The mathematical and philosophical works of the Right Reverend John Wilkins ... To which is prefix'd the author's life, and an account of his works / [John Wilkins].

John Wilkins

Date:: 1708

Credit: The mathematical and philosophical works of the Right Reverend John Wilkins ... To which is prefix'd the author's life, and an account of his works / [John Wilkins]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$Matt. 28. 1% . Aventinus Annal.Boi- ®rum. lib.3* jfnn&l. Ec- D. 7^8. /« vita Paul JZ- mil. Metam. Lib. 4. TW the Moon may he a World. thinks, that as there are no Men, fo neither a there Seas, or Rivers, or any other Convenien< for Habitation. ’Tis commonly related of one V\ giliusy that he was Excommunicated and Condem ed for a Heretick by Zachary Bilhop of Romey t caufe he was not of the fame Opinion. But Bam us fays, it was becaufe he thought there was an ther Habitable World within ours. However, y< may well enough difcern in thefe Examples, ho confident many of thefe great Scholars were in grofs an Error; how unlikely, what an incredil thing it feemed to them, that there fliould be ai Antipodes; and yet now this Truth is ascertain a; plain, as Senfe or Demonftration can make This then which I now deliver, is not to be j jeded, though it may feem to contradid the coi mon Opinion. 2. Grofs Abfurdities have been entertained by g neral Confent. I might inftance in many remark ble Examples, but I will only fpeak of the fuppof Labour of the Moon iti her Eclipfes, becaufe this neareft to the chief Matter in Hand, and was 2 eeived as a common Opinion amongft many of t Ancients; infomuch, that from hence they ftil Eclipfes by the Name of rddn VaJJionsy or in t Phrafe of the Poets, Solis hmceq'y lab ores. And therefore Vlutarcbhpeaking of a Lunary Eclip relates, that at fuch times ’twas a Cuftom amonj the Romans, (the mofl Civil and Learned People the World) to found Brafs Inftruments, and he great Torches toward theHeaven. Xw $ P 'Qjiv ho/Mcr/jj^iov) 71 'm.rdyns dv&t&Xxp&Vwv to aSn TTJgy, TTQlhKcL efkAolc ^ JtLOshf dvi^OVTCOV 70V X£CIVQV. FOf this means they fuppofed the Moon was much eafed her Labours; and therefore Ovid calls fuch loud ] ftruments, the Auxilaries or Helps of the Moon, Cum frufira refomnt tfra auxiliaria Luna. A$