Part 12 (2/2)

[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. -- 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. -- 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 s.p.a.ce 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 s.h.i.+ps, 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 pa.s.se through the vaste s.p.a.ces 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 a.s.sisted 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._]

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