1. There may be such, and we not able to perceive them, because of the
weaknesse of our eye, and the distance of those places from us, they are
the words of _Fienus_, as they are quoted by _Fromondus_ in the above
cited place,
_Possunt maximae permutationes in coelo fieri, etiamsi a nobis non
conspiciantur, hoc visus nostri debilitas & immensa coeli distantia
faciunt._
And unto him assents _Fromondus_ himselfe, when a little after hee
saies,
_Si in sphaeris planetarum degeremus, plurima forsan coelestium
nebularum vellere toto aethere passim dispersa videremus, quorum
species jam evanescit nimia spatii intercapedine._
"If we did live in the spheares of the Planets, wee might there,
perhaps, discerne many great clouds dispersed through the whole
Heavens, which are not now visible by reason of this great distance."
2. _Maeslin_ and _Keplar_ affirme, that they have seene some of these
alterations. The words of _Maeslin_ are these (as I finde them cited.)[1]
_In eclipsi Lunari vespere Dominicae Palmarum Anni 1605, in corpore
Lunae versus Boream, nigricans quaedam macula conspecta fuit, obscurior
caetero toto corpore, quod candentis ferri figuram repraesentabat;
dixisses nubila in multam regionem extensa pluviis & tempestuosis
imbribus gravida, cujusmodi ab excelsorum montium jugis in humiliora
convallium loca videre non raro contingit._
"In that lunary eclipse which happened in the even of Palme-sunday,
in the yeere 1605, there was a certaine blackish spot discerned in
the Northerly part of the Moone, being darker than any other part of
her body, and representing the colour of red hot yron; you might
conjecture that it was some dilated cloud, being pregnant with
showers, for thus doe such lower clouds appeare from the tops of
high mountaines."
[Sidenote 1: _Disser. 2. cum nunc. Galil._]
Unto this I may adde another testimony of _Bapt. Cisatus_, as he is
quoted by _Nierembergius_,[1] grounded upon an observation taken 23.
yeeres after this of _Maeslin_, and writ to this _Euseb. Nieremberg._ in
a letter by that diligent and judicious Astronomer. The words of it
runne thus:
_Et quidem in eclipsi nupra solari quae fuit ipso die natali Christi,
observavi clare in luna soli supposita, quidpiam quod valde probat
id ipsum quod Cometae quoque & maculae solares urgent, nempe coelum non
esse a tenuitate & variationibus aeris exemptum, nam circa Lunam
adverti esse sphaeram seu orbem quendam vaporosum, non secus atque
circum terram, adeoque sicut ex terra in aliquam usque sphaeram
vapores & exhalationes expirant, ita quoque ex luna._
"In that late solary eclipse which happened on Christmas day, when
the Moone was just under the Sunne, I plainly discerned that in her
which may clearely confirme what the Comets and Sunne spots doe seeme
to prove, _viz._ that the heavens are not solid, nor freed from those
changes which our aire is liable unto, for about the Moone I perceived
such an orbe of vaporous aire, as that is which doth encompasse our
earth, and as vapours and exhalations, are raised from our earth into
this aire, so are they also from the Moone."
[Sidenote 1: _Hist. Nat. l. 2. c. 11._]
You see what probable grounds and plaine testimonies have brought for
the confirmation of this Proposition: many other things in this behalfe
might be spoken, which for brevity sake I now omit, and passe unto the
next.
Proposition 13.
_That tis probable there may be inhabitants in this other World, but
of what kinde they are is uncertaine._
I have already handled the Seasons and Meteors belonging to this new
World: 'tis requisite that in the next place I should come unto the
third thing which I promised, and to say somewhat of the inhabitants,
concerning whom there might be many difficult questions raised, as
whether that place be more inconvenient for habitation then our World
(as _Keplar_ thinkes) whether they are the seed of _Adam_, whether they
are there in a blessed estate, or else what meanes there may be for
their salvation, with many other such uncertaine enquiries, which I
shall willingly omit, leaving it to their examination, who have more
leisure and learning for the search of such particulars.
Being for mine own part content only to set downe such notes belonging
unto these which have observed in other Writers.
_Cum tota illa regio nobis ignota sit, remanent inhabitores illi
ignoti penitus_,
(saith _Cusanus_)[1] since we know not the regions of that place, wee
must be altogether ignorant of the inhabitants. There hath not yet beene
any such discovery concerning these, upon which wee may build a
certainty, or good probability: well may wee guesse at them, and that
too very doubtfully, but we can know nothing, for if we doe hardly
guesse aright at things which be upon earth, if with labour wee doe
finde the things that are at hand, [2]how then can wee search out those
things that are in Heaven? What a little is that which wee know? in
respect of those many matters contained within this great Universe, this
whole globe of earth and water? though it seeme to us to be of a large
extent, yet it beares not so great a proportion unto the whole frame of
Nature, as a small sand doth unto it; and what can such little creatures
as wee discerne, who are tied to this point of earth? or what can they
in the Moone know of us? If wee understand any thing (saith _Esdras_[3])
'tis nothing but that which is upon the earth, and hee that dwelleth
above in the Heavens, may onely understand the things that are above in
the heighth of the heavens.
[Sidenote 1: _De doct. ign. l. 2. c. 12._]
[Sidenote 2: Wisd. 9. 16.]
[Sidenote 3: 2 Esd. 4. 22.]
So that 'twere a very needelesse thing for us, to search after any
particulars, however, wee may guesse in the generall, that there are
some inhabitans in that Planet: for why else did Providence furnish that
place with all such conveniences of habitation as have beene above
declared?
But you will say, perhaps, is there not too great and intollerable a
heate, since the Sunne is in their Zinith every moneth, and doth tarry
their so long before hee leaves it?
I answer, 1. This may, perhaps, be remedied (as it is under the line) by
the frequencie of mid-day showers, which may cloud their Sunne, and
coole their earth: 2. The equality of their nights doth much temper the
scorching of the day, and the extreme cold that comes from the one,
require some space before it can be dispelled by the other, so that the
heate spending a great while before it can have the victory, hath not
afterwards much time to rage in. Wherfore notwithstanding this, yet that
place may remaine habitable. And this was the opinion of the _Cardinal
de Cusa_, when speaking of this Planet, he saies,[1]
_Hic locus Mundi est habitatio hominum & animalium atque
vegetabilium_.
"This part of the world is inhabited by men and beasts, and Plantes."
To him assented _Campanella_, but hee cannot determine whether there
were men, or rather some other kinde of creatures. If they were men,
then he thinkes they could not be infected with _Adams_ sinne; yet,
perhaps, they had some of their owne, which might make them liable to
the same misery with us, out of which, perhaps, they were delivered by
the same means as we, the death of Christ, and thus he thinkes that
place of the _Ephesians_ may be interpreted, where the Apostle saies,[2]
_God gathered all things together in Christ, both which are in earth,
and which are in the heavens_: So also that of the same Apostle to the
_Colossians_, where hee saies,[3] that _it pleased the Father to
reconcile all things unto himselfe by Christ, whether they be things in
earth, or things in heaven_.
[Sidenote 1: _De doct. ign. l. 2. c. 12._]
[Sidenote 2: Eph. 1. 10.]
[Sidenote 3: Col. 1. 20.]
But I dare not jest with Divine truthes, or apply these places according
as fancy directs. As I thinke this opinion doth not any where contradict
Scripture, so I thinke likewise, that it cannot be proved from it,
wherefore _Campanella's_ second conjecture may be more probable, that
the inhabitants of that world, are not men as wee are, but some other
kinde of creatures which beare some proportion and likenesse to our
natures, and _Cusanus_ too thinkes they differ from us in many respects;
I will set downe his words as they may bee found in the abovecited
place,
_Suspicamus in regione solis magis esse solares, claros & illuminatos
intellectuares habitatores, spiritu aliores etiam quam in luna, ubi
magis lunatici, & in terra, magis materiales, & grossi, ut illi
intellectualis naturae solares sint multum in actu & parum in
potentia; terreni vero magis in potentia, & parum in actu, lunares
in medio fluctuantes. Hoc quidem opinamur ex influentia ignili
solis aquatica simul & aeria lunae, & gravedine materiali terrae,
& consimiliter de aliis stellarum regionibus suspicantes, nullam
habitatoribus carere, quasi tot sint partes particulares mundiales
omnius universi, quot sunt stellae quarum non est numerus, nisi apud
eum qui omnia in numero creavit._
"Wee may conjecture (saith he) the inhabiters of the Sunne are
like to the nature of that Planet, more cleare and bright, more
intellectuall and spirituall than those in the Moone where they
are neerer to the nature of that duller Planet, and those of the
earth being more grosse and materiall than either, so that these
intellectuall natures in the Sun, are more forme than matter, those
in the earth more matter than forme, and those in the Moone betwixt
both. This wee may guesse from the fiery influence of the Sunne, the
watery and aereous influence of the Moone, as also the matereall
heavinesse of the earth. In some such manner likewise is it with the
regions of the other Starres, for wee conjecture that none of them
are without inhabitants, but that there are so many particular
worlds and parts of this one universe, as there are Stars which are
innumerable, unlesse it bee to him who created all things in number."
For he held that the stars were not all in one equall Orbe as we
commonly suppose, but that some were farre higher than others which made
them appeare lesse and that many others were so farre above any of
these, that they were altogether invisible unto us. An opinion (which as
I conceive) hath not any great probability for it, nor certainty against
it.
The Priest of _Saturne_ relating to _Plutarch_ (as he faignes it) the
nature of the Selenites, told him they were of divers dispositions, some
desiring to live in the lower parts of the Moone, where they might looke
downewards upon us, while others were more surely mounted aloft, all of
them shining like the rayes of the Sun, and as being victorious are
crowned with garlands made with the wings of _Eustathia_ or
_Constancie_.
It hath beene the opinion amongst some of the Ancients, that their
Heavens and Elysian fields were in the Moone where the aire is most
quiet and pure. Thus _Socrates_, thus _Plato_,[1] with his followers,
did esteeme this to bee the place where those purer soules inhabit, who
are freed from the Sepulchre, and contagion of the body. And by the
Fable of _Ceres_, continually wandring in search of her daughter
_Proserpina_, is meant nothing else but the longing desire of men, who
live upon _Ceres_ earth, to attaine a place in _Proserpina_, the Moone
or Heaven.
[Sidenote 1: _Nat. Com. lib. 3. c. 19._]
_Plutarch_ also seemes to assent unto this, but hee thinkes moreover,
that there are two places of happinesse answerable to those two parts
which hee fancies to remaine of a man when hee is dead, the soule and
the understanding; the soule he thinkes is made of the Moone, and as our
bodies doe so proceede from the dust of this earth, that they shall
returne to it hereafter, so our soules were generated out of that
Planet, and shall bee resolved into it againe, whereas the understanding
shall ascend unto the Sunne, out of which it was made where it shall
possesse an eternity of well being, and farre greater happinesse than
that which is enjoyed in the Moone. So that when a man dies, if his
soule bee much polluted, then must it wander up and downe in the middle
regions of the aire where hell is, and there suffer unspeakable torments
for those sinnes whereof it is guilty. Whereas the soules of better men,
when they have in some space of time beene purged from that impurity
which they did derive from the body, then doe they returne into the
Moone, where they are possest with such a joy, as those men feele who
professe holy misteries, from which place (saith he) some are sent downe
to have the superintendance of Oracles, being diligent either in the
preservation of the good, either from or in all perils, and the
prevention or punishment of all wicked actions, but if in these
imployments they mis-behave themselves, then are they againe to be
imprisoned in a body, otherwise they remaine in the Moone till their
body be resolved into it, & the understanding being cleared from all
impediments, ascends to the Sunne which is its proper place. But this
requires a diverse space of time according to the diverse affections of
the soule. As for those who have beene retired and honest, addicting
themselves to a studious and quiet life, these are quickly preferred to
a higher happinesse. But as for such who have busied themselves in many
broyles, or have beene vehement in the prosecution of any lust, as the
ambitious, the amorous, the wrathfull man, these still retaine the
glimpses and dreames of such things as they have performed in their
bodies, which makes them either altogether unfit to remaine there where
they are, or else keepes them long ere they can put off their soules.
Thus you see _Plutarchs_ opinion concerning the inhabitants and
neighbours of the Moone, which (according to the manner of the
Academickes) hee delivers in a third person; you see he makes that
Planet an inferiour kind of heaven, and though hee differ in many
circumstances, yet doth hee describe it to be some such place, as wee
suppose Paradise to be. You see likewise his opinion concerning the
place of damned spirits, that it is in the middle region of the aire,
and in neither of these is hee singular, but some more late and Orthodox
Writers have agreed with him. As for the place of hell, many thinke it
may be in the aire as well as any where else.
True indeed, Saint _Austin_ affirmes that this place cannot bee
discovered;[1] But others there are who can shew the situation of it out
of Scripture; Some holding it to bee in some other world without this,
because our Saviour calls it +skotos exoteron+, outward darkenesse.[2]
But the most will have it placed towards the Center of our earth,
because 'tis said,[3] Christ descended into the lower parts of the
earth, and some of these are so confident, that this is its situation,
that they can describe you its bignes also, and of what capacity it is.
_Francis Ribera_ in his Comment on the _Revelations_, speaking of those
words, where 'tis said,[4] that the blood went out of the Wine-presse,
even unto the horses bridles by the space of one thousand and sixe
hundred furlongs, interprets them to bee meant of Hell, and that that
number expresses the diameter of its concavity, which is 200 _Italian_
miles; but _Lessius_ thinkes that this opinion gives them too much roome
in hell,[5] and therefore hee guesses that 'tis not so wide; for (saith
hee) the diameter of one league being cubically multiplied, will make a
spheare capable of 800000 millions of damned bodies, allowing to each
sixe foote in the square, whereas (saies hee) 'tis certaine that there
shall not be one hundred thousand millions in all that shall bee damned.
You see the bold _Iesuit_ was carefull that every one should have but
roome enough in hell, and by the strangenesse of the conjecture, you may
guesse that he had rather bee absurd, than seeme either uncharitable or
ignorant. I remember there is a relation in _Pliny_, how that
_Dionisiodorus_ a Mathematician, being dead, did send a letter from his
place to some of his friends upon earth, to certifie them what distance
there was betwixt the center and superficies: hee might have done well
to have prevented this controversie, and enformed them the utmost
capacity of that place. However, certaine it is, that that number cannot
bee knowne, and probable it is, that the place is not yet determined,
but that hell is there where there is any tormented soule, which may bee
in the regions of the aire as well as in the center; but of this onely
occasionally, and by reason of _Plutarchs_ opinion concerning those that
are round about the Moone; as for the Moone it selfe, hee esteemes it to
bee a lower kinde of Heaven, and therefore in another place hee cals it
a terrestriall starre,[6] and an Olympian or celestiall earth
answerable, as I conceive, to the paradise of the Schoolemen, and that
Paradise was either in or neere the Moone, is the opinion of some later
Writers, who derived it (in all likelihood) from the assertion of
_Plato_, and perhaps, this of _Plutarch_. _Tostatus_[7] laies this
opinion upon _Isioder. Hispalensis_, and the venerable _Bede_; and
_Pererius_[8] fathers it upon _Strabus_ and _Rabanus_ his Master. Some
would have it to bee situated in such a place as could not be
discovered, which causes the penman of _Esdras_ to make it a harder
matter to know the outgoings of Paradise, then to weigh the weight of
the fire, or measure the blasts of wind, or call againe a day that is
past.[9] But notwithstanding this, there bee some others who thinke that
it is on the top of some high mountaine under the line, and these
interpreted the torrid Zone to be the flaming Sword whereby Paradise was
guarded. 'Tis the consent of divers others, who agree in this, that
Paradise is situated in some high and eminent place.[10] So _Tostatus_:
_Est etiam Paradisus situ altissima, supra omnem terrae altitudinem_,
"Paradise is situated in some high place above the earth":
and therefore in his Coment upon the 49. of _Genesis_, hee understands
the blessing of _Iacob_ concerning the everlasting hills to bee meant of
Paradise, and the blessing it selfe to bee nothing else but a promise of
Christs comming, by whose passion the gates of Paradise should bee
opened. Unto him assented _Rupertus_, _Scotus_, and most of the other
Schoolemen, as I find them cited by _Pererius_,[11] and out of him in
Sr. _W. Rawleigh_. Their reason was this: because in probability this
place was not overflowed by the flood, since there were no sinners there
which might draw that curse upon it. Nay _Tostatus_ thinkes that the
body of _Enoch_ was kept there, and some of the Fathers, as _Tertullian_
and _Austin_ have affirmed, that the blessed soules were reserved in
that place till the day of judgement, and therefore 'tis likely that it
was not overflowed by the flood; and besides, since all men should have
went naked if _Adam_ had not fell, 'tis requisite therefore that it
should be situated in some such place where it might bee priviledged
from the extremities of heat and cold. But now this could not bee (they
thought) so conveniently in any lower, as it might in some higher aire.
For these and such like considerations have so many affirmed that
Paradise was in a high elevated place, which some have conceived could
bee no where but in the Moone: For it could not be in the top of any
mountaine, nor can we thinke of any other body separated from this earth
which can bee a more convenient place for habitation than this Planet,
therefore they concluded that it was there.
[Sidenote 1: _De civit. Dei. lib. 22. ca. 16._]
[Sidenote 2: Mat. 25. 30]
[Sidenote 3: Eph. 4. 9.]
[Sidenote 4: Rev. 14. 20.]
[Sidenote 5: _De Morib. div. l. 13. c. 24._]
[Sidenote 6: _Cur silent oracula._]
[Sidenote 7: _S. W. Raw. lib. 1. cap. 3. Sec. 7._]
[Sidenote 8: _in Gen._]
[Sidenote 9: 2 Esd. 4. 7.]
[Sidenote 10: _In_ Genes.]
[Sidenote 11: _Comment. in 2. Gen. v. 8. lib 1. cap. 3. Sec. 6 7._]
It could not bee on the top of any mountaine.
1. Because wee have expresse Scripture, that the highest of them was
overflowed.[1]
[Sidenote 1: Gen. 7. 19.]
2. Because it must bee of a greater extension, and not some small patch
of ground, since 'tis likely all men should have lived there, if _Adam_
had not fell. But for a satisfaction of these arguments, together with a
farther discourse of Paradise, I shall referre you to those who have
written purposely upon this subject. Being content for my owne part to
have spoken so much of it, as may conduce to shew the opinion of others
concerning the inhabitants of the Moone, I dare not my selfe affirme any
thing of these Selenites, because I know not any ground whereon to build
any probable opinion. But I thinke that future ages will discover more;
and our posterity, perhaps, may invent some meanes for our better
acquaintance with these inhabitants. 'Tis the method of providence not
presently to shew us all, but to lead us along from the knowledge of one
thing to another. 'Twas a great while ere the Planets were distinguished
from the fixed Stars, and sometime after that ere the morning and
evening starre were found to bee the same, and in greater space I doubt
not but this also, and farre greater mysteries will bee discovered. In
the first ages of the world the Islanders either thought themselves to
be the onely dwellers upon the earth, or else if there were any other,
yet they could not possibly conceive how they might have any commerce
with them, being severed by the deepe and broad Sea, but the after-times
found out the invention of ships, in which notwithstanding none but some
bold daring men durst venture, there being few so resolute as to commit
themselves unto the vaste Ocean, and yet now how easie a thing is this,
even to a timorous & cowardly nature? So, perhaps, there may be some
other meanes invented for a conveyance to the Moone, and though it may
seeme a terrible and impossible thing ever to passe through the vaste
spaces of the aire, yet no question there would bee some men who durst
venture this as well as the other. True indeed, I cannot conceive any
possible meanes for the like discovery of this conjecture, since there
can bee no sailing to the Moone, unlesse that were true which the Poets
doe but feigne, that shee made her bed in the Sea. We have not now any
_Drake_ or _Columbus_ to undertake this voyage, or any _Daedalus_ to
invent a conveyance through the aire. However, I doubt not but that time
who is still the father of new truths, and hath revealed unto us many
things which our Ancestours were ignorant of, will also manifest to our
posterity, that which wee now desire, but cannot know. _Veniet tempus_
(saith _Seneca_[1])
_quo ista quae nunc latent, in lucem, dies extrahet, & longioris aevi
diligentia._
Time will come when the indeavours of after-ages shall bring such things
to light, as now lie hid in obscurity. Arts are not yet come to their
Solstice, but the industry of future times assisted with the labours of
their forefathers, may reach unto that height which wee could not
attaine to.
_Ueniet tempus quo posteri nostri nos tam aperta nescisse mirentur._
As wee now wonder at the blindnesse of our Ancestors, who were not able
to discerne such things as seeme plaine and obvious unto us. So will our
posterity admire our ignorance in as perspicuous matters. _Keplar_
doubts not, but that as soone as the art of flying is found out, some of
their Nation will make one of the first colonies that shall inhabite
that other world. But I leave this and the like conjectures to the
fancie of the reader; Desiring now to finish this Discourse, wherein I
have in some measure proved what at the first I promised, a world in the
Moone. However, I am not so resolute in this, that I thinke tis
necessary there must be one, but my opinion is that 'tis possible there
may be, and tis probable there is another habitable world in that
Planet. And this was that I undertooke to prove. In the pursuit whereof,
if I have shewed much weaknesse or indiscretion; I shall willingly
submit my selfe to the reason and censure of the more judicious.
[Sidenote 1: _Nat. Quaest. l. 7. c. 25._]
[Decoration]
The Propositions that are proved in this Discourse.
Proposition 1.
_That the strangenesse of this opinion is no sufficient reason why it
should be rejected, because other certaine truths have beene formerly
esteemed ridiculous, and great absurdities entertayned by common
consent._
By way of Preface.
Prop. 2.
_That a plurality of worlds doth not contradict any principle of
reason or faith._
Prop. 3.
_That the heavens doe not consist of any such pure matter which can
priviledge them from the like change and corruption, as these
inferiour bodies are liable unto._
Prop. 4.
_That the Moone is a solid, compacted opacous body._
Prop. 5.
_That the Moone hath not any light of her owne._
Prop. 6.
_That there is a world in the Moone, hath beene the direct opinion of
many ancient, with some moderne Mathematicians, and may probably be
deduced from the tenents of others._
Prop. 7.
_That those spots and brighter parts which by our sight may be
distinguished in the Moone, doe shew the difference betwixt the
Sea and Land in that other world._
Prop. 8.
_That the spots represent the Sea, and the brighter parts the Land._
Prop. 9.
_That there are high Mountaines, deepe vallies, and spacious plaines
in the body of the Moone._
Prop. 10.
_That there is an Atmo-sphaera, or an orbe of grosse vaporous aire,
immediately encompassing the body of the Moone._
Prop. 11.
_That as their world is our Moone, so our world is their Moone._
Prop. 12.
_That tis probable there may bee such Meteors belonging to that world
in the Moone, as there are with us._
Prop. 13.
_That tis probable there may be inhabitants in this other World, but
of what kinde they are is uncertaine._