163. It is found that there are disturbances among the Planets in their
motions, arising from their mutual attractions when they are in the same
quarter of the Heavens; and that our years are not always precisely of
the same length[33]. Besides, there is reason to believe that the Moon
is somewhat nearer the Earth now than she was formerly; her periodical
month being shorter than it was in former ages. For, our Astronomical
Tables, which in the present Age shew the times of Solar and Lunar
Eclipses to great precision, do not answer so well for very ancient
Eclipses. Hence it appears, that the Moon does not move in a medium void
of all resistance, § 174; and therefore her projectile force being a
little weakened, whilst there is nothing to diminish her gravity, she
must be gradually approaching nearer the Earth, describing smaller and
smaller Circles round it in every revolution, and finishing her Period
sooner, although her absolute motion with regard to space be not so
quick now as it was formerly: and therefore, she must come to the Earth
at last; unless that Being, which gave her a sufficient projectile force
at the beginning, adds a little more to it in due time. And, as all the
Planets move in spaces full of æther and light, which are material
substances, they too must meet with some resistance. And therefore, if
their gravities are not diminished, nor their projectile forces
increased, they must necessarily approach nearer and nearer the Sun, and
at length fall upon and unite with him.
[Sidenote: The World not eternal.]
164. Here we have a strong philosophical argument against the eternity
of the World. For, had it existed from eternity, and been left by the
Deity to be governed by the combined actions of the above forces or
powers, generally called Laws, it had been at an end long ago. And if it
be left to them it must come to an end. But we may be certain that it
will last as long as was intended by it’s Author, who ought no more to
be found fault with for framing so perishable a work, than for making
man mortal.