27696That the Eartb may be a Planet.
extenſion, to that diſtance from whence
there does not appear any ſenſible difference
in its quantity. So that when I ſee a Bird
flying ſuch a height in the Air, that my be-
ing nearer unto it, or farther from it, by
ten or twenty Foot, does not make it ſeem
unto my Eyes either bigger or leſs; then I
may conclude, that the Bird muſt needs be
either ten or twenty foot thick: Or when I
ſee the Body of a Tree that may be half a
mile from me, and perceive that my ap-
proaching nearer to it, by thirty or forty
paces, does not ſenſibly make any different
appearance, I may then infer, that the Tree
is forty paces thick; with many the like ab-
furd Conſequences, that would follow from
that Foundation upon which this Argument
is bottom'd.
there does not appear any ſenſible difference
in its quantity. So that when I ſee a Bird
flying ſuch a height in the Air, that my be-
ing nearer unto it, or farther from it, by
ten or twenty Foot, does not make it ſeem
unto my Eyes either bigger or leſs; then I
may conclude, that the Bird muſt needs be
either ten or twenty foot thick: Or when I
ſee the Body of a Tree that may be half a
mile from me, and perceive that my ap-
proaching nearer to it, by thirty or forty
paces, does not ſenſibly make any different
appearance, I may then infer, that the Tree
is forty paces thick; with many the like ab-
furd Conſequences, that would follow from
that Foundation upon which this Argument
is bottom'd.
To the third, I anſwer:
’Tis too much
preſumption, to conclude that to be ſuper-
fluous, the uſefulneſs of which we do not
underſtand. There be many ſecret Ends in
theſe great Works of Providence, which
humane Wiſdom cannot reach unto; and
as Solomon ſpeaks of thoſe things that are
under the Sun, ſo may we alſo of thoſe
things that are above it, That no Man can
find out the Work of God, for though a Man
11Eccl.8.17. labour to ſeek it out; Yea, further, Though a
wiſe Man think to know it, yet ſball be not be
able to find it. He that hath moſt inſight in-
to the Works of Nature, is not able to give
a ſatisfying reaſon, why the Planets or Stars
ſhould be placed juſt at this particular
preſumption, to conclude that to be ſuper-
fluous, the uſefulneſs of which we do not
underſtand. There be many ſecret Ends in
theſe great Works of Providence, which
humane Wiſdom cannot reach unto; and
as Solomon ſpeaks of thoſe things that are
under the Sun, ſo may we alſo of thoſe
things that are above it, That no Man can
find out the Work of God, for though a Man
11Eccl.8.17. labour to ſeek it out; Yea, further, Though a
wiſe Man think to know it, yet ſball be not be
able to find it. He that hath moſt inſight in-
to the Works of Nature, is not able to give
a ſatisfying reaſon, why the Planets or Stars
ſhould be placed juſt at this particular
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