and the 
 JSIortb their Left : So that thefe Denominations have 
 not any real ground in the Nature of the things, but 
 are impofed upon them by the Scripcure Phrafe, in Re- 
 ference to the Account and Opinion of thQjt-ws. 
 
 Thus alfo, becaufe heretofore it was generally re- r» rr / r 
 ceived, that the Heart was the prmcipal Seat of the ^pol. l. i. 
 Facukies ; therefore doth the Spirit apply hifufelf un- c.i.ScB.x. 
 to this common Tenent ^ and in many Places, atcri- 
 butes Wifdom and Underftanding to the Heart. 
 Whereas, to fpeak properly, the Reafon and difcurfive Prov. 8. y. 
 Faculties have their principal Refidence in the Head ^^'^■ 
 (faith GaLn and Hypocratesj together with the Genera- ^"^^^J- '" 
 lity of our later Phyficians,) becaufe they are hindred g^^'g^. l]^' 
 in their Operations by the Diftempers of that part, 
 and recovered by Medicines applied unto it. 
 
 Solikewife are we to underUand thofe other Places : 
 ^^. 59- 5". where feme Tranflations read it, Oi/^y^j'^;- 
 dum ruperuntj they have broken the Vipers Eggs ; al- 
 luding 
 
1 8o H^at the Earth may be a Planet. 
 
 lading to that common but fabulous Story of the Vf« 
 per, who breaks his Paflage through the Bowels of the 
 Female. So.Pfal. 58.4,5'. where the Prophet fpeaks 
 of the deaf Adder, that flops her Ears agaitifi the voice, 
 of the Charmer. Both which Relations (if we may be- 
 lieve many Naturalifts) are as falfe as they are com- 
 mon ; and yet becaufe they were entertained with 
 the general Opinion of thofe Days, therefore doth the 
 Holy Ghoft vouchfafe to allude unto them in Holy 
 yeliaTrae ^'^^' '^is a plain miftake of Fromondus, when in 
 3.cep.'^^' Anfwer to thefe Places, he is fain to fay, that they 
 are ufed proverbially only, and do not pofitively con- 
 clude any thing. For when David writes thefe Words, 
 that they are like the deaf Adder which (topfeth htr ears, 
 &c. this Affirmation is manifeflly implied, That the 
 deaf Adder does ftop her Ears againft the Voice of the 
 Charmer : Which becaufe it is not true in the Letter of 
 it, ( as was faid before) therefore 'tis very probable 
 that it fhould be interpreted in the fame Senfe wherein 
 here it is cited. 
 
 In reference to this alfo, we are to conceive of thofe 
 other Ejrpreffions ; Cold comzih out of the North ; Jck 
 37. 9. and as;ain, Fair tveather conjes out of the North, 
 Ver, 22. KiO F'er, 17. 7'hy garments are qwe^ed "when he 
 •)varni£th the Earth hy theSottth Wind. And Vrcv. Z), 2^.- 
 7be North Wind dnveth (n-way r^/w. Which Phrafes do no£ 
 contain in them any abfolute general Truth, but can 
 fo far only be verified, as they referred to feveral Cli- 
 mates : And though unto us who live on this fide of 
 the Line, the North Wind be coldeft and drieft ; and 
 on the contrary, the South Wind moift and warm, by 
 Reafon chat in one in thefe Places there is a ftronger 
 Heat of the Sun to exhale moift Vapours, than in the 
 Other ; yet it is clean otherwife with the Inhabitants 
 beyond the other Tropick ; for there the North Wind 
 is the hotteft, and moid, and the South the coldeft and 
 dry: So that with them, thefe Scriptures cannot pro- 
 perly be affirmed, that cold or that fair tveathtr cem.th 
 
 cut 
 
Tl?at the Earth may he a flanet, i § i 
 
 €ut of the North ; but rather on the contrary. AH 
 which notwithftanding, does not in the leaft manner 
 derogate from the Truth of thefe Speeches, or theOm- 
 nifciency of the Speaker, but do rather fliew the Wif- 
 dom and Goodnefs of the Bleffed Spirit, in vouchfafing 
 thus to conform his Language unto the Capacity of 
 thofe People unto whom thefe Speeches were firft dl- 
 reaed : ^ In the fame fenfe are we to underftand all 
 thofe places where the Lights of Heaven are faid to be 
 darkned, ^nd the Cov(telIatio?is not to gwe their Ikht Ifa ^"''^2. 5 r, 
 !5- lo- Not as if they were abfolutely in themfelves ^T '' ^' 
 deprived of their Light, and did not Ihine at all ; but 
 becaufe of their Appearance to us ; and therefore in 
 another Place anfwerable to thefe, God fays , be -will 
 co-vn the Hea-jens, and fo make the Stars thereof dark 
 Ez-ek. ;7 2.^ Which argues, that they themfelves 
 were not deprived of this Light (as thofe other Speeches 
 leem to imply; but we. 
 
 In reference to this like wife are we to conceivcof 
 thofe other Expreflions, that the Moon (hail hlufh, and 
 the Sun be afhamed, Ifa. 24. 2 ; . That they (hall be turned 
 into Blood Matth. 24. 29. Not that thefe things ftall comment. 
 be fo in themfelves (faith St. Jcrom,) but becaufe they ^»'Joci,cr,. 
 ftia 1 appear fo unto us. Thus alfo Mark 15.2 ^.The Stars 
 (bail fall from Heaven ; that is, they fhail be fo wholly 
 covered from our Sight, as if they were quite fallen 
 from their wonted Places. Or if this be underftood 
 of their real Fall as it may feem probable by that 
 Place in the Revelattons, 6. 13. And the Stars of Hea- 
 ven feh unto the Earth, even as a Fig-Tree caf^eth her un. 
 timely Fig^, -when jJ,e is jhaken by a mighty IVind - Then 
 is It to be interpreted not of them that are truly Star'= 
 but them that appear fo: Alluding unto theOpinionot 
 the unskilful Vulgar r faith ^5.X0 that think the . r 
 Meteors ro be Stars. And f MerfJus fpeakinTof in^^T 
 fame bcripture, fays Hoc de 'verts Sten^s mmmevohnt ^5- J- 
 I'iterpretes mtPUiai^ feddeCowetis & alus i^mtis Meforis' tCow^^/^wf. 
 
 Interpreters do by no means underfland this of\rue ^\t"'i' 
 
 Stars, 
 
* 8 1 That the Earth 7?iay be a l^Unet, 
 
 Stars, but of the Comets and other fiery Meteors; 
 Though the falling of thefe be a natural Event, yet 
 may it be accounted a ftrange Prodigy, as well as an 
 Earthquake, and the darknin,'^ of the Sun and Moon, 
 which are mentioned in the Verfe before. 
 
 In reference to this, doth the Scripture fpeak of 
 
 fome common natural Effedls, as if cheir true Caufes 
 
 were akogecher infcrutable, and not to be found out, 
 
 *joh. ■'. 8. becaufe they were generally {o eftesmed by the Vulgar. 
 
 t?£T,io. Thus of the Wind it is *faid, 77?.if none kmiv whence 
 
 13- tt Cometh^ nor ■whither it goetb. In another f Place God 
 
 it^mc. 51. js fjjj fQ yjrifjg If ^^f Q^ jj,^^ tnafures ; and .*. elfe where it 
 
 is called f/>^ * breath of God '^ and fo likewife of the 
 
 .•• CDi£;3 Thunder : Concerning which, f Job prf;ipofes this 
 
 * Job. 37. Quei^ion;, TbeThunder of his Vower who can tmderfiand ? 
 
 ^^' and therefore too *. Du'vul does fo often Hile it, the 
 
 i J0.26. "Voice of God. All which Places (eem i:o imply, that 
 
 14.. the Caufe of thefe things was not to be difcovered, 
 
 •:pfal.2.<}. which yet later Philofophers pretend to know : So that 
 
 3,4. Sec. according CO their Conihuiflion, thefe Phrafes are to 
 
 be underltood in relation unto their Ignorance unto 
 
 Ecclef.i.-j. whom thefe Speeches were immediarely direded. 
 
 For this Reafon is it ; Why, though there be in 
 Nature many other Caufes of Springs and Rivers than 
 tLeSsa, yot Solowsn f who was a great Philofopher, 
 and pei:hap5 not ignorant of tliem) do^s mention on- 
 Joh, 9. 9. ^y thi^; becaufe moft obvious, ^nd eafily apprehended 
 itan 38. by the Vulgar. Unco all thefe Scriptures, I might 
 3*- add that in ^mos 5". 8. which fpeaks of the Coo- 
 
 Itellacion comm.oniy called the Seven Stars ; whereas 
 Vide Fro- j^fgj. Difcoveries have found that there are but Six of 
 mo7^.^Met. ^j^^^^ difcernable to the bare Eye, asappearsby Galilee- \ 
 art^i, ^ his GlaG ; The Seventh of them being but a de- j 
 ceic of the Eye, arifing from their too great nearnefs ^ 
 and if a Man try in a clear Night to number them 
 diftindly, he Ihall find that there willTomedmes ap- 
 pear bat Six, and foraccimes more. 
 True indeed, the Original Word of this Scripture 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet. i S ? 
 
 nO'^D, does not neceffarily imply any fuch Number in 
 its Signification, but yet our EnirliJ!) Tranflation ren- 
 ders it the Seven Stars ; and if it had been exprefly fo 
 in the Original too, it might have fpoken true enough, 
 becaufe they are ufually efteemed of that Number. 
 And when it had been faid. He made the Seven Stars 
 and Orion, we might have eafily underftood the Words 
 thus : He made rhofeConftellations that are common- 
 ly known unto us under fuch Names. 
 
 From all thefe Scriptures 'tis clearly manifeft, that 
 it is a frequent Cuftom for the Holy Ghoft to fpeak 
 of natural Things, rather according to their Appea- 
 rance and common Opinion, than the Truth it felf. 
 Now it is very plain, and our Enemies themfeives do 
 grant if, ^ that if the World had been framed accord- promond. 
 ing to the Syftem of Copernicus^ futurum ejjst ut vulgasy Ant.c.O. 
 de Soils motu & Terra ftatu proinde ut nunc loqueretur. The 
 vulgar Phrafe would have been the fame as now it is, 
 when it fpeaks of the Sun's Motion, and the Earth's 
 ftanding ftill. 
 
 Wherefore 'tis not improbable^ that fuch kind of 
 Scripture-Expreflions are to be underftood only in re-, 
 lation to outward Appearances , and Vulgar Opi- 
 nion. 
 
 PROP. IV. 
 
 That (livers Learned Men have fallen into great 
 Ahfurdities^ whilft they have looked for the 
 Seth of Philofophy from the Words of Scri- 
 pture, 
 
 IT has been an Ancient and common Opinion a- 
 mongd the Jews , that the Law of Mofes did 
 contain in ir, not only thofe things which concern 
 our Religion aod Obedience, but every Secret alfo 
 
 that 
 
184 Tl^^i ^'^^ Parth 77iay be a Planet, 
 
 sdnckard. that may poffibly be known in any Art or Science ; fo 
 Bechin.Ha- ^\^^^ there IS HOC a Demonftratioh in Geometry, or 
 ■^ "m'w S- ^^'^ '" Arithmetick ; not a Myftery in any rrade,but 
 '■'"■ ic may be found out in the Pentateuch. Hence it was 
 (fay they) that Solomon had all his Wifdom and Poli- 
 cy : Hence it was that he did fetch his Knowledge 
 concerning the Natuie of Vegetables, from the Cedar 
 of Lebanon^ to the Hyfop that grows upon the Wall. 
 Nay from hence, they thought a Man might learn the 
 Art of Miracles, to remove a Mountain, or recover 
 the Dead. So firangely have the learnederSort of that 
 Nation been befooled, fiflce- their own Curfe hath light- 
 ed upon them. 
 
 Not much unlike this foolifh Superfrition of theirs, 
 is that Cuftom of many Artifts amongft us ; Y^ho up- 
 on the Invention of any new Secret, will prefently 
 find out fome obfcure Text or other to father it upon ; 
 as if the Holy Ghoft muft needs take notice of every 
 particular which their partial Fancies did over-va- 
 lue. 
 
 Nor are they altogether guiltlefs of this Fault, who* 
 look for any Secrets of Nature from the Words of 
 Scripture ; or will examine all its ExprefFiOns by the 
 ex3<5t Rules of Philofophy. 
 
 Unto V. hstftrange Abfurdities this Falfe Imaginati- 
 on of the Learneder Je^vsh-^th. expofed them, may 
 be manifeft by a great multitude of Examples. I will 
 mention only feme few of them. Hence it is that 
 they prove the Shin-Bone of O^ the Giant to be aboVe 
 .. three Leagues long ; or f which is a more modeftRe- 
 ^'■^l lation) ih^t Aiojes being fourteen Cubiis in ftature, 
 having a Spear ten Ells in length, and leaping up ten 
 Cubits, could touch this Giant but on the Ancle. All 
 which they can confirm unto you by a Cabaliftical 
 Interpretation of this Story, as it is fet down in 
 Scripture. Hence it is that they tell us of all thofe 
 t'lTjul' i^'^f^nge \^z:^^s which fnall be feen at the coming of 
 7!i,'6. '^ ' the Meffias ; As firft, the Ox, which Job calls Behe- 
 
 fffotb^ 
 
 Sch'icknrd. 
 ib. Dij] 
 num. 2 
 
That the Earth may he a planet. i 8y 
 
 t»Gth, that every Day devours the Grafs on a thoufand 
 Mountains, as you may fee it in the * Tfaltn, where * Pfai:$o; 
 David mentions the Cattef, or nionn upon a Thou- ^°' 
 fand Hills. If you ask how this Beaft does to find 
 Failure enough, they anfwcr, that he remains con- 
 ftantly in one place , and where there is as much 
 Grafs grows up ia the Night , as was eaten in the 
 Day. 
 
 They tell us alfo of a Bird, which was of that 
 quantity, that having upon a time caft an Egg out of 
 her Neft, there were beaten down by the fall of ic 
 Three hundred of the tallefl: Cedars, and no lefs than 
 Threefcore Villages drowned. As alfo of a Frog as 
 big as a Town capable of Sixty Houfes ; which Frog, 
 notwithftanding his greatnefs, was devoured by a 
 Serpent, and that Serpent by a Crow ; which Crow, 
 as fhe was flying up to a Tree, eclipfed the Sun^ and 
 darkened the World ; by which you may guels what 
 a pretty Twig that Tree was. If you would know 
 the Proper Name of this Bird , you may find it in 
 Pfal. ^0.1 1, where it is called vj , or in our Tran- 
 flation, the Fowl of the Mountains. It feems it was yL^Qjlly^ 
 fomewhat of kin to that other Bird they tell us of, 
 v^hofe Legs were fo long, that they reached unto the 
 bottom of that Sea, where there had been an Axe- 
 Head falling for Seven Years together, before it could 
 come to the bottom. 
 
 Many other Relations there are, which contain fuch 
 horrible Abfurdities, that a Man cannot well conceive 
 how they fiiould proceed from Reafonable Creatures„ 
 And all this arifing from that wrong Principle of 
 theirs, That Scripture did exadly contain in ic all 
 kind of Truths ; and that every Meaning was true , 
 which by the Letter of it, or by Gabaliftical Interpre- 
 tations might be found out. 
 
 Now as it hath been with them, fo likewife hath ic 
 happened in proportion unto others , who by a Su- 
 perliitious ad! ering unto the bare Words of Scripture, 
 
 have 
 
I 86 Tl^at the Earth may Is a ^Umt. 
 
 have expofed themfekes unto many ftrange Errors. 
 * E;n^rr^t. Jlius * St. 5 J/?/,holds . That Hcxt to the Sun, the Moon 
 m oc«, jg bigger than any of the Stars, becaufe Moim does call 
 them only two great Lights. 
 
 Thus others maintain, That there are Waters pro- 
 perly fb called, above the Starry Firmament, becaufe 
 of chofe Vulgar Expreffions in Scripture , which in 
 their Literal Senfe do mention them. Of .this Opini- 
 on Were many of the Ancients, ?liloj Jojefbrny and 
 (z)Refponf. fince them the Fathers' (z)Jufhn Mtrtyr, {h)Jheodoret, 
 adcitiefs)i. (c)Auftinj (d)AmbroJe, (eJB^il^and almoft all the reft. 
 ?hmueij ^'"^^ ^^^^ fundry other Learned Men, as BeJa, Stra- 
 fup^lli. ' ^^ > Damafcerjy Tbo. Ac^/uinas, &c. If you ask for what 
 (c)D:^av. purpofe they were placed here, Jufiin Martyr tells us, 
 Deilih. li. for thcfc two ends : Firft, to cool the Heat that might 
 '(Tnlxam ^^^^^^^^^ 3"^^ from the Motion of the Solid Orbs ; 
 /. 2. r"" ^"^ hence it is , fay they, that Saturn is colder than 
 (t)Homil.2. any. of the otherPlanets, becaufe though he movefaft- 
 i?tGe7i. er, yet he is nearer to thefe Waters. Secondly, to 
 prefs and keep down the Heavens, left the frequency 
 and violence of Winds might break and fcatter them 
 alunder ; Which Opinion , together with both its 
 Reafons , are now accounted abfurd and ridicu- 
 lous. 
 D^-^i^i6 (VSt.Au/l;n concludes the vifible Stars to be innume- 
 ^. /1 5 ■ ^ ■ rable , becaufe Scripture Phrafes feem to imply as 
 
 (gJRefpcn. much. 
 
 /ii^«r/?.9j. That the Heavens are net round, was the Opinion 
 (hmex^am. Qf {g)Juftm Martyr,{\\)AMbrofe,(\)Cbryfojfow,{k)rhec. 
 0) Horn:/. do^ety(\)Tbtof/.vIi:BjdGubtQ6ciby St.Auj?m (m), "and di- 
 14. 27t E^. vers others. Nay^ St.Cbry/o'hm was fo confident of it, 
 ad Hebr. that he propofes theQueftion in a triumphant manner: 
 '^'. riKfi'^TK 0/ atpoj^ H'JVi iS£^.vQv 'it) hjTTO'pauv'oi^oi. Where are 
 
 (}; In ui.c. thofe Men that can prove the Heavens to have a Sphe- 
 {rvi)hiCeTi. rical Form ? The Reafon of which was this, Becaufe 
 iidUt.l.i. '(is' fa id in one Scripture, That (JcJ (^retcbed forth tht 
 f. g. .em. fj^^.y^^^ ^j ^ Curtain, Pf.d. 1.04- 2. anJ ffreadeth them a: 
 
 a Tent to dwd m, Ifa. 40. 22. And (b in that Place oi 
 
That the Earth may he a Thvict. i 87 
 
 the Epiftle fo the FLhren", 8. 2. they a-e cs!!i'd, d 
 Tent or Tabernacle: Which becaufe it is nor fph.T: ic-J, 
 thererore they conclude alfo, that the lieavcns ?tQ 
 not of that Form; whereas now, the contrary is as 
 evident as Demonrtration can make a Thing. Ard 
 therefore, "* St. yemm in his rime, fpeaking of the fame * Uh. j. 
 Error, gives it this plaio Cenfuie: E/} in E.-c^ffii jiultt Comrmn-:, 
 lij'^H'wnj fi cjuii Coilu-zn puret forpins mo Jo cur'V'.tNm^ E- "' ^^'''^• 
 {2L\;Zfjuem nonintdUgit fermone de£iftu\ ' £is foo/'jh jDeak~ 
 tr.g m the Church, if any through mifapprehenllon of 
 thofe Words in Ijaiah, (ball affirm the Heavens not to 
 be round. 
 
 That tiie Seas not overflowing the Land is a Mira- 
 cle,was the Opinion of (z)Bafil,^(h^Chryiojfow,rc)7}3'- ^^^Tx^m 
 otior.t, (d)^mbrofe, (q) Naz,ianz,ev j^nd fince the.ll^ (f )^"- (b; Com- 
 tjutnasy (^) Ltither, Cal'vin ^ Mirlorate , with fondry men.injo^. 
 
 others : Which they proved from thefe Scripture Ex- (c)/«PiaL 
 preffions : That in Joh ;8. 8, 11. (f^'ho hath (hu^ up ihc (d)Hexa7n 
 Sea -wirh Doors, wbtn it brake forth, as tf it had :J}ued out 7,3 . ;. 2, 3.* 
 of the iVjmh 5 when I did break up for tt my decreed Place ^ (e}0;-^f.34 
 and ftt Bars, and Voors , and [aid, Hithtrio jhsU thou iOy^qniMaf 
 comCy and no further^ and here fha!J the Pride of thy I'^aves ^^''!i^^ 
 be paid. So likewife, Pr^i;. 8. 29. God ga've to the Sea art.\. 
 h:s Decee, that the Heaters jhjuld not pafs hts Command' (g) Com" 
 tmnt. And J ererji. 5*. 22. I ha^je placed the Sand for a *^^«- 
 Bound of the Sea by a perpetual Decree, that thaycanrot pafs '" ^^^'•24* 
 it ; and though the Waves tbereef tols thewfel-ves, yet can p.-^| ^^ 
 tbey not prevail ; though they roar, yet can they not p:i,s 6, 
 over, that they turn not i>gatn to cover the Earth. In all 
 which Places, fay they, 'tis imply'd, thir theWarer df 
 ir fclf, were it not withheld from its own natural In- 
 clination by a more fpccial Power of Gcd, would 
 overflow the Land. 
 
 Others infer the fame Conclufion from that in E> 
 ckfiafht, where the Rivers arc faid to come from tha 
 S 3a, which they could not do, unlefs that were higher. 
 I anfwer: They fhould as well coufider the Utter pate 
 of chat Scripture, which favs, tlsac the Rivers retarn 
 
 Q to 
 
t88 
 
 Luke 5, 4. 
 'E/? to Cd- 
 
 e©-. 
 
 Ticz^ f/;e Earth may he a f!anet» 
 
 to that place from whence they came, and then the 
 force of this Confequence will vani(]j. To this pur- 
 pofe (bme urge that Speech of our Saviour, where he 
 bids Stmeojt to launch forth into the Deep ; the Latin 
 Word is, m ahum ^ from whence they gather, that the 
 Sea is higher than the Land. But this favours fo much 
 of Monkiih Ignorance, that 1^ deferves rather to be 
 laughed at, than to be anfwered. 
 
 But now i^ we confider the true Properties of this 
 Element, according to the Rules of Philofophy, we 
 ffisll find, that its not overflowing the Land is fo far 
 from being a Miracle, that it is a necelTary Confe- 
 quence ot its Nature ; and 'twould rather be a Mira- 
 cle, if ic (Bculdbe otherwife, as it was in the General 
 Deluge. The Reafon is, becaufe the Water of it felf 
 muft necelfarily defcend to the iovveft place ; which it 
 cannot do, unlefs it be colleded in a Sphaerical Form^ 
 as you may plainly difcern in this Figure, 
 
 Where the Sea at D, may feem to be higher than a 
 Mountain at B, or C, becaufe the rifing of it in the 
 mid ft-, does fo intercept our Sight from either of thofe 
 Places, that we cannot look in a Strait Line, from 
 the one to the other. So that it may feem to be no 
 !efs than a Miracle, by which the Sea Cbeing a heavy 
 Body)was withheld from flowing down to thofe low- 
 er Places of Bi or C. But now, if you confider that 
 
 the 
 
ThM the Earth may he aTlanet. l gp 
 
 the afcendlng oFa Body is its Motion from the Cen- 
 tre^ and dcfcent is its approaching unto it ; you Hiall 
 find, that for the Sea to move from D, to B or C, is 
 a Morion of Afccnt, which is contrary to its Nn-ure, 
 becaufs the Mountains at B, or C, are farther oft from 
 the Centre, than the Sea at D ; the Lines A B, and A 
 C, being longer than tjie other A D. So that for the 
 Sea to keep always in its Channel , is bat agreeable 
 to its Nature, as being a heavy Body. But the mean- 
 ing of thofe Scriptures is, to fee forth t!v3 Power and 
 Wifdom of God ; who hath appointed thefe Channels 
 for it, and befet it with fuch ftrong Banks to with- 
 ftand the fury of its Waves. Or if thefe Men do £o 
 much rely in Natural Points, upon the bare Words of 
 Scripture, they might eafily be confuted from thofe 
 other Places, where God is faid to have foLinded the 
 Earth upon the Seas , and eltablifh'd it upoii the 
 Floods. From the Literal Interpretation of which, 
 many of the Ancients have fallen into another En >r ; 
 affirming the Water to be in the lower place; and as 
 a Bap,i^ whereon the weight of the Earth was bora up. 
 Of this Opinion were * Cleryji7is Altxapdnn^is^ f ^ 
 thatjafusy '.' Hilary , ^' Eufebim, and others. So that 
 it feems, if a Man ihoald refolutely adhere to the 
 bare Words of the Scripture, he might find Contra- 
 diction in it ; of which the Narural iVieaaing is alto- 
 gether incapable, f St. Jerom tells; us of fome who 
 would prove Stars to haveUnderft^mjing, from that 
 place in Ifaiafj, 45*, 12. Mj Hands "haVB preached' lUt 
 the Heavens , and all tbeir Ho(h ba've I comrnanded. 
 Now (fay they) none but Intelligent Creatures are 
 capable of Precepts ; and therefore the Stars muft 
 needs have Rational Souls. Of this Opinion was x j^, j „^ 
 t Fbilo the Jew: Nay, many of the Pvabbies conclude, nccI^ ''^'' 
 that they do every Hour fing Praifes unto God w 
 an audible real Voice ; beeaufe of that in jr^^ gS* 7- 7S 
 which fpeaks o^ the Mormv^ Stars p0pT tcp-aber-. And cueji 
 VfaL 19. ?.»4* vvhere 'tis faid of the Heavens, That h 
 
 Recog. J, 
 
 t Orat. 
 
 coTjr . Idolo! , 
 
 •: In Pfal, 
 
 SI6. 6. 
 
 */«prai. 
 
 24. 
 
 fCorar-flf;?.'-. 
 
 /?;Ita./.x3, 
 
 Ted at us in 
 ic. 
 
ipo Tt^at the Earth may he a planet, 
 
 th're is vo Spe:ch nor L.iftgua/e where tbetr Voice is nof 
 bear, I ,* and their IVordt are gone to the ends of the 
 Wcri;. And whereas we tranflate that Place in the 
 Tench of Jc;hua, concerning the (landing Oil! of the 
 Heavens; the original Word, ZZ-II does properly ligni- 
 firt Silence, and according to their Opinion , Jcjjjua 
 did only bid them hold their peaces From' fuch 
 * To7n. I. S^ounds 'tis likely did * Origen fetch his Opinion, 
 in ychiiv. that the Stais Should be faved. I might fet down ma- 
 ny ocher the like Inftances, were it not for being al- 
 ready weary of rakirg into the Errors of Antiquity, 
 or uncoveiing the Nakednefs of our Forefathers. 
 iDcjiat^ That Hxcufc of -^ yico^a may julHy ferve to miti- 
 «c-^iorhs, £^^^ the Miflakes of thefe Ancient Divines: Facile 
 ^. i- c. 2. c or- d or. at; d urn tjt fatnbus , fi cum cognofcchdo cokndoc^ue 
 Creatori tott 'vucartnt y de Creatura mir.us ape aliqua 
 ex parte epmati funt, Thofe Gocd Men were fo 
 wholly bufjed about the Knowledge and Worfliip 
 of the Creator, that they had not leifure enough for 
 an Exad: Search into the EfTence of the Crea- 
 tures. However , thefe Examples that have been 
 already cited , may fufficienrly manifeft how fre- 
 quently others have been deceived, in concluding 
 the Points of Philofophy from the Expreffions of 
 Scripture. And therefore 'tis not certain , but 
 that in the prefent Cafe alfo , it may be infuffi- 
 cient for fuch a manner of Arguing. 
 
 PROP. V. 
 
 That the Scripture , in it Proper ConfiruHion , 
 does not auj where affirm the Immohility of the 
 Earth, 
 
 TH E fame Anfwer which was inHRed on before, 
 concerning the Conforniity of Scripture Expref- 
 fions to Mens Capacif) ai;d ConiiaGa Opinion, may 
 
 well 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet. l p i 
 
 well enough fati^fy all thofe other Arguments, which 
 feem thence to affi m the Earth's Sctcled/ie(s And im- 
 mobility ; fince this is as w«ll agreeable to outward 
 appearance and vulgar apprehejifion as the o:her. Buc 
 now for more full fatisfa^ion, I ih ill fet down the 
 Particular Piaces that are urged for it ; which being 
 throughly examined , we may plainly difcern thac 
 none of them, in their proper Meaning, will ferve to 
 infer any fuch ConcluHon. 
 
 One of thefe Sayings is that of the Preacher, Eccl^f. 
 1.4, One Generation cowcth, and anothr p^JJcth^ but the 
 Earth en Jaretb for ever; where the Oiiginal Word is, * fr^ff^Cf^, 
 "^ay, and the Vulgar, Stat; from whence our * Adver- sacraPhil, 
 faries conclude that it is immovable. c.62. 
 
 I anfwer : The Meaning of the Word, as it is here -f^p/"'^^'!/- 
 
 , ,, . ^ ^ n '^ 1 / cell. I. I.e. 
 
 apply d, IS permanent ; or as we tranllate it, cnattreth. pincda 
 For it is not the purpofe of this Place to deny all comment, j 
 kind of Motion to the whole Earth, but that ofGe- in locum, j 
 Deration and Corruption, to which other things in ic 
 are liable. And though Vineia, and others keep a 
 great deal of impertinent ftir about this Scripture, yec 
 they grant this to be the natural Meaning of it : Which 
 yo'J may more clearly difcern, if you ccnfider the 
 chief Scope of this Book ; wherein the Preacher's In- 
 tent is, to (hew the extraordinary Vanity of all Earth- 
 ly Contentments, ver. 2. the utter Unprofitablenefs of 
 all a Man's Labour, ver. 5. and this he illullraces by 
 the (hortnefs and uncertainty of his Life, in which re- 
 fped he is below many of his Fellow Creatures, 
 as may be manifefted from ihefe four Compari- 
 fons. 
 
 I. From the Earth, which though it fecm to be 
 but as the Sediment of the V/orld, as the Rubbiih 
 of the Creation ; yet is this better than Man in re- 
 (peit of his jaftingnefs ; for one Generation pajfetb a-way^ 
 and another cometh ; but the Earth that abideth for 
 ever, 1/. 4. 
 
 O 3 2. From 
 
ipi That the Earth may be a flanet. 
 
 ■ 2. From the '^un ; who though he feem frequently 
 to go down, yec he conftantly feems to rife again , 
 Johi^. 10, and ihines with the fame Glory, v, 5-. But Man diethy 
 ami v^jfltrh away, yea^ Man gtveth up the Gho(}j and 
 where IS he ? he I'.etb dowfij andrijCth not till the Heavens 
 be no rr,ore. 
 
 3. from the Wind, the Common Emblem of Un- 
 certainty ; yet it is more conftant than Man, for that 
 knows its Circuits, and ivbtrlcth ahcn' continually, V. 6. 
 IVhtrtas our Ltfe paj/eth away as doth toe Wind ^ hut re-" 
 turnttb Kot avAw. 
 
 4. From the Sea ; though it be as uncertain as the 
 Mocn, bv whom 'tis governed, yet is it more durable 
 than Man and his Happinef. For though the Rivers 
 run into it, and from it, yet is it ftill of the fame 
 guanrity that it was at the beginning, f. 7. But Man 
 grows worfer as he grows older, and Hill nearer to a 
 decay So that in this refped he is much inferior to 
 n^c^ny other cf his Fellow Creatures. 
 
 From whence it is manifell:, that this Conftancy, or 
 
 Standing of the Earth is not oppofed to its Local Moti- 
 
 . or.j b'jt to the ch.ingi.ng or palling away of divers 
 
 M-n in their fevei.^! Generations. And therefore 
 
 thence to conclude the Earth's Immobility were as 
 
 M^,Car- vv'eak and ridiculous as if one fiiould argue thus: One 
 
 G^"r^/ Miller ^;ocs, and another comes, but the Mill remains 
 
 J<'S '• jjjj, . ^^..,^^ the Mill hath no Motion. 
 
 Or thus : Cr.e Piiarc goes, and another comes, 
 tut the Ship remains iliil j cr^o, the Ship doth not 
 fiir. 
 p^:rj>I:x. ^ i^ Mofcs tells US, how that many of the Jews 
 did frcm this place conclude, that Solonw^i thou^;ht the 
 Earrh to be Eternal,becaufe he faith it abideth ^/ly7 
 fjr ever ; and qae(tion!efs,if we examine it impainally, 
 we ft. ill find that the Phrafe feems more to favour 
 this Abfurdity , than that which our Adverfaries 
 would colled: from hence , that it is without Mo- 
 cioa. 
 
 But 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, Ip } 
 
 Bat Mi*. Tulltr urging this Text againft Copermcm 5 
 tells us, if any ihould interpret chefe Phrafes concern- 
 ing the Earth's fbnding Hill, 'v. 4. and the Suns Mo- 
 tion, -v. S- in reference only to Appearance, and 
 Common Ooinion ; he mult necelTarily ^Ifo under- 
 hand thofe tWo other Verfes which mention the Mo- 
 tion of the Wind and Rivers in the fame Senfe. As 
 if he Ihould fay ; Becaufe fome things appear other- 
 wife than they are, therefore every thing is ocherwile 
 than it appears: Or, Becaufe Scripture fpeaks of foms 
 Natural Things, as they are efteem'd according to 
 Man'= Falfe Conceit, therefore 'tis necelTary that eve- 
 ry Natural Thing mention'd in Scripture muft be in- 
 terpreted in the like Senfc : Or, becaufe in one place 
 we read of the Ends of a Staff, i Kif^gs 8. 8. and m 
 many other places of the Ends of the Earth, and the 
 Ends of Heaven ; therefore the Earth and Pie.wens 
 have as properly Ends as a Staff. Tis the very lams 
 Confequence of that in the Objeaion. Becauie m 
 this place of Ecclefiafies we read with the Reft of the 
 Earth, and the Motion of the Sun; therefore thefe 
 phrafes muft needs be underftocrd in the fame proper 
 Conftruftion as thofe afterwards, where Motion was 
 attributed to the Wind and Rivers. Which Inference 
 you fee isfo weak, that the Objeaorneed not triumph 
 fo much in its ftrength as he doth. 
 
 Another Proof like unto this is taken from St. Fetir, 
 Epifi- 2. cap. 3. 'ver. ^. where he fpeaks of the Earth 
 ftanding out of the Water, and in the Water, yn 
 <r.a.=r^^ , and therefore fhe Earth is immovable. ^ 
 
 i anfwer : 'Tis evident 'that the Word here is equi- 
 valent with fuii ; and the Scope of the Apoftle is to 
 (hew, that God made all the Earth , both that which 
 was above the Water, and that which was under it. 
 So that from this Expreffion, to colled the Reft and 
 Immobilitv of the Earth, would be fuch an Argument 
 as this other Such a Man made that part of a Mill- 
 Whsel, or a Ship, which ftands below the Water, and 
 ' O 4 that 
 
\c}^ That the Earth may he a J^latut. 
 
 that p^rt which ft^nds abo/e the Water ; therefore 
 thofri Things are immovable. 
 
 'lo- fuch vain and idle Confequences does the Heat 
 of Oppofttion drive our Adverfaries. 
 
 A Third Argument ftronger than either of the for- 
 * iChon. nier,thsy conceive may bscolleded from thofe *Scrip- 
 i^ j'^- tures ; where 'tis faid, Tba World is efiahl/jhe4, that if 
 J^ -93- • cannot ht mo-vei. 
 
 jo" To which I anfwer : Thefe Places fpeak of the World 
 
 in general, and not particularly of our Earth ; and 
 therefore may as well prove the Immobility of the Hea- 
 vens, they being the greateft part of the World ; in 
 comparifon to which, our Earth is but as an infenlible 
 point. 
 
 If you reply, that the Word in thefe Places is to bq 
 underOood by a S^neckdec^oe, as being meant only of 
 this Habirable World, the Earth: 
 
 I anfwer : Firft, this is only faid, not proved : Se- 
 condly, D.z'vtd but a little before feems to make a dif- 
 ference between the World and the Earth, P,'<j/. 90, 2. 
 where he (ays, Hefore xhou biid'i formed the Earth and the 
 JV'Ad. But Thirdly, in another Place there is the fame 
 0"itiin?.l '-"ord ■ .jply'd exprefly to the Heavens ; and 
 which is vet m ire, the fame Place dr):is iikewife men- 
 tion this fuppofed Settlednefs of the Earth, Prov. 5.19. 
 7 he Lord b) IV^jdofi bath four.ded the Earth ; and hji Un" 
 dtr(iindtvghaih he efiahlifhad the Hfavens. So that thefe 
 Places can no more prove an Immobility in the Earth 
 than in the Heaven?. 
 
 If you yet reply, That by the Heavens there is 
 memt the Seat of the BiciTed, which does not move 
 With the re't: 
 
 I anfwer: Though bv fuch an Evafion a Man might 
 poffibly avoid the force oi this Place ; yet, Firft, 'tis 
 but a groundlefs ihift, bec^ufe then that Verfe will not 
 "contain a fail enumerarion of the Parts in the World, 
 as may feem more agreeable to the Intention of it ; 
 bat only ihew, that God created this Earth where we 
 - * live. 
 
That the Earth may he a planet. i p y 
 
 live, and the Heaven of Heavens. So that the Hea- 
 ven of the Stais and Planets (hall be fhifred out from 
 the number of the other Creatures. Secondly, therei/ 
 is another place which cannot be fo avoided, Ffal. 89. 
 37. where the Pfalmift ufes thisExpreffion, p3"> It jhall 
 he ejfabltjhej as the Moon, So VfaL 8. 4. The Moon and 
 the Stars, .-"'pUD "t^'t^ v^hich thou haficliabli^cd. Thus 
 likewife, Pr</X'. 8. 27. -when be e(labli^>'d the Hca'vcvs : 
 j^nd in the next Verfe, our EngLpj Tranflatiun reads 
 it, when he ([iablifiud the Clouds, And yet our Adver- 
 faries will affirm (he Moon, and Scars, and Clouds ro 
 be fubjeit unto Natural Motions : Why then fhould 
 the very fame Expreffions be counted as fufficient Ar- 
 g-^a^ents to take it away from the Earth i^ 
 
 ii it be replied, That by efiablifhing the Heavens, 
 is meant only the holding of them up, that they do 
 not fall down tons ( ^s Lorinus explains that in the ior;„„, 
 Eigluh Vfalw, and quotas Ettthymius for the fame Inter- Comment. 
 precation ^ ) fundavdi verbum Jign:ficat dccidere non pojje, "' Pfcl. S. 
 ant dimoveri a loco ubi coUocata funt. I anfwer, why 
 m.iy not we as well interpret the Words thus of the 
 Earth ; fo that by edablifhingof it, is meant only the 
 keeping of it up in the vaft Places of the open Air, 
 without falling to any other Place. 
 
 From hence it is plain, That thefe Scriptures are 
 to be underfiood of fuch an Immobility in the Earth, 
 as may likewife agree with the Heavens : The fame 
 O.iginal Word being fo promifcuoufly applied to 
 both. 
 
 Ay, but (you will fay) there are fome other Places 
 which do more peculiarly apply this Settlednefs and 
 Eftabliihraent to the Earth. So PAA 119.90. Thy 
 faiihfulvefs ts unto all generations : Thou hafi' ef}ahli(hed 
 the Earth, and it ahtdstb. Thus likewife, Tjisl. 104. 5'.- 
 Who laid the foundations of the Earth, that it pould not be 
 removed for ever. The latter of which , being well 
 weighed in its Original (faith Mr. FulUr) does in three Mifceiii, 
 
 Em- Caf. ly. 
 
J? 6 Tl)at tie Earth may he a Planet, 
 
 Eniphatic4l Words ftrongly conclude the Earth*s Ira- 
 mobility. 
 
 As Firll, when he fays "ID^ fundavit, he hath found- 
 ed it ; wherein it is implied, that it does not change 
 his Place. To which may be added all thofe Texts, 
 which fo frequently fpeak of tjje foundations of the 
 Earth ; as alfo chat Expreffion of the Pfalmiji-, where 
 he mentions the PtUars of the Earth, Pfal. 7). ;. 
 
 The Second Word Is m JD^ tranflated Ba/ts ; and 
 by ths Sepcuagmt , ^ rlut u.'a-(pA\eicUf dJ]ni ; that is, he 
 hath founded it upon its own Firmnefs ; and therefore 
 it is akogecher without Motion. 
 
 The Third Expreffion is aion-^D from the Root 
 13'Q which fignifies, dechfjare; implying, that it Could 
 not wag with the leaft kind of Declination. 
 To chefe I anfwer feverally : 
 Firit, for the word, 10^ ftmdavit, it cannot be un- 
 deritood properly, as if the natural Frame of the 
 Earth, like other artificial Buildings, did need any 
 Bottom to uphold it ; for he hangeth the earth upon m- 
 thsfjg^ job 26. 7. But it is a Metaphor, and fignifies 
 God's placing or fituating this Globe of Land and 
 Water. As D^vid tells us of the Pillars of the earth; fo 
 "Job mentions Pillars cf the Heavens^ Job 26. II. And 
 yet that will not prove them to be immoveable. 
 
 True indeed, we read often concerning the Founda- 
 tions of the Earth : But fo we do likewifs of the 
 Ends, Sides, and Corners of the Earth ; and yet 
 thefe Scriptures will not prove it to be of a long or 
 fquare Form. Befides, we read alfo of the Foundati- 
 ons of Heave.i, nnoiQ 2 Sam. 22. 8. And yet we 
 muft not hence infer, that they are without all Motion: 
 As alfo of the planting of the Heavens, Ifa. 5"i. 6, 
 which may a^ well prove them to be immoveable, as 
 that which foaows in thd fame Verfe concerning the 
 Foundations of the Earth. 
 
 Which Phrale (if I have obf^rved rightj in feveral 
 Places of Scripture, is to be unJerftood according to 
 thefe three Interpretation?. i. It 
 
That the Earth may he a f Janet. ip7 
 
 1. It is taken fometimes for the lower Parts of the 
 Earch, as appears by that Place, 2 Sam. 22. 16. The ^o Pf'^^- 
 channels of the Sea appeared, the foundations of the PForld ^^' ^^' 
 'were difco7jered, 
 
 2. Sometimes for the Beginning and firfl: Creation of 
 iUfy^c.i.Hath it r^ot been told you from the beginning J:) avt 
 je not underfiood from the foundations of the Earth^ And in 
 
 many other Places, Before the Foundations of the IVorld Joh. 17.24: 
 -ivaslaid; that is, before the firft Creation. EpheCi^. 
 
 ;. Sometimes it fignifies the Magi(}rates and chief 
 Governors of the Earth. So, many interpret that 
 Place mMicah.MvhQ^Q 'tis iA\6,6.2,Hear O ye mountains the 
 Lord's corJroverfy, and ye [irofjg fomdauons of the E^rtb. 
 So Pfal 82. 5-. The foundations of the Earth are out of 
 courfe ; and in Sai». 2. 8. They are called Pillars. For 
 the Pillars of the Earth are the Lords^ aud he hath fet the 
 World upon them. Hence it is, that the Hebrews derive 
 their Word for Mafter, or Lord , from a Root which 
 (ignifies a Bafs or Bottom. JHN, ah p«. And the 
 Greek Word for King, does in its Primitives import 
 as muchjis the Foundation of the People, ^d,-. li,cjua- EtimoU 
 fi U^i T6 Kca, But now, none of all the fever i In- ^'^''^• 
 terpretations of this Phrafe, will in the leaft mariner 
 conduce to the Confirmation of the prefent Area- 
 men t. 
 
 As for the Second Word, n^JDQ Bafu fjits : I an- 
 fwer, the proper Signincanonof it, is loa^ difpoflu^^ 
 fedes, or fiatio, an appointed S: at or Station ; and ac- 
 ceding to this Senfe,is it moO frequently ufed in Scri- 
 pture And therefore, the Heavens are fometimes 
 oiled pjQ the Seat qf God's Habitation. And for this 
 Reaion iikcwife, do ^<^uila and Symmuhus tranfl^te it 
 b> Che Word 'iJ>cc^ a Seat or appointed Situation, 
 which may as well be attributed to the Heavens. 
 
 The Third Expreflion is JDT^n ^5, that it (liould not 
 be rnovedjfrom the Primitive 0^0, which does not figni- 
 fie barely to move , but d.cl>.nare, or -vacillare, to de- 
 chne qf: flip afide from its ufual Courfe. Thus is it 
 
 ufed 
 
' 9 8 Th:it the Earth may he a TIanet, 
 
 u^cd by Davi J, ?fal. 17. 5". where he prays, HoU uf 
 rnj gom^s tn tbj fatbsy ""OyinOQ: Si That my foot (ieps 
 Jlide not ; He does not mean that his Feet (hould not 
 move. So F/aL 121. 3. He will not fuffer thy foot to he 
 move J. Thus like wife, Pfa!. 16. 8. Becaufe the Lord 
 IS at my right handy I (hall not be moved. Which laft 
 ia 2-25. ^^^^* '^ tranQated in the New Teftament by the Greek 
 Word <mh<iiu^ which fignifies fl»Huare, or vactllare, to 
 be fhaken by fach an uncertain Motion as the Waves 
 of the Sea. Now as David's Feet may have their ufu- 
 al Mocion, and yet in this Senfe be faid not to move, 
 chat is, not to decline or flip afide ; fo neither can the 
 fame Fhrafe applied to the Earth, prove it to be im- 
 moveable. 
 c»mmenr. Nor do I fee any Reafon, why that of Didacus AHu- 
 ittjob. nka may not be truly affirmed, That we may prove the 
 natural Mocion of the Earth, from that Place in Job^ 
 9. 6. Qui cnmmovet t err am e locojuj, as well as its Reft 
 and Immobility from thefe. I 
 
 From all which, it is very evident, that each of thefe 
 Expreflions, concerning the founding or eftabiilliing] 
 both of Heaven or Earth, were not intended to fhew| 
 the Unmoveablenefs of either ; but rather, to mani-j 
 fvft the Power and Wifdom of Providence, who hadi 
 fo fettled thefe Parts of the World in their proper Situ- 
 ations, that no natural Caufe could difplace them, or 
 make them decline f(om their appointed Courfe. As 
 for fuch who do utterly diflike all new Interpretation 
 of Scripture, even in fuch Matters as do meerly con- 
 cern Opinion, and are not fundamental, I would on- 
 ly propofe unto them a Speech of St. Hierom , concern- 
 ing fome that were of the fame Mind in his Time. 
 Cum novas femper expetant voluptateSj (^ gula eorum vtci- 
 V* Maria non fufficianty cur in [ale jiudio Scripturarum, VC' 
 teri Japore contentijunt. 
 
 Thus have I in fome meafure cleared the chief Ar- 
 guments from Scripture , againft this Opinion. For 
 which notwithllanding, I have net thence cited any ; 
 
 be- 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet. I po 
 
 becaufe I conceive the Holy Wric , being chiefly in- 
 tended to inform us of fuch things as concern our 
 Faith and Obedience, we cannot thence take any pro- 
 per Proof for th.e Confirmation of Natural Se- 
 
 crets. 
 
 PROP. VI. 
 
 That there is mt any Argument from the Words of 
 Scripture^ Frinciples of Nature, or Ohfervati- 
 ons in Ajironomy, which can fufficiently evidence 
 the Earth to he in the. Cent re of the Univerfe. 
 
 OU R Adverfaries do much infult in the ftrength 
 of thofe Arguments which they conceive do 
 unanfwerably conclude the Earth to be in the Centre 
 of the World. Whereas, if they were but impartial- 
 ly confidered, they would be found altogether infcffi- 
 cient for any fuch Conclufion, as (hail be clearly ma- 
 nifelled in this following Chapter, 
 
 The Arguments which they urge in the Proof of 
 this, are of Three forts ; Either fuch as are taken, 
 
 1. From Expreffions of Scripture. 
 
 2. From Principles of Natural Philofophy. 
 
 %. From common Appearances in AOronomv. 
 Thofe of the M\ kind are chiefly Two : The firft 
 'IS grounded on that common Scripture- Phrafe, which 
 Tpeaks of the Sun, as being above us. So Solomon oft- 
 en mentioning human Affairs, calls them, the -norki Ecdcf. r. 
 '-u^hicbare done unJtr the Sun. From whence it appears, 14, Sec. 
 that the Earth is below it, and therefore nearer to the 
 jCentreof the U»i'verje, than the Sun. 
 I I anfwer : Though the Sun in comparifon to the 
 abfolute Frame of the World, be in the midff ; yec 
 this does not hinder, but that in refped^ to our Earth, 
 he may be truly faid to be above it , becaufe we ufually 
 
 meafure 
 
J 2. item 
 
 • \5 That the Farth}?iay he a flanet, 
 
 meafure the height or lownefs of every thing, hy its 
 being further off, or nearer unto this Centre of our 
 Earth. From which, fince the Sun is fo remote, ic 
 may properly be affirmed that we are under it, though 
 notwiihltanding that be in the Centre of the 
 World. 
 
 A fecond Argument of the fame kind, is urged by 
 Fromsndus. 
 
 'Tis requif'te that Hell (which is in the Center of 
 the Earth ; ihoald be moft remotely fituated from the 
 ycjia. Seat of the Bleffed. But now this Heaven, which is 
 traB. 5. t}-,g sg.f of the Bl -ITcd, is Concentrical to the Starry 
 Sphere : And therefore it will follow, that our Earth 
 muli be in the midll of this Sphere ; and fo confe- 
 quentiy in the Center of the World. 
 
 I anfwer : This Argument is grounded upon thefo 
 Uncertainties ; 
 
 1. That Hell muft needs be fituated in the Center 
 of our Earth. 
 
 2. That the Heaven of the BlefTed rnuft needs ba 
 Concentrical to that of the St;jrs. 
 
 %. That Places muft be as far diftant in Situation as 
 in \Jk. ■ ' 
 
 V¥h!ch becaiife they are taken for granted, without 
 sny Proof, and are in themfe'ves but weak and doubt- 
 ful ; therefore the Conclufion (which al vays follows 
 the worfer part ) cannot be ftrong, and fo will not 
 need any other Anfwer. 
 4^ The iecond fort of Arguments taken from Natural I 
 
 Philofophy, are princioally thefe Three. ' 
 jirg. I. I. Fir(i-^ from the Vilenefs of our Earth, becaufe 
 
 ic connfts of a more fordid and bafe Ma:cer than any 
 other part of the World; and therefore muft be fituar. 
 ted in the Center, which is the worft place, and at 
 the greatefl: diftance from thofe purer incorruptible 
 Bodies, the Heavens. 
 
 i anfwer : This Argument does fuppofe fuch Pro- 
 ^'Ofitioa? for Grounds, v^hich are not yet prove:^^ and 
 , .erefore not CO be granted. As^ i.^That- 
 
That the Earth may he a planet, 2 o i 
 
 1. That Bodies rauft be as far diflant in Places^ as 
 in Nobility. 
 
 . 2. That the Earth is of a more ignoble Subfiance 
 than any of the other Planets, confifting of a more 
 bafe and vile Matter. 
 
 5. That the Center is the wor^ :ace. 
 
 All which are (if not evid'-;: '; faife ) yet very un- 
 certain. 
 
 2. From the Nature of the Center, which is the \Arg. %. 
 place of Refl-, and fuch as in all Circular Motions is its 
 
 lelf immovable, and therefore will be the fitteft Si- 
 tuation for the Earth ; vvhich by reafon of its heavi- 
 nefs, is naturally unfit for Motion. 
 
 lanfwer : This A gument likewife is grounded up- 
 on thefe Two falfe Foundations ; As^ 
 
 1. That the whole Frame of Nature does move 
 round, excepting only the Earth. 
 
 2. That the whole Earth, confidered. as whole, and 
 in its proper Place, is heavy, or more unfit for a Na- 
 tural Motion, than any of the other Planets. 
 
 Which are fo far from being fuch general Grounds 
 from which Concroverfies Should be difcuffed, that 
 they are the very thing in Queflion betwixt us and 
 our Adverfaries. 
 
 3. From the Nature of all heavy Bodies, which is ^--g. 5. 
 to fall towards the lowefl Place. From whence they 
 conclude, that our Earth muft be in the Center. 
 
 I anfwer : This may prove it to be a Center of 
 Gravity, but not of Diftance, or rhat it is in the 
 midft of the World. Yea, (but fay our Adverfaries) 
 j^rifiotle for this urges a Demonftration, vvhich muft 
 needs be infallible. Thus the Motion of light Bodies 
 does apparently tend upward towards the Circumfe- 
 rence of the World : But now the Motion of heavy 
 Bodies is diredlly contrary to the afcent of the other ; 
 wherefore it will necelTarily follow, that thefe do all 
 of them tend unto the Center of the World. 
 
 I an- 
 
201 That the Earth may he a planet, 
 
 I anfvA/er : Though Arifloth were a Mafter in ths 
 Arc of S^IU^ifms, and he frotn whom we received the 
 Rules of Difpucarion ; yet in this Particular, 't s ve- 
 ry plain that he was deceived with a Fallacy, whilft 
 his Argument does fuppofc that which it does pretend 
 to prove- 
 
 That light Bodies do afcend unco fome Circuml > 
 rence which is higher and above the Earth, is plain 
 and undeniable. Bat that this Circumference is the 
 fanie with that of the World, or Concentrical unto it, 
 cannot be reafonablv affirmed, unltfs he fuppofe the 
 Eaith to be in the Center of the Uatvtrfe, which is 
 the thing to be proved. 
 
 I would fain know from what Grounds our Adver- 
 ^fariescan prove, that the Defcent of heavy Bodies is 
 to the Center •, or the Afcent of light Bodies, to the 
 Circumference of the World. Theutmoft Experience 
 we can have in this kind, does but extend to thofe 
 things that are upon our Earth, or in the Air above it. 
 And alas ! what is this unto the va(t Frame of the 
 whole Uiiiverje^ but ptnSiitlum, fuch an infenfibla 
 Point, which does not bear fo great a proportion to 
 the whole, as a fmall Sand docs unto the Earth. 
 Wherefore it were a fenfe!efs thing, from our Experi- 
 ence of fo little a part, to pronounce any thing in- 
 fallibly concerning the Situation of the whole. The 
 -^ Arguments from Alirommy, are chiefly thefe Four; 
 each of which are boafted of to be unanfwerabie. 
 'Jlrg.[\\\ 1. The Honz.on does every where divide all the great 
 Circles of a Sphere into two equal Parts ; fo there is 
 always half the Equinoaial above it, and half below. 
 Thus likewife, there will conftantly be fix Signs of 
 the ZoJtack above tl\e l-Lriz,ony and other fix below it. 
 And befides, the Circles of the Heaven and Earth, 
 are each way proportionable to one another ; as Fif- 
 teen German Miles on the Earth, are every where a- 
 greeable to one Degree in the Heavens ; and one H^^ur 
 in the Earth, is correfpondent to Fifteen Dc-grees i* 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, 20 2 
 
 the Ecfuator. From whence it may be inferred, that 
 the Earth muft necefl^^rily be fituaced in the midil of 
 thefe Circles ; and fo confequencly, in the Center of 
 the World. 
 
 I anfwer : This Argument does rightly prove the 
 Earth to be in the midft of thefe Circles ; but we can- 
 not hence conclude, that it is in the Center of the 
 World : From which, though it were never To n^-uch 
 diftant, yet would it ftill remain in the midH: of thofe 
 Circles,becaufe it is the Eye that imagines them co be 
 defcribed about it. Wherefore it were a weak and 
 prepofterousCollediion, to argue thus, That the Earth 
 is in the Center of the World, becaufein the midit 
 of thole Circles ; or becaufe the Parts and Degrees of 
 the Earth, are anfwerable in proportion to the Parts 
 and Degrees in Heaven. Whereas, it follows rather 
 on the contrary, That thefe Circles are equally diftanc 
 and proportional in their Parts, in relpcd of tne 
 Earth, becaufe it is our Eye that defcribes them about 
 the Center of it. 
 
 So that though a far greater part of the World did 
 appear at one tims than at anocher, yec in refped of 
 thofe Circles which our Eye defcribes about the Earth, 
 all that we could fee at once, would feem to be but a 
 perfed Hemifphere j as may be manifefted by this 
 following Figure. 
 
 Wierc^ 
 
204 
 
 That the Earth may he a Tlanet^ 
 
 Where if we fuppcfe J to be our Earth, B C D E 
 one of the great Circles which we fancy about ir, 
 F G H J the O: b of fixed Stars, R the Center of 
 them: Now though the Ark G I' I be bigger than the 
 other G HI, yet nctwithftanding, to the Eye on the 
 Earth Ay one will appear a Semicircle as well as the 
 other ; becaufe the Imagination does transfer all thofo 
 Stars into the lefTer Circle B C D E, which it does 
 fancy to be defcribed above that Center. Nay, the' 
 tliere were a habitable Earth at a far greater diftance 
 from the Center of the World, even in the place of 
 '^fupiter, as fuppofe at ^; yet then alfo would there be 
 the fame Appearance. For though the Ark K F L In 
 the Starry Heaven, were twice as big as the other 
 K H L, yet notwithftanding at the Earth ^ they 
 would both appear but as equal Hemifpheres, being 
 transfened into that other Circle Ad N O P, which is 
 part of the Sphere that the Eyedefcfibes to it felf about 
 that Earth. from 
 
That the Earth may be a "Planet, 2 ^ j 
 
 From whence we miy plainly difcern, Th .t though 
 the Earth be asver fo far difhnc frorri ths Cesser of 
 theWortd, yet the Parts and Decrees of chat irrugina- 
 ry Sphere about it, will always bs proportional to the 
 Parts and Degrees of the Earth. 
 
 2. Another Demoniiration like unto this former, ^'•5 *i. 
 frequently urged to the fame p'arpofe, is this. If the ' -^' 
 
 Earth be out of the Center of the World, then muft 
 it be fituated in one of thefe Three Pofitions : Either ^'''''^- Cjrp- 
 in the Equator, but out of the Axh*^ or 2^7, in the ^'^^- ^- *' 
 Axis, but out of the Equator ; or Jfdly, beHdes bath.'' ^' 
 of them. But it is not placed according to any of 
 thefe Situations, therefore muft it nseds be in t'le 
 Center. 
 
 1. 'Tis not in the Equatory and befide the /,xjs i 
 For then, i/, there will be no E^uimx at all in fome 
 Places, when the Days and Nights fliall be of anequa! 
 length ; id'j, the Afternoons and Forenoons will not 
 be of the fame length ; becaufe, then our MeridiarS 
 Line muft divide the Herr.iJ])hcre into unequal Parts. 
 
 2. 'Tis not in thj Axis, but out of the Eeji^a'or ^ for 
 then, firlf, the Ec^uimx would nor happen when the 
 Sun was in the middle Line betwixt the two Solirkcs^ 
 but in fome other Parallel, which might be nearer to 
 one of them, according as the Earth did approach to' 
 one Tropick more than another. Secondly, therd 
 would not be fuch a proportion between the increafe 
 and decreafe of Days and Nights, as now there is. 
 
 V 'Lis not befides both of them : For then, all 
 thefe Inconveniencies, and faiidry others muf^ w'ufi 
 the fame neceffity of Confequence be inferred. From 
 whence it will follow, That the Earth mui\ be (ituated 
 there where the Axu and Equator meet, which is in 
 the Center of the World. 
 
 To this we grant, that the Earth muft needs be pla- 
 ced both in the Axis and Equator ; and fo confequenc- 
 ly, in the Center of that Sphere which v/e imagine a-^ 
 bout it* But yet this will not prove, that it is in the 
 
 P ^ mm 
 
2o6 That the Earth may he a Vianet. 
 
 midii of the Uf.iverfe : For let our Adverfaries fuppofe 
 ic to be as far diiKint from that^ as they conceive the 
 Sun tote; yet may it ftill be Htuated in the very 
 Concousfe of thcfe two Lines ^ becanfe the //xzir oF 
 the World is nothing elfe, but that imaginary Line 
 which palTes through the Poles of our E^rth, to the 
 Poles of the World. And fo likewife the Equator is 
 norhirg eife but a great Circle in the ir.idft of the 
 Larth, betwixt both the PoleSj which by Lnagination 
 is continued even to the rix-.d Stars. Thus alfo, we 
 may ?.ii] ni the Earth to be in the Plane of the Zod'tack, 
 it by iis Annual Motion it did defcribe that imaginary 
 Circle : And in the Plane of the Equator^ if by its 
 Diarn:ii Motion about its-own Axis^ it did make feve- 
 ral Parallels^ the midii: of which (hould be the Ee^ua- 
 tor. From whence it appears, that thefe two former 
 Arguments proceed fron-; one and the lame Miilake ; 
 whilft our AdverOries fuppofe the Circumference and 
 Center of the Sphere, to be the fame with that of 
 the World. 
 
 A^nother DemonO ration of the fame kind, is t.^ken 
 fro.Ti theEcHpfes of the Sun and Moon ; which would 
 net always happen when thefe twoLuminariesare Dia- 
 metrically oppoCed, but fometimes when they are lefs 
 diltant than a Semicircle, if it were fo that the Earth 
 were not in the Center. 
 
 I anfwer ; This Argument, if well confidered, will 
 he found ■ moH: dired:ly to infer this Conclufion j 
 That in all Eclipfes, the Earth is in fach a ftrait Line 
 ^betwixt the two Luminaries ) whofe Extremities do 
 point unto oppollte parts of the Zodiack. Now, tho* 
 our Adverfaries fliould fuppofe (as Copernicm doesj the 
 Earth to be hcaated in that which they would have to 
 be the Sun's 0;b ; yet would there not be any Eciipfe, 
 but when the Sun and Moon were Diametrically op- 
 pofite, and our Earth betwixt thtm ; as may clearly 
 be manifefted by this Figure, where you fee the two 
 Luminaries in oppofue Signs : And according as any 
 
 pare 
 
 ^rr 3. 
 
That the Earth may hs a planet, 
 
 part of our E^irth is firuated by irs Diurnal Revolution, 
 fo wil! every Eclfpfe be either vifjble, or not vifjbls 
 unco it. 
 
 2 0/ 
 
 carlo, lib. 2' 
 f. 14. 
 
 The lad and chief Argument, is taken frotn the ^g-/^-; 
 appearance of the Stars; which in every Horizofj, ar ^^-'fi--^^ 
 each Hour of the Night, and at all times of the Year, 
 feem of an equal bignefs. Now this could not be, if 
 our Earth were fometimes nearer ynrothemby 2000000 
 German Miles, which is granted to be thi Diameter of 
 that Orb wherein the Earth is fuppofed to move. 
 
 I anfwer : This Confequence will nor hold, if ws 
 affirm the Earth's Oib not to be big enough for the 
 making of any fenfible difference in the appearance 
 of the fixed Stars. 
 
 Yea, but (vou will fiy) 'tis beyond Conceit, and 
 without all Reafon, to think the fixed Stars of fo vaft 
 a diftance from us, that our approaching nearer unto 
 
 P 5 them 
 
 Copem.I I, 
 cap. s, 6. 
 
2o3 Th at the Earth may be a Planet. 
 
 them by zcocooo Gtrmcin Miles, cannot make any 
 difterence in the fceniing Quantity of their Bodies. 
 
 I reply : There is no certain way to find out the 
 exa<5l dtfbnce of the Starry Firmament ; but we are 
 fain to conclude of it by Conjedures, according as fe- 
 veral Reafons and Obfervations feem moft likely unto 
 the Fancies of divers Men. Now that this Opinion 
 of Covtrnicus does not make it too big, may be dif- 
 perned from thefe following Confideratione. 
 
 The Words Gre.it and Little^ are relative Terms, 
 and do iniport a CorjiparifoD to fomething elfe : So 
 that where the Firmament, ( as ic is according to Co- 
 fernictis ) is faid to be too big, 'tis likely that this Word 
 is to be underficod in reference to fonre other thing 
 of the fzrfiQ kindj the leaft of which is the Moon's 
 Oib. Bur row if its being fo much bigger than this, 
 may be a fufficient Reafon why it fhould be thought 
 too great, then ic fecms that every thing which ex- 
 ceeds another of the fame kind in fuch a proportion, 
 may be concluded to be of too big a Quantity ; and 
 i'o confequcntly, we may affirm that there is no fich 
 thing in the World. And hence ic will follow, that 
 Whales and Elephants are mesr ChtKccras.and Poetical 
 Fidions, bccaufc they do fo much exceed many other 
 Living Creatures, if all this eighth Sphere, (faith 
 Galt'cf.as ) as grtrat as ic is, were a light Body, and pla- 
 ced fo far from u? thriC ic appeared but as one of the 
 I'jfier Scars, we fiiould then efteem it but lictle ; and 
 iherefore we have TiO reafon row to thrult ic out from 
 beinf, amorgfi the Works of Nature, by reafon of its 
 too great lmmei;lny. 'TIs a frequent Speech of our 
 Adve:iarics, Tychoy FrorjcTjilttSj and others, in excufe 
 of that incredible Swiftnefs which they im.agine in 
 their frlffjum rrjohile, That *twas rtqaiute the Motion 
 of the He-ivens Tncuid have a kind of Infinity in ic, 
 the better to manifell the Infinicenefs of the Creator. 
 And why may not we as well affirm this concerning 
 the Bi^nefs of the He^vePvS ? DifficiUus efi ace i Jens fra- 
 
 ■ Hr 
 
That the Earth may he a Vianet. 20? 
 
 ter modulum MeBi intenderei t^uam ftthjeElam fine acc't- 
 Jenu augere ( faith Ktflar. ) His Meaning is, that 'tis 
 lefs abfurd to imagine the eighth Sphere of fo vafr a 
 bignefs, as long as ic is without Motion, or at leaft 
 has but a very flow one ; than to attribute unto it 
 fuch an incredible Celerity, as is altogether diipropor- 
 tionable to its Bignefs. 
 
 2. 'Tis the /Vcknowledgment of CLvius, and might comment. 
 eafily be demonftrated, That if the Center were faft- ^"/^j'^'"' 
 ned upon the Pole of the World, the Orb wherein he ^''^' '* 
 fuppofes the Sun to move would not be able to reach 
 fo far in the eighth Sphere (being confidered according 
 to Pfolom/s Hypothefts) as to touch the Pole-Star ; 
 which notwithftanding (faith he j is fo near tht Pole 
 it felf, that we can fcarce difcern it to move : Nay, 
 that Circle which the Pole-Star makes about the Pole, 
 is above Four times bigger than the Orb of the Sun. 
 So that according to the Opinion of our Adverfai ies, 
 though our Earth were at that diftance from cne Cen- 
 ter, as they fuppofe the Sun to be, yet would not this 
 Eccentricity make it nearer to any one part of iho, Fir- 
 rnamenc, than the Pole-Star is to the Pole ; which ac- 
 cording to his Confeffion, is fcarce fenfible. And 
 therefore according to their Opinion, it would canfe 
 very little difference in the appearance of thofe Stars, 
 the biggeft of which does not feem to be of above 
 five Seconds in its Diameter. 
 
 5. 'Tis confiderable, That the Spheres of Saturn, 
 Jupiter, Mars, are, according to the general Opinion, 
 of very great Extenfion ; and yet each of them is ap- 
 pointed only to carry about its particular Planet, which 
 are but very little in comparifon of the fixed Stars. 
 Now if for the Situation of thefe fixed Stars, there 
 Ihould be allotted a proportionable part of the World, 
 'tis certain that their Orb muft be far bigger than it is 
 commonly fuppofed, and very near to this Opinion 
 of Copermcuu 
 
 P 4 4. We 
 
2 1 That the Earth may le a f Janet. 
 
 4. We ufually j.idge the bignefs of the higher Orbs 
 bv their cifterent Motions : As becaufe Saturn finiflies 
 h.s Courfe in Thirty Years, and Jupiter in Twelve, 
 therefore we attribute unto thofe Orbs fuch a different 
 proportion in their Bignefs. Now if by this Rule we 
 would find out the Quantity of the eighth Sphere, 
 we (hall difcern it to be far nearer unto that Bignefs 
 which Cofervicus fuppofeth it to have, than that which 
 Ttolc?vy, Tycho, and others ordinarily afcribc unto if 
 For the Starry Heaven (fay they) does not finifh bis 
 Courfe under 26000 Years; whereas Saturn, which is 
 rex" unto it, does compafs his Orb in Thirtv Years. 
 From whence it will probably follow, that there is a 
 very great diflance betwixt thefe in phce, becaufe 
 they have fuch different Terms of their Revolutions. 
 . But againft this Anfwer unto the laft Argument, 
 our Adverfaries thus reply : 
 Fyomvd. I. It the fixed Stars are fo far diftant from us, that 
 F.'r.r^..?. our approaching nearer unto them by icooooo Gfr- 
 y^^r-'- manMWts, does not make any fenhble difference in 
 their appearance ; then Gal'Ufis's Perfpeaive could not 
 mske I hem fccm of a bigger Form than they do to 
 ihc bare Eye, which yet is contrary to common Ex- 
 peiience. 
 
 Ibid. 2 From s;,ce it may be inferred, That the leaft 
 
 fixed Star is L.^ger than all this Orb wherein we fup- 
 pofeihe Earth to move ; becaufe tliere is none of them 
 but are of a fenfiblt Bignefs in refpecl: qf the Firma- 
 ment, wheredS rl.is it feems is nor. 
 
 U:J. 5- ^i"ce God did at firit create the Stars for the ufe of 
 
 all r< at ton SI bat v.- Hnd-nhe -whol hUavtv^, Deut.4. 19. 
 it m5fcj;t have a.gued feme. Improvider.ce in him, if 
 hehad made thtm of fuch -alf Magnitudes; whereas 
 they mifjn as wcii befiow their Light and lufiuences, 
 and fo confequently be as fervictable to that end for 
 whicn they were appointed, if they had been made 
 with lefs Bodies, and placed nearer unto us.. And \n 
 J comriion Maxim, that Nature in all her Operations, 
 
 does 
 
That the Earth may he a Tlanet. 2 1 1 
 
 does avoid Superfluities, and ufe the moft compendious 
 Way. 
 
 I anfver : 
 
 1. To ihfi, Firft, whether the Perfpec^live do iriake 
 the fixed Stars appear bigger than they do to the bare 
 Eye, cannot Certainly be concluded, unlefs we had 
 fuch an exad: GlaT^^ by which we might try the Expe- 
 riment. But if in this kind we will truft the Authori- 
 
 ry of others, "^ Kepjar tells us from the Experience cf * _ySftron: 
 
 skilful Men, that the better the Perfpedive is, by fo copem.uh. 
 
 much the lels will the fixed Stars appear through it, be- '^^ •f^'** ^• 
 
 ing but as meer Points,from which the Beams of Lig! t 
 
 do difperfe themfelves like Hairs. And 'tis commonly 
 
 affirmed by others, that the Dog flar, which feenis to 
 
 be the biggeft Staramongfl thofe of the firft Magnitude, 
 
 does yet appear through this Glafs but as a little Point 
 
 no bigger than the fiftieth Part of Jupiter. Hence ie 
 
 is, that though the common Opinion hold the Stais of 
 
 the firft Magnitude to be two Minutes in their Diamc 
 
 ter, and Tycho three ; yet f GaliU^fs, who hath been | syffent. 
 
 ipoft verfed in the Experiments of his own Peifpedive »?«?7^/, 
 
 concludes them to be but five S.conds. Coll. 3. 
 
 2. To the Second : Firft we affirm, the fixed S'ars 
 to be of a vaft Magnitude. Pur however, this Argu- 
 ment does not induce any N-ceflicy that we ftould 
 conceive them fo big as the Earth's Oib. For ic might 
 e.ifily be proved, that though a Stai of the Sixth Mag- 
 nitude were but equal in Diaincer unro the Sun 
 fwhich is far enough from the Geacnefs of the Earth's 
 Oib ;) yetthefiarry Heav'n would be at fuch a diftance 
 fiotr. us, that the Earth's Annual Motion could not 
 cable any Difference in its Appearance. 
 
 Suppofe the Diameter of the Sun to be about half a „.^ ^ . 
 Deg .:c. as out Adverfaries grant ; whereas a Star of j^iJ, 
 the bixth Magnitude is ^o Thirds, which is compre- 
 hended in thac of the Sun 2160 Times. Now if the 
 Sun were ren^oved fo far from us, that its Diameter 
 would feem but as one of that number whereof it now 
 
 con- 
 
2 1 2 That the Earth may he a flanet, 
 
 contains 2160 ; then muft his Diftance from us, be 
 2160 times greater than now ic is : Which is all one, 
 as if we fiiould fay, that a Star of the Sixth Magni- 
 tude is fevered from us by fo many Semidiameters of 
 the Earth's Orb. But now according to common 
 Confent, the Didance of the Earth from the Sun, does 
 contain 128 Semidiameters of the Earth, and ( as was 
 faid before ) this fuppofed Diftance of the fixed Stars 
 does comprehend 2160 Semidiameters of the Earth's 
 Orb. From whence it is manifeft, that the Semidia- 
 meter of the Earth, in comparifon to its Diftance from 
 the Sun, will be almoft doubly bigger than the Semi- 
 dilmeter of the Earth's Orb, in comparifon to this 
 Dilrance of the Stars. But now, the Semidiameter of 
 the Earth, does make very little difference in the Ap- 
 pearance of the Sun, becaufe we fee common Obfer- 
 vaiions upon the Surface of it, are as exa^ly true to 
 the Senf?, as if they were made from the Cemre of 
 it. Wherefore, that Difference which would be made 
 in thef.; fixed Stars, by the Annual Courfe of the Earth, 
 muft needs be much more unobfervable, or rather al- 
 together infenfible. . 
 
 2 The Confequence of this Argument is grounded 
 upon this falfe Suppofition, That every Body muft ne- 
 ceffarily be of an equal Extenfion to that Diftance 
 frani whence there does not appear any fenfible diffe- 
 rence in ics Quantity. So that when I fee a Bird flying 
 fuch a height in the Air, that my being nearer unto 
 it. or farther from it, by Ten or Twenty Foot, does 
 '•' not make ic feem unto my Eyes either bigger or 
 lefs ; then I may conclude, that the Bird mutt needs 
 be either Ten cr Twenty Foot thick ; Or when I fee 
 the Body of a Tree that may be half a Mile from me, 
 and perceive that my approaching nearer to it by 30 
 or 40 Paces, does not fenfibly make any different Ap- 
 pearance, I may then infer, that the Tree is Forty 
 Paces thick ; with many the like abfurd Conlequences, 
 
 that 
 
Tl?at the Earth may he a flanet. 
 
 ^'J 
 
 J7- 
 
 that would follow from that Foundation upon which 
 this Argument is bottomed. 
 
 To the Third I anfwer : 'Tis too much Prefutnpti- 
 on, to conclude that to be Superfluous, the Ufefulnefs 
 of which we do not underftand. There be many fe- 
 cretends in thefe great Works of Providence, which 
 human VVirdom cannot reach unto; and ^s Solomon 
 Ipeaks of thofe things that are under the Sun, fo may 
 we alfo of thofe things that are above it j That no man 
 can find cut the Works of God; for though a man labour to Ecclef 2 
 [eek It out , yea further , Though a wife man thmk to 
 know tt , yet {hall he r.ot be able to find it. He that hath 
 mod infioht inco the Works of Nature, is not able'to 
 give a fatisfying Kz^^on, why the Planets or Stars 
 ihouid be placed jufl at this particular Diftance from 
 the Earth, and no nearer or farther. And be^des 
 this Argument might as well be urged againft the //;- 
 fothifis of Ptolot»y or T^cho, fince the Stars, for ought 
 we know, might have been as fsrviceable to us, if they 
 had been placed far nearer, than either of thofe Au- 
 thors fuppcfe them. Again, were there any force in 
 luch a Conkquence, it would as well conclude a great 
 Improvidence of Nature, in making fuch a Multitude 
 oi thofe leffer 5tars, which have lately been dilbovered 
 by the Perfpeaive. For to what purpofe fhould fo ma- 
 ny Lights be created for the Vk of Man, fince his 
 E.ves were not able to difcern them? So that our Difa- 
 bility to comprehend all thofe ends which might be 
 aimed at in the Works of Nature, can be no fufficient 
 Argument to prove their Superfluicy. Though Scri- 
 pture do tell us that thefe things were made for^our 
 Ufe, yet^ it does not tell us, that this is their only ^nd. 
 Tis not impoffible, but that there may be elfewhere 
 lome other Inhabitants, by whom thefe leiTer Stars may 
 be more plainly difcemed. And (as was faid before ) 
 why may not we affirm that of the Bignefs, which 
 our Adverfanes do concerning the Motion of the 
 
 Hea- 
 
'214 ThcU the Earth may he a Tlanet. 
 
 Heavens ? That God, to (hew his own Immenfity 
 did put a kind of Infinity in the Creature. 
 
 There is yet another Argument to this purpofe,urged 
 Lib. I. by Al. RojJ'. which was not referred to any of the 
 Sea.a.cj. former kind, becaufel could fcarcely believe I did 
 rightly underfiand it; fincehe purs it in the Front of 
 his other Arguments, as being of Strength and Subtiliy 
 enough to be a Leader unto all the reit ; and yet in 
 themoft likely Senfe of it, 'tis fo extremely fimple to 
 be prelTed in aControverfy,that every Frefli- Man would 
 laugh at it. The Words qf it are thefe : Quod mm- 
 mum eji in circulo debet eJJ'e centrum illius ; at terra longe 
 njt/meft Sole, & v^^uim^ialts terreftris eft omnium in Co:' 
 lo ctrcttlus minimus ; crgOy 6iC. 
 
 By the fame reafon, it would rather follow, that the 
 Moon or Mercury were in the Centre, fmce both thefe are 
 lefs than the Earth. And then, whereas he fays that 
 the /Eqainodial of the Earth is the leaft Circle in the 
 Heavens, 'tis neither true nor pertinent^ and would 
 make one fufp- d>, that he who (hould urge fuch an 
 Argument, did fcarce underftand any thing in Aftro^ 
 nomy. 
 
 There are many other Objedions like unto this, not 
 worth the citing : The chief of all have been alrea- 
 dy anfwered ; by which you may difcern, that there 
 is not any fuch great Neceffity as our Adverfaries pre- 
 tend, why the Earth ihould be fituated in the midft of 
 the Univerfe, 
 
 PROP. VII. 
 
 '7/j prolalle that the Sim is in the Centre of the 
 
 World, 
 
 THE chi:f Reafons for the Confirmation of this 
 Truth, areimplyed in the Conveniences of this, 
 
That the Earth 7?iay he a Planet. 2 ! 5 
 
 Hyfothefu zhovQ any other ; whereby we may refolve 
 the Motions and Appearances of the Heavens into 
 more eafie and natural Caufes. 
 
 Hence will the Frame of Nature be freed from that 
 Deformity which it has according to the Syftetri of 7)^ 
 cho • who though he make the Sun to be in the mid(t 
 of the Planets, yet without any good Reafon denies 
 it to be in the midft of the fixed Stars ,- as if the Pla- 
 nets, which are fuch eminent parts of the World, 
 fhould be appointed to move about a difiind Centre of 
 their own, which was befide that of the Uni- 
 verfe. 
 
 Hence likewife are we freed from many of thofe 
 Inconveniences in the Hypothefts of VtoUmy^ who fup- 
 poled in the Heavens, Epicycles and Eccentrkks, and 
 other Orbs, which he calls the Deferents of the Apa- 
 ge and Pertge. As if Nature in frair.ing this great En- 
 gine of the World, had been put unto fuch hard 
 fhifts, that (he was fain to make ullii of Wheels and 
 Screws, and other the like artificial Inftrumencs of 
 Mocion. 
 
 There be fundry other particulars, whereby this 
 Opinion concerning the Sun*s being in the Centre, 
 may be ftrongly evidenced ; which becaufs they re- 
 late unto feveral Motions alfo, cannot therefore pro- 
 perly be infilled on in this Place. You may eafily 
 enough difcern them, by confidering the whole Frame 
 of the Heavens, as they are according to the Syilem 
 of CopermcHs ; wherein all thofe probable Refolutions 
 that are given for divers Appearances amongft the 
 Planets, do mainly depend Lpon this Suppoficion, thot 
 the Sun is in the Centre. Which Arguments ('were 
 there no other ) might he abundantly enough for the 
 Confirmation of it. But for the greater Plenty" 
 there are likewife thefs Probabilities confidera- 
 ble. 
 
 X. Ic 
 
2 8 6 That the Farth may he a flanet, 
 
 I. It mavfesm agreeabL" to Roaiorj, that the Light 
 . which isditFufc'd in feveial -^r ., ri}(ough tiie Circum- 
 ference of cde World, Ihouid be more emi'icntly con- 
 tained , and (as it were) contrac^led in the Cen- 
 ter of it , which can only be by placing the Sun 
 there. 
 " hiyrim. 2. 'Tis an Argument of * Clavir4i, and frequently 
 c. Sfhsr. urged by our Adverfaries, That the mo/1 Natural fi- 
 tuation of the Sun's Body was in the midft, betwixt 
 the other P!anets; and that for this Reafon, becaufe 
 from thence he might more convenieiuiy diitribute 
 amongft them both his Light and Heat. The force 
 of -which may more properly be apply'd to prove him 
 in the Center, 
 
 ;. Tis probable that the Planetary Orbs (which 
 are fpecial parts of the Univerje) do move about the 
 Center of the World, rather than about any other 
 Center which is remote from it. But now 'tis evident 
 that the Planets Siituniy Jupiter, Man, Venm, Mercury^ 
 do by their Motion encompals the Body of. the Sun. 
 Tis likely therefore that this is fuuated in the midft of 
 the World. 
 
 As for the three upper Planets, 'tis found by Ob- 
 fervation , that they are always nearefi to the Earth 
 when in oppofition to the Sun, and fartheft from us 
 when in conjundion with it ; which difference is fo 
 eminent, that Mjin in his Verige does appear fixcy 
 times bigger than when he is in the /"■p^gef and at the 
 greeted diixance. 
 
 Now, that the Revolution o^Ventu and Mercurj al- 
 fo is about the Sun, may from hence be evidenced : 
 Firft, becaufe they are never at any great diftance 
 from him. Secondly, becaufe they are fsen fome- 
 times above , and fometimes below him. Thirdly, 
 becaufe Venm, according to her different ficuation,does 
 change her Appearance as the Moon, 
 
 4.Ther@ 
 
Tl^at the Emh may he a flanet, 1 1 7 
 
 '4. There is yet another Argument, which f ^''^- ^ ^^^'^^o- 
 rifiotle himfelf does repeat from Pytkagores. The moft ' ^' ^' ^^' 
 excellent Body fhou'd have the beft place ; but the 
 Sun is the moft excellent Body, nnd the Center is the 
 bell place ; therefore 'tis likely the Sun is in the Cen- 
 ter. In the Frame of Nature (which is fuppofed to 
 be of an Orbicular Form) there are but two places 
 of any eminency, the Circumference and the Cen- 
 tre. The Circumference being of fo wide a Capaci- 
 ty, cannot fo fidy be the peculiar Seat of a Body, 
 that is fo little in refped of it : And befides, that 
 which is the moft Excellent part of the World, /hould 
 be equally preferved in it felf^ and fhared in irs Vir- 
 tues by all the other, parts, which can only be done by 
 its being placed in the midft. of them. This is inti- 
 mated unto us in that frequent Speech of Vlato, that 
 the Soul of the World does refide in the innermoft 
 place of it : And that in * Macrohius, who often com- * ^^turnal 
 pares the Sun in the World to the Heart in a Living ^Z'^' ^'^* 
 Creature. 
 
 Unto this Ari/^otk an['wers by a diftindion : There 
 is medium wagmtudir.is, fo the Centre is the middle of 
 a Sphere , And there is medium vaturay or in form at te- 
 nts^ which is not always the fame with the other ^ for 
 in this Senfe the Heart is the Middle of a Man j be- 
 caufe from thence (faith he) as from the Centre, the 
 Vital Spirits are conveyed to all the Members : And 
 yet we know that it is not the Centre of Magni- 
 tude, or at an equal diftance from all the other 
 parts. 
 
 And befides, the Middle is the worft place, hecaufe 
 moft circumfcribed, fince that is more excellent which 
 does limit any thirjg than that which is bounded by 
 it. ^ For this Reafon is ir, that Matter is amongft thofe 
 Thing? which are terminated, and F^rw, that which 
 dot; ci I cum! bribe. 
 
 But againft this Anfwer of Ariftotk^ it is again re- 
 plyed % 
 
 I. Though 
 
2 1 8 That the Earth may he a planet, 
 
 Kefar, j, Though it bs truc, chat in Living Creatures tha 
 
 j^p.CO' bsf^ and chiefell part is not placed always juft in the 
 part 2.^ niidn, yet this may be , becaufe they are not of an 
 Orbicular Forn?^ as the World is. 
 
 2. Though that which bounds another Thing be 
 more excellent than that which is terminated by it, 
 yet this does not prove the Center to be the worft 
 p!ace> becaufe that is one of the Terms or Limits of a 
 Round Body, as well as the Circumference. 
 
 There are likewife other Arguments to this purpofe, 
 rrmch infilted on by eminent Aftronomers, taken from 
 Mafiin. f^^f Harmonica! Proporcion which there mav be be- 
 fr^.a'd twixt tfas fevcral diftance and bignefs of the Oibs, if 
 Narraf. yve fuppofe the Sun to bi in the Centre. 
 ^^.'my, Pqj. according to this- (fay they) we may conceive 
 
 rnyftZuim ^'^ Excellent Harmony both in the number and the 
 Cofmogra- diltance of the Planets : (And if God made all other 
 $hicum. things numeroO' niev'Hrd^m\iz\i more then thofe great- 
 er Works, the Heavens),- for then the Five Mathema- 
 tical Bodies, fo muchfpoken of by * Eudul, will bear 
 *L/^. /3. in them a proportion anfwerable to the feveral diftan- 
 prop. 14, ces of the Planets srom one another. 
 15, Sec. Thus a Cube will meafure the diftance betwixt 5^- 
 
 tu*-n and Jtipitcr ; a Pyra'ms or Tctr^iehoit, the diftance 
 betwixt Jnpirer and Mars^ a Do^Jeca^'Jron, the diftance 
 betwixt Alars and the Earth ; an IcojaeJron, the di- 
 ftance betwixt the Earth and f^e>jifs ; and an Oih^Jron, 
 the diftance betwixt ^tnm and Mermry ; that is, if we 
 conceive a Circumfere ice defcribed immediately 
 wlthoui: the Cube^ and another within it, the diftance 
 between thefe two will ihew whsc proportional di- 
 ftance there is betwixt the Orb of Saturn^ and that of 
 Jupiier. Thus alfo if you Conceive a Circumference 
 defcribed on the ouifide of a Pyramts or Tctraelron^ and 
 another within it, this will (hew fuch a proportional 
 diftance as there is betwixt the Orb of Mays from thac 
 cfjupii er. And fo of the reft. 
 
 Now 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, 2 15> 
 
 Now if any ask why there are but fix Planetary 
 Orbs ? Kepl'ar anfwers : Quia non oportet f lures quam 
 qumc^ue froportior.es ejj'e^ totidem nempe quot re^ularia funt 
 in Mathtji corpora. Sex au'em termini cor^fumwant hnnc 
 froprtionum vumerum . Becaule there are but five Pro- 
 portions, fo many as there are Regular Bodies in Ma- 
 thematicks, each of whofe Sides and Angles are equal 
 to one another. But now there are fix Terms requi- 
 red to confummate this number ot Proportions ; 
 and fo confcquently, there can be but fix primary Pla- 
 nets. 
 
 Thus likewife by placing the Sun in the Center, we 
 may conceive fuch a proportion betwixt the Bpdies of . 
 the Planets, as will be anfwerable unto their feveral 
 Spheres : Then Mercury^ which has the leaft Orb, will 
 have the leaft Body ; Kew^i^ bigger than that, but lefs 
 than any of the other j our Earth bigger than Venus^ 
 but lefs than the reft ; Man bigger than the Earth^hut 
 lefs than Jupiter ; Jupiter bigger than Mars, and lefs 
 than Saturn , Saturn being the higheft, fhould alfo be 
 thebiggeft. All which Harmony would be diiturbed 
 by putting in the Sun amongft them ; and therefore 
 it may be more convenient for him to fit ftiil in iho 
 Center. 
 
 There are fundry other Arguments in this kind to bei 
 found out, by a Confideiation of this whole Hypotbe-- 
 fis : He that does rig'itjy underltand it, may therein 
 eafily difcern many (trong Probabilities, wny the Sua 
 (hould be in the midit of the World, rather than in 
 any other Poficion. 
 
 ft PROP, 
 
2 20 Tl?at the Earth may he a TIanet. 
 
 PROP. VTII. 
 
 T/j,it there is not any fufficient Reafon to pro've 
 the Earth tmapahle of thofe Motions which Co- 
 pernicus afcrihs unto it. 
 
 THE two chief Motions in the World, which are 
 more efpecially rsmarkable above the reft , are 
 the Diurnal , and Anf^ual. 
 
 The D;«rK„-/, which makes the difference betwixt 
 Kighc and Day, is caufed by the Revolution of our 
 Earth upon its own Axis, in the fpace of four and 
 twenty Hours. 
 
 The Anr.ua!, which makes the difference betwixt 
 Winter and Summer, is likewife caufed by the Earth, 
 when being carried through the Ecliptick in its own 
 Oib, it Hniflies its Courfe in a Year. 
 
 The firft is ufually ftiled, Alottfs re'voUtionis : The 
 fecond, Motm ctrcu^lattonn : There is like wife a third, 
 which Ccpcrnicw calls, Mjtus ir,clina:iomi : But this be- 
 ing throughly confidered, cannot properly be ftiled a 
 Morion, but rather an Imrnatdbiiity, it being that 
 whereby the Axis of the Earth does always keep pa- 
 rallel to it felf, from which fituation it is not his an- 
 nual Courfe that does make ic in the leaft manner to 
 decline. 
 
 As for the Difficulries which concern the Second of 
 rhefc, they have been already handled in the Sixth 
 Propcrition, where the Earth's E:cmtricity was main- 
 tained. 
 
 So that the chief buHnefs of this Chapter, is to de- 
 fend the Earth's Diurnal Motion, againft the Obje- 
 dions of our Adverfaries. Sundry of which Objeai- 
 ons, to fpeak (^s the truth is , do bear in rhem a great 
 ftiew of probability, and fach too (as it feems) was 
 very efficacious j fince An^otU and Pfolomy, &c. Men 
 
 of 
 
That the Earth may he aflanet. 2 2 l 
 
 of Excellent Parts and Deep Judgments, did ground 
 upon them, as being of infallible and neceffary con- 
 
 ^ I (hall reckon them up feverally, and fet down fuch 
 Anfweis unto each, as may yield fome fatisfaaion to 
 every indifferent feeker of Truth. 
 
 I. Firft then, 'tis objeded from our Senles ; It the 
 Earth did move, we Ihould perceive it. The Weft- 
 ern Mountains would then appear to afcend to- 
 wards the Stars, rather than the Stars to defcend be- 
 low them. o , , . J- 
 
 I anfwer : The Sight judges of Motion according 
 as any thing does defert the Plain whereon it felf is 
 feated ; which Plain every where keeping the fame 
 (ituation and diftance, in refped: of the Eye, does 
 therefore feem immovable unto it , and the Mo- 
 tion will appear in thofe Stars and parts of the 
 Heaven , through which the Vertical Line does 
 
 pafs. . 
 
 The Reafon of fuch Deceit may be this : Motion 
 being not a proper Objea of the Sight, nor belong- 
 ing to any other peculiar Senfe , muft therefore be 
 judged of by the Ssnfus commmis, which is liable to 
 miftake in this refped; becaufe it apprehends the Eye 
 it felf to reft immovable, whilft it does not feel any 
 Eitedis of this Motion in the Body ; As it is when a 
 Man is carried in a Ship ; fo that Senfe is but an ill 
 Judge of Natural Secrets. 'Tis a good Rule of Plato, 
 'E/f 7^;' vvf tttpof^i' <^« (pi^o!jv!pov «J (^ eiirbjJo4*v ' A Phl- 
 
 lofopher muit not be carried away by the bare Appear- 
 ance of things to Sight, but muft examine them by 
 Reafon. If this were a good Confequence, The Earth 
 does not move, becaufe it does not appear^ fo to 
 us , we might then as well argue , That it 'does 
 move whsn we go upon the Water, according to the 
 Verfe : 
 
 Q 2 frovthimur 
 
C. I 
 
 111 Tl^at the Eitrth may he a Planet. 
 
 Trovehimur fortUy tcrraque , verhefeiue recedunt* 
 
 Or if fuch Arguments would hold, it were an eafy 
 matter to prove the Sun and Moon net fo big as a 
 Hat, or the fixed Stars as a Candle. 
 jl. Rof. Yea, bat if the Motion of the Heavens be only 
 
 I. I. feci. I. apparent, and not real , then the Motion of the 
 Clouds will be fo too, fince the Eye may be as well 
 deceived in the one as the other. 
 
 I anfwer : 'Tis all one, as if he fliould infer that the 
 Senfe was miftaken in every thing, becaufe it was fo 
 in one thing : And this would be an excellent Argu- 
 ment to prove that Opinion of Anaxagorasf that the 
 Snow was black. 
 
 The Reafon why that Motion which is caufed by 
 the Earth does appear as if it were in the Heavens, is, 
 becaufe the Senlus communis in judging of it, does 
 conceive the Eye to be it felf imn.ovable (as was faid 
 before) there being no Senfe that does difcern the Ef- 
 feds of any Motion in the Body ; and therefore it 
 does conclude every thing to move,which it does per- 
 ceive to change its difhnce from it: So that the Clouds 
 do not feem to move fometimes, when as notwith- 
 ftanding they are every where carried about with our 
 Earth, by fuch a fwift Revolution ; yet this can be no 
 hindrance ^i all, why we may not judge aright of 
 thtir other particular Motions, for which there is not 
 the Gme Reafon. Tho to a Man in a Ship, the Trees 
 and Banks may feem to move, yet it would be but a 
 v/eak Argument, to conclude from hence, that there- 
 fore fuch a one could not tell whether bis F:iend-does 
 really flir, whom he fees to walk up and down in the 
 Ship : Or that he might as well be deceived in judging 
 the Oars to move when they do not. 
 jbiJ. 'Tis again reply 'd by the fame Objetflor, That it is 
 
 not credible the Eye rtiould be miftaken in judging of 
 the Stars and Heavens j becaufe thofe being light 
 
 Bodies, 
 
That the Earth may he a planet, 2 2 j 
 
 Bodies , are the primary and proper Objeds of that 
 Senfe. 
 
 I anfwer : The Deceit here is not concerning the 
 Light or Colour of thofe Bodies, but concerning their 
 Motion; which is neither the primary nor proper Ob- 
 jeA of the Eye, but reckoned amongft the Objdia Com- 
 munia. 
 
 2. Another Common Argument againft this Moti- 
 on, is taken from the Danger that would thence arife, 
 unto all high Buildings, which by this would quickly 
 be ruinated^ and fcatcered abroad. 
 
 I anfwer : This Motion is fuppofed to be natural ; co^''?. /. i- 
 and thofe Things which are according to Nature, have ^' ' 
 contrary efFeds to other Matters, which are by force 
 and violence. Now it belongs unto Things of this 
 latter kind to be inconfiftent and hurtful ; whereas 
 thofe of the firft kind mufi be regular, and tending 
 to confervation. The Motion of the Earth is always 
 equal and like it fe!f; not by ftarts and fits. If a Ghfs 
 of Beer may ftand firmly enough in a Ship, when it 
 moves fwiftly upon a fmooth Stream, much lefs theri 
 will the Motion of the Earth, which is more natural, 
 and fo confequently more equal, caufe any danger un- 
 to thofe Buildings that are ereded upon it. And there- 
 fore to fufpedl; any fuch Event, would be like the Fear 
 of La^a7itii4Sy who would not acknowledge the being 
 of any Antipdes, left then he might be forced to grant Giihrtde ' 
 that they fhould fall down unto the Heavens. We ^''S»-i-^' 
 have equal Reafon to be afraid of high Buildings, if *^' ^" 
 the whole World above us were whirled about with 
 fuch a mad Celerity as our Adverfaries fuppofe ; for 
 then there would be butfmall hopes that this lictle point 
 of Earth (hould efc.ipe from the reft. 
 • But fuppofing (faith "^- RoJfeJ that this Motion were*^^-^ , 
 natural to the Earth, yet it is not natural to Towns /f-^?. j. 
 and Buildings, for thefe are artificial. t. 3. 
 
 To which I anfwer : Ha, ha, hc= 
 
 Q 3 3. Ana- 
 
2 24 T^l^^^ the Earth may he a planet. 
 
 3. Another Argument to this purpofe is taken from 
 the red and quietnefs of the Air about us; which could 
 not be, if there were any fuch fwifc Motion of the 
 Eiirth. If a Man riding upon a fleet Horfe, do per- 
 ceive the Air to beat againft his Face, as if there were 
 a Wind, what a vehement Tempeft fhould we conti- 
 nually feel from the £«?/?, if the Earth were turned 
 about with fuch a fwift Revolution as is fuppofed. 
 
 Unto this 'tis ufually anfwered. That the Airalfo is 
 carried along with the fame Motion of the Earth : 
 For if the Concavity of the Moon's Orb, which is of 
 fo fmooth and glabrous a Superficies, may f according 
 to our Adverfciries) drive along with it the greatelt 
 part of this Elementary World , all the Regions of 
 Fire, and all the vaft uppei Regions of Air, and (as 
 fome will have \t) the two lower Regions, together 
 with the Sea likewife; for from hence (laith Alex. 
 RcJJ'fy L I. jcH. I. c. 3 J is it, that betwixt the Trc- 
 ficks there is a conftant E:ifiern Wind, and a conti- 
 nual flowing of the Sea Weftward : I fay, if the Mo- 
 tion of the Heavens, which are fn-ooth Bodies, may 
 be able to carry with it fo g-^eat a part of the Elemen- 
 tnry World ; Or if the rugged parts of the Moon's 
 Body be able to carry with it fo great a part of the 
 Air, as Fromondki (Ant. c. 16.) affirms ; much more 
 then may our Earth, which is a rugged Mountainous 
 Body, be able to tuin about fo little a part of the 
 World, as that Vaporous Air next unto it. 
 
 Suppofe 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, 
 
 22J 
 
 Suppofe the inward Circle to reprefent the Earth | 
 and the outward the T.'iitker Air , which encompaf' 
 fes it. Now it is eafiiy conceivable , that the Revo- 
 lution of fo great a Body is this Globe of Earth, 
 niay turn about by its meer Motion ( if there were 
 nothing elfej fo little a part of the adjoining Air, as 
 is here reprefented ; And yet, 
 
 1. The Difproportion betwixt theThicknefs of the 
 Earth, and this Orb of Air, is far greater than could 
 be exprefs'd in the Figure, being but as twenty Miles; 
 which is at moftthe thickncfs of this Air, unto 34)6 
 Miles, which is the Semidianieter of our Earth, and 
 fo is but as an infenHble number in refped of this 
 other. 
 
 2. Befides the meer Motion of the Earth, which in 
 probability (being fuch a rugged Bodyj might bq 
 enough to carry fo little a part of the Air along with 
 it; there is alfo (as we fuppofej a Mignetical Vigor 
 which proceeds from it, whereby Ms more able to 
 make all Things that arc near unto it, to obferve the 
 fame Revolution. 
 
 Q4 Buc 
 
2 1 6 That the Earth may he a flanet. 
 
 *L/.i./<f?. But if it bs fo (Cith * /.lex. RcJ]'.) that not only 
 i.cfi^.^. tl^g Man, but the Medium a\^o, and the Ohjed be 
 moved : This muft needs be fuch a great hindrance 
 to the light, that the Eve cannot judge exactly of 
 any ihirg. For, fujf ofe the Man alone to be in a 
 Motion, he cculd not fee fo well as when he is fiill ; 
 bet now Vi not only he, but his Spectacles and Bock 
 were all njoved, he would not be able to difcern any 
 thing diftin^ftly. 
 
 1 ar.iwer : The Conftquence were pertinent, if all 
 thefe were feveral Xlotions; but if the Suhjc61: and 
 ^edi'^m, and Objedl, were all carried with one and 
 the fame equal Motion, ( as it is liere fuppofed) this 
 could be no Impediment to Hie Adt of Seeing, but ic 
 woLld te oil one v^iih the reft ; becaufe by this 
 Me^ns, thty are not fevered from one another, and 
 Syfi.mun- therefore iV.c Species are not diOuibed. 'Tis an excel- 
 difiollo^.i. lent Saying of GaliLtus, snd may (erve for the Refo- 
 lution of many fuch Doubts as theie : Motus eatevus 
 tav<^uam trot us operatur, e^ttatenus rtl.momm habet ad (as 
 res qua ipl'o Jt/l-itruntur, in ijs verorehsiy qua tot a a'jtsii- 
 liter de eo partjcifar.t^ nih,l opiratur, c^ ita je hahet ac fi 
 TtuUm ejjet. If a Man be within feme Room of a 
 Ship, he may read altogether as eafily when the Ship 
 moves, as when it itands IHll. 
 
 4. Another Argument againft this Circular Motion 
 of the Earth, is grounded upon that common Piin- 
 ciple amongft the Arilh^uh/tKs : Unias corpcns fimplicis 
 unu: tantum e/i n.o'us. One kind of Body has but one 
 kind of Motion. But now the Earth and Water has 
 a Motion of Dcfcent ; the Air a Motion of Afcent ; 
 and theiefore none of them can have any Circular 
 Morion natural unto them. 
 
 1 aniwer; Fnlt, Thefe right Motions of Elemen- 
 tary Bodies belong only to the Parts of them, and 
 that too when thty are oat of their proper places ; fo 
 that the whole to which they belong, may notwith- 
 ftanding this, have another Motion of its own. But 
 
 Secondly, 
 
That the Earth may he a 'Timet. 
 
 Secondly, this Saying which Arifto^U calls a Princi- 
 ple, will not conllft wifh other evident Experiments 
 oi Nature. Thus, though a Loadflone, in refpecl of 
 its Matter and Condenijcy, naturally tends down- 
 ward ; yet this does not hinder, but r.^at in refpc^i^ of 
 fome other Qualities, as its defire of Union and Coi- 
 tion to another Loadflone, it may alfo nacurally move 
 upwards. From whence it will follow, that the fame 
 Elementary Body may have divers Natural iVlocions. 
 
 f. The Gravity and Magnitude of this Earthy 
 Globe^ do make it altogecher unfit for fo fwift a 
 Motion. 
 
 I anfwer: Firf}, Heavinefs can only be applied un- 
 to thofe Bodies whi-h are out of tiieir proper Places, 
 or unto fach parts as are fevered from the whole to 
 which they beicng. And therefore the Globe of 
 Earth, ( confidered as whole, and in its right place) 
 cannot truly be cillcd heavy. I deny not, but that 
 there is in it, and fo liicewife in the other Planers, an 
 Ineptitude to Motion, by reafon of the Matter and 
 Condenfity of their Bodies : And {o likewife there is 
 as truly ( though not according to the fame Degrees ) 
 in the leaft particle of a Material condenfcd Sublrance : 
 So that this cannot reafonably He pretended as a juft 
 liiipedimenf, why the Earth ftou'd be incapable of 
 fnch a Motion. Secondly, and though tf-'is Globe be 
 of fo vaft a Magnitude, vet as Nature be^ows upon 
 other Creatures ( for Infhnce, an Eigle and a Fly ) 
 Spirits, and motive Powers, proportionable to their 
 fevera! Bodies ; fo likewife may The endow the Earth 
 with a Motive Faculty anfwerable to its Greatnefs. 
 Or if this may make the Earth incapable of fo fwifc 
 a Motion as is fuppofed, much more then will the 
 Heavens be di fab led for that greater Swifrnefs which 
 is imagined in them. I might add, the Globe of the 
 Sun and yupittr are obferved to move about their own 
 Centers ; and therefore the Earth, which is far lefs 
 than either of them, is nor, by reafon of its too 
 
 great: 
 
 227 
 
2Z8 
 
 fat.adNar^ 
 rat. Rhet. 
 Fromojid. 
 Fefta.traB. 
 z. cap. 3. 
 
 Coelo,lib.2. 
 cap. 13. 
 
 , That the Earth may he a Planet. 
 
 great Magnituc^e, made unfit For fuch a Revolution. 
 Thirdly : As for the fwiftncfs of the Earth's Courfe, 
 it does not exceed fall Circumftances well confidered) 
 the Celerity of fome other Motions, with which we 
 are acqudnted ; as that of the Clouds, when diiven 
 by a Tempeiiuous Wind ; that of a Bullet fliot from 
 a Cannon, which in the fpace of a Minute does fly 
 4 Miles : Or as another hath obfevved, in the fecond 
 Scruple of an Hour it may pafs the Fifteenth part of a 
 German Mile. Than which, there is not any Point 
 in the Earth's Equinodial that moves fafter : And 
 though a Bullet be much flower in moving a greater 
 diftance, yet for fo little a fpace,while the force of the 
 Powder is mo(l frefn and powerful, if does equal the 
 fwiftnefs of the Earth. And yet, 
 
 1. A Bul'et cr Clond is carrie-. in its whole Body, 
 being fain to brc.ik its way through the Air round a-^ 
 bout it : But now the Earth, ( in refped of this firft 
 Motion; does remain ftill in the fame Situation, and 
 move only about its own Center. 
 
 2. The Motion of a Bullet is violent, and againft 
 its Nature, which does ftrongly incline it to move 
 downwards : Whereas the Earth, being confidered as 
 whole, and in its proper place, is not heavy, nor does 
 it contain any Repugnancy to a Circular Motion. 
 
 6. The chief Argutnent on which our Adverfaries 
 do moft infift, is this. If there were fuch a Motion 
 of the Earrh as is fuppofed, then thofe Bodies which 
 are fevered from it in the Air, would be forfaken by 
 it. The Clouds would feem to rife and fet as the 
 Stars ; The Birds would be carried away from their 
 Nefts : No heavy Body could fall perpendicular : An 
 Arrow or Bullet being' (hot from Eaft to Weft by the 
 fame violence, will not be carried an equal diftance 
 from us, but we (houid by the Revolution of cur 
 Earth, overtake that which was (hot to the Eaft, be- 
 fore it could fall. If a Man leaping up, ftiould abide 
 in the Air but one fecond Scruple of an Hour, or the 
 
 Sixtieth 
 
Tl:>at the Earth may he a fhnet. 
 
 Sixtieth part of a Minute, the Earth *n tHat ^'-.acq 
 would withdraw it felf from him ?\mo\) a qu.irter of 
 a Mile. All thefe, and many other fuch l^r^r^cre In- 
 ferencts, which are dirediy contrary to ^enfe ajid 
 Experience, would follow from this Morion of the 
 Earth. 
 
 There are Three feveral Ways mofl freqaently ufed 
 for the Refolving of thefe kind of Doubr?. 
 
 I. From thofe Magnetical Qualities, which all £- 
 lementarv Bodies do pArtaks of. 
 
 2 From the like Morion of other thing?, within 
 the Room ot a Sailing Ship. 
 
 5, From the like Participation of Motion in the 
 open Parts or a Ship. 
 
 I. For thoie Magmticd Properties, with which all 
 thele Bodies are endoived. For the berrer under- 
 fi-anding of tl^^s, you muil know. That beHdes thofe 
 common EJeii^entary Qualities of Heat, Coldnci;-, 
 Drynels, MoUture, &c, which arife from th'^ Predo- 
 minancy of leveral Elements, there are iikc^ife other 
 Qualities fnot lo well known to the Ancients) which 
 we call Maimtical, of which every Particle in the 
 Terreftrial Globe does neceffarily^ pKcicipice • \nd 
 whether it be joined to this Globe by Coicinu'itV or 
 Contiguity, or whether it be levered from it, as ch3 
 Clouds in tne fecond Region, a Bird, or Ballet in 
 the Air ; yet does it {\\\\ retain its Magnetical Quali- 
 ties, together with all thofe Operations that proceed 
 from them. ^ ^ 
 
 Now from thefe Properties, do we fuppofe the Cir- 
 cular Motion of the Earth to arife. 
 
 If you ask what Probabilities there are, to prove 
 that the Earth ,5 endowed witi, any f^ch Affections ; 
 I anfwer ; fis likely that the \o^tv Parts of this 
 Globe do not confift of fuch a foft frudifyinp Earth 
 as there is in the Surface, ( becaufe there can be no- 
 fuch ufe for it, as here and Nature does nothing in 
 vain,; but rather of feme hard rocky Subftance; 
 
 Hnce 
 
 22p 
 
130 That the Earth may be a planet. 
 
 fince we may well conceive, that thefe lower Parts 
 are prelTed clofe together by the weight of all thofe 
 heavy Bodies above them. Now *tis probable, that 
 this rocky Subftance is a Loadfione, rather than a 
 JafpSy Adawant, Marble^ or any other ; becaul-' EX' 
 perience teacheth us, that the Earth and Loaditone 
 do agree together ifi fo many Properties, Suppolc a 
 Man were to judge the Matter of divers Bodies, each 
 of which iliould be wrapt up in fome Covering from 
 his Eye, fo that he might only examine chem by fome 
 other outward Signs : If in this Examination hei 
 (hould find any particular Body which had all thei 
 Properties that are peculiar to a Loadftone, he fiiouldj 
 in reafon conclude it to be of that Nature, rather I 
 than any other. Now there is altogether as much \ 
 reafon why we fhould infer, that the inward Parts of; 
 the Earth do confift of a Magnetical ^ubftance. The | 
 Agreement of thefe two you may fee largely fet forth \ 
 in the Treatife of D. Gilbert. I willinftance only in I 
 one Example ; which of it felf may fufficiently evi- 
 dence, that the Globe of Earth does partake of th^ 
 like AfFedions with the Loaditone. In the Mariners 
 Needle you may obferve the Magnetical Motions of| 
 DireBiotfj VariattoTty Dechnattcn ; the two laft of which 
 are found to be different, according to the Variety of 1 
 Places. Now this Difference cannot proceed from ; 
 the Needle it felf, becaufe that is the fame every 
 where. Nor can we well conceive how it fhould be 
 caufed by the Heavens ; for then the Variation would 
 not be always alike in the fame place, but diverfe, , 
 according to thofe feveral Parts of the Heaven,, 
 which at feveral times fhould happen to be over it :i 
 And therefore it muft neceffarily proceed from the 
 Earth, which being it felf endowed with Magneti- 
 cal Affe(flions, does diverlly difpofe the Motions of 
 the Needle, according to the difference of that Dif- 
 ponent Virtue whiih is in its feveral Parts, 
 
 Now 
 
That tie Earth may he a flanet. 2^ f 
 
 Now to apply this unto the particular Inftances of 
 the Obje<aion ; We fay, though fome parts of this 
 great Magnet, the Earth, may according to their 
 Matter be fevered from the v^hole ; yet are they al- 
 ways joined to it by a Communion of the fame Mag- 
 hetical Qualities ; and do no lefs obferve thefe kind of 
 Motions, when they are feparated from the whol^ 
 than if they were united to it. Nor need this feem 
 incredible, that a heavy Bullet, in fuch a fwift violent 
 Courfe, fhould be able to obferve this Magnetical Re- 
 volution of the whole Earth ; when as we fee that 
 thofe great Bodies of Saturn^ Jupiter j &c. hanging in 
 the vaft Spaces of the iEthereal Air, do fo conftantly 
 and regularly move on, in their appointed Courfes. 
 Though we could not flicw any Similitude of this Mo- 
 tion in thefe Inferior Bodies, with which we are ac- 
 quainted ; yet we muft know, there may be many 
 things which agree to the whole Frame, that are not 
 difcernible in the divers parts of it. 'Tis natural unto 
 the Sea to ebb and flow ; but yet there is not this Mo- 
 tion in every Drop or Bucket of Water. So if we 
 confider every part of our Bodies feverally^ the Hu- 
 mours,Bones,Flefh,c^f. they are all of them apt to tend 
 downwards, as being of a condenfed Matter; but yet 
 confider them according to the whole Frame, and 
 :hen the Blood or Humours may naturally afcend up- 
 wards to the Head,as well as defcend to any of the low- 
 er Parts. Thus the whole Earth may move round, 
 though the feveral parts of it have not any fuch parti- 
 :ular Revolution of their own. Thus likewife, tho* 
 sach condenfed Body being confidered by it felf, may 
 feem to have only a Motion of Defcent ; yet in refe- 
 rence to that whole Frame of which it is a part, it 
 may alfo partake of another Motion that may be na* 
 :ural unto it. 
 
 But fome may here objeA ; Though the Earth were 
 Jndowed with fuch Magnetical AfFedtions, yet what 
 Probability is there that it (hould have fuch a Revolu- 
 tion ? 
 
232 That the Farth may be a Planet. 
 
 tion ? I anfvver ; 'lis obferved of rhofe other Magne- 
 tical Bodies of Saturn, Juptter, and the Sun that they 
 are carried about their own Centers j and therefore 
 'rib not improbable, but that it may be fo with the 
 Earth aifo ; which if any deny, he muft (hew a Rea- 
 fon why in this refpecftchey Ihould be unlike. 
 
 Yea, but though the Earth did move round, what 
 giGund is there to affimi that thofe Bodies which are 
 fevered frcm it, as a Bullet, or the Clouds, fhould fol- 
 low it in the fame Courfe? 
 
 I anfwer ^ Thofe Spots which are difcovered about 
 the Sun, and are thought ro be Cloudb or Evaporations 
 from his Bcdy, areobfeived to be carried about ac- 
 cording to his Revolution. Thus the Moon is turned 
 round by our Earth ; the Four lefler Planets by the 
 Body of Jupitir. Nay, thus all the Pbnets in their 
 feveral Orbs, are moved about by the Revolution of 
 the Sun, upon its own Axis, faith KepUr-y ) and there' 
 fore much more may an Arrow or Bullet be carried 
 lound by the Magnetical Motion of our Earth. 
 
 The Second Way, whereby fome anfwer unto the 
 Infiances of this Argumentj is, by il-sewing the like 
 Maaons of other things within fome Room of a 
 (ailing Ship. Thus Experience teaches ffay they) that 
 a Candle, as alfo the Fumes that come from it, will 
 always keep the fame Situation in the fwifteft Motion 
 of a Ship, as if it did reft immoveably, and the Flame 
 will not more efpecially bend one way , or have any 
 troubled Fiuduation ; but burn as ftrait and quietly, as 
 if it did Trar.d ?iiil. Again, it has been found ( fay 
 thofe that have been verfed in thefe kind of Experi- 
 ments,) that the fame force will caft a Body but at an 
 equal Diftance, whether or no the Body do move 
 with, or again.1 the Motion of the Ship. As alfo that 
 any Weight being let fall, will defcend in as true a 
 Perpendicular, as if the Ship did ftand ftill. If a 
 Man leaping up, do tarry in the Air one fecond Mi- 
 nute of an Hour j yet the Ship will not in its greateft 
 
 Swifc« 
 
That the Earth may he a J^lanet. 2 3 j 
 
 Swiftnefs fas it (hould according to the Calculation of 
 our Advetfaries) be carried from him at leaft fifteen 
 Foot^ If wefuppofe a Man to jump in fucha Ship^he 
 will not be able to pafs farther, when he jumps againft 
 the Motion of it, than when he jumps with it. All 
 which Particulars may argue, that thefe things are car- 
 ried along together, by the common Motion of the 
 Ship. Nr»w if Bodies may be thus jointly moved by 
 fuch a Preternatural Motion,much more then will they 
 accompany the Earth in its diurnal Revolution, which 
 we fuppofe to be Natural unto them, and as a Law ira- 
 pofed by God in their firft Creation, 
 
 If the Flame of a Candle, or the Smoak that comes 
 from it, (things that are fo eafily moveable ) are not- 
 withftanding carried fo equally, and without any Di- 
 fturbance, by the Motion of a Ship ; then alfo the 
 Clouds in the Air, and all other light Bodies, may 
 well enough be turned about by the Revolution of our 
 Earth. 
 
 If an equal Force will caft an heavy Body but at an 
 equal Diftance, whether or no it move with, or againft 
 the Motion of the Shipj then may we eafily conceive, 
 that an Arrow or Bullet being (hot with the fame Vio- 
 lence, will pafs but the fame Space on the Earth, 
 whether or no it be iliot towards the Eafi or 
 Wefi. 
 
 If a heavy Body, while the Ship does move, will 
 fall down in a ftrait Line, then it is not the Revoluti- 
 on of our Earth that can hinder a Perpendicular De-* 
 fcent. 
 
 y If a Man leaping up in a Ship, may abide in the 
 Air one fecond Scruple of an Hour, and yet this Ship 
 in its greateft Swiftnefs not withdraw it felf fifteen 
 Foot ; then will not the Earth m that Space go from 
 him almoft a quarter of a Mile. 
 
 But againft this 'tis objedlsd. That the Earth has the FrmoHdm 
 Similitude of an open Ship, and not of any Room Vcfi.Tra^i. 
 that is dole. And though ic be tfue, that when the if-^? i- 
 
 Roof 
 
2 34 ^^^ ^^^^ Earth may he a planet. 
 
 Roof and the Walls do all move together, the Air 
 which is included becwixc them, mufr be carried along 
 by the fame Motion ; yet it is not fo with the Earth, 
 becaufe that hath not any fuch Walls or Roof, wherein 
 it may contain and carry along with it the MtJtum* 
 And therefore Experience will rather argue againft this 
 fuppoled Revolution. Thus 'tis obferved^ that a Stone 
 being let fall from the Maft of a Ship that moves 
 fwiftly, will not defccnd to the fame Point, as if the 
 Ship did ftand (iill. From whence it will follow, that 
 if our Earth had fuch a circular Motion, then any hea- 
 vy Body being let fall from fome high Tower, or other 
 fteep Place, would not defcend unto ihit Point of 
 Earth which was directly under it at the Beginning. 
 
 To this we anfwer ; That the Air which moves a- 
 long with our Earth, is as well limited in certain 
 Bounds, as that which is included in a Room. If you 
 .ask where thefe Bounds are terminated ; I anfwer, 
 neither by the utmoft parts of the World, nor yet by 
 the Concavity of the Moon's Orb (as Fromondm would 
 have us affirm; ) bat by the Sphere of vaporous Air 
 that encompalfss our Earth ; or which is all one, by 
 the Orb of Magnetical Vigor, which proceeds from it. 
 An<3^befides, 'ds conHderable that all Earthly Bodies 
 are not only contained wthin thefe Limits, as things 
 are in a clofe Room, but alfo as parts in that whole to 
 which they belong. 
 
 2. Though the carrying along of the Medium may 
 folve the Motion of light Bodies in a Ship, as the 
 Flame of a Candle, Smo.ik, or the like ; yet this can- 
 not concur to that which hath been faid of heavy 
 Bodies, as a Man leaping up, a Bullet defcending, &ci 
 fmce it is not the Motion of the meer Air that is able 
 to make thefe partake of the fameMot'on with the Shipa 
 Unto that Argument which he urges from the Ex- 
 periment of a Stone falling in an open Snip, we an- 
 iWer; 
 
 1, Though 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, 2 j j- 
 
 1. Though the Inliancs of a Ship may (erve as a 
 Proof for this Opinion, it being an Argument a mino^ 
 riad tnajm^ from an accidental Motion to a narunl ; 
 yet it will not ferve againft it. For though it were 
 not thus in accidental Motions ; yet this virould not 
 hinder but that it might be fo in thofe that are fuppo- 
 fed to be proper and natural. 
 
 2. As for that Experiment it felf^ 'tis but a ground* 
 lefs Imagination, and was never vet confirmed hy any 
 particul'ii Experience ; becaufe 'tis certain the Event 
 wouH be clean otherwife, as Hiall be proved in the 
 
 ^ Third Way of Anfwering. 
 
 ;. The Third and Laft Way of clearing the Doubts 
 
 'in the fixth Argument, is by il^ewing the like Partici- 
 pation of Motion^ in thofe things that are in theopert 
 Parts of a Ship. To which pupofe Gahlarts urges SyftMund. 
 this Experiment : If any one Ihould let fall a Stone ^olloq. i. 
 from an high Maft, he would find lafiJem m tun.hm 
 femfer Navis locum decider e^ Jtu conCifvat tHa^ feu ^uanta^ 
 cun^ue vclocitate moveatur : That the Stone would al- 
 ways defcend unto the very fame Place, whether or 
 no the 5hip did move or ftand ftill. The reafon of 
 which is, becaufe the Motion of the Ship is likewife 
 imprelTed in the Stone : Which Impreffion is not equal- 
 ly prevalent in a light Body, as a Feather , or Wool, 
 becaufe the Air which has power over them, is not 
 carried along by the fame Motion of the Ship. Thus ' 
 likewife will it be in this other Experiment: If a Man 
 upon a runningHoife fhould in his fwifteft Courfe let 
 fall a Bullet or Stone, thefe heavy Bodies, beiides their 
 own Defcent , would alfo participate that tranfverfe 
 Motion of the Horfe. For as thofe things that are 
 thrown from us, do continue their Motion when they 
 are out of the Hand in the open Air ; fo likewife 
 muft it be when the force is conferred by that Motion 
 which the Arm has from the Horfe. While a Man is 
 riding) his Arm is alfo carried by the fame Swifcnefs 
 
 R of 
 
2^6 Th^t the Earth may be a Tlartet. 
 
 of the Horfe ; therefore, if he fliould only open his 
 Hand and let fall any thing, it would not defcend in a 
 ftrait Line, but muft neceflarily be driven forward, 
 by reafon of that Force impreffed in it by the Swifcnefs 
 of the Horfe, which is alfo communicated to the 
 Arm ; it being all one in Effed, whether or no the 
 Arm be moved by a particular Motion of its own, as 
 it is in cafting of things from us ; or by the common 
 Motion of the Body, as it is in dropping of any thing 
 from us, either when we are on the Top of feme fail- 
 ing Ship, as in the Former ; or on fome running 
 Horfe, as in this Latter Inftance. 
 
 What hath been faid concerning the Motion of De- 
 fcent, is likewife appliable, both to that which is 
 up'warJy and that which is tranfverfal. So that when 
 *ds objeded, if the Earth did move, then a Bullet that 
 were (hot op perpindicularly would be forfaken by it, 
 and not defcend to the Place from whence it arofe ; 
 We anfwer, that the Cannon which is upon the Earth, 
 together with the Bullet in it, do partake of the fame 
 circular Motion with the Earth ; and this perhaps our 
 Adverfaries will grant, whiift we fuppofe the Bullet to 
 remain ftill in the Cannon; all the Difficulty will be to 
 ihew how it muft neceflarily obferve the fame Motion, 
 when it is (hot out into the open Air. For the better 
 
 Gall Syji. Explication of this, you may note this followiiig Fi- 
 
 coUq^. 1. gure. 
 
 Where 
 
That the Earth may he a ^Unct. 
 A o 
 
 M7 
 
 Ji# ^ 
 
 Where we fuppofe ^ C to be a Cannon perpendicu-' 
 larly, ere(5led with a Bullet in it at B, which if it were 
 immoveable, we grant that the Bullet being difcharged, 
 muft afcend in a juft Perpindicular. But now conceive 
 this Cannon to move along wiwh the Earth, then in that 
 Space of Time while the Bullet by the Force cf the 
 Powder is afcending to the Top of the Bore, the Can- 
 non will be transferred to the Situation D £ ; fo that 
 ehe Bullet muft be moved according to the Line F G, 
 which is not dircdly upright, but fomewhat declining. 
 Now the Motion of the Bullet in the Air, muO- ne- 
 ceffarily be conformed unto that Direction that is im- 
 preffed in it by the Cannon from whence ic is (iiot, 
 and fo confequently it muft be continued according to 
 the Lihe F G, and therefore will always keep perpen- 
 dicularly over the Point from which it did afcend. 
 
 If you reply, that the Motion of the Bullet in the 
 Cannon muft needs be fo fwift, that the Earth can- 
 not carry the Cannon from C to E, in the fame Space 
 of Time wherein the Bullet does move from B to J, 
 I anfwer 5 'tis not material whether the Earth be of a 
 greater or leiTer Swifcnefs than the Bullet, becaufe the 
 Declination muft always be proportionable to the Mo- 
 tion of the Earth; and if we fuppofe this to be flowec 
 than the Bullet, then the Declination of the LineFG, 
 Will b« fo much the Ieis« K z This 
 
2 3 S That the Earth may he a Tlanet. 
 
 This Truth may yet farther be illuftrated by the 
 Pradice of thofe Fowlers, who ufe to kill Birds as they 
 are flying : Concerning which Art, 'ti# commonly 
 thought that thefe Men dired their Aims to fome cer- 
 - tain Space in the Air, juft before the Birds, where 
 they conceive the Bullet will meet with them in their 
 Flight ; whereas the Truth is, they proceed in this 
 cafe, the very fame way, as if the Birds did ftand 
 ftill, by a dire<ft aiming at their Bodies, and following 
 of their Flight by the Motion of the Piece, till at 
 length, having got a perfcd: Aim, they difcharge, and 
 do hit altogether as furely, as if the Birds were fiting 
 upon a Tree. From whence we may obferve, that the 
 Motion of the Piece, as in our aiming it is made to 
 follow the Birds in. their Flight (though itbebutflow,) 
 yet is communicated to the Bullet in the Air. 
 
 But here it may feem very difficult to give any rea- 
 fon according to thofe Grounds concerning the Flight 
 of Birds ; which being animated, have a Liberty to 
 fly here or there, to tarry for a good Space of Time 
 in the open Air^ and fo 'tis not eafie to conceive what 
 means there is, by which they fhould participate of the 
 Earth's diurnal Revolution. 
 
 To this Gahlam anfwers, that the m.otion of the 
 Air, as it does turn about the Clouds, fo doth it alfo 
 carry with it the Birds, together wi:h fuch other like 
 things that are in if. For if fome violent Wind be 
 able to drive with fuch Swiftnefs a full laden Ship, to 
 throw down Towers, to turn up Trees, and the like ; 
 much more then may the diurnal Motion of the Air, 
 (which does fo far exceed in Swiftnefs the moft tempe- 
 ftuous Wind) be able to carry with it the Bodies of 
 Birds. 
 >./ But if all things be turned about by this Revolution, 
 
 '^* then it Ihould feem there is no fuch thing as a right 
 motion, whether cf Afcent, or Defcent in a ftrait 
 line. 
 
 I anfwer : 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet. 239 
 
 I anfwer ; The moving of heavy or light Bodies, Sot^ 
 may be confide: ed in a double Relation, 
 
 1. According to the Space wherein they move, and 
 we grant their Motions not to befimple, but mixed of 
 a dire(5t and circular. ^ 
 
 2. According to the Body or Medium wherein they 
 move, and then they may properly be faid to have 
 right Motions, bccaufe they pais through the Medium 
 in a ftrait Line ; and therefore it is^ that unto us they 
 feem diredlly to afcend or defcend. Ari(iode himfelf 
 would not deny, but that Frre may afcend in a ftrait 
 Line unto its Sphere ; and yet participate alfo of that 
 circular Motion which he fuppofes to be communicated 
 from the Heaven, unto the upper part of the Air, 
 and its own Region. So likewile muft it be for the * 
 Defcent of any thing. Suppofe a Ship in its fv^'ifteft 
 Motion, and a Man in it, having forae VeiTel filled 
 with Water, (hould let fall into it a little Ball of Wax, 
 or fome other matter which may be flow in its finking, 
 fo that in one Minute it fliould fcarce defcend the 
 Space of a Cubit, though the Ship (it may be^ in the 
 fame time may pafs at leaft a hundred Cubits ^ yet 
 would this ftill feem unto the Eye to defcend in a ftrait 
 Line ; and the other Motion which is communicated 
 unto it by the Ship, would not at all be difcernible in 
 it. And though in this Cafe, the Motion were in it 
 felf compofed of a circular and dired; yet in refpeA 
 of us it would appear, and fo might be ftiled, exadly 
 ftrait. 
 
 Now if it be thus in thofe which are generally 
 granted to be preternatural Motions ; we need not 
 doubt then the poffibility of the like eifeca in that 
 Motion which we conceive to be proper and natural, 
 both to the Earth, and the things that belong un- 
 to it. 
 
 There is yet another Objedion to this purpofe ur- 
 ged by * Malaprtiusy a late . Jefuit ; who, though he ^ 
 do with much eagernefs prefs this Argument concern- 
 
 R 3 ing 
 
7 40 Tloat the Earth may he a flanet, 
 
 ing a Bullet or Stone, againft the Opinion of CofernU 
 cm ; yet he grants that it might eaGly be refolved, if 
 the Defenders of it would affirm that the Air did 
 move round with the Earth. But this, fays he, they 
 dare not avouch ; for then the Comets would always 
 feem to ftand ftill, being carried about with the Re- 
 volution of this Air ; and then they could not rife or 
 fet, as Experience Ihews they do. 
 
 To this it may be anfwered, That moft Comets are 
 above that Sphere of Air which is turned round with 
 our Earth, as is manifeft by their height. The Mo- 
 tion that appears in them, is caufed by the Revolution 
 of our Earth, whereby we are turned from them. 
 
 As for thofe which are within the Oib of our Air, 
 thefe do feem to ftand ftill. Such a one was that 
 iDe bdlo mentioned by t Jofephui, which did conftantly hang 
 judaico, I. over Jcrtsjakm ; and that likewife which appeared a- 
 'j.cap.ii. |3Q3t ti^g time of Jmppa's Death, and for many Days 
 together did hang over the City ot Rome. Where- 
 fore .*. Seneca does well diftinguilh out of Epigcnes, be- 
 twixt two forts of Comets ; the one being low, and 
 fuch as feem immovable ; the other higher, and fuch 
 as did conftantly obferve their Rifings and Settings, as 
 the Stars. 
 
 I have done 'vith all the Arguments of any Note 
 or Difficulty, that are urged againft th'5 Diurnal Mo- 
 tion of tliS Earth. Many other Cavils there are, not 
 woirh the naming, which difcover themfelves to be 
 rather the Objedions of a captious, than a doubtful 
 Mind. Amongft which, I might juftly pafs over 
 Lihi.feB. thofe that are fet down by Alex, Roffe, But becaufe 
 2. rfl'p 6. this Author does proceed in his whole Difcourfe with 
 fo much Scorn and Triumph, it will not be amifs 
 therefore to examine what infallible Evidence there is 
 in thofe Arguments upon which he grounds his Boaft- 
 ings. 
 We ha/e in one Chapj^r no lefs than thefe Nine. 
 
 I. If 
 
That the Earth may he a Tlamt» 241 
 
 I. If the Earth did move, then would it be hotter ^r^. !• 
 than the Water, becaufe Motion does produce Heat : 
 A'ld for this Reafon likewife, the Wa^er would be fo 
 hot and rarifitd, that it could not he congealed ; fince 
 that alio does partake of the fame Motion wiih 
 Che Eirh. 
 
 2. Tiie Air which is nex* the Earth, would be pu- ^rg. 2I 
 rer, as being rariftcd with Morion. 
 
 ;. If thtf Ea th did move the Air, it would caufe -^'jf. 3. 
 fbme Sound j hut this is no more audible, than Py- 
 tbagoras's Harmony of the Heavens. 
 
 4. 'Twould have been in vain for Nature to have j4r^^ 4,^ 
 endowed the Heavens with all Conditions requifite for 
 Motion, if they had been to itand ft ill. As firft, 
 they have a round Figure. Secondly, they have nei- 
 ther Gravity nor Levity. Thirdly, they arc Incor- 
 ruptible. Fourthly, they have no Contrary. 
 
 f. All Similary Parts are of the fame Nature mth jj.£ -; 
 the whole : Bat each part of the Earth does reft in 
 its place ; therefore alfo doth the whole. 
 
 6. The Sun in the World is as the Heart in a Man*s jj.^^ 6, 
 Body ; but the Motion of the I^eart cealing, none of 
 
 the Members do ftir : Therefore alfo if the Sun (hould 
 ftand ftill, the other Parts of the World would be 
 without Motion. 
 
 7. The Sun and Heavens do work upon thefe Infe- ^-*^ v 
 rior Bodies by their Light and Motion. So the Moori 
 
 does operate upon the Sea, 
 
 8. The Earth is the Foundation of Buildings, and ^^^^ g^ 
 therefore muft be firm and ftable. 
 
 9. 'Tis the conftant Opinion of Divines, That the ^^^ o^ 
 Heavens (hall reft after the Day of Judgment ; which 
 
 they prove from Ifa. 6. 20. 7hy Sun jhall no more go 
 iJown, neither (hall thy Moon withdraw it Jelf So like- 
 wife, Rev. I o. 6. The Angel fwears that there (hall he 
 time no longer ; and therefore the Heavens muft reft, 
 fince by their Motion it is that Time is meafured. 
 And St. ?at*l fays, Rom» 8. 20. Xhat all the Creatures 
 
 K ^ ar& 
 
24^ ^^^^ ^'^^ Earth may be a Tlanet. 
 
 are fuhjeB to Vanity. Now this can be no other in the 
 Heavens, than che Vanicy of Motion, which the Wife 
 Man fjieaks of, Ecclef, i, 4. The Sun rtfetb, and the Sun 
 coeth down, &c. 
 
 To thefe it may be Anfwered : . 
 Ad.i.Zi 2. ^^ '^^ fi'^ y°" "^*y ^o^^ ^ raanifeft Contradiction, 
 when he will have the Earth to be hotter than the 
 Water, by reafon of this Motion ; when as uotwith- 
 ftanding, he acknowledges the Water to move along 
 with it : And t-erefore too in the next Line, he in- 
 fers that the Water, becaufe of that Heat and Rare- 
 fadion which it receives from this Motion with the 
 Earth, muft be incapable of fo much Cold, as to be 
 congealed into Ice. 
 
 But unto that which may be conceived to be his 
 Meaning in this and the next Argument; I anfwer : 
 If he had fully underltood this Opinion which he op- 
 pofcs, he would eafily have apprehended that ic could 
 not be prejudiced by either of thefe Confcquences. 
 For we fuppofe that not only this Globe of Earth and 
 Water, but alfo all the vaporous Air which environs 
 it, are carried along by the fame Motion. And there- 
 fore, though what he fays concerning the Heat ; 
 which would be produced by fuch a Moiion, were 
 true , yet it would not be pertinent, Hnce our Earth 
 and Water, and the Air next unto them, are not by 
 this means fevered from one another, and fo do not 
 come within the compafs of this Argument. 
 
 If any reply. That this will notwithftanding hold 
 irue concerning the upper part of the Air, where 
 fhere is fuch a Separation of one Body from another ; 
 and foconfequently, an anfwerable Heat. I anfwer, 
 I. 'Tis not generally granted, That Motion in all 
 kind of Bodies does produce Heat ; feme reltrain it 
 only to folid Bodies, affirming. That in thofe which 
 are (laid, it is rather the caufe of Coldnefs. This is 
 the reafon, fay they, why running Waters are ever to 
 our fenfe tbecpokft 5 and why, amongft thofe Wind? 
 
 which 
 
That the Earth may he a Tlanet. 2 4 j 
 
 which proceed from the fame Coafts of Heaven, a- 
 bouc the fame time of the Year, the ftrongeft always 
 is the coldeft ? If you objed, that running Waters are 
 not fo foon frozen as others, they anfwtr ; This is not 
 becaufe they are thereby heated, but becaufe unto 
 Congelation it is requilire that a Bpdy (hould fettle 
 and reff, as well as be cold. 
 
 2. If we fhould grant a moderate heat in thofe 
 parts of the Air, we have not any Experiment to the 
 contrary, nor would it prejudice theprefent Opinion, 
 or common Principles. 
 
 As the found of this Motion is not more heard -^^- 3- 
 than the Harmony of the Heavens ; fo neither is 
 there any Reafon why this Motion Diould caufe a 
 found, moie than the fuppofed Morion of the Hea- 
 vens, which is likewife thought to be continued utuo 
 the Air hi? d by us. 
 
 • This will piove the Earth to move as well as the ^(f- 4' 
 Heavens: For that has, firft, a round Figure, as is 
 generally granred. Secondly, being c^nfidered as 
 whole, and in its proper pi ice, it is not heavy, as 
 was proved before. And as for the two other Condi- 
 tions, neither are they true of the Heavens, nor if 
 they were, would they at all conduce to their Mo- 
 tion. 
 
 I. This Argument would prove that the Sea did ></. s- 
 not Ebb and Flow, becaufe there is not the fame kind 
 of Motion in every Drop of Water ; or that the 
 whole Earth is not Spherical, becaufe every little 
 piece of it is not of the fame Form. 
 
 This is rather an Illuftration than a Proof,- or if M. 6, 
 it do prove any thing, it may ferve as well for that 
 purpofe unto which it is afterward applied, where the 
 Motion of every Planet is fuppofed to depend upon 
 the Revolution of the Sun. 
 
 That the Sun and Planets do work upon the Earth Ad. 7. 
 by their own real daily Motion, is the thing in Que- 
 ftion ; and therefore nauft not be taken for a com- 
 mon Ground, We 
 
244 ^^^ ^^^ Earth may be a Tlanet. 
 
 'M. 8. We grant that the Ea-th is firm "and ftable from all 
 fuch Motions whereby it is joggled or uncertainly 
 (haken. 
 ^fl^. 9' I. For the Authority of thofe Divines, which he 
 
 ur»es for the Interpretation of thele Scriptures ; this 
 wi^l be but a we.-<k Ar^u nenc agiinl} chat Opinion 
 which is already granted to b^; a Pa adox- 
 
 2. The Scriptures themfdves, in their right mean- 
 ing, will not at all conduce to the prefenc purpofe. 
 
 As for that in Ifaiab, if we confuU the Coherence, 
 we fiiall find that the Scope of the Prophet is to fet 
 forth the Glory of the' Church Triumphant. Where- 
 in he fays there (hall not be any need of the Sun 
 or Moon, but God's Prefence (Kail llipply them both ; 
 For the Lcrd fhall be unto thee an everlafiing Light ^ and 
 thy God thy Glory, ver. 19. and as for this Sua 
 and Moon, it (h^ll not go down, or withdraw it 
 felf, but he (hall be an everla/^tng Ugh. without In^ 
 FidRevel termiffion. So that 'tis evident he Oeaks of that 
 zi'i^,.item Light which (hall hereafter be inftead of the Sun and 
 c.xi.ver.s, Moon. . ,, t 
 
 As for that in the Revelationsy we yield that ttwe 
 fhall ceafe ; but to fay that this depends upon the Cef- 
 fation of the Heavens, is to beg the Qucftion, and 
 to fuppofe that which is to be proved ; viz. That 
 Time is meafured by the motion of the Heavens, and 
 G^»cr I not of the Earth. Perrerh^ (from whom this la(t Ar- 
 z.qu^Ji.6, pument was borrowed without Acknowledgment) 
 misht have told him in the very fime place, that Time 
 does not abfolutely and univerfally depend upon the 
 Mouon of the Heavens, Jed tn motu & fucceffione, cu- 
 jupbtt durationis, but in any fuch Succeffion, by which 
 Duration may be meafured. 
 
 As for that in the Romam, we fay, That there are 
 other Vanities to which the Heavenly Bodies are fub- 
 iea : As firO, unto many Changes and Alterations ; 
 witnefs thofe Comets which at feveral times have 
 been difcemed amongft them 5 and then hkewife to 
 
nat the Earth may he a Planet. 24 j 
 
 that general Corruption, in which all the Creatures 
 iTiall be involved at the laft Day. When they Jhall pafs 2 Pef. 5. 
 i-way 'With a great noije, and the Elements (hall melt mtb '°' "• 
 ^ervent Heat, 
 
 Thus you fee, there is not any fuch invincible 
 ftrength in thefe Arguments, as might caufe the Au- 
 thor of them to triumph before-hand with any great 
 Noife of Vidlory. 
 
 Another ObjeAion like unto thefe is taken from 
 the Etymology of feveral Words. Thus the Heavens 
 lire called zy£theraj ah aV ^^v, becaufe they are 
 iilways in motion, and the Earth FeJ^a, qui vi fiat, 
 becaufe of its Immobility. 
 
 To which I anfwer : 'Twere no difficult matter to 
 find fuch Proofs for this Opinion, as well as a- 
 ^ainft ic. 
 
 Thus we may fay that the Hebrew Word 3£n« is 
 derived M;om !:n <iuia currtt ' and Terra, non qmd 
 terratt.r^ j-d ejuod pemnt ci-Ji* o-r-.ma terat^ faith Calci^- 
 nius. However, though v.e luppofe the Etymology 
 to be never fo truj and 5 enuine, yet it can at the 
 bell but (Keu- vhat the more common Opinion was 
 of thofe Times when fuch Names were firft ioj- 
 pofed. 
 
 But fuppofe all this were fo. That the Earth had oh 
 fuch a diurnal Revolution ; yet how is it conceivable 
 that it fhould at the fame time have two diftin(ft 
 Motions ? 
 
 I anfwer : This may eafily be apprehended, if you Sol. 
 confider how both thefe Motions do tend the fame 
 way from Weft to Eaft. Thus a Bowl being turned 
 out of the Hand, has two Motions in the Air; one, 
 whereby it is carried round ; the other, whereby it is 
 caft forward. 
 
 From what hath been delivered in this Chapter, 
 the indifferent Reader may gather fome Satisfadion 
 for thofe Arguments which are ufually urged againft 
 this Diurnal Motion of the Earth. 
 
 PROP. 
 
2 4^ That the Earth may be a Planet. 
 
 PROP. IX. 
 
 That it is more prolahle the Earth does move^ than [ 
 the Sun or Heavens, 
 
 A" 
 
 Mongft thofe many Arguments that may be ur-J 
 ged for the Confirmation of this Truth, I (hall 
 fet down only thefe Five. 
 
 I. If we fuppofe the Earth to be the caufe of this 
 Motion, then will thofe vaft and glorious Bodies of 
 the Heavens be freed from that inconceivable, unna- 
 tural fwifcnefs, which muft other wife be attributed 
 unto them. 
 vid. Mefi. For if the Diurnal Rerolution be in the Heavens, 
 Epit. Jfir. then it will follow according to the common Hypothe- 
 li.injine. jj^^ ji^^c g^^-jj g^^^ jj^ j|^g Equator muft in every Hour 
 
 move at the leaft 4^295^38 German Miles. So that ac- 
 De Prop, cording to the Obfervation of CarJan, who tells us 
 /. ?. prop, that the Pulfe of a well-tempered Man does beat 4000 
 58. " times in an Hour^ one of thefe Stars in that fpace, 
 whilft the Pulfe beats once, mull pafs 1132 German 
 Miles ( faith Mphragcrus : ) Or according to Tycho, 
 732 Gitman Miles. But thefe Numbers feem to be 
 fomewhat of the lealt, and therefore many others 
 do much enlarge them, afiirming that every Star in 
 the E'^uatory in one beating of the Pulfe, muft move 
 2528 of thefe Miles. 
 Comment. ^Tis the Affertion of Claviuf, That though the di- 
 in^prim.^, ftancc of the Orbs, and fo confequently their fwift- 
 cap. spua- j^gj-g^ |-ggj^ jQ j^g altogether incredible ; yet it is rather 
 far greater in it felf than Aftronpmers ufually fup- 
 pofe it ; and yet, faith he, according to the common 
 Grounds, every Star in the Equator muft move 
 42; 98437 1 Miles in an Hour. And though a Man 
 fhouid conitantly travel 40 Miles a, Day, yet he would 
 not be able to go fo far as a Scar do^^ in one Hour, 
 
 undey 
 
 r0 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, lAy 
 
 under 2904 Years : Or if we will fuppofe an Arrow 
 to be of the fame fwiftnefs, then muft it compafs this 
 great Globe of Earth and Water 1884 times in an 
 Hour. And a Bird that could but fly as faft, might 
 go round the World feven times in that fpace, whilft 
 one could fay, Ave Maria, gratia plena, Domintts 
 tecum. 
 
 Which though it be a pretty round pace, yet you 
 muft conceive that all this is fpoken only of the eighth 
 Sphere ; and fo being compared to the 'fwiftnefs of 
 the Vrimutn Mobile, is but a flow and heavy Motion. 
 
 For (faith the fame Author) the thicknefs of each 
 Orb is equal to the diftanceof its Concave Superficies 
 from the Center of the Earth. Thus the Orb of the 
 Moon does contain as much fpace in its thicknefs, as 
 there is betwixt the neareft parts of that and the Cen- 
 ter. Thus alfo the eighth Sphere is as thick as that 
 whole fpace betwixt the Center of the Earth and its 
 own Concave Superficies, So likewife muft it be in 
 thofe Three other Orbs, which he fuppofes to be a- 
 bove the Starry Heaven. Now if we proportion their 
 fwiftnefs according to this difference in their bignefs, 
 you may then conceive ( if you can ) what a kind of 
 Celerity that muft be, by which the Vfmum Mobtk 
 will be whirled about. 
 
 Tycho makes the diftance of the Stars to be much 
 lefs, and their Motion flower ; and yet he is fain to 
 confels, that it is omni cogitatiene celerior. 
 
 Claviiti likewife fpeaking concerning the Swifcnefs 
 of the Starry Orb, does acknowledge, ^od velocitas 
 ejus capum bumani ifigenij excedit. What then COuld he 
 think of the Vrimum Mobile ? 
 
 Dr. Gtlbert being it feems affonifhed at the confide- De mtfrne 
 ration of this ftrange Swiftnefs, fays of it, that it is te,l.6''c.-, 
 motui fupra omnes cogitationes, jomma , fabuias 0- licenti- 
 fis foeticas tnjuferabdis, imffabtlis, incamfrehevfibilts. A 
 Man may mere eat'ily conceive the poffibility of any 
 Fable or Fidtion^ how Beafts and Trees might talk to» 
 
 gether, 
 
248 That the Farth may he a Planet, 
 
 gether, than how any Material Body (hould be moved 
 with fuchaSwiftnefs. 
 
 Not but that 'tis poflible for God to turn them about 
 with a far greater Velocity. Nay 'tis poffible for Art 
 to contrive a Motion, which fliall be equally flow in 
 that proportion as this is fwift. But however,the Que- 
 ftion here is not what can be done, but what is molt 
 likely to be done according to the ufual Courfe of 
 Nature. 'Tis the part of a Philofopher, in theRefo- 
 lution of Natural Events, not to fly unto the Abfo- 
 lute Power of God, and tell us what he can do, but 
 what according to the ufual way of Providence, is 
 moft likely to be done, to find out fuch Caufes of 
 Things, as may feem moft eafy and probable to our 
 Reafon. 
 
 If you ask what repugnancy there is in the Hea- 
 vens, unto fo great a fwiftnefs ; We anfwer, Their 
 being fuch vaft material condenfed Subft:ances, with 
 which this inconceivable Motion cannot agree. 
 
 Since Motion and Magnitude are two fuch Geome- 
 trical Things, as bear a mutual proportion to one ano- 
 ther ; therefore it may feem convenient, that flownefs 
 fliould be more agreeable to a great Body, and fwift- 
 nefs to a leflTer : And fo it ihould be more confonant 
 to the Principles of Nature, that the Earth, which is 
 of a lelTer quantity, fliould be appointed to fuch a mo- 
 tion as is fomewhat proportionable to its bignefs, than 
 that the Heavens that are of fuch a vaft magnitude, 
 ftiould be whirled about with fuch an incredible fwift- 
 nefs, which does as far exceed the proportion of their 
 bignefs, as their bignefs does exceed this Earth, that 
 is but a Point or Centre to them. *Tis noc likely that 
 Nature in thefe conftant and great Works, fliould fo 
 much deviate from that ufual Harmony and Propor- 
 tion which flie obferves in lelTer Matters. If this 
 Globe of Earth only were appointed to move every 
 Day round the Orb of the fixed Stars, though it be 
 buc a Uccl« Body^ and fo txiore capable of a fwift mo« 
 
 ^oni 
 
That the Earth may he a planet, 249 
 
 tion • yet that fwiftnefs would be fo extreamly dif- 
 propo'rtionable unto it, that we could not with Rea- 
 fon conceive it pofltble, according to the ufoa! courfe 
 of Nature. But now that the Heavens themfelveSj of 
 fuch ftrange bignefs^ with fo many Stars, which do fo 
 far exceed the magnitude of our Earth, ihould be able 
 to turn about with the fame celerity : Oh I 'tis al- 
 togeiher beyond the Fancy of a Poet or a Mad- 
 
 For Anf ver unro this Argument, our Adverfaries 
 tell us, That there is not in the Heavens any repug- 
 nancy to fo fwift a motion; and that whether we 
 con fid er the nature of thofs Bodies; or, fecondly, the 
 fwiftnefs of this motion. 
 
 I. For the Nature of thofe Bodies, either f Qualities. 
 their iQuantity, 
 
 1. There is not in them the Qualities of Lightnefs or 
 Heavinefs^or any the leaft Contrariety that may make 
 them reluctant to one another. 
 
 2. Their Magnitude will help them in their fwift- j^^j^j^ ^ 
 nefs : For the greater any Body is, the quicker will it fe£i. i. 
 be in its motion, and that not only when it is moved c. i. 
 by an inward Principle, as a Millftone will defcend 
 fafter than a little Pibble ; but alfo when its motion 
 
 does proceed from fome External Agent ; as the Wind 
 will drive a great Cloud, or a heavy Ship, when it is 
 not able to ftir a little Stone. 
 
 2. As for the fwiftnefs of this Motion, the poffibi- 
 lity of it may be illuftrated by ut^er Particulars in Na- 
 ture: As, 
 
 1. The Sound of a Cannon, in a little time is car- idem. I. zi 
 ried for twenty Mi'es diftance. f^^- 1«' 
 
 2. Though a Star be firuated fo remotely from us , ^' ^' 
 yet the Eye difcerns it in a moment, which is not 
 without fome tnoiion, either of the Species of the 
 
 Star or v.c Rayr f he E>e. Tnus alfo tl.e Light j^^ ^ ^ 
 does in an i iliant pah icom one fide of the Heaven to fecf.ic. 2. 
 another. 3. It 
 
2 Jo Tl)at the Earth may he a planet. 
 
 ;. If the force of Powder be able to carry a Bullet 
 with fo great a fwihners,we need not doubt then, but 
 that the Heavens are capable of fuch a celerity as is 
 ufually attributed unto them. 
 
 Unto thefe ir may be anfwered : 
 
 I. Where they fay that the Heavenly Bodies are 
 without all gravity, we grant it, in the fame fenfe as 
 our Earth alfo, being confidered as whole, and in its 
 proper place, may be deny'd to be heavy : Since this 
 Quality in the exadleft Senfe, can only be af^ribed 
 unto fuch parts as are fevered from the whole to which 
 they belong. But however, fince the Fleavensor Stars 
 are of a material Subftance, *cis impoffib'.e but there 
 (hould be in them foiie ineptitude to motion; becaufe 
 Matter is of it felf a dull and fluggifh thing ; and by 
 fo much the more, as it is kept clofe and condenfed 
 together. And though the Followers of Ptolomy do 
 with much confidence deny the Heavens to be capable 
 of any reluAancy to Motion , yet it were eafy to prove 
 the contrary out of their own Principles. 'Tis not 
 conceivable how the upper Sphere Ihould move the 
 necher, unlefs their SupeifiJes were full of rugged 
 parts (which they deny j: Or elfe one of the Orbs muft 
 lean upon the other with its weight, and fo make it 
 partake of its own Motion. And befidss, they tell 
 us, that the farther any Sphere is diftant from the pi- 
 tnum mobile, the lefs is ithindred by that in its proper 
 Courfe, and the fooner does it finilli its own Revolu- 
 tion. From whence it will eafily follow, that thefe 
 Bodies have reftftency from one another. 
 
 I h.^ve often wondced why amongft the Enchanted 
 Buildings of the Posts, they have not feigned any 
 Caftle to be made of the fame Materials with the So- 
 lid Orbs, fmce in fuch a Fabrick there would have 
 been thefe Eminent Conveniences. 
 
 I. it muft nesds be very pleafant, by reafon of its 
 perfpicuity, becaufe it is more diaphanous than the 
 Air it felf, and fo the Walls of it could not hinder the 
 Profpe<5t any way. a. Be* 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, 2 j" I 
 
 ^. Being fo folid and impenetrable , it muft needs 
 be excellent againft all violence of Weathers, as alfo 
 againft the Affaults of the Enemy, who ftiould not be 
 able to break it with the moft furious Batteries of the 
 Ram, or pierce it with any Cannon Shot. 
 
 3. Being void of all Heavinefs, a Man may carry 
 it up and down with him, as a Snail does his Houfe ; 
 and fo whether he follow the Enemy, or fly from him, 
 he has ftill this Advantage, that he may take his Caftle 
 and Defence along with him. 
 
 But then again, there are on the other fide as many 
 Inconveniences. For, 
 
 1. Its Perfpecuity would make ic fo open, that a 
 man fiiould not be able to retire himfelf into any pri- 
 vate part of it. And then, 
 
 2. Being fo extremely folid, as well as invifible, a 
 man fhould be ftill in danger of knocking his Head 
 againft every Wall and Pillar ; unlefs it were alfo in- 
 tangible, as fome of the Peripateticks affirm. 
 
 g. Its being without all Gravity, would bring this 
 Inconvenience, that every little Puff* of Wind would 
 blow it up and down ; fince fome of the fame Se(5t 
 are not afliamed to fay, that the Heavens are fo utter- 
 ly devoid of Heavinefs, that if but a little Fly fhould 
 juftle againft the vaft Frame of the Cosleftial Spheres^ 
 he would move them out of their Places. 
 
 A ftrong Fancy, that could be at leifure , mighe 
 fnake excellent Sport with this Aftronomical Fi- 
 dion. 
 
 So that this firft Evafion of our Adverfaries will noE 
 fhelter them from the force of that Argument, which 
 is taken from the incredible fwiftnefs of the Hea- 
 vens. 
 
 2. Whereas they tell us in the feeond place, that a 
 bigger Body, as a Millftone, will naturally defcend 
 fwifter than a lefs, as a Pibble. I anfwer ; This is 
 noi be«aufe ftch a great Body is in it felf more eafily 
 
 S ♦ mch 
 
1 5 1 That the Earth may be a Tlanet, 
 
 movahle, but becaufe the bigger any thing is which is 
 our of i<s own Place, the (tronger will be its natural 
 defire of returning thither, and fo confequently, the 
 quicker its Motion. But now thofe Bodies that move 
 circularly, are always in their proper Situations, and 
 fo the fame Reafon is not appliable unto them. And 
 then, whereas *cis faid , that Magnitude does al- 
 ways add to the fwiftnefs of a violent Motion fas 
 Wind will move agreatShipfooner than a littleStonet) 
 We anfwer : This is not becaufe a Ship is more eafily 
 movable in it felf than a little Stone : For I fuppofe 
 the Objedor will not think he can throw the one as 
 far as the other; but becaufe thefe little Bodies are not 
 fo liable to that kind of violence from whence their 
 Motion does proceed. 
 
 As for thofe Inftances which are cited to illuftrate 
 the poffibility of this fwiftnefs in the Heavens, we an- 
 fwer : The pafTage of a Sound is but very flow in 
 comparifon to the motion of the Heavens. And then 
 beftdes, the fwiftnefs of the Species of Sound or Sight 
 which are Accidents, are not fit to infer the like Ce- 
 lerity in a Material Subftance : And folikewife for the 
 • Df Jni- Lightj which * Ar'tftotle himfelf, and with him the ge- 
 tMA.I.x. nerality of Philofophcrs,do for this very Reafon prove 
 ^' ^* not to be a Body, becaufe it moves with fuch fwift- 
 
 nefs, of which (it feems) they thought a Body to be 
 iRof.l.i, incapable. Nay, the fObjedtor himfelf in another 
 feS.i.c.4. place, fpeakingof Light in reference to a Subftance, 
 does fay .• Lumen ef} acc'tdenSy fie [pedes ret vtfie^ ^ alia 
 eff: ratio (ubftantiaruntj alia accident iufft. 
 
 To that of a Bullet, we anfwer : He might as well 
 have illuftrated the Swiftnefs of a Bullet, which will 
 pafs 4 or J Miles in z Minutes, by the motion of a 
 Hand in a Watch, which paffes 2 or 3 Inches in 12 
 Hours ; there being a greater difproportion betwixt 
 the motion of the Heavens, and the fwiftnefs of a Bul- 
 let, than there is 'twixt the fwiftnefs of a Bullet, and 
 the Motion of a Hand in a Watch. 
 
 Another 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet, 2 r ^ 
 
 Another Argument to this purpofe may be taken Arg, 2* 
 From the chief End of the Diurnal and Annual Mori- 
 ons, which is to diftinguifii betwixt Night and Day, 
 Winter and Summer; and fo confequently, to ferve 
 for the Commodities and Seafons of the habitable 
 World. Wherefore it may fcem more agreeable to the 
 Wifdom of Providence, for to make the Earth as well 
 the Efficient3 as the final Caufe of this Motion ; efpe- 
 cially fince Nature in her other Operations does ne- 
 ver ufe any tedious difficult Means to perform that 
 which may as well be accomplifhed by fhorter and 
 eafier Ways. But now, the Appearances would be 
 the fame, in i^fyz^ of us, if only this little Point of 
 Earth were made the Subject of thsfe Motions , as if 
 the vaft Frame of the World, with all thofe Stars of 
 fuch Number and Bignefs were moved about it. 'Tts 
 a common Maxim, M»»=/^f «;i(M tIm^ cu'w Ipja^j^. Na- Gateti. 
 ture does nothing in vain, but in all her Courles does 
 take the moft compendious Way. 'Tis not therefore 
 (I fay) likely, that the whole Fabrick of the Heavens, 
 which do fo much exceed our Earth in Magnitude and 
 Perfedion, fliould be put to undergo fo great and con- 
 ftant aWork in the Service of our Earth, which might 
 moreeafily fave all that Labour by the Circumvolution 
 of its own Body ; efpecially, fince the Heavens do not 
 by this Motion attain any farther Perfedion for them- 
 felves, but are made thus ferviceable to this licde Ball 
 of Earth. So that in this Cafe it may feem to argue 
 as much Improvidence in Nature to employ them in 
 this Motion, as it would in a "^ Mother, who in warm- * Unsherg, 
 ing her Child, would rather turn the Fire about that, 
 than that about the Fire : Or in a t Cook, who would jKeplar, 
 not roaft his Meat by turning it about to the Fire ^but 
 rather, by turning the Fire about it ; .*. Or in a Man, •'•G*^'^- 
 who afcending fome high Tower , to fave the Labour 
 of ftirring his Head, ihould rather defire that all the 
 Regions might fuccefliveiy be turned before his Eye, 
 thtc fo h& mighc ^afily take a view of them, 
 
 S * W^ 
 
1 J 4 T7^^^ ^^^ £arth may he a planet. 
 
 We allow every Watchmaker fo much Wifdom as 
 not to put any Motion in his Inftrutnent, which is 
 fuperfluous, or may be fupplied an eafier way : And 
 (hall we not think that Nature has as much Providence 
 as every ordiniry Mecljanick ? Or can we imagine 
 that She fhould appoint thofe numerous and vaft Bo- 
 dies, the Stars, lo compafs us with fuch a fwift and 
 reftlefs Motion, fo full of Confufion and Uncertain' 
 tics, when as all this might as well be done by the 
 Revolution of this little Ball of Earth i 
 ^^&' 5- Araongft the feveral parts of the World, there are 
 Six Planets which are generally granted to move. As 
 for the Sun and the Earth, and the fixed Stars, it is 
 yet inqueflion, which of them are naturally endowed 
 with the fame Condition. Now common Reafon will 
 dictate unto us, that Motion is moft agreeable to that 
 which in Kind and Properties is moft near to thofe 
 Bodies that undoubtedly are moved. But now there 
 is one eminent Qualification, wherein the Earth does 
 agree with the Planets ; whereas the Sun, together 
 with the fixed Stars, do in the fame refped differ from 
 them : And that is Light, which all the Planets, and 
 fo too the Earth , are fain to borrow elfe- 
 where, whilft the Sun and the Stars have it of their 
 own. From whence ic may be probably concluded, 
 that the Earth is rather the SubjeA of this Motion 
 than the other. To this it may be added, that the 
 Sun and Stars feem to be of a more excellent Nature 
 than the other parts of the World ; and therefore fhould 
 in reafon be endowed with the beft Qualifications. 
 But now Motion is not fo noble a Condition as Reft. 
 That is but a kind of wearifome and fervile thing ; 
 whereas, this is ufualiy afcribed to God himfelf : Of 
 ca?//'^' whom 'tis faid: 
 
 Phil. l.x. * Immotus (^abilifijue r»am»s dam cunSia moveri, 
 
 yir(f. 4. t Ari(lotle tells us, 'tis Very agreeeble to Reafon that 
 iDeCaiioy the Time appointed for the Revolution of each Orb, 
 /. 2. c. 10. (Jiould be proportionable to its Bignefs. But now this 
 
 can 
 
That the Earth may he a Tfanet. 255 
 
 can only be by making the Earth n Planet, 2n^ the 
 Subjedt of the Annual and Diurnal Motions. VVhere- 
 fore 'tis probable, that this does rather move than the 
 Heavens. 
 
 According to the common HyjMtbefis^ the Vrimum 
 Mobile will move round in a Day. Saturn in Thirty 
 Years. Jupiter in Twelve. M>rs in Two The 5«», 
 Venus^ and Menw^y, which have feveral Orbs, yet will 
 agree in their Revolutions, being each of them 
 about a Year in finifhing their Courfes : Whereas by 
 making the Earth a Planet, there will be a juft Propor- 
 tion betwixt the Bigncfs of the Orbs, and the time of 
 their Motions : For then, next to the Sun or Centre, 
 there will be the Sphere of Mercury • which as it is but 
 narrow in itsDiameter,fo likewife is ic quick in its Mo- 
 tion, running its Courfe in 88 Days. Fenus, that is 
 next unto it, in 224 Days. The Earth in 365' Days, 
 or a Year. Mars in 687 Days. Jupiter, in 45 52 Days. 
 Saturn, in 1 07 j9 Days. Thus likewife is it with thofe 
 Mtdicean Stars that encompafs Jupiter. That which is 
 loweft amongft them, finilhes his Courfe in two and 
 twenty Hours ; the next in three Da) s and a half; the 
 third, in feven Days ; and the fartheft in feventeen 
 Days. Now as it is (according to Artliotk's Confefli- 
 on) more likely that Nature fhouid obferve fuch a due 
 Proportion betwixt the Heavenly Oibs ; fo is it more 
 probable, that the Earth fhouid move, rathtir than the 
 Heavens. . 
 
 This may likewife be confirmed from the Appearance ^^' ^' 
 of Comets : Concerning which, there are three things 
 commonly granted, or if they were not, might be 
 cafily proved : Namely, 
 
 , I. That there are divers Comets in the Air, betwixt 
 the Moon and our Earth. 
 
 2. That many of thefe Comets do feem to rife and 
 fet as the Stars. 
 
 3. That this appearing Motion is not properly their 
 owb^ but communicated unto them from fomewhat 
 clfe. S J But 
 
2^6 T1)at the Earth may be a flanet. 
 
 But now, this Motion of theirs cannot be caufed by 
 the Heavens ; and therefore it muft neceflarily proceed 
 from the Revolution of our Earth. 
 
 That the Moon's Orb cannot carry along with it the 
 greater part of the Air, wherein thefe Comets are pla^ 
 ced, might eafily be proved from the common Grounds. 
 For the concave Superficies of that Sphere is ufually 
 fuppofed to be exadly terfe and fmooth ; fo that the 
 meer touch of it cannot turn about the whole Element 
 of Fire, with a Motion that is not natural unto it. Nor 
 couid this Elementary Fire which they imagine to be 
 of a more ratified and fubtle Nature, communicate the 
 fame Motion to the thicker Air, and that to the Waters 
 fas fome affirm:) For by what Means could that fmooth 
 Orb rake hold of the adjoining Air : To this Sarfim 
 anfwers, that there are great Gibbofities, and mountain- 
 ous Inequalities, in the Concavity of the loweft Sphere, 
 and by thefe is k enabled to carry along with it the 
 Jntar. FJ^eand Air. But "^ Fromofj^ut teWs him, FiH$tta ifl a & 
 ij). 16. adfugam repertajunt. And yet his own Conjedure is 
 fcarce fo good, when he affirms, that this Motion of 
 the;E[hereal Air, ss alfo of that Elementary Air hard 
 by us, is caufed by that P.uggednefs which there is in 
 the Bodies of the Planets ; of which Opinion we may 
 with as good Reafon fay as he fays to Sarfus, Fi^itia 
 i(U & ad {ugam reperta : Thefe Things are meer Fidi- 
 ons invented for Shifts, and without any probable 
 ground. 
 
 But now this Appearance of the Comets may eafily 
 be refolved, if we fuppofe the Earth to move. For 
 then, though they did ilill remain in their wonted 
 Places ,• yet this, by its diurnal Revolution fucceflively 
 withdrawing it felf from them, they will appear to 
 rife and fet. And therefore, according to this common 
 natural Experiment, it is more probable that the Earth 
 fhould move, than the Heavens. 
 
 Another Argument urged by fome to prove that 
 this Globe of Earth is eafily moveable, is taken from 
 
 tbs 
 
That the Earth ??jay he a Planet. 2^7 
 
 die Opinion of thofe who affirm that the Accefs of rjd. ra/f. 
 any Weight unco a new Place , as fuppofe an Army, '• ^-^^fi- 
 does make the Earth poife it felf afrefti, and change the '''^' ^' ^^' 
 Centre of Gravity chat it had before: But this is not 
 generally granted ; and therefore pot to be inflfied on 
 as a common ground. 
 
 To this purpofe likewife is that inference of Lansher- 
 gius, who from Archimedes his faying, that he could 
 move the Earth, if he knew where to (land and fallen 
 his Inftrument ^ concludes, that the Earth iseailly mo- 
 veable ; whereas 'twas the Intent of Archiwedes in that 
 Speech, to (hew the infinite Power of Engines : There 
 being no Weight fo great, but that aninftrument might 
 be invented to move it. 
 
 Before we fini/h this Chapter, 'tis requifite that we 
 enquire what kind of Faculty that is from which thefe 
 Motions thatCe;?crwic«j afcribes unto the Earth.does pro- 
 ceed: Whether or no it be fome Animal Power, that 
 does aflift (as Arifiotle)oT inform (as KtfUrtWxnV.i.^ ot 
 elfe fome other natural motive Quality which isintrin- 
 fical unto it. 
 
 We may obferve, That when the proper genuine 
 Caufe of any Motion is not obvious. Men are very 
 prone to attribute unto that which they difcern to be 
 the moft frequent Original of it in other things, Life. 
 Thus the Stoich affirm, the Soul of the Water to be the 
 Caufe of the ebbing and flowingof the Sea. Thus o- 
 thers think the Wind to proceed from the Life of the ^J"-^^^- 
 Air, whereby it isableto move it felf feveral Ways, as ^^^p^'^^'^' 
 other livingCrcatures. And upon the fame grounds do 
 thtPlatonicki^Stoicks^andi fomeofihePmpfer/c/^i,affirm the 
 Heavens to be animated. From hence likewife it is,that 
 fomany do v[\z\nta\nArt[iotk his Opinion concerning /«- 
 tdltgences I Which fome of hisFoilowers, theSchoolmen, 
 do confirm out of Scripture. From that Place inM^t.z^, 
 29. where 'tis faidyTheFowers of theHeavensfljali be fhaken. 
 In which words,by Pou'erj (fay they j are meant the An- 
 gels, by whofe Power it is, that the Heavens are moved. 
 
 S 4 And 
 
258 That the Earth may be a J^lanet. 
 
 And fo likewife in that, Job 9. 13. where the Vulgar 
 has ir, Sub e^uo cHwantur^ tjut port ant orbim j that is, the 
 Intelligences. Which Text might ferve altogether as 
 well, to prove the Fable of Atlas and Hercules, Thus 
 Cajetan concludes from that Place in the Pfalm i;6. f. 
 where 'tis faid, God by Wtfdom made the Heavens ; or ac- 
 cording to the Vulgar, Qui feat CcelosinteUeBu, That the 
 Heavens are moved by an intelligent Soul. 
 
 If we confider the Original of this Opinion, we (hall 
 find it to proceed from that Miftake of Anjlotle, who 
 thought the Heavens to be Eternal ; and therefore to 
 require fuch a moving Gaufe, as being of an Immate- 
 rial Subftance, might be exempted from all that Wea- 
 rinefs and Inconfiancy which other things are liable unto. 
 
 But now this Ground of his is evidently falfe, fince 
 'tis certain. That the Heavens had a beginning, and 
 (hall have an end. However, the employing of Angels 
 in thefe Motions of the World, is both fuperfluous, and 
 very improbable. 
 
 1. Bccaufe a natural Power, intrinfical to thofe Bo- 
 dies, will ferve the turn as well. And as for other O- 
 perations, which are to be conftant and regular. Nature 
 does commonly make ufe of fome inward Principle. 
 
 2. The Intelligences being immaterial, cannot im- 
 mediately woik upon a Body ; nor does any one tell 
 us what Inftruments they (hould make ufe of in this 
 Bufinefs. They have not any Hands to take hold of 
 the Heavens, or lurn them about. And that Opini- 
 on of Ae^umas, Durand, Sovctrasy with Other School- 
 men, feems to be without all Reafon ; who make the 
 Faculty whereby the Angels move the Orbs, to be 
 the very fame with their Underftandinps and Will : 
 So that if an Angel do but meerly fufpend the A(5l of 
 willing their Motion, they mull neceffarily (land ftill : 
 
 r- And on the contrary, his only willing them to move, 
 fliall be enough to carry them about in their feveral 
 Ccurfes ; Since it were then a needlefs thing for Pro- 
 vidence to have appointed Angels unto this Bufinefs, 
 
 which 
 
That the Earth may he a Tlanet. 259 
 
 which might have been done as well by the only Will 
 of God. And befides, how are the Orbs capable of 
 perceiving this Will in the Intelligences ? Or if they 
 were, yet what Motive Faculty have they of them- 
 felves, which can enable them to obey it ? 
 
 Now as it would be with the Heavens, fo likewife 
 is it with the Earth, which m^y be turned about in 
 its' Diurnal Revolution, without the help of Intelli- 
 gences, by fome motive Power of its own, that may 
 be Intrinfical unto it. 
 
 If it be yet enquired, what caufe there is of its 
 Annual Motion : I anfwer ; Tis eafily conceivable, 
 how the fame Principle may ferve for both thefe, fince 
 they tend the fame way from Weft to Eaft. 
 
 Howler, that Opinion of Keplar is not very im- 
 probable. That all the Primary Planets are moved 
 round by the Sun, which once in Twenty five or 
 Twenty fix Days, does obferve a Revolution about 
 its own Axis, and fo carry along the Planets that en- 
 compafs it ; which Planets are therefore flower or 
 fwifter, according to their diftances from him. If you 
 ask by what means the Sun can produce fuch a Mo- 
 tion ? He aniwers ; By fending forth a kind of Mag- 
 netick Virtue in ftraic Lines, from each Part of its 
 Body ; of which there is always a conftant Succefli- 
 on : So that as foon as one Beam of this Vigour has 
 palled a Planer, there is another prefently takes hold 
 of it, like the Teeth of a Wheel. 
 
 But how can any Virtue hold out to fuch a diftance ? 
 ^ He anfwers : Firft, as Light and Heat, together with 
 thofe other fecret Influences which work upon Mine- 
 rals in the Bowels of the Earth ; fo likewife may the 
 Sun fend forth a Magnetick, Motive Virtue, whofe 
 Power may be continued to the fartheft Planets. Se- 
 condly, if the Moon , according to common Phi- 
 lofophy, may move the Sea, why then may not the 
 Sun move this Globe of Earth ? 
 In fuch Querfes as thefe, we can conclude only from 
 
 Con- 
 
26o That the Earth may he a Planet, 
 
 Conjectures : ThatSpeech ofthe Wife Man,Ef <:/(?/.;. n. 
 being more efpecially verified of A[ironomical Quefti- 
 ons concerning the Frame of the whole Umverfe, That 
 no Mm can find out the Works of God^ from the beginmrig 
 to the end. Though we may difcern divers things in 
 the World, which may argue the infinite Wifdom and 
 Power of the Author , yet there will be always fome 
 Particulais left for our Difpute and Enquiry, ar.d we 
 fliall never be able with all our Induftry, to attain a 
 perfed Comprehenfion of the Creatures, or to find 
 , them wholly out, from the beginning to the end. 
 FaUef.Sacr. The Providence of God having thus contrived it, 
 Pbilof.c.6^. that fo M^n might lock for -another Life after this, 
 when all his Longing and Thirft (hall be fully fatisfied. 
 For fince no natural Appetite is in vain, it muft ne- 
 celTarily follow, that there is a poffibijity of attaining 
 fo much Knowledge as (hall be comoienfurate unto 
 thefe Defires ; which becaufe it is not to be had in this 
 World, it will behove us then to exped and provide 
 for another. 
 
 PROP. X. 
 
 that this Hypothejis is exa^ly agreeable to com- 
 mon Appearances. 
 
 IT hath been already proved, that the Earth is capa- 
 ble of fuch a Situation and Motion as this Opinion 
 fuppofes it to have. It remains, that in the laft Place 
 we (hew how agreeable this would be unto thole ordi- 
 nary Seafons of Days, Months, Years, and all other 
 Appearances in the Heavens. 
 
 I. As for the difference betwixt Days and Nights ; 
 'tis evident, That this may be as well caufed by the Re- 
 volution of the Earth, as the Motion of the Sun ; fince 
 the Heavenly Bodies muft needs feem after the fame 
 manner to life and fet, whether or no they themfelves 
 
 by 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet. 
 
 i6i 
 
 by their own Motion, do pafs by our Horizon and Fer- 
 ttcal Point ; or whether our Horizon and Vertical Point, 
 by the Revolution of our Earth, do pafs by them. Ac- 
 cording to that of * Arifiotle^ i^.v J)a.<p^ei kiv^v^ tUv o-^v * De Cxhf 
 n TO o^ufjdpov , there will not appear any difference, H^-^-ia^'^^ 
 whether or no the Eye be moved from the Objed:, or 
 the Objed from the Eye. And therefore I cannot chufe 
 but wonder that a Man of any Reafon or Senfe, ftiould 
 make choice of no better an Argument to conclude his 
 Book withal, than that which we read at the latter 
 end of Al. Rojje, where he infers, That the Earth does 
 not move, becaufe then the Shadow in a Sun-Dial 
 would not be altered. 
 
 2. As for the difference of Months, we fay, That 
 the diverfe Illumination of the Moon, the different 
 bignefs of her B(ydy, her remaining for a longer or 
 (horter time in the Earth's Shadow, when flie is Eclip^ 
 fed, &c. may well enough be folved by fuppofing her to 
 move above our Earth, in an Eccentrical Epicycle. Thus, 
 
 In 
 
l6l That the Earth may he a Planet ^ 
 
 In which kind of Hypothejisy there will be a double 
 difference of Motion ; the one caufed by the different 
 Situations of the Moon's Body, in its own Eccentrick ; 
 the other by the different Situations of the Moon*s Orb, 
 in the Earth's Eccentrick ; Which isfo exadly anfwera- 
 ble CO the Motions and Appearances of this Planet, that 
 from hence Lambergtm draws an Argument for this Sy~ 
 fiem of the Heavens, which in the ftrength of hisCon^- 
 dence he calls, Demonfiratiomm S^h^fioytKU, cuittitUura' 
 tione fote(t contradtei. 
 
 4. As for the difference betwixt Winter and Sum- 
 mer ; betwixt the number and length of Days, which 
 appertain to each of thofe Seafons ; the Teeming Mq- 
 tion of the Sun from one Sign to another in the Zo- 
 Mack : All this may eafiiy be folved, by fuppoHng the 
 Earth to move in an Eccentrical Orb aboat th$ Sun« 
 Thus. 
 
 V ^ 
 
 '^-^.n*-^ 
 
 Suppofe the Earth to be at C, then the Sun at A will 
 feem to be in the Sign ©, and at the greateft diftance 
 from us, becaufe the Earth is then in the farthe(l^art 
 cf its Eccentrick, When after by its Annual Motion it 
 
 hath 
 
That tie Earth may he a flanet. 
 
 hath paffed fucceflively by the Signs iKr x Y e ir, at 
 kngth it comes to the other Solfiice at B, where the 
 Sun will appear in vS. andfeem btggeft, as being in its 
 Terige, becaufi our Earth is then in the neareft part of 
 its Eccentrtck. 
 
 As for all other Appearances of the Sun which con- 
 cern the Annual Motion, you may fee by the follow- 
 ing Figure^ that they are exa^ly agreeable to this 
 hyfotbejis. 
 
 \6j 
 
 Where you have the Earth defcribed about the Sun 
 at Ay in the Four chief Points of the Zodiack\ name- 
 ly, the two Eefutno^tals at Y and s^^ and the Solfikes 
 at VS and s. Through all which Points the Earth does 
 pafs in his Annual Motion from Weft to Eaft. 
 
 The Axu upon which our Earth does move, is re* 
 prefented by the Line B C, which Axts does always 
 decline from that of the Ecltpfick, about 2; Degrees, 
 50 Minutes. The Points B C are imagined to be the 
 Poles, B the North-Pole, and C the South. 
 
 Now if wc fuppofe this Earth to turn about its own 
 Axu by a Diurn«l Motion , then every Point of it 
 
 will 
 
2,64 That the Fdrth may he a Tlanet. 
 
 will defcribe a parallel Circle , which will be eithet* 
 bigger or lefTer, according to its diftance from the 
 Poles. The chief of them are the E'juimBial D, E, 
 The two Tropicksy F, G; and H, I, the two Polar 
 Circles. M^ N, the ArBickj and K, £, the Antar5lick\ 
 of which the EcjuifirMial only is a great Circle, and 
 therefore will always be equally divided by the Line 
 of Illumination M^ L, whereas the other Parallels are 
 thereby diftributed into unequal parts. Amongft 
 which parts, the Diurnal Arches of thofe that are to- 
 wards E, the North Pole, are bigger than the Nodur- 
 nal, when our Earth is in vs and the Sun appears in 
 c^ : Infomuch, that the whole ArBick Circle is en* 
 lightned , and there is Day for half a Year together 
 under that Pole. 
 
 Now wlien the Earth proceeds to the other Sol^ice 
 at ©, and the Sun appears in VS, then that Flemifpbere 
 mutf be involved in Darknefs, which did before par-^ 
 take of Light. And thofe Parallels towards the North 
 and South Poles will iHll be divided by the fame Ine- 
 quality. But thofe bigger parts which were before 
 enlightned, will now be darkned, & 'vice verfa. As 
 whea the Earth was in N, the ArBick Circle M, N, 
 was wholly enlightned, and the AntarBuky Ky L, aU 
 together in the dark. So now, when it is in A, the 
 Ar.tarctick K, L, w/iil be wholly in the Light, and the 
 other My Ny altogether obfcured. Whereas the Sun 
 before was vertical to the Inhabitants at the Tropick F, 
 G ; fo now is he in the feme Situation to thofe that 
 live und-r the other Tropicks, H, I And whereas be- 
 fore che Pole did incline 25 Degrees ;o Minutes to=- 
 wards che Sun, fo now does it d.:clin3 as much from 
 him. The whole difference wiii am.ount to 47 De- 
 grees, which is the dilrance of one 'Iro-^ick from the 
 other. 
 
 But now in the two other Figures, when the Earth 
 is in either of the E^juinoBtals t ^>> ^he Circle of Illu- 
 mination wiii pafs thro' both che Poks, and therefore 
 
That the Earth may he a planet, 
 
 mud divide all the Parallels into equal Parts. From 
 whence it will follow, that the Day and Night muft 
 then be equal in all places of the World. 
 
 As the Earth is here reprefented in ^2;, it turns only 
 the enlightned part towards us : As it is in t we fee 
 its Nodurnal Hemtfphere, 
 
 So that according to this Hjpothefts, we may eafily 
 and exadly reconcile every Appearance concerning the 
 difference betwixt Days and Nights, Winter and Sum- 
 mer, together with all thofe other Varieties which de- 
 pend upon them. 
 
 If you would know how the Planets (according to 
 the Sy/^em of the Heavens) will appear Direcf, Statio- 
 nary ^ Retrograde; and yet ftill move regularly about 
 their own Centers, you may plainly difcern it by this 
 following Diagram. 
 
 16^ 
 
 Where 
 
266 That the Earth may he a ^lann. 
 
 Where fuppofe the Sun to be at A, the Circle C^, 
 O, M.) to be the Orb of the Earth's Motion, and that 
 above it noted with the fame Letters_, to be the Sphere 
 of Jupiter ; and the uppermoft of all, to be a part of 
 the Zodiack in the Starry Heaven. 
 
 Now if you conceive the Letters A B C D E F G 
 HI K L M) and bed e f ^ b iklmy to divide the 
 Earth's Orb and that of Jupiter, into feveral parts, 
 proportionable to the flownefs or fwiftnefs of their dif- 
 ferent Motions {Jupiter finifliing his Courfe in 12 
 Years, and the Earth in one) then fuppofing the Earth 
 to be at the Point {B) and Jupiter like wife in his Orb 
 to be fituated at (^), he will appear unto us to be in the 
 Zodiack at the Point (r). Bat afterwards both of them 
 moving forwards to the Letter (C c.) Juptter will 
 feem to be in the Zodiack at (x/j, as having pafTed di- 
 re.5tly forward according to the Order of the Signs. 
 And fo likewife each of them being transferred to the 
 places (Dd) (E e) Jupiter will fttll appear DireB, and 
 to have moved in the Zodiack unto the Points (yz,). 
 But now when the Earth conies to be more immediate- 
 ly interpofed betwixt this Planet and the Sun; as when 
 both of them are at the Letter (F/) then will Jupiter 
 be dircerned in the Zodiack at (*). So that all the while 
 the Earth was pafling the Arch (E F) Jupiter did ftill 
 remain betwixt the Points {z,) and (x), and therefore 
 mufl" feem unto us as if he were Stationary^ but after- 
 wards both of (hern being carried to (Og), then Jupi- 
 ter will appear ^t(s), as if by a hafty motion he had re- 
 turned from his former Courfe the fpace (xs). Both of 
 them paflig to (Hh)s this Planet will ftill feem to be 
 fwiftiy Ketrozradey and appear in the Point at (p),but 
 when they come to the Points (/^j, Jupiter will then 
 feem to be flower in thismotion,and to have only pat- 
 id rhe Space {pn\ Both of them being transferred to 
 (K k), Jupiter will then appear in the Zodiack at (oj as 
 beiijg again DiriB, going forward according to the or- 
 der of the Signs, and while the Earth did pafs Che Arch 
 
That the Earth may he a Tlanet. l ^7 
 
 (/ K) Jupiter then remain'd between the Points Cn o\ 
 and fo confequently did again feem to bs Stationary, 
 Both of them coming to (Z,/J, and thc:nce to (Mm\ 
 Jupiter will ftill appear Dirtil, and Co have gone forwad 
 in th^Xodiack from (e^) to (t). So that all the fpace 
 v/herein Jupiter is retrograde^ is reprefented by the Arch 
 (n z,). In which fpace he himfelf moves in his own O. b, 
 the Arch (e i), and fo the Earth in its Orb, a propor- 
 tional fpace (E I). 
 
 As it hath been faid of this Planet, fo likewife is it 
 appliable to the ocher^ Saturn, MirSyVenm, Adircurjf' 
 all which are thus made to appear dtre^l, ftation:iry^ and 
 retrograde, by the motion of our Earth, without the help 
 of thofe Epicycles and Excentrich, and fuch unnecefTiry 
 Wheel- work, wherewith P;o,W;hath filled the Heavens. 
 Infomuch, that here '^Fromondm is fain to confefs, NuL * ^"f^i/^- 
 lo Argument in fpeciem prohabilicri, motum terra annum a '^' ^i" ^''^' 
 Copernicants aftrui, e^uam iHo fidtionis, dtretUonis yregrefjijnii ^ 'I ^" 
 Vlanttarum. There is not any more probable Arguaient 
 to prove the annual motion of the Earth.than ics agree- 
 ablenefs to the fiation, dtre^icv^ and regrejfion of the Pk- 
 ners. 
 
 Laftly, That Copemicmh Syftem of the Heavens is 
 very anfwerable to the exadeft Obfervations miy be 
 manlfeft from this following D^fcription of ic. 
 
 $lippof€ 
 
That the Earth may he a flamt. 
 
 Suppcfe the Sun to be fituated at /4 : Now becaufe 
 Mt^iury is found by experience to be always very near 
 thV Sun, fo that he does for the moft part lye hid un- 
 der his Rays ; as alfo beca.ufe this Planet hath a more 
 lively vigorous Light than any of the other; therefore 
 we may infer, that his Orb is placed next unto the Sun, 
 as that at B. 
 
 As for VentfSy 'lis obferv'd,That Hie does always keep 
 at a fet diftancs from the Sun, never going from him 
 above 40 Degrees, or thereabouts • that her Body ap- 
 pears thrp' the Peifpecftive U) be forty times bigger ae 
 one time than at another; that when (he feems biggeft 
 and nearefi: unto us, we then difcern her as being per- 
 fedly round. Therefore doth this Planet alfo move in 
 a Circle that enconipafTes the Sun. Which Circle does 
 not contain the Earth within it ; becaufe then Vtr.ui 
 would fometiraej be in oppcfian to th^ Sun ; whereas 
 
That the Earth may he a Planet. 160 
 
 tis generally granted, that fhe never yet came fo far as 
 to be in a Sextile, 
 
 Nor is this Circle below the Sun ('as Ptolomy fuppo- ^Matminx 
 feth) becaufe then this Planck, in f both its Conjundi- Mp^nin/f. 
 ons, would appear horned, which (he does not. 
 
 Nor is it above the Sun, becaufe then fiie would al- 
 ways appear in the Full, and never horned. 
 
 From whence it will follow, that this Orb muft ne- 
 ceJfTarily be betwixt theEarrh and the Sun, as that at C. 
 
 As for Mirs^ 'tis obferv'd, that he does appear fixty 
 times bigger when he is near us, than at his greateft di- 
 ftance; that he is fomctimes in oppofition to the Sun. 
 From whence we may conclude that his Orb does con- 
 tain our Earth within it. 'Tis obferved alfo, that he 
 does conftantly appear in the Full, and never Horned : 
 From whence likewife it is manifefl, that the Sun is 
 comprehended within its Orb, as it is in that which is 
 reprefented by the Circle E. 
 
 And becaufe the like Appearances are obferv'd in y«- 
 fiter and Saturn (tho' in lefs Degrees) therefore we may 
 with good Reafon conceive them to be in the Hea- 
 vens, after fome fuch manner as they are here fet down 
 in the Figure, by the Circles F. G. 
 
 As for the Moon, becaufe fhe is fcmecimes in o^pofi^ 
 tion tothe Sun, therefore muft her Orb comprehend in 
 it the Earth; becaufe fte appears dark in hsrConjun- 
 ^ion, and fometimes eclipfes the Sun ; therefore that 
 muft neceiTarily be without her Orb, asitisin that Epi- 
 cjcle at H. In theCenter of which, the Earth muft ne- 
 ceffarily be fituated, according to all thofe Appearances 
 meniion''d before. So that the Orb of its annual mO' 
 tion will be reprefented by the Circle D. 
 
 All which Appearances cannot fo well be reconciled 
 by Ptolom/, Tycho, Ongimusy or by any other Hyptbcfuy 
 as by this of Copemicuf. But the application of thefe to 
 the feveral Planets, together with fundry other Parti- 
 culars, concerning the Tkcoricd part o{ Jjhonomy, you 
 may fee more fully fet down by thofe who have pur- 
 
 T z pofely 
 
17 o Tl^at the Earth ma^ he a Tlanet, 
 
 pofely handled this Subjefl:, Copernicus, Khetuhus, GaliUttf ; but 
 more efpecially Keplar: Unto whom I do acknowlede my fclf in- 
 dtrbred for fundry Particulars in this Dilcourle. 
 
 I have done with that whicli was tha chief Purpofe of the pre- 
 fent Treatifc ; namely, 'the removal of thofe Common Prejudi- 
 ces that Men ufually entertain againft this Opinion. It remains, 
 that by way of Conclufion, I endeavour to ftir up others unto 
 thefe kind of Studies, which by mofl Men are fo much neglefted. 
 
 'Tis the mofl: rational way, in the profecution of feveral Ob- 
 jefts , to proportion our Love and Endeavour after every thing, 
 according to the excellency and defirablencfs of it. But now 
 amongil: all Earthly Contentments, there is nothing either better 
 in it ielf, or more convenient for us, than this kind of Learning ; 
 and that, whether you confider it according to its GfM^r^r/ Nature, 
 zs a Science; or according to its more Special Nature, as fuch a 
 Science. 
 
 1. Confider It as ^ Science. Certain it is, thatamongfl: the variety 
 of Objefts, thofe are more eligible which conduce unto the Wel- 
 fare of that which is our beft part, our Souls. 'Tis not fo much 
 the pleafmgof ourSenfesjOr the increafing of our Fortunes, that 
 does deferve pur Induflry,'as the Information of our Judgments, 
 the Improvement of our Knowledge. Whatever the World may 
 think, yet it is not a vaft Eftate, a Noble Birth, an Eminent Place, 
 that can add any thing to our true real Worth ; but it muft be 
 the degrees of that which makes us Men, that muft; make us better 
 Men, the Endowments of our Soul, the Enlargement of ourRea- 
 fon. Were it not for the Contemplation of Philofophy, the Hea- 
 then * Seneca would not fo much as thank the Gods for his Being: 
 l^ijt adhiec admitterer non fait epere pretium naja'. Dctrahe hoc inc" 
 jinnabile bontnn no7i ejl njitci tanti, jitfudcfn, ui aiUucrn. Take but 
 away this Benefit, and he would not thiiik Life worth the fweat- 
 jng for. So much Happinefs could he difcern in the Studies of 
 Nature. And therefore as a Science in general, it may very well 
 deferve our Love and Induilry, 
 
 2. Confiderit asfuch a particular Sc/£77ff, j^sironorny: the Word 
 fignifies the Law of the Stars ; and the Hebrews (w ho do not or- 
 dinarily admit of Compofition)call it in twoWords,uD^O(£^ H^pn 
 Ca-hrtim Statiita, or tlie Ordinances of Heaven ; beCaufe they are 
 governed in their Courfes by a certain Rule, as the Pfahnifl fpeaks 
 in the 14.8'^ Pfal. v. 6. God has given them a Law which jhall not 
 he broken. 
 
 Now this of all other Natural Sciences may beftof all challenge 
 our Induftry ; and that, whether you confider it, 
 
 1. Abfolutely, asit is in it felf : Or, 
 
 2. As it ft:ands in reference to us. 
 I. Asit is in it felf The Excellency of ^ny Science may be 
 
 judged of Cfaith the Philofopher) firft, by the Excellency of the 
 Object. Secondly, by the Certainty of iKDcmonftrations . 
 
 I. For 
 
Tl)at the Earth may he a TUfiet. 27 1 
 
 1 . For the ObjeB. It Is po leCs than the whole World (fince. our 
 Earth alfo is OIK of the Planets), more efpecially thofe vaft and 
 glorious Bodies of the Heavens. So that in this refpeO; it far ex- 
 ceeds all thofe barren, empty Speculations about Materia prima, 
 and Univerfale, and fuch like Cobwebs of Learning; in the ftudy 
 of which fo many do mifplace their younger Years, And for the 
 fame Reafon likewife is it to be preferr'd before all thofe other 
 Sciences , whofe Subjefts are not either of fo wide an Extent, or 
 fo excellent a Nature. 
 
 2. For the DemonBrations of Jffronomy, they are as infallible as 
 Truth it felf ; and for this Reafon alfo does it excel all other 
 Knowledge, which does more depend upon Conjeftures andUn- 
 certainty . They are only thofe who want Skill in the Principles 
 of this Science, that millruft the Conclufions of it. Since there- 
 fore in thefe refpefts, it is one of the moft Excellent Sciences in 
 Nature, it may beft defcrve the Indudry of Man, who is one of 
 the beft Works of Nature Other Creatures were made with 
 their Heads and Eyes turned downwards; Would you know why 
 Man was not created fo too ? why it was, that he might be an A- 
 jirommer. 
 
 Os homini fublime dedlt, Celuf»^;tueri 
 "Jtijjit, & ereBos ad Sydera tallere vultus. 
 God gave to Man an Upright Face, that he 
 Might view the Stars, and learn j^Hrommy. 
 %. Confider it in reference to us; and fo it is, 
 
 1. MoftUfeful. 
 
 2, Mod Pleafant. 
 
 I , Moft Ufefiil, and that in fundry refpefts. It proves a God 
 and a Providence, and incites our Hearts to a greater Admirati- 
 on and Fear of hi s Omnipotency . We may underHand by the Hea- 
 .ijens, how much mightier he u that made them ; for by the Greatn^'fs 
 and Beauty of the Creatures, proportionably the Maker of them is feen, 
 faith the Book of IVifdom, 13. 4, 5. It was hence that y^riBetle 
 did fetch his Chief Argument to prove a Pn»7K/iV/o^or. 'Twas 
 the confideration of thefe Things that firft led Men to the Know- 
 Jiedge and Worfliip of God (furh * Tu/iy). Hac nos primnm ad * TnfaJ.i 
 Deorum ciiltwrn, turn ad mcderiiam, magnitudinem^; animi entdiv-t Ite}?i Pht 
 And therefore when God by the Prophet would convince the d^pl'acit. 
 People of his Deity, he bids them lift up their Eyes on high, and Phil I I. 
 behold who hath created thofe things ; that bringeth out their Hoii by c 6 
 number, that calleth them alloy their l^ames, &c. Ifa. 40. 25 Which 
 occafion'd that Saying of Laaantius ; Tanta rerum ma^nitudo, taL InHlt I 
 ta difpffttio, tanta in frvandis ordinihs, temponlrtfh; const an- 
 tia; nonpottiitaitt ohm fine provido artifice oriri, aitt conBaretot U. 
 culisjine incola petente, aut pcrpetuum gubernayi fine perito & fiar] 
 nBore, q^od ratio ipfadecUrat . Such a great Order and CcJnftan- 
 cy amongft thole vaft Bodies, could not at firft be made but bv a 
 Wife Providence, nor fincepreferved without a Powerful InM 
 t^nt, nor fo perpecuaJ ly governed wichouc .-» skilful Guide. True 
 
 2' 
 5. 
 
ijl Tl?at the Earth inayhe a t^Ianet. 
 
 True indeed, an ordinary View and common Apprehenfion of 
 tlici'e Celejlial Bodies , mufl needs manifeft the Excellency and 
 Omniporency of their Maker ; but yet a more accurate and dili- 
 gent Enquiry into their Natures, will raife our Underftandings 
 unto a nearer Knowledge, and a greater Admiration of the Dei- 
 ty : As it is in thole inferior things, where the meer outfide of a 
 Man, the Comelinefs and Majefty of his Countenance, may be 
 fome Argument from whence to infer the Excellency of his Crea- 
 tor. But yet the fubtle Anatomill:, who fearchesmore deeply in- 
 to this wonderful Strufture, may fee a clear Evidence for this 
 in the Confideration of the inward Fabrick, the Mufcles, Nerves, 
 Membranes, together with all thofe fecret Contrivances in the 
 Frame of this little World. Thus alfo is it in the great Univerfcy 
 where the common Apprehenfion of Things is not at all confide, 
 rable, in comparifon to thofe other Difcoveries, which may be 
 found out by a more exatt Enquiry. 
 
 As this Knowledge may conduce to the proving of a God, and 
 making Men Religious ; fo like wife may it ferve to confirm un- 
 to us the Truth of the Holy Scriptures : Since the Sacred Story, 
 in the order of its Narrations, does fo exadlJy agree with the 
 Conversions of Heavt-n, and Logiflical Jjirommy. 
 
 •'i/ 8 ?.<?• ^^ "^^y ^^^^ ^^^ "^ "P '■^ ^^^^^^ o^"^ lelves anfwerably unto the 
 
 *''''* Noble and Divine Nature of our Souls. VVheji I conjider the Hca^ 
 ven, the Works of thy F'tigers, the Moon and the Stars mhich thou haji 
 ordained, what t-s Man, that thou art fv mindful of him ? as to create 
 fuch vaft Glorious Bodies for his Service. 
 
 * Sen. Fat. Again, when I confider with my felf the ftrange Immenfity 
 
 ^i^Ji. 1. 1, and Bignefs of this great Univerfe, in comparifon to which, this 
 
 Nonne S Earth of ours is but as an undifcernible Point : When I confider 
 
 terrena ani- that I carry a Soul about me, of far greater Worth than all this, 
 
 rnalia con- and Defires that are of a wider Extent, and moi^e unbounded Ca- 
 
 fideratis, pacity than this whole Frame of Nature ; tlien, methinks, ic 
 
 qidbus^ne' muft needs argue a Degeneratenefs and Poverty of Spirit,to bufy 
 
 fidcre<vide- my Faculties about fo ignoble, narrow a Subjeft as any of thefc 
 
 aynini ? Earthly things. What a Folly is it in Men to have fuch high 
 
 Nam ft in- Conceits of themfelves, for fome fmall Pofleffions which they have 
 
 ter marcs in the World above others ; to keep fo great a Buftle about fo 
 
 niidcres «- poor a Matter? * Hoc eft pun^tm quod inter tot gent es ferro & igni 
 
 ntcm all- dividitv.r. 'Tis but a little Point which with fo much ado is di. 
 
 qttam, yvs ftributed unto fo many Nations by Fire and Sword. What great 
 
 fibi ac\otc- Matter is it to be Monarch of a fmall part of a Point .? Mightnot 
 
 jlatem pra the Ants as well divide a little Mole-hill into divers Provinces, 
 f/eteris'vin- and keep as great a ftir in difpofing of their Government.? PunBtm 
 
 dicente?n, eft illud in quo navigatis, in quo bellatis, in quo regna dcfponitis. All 
 
 quanta mo- this place wherein we War, and Travel, anddifpofe of Kingdoms, 
 
 fvereritcha- h but a Point far lefs than any of thofe fmall Stars, that at this 
 
 chinno, &c. diftance are fcarce difcernible. Which when the Soul docs feri- 
 
 Boedus de oullv mediute upon, it will begin to defpife the narrownefs of 
 
 Cinfoi.1.2. ' »" 
 
That the Earth may he a planet. 272 
 
 its prefent Habitat! on, and think of providing for it feJf a Man, 
 fion in thofe wider Spaces above ; fuch as may be more agreeable 
 to the Noblenefs and Divinity of its Nature. 
 
 Why Ihould any one Dream of propagnting his Name, or 
 fpreading his Report through the World ? When although he 
 had more Glory than Ambition can hope for, yet as long as all 
 this Habitable Earth is but an inconfiderable Point, what great 
 Matter can there be in that Fame which is included within fuch 
 flrait contrafled Limits ? Boetia^ 
 
 Sluicuncf; Jolam mente pracipiti petit /^y^__ 
 
 Summumofy credit gloriam, 
 Late patentes atheris cernat plagas, 
 
 ^rciumq'y terrarumjitum . 
 Brenjcm rcplcre non v/tletitis ambittim, 
 P tide bit aucii nomiyris. 
 *' He that to Honour only leeks to mount, 
 " And that his chiefeft End doth count ; 
 " Let him behold the largenefs of the Skies, 
 " And on the ftrait Earth cafl his Eyes ; 
 *' He will defpife the Glory of his Name, 
 " Which cannot fill fo fmall a Frame. 
 
 Why fhould any one be taken up in the Admiration of thefe 
 lower Outfidcs , thefe Earthly Glories? Refpicite Cceli fpatium, idemlib.i, 
 firmittidinenij celeritateffi, d^" aliqua7ido definite vilia mircri. He 
 that rightly underftands the Nature of the Heavens, will fcarce 
 efteem any other thing worth his Notice, much lefs his Wonder. 
 
 Now when we lay all this tcgether,That he who hath moft in 
 the World, hath almoft nothing of it : That the Earth it izM, ia 
 comparifon to the Uyiiverfe is but an inconfiderable Point ; and 
 yet that this whole Uni'verfe does not bear fo great a proportion 
 to the Soul of Man, as the Earth does unto that. I lay, when 3 
 Msn in feme retired Thoughts Iballlay all this together,, it mufl: 
 needs ftir up his Spirits to a contempt of thefe Earthly Things, 
 and make him place his Love and Endeavour up on thofe Comforts 
 that may be more anfwerable to the Excellency of his Nature. 
 
 Without this Science, what Traffick could we have with Fo- 
 reign Nations .? What would become of that mutual Commerce, 
 wl^creby the World is now made but as one Commonwealrh. 
 i^ojque mcdiis in nqnis StcUa, pclagoque timcndo. 
 Decrctum movjlrafiis iter, totique dedifiis, 
 Legibiis iji'ventis homittum, commercici mundo. 
 'Tis you Bright Stars, that in the fearful Sea, 
 Do guide the Pilot through his purpos'd Way. 
 'Tis your Direftion that doth Commerce give, 
 With all thofe Men that thro' the World do live. 
 2. As this Science is tnus profitable in thefe and many other 
 refpefts ; lb likewife is it equally pleafant. The £ye ( fairh 
 the Phi]ofop[ier} is the Senfe of Pleafure, and there are no De- 
 
 lighr^ 
 
174 ^^^ ^'-^ Earth may be a planet, 
 
 lights fo pure and immaterial as thofe which enter through 
 that Organ. Now to the Underftanding, which is the Eye of 
 the Soul, there cannot be any fairer Profpeft, than to view the 
 whole Frame of Nature, the Fabrick of this great Univerfe, to 
 difccrn that Order and Comelinefs whick there is in the Magni- 
 tude, Situation, Motion of the feveral Parts that belong unto it ; 
 to fee the true Caufe of that conftant Variety and Alteration 
 which there is in the different Seafons of the Year. All which 
 muil needs enter into a Man's Thoughts with a great deal of 
 Sweetnefs and Complacency. And therefore it was that 7«/;W 
 C<ffar in the Broils and Tumult of the Camp, made choice of 
 this Delight ; 
 
 ' — Media inter pr^lia femper, 
 
 Steltiirwm, Cceliqneflagis, jfuperifqueijacavit. 
 He always leifure found amidft his Wars, 
 To mark the Coafts of Heav'n, and learn the Stars, 
 And for this rcafon likewife 6\&Seneca, amidft: the continual 
 Koife and Buille of the Court,betake himfelf to this Recreation. 
 O quam juvahat, quo nihil >najus, parens 
 Natiira genuit, operis immenft artifex^ 
 Ccfhirn intueri Solis, & currus faeres 
 Mnndiqne wotus, Solis alternas 'vices, 
 Orbanque Ph^bes , a fir a quem cingunt vag» 
 Latcquefulgens Mthens magni d^cas. 
 O what a Pleafure was it to furvey 
 Nature's chief Work, the Heavens; where we may 
 View the alternate Courfes of the Sun, 
 The Sacred Chariots, how the World does run .- 
 The Moon's bright Orb, when She's attended by 
 Thofe fcatter'd Stars, whofe Light adorns the Sky. 
 And certainly thofe eminent Men who have this way beftowcd 
 a great Part of their Employment, fuchas were Ptolomy , Jtdius 
 C^far, j^lphonfus King of Spain, the Noble Tycho, ^c. have not 
 only by this Means pitched upon that which for the prefent 
 was a more folid kind of Pleafure and Contentment ; but alfo 
 a furer way to propagate their Memories unro future Ages. 
 Thofe great coftlyPyramids which were built to perpetuate the 
 Memory of theirFounders,{hall fooncrperilh and moulder away 
 into their Primitive Duft, than the Names of fuch Worthier 
 Ihall be forgotten. The Monuments of Learning are more 
 durable than the Monuments of Wealth or Power. 
 
 All which Encouragements may be abundantly enough to ftir 
 any conddering Man, to beftow fome part of his Tinie in the 
 Study and Inquifition of thefe Truths. 
 
 f dices anim£, quibtis hac cognofcere primum, 
 Jnque domos fuperas fia^dire (ura fuit. 
 
 Mercury I 
 
erctirp : 
 
 O R T H E 
 
 Secret and Swift 
 
 ser. 
 
 SHEWING, 
 
 How a Man may with Privacy and 
 Speed communicate his Thoughts to a 
 Friend at any Diftance. 
 
 Cfte CtitrU'CDittom 
 
 By the Right Reverend Father in God , 
 JOHN VV I L K I N S, late Lord 
 Bifhop of CHESTER, 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for John Nicholfin at the Kings-Arm^ in 
 Little Britain ,• Benj» Tooke at the Middle Tampl^ 
 G lie in Fleetf^reet ; And. Bell at the CrofsKeys and 
 Bible in Cornhill j and Raljih Smith under the 
 Piazza of the Rojal-Exchavge. MDCCVII. 
 
 A 
 
To the Right Honourable 
 
 GEORGE, 
 
 Lord BerJ^ey^ Baron of BerJ^ey y 
 Mobray, Segrave, and Br nee, 
 and Knight of the Noble Order 
 of the Bath, 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 I Do here once more prefent your Lord/hip 
 with the Fruit of my leiftire Studies^ as a 
 Tejlimony of ?ny ^adinefs to ferVe you in thofe 
 f acred Matter s^ to which I deVote my more fe- 
 rioLis Hours. ip?ould not ha'Ve prefumed to 
 this Dedication, had I not been encouraged by 
 that generoufnefs and fweetnefs of T^tjpofiti- 
 on, which does Jo eminently adorn your Lord- 
 /I?ips ^lace and Abilities. 
 
 If your Lordfi/tp pleafe to excufe this "Bold- 
 nefs.andto Vouchafe thisTamphlet a /helter under 
 your favourable Patronage, you jhall thereby en- 
 courage mem thofe higher Studies ^ivhich may be 
 more agreeable to that (I{elatton iphcrem I 
 flandy ivs being 
 
 Your Lordihip s Servant and Chaplain, 
 A a 2 TO 
 
To the READER. 
 
 THat which firft occafion'd this DiCcourfc, 
 was the reading of a little Pamplilet, fti- 
 led, Nantius Inanimatus^ commonly afcribcd to 
 a late Reverend Bifhop ; wherein he affirms, 
 That there are certain Ways to difcourfe with 
 a Friend, though he were in a clofe Dungeon, 
 in a befieged City, or a Hundred Miles oft. 
 
 Which Promifes, at the firil Perufal, did ra- 
 ther raife my Wonder than Belief, having be- 
 fore that time obferved nothing that might give 
 any Satisfadion in thefe Particulars. And I 
 fliould have efteemed them altogether Fabulous, 
 had it not been for the Credit of tlieir reputed 
 Author. 
 
 After this, I did colled all fuch Notes to 
 this 'Purpofe, as I met with in the Courfe of 
 my other Studies. 
 
 From whence when I had received full Sa- 
 tisfadion, I did for mine own farther Delight 
 compofe them into this Method. 
 
 I have already attained mine own Ends, both 
 in the Delight of Compofing this, and tlie Oc- 
 cafion of Publiiliing it : And therefore need not 
 either fear the Centure of others, or beg their 
 Favour. I could never yet diiccrn, that any 
 Reader hath fhewed the more Charity for the 
 Author's befpeaking it. Farewell. 
 
 T O 
 
To MERCURY the Elder : 
 On the mod Learned Mercury thQ Younger. 
 
 REST Maja'j Son, fometimes Inferpreter 
 Of gods, and to us Men their MeJJ'enger : 
 Take not Jucb Pains as thou hafi done of old. 
 To teach Men Hieroglyphicks, and to unfold 
 Egyptian hidden Characters, and hoTi^ 
 Men "Writ in dark Obfcurity : For now 
 Trithemius and Selenus both are grown 
 Such Cryptographers, as they fcarce will own 
 Thee for their Mafier ', and Decipherers know 
 Such fecret Ways to write, thou veer didfl jlww» 
 Thefe are but ArtiHs which thou didfi infplre j 
 But now thou of a Mercury art Sire 
 Of thine own Name, a Tofi with whom the Hlndf 
 Should it contend, would he left far behind, 
 Whofe MeJJ'age, as thy Metal, ftrikes the Gold 
 .^ite through a Wedge of Silver uncontroVd ^ 
 ^^nd in a moment s fpace doth pa fs as far 
 J s from the Artick to th' Antartick Star, 
 Sc pro'ving 7vhat is faid of Influence, 
 May now be j aid of his Intelligence, 
 They neither of them having fuch a ^ality 
 As a relation to Locality : 
 JVo Tlaces difiance hindring their Commerce, 
 Who freely traffick through the XJniverfe j 
 And in a minute can a Voyage make 
 Over the Ocean s univerfal Lake. 
 This Son of thine, could any Words or Traife, 
 His Learning, Worth, or Reputation raife, 
 
 A a 3 We 
 
We^oulA he Suitors to him to hefiow 
 Encomiums on Himfelf, vjhich\S/Q Jo owe 
 Unto his IVortb, and trje that Elocjusnce, 
 TVhich as his own, mufi claim Vreheminence : 
 For thee, 'tis Glory e?tcngh thou hajl a Son 
 Of Art, that bath thy [elf in Art outdone. 
 
 Sir Francis Khiaflon, Knt. 
 
 To the Unknown Author. 
 
 OF Old, who to the common Good apply* d 
 Or Mind or Means, for it were Deifi'd : 
 But chiefly fuch who nnv Inventions found ^ 
 Bacchus /cr JVine, Ceres that tiU'd the Ground. 
 I knew no reafon Time jJjould breed fuch odds, 
 ( W^ have warrant for t ) Men now may he fiiVd gods. 
 By hiding who thcu art, feek not to mifs 
 The Glory due to fuch a Work as this ', 
 But ft t thy Name, that thou may ft have the Praife, 
 Lefl to the Unknown God we Altars raife. 
 
 Anthony Aucher, Efq;. 
 
 To my Friend the Author. 
 
 To Draife thy Work, were to anticipate 
 Thy Reader s Judgment, and to injure Fate ; 
 Jnjufiice to thy felf ^ for real M^orth 
 Needs not Arts Flattery to fet it forth. 
 Some chufe feledted Wits to write as Friends_, 
 Whofe Verfts, wh§n the Work fails, make amends. 
 So as the Buyer has his Fenny worthy 
 Though what the Author write j>rove jpumy Froth. 
 
 Ihou 
 
Thou, of a Humour crofs to that, hajl chofe 
 A Friend or two, whofe Vtrfe hops like rough Vrofe J 
 From whofe inexpert Vein thou canji not look 
 For Lines that may enhance the Trice oth^ Book. 
 Let it commend it [elf, all we intend 
 Is hut to [Jiew the World thou art our Friend, 
 
 Richard Hatton, Effj; 
 
 To the Reader. 
 
 REader, this Author has not long ago 
 Found out another World to this below : 
 Though that alone might merit great Renown, 
 T^tt in this Book he goes beyond the Moon : 
 Beyond the Moon indeed, for here ycu fee 
 That he from thence hath fetch' d down Mercury ,• 
 One that doth tell us Things both ftrange andnQ^y 
 And yet belie'vet they re not more f range than true. 
 Tm loth to tell thee what rare Things they be. 
 Read thou the Book, and then thou It tell them me, 
 
 Tob. Worhich, J. C Doti, 
 
 To his Honoured Friend J. W. on his 
 Learned TratJy 
 The Secret and Swifc Meffenaer. 
 
 o 
 
 INimitable Sir, we here difcern 
 Maxims the Stagirice himfelf might learn. 
 IPae Plato now ali-ve he'd yield to ycu, 
 Confejfing fomething might i;c Known anew. 
 Frejh Herefies (New-ncthings) fill appear 
 ^/Ahnanacks, the Births of e-vcry Ti:ar. 
 ^•^^^'^^ A a 4 This 
 
7hls Dutchman writes a Comment ; that Tranflates ; 
 
 A third Tranfcribes ^ Tour Ten alone Creates 
 
 Mu' t/ecefjjrj Sciences : This Art 
 
 Lay undifco'verd as the JVorUs Fifth Tart, 
 
 But Secrefy'j no-w publi^'d ; Tou reveal 
 
 By D'/Tvonflraticn how we may conceal. 
 
 Our Legates are but Men, and often may 
 Great State- /Iff airs u?2wiUi',jgly betray ; 
 Caii^k^ by fo me /if ting Sp'es, or tell-tale Wine, 
 Which dig up Secnts in the deefeji Mine, 
 Sometimes, like Fire pent in, they outward break, 
 AvJ cufetheypwuldbefiUnt, therefore [peak. 
 
 Nor are Kng's Writings fafe :■ To guard their Fame ^ 
 Like Scarvola thry wiJJi th^ir Hund i"th' Flame, 
 hk turns to Blood; thiy oft participate 
 By fi'i'.x ,'ind ^ill fad IcarilS his Fate. 
 Hence Nohle7nens bad Writing proves a Tlot j 
 Their Letters are but Lines, their Names a Knot. 
 
 But nojv they fluill no more Seal their own Fall ; 
 No Letter's Drove Killing, or Capital. 
 Things pjjs unknown, and each Amhaffadors 
 Strict as the Breajl of Sacred ConfeJJ'ors^:. 
 Sue a as the Incjuijition cannot jee J 
 Such as are forcd neither by Rack, nor Fee, 
 Swift Secrtcy defends to Hum in Powers j 
 Tk.t which was^ Pluto'^ Helmet, 7iow is Ours. 
 Wcjlh.U not henceforth be in pay for Air, 
 Tr.injpsrted IVords being dear as precious Ware \ 
 Ow ^hiughts v/ill now arrive before they're Ji ale j 
 They (1)jII'7jo wore wait on the Carriers Ale 
 And Hojfefs, tn>o L^'/c^I^emoraes, which bind 
 All to a Tovto'i^Q pace, though Words be Wind. 
 This Bock's a better Ark J we brooJ^ po jiay, 
 AI ugre the deepefi Flood, qr fouleji Way. 
 Commerce of Goods and Souls we owe toTwo, 
 ( Wh.fe Fames fhall now be Twins ) Noah ajtd Ton, 
 Eich Bird is tarnd a Parrot , and we fee 
 ALlop'.r Beajls '^iaJe more tlve^He72t by thee. 
 
 WQoers 
 
Wooers again may wing their fettered Love, 
 
 By NoahV trufiy Meffinger the Dove. 
 
 'Torches "which us" d only to help our Sight, 
 
 ( Like Heavenly Fires ) do gi've our Reafon Lights 
 
 Deaths Hurhingers, Arrows, and Bullets prove 
 
 Lih: Cupid's Darts, Amhaffadors of Love, 
 
 Thrn your Diviner Hieroglyphicks tell. 
 
 How we wiy Land skips read, and PiBures fpell. 
 
 Tou te.ich how Clouds inform, how Smoaks advife ^ 
 
 Thus S.jint; with Incenfe t Ik to DeicieSu 
 
 Thus by du ^b Creatures we infiruclcd are^ 
 
 As the fVife Men were tutor d by a Star. 
 
 S'nce ive, true Serpents like-, do little wrong 
 W/th 'iny other- Member but the Tongue ^ 
 Tk u tell us hiiW we may by GefiurQS t.dk • 
 H w Ftct are made to (peak, as well as walk ,* 
 H w Eyes diTc^urfe, huw myjlick ISfods contrive , 
 Miking our K- owledge too, Intuicive. 
 A Bell no nori but R^etorick .affords ; 
 Our Mafi-k Notes are "Speeches, Sounds are Words, 
 Without -. Trcp: there s L.nguage in a Flowr, 
 Conceits .^re f melt without a Metaphor. 
 Dark Subtletifs we now (h ill joon define, 
 Each Organ's turn'd the Senfe of Difcipline. 
 ^Tis to your Care we owe that we may fend 
 ^ufinefs unknown to any but our Friend, 
 That which is Englifli Friendship to my Brother^ 
 Miiy be thought Greek or J<Jonfenfe to another. 
 We now may HomdrV Iliads confine. 
 Not in a Nut jhell, but a Point, or Line, 
 Which Art though t feem to exceed Faith, yet who 
 Tries it will find both Truth and Reafon too. 
 'Tis not like Jugglers Tricks , abfurd, when fijown ^ 
 But more and more admird, the more 'tis known. 
 
 Writing s an Aii of Emanation, 
 
 ^nd Thoughts fpeed ^uick and far as Day doth run. 
 
 Richard Weft. C. C. Ox, 
 THE 
 
The CONTENTS. 
 
 C' Hap. I. The Dependance of this Kno-whdge in Nature. The j^uthors that 
 J have treated of it. Its Relation to the Jlrt of Grammar. 
 Chap, II. The Conditions re<n.ui(ite to Secrefy '. TheUfe of it in the Matter of 
 
 Speech, either by Fables of the Heathen ; or Parables of Scripture. 
 
 Chap. III. Concerning that Secrefy of Speech, -which cenfifs in the Words, ?;- 
 
 ther hy inventi7ig new ones, as in Canting , or Conjurijtg. Or by changing of the 
 
 JiKOwnLanguage, whether btverfioir, Tranfmutatio7i,Diminution,or ./Augmentation. 
 
 Chap. IV. Concerning the Secret Conveyances of any written Mejfage in Ufe 
 
 amongji the Ancients, either by Land, Water, er the open j^ir. 
 Chap. V. 0/ that Secrefy which conjijis intheMaterials of Writing, whether the 
 
 Paper or the Ink. 
 Chap. VI. Secret Writingwith the cXirntnonLetters,hy changing of their Places . 
 Chap. VII. Cojiceniingjecret Writijig with equalLetters,by changing theirpewers. 
 
 The ufe of this amo7tgf the Jews andRoimns. The Key-CharaBer. 
 
 Ch.YllI.OfSecretWriting by moreLettersthan are reqttifite to the iTttended meaning. 
 
 Chap. IX. of concealifig any written Senfe under barbarous Words, and fuch as 
 
 fhall not feem to he of any Signification. How all the Letters may be exprcffed by 
 
 any jive,thrce,or two of thetn. O/ Writing with a double Alphabet .How from thefe 
 
 two lafi Ways together, there may be contrived the beji kind of Secret Writing. 
 
 Chap. X. p/ Writing airy Secret Senfe by fewer Letters than are required to 
 
 the Words of it. The Ufe of this amongfi the Jews ««^ Romans. 
 Chap .'XI. of Writing by invented CbaraElers. The Dijiin^ion of thefe into 
 ftich as (ignify , either Letters , Words or Notions. The general Rules of unfold- 
 ing and obfcuritig a77y Lettcr-charaffcr, How to exprefs any Senfe, either by 
 Points, or Lines, or Figures. 
 Chap. XII. Of CharaBers that exprefs Words, The firji Invention of thefe. 
 
 of thofe that Jignify Things attd Notions, as Hieroglyphicks, andEmblems. 
 Chap. XIII. Concerning an Univerfal CharaBer , that may he legible to all 
 
 Nations and Languages. The Benefit and Poffibility ef this. 
 Chap. XIV. Concerning the third Way of Secret Dijcourjlvg by Signs andCeJlures, 
 
 which may fignify either ex congruo, velplacito. 
 Chap .XV.ConccrniJig theSwiftnefs of Infortnstions, either hy§lualitics,asthclmpref' 
 Jionof hnagination,andtheSe7tfitivcSpecies ; or by Spiritual Suhjiances, as Angels. 
 Chap. XVI. Conccrni7tg the Swiftnefs of Co7iveyance by Bodies, whether In- 
 animate, as Arrows, Bullets; or Animate, as Men , Beajis, Birds, 
 Chap. XVII. of Secret and Swift hiformatioiis by the Species of Sound. 
 Chap. XVIII. Concer7ii7Jga Language that may C07tjiji only of Turns and Muji- 
 
 cal Notes , wihout avy articulate Sowid. 
 Chap. XIX. Of thofe co7n7non Relations that concern Secret and Swift Infor- 
 mations by the Species of Sight, which are either Fabulous , or Magical. . 
 Chap. XX. of Infor7nations by (ignificatory Fires and Smo'aks. Their Antiquity. 
 The true 7na7i^ci' pf Uftng them T9 this Piirpofe. That thefe vere meant in 
 Nuncius Inanimatiis. 
 
 M E R- 
 
MERCURY, ' 
 
 THE 
 
 Secret and SwifcMeilenger. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The Dependance of this KMowlerlge in l^ature. 
 The Authors that have treated of it. Its Re- 
 lation to the Art of Grammar. 
 
 Very rational Creature, being of an imper- 
 fe<5t and dependent Happinefs, is therefore 
 naturally endowed with an Ability to com- 
 municate its own Thoughts and Intenti- 
 ons ^ that fo by mutual Services, it might the bet- 
 ter promote it felf in the Profecution of its own 
 Well-being. 
 
 And becaufe there is fo vaft a Difference betwixt 
 a Spirit and a Body, therefore hath the Wifdom of 
 Providence contrived a diftind Way and Means, 
 whereby they are each of them enabled roDifcourfe, 
 according to the Variety of their leveral Natures. 
 
 Tlie Angels or Spiritual Subftances , Ter ivftnuatl- ^<?«'-»^ 
 onem fpecierum, (as the Schoolmen fpeak. ) By infi- ^c^l^l^^Qf. 
 nuating of the Species, or an unveiling of their 'z'amh. de 
 own Natures in the Knowledge of fuch Particulars openhuf 
 as they would difcover to another. And fince they De!,piiyf 
 are of an Hotnogmeous and immaterial EK^ncCj there- ^- •3-'"-^9' 
 
 fore 
 
i The Secret and Swift Mejfenger, 
 
 fore do they hear, and know, and fpeak, not with 
 feveral parts, but with. their whole Subftance. And 
 tho' the Aportle mentions the 'Tongue of Angels^ yet 
 ^ ■ ■* ' that is only ?er covc(jJicvem, d^ ex hypQtheJi. 
 
 But now. Men that liave OrganicJ Bodies, cannot 
 communicate their Tiioughts fo ealie and immediate 
 a way. And tliercfore have need of fome Corpo- 
 real Inftruments, both for the Receiving and Convey- 
 ing of Knowledge. Unto both which Fundions, 
 jMature hath dcligned feveral Parts. Amongit the 
 reft, the Ear is chiefly the Senfe of Difcipline or 
 Learning, and the Tongue the Inflrument of Teach- 
 ing. The Communion betwixt both thefe, is by 
 Speech or Language, which was but oneathrft, but 
 hath fince been confounded into feveral kinds. And 
 Experience now fhews, that a Man is equally difr 
 pofed for the Learning of all, according as Educa- 
 vaUefnts ^^o" ^^^^ ditcA him. Which would not be, if (" as 
 sacr.pbil. fbme fondly conceive j any one of them were Na- 
 CAT- 3- tural unto us. For Intus ex^fiens frchibet aliemtm. 
 Gel. Rhod. Of fuppofc that 2. Man could be brought up to the 
 Aiit. isB. Speaking of another Tongue, yet this would not 
 /.2.9.C. 14. hinder, but that he fliould lUU retain his Knowledge 
 of that which was Natural. For if thofe which are 
 gotten by Art do not hinder one another, much 
 lefs would they be any impediment to that which is 
 from Nature. And according to this it will follow, 
 that moft men fiiould be of a double Language, 
 which is evidently falfe. Whence likewife you may 
 guefs at the Abfurdity of their Enquiries, who have 
 fought to hiid out the Primitive Tongue, by bring- 
 int; up Infants in fuch filent folitary Places , where 
 they might not hear the Speech of others- 
 
 Languages are fc far Natural unto us, as other Arts 
 and Sciei^.ces. A Man is born v^ithout any of them, 
 bur yet culpable of all. 
 
 Novv^, becaufe Jl'crds are only for thofe that are 
 preieisit both in Tmc and Vlace ^ therefore to thefe 
 
 there 
 
The Secret and Swift Mffenger. j 
 
 there hath been added, rhe Inventicnof Letters and 
 Writing, which are fuch a Reprefentation of our 
 Words (the' more permanent) as our Words are of 
 our Thoughts. By thefe we may difcourfe with 
 them that are remote from us, not only by the Di- 
 ftance of many Miles, but alfo of many Ages. Hw 
 jus ufu fcimusmaxlrKe conjlare humanitatem 'vita. memo' i'* ' ' * 
 rianty ac hommum tmmnrtdlitatem, laitn Plivj, ^tid jntiqhii 
 hoc magnificentius ? ,^id aejue mirandum ? in tjuod ne I- 4. c 3 
 mortis quidem a'vida rapacitas jus iillum habeaty faith 
 RJjodiginus. This being the chiefeft Means both 
 for the promoting of Human Society, and the per- 
 petuating our Names unto foHowing 1 imes. 
 
 How ftrange a thing this Art of Writing did ^CQm 
 at its firft Invention, we may guefs by the late dif- 
 covered Americam, who were am;:ized to fee Men 
 converfe with Books, and c^uld fcarce make them- 
 felves believe ^hat a Paper ftould fpeak • efpecially , 
 when after all their Attention and iiftning to any 
 Writing ( as their Cuftom was ) they could never 
 perceive any Words or Sound to proceed from 
 it. 
 
 There is a pretty Relation to this Purpofe, con- Henttsm- 
 cerning an Indian Slave j who being fent by his Ma- "^-^ ^^"^^ 
 iter with a Basket of Figs and a Letter, did by the ^'^"i'^',. 
 Way eat up a great Part or his Carnage, convey- pr^f. 
 ing the Remainder unto the Perfon to whom he was 
 direded; who when he had read the Letter , and 
 not finding the Quantity of Figs anfwerable to 
 what was fpoken of, he accufes the Slave of eating 
 them, telling him what the Letter faid againft him. 
 But the Indimt (notwithltanding thisProofj did con- 
 fidently abjure the Fad:^ curfing the Paper, as being 
 a falfe and lying Witnefs. After this, being fent a- 
 gain with the like Carriage, and a Letter expre/Tmg 
 the juft Number of Figs that were to be delivered , 
 he did again, according to his former Pradice , de- 
 vour a gceat Part of them by the Way j but before 
 
 he 
 
T7;e Secret and Swift ^ejfe}i(>er, 
 
 he meddled with any^ (to prevent all following Ac* 
 cufationsj he firft took the Letter, and hid that un- 
 der a great Stone, afluring himfelf, that if it did 
 not fee him eat the Figs, it could never tell of him ; 
 but being now more ftrongly accufed than before, 
 he confefles the Fault, admiring the Divinity of the 
 Paper, and for the future does promife his beft Fide- 
 lity in every Employment. 
 
 Such ftrange Conceits did thofe wilder Nations 
 entertain, concerning this excellent Invention. And 
 doubtlefs it muft needs argue a vaft Ability both of 
 Wit and Memory in that Man who did firft confine 
 all thofe different Sounds of Voice, (which feeni to 
 be almoft of infinite Variety ) within the Bounds of 
 thofe few Letters in the Alphabet. 
 
 The firft Inventor of this was thought to be the 
 Egyptian Mercury, who is therefore ftiled the Mejjen' 
 gcr of the Gods. To which purpofe the Poets have 
 furnifiied him with Wings for Swlftnefs and difpatch 
 in his Errands. And becaufe the Planet of that 
 Name was thought to obferve a more various and 
 obfcure Revolution than any of the reft , therefore 
 likewife did they attribute unto him fuch Secret and 
 fubtle Motions, as might make him a trufty and pri- 
 vate Meffenger, and To the fitter for that Prefer- 
 ment to which for this Invention they had advanced 
 him. 
 
 There is yet another way of Difcourfing, by 
 Signs and Geftures ; and though it be not fo com^ 
 mon in Vradllcc as either of the other, yet in Na- 
 ture perhaps it Is before them both, fince Infants are 
 able this way coexprefs themfelves, before they have 
 the Benefit of Speech. 
 
 But now, becaufe none of thefe ways in ordina- 
 ry Ufe, are either fo Secret ov Sivift as fome Exigen- 
 cies would require ; therefore many of the Ancients 
 have bulled themfelves in a further Enquiry, how 
 both thefe Deficiencies may be remedied ^ as con- 
 ceiving 
 
The Secret and Swift t^ieffenger. j 
 
 ceiving that fuch a Difcovery would be of excellent 
 Uie, efpecially for fome Occafions that are incident 
 to State/men and Soldiers. 
 
 That the Ignorance of Secret and STvifi Convey- 
 ances, hath often proved Fatal, not only to the Ru- 
 in of particular Perfons, but alfo of whole Armies 
 and Kingdoms, may eafily appear to any one that 
 is but little verfed in Story. And therefore the re- 
 drefling of thefe may be a Subjed worth our 
 Enquiry. 
 
 Amongfl the Ancients that have moft laboured in 
 thefe Particulars, f ayEneas, Cleomenes , and Dentocri- ... 
 tusy ( as they are cited by ^ Toljblus ) were for their J^J ""'^*^" 
 Inventions of this kind, more remarkably eminent. *H:J}.Lio. 
 And that .*. Author himfelf hath given us fuch an 
 exad Relation of the Knowledge of Antiquity in •'•M^J^-^ 
 thefe things, that 'tis a wonder thefe following A- 'j:^ ^"'^'^ 
 
 "iTiey)! , 
 
 ges fliould either take no more notice, or make no 
 more ufe of it. Befides thefe,, there is alfo Julius 
 Africa7tuSj and Vhilo Mechanicns , two Ancient Gre- 
 cians, who have likewife treated of this Subjecl. 
 
 The Military Significations in ufe amongil the 
 Romans, are handled by t Vezetins and * Froini- ^ ^' '"^, 
 
 ' " TTililt. I. \. 
 
 "«'• c. s. 
 
 Their Notes of Secrefy, and Abbreviation in *DeStrat. 
 Writing, are largely fet down by * l^alerius Vrobus , 
 and Vet. Diaconus. There is likewife a Volume of *^- ^<^«°ii^ 
 thefe ^tt forth by Janus Gruterus, which for their '"''''3'««^* 
 firft Invention are commonly afcribed unto Cicoc and *\.r ^ 
 
 ■fi Q Trie Fa* 
 
 Soteca. ^^^^ 
 
 In latter times thefe particulars have been more 
 
 fu.l;y handled by the Abbot ^Trithemlus, » Tbeodarus 
 
 Bihiiandcr, '^ B.ipifia ?orta. Cardan. Subtil. /. 17. de *L.dePo~ 
 
 V,ir. C. 12. 6. ^ IfaacCcfaubon, ' Johannes Walchius, ^ys>'^l\ 
 
 ^^Gu^avusSelenus, " G.r^.rdns VoJJius , i Hermanms tl"'T' 
 
 Hi{go, y.nd divers others in particular Languages. ^ Traa.de 
 
 ratiene 
 comffjun. hnguarum. ^ Lib. de Zyphrh^ ^ ^otisin JEnea Polyorutlca. ^ Fah. 
 2^^.atCrj>mT, b de.Gram. L. i.e. 40. ^ L. deOr.Scrih. deylugm.Scientiar.l.e.c.i. 
 
 Amgngft 
 
The Secret and Swift M'jfemer. 
 
 Amongft the reft, our EngliSh AriMe, the Learri- 
 ed Verdaw, in that Work truly ftiled the Ad^.nce- 
 mentoi Learning hath briefly contraded the whole 
 Subftance of what may be Uxd in this Subjed. 
 Where he refers it to the Art of Gr..mmar, noting it 
 as a deficient Part And in reference to this is it 
 handled by moft of thofe Authors who have treated 
 or it. 
 
 That Art, in its true Latitude comprehetdinp a 
 Treaty, concerning all the Ways of Difcourfe, whe- 
 ther by Speech, or by Writing, or by Gefture , to« 
 gether with the feveral Circumftances pertaining to 
 them. And fo this Subjed belongs to the Mint of 
 Knowledge ,• Expreflions being currant for Con- 
 ceits, as Money is for Valuations. 
 
 Now as it will concern a Man that deals in Traf- 
 fick, to underftand the feveral kinds of Money, and 
 that it may be framed of other Materials befides Sil- 
 ver and Gold : ^ likewife does it behove them who 
 profefs the Knowledge of Nature or Reafon,rightly 
 to apprehend the feveral Ways whereby they may 
 be exprefled. 
 
 So that befides the Ufefulnefs of this Subjed for 
 fome fpecial Occafions, it doth alfo belong unto one 
 of the Liberal Arts. 
 
 From Which Confiderations we may infer , that 
 thefe particulars are not fo trivial, as perhaps other- 
 ways they would feem ,• and that there is fufficient 
 motive to excite any Induftrious Spirit unto a further 
 Search after them. 
 
 In. this following Difcourfe I ffiall enquire, 
 
 1. Concerning the Seaefy of Means, whereby to 
 communicate our Thoughts^ 
 
 2. Concerning their Swiftnefs, or quick pafling at 
 any great Diftance. 
 
 3. How they may be both joined together in the 
 Conveyance of any MelTage. 
 
 In the Profeciition of which, I (hall alfo'mention 
 
77;e Secret and Swift Mejfeiif^er, ' 
 
 (befides the true Difcoverics j mod of thofe other ways, 
 whether Magical, or FabulonSj chat are received upon 
 common Tradition. 
 
 CHAP. ir. 
 
 The ConStions requijite to Secrefy : The ufe of it 
 in the Matter of Speedy either 
 
 rFalles of the Heathen. 
 (Parages of Scripture. 
 
 TO the Exa^tnefs of Secrefy in any way of 
 Difcourfe, there are thefe two Qualifications 
 requifite. 
 
 1. That it be difficult to be unfolded, if it fhould 
 be doubted of, or examined. 
 
 2. That it be (if poflible) altogether devoid of 
 Sufpicion ; for fo far as it is liable to this, it may be 
 faid to come fhort in the very Nature of Secrefy ; 
 iiece what is once fufpecSled, is expofed to the Dan- 
 ger of Examination, and in a ready way to be di(^ 
 cover'd ; but if not, yet a man is more likely to be 
 difappointed in his Intentions, when his Proceedings 
 are miftrufted. 
 
 Both thefe Conditions together are to be found 
 but in few of the following [nftances ; only they are 
 here fpecified, to fhew what a Man fliould aim at , 
 in the Inventions of this Nature. 
 
 The Art of fecret Information in the General, as 
 it includes all fignificatory Signs, may beitiled Cr^^- 
 tomemfes, or private Intimations. 
 
 The particular Ways of Difcourfing, were before 
 intimated to be threefold. 
 I. By Speaking. 
 
 B b 2. Bv 
 
8 • Tl^e Secret and Swift Meffnigc^r, 
 
 2. By Writing. 
 5. By Signs or Geftures. 
 According to which Variety, there are alfo dif- 
 ferent Ways of Secrefy. 
 
 1. Cryptologia. 
 
 2. Crj'ptogrc:pbia. 
 5. Stmaolcgia. 
 
 Cryptologia, or the Secrefy of Speaking, may con- 
 fift either, 
 
 1. In the Matter. 
 
 2. In the Words. 
 
 I. In the Mutter : When the thing we would ut- 
 ter is fo concealed under the Expreffion of fome o- 
 ther Matter, that it is not of obvious Conceit. To 
 which purpofe are the Met-^>phors, Allegories, and di- 
 vers other Tropes of Oratory ^ which, fo far as 
 they concern the Ornameftt of Speech, do properly 
 belong to Rhctorick ; but as they may be applied for 
 the Sicrefy of Speech, fo are they reducible unto this 
 Part of Grafnmar. 
 
 To this likewife appertains all that amgw^tical 
 Learning, unto which not only the Learned Hea- 
 then, but their Gods alfo were fo much devoted, as 
 appears by the flrange and frequent Ambiguities of 
 the Oroides and Sybils. And thofe were counted the 
 moft profound Philofophers amongit them, who 
 were beft able for the Invention of fuch afFeifted 
 Obfcurities. 
 
 Of this kind alfo were all thofe myftcriousK;'^/^/, 
 MUf, under which the Ancients did veil the Secrets of their 
 Religion and Fhilofop by y counting it aProphaneThing 
 to proftitute the hidden Matters of either, unto 
 Vulgar Apprehenfion. ,^tia jciunt inimicam ej]e na- 
 tura^ apertam nudam^tte expojitionem fui j cjux', Jicut 
 ^ulgaribits hominuyn jenf.bus, inteUeBam fui, -vario rerum 
 tegmine operimentoejue Jubtr^xit, it a n prudentibus arcana 
 luSomn. fua 'voluit per fabulofa traHari J {m.i\\ Mucrobius. The 
 
 scip.Lib.i. Gods and Nature would not thcmfelves have Wdden 
 c<jp. 2. fo 
 
The Secret and Swift Meffenger. 9 
 
 fo many things from us^ if they had intended them 
 for common tjnderltandingSj or that others fhould 
 treat of them after an eafy and perfpicuous Way : 
 Hence was it that the Learned Men of former times 
 were fo generally inclined to involve all thsirLearn- 
 ing, in obfcure and mylterious Expre (lions. Thus 
 did the Egyptian Priefts_, the Pythagoreans, Ylatcnicksy 
 and almoft all other Seds and Profeffions. 
 
 And to this general Cuftom of thofe Ages ( we parables. 
 may guefs) the Holy Ghoftdoes allude, in the fre- 
 <]uent V arables both of the Old and NewTeftament. commen.in 
 Parabola eft fermo (imilitudinarius, qui aliitd dicit ^ aliud Ifai. 14. 
 fignificat, faith Aquiftas. It is fuch a Speech of Si- 
 militude, as fays one thing and means another. The ^ , 
 pifciples do directly oppofe it to plain fpeaking. Be- 2^, ^ ' '' 
 hold now fpeakeft then plainly, and no V arables. 
 
 And elfewhere 'tis intimated , that our Saviour 
 did ufe that Manner of Teaching for the Secrefy of 
 it : That thofe proud and perverfe Auditors , who 
 would not apply themfelves to the Obedience of his 
 DoArine, mieht not fo much as underftand it. To ^^' ^^' 
 
 JO I T 
 
 "whom it is not given to hioiv the myftcries of the King- JVfark 4. 
 dom of God, to them all things are done in V arables, that 11,12. 
 feeing they may fee and not perceive, and hearing they 
 may hear and not underftand. 
 
 The Art of thefe was fo to imply a fecret Argu- ^H- ^■^^' 
 ment, that the Adverfary might unawares be ^-^J"""'^' 
 brought over to an Acknowledgement and Confef- sTst. <]' 
 fion of the thing we would have. Thus did Nathan ^ Sam.12. 
 unexpectedly difcover to David, the Cruelty and In- 
 juftice of his Proceedings in the Cafe of Uriah. 
 Thus did another Prophet make /4^/7^ condemn him- 
 (elf, for fuffering the King of Syria to efcape. And ^^*"S« 
 by this means did our Saviour in the Parable of the Mat.^?! 
 Vineyard, and the unjuft Husbandman, force the 31, 
 unbelieving Jews to a fecret Acknowledgm^ent 
 of thofe Judgments they had themfelves deferved. 
 
 Bb ?. or 
 
1 Tl)e Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 Of this Nature was that Argument of an ancient 
 OratoryWho when the Enemies had propofed Peitce, 
 upon this Condition, that the City Ihould banifti 
 their Teachers and Philofophers, he fteps up and 
 tells the People a Tale, of certain Wars betwixt the 
 Wolves and the Sheep, and that the Wolves promi- 
 fed to make a League, if the Sheep would put away 
 their MaftifF- Dogs. By this means better inftruding 
 them of the Danger and Madnefs there would be , 
 in yeilding to fuch a Condition. 
 
 The Je-wijh Dodors do generally in their TalmuJ, 
 
 and all their other Writings, accuftom themfelves to 
 
 a Parabolical Way of Teaching ; and 'tis obferved, 
 
 that many of thofe horrid Fables that are fathered 
 
 upon them, do arife from a Mifapprehenfion of 
 
 . them in this particular ; Whilft others interpret that 
 
 ELmen according to the Letter, which they intended only 
 
 Commen. for the Moral. As that which one Rahby relates,con- 
 
 Rahbin ccrning a Lyon in the Foreft of El^iy , that at the 
 
 ^'Z 7- dirtance of Four hundred Leagues, did with his 
 
 Roaring fhake down the Walls of Rome, and make the 
 
 Women Abortive. Wherein he did not affirm the 
 
 Exiftence of any fuch Monlter, but only intimate 
 
 the Terriblenefs and Power of the Divine Majefty. 
 
 But this by the way. 
 
 By this Art many Men are able in their ordinary 
 Difcourles , (b fecretly to convey their Counfels, 
 or Reproofs, that none iTiall underftand them , but 
 thofe whom they concern. And this way of teach- 
 ing hath a great Advantage above any other, by rea- 
 fon it hath much more Power in exciting the Fancy 
 and Aifedions. Plain Arguments and Moral Pre- 
 cepts barely propofed , are more flat in their Ope- 
 ration, not fo lively and perfwafive, as when they 
 Heal into a Man's AlTent , under the Covert of a 
 Parable. 
 
 To be expert in this particular, is not in every 
 Man's Power ^ like Poetry, it requires fuch a Na- 
 tural 
 
The Secret and Swift M<:[}enger, 1 1 
 
 tural Faculty as cannot be taught. But fo far as it 
 falls under the Rules and Dire^aions of Art , it be- 
 longs to the Precepts of Oratory. 
 
 In the General 'tis to be obferved, That in thefe 
 Cafes a Man muft be very careful to make Choice 
 of fuch a Subjed, as may bear in it fome proper A- 
 nalogy and Refemblance to the chief Bufinefs. And 
 he muft before-hand in his Thoughts, fo aptly con- 
 trive the feveral Parts of the Similitude , that they 
 may fitly anfwer unto thofe particular Paflages 
 which are of greateft Confequence. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Concerning that Secrejy of Speech , rohkh conjifts 
 in the Wordsj Either 
 
 By irve.iting new onts A Canting. 
 as in ^Conjuring, 
 
 Or by a changing Inverfion. 
 of the known^Tranfmutation, 
 Language,\\he- J Diminution, 
 ther ^ Augmentation, 
 
 THe fecrct Ways of Speaking, which confifl irj 
 the Matter of Difcourfe , have been already 
 handled. Thofe that are in the Words are Two- 
 fold. Either, 
 
 1. By inventing new Words of our own , which 
 fliall fignifie upon compad. 
 
 2. Or by fuch an Alteration of any known Lan- 
 guage, that in Pronunciation it fhall feemas obfcure, 
 as if it were altogether barbarous. 
 
 To the firft kind we may refer the C<zwr>»^ of Beg- 
 gars ,• who though they retain the common Parti- 
 
 B b 3 clcs, 
 
1 2 The Secret ami Swift Mejjenger, 
 
 cles, yet have impofcd new Names upon all fuch 
 Matters as may happen to be of greateft Confe- 
 quence and Secrefy. 
 
 And of this Nature the Charms of Witches, and 
 Language of Magicians feem to be. Though of 
 thefe it may well be doubted, whether they have any 
 Signification at all. And if they have, whether a- 
 nyunderftand them,butthe Devil himfelf. *Tispro- 
 bable he did invent fuch horrid and barbarous Sounds, 
 that by them he might more eafily delude the weak 
 TraSf. de I^T^aginations of his credulous Difciples. Martinm 
 fupcrftitia- de Arks, an Archdeacon in N'jt/.'zr, fpeaking of a 
 vibus. Conjuring-book, that was found in a Parifh under 
 his Vifitation, repeats out of it thefe Forms of Dif- 
 COUrHng with the Devil. Conjure te per alim , per a- 
 Uofjy per feboan, per adonay, per allelujah, per tanti, per 
 archabulon, &c. And a little after, Sitis allcgatl & 
 co7iJirlHiper ifia jantia 7iomhhi Deij Hirj telli, habet^fat, 
 ml, jillfgLS, adrctiagundi, tat, cham'itermn , &C. And 
 in another Place, Corifcion, Alat^nren, Caladafojf, Oz,- 
 
 C0Z.O, Tofid, &c. 
 
 In which Forms the common Particles and Words 
 of ufual Senfe, are plainly fet down in ordinary 
 Latin ,• but many of the other , which feem to have 
 the greatell: Efficacy, are of fuch fecretScnfc, as I 
 think no Linguiit can difcover. 
 
 The Inventions of diis kind do not fall under a- 
 ny^parcicular Rule or Maxim, but may be equally 
 Infinite to the Variety of articulate Sounds. 
 ^uri^iit I The fccond Way of Secrefy in Speech, is by an 
 T.^'cap^ ^. Alteration of any known Language, which is far 
 Sehnus dc morc cafic, and may prove of as much Ufe for the 
 Cry^togra- PniyaCy of It, 33 the Other. This may be performed 
 ih.a.i z. Pour Ways. 
 
 •cap. J . -^ 
 
 ■ •' ■' ' J. By Inverfion y whtn either thQ Letters ov Syla- 
 hles arc fptlied backwards. 
 
 Mitto tihi M ETU L A S cancrot imitare legendo ^ 
 where the Word S A LUT E M isexprelied by an 
 
The Secret and Smft Mefjenger, 13 
 
 Inverfion of the Letters. Or as in this other Ex- 
 ample^ Stijlw estady 'veca bitiy which by an Inverfi- 
 on of the Sylables ^ is Hoftis adtfij ca'ue tlhl. 
 
 2. By Trcwfmutation, or a mutual changing of one 
 Letter for another in Pronunciation ; anfwerable to 
 that Form of Writings mentioned in the Seventh 
 Chapter. And tho this may feem of great Difficul- 
 ty^ yet Ufe and Experience will make it eafie. 
 
 3. By Contracting fome Words, and leaving Part 
 of them out ,• pronouncing them after fome fuch 
 Way as they were wont to be both Written and 
 Printed in ancient Copies. Thus "« a ftands for ^»;- 
 ma, Arl's for Arifiotdes. But this can be but of 
 fmall \J^Q in the Englijh Tongue, becaufe that does 
 confift moil of Monofylabks. 
 
 4. By Augmenting Words with the Addition of o- 
 ther Letters. Of which kind is that fecret Way of 
 Difcourfing in ordinary Ufe , by doubling 
 the Vowels that make the. Sylables and in- 
 terpofmg G. or any other Confonant , K, 
 P. T. R. &c. or other Sylable s, as Vorta lib. i. caf, 
 J. Je flirt iv. liter, notis. Thus if I would fay , Our 
 'Plot IS difco'vered, it muft be pronounced thus, Ottgour 
 flogot igis digifcogovegereged. Which does not feem 
 fo obfcure in Writing, as it will in Speech and Pro- 
 nunciation. And it is fo eafie to be learnt, that I 
 have known little Children, almoft as foon as they 
 could fpeak, difcourfe to one another as faft this 
 Way, as they could in their plaineft Engliflj, 
 
 But all thefe latter kinds of Secrefy in Speech, 
 have this grand Inconvenience in them , that they ^, 
 are not without Sufpicion. ^^* 
 
 There are fome other Ways of Speaking by inar- 
 ticulate Sounds, which I fhall mention afterwards. 
 
 Bb4 CHAP. 
 
 18. 
 
T 
 
 4 The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Concerning the Secret Conveyances of any written 
 Mejfiige in Ufe amongfl the Ancients, 
 
 C Lard, 
 Either hy<lVater. 
 
 C The open Air. 
 
 He Secrefy of any yNntttn\itK'<\gQ ^Conveyance. 
 may conlill: either in the \tVriting. 
 
 I. In the Corrjeycmce, when a Letter is fo clofely 
 concealed in the Caniage of it, as to delude the 
 Search and Sufpicion of the Adverfary. Of which 
 kind the Ancient Hiltorians do furnifh us with divers 
 Relations, reducible in the General unto thefe three 
 Heads. Thofc that are 
 
 1. By Land. 
 
 2. By Water. 
 
 3. Through the open Air. 
 I. The fecret Conveyances by Land, may be of 
 
 numberlefs variety j but thofe ancient Inventions of 
 this Nature, which to my Remembrance are molt 
 obvious and remarkable, are thefe. 
 
 That of Har^ngus the Mede ( mentionea by Hero- 
 dotus and Jujlio) who when he would exhort Cyrus 
 .. to a Confpiracy againft the King his Uncle, ( and 
 
 '^■^*"* ■'■ not daring to commit any fuch MelTage to the ordi- 
 nary Way of Conveyance , efpecially fmce the 
 King's Jealoufy had flopped up all Paffages with 
 Spies and Watchmen) he puis his Letters into the 
 Belly of a Llare, which, together with certain Hun- 
 ters Nets, he delivered unto a trufty Servant, who 
 ■ under this Difguife of alluntfman, got an unfuf- 
 necied PafTage to Cyrus. And Aslyages himfelf was 
 
 by 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger, 
 
 by this Confpiracy bereaved of that Kingdom which 
 was then the greatefl Monarchy in the World. 
 
 To this Purpofe likewife is that of D^w-r/r^r/^j King 
 of Sparta, who being banifhed from his own Coun- 
 try, and received in the Terfum Court, when he 
 there underftood of Zerxes his Defign and Preparati- 
 on for a War with Greece, he ufed chefe means for 
 the Difcovery of it unto his Countrey-men. Having 
 writ an Epiftle in a * Tablet of Wood , he covered 
 over the Letters with Wax , and then commit- 
 ted it unto a truily Servant , to be delivered 
 unto the Magiftrates of Lacedamon j who, when 
 they had received it_, were for a long time in a per- 
 plexed Confultation what it (liould mean j they did 
 fee nothing written, and yet could not conceive but 
 that it fhould import feme weighty Secret- till at 
 length the King's Sifter did accidentally difcoverthe 
 Writing under the Wax ; By which means the Greci- 
 ans were fo well provided for the following War, as 
 to give a Defeat to the greateft and moft numerous 
 Army that is mentioned in Hiftory. 
 
 The Fathers of the Council of Evhefits, when Ne- 
 jiorius was condemned , being ftridtly debarred from 
 all ordinary Ways of Conveyances, were fain to fend 
 umo Conjlantinople by one in the Difguife of a Beggar. 
 
 Some Meflengers have been fent away in Coffins 
 as being dead : Some others in the Difguife of Brute 
 Creatures, as thofe whom Jofephns mentions in the 
 Siege of Jotapata, who crept out of the City by 
 Night like Dogs. 
 
 Others have conveyed Letters to their imprifoned 
 Friends, by putting them into the Food they vv^ere 
 to receive, which is related of Tolycrita. Laurentius 
 Medices involving his Epiftles in a Piece of Bread, 
 did fend them by a certain Nobleman in the Form of 
 a Beggar. There is another Relation of one, who 
 foiled up his Letters in a Wax-candle , bidding the 
 Meflenger tell the Party that was to receive it, that 
 
 the 
 
 15 
 
 Jujiin.l.z, 
 See the 
 like rela- 
 ted of Hsf~ 
 mucar. lb. 
 I. 2 1. 
 
 * Such as 
 formerly 
 they were 
 wont to 
 write 
 upon, 
 whence 
 the Phraft 
 KafaTabu- 
 la, and //- 
 tera a Utw 
 
 jfaac.Cafa. 
 Not is in 
 JEnae Po- 
 ll or. f . 3 1. 
 
 De B:lh 
 Judaic.l-l. 
 
 Herm. 
 Hugo di 
 Or ig. Sen J. 
 c. IS. 
 SoUmyi. de 
 ^ryptogra. 
 fhiit, I. 8.- 
 e. 7. 
 
Poliorcet. 
 c. It, 
 
 \6 The Secret and Sim ft Me/fenger. 
 
 the Candle would give him Light for his Bufinefs. 
 There is yec a llranger Conveyance fpoken of in 
 iiy£neas, by Writin,(^ on Leaves^ and afterwards with 
 thefe Leaves covering over fome fore or putrid Ul- 
 cer, where the Enemy would never fufped any fe- 
 cret MeiTctge. 
 
 Others have carried Epiftles infcribed upon their 
 ov/n Flefh, which is reckoned amonglt chofe fecrer 
 Conveyances mentioned by Oi-vV. 
 
 DiArte Caveat hoc ciifiosy fro chart a, confcia tergum 
 
 Ammd. Vrahiat^ inc^ue [no corf ore 'verba ferat. 
 
 But amonglt all the ancient Pradices in this kind, 
 there is none for the Strangenefs, to be compared 
 unto that of Hjfliausy mentioned by Herodotus, and 
 out of him in Julus Gellius ; who whilit he refided 
 with Darius in Verjia, being defirous to fend unto A- 
 riflagoras in Greece, about revolting from the Verfian 
 Government, ( concerning which they had before 
 conferred together ) but not knowing well how at 
 that Diftance to convey fo dangerous a Bufmefs 
 with fufficientSecrefy, heat length contrived it af- 
 ter this Manner : He chofe one of his Houfliold-Ser- 
 vants that was troubled v/ith fore Eyes , pretending 
 that for his Recovery his Hair muft be fhaved, and 
 his Head fcarified j in the Performance of 
 which //i/i^/.'j took occafion to Imprint his fecret 
 Intentions on his Servant's Head ,• and keeping him 
 clofe at Home till his Hair was grown , he then told 
 him, That for his perfed Recovery , he mult travel 
 into Greece unto Arifiagoras, who by (having his Hair 
 the fecond Time, would certainly reftore him. By 
 which Relation you may fee what ftrange Shifts the 
 Ancients were put unto, for want of Skill in ^his 
 Subjed: that is here difcourfed of. 
 
 'Tis reported of fome Fugitive Jews at the Siege 
 of J.rufalem, who more fecurely to carry away their 
 Gold, did firft melt it into Bullets, and then fwallow 
 it down , venting it afterwards amongft their other 
 
 Excre- 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger, \y 
 
 Excrements. Now if a Man had but his Faculty , ^'^i^-^^^y' 
 who could write Homer sill ads in fo fmall a Volume ^'fi- ^- ^• 
 as might be contained in a Nut-fhell ,• it were an 
 eafie Matter for him, by this Trick of the Jews^ fe- 
 curely to convey a whole Pacquet of Letters. 
 
 2. When all the Land-Paflages have been flopped ^ gy^Va-* 
 up, then have the Ancients ufed other fecret Con- ter. J 
 veyances by Water ,♦ writing their Intentions on thin 
 
 Plates of Lead, and faftning them to the Arms or 
 Thighs of fome expert Swimmer. * Frontimts re- De stra- 
 lates, that when Lucullus would inform a Befieged ^^^' ■^■'^* 
 City of his coming to fuccour them, he put his Let- 
 ters into two Bladders, betwixt which a common 
 Soldier in the Dilguife of a Sea-monfter , was ap- 
 pointed to fwim into the City. There have been 
 likewife more exquifite Inventions to pafs under the 
 Water, either by a Man's Self, or in a Boat, where- 
 in he might alfo carry Provifion,only having a long 
 Trunk or Pipe, with a Tunnel at the Top of it, to 
 let down frefii Air. But for the Prevention of all 
 fuch Conveyances, the Ancients were wont in their 
 ftrideft Sieges, to crofs the Rivers with ftrong * "" pUn. l. 
 Nets, to fatten Stakes in feveral Parts of the Chan- lo. c. 37. 
 nel with Iharp Irons, as the Blades of Swords, flick- 
 ing upon them. 
 
 3. Hence was it that there hjve been other ifiean? 3. Thro' 
 attempted through the open Air, either by ufing the open 
 Birds, as Pigeons and Swallows inftead of MelTen- ' 
 gers, of which I fliall treat more particularly in the 
 fixteenth Chapter. Or elfe by faftning a Writing to 
 
 an Arrow, or the Weight that is caft from a Sling. 
 
 Somewhat of this Nature, was that Intimation a- 
 greed upon betwixt David and Jonathan , though 1 Sam.so. 
 that Invention does fomewhat favour of the Ancient 
 Simplicity and Rudenefs. It was -a more exad In- 
 vention ipentioned by Herodotus concerning Artaba- 
 zus and Timoxenusy who when they could not come 
 together, were wonc to inform one another of anv 
 
 Thing 
 
1 8 Tl^e Secret and Swift Mejjenger, 
 
 Thing that concerned their Affairs , by faftning a 
 Letter unto an Arrow, and direding it unto fome 
 appointed Place, where it might be received. 
 
 Thus al o Cleoftymtts King of Lacedamon, in the 
 Siege of the City Trtz^cm^ enjoyned the Soldiers to 
 fhoot feveriil Arrows into the Town , with Notes 
 faftned unto them having this Infcripticn , "hk^-^ 
 TttKiv ixdj^^umtv, J come that I may reftore this Vlnce to 
 its Liberty. Upon which the credulous and difcon- 
 tented Inhabitants were very willing to let him en- 
 ter. 
 
 When Cicero was fb ftreightly Befieged by the 
 Gauls, that the Soldiers were almoft ready to yield ; 
 Cafar being defirous to encourage him with the News 
 of fome other Forces that were to come unto his 
 Aid, did fiioot an Arrow into the City , with thefe 
 Words faftned unto it, Cafar Ciceroni fJuciam oft at , 
 expecta auxiliam. By which means the Soldiers were 
 perfuaded to hold out fo long, till thefe new Suc- 
 cours did arrive and break up the Siege. 
 
 The fame thing might alfo be done more fecurely, 
 by rolling up a Note within the Head of an Arrow, 
 and then Shooting of it to a Confederates Tent, or 
 to any other appointed Place. 
 
 To this purpofe is that which Lyfjius relates out of 
 j^pfian, concerning an ancient Cultom for the Be- 
 fieged to write their Minds briefly in a little Piece 
 of Lead, which they could with a Sling caft a great 
 Diftance, and exactly hit any fuch particular Place 
 as ffiould be agreed upon, where the Confederate 
 might receive it, and by the fame means return an 
 Anfwer. 
 
 Of this Nature likewife are thofe kind of Bullets, 
 lately invented in thefe German Wars, in which they 
 can ftoot, not only Letters, Corn , and the like, 
 but ('which is the ftrangeft) Powder alfo into a be- 
 fwged City. 
 
 But 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 1 9 
 
 But amongft all other poflible Conveyances thro* 
 the Air, Imagination it felf cannot conceive any 
 one more ufeful, than the Invention of a flymg 
 Chariot, which I have mentioned elfewhere. Since by World m 
 this means a Man may have as free a Pp ITage as a Bird, ^f^p T*"' 
 which is not hindered, either by the higheft Walls,or ^' 
 the deepeft Rivers and Trenches, or the moft watch- 
 ful Centinels. But of this perhaps I may have occa- 
 fion to treat more largely in fome other Difcourfe. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Of that Secrefy which conjifts in the Materials of 
 Writings whether the Paper or Ink. 
 
 TH E feveral Inventions of the Ancients , for 
 the private Corvveyance of any written MeiTage, 
 were the Subjedt of the laft Chapter. 
 The Secrefy of Wrlung may confift, 
 CThe Materials, 
 Either in-^ Or, 
 
 (The Form. 
 I. The Materials of Writing, are, the Paper and Selmusdt 
 Ink, (or that which is inftead of them; both which Cr^/rro^^. 
 maybe fo privately ordered, that the infcribed •^'^^^'^ 
 Senfe fhall not be difcoverable , without certain 
 Helps and Diredions. 
 
 I. The chief Contrivance of Secrefy by the i.rhtPa^ 
 Paper in Ufe amongft the Ancients, was, the Lace- $sr, 
 demonian Scytale ; the Manner of which was thus : 
 There were provided two round Staves , of an 
 equal Length and Size , the Magiftrates always re- 
 taining one of them at Home, and the other being 
 carry 'd abroad by the General, at his going forth to 
 War. When there was any fecret Bufmefs to be 
 writ by it, their manner was , to wrap a narrow 
 Thong of Parchment about one of thefe Staves, 
 
 by 
 
2 o The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 by a Serpentine Revolution , fo that the Edges of 
 it might meet clofe together ,• upon both which 
 Edges they infcribed their Epillle ^ whereas , the 
 Parchment being taken ofF^ there appeared nothing 
 but Pieces of Letters on the Sides of it , which 
 could not be joined together into the right Senfe, 
 without the true Scyt^le. Thus is it briefly and ful- 
 ly defcribed by Aufcnim. 
 
 Vel Lacedemonlam Scytahn imitare lihelliy 
 j4ufomu} Segmina Pergnmei, terett, circumdata ligno, 
 
 (id Paul f Terpetm infcrihens 'verftt, de'mde folutus, 
 
 Non refpondtntes ff>arfo dabit or dine form as. 
 In vitaLy- You may read in Plutarch , how by this means 
 fandri. Tharnahaz, did deceive Lyfander. 
 
 'Tis true, indeed, that this Way was not of fuch 
 
 inextricable Secrefy , but that a little Examination 
 
 P -,- might have eafily difcover'd it, fas Scaliger truly ob- 
 
 ferves ); however, in thofe iVges, which were lefs 
 
 verfed in thefe Kinds of Experiments , it feemed 
 
 much more fecret than now it does unto us ^ and in 
 
 thefe Times, there are fuch other means of private 
 
 Difcourfmg, which even Scaliger s Eyes (as good as 
 
 they were) could not difcover. And therefore it 
 
 rofius de was too inconfiderate and magifterial a Sentence of 
 
 4rteGrarA. him, ffom thcncc to conclude all this kind of Learn- 
 
 /. I.e. 40. -^g fQ ijg v^jj^ and ufelefs, ferving only for Impo- 
 
 fture, and to perplex the Enquirer. 
 
 'Tis certain, that fome Occafions may require the 
 
 exadeft Privacy ; and 'tis as certain, that there may 
 
 be forrie Ways of Secrefy , which it were Madnefs 
 
 for a Man to think he could unfold. Furori fimik 
 
 Feget.^ere ^jj'^ i/idetur, [ibi alisfuem perfnadere , tarn circuwfpeBum 
 
 ^^^^' ' 3' loominem ejje pojje, ut fe d furtivo quodam fcriptOy abdi- 
 
 tacfj machinatione tueri pojjlt : Nam afians quilibety 'vel 
 
 proctd di flans locjuitur, & faBum nunciat, ut non folum 
 
 ti nemlne percipiatur , fed nejic e^aidem Jignlficare (^uippi" 
 
 am pojje exiBimet, faith Vegetius. And Baptijla Porta, 
 
 ^/"ft-^'j who had a itrange and incredible Ability in difco- 
 
 «X"' Bering 
 
The Secret and Swift Meffenger. 2 1 
 
 Bering of Secret Writings , yet doth ingenioufly 
 Confefs, Multa effe pojfe furti'va fcripta , e^ua fe inter- 
 freinturHm ejuenquam poUicerij furorem ac delirium plane 
 exiJl'imarem. 
 
 So that tho' the Ancient Inventions of this Kind 
 were too eafily difcoverable , yet ScaUger had no 
 Reafon to conclude this to be a needlefs Art, or that 
 therefore he could unfold any other way that might 
 be invented. But this by the by. 
 
 2. The other Material of Writing, is, the Ink, or ^.TKelnk- 
 that Liquor which is ufed inftead of it ; by which 
 Means alfo there are fundry Ways of Secrefy^ com- PonaMa- 
 mcnly mentioned in Natural Magick. gi^e, i i6. 
 
 Thus, if a Man write with Salt Armoniack dif- ^^^cker de 
 folved in t^ater, the Letters will not appear legible, j'^JJ^^^ 'p^'_ 
 till the Paper be held by the Fire : This others af- tius Expe- 
 firm to be true alfo in the Juice of Onions, Lemons, fiene. 
 with divers the like Acid and Corroding Moiftures. Cardajr. 
 
 And on the contrary, thofe Letters that are writ- Jmie-JI. 
 ten with difTolved Allum , will not be difcernable, rietate, i. 
 till the Paper be dipped in Water. i2.c. 6i. 
 
 There are fome other Juices, that do not appear, ■^^^■^- 
 till the Paper be held betwixt a Candle and the 
 Eye. 
 
 That which is written with the Water of putri- ^'i^liand<fi- 
 fy'd Willow, or the diftilled Juice of Glcworms, .'^'J^^'^f 
 will not be vifible but in the Dark • as Vorta affirms ^ar-um. 
 from his own Experience. Defurtiv. 
 
 There is alfo a Secret Way of Writing with two iitjixn 
 feveral Inks, both of them alike in Colour, but the 
 one being of that Nature, that it will eafily be rub- 
 bed or waftied off, and the other not. 
 
 A Man may likewife write fecretly with a raw 
 Egg , the Letters of which being throughly dried, 
 let the whole Paper be blacked over with Ink, that 
 it may appear without any Infcription , and when 
 this Ink is alfo well dried , if you do afterwards 
 gently fcraps it over with a Knife , it will fall off 
 
 from 
 
21 
 
 Dijirte 
 yfw andi. 
 
 Gttji. Sek' 
 
 VUf di 
 
 The Secret and Swift Meffenger. 
 
 from thofe Places , where before the Words were 
 written. 
 
 Thofe Letters that were defcribed with Milk, or 
 Urine, or Fat , or any other glutinous Moifture, 
 will not be legible, unlefs Duft be ftrft fcatter'd up- 
 on them; which, by adhering to thofe Places, will 
 difcover the Writing. This Way is mentioned by 
 Ovid: 
 
 Tuta quo^'y efiy fallitej; oculos e lacie recenti 
 
 Literuy carhonis pulzfere tangey leges. 
 
 And 'tis thought that Attains made ufe of this De- 
 vice, the better to excite the Courage of his Sol- 
 diers. Being before -the Battel to facrifice to the gods 
 for Succefs, as he pulled out the Entrails of theBeafl, 
 he defcribed upon them thefe words. Regis FiBoria, 
 which he had before written backward in his hand 
 with fome gummy Juice. The Entrails being turned 
 up and down by the Prieft, to find out their fignifi- 
 cation, the Letters did by that means gather fomuch 
 Duft as to appear legible. By which Omen the Sol- 
 diers were fo ftranf^ely heighten'd in their Hopes 
 and Valour, that they won the Day. 
 
 Unto thefe Experiments of Secrefy in the Mate- 
 rials of Writing, fome add thofe other ways of ex- 
 
 Cryptogra' prgfjjng any private Intimation, by drawing a String 
 ^'^'^' ■ ■ through the holes of a little Tablet or Board ; thefe 
 holes fliould be of the fame number with the Let- 
 ters, unto which by Compad: they fhould be feve- 
 rally applied. The order of the Threads pafling 
 through them, may ferve to exprefs any Words, and 
 fo confequently any Senfe we would difcover. 
 
 To this purpofe likewife is that other way of fecret 
 Information, by divers Knots tied upon a String, ac- 
 cording to certain Diftances, by which a Man may 
 as diftincftly, and yet as Secretly y exprefs his Mean- 
 ing, as by any other way of Difcourfe. For who 
 would miftruit any private News or Treachery to 
 lye hid in a Thread, wherein there was nothing to 
 
 be 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejjenget: 
 
 be difcerned, but fundry confufed Knots_, or other 
 the like Marks ? 
 
 The Manner of performing it is thus : Let there 
 be a fquare piece of Plate, or Tablet of Wood like 
 a Trencher,, Vi/ith the Twenty four Letters defcribed 
 on the top of it, at equal diftances, and after any 
 order that maybe agreed upon before-hand; on both 
 the oppofite fides let there be divers little Teeth, on 
 which the String may be hitched or faften'd for its 
 feveral Returns, as in the following Figure. 
 
 ij 
 
 YXJ c dc fj\h i kLm 
 
 no y q V s-t uwxiyz) 
 
 <_■" _i 1 L " 
 
 -L- -^ 
 
 
 * l5 
 
 <!: jiJL 4_ 
 
 * -> 
 
 S— ^- -J 
 
 
 ^> -a 
 
 ^*^, .IMI ft A >. 
 
 3 ^ 
 
 
 
 ■^*Tti: 
 
 
 ^ _L_^ . _L 
 
 l~ ■*■ > 
 
 
 " ® • " ■*> 
 
 '>^ ■ -ti-^ 
 
 L L 1 _> 
 
 ^T 
 
 r X IS 
 
 <_ X4- -^ 
 
 jX -^Z> 
 
 " ->^l ■ , .. . 
 
 
 <-*. 'J 
 
 
 <^ -1 
 
 > 
 
 <1 i ± 
 
 
 <Z ^ 
 
 -a — HI . 1 1 j."^ 
 
 <:^ ' 
 
 
 <^ 1- 
 
 
 <lj 
 
 r 21$^ 
 
 Where the String is fuppofed to be faften'd by a 
 Loop on the firft Tooth, towards the Letter A, and 
 afterwards to be drawn fucceffively over all the reft. 
 The Marks upon it do exprefs the fecret Meaning : 
 Beware of this Bearer^ 7vho is fmt as a Spy over you, 
 
 C c When 
 
24 Tl'^ Secret and Swift Meffengtr, 
 
 When it is taken off, and fent to a Confederate, he 
 may eafily underftand its intention, by applying it 
 to his own Tablet, which muft be anfvverable unto 
 this. The Inftrument may be made much longer 
 than is here exprefled : But if the Matter to be re- 
 vealed fliould happen to be more than the Tablet 
 would bear, then may it be fupplied either by ano- 
 ther String, or elfe by beginning again with that 
 part of the fame String wherein the laft Letter was 
 terminated. 
 
 There may be divers other Inventions of this kind, 
 but I have not obferved any more remarkable thaa 
 thofe which are already mention'd. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Secret Writing ivith the common Letters, hy chan- 
 ging of their F laces, 
 
 f I ^Hat Secrefy which does confift in the Form of 
 CrZ'rt ^ Writing, is when the Words or Letters are fo 
 phiafYli. ft^^"^^^ by Compad, that they are not of ordinary 
 c. $. fignification. The Inventions of this kind may, 
 jirsnota- both for their Pleafure and Benefit, juftly challenge 
 Tm/rnf'r ^ p'^^^ amongft our other Studies. 
 artesSub- ^^' ^^^^» fpcaking of fuch human Inventions as 
 tilitate are to be embraced or avoided, and rejefting all Ma- 
 frajlantcs gical Inftitutions and Commerce with the Devil, he 
 annume- adjoins, 'Ea vtro o^uae homines cum hominlhus habent, af- 
 Cardan ' j^nimda^ C^ maxime Uterarum figur^^ &C. Ex eo gencre 
 Subtil. ftffft etiam nota, qu.is ejiti didiccrimtj proprle notarii ap~ 
 3. 1 7 . peUantur. Utilia funt ifiaj nee dijcimtur illicitej nee /«- 
 
 ^fR"/!*"'"' ferftitiofe impUcanty nee Itixti enervant, fi tantum occU' 
 1,2 c^le^ ^^^^' ^*^ ^^'^'joribtts rebus, qiilbus inferviredebent^ non fmt 
 
 impedimento. 
 
 This 
 
The Secret and Swift Meffengerl 2 K 
 
 ^ This way of Secret Writing may be contrived 
 either, 
 
 I. By the common Letters. 
 3. Or by fome invented Notes and Chara<5^ers in- 
 itead of them. 
 
 Both thefe being diftinguifhable into thofe kinds 
 that contain either, 
 
 1. Equal. 
 
 2. Or more. 
 
 ?. Or fewer Signs than are naturally required to 
 the true framing of the Word. 
 
 The particulars of thefe may be altered to fuch 
 great Variety as cannot be reckoned, and therefore 
 I (hall fpecify thofe only which fcem moft remark- 
 able, either for their Antiquity or Ufefulnefs. 
 
 ^ The Way of Secret Writing by equal Letters, is, 
 either by Changing of 
 
 1. Their Places, or 
 
 2. Their Powers. 
 
 I. By altering of the Places -y 
 
 r Lines. 
 
 Either of the < Letters. 
 CBoth. 
 
 I. A Man may obfcure the Senfe, by perplexing i.Bytran- 
 the Order of the Lines. If they be written, not on- ^po^ng 
 \y from the Left Hand to the Right, but alfo from ^^^^^"^5. 
 the Right Hand to the Left, as in the EaHem Lan- 
 guages ; or from the Top to the Bottom , and fo Diodor.sic. 
 upward again , as is commonly related to be ufual ^'^^'"f^- 
 amongft the Inhabitants of Taprobana in the South n^lna?: 
 Sea, with thofe in China and Japan : According to Hugo de 
 this following Example. orig.scrif. 
 
 c. 8. 
 
 Cc 2i e « f 
 
26 The Secret and Swift Mejfcnger. 
 
 e 
 
 r 
 
 f 
 
 d 
 
 1 
 
 e 
 
 e 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 i 
 
 e 
 
 t 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 f 
 
 w 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 h 
 
 1 
 
 f 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 h 
 
 h 
 
 s 
 
 n 
 
 t 
 
 c 
 
 P 
 
 h 
 
 o 
 
 t 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 
 V 
 
 c 
 
 s 
 
 P 
 
 P 
 
 a 
 
 h 
 
 t 
 
 t 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 r 
 
 h 
 
 e 
 
 u 
 
 n 
 
 t 
 
 h 
 
 e 
 
 1 
 
 s 
 
 e 
 
 t 
 
 s 
 
 f 
 
 d 
 
 i 
 
 e 
 
 I 
 
 n 
 
 g 
 
 a 
 
 o 
 
 t 
 
 y 
 
 f 
 
 w 
 
 f 
 
 b 
 
 o 
 
 n 
 
 f 
 
 d 
 
 i 
 
 d 
 
 P 
 
 e 
 
 i 
 
 a 
 
 t 
 
 o 
 
 e 
 
 c 
 
 1 
 
 e 
 
 e 
 
 S 
 
 e 
 
 e 
 
 b 
 
 m 
 
 a 
 
 n 
 
 e 
 
 In the Reading of which , if you begin at the 
 firft Letter towards the Right Hand, and fo down- 
 wards, and then upwards again, you may find thefe 
 Words exprefled : 
 
 The VefiiUnce doth fiill increafe amongji us' ; ive jJjall 
 not be able to hold out the Siege, "without frejh and fpeedy 
 Supplj. 
 2.Bytran- 2. A Man may obfcure the Senfe of his Writing, 
 fpofing by tranfpofmg each Letter j according to fome un- 
 ters ufual Order. As, fuppofe the firft Letter fliould be 
 
 at the latter End of the Line, the fecond at the Be- 
 ginning, or the like. 
 3.Bytran- 3- The Meaning of any written MelTage may 
 fpofing be concealed , by altering the Order both of the 
 both the Letters and the Lines together. As if a Man Ihould 
 Letters ^"^^ ^^^^ Letter in two feveral Lines, thus : 
 
 Teoliraelmsfnifesplvo w e u t e 1 
 hfudefralotaihd, upysre msyid 
 
 The Souldiers are alwoH fawijljed j Supply us, or "JVi 
 *Oras rnufi yield, ■ 
 many 
 
 more as This way may be yet further obfcured, by placing 
 cf the E. ^^^ i^ * four Lines , and after any difcontinuate 
 piftlefhall Order. As, fuppofe that the firft Letter be in the 
 require. Begin- 
 
The Secret and Swift l/tefjenger. 27 
 
 Beginning of the firft Line, the fecond in the Be- 
 ginning of the fourth Line, the third in the End of 
 the firit, the fourth in the End of the fourth, the 
 fifth in the Beginning of the fecond Line, the fixth 
 in the Beginning of the third, the fevcnth in the 
 End of the fecond , the eighth in the End of the 
 third j and fo of the reft ; As in this Example. 
 
 Wmrpitahhscteinpke 
 h athfonoihkftoenil 
 a n o e r r o c g t t t h m n V r I 
 e auomhteinJenettef 
 
 Which in its Refolution is this : 
 
 JVe Jliall make an hruftlon upon the Enemy frcm the 
 North, at Ten of the Clock this Night. 
 
 Thisway will yet feem more obfcure , if each Waldius, 
 Line be lever d into fuch Words as may feem bar- F^^9- 
 barous. 
 
 All thefe Kinds may be varied unto divers other 
 more mtricate Tranfpofitions, according as a Man's 
 Fancy or Occafion (hall lead him. 
 
 CHAP. VIL 
 
 Co^cer^i^g Secret mitwg ivith equal Letters, hy 
 changing their Powers. the Ufe of this 
 amongfi the Jews and Romans. The Key-Cha- 
 racter. 
 
 AS a written MeiTage may be concealed by ^«f^^''- 
 x.?r. kI?^'*"? '^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^he Letters , fo like- ^f , 
 wife by changing of their Fevers , putting one of Xf . 
 
 or^T/|-^'"^'%' ^^fj^PPofeLfor^A' andVfor L c^^i'"' 
 in vne Javijh Learning, which the Rabies call SlTX J-^Mti. 
 
 ^^ ^ or 
 
 Schickard 
 
2S 
 
 The Secret ani Swift }AeJfenger. 
 
 or Comh'matio ; when the Letters of the Alphabet 
 are feverally tranfpofed, and taken one fcr?nother, 
 after any known Order. Of which there be as ma- 
 ny Kinds, as there may be feveral Combinations of 
 the Letters : But amongft the reft, they obferve two 
 of more frequent Ufe. The firft is ftiled from the 
 w u^^^ ^orrefpondent Letters a:i^« Alba7n j in 
 which they are thus oppofitc to one another. 
 
 J » u n T ■« n "I J :3 K 
 
 The other is from the fame Reafon called ly^PK 
 jithhafli, wherein the Letters are thus mutually op- 
 pofed ; ^ ^ 
 
 ^Qjo ^ 3'i pn:;n 
 
 Both thefe Kinds of Secret Writing , the Jewijh 
 Dolors think to be frequently ufed by the Sacred 
 Penmen of Holy Writ ; amongft whom, the Pro- 
 phet Ifulah and ja-iTKiah are obferved to be of more 
 dpecial Note for their Skill in Cabalifms. 
 
 By the tirft of thefe Combinations, called Albam^ 
 that I>lace of Jfaiuh 7. 6. is ufually interpreted j 
 where there is a Perfon mentioned , under the un- 
 known Name cf ^«3'j r^^e^/, whom the Prophet 
 affinns to afpire unco the Crown of Judah ; mean- 
 ing , by a fecrcc Tranfmutation of the Letters, 
 n7c*i Rer/tdlah the King of ifracl, whom he was 
 loth more exprefiy to nominate : And therefore he 
 veils M by thi. kind of Secrefy , inftead of 1 wri- 
 ting the Lerrcr above ic 'J ,• for 0, the Correfpon- 
 dent Letter 3; and fo 7 for «, and « for h. Which 
 being joined together, do make ^»::u , inftead of 
 
 By 
 
The Secret and Swift Meffenger, 
 
 By the fecond of thefe Combinations^ called Ath- 
 hafh, is that Place, Jerem. jT. I. tranflated c where 
 by the Original ^Lp Tlv Cor infurgentium contra ?ne, 
 is meant Cj^'iU;d the ChaUaans ,• and therefore both 
 the Targum, and the Septuagint do unanimo^fly tran- 
 flate it fo j as if in their Verfion of it , ifhey had 
 chiefly refped unto this kind of Cabalifm. So 
 likewife in 41 Verfe of the fame Chapter^ by the 
 feigned Name of "iiyu;, is meant '73ii. 
 
 This way of Secret Writing hath been alfo in ufe 
 amongft the Ancient Romans : Thus Suetonius relates 
 of Julius Cafar , when he would convey any pri- 
 vate BufinefSjhe did ufually write it, per ejuartam Ele- 
 ment or um Liter am ; that is, D for A, E for B, and 
 fo of the reft, after this Order. 
 
 de fghiklmnopqrftuwxy za b c 
 abcdefgh i k Imnopqr s tuwxyz 
 
 Haften unto ms, 
 Ldwxhq yqxr ph. 
 
 And the fame Author reports of OBa'vius AuguK 
 ft us, that in the writing of his Secrets , he did /e- 
 cundum Elementum proprii loco fubftituere, fet down the 
 (econd Letter for the firft, as B for A, C for B, and 
 for A a Double x x. 
 
 But now, becaufe fuch an Epiftle might be cafily 
 unfolded , being altogether written by the fame 
 way ; therefore this kind of Secrefy hath , by later 
 Invention, been further obfcured , by writing each 
 feveral Word, or Line, or Letter, by a diverfe Al- 
 phabet. 
 
 For the Performance of this, two Friends muft 
 before-hand, by Compa(5t, agree upon fome cer- 
 tain Form of Words, that may be inftead of a Key, 
 ferving both to clofe, and to unlock the Writing ^ 
 
 C c 4 which 
 
 ^9 
 
 Iternc. 25. 
 "J. z6.fide 
 Hieron. 
 com.inetm- 
 dem locum. 
 
 Sueton. in 
 vita ejus, 
 A. Gellius 
 Noif. At' 
 tit- I. 11. 
 C.9' 
 
iO The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 which Words would be lefs difcoverable, if they be 
 barbarous, and of no Signification. 
 
 But for the eafier apprehending of this , I fhall 
 explain it in an Example, 
 
 Suppofe the Key agreed upon , were only this 
 one Word Vrudentia. 
 
 Having firft framed feveral Alphabets, according 
 to each of its Letters, thus ; 
 
 A 
 P 
 R 
 U 
 
 be 
 qr 
 s t 
 wx 
 
 -1 e } 
 
 (g h i 
 w X y 
 
 k J m|n o p 
 
 q r s;t u w 
 
 xyz 
 m no 
 o pq 
 r s t 
 a b c 
 
 1 C V 
 
 z -A h 
 bed 
 
 cde 
 
 f g h 
 
 h i k 
 
 i k i 
 
 U W X 
 
 
 
 y z a 
 
 ^ f ^ 
 
 I m n 
 
 y z a'b c d 
 
 e f ^ 
 
 h i k 
 
 1 m n 
 t u w 
 u wx 
 d e f 
 
 o p q 
 xyz 
 
 uie t 
 
 g h 1 
 
 k 1 m 
 
 nop 
 p q 
 
 q r s 
 
 N 
 T 
 1 
 
 LS 
 op 
 
 U W 
 
 h 1 k 
 q r s 
 xyz 
 
 m n 
 
 \ rn n 
 
 r s c 
 
 y z a 
 
 bed 
 
 t u vv 
 a "b c 
 
 X yz 
 
 a b c 
 
 g h i 
 nop 
 cde 
 
 t Q w 
 
 k im 
 q r s 
 f g h 
 
 d e i 
 
 g h i 
 w X y 
 
 k Im 
 
 p q ] 
 
 s t u 
 
 z a b 
 
 lA 
 
 b c 
 
 ^^ e fg h i'k 1 ml 
 
 nop 
 
 q r s 
 
 xyz 
 
 I may write each Line, or Word, or Letter, ac- 
 cording as the Order of thefe Alphabets fhall di- 
 red. As in thefe, 
 
 I. In the Lines. 
 Ixt hdkasytgh bkiycn 
 xfi nrel fx matlmrck ,• 
 npkkfs pn, im oczs qdfT 
 . uhyrox xr xih hqmpmh. 
 
 2. In the Wordi- 
 Jxt kfmcuawik gpQdhs 
 liu aery bs oiwnotem ; 
 bdyytg vs, 6g Izwp qdff 
 '■■ lihyrox ys gur ygcfcy. 
 
 ^• 
 
 Xa 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 31 
 
 5. In the Letters. 
 Izz wshemitin in pzgcwy 
 vfm zean xfkaxxznebr 
 skgkoc hm, xr izzb awet 
 rtm iox gh cht whmqwy. 
 
 Which Examples being unfolded , do each of 
 them exprefs this inward Meaning ; 
 
 The Souldiers mutiny 
 for want of Vitluals * 
 Supply us, or they will 
 Revolt to the Knemy. 
 
 Thefe Ways may be yet further obfcured , if the 
 firft Alphabet, (according to which the reft are de- 
 fcribed) be contrived after any mixed Order. As, 
 fuppofe inftead of the ordinary Abe, &c. there 
 be written thefe Letters, after this manner. 
 
 Rzkmpseblauftcygwhxoqind. 
 
 And then will they be liable to all thofe other 
 Differences of Secrefy, that are ufually invented by 
 the Wheel Chara^er , which you may fee largely de- 
 fcribed by Vorta. 
 
 There may be divers other Ways to this purpofe, 
 but by thefe you may fufficiently difcern the Nature 
 of the reft. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Of Secret Writing hy more Letters than are requi- 
 fite to the intended meaning. 
 
 THE different kinds of Secrefy by et^ud Letters 
 have been already handled. The next parti- 
 cular 
 
31 T?;e Secret and Swift Meffenger. 
 
 cular to be difcuflfed, is concerning the Ways of hi- 
 ding any private Senfe under more Letters than are re- 
 quired to the Words of it. 
 
 Of which kind there may be divers particulars^ 
 fome of them in Ufe amongft the Ancients. 
 
 1. A Writing may be fo contrived, that only one 
 Letter in a Verfe fliall be fignificant. As it was in 
 thofe remarkable Acrofticks made by a Sybil concern- 
 ing our Saviour ,• where the Letters at the Beginning 
 of each Verfe, being put together, made up thefe 
 Words, '^«^«f X£/?cf 0£K H®- Gzon^. Jefm Chrifi the Son 
 of God, a Saviour. 
 
 The Tranflation of thefe you may fee in St. Aa- 
 gu/lin de Ci'vit. Dei, Uh. i8. caf. 25. And the Origi- 
 nal are mentioned by Ludo'vicus Fives, in his Notes 
 upon that Place. 
 
 According unto this doth Tlautus contrive the 
 Names of his Comedies in the firft Letters of their 
 Arguments. But this Way is fo ordinary in Pra«ftice, 
 that it needs not any further Explication. 
 
 2. The inward Senfe hath likewife been conveyed 
 by fome ilngle Letters of feveral Words in the fame 
 Verfe. As in that common Diftich. 
 
 Jllittotihi caput Veneris y ventremi^jueDiame 
 
 Latronifejttc caput, pofieriora canE. 
 
 p Sometimes one Letter in each Word was only 
 fignificant. By which Way of Secret Expreffion^the 
 Holy Ghoft ( fay the Rabbies) hath purpofely invol- 
 ved many facred Myfteries in Scripture. When 
 thefe fi^ificant Letters were at the Beginning of 
 each Word, the Cabalifis in their Learning, called 
 fuch an implicit Writing Hn'TT'tL'S'l C^p;V<3Di^»o»«w. 
 When they were at the latter End , then was it fti- 
 \q6 noT^ '^'tXi Fines diclionHw. Both being reckon- 
 ed as Species of that Cabalifm which they called 
 npnc^- Not ar icon, impofed by fome later Rabbies 
 from rhe Latin Word Nctarius. 
 
 Of 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. ^ ^ 
 
 Of the firft Sort, is that Colledion from thofe TheCapl- 
 eminent Words, Gen. 49. 10. y^]priD^ shilo [^[^et- 
 jhall comey and in him, &c. where the Capital Letters 
 make up the Word W^ Jefu. 
 
 So Pfal. 72. 17. ll^-lDlinn^l iClli; pr His name jhall 
 continue,and in him fhall be blejfsd, &c.which Place does 
 exprefly treat concerning the Mejjlas his Name, and 
 therefore feems unto the Jews, to be of ftrong Con- 
 fequence for the Proof of Chriftianity. For fo much 
 is that Nation befooled in their abfurd Dotage upon 
 thefe trivial literal Colledions , that a Reafon of this 
 Nature is of greater force unto them, than the moft 
 evident folid Demonftration that may be urged. 
 Ludo-Jicus Carret,2.. hmom Jew, VhyfiCmn to thQprench ^'^- ^'f'' 
 King^ being himfelf converted , and writing an E- ^^^^tm'"^" 
 pillle to this Purpofe, unto thofe of his own Nation, 
 he does chiefly infift upon the Arguments of this 
 kind, as being in his Opinion of greatelt Efficacy to 
 prove the Truth of Chriftian Religion. 
 
 Of the other Sort is that PalTage, Gen. i. i. 
 nx Q^fi_ *7S ^r\2. where the final Letters make up the J^^ ^"^ 
 Word HON or truth, Which kind of Cabalijm is fix "^"' 
 Times repeated in the Hiitory of the Creation. As 
 if Mofes by fuch an artificial Contrivance of the 
 Letters at the Beginning of his Writings, did pur- 
 pofely commend unto our Belief his following Books. 
 Unto this Da'vid is thought to allude, Vfal. 119. 160, 
 The beginning of thy word is V.'OH Truth. Of this Na- 
 ture likewife is that Obfervation from Ea;^?^ ;. 15. 
 HQ ICiy nc ""V. when they jliall fay unto me, what is hit 
 name, &c. Where the final Letters anfwer nin^ y<?- 
 hovah. 
 
 It were an eafie matter for a Man that hadLeifure 
 and Patience for fuch Enquiries, to find out fundry 
 Arguments of this kind for any Purpofe. 
 
 4. There is another way of hiding any fecret "Cetrdanis 
 Senfe under an ordinary Epiftle, by having a * fjihtULi", . 
 Plate with certain Holes in it, through which ( be- jlH* '^^ 
 
 ing /. 2." c. 18. 
 
H The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 ^?4 'h^a'^.TZ'^^^?") -^M-^"™/ write thofe 
 ufe when ^ r °'. '^°'^^' ''"^ '^'''e to exprefs the inward 
 theyareto ^enfe ; the Other Soices beine after^ar^i fill T 
 
 infmdi- with fuch other Wt^rds ^,\^,t.r'^^^^''^ 
 vert red ,Uf.r, r" r, '?^"°^> .^s 'n their Conjunaion to 
 
 ed B JmeTs ' '""'''" ^"'"^ '='""™°" ""'""'P^'a- 
 
 J. There is ah'o another intricate Way to this 
 Purpofe, much infifted on by Truher.,us, Porl and 
 Syle..;. When each ufual Word or Form of an Epi- 
 ftle, IS varied to as many Differences as there are 
 Letters unto which they mult all of them be feve! 
 
 they be of great Secrefy, yet) becaufe they require 
 fo much Labour and Trouble in the Writer, I ftaU 
 rterefore pafs tnem over without any further Enlarge- 
 
 CH A P. IX. 
 
 Of co«ceMngany mitten Senfe un^er Barbarout 
 mr^< a«d Juch as jhall „ot feem to he of any 
 Stgmficatzon. How all the Letters may he ei 
 prejfedly ay Five three, or Two of fhem. Of 
 m,n.g mtha doulk Alphabet, flow froLj 
 ihefe two lafl Ways together, there may he con-- 
 tri-ved the hefi kind of Secret Writing. 
 
 ALL the Ways of Secrefy by more Lmer,, ai- 
 ready fpecSed, do make the Writing aDnear 
 under fome otherSenfe, than what is intend^edrand 
 fo confequently are more free from Sufp cio^ 
 There are hkewtie fome other Inventions to expref 
 any nnvard Senfe by barbarous Words, wherein onlv 
 
 cant A '""^ T^^"' '"f" '^'* Letters ftall be S 
 cant. As in th.is example, * 
 
Tl:)e Secret and Swift Mejfe?2ger, 5 j 
 
 FiUj, fagodur wyndeeldrnre difcogure rantihrad. 
 
 Which in its refolucion is no more than this : 
 Fly for ive are dlfcovered. 
 
 To this Purpofe like-wife is that other Way of ex- 
 prefling the whole Alphabet by any five, or three, 
 or two of the Letters repeated. And though fuch a 
 Writing, to ordinary Appearance, will feem of no 
 Signification at all, and fo may feem of lefs Ufe ; 
 yet becaufe a right Apprehenfion of thefe Ways may 
 conduce to the Explication of fome other particulars 
 that follow, it will not be amifs therefore to fet them 
 down more diftindly. 
 
 All the Letters may be expreffed by any five of 
 them doubled. Suppofe A B C D E. 
 
 ABCDEFGHI KLMN 
 
 aa ab ac ad ae ba bb be bd be ca cb cc 
 
 OP QR S T VWXYZ. & 
 
 cd ce da db do dd dc ea eb ec ed ee 
 
 According to which, thefe Words y 1 am hetrayed, 
 may be thus defcribed. 
 
 Bd aacb abaedddbaaecaead. 
 
 Three Letters being tranfpofed through three 
 Places, do give fufficient Difference, whereby to ex- 
 prefs the whole Alphabet. 
 
 ABCDEFGHI 
 
 aaa aab aac baa bba bbb bbc caa cca 
 
 KLMNOPQRS 
 
 ccb ccc aba abb abc aca acb ace bc% 
 
 T V W X Y Z &. 
 
 bcb bcc bab cba ebb cbc bac 
 Hafim mto vte. 
 
 Caa 
 
3 (i Tlje Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 Caa aaa bca bcb bba abb bcc abb bcb abc aba 
 bba 
 
 Two Letters of the Alphabet being tranfpofed 
 through five Places^ will yield thirty two DifFeren- 
 cesj and fo will more than ferve for the Four and 
 twenty Letters -, unto which they may be thus applied. 
 
 A, B. C. D. E. F, G. 
 
 aaaaa. aaaab. aaaha, aaabb, aahaa* aabab. aabba, 
 
 H. I K, L. M. N. O. 
 
 aabbb. abaaa. abaab. ababa, abaab. abbaa, abbab, 
 
 P. ^ R. S, T. V. TV. 
 
 abbba, abbbb, baaaa. baaab, baaba, baabb. babaa, 
 
 X. T. 2. 
 
 babab. babba. babbb. 
 
 aababababababba aaaaababaaaaaaababba. 
 fly away. 
 
 There is yet another Way of Secrefy by more Let- 
 ters than are naturally required to the inward Senfe j 
 if we write with a double Alphabet, wherein each 
 Letter fiiall in the Fafhion of it, bear fome fuch fmall 
 Diftindion from the other of the fame kind, as is u- 
 fual in common mixed Writing. For Example, 
 
 Thefirfi Alphabet, 
 
 Aa 
 
The Secret and Swift Mffenger. iy 
 
 I. Write an Epiftle of an ordinary Matter, or (if 
 it be needful)contrary to what you intend.Let theBody 
 of it confift chiefly of thefirft Alphabet, only infert- 
 ing (as you have occafion) fuch Letters of the fe- 
 cond, as may exprels that inward meaning which you 
 would reveal to a Confederate. 
 
 For Example, from thofe that are Befieged. 
 
 \Nztvrosvzt* slillin oux ah 
 iaires.and fhaU^imout 
 
 nauin^ any jurtker nelpE) 
 ensure ifie JiegQ. 
 
 In 
 
?8 
 
 The beft 
 
 Way of 
 
 lecret 
 
 writing. 
 
 Bacon. 
 
 Augment. 
 
 fcient. I. 6> 
 
 The Secret and Swift Meffenger, 
 
 In which Claufe, the Letters of the fecond Alpha- 
 bet are only fignificantj exprefling this inward Senfe. 
 
 But becaufe the Differences betwixt thefc two Al- 
 phabets may feem more eafily difcoverable, fince 
 they are both generally of the fame kind , the Let- 
 ters of the fecond being all of them more round and 
 full than the other ^ therefore for their better Secre- 
 fy in this particular, it were fafer to mix them both 
 by Compad:, that they might not in themfelves be 
 diftinguifliable. 
 
 Now if this kind of Writing be mixed with the 
 latter Way of Secrefy , by two Letters tranfpofed 
 through five Places , we may then write omnia per 
 omnia, which fas a learned Man fpeaksj is the high- 
 eft Degree of this Cyphering. 
 
 For fuppofing each Letter of the firft Alphabet to 
 be inftead oftheLettcr A,and thofe of the other forB, 
 we may eafily infcribe any fecret Senfc in^ any ordi- 
 nary Letter, only by a quintuple Proportion of the 
 Writing infolding to the Writing infolded. As for 
 Example. 
 
 All 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 3 9 
 
 YatticmvsyMjna[[\^zv ^ 
 simb "wicn "wee tneefe ai 
 
 'tnz appoint iime amylace 
 cfwfiimyou musinotmk 
 Dv cir^ means lAe mccr// or 
 ouc affairs' QOS'iniicfi^v^ 
 
 wpon ine imetina 
 Aav£ acrreeo 
 
 wpon ine tmetlna that <wee 
 
 The involved meaning of which Claufe is this : 
 
 Fly, for we are difco-vered, I am forced to write this. 
 
 If you fuppofe each Letter of the firft Alphabet to 
 
 Be inllead of A^, and thofe of the fecond for B, then 
 
 will the former Claufe be equivalent to this following 
 
 DefcriptioHj 
 
 D d Aftbab 
 
4© The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 Aabab ababa babba aabab abbab baaaa bubaa 
 F 1 y f o r vv 
 
 aabaa aabaa aaaaa baaaa aabaa aaabb abaaa 
 e e a r e d i 
 
 baaab aaaba abbab baabb aabaa baaaa aabaa 
 
 f c over 
 
 e 
 
 aaabb abaaa aaaaa ababb aabab abbab baaaa 
 dy I a m f o r 
 
 aaaba aabaa aaabb baaba abbab babaa baaaa 
 c e d t o w r 
 
 abaaa baaba aabaa baaba aabbb abaaa baaab. 
 i t e t hi s. 
 
 This Way of Secrefy may be ferviceable for fuch 
 Occafions as thefe. Suppofe a Man were taken 
 Capdve^he may by this means difcover to his Friends 
 the Secrets of the Enemies Camp, under the outward 
 Form of a Letter perfuading them to yield. Or , 
 fuppofe fuch a iMan were forced by his own Hand- 
 writing to betray his Caufe and Party , though the 
 V/ords of it in common Appearance may exprefs 
 what the Enemy docs defire , yet the involved mean- 
 ing, (which (hall be legible only to his Confederates) 
 may contain any thing elfe which he has a Mind to 
 difcover to them: As in the former Example. 
 
 But now if there be a threefold Alphabet , (' as is 
 eafie to contrivej then the inward Writing will bear 
 unto the outward but a triple Proportion , which 
 will be much more convenient for enlarging of the 
 private Intimations. 
 
 And this Way of Writing is juftly to be preferred 
 before any of the other, as containing in it more e- 
 minently, all thofe Conditions that are defirable in 
 fuch kind of Inventions. As, i. 'Tis 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 4 1 
 
 I. 'Tis not very laborious cither to write or read 
 
 1. 'Tis very difficult to be decyphered by the E- 
 nemy. 
 
 ;. 'Tis void of Sufpicion. 
 
 But by the u^ay , 'tis to be generally obferved_, tliat 
 the mixture of divers kinds of fecret Writing toge- 
 ther (as fuppofe this with the Key-chara<5ler) will 
 make the inward Senfe to be much more intricate and 
 perplexed. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 Of Writhtg any Secret Senfe hy fewer Letters tkni 
 are required to the Wordi of it. fhe Ufe of 
 this amongft the Jews andRom^ins. 
 
 AS the Senfe may be obfcured by Vvriting it 
 with moreLetters than are required to theWords 
 of it/o likewife by fewer.Abbreviacions have been an- 
 cienfly ufed in all the Learned Languages, efpeci- 
 ally in common Forms^ and Phrafes of frcquenc 
 Ufe. Sometimes by contrading Words, when feme 
 Parts of them did ftand for the whole. So in the Bnxtori V 
 Hel;reii^, '^2^ for l'7r>1 et totitm /7/W, /.vhich is all one f^^^^^];'' 
 with our et cetera, &C. 'l^D for "iQI^D Secunduirf tikcre, 
 equivalent to our 'viz,. or "v.g. ^erhi gratL'7, So like- 
 wife in the GreckjXfs for Xe^ro?^ and dQ- for «'»'-> «'"^o<. 
 And in the Latin , Dus for Domlnus ; ^a for A- 
 ninta, and the like. But thefe were rather for the 
 fpeed of Writing, than the Secrefy. 
 
 Sometimes Words were expreffed only by their firft 
 Letters. Thus did the Javs write all their Memori- 
 als, and common Forms, which are largely bandied 
 by Buxtorf. Hence was it , that their Captain Ju- 
 dasb^idi his Name of Maccahj ; for being to fight a- 
 
 D d 2. gain{^ 
 
 z:-i iv'fie- 
 
 Ihid. 
 
42 The Secret and Swift Mtjfni^cr, 
 
 gainft Anticchus^ he gave that faying for his Watch- 
 word.ExW. If. n'*.n^DV."i<nrOj? 'C. IVho is like unto 
 thee ( O Lord) amovgfi the Gods ? infcribing in his 
 Enfigns the Capital Letters of it, ^3 DC Macc^:bi.\(htiQ- 
 upon after the Vidory, the Soldiers itiled their Cap- 
 tain by that Name. 
 
 'Tis obferved by die Rahhiesy that many grand 
 Myfteries are this Way implied in the Words of Scri- 
 pture, Thus, where it is fdd, Vf.d. 5. U''jr\ Many rife 
 up agr/infl me, 'tis interpreted from the fevcral Letters, 
 Rijl] the Rcma7iSj Btth the Babyl'j?iinns , 'Jod tile Joni^ 
 ans- or Grecians, Mem the Medcs. Anfvverable unto 
 which, that Place in Gfw, 49. 10. (fpeakingof Shi- 
 lo, unto whom nnr^.i the gathtrin^ of the People fhall 
 be) is by another Rr.bhy applied to the Je-ws, ChriHi- 
 (insj Heathens y and Turks. 
 
 l7pon thefe Grounds likewife, is that Argument 
 to prove the Triniry, from the firit Verfe of Gemfts. 
 t^rrhlhlK-^-: The Word Dr,b« ir/./6/w,being of rhePiu- 
 ral^Number, is thought to be that Divine Name 
 which denoceth the Perfons of the Deity • which 
 Perfons are more particularly intimated iri th^Let- 
 ters .of the Verb 'i-r'2, that anfwers unto it: ::i Beth 
 being put for j^ the Son,-ii^fj]; for nnthc Holy Ghofl", 
 ^? JUpb for 3^ the Father. And if you will believe 
 the Jtvfs, the Holy Spirit hath purpofely involved in 
 the Words of Scripture, every Secret that belongs to 
 any Art or Science, under fnch Cabalifms as thefe. 
 And if a Man were but expert in unfolding of them, 
 it were eafie for him to get as much Knowledge as 
 • Ada7n had in his Innocency, or Human Nature is ca- 
 pable of. 
 
 Thefekind of myfterious Interpretations from par- 
 ticular Letters, do feem to be fomewhat favoured, by 
 God's Addition of tlie Letter "t unto the N;ime of y^- 
 Gen.l7.^ ir^jm and Sara , upon the renewing of his Covenant 
 with them ,• which in all likelihood was not without 
 fome fecret Myftery. That being the chief Letter 
 
 of 
 
The Secret and Swift Mtjfenger, ^j 
 
 of the Tetragammjton, might perhaps intimate that 
 amongft their other Porterity, with the Promife of 
 which he hul then BleiTed them , they /hould 
 alfo be the Parents of the Mejjias, who was Jeho- 
 
 This likewife others have confirmed from the Ex- tuii^'de 
 ample of Chrift, who calls himfclf Alfha and Ome- prefer, c. 
 gay Rev. I. 8. 5°- 
 
 But though fuch Conjedures may be allowable in 
 fome particulars, yet to make all Scriptures capable 
 of the like Secrets, does give fuch a Latitude to 
 Men's roving and corrupt Fancies, as muft needs 
 occafion many wild and ftrange Abfurdities. And iren. I. r. 
 therefore Irenaus does fitly obfervejthat from fuch idle c- i^- 
 Collections as thefe, many Herefies of the Vakntlni- 
 ans and Gnofikks had their firft Beginnings. 
 
 As this Way of fhort Writing by the firft Letters , 
 was of ancient \J{q amongft the Je-ws, fo likewife a- 
 mongft the Romans, which appears from many of 
 their Contradions yet remaining, as S. P. D. Salu- 
 tem ^lurimam dicit. S. V^. R. Senatus fo^ulufque Ro~ 
 manus. C. R. Ci'uis Romanus. U. C. Urhs condita. And 
 the like. 
 
 Thefe fingle Letters were called Sygla , fer 
 Syncopen , from -the obfolete Word SigilU, whence 
 Sigillatim. They were ufually infcribed in their 
 Coins , Statues , Arms , Monuments , and Publick 
 Records. You may fee them largely treated of by ^^^•^<:{i' 
 Valerius Prohtts, where he affirms the Study of them I^j^^^^" 
 to be very necelTary for one that would underftand As itis 
 the Roman Affairs. His en'im exprimebant nomina Curi- ^t forth 
 arum, Tribuum, Comitiorum, Sacerdotiorum, Potefiatum^ ^J'^^'^l^."' 
 ^agiHratuum, Pr^efeBtiraruMy Sacrorum ludorum ^ Re- ^^^ 
 rum XJrbanarumy Rerum militarium y Collegiorum , De^ 
 curiarum , Fafiorum , Numerorum , Menfurarum , jF«- 
 ris ci'villsy i^ fimilium. 
 
 They were firft ufed by their Notaries, at Senates 
 and other Publick Aflemblies, and from thence re- . 
 D d 3 tained 
 
44 TIpe Secret and Swift Mejfenger, 
 
 tained in their Statutes and Civil Laws : Whence 
 M^milius makes it the Note of a good Lawyer. 
 
 ^d legHm tabula s d^ condita jura 
 
 Novcrit, atque notls Icvebus pndentia 'verba, 
 jftdor. Thus (faith i/;<^ar) (k) inverfed V <3id formerly 
 
 hibiiand. ftand for Vupilla, and M inverfed JM for Mulier. By 
 cZ%T" thefe Letters D. E, R. I. C. P. is fignified, De ea re 
 Pa.Crfn/t. ^^^ cenfiitnmt P aires. 
 
 Honeji. When che Judges were to infcribe their feveral O- 
 
 tfifi. I 6.C. pinions on alirtle Stone or TeJJ'era, to be caft into the 
 ?P^ , Urn j by the Note A, they did abfolve, hy *K con- 
 G>'S^L! ^^^^ j' by ^' L' ^on Ucjuit, they did intimate that 
 1a./i!'Jleiy, ^ ^ey could not tell what to make of the Bufmefs^and 
 djd therefore fufpend their Judgments. 
 
 But becaufe of thofe many Ambiguities which 
 this contraded Way of Writing was liable unto, and 
 the great Inconveniences that might happen thereup- 
 on in the Mifinterpretation of Laws ; therefore the 
 Emperor Jufiinian did afterward feverely forbid any 
 further Ufe of them, as it were, calling in all thofe 
 Lio.i.Cod. Law-Books that were fo written. NetVue enim licen^ 
 Jit.iT.lcg. j^^j^ aperimits ex tali codice in judicium aliquid red- 
 ' " tart. 
 
 The chief Purpofe of thefe Ancient Abbreviati- 
 ons amongft the Romans jWns properly for their fpeed. 
 But it is eafie to apprehend how by Compad they 
 may be contrived aifo for Secrcfy. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
The Secret and Swift Ueffenger. 45' 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 Of Writing hy invented Chara^ers, 
 
 r Letters. 
 the DiflinBion of thefe into KWords. 
 fuch asjjgnife, either C Notions. 
 
 The General Rules of unfolding and ohfcuring any 
 Letter-chara^ers. How to exprefs any Senfe^ 
 either hy Points, or LineSy or Figures. 
 
 BEfides the Ways of fecret Writing by the com- 
 mon Letters, there may likewife be divers 
 others by invented Notes. , , /. 
 
 The Difference of Chara^ers, whereby feveral 
 Languages are expreft, is part of thefecond general 
 Curfe in the Confufion of Tongues j for as before 
 there was but one Way of Speaking, fo alio but one 
 Way of Writing. And as now, not only Nations, 
 but particular Men, may difcover their Thoughts by 
 any different articulate Sounds, fo likewife by any 
 
 written Signs. . , ^ , j. 
 
 Thefe invented Charafters m the General, are di- 
 ftinguifhable into fuch as fignifie, either 
 
 1. Letters. 
 
 2. Words. 
 
 2. 'things y and Notions, • 
 Firft, concerning thofe that fignify Letters : To The Let- 
 which kind fome Learned Men refer the Hebrew ter-chara- 
 Charaaer that is now in ufe ; affirming, that Ez^ra ^;^;„^^. 
 firft invented it, thereby the better to conceal the ^^^ ^^/. 
 Secrets of their Law, and that they might not have Kegum. 
 fo much as their Manner of Writing common with J"/^^^^^.^ 
 the Samaritans and other Schifmaticks. JdZA 
 
 D d 4 'Twere •' 
 
4^ Tl^e Secret and Swift Mejfeiiger. 
 
 'Twere but needlefs to fet down any Particulars 
 of this kind , fince it is fo eafy for any ordinary 
 Man to invent or vary them at Pleafure. 
 
 The Rules that are ufually prefcribed for the un- 
 folding of fuch Characters, are briefly thefe. 
 
 I. Endeavour to diftinguifh betwixt the Vowels 
 and Confonants. The Vowels may be known by 
 their Frequency , there being no Word without 
 fome of them. If there be any fingle Character in 
 E^nglijh , it muft be. one of thefe three Vowels, 
 a. i, 0. 
 
 '} '} 
 
 2. Search after the feveral Powers of the Letters: 
 For the underftanding of this, you muft mark 
 which of them are moft common, and which more 
 feldom ufed. (This the Printers in any Language 
 can eafily inform you of, who do accordingly pro- 
 vide their Sets of LettersJ Which of them may- 
 be doubled, and which not, as H, ^, X, T. And 
 then, for the Number of Vowels or Confonants in 
 the Beginning, Middle, or End of Words, a Man 
 muft provide feveral Tables, whence he may readi- 
 ly guefs at any Word , from the Number and Na- 
 ture of the. Letters that make it: As, what Words 
 cpnfift only of Vowels ; what have one Vowel, and 
 one Confonant ; whether the Vowel be firft, as in 
 thefe Words, Am^ an^ asy if, in, isy it, of, on, or, us ^ 
 or laft, as in thefe Words, Be, he, me, by, dy, ly, my, 
 ty, do, to, fo, &c. And fo for all other Words, ac- 
 cording to thoir feveral Quantities and Natures, 
 
 Thefe Tables muft be various, according to the 
 Difference of Languages. There are divers the like 
 Rules to be obferved , which are too tedious to re- 
 cite ,• you may fee them largely handled by Bapifit^ 
 fma^ anc3 Gujiavus Selenm* 
 
 ^i-^' The 
 
Tl^e Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 47 
 
 The common Rules of unfolding being once ^^^^^^ 
 known, a Man may the better tell how to delude f^ogra-'^" 
 them; either by leaving out thofe Letters that aie phyisnot 
 of lefsUfe, as H^ K, ^^ X, T ; and putfing other to bere- 
 Charaders inftead of them , that ftiall fignify the girded. 
 Vowels : So that the Number of this invented Al- 
 phabet will be perfcd ; and the Vowels, by reafon 
 of their double Character, lefs diftinguifliahle. Or 
 a Man may Hkewife delude the Rules of Difcovery, 
 by writing continuafely , without any Diftindliion 
 betwixt the W(^rds, or with a falfe Diftindion , or 
 by inferting Nulls and Non-figmficants, &c. 
 
 Thefe CharaAers are befides liable to all thofe 
 other Ways whereby the common Letters may be 
 obfcured , whether by changing their Tlaces , or 
 their FoTvers. 
 
 The Particulars of this kind , may be of fuch 
 great Variety, as cannot be diftindly recited : But 
 it is the grand Inconvenience of all thefe Ways of 
 Secrefy by invented Charafters , that they are not 
 without Sufpicion. 
 
 For the remedying of which , there have been 
 fome other Inventions of writing by Points , or 
 Lines , or Figures ,• wherein a Man would never 
 miftf uft any private Melfage , there being nothing 
 to be difcerned in thefe Kinds of Intimation , but 
 only either fome Confufed and Cafual, or elfe fome 
 Mathematical Defcriptions ,• as you may fee in thefe 
 following Examples. 
 
 By 
 
48. 77;e Secret and Swift lieffenger. 
 
 
 By Points alone. 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 • • 
 
 
 # 
 
 
 } 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 • • • 
 
 
 
 By Lines alone. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 , 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7he Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 49 
 
 By Mathematical Figures, 
 
 By TointijLifies^avd Figures mixed together. 
 
 Each of which Figures do exprefs thefe Words : 
 There is no Safety but hy Flight, 
 
 The 
 
50 The Secret and Swift Mcjfenger, 
 
 The DireAIon both for the making and unfolding 
 of thefe D^fcriptions^ is this: Let the Alphabet be 
 defcribed at equal Diftances, upon fome thin and 
 narrow Plate, Paftboard, or the like, thtis : 
 
 [ 
 
 
 aef ? 
 
 Tm 
 
 mit 
 
 JJLL 
 
 op?K^t uwxyz 
 
 Let the fides of the Paper which you are to 
 write upon, be fecretiy divided into equal Parts, 
 according to the Breadth of the Plate j and then 
 by Application of this to the Epiftle, it is eafy to 
 conceive how fuch a Writing may be both compo- 
 fed and refolved. The Points, the Ends of the 
 Lines, and the Angles of the Figures , do each of 
 them, by their different Situations, exprefs a feveral 
 Letter. 
 
 This may likewife be otherwife performed, if the 
 Alphabet be contrived in a Triangular Form , the 
 Middle Part of it being cut out. 
 
 The larger thefe Directories are, by fo much the 
 lefs liable unto Error will the Writing be, that is de- 
 fcribed from them. 
 
 It is eafy to apprehend by thefe Particulars , how 
 a Man may contrive any private Saying in the Form 
 of a Landskip, or other Pidure. There may be 
 divers the like Ways, whereby this Invention of Se- 
 crefy may be further obfcured j but they are in 
 then^^t!ve$ fo obvious^ that they need not any larger 
 uigadon. CHAP* 
 
Tl^e Secret and Siv'tft Meffenger, ji 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 Of CharaBers that exprefs Words, The firfl In- 
 vention of thefe. Of thofe that fignify things 
 and Notions^ as Hieroglyphicksy Emblems* 
 
 TH E next Particular to be difcourfed of, is, 
 concerning Characters that exprefs Words. 
 The writing by thefe is properly ftiled Stenography , 
 or Short-Hand , Scriptura Compendium , cum •verba Cent, i.ad 
 non perfcrihimus , fed Jtgnamus , faith Lypjiui, The B«^i- ^f'fi' 
 Art of them is, to contrive fuch Figures for feveral ^7- 
 Sylables , as may eafily be joined together in one 
 Form , according as different Words Ihall require. 
 Thus 'tis ordinary to reprefent any proper Name 
 by fome fuch unufual Charader, as may contain in 
 it all the Letters of that Name for which it is in- 
 tended. Of this Nature was that Angular Figure ^^^^'^^"'^^ 
 fo much ufed by the Grecians of old , which might pift^c, 
 be refolyed into the Letters u?'ga. 
 
 />y\"^P< 
 
 This Mark was efteemed fo Sacred amongft the 
 Ancients, that Amiochus Soter, a perpetual Conque- 
 ror, did always inftamp it upon his Coin , and in- 
 fcribe it t)n his Enfigns ; unto which he did pretend 
 to be admonifhed in a Dream, by an Apparition of 
 Alexander the Great. And there are many Superfti- 
 tious Women in thefe Times , who believe this to 
 be fo lucky a Character , that they always work it 
 upon the Swadling Clothes of their Young Chil- 
 dren, thinking thereby to make them more health- 
 ful and profperous m their Lives.. Unto this kind 
 
 alfo. 
 
5* 
 
 And 
 
 therefore 
 Pancirol- 
 iiis reck- 
 ons it a- 
 mongft 
 rhefe la- 
 ter Inven- 
 tions, /. de 
 Revert. tit. 
 
 Cajiitibin. 
 notis in 
 /Ene.Pol/' 
 orcet. c. 3 I . 
 De 7totii 
 Tyronis &" 
 Senec. 
 
 * De DoSf. 
 Chriji.l.z. 
 c. 26. 
 
 * In Chron. 
 t De in- 
 njent.rerum 
 1.1. c. 8. 
 De Polygr. 
 
 Lib. I'^.ad 
 Mtic. Ep. 
 32. 
 
 77;f Secret and Swift \^eJfe}2Cfer. 
 
 alfo, fome refer the Charad:ers that are ufed in Ma- 
 gick, which are maintained to have, not only a fe- 
 cret Signification, but likewife a natural Efficacy. 
 
 This Short- hand Writing is now fo ordinary in 
 Practice ( it being ufual for any common Mecha- 
 nick both to write and invent it) that 1 fhall not 
 need to fet down any particular Example of it. 
 In Ancient Times it was not fo frequently ufed ; 
 but then there was a twofold Kind of it. 
 Pri'vate. 
 VubUck. 
 
 Thefe private Charatfters were pradifed by the 
 Roman Magiftates , and others of eminent Favour 
 amongft themj who being often importuned to 
 write in the Commendation of thofe Perfons they 
 knew not , were fain to agree upon fome Secret 
 Notes , whereby their Serious Epiftles might be di- 
 ftinguifhed from thofe of Form. Whence the Pro- 
 verb arofe, De meliori nata commcndare. 
 
 The othet Charaders of publick and common 
 \JiQ, y are many of them explained by Valerius Pro- 
 bus y in his Book de Literls /intiqttis ,• and there is a 
 whole Volume , or Di6t:ionary of them, fet forth 
 by Jan'ts Gruterus. From the Pradiice of thefe 
 came the Word Notarius^ as '*' St. Juftin obferves. 
 
 The firft Invention of them is commonly afcribed 
 to Tyro, who was a Servant unto Cicero. So * Eufe- 
 bltiSy and t Polydore Virgil. But Trithemius affirms, 
 That Cicero himfelf writ a Treatife on this Subjed, 
 which was afterwards augmented by St. Cyprian : 
 And that he had found in an Old Library, the Co- 
 py of a Pfaltcr written in thefe Characters, infcri- 
 bed by fome ignorant Maa with this Title, Pfalte* 
 rium in Lingua Armenica. 
 
 That Cicero was not unacquainted with thefe 
 Notes, may be evident from that Paffage to Atticus : 
 ^od ad te de kgatis Jcrif/i, farum inteUeyit, credo, 
 quia •«^*^ ffvfXHai' fcrjpferam. 
 
 Tit, 
 
The Secret and Swift 'S^ejfenger. 5-3 
 
 Vet. Diacomtf attributes the firft Invention of Prokg.m. 
 thefc to the Old Poet Ennius ; whofe beginnings in ^/^^"L^^ 
 thiskind^ did afterwards receive fuccefiive Addition orS./.i.' 
 from the Works of Tyro , PhilargirMs, Jquila, and c. 21. 
 Seneca the Father ; by whom they were increafed to 
 the Number of j-ooo. 
 
 But Hermannus Hugo, a late Jefuit, will have this DeOrig. 
 Short- hand Writing to be of far more ancient Ufe ; f^ribevdi, 
 affirming , that Da'uU alludes to the Pradice of it, jj^^^;,]''^^'^ 
 in that Phrafe, Tjal. 45". i. The Pen of a ready JVri- 
 ter. And that the Writing upon the \^all, in Dan. ■ 
 5". 25*. which fo puzzled the Chaldean Wizards, was 
 defciibed in fuch kind of Charaders. ^ut whether 
 tills were fo, or not , is not much material : It is 
 fufficiently pertinent to the prefent Enquiry , that 
 the Wq of thefe Word-Characters may well enough 
 conduce to the Secrefy of any written Meflage. 
 
 The third and laft fort of Signs, that have been 
 anciently ufed for the Expreffion of Things and l^o~ 
 ticns, are either Hierogiyphicks, or Emblems. 
 
 I. Concerning Hierogfyphkks. The Word figni- Of Hie- 
 fies Sacred Sculptures , which were engraven upon rogly- 
 Pillars, Obelisks, Pyramids, and other Monuments, phicks. 
 before the Invention of Letters. Thus the zy£g)'p- Tacit. ^«- 
 tians were wont to exprefs their Minds, by the Pi- w^r/. /. n. 
 <Sures of fuch Creatures as did bear in them fome 
 natural Refemblance to the Thing intended. By po^- f^irgU 
 the Shape of a Bee, they reprefented a King ; inti- 'j^^"'^^"^^ 
 mating , that he fhould be endowed with Induftry, ■^''•^^^ 
 Honey, and a Sting. By a Serpent, with his Tail 
 in his Mouth, the Year, which returns into it felf ; 
 And ( which was a kind of Prophetical Hierogly- 
 phick) by the Sign of a Crofs, they did ancient- 
 ly denote Spem venture Salutis, or Vitam Eternam, ^.^^.""^•^'^ 
 as Pet. Crinitus relates out of Riiffinus. * Philo reck- f'^'^^'^^ 
 ons up the Knowledge of thefe amongft thofe other * Lih.'de 
 abftrufe z/Egyptian Arts, wherein Mojes is faid to be 'v//'/» MoJ^t, 
 fo expert. And Clmens relates of Pjthagoras ^how ^ii'-'^'Sfrt- 
 
 he *"" ■ 
 
54 
 
 LifcaJi I. 3 ■ 
 
 Ifid.& 
 Ojiride. 
 
 Hsrodot. 
 Melpom. 
 /, 4. f. 130, 
 
 a. ji.'x. 
 
 Strsm. 5. 
 
 Pieriuf 
 
 Hieroglyph. 
 
 Emblems 
 feom the 
 Greek 
 Word i^- 
 
 interferere, 
 injicere. 
 
 Tl^e Secret and Swift Mcffenger. 
 
 he was content to be circumcifcd^ that fo he might 
 be admitted to the underftanding of thofe many and 
 great Myfteries which were this way delivered by 
 the Ancient Priefts , who did conceal all their 
 Learning under fuch kind of Magical Expreflions, 
 as the Poet lliles them. 
 
 Nondnm flumttieas Memphis contexere bjblos 
 Noveraty d^ faxu ta?itum 'volucref<jue feriseque, 
 Sculptatjy ferViibant magicas iminfiiiia linguas. 
 Vlutarch fpeaks of a Temple in t-^Pgygt dedicated 
 to Minerva, in the Front of which there was placed 
 the Image of an Infant , an Old Man, a Hawk, by 
 which they did reprefent God ; a Fiji), the Expref- 
 fion of Hatred ; ajisd a Sea-horfe, the common Hie- 
 roglyphick of Impudence ; The Conftrudion of 
 all being this J O ye that arc horn to dye, know that 
 God h.iteth IwpudcTice. 
 
 Of this Nature were thofe Prefents fent unto Da- 
 rius, when he was almoft wearied in his War againft 
 the Scythians ; which were , a Bird, a Moufe, a 
 Frog, and certain Arrows i intimating, that unlefs 
 the Per/tans could fly as Birds, or hide themfelves 
 under Water as Frogs, or inhabit the Caverns of the 
 Earth as Alice, they fhould not efcape the Scythian 
 Arrows. Of this kind likewife were fome Military 
 Signs amongft tlie Romans. When jiny thing was 
 to be cany d with Silence and Secrefy, they lifted 
 up the Reprefentation of a AFmotaur ,• thereby 
 teaching the Captains, that their Counfels and Con- 
 trivances- muil be as inextricable as a Labyrinth, 
 which is feigned to be the Habitation of that Mon- 
 fter. 
 
 2. Like unto thefe Hieroglyphicks , are the Ex- 
 preffions by Emblems. They were ufually inferted 
 as Ornaments upon Veflels of Gold , and other 
 Matters of State or Pleafure. Of this Nature ard 
 the ^amps of many Ancient Medals, the ImprefTes 
 of &ms, the Frontifpieces of Books, &c* 
 
 The 
 
The Secret and Swift Mcjftnger, 5j 
 
 The Kinds of them are chiefly twofold. 
 
 1. Natural. Which are grounded upon fome Re- 
 femblance in the Property and Effence of the Things 
 themfelves. So a Dolphin, which is a fwift Crea- 
 ture, being defcribed upon an Anchor, which ferves 
 for the Stay and Reft of a Ship , fignifies FeBina- 
 lente , Deliberation in Counfel , and Difpatch in 
 Execution : A Young Stork carrying the Old one. 
 Filial Gratitude. 
 
 2. Hl(i-orlcal, Thofe that refer to fome common 
 Relation. So the Pidure of Vrometheus gnawed by 
 a Vulture, fignifies the Defert of over-much Curiofi- 
 ty. Phaeton, the Folly of Raihnefs. NarciJJui ^ the 
 Puniftiment of Self-love. 
 
 It was formerly efteemed a great Sign of Wit and 
 Invention, handfomely to convey any noted Saying 
 under fuch kind of Expreflioris. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Concerning an Uniuerfal Character^ that may he 
 legible to all Nations and Languages. The Bene^ 
 fit and Voffihility of this. 
 
 AFter the Fall of Adam, there were two Gene- 
 ral Curfes inflifted on Mankind : The one up- 
 on their Labours, the Other upon their Language. 
 
 Againfl: the firft of thefe we do naturally endea- 
 vour to provide, by all thofe common Arts and Pro- 
 fcfiions about which the World is bufied ; feeking 
 thereby to abate the Sweat of their Btovvs in the 
 Earning of their Bread. 
 
 Againft the other, the beft Help that V7e can yet 
 boaft of, is the Latin Tongue, and the other learned 
 Languages, which by Reafon of their Generality;, do 
 ibmcwhat reftore us from the firfb Confnfiton, But 
 
5 6 Tl:e Secret and Swift Meffeiign'. 
 
 now if there were fucli an Univer/Iil Charadcr to 
 exprefs Things and Notions, as mi^ht be legible to 
 all People and Countries, fo that Men of feveral 
 Nations might with the fame eale both write and 
 read it, this Invention would be a flir greater Advan- 
 tage in this Particular, and mightily conduce to the 
 fpreading and promoting of all Arts and Sciences : 
 Beciuife that great part of our Time which is now 
 required to the Learning of Words , might then be 
 employed in the Study of Things. Nay , the Con- 
 fufior^ at Biiljel might this Way have been remedied , 
 if every one could have exprelTed his own meaning 
 by the fame kind of Charader. But then perhaps 
 the Art of Letters was not invented. 
 
 That fuch a manner of Writing is already ufed in 
 fome Parts of the World, the Kingdoms of the high 
 Levant , may evidently appear from divers credible 
 Relations. Trigauitlus affirms, that though thofe of 
 China and Jafan, do as much differ in their Language 
 as the Hi'hcw and th^^Danh ; yet either of them can, 
 BAconJug- by this FL'lp of a common Charadler, as well undcr- 
 v!c?it. sci- jtani the Books and Letters of the others, as if the5' 
 were only their own. 
 
 And for fome particulars, this general kind of 
 Writing is already attained amongft us alfo. 
 
 1. Many Nations do agree in the Charaders of 
 the common Numbers, defcribing them either the 
 Roman Way by Letters, as L IL V. X. C. D. M. 
 or elfe the Barhjrian Way by Figures, as i. 2. :;. 10. 
 &c. So likewife for that which we call Philofophi- 
 cal Number, which is any fuch Meafure whereby vve 
 judge the Differences betwixt feveral Subftances,vvhe- 
 ther in Weight, or Length, or Capacity -, each of 
 thefe are expreft in feveral Languages by the fame 
 Character. Thus 3 llgnifies a Scruple, o a Drachm, 
 and fo of the reft. 
 
 2. The Aftronomers of feveral Countries do ex- 
 prefs 
 
Tlje Secret and Swift Meffengen 57 
 
 prefs both the Heavenly Signs, and Planets, and 
 Afpeds by the fame kind of Notes : AsjT,0,ii,S,&c, 
 *fi,V,cr, $,&c. d,^, A, D, 5. Which Charaaers (as 
 it is thought^ were firft invented by the Ancient A-» 
 ftrologers for the Secrefy of them, the better to con- 
 ceal their Sacred and Myfterious Profeffion from vul- 
 gar Capacity. 
 
 3. The Chymical Treatifes that are written in dif- 
 ferent Languages, do all of them agree in the fame 
 Form of Writing their Minerals. Thofe that are at- 
 tributed to any of the Planets, are decyphered by the 
 Charader of the Planet to which they belong. The 
 reft by other particular Signs , as ^ for Salt Ammo- 
 niack, S for Arfnick, &c. 
 
 4. Mufical Notes in moft Countries are the fame : 
 Nor is there any rcafon why there may not be fucha 
 general kind of Writing invented for the Expreflion 
 of every Thing elfe as well as thefe particulars. 
 
 In the Contrivance of this there muft be as many 
 feveral Characters as there are primitive Words. To 
 which purpofe the Hebrew is the beft Pattern^ becaufe 
 that Language confifts of feweft Radicals, 
 
 Each of thefe Primitives muft have fome particu- 
 lar Marks to diftinguifh the Cafes, Conjugacioiis, or 
 other neceffary Variations of thofe Derivatives that 
 depend upon it. 
 
 In the Reading of fuch a Writing , though Mere 
 of feveral Countries fhould each of them differ in 
 their Voices, and pronouncing feveral Words, yet thQ 
 Senfe would be ftill the fame. As it is in the Pidure 
 of a Man, a Horfe, or Tree 3 which to all Nations 
 do exprefs the fame Conceit , though each of thefe 
 Creatures be ftiled by feveral Names , according to 
 the Difference of Languages. 
 
 Suppofe that Aftronomical Sign tJ were to be pro- 
 nounced, a Jew would call it -|(iy ; a Grecian^ T^a^a^t 
 an Italian , Toro ^ a Frenchman , Taureau j a German^! 
 Stier I an Englijhman, a Bull. 
 
 Bq ^ So 
 
5 8 Tl)e Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 So likewife for that Charadler , which in Tiro's 
 Notes fignifies the World^ a Jew would read it VdH ; 
 a Grecian, ^o(r(j.@- ; an ItaliaVy il monde j a Frtnchman, 
 le monde ; a Germany Belt. Though feveral Nations 
 may differ in the Exprejfion of things, yet they all a- 
 gree in the fame Conceit of them. 
 
 The Learning of this Charader will not be more 
 difficult than the Learning of any one Language,be« 
 caufe there needs not be more Signs for the Expref- 
 fion of Things, than there is now for the Expreflion 
 of IVords. Amongft thofe in China and Japan , there 
 is faid to be about Seven or Eight Thoufand. 
 
 The perfecting of fuch an Invention were the 
 only Way to unite the Seventy two Languages of the 
 firft Confufion ,• and therefore may very well deferve 
 their Endeavours who have both Abilities and Lei- 
 fure for fuch kind of Enquiries. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 Concerning the third Way of Secret Difcourfing hy 
 Signs and GeJiiireSy which may Jignife , ei- 
 ther 
 
 rcongruo. 
 ex< 
 Cplacito. 
 
 TH E third Way of Difcourfing was by Signs and 
 Geftures, which ( as they are ferviceable to 
 this Purpofe) may be diftinguiflied into fuch as are 
 (ignificant, either 
 
 1, Ex congruo. 
 
 2. Or ex placito. 
 
 I. Ex congruo^ when there is fome natural Refem- 
 
 blanc9 
 
7 he Secret and StPtft }4e[Jenger. j 9 
 
 blance and Affinity betwixt the A<aion done.and the 
 thing to be expreft. Of which kind are all thofe 
 outward Geitures, whereby not only dumb Crea- 
 tures, but Men alfo do exprefs their inward Paffions, 
 whether of Joy, Anger, Fear, &c. For, 
 
 Sap tacens voccm verbatjue vultus ballet. 
 
 And the Wife Man ^otes it of the Scorner, That 
 he winket-h with hps ejes, he fpeaketh with his feety he Prov. 6. 
 teacheth with ha fingers. iS* 
 
 Of this kind likewife are many Religious Adions, 
 and Circumftances of Divine Worfhip , not only a- 
 mongft the Ancient Heathen, but fome that were 
 particularly enjoyned the Priefts and Levites of the 
 old Law • and fome too that are now in Ufe in 
 thefe Times of the Gofpel. For by fuch bodily Ge- 
 ftures and Signs, we may as well fpeak unto God as 
 unto Men. 
 
 To this kind alfo are reducible thofe Anions of 
 Form, that are required as neceffary Circumftances 
 in many civil Affairs and publick Solemnities, which 
 are ufually fuch, as in themfelves are apt to fignifie 
 the thing for which they are meant. 
 
 But now fometimes the intended meaning of thefe 
 Geftures is concealed under a fecret Similitude. As 
 it was in that Ad of Thrafybulus, who being confut- 
 ed with, how to maintain a Tyranny that was new- 
 ly ufurped : Kc bid the MelTenger attend him in the 
 Field ,• where with his Wand he whipt oiF thofe 
 higher Ears of Corn that did over-top the reft ^ in- 
 timating, that it confifted in cutting off the Peers 
 and Nobility, who were likely to be moft impatient 
 of Subjedion. This I may call a VaraboUcal Way of 
 fpeaking by Geftures. 
 
 2. Ex placito, when thefe Signs have their Signifi- 
 cation from Ufe and mutual Compad ; which kind 
 of Speaking, as it refers to lafcivious Intimations, is 
 largely handled by Ovid, de Arte amandin 
 
 E e 3 Verba 
 
6o The Secret and Swift Jvlejfenger. 
 
 VerhA fu per eiliis Jiff e 'voce Io<^uentiadicarff, 
 
 Verba leges digitlsf &C. 
 
 By the Help of this it is common for Men of fe- 
 veral Nations, who underftand not one another's 
 Languages, to entertain a mutual Commerce and 
 Traffick. And 'tis aftrangethingtobehold,what Dia- 
 logues of Gelfures there will pafs betwixt fuch as are 
 born both Deaf and Dumb ,• who are able by this 
 means alone, to anfvver and reply unto one anothex 
 asdire(3:ly as if they had the Benefit of Speech. 'Tis 
 a great part of the State and Majefty belonging to 
 the Turk'jh Emperor, that he is attended by Mutes, 
 uith whom he may difcourfe concerning any private 
 B.ifiners,which he would not haveothersto underftand, 
 
 Ir were a miferable thing for a Rational Soul to be 
 jmprifoned in fuch a Body as had no Way at all to 
 exprefs its Cogitations ,• which would be fo in all 
 that are born Dq'^^, if that which Nature denied 
 them, were not in this Refped fupplied by a fecond 
 Nature, CuHom and Ufe. 
 
 But ('by the Way) 'tis very obfervable which * 
 Villi tfius relates of Tit. Tontius a Friend of his,v/hoby 
 an unheard-of Art taught.the Deaf to (peak. Docens 
 priwum ftriberc, resipjas dlgito indic.'iKdo , qiae charath' 
 ribtis illis fignlf.carajtur ^ deinde ad motus lingua^ (jtti 
 chamcitrihus rejpcr.dertnt prcvccavdo. Firft learning 
 (hem to write the Name of any thinghe fliould point 
 to ; ?Ln-^ afterwards provcking them to fuch Motions 
 of tie Tongue as might aijfwer tlie feveral Words. 
 'Tis probable that tiiis Invention well foHowed,might 
 re of lingular Ufc for thofe that ^!and in need of 
 fuch Helps. Tho' certainly that wss far beyond it , 
 (if crue) which is related of an ancient Do6i:or, G/s- 
 brklNerde, that he could underftand any Word by the 
 nieer Morion of the Lips, without any Ucrerance. 
 
 Tlie particular Ways of Difcburfing by Geftures, 
 are not to be numbicd, :-s being almoft of infinite 
 Variety, according as the feveral Fancies of Men 
 ; - • — ' (hall 
 
The Secret and Swift Meffenger. 6 \ 
 
 fiiall impofe Significations upon all fuch Signs or Ani- 
 ons as are capable of fufficient Diiference. 
 
 But fome there are of moreefpecial Note for their 
 Ufe and Antiquity. Such is that upon the Joynts and 
 Fingers of the Hand , commonly ftiled Arthrologia , 
 or DaByloiogia ; largely treated of by the venerable 
 * Be^e, t Vieriusy and others. In whom you may 
 fee, how the Ancients were wont to exprefs any 
 Number by the feveral Poftures of the Hands and 
 Fingers : The Numbers under a hundred , were de- 
 rioted by the Left Hand, and thofe above, by the 
 Right Hand. Hence Juvenal, commending Vylias 
 for his old Age,fays,That he reckoned his Years upon 
 his Right Hand. 
 
 Fd'lix niTnirum qui tot per factda 'vltam 
 DlfiuUt, ntciue juos jam dextra computat mmos. 
 There are divers PalTages in the Ancient Authors, 
 both Sacred and Prophane^which do evidently allude 
 to this kind of reckoning. 
 
 Hence it is eafie to conceive, how the Letters as 
 well as the Numbers, may be thus applied to the 
 feveral Parts of the Hand, fothat a Man might with 
 divers Touches, make up any Senfe that he hath oc- 
 cafion to difcover unto a Confederate. 
 
 This may be performed, either as the Numbers are 
 fet down in the Authors before-cited ^ or elfe by any- 
 other Way of Compad that may be agreed upon. 
 
 As for Example : Let the Tops of the Fingers fig- 
 nifie the five Vowels ; the middle Parts, the five firffc 
 Confonants ,• the Bottoms of them, the five next 
 Confonants ,• the Spaces betwixt the Fingers the 
 four next. One Finger laid on the fide of the Hand 
 may fignifie T, two Fingers V the Confonant, three 
 VV, the little Finger crolTed X, the Wrift Y, the 
 middle of the Hand Z. 
 
 But becaufe fuch various Gefticuhtions as are re- 
 quired to this, will not be without Sufpicion, there- 
 fore it were a better Way , to impofe Significations 
 
 Ee 4 upon 
 
6 1 The Secret and Swift Mcffeiinr, 
 
 upon fuch Adions as are of more common unfufpeft- 
 cd Ufe ; as fcracching of the Head , rubbing the fe- 
 yeral Parts of the Face, winking of the Eyes^ twift- 
 ing of the Beard, &c. Any of which, or all of 
 them together, may be as well contrived to ferve for 
 this Purpofe, and with much more Secrefy. 
 
 In which Art, if our gaming Cheats, and Popip 
 Miracle-Impoftors, were but well verfed, it might 
 much advantage them, in their cozening Trade of 
 Life. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 XV. 
 
 CGticerning the Siviftnef: of Informations, either 
 hy QuaUtics^ as the Imprefion of Imagination , ' 
 anrl th£ Seiifitive Species ; or hy Spiritual Suh- 
 fiances^ as Angels. 
 
 Aving already treated concerning the feveral 
 Wciys of Secrefy in DifcQurfmg , I (hall in the 
 next Plnce enquire, How a Man may with the great- 
 elt Swikiiels and Speed, difcover his Intentions to 
 one that is far diiiant from him. 
 
 There is nocliing (we fay) fo fwift as Thought , 
 and yet thelmpremon of thefe in another, might be 
 as quick almuit as the firit A^l, if there were but 
 fuch a great Power in Imagination, as fome later * 
 Piiiiofophers have attributed to it. 
 
 K'cxt to the Ads of Thouj^ht, the Species of Sight 
 do feem to be of the quickeft Motion. We fee the 
 I^Ighy of tiie E:.fi will in a Moment fill the Hemi- 
 fphere, and the Eye does prefently di fcern an Ob- 
 jed that is very remote. How we m:^y by this means 
 communicate cur Tiioughts at great Diltances^ I- 
 . ih«.li difcourf^ ^ftei.wards. 
 
 The 
 
The Secret and Swift "Sfejfeiiger. 
 
 The Subftances that are moft confiderable for the 
 Swiftnefs of their Motion^ are 
 
 <5; 
 
 C Spiritual. 
 
 'V 
 
 Ehl:\QT\CorporeaL 
 
 Amongft all created Subftances^ there are not any 
 of fo fwift a Motion as Angels or Spirits. Becaufe 
 there is not either wirhin their Natures, any fuch In« 
 difpofition and ReluAancy, or without them in the 
 Medium, any fuch Impediment as may in the lead 
 manner retard their Courfes. And therefore have 
 the Ancient Philofophers employed thefe as the Cau- 
 fes of that mad Celerity of the Celeftial Orbs • tho' 
 according to their Suppofitions, I think it would be 
 a hard Match, if there were a Race to be run be- 
 twixt the 'Primmn Mobile and an Angel. It being 
 granted that neither of them could move in an In- 
 Ifant^ it would be but an even lay which Ihould prove 
 the fwifter. 
 
 From the Fitnefs of Spirits in this regard to con- 
 vey any Meffage, are they in the learned Langua- 
 ges called Meliengers. 
 
 Now if a Man had but fuch Familiarity with one 
 of thefe, as Socrates is faid to have with his Tutelary 
 Genius : If we could fend but one of them upon any 
 Errand, there would be no quicker Way than this 
 for the Difpatch of Bufinefs an ail Diftances. 
 
 That they have been often thus employed, is 
 affirmed by divers Relations. Vatinius being at Romz, 
 was informed by an Apparition of that Victory which 
 Vaulus their General had obtained over King Verfes in 
 MacedoHy the very fame Day wherein the JBattel was 
 fought i which was a long Time before any other 
 Melienger could arrive with the News. 
 
 And it is ftoried of many others , that whilft they 
 have refided in remote Countj^ics , they have known 
 the Death of their Friends^ even in the very Hour of 
 their Departure ; either by Bleeding, or by Dreams, 
 or fome fuch Way of Intimation. Which, though ic 
 
 be 
 
 Spirits. 
 
 Unreins. 
 
 Plutarch. 
 Maximus 
 Tyritii. 
 Dijfertat. 
 25, 27. 
 
 La^ant. 
 Inji.l.z. 
 ep. 8. 
 
 Val. Max. 
 I. I. c. 8. 
 Floruf, m. 
 
 2.f. 12. 
 
^4 
 
 The Secret and Swift Meffenger. 
 
 be commonly attributed to the Operation of Sympa- 
 thy ; yet ic is more probably to be afcribed unto the 
 Spirit or G-nius. There being a more efpecial Ac- 
 quaintance and Commerce betwixt the Tutelary An- 
 gels of pa;ricular Friends, they are fometimes by 
 them infor ned ('tho' at great Diftances) of fuch Re- 
 markable Accidents as befall one another. 
 
 But this way there is little Hopes to advantage 
 our Enquiry, becaufe it is not fo eafie to employ a 
 good Angel, nor fafe dealing with a bad one. 
 
 The Abbot Tritbemius, in his Books concerning 
 the feveral Ways of fecret and fpeedy Difcourfmg, 
 does pretend to handle the Forms of Conjuration, 
 calling each kind of Character by the Name of 
 Spirits , thereby to deter the Vulgar from fearch- 
 ing into his Works. But under this Pretence, he is 
 thought alfo to deliver fome Diabolical Magick. 
 yojius E(peci'illy in one Place, where he fpeaks of the three 
 Gram.l r. Saturnine Angels, and certain Images, by which, in 
 the Space of twenty four Hours, a Man may be in- : 
 formed of News from any Part of the World. And i 
 this was the mainReafon, why by Junius his Advi^Cj ! 
 Frederick the Second, Prince Palatine , did caufe the 
 Original Manufcript of that Work to be burned. 
 Which Adion is fo much (though ic fliould feem un- 
 Crmogy. JLiftly) blamed by SeUnns, 
 
 /. 3. c. IS. 
 
 Polygraph. 
 I. -i.e. 16. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 Concerning the Swiftnefs of Conveyance hy Bodies^ 
 whether Inanimate, as Arrows^ Bullets ; or A- 
 nimate, as Men, Bea/lsy Birds. 
 
 TH E Bodies that are moft eminent for their 
 SwiUnefs, may be diitinguifhed into fuch as 
 are 
 
 Either 
 
7 he Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 6f 
 
 C Inanimate, 
 Either < 
 
 (Animate, 
 
 Thefe Inanimate Bodies, as Arrows, Bullets, &c. ^animate 
 have only a violent Motion ^ which cannot there- 
 fore be continued to fo great a Diftance , as fome 
 Occafions would require : But for fo much Space as 
 they do move, they are far fwifter than the Natural 
 Motion of any Animated Body. How thcfe have 
 been contrived to the fpeedy Conveyance of Secrat 
 Meffages , hath been formerly difcourfed , in the 
 Fourth Chapter, which I now forbear to repeat. 
 
 Thofe Living Bodies that are moft obfervable 
 for their Speed and Celerity in Meffages, are either 
 Men, Beafls, Birds : Tho' I doubt not , but that 
 Fiflies alfo may be ferviceable for this purpofe, es- 
 pecially the Dolphin , which is reported to be of 
 the greateft Swiftnefs, and moft eafily circurated^ or 
 made tame. 
 
 Amongft the Ancient Footmen, there are fome Men. 
 upon Record for their incredible Swiftnefs. Ladas soimus 
 is reported to be fo quick in his Running, Ut arenis Poiyhiji. 
 fendsntibus d^ cavo pnl'vere, nulla indicia relinqueret 've- c. 6. 
 illgiorum ; that he left no Impreffion of his Foot- 
 fteps on the Hollow Sands. And it is related of a ji^id. 
 Boy amongft the Rowans, being but Eight Years old, 
 that did run Five and forty Miles in an Afternoon. 
 Anifiius and Vhilonidesy two Footmen unto Alexander 
 the Great, are faid to have run 1200 Stadia in a day. 
 Which Relations will feem lefs incredible , if wc 
 confider the Ancient Exercifes and Games of this 
 kind, together with the publick Fame and Rewards 
 for thofe that were moft eminent. 
 
 Amongft the Variety of Beafts , there are fome Swiftnefs 
 of more efpecial Note for their Strength and Swift- of Beafts. 
 nefs. Scaliger mentions a Story , (tho' he diftrufts ^^^^- ^°^' 
 the Truth of it) of a certain Beaft called Elknd, ^. 
 
 two 
 
66 The Secret and Swift Meffenger. 
 
 two of which being joined in a little Cart, are faid 
 to pafs Three hundred Leagues a day upon the Ice. 
 
 In former Ages , and in other Countries , the 
 Dromedary, and Camel, and Mule, were of more 
 common Ufe ; but in thefe Times and Places, the 
 Horfe (for the moft partj ferves iaftead of them 
 all ^ by the Help of which , we have our fwifteft 
 Means of ordinary Conveyance. The Cuftom of 
 Riding Poft, by renewing both Horfe and Man at 
 fet Stages , is of Ancient Invention. Herodotus re- 
 8. 5>8. i^jgg -J. jQ ^g ^^gj ^y Xerxes in the Grecian War j and 
 
 that it was by the Terfi.tns called ^^yynfmov. The 
 
 Particulars that concern thefe kind of Conveyances 
 
 amongft the Ancients, are largely handled by Her- 
 
 mannus HugOy Lib. 5. de Origine fcribendi , c. 14. 
 
 rt Tliny tells us of certain Mares in Lufitania , which 
 
 /.8 c/42. ^^ conceive meerly by the JVefiVJind; that alone 
 
 (without the Copulation of any Male) ferving to 
 
 acfluate their Heat, and to generate their Young. 
 
 Ceorg. 3. Which are like wife mentioned by Virgil : 
 
 Except ant<j'y auras hues, ^ fafe Jine ullis 
 
 Conjagiisj 'vento gra'vida, &C. 
 
 Methinks thefe Children of the Wind fhould, for 
 their Fleetnefs , make excellent Poft-Horfes , and 
 much conduce to the fpeedy Conveyance of any 
 MelTage. 
 
 The Paracel/ians talk of Natural Means to extratfl 
 the Mettle and Spirit out of one Horfe , and infufe 
 ic into another ; of enabling them to carry a Man 
 fafely and fwiftly through Enemies, Precipices, or 
 other dangerous Places. And fuch Horfes ( (ky 
 they ) were ufed by the Wife Men of the Ea/i at 
 our Saviour's Nativity ,• for they had not otherwife 
 been able to have kept pace with a Star, or to have 
 paffed fo great a Journey as it was to Jerufalem, 
 which is thought to be Five or Six hundred Miles at 
 the lea ft, from the Places of their Habitation. If- 
 this Conceit were feafible^ it would much promote 
 
 the 
 
Tl?e Secret and Swift Meffenger. 67 
 
 the Speed of Conveyances ; but I think it may }ufl- 
 ly be referred amongft the other Dreams of the 
 Melancholick Chymicks. 
 
 Amongft all Animate Bodies , there is not any The 
 that have naturally fo iw'ik a Motion as Birds ^ ^f^B^'d 
 which if a Man could wdl employ in the Difpatch 
 of any Errand , there would be but little Fear that 
 fuch Meffenger Ihould be either intercepted , or 
 corrupted. 
 
 That this hath been attempted , and eiFe<^ed by 
 many of the Ancients^ is affirmed by divers Relati- 
 ons. Vliny tells us of Volaterranus, that he difcover'd ^-^'f* ^'l^* 
 a Conqueft he had gotten unto the City of Rome^ '• '°' ^'•'*' 
 by fending out Swallows, which fliould fly thither, 
 being anointed over with the Colour of Vi(3:ory. 
 And of another, who fending one of thefe Birds in- 
 to a befieged City , ( whence ftie was before taken 
 from her young ones ) and tying a String unto her 
 with certain Knots upon it, did thereby fhew, after 
 what Number of Days their Aids would come ; at 
 which time they fhould make an Irruption upon the 
 Enemy. 
 
 And elfewhere, in the fame Book, he relates, Cap.^y^ 
 How Hircius the Conful , and Brutus who was be- 
 fieged in Mutina , did this way maintain mutual In- 
 telligence, by tying their Letters unto fuel.. Pigeons, 
 as were taught beforehand to fly from the Tents to 
 the City, and from thence to the Tents again. 
 
 How ThauroBhenes did by this means fend the wft.Ani^ 
 News of his Vidory at Olympa , to his Father at malium, 
 z/£gina, is related by i/£lian. ^■^' ^" '^' 
 
 Anacreon has an Ode upon fuch a Pigeon, which 
 he himfelf had often ufed as a Meffenger, wherein 
 the Bird is feigned to fay, 
 
 '£^ S"" ^AvuKotovn 
 Kou viiZ ofi£i oKfivm 
 
 Unto 
 
6i Tie Secret and Swift Mejfenger, 
 
 Sat. 4. Unto this Invention alfo , Juvenal is thought to 
 
 juxtafiH. allude ^ where he fays, 
 
 • ■ ■" ■ ■ Tancjium e diverjis partihus or bis, 
 Anxia pracipiti ven'/jjet Epifiola pennn. 
 Saturn. Lypfius relates out of Varro, That it was ufual for 
 
 serm.i.i. the Komafj Magiftrates when they went unto the 
 C' ^- Theatre, or other fuch publick Meetings , whence 
 
 they could not return at pleafure , to carry fuch a 
 Pigeon with them,- that if any unexpeded fiufinefs 
 ihould happen, they might thereby give Waining 
 to their Friends or Families at home. 
 
 By which Relations you may fee how common- 
 ly this Invention was pradifed amongft the Anci- 
 ents. Nor hath it been lefs ufed in thefe laterTimes, 
 efpecially in thofe Countries where by reafon of 
 Vottn^' continual Wars and DilT ntions , there have been 
 7ic4;'polior~ "^oi's particular and urgen. Neceflicy for fuch kind 
 cet.c.-ii. of Conveyances. Nunc 'vulgntljjima res eH , colum- 
 Cowment. yas habere, ad ejufmodi juJJ'a paratas , faith Cajaubon. 
 Tw^? ^'^^'^^ ^f^^^f »(?/r^2:rej hoc bello civ Hi ^ frequenter adjuti 
 See'l^unt. f'^^^y f^ich Godefc. Stewechius. 
 
 inanimar. There are divers other Stories to this purpofe, 
 concern- but by thefe you may fufficiently difcern the com- 
 lafdfr^' ^^^ Pradiices of this kind. As it is ufual to bring up 
 7orfa'de ^^^^^ P^ ^'"^7^ ^s Hawks, Cormorants, &c. to an 
 fun. lit. Obedience of their Keepers ; fo likewife have fome 
 A 2. c. 21. attempted it in thefe other Birds, teaching them the 
 r^Ma"" ^^^ ^^ carrying MeiTages. There is a fmaller fort 
 iiSs. * °f Pigeon , of a light Body , and fwift Flight, 
 Herm.Hitgo which is ufually made choice of for fuch particn* 
 de orig. lars ; and therefore the kind of them is commonly 
 fcribendi, ^^alled by the Nagis of Carriers. 
 
 If- 
 
 Thuet7iHs 
 Hiji. /. 17 
 
 pii^ /^T-i-^j^ A>^^/r. r^ CHAP 
 
The Secret ani Swift Mejfenger. 69 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Of Secret and Swift Informations ly the Species 
 of Sound* 
 
 Aving in the former Chapters created feverally 
 I concerning the divers Ways of Secrefy and 
 Swifrnefs in Diicourfe ; it remains that I now en- 
 quire, (according to the Method propofed) how 
 borh thefe may be joined together in the Convey- 
 ance of any Meflage. The Refolution of which, 
 fo far as it concerns the Particulars already fpeci- 
 fy'dj were but needlefs to repeat. 
 
 That which does more immediately belong to the 
 prefent ^are , and was the main Occafion of this 
 Difcourfe , does refer to other Ways of Intimation, 
 befides thefe in ordinary \Jky of Speaking, or Wri- 
 ting , or Geftures. For in the general we muft 
 note , That 'ivbate'ver is capable of a competent Diffe^ 
 rence, perceptible to any Scnfe, may be a fufficient Means 
 Tvhereby to exprefs the Cogitations. It is more conve- 
 nient, indeed , that thefe Differences Ihould be of 
 as great Variety as the Letters of the Alphabet ; 
 but it is fufficient if they be but twofold , becaufe 
 Two alone may, with fomewhac more Labour and 
 Time, be well enough contrived to exprefs ail the 
 reft. Thus any two Letters or Numbers, fuppofe A. 
 B. being tranfpofed through five Places , will yield 
 Thirty two Differences , and fo confequently will 
 fuperabundantly ferve for the Four and twenty Let- 
 ters , as was before more largely explained in the 
 Ninth Chapter. 
 
 Now the Senllcive Species, whereby fuch Infor- 
 mations muft be conveyed, are , either the Species 
 of Sound, or the Species of Sight : The Ear and the 
 Eye being the only Senfes that are of quick Percep- 
 tion, when their Objects are remote. 
 
70 
 
 De re thi- 
 lit.l.i.c.S- 
 
 Secretand 
 fpeedyln- 
 formacion 
 by die 
 Species of 
 Sound. 
 
 Proceyn. in 
 lib.Plutar. 
 de defeBit 
 (iracHla- 
 
 Dc reram 
 Inventor, 
 lib. ». 
 
 n?2 Secret and Swift Mcffengcr. 
 
 Vegetius diflinguifheth all fignificacory Signs into ] 
 thcfe Three Sores. 
 
 I. Vocnlia. By articulate Sounds. , 
 
 a. Sewi'voajlia. By inarticulate SoundSi ; 
 
 3. Muta. By the Species of Sight. 
 
 The two latt of thele are chiefly pertinent to thd 
 prefent Enquiry. Concerning which^ in the Gene- 
 ral it may be concluded , that any Sound , whethei" 
 of Trumpets, Bells^ Cannons^ Drums, &c. or any " 
 Obj'edl of Sight, whether Flame_, Smoak, &c. which 
 is capable of a double Difference, may be a fufficienc 
 Means whereby to communicate the Thoughts. 
 
 The particular Application of thefe, to fome Ex- 
 periments, I (hall treat more diftiuctly in the Remain- 
 der of this Difcourfe. 
 
 Firft, Concerning the Secrefy and Swiftnefs of 
 any MeiTage by the Species of Sound. Though thefe 
 audible Species be much flower than thofe of Sight > 
 yet are they far fwifter than the natural Motion of 
 any corporeal MeiTenger. The chief \J{^q of thefe 
 is for fuch as are within fome competent Nearnefs, 
 as perhaps a Mile off. But they may alfo by frequent 
 Multiplication be continued to a far greater Diftance. 
 
 There is a Relation in Joach. Camerarius^ of fome 
 that have heard their Friends fpeaking to them diftind- 
 ly, when they have been many Miles afunder. Hahut 
 notos hominesy neque le-veSj (^ nan indc^os , e^ui a^rma' 
 bant, Je attdiijje jecum coUoquenus dijertey eos e^uos tunc 
 nuiltornm millium fajjimm abejje certe fcirent. But this 
 he juftly refers to Diabolical Magick, and the Illufi- 
 on of Spirits. 
 
 There are other natural Experiments in this kind _,■ 
 of more efpecial Note for their Antiquity. Such 
 was that of King Zerxesy related by Ckomenes , as he 
 is cited by Scrdus. Cleomenes m Ubro decircuUs coelejiU 
 bus fcribit Xerxem totu itinere a Perfide in Grasciam fia-^ 
 times Jiatuijje, & in iis bcmifies ita pro^e , ut voccm aU 
 
 iefitii 
 
The Secret and Siv'ift Mejfenger, y \ 
 
 terms alter exaudiret ; ^uo modo ejuadraginta horafum fpa* 
 tioy ex GrSEcia in Perndem res vunciari foterat. But 
 this Invention, befides the great Trouble and Uncer- 
 tainty of it, is alfo too grofs for Imitation , favour- 
 ing fomewhat of the Rudenefs of thofe former and 
 more barbarous Ages. 
 
 Much beyond it was that Experiment of the Ro* 
 mans, in the Contrivance of the ViBs Wall , related 
 by our Learned Cambden ; this Wall was built by Se- 
 njerus in the North Part of England^ above a hundred iiritart. dt 
 Miles long. The Towers of it were about a Mile ^f^^°.P'^^ 
 diftant from one another. Betwixt each of thefe ^^/'? 
 Towers there palTed certain hollow Pipes or Trunks ^54. 
 in theCurtains of theWall,through which the Defen- Boter.Geog. 
 d ants could prefentiy inform one another of any thirg ^'X'^k^' 
 that was neceffary , as concerning that Place where- ^^ J^ 
 in the Enemy was moft likely to affault them , &c. alfo ano- 
 
 Since the Wall is ruined, and this Means of fwift ther Wall 
 Advertifement taken avv^ay , there are many Inhabi- ®^ ^°°° 
 tants thereabouts, which hold their Land by a Te- ?"c^"^^ 
 nure in Cornage (as the Lawyers fpeakj being bound 
 by blowing of aHorn to difcover the Irruption of the 
 Enemy. 
 
 There is another Experiment to this Purpofemen-* 
 tioncd by TValchius, who thinks it poflible fo to con- 
 trive a Trunk or hollow Pipe , that it fhall preferve ■^'*^*^' ^' 
 the Voice entirely for certain Hours or Days, fo that a 
 Man may fend hisWordstoa Friend inftead of hisWri^ 
 ting. There being always a certain Space of Intermifli^ 
 on, for the Paffage of the Voice, betwixt its going into 
 thefe Cavities, and its coming out ♦ he conceives 
 that if both ends were feafonably flopped, whilft 
 the Sound was in the midft, it would continue there 
 till it had fome vent. Hnic tubo 'verba nofira infufur-^ 
 remus, d^ cum probe munitur tabellario committamus^ &C* 
 When the Friend to whom it is fent,ftiall receive and 
 open it, the Words fhall come out diftindly, and irl 
 the fam§ Ofder wherein they were fpoksn. From 
 
 F f fuch 
 
7i The Secret and Swift Mejfenfj<:r. 
 
 fuch a Contrivance as this, (ftith the (iime Author) 
 did Albertui Alignits make his Iniagej and Fiiur Eicon 
 his Brazen Head, to utter certain Words. Which 
 Conceit ( if it have any Truth) may ferve fome- 
 what to extenuate the grofs Abfurdity of that ?o/>i//j 
 Relick, concerning yc/ep^'s [Hah] or theNoife that 
 he made (as other Carpenters ufej in fetching of a 
 Blow • which is faid to be preferved yet in a Glafs 
 amongft other Ancient Relicks. 
 
 But againft thefe Fancies it is confiderabla , that 
 the Species of Sound are multipHed in the Air, by a 
 kind of Continuation and EfHux from their firft O- 
 riginal, as the Species of Light are from any lumi- 
 nous Body ; either of which being once feparated 
 from their Caufes, do prefently vanifhand die. Now 
 as it would be a mad thing for a Man to endeavour 
 to catch the Sun-beams, or enclofe the Light,- upon 
 the fame Grounds likewife muft it needs be abfurd, 
 for any one to attempt the fhutting in of articulate 
 Sounds : Since both of them have equally the fame 
 intrinfical and infeparable Dependance upon fheir 
 efficient Caufes. 
 
 True, indeed, the Species of Sound may feem to 
 have fome kind of Self-continuance in the Air^ as in 
 Ecchoes ; but fo likewife is it in Proportion with 
 thofe of Sight, as in the quick turning round of a 
 Fire-flick, which will make the Appearance of a 
 fiery Circle : And tho' the firft kind of thefe be more 
 lafting than the other, by reafon tl^ir natural Moti- 
 on is not fo quick, yet neither of them are of fuch 
 Duration as may be fufficient for the prefent Enquiry. 
 
 None of all thefe Inventions already fpecified, do 
 fufficiently perform the Bufinefs that is here enquired 
 after ; nor are they either fo generally or fafely ap- 
 pliable for all Places and Exigencies. 
 
 The Difcovery that is here promifed, may be fur- 
 ther ferviceable for fuch Cafes as thefe. 
 
 Suppofe a Friend were perfidioully clapped up in 
 
 fome 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. y i 
 
 fome clofe Dungeon, and chat we did not know ex- 
 aaiy where buc could only guefsac the Place, wich^ 
 in the Latitude of half a Mile or fomewhat more • a 
 Man might very diftinftly by thefe other Inventions, 
 diicourfe unto him. Or fuppofe a City were ftraitly 
 l^elieged, and there were either within it or without 
 It, luch a Confederate, with whom we fliould necefl 
 
 Means fafely difcover to him our Intentions. By 
 which you may guefs that the MelTenger which is 
 here employed, is of fo ftrang a Nature , as not to 
 be barred out with Walls, or deterred by Enemies. 
 
 I o the Performance of this, it is requifite that 
 there be two Bells of different Notes, or fome fuch 
 other audible and loud Sounds, which wc may com- 
 mand at Pleafure, as Muskets, Cannons, Horns, 
 urums, &c. By the various Sounding of thefe Tac- 
 cordmg to the former Table) a Man may eafilv ex- 
 prels any Letter, and fo confequently any Senfe. 
 
 inele Tables I fhall again repeat in this Place : ^ . .- 
 1 hat of two Letters may be contrived thus : ^^" ^' 
 
 ^' S- C. D. E. F. G 
 
 aaaaa. aaaab. aaaba, aaabb. aabaa. aabab. aabba. 
 
 Jiu J- ^' ^' M. N. O. 
 
 aabbb. abaaa. abaab. ababa. ababb. abbaa. abbab. 
 
 ,P- Q- R. S. T. V W 
 
 abbba. abbbb. baaaa. baaab. baaba. baabb. babaa. 
 
 X. Y. z. 
 
 babab. babba. babbb. 
 
 ^"PPofe the Word ViBuals were this Way to be ex- 
 
 K 1 V 1. ^.^'SS^''^''""^ be rcprefented byA, and 
 tne leller by B, according to which, the Word may 
 be thus made up by five of thefe Sounds for each Let-. 
 '^'* F f a V, L C. 
 
74 T7;e Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 V. I. C. T. U. A. L. 
 
 baabb. abaaa. aaaba. baaba. baabb. aaaaa. ababa. 
 
 S. 
 baaab. 
 
 That is_, the leffer Note founded once , and then 
 the bigger twice, and then again the leffer twice, 
 as (baabb^ will iignifie the Letter (V.) So the big- 
 ger once, and then the leffer once , and after that 
 the bigger thrice together, as ( aba$a ) will repre- 
 fent the Letter (1.) and fo of the reft. 
 
 If the Sounds be capable of a triple Difference, 
 then each Letter may be expreffed by a threefold 
 Sound, as may appear by this other Alphabet. 
 
 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. L K. L. 
 
 . aaa. aab. aac. baa. bab. bba. bbb. bbc. caa. cba. ebb. 
 
 M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V. W. X. 
 cbc. cca. ccb. ccc. aba. abb. abc. aca. acb. ace. bca. 
 
 Y. Z. 
 
 bcb. bcc. 
 
 V. I. C. T. U. A. L. S. 
 
 acb. caa. aac. aca. acb. aaa. ebb. abc. 
 
 If thefe Sounds do contain a quintuple difference, 
 
 then may every Letter be fignified by two Sounds 
 
 only, (which will much conduce to the Speed and 
 
 . Difpatch of fuch a Meffage.) As you may fee in 
 
 this other Table. 
 
 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. . 
 
 aa. ab. ac. ad. ae. ba. bb.bc.bd. be.ca. cb. cc. cd. ce. i 
 
 Q, R. S. T. V. W. X. Y. Z. 
 
 da« db, dcdd.de. sa^ eb. ec. ed, 
 
 V I C^ 
 
7 ht Secret and Swift MeJJe?J^er. 7 j 
 
 V. I. C. T. U. A. L. S. 
 
 de. bd. ac. dd. de. aa. ca. dc. 
 
 'Tis related by Torta , that when the Citizens in 
 the Siege o{ Nax/arre were reduced to fuch great Ex- j^gf^^^^-^ 
 tremities that they were ready to yield, they did dif- f ('^[['^^ ' 
 cover to their Friends the Greatnefs and Kind of 
 their Wancs.by difcharging divers Cannons and Ord- 
 nances in the Night-time, according to a certain 
 Order before agreed upon ; and by this Means did 
 obtain fuch fitting Supplies as preferved the City. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 Concertting a Language that may confifl only of Tunes 
 and Mujical Notes ^ without any articulate 
 Sound. 
 
 IF the Mufical Inftrument that is ufed to this Pur- 
 pofe, be able to expreis the Ordinary Notes, not 
 only according to their different Toms^ but cneir 
 Times alfo, then may each Letter of the Alphabet be 
 rendred by a fmgle Sound. 
 
 Whence it will follow , that a Man tnay frame a 
 Language, confifting only of Tunes; nnd luch inar- 
 ticulate Sounds , as no Letters can exprefs. Which 
 kind of Speech is fancied to be ufiaal amongft the Lu- 
 na ry Inhabitants, who (as * Domingo Gonfales hath * Or the 
 difcovered ) have contrived the Letters of the ^^' ^" 
 Alphabet upon the Notes after fome fuch Order as ^viritten"* 
 this. tythe 
 
 fame Au- 
 thor of 
 Nu7itius 
 Inanim0t, 
 
 '...i F f 3 Where 
 
76 
 
 The Secret and Swift Mejfenger, 
 
 
 % 
 
 Where the jVowelsare reprefented bytheMinnums 
 pn each of the five Lines, being moft of them pla- 
 ced according to their right Order and Confequence, 
 only the Letters K. and Q. are left out_, becaufe they 
 may be otherwife exprelTed. 
 
 According to this Alphabet of Notes, thefe Words, 
 Glcrui Deo folly muit be thus contrived. 
 
 I 
 
 ■a 
 
 PFS 
 
 5 
 
 -e- 
 
 T) 
 
 Q- 
 
 -©• 
 
 i 
 
 By tliis you mjy eafily difcern how two Muficians 
 may difcourfe with one another , by playing upon 
 their Inftruij^ents of Mufick, as well as by talking 
 with their Inftruments of Speech. And ( which is a 
 flngul ir Curicfity ) how the Words of a Song may 
 be contrived in the Tune of it. 
 
 I fLppofe that thefe Letters and Notes might be 
 difpofed to anfwer one anorhcr, with better Advan- 
 tage than here they are exprelTed. And this perhaps, 
 would be eafie enough for thefe that are thorough ly 
 yerfed in the Grounds of Muf ck , unto whofe^ fur- 
 ther Enquiry 1 do here only piopofe this Invention. 
 
 But now if thefe inaiticuUte founds be contrived 
 
 ^ for 
 
The Secret and Swift Meffenger, y 7 
 
 for the Expreflion, not of Words and Letters, but of 
 Things and Notions, fas was before explained, con- 
 cerning the Univerfal Character j then might there 
 be fuch a General Language, as fhould be equally 
 fpeakablebyall People and Nations ^ and fo we might 
 be reflored from the fecond General Curfe, which is 
 yet manifefted, not only in the Confufion of Wri- 
 ting, but alfo of Speech. 
 
 The Utterance of thefe Mufical Tunes may ferve 
 for the Univerfal Language, and the Writing of them 
 for the Univerfal CharaBtr. As all Nations do agree 
 in the fame Conceit of Things, fo likewife in the 
 fame Conceit of Harmonies. 
 
 This Curiofity ( for ought I know ) has not yet 
 been mentioned by any Author , but it may be ( if 
 well confidered) of fuch excellent Ufe, as to defervQ 
 a more full and particular Enlargement in a Treatife 
 by it ^dt 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 Of thofe comryjon Relations that concern Secret and 
 Swift Informations hy the Species of Sight ; 
 ivhich are either Fabulous, or Magical. 
 
 TH E ufual Relations that concern Secret and 
 Swift Conveyances by the Species of Sight, 
 may be diftinguifhed into fuch as are, either 
 
 1. Fabulous. 
 
 2. Magical. 
 
 3 . JSla tural and true. ^P 
 Firft, Of thofe that are Fabulous, In which kind, thofe fa, 
 
 that of the Load (lone is moft remarkable , as it is bulous 
 maintained by * Famianus StraJa, in his Imitation of Relations 
 Lucretius's Stile , and divers others. The Manner *^° '^^^*- 
 that is ufually prefcribed for the Performance of it, ^l'^^^^' 
 
 F f 4 is Prol. 6, * 
 
7 8 The Secret and Swift MeJJenger. 
 
 is thus : Let there be two Needles provided, of an 
 equal Length and Bignefs , being both cf them 
 touched with the fame LoadC^ne; I>et the Lcrters 
 of the Alphabet be placed in the C' cle£ n which 
 they are moved, as the Points of the C Hiipfs ..n- 
 der the Needle of the Mariner's Chu.t. Let r^-e 
 Friend that is to travel t ike one cf chem with him, 
 firlt agreeing upon the Days and I: curs wherein 
 they lliould confer together : At which cirr.cs , if 
 one of them move the Needle of his Tnftrument to 
 any Letter of the.Alph:jbct, the other K,;edle, by 
 a Sympathy, will move unto the fame Letter in the 
 other Inftrument , though they be neve, fo hv di- 
 flant: And thus by feveral Motions of the Needle 
 to the Letters, they may eaiily make up any Words 
 cr Senfe which they have a mind to exprefs. 
 O uthnam hac ratio fcrihe^idi prodeat ufu j 
 Cautior C^ citior proper aret EpisUia, mdlas 
 Latronum verita injidijs^ fiuviofque wor mteSy 
 Ipfe fuis pr'mceps manihus Jibi en [icerct rtrrty &C. 
 Saith Strada. But this Invention is altogether 
 imaginary , having no Foundation in any real Ex- 
 periment. You may fee it frequently confuted in 
 thofe that treat concerning Magnetical Virtues. Non 
 (olura exhil ilandi funt , fed etiam male ?nul£tandi Vhilo- 
 fophica ferulfij f, hularum ifii pneujcres , <^ui fuis porten- 
 tis deterrent homines a pracUriJfimo caufarum ftudio j 
 faith Cahaus to this purpofe. 
 
 The firft Occaiion of thefe Relations, was, the 
 Proof of that if range immaterial Power of the 
 Loadftone, whereby ic did work through thick and 
 folid Bodies, as » Table, or Wall, or the like j as alfo 
 of that dire(5tivc Virtue, whereby it always tends to 
 the Pules ^ from whence others have conjectured, 
 that it might he ferviceable alfo for fuch a Bufinefs^ 
 at fo great a i'-iliance. 
 ^ut againft this, ic is confideraWe, 
 
 J. That 
 
The Secret and Sivlft Mejfenger. '7p 
 
 1. That every Natural Agent is fuppofed to have 
 fome certain Sphere , which determines its A<fli- 
 vity. 
 
 2. That Magnetical Operations do not arife (as 
 fome fondly conceive ) from a Sympathetica! Con- 
 forniation of Natures , which is the fame at all di- 
 ftiinccs ; but from fuch a Diffufion of thefe Magne- 
 tical Qualities through the Medium , that they may 
 be continued from the Agent to the Patient. And 
 fo thefe Natural Powers will not be of fo great an 
 Extent, as they are fuppofed in thisExpeiiment. 
 
 The utmoft Diftance^ ar which we may difcourfe 
 with another by thsfe Magnetical Virtues, is, two 
 or three Foot, or thereabouts ^ and this we may 
 do , tho' it be through a Wall of that Thicknefs. 
 Fieri enim pofj" me dccuit experiejJtia . uP ope Magnetisy ^ u^ard 
 Cy' i/ifirumenti ad id aptatij amicus cum amico , in cuhi- Magnctit 
 culo proximo, trans crajjum murtim {ptita bipetaltm) col- ReduSi. 
 lo(juatHr, animi jui fentcntiam impertif.t , O" ad ^u JiPa ^ 4-°* 
 respondeat ; faith a late Author. But in this Experi- ^^ p^^^ '^*' 
 ment, it is not only the fecondary Virtue of the Magn.'l.^. 
 Needles that can be thus efFcdual, (as is fuppofed in c. ii. 
 the former Invention) but there muft be the Help 
 alfo of the Loadftone it felf. 
 
 As fc r the Reafon why thefe Magnetical Powers 
 are able to work through Solid Bodies ,• 'tis confide- 
 rable , that any Quality may be diffufed through 
 fuch a Subftance , as hath no Natural Repugnancy 
 unto it. We fee , the Light does pafs as well 
 through hot Bodies as cold, through fc lid as fluid, 
 &c. only Opacity keeps it out, becaufe that Quali- 
 ty alone is contrary to its Nature. So likewife is it 
 with Magnetical Virtues , which do equally fpread 
 themfelves through all kind of Bodies, whether r^re 
 or denfe, diaphanous or opacous ^ there being no Qua- 
 lity contrary to this, becaufe it is that General En- 
 dowment of the whole Globe, that Univerfal Qua- 
 lity to which all other Particulars are naturally fub- 
 fervient. The 
 
8o Tl^e Secret and Swift Mcffenger, 
 
 Magi- The fecoiid Sort of Relations to this purpofe, 
 • are fuch as refer to Diabolical Magick ; of which 
 
 kind is thac Invention thought to be, which is com- 
 monly afcribed to Pythagoras^ of whom it is report- 
 ed, that he could write any thing in the Body of 
 the Moon, fo as it might be legible to another at a 
 grccit Dift-ince. /jgrippa affirms this to be naturally 
 poflible , and the way of performing it not un- 
 known to himfelf, with fome others in his time; 
 opdc.L^. And Fredericus Rifjter feems to believe it j for fpeak- 
 
 ' ing of the ftrange Experiments to be wrought by 
 
 fbme GlalTes , he adds, Dcnic^ue certo artificioy depiBas 
 im.7gines, nut fcriptas lit eras, noBe jcrata, plena; luna fie 
 cpponi pjljunt^ ut radiis lunam irradiajitlbus, ideocjue re- 
 f.exis, 'Vide as d^ legaSy qua Confiantinopoli Lutetiam tihi 
 nuncientitr. 
 
 There is an Experiment in Opticks, to reprefent 
 any Writing by the Sun-beams, upon a Wall, or 
 Front of a Houfe : For which purpofe, the Letters 
 mult be firfl: defcribed with Wax, or fome other 
 opacous Colour, upon the Surface of the Glafs, in 
 an inverted Form ; which Glafs afterwards reflc^ft- 
 ing the Light upon any Wall in the Shade, will dif- 
 cover thcfe Letters in the right Form and Order. 
 Unto fome fuch Invention 1 did firft (before I had 
 well confidcr'd thcfe particulars j attribute the Per- 
 formance of thofe ftrange Promifes in Nuncius ha- 
 nimatus j but upon better Thoughts it will be 
 found, that the Species of Reflection in this Expe- 
 riment are fo weak , that unlefs the Glafs and the 
 Letters be very big , and the Wall fomewhat near, 
 there will be no diilind: Appearance of the Writing. 
 And therefore this way there can be no Thoughts 
 of contriving any reflected Species , that fhall be 
 viiible at fo great a Diftance as the Moon. Nor is 
 there any other Natur-al Means conceivable , by 
 which fo ftrange an Eftcd may be performed ^ which 
 is the Reafon that it is fo frequently attributed to 
 
 Diabo- 
 
7 he Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 8 1 
 
 Diabolical Magick, by almoft all the Writers that 
 have occafion to treat of it. 
 
 But Jgrippa in another place fpeaking concerning 
 this Invention, affirms that it was performed thus : 
 Pythagoras did firft defcribe with Blood any Letters jgrippa. 
 which he thought fit, in fome great Glafs, and then de Famt. 
 oppofmg the Glafs againit the Full Moon , the Let- ^<:-^»^- 
 ters would appear thorough it, as if they were writ ^' '^ 
 m the circumference of her Body, ^^^e coUibuljJet 
 fafjguine perfcripjit in fpeculo, e^uo, ad pleni lum'inls iun^ 
 orbem ob'Verfo, fiantl a tergOj res exaratas in difco luna 
 commovfira'vit. In which PalTage he feenis to inti- 
 mate, that this Writing in the Moon could not be 
 vifible at any great diftance ( as it is related in com- 
 mon Tradition ), but that it did appear to fuch on- 
 ly, betwixt whofe Eyes and the Moon this Glafs 
 might be interpofed. And according to this, the 
 Wonder of the Relation ceafes, nor may it truly be 
 referred to Diabolical Magick. 
 
 More properly reducible to this kind, are thofe joach. c*- 
 inchanted GlalTes mentioned in divers Authors : In merar. 
 which fome Magicians are faid to contain fuch fa- ^^'"^»- ''» 
 miliar Spirits, as do inform them of any Buiinefs ^'/g'/gj-^^' 
 they (hall enquire after. I have heard a great Pre- orad 
 tender to the knowledge of all fecret Arts, confi- 
 dently affirm, that he himfelf was able at that time, 
 or any other, to fhew me in a Glafs wh^t was done 
 in any pa t of the World ^ what Ships were failing 
 in the M diterranean ^ who were walking in any 
 Street of any City in Spain ^ or the like. And this he 
 did aver with all the hVnour'd Expreflions of a ftrong 
 Confidence. The Mm, for his Condition, was an 
 Italian Do(5tor of Phyhck,* for his Parts , he was 
 known to be of extraordinary Skill in the abftrufer 
 Arts, but not altogether free from the Sufpicion of 
 this unlawful Magick. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
8 1 The Secret and Swift Mejfenger. 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 Of Informations hy fi^ntficatory Fires and Smoaks. 
 Their Antiquity, the true manner of ufing them 
 to this purppfe. That thefe were meant in Nun- 
 tius inanimatus. 
 
 T 
 
 HE Experiments of this kind that are true, and 
 upon Natural Grounds, have been made either 
 by Fire in the Night, or Soioak and fuch other Signs 
 vifible at a diftance in the Day-time. 
 
 Thefe Informations by llgnificicory Fires, have* 
 been of Ancient Uie. Tiie firil: Invention of them 
 is commonly afcribed to Simn in the Trojan Wars. 
 Specalurem Jig7iifcatio7iem Trojano Bello Simn iffvenity 
 ( faich VUny. ) This was the Sign upon which he 
 agreed to unlock the Wooden Horfe. 
 ^7'-^//. - — — — Flammas cum regii^ puppls 
 
 Extitle'f'tZt. "v " — ' 
 But Dio2o>-us Sictdus affirms them to be pra(5^ifed by 
 Aledea in her Confpiracy with Jafo?t. And they are 
 «,-,/' frequently mentioned in other Ancient Hittorians. 
 ■ liTl- * Herodotus fpcaks of them in the Grecian War againft 
 iiiiji.Li. Xerxes '. And f Thucydides telliftes of them in theOn- 
 Ji:m, 1. 3. fees that were made by the Peloponnefians againft Sala- 
 %oCur,^i'us ^Ij^ .|^^ [j^ jhg Siege of Corcyra, Appian fpeaking 
 01 .x 1 . q£ Scipio at Numantia, how he divided his Camp in- 
 ^ To this to divers Companies, fays, That he afligned each of 
 j.ui jofe them to feveral Tribunes, with this Charge, Si im- 
 ^\^2}^^^ pcterentur ah hojie, de die, * p anno rubra in hajia fubla~ 
 or OcS-^*^ f y%«/yvf.-j'/-e»f ; de nofte y igne. If the Enemy did 
 a-;cs.'^ charge any of them , they fhould fignify it to the 
 iDeremi- Others, in the Day-time by holding up a Red 
 j-f ip.c.s. Cloth, in the Night by Fires. | Vegetius affirms it 
 to be ufual, when the Army was divided, to inform 
 'q'-'_ ens another, in the Day by Smoak, in the Night 
 
 . ty 
 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfenger,. 
 
 by Fires. Thefe fignificatory Fires were by the 
 Grecians C2)XQdi ^^vk-tdi (faith Suidas) and fometimes 
 Yiv^ma, The Ufe of them was chiefly for the An- 
 fwer of fome particular ^^re , that was before 
 agreed upon ; as concerning the coming of Aids or 
 Enemies ; if the Enemies were coming, they were 
 wont to fhake thefc Torches, if the Aids, they held 
 them ftill, (faith the Schollafi upon Tlmcydides.) 
 
 But they have by more exa<5t Inventions been en- 
 larged to a greater Latitude of Signification : So 
 that now , any thing which we have Occafion to 
 difcover, may be exprefTed by them. 
 
 The Ways by which they may be contrived to 
 this purpofe, are divers ^ I fliall fpecify only the 
 chief of them. 
 
 That which in ancient Times was ufed by the 
 Grecians, and is particularly treated of in * Folybius, 
 advifeth thus : 
 
 Let the Letters be divided into Five Tablets or 
 Columns. 
 
 I II III IV V 
 
 8? 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 ■— 
 
 
 t^ 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 
 
 f 
 
 
 / 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 IV 
 
 2 
 
 b 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 r 
 
 
 X 
 
 3 
 
 c 
 
 
 h 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 7, 
 
 
 y 
 
 4 
 
 d 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 (' 
 
 
 t 
 
 
 z. 
 
 5 
 
 e 
 
 
 k 
 
 
 ? 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 1 
 
 
 — " 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 *~ 
 
 Mneas Po- 
 liorc. f .3 i < 
 
 Schol. in 
 l.il'hucjd. 
 
 tVecker de 
 HecretiSi 
 i- 14- c. I. 
 Port, de 
 furt. lit. 
 I- I. c. 10. 
 Cardan, de 
 f^ar let. Re- 
 rum, 1. 1 - 
 c. 61. 
 *Hift l.io, 
 juxtajin. 
 By Ten 
 Torches. 
 
 Let there be provided Ten Torches, Five being 
 placed on the Right Hand, and Five on the Left : 
 Let fo many Torches be lifted up on the Right Hand, 
 as may fbew the number of the Table ,♦ and fo ma- 
 ny on the Left, as may ihew the number of that 
 
 Letter 
 
84 
 
 By three 
 Torches. 
 
 Lib. deEX' 
 ferment. 
 
 TJe Secret and Swift Mejfemer, 
 
 Letter in it which you would exprefs : As in this 
 following Example^ wherein the feveral Numbers, 
 both at che Right and Left Hand, do fignify the 
 word HASTEN. 
 
 The Right Hand. 
 
 The Left Hand. 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 // 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 ; 
 
 I 
 
 
 A 
 
 
 I 
 
 w 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 3 
 
 IF 
 
 
 r 
 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 
 E 
 
 
 S 
 
 " — 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — - 
 
 III 
 
 
 N 
 
 
 ; 
 
 i 
 
 
 — 
 
 
 — 
 
 That is. Two Lights |lnng lifted up on the Right 
 Hand, fhew the fecond Column ; and at the fame 
 time Three Torches appearing on the Left Hand, 
 denotes the Third Letter in that Column, which is 
 H. Thus a fingle Torch being difcovered on both 
 fides, doth fignify the firft Letter of the firft Co- 
 lumn, which is A ; and fo of the reft. 
 
 There is another way mentioned by Joachimus 
 Fortius^ unto the performance of which there are 
 only Three Lights required : One Torch being 
 ihewed alone, iliall fignify the Eight firft Letters, 
 A. B.C.D.E. EG. H. Two together, the Eight 
 next, I. K. L, M. N, O. P. ^ And all Three the relL 
 JR. S. T, V. m X. Y. Z, ' -i 
 
 One Light being difcovered once, fignifies A ; if 
 twice, B I Two Lights being fhewed once, do de- 
 note the Letter / j if twice, K^ &c. -'' 
 
 According 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejjenger. 85 
 
 \ Accordin? to this way, if I would exprefs the 
 word F A M I N , the Torches nmft be contri- 
 ved ; one Light muft be lifted up fix times for the 
 LerrerF^ one Light once for ^ ,• two Lights four 
 times for Af ^ two Lights once for / ; two Liahts 
 five times for N. 
 
 But here it will be requifite that there be feme in- 
 termiffion betwixt the expreffion of feveral Letters 
 becaufe other wife there muft needs be a great con- 
 fuficn amongft thofe that belong to the fame number 
 of Torches. In which refped, this way is much 
 more tedious and inconvenient than the former In- 
 vention our of Folybhts. 
 
 Jt is eafie to conceive, how by the Alphabet con- By two 
 hlling of two Letters tranfpofed through five PI3- Torches, 
 ces, fuch a Manner of Difcourfing may be other- 
 vi^ife contrived, only by two Torches. JBut then 
 there muft be five Shews, to exprefs every Letter. 
 
 There is another way of Speaking, by the Diffe- 
 rences of Motion in two Lights ,• which for its 
 Quicknefs and Speed, is much to be preferred before 
 any of the reft j the manner of it is thus : Provide 
 two Torches on long Poles : Let them be placed fo 
 far from one another, that thev may feem unto your 
 Confederate to be about four Cubits diftance. By 
 the divers Elevations or Depreffions .V thefe, in- 
 chning of them to the Right Hand, or to the hck 
 leverally or both together, it is eafie to exprefs all 
 the Alphabet. 
 
 One Light alone being difcovered, muft ftand for 
 A' lifted up, for£ . depreffed, fori ^ inclined to 
 the Right Hand, for O ^ unto the Left Hand, for 
 
 ^ Two Lights elevated , for B • depreffed , for C ,♦ 
 inclined to the Right Hand , for D : to the Left 
 Hand, for F. 
 
 Two Lights being ftill difcovered, and the Torch 
 at the Right Hand being Hftsd up, fliall fignifie G^ 
 
 being 
 
8.6 11)6 Secret and Swift Meffenger. 
 
 being depreffed^ H ^ inclined to the Right Hand, 
 K j to the Left Hand, L. 
 
 The Torch at the Left Hand, being elevated, 
 fiiall ftj^nd for M-, depreiled, for N -, inclined to the 
 Right Hand, for 2' ; to the Left Hand, for ^. 
 
 The Torch at the Right Hand being moved to- 
 wards the Left Hand, and that at the Left Hand be- 
 ing at the fame time moved towards the Right Hand, 
 fhall fignifie R : The Right Hand Torch being in- 
 clined to the Left Hand, and the other at the fame 
 time being elevated, fjgnifies 5 ^ being deprelTed,?": 
 The Left Hand Torch being inclined to the Right 
 Hand, and the other at the fame time being elevated, 
 fjgnifies W ; being depreffed, X, 
 
 The Right Hand Torch being inclined to the 
 Right Hand, and the other at the fame time being 
 elevated, may ftand for Y -^ being depreifed, for Z. 
 
 When any thing is thus to be exprefled, the two 
 Torches being difcovered, muft remain without any 
 Motion, fo long, till the Confederate (hall by other 
 Lights (hew fome Sign, that he is ready to take no- 
 tice. After every one of thefe particular Motions, 
 the Torches muft be carefully hidden and obfcured, 
 that fo the feveral Letters exprefled by them , may 
 be the better diftinguifhed. 
 
 The day-time Informations by Smoak, cannot fo 
 conveniently be ordered according to this latter Con- 
 trivance, and therefore muft be managed by fome 
 of thofe other Ways that were fpecified before : To 
 which purpofe there muft be fome Tunnels provided, 
 for the orderly inclofing and conveying up the 
 Smoak. The other particulars concerning this, are 
 in tliemfelves eafie enough to be apprehended. 
 
 How thefe fignificatory Signs will be vifible at a 
 great Diftance. How by Multiplication of them in 
 « feveral Places, they may be contrived for many 
 
 cla.Argen. Scores of Miles, will eafily be difcerned from the 
 i.\, ' Sicuation and Ufe of Beacons, by which the Intima- 
 tion 
 
The Secret and Swift Meffengerl * ' §7 
 
 tions of Publick Danger and Preparations, have been 
 oftentimes fuddenly fpread over this whole Ifland. 
 
 This may further be advantaged hy the uL ' of 
 GaliUr^s his Perfpe^live. 
 
 Tis ftoried of the Inhabitants in Chha, that when 
 any Merchants do happfen upon the Shores of that ff i^*^ 
 Kmgdom, they are prefently examined, whence ./ 4 '"' 
 they come, what Commodities they bring , and of 
 what Number they are : Which being known , the 
 Watch (kt for that purpofej do prefently inform the 
 Kmg of their Anfwers, by Smoak in the Day, and 
 Fires in the Night : WHo by the fame Means ^does as "^ 
 
 Ipeedily return them his Pleafure, whether they ^ 
 ihall be admitted or kept out : And fo that is eafily 
 difpatched in fome hw Hours , which could not ba 
 performed the ordinary Way ^ without the Trouble 
 of many Days. 
 
 The Pradice of all thefe fecret and fwift Meffa- 
 
 ges may perhaps feem very difficult at the firft • but 
 'lo does aWo the Art of Writing and Reading to an P'^^^-^-^'^^ 
 unlettered Man : Cuftom and Experience will make 
 the one as facile and ready as the other. 
 
 That thefe ways of Information already explain-^" 
 , ed, whether by the Species of Somd or Sight, are 
 the lame with thofe intimated in Ntmur^ Inunifnattis 
 may be clearly evident to any one who doesbut tho- 
 roughly perufe that Difcourfe, and compare it with 
 divers other the like PalTages of the fame Author, 
 m his Domifigo Gonfaki. 
 
 I. For the Species of Sound, his Words' are thefe,- 
 ^unbtis nihil j)i:rc}pinififerfonumy mminem fimt Erit ^^«^-^»^'^ 
 igitur necefPe m ti, cut aliquid audnu mediant e^unciatHm "'• ^' '^• 
 /«ir.'-% jonoi audi at, eofque dif^ingmhiles pro mimero audi- 
 endorum', (^u^ cum fmt infnita, infinlta, cti^m fit ctor^ 
 tetj Jonorumedendorum^atietas. Satis tamen" erit ut 
 <^(tinguantur -vel genere, -vei tempore, modo etiam & nu- 
 ^^^-0., Which PaiTage, together with thac other In- 
 ■ 'iMOfJ in Domingo Gonfaks^ concerning the Ian- '^ 
 
88 T);e Secret and Swift Uiffeng^r. 
 
 rua^eof the Lunary Inhabitants, before explained 
 in the eighteenth Chapter ; I fay, both thefe, being 
 compared with the Difcoveries and Experiments _ot 
 the lame kind chat are here difcourred of, may plain- 
 ly manifeft, that they are both performed by the 
 
 fame Means. . , , . ^ t, r. 
 
 2. For the Species of Sight, his words are thele, 
 nunc. InA. Si cculis amlci ahjlntis ali^itid cupis refrefentare.Uque atius 
 «'■• P- '^- au,m corpus aliquod juhlim.re ad locum tarn longo tnter- 
 tvallo disumaum pojjh ferferri ', oportet ut ide^, five for- 
 m^'vifibiks, atigeantur.^uantitate, wulnpUcentur nume- 
 ro 6- pro rerum fignificandarum njarhtate 'vanentur, yel 
 oualitlte, vel^tijnt^tate, ojel fitu, 'vd ordme. Which 
 Paffaee being compared with that other way ot 
 Compaa betwixt Gonfaks and his Man Diego, men- 
 Man In ^-^ned in 'the other Difcourfe; it may evidently ap- 
 ?/ t^ear that the Ways of Intimation which were 
 
 T""' '' there ^eant, are performed after the fame Manner, 
 according to which they are here difcourfed of. 
 
 He does indeed mention out of Bmhec^mus the 
 Pradice of thofe Informations amongft the Inha- 
 bitants of China, and thinks that they were ufed too 
 bv the Romans ; but withal he wonders how that 
 now amongft us, they (hould be altogether forgot- 
 ten • and the reftoring of them to thefe Places and 
 Times, feems to be his chief Aim, in the Promifei 
 
 of that Difcourfe. , . , , • ;. 
 
 The particular Example which he mentions, n 
 
 this • Suppofe that one at London would lend a Mei- 
 faee'to Brifiol , Wells, Exeter, or though it were a- 
 nv remoter Place: Nee,; emmlonginquitater^vi^mid' 
 turn moror, fi detnr facultas Hernendi,&jermeMem ef 
 Hciendi. That is, theGreatnefs of Diftance can be 
 no Impediment, if the Space betwixt be fitted with 
 fuch high Mountains, and Beacon Hills, as may 
 ferve for thefe kind of Difcoveries. Suppofe (I lay> 
 this Meffenger Ihould fet forth from London, m the 
 very point of Noon, he would nocvvithltanding ar- 
 
The Secret and Swift Mejfe?iger. 
 
 rive at Brifid before Twelve of the Clock that 
 Day : That is, a Meflage may by thefe means be 
 conveyed fo great a d^ance, in fewer Minutes than 
 thofe which make the Differecee betwixt the two 
 Meridians of thofe Places. 
 
 If according to this, we fliould interpret tliat 
 Pallage out of Trlthemius, concerning the three Sa- 
 turnine Angels, that in twenty four Hours ca^ con- 
 vey News trom any part of the World ; that. Author 
 ipight then m one refped:, be freed from th^ Afper- 
 fjon of Diabolical Magick, which for this very Rea- 
 Ion hath heretofore been imputed to him. int this 
 by the Way. / 
 
 It may be, the Refolutlon of thofe great Promi-^ 
 les in l<!uncji^'. Inanlmatus, to fuch eafieCanfes as they 
 are here -Xcribed unto, will not be anlWerable to 
 Mens Expedation,- every one will be apt tomiftruft 
 lome greater matter than is here expreft ; Eut 'tis 
 thus alio in every other the like Particular : for 
 Ignora^nee is the Mother of Wonder , ano^ Wonder 
 doesufually create unto it felf many wild Imaeina- 
 tions,- which is the Reafon why Men's Fctacies are 
 lo prone to attribute all unufual and unknown E- 
 vents unto ftranger Caufes than either Nature or 
 Art hath deiigned for them. 
 
 CONCLUSION^ 
 
 THE Poets have i^lgnt^ Mercury to be the chief Hor.t.l.u 
 Pa; ron of Thieves and Treachery, Od. lo.^ 
 
 Ovid. Afe* 
 ; , Homer. in\ 
 
 To which purpofe they relate that he filched from ">"""''• 
 
 Venus her Girdle, as She embraced him in Congra- ^*.^^Ct«w> 
 
 tulation of a^iaory • that he robbed Jupiter oi his f^y'^'^'S- .■ 
 
 Scepter, and would have ftoln his Thunderbolt too, ^' "' ^' 
 
 <^ S ^ bttc 
 
90 T7;e Secret ami Swift McJfen^eY, 
 
 but that he feared to burn his Fingers. And the 
 Aftfologers obferve, that thofe who are born under 
 this Planet, are naturally addi(5ted to Thefc and" 
 Cheating. 
 
 If it be feared that this Difcourfe may unhappily 
 advantage others in fuch unlawful Courfes^ 'tis con- 
 fiderable, that it does not only teach how to deceive, 
 but confequently alfo how to difcover Delufions. 
 And then befides, the chief Experiments are of 
 fuch Nature, that they cannot be frequently pradi- 
 ihd, without juft Caufe of Sufpicion, when as it is 
 in the Magiftrates Power to prevent them. How- 
 ever, it will not follow , that every thing muft be 
 fuppreft which may be abufed. There is nothing 
 hath more occafioned Troubles and Contention^than 
 Call. Rho. the- Art of Writing, which is the Reafon why ths 
 Mutiq.LeSf. Inventor of it is fabled to have fown Serpents Teeth: 
 .22. cry. ^^^ y^j. j^ ^^g l^^j. ^ baibaroiis A6t of Thamns , the 
 Egyftiajt King, therefore to forbid the Learning of 
 I.eccers : We may as well cut out our Tongues, be- 
 James]. caufe that Member is a wbrU of "ivkkednefs. If all 
 thofe ufeful Inventions that are liable to abure,fhould 
 therefore be concealed, there is not any Art or Sci? 
 ence which might bts lawfully profelt 
 
 F 1 N I Si 
 
MATHEMATICAL 
 
 M A G I C K. 
 
 OR THE 
 
 WONDERS 
 
 That may be perform'd by 
 
 Mechanical Geometry. 
 
 In Two Books. 
 
 Concerning 
 
 Being one of the moft Eafy, Pleafant^Ufeful (^and 
 yetmoftNeglededj Part o^ thz Mathematicks. 
 
 Not before treated of in this Language, 
 
 Cfte f tftli CDifton. 
 
 By the Right Reverend F?rher in Gjd, 
 JOHN W I L K I N S, late I ord 
 Biihop of C HE S T E R. 
 
 Tep^;/ii it^Ar'iyiiV tav <iV(rj !//x<>>-. l-a. 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 Printed for John Nicholfon at tl>e Kings-jirm-^ in 
 
 Little^ Britain ,• Benj. Tooke at the Middle Temple 
 
 Gate in Fketftreet -j And. Bell at the CrofsKeys and 
 
 Bible in Ccrnhill ; and Ralph Smtih under the 
 
 Piazza, of the Royal-Exchange. M DCC VII. 
 
To His Hightrefs the 
 
 Prince Ekdor PalatinsJ 
 
 May it pleafe Your Highnefs, 
 
 1 Should not thus ha'ue frefented my Diverfions "where 
 I owe my Study and Bufinefs, but that whir e All is 
 due J a Man may not juHly withheld any V art. 
 
 'This following Difconrfe was compofed fome Tears 
 fince^ at my Jpare Hours in the Uni-verfity. The Subject 
 of it is mixed Machematicks ^ which I did the rather 
 at fuch Times make choice of , as being for the Pleafure 
 of it more ■proper for Recreation ^ and for the Facility, 
 More fuitable to my Abilities and Leifure. 
 
 I Jhould not J Sir ^ ha'ue been ambitious of any fo 
 Great ( / could not of any Better j Fatronag-, had not 
 my Relation both engaged and emboldened me to this De» 
 dication. 
 
 They that know Tour Highnefs, how great an Encou- 
 rager Ton are, and how able a Judge in all Kind of In- 
 genious Arts and Literature , mufi needs acknowledge 
 Tour Prejfures and Low Condition to be none of the leaH 
 Alifchiefs ( amongfi thofe many other ) ttnder which the 
 Commonwealth of Learning does now fuffer. 
 
 It would in many RefpeBs much conduce to the general 
 Advancement of Religion and Learning, if the Reform- 
 ed Churches , in whofe Caufe and Defence Tour F-'mily 
 hath fo deeply fufferd , were but ejfedlually mindful 'f 
 their Engagements to it. And particularly , if thefe 
 prefent Unhappy Differences of this Nation , did not oc* 
 cafion too much Forgetfulnefs of their former Zeal and 
 Trofeffions for the Vindicating of Tour F mily, and the 
 Reftoring of Tour Highnefs : The Hajlening and Ac- 
 complijljment of which , together with the Increafe of aU 
 Hea-venly Bleffings upon Tour Highnefs, JhaU be the hearty 
 
 daily Prayer of, 
 
 Your Highnefs's 
 
 moft Humble and moft Devoted 
 
 Servant and Chaplain , 
 G g 4 John Wilkinsl 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 IT is related of HeracUtus, Th^t when his Scholais 
 had found him in a Tradefman s Shop , whithet' 
 they were aftiamed to enter ,- he -icid them ^ ^od 
 vecftie t,ili loco dil dcfunt immortaks ^ That the gods 
 were as well converfant in fuch Places, as in others ; 
 Intimating, that a' Divine Power' and VV^ f -. -; 
 plight JDe difcerned , even in thofe commo 
 which are {o much deipifed : And tho' the Iv^^.. . -i 
 Exercife and Pradice of them be ei^eemeu ign l:c, 
 yet ths Study of their General Caufes a.;d Princi- 
 ples, cannot be prejudicial to any c^i.^r ('tho' r^ie 
 pioft Hicred ) Profeffion. 
 
 It hath been my ufual Cuftom in nie Courfe of 
 iTiy other Studies , tc propofe div ' rhcmat.'cal 
 or Philofophical Enquiries, fc" jcreuonof 
 
 my J^eifureHouisj and as I ccuia gi..: :i Satisfaction, 
 Xo compofe them into fome T rm and Method. 
 
 Some of thefc h^ve been tcrmerly publiihed, and 
 I have npvy ventured forth this Difcourfe ^ wherein, 
 befides the great DJighp and Ple.rure, ( -vhich every 
 Rational Reader muit needs find in fuch Notions as 
 carry wich them their own Evidence and Demon- 
 ilration) there \s alfo much real Benefit to be learn- 
 ed ; particularly for fuch Gentlemen as employ 
 their Eftates in thcfe ghargeable Adventures of 
 t)raining M'Jnes, Coalpits, &c. who may from 
 hence learn the chief Grounds and Nature of En- 
 gines, and thereby more eafily avoid the Delufipns 
 of any ^iheating Inipoftpr : "And alfo for fuch co^- 
 ■mon Artificers , as are well skill'd in ths VrnBice of 
 ^hefs Arts , who may be much advantsfged by the 
 fiehr "CJadcrftanding pf th^ir Grounds and Theory, -; 
 
To the %EAT)E % 
 
 Ramus hath obferved, That the Reafon why Ger- Schl.Ma* 
 many hath been fo Eminent for Mechanical Inventi- ^^^^' ^' ^' 
 ons, is, becaufe there have been publick Lectures of 
 this kind inftituted amongft them ,• and thofe^ not 
 only in the Learned Languages, but alfo in the vul- 
 gar Tongue, for the Capacity of every Unlettered 
 Ingenious Artificer. 
 
 This whole Difcourfe I call Mathematical Magkk ; 
 becaufe the Art of fuch Mechanical Inventions as 
 are here chiefly infifted upon, hath been formerly fo 
 /tiled ; and in Allufion to vulgar Opinion, which -^gn'ppifi 
 doth coTimonly attribute all fuch ftrange Operati- ^^^^^'f- 
 6ns unto the Power of Magick : For which Reafon /'^^^' 
 the Ancients did name this Art, QdjjyATwroirmm , or Mi-^ 
 randorum EjfeSrix. 
 
 The Firlt Book Is caVed Archimedes , becaufe he 
 was the chiefeft in difcovering of Mechanical 
 Toivers. 
 
 The Second is ftiled by the Name of Dadalusy 
 who is related to be one of the firit and moft fa- 
 mous amongft the Ancients, for his Skill in making 
 Automat uy or felf-moving Engines : Both thefe be- 
 ing two of the firft Authors, that did reduce Mathe^ 
 matical Principles unto Mechanical Experiments. 
 
 Other Difcourfes of this kind , are for the moft 
 part higQ and voluminous, of great Price, and 
 hardly gotten • and befides , there are not any of 
 them (that I know of J in our Vulgar Tongue, 
 for which thefe Mechanical Arts of all other are 
 moft proper. Thefe Inconveniences are here in 
 fome meafure remedied ; together with the Addition 
 (if I miftake not) of divers Things very confidera- 
 ble, and pot infiijed upon by others. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 Contents and Method 
 
 Of this following Difcourfe. 
 
 the Firfl Book. 
 
 ChapI.'T^HS Excellency of thefs Arts. Why they 
 X were concealed by the Ancients. The Au- 
 thors that ha've treated of tk-^m. 
 Chap. II. Concerning the Name of this Art. That it 
 may properly he filled Liberal. The Subjeti and Na- 
 ture of it. 
 Chap. III. Of the firfi Mechanical Faculty , the Ba- 
 lance. 
 Chap. IV. Concerning the fecond Mcchanick Faculty^ 
 
 the Leaver. 
 Chap. V. How the Natural Motion of Living Creatuks 
 
 is conforjnable to thefe Art if rial Rules. 
 Chap. VI. Concer7iing the Wheel. 
 Chap. VII. Concerning the Pulley. 
 Chap. VIII. Of the Wedge. 
 Chap. IX. Of the Screw. 
 
 Chap, X An Encfuiry into the magnificent Works of the 
 Ancients, which much exceeding our later Times j may 
 feew to infer a D^cty in thefe Mechanical Arts. 
 Chap. XI. That the Ancients had divers Motives and 
 Means for fuch vafi magnificent Works , which we 
 have not. 
 Chap. XII. Concerning the Force of the Mechanick Fa- 
 culties ; particularly the Balance and Leaver : How 
 they may be contrived to move the whole Worldy or any 
 ether conceivable Weight. 
 
 Chap. XIIL 
 
The CONTENT s: 
 
 Chap. XIII. Of f^e Wheel, hy Multiplication ofivhid, 
 it is eafy to mo'ue any imaginable TVeight. 
 
 Iphap. XIV. Concerning the mfinite Strength of Wheels, 
 Pulleys, and Screws ; that it js fojfible by the Multi^ 
 plication of thefe , to pull up any Oak by the Roots 
 with a Hair, lift it up with a Straw, or blow it up 
 with ones Breath j or to perform the great efi Labour 
 with the leaf; Fewer. 
 
 Chap. XV. Concerning the Proportion of Slownefs , and 
 Swiftnefs, in Mechanical Motions. 
 
 Chap. XVI. That it is poffible to contri've fuch an Artifi- 
 cial Motion, as jl) all be of a Slownefs proportionable to 
 the Swiftnefs of the Hea'uens. 
 
 Chap. XVII. Of Swiftnefs : How it may be Increased 
 to any kind of Proportion. "Concerning the great Force 
 of A'-chimedes his Engines. Of the Balliita. 
 
 Chap. XVIII. Concerning the Catapultap, or Enfrines 
 for yirrows. 
 
 Chap. XIX. A Con^parifon betwixt thefe Ancient En" 
 ginesy and the Gunpowder InHruments now in Ufe, 
 
 Chap. XX. That it is pojfible to contri've fuch an Artifi- 
 cial Motion, as may be equally fwift with the fuppofed 
 Motion of the Hea'uens. 
 
 The Second Book. 
 
 Chap. I. *^HE divers Kinds of Automata, cr Self- 
 
 X movers. Of Mills. Of the Contrivance 
 
 of fever al Motions by rarifyd Air. A 
 
 brief Digrejfion concerning Wind-guns. 
 
 Chap. II. Of a Sailing Chariot, that may without Hor* 
 
 fes be driven on the Land by the Wind, as Ships are on 
 
 the Sea. ^ 
 
 Chap. III. Concerning the fixed Automata , Clocks ', 
 Spheres reprefenting the Heavenly Motions. The feve- 
 ral Excellencies that are mofi commendable in fuch kind 
 of Contrivances^ 
 
 Chap. IV. 
 
The CONTENTS. 
 
 Chap. IV. Of the Moveahk ancl Gradient Automata,' 
 reprefenting the Motions of Li'ving Creatures , 'various 
 Sounds of Birds, or Beafis , and fome of them arti- 
 culate. 
 
 Chap. V. Concfi'ning the Voffihility of framing an Ark 
 for Subm irine Na'vigations. The Difficulties and Con'- 
 'ueniences ' fuch a Contri-vance. 
 
 Chap. VI. Of the Volant Automata ^ Archytas his 
 Do've^ and Regiomontanus his Eagle, The Voffibili^ 
 ty and great Ufefulnefs of fuch Inventions. 
 
 Chap* VII. Concerning the Art of flying. The feveral 
 Ways ivherehy this hath been, or may be attempted. 
 
 Chap. VIII. A Refolution of the Two chief Difficulties 
 that Jeem to oppofe the Tpffibility of a flying Chariot. 
 
 Chap. IX. Of a perpetual Motion. The Jeeming Faci- 
 lity y and real Difficulty of any fuch Contriz^ance. The 
 feveral Ways "whereby it hath beex attempted ; particu- 
 larly by Chym^flry. 
 
 Chap. X. Of fuhterraneous Lamps. Divers Hiflorical 
 Relations concerning their Dur;.timfor many Hundred 
 Tears together. 
 
 Oiap. XI. Se-veral Opinions concerning the Nature and 
 Reafon of thefe perpetual Lamps. 
 
 Chap. XII. The mofi probable ConjeSlure how thefe Lamps 
 ti/ere framed. 
 
 Chap, XIII. Concerning fcverrl Attempts of contriving 
 a perpetual Motion by Magnetical Virtues. 
 
 Chap. XIV^. The feeming Probability of effieBing a con- 
 tinual Motion by Solid Weights, in a kolluw Wheel or 
 Sphere. 
 
 Chap. XV. Of com^.fng a perpetual Motion by fluid 
 Weights. Concerning Archimedes his Water- Scrs7i^. 
 The great Vrcbability of acccmplijlnng this Enquiry 
 hy the Help of that^ "with the Falliblenefs of it upon 
 Ewperi?yient. 
 
 aRCHL 
 
ARCHIMEDES, 
 
 O R, 
 
 Mechanical Power Si 
 
 The Firft 'Book. 
 
 CHAR L 
 
 The Excellency of thefe Arts, Why they mere con^ 
 cealed hy the Ancients, the Authors that have 
 treated of them, 
 
 AL L thofe various Studies atvout which the Sons 
 of Men do bufy cheir Endeavours , may be 
 generally Comprifed under thefe Three Kinds* 
 rDivIne. 
 -kN^ rural. 
 
 X Artificial'. „ 
 
 To the firft of -thefej is x-educible, not only the 
 Speculation of Theological Truths, but alfo the 
 Pradlice of thofe Virtues, which may advantage our 
 Minds in the Enquiry after theic proper Happinefs, 
 And thefe Ans alone may truly beftyled liberal, ^^ 5c^^£p.?*i 
 Vihtrum faciunt ho'/ninem, e^uibus cura 'virtus efi, ( laith 
 ihe Divine Stoick ) -viiich fet a Man at Liberty from 
 his Lufts and Paffions. 
 
 ] To the fecond rnay be referred all that Knowledge 
 "^hich concerns :he Frame of this great Univerfe, 
 or tiie ufual Courfo of Providence in the Govern- 
 jnent of thefe created Things. 
 To the laft do belong all ihpk Inventions, where- 
 
 " "' " fcy 
 
2 'J^CHIMEDBS; or. Lib. I. 
 
 hy Nature is any way quickned or advanced in her 
 Defeds : Thefe artificial Experiments being ( as it 
 were ) but fo many Effays, whereby Men do natu- 
 rally attempt to reftore themfelvcs from the hrft Ge- 
 neral Curfe inflided upon their Labours. 
 
 This following Difcourfe does properly appertain 
 to this latter Kind. 
 
 Now Art may be faid ^ either to imitate Nature, 
 as in Limning and Pictures ; or to helf Nature , as 
 in Medicine j or to cuercome and ad'vance Nature, as 
 in thefe Mechanical Difciplines, which in this Ref- 
 ped are by fo much to be preferred before the other^ 
 by how much their End and Power is more excel- 
 lent. Nor are they therefore to be efteemed lefs 
 Noble, becaufe more Practical ,• fince our beft and 
 moft Divine Knowledge is intended for A<5lion^and 
 thofe may juftly be counted barren Studies , which 
 do not conduce to Pradice as their properEnd. 
 
 But fo apt are we to contemn every Thing which 
 is common, that the Ancient Philofophers efteemed 
 it a great Part of Wifdom to conceal their Learn* 
 ing from Vulgar Apprehenfion or Ufe, thereby the 
 better to maintain it in its dueHonour and Refped. 
 And therefore did they generally veil all their Arts 
 and Sciences under fuch myftical Expreflions as 
 might excite the Peoples Wonder and Reverence 5 
 fearing left a more eafy and familiar Difcovery, 
 mieht expofe them to contempt. Sic ipfa ?nyfteria 
 5f;> jiii^'i'fl^"^^ c'jv.tculis operiuntur, Jtonmatibtts tantum 1;;- 
 / j.£. 2. rlsj f,7picntia wterp-ete, veri arcajii covfciis^ Contenti 
 fmt relicjui, ad ■v:77eratiommy figuris defendentibus a 'vlU' 
 tate fecretum, fiiich a Platonick. 
 
 Hence was it, that the Ancient Mathematicians 
 did place all their Learning in abftraded Speculati- 
 ons ; refufing to debafe the Principles of that noble 
 Profeflion unto Mechanical Experiments. Infomuch, 
 that thofe very Authors amongft them, who were 
 inoft eminent for their Inventions of this Kind, and 
 
 were 
 
Mechariical Tower 
 
 s. 
 
 were willing by their own Pr3<5lice to manifeft un- 
 to the World thofe artificial Wondeis that might be 
 wrought by thefe Arts, as Dadalus, Archytas, Arcfji- 
 medesj O^c'. were notwithftanding fo much infe(5ted 
 wirh this blind Superftiti on, as not to leave any- 
 thing in Writing concerning the Grounds and Man- 
 ner of thefe Operations. 
 
 ^intilian fpeaking to this Purpofe of Archimedes, Ciumt.lj 
 faith thus. ^amvU tantumtam(]ue jingtdarem Geomz- c. \o, 
 tria ufumy ArchimeJeSy Jingularlbus exemplis, & adml- 
 randis operihus ofienderity propter cjua 7)on humana fed 
 di'vina [cientia latidem fit adeptusy hecfit tamtn in iUa 
 Tlatonis perfmfioney nee ulla?n Mechanicam Uteram prode- 
 re voluit. 
 
 By which means, Poflerity hath unhappily loft, 
 not only the Benefit of thofe particular Difcoveries , 
 but alfo the Proficiency of thofe Arts in General. 
 For when once the Learned Men did forbid the Re- 
 ducing of them to particular Ufe , and Vulgar Ex- 
 periment 'y others did thereupon refufe thefe Studies 
 themfelves, as being but empty and ufelefs Specula- p^^ ^^^ 
 tions. Whence it came to pafs that the Science of schoi. 
 Geometry was fo univerfally neglecfted, receiving Mathem.h 
 little or no Addition for many Hundred Years toge- ^• 
 then 
 
 Amongft thefe Ancients, the Divine Vlato is ob- 
 ferved to be one of the greateft Sticklers for this 
 fond Opinion j feverely dehorting all his Followers, 
 from proftituting Mathematical Principles, unto 
 common Apprehenfion or Praaice. Like the envi- P^^^- tfat 
 ous Emperor Tiberius y wh9 is reported to have killed ^- ^ • *"' **' 
 an Artificer for making Glafs malleable , fearing 
 left thereby the Price of Metals might be debafed. 
 So he, in his Superftition to Philofophy , would ra- 
 ther chufe to deprive the World of all thofe ufeful 
 and excellent Inventions which might be thence 
 contrived, than to expofe that Profeilion unto the 
 Contempt of the ignorant Vulgar. 
 
 But 
 
4 'A%CHIMID ES', or. Lib. L 
 
 '■^riji. But his Scholar Jrifiotle, ( as in many other parti- 
 
 S^?*^ culars, fo like wife in this) did juftly oppofe him, 
 and became himfelf one of the firft Authors that 
 hath writ any methodical Difcourfe concerning 
 thefe Arts ,• chufing rather a certain and general Be- 
 nefit, before the hazard that might accrue from the 
 vain and groundlefs Difrepecfts of fome ignorant 
 -^ - Perfons. Being fo far from efteeming Geometry 
 
 diflionoured by Uie Application of it to Mechani- 
 cal Practices, that he rather thought it to be thereby 
 adorned, as with curious Variety, and to be exalted 
 unto its natural End. And whereas the Mathemati- 
 cians of thofe former Ages, did poffefs all their 
 Learning as covetous Men do their Wealth, only in 
 Thought and Notion ; the judicious Arijiotk , like 
 a wife Steward, did lay it out tb particular Ufe and 
 Improvement ; rightly preferring the Reality and 
 Subftance of Publick Benefit, before the Shadows of 
 fome retired Speculation^, or Vulgar Opinion. 
 
 Since him there have been divers other Authors 
 who have been eminent for their Writings of this 
 Nature. Such were Hero Akxandrinus, Hero Mecha^ 
 mcus, Tt-ippui Alexandrinusj Troclus Mathematkus , Vi-^ 
 trwvius, Guidiis Ubaldus , Henricus MonanthoUuSy Gali- 
 leusj Gue'vara, Merfennusy BettinuSy ^c. Befides ma-*-' 
 ny others that have treated largely of feveral En- 
 gines, as Augufiln Rameiliy Vittorio Zoncha, Jacohui 
 'Bejjoniusy Vegetlus, Lipjius. 
 
 Molt of which Authors I have perufed, and flialf 
 willingly acknowledge my felf a Debtor ta 
 them for many Thing^*' in this following Djf- 
 €ourf«. "^ 
 
 ^HAK 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 CHAP. IL 
 
 Cdncerning the Name of this Art. That it may 
 /properly he ft i led Liberal, the Suhjetl and Na- 
 ture of it. 
 
 TH E Word Mechanlck is thought to be derived i^ypp-t^- 
 
 Intimating the Efficacy and Force of fuchlnvencfons. ThacVa^ 
 
 Or elfe ^fi.«M xo^'y^r, (faith Ea/htbius) c^ula hlfcere non fcnfe- 
 
 finlt^ becaufe thefe Arts are fo full of pleafant Vari- ^cfs ab- 
 
 ety, that they admit not either of Sloth or Weari- ^'^'"^ ^^^^ 
 
 nefs. ^o\o%y 
 
 According to ordinary Siejnifidation, the Word is byfome, 
 ufed in Oppofition to the liberal Arts : Whereas in ^lainuU 
 Propriety of Speech thofe Employments alone may ^^^-"^^ 
 be ftyled iJlihral, which require only fome bodily '^^"^^^^ 
 EXercife, as Manufadures, Trades, &c. And on thefe Arts 
 the contrary, that Difcipline which difcovers the ge- didprofli-. 
 neral Caufes, EfFeds, and Proprieties of Things, may ^^^^ ^nd 
 truly be elteemed as a Sfcchs of Philofophy. rhe^'under^ 
 
 But here ic ftould be noted, that this Art is ufu- landing!" 
 ally diftinguiihed into a twofold Kind ; 
 
 1. Rational. l"^^""' . 
 
 J . , . Protrm.in 
 
 2. CbtrurgtcaL tolUa.Ma^ 
 The Rational is that which treats of thofe Princi- ^^«w- J- 8- 
 
 pies and fundamental Notions , which may concern 
 thefe Mechanical Practices. 
 
 The CA;V«)-ff;c^/ or ^W^««fl/ doth refer to the making 
 of thefe Inftruments, and theExercifmg offuch par- 
 ticular Experiments. As in the Works' of Archite- 
 <5ture. Fortifications, and the like. 
 
 The firft of thefe is the Subject of this Difcourfe, 
 and may properly be ftyled Likr^.l, as juilly de- 
 ferving the Profecution of an ingenious Mind. For 
 if we Gonfider ic according to its Birth and Origi- 
 nal, w@ Ihall find ic to fpring from honourable iPa-^ 
 
 H h rentage 
 
4 'A\CB1MEJ)ES; or Lib. I. 
 
 rentage, being pror^uced by Geometry on the one 
 lide, 2.nd natural Vhilofophy ont\\t o&izr. If accord- 
 ing to its \J[q. and Benefit, we may then difcernth^c 
 to this fliould be referred all thofe Arts and Profeffi- 
 ons, fo neceflliry for human Society, whereby Na- 
 ture is not only dire(5led in her ufual Courfe, but 
 fometimes alfo commanded againft her own Law. 
 The Particulars that concern Architedure, Naviga- 
 tion, Husbandry, Military Affairs, &c. are moft of 
 them reducible to this Art, both for their Invention 
 and Ufe. 
 
 Thofe other Difciplines of Logick^ Rhetorick, 
 &c. do not more proted and adorn the Mind, than 
 thefe Mechanical Powers do the Body. 
 
 And therefore are they well worthy to be enter- 
 tained with greater Induifry and Refpe<5t, than they 
 commonly meet with in thefe Times ,• wherein 
 there be very many that pretend to be Malters in all 
 the Liberal Arts, v/ho fcarce underltand any Thing 
 in thefe Particulars. 
 
 The Subjed of this Art is concerning the Hcavi- 
 nefs of feveral Bodies, or the Proportion that is re- 
 quired betwixt any Weight, in relation to the Pow- 
 er which may be able to move it. And fo it refers 
 likewife to violent and artificial Motion, as Philofo- 
 phy doth to that which is natural. 
 
 The proper End for which this Art is intended, is 
 to teach how by Underftanding the true Difference 
 betwixt the Weight and the Vo-ivery a Man may add 
 fuch a fitting Supplement to the Strength of the Pow- 
 er, that it fhall be able to move any conceivable 
 Weight, though it ftiould never fomuch exceed thut 
 Force which the Power is naturally endowed 
 with. 
 
 The Art it felf may be thus defcribed to be a Ma- 
 thematical Difcipline, which by the Help of Geome- 
 trical Principles doth teach to contrive feveral 
 . W^eightsand Powers unto any kind, either of Mo- 
 tion 
 
Dav. ki» 
 
 'valtus 
 
 vitatis. 
 
 Mechanical lowers, 
 
 t'ibn, or Reft, accordiiig as the Artificer ftall Jeter^ 
 mine. 
 
 If it be doubted how this may be efteemed a 
 Species of Mathematicks, when as it treats of Weights, pr^fin t. 
 and not of Quantity: For Satisfaction to this, there Archim.de 
 are two Particulars confiderable. centrogra^ 
 
 1. Mathematicks in its Latitude is ufually divided 
 into Vure and Mixed: Andt though the Ture do handle 
 only abJiraB ^antity in the General, as Geometry , A- 
 rithmetick : Yet that which is w/xW, doth confider the 
 Quantity of fome f articular determinate Subject. So 
 ^flronomy handles the Quantity of Heavenly Moti- 
 ons ,• Mujick of Sounds, and Mecbanicks of Weights 
 and Powers. 
 
 2. Heavinefs or Weight is not here eonfidered, as 
 being fuch a natural ^ality, whereby condenfed 
 Bodies do of themfeiVes tend do'ivnwards ; but rather, 
 as being an Affc<5ticii, whereby they may be mea- 
 fured. And in this Senfe, Ariftotk himfelf refers it ., ^ 
 amongft the other Species of ^antity, as having the jj/j" 
 fame proper ElTence, which is to be compounded of 
 integral Parts. So a Pound doth confift of Ounces, 
 Drams, Scruples. Whence it is evident, that there 
 is not any fuch Repugnancy in the Subject of this 
 Art, as may hinder it from being a true Species of 
 Mathematicks. 
 
 c. a» 
 
 CHAP. in. 
 
 0/ tUfrfi Mechanical Faculty y the Balance, 
 
 TH E Mechanical Faculties by which the E:J- 
 periments of this Nature mull be contrived,,- 
 are ufually reckoned to be thefe Six, 
 
 M H ^ %, Lih4'i 
 
8 ARCHIMEDES; or, Lib. 1. 
 
 1. LI bra. 
 
 2. VeHis. 
 
 3. Jxis in Verltrochlo, 
 
 1. Tlje Ballancc, 
 
 2. The Leaver. 
 5. The Wheel. 
 
 4. Trcchlea. 1 4. 77)^ Tulley. 
 
 5. Cmeus. J. T/^e W^c^^e. 
 
 6. Cochlea, 6. The Screw. 
 
 Unto fome of which, the Force of all Mechani- 
 cal Inventions muft neceflarily be reduced. I fhall 
 fpeak of them feverally, and in this Order. 
 
 Firft, concerning the Balance; This and the 
 Leaver are ufually confounded together, as being but 
 one Faculty ; becaufe the general Grounds and Pro- 
 portions of cither's Force is fo exadly the fame. But 
 for better Diftindion, and more clear Dilcovery of 
 their Natures, I fhall treat of them feverally. 
 
 The ftrft Invention of the Balance is commonly 
 attributed to Jflrea, who is therefore deified for the 
 Goddefs of Juftice^ and that Inftrument it felf advan- 
 ced amongft the Celeftial Signs. 
 
 The Particulars concerning it are fo commonly 
 known, and of fuch eafie Experiment , that they 
 will not need any large Explication. The chief End 
 and Purpofe of it, is for the Diftindion of feveral 
 Ponderofities : For the Underftanding of which, we 
 muft note, that if the Length of the Sides in the 
 Balance , and the Weights at the Ends of them, be 
 l)pth mutually equal, then the Beam M/ill be in a ho* 
 Hzontal Situation. But on the contrary, if either 
 the Weights alone be equal, and not their Diitances, 
 or the Diftances alone, and not the Weights > then 
 the Beam will accordingly decline. 
 
 As in this following Diagram, 
 
 Sup" 
 
Mtchanical fomers. 
 
 A CJO E ^ 
 
 Suppofe an equal Weight at C , unto that at 5 ; ' 
 (which Points are both equally diflant from the 
 Center A) it is evident that then the Beam B F will 
 hang horizontal^. But if the Weight fuppofed at 
 C, be unequal to that at -B, or if there be an equal 
 Weight at D £ , or any of the other unequal Di- 
 {lances ,• the Beam muft then necelTarily decline. 
 
 With this kind of Balance , it is ufual , by the Cardan. 
 Help only of one Weight, to meafure fundry difFe- ^»^^'^•^•^' 
 rent Gravities, whether more or lefs, than that by 
 which they are meafured. As by the Example here 
 defcribed , a Man may with one Pound alone, 
 weigh any other Body within ten Pounds ; becaufe 
 the Heavinefs of any Weight doth increafe pro- 
 portionably to its Diftance from the Center. Thus 
 one Pound at D , will equiponderate unto two 
 Pounds at B j becaufe the Diftance ^ D is double 
 unto A B. And for the fame Reafon, one Pound 
 at E, will equiponderate to three Pound at B ; and 
 one Pound at F, unto ten at B ; becaufe there is 
 ftill the fame Difproportion betwixt their feveral 
 Diftances. 
 
 This kind of Ballance is ufually ftiled Romana Mechan. 
 Stater a. It feems to be of ancient Ufe, and is men- ^' *'• 
 tioned by Arifiotle under the Name of <^^y^. 
 
 Hence it is eafy to apprehend how that falfe Ba- p^^^ „ , 
 
 lance may be compofed , fo often condemned by c. \6. u. 
 
 the Wife-man , as being an Abomination to the Lord, item, cap. 
 
 If the Sides of the Beam be not equally divided, as »«• ^^>^3 
 
 H h ^ fup- 
 
■Jo AliCHlUEVESlor Lib. I. 
 
 fuppofe one have lo Parts, and the other ii ; then 
 any two Weights that differ according to this Pro- 
 portion, fthe heavier being placed on the (horter 
 fide, and the lighter on the longer ) will equipon- 
 rate • and yet both the Scoles being empty, will 
 hang in ^AlcjuiUbrio , as if they were exactly jult 
 and true ; As in this Defcription. 
 
 ^ 
 
 t ir: r : r- 
 
 j: .1. i.x 
 
 A 
 
 Suppofe J C to h^e 1 1 fuch Parts^ whereof A B 
 h.^5 but JO , and yet both of them to be in theni- 
 felves of equal Weight ,♦ it is certain, that whether 
 tViQ Scoles be empty, or whether in the Scolc D we 
 puf 1/ Pound, and af £ lo Pounds y<s|: both of 
 them fhall equiponderate, becaufe there is juft fuch 
 a Difproportion in the Length of the Sides A C, 
 being unto W £, as ii to lo. 
 
 The Frequency of fuch Cozenages in thefe Pays, 
 may be evident from common Experience ^ and 
 that they were ufed alfo in former Ages , may ap- 
 pear ii-om ^Arifiotk\ Teftimony concerning thp 
 Merchants in his time. For the remedying of fuch 
 Abufes , the Ancients did appoint divers Oflnicers, 
 lliled (^^^^vid-mi , vvho wgre to overlook the com- 
 mon iVleafures. 
 
 So grpat Care was there amongft the Jews , for 
 the Prelervaiioa of Commutative Jufti(?e from ^\\ 
 
 Abufe 
 
Mechanical Toivers. ^1 
 
 Abufe and Falfification in this kind , that the Pub- 
 lick Standards and Originals , by which all other 
 Meafures were to be try'd and allowed , were with 
 much Religion preferved in the San^fluary ,• the 
 Care of them being committed to the Priefls and 
 Le'vites, whofe Office it was to look unto all manner i Chron. 
 vf Meafarcs and Siz,c. Kence is that frequent Ex- ~^ -9- ^ 
 preOion^ According to the Shekel of the Sancluary ', and ^^ 
 that Law , All thy Efibfiations jlmll he according to the Lev. 27. 
 Shekel of the SanBuary : Which doth not refer to any 2j. 
 Weight, or Coin, diftind from, and more than the 
 Vulgar, (as fome fondly conceive j but doth only 
 oblige Men in their Dealing and Traffick, to make 
 ufe of fuch juft Meafures , as were agreeable unto 
 the Publick Standards that were kept in the San- 
 diuary. 
 
 The manner how fuch Deceitful Balances may 
 be difcovered , is , by changing the Weights into 
 each other Scole , and then the Inequality will be 
 manifeft. 
 
 From the former Grounds rightly apprehended. 
 It is ealy to conceive how a Man may find out the 
 juft Proportion of a Weight , which in any Point 
 given, (hall equiponderate to feveral Weights given, 
 hanging in feveral Places of the Beam. 
 
 Some of thefe Balances are made fo exa(5l , 
 (thofe efpecially which the Refiners ufe) as to 
 be fenfibly turned with the Eightieth Part of a Grain: 
 Which ( tho' it may feem very ftrangej is nothing 
 to what * Capellus relates of one at Sedan, that would Afafter 
 turn with the Four hundredth Part of a Grain. Greavet 
 
 There are feveral Contrivances to make ufe of ^o"iai» 
 thefe, in meafuring the Weight of Blows, theForce ^^^]'g„, 
 of Powder, the Strength of Strings , or other Ob- deribm & 
 long Subftances ,* Condenfed Air ; the diftind Pro- nummUt 
 portion of feveral Mecals mixed together ^ the dif- ^- ^• 
 ferent Gravity of divers Bodies in the Water, from 
 what they have in the open Air ; with divers the 
 like ingenious Enquiiies. H h 4, CHAP. 
 
|2 ARCHIMEDES', cr, Lib, L 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Coy.cfrfiing the fecond Mechanick Faculty^ the 
 Learuer, 
 
 /npHE fecond Mechanical Faculty, is the Lea- 
 JL ver : Thp firft Invention of it is ufually afcri- 
 bed to Ncpiiirje, and reprefcnted by his Trident, 
 which in the Greek are both called by one Name, 
 and are not very unlike in Form, being both of them 
 fomevvhac broader at one end, than in the other parts. 
 There is one main Principle concerning it, which 
 i§ ( as it were) the very Sum and Epitome of this 
 whole Art. The meaning of it is thus exprelTed by 
 
 /Irifiotle , ' O 73 iuvi^-iuou (ici(yi ^^h tb Kivvi'y re fMMi -ar^^ 79 
 
 ^^y.of A j'l/^^Tjj'^c, That is,as theVVeight is to an equiva- 
 lent Power, fo is the diitance betwixt the Weight 
 and the Center, unto the diftance betwixt the Cen- 
 ter and the Povv^er, and fo reciprocally. Or thus, 
 the Power that doth equiponderate with any Weight, 
 muft have the fame proportion unto it, as there is 
 betwixt their feveral Diftances from the Center or 
 Fulciment ,- as in this following Figure. 
 
 Ac B 
 
 
 B 
 
 E 
 
 Where fuppofe the Leaver to be reprefented by 
 the Length J B, the Center or * Prop at the Point 
 C, the Weight to be foft^ined D, the Power thaf 
 (ioth uphold it j^. 
 
Mechanical Towers, ij 
 
 Now tHe meaning of the forefaid Principle doth 
 import thus much ; that the Power at £, muft bear 
 the fame proportion to the Weight D, as the Di- 
 itance CA doth to the other Ci5,- which, becaufe 
 it is Octuple in the prefent Example, therefore it 
 will follow that one Pound at B, or E, will equipon- 
 derate to eight Pounds at J, or D ; as is exprefied 
 in the Figure. The Ground of which Maxim is 
 this, becaufe the Point C is fuppofed to be the Cen- 
 ter of Gravity, on either lide of which, the Parts 
 are of equal Weight. 
 
 And this kind of proportion is not only to be ob- 
 ferved when the Power dtoth prejs do-wmvcrds, (as in 
 the former Example) but alio in the other Species 
 of violent Motion ; as Lifting, Dra^ving^ and the 
 like. Thus if the Prop or Fulciment were fuppofed 
 to be at the extremity of the Leaver, 
 
 2.3 B 9 1^ C 
 
 as in this Diagram at /, then the height B would 
 require fuch a difference in the Strengths or Pow- 
 ers that did fuftain it, as there is betwixt the feveral 
 Diftances A C, and EC. For as the Diftance AB The right 
 is unto A C, fo is the Power at C to the Weight at underftan- 
 B • that is, the Power at A muft be double to that i"^i ,, 
 at C, becaufe the Diftance B C is tv/ice as much as much con- 
 B A. From whence it is eafie to conceive, how duce to 
 any Burden carried betwixt two Perfons, may be the ExpH- 
 proportioned according to their different Strengths. ^iJ^'^p^^f 
 If the Weight were imagined to hang at the Num- w 
 ber 2, then the Power at C would fuftain but two 
 of thofe Parts, whereof that at A did uphold i6. 
 If it be fuppofed at the Figure 5, then the Strength 
 gt C, f,o that at A^ would be but as Three to Fif- 
 teen. 
 
t4 A^CHlUEVESi or Lib.I. 
 
 teen. But if it were fituated at the Figure 9, then 
 each of the Extremities would participate of it alike ^ 
 becaufe that being the middle, both the Diftances 
 are equal. If at the Number 12, then the Strength 
 at C is required to be double unto that at ^. And 
 in the like manner are we to conceive of the other 
 jntermediare Divifions. 
 
 Thus alfo muft it be, if we fuppofe the Power to 
 be placed betwixt the Fulciment and the Weighty as 
 in this Example. 
 
 V B c 
 
 A 
 
 A 
 
 Where , as // C is to /45 fo is the Power at B^ to 
 the Weight at C. 
 
 Hence likewife may we conceive the Reafon why 
 it is much harder to carry any long Subftance, ei- 
 ther on the Shoulders, or in the Hand, if it be held 
 by either of the Extreams, than if it be fuftained by 
 the middle of ir. The Strength that muft equipon- 
 derate at the nearer end, fonietimes increafmg the 
 Weight almoft double to what it is in it felf. 
 
 IIA 
 
 1!^ 
 
 ^i-,|-i:^ 
 
 Imagine the Point A to be the place v/here any 
 long Sublbnce Tas fuppofe a Pike) is fuftained ,• it is 
 evident frcm the former Principle, that the ftrengch 
 at B ( v.hich makes it lie level ' muft be equal to all 
 ihQ length A C, which is almoft the whole Pike. 
 
 And as it is in the dcprcfting, or elevating, fo 
 likevv^ife is it in the dr?.wingof any Weighty as a 
 Ccach_, Plow, or the like, Let 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 IJ 
 
 D 
 
 -B 
 
 C" 
 
 
 
 Let the Line D B reprefent the Pole or Carnage 
 on which the Burden is fuftained, and the Line ^ C 
 the Crofs-Bar ; at each of its Extremities, there is a 
 feveral Spring-Tree G H, and I K, to which either 
 Horfes or Oxen may be faftned. Now becaufe A 
 and C are equally diftant from the middle B^ there- 
 fore in this cafe the Strength rnuft be equal on both 
 fides ; but if we fuppofe one of thefe Spring-Trees 
 to be faftned unto the Points E ov F , then the 
 Strength required to draw on that fide, will be fo 
 much more, as the diftance E B or F B is lefs than 
 that of A B ; that is, either as three to four , as £ 5 
 to B Ay or as one to two ^ zs FB to B A. So that 
 the Beaft faftned at W, will not draw fo much by a 
 quarter as the other at E , but half as much as one 
 at F. 
 
 Whence it is eafie to conceive how a Husbandman 
 ( cum inaquales njenhmt ad aratra juvencl ) may pro- 
 portion the Labour of Drawing, according to the 
 feveral ftrength of his Oxen. 
 
 Unto this Mechanical Faculty fhould be reduced 
 fundry other Inftruments in common ufe. Thus the 
 Oars, Stern , ?vlafts , &c, according to their force 
 v/hereby they give Motion to the Ship, are to be con- 
 ceived under this Head. Thus 
 
 Arifl. Me' 
 chart, c. S, 
 6, 7 
 yide Gtie- 
 'va>-. Cent- 
 rhmt. 
 
i6 A%CH1MEV ES', or, Lib. L 
 
 hLchan. Thtis IRvewifc for that Engine, whereby Brewers i 
 
 ^ '^^ . and Dyers do commonly draw Water, which Ari^\ 
 
 Tihtis^'de fiot la alls HHAomii' ^ and others Tollenc7t. This be- 
 
 hancjU ing the fame kind of Infkument, by which Archie 
 
 DifcipUn* njedes drew up the Ships of Marcdius, 
 I. 19. f. 2. 
 
 calls it . , 
 
 corruptly 
 
 TcU.n.n. CHAP. V. 
 
 How the Natural Motion of Lhiffg Creatures is 
 conformable to thefe Artificial Rules, 
 
 THE former Principle being already explained, 
 concerning artificial and dead Motions, it will 
 not be altogether impertinent, if in the next place 
 we apply it unto thofe that are natural in living Bo- 
 dies, and examine v/hether thefe alfo are not go- 
 verned by the fame kind of Proportions. 
 
 In all perfeA living Creatures^ there is a twofold 
 kind of motive Inftruments : 
 
 I. Primary, the Mufcles. 
 
 7. Secondary, the Members. 
 
 The Mufcles are naturally fitted to be Inftruments 
 of Motion, by the manner of their Frame and Com- 
 pofure j confilting of Flefh as their chief Material, 
 and belides of Nerves, Ligatures, Veins, Arteries, 
 and Membranes. 
 
 The Nerves ferve for the conveyance of the mo- 
 tive Faculty from the Brain. The Ligatures for the 
 ilrengthning tef them, that they may not flag and 
 languifli in their Motions. The Feim for their Nou- 
 riOiVnent. The Arterie's for the fupplying of them 
 with Spirit and natural Vigor. The Membranes for 
 the comprehension or inclclure of all thefe together, 
 and for the diftindlion of one Mufcle from another. 
 There are befides divers Fibra, or hairy Subftances, 
 which Nature hath bellowed for the farther corro- 
 borating 
 
Mechanical Towers, 1 7 
 
 berating of their Motions ; thefe being difperfed 
 through every Mufcle, do fo joyn together in the 
 end of them, as to make entire Nervous Bodies, 
 which are called Terulons, almoft like the Griftles. 
 Now this ('faith Galen) may fitly be compared to the De Placiu 
 broader part of the Leaver, that is put under the Hipi>oc. & 
 Weighty which, as it ought to be fo much theftrong- -P^^^""- ^-^ 
 er. by how much it is put to a greater force , \q ^'^^' ^°' 
 likewife by this, doth Nature enable the Mufcles 
 and Nerves for thofe Motions, which otherv/ife 
 would be too difficult for them. 
 
 Whence it may evidently appear, that according 
 to the Opinion of that eminent Phyfician, thefe na- 
 tural Motions are regulated by the like Grounds 
 with the artificial. 
 
 2. Thus alfo is it in thofe fecondary Inftruments 
 of Motion, the Members : Amongft which, the 
 Hand is o?;<*!'o/ h^yavuv , the Inftrument of In- Deufupart. 
 ftruments, (as Gskn ftiles itj) and as the Soul of ^-i-^-^. 
 Man doth bear in it the Image of the Divine Wif- 
 dom and Providence, fo this part of the Body feems 
 in fome fort to reprefent the Omnipotency of God, 
 whilft it is able to perform fuch various and won- 
 derful EfFeds by the help of this Art. But now for 
 its own proper natural Strength , in the lifting any 
 great Weight , this is always proportioned accord- 
 ing to its Extenfion from the Body, being of leaft 
 force when it is fully ftretched out, or at Arms-end, 
 (as we fay) becaufe then the Shoulder-Joynt is as 
 the Center of its Motion, from which the Hand in 
 that pofture being very remote, the weight of any 
 thing it holds muft be accordingly augmented. 
 Whereas the Arm being drawn in, the Elbow- Jcynt 
 doth then become its Center, which will diminifh 
 the weight proportionably, as that part is nearer un- 
 to it than the other. 
 
 To this purpofe alfo, there is another fubtle Pro- ^ichsTi. 
 blempropofed by Arifioth^ concerning thePoltures ^ 31, 
 
 of 
 
1 8 J(I(^C HIMED ES ^ or Lib. L 
 
 of fitting and rifing up. The Qiiasre is this, Why 
 a Man cannot rife up from his Seat, unlefs he firft 
 either bend his Body forward, or thruft his Feet 
 backward ? 
 
 In the Pofture of Sitting, our Legs are fuppofed 
 to make a right Angle witti our Thighs, and they 
 with our Backs, as in this Figure. 
 
 ..r 
 
 li 
 
 r> 
 
 Where Ut A B reprefeftt the Back ] B C tht 
 Thighs , C D the Legs. Now it is evident, that i 
 Man cannot rife from this Pofture, unlefs either th© 
 Back aB ^o firft incline unto F, to make an acute 
 Angle with the Thighs JS C ; or elfe that the Legs 
 C D do incline towards E , which may alfo make ant 
 acute Angle with the Thighs BCy or iaftly, unlefs 
 both of them do incline to the Pomts G H, where 
 they may be included in the fame Perpendicular. 
 
 For the Refolution of which, the Philofopher 
 propofcs thefs two Particulars, 
 
Mechanical Towers, r^ 
 
 1. A right Angle (fldth he) is a kind of Equality, 
 and that being naturally the Caufe of Reft, mufl 
 reeds be an Impediment to ths Motion of Rifing. 
 
 2. Becaufe when either of the Parts are brought 
 into an Acute Angle, the Head being removed over 
 the Feet, or they under the Head ; in fuch a Po- 
 fture the whole Man is much nearer difpofed to the 
 Form of {landing , wherein all thefe Parts are im 
 one ftrait perpendicular Line , than he is by the 
 other of Right Angles, in which the Back and Legs 
 are two Parallels • or that of turning thefe ftrait 
 Angles into obtufe , which would not make an 
 ered Pofture, but declining. 
 
 But neither of thefe Particulars ( as I conceive ) 
 do fully fatisfy the prefent ^tare ,• neither do the 
 Commentators, MonanthoUm, or Gne-vara, better re- 
 folve it. Rather fuppofe -S C to be a VeB'n, or Lea- 
 ver, towards the Middle of which is the Place of 
 the Fulciment, ^ S as the Weight, CD the Pow- 
 er that is to raife it. 
 
 Now the Body being fituate in this Re(5i:angular 
 Form , the Weight A B muft needs be augmented 
 proportionably to its Diftance from the Fulciment, 
 which is about half the Thighs : Whereas , if we 
 fuppofe either the Weight to be inclined unto F, or 
 the Power to E , or both of them to G H ; then 
 there is nothing to be lifted up, but the bare Weight 
 it felf ; which in this Situation, is not at all increa- 
 fed with any Addition by Diftance. 
 
 For in thefe Conclufions concerning the Leaver, 
 we muft always imagine that Point which is touch- 
 ed by a Perpendicular from the Center of Gravity, 
 to be one of the Terms. So that the diverfe Eleva- 
 tion or Depreftion of the Inftrument , will infer a 
 g^ear Alteration in the Weight it felf ^ as may more 
 clearly be difcerned by this following Diagram. 
 
 Wher? 
 
20 J^C HI M EV ESy or, Lib. L 
 
 SliFr.Ba- 
 ions Nat. 
 Hiji. Exo. 
 
 73»- 
 
 Where J is fuppofed to be the Place of the Prop^ 
 or Ftildmenti B C, a. Leaver which ftands horizon- 
 tally ; the Power and the Weight belonging unto it 
 being equal, both in themfelves, and alfo in their 
 Dillances from the Prop. 
 
 But now fuppofe this Inftrumenc to be alterM 
 according to the Situation D E ; then the Weight D 
 will be diminiflied by fo much, as the Perpendicular 
 from its Center of Gravity H/, doth fall nearer ta 
 the Prop or Fulciment at A : And the Power at E 
 will be fo much augmented , as the Perpendicular 
 from its Center (KE) does fall farther from the 
 Point at J. And fo on the contrary, in that other 
 Situation of the Leaver, FG: Whence it is eafy to 
 conceive the true Realon, why the Inclining of the 
 Body, or the putting back of the Leg, fhould to 
 much conduce to the Facility of rifing. 
 
 From thefe Grounds likewife may we underf!and, 
 why the Knees fhould be moil wear}^ in Afcending, 
 and the Thighs in Defcending ,• which is, beeauVe 
 the Weight of the Body doth bear moft upon the 
 Knee-joints, in raifing. it felf up | and moft upon 
 
Me'chmiicdl Tdtvers] 
 
 the Mufcles of the Thighs, when it flays it felf in 
 coming down. 
 
 There are divers other Natural Problems to this 
 pucpofe, which I forbear to recite. We. do not fo 
 much^^s^ go, . or fit, or rife, without the Vfc of this 
 Mechanical Qcometrj. 
 
 ti 
 
 C H A P. Vi. 
 
 Conciirning the WheeL 
 
 TH E Third Mechanical Faculty is , conimonly Cailei 
 riiled, Jxis in Verltrocbio. It goriflfts of an likewife 
 Axis, or Cylinder, having a Rundle atout it, where- °v(^' 
 in there are faftned divers Spokes, by which the '^'^* 
 whole may be turned rounds according to this '•^'J^*'*' 
 figure. ^' 
 
 m 
 
21 A^CBIMEVES', or Lib. F, 
 
 Where B C does reprefenc the Cylinder , which 
 is fuppofed to move upon a fmaller Axis at E ; 
 ( this being all one , in comparifon to the feveral 
 Proportions , as if it were a mere Mathematical 
 Line ,• ) L G is the Rundle, or Wheel ,• H F I K, 
 feveral Spokes or Handles that are faltned in it ^ 
 D, the Place where the Cord is faftned , for the 
 "drawing or lifting up of any Weight, 
 
 The Force of this Inftrument doth confift in that 
 Difproportion of Diftance which there is betwixt 
 the Semidiameter of the Cylinder A B, and the Se- 
 midiameter of the Rundle with the Spokes, FA. 
 For let us conceive the Lins F B to be as a Leaver, 
 wherein A is the Center or Fulciment, B the Place 
 of the Weight, and F of the Power. Now it . is 
 evident from the former Principles , that by how 
 much the Diftance F A h greater than A B , hy To 
 much lefs need the Power be at F, in refped of the 
 Weight at B, Suppofe A B to'be as the Tenth pare 
 of A F, then that Power or Strength , which is but 
 as a Hundred Pound at F, will be equal to a Thou- 
 fand Pound at S. 
 
 For the clearer Explication of this Faculty, it 
 will not be amifs to confider the Form of it, as it 
 will appear, being more fully expofed to the View r 
 As in this other Diagram. 
 
 Suppofe 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 Suppofe A B for the Semidiameter of the Axis or 
 Cylinder , and A C for the Semidiameter of the 
 Rundle with the Spokes ^ then the Povver at C, 
 which will be able to fupport the Weight D, muft 
 bear the fame Proportion linto it, 2^ A B doth to 
 A C : So that by how much fliorter the Diftance 
 A B is, in comparifon to the Diftance A C, by fo 
 hiuch lefs need the Power be at C , which may be 
 able to fupport the Weight D hanging at B. 
 
 And fo likewife is it for the other Spokes or Han- 
 dles, E F G H ; at cither of which, if we conceive 
 any Power , which fliall move according to the 
 fame Circumference wherein thefe Handles are pla- 
 ced ,• then the Strength of this Power will be all 
 one, as if it were at C. But now, fuppofing a dead 
 Weight hanging at any of them, (as at E) then 
 the Difproportion will vary : The Power being Co 
 much lefs than that at C, by how much the Line 
 ^ C is longer than A I; the Weight K being of 
 the fame Force at E, as if it were hung at J, ini 
 which Point the Perpendicular of its Gravity doth 
 eut the Diameter, I x i The 
 
24 J^CHIMBVES; or, Lib. I. 
 
 The chief Advantage which this Inftrument doth 
 beftow above that of the Leaver, doth confifl in this 
 Particular ; In' a Leaver, the Motion can be conti- 
 nued only for fo fliort a Space, as may be anfvvera- 
 ble to that little Diftance betwixt the lulciment and 
 the Weight ,• which is always by fo much leiTer, as 
 the Difproportion betwixt the Weight and the Pow- 
 er is greater , and the Motion it felf more eafy : 
 But now in this Invention, that Inconvenience is re- 
 medied ; for by a frequent Rotationr of the Axis, 
 the Weight may be moved for any Height , or 
 Length, as Occafion (hall require. 
 
 Unto this Faculty may we refer the Force of all 
 thofe Engines, which confift of Wheels with Teeth 
 in them. 
 
 Hence alfo may we difcern the Reafon , why 
 fundry Inftruments in common Ufe, are framed af- 
 ter the like Form with thefe following Figures. 
 
 All 
 
Mechanical Towers, 
 
 All which are but feveral kinds of this Third Me- 
 chanical Faculty. In which, the Points j4 B C do 
 ifsprefent the Places of the Power , the Fulciment, 
 and the Weight j the Power being in the fame pro- 
 portion unto the Wfiight, as -B C is unto £ A. 
 
 ^5 
 
 CHAP. VIL 
 
 Concerning the Pulley, 
 
 THat which is reckoned for the Fourth Faculty, is 
 the Pulley ; which is of fuch ordinary Ofe, 
 that it needs not any particular Defcription. The 
 chief Parts of it are divers little Rundles , that are 
 moveable about their proper Axes. Thefe arc ufu- ^riji. Me* 
 a^Iy divided, according to their feveral Situations, '**"•*«•• 
 into the upper and lower. If an Engine have two 
 of thefe Rundles above, and two below , it is ufu- 
 ally called <ftWct5tf, if three, TclcmA^f, if many. 
 
 The lower Pulleys only do give Force to the 
 Motion. If we fuppofe a Weight to hang upon 
 any of the upper Rundles, it will then require a 
 Power that in it felf (hall be fully equal for the fu- 
 ftaining of it. 
 
 The 
 
z6 'A^CHlMEtiESi or Lib. I. 
 
 The Diameter A C being as the Beam of a Ba- 
 lance , of which B 15 the Prop or Center. Now 
 the Parts A and C being equally diftant from this 
 Center , therefore the Power at E muft be equal to 
 the Weight at D ; it being ai! one, as if the Power 
 and the Weight y/ere faftned by two feveral Strings, 
 iir the Ends of the Balance F G. 
 
 Now all the upper Pulleys being of the fame Na- 
 ture, it muft neceiTarily follow, that n^ne of them 
 do in themfelves conduce to the eafing'of the Pow- 
 er , or lightening the Weight , bJLit only for the 
 greater Conveniency of the Motion ; the Cords by 
 this means running more eallly moved, than other- 
 wife they would. 
 
 But now , fuppofe the Weight to be fuftained 
 above the Pulley , as it is in all thofe of the lower 
 fort^ and then the Power which iupports it, need 
 be but half as much as the Weight it felf. 
 
 ^D^ 
 
 br 
 
 Let A C reprefent the Diameter of a lower Pul- 
 Ijey, on whofe Center at B the Weight is faftrled, 
 one end of the Cord being ty'd to a Hook at D, 
 Now h is evident, that half the Weight is fuftained 
 kD, To that there is but the other half left to be 
 
 , fuftained by the Power at £ : It being all one, as if 
 the Weight were ty'd unto the middle of the Ba- 
 lance: FG, whofe Ends were upheld by two feveral 
 
 Strings, F :^, and G L '' '■ ■ An4' 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 And this fame Subduple Proportion will ftill re- 
 main , tho' we fuppofe an upper Pulley joined to 
 the Power 5 as in thefe two other Figures. 
 
 27 
 
 Where the Power at ^ is eqiial to the Weight at 
 B : Now the Weight at B being but half the Ponde- 
 rofity C, therefore the Power at A, notwithftanding 
 the Addition of the upper Rundle, mull be equiva- 
 lent to half the Weight ^ and as the upper Pulley a- 
 lone doth not abate any thing of the Weight , fo 
 neither being joined with the lower ,• and the fame 
 Subduple Difference betwixt the Power and the 
 Weight, which is caufcd by the lower Pulley alone, 
 doth ftill remain unalter'd , tho' there be an upper 
 Pulley adde^ unco ic. 
 
 I i 4 Now, 
 
j8 'ARCHIMEDES; or. Lib. I. 
 
 Now, as one of thefe Under-Pulleys doth ab^te 
 half of that Heayinefs which the Weight hath in it 
 felf, and caufe tHe Power to be in a Subduple Pro- 
 portion unto it ; fo two of them do abate half of 
 that vvhich remains, and caufe a Subquadruple Pro-* 
 portion betwixt the Weight and the Power ; three 
 of them a Subfextuple, four a Subojftuple : And fo 
 for five, fix, or ^s many as fbail be required ; they 
 will all of them iJiminifh the Weight, according to 
 this Proportion. 
 
 Suppofe the Weight in it felf to be 1200 Pound, 
 the applying unto it one of thefe lower Pulleys, 
 will make it but as 600; two of them, as 500 ^ 
 three of them, as 150, &c. 
 
 '■ But now , if we conceive the firft part of the 
 String to be fallen'd unto the lower Pulley , as in 
 this other Figure at F ^ 
 
 
 
 then 
 
Mechanical lowers, 
 
 then the Power at A, will be in a fubtriple Proporti- 
 on to the Weight E , becaufe the Heavinefs would 
 be then equally divided unto the Three Points of the 
 lower Diameter By C, D, each of them fupporting 
 a like Share of the Burden. If unto this lower Pul- 
 ley there were added another, then the Power would 
 fce unto the Weight in a fubquintuple Proportion. If 
 a Third, a Subfextuple, and fo of the refl. For we 
 muft note, that the Cords in this Inftrument are as 
 fo many Powers, and the Rundles as fo many Lea- 
 vers, or Balances. 
 
 Hence It is eafie to conceive, how the Strength of 
 the Power may be proportioned according to any 
 fuch Degree, as fhall be required ; and how any 
 Weight given may be moved by any Power 
 given. 
 
 'Tis not material to the Force of this Inftrument, 
 whether the Rundles of it be big or little, if they be 
 made equal to one anofher in their feveral Orders ; 
 But it is moft convenient, that the upper fhould 
 each of them increafe as they are higher, and the o- 
 ther as they are lower ^ becaufe by this meaqs the 
 Cords will be kept from tangling. 
 
 Thefe Pulleys may be multiplied according to fun- 
 dry different Situations, not only when they are fub- 
 prdinate, as in the former Examples, but alfo when 
 they ate placed collaterally. 
 
 From the former Grounds it is eafie to contrive a 
 Ladder, by which a Man may pull himfelf up unto 
 any Height. For the Performance of this, there is 
 required only an upper and a lower Rundle. 
 
 T« 
 
 ^9 
 
 ' \ 
 
|d A%CHIUET)ES:, or Lib.L 
 
 To the uppermoft of thefe at A, there fhould be 
 faftned a (harp Grapple or Cramp of Iron, which 
 may be apt to take hold of any Place where it lights. 
 This part'being firft caft up and faftned, and the 
 Staff D E, at the nether End, being put betwixt the 
 Legs, fo that a Man may fit upon the others C, and 
 take hold of the Cord at F, it is evident that the 
 Weight of the Perfon at E, will be but equal to 
 half fo much Strength at F; fo that a Man may ea- 
 fily pull himfelf up to the Place required , by lean- 
 ing bat little more than half of his own Weight on 
 the String K Or if the Pulleys be multiplied , this 
 Esperim^ent may then be wrought with lefs Labour. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 3^ 
 
 CHAP. VIIL 
 
 Of the Wedge, ' 
 
 TH E Fifth Mechanical Faculty is the Wedge , 
 which is a known Inftrument^ commonly ufed 
 in the Cleaving of Wood. The Efficacy and great 
 Strength of it may be refolved unto thefe two Par- 
 ticulars : ^ 
 
 1. The Form of it. 
 
 2. The Manner whereby the Power is impreffed 
 upon it, which is by the Force of Blows. 
 
 I. The Form of it reprefents ( as it were ) two 
 jLeavers. 
 
 Each fide A D, and ^ E, being one , the^ Points 
 B C , being inftead of feveral Props or Mciments^ 
 the Weight to be moved at A and the Power that 
 jhould move it, being applyed to the Top ^ f'jy 
 the Force of fome Stroke or Blow As ^'f^^^^^ Mech^u. c. 
 explained the feveral Parts of th»^ ^ J^^^^^'/,^' f ,^ ^8- 
 becaufe this Inftrument may be fo ^l^^'!^^'J^^^ 
 Point of it fhall not touch the Body to be moved, as 
 ;n thefe other Figures ; 
 
 ThcfC- 
 
 a^ 
 
3» 
 
 A%CHIMET)ESi or. Lib. L 
 
 Therefore VhaUvs hath more exaftly applyed the 
 feveral Pares of it according to this Form, tha't the 
 Point Ay fhould be as the common Fulciment , in 
 which both the Sides do meet, and (as it were) up- 
 hold one another ,• the Points By and C, reprefenting 
 that part of the Leavers where the Weight is pla- 
 ced. 
 
 It is a general Rule, that the more acute the An- 
 gles of thefe Wedges are, by fo much more eafie 
 will their Motion be ; the Force being more eafily 
 imprelTed, and the Space wherein theBody is moved, 
 being fo much the lefs. 
 
 The lecond Particular whereby this Faculty hath 
 irs forc3, is the Manner whereby the Power isimpreft 
 upon it, which is by a Stroke or Blow ; the Effica- 
 cy of which doth much exceed any other Strength. 
 For tho' we fuppofe a Wedge being laid on a Piece 
 of Ti Tiber, to be prelTed down with never fo great 
 a Weight ; nay, tho' we fhould apply unto it the 
 Power of thofe other Mechanical Engines, the Pul- 
 ley, Screw, &c. yet the EfFeA would be fcarce con- 
 fiderahle in comparifon to that of a Blow. The 
 true Reafon of which, is one of the greateft Subtil- 
 ties in Nature, nor is it fully rendred by any of 
 thofe who havd undertaken the Refolution of it. * 
 Ariflotls, Cardan, 9,nd Scaliger, do generally afcribc 
 ic unto the Swifcnefs of that Motion ; £ut there 
 
 feems 
 
Mechayiical powers. ri 
 
 feems to be (bmething more in the Matter then fb ♦ 
 for othervvife it would follow that the quick Stroke 
 of a light Hammer Ihould be of greater Efficacy 
 than any fofcer and more gentle Striking of a great 
 Sledge. Or according to this, how fiiould it come 
 to pafs, that the Force of an Arrow or Bullet dis- 
 charged near at Hand (when the Impreffion of that 
 Violence whereby they are carried , is moft frefh, 
 and fo in probability the Motion at its fwifteft ) is 
 yet notwithftanding much lefs then it would be at a 
 greater Diftance. There is therefore further confi- 
 derable, the Quality of that Inftrument by which 
 this Motion is given, and alfo the Conveniency of 
 Eiftance thro' which it pafles. 
 
 Unto this Faculty is ufuaily reduced the Force of 
 Files, Saws, Hatchets, &c. which are as it were 
 but fo many Wedges faftned unto a Ve<5Hs or 
 Leaver. 
 
 CHAP. IX, 
 
 0/ the Screw, 
 
 THAT which is ufuaily recited for the Sixth 
 and laft Mechanick Faculty, is the Screw, which 
 IS defcribed to be a kind of Wedge that is multiplied, 
 or continued by a helical Revolution about a Cylin- Papptif 
 der, receiving its Motion not from any Stroke, but ^"^^e^- 
 from a Vedis at one End of ic. It is ufuaily diftin- ^'"'^^'^^^'^ 
 guilhed into two feveral Kinds : The Male which is 
 meant in the former Defcription , and the Female 
 Which is of a concave Superficies, 
 
 The 
 
34 ARCHIMEDES ^ or Lib.!. 
 
 The former is noted in the Figure with the Letter 
 'A J the other with F. 
 
 Arifiotle himfelf doth not fo much as mention this 
 Inflrument, which yet notwithftanding is of. greater 
 Force and Subtilty than any of the reft. It i? 
 chiefly applied to the Squeezing or Prefling of things 
 downwards, as in the Preffes for Printing • for Wine, 
 Oyl, and extrading the Juice from other Fruits. In 
 the Performance of which,, the Strength of one 
 Man, may be of greater Force than the Weight of 
 a heavy Mountain. It is likewife ufed for the Ele- 
 vating or Lifting up of Weights. 
 
 The Advantage of this Faculty above the reft, 
 doth mainly confift in this : The other Inftruments 
 do require fo much Strength for the Supporting of 
 the Weight to be moved, as may be equal unto it, 
 befides that other fuperadded Power whereby it is 
 out-^weighcd and moved ,• fo that in the Operations 
 by thefe, a Man does always fpend himfelf in a con- 
 tinued Labour. '^ 
 
 Thus ('for Examplej a Weight that is lifted up by 
 a Wheel or Pulley, will of it felf defcend, if there 
 be not an equal Power to fuftain it. But now in 
 the Compofure of a Screw , this Inconvenience is 
 jperfedly remedied j for fo much Force as is eom- 
 
 tnunicatedf 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 municatcd unto this Faculty from the Power that is 
 applied unto it, is ftill retained by the very Frame 
 and Nature of the Inftrument: ic felf ,• fince the Mo- 
 tion of it cannot poffibly return, tut from the very- 
 fame Place where it firft began. Whence it comes 
 to pafs, that any Weight lifted up with the Afliftance 
 of this Engine, may likewife be fuftained by it 
 without theHelp of any external Power ; and cannot 
 again defcend unto its former Placc,unlefs the handle 
 of the Screw ( where the Motion firft began ) be 
 turned back : So that all the Strength of the Power 
 may be employed in the Motion of the Weight,an<i 
 none fpent in the Suftaining of it. 
 ^^, The chief Inconvenience of this Inftrument is,' 
 that in a Ihort Space it will be fcrewed unto its full 
 length, and then it cannot be of any further Vfe for 
 the Continuance of the Motion , unlefs it be re- 
 turned back, and undone again as at the firft. But 
 this is ufually remedied by another Invention , com- 
 monly ftyled a. perpetual Screw, which hath the Moti^ 
 on of a Whel, and the Force of a Screw, being both 
 iniinite. 
 
 3? 
 
 forth* Compofure of whicli, inftsad of the Fe- 
 male 
 
^6 JllCHIMED ESi or, Lib. I. 
 
 leisured iti^tic, or Concave Screw, there muft be a li^flc 
 in lome whdel with fome Notches in it, equivalent to Teeth, 
 "^ ^^^ by which the other may take hold of ic, and turn it 
 found, as in thele other Figures. 
 
 This latter Engine docs lb far exceed all other 
 Contrivances to this purpofe, that it may jiiftly feem 
 a Wonder why it is not of as common Ufe in thefe 
 Times arid Plates, as ztiy of the reft. 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 An Enquiry into the magnifceht Works of the An- 
 cientSy which much exceeding our latter Times ^ 
 may feem to infer a Decay in thefe Mechanical 
 Arts. 
 
 T 
 
 Hus have I briefly treated concerning the gene- 
 ral Principles of Mechainicks , together with 
 the diftind: Proportions betwixt the Weight and the 
 Power in each feveral Faculty of it : Whence it \i 
 ealle to conceive the Truth and Ground of thofe fa- 
 mous Ancient Monuments, which feem almoft in- 
 credible to thefe following Ages. And becaufe ma- 
 ny of them recorded by Antiquity, were of fuch 
 vaft Labour and Magnificence, and fo mightily dif. 
 proportionable to human Strength, it fiiaU not' there- 
 fore be impertinent unto the Purpofe I aim at, for to' 
 fpecify fome of the moft remarkable amongft them, 
 and to enquire into the Means and Occafion upon 
 which they were firft attempted. 
 
 Amongft thQEgyftlans we read of divers Pyramids 
 of fo vaft a Magnitude, as Time itfelf in the Space 
 of fo many Hundred Years hath not yet devoured. He-^ 
 rodotus mentions? one of them, Ere<fted by Cko^es aii 
 *7^ Egy^tim K.\n^ f wh^i'em' there was not any. One' 
 
 Lth. 5. C. 
 
Mechanical Tower L ■ j;f 
 
 Sfdne lefs than 50 Foot long, all of them feeing 
 
 fetched from Arabia. And not much after, the fame 
 
 Author relates, bow Jm</j!s another Egypt u*i, nmd6 
 
 himfelf a Houfe of one entire Stone, which V/as 21 
 
 Cubits long, 14 brd'^d, and 8 Cubits high. The 
 
 fame Amajis is reported to have made the Statue of PUnl. i^a 
 
 a Sphink, or Egyptian Cat, all of one fingle Stone • ^' '^' 
 
 whofe Length was 145 Foot, its Height 6i Foot, 
 
 the Compafs of this Statue's Head containing 102 
 
 Foot. In one of the Egyptian Tem.ples confecrared 
 
 to Jupiter, there is related to be an Obelisk, confift- pl/n.i. jf, 
 
 ing of 4 Smaragds or Emeralds ,* the whole is 40 cap. 5. 
 
 Cubits high, 4 Cubits broad at the Bottom, and 
 
 two at the Top. Sefofiris the King of Egypt, in a Diodnr: su 
 
 Temple at Memphis, dedicated to Vulcan, is reported "'^- ^^''^ 
 
 to have Ereded two Staftues * one for himfelf, the ^'^^ ,/' 
 
 other for his Wife, both confifting of two feveral 
 
 Stones, each of which were 50 Cubits high. 
 
 Amongft the Jevjs we read in Sacred Writ of So- 
 lomons Temple, which for its State and Magnificence^ 
 might have been juftly reckoned amongit the other 
 Wonders of the World ; wherein befides the great 
 Riches of the Materials, there were Works too of 
 as great Labour. Pillars of Brafs 18 Cubits high -^ i King.f, 
 and 12 Cubits round; great and coftly Stones for 'J- 
 the Foundation of it : Jofephm tells us that fome of ^■^•^•^T' 
 them were 40 Cubits, others 45- Cubits long. And ticbelh 
 in fhe fame Chapter he mentions the three famous '^'^^^■^- ^^ 
 Towers built by //er<7^ ; wherein every Stone being ^^^ 
 of white Marble, was 20 Cubits long, 10 bro3d,and 
 5 high. And which was the greatelt Wonder, the 
 old Wall it felf was fituated on a ft eeprifing Ground, 
 and yet the Hills upon it, en the Tops of which 
 thefe Towers were placed, were abouf 30 Cubits 
 high, that 'tis fcarce imaginable by whc^n Strength fo 
 many Stones of fuch great Magnituds Cioiild be; 
 conveyed to" fo high a Place. 
 
 Amongft the Grecians we read of the Ephf^t-n Tenij 
 
38 'A%CB1MEVES; or Lib. I. 
 
 PlinX. 3<5. pie dedicated to Diana • wherein there were 127 
 cap. 14. Columns made of fo many feveral Stones, each of 
 ^"p"rd ' ^^^"^ ^^ Foot high, being all taken out of the Quar- 
 Tit^ 12. ntsm ^Jia. 'Tis ftoried alfo of the Brazen Co/<?j//i//, 
 or great Statue in the Ifland of Rhodes y that it was 
 PUn 1 -J '7° ^libits high. The Thumbs of it being fo big 
 cap. 3. ^ ^hat no Man could grafp one of thera about with 
 both his Arms ^ when it flood upright, a Ship might 
 have palTed betwixt the Legs of it, with all its Sails 
 fully difplayed ; being thrown down by an Earth- 
 quake, the Brafs of it did load 900 Camels. Buta- 
 bove all Ancient Defigns to this Purpofe, that would 
 y.^^ have been moft wonderful , which a Grecian Archi- 
 
 ^cki/.1.2. ^^^ ^^^ propound unto Alexander ^ to cut the Moun- 
 tain JaJocs into the Form of a Statue, which in his 
 Kight Hand fhould hold a Town capable of Ten 
 thoufand Men, and in his LeftaVelTel to receive all 
 the Water that flowed from the feveral Springs in the 
 Alountain. But whether Alexander in his Ambition 
 did fear that fuch an Idol fhould have more Honour 
 than he himfelf, or whether in his good Husbandry, 
 he thought that fuch a Microcofm ( if I may fo ftyle 
 it) would have cofl him almoft as much as the Con- 
 quering of this great World , or whatever elfe was 
 the Reafon, he refufed to attempt it. 
 Smi. Ker. Amongft the Romans we read of a Brazen Colof- 
 fis, made at the Command and Charges of Nero, 
 which was 120 Foot high ^ Martial calls it Sydersits^ 
 or Starry. 
 
 Hie uhi Sydereus propias 'videt afira Colojjus. 
 Pancirol And itis ftoiicdof iTf.C«rio,that he ere(3:ed twvoTheatres 
 Deferd. fufficiently capacious of People , contrived movea- 
 Tit. 28. ble upon certain Hinges ; fometimes there were fe- 
 veral Plays and Shows in each of theai, neither be- 
 ing any Dillurbance to the other ; and fometimes 
 they were both turned about, with the People 
 in them, and the Ends meeting together, did make a 
 perfed Amphitheatre 5 So that the Spedators which 
 
 w&r© 
 
ttcchamcal powers] j^ 
 
 were in either 6f them, might jointly Behold the 
 fame Spedacles. ... 
 
 There were be fides at kome fundry Ohelisks, made f"^'"' ^''^* 
 of fo many entire Stones, fome of them 40 , fome ^*' 
 80, and others 90' Cubits high. The chief of them 
 were brought out of Eg^pt, where they were dug 
 out of divers Quarries, and being vvrought into 
 Form, were afterwards (not without incredible La- 
 bour, and infinite Charges ) conveyed unto Ro?fje; 
 In the Year 1^86, there was ereded an old Dl^elbk 
 which had been formerly dedicated unto the Memo- 
 ry of Julim Cafar. It was one folid Stone, being an 
 Ophite or kind of fpotted Marble. The Height of 
 it was 1 07 Foot, the Breadth of it a;t the Bottom was 
 12 Foot, at the Top 8. Its whole Weight is reckon- 
 ed to be 9^6148 Pounds; befides the Heavinefs of 
 all thofe Inltruments th^t were ufcd about it, v/hich 
 (as it is thought) could not amount to lefs theri 
 1042824 Pounds. It was tranfplaced at the Char- 
 ges of Pope Smus the Fifth, from the left Side of 
 the Vatican unto a more eminent Place about a hun- 
 dred Foot oiF, where now it l^ands. The moving 
 of this Obelisk is celebrated by the Writings of above 
 56 feyeral Authors, {hith MonanthoUus) all of them com^te^t: 
 mentioning it , not without much Wonder and in hUchay.. 
 Praife. Now if it feem fo ftrange and gloriousanAt-. ^ri).CAi^. 
 tempt to move this Obelisk for fo little a Space, what 
 then may we think of theCarriage of ic outof£^;'W, 
 and divers other far greater Works performed by An^ 
 tiquity ? This may feem to infer that thefe Mecha*- 
 meal Arts are now loft, and decayed amongfi the 
 many other Ruins of Time : Which yet nctwitb- 
 Itanding cannot be granted, without much Ingrati- 
 tude to thole Learned Men, whofe Labours in thk 
 kmd we enjoy, and may juft ly boaft of. And there- 
 fore for our better underltanding of thefe Pa^-ticn^- 
 lars, k Will not be amifs to enquire both why , and 
 bmiyxQh Works Ihould be performed ui theft; former 
 
40 ^d^CHIAfEDES 5 or, Lib. I. 
 
 and ruder Ages, which are not, and ( as it fiiould 
 feem) cannot be effected in thefe later and more 
 Learned Times. In the Examination of which, we 
 (hall find that it is not the want of Art that difables 
 us for them, fmce thefe Mechanical Difcoveries are 
 altogether as perfe(5fc, and (I thinkj much more ex- 
 7i€t now, than they were heretofore ; but it is, bc- 
 caufe we have not either the fame Motives to at- 
 tempt fuch Works, or the fame Means to efFe<5i 
 them as the Ancients had. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 That the Ancients had divers Motives and Means 
 for fuch lafi Magnificent iVorkSy ivhich we 
 Jjorve not. 
 
 *AsPyra. 
 mids, O- 
 bellsks. 
 
 Herodot. 
 hi. 
 
 iree 
 
 TH E Moti'ves by which they were excited to 
 fuch Magnificent Attempts,, we may conceive 
 to be chiefly Three : 
 
 RiHgton. 
 ^Policy. 
 Amhitiofj, 
 I. Religion, Hence was it that moft of thefe 
 ftately Buildings were intended for fome Sacred 
 Ufe, being either Temples or * Tombs, all of them 
 Dedicated to fome of their Deities. It was an in- 
 bred Principle in thofe ancient Heathen, that they 
 could not chufe but merit very much by being libe- 
 ral in their outward Services. And therefore we 
 read of Crsefus, that being overcome in a Battel, arid 
 taken by Cyn/s^ he did revile the Gods of Ingrati- 
 tude, becaufe they had no better Care of him, who 
 had fo frequently adored them with coftly Oblati- 
 ons. And as they did conceive themfelves bound to 
 part with their Lives in defence of their Religion, 
 
 fo 
 
Mrchanlcal Towers. 41 
 
 fo likewlfe to employ their utmoft Power and Eftate 
 about any fuch Defign which might promote or ad- 
 vance it. Whereas now, the generality of Men, €- 
 fpecially the wifeft Sort amongft them, are in this 
 refped of another Opinion, counting fuch great and 
 immenfe Labours, to be at the beft but Glorious Va- 
 nities. The Temple of Solomon indeed was to be a 
 Type, and therefore it was neceflary that it fhould 
 be fo extraordinarily Magnificent, otherwife per- 
 haps a much cheaper Strudure might have been as 
 commendable and ferviceable. 
 
 2. Policy. That by this means they might fitid 
 out Employment for the People, who of themfelves 
 being not much civiliz d, might by Idlenefs quickly 
 grow to fuch a Rudcnefs and Barbarifm, as not to 
 
 be bounded within any Laws of Government. A- j>//„. /. (j. 
 gain, by this Means the Riches of the Kingdom did c. la. 
 not lie idlely in their Kings TreafurieSjbutwasalways 
 in Motion ; which could not but be a great Advan- 
 tage and Improvement to the Commonwealth. 
 And perhaps fome of them feared left if they fhould 
 leave too much Money unto their SuccelTors, it 
 might be an occafion to enfnare them in fuch idle 
 and vain Courfes, as would ruin their Kingdoms : . 
 Whereas in thefe latter Ages, none of all thefe poli- 
 tick Incitements can be of any force, becaufe now 
 there is Employment enough for all, and Money 
 little enough for every one. 
 
 3. Ambition to be known unto Pofterity ,• and 
 hence likewife arofe that incredible Labour and 
 Care they beftowed, to leave fuch Monuments be- 
 hind them as might * continue for e'ver, and make ^* 
 them famous unto all After-ages. This was the rea- 
 
 fon of Jbfalom'% Pillar, fpoken of in Scripture, to ^ ^^^ jg 
 kee^ his Name in remembrance. And doubtlefi, this jg. 
 too was. the end which many other of cne Ancients 
 have aimed at, inthoie (as they thought; everlaft. 
 ing Buildings. 
 
 K k 3 JBuc 
 
4? 'J^ CHIME DES:, or Lib. L 
 
 But now thefe later Ages are much more ad'ive 
 and ftirring ; fo that every ambitious Man may find 
 fo much Bufmefs for the prefent, that he fhall fcarce 
 have any leifure to trouble himfelf about the future. 
 And therefore in all thefe Refpet^Sj there is a great 
 difproportion betvi^ixt the Incitements of thofe for- 
 mer and thefe later times, unto fuch Magnificent 
 Attempts. 
 
 Agjiin, as they differ much in their Motives unto 
 them, fo likewife in the Means of effeding them. 
 
 There was formerly more Leifure and Opportu- 
 nity, both for the Great Men to undertake fuch 
 Works, and for the People to perfert them. Thofe 
 part Ages were more quiet and peaceable, the Prin-> 
 ces rp.ther wanting Employment, than being over- 
 prefs'd with it, and therefore were willing to make 
 choice of fuch great Defigns, about which to bufy 
 themfelves. W.hereas now the World is grov;n more 
 politick, and therefore more troublefome ; every 
 Great Man having other private and necelTary Bu- 
 fmefs about which to employ both his Time and 
 Means. And fo likewife for the Common People, 
 who then living more wildly^without being confined 
 to particular Trades and Profefiions, might be more 
 eafiiy collcded about fuch famous Employments; 
 whereas now, if a Prince have any occafion for an 
 Army, it is very hard for him to raife fo great a 
 Multitude as were ufualiy employed about thefe 
 Magnificent Buildings. We read of 360000 Men 
 that were bufied for Twenty Years in making one of 
 ^- 2. the zy£gyptian Pyramids. And Herodotus tells us of 
 1 000000 Men who were as lon^ in building another 
 of them. About the Carriage of one Stone for ^^ 
 m.fts the diftance of twenty Days Journey, there 
 was fcr Three Years together employed 2000 chofen 
 Men, Governors, befidei many other Under-Labou- 
 rers. 'T was the Opinion of ^ Jofe^hns and Naz,ian- 
 zen, th^c thefe Pyramids were built by Jofepb for 
 
 Graiia- 
 
Mechanical lowers. 4? 
 
 Granaries againft the Years of Famine. Others 
 think that the Brick made by the Children of Ifi-ael, 
 was employed about the framing of them, becaufe 
 we read that the Tower of Bahel did conlift of Brick 
 or artificial Stone, Gen, ii. 3. And if thefe were 
 the Labourers that were bufied about them, 'tis no 
 wonder though they were of fo vail a Magnitude ; 
 for we read that the Children of Ifrael at their com- 
 ing out of <!y£gypt, were numbred to be Six hundred 
 thoufand, and Three thoufand, and Five hundred 
 and Fifcy Men, NMmk i. 46. So many handfuls of 
 Earth would almoft make a Mountain, and there- 
 fore we may eafily believe that fo great a Multi- 
 tude in To long a fpace as their Bondage lafted, for 
 above four hundred Years, might well enough ac- 
 complifli fuch vaft Defigns. 
 
 In the building of Solomons Temple, there were 
 Threefcore and Ten thoufand that bare Burdens, 
 and Fourfcore thoufand Hewers in the Mountains, 
 I Kings f. 15*. 
 
 The Epheftan Temple was built by all J/^a joyning 
 together i the 127 Pillars were made by fo many 
 Kings, according to their feveral Succeflions, the 
 whoTe Work being nor finifhed under the fpace of 
 Two hundred and Fifteen Years. Whereas the 
 tranfplacing of that Obelisk atRome hy Sixtus the Vth. 
 (fpoken of before j was done in fome few Days by 
 Five or Six hundred Men ; and as the Work was 
 much lefs than many other recorded by Antiquity, 
 fo the Means by which it was wrought, was yet far 
 lefs in this refped than what is related of them. 
 
 2. The abundance of Wealth, which was then in- 
 grolTed in the polTeffion of fome few particular Per- 
 fons, being now diffufed amongft a far greater 
 Number. There is now a greater equality amongft 
 Mankind, and the flourilhing of Arts and Sciences 
 hath fo ftirred up the Sparks of Men's natural No- 
 bility, and made them of fuch adive and induftn^^ 
 
 Kk4 ous 
 
44 'ARCHIMEDES; or, Lib. I. 
 
 ous Spirits, as to free themfelves in a great meafure 
 from that Slavery, which thofe former and wilder 
 Nations Were fybjeded unto. 
 
 In building one of the Pyramids, there was ex- 
 pended for the Maintenance of the Labourers with 
 Kadifh and Onyons, no lefs than Eighteen hun- 
 dred Talents, which is reckoned to amount unto 
 1880000 Crowns, or thereabouts. And confidering 
 the cheapnefs of thefe things in thofe Times and 
 Places, io much Money might go farther than a 
 jSum ten times greater could do in the Maintenance 
 of fo many now. 
 
 In Solomons Temple we know how the extraordi- 
 nary Riches of that King, the general fiourifhing of 
 inz whole State, and the Liberality of the People 
 did jointly concur to the Building of the Temple. 
 i d I 6 "eci'-ntarttm copia 0" populi lafgitaSy tnajora dictu cona- 
 c»^.6. hatur, (f^kU Jofephus.) The Rhodian Cohjj'us \i VQ- 
 porred to have coft Three hundred Talents the 
 making ^ and fo were all thofe other famous Monu- 
 ments of proportionable Expence. 
 
 Pa^jclrolius 1 pea king of thofe Theatres that were e- 
 reded at the Charges of fome private Reman Citi- 
 TifiS zens, faith thus : Nojlro hoc faculo 'vel Rex fatis habe- 
 ret quod ageret ccdificio ejufmodi erigcndo j and a little 
 after upon the like Occalion, Res tneherctde tnirnculo- 
 jaj cju^e nofiris tcmporibus 'vix a potentijjimo aliquo rege 
 pijj'n cxhihexi. 
 
 5. Add unto the two former Confideratjons, that 
 eicad C.'.re and indefatigable Indufiry which they be- 
 Itowed in the railing of thofe Strudures j thefe be- 
 iiig the chief and only Defigns on which many of 
 them did employ all their beft Thoughts and utmoft 
 Endeavours. C/eopes 2^n i^gjptian King is reported 
 to have been fo defirous to hnifh one of the Pyrar 
 mids, that having fpenc all about it he was worth, 
 or could pofllbly procure, he was forced at lalt to 
 proflicuc? hJ3 own Daughter for neceffary Mainte- 
 
 nancCo 
 
Mechanical Towers, 45" 
 
 fiance. And we read of Ramifes another King of i*^'«- ^- 3^* 
 <i/£g)'ptj how that he was fo careful to ere6t an O- ^- ^ 
 beliskj about which he had employed 20000 Men, 
 that when he feared left through the negligence of 
 the Artificers^ or weaknefs of the Engine, the Stone 
 might fall and break, he tyed his own Son to the 
 Top of it, that fo the care of his Safety might 
 make the Workmen more circumfpeft in their Bu/i- 
 nefs. And what ftrange Matters may be efFe<5led 
 by the meer diligence and labour of great Multi- 
 tudes, we may eafily difcern from the wild Indians, 
 who having not the Art or Advantage of Engines, 
 did yet by their unwearied Induftry remove Stones 
 of an incredible greatnefs. Acofta relates that he Hipr. Tnd. 
 himfelf meafured one at Tiaguanaco, which was ^- ^- '^' ^^' 
 Thirty eight Foot long, Eighteen broad, and Six 
 thick j and he affirms, that in their ftatelieft ^Edifices 
 there were many other of much vafter Magnitude. 
 
 From all which Confiderations, it may appear^ 
 that the ftrangenefs of thofe ancient Monuments a- 
 bove any that are now effected, does not necelTari- 
 ly infer any defed of Arc in ihefe later Ages. And 
 I conceive, it were as eafie to demonftrate the Me- 
 chanical Arcs in thefe times to be fo far beyond the 
 knowledge of former Ages, that had we but the 
 fame Means as the Ancients had, we might efFed 
 far greater Matters than any they atcempced, and 
 that too in a fhorter Ipace, and with lefs Labour. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
4^ "J^CHIMEDES^ or Uh.l 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 Concerning the Force of the Mechankk Faculties ; 
 particularly the Balance and Leaver. How 
 they may he contrived to move the whole World^ 
 or any conceivahle Weight, 
 
 '^ A L L thefe Magnificent Works of the Ancients 
 J'Y. before fpecify'd , are fcarce confiderable in 
 refped of Art , if we compare them with the fa- 
 mous Speeches and Ads of Archimedes : Of whom 
 it is reported , that he was frequently wont to fay, 
 how that he could move Datum pondus, cum data po\. 
 tentid ^ the greatefl: conceivable Weight , with the 
 lead conceivable Power : And that if he did but 
 know where to ftand and faften his Inftrument, he 
 could move the World , all this great Globe of Sea 
 and Land. Which Promlfes, tho' they were altoge- 
 ther above the vulgar Apprehenfion or Belief, yet 
 becaufe his A<5ls were fomewhat anfwerable there- 
 unto , therefore the King of Syracufe did ena6t a 
 Law , whereby every man was bound to believe 
 whatever Archimedes would affirm. 
 
 'Tis eify to demonftrace the Geometrical Truth 
 of thofe ftrange AiTertions, by examining them ac- 
 cording to each of the forenamed Mechanick Facul- 
 ties, eve-y one of which is of infinite Power. 
 
 To begin with the two ftrft of them, the Balance 
 and the Leaver, ( which I here join together, be- 
 caufe the Proportions of both are wholly alike i) 'tis 
 certain , tho' there fliould be the grcateft imagina- 
 ble Weigiit, and the leaft imaginable Power, ( fup- 
 pofe the whole World , and the Strength of one 
 Man, or Infant ^ ) yet if we conceive the fame 
 Difproportion betwixt their feveral Diftances in the 
 former Faculties, from the Fulciment, or Center of 
 Gravity , they would both equiponderate. And if 
 
 the 
 
MechanicaWowers, 
 
 the Diftancc of the Power from the Center , In 
 ^comparifon to the Diftance of the Weight , were 
 but^ any thing more than the Heavinefs of the 
 Weight is in refpeA of the Power , it may then be 
 evident from the former Principles , that the Power 
 would be of greater Force than the Weight , and 
 iponfequently able to move it. 
 
 47 
 
 D 
 
 Thus, if we fuppofe this great Globe at A to 
 contain 2400000000000000000000000 Pounds , al- 
 lowing a Hundred Pound for each Cubical Foot in 
 it, (as Ste'v'mlus hath calculated) yet a Man or static. l.-^. 
 Child at D, whofe Strength perhaps is but equiva- P<>T- »°- 
 lent to One hundred, or Ten Pounds Weight, may 
 be able to outweigh and move it ; if there be but a 
 little greater Difproportion betwixt the two Diftan- 
 ces C D and CB, than there is betwixt the Heavi- 
 nefs of the Weight, and the Strength of the 
 Power j that is , if the Diftance C D, unto the 
 other Diftance C J? , be any thing more than 
 2400000000000000C00000000 unto 100 or 10^ eve- 
 
4X 
 
 L'Pftus Po- 
 l!orcet\ I. J . 
 
 liiislog.S. 
 
 Plutarch 
 iiihisLife, 
 
 'A%CH1MEVES; or, Lib. L 
 
 ry ordinary Iiiftrument doth include all thefe Parts 
 realh, tho' no: fenfibly diftinguifhed. ' 
 
 Under thii latter Faculty, I did before mention 
 that Engine J by which Archimedes drew up the P-o^ 
 ma7i Ships at the Siege of Sjracufe. This is ufually 
 filled ToUenofj , being of the fame Form with that 
 which is commonly ufed by Brewers and Dyers, for 
 the drawing of Water. It confifts of two Pofts; 
 the one faften'd perpendicularly in the Ground, the 
 other being jointed on crofs to the top of it. At 
 the end he faften'd a ftrong Hook or Grapple of 
 Iron, which being let over the Wall to tlie River, 
 he would thereby take hold of the Ships, as they 
 pafTed under,- and afterwards, by applying fome 
 Weight , or perhaps the Force of Screws to the 
 other end, he would thereby lift them into the open 
 Air ; where having fwinged them up and down till 
 he had fn^ken out the Men and Goods that were in 
 the in , he vvould then dafh the VelTels againft the 
 Rocks, or drown them in their fudden Fall ; Info- 
 much that MarcellifSj the Roman General, was wont 
 
 to fay, '^ A '<^<^'-' axry XJJcL^^Hv OK. '%iKciiini 'Af^|U«cA<, That 
 
 Archimedes m^dc ufe of his Ships inftead of Buck- 
 ets to draw Water with. 
 
 This Faculty will be of the fame Force, not only 
 when ic is continued in one, but alfo when it is 
 muliplied in divers Inftruments ,♦ as may be con- 
 ceiv^ed in thi^ other Form ; which I do not mention, 
 as if ic could be ferviceabl^ for any other Motion, 
 C (\ncQ the Space bv which the VVeight would be 
 moved , will be fo little as not to fall under Senfe ) 
 but only for the better Explication of this Mecha- 
 nick Principle , and for the right underftanding of 
 that Force a riling from Multiplication in the other 
 Faculties, which do all depend upon this. The 
 Wheel, aud Pulley, and Screw, being but as fo ma- 
 ny Leavers of a Circular Form and Motion, whofe 
 Strength may be therefore continued to a greater 
 Space. Imagine 
 
}i4echanical Tciverj^ ^^ 
 
 Imagine the Weight ^ to be a Hundred thcufand 
 Pounds , and the Diftance of that Point , wherein 
 every Leaver touches either the Weight , or one 
 another from the Point where they touch the Prop, 
 to be but one fuch Part , whereof the Remainder 
 contains ten j then according to the former Grounds, 
 loooo at B will equiponderate to A , which is 
 looooo I fo that the fecond Leaver hath but 
 loooo Pounds to move. Now, becaufe this ob- 
 ferves^the fame Proportions with the other, in the 
 Diftances of its feveral Points, therefore looo 
 Pounds at C will be of equal Weight to the former : 
 And the Weight at C being but as a Ihoufand 
 Pound , that which is but as a Hundred at D, will 
 be anfwerable unto it ^ and fo ftill in the fqme Pro- 
 portion, that which is but lo at E, will be equal to 
 loo at I) ^ and that which is but one Pound at F, 
 will alfo be equal to ten at E. Whence it is mani- 
 feft, that one Pound at Fis equal to looooo 2it A ^ 
 and the Weight muft always be diminifhed in the 
 fame Proportion as ten to one , becaufe in the mul- 
 tiplication of thefe Leavers , the Diftance of the 
 Point where the Inftrumcnc touches the Weight, 
 from that where it touches the Prop, is but as one 
 fuch Part , whereof the Remainder contains ten» 
 But now if we imagine it to be as the Thoufandrh 
 Part , then muft the Weight be diminifhed accord- 
 ing to this Proportion • and then in the fame mulci' 
 plication of Leavers , i Pound will be equal to 
 1000 000 000 000 000 Pounds ; So that tho' we 
 
 fuppofe 
 
5« '^'KCBIME'DES^or Lib. I. 
 
 fuppofe the vVeight to be never fo licavr yet let 
 the D.fp.oportian of DiS.nces be greaterV or the 
 Leavers more, and any little Powei may move it 
 
 ' • I III rg' 
 
 CHAP. XIIT. 
 
 Of the Wheel: By Multiplkation of vohkh , It 
 IS eajy to move ary imaginahk Weight, 
 
 nPH E Wheel, or Axis in Vcrltrochio , was before 
 
 c T r .1 ^ ^emonftrared to be of equivalent Force with 
 
 See thefi the former Faculties If we conceive the fame ^l 
 
 gurc,..d. ference betwixt the Semidiameter of the Wheels or 
 
 bpokes A C and the Semidiameter of the Axis A B 
 
 as there is.betvvixt the Weight o\ the World, and 
 
 h!^.h'T ''^f ^'"' '' "^^y ^'^^« ^^ evident, 
 that this Strength of one Man, by the help of fuch 
 
 an Initrument, will equiponderate to the Weieht of 
 w! ^^M^^^'^^;^^- , And if the Semidiameter If the 
 Wheel AC , be but any thing more in refpea of 
 the Semidiameter of the Axis A B, than the Weight 
 of the World fuppofed at Z) , is m comparifon to 
 the Strength of a AJan at C ; it may then be mani- 
 Jelt trom the fame Grounds, that this Strength will 
 
 rnn'^rL ^T^f '"' ^°''^ ^^-^^ ^i^« Weight, and 
 An En- ^^"lequently able to move it. 
 
 gine otr . The Force of this Faculty may be niore conve- 
 
 ^any ^ gently underftood and ufed by the Multiplicati- 
 
 c~n! i;" unrol'^ci'^f^f^^ together^ith Nuts bW 
 ly called ^"^ ^njo each of them ; as it may be eafily expert 
 
 G/#.o. "^^^^5^ in tl^e ordinary Jacks that are ufed for thd 
 ^^ roaUingof Meat, which commonly confift but of 
 
 ?bove " ^.^f, ^^f^ «f the Weight,it were eafy by a fmgle Hai^ 
 Ground ^Jiitned unto the Fly or Balance of the Jack , to 
 wthafm- draw him up from the Ground ; As will be evident 
 glc I-iaxr. from this following Figure, Wher^ 
 
Mechanical Towerc^ 
 
 it 
 
 ^ir p ■ _^^= 
 
 Where fuppofe the length of the Fly or Balance 
 In comparifon to the Breadth of its Axis, to be as 
 10 to one, and fo for the three other Wheels in ref- 
 pedl of the Nuts that belong unto them ; ( tho' this 
 Difference be oftentimes lels, as we may well allow 
 it to be) ^ withal fuppofe the Weight ("or a Man tied 
 an the Place of it ) to be a hundred Pounds : I fay 
 according to this Suppofitiosi^ k is evident that the 
 
 Power 
 
52 A^^CHlMEDESt, or, Lib. I. 
 
 Power at the Balance which (hall be equal to the 
 Weight, need be but as i to loooo. For the firft 
 Axis is conceived to be but as the tenth Part of its 
 Wheel ,' and therefore tho' the Weight in it felf be 
 as loooo, yet unto a Power that hath this Advan- 
 tage, it is but as looo, and therefore thisThoufand 
 unto the like Power at the fecond Wheel, will be 
 but as loo, and this loo at the third but as lo ; and 
 laftly, this Ten at the Balance but as one. But the 
 W^eight was before fuppofed to be loo, which to the 
 firft Wheel will be but lo, to the fecond as one, to 
 the third as a decimal , or one Tenth to the 
 Sails as one hundredth Part : So that if the Hair be 
 butftrong enough to lift —y^ that is, one ten thou- 
 fandthPartof a Man, or ( which is all one ) one 
 hundrethPart of a Poiind,it may as well ferve by the 
 Help of this Inftrument for the drawing of him up. 
 And tho' there be not altogether fo great a Difpro- 
 porcion betwixt the feveral Parts of a Jack ( as in 
 many perhaps there is not j ) and tho' a Man may 
 be heavier than is here fuppofed, yet 'tis withal con- 
 fiderable, that the Strength of a Hair is able to bear 
 much more than the hundredth Part of a Pound. 
 Comment. Upon this Ground Merfennus tells us out of Solo-* 
 tnGen.c.j. ^^^ j^ Cavet, that if there were an Engine of 12 
 'vT'otribu's Wheels, each of them with Teeth, as alfo the Axes 
 inotricibus or Nuts that belong unto them j if the Diameter of 
 Theor, 16. thefe Wheels were unto each Axis, as a hundred to 
 one 'y and if we fuppofe thefe Wheels to be fo pla- 
 ced, that the Teeth of the one might take hold of 
 the Axis that belongs unto the next, and that the 
 Axis of the Handle may turn the firft Wheel, and 
 the Weight be tied unto the Axis of the laft ; with 
 fuch an Engine as this, faith he, a Child ("if he could 
 ftand any where without this Earth ) might with 
 much eafe move it towards him, 
 
 Vot 
 
Mechanical ^owb'L jj 
 
 For according to the former Sappofition^ that 
 fhis Globe of Sea and Land did contain as many- 
 hnndred Pounds as it doth Cubical Feet, ^iz,. 
 ^400000000000000000000000, it may be evident' 
 that any Strength, whofe Force is but equivalent to 
 'j Pounds, will by fuch an Engine be able to move 
 it. 
 
 Of this kind was that Engine fo highly extolled l^ stati ^ 
 by Stevinus, which he calls Vancratzon, or Omnipo- ^^v/ "^ ' 
 tent, preferring it before the Inventions of Archhm- 
 dcs, ^ Iccotififted of Wheels and Nuts, as that before 
 ipecified is fuppofed. Hither alfo fhould be refer- 
 red the Force of Racks, which ferve for bending of 
 (heltrongeftBows, as alfo that little Pocket Engine, p^rDndh 
 wherewith a Man may break or wrench open any Pig'.'iCoi 
 Door, together with divers the like Jnftruments in 
 common Ufe. 
 
 C H A P. XIV. 
 
 ^emerning the infinite Strength of Wheels , PhI- 
 leysy an^ Screws. That it is pojfihle hy the 
 Multiplication of thefe, to pull up any Oak hy 
 the Roots with a Ilair^ lift it up with a Strawi 
 or Mow it up with ones Breathy or to perform 
 the greateji Labour with the leaft Powe.\ 
 
 FRom what hath been before delivei'ed cohcer|i-' 
 ing the Nature of the Pulley, it is eaile to dn^ 
 deriiand how this Faculty alfo may be prc^pdrtioned 
 betwixt any Weight, and any Power, as being 
 likevvife of infinite Strength. 
 
 " 'Tis reported of Archimedes, that with an Engine iJ,th%is'^ 
 of Pulleys, to which he applied only his Left Hand, ze^chUi'i ' 
 hQ lifted up * :jooo Bushels of Corn at once . -And ^^- ^^ 
 
 LI 'drew ^^'^- 2Tv 
 
 * -, 
 
H 
 
 Praf. ad 
 Mtchan. 
 
 Comment, 
 in Gen. C. 
 I. V. lO. 
 »rt. 6. 
 
 Pr^f. ad 
 
 Mechan. 
 
 Ariftotle. 
 
 'A^^CBIMEVES, or Lib. I. 
 
 drew a Ship with all its Lading upon dry Land. 
 This Engine ZetZjts calls Trifpitiimj or Trifp^fiutrl 
 which fignifies only a threefold Pulley : But herein 
 he doth evidently miftake, for 'tis not poffible that 
 this alone fliould ferve for the Motion of fo greac 
 a Weight ; becaule fuch an Engine can but make a 
 Subfextuple, or at moil a Subfeptuple Proportion 
 betwixt the Weight and Power ^ which is much too 
 little to reconcile the Strength of a Man unto fo 
 much Heavinefs. Therefore UbaUus doth more']3ro- 
 perly flyle it, Poljfpaficn ; or an Inftrument of ma- 
 ny Pulleys. How many, were eafie to find out, if 
 we did exadly know the Weight of thofe Ancient 
 Meafures ; fuppofing them to be the fjme with our 
 Bufliel in E;;_£/^?w^, which contains 64 Pints or Pounds, 
 the whole would amount to 320000 Pounds ; half 
 of which would be lightned by the Help of one 
 Pulley, Three Quarters by two Pulleys, and fo on- 
 ward, according to this Subduple, Subquadruple,and 
 Subfextuple Proportion. So that if we conceive 
 the Strength of the Left Hand to be equivalent unto 
 20 or 40 Pounds, it is eafie to find out how many 
 Pulleys are required to enable it for the Motion of 
 fo great a Weight. 
 
 Upon this Ground Merfennus tells us, that any 
 little Child with an Engine of an hundred double 
 Pulleys, might eafily move this Great Globe of 
 Earth, tho' it were much heavier than it i?. And in 
 reference to this kind of 'Engine (h\t\\ MonanthoU^ 
 us) are we to underitand that AlTertion of Archime- 
 des, (as he more immediately intended ic) concern- 
 ing the Poffibility of moving the World. 
 
 The Wedge was before demonftrated to be as a 
 double Veclis or Leaver, and therefore it would be 
 needlefs to explain particularly how this likewife 
 may be contrived of infinite Force. 
 
 The Screw is capable of Multiplication, as well 
 
 as 
 
Mechanical ^owets. j J 
 
 as any o{ the other Faculties, and may perhaps te 
 more ferviceable for luch great Weights, than any 
 of the reft. ^rchimeJrs "his Engine of greateit 
 Strength, called Carifllon, is by fome thought to 
 Conllit of thefe. y^o^es Lihcbat aun infmith Cochleis. Stcuin. ie 
 And that other Engine of his called Udix^ ^mention- •^^^^'■'^• 
 ed by * Athenaus) wherewith he lifted H'ieros great T'"^' f. 
 Ship into the Sea, without any other Help, is mod ^%^/£T-\ 
 hkcly to be framed of perpetual Screws, faith P.;- foph/jhl.j. 
 
 'Valtrii. Oper.cxtcti 
 
 Whence it may evidently appear, that each of ■^'■'■■^''-''^'^ 
 thefe Mechanick Faculties are of infinite power, 
 and may be contrived proportionable unto any con- 
 ceivable Weight. And that no natural Strength is 
 any way comparable unto thefe artificial Inventi- 
 
 ons. 
 
 Tis reported of Sampfon^ that he could carry the Judu r? 
 Gates of a City upon his Shoulders ; and that the 
 Itrongelt Bonds were unto him but as Flax burnt 
 with Fire, and yet his Hair being fliaved off, all his 
 Strength departed from him. We ^ read of Milo * ^- ^'^^' 
 that he could carry an Ox upon his Back , aiid vet ^"^-^''^ 
 when he tried to tear an Oak afunder that vias '■ '^'""^ 
 fomewhat nven before, having drawn it to its ut- 
 molt, It fuddenly joined together again, catching 
 his Hands in the Cleft , and fo ftrongly manacled 
 him, that he became a Prey to the wild Beafts 
 
 But now by thefe Mechanical Contrivances, h 
 were eafy to have made one of Sampfin's Hairs that 
 was (haved off, to have been of morcf. Strength than 
 all ^of thern^ when they were on. By the Help of 
 theie Arts it is poffible (as I (hall demort^.trate ) for 
 any xMan to lift up the greateft Oak by the Root? 
 with a Straw, to pull it up with a Hair, or to blow 
 It up with his Breath. 
 
 Suppofe the Roots of an Oak to extend a thoufand 
 toot Square, fwhich is almoft a Quarter of a Mile) 
 and Forty Foot deep, each Cubical Foot being an 
 
$6 A%CHIME VES ; or. Lib. I. 
 
 hundred Pound Weight ; which tho' it be much be- 
 yond the £xtenfion of any Tree, or the Weight of 
 Earth ,• the Compafs of the Roots in the Ground 
 (according to common Opinion^ not extending fur- 
 ther than the Branches of it in the Air, and the 
 Depth of it not above ten Foot, beyond which ths 
 * }7at.^ greated Rain doth not penetrate (faith "*' Seneca.) E^ 
 l 3. s. y. go z/hearum diligens foffor ajfirmo ntdlam pluviam ejfe 
 tarn magnamy cjuai terrnm ultra decern pedes in rJtltudi- 
 nem madefaciat. And becaufe the Root muft receive 
 its nourifhment from the Help of Showers, therefore 
 ft is probable that it doth not go below them. So 
 that (I fay) tho' the Proportions fuppofed do much 
 exceed the real Truth, yet it is confiderable that 
 fome great Overplus muft be allowed for that La- 
 bour which there will be in the forcible Divulfion or 
 Separation of the Parts of the Earth which are con- 
 tinued. 
 
 According to this Suppofition , the V/ork of for- 
 cing up the Oak by the Roots, will be equivalent to 
 the lifting up of 4000000000 Pound Weight, which 
 by the Advantage of fuch an Engine, as is here 
 defcribed, may be eafily performed with the leaft 
 conceivable Power. 
 
 The 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 iZ 
 
 The whole Force of this Engine doth confift in 
 two double Ptilleys, twelve Wheels, and a Sail 
 One of thefe Pulleys at the Bottom will diminiih 
 half of the Weight, fo that it ihall be but as 
 2000000O0O, and the other Pulley will abate \ three 
 quarters of it ; fothat itfhallbe but as looooooooo. 
 And becaufe the Beginning of the String being faft- 
 
 L 1 3 ^^^ 
 
§8 J^C MIMED ES i or Lib. I. 
 
 ned unto the lower Pulley, makes the Power to be 
 in a fubquintuple Proportion unto the Weighr^there- 
 fore a Power that fhall be as 1000000000, that is, a 
 Subquadruple, will be fo much ftronger than the 
 Seech, ..?. Weight, and confequently able to move it. Now 
 fuppofe the Breadth of all the Axes and Nuts to be 
 unto the Diameters of the Wheel as ten to one ; 
 and it will then be evident that to a Power at the 
 Firft Wheel, the Weight is but as loooooooo. To 
 the Second as ipoooooo. To tlie Third as loooooo. 
 J'o the Fourth as 1 00000. To the Fifth as loooo. 
 To the Si^th as 1000, To the Seventh as loo. To 
 the Eighth as 10. To tlie Ninth as i. To the 
 Tenth as .5, one Decimal. To the Eleventh as 1055. 
 To the Twelfth as ^-y^^. And to the Sails yet lefs. So 
 that if the Strength of the Straw, or Hair, or 
 Breath, be but equal to the Weight of one thou- 
 iandth Pait of a Pounds it may be of fuflicient Force 
 tO pull up the Oak. 
 
 If in this Engine we fuppofe the Difproportion 
 l)etwi:;t the Wheels and Nuts to be as a hundred to 
 one, then it is very evident that the (lime Strength 
 of Breath, or a Hair, or a Straw, would be able to 
 move the whole World, as wiil be eafily^ found by 
 Calculation. Let this great Globe of Sea and Land 
 be imagined (as before j to weigh fo many hundred 
 Pounds as it contains Cubical Feet^ namely, 
 Z4OOOOOO0O0QQO0Q0O0C000OO Pounds. This will 
 be ;o the firil Pulley, 1200000000000000000000000, 
 To the 2d lefs than 60000000000000000000000O0 
 But for more eafio^ and convenient reckoning , 
 let it be fuppofed to be fomewhat more , viz. 
 ,100000000000000000000000. This to the firft 
 
 Wheel 
 
Mechaiucal Towers^. ^'\ 59 
 
 Wheel will be but as loooooooooooooooooooooo. 
 
 To the Second as loooooooooooooooooooo. 
 
 To the Third as loooooooooooooooooo. 
 
 To the Fourth as loooooooooooooooo. 
 
 To the Fifth loooooooooooooo. 
 
 To the Sixth loooooooooooo. 
 
 To the Seventh loooooooooo. 
 
 To the Eighth loooooooo. ;■ ' 
 
 To the Ninth loooooo. 
 
 To the Tenth loooo. ^.^ 
 
 To the ;Eleventh loo. ^ 
 
 To the Twelfth i-- 
 
 To the Sails as too- 
 
 So that a Power which is much lefs than the hun- 
 dredth Part of a Pound will be able to move the 
 World. . , ^ 
 
 It were needlefs to fet down any particular Ex- 
 plication, how fuch Mechanical Strength may be 
 applied unto all the Kinds of local Motion j fince 
 this in it felf is fo facil and obvious, that every or- 
 dinary Artificer doth fufficiently underftand it. 
 
 The Species of local violent Motion are by M- 
 fiotk reckoned to be thefe Four ; 
 
 Vulfio. ^^ ^ 
 
 Vertigo* 
 
 Thrufting , Drawing , Carrying, Turning: Unto 
 fome of which all thefe Artificial Operations mult 
 neceffarily be reduced, the Strength of any Power 
 being equally appliable unto all of them ; So that 
 there is no Work impoffible to thefe Contrivances ; 
 but there may be as much aded by this Art, as can 
 be fancied by Imagination. 
 
 L 1 4 CHAI*. 
 
 fhyf.n. 
 
Pq A^CHIUEVES', or, UhJ. 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 Concernhg the Proportion of Slownefs and Swifts 
 nefs in Mechanical Motions. 
 
 HAvIng already difcourfed concerningtheStrength 
 of thefe Mechanical Faculties ; ic remains for 
 the more perfed Difcovery of their Natures, that 
 we treat Tomevvhat concerning thofe two Differen- 
 ces of Artificial Motion ; 
 
 CSlownefs, 
 -S and 
 ^ Swiftnefs. 
 
 Without the right underftanding of which , a Man 
 fliali be expofed to many abfurd Miitakes, in at- 
 tempting of thofe Things which are either in them- 
 felves impoflible, or elfe not to be performed with 
 fuch Means as are apply 'd unto them. I may fafely 
 flfifirm 3 that many , if not moft Miftakes in thefe 
 Mechanical Defigns , do arife from a Mifappre- 
 henfion of that Difference which there will be be- 
 twixt the Slownefs or Swiftnefs of the Weight and 
 Power , in comparifon to the Proportion of their 
 feyerai Strengths. 
 
 Hence it is, that fo many Engines invented for 
 Mines and Water-works , do fo often fail in the 
 Performance of that for which they were intend- 
 ed j bccjufe the Artificers many times do forget to 
 allow fo much time for the working of their En- 
 gine , as may be proportionable to the Difference 
 betwixt the Weight and Power that belong unto 
 theta : Whereas , he that rightly underffands the 
 Cirounds of this Art, may as eafily find out the Dif. 
 
 ■ ' ferencs 
 
Mechanical Towers. ^i 
 
 ference of Space and Time required t(3 the Motion 
 of the Weight and Power, as he may their diiferent 
 Strengths ; and not only tell how any Power may 
 move any Weight, but alfo in what a Space of Time 
 it may move it any Space or DiBavce. 
 
 If it were pofiible to contrive fuch an Invention, 
 whereby any conceivable W^eight may b© moved by 
 any conceivable Power, both with the fame Quick- 
 nefs and Speed, (as it is in thofe Things vv'hich are 
 immediately flirred by the Hand, v^irhout the Help 
 of any other Inftrument •) the Works of Nature 
 would be then too much fubje<5i:ed to the Power of 
 Art, and Men might be thereby encouraged ( with 
 the Builders of Bi^kl, or the Rebel Gyants ) to fuch 
 bold Defigns as would not become a created Being. 
 And therefore the Wifdom of Providence hath i'o 
 confined thefe Human Arts, that what any Invention 
 hath in the Strength of its Motion, is abated in the 
 Slo-wnefs of it ; and what it hath in the extraordina- 
 ry ^licknefs of its Motion , muft be allowed for in 
 the great Strength that is required unto it. 
 
 For it is to be obferved as a general Rule, that 
 the Space of Time or Place, in which the Weight 
 is moved, in compaiifon to that in which the Pow- 
 er doth move , is in the fime Proportion as they 
 themfelves are unto one another. 
 
 So that if there be any great Difference betwixt 
 the Strength of the Weight and the Power , the 
 fame kind of Differences will there be in the Spa- 
 ces of their Motion. 
 
 To illuifrate this by an Example : 
 
 Let 
 
6z A%CBIUEVES', or Lib.L 
 
 Let the Line GAB reprefent a Balance, or Lea- 
 ver ; the Weight being fuppofed at the Point G, 
 the Fulciment at ^4, and the Power fuftaining the 
 Weight at B. Suppofe the Point G, unto Vv'hich the 
 Weight is faftned, to be elevated unto F, and the 
 oppofite Point B to be deprelTed unto C; 'tis evident 
 that the Arch F G, or (which is all onej D E, doth 
 (hew the Space of the Weight , and the Arch B C 
 the Motion of the Power Now both thefe Arches 
 have the fame Proportion tmto one another , as 
 there is betwixt the Weight and the Power , or 
 f which is all one ) as there is betwixt their feveral 
 Diilances from the Fulciment. Suppofe A G unto 
 ^ 5 to be as one unto four ; it may then be evident, 
 that FG, or D E, will be in the fame Proportion 
 unto B C : For as any two Semidiameters are unto 
 one another, fo are the feveral Circumferences de- 
 fcfibed by them, as alfo any proportional Parts of 
 the fame Cii cumferences. 
 
 And as the Weight and Power do thus differ in 
 the Spaces of their Motions^, fo likewife in the Slow- 
 
 nefs 
 
Mechanical lowers. 
 
 Xiels of it ,* the one moving the v/hole Diftancc 
 B Cy in the fame time wherein the other palTes only 
 G F. So that the Motion of the Power from B to 
 C, is four times fwifcer than that of the Wefight 
 from G to F. And thus will it be, if we fuppcfe 
 the Difproporticns to be far greater ; whether or 
 no we conceive ic , either by a Continuation of the 
 fame Inftrument and Faculty, as in the former Ex** 
 ample , or by a Multiplication of divers, as in Pul- 
 leys, Wheels, d^c. By how much the Power is in 
 it felf lefs than the Weight , by fo much will the 
 Motion of the Weight be flower than that of the 
 Power. 
 
 To this purpofe, I fliall briefly touch at one of 
 the Diagrams expreffed before in the Twelfth Chap- 
 ter, concerning the Multiplication of Leavers. 
 
 ^i 
 
 In which , as each Inftrument doth diminifh the 
 Weight according to a decuple Proportion , fo alfo 
 do they ciminifh the S^iice and Sluwnefs of its Mo- 
 tion. For if we fliould conceive the firft Leaver 
 B to be deprelTed unto its loweft, fuppofe ten Foot, ' 
 yet the Weight A would not be raifed above one 
 Foot : But now the fecond Leaver , at its utmoft, 
 could move but a Tenth Part of the firft , and the 
 third Leaver but a Tenth Part of the fecond ,- and 
 fo of the reft. So that the laft Leaver F being de- 
 prelTed , will pafs a S^ace looooo greater , and by 
 a Motion, looooo fwifter than the Weight at ^. 
 
 Thus are we to conceive of all the other Facul- 
 ties , wherein there is conitantly the fame Difpro- 
 > portion 
 
6^ 'j^^CHIMEV ES^ or, Lib. L 
 
 portion betwixt the Weight and Power, in refpeA of 
 the Spaces and Slownefs of their Motions , as there 
 is betwixt their feveral Gravities. If the Power be 
 unto^ the Weight but as One unto a Hundred , then 
 the Space through which the Weight moves , will 
 be a hundred timss lefs, and confequently the Mo- 
 tion of the Weight a hundred times flower than that 
 of the Power. 
 
 So that it is bat a vain and impoffible Fancy for 
 any one to think that he can move a great Weight 
 with a little Power , in a little Space ; but in all 
 thefe Mechanical Attempts, that Advantage which 
 is gotten in the Strength of the Motion , muft be 
 iliJl allowed for the Slownefs of it. 
 
 Tho' thefe Contrivances do fo extreamly increafe 
 ^ the Power, yet they do proportionably protrad the 
 Time. That which by fuch Helps one man may 
 do in a hundred Days, may be done by the imme- 
 diate Strength of a hundred Men in one Day. 
 
 CHAP. XVL 
 
 That it is poj^hle to contrive fuch an Artificial 
 Motion , as p^.ill he of a Slownefs proporiiona- 
 hie to the Swiftnefs of the Heavens, 
 
 IT were a pretty Subtilty to enquire after , Whe- 
 ther or no it be not poflible to contrive fuch an 
 Artificial Motion, that fliould be in fuch a Propor- 
 tion flow, as the Heavens are fuppofed to be fwift. 
 
 For the exad Refolution of which , it would be 
 requifite that we fhould firft pitch upon fome Medi^ 
 urn J or indifferent Motion , by the Diftance from 
 which, we may judge of the Proportions on either 
 fide,^ whether Slownefs , or Swiftnefs. Now, be- 
 caufe thcrt is not any fuch Natural Midinm^ which 
 
 may 
 
'Mechankal Tt wers, 6 y 
 
 may be abfolutely filled an Indifferent Motion, but 
 that the Swiftnels and Slownefs of every thing is 
 Hill proportioned either to the Quantity of Bodies 
 in which they are, or fome other particular^End for 
 which they are defigned ; therefore we ttiuft take 
 Liberty to fuppofe fuch a Motion ; and this we may 
 conceive to be about looo Paces, or a Mile in an 
 Hour. 
 
 The Starry Heaven , or 8 th Sphere is thought to 
 move 42398437 Miles in the fame Space : So that 
 if it may be demonftrated that it is poffible to con- 
 trive fuch a Motion, which going on in a conftant 
 dired Courfe, fliall pafs but the 42598457 Part of a 
 Mile in an Hour ,• it will then be evident, that an 
 artificial Motion may be flow, in the fame Propor- 
 tion as the Heavens are fwift. 
 
 Now it was before manifefted, that according to 
 the Difference betwixt the Weight and Power , fo 
 will the Difference be betwixt the Slownefs or Swift- 
 nefs of their Motions ; whence it will follow , that 
 in fuch an Engine , wherein the Weight fhall be 
 42398437 Pounds, and the Povi^er that doth equi- 
 ponderate it, but the 42398437 Part of a Pound 
 fwhich is eafie to contrive) in this Engine the Pow- 
 er being fuppofed to move with fuch a Swiftnefs as 
 may be anfwerable to a Mile an Hour, the Weight 
 will pafs but the 42398437 Part of a MiIq in the 
 fame Space, and fo confequently will be proportio- 
 nably flow unto the Swiftnefs of the Heavens. 
 
 It is related by our Country-man /. Dee, that he 
 and Cardan being both together in their Travels, Prefaceto 
 did fee an Inftrument which was at firft fold for 20 ^»(^'<^' 
 Talents of Gold , wherein there was one Wheel, 
 which conftantly moving round amongfl the refl, 
 did not finifh cne Revolution under the Space of 
 Seven thouf^nd Years. 
 
 But if we farther confider fuch an Inftrument of 
 Wheels as was mentioned before ij^ the 14th Chapter, 
 
 with 
 
<5<J ^^CHI.MED ES ^ or Lib. I. 
 
 with which the whole World might be eafily moved 
 we fnall then find that the Motion of the Weight by 
 
 Dejfat^ ^^''^^'r "^^^ ^^ '"^""^^ ""^'^ ^^"^^ '^3" f^^e Heavens 
 pr.£f. are fwif- For tho' we fuppofe (fdch .S-^.t;;-;;«.) the 
 Handle of luch anEngine with izWhcels to be turn- 
 ed about 4000 Times in an Hour, ( which is as often 
 asa Man:^ Pdfe doth beat; yet in 10 YearsSpace the 
 V^eight by this would not be moved above 
 ^^'0000000000000000 Parts of one Foot, which is 
 nothing near fo much as a Hairs breadth. And ic 
 phamm. could not pafs an Inch in 1 000000 Years faith Afer- 
 Mechan. jennits. ' 
 
 ^ro2. II. The Truth of which we may more eafily con- 
 ceive, if we confider the Frame and iManner of this 
 12 wheel'd Engine. Suppofe that in each Axis or 
 Nut, there were ten Teeth, and on each Wheel a 
 thoufliiid : Then the Sails of this Engine muft be 
 turned a hundred Times, before the firft Wheel, 
 (reckoning downward) could be moved round once, 
 and Ten thouliind Times before the fecond Wheel 
 Can linifh one Revolution, and fo through the 12 
 Wheels, according to this multiplied Proportion. 
 
 So that belides the Wonder which there is in the 
 Force of thefe Mechanical Motions , the extream 
 Slownefs of them is no lefs admirable. If a Man 
 confiders that a Eody (hculd remain in fuch a con- 
 ftant dired Motion, that there could not be one 
 Mmute of 1 ime, wherein it did not rid fome Space 
 and pafs on further, and yet that this Body in many 
 Years together ihould not move fo far as a Hair's 
 Breadth. 
 
 Which notwithftanding may evidently appear 
 from the former Inftance. For fince it is a natural 
 Principle, tliat there can be no Penetration of Bo- 
 dies i and fince ic is fuppofed, that each of the Parts 
 in this Engine do touch one another in their Super- 
 ficies j therefore it mufl necelTarily follow, that the 
 
 Weight 
 
Mechanical Towerci 67 
 
 Weight does begin and continue to move with the 
 Power ; and fhowever it is iriftnfiblej yet it is cer- 
 tain there muft be fuch a Motic n fo extreamly flow 
 as is here fpecified. So full is this Art of rare and 
 incredible Subtilries. 
 
 I know it is the AflTertion of Card,w, Mo- Be'vark- 
 tus 'valde tardi ^ necejfario ^uietes habent inter- tate raum 
 mediai. Extream flow Mot-ons have neceflfarily ^•9-<^-'i'/- 
 fome intermediate Stops and Refts. But this is only 
 faid, not proved, and he fpeaks it from fen fible Ex- 
 periments, which in this cafe are fallible : Our Sen- 
 fes being very incompetent Judges of the feveral 
 Proportions, whether Greatnefc or Littlenefs, Slow- 
 nefs or Swiftnefs, which there may be amongft things 
 in Nature. For ought we know, there may be fome 
 Organical Bodies as much lefs than ours, as the 
 Earth is bigger. We fee what ftrange Difcoveries 
 of extream minute Bodies, (as Lice, Wheal-worms, 
 Mites, and the like ) are made by the Microjcofe^ 
 wherein their feveral Parts (which are altogether in- 
 yifible to the bare Eye) will diftindly appear ; And 
 perhaps there may be other Infe<5ls that live upon 
 them as they do upon u^. 'Tis certain that our 
 Senfes are extreamly difproportioned for comprehend- 
 ing the whole Compafs and Latitude of Things And 
 becaufe there may be fuch difference in the Motion 
 as well as in the Magnitude of Bodies^ therefore,tho* 
 fuch extream Slownefs m^y feem 'altogether impof- 
 fible to Senfe and common Apprehenflon , yet this 
 can be no fufficisnt Argument againlt the Reality of 
 it. 
 
 \ 
 
 CHAR 
 
6i J^CHIMEDES^ or, Lib. I. 
 
 C H A P. XVII. 
 
 Of Sw'iftnefs : Hox\> it may he increafed to any 
 kind of Proportion. Concerning the great Fores 
 of Archimedes his Engines. Of the Balliila. 
 
 BY that which hath been already explained con- 
 cerning the Slownefs of Motion, we may the 
 bccter underiland the Nature of Swiftnefs, both of 
 thcni (as is the Nature of Oppofltes) being produ- 
 ced by contrary Caufes. As the greatnefs of the 
 Weight in refped of the Power, and the great di- 
 flaiicc of the Povver from the Fulciment in compa- 
 lifcn to that of the Weight, does caufe a flow Mo- 
 rion ; fo the greatnefs of the Power above the 
 Weight, and the greater diffance of the Weight 
 from the Center, incomparifon to that of the Pow- 
 er, dees caufe a iwifc Motion. 
 
 And as it is poflible to contrive a Motion unto 
 any kind of Slownefs^ by finding out an anfwerablel 
 Difproportion betv/ixt the Weight and Power, fo 
 likewife unto any kind of Swifcnefs : For To much 
 as the Weight does exceed the Power, by fo mucii 
 wil! the Motion of the Weight be flower, and fo 
 much as the Power does exceed the Weight, by fo 
 much will the Motion of the Weight be fwifter. 
 
 In 
 
Mechanical Towers. 
 
 In the Diagram fet down before, if we fuppofe 
 P to be the place of the Povver^ and C of the Weight, 
 the Point A being the Fulciment or Center, then in 
 the fame fpace of time wherein the Power does 
 move from F to G, the Weight wrll pafg from C to B. 
 Thefe Diftances having the fame difproportion unto* 
 one another, as there is h^tw'iit AF and AC, vi^hich 
 is fuppofed to be Quadruple. So that in this Ex- 
 ample, the Weight will move four times fwifter 
 than the Power ,- and according as the Power does 
 exceed the Weight in any greater difproportion, fo 
 will the fwiftnefs of the Weight be augmented. 
 
 Hence may we conceive the Reafbn of that grest 
 Force which there is in Slings, which have To much 
 a greater fwiftnefs than a Stone thrown from the 
 Hand, by how much the end of the Sling is farther 
 off from the Shoulder-Joint, which is the Center of 
 Motion. The Sacred Hiftory concerning David's 
 Vidory over Goliah, may fufficiently evidence the 
 force of thefe. VegeUus relates that it was ufual this 
 ■way to ftrike a Man dead, and beat the Soul out of ^"'''•- ^- 4 
 
 M m his ^'''^''^- ' 
 
 I Sam. 17. 
 49- 
 
 Lipfiui Po- 
 
70 
 
 Judges 20. 
 16. 
 
 eum Tn 
 
 D:odor. Si- 
 eiiL Bibli- 
 oth. [. r 
 L Florui 
 
 cap. 8. 
 lo. Boaniis 
 yiubanus de 
 moribn^ 
 gentium, 
 7. 3. c. 26. 
 
 ^ Hi'ftor. 
 Chilios i. 
 Hipr.35. 
 ' Li.^■c.l■ 
 ^ Mar^ el- 
 ites. 
 
 c Hijior. 
 I. 24. 
 
 HiJ^or. 1. 4. 
 juxta ini- 
 iiurn. 
 
 A^CHlMEVESi or Lib. I. 
 
 his Body, without fo much as breaking his Armour, 
 or fetching Blood. Mcmhis Integris lathaU tamm 
 'Vnlnm 'important ^ C" f^ne invid'ui fcngtiinisy hofiu Lpidit 
 ictu Intereat. 
 
 In the ufe of thefe, many of the Ancients have 
 been of very exquilite and admirable Skill. We 
 read of feven hundred Benjamites Left-havdedy that 
 cculd jling a Stone at a Hairs breadth y and not mlfi. 
 And there is the like ftoried of a whole Nation a- 
 mongrt the Indians ywho from their Excellency in this 
 Art, were ftiled Baleares, They were fo Itricl in 
 teaching this Arc unto their young ones, Ut cihtvt 
 pusr a matre non accipitj niji qrtem ippi monftrante Ptr- 
 ciijfit ; that the Mother would not give any Meat to 
 her Child, till (being fee at fome diftance) he could 
 hit it with Slinging. 
 
 For the farther llluftration of this Subjecft, con- 
 cerning the Swiftnfs of Motion, I fliali briefly fpe- 
 cify fome Particulars concerning the Engines of 
 War ufed by the Ancients. Amongd thefe, the 
 mod fimous and admirable were thofe invented by 
 Jrchimedds ; by which he did perform fuch ilrange 
 Exploits, as fwere they not related by fo many and 
 fuch judicious Authors) would fcarce feem credible 
 even to thefe more Learned Ages. The A<5ls of that 
 molt famous Engineer, are largely fet down by 
 » FolybiHSj ^ Tz^ttzes, ' Frodus, ^ Plutarch, " Livj, and 
 divers others. From the firft of whom alone, we 
 may have fulficient Evidence for the Truth of thofe 
 Relations : For befides that he is an Author noted 
 to be very grave and ferious in his Difcourfe, and 
 does folemnly promife in one Place that he will re- 
 late nothing, but what either he himfelf was an 
 Eye-wiinefs of, or clfe what he had received from 
 thofe that were fo : I fay, befides all this, it is con- 
 fiderable, that he himfelf was Born not above Thir- 
 ty Years after the Siege of Syracufe. And afterwards 
 having occafion to tarry fome Weeks in that City, 
 
 when 
 
Methanica! ^owerH fi 
 
 yvhen he travelled with Sclplo, he might there \)ii^ 
 haps fee thole Engines hilnfelf, or at leaft take his 
 Information from fuch as were Eyc-witneffes of 
 their force : So that there can be no colourable Pre- 
 tence for any to. diitruft the ParticJulars related of 
 them. 
 
 ^ In brief, tjie Sum of their Reports is this; When 
 the Roman Forces under the Condud of MarceVus; 
 had laid Siege unto that famous City, (of which, 
 both by their former SnccelTes, and their prefenf 
 bxrength they could not chufe but prom ife thcm- 
 Jelve^ a fpeedy Vidrory ; ) yet the Arts of this one 
 Mathematician, notwithftanding all their Policies 
 and Refolutions, did ftill beat them back to their 
 great Difadvantage. Whether they were near the 
 VV all or farther from it, they were ftill expdfed tci 
 the force of his Engines, ^^ ^,t^i. ct>r«~r4 ^ ^rvKifr^f 
 
 &/A« >c,cOi?^«^. 7.f ^A«V«f'a^.. From the Multitude 
 ot thole Stones and Arrows which he fhot ajjainft 
 them, was he.ftiled i^i^-T^yx^i ot Briarsus. Thofe c^i. Rhoc% 
 l^efenfive Engines that were made by the Romans in f"'-^ 
 the form of f>ent-Houfes, for to cover the Alfail- ^p^,'^ 
 ants from the Weapons of the Befieged, thefe would rS 
 ^e prelently batter in pieces with great Stones an4 
 iJIocRs. Thofe high Towers ereded in fome of the 
 ^nips out of which the Rom,ans might more conve-' 
 niently fight with the Defendants on the Wall, thefs 
 alio were fo broken by his Engines, that no Can- 
 non, orotherlnftrumenr of Gunpowder,, (faith a S\vmb: 
 ^.earned Man) had they been then in ufe, could ^-%^ 
 ha Ve done greater Mifchief In brief, he did fo mC-- ^'^'^ •' ^i 
 lei. them with his frequent and prodigious Batteries, '•^* ^' '^^ 
 that the Common Soldiers were utterly difcourased 
 from any hopes of Succefs. 
 
 What was the particular Frame and Manner- c£ 
 tfi^e Engines, .cannot certainly be determined; 
 tut to contrive fuch as may perform th^ like ftrangi 
 
 ^nt. leci. 
 Plntettt 
 
i 
 
 ft A%CH1MEVES ', or. Lib. I. 
 
 EffecVs, were not very difficult to any one who is, 
 thorcughly verfed in the Grounds of this Art. The* 
 perhaps thofe of Jrchimldcs in refpedt of divers 
 CircuiDuances, were much more exa6l and proper 
 for the Purpofes to which they were intended, thati 
 the Invention of others could be ; he himfelf being 
 fo extraordinarily fubtle and ingenious above the 
 common fort of Men. 
 
 'Tis probable that the general kind of thefe En- 
 gines were the fame with thofe that were ufed after- 
 vv^j^s, amongft the Rowajjs and other Nations, 
 Thefe were commonly divided into two forts * 
 lliied 
 
 , Cataptdta. 
 
 vid. Nau- ]3q{.|^ which Names are fometimes ufed promifcu- 
 cTud Mi' ^^^y ' ^^^ according to their Propriety, t BalUfia 
 ).itar. 1. 2. does fignifie an Engine for the ftiooting of Stones^ 
 t ^-TO T» and CiUafulta for Darts or Arrows. 
 ^"^uT\r ^^^ former of thefe was fitted either to carry di- 
 ^hi^C^- ° ^^^^ leifer Stones, or elfe one greareft one. Spme of 
 kQ-. -m- of thefe Engines made for great Stones, have beeii 
 les^cKQ-, proportioned to fo vaft and immenfe a Weight, a$ 
 Fundiha^ . mav fccm almofl incredible ; which occafibned th?.c 
 
 lus. Pe.- .\ ' 
 
 traria. "» ;, . . • r . -a ■ Al 
 
 Lib. X* " - At jaxum c^mttei tngznti 'verberis ictu , . 
 
 *■'■'■ Mxcutitur, e^ualis rufes qttamvertice Tnontis 
 • ' jdbfcidit imfulfu 'vcntorum adjuta 'vetufinsy 
 
 ' Frangit ctincfarumes^nectavJtimcorporii^rejJii 
 .' ••t s> fl* Exanimat, tctos cum jan-guhis difipu artus. 
 
 '. 'With thefe they could eafiiy batter down ths 
 Walls and Towers of any Fort. SoOvid. 
 ^law grave ballifice mcsnia pulpit onus. 
 And Stathti-'-^^w turbine hllica, Quondam. 
 Lihrati fallunt portarnm in clr.iijira molares. 
 LipJtusPo- The Stones that were caft from thefe, were of i 
 horcet.l-i. ^^y form, Enormcs & fepttlchraks, Miil-ttones. or 
 £)m/. 3. Tomb-ftones. Sometim.es for the ferrhe^r annoy ance 
 
 and| 
 
 i 
 
• Mechanical lowers. ' -75 
 
 and terror of any Befieged Place, they would by ' t 
 thefe throw into it dead Bodies, either of Men or 
 Horfes, and iomerimes only parts of them as Men's 
 Heads. 
 
 Athen^us mentions one of thefe BaUifiiS that was j^ . 
 proportioned unto a Stone of three Talents Weight, fo^h.l.s. 
 each Talent being 120 Pounds (faith Vitrwvim), fo 
 that the whole will amount to '),6o Pounds. But it y^rcht. I. 
 is ftoried of Archimedes, that he cafl a Stone into one '?• '^^ "f^' 
 of M^ircellus his Ships, which was found to weigh ^■'•^,^^^- 
 ten Talents. There is Tome difference amongi't * ^[J^ " 
 Authors, concerning what kind of Talent this fiiould ?ht. Mar- 
 be underftood, but it is certain that in Vlutarch\ ^^'''• 
 Time, (from whom we have this Relation) one Ta- ^1^^'^" 
 lent did amount to 120 Pounds (faith Suidas:) Ac- mcn.inAr- 
 cording to which Account, the Stone it felf was of chim.o^er. 
 no lefs then tivelve hundred pound Weight. A Wea- ^^f- 
 pon (one would think) big enough for thofe Rebel 
 Gyants that fought againft the Gods. Now the N/T«^rf«f 
 greateft Cannon in ufe, does not carry above 64 i^-ff^!"'^ 
 pound Weight, which is far fhort of the ftrength in 
 thefe Mathematical Contrivances. Amongft the 
 Turks indeed, there have been fometimes ufed fuch 
 Powder Inftruments, as may equal the force of thofe 
 invented by Archimedes. Gal. Naudaus tells us of one 
 Bullet fnot from them at the Siege of Confiantinofe, ^^Jl"^' 
 which was of above 1200 pound Weight j This he ' • ' ' 
 affirms from the Relation of an Archbifhop, who 
 was then prefent, and did fee it j the Piece could 
 not be drawn by lefs then a hundred and fifty Yoak 
 of Oxen, which might almoft have ferved to draw 
 away the Town it felf. But though there hath been 
 perhaps fome one or two Cannons of fuch a prodi- 
 gious Magnitude, yet it is certain that the big- 
 geft in common Ufe, does come far (liort of that 
 Strength v/hich was ordinarily in thefe Mechanical 
 Engines. 
 
 M m 5 There 
 
74 'A'HCHIMEVES i or Lib. I. 
 
 See Ro^. There gre divers Figures of thefe BaUifla, itt out 
 yalteurius j^y y^ggdnj^ Lipfius. and others ^ but being without 
 l7o. c '1. ^"y Explicationj it is not very facil to difcover iii 
 •* ' ' what their Forces did confift 
 
 I have here exprelled one of them moft eafy to 
 be apprehended ; from the Underftanding of which, 
 you may the bett^,r guefs at the Nature of the 
 reft. ' ^ 
 
 .XiK 
 
 That great Box or Cavity at 4, ^ fuppofe^ to 
 be full of feme heavy Weight, and is 'forced up by 
 the turning of the Axis and Spokes B C. The Stope 
 qr Bullet to be difchargedj being in a kind of Sling 
 
 /■'• ■ - '■' ■ at 
 
Muhankalfowers. 75 
 
 at D ; which when the greater Weight ^ defcends 
 will be violently whirled upwards, ti that end of 
 the Sling at E, coming to the Top w.ll fly off and 
 difcharge the Stone as the skilful Artift lliould direct 
 
 It. 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 Co«cer«ms, the Catapults, or Engines for Arrows. 
 
 T-HE other kind of Engine w.s called CaUfuU. In Greek 
 
 ll^irnKn<, which ngmfies a Sp^^^L h W«' -'■ 
 becaufe it was ufed for the Shootrng of ["-^h W e^;^ ^.l^'-..,. 
 cons : Some of thefe were proportioned unto bpear d«/.»./. 
 ^? twelve Cubits long ; 'hey did carry wuhfogre^ . . 
 a Force, ut mierdam nimii: ai-JoyeJcmulUntAUim Am ^^_ 
 
 Jl^'that the Weapons difcharged from th m ,^^ 
 were fometimes (if you can believe it) fct on Fire ^,„i. ,. 
 by the fwiftnefsof *eir Mot'on. c-W.s.v»/. 
 
 The firft Invention of thefe is co'Pf^iJ' ^'""^1^ eMM. 
 to Dicnyfiu. the younger, who is faid » have made , 
 them amoneft his otherPreparations againlt Carthage, sardu, dc 
 t we have goo^ R-fo„ to thmk them of mor ...„,.. 
 ancient Ufe, becaule we read in bcripture, inac 
 
 Men to?m Arrows .nd grca, Stones ^T^^"; 5 i>\°ugh It .6. .5. 
 is likely thefe Inventions were much bettered by the 
 Experience of after Ages. , , 
 
 The ufual Form of thefe C„<.;«/;^, ""^'J^lf'^: 
 ter the manner of great Bows placed on Carriages, 
 and wound up by the Strength ot feveial Pe Ions 
 And from that great Force which we hnd m lelier 
 Bows we may eallly guefs at the greater Power of j,-, Fra, 
 
 &th"e: Engines. '■''-«'?-'' ^ ft,S 1^ -W- 
 that it can ftrike an Arrow through a piece ot iteei ^^^ ^j^ 
 
 Mm 4 
 
'A<^CHIMET>ES; or, Lib. I, 
 
 or Brafs two Inches thick, and being headed only; 
 with Wood, it pierces Timber of eight Inches. 
 Which though it may feem incredible, yet it is at- 
 tefted by the Experience of divers unqueftionable 
 Witneffes : Barclay in his Icon animorum^ a Man of 
 fuificient Credit, affirms that he was an Eye-wirnefs, 
 how one of thefe Bows with a little Arrow did pierca 
 through a piece of Steel three Fingers thick. And 
 yet thefe Bows being fomewhat like the long Bows 
 in ufe amongft us, were bent only by a Man's im- 
 mediate Strength, without the help of any Bender 
 or P^ack that are ufed to others. 
 
 Some Turk/Jl} Bows are of that Strength, as to 
 pierce a Plank of fix Inches in t'hicknefs, ( I fpeab 
 what I have feen) faith M. Jo. Greaves in his Vjra- 
 rriodografhla. How much greater Force then may we 
 conceive to be imprelfed by the Catapults ? 
 
 Thefe v.'ere fometimes framed for the difcharging 
 of two or three Arrows together, fo that each of 
 them might be direded unto a feveral Aim. But it 
 were as eafy to contrive them after the like manner 
 for the Carriage of twenty Arrows, or more j as in 
 this Figure. 
 
 Both 
 
Mecha7iical foivers. 
 
 77 
 
 Both thefe kinds of Engines,, when they were u- 
 fed -at the Siege of any City, were commonly car- 
 ried in a great wooden Turret (firlt invented by * 
 Demttrius,) It was driven upon four Wheels at the 
 bottom, each of its Sides being forty five Cubits, its 
 Height ninety. The whole was divided in nine fe- 
 veral Partitions, every one of which did contain di- 
 vers Engines for Battery : From its Ufe in the bat- 
 tering and taking of Cities it is ftiled by the Name 
 of HelcpUs. 
 
 He that would be informed in the nature of Bows, 
 let him confult Msrfennus de Ballifiica d^ Acontifmo- 
 logia, where there are divers fubtile Enquiries and 
 Demonftrations, concerning the Strength required 
 to the bending of them to any Diftance. The Force 
 they have in the Difcharge, according to feveral 
 Bents, the Strength required to be in the String of 
 them, the feveral Proportions of Swiftnefs and Di- 
 ftance in an Arrow (hot Vertically, or Horizontal- 
 IVj or Tranfverfally. 
 
 Thofe 
 
 *Who vas 
 tht-refore 
 ftilcd Po- 
 liorcctes. 
 This kind 
 of Turref 
 was fir flu- 
 fed ar the 
 Siege of 
 Cyprus, ^ 
 is thus de- 
 le 11 bed by 
 Diodoi-us 
 Sictil. Bib- 
 lioth. /. 20, 
 
78 A<^CHIMET) ESi or Lib.!. 
 
 Thofe ftrange Effects of the Turkljli Bow (menti- 
 oned before) fo much exceeding the Force of o- 
 thers, which yet require far greater Strength for the 
 Bending of them, may probably be afcribed either 
 to the natural caufe of AttraHinn by fmiUtude of Suh- 
 fiance (as the Lord Bacon Conie(3:ures : ) For in thefe 
 Experiments the Head of the Arrow (hould be of 
 the fam^^ Subftance ( whether Steel or Wood ) with 
 that which it pierces : Or elfe to that jufi Troportion 
 betwixt the weight of the Arrow, and the ftrength 
 of the Bow, which muft needs much conduce to the 
 Force of it, and may perhaps be more exadly dif- 
 covered in thefe, than it is commonly in others. 
 
 CHAP. XIX. 
 
 A Compar'ifon letivixt thefe ancient Engines^ and 
 the Gunpowder Injiruments novo in Ufe. 
 
 I 
 
 "T fiiall not be altogether Impertinent to enquire 
 
 fomevvhat concerning the Advantages and Difad- 
 
 Vantages betwixt thofc Military offenfive Engines 
 ufed amongft the Ancients, and thofe of thefe later 
 Ages. 
 I In which Enquiry there are two Particulars to be 
 
 chiefly examined. 
 
 1. The Force of thefe feveral Contrivances, or the 
 utmoft th<^t may be done by them. 
 
 2. Their Price, or the greatnefs of the Charges 
 required unto them. 
 
 I. As for the Force of thefe ancient Inventions, it 
 
 may fufficiently appear from thofe many credible 
 
 De hello Relations mentioned before,- to which may be added 
 
 jun^ico. I. that in Jojefhcts, which he fets down from his own 
 
 3- '9' Eye- fight, being himfelf a chief Captain at the Siege 
 
 of Jota^.ita, where thefe Events happened. He tells 
 
 us 
 
MechanicalTowers, f^ 
 
 us tbnt befides the multitude of Perfons, who were 
 Oi^in by thefe Rom::n Engines, being not able to avoid 
 their Force, by reafon they were placed fo far off", 
 and out of Sight; befides this, they did alfo carry 
 fuch great Stones, with ^o great a Violence, that 
 they did therewith batter down their Walls andTowr- , 
 ers. A greit Bellied Wom;in walking about the Ci- 
 ty in the Day-time, had her Child ftruck cut of her 
 Womb^ and carried half a Furlong from her. A Sol- 
 .dier ftanding by his Captain Jofephus, on the Wall, 
 had his Head ftruck off by another btone ^Qnt from 
 thefe Roman Engines_, and his Brains carried three 
 Furlongs off. 
 
 To this purpofe Cardan relates out of Amm'ianus De 'vartet,. 
 Ali.rci'll'inus. Trvto impetu fertur LiPis tit una "vifo lapiJe 'H*^* $•• 
 ijuamvi hit.^ct't barbiiri fmrint ah eo, defiiteruvt n pugnK 
 & .ibkrunt. Many foreign People being fo amazed 
 at the (Irange fqrce of thefe Engines, that they durft 
 not cqntefl: with thpfe who were Mailers of fuch 
 Inventions. 'Tis frequently alTerted, that Bullets 
 have been melted in the Air, by that Extremity of 
 violent Motion impreft from thefe Slings. 
 
 Fu»da<jue contorto trnjifvexbernt atra plumhoj 
 
 Et mediis licfu'tdce ghindes in vublbus errant. 
 So Lucan, fpeaking of the fame Engines. 
 
 Inde faces d^ faxa 'volanty fpatioque Joints 
 
 Aeris C^ calid^ li^jjUffacfa ponder e glandes. 
 Which Relations, though they may feem fomewhat 
 poetical and Improbable, yet ArifiotU himfelf (D,e 
 ceelo lib. 2. c. 7.) doth fuppole them as unqueftiona- 
 ble. From whence it may be inferred, that the 
 force of thefe Engines does rather exceed than come 5/r Walt, 
 ^ort of our Gunpowder Inventions. Raleigh. 
 
 Add to this that Opinion of a Learned Man ^'/- '• ^ 
 (which 1 cited before) that Archimedes in the Siege ^-^' ^'^' 
 6{ Syracufe did more mifchief with his Engines, than SeeL//>7?«/ 
 could have been wrought by any Camions^ had they He imUud 
 JDeen then in Ui^, RtmanJ. 
 
 In"- 
 
So A<P^CHIMEV ES; or. Lib. L 
 
 In this perhaps there may be fome Difadvantage', 
 becaufe thefo Mathematical Engines cannot be fo 
 eafily and fpeedily wound up, and fo certainly level- 
 led as the other may. 
 
 2. As for the Price or Charges of both thefe^ it 
 4 may be confidered under three Particulars ; 
 
 1. Their making. 
 
 2. Their Carriage or Conveyance. 
 ;. Their Charge and Difcharging. 
 
 In all which refpedls, the Cannons now in Ufe, 
 are of much greater Colt than thefe other Inven- 
 tions. ' 
 
 1. The Making or Price of thefe Gun-powder In- 
 " ftruments is extrcamly Expenfive, as may be eafily 
 
 judged by the weight of their Materials. A whole 
 Cannon weighing commonly 8ooo /. a half Cannon 
 yooD, aCulverin 45'oo, aDemiculvcrin 3000 ,• which 
 whether ic be in Iron or Brafsj muft needs be very 
 ColViy, onlv for the Matter of them,- befides the 
 fartl^er Charges required for the Form and Making 
 of the^rr, which in the whole muft needs amount to 
 ieveral hundred Pounds. Whereas thefe Mathema- 
 tical Inventions confifting chiefly cf Timber, and 
 Cords, may be much more cheaply made ,• The fe- 
 ' yeral degrees of them which fliall anfwer in propor- 
 tion to the Strength cf thofe other, being at the 
 lead ten ttnies Cheaper ,• that is, ten Engines that 
 fhall be of equal force either to a Cannon or Demi- 
 cannon, Calvcrin or Demiculverin, may be framed 
 at the farne Price that one of thefe will -amount to : 
 So that in this refped there is a great Inequality. 
 
 2. As for their Carriage or Conveyance j a whole 
 Cannon does require at the leaft 90 Men, or 1-6 
 Korfes, for the Draught of it ,• a half Cannon j6 
 Men, or 9 Florfes ; a Culverin jo Men, or 8 Hor- 
 des ; a Demiculverin 36 Men, or 7 Horfes j Suppo- 
 fm,^ the Vv'ay to be hard and plain, in which notwith- 
 ftZiid'm^ the Motion will be very flow. But if the 
 
 PalTage 
 
'hfcchankal Tow'frs. 8 1 
 
 Paflgae prove rifing and fteep^ or rotten and dirty, 
 then they will require a much greater Strength and 
 Charge for the conveyance of them. Whereas thefe 
 other Inventions are in themfelves more light (if 
 there be occafion for the Draught of them ) being 
 eafily taken afunder into feveral Parts. And befides, • 
 their Materials are to be found every where^ fo that * 
 they need not be carried up and down at all, but 
 may be eafily made in the Place where they are to 
 be ufed. 
 
 3. The Materials required to the Charging of thefe 
 Gun-powder Inftruments, are very Coftly. A whole 
 Cannon requiring for every Charge 40 Pound of 
 Powder, and a Bullet of 64 Pounds ; a half Can- 
 non 18 Pound of Powder, and a Bullet of 24 
 Pounds,- a Culverin 16 Pounds of Powder, and a 
 Bullet of 19 Pounds • a Demiculverin 9 Pounds of 
 Powder, and a Bullet of 12 Pounds : Whereas thofe 
 other Engines may be charged only with Stones, or 
 ; which may ferve for Terror) with dead Bodies, 
 or any fuch Materials as every Place will afford with- 
 out any Coft. 
 
 So then, put all thefe together : If it be fo that 
 thofe ancient Inventions did not come fnurt of thefe 
 other in regard of Force, and if they do fo much 
 6xcel them in divers other Refpeds ,• it (hould feem 
 then, that they are much more Commodious then 
 thefe latter Inventions, and fhould be preferred be- 
 fore them. But this Enquiry cannot be fully deter- 
 mined without particulat Experience of both. - •' 
 
 C H A P. 
 
8i ^^CH^IMEDES s or Lib. f. 
 
 CHAP. XX. 
 
 I7jjt it is pojfihle to contrive fuch an Artificial Mo- 
 tion, as may he equally fwift with the fuppofed 
 Motion of the Heavens, 
 
 FOR the Conclufiori of this DiTcourfe, I Oiall 
 briefly Examine (as before concerning Slow- 
 ncfs) whether ic be polTible co contrive fuch an Ar- 
 r. r, . ^^^^i^^ Motion, as may be edual unto the fuDpoVed 
 f L^o' ^^^'^^"^5 «^ the Heavens. Tftis Queftion hath Beea 
 *47. formerly propofed and anfwered hy Cardan, where 
 he apphes it unto the fvviYtnifs of the Moon's Orb • 
 but chat Orb being the lowed of all, and confe- 
 quently of a dull and fluggifh Motion, in compari- 
 Ion to the reft • therefore Ic will perhaps be more 
 convenient to underltand the Queftion concerning 
 the eighth Sphere, or Itarry Heateh. 
 
 For the true Refolurion of this, ic fiiould be firft 
 obferved, that a material Subftance is altogether in- 
 capable of fo great a Celerity, as is ufually afcribei 
 TbeEarth ^° '^^"'^ Celeftial Orbs, (as I have proved elfe where) 
 a Planer, ^^nd therefore the Qucf re i^ not to be underftood of 
 Bto{.^. any real and experimental, but only Notional, ani 
 Geometrical Contrivance. 
 
 Now that the fwifcnefs of Motibri m'ay be thus 
 increafed according to any conceivable Proportion, 
 will be manifeit from what hath been formerly deli- 
 vered concerning the Grounds and Nature of Slow- 
 n^fs and SwJfcnefs. For according as we (hall fup- 
 pofe the Power to exceed the Weight : So may th^ 
 Motion of the Weight be fwifter than that of the 
 Power. 
 
 But to anfwer more particularly : let us imagine 
 every )^'heel in this following Figure to have a hun- 
 lired Teeth in it, and every Nut ten ,- 
 
 It 
 
Mechmkal Toiper:, 
 
 H 
 
 It may then be evident, that one Revolution of the 
 firft Wheel, will turn the Nut, and confequently the 
 fecond Wheel on the fame Axis ten times, the third 
 Wheel a hundred times, the fourth a thoufand times, 
 the fifth loooo, the fixth a hundred thoufand times, 
 the feventh loooooo times, the eighth looooooo 
 times, the ninth loooooooo times, the Sails 
 looooooooo times : So that if we fuppole the com- 
 p3fs of thefe Sails to be five Foot, or one Pace : And 
 tHat the firft Wheel is turned about after the rate of 
 one thoufand times in an Hour : It will then be evi- 
 dent^ that the Sails Ihali be turned looooooooooos 
 
 times^ 
 
84 A^C HI M EV ES', or. Lib. I. 
 
 times, and confequcntly fnall pafs loooooooo Miles 
 in the fame fpace. Whereas a Star in the y-Equaror 
 ('according to common Hypothcjis) does move but 
 42398^15^ Miles in an Hour : And therefore it is evi- 
 dent that 'tis poilible Geometrically to contrive fuch 
 an Artinciai Motion, as fhall be of greater fwiftnefs 
 then the fuppofed Revolutions of the Heavens. 
 
 V M t) Ar 
 
8j 
 
 2) MD ALU Si 
 
 O R, 
 
 Mechanical Motions. 
 
 The Second BooL 
 
 C H A P. I. 
 
 The Svers kinds of Automata , or Self-movers. 
 Of Mills , and the Contrivance of feveral Mo- 
 tions hy rarifyd Air, A brief Digrefton con- 
 cerning Wind-Guns. 
 
 AMongft the Variety of Artificial Motions, 
 thole are of moft Ufe and Pleafure , in 
 which , by the Application of fome conti- 
 nued Strength , there is beftovved a regular and 
 lafting Motion. 
 
 Thefe we call the auTbiUA-m, or Self-movers % 
 Which Name, in its utmoft Latitude , is fomerimes 
 afcribed unto thofe Motions , that are contrived 
 from the Strength of Living Creatures , 35 Chari- 
 ots, Carts, &c. But in its Stri^lnefs and Pro- 
 priety , it is only appliable unto fuch Invention:?, 
 wherein the Motion is caufed cipher by fomething 
 that belongs unto its own Frame ^ or elfe by fome 
 External Inanimate Agent. 
 
 N p Whence 
 
U t) Ai V A L \l S; or Lib. 11. 
 
 Whence thefi dviicut-n are eafily diftinguifliable 
 into Two forts : ; 
 
 1. Thofe that are nioved by fomething which is 
 extrinllcal unto their own Frame ; as Mills, by Wa- 
 ter or Wind. 
 
 2. Thofe that receive their Motion from fome- 
 thing: that does belong to the Frame it felf ; as 
 Clocks, Watches, by Weights, -Springs , or the 
 like. 
 
 Of both which farts, there halve been many e^j- 
 cellent Inventions : In the Recital of them, I fhiUl 
 infift chiefly on fuch as are moft eminent for their 
 Rarity and Subtiky. 
 
 ■Amongft the Aw^w^TTt that receive their Motion 
 from fome external Agent, thofe of more common 
 ufe are Mills. 
 
 And firft, the Warer-Miils ; which are thought 
 
 to be before the other, tho' neither the firfl Author, 
 
 nor fo much as the Time v/herein they were m- 
 
 De invent. Vented IS fully known. And therefore PoZ/it/Z^ /'-';>•- 
 
 rerum,l.-j. gH refers them amongft other fatherlefs Inventions. 
 
 jvi 'h'(} ^^^^"7 indeed doth mention them , as being com- 
 
 /.i8. f.i^. *^only ufed in his time ; and yet others affirm, tliat 
 
 Bellifar'ms, in the Reign of JuHlnian , did firft in- 
 
 DeRcpcrt. y^j^j. ^j^^j^, . Whence 'PanciroUus concludes, that it is 
 
 likely their XJ^o, was for fome Space intermitted, 
 
 and being afterwards renewed again, they were then 
 
 thought to be hril difcovered. 
 
 However, 'tis certain that this Invention hath 
 much abridged and advantaged the i,?bours of Men, 
 who were before condemned unto this Slavery, as 
 now unto the Galleys. And as the Force of Waters 
 hath been ufeful for this, fo Hkewife may it be con- 
 trived to divers other Purpofes. Herein doth the 
 Skill of an Artificer chiefly confift, in the Applica- 
 tion of thefe common Motions unto various and be- 
 neficial Ends j making them ferviceable, not only 
 
 foe 
 
Mechanical Motions'. g-, 
 
 for the Grinding of Corn , but for the preparing of 
 Iron, or other Oar ,• the making of Paoer the! I^ 
 vat.ng of Water, or the like " ' ^'^' 
 
 hJ^w-'^f ^"u^f^ "'r '"■^ '''^ ^'"^ 'hat are driven 
 by Wind, which are fo much more convenient than 
 ^e other by how much their Situations may be 
 
 Z.IM -/u^ ^°'"'"°"- ^^^ Motions of thefe 
 rnay hkewtfe be accommodated to as various Ufe at 
 the other; there be ng force any Labour, to the 
 Performance of which, an ingenious Artificer can! 
 not apply them To the Saling of T mber tte 
 Plowmg of Land , or any other the like Seivice 
 which cannot be difpatched the ordinary W«vw^h' 
 out much Toil and Tedioufnefs. St^f^ won- 
 derful thing to confider, how much win 'cr-r 
 might be eafed and contra^ed Tfund^y'p rricda^ 
 
 PraafcesVthef m" ^"'"-^V" 'f^^p'SS 
 iraetices of thefe Mechanical Experiments wcM 
 
 but thoroughly apply theirStudies unto the EnUr"! ''«'"• 
 ment of fuch Inventions. '"*^"'"g«- Fm»4. 
 
 , J'i"/ f^. ("""^ °'''" Motions by Wind or Air t%T^' 
 which Ctho thev are nnt f^ ^„ ' ""'° or air, adjth. 
 
 vet) mav nr!wJ„f "" '° co"^mon as the other, &«*»'. 
 yet; may prove of excellent Curiofity, and fin.,,, Lite that 
 
 id'bY r S"='^r?/hat Mufical Inftrument invent: ^""^ °^ 
 ed by Cornehm Dreb e x which hpmo- r«^ • V v^ Meynmn, 
 
 ftine, would of it felf render .Ifr "/^f ^r""" K^^r^"^ 
 
 •Harmnnv . \.,.^u- ^^nder a loft and pleafant ^hich 
 
 wnnM ^ 7 but being removed into the Shade "^^^"^ 
 
 would prefently become filent. The nlofrZ T-' ^^^"ge 
 
 was this: The Warmth of H^ <;n^ .- ^^ ^^ ^^'^^^ 
 
 fome Moifture with n it and r-.f ' "^""'u '"^ "P°" ^^^"^"^^ 
 Air unto fo J^Zol^v I ? ^^rifymg the inward f'eSun 
 f>tt f^ ir ^ an Extenfion that it muft needs ^^gi"s to 
 leek for Vent or IlTue, did thereby gTve feverJ ^"'"^^ 
 Motions unto the Inftrument. ^ leveral on it. 
 
 Somewhat of thk ntom,/^ « i ^^^'^- ^^^^ 
 
 whirh Qr^ r>^« ,. £^f ^^e are the <t^oUplles rid.i. 
 
 M.r.r;aT °"'^^''^ ^^^'^^^ confifting of fome fuch ^^^-^"^f- 
 
 Material as may endure the Fire havinp/fmoii ^'""^^'fhac 
 
 Hole, at which they are filled with ^lll^ 7^^^^ ^^ ^^^ 
 
 of which Cwhen the VhtII ^^\^^^^^y and out both feen 
 
 »wi ^,v^nca ttie Vellels are heated; the Air and heard 
 
 Nn » 
 
88 1>^T> A L U S ; or, Lib. II. 
 
 doth iffue forth with a ftrong and lafting Violence. 
 Thefe are frequently ufed for the exciting and con- 
 trading of Heat in the melting of Glafles , or Me- 
 tals ; They may alfo be contrived to be fervieeable 
 for fundry other pleafant Ufes ^ as for the moving 
 of Sails in a Chimney-corner; the Motion of 
 which Sails may be applied to the Turning of a 
 Spir, or the like. 
 
 But there is a better Invention to this purpofe, 
 mentioned in Cardan, whereby a Spit mny be turn- 
 ed ( without the Help of Weights) by the Motion 
 of the Air that afcends the Chimney ; and it may 
 be ufeful for the Roafting of many, or great Joints: 
 For as the Fire muft be increafed according to the 
 Quantity of Meat, fo the Force of the Inltrument 
 will be augmented proportionably to the Fire. In 
 which Contrivance, there are thefe Conveniences 
 above the Jacks of ordinary Ufe ; 
 
 1. It makes little or no Noife in the Motion. 
 
 2. It needs no winding up, but will conftantly 
 move of it felf , while there is any Fire to raiify 
 the Air. 
 
 3. It is much cheaper than the other Inftruments 
 that are commonly ufed to this purpofe ,• there be- 
 ing required unto it only a pair of Sails , which 
 muft be placed in that part of the Chimney where 
 it begins to be ftraitned ; and one Wheel , to the 
 Axis of which the Spit- line muft be faftned , ac- 
 cording to this following Diagram. 
 
 The 
 
Mechanical Motions, 
 
 Sp 
 
 The Motion of thefe Sails may likewife be fer- 
 viceable for fundry other Purpofes, befides the turn- 
 ing of a Spit ; for the Chiming of Bells , or other 
 mufical Devices • and there cannot be any more 
 pleafant Contrivance for continual and cheap Mu- 
 (ick. It may be ufeful alfo for the Reeling of Yarn, 
 the Rocking of a Cradle, with divers the like do- 
 meftick Occafions. For ( as was faid before ) any 
 conftant Motion being given, it is eafie for an inge- 
 nious Artificer to apply it unto various Services. 
 
 Thefe^ Sails will always move both Day and Night, 
 if there is but any Fire under thero , and fometimes 
 
 N n 3 though 
 
po D ^ t> A L U S I or Lib. 11. 
 
 though there be none. For, if the Air without be 
 much colder than chat within the Room, then muft 
 this which is more warm and rarified , naturally 
 afcend through tftfe Chimney , to give Place unto 
 the more condenfed and heavy, which dees ufually 
 blow in at every Chink or Cranny, as Experience 
 fhews. 
 
 Unto this kind of Motion may be reduced all 
 thofe Reprefentations of living Creatu'^'. -aether 
 Birds, or Beafts, invented by Ctifibius , which were 
 for the moft part performed by the Motion of \ir, 
 being Forced up either by Rarefaction ^ with Vul Dr 
 elfe by Compre^Jonj throu..^h the Fall of fonie neav.er 
 Body, as Water, which by poffeffing the Place of 
 the Air^ did thereby drive it to feek for fome other 
 Vent. 
 
 I cannot here omit ( the' it be not altogether fo 
 pertinent j to mention that late ingenious Inventi- 
 on of the Wind-gun, which is charged by the for- 
 cible Compreflio'. of Aii, being injefted th oigha 
 Syringe; the Siiife and Diftention of the } ppri- 
 foned Air, fcrving by the Help of little Fails or 
 Shuts within ; to'ftop and keep clofe the Vents by 
 which it was admitted. The Force of it in theDif- 
 charge is almoll equal to our Powder- guns. I have 
 found upon frequent Trials ( hkh Merfennus) that a 
 leaden Bullet Shot from one of thefe Guns againft a 
 ftone Wall, the Space of 24 Paces from it, will be 
 beaten into a t\v-n Plate. It would be a confidera- 
 ble Addition to this Experiment, which the fame 
 Author mentions a little after, whereby he will make 
 the fame Charge of Air to ferve for the Difcharge 
 of feveral Arrows or Bullets after one another, by 
 giving the Air only fo much Room, as may irnme- 
 diatehi ferve ro imprefs a Violence in fending away 
 the Arrow or Bullet, and then fcrewing it down a- 
 gain to its former Confinement^ to fit it for another 
 Shoofin||. But againfl; this there may be tnanyconr 
 
 fiderable 
 
Mechanical Motiom/ 9 1 
 
 fiderable Doubts, which I cannot ftand to. dif- 
 cufs. 
 
 CHAR n. 
 
 Of a Sa'dhjg Chariot, that may without florfes 
 he driven on the Land hy the Wind^ as Ships 
 are on the Sea, 
 
 THe Force of Wind in the Motion of Sails may 
 be applied alfo to the driving of a Chariot, by 
 which a Man may fail on the Land, as well as by a 
 Ship on the Water. The Labour of Horfes or o- 
 ther Beafts, which are ufually applied to this Pur- 
 pofe, being artificially fupplied by the Strength of 
 Winds. 
 
 That fuch Chariots are commonly ufed in the 
 Champion Plains of China ^ is frequently affirmed 
 by divers credible Authors. Boterm mentions that Deincre^ 
 they have been tried aifo in Sfain, tho' with what memo Ur- 
 Succefs he doth not fpecifie. But above all other ^"^"^ ^- •'• 
 Experiments to this Purpofe, that failing Chariot at ^' '°' 
 Scexieling in Holland, is more eminently remarkable. 
 It was made by the Diretiion of Stcphinus, and is 
 celebrated by many Authors. * Walchius affirms it * Fahda- 
 to be of fo great a Swiftnefs for its Motion, and y^t rnrndecaf^ 
 of fo great a Capacity for its Burden : Ut in medio ^^^' ^' 
 freto fecundis 'ventfs commijfizs na'ves , 'velocitate mttltis 
 farafangis fofife relinquat, d^ paucarum horarum fpatio , 
 viginti aut trigintfl, milliaria Germajtica continuo curfu 
 emetiatHTy concreditofcjue fibi plus minus 'veBores [ex aut 
 decern, in petitum locum transferat, faciUimo illius ad 
 clavum (fui fedet nutu, qua^ua -verfum minima labore 've- 
 lis commijjum, mirabile hue co7:tinenti currus na-vigium 
 dirigentis. That it did far exceed the Speed of any 
 Ship, though we fliould fuppofe it to be carried in 
 
 Nn 4 the 
 
j>;t T) JB V A LU S', or. Lib. II, 
 
 the open Sea with never fo profperous Wind : And 
 that in fome few Hours Space it would convey Six or 
 Ten Perfons, 20 or ^o German Miles, and all this 
 with very little Labour of him that fitteth at the 
 Stern , who may egfily guide the Courfe of it as 
 he pleafeth. 
 
 That eminent inquifitive Man Pelreskius, having 
 travelled to Sccuelin^ for the Sight and Experience of 
 this Chariot , would frequently after with much 
 Wonder mention the extream Swiftnels of its Mo- 
 TJ y'' '^^^* Commemorarefclebat fiu^orem cfuo correptus fuerat 
 to, Beiref- '^'^f^f 'vento travjlatus citatiffimo non ferjentifcere t^ert, 
 kit, I. 2. nempe tam cittts erat cftiam vent us. Though the Wind 
 y/,Qfp in it felf very fwift and ftrong, yet to Paffen* 
 gers in this Chariot it would not be at all difcerni- 
 ble, becaufe they did go with an equal Swiftnefs to 
 the Wind it felf : Men that pn before it feeming 
 to go backwards. Things which feem at a great 
 Diftance being prefently overtaken and left behind. 
 In two HoiLirs Space it would pafs from Suveling to 
 Tutten, vvhjch are diftant from one another above 14 
 Hornria Milliaria, ( faith the fanie Author ), that is, 
 more than Two and forty Miles. 
 
 Grotlus is very copious and elegant in the celebra- 
 ting of this Invention, and the Author of it in divers 
 Epigrams. 
 
 Gr«tii Ptf- Venti'volum T'lphys dedttxjt in acjuora navlm^ 
 etnita.L^. 'Jupiter in fellas, athereamcjue domum. 
 
 ^' In terrejhe fclum virtus Stevinia, nam nee 
 
 Ttphy tuumfuerat^ mc Jovis ifiud opus, 
 
 ■#• 1- -^"^ ^" another Place, 
 
 Impofuit plaufiro ve^Untem carhafa, malufi^ 
 
 An potius r.i'viy fuhdidit tile rotas ? 
 "-"—Scandft a^uas navis currus ruit aerepropo^ 
 
 Et merito dicaf hie liolat^ ilia patai» ■ 
 
 Thefe Relatiors did at the iirft fecm unto mc, (and 
 
 L^..^' ' " " ■••.--'••■-•- per- 
 
Mecha?ncal Motions, 
 
 perhaps they will Co to others)fomewhat{lrange & in- 
 credible.But upon flirther Enquiry J have heard them 
 frequently attefted from the particular Eye- fight and 
 Experience of fuch eminent Perfons, whofe Names 
 I dare not cite in a Bufmefs of this Nature , which 
 in thofe Parts is fo very common^, and little obferved. 
 1 have not met with any Author who doth treat 
 particularly concerning the Manner of framing this 
 Chariot, tho' Grotius mentions an elegant Defcripti- 
 on of it in Copper by one Gepius : And Hcndius in 
 one of his large Maps of /yjia , does give another 
 conje(5lural Defcription of the like Chariots ufed in 
 
 The Form of it is related to be very fimple and 
 plain^ after this manner. 
 
 91 
 
 Epig. to, 
 & il. 
 
J>4 ' X> ^ D A L II Si or Lib. II. 
 
 The Body' of it being feme what like a Boat, mo- 
 ving upon 4 Wheels of an equal Bignefsj with two 
 Sails like thofe in a Ship ; there being fome Contri- 
 vance to tarn and (teeric^by moving a Rudder which 
 is placed beyond the two hindmoft Wheels ; and for 
 the ftoppia < of it, this muft be done, either by let- 
 ting down he Sail, or turning it from the Wind. 
 
 Of this ^ind they have frequently in Holland other 
 little VeiTj s for one or two Perfons to go upon the 
 Ice, havi i.; Sledges inftead of Wheels, being driven 
 with a Sa : the Bodies of them like little Boats, that 
 if the Ice fliould break, they might yet fafely carry 
 a Man u Jon the Water, v/here the Sail would be ftill 
 ufeful fo ■ the Motion of it. 
 
 I have often rh oufjht that it would be worth the 
 Experiment to enquire, whether orno fuch a failing 
 Chariot might not be more conveniently framed with 
 nioveab'e Sails, whofe Force may be impreft from 
 their Motion, equivalent to thofe in a Wind-mill. 
 Tneir foremolt Wheels fas in other Chariotsj for the 
 greater Facility, being fomewhat lower than the o- 
 ther, anfwerabie to ihis Figure. 
 
 u 
 
Mechanical Motions. 
 
 95 
 
 r 
 
 In which the Sails are fo contrived, that the 
 IVind from any Coaft will have a Force upon them 
 :o turn them about ,♦ and the xMotion of thefe Sails 
 ■nufl: needs turn the Wheels, and confequently carry 
 Dn the Chariot it felf to any Place fthough fully a- 
 ^ainft the Wind j whither it (hall be directed. 
 
 The chief doubt will be^ whether in fuch a Con- 
 trivance, every little Ruggednefs or Unevennefs of 
 iie Ground, will not caufe fuch a jolting of the 
 iChariot, as to hinder the Motion of its Sails. But 
 chis perhaps fif it fhould prove fo) is capable of fe- 
 i^eral Remedies, 
 rt Iha\* 
 
9<5 2) ^ C ^ L M S; or, Lib.ir, 
 
 I hare of en wondred , why none of our Gentry 
 who live near great Plains, and fmooth Champions, 
 hgve atte;npted any thing to this Purpofe. The 
 Experimears of this kind being very plcafant, and 
 not coftly ; What could be more delightful, or bet- 
 ter HusbaaJry, than to make ufe of the Wind (which 
 cofts nothing, and eats nothing) inftead of Horfes ? 
 This bein; very eaiie to be effeaed by thofe, the 
 Convenie .ce of whofe Habitations doth accommo- 
 date them for fuch Experiments. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Concermng the fixed kyxic^m^t^^ Cloch, Spheres, 
 
 reprefentlng the Heavenly Motions : the feve- 
 
 ral Excellencies that are mofi commendable in 
 
 fuch kind of Contrivances, 
 
 T 
 
 He fecond kind of Av-nfM-m were defctibcd to 
 
 be fuch Engines, as did receive a Regular and 
 
 lafting Motion from fomething belonging to theil 
 
 own Frame, whether Weights, or Springs, &c. 
 
 They are ufually diftinguifhed into ^'"'"'i^*''?' 
 
 J 5tt7tt 3 fixed and ftationary. 
 
 (. \:zreiy)VTtt y moveable and transient. 
 
 I. The fixed are fuch as move only according to 
 
 their feveral Parts, and not according to their whole 
 
 Frame ; in which, though each Wheel hath a diftin<a 
 
 Rotation, yet the whole doth ftill remain unmoved. 
 
 The chiefcft Kind of thefe are the Clocks and 
 
 Watches in ordinary ufe ,• the framing of which is 
 
 • De vxri. fo commonly known by every Mechanick, that I 
 
 tt. Rer.i.^. p^aij riot trouble the Reader with any Explication of 
 
 iTra.f 2 ^^* ^^ ^^^^ defires fuller Satisfadion, may fee them 
 
 fart, n.i' particularly defcrib^d by * Qarhn ^ iu, Flood, and 
 
 i.caf. 4. Others. 
 
 The 
 
Mechanic a I Motions. 9 7 
 
 The firft Invention of thefe (faith fanclrollus) was Repert.Tif, 
 taken from that Experiment in the Multiplication of 'J^^y^^^f 
 Wheels, mentioned in Vitrwvius, where he fpeaks of ; lo.f.ii, 
 an Inftrument, whereby a Man may know how 
 many Miles or Paces he doth ga in any fpace of 
 Time, whether or no he do pafs by Water in a Boat, 
 or Ship, or by Land in a Chariot, or Coach : They 
 have been contrived alfo into little Pocket-Inftru- 
 ments, by which, after a Man hath walked a whole 
 Day together, he may eafily know how many Steps 
 he hath taken. I forbear to enter upon a larger Ex- 
 plication of thefe kind of Engines, becaufe they are 
 impertinent unto the chief B jfinefs that I have pro- 
 pofed for this Difcourfe. The Reader may fee them , ^^^^^ .^ 
 more particularly defcribed in the above-cited Place ; ,g 
 of VitruvitfSy in * Cardan, t BeJJonius, and others ; I ^Theatrm 
 have here only mentioned them, as being the tirft inftrumcn^ 
 occafion of the chiefeft «W^7«, that «re now in ^'^^r de 
 
 U^Q* , ,x. , fecretis. I. 
 
 Of the fame kind with our Clocks and Watches ij.f.32. 
 (though perhaps more Elaborate, and Subtle) was ^ 
 
 that Sphere invented by Archimedes, which did re- ^^J^'°^; 
 prefent the Heavenly Motions : The Diurnal, and ^^^^/j,^^jf 
 Annual Courfes of the Sun, the Changes, and Af- f„/. ^«^^. 
 peds of the Moon, &c. This is frequently celebrated /. i. item 
 in the Writings of the Ancierus, particularly in that ^'J^^^- 
 known Epgram of Claudian : /.a. 
 
 Jufiter in parvo cum cerneret at her a 'vitro, 
 
 Rijit, & ad fuperos talia di^a dedit ; 
 Huccine mortalis prcgrejfa pctentia cura ? 
 
 Jam meus in fragili luditur orbe Libor. 
 Jura foli, rerum<^ue fidem, kgefejue Deorttm, • Th f 
 
 Eece Syracujius tranfiuUt arte fenex. ^^^^ ^^^^^ 
 
 jnclufus 'variis faffiulatur * ffiritus ajiris, f^^^ 
 
 Et 'vi'VHm certis motibus urget opus, which the 
 
 Tercurrit proprium mentitus Signifer annum 5 Motion 
 
 £t ftmukta novo Cynthia men]} reditn preffX 
 
98 'D^DALUS^or Lib. If. 
 
 Jaw^, fuumyvolvem auclax induflrla mundum 
 Gajtdjt &humanh fidera mente rcHt. 
 
 ^iidjaljo mjomem tonitru Salmonea mircr ? 
 t^muU nature parxta reperta manus, 
 
 Excellently^Tranflated by Tt Randolph. 
 
 7.xr, favv the Heavens fram'd in a little GUs, 
 And Laughing, to the Gods thefe Words did pafs • 
 Comes then the Power of mortal Cares fo far ? ' 
 In bnttle Orbs my Labours a^ed are. 
 
 The flT'f^r^^^. ^^!''^ '^'^ ^'^''^ «f Things, 
 The Laws of Gods, this 6>r.a//.„ brings "^ 
 
 Hither by Art : Spirits inclos'd attend ^ 
 
 Thrrv-'^''v ;^P^'?^'^ '"^ ^"h ^^' Motions bend 
 ? N x!;"^ u""'^ '' ^'"^^ Y^^^ '^'^ feigned Sun, 
 Each Month returns the counterfeited Moon 
 And viewing now her World, bold Induftry 
 Grows Proud, to know the Heavens his Subje^s be. 
 Believe, Saimneus hath falfe Thunders thrown, 
 lor a poor Hand is Nature's Rival grown. ' 
 
 i«fiit. 1.2. But, that this Engine fhould be made of Glafs {t 
 c.s. icarce credible. Laclantjus, mentioning the Relation 
 
 ^L&- ?/"'' ''u° ?^!l^ ^^ ^^^^^> ^hich is more 
 -> . , "*^^^y; ^^ ^^y ^e the Outfide, or Cafe was Glafs 
 
 c vrrw f^ullTlf ""^ ?' ^°"^'°"^ ^^^ ^" '^^ contrivance of 
 
 -^£i R, '1':'^,"'^ o^nUim. n^axlmum miraculum efi homo ? 
 coim J"^^"'^§ht have faid Mathematkus : And another to 
 
 J^roar.. ad J^^'^^ ^^^^^^^ /'^/^r./r P^;;,«, tells US, that JrchiZ^ 
 
 ^^. du writ a Bookie M^rop^ia, concerning the man- 
 
 ner of framing luch Engines ,- and after him, Pc^do^ 
 mu^s compofed another Difcourfe on the fame Sub- 
 
 Fnli nf^"^^ ?T f'^^' '^'^ Ignorance, or the 
 tnvy of Time hath deprived us of both thofe Works. 
 
 And 
 
Mechanical Motions, P9 
 
 And vet the Art it felf i^ not quite peiifhed, for we De'va*"^' 
 read of divers the like Contrivances in thefe latter ^/^^^'J- 
 Times. Jgrippa affirms, that he hnr.felf had feen ^^^"^^^^^ ' 
 fuch a Sphere ; and Raf^us tells us how he beheld two /. ,. 
 of them in Paris, the one brought thither amongft So.card^n 
 other Spoils from Sldfy, and the other out of Gcr- l^'jjj' 
 Tnavy. And it is commonly reported, that there is ^^^^^^^ -"^^ 
 yet fuch a Sphere at Stmshurg in Gamcny, * Rt- riji. com. 
 'valtus relates how Marinus Burgejius a Ncrwan made c. i 
 two of them in France for the King. And perhaps ^^^^^J^' 
 thefe latter (faith he) were more Exad than the for- / ^ \ \^[ 
 mer, becaufe the Heavenly Revolutions are now fesf. ,. 
 much better underftood than before. And befides it * DevitA 
 as queftionable, whether the ufe of Steel-fprings was ^rd:me. 
 Jinown in thofe ancient Times ; the Application of '^' 
 which unto thefe kind of Spheres, muft needs be 
 much more convenient than Weigh.s. 
 
 'Tis related alfo of the Conful Icethms, that a- Cajj^odor. 
 mpngft other Mathematical Contrivances, (for which chron.Pet\ 
 he was Famous) he made a Sphere to reprefent the ^^^^^^ 
 Sun's Motion ^ which wys fc much admired, and clw/o/^f, 
 talked of in thofe Times, that GundibaUus, King of phihf, " 
 Burgundy y did purpofely fend over Ambaffadors to 
 TheodoricHs the Emperor, with Intreaties that he 
 would be a means to procure one of thefe Spheres 
 from Boethius ^ the Emperor thinking hereby to make 
 his Kingdom more Famous and Terrible unto foreign 
 Nations, doth write an Epillle to Bcethius , perfwa- 
 ding him to fend this Inftrument. ^oties non funt crc' 
 dituri quod 'viderint ? ^fotks banc veritatem luforia 
 fomnia futiibunt '? Et quanta fuer:nt a ft^upore ccn'verjty 
 non audtbunt [e asfuales ntbis dicere, apud quos fciunt 
 fapientts talia cogitajje. Sc much Were all thefe kind "^ 
 of Inventions admired in thofe ruder and darker 
 Times : Whereas the Ir.f^ruments that are now in 
 \JiQ amongft us fthough not fo much Extolled) yet 
 do altogether equal (i' not exceed^ the other, both 
 in Ufefulnefs and Subtilty, The chiefeft of thefe 
 
 former 
 
1C6 D JE D A L U S', or, Lib. II. 
 
 PolyJ. vir. former Engines receiving their Motion from Weights, 
 ^cnf.rerum ^"^ "*^^ ^^°""' ^P""^^' Twhich as.lfaid before; are 
 /. z.c. y, of \^itr and more excellent Invention. 
 Car^jin The particular CIrcumftances, for which the Aa^ 
 
 Subtil. romiti of this kind are moft eminent, may be re- 
 duced to thefe four. 
 
 1. The laftingnefs of their Motion, without need- 
 ing of any new fupply • for which purpofe there 
 have been fome Watches contrived to continue with- 
 out winding up for a Week together, or longer. 
 
 2. The eafinefs and fimplicity of their Comppfi- 
 tion ; Art it felf being but the facilitating and con- 
 trading of ordinary Operations,- therefore the more 
 eafy and compendious fuch Inventions are, the more 
 artificial fhould they be efteemed. And the addition 
 ef any fuch unneceffary Parts, as may be fupplied 
 fome other way, is a fure fign of Unskilfulnefs and 
 Ignorance. Thofe antiquated Engines that did con- 
 fift of fuch a needlefs multitude of Wheels, and 
 Springs, and Screws, ('like the old Hymhefis of the 
 Heavens j may be compared to the Notions of a 
 confufed Knowledge, which are always full of Per- 
 plexity and Complications, and feldom in Order j 
 whereas the Inventions of Art are more regular, 
 limple, and perfpicuous, like the apprehenfions of a 
 diftind and thoroughly-informed Judgment. In this 
 refped the manner of framing the ordinary Juto- 
 wata, hath been much bettered in thefe later Times 
 above the former, and fliall hereafter perhaps be yet 
 more advantaged. Thefe kind of Experiments (like 
 all other human Arts) receiving Additions from eve- 
 ry Days Experiment. 
 
 To this purpofe there is an Invention confifting 
 only of one hollow Orb or Wheel, whereby the 
 Hours may be as truly diftinguifhed^ as by any or- 
 dinary Clock or Watch. This Wheel fliould be di- 
 vided into feveral Cavities, through each of which 
 fucceffively either Sand or Water muft be contrived 
 
 to 
 
Mechanical Motions, i o 1 
 
 to pafs ; the heavinefs of thefe Bodies (being always 
 in the afcending fide of the Wheely muft be coun- 
 terpoifed by a Plummet that may be faftned about 
 the Pulley on the' Axis : This Plummet will leifure- 
 ly defcend, according as the Sand by running out 
 of one Cavity into the next, doth make the ieveral 
 parts of the Wheel lighter or heavier, and fo confe- 
 quently there will be produced an equal and lafting 
 Motion, which may be eafily applied to the diftin- 
 clion of Hours. 
 
 3. The multitude and variety of thofe Services for 
 which they may be ufeful. Unto this kind may we 
 refer thofe Watches by which a Man may tell not 
 only the Hour of the Day^ but the Minute of the 
 Hour, the Day of the Month, the Age and Afpecfts 
 of the Moon, &c. Of this nature likewife was that 
 Latum mentioned by JVakbiusj which tho' it were ^^^9' 
 but two or three Inches big, yet would both wake a 
 Man, and of it felf light a Candle for him at any 
 
 fet Hour of the Night. And thofe Weights or 
 Springs which are of fo great Force as to turn a ^^^"^l fig- 
 Mill, (as fome have been contrived J may be eafily '^°* 
 applied to more various and difficult Labours. 
 
 4. The littlenefs of their Frame. Nunquam ars 
 magis (jtiam in minimis nota eft (faith Aquinas.) The 
 fmalnefs of the Engine doth much commend the Skill bi^aer^^ 
 of the Artificer ^ to this purpofe there have been thfn^I 
 Watches contrived in the form and quantity of a Walnutto 
 Jewel for the Ear, where the ftriking of the Minutes ^^^^ ^^ 
 may conftantly whifper unto us, hov/ our Lives do -fc^^*^ 
 Aide away by a fwift Succeflion. Cardan tells us of 
 
 a Smith who made a Watch in the Jewel of a Ring, DefuhiL 
 to be worn on the Finger, which did ihcvv the ^•^^•^'"'^ 
 Flours, (non folum fagitta, fed iciu) not only by the 
 Hand, but by the Finger too ( as I may fay ) by 
 pricking it every Hour. 
 
 O o G H A P, 
 
loi D ^ V A L U S', cr Lib.Ii; 
 
 CHAP. IV; 
 
 Of the Moveable and Gradient Automata, repre- 
 ^ fentirig the Motions of hiving Creatures^ vari- 
 ous Sounds^ of Birds ^ or Beafls^ and fome of 
 them Articulate. 
 
 T 
 
 Hus much of chofe /^utcm.ttay which were faid 
 to be fixed and Itationary. 
 The other kind to be enquired after, are thofe 
 that are moveable and tranfienC; which are defcribed 
 to be fcch Engines as move not only according to 
 their feveral Parts, but alfo according to their whole 
 Frames. Thefe are again diftinguifhable into Two 
 Sorts : 
 
 1. Gradient, 
 
 2. Volant. 
 
 i. The Gradient o^ Ambulatory y are fuch as require 
 
 Plato in fome Bafis or Bottom to uphold them in their Moti- 
 
 Mcmne. ons. Such were thofe ftrange Inventions (common- 
 
 Ariji Po' j^, attributed to Daedalus) of felf-moving Statues, 
 
 which (unlefs they were violently detained) would 
 
 of themfelves run away. ^ Ari/lotle affirms that D^e- 
 
 '*DeA-i:i' ^^rZ/^j did this by putting Quickfilvcr into them. But 
 
 7nal.i.c.i. j[^is would have been too grofs a way for fo excel-- 
 
 There' ' ^^"^ ^" Artificer ^ it is more likely that he did it 
 
 have been ^^ith Wheels and Weights. Of this kind likewife 
 
 alfb Cha- were Vulcan s Tripodes^ celebrated by Homer, that 
 
 riots dri- vvere made to move up and down the Houfe, and 
 
 vaaby r.ie ^.^qU^ with one another. He might as well have con- 
 iorce or a •? , , , , " - l r 
 
 Sprino- trived tnem mto Journey-men Statues , each ot 
 
 contriv'ed which v/ith a Hammer in his Hand Ihould have 
 
 within worked at the Forge. 
 
 them. g^f amongft thefe fighting Images , that in Car^ 
 
 RcrumL ' ^^■'^' ^^^Y dsfefve a mencion_, which holding in its 
 
 \z.e. 58. Hand 
 
Mechanical Motions. 
 
 103 
 
 H:ind a Golden Apple, beautified widi mgny codly 
 Jewels ; if any M;^n offered to take ir, the Statue 
 prefently (hot him to Death. The touching of this 
 Apple ferving to difcharge feveral fhort Bows, or o- 
 therthe like Inilruments that were fecretly couched 
 within the Body of the Image. By fuch a Treachery 
 was King Chmmttus murdered (as Boet'ms relates.) 
 
 It is fo common an Experiment in thefe Times to 
 reprefent the Perfons and Actions of any Story by 
 fuch felf-moving Images, that I fl;all not need to 
 explain the Manner how the Wheels andSpiings are 
 contrived within them. 
 
 Amongft thefe Gradient Automata, that Iron-Spi- 
 der mentioned in Walchlm, is more efpeciaily remar- Fah. g. 
 kable, which being but of an ordinary Bignefs, be- 7^^^l 
 fides the outward Similitude, (which was very exa^^j ^^^1^^^. j^ 
 had the fame kind of Motions with a living Spider , ventions 
 and did creep up and down as if it had beeo alive, ^o "^ove 
 It muft needs argue a wonderful Art and Accurate- *^" ^^^ 
 nefs, to contrive all the Inftruments requifire for 
 fuch a Motion in fo fmall a Frame. 
 
 There have been alfo other Motions contrived 
 from Magnetical Qualities, which will fliew the 
 more wonderful, becaufe there is no apparent Rea- 
 fon of their Motion, there being not the lead Con- 
 tiguity or Dependance upon any other Body that 
 may occafionit ; but it is all one as if they ifhould 
 move up and down in the open Air. Gee a Glafs 
 Sphere, fill it with fuch Liquors as may be clear of 
 the lame Colour, immixable, fuch as are Oyl of Tar- 
 tar, and Spirit of Wine ; In which, ic is eafie fo to 
 poife a little Globe or other Statue, that it fiiall 
 fvvim in the Center. Under this Glafs Sphere, there 
 fliould be a Load (tone concealed, by the Motion of 
 which, this Statue (having a Needle touched within 
 it ) will move up and down, and may be con- 
 trived to fliew the Hour or Sign. See feveral Inven- 
 tions of this Kind in Kircher de Arte Magm::c.iy L 2. 
 O o 2 There 
 
 Water. 
 N.Jvigi'u'n 
 fponte mo- 
 hihy ac fui 
 rermgii 
 ant or em, 
 faciit?mutf» 
 lo 7iegniOy 
 fairh Sea* 
 liger, Ex~ 
 ere. 325, 
 
104 T) J5 T> A L U S I or. Lib. 11. 
 
 There have beenfome artificial Images, which be- 
 fides their feveral Poftures in walking up and down, 
 have been made alfo to give feveral Sounds, whe- 
 ther of Birds, as Larks, Cuckoes, &c. or Beafts, as 
 Hares, Foxes. The Voices of which Creatures 
 fhall be rendred as clearly and diftin<5tly by thefe ar- 
 tificial Images, as they are by thofe natural living 
 Bodies, which they reprefent. 
 
 There have beenfome Inventions alfo which have 
 
 been able for the Utterance of articulate Sounds, as 
 
 Ccel. Rhod. ^^^ Speaking of certain Words. Such are fome of 
 
 ItB.jnt. the E^^/T/^w Idols related to be. Such was the Bra- 
 
 /. I.e. 17. zen Head made by Friar Bacon y and that Statue, in 
 
 ^«;c/»/ fj^g framing of which -^/^m«j M?^»«j bellowed 30 
 
 Years, broken by Aquinas, who came to fee it, pur- 
 
 pofely that he might boaft,how in one Minute he had 
 
 ruined the Labour of fo many Years. 
 
 Now the Ground and Reai'on how thefe Sounds 
 ♦were contrived, may be worth cur Enquiry. 
 
 Firlt then, for thofe of Birds or BeaitSjthey were 
 made from fuch Pipes or Calls, as may exprefs the 
 feveral Tones of thofe Creatures which are repre- 
 fented : Thefe Calls are fo commonly known and 
 ufed, that they need not any further Explicati- 
 cn. 
 
 But now, about articulate Sounds there is much 
 greater Difficulty. Wakhius thinks it poflible en- 
 Fab. 5' tirely to preferve the Voice , or any Words fpoken 
 in a hollow Trunk, or Pipe, and that this Pipe be- 
 ing rightly^^enedj the Words will come out of it 
 in the fame Order wherein they were fpoken. Some- 
 what like that cold Countrey, where the Peoples 
 tiifcourfe doth freeze in the Air all Winter, and may- 
 be heard the next Summer, or at a great Thaw. 
 But this Conjedure will need no Refutation. 
 
 The more fubftantial Way for fucn a Difcovery, 
 is by marking how Nature her felf doth employ the 
 feveral Inlhuments of Speech , the Tongue , Lips , 
 
 Throat_, 
 
Mechanical Motionf. 
 
 lOj 
 
 Throat, Teeth, &c. To this purpofe the Hehrews 
 havcafligned each Letter unto its proper Inftrument. ^ ^ 
 And befides, we fhould obferve what inarticulate h^fiUxpIr' 
 Sounds do refemble any of the particular Letters. 139. 200. 
 Thus we may note the trembling of Water to be like 
 the Letter L, the quenching of hot things to the 
 Letter ^, the found of Strings, unto the Letters . 
 
 Ngj the jirking of a Switch the Letter ^, &:c. By :i 
 
 an exad O^fervation of thefe Particulars , it is I 
 
 ('perhaps) poflible to make a Statue Ipeak fome i 
 
 V/ords. f 
 
 C H A P. V. 
 
 Concerning the Tojfihility of Framing an Ark for 
 fuhmarine Navigations. The Difficulties and 
 Conveniences of fuch a Contrivance. 
 
 IT will not be altogether impertinent unto the 
 Difcourfe of thefe gradient Automata^ to mention '^''^^' ^^ 
 what Merfennus doth fo largely and pleafantly def- plf^rl'Ja- 
 cant upon,concerning the making of a Ship, wherein tihus. 
 Men may fafely fwim under the Water. 
 
 That fuch a Contrivance is feafible and may be 
 efFededj is beyond allQueftion, becaufe ithath been 
 already experimented here in England by Cornelius 
 Drehle i but how to improve it unto Publick Ufe and 
 Advantage, fo as to be ferviceable for remote Voya- 
 ges, the carrying of any confiderable Number of 
 Men, with Provifions and Commodities, would be 
 of fuch excellent Ufe, as may deferve fome further 
 Enquiry. 
 
 Concerning which there are two things chiefly 
 confiderable : 
 
 ^- - O o 3 I The 
 
to6 J) jE V J L U S ', or Lib. II. 
 
 q-Lgjmany Difficulties with their Remedies, 
 /great Conveniences. 
 
 T. The Difficulties are generally reducible to thefe 
 Three Heads. 
 
 I. The letting out, or. receiving in any thing, as 
 there ffiall be occafion without the Admiilion of Wa- 
 ter. If it have not fuch a Convenience, thefe kind 
 of Voyages niuft needs be very dangerous and un- 
 comlbrt;ibIe, both by Reafon of many noifome, of- 
 fcnfive Things, which fhould be thruit out, and ma- 
 ny other needful Things v./hich fhould be receiv'd 
 in. Now herein will confift the Difficulty, how to 
 contrive tlie opening of this VefTel.fo, that any 
 thing may be put in or out, and yet the Water not 
 rufli into it with much Violence, as it doth ufually in 
 the Leak of a Ship. 
 
 In Vv/hich Cafe, this may be a proper Remedy ; 
 let there be certain Leather Bags made of feveral Big- 
 neiles, which for the Matter of them fhould be both 
 tr.iBable for the Ufe and Managing of them, and 
 ftrong to keep our theWater ^ for the Figure of them, 
 being Icagand cpen at both Ends. Anfwerable to 
 thefe , lei there be divers Windows, or open Places 
 in the Frame of the Ship, round the Sides of which 
 one End of thefe Bags may be fixed, the other End 
 coming within the Ship, being to open and ffiut as a 
 Purfe. Now if we fuppofe this Bag thus faftned, to 
 be tied clofe about towards the Window , then any 
 thing that is to be fent out, may be fafely put into 
 that ^nd within the Ship, which being again clofe 
 . iliut , and the other End ioofened , the thing may 
 be fafely fent out without the Admiffion of any Wa- 
 ter. 
 
 So again, when any thing is to be taken in, it 
 Jr.uit be firfl receiv'd into that Part of the Bag to- 
 wards the Windov/, which bcin^ ('after the thing is 
 
 with- 
 
Mechanical Motiom. i o? 
 
 Within It) clofe tied about, the other end may then 
 befafely opened. It is q^Ciq to conceive , how by 
 this means any Thing or Perfon may be fent out, or 
 receiv'd in, as there fliall be occafion ,• how the Wa- 
 ter, which will perhaps by Degrees leak into feveral 
 Part?, may be emptied out again , with divers the 
 like Advantages. Tho' if there fliould be any Leak 
 at the Bottom of this VeiTel, yet very little Water 
 would get in, becaufe no Air could get out.' 
 
 2. The fecond Difficulty in fuch an Ark will be 
 the Motion or fixing of it acco'-ding to occa/ion : 
 The direding of it to feveril Places, as the Voyage 
 Ihall be defigned, without which, it would be very 
 ufelefs, if it were to remain only in one Place, or 
 were to remove only blindfold, without any certain 
 Diredion .• And the Contrivance of this rn^y feem 
 very difficult, becaufe thefe fubmarine Navigators will 
 want the ufual Advantages of Winds and Tides for 
 Motion, and the Sight of the Heavens for Diredi- 
 on. 
 
 But thefe Difficulties may be thus remedied ; As 
 for the VrogreJJive Motion of it, this may be effecfted 
 by the Help of feveral Oars, which in the outward 
 Ends of them, ihall be like the Fins of aFifii to con- 
 trad and dilate. The PalTage where they are ad- 
 mitted into the Ship being tied about with fuch Lea- 
 ther Bags ( as were mentioned before ) to keep out 
 the Water. It will not be convenient perhaps that 
 the Motion in thefe Voyages fliould be very fwift , 
 becaufe of thofe Obfervations and Difcoveries to be 
 made at the Bottom of the Sea , which in a little 
 fpace may abundantly recompenfe the Slownefs of 
 its Progrefs. 
 
 If this Ark be fo ballaft as to be of equal Weight 
 with the like Magnitude of Water, it will then be 
 eafily moveable in any Part of it. 
 
 As for the Afcent of it, this may be eafily con- 
 trived, if there be fome great Weight at the Bottom 
 
 Oo 4 of 
 
108 T> jE D A L U S ; or, Lib. U. 
 
 of the Ship ( being part of its Ballaft ) which by 
 fome Cord within may be loofened from it : As this 
 Weight is let lower, fo will the Ship afcend from it 
 (if need he) to the very Surface of the Water j and 
 again^^as it is pulled clofe to the Ship,fo will it defctnd. 
 
 For Dnetlion of this Ark, the Mariners Needle 
 may be ufeful in refpe6t of the Latitude of Places ^ 
 and the Courfe of this Ship being more regular than 
 others, by reafon it is not fubjeA to Tempefts or 
 unequal Winds, may more certainly guide them in 
 judging of the Longitude oi Places. 
 
 5. But the greateft Difficulty of all will be this , 
 bow the Air may be fupplied for Refpiration : 
 How conliant Fires may be kept in it for Light and the 
 Drefling of Food, how thofe Viciflitudes of Rare- 
 faction and Condenfation may be maintained. 
 
 It is obferved, that a Barrel or Cap^ whcfe Cavi- 
 ty will contain Eight Cubical Feet of Air, will not 
 ferve a Urinator or Diver for Refpiration , above 
 one quarter of an Hour ; the Breath winch is often 
 fucked in and out, being To corrupted by tiie mixture 
 of Vapours, that Nr^ture rejects it as unferviceable. 
 Now in an Hour a Man will need at leafl ;oo 
 and Sixty Refpiratiohs, betwixt (every one of which 
 there (hall be 10 fecond Minutes, and confequently 
 a great Change and Supply of Air will be neceffa- 
 ry for many Perfons, and any long Space. 
 
 And fo likewife for the keeping of Fire ; a clofe 
 Veffel containing 10 Cubical Feet of Air, will not 
 fufrer a \^'ax Candle of an Ounce to burn in it a- 
 bove an Hour before it be fuffocated ; tho' this Pro- 
 portion (faith A'hrfenmis) doth not equally increafe 
 for feveral Lights^ becaufe Four Flames of an equal 
 Magnitude will he kept alive the Space of 16 fecond 
 M^ utes^ the' one of thefe Flames alone in the fame 
 Veflel will not lall above 35", or at raoft 30 feconds^ 
 wliich may be ealily tried in large glafs Bottles, ha- 
 ving Wax Candles lighted in th^m^ and with their 
 Mouths inverted in Water, for 
 
Mechanical Motions. 109 
 
 For the Refolution of this Difficulty , though 
 I will not fay, that a Man may, by Cuftom (which 
 in other things doth produce fuch ftrange incredible 
 EfFcds) be enabled to live in the open Water, as the 
 Fifhes do, the Infpiration and Expiration of Water 
 ferving inftead of Air, this being ufual with many 
 Fifhes that have Lungs • yet it is certain, that long 
 Ufe and Cuftom m^iy ftrengthen Men againft many 
 fuch Inconveniencies of this kind, which to unex- 
 perienced Perfons may prove very hazardous : And 
 fo it will not perhaps be unto thefe fo neceffary, to 
 have the Air for breathing fo pure and defecated, as 
 is required for otiiers. 
 
 But further, there are in this Cafe thefe Three 
 Things conllderable. 
 
 1. That the Veifel it felf fhould be of a large Ca- 
 pacity, that as the Air in it is corrupted in one part, 
 fo it may be purified and renewed in the other: Or if 
 the meer Refrigeration of the Air would fie it for 
 Breathing, this might be fomewhat helped with 
 Bellows, which would cool it by Motion. 
 
 2. It is not altogether improbable, that the Lamps 
 or Fires in the Middle of it, like the ref^e<5led Beams 
 in the firft Region, rarefying the Air, and the cir- 
 cumambient Coldnefs towards the fides of the Vef- 
 fei, like the fecond Region, cooling andcondenfing 
 of it, would make fuch a Viciflitude and Change of 
 Air, as might fit it for all its proper Ufes. 
 
 3. Or if neither of thefe Conjectures will help, Harvjon. 
 yet AUrfennus tells us in another Place, that there is ^-^tprof.e. 
 in France one Barrieus a Diver, who hath lately ^^'""^' ^' 
 found out another Art, whereby a Man might eafily 
 continue under Water for fix Hours together,- and 
 whereas Tea Cubical Feet of Air will not ferve a- 
 nother Diver to breathe in for half an Hour, he by 
 
 the Help of a Cavity, not above one or two Foot 
 at moft, will have Breath enough for fix Hours, and 
 a Lanthorn fcarce above the ufual Size to keep a 
 
 Can- 
 
no D j£ D A L U S5 Vr Lib.IL 
 
 Candle burning as long as a Man pleafe, which (if 
 it be true, and were commonly known) might be a 
 fufficient Help againft this greateft Difficulty. 
 
 As for the many Advantages and Conveniences of 
 fuch a Contrivance, it is not eafie to recite 
 them. 
 
 I. 'Tis Prit/ate ; a Man may thus go to any Coaft 
 of the World invifibly, without being difcovered or 
 prevented in his Journey. 
 
 z. 'Tis Safe ; from the Uncertainty of Tides, and 
 the Violence of Tempefis^ which do never move the 
 Sea above Five or Six Paces deep. From Firates and 
 Robbers which do fo infeft other Voyages : From 
 Ice and great Froits, which do fo much endanger 
 the PafTages towards the Poles. 
 
 5. It may be of very great Advantage againft a 
 Navy of Enemies, who by this means may be un- 
 dermined in the Water, and blown up. 
 
 4. It may be of fpecial ufe for the Relief of any 
 Place that is Belieged by Waier, to convey unto 
 them Invifible Supplies j and fo likewife for the Sur- 
 prizal of any Place that is acceflible by Water. 
 
 5". It maybe of unfpeakable Benefit for Submarine 
 Experiments and Difcoveries ^ as. 
 
 The feveral Proportions of Swiftnefs betwixt the 
 afcent of a Bladder, Cork, or any other light Sub- 
 ftance, in comparifon to the defcent of Stones or 
 Lead. The deep Caverns, and Subterraneous Paf- 
 fages, where the Sea-water, in the Courfe of its 
 Circulation, doth vent it felf into other Places, and 
 the like. The Nature and Kinds of Fifties, the fe- 
 veral Arts of Catching them, by alluring them with 
 Lights, by placing divers Nets about the Sides of 
 this VelTel, ftiooting the greater fort of them with 
 Guns, which may be put out of the Ship by the 
 help of fuch Bags as were mentioned before, with 
 divers the like Artifices and Treacheries, which may 
 bs more fuccefsfuHy pradifed by fuch who live \o 
 
 famili- 
 
Mechanical Motions. Ill 
 
 familiarly together. Thefe Fifh may ferve not on- 
 ly for Food, but for Fewel likewifej in refped of 
 that Oil which may be excradted from them ; the 
 way of Drefling Meat by Lamps, being in many 
 Kefpeds the mcTl convenient for fuch a Voyage. 
 
 1 he many frefh Springs that may probably be 
 met with in the bottom of the Sea, will ferve for 
 the Supply of Drink, and other Occafions. 
 
 But above all, the Difcovery of fubmarine Trea- 
 fures is more efpecially confiderable j not only in 
 regard of what hath been drowned by Wrecks, but 
 the feveial precious Things that grow there ,- as 
 Pcaii, Coral, Mines; with innumerable other 
 Things of great Value , v/hich may be much more 
 eafily found out, and fetch'd up by die help of this_, 
 than by any other ufual way of the Urinators. 
 
 To which purpofe , this great VelTel may have 
 fome lelTer Cabins tyed about it, at various Dilian- 
 ces j wherein feveral Perfons , as Scouts , may be 
 lodged for the taking of Obfervations, according 
 as the Admiral fhall dired them : Some of them be-. 
 ing frequently fent up to the Surface of the Water, 
 as there fhall be Occafion. 
 
 All kind of Arts and Manufadures may be exer- 
 cifed in this VelTel. The Obfervations made by it, 
 may be both Written, and ( if need were) Printed 
 here like wife. Several Colonies may thus inhabit, 
 having their Children born, and bred up without 
 the knowledge of Land, who could not chufe but 
 be amazed with ftrange Conceits upon the Difcove- 
 ry of this Upper World. 
 
 I am not able to judge what other Advantages 
 there may be fuggefted, or whether Experiment 
 would fully anfwer to thefe Notional Conjedures, 
 But however, becaufe the Invention did unio me 
 feem ingenious and new, being not impertinent to 
 the preftnt Enquiry, therefore I thought it might 
 be worth the mentioning. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
112 D ^ D A L U S^ or, Lib. R* 
 
 CHAP. VL 
 
 Of ^he volant Automata^ Archytas his Dove, and 
 Rcgiomontanus his Eagle, the Tojfihility, and 
 great Ufefulnefs of fuch Inventions. 
 
 TH E volant, or flying Automata, are fuch Me- 
 chanical Contrivances as have a Self-motion, 
 whereby they are carried aloft in the open Air like 
 f the flight of Birds. Such was that Wooden Dove 
 
 sieg.Laer. ^ade by Archytas, a Citizen of Tarentum, and one 
 ^Pa crini- °^ 'Pl^-tos Acquaintance : And that Wooden Eagle 
 tus'deho' framed by Regiomontanus at Noremberg, which, by 
 neft. difcip. way of Triumph, did fly out of the City to meet 
 l.n.cAi. Claries the Fifth. This latter Author is alfo report- 
 sT'l^^Ma- ^^ ^^ h^YQ made an Iron Fly, ^la ex artifais manu. 
 them. I. 2. egrejjay convi'vas circumvolita'vit , tandemcjue 'ueluti dc'- 
 Dubartas j'eJJ'a in Domini manus rev erf a eft ,* which, when he in- 
 6 days i yited any of his Friends, would fly to each of them 
 Fr^fice to ^ound the Table, and at length (as being weary) re- 
 Euciid. turn unto its Mafl:er. 
 
 Cardan feems to doubt the poffibility of any fuch 
 ^^ ^mlih Contrivance : His Reafon is, becaufe the Inftru-t 
 12. .-. 58. ments of it muft be firm and fl:rongj and confequent- 
 ly they will be too heavy to be carried by their own 
 force ; but yet ( faith he ) if it be a little helped in 
 the firll rifmg, and if there be any Wind to aflift it 
 in the Flight, then there is nothing to hinder, but 
 that fuch Motions may be poflible. So that he doth 
 in eiFe6t grant as much as may be fufficient for the 
 Truth and Credit of thofe ancient Relations j and 
 to diftruft them without a ftronger Argument, muft 
 needs argue a blind and perverfe Incredibility. As 
 for his Objedion concerning the heavinefs of the 
 Materials in fuch an Invention, it may be anfwered. 
 
 That 
 
Mechanical Motions, 1 1 5 
 
 That it is eafie to contrive fuch Springs, and other 
 InftrumentSj whofe Strength fhall much exceed 
 their Heavinefs. Nor can he Ihew any caufe w hy 
 thefe Mechanical Motions may not be as ftrong, 
 (though not fo laftingj as the natural Strength of Li- 
 ving Creatures. 
 
 Scaliger conceives the framing of fuch volant Au- StthtiL 
 tomata to be very eafie. Volantis columba machimdam^ Exerat. 
 cujus autorem Archytam tradunt, 'vel fac'ill'ime prDfiteri "* 
 audeo. Thofe ancient Motions were thought to be 
 contrived by the force of fome included Air : So ^.^^i ^'' 
 Gellius, Ita erat fcilicet libramentis fuffenfum^ d^ aura ^^^ \^ 
 ffiritus inclufa, atque occulta confitum^ O'c. As if there where he 
 had been fome Lamp, or other Fire within it, which thinks it 
 might produce fuch a forcible Rarefadiicn, as fliould ^° grange 
 give a Motion to the whole Frame. ^^^^ ^^^ih^x. 
 
 But this may be better performed by the ftrength he ftilesit 
 of fome fuch Spring, as is commonly ufed in Res abhor- 
 Watches. This Spring may be applied unto one ^'(^^y-fide. 
 Wheel, which fhail give an eq'ial Motion to both ^J^Xr dc 
 the Wings ,• thefe Wings havin^^ unto each of them Magmte 
 another fmaller Spring, by v. I.ich they may be con- /. 2. par.a^. 
 trac5lcd and lifted up,: So that being forcibly depref- ^^°V"' 
 fed by the ftrength of the great and flronger Spring, ^^^ P^'^" 
 and lifted up again by the other two ,• according to large Dili 
 this Suppofition, it is eafie to conceive how the Mo- courfe 
 tion of Flight may be performed and continued. concem- 
 The Wings may be made either of Jcveral Sub- ^^^J^^l 
 fiances joined, like the Feathers in ordinary Fowl, as inventi- 
 Dadalus is feigned to contrive thecij according to ons in 
 that in the Poet, another 
 
 — Jgnotas animum dimittlt In artes, vvp^l*!^' 
 
 Naturawque vo-vat, nam ponit in crdlne peanas {iilcs Of- 
 
 A minimo cceptas longam breviorefeqtiente, dipm M- 
 
 lit cli'vo cre'vijj'e putes, (j^c. gy^tiacur. 
 
 Or elfe of one continuate Subfiance, like thofe of Bats. Ovid. Mc 
 In framing of both which, the beft Guidance is to f^f- i- ?• 
 follow (as near as may be) the Dire^^ion of Na- 
 
 ture, 
 
1J4 i) ^ D A L U S ^ or, Lib.IL 
 
 ture, this being but an Imitation of a Natural Work. 
 Now in both thefe, the ftrength of each part is pro- 
 portioned to the force of its Employment. But no- 
 thing in this kind can bC perfectly determined v^ich- 
 out a particular Trial. 
 
 Though the compofing of fuch IVlotions may be a 
 fufficienr Reward to any one's Indudry in the fcarch- 
 ingafcer them, az being in themfelves of excellent 
 Curiofuy, yet there are fome other Inventions de- 
 pend upon them of more general Benefit, and great- 
 er Importance. For, if there be any fuch arti.6cial 
 Contrivances that can fly in the Air, (as is evident 
 from the former Relations, together with the 
 Grounds here fpecified, and, I doubt not, may be 
 eafily effected by a diligent and ingenious Artificer) 
 'then it will deafly follow, that it is poffible alfo for 
 a Man to fly himfelf ,• it being eafie from the fame 
 Grounds, to frame an Inftrument wherein any one 
 may fit, and give fuch a Motion unto it, as (hall 
 convey him alofc through the Air. Than v/hich 
 there is not any imaginable Invention, that could 
 prove of greater Benetic to the World, or Glory to 
 the Author ,• and therefore it may juflly deferve 
 their Enqairy,who have both Laifure and Means for 
 fuch Experiments. 
 
 But in thefe practical Studies, unlefs a Man be 
 able to go the Tryal of Things, he will perform 
 but little. In fuch Matters, 
 truce, —-Stndium fine di'vite venh^ 
 
 ( as the Poet faith ) a general Speculation, without 
 particular Experiment, may conje(5ture at many 
 things, but can certainly effe<5l nothing ; and there* 
 fore'^i fhall only propofe unto the World, the Theo* 
 ry and general Grounds that may conduce to the 
 eafie and more perfect Difcovery of the SubjeiSt in 
 Queftion, for the Encouragement of thofe that have 
 both Minds and Means for fuch Experiments. Thi« 
 fame Scholar*s Fate, 
 
Mechanical Motions. 1 1 5 
 
 Res angtifta domi^ and 
 — Curt a fuppelleXy 
 is that which hinders the promoting of Learning in 
 fundry Particulars, and robs the World of many ex- 
 cellent Inventions. We read of Arifiotle, that he was 
 allowed by his Pupil Alexander 800 Talents a Year, 
 for the Payment of Fifhers, Fowlers^, and Hunters, 
 who were to bring him in feveral Creatures, that fo 
 by his particular Experience of their Parts and Dif- 
 pofitions, he might be more fitly prepared to write 
 of their Natures. The Reafon why the World hath 
 not many Arijiotles, is becaufe it hath fo few Alex- 
 anders. 
 
 Amongft other Impediments of any Grange In- 
 vention, or Attempts, it is none of the meaneftDif- 
 couragements, that they are fo generally derided by 
 common Opinion ,• being efteemed only as the 
 Dreams of a melancholy and diftempered Fancy. 
 Eufebius fpeaking, with what necefiity every thing CojityaHi. 
 is confined by the Laws of Nature, and the Decrees ^''"^^-^"''^ 
 of Providence, fo that nothing can go out of that 
 way unto which naturally it is defigned ,• as a Fifh 
 cannot refide on the Land, nor a Man in the Wa- 
 ter, or aloft in the Air ; infers, that therefore none 
 will venture upon any fuch vain Attempt, as pafTing 
 in the Air, » (^i\Af;^.Kiai < oniMn^ ay ^i^biTrijv/, unlefs his 
 Brain be a little crazed with the Flumour of Melan- 
 choly ,• whereupon he advifes, that we (hould not 
 in any Particular, endeavour to tranfgrefs the Bounds 
 
 or In atUre, b/^'' a.7r7^(i;y i^'-'T^ TO crof^a, tt: r Tjjmuv 
 
 ^nJ\vm, and fince v-'e are deftitute of Wings, not 
 to imitate the Flight of Birds. That Saying of 
 the Poet, 
 
 Demens, e^ul nlwhos, & non imitab/lefulmen, &c. yirgii Au 
 
 hath been an old Cenfurc, applyed unto fuch as vcn- ncU.l. 6. 
 tured upon any ftrange or incredible Attenipt. 
 
 Hence may we conceive the Reafon, v.'hy;th^re 
 is fo little Intim'=Jtion in the Writings of Antiquity, 
 
 con- 
 
ii6 D JE D A L U S^y or, Lib. II. 
 
 concerning the poflibility of any fuch Invention. 
 The Ancients durtt not fo much as mention the Art 
 of Flying, but in a Fable. 
 
 D^dalusj tit f I, ma efl, fugiens Minola regn.ij 
 Vrapetibus pevnis aufus fe credere cxlo, 
 Ivfuetum per iter gelidas ertiTvit ad iirBoSy ^c. 
 It was the Cuftom of thofe former Ages, in their 
 over-much Gratitude, to advance the firit Authors 
 of any ufeful Difcovery amongft the Number of 
 their Gods. And Dadalus, being fo famous amongft 
 them for fundry Mechanical Inventions (efpecially 
 the Sails of Ships) though they did not for thefe 
 place him in the Heavens, yet they have promoted 
 him as near as they could, feigning him to fly alofc 
 in the Air, when as he did but fly in a fwift Ship, 
 c. ^ (-,. as Dhdtrus relates the Hiftorical Truth on which 
 
 So Eujebl- , T-'n- • ^ 1 
 
 us too th^c Fiaion is grounded. 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 Concerning the Art of Flying. The feveral ways 
 wherchy this hath heen^ or may he attempted, 
 
 "World in T ^^^^ formerly in two other * Difcourfes men- 
 tiieMoon, A tioned the poHibility of this Art of Flying, and 
 ca^. 14. intimated a farther Enquiry into it. which is a kind 
 ,v trcitrh of Engagement to fome fuller Difquifitions and Con- 
 c-^et ?!nd^' jeAurcD CO that purpofe. 
 
 Swifr There are four feveral ways whereby this Flying 
 
 MciTcn- in the Air hath been, or may be attempted. Two 
 fcr, r. 4. of them by the itrength of other things, and two of 
 them by our own brrength. 
 
 1. By Spirits, or Angels. 
 
 2. By the help of Fowls. 
 
 3. By Wings faftned immediately to the Body< 
 
 4. By a Fl}ing Chariot. 
 
 I. For 
 
Mechanical Mot io7n. Si;? 
 
 1. For the firft, we read of divers that have paf- Zanch. de 
 fed fwiftly in the Air, by the help of Spirits and 'f']- ^"'^ 
 Angels,- whether good Angels, as * E/z/yj- was car- * ^ j^tngs 
 ried unto Heaven in a Fiery-Chariot, ^s i Philip 2. n. 
 was conveyed to Az.oius, and H.ibakkuk from Jewry tAftsS, 
 to B.^hylon, and back again immediately : Or by evil 59- 
 Angels, as our Saviour was carried by the Devil to poc. 39' 
 the top of a high Mountain, and to the Pinacle of 
 
 the Temple. I hus Witches are commonly related " ^ '*■• 
 to pafs unto their ufual Meetings, in fome remote Erajlus de 
 Place • and, as they do fell Winds unto Mariners, Lamur. 
 fo iikevvife are they fometimes hired to carry Men 
 fpeedily through the open Air. ylcofia affirms , that Hiji.ind, 
 fuch kind of Pallliges are ufual amongfl: divers Sor- '•^' ^' 
 ccrers with the InJia?js at this day. 
 
 So Kepler, in his Aftronomical Dream, doth fan- 
 cy a Witch to be conveyed unto the Moon by her 
 Familiar. 
 
 Simon Magus was fo eminent for Miraculous Sor- 
 ceries, that all che People in Samaria, from theleaft 
 to the greatert, did efteem him as the great Paver of A£Vs8.io 
 God. And fo famous was he at Rome, that the Em- ^H^f^P-l-Z- 
 peror ereded a Statue to him with this Infcription, '^' ^' 
 Simoni Deo Sanclo. 'Tis Itoried of this Magician, that p^j y- ■» 
 having challenged St. Peter to do Miracles with him, de inveL' 
 he attempted to fly from the Capitol to the jii;entine Rerum.l.8. 
 Hill j but when he was in the inidft of the way, ''• 3- 
 St. Peter's Prayers did overcome his Sorceries, and f^^'/?/"" 
 violently bring him to the Ground ^ m which Fall „efia oif" 
 having broke his Thigh, within a while after he dpUn.i.s, 
 Died.' J- I- mi- 
 
 But hone of all thefe Relations may conduce to Jh^sRek- 
 the Difeovery of this Experiment, as it is here en- tion as fa'- 
 quired after, upon Natural 2Lnd Artificial Grounds. buJous. 
 
 2. There are others, who have conjedured a pof^ ^loncnim 
 fibility of being conveyed through the Air by the ^'^'^.f " 
 help of Fowls y to which purpole^ that Fidion of ^'^^^'^' 
 the Gamiii is tH^i xnoft pleafant and probable. They 
 
Ii8 J) j€ D J L U S', or Lib. I!. 
 
 are fuppofed ro be great Fowl, of a ftrong lafting 
 Flight, and eafily tameable : Divers of which may 
 be fo brought up, as to join together in the carry- 
 ing the weight of a Man, fo as each of them fliall 
 partake his proportionable fliare of the Burden^ 
 and the Perfon that is carried may by certain Reins, 
 6ht6t and fteer them in their Courfes. However 
 thi5 may feem a ftrange Propofal, yet it is not cer- 
 tinnly more improbable than many other Arts, 
 wherein the Indufiry of Ingenious Men hath inftru6l- 
 ed thcfe Brute Creatures. And t am very confi- 
 dent^ that one whofe Genius doth enable him for 
 fuch kind of Experiments upon Leifure^ and the ad- 
 vantage of fuch Helps as are requifite for various 
 and frequent Trials, might effedfome ftrange things 
 by this kind of Enquiry. 
 
 'Tis reported as a Cuftom amongft the Letfcatiant, 
 that they were wont upon a Superftition, to preci- 
 pitate a Man from Tome high Cliff into the Sea, 
 tying about him with Strings at fome diftance, ma- 
 ny great Fowls, and hxing upon his Body divers 
 Feathers, fpread to break the Fall ; which ( faith 
 the Learned B^cofj, if it were diligently and exadly 
 contrived) would be able to hold up, and carry any- 
 proportionable Weight ; and therefore he advifes o- 
 thers to think further upon this Experiment, as giv- 
 ing fome Light to the Invention of the Arc of 
 Flying. 
 
 ^. "Tis the more obvious and common Opinion, 
 that this may be effeded by Wings faftned immedi- 
 ately to the I3ody, this coming neareft to the Imita- 
 tion of Nature, which (hould be obferved in fuch 
 Attempts as thefe. This is that way which Frederkus 
 Hermannus, in his little Difcouife de Arte volandf, 
 doth only mention and infift upon j and if we may 
 truft credible Story, ic hath been frequently attempt- 
 ed not without fome Succefs. *Tis related of a cer-* 
 tain Erfilifi Monk, cailf d Elmmts, about the Con- 
 
 feifor's 
 
Mechanical Motions. 1 1 g 
 
 ^iTor's time, that he did by fuch Wings fiy from a Er.rjfur 1 
 Tower above a Furlong ,- and To another from Saint ^'^^^u, 
 MarksSteoplQinFemce; another at iVm;;W -and '"^""opl'* 
 Buskcfuiusfyc^ks of a Tu^k in Confir.ntimple, who at- ^Jf"' 
 tempted fomething this way. M. 5.i« 'n^ention. ."^S:* 
 i"S ,^hjs Quotation, doth believe that fome new- ^n Lat. 
 fangled Wit (tis his Cynical Phrafe; will feme time ^Z^"'''* 
 or other find out this Art. Though the truth is, ^"^"'• 
 rnoft of thefe Arti(h did unfortunately mifcarrv bv ^'!'"' 
 falling down, and breaking their Arms or Le^s, yet '^If/T 
 that may be imputed to their want of Experience, M^ 3. 
 and too much Fear, which muft needs polfefs Mert 
 in lucn dangerous and ftrange Attempts. Thofe 
 things that feem very difficult and fearful at the firft 
 may grov/ very facil after frequent Trial and Exer- 
 cife : And therefore he that would effed any thing 
 
 ^?w\?^' '' ^'?'" his Youth . trying firft only to 
 ufe his Wmgs, in running on the Ground, as an 
 Eftrich or tame G^t{^ will do, touching the Earth 
 
 ""^^ '-M^'J^'V; '"^-^^ ^y ^'^'''' l^^^n ?o rife h gh, 
 er, till he fhall attain unto Skill .ad Confidence ^ I 
 
 have heard It from credible Tefiimony, th.t one of 
 
 our own Nation hath proceeded fo far in tf,i. ^-> J 
 
 riment, thathe was able by the help of WincTs fn 
 
 Iti timr""'"^ ^'''^ '"^ ^'p '^"^^'^"^^y ^^^-^^ '^^^^^^ 
 
 ? A' "Of more incredible, that frequent Praaice 
 and Cuftom fhould enable a Man for\his than for 
 many other things which we fee confirmed by Ex' 
 
 crcommoT T ^ m"^' ^^^'^ ^"^ Adivenefs do 
 ^rrL r.T ^""^^'^^^ ^"d t>^"cers on the Rope 
 
 certain Indians that they are able, when a Horfe is ^'^ -^-'• 
 
 Ba"cr?J"turn h" ^1""' ^" ^^"^ upright on hi '" ':. . 
 i3ack, to turn themfelves round, to leap down ga- 
 thenng up any thing from the Ground .nd imme- 
 diately to leap up again, to fhooc exadly acTny 
 
 P P ^ Matki 
 
no T) jE D A L U S I or, Lib. II, 
 
 Mark, the Horfe not intermitting his CouiTe : And 
 fo upon two Horfes together, the Man fetting one 
 of his Feet upon each of them. Thefe things may 
 feem impoflible to others, and it would be very dan- 
 gerous for any one to attempt them, who hath not 
 firft gradually attained to thefe Arts by long Practice 
 and Trial ,• and why may not fuch Pradiice enable 
 him as well for this other Experiment, as for thefe 
 Things ? 
 
 There are others, who have invented ways to 
 walk upon the Water as regularly and firmly as up- 
 on the Land. There are fome fo accuflomed to this 
 Element, that it hath been almoll as natural to 
 them as to the Fifh ,• Men that could remain for a- 
 bove an Hour together under Water. Tontanus men- 
 tions one, who could fwim above a hundred Miles 
 together, from one Shoar to another, with great 
 fpeed, and at all times of the Year. And it is fto- 
 ried of a certain young Man, a Sicilian by Birth, 
 and a Di'ver by Profeflion, who had fo continually 
 ufed himfelf to the Water, that he could not enjoy 
 his Health out of it. If at any time he llaid with 
 his Fiiends on the Land, he fhould be fo tormented 
 with a Pain in his Stomach, that he was forced for 
 his Health to return back again to Sea ^ wherein he 
 kept his ufual Refidence, and when he faw any 
 Ships, his Cuilom was to fwim to them for Relief j 
 which kind of Life he continued till he was an old 
 Man, and died. 
 
 I mention thefe things, to fhew the great Power 
 of Pradice and Cuftom, which might more proba- 
 bly fucceed in this Experiment of Flying (if it 
 were but regularly attempted ) than in fuch Itrange 
 EfFe(51:s as thefe. 
 
 It is a ufual Pradice in thefe Times, for our Fw. 
 Tjambulonesj or Dancers on the Rope, to attepipt 
 fomewhat like to Flying, when they will with their 
 Heads forwards. Aide down a long Cord extended ; 
 
 b§injg 
 
Mechanical Motions. Ill 
 
 feeing faftned at one end to the top of fome high 
 Tower, and the other at fome diftance on the 
 Ground, with Wings fixed to their Shoulders, by 
 the fhaking of which they will break the force of 
 their Defcent. It would feem that fome attempts of 
 this kind were ufual amongft the Romans. To which 
 that Expreflion in * Salvian may refer ; where, a- * Deguher. 
 mongft other publick Shews of the Theatre, he ^"- ^' 
 mentions the Tet.iminaria ^ which Word ( faith Jo. ^nmt. in 
 Brr.JJlcanus ) is fcarce to be found in any other Au- ^*^"* 
 thor, being not mentioned either in Julius Foilux, or 
 ToUtlan. Tis probably derived from the Greek word 
 •m nt^^ J which fignifies to Fly, and may refer to ' 
 fuch kind of Rope- Dancers. 
 
 ■ But now, becaufe the Arms extended are but 
 weak, and eafily wearied, therefore the Motions by 
 them are like to be but fhort and flow, anfwerable it 
 may be to the Flight of fuch Domellick Fowl as are 
 moft converfant on the Ground, which of them- 
 felves we fee are quickly weary j and therefore 
 much more would the Arm of a Man, as being not 
 naturally defigned to fuch a Motion. 
 
 It were therefore u'orth the Enquiry, to confider 
 whether this might not be more probably efFe(3:ed by 
 the Labour of the Feet, which are naturally more 
 ftrong and indefatigable : In which Contrivance, 
 the Wings fhould come down from the Shoulders on 
 each fide, as in the other, but the Motion of them 
 Ihould be from the Legs, being thruft out, and 
 drawn in again one after another, fo as each Leg 
 fliould move both Wings,- by which means a Man 
 fhould (as it were) walk or climb up into the Air ; 
 and then the Hands and Arms might be at leifure to 
 help and dired the Motion, or for any other Ser- 
 vice proportionable to their Strength. Which Con- 
 jedure is not without good Probability, and fome 
 fpecial Advantages above the other. 
 
 P p 3 4. But 
 
T^ JE 1) A L U S ', or Lib. II. 
 
 4. But the fourth and laft way feems unto me al- 
 together as probable, and much more ufeful than a- 
 ny of the reft. And that is by a flying Chariot, 
 which may be fo contrived as to carry a Man within 
 it J and though the ftrength of q Spring might per- 
 haps be ferviceable for the Morion of this Engine, 
 yet ic were better to have it affifted by the Labour 
 of feme intelligent Mover, as the Heavenly Oibs are 
 fuppofed to be turntd. And therefore if it were 
 made big enough to carry fundry Perfons together, 
 then each of them in their feveral turns might fuc- 
 ceffively Labour in ihe caufmg of this Motion ,• 
 which thereby wou'd be much more condant and 
 lalHng, than it could othervvife be, if it did wholly 
 depend on the Strength of the fame Perfon. This 
 Contrivance being as much to be preferred before a- 
 ny of the other, as fwimming in a Ship before fwim- 
 ming in the Water, 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 A Refolution of the two chief Difficulties that fe em 
 to oppoje the Foffihility of a flying Chariot. 
 
 THE chief Difficulties againft the pciTibiiity of 
 any fuch Contrivance may be fully removed in 
 the Refolution of thefe two ^i^rks. 
 
 I. Whether an Engine of fuch Capacity and 
 Weight, may be fupported by fo thin and light a 
 Body as the Air ? 
 
 ?. Whether the Strength of the Perfons within it, 
 may be fufficient for the Motion of it ? 
 
 I. Concerning the firft • when CallCis v^as requi- 
 red by the Men of Rhoda, to take up that great He^ 
 l.polis, brought againft them by Demetrius, (as he had 
 done before unto fonje lefs which he himfelf had 
 
 made) 
 
Mechanical Motions. i 1 J 
 
 imde) He anfwered that it could not be done. 
 NonmtUa enim funt e^uit in exemplarihus vUentHr ftmllia^ So Ramut 
 cum autem crefcere caper mt, dilabuntur. Becaufe thofe -S^^o'- Ma^ 
 Things that appear probable in leiTer Models, when *^''"- '* '• 
 they are increafed to a greater Proportion, do 
 thereby exceed the Power of Art, For Example, 
 though a Man may make an Inftrument to bore a 
 Hole, an Inch wide, or half an Inch, and fo lefs ; 
 yet to bore a Hole of a Foot wide, or two Foot, is ' 
 
 not fo much as to be thought of. Thus, though the 
 Air may be able to uphold fome leffer Bodies, as 
 thofe of Birds, yet when the quantity of them is 
 increafed to any great Extenfion, it may juftly be 
 doubted, whether they will not exceed the Propor- 
 tion that is naturally "'required unto fuch kind of 
 Bodies. 
 
 To this I anfvver, that the Engine can never be 
 too big or too heavy, if the fpace which it poffeiTes 
 in the Air, and the Motive-F:4Culty in the Inilru- 
 mem be anfwerable' to its Weight. That Sayirg of 
 Callias was but a groundlefs Shift and Evafion, where- 
 by he did endeavour to palliate his own Ignorance 
 and Dif^bilicy. The utmoil Truth which feems to 
 be implied in it, is this : That there may be fome 
 Bodies of fo great a Bignefs, and Gnivity, that - 
 it is very difficult to apply fo much Force unto 
 any parcicular Inftrument, as Ihall be able to move 
 them. 
 
 Againft the Example it may be affirmed and ea- 
 fjly proved, that it is equally poffible to bore a Hole 
 of any bignefs, as well great as little, if we fuppofe 
 the Inftrument, and the Strength, and the AppHca- 
 tion of this Strength to be proportionable ; But be- 
 caufe of the difficulty of thefe concurrent Circum- 
 ftances in thofe greater and more unufual Operations, 
 therefore do they falfly feem to be abfolut-iy impof- 
 fible. 
 
 P p 4 So . 
 
124 V JB V A L U S ', or. Lib. IF, 
 
 So that the chief Inference from this Argument 
 and Example, doth imply only thus much, that it is 
 very difficult to contrive any fuch motive Power, as 
 ihall be anfwernble to the Greatnefs and Weight of 
 fuch an Inftrument as is here difcourfed of ,» which 
 doth not at all impair the Truth to be maintained : 
 For if the poflibility of fuch a Motion be yielded, 
 we need not make any fcruple of granting the Dif- 
 ficulty of it ; It is this muft add a Glory to the In- 
 vention ,• and yet this will not perhaps Teem fo very 
 difficult to any one who hath but diligently obfer-^ 
 ved the Flight of fome other Bird?, particularly of a 
 Kite, how he will fwim up and down in the Air, 
 fometimes at a great height, and prefently again 
 lower, guiding himfelf by his Train, with his Wings 
 extended without any fenfible Motion of them ; and 
 all this, when there is only fome gentle breath of 
 Air flirring, without the help of any ftrong forcible 
 Wind. InJow I fay, if that Fowl ( which is none of 
 the lighteft) can fo very eafily move it felf up and 
 down in the Air, without fo much as ftirring the 
 Wings of it , certainly then it is not improbable, 
 but that when all the due Proportions in fuch an 
 Engine are found out, and when Men by long 
 Practice have arrived to any Skill and Experience, 
 they will be able in this (as well as in many other 
 Things) to come very ne^ar unto the imitation of 
 Nature. 
 
 As it is in thofe Bodies which are carried on the 
 Water, tho' they be never fo big or fo ponderous, 
 ffuppofe equal to a City or a whole Iflandj yet they 
 will always fwim on the Top, if they be but any 
 thing lighter than fo much Water as is equal to 
 them in Bignefs : So likewife is it in the Bodies that 
 are carried in the Air. It is not their Greatnefs 
 {tho' never fo immcnfe) that can h\nder their being 
 fupported in that light Element, if we fuppofe them 
 to be ej-;cended unto a proportionable Space of Air. 
 
 ■ ' ■"■'""■^ ■ ■ - : ■ Ani 
 
Mechanical Motions, 
 
 '^5 
 
 And as from the former Experiments, Archimedes 
 hath compofed a fubtle Sckvcc\n\\\i Book De in/iden- 
 tibus hiimido, poncerning the Weight of any heavy 
 Body, in reference to the Water wherein it is j fo 
 from the particular Trial of thefe other Experiments^ 
 that are here enquired after, it is poflible to raife a 
 new Science, concerning the Extenfion of Bodies, 
 in comparifon to the Air, and motive Faculties by 
 which they are to be carried. 
 
 We fee a great difference betwixt the feveral 
 Quantities of fuch Bodies as are commonly upheld 
 by tlie Air ^ not only little Gnats, and Flies, but al- 
 fo the Eagle and other Fowl of vaftcr Magnitude. 
 Card.m and Scdiger do unanimoufly affirm, that there SuhtU.lio^ 
 is a Bird amongft the Indians of fo great a Bignefs, ■E^^''^'>- 
 that his Beak is often ufed to make a Sheath or Scab- ^^J^' 
 bard for a Sword. And Jccft,i tells us of a Fowl in 
 Yeru called Candores, which will of themfelves kill ^'ftor. 
 and eat up a whole Calf at a time. Nor is there a- ^'^'^■Or^' 
 nyReafon why any ctherBody may not be fuppcrced "^''' 
 and carried by the Air, though it fhould as much 
 exceed the Quantity of thefe Fowl , as they do the 
 quantity of a Fly. 
 
 Marcus PJ^j mentions a Fowl in M.:dc:gafcarj which 
 ' he calls a 'Ruck, the Feather of whofe Wings are iz 
 Paces, or Threefcore Foot long, which can with as' 
 much eafe focp up an Elephant, as our Kites do a 
 Moufe. If this Relation were any thing credible , 
 it might ferve as an abundant Proof for the prefent 
 ^are. But I conceive this to be already fo evident, 
 that it needs not any Fable for itsfurtherConfirmation. 
 
 2. The other doubt was, whether the Strength of 
 the other Perfons within it, will be lufficient for the 
 moving of this Engine ? I anfwer, the main DifH- 
 culty and Labour of it will be in the lai- 
 fing of it from the Ground ^ near unto 
 which , the Earths attractive Vigor is of greateffc 
 Efficacy. But for the better effe;^ing of this, it may 
 
 be 
 
12(5 D yE D J L U Si or Lib.II. 
 
 be helped by the Strength of Winds ^ and by taking 
 its firft Rife from fome Mountain or other high 
 Place. When once it is aloft in the Air , the Moti- 
 on of it will be eafie, as it is in the Flight of all 
 kind of Birds, which being at any great Diftance 
 from the Earth, are able to continue their Motion 
 for a long Time and Way, with little Labour or Wea- 
 rinefs. 
 
 'Tis certain from comrpon Relation and Experi- 
 ence that many Birds do crofs the Seas for divers 
 Plin.l.io. hundred Miles together : Sundry of them amongft 
 *-*3- us, which are of a (hort Wing and Flight, as Black- 
 birdsj Nightingales, &c. do flie^ from us into Gf;r- 
 many, and other remoter Countries. And Mariners 
 do commonly affirm that they have found fome Fowl 
 above fix hundred Miles from any Land. Now if 
 we fhould fuppofe thefe Birds to labour fo much in 
 thofe longjournies, as they do when they fly in our 
 Sight and near the Earth, it were impoffible for any 
 of them to pafs fo far without refting. And there- 
 fore it is probable, that they do mount unto fo 
 high a Place in the Air, where the natural Heavi- 
 nefs of their Bodies does prove but little or no im- 
 pedimenc to their Flight : Tho' perhaps either Hun- 
 ger, or the Sight of Ships, or the like accident, may 
 fometimes occafion their defcending lower ; as we 
 may guefs of thofe Birds which Mariners have thus 
 beheld, and divers others that have been drowned 
 and caft up by the Sea. 
 
 Whence it may appear, that the Motion of this 
 Chariot ( tho' it may be difficult at the firft ) yet 
 will ftill be eafjer as it afcends higher, till at length 
 it fhall become utterly devoid of Gravity, when the 
 leait Strength will be able to beftow upon it a 
 World m ^^^,-|r. >4ojio^ . As J have proved more at large in 
 
 cap 14 another Diicourle. 
 
 But then, (may fome objea; ) If it be fuppofed 
 that a Man in the iEthereal Air does lofe his own 
 
 Heavi- 
 
Mechanical Motions, I 27 
 
 Heavinefs, how fhall he contribute any force to- 
 wards the Morion of this Inftrumcnt ? 
 
 I anfwer. The Strength of any living Creature 
 in ih.fe external Motions, is fomething really diltinft 
 from, and fuperadded unto its natural Gravity : As 
 common Experience may fhcw, not only in the Im- 
 preffion of Blows or violent Motions, as a River 
 Fjavvk will ft like a Fowl with a far greater Force, 
 than the meer Defcent or Heavinefs of his Body 
 couid poffibly perform : But aifo in thofe Adions 
 Vvhich are done without fuch Help, as the Pinching 
 of the Finger, the Biting of the Teeth, &c. all 
 which aie of much greater Strength than can pro- 
 ceed from the meer Heavinefs of thofe Parts. 
 
 As for the other particular Doubts^ concerning 
 the extre:^m Thinnefs and Coldnefs of this ^Ethe- 
 real An, by reafon of which, it may feem to be al- 
 together impaffible, I have already refolved them in 
 the above-cited Difcourfe. 
 
 The Ufes of fuch a Chariot may be various : Be- 
 fides the Difcoveries which might be thereby made 
 in the Lunary World , it would be ferviceabie alfo 
 for the Conveyance of a Man to any remote Place 
 of this Earth : As fuppofe to the h^iies or Antipdes. 
 For when once it was elevated for fome few Miles, 
 fo as to be above that Orb of Magnetick Virtue, 
 which is carried about by the Earth's diurnal Revo- 
 lution, it might then be very eafily and fpeedily di- 
 reded to any particular Place of this great 
 Globe. 
 
 If the Place which we intended were under the 
 fame Parallel, why then the Earth's Revolution once 
 ill Twenty tour Hours, would bring it to be under 
 us i fo that it would be but defcending in a ftraight 
 Line, and we might prefently be there. If it were 
 under any other Parallel, it would then only re- 
 quire thHt we fliculd dired it in the fame Meridian , 
 
 till 
 
12S 
 
 T> JE T) A L U S ', 
 
 or. 
 
 Lib. n. 
 
 Sen de Im, 
 I. j.c. 6. 
 
 Pacem 
 fumma te- 
 nent. Lu- 
 caw. 
 
 As well 
 too long 
 as too 
 fhort, too 
 broad as 
 too nar- 
 row, may 
 be an im- 
 pediment 
 to the mo- 
 tion, by 
 making it 
 more dif- 
 ficult, 
 {low and 
 flagging. 
 
 tilll we did come to that Parallel • and then (as be- 
 fore) a Man might eafily defcend unto it. 
 
 It would be one great Advantage in this kind of 
 Travelling, that one fhould be perfedly freed from 
 all Inconveniences of Ways or Weather, not having 
 any Extremity of Heat or Cold, or Tempefts to 
 moleft him. This ^Ethereal Air being perpetually 
 in an equal Temper and Calmnefs. Vars fuperior 
 mundi ordinatior efi nee hi nubem ccgitury vec in tempcfl-a'' 
 tern impellitur, nee verfatur in tmbinem , omni tumtiltu. 
 carets inferior a fulminant. The upper Parts of the 
 World are always quiet and ferene, no Winds and 
 Biuflring there, ihey are thefe lower cloudy Regions 
 that are fo full of Tempefts and Combuftion. 
 ^ As for the Manner how the Force of a Spring, or 
 (Inftead of that) the Strength of any living Perfon, 
 may be applied to the Motion of thefe Wings of 
 the Chariot, it may eafily be apprehended from 
 what was formerly delivered. 
 
 There are divers other particulars to be more fully 
 enquired after, for the perfeding of fuch a flying 
 Chariot • as concerning the Proportion of the Wings 
 both for the Length and Breadth, in comparifon to 
 the Weight which is to be carried by them ,• as alfo 
 concerning thofe fpecial Contrivances, whereby the 
 Strength of thefe Wings may be feverally applied, 
 ejther to afcent, defcent, progreffive, or a turning 
 Motion } all which, and divers the like Enquiries 
 c^n only be refolved by particular Experiments. We 
 know the Invention of Sailing in Ships does continu- 
 ally receive fome new Addition from the Experi- 
 ence of every Age, and hath been a long while 
 growing up to that Perfedion unto which it is now 
 arrived. And fo muft it be expeded for this like^ 
 wife, which may at firft perhaps feem perplexed 
 with many Difficulties and Inconveniences, and yet 
 upon the Experience of frequent Trials, many things 
 
 may 
 
[I ; 'K'iech ante ill Motions, i 2 9 
 
 ■may be fuggeiled to make it more facil and com- 
 modious. 
 
 He that would regularly attempt any Thing to 
 this Purpole, (hould obferve this Progrefs in his Ex- 
 periments^ he fliouid firft make Enquiry what kind 
 cf Wings would be moft ufeful to this End ; thofe of 
 a Bat being moft eafily imitable^, and perhaps Nature 
 did by them purpofely intend fome Intimation to 
 dire(5t us in fuch Experiments ; that Creature being 
 not properly a Bird;, becaufe not amongft the Oi^i- 
 fara, to imply that other kind of Creatures are ca- 
 pable of Flying as well as Birds • and if any fhould 
 attempt it_, that would be the belt Pattern for Imita- 
 tion. 
 
 After this jie may try what may be effedled by the 
 Force of Springs in leffer Models, anfwerable un- 
 to Archytas his Dove , and Regiomontanm his Eagle : 
 In which he muft be careful to obferve the various 
 Proportions betwixt the Strength of the Spring, the 
 Heavinefs of the Body, the Breadth of the Wings, 
 the Swifcnefs of the Motion, &c. 
 
 From thefe he may by Degrees afcend to fome 
 larger Eflays. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 Of a perpetual Motion. The feeming Facility and 
 'i real Difficulty of any fuch Contrivance. The fe- 
 deral Ways xvherehy it hath heen attempted^ par- 
 ticularly ly Qhymiflry. 
 
 IT is the chief Inconvenience of all the Automata. 
 before-mentioned, that they need a frequent Re- 
 pair of new Strength, the Caufes whence their Mo- 
 tion does proceed^ being fubjed to fail, and come , 
 
I JO T> ^ D A L U S ^ or. Lib. 11. 
 
 to a period ,• and therefore it would be worth our 
 Enquiry, to examine whether or no there may be 
 made any fuch artificial Contrivance, which might 
 have the Principle of moving from it felf • fo that 
 the prefent Motion (hould conftantly be the caufe of 
 that which fucceeds. 
 
 This is that great Secret in An, which, like the 
 Philolopher's Stone in Naturey hath been the Bufi- 
 nefs and Study of many more refined Wits, for di- 
 vers Ages together ^ and it may well be queftioned, 
 whether either of them as yet hath ever been found 
 out • though if this have, yet, like the other, it is 
 not plainly treated of by any Author. 
 
 Not but that there are fundry Difcourfes concern- 
 ing this Subjed, but they are rather Cc^jeBures than 
 Experiments. And though many Inventions in this 
 kind, may at firft view bear a great fliew of proba- 
 bility, yet they will fail,being brought to Trial, and 
 will not anfwer in Pradice what they promifed in 
 Speculation. Any one who hath been verfed in thefe 
 Experiments muft needs acknowledge that he hath 
 been often deceived in his ftrongelt Confidence- 
 when the Imagination hath contrived the whole 
 Frame of fuch an Inftrument, and conceives that 
 the Event muft infallibly anfwer its hopes, yet then 
 does it ftrangely deceive in the Proof, and difcoveri 
 to us fome Defed which we did not before take 
 Notice of. 
 
 Hence it is, that you fliall fcarce talk with any- 
 one who hath never fo little fmattering in thefe Arts 
 but he will inftantly promife fuch a Motion, as be- 
 ing but an eafy Atchievement, till further Trial and 
 Experience hath taught him the Difficulty of it. 
 There being no Enquiry that does more entice with 
 the Probability, and deceive with the Subtilty. What 
 one fpeaks wittily concerning the Philofoplier's 
 Stone, may be juftly applied to this, that it is 
 Qfifia il/(Pr^fr;5c,achaft Whore. 4|«/<? multoiinvitat^mmi-^ 
 
Mechanical Motions, 12 1 
 
 mm admlttit^ becaufe it allures many, but admits none. 
 
 I fhall briefly recite the feveral ways whereby this 
 hath been attempted, or feems moft likely to be ef- 
 fed:ed ^ thereby to contraA and facilitate the Enqui- 
 ries of thofe who are addided to thefe kind of Ex- 
 periments ,• for when they know the defe<5ls of other 
 Inventions, they may the more eafily avoid the fame 
 or the like in their own. 
 
 The ways whereby this hath been attempted, may 
 be generally reduced to thefe three Kinds ; 
 
 1. By Chymical Extradions. 
 
 2. By Magnetic»l Virtues. 
 
 3. By the natural Atfedion of Gravity. 
 
 I. The difcovery of this hath been attempted by 
 Chymiftry.^ Varjcelfus and his Followers have brag- 
 ged, that by their Separacicns and Extradions, they 
 can make a little World which (hall have the fame 
 perpetual Motions with this Micrcccfm, with the 
 Reprefentation of all Meteors, Thunder, Snow, 
 Rain, the Cnurfes of the Sea in its Ebbs and Flows, 
 and the like ; But thefe miraculous Promifes would 
 require as great a FaiLh to believe them, as a Power 
 to perform them : And tho' they often talk of fuch 
 great Matters, 
 
 ^t nuf^Uiim tot OS inter qui talia cur ant , 
 
 Afifartt ullus^ cjui re miracula tar.ta 
 
 Comprobet 
 
 yet we can never fee them confirmed by any real 
 Experiment ; and then befides, every particular Au- 
 thor in that Art hath fuch a diltind Lj'iguage of 
 his own, ^all of them being fo full of Allegories and 
 affe(5ted Obfcurities) that 'tis very hard for any one 
 (unlefs he bs throughly verfed amongft them) to find 
 out what they mean, much more to try it. 
 
 One of thefe v.'ays (as I find it fet down) is this. •^'''»- ^fa' 
 Mix five Ounces of 5 , vvlth an equal Weight of ;^, ^^"" ^f* 
 grind them together with te:i Ounces of Sublimate, 7i8? ' 
 dilTolYS them ia a Cellar upon fome Marble for the 
 
 fpace 
 
l^i D jS D A L US', or. Lib. n. 
 
 fpace of four Days, till they become like Oil Olive ; 
 didil tnis with Fire of Chaff, or driving Fire, and 
 it will fublime into a dry Sabftance : And fo by re- 
 peating of thefe DiiTolvings and Diftillings, there 
 will be at length produced divers fniall Actoms, 
 which being put into a GUfs well luted, and kepc 
 dry, will have a perpetual Motion. 
 
 I cannot fay any thing from Experience againft 
 tliis ', but methinks it does not feem very probable, 
 bccaufe Things that are forced up to fuch a Vigo- 
 roufnefs and Activity as thefe Ingredients feem /to 
 be by their frequent Sublimatings^nd Diltillings-, are 
 not likely to be of any Duration ,- the more any 
 thing is ftretched beyond its ufual Nature, the lefs 
 does it laft ,• Violence and Perpetuity being no Com- 
 panions. And then befides, fuppofe it' true, yet 
 fiich a Motion could not well be applied to any Ufe, 
 which mufi needs take much from the Delight of 
 it. 
 CelcBra- Amongft the Chymical Experiments to this pur- 
 ted in an pofe, may be reckoned up that famous Motion in- 
 Epigram vented by Ccr7ieUnsDnbky and made for King j-^^wf;* 
 by Hugo vvhereia^was reprefented the conftant Revolutions of 
 Grotiufy ^^^ ^^^ ^j^^ Moon, and that without the help either 
 kpi'a. ad of Springs oj Weights. Marcellus Vranckhe'm, fpeak7 
 Ernejittvi ing of the Mcans whereby it was perform.ed, he 
 dc Lam^. calls it, ScintlUuLi cnlmcc magnet'icce mundlj feu Af;ra- 
 Us & inferifi'yilis ffiritus ', being that grand Secret, 
 for the difcovery of which, thofe DidVators of Phy- 
 lofophy, Dewocritusj Vythagoras^ Vlato^ did Travel 
 unto the Gymncfoj>hipSy and Indian Priefts. The Au- 
 thor himfelf in his Difcourfe upon it, does not at 
 Epifl. ad all reveal the way how it was performed. But 
 jacobum there is onc Thomas Tymme^ who was a familiar Ac- 
 ^^"^* quaintsknce of his^ and did often pry into his WorJiS5 
 (as he profeiTes himfelf) who affirms it to be done 
 .1 thus j JS/ €VitraBir.g a fiery Spirit out of the Mineral 
 
 M>:tterj joining the Jr.me "with his proper Air, which in-^ 
 
Mechanical Motions. i -y -> 
 
 cl'udeJ in the Axle Tree (of the firfl: moving Wheel) Pliilofb- 
 heing bolloii/j carrietJj the other Wheels , making a conti- P'^'^^^ I^i" 
 nual Rotation, except ijjhe or 'Vent be giuen in this c°f"^' 
 hollolv Axle Tree, 'whereby the imprifoned Spirit may get cup. i '. 
 forth. 
 
 What ftrange Things may be done by fuch Extra- 
 <5i:ions, I know not, and therefore dare not condemn 
 this Relation as impoflible ,• but methinks it founds 
 rather like a Chymical Dream, than a Philofophical 
 Truth. It feems this imprifoned Spirit is now fet at 
 Liberty, or elfe is grown weary, for the Inftrumcnc 
 (as I have heard) hath flood fiill for many Years. 
 It is here confiderable that any Force is weakeft near 
 the Center of a Wheel ; and therefore though fuch 
 a Spirit might of it felf have an Agitation, yet 'tis 
 not eafily conceivable how it fhould have Strength 
 enough to carry the Wheels about with it. And then 
 the Abfurdity of the Author's citing this, would 
 make one miftruft his Miftake ,• he urges it as a 
 ftrong Argument againffc Copernicus , as if becaufe 
 Drehle did thus contrive in an Engine the Revolution 
 of the Heavens, and the Immoveablenefs of the 
 Earth, therefore it muft needs follow that 'tis the 
 Heavens which are moved, and not the Earth. If 
 his Relation were no truer than his Confequence, it 
 had not been worth the Citing. 
 
 C tl A P. X. 
 
 Of Suiterraneous Lamps ; Jivers Hiflorkal Rela- 
 tions concerning their Duration for many Hundrea 
 Tears together, 
 
 UMo this kind of Chymical Experiments, we 
 may moft probably reduce thofe perpetual 
 Lamps,- which for many Hundred Years together 
 
 Q q have 
 
134 T) JE T> A L II S5 or Lib. II. 
 
 have continued burning without any new fupply in 
 the Sepulchres of the Ancients, and might (for 
 ought we know) have remnined Co for ever. All 
 Fire, and efpecially Flame, being of an a<5)ive and 
 flirring Nature, it cannot therefore fubfift without 
 Motion ; whence it may feem, th;U this great En- 
 quiry hath been this way accompliflied : And there- 
 fore it will be worth our Examination to fearch fur- 
 ther into the Particulars that concern this Experi- 
 ment. Though it be not fo proper to the chief pur- 
 pofe of this Difcourfe, which concerns Mcchankul 
 Geometry, yet the Subtilty and Curfofity of it may 
 abundantly requite the Impertincncy. 
 
 There are fundry Authors, who Treat of this 
 Subjet't on the by, and in fome particular PafTages, 
 Lii. da re- but nonc that I know of (except Fortnnhis Licetus) 
 "nti^'^ that hath writ purpofely any fet and large Difcourfc 
 rum luccr- Concerning it : Out of whom I fliall borrow many 
 nis. of thofe P.elations and Opinions, v/hich may moft 
 
 naturally conduce to the prefent Enquiry. 
 
 For our fuller underftanding of this, there are 
 thefe Particulars to be explained ; 
 
 I. 077, or cjuod Jit. 
 ' « , C cur fit. 
 
 (, qiiomoao Jtt, 
 
 '1. Firft then, for the ov, or that there have been 
 fuch Lamps, it may be evident from fundry plain 
 and undeniable Teftimonies : St. ^.ufi'm mentions 
 one of them in a Temple dedicated to Venusj which 
 was always expofed to the open Weather, and could 
 never be confumed or extinguifhed. To him affents 
 the judicious Ziwcby. Vancyrolliis mentions a Lamp 
 found in his Time, in the Sepulchre. of Tullla, Cice- 
 ro':, Daughter, which had continued there for about 
 15^0 Years, but was prefently extinguifhed upon the 
 admiffion of new Air. And 'tis commonly related 
 
 of 
 
Mechanical Motions 1 3 J 
 
 of Cedrenu!, that In Juftlmaris Time there was ano- 
 ther burning Lamp found in an old Wall at * EdrfJ'a, * Or^inti^ 
 which had remained To for above 500 Years, there och.Licetut 
 being a Crucifix placed by it, whence it Ihould feem, ^^ i,i,c.t. 
 that they were in \]^q alfo amongft fome Chriili- 
 ans. 
 
 But more efpecially remarkable , is that Relation 
 celebrated by fo many Authors , concerning Olybltts 
 his Lamp, which had continued burning for ipo 
 . Yeajs. The Story is thus : As a Ruftick was dig- 
 ging the Ground by Vadua, he found an Urn or 
 Earthen Pot, in which there was another Urn, and!" 
 in this lelTer, a Lamp clearly burning ; on each fide 
 of it there were tv/o other VelTels, each of them 
 full of a pure Liquor ,' the one of Gold, the other 
 of Silver. Ego Cbymia artis, ( (imodo 'vera ptefi ejje 
 ars Chymia) jarare aufm elementa d^ 7natcrian7 omni'_ 
 um^ (faith Maturantlus , who had the Polfeflion of 
 thefe things after they were taken up. ) On the 
 bigger of thefe Urns there was this Infcription : 
 
 Tlutoni facmm miintis ne attlngite fares. 
 
 Ignotum ejl 'vobis hoc (juod in orhe latet, 
 UamcfUe elementa gravi claujtt digefia labore 
 
 Vafe fub hoc modico, Maximus Olybius. 
 Adjit focundo ciiftosjibi copia cornu^ 
 
 Ne tanti fretium depereat laticis. 
 
 The leiTer Urn was thus infcribed. 
 
 Abite hlnc fejjimi furesy 
 
 Vos quid vultis, 'vefiris cmn oculis emijjitiu I 
 
 Abite hmCf 'vefiro cum Mercurio 
 
 TetafcJto Caduceatocfue^ 
 
 Donum hoc Maximum^ Maximus Olybius 
 
 Tlutoni facrum facit. 
 
 Whence we may probably conjecture that it Was 
 fome Chymical Secret, by which this was contrived^ 
 
1^6 DJBV ALU S, or:, Lib. II. 
 
 Mag. N^- Baptifld Vorta tells US of another Lamp burning in 
 
 turalMi i. jjj^ qI^ marble Sepulchre, belonging to (bme of the 
 
 '^^'" " Ancient Romans^ inclofed in a Glafs Vial , found in 
 
 his Time^ about the Year if jo, in the Ifle "Nefis^ 
 
 which had been buried there before our Saviour's 
 
 coming. 
 
 In the Tomb of VaUas , the Archadhn who was 
 flain by Jtmius in the Trojan War, there was found 
 another burning Lamp, in the Year of our Lord 
 1401. Whence it fliould feem, that it had conynu- 
 ed there for above Two thoufand and Six hundred 
 Years ; And being taken out, it did remain burning, 
 notwithftanding either Wind or Water, with which 
 fome did ftrive to quench it ; nor could it be extin- 
 guiflied till they had fpilt the Liquor that was in 
 it. 
 
 Ludovicus Vives tells US of another Lamp, that did 
 continue burning for lojo Years , which was found 
 a little before his Time. 
 
 Such a Lamp is likewife related to be feen in the 
 Sepulchre of Francis RcftcrojJ'e, as is more largely ex-« 
 preiTed in the Confeffion of that Fraternity. 
 
 There is another Relation of a certain Man, who 
 upon occafion digging fomewhat deep in the Ground 
 did meet with fomething like a Door, having a Wall 
 on each Hand of it ; from which having cleared 
 the Earth, he forced open this Door, upon this 
 there was difcovered a fair Vault, and towards the 
 further Side of it, the Statue of a Man in Armour, 
 fitting by a Table, leaning upon his Left Arm , and 
 holding a Scepter in his Right Hand, with a Lamp 
 burning before him ,• the Floor of this Vault being 
 fo contrived, that upon the firft Step into it ^ the 
 Statue would eredt it felf from its leaning Pofture ^ 
 upon the fecond Step it did lift up the Scepter to 
 ftrike,and before a Man could approach near enough 
 to take hold of the Lamp, the Statue did ftrike and 
 break ic co Pieces i Such Care was ehere taken that 
 
 ic 
 
Mechanical Motions. Ij7 
 
 it mighifnot be ftoln away, or difcovered. 
 
 Our Learned Camhden in his Defcription of Tork- 
 fljire^ fpeaking of the Tomb of Conftantius Chkrus, P^S S7^- 
 broken up in thefe later Years, mentions fuch a 
 Lamp to be found within it. 
 
 There are fundry other Relations to this Purpofe. 
 ^uod ad lucernas attinet, ilia in omnibus fere monumtn- 
 tis in'veniuntttr , (faith Gutherius.) In moft of the 
 Ancient Monuments there is fome kind of Lamp, 
 (tho' of the ordinary Sort : ) But thofe Perfons who 
 were of greateft Note and Wifdom, did procure 
 fuch as might laft without Supply, for fo many Ages Deperdi, 
 together. Pancirollus tells us, that it was ufual for '^^^- ^'^' 
 the Nobles amongft the Romans^ to take fpecial Care 
 in their laft Wills, that they might have a Lamp in 
 their Monuments. And to this Purpofe they did u- 
 fually give Liberty unto fome of their Slaves on this 
 Condition, that they fiiould be watchful in maintain- 
 ing and prefcrving it. From all which Relations, 
 the firft particular of this Enquiry , concerning the 
 Being or Exiftence of fuch Lamps, may fufficiently 
 appear. 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 Several Opinions concerning the t^ature and Re af on 
 of thefe perpetual Lamps, 
 
 THere are two Opinions to be^ anfwered, which 
 do utterly overthrow the chief Confequence 
 from thefe Relations. 
 
 1. Some think that thefe Lights fo often difcovered 
 in the Ancient Tombs, were not Fire or Flame, but 
 only fome of thofe bright Bodies which do ufually 
 fliine in dark Places. 
 
 2. Others grant them to be Fire, but yet think 
 
 Q q 3 them 
 
»3S J> JE T> A L U S-,or Lib. H, 
 
 them to be then firft enkindled by the Admif. 
 fion of new Air, when thefe Sepulchres were 
 opened. 
 
 I. There are divers Bodies (^^ith Ariflotk) which 
 ftiine in the Dark, as rotte^ Wood, the Scales of 
 lome Fiihes, Stones, the Gloworm , the Eyes of 
 divers Creatures. Cardan tells us of a Bird in new 
 Spain, called Cocoyum , whofe whole Body is very 
 bright, but his Eyes almoft equal to the Light of a 
 Candle, by which alone in a dark Night, one may 
 both write and read ; By thefe the Ivdians (faith he) 
 UiC to eat their fcailing Suppers. 
 
 It is commonly related and believed, that a Car- 
 buncle does (hine in the Dark like a burnino- Coal 
 from whence it hath its * Name. To which Pur- 
 poic there is a Story in zyEllan of a Stork, that by 
 a certain Woman was cured of a broken Thigh, in 
 Gratitude to whom, this Fowl afterwards flying" by 
 her, did let fall into her Lap a bright Carbuncle, 
 vvhich (faith he; would in the Night Time fhine as 
 clear as a Lamp. But this and the like old Relations 
 are^now generally disbelieved and rejeded by learn- 
 ed Men : Do^lljfumrum cmnlum confenfu, hujufmodi 
 g<:m}»:e -non inv<rniimirr, (faith Boetlus de Boot) a Man 
 very much s.kiiled in, and inquifitive after fuch 
 Matters ; nor is there any one of Name that does 
 from his own Eye-fight or Experience, affirm the 
 real Exigence of any Gem fo qualified. 
 
 Some have thought that the Light in Ancient 
 Tombs hath been occafioned from fome fuch Bodies 
 as thefe. For if there had been any Poflibility to 
 preferveFire fo long a Space, 'tis likely then that the 
 h'-a.'l:T?s would have known the Way, who were to 
 )^t^) ic perpetually for their Sacrifices. 
 
 £uc to this Opinipq it might be replied, that none 
 o. thzic NoaHuc^, or Nlght-fhining Bodies have 
 been cbi^rved in any of the Ancient Sepulchres, and 
 tnerelore tiiis ij a mere imaginary Conjeaure ,• and 
 
 then 
 
Mechanical Mottonu \ j 9 
 
 then befideSj fome of thefe Lamps have been taken 
 out burning, and continued fo for a confiderable 
 Space afterwards. As for the fuppofed Convenien- 
 cy of thenij for the perpetuating of the Holy Fire 
 arnongft the Jewsy it may as well be feared left thefe 
 fliould have occafioned their Idolatry, unto which 
 that Nation was fo ftrongly addided^ upon every 
 flight Occafion ^ nor may it feem ftrange, if the 
 Providence of God fliould rather permit this Fire 
 fometimes to go out^ that fo by their earneft Pray- 
 ers, being again renewed from Heaven, (as it * * Levit.9. 
 fometimes wasj the Peoples Faith might be the bet- j^4- 
 ter ftirred up and ftrengthned by fuc'h frequent Mi- "t Z'^^"' 
 racles. ^ jKiAg.iS. 
 
 2. It is the Opinion of G^^^^Wz/j^that thefe Lamps 38. 
 have not continued burning for fo long a Space, as ^n^^« « 
 they are fuppofed in the former Relations ,• but that ^^-'^'^^^ • * 
 they were then firfl enflamed by tlie Admiflion of 
 new Air, or fuch other occafion, V\;hen the Sepul- 
 chres were opened : As we fee in thofe fat Earthy 
 Vapours of divers Sorts, which are oftentim.es en- 
 kindled into a Flame. And 'tis faid, that there are 
 fome Chymical Ways, whereby Iron may be fo 
 heated, that being clofely luted in a Glafs, it fliall 
 conftantly retain the Fire for any Space of Time , 
 thouffh it were for a thoufand Years or more : at 
 the end of which, if the Glais be opened, and the 
 frefh Air admitted, the Iron fliall be 2s red Flot as 
 if it were newly taken out of the Fire. 
 
 But for anfvver to this Opinion , 'tis confiderable 
 that fome Urns have had Infcriptions on them, ex- 
 preiling that the Lamps within them were burning, 
 when they were ftrft buried. To which may be 
 added the Experience of thofe which have continu- 
 ed fo for a good Space afcerwards ; whereas the 
 Inflamation of fat and vifcous Vapours does pre- 
 fently vanifli. The Lamp which was found in the 
 Ifle NefiSj did burn clearly while :it was inclofed in 
 Qq 4 the 
 
I40 D Ai: D A L U S '^ or^ Lib. II. 
 
 the Glafs, but that being broken, was prefently ex- 
 tinguifned. As for that Chymical Relation, it may 
 rather ferve to prove that Fire may continue fo ma^ 
 ny Ages, without confuming any Fewel. 
 
 So that notwithftanding the oppofite Opinions, yet 
 'tis more probable that there have been fuch Lamps 
 as have remained burni?7g, without any new Supply, 
 for many hundred Years together ^ which was the 
 firft Particular to be explained. 
 Ciii-i^itt. 2. Concerning the Reafon why the Ancients 
 
 were lb careful in this Pacicular, there are divers 
 Opinions. Some think it to be anExprefiion of their 
 . Belief, concerning the Soul's Immortality, after its 
 departure out of the Body ; a T amp amongft the £- 
 gjftiaris being the Hierogljphick ot Life. And there- 
 foie they that could not procure fuch Lamps, were 
 yet careful to have the Image and Reprefentation 
 ot them engraved on their Tombs. 
 
 Others conceive them to be by way of Gratitude 
 to thofe infernal Deities, who took the Charge and 
 Cuitody of their dead Bodies r£w..j>; 7;^ always with 
 them in their Tombs, and were therefore called Dii 
 
 Others are of Opinion , that thefe Lamps were 
 only intended to m:jke their Sepulchres more plea- 
 fant and lightfome, that they might not fecm to be 
 jmprifoned in a difmal and uncomfortable Place. 
 True indeed, the dead Body cannot be fenfible of 
 this Light, no more could it of its want of Burial ; 
 yet the fame Inftind which did excite it to the De- 
 fire of one, did- alfo occafion the other. 
 DeLncr- Z^'-^^^^^-f concludes this Ancient Cuftom to have a 
 Ki),l.yc.B. double End. i. Pclitickj for the Diftindion of fuch 
 as WQIQ nobly born, in whofe Monuments only 
 they were ufed. 2. Natural^ to preferve the Body 
 and Soul from Darknefs,- for it was a common Opi- 
 nion amongft them, that the Souls alfo were much 
 converfant about fhofe Places vyh^re the Bodies were 
 l^uiied, CHAP. 
 
Mechanical Motions, i;j.i 
 
 CHAP. XIL 
 
 The mofl prohahle Conje^ure^ how thefe Lamps 
 were framed. 
 
 THE greatefl difficulty of this Enquiry doth ^«'»««'» 
 cpnfift in this laft Particular, concerning the ^'^^' 
 manner how, or by what poffible Means any fuch 
 perpetual Flame may be contrived. 
 
 For the difcovery of which, there are two things 
 to be more efpecially confidered. 
 
 1. The Snuff, or Wick, which muft adminifter 
 unto the Flame. 
 
 2. The Oil, which muft nourifli it. 
 
 For the/r/, it is generally granted that there are 
 divers Subitiances which v^ill retain Fire withoutcon- • 
 fuming : Such is that Mineral which they call the 
 Sahmanders Wooll, faith our Learned ^^ Baco». Ipfe "Nflt.nifi. 
 experrus f!(.'-/2 'ViHos '^:. l.imandne non confumi^ faith t Joa- Ex?^-77^- 
 chir/^ui Fortius And * Wccker, from his own know- ' ^^^' ■^^' 
 ledge, affirms the fame of Vlumeallum, that being *£)^^^^^. 
 formed into the iikenefs of a Wick, will adminifter tis^l.^.c^, 
 to the Flame, and yet not confume it felf Of this Or Linum 
 Nature like wife vv'as that which the Ancients did Car^afium. 
 call Linum Vivim/y OT Asbefiir.um : Of this they were ^■"^^''<^^^> 
 wont to make Garments, that were not deftroyed, /^fe^l 
 but purified by Fire ,• and whereas the Spots or Foul- 
 nefs of other Cloaths are wafhed out, in thefe they 
 were ufually burnt away. The Bodies of the anci- 
 ent Kings were wrapped in fuch Garments, when 
 they were put in the Funeral Pile, that their Aflies ^^'"\^'J^- 
 might be therein preferved, without the mixture of ' ^^' '' '* 
 any other. The Materials of them v/cre not From 
 any Herb or Vegetable, as other Textiles, but from 
 ^ Stone called A?mantus j which being bruifed by a 
 
 Hammer, 
 
\ 
 
 142 D jE V A L U Si or Lib.ir. 
 
 Hammer, and its earthly Nature fiiaken out, retains 
 
 certain hairy Subftances, which may be Spun and 
 
 Woven, as Hemp or Flax. Pliny fays, that for the 
 
 Precioufnefs of it, it did almoft equal the Price of 
 
 Deperd P^arls. Tancirolltts tells us, that it was very rare. 
 
 Tit I. and edeemed precious in ancient Times, but now is 
 
 fcarce found or known in any Places, and therefore 
 
 he reckons it amongft the things that are loft. But 
 
 In Jiiguji. L. Vi'ves affirms, that he hath often feen Wicks made 
 
 decivit. ' of it at Paris, and the fame Matter woven ^ into a 
 
 Dii, 1, 21. Kankin at Lovaifte, which was clcanfed by being 
 
 ^' ■ burnt in the Fire. 
 
 'Tis probable from thefe various Relations, that 
 there was feveral Sorts of it ,• fome of a more pre- 
 cious, other of a bafer kind, that was found in Cj- 
 pnisj the Deferts of Wi^?, and a certain Province of 
 y^^jJa ; this being common in fome Parts of Italy, but 
 is fo fnort and brittle, that it cannot be fpun into a 
 Thread ,• and therefore is ufeful only for the Wicks 
 , , of perpetual Lamps, fiizh Boetius de Boot. Some of 
 6'gZLis, this, or very like it, I have upon Enquiry lately 
 /.2.«;.204! procured and experimented; but whether it be the 
 Scone /-ishefttis, or only Plumeallitm, I cannot cer- 
 tainly affirm -, for it feems they are both fo very like, 
 25 to be commonly Sold for one another ( faich the 
 fame Author.) However, it does truly a,gree_ in 
 this common Quality afcribed unto both, ot being 
 IncombuHible, and not confumable by Fire: But 
 yet there is this Inconvenience, That it doth con- 
 trad fo much Fuliginous Matter from the Earthly 
 Parts of the Oil, ( though it was tryed with fome 
 of the pureil Oil which is ordinary to be bought) 
 that in a very few Days it did choak and extinguifb 
 the Flame. There may poffibly be fome Chymical 
 way, fo to purine and defecate this Oil, that it fhail 
 not fpcnd into a footty Matter. 
 
 However, if the Liquor be of a clofe and Glu- 
 ti/ious Confiiiency, it may burn without any Snuff, 
 
 as 
 
Mechanical Motions. i^j 
 
 as we fee in Camphire, and fome other Bituminous 
 Subftances. And it is probable that moft of the an-^ 
 cient Lamps were of this kind, becaufe the exafteft 
 Relations (to my Remembrance ) do not mention 
 any that have been found with fuch Wicks. 
 
 But herein v/ill confift the grcateft Difficulty, to 
 find out what Invention there might be for their Du- 
 ration : Concerning which there are fundry Opi- 
 nions. 
 
 St. //«//>? fpeaking of that Lamp in one of the Dedv.Det, 
 Heathen Temples, thinks that it might either be ^- -^- '^•^- 
 done by Magick, ( the Devil thinking thereby to 
 promote the Worfhip and Efteem of that Idol to 
 which it was Dedicated ) or elfe, that the Art of 
 Man might make it of fome fuch Material, as the 
 Stone Asbeftus, which being cnce kindled, will 2:c.7jch. de 
 burn without being confumed. As others (faith he) ^i'^''^"^"^ 
 have contrived as great a Wonder in appearance, f '1'.^^]';'. 
 from the natural Virtue of another Scone, making 
 an Iron Image feem to hang in the Air, by renfon 
 of two Loadftones , the one being placed in the 
 Ceiling, the other in the Floor. 
 
 Others are of Opinion, that this may be effeded 
 in a hollow Veffel, exadly luted or ilopped up in all 
 the Vents of it : And then, if a Lamp be fuppofed 
 to burn in it but for the leaft moment of time, it 
 muft continue fo always, or elfe there would be a 
 Vacuum J which Nature is not capable of. If you 
 ask how it fliali be nourifiied, it is anfwered, That 
 the^ Oil of it- being turned into Smoak and Vapours, 
 will again be converted into its former Nature • for 
 ctherwife, if it fliould remain Rariftcd in fo thin a 
 Subftance, then there would not be room «noug!i 
 for that Fume which mult fucceed it ; and ^o on 
 the other fide, there might be fome danger of the 
 Tenetration of Bodies, which Nature doc'h as much 
 abhor. To prevent both which, as it is in the Chy- 
 micai Circulations;; where the fame Body is often- 
 times 
 
144 T> ^ D A L U Ss or, Lib.ll 
 
 times turned from Liquor into Vapour, and from 
 Vapour into Liquor again ,• fo in this Experiment^ 
 the fame Oil fliall be turned into Fume, and that 
 Fume fhall again convert into Oil. Always provi- 
 ded, that this Oil which nouriflies the Lamp, be fup- 
 pofed of fo clofe and tenacious a Subftance, that 
 may flowly evaporate, and fo there will be the 
 more Leifure for Nature to perfed thefe Circulati- 
 ons. According to which Contrivance, the Lamp 
 within this Veffel can never fail, being always fup- 
 plied with fufficient Nourifliment. That which was 
 found in the Ifle Ne/^s, inclofed in a Glafs-Vial, 
 mentioned by Baptifta Porta, is thought to be made 
 after fome fuch manner as this. 
 
 Others conceive it poflible to extra<a fuch an Oil 
 out of fome Minerals, which fhall for a long fpace. 
 Wolphang. ferve to nourifh the Flame of a Lamp, with very 
 z,^i/«V3. litfig Qj. j^Q Expence of its own Subftance. To 
 camb.Briu ^hich pufpofc (fay they) if Gold be dilTolved into 
 p. 572. an unduous Humour, or if the radical Moifture of 
 that Metal were feparated, it might be contrived to 
 burn ( perhaps for ever, or at leaftj for many Ages 
 together, without being confumed. For, if Gold 
 it felt ( as Experience fhews j be fo untameable by 
 the Fire, that after many Meltings and violent Heats, 
 it does fcarce diminifh, 'tis probable then, that be- 
 ing dilTolved into an Oily Subftance , it might for 
 many hundred Years together continue burning. ' 
 There is a little Chymical Difcourfe, to prove 
 that Urim and Tbummim is to be made by Art. The 
 Author of this Treatife affirms that place. Gen. 6. i6, 
 where God tells Noab, A Wmdow flmk thou make in 
 the Ark, to be very unfitly rendred in our Tranfla- 
 tion, 2LJVi7idow ; becaufe the original Word "inS fig- 
 nines properly Splendor, or Light : And then be- 
 fides, the Air being at that timec fo extreamly dark- 
 ned with the Clouds of that exeflive Rain, a Win- 
 dow could be but of very little ufe in regard of 
 
 Light, 
 
'Mechanical Motions. 145 
 
 Light, unlefs there were fome other help for It, 
 From whence he conjectures, that both this Splen- 
 dor, and fo iikewife the XJrim and Thummim were 
 artificial Chymical Prepai^tions of Light , anfwe- 
 rable to thefe fubterraneous Lamps ; or in his own 
 Phrafe^ it was the uni'verfal Spirit fixed in a tranfparent 
 Body. 
 
 It is the Opinion of Licetus , ( who hath more De Lucer- 
 exactly fearched into the Subtilties of this Enquiry ) '^'^' '- ^°» 
 that Fire does not need any Humour for the Nou- ^** 
 rifliment of it, but only to detain it from flying up- 
 wards : For, being in it felf one of the chief Ele- 
 ments (faith he out of Theophrafius ) it were abfurd 
 to think that it could not fubfift without fomething 
 to feed it. As for that Subftance which is confumed 
 by it, this cannot be faid to foment or preferve the 
 fame Fire, but only to generate new. For the bet- 
 ter underftandingof this, we muft obferve, that there 
 may be a threefold proportion betwixt Fire, and the 
 Humour, or Matter of it. Either the Humour does 
 exceed the ftrength of the Fire, or the Fire does ex- 
 ceed the Humour ^ and according to both thefe, the 
 Flame doth prefently vanifh. Or elfe laftly, they 
 may be both equal in their Virtues, ( as it is betwixt 
 the Radical Moifture, and Natural Heat in Living 
 Creatures ) and then neither of them can overcome, 
 or deftroy the other. 
 
 Thofc ancient Lamps of fuch long Duration, 
 were of this later kind : But now, becaufe the Qua- 
 lities of Heat or Cold, Drynefs or Moifture in the 
 ambient Air, may alter this Equality of Proportion 
 betwixt them, and make one ftronger than the o- 
 ther^ therefore to prevent this, the Ancients did 
 hide thefe Lamps in fome Caverns of the Earth, or 
 clofe Monuments. And hence is it, that at the 
 opening of rhefe, the admiffion of new Air unto 
 the Lamp does ufually caufe fo great an Inequality 
 betwixt the Flarae and the Oil, that it is prefently 
 cxtinguifhed. ' Buc 
 
i4<5 T> ^ D A L U S i or, Lib.ir. 
 
 But ftill, the greatcft DifTiculty remains how ta 
 make- any fuch ex:iA Proportion betwixt an undu- 
 ous Humour, snd fuchanadive Quality as the heat: 
 of Fire,- or this tqualiry being made, it is yet a 
 further Difficulty, how it may be preferved. To 
 which purpofe, Liretus thinks it pofTible to extras 
 an infiamable Oil from the Stone Jsheffus^ ^mian- 
 tus, or the Metal Gold ; vvhich "being of the fame 
 pure and homogeneous Nature with thofe Bodies, 
 fiiall be fo proportioned unto the heat of Fire, that 
 it cannot be confumed by it ; but being once in- 
 flamed, fiiould continue for many Ages, without 
 any fenfible Diminution. 
 
 If it be in the power of Chymiftry to perform 
 fuch ftrange Effeds, as are commonly experiment- 
 ed in that which they call ^lurum Fulmmcms, one 
 Scruple of which flinll give a louder Blow, and be 
 of greater force in Defcent, than half a Pound of 
 ordinary Gunpowder in Afccnt ,• why may it not 
 be as feafible by the fame Art, to extraa fuch an 
 Oil as is here enquired after ? fmce it muft needs 
 be niore difficult to make a Fire, (which of its own 
 Inclination fhall tend downwards) than to contrive 
 fuch an unctuous Liquor, wherein Fire llial 1 be main^ 
 tained for many Years without any new fupply. 
 
 Thus have I briefly fet down the Relations and 
 Opinions of divers Learned Men, concerning thefe 
 perpetual Lamps • of which, though there have 
 been fo many fundry kinds, and feveral ways to 
 make them, (fome being able to refill any Violence 
 of Weathers, others being ealily cxtinguiflied by 
 any little alteration of the Air, fome being inclofed 
 round about within Glafs, others being open^) yet 
 now they are all of them utterly periftied amongft 
 the other Ruins of Time ^ and thofe who are moft 
 verfed in the fearch after them, have only recovered 
 luch dark Conjedures, from which a Man cannot 
 clearly deduce any evident Principle, that may en- 
 courage him to a particular Trial, C H A P^ 
 
Mechanical Motions. 1 47 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Concenung fever al Attempts of Confrhhg a per- 
 petual Motion^ hy Magnetkal Virtues. 
 
 TH E fecond way whereby the making of a per- 
 petual Motion hath been attempted^ is by 
 Magnetical Virtues ^ which are not without fome' 
 ftrong Probabilities of proving effedual to this pur- 
 pofe : Efpecially when we confider, that the Hea- 
 venly Revolutions, (' being as the firft Pattern imi- 
 tated and aimed at in thefe Attempts ) are all of 
 them performed by the help of thefe Qualities. This 
 great Orb of Earth, and all the other Planets, being 
 but as fo many Magnetical Glftbes, endowed with 
 fuch various and continual Motions, as may be mod 
 agreeable to the Purpofes for which they were in- Gilbert de 
 tended. And therefore moft of the Authors, who Magnet. 
 treat concerning this Invention, do agree, that the Cabau^ 
 likelieft v/ay to effed it, is by thefe kind of Quali- ^^^°J^- 
 
 ties. , , . /.?T'2o. 
 
 It was the Opmion of Vet. Peregrimts, and there is ^,^^„^r, 
 an Example pretended for it in Bettinus, ( Jp/ar. 9. K{rcher,eie 
 Trogym.^. ^ro. ji.) that a Magnetical Globe, ov yf>-te Mag- 
 Terella, being rightly placed upon its Poles, would "j^-i-^^par. 
 of it feif have a conftant Rotation, like the Diur- 7/^^'"/. 2! 
 nal Motion of the Earth : But this is commonly ex- p. ^. 
 ploded, as being againft all Experience. a j-,.^^ ^> 
 
 Others think it poffible, fo to contrive feveral tnctu cmi- 
 Pieces of Steel and a Load-Stone, that by their ^^"''• 
 continual Attraction, and Expulfion of one another, p^.L^^l'* 
 they may caufe a perpetual Revolution of a Wheel, motus par. 
 Of this Opinion were a Taifncr, ^ Vet, Veregrinus, i. c. 3. 
 and *= Cardan, out of Antonius de Fantis. But l3. Gil- *^ ^^ ^'^' 
 hrt, who was more efpecially verfed* in Magnetical ^^g^'7'^4^! 
 Experiments, concludes it to be a vain and ground- £,eMagn:t. 
 lefs Fancy, But /. 2. e. 35, 
 
148 D A^ D J L U S^ 
 
 on 
 
 Lib. n 
 
 But amongft all thefe kind of Inventions, that is 
 moft likely, wherein a Load- Stone is fo difpofed, 
 that it (hall draw unto it on a reclined Plane,a Bullet 
 of Steel, which Steel as it afcendsnearto the Load- 
 ftone^may be coHtrived to fall down thro' fomeHole 
 in the Plane, and fo to return unto the Place from 
 whence at firft it began to move ,' and being there, 
 the Loadftone will again attrad it upwards, till 
 coming to this Hole, it will fall down again ,• and 
 fo the Motion fliall be perpetual, as may be more 
 cafily conceivable by this Figure, 
 
 Suppofe the Load-Stone to be reprefented at J By 
 which, though it have not ftrength enough to at- 
 rrad: the Bullet C diredly from the Ground, yet may 
 do it by the help of the Plane EF. Now, when 
 the Bullet is come to the top of this Plane, its own 
 Gravity ( whieh is fuppofed to exceed the ftrength 
 
 ©f 
 
Mechanical Motions. i ao 
 
 of the Loadftone) will make it fall into that Hole 
 at E ; and the force it receives in this fall, will car- 
 ry it with fuch a violence unto the other end of this 
 Arch, that it will open the PafTage which is there 
 made for it, and by its return will again fliut it,- fo 
 that the Bullet, (as at the firft) is in the fame Place 
 whence it was attradedj and confequently muft 
 move perpetually. 
 
 But however this Irivention may feem to be of 
 fuch ftrong probability, yet there are fundry Parti- 
 culars which may prove it infufficient : For, 
 
 1. This Bullet of Steel muft firft be touched, and 
 have its feveral Poles, or elfe there can be liccle or 
 no Attradion of it. Suppofe C in the Steel to be 
 anfwerable unto A in the Stone, and to B ; in the 
 Attraction, C D muft always be direded anfwerable 
 to A B, and fo the Motion will be more difficult, by 
 reafon there can be no Rotation, or turning round 
 of the Bullet, but it muft Aide up with the Line 
 C D, anfwerable to the Axis A B. 
 
 2. In its fall from E to G, which is motus elemen- 
 taris, and proceeds from its Gravity, there muft 
 needs be a Rotation of it, and fo 'tis odds but it 
 happens wrong in the rife, the Poles in the Bullet 
 being not in the fame Diredion to thofe in the Mag- 
 net : And if in this Reflux, it fhould fo fall ou?, 
 that D fhould be direded towards 5, there fhould be 
 rather a Flight than an Attradion, fince thofe two 
 ends do re^el, and not draw one another. 
 
 3. If the Loadftone A B havefo much ftrength, 
 that it can attrad the Bullet in F when it is not turn- 
 ed round, but does only flide upon the Plane, where- 
 as its own Gravity would rowl it downwards ; then 
 it is evident, the Sphere of its Adivity and Strength 
 would be fo increafed when it approaches much 
 nearer, that it would not need the yfliftance^f the 
 Plane, but would draw it immediately to it felt 
 without that help ^ and fo the Bullet would not f^U 
 
 Pv r down 
 
I JO D JB V A L U S', or Lib. II. 
 
 down through the Hole, but afcend to the Stone, 
 and confequently ccafe its Motion : For, if the 
 Loadilone be of force enough to draw the Bullet 
 on the Plane, at the diftance F B, then muft the 
 firength of it be fufficient to attract it immediately 
 unto it fclf, when it is fo much nearer as EB. And 
 if the Gravity of the Bullet be fuppofed fo much 
 to exceed the ftrength of the Magnet, that it can- 
 not draw it diredly when it is fo near, then will it 
 not be able to attra<5t the Bullet up the Plane, when 
 k is fo much further oiF. 
 
 So that none of all thefe Magnetical Experiment?, 
 which have been as yet difcovered, are fufficient for 
 the eiFecling of a perpetual Motion, though thefe 
 kind of Qualities feem moft conducible unto it, and 
 perhaps hereafcer it may be contrived from them. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 The feeming Vrolalility of effeBing a continual 
 Motion hyjolid Ife/ghts, in a hollow Wheel or 
 Sphere. 
 
 TH E third way whereby the making of a per- 
 petual Motion hath been attempted, is by the 
 natural AfFedion of Gravity ^ when the Heavinefs 
 of feveral Bodies is fo contrived, that the fame Mo- 
 tion which they give in their Defcent, may be able 
 to carry them up again. 
 
 But,^ ( againit the Poflibility of any fuch Invent!- 
 SiikiUn- ^^) it is thus objeded by Cardan. All Sublunary 
 De Var. Bodies havc a dired Motion either of Afcent, or 
 Reyv.m,l.9. Dcfccnt J which, becaufe it does refer to fome 
 ^- -^^^ Term, therefore cannot be perpetual, but muft needs 
 ceafe, when it is arrived at the Place unto which 
 it naturally tendsv 
 
 1 ar> 
 
Mechanical Motions. 
 
 IJ' 
 
 I anfwer, Though this may prove that there is no 
 iSfarural Motion of any particular h,eavy Body, 
 which is perpetual, yet it doth not hinder, but that 
 it is poffible from them to contrive fuch an artificial 
 Revolution, as fliall conftantly be the caufe of it 
 .felf. 
 
 Thofe Bodies which may be ferviceable to this 
 purpofe, are diftinguifhable into two kinds. 
 
 1. Solid and Confiftent, as Weights of Metal, or 
 the like. 
 
 2. Fluid, or Sliding ,♦ as Water, Sand, &c. 
 Both thefe ways have been attempted by many, 
 
 though with very little or no fuccefs. Other Mens 
 Conjedures in this kind you may fee fet down by 
 divers Authors. It would be too tedious to repeat •£>• Flud. 
 them over, or fet forth their Draughts. I flrall on- ^'■''^- *•* 
 ly mention two new ones, which (if I am not over- ^^^^ '^^''t[ 
 partial ) feem altogether as probable as any of thefe 
 kinds that have been yet invented ,• and till Experi- 
 ence had difcovered their Defed and Infufficiency, 
 I did certainly conclude them to be Infallible. 
 
 The firft of thefe Contrivances was by folid 
 Weights being placed in fome hollow Wheel or 
 Sphere, unto which they fhould give a perpetual 
 Revolution : For ( as the Philofopher hatii largely , ^ 
 
 proved ) only a Circular Motion can properly be f'^-^f'fi^ 
 perpetual. 
 
 But for the better conceiving of this Invention, it 
 is requifite that we rightly underftand fome Princi- 
 ples in Trochilicks, or the Art of Wheel-Inftruments : 
 As chiefly, the Relation betwixt the Parts of a 
 Wheel, and thofe of a Ballance ^ the feveral Pro- 
 portions in the Semidiameter of a Wheelj being an- Ariji, Me- 
 fwerable to the Sides in a Ballance, where the '■^^''"- <;• ^* 
 Weight is multiplied according to its diftance from fl^f'J^^ 
 the Center. einuU-^ 
 
 R r 2 thu9 
 
IJl 
 
 2)^D A LU S, er-. Lib. 
 
 Thus^ fuppofe the Center to be at J, and theDi- 
 ameter of the Wheel DC to be divided into equal 
 Parts (as is here exprelTedj it is evident, according 
 to the former Ground, that one Pound at C will 
 equiponderate to Five Pound at B, becaufe there is 
 fuch a proportion betwixt their feveral Diftances 
 from the Center. And it is not material, whether 
 or no thefe feveral Weights be placed Horizontally ; 
 for though B do hang lower than C, yet this does 
 not at all concern the Heavinefs; or though the 
 Plummet C u^ere placed much higher than it is at E, 
 or lower at F, yet would k ftill retain the fame 
 Weight which it had at C ; becaufe thefe Plummets 
 ( as in the Nature of all heavy Bodies ) do tend 
 downwards by a ftrait Line : So that their feve- 
 ral Gravities are to be meafured by that part of the 
 Horizontal Semidiameter, which is directly either 
 below or above them. Thus when the Plummet G 
 fliall be moved either to G or H^ k will lofe | of its 
 
 fos?-- 
 
Mtrchanical Motions, ijj 
 
 former Heavinefs, and be equally ponderous as if it 
 were placed in th« Balance at Number 3 ; and if 
 we fuppofe it to be fituated at I or K, then the 
 Weight of it will lie wholly upon the Center, and 
 not at all conduce to the Motion of the Wheel on 
 either fide. So that the ftrait Lines which pafs 
 through the Divifions of the Diameter, may ferve 
 to meafure the Heavinefs of any Weight in its feve- 
 ral Situations. 
 
 Thefe things throughly confidered, it feems very 
 poflible and eafie for a Man to contrive the Plum- 
 mets of a Wheel, that they may be always heavier 
 in their Fall, than in their Afcent ; and fo confe- 
 quently, that they ftiould give a perpetuul Motion 
 to the Wheel it felf j fince it is impoflible for that to 
 remain unmoved, as long as one fide in it is heavier 
 than the other. 
 
 For the performance of this, the Weights muft 
 be fo ordered, i. That in their Defcent they may 
 fall from the Center, and in their Afcent may rife 
 nearer to it. 2. That the Fall of each Plummet 
 may begin the Motion of that which fiiould fucceed 
 it. As in this following Diagram. 
 
 Rr 3 Where 
 
IJ4 T> ^ D J h U S i or Lib. 11. 
 
 Where there are i6 Plummets, 8 in the inward 
 Circle, and as many in the outward, ( the inequali- 
 ty being to arife from their Situation, it is therefore 
 molt convenient that the Number of them be even.j 
 The a inward Plummets arefuppofed to be in thetii- 
 ielvesfo much heavier than the other, that in the 
 Wheel they may be of equal Weight with thofe a- 
 bove them, and then the Fall of thefe will be of 
 fufficient Force to bring down the other. For Ex- 
 ample, if the outward be each of them Four Oun- 
 ces, then the inward mull be Five j becaufe the out- 
 w xrd is ^iftant from the Center Five of thofe Parts , 
 whereof the inward is but Four. Each Pair of thefe 
 Weights lliould be joined together by a little String 
 or Cham, which muft be faftned about the middle, 
 betwixt the Bullet and the Center of that Plummet 
 which IS to fall firit, and at the Top of the o-> 
 then • 
 
 When thefe Bullets in their Defcent are at their 
 nnhe.i Diftancs from the Center of the Wheel, then 
 
 iliall 
 
Mechaiikal ^Motions. i j j 
 
 fhall they "be flopped, and reft on the Pins placed to 
 that Parpofe ,• and fo in their rifing, there muft be 
 other Pins to keep them in a convenient Pofture and 
 Diftance from the Center, left approaching too near 
 unto it, they thereby become unfit to fall, when 
 they fliall come to the Top of the defcending Side. 
 
 This may be otherwife contrived with fome dif- 
 ferent Circumftances, but they will all redound to 
 the fame EfFed. By fuch an Engine it feems very 
 probable, that a Man may produce a perpetual Mo- 
 tion. The Diftance of the Plummets from the Cen- 
 ter increafmg their Weight on one Side, and their 
 being tied to one another, caufing a conftant Suc- 
 ceflion in their falling. 
 
 But now, upon Experience I have found this to 
 be fallacious, and the Reafon may fufticiencly appear 
 by a Calculation of the Heavinefs of each Plummet, 
 according to its feveral Situation ; which may eafi- 
 ly be done by thofe Perpendiculars that cut the Dia- 
 meter, (as was before explained, and is here expreffed 
 in J of thePlummets on the defcending Side J From 
 fuch aCalculationit will be evident,that both theSides 
 of this Wheel will equiponderate ^ and fo confequent- 
 ly that the fuppofed Inequality whence the Motion 
 fhould proceed, is but Imaginary and Groundlefs. 
 On the defcending Side, the Heavinefs of each 
 Plummet may be meafured according to thefe Num- 
 bers, ('fuppofing the Diameter of the Wheel to be 
 divided into Twenty Parts, and each of thofe fub- 
 divided into Four.) 
 
 The outward Vlummets, The inward Plummets, 
 
 \1 o^ fi o"* 
 
 - , 7 2 _ 
 
 -< ID o >- The Sum 24, "f 7 2 >TheSum 19, 
 
 :l7 9j. ' y 
 
 Rr 4 On 
 
1^6 D JE V A LU S', or, Lib. II. 
 
 On the afcending Side, the Weights arQ to be 
 reckoned according to thefe Degrees. 
 
 The oufward, 
 7 2 
 
 •< 9 o>The Sum 24. 
 
 The in'ward. 
 
 7 7y&e Sww 
 ^ y 2 >- 19. 
 
 
 ^ '1: 
 
 The Sum of which laft Numbers is equal with the 
 former^and therefore both the Sides of fuch a Wheel, 
 in this Situation will equiponderate. 
 
 If it be objeded, that the Plummet A (hould be 
 contrived to pull down the other at B, and then the 
 defcending Side will be heavier than the other. 
 
 For aniwer to this, it is confiderable, 
 
 1. That thefe Bullets towards the Top of the 
 Wheel, cannot defcend till they come to a certain 
 kind of Inclination. 
 
 2. That any lower Bullet hanging upon the other 
 above it, to pull it down, muft be conceived, as if 
 the Weight of it were in that Point where its String 
 touches che upper ^ at which Point this Bullet will 
 be of lefs Heavinefs in refped of the Wheel , than 
 if it did reft in its own Place : So that both the Sides 
 of it, in any kind of Situation may equiponde- 
 l"3tc. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Mechanical Motions. I j/ 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 Of compofing a perpetual Motion ly fluid TVeights. 
 Concerning Archimedes his Water-Screw. The 
 great Prohahility of accomplifhing this Enquiry 
 ly the Help of that ; with the Fallihlenefs of it 
 upon Experiment, 
 
 THat which I (hall mention as the laft Way, for 
 the Trial of this Experiment, is by contriving 
 it in fome Water- Inftrument ; which may feem al- 
 together as probable and eafie as any of the reft ; 
 becaufc that Element by reafon of its fluid and fub- 
 tle Nature (whereby of its own accord it fearches 
 out the lower and more narrow PalTages ) may be 
 moft pliable to the Mind of the Artificer. Now the 
 ufual Means for the Afcent of Water, is either by 
 Suckers or Forces, or fomething equivalent thereunto: 
 Neither of which may be conveniently applied un- 
 to fuch a Work as this, becaufe there is required un- 
 to each of them fo much or more Strength , as may 
 be anfvverable to the full Weight of the Water that ' 
 is to be drawn up ,• and then befides, they move 
 for the moft part by Fits and Snatches, fo that it is 
 not eafily conceivable, how they ftiould conduce 
 unto fuch a Motion, which by reafon of its Perpe- 
 tuity muft be regular and equal. 
 
 But amongft all other ways to this Purpofe , that 
 Invention of Archimedes is incomparably the beft, 
 which is ufually called Cochlea, or the IVater-fcrew j 
 being framed by the helical Revolution of a Cavity 
 about a Cylinder. We have not anv Difcourfe from 
 the Author himfelf concerning it, nor is it certain 
 whether he ever writ any thing to this Purpofe. But 
 if he did, yet as the Injury of Time hath depri- 
 ved' us of many other his excellent Works, fo like- 
 wife of this amongft the Reft. Ath:(n.- 
 
158 V ^ V A L U Si or Lib.ir; 
 
 Athenatis fpeaking of that great Ship built by Hie- 
 ro, in the framing of which, there were Three hun- 
 dred Carpenters employed for a Year together, be- 
 fides many other Hirelings for Carriages, and fuch 
 fervile Works,* mentions this Inftrument as being in- 
 stead of a Pump for that vail Ship; by the Help of 
 which, one Man might eafily and Ipeedily drain 
 out the Water, though it were very deep. 
 
 Diodorus Siculus fpeaking of this Engine, tells us , 
 that Archimedes invented it when he was in Egypt, 
 and that it was ufed in that Countrcy, for the drain- 
 ing of thofe Pits and lower Grounds , whence the 
 Waters of Nilus could not return. ^iKorixv^i ./^' hr©- 
 "w opyetya x^^" \^$ohh, (faith the fame Author. ) It 
 being an Engine fo Ingenious and Artificial, as can- 
 not be fufficiendy exprelTed or commended. And 
 i^o (it fhould feemj the Smith in Milan conceived it 
 to be, who having without any Teaching or Infor- 
 mation found it out, and therefore thinking himfelf 
 to be the firft Inventor, fell mad with the meer Joy 
 of it. 
 
 The Nature and Manner of making this, is more 
 largely handled by Vitruvius. 
 
 The Figure of it is after this Manner. 
 
 Where 
 
Mechanical Motions. 
 
 59 
 
 Where you fee there is a Cylinder /^J, and a 
 fpiral Cavity or Pipe twining about it , according 
 to equal Revolutions BE. The Axis and Centers of 
 its Motions are at the Points C D j upon which being 
 turned, it will fo happen, that the fame part of the 
 Pipe which was now lowermoft, will prefently be- 
 come higher, fo that the Water does afcend by de- 
 fcending ; afcending in comparifon to the whole 
 Inllrumenr, and defcending in refpe<5t of its feveral 
 Parts. This being one of the ftrangeft Wonders a- 
 mongft thofe many wherein thefe Mathematical 
 Arts do abound, that a heavy Body fliould rife by 
 falling down, and the farther it pafTes by his own 
 natural Motion of Defcent, by fo much higher ftill 
 Ihall it afcend ; which though it feem fo evidently 
 to contradid: all Reafon and Philofophy, yet in 
 this Inftrument it may be manifefted both by De- 
 monftration and Senfe. 
 
 This Pipe or Cavity, for the Matter of if, cannot 
 e^fily be made of Metal, by re^on of its often 
 
 turn- 
 
i^o J) ^ D J L U S', i)r, Lib. It 
 
 turnings,- but for Trial, there might be fuch a Ca- 
 vity cut in a Column of Wood, and afterwards 
 covered over with Tin-plate. 
 
 For the Form and JVdannerof making this Screw 
 Vitruvim does prefcribe thefe two Rules : * 
 
 I. That there muft be an Equality obferved be- 
 twixt the Breadth of the Pipe, and the Plftance of 
 Its leveral Circumvolutiom. 
 .^. \ That there muft be fuch a Proportion betwixt 
 ^ :.. • Le^^gfh of the Inftrument, and its Elevation, as 
 mv:dR:. IS anfwerable to the Tythagorkal Trizon. If the Hv- 
 T;!":: r^--%', or Screw be^ Five, fhe PerpendS- 
 cprssxt,r. '3r or Elevation muft be Three, and the Bafis 
 Four. 
 
 However, (with his Leave) neither of thefe Pro- 
 portions are generally neceffary, but fhould be va- 
 ried according to other Circumftances. As for the 
 Breadth of the Pipe in refpedl of its Revolutions3 it 
 IS left at Liberty, and may be contrived according 
 to the Quantity of Water which it fhould contain 
 The chief thing to be confidered, is the Obliquity or 
 Clolenefs of thefe Circumvolutions. For the nearer 
 they are unto one another, the higher may the In- 
 ftrument be erecSed ^ there being no other guide for 
 Its true Elevation but this. 
 
 ^ And becaufe tlie ri^ht underftanding of this par- 
 ticularis one of the principal Matters that concerns 
 the ule of this Engine, therefore I ftall endeavour 
 with Brevity and Perfpicuity to explain it. The 
 firit thmg to be enquired after, is, what kind of In- 
 clmation thefe Helical Revolutions of the Cylinder 
 have unto the Horizon j which may be thus found 
 
 out. 
 
 Ltt 
 
Mechanical Motiom 
 
 1 6 1 
 
 AN 
 
 DLfe 
 
 Let A B reprefent a Cylinder with two perfed 
 Revolutions in it, unto which Cylinder the Perpen- 
 dicular Line C D is equal : The Bafis D E being fup- 
 pofed to be double unto the Compafs or Circumfe- 
 rence of the Cylinder. Now it is certain, that the 
 Angle C ED, is the fame with that by which th» 
 Revolutions on the Cylinder are framed , and that 
 the Line E C, in comparifon to the Bafis E D, does 
 ihew the Inclination of thefe Revolutions unto the 
 Horizon. The Grounds and Demonftration of this, 
 are more fully fet down by Guidtis Ubaldusy in his 
 Mechanicks, and that other Treatife De Cochlea , 
 which he writ purpofely for the Explication of 
 this Inftrumentj where the Subtiltiesof it are large- 
 ly and excellently hand led. 
 
 Now if this Screw which was before Perpendicu- 
 lar, be fuppofed to decline unto the Horizon by 
 the Angle F B G, as in this fecond Figure ; 
 
 ^eti 
 
i6i D ^ D A L U S s or, Lib. IL 
 
 then the Inclination of the Revolutions in it will 
 be increafed by the Angle EDH; though thefe Re- 
 volutions will {till remain in a kind of Afcent fo 
 that Water cannot be turned through them. ' 
 
 But now, if the Screw be placed fo far declinine 
 that the Angle of its Inclination FB G, be lefs than 
 the Angle E C D, in the Triangle ,• as in this other 
 D'agram under the former ; then the Revolutions 
 of It will defcend to the Horizon , as does the Line 
 E C ,• and in fuch a Pofture, if the Screw be turned 
 round. Water will afcend through its Cavity. Whence 
 It IS eafie to conceive the certain Declination,where* 
 m any Screw mufl be placed for its own Convey- 
 ance of Water upwards. Any Point betwixt H and 
 D being in defcent, but yet the more the Screw 
 declines downwards towards D, by fo much the 
 more Water will be carried up by it. 
 See a fur- 1/ Y^^ would know the juft Quantity of Water 
 'thciexpli- which every Revolution does contain and carry, 
 cation of according to any Inclination of the Cylinder ; this 
 ' fr//«?/" ^^?y ^^ ^^^^y found.by afcribing on it an £%/?x,pa- 
 ork^r//. ^^^^^^ ^o fhe Horizon ; which EUip/is will (hew how 
 z.i>rvp. 2s. nr^ch of the Revolution is empty, and how much 
 full. 
 
 The true Inclination of the Screw being founds 
 together with the certain Quantity of Water which 
 every Helix does contain ; it is further confiderable^ 
 that the Water by this Inllrument does afcend natu- 
 rally of it felf, without any Violence or Labour ,- 
 and that the Heavinefs of it does lis chiefly upon 
 the Centers or Axis of the Cylinder , both its fides 
 being of equal Weight (hith UhaUus : ) So that 
 irop ^' ^^^ i'hould feem) though we fuppofe each Revoluti- 
 f''"^' ^- on to have an equal Quantity of Water, yet the 
 Screw will remain with any Part upwards, (accord- 
 ing as it fiiall be fet) without turning it felf either 
 way. And therefore the leaft Strength being added 
 to eivher of its fides, fliould make it defcend,. ac- 
 
 sording 
 
Mechanical Motions, 1 6^ 
 
 cording to that common Maxim of Archimedes ; a- -D^ jE^'a/- 
 ny Addition will make that which equiponderates ^"j- " "^^'^ 
 with another, to tend downwards. 
 
 But now, becaufe the Weight of this Inftrument, 
 and the Water in it does lean wholly upon the Axis, 
 hence is it (faith UhaUus) that the grating and rub- 
 bing of thefe Axes againft the Sockets wherein they 
 are placed, will caufe fome Ineptitude and Refiften-. 
 cy to that Rotation of the Cylinder ; which would 
 otherwife enfue upon the Addition of the leaft 
 Weight to any one Side ; but ( faith the ' fame Au- 
 thor) any Power that is greater than this Refiften- 
 cy which does arife from the Axis, will ferve for ths 
 turning of it round. 
 
 Thefe things confidered together, it will hence 
 appear, how a perpetual Motion may feem eafily 
 contrivable. For if there were but fuch a Water- 
 wheel made on this Indrument, upon which the 
 Stream that is carried up may fall in its defcent , it 
 would turn the Screw round , and by that Means 
 convey as much Water up as is required to move it j fo 
 that the Motion muft needs be continual, fince the 
 fame Weight which in its Fall does turn the Wheels, 
 is by the turning of the Wheel, carried up a- 
 gain. 
 
 Or if the Water falling upon one Wheel, would 
 not be forcible enough for this EfFed, why then 
 there might be two or three, or more, according as 
 the Length and Elevation of thelnftrument will ad- 
 mit : By which means, the Weight of it may be fo 
 multiplfed in ^he Fall, that it fhall be equivalent to 
 twice or thrice that quantity of Water which af- 
 cends. As may be more plainly difcerned by this 
 following Diagranf). 
 
 Wher? 
 
1(54 I> j£ D A L U Sy or^ Lib. II. 
 
 Where the Figure L AIjU che Bottom, does repre- 
 fent a wooden Cylinder with helical Cavities cut in 
 it ; which at A B, is fuppofed to be covered over 
 with Tin-plates, and three Water-wheels upon it U 
 J K. The lower Ciftern which contains the Wa- 
 ter being C D. Now this Cylinder being turned 
 round, all the Water v^iich from the Ciftern afcends 
 through it, will fall into the Veffel at E, and from 
 that Veffel being conveyed upon the Water-wheel 
 H, iliall confequently give a circular Motion to the 
 
 whole 
 
Mechanical Motions, 
 
 whole Screw : Or if this alone (hould be too weak 
 for the turning of it, then the fame Water which 
 falls from the Wheel H, being received into the o- 
 ther Veffel F, may from thence again defcend on 
 the Wheel / ; by which means the fores of it will 
 be doubled. And if this be yet infufficient, then 
 may the Water which falls on the fecond Wheel /, 
 be received into the other Veffel G, and from 
 thence again defcend on the third Wheel at K : And 
 fo for as many other Wheels as the Inftrument is ca- 
 pable of. So that befides the greater Diftance of 
 thefe three Streams from the Center or Axis, by 
 which they are made fo much heavier, and befides, 
 that the Fall of this outward Water is forcible and 
 violent, whereas the Afcent of that within is natu- 
 ral ,♦ befides all this, there is thrice as much Water 
 to turn the Screw, as is carried up by it. 
 
 But on the other fide , if all the Water falling 
 tipon one Wheel, would be able to turn it round, 
 then half of it would ferve with two Wheels ^ and 
 the reft may be fo difpofed of in the Fail , as to 
 ferve unto fome other ufeful delightful Ends. 
 
 When i firft thought of this Invention, I could 
 fcarce forbear with Archiwedesto cry out ^t;?;-;/^, Iv^ny^i 
 it feeming fo infallible a way for the effeding of a 
 perpetual Motion, that nothing could be fo much 
 as probably objeded againft it ; But upon Trial and 
 Experience I find it altogether infufficient for any 
 fuch Purpofe, and that for thefe two Reafons : 
 
 1. The Water that afcends , will not make any 
 confiderable Stream in the Fall. 
 
 2. This Stream (tho' multiplied) will not be 
 of Force enough to turn about the Screw. 
 
 I. The Water afcends gently, and by Intermif- 
 fions ,' but it fall^ continuately , and with Force ; 
 each of the three Veffels being fuppofed full at the 
 firfl, that fo the Weight of the. Water in the hi 
 might add the grfacer Strength and Swiftnefs to the 
 S f §rfearr.?,' 
 
 There is 
 another 
 Jike con- 
 trivance . 
 tothispur- 
 pofe in 
 Pet.Bettin. 
 ^^iar. 4. 
 Pogym. r. 
 Prop. 10. 
 but with 
 much lefs 
 advantage 
 than 'tis 
 here pro« 
 pofed. 
 
%66 
 
 ^ ^ D A L U S i or Lib. II. 
 
 Streams, that defcend from them. Now this Swift- 
 nefs of Motion will caufe fo great a Diiference be- 
 twixt them , that one of thefe little Streams may 
 tpend more Water in the Fall, than a Stream fix 
 times bigger in the Afcent, tho* we fhould fuppofe 
 both of them to be continuate : How much more 
 then , when as the afcending Water is vented by 
 Fifs and Intermiffions ^ every Circumvolution 
 voiding only fo much as is containedi^r onerSe/ijc ? 
 And in this particular , one that is not verfed in 
 theie kind of Experiments, may be eafily deceived. 
 But SeconMj, tho' there were fo great a Difpro- 
 portion , yet notwithftanding, the Force of thefe 
 out\A/ard Streams might well enough ferve for the 
 turning of the Screw • if it were fo , that both its 
 fides would equiponderate the Water being ia 
 them (as l/i^.-z/iw, hath affirmed.; But now, upon 
 farther Examination , we fhall find this Aflertion of 
 his to be utterly againft both Reafon and Experi- 
 ence. And herein does confift the chief Miftake 
 of this Contrivance : For the afcending fide of the 
 Screw is made by the Water contained in it, fo 
 much heavier than the defcending fide , that thefe 
 outward Streams thus applied, will not be of force 
 enough to make them equiponderate,muchlcfs to move 
 fhe wholes as may be more eafily difcern d by this Fig. 
 
 E 
 
 3 
 
 Where yi B reprefents a Screw cover'd over T 
 CD I, one H.lix, or Revolution of it, C P the Af- 
 cending 
 
Mechanical Motions. 1 6^ 
 
 cending fide, E D the Defcendinjj; fide , the Point 
 D the middle. The Horizontal Line C F, fhewing 
 how much of the Helix is filled with Water, -viz.. 
 of the Afcending fide, from C the beginning of the 
 Helixy to D the middle of ir^ and on the Defcend- 
 ing fide , from D the middle , to the Point G, 
 where the Horizontal does cut the Helix. Now ic 
 is evident, that this latter part D G, is nothing near; 
 fo much , and confequently not fo heavy as the 
 other D C. And thus is it in all the other Revolu- 
 tions ; which , as they are either more or larger, 
 fo will the Difficulty of this Motion be increafedl 
 Whence it will appear, that the outward Streams 
 which defcend, mult be of fo much Force , as to 
 countervail all that Weight whereby the Afcend- 
 ing fide in every one of thefe Revolutions does ex- 
 ceed the other. And tho' this may be effeded by 
 making the Water-wheels larger, yet then the Mo- 
 tion will be {o flow, that the Screw will not be able? 
 to fupply the outward Streams. 
 
 There is another Contrivance to this purpofe, 
 mentioned by Kircber de Alagnete, I. 2. f. 4. depend- 
 ing upon the Heat of the Sun , and the Force of 
 Winds j but it is liable to fuch abundance of Excep- 
 tions, that it is fcarce worth the menrioning , and 
 does by no means deferve the Confidence. of any 
 Ingenious Artiil. 
 
 Thus have I briefly explained the Probabilities 
 and Defects of thofe fubtle Contrivances, whereby 
 the making of a perpetual Motion hath been at- 
 tempted. I would be loth to difcourage the En- 
 quiry of any ingenious Artificer , by denying the 
 Poflibility of effeding it with any of thcfe Me- Treare^ 
 chanical Helps : But yet (I conceive) if tliofePrin- ofbetbre, 
 ciples which concern the Slownefs of the Power, in '' '' ' 
 comparifon to the Greatnefs of the Weight , were 
 rightly undcrftood, and thronghly confidered, they 
 would make this Experiment co fcc:n (if noral- 
 
 coge- 
 
avvciK-d 
 
 Plutarch. 
 
 Marcel/. 
 
 ^oan.Tz.et^ 
 
 zes, Cb/l. 
 
 Valer. 
 Maxim. 
 I. 8. c. 7. 
 
 © ^ © A L U Ssor, See. Lib. If. 
 
 topther impoffible, yetj much more difficult than 
 otherwife perhaps it will appear. However, the En- 
 quiring after it cannot but deferve our Endeavours 
 as being one of the moft noble amongft all thefe 
 Mechanical Subtilcies. And (as it is in the Fable 
 u Vl!" 7}]^ ^"§ ^^e Vineyard for a hid Treafure 
 tho^hedid not find the Money, yet he thereby 
 made the Ground more fruitful • fo) tho' we do 
 not attain to the efFeding of this particular yet 
 our learching after it may difcover fo many other 
 excellent Subtilties, as fliall abundantly recompence 
 the Labour of our Enquiry, 
 
 And then befides, it may be another Encourage- 
 ment, to confider the Pleafure of fuch Speculations 
 which do ravifli and fublime the Thoughts with 
 more clear Angelical Contentments. Archimedes 
 was generally fo taken up in the Delight of thefe 
 Mathematical Studies of this familiar Siren, (as Tin- 
 tarch fliles them ) that he forgot both his Meat and 
 Drink , and other Neceffities of Nature j nay 
 that he negle^ed the faving of his Life, when that 
 rude Soldier , in the Pride and Hafte of Victor}-, 
 would not give him leifure to finifh his Demonftra- 
 tion. What a Raviftiment was that, when having 
 found out the way to meafure Hieros Crown , he 
 leaped out of the Bath, and' fas if he were fudden- 
 ly poffefs'd) ran naked up and down, crying, 
 fi'.jHyj;, £L/f»/^ ! Ic is Itoried of Jhdes, that in his Joy 
 and Gratitude for one of thefe Mathematical Inven- 
 tions,, he went prefently to the Temple , and there 
 oifer'd up a fblemn Sacrifice. And Tythagoras , up- 
 on the like Occafion , is related to have facrificed 
 a Hundred Oxen. The Juftice of Providence ha- 
 ying fo contriv'd it, that the Pleafure which there 
 is in the Succefs of fuch Inventions, fhould be pro- 
 portioned to the great Difficulty and Labour of their 
 
 J' 
 
 F i N i So 
 
1^9 
 
 A N 
 
 A B S TRACT 
 
 O F 
 
 Dr. IV I L K I N S's 
 
 ESSAY 
 
 Towards a 
 
 Real Charader, 
 
 A N D A 
 
 Philofophical Language. 
 
 Which was Printed by Order of the Royal 
 Society^ i66B, 
 
 IT appears by the Author's Dedication to the Pre- 
 fident. Council and Fellows of the Royal Society^ 
 that they had feveral Times requir'd his Papers 
 of him relating to this Subjecft^ and that in obe- 
 dience to their Orders, he had reduced them into 
 Method. He tells them, he was not fo vain as to 
 think he had finifli'd this great Undertaking with all 
 the Advantages of v^hich it was capable : Nor was 
 he fo diffident of hisEffay,but that he thought it fuf- 
 ficient for what it pretended tOy'vix,. thediilinAEx:- 
 preflion of all Things and Notions that fall under 
 Difcourfe*. He was fenfible of fund ry Defeds infe- 
 Xttz\ parts of th« Be-ok^ and therefore defircd they 
 
 T c would 
 
170 -^/i E^jf'^y towards a ^al CharaBer, 
 
 would appoint fome of their Number to confider the 
 whole, and to offer their Obfervations as to what 
 they thought fie to be amended. Accordingly feve- 
 ral of the Society, as appears by the Philofophical 
 Tranla(ftions of Monday^ May, 18. 1668. were ap- 
 pointed to anfwer his Defire, for the furthering and 
 facilitating thePradice of what he aim'd at. But what 
 Progrefs they made in it does not appear. Our Au- 
 thor was fenfible that his Defign might lie negleded 
 as other good Defigns had done,- and the only Ex- 
 pedient he could think of to prevent it, was, that it 
 might be fent abroad with the Approbation of the 
 Royal Society, which might provoke at leaft the 
 Learned part of the World to take notice of, and 
 encourage it, according as they (hould think it de- 
 ferv'd. 
 
 The Advantages propofed by this Philofophical 
 Language were,The facilitating of mutual Commerce 
 among the feveral Nations of the World j the impro- 
 ving t)f Natural Knowledge; and the Propagation of 
 Religion: Our Author was alfo of Opinion, that it 
 might contribute much to the clearing of fome Mo- 
 dern Differences in Religion, by unmasking many 
 wild Errors that fhelterthemfelves under the Difguife 
 of AffededPhrafes; which being philofophically un- 
 foldedtj and rendred according to the Genuine and 
 Natarai Importance of Words, would appear to be 
 Inconfiilencies and Contradictions ,-, and feveral of 
 thofe pretended Mylterious Profound Notions, ex- 
 prefs'd in Big Swelling Words^, by which Men fet 
 up for Reputation, being this way examin'd, would 
 either ap^-car to be Nonfenfe, or very jejune. But 
 whatever might be the iffue of this Attempt, as to 
 the eftabiifiiing of a Real CharaBer, and bringing 
 it into common V^t among feveral Nations of the 
 World, of which our Author had but very flender 
 Expe<rtations, yet of this he was confident, that the 
 reducing of ail Things and Notions to fuch kind of 
 
 Tables 
 
An Efjay towards a ^al Charafier. i ^ | 
 
 Tables as he propofed, were it as complcatly done 
 as it might be, would prove the fhorteft and plainelt 
 Way for the attainment of Real Knowledge, that 
 had yet been ofFer'd to the World. To which he ad- 
 ded. That he thought his Tables , as now they are, 
 were a much better and readier Courfe for training 
 up Men in the knowledge of Things, than any other 
 Way that he knew of. And inded llncc hisDefign 
 of the Real Charader is wholly negleded, that feems 
 now to be the principal ufe of the Book, and alone 
 makes it truly valuable. 
 
 In his Preface to the Reader he gives an Account 
 how he came to engage in this Work, viz,. That by 
 his Converfe with Dr. Setb Ward, then Biiliop of 
 Salisbury J upon the various Defiderata, propofed by 
 LearnedMen to be ftill wanting to the Advancement 
 of feveral parts of Learning, he found this of an U- 
 niverfal Character, to be one of the principal and 
 moft feafible, if regularly profecuted ; but mod of 
 thofe who had attempted any thing like it, miftook 
 their Foundation, by propofing a Charader accord- 
 ing to fome particular Language, without reference 
 to the Nature of Things, and that Common Notion 
 of them wherein Mankind agrees : This Suggeftion 
 gave him the firft diftin<3: Apprehenfion of rheproper 
 Courfe to be taken for advancing fuch a Defign. 
 
 He fays it was a confide rable time after this before 
 he attempted it^ and the firft Occalion of it was,- his 
 defire to allift another Perfon in framing a Real Cha- 
 rader from the Natural Notion of Tilings. In or- 
 der to promote that Perfon's Defign, he drew up the 
 Tables of Subftances, or the Species of Natural Bo- 
 dies, reduced under their feveral Heads, much the 
 fame as they are publifh'd in this Effay. But the Per- 
 fon thinking this Method of too great a compafs, 
 and conceiving that he could provide for all the chief 
 Radicals in a much fhorcer and eafier Way, he did 
 not i2iaii€ ule of the Dodor's Tables. Our Author 
 
 T t z how- 
 
17 i Jn Fjfny towards a ^^eal CharaHer. 
 
 however being convinc'd that this wa's the only way 
 to efFec'l: fuch a Work^ and being unwilling to lole 
 Co much Pains, he went on with the other Tables of 
 Accidents, and then attempted the reduction of all 
 otherWords in theDidionary to thefeTables^eitheras 
 they werefyncnimous tothem^or to be defin'd by 'em^ 
 which was a true way to try the Fulnefs of thofe Ta- 
 bles, and likewife a Help to Learners^ who without 
 fuch a Diredion, might not perhaps be able at firft 
 to find out the true Place and Notion of many 
 Words. 
 
 For the farther compleating of this Work, out Au- 
 thor found it neceflary to frame fuch a Natural 
 Grammar, as might be fuited to the Philofophy of 
 Speech, abftrading from many unneceffary Rules be- 
 longing to inftituted Languages. 
 
 He takes notice of the Affiftance he receive'd from 
 his Learned Friends in feveral Faculties ; particular- 
 ly from Mr. Francis Willoughby, as to the feveral Spe- 
 cies of Animals j from Mr. John Ray, as to the Ta- 
 bles of Plants ; and for the other principal Difficul- 
 ties from Dr. William Lloyd , than whom he knew 
 none fitter, becaufe of his Accurate Judgment in Phi- 
 lology and Philofophy ; and to him particularly he 
 ow d the fuiting the Tables to the Dictionary, and 
 the drawing up of the Dicf^ionary it felf, which he 
 doubts not will be found the molt perfed ever yet 
 made for the EjtgUfi} Tongue. 
 
 'Tis obfervable however, that though he mentions 
 others of his Friends by Name, from whom he had 
 any Light or Help towards this Defign, he does not 
 at all name Mr. George Dalgarno, a Scotch Gentleman^ 
 born at Aberdeen, and bred in the Univerfity there, 
 who printed a Book upon the fame Subjed, and with 
 the fame View , before him. This is the more re- 
 markable, becaufe Dr. JVilkinss own Name is printed 
 in the Margin of King Charles the lid's Letter, pre- 
 fixed to Mr. Dalgarno'i Book^ as one of thofe who in- 
 formed 
 
^rt ^jfay towards a ^al CharaRcr, 17 j 
 
 form'd his Majefty of Mr. Dala^^rno's Defign; and 
 approv'd it as a thing that might be of fingulnr ufe 
 to facilitate an Intercourfe between People of diffe- 
 rent Languages, and confequently a proper and ef- 
 fed:ual Means for advancing all the Parrs of Real 
 and Ufefal Knowledge, civilizing Barbarous Nati- 
 ons, propagating the Gofpel^aud increafingTraffick 
 and Commerce ; which prevail'd with his iVl^ijefty 
 to grant his (aid f etters of Recommendation to as 
 many of his Subjedis, efpecially the Clergy^ as were 
 truiy apprehenfive and fenfible of the defedivenefs 
 of Art^ chiefly in this Particular of Language, what 
 a great lofs Mankind is at thereby, how acceptable 
 it would be before God, and praife-worthy among 
 Men, to encourage and advance thofe Ways of 
 Learning, wherein the general Good of Mankind is 
 intended; that fuch Perfons would, as their Affe- 
 dions fhall incline them, and their Places enable 
 them, put their helping Hands to the bringing forth 
 this (as yet) Infant De/ign, now flicking in the 
 Birth. 
 
 Thefe are the Words of his Majefty's Letters,where- 
 in he was pleafed to declare he would give fomeTo- 
 ken of his Royal Favour for the helping forward that 
 lb laudable and hopeful Enterprize. 
 
 There is no Conjedure to be made why the Bifiiop 
 fliould have forborn to name this Gentleman, but 
 what is to be colled:ed from his own Epiftle, and 
 from Mr. Dalgamos, Book. In the former ;t appears 
 that the Bifhop had form'd his Tables for the afli- 
 ftance of another Perfon in fo worthy an Underta- 
 king ; but that Perfon did not think fit to make ufe of 
 thofe Tables. And by M.t.Dalgamos Book, it is evi- 
 dent that he was in his Judgment againfl: thofe Tables, 
 as being too tedious and difficult, and fuch as Philo- 
 fophers were not agreed in , and by confequence 
 other Men of different Languages and Nations,could 
 not have the fame Idea's about them ; by which it is 
 
 Tt 3 pro- 
 
1/4 ^n EJfay towards a ^eal CharaEler. 
 
 probable he gave the BiOiop fome Difguft, which 
 Name occafion why he did not mention his 
 
 The Title of Mr. Dalgarms Book is, Ars Signorum, 
 
 'vulgo CharaBer Uni-uerfaUs & Lingua Vbilofophica. ^a 
 
 foterunt, homines diverjifimorum Idiomatuw, Sfatio du~ 
 
 einim [epimanarum, omnia Animi fui fenfa (in rebus 
 
 familiarihus) non minus intelligibiliter, five fcribcndo, fi- 
 
 t'e loquendoy mutuo communicare^ qu.m Unguis frofriis 
 
 'vernaculis^ Traterea, bine etiam potcrunt J-wvenes Phi- 
 
 lojophia, Trinvipia & veram Logics fraxin^ citiiis & fa- 
 
 CUIUS multo iTTfhihere, quam ex vuJgarihm Thilofopborum 
 
 Scriptls. 
 
 This is enough to fhew'thit Mr. Dalgarno%V>t^\gr\^ 
 tho he differ'd in the Method, was the fame, in the 
 njain, with the Bilhop's, to which we now return. 
 He divides his Book into four Parts ,• the firft con- 
 tains the Trolegomena^ and is divided into Five Chap- 
 ters. TheFirft Chapter hath Four Sedions : The 
 Firft contains the Introduction j the Second, the Ori- 
 ginal of Languages ; wherein he delivers his Opini- 
 on, That the firft Language was concrcaced with 
 our Firft Parents. The Rife of the ConfuHon of 
 Languages is well enough known, but what number 
 of Languages fprung up at that Confufion, is not 
 certain ; the moft receiv'd Conjediure is, that they 
 were 70, or 72, tho' there be ftrong Probabilities to 
 prove that there were not fo many, and that the firft 
 Difperiion did not divide Mankind into fomany Co- 
 lonies. But the Languages now us*d in the World, 
 do far exceed this Number. Tli^y and Strabo make 
 mention of 500 Nations of different Languages, from 
 whence People reforted to Diofcnricr, a great Mart- 
 Town in Colcbos; which confidering the narrow com- 
 pals of Traffick, before the Invention of the Mag- 
 netick Needle, muft needs be but a fmall proportion, 
 m comparifon to the reft of the World. Some Ame- 
 rican Hiftofies {^y. That in every 80 Miles of. that 
 
 Coun- 
 
Jn EJfay towards a ^eal CharaFlcrl 17J 
 
 Country, the Inhabitants fpeak a different Language. 
 Jefefb Scaliger reckons Eleven Mother Tongues in 
 Europe,^\\\Qh\\vft nodependance on one another- but 
 they are fo well known, that we need not infirt up- 
 on them. Befides this difference of Languages in 
 their ftrft Derivation, every particul.uTongue has its 
 feveral Dialeds in one and the fame Nation. The 
 Hebrew is by many Learned Men fuppos'd to be the 
 ^rft Mother Tongue of thofe now known in the 
 World. When the Jews were Captives at Babylon, 
 their Language was mix'd with the CaUern; and after 
 the Captivity, the Pure Hebrew ceas'd to be Vulgar, 
 and remain'd only amongft Learned Men,- as we find 
 by Nehemiah,8. 7,8. And the Pure Hebrew now in be- 
 ing is only that of the Old Teflament ; which the' 
 fufhcient to exprefs what is there intended, is not fo 
 for Converfation, and therefore is guefs'd not to be 
 the fame which was concreated with our Firft Pa- 
 rents, and fpoken inParadife. 
 
 The Second Chapter confifls of Four Sedions. 
 The Firll concerns the various Changes to which all 
 Vulgar Tongues are obnoxious. The Second gives 
 Proofs of fuch Changes in the Englifl} Tongue in the 
 Lord's Prayer, from the Year of Chrifijoo, to i^?* 
 The Third Sedion determines in the Affirmative, 
 that feveral of the Ancient Languages are lofl,fmcc 
 'tis evident from the Inl^ance of our own, that in 
 fome few hundreds of Years, a Language may be fo 
 chang'd , as to be fcarce intelligible. The Fourth 
 Se<aion accounts for the Rife and Occafion of New 
 Languages^ which he fays proceeds fromCommerce, 
 and Mixture of People by Conquefts, Marriage of 
 Princes, or otherwife^ and inftances in that call'd the 
 Malayan Tongue, the newefl in the World, and as 
 common among theNatives of the Eaft Indies^ as La- 
 tin and French in Europe. It was invented or occafion'd 
 by a Concourfe of Fifhermen from Vegu, Slant, Ben- 
 £ala, -and other Nations at Malacca, where they builc 
 ^ T t 4 the 
 
1 76' Jn EJfay towards a ^eal CharaSier, 
 
 the Town of that Name, and agreed upon a diftincSt 
 Language made up of the eafieft Words belonging 
 to each Nation. 
 
 The Third Chapter confifts of 4 Se<5lions. The 
 Firft treats of the Original of Letters and Writing. 
 Our Author tells us, it is moft generally agreed. 
 That Adam in procefs of time, upon his Experience 
 of the great neceffity of Letters, did firft invent the 
 ancient Hebrew Charader ,• but he rejed:s thofe par- 
 ticular Alphabets which are by fome afcrib'd to Adam, 
 Enoch, and Noah', and adds, that it has been abun- 
 dantly cleared by Leained Men, that the ancient 
 Hebrew Character has the Priority before any now 
 known. And 'tis none of the leaft Arguments for 
 the Truth and Divine Authority of the Holy Scri- 
 ptures, to confider the general Concurrence of all 
 manner of Evidence for the Antiquity of the He- 
 brew, and the Derivation of all other Letters from 
 it. In the Second Section he gives us the Opinion 
 of many of the Ancients, to confirm the Derivati- 
 on of other Letters and Languages from the Hebrew, 
 In the Third, he fhews us that the Ufe of Letters is 
 lefs ancient, and the Kinds of them lefs numerous 
 than the Languages themfelves. He proves this by 
 feveral Inftances, that many Nations do not yet un- 
 derftand the Ufe of Letters, and that tho' the Ger^ 
 man and French Tongues be ancient , it is not much 
 above 400 Years fmce Books began to be writ in 
 thofe Languages : And the rcafon why Letters are 
 lefs numerous than Languages, is, That feveral Na- 
 tions borrow'd the Ufe of Letters from their Neigh- 
 bours, and adapted them to their own Languages, 
 In the Fourth Sedion, he gives us an Account of the 
 Hieroglyphicks of the Ancients, which was a meer 
 'Shift they were put to for want of Letters, and was 
 a flight and imperfed Invention,fuirable to thofe firll 
 and ruder Ages. He treats alfo of the Tecret and 
 ©ccult ways of Writing, taught by the Abbot Trithe- 
 
An EJlay towards a ^al CharaHer. 
 
 rnmsy for which he was falfly accufed of Magick. 
 He gives us fome Hints about Letters or Marks ufed 
 by the Ancients for Brevity fake i of which Nature 
 is Short- Handj io common m England. In the Fifth 
 Sedion, he gives an Account of fome ancient At- 
 tempts towards a Real Charader, to ilgnify Things 
 and Notions. And in the Sixth informs us, that no 
 Alphabet now in beings, was invented at once, or by 
 Rules of Art ; but all of 'em, except the Hebrew ^ were 
 taken up by Imitation. 
 
 The Fourth Chapter confifts of Six Secflions. The 
 Firft treats of the Defeds in the Common Alpha- 
 bets, as to their true Order, which is inartificial and 
 confus'd, the Vowels and Confonants being huddled 
 together without any Diftincftion ,• whereas the Vow- 
 els and Confonants fliould be reduc'd into Claffes, 
 according to their feveral kinds. In the Second Se- 
 dion, he takes notice of the Redundancy and Defi- 
 ciency of the Hebrew Alphabet, and likewife of the 
 Greek and Latin. In the Third Se(5tion, he fiiews 
 that they are very uncertain as to their Powers and 
 Signification ,• of which he gives feveral Inftances 
 in our own Language. In the Fourth Sedion, he 
 takes notice that the Names of the Letters in moft 
 Alphabets are very improperly exprefled by Words 
 of feveral Syllables. In this refpedl, the Roman and 
 Englijh Alphabet are more convenient than the reft, 
 though not without fome Defeds of the fame Nature. 
 In the Fifth Sedion, he fays their Figures do nor 
 correfpond fufficiently with their Natures and Pow- 
 ers, and obferves that the manner of Writing the O- 
 riental Tongues from Right to Left,is as unnatural as 
 to write with Light on the wrong fide. In the Sixth 
 Sedion, he takes notice of the Defeds of Words as 
 well as Letters ; fome of them being Equivocal, o- 
 thers Synonimous, befidesthe Irregularities in Gram- 
 mar, and the difference betwixt writing and pro- 
 nouncing Words, On this Occafion, he takes no- 
 tice 
 
 ^77 
 
178 An EJfay towards a ^al Chara&er. 
 
 tice of the Endeavours of Sir Thomas Smith , and o- 
 thers, to redify our EngliJJo Orthography, tho' we 
 ftill oblHnately retain the Errors of our Anceftors. 
 
 TheFifthChapter hasThreeSedions.TheFirftmain- 
 tainsj That neither Letters nor Languages have been 
 rcgular'yEftablifhedbyRules of Art :Nor cou'd it be 
 otherwife, becaufe Grammar (by which they fhould 
 be regulated) is of a much later Invention than the 
 Languages themfelves^ as is evident from the He- 
 bre-iv °, which^ tho' the oldeft of all, wasnotreduc'd 
 into Order of Grammar till the Year 1040. In the 
 Second, he treats of the Natural Ground and Prin- 
 ciple of the feveral Ways of Communication among 
 Men 'y where he tells us. That as they generally a- 
 gree in the flime Principle of Reafon, they likewife 
 agree in the fame Internal Notion or Apprehenfion 
 of Things ; and thofe Internal Notions they com- 
 municate to the Ear by Sounds, and particulaily by 
 Words, and to the Eye they communicate them by 
 Motion and Figure, &c. and more particularly by 
 Writing : So that if Men fhould generally agree up- 
 on the lame way of Expreflion as they agree in tfie 
 fame Notion, we fliould then be freefrofn thatCurfe 
 of the Confufion of Tongues, and all the unhappy 
 Confequences of it. This is only to be done by 
 fome one Language and Chara(5ler to be univerfdly 
 pradifed, and enjoined by Authority; which can- 
 not be expected without an Unlverfal Monarchy ; and 
 perhaps not then : Or elfe by fome Method which 
 ( without fuch Authority ) might engage Men to 
 learn it, becaufe of its Facility and Ufefulnefs, which 
 was the Defign of this Ejjay. The Third Set^ion 
 informs us. That in order to this, the firft thing to 
 be confider'd, was a juft Enumeration and Defcri- 
 ption of fuch things as were to have Marks or Names 
 afligned them, and to be fo contrived, as to be full 
 and adequate without Redundancy or Defeei as to 
 their Number, and regular as to their Place and Or- 
 der. 
 
An EJfay towards a ^al Characler. i/p 
 
 der. And, if every Thing and Notion had a diftinc^ 
 Mark, with fome Provifion to exprefs Grammatical 
 Derivations and Infie(5tionSj it would anfwer one 
 great End of a Real Charader, to fignify Things 
 and not Words. And if feveral diftind Words were 
 afligned for the Names of fuch Things, with fixed 
 Rules for fuch Grammatical Derivations and Infle- 
 xions as are natural and neceffary, it would make 
 a more eafie and convenient Language than any yet 
 in being. 
 
 Then if thefe Marks or Notes could be fo con- 
 trived, as to have fuch a dependance upon, and re- 
 lation to one another, as might fuit the Nature of 
 theThings andNotions they reprefent^ and likewife, 
 if the Names of Things could be fo ordered, as to 
 contain fuch an Affinity or Oppofition in their Let- 
 ters and Sounds, as might fome v/ay anfwer the Na- 
 ture of the Things they fignify, it would be a fur- 
 ther Advantage, by which_, befides helping the Me- 
 mory by Natural Method, the Underftanding would 
 be improv'd ; and by learning the] Charaders and 
 Names of Things, we fhould likewife learn their 
 Natures. 
 
 Thus our Author concludes the Firft Part, and 
 comes to the Second ,• which contains a regular E- 
 numeration and Defcription of all thofe Things and 
 Notions to which Names are to be afligned, and 
 forms a Syftem of Univerfal Philofophy. This Part 
 is divided into Twelve Chapters. The Firft con- 
 tains Six Sedions. The Firft Sedion has a Scheme 
 of Genus's, or more common Heads of Things be- 
 longing to this Defign. Then he fhews how each 
 of them may be fubdivided by its peculiar Differen- 
 ces, which for the better Convenicney of the De- 
 fign, he determines for moft part to the Number of 
 Six, except in the Numerous Tribes of Herbs, Trees, 
 Exanguious Animals, Fifties and Birds, which can- 
 not be comprehended in fo narrow aCompafs. Then 
 
 he 
 
1 8p j^n Effay towards a ^al Chara&er. 
 
 he enumerates the feveral Species belonging to each 
 of thofe DifFerances, in fuch an Order and repen- 
 tance, as may tontribute to define them, and deter- 
 mine their primary Significations. Thefe Species he 
 commonly joins together in Pairs, for helping the 
 Memory • and fo iikewife are fome of the Genus's 
 and Differences^ thofe things which naturally have 
 Oppofites, are join'd with them, according to fuch 
 Oppofition, whether fingle or double ; and thofe 
 things that have no Oppofites, are commonly join'd 
 together with refped to fome Affinity which they 
 have to one another, tho' fometimes thofe Afifinities 
 are lefs proper and more remote^ there being feveral 
 things fhifted into thofe Places, becaufe the Author 
 did not know how to provide for them better. The 
 Second Sedion relates to the more general Notions 
 of Things, and the difficulty of Eltablilhing thofe 
 Notions aright. The Third treats of Tranfcenden- 
 tals General. The Fourth of Tranfcendental Rela- 
 tions mix'd. The Fifth of Tranfcendental Relati- 
 ons of Adion ; and the Sixth of the feveral Notions 
 belonging to Grammar or Logick. But thefe Things 
 being digelted into Tables, vi^e muft refer the Read- 
 er to the Book it felf, for a diftind Idea of them. 
 
 The Second Chapter confifts of Two Sedions. 
 The Firft is concerning God ; and the Second con- 
 cerning the feveral Things and Notions reducible 
 under that Colledive Genus of the World ; Which is 
 alfo digefted into Tables. 
 
 The Third Chapter confifls of Three Sedions. 
 The Firft is of Elements and Meteors ,• thd Second 
 of Stones ; and the Third of Metals : Digefted alfo 
 into Tables. 
 
 The Fourth Chapter has Seven Sedions. The 
 Firft of Plants ; the Second concerning a more ge- 
 neral Diftribution of em • the Third, Fourth, and 
 Fifth, treat of Herbs ^ confider'd according to their 
 Leaves, Flowers, and Seed-Veflels. The Sixth treats 
 
 of 
 
Jn EJfay towards a \eal CharaSier. 1 8 1 
 
 of Shrubs j and the Seventh of Trees. All of 'em 
 iikewife in Tables. 
 
 The Fifth Chapter has Six Sections. The Firft 
 concerns Animals , and the general Diftribution of 
 'em ,• the Second is of Exanguious Animals ; the 
 Third of Fifh ; the Fourth of Birds ,• the Fifth of 
 Beafts • and the Sixth has a Digreflion concerning 
 Noaljs Ark : Wherein he maintains the Truth and 
 Authority of the Scripture, againft the Objedions 
 of Atheirts and Hereticks , That a Veffel of fuch 
 Dimenfions could not contain fo vaft a Multitude of 
 Animals, with a whole Year's Provifion for 'em. 
 
 The Sixth Chapter relates to the Parts of Animate 
 Bodies ; Firft, peculiar ^ Secondly, general : And 
 thefe are alfo digefted into Tables. 
 
 The Seventh Chapter relates to the Predicament 
 of Quantity. i. Of Magnitude. 2. Of Space. 
 3. Of Meafure. All digefted into Tables. 
 
 The Eighth Chapter relates to Quality, and its 
 feveral Genus s. I. Of Natural Power. 2. Of Ha- 
 bit. 3. Of Manners. 4. Of fenfible Quality. 
 5". Of Difeafes. With the various Differences and 
 Species under each. 
 
 The Ninth Chapter treats of Adion, and its feve- 
 ral Genus's, i. Spiritual. 2. Corporeal. 3. Moti- 
 on. 4. Operation. 
 
 The Tenth Chapter concerns more private Rela- 
 tion. I. Of Family Relation ,• with the feveral 
 kinds of Things belonging to thofe in that Capacity, 
 either as Poffeffions, or Provifions. 
 
 The Eleventh Chapter concerns Publick Relati- 
 ons ; as Civil, Judiciary, Naval, Military, and Ec- 
 clefiaftical. 
 
 The Twelfth Chapter explains the Defign of the 
 foregoing Tables ; gives particular Inltances of the 
 6 principal Genus s o\ it j has fome Notes concern- 
 ing Oppolites and Synonymas ^ and an Account of 
 fuch Things as ought not to be provided for in thofe 
 Tables. The 
 
I 8 1 AnEJfay towards a ^al Chara&er. 
 
 The Third Part contains a Philofophical Gram- 
 mar; and is divided into Fourteen Chapters. 
 
 The Firft Chapter concerns the feveral Kinds and 
 Parts of Grammar. 2. Of Etymology; and the more 
 General Scheme of Integrals and Particles. 2. Of 
 Nouns in general. 4. Of Subftantives common 
 denoting either Things , Anions , or Perfons. 
 5". Rules concerning Nouns of Adion. 6. Of Sul>^ 
 Ifantives AbftraAs. 7. Of Adjedives , according 
 to the true Philofophical Notion of them. 8. The. 
 true Notion of a Verb. 9. Of derived Adverbs. 
 10. A General Scheme of the forementioned Deri- 
 vations. 
 
 The Second Chapter concerns Particles in gene- 
 ral. 2. Of the Copula. 5. Of Pronouns more ge- 
 nerally. 4. More particularly, j. Of Interjedi- 
 ons more generally. 6. More particularly. 
 
 The Third Chapter treats of Prepofitions in ge- 
 neral. 2. The particular Kinds of them enumera- 
 ted. 5. An Explication of the Four laft Combina- 
 tions of them^ relating to Place or Time. 
 
 The Fourth Chapter concerns Adverbs in general. 
 2. The particular Kinds of them. 5. Conjundions. 
 
 The Fifth Chapter treats of Articles. 2. Of 
 Moods. ;. Of Tenfes. 4. The moft diftind way 
 of expreffing the Differences of Time. 
 
 The Sixth Chapter concerns Tranfcendental Par- 
 ticles, and the End and V^q of them. 2. The ufual 
 ways for enlarging the Senfe of Words in inftituted 
 Languages. 3. The General Heads of Tranfcen- 
 dental Particles. 
 
 The Seventh Chapter has Inftances of the great 
 Ufefulnefs of thofe Tranfcendental Particles ; with 
 Direiftions how they are to be applied. 
 
 The Eighth Chapter treats of the Accidental Dif- 
 ferences of Words. I. Inflexion. 2. Derivation. 
 5. Compoficion. 
 
 The Ninth Chapter is of the Second Part of 
 G;ammar, called Sjm.ix. The 
 
Jn Ejfay towards a %z<x\ CharaBer. \ 8 J 
 
 The Tenth Chapter is of Orthography • and con- 
 tains Three Sedions. The Firft concerning Letters^ 
 and the Authors who have treated of this Subjed : 
 Of whom Dr. I^allls feems with the greateft Accii- 
 ratenefs and Subtilty to have confider'd the Philofo- 
 phy of Articulate Sounds. The Second contains a 
 brief Table of all fuch Kinds of fimple Sounds, as 
 ,can be framed with the Mouths of Men. The 
 ^*rhird contains a further Explanation of this Table, 
 as to the Organs of Speech, and as to the Letters 
 framed by thofe Organs. 
 
 The Eleventh treats of Vowels. The Twelfth 
 of Confonants. The Thirteenth of Compound 
 Vowels and Confonants. The Fourteenth treats of 
 the Accidents of Letters : i. Their Names. 2. Their 
 Order. 3. Affinities and Oppofitions. 4. Their 
 Figures ,• with a Twofold Inftanceof a more regular 
 Charader for the Letters : The latter of which may 
 be efteemed Natural, f. Of Pronunciation. 6. The 
 feveral Letters difus'd by feveral Nations. 
 j The Fourth Part contains a Real Character and 
 -Philofophical Language. This confifts of Six Chap- 
 ters ; The ift. treats of a Propofal of one kind of 
 kealCharad:er amongft many others which might be 
 ofFer'd both for the Integrals, whether Genus's, Dif- 
 ferences, or Species, together with the Derivations 
 and Inflexions belonging to them • as like wife for 
 all the feveral kinds of Particles. Here our Author 
 acquaints us. That it were exceeding defirable that 
 the Names of Things might confift of fuch Sounds 
 as fhould bear in them fome Analogy to their Na- 
 tures, and the Figure or Character of thefe Names 
 Ihould bear fome proper refe^nblance to thole Sounds^ 
 but he does not underftand how this Character can 
 be adjufted any otherwife than by InlHtution : And 
 in the framing of thofe Charaders, he fays, fpecial 
 Regard mult be had to thefe Four Properties. 1. That 
 the Figure be plain and cafy, fo :;s it may be made 
 
 by 
 
I 84 An EJfay towards a ^eal CbaraEier. 
 
 by one or at moft by Two ftrokes of the Pe 
 2. That they be fufficiently diftinguifhed from 01 
 another. 5. Graceful to the Eye., 4. Methodic 
 But we mud refer to the Book it felf for our Autho; 
 Specimen. 
 
 The Second Chapter contains an inftance of t\ 
 Real Charader in the Lord's Prayer and Creed. 
 
 The Third flievvs how this Chara(5ter may be ma 
 Affable in a diftind Language, and what kind 
 Letters or Syllables may be conveniently aflign'd 
 each Charader. 
 
 The Fourth has a Comparifon of the Lon 
 Prayer and Creed in this Language with jo otl^ 
 Languages as to the Facility -and Euphony of ^ 
 The Fifth contains D' ^dions ft: the more ea 
 learning this Charade: and Langu?ge ; with a bri 
 Table containing the Radicals botii Integrals ai 
 Particles, together with the <Charader and Langua^ 
 by which each of 'em are to be exptf^fs'd. 
 
 The Sixth is a Comparifon betwix • this Natui 
 Philofophical Grammar^ and J;hat of .^ther Inftitu 
 Languages, particularly the Latiny in refped of 
 Multicude of unneceilary Rules, and of Anomalifi 
 It treats alfo concerning the China, Chaiader 
 feveral At,tempts a,)d Propofals made by others i 
 wards a new kind of Charader and Language, ai 
 the Advantage in refped of Facility which tl 
 Philofophical Language has above the Latin, In t 
 ' laft place comes an Alphabetical Didionary where 
 all Englifj Words according to their various Signific 
 tions, are either referr'd to their Places in the Phil 
 fophical Tables, or explained by fuch Words as a 
 in thofe Tables. 
 
 FINIS. 
 

 I 
 
r^.^r^ 
 
 '^JtKf^'^^t.